Dye Pedro. True Madam but if you were so happy as to finde an object fit to change your hate to love it would convert your thoughts from Death and be a good Argument to live Florio Where canst thou fancy such an object Melina fit to restore my thoughts to Joy or life Pedro. The Dukes love deserves a Multiply'd returne of kindnesse from you Florio Canst thou believe his friendship to me as a man can have any value for a woman wanderer though no degree of love have habitation in my heart my Judgment and Religion might perswade me to own so great a blessing if the Gods should send so strange deliverance so wonderful a change of Fate for my unworthynesse Pedro. I like well these Judicious thought and will hope your Mallady may in time finde a cure good natures slow with gratitude and both together fill the World with love it is or it will be Love Madam though you yet discerne it not Florio The Gods defend our Sex from such a president in me a Woman to love first would be a Prodigie Pedro All this I allow so you will love the Duke if he love you first Florio If thou dost think it possible that I can be in danger of such a slavery as love for heavens sake shew me a quick remedy For all the stories I have read present that passion worse then hate and in all Ages has produc'd examples to deterre our Sex from Love though I am yet safe the Duke is somewhat more then other men Give me an Antidote Melina that I may be strong against the Duk 's assault if he make any lest I find here a double invitation to the grave Pedro. You shall be provided Madam Florio He has a soule so full of Gallantry so rich in Vertue and so great renowne I tremble at my second thoughts of thy discourse and would not for the World ingage my freedome on the hazzard of so high contest if thou hast a remedy against Love shew it now that I may doubly Arme against so great an Enemie Pedro. I have a sure one Madam that which cured me and does cure all the World 't is the onely approv'd remedy Florio And shall I have it if I stand in need Pedro. Yes if you please to Love him that Loves you and this is a remedy that seldome failes to cure by fruition Florio Thou art wanton merry and talk'st thou carest not what to make me so can having what we wish most lessen its value Pedro. 'T is but too plaine by having our wish we come to know that our desires in love had rais'd our fancy above what we can ever finde This knowledge doth so check the wing of fancy and desire that love as a thing once past his height must naturally decline and fade such is the generall frailty of all Creatures to have the like certaine period of decay This makes some of our Sages studied in the point now teach that vertuous transparent friendship is a greater and more durable felicity then love but I believe you Madam have your wish allready to the first part of this opinion you are belov'd where you love and will in time judge of the whole argument by your own experience Florio If Love be not Friendship too 't were a sad Fate to Love but I am so farre from having what you wish me this way Melina that my dispaire is my unhappinesse can the Duke love me a Woman as now a man when he shall finde his favourite Florio such a counterfite will it not beget suspitions of my credit and all thoâ—e glorious actions I have done become my scandall Then if his doutage should passe by all these just exceptions may he not think my quality unfit to be his Wife These thoughts fill my fancy with such doubts Melina that when I consider my condition it makes me desperate Pedro. And gives me hopes of better dayes Madam when the Duke shall know you a Lady of the same blood with Princes and shall inquire the true cause of your disguise he will be more in love then now pray let me informe him and try your destiny Florio No Melina no I do conjure thee by thy first vow and now by all my interest not to discover me for if I outlive this Siege I will returne and take a holy habit on me lest my sex suffer by my folly and the World think I came co seeke a man rather then avoide one Pedro. Pray Madam Florio Hold I will here no Argument against my resolve obey me or you will destroy me Love thus I blow thee off Death is my businesse here Pedro. Though I do not approve what you think fit I know I must to your command submit Enter the Duke to them Duke Florio I observe you love to be retyr'd of late and I who seek your company can seldome have it Florio My heart has no joy like pleasing you Sir and my retirements are most imploy'd in studying how to shew my gratitude that Embraces Florio you may not repent the Honours you heap so fast on me Duke That 's kindly said I heare Florio that Camillo proffers to settle a great Fortune on his Neece the Faire Rossina if you can love her which I do wish that I may not fear to loose what I see so much delight in Florio 'T is an honour I cannot accept Sir because my heart is preingaged unto another so fix'd that nothing lesse then Death can ere dissolve it Duke 'T is a cleare answer but to me so harsh I dare not inquire further and yet I must or by my doubts shall suffer more Does the Person you love so much live here or may she be brought to dwell with us Florio The last of these is not impossible and yet there is great difficulties to effect it pray Sir leave me to my own endeavours and I may bring what you desire to passe for your favours have so farre ingag'd me that my Soule labours to contrive how I may live ever in your sight believe me Sir I know no Joyes on Earth beyond your favours to me aside Duke Thou dost revive me Florio he looks so great that I could wish his fancy were fix'd on Silviana may I yet know your quality I have some reason to inquire what may concerne your happinesse and mine Florio Your Highnesse does forget your promise not to presse what does concerne me not to reveale Duke You chide me handsomely I onely had a suddaine thought where to finde a fit match for my dear Sister Silviana Florio I can fit her Sir with such a man as all the Ladies of the Court will envy 't is Fernando whose quality I know is greater then appeares Duke Thou hast dash'd all my hopes at once I did wish you Florio would have thought my Sister worthy of your selfe Florio And much too worthy Sir I sweare by all my hopes my heart is preingag'd where onely Death can seperate Enter to
seen sitting by a Table in a rich Night-gown a Scarfe over her head holding a Dagger in her Handkercher she puts up her Scarfe and speaks Celestina WHat noyse was that or did I dreame it seem'd my Fathers voyce to hasten me to Church The dismall thought of that sad sound frights my Soule with apprehension of approaching misery a thousand Images of strange terrors do in various shapes appeare and bring all the sad stories I ever heard of forced Marriage afresh into my memory if I consent to marry him or do at all comply the guilt of our ensuing evills will be mine My heart shrinks for fear at these Ideas of such ills to come that I will try to think my self into the other World She pulls her Scarfe over her Face and sits a while silent There is no other way no remedy but this Dagger and now the last houre for my resolve I shame to tremble thus yet cannot chuse I know one stroke will free me from an Age of misery to which compar'd the paines of death will seem delightfull I onely fear to go I know not where and childishly do dread I know not what these be the doubts create this shaking â—it which makes me fear this unsteady hand may misse my heart if I strike now and yet I must for I shall be another Man 's to morrow and then to kill my selfe will invade his Right it must be now I am now Mistris of my self and if I only harm my selfe where is the crime Who ha's the wrong Why then should selfe slaughter be a sinne When I am dead my Father may relent and teach other Parents more humanity and so free many innocents from like slavery if then so great a happinesse unto my selfe accrue and so much good to others may insue why do I doubt to Dye a few thoughts more and I am ready She pulls down her Scarfe again and sits silent Melina knocks aloud at the Doore and cryes out Melina Help Madam help for Heavens sake helpe or I am lost Celestina frighted from her thoughts runnes in haste to open the Doore and leaves the Dagger on the Table Enter Melina Celestina What frights thee thus what danger threatned thee Melina Oh Madam the Villane fled as you approached Melina takes up the Dagger Ha! What use have you for this was it for this that I was now lock'd out aside Celestina She has deceiv'd me by a trick and I must now dissemble Celestina sits again and pulls her Scarfe over her Face Melina Madam t is ominous to celebrate your Wedding Eve in sighes when the Sun sets in a darke Clowd we say the Morning will be foule Celestina True Melina but if the Sunne do set in a red Skye the same Augurs say the Morning will prove faire Melina Some bright red Evenings make us judge so but a bloody colour'd Skye often foreshewes some dismall accident at hand Celestina No more thou hast for an hower or too repriev'd me from the grave but this Handkercher will do the work as well as that Dagger Melina now I am resolv'd to dye Melina And I as fully bent to accompany your Ghost unto the other World dye when you will Celestina Thou hast no Argument for death Melina Yes Madam I cannot part with you my sence of your many favours does work the same effect in me your troubles do bring you Celestina To lay thy blood on my head Melina will be cruelty not love and so create a sinne upon my Soule I thought not of Melina 'T is in you to prevent that evill by preserving your self and me who will not live without you have we not suck'd the same Milk and ever since been bred together Celestina Did ever servant love a Mistris thus Melina Did ever Mistris love a servant as you have me more like a neer relation then your made Celestina High gratitude thy returnes are beyond my obligations But would'st thou have me live and marry that Monster I abhorre Mel. No I would have you put the Marriage off by a fained sicknâ—sse for a while and try some lesse dangerous remedy then Ilâ—e assist Celest. I have twice done so and by it more insenc'd my angry Father who now has vowed dead or alive he will to morrow carry me to Church Mel. What if he do Celest. At the Alter then I l'e sacrifice my life if not now Mel. Is there no way but Death Celest. Yes I have a way to help my self if thou will here ingage thy Faith not to reveale but to assist in my designe my hard hearted Father shall not in such hast hurry me to Church my thoughts are honâ—st and my actions shall be honourable say Melina shall I trust thee or must I die Mel I will ingage so you will vow to me not to fall by your own hand Cele I doe I do haist now my dearest friend fetch presently She imbraces Melina my Bothers two new Sutes he made long since for this solemnity they will fit us well We must be men Melina and immediatly be gone Melina Men Madam Celest I men in shew Mel And whither then Celestina Nay if you raise doubts allready my first resolve returnes Melina Will you not admit me to consult in the affaire you now think fit to trust me with Celest. Yes yes but we have no time to counsell now you have heard how Ferraras hot-headed Duke prepares an Army for a Warre with Urbin and hopes by force to get the Princess Silviana for his Wife against her Brothers and her own consent Mel. I have heard such a discourse Celest. That discourse is true Melina and we must now haste to URBIN in our disguise there as Silvianas Voluntier I 'le fight and try what my Romantick destiny will be a forraine enemy may give the death I seek which my own hands tremble at Mel But Madam Celest No butts Melina you must now obay Make haste to shift our habits and away Exeunt THE SECOND SCENE Enter Fernando Luco and Maluezzo Fern. WE have escap'd their out guards strangely they will be round about the Town this night Luco Luco Will you stay the siege Sir Fern I had not else come hither Maluezzo Have you an Argument and a concerne worthy of such hazzard Sir Fern I come led by my Fate to seek an Argument that may prove worthy of greater hazzard then I shall meet with here men who put to Sea on great designes must not shrink at every Cloud in apprehension that a storme is neer but if I find no businesse worthy my danger I can retreat at pleasure Maluezzo You will be ingag'd in honour and must not stirre Fernan If so I shall abide it cheerfully Maluezzo goe you back immediatly while the way is open and see all done at home as I directed Maluezzo I shall be carefull Sir Exit Maluezzo Fernan Luco take you a private lodging for me before it doe grow darke and in this place or on the next
