Edward Howard
1624 - c.1700
Me lectori credere mallem,
Quam spectatoris fastidia ferre superbi.
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The First Prologue.
Enter Angel and Underhill.
to day, that I could caper from one end of our Stage to the
other.
I fear, Mr. Angel, you are too jocund before-hand; Wit is grown a
ticklish thing of late, and how our Play will take, is some question.
Take, why there's no doubt of it's taking, -- To which purpose be
it
known to all here present, that we are to act a Farce to day, that hath sixteen
Mimicks in it, several Jack-Puddings, and Punchinellos, never presented
before, with two and thirty Dances and Jiggs a-la-mode besides.
A Farce to day, say you?
Yes, & I hope to morrow, and to morrow, and so to the end of our
lives.
Must we still persist then to fool Wit out of countenance, and so bid
farewel to good Plays and Comedy for ever?
We must, as I take it, until there are Poets that can write them.
In the mean time, we are like to maintain a despicable Stage.
And why so, Sir, ought not that which gets the most money, be held
the best Wit? I suppose our Company are much of that opinion.
However, as I am an Actor, and bound to honour true Mirth and
Comedy,
I am so far concern'd, that I could wish the Scaramuchos, and Jack-Puddings
were sent to their proper Stages, since Plays are now grown so
greasie
with French Lard, that an Actor do's not know how to handle them.
My right reverend Comedian, you are not wise, and thus I demonstrate
it -- I will play a Farce ten to one against a Comedy, Tragi-comedy,
or
any Heroick Play whatsoever.
And be sure it will take?
I told you before, that was no question -- nay more, I can assure you,
that many good Wits of the Town encourage it, who damn all Plays
besides.
Perhaps in compassion to us Actors, or out of contempt to the Writers
of this Age, whose Wit they judge cannot reach the elevation of their
Brain.
No matter whether it be from the Poles above, or the Poles below, I
am sure they are better then Pole-stars to us, provided they dispense their
influence
often here.
And what shall become of the new Play, intended to have been this
day
presented?
Why, our Actors have soberly resolved, it shall be deferr'd
to some
other time.
As I hope to act good part again, I am sorry
for it; but is it
certain?
There is nothing certain in the world,
though 'tis so concluded,
unless some unexpected prohibition, or Fate hinder
it -- but 'tis almost
time.Enter Noakes.
We withdraw in order to our parts and properties -- here comes Mr.
Noakes
ready drest.
Then I perceive we shall have a Farce to purpose, and 'tis
odds, but
he personates one beetle-brow'd Fellow or other.
[page break]
O Mr. Noaks, you have habited your self very properly.
According to my best apprehension, Gentlemen.
But you
should not have entred with your face grim'd, 'twill discover
too much of our
Farces plot before-hand.
There's good design in it, I warrant you.
But what shall we do for a Prologue?
Leave that to me,
Sirs, I'le give u'm one a new way.
Mark that, Mr. Underhill; and shall
we have a novelty in our
Prologue, Mr. Noakes?
I have devised it
purposely, because a new way is generally taking in
what kind soever.
I
am much of that opinion, since I have observed that new non-sense
is valued
more then old Wit.
What think you then, if I speak to all the Judges
in the Pit by looks
and grimasks?
A rare and prodigious thought! I
have known a device like this, serve
well in a Play.
And hath been
thought a good Scene too.
And first on you Criticks, I'le leer thus,
like a Satyr; for the
moderate Wits thus; for ho, ho, ho's, who laugh in
such good earnest, when
there is no Jest given them, comically thus.Enter Changling.
No more of your grimasks, good Mr. Noakes.
And why so,
Sir?
Because I have consider'd better, and since 'tis resolv'd, we shall
have a Prologue to our Farce, here is one shall give it u'm the Farce way
exactly.[To the Changling.]
There's nothing better -- the very Pudding of our Farce that must
fill the Audience up to the throat with laughter.
Since you will have
it so, you shall find me reasonable; I confess
'tis a pretty toyish modish way.
And what is most extraordinary, he shall dance out a Prologue.
A Prologue to be danced, aha, aha, Boys.[Angel leaps.]
And I make Still-Musick with my mouth the whilst, shall I, Sirs?
'Tis not amiss; come hither, Changling, and set your feet, and looks
in order for the Prologue.
Shall it be with my face, feet, and hands, tredoudling thus?
'Tis very innocent and well.
Il'e warrant you, I'le tredoudle it so, that it shall take to
purpose.
Musick there for the Prologue.The Musick plays, he dances a while, then is heard a noise with
Thunder and Lightning, at which time Ben. Johnson personated rises from
below.
Ha, Thunder and Lightning! -- I hope the Madam Muses are not
displeas'd with us.
But what apparition is this moving towards us?
As I am an Actor, 'tis the Genius of the old Comick Poet Ben.
Johnson,
I know it by his Picture that hangs up in the
Strand.
Fly, fly, Associates, there's no being on the Stage longer, for us of the
Farce party.[They go off several ways.]
After which Ben. Johnson personated, goes up to the Audience, and
speaks
a Prologue.
The Second Prologue personated like Ben Johnson rising from
below.
Behold I Ben appear, your Poet once,
That living durst a vengeance here denounce
On all the Stages Crimes,
and Judges dare
To make my Wit their sense, or else their fear;
Thus
have I left th' Elizium Shades and Groves,
The sacred Mansions of the
Muses Loves,
Where I my Bays till now unwither'd saw
In my immortal
Plays, that here gave Law.
But now provok'd, the Muses quarrel take,
And
from their call thus my appearance make;
Did I instruct you (well ne're half
an Age)
To understand the Grandeur of the Stage,
With the exactest Rules
of Comedy,
Yet now y'are pleased with Wits low frippery,
Admitting
Farce, the trifling mode of France,
T'infect you with fantastick
ignorance,
Forgetting 'twas your glory to behold,
Plays wisely form'd,
such as I made of old;
But by my Bays I swear, if you persist,
And my
Judicious Cautions hence resist,
I'le next rise with the Furies from below,
That scourge vile Poets there with Scorpions too,
And with those
circl'd, hiss at you, and them,
Except the Scenes just Grandeur you redeem;
Thus for your Crimes, but what this day will be,
The fate and merit of
the Play you'l see;
I scarce divine, nor did its Author raise
Me by a
Poets charm to give him praise.
I never had an Ear was sooth'd by Rhime,
Or flatter'd to protect a Writers crime.
And might this Authors modesty
offend,
Should my Encomium here his Play commend;
Who now prevents it,
whilest methinks I hear
A whisper of his doubtings in my ear;
His fears
are many, there's such Fate in Wit,
That Plays from fortune more then merit
hit,
Whose Muse would blush for such a guilty chance,
Since 'twere the
bounty of your ignorance.
But though your crimes in judgment he forbears,
Take heed, how Ben provok'd, once more appears.
Third Prologue.
You see what little Arts w'are fain to try,
To give a Prologue
some variety;
Wit you have had, perhaps, in many new,
Though Farce, and
Dance, (your much lov'd mirth) in few.
But why Great Johnson's Ghost should thus appear,
As if to
hector Wits, and Criticks here,
Who (if the Devil were Poet)
would not fear?
'Twas a bold Fiction, and so let it go,
Yet thus far 'tis instructive
unto you;
That should you recollect your Judging Crimes,
The Ribaldry of
Plays in Prose, and Rhimes,
Johnson might rise indeed, and own it
true.
His Plays were Laws to Wit, and Plot well told,
But such you slight,
(though wise) because th'are old;
And well it is for Writers, since that way
You might expect from all who write a Play.
True Comedy, the moral Mirth of Plays,
Lives now the glory of dead
Poets Bays,
And like the Phoenix (though confess'd to be)
Produces few
of her Posterity.
So rare a piece, our Poet dares not say
You now shall see, but as
weak Pencils may
From Titian, or Vandike example take,
And
in their figures small resemblance make.
So 'twas the business of our Authors Pen,
To paint some life of
Comedy agen,
And like to such as would, but cannot Feast,
Does wish your
entertainment were the Best.
[
]
The Persons Names.
The Scene Scythia.
Enter Toxaris, Alvanes, and Araxis.
Tox.
1
2 'Tis we
Scythians at this day.
Arax.
3 And prethee why?
Tox.
4 Are not we Men?
Arax.
5 Yes, and Courtiers.
Tox.
6 And what's more, have our Amours unquestion'd
7 By
those meager sort of Females, Wives, whose entails
8 We can cut off at
pleasure, sometimes held necessary
9 In case of Age, or accidental Ugliness;
10 Is this no Felicity?
Alva.
11 A sign we had our Predecessors men.
Tox.
12 I, and such Souls of Matrimony, that
13 Would be all
in all in every Act and
14 Concern of Woman; changing Wives at pleasure,
15 Sometimes, as oft as Menial Servants how would
16 The Wary
Spaniard, the more Jealous Italian
17 Glory, had they like
priviledge?
Alv.
18 And yet,
19 Methinks, this custom of our Nation
20 In so absolute a dominion
over
21 That weaker sex, is not a little rigid.
Tox.
22 Prethee marry then, and if thou dost not
23 Find it
necessary; thou'lt be more easie
24 Yok'd then most in Scythia.
Alv.
25 But our Queens marriage
26 Is my wonder, with this
Persian Prince
27 Tysamnes.
Arax.
28 She is wise in all her Actions.
Alva.
29 Yet not by any priviledge exempted
30 From this our
Nations Law, though a Queen;
31 'Twere well, she had made it first, some Act
of State.
Arax.
32 At least to exempt her self: Princes are
33 But men,
sometimes most various.
Tox.
34 It speaks her
35 Confidence in her new made Husband.
Arax.
36 Or rather the strength of her own vertue,
37 That
dares trust her merit to embarque
38 In any storm, should it arise from what
39 ('Twere sin to think) Ingratitude.
Alv.
40 May they live great and prosp'rous.
Arax.
41 Tysamnes is a Prince endu'd with many Graces,
42 Fam'd equal with the best Captains of our Times,
43 In noble deeds of
War; and though but younger
44 Brother of the Persian Crown, against
45 Natures act, deserves the first place in that Throne.
Enter Foscaris.
Alva.
46 Here comes Foscaris, a Gentleman, that has
47
Newly parted with his Wife, a fair one too.
Arax.
48 But that's a change in this part of Scythia,
49 Few repent, where Women like to flowers,
50 Are often plac'd in
bosoms, but till Love
51 Fades their sweetness -- what Foscaris! --
Fosc.
52 The merry'st man 'twixt this and Babylon,
Gentlemen.
Tox.
53 You have parted with your Wife.
Fosc.
54 And a fair riddance too; though as Women
55 Go now, I
think she was vertuous.
Alva.
56 Dost thou not therefore feel some regret
57 For
rejecting from thy embrace, so deserving a
58 Lady?
Fosc.
59 No more then a child for throwing away
60 A toy, when
weary of the pastime.
61 Alas, I have lain by her a whole Moon,
62
Enjoy'd all her nights, and days varieties:
63 Pass'd the beginning, the
middle, and even
64 The bottom of all can be call'd fruition;
65 Which I
confess was most delicious;
66 But the heavy thought that this must prove
67 In the end, but dull repetition,
68 Did so cloy my appetite.
Tox.
69 Perhaps before it had taken a just fill.
Alv.
70 I confess, had I espous'd such a Lady
71 I should have
been content to have serv'd Love
72 Two Apprentiships at least -- But oh the
wonders
73 Of Matrimony! how soon has mankind
74 Enough of the honey of
Wedlock.
Fosc.
75 Nay, I dare commend her Graces, besides
76 I think
she lov'd me; and for her person
77 Pigmalions Image might have been
copy'd
78 From her lineaments. A Face in ev'ry feature
79 Pleasing: such
an Eye! such a Lip! with a Cheek
80 Jove ne're was fam'd a smoother
to impress;
81 With something yet, then all, more taking.
Arax.
82 And hadst thou not better have kept this delicate
83
Food of Love, though thou hadst chang'd sometimes
84 A meal; rather then
thus utterly to forsake her?
Fosc.
85 Alas! I had my Surfeit, Gentlemen, and was
86 So
Wife-sick; she seem'd to me Loves potion.
Tox.
87 For my part, were I in thy case, and had
88 A Face of
Brass, I should go near to blush through't.
89 Here comes the Lady --
Enter Clarina.
Clar.
90 To be thus thrown from him without a cause,
91 Or act
of ill laid to my charge: on priviledge
92 Of this our Countries ignominious
usage;
93 And by a man I lov'd so well?
94 Vile, and inhumane custom!
Tox.
95 I hope her vertues, and thy crime will move thee
96 To
repentance: thou art else such a
97 Tyrant-husband, as has no like, even
98 In this hard-hearted Clime of ours.
Fosc.
99 Rather indulgent, that gave her means of
100 Freedom:
I open'd but the Cage, and
101 Now Love may flye, as it lists.
Clar.
102 By my example --
103 Let none be henceforth made a
Bride in Scythia;
104 Where sacred Tyes, and chastest Love
105 Is
no security.
Tox.
106 Though I am a true Scythian and partly
107 Of
thy humour, I could wish thee, (for this act,)
108 Some fatal penitence.
Fosc.
109 Ha, ha, ha, -- Is that
110 Possible in a man of my
complexion?
Clar.
111 He scarce vouchsafes a look on me; when but
112 So
late, each beam of mine was more
113 Considerable then warmth of Sun-shine.
Alv.
114 We must now leave you to your better thoughts:
115
The General Bassanes is arriv'd the Court.
116 Our attendance is
expected -- pity
117 Clarina has no kinder Husband.
[Exeunt Alv. Tox. Araxis.
Fosc.
118 I'le wait on you Gentlemen: I serv'd
119 But lately
under his command --
Clar.
120 You have no pity left for me? --
[Offers to go out, Clar. stays him.
Fosc.
121 A little somewhat; but thou seest I am now
122 In
haste.
Clar.
123 I'le be as brief; take me to thy embrace,
124 My
dear Foscaris: thou know'st I lov'd thee
125 Vertuously and truly well: if I have done
126 Amiss in any act
unknown; I'le bend
127 My knees for pardon.
Fosc.
128 Alas! I charge thee
129 With no crime; but Marriage
is such a mischief,
130 It makes Friends sometimes differ, they know not
why;
131 For which I thank my Countries dispensation:
132 Otherwise as a
Mistress, I think no Lady
133 In our Court deserves before thee.
Clar.
134 When e're you wed (as soon perhaps you may)
135 May
you espouse one far more beautiful
136 And equal to my affection -- so
farewel --
Fosc.
137 Adieu -- adieu: I'le not kiss her at parting,
138
Lest I lick my self into Love again;
139 And yet methinks I could almost be
content:
140 'Tis a pretty black-ey'd rogue, and was so
141 Amorous and
Airy. -- Heaven forbid
142 I be not once more smitten, and so proceed
143 To a second Wooing; but I hope I am arm'd --
[Ex. Foscaris.
Enter Melvissa.
Clar.
144 This unkindness grieves me.
Melv.
145 What! sad Clarina?
Clar.
146 I had ne're more cause, Madam -- my Husband. --
Melv.
147 What of him? I dream't that he courted thee
148 With
more fire then ever; and my dreams I
149 Can tell thee, hit unhappily
sometimes.
Clar.
150 He is most unkind; a Husband of our cruel mode
151
Perfectly, who having gather'd but so late
152 My Virgin flower, has thrown
me from his breast,
153 As if already faded -- and yet I needs must say,
154 I love him still.
Melv.
155 Thence came thy mischief;
156 The very spring of all
thy Tears: we Wives
157 Must use more dexterity in managing
158 Of
Husbands here; and that way, if possible,
159 Get some hand on their
Affections: nor should
160 They bed with us; but when we please,
161 Or when our healths
require it: the soft and gentle
162 Not seldom most slighted: The truth is,
Marriage
163 Amongst us is a most dang'rous food of Love:
164 And
therefore we must use more wit for sawce,
165 Our men will be else so
cloy'd, and cast us off
166 With no more concern, then we give a dish
167 Of meat after having well fed on't, to our Waiters.
Clar.
168 But I was so tender,
169 In giving cause of
separation --
Melv.
170 'Thad fixt him surer to thee; nor is it hopeless,
171 But the sense of thy Vertues and Beauty
172 May work in him some
thoughts of reconcilement:
173 There have been (though rarely) such
examples.
Clar.
174 Might I but live to be so happy! --
Melv.
175 Besides I have a means, if all fail
176 To do thee
service -- thou dar'st confide in me? --
Clar.
177 With all assurance.
Melv.
178 You must be secret.
Clar.
179 As a thought within your breast.
Melv.
180 And mark me; if thou find'st this work him up
181 To
love again --
Clar.
182 I doubt the end will prove impossible.
Melv.
183 That's as the means are order'd: Love will find out
184 Ways sometimes as extraordinary; which made
185 A famous Poet write
a Book of Lovers Arts,
186 Not much inferiour to Medea's Charms: --
187 And be sure when you see him next, let it
188 Seem against thy will,
as if thoud'st stand
189 If possible, at like distance from him;
190 As
the sphere of fixed Stars: adding convenient
191 Pride and scorn, no small
artifice in our sex.
Clar.
192 Your Copies somewhat hard
193 To be practis'd by a
Lover.
Melv.
194 'Tis but a just revenge in thy Case.
Clar.
195 I shall observe your fair instructions.
Enter Andrages.
Melv.
196 See, here's my man of Venus; an example
197
Of my skill and conduct -- observe him well,
198 And thou shalt see, I have
an humble servant
199 Instead of Lord and Master -- is't not so,
Andrages?
Andra.
200 Your will's a Law, Madam.
Melv.
201 In spight of our Nations custom, is it not?
Andra.
202 The same, Madam.
Clar.
203 This is a language, I have
204 Not heard before from
a Scythian Husband.
Melv.
205 And yet, I'le say thus much, for this thing
206 Of
my embrace: he dares vye with the best
207 Of our Gallants; and cope with
Mars himself
208 If met in field; nor less would be concern'd
209
For every frown of mine, with any he
210 That durst despise e'm: Am I not
right, Andrages?
