if she do you may at leisure inform her of the Truth I do Command you to lay by your further thought of this fond Journey to search for Astella is this a time to act Romances in when the whole whole World is in Combustion round us think better on it Phillocles Ordel. I hope my Brother will not throw himself on dangers without a good Argument to justifie his Actions this new Journey gives me new fears for you Phil I shall consider ere I go Ordella and at your Lodgings this night expresse my joy to see you Exeunt omnes Sel Oh! Oh! Cle Selindra weeping has the sad tale of Hungary drawn these tears from your fair Eyes Madam Sel Good my Lord spare me a while I am not sit for Courtship now Cle I cannot with Honour leave you in the power of such an Enemy as your sorrow is Sel You cannot deliver me from a greater then your self this time Cle That is not kindly said Selindra scarce Civil if you consider my long Love and my Respects Sâ—l My Lord you know I ever shun'd your Love and as much as in me lay avoided those respects you now upbraid me with Cle I do confesse you have t is therefore I now come to presse you to declare if I may ever hope to gain more favour from you my sute is present Marriage may I hope for such happinesse at last if not now Sel As I never have so I shall never give you cause to think it Cle So Fair so Innocent so Gentle and so severe I never saw before but I shall hope to find you in a better humour at some other time Selindra your Father interrupts me now Exit Cleonel Enter Periander to Selindra Sel Unhappy day that I was born and more unhappy this that I She Weeps have liv'd to hear such mischief on Oh Periander my Father and my Brothers are all Dead Murther'd by Phillocles Betray'd and Slain by Pollinesso's dead my onely comfort is for ever gone and yet I live to tell it Peri Madam the Crown of Hungary is now yours and Phillocles but the Instrument sent by the gods to punish your Parents crimes their perjury pull'd this Judgment on their own heads Sel It does not become you my Lord to tell me so nor yet to think it if you consider Lascare's covetous nature and Phillocles ambitious spirit you might with me see all this was design'd to ruine my Family and so to get the Crown unto themselves but I shall soon revenge it on dissembling Phillocles and bring such a Ruine into Greece as no time shall parallel here to Pollinesso Ghost I vow Phillocles his Life if ever I can safely reach it Peri Madam take heed least you like them do pull a second mischief on your self Phillocles you see is Noble he leaves the Crown She kneeles to you when offer'd him by all your Subjects he lov'd Pollinesso you have no Argument against Phillocles he Laments him as much as you can Sel I Periander and in sorrow seeks me too no doubt but he would gladly have me in his power to murther Per I cannot think so but Madam you should now consider where you are and in whose power in my opinion you must keep this disguise with all the Art you can and lay by your sorrow for a while not practice any thing towards revenge nor by a look discover such a thought untill I can go to Belgrade there make Orsanes and the rest know that you live that we may find some way to fetch you home with safety where you may with security prosecute your revenge Sel I shall take your advice my Lord now you comply in my revenge and study to disguise my grief till your return but can admit no thoughts but my revenge on Phillocles Pollinesso my dear Brother I will Celebrate thy Funerals in such a manner as shall speak my Love to thee and hate to him that murther'd thee No Roman Pile e're made so great a flame I 'le Sacrifice this Empire to thy Name Per Madam this passion will piscover and destroy you in spight Weeps of my Endeavours Sel I have now done my Lord indeed I have Peri I can have no Faith Madam unlesse you will now promise in presence of our gods to hide this anger and not to discover your self till my return unlesse some Eminent necessity require for you will be lost when known unto Lascares Sel I do ingage as you desire and shall Enter Ordella to them with Ladies Or In tears Selindra what cause hast thou to weep Per My present departure for Ciprus makes her thus Childish Or Will your stay there be long my Lord Per Not many dayes Madam Or Come Selindra thou shalt go with me I 'le divert these Tears by shewing thee my griefes which thou wilt be Concern'd for if thou dost love me Exeunt Omnes THE SCEENE CHANGES Re-enter Ordella and Selindra in Ordella 's Chamber Sel Madam I am very sensible of your Greif and do not approve of the Prince his journey to search for Astella Or. You must not only not approve it Selindra but with me condemn it as a rash and hazzardous undertaking besides the folly of seeking one he never saw one that he hath no ingagement to What madnesse will it be for Phillocles to put himself within her power before he knowes how she resents her Friends deaths for if there were such affection between Astella and Pollinesso as is said the sight of Phillocles must needs raise a passion in her such as may destroy my aside Brother before his innocence can appear How 's this can these Tears fall for her Fathers absence a few dayes or is it for what I utter Selindra Weeps I hope she is not so much concern'd for Phillocles Selindra I do take it ill that you thus lament your Fathers absence who runnes no hazzard above my sorrow for my Brothers dangerous Journey in search of Astella Sel Madam my tears were re-call'd by your Highnesse sighes by your trouble for the Prince his Journey your favours have been such to me that I were unworthy if I should not weep as well as smile with you aside Or 'T is handsomly put off I thank thee Selindra and do so little doubt thy Love that I do beg thy best Arguments to assist me that we together may convince my Brother and prevail with him to stay Sel Madam I shall obey your commands and observe your directions as farre as will become me but I do fear the Prince will condemn me of much rudenesse if I shall interpose my vain opinions against his purposes good Madam do not put me to do what hereafter you will blame me for Or Fear it not Selindra I love thee better then to throw away thy credit so see where my brother comes Enter Phillocles Ordella meets him kindly yet sadly too Selindra aside Sel I have a hard taske on me to complement the man I hate to death
Phillocles from getting Astella Cecro I do submit Sir and must applaud your purpose 't is a design I do confesse much above my reach and the first mischief I have come short in Exeuut ambo Pollidor seen in his Chamber Enter to him Phillocles and Ordella and Selindra the servants go off Phil You look chearfully to day Pollidor we may hope to see you abroad shortly Polli I believe I might venture now Sir though my Surgeons be not of my mind but Sir how do you find the good old Emperor dispos'd Phil I like not my Fathers smiles Pollidor his suddain starts into such extreams make me apprehend more danger in his kindnesse then his rage so that to prevent all further evils I have a purpose to repaire unto the Army and 't is Ordella's wish as well as mine that Selindra would trust her self with me there Polli That may secure you both but will not Selindra's honour suffer Ordel Now that Selindra's interest and his are become one I see no reason she should fear to go nor indeed any scruple why their Marriage may not be privatly and presently dispatch'd for while the businesse lingers thus they give hopes to such Endeavours as would divert it and do runne daily hazzards by staying here Phillo Ordella argues what my soul wishes but Selindra's looks do not consent to make me so soon happy Selin Sir my loooks do be-lye my heart if they shew ought that would delay a happinesse to you for I have none beyond yours But Sir above all other reasons Pollidor not being yet able to attend you if he be left behind will hardly escape Cecropius's fury Phil Most true Selindra he will be in danger I shall therefore attend his recovery without him I will not move nor will I put a thought in act without thy Councel Ordel You have both said well but in my judgment this is no fit time for such Complements when your lives are daily sought Polli If you be resolv'd to attend my recovery I shall propose a sudden fancy of mine to that purpose which may secure us Phill Speak it Pollidor Polli Suppose Selindra do ask the Princess leave to return to Cyprus and give out that she only expects her Fathers coming to convey her thither Sir you may court Selindra publikely while she stayes and she seem to neglect your love and put on a shew of kindnesse unto me as in gratitude for my hazzards in her redemption I will also counterfeit affection to Selindra and give out that I am of better quality then I seem This Sir if well manag'd will be ground enough to deceive their best Spies and for some time secure us all Phillocles I approve your thought Pollidor and if Selindra can undertake her part doubt not me I 'le put on such a seeming jealousie as shall puzzle the old Fox Cecropius himself Selindra I shall easily observe my directions and soon learn to be civil to a man I owe so much to Phillo Come Ordella while they practise love we will reconcile us to the Emperor and try to bring him on a present visit to Pollidor before this sit of his good nature leave him Ordel Selindra we must find you sitting in a more familiar way with Pollidor then ordinary conversation does allow Exeunt Phillocles and Ordella Selindra I shall obey you Madam Now they are gone we may enjoy our selves this happy design of yours will afford us many houres of freedome Pollidor My soul is joyed to look on thee Astella Selin And my happinesse too great to be exprest by words that you live makes this Earth a Paradice to me my heart can scarce make roome for Phillocles it is so full of Pollinesso Polli I am all thine Astella She embraces him Enter to them Tenedor Tecknor and others Tenedor Is it time Sir that you retir'd to rest you spend your spirits by so much discourse which does retard your cure Teck You should neglect no means Sir for your recovery lest by a long stay here some accident unlook'd for may make you known Tenedor I wonder Phillocles does not call to mind that he has seen you Pollidor He believes me dead as all others do but I shall observe the best rules for my recovery however Now Astella we have time to hear how you were conveyed from Belgrade pray make me know how you came hither Selin That same night that you departed to the Army and our first Embassadors went towards Greece to implore Lascares's aid against the Germanes I was by my Fathers own hand deliver'd unto Periander whom I was to call Father and by him was brought to Ciprus where the Plague then raging he transports me with his Family to this Town Pollidor How came you into the Court then Selin On the first Feast-day I went with Periander to the Temple that I might see the Emperor and the Printess Ordella where the Princess casting her Eyes on me found mine so fixed on her that I could not remove them but blush'd and still look'd on her by what power led I know not but she took a fancy to have me live with her which Periander durst shew no dislike to thus was I to my great joy call'd to Court where I became a Companion to the Princess within a short time Cleonel had affection for me which did not free me from old Cecropius dotage of which with Prince Phillocles his worthy love you shall know hereafter for I have now held you too long from your repose Pollidor Dearest Astella thy words are balsome to my wounds Exeunt Lords Pollidor and Selindra embrace Enter Emperor Phillocles Ordella Cecropius and Traine and see them Embracing Phillocles Your Majesty will not think this honour too much for Pollidor when you shall know he is of better quality then he seems ha what do I see They embrace and rise disturb'd Emp That which should teach thee to have nobler thoughts Philloces think on this surprize Phil How they are disturb'd Ordel They do it rarely well aside Emp Sir I am now come to excuse the imprisonment you had and to give you thanks for my sons life I shall now endeavour to recompence your merit rather then trouble you with words Poll Great Sir this honour with the many other favours I receiv'd do shame me to think that you allow me a merrit I cannot own but if the Gods do give me life my onely businesse shall be to seek occasions to serve you and yours Emp I shall contribute what I can to your health and will please my selfe with the expectation of great things from you While they talk the Emperor observes Phillocles courting Selindra and she neglecting him the Emperor observes Pollidor to be troubled at their Courtship and is pleased at it Poll Sir you oblige me beyond words to utter my sense of your favours Emp My purpose is to give you a kind welcome and a respect suitable to your worth and quality fair Maid I
such deceit Valer I can yet find no argument for ground To change so great contempt as I have found Into so high esteem as he does now By your advice in charity allow That my last minutes may some pleasure have He yields to send me smiling to my grave Queen You cannot judge so ill of him you love Nor can so brave a man so worthless prove Val I do confess I should be glad to find All real that I see and his great mind The same brave Character he had maintain Through his whole life and not that glory stain But if 't be real this comes now too late His kindnesse cannot change the course of Fate Queen Think not of Death for if you will endure The Tryall I will undertake the Cure I see your sufferings do compassion move Which in most generous hearts does turne to Love Ormas Madam I know not what you do call love Nor how in that fantastick Sphear to move I cannot talk the language Lovers use When they design fair Ladies to abuse Nor can I yet by this experience guesse If Love or a distraction does possesse My heart give me but leave to watch this night That while you sleep I may my heart invite To tell me what it ails if it be Love What all the World allows I shall approve And then I 'le rather dye then e're forsake What I avow or what I undertake Queen Pray Madam give him leave to watch this night Some serious thoughts may set his fancy right He has lyen often on the frozen ground On lesse occasion and more danger found Valer I shall not rest then though you think it fit I shall condemn my self if I submit Queen 'T is somewhat more then custome does allow I must confess but how to help it now Who knows you see he is resolv'd to beat Us all if we but mention his Retreat Ormas Pray let not this my first sute be deny'd But give me leave to sit on yonder side As silent as sleep self my body shall Be fixt as is that figure on the Wall Queen Let him Valeriana pray consent 'T will prove his honour or his punishment Ormas Who can have more care who so fit as I To watch who am resolv'd with her to Dye Good rest unto your Majesty He leads off the Queen Queen He 'l turn me out if I refuse to go But why Ormasdes do you tremble so Ormas This shaking fit may to a Feaver turn And I e're day in Loves bright flames may burn Exeunt omnes THE FIFTH ACT. Valeriana is discover'd a sleep on a Couch with Doctors and Ladies all asleep about her Ormasdes rises from the ground at the Couch side Ormas ALl Eyes are shut all hearts can rest but mine I 've something here that will not let me sleep T is Love I am bewitch'd or it is Love That thus disturbs my body and distracts My mind no other passion works like this Well then if it be Love where 's the wonder The wisest bravest and the greatest men Have been in Love as much or more then I But why then was I thus long without it Why did not bright Cleandras Beauty burn Why was not this Fire kindl'd untill now How comes Valeriana by this power To wound me deeper then Cleandra did My Kind loving heart how comes this to passe Valeriana sighs and groans aloud Ormas Ha! Her spirit by that sigh informs me That doubl'd groan struck through my wavering soul Oh thou Divinest power what ere thou art I do submit Valerianas groans Are all sufficient Arguments for Love It seems my stony heart was proof against All charms but deep fetch'd sighs and dying groans By which 't is now made supple and so soft That it is ready to take any form That sick Valeriana shall direct Great God of Love forgive my past neglects And now restore this Lady to her health Then I with Insense will thy Altars load Thy Temple with those Trophies now adorn Which my whole life prepar'd for Mars and Iove Since they allow me to submit to Love Valer wakes and calls Valer Drusilla Ormas Madam your Servants do all sleep but I. Valer I would not have wak'd you Ormasdes Ormas You have not Madam I have not slept yet Pray let your Servant know what 't is you want Val I want assurance of a thing I doubt Ormas Can I give you that assurance Val Yes Ormas And will you not lay that command on me Val Do they all sleep Ormas They do Val Ormasdes I would know what I do fear You are pre-ingag'd never to tell me Ormas By your fair self I swear I 'm not ingag'd In any kind but may and will impart What ever in my knowledge you inquire Val My first doubts does still remain that the Queen Upon assurance of my suddain death Has won you thus to flatter my last hours Like glittering Sun-shine upon dying Flowers Ormas Madam by all that 's Holy she has not What shall I say what do to gain your Faith Val You have done it now I am satisfied And do believe all 's truth Ormasdes speaks But I do fear this truth appears too late Orm Why Madam have you made vowes against me Will no repentance nor no pennance serve To wash away my Sins against your Sex Will you that Universall quarrel wed And bring destruction on your servants head Val Vowes Ormasdes and those against you made Oh do not take away the Joy you gave By such a thought I never wish'd nor pray'd For blessing upon Earth beyond your Love Which you in charity so amply shew That I do doubt I dream what I injoy Ormas Madam you do now misjudge my passion To call that charity which may be love For ought I know this so late acquaintance With my new heart is short and my transports So great it must be madnesse if not love For give me leave to swear that I will know No other Joyes then yours nor thoughts admit But with design to serve and honour you Val I do now wish the Gods my life would spare And make me worthy of Ormasdes care Ormas Madam you speak a Language of respect To me who merrit nothing but neglect Your favours flow so fast they over-whelm My heart with joyes and raise my soul so high It turns amazement into extacy Val I should not talk thus if I did not see 't T is harde for you now to hide then shew 't I do not fear your passion will go lesse But doubt by death to loose what I possesse Ormas You cannot dye Madam I have no fear To find so great a curse from Heav'n sent I onely doubt I sleep and fear to wake Lest this abundant blisse should vanquish quite And so involve me in Eternal Night May I presume to beg a favour yet Which will my fancy â—ix and so confirm My doubtfull soul 't is real and no dream Val You may Ormas I
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
will raise his Conquest higher who gaines me from the rest The Thou art safe and mayest say any thing Silvander is thy security against all scandall though you carry it thus unconcern'd the secret spreads Lin 'T is time it should do so now we do own Our love 't is fit the secret should be known Your Highness may assist while you look on Though onely wee the active part do own The Let us retire to council then Exeunt Enter Teretia and Geta. Ter What is thy businesse honest Geta How does Lonzartes thy brave Lord Geta. My Lord is in good health of body Madam his brains are onely out of order Ter How meanest thou Geta has he got a blow on his head Geta Onely some fumes from his heart Madam makes his head addle 't is call'd the Spleen of late and much in fashion his Lordship does desire to know the Princess mind this morning what she means to do all day Ter This will be a hard question to the Princess fasting why would he know all this now Geta. Because he has some great affairs for me to mannage and cannot spare me to ask so oâ—ten as I use to do Ter Of what nature be thy particular queries Geta Geta. He would know how she slept last night in what health now by what hour she will be drest when to her devotions and then where she walks this morning and if she dine in publique then how she intends to passe her time till night else I must come twenty times for what you may at once dispatch me Ter And does Lonzartes send thee to enquire all this at once Geta. These Women are so silly they cannot reach a deep design aside No but he does every day make me trouble my self and every body that I meet to ask these questions severally which I would do at once to shew him I am a man of quick dispatch Ter Oh! is that the matter I can fit thee with one answer to all these Tell thy Lord the Princess did take cold last night and will keep her bed all day Geta. I like it well and wish her Highnesse would do so this moneth Ter. Out Traytor I 'le make thy Lord braine thee for that wish Geta Why Madam I meant no harm 't was but to save you the trouble and me the same questions to morrow and so on till Dooms-day I think Ter Well Sirra for this time I 'le not complain of you this Jest shall excuse your knavery Geta. This will be a play-day for me I like this lying a Bed well Exeunt THE THIRD ACT. Enter Lonzartes and Clearcus Clear TEll me then who Cloris is Lon Thou art so mad I dare not trust thee Clear I will know now or break all friendship Lon I have not interest enough to make a visit yet and thou wouldst have me own that I do love before I do Clear Tell me but who she is what your hopes are and what you wish that I may joyne in your designe Lon I have yet not designe nor any hope for what I wish Clear But do you think any Woman may not be what you can wish if you approach her the right way Lon Thou art so much Divell grown thou canst not discerne the Angelicall nature that is in those who are virtuous of that Sex thou hast no tincture of goodnesse left but art become a Monster of man-kind Clear All this will not fix your Herecy on me I shall never learne to flatter a few grave Matrons to be laugh'd at by all that are worth wishing for come shall I know Cloris yet this is the last time of asking Lon Ere long you shall if I do prosper in my pretence Clear Oh! is it come to a pretence then look to your self lest I discover Cloris to the World and make you wish that you had trusted me Enter to them Theodocia Pandora Lindamira Teretia and Ladies and Silvander The Where did you leave my Father Lonzartes Lon I have not seen the Prince to day Madam The I was told that you were just now walking with him Cle That may well be Madam for his brains do crow of late do ye see how he stands Lonzartes the Princess speaks to ye Lon To me does your Highness command me any thing Silvander and Lindamira entertain themselves in whisper Cle Did not I tell you Madam that his brains are turn'd he neither hears nor sees of late The Idea of his Seraffick love takes him wholly up from all converse with us mortals Lon Hold your prating or I shall be angry Pan What has made you so grave of late Lonzartes all your woâ—â—ted mirth is gone Lon No man is alwayes in good humour Madam Cle He 's in Love Madam on my knowledge o're head and eares in Love Pan In Love Lonzartes I thought you had not been at leasure to be in Love 'T is your fault Clearcus that have not councell'd your friend better Cle Thus am I chid for your follies who reject all my Councels and refuse all my approv'd Antidotes which do preserve me against that Serpent you call Love while he convers'd with me he was safe Madam Lonz Thou hast fool'd enough Clearcus the Princess and all the company are weary of it If your Highnesse allow him this fredome he will grow troublesome The Is it Love Lonzartes or is Clearcus onely merry with you Lon Your Highnesse knowes him too well to credit all he sayes this way he is at this time very angry that I have chid him for his lewd life and hath with-drawn my self from his ill company which he imâ—putes to my being in Love Cle I say he is in Love most seriously in Love shall I unmask this grave Reformado and shew you the Lady now The If Lonzartes be content I would gladly see her whom he thinks worthy of his heart Cle No matter for his consent Madam so you like it And thus I He holds them all to Lonzartes one by one begin my tryal By your good leave Lady T is not here nor is it this nor is it you Lady Lin I lament the losse of such an honour Lon Thou art become a pretty fool Clearcus dost thou not observe how all the Court do laugh at thee Cle Yes and shall make them laugh at you e're I have done if Pandora will make the next tryal Pan I am content to try what this will come to Cle Now Sir have at you T is not your good fortune neither Madam The How can you make Lonzartes an amends for all this abuse Cle I will give him present satisfaction if your Highnesse will permit me to bring him to you The To me think you Lonzartes is in love with me Cle T is a Cloris in the Clouds one much above his reach which you onely are Madam The With all my heart I shall be proud to own his conversion as a Trophie of my Honour Cle See if his guilt do not make him avoid the tryal stop him