wav'd the common way of wooing to appeare before you with such an Army as will justifie my love great as my selfe and worthy of your best favours which I feare your brother does obstruct Silviana I never heard 'till now that love and terror did inhabit in one brest fright me you may but winne me never by the desolation you have made a lover by such bloody Characters set off is what ever I shall flye from Urbin Now Sir does this shew my compulsion for a Nunnery Ferrara I see she has her lesson perfect you all comply to send me home with scornes yet I must lay before you the evills of a Towne taken by assault where fire and sword do often without limits sway which is my last argument and what I hope will invite Fernando who knowes the accidents of Warre to mediate such a Peace as will divert the desolation that may follow Fernando 'T will not become me to advise against the interest of the Prince I serve For if my intelligence be true your Citty of Ferrara is or will soon be in more danger of the Fire and Sword you mention then Urbin at present is 'twere an Infamy irreparable to suffer the Princess Silviana to be ravish'd from her brothers Arms by one she is so much averse to such force Sir can have no pretence to love to the Duke Ferrara Are you of that opinion too Sir this confirmes what I have heard and what in my Camp so freely is discours'd that your great Generall is an ambitious Lover But if Silviana can submit to so meane approaches I shall scorne the competition though in my just anger I lay this Citty Levell with the Earth Fernando The meane Generall you slight so much has never yet presum'd to look with confidence on the faire Princess Eyes so farre from daring to pretend or own that love you so boldly guesse at that my adresses are yet cloathed in the humble habit of a Servant to be Silvianas Souldier I account more honour then to be Ferraras Duke Ferrara This insolence I shall in few Houres correct Fernando You judge amiss and will in few houres finde this hand can crush Ferrara into Ayre When every drop of Blood in Urbin shed Shall be repair'd with a Ferrarians head But that I dare not do any thing that looks like ingratitude for those favours I received when I was Prisoner in your Campe though I know the freedome which you gave was on designe that my inraged Revenge might open you a way to your pretence for the Faire Princess yet benefits receiv'd must be own'd as they appeare unto the World and on that account I can forget these reproaches thrown out against you know not who and aske your pardon for my too hasty harsh reply and imbrace you as my friend I and serve you too in any way that will not prejudice my Faith ingag'd unto this Princess Ferrara This calme language is more insolent then your pretence which I scorne alike Arme you for defence lest we give Lawes to your high courages Madam I have no wish so ill for your contempt of me but I can sorrow to see you fall so low as this Souldiers love Fernando Madam Thus often urg'd I beg your leave to challenge this great Prince to a single Combat in your sight then judge by our successe whether Fate approves of my humility or of his insolent Pats off his Perriwig demands see Lodovico your Rivall is your equall and my Army now by my command is at Ferraras gates yet Iâ—le take no advantage of my power so much more then yours but with my single sword will justify my love to Silviana does transend all your pretences and yet before we fight I once more proffer you my friendship with a faithfull heart Ferrara Lorenzo Duke of Florence who we thought in France I accept the Combat and with my Sword will justify my claime against so brave an Enemy Urbin This combat I must not allow here Lodovico if you reject the Duke of Florence friendship and contemne mine you may retire in safety but if you please to storme us we are prepar'd to smile when you frown most Ferrara Those frownes you slight so may prove Fatall unto Vrbin Exit Ferrara Urbin Why have you made such hazzards in this disguise Sir Lorenzo My Fathers sudden death call'd me in hast from France where I heard of this Warre thretning you I shall informe you at more leasure how I became concern'd for Silviana which brought me in this disguise to her rescue Urbin How can I returne this obligation to a Prince so much greater then my selfe Lorenzo One smile from Silviana will be a full recompence for all my service on that foundation I shall raise high hopes that she approves my love Silviana Smiles are but slight expressions of a gratefull heart Sir but if you can build the Noble structure of true love on such uncertainties I must consider of so weighty a concerne before I smile Love is a History so many wayes describ'd I do not know a harder riddle to expound then what Love is Lorenzo Love is indeed a Mystery full of such strange varieties that all the World endeavours to fix it according to their own fancies so absolutely contradictory in most men that some think lov's Centrick happinesse will neer be found though all pretend to have it But Madam I am guided by those Rules that Heav'n directs my worship unto it my whole heart is wholly yours and my unforc'd Marriage is the undoubted Testimony of that truth all meaner passions which we in gaytye call love deserves a meaner name when I lay my life and fortune at your Feet and set my Crown upon your head I have no better arguments for Love Silviana Nor I a thought that contradicts what you have said Sir but dare not rashly answer your desires lest it suit not with the esteem you have of me Vrbin No more of this now Silviana we must prepare for an assault 't is their last hope Lorenzo whom will you appoint for General Lorenzo Who but Silvianas Souldier can pretend to that honour Sir give me your Orders as before Loren reads the Orders Urbin I obey this Paper does order every man his Post by which you see I have had thoughts of this before Lorenzo I wish Sir you would change Florios Post and give him the charge to guard the Castle where the Princess may be by him secur'd from all accidents Duke I thank you for this care it shall be so Florio How have I deserv'd this from you Sir Loren. You have enough deserv'd my care Florio and I who know the Duke would account your losse next to his Town the greatest do justify my councell to have you as safe as honour will allow Duke Lorenzo is my friend Florio But not mine give me leave then as I ought to lead my guards where your selfe fights in person Sir and I will be content to change my
Alphonso Princess Or such courage be in Woman found Duke Lorenzo I am distracted with so many wonders breaking out at once that my shatred heart can yet finde no joy to entertaine so great a Guest as you nor inquire what accident did bring you hither Lorenzo Fame of Silvianas Vertues brought me hither Sir where I unlook'd for met poore Celestina my unhappy Cousin who Did from her Fathers rigid kindnesse flye Led by her starres to this sad Destiny The Duke imbraces him and weeps Princess Did ever any Age such mischiefe know Or two such courages such sorrow show Duke If Celestina live Urbin shall shine in Triumphs to speak Lorenzos welcome but if she Dye I have no life that I can call a minute mine I must not will not cannot survive so great a losse Princess She wakes she wakes and looks up cheerfull The Duke kneels and holds her hand Duke Flye to the Temples and rich insence burne proclaime a publique Feast throughout the Towne let all the holy Orders in Procession go make solemne vow 's to Heav'n for Celestinas life Now let the Citty there Devotions pay For Victory and keep this Holliday Celestina wakes speaks faintly Celestina Is this a vision or is it reall what I see these Robes I understand not the Duke kneeling the Princess and Lorenzo weeping I do either dreame or I am dead why all this to me Duke To the Dutchess of URBIN this is due Heav'n Celestina has heard my prayers and will I hope preserve your life to raise my dispairing soule above the World if you consent Triumphant love with such resplendant Rayes adorn'd will change these sullen Clouds into a glorious shine throughout my Land and every heart rejoyce at our Felicities Celestina Lorenzo then has made himselfe and me known to you Sir which does beget such shame as makes my soule retyre from what it most joyes in can you value such a counterfeit as I Duke Can I be thankfull for the greatest blessing men have on Earth all had been well if Lorenzo had declar'd you sooner Celestina My businesse was to dye unknown lest my disguise should raise a scandall on my Name for ever Lorenzo knew me not till yesterday Duke This disguise Celestina has by mistakes brought all this evill on us let us no more mention it but implore Heav'n for your recovery Lorenzo How will you dispose of your great prisoner Sir Urbin As my friend now Celestina lives these Arms shall be your only bonds while you are with us I owe all the felicities I now to Ferrara enjoy to you Sir I had neer seen Florio nor found Lorenzo here without this Warre And if Lodovico can submit to what the Gods have thus decree'd we may be ever friends but I shall impose no Rules for you to follow who are as free here as at Ferrara for I intend a Jubilee to all who will participate my joyes Lodovico Though my success affords no argument for joy I can acknowledg your civilities and must submit unto those powers who order our designes according to their wills not ours Lorenzo I have a heart to serve Lodovico too if it may be receiv'd Lodovico Since victory has decided our contest 't were uselesse to hold up such animosity as can afford no remedy I shall therefore strive to regulate my heart unto my Fortune Duke Wee must now begg your pardon Sir and yours Silviana our high transports for these strange accident have too long diverted our respects for you Sir Lorenzo If Silviana do yet dare to own me little Ceremony wil be needfull here Princess If I had not long since seen through your disguise somewhat of greater worth then your low Equipage allow'd you had not found so quick a passage to my heart Duke 'T is my part to joyne your hands now you avow your hearts united I wish you as much joy Sir as you have help'd me to by Celestinas Love Loren. I can have none beyond what I rejoyce to see you have Sir Duke How is it Celestina does your heart with your health comply to make me happy Celestina Yes Sir now all my doubts are vanish'd I have time to look back on my dispaires with pleasure and to rejoyce and wonder at your love so much beyond my merit or my hope Duke Though habits sexes often may devide They could not Celestinas vertues hide VVhich gave such Lustre to young Florios name It raisâ—d my wonder and begot this â—lame Which ever must admire that blest disguise When Florio shew'd me Celestinas Eyes Thus mighty Love Triumph'd in friendship drest Though his Magnetick Vertue seem'd supprest FINIS THE EPILOGVE To the SIEGE of VRBIN EPILOGUES we know if well fitted may Either excuse or else set off the Play But our Fantastick Author does believe His Doublet may be wor'ne without a sleeve He will no Epilogue allow the Pit He sayes of late hath surfeted of Wit poynts to the Pit And therefore has this new rigg'd Pinnace Launc'd Into these Deeps and now too farre advanc'd Without a Rudder Yet if friends you may With gentle Gales this guidlesse Barke convey Through all its dangers to the wished Port And so prove Pilots of the noblest sort SELINDRA A Tragy-Comedy Written by Sr WILLIAM KILLIGREW OXFORD Printed for the Author and are to be sold by Ric Davis 1666. The Actors Names of Selindra LAscares Emperour of Greece Phillocles Lascares his Son Ordella Lascares his Daughter Secropius Lascares his Favourite Cleonel Secropius his Son Selindra A great Lady Attending Ordella and supposed Daughter of Periander but is Astella Princess of Hungary Periander A great Lord of Ciprus Three Ladies Attending Ordella Antillacus Generall of Greece Armanthus General of the Horse Antenor Great Lords of Greece Gillon Great Lords of Greece Officers Guards Servants Pages Trebello King of Hungary These appear not Barzanes his Eldest Son These appear not Trebello's youngest Son Astella His onely Daughter Orsanes Generall of Hungary Lords Officers Pollidor Hungarians Tennedor Hungarians Tecknor Hungarians Titius Hungarians Servants Hungarians SCENE Is the Emperors Palace at Bizantium The FIRST ACT. Enter two Lords Antenor and Gillon Ante THis Rumor through the Town of Prince Phillocles being Crowned King of Hungary is beyond cregit Gillon Who is Author of this discourse Ante It has no Author a Packet to the Emperor is brought by the common Post who only said the last Post told him so Gillon And that last post might hear it from another What does the Emperor declare Ante We shall know now his Letters are in his hand Enter Lascares Emperor of Greece with Cecropius Cleonell and Guards Empe Have you yet Learnt Cecropius from whence this Rumour comes concerning Hungary Cecro I can by no means find the Author Sir yet the whole Town is full of it 't is in all mens mouths that Prince Phillocles is Crown'd King of Hungary yet none know why they say it Emp It cannot be these Letters are but three