Andra.
211 My life's at your command.
Clar.
212 You have a power
213 I see indeed, and doubt not but
you'l use it nobly.
Melv.
214 We must rule thus, or we are lost here:
215 What's a
Venus that cannot lead her Mars
216 In triumph? --
Andrages, perhaps I'le sleep
217 With thee to night for this --
Andra.
218 You'l be most welcom Madam.
Clar.
219 This day some considerable of our Sex
220 Join in a
Petition to our Queen and
221 New made King.
Melv.
222 'Tis to abrogate their abuse,
223 In the arbitrary
rule of men.
Clar.
224 I hope 'twill prove a seasonable request,
225 Since
now the Queen has made her self a party;
226 In taking of a Princely
Husband.
Melv.
227 Thou hast eloquence, and shalt be one of
228 Our
fair Speakers in this Cause.
Clar.
229 You complement me Madam,
230 Though I am oblig'd to
serve the interest.
Melv.
231 We must appear with the fair number
232 Who expect
us to confer -- Andrages --
233 Wait my coming home about the hour of
nine.
[Ex. Melv. and Clarina.
Andra.
234 With all observance, Madam --
235 Was ever
Gentleman and Souldier thus hen-peck'd
236 As I am? nay, against the
priviledge of mankind
237 Here, endure it? that can discharge a Wife
238
With a breath: sure there's some extraordinary
239 Magick in't; and I find
by my inclinations,
240 I am so unfortunate to love her at that rate,
241 As I cannot rid my self of her, though I
242 Suffer to death, or
what's worse, the miseries
243 Of a vexatious wedlock.
Enter Foscaris.
Fosc.
244 What Andrages? heavy and drooping!
Andr.
245 Somewhat out of Tune.
Fosc.
246 Nay, then 'tis odds, but thou
247 Art smitten, or at
least ruminating
248 On some new beauty.
Andr.
249 Would that were the worst.
Fosc.
250 The very best of our Banes, that have prov'd
251
Wedlock -- Come I'le sing thee a catch I have
252 Made on this subject.
He Sings.
253 What though her Eyes are black,
254 And kisses with a knack,
255 Natures best skill e're created?
256 In time she may prove
257 A
surfeit to Love;
258 And so deserve to be hated.
259 Love freed from this diet
260 Is best kept at quiet,
261 The wanton still longs for to range;
262 Let's thank then our
Laws
263 In Wedlocks frail cause,
264 Gave Husbands a License to change.
Andr.
265 This is all discord to my malady.
Fosc.
266 I took thee to have been longing after
267 New flesh
and blood, or rather sick of thy wife,
268 Is not that it?
Andr.
269 Thou dost not mock me?
Fosc.
270 No, o' my life!
Andr.
271 Why then I'le tell thee,
272 I love her a thousand
times better, then
273 When I long'd for her first enjoyment.
Fosc.
274 Is that possible in a man of thy Genius?
Andr.
275 Let me be punished else.
Fosc.
276 Alas! poor Souldier of Cupid:
277 I have
parted with a Wife fair enough
278 To have figur'd Venus by, and for
that only cause,
279 Because a Wife: I'd fain see the power of Man,
280
Or Angel, bring me again to the like dotage.
Andr.
281 Nay more, should she scratch me once a day,
282 Or
use me with that Amazonian confidence
283 Practis'd in our
neighbouring Scythia, where
284 Her Sex has the supremacy, and are
285 So many she Tyrants: I think I should
286 Endure it, and love her:
If this be not Magick,
287 There's none betwixt us and the North Pole.
Fosc.
288 Visit her bed often; and if that does not do it,
289
There's no surfeit in Wedlock.
Andr.
290 Alas! I have not leave to come there, but rarely,
291 And on such terms of good behaviour,
292 That I am almost in an Ague
the while.
Fosc.
293 The very name of Humourist, methinks
294 Should bid
thee quit her, there's scarce a worse evil.
295 Or if she be modish, and a
wit, 'tis odds,
296 But she makes it her luxury to abuse thee,
297 And
bite thee at every turn of thy tongue.
298 If not, make any thing thy quarrel, to bid
299 Adieu to her,
thou'lt else shame thy Countries priviledge.
Andr.
300 But I am such a Dotard --
Fosc.
301 And yet i'th' Camp
302 And Court, well knowing, as
most of our
303 Time; I pity thee --
Enter Bassanes, Alvanes, Toxaris, Eumenes, and Draxanes.
Andr.
304 See the General Bassanes.
Fosc.
305 A Prince of high renown and vertue;
306 Now return'd
from ending our Tartarian War:
307 We'll pay him our respects at time
of fitter
308 Opportunity --
[ Ex. Foscaris and Andrages.
Alv.
309 The Queen by us, my Lord,
310 That have the honour to
fore-speak her joys,
311 Congratulates your Excellencies return.
Bass.
312 She is a gracious Lady; and though but late
313 Made
my Intelligence, has taken
314 The Persian Prince, Tysamnes,
for her Husband.
Alv.
315 A Prince that Court does loudly fame, surpassing
316
All the race of the Arsacides, whence he derives
317 His blood.
Bass.
318 Her vertue is a mate for his;
319 Let it be great as
e're did live upon the name
320 Of mortal; but I that have a Souldiers
plainness
321 A little wonder, although her King I hold
322 Of highest
merit: since there is no act precedes
323 To exempt her Royal Person, from
that fate
324 Of Marriage, the force of custom here
325 May even inflict
upon the greatest.
Tox.
326 It seem'd below her Soul and Love, to make
327 That
caution, some wise amongst us wish.
Bass.
328 Tysamnes! marry'd to the Queen! if I
[Aside.
Eum.
333 The General's a little discompos'd.
Drax.
334 Perhaps some discontent relating to the
335 Queens marriage.
Bass.
336 If this prove true, Heaven too soon may frown
337 On
all these joys -- what are these Ladies?
Enter Melvissa, Clarina, and four other Ladies, each with a Paper in her hand.
Tox.
338 They are come to wait upon the King and Queen
339
This day of State, on some concern of their Sex.
Bass.
340 Tis well.
Enter Araxis.
Arax.
341 The King and Queen are ready to come forth.
Alv.
342 We must attend -- your Lordships pardon.
Bass.
343 I have some orders to dispatch unto
344 The Camp,
and then I'le wait their Majesties --
[ Exit Bassanes, &c. Tox. Alv. Arax. another way, manent Mel. Clar. and four Ladies.
Melv.
345 It behoves us now Ladies, to weigh the force,
346
And effect of those Arguments we have prepar'd
347 To assail so formidable
an enemy, as Men and Husbands, fortify'd
348 With that so invincible
Champion, Custom;
349 I hope you are all well provided?
1 Lady.
350 Doubt it not Madam, women seldom want wit
351 To
serve their desires and occasions.
Melv.
352 Well said pretty one, young and forward,
353 And for
Illustrations and Metaphors, of
354 This hainous usage and tyranny of our
Matrimonial
355 Lords and Masters, such were to be wish'd,
356 Are most
pathetical and perswasive. --
1 Lady.
357 I have taken mine, Madam, from
358 The example of
Socrates, that most grave
359 Philosopher, who not only endur'd the
ill
360 Humour, but the supremacy of his Wife,
361 As worthy of
imitation.
Melv.
362 A famous president!
2 Lady.
363 And I mine, Ladies, from that most dreadful
364
Story of Andromeda, chain'd to a Rock;
365 Which I hope I have apply'd with no small
366 Flame 'gainst
Husbands and their prerogatives.
3 Lady.
367 Mine is from that of Ariadne, shewing
368
The ingratitude of Theseus, with application
369 To some such hideous
presidents amongst us.
4 Lady.
370 I have drest up mine out of Story, and the
371
Grand Romance of our Times; from whence I have
372 Drawn some noble examples
of Love and Constancy.
Clar.
373 You are bold with the Poets and Romances Ladies.
Melv.
374 That's a pardonable fault, as the rate of wit
375
Goes now; while some Poets have arriv'd to a
376 Convenient reputation, yet
play'd the Thieves,
377 From Poems, Histories, and Romances;
378 And
ne'r durst trust themselves for a happy fiction --
379 Clarina, I am
sure you are well provided.
Clar.
380 I have an Argument at home, enough I hope
381 To
plead for all.
Melv.
382 Who has our petition?
Clar.
383 I have it Madam.
Melv.
384 'Tis in a proper hand -- the Queen.
[Enter Parisatis the Queen led by Tysamnes, Andrages and Foscaris, Alv. Tox. Arax. Attendants and Guards: being sate Clarina delivers the Petition.]
Tysam.
385 We understand your fair desires,
386 But you must
in this case determine
387 Dearest.
Par.
388 With your permission -- where is your Speaker
389
Ladies? a little fuller to explain your sense?
Omn.
390 All, all, all, speak.
Fosc.
391 How they muster tongues?
Andr.
392 Bating this presence, if they did not join
393 Nails
and scratch some of our foretops,
394 I'd hang for't.
Par.
395 You can't be heard together, nor each in
396 Several,
'twere tedious -- name one your Speaker.
Omn.
397 Clarina, Clarina, Clarina!
Melv.
398 She shall perform.
Clar.
399 Since you impose it --
400 Then thus Illustrious King and Queen; 'tis hop'd
401 This day
will prove a Mercy to the name
402 Of Women here, that suffers by a too
403 Injurious custom, now represented to your
404 Royal hands for our
just redress,
405 And wants not many thousand hearts t'attest it.
Par.
406 Where had you leave to form this
407 Strange request?
does not the Law stand unrevok'd?
Clar.
408 But hop'd, that you our gracious Queen, would have
409 Been Intercessor, for its Abrogation:
410 That with your Love and
Crown have given
411 Such obligation to a husband, who must
412 For your
sake yield to make it ineffectual.
Tox.
413 Our Women press it home.
Fosc.
414 Have at us Husbands;
415 They'r on a ticklish point.
Par.
416 Is this all Ladies?
Clar.
417 And but obtain'd, you'l difference the name
418 Of
wife from worst of slaves: restore the most
419 Neglected, to the rights of
Love, and live
420 The blessing of your Sex; nor shall we want
421
Expressions of our gratitude; our Gems
422 Shall be our offerings to
increase your Treasure,
423 Which useless now, adorn our Beams,
424 That
every froward Husbands power (to cast us
425 From his just embrace) must
mourn.
Par.
426 I'le hear no more; yet pity those
427 Whose Merits
are regardless treated;
428 Advising each to win the man they have lost
429 By vertue and forgiveness: if the fault be his;
430 And were I to be
given again unto
431 This Prince, or doubted of my happiness in him;
432
I'de judge it sin to ask a Caution:
433 And I dare be to all security,
434 That our example will without a cancel
435 Place a blush upon this
Law, and no man hence
436 Neglect a Wife deserving, when they shall
437
Behold our mutual Loves their president;
438 Is it not so, my dear Tysamnes?
Tysam.
439 Thou art above my wishes excellent.
Arax.
440 The Queen exprest her self most nobly.
Tox.
441 If not too confiding in her choice.
Clar.
442 We must submit.
1 Lady.
443 Since there's no remedy.
Melv.
444 I'le serve thee yet Clarina! it shall go hard
else.
Enter Bassanes, Eumenes, and Draxanes.
Par.
445 Welcom, as I can express Bassanes --
446 Thy
Victories were early here on Rumors wing,
447 Which made the grim-look'd
Tartars beg a peace
448 From us: and next my joys of love, completed
here,
[To Tys.
Bass.
452 My duty is best paid in the performance
453 Of your
services, which I shall ever study.
Tysam.
454 Let me embrace thee worthy man;
455 The title which
I have to thy brave merit,
456 In my enjoyment of this beauteous Queen,
457 Obliges me to hold thy vertues dear
458 That bring'st me Triumph
home, before I scarce
459 Have warm'd this Throne.
Arax.
460 Our new King does caress him highly.
Tox.
461 His interest is great.
Par.
462 I understand
463 You saw Mandana's Court, our
neighbour
464 Queen, on your return?
Bass.
465 I did Madam.
Par.
466 There Women govern all.
Bass.
467 To wonder, Madam --
468 Make War, lead Armies, with
all transactions
469 Of the highest Magnitude in State,
470 To whom the
men are held subordinate.
Par.
471 Their Queen's a Lady, Fame reports Wise,
472
Magnanimous, and no less Beautiful.
Bass.
473 I think all these may well be said to meet
474 In
her.
Par.
475 But the manner of her rule seems strange
476 To me.
Bass.
477 If compar'd with ours here; but they
478 Lay claim
to that prerogative, from the
479 Antient Amazons whence they derive
descent.
Par.
480 'Twas said Mandana did intend an Embassy
481
Unto our Court in some short time.
Bass.
482 She gave me so to understand.
Tysam.
483 A beauteous one no doubt.
Bass.
484 They are Women, Sir.
Tysam.
485 We'll treat'm then as fairly.
Par.
486 But credit me, I should not like my reign
487 So
well, were my Sex here alike in power;
488 Since nature and the worlds best
Laws
489 Have dignify'd the man superiour.
Tysam.
490 Spoke like my Parisatis -- methinks we
491
Are not chearful; I have joys enough to raise
492 A man above the world, had
he made forfeit
493 Of his bliss -- You told me of a masque,
494 My Soul
does want a little clearing up --
[Aside.
Par.
495 I did appoint one.
Tysam.
496 By any means we'll have it.
-- Musick plays a while, after which the Masque begins; the Scene a Grove, in which Diana is beheld sleeping, having at one of the sides next the Stage a Rock, from which --
Enters Arethusa habited like a Water-Nymph.
Areth.
497 Eccho! if thou dost visit this fair Grove,
498 Where thou hast often mourn'd Narcissus love;
499 At
Arethusa's call appear.
Eccho.
R Appear.
Areth.
501 Once more 'tis Arethusa calls thee here.
Eccho within.
Areth.
503 That's but thy voice, thy person I would see,
504
Once known a Nymph of highest dignity.
Enter Eccho as out of t'other side of the Grove.
Eccho.
505 Behold bright Arethusa I resume
506 My long
lost Figure, since Heavens fatal doom
507 Depriv'd me of my dear
Narcissus flames.
Areth.
508 I bear as great a grief confin'd to streams,
509
Could never yet with lov'd Alpheus join;
510 Think if thy loss can
greater be then mine?
Eccho.
511 Fair Nymph, with yours I'le not compare my woe,
512
Since with thy tears thy chrystal fountains flow;
513 And by a wondrous
constancy do glide
514 Through veins of earth unmixt with other tide,
515 Which Thetis for thy glory did decree,
516 And great
Diana Honours Constancy.
Areth.
517 I wait to see her bathe in my cool floods,
518
Having a long chase follow'd in these Woods.
Eccho.
519 She in this Grove with her fair Nymphs does sleep,
520 While with my wakeful voice her watch I keep;
521 Lest Mortals here
( Actæon like) should pry,
522 And ravish blushes from her Deity. --
523 Behold she wakes.
[She wakes.
The Song in the Masque.
1 Nym.
524 See, see, our Goddess wakes,
525 Whilst we harmonious notes
prepare,
526 Such as bright Phoebus makes,
527 When to salute
Aurora's ear,
528 The Musick of his sphere he takes.
2 Nym.
529 Or as before her Curtains drawn
530 We welcom in the grey-ey'd
dawn,
531 When for the Chase
532 Diana bends her matchless bow,
533 And gives her self the first hollow.
1 Nym.
534 Then through Plains, Lawns, and Woods,
535 Over Mountains and
Floods
536 Nymphs trip it, Nymphs trip it apace.
2 Nym.
537 Whilst the Hart, Deer, or Roe
538 They swiftly pursue,
539
Their Goddess best pleaseth to chase.
1 Nym.
540 See she appears
541 More bright then Hesperus does rise,
542 Whose beams Stars borrow for their eyes.
Diana rises and enters with her Nymphs.
Dian.
543 Belov'd of Nymphs whose chaste and constant stream,
544 Shall give thy Love an everlasting name;
545 More dear to me then
Zanthus floods so bright;
546 Or my own Cynthia's beams that
guild the night;
547 Art thou to tread a Chorus come with me,
548
As once a Nymph of my society?
Areth.
549 Bless'd Goddess know from Thetis I am sent
550 To wait thee first with her great Complement;
551 Who, if not too
much Neptunes Billows rave,
552 Will soon pass hither in a Chrystal
wave.
Dian.
553 She shall be welcom. But first Nymph on thee
554
Diana, (to renown thy constancy)
555 Does from her hand this pretious
gift bestow,
556 Sprung from the tree, whence grew her sacred bow;
557
On which with finest silk my Nymphs have wove,
558 The wondrous story of thy
streams and love.
[Puts on a Chaplet.
Areth.
559 This grace lov'd Goddess, I must ever own,
560
While Arethusa by that name is known;
561 But if I may thy Deity
intreat,
562 I'd gladly yet with my Alpheus meet.
Dian.
563 Thrice beauteous Nymph, thou su'st I fear in vain,
564 But for thy merit if I can obtain,
565 Or Cynthia's aid can
help, she shall convey
566 His gentle current where thy stream has way.
Enter Thetis attended with several Sea-Nymphs.
Omnes.
567 For which let's all Diana's praises sing.
Dian.
568 Stay Nymphs, here comes the Queen to Seas great King.
Thet.
569 Chast Goddess, I am come to let thee know,
570 What
to thy Graces, Neptunes Queen does owe;
571 And for this Nymph the
honour of all floods,
572 As these with thee make sacred groves and woods.
573 For which to speak my thanks I'd gladly tread
574 The stately
Chorus, thy bright self does lead.
Dian.
575 Great Thetis know, no footsteps ever joyn'd
576 With me a Chorus, but bear souls refin'd;
577 For which I have
deny'd some gods of late,
578 Said to have fell from their celestial state.
Thet.
579 I once gave ear unto such tales like thee,
580 But
prov'd it soon my vain credulity;
581 Nor on my waves did then rough
Boreas blow,
582 But I my Nymphs hid in deep Cells below.
583
Since fame had told his strong arms did embrace
584 The fair Orithia
snatch't o're Seas to Thrace.
