Andromana, or, The merchants wife the scæne Iberia / by J. S. J. S. 1660 Approx. 130 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 33 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A59974 Wing S3459 ESTC R4872 13082247 ocm 13082247 97253 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A59974) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 97253) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 257:E184, no 6) Andromana, or, The merchants wife the scæne Iberia / by J. S. J. S. Shirley, James, 1596-1666. Sidney, Philip, Sir, 1554-1586. Arcadia. [63] p. Printed for John Bellinger..., London : 1660. Ascribed by some to James Shirley, apparently without justification. Cf. Schelling, Elizabethan drama; DNB; Camb. Hist. of Eng. lit., v. 6, p. 505. Founded on the story of Plangus in Sidney's Arcadia. Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng 2003-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-12 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-10 Ali Jakobson Sampled and proofread 2006-10 Ali Jakobson Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Andromana : OR THE MERCHANT'S WIFE . THE SCAENE , IBERIA . By J. S. LONDON . Printed for Iohn Bellinger , and are to be sold at his shop in Cliffords-Inn-lane in Fleetstreet , 1660. Names of the Actors . EPhorbas , King of Iberia . Plangus , his Son . Eubulus , Three Lords , and Counsellors to the King . Anamedes Three Lords , and Counsellors to the King . Rinatus Three Lords , and Counsellors to the King . Inophilus , Son to Rinatus , and friend to the Prince . Zopiro , Captains . Nicetes , Captains . Aramnes , Captains . Artesio , an informing Courtier . Andromana , a Merchant's wife . Libacer , her servant . Messenger . Captains , and Souldiers . THE TRAGEDY OF ANDROMANA . Or , The fatal and deserved End of Disloyalty and Ambition . Actus I. Scaena I. Enter Nicetes . Aramnes . Nic. I Have observed it too , but the cause is As unknown to me as actions done in Countries Not found out yet . Ara. Some Wench , my life to a brasse Farthing . Nic. As like as may be : We Souldiers are all given that way ; especially When our blood boils high , and pulses beat Alarums to Cupid's Battels ; We 'r apter To sally on a young flaming Girl , Then on an Enemy that braves it before our Trenches . Ara. I ask it not to know his privacies ; For if his freedom doth not acquaint me with them , Let them be secret still — yet I could wish An opportunity to tell him , a little circumspection Would be handsom , and set a gloss upon all . Times might be chosen of less publick notice : It looks so poorly in a Prince to be thus careless Of his own affairs : men do so talk on 't — Here comes Inophilus ; if any body knows , It must be he . Enter Inophilus . Ino. Your servant , Captains ; saw you the Prince to day ? Nic. Not we : we hop't to hear of him from you . Ino. 'T is strange a man adorn'd with so much Wisdom , should on the sudden fall off from the Care of his own fame ! I am his Friend , and so I know are you ; but to speak plainly to you , He 's grown my wonder now , as much as other mens . I that have found a sweetness in his company Beyond what ever Lovers dream of in a Mistris , That as he spoke , methought have smelt the air perfum'd ; nor could have wish't a joy greater then living with him , next those of Heav'n , and those prefer'd the more , because I knew Plangus would be there . I say , even I of late am grown out of love with any thing that 's Mortal ▪ since I have found Plangus so far beneath , ( I will not say my expectations ) but the assurances all good men had of future gallantry . Hee 's melancholly now , and hath thrown off the spirit which so well became him , and all that sweetness which bewitcht men's hearts is grown so rugged , so incompos'd to all commerce , men fear hee 'l shortly quarrel with himself . Nay more , he doth not answer the fondness of his Father's love with half that Joy he us'd to do . Ara. 'T is now about a Week I have observ'd this alteration ; it shakes him like an Ague once in two dayes ; but holds him longer then a fit o th' Gout : They whisper about the Court as if the King had chid him for it , and now at length found his thaunts . Ino. A poor discovery ! Who might not find 'em out that would be so uncivil : I was about to follow him , but thought it an ignoble way , beneath the Name of Friendship , and so desisted . About four dayes ago , meeting him i th' long Gallery , I ask't him how he did ; taking me by the hand , he wrung it , and after a sigh or two , told me , Not very well — But he had business , and so we parted . I saw him not agen in twenty hours after ; and then I askt him where he had been so long : He told me ( as if he was ashamed to deny me such a poor request ) I must not know ; and when I told him , his often absence was observ'd . Is it , saith he ? I cannot help it ; but it shall no more be so ; and at the last