not to match with grief A Long a Large I rather choose a brief Vain Love short life ah Heaven new set my Song Change but one Note a Brief into a Long. Pha. But if my Lord hear this Met. Let him and swear By all the gods his daughter is my Mistris Pha. See here comes my Lord Valerian let 's withdraw Exeunt Met. Angusta whispering she 's a very Sharke Enter Valerian and Angusta Ang. Nay my Lord could you think I could be so Uncivil but that I would as well tax you As him that no exceptions might be taken You little know his drift He under-hand Offers me thousands to endear his Love Unto my Lady which I 'le never do Val. VVell said the sum I promis'd shall be thine Ang. Thus then my Lord as I unveyl a heart Unfaign'd unto your Lordship I display This Curtain where a Voyce shall first invite Your Ear to listen next to please your sight Exit Cecilie sings within Mount mount c. and after sht has sang it she enters Angusta following Cec. My Lord y' are welcome Val. So breaths a sweet perfume When milder Zephyres ventilate the Crestes Of sweet Arabian Spiceries VVelcome This only word has here infus'd more heat Than can bright Phoebus to the chilling earth Cec. Mistake me not my Lord VVelcom's a word Of civil Courtesie I a Roman bred And nobly born should rudely seem to treat One of your Rank should I omit this one So course a Complement Val. Yet 't is to me If reall as I am sure it is a word That bodes a happiness Cec. 'T is true my Lord A happiness transcendent to enrich A soul with more than all the beauties honours Pleasures or wealth can now or could conferre Val. Madam with your favour this far fetch'd strain Mounts 'bove the pitch of Love which is the Aym And scope of my Ambition Cec. Ah Sir how then Shall we mix soul with soul as well as loves If mine above the daring Eagle soare And cleave Heavens glorious Arch shall your dull soul Lie wrap'd in Earth below give me a soul Can tower at least above the waking Lark And contemplate 'bove the eternal joyes Else what is it for me and my Valerian To lye encircl'd in each others Arms If ever I shall come to give my hand And plight my troth shall not a mutual hand That may cooperate with mine be joyn'd Val. Most willingly Cec. And shall not then your heart Conspire with mine with an unanimous Consent Val. Most freely Cec. If then but to one Essence And Power immortal I lift heart and hands VVill you not joyn with me and do the like Val. I will Cec. You 'l be a Christian then Val. O! stay You urge too far what by Philosophy I have learn'd you may perswade me to but more VVhy should you crave we both will worship one Acknowledge one but sacrifice to one Cec. Indeed I was too forward and hereby May chance to be like other Virgins forc'd To be your Love by menacing of Death Or by my father should you make this known May be constrain'd to entertain your love Which wrested cannot be what you desire Val. No Lady fear not me e're I betray A beauty so endow'd with vertues Heaven strike me with a Thunder-bolt or May love become abortive and what here I have t' express the notions of my soul May it be rent from my more treacherous Jaws See in a happy hour my Lord and Lady Your Parents come Enter Marcus and Flavia. Fla. So hand in hand so may your hearts be linkt And after more but why dost frown my girl Love has a nosegay all compos'd of sweets Amor et melle et felle est jucundissimus Come honey come gall Love must abound in joy So thou my Girle Cec. Madam you are the tree I but the tender bud yet while you flourish I cannot droop or wither Flav. Bad me no buds Thou art a tree thy self apt to bring fruit But with my Lord Valerian's help here daughter You know my meaning Mar. I she must be espous'd Cec. How my Lord. Mar. Promis'd betroth'd and what not That may unite a pair and make but one Fla. I daughter it must be so how say you my Lord Val. With her consent you tender that to me Which nor the Gods can better Cec. How my Lord The Gods Val. 'T is but a word of course sweet Lady One day nor makes nor can destroy a habit Cec. My Lord th' affair in hand do's so import That of it self besides my humble prayer It craves a time to pause and weigh each Fla. Each pudding tell us of pausing and weighing now Tell us of time he wears his Locks before How many beauteous Ladies have I known Who in their prime of youth could not forsooth Nor love this Noble Knight nor that brave Lord Would have they know not what lik'd not their Garb Or were not so gentile or else their shape And personage was not so compleat and absolute In their eye as they desir'd Thus trifling With time they lost their better fortunes Till Age grew on and beauty was thereby Disparag'd Then a husband nor so rich Nor so proper any then was welcome Yet to consider you would have more time Daughter O tempora O mores Time Why he has wings Cec. And so has Love Fla. But time Outstrips him therefore now my Girle resolve Mar. She 's bashful here here my Lord she 's yours Fla. I silence is consent take he my Lord. Hymen Hymen O Hymenaee Hymen Mar. So we 'le leave you for a while she alone My Lord with you in a familiar way Fla. Will be doubt it not she 'le be tractable Daughter Venus be with thee and Adoms Be thy Companion Come my Lord let 's away To prepare for the Nuptials Mar. Now 's our joy Cec. Ah ha oh Val. O do not blast sweet Lady Blast not the tender bud of blooming Love With such sad sighs Cēc Daphne your fables tell Pursu'd by your Apollo Val. Not mine Madam Cec. Was metamorphos'd and a Lawrel grew So she escap'd I must retire awhile weeps Enter Metricio and Phantasio and Angusta Val. But do not weep Met. No Madam for my Lord Your father has commanded me to make An Epithalamium to celebrate This Festival and solemn day design'd For Hymen's Revels Met. And I must be The Paranymph Ang. And I the Pronuba For you Madam the Nymph and Nupta too Ere it be long Cec. For me a watry Nymph Whose eyes are steep'd in tears and throbbing heart Involv'd with grief Ah! Heaven new set my Song Change but one note a Brief into a Long. Swounes Ang. My Lady swounes away Help help my Lord. Madam what die before the Wedding Day Cec. Day Day I saw indeed a glimpse of Day And thither I was hast'ning Why didst call Me back t' invest with dismal Night the Day Was dawning as I clos'd my heavy eyes To be made happy by eternal