Dian.
585 Nor was it Thetis truth, Achilles came
586 From great Peleus, and thy own soft flame.
Thet.
587 Such stories may relate as much of thee,
588 Which
tell the Moons sublime Divinity;
589 Though thy chast brows her Heavenly
figure wear,
590 Did for Endymions love forsake her sphear:
591
While such like Tales the guilty Poets sing,
592 To feign their
Hero's from the Gods did spring.
Dian.
593 Queen of the Seas my censure was too free,
594
'Twere sin to doubt truth in a Deity:
595 Nor will I think that Goddess e're
did burn,
596 In such frail humane flames my chast thoughts mourn:
597
But now behold with me this mortal Throne,
598 Merits from our immortal
powers renown.
Thet.
599 I do embrace the motion, since here's seen
600 A
Throne as bright as each of us sate Queen;
601 May Love there find, serenest
calms their days,
602 Such as my Halcyons chuse that breed on Seas.
Areth.
603 Or as my streams no mingl'd currents own,
604 So
let their Loves be undivided known.
Eccho.
605 May Cupid else for ever loose his Bow.
Omn.
606 And for Loves Goddess none his Mother know.
Thet.
607 To honour whom, thy best known Chorus lead,
608 And
with the Oceans race like steps I'le tread.
Dan.
609 Then Nymphs express with mine your measures powers,
610 As when we dance on tender grass and flowers:
611 Leaving no signs
our nimble footsteps show,
612 Or as on Mountains tops, we tread on snow.
[They Dance.
Enter Cupid.
Thet.
613 Cupid, art thou come hither?
Cup.
R I flew this way
615 To meet my Mother, is she amongst
ye pray?
Dian.
616 Away, thou amorous toy, dar'st thou be here,
617
Where I to honour constant Love appear?
Cup.
618 I have a shaft here left within a Heart
619 I'd fain
withdraw.
Dian.
R No more vile Boy, depart,
621 Thy Mothers Arts and
thine, I too well know.
Cup.
622 Then see I flye with an unbended Bow. --
[Ex. Cupid.
Dian.
623 Thetis farewel! I'le to my Woods resort.
Thet.
624 But e're I hence return to Neptunes Court,
625 Let's yet more honour Arethusa's name.
Dian.
626 This night I bathe my self in her clear stream.
Thet.
627 Where I'le attend thee with my watry race,
628 And
Nymphs, whose Songs shall there thy Chorus grace.
Areth.
629 For which my fountains clearest springs shall flow.
Eccho.
630 And my best Eccho's voice pay duty too.
Dian.
631 Till when farewel Seas Queen.
Thet.
R Goddess adieu.
[Exeunt Masques.
Tysam.
633 It seems a Moral.
Par.
634 And meant of constancy,
635 I gave the Argument my
self.
Tysam.
636 Most fit
637 To entertain thy Vertue.
638 What
sight is that?
Enter Statyra.
Tox.
639 The King seems troubl'd.
Bass.
640 My heart misgives me this is she.
Par.
641 How does my Love?
Tysam.
642 Your leave a while --
643 Can'st thou forgive me
fair Statyra? --
[Goes aside, to Statyra.
Stat.
644 And wish you happy in your royal choice,
645 She is
a Princess far above my merit:
646 Enough that I have seen your face and
dye.
Tysam.
647 Thou had'st my promise first, Heaven is my witness,
648 And give me but thy leave to expiate
649 My crime, in due expression
of my penitence,
650 By some act unthought of; if possible,
651 To win
thy Loves forgiveness.
Stat.
652 'Tis needless --
653 Your leave that I return, I'le
not ask
654 So much as a farewel kiss --
Tysam.
655 I must oblige a while thy stay: Bassanes,
656 Wait this Lady to my Garden lodgings
657 With all observance --
Bass.
658 I shall Sir --
[Ex. Bassanes and Statyra.
Tysam.
659 The ambition to possess a Crown has had too much
660 The better of my Conscience -- Come Parisatis.
[Goes to Paris.
Par.
661 Your looks seem troubl'd.
Tysam.
662 A trivial thought I'm moving from my heart.
Par.
663 From mine, I'm sure, your love shall never part.
[Exeunt Omnes.
Enter Eumenes and Draxanes.
Eumen.
1
2
In their Petition.
Drax.
3 And yet they urg'd things
4 Home and unhappily.
Eumen.
5 Women ne're want zeal, seldom wit
6 To perfect their
desires; but men have here
7 So long had the Lee-ward point of love, as
8 They must be content with the Weather Gage;
9 Which casts not a few on
the rocks of Wedlock.
Drax.
10 For my part I could wish, that Nature had
11 Taken
some other way for the procreation
12 Of mankind; since both Sexes have so
much ado
13 To agree of the means -- But we are Souldiers.
Eum.
14 And therefore have the less reason to blame
15 Our
Countries freedom, since 'tis odds, but we
16 Take as much, if we make a
true Muster
17 Of our Mistresses.
Drax.
18 But the Queens opposing
19 This desire seem'd to many
unexpected.
Eum.
20 'Twas to oblige the King no doubt; and by
21 The
prerogative of her vertues, live
22 Above the Law, or whatsoe're could give
a fate
23 To her enjoyment.
Drax.
24 He's now more absolute
25 Then e're was Soveraign
that reign'd
26 But in the right of Queen. His Creatures
27 Dignify'd in
Court and Camp; that almost
28 'Tis within his Will to rule alone, should
29 He be guilty of that vile ambition.
Eum.
30 She has exprest in every act a kindness
31 Most unparallel'd.
Drax.
32 I wish their Loves a peaceful happiness.
Eum.
33 'Twas hop'd she might have respected our
34 General
Bassanes in her choice, a Prince
35 Of Scythia's Royal blood,
and favour'd
36 In this Nation with an interest equal
37 To his birth.
Drax.
38 But he it seems, as much in love
39 With Mars,
or paying duties to her service
40 In the field, ne're rais'd his thoughts
and merit
41 To that fair ambition.
Eum.
42 We are his Creatures,
43 And have serv'd his dangers.
Enter Toxaris, Alvanes, and Araxis.
Tox.
44 Save ye Gentlemen;
45 Your general thanks to his
vertues, has given
46 Our Crown at once both peace, and victory.
Drax.
47 His conduct did deserve no less.
Alv.
48 Had his return been sooner, perhaps 'thad
49 Given
some stay to the Queens Marriage --
50 But that's between our selves.
Eum.
51 The news surpriz'd him,
52 We must witness; as one was
scarce consulted
53 In that action.
Alv.
54 She was a little hasty in her choice.
Arax.
55 Though in her King, she seems to summe such joys
56
As if she'd vye with Angels, as she shines,
57 Espous'd on earth to his
affection.
Tox.
58 Nor does the face o'th Court, sometimes the glass
59
Of Princes, discover ought save joys, and smiles,
60 A sign to us Courtiers,
the Throne's no less serene.
Eum.
61 But in the midst of these methought the King
62
Appear'd disturb'd at the presence of a
63 Stranger Lady.
Arax.
64 But that soon vanish'd.
Eum.
65 Time will discover more.
Alv.
66 This day, Mandana's
67 Embassy is expected;
'tis said, they are Women.
Arax.
68 Perhaps to complement our Queens Marriage;
69 Or make
some league betwixt their Amazonian
70 State and us.
Eum.
71 But say they should provoke us
72 To a War; we must
bring strange arms into
73 The Field to have the better of this Generation,
74 That dare fight with men.
Drax.
75 I could methinks ee'n wish a War,
76 To see how these
the she Militants would
77 Behave themselves; a home-charge with such
Troops,
78 Were winning of a field indeed Gentlemen.
Enter Bassanes and Statyra.
Eum.
79 Here comes the General and that Lady I spake of.
Arax.
80 She's wondrous fair.
Alv.
81 May her beams give no dazle
82 To our Kings affection;
methought she mov'd
83 Him strangely.
Tox.
84 Our way lies this way to the Court --
[Ex. Tax. Alv. Arax.
Drax.
85 And our's here --
[ Ex. Drax. and Eumen.
Bass.
86 Madam, you highly honour me
87 In this discovery,
from which I find
88 Your name and birth illustrious, as Persia
knows.
Stat.
89 The acquaintance, Sir, I was oblig'd to make you,
90
Since here my stay upon the Kings command,
91 Might else have stain'd the
honour of my blood
92 With such a character as curious eyes in Courts
93
Are but too apt to give the least of favours
94 That a Prince vouchsafes a
Lady.
Bass.
95 You are wise
96 And noble: and give me your fair
leave
97 To ask a question, my intelligence
98 Assur'd me most
undoubted.
Stat.
99 If it be truth
100 My Soul dares not deny it.
Bass.
101 Then thus most noble Lady;
102 Did not the King once
love you?
Stat.
103 I did not think
104 Heaven had reveal'd what I had
thought a secret --
[Aside.
Bass.
107 It was my apprehension --
Stat.
108 And since 'tis made your knowledge, I must further say
109 My wrongs are fit to be convey'd as far
110 As the world has bounds,
or fame can stretch
111 Her wings to bear e'm.
Bass.
112 I fear too sadly --
[Aside.
Stat.
114 My love's a truth too dear to smother, nor
115 Did I
come, but arm'd with resolutions
116 Worthy of my Soul. And 'tis my highest
service
117 To his Queen (whose vertues I much honour)
118 If I reveal
to her my claim, and thence
119 Mark out her dangers in this man of falshood
120 She enjoys.
Bass.
121 I know you would not charge
122 Him with this crime,
on purpose to create
123 Repentance; or if you did, who knows
124 What
were your dangers (I speak it not to
125 Fright you Madam) that here must
look like some
126 Prodigious Star on a great King, made now
127 So
fully happy in the bed and glories of a Queen --
128 Which how he will
resent --
Stat.
129 Let it be death, 'tis welcom from him.
Bass.
130 Heaven avert it, Madam; yet 'tis not safe
131 To
tempt a passion past recall, though I
132 Want not a pity to your vertue.
Stat.
133 I thank your goodness.
Bass.
134 Or say you could attract his past affection;
135 And
in each beam of yours, more deeply wound
136 His heart then ever (as you
have all things
137 Summ'd at Natures dearest cost, that can
138 Inrich
a Beauty) were it not glory
139 To recede from such a Conquest.
Stat.
140 Your Counsel's noble I confess.
Bass.
141 Besides we have a custom here that does
142 Impower
each common man to loose the very
143 Gordian knot of love in marriage,
144 That other Countries hold inviolate:
145 What may then a King do to
enjoy
146 So bright a Mistress as your self?
Stat.
147 I find the World in this degenerate
148 Faithless
age of man has yet one Worthy left:
[Aside.
Bass.
157 Give me the honour
158 Of your hand, to pay my
humble adoration
159 Of this vertue.
Stat.
160 My stay shall not be longer here
161 Then taking
leave, becomes me of the King.
Bass.
162 'Twill speak your worth.
Enter Tysamnes.
[Ex. Bassanes.
Tysam.
164 Statyra! how dost thou like thy welcom
165
In our Court?
Stat.
166 As more then I intended to receive.
Tysam.
167 Thou can'st not soon be weary
168 Of these shades,
and pleasant walks, where
169 Nightingales will meet, and sing
170 New
ravishments to entertain thy beauties:
171 More glad to welcom thy
appearance, then
172 The morning joys, or evenings splendor that
173
Invites their rest. I think thou might'st be well
174 Content to live here still.
Stat.
175 My honour is no child
176 To be deluded with such
toys, though gay
177 As Paradise when first it's sweetness bloom'd,
178
While but a thought of crime does ripen near me.
Tysam.
179 Thou shal't be here as innocent as flowers
180 That
yield their smiles unto the distant Sun.
181 You'l grant me sure, so much,
Statyra?
Stat.
182 I'le rather welcom death then yield to stay
183 A
minute longer near your person.
Tysam.
184 I know thou art not so unkind.
Stat.
185 Alas I came without design of love,
186 Though once
your lover.
Tysam.
187 Statyra! hold, go not
188 Too far in
goodness, lest Heaven (to surprise
189 My wonder) take thee hence, and place
thee there
190 A Star, or make me fall I know not whither.
Stat.
191 I have done Sir -- nor shall my presence give you
192 More concern; or further accent repetition
193 Of your sin to Heaven
and me; that in despight
194 Of all the darts of Love (so late my wound)
195 Can with this smiling ease and calm of soul
196 Bid you farewel for
ever. --
[She offers to go, the King stays her.
Tysam.
197 You must not,
198 Shall not leave me thus --
Stat.
199 You will not, Sir, detain me
200 Here by force? --
what will your Court then whisper,
201 Or the bolder world convey to both
our infamies?
Enter Parisatis.
Par.
204 What do I hear?
Tysam.
205 'Tis but to give thee more assurance
206 Of my
love, for which I dare adventure
207 Life and Crown.
Par.
208 That word! oh my heart! --
[Aside.
Stat.
209 Then know who 'tis you stay --
210 And thus dare
frown upon your will.
Tysam.
211 How's this?
Stat.
212 And what I thought this breast should have conceal'd,
213 I'le utter with a boldness does become my honour --
214 And when you
know it, you'l perhaps, as soon
215 Cherish a Tygress near your bosom --
216 Know Sir -- I came with full intent to kill you --
217 Mark me well:
to kill you -- for your faithless promise;
218 But that the vertues of your
Queen with-held me,
219 In whom I wish you ever bless'd: the whiteness
220 Of whose Soul, I thought it sin to cloud
221 (From act of mine) with
sorrow.
Par.
222 Forgive me Heaven;
223 This Woman is some Angel sure;
I can
224 No longer hold but pay my reverence.
[ Par. goes towards Stat.
Tysam.
225 We are interrupted -- my Guard there! --
Enter Captain of the Guard.
Par.
228 Let me beg for her freedom, though I do it
229 On my
knees --
Tysam.
230 I must not grant it; she came
231 To ruine my
content, perhaps in thee;
232 A Treason too she has confest against my life.
Stat.
233 Let me deserve your fair opinion, Madam,
234 Though
I dye.
Tysam.
235 Away with her -- how does my Parisatis? --
[Ex. Statyra with the Captain of the Guard.
Par.
236 Never better -- this dissipates my fear.
[Aside.
Enter Bassanes.
Bass.
237 Embassadresses from
238 The Queen Mandana are
arriv'd.
Tysam.
239 See their reception want no state our Court
240 Can give; they shall have Audience speedily.
241 Some thoughts
require me to my Closet first.
[Ex. Tysamnes.
Par.
242 Bassanes, never so happy, as this minute
243
In which I prov'd the fix'd assurance of
244 My Kings affection. The
Persian beauty
245 Who but so late gave apprehensions to
246 My
love, is now no more my fear.
Bass.
247 She is a noble Lady,
248 And gave me confirmation of
her honour.
Par.
249 'Tis most unquestion'd.
Bass.
250 She does intend suddenly
251 To return back to
Persia.
Par.
252 Alas! the King
253 (To my great grief) in much
displeasure
254 Has restrain'd her.
Bass.
255 I hope she'l soon have liberty.
Par.
256 It shall not want my intercession.
Bass.
257 Pray Heav'n this be no Artifice.
Par.
258 True love is soon confirm'd; but in that Brest
[Aside.
[Exeunt.
Enter Clarina and Melvissa.
Clar.
260 Our Petition had but small success.
Melv.
261 No matter, as to thy case; did not I
262 Promise to
serve thee?
Clar.
263 But where's the faith
264 Believes it possible?
Melv.
265 If it be next a Miracle,
266 And do the feat,
thou'lt welcom the effect?
Clar.
267 However, my obligement's great to your endeavours.
Melv.
268 What if a smile or look of thine, or a toy
269 As
inconsiderate as the least lock of thy hair,
270 Produce his Loves return,
as I apply it;
271 Hast thou not reason to thank the means?
Clar.
272 'Tis granted.
Melv.
273 Therefore believe well; rememb'ring that
274 We are
told, a dram of faith can do
275 Far greater wonders.
Clar.
276 You shall confirm me,
277 But I hope it is no Charm
or Magick?
278 I am strangely fearful of the Devil.
Melv.
279 Rather a means from Heaven! my Mother
280 Left it as
a Legacy to me.
Clar.
281 A Recipe most Wives may wish for here.
Melv.
282 I thought to have given it to the Queen,
283 But
that perhaps 'twere death to own,
284 And this our custom unrevok'd.
Clar.
285 I hope her vertues ne're will want affection.
Melv.
286 As it effects, I'le tell thee more.
Enter Foscaris.
[Ex. Clarina.
Fosc.
290 Madam! your most humble servant.
Melv.
291 And I perhaps ten times more yours.
Fosc.
292 This sounds briskly.
Melv.
293 Not that I intend to instance,
294 You have parted
with a deserving Lady,
295 And so press a reconciliation from
296 The
doctrine and uses of Love, as some Matrons
297 Amongst us might perhaps ring
in your ears
298 In the like case.
Fosc.
299 Far be it from me to
300 Think it, Madam; I know you
are well bred,
301 And must therefore understand what better
302 Belongs
to our Mode, and a Gentleman, then so.
Melv.
303 Well said Gallant -- but I hope you'l not teach
304
My Husband to follow your example;
305 And like such a Buck as your self,
break
306 Through the toyl and bonds of Marriage;
307 Though some of you
allow it no more, then
308 A State device to catch fools.
Fosc.
309 This is a Witty Rogue; a Wife that understands
310 The intrigues of a Mistress.
Melv.
311 Then say, my husbands wife
312 Should think you a
fine Gentleman --
Fosc.
313 I understand you Madam.
Melv.
314 And were willing to bestow some affection
315 On
your worth. --
Fosc.
316 Go on Lady, go on; you are
317 Coming to a point
indeed.
Melv.
318 There it is, you have it to a hair --
[Gives him a Bracelet inclos'd in a Paper.
Fosc.
320 O Madam! 'twere sin to doubt it.
Melv.
321 And wear it carefully, for the owners sake
322 I
mean, and so farewel kind Foscaris;
323 If this fail, thou'rt proof
above Mortal.