he stole away : Since when I saw him not . Nic. O this wicked Peace : Inophilus ! Is there no hopes of Warre ? To lye at home to see our Armours rust ; We could keep the Prince sober and merry too , If he would but exchange his Court for a Camp . Ino. The King is old , and dotes upon his Son . Is loth to venter him to danger : Yet at this time there is occasion . The Argives have refus'd to pay their tribute , and are for certain preparing for Invasion : Some say they have got into Iberia already . Ara , Nay then there 's hopes : If we could but find the Prince with a buff Coat again , I should be once more merry . Exeunt . SCAEN. II. Enter Ephorbas the King , Rinatus , Eubulus , Anamedes , three LORDS . Eph. See the Embassadors entertain'd With such an evenness , as should be us'd to men We neither fear nor love ; let neither Too much obsequiousness teach them insolency , Nor any ill usage brand us with incivility : Stay you Rinatus . he sighs . Exeunt Eub. Anam . — Open thy bosom and receive torrents of sorrow , That lie like rocks of lead upon my soul ; Honest Rinatus ; experience bids me trust thee With a mighty secret . Thou canst not choose But know , my son of late is much retired . I do not like that youth should be thus melancholy : Let them enjoy themselves , for age will come , Whose impotency will deny all pleasures . I do believe he loves me . Hah ! Rin. Yes , doubtless , better then sickmen health , Or those who are pen'd up in darkness Love the Sun . Eph. I speak not as if I thought he did not ; For thou know'st I humour him , afford him Liberty enough ; I never chide him , nor express The least dislike of any action . Am not I a gentle father ? Me thinks were I a son again , to such a father , I should not think he liv'd too long Shouldst thou , Rinatus ? Rin. No more doth he , upon my soul : One command of yours would make him venter upon Lightning , nay almost make him act a sin , A thing he fears to name , Eph. I do believe thee : But yet , me thinks , should he be grown so impious , There might be found excuses . A Crown is a temptation ; especially so near one : 'T is not with Princes as with other Sons ; and I am old too ; Hath not my hand the palsie ? Doth a Crown become gray hairs ? To be a King might make some men forswear all conscience . But I know Plangus hath far nobler thoughts ; And yet an Empire might excuse a Parricide . Rin Sir ! sure you are a stranger to your son ; For give me leave to say , your fears are vain : So great a virtue as the Princes , Cannot anticipate his hopes by any sin : Honour and duty have been acquainted with him now too long To be divorct . Some Sycophants there are ( Such creatures still will haunt the Court ) I know Love not the Prince , because he loves not them . Sir , shut your ears to them , they will betray you to your ruine . Jealousy 's a disease should be below a King , As that which seizeth on the basest spirits ; Oh shut it from your soul , One may read in story What dire effects the fury hath brought forth : Kings make away their onely sons , and Princes their fathers , And when they have done , they may dispair at leisure . Eph. I do not think Plangus hath plots , or on my Crown , Or me ; he was virtuous alwaies , and is still , I hope : But why is he so much from Court then , and alone too ? I do but ask the question . Rin. It can be no design , believe me , Sir ; For Crowns are won by other courses . Aspirers must grow popular , be hedg'd about With their Confederates ; then would he flatter you , Be jolly still , as if no melancholy thought were in him . A guilty conscience would then teach him policy , And he would seek to take suspition from all his carriages ; Innocence makes him careless now . Eph. Thou hast almost resolv'd me ; The tempest in my soul is almost laid , And wants but time to calm it . Youth hath its whimsies , nor are we To examine all their paths too strictly . We went awry our selves when we were young . Rin. Sir ! Eph. Thou maist be gone , Rinatus , Exit . Rinat . SCAEN. III. EPHORBAS , SOLUS . — The blessing of an honest servant ! This Rinatus is truer unto me : He loves the King as well as I Ephorbas ; And may I live but to reward him ; For hee 's too honest for a Court ! Enter Artesio . How now Artesio ? thy looks speak strong amazement ; I am with child to hear the news : Prethee be quick in the delivery . Art. The Prince an 't please your Majesty — Eph. What of him Artesio ? Art. I have observ'd is much retir'd of late . Eph. So have I too ; this is no News . Art. And I can whisper in your ear the cause . 