That Stoick was mistaken who avouch'd A hearty true faithfull and loyal friend Long sought is seldom found and hardly kept Whereas our friendship has from younger years Been ever pregnant like a forward Spring As lasting as the Plant Live-ever My Dearest Nisus Nic. My Euryalus Sap. My faithfull Achates Nic. My self Sap. Selfly the same I live in thee But should we die for now Almachius vows The death of Christians may our twin-like souls Be joyntly breath'd to mount to equal bliss Nic. A happy period to our friendship when Chang'd 't is still a more transcendent Love Sap. True but tell me my Nicephorus Did I not yesterday confute the Pagan With whom I disputed kill'd him dead with A Syllogysme Lodg'd him in Bocardo And then you heard how the miscreant enrag'd Threaten'd to complain to Almachius Menac'd tortures and death At this tell me Did I so much as sympathize with terrour Nay did you not observe a chearfull look Like that of morn that ushers a sair day Was it not so Nicephorus Nic. Most true it was But. Sap. But why Sir bring you the But And then I 'le fix the white i' th midst as much of Candour as a friend can bring But and then silent On your too cautious friend pray use a freedom And that impartially Nic. Nay I but gently whisper My dear Saphricius what I have observ'd Sap. As freely vent it forth as sharply too As when rough Boreas blusters in the Ayre Nic. Why then but you 'l be angry will you not Should I but tell you Sap. What is' t I dare not hear What Obloquy can blast mine innocence Nic. Nay 't is but a Peccadillo Not so much as a defect or omission rather A supererrogation which I many times have noted VVhen the fact spake of it self to blazon it the more Like to a curious Limner you heighten'd it Extoll'd and magnifi'd the work yet in An humble seeming way which some too rash VVould judge to be vain-glory Sap. So so you mince it Nic. Nay good Saphricius wrinckle not your brow I may mistake Sap. Then I will tell you Sir 'T was a reflexive lustre from my actions VVhose brighter coruscation was too fierce For such weak eyes to gaze on Nic. Pray be not angry Sap. No must let your pride And sawcy Arrogance curb what is generous Nic. Nay dear Saphricius be not so incens'd Sap. Hence Sycophant Nic. Steep not your tongue in gall Sap. Drench it absynth I spurn at my Actions Nic. But like the loving Mare which oft we see Spares not to kick her young and tender foal Yet hurts it not I was as wary not to give offence Sap. Away thy friendship is a meer Imposture Now Experience tells a friend is hardly found Nic. More hardly kept since you are fleeting thus But for a word Sap. A word a tempest rather such a blast As has for ever shatter'd that goodly Vessel Your friend-ship Sir a Ship wherein I sayl'd Secure these twenty years but now I finde The Pilot treachetous and his Sea-starre But proper interest then let it split For ever suffer wreck And this bent brow Contract eternal srowns Exit Nic. Ah! was it not A fault in me that did not heretofore In th'Infancy of friendship make that known VVhich now habitual is a second Nature But then I fear'd to lose him in the Nonage Of Amity more solid now I thought It could not but subsist immoveable Yet I hope I shall recover him if not With that stern Stoick I will not contend That said 't is hard to find and keep a Friend Exit ACT III. Scene I. Enter Phantasio and Metricio with Songs Phan. M Etricio Come to the Barre Met. Call at the Barre Thou wouldst say for a quart of richer Wine Pha. No come to the Barre I say I must arraign thee For Theft and Burglary Theft in a high degree Cause in thy Poems thou hast enrich'd thy Verse With others labours Burglary because Th' hast violently broken into the Magazines Of Apollo ransack't and rob'd and tane away Invito Domino hos ego versiculos Met. Why good my Lord Phantasio say 't were so Nil dictum quod non dictum prius Pha. Nay there Y' are in an errour too th' Orator says Dixi the Poet Cecini th' one says At th' end of his Oration I have said Th' other I have sung at th' end of his Poem I will not therefore ask what thou canst say For thy self Poet but what canst thou sing Met. Then what I speak my Lord must be in rhime Phan. Not speak but sing I say and I 'le keep time Song Met. Then fraught with Crotchets and with Quavers 'T is for you we are such shavers If by theft we break the Law 'T is for your Sol Fa Mi La That you may have for your Notes Songs to fill your warbling Throats What were else all that you sing But a Sol Fa sense-less thing What Chromatiques what were Brawles What your Ditones Intervals And if all your Songs were gone What were Diatessaron Diatonicks would not please What were all your Syncopes What your Mesons Hypatons Or your Hyperboleons What your Nothi bastards ha You beget in Fa Sol Fa Moods not apt for Diapente Yet Fa mi sometimes has twenty Phan. Here Poet here 's for thy pains Nothing ha ha Ut re mi nil donas but Fa there is wit And I am thy Sole Friend La then we be quit But come hither in good earnest Metricio The last Sonnet here which I have set to 'th Organ Pleases me well but will not so my Lord Marcus 'T is too serious Met. Such only my Lady desires Otherwise thou know'st my humour is For light Ayres and pleasant Madrigales But she 'l have none but grave and substantiall A Poet according to the Greek Etymon Is a Maker and so as in the Court There be some Creatures made solid and serviceable Others legier and ayrie so are made by us Poems and Sonnets Pha. But here too you entrench Upon the Musitian Met. I when 't is for my purpose A Poet has his Long and his Large sometimes With a prolix and tedious Preamble Sic costam longo subduximus Apenino Another has his Brief in a Spnnet And a Seml-brief in an Epigram VVhen it ends acutely But will my Lady Sing that my Sonnet next Pha. She will but his Lordship Must not hear nor see it he 's all for light Ayres Amorous Dities that his Daughter may Resolve to marry the young Lord Valeran Phan. snatches the Verses and attempts to read Pha. Let me see Mount mount my soul Met. Nay Phantasio let me read and grace My own you in Prick-sing I better vers'd In Coma's Colons Semi-briefs Periods Et caetera Reads Mount mount my soul mount with a higher strain From this sad vale where pleasure mixt with pain Can have no Alt. Heaven is my dwelling place And earth below for mourning is the base I live to love but