[Aside.
[Ex. Melv.
Fosc.
325 What have I here? I'le open it carefully,
326 And
first taste it by the smell; it scents
327 Most Lady-like, and amorous;
methinks
328 It moves too, I know not how: Oh these Women
329 Are rare
contrivers in these Scenes of Love --
330 Now for the enclos'd --
[Opens it.
[Puts it on his arm.
347 Or I shall burn to ashes; 'tis most certain I am
348 Charm'd to
purpose, and 'tis odds but some evil spirit
349 Waits at my elbow.
Melv. within.
[Speaks altering of her voice.
Fos.
351 Ha! a voice too, then there is a Devil in the
352
Case 'tis manifest -- what art thou, and from whence?
Melv.
353 I am a Spirit belonging to the element of fire.
Fosc.
354 Thou hast some possession of me already then,
355
Who am flame all over -- what is thy business?
Melv.
356 Love, kindest Love.
Fosc.
357 The same is mine, and
358 Since thou art a kind
Familiar, I dare ask
359 Thee a question -- Art thou a Genius of Love at
large
360 According to our Gallantizing Mode? or art thou for
361 A more
peculiar Courtship?
Melv.
362 I incite Honourable, and Matrimonial Love.
Fosc.
363 A most Heroick Devil indeed;
364 But take a care how
thou dost otherwise appear to me,
365 Lest my sword make bold with one of
thy limbs,
366 And it prove afterwards to belong to some
367 Sorcerer,
or Witch.
Melv.
368 You need not fear that.
Fosc.
369 Prethee avoid me then, I would not willingly be haunted
370 By a Matrimonial Genius of all other.
Melv.
371 Your desire is granted --
372 While only I'le thy
heart incite
373 To love thy fair deserted Wife,
374 For whose sake, I
am oblig'd thy sense to ply,
375 Since on thy wrist thou didst a philter
tye.
376 And so farewel.
[Ex. Melvissa.
Fosc.
377 Adieu, adieu! had ever man such a Dialogue
378 As
this?
[He studies.
Enter Clarina and Melvissa.
Melv.
379 Be confident I have perform'd to purpose.
Clar.
380 I warrant you.
Melv.
381 Nay more to his greater
382 Terror, I withdrew here, and counterfeited my self
383 A Spirit.
Clar.
384 Most excellent!
Melv.
385 And had
386 Such pleasant discourse with him.
Clar.
387 You have done above my expectation.
Melv.
388 He comes on fiercely I warrant thee.
Fosc.
389 And yet I do not find my hair stares, or
390 A cold
sweat on me, enough to dissolve me to a gelly,
391 Like some stories I have
heard of this kind.
Melv.
392 See, he's here, observe a little -- in the mean time
393 I'le withdraw.
[Ex. Melv.
Fosc.
394 Whilst I feel such a heat dispers'd through every vein
395 Of my body, no man, or longing virgin ever felt
396 The like in any
burning wish, or actual enjoyment --
397 Well Foscaris, thou hast got
a tickling spirit in thee.
Clar.
398 I perceive it takes.
Fosc.
399 And yet methinks
400 It should not be in the power
of Magick to make
401 Me affect my cast-off Wife; if it prove otherwise,
402 What a confounded Lover am I then -- she's here.
[Observes her.
Clar.
403 Now I'le approach him.
[Walks towards him.
Fosc.
404 As I am a man, 'tis she I long for,
405 The very
element of fire is met
406 Within me, and my heart rises to my very lips
407 At her appearance.
[Gazes on her.
Clar.
408 The Physick works; now to handle this patient.
[Aside.
Fosc.
409 Oh thou art bright indeed Clarina;
410
Ariadnes Crown of Stars is Copper
411 To thy Eyes, and in each look
methinks thou
412 Stain'st the evenings glory.
Clar.
413 Good kind Sir, keep off, 'tis towards bed-time.
Fosc.
414 'Tis thither I would go with thee Love, and twine
415 More happily then ever! Alas, I did but this
416 To love thee ten
times better then before;
417 As men restrain themselves from food they like
418 To make the next meal better.
Clar.
419 Keep your ground good Sir Amorous;
420 You and I must not come to the close embrace
421 So easily; and
lest you should be boyst'rous,
422 I'le be gone.
Fosc.
423 Stay but a twilights time longer --
Clar.
424 'Tis more then I can well afford you.
Enter Andrages.
Fosc.
425 Nay prethee let me beg it though I kneel.
Clar.
426 You deserve some penance; I'le not intreat you
427
To be sparing.
[Ex. Clarina.
Andr.
428 Foscaris kneeling! and to his own Wife?
429
The world sure turns round, or Plato's year
430 Is come about; if
this Diamond he late
431 Discarded should again be Trump? --
432 What
Foscaris! pensive?
Fosc.
433 Oh I am undone!
And.
434 What's the matter?
Fosc.
435 Nay, thou'lt laugh me into shame enough
436 When
thou know'st it.
Andr.
437 By no means.
Fosc.
438 Why, I am wounded by Cupid the wrong way?
Andr.
439 As how?
Fosc.
440 I scarce know how to tell thee.
Andr.
441 Nay prethee let me know.
Fosc.
442 Understand then I am in love
443 With my own cast
petticoat; if that be not
444 A curse to a Scythian Husband, I'le
445 Challenge fate to do worse if possible.
Andr.
446 Though I found thee on thy knees, I hope
447 Thou
dost not pray over love again to thy Wife.
Fosc.
448 But I do, and at such an intolerable rate,
449 That
were every sense of mine a several soul,
450 She might command 'em all to
express it.
Andr.
451 Is't possible? --
Fosc.
452 And more, look well to thy self,
453 I fear thy
Wife's an Inchantress.
Andr.
454 Ha, ha, ha --
Fosc.
455 If thou dost not see her flying steeple high,
456
And thy self atop on her shortly, I'le hang
457 As high for't.
Andr.
458 But you thought there was no such thing
459 As Charm
or Magick in Love, and that our
460 Scythian Wives would have still
continued such
461 Tame things, as like bob'd Eyesses, they might
462
Have been turn'd off; and took to hand at pleasure.
Fosc.
463 I have prov'd the Experiment dearly:
464 Take care
and mock not, lest thou art beheld
465 Converted to a Cat, and cry Mew
466 To keep her company.
Andr.
467 Is this the man
468 That could defie Cupid
and all his Arts?
469 Nay shoot your Darts contrary to his, at
470 A
minutes warning -- was it not so?
Fosc.
471 I thought I could, till more then mortal powers
472
Conspir'd against me.
Andr.
473 And for a Wife, 'twas
474 Such a potion, must have
no more to do
475 With your palate.
Fosc.
476 The very name of her
477 Inflames me like fire.
Andr.
478 A little more to cool you
479 And I have done; come
I'le put you in mind,
480 Of a Julip of your own composition;
481
What though her Eyes are black,
[Sings.
Fosc.
483 No more, no more, though I deserve to be
484 Bitten
with a Satyr could sting worse then
485 Scorpions.
Andr.
486 Well; I have done.
Fosc.
487 Let's shake hands then,
488 And go thus postur'd to
the Frantick Society here,
489 Amongst which I'le dye,
490 If e're there
were two such Fanatick presidents
491 Of Husbands as our selves: Oh 'twould
make such a
492 Novelty of distempers!
Andr.
493 And there endure a little of the twig,
494 Shall we?
Fosc.
495 By any means;
496 Thou for observing thy Wife with
such a
497 Fond affection, as I beyond dotage
498 Long for mine again.
Andr.
499 Good Foscaris,
500 Enough of this
extravagancy: In the mean time
501 I have so far the better of the malady,
502 That I have no fear of thy relapse,
503 And for a cure, let me
advise one more gentle;
504 Let's drink some Wine, and give it spirit
505 In Clarina's health.
Fosc.
506 Oh that I could taste her lips once more --
507 And
mark me friend, 'tis odds as I am a Gentleman,
508 But in spight of all
prevention I shall
509 Hang or drown my self for love, e're the next Moon.
Andr.
510 Come I'le take care of thee.
[Exeunt.
Enter Tysamnes, Parisatis, Bassanes, Clarina, Melvissa, Toxaris, Alvanes, and Araxis, &c.
Tysam.
511 We understand Bassanes, that the Embassadresses
512 From the Queen Mandana are arriv'd.
Bass.
513 They are, Sir.
Tysam.
514 Attend them to our presence.
[Ex. Bassanes.
Clar.
520 For mine I should not wish it, Sir,
521 'Twere too
injurious to the right of men.
Melv.
522 You are a little of the kindest Lady --
523 For my
part, Sir, were I born under the like
524 Favourable Aspect of Venus,
'tis odds but I
525 Should wear a Bow and Quiver, to maintain
526 The priviledge -- you'l pardon, Sir, my freedom.
Tysam.
527 A witty sprightly Lady -- and yet I dare believe
528 There's none of all you Gentlemen, that has
529 A Wife predominant,
who does not own
530 Submission to the custom here. --
Tax.
531 This touches home.
Tysam.
532 I am confirm'd, that were the case my consorts here,
533 (So dear unto my soul) she would not claim
534 Her self exempted.
Alv.
535 That parenthesis was odly plac'd.
[Aside.
Par.
536 You know I am all obedience, Sir,
537 And hope you'l
now receive such offers, from
538 This our neighbour-Queen, as will not give
your thoughts
539 The least disturbance; nor would I have a War
540
Wherein my Sex should fight, were I made a party
541 In the cause, or
injury.
Tysam.
542 Thou art all Excellence.
Enter Bassanes with Renone, and Cydane the Embassadresses.
Renone.
544 Who does by us, most Royal Sir, congratulate
545
Your great accession to this Throne, and more, your joys
546 In this your
fair and vertuous Queen, who scarce
547 Has equal in her Sex: to which (if
possible)
548 Her wishes do yet adde more happiness.
Tysam.
549 This is but usual form of State: proceed.
Cyd.
550 'Tis what our Queen expects you'l welcom,
551 Who
waves dispute of Territories,
552 The usual great concerns of Thrones;
553 And has but one demand instead of all,
554 To make your Greatness:
whence may spring
555 A lasting league betwixt her mighty Crown
556 And
yours.
Tysam.
557 Speak it then!
Par.
558 I hope 'twill find reception.
Cyd.
559 Then know, our Mighty Mistress does demand
560 By us
an Abrogation of that most
561 Rigid usage here, from which the Husbands will
562 Is too much
Lord of love.
Tysam.
563 Sure, you mistake your Embassy?
Ren.
564 Nor can she reign without a blush must stain
565 Her
glories, should she not (if deny'd)
566 Compel by arms her Sexes fair
relief.
Clar.
567 Nobly urg'd.
Melv.
568 Methinks I could fight in this Cause my self.
Arax.
569 The King is mov'd.
[Aside.
Alv.
570 Observe the Queen.
Tysam.
571 Your Queen's too bold with us in this demand;
572
But she's a Woman.
Cyd.
573 And soon you'l find, she'l slight
574 All dangers in
this Cause: nor is the world
575 Unknowing, that her arms (though guided
576 By the conduct of our Sex) has oft gave
577 Wars rough Laws to men.
Par.
578 Let me then intercede, my Royal Husband,
579 I would
not have a quarrel in this Cause,
580 (Although I doubt not from your love
security)
581 The world I know would say you but defend
582 A most
unkind prerogative; and since 'tis thus,
583 Bestow it as a bounty on the
Sex for my sake.
Tysam.
584 Can this proceed from Parisatis?
Par.
585 As truly as I wish your peace and love.
Tysam.
586 Thou dost mistake in both --
Par.
587 Besides, what honour wer't in such a Cause
588 To be
a Conquerour? or on your Warlike Trophee to
589 Inscribe, you did subdue the
force of Women,
590 Led by a neighbour Queen, whose bravery
591 Of soul,
deserves esteem and wonder --
592 I know you'l condescend.
Tysam.
593 Away, thou dost abuse thy Love and me.
Par.
594 Is't possible?
Tysam.
595 Or else endeavour'st by compliance with
596 This
Embassy, to betray the honour of
597 This Crown, and People; take which you
like --
598 And know thou hast forfeited thy Being
599 In my soul.
Par.
600 Heaven defend.
Tysam.
601 And tell your Queen I'le reign
[To the Embassadresses.
Tox.
607 The King is much incens'd.
[Aside.
Alv.
608 I hope 'twill not reflect upon the Queen.
Tysam.
609 And by my Act, to assure the world how much
610
I'le own my Subjects priviledge, behold my Queen.
Cyd.
611 A Lady full of Grace and Vertue --
Par.
612 Oh my fears!
Tysam.
613 Who with no more concern I'le cast away,
614 Then
Indians do a Pearl, that ne're did know
615 It's value; and from this
hour no more my Wife.
Par.
616 Must it be so?
Bass.
617 Consider Sir, this Act
618 May prove a rash one --
Tysam.
619 My resolution's fixt -- nor do I fear
620 What Law
can act, though hence I reign not jointly
621 With this Queen, while by the
power I possess,
622 I can create a right above it.
Par.
623 Nor shall I plead a word
624 Against your Will,
though it severely fall
625 Upon my Love; or mention what should be
626
Your gratitude to me, that gave you both
627 My self and Crown, and yet will
give my life,
628 If your concern require it --
629 You'l give me time
convenient to withdraw.
Tysam.
630 Thou shalt to any place retire within
631 My Crowns
Dominion, where thou shalt live
632 In state and greatness of a Queen --
633 And so farewel.
Par.
634 Adieu, my dearest.
Alv.
635 This action of the King was unexpected.
[Aside.
Arax.
636 Such as must breed some strange distemper here.
Tox.
637 I wish our Almanacks were all burnt else.
Tysam.
638 To morrow you shall have our Letters to your Queen.
Renone.
639 And as becomes her she'l resent this Act.
Tysam.
640 Bassanes --
[Ex. Tysamnes and Bassanes.
Cydan.
641 Madam, you have our pity.
[Ex. Embassadresses.
Clar.
642 The Queen deserves a sorrow
643 From all Hearts.
Melv.
644 She has deeply mine.
Par.
645 Though life has many ways to lose it's comforts,
646
Few hinder the distressed means of death:
647 And let my sad example teach
my Sex,
648 That when they love embarque with men, 'tis like
649 A
vessel, that with guilded streamers sails
650 On dangerous Seas, and in each
calm must think
651 This smooth-fac'd Ocean may their Barques soon sink.
Exeunt.
Enter Parisatis in a Mourning Vail led by Bassanes.
Bass.
1
Par.
2 'Tis like your worth.
Bass.
3 And dare express it more
4 Then entertaining of your
griefs by naked Accents,
5 That were too low and common for Bassanes
heart;
6 Each vulgar ear that hears from rumours breath,
7 Will do as
much, and glory in the hope
8 Of making stubborn Heaven bend to hear
9
Your sufferings.
Par.
10 You are a Prince ally'd unto my Crown,
11 Nor can I
doubt, but every vein of yours
12 Ha's many streams of honour --
Bass.
13 Know, Madam,
14 Since you are pleas'd to call me worthy of
15 Your great Alliance;
I want no heart to tell
16 The King, your Husband (though sitting on the
Throne)
17 His ingratitude.
Par.
18 I wish I had been truly charg'd with any crime
19 That
might have given his Act in my desertion,
20 Some vizard to out-face the
world: I dare believe
21 The Law that first here gave this liberty to man,
22 Did tacitely imply the Husband should
23 Not be a lawless Tyrant to
the Wife.
Bass.
24 The injustice is too palpable; and
25 Fitter 'twere
this Law had no more being,
26 Or the Sex of women against Natures
27
Made supreme, then thus to be imbitter'd
28 'Gainst your vertue,
29
Though smooth'd and guilded over with pretexts,
30 He calls State Policy,
and Marriage Interest,
31 But simply Artifice to bring another
32 To his
Throne and Bed.
Par.
33 I fear 'tis too much a truth.
Bass.
34 Statyra is no doubt design'd to shine
35 In
this Meridian, by your fair remove:
36 But think not, Madam, that your
Eclipse of
37 Glory can pass without your Subjects due
38 Remorse, and
vindication: he is a King here
39 But as you made him so, in giving him
40 Your self a Queen; and from your love has only
41 Title to your
Subjects hearts.
Par.
42 And had the world
43 Been mine in Kingdoms, with as
many Hearts,
44 My affection had dispos'd 'em all to him.
Bass.
45 You have given proof above parallel.
Par.
46 But this ingratitude does combate with my soul!
Bass.
47 Permit, I serve your Royal Vertue.
Par.
48 I know thou dar'st revenge my wrong, and hast
49 An
interest in thy blood and merits, that
50 Can guide this Nations Arms, and
raise a stream
51 Of vulgar force, enough to sink Tysamnes
52 Even to the depth of ruine, though fortify'd with
53 All the power
he now enjoys.
Bass.
54 I will imploy my utmost in your service.
Par.
55 I have I see a Subject great, brave, and faithful;
56
In spight of all adversity -- Bassanes
57 Thou wilt obey me strictly?
Bass.
58 Be danger what it will;
59 Nor need you question, but
the arm I shall apply
60 Is strong enough to right, or else revenge
61
Your injuries: nor want I means prepar'd
62 Even at this minute, that shall
soon perform
63 The least breath of your commands.
Par.
64 Then know, I do enjoin you all obedience
65 To the
King --
Bass.
66 How, Madam?
Par.
67 I mean Tysamnes,
68 Who has thrown me from his
heart, and that far
69 More strict, if possible, then had he met
70 My
Love with equal constancy -- I would
71 Not live and underact the part of
virtue.
Bass.
72 You oblige me now to be your enemy --
73 Who knows
how soon you may be taken from
74 The world by him, that thus has cast you
from
75 His bosom?
Par.
76 'Tis not inglorious if I die,
77 Or split on any rock,
78 This storm shall throw me on,
79 If Innocence be my harbour.
Bass.
80 The Worm that's trod on, bows in some displeasure
81
When it's griev'd; what should then do your Greatness?
Par.