lest I loose my lover Cle True Madam as to comply but you are to see and credit my ambitious love and to admit it with the same esteem I serve you Pan How can I do that and not return you love for love and then you will dispise me pray my Lord at your next visit bring my part in Writing that I may not erre in it Prince She is in the right Clearcus you now seem to seek such contradictions as all the Court will laugh at consult with Lonzartes against your next visit Exit Prince and Train Lon If he will follow my advise he may do well Sir now we are alone tell me what crotchets next prethee make me understand what thou wouldest have Pandora do Cle I think you were best release me the residue of my Month that I may go seek my wits where I last left them must I see none of my old friends untill this Month be over Lon If you consider your promise not see one of them Cle Then shall I be lost if those preservatives be all forbid me I do find already love will be Predominant Lonz The better for you if it be let us now talke seriously suppose Pandora may be won can you fancy a happiness on Earth beyond having her Cle Yes I do fancy that having twenty is better then any one in Christendome Lon Thou dost not love then else that one belov'd has more variety then a thousand Cle Make but that good I 'le marry her to morrow Lon You think then she is already at your dispose Cle When she once sees that I am in earnest she will be who will have her and the truth is Lonzartes I do like her best of all I ever talk'd with and have great fear that I shall be like other men who never value what they have which makes me covet what I cannot get Lon Suppose some other do obtaine her while you are thus long resolving Cle Nay I am resolv'd no other shall ever have her Lon And you resolve for her too Cle Yes she cannot in honour ingage to any while I pretend Lon Art thou turn'd fool to think thus be more serious or thou wilt be dispis'd Cle Why do you not allow me some reliefe then to live a whole Moneth honest will put my blood into a flame I have tempted all I meet and all within these Walls prove honest Lon By your own experience then you will find that Courts are Nurseries of virtue and are onely scandaliz'd by such vild persons as would have the clearest innocence aspers'd that their own guilts might be no wonder you find few virtuous persons amongst Censurers Cle That 's true but take heed Lonzartes you do not lead me into snares that will destroy me for I allready find some inclination towards Pandora which I am asham'd to own lest I be laugh'd at Lon. You have reason for there can none of us believe thee Cle You have made me a fine Gentleman in a few dayes if Pandora be of your mind adiew to your Philosophicall Love Lon I hope thou art too fast to free thy self Thou playest with flames which undiscover'd burn Untill they do thy heart to Ashes turn Exit Lon Cle Did ever man betray himself as I have done by putting Fetters on in jest which already are become so fixt I cannot shake 'um off but must humbly beg to be allow'd to worshâ—p that Divine Nature I so much dispis'd in virtuous Women and must now confess If I do neither Faith nor Favour find The God of Love is just though he be blind Exit Note that all the Play through when Silvander and Lindamira speaks not thâ—y are to whisper 〈◊〉 in privaâ—e discourse Enter Theodocia and Lindamira Lin If your Highness do consider Lonzartes's Worth and his great Birth as it deserves whose Ancestor was not many Ages since by yours but by this Dukedome on a nice point as I have heard so that to me Lonzartes's love looks like a Divine direction to his Restauration The I am of Pandora's mind for single life and have as small a value for that idle passion you call love as she Lin Your Highnesse may as well judge what they do in China as guesse at our Felicities that Love I can kiss the ground that my Silvander treads on with more relish then all other joyes can bring me The You have high fancies that lead you on to hopes which you may never find Lin Those hopes are more delightfull then an Age of dull life without them if your Highness did converse as much with me as with Pandora I should convert you The Why do you not then change her severity against men Lin I had not the honour to be known to her before her heart was set another way but yet Iâ—le try what I can do The I wish Silvander may answer your expectation Lindamira but if such honour and such bliss accompany your loves why thus long carried on i th' dark and why not yet avow'd Lin. 'T is now avow'd unto the Duke though I took time to know my Gallant before I did admit his Love and on long tryal found his silent looks did speak more truth then such loud noyses as most passions make we whisper our hearts to one another with a sincerity beyond the reach of lowd professions The You praise Silvander as if you meant to sell him Lin He is no Prince Madam and is therefore safe from you The The lesse safe if I so pleas'd do you believe his virtue and his love so great that I could not win him from you for a Friend of mine Lin I do and shall not think him a losse who can be won from me by the greatest Princess in the World The If I could once see such a man I might change my opinion Lin Why don't you try Lonzartes The He is too much concern'd to be play'd with you dare not venture your fine man then Lin I dare and do desire it withall my heart and do voluntarily ingage not to work against your Highnesse The And I am resolv'd to try his faith to you it may cure Lonzartes to see himself neglected when anothers chosen though but in jest for I can pitty though I do not love him Lin And 't is my desire to have Silvanders faithfull love made Eminent by this temptation Enter Lonzartes and Silvander to them The In what humour left you Clearcus my Lords Lon In such as does become his greatnesse Madam The Most brave men are often puffed up with vain glory that does Eclipse those virtues which themselves do over-value Lin Your Highnesse is severe to men but all are not so vain The Most are when we do value them too much yet I confess I am well pleased when I find men worthy my esteem Lin How does that appear when your Highnesse does dispise mankind by your resolves against them The To shew how much you are mistaken help me to unpin this Jewel wear
The We have indeed been all too serious of late come Lindamira let us find some entertainment to refresh us on the Sea this Evening Lonzartes you and Clearcus may go with us if you please Exeunt all but Lonzartes Lon Your Highnesse does honour us what these various fancies tend to is above my understanding As Nature has fram'd Women of a more refined matter then us men so she has given to some Souls so much above ours Excellent that their Intrincique purity dazles our Judgments more then their brightest Beauty does our Eyes Theodocia is certainly without blemish yet may have some notions of my love which she thinks not fit to cherish because she likes not me And yet may have a virtuous concern for my Birth and sufferings such as her good Nature is unwilling to destroy 'T is Theodocia's Excellencies makes me thus humbly seek my Right as her Gift else my Sword should make my way to ascend this Throne which is my own but no more of that yet For if I can be rightly understood My Love may save the expence of so much blood Exit THE FOURTH ACT. Pandora with Lindamira are seen sitting on a Couch Enter Clearcus to them they rise Cle. MAdam 'T is a felicity to love you though neglected by what Name then shall I call my Joy Now you allow my Love to what height raise my thoughts Shall I dare to enter upon such a state of bliss To be thus snatch'd into so much Light from the long Chaos I have liv'd in may prove more ruinous to me then that Hell I came from Pan My Lord you speak a new Language I understand not Cle Alas Madam I have this night seen Visions and do find my passion growing much above my own command For when I look on your Eyes I forget that there are Gods and shall do such Idolatry to you as will provoke them to make me more miserable then you can wish me happy Bnt when I consider how vast a Chasme your resolves have made between us I sink into such an abyss of misery that I can nee'r get out of Pan I understand you lesse and lesse The more you say the more you do confound my judgment Lin All this Madam is onely to let us see how he could talk if any Woman were worthy of his real love pray my Lord proceed I shall take Notes and edifie Pulls out a Table-Book Cle Your mirth Madam is now out of season when every word I utter flowes from my wounded heart Lin Why do you not speak to me then who can change my mind as often as your self I was made for you this Lady is impregnable Cle I yield Lindamira let not your wit destroy a man that does submit to mercy I beg quarter Lin Oh! do you so Pan 'T is enough Lindamira that he does confesse himself o'recome let it be Registred amongst our Victories And now my Lord what is your next desire Cle My next Madam I have scarce begun with this you do mistake all I say for mirth Does not my looks and Language shew an Alteration All those Chymeras that did possess my idle head are vanished and I become a serious man Your Miracle is already wrought and I now see the onely way to my Felicitie is to gain what I so much contemn'd Lin Excellently well Acted this might cozen twenty that did not know him Pan You shall do well my Lord to pursue this new path untill you do obtain a general opinion of your virtue But I hope you would not have us credit it at first sight Cle Though my love cannot yet gain credit in your esteem do not deny me the joy to think that you see how much I love and honour you Pan This is too serious for our Comedy my Lord. Cle Nothing can be too serious Madam to expresse my love by which the Gods are pleas'd to bring me to them thus by forbidding what might intice me to slight Paradice by having had you here 'T is fit then that I submit and raise a joy from what I am now too apt to repine at for 't is a blessing to be so fixt as Antidates my Elizium here on Earth this Souls joy will endure like its own nature unto Eternity Pan What think you of this Lindamira Lind I think he is in love he talkes such nonsence Pan You are cured then Clearcus and will unto the Prince confess your conversion if we call you to it Cle Propose a way for my acknowledgment and try Lin Let us take time Madam to consider of it lest we loose half the Entertainment by our haste and so spoil the jest Cle Madam let not this Ladies mirth prevaile with your good nature to afflict a man who can live only by your smiles Pan I must confesse I have some pain to hold in my smiles thus long for this serious way of fooling I expected not from you my Lord. Cle Why Madam do you take all this for jest still Pan Yes indeed do I. Cle By all the powers above I do Adore you next to them I Worship Lin That 's no Oath Madam for he Worships none Pan I have the same thoughts Lindamira and am safe Cle What a Monster am I grown give me credit Madam or give me death If I do not love you let Iove strike me with suddain thunder or I will gladly seal what I have said with my best blood if nothing less will satisfie Pan Hold Clearcus He drawes Lin Oh! let him alone hee 'l not hurt himself he only hopes to fright us Pan My Lord you fright me now and since you think fit to turne our Commick Scene into a Tragedy I shall quit my part in it and from this time admit no farther visits from you Let us retire Lindamira his converse growes dangerous Exeunt Ladies Cle This had been my fate had I ingaged a little farther and this the fruit of chast virtuous love What a folly 't is to give our freedomes up unto the will of Women so humbly to obey those we are Created to command But I am safe yet and will now play with 'um at their own game and through a seeming sorrow for my rejection laugh at them who think to laugh at me Enter Lonzartes Lon A good day unto my Friend Cle You speak too late Lonzartes this is a fatal day and I am studying how I may make it more Eminent by Death then by my sufferings Lon Why what 's the matter man have you visited the Ladies before they are drest and made 'um froward Cle Thy love Lonzartes has ruin'd me yet I thank thee for my conversion I shall now dye a sober man Lon Thy looks speak some disaster tell me the worst that I may joyn to find a Remedy Cle In a word then I do love Pandora as she deserves and did so to the life expresse my love that in spight of Lindamiras mirth she did believe it and has forbid my farther visits
compliance Cle Let me think on this a little at first sight this looks likely to agree us if two impossibilities can make one possible this might do our businesse Lon Well what do you resolve Cle Nothing why do you tempt me to farther evils I know not what to resolve nor what to say but will no more of love my heart shakes at the thought of my last tryal I blush to think how much lesse then man I was and hovv much more then Woman I created her in those fevv houres I lov'd Enter a Messenger Messen The Duke calls for Lonzartes Lon I 'le attend his Highnesse presently Cle I take you for my Friend Lonzartes do not discourse me into a Ruine you will share in Lon I have no Rule for friendship above my desire to see you happy Cle I believe it Sir and beg your pardon for my distracted language I must attend the Duke too Lon And I. Exeunt Enter Pandora and Lindamira Pan You tire me Lindamira and chide me for a fault I cannot own I had no other way to free my self Lin You might have check'd his approaches with somewhat lesse severity your rigour may beget despair in him Pan Dispair of what my undertaking was only on the Dukes command to afford him civil visits which I have done in hope of his conversion Lin You did give o're before the work was perfected Pan You speak as if the design to set him free were to inslave me to the humour of a mad man Lin The wildest young men do often prove the soberest at the last and the truth is Madam we do all desire to see you and Clearcus convert one another so to beget that unity of hearts which the World seeks most Pan Do you believe that I who have a prejudice against the best of men can e're esteem the worst Lin If Clearcus were under that notion I should have other thoughts but when I consider such men reclaim'd do often make good Husbands I have hopes of him Pan If his wildnesse were his only fault time and experience might reclaim him Lin If these be your only Exceptions Madam I wish you would trust me to mannage this affair Pan You must not talk me into an Intreque which I avoid I do not love him Lin You will do when you have him I know many have done so after Marriage who did not before Pan That is too bold a venture for me who have no faith in men and those Examples you mention so rarely to be found my courage dares not undertake it pray no more of this Lin The Princess desires your company at Court this Evening Pan I did intend to wait on her Enter Duke Theodocia and Lonzartes Duke I have given you Arguments enough on his behalf which his dejected looks you see declare Your favours Theodocia should not be restrain'd because his adoration is so great he dares not beg 'um come near Lonzartes The Lonzartes's Worth is understood beyond the weak Rhetorick of flattering words he cannot wish to be more valued then he is by me Lon Nor will I ever sue for favours beyond these you now afford me Madam may I confirm my hopes by understanding what you say my own way The You may for since my Father does so much advise for Marriage I may alter my opinion when I find just cause to value men above my resolves against them Lon For Heavens sake Madam say no more my breast cannot contain these spreading joyes you give me my hopes increase too fast for my dispairing heart to comprehend these honours you allow without an Extacy Duke Theodocia I shall nee'r revoke the freedome I have given to make your own choice though I direct you to Lonzartes to whom our Ancestors have done wrong The This your indulgence Sir makes me more cautious how I proceed Marriage is a concern so great I dare not at once resolve it and the same day chuse the man I can yet only say that I have alter'd my opinion in favour of Lonzartes Lon My Amazement and my concern are too great to answer Madam my felicity is above the reach of a reply Duke Theodocia I have given you my best Councel and my full consent to please your self The I thank you Sir and I will endeavour to regulate my heart to your advise and to Lonzartes wish give me but time to examine and approve what I am willing to submit to Enter Pandora and Lindamira to them with Silvander Duke How is it Madam that you quit the field before your undertaking be perform'd Pan I have done my part Sir which was on your command to allow him civil visits and to entertain the Princess I complyed with Lindamira to try how our Raleary would work on him which did produce so unlook'd for an effect that I was forc'd to quit my part to save my self Duke Were you in danger to be lost then I did not think Clearcus had prevail'd so farre but if he be reclaim'd he will be worthy your esteem Pan Your Highnesse did mistake me I was in no danger to be lost through love nor at all concern'd for a man who does declare against all worth in Women where he can get an interest pray Sir make me understand what you would have me do Duke We would have you marry Clearcus Pan Whether he will or no if I consent can you prevail with him Duke Do you comply wee 'l try what we can do Pan I would not be Treypand into a Marriage I am so much averse to in confidence of his old humour think my self secure and be so lost Lin You may venture safely Madam you see he is so great a Coward that he only dares pursue them that fly him do but charge and he will runne away Pan If I were sure of that I would seem any thing to be freed from farther trouble Lon Trust me Madam he is now worse then ever Duke Lonzartes pray use your interest to bring him to us now Exit Lonzartes The Do you think Cousin we have a design to harm you Pan No but your Highnesse disputes me into a condition your self does not approve pray shew me the way to this felicity that I may credit what you say by what you do The Will you then ingage to marry Clearcus the same day I marry Pan Shall I chuse your man as you would mine The Suppose I have already chosen Pan I thought your Highnesse had been of my opinion But if provided I give you joy The Now you runne too fast the other way I am only towards marriage Pan That journey seldome proves long Madam when we look towards it Lin That was said like a sage Sibell the quintessence of truth in few words 't is but a willing mind and then Pan Prethee Lindamira help me to be rid of this uncertain man Lin I know no better councel then to be in love with him or to seem so for if he should take you at your
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
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
had been lost if the all conquering Florio with his guards had not come timely in to his reliefe who with such vigour and such force renew'd the fight that the amaz'd Enemy ran headlong from the Walls againe and struck such terror in the rest of their assailing friends that altogether sled in great confusion to their Campe. Princess All this I do rejoyce at but methinks those shouts of joy are chang'd into a dismall silence on the suddaine why do not the streets ring with acclamations for our Victory good Heav'n preserve the Duke I have some apprehension that he may be hurt Officer No hurt appear'd at my departure only Florio was beaten down by an accidentall shot at randome from the slying Enemie after which I saw him stand though but weakly Princess Let us retyre Phylora till my brother does arive Exeunt Enter the Duke with others his Shirt bloody bearing in Florio neere dead they set him in a Chayre with Pedro helping to dresse him Duke A Surgeon a Surgeon my Dukedome for a Surgeon gently gently set him downe Florios death strikes deep friendship I finde takes faster hold on hearts then love poore youth he slew quick as lightning to my rescue and as I fell oppress'd by Multitudes he scatter'd them like frighted Birds at an approaching storme and thus by saving me has lost himselfe by an accidentall shot from the beaten flying Enemy but sure the Gods will not permit that so great vertue from the World be taine lest offended Nature into its first Chaos shrinke Through suddaine horror and a just disdaine To hold the World up after Florio slaine Enter Surgeons Duke Now Surgeon shew your skill while I powre out my prayers to Heav'n for his recovery He leanes against the Wall and weeps Enter Silviana and Philora with Ladies Duke Oh Silviana I am undone Florio is slaine friendship is ravishâ—d from the earth and all my joyes sled with it speak Surgeon does he live Surgeon Here is life Sir but little hope of long continuance unlesse what we apply do suddenly shew better signes Duke By what unknown crymes have I provok'd Heav'n when vertue is thus punish'd thus to shew me Paradice and cast me into Hell is more then Nature can submit to and not repine Enter Lorenzo and Longino with the Duke of Ferrara prisoner and his Officers prisoners Lor. We bring you joy Sir and a full viory with this great prisoner Urbin Here is no roome for joy Lorenzo I am destroy'd by victory see where Death in Triumph sits prowder of that prey then for all the Heroes in past Ages fall'n Lorenzo Ha! Florio slaine how could this happen after I was gone and the day wonne I may now curse my selfe for not preventing this how short are those glittering joyes we so much labour for when all the glories we have gain'd are in a moment turn'd into heart breaking griefes I am undone too Lorenzo weeps over Florios head Urbin He receiv'd this wound in rescuing me can bold Lorenzo weep and be so much concern'd for me is he as great in sorrow as in Armes will he outfight and now outweep me too ye Duke leanes over Florios Head on the other side powers Above if ever you heare prayers from a sad heart sent Let Florios soule and mine expyre together Oh Lorenzo you cannot fancy what I feele the losse of such a friend is unsupportable Lorenzo Alas Sir your sorrowes will go higher yet when you know who Florio is I have a greater losse in Florio then you discerne or can pretend to which will no longer now be hid hold Surgeon and let the Ladies help to undresse her she is a Lady and my neer relation Sir who loves you more then you love Florio He starts from the Chayre Duke A Woman Lorenzo Oh do not mock me with a hope to make this losse beyond Mortallity to beare a Woman let me gaze on this dying wonder 'till my Eyes drop out and lov's me as I do Florio that is impossible this is a fatall blow indeed Oh Sister now your help Surgeon if she live thou shalt be whatever I can make thee great work worke apply the rarest remedies some help from Heav'n or I am lost a Woman Florio a Woman and in my rescue dye and love me too Oh this is much too much to know and to outlive He lies on the ground Surgeon Pray Sir a little patience her Eyes have some small motion now Ladies your help is usefull here The Duke rises Duke Gently deere Silviana kind Philora gently every touch she suffers grates on my heart Florio thy love was not well mannag'd the more I think the more I am amaz'd give her life or strike me dead a Woman Lorenzo I Sir a Woman and of Noblest birth The Duke kneels and holds her Hand Duke I value not her birth 't is Vertue thus adorn'd that I adore He kneeles and hold her head blest figure of those shapes which do inhabit Heav'n she looks up Silviana and may live runne good Alphonso runne Alphonso Whither Sir and why Duke Fetch my Mothers Diadem and Royall Robe flye now Alphonso Exit Alpho flye I have a thousand thoughts at once what Triumphs I will make what Trophies raise if my Faire Saint survive but if she dye these glitring fancies will be drench'd in Blood Lorenzo I will swimme in blood to overtake her Ghost when ever she departs Surgeon Now she is drest pray give her leave to rest a little Loren. My Prophetique soule foresaw some mighty evill towards when I desir'd that Florio might not fight to day Duke One word of Woman had prevented all to conceale her Sex Lorenzo was as cruell as unkinde that known she had been safe and I most happy Lorenzo I now wish that I had broke my Oath to Celestina and run all hazzards by it Duke Now I understand those her misterious vow 's so often made to me which I then took for gratitude how blinde was love rather how powerfull is thy Deity Oh love what mighty things do those by thee inspir'd produce when the weak hands of this soft sex can raise such Emulation in the bravest men and can outdoe us too in what they undertake how strangely dull was I that did not all this while by sympathetick Love her Sex discerne through this disguise Enter Alphonso with Crowne and Robes the Duke puts them on Florio as he slumbers Duke Helpe me Lorenzo to put on these Robes so now Sir you shall see that I do credit what you have said and in assurance of her love to mee here in the sight of Heav'n I take this Lady to my Wife thus she shall live or thus dye my Dutches Silviana He looks at Florio earnestly Our victory does yet so dismall show No ruine could have caus'd a greater woe My heart my heart Lorenzo shrinks away so fast that I shall fall how dull were we Silviana to think such beauty could belong to man Leanes on
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
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