how is it faire He speaks to Selindra one that you neglect such honour and such Wealth as Cleonel brings with him he is a man in my Eye worthy the greatest subject of my Empire Or is it the nice Lovers part you thus do act in Publique while your united hearts delight in private say Selindra when shall our Court flourish in triumphs for your Wedding while Ordella provides Ornaments for you it shall be my care to set forth Cleonel like himselfe and fit for such a Mistresse tell me when Selindra when shall this jolly time be come I must presse you for my Friend Selin I am very sensible of this Honour you now do me Sir yet cannot chuse but wonder why your Majesty thinks fit to presse me to a publique Answer Emp You have delayed it long enough 't is a good time to declare now Selin I obey Sir and do confesse that I have ever had a true value of Cleonels worth I have also observed your favour to hm and do believe that he may make the best of Women happy but yet I think not fit to entertain his Love I have more Noble thoughts then to incourage him with hopes of what I never can afford him such a returne as his merit may justly expect from one more worthy then my self I must declare that my purpose is not to marry but to attend the Princess so long as that honour may be permitted and her Highnesse favour shall continue to me Emp May all thy wishes be ever on thee happy will that man be that gets such a Treasure as this fair Cabinet containes I am vanquish'd Cleonel and I advise thee to teare this Serpent from thy heart before it be too big for thee to graspe observe you this Ordella Phillocles are thy thoughts yet for Belgrade Phillo They shall be Sir if you Command it Exeunt Lascares Cecropius and Cleonel Phillo Ordella can you guess why my Father does now urge my absence that so late inforc'd my stay Ordel Does not the Affaires of Hungary require you there Phillo No Ordella I should not then wonder at his pressing me to goe Enter Messenger Messen Madam the Emperor calls for you Ordel I 'le o're take him presently I have much to say to you Brother pray stay my returne good Selindra entertaine him in my Chamber with Cleonels last Melancholly Song I like so well Phillocles and Selindra sit within the Scene THE SONG Cloris we see the offended Gods At first do shew and shake their Rodds That they may rather threat then strike So we foregoe what they dislike These faulty streams shall flow no more Above their banks as heretofore Nor swelling tempest from my breast Henceforth thy Virgin cares molest All shall be fashion'd to thy will So thou wilt let me Love thee still My Lips shall not a word let go That may offend to tell thee so But to dissemble or deny That I do Love thee were a lye Would staine my soule 't will prove a spot To look as if I Lov'd thee not Philo. This charity becomes you Madam and Cleonels lines I see are smiled on though himself be not but why did you with such severity in publique disclaime his interest and seem to reject a man so worthy when the Emperor himself woed for him Selin 'T is the Princess Ordellas pleasure that I should learn his Song Sir and not my fancy to the maker of it though his love and respects may challenge a greater complement from me for I shall ever acknowledg obligations to Cleonel yet not think fit to treat a Marriage in my Fathers absence by whom I shall be wholly rul'd in that matter if he think fit to make that choice for me I must submit Philo. Give me leave Madam so farre to interest my selfe in your Affaires as to aske if your thoughts for Cleonel be such that you will Phillocles takes her Hand she shewes dislike not admit the like profession from another For though my Father cannot match him in his Dominions I believe that I can find you a Servant as faithfull and as full of Love one every way as worthy your favours one that will outâ—bid Cleonel to gaine Selindra do but He offers to kiss her Hand Selin I beg your Highnesse pardon for some time Exit Seli Phil Thus to leave me while I was speaking to her is a scorne I look'd not for Selindra was not wont to be so rude nor I so foolish sure my looks and Language rendred me Ridiculous so slight that she blush'd for me which to hide she thus withdrew leaving me to wonder at my self that am of late become what I want a Name for If this be Love and this the effects of Love I 'le teare the Monster from my heart and be my self againe before it grow too mighty for me my hands cannot reach it no force can touch it 't is a subtile foe not to be compell'd 't is reason onely must prevaile Selindra loves and dissembles her affection to Cleonel neglecting me how unworthy then am I that seek to separate united hearts how fond to Covet what another does enjoy how much am I now fall'n below my self by this passion He throwes himself on the Couch sadly Enter Ordella and Selindra Ordel When went my brother hence Selindra Selin He sits there Madam Ordel My Father I fear has too much cause for what he said Prethee leave us a while Selindra and let none disturb us Ordella goes to Phillocles he starts at her approach Phillo Oh Selindra Ordella She is not here why do you stare thus on me are you not well Phillo Onely a little dull for want of sleep Ordella but why sent the Emperor for you in such haste Ordel To tell me that Phillocles does love Selindra and to enquire my thoughts of it I answered boldly that you were too Noble to dishonour Selindra and too wise to neglect Astella and a Crown for such an idle fancy I have confirm'd him that you have not such a thought because I saw him troubled at it but what is this that thus distracts you Phil Ha! what sayes my dearest Sister Ordel Ye Gods defend that I be not mistaken Brother what have you done with your self since I went hence Phillo My head is full of the Affaires of Hungary I was contriving how I should secure Astella in her Throne and thinking of a thousand other things but why did my Father send for thee Ordel This is very strange I told you why and you regard me not it was about Selindra Phillo About Selindra prethee Ordella let us talke of something else thou weepest Ordel. How can I chuse but weepe to see you thus distracted and all my hopes of future joyes dying in me Phillocles has left to love me he dares not trust me with his heart he Loves and by dissembling seeks to hide his love from me that can dye for him Phillo I am guilty Ordella thy charms o'recome me and I
said This Parragon of all our Sex now dyes Because Ormasdes does her Love despise Ormas No Madam I do suffer more then she Does for her self hers is my miserie I dare not virtue with vain hopes abuse I cannot love and therefore do refuse To dally with so bright a Saint whose Shrine Compels all hearts to bow before 't but mine I am not capable of Love not blest That way my heart 's with other flames possest Queen All flames you feel would vanish did you see Valeriana in such misery As she endures now fetching her last breath Enquiring your health neglecting her own death Thus my compassion has her sorrowes learn'd I weep her Tears while you stand unconcern'd Ormas Madam your passion does my pitty move Though my dull heart cannot consent to Love My resolution is now fixt I 'le try My self to vanquish or her Martyr Dye I swear I did not hear that she was ill And now it does my soul with horror fill For her concern no danger is so great But I will rather dye in 't then retreat Queen 'T is bravely said but dare you try the effect Of one short visit after such neglect Ormas Thus provok'd if your Majesty stands by I will not such a visit now deny Queen You speak and look as if you meant to fright Much rather then revive her by your sight Ormas Madam to Complement I have no skill Nor can be pleas'd if lov'd against my will Yet sensible and civil I can be Though it do prove unfortunate to me Queen When shall I bring this comfort to revive Her fainting soul if she be still alive Ormas Is she really so weak so soon grown Thus ill I have no skill in this unknown Mystery of love but will boldly try What I can do for her recovery Queen High passions do weak bodies sooner bring To the Graves mouth then any other thing Her despairs are of a much longer date Though suddain sicknesse do break out thus late When I your humour did a first reherse And shew'd how your whole life had been averse To Love she sigh'd and presently grew pale Despair that minute made her spirits fail And so transported by her fancy fell As if my doubts had rung her passing bell Orm Though I cannot speak nor do yet know how To look I 'm ready to attend you now Queen I fear so suddain and so great a joy As your approach may equally destroy Let me her heart prepare that by degrees She may but hope retain before she see The comfort that your visit brings and then Ormasdes may ere long prove best of Men. Ormas Madam I do my self to you submit Pray order me in all as you think fit Queen You shall then stand unseen while I do tell This welcome story which will make her well And then by what you 'l see you may observe How my true friendship will from both deserve Who have no wish beyond Ormasdes good When time shall make me rightly understood Ormas Madam I have now no more to say But that I will your Majesty obey Queen You shall not stirre Ormasdes till I send Exit Queen and Traine Enter to him Nearous Ormas Did you not meet Cleandra going out Near Yes but I have businesse of importance Pray let us withdraw and be more private Ormas Come this way then They go out and Re-entey Ormas Why have you drawn me to this inner Room Is the secret of so piercing quality That fewer Walls then these cannot contain't Near It is my Lord of a high nature grown I must impart it to your self alone You and I must kill one another now Ormas May not I live though you are pleas'd to dye Near No Sir since 't is decreed that I must die I am resolv'd to have you Company There 's a Sword the same with mine defend you Ormas Hold a while May not I know the cause of this hatred Near I have no hatred yet endeavour must That we together may revert to dust Though you by chance have rob'd me of my right I 'de not out-live Ormasdes if I might Ormas From whence does this strange kindnesse to me grow Say for I will not fight untill I know Near This then will teach you to defend your self Runs at him he puts his Sword by and holds him Ormas I shall call my Servants unlesse you now show The cause of this distracted fury Near I will Lets him go Valeriana's my Quarrel She throwes neglects on me and dotes on you Ormas You are mistaken sure and much abus'd It is not possible She dotes on me Who never courted Lady in my life Near By all that 's good she told me so her self Ormas This must be some design beyond my reach But if true from whence does my guilt arise Who never heard of your pretence 'till now Nor have a serious thought for hers to me If such a folly do her heart possesse Am I to answer for her guiltinesse Near I do accuse you of no guilt at all But joy to think if by my hand you fall It will Create in her such miserie As will adorn my death with Victorie Ormas If such revenge and malice you intend Where is the Love that you so much pretend Near Wee 'l talk of that as our two souls expire She flatter'd me with hopes that blew my Fire She threw out vowes to marry me and now In hope of you disowns that holy vow Ormas Made vowes to marry you and yet love me Pray shew me how this story does agree I swear I never had a thought of Love To Lady in my life and will now quit The interest you pretend rather then fight For such imaginary Dreams as this Near You must Fight Nearcus offers at him he rings a Bell. Enter Servants Ormas No disarm him so now leave us alone Exeunt Nearcus I have lov'd you and shall still If you 'l permit what does this story mean Near By Hea Valeriana did ingage To marry me if my Birth equal'd hers But now repents in hope to marry you Ormas This story growes stranger and stranger still Does your Birth equal hers on which you ground Your Title and on which her vow was made Near It does Ormasdes and did hers exceed When I first urg'd that sacred Vow she made She but a Subject unto me appear'd Ormas And are you other now Near Yes have you not heard that Prince Orontes Brother to our late King had a young Son Call'd Leonatus who by sad mishap Fencing with the Prince hurt him in the Eye Of which hurt he dyed and the King inrag'd Made vowes to Sacrifice the Murtherer As if the mischief purposely were done In order to his own Succession After Cleandra who was then married To a young Prince in Greece and setl'd there Orm I 'ave often heard the Queen with sighs lament Her Brothers losse by that sad accident And say she pittied Leonatus death As innocent