82 But vertue's yet more gentle, whose value's
83 Most
refin'd by suffering -- I know
84 You will obey me.
Bass.
85 Since 'tis your pleasure.
Par.
86 And be sure give out 'twas Act of State,
87 Or Crime
in me, or any thing thou can'st devise
88 Most plausible, to assure the
people
89 To Tysamnes. And more, that 'tis my strict
90 Command, they obey him with all duty,
91 As their King -- this I
command thee
92 As thou art a Prince of worth, my Kinsman,
93 And my
best of Subjects.
Bass.
94 You shall have my obedience.
Par.
95 There's something further I must act --
[Aside.
Enter Tysamnes.
Bass.
97 Madam, the King.
Par.
98 Attend him --
[Ex. Parisatis.
Bass.
99 Her worth does merit providence,
100 To raise her
triumph above all misfortune --
[Aside.
Tysam.
101 Bassanes, thou'lt welcom War I know, when e're
102 'Tis made against our Crown. A Souldiers soul
103 Is half asleep in
peace; nor do I doubt
104 But by my Arms and thine, to adde yet more
Dominion
105 Unto this.
Bass.
106 Your affairs (I judge)
107 Are not so well compos'd
at home, the face of things
108 Has no kind prospect on your Greatness,
109 If I can presage.
Tysam.
110 This looks not well,
111 Or rather seems unmannerly
and bold.
Bass.
112 My tongue is not so much a coward
113 To my heart,
but it dares speak you to the world unworthy,
114 In the desertion of your
vertuous Queen.
Tysam.
115 Dar'st thou own the name of Subject,
116 And tempt
my fury thus?
117 Or stare me in the face, and ask me why
118 I did an
Act, reason of State, and the
119 Prerogative of every vulgar man admits? --
Bass.
120 But forfeits all to honour when unjust;
121 Nor can
you truly call your self a Sovereign
122 Here, since now turn'd Tyrant unto
Love, which
123 Rais'd you to this Throne.
Tysam.
124 I'le hear no more -- my Guard there!
Bass.
125 Or mine that's nearer hand.
Enter Eumenes and Draxanes.
Tysam.
126 How's this! treason?
Bass.
127 That word's too black for my intent; nor is
128
There voice dares interrupt what I shall utter,
129 Unless Heavens own, that
perhaps will chide me,
130 For appearing slow in doing justice
131 On
your self.
Tysam.
132 'Tis not thy force, or death
133 In all it's shapes
of horror, threatn'd against
134 My life, can move my soul. --
Bass.
135 I pity so much bravery in ill.
Tysam.
136 But that I find a pricking here --
Bass.
137 Such as will blisters raise upon your heart,
138 And
make it burst with burden of your crime;
139 Nor must you think, that all
the pendants
140 Of your State and Glory (were you permitted
141 Here to
own 'em longer) will not fade and blast
142 Themselves, worn thus
inglorious.
Tysam.
143 Forgive me Heaven, as I repent; Bassanes,
144 Thy loyalty has made me truly Convert;
145 And could this Act but be
recall'd --
Bass.
146 I dare pronounce you then my Sovereign,
147 Though
'twill wound you yet more deeply,
148 When you know this Royal Lady (injur'd
149 Beyond thought) not only
150 Ha's forgiven this Act, but by command
151 On me and all her Subjects, made you absolute
152 To Reign (if you
dispense with the
153 Ingratitude) without her.
Tysam.
154 What penance
155 Is enough to expiate my Crime?
though
156 I should melt my heart in tears, and showre 'em
157 As an
offering at her feet --
158 Call forth my Queen and best belov'd
Parisatis.
[Ex. Eum. and Drax.
Bass.
159 Let me now kiss your hand.
Enter Eumenes and Draxanes.
Eum.
160 The Queen, Sir, is withdrawn.
Tysam.
161 How's that?
Drax.
162 Remov'd Sir, none knows whither.
Tysam.
163 I fear she has taken some precipitate resolve.
Bass.
164 The joys this news will bring,
165 Must soon cause
her appearance,
166 Where e're she is retir'd.
Tysam.
167 Make strict and speedy search,
168 He wants no
wealth brings happy tidings first.
Eum., Drax.
169 We'll use all diligence.
[Ex. Eum. Drax.
Tysam.
170 Bring forth Statyra.
Bass.
171 I'le wait her to you, Sir.
[Ex. Bassanes.
Tysam.
172 'Tis fit she know
173 How much I have offended for
her sake.
Enter Bassanes and Statyra.
Stat.
175 Sir, you have prov'd I can forgive.
Tysam.
176 Thy goodness I have injur'd next my Queens,
177 And
I am making of my peace with Heaven
178 And her.
Stat.
179 'Tis worthy of your Soul --
180 But you'l consider,
Sir --
Tysam.
181 I do, that 'twas my sin of love to thee
182 Which
did induce this Act, to whom I first
183 Dispos'd my heart: and would to
Heaven I had
184 Two souls, that I might give one to thy vertue,
185 And
make thee twin in my affection with my Queen;
186 Excepting whom, the world
and womankind
187 Are but trifles to my heart.
Stat.
188 Mine is as truly yours;
189 And let this blush
excuse my boldness,
190 If I claim you now my own.
Tysam.
191 How's this Statyra?
Stat.
192 You are made free by Law,
193 (If such a one this
Country owns) and can
194 That less then plead for my enjoyment now,
195
So much your Lover?
Bass.
196 I did not look for this.
Aside.
Tysam.
197 Tempt me not fair Statyra, lest I fall
198
Below the sin of the Apostate Angels;
199 And call thy love my second crime.
Stat.
200 I did but mention mine to prove your constancy.
201
May you for ever live most happy in
202 Your Queen; and for your sake I'le
beg of Heaven
203 That she may late be taken thither.
Tysam.
204 Thou art a pattern of perfection --
Stat.
205 And since you now have made me free, I'le crave
206
Your leave to respite my return, till I
207 Congratulate your happy meeting
with
208 Your Queen, and so to Persia, where I'le
209 Spread your
joys.
Bass.
210 This centers with my wish.
[Aside.
Tysam.
211 Each syllable of thine does give my soul new wonder.
212 Since not alone, thou can'st my Crime forgive,
213 But yield I may
anothers Lover live.
Ex. Tysamnes leading Statyra, Bassanes.
Enter Melvissa with two Courtiers.
Melv.
214 You are pleas'd to like my entertainment
215
Gentlemen; and I am apt enough to be
216 Proud of your good opinion.
1 Court.
217 You are all diversion, Madam, our Court
218 Has
not such another Lady.
2 Court.
219 I hope you'l
220 Give me leave to spend some
hours with your converse.
Melv.
221 You may be welcom as I please
222 Jointly, and
severally.
Both.
223 We understand you, Madam.
Melv.
224 But methinks you are a little dull (though
225
Courtly bred) since you speak praises of my Wit,
226 But have little to say for my Beauty.
1 Court.
227 Oh Madam! that's granted, the Court has no such
228 Star, bating the Queen.
2 Court.
229 Besides, your Ladyship
230 Cannot so far mistake
our inclinations,
231 As to suppose we pay adorations
232 To the ugly,
though ne're so witty;
233 They are only fit to eat with, provided
234
They keep good Tables.
Melv.
235 Now I perceive you.
1 Court.
236 But for you, Madam, (so perfectly taking)
237 The
day is too short to admire you, and
238 The night to enjoy you.
Melv.
239 You aim well, and 'tis odds
240 But I guess the mark
you'd hit -- pray sit a while;
241 I can afford you some minutes --
[They sit by her.
2 Court.
242 There's no time
243 Long enough, we are not in
haste. --
1 Court.
244 'Tis fit we wait your leisure.
Enter Andrages.
Melv.
245 I keep my lodgings free enough for entertainment,
246 And live without the fear of
247 Prying Watchers, or the Jealous
Husbands eye.
Andr.
248 Oh my torment! she dares me to be jealous too.
[Aside.
2 Court.
249 I suppose, Madam, you allow the Gentleman
250 His
times of hawking and hunting, in order
251 To your more private Recreations.
1 Court.
252 Let me be so happy I beseech you,
253 As to have
notice when he is absent.
2 Court.
254 Or I, Madam, I should endeavour to serve you.
Andr.
255 I'le try whether I have so much courage
256 Left, as
to mark these things (made up of perfumes
[Draws his Sword.
1 Court.
260 Your Husband, Madam -- we are in haste --
Melv.
261 You need not make so much.
2 Court.
262 Your Humble Servant, Sir. --
1 Court.
263 The King expects me, Madam.
Melv.
264 You shall not part with any apprehension
265 Hence
-- how now Sir Hot Spur? I must curb you
266 I faith, if you offer to take
such Careers as these.
Andr.
267 You may command me, Madam -- a Lark is not
268 So
dar'd as I am by this Hobby of mine.
[Aside.
Melv.
269 Put up your Tool, and remove; your appearance
270
Was more unseasonable then I look'd for.
Andr.
271 Each word she speaks is a Charm; I have not
272 So
much valour in me as to oppose her tongue,
273 What e're I have done, or
dare do otherwise.
[Ex. Andrages.
Melv.
274 You may now withdraw,
275 Gentlemen, the King
expects you.
Both.
276 Your Servant Lady.
Melv.
277 There is no need of the expression;
278 I did but
act a little of the most to show my prerogative;
279 I hope you'l say
there's one Woman amongst us
280 Has wit enough to rule her Husband
281
In spight of Law.
Both.
282 We'll witness it to wonder, Madam.
[Exeunt.
Enter Clarina hastily.
Clar.
283 Oh Madam! your experiment has done
284 Wonders; my
Husband --
Melv.
285 Loves thee now to purpose. --
Clar.
286 Beyond expression.
Melv.
287 My mother prov'd
288 Such a like Artifice on my
father,
289 For securities sake, yet lov'd him dearly.
Clar.
290 You have given good proof in your own,
291 And for
mine, I believe he feels love.
292 In every fiber of his heart; kneels to
293 Adore me, compares me to Stars, and
294 Vows that I am more fair
then ever.
295 Oh what a kissing time shall I have on't,
296 If he and I meet in embrace again?
Melv.
297 Tantalize him well first.
Clar.
298 But to say truth,
299 I long my self, and would
willingly be -- you guess --
Enter Foscaris.
Melv.
300 He comes, withdraw a while --
Ex. Clarina.
Fosc.
301 Oh Madam! you
302 Have given me a present has had
such
303 Powerful operation on me.
Melv.
304 By this time
305 You well understand the meaning
on't
306 I assure my self.
Fosc.
307 'Tis love Madam, in extremity.
Melv.
308 Did I not tell you so?
Fosc.
309 I thought I had hit your sense
310 To a hair indeed,
while I conceiv'd you
311 As Gentlemen should a Lady in the like case.
Meiv.
312 It means as good a thing I can assure you.
Fosc.
313 But I am doting on my Wife again,
314 And must (in
spight of flesh and blood) woo her
315 'Twice over.
Melv.
316 There 'tis -- Alas good Sir, who could
317 Have
thought it in a man of your temper?
Fosc.
318 That same bewitching Bracelet you gave me,
319 Which
I am fain to kiss thus reverently
320 Most minutes of the day, nay,
sometimes pray to't;
321 I can't blame your Husband
322 For being such a
strict Amorist; he
323 Has had his philter I suppose.
Melv.
324 I never found it needful; if I had,
325 Perhaps I
should have endeavour'd much
326 To preserve his love.
Fosc.
327 There's not a hair
328 On thy head, but I dare say
can do more
329 Then all the Charms of Medea.
Melv.
330 Excuse me, Sir.
Fosc.
331 I should be loth to prove you guilty of
332 Magick,
though 'tis certain.
Melv.
333 Proceed, good Sir,
334 And accuse me, because Heaven
has brought
335 Your affection back again to your Lady;
336 'Tis odds
but I shall answer it.
Fosc.
337 Well, since 'tis thus,
338 I forgive thee; and as
you are a Woman,
339 Speak a good word for me.
Enter Clarina.
Melv.
340 That I assure you,
341 And perhaps have taken more
care for you
342 Then you can imagine -- here she comes,
343 Apply your
self first.
[Ex. Melvissa.
Fosc.
344 And are we met thus?
Clar.
345 If not happily, you may remove me
346 With the least
breath of yours.
Fosc.
347 Nay, prethee stay,
348 I love strangely to look on
thee --
349 O that Eye of thine! --
Clar.
350 And this Cheek, this Lip, (some think not ill)
351
So often tasted by you, with other amorous
352 Passages of ours: does this
remembrance please you?
Fosc.
353 To miracle! --
Clar.
354 And do you truly repent
355 My desertion, as you
protested to me you did?
Fosc.
356 From the very bottom of my belly, sweetest.
Clar.
357 Had you said your heart, perhaps I had
358 Took your
word, and consented to have met
359 Your desires on honourable terms.
Fosc.
360 This may be a device to bring my passion
361 To some
further mockery: (these she Serpents
362 Want no wiles) I'le try whether or
no
363 I can dissemble mine, though against the
364 Power of Magick.
Clar.
365 You dare trust my Love?
Fosc.
366 I could find in my heart --
Clar.
367 You seem'd of late
368 To adore me so strangely,
that I am oblig'd
369 To take pity of you now for fear of your wits.
Fosc.
370 'Tis certain she mocks me --
[Aside.
Clar.
375 Melvissa's Arts do fail I fear.
Fosc.
376 Besides, you Women are such nice things
377 To
handle, and as the world runs now,
378 Have such superlative devices. --
Clar.
379 I can forgive you truly; by this
[Points to his Picture by her side.]
Fosc.
381 My Picture still there? better and better;
[Aside.
Clar.
388 You then continue cruel still?
Fosc.
389 Alas my pretty fondling, I know thou
390 Wer't ever
kind and tender; but to say truth
391 I did but counterfeit my passion, a
little
392 To comply with thine, and gave out I had
393 Receiv'd I know
not what charms of Venus,
394 Supposing thou had'st more wit then to
believe
395 Such wonders.
Clar.
396 Is't possible?
Fosc.
397 Alas! what
398 Could'st thou expect from a man of my
complexion?
Clar.
399 I'le try my own Art a little then --
[Aside.
[She makes as if she swounded.
Enter Melvissa.
Fosc.
402 Help, help, help, my dearest thing of life,
403 I
love thee most outragiously.
Clar.
404 Are you in earnest?
Fosc.
405 Alas! I could even eat thee to express it.
Clar.
406 May I confide?
Fosc.
407 Besides, I'le tell thee more;
408 I am charm'd to
that purpose --
409 Behold this Bracelet, there's ten thousand
410
Spirits of Cupid in it.
Clar.
411 May I be certain? ha, ha, ha --
Fosc.
412 I'le swear it by a thousand Stars.
Clar.
413 Ha, ha, ha --
Fosc.
414 By this good light she jeers me.
Melv.
415 And acts her part unto my wish.
Clar.
416 Some other time you and I will dispute terms.
[Ex. Clar.
Fosc.
417 Oh my folly!
Melv.
418 If you want an Advocate,
419 Yet command me; in the
mean time, I hope
420 You'l make much of your favour, and so adieu.
[Ex. Melv.
Enter Andrages.
Fosc.
421 If I am not put in a Ballad, or Lampoon'd
422 By
some Scurrilous Poet before to morrow
423 This time, there is no mischief in
being a
424 Subject of ridiculous wonder.
Andr.
425 What's the matter?
Fosc.
426 Ask me no questions --
Andr.
427 But I could tell thee
428 Such a story of my
Rancounters.
Fosc.
429 But pronounce not the name of Wife.
Andr.
430 I'le tell thee news then; 'tis said we shall have
431 Wars with our Amazon neighbours.
Fosc.
432 Let it come,
433 I have quarrel enough to the whole
Sex
434 For the sake of one.
Andr.
435 But if they have many
436 Such Pentheselea's
amongst 'em as my Wife,
437 We are beaten into corners.
Fosc.
438 I am for any thing that's desperate,
439 And if I do
not cut as many of 'em
440 Off at the waste, to be reveng'd of this
441
Evil Genius of mine, let me dye
442 By their Bodkins.
[Exeunt.
Enter Tysamnes, Alvanes, Araxis, Draxanes, Eumenes, and others.
Tysam.
443 Call in the Embassadresses.
[Ex. Eum. Drax.
Enter Bassanes with Renone and Cydane.
Renon.
447 But first by us denounces War;
448 Who scorns to
gain a foot of earth, but what
449 Her Sword shall fairly win.
Tysam.
450 We'll soon prepare to meet her.
Cydan.
451 And thus we take our leaves.
King whispers Alv. & Arax.
Bassanes to the Embassadresses aside.]
[Aside.
Renon.
455 She honours worth in all, amongst whom
456 Your
vertues have no small effects,
457 Acknowledg'd by the world
458 A
worthy Captain.
Bass.
459 Your Servant Ladies.
[Ex. Embassadresses.
Enter Foscaris and Andrages.
Tysam.
460 You shall have all Commands become your valours;
461 I know as men, you stand oblig'd to serve this Cause.
Fosc.
462 To a man, Sir.
Andr.
463 And I (excepting one Woman)
464 Dare act as much
against the Sex: but she
465 I must confess, Sir, has the better on me
466 In all Incounters.
Tysam.
467 Your Wife I guess;
468 I am glad to hear I have a
Subject who
469 Is so kind a Husband -- No news yet of our Queen?
Bass.
470 Not any, as the best of my Intelligence can learn.
Tysam.
471 My soul is on the torture.
Enter Toxaris.
Tox.
472 I hope Sir,
473 I have brought you happy tidings in
this Letter.
Tysam.
474 'Tis Parisatis hand.
Tox.
475 'Twas given me
476 From an unknown person, who would
not stay
477 To satisfie my further Queries.
Tysam. reads.
486 Oh Heavens! my Parisatis dead! read
487 Here
Bassanes.
[Bassanes reads.
Bass.
488 My tears are slow, but credit me,
489 The death of
Armies, and the groans of War
490 When made from gasping Friends, just
drowning
491 Of their souls in streams of blood, ne're shook
492 My
heart like this.