I flye with wings of Love One soul with thine one heart and faith I bring Now touch thy Organ and melodious sing Tib. But heark my Lord ere we set forward I am deceiv'd if I see not some here in Via Appia Are wont to lie in wait for Christians 1. Come my Masters keep your standing 2. I see two of ' hem 3. Then let 's comprehend ' hem 1. No we 'le respect 'hem till they come within Reach and then down with ' hem 2. No no let 's dog 'hem home and beset the house 3. That we may do by the sent for I smell them already Th' are so muskifyed 1. I follow 'hem close So so when they 're hous'd Have at 'hem then hah for a Booty Exeunt omnes SCENE V. Enter Flavia and Marcus Angusta Metricio Phantasio Palinodio Fla. A Ngustula come ye hither Ang. Yes Madam Fla. Tell me when was your Ladie 's bed last made Ang. Madam upon the Marriage day i' th morning Fla. And never smce Mar. looks within Ang. Not since indeed Madam Mar. 'T is even so Nay worse for 't is yet made Ay me here 's no body Ah! that bodeing somebody Has deceiv'd us VVife This a Nuptial bed Fla. Nay not so much as tumbled on VVhy where VVhere lay my Daughter all this while Ang. Alas Good Lady if he came not to bed was 't Her fault In former times I know it well She often watch'd all night spent it in prayer But now what Lady could have been so godly Fla. I am vext Mar. And so am I. Fla. Nay I am Asham'd to see 't wed and not bed together Mar. Now Sir you with your Epithalamiums To Met. Your Epigrams Anagrams Chronograms Your Raptures Enthusiasmes and Whim-whams To humour my Daughter with your Melancholy Strains that now she 's fit for no-thing nor no Body that I see And you with your Dia To Phan. Pasons and brain-sick Crotchets you have run A fair division have you not to separate Man and VVife And you Gentleman-usher To Pal. That look so wilde you that have been rambling And now come scar'd out of your little wits VVhat newes what 's the matter with you now Pal. A matter of matters nay all my back and sides Had been Matter but that Noble Tiburtius came To succour me Otherwise I had been stript and whipt Onely for saying my Lady was as fair as Venus Mar. But where 's my Lord Valerian Pal. He 'le be here This night or to morrow morning Fla. To morrow morning will That be a fit time to visit his wife Goodman Palinodie Pal. Why then to Night Madam he 'le be here money Both give him Exeunt Mar. Fla. Fla. Thou' rt welcome then here 's thy reward Mar. And here come Flavia let 's prepare Pal. Poet and Musitian look here †Shews the money Will you participate No. 'T is strange a Poet that stands so much on feet Should fall into wants Or that a Musitian Should not live as well on good aires as a Sycophant By an ill breath but nothing strange that this Gentleman-Usher †Kisses his hand and congies by this and this is richly clad In plush here Met. So so Pal. Yet that you may not sing with heavy heart For both your Muses go I have a quart ACT. V. Scene 1. Enter Valerian Val. FEar with belief unpowers disarmes me now Who late was daring while an unbeliever I could not credit what by faith I 've learn'd That there are Spirits call'd Intelligences On whose Majestick brow a terrour dwells The gentle plaites I dare not now unfold Who once could like a violent torrent rush Into her Chamber Might I see Her first Whose countenance is angelical from thence Mine eye might be transferr'd though fearfully To view her Angel Enter Devil Dev. Here I am look then On me an Angel Val. But not hers thou art So monstrous ugly and deform'd Dev. I am And that I may evict belief from thee †A Masque of Ladies Devils Satyrs The Dance ended when Valerian draws the Curtain they all vanish and Cecilie enter See Nymphs and Ladies here which I command As fair as thine Mine rather might have said For when she 's slumbring in her bed I stand And gently fold in mine her lilly hand Which nimbly now shall touch the Organ and While that and other Musick sounds t' advance The power I have I here command a Dance They dance Enter Cecilie Cec. Welcome my Lord my dearest Love and Spouse What means this ghastly look what is' t you fear Val. They 're vanish'd all with him who standing there Told me he was thine Angel but so ugly I could not think a beauty had commerce With such a monster Cec. No my Lord 't was he Who opposite to my blest Guardian seeks To ruin that the other do's preserve Val. But here were Ladies too Cec. But airy Phantosmes Deluding Devils they who can assume What shape they list yet still are limited In that and power by the Almighty's will Val. And yours it seems for at th' approach of day As the black Negra Night with Ravens wings Posts from the Confines of the Universe So did at your aspect these spirits vanish Enter Angel with two wreaths of flowers made of Lilies and Roses Cec. My Lord I need not be inquisitive to know What now you are this object shall suffice To tell how faith has clear'd your gloomy eyes Val. But not so eagle-sighted yet am I As to behold this glorious wight Cec. Yet but A ray or glimpse of the immortal power Angel Hail to you Virgin and your happy Spouse Blest be your Loves which heaven has linkt in one I come from you bright Mansion Paradice From thence have brought these fragrant wreaths of flowers The pure white Lilly and the crimson Rose That to denote your spotless chaster Loves This to present the ardour of your flames Which upward tend towards th' immortal fire Bow bow yourheads while crosse-wise thus I crown To symbolize you must stoop low to rise And like the Palme be prest for with renown Without Afflictions Crosse is gain'd no Crown Enter Tiburtius and kneels Here yet a Crown expects a Champions head Who in his first as he was born from Earth Come's now to joyn blest by a second birth Joyn Arm in Arm as you enwombed lay The brothers embrace A loving pair yet happier twins too day Cecilie sings So from the Brook return the bathed Doves while from your candid breast spring purer Loves So from the waters washd we may behold The pure white sheep return unto the fold So in the dewy Morn we see the Larkes So fraighted come a pair of wave-wash'd Barkes Then welcome Doves with chaster Loves Welcome enroll'd Sheep in the fold Mount pair of Larkes and for your Barkes Heaven be your Haven ne're disband Here cast your Anchor Hope and Land Angel Time calls away to mount bove liquid skies Be arm'd prepare a sudden