unproportion'd love should ere be known Which shewes they dare not their affections own Mar What need such dissembling to hide that love Which all the Cithereans do approve And publickly do pray his great Renown Might be rewarded with Cleandra's Crown To publick fame I therefore credit give They not in love but in true friendship live Emb Such friendship between man and woman may 'Mongst silly people make a holy-day No Callenders of mine shall ere admit Of a Red Letter for a counterfet Mar The Gods defend Brother Emb Why Mariana what is your concern To blush because we do their crimes discern Can you believe that a Platonick flame Has power to Canonize Cleandras Name Mar I blush for you who now so boldly dare Against the person that you love declare Emb Your words and looks do not at all agree But shame for your Ormasdes infamie He is the man in Marianas Eye Whose blushes would his vices justifie Mari Though I his virtues honour and admire The glorious Actions of his life my heart Is not in any danger to be lost Emb When a heart is so well lost Mariana 'T will soon be found I did believe my own As fast fixt as yours yet at first sight Of the fair Queen 't was from its center forc'd Mari I Brother your businesse was to lose it Emb But the blind Deity considers not Our purposes he wounds at randome still I wish thou wouldst ingeniously confesse If in thy thoughts Ormasdes be not grown The handsomest and gallantest of men Whose famous actions in our western World May well excuse thy wonder and thy Love I wish thy beauties could his heart ingage That I might have no Rival for the Queen Mari To oblige my dear brother I will try What may be done for your security Emb Thy whole life never can oblige me more Ormasdes is a great Prince in Greece And I for thee will make him greater yet By my additions in Treconia If you can think him worthy of your Love Our forces joyn'd may double conquest gain When sever'd both indeavours may prove vain Mar While you talk thus I had as good confesse What you so much believe and do allow I gladly would obtain if I knew how Emb That was well said let us to Councel then Suppose â— Court the Queen in my own shape Mar I think 't is best that you do first inquire How farre the subtle Queen does stand ingaged Unto Ormasdes that you may not kneel To her if she unto another bow Emb It will not be amisse that I inquire Of some great man in power who I may bribe Such as Cleandra's trust does most admit To plead my Masters cause and argue it What if I first Ormasdes self do try 'T will search his love and his fidelity Mari I am not fit to judge nor can advise But will with prayers assist your enterprize Emb I 'le visit him and if he guilty be I shall confound his great securitie Mari I fear you sooner will your self destroy Then by your furious passions him anoy Emb Will you go with me to Ormasdes Lodge Lest I disturb his solitary Soul And with my rude breath harm the man you love Mari I 'de rather be the subject of your mirth Then great Ormasdes should such rage discern As from your Arguments will soon arise Emb No I 'le approach him with my gentle looks As calme and smooth as virgins when they smile Such as our tender yielding hearts beguile But if Ormasdes do a lover prove He will my hopes and fears to anger move Soone quench these Flames or make them brighter burne Do you attend the Queen 'till my return Exeunt severally Enter Ormasdes a Book in his hand as talking to Young Titus Orma I never liv'd till now you think me dead Does my dear friend believe what I have said Y. Titus Sir if the friendship you allow be more Then an Airie name you will now permit That I as freely speak as I do love Orm Titus friendship would have honored Cato And now my self am prouder of advise From Titus then for all my victories Tit Thus then Cleandra thinks and so do I This lonenesse will your sorrowes multiply Passions conceal'd do nourish discontent But if reveal'd much mischief may prevent 'T is my ambition to obtain this trust If great Ormasdes thinks I dare be just Ormas By all our I know no discontent Nor has my quiet brest a passion in 't Titus Hold Ormasdes hear me out who now come To let you know that I and many more Who love you do believe that you repine Because Cleandra is so much reserv'd And dare not own the passion that you have If this be your trouble trust it to me And you shall soon perceive what I can do In satisfaction to your highest wish I do so farre incourage and assure What I have mentioned Is the Nations hope Who pray that great Cleandra may comply In all that will Ormasdes satisfie Thus my affection has my heart exprest And I expect an answer I may trust Ormas What you have uttered Titus I believe And scorn to think such friendship can deceive By the same sacred tye I you conjure To credit me who seriously do vow I only chose this solitary life To ease my body and repose my mind I have no passion nor do grief sustain Nor have a wish beyond Cleandras smile And Titus friendship which I 'le near beguile Titus Sir I am bound to credit what you say And shall no more endeavour by discourse To alter such well grounded purposes But must we never hope for your return To Court where you with the same freedome may Enjoy what private houres you can desire And not thus put the World so wholly off Which surely was with all its glories made For use of man and its felicities To be by us injoyed without a crime Ormas Yes Titus but we vain men mistake And from our fickle Infancy propose Glittering felicities we never find For as we grow up to the injoyments Of what riper years bring with them we see That our desires do daily higher grow And our fruitions but foundations lay T' entertain our busie brains a new way So that we seldome contentation have In what we do possess but forward look And only find some pleasure in the way Towards the end we aime at which obtain'd Brings not those real joyes we did expect Only affords some relâ—sh which invites Our Idle fancies to seek new delights How unhappy then is our best happinesse When no fruitions can our fond hearts bless Still subject to unsatisfied desires That from quench'd Ashes does beget new Fires Thus all our Appetites do make us slaves And from our Cradles lead us to our graves Y. Titus Have the Gods only given us active souls And no objects fit for them to fix on Orma To think on those Gods will afford our hearts A full variety of lasting joyes With which our earthly fancies
cannot mix When on Coelestial happinesse we fix Titus I shall e're long this argument revive And shew how you are buried alive Where is that valour and that virtue gone Whither that courage fled I doated on Though you can passion and desire sustain You must not quit the Court as if disdain Of all the glories that a Court can give Could not perswade you there again to live I must now leave you to attend the Queen Exit Titus Ormas A clearer virtue I have never seen Exeunt omnes severally Enter the Queen Embassador Mariana Old Titus and Traine Emb Madam shall I return without a hope No gratious answer to my Masters sute Queen Mr Lord I fully have declar'd that way Embass Never to marry Madam Queen 'T is my opinion now Emb. Will you permit my Master to appear Whose person may bring Arguments to prove It necessary to allow his Love Queen By no means my Lord I shall not admit His visit if he come on that affair But must against his coming now declare Emb How can you Madam thus declare against A person and a passion you see not Or prejudge what you will think hereafter His presence may change this severity Queen I have consider'd all that can be said Urge it no more The Embassador stands concern'd Exit Queen and Train Mar Brother Sir what do you ail what strange looks Do you put on you will be discovered Emba I Mariana 't is now my businesse To try if this Scene changing may not change Cleandra's stubborn heart when she shall see This borrow'd habit thrown away if then She scorn my Love I will break off the League And in my own Right will a Warre declare For her so lately conquer'd Zelnian Crown And there will try if her conceal'd Gallant The great Ormasdes may once more be drawn From Sanctuary to defend her Right From my just rage I will now visit him Mari This humour is not fit for complement Emb Fear not Mariana I 'le not wrangle now My businesse is to bribe that mighty man And make him plead my cause to the fair Queen But if I find him rotten at the heart I shall unmask him spite of all his Art Mari That is what I fear Exeunt THE SECOND ACT. Enter the Embassador with Ormasdes who holds a Book in his hand they sit on Chairs by a Table Ormas YOur Lordship by this visit honours me Emb My visit brings you businesse of the State You must not take it for a Complement Ormas What is your businesse then Emb I have observed Ormasdes the Queens sence Is yours in her Affairs of Consequence She moves by you this brings me to consult My Masters Marriage for a full result For I conceive Valerianus Name Of so great Credit and so high a Fame That our two Nations by our Princes joyn'd Though our surrounding neighbors were combind Our Territories would be safe and we Should thank the Gods for such Tranquilitie But when a Lady Rules they may presume And their Rebellious Principles assume If great Ormasdes shall be call'd away And fair Cleandra left alone to sway Ormas I know Sir that Cleandra does esteem The stout Treconians friendship as she ought And I know she honours your brave young King Whose martial Acts have gain'd him through the World A character so noble and so great That she with joy this proffer'd League does treat Onely dislikes the Marriage you propose On good State Arguments as I suppose In judgment and affection to her Son She will not raise a Rival to his Crown And for her angry Neighbors she believes The Zelnian Warre has so much wisdome taught They will not suddainly unurg'd provoke A Queen so powerfull and so fortunate Emb Suppose Valcrianus take offence And look on this neglect as an affront Because he onely did propose this League To introduce his sute which he conceives Will both our Nations equally advance But if laid by with scorn I suppose he then Do joyn with your old Enemies and claim His Fathers Title to the Zelnian Crown What may the hazzards and the issue be If a new warre dispute your Victorie Ormas I will not Prophecy the sad event That so unjust a Warre may justly bring Upon so Gallant and so wise a King Emb Suppose then that I have his Commission To lay by the Treaty of this new League Untill the Marriage be agreed unto And if deny'd I must Proclaim his Right To Zelnia and your late Conquest bring To a new question with a Powerfull King Ormas If Valerianus be so fixt we must No hazards fear in Warrs that are so just Emb. Your great successes have high thoughts begot Above your Conquest which I value not But wish such evils as we now foresee May be avoided by our industry For 't will become your Wisdome and your Trust T' advise Cleandra to this happy Match Wherein if you prevail I have full power Now to conferre on you the first and best Of our Treconian Principalities Ormas You do me wrong and are in this unjust To think that I will break Cleandra's trust Which I do value 'bove your Masters Crown And therefore boldly will advise the Queen Not to admit it his suit on Arguments Which must an evil consequence produce To her Sons Right if she Comply And by it lessen her own Dignity Emb If my imployment anger did allow And my own Honour would permit to strike A Book-man this rude language I 'de correct Orm If the Queens honour were not more concern'd In a respect to your imployment due You soon should find how little I do value you The Book-man would not from your Master take This Insolence but for Cleandras sake I do forbear pray visit me no more Emb Fear it not when Valerianas knowes How little worth Cleandras honour is He will this League and her Alliance scorn Who puts Ormasdes into this Disguise To hide her Lover from her Peoples Eyes Ormas This is beyond sufferance Ormasdes grapples with the Embassador Enter the Queen Y. Titus and Train who part them Queen Hold Ormasdes I heard his Insolence Sir you have leave to go aboard your Fleet Where you only can be safe begon then Without reply be gone for if 't be known What you have said my People may revenge My wrong before your Master do me right Exit Emb in anger Ormasdes you must in this my will obey Your wonted judgment must your passion sway While I by a quick Warre with Fire and Sword Require such Justice as he must afford Ormas Madam the Conduct of that Warre I beg Queen If you this passion will lay by till then You shall But no more of this anger now I came to take the Ayre this Afternoon But will deferre it 'till another day Pray be pacifi'd you shall not stir out I do intreat and do command you stay Titus stay you 'till this heat be over Exit Queen and Train Ormas Titus my friend
Crime Cleobulus I am sorry for my rash opinion Since it offends your Majesty so much Queen It is the bane of Courts when we permit Those near us to asperse the Innocent If our strict Lawes for petty theft gives Death How much a greater punishment is due For robbing a good name a sin so vil'd And so unknown no punishment was made By way of Prophesie for crimes to come If I did think this malice from your heart I would for ever banish you my Court. Cleob Your Majesty does raise your anger now Above my guilt which had no mischief in 't Queen I am no farther angry with you now But take occasion to declare my sence Against all such as defame Innocence 'T is a Prince his chief businesse to be Just The Gods impose on us no higher Trust We have no petty faults to answer for Universal Justice is our great work And those who shall divert it to destroy The Fame or Fortune of an Enemy Deserves to be thrown off with Infamy Exit Queen and Ladies Remains the Admiral and Cleobulus Adm I have not seen the Queen in such a heat You have offended her some other way Cleob Not that I know of in this kind ever Adm What Devil made you talk thus to her now You knowing that she is so good her self She makes a doubt that any of her Sex Can do amisse and 't is great Noblenesse Cleo There is a kind of pixe Divel dwells In many Courts that haunts our idle heads And prompts us when we know not what to say To entertain great Princes with reports Of others so to please and passe the time This foolish spirit I think entred me Adm You gave Cleandra cause for your reproof For how can Princes judge Malice from Mirth When cunningly thrown out with specious shewes Of probabilities when those aspers'd Are never call'd to answer for themselves The Queen did excellently well to chide You whom she Loves that none may ere presume The like hereafter for if Princes be Born Credulous Malicious persons may Defame a Nation if they please this way Cleob I know I was to blame but from this day I 'le hold my peace 'till I know what to say Exeunt Enter Nearcus with Mariana and Servants at his House in their way to Coriola Mari Where are we now my Lord this house stands well Near It is my poor habitation Madam Here I must treat you by the Queens command 'T is the mid-way unto Coriola Mar 'T is a Noble and a most pleasant Seat Has it no Mistris Sir Are you single Nearcus I am only that way happy Madam Mariana You have a Mistris then or do you call It happinesse that you as yet have none Near Will you please Madam to view the garden The rest of the Traine stay looking on the Pictures and see them not go out Exit Nearcus with Mariana 1. Lady That piece methinks does look as if it liv'd 2 Lady I do preferre that smiling Figure first Whose hand is it my Lord Lord. I have not skill enough to know the hands Though I love Pictures pray observe the next Is not this sleeping Venus rarely done See how that Cupid in the Tree stands off 2 Lady 'T is rare indeed that Satyr and the rest Of the whole piece is excellently good 1 Lady Let us look into the next Room my Lord. Lord. This way they went and this way must return They go out and returne hastily Lord The Doors are lock'd and we can passe no way 1 Lady Is this by accident or on command Lord. Let us attend a while and we shall see From the next Chamber window where they be Exeunt Enter Nearcus with Mariana in the Garden Mar I have no Argument for further talk And now am weary grown with this long walk Where is the beauty you so much admire Your praises have in me rais'd some desire To see this wonder of our Sex that I May judge your skill and with your choice comply Nearcus locks the Doore and kneels Near She is here already oh she is here A brighter beauty never can appear Mar Why d' ye lock the Door my Lord why kneel To me you make my heart some tremblings feel By this surprise and I do doubtfull stand What of kind Treachery you have in hand It looks yet like a Lionness betray'd Into the Toyles I scorn to be afraid Near I have no Argument for either now But a distracted heart that knowes not how T' excuse what I have done 't is love has brought Me to this Precipice and too late taught That I from hence shall head-long tumble down If you disdain to save oh do not frown Rather take this and while you may prevent Offers his Sword Your own near ruine and my rash intent That angry look and those enraged Eyes Pierce like quick Lightning from the stormy skies They melt my heart and make me trembling stand To beg what Love and Nature may command Mariana Love do the Cithereans by such Arts Such force and treachery winne Ladies hearts Fie fie Nearcus this does not agree With Love nor with Cleandras trust to thee I shame to find such ills and blush to chide Repent and I thy infamy will hide Oh! 't is the basest of all crimes to be Justly condemn'd for infidelity And with a treachery my trust beguile Beyond the story of the Crocodile Near What dares not love attempt when it goes high Like mine your ships are ready oh too nigh The wind is fair and I no time but this To woe no other means to reach my bliss The Queens command and my desires here meet To throw my life and fortune at your feet That by this desperate course you now may see Your love or scorn I make my destinie Mar Nearcus how would you prevaile my dreams Instruct me not to answer such extreams Near I would have you Mistris of me and mine Before we part made so by vowes Divine Mar 'T is a short warning to a work so great Is this Cleandras Love and this your Treat To strangers do you think my lips my heart Does hold so loose as at first sight to part With it to you what do you find in me So slight that looks like so much levitie Near If you 'l afford more time I will proceed With caution and respect and shall take heed How I offend if you 'l resolve to stay Or to comply my passion will obey If not I must this desperate course persue And trust my ruine or successe to you Who does in desperate attempts ingage Can seldome at first sight th' event presage Love led me on and reason comes too late Now to retreat this Fortune is my Fate Mar Your language and your looks do rather threat Then woe which does in me such scorn beget As to an Enemy that does invade That Innocence you have bereft of aid And boldly dare impose on a free heart What should be won by Love not
such base Art Near Give me but time to woe and I will fear And tremble in your sight with zeal appear And the same duty I approach the Gods When my offences make me fear their Rods It is not I as your affairs do stand But high necessity makes me command That all the remnant of my life you may Triumph for my ambition 's to obey Mar Think you by force that I shall ere think fit To yield my self to such a counterfeit I am not born unto so mean a Fate As to submit unto the man I hate Nor will I be thus frighted to comply With so contemptable a destiny Near I must confesse I can by no disguise Lessen or hide the guilt of this surprize But by some greater crime more amply shew That a distracted passion may soon know To act such evills as I fear to think But do not set me in dispair thus sink Speak so as that I may some hope retain And you 'l restore me to my self again Mar Stand by vil'd man and let me passe who waits Near None within call that now can help the fates Themselves have not the power to set you free Nor can you hope for safety but from me No storm at Sea nor in it ships on Fire Creates more terrors then my wild desire Brings me here is a Tempest in this brest Above all them since raging Love possest My heart I am become a walking storm Reason and Virtue are both wrack'd no form Observ'd while this confusion bears the sway None knowes to govern but must all obey If we cannot resist then to cry no Is madnesse when we must to ruine go Mar I have no power but must my brothers will Obey I must his mind not yours fullfill Lest his great pride and anger may destroy What you 'd preserve and frustrate all your joy Near If my high birth and quality do prove Lesse then your own I will expect no love But hazzard all my hopes on his consent Let his denial sign my punishment Mar If your birth equal mine and he consent To joyn our hands I have no argument Against your hopes but must be Mistris still Of my own heart not part with my free-will Yet now Nearcus I do promise you What truth and honour dictates I will do Near Unlesse you both do ere you go comply You shall soon see that I know how to dye Mar Pray call my servants down that I may see Your truth and find my self at Liberty He calls at the Door Near Now Madam that my life 's at your dispose Your self secure I humbly do propose You will before the Gods confirm by vow What you have freely promis'd to me now Mar By all those powers I 'le keep my promise made And never fail to own what I have said Near It is enough a kiss of your fair hand Must satisfie the Man you may command Nearcus has no soul cannot be blest Untill his love with love you do invest Enter Servants and all go off together THE THIRD ACT. Enter the Embassador as at Coriola with Cleon Erillos and Train Embass THis Piazzo Cleon is Magnificent I have not seen any so Beautifull Cle It shews the Princes Treasure and their minds Are alike great who can so soon Erect So vast a City which in every part Deserves to be as much admir'd as this Embass We may walk through it ere my Sister comes Erillos You may the River side is your best view Cleon There is a Boat now coming to the shore Erillos Those who land seem to be of Quality Embass I see no Woman yet with them appear They are very brave and come towards us Do any of you know who these may be Cleon Young Titus landed first but as I think It is Ormasdes who now leads the Troop Embass If so I must expect some angry words From the offended Queen Enter Ormasdes and Y. Titus with Servants who come up close to the Embassador without any respect Embass What means this kind of rudenesse Gentlemen Ormas It speaks my businesse who am hither come To scourge that pride you so much glory in And with this hand that insolence chastise Which boldly durst indeavour to defame By base surmises great Cleandras Name Titus I beg as you love my Honour He turns to Titus If I do fall let none come in to help Sir you shall have fair play that we may see To the Embass How Insolence and Courage do agree Titus makes roome Emb I shall soon satisfie the doubt you make To his followers Stand off he dyes that stirs to my relief Or by a word let fall does make me known They fight Ormasdes hurts and disarms him Enter Mariana and servants who run in and part them Mar Ormasdes hold it is a King you wound It is Valerianus you fight with Ormas My self a Prince of Greece of the same blood With our great Emperor will justifie What I have done and to the World declare If any man do wrong me in disguise I do his Titles and himselfe despise Exit Ormasdes Titus and Train Mar Oh Gods my prophetick soul did long since Fore-see this Evil oh let not King Hold Valeriana there are no Gods Nor shall one Altar in my Kingdome stand To honour those we foolishly call Gods I will Erect new Temples unto Chance Which giddily thus governs us below Valer Take heed Sir lest you do provoke those powers You now despise to punish your contempt King I will not own those Gods those empty names Who cannot shelter us from publick shames Valer The Gods be just and you are much to blame 'T was not Ormasdes who the King ore-came It was his Virtue conquer'd your offence Your guilt gave Victory to Innosence King Will you become my Judge will you condemne My life and Honour A fit Sacrifice To your belov'd Ormasdes fatall Sword Fool from this hour I do thy blood disclaim And will forget I ever knew thy Name Erillos let my goods be sent aboard I will not stay a minute longer here Then my necessity compells me to Valer I have prevail'd with the much injur'd Queen To lay her anger by and to forgive Those rash words you spoke and have her leave To bring you to her sight again with hopes She may her inclinations change when known Your fury did proceed from Love alone King My love is vanish'd and my heart too full Of my revenge to think of my return Till I can pull Cleandra from her Throne I hope Ormasdes will take care of you Who plead his cause and are to love so true Men Sir though your wounds be slight if you remove So soon we cannot answer for your life King I 'le rather dye at Sea then live on shore Make haste good Cleon lead me to my Boat Cleon Will you leave the Princess in a strange land Thus unkindly cast her off for ever Because her Love did argue for your good King And thee that dares
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
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
Lon 'T is not possible that she can be so fool'd she forbad thee in jest come let us go to her now Cle I 'le swear she did forbid me and in great anger turn'd from me I dare not go Lon This is pretty wouldst thou have me believe thou lovest Cle Lonzartes I am not in humour to be play'd with Lon Nor I in humour to be fool'd what would'st thou have me say when thou talk'st thus to me thou in love Ha ha Cle What shall I say what do to beget faith in thee Pandora's resolution against Marriage which I so much rejoyc'd at is fatally become my scourge and I must dye or have her Lon That 's the onely way to obtain belief do but hang thy self and then a Printed Ballad The Dary-Maids greatest Faith will make them swear thou dyedst for love Cle Do my looks agree with so much jest does not my Face declare my heart does love Lon No nor ever can do to me wouldst thou have me belye my self that thou mayest laugh at me these shallow Plots are lost on me Exit Lonzartes Cle This is right had I been fool'd into the Platonick pound I might have knock'd my head against the Walls and never been believed Thus I blow away those bubbles â—hose ayrie Lectures of chast love which lead silly mortals into slavery Ha Sanga Enter Sanga Sanga Your pleasure Sir Cle Go presently and summon all that merry Crew who danc'd the other day to sup with me this Night and bid the Musick come Exit Sanga Sanga I go Sir Cle I will retreat while I am safe and be Arm'd against my Wise Virtuous Chast Friends with their Cobweb Netts so subtilly laid to catch me Thus I throw all their Inchantments off And now like the Grand Seignor after some great Victory atcheiv'd I will retire to my Seraglio Exit Enter the Duke with Theodocia Pandora Lindamira Teretia and Train and Silvander Duke You tell me a story beyond belief Theodocia Clearâ—us playes with you all this while he love The If Pandora be mistaken he will triumph over Women-kind for ever Pan I wish it were no worse Sir 't is I who now am to be pittied who for the common sport and for his good have brought an evill on my self I cannot bear Duke Why Pandora he is descended of our own Blood and his Estate proportionable to his Birth so that if you can raise his Virtues above his vices you 'l have no cause to murmur at his love Pan True Sir if I were nor ingag'd to a single life much might be said to set Clearcus's merrits above mine Lin Is there no dispensation for such resolves Madam when it may be disputed whether the gods approve them They give us Lawes enough we need none of our own making Pan My heart will nee'r consent to alter my resolves Lin We shall have enough to do then The. Let us all agree to laugh him out of it Lin You will find little cause for mirth when you see Clearcus next Madam The Can so few hours alter a man of his temper so much Lin He is asham'd of his first Principles and is angry at that shame He hates himself for loving and loves so much he dares not wish it less This mixture of passions does beget such a confusion of thoughts that makes him look as if he had fed on nought but sighes and tears this twelve Mounth and I fear we shall have cause to turn our laughter into sorrow for him Duke I 'le give him Commands that shall divert him come with me Theodocia Ezeunt Duke and Theodociâ— Lin 'T is great pitty so brave a man should be so lost Pan 'T is so Lindamira but how can it be help'd must I become mad because he is so 'T was not a rash word by chance let fall but on debate and mature judgment because I saw none so happy after Marriage as before Why may not I then live and dye as free as I was borne Lin You see why because the Gods do not allow so great felicity on Earth as might keep us from ever wishing to be with them pray who ever heard of a pair of true Lovers that desir'd to be in Heaven if they might stay here till Doomsday 'T is therefore for our good that such united hearts are so rarely to be found on Earth take heed Pandora that you bring not more evils on your head then you fore-see Pan I must now bear my Fortune as I may Lin Though you have not met with many happy Marriages I have heard of some who all their lives have had a constant Spring of Love their passions so high and joyes so great each striving to raise the others happinesse above their own this I believe and hope for Methinks till I am married I am a thing laid by as if forgotten by the Gods Pan 'T is not high passions nor great joyes I doubt to find but their continuance suppose the Gallant Lovers to the Warres be sent what terrours will possess their frighted Ladies 'till their return and if miscarry what will their whole lives have to joy at after Lin Those who stay at home may have equall dangers these are anticipated dreams of evils that may never happen then you conceive not the joy those dangers bring when they are over this World affords us nothing to relish our delights by but such accidents as love which some fears and dangers bring 'T is sharps make sweet the sweeter Pan But if I am satisfied with less ioyes without those pains you find so usefull why must I try to gaine more happiness then I do wish for when I have joyes enough allready Lin Joyes enough Madam there is no such thing in Nature as enough of what we love Pan I am weary of this idle talk Lin And I know no better Entertainment Enter to them Lonzartes and Silvander Pan How think you Silvander is Clearcus what he seems Sil Lonzartes knows him best Madam Lon I do believe he loves though I seem not to credit him and am now resolv'd to play with his passion as he has done with mine 't will entertain the Princess rarely to see how I shall anger him Sil Is he enough fix't to be so abus'd for if neither Men nor Women have any faith in his budding love he may fly off for ever Lon I am now going to see what humour he is in Sil I 'le wait on you Pan Pray do and let me know how I must behave my self that would not hurt him Lin I can direct you best if you 'l trust your self to me Pan I shall trust you as farre as any in this affaire let us consult within Exeunt Enter Clearcus and Sanga with Men and Women Dancers Cle Welcome my dear Friends I will be no more seduc'd by grave Lonzartes fooleries this night shall re-unite us while we live Is the Musique come San Not yet Sir Cle I have broke through their Nets and now the day