Phil Why so sad my deer Sister your looks speak a sorrow through your smiles Ordel Can you aske and know your self to be the cause of it can Phillocles be in danger and Ordella not be sad can you think smiles would become my face when my heart shrinks to think of your rash journey to seek Astella you know not where I can no more put off my feares then my affection for you Phil Dearest Ordella let not a mistaken cause of fear for me beget such a trouble in you there is no danger in my purpos'd Journey I shall onely search the Grecian Isles where none dares do me harme you know I am engag'd in honour to performe what I have so publiquely declar'd and I am sure you love my Honour equall with my Person Ordel I do so and could I see the necessity you urge to search for Astella my passion should submit to your reason and that I may not flatter my own affection I shall now submit unto Selindra's opinion who has no reason to be partiall to either of our arguments I prethee good Selindra speak freely what thou thinks't of my brothers Journey Selin Truly Sir if I may judg the Princess tells you what you should better consider of then I think you yet have not that I do apprehend any dangerous hazzards in the Journey as she does nor can I finde any arguments fit to perswade you from attempting dangers when your Honour calls you to them give me leave Sir only to aske how your Honour is concerned to make this search why do you intend so great a trouble to your self from whence is this value of Astella who you never saw why does your Highness seek a Woman that has never oblidged you nor you her but by the ruine of her Family incens'd her Phil 'T is true that I have never seen nor oblig'd Astella in particular but I have by many hazards of my life endeavour'd both the Fame of her Excelling Beauty and greater Vertue begot in me a desire to serve her and her whole Family which I did faithfully in freeing Hungarie from the Germane yoak 't was an unhappy Fate befell her Parents by themselves pull'd on them not by me intended in which sad losse I beare so great a share that I have no peace within untill I have made my Innocence unto Astellas self appear that she may see that I had no design to hurt the Princes persons nor to Conquer Hungarie Selin What you have bravely done in that Warre deserves a Trophie and from Astella no lesse value when she shall be well enformed of all that past there 'till then Sir the Princess thinks it not fit for you to Visit Astella because we often see Great Princes Vertues does not answer the report Fame gives them Ordel Most true Selindra my heart presages a Ruine if you goe could I lay by my affection to you and put on Astellas cause I would undertake to confute those Arguments you so much trust in Methinks I see you kneeling and the inraged Astella deaf to all you say swelling with anger for brave Pollinesso's losse and ready to sacrifice your Life come Selindra if ever I have deserved love from thee shew it now by assisting me my own way by thy best Language do thou stand forth and as Astella receives my over-confident Brother spare him not Selindra but suppose you had a Brother as dear to you as Pollinesso She pulls Selindra to Act Astella She stands before the Chaire of State was to her and that beloved Brother by Phillocles his rash attempt sent to his untimely grave let loose some Teares to accompany those I have shed and for my sake put on a look so mixt with Majesty Grief and Anger as may present her Part thou play'st I that look will do it Sel Madam You see my ready Obedience to your Commands but will the Prince permit such boldnesse Phil Yes Selindra since nothing else will satisfie my Sister I am content for once to beare a part in this Childs play on condition Ordella that you put off your sadnesse if I prevaile Ordella I shall so you will stay at home if she do get the better of you He turnâ—s to Selindra and sees her looks angry Phil Content can Selindra frown in jest methinks she looks as if she would do it to the life Ordella Sel Yes Phillocles I can frown when I have just cause and will make thee repent this rash attempt to visit me thou hast beyond my hope put thy self into my power to punish Phil How that angry Cloud spreads Can those bright lights suffer an Eclips and not portend some fatall Ruine what if they do shall I shake at Thunder that cannot reach me be concern'd for an unjust anger no not though the gods did threat But Astella will not nourish a thought mis-be-coming her Vertue nor so much lessen her great name by a mistaken passion to harm a man whose endeavours were to serve her Selin A mistaken Passion Phillocles are not my Father and my Brothers dead though not by thy hand butchered yet by thy attempts they fell is not the glory of our name extinguish'd the honour of men fall'n all lost in Pollinesso's death Phil Astellas self is not more free then I was from intending evill to her friends they forc'd me to secure my self by which they were all lost their Plots and Perjuries pull'd this Ruine on them onely Pollinesso was not Guilty he would not comply with fierce Barzanes envious designes nor with his Fathers blacker purposes Pollinesso was a witnesse of my hazards in that Warre and did partake an equall share in them and in the Victory we often seal'd our vowes of Amity in our best blouds together which did beget so mutual a Love that our Soules moved ever one way I would rather have Dyed with Pollinesso then live thus to lament his losse by these unfained Teares I would Sel Thou speakst a Language so pleasing to my Eares that I could wish my vow to Sacrifice thee to my Brothers Ghost had never past my Lips for I can see and value all thy Noble actions and judge the guilt of my own friends that fell and can beare the losse of all but Pollinesso he you say dyed Innocent free from the other Crimes full of Honour rich in Vertue in the Blossome of his Age my onely Joy fell and you my onely hate shall dye so too your Worth your Youth and your Innocence will make my oblation acceptable to those powers I have vowed you too vain man canst thou think Pollinesso's ghost will be appeased with words or teares if thou wert ever worthy my brothers love shew it now in couragious dying to his memory for by all our gods thou dyest a guard there She is interrupted by Ordella Ordella 'T is bravely done Selindra thou madest me start and shake to see thee look and hear thee speak with such awfull majesty how is it Brother how do
you think Astellas selfe will receive you when one so unconcern'd can use you thus do you yield yet have we the better argument Philocles and Selindra stand both amazed Phil Yes you have Ordel You 'l stay then Phil I think I shall Ordel My deer deer Selindra let me kisse thee thou hast oblidged me beyond my power to gratifie beyond my expression to acknowledg the Emperor and the whole Empire shall thank thee for Phillocles his safety come my brother let us now finde my Father this change will please him Exeunt ambo Selin How near lost was I on his fresh mention of Pollinesso's death how dangerous a work did I undertake and how happily brought off by the Princess Ordellas timely interruption I thought my selfe within my strengths at Belgrade and Phillocles in my power to punish I must no more of these games 't is my disguise preserves my life and I do care only to live to be reveng'd on Phillocles the Author of all my sorrowes Oh! but the Princess Ordella sits too neer my heart to suffer that she is my friend if I destroy her beloved brother I wound her to death at lest give her the same intollerable grief for Phillocles I now suffer for Pollinesso Oh! horrid ingratitude Oh miserable Astella my Obligations to Ardella do infringe my vowes to Heaven ye gods direct me so that these differing passions may not distract me I would do what should become me best and please you most though my own life in the attempt be lost Exit Selindra THE SECOND ACT. Enter Emperor Cecropius and Cleonel Emp WHat think you Cecropious of Phillocles his Love Cecr Mighty Sir what you have said was my thought when I first heard of the Prince his stay and had been now my Councel as the best way to secure his Interest in Hungary by which Astella must submit unto the will of him that has allready woon hearts of all her people Cleon Sir you know I have long lov'd and long sought Selindra's Love and Lovers Eyes are quick to discover the like looks in others 't is my duty as well as my own Concern to tell your Majestie that I have observed Selindra's good looks to be the Orators that have put off the Prince his journey not his kinde sisters importunity and when your own observation shall informe you better your Majesty will finde this no causelesse jealousie in me Cecropious What he tells you Sir is the whisper of the Court but I look on it slightly the Prince may have a minde to a Wench and Selindra is a pretty one but Sir in my opinion you should take no notice of such youthfull passages the Prince cannot think her a fit Wife and then no matter who is his Mistress Emp Cecropious I do think it worthy my care to prevent an evill the Crown of Hungary can be no way mine but by Astella we see Selindra is rich in Beauty and more rich in Virtue if not by Birth great enough to be his Wife she is too good to be his wanton Mistress Phillocles is young and young men are apt to be in Love He is as gallant as great and if his affection should meet a repulse as 't is most like from Selindra these sparks we now see may grow to such a flame as neither we nor he can quench I will observe him and set spies on them Aside some of my own spies Cleonell may be jealous without a cause I will sift Ordella too Enter Phillocles to them in rich cloathes with Ordella Selindra Lords Ladies and train all fine Emp Daughter you have wrought a good work on your brother thy Interest I see has prevail'd beyond my intreaty or my Command I thank thee for it Ordella and am glad Phillocles to find that your Eares are open unto reason indeed the journey would not have suited with your other great actions I like well â—hy gallant spirit but I like not to hazzard a Kingdome for a Complement Phillocles Sir I do thus low beg pardon for my first disobedience She kneels to your commands and do confesse my sister wrought my consent to stay yet I must tell you Sir 't was because her Arguments complyed with your commands nor was your command her least Argument Emp Thus let me imbrace the greatest comfort of my life thou He holds their Armes under his and walks as he speaks shalt set ever next my heart give me thy hand Ordella and thine Phillocles What wealth is there beyond these what joyes beyond those I feel thus supported I am the envy of Princes may all the blessings Heaven can bestow fall on you both for this love and this obedience to your old dying Father tell me Phillocles how stands the affâ—ires of Hungary I have had late intelligence that some Commotions do appeare there if so since you have thus discreetly laid aside the search of Astella in my judgment 't will be next best that you repaire to Belgrade with your Army there by your presence to keep the people in Obedience untill Astella be found we know the Hungarians are a busie headed people Phillocles Phil. Sir I have left the Government of that State in those hands that will neglect no meanes to invite Astella home they love her Sir and do want no power to secure the Kingdome for her my presence at Belgrade would rather deterre Astella then invite her home and may be justly thought I meant to force what I yet doubt to sue for In my opinion Sir I ought to hear more from thence before I stirre that way but my opinion and my will shall submit to your Commands Emp Thou art still on thy Complements but my gray Haires are not convinc'd by such Arguments think better on what I propose though I do not command but onely wish it while I instruct your Phillocles and the rest goe off sister with my reasons that she and you may consult together He whispers with Ordella Ordel. I shall obey you Sir and weigh well what you have said I shall not be wanting in my care for Selindra nor in my love unto my Brother Emp I am satisfied Ordella and do only wonder why he will not lead the Army into Hungary where such apparent need is of his presence Ordella He will go if you will have him Sir Emp I will think further on it a day or two This while Cleonel Courts Selindra she shewes dislike to him Emp Cleonel I see loses no time in the Warre he makes ply her hard young man those knit browes do often prove the Cipher to a smiling heart and yet Cleonel I must tell you that I approve not this whining way of Wooing most Women like to be approach'd with such Alacrity as shewes the mettle men are made of where is thy heart young man Cle. Mighty Sir one frown from bright Selindras Eyes has power to shake me into Attomes to unman me quite Emp I think so and must my selfe Wooe for thee