storm will rise Lose not your Sea-mark Heaven but boldlysteer The Tempest past dark clouds shall disappear Next Day eternal shine Blest three adieu None shall behold your wreatths but such as you Exit Val. Come then Disasters Fire and Sword and Racks Tib. Come what can come what spiteful hell can belch Or Heaven shall please to send or shall permit Val. Or come whatsoe're it be as we embrace We 'le hug their torments What is' t once to die To live so many lives eternally Cec. My dear Valerian now as fully mine As I am yours and both linkt to a third Your dearest brother summon'd now by heaven To be ingulf'd in a tempestuous Mayne Let 's to his Standard flie who now invites His souldiers to a Combate His pure-white Of Innocence and flowing purple tells Ours must be like although no parallels SCENE 2. Enter Almachius and Officers Maximus and Attendants 1 Off. There my Lord those two we dog'd from Via Appia Alm. Valerian and Tiburtius Christians I thought as much Val. But not so much as we can act of Christians Alm. Nor could I think so much of Sorcery As can this younger Lady actuate Enter Marcus and Flavia. Lay hold of her and those her two Disciples Mar. VVhat have we here to do Disturb me in My own house Alm. And carry hence your Daughter too That 's more for Justice has no limit Take her Away Mar. It shall not need my Lord I passe My word she shall be forth coming Alm. Nay here Your house is ample we can soon dispatch Let first the Brothers come Val. VVe rather flie T' embrace the worst of deaths thou canst invent Alm. Y' are Noble adore our mighty Gods and live Tib. That were t' offend th' Almighty Power of Heaven Alm. You know the penalty to lose your goods Confiscate Val. Goods They are but breeding evils But now disburs'd amongst the poor a treasure laid up in Heaven Alm. I there she stands who Wrought this policy VVe 'l come to hear the fource of all this mischief Mean while my Lords you to resolve retire Either t' adore the Gods or be beheaded Val. VVhat two extreams are these Or make a Stock Or Stone a God renouncing him above t' incur everlasting death or die This I. Tib. And I embrace Val. To die but once Tib. Live ever Thus I am resolv'd Val. And I. Alm. Then take 'hem hence Exeunt Val. Tib. Bring in the Lady Offic. She 's here my Lord. Alm. Sitting down Cecile thou art here arraign'd for hainous crimes Which who could think were lurking in a breast So young and tender In a Damosel fair And by extraction Noble But when Vice Usurpes a hold in better Natures soon They are deprav'd like richer wines which once Corrupted taint the Vessel more where th' are Enclos'd So young yet could'st by Magick Art Enchaunt the Lord Valerian who enamour'd Was by thy powerful and bewitching charmes bound in the chains of a prodigious love Then was he wrought upon t' abjure the Gods And march among the superstitious rank Of such Impostors as thy self This done For mischief has no period you engross His Goods his Plate and Jewels Was content To feign a Marriage more t' endear your self Though 't were by prostitution Next you were content He might be publickly traduc'd For Christianisme and now to lose his head With his as Noble Brother Lord Tiburtius VVho else might have enjoy'd his full estate Lastly to cheat the Emperour of his Right VVhich comes for want of heir they have I see VVhich was a plot of yours they have no place No other Magazine where they have hid Their treasure but Beggars Rogues and Rascals Apostates and such like scum of th' earth All 's gone all given away by which you hope Forsooth to gratifie your poor-born God Is not this true and verified by many Which I could name amongst the rest Saphricius A holy Convert who was one of yours Well vers'd in all your plots But why should I Exaggerate what of it self is so Enormous No I pity Lady your More tender years and Noble Parents here Pity a beauty which deserves to be Enthron'd upon a Princely Seat rather Than be so vilified and made so base As to consort with sordid despicable And abject riff-raffe vipers vermines worms Which creep in th' earth and lurk in horrid Caves What say you Lady deny or guilty yield Cec. What need I traverse this Indictment all Compacted of untruths know then I am A Christian not therefore base but you Who in your Gods do homage to the Devil Christian and base O! had I breath enough To eccho in the air this glorious Name A title 't is Encomium that transcends 'Bove humane things by Christian I am made More noble than by birth more powerful than Your Caesars more victorious Tell me of Goods Gold Plate and Jewels These I more contemn Than what I trample on Unworthy Judge That call'st me prostitute I defie Thee and thy Goddesses that were but such Harlots and Queans thy Gods adulterous Va'erian is my Spouse but far more dear By that which now he is A Christian This our glory this is our true renown To gain by combate an immortal Crown Alm. Our patience is abus'd our Gods contemn'd To whom or sacrifice or die Cec. But die Die but one death must I but lose one life To purchase an eternal Oh! how good How bounteous heaven which by a quick return Renders for death a life for ever happy Alm. Bring 'hem forth there Sha't see to what thou 'st brought A wretched pair who late were Noble Lords Enter Headsman Val. and Tib. and Cec. And if good Nature be not utterly In thee deprav'd thy more relenting heart Cannot but have remorse See here they come Poor Lords dejected men that fix on thee Their heavy eyes from whence the mischief sprang Cec. Not heavy eyes not sad but chearful clear Made such by the reflexive light of heaven My Lords you my dear Spouse and you his brother You have th' honour first t' invest your selves Within the lists where I should first have been Who first shew'd you the way but y'have out-stript Your Leader as lesse worthy who shall be Happier to trace the manly steps you tread Val. Dear Spouse and Mistriss not in Venus School But that of Heaven by you we first were taught A lesson which we now have got by heart That humane love is like a coal of fire Which lies on th' hearth but by the mounting flame A love divine is figur'd which transcends Therefore salute you with a chast embrace Farewel dear Spouse Embraces her Cec. Death parts but for a while I 'le hasten after that as our bodies bed In earth-together our souls may reunite Tib. May I be Paranymph and lead the way Who though I last come hither of us two May by this birth precede Cec. O! force of love Or first or last ambitious in desire Of heaven you happy twins