Tysam.
493 Thy griefs are truly mine.
Bass.
494 But hope that providence, whose paths are
495
Labyrinths, may yet --
Enter Statyra.
Tysam.
496 She's dead, she's dead, too certain --
Stat.
497 The King's disturb'd.
Tysam.
498 Beyond expression; Parisatis my Queen --
Stat.
499 I hop'd was now return'd to your embrace.
Tysam.
500 The other world contains her vertues, she's dead.
Stat.
501 My eyes can ne're want streams to pour
502 With
yours for such a loss.
Tysam.
503 Mine are too guilty to partake
504 With thine; and
had I more then Niobe
505 E're shed to drown my soul in; or turn'd
506 To Marble at this news like her, 'twere but
507 Too gentle to
express my crime or grief.
Stat.
508 This passion's glorious.
Tysam.
509 What death can I devise, or torments
510 Give my
soul enough, that have at once
511 To answer breach of faith to thee and
death of her?
Stat.
512 Your stain is deep in both, though far more vile
513
As you are a Prince who did unworthily
514 Possess the love and glories
515 Of so excellent a Queen; that no pretence
516 Of Power, or Law, can
expiate --
517 But since by Heavens decree she's thus remov'd
518 To
Stars, for which did I but know her Urn,
519 I'de visit it, and pay my tears
as an
520 Oblation to her memory --
521 Yet now 'tis fit you live for my
sake
Tysam.
522 Thou hast some justice to my life,
523 But wilt not
now oblige it?
Stat.
524 I do, and
525 Claim it as the greatest blessing of
my own.
Tysam.
526 There's nothing left me, but in thee, that can
527
Invite a minutes breath.
Stat.
528 You had my first love Sir,
529 So far you have an
interest still.
Tysam.
530 And for thy sake I will admit to live;
531 Nay
more, I'le talk to thee of Love, and with
532 What penitence thou shalt
require, acknowledge
533 My past vows to thee, besides the guilt of my
534 Ingratitude unto my Parisatis.
Stat.
535 Heaven must absolve your crime to both,
536 For this your noble sorrow.
Tysam.
537 Thy words are comforts to my soul;
538 But this is
such an hour the Stars must mourn,
539 Or find new trepidations in their
orbs
540 To fright the earth with some calamity --
541 Besides an Enemy
does threaten now to invade
542 Our Kingdom -- Bassanes, you shall
command
543 As General.
Bass.
544 With my best duty Sir, and 'twas
545 Your Queens
command I should continue still your
546 Faithful Subject.
Tysam.
547 I have no other title here to reign but from her love,
--
548 Admit I leave thee, fair Statyra, in some place
549 Of
best security.
Stat.
550 I am oblig'd to be companion in your dangers.
Tysam.
551 That were an endless peril, though thy vertue
552
Be above what fate can injure.
Stat.
553 My heart were else not worth the owning yours.
Tox.
554 A brave and gracious Lady.
Alv.
555 The King 'tis sure affects her.
[Aside.
Tysam.
556 I feel a cloud upon my soul, I know not when
557 Or
how 'twill vanish --
558 Come Statyra, my Love and thine must wait
559 The calmer hours of time and kinder fate.
Ex. Omnes.
Enter Mandana, Daranthe, Cydane, Renone, and other Women.
Mand.
1
2
Such neglect.
Cyd.
3 We doubt it not, most royal Madam --
Mand.
4 And for his Queen, whose fair desertion
5 Has the
first place in our quarrel, would she
6 Were now alive, that we might with
our arms
7 Impose her on his Love.
Daran.
8 'Twere to be wish'd.
Mand.
9 The proof we have now given by taking
10 This strong
City of Daxata on the River
11 Volga, must make 'em know,
their force
12 Must yield unto our Sexes power,
13 We lead -- what
thinks our chief
14 Commandress?
Daran.
15 I judge that victory will soon
16 Make offerings at
your feet.
Mand.
17 This Pass we have
18 Secur'd must prove considerable,
since it
19 Impedes all their recruits that way.
Daran.
20 And what's more,
21 Hinders provision might else
arrive
22 Unto their Camp: nor can they forrage here
23 Much longer,
environ'd on each side with
24 Mountains, where by your mighty conduct
25 All the passages stand seiz'd by us.
Mand.
26 I think
27 They dare not hope to force their passage.
Daran.
28 Our Womens hearts must fail 'em strangely then,
29
And make your greatness wear a blush,
30 To see them this day prove
degenerate,
31 Who from your conduct glory many Victories.
Mand.
32 Spoke like the blood of Amazons.
Renon.
33 Nor do we doubt the issue of this day
34 Will make
your Prowess far more fam'd
35 Then brave Thalestris (stories tell)
was from
36 Great Alexander, (the Prince of Captains)
37 Held in
highest admiration.
Mand.
38 I see
39 You are all resolv'd, as does become
40
This Cause I fight, by which we'll force even Nature
41 To confess she was a
partial Mother
42 To our Sex, when she made man
43 First heir of Glory.
Daran.
44 Royal Madam --
Mand.
45 Enough, they serve
46 Our drudgeries, our pleasures, or embraces,
47 To create us
Souldiers, that scorn their uses
48 But for our heroick ends.
Daran.
49 Did but the Women
50 Of this world besides hear
this, they'd be asham'd,
51 To think they had not broke the yoke of men,
52 And such a fair and great Protectress in your self.
Mand.
53 An entertainment for our Greatness there,
54 That
this haughty Prince, Tysamnes, (who dares
55 Make War against our
Sex) may know that we
56 In this strong City, forc'd from his bold powers,
57 Keep our triumphant joys.
Ren.
58 Some Prisoners of War desire to present
59 Your
Majesty with a Dance, after the
60 Manner of their Country.
Man.
61 We admit them.
Musick and a Dance.
Enter Messenger.
Mess.
62 A Moorish Lady desires admittance
63 To your
presence.
Man.
64 She has our leave.
Enter Parisatis disguis'd like a Moor.
Man.
65 Your business Lady.
Par.
66 'Tis such, most Royal Madam, must beg
67 A pardon for
my craving this access,
68 Who have journy'd far to see the glory
69 Of
your Arms and Person, fam'd above all
70 The antient Amazons so much
renown'd.
Mand.
71 The ambition of this visit we can pardon;
72 And glad
we are our Actions have
73 Oblig'd the world and fame.
Par.
74 But more your Sex in this
75 Fair Cause your arms
embrace.
Mand.
76 This language suits
77 Our greatness --
Par.
78 And though our swarthy clime
79 Cannot boast Natures Beauties in Rose
80 And Lilly cheeks; that
gives us there as Daughters
81 Of the night; or that the kisses of the Sun
82 Were so unkindly spent, as it alone
83 Did darken us, and guild the
world besides;
84 Yet we have there bright souls of honour.
Mand.
85 I find thou hast, above what I in this
86 Short view
can read -- thy Name?
Par.
87 Zeriffa, Madam --
Mand.
88 Thy extraction
89 I need not ask, I know it must be
great
90 That represents thy self so full of noble grace
91 Unto our
presence.
Par.
92 Your great esteem is
93 My ambition to improve, though
with the
94 Greatest hazard of my life.
Mand.
95 And dost thou then love Arms? --
Par.
96 So far, most Royal Madam, as I would
97 Be glad to
dye, though not so much as mention'd
98 In the lowest place, among the
Annals
99 Of your fair Atchievments.
Mand.
100 I even dare
101 Already boast I have a Souldier in
thee,
102 Worthy to lead with us, and these, whose veins
103 Are warm'd
with blood of Amazons, inciting
104 Deeds, which but reported to the
softer
105 Of our Sex, give tremblings to their hearts.
Par.
106 I should be loth to lose my share in honour,
107 Or
miss the end I have design'd my life;
108 Yet must avow I never yet have
fought.
Mand.
109 Though thy Complexion above all my Sex,
110 Nature
has fitted most to deeds of War,
111 In which the scars, and wounds of arms,
cannot
112 Dig furrows in the fair brow of Beauty,
113 So dear unto the
vainer of thy kind.
114 Yet I must now require, whether no other
115
Motive has produc'd this inclination?
Par.
116 I'le soon confess I have not liv'd so much
117 Oblig'd by man, as that I may not justly
118 Be concern'd in your
great cause and quarrel
119 To make an offering of my life.
Mand.
120 Thou hast won my confidence.
Par.
121 The command I ask from your great Majesty,
122 Shall
be but mean, such as your prudence best
123 Will judge becomes a strangers
trust.
Mand.
124 And thou shalt have it, worthy Moor.
Par.
125 But crave it may be hazardous and daring:
126 Heaven
knows how willing
127 I am to be rid of life.
[Aside.
Mand.
128 Thou shalt have fit employment for thy valour --
129
And take care my valiant Women, that this
130 Moor, who promises such
wonders of her Faith
131 And Vertue, does not in noble emulation
132
Match your Prowess.
Daran.
133 The Queen's soon taken with this stranger.
Cydan.
134 She seems to promise much.
Mand.
135 A suit of our best Arms and Quiver
136 For this
Moor --
Enter one with Arms and Quiver.
[They put 'em on.
Par.
141 I should be else not worthy of that Soul
142 I would
be thought to bear.
Enter Messenger.
Mess.
143 The Enemy prepares for
144 Battel, Mighty Queen.
Mand.
145 We will prevent 'em giving the onset first --
146
Mean while, let's hear a Martial Ode,
147 The Harmony our Womens ears
delight;
148 While others of their Sex warble amorous
149 Notes to
entertain their Lovers.
The Queen Mandana leads her Amazon Women in state round the Stage, making several pauses while the Ode is Singing; at the end of which they go off.
The Amazons are suppos'd to sing the Martial Ode.
150 To Arms, to Arms, the Warlike fare,
151 As our Heroick
Charms,
152 With Martial Eccho's fill the Air,
153 Inviting unto Arms.
154 Our Women with their Bows and Darts,
155 Dare Mans rough powers
assail,
156 And Conquer such unshaken Hearts
157 To give Love laws as we
prevail.
158 Advance, advance, lest fortunes haste
159 Our Onsets should
delay,
160 Obliging time that flies so fast,
161 To curb his Steeds this
day;
162 And hand in hand with mighty fame,
163 That wraps in Clouds her
head,
164 Her glorious daughters us proclaim,
165 And first our stately
Triumphs lead.
166 We challenge Dian and her Host
167 Of Nymph-like
Archers all,
168 Who from their Quivers glory boast,
169 Or proud
Acteons fall;
170 If ever their bright eyes beheld,
171 A Chorus
like to ours;
172 Or saw themselves so far excell'd
173 By Womens more
Heroick powers.
[Exeunt.
Enter Bassanes, Foscaris, Andrages, Eumenes and Draxanes.
Bass.
174 Be couragious Gentlemen, the straight we are in,
175
I doubt not but my conduct with the Kings
176 Will find some brave expedient
to relieve.
Omn.
177 We'l all dye at your command.
Bass.
178 And for the Souldiers wants, our valours soon
179
Shall feed, e're their pin'd bellies mutiny
180 For bread; my presence is requir'd to see
181 What order keeps
our other wing.
[Ex. Bassanes.
Fosc.
182 Well Lads, we must fight it out to purpose,
183 I
find there's no getting else a crum of sustenance.
Andr.
184 Or be made such drudges to these Amazonia
185
Furies, their Camp has not the like.
Drax.
186 In our late skirmish methoughts they fought
187 Like
Dragons, and handl'd their Bows with more
188 Dexterity then
Parthians.
Andr.
189 There's at least
190 A Legion of Women, or more Evil
Spirits
191 In any one of them.
Eum.
192 And should we fall
193 Into their hands, what might
they expect
194 After that rate?
Drax.
195 As I am a Souldier,
196 I think a Brigade of men
would scarce do
197 The bus'ness of one Woman of this Generation,
198 If
they have the same vivacity for Venus,
199 As for Mars.
Fosc.
200 This morning I could have been contented
201 To have
broke my fast with one of the fair
202 Centinels next me; 'twas such a
pretty
203 Hard-hearted Rogue.
Drax.
204 And if I starve for want
205 Of Bread and Women, let
me perish unpity'd.
Eum.
206 Nay, we must venture on their bodies some way
207 Or
other; there's not a passage left us else
208 So wide as man enters the
world.
Drax.
209 'Tis said they hold
210 Intelligence with our
Scythian
211 Women: and have made such furious resolves
212 If we
fall into their hands.
Andr.
213 And for us Husbands --
214 If they Conquer --
Fosc.
215 Eunuch'd to a Man, Gentlemen --
216 I look to carry
my quill in my hat,
217 To show I am wholly castrated;
218 For the rest of our Troops, perhaps they'l give 'em
219 Leave to
spin in Boots, or serve their other occasions.
Enter Tysamnes with Statyra, Bassanes, Alvanes, Toxaris and Araxis.
Eum.
220 Here comes the King; we now shall be for
221 Action
speedily.
Andr.
222 His looks seem troubl'd.
Tysam.
223 Our City taken on the Volga, and
224 Our
Provisions, the Sinews of our Armies strength
225 Cut off before our eyes;
nay more, inclos'd
226 By female powers -- Can you be men and live
227
To this contempt?
Bass.
228 Spare your passion Sir.
Tysam.
229 I cannot, while I see I govern Souldiers
230 Scarce
deserve the name of men, more fit,
231 By Heaven, to be converted to some
other shape,
232 Or serve as Chamber Eunuchs to this female kind
233 Our
Arms oppose.
Bass.
234 This stratagem of theirs
235 Was unexpected; in all
my time of war,
236 I ne're was so surpriz'd.
Tysam.
237 Think, dear Bassanes,
238 How we may redeem
some part of this dishonour.
Bass.
239 I judge the way must be to attacque
240 Their left
wing with a brisk assault.
Tysam.
241 Be it thy command. Foscaris, Andrages,
242
Draxanes and Eumenes, be you assisting
243 In this enterprise
with such Troops you lead.
Omn.
244 To our utmost, Royal Sir.
Bass.
245 And hope I shall soon give your Majesty
246 A good
account of this attempt -- Madam,
247 I have your happy wish.
Stat.
248 And more, my Prayers for your safety.
Tysam.
249 The other wing (my worthy Chiefs) I'le lead
250 To
assist your valours.
Omn.
251 We all are ready with our Duties.
Tysam.
252 And if our Swords cannot yet subdue these
253 Women
Warriours; let them triumph,
254 And tell Dame Nature
255 'Twas her fond
erroneous act,
256 Entituled Man Superiour.
Stat.
257 Consider, Sir,
258 For my sake, as you love
Statyra's being,
259 That have no small concern in every danger,
260 Threatens you.
Tysam.
261 'Tis for thy sake I'de only live
262 To crown this
day with victory.
Stat.
263 'Twere too much hazard for my Love.
Tysam.
264 Thou would'st not have me tamely gaze upon
265
These Foes, and see thee pine for food?
266 Or yield our selves to this
imperious womans will,
267 That may, perhaps, give Laws unwelcom to
268
Our Loves, or take thy Beauty Captive for
269 Her slavish Handmaid, whom but
to circle thus,
270 Is joy to me above the world and conquest.
Stat.
271 Admit I intercede for some fair peace,
272 She is a
Woman fam'd of Royal worth,
273 And cannot be so cruel you express.
Tysam.
274 I know thou would'st not save my life by
275 Womans
mercy; besides, 'twould fright thy gentle
276 Person, to behold thy Sex in
Armour,
277 And their breasts (while thine's Loves tender sphere)
278
Inclos'd in Ribs of Steel, with one cut off,
279 More furiously to wield
their Martial Bows,
280 With other Warlike horrors to afflict thy eyes.
Stat.
281 I fear no danger, so I serve but yours.
Tysam.
282 Admit I leave thee in my Tent,
283 Attended with my
best reserves of Force --
Enter an Officer.
Officer.
285 Your Army, Sir, is in outragious Mutiny
286 For
Bread.
Alvan.
287 I look'd for this.
Tox.
288 I fear as much the Consequence.
Tysam.
289 A sign they are sons of Cowardise
290 That cannot
take it from their Women-foes,
291 Or make them knead us more.
Officer.
292 Your presence, Sir, may possibly allay
293 Their
fierce disorder.
Tysam.
294 We'le see who dares not fight,
295 Or starve if we
command it -- or else
296 We'le look e'm dead -- your hand my dearest --
297 This Mutiny we'le soon compose --
[Exeunt.
He leads Statyra to his Tent, & exit with the rest.
Enter Foscaris, Andrages, Eumenes and Draxanes, disarm'd and led Prisoners by three Amazon Ladies and other Women holding their spears at 'em.
Fosc.
298 Nay, good Lady Errants some mercy --
Eum.
299 As we are Souldiers --
1 Lady.
300 'Tis below our Amazon honour to afford it
301 To
such Knights of Chivalry as you are.
Andr.
302 As we are Gentlemen of good Nature to your Sex.
Drax.
303 Or as you have had kindness to man.
Fosc.
304 Or for Loves sake, of which I have store at your
305
Service.
2 Lady.
306 You are Spirits indeed of Cupid.
Fosc.
307 I am more than an ordinary man that way,
308 And
have Venus about me in abundance.
Enter Daranthe.
1 Lady.
309 Here comes our General.
2 Lady.
310 We must not further act without her.
Daran.
311 You have done bravely, valiant Ladies;
312 But
where's their General Bassanes, who
313 Forc'd your Squadrons? the
Queen would have been glad
314 To have led in triumph such a famous Chief.
1 Lady.
315 He fought his way with many wounds unto the
316
Volga; in whose rough streams we judge him drown'd.
Daran.
317 The Queen will give his loss some pity --
318 For
you Gentlemen, who have not been
319 Injurious to our Sex in practising
320 Your Scythian custom; the Queen proclaims
321 She'l think of
mercy; and for such pris'ners
322 Who have Wives --
Fosc.
323 What will be our Fate?
[Aside.
Daran.
324 It is her Royal Pleasure
325 They be surrender'd to
their wills --
326 I must attend and give her notice
327 Of your brave
success.
[Ex. Daranthe.