this great concern 't is very like that he who would have ravish'd may consent to poyson twenty such as I rather then loose his hopes of Hungary I like well to fly from this near death but I like not to trust my self to Cleonel there may be more danger at his Castle then in the death I would fly from if I discover my self unto Ordella she will solicite me for Phillocles who I must ever hate this will prove more desperate then all the rest I must trust Cleonel though She calls Cleonel he be of a fiery Spirit his honour was never yet tainted I will look gently on him and ingage him if I can to be true to me My Lord I He Enters have weighed my dangers and your councel to avoid them and I will trust my self to you so you will swear to carry me directly unto Belgrad and not to your Castle I have friends in Hungary who will protect me and there I shall have time to consider of your hazzards for me Cleo By our House-hold gods I swear to do it by this fair hand I will observe my Oath and what ever else you shall command me though it be late we must this night depart you must make ready while I take order for my Servants and my Horses Selin May I not see the Princess e're I go will not to morrow night be time enough Cleo To morrow night brings death beyond all power to hinder we should be going while we talk Let no fears disturb you Madam I can command the opening of the ports at any hour all shall be according to your wish Selin Heaven grant it Cleonel When I remember the strict vow you made It were Impiety to be afraid Exeunt severally Enter Phillocles and Guard Phil Let the Boy only stay and sing the Song I like The SONG Come come thou glorious object of my sight Oh my Ioy my Life my only Delight May this glad minute be Blest to Eternitie See how the glimmering Tapors of the Skie Do gaze and wonder at our Constancy How they crowd to behold What our armes do infold How all do envy our Feliceties And grudg the Triumphs of Selindras Eyes How Cynthia seeks to shroud Her Cressent in you Cloud Where sad Night puts her sable mantle on Thy light mistaking hasteth to be gone Her Gloomy shades give way As at the approach of day And all the Planets shrink in doubt to be Eclipsed by a brighter Deity Look Oh look How the small Lights do fall And Adore VVhat before The heavens have not show'n Nor their God-heads known Such a faith Such a Love As may move Mighty Iove From above To descend and remain Amongst Mortals again Phill Enough boy begon Enter Ordella to visit him as in her Chamber the Guard at the Doore appearing Phill Thou art welcome Ordella let us sit and talk sadly Ordel My coming is to divert this sadness which you too much indulge Phill Does not my sorrow become me Ordella canst thou wish me merry when thou considerest my Condition who is there now in Greece more scorn'd then Phillocles Ordel Who more honour'd thy Victories shine bright upon thee thy Vertues are unparallel'd thy self ador'd by thy own Subject and by other Nations coveted let not my brother provoke the gods by his ingratitude Phil Thou art mistaken my dear Sister I am not that Phillocles thou meanest not he that chased the Germanes out of Hungary I am one that Cleonel dares Rival and with a single Arme can check my force a poore contemn'd prisoner I am a man with half a soul thou seest do I not become my Goale Ordell I am sad my self to hear you talk thus but my Brother your affaires do require your present Counsel pray let us consider how Selindra may be secur'd from farther danger Phillocles starts up hastily Phill Is Selindra in danger speak Ordella what danger who dares threaten her Ordel You mistake me Brother I was about to tell you that â—n my opinion she will be safe at Ciprus and do think fit when she takes leave of me to let her know your love and resolution to marry her which will soon dash Cleonels hopes this I could not yet do by reason she was so suddainly committed to Cecropius your looks do fright me and your unquiet thoughts will ruine you Phil Thou art my only comfort thou shalt still direct and I 'le obey prithee Ordella chide me when I do amiss methinks thy looks speak good successe I do approve her absence for a while at Ciprus because you like it and I will have patience too because you say 't is fit Ordello Patience will become you best and best suit with your affaires Phil Thou Councell'st well Ordella but canst not fancy what a broken heart endures my whole soul labours under the burden of my Love and to that is added her neglects more weighty and to this double load my Fathers unjust anger falls up on me as if I were not sinking fast enough before Ordel My Fathers anger will be soon over Phil I wish it not Ordella may his fierce anger urge him on to my destruction it will be handsomer to fall so then to perish by Selindra's scorns Ordel You raise imaginary evils that are not I am confident Selindra has no thought for Cleonel nor can I doubt but she will meet your love with as bright a flame as yours is Phi Oh! that I could suffer such a hope or such a thought possesse me I would then meet my Fathers frowns and blow away his thunder did Selindra love me I would wage a second War with heaven to gain her and be more proud to fall her Martyr in so high attempt then sit next to Jove with her neglects upon me Enter Antenor Ante Madam the Emperor sent me to see if Selindra were here with you Ordel What means my Father by this Is she not a Prisoner with Cecropius Ante She was but is now missing at which Cecropius is halfe madde Enter Antillacus to them Antil Madam I come to let you know that by day-break Cleonel with Selindra past the Ports and about two hours after were met on that way that leads to his Castle Phil Let them that love me follow me Phillocles snatches Antillacus his Sword and runnes at his Guard who give way As Phillocles goes out he meets Lascares and Cecropius and wounds Cecropius in the Arme. Emp. Traytor Villain stay all I do command you stay Antillachus See the Court-Gates lock'd that none go after him Cecropius do you retire and look to your hurt he meant it at thy heart old Man may thy Sons good Sword revenge it on him if they meet and he fall under it Ordel Oh Sir Let not your curses follow my Brother he has Afflictions enough without them Emp Peace Ordella thy tendernesse doth too much nourish thy Brothers follies I would rather he should not be then be thus Eâ—â—eminate I have fought many Battles
purpose now oppose Though I your counsels and your friendship lose Who in debates can speak in fight command And order all that in disorder stand Can nothing alter your desire from this Ormas Not unlesse troubles be preferr'd to bliss Queen Ormasdes it shall be as you desire And freely when you please you may retire Ormas Though I a while absent my self from Court I shall be ready to lay by my Books When you do call me to put Armour on Stories tell that great men the like have done Queen Though I know no example I believe What e're Ormasdes shall make choice to do May be a president that will ingage Brave men to follow in the future Age. Ormas Your Majesty in this has given me more content Then all the favours proffer'd me before Exit Ormasdes Y. Tit Is this his humour or some fancy grown From passion for some Love to us unknown Queen No Titus he has ever been observ'd A great contemner of Amores and does True friendship more esteem then idle love Y. Tit The more like now to be so much concern'd When touch'd our mortal bodies are so frail That we may love and know not what we aile VVhy does your Majesty think friendship can VVith as much force as love transport a Man Queen Not to such frensies as wild brains Create VVhen fancy cannot change the course of Fate VVhen love to Faces with the Face decay A virtuous Friendship will for ever sway I wish you Titus when he first retires To try how farre your Friendship can prevail To get the secret from Ormasdes soul 'T is for his good that he his griefs impart True friendship will allow a little Art VVhen the design does nothing more import But bringing of Ormasdes back to Court Tit I shall be joy'd and happy if I can Bring back to Court so Excellent a Man Enter an Officer and Ormasdes Officer The Embassador attends your Majesty Queen Admit Him The Queen sits Enter Embassador and his Train Embas Madam my Master the Treconian King Salutes you in these Letters and by me Congratulates your Zelnian Victorie But does lament that he no share acquir'd In that great Conquest he so much desir'd He was ambitious Madam to command In that near Warre and not as neuter stand When strangers merits do such Triumphs claime While he to you unknown sat still with shame But since Ormasdes conduct and his skill With such high Valour has fulfill'd your will He envies not so great a Souldiers praise But would have shar'd in his Triumphant Bayes Qu If I had known Valeriana's mind He might my thanks have shar'd and not repin'd Emb. I have commission also to propose A League between your Kingdomes and your selves Such as new Conquer'd Zelnia will secure That Cithereas peace may long endure Your Beauty Madam more then Crowns invite Valerianus wishes to unite Your hearts and then your Scepters may Be double fixt when both do love obey He begs that he in person may appear To plead his love and treat this great affair Queen Valerianus friendship I approve But never shall consent to treat of Love 'T would raise my dead Lords Ashes in his Urn If I should to a second Lover turn Your great Kings proffer'd League I do imbrace With fit Affection and a chearfull face Declaring to the World how I respect His person though I must his sute reject Emb I shall acquaint my Master and beg leave I may your Majesties commands receive Without the Ceremonies that belong To a State audience in a formal throng Queen You shall have free accesse as you desire And now my Lord I must a Sutor be That your faire Sister will in Court appear Who I am told is come to visit me Emb That Madam should have been my next request That you my dearest Sister would permit To kiss your hand who does attend without Queen Will you Ormasdes please to bring her in And make my excuse who did not know She was so neer Exit Ormas If you had brought her to the Audience She should have been as welcome as you wish Emb Though all the World adore Cleandras Name On the faint notions of a Common Fame I now can testify and will declare Your virtues to your beauties equall are Queen Your compliments require not a reply You over-valew my civilitie Enter Ormasdes with Mariana Qu You do me and my Country honour more Then any Lady ever did before Mar I have done my self a favour Madam And 't is your Majesty that honours me The fame of Citherea I confesse May Princes hither bring but my address Is to Cleandras self that I might see The virtue fam'd for such Divinitie Qu Madam if you such flatteries throw out You will your welcome spoil and make me doubt You rather come to mock then to admire On such another word I shall retire Mari I can be silent Madam while I live But must speak truth when you this freedome give Qu We then will change our argument and place Lest I do chide whom I intend to grace Exeunt all but Nearcus and Cleobulus Cleob Did you observe with what forc'd modesty The Embassador supprest his anger When his Masters sute so briskly was denied Near Yes and how suddain his sad looks changed When bright Cleandra did so soon admit His private visits as if himself were struck And did no further presse his Masters sute Cle. I have other thoughts that made me believe The Lady he calls Sister is his Love Near Such things have been and Mariana may His Mistris be whose beauty in my Eye Does farre surpasse Cleandras Majesty And now you put these thoughts into my head I did observe Marianus Eyes and his Did a long practiz'd silent language shew While they by turns did entertain the Queen Cleob But I had second thoughts led me to think I did sometimes perceive Marianas Eyes On brave Ormasdâ—s fixt and seem'd to take Such a survey as Purchasers do make Near I doubt Mariana has not an estate To purchase him at great Cleandras rate Cleo Let us observe them better next and see If it be Art or their simplicitie Exeunt Enter Embassador and Mariana Emb I have undone my self Mariana For now beyond resistance I do love And find Cleandr will by her neglects Dash all my hopes and turn from my respects Mari There does not a just cause to me appear For such a doubt much lesse to raise dispair Because Cleandr runs not at first sight Into the Arms of such a wandring Knight Though your State Arguments cannot procure To Treat she may but a short Siege indure When as your self a King you do appear The Castle may be won by love or fear Emb No Mariana I have heard and seen Too much the brave Ormasdes stands between Me and my happiness his retirement Is to cloke their close Love and to prevent Pretenders or such scandal as would rise If openly in Court without disguise Such