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
serve the Duke against this insulting Enemy as I doe Florio We seek imployment Fern Have you an addresse to any in this Court Florio We have none but come to serve as Volanteers Fern My purpose is the same wee may do well to make our first visits presently to Court and shew our intents to serve the Duke if you approve it let us see our Lodgings and then goe Florio I shall be wholly guided by you Sir Fern Shew the house Luco Methinks that face has in it something more Aside Then in my Life I ever saw before Exeunt Enter Duke with Camillo Lords and Officers Duke Has the Enemy taken spade in hand Camillo Cam Yes Sir and is allready breaking ground Duke Wee 'l entertaine 'um at break of day with a sharp Sally to give them an assay of what courages they are to meet with let our Troopes be ready by day break Camillo All shall be ready Sir but methinks the night were fitter for our Sally Duke I like not Sallying in the Darke 't is subject to great mistakes and such accidents as often makes the best designes uncertaine No Camillo the Sunne shall see and shew the vigour we charge with 't will raise our Hearts to higher actions then a dull shade is worthy of Our glitring Swords and our inraged Eyes Will shew how much we do their Warre dispise And 'mongst their Souldiers such amazement sâ—ing They shall not flye the Ruine that we bring Enter the Princess to them with Rossina and Phylora at one doore At the other Enter an Officer with the foure Strangers Fernando Florio Luco and Pedro a little after Duke Take courage Silviana this Warre will not prove so terrible as your feares suggest Princess My apprehension Sir is not more then does become my Sex when Nations are at stake and my interest must be decided by the hazzards of a Warre is it not time to sigh and pray I and to tremble at the thought of such an evill though my innosence and your valour may be Crown'd with Victory it must be purchas'd by the blood of Loyall Subjects Duke Let them who force the Warre shake at the event and answer for the evills Officer These Gentlemen new come to Town desire the Honour They salute the Duke to kiss your Highnesse hand Duke You have chosen an ill time to visit URBIN Gentlemen when the Alarums and hazzards of a besiedged Town allowes no houres for entertainment or for rest Fern To hazzard wee come hither Sir honour'd Trophies gain'd in so just a Warre are glorious invitation to virtuous minds and fill our hearts with sure Predictions of a good successe Duke You Prophesie like a friend and I have Faith for what you say do these youths belong to you Fern No Sir I met them but an hour since where they sav'd my life by rescuing me from five or six Banditee they come to serve you in this Warre Duke Your looks invite me to inquire your Countrey and qualities that I may finde a fit imployment for such worthy persons who set honour at so high a rate Fern My name is Fernando and his Florio my ambition Sir is not above a Volunteere I understand not to Command but Florio I confess looks like somewhat more then he is pleas'd to own Duke My fancy does concurre with yours and I shall study to welcome both as well as this disturb'd time permits me this occasion makes us wink at such Banditee for the present who are bold on all attempts and in this Warre may be of use but I should not have judg'd this faire youth fit to mannage Arms Fern Your Highnesse will have other thoughts when you see Florio in the field the Enemy will find him man enough Duke What part of Italy is so happy as to have bred such early vertue Florio I am of Pisa Sir my businesse is to see the World and improve my knowledge by my Travels Fern Of PISA Florio know you any of note there Florio All Sir Fern Pray Sir let us two fight in the same Troope that we may emulate each others actions in your service Duke The contest will not be equall your looks will strike more terror in an Enemy then Gentle Florios Sword can doe I will prevaile with this young Souldier if I can to secure the Ladies while we Sally his courage will abate their feares who apprehend more danger then is cause for Florio Sir I shall curse my soft faint looks if they belye my heart that covets to get honour by my Sword as much as he that can frown Speaks in Anger most I will either sally this night with Fernando or quit the Town before I sleep Duke This storme which I have rais'd is more bewitching lovely then thy calme gentle looks were The Duke imbraces Florio If you have yours and I have my desire Let me again imbrace what I admire Pedro. I passe for no body all this while but if my good Sword hold aside I 'le doe I know not what Rossina The Dukes in love Madam and talks like one of us to this Adonis Princess They look great as if they would do service worthy my brothers highest complements Enter to them Camillo the Generall Camillo We are all ready for the Sally Sir I wish your Highnesse would reserve your self for the next occasion we shall have work enough of this kind the Enemie is strong Duke I will not be diverted but my selfe will lead you on here Camillo let these strangers charge in your Troop next to your self they appeare to be of quality and no doubt have courage to merrit what honours we can give ' um Camillo They shall be my care Sir Duke Call for my Armes 't is time that we make ready Retire lost your feares Silviana may Our best displease and doubting men dismay Exit Duke and Traine Princess I have a heavinesse about my heart Rossina which I cannot remove Rossina Your Highnesse too much apprehension of the Dukes danger looks like doubting those powers which protect Princes in all just causes Princess I cannot contradict you nor can I be lesse concern'd because this Warre is on my account though I be guiltlesse the prou'd Prince of Ferrara demands our Principallity in Dowre by which he shewes to have but small esteem of me the Dukedome must be intayled on me and my Brother tyed from a second Marriage thus his ambition not his love makes Warre for the inlarging his Dominions Rossina Pray Madam be pleas'd to retire into the Castle the Duke is now on sallying As they are going off they meet Mariana and Phylora comming in haste Prin Whiter so fast Mariana why so frighted my Phylora Filora We came from the Tower next to the Port Madam Princess And from thence what saw you to beget this Terror Philora We saw the Duke all in Armour riding before his Troops with so much terror and such a dust that we durst stay no longer but ranne trembling down to
Officer Fernando has slighted their last work Sir and beaten them out of their new Trenches he pursu'd so farre that their whole Camp is now in Armes while your Troopes retire in safety Fernando is by this time alighted at the Court. Duke Fernando has made good his undertaking let us meet him with our discovery to welcome his returne what will you do Silviana Princess I shall attend that you may see I can To vertue bow though not adore the man Exeunt Enter Clara Marianas Mayde at one Doore and Pedro at the other Clara. Pedro where is the Duke gone where the Princess and where be all our goods I saw you under the window when I threw down my red Cabinet pray where be they all Pedro. The Duke and Princess are gone to meet Fernando but before he went the Duke gave the Plunder of all the Traytor Corbinos goods unto his Guards who quenched the Fire Clara. If my Lord be twenty Traytors I am none all my goods were thrown down with his but that Red Cabinet Pedro doest thou know which of the Guard took that Pedro. You are concern'd as if your Portion lay within that little compasse were all your Jewels there Clara Clara. The greatest Treasure I have is there Letters Pedro Letters of Love from a Gentleman that Pedro. That what that has or would do something you are asham'd to own is 't not so or so Clara. Neither Pedro there is nothing in any Letters I shall blush at Pedro. That may be too but say are you so farre gone as to admit of no other Suitor Clara. Leave this fooling Pedro he seeks me an honourable way Pedro. Which of the honourable wayes sweet Clara Clara. Marriage Pedro. Then I am safe and may be merry without danger Clara. Now you have talk'd me out of my conserne for my Cabinet pray informe me who Florio is and how it happens that he has no affection for any of our Ladies Pedro. If you will direct me to a Conjurer I shall inquire what Florio does impart to none Come Clara let us not trouble our heads with what your Lady or my Lord thinks but let us be merry when we meet He takes her Hand Clara. Keep your distance good Pedro and then be as merry as you please my credit is not in the Cabinet as you suppose nor yet am I at your dispose Pedro. Why so coy bright Beauty my approach is civell Clara. I can neither by your looks nor language discerne that Pedro. If you were not ingaged unto the letter man I should have shew'n my esteem of your perfections in a more serious way Clara I can now have no designe but mirth since you declare for a pretender whose lines you lay up as Reliques Clara. You did mistake me Pedro I only said that a Gentleman did seek but I told you not that he had found my heart which is yet as free as yours Pedro. I am catch'd and must come quickly off dear Clara I aside would advise you not to cast off a Gentleman who truly loves you on vaine hopes of others liking Clara. You are doubly deceiv'd now Pedro I have no designe on your sweet Face your Lord and you will be both secure in URBIN from being ravish'd by our Ladies or their Servants if you can direct who has my lost Cabinet I 'le thank ye if not Adiew good Pedro. Pedro. I am glad I am thus freed Exeunt severally Enter Duke and Traine who meet from the other Doore Fernando and Officers a Crye without of Ioy from the People Duke Fernando we bring you joyfull hearts instead of such Triumphall ornaments as your high Actions merrit Fernando You honour me too much Sir but if the Princess own my indevours I may hope the scandall of that letter sticks not on me Duke Wee have found the foul coppy of that forg'd Letter in Corbinos Closet and the Author of it shall ere night suffer as he deserves Fernando Pray Sir forgive him as I do his designe has done you good I had not venter'd full so farre but to wipe off that scandall and now Sir for Marianas sake I beg that you will pardon her old Father Duke She shall have all his Lands immediatly but I must deterre others from the like horrid actions if I had believ'd him and imprison'd you what a mischiefe might that Barbarous beast have ledde me to Princes who pardon such crimes will neer be free from the like Vipers who devoure the good Names of the innocent 't is our work to cherish truth and vertue and to banish such Monsters as Corbino from the converse of men he is condemn'd to the Dungeon while he lives 't is fit that you retire Fernando Exeunt Duke and Traine Florio and Fernando stay Florio Now they are gone I will congratulate your victory with some good hopes that Silviana may comply Fern. Florio is my good Angell still yet I must pitty Thee Vnhappie Youth expos'd inâ—o a crow'd Of Beauties where thou freely art allow'd To looke and chuse invited to enjoy A full variety in hope to cloye Or â—ix thy fancies which by Nature grow Beyond the power of satisfying so Flo. If Youth of Beauty must be still afraid Why were those Glorious Objects ever made Beauty to Age is like a painted Fire Warmes not though it create a faint desire That mocks the appetite of Old mens Eyes With Youthfull wishes but neer satisfies Cause Age repines much oftner then recants Past follyes still lamenting what it wants Fern. If brightest Beauties cannot youth reclaime Nor raise an Old mans fancy to a flame By such experience taught we may conclude Our Passions doe our Iudgments still delude Which leads us on to Idolize a Face Without inquiring the intrincique grace Florio take heed when Lovers soare too high They seldome finde a lucky Destiny Flo. My fortune and my fate in love will neere Be worth my care nor worthy of your feare I will within impart what I have done And shew how Silviana may be wonne Florio imbraces him Exeunt Enter Camillo and Borosco with three Officers Camillo Corbino is got oâ—â— at Fernandos intercession and wee are safe Borosco Safe indeed and freed from all imployment in the State these strangers are now â—ix'd unlesse you Camillo help us to remove u'm Camillo I have away to do it if you Gentlemen will joyne to free your selves from this forraigne yoake All. Wee l live and dye with great Camillo Camillo Thus then fellow Souldiers at the next generall sally we will ingage our two young Leaders into the midst of the Enemies and then retreat so suddenly they shall be cut in pieces ere they see their danger Borosco Good very good but when will this Sally be Camillo Suddenly I hope for since Fernandos returne my scouts bring newes that the Enemies whole forces are drawn up to countenance their men while they repaire the works Fernando slighted so that when he has slept a little I will
Camillos crime can you demand if all this be argument for so unworthy a distrust how can innocence be justifyed Pray Sir take more time to judge of this and now trust your selfe with me I have the word and can securely passe I have a bold party too who stand ready at the Port to favour our Retreate Fernando I need them not I have my freedome and have taken leave can passe whither and when I please but my Judgment on all this I cannot suddenly summe up and therefore will not goe Florio What testimony can you wish what assurance have beyond this voluntary hazzard of my life to lead you to the Princess Silviana from whom you may inquire my friendship and my Faith if this be an abuse you have then a cause to show your courage and may call me to account but if all this convince you not leave me here a Prisoner in your place and so revenge those wrongs you onely dreame of Fernando No to betray is worse then to be betray'd I scorne to act a treachery that I so much condemne in others I am now resolv'd to goe and to suspend all further thoughts of jealousy or discontent and if my passion for the Princess hath mis-led me into unworthy thoughts of you or of the Duke I shall gladly do any pennance you 'l inflict Florio Your own sence for your mistake will prove a sharper pennance then we can wish Fernando Though I have Arguments for my distrust Yet Florio and the Duke may both be just The End of the third Act. THE FOURTH ACT. Enter the Duke leaning on Florio 's shoulder follow'd by Fernando Longino Tigillo Lords and Officers Duke TO what strange hight Florio will thy daring heart aspire at what point of honour rest that I may rejoyce thy dangers past without new feares for more ensuing hazards comming on Florio The Gods directed what I did and friendship could expect no lesse Fernando would have done much more for me Sir Duke I do believ 't but yet methinks your large soule might afford some roome for me so much a friend as to be consider'd in my concerne for all the dangers you are in Florio Such a presumptuous thought in me had been a crime when great Fernando's life and fortune was at stake against a compliment Duke I yield Florio must ever conquer Be Generall Fernando and you Longino Command the Horse Tigillo take presently the Citty Keyes from young Camillo and be you Governor of URBIN he shall know that obedience to his Prince is above his duty to a Father if any can make cleare proofe of more conspirators they shall have all their lands and goods for their reward now Fernando did I apprehend with cause were not my private cautions of Camillo worthy your best Providence Fernando I could not guess at Camillos mischiefe I confess so great a mallice from a gallant man I never met before but when Envy and Revenge Ambitions twin children doe wedd their Parents cause no reason can so naturall a rage withhold nor any limits such unbridled fury bound when the high hopes that all their fancies aym'd at were cut off by those honours heap'd on us This makes me reflect with some compassion on your severity to persons of their worth who had no crimes but what grew from too much vallew of your favour Sir I wish that our successes had been lesse or your rewards not full so much Though narrow hearted Princes often blush at merits beyond their wills to recompence yet some great soules like yours too often overvallew and reward such services as ours when a kind mention with a smile would amply satisfie pardon Sir my sorrow for the losse of those two great men who fell on my account that shortly must resigne all the envyed Offices I hold and thereby shew how small an Argument their hasty Envy took for such a ruine as they design'd on me which in few dayes might have been diverted for this Siege ended I must be gone Sir as I have frequently to you and them declared in publike and now to leave so many mourneâ—s where I have deserved so well will very much eclips my memory when I am gone Duke I have no argument but their crime to justify their punishment though your clemency might have spared them a lesse severity would not become me 1 Lord. Camillo at his death confess'd his guilt and exclaim'd against his own too hasty a retreat Duke We know too much of their conspiracy Exeunt Enter the Princess with Philora and Ladies in her Chamber Princess I wonder why my brother stayes thus long from seeing me Philora He has had but little time to order his affaires Camillo and Borosco being both dead their commands are of great consequence Ent Tigil Princess I have not heard of the like villany what newes Tigillo how does my brother Tigillo Well Madam but much troubled for Camillos wickednesse against those he so much loves he sent me to excuse his visit to your Highnesse untill he have dispatch'd some great affaires that do require his presence Princess Are the two strangers well Tigillo Not both Madam Fernando has some hurts but nothing dangerous Princess Is not my brother much pleas'd to have his Florio safe return'd Tigillo He is indeed somewhat fonder then I could wish but can your Highnesse fancy a fitter subject for so high a concerne who ere beheld a Nobler object for a Prince's favour Princess I do not know so fit a man to make his favourite as Florio but to dote so much on him as to consider none of us takes from my Brothers Judgment and lessens our love to him I am glad to see him pleas'd but to see him lost in admiration of a man is not well Rossina come Let us retyre untill the Duke appeares To raise our hopes or satisfy our feares Exeunt As they are going off Enter a Servant Servant Madam there is an Officer without who desires accesse to your Highnesse he has a Paper in his hand he sayes of great concerne and must himselfe deliver it Exit servant Silviana Admit him Tigillo pray stay in the next Roome Exit Tigillo The Ladies stand off Enter Officer Officer Madam I come from the Enemy sent by the Duke of Ferrara to mingle with your Troopes which sallyed last amongst whom I got into the Towne thus in private to excuse to you alone the mischiefes by this Warre brought on your People He offers her a Letter she refuses it Silviana No 't is beyond excuse Sir but why this to me in private if from Ferrara sent why not in publique to the Duke Officer 'T is not his purpose Madam to humble himselfe unto your Hee kneels Brother though Ferrara do desire thus to lay himself at Silvianas feet to shew what love can doe his courage is too high to stoope before the greatest Prince on Earth He rises Silviana Tell your high hearted Master then my brothers interest and mine
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
do submit to thy severest judgment I do love Selindra and would do more then thou canst fancy to gaine her Love now my heart lyes open thou wilt find the wound is deep Ordella touch it gently my dear Sister Ordel 'T will not be cured then Phillocles I must launce it to the quick and you must indure to hear that Cleonel and she have been long contracted and onely do disguise their Loves because Cecropius seeks Selindra for himself 't is only untill her Fathers return they thus dissemble it Phil Contracted Ordella thou hast blasted all my hopes destroy'd me in the twinckling of an Eye the Gods have not a greater curse in store to throw upon me is this thy cure I shall sink under the burthen of this remedy fare-well Ordella fare-well for ever for I am undone for ever Phillocles going out in haste turns back Orde Stay Phillocles I can cure thee yet I 'le stroke thy wound and try how that will work they are not contracted that I ever heard it was my pure affection that thus abus'd your Ears by my Fathers command I was in the bud to crush your love which by their pretended Contract I thought best to do can my Brother pardon my Zeale to serve him this way and yet trust my love Phil I can do both Ordella now thou hast restored me to life againe come let us sit that I may at large declare my purpose concerning Selindra do you remember Ordella that day you made Selindra act Astella how I was then convinc'd and overcome by her how she spake then and with what Majesty she appear'd Methought then if Selindra were not borne a Queen yet she was design'd to be one from the hour I lov'd her and you the occasion of my love I have since observed her strictly and well weighed all her perfections and considered Cleonels hopelesse suit to gain her if she can afford me love Ordella I would wade deep in blood it would look like vanity to tell thee how great things I would do to win a value from her Ordel When I consider Selindra's Beauty and her worth I cannot blame your admiration of her truly Brother I do wish your desires upon you but know not how I can comply or how to serve you this way Phil I have weighed all kinds of Arguments Ordella and do allow them to be good worldly thoughts fit for Princes that have no other heaven on Earth then their Wealth and their Dominions I tell thee Ordella to be Emperour of all the World is poverthy without Selindra if thou lovest me thou wilt use thy interest to perswade her to cast off all thoughts for Cleonel and receive me who she yet shuns now my Sister speak comfort to my soule that must languish untill you ingage for me Ordella sits silent a while and he staring on her Ordel I have been thus long silent Phillocles to consider how I might comply with your desires and not break my Fathers trust do but shew me an honourable way and I will serve you with the same Zeal you wish it but if I should consent how can you avoid Cleonel or how disguise your love from my Father Phill Wee 'l think of twenty wayes to blinde the old mans eyes and as for Cleonel I will so overload him with Wealth and Honours that he shall gladly give up his interest in Selindra if he have any but if he refuse I will become his Rivall publiquely I will either carrâ— the faire prize or loose my self Ordella say now will you strain a Coâ—â—plement with my Fathers trust to save thy brothers life and honour Ordella Pardon me heaven if I offend by varying from my 〈◊〉 ther 's trust to save my Brothers life and Honour Phillocles now I am yours imploy me like a Sister that you love put me not to use artifices unworthy of that value the World now holds me at Phil By all our Gods I 'le rather perish then permit thee to act any thing unworthily Dearest Ordella loose no time to make known my affection to Selindra while I seek Cleonel to make him mine Ord Since no argument can prevaile against your passion I am content to be directed by you Phill Thou wilt make me happy then Ordella beyond all the State arguments The greatest Polititian can invent Or brightest messenger from Heaven's sent Leads her off Enter Cleonel Cleo. This falls out well for my designes upon Selindra the Prince his absence will give me opportunity to effect what his presence might prevent for 't is now most evident that Selindra slights my Professions in hope of Phillocles who is become my Rival by subtilties I must therefore compasse what my power and credit cannot reach the Prince is too mighty for me to contest with but this new Enter Phillocles Warre will do my work see where he comes how full of thoughts he is of late this love transformes us all Phil I 'le share the Empire with him if he consent if he will not I 'le force my way He sees Cleonel Cleo Sir The Emperour sent me to signify unto you the Newes from Belgrade that Astella is arriv'd there and is rejected by those you left to govern 't is his pleasure Sir that you prepare to march with all possible speed to her reliefe Phil I have just now received an express from thence which inform me of a Faction there that did hope to have set up a Counterfeit Astella but those Tumults are allayed the plot being discover'd all the partakers fled the Country I therefore hold it fit to hear again from thence before I stirre but if my Father will needs have his Army march into Hungary I shall advise him to conferre the honour of that Warre Cleonell on you Cle. On me Sir I am neither worthy nor capable of so great a charge your Highnesse does me much honour in this thought but I must not presume to accept the favour lest the Emperor do think me so vaine to seek it Phillo Why Cleonel thy forward youth promises great things and I know the Emperor will be pleas'd to see me joyn to heap honours on thy deserving head I will undertake it with my Father and shall not doubt to say thou wilt deserve the sole Command of all our Forces Aside Cleon If the Emperor consent I am cozen'd your Highnesse does 〈◊〉 load me with your Favours I shall not live to expresse my Gratitude much less to merrit such honours Phill I tell thee Cleonel 't is in thy power to lay an Obligation on me such an Obligation Cleonel as half my Empire cannot recompence Say may I hope such kindnesse from thee but if it be not in thy heart do not flatter me into a hope of what I shall not find Cle Sir as you are my Prince my duty binds me to serve you with the hazzard of my life and fortunes Phil I thank thee for thy Love as I do all that will like thee say and