shall meet again But Lords you suffer here as Kings shall reign Alm. Away with 'hem to th' place of execution O! now they 're coming back and will recant Val. Madam Cec. My Lord Val. Dear Love adieu Cec. Dear Spouse adieu Tib. We crave your prayers t' assist us in the way Exeunt Val. and Tib. Alm. Peace Cec. Blest be your night that brings eternal day Alm. Peace Sorceresse with thy enchaunting tongue Or smoke shall stop the passage of thy breath Fire shall consume thee Witch take her away into her own dry bath Beset her round with fagots and dissolve To ashes that polluted corps Away with her Cec. Thus happy may I be and lose my breath Midst flames of Love and die a Phaenix death Exit with Officers Al. Maximus Max. My Lord. Alm. Go see them beheaded Max. I will my Lord. Exit Max. Alm. Dispatch and bring me word Enter Marcus and Flavia and kneel Now my Lord Marcus and my Lady there What is' t you now petition on your knee Mar. O! Sorrow till now deny'd to give a vent To my surcharged soul Alm. What is' t you crave Mar. That th' execution of the law may be Suspended our Daughter may be reclaim'd She 's young Alm. No no you should have had a care In time 't is now too late she 's so poyson'd Enter Maximus looking up in the air an Officer following With Christian superstition Now Maximus Are the two poppy heads cut from their stems Max. Dead th' are and yet not dead see where see see Th' are mounting in the air Alm. The fellow 's mad Max. No no the glorious souls I see of that Blest pair Valerian and Tiburtius Alm. Imaginary Visions in the air Or else the Twins Pollux and Castor which We call Tyndarides Max. No 'bove the height of the rich spangled skies Two winged Wights more bright than sunny beams I see transporting of their fulgent souls Great is Valerian and Tiburtius God Alm. Yet more Witchcraft Max. No the Gods are Devils Which have bewitch'd you with their fopperies Alm. Out upon the Villain blasphemous Renegade Enter an Officer Take him away to burn with the Enchauntresse If she already be not burn Exit Maximus with Officers Headsman Not burnt my Lord The flames at distance keep and dare not touch So much as that which doth her body vest Alm. Yet more sorcery why hast thou not a sword To sever head from shoulders Headsman Yes my Lord Sharp as a razor Alm. Hast a vigorous arm Headsm And dextrous too to slice as from the stalke A limber Dasie or a Daffadil Alm. Then come with me I 'le be spectator Exeunt Almach Attendants Mar. Come Flavia shall we not see our daughter Fla. Our Daughter murther'd Can the loving Ewe Behold her tender lamb snatch'd from her side And see it slaughter'd by the Butchers hand I cannot husband be a cruel witness Of the disasterous death of my dear lamb Mar. If flames could not consume why should the sword Be more injurious to an innocent Or if her God with a more powerful hand Could curb the raging fire why may not he Contract the Nerves of that more cruel Butcher Or arm her Neck against the dint of Steel Enter Headsman looking on his Sword But see our hopes are vain She 's dead she 's dead Behold his murthering Sword besmear'd with blood Headsman Hum what prodigy is this my Sword 's not dull Nor was my arm bereav'd of wonted strength Why then while thrice I struck and thrice my sword Had passage as I thought 'twixt joynt and joynt Why fell not down her mown off tottring head Like ice on cragged rock dissolv'd by heat Enter Cecilie lead by her servants See here she comes what soder could she have To cement what this sword dis joynted thrice Or this is Magick Art or else she has An Esculapius 'bove all power of Gods Mar. Lives still our daughter or by your support Is she but held Fla. Breaths still this virgin head Which has a languid yet a sweet aspect Cec. Dear Parents yet I live could you believe The fabulous story of your Hercules Who slic'd off Hydru's heads which grev again In number moe yet not believe your eyes VVhich see I live or ears which hear me speak Mar. Still may'st thou live whom now we living see Cec. Still would you have me live Dos't not suffice That bounteous heaven has granted me three dayes At my more humble suit to intercede For your Conversion Fla. Alas what are three dayes To enjoy a Child Cec. This was the boon I begg'd That with your leave this house may be transform'd And consecrated to the power above To be a Church where true believers may Adore their Maker and by frequent prayer Appease his wrath by whose permission now Enter Angel and stands by her Th' are persecuted Soft what whispering voice Is that which by prophetick spirit tells That this my body to be buried here Shall when a thousand and four hundred years Are fully past and gone be found entire Mar. I Daughter might we live till then and see it I then would be a Christian Flae So would I. Cec. You would Ah! Infidelity when thou Hast long been fostred in a darksome breast How hard it is for light to be transfus'd Or heat of love into decrepit age Happy who young begin to live and love Dos't hear Angusta Ang. Yes forsooth Madam Cec. Thou weep'st I see there can no richer pearls Adde listre to a virgins face than tears VVhich are distill'd for expiation of A fin-sick soul Tiburtius thou didst love Valeaian was my Spouse They are gone before T'eternal happiness I follow myne O! may'st thou emulate succeed to thyne Palinodio Pal. Here Madam Cec. Thou 'st been But staggering in thy Faith suiting too much VVith Palinodie ready to recant When but a whipping menac'd to thy skin A transitory pain Pal. 'T is true Madam I never lov'd such transitory things Which by the world entic'd or threaten'd me Cec. Thou 'st been my Gentleman-usher Pal. Yes forsooth I have been so Cec. Henceforth shall be no more To usher thee to Heaven I go before Metricio Met. Here sweet Madam Cec. Thou hast been My Poet to compose in facred Verse Spiritual Sonnets ayres that suited best With th'Organ my delight at vacant hours Yet much adoe I had to curb that strain Of levity thou hadst which too propense To amorous Ditties did profusely vent It self to please the humour of the time In vainer Raptures of Prophaning Love Desist from this and in a pious way Thy strayns shal raise dull thoughts to things on high Vertue 's the soul of Verse not Vanity Phantasio my Musitian where are you Phan. Here Madam I. Cec. Insist not much on that That I or self-conceit predominates In thee too much What is' t to have a Voyce To raise 'bove Ela while the drooping soul Below the base of abject things descends Thou tun'st mine Organ Tune thy