you will not with a smile redeem Valer I am not thus ingratefull as you say So I may be secur'd another way I did not threat till you aspers'd my Name By this false promise you unjustly claim For though your Birth flow from a Noble Spring 'T is something lesse then Daughter to a King And more I must the secret now impart That brave Ormasdes long since had my heart Near Madam I have no Plea beyond my Love If that do of too mean a value prove Think how your honour stands ingag'd by vow And that my All depends upon it now Yet here I do before the Gods professe To quit my Title if my Birth be lesse Val From Nearcus the Gods will me protect Who boldly must a subjects claim reject Near Which I am not but a Prince Nobly born As is Cleandra though you now do scorn The Man who lay'd his greatnesse at your feet Without a thought of Royalty to meet Your Virtue and your Beauty did engage My heart to Love and did create that rage You now so much condemn and make me shame I did no more who was so much to blame Val You do amaze me knows Cleandra this Near She yet does not but must do when I plead My Title to Valerianas Bed For Madam you can onely now be mine Made so by humane Lawes and by Divine Val What ere you are I do much scorn to think Of being compell'd and will strong poyson drink Rather then be by such a trick betray'd Or of your scandalous reports afraid Your first attempt was base and now as vain Your hopes are you are a Prince I do disdain To have a thought for him who poorly can Demand what 's given to another man I must this Injury at last reveal And to the Queen for Justice now appeal Near I am content then let Cleandra judge Val I 'le hear no more Exit with Ladies Near What a strange heat I feel that alwayes burn Yet do not waste cannot to Ashes turn But like a Fire-flaming Statue stand To warn the World not to approach this Land Ye Gods how cruel is your doom that she Melts not but should an Icie Mountain be Of power to kindle such tormenting Fires Where her own frozen heart has no desires Exit THE FOURTH ACT. Enter Cleandra with Ormasdes the Lords and Ladies stand off Queen I Shall allow your Argument for War If the Treconian do provoke so far But how shall I Valeriana free From her fierce Brothers great barbaritie And how Estate her in her Mothers Land If her mad Brother should that right withstand Though she do now desire but what 's her own If he should dye She must Ascend that Throne Ormas I have heard so and that by my rash Act She suffers which makes me repent the Fact Queen Her virtues do her beauty far excell And in my judgment have no parallel What is your thought will not the man be blest Whom Gods with such felicities invest Ormas I doubt not Madam her perfections may In hearts of Men above her Scepter sway Queen She has wonne me to a concern so high As if my own were the same Destiny With hers my thoughts do labor where to treat A Marriage with some Prince worthy so great A Queen can you Ormasdes find me one To recommend will Greece afford us none Ormas Madam if Citherea can produce None fit for Greece there will need no excuse Queen I think so too unlesse Ormasdes will Himself thus my prophetick foul fulfill That does such glories and such joyes foresee As may indure unto Eternitie Ormas Me Madam does your Majesty think me A man worthy of so great Felicitie Alas I am too old now to begin To Love you may as soon learn me to spin My Sword and Armor into Needles turn As teach my Age in Youthfull flames to burn Queen 'T is you Ormasdes are the man so blest Her love to you she has to me confest And me in honour has ingag'd to try If I can now perswade you to comply Ormas Madam I hope you do not thus abuse Your servant cause my nature does refuse Such correspondence with your Sex as might Ingage a braver Man Oh do not fight Against my weaknesse that must now confesse I never unto Lady made addresse And onely chose this solitary place That I might here some quiet thoughts imbrace Sure Madam you mistake how can it be That she should covet such Antipothy Can the good Gods to her be so unkind To let such excellence become so blind Queen Think you her self knowes what her self desires Or that she has no sence of those quick fires That do consume her can you doubt such Love Which through dispair did then so mortal prove That but to name Ormasdes she did Dye 'Till you appear'd to change that destiny And when you all retir'd she did confesse Her life depended on her good successe Your Glorious Acts had raised so loud a Fame That she was first in love with your great Name Which brought her hither with a full intent To Judge and Justifie that Argument Ormas Madam I must believe what you avow And do so farre your Argument allow That it has rais'd in me a greater Warre Then I was ever in and am so farre From slighting this affair that I descry My certain Ruine by this Victory The Gods cannot afford lesse punishment If I refuse to hear and if consent I 'm lost to all my joyes on Earth for Faâ—e Has not in store nor can the Gods create An evill I fear more then to deny What you command though a sad Destiny Can nothing lesse then my destruction save This Excellence from an untimely Grave Queen If I could see this danger you foretell Ormasdes harmes should make no other well Though Valeriana do my pitty move Ormasdes friendship is before her Love In my esteem but if this match unite Your hearts it will our Children then invite To imitate our friendship and so â—ye Fast knots for everlasting Amitie Ormas My mind can move my body any way But my hard heart will not my will obey My utmost power my soul to mourn shall teach 'Cause my Affection is beyond my reach Queen If you oppose not but your Ear will lend I doubt not but the Gods your heart will bend This way and your good nature in short time Will make you wish for what you judge my crime Ormas Although I cannot wish and must not chuse I would not Madam willingly refuse What you advise but boldly meet my Fate That no one thought may a vain fear Create Lest you should judge my slacknesse for neglect Because I graspe not what I cann't affect Queen Can you such pleasure take in this disguise Be thus retir'd and all that 's good despise When offer'd do you fear or scorn to meet This Excellence now fallen at your feet Is your great heart Ormasdes onely made For dangerous attempts shall it be
deny Give me the fair Princesse or give me death Queen I cannot with Justice give you either How can I a free Princes will compell Or how Ormasdes true pretence deny Or how afford you death for that offence Which your unluckie hand did act by chance Near Would I had dyed the day of my return Since great Cleandra dares not do me Right But suffers false Ormasdes to possesse What is my due I all your mercy scorn And will the worst of Tyranny endure Queen I have imploy'd you as my Brothers friend Thus long not at his Murtherer conniv'd And untill now by force compell'd my face To frequent smiles in favour of your worth While my heart ak'd to think what you had done But you of late unworthy our great Name Have scandaliz'd the Citherean Fame Boldly to own a Crime so great as may insence The World to question your first innosence Which clearly shewes you are for mischief built That dar'd to entertain so base a guilt My mercy may prove sin unlesse betimes My Justice do prevent your farther crimes Near. Must I be held and baited thus to death Be torn and tortur'd by a Womans breath Queen See my Command obey'd Cleobulus I shall take order for an Equipage Fit for your great and shall now confine You to an Island near from whence you may Return if you out-live me and mine Remove him hence Ne Hold a while curse on curse light on you all For this unjustice which you mercy call Tyrants cruel Tyrants your jugling Art Lay by and strike a Dagger through my heart If Ormasdes any honour have in store He 'l fight another bout upon the Shore As I take ship and if I chance to Dye My soul shall then applaud thy Victory And sing thy praise to the infernal Ghosts That they may chuse thee Captain of their Hosts When thou com'st down Let not a Ladies word Destroy by piercing deeper then thy sword Will you not answer cruel and unjust Ye Gods why put you Scepters into Womens trust Who crushes me to raise a Cowards Name Whom I will in the Elizium fields Defame No honor'd Ghost of Troy shall there own thee The Grecian and the Roman Souls with me Will trample on thy Cowards neck with scorn Poor shadow of a gallant man only born To lye in Ladies laps perfum'd and curl'd I 'le Poste thee Coward in the other World They force him away on the Queens back with her Hand Adm T is strange that none of us should know him Y. Tit The general opinion he was drown'd Made us not see through his disguise Admir But his strange passion does amaze me most Ormasdes wedding will his frenzy cure When love does see no possibility Desires and hopes will vanish by degrees Y. Tit We see dispairs work often other wayes Queen He has disturb'd me but I 'le forget him Valeriana come let us consult The Ceremony of your Wedding-day Ormasdes joyes and yours will blow away The farther thought of Leonatus crimes Val Our Wedding Madam I see no reason For so great a haste now we are secure Or Madam since you have rais'd my hopes so high It were a sinne to doubt my destiny Yet say when shall my thoughts so fixt remain That I may never think I dream again Val Ormasdes not too fast we must proceed With much discretion to so great a deed The Eyes of all this Nation do behold Our actions and may think my part too bold If I again shall do what I repent It would deserve a double punishment My over-hasty Love was once my crime I must redeem that fault by taking time To finish what so violent begun Lest into greater errors I do run A year or two's delay will adde much grace To our young Love which Time cannot deface Ormas Why have you led me forth with gentle gales Into this dangerous deep why fill'd my Sails With such propitious winds us would convey Me safe to my wish'd Port the nearest way Why do you now abstruct this happy course As if you wish'd for storms or something worse Why thus forsake the Light to sailithâ— dark As if you sought out hazzards for this Bark In which you are the onely fraight that I Can fear to loose by my mortality Oh! do not then my Joyes to time betray Lest you do ruine all by your delay Queen How Valeriana must this Scene of Love Fall from its height and now no farther move Does your quick conquest of Ormasdes make Him lesse worthy when we such pris'ners take As might our selves command if they will serve We cannot give them more then they deserve Consider well lest you your self destroy If thus you do deferre Ormasdes joy Val Madam you and the World too well do know My love to him can now no higher grow I onely thus stand off lest he despise A conquest gain'd without an enterprize And that by injur'd Sex hereafter may Judge of my innocence by this delay Honour forbids that we in haste ingage Rash actions often ill events presage Though I like a tall Ship that spreads her sails When she is carried on with prosperous gales To her wish'd Port do sigh to be delay'd And blame the Remora by which I 'm staid Ormas Honour and fancy at great distance stand You have no argument for this command But your own nice unnecessary thought By which your Virtue may become a fault T is true that my neglects to Woman kind May urge that I should now no favour find Till my whole life be spent to gain a bliss To crown my latests hours with joyes like this I do confesse such judgment were my due From all the women in the World but you Who have no argument nor a pretence Why you should prove the Rod for my offence Val Ormasdes true I only now would prove By some short time the temper of your Love And shew the World that mine was not in hast Though its first motion mov'd so fierce and fast It makes me blush to think that this great Queen And her whole Nation have such weaknesse seen As all commanding Love forc'd me to show Oh! 't is a bold attempt when Women wooe Ormas What ere the vulgar think great Princes may The dictates of their greater souls obey 'T is a self-doubting sin when you alone Dare not avow what Gods and men do own Queen These cautious wayes are onely fit for such As have suspected virtues you are much Above the reach of Censures 't was I That woo'd him first mine be the infamy Who boast the active part with the successe And would not for the World it had been lesse It does become me now to see your hands United as your hearts If my commands Be slighted and my self not understood When I require what 's for your mutuall good I shall repent the kindnesse I have shown And wish you never had Ormasdes known Val Madam when you command I must submit But will Ormasdes