this contempt I must try Aside her another way Madam you know the Emperours humour well and you have heard how eagerly he covets to joyne Hungary to Greece by Phillocles his match with Astella and how much he abhorres his love to you is evident The truth is Selindra you are this night by his command to be ravished by my Son Cleonel to that end sent thither which will allay the gallant Prince his appetite to marry you and remove all further feares of that matter 'T is yet in your own power Madam by obliging me to prevent Cleonels force who for undertaking so base an act ought to be dispis'd Sel Ravish'd I 'le rather dye then suffer Cleonel or yield to be your Wife the Gods will not permit such wickednesse Cec Please you to retire unto your Lodging Lady There is no He leads her in and returnes way to winne this foolish Girle I am angerd even to hate her yet cannot chuse but love her but why should I loose this opportunity I may now do what I only invented for Cleonel I shall curse my self when she is gone and when no possibility is left wish it had been so it shall be if when I have ravish'd her she can consent I 'le marry her if she will not I 'le poyson her and being dead at Sea hire the Marriners to throw her over-board I will about it while my Blood is high Venus propitious be to my designe I 'le offer Insence onely at thy Shrine THE THIRD ACT. Enter Phillocles Phill. GIven to Cecropius custody that is to Cleonels embraces I must see her is Cecropious or Cleonel within Serv They are Sir He knocks at Cecropius 's Lodgings and enter three servants with swords Philo Is Selindra yet at rest Serv Yes Sir long since Phill Is it so late I do believe you do mistake and she is not Phillocles offers to enter and they stop him what means this rudenesse Serv The Emperor has given command that neither your highnesse nor any from you should visit Selindra besides Sir all within are now at rest Phil My Fathers command this is some designe from Cleonel A noyse within are they all at rest say you whence then is this noyse I hear Serv We know not Sir This way the noyse is Phill Hark the same noyse againe 't is within stand by Villains give way or I shall force my passage through your hearts by Goes out and returnes Heaven 't is a Womans voice it is Selindra's voice she calls for help too Selin Help oh help murther murther He hearkens at the Scene Phillocles Enters breaks open a Doore within and Cecropious is seen strugling with Selindra Phillocles takes Cecropious by the Coller and as he offers to kill him Cleonel Enters and holds his Sword at Selindra 's brest Cleo By my Fathers soule I will strike with thee Phillocles Phillocles Thou darest not be so barbarously base to harme such innocence Here they look at one another in this posture a while then Phillocles throws by Cecropius and runs at Cleonel he quits Selindra and meets Phillocles while they sight the others run out raise the Court. Enter the Emperor with Train and Guard who part them Emp Phillocles I have thus long winked at your follies hoping that my mildnesse would have begot a better temper in you but I now see your sore requires a Corisive go to your Lodgings and as you value my displeasure move not from thence without my leave you of the Guard wait upon the Prince and let him not stirre out as you Exit Phillocles with the Guard will answer it to me Cecropius let all leave us but your self and now informe me of this Fray and how he came hither against my Command Exeunt omnes Cecro Mighty Sir the Prince forced my servants from the Door and found me threatning Selindra and frighting of her as if I meant a Rape which I only fain'd intending to take off Phillocles his affection that way by which he might apply his thoughts towards Astella for if the Prince should marry Selindra how can Hungary be yours this Sir is the truth Emp I wish thou hadst done what thou onely talkest of for this young man will ruine all my hopes of Hungary if we do not prevent him it must be poyson Cecropius I see no lesse will do it Selindra Cleonel peeps in must dye and that presently Cecro And shall Sir if you so direct by to morrow night it shall be done Emp Be it so then 't will be the least evil and the onely way to secure all the rest let her be poysoned Exeunt ambo Enter Cleonel Cleo Poyson her my curiosity was to good purpose at this time was ever gray haires so wicked how to prevent this mischief I know not Selindra will never credit it from me yet I will urge her hard and if I do get belief and by this means bring my designs to pass I shall finde Doores too strong for Phillocles to force Love and Venus guide me Cleonel goes out and returns Selindra flying before him with a knife drawn which she holds at her brest Sel Hold Cleonel if thou presumest to touch me this Knife shall be my rescue Cleo. Will this distance with my obedience and my humility remove He steps back and kneels your fears by Selindra's self I swear my only businesse is to save that life you threaten does my heart and my looks so ill agree that you can fear harm from me Selin Art not thou Cecropius's Son and does not his wilde blood runne in thy vaines Cleo. No Madam I am no whit allied unto Cecropius the Ravisher he was a Man when he made me and is now become a Monster such as I dread to see Selindra under his Roof Sel My Lord that posture does neither become you nor me pray He rises and comes towards her come no nearer Cleo You will pardon my approach when you shall know the cause of this unseasonable Visit I have by accident o're heard the Emperor give my Father order to poyson you and he is providing to do it this next night Selin I am glad to hear they are grown so mercifull death is lesse dreadful then his Rape but how can I credit this from you and how avoid it if I do Cleo Can Selindra believe my love could ere conceale such a mischief or that I will omit any endeavour to preserve her from it Selin Were not Cleonel a kin to the Ravisher I might believe he would detect a Poysoner Cleo If I tell you a false word may suddain plagues seize on me and if you please to make me the blest Instrument of your escape the Honour will be ample recompence for any hazzard I shall runne I have Madam a strong Castle within the Forrest about a League from hence thither I can convey you first and then whither you please Selin Pray my Lord leave me a few minutes that I may consider Exit Cleonel
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
and done great things to settle this Empire and think you it will be kept and Govern'd by a heart with a Dart in it Ordell Good Sir let not my Brothers single errour put from your memory all his great Actions if you would speak mildly to him of his Love I do believe your Arguments may move him more then all this rigour can he has a Noble Spirit such as you did like and I know he loves you Sir Emp Let me know when he returnes Exeunt Emperor Ordell Are any gone after Phillocles Enter to Ordella Armanthus Gillon Ladies Arman Yes Madam we think Antillacus is gone with Antenor Ordel But can they overtake him time enough before he reaches Cleonel Gillon No doubt they may Enter to them Antillacus and Antenor Ordell Not yet gone Antillacus Antil Madam all the Court-Gates are by the Emperors expresse command lock'd up and Guards set that no man now can passe Ordel Is it not madnesse to hazzard him alone against Cleonel and his company My Lords do you mean to give obedience to this rash command and suffer Phillocles to perish thus when my Fathers anger is allay'd hee 'l curse your modesty if not punish it in case my Brother do miscarry Antil Madam we have no way to follow the Prince unlesse your selfe command the Guards to let us passe Ordel Come then with me I will stand my Fathers anger when it goes highest rather then let my Brother fall thus neglected Exeunt omnes Enter Phlllocles Phlllo Those at the Castle do not hear of Cleonel nor expect him there sure Antillacus did mistake them or I him which way now to take I know not 'T is strange Antillacus and Antenor stay so long I must not quit this Road untill they come Hark I hear men and Horses within the Wood my businesse is to search every where Love guide me to her Rescue or my Death Exit Phillocles Enter Cleonel leading Selindra followed by four Servants Cleo How is it now Madam your Spirits seem to be return'd are you yet strong enough to ride on we have rested long Selin I hope I am 't was the blow which the bough gave my head makes me thus ill the bushes kept me from the ground so that my fall could not hurt me Cleo. The day is farre spent Madam and we shall be no sooner mist then follow'd pray let us to horse there is a place near where we may rest for one night secure Selin My head growes diszey with this little motion I fear I cannot sit upon my Horse yet methinks you might hide me here in these thick bushes untill night and when 't is dark find some better means to carry me away Cleo 'T will not be safe to stay longer so near our Enemies Enter Phillocles Phil 'T is Cleonel turne this way Traytor Cleonel holds up Selindra and sends his men to Phillocles Cleo Take the Prince without harme if you can Phil Am I not worthy thy own Sword Ravisher They Fight Phillocles runnes desperately among the men passes them and comes up to Cleonel they all incompasse him fighting Selindra runnes amongst them and parts 'um Selin I beg your patience Sir and do command thine Cleonel but here me speak I do conjure you both Phillocles brave Prince look on me with pitty and on Cleonel with justice my life being sought several wayes by Lascares and Cecropius I have endeavour'd to preserve by flight you must therefore look on Cleonel as trusted and imployed by me being ingaged by Oath to carry me to Belgrade to my Friends there Phil Thou art betray'd Selindra lost for ever this is not the way to Belgrade you are now within a mile of his Castle this way leads to no other place thou persidious Villain canst thou smile at such a treachery Cleo. Yes Phillocles and will be my own carver now I must be first serv'd here do you two carry her to Horse I 'le soon o're take you He delivers Selindra to two of his men Selin To Horse Cleonel I 'le rather dye then stir a foot that way Cleo Force her to Horse we have no time to talk Phil Force her thou cursed slave I 'le sacrifice thee ere she goes Cleonel and his two Men sight with Phillocles while the other two force off Selindra Selin The gods preserve the Prince help help murther treason treason Exeunt with Selindra Vpon her cryes enter six Travelors Pollidor the Chief Poll Let some help those that cry let others search the Wood I 'le towards the clashing Swords how 's this three to one Pollidor runs at Cleonel and diverts him just as Phillocles had kill'd one man at which instant the other man hurts Phillocles in the back and seeing this rescue he runs into the VVood Phillocles runs after him that fled believing it had been Cleonel whom he could not see because Pollidor having run Cleonel through the heart was fallen himself upon him who being by Cleonel run into the throat lay also as dead covering Cleonel Enter to them the rest of the Travelors with Selindra very weak who when they see Pollidor dead do let Selindra fall who lies on the ground while they take up Pollidor and dress his wounds Tene Curs'd be that Woman accurs'd our Fate to loose our prince They dress him as they talke Teck Now the blood issues at the wound it may prove not mortall Titi. The blood only choak'd him as he lay you see his Eyes look chearfully Kneels Tene Ye Gods if any do take care of Hungary look down on Pollinesso and restore him to us Selin What 's that he said was it Pollinesso that he named She looks up Titius The King will live thanks to heaven for his deliverance Selin They call him King too Pollinesso's name gives me Strength but that face is none of mine and yet that name makes that face lovely to me How I fool my self with vain hopes of what cannot be She lies down againe sadly Ten How is it Sir your looks are lively and your wound though it did at first seem desperate is not very dangerous Polli My tongue moves heavily and painfully losse of blood makes me faint too how shall I travell with these wounds my stay here will be very dangerous and my Journey to Belgrade too long for one so weak as I am Ten The same Gods that have preserv'd you to this day will not let you fall thus He faints and slumbers Selin They talke of Belgrade too who can this be give me way that I may gaze on this wonder She rises crowds in amongst them and stares on Pollidor Tene Away wild Woman thou Author of this mischief Selin He looks up again those Eyes are mine I know 'um now She offers to imbrace him Tene Throw her off teare her away she disturbs him sure she is madde Yhey pull her from him Selin 'T is you are mad 't is you that love him not why do you haile me thus whither will you
know not well how He goes to Selindra to frame my discourse to you whom I have so ill treated but I shall no more disturb your joyes I do now make it my suit that you will defer your return to Ciprus I shall lay my commands on Ordella to deny you her consent to go Selin Sir The favours and honours I have received here are farre beyond the ills you mention and my happinesse such in the Princesse Ordella's love that I lament the thoughts of my departure but when I consider the mischiefes past and foresee worse like to follow 't were madnesse not to fly them when my Father is return'd I shall renew my suit to have the Princess leave to leave this place and until then make it my care to tend this hurt man my redeemer to whom I owe my life and honour Emp Selindra if I can adde any thing unto thy happinesse I shall do it gladly for thou art something more then ever I have found in Woman Exeunt Emperor and Cecropius Phill What thanks do we owe Pollidor for this disguise it takes Ordella beyond our hopes did you observe how my Father eyed us while he talked to Pollidor Ordella Yes and do believe Cecropius and he are gone to compare their notes for that Fox was very vigilant Phill Selindra let us enjoy this blest minute Phillocles leads Selindra to the Couch and Ordella goes to Pollidor Ordel Sir While the two Lovers whisper pray oblige me with the knowledge of the occasion of your coming into these parts by which we have received so great an obligation and if you please to passe this time with the relation of your own story unlesse with your selfe you would conceale it Poll Madam My story is not worthy your eares nor my self this honour yet I have a story such as will make me blush to utter though no crime do belong to it nor am I what I seem and yet not fit to appear other but Madam your commands are too high honours to be neglected my own resolutions shall give way and my nearest concernes submit to your will Ord I perceive you are disturb'd at my curiosity to know what I believe you would conceal it may be you have vowed not to discover truly Sir for want of what to say I onely said it Poll Madam I was surpriz'd by your approach which made my tongue appeare lesse ready then my heart to obey you your commands Madam are sufficient to dissolve any vowes of mine and since you will vouchsafe to hear I shall relate Phillocles and Selindra come to them Phill How are you Sir Methinks your Eyes do shew some anguish in your wounds do we not trouble you Here Phillocles and Selindra interrupt Pollidor which puts him into some passion for he now began to love Ordella Ord We have done ill to stay thus long Selindra 't is your fault you should have directed better Poll No Madam my houre to rest is not so precisely to be kept nor have I any pains upon me as the Prince thinks my wounds heal the faster for your company Ord You are civil Sir Poll Madam the Prince's kindnesse and his care is not at this time necessary pray Sir if your occasions call you not do not go yet Phill Pollidor we know your civility is great out discretion must not be the lesse I see you are disturb'd and know your pains are great upon you make no reply wee 'l soon visit you againe come Ordella let us leave Selindra to her charge good rest unto my friend all joyes unto my Mistriss Exeunt Phillocles and Ordella Poll Beshrew your kindnesse at this time how like Tantalus was I Selin What mean you by this passion brother shall I call the Surgeons Poll No Selindra they have no skill in my disease Selin You speak and look as if you wanted sleep pray retire to rest Poll Rest Selindra where can I find rest Phillocles has taken all rest from me did you not observe how the Princess came to me and how she threw her favours on me when in the height of all my joy your approach destroyed me Selin If this be all I must smile to hear you sigh brother Poll All Selindra doest thou mock me are thy own flames so weak thou smilest at mine Selind I cannot chuse but smile when I rejoyce to see my wishes fall so fast upon me you love the Princess and she will love you she must she shall nay I doubt she does already and have some fear the work will be too easie if I undertake it Poll Now thou mockest me more then thou didst before prithee Selindra be serious and do not play with what torments me Selin What can be more serious then to make a marriage between so great a Princess and the King of Hungary pray where can she make a better choice or who can better plead your suit then I Look to your wounds brother leave this affair to me Exit Poll My best wishes do attend thee she has rais'd in me such doubtfull hopes that they begin to vanish with her and such fears to lose what I never had do throng so fast upon me that on the sudden I am orewhelm'd With doubts with joyes with fears so strangely mixt My heart is Hell untill my hopes be fixt THE FIFTH ACT. Enter Selindra pensive Cecropius meets her Cecro GOod day unto the bright Selindra Selin May your Lordship find many such She is going out Cecro Why do you sly me Madam I come in dilligence to make known to you what concerns you more then any other businesse can towards which you make such haste from me Selin I fled not from your Lordship nor did I perceive that you had ought to say to me what is your pleasure now Cecro My businesse is to preserve you from a certain ruine and to set you above the reach of mischiefe as high in honour as you are in beauty and in vertue Selind I were much unworthy such a favour and not Mistress of any virtue if I should not return a befitting gratitude Cecro Know then Selindra you are design'd unto your grave your wedding robe will prove your winding sheet if I prevent it not the Emperor puts on this shew of kindnesse onely to destroy you with lesse noise he does consent that Phillocles by a present marriage should satisfie his appetite after which you shall be poysoned that the Prince may have no object between him and Astella This by all our Grecian Gods is true and this I have consented to Selin Can there be such a wickedness 'mongst men Cecro Can you doubt it that have seen so much or can you think Lascares will consider such a life as yours when it does interpose between the Crown of Hungary and him Selin If this be so how can I avoid it shall I think you will betray the Emperors trust to oblige me Cecro Madam if you would please to look on your faithfull servant with
equal Eyes and on your dangers with judicious thoughts you 'l see that Phillocles his love brings death and Pollidor methinks should not have gain'd an interest where Phillocles pretends Selin My Lord I must confesse what you have said is worthy my most serious thoughts but my Lord 't is not fit that I treat farther in this affaire until my Father doth return if you please to move him in it my obedience shall follow his will Cecro Of his consent I make no doubt my best Mistriss joyes and greatnesse do attend Selindra when she smiles on me She suffers him to kisse her Hand Selind But how can you secure your self and me from Phillocles will not his rage raise a revenge as ruinous as this you would have me fly from Cecro Good Madam let not so mean a thought remain with you I have Lascares Scepter in my hand and all the Frontier Towns in my Command the Souldiers too since Phillocles forsook them are become mine if my fair Mistress would by one kind look confirme my joyes it would encourage me to let her see at what a rate I value her Selin I blush to think that I have smil'd so much upon so short acquaintance Pray Heaven you have not a design to destroy me this way Cecro Can you think I will destroy my souls onely joy to remove all such fears I will now put my life into your hands Selin How my Lord your life Cecro You have heard Madam how the Hungarian Army marches towards Grecce it does so drawn in by me to my aid they come to assist me to get Selindra and to set Lascares Crown upon her head if she will deserve it we are interrupted now think on me and thou shalt wear this Imperial Crown Selindra within few howers Exit Cecropius Enter to her Phillocles and Ordella Phil What has caus'd thy clouded brow Selindra has that viper vext thee Selin He has frighted me and will anger us all if he be not prevented such horrid mischiefes he has in love to me reveal'd as I shake to think on Ordella To what tune runne they Selin To several tunes some to Love some to private blood-shed others to publick Warre and in summe to ruine all that 's good The Emperor will permit our marriage Sir and after poyson me that you may have leisure to gaine Astella but above all Cecropius treachery must be lookt to He has call'd in the Hungarian Army to make me his by force he talked of a Crown too that I should weare if I would comply with him and at that word you interrupted us good Sir make it a little more your businesse to prevent these Devils and their designes Phill There is danger in this worthy our best care Selindra I see our stay here will still occasion new designs on us Ordel And you too late I fear will find my counsel good why may not I have credit to protect Pollidor in your absence Phill I think you may but yet 't is not fit to hazzard such a friend to the fury of that Monster Cecropius besides Selindra is now engaged in honour to stay for him â—elin Truly Sir I think I am in honour bound not rashly to throw away a man that has preserv'd us both but Sir when you shall consider that his wounds do now permit him to walk abroad a few dayes more will get him strength to ride with us during which time I can secure all by dissembling a little kindnesse to Cecropius by which I shall also discover his treaty with the Hungarians Ordel Pollidor is much oblig'd to you Selindra I like well this noble humour in you Phill It does become her my dear Sister it shall be my care to look after Cecropius now and if necessity require I will remove him speedily I must leave you for some houres Ordella to attend my Father Farewel my bright Mistriss pray let your care continue unto Pollidor and let not fall your kindnesse to Cecropius he may confesse to you what no tortures can draw from him Exit Phillocles Selind It does concern me Sir Ord It does indeed Selindra thy gratitude to Pollidor looks hansomely methinks as he recovers health he growes comely he seems to me as if he were above the ordinary rank of men I dare say he has a Noble Soule Selin Madam you judge right did you converse as I do daily with him you should wonder at such worth methinks I see greatness in his looks and do observe that he holds in that lustre with more advantage then others shew it forth Ord He is sure some great Prince disguis'd Selindra and a happy man he is that has found one that can discover his conceal'd perfections to the life Enter Tenedor to Selindra Tened Madam my Master is now awake and begs the favour of a visit Exit Tenedor Selin I shall follow your Lordship when I have brought the Princess to her Chamber Ord Is he a Lord too Selindra â—elin Did I call him Lord Madam Ord Ask when you see him next go Selindra this Ceremony to me is needlesse I shall find the way alone 't is fitter that you attend your charge Pollidors wounds will not heal out of thy fight Selindra I cannot chuse but wonder what kind of entertainment you can find for so many houres with so great a stranger as Pollidor speaks aside Selin Sure she is jealous and I have been too free in praising him Pollidor and I do spend more houres discoursing of Ordella's beauties then of all other matters he admires your perfections Madam his other wounds are slight compar'd with those he received from your eyes for Ordel Hold Selindra I delight not in such saucy thoughts from Pollidor nor does it become you to heare much less to relate them unto me I do feare Selindra you hope by this invention to dazle my Eyes that I may not discover your own affection to this Pollidor take heed you fall not from that vertue you are valued for if you do deceive my trust or Phillocles his love you will be neither worthy his anger nor my pitty Selin Let me fall under the weight of both your angers when I deserve ill from either of you your jealousie afflicts me Madam She weeps Ordell I hear my Brother coming retire that he may not see thy tears and meet me in the Garden after supper then I will hear more of this and till then suspend my Jndgment of thee Exit Selindra Enter Phillocles Phil Why went Selindra weeping out and what troubles you my Dear Sister Ordel. I am not troublâ—d now Sir pray how did you find my Father in what temper is he Phill Well Ordella all is safe yet but I cannot be satisfied untill you tell me why Selindra weeps your silence will beget doubts more troublesome then the knowledge can be Ordel 'T was nothing but an Argument that fell between us Phil That Argument Ordella if thou lov'st my peace that Argument Ordel