this Ang. I think she now will sing it with your favour I 'll read that you may relish it the better Our Poet tells me I have a special grace In the rehearsal seldom coincident To those of our Sex Which when my Lady chaunts Souls may be ravisht 'bove Parnassus height Reads the Song If each hive of swarming bees Have a King that careful sees To the Manage and more sage Keeps the rest in vassalage If each flock of tender sheep Have a Swain to feed and keep From the Wolf that seeks his prey Or if onely one must sway In a Kingdome needs must gods Powers divided live at odds Then Bees Sheep and Subjects we Can but have one Deity Pack yee hence you many Gods Powers divided live at odds Val. Hum She contemns the gods Ang. And goddesses Why she her self may compare with Venus For Beauty with Minerva for Wisdom But not with Cuckold Juno for Malice Towards Aeneas that noble progenitor Of our Roman Worthies Tib. Can she be vertuous That so neglects our more immortal Gods Ang. Yes and as far transcending your chast Vesta's In purity as fulgent stars of heaven Shine brighter than a foggy Ignis fatuus Val. Howsoever let 's hear her voice Ang. Nor that Nay if you vilifie her worth or but Extenuate this favour you see your way Points to the Door Gives her gold Cecile tunes the Organ within Val. Come this will qualifie your rising spleen Pal. Nay now I see shee 'll be Augusta 'T is But placing the N with the heels upwards Ang. Gentlemen She 's tuning Pray make a quick retreat To see and not be seen hear not be heard Now after her more sweet melodious strains Her custom is to walk a while abroad Not far from hence take th' opportunity But should she know I had a hand in this Your interview I were undone Val. Fear not Exeunt Valerian Tiburtius Ang. Palinodio let 's be gone Pal. Begone not I. My Lady shall know all or let me have half Was given thee Ang. Nay then my Lady shall know What you did Sir the last night Pal. What Ang. Kissed me Y 'had been better to have kiss'd elsewhere Nay what you would have done besides you know And she shall know Pal. What then Ang. What then You know full well how she abhors such doings Pal. And know your predecessor was transplanted For like offence Pal. And why I pray transplanted Ang. Yes so I say for a Gentleman Usher May well be liken'd to a double Gilliflower Which while it so continues is esteem'd And so is he with two good suits of clothes But let him wear out one and be but single In a thread-bare suit he 's soon transplanted As single Gilliflowers are wont to be His Lady then cries up and out with him Pal. This is a parlous wench how she threatens me Ang. Mum then Pal. I Mum. Ang. See then you tell no-body Pal. Not I. Ang. 'T is well you sing a Palinodie Come Sir know your duty and attend upon me Exeunt Enter Valerian Tiburtius listning to St. Cecilie that sings to the Organ within then comes forth and spying Valerian and Tiburtius starts Cec. Blesse me where was my Porter where my servants Who has betrayed me to the sight of men Val. Of Men Lady whom would you see but Man The Master-piece of th' Earth who joys to see His like in her who is a second self What creature to be parallell'd with man Can you behold why then should palid fear Undie those rosie cheeks and coral lips You need not fear Cec. Yes like the trembling tree Whose every leaf shakes at th' approach of man Tib. We 'll not offend Cec. But chastity is such It cannot be too wary fear too much She offers to go out but courteously returns Val. Nay Lady leave us not so abruptly I would but dare not say at first I love Bec. Not love you told me you were men not love Why 't is the noblest passion of the soul Sprung from the Will which cannot love but good Much more the greatest good whose only Beauty Is so attractive that when 't is but known It cannot be but lov'd Ah Noble Sir Dare you not love Val. Not you Lady I mean I durst not say I lov'd but know I do Cec. Ah! There 's small difference 'twixt wo and woe Exit Val. Tiburtius here 's a spark what 's thy opinion Of this Lady Tib. That she 's like other females Who know themselves to be the weaker vessels Like melting wax that 's apt for all impressions At first encounter therefore by retreat Fearing they should be almost gain'd ere courted Which they affect they suddenly with-draw The better to attract for after that we fly Which flies from us neglect what is atchiev'd And what is fair must hardly be obtain'd By frequent suits which they affect as a Supream honour and homage due to their Self-seeming pretious and admir'd beauties Val. This is not all I fear for I observ'd Both in her Sonnet and her Maids discourse A kind of Superstition mixt with a Contempt of all our gods If that imposture Of Christianisme has infected her I fear t will be a Bar to my designes Tib. Tush Take no notice what she young of years Has yet but suckt not turn'd to nutriment Love soon extirpates what 's but newly set And taking deeper root predominates O're all the powers of man and that we call Religion but a trifle and subordinate To Love's transcendent passion of the Soul Our gods themselves vanquish'd by powerful Love Have laid aside their Deities to court A Beauty Shall not then Religion Which but relates unto those heavenly powers Subscribe unto the Soveraignty of Love Val. Heavens grant it may but soft whose coming here Enter Marcus and Flavia. Mar. Come Flavia my dear sweet wife where 's our daughter Cecilie the foolish Girle is so pensive And solitary Shee s never well but when She 's in her Chamber This dull Melancholy caus'd By her too much delight in Musick has brought her To that passe for want of exercise poor elfe She 's fall'n I fear into that lazie sad And languishing disease call'd Fla. The Green Sicknesse 'T is true my dear Marcus and as you were My physician in like case so must some-body Mar. My Lord Valerian I have no skill in Augury But like the Omen that when my wife said Some-body mine-eye was instantly on you From thence it glanced on my Lord Tiburtius I lay my life you come to some such end I read methinks such speaking Characters In face and features eye and front as plain And legible as wrinkles in my Flavia's Forehead was about to say nay be not angry Fla. Well well had I not been the honester I know where and what had been as legible Mar. Nay I fear'd thou would'st be angry but no matter Ladies must nere be old their husbands may Lords y' are wellcome but chiefly my Valerian That some-body