'T was Chance , no Policy of mine , betrayed his privacies : Ill Offices are not the Engines I desire to rise by ; Only love to the young Prince makes me reveal them . Eph. Nay , nay , without apology ; If it vvere Treason , it should not go dovvn the sooner For all the guilded preparation . Nor am I of so Feminine a humour , as To mistrust affection delivered bluntly : Plain meaning , should be plainly told ; Bad Wares may have false lights ; good can abide the day . Art. But I know The nature of my Office ; Though Kings still hug suspition in their bosoms , They hate the causers ; Love to hear secrets too , Yet the Revealers still fare the worse , Being either thought guilty of ends or vveakness . And so esteem'd by those they tell them to ▪ Either unfit or dangerous to be trusted , Perhaps , Sir , vvhen the Prince and you are friends again , You 'l tell me , That had my love been real , I should have whispered the Princes errors to himself — Eph. Without a syllable of Prologue more — Or I shall verifie your fears . Art. In this brave City ( take it as brief as may be ) There lives a Beauty fit to command Them that command the World , And might be Alexanders Mistris , were he yet alive , And had added Empires as large as his desires : She 's but a private Merchant's Wife ; Yet the Prince is so far gravel'd in her affection , I fear . — Eph. Then there is hopes I may recall him : Love is a childish evil , though the effects are dangerous ; A Princes Errors Grown publick , will be scandalous . Poor boy ! perhaps the jealous Husband may commit a murder , I would not have him cut off so young : Love should be Princes recreation , not their business . What Physick must we give him for his cure ? Art. I dare not counsel you ; But in my poor judgement Some gentle Fatherly perswasions will work upon So good a nature . Eph. Could'st thou but possibly effect How I might take him napping ? Art , That is beyond my skill : But I can shew you the House , and time He walks from hence in , which will be About an hour hence ; for then her Husband Comes home from the Ryalto . Eph. Time will not tarry for a King ; let 's go . Exeunt . SCAEN. IV. INOPHILUS . Ino. What is become of this young Prince ? Or where Doth he bestow himself ? Doth he walk invisible ? Where have I been to look him ? The Horses are in the Stables . His Page and I at home too , that us'd to be as inseperable Companions . Enter Nicetus , Aramnes . Ram. Well met Gentlemen , where is the Hermit Plangus ? Nic. We cannot tell , nor have we been to seek him . If at the Court , we should hear presently ; if not , We might be too officious in his search , And our enquiry might make his absence but so much the more Notorious ; and I 'me confident he 's well : His virtue guards him still from all Mischances . Ino. Though his company 's the dearest thing I love ▪ Yet for his good I could digest his absence , But that I doubt a mighty mischief might spring From this small Grain of indiscretion The King is old , and there are Knaves about the Court That ( if he knew it not ) would tell him so : And men conscious to themselves of a defiancy ▪ Are still most jealous of a growing worth ▪ Perhaps a thinking Father ( for plodding is old age's sickness ) May take notice of his Son's retirement , and misconstrue it so : Nothing is impossible — Heaven send it otherwise . Ara. This care becomes you Sir ; but I dare swear 't is needless : The King is but an ill dissembler ; and had he but the least thought of such a thing , hee 'd hide it less then the Sun conceals his brightness : Besides , a man as great Euphorbus is , whose rule of living hath been directed by the Line of Virtue , cannot mistrust that Vice in his own Son , of which himself was never guilty : Had 's younger years been tainted with inordinate desires , or had his Crown been the effect of some audacious crime , perhaps his guilty Conscience might have mistrusted ; but 't is impossible where there is no guilt , to fear a punishment . Ino. You speak my hopes : But this for certain , Gentlemen , The King who was admired for his matchless sleeping , Whose night no noise disturb'd , and it was difficult To wake before his hour , sleeps but unquietly of late , Will start at Mid-night , and cry Plangus : Is greedy after News , and walks unevenly , And sometimes on the sudden looks behind him ; and when One speaks to him , scarcely marks one syllable . Surely the mind of some distemper shakes His soul into this looseness . Enter Messenger . Mess . My Lord , the Prince desires To meet you half an hour hence i' th' Gallery . Ino. Me ? Mess . Yes my Lord . Ino. I shall . Your Servant , Captains . All . Yours , my Lord . [ Exeunt at several Doors . ] SCAEN. V. PLANGUS , ANDROMANA . Pl. It cannot be so late . An. Believ 't , the Sun is set , my Dear ; And Candles have usurp't the Office of the day . Pl. Indeed methinks a certain mist Like darkness , hangs on my eye-lids . But too great lustre may undo the sight : A man may stare so long upon the Sun , that he May look his eyes out ; and certainly t is so with me ; I have so greedily swallowd thy light , That I have spoyl'd my own . An. Why shouldst thou tempt me to my ruine thus ▪ As if thy presence were less welcome to me , Then d●y to one , who ( t is so long