Fosc.
328 'Twere best to be afore-hand with this Act
329 Of
Grace -- I humbly lay hold on your Queens mercy.
And.
330 And I, Madam.
Eum.
331 And I.
Drax.
332 And I.
Enter Melvissa and Clarina.
2 Lad.
333 Have none of you Wives in being, Gentlemen?
334
What say you, Sir?
Fosc.
335 Who I, Madam? I would not be so unfortunate
336 For
a world; and would you
337 But espouse us to some of your Masculine
338
Generation, we'd get your Queen such Heroines.
Melv.
339 Dost hear how abominably these Creatures
[To Clar. aside.
Clar.
341 They are oblig'd, it seems, to
342 Change the
complexion of their hearts.
Melv.
343 Let it be for life's sake, or love's, I'le have
344
My due acknowledgments --
Andr.
345 Do not own us, dear Wives,
[Aside.
Melv.
347 How, not own our just proprieties?
Fosc.
348 As you are Women, and have mercy,
349 We are coming
off, and on the fairest terms
350 Heart can wish -- withdraw awhile,
351
And we'll be with you in a trice, and
352 Handle things kindly, as men and
wives should do.
Melv.
353 You shall excuse us, we'll reprieve you
354 Our own
way now.
Clar.
355 And for you, Sir, whose Conversion,
356 I hop'd, my
better stars had wrought --
Fosc.
357 Alas! my sweetest, I love thee with a flame
358 As
warm as thou can'st wish; but was forc'd to
359 Dissemble for some motives
of danger,
360 Which I know thoul't pardon.
1 Lad.
361 'Tis fit we understand
362 Your business, Ladies.
2 Lad.
363 You are not Spies. --
Melv.
364 By your fair leaves,
365 We come to claim a pair of
Husbands
366 By vertue of your Queens Proclamation.
Clar.
367 Of which, one of them had the good manners
368 To
part with his Wife, witness my self. --
Omn.
369 How's this?
Andr.
370 What will become of us?
Fosc.
371 Or me, that have provok'd
372 Fate and Woman
together?
Andr.
373 I am like to suffer under both, that must again
374
Endure the insupportable, and endless
375 Civil war of wedlock.
Fosc.
376 O, the star of Venus has had a strange influence
377 In our Horoscopes; there's no resisting destiny,
378 And she the
Ascendant.
Andr.
379 Might I chuse, I had rather once more charge the
380
Amazonian Battel, and all the Viragoes
381 Of woman-kind together.
[The Ladies compass them in holding their Spears at them.]
Both Lad.
382 Shall we kill e'm to revenge your injuries?
Clar.
383 By no means, we beg their lives.
Melv.
384 And having thus cull'd out our Cocks,
385 I doubt
not, but we shall manage the game
386 Advantagiously enough.
1 Lad.
387 You have e'm at your mercy.
Clar.
388 Thanks to your Queens.
Melv.
389 She has mine likewise in abundance Ladies --
390 But for you Husbands. --
Fosc.
391 Nay, prethee we'll compose differences as you please.
Drax.
392 Now for our Capitulations.
[ Drax. and Eum. aside.
Eum.
393 If we do not make fair ones for our selves
394 With
such Victors as these,
395 We may curse our Nativities.
Fosc.
396 What terms of composition, good sweet Wife?
397 Thou
know'st I love thee above imagination.
Clar.
398 Perhaps I may give you fair quarter.
Fosc.
399 Let it be but in thine, and I will dye
400 Upon the
spot, e're part with thee again;
401 I am thine now without a charm.
Clar.
402 I promise nothing, though you see I have took
403
Some pains for your safety.
Andr.
404 What says my Spouse?
Melv.
405 'Tis odds she'll proceed as occasion serves.
Andr.
406 Be not proud of thy victory, thou know'st
407 I have
been a most submissive Husband.
Melv.
408 You'l soon know my conditions --
Andr.
409 And if they prove but gentle,
410 I am conquer'd
happily --
1 Lad.
411 You will not leave our Camp presently?
Clar.
412 Not till the issue of this day be past.
2 Lad.
413 If you doubt obedience from your Husbands,
414
Command a Guard from us.
Fosc.
415 By no means Ladies,
416 We acknowledge an absolute
Conquest.
Melv.
417 Otherwise, you know our Commission.
Clar.
418 Your servant, fair noble Warriours.
[Ex. Fosc. Clar. Andr. Melv.]
1 Lad.
419 The Queen.
Enter Mandana with Cydane and Renone.
Mand.
420 You have taken those fierce Militants
421 That did
attempt to force their safeties
422 In despight of our bold powers.
2 Lad.
423 We have, most Royal Madam,
424 And in obedience to
your great commands,
425 Have gratify'd two Ladies of the Enemies part,
426 By surrendring
of their Husbands to their wills.
Mand.
427 I am glad my victory
428 Does give my name a Trophy
in the
429 Obligation of my Sex; these men we war,
430 Have too
injurious treated -- But where's
431 The Prince Bassanes, their
General?
1 Lad.
432 He forc'd his bold escape, if not drown'd
433 In
passing of the Volga.
Mand.
434 We could have
435 Been content to have seen him made
our Captive.
Renon.
436 And must have added
437 Glory to your Victory.
Cyd.
438 He much exprest himself your great Admirer.
Enter Messenger.
Mess.
439 Glad tidings, mighty Queen, the King and all
440 His
power is now surrender'd to your General.
Mand.
441 I knew the streight we had reduc'd 'em to,
442 Would
soon compel 'em --
443 And where's his fair Persian Mistress,
Statyra?
Mess.
444 She is, besides some Pris'ners of note
445 Guarded
by the valiant Moor.
Mand.
446 This Crowns our Conquest.
Enter Daranthe and Parisatis, with Tysamnes and Statyra, Araxis, Toxaris and Alvanes.
Daran.
450 We are honour'd that our duties
451 Serv'd your
Greatness.
Mand.
452 But thine, my valiant Moor, that gives
453
Such noble emulation in thy worthy Deeds
454 To all, I know not how enough
to magnifie,
455 But soon will raise thy merit to some higher
456 Trust, shall speak our great esteem, both of thy
457 Valour and
fidelity.
Par.
458 You oblige the humblest of your Servants.
Mand.
459 The King's a gracious person.
[Looking on Tysam.
Par.
460 I fear too taking.
Mand.
461 Now, Mighty Sir?
Tysam.
462 Your pleasure, Madam?
Mand.
463 Is it not just, that I, who am the Mighty
464
Warriour, in my Sexes Cause,
465 Should frown thee dead?
Tysam.
466 You cannot look me out of life, nor would
467 I
turn my head aside, though every beam
468 Of yours, were Darts of Basilisks,
that dare
469 Behold you thus --
Mand.
470 You are resolute I find;
471 And would to Heaven
your Queen were yet in being,
472 That she might witness my concern in her
473 Fair Cause; or from my power
474 Ask thee her Sacrifice,
475
Since thou hast been so much her Tyrant Lover.
Tysam.
476 My ingratitude to her great vertue
477 I
acknowledge; though I meet all your rage
478 In pouring of revenge for her
sake on my head;
479 And since she is no more, for which, Heaven knows,
480 How true I grieve, I would not live, but for
481 This Ladies sake.
[Looking on Statyra.
Mand.
482 Your new made Mistress --
Tysam.
483 And just possessor of my heart.
Mand.
484 She has strange fascination in her eyes,
[Aside.
Stat.
486 If you pronounce me guilty, speak my death;
487 Nay,
I'le intreat it at your hand as royal mercy,
488 So you'l spare the King,
489 For whose great safety,
490 Had I many thousand lives, I'd humbly
491 Lay them, as my offering, at your feet.
Daran.
492 This Lady has a noble soul.
Par.
493 Too much the Kings I fear.
[Aside.
Mand.
494 I have cause enough to bid thee dye,
495 But will
not cloud the glory of this day
496 With Womans death; and wer't not for a
sacred
497 Resolution of my soul, perhaps would grant
498 Thy Loves
enjoyment; but I have now decreed --
Tysam.
499 If death, I am ready to embrace it.
Stat.
500 Oh speak some milder Accent! what can
501 Become a
Womans soul, like yours, so much
502 As gracious mercy?
Mand.
503 My resolution's fixt irrevocable,
504 As when by
Heaven's o're-ruling will, we guide
505 Our Justice: for know
Tysamnes, I have vow'd
506 Thy life a glorious victim of my Conquest;
507 Nor has it been unusual in the Wars we make,
508 For such a day as
this, to grace our Altars
509 With the best of Captives, of which I judge
510 None worthy, like thy self.
Stat.
511 You will not be divinely cruel?
Mand.
512 I'le hear no more --
513 Zeriffa -- take
these pris'ners to thy custody;
514 Thy Complexion is most fit to serve this
Trust;
515 And be sure you have a watchful eye
516 Upon this Lady; the
rest, perhaps,
517 Shall find our mercy.
Par.
518 I joy this trust.
Tysam.
519 Grieve not, Statyra, since I dye thy Lover.
Stat.
520 And might I bleed upon the Altar with you,
521
'Twere then my Loves true Sacrifice.
Mand.
522 Thus far this day propitious does appear,
523 But
from the end great Acts their Crowns must wear.
[Ex. Omnes.
Enter Mandana and Parisatis.
Mand.
1
2 Declar'd resolves? I know they needs
3 Must bow his lofty heart.
Par.
4 As unconcern'd as Infants sleep,
5 Or as the Man you'd
chuse the object of
6 Your mercy ought to be -- nay more. --
Mand.
7 What means that more?
Par.
8 You are a Woman.
Mand.
9 But a Conquerour.
Par.
10 Had I like power.
Mand.
11 What then?
Par.
12 I'd bid him live at least.
Mand.
13 Thou would'st not have me love him?
Par.
14 No by my life --
15 Though 'twere a gracious Act to
Heaven, if you
16 Vouchsafe him mercy; since he's oblig'd to fair
17
Statyra's Love; you else will kill two hearts at once.
Mand.
18 Away with this fond pity;
19 I have fix't my Justice.
Par.
20 Your pleasure Madam.
Mand.
21 Bring forth the King,
22 I'le make him know it.
Par.
23 I am all confusion.
[Ex. Parisatis.]
Mand.
24 This Moor is brave and loyal; my Mother once
25 Had such a Lady near her person, she
26 Would commend above what
Faith can reach.
Enter Parisatis with Tysamnes.
Par.
28 I shall not -- but by your leave Queen,
29 Will here observe --
[Par. Stands aside.
Mand.
30 I hear, Tysamnes,
31 You contemn the vow I've
made,
32 Nor does my eye
33 Discern other then pleasing calms upon
34 The brow you seem to wear.
Tysam.
35 Such as become a King,
36 And every vulgar man, when
made a Sacrifice
37 To womans passion --
Mand.
38 Take heed, Sir, how
39 You entertain a Summer in your
hopes,
40 Or slight the Justice I decree.
Tysam.
41 What mean you, Madam?
42 Alas! I look'd to meet the
Miter'd Priest,
43 The Altar fixt, where I should bleed your Victim,
44
And if you superscribe it
45 With my crimes of Love,
46 Which caus'd at
once my Parisatis death,
47 And fair Statyra's tears, I'le
call it justice,
48 And due expiation of my sins to Heaven.
Mand.
49 I'le soon my self convey you to the
50 Altar I intend
--
Par.
51 What means the Queen?
[Aside.
Mand.
52 Or say I bid thee live?
Tysam.
53 'Twere then a mercy greater then I crave,
54 Or
merit.
Mand.
55 I'd have thee judge it more.
Par.
56 'Tis love most certain.
[Aside.
Mand.
57 What think you of this look?
[She smiles.
Tysam.
58 'Tis somewhat gentler then I did expect.
Mand.
59 And what of this?
[Smiles again.
Tysam.
60 It seems more kind then common smile.
Mand.
61 Is it not welcom to thy heart?
Tysam.
62 'Twere too much to bestow such beams on me,
63 And
gives me greater wonder, then should Lights Orb
64 Contract its glory to the
Artick Pole,
65 To quicken there some frozen spot of earth.
Mand.
66 He does perceive -- thy pardon now is written
67 In my heart -- Zeriffa --
Enter Parisatis.
[Ex. Mandana.
Par.
71 Is this your vow, oh Parisatis?
72 Didst thou
walk as undiscern'd as Ghosts
[Aside.
Tysam.
77 'Twas unexpected --
78 And I with glader eyes could
have beheld
79 Thee made my deaths black Hand-maid.
Par.
80 You do not slight the Queen, that with her
81 Gracious
beams of mercy quickens you to live?
82 Nay more, if I discern that have
some trust
83 From her fair thoughts, is giving of her self
84 A
conquest to your Love -- methinks
85 This should awake your apprehension,
Tysam.
86 It does! but find my self
87 Unshaken to
Statyra, and could have wish'd
88 Your Queens more rigid vow were
unrepeal'd,
89 That I might bleed her Sacrifice.
Par.
90 She is your Crime,
91 And therefore does deserve to be
your Fate,
92 Or else embrace the same with her.
Tysam.
93 Though thy dark visage is most fit to be
94 The
messenger of death and all it's horrors,
95 I may enquire what cause incites
thee
96 To appear thus cruel.
Par.
97 It breaks like clearest justice
98 From my Soul, that
am oblig'd to be
99 Your Queens Revenger --
Tysam.
100 Thou art not sent from t'other world
101 To be my
Executioner, where she's adorn'd
102 With Crowns and smiles of Angels, still
interceding
103 My forgiveness.
Par.
104 I have griev'd his Soul too much,
[Aside.
Tysam.
107 It proves thee worthy.
Par.
108 One word and I have done; were your Queen living?
109
Nay more, Sir, wer't soon as manifest, she
110 Hazarded her life, repriev'd
on purpose
111 For your safety, would you receive her
112 To your
embrace and love?
Tysam.
113 She is too dear to Heaven
114 To be given thence;
and Stars which frown'd upon
115 That fatal Act, already have enroll'd her
116 In their first of bright Societies --
117 But this is all thy dream.
Par.
118 Believe it such --
119 Yet so far I dare represent
her self,
120 As to assure you, for her sake, I'le dye
121 To purchase
your just freedom --
122 Let this tear confirm you, as 'twere shed from her.
Enter Statyra.
[Ex. Parisatis.
Tysam.
124 The carriage of this Moor
125 Is honours
riddle to my thoughts --
126 Oh my Statyra! I have yet a hope of thy
127 Enjoyment.
Stat.
128 Does the Queen Incline to mercy?
Tysam.
129 She has receded from her vow.
Stat.
130 That's happy --
131 And more cruel in decree, seeks
132 To divide my soul from thine --
133 Thou understand'st me?
Stat.
134 I do too sadly --
Tysam.
135 But this Moor, employ'd by Heaven
136 To be
a Guardian of our Loves, or as
137 The night, or Hymen gave her this
complexion
138 To be a sober guide unto his rights,
139 Devotes herself
to serve our safeties.
Stat.
140 This means of happiness was above my hope,
141 While through each vein of mine, my blood had ebbings
142 From my
heart, in apprehension of your dangers;
143 Nor did I view her with less
horror,
144 Conceiving her the Queens most cruel instrument.
Tysam.
145 I thought her so, but she has given me such
146
Assurance of her Faith and Love, that had
147 Thy beauteous figure took a
veil like her,
148 Or were my Parisatis
149 Represented such, I
would not have expected
150 A more strict concern for me.
Stat.
151 It seems too much
152 To credit from a stranger, or
else 'tis but
153 Loves kinder Labyrinth.
Enter Parisatis.
Tysam.
154 She's here -- salute her
155 With thy kindest
beams, she does deserve
156 Our near regards.
Stat.
157 Madam, the King has given me such a character
158 Of
your worth, as I must beg to joyn
159 Acknowledgments with his.
Par.
160 I'le venture all that's dear to serve him,
161 And
your vertue; but this is not a time
162 For Words: Things call to action --
163 Please you withdraw.
[Ex. Tysam. Stat.
Enter Draxanes.
Drax.
165 I hope most happily.
Par.
166 And hast thou found him?
Drax.
167 Yes, Madam, and have brought him.
Par.
168 This place is safe from ears -- wait him to me.
[Ex. Drax.
Enter Bassanes disguis'd.
Bass.
172 And I like to some man that's
173 Struck with
Extasies of joy,
174 Could even resign my soul, as thus
175 I kiss the
ground I tread, in adoration
176 Of your being here, when fear'd beyond a doubt
177 You had
snatch'd your self away, to make its
178 Bosom in your grave more sacred.
Par.
179 Draxanes told thee all?
Bass.
180 He did Madam,
181 As I was levying of Recruits to
free the King
182 From this restraint he suffers here.
Par.
183 Then we'll spare further circumstance,
184 And only
know I have prepar'd to do him
185 Signal service; for which end, I took
this Cloud,
186 Either to dye unknown, or live a means
187 Of his lov'd
preservation.
Bass.
188 This deed must ravish Men and Angels
189 To express;
who must admire at once
190 Your most heroick constancy and vertue.
Par.
191 Enough Bassanes, and pardon me, that I
192
Sent my summons to joyn thee as companion
193 In the dangers I embrace.
Bass.
194 You shall command
195 My utmost peril, though every
man I meet
196 Could look me into Atoms.
Par.
197 And know to my
198 More cruel Fate, the King not only
has
199 A Mistress in Statyra, but the Queen
200 Mandana,
his fair Conquerour, has vow'd
201 Him for her own enjoyment.
Bass.
202 What can be thought on
203 To resist this high
injustice?
Par.
204 I have resolv'd upon the means, in which
205 I'le use
thy Conduct, not more approv'd to act,
206 Then sage in resolution; nor do I
doubt
207 The instruments we'll use, are less then cordial,
208 To
embrace the end we shall propose, which must
209 Be swift in execution.
Bass.
210 I would not waste a minute e're I act to serve it.
Par.
211 The Guards are here at my devotion, besides
212 A
considerable number of our bravest Officers,
213 By the Queen
Mandana, set at liberty.
Bass.
214 They may be serviceable to your design.
Par.