I may wrong Selindra by it and trouble you without a cause when I am certainly informed you shall be so till then pray do not urge me farther Phil I am so weak a man in thy esteem thou darest not trust me with my self Ordella thy discourse will disturb me much unless thou lettest me know the whole matter Ordel My unwillingnesse to tell you is now become the onely cause I feare to do it for I was questioning Selindra onely about her frequent visits to Pollidor which it seems I put into such Language as made her weep this on my credit is the truth are you now satisfied Phil I am satisfied that we have the same thoughts your judgement on this matter confirms my Observations which till now took no hold on me If she prove false thus I can blow her off But Pollidor shall pay deare for his Treachery Enter to them Pollidor very weak in Rich Cloaths a staff in his hand Polli Madam 't is fit that I visit you before the Temple and pay my first vowes at your shrine offering up a Life devoted to your Service Ordel You owe your health Sir next to the Gods unto Selindra's care such a gratitude I have not seen before nor such a zeale as hers to serve you Polli My obligations to Selindra I must rank after the Honours I have received from you Madam Pray Sir how does the Emperor He turns to Phillocles and Cecropius take this fained love between Selindra and me how does it work with them Phill Since Selindra dwelt with you the whole Court believes it is a mutuall Love onely my Sister and my self have other thoughts Polli Those last words came coldly out I must remove this jealousie I am glad Sir that you are secur'd by it and I am joy'd to have a hand in any thing that shall conduce to serve you I do professe my Medicines have not so much wrought my cure as the joy I have to see such unparalleld Virtues and Affections meet as is yours and the good Selindra's day day she tires her tongue in praising Phillocles and stiil growes fresh by talking of you Sir I cannot wish you greater happinesse on Earth then you will have with her may it last while you last and may Eternall Curses light on those that wish it less Phil I thank you Sir and will hope to prosper as you pray for me and next to Selindra and my Sister place you by my heart Polli You Honour me too much and will make me proud I must take my leave Sir my strength is not yet enough confirm'd to stay long abroad Exit Pollidor Phil The Gods go with thee thou Man of Honour Ordel What think you Brother of this Complement Phil I think him really what he seems Ordel I wish I could do so too but when I call to mind that Selindra unto me did talk just thus of Pollidor as he now discours'd to you of her methinks it looks like a designe Phil Does Pollidor presume to pretend to you Ordel So Selindra would have me think which indeed was the main cause of my anger and her Tears Phill I am not willing to be jealous nor yet so fond as not to be sensible when there is just cause Ordella let us smooth our browes and observe them farther such a guilt cannot be long hid and untill we be confirm'd by some better proof 't is unworthy in us to suspect them on our surmises only since what they do is by our direction Ordel 'T is not my nature to judg ill of any and I hope Selindra will deserve better I am converted and now we are thus secure why may not you go to the Army and leave Selindra with me Pollidor in your absence may Court her in publick which will confirm my Father in his mistake when he sees me dislike it Phill I like it well Ordella what will you do this Evening Ordel I have some businesse for a while Selindra after supper will meet me in the Garden pray come to us there Phil Bid your Boy attend us with his Lute then it may so happen that I must take leave this night for I hear that the Hungarian Army comes on apace Enter Antenor to them Ante The Emperor sends you word Sir that Cecropius has deliver'd all the Frontier Towns to the Hungarians and himself advances in the head of that Army towards us Phil Dispatch a Post unto Antillacus bid him advance towards the Traytor I will this night set forth and by day break shall reach him Ante Sir Antillacus retreats before the Enemy his men fewer in Number are so disheartned by Cecropius's revolt they dare not look on the Hungarians Phil Let the Page call Pollidor to my Sisters Chamber presently we will take leave there and depart immediatly Come Ordella this is somewhat quicker work then I expected bid my servants make what hast they can to meet me here at my return Exit omnes Enter Periander with a Lady as in Ordella 's Chamber Lady My Lord since you went hence the Court has been in daily Tumults about Phillocles his Love unto your Daughter Perian Is Selindra so much in favour with the Gods as to be look'd on by Prince Phillocles Lady The Prince seeks no other Heaven but her and as the World thinks she neglects him and Loves one Pollidor Perian Madam I cannot raise my Faith to what you say nor can I joy in such a blessing untill I know the Emperor does approve it pray Madam where may I find Selindra Lady She is now with the Princess in the Garden I shall let her know your Lordship is return'd Exit Lady Perian You obliege me Madam though I have been long absent I have not been Idle nor could I well have made more haste hither cousidering how many great Affairs I have dispatch'd since I went hence Enter Selindra to him Selin Oh Sir you are welcome I have with some trouble and some fear expected your Returne Peri Madam I stay'd the longer by reason of those Tumults I found at Belgrade a false Astella was set up by Euticus and his faction but so soon as I made known that you liv'd both sides laid down their Arguments though not their Armes which I advis'd as the best means to bring you home in safety Selin But why does our Army enter Greece Perian That 's the riddle Madam the old Fox Cecropius gave notice to the Hungarians that the Emperor purpos'd in his own person to invade them since Phillocles had refus'd it and would by a conquest joyn that Crown to his Empire he insinuates also that if the Hungarians would assist him in his design he would make the Emperor unable to harme them by delivering up all the Frontier Towns into their hands Selin And what is his design Perian Onely by their power to force the Emperor to deliver you and one Pollidor up to him This I perswaded Orsanes and the rest to hearken too
this a Warre within his owne Walls Phillocles is this a time for private brawls when the Hungarians are at your Gates Phill I am ready to depart Sir and shall send them back much faster then they now come on I beg your pardon Sir for my neglect Enter Gillon Emp What Newes brings Gillon Gill. Antillacus sends you word Sir that you must prepare to receive him with the Army under the Town Walls his souldiers have so many pannick fears he dares not lead them out to face the Enemy he also wishes that Prince Phillocles would draw out the Court Regiments to hearten his dejected men Emp I think 't were better to receive them within the Walls untill their shame do out-face their fears Tell Antillacus my old Armes are on and that I will my self strike the Traytor in the face Phil Hast back good Gillon and tell Antillacus if he can defend his Camp till I Arrive I wish him not to move this way my looks will send those ungratefull people home if not I have a flame within me will consume them all I beg your pardon Sir for my neglect Emp Repaire it by your speedy succour I shall take present order for what the Town can afford us Exit the Emp Phil Ordella I have a Warre within that will consume me Orde I hope this great Affair will divert your thoughts and remove your trouble Phil For some few dayes it may farewell my Dear Sister and when I return you shall hear from me Sir To Pollidor Phillocles is going out Polli I shall not stay behind you Sir my wounds is not so ill are to keep me from waiting on you when this hurry and your anger is over I hope you will be at leasure to hear me out and be pleas'd rather to finde you can be mistaken then me guilty Phil I will by no means suffer it 't will be no charity to permit you to hazzard Selindra's interest by new dangers Polli Sir your scornes shall have no more power to stay me then your anger has I will along Phil But you shall not I do suspect you will betray me to your Country-men and dare not trust you with me Pol All this will not do I know you do not doubt me that way and I do swear unlesse you break the bonds of Hospitality and do imprison me I will along Phil And I will rather do it then have your company if you desist not Poll Phillocles will not so much blemish his great Name imprison me that sav'd your life me that am vowed to stand or fall with you Sir I must chide you now you do too long hold up a causelesse anger you know not why too long neglect the great Affair that calls you hence I will stay no longer for you but go do the work before you come Pollidor is going off Phill Stay Pollidor thou hast confounded all my reason such a mixture of Noblenesse nee'r met with such a Treachery till now though I do know thee false and do resolve with my own hand to Kill thee I will trust thee this way and do now intreat thee to stay till to morrow that my Father comes Poll I Obey Phil Oh! my dear Sister once more farewell I am now fall'n from Paradice to Hell Ordel The Gods go with you and your action bless While I retire and pray for your successe Exeunt all but Pollidor and Selindra Poll We will be gone Selindra and face Phillocles in the head of our own Army what newes Periander Enter Periander Peri Sir I am come to fetch you to your Army I can convey you thither before you are mist here Selin We are ready now how farre off is the Army Peri You may hear their Drums Madam at the City Gates Poll Come let us hasten to our Troops When instruments of Warre from Warre release 'T is a good Omen to a happy peace Exeunt Enter at one Doore the Emperor Phillocles Antillacus Armanthus Gillon and the Grecian Army Enter at the other Door Cecropius Orsanes and other Lords with the Hungarian Army Emp Thou art a bold ill man Cecropius thou art ungratefull to thy Country and my trust Cecro Sir I have but hid my gratitude under this old Armor which is onely now put on to obtain what my prayers could not I demand justice Sir for Cleonels blood which you have hitherto denied me in favour to his Murtherers Emp This fained modesty is more impudent then thy Armes are thou knowest I was more eager then thy self to do justice on those that slew thy Son and thou seest clearly our Lawes cannot touch them for his fall Cecro Was not Cleonel slain by Pollidor and was not Selindra accessary and does not our Lawes condemn such Murtherers to Dye Emp No thou knowest they do not thou knowest thy Son was by a just hand punish'd and that Pollidor deserves prayse and reward Phil Good Sir spend no more breath on this vile man the slave is not worthy your anger Foolish Hungarians ingratefull perjur'd people Orsanes I did not look for this from you but my sword shall speak my vengeance Offers to Charge Orsan Prince Phillocles has not in Grcece a more faithful servant then Orsanes Pray Sir lay by this passion but a few minutes and you shall see that I have labour'd hard to bring your own desires to their wish'd ends and Cecropius the main Agent in it all Phil Why do your Actions and your words so disagree Orsanes knowes our Grecian hearts cannot be compell'd when we have time to draw our Swords Orsan Great Sir your actions have enought declar'd your worth unto the World and to our Nation most which we shall ever own though now by some necessity compell'd we do appear as enemies in the behalf of this good man who has ingag'd us to deliver up a Lady call'd Selindra and one Pollidor to his hands which he by strong arguments assur'd us would be for your and for our future happinesse this done we are all at Phillocles command Phil Those two you mention are of late become unworthy of my thoughts yet your engagement was barbarous to undertake you know not what sound the charge A shout within Orsan Hold Phillocles I have entertain'd you with discourse thus long only till I might hear that shout behind us hark hark Sir Now the time is come for us to keep our Oaths made to Cecropius and to manifest our love to Phillocles make way there for the King The Hungarian Army opens and through them enter Pollinesso crown'd leading in Astella Orsanes delivers them both unto Cecropius Phill What Riddle 's this what wonders do I see Takes her Hand Cecro Take away that shadow of a King to present death Orsanes and now Selindra you are once more at my dispose and you Sir that think you can command the World shall find this weak old Arm can justifie my title here Orsan Have I now perform'd my oath unto the great
so boldly her excuse Who does my honour and her own abuse The Princess sounds Cleon Look Sir she dyes your unkindnesse kills her King She cannot do her self and me more right Then to dye now but she cannot depart While great Ormasdes Triumphs in her heart See how his Name her fainting soul revives She recovers Lead on or I shall laugh to see her dye That can raise Trophies for my infamy Exit King and Train Valer What cruelty is this to leave me here Who love him better then he loves himself You 'l be all ruin'd if you stay with me Cleon What we have said has ruin'd us enough If his unruly rage can reach so farre Mene. I think 't were best that you return to Court And do Cleandra's proffer'd friendship try I have all your Brothers Jewels here Which will defray your charges while you stay Valeriana 'T is a plentifull provision for us But where is young Nearcus all this while Cleon He has not yet appear'd since we Arriv'd Enter to them Ormasdes Young Titus Nearcus and Servants Ormasdes stands off Near Madam can you forgive what I have done And own the Author of so great a crime Who saw not then a Princess in disguise But was captiv'd by Mariana's Eyes Valer My Lord I do forgive and shall forget So you repent and I will serve you too With all my power and interest in the Queen Near If that be all would I had guilty been Of greater crimes then my good natur'd sin Y. Titus Madam we hear your Brother is unkind But by Cleandra's favours you may find Some means to reconcile you unto him Valer I am most happy in Cleandra's love Y. Titus Will you permit Ormasdes in your Boat Or shall he seek some other passage home Mar I could have wish'd Ormasdes lesse concern'd Or that his courage had not been so great But cannot quarrel him on this account He was oblig'd to right Cleandra's wrongs And must in Justice be applauded for 't Ormas Madam I thank the Gods for my successe And now with the same breath can humbly beg That you 'l forgive what they so late approv'd Val Sir it will not become me his Sister Now to congratulate your Victory Who have just cause to mourn my Brothers Fate From whence my own misfortunes have their date Ormas Madam shall we attend you to your Boat Valer Let Titus order all as he thinks fit I am ready now for my remove Exeunt Titus leads off Valeriana the rest follow Enter Cleobulus and Chyron Chy The Queen is troubled and her Guards are sent With speed Ormasdes Quarrel to prevent Cleob She must secure th' Embassadors return Lest all our Neighbour Nations do complain And say we give occasion for a Warre Which the Treconians claim cannot pretend Nor the rejected Marriage justifie Chyron Valerianus has an antient claim To Zelnia which may beget a Warre If the Treconians do a quarrel seek There wants no title to a Prince provok'd Cleob Ormasdes will rejoyce to see that day Chy He is our Nations Darling and deserves Cleandras favour but methinks he looks As if his heart were higher then his head Cleo I have been lately chid for jugling looks And dare not say what I believe I see Enter to them Cleandra Old Titus and Ladies Queen You tell such wonders from Coriola That I want faith for them how comes this Newes Adm Madam a Messenger but not Arriv'd Saw the Combate done and heard Nearcus say They would attend Valerianas back Unto your Majesty whereas the wonder Princes have been in forreign Courts disguis'd Qu But have you ever such strange humours found A Prince where Vice and Virtue is so mixt Adm No I have not nor such a president As now Ormasdes gives us to correct Such impudence as near before was known Queen If I were not concern'd I should approve What he has done though now I must not own Adm For publique thanks on his behalf I move Why should we thus our honest thoughts disguise When Virtuous Actions Virtue justifies Queen Had not Ormasdes stir'd by Armes I might Compel his Master to have done me right Adm By Warre thousands of guiltlesse persons might Have suffer'd for one mans over-sight Queen You have reason Titus and I shall Judge Ormasdes Act as he deserves from me Who with my Nation am so much oblig'd I must approve whatever he will own Let the young Princess lodgings be prepar'd Fit for my Friend and Sister to a King Enter to them Valeriana Y. Titus Nearcus and Servants Queen You are welcome Madam and I am glad To have you on these termes do not weep To part with what your virtue could not keep Val I am happy by my unhappinesse For by your favour Madam I may find Some remedy for my afflicted mind Queen Be sure what Citherea can afford Is yours and all Cleandra does command With me rejoyce to see you safe return'd But where is Ormasdes I must chide him Near He is retir'd Madam to avoid your sight Y. Titus Ormasdes thinks it duty and respect Not to appear at Court till you direct Queen Pray fetch him hither now I hope you can Exit Tit With me forgive so Excellent a man Whose passion never does his reason sway But followes on when virtue leads the way Valer I have no anger to Ormasdes since Young Titus did my Brothers crime relate I hope this letting blood will do him good When this affront at home is understood Queen Your Justice and your Charity is great And I do see no reason but you may Admit Ormasdes in my company I am inform'd he has a slight hurt too Valeriana My furious Brother will be glad indeed That brave Ormasdes by his hand does bleed This accident if you 'l be pleas'd to call My Brother back may reconcile us all Queen I never shall consent to his desires Though I my anger and revenge remove In complement to you whom I do love Enter to them Ormasdes and Young Titus Ormas Madam if doing Justice have displeas'd I do repent and now your pardon beg Queen Since his great insolence and your revenge No Age can parallel both must submit To such a censure as the World thinks fit Ormas Your pardon Madam is not all my sute I beg your interest to obtain like grace From this sad Lady my wole Soul is vext To see such innocence so much perplext Queen I can now secure you there Ormasdes She does discreetly Judge what you have done Was what a man of honour could not shun Is not this truth Valeriana speak Valer stands surpris'd Val Yes Madam I do think I did say so She sighes and weeps Qu What suddain change is this can your soft heart Conceal a thought of ill towards the man You have excus'd and seem'd to smile upon Near She does love Ormasdes and I am lost Valer weeps Qu Pray leave us all with-draw to the next Room Exeunt What have I said
that can disturb you thus Impart your griefs and I will share in them Val I dare not shew 'um with an open Face Qu And why you cannot have a guilt so great That I cannot forgive speak it freely Valer Has not my face my guilty heart betray'd Queen I understand you not Valer I am safe then and may my sorrow hide Aside Queen Madam what means this talking to your self While I stand by neglected is your trust So great that you can doubt I will be just Valer I doubt my self great Queen and fear not you Aside She 's jealous of me and my thoughts too true She loves Ormasdes and most unhappy I Am forc'd to smile on my own Tragedy I know no way to hide my broken heart Unlesse I do immediately depart Madam I beg your Pardon and your Passe I must begon lest I too late alass By my distempers here deserve your blame And raise my memory eternall shame Queen You are not well sure this distracted talk Requires Physitians to consult I 'le send Vale Oh no! there needs no more consult for this You only can restore me unto bliss Queen And can you doubt that I will not Valer I â—ear so Queen What I can do be you assur'd I will Valer What I desire may be more priz'd by you Then is the Citherean Diadem Will you know now and if not grant forgive For I am desperate on the suddain grown And am resolv'd to make my weaknesse known Queen Speak it aloud or in my bosome breath Imbraces her The troubles of thy soul let not a thought Be hid but freely shew how much you trust My love and you shall find me kind and just Valer Do not you Madam value Ormasdes Person and his service above all mens Queen Yes I do Valer You are Just and Worthy and I am Valer faints Queen Help help some help there Enter Ormasdes Titus Nearcus and Ladies who take up Valeriana Nearcus 'T is love upon my life Aside Queen Leave us again the dangers over now Ormas I beg your permission to retyre Queen My best wishes still attend Ormasdes Exit Ormasdes with the rest Valer What can I say t' excuse what I have done Queen Speak plainly your full thoughts and I 'm your friend But if you longer dally with my love You will my friendship unto anger move Valer I know you have discover'd by my words That your esteem of him you boldly own Becomes the ground of my distraction Queen You love him then that look declares it now And so do I or I would nee'r consent To give him unto you if this cure grow Within my reach Ormasdes shall be yours Valer Is not your Majesty ingag'd to him Queen Indeed I am not so in Love with him But I can second your desires and will With all my power endeavour to perswade Ormasdes that he meet with open Armes So great a blessing by the Gods design'd Though I must part with what I value most Your passion never shall by me be crost Valer Madam your kindnesse to me flowes so fast That I am now in danger to be lost By my abundant joy for this successe You give of unexpected happinesse Queen Remove these sullen clouds from thy fair Eyes And be thy self again for I will shew Ormasdes suddainly how great a bliss The Heav'ns prepare to Crown his Virtue with Valer The Gods reward you with your highest wish That you may never want what you desire My spirits fail so fast I must retire Exit Her Maids lead her off leaning on them and shewing much weakness Queen Do so what 's this I have so rashly done Thrown off Ormasdes I depended on Must I perswade him quit that interest here VVhich for my sake he purchased so dear How ill shall I repay his service past If I advise this banishment at last What a rash promise has my pitty made By thus proposing my improper Ay'd Though by the secret charms of Sympathy Her passion won my reason to comply I must on this imployment Titus use My Honour will my active part excuse But if his Arguments should not prevail And by my nicety the businesse fail If she should perish so and I repent Too late that ill which I may yet prevent I must about it then and loose no time Lest my nice complements do prove a crime My faith is past and I will now proceed Though brave Ormasdes do condemn the Deed. Exit with Train Enter Nearcus with Valeriana in her Chamber her Ladies stand off but go not out Near Madam my desperate State and high transport You may complain of though not blame me for 't Your Eyes like bright misguiding Fires betray My wandring soul and make me loose my way 'T is now too late to see that I am lost Led by those guides to this obdurate coast Where neither Rocks appear nor crossing Tides Yet this expected safety ruine hides But I must claim you by a solemn vow Made in the sight of Heav'n and am come now To prove my Birth which you will not deny Is with your own of equall Quality These are such Arguments for your consent I cannot think you dare your vowes repent Vale It cannot well be thought and much lesse said That I repent a promise never made How could such hasty words strict vowes appear Which my surprise then made me speak in fear When you to seize me stretch'd those Lions paws And threatn'd 'gainst all Hospitable Lawes Worse then Death to me what might I not do To get from such a Monstrous Beast as you Near Did my humility such danger threat Or my submission with such horror treat Were it even so as you your self have said I might my own conditions then have made Valer Did you not all my Servants first exclude And me into a lonenesse so delude As that no rescue could be had to free Me from your Trayterous Captivitie When you with humble looks strong fetters laid And words let fall which made my soul afraid And caus'd me use some little Art to gain Your trust that I my freedome might obtain Near 'T is true indeed and you reproach me well Or else you might another story tell For I confesse I did too much to prove The humble passion of a gentle Love And much too little now to justifie My high affections or my fact denie Had I with vigour my first step persu'd You might have wish'd my vows with yours renew'd Valer You talk as now I at your mercy were As if you still might threat and I must fear But I shall make you know your self and me If you proceed not with more modesty And shall soon let Cleandra understand How well you treated me on her command Near Though I do shake and tremble at your frown Cleandras anger cannot bow me down For if my suffering no compassion move Nor your past vowes make you regard my Love You shall then see how little I esteem This Life