ago 〈…〉 the Sun hath forgot what light is ▪ 〈…〉 of thy presen●● makes me wish this absence , 〈…〉 himself must suffer an Eclips , 〈…〉 are still ●oyles to the brightest splendor : Some short departure will ( like a river stopt ) Make the current of our pleasures run The higher at our next Meeting Pl. Alas my Dearest ! Tell those so , that know not what it is to part from Blessing ; Bid not him surfeit to taste health's sweetness , That knows what 't is to groan under a Disease . An. Then let us stand and out-face danger , 〈◊〉 you will have it so ; despise report , And contemn scandals into nothing , Which vanish with the breath that utters 'um ; Love is above these vanities . Should the innocent thing my Husband take thee here , He could not spight me but by growing jealous ; And Jealousies black effect would be a cloyster Perhaps to kill me too : But that 's impossible , I cannot dye so long as Plangus loves me : Yet say this piece of Earth should play the Coward , And fall at some unlucky stroake , Love would transport my better half To its Center , Plangus heart , and I should live in him . But Sir , you have a Fame to loose , which should be A Princes onely care and darling , Which should have an eternity beyond his life : If he should take that from you , I should be kill'd indeed ▪ Pl. Why dost thou use these Arguments to bid me go , Yet chain me to thy tongue , while the Angel-like Musick of thy voice entring my thirsty ears , Charms up my fears to immobility . T is more impossible for me to leave thee , Then for this carkass to quait away its grave-stone , When it lyes destitute of a soul to informe it . Marriners might with farre greater ease Hear whole sholes of Syrens singing , And not leap out to their destruction ; Then I forsake so dangerous a sweetnesse . Andr. I will be dumb then . Pla. I will be deaf first . I 've thought a way now , I 'le run from hence and leave my soul behinde me : It shall be so : and yet it shall not neither ; What shall a husband banish a Prince his house for fear ? A husband ? 't is but an aery title , I will command there shall be no such thing , And then Andromana is mine , or his , or any man's Shee will her self . These Ceremonies Fetter the world , and I was born to free it . Shall man , that noble creature , be afraid of words , Things himself made ? Shall sounds , a thing of seven small letters , give Check to a Princes will ? An. Did you not promise me , dear Sir ? Have you not sworn too , you would not stay beyond the time ? Have Oaths no more validity with Princes ? Let me not think so . Pla. Come , I will goe , thou shall not ask in vain . But let us kisse at parting , it may be our last perhaps . — I cannot now move one foot , though all the Furies Should whip me forward with their snakes . Woman thou stol'st my heart , just now thou stol'st it . A cannon bullet might have kiss't my lips And left me as much life . The King having listned comes in softly . — Are we betrayd ? What art , Speak , or resolve to dye . K. A well-wisher of the Prince . Pl. The King ? — It cannot be ! He starts . K. Though thou hast thrown all nature off , I cannot what 's my duty . Ungratious boy , had'st been the off-spring of a sinfull-bed , Thou might'st have claym'd Adultery as inheritance ; Lust would have been thy kinsman , and what enormity Thy looser life could have been guilty of , Had found excuse in an unnatural conception . Prethee hereafter seek another father : Ephorbas cannot call him son that makes lust his diety . Had I but knowne . — ( but we are hoodwink't still To all mischances ) I should have had a son , That would make it his study , to embrace corruption , And take delight in unlawfull sheetes , I would have hugg'd a Monster in mine arms Before thy mother — good O heavens ! What will this world come to at last ! When Princes that should be the patterns of all virtue Lead up the dance to vice . What shall we call our owne , when our owne wives Banish their faith , and prove false to us . Have I with so much care promis'd my self So pleasing a Spring of comfort ? and are all Those blossoms impt , and buds burnt up by the fire Of lust and sin ! — Have I thus long labored against The billowes , that did oppose my growing hopes ? And must I perish in the havens mouth ? No gulfe but this to bedevour'd in ? Could not you th's inclination , find out Another rock to split it selfe upon ? Had'st thou hugg'd drunkennesse , the wit or mirth Of company might have evcus'd it . Prodigality had beene a sin A Prince might have beene proud in , compar'd to this . Or had thy greener yeares incited the to treason And atteempt a doubting father's crown It had beene a noble vece . Ambition runs through the veines of princes . It brings forth acts great as themselves and it . Spurs on to honour , and resolves great things . But this , this Leachery is such a thing Sin is to brave a name for'● , A prince ; I might say my son ( But let that passe ) and dare to show Himself to nought but darknesse , & black chambers Whose motions like some planet Are all excentrick , not two houres together In his owne sphere , the court . But I am tame to talke thus ; Be gone with as much speed As a coward would auoyd his death . And never more presume to looke upon this woman , this whore . Thou losest both thy eyes and me else . Plangus is going out , but comes again . Pl. Sir , the reverence that I ow my father , And the injury I have done this Gentlewoman Had charmed me up to silence but I must Speak something for her honour : When I have done , command me to the Altar , Whilst ( I confesse ) you tainted me with sin , I did applaud you and condemn my selfe ; It look't like a fathers care . — But when You us'd that tearm of whore to her that stands there , I would have given ten thousand Kingdomes You had had no more relation to me , Then hath the Northerne to the Southerne pole . I should have flown to my revenge swifter then lightning , But I forbeare , and pray imagine not what I had done . K. Upon my life shee is very handsome . aside . Pl. To be a whore is more unknowne to her Then what is done in the Antipodes ; She is so pure she cannot think a sin Nor ever heard the Name to understand it . K. No doubt these private meetings Were to read her moral lectures , and teach her Chastity . Pl. Nay , give me leave Sir , I Do not say my addresses have been all so virtuous ; For whatsoever base desires a flaming beauty Could kindle in a heart , were all alive in me ; And prompted me to seek some case by quenching : Burnings hotter then Aetna . Imagine but a man that had drunk Mercury , And had a fire within his Bones ; Whose blood was hotter then the melted Ore , If he should wish for drink , nay steal it too Could you condemn him ? Ep. Marry'd do they say ? aside . Pl. I Did endure a heat S● as could not cool . It would have kill'd a Salamander . Then taught both impudence and wit : I singled out my foe , used all the arts That love could thinke upon , and in the end Found a most absolute repulse . K Well , Plangus , youth excuses , the first fault , But a relapse exceeds all pardon . Ex. King . Pl. SCAENA . VI . Manet ANDROMANA . An. Curst be old age , and he that first number'd fourscore : What Devil has betray'd us both to a doating fool ? Did I but now promise my selfe what hopes Ambitious thoughts could reach ; and shall I sink Down to my first foundation without the pleasure of A Tasted greatnesse . Death and disgrace , I Dare provoke the utmost of your malice . After the sweetnesse of some sharp revenge . Libacer . Madam , my Master . Enter servant in haste . An. You may both hang together . Lib. Why this it is , if a man should kill his father For you , be should be thus rewarded as soon as Your turns served , I may be hang'd that did it . An. Since he is dead ; How was it done ? Lib. VVhy nothing ; onely as he was taking water at the Ryalto , his foot slipt a little , and he came tumbling in the Sea ; whence he was taken up , but not alive . An. Heav'n prospers not these courses , I see it plainly , let them be acted with as much closeness , Or to what end soever , they never thrive . Libacer , We are undone , undone ; the King hath found His Son here , and I have lost him to eternity . Lib. You women are the shallowest creatures ; You never look beyond the present ▪ Rome was not built in one day , Madam ; Greatness is never sweet that comes too easily . Should Plangus be a Fool now , and obey his Father : ' Pox o' this vertue , it spoyls most men living . We have hopes yet ; Revenge is something , And if my old Trade fail not , Princes are mortal as well as other men ; Yet my soul inspires me with half a confidence That Leon hath not dy'd in vain . I use to see as far into a mischief as another : I 'le go to him , and if I bring him not within this half hour , As hot and eager on the scent as e're he was , Take me and hang me at my coming home . Lib. Madam , here is As he is going out he meets Artesio . a Messenger from Court . An. If from thence , I may be bold to ask , How Plangus the noblest Prince alive doth ? Art. Madam , as well as Souldiers can That are sick for honour , I suppose by this time H'ath left the Court , and is gone in quest for glory , Which he intends to ravish from young Argoe's brow , The valiant Leader of the Argive's Army . An. I 'me confident then Sir , your business is not to me , If any body else hath sent you ; Sir , be pleas'd to spare the message , And tell them , I neither have learnt the trick o th' Court , nor yet intend it ; I want no new Gowns , And have heard men forswear themselves In better language , and to better purpose Then gaining of a Lady's honour . Art. Madam , My business is from the King , Who doth intreat you would be pleas'd to bless the Court , This afternoon with your fair presence , And bring an answer , I must not stay for one . Exit Art. An. Now we do see an end of all our mischiefs ; The Prince is gone from Court , and the King hath sent for us ; Doth not the name strike terrour to thy curdling blood . Lib. No by my troth not at all , as far as I see You 're better then you were . I le lay my life the old man Would turn Gamester : Take my counsel , play deep Or not at all : Not an Ace under a Kingdome . Your Grace I hope will remember your poor friends . An. If I do finde any such thing , Let me alone to melt his Ice , Go get me mourning with all hast . Exit Lib. Let froward Fortune do her worst , I shall Create my greatness , or attempting fall : And when I fall I will deserve my ruine . Exit . ACT II. SCAENA 1. Plangus , Nicetes , Aramnes . Ni. WHat Sir , And are you Melancholy When fate hath showr'd a happiness so unexpected on us ? This ugly sneaking peace is the Souldiers rock , He splits his fortunes on . Bawdry 's a vertue to 't . P — o' these Beaver-hats they make ones head ake Worse then a Cap of steel , and bear not off a knock The tenth part so well . Pl. You 're mad for fighting , Gentlemen , And we shall have enough of it . The Argives fifty thousand strong , Have like a whirlwind born down all before 'um ; And I with 13000. that remain Yet undisbanded of the last expedition , Have command to fight that multitude Of old tough Souldiers : while ours In a month or two won't have pickt up that valour That in this idle time hath slipt from 'um ; They have forgot what noise a Musket makes , And start if they but hear a Drum ; Are these fellows either enow or fit , On whom a Kingdome 's safety should be built : Indeed were they to encounter some Mistress , Or storm a Brothel-house , perhaps they 'd venture ; But for my part , I yeeld ; nor will I oppose my Father : If he sees good we perish , I am already sacrifiz'd ▪ Yet our enemies shall dearly purchase Their Victory . Pray look to your charge , Nicetes , and you Aramnes with all care and speed ▪ and when you come Into the field ; then let me see this countenance , That frowning smile , and I shall like it . I love a man runs laughing upon death ; But we lose time in talk . Ex. Nic. Aram. Enter Inophilus . SCAENA 2. Ino. Your servant Captains . Sir , pray a word with you . Pl. Prethee be short , Inophilus , thou knowst my business : Ino. Sir , I am mad to see your tameness : A man bound up by Magick is not so still as you , Nothing was ever precipitated thus , And yet refus'd to see its ruine . Pl Thou art tedious , I shal not tarry . Ino. You are made General . Pl. I know it : Ino. Against the Argives . Pl. So. Ino. With 13000 men , no more Sir . Pl. I am glad on 't , the honour is the greater : Ino. The danger is the greater ; You will be kill'd sir , And lose your Army . Pl. Is this all , I care not . Ino. But so do I , and so do all your friends . I smell a Rat sir , there 's jugling in this business , I am as confident of it as I am alive . The King might within this twenty four hours Have had peace on fair conditions . ( Pl. But dishonourable ) In. And would not . On a sudden useth the Ambassadors scurvily And provokes the Argives , yet himself in no posture Of defence . Pl. But — Ino. Pray give me leave sir , After this you are on a sudden created General , And packt away with a crowd of unhewn fellows , Whose courage hangs as loose about them As a sluts petticoats . Sir , he had other spirits In the Court created for such perils ; Excuse me , I know you fear not to meet destruction , But where men are sure to perish , ' ● were well the persons were of less concernment . He might have let you stay'd till you had gather'd An Army fit for your Command , and sent Some petty things upon this expedition , Whose loss would have been nothing , and of whom It might have been recorded in our story As an honour , that they dyed Monuments Of the Kings folly . But let that pass ; You 'l say perhaps , you only have a spirit Fit for such undertakings — I wish you had not , Your want then would not be half so grievous . But here 's the prodigy , you must fight them presently . Come , 't is a project put into the Kings head By some who have a plot on you and him . Pl. It may be so , Imphilus , and I beleeve All this is true you tell me , and it might startle A man were less resolvd then I. But danger and I have been too long acquainted To shun a meeting now ; I am engag'd , And cannot any wayes come off with reputation . Hadst told me this before , perhaps I might have thought on 't : And yet I should not neither . If the King thinks I am grown dangerous , T is all one to me which way he takes me from his fears , He could not do it handsomer then thus ; It makes less noise now . — But come , I must not fear such things , Inophilus : The King hath more vertue and honour then To do these actions , fit only for guilty souls ; Nor must I fear when my Inophilus sights by me . Ino. Troth Sir , for all your complement , If you