was such a boding word Val. My Lord you honour me so much that I Seem courted by a happiness to which My more ambitious thoughts could hardly yet Aspire Mar. My Flavia what sayst thou to the match Fla. I like it not I tell you husband I Dislike it utterly Mar. How Fla. That parents should Make matches for their children Mar. I now thou speak'st Fla. No bring them face to face and let them parley Ah! T is the pretiest thing to hear them chat So far from the matter for love-sick wantons Are as impertinent as they who lie Perplext in burning feavers Love 's a phrensie As I remember forty years ago Mar. Twenty wife th' art not so old Flav. When one distracted was demanded whether He were a married man No no said he I am not yet so mad Mar. Ha! ha my Lord My Wife has brought you now within the compasse Of Fla. Madmen 'T is even so by Juno And after this a longing comes in breeders And what is this but a phantastick madnesse Ha! ha Wast not a pretty longing think you Fulvius Torquatus being Consul when The Knights of Mauritania brought to Rome A savage man who Polyphemus-like Had but one eye Torquatus Lady then Being with Child and hearing of this Monster Long'd infinitely desir'd to see him As he past by her door but none it seems Would bring him in and out she would not go In th' absence of her husband What pity She lost her longing next her life But then You know my Lord what did ensue The Senate The Grave Senate decreed that Roman Ladies Should not fail but every one should have Her longing Mar. Some come short of that Flavia. Fla. The more 's the pity Mar. Else they would not live Sequestred as they do Fla. Are you so waggish still But you my Lord you have a longing too To Val. Not to see a one-eyed man Monoculus But a fair Lady though I say 't that should not Val. That indeed Madam is my more humble suit And infinite desire Mar. That Cis may have her longing ha ha Fla. Why Cecilie where are you Palinodio No body there to wait Angustula Enter Augustula You too so narrow ear'd you cannot hear Ang. Madam your pleasure Fla. That your Lady Mistris Come hither in a trice instantly approach Ang. Approach Madam she 's in her Oratory Fla. I she flows in her Oratory but Let her leave that Eloquence and tell me In plain terms expound what means Our Terence Accede ad hanc ignem ut Calefias magis Ang. That Madam I can enucleat Come to this female fire That thou mayst be enflamed Lord Tiburtius I was about to say Enter Cecily Mar. But see my Daughter For that intent Ha. Must come to you my Lord Valerian Val. I long to have that happiness Mar. Is she not yet come Oh! she 's here Aug. Come Madam since there is no remedy Set a good face on 't that I am sure you have VVhy do you veyl it then you are not Nupta Till then like other Ladies make the best Of what you have Beauty and Truth are two That seek no Covert Needs will come to light Cec. Madam what is your Ladyships pleasure Fla. A thing of nothing only spell Roma backward Cec. 'T is Amor Madam Flav. True 't is Love my Girle Be as well vers'd 'i th Deed as in the Word And by thy Love this Lord shall be enrich'd But what is Amor passive Cec. I am lov'd Val. Here by your servant Lady Tib. I might have sayd As much but younger brothers must be curb'd Mar. So to her to her my Lord. She shall be yours Come Sweet-heart we 'le sit and see personated The lovely Courtships of our younger years Val. Ladies your Parents have left you to your choice Cec. Then I choose heaven Val. Myne is your self on earth Or were I 'bove the spangled Arch with you I 'de rival Jove himself in point of Love Cec. In point of Love Beauty and goodness Val. VVhich I admire in you Cec. Are the sole Objects of a chaster Love Goodness is courted by the Appetite As beauty should be by the understanding On which two senses properly attend To hear and see Val. Witnesse these happy ears Charm'd by your Musick and these happyer eyes Which gaze on th' object of their wished bliss Cec. But fair and good affect a Monarchy Establish'd by the will sole Sovereign To sway within the Microcosme of Man To which the faculties of soul and body As motions habits actions passions are Subordinate yea and concupiscence Though a rebellious Vassal to the will May be subjected Now if fair and good Be that you seek it totally consists In unity of essence whence deriv'd Are all the Fairs and goodness you behold Which scatter'd here and there in several Creatures Are but dependants on the soveraign good To reach to this within the highest Region Of the Soul a love divine refiding Dos offer sacrifice of awfull Prayer And Holocaustes to the Divinity Fla. Tittle tattle what 's all this to th' purpose Venus is fair and Jupiter is good Mar. My Lord a proper man well qualified Flav. I Daughter and all our hope of Offspring Must be in thee and good Lucina's aid Mar. And my Lord Valerian's help here what a la mort Val. I am by th' stream dismiss'd to seek the source Cast off to search a fairer then her self Ah! if such goodness as resides in her Dos but participate of that supreme And onely good to that I must afpire Tik had I but such a spark from the immense She speaks of my ambition ne're would seek A greater fire t'enflame Val. No more would I. Cec. Nor you nor you what earthly souls you bear Within your brests confin'd to carnal Iust Heaven is my choice while here you court but dust Exit Mar. Hi'da here 's a wooing with a witness My Lord the foolish Girle is not yet capable Of th' happiness which is atchiev'd by Love This was your fault that never would infuse Those sweeter drops distill'd from Venus rose Fla. VVhy Sir who would have thought one of her years Being now sixteen and upward could be so backward In learning that of Love which in their Nonage Enter Angusta Of teens others attain unto why Angustula VVhere 's your Lady Ang. Gone to her Closet Madam So very sad and pensive that it grieves me That she may have her choice of two and I of neither Aside Mar. My Lord y' are welcom this may now suffice At the first push of Pike let her retreat She shall come on again Fla. I and at next encounter Daign smile for smile and with a lovely glance As boldly in the shock of Love advance Val. So shall you ever oblige your servant Tib. And mee Mar. Had I another Daughter she should be yours Exeunt Val. Tib. Tib. Unhappy wooer that has but verbal Cures Mar. Angustula come thou diminitive wagg Ang. Sir Mar. Call Palinodio