to see thee but converse a Moneth or two with persons of Honour which I believe would reclaime thee and fix those virtues now lost in a Chaos of wild actions Cle I marry if you could shew me a Woman that would not be wonne I would fancy some delight to passe away an hour to two at idle times but all that I do meet with are mine before I wish it so that I am alwaies forc'd to stand upon my guard amongst ' um Lon That 's no wonder amongst those women you converse with shall I chuse you a Mistris and if you get her let the reproach be mine Cle Shall she be worth my pains if so I will think on 't when I have time to throw away come will you go with me yet Lon I 'le stay here a while Cle I 'le go before then and make ready for you Exit Lon What pitty 't is such parts should be so drown'd Though I resolve to quit I 'me guilty still If longer I do countenance his ill Enter to him as in the Garden the Princess Theodocia Pandora Lindamira Teretia and Ladies and Silvander Theod Lonzartes I have been laughing at Lindamiras relation of Clearcus humour she sayes she has abus'd him his own way in the behalf of honest Women whom he declares against Lon The encounter indeed was pleasant but the successe is beyond her guesse for she thinks that her neglects have dash'd his hopes by which he is grown confident that her seeming scornes were onely to dazle our Eyes while he doubts not to gain an interest Lin I wish him joy my Lord of his quick Victory the next encounter will decide this difference of Opinions Pan But how dare you Lindamira enter the lists of Wit with young Clearcus who has the sharpest tongue in Syracusa Lin There is no contest so easie his whole discourse to Women is ever of love or something like it and does believe that all our souls delight in nothing else which makes me interrupt him still as he begins and never hear him out Sil Is that civil to a person of his Quality The Is he not angry when you slight him so Lin No Madam I am his mirth and he is mine Lonz If Pandora would permit I do fancy his conversion might be wrought by her and his Eclips'd virtues made to shine brighter then his vices do Sil 'T will be a Noble undertaking Madam Lin I wish he were within my cure Pan Wee 'l joyne our forces Lindamira for I shall easily consent unto so good a work as may reclaim so great a person as Clearcus a man so near allied unto the Duke but how must this Charitable work be done Lonz If you Madam will admit his visits for a Moneth or two the cure of course will follow for he who never yet convers'd with civill Woman will surely be concern'd when he shall see the harmlesse mirth that virtue does allow to persons of your Quality Pan So I be obliged no further then to civil visits his birth does require that for him which I deny to no man Lin Leave the rest to me The How happy are you Cousin that may dispose of your self as you please I must speak and look and move as my Father and the State directs me Pan Great Princes indeed are bound to some strict Rules most subjects understand not Lin Your Highnesse complains without a cause we hear the Duke will leave you to your own choise only he will recommend The When Parents recommend 't is so like command it frights me to think whom it may be Pan Now you are safe from the Corinthian have no fear untill you see occasion for it The I wish my dear Cousin you would marry too I should then like it better I now dread to put on that yoak by all the World so much desired Pan Will my being in the pound get your Highnesse out of it why would you have me runne the hazzard to loose that happinesse I now am sure of by a single life If men did ever appear in their own likenesse we might chuse some one amongst many worth the having but in our sights they are allwayes disguis'd in such shapes and humours as they believe we like best and so cozen us and themselves too for if they make us unhappy it seldome failes but we make them so Lin No Oracle ever spoke truer I am of your Sect Madam as to matters of Faith yet I would gladly have a Husband though it be dangerous to put my heart into anothers keeping And as my learn'd Author sayes to give my freedome up unto I know not whom nor ever can do till I have him this were a sad condition Madam if we had not the same Arts to cosen them that think to cosen us The Would I could get a merry heart like yours Lindamira Lin I 'le present your Highnesse with a piece of mine I have enough for both Enter Messenger Mess Madam the Prince calls for you The I attend him pray Cousin go with me to my Father Exeunt Ladies Lon A few such excellent Women would make this World a Paradice how have I walk'd in the dark 'till now how strongly been misled by my affection to Clearcus that have approv'd and acted in all his ills begun upon designe and led on till custome has allmost chang'd my nature but will no more now Enter Clearcus to him Cle How now Lonzartes walking alone take heed the Devil find thee not at leasure Lon A greater then thy self can hardly find me Cle Very gravely replyed if I mistake not you are whimpering after some great Lady and now practizing to play the fool wisely to spend your time adoring you know not who nor why Lon Thou art still i th' wrong Cle Let us meet then at the old place to night Lon That 's a freedome I shall never take more you have converted me beyond all the Homilies I ever read you have made me ashamed of my self for being so long like you Cle Oh Hypocrite what new piece have you got that I must not be trusted with come tell me and I 'le cry up your Austere purpose and rail at your conversion as if I did believe it Lon When you see me next in ill company Lam then that Hypocrite you mention Cle Out upon these tender Consciences they spoyl more mirth then they are worth let old folks hear Homilies while we enjoy the time we have and not whine away our youth on dreams of virtue which signifie we know not what Lon Peace Clearcus thou are not half so ill as thou appearest but dost glory in talking worse then thou canst be Cle. What should we talk of more then what we most delight in Lon Of nothing lesse because we often do delight in what we ought not own Is 't not enough to offend the Gods through frailty which perverse nature does invite us to but we must provoke Heaven beyond sence and appetite by our discourse
as if we studied to defie those Powers we ought to tremble at Cle I hate Hypocrisie Lon And I abhorre to aggravate my crimes by such unnecessary boastings as thy wild brain delights in when I offend I am sorry for it dost thou all honesty despise all virtue slight Cle How Lonzartes will you confine honesty and virtue to the fruition of one Woman only Fie what a scandal is this to mankind as if there were no honesty nor virtue but in such chast breasts as yours what an affront to this good company pray speak Gentlemen is any here of his opinion can you Lonzartes shew me one young man that looks as he were guilty or any so old who would be thought so weak Is this a fit design to set up your Title to the Dukedome Lon I see this is not the hour for your Conversion Cle Nor shall ever live to see that hour I hope Lon Nor you I fear ever live to tast and relish the true felicity obtain'd by such a conquest on thy self but I will pray for thee and thy conversion Cle I had rather your Lordship were at Ierusalem then see that day of my conversion what have I done Lonzartes to deserve such ill from you do not provoke me to a revenge Lon Revenge for what Cle Can you aske for what suppose the Gods should hear your prayers and turn my heart how miserable a man were I how should I spend my time for forty years to come Is it not enough to forsake your cause but you must seduce me too Lonzartes if you pray for me I shall curse you heartily I dare stay no longer with him Exit Clearcus Lon If this brave man this humour could expell His Virtues would his Vices far excell I have put on this Cloak of wantonness onely to avoid being thought a serious man left the Duke grow jealous of my pretentions to his Crown while the Duke is civil and I am safe he shall be so too But if I finde designes against me I have Friends and force enough to gain my right by this Oh but Theodocia does unman me quite when I look on her all these high thoughts do vanish and I become the humblest creature in the Court I have no Title that I ere shall owne Unlesse she daine to raise me to the Throne THE SECOND ACT. Enter Lonzartes alone Clearcus hoarkning at the Doore Lon OH Cloris Cloris what strange unwonted pains I feel what fears what new disease congeales my blood if it be love 't will not offend the Gods because my soule does now rejoyce to find Beauty and Virtue so divine that both may be well worshipp'd at one Shrine Clearcus chaps him hard on the Shoulder Cle Are you talking in your sleep Lonzartes or is it some divine meditation thus transports you Lon You are too rude Clearcus Cle I cry you mercy Sir you can be angry then I see I thought your conversion had set you above such passions as we wicked men are subject to Lon I do confesse thou didst make me start and speak hastily but I am not angry nor can be with thee Imbraces him Cle I 'le try your temper presently Oh! Beauty and Virtue so Divine both may be worshipped in one shrine Ha ha ha Lon What of this you heard me repeat an old Song Cle An old Song to a new Tune Lonzartes dost thou pray for my Conversion this way must I get a Cloris to sigh after as thou dost I have heard all and have observ'd thee too I and do guesse who Cloris is come tell me quickly that way to oblige me to silence for if by my own skill I do discover her I 'le lay thee open to the World tell me who Cloris is left I tell thee Adiew Exit Lonzar How can he discover that I love when I know it not yet my self Yet I may admire her and by my adoration of her Virtues Be by them from all meaner passions freed When this new virtue shall my vice exceed Exit Enter Geta. Geta. What the Devil ailes my Lord his wonted mirth is changed into hey hoes and twenty times a day he sends me on sleeveless Errands that he may be alone I think Lord Clearcus will prove the wisest man at last I have been five times this morning to enquire if the Princess be in health if she be stirring or if near ready if she go to the Temple And after Dinner I must enquire if she have dyned if she comes forth in publick if she ride abroad and thus twenty times a day he tires me with these silly Errands when I might ask them all at once and save much labour I 'le try if I can find some way to contract these Embassies 't is well for my Lord that his man is wiser then himselfe Exit Enter Silvander with Lindamira and her Maid Silvand Do not my looks Lindamira enough expresse what I would say Linda Yes to me who do discern your passion thus suppressed more cleare then by those loud noyses which some Lovers most delight in Sil But how shall I be assured this is not Rallery Lin Cannot you judge by my looks as well as I by yours what kind of security do you require I have no Citizens that will be bound for my good behaviour Sil A serious word or two with a kind look confirm'd will secure me against the World Lin Will this look serve and I am yours suffice for words with this hand given from my heart ingage beyond your wish Sil It does may I be Lin Nay no strong lines I beseech you make me not jealous by professing more then I expect Sil I am confirmed past ever doubting more He kisses her Hand Lin I shall try your temper if my merry humour hold Sil 'T is that free innocence takes me Lin And that I can afford enough of at an easie rate Enter Clearcus to them Silvander goes off Lin Your Lordship was going another way pray let not me divert you my lodging is farre off Cle Madam I have long sought an opportunity to kiss your hands there Lin You may do it here and save the labour of going so farre for nothing Cle Do you call that honour nothing which I do prize above the World and would give all my interest on Earth to purchase one kiss of your fair hands by a free consent Lin The World is little beholding to your Lordship for so low a value that will give all your interest on Earth for a kiss of my Hand and this I must in civility look as if I did believe Cle I 'le swear it Madam Lin That 's as easy done as said but I am hard of Faith Cle How shall I obtain more credit Lin I 'le shew you a short way bring me a conveyance of half your Land and you shall have two kisses of my hand three if you please and as you like your Market you may have more for the other half of your Estate