have no valour but what ows it self to my company , Your'e like to make cold breakfast of your enemies : I have other business then to throw away My life , when there is so much odds against it : I le stay at home , and pray for you , that 's all Sir . Pl. How ! wilt not go then , Inophilus ? Ino. The time hath been I thought it better sport To bustle through a bristly grove of Pikes . When I have courted rugged danger with Hotter desires then handsome faces , And thought no women half so beautiful As bloody gaping wounds : But sir , to go and cast away my self now , Would not be gallant , nor an action worth my envy : 'T is weakness to make those that seek My ruine , laugh at my folly with jaws stretcht wider Then the Gulph that swallows us . I know when honour calls me , and when treason Counterfeits her voice . Pl. Well , stay at home and freeze , And lose all sense of glory in a Mistress arms . Go perish tamely , drunk with sin and peace , And mayst thou , since thou darest not dye with them , Out-live thy noble friends . Ino. I thank you Sir , but I cannot be angry . SCAENA 3. Nicetes , Aramnes , with some Captains and Souldiers . Ni. Yonder 's the bones o th' Army rally'd up together , But they look'● rather as if they came home From being soundly beaten . Methinks such tatter'd Rogues should never conquer , Victory would look so scurvily among 'um , They 'd so be-dawb her if she wore clean linnen . Cap. Sir , We wear as sound hearts in these torn breeches As ere a Courtier of them all . We are not afraid of spoyling our hands for want Of gloves , nor need we Almond butter when we go to bed . And though my Lieutenant is pleas'd to be a little merry , You shall see us dye as handsomely in these old cloaths As those wear better , and become our wounds as well , And perhaps smell as sweet when we are rotten . Pl. We hope it , Captains and Fellow souldiers , We are proud of this occasion to try your valours , You shal go no farther then your Prince doth , I 'le be no bringer up of Rears . Let not the number of the Foe affright you , The more they are , the more wil the honour be . The Lion scorns to prey upon a Hare , Nor is the blinking Taper fit to try Eagles eyes ; The weight of glory makes our danger light , When victory comes easily t is half a shame Souldiers shout , and exeunt . To conquer . Ino. I le stay at home and grieve , that so many Daring souls should dye on such advantage . Ino. exit . SCAENA 4. King Solus . Her husband 's dead too : Fates let me dye , I am too happy to remain long thus Without a ruine great as the height I fell from ▪ Plangus was my only obstacle , but him I have Remov'd : But love commanded , His presence would have countermanded all attempts , I need not fear his Magick at this distance . His looks and actions were one entire enchantment , and Powerful over a Lady's heart . I sent for her , but she 's not come yet . Who waits without ? Enter Artesio . There 's a mourning Lady sir Would speak with the King . K. Admit her , and be gone . Enter to him Andromana in mourning , with a hood over her face , which she throws up when she sees the King . SCAENA 5. K. So riseth Phaebus from the gloomy night , ( While pale-fac't Dian maketh hast to hide Her borrowed glory in some neighbouring cloud , Envying the beauty of the new born day ) When darkness crouds into the other world . Madam , Why kneel you ? She kneels . You , at whose name Monarchs themselves might tremble , And mortals bow with reverence great as they pay to Altars : Scepters should break in peeces and adore you ; At whose sight the Sun and Moon should blush themselves To blood and darkness , and falling from their sphere Brush the audacious world to Atomes , for daring To behold a lustre so much greater then their own . An. Sir , give me leave to wonder What sin I have committed which calling Down the vengeance of the gods , Hath made me author of all this blasphemy . Sir , I beseech your Majesty if you are angry with your creature , Speak some cruel word and blast me . Scorn me not into the other world , Where I have sins enow of my own to blush for , And shall not need to dye his cheeks for other mens offences . K. Lady , though Parthian darts are not so sharp As are those killing words , yet that breath which Utters them , is sweeter then the morning dew . I le be dumb , for praises cannot adde , but rather Diminish Andromana's worth . An. I wonder now no longer at this language , 'T is such as Kings are bred in ; But I beseech you Sir , if there be ought You will command your servant ; if Andromana Must do or suffer any thing for great Euphorbas , Lay by your self a minute , and remember A Merchant's wife must hear you ▪ K. Your husband Leon's dead , I hear Lady . She weeps . Nay spare those Pearls , Madam , cast not away Such treasure upon the memory of one Who , if the best of men , deserves them not . Come , come , forget these sorrows Lady , And wear not