215 The honour of their King obliges it --
216 Within
we'll debate more at large particulars.
[Exeunt.
Enter Toxaris, Alvanes, Araxis.
Tox.
217 Well Gallants, we are all Freemen now.
Alv.
218 'Tis a seasonable mercy to us Courtiers,
219 Not us'd
to this kind of belly duty;
220 We otherwise must have been living Anatomies
221 By this time.
Arax.
222 And so perhaps Metamorphiz'd
223 Into starv'd
Ghosts, to walk with hideous
224 Lamentations these Fields of Victory.
Tox.
225 I do not think
226 All th'Infernal Region can fright
these
227 Victrices, should they appear in Arms,
228 There's not an
Image of Mars, but does raise
229 Their fury above Miracle.
Alv.
230 And yet
231 For all their being thus couragious and
hardy
232 (Which must be acknowledg'd more then wonder
233 In their soft
kind) they are refin'd as our Ladies
234 Of the best converse; and as
modishly witty
235 As any she Platonick living --
Arax.
236 If Venus make no Captives in this shape
237
Of Mars, may her Son ne're more wear Quiver.
Enter Eumenes.
Eum.
238 Never men enfranchis'd on such terms
239 As we are,
for which this great and fair
240 Warriour deserves a Jubilee.
Tox.
241 She's highly gracious.
Eum.
242 And like the Sun diffusive in her beams;
243 I have
been so Caress'd by our fair Conquerours,
244 Under several Titles and
Commands, as if they'd
245 Invite us shortly to match by Regiments,
246
And so at last joyn Armies! what a day
247 Of Hymen would that be?
Alv.
248 Could but our King be freed
249 On royal terms,
'twould adde yet
250 Glory to this Queens great Acts.
Eum.
251 Some did interpret
252 Favourably, when she late
vow'd him
253 To a sad destiny.
Arax.
254 As how?
Eum.
255 As men should construe in like case, a Womans vow.
Tox.
256 I am yet to learn, there's nothing but
257 Riddle in
the whole Sex.
Eum.
258 'Tis said that Love's the Oedipus,
259 And has
resolv'd it, to whose soft Altars
260 She has given the King some beams of
invitation.
Alv.
261 But that may adde unto his greater peril,
262 Being
so much devoted to Statyra,
263 That his heart is Ice to other flame.
Arax.
264 Heaven guide things for the best!
Tox.
265 Where did you leave Draxanes?
266 He shares of
this Grace I hope?
Eum.
267 Yes, and is advanc'd to no small favour. --
Tox.
268 Not with the Queen?
Eum.
269 No, but what's a step to't,
270 He is deep in the
Moors;
271 I left him in close Conference with her.
Alv.
272 That Moor carries the stream indeed of Grace:
273 Our King committed to her trust with his beauteous
274 Mistriss.
Arax.
275 But what to judge her.
Eum.
276 She bears a Soul of brightest temperament;
277 As if
that providence had found a place
278 Elsewhere for her Nativity; or as she
wore
279 An Ethiops Cloudy Veil, from Art, not Nature.
Enter Foscaris leading Clarina, and Andrages, Melvissa.
Tox.
280 Foscaris and Andrages come off thus
281
With their Wives! this must conclude
282 A strange day of Womans Victory.
Fosc.
283 I have paid my Arrears
284 Of Love, I hope to
purpose; we are
285 Reconcil'd, and have embrac'd, and so forth Gentlemen.
Clar.
286 You have so.
Fosc.
287 And can bill like Doves now.
Clar.
288 Not too much, I beseech you, lest you fall
289 Into
a surfeit of Love again; too much
290 Of the honey of Wedlock is not good
291 For your palate.
Eum.
292 We joy your Loves.
Fosc.
293 If any be unkind henceforth to his Spouse,
294 May
he suffer my penance; there's some
295 Mystery behind, which you shall all
know
296 At leisure: in the Interim, I acknowledge
297 My happiness,
from you Lady.
Melv.
298 I am glad it was in my power to serve
299 Your
felicity in Clarina's.
Andr.
300 And I rejoyce a kind Wife too, Gentlemen.
Melv.
301 But take heed you don't presume;
302 You know my
power when I please.
Tox.
303 These Women Conquerours are strangely noble.
Clar.
304 We own our Husbands from their mercy.
Andr.
305 And we our freedoms.
Fosc.
306 Souldiers in every vein Gentlemen,
307 And can drink
a smart health or two as they
308 Discourse of Arms -- and would they yield
309 Reasonable obedience to mankind, I'd wish
310 You all to match
amongst them, they'd spirit
311 Flesh and blood indeed.
Alv.
312 I long to be doing.
Arax.
313 And I as much.
Tox.
314 Could but the King come off nobly.
Fosc.
315 He must, if the Queen do not once more
316 Change
her vow.
Alv.
317 No news yet of the General Bassanes?
Eum.
318 He vanish'd in a storm of darts! but what
319 His
fate is Heaven knows.
Enter Draxanes.
Drax.
320 A word in private.
[Whispers to Eumenes who deliver it to one another.
Eum.
321 Is't possible? --
Drax.
322 Rely your faiths on mine.
Tox.
323 We are confirm'd.
Melv.
324 You may admit us to Council,
325 Wives should
partake their Husbands secrets.
Andr.
326 You shall, you shall.
Fosc.
327 And know we have wondrous things in hand.
Clar.
328 If honourable, I'le venture all that's dear
329 To
serve it.
Melv.
330 And I as far engage.
Fosc.
331 Such as must fill your bosoms full of joy --
332
Within more of particulars.
[Ex. Omnes.
Enter Mandana, Daranthe, Cydane, Renone, and others attending.
Mand.
333 We have given our mercy to the King.
Daran.
334 'Twas gracious like your self. --
Mand.
335 Nor will I blush to own
336 His Graces merit an
esteem from us.
Cyd.
337 The Queen is surely smitten with her great Captive?
Renon.
338 Beyond a doubt.
Mand.
339 Bring forth the King Cydane.
[Ex. Cydane.
Enter Cydane.
Cyd.
342 Madam! the King's withdrawn.
Mand.
343 How?
Cyd.
344 Or else escap'd.
Mand.
345 Blister'd be thy tongue
346 That brings such tidings
to my heart --
347 Where is the Moor?
Cyd.
348 Not to be found.
Enter Statyra.
Mand.
349 Her black Soul shall take a gloomy flight
350 To the
other world for this.
Stat.
351 I answer for her trust.
Mand.
352 Thy life shall bear hers company.
Stat.
353 I am glad
354 To yield it up a Victim to your wrath,
355 Since that must raise a Trophy to my Love;
356 Where every Virgin of
a faith like mine,
357 Will drop a tear to give my memory
358 A name,
shall blast the glory of your Conquest.
Mand.
359 Away with this fond woman; it is an Ague
360 To my
blood to hear her reason thus.
[As they offer to carry her off.
Enter Bassanes disguis'd, with Foscaris, Andrages, Drax. Eum. Tox. Alv. Arax. and others arm'd.
Bass.
361 Hold and hear me first.
Mand.
362 How! men in Arms before our presence?
363 Have we no
Guard there? --
Bass.
364 None but what I have plac'd;
365 And were your Women
chang'd to Sons of Mars,
366 Nay, Cadmus fiercer issue joyn'd
to them,
367 When ripen'd first to horror of mankind,
368 As the earth
trembling did contain their roots;
369 This Sword of mine should mow 'em
down
370 To smooth the path I lead.
Mand.
371 A combination of these humane things
372 So late our
Arms reduc'd --
373 Methinks they should convert to nothing
374 From a
look of mine; or I lose Majesty.
Daran.
375 This surprisal was beyond the reach of thought.
Renon.
376 'Tis most ignoble.
Mand.
377 And thou that seem'st an object
378 Fit to guide
such base ingratitude,
379 What shall I call thee? Traytor?
Bass.
380 A name that had an honour for your Soul,
381 That
fill'd no less the world with wonders;
382 And lest your Womens frailty
should stain
383 The brightness of your noble Deeds,
384 I thought it
justice to resist your will,
385 Though I met Seas of danger in the act.
Mand.
386 Bold and Impudent!
Bass.
387 I must be plainer,
388 Do you not love the King?
Mand.
389 Suppose it granted --
Bass.
390 Heaven does not --
391 And think not, Madam, that my
blood,
392 Though it bears fire of honour in each vein,
393 But 'tis as
cold to treachery; nor does the Cause
394 That I maintain, less then
command, without
395 An arm of force --
396 This Lady in her own fair
right, methinks,
[To Statyra.
Stat.
398 May Heaven reward thy vertue!
Mand.
399 She is the Kings belov'd; but I have won
400 Him
mine by Arms.
Bass.
401 And therefore nobler conquest
402 To subdue your
self: The Bays you wear
403 In triumph, else must wither on your brow,
404 Where Majesty and Beauties lustre twine
405 To make one Excellence.
Stat.
406 What providence has
407 Blest me with this Advocate?
Renon.
408 I have seen a face resembles that.
[Pulls off his Beard and Patches.
Daran.
409 The Queen a little alters.
Mand.
410 It must be he.
Bass.
411 Behold then, Royal Madam, this face
412 Made but my
own dark copy by disguise,
413 Thus clear'd to own it's just original.
Mand.
414 Bassanes living?
Bass.
415 In which I wear
416 A mirror of my heart, that does
without
417 A flattery express a Soul that highly
418 Honours yours,
though it has seem'd divested
419 Of those Charms in making this reflection
420 On your justice, which here is one most
[To Parisatis.
Enter Parisatis attended by Clarina and Melvissa.
Mand.
422 What is this Lady?
Cyd.
423 The Queen Parisatis, Madam.
Mand.
424 It cannot be;
425 A meer imposture to abuse me.
Renon.
426 We must avow 'tis she.
Mand.
427 I am all wonder.
Stat.
428 And I no less rejoyce to see you live;
429 I hope
you'l pardon, that I claim'd an interest
430 In your Kings affection, when
'twas assur'd
431 You had no Being in the world.
Par.
432 And I more humbly begone here;
433 Nor shall it e're
be told that Parisatis
434 Walk'd in that dark Cloud (though it
vail'd her
435 Actings for preservation of the life and love
436 Of her
Tysamnes) to live, your trust abus'd,
437 Without a pardon from your
lips.
Daran.
438 This Woman's brave.
Par.
439 Nor shall you loose, besides,
440 One fruit of
victory.
Mand.
441 You were the Moor then?
Par.
442 The same, most Royal Madam --
443 And if you are my
Subjects, prostrate
444 Your selves and swords, with me, at these
445
Majestick feet.
[Kneels.
Mand.
446 This is a Conquest happier then all;
447 Nor shall
e're Woman boast she had the better
448 Of Mandana's honour -- Madam,
you have
[To Parisatis.
Bass.
450 You are highly gracious.
Mand.
451 Where is the King?
Par.
452 'Twas but given out he had escap'd.
Mand.
453 Bassanes, you'l attend him to us.
Enter Tysamnes whispering Bassanes, Foscaris, Andr. Tox. Alv. Arax. Drax. Eumenes.
Tysam.
454 Do I then live to be thus happy in
455 Your grace
and pardon?
Mand.
456 Your Queen has conquer'd me Tysamnes,
457 After the power of your Arms was made
458 My valour's glory; nor
did the darts of Love,
459 Which I confess, made some impression here,
[Pointing to her breast.
Par.
462 No change I hope.
[Aside.
Mand.
463 And thus will make your offering here;
464 She is a
Jewel of a Crown indeed.
[Presents him to the Queen.
Tysam.
465 I take her on my knees --
466 She is too great a
blessing, thus restor'd
[Kneels.
Par.
469 You have it Sir, though not a gift, where you
470
Command a duty; which when most passive
471 In a Wife, does but refine the
gold of Vertue.
Tysam.
472 Why didst thou take this Cloud?
Par.
473 To dye unknown, or serve your safety.
Daran.
474 A most heroick constancy.
Tysam.
475 Thy vertue's richer
476 Then the world's vast
globe, were it
477 Converted to one purest Diamond.
Mand.
478 And does as far exceed what story can relate.
Tysam.
479 But I have yet a load of mercy here
480 To beg, my
crime of Love to thee Statyra,
481 Which else must cloud this day of
comforts,
482 And bring eternal night upon my soul.
Stat.
483 Though I have lost an expectation of
484 My greatest
bliss in your enjoyment,
485 That in warm sighs might soon dissolve
486
A Virgins heart like mine, yet I can feel
487 No want of happiness, since I
behold
488 Your Souls, that have already mingl'd joys,
489 Meet thus,
and kiss each other.
Tysam.
490 Heaven must reward thy goodness.
Par.
491 And my for ever obligation.
Mand.
492 This days example gives to Love
493 Such brave
repute, that I who both have fought,
494 And men commanded, could even yield
495 To hold my Scepter from obedience.
Tysam.
496 Here is a Prince within your eye (I hope
497 More
near your heart) that might deserve
498 To rule a Throne like yours.
Mand.
499 I know him noble.
Bass.
500 And one, most Royal Madam, that owns
501 A soul, you
have an interest to command
502 E're since I first beheld the glory of your
charms:
503 Pardon me, I now avow it, that rather
504 To express my
wonder of your vertue,
505 Should by an humble distance still admire.
Mand.
506 'Tis in my power to bring you nearer:
507
Bassanes is a Prince may well become
508 An Empress of the world's
great choice; and were
509 Mandana such, she would not think her Love
510 Or Greatness stoop'd to match with thine.
Bass.
511 You make me more then happy.
Mand.
512 And I that honour Arms, and thy fam'd Deeds
513 In
War, will call it noblest triumph
514 To yield thy Love a victory o're mine.
Bass.
515 This bounty stream's so powerful on my heart,
516
That I may fear it's guide, in such a Sea
517 Of joys you bring.
Mand.
518 I am yours for ever, dear Bassanes.
Drax.
519 This day surpasses wonder.
Fosc.
520 I knew it must conclude with some
521 Extraordinary
Love-miracle besides my own.
[Aside.
Mand.
522 Daranthe! we must now no more make war,
523 I
have match'd a Souldier.
Bass.
524 One that will live and dye your just admirer.
Mand.
525 And Women, here divest
526 Your selves of Arms with
me.
[They take off their Arms.
Dar., Ren., Cyd.
527 We all obey your Majesty.
Mand.
528 And let your conquests henceforth be to love,
529
And give Men sole supremacy --
530 I hope our Kingdoms shall unite in making
[To Tysamnes.
Tysam.
532 I am oblig'd for Parisatis sake
533 To make Decrees, no arbitrary will
534 Of man shall henceforth
e're reject a Wife.
Mand.
535 Our Crowns will have a blessed union then --
536
What pattern shall we take?
Tysam.
537 Such as the world
538 With best consent does
practise.
Bass.
539 Or what's most
540 Laudable, the form of happy
England.
Mand.
541 It has been most approv'd.
Par.
542 Now Ladies, you are all well pleas'd to see
543 This
peace that smiles upon your Loves, and gives
544 Both Sexes with our Crowns,
such happiness.
Clar.
545 A welcom joy.
Melv.
546 We now can call our Husbands
547 Ours by lawful
duty.
Andr.
548 I am glad to hear that word.
Fosc.
549 And I to be secur'd thus; I was in no small
550
Apprehension, this female victory
551 Might have imporw'd them to part with
us;
552 What a mockery of Love's Magick had I been then?
Mand.
553 My Warriours, you will all take Husbands now?
554
Here are men fit to match your spirits.
Daran.
555 Your great example must invite it.
Tysam.
556 What shall this day do for thee fair Statyra?
557 The bounty of thy soul deserves a recompence
558 Above what tongue
can speak, that spreads
559 A volume of thy goodness, fit only
560 For
the eye of Heaven to read.
Stat.
561 And thither I'le devote my love,
562 Though while I
live, no day shall pass without
563 A contemplation of your happiness.
Mand.
564 You will not soon depart?
Par.
565 For Parisatis sake you must not.
Stat.
566 'Tis my ambition first to fill an humble place
567
In your bright train of triumphs.
Tysam.
568 For which thou dost deserve a Chariot
569 Of
Celestial substance,
570 Mov'd by the wings of Seraphims;
571 And every Virgin of most noble soul,
572 Attending thee with
Songs of Raptures;
573 The Muses (as fair Hand-maids to thy vertue)
574
Their best of Poets should inspire.
Stat.
575 You too much honour my small merits.
Bass.
576 This day does claim a glory from your worth,
577 And
next my just devotion here -- my heart
[To Mandana.
Stat.
580 And mine no less
581 Shall speak Bassane's
fame.
Par.
582 I'le be your Rival Madam, there --
583 That am
oblig'd unto this noble Prince
[To Bassanes.
Tysam.
585 And I above expression thine.
[To Bassanes.
Mand.
586 Tysamnes with your Queen must lead
587 The
way unto our joys --
588 And Women hence from us this pattern take,
589
Love, and obedience, your best conquests make.
Ex. Omnes.
Epilogue Spoken by the Queen of Amazon
We Amazons did here unconquer'd yield,
And nobly too,
when Love had gain'd the Field,
Against whose Darts, what Woman wears a
shield?
This War our Poet taught us by his Pen,
But 'twas to be such
Conqueresses then,
As you ought, Ladies, when you Captive Men.
Nor will we doubt if you protect our fear,
Though 'gainst our
Conquest Criticks shall make War,
Such Foes no Amazons e're met with
here.
Besides the stratagems you Gallants know,
Our Plays defeat and worse
our Women too,
A Miss that's fine we cannot keep for you.
Then Gentlemen, since Love is much your way,
Be well advis'd how
y'are unkind to day,
Lest we defie all such who damn our Play.
Our Poet needs not apprehend what right
You Wits will do him, or your
factions spite,
That's their concern who do for Money write.
But with the Actors you may deal far worse,
For if you damn this
Play, 'tis half their Curse,
Considering how its charge has plagu'd their
Purse.
Which if you do, I'le tell you what they say,
They'l venture no more
cost upon a Play,
You shall have Farce good store a cheaper
way.
FINIS.