for that unhappy youth She heard was drown'd endeavouring to escape Her Fathers Vengeance he unjustly vow'd Near She was mis-inform'd my Lord he yet lives 'T was by this fatall hand her brother fell And I accurs'd that have thus long surviv'd To fall a mis-becoming Sacrifice To Love by a disdainfull Ladies Eyes After so long concealment and so safe By Old Nearcus put in this disguise Bred as his Son but now I life despise And call to have that Justice on me done Which I have us'd much industry to shun Ormas You tell me wonders of a different kind Of which I shall enquire and if I find Valeriana stands ingag'd to you And all this story of your self prove True I will my best endeavors soon imploy This grosse mistake of me to rectifie Near If my addresse do find no good successe The businesse of my life shall be to dye And whether by your hand or by command From our great Queen it is the same to me The Princess must my life or death decree Ormas I shall conceal your Name untill I see I may reveal it with securitie And in few hours if my desires succeed You shall from all your doubts and fears be freed Near You will oblige me ever if you do Exit Near Ormas My hour is come to wait upon the Queen Unto Valeriana where this Newes I hope will bring me off from the first Rock By Valeriana to be thus lov'd And by Cleandra for another woo'd And by Nearcus kill'd I know not why To me is a new kind of Misterie Exit Enter Valeriana brought in very weak lying on a Couch with Physitians and Servants She speaks very faintly Valer Is not the Queen return'd to Court yet Lady No Madam Valer I wish she were my heart dissolves so fast That I do find I shall few minutes last She faints Doctor Your fancy does your weaknesse much increase This passion is the worst of your disease Enter Queen and Ormasdes she sets him to stand unseen Doctor Oh Madam you are much wish'd for here Queen Let all withdraw I must be private now Onely do you Ormasdes stand unseen How is it with my friend Val I 'm glad that you are come to close my Eyes My spirits waste so fast that I must dye Queen I hope not yet Valeriana Val A lasse Madam I had not liv'd till now But for the joy my broken heart conceives In hopes to hear Ormasdes is grown well Before I leave this World Queen 'T was the distemper of an Ague fit And he is now so farre from being sick That he without begs leave to visit you Val Me did you say to visit me Madam Will Ormasdes visit me is it so Queen Yes he 's without and does by me desire You will admit him Why are you silent Now my endeavours prosper to your wish Val Does wise Cleandra think it will be sit That I in such a passion leave this World As I shall do if I see Ormasdes I shame to think that he should see me dye Yet cannot chuse but wish it hartily Queen Shall I call him in then why do you doubt Val. Oh Madam I dare not see him must not You have said something to bring him hither Makes me fear to see him it must not be Queen Pray see him and let this great crime be mine His presence may your troubl'd heart revive Val He cannot Madam for 't is now too late I do feel here the heavy hand of Death Is crushing me to Ayre She faints in the Queens Arms. Queen Ormasdes your help she dies she dies He drawes and proffers to kill himself Ormas By all our Gods I will dye with her then Queen She lives again Ormasdes your help now He flings away his Sword and helps So let her head lye a little from us He kneels and holds her hand Ormas For Heav'n sake Madam tell what I must say Or what now must do is she not dead still Queen Does not her hand inform you that she lives Is it not warme Ormas Oh yes 't is warm but I who never dar'd Thus boldly touch a Ladies hand till now Understand not how to use it as I ought He kisses her Hand Queen There needs no other kindnesse then you shew How is it now Valeriana Val Well Madam too well I fear to last so I dare not look that way because I blush To think how I have scandaliz'd my Sex And how Ormasdes now is justified In his contempt of Women for my sake I have no power to take away my hand Yet dare not own to leave it with him longer Ormas Oh why what has Ormasdes ever done Justly to merrit this dissertion Val Pray Madam say something in my behalf Either to hide or to excuse my shame Queen Turn this way then and let your Eyes excuse That guilt which will Ormasdes disabuse They turn her Ormas She looks desperately ill Queen 'T is only weaknesse and no danger in 't Pray call her Servants and let us retire Ormas Retire you have engag'd me now so farre That I must see the Battle wonne or lost Before I can consent to a Retreat Queen 'T is late and she must sleep Ormas Why Madam so she may though I be by I 'le sit as silent as the God of sleep And here attend while her tir'd servants rest Queen You will not watch all night Ormasdes Ormas Oh but I will Madam watch night by night Till she recover This is my fixt Post Appointed by the Gods not your command Nor any force has power to take me hence While this good Sword will hold for my defence Takes up his sword Queen Why so fierce and violent Ormasdes I am much joy'd to see you thus concern'd And on this quarrel am not like to fight With such a man at Arms by Candle-light Ormas For Heav'n sake Madam pardon my rash words And disrespect unto your Majesty For I do scarce know what I say or do I am become a stranger to my self So suddainly transform'd that I would hide Me from your sight if I durst stir from hence Queen I will forgive so you 'l let me direct Your future actions I 'le your Love protect Ormas If you 'l command I gladly will obey Queen You must submit to what she does appoint Ormas Most willingly Valer sighs aloud and weeps Queen Does our discourse these sighs and tears produce Val You have said nothing that will need excuse These Tears slow from joy and gratitude To you great Queen who by this act include More pious pitty then past stories tell To make Ormasdes counterfeit so well This thought rais'd those unruly sighs you heard And Madam now it makes my soul afraid To see so great a courage thus submit To flatter me because you think it fit At your command to put on this disguise In kindnesse unto one he does despise Queen Do you then think his kindnesse counterfeit Can his great soul consent to
Valeriana Exeunt omnes Enter Nearcus Near 'T is strange I hear not of Ormasdes yet If he oblige me really I 'm his If not I shall resume my first resolves This his delay begets more jealousies Then my impatient burning heart can bear Enter Ormasdes Near Now Sir how have I prosper'd in your hands Ormas As you deserve Near How is that Ormas With much scorn rejected Near Is that my merrit in your opinion Ormas In mine as in Cleandras and in all Who have heard the ground of your false claim Which the fair Princess and her Servants tell A Treachery so base an act so foul That all do think Nearcus has no soul. Near This you dare justifie Ormas I had not dar'd to tell it else me thinks My looks might shew my businesse was to find You out and now to let you know I must Defend the Princess in a cause so just Before I knew Valerianas heart Or was at all acquainted with my own I judg'd your cause against her innocence But now inform'd the right from all I find No argument in Justice to compell Such a forc'd promise to Nearcus made Should now to Leonatus be perform'd Your jugling Arts and your disguised Name With your unworthy force ore throws your claim Near You are become a subtle Orator Since you convers'd with Ladies but I shall Your great Eloquence with this steel convince I am not to be frighted by big words We now must try the temper of our Swords Ormas We must indeed though I lament my hand Should harm a man unto the Queen aly'd Near Shall that scruple and this good Sword once more Teach you to call for help as heretofore Ormas I may change your opinion with my own Near Come then They Fight Ormasdes runs him through Disarms him Ormas Get Surgeons for Nearcus presently My hurt is slight Exit Ormasdes Enter Surgeons or Servants who carry off Nearcus Enter the Queen in Valerianas Chamber with her and attended by Old Titus Old Nearcus Lords and Ladies a full Train Queen 'T is by your good nature Valeriana That this mans evil spirit threatens us Had you reveal'd Nearcus treachery His punishment had suted with his crime Val Madam I do confesse my lenity May have imbolden'd him to higher ills Which my just complaint might have prevented But then how hard a censure should I gain By ruining so Eminent a man Who from his principles of honour fell Through love to me though I contemn'd his hopes His passion made me pitty his distresse So far as his first error to forgive In hope he might in better order live Queen You argue well and ought to justifie Your gentle disposition to forgive Mercy does a young Princess much adorn But I am bound to vindicate my self My Nation suffers if I be not just To punish crimes like this I break my trust He is the first that ever daâ—'d asperse The Citherean Name by such a fact As no past Chronicle can parallel I shake to think how great your danger was And how much greater might have been my shame To trust a man who values not his fame Val Let not his faults your anger higher raise The punishment he feels by ill successe Is a just doom for his unworthinesse Queen His sentence must to after times appear Lest my story be blemish'd with a thought That I did wink at such a crime as this My people will exclaim the Gods will frown If such a wickednesse unpunisht passe He must dye Valeriana his house Be burnt the ashes scatter'd in the Ayre With prayers t' appease our Citherian Gods We cannot offer a lesse Sacrifice Val For my sake let his doom be banishment If I have any favour in your Eyes Make not me guilty by that Sacrifice She kneels Queen Rise Madam you shall govern as you please Enter to them Ormasdes and Young Titus Queen Ormasdes are you hurt by that vil'd man Ormas It is too little to be call'd a wound I come now to beg Nearcus pardon 'T was I that did inforce him to this fight Val And I most wrong'd who freely do forgive Queen The wrong was done to me Valeriana I put you in his power my trust he broke My honour for your safety was ingag'd Our Nation suffers by his Villany The Citherean honour calls for Justice Against so barbarous a breach of Faith Nor was it you provok'd but were compell'd By him to fight for innocence aspers'd Ormas Madam though I shall never justifie Nearcus actions his misfortune may Admit excuse Because humane nature Is subject to passions which the best men Can never mannage as they ought how then May Valeriana's beauty guilty be That did excite Nearcus love and led Him into this distraction past his power To mannage his own heart as we think best If so 't is she has turn'd him to a Beast But when your Majesty shall call to mind The gallant service by this Mad-man done You will then pitty his Distraction Enter to them Nearcus brought in a Chair Queen What means this boldnesse Near Madam I come not to beg your pardon But to justifie my actions and my self Against Ormasdes who does now with-hold Valeriana my betroathed Wife Confirm'd by vows in presence of the Gods Queen Now Ormasdes is he fit for pardon Ormas Yes Madam as a distracted person Near Why do you wrong my person and my cause To call my just Title a distraction Do me Justice Cleandra or give me Death Queen You may have both your wishes in good time Cleobulus guard him to the Castle Val Pray Madam let his doom be banishment Because his Crime went not beyond intent Queen Madam he must thank you for his life then Cleobulus see him a close prisoner Untill his wounds permit his Banishment Near I do your proffer'd mercies all refuse And either Death or Valeriana chuse Queen Lead him to banishment make him obey Near Hold a little Cleandra look this way T is Leonatus calls he who at foyles The young Prince your Brother slew And fled your Fathers rage untill his death Then shelter'd by this borrow'd Name return'd And in Nearcus Family secur'd By this disguise liv'd as his only Son Who dyed as I return'd is it death yet Queen No this insolence shall not change your doom Nor your confest disguise long known to me Force a punishment beyond the merrit Of that sad mishap which I believe Was fatall accident no purpos'd crime Though my Father look'd on his onely Son By your hand slain with such revenging rage As might his losse become and him ingage To throw out vowes that Justice should persue So great a Traytor as he then thought you For your succession after me became His fancies object which encreas'd your blame But I who have exactly been inform'd Of my dead Brothers love and yours now must For that sad accident to you be just Near I 'le rather quit my innocence then own Your mercy when you Justice do
waking think it fit Now to accept this Ring and safer keep What he desires then when h' last did sleep I had some pleasure and no little pain To put it on and steal it off again But now since Gods and you do all agree Receive this bond of my Captivity Ormas I kiss the hand that freely gives it now May thunder strike me dead when I do bow To other Earthly Power or wish a blisse That Heaven can give the Gods allowing this Ormasdes heart shall into insence turn And in bright flames before this Altar burn So long as my fair Saint does not despise To look upon so mean a Sacrifice To you great Queen I know not what to say How to expresse a gratitude that may Declare the glory of your life to be A perfect pattern for Posteritie Qu. Brave Lord your Triumphs and your Trophies still Increase our wonder and our Nation fill With such Esteem as all my people may With Honour keep your Wedding Holy-day And in our Story after Ages show Friendship and Virtue did together grow FINIS PANDORA A Comedy By S ir WILLIAM KILLIGREW Vice-Chamberlaine to Her MAIESTY OXFORD Printed by Hen Hall Printer to the UNIVERSITY for Ric Davis 1666. The Names of the Actors The Prince of Syracusa Theodocia his Daughter Pandora a great Lady of the Prince his Family Lindamira a Lady of Quality Lonzartes Right Heire to the Principality Clearcus a Lord of the Prince his Kindred Silvander a young Lord of the Court. Aristonicus Three Councellors Clothero Three Councellors Ormuseus Three Councellors Teretia Ladies attending the Princess Philora Ladies attending the Princess Three more Attending Ladies For Pandora Three more Attending Ladies And Lindamira Men-Dancers VVomen-Dancers Sanga Lacquies and Geta. Lacquies An Old-VVoman The PROLOGVE LOvers to You I come without a Bribe From one that boasts himselfe of your own Tribe And therefore hopes that your good Natures may On his behalf above your Iudgments sway VVhat you 'le see here is naturall all pretence He disavowes to VVit or Eloquence VVith Friendship he presents you and with love Such as are wont in his free breast to move Such passions as he feels our Author writes And humours such as he observes indites From Conversation bringing to the Stage VVhat he does think will please the presents Age. And if you do not grudge your time here spent He will accept it for a Complement PANDORA OR THE CONVERTS The SCENE in Syracutia FIRST ACT. Enter Lonzartes and Clearchus in long Grey Cloaks over their Rich Cloaths with Sanga and Geta two Lacques carrying Lanthornes the two Lords Enter a private House the two Servants stay San. COme Geta our Lords have no more use of us we may go sleep Geta. 'T is a fair time indeed to sleep when day begins to break this is a lew'd life that our Lords do lead San Why man the Night was made for labourers to rest and for great Lords to Revel in come away Geta. My Lord is not half so ill as thine Sanga What 's that to thee or me come away wee 'l go to Beggars Hall and be as merry as our Lords Geta. No no I will no more â—ully my Credit in thy company I converse with our tall Dary-maid who affords me Honours thou canst not guesse at Sanga Oh the great Felicities that do belong to chast imbraces as I imagine San I like Imbraces well Geta I mean by Wedlock man San A Cox comb thou art and a Cuckold thou wilt be adiew Fool. Geta. Adiew Rogue Exeunt severally A noise within Re-enter Clearchus and Lonzartes in the Darke Clearcus Botts on thy slippery heeles we are undone Lon. Let us draw and stand upon guard I hear some call within Cle What was that strange noyse you made Lonza At the bottom of the staires I fell which gave the Alarum to the Doggs and they wak'd all the Family Enter Old-Woman Woman Oh my Lord what have you done all the House are up pray stand close a while are you alone Cle Yes yes Exit Old-woman Lonz Thou art a very Villain Clearcus thus to betray a poore Wench that loves thee and to force me accept a Favour I abhorre to think on Cle Be the blame mine I have no joy in any thing unlesse my friend participate If I have any skill in Woman you will thank me for this favour and say you never had the like of Angelica Lon Suppose she will not consent must I ravish her you say she knowes not of my coming Cle I swear she does not Lonz Would I were out again these Romances please not me pray how must I proceed Cle Thus she is in Bed the Room is dark I 'le entertaine her with discourse while you undresse then I 'le retire and soon returne with Light to let her see my friend and I must be as one man to her Lon I wonder all Women do not hate thee thou doest abuse all them that trust thee Cle You are deceiv'd Lonzartes such silly Girles do take it for a complement to recommend them to a Noble Friend Lonz Well I must now be subject to thy will and do submit to do what I detest me thinks this is a kind of Rape I undertake thou art too wild for my Converse Clearcus Clearcus Hold your peace Enter Old-Woman VVoman Hist hist my Lord Cle Here here VVoman Give me your hand softly softly follow me Exeunt Woman leading them off holding hands Enter the Old Prince of Syracusa with Silvander Aristonicus Clothero Ormuseus and Traine Prlnce How does Lonzartes bear his Suppression Aristonicus now he is full-man grown Ariston Like a wise man Sir that will not seem to see what he cannot remedy Pri I have better thoughts for him then he has for himselfe if Clearcus spoyle him not Ariston When more years have overcome some evils incident to youth I hope he will be worthy your highest favours Sir Prin Some of you should advise him to a little more sobriety then Clearcus will allow of I apprehend Silvander that the Corinthian will quarrel for my refusing to treat his Marriage with Theodosia whom I design another way she has aversion to him Sil The Princes's may be excus'd for her dislike unto so fierce a man the Corinthian Prince is all Fire and fury which does fright not winne affection Prin If Theodosia will be advised by me I shall provide better for her you know Lonzartes right Silvander if he were reclaim'd I would wish him to my Daughter Sil I have some thoughts Sir that Lonzartes does consort with wild Clearcus and complies in all his Vanities onely to avoid your jealousie of his higher thoughts of interest in the State he is no foole Sir Prin I wish it prove not too much his Nature to be so debauch'd for he has not higher thoughts of State-interest then I have for him he has been wrong'd Silvander and I will endeavour to do him right if hee 'l be worthy of it
and this is much cheaper then to give all the World at once for such an honour Cle Why do you mock me who truly love and honour you above all women by those Fair Eyes I do Lin How can I believe it when I know you talk thus to every woman that you meet Cle May my hopes neer prosper if you are not the onely object of my heart He offers to kiss her Hand Lin No touching good my Lord my affaires calls me away I must be gone Cle And I must wait on you home Madam Lin I le rather stay here this Twelve-month then give your Lordship that trouble Cle Am I such a Monster in the opinion of all women as you make me Lin I must take care you make not me one Oh happy deliverance Enter to them Theodocia and Pandora and Silvander Cle This is such a piece of nicety as I neer met before these are no company for me Exit The Stay Clearcus I would speak with you my Cousin Pandora tells me you Court Lindamira which her self does not much deny Cle I am practising I must confesse how to talk to Ladies and have learnt some speeches to that purpose whereof Lindamira has had her share Theod You have mocked her then and intend her only for your mirth He makes a legg Lin Methinks his silence and that legg shewes more love to me then I know what to do with aside Sil Excellent Girle how she playes with his wanton humour Enter to them Lonzartes Cle Nay if Lonzartes fall on me too I shall be over-whelmed with wisdome Lon Now there is some hope of him his look is Civillized already Pan Are you not pleased Clearcus to see the whole Court concerned for you to see your self so valued methinks it should stirre up the Noble Blood of your great Ancestors to set you on to such actions as may out-shine their stories and not loose one day more in your wild wayes Cle Madam Your Language and your looks agree with your great Soul I can be proud to be so taught when the Princess Theodocia and you direct 't were great stupidity to shew neglect but in my Opinion Madam one of a family is enough to be a Saint 't would take from great Lonzartes credit and render his conversion no rarity if I should become virtuous too in the same year The Pandora and I are much obliged to you for your good opinion of us I wish all our Sex were so too Cle. My opinion and my practise differ very much Madam I do honour virtue in your Sex as much as any man but my Tallent lies the other way Lonzartes does enough illustrate the Platonick Name and Eminently maintaine that high Sâ—raffick flame which is above my reach Lon Tell me now Clearcus is there not more rellish in this Conversation then with your Getinas and your Angelinas that blush shewes well there is some hopes of grace in that blush Cle Hold your pratling my conversion does not belong to you Lon I hope I may direct you to a Lady that will work that wonder Cle Hold your peace then till we be alone The Wee 'l be gone Pandora and not hinder so good a work you shall neither of you go with us â—but if you please Clearcus Lindamira may walk with you a little longer Cle No Madam I have enough of her already she out-wits me we shall neer agree Lin I have got credit enough for a young Souldier by my honourable retreat from so hot a charge Exeunt Silvander and Ladies Lon Let us now persue our Argument for thy Conversion Cle It comes on a pace what a fine Gentleman are you grown since the Spirit of Chastity has possest you and you hope thâ—t I will live chast that I may have the honour and felicity to be in love to be a fool to intangle my self in netts that I shall neer get out of I 'le none of it Lon Let my old Friendship so farre prevaile that on my request you will sometimes converse with â—andora if thy visits do ingage her to undertake thy cure and she do work that Miracle she must value what her self has made worthy of her self for so wilt thou be if thy wandring fancy were once fixt Cle So then all this bussle is to make me in love though you know I have been a thousand times in love already Lon I Clearcus I know thy thousands but I would have thee once in love Cle I never will be mad as you are yet to give you and the World satisfaction in this point I will condemne my selfe to one Moneths pennance and make experiment to look and talk as idlely with Pandora as you do with your Divinest Cloris If I were sure Pandora were not to be won I could fancy a pretty kind of pastime by raising my desires to hopes of what I cannot have but I could never meet a Woman yet that was impregnable and my nature is not capable of being converted by any that I can conquer Pray Sup at my Chamber this night Lon I will not fayle if you will go with me unto Pandora And visit her while this good motion 's warm 'Gainst all your fears I 'le fit you with a charm Cle I go Exeunt Enter Pandora with Lindamira and Ladies in her Chamber and Silvander Pand Lindamira you must be my second they will be two to one else Lin Gladly Madam I cannot wish a gentler Enemy then him that thinks he has me at his mercy Pan But if you be over-sharp upon him you may hinder the great work we undertake and make him hate all honest Women for our sakes Lin I shall use him with more Art and lead him on with hopes that all our Sex do scramble for him if I can fit his Fancy and his Wit I 'le ingage him in a concerne for you and then mannage my young Gallant to my will till I confute his common places so often urged to the prejudice of Ladies I cannot fancy better sport then to see 〈◊〉 mad in love with you Madam Pan The Gods forbid I would not cure him at that rate for my own sake and his left that prove a greater evil then he now has I shall be very careful to give him no incouragement for thoughts of that nature my undertaking is not beyond a common civility as to all others of his Rank Lin That will do it if I mistake not and catch you both I hope here he comes Enter Lonzartes and Clearcus Lon Madam I have brought my Friend to kiss your hand Cle Thus farre Madam in order to my ingagement I have given you the trouble of the first visit I ever made against my will Pan Your Lordship does me honour came you now from Court Cle Yes Madam and left the Princess Theodocia in great complements with her kind Father who has now declared against the proud Corinthian and given Theodocia her free choice where she please Pan You tell me Newes beyond my
hopes this will raise the Princess drooping Spirits again I wonder she is not here by this time Lon The Duke and she are not yet parted Madam how now Lindamira are you tonguetyed no welcome for my Friend to encourage him to like of civil company You look as if you feared to loose your Gallant Cle No no she knowes she has too fast hold of my heart to part so easily Lin 'T is honour enough for me to be in the number of your Martyrs Sir She Sighes Pan How long have you two been acquainted Lin Ever since last night Madam She Sighes Pan And dost thou sigh already Lin 'T is only to give you warning by my harmes Pan I thank your care but I am arm'd against the Worldâ— Cle That 's good Newes Lonzartes there is some hope she has made firme resolves against Wedlock that I may assault her with security Aside Lon You may you may Cle Madam You speak as if you held mankind at a defiance Pan By way of Marriage I do but I can value all men that I see worthy Cle He must be a bold man who does designe beyond the favours you allow but have you made vowes against marriage Madam Pan No vowes but such resolves as are unchangeable Lon You are severe to men Lin If all Women were of your opinion Madam how should the World be Peopled Cle I marry Madam that was well urg'd Pan. I thought Lindamira you would have been on my side Lin So I am when you are in the right this is our common cause Suppose you bring these two Lords and they bring twenty more to be of your judgment and this Heresie should spread what will become of us who think of nothing else but Marriage Lon She tells you true Madam when her own concern is at stake you may excuse her Pan I do and will make good my argument alone Cle Never to marry Madam Pan Never my Lord is my full resolve Cle You are the happiest and the wisest Lady living and I the joyfullest man if you 'l permit me to adore you at this distance for I am of your own opinion Madam Lin Two Fannaticks well met Pan So long as your respects be free from love my house is open to you Cle You are all witnesses that this Lady does adopt me her avow'd Gallant on the conditions before mentioned you give me leave Madam to talk of love and to carry up this jest as high as he who really does love Pan I do so it be ever in publick all private visits and all whisperings are excepted Cle 'T is enough Madam This is a pretty kind of Entertainment I never thought of Lonzartes thou art in the right this will he sport beyond my hope Lon. But how does Lindamira like to see her new Gallant thus taken from her Cle 'T is her own fault she might have â—ix'd me another way if she had been wise Pan Indeed Lindamira I thought not of your concern and did conclude too rashy but I will use my interest on your behalf Lin 'T will not be needfull Madam I know all his professions to you are meant to me Cle Very prettily contrived This is a new kind of wit I never heard of so then you are to love me in spite of your Teeth and I you and I you in spite of mine what will this come to at last Lon Mirth man all the year a constant mirth Is not this better then spending your time in a smoaky house with your old Acquaintance Cle I cannot tell you that till I have tryed this as long as I have the other Lin Pray my Lord do not peswade your Friend all this earnest is a jest I allow you as much mirth as you please so the conclusion be serious Pan We must leave the successe unto the Fates Clearcus may in time have pitty on you Lindamira he does not yet believe you are in earnest Cle Nor ever shall do Madam till I see her heart break and then 't will be too late Lin He dissembles well for so young a Schollar Madam Lon We have donâ— all well methinks and now t is time that we retire Cle How soon may I make my next visit to you Madam Pan As often as you please my Lord at publique houres Exeunt Silvander and the two Lords Lin How did I perform my part Madam Pan You fell too soon into your humour he sees you mock him Lin That 's all I ayme at he has too much wit to be abused my onely business is to let him see that he cannot cozen me I believe you will see this Sceen changed at his next visit if I have any skill you will be troubled with him Pan I am arm'd at all points against all men and him most Enter Theodocia and Ladies The Oh Cousin I am freed from all my fears and come to rejoyce with you Pan. I have rejoyced already Madam and have begun a Sceen of mirth will hold us long Had your Highnesse come a little sooner you had found the late Convert Lonzartes and his Friend Clearcus here who is become my avowed Gallant and looks as if he liked our company already The Then you have hopes to cure him Pray order it so as I may come to your next meeting my heart is now so light that I could play with any thing Can I have no part in your Comedy Lin For two reasons your Highness can onely be a looker on 't is petty Treason to make love to you though in jest and then your beauty is too dangerous to be dallied with these be edge-tools too sharp for us to play with The Why may not Princes participate in such innocent mirthâ— we make stricter Rules then need true virtue will shine through such thin clouds without a prejudice and be above the reach of vile Tongues Pan I Madam if you could shew a rule to distinguish between Innocence and Guilt But we often see that Angelical virtues are aspersed by malicious tongues and no quality exempt from rude censures Lin I differ in opinion Princes may enjoy harmlesse mirth as freely as we to be too much reserved does look like disguise The I would be so merry Lindamira as should defie all scandall and with an open face justifie it to the World to wear alwayes a stiff-state look is intollerable Pan Private persons may be bold that way when few Eyes observe But Princes are set on Pirameds for all to see and imitate The You shall not fright me from your mirth with this grave Lecture are they not both my near Relations whom you endeavour to reclaime why may not I share it so worthy a designe I fear Lindamira she doubts lest I may gain her Gallant from her Lin She may well be jealous if your Highnesse undertake him I shall have small hopes if you two quarrel for him The Why Lindamira is Silvander vanished Lin No Madam the more Trophies I can fairly get by Victories on others