Love scar'd hence By your so dreadfull Champion or your spells Cec. Not so but to return again he 's gone And when they meet by one sole interview All quarrels shall be ended Tib. Very good And who of three shall then enjoy your love Cec. That soon shall be discover'd by th' event Tib. Yet one thing ere we part I fain would know By what Enchantment now while VVinter cloathes The Earth with snow and hoary frosts such odours Breath as if with rich perfume the Lilly And sweeter Rose were by a forward Spring Brought forth to yield their pleasing savours here No Flowers I see but Roses in your Cheeks No Lillies but those Ivory fingers there VVhich cannot vent such odoriferous sents As now perfume the Ayre Cec. Oh Noble Sir Think not we Christians work by Magick art VVith Roses here and Lillies intermixt My temples with a Coronet are wreath'd VVhich though you see not we no Sorcery Have us'd to blinde your eyes which have a filme That overspreads your sight Go go my Lord I pray go to your brother take his advice And then return then happy shall you see The Garland which I wear of fragrant Flowers And see besides with him what I have promis'd Tib. Madam your Charm is powerfull I 'le away Exit Cec. May Heaven illumine both as he begins And born again shall be these Noble Twins Exit SCENE III. Enter Almachius Saphricius Officers and Headsman with an Axe Alm. COme bring him forth I 'le see the Execution Or if he yet relent and sacrifice Unto our gods he 's pardon'd Sap. To your gods Your Devils Monsters Moppets Puppets Bugges Alm. Out thou blasphemous wretch away with him Sap. I have endur'd a torture in each joynt These feet were scorch'd these arms with burning torches Enter Nicephorus Yet could I suffer more Alm. Take him away Nic. O! let me come 't is more than time to speak Saphricius Saphricius Alm. What 's hee That interrupts our Justice Nic. Saphricius I once was thy dear friend and thou we'rt mine Untill unfortunate we fell at jarres And open enmity yet now at least Forgive as I do thee Sap. Forgive thee no. Thou too injurious wer 't to be forgiven Nic. Say all the fault were mine and only you Were injur'd yet now destin'd as a Victim And sacrifice for Heaven what Heaven commands For Heaven's sake do not omit Sap. I never will forgive thee He troubles me here Off. Come Sirrah stand aside Nic. Pardon upon my knees I beg it forgive me Good Saphricius Off. What an absurd fellow art thou VVhat need'st fear him he 's going to die Nic. Oh there 's a Power above all Charity All Goodness Love for which he gives his life To which his soul relates and must be like In rendring good for ill and pardoning all Therefore upon my knees again I beg it Sap. Away thou hatefull and injurious man Nor I nor Heaven will pardon thy offence Nic. Here prostrate on the earth I kiss your feet Though you likewise I thought had wronged me Yet be the fault all mine forgive me Sir Sap. Not I this fellow vexes me Off. Be gone Alma Force him to silence there or stop his mouth Off. Now prepare y' are come to th' place assign'd Sap. Assign'd for what Off. For Death by this keen Axe Because thou wilt not offer sacrifice To Jupiter Sap. So is' t for that cause then Alm. Executioner do your Office Saphr trembles Off. I will my Lord Instantly The valiant Saphricius Who late endur'd all kinde of Tortures now Begins to tremble every joynt and limbe I 'le cure him of his Palsey Sap. Hold ah hold Thy hand my friend and hear one word Off. What 's that For two thou shalt not have what is it Sap. Gods Off. Speak that again Sap. Unto the Gods I say I 'le sacrifice Alm. VVhat says he there of Gods Off. That he to them will sacrifice Sap. Discover Too I will what now a Christian Lady Is perpetrating ' gainst two Noble Lords Alm. Thou hast thy life The gods are mercifull Nic. My Lord my Name 's Nicephorus Alm. What 's next Nic. I am a Christian too and what this Renegade Has lost I come to gain a Palm of Victory A Crown immortall Alm. Art thou then a Christian Nic. I say I am and were it possible VVould give another life so that I might Reclaym him there who has renounc'd his Faith For want of Love the badge a Martyr brings Else cannot have the honour to be such Alm. Gaoler take him to your custody And to morrow If he recant not as his fellow has done Executioner you know your Office let him dye I must away affairs which much import Are calling on me Come Saphricius I go to offer Incense to great Jove Exeunt Sap. I 'le joyn with you my Lord most willingly Manet Niceph. Execut. Nic. He 's gone O miserable man he 's lost For ever lost I fear Suffer'd so much So long and at the last apostatize ay me Have you not well observ'd the Provence Rose How every leaf pluckt from the Neighbouring Chives Is tipt as 't were with Gold Such are our actions Such our thoughts when golden Charity And Love dos guild our every leavy thought Sprung from the soul else nought avails nor death Without the hearty love of friend and Foe He onely dyeth well that 's living so Exeunt SCENE IV. Valerian and Tiburtius come out of the Vault Urban appearing to the middle above the Vault Urban MY Lord Valerian twice the elder Son By birth and Faith you 'l have a special care Of him that seconds you your only brother Who less instructed cause the time was short Next that of Heaven t' assist wants your suppport You are my children now and sheep farewell Doubt not the Lady wil fulfill her word Remember now y' are Combatants for Heaven And that your Guerdon an immortal Crown Is that you fight for not for fading wreathes Val. For this Atchievement we entreat your Prayers Urban Nor I in that nor in paternal care Will be defective Heaven bless my Children Descends Val. Where we have been what seen and what acquir'd Our brests may better lodge than we can utter W'have been in Paradise beheld a Heaven I' th bowels of the earth the Christian Flock Within a Fold whose darkness is exil'd As well b' exemplar life as burning Lamps Here some in Prayers there others chaunting Hymns Here some in Contemplation Tib. Others I saw And heard exhorting to a vertuous life And some instructing Catechumens such As prepare themselves for holy tincture Val. Not mine and thine is heard amongst them there But all in common all one heart one will Unanimous they live VVhy now methinks I am arm'd ' gainst all events Tib. I 'le follow you Val. Could pull down Idols and destroy their Fanes O! what a greeting will there be betwixt That vertuous Lady and our new born selves Enter Three Watchmen Madam I come