this Silvander for my sake I 'le own it to the World that I do value men of Worth Sil Madam I understand not what this kind of favour means I hope your Highness does not chuse me for mirth The Do you Silvander raise mirth from my Favour come with to Lin aside me Lindamira I do command you to stand near us within hearing I will not runne the hazzard of any Censure by this tryal to satisfie my curiosity concerning Lovers such high Romantick Lovers who soar above the reach of all temptations Lin. I shall obey you Madam though I desire it not Exeunt Ladies The Men stand amazed Sil. Can you guess Lonzartes what this tends to Lon. T is a Riddle farre beyond my understanding Exit Lonz Lindamira Re-enters to Silvander Lin. Wake wake Silvander the Sun shines bright upon thee Theodocia dotes on thy Virtues and will advance thy youth much faster then thy own wishes can propose Sil How Lindamira have you so mean thoughts of me Lin So high thoughts why may not the Princess neglect the Corinthian for you such things have been in story Sil You speak as if you wish'd it Lin Can I wish you well and not applaud it Sil You cannot fancy me a greater curse unlesse your own heart be turn'd against me Lin The Princess desires your company in the next Room I can stay no longer Exit Lindamira Sil I have so much to think on that I know not what to say the Princess unexpected favours with Lindamira's no concern begets such wonder as does amaze me I will not go and yet I must or make my self Ridiculous by judging what I cannot guesse at Exit Enter Lonzartes Lon Have I thus long ador'd the Princess and still approach'd her with the same trembling I draw near the Alter for this scorn at last before my Face to Court a man she knowes ingaged unto another a man of so much lower quality then I this I confesse does make my Faith stagger Silvander was as much surpriz'd as I Lindamira too was out of tune If Theodocia can go less this change will be more my admiration then her virtue was Enter Lindamira passing in by him Lon Now Madam whither so fast Lin To see which way the winde blows pray my Lord where is your heart now Lon In the Princess lodgings with yours or can you tell me better where your own is Lin I change my mind so often that I know not where I left it last Lon Are you no more concerned Suppose Silvander change his opinion Princess have mighty power to overcome mens hearts Lin Why then his opinion will be chang'd I cannot value him that leaves to value me methinks my Lord the Princess favour to Silvander should abate your passion for her Lonzar My desires go no higher then to look and wonder at her perfections my Esteem cannot be call'd love beyond what Duty and Obedience does allow but how does Silvander receive this great Honour Lin They are now in private you may judge by his exalted looks when you see him next I am glad your Lordship is no more concern'd Lon This is a forc'd discourse Lindamira pray do not mock me who have a true value of your worth Lin The truth is the Princess often angred at my confidence in Silvanders love onely now tryes if she can shake his faith by higher propositions and my hope is that his Virtue may beget in her some better thoughts for men which will do your businesse and confirm mine for Silvander is above temptation and I think Lonzartes does deserve what he desires Lon You oblige me to say your confidence does merrit the greatest faith from man but is Silvander of your Plot Lindam No 't would then be none nor I no tryal have of his sincerity Lon These are dangerous sports and we too late may find them so the Princess and you are both too bold and do too much rely on your own beauties Lin If Silvander can be won I can smile at such a losse Lon 'T is easie to say so when you fear it not but I have seen stout hearts fall to pieces by such a blow you have setled my heart again and I advise you from these dangerous sports lest they blow up your joyes when you are most secure we know our present minds but cannot foresee what we shall like to morrow Our Nature with such frailty is indow'd T is well if present moments be allow'd Exeunt severally Enter Theodocia and Silvander two Ladies at a distance Lindamira is seen near observing them The Is your heart my Lord so fixt on Lindamira that no Person nor any Argument can e're prevail with you to change Sil Our Souls Madam are so united that I hope death can only make that separation The Can no Fortune nor any Quality invite you to Honours and Happinesse beyond what you can ever hope from Lindamira Nor a greater Beauty dis-ingage your heart from her Sil None can ever move me to a thought of change Madam The What if she have chosen higher and gives way for your preferment also Sil I can smile at all this when your Highnesse is so merry Lindamira and I Madam do understand a happinesse can never be dissolv d we are above temptation The Suppose my Father be her choice will you pretend to love and hinder her advancement by your claim Suppose my dear Couzin Pandora have like affection unto you and puts on this severity to others in design onely to gaine you will you let such a Beauty of so high virtue and extraction dye for you Sil Your Highness sure does fancy what is impossible but if all this were so I could dye in gratitude to serve Pandora but do preferre Lindamira's love and virtue above the brightest beauty or greatest Empire this World has The Can there be such worth in men how have I been mis-informed Aside Princes who do not converse know not the World they live in but take all on trust from others You believe that I am now in jest Silvander and do not deal so freely as I expect Sil By all thats I am sixt past altering if your Highness knew the joyes which do accompany united hearts you would sooner undertake to pull down Stars from Heaven then hope a separation where true love Triumphs The I am fully satisfyed that Lindamira has what she deserves a worthy Lover appear now Lindamira and call in Lonzartes with the rest I am converted Enter Lindamira with Lonzartes and Ladies The Here Madam you are coupled by the Gods Silvander does deserve your confidence Now wear that Jewel I before gave you in jest Sir as a mark of my Favour for your approv'd virtue Lindam Has your Highnesse any better thoughts for Marriage then you had The I have found an honest worthy man beyond my expectation Lonzartes you look sad Lon My heart is not so full of Feathers as it was but is of late become a lump of Lead
him nor in a look or word comply with what I say for if you yield Clearcus will forsake the Field I shall therefore only put your hands together no marriage nor no contract make onely desire that you will thus hand in hand retire a while with me in private to apply my charm who now do pray that all the evils which ever did befall the most unhappy lovers may light on him or you that shall their hand remove before my charme does work now come with me Exeunt hand in hand Duke What the issue of this will be I cannot guesse Now Theodocia I must remind you of Lonzartes who dares not approach you on his own behalf who is what you can wish to make you happy and I do again invite you to Crown his unparalell'd Humility with a bliss he presumes not once to mention lest it offend you I have also a State Argument you understand not Theodocia your two interests in this Dukedome thus united will make it flourish Lonzartes has been wrong'd The I know his wrong Sir and have observ'd his sufferings or I had never dallied with his love Lonzartes's clear Soul is adorn'd with more glories then this Crown will bring him Duke If then your hearts agree give me your hands here Lonzartes is the best reward I have to incourage modesty and worth whey they do in one heart combine as now in thine Lon Great Sir I am so much surprized so over-loaden with my joyes that I have nought but blushes to expresse my gratitude nor know I how to welcome this unlook'd for honour from the Princess who dains to raise her humblest Servant from her feet to set me on a Throne incirculed with more joyes then that you now restore me to He kisses her hand The Keep still your Character Lonzartes as I will mine high transports in love are not long liv'd I fear Lon I shall be Madam whatever you direct though this unlook'd for happinesse do raise my heart above my own command for such an excess of joy is hard to mannage Kisses her hand Enter Lindamira to them Lin I may now wish your Highness Joy I hope now your Fannatick love conformes to the Law of Nations Now you may talk your pleasure against high passions Madam and methinks you Sir do look as if you lik'd this better then that wise Sect of ayrie Lovers whose Phylosophy doth teach not to desire what they can never reach Lon You are Madam the best Phylosopher I ever met and do deserve to have a Golden statue in Loves-Temple set Duke But how have you disposed of your Fantastick couple 't is that great work must Crown all your undertakings Lindamira Lin That goes on excellently well Sir I have left them sitting on a Couch with their hands still â—ixt eagerly gazing on each others Eyes as if through them they could discern the inside of each others Hearts by their no motion and their stedy looks I can foresee they vvill be of one mind suddainly The Why could not vve see this Experiment Lin Oh Madam my charm will not work in company Lovers will seemingly dispise what they like most only to deceive observing Eyes I believe they held off thus long for shame to own what they had so publickly declar'd against and to themselves will hardly dare to let their hearts appeare these two dayes they must look themselves into an Agreement for no words can ever reconcile their first Principles If their hands do not their hearts discover I 'le no more pretend to charm a Lover The May we not peep at the hanging and stand unseen Duke Let us not turn this serious work into a jest unlesse Lindamimira do approve it none shall stir that way Lin I can place you so as you may see and hear too The Pray Sir be pleas'd to look on them our Testimony may be of use Duke Come then Lindam Your Highness must stand silent or you 'l hinder my Projection The We will we will Exeunt They all Re-enter behind the Couch and stand on each side of the Stage then is discover'd Pandora and Clearcus holding hands and sitting on a Couch a while silent looking on each other then Clearcus proffers to kiss that hand he holds she puts him back with her other hand and turns her face from him He sighes Cle Turn not away those beautious lights have guided me to Heaven nor look as if you were in pain to see my heart thus chang'd from a rude destraction to an extasie of Bliss from a deformed Satyr with a confus'd Chaos of dark thoughts and blacker actions by your glorious Beauties and brighter Virtues new form'd into the Figure of a man Emulating those Excellencies I admire in you Oh turn this way and own what is your own Creation by your perfections rais'd from what was worse then nothing to something now too worthy to be cast away I should this happy hour believe my self were in Elizium did not this fair soft Hand and those bright Eyes assure me I yet live from whence some divine instinct teaches my rude nature to adore what I never understood before Pan I do not like to be thus long left alone to be expos'd unto your passion and the Worlds censure Lindamira has deceiv'd my trust I now see your plot and her design discover but will no longer suffer the abuse Offers to rise Cle Be not so cruel unto your self and me think on the curse hangs over us if we remove our hands 'till she return Pan 'T is too much foolery to give faith to Cle Remember we complied to what she said by which her words are Registr'd in Heaven and have ingaged the Gods by our consent Pan 'T was rashly done and I repent when will this subtle Sorceress return my innocense will justifie my blind consent to which I was misled by my fidelity and trust and will no longer fear to take away my hand Offers to rise Cle Oh take not your hand away untill the holy Charm have rectified your heart and therein created so much Charity as in a moment may remove your scorns and teach you love for I who so long slighted your neglects and fled all civil favours from your Sex do now tremble at the thought of parting hands untill our hearts like them become united Pan Do you believe Lindamira Mistris of such Magick that her words have power to reconcile dissenting hearts like ours Cle Yes I find them work on me and hope the same effect on you else why sit we here obeying those commands she left why fear we to offend those powers she did invoke when you consider this I hope you dare not stirre a finger towards such impiety Pan Though Lindamira's virtue be approv'd I was surprized by her inticing words and by the Duke compell'd to do I know not what and therefore will no longer now obey Offers to rise he holds her Cle Stay oh stay and let the fatal curse strike me