and night are ours to Revel in we will be so merry that our hearts shall seem much lighter then our heels Enter Sanga Sanga Lonzartes and Silvander are without Cle They are come as I could wish I 'le entertain 'um as they deserve they are my kind chast virtuous well-wishing spies pray Exeunt Dancers retire all into that Gallery while I dispatch my Court-Friends Sanga shut the windowes close then call 'um in and say that I am grown sad of late monstrous sad Now for a grave face to suit with my Exit Sanga disquise I have some fear my sides will burst with holding in my laughter He sits in a sad posture Enter Sanga with Lonzartes and Silvander Sanga Softly pray for a strange Melancholy has seiz'd him on the suddain He is now talking to Pandora Sil She is not here San He entertains her Idea in her absence with the same passion he would her the only sure way for a lovers happinesse hark Cle Blessed Angel turn not away these tears must be my daily Incence offer'd at your feet if you refuse this Tribute from my captiv'd heart you 'l turn the Elizium I enjoy to Hell Oh stay and take my Soul with thee that gentle look that Lon Why so sad fond lover let not one repulse dismay so great a Lon interrupts him Conqueror thy next charge may prove more prosperous we come to councel thee Clearcus and to raise thy drooping Spirits by new hopes Cle Or to laugh at my affliction whose Soul is sunk so low by my dispair that all my Spirits are vanished I must submit to my Cativity Lonzartes He sighes Lon That sigh had almost blown me over yet I am glad to see this and am now full satisfied thou art in love in love Clearcus let me imbrace my fellow-Prisoner we will now shake our shackles to the same sad tune together Cle I know you come to mock me but I must bear it Lon Oh no! who can have so hard a heart we pitty you and have some fears Pandoras heart will break when we relate your mighty sufferings but if I should sit thus in the dark would it create the like Angelical Idea in my brain Clearcus Cle This is barbarous to catch a Lyon in your Toyles and bait him like an Asse thus to render my passion Ridiculous will beget Pandoras scorn and may prove my destruction Lon If she discern not your passion how can she proportion her favours to your merrit Cle Do I deserve this mirth from you thus to heighten my affliction Lon Do you not all that I can do this Twelve-month will not bring me on equal termes for thy abuses remember how you held me to the Ladies and made me your mirth by which scandal you destroy'd my credit with the Princess this is my revenge ha ha Cle 'T was a great scandal indeed to procure you the Princess leave to love her by my means you have obtain'd a happinesse beyond your hopes which all your whining Poetry or your Eternall sighes could never reach for which special service prethee good sweet Lonzartes spare me by our old Friendship I do beg by Hangs on him thy own virtue and unparalel'd chast heart I do conjure thee not to raise a publique mirth out of my Souls sorrow which you have brought me to Lon Well then if I find you do continue thus humbly penitent and truly thus afflicted I will shew more mercy then I found from Embraces Clearcus you come chear up we will sigh and condole together and if possible so order our sad hearts that both may the same moment break and infect the World with such a sorrow as may fright the Female Sex from like rigour unto men so shall we become a Noble Sacrifice to love for the good of a whole Nation or if you please wee 'l send for some of our old Gang to dance and drink these Melancholly vapours from our hearts to let the Ladies see their Beauties are not so destructive as we make them believe Clearcus Imbraces Lonzartes with great joy Cle I marry Lonzartes now thou talkest like a Phylosopher now thou prescribest the onely remedy for our disease Sanga bid the Musick strike a chearful Ayre and then call in those Friends in the next Room Nay if you allow this way of cure I shall soon expel loves venome from my heart into my heeles Embraces Lon Lon What is all this Clearcus art thou mad still Lonzartes starts back Cle I am wise and do not mean to quit my cool pleasant flowry paths for your consuming flames of restless love who walke on tops of Steeples and at that height plead that your chast desires are pleasing to the Gods But I who know the end of such fair flashes as at first appear with such folded Armes and down cast looks are but steps to approach the Ladies fingers ends Then by degrees grown bolder you aspire Till nought but ruine quench the subtle fire Enter Dancers Lon what doest thou mean by this misterious language and this Rabble here Cle I mean to follow thy advise to sigh only when I make love to Ladies their backs turn'd I mean to dance and sing as often as I can that their neglects may pierce no deeper then their Eyes discern here Lonzartes this Girle will cure the bite of a Tarantula and drive the poyson from thy heart Lon Out Hypocrite is this thy love unto Pandora was all thy passions counterfeit the other day Cle No 't was fairly growing up to equal thine in all sincerity of Noble thoughts But the nice Lady would not permit it to take so deep root as yours before she blasted all my hopes and in a moment let me see that love is like a bitter poâ—ion which many tast and flying away rather chusing their disease then so ill a relished remedy This made me return to my old Antidotes Lonzartes what think you of a heat or two before you go call in the Musique Sil Pandora was to blame to throw him off so rashly Lon Let us retyre Silvander this Ayre is infected Exeunt Lonzartes and Silvander Cle Go whine fond Lover go whine I say go whine While we chear our hearts with Wenches and Wine I say go whine Exeunt omnes HERETHEY DANCE Enter Lonzartes Lindamira and Ladies Lin I do not wonder that he is fallen off 't was what I feared when his passion went so high I saw Pandora was concern'd but we will bring it on again Lon You are mistaken Madam all he said then was jest for he is now as mad as ever I left him Incirculed with six wild men and as many wanton Girles prepar'd to Dance and Revel all the Night Lin There is no harm in Dancing my Lord unlesse they do catch cold you judge Clearcus by what is past but when I see him with Pandora next I 'le give my opinion of his concern Lon By what means may their meeting be procured Lin Wee 'l think on 't Enter
Theodocia and Ladies to them The I am sorry Lonzartes that Pandora has cast off Clearcus which has occasioned his relapse when a little patience would have setled him in the way of virtue Lon 'T is every way what I expected not his love was as strange as his rejection and his relapse in the old humour beyond all the rest I know not what to think of him Lin Let us bring them once more together and I 'le undertake to guesse at both their hearts it may be govern ' um Lon I Madam but how shall they be brought together when both would rather see a Basaliske then one another Lin You may be mistaken my Lord who judge by what you see when 't is our businesse and our virtue not to shew our hearts 'till a full tryal that men are worthy of them then you forget that Clearcus conversion must be by one he cannot conquer The But if he will neither conquer nor be subdued how can his conversion follow Lin If your Highnesse can contrive an interview I have a fancy in my head that may reconcile them and effect what we all wish The I will send presently for Pandora and intreat my Father to pretend some businesse to call Clearcus hither Lon He will suspect Lin Let him come no matter what he suspects The Do you Lonzartes once more see what humour he is in We must endeavour and not fear to try But trust the Event unto their destiny Exeunt severally Enter Duke with Silvander and Lords Duke I ever thought Clearcus did but mock and laugh at their designes his Brain is not yet ripe for serious Love But how does Theodocia look on Lonzartes Sil With much neglect Sir Duke That is not well have you Silvander instructed Lindamira that she may inform Theodocia of Lonzartes Title to this Dukedome and how much better then a Forraine Prince her Marrying him will be applauded by our people who are not ignorant of his pretence Sil I have Sir and the Princess gives a serious ear to it though she yet makes no reply a little of your Councel and Authority I believe may incline her to a better value of him Duke That shall not be wanting Lonzartes is all that I can wish in a Successor and his love looks so without design that I will cherish it and try to win my Daughter to comply Sil Your Highness will gain a double interest in all your Subjects hearts by this honour to Lonzartes who has merrits proportionable to your favour and his birth all which his love gives Lustre to Duke I see it Silvander and will recompence his Faith and his Humility with my advice to Theodocia who yet knowes not his story Sil The Princess must needs hear what every body talks and all do wish Duke I shall now inform her fully of Lonzartes Right too long held from him bid him meet me at my Daughters Chamber I will no longer hide my purpose for him His Birth and Virtue with his constant Love Declares he never can unworthy prove Exeunt THE FIFTH ACT. Enter Lonzartes and Clearcus Cle NO I 'le never see her more Lon Do you not love at all Cle Nor ever will methinks Love is like a smooth Water that invites men to Bath and tumble in it with delight untill they be destroyed by Serpents which in the bottom undiscover'd lie Lon What means this similie Cle This Serpents bite has Metamorphized you into a whining lover into the shaddow of a man of late become a shape without a Soul why must I busie my head with such Chymeras's when I can please my self to my hearts wish my own way Prethee sweet suppress'd Prince do not forsake me thus for specious shewes of happinesse or vaner hopes of better dayes then you will ever find in Court You are now safe but when you grow wise and serious it will in the Dukes head great jealousies create to let him see your Virtue may be dangerous and your pretence appear worthy of his fear Lon That hazzard is better then what I now suffer in the opinion of my best Friends who believe this wildnesse is my Nature or such as may beget a habit in me which I can nee'r put off and thus my security in this disguise may become my ruine I wish I could perswad you Clearcus to shew forth that Virtue all the World would wonder at Cle To what end I pray if the good Duke would give me imployment fit for his Kinsman and worthy of my Sword I could soon be my self But now I have nothing else to do and therefore play away my time in folly and 't is a hard question which is best for we know that too much wisdome does undoe more men then it advances or else begets Eternal slavery to State Affairs where the wisest ever walk on needles points I have weighed these things and do believe 't is better to maintain the peace and the security I now live in unregarded then to be advanc'd according to my birth Lon But you will loose the Dukes favour and become contemptable to the whole Court if you continue thus extravagant what designe can I have by my desire to see you great and glorious Cle. Have I not tryed and been misled yielded to your wise Maximes against my own better judgment and been rejected in the height of my endeavours to be as you call it great and glorious is not this true does not Pandora with the whole Court scorne me but for seeming wise Lon Yes in part 'cause they believe it not Cle I will no more of your advice 'till you can cure your self Lon I have an Honourable Argument for my love Cle Who has not untill he be dispis'd Lon Was it not your own desire to be neglected did you not declare against all Women that you could conquer you left Pandora no way for Victory but by rejecting you so that I can conclude a good suâ—csess from what you raise dispair Cle Ha! think you Pandora did reject me in compliance with my humour only Lonzar What else can she be angry with you for loving her too much Cle You do surprize me with a discourse I look'd not for but I will be no more abus'd I will not see her Lonzar How can you be reconcil'd then shall she make love to you Cle No I abhorre that thought beyond her anger a woman Wooe that were preposterous Lon Will you treat by Embassadours and Wed by Proxie Clear Nor so that 's only fit for Princes who cannot meet to treat Lon Will you have her if she declares she would have you Cle I shall never like her change of mind Lon Can ' you tell whether you would have her or not Cle That 's a harder question then the other Lon Will you have her by compulsion Cle. That were a Tyranny would make her hate me ever Lon Shall the Duke by his Prerogative power in spight of both your teeth compel you both to
word and marry that may do your work for I once knew a Lady who chose to marry an importunate Sutor that she might be rid of him and was so for soon after marriage they parted and never met more Pan You are allwayes in jest I would have serious councell now Lin You have had my story twice over to no purpose Duke By all my observations I cannot judge whether Clearcus or you Pandora be most extravagant Lin Your Highnesse may do well to put them into the Colledge of half mad Folks where they will either cure one another or become quite mad together when their disease is known some remedy may be found 't is now past judgment what either of them ayle The Lindamira saies well 't is very strange you will not declare so farre as to let us see how we may serve you Pan Do but leave me to my self and I am well Madam The Many sick people are of that opinion when in most danger and must therefore by their friends be govern'd Pan As many healthy people think themselves sick when they are not and by seeking Remedies for nothing do create evils they never can finde cure for such high passions as Lindamira's do never let us rest in peace but do create perpetuall storms Lin You argue well Madam if a dull calme were the onely happinesse appointed us on Earth then one degree from being a sleep would prove our greatest bliss sure no age did e're produce two such Icy-hearted Ladies as the Princess and you Enter to them Lonzartes and Clearcus Lin Here comes a Homely and a Jigg hand in hand now for the second part to the same tune Of love me and love me not Duke Clearcus it troubles me to see you delight in a retired darknesse or else to walk in such clouds as we cannot see through I would perswade you to regain Pandora's good opinion Cle Is the mistery of love to be discuss'd in publique Sir Duke With us who are so near alli'd unto you both I think it may because we all know what you both profess in private and now desire to hear what you will face to face avow and we intreat you Pandora first to shew why you threw off Clearcus Pan You do amaze me Sir to examine me as a Criminal Duke You have no cause for this displeasure Pandora but mis-judge our love and our respects we know your worth and would to the World Illustrate that virtue you design to smother by a single life I allow your purpose did become your younger dayes and did expresse an Angelicall innocence but I question whether now on mature judgment you may not do better for your self and us to reclaim Clearcus Pan You demand impossibilities from me for if I should change my mind he will change his too Pray shew me a rule to reclaim him by before you do condemn me Duke We onely desire you will afford him the same civility as did first induce him to adore that Virtue he dispised before Pan I have done this The You did begin but you gave o're too soon Lin And all her kindness but in jest too Madam which he discern'd Duke How do you answer this Lindamira was of your Councel Pan I undertook him but in jest and was by him injoyn'd to such severity as I perform'd and 't was then thought the onely way to vindicate our Sex and to work his conversion which he at first did counterfeit so well as to deceive and fright me from his farther visits Lin Was his love so terrible Pan To me it was who thought him uncapable of ever having noble thoughts for any of our Sex Duke But when you found him growing worthy why did you not cherish that virtue as your own Creation Lin Because she fear'd her Virgin vow might be defil'd by owning such a Manâ—child of her own begetting for he began to aske her blessing 'till she laugh'd him into so great anger that one day he proffer'd to kill himself which gave end unto our Comedy Pan If his cure had lain within the reach of Raleary I had gloried in my part but never shall consent to inslave my self unto the humours of a man who cannot be a minute in one mind his imaginations are beyond the Moon and would have he knowes not what Duke Clearcus you have heard your charge Guilty or not Guilty Lin Guilty Sir Cle I shall never want your good word Madam Lindamira tells you true Sir I am guilty Duke Of what Cle Of all the crimes that offended Lady does object pray Sir pronounce my doom and put me out of pain Duke Will you submit then and obey it Cle If it can put me out of pain I will Duke I doubt it not my sentence is that you revive that love you shew'd unto Pandora lately Cle Oh Sir the very name of Love puts me into a shaking fit for Heavens sake give me Halters Poysons Daggers any means to let out life rather then renew those torments which I felt that hour I lov'd Lin Pray Sir give me leave to put him some Interrogatories Duke Do so Lin Your Lordship has confest that you have lov'd one hour and must have some reason why you lov'd no longer shew us that reason or for ever hold your peace and submit to judgment The How Clearcus nonplust by a Judge in Petticoates Clearcus stands mute Lin Why Madam many of our Sex have puzled the wisest men give him leave to think a little but if what I have said has struck your Lordship dumb hold up your Finger 't is enough He has He hold it up nothing to say for himself but submits unto the mercy of the Court I understand him Sir and have now found a remedy for both their evils If you will trust me with your hand my Lord I will not harm it and if I have credit enough Madam to be trusted with your hand Clearcus gives his hand too pray lay it without fear on mine that I may try a charm I have to conjure out the evil Spirits that possesse you both you may at your own pleasure take back your hands only let me hold 'um while I pronounce my charm within Pandora turns away Duk. Pandora I intreat you to try Lindamira's charm give her your hand she deals not with the Divel Pandora gives her hand Lin The Divel I work by Sir is truth drest in her rich Robe of Innocence if truth do not convince both these Delinquents my charm will have no power on them My Lord you have in this great Assembly often said that you could never value any Woman you could win if now you have found this Lady as impregnable as you can wish she is your fate hold Sir remember you are dumb 'till I He proffers to speak have done Now Madam I must speak serious sence to you who stand here the expectation and the wish of all the Court yet I know you must not consent to give your hand to
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
alone my guilts have merrited what e're can fall on me Do but command me to remove my hand and I 'le obey that you may see how much your power prevails above my fear of Lindamira's threats If so I may divert your harms I will against my Nature and my Faith destroy all hopes of future bliss to pull this ruine on my self which else may light on you Say must it be Pandora sits silent a while Pan If I command your hands remove and her curse should after follow you my unblemish'd innocense may suffer more then all your crimes can merrit I have no faith in charmes nor cause to apprehend her curses can reach me and yet My doubts and fears my reason does dismay I know not what to do nor what to say The Wonder is so great I am afraid Aside Some god this Serpent has an Angel made And now indow'd him with Coelestial Art To force obedience from my stubborn heart Cle 'T is worthy your consult before you do destroy a body and soule here a ready Sacrifice to set you free for now I find that Lindamira's charm does higher work And now again that dazling light display Which did my heart in flame the other day Ye Gods I do implore your power to move Aside The bright Pandora to allow my love 'T will be the same if now Clearcus dies By Thunder struck or by Pandora's Eyes Pan Lindamira's virtue and her wit are much more powerfull then her charms which I contemn but you my Lord have now by chance thrown out such words I shake to think on Your body and your Soul are now at stake you say and by your looks I read you think our Fortunes and our Fates depend on my reply and so do I this is then too great a work for so few minutes to dispatch we must look up Clearcus and from above seek ayde 'T is piety when we our hearts submit To undergo what e're the Gods think fit Cle 'T is so let us hasten to the Temple then there Celebrate They rise up This happy issue of so strange contest Wrought by the gods must by the gods be blest He kisses her hand three or four times in joy Cle Where is this powerfull Sibell gone whose Sacred Charms do dis-inchant fantastick hearts Lin I am here Sir with witnesse enough to hold Pandora to her word Cle Let me adore thy Divine virtue Lindamira who hath shew'd such skill to raise dead folks to life for we were dead in follies and are now become true converts Sir Duke This is great Newes you are both well come to your Wits again which does declare Lindamira a great Artist The What sayes Pandora for her self Pan I have both waies done too much either to excuse or justifie my self silence becomes me Madam Lin Let the Clock strike twice before we credit what they say or else make all sure by I Clearcus take thee Pandora c. Duke Lindamira is my Oracle give me your hand Pandora and yours Clearcus May they most wretched live and cursed dye Who shall this knot endeavour to untye The My prayers concur with yours Sir and now dear Cousin what I wish'd is come to passe that you and I might on the same day be Married Thus for our good we see the Gods fulfill What they designe though much against our will Pan Your great example Madam is sufficiennt to lead me from all my own resolves to follow you and if now Clearcus be reclaim'd we must own all our happinesse to Lindamira's wit who has conquer'd both when neither of us could subdue the other And now Clearcus I hope will seek occasions to shew the World by his own actions the Noble stock he is descended from Cle By your permission Madam I shall set my heart towards my Prince his and my Countries Service I beg imployment Sir on the next Gallies you send out lest idlenesse corrupt my busie brain Lin Mark that Sir he is allready wavering Madam take heed how you take the spirit of uncertainty in the habit of a man Pan You speak too late the uncertain man is now my certain fate Cle Some diversions are necessary Madam to look on the same objects ever dulls and tyres the best Eyes but Lindamira can say nothing I dare contradict Duke You shall command in Chief Clearcus to shew the World the vigour you have too long hid Lon Joyes on joyes light on Clearcus head They embrace Cle May those joyes be Multiplied on you Sir my Redeemer and now become my Prince Dukâ— We must conclude this happy day Lindamira by joyning Silvanders hand with yours if your mirth will give us leave to be so serious Lin That is a serious jest Sir I have long look'd for Duk. Come near Silvander which of you two is most pleas'd now Both. I sir. Duke Who spoke first Both. I Sir Duke This is a good Omen to a joyfull life may you be both as happy as ever love made any Sil We are happy to our wish Sir Lin He speaks for himself Sir on hopes of more then he may find Duke Wee 'l Celebrate these Weddings suddainly and see that Lindamira's praise be in loud Hymenealls Sung through all the City to incourage the like Virtuous and Noble undertakings Lin I thank your Highnesse for your good opinion but shall love you for this gift of my Silvander above all your other favours Now Silvander Let us dwell Arme in Arme and dayly show Our loves increase that all the World may know Our hearts Now the Fair Princess does confesse That Wedlock may afford true Happinesse EPILOGUE LADIES Our Author has so great Respect To your Fair Sex he fears some grosse Defect In his best Characters may prove so short Of your perfections he needs pardon for 't If such sad fate do now attend his Play In 's Cloak thus muffl'd he will sneak away But if you lik't he will on tip-toe go That all the World may the proud Author know FINIS a Phillocles Embraces his Sister Ordella and leads her out after the Emperor b Onely Selindra stayes and sits in a Chair c Cleonel returns