mourning weeds before the world's destruction ; Hide not those fair eyes , whose splendor would enrich Our Court : Madam , though none there be in Court Can merit such a beauty , yet I my self Have taken pains to search a husband for you ; What think you of my self ? An. Great Sir , your care is like your self , all noble , But suits with me no better Then Phaebus horses did with Phaeton , Ruin'd the world and him : first , Sir , You do debase you self to honour her , whose worth Is less considerable then Lovers oaths : My husband's ashes are scarce cold yet , And would your Majesty have me forsake my honour , And his memory so soon ? I have not payd oblations due to his ashes yet . K. You complement away the worth we know you have Andromana , What say you to the Prince ? An. I say he is the the Prince , and great Ephorbas son , He 's Plangus , and if you think there yet remains A title that can be either better or greater , I think him worthy of it . K. But do'st think him worthy Andromana ? An. O heavens ! Is Iove worth heaven , Or doth the Sun deserve to be a light To all the world , can vertue deserve honour ? Or labour , riches : Can Gods merit Altars ? It might have been a puzling question To them whose ears have not been blest with Plangus worth . But this 't is so below him . K. But say he loves thee ▪ An. I dare not say so : For when I think a Prince pretends to such poor things As I am , I feel an Ice run through my veines , And my blood curdles into flakes of snow , And bids me fear him , not with an awe or reverence But as a spotted sinful thing which is the worse For being great . T is such a fear as I Should conceive against an armed ravisher . K. These things may be expected Lady , I confess From blood that boyls in flames hot as the Sun In scorching Libra , or sturdy Hercules When he unmayden'd fifty in one night ; But from a man whose years have tam'd those vices . Whose love is dotage , and not lust , Who doth adore a handsome vertue , and payes His vowes to 't , you should have other hopes . Plangus is young , a Souldier , and by consequence Something which youth excuses . But Ephorbas Hath left those toyes behinde him when he shook off his youth . And. Sir , Now my fears are out . O virtue ! are there just powers which men adore , And throw away their prayers upon , That lend their eyes to humane actions , or was the name Of heaven invented to still petty sinners ? Sir , sure I am mistaken You are not great Ephorbas Sir , whose virtue Is a Theam of wonder to all neighbour Nations ; Pray help me to him , I would see that Angel ; The Kingdom's honour , and good men's Sanctuary . But if you are the man , whom I have pray'd for Oftner then I have slept ; pray Sir , belye not A vertue which I have hitherto admired . K. I see you are a stranger , Lady ( give me leave to say so ) To Ephorbas ; But if a Lady of thy melting years Can love this grayness , I vow my Scepter , Throne , Kingdome , and my self are thine ; Tha'rt fit to be a Queen . She starts back . An. A Queen ! Sir , have your subjects anger'd you ? Have they rebell ▪ d , or done some sin that wants a name ? He cleave to th' pavement till I have begg'd a vengeance Great as their crime ; but this you mention Is a punishment , which your subjects must Study years to curse you for ; No sin deserves it . You would blinde my eyes with throwing gold befor'um , Or set me up so high on the steep pinacle Of honour's Temple , that you would have me not be able To look down on my own simplicity . You can create me great , I know Sir , but good you cannot ; You might compel , entice me too perhaps to sin ; But can you allay a gnawing conscience , Or binde up bleeding reputation : I did never hear that physick could afford A remedy for a wounded honour . Ep. Th'art a Fool , Andromana ▪ You must be mine , Consider on 't . An. Sir , you may command your vassail , K : That 's kindely said . And. But — I humbly take my leave , Goodness protect you . SCAENA 6. Enter to him , Rinatus , Eubulus , and Aramedes . Eph. Wait on that Lady forth . Rin. Would there were not a woman in the world So we had our Prince again . Sir , are you mad ? or have forgot you are a father ? You have undone us all . Eph. Why what 's the matter ? Rin. O Sir , the Prince . Eph. He is not dead , Rinatus , is he ? Rin. Sir , If he be , 't is you have murd'red him : Was it for this you were so jealous tother day ? May my Inophilus never pretend to virtue , I le teach him a more thriving art . Come to the window a little Sir , and hear How the good people curse you ; as cold weather As it is , some are so hard at it they sweat again . Eph. Prethee unriddle ; hast thou drunk Hemlock Since I saw thee last ? Rin. I would not be in my wits for any thing i' th world , My grief would kill me if I were ; He 's mad that will speak sense or reason , Now you have thrown away our Prince thus , Whose innocence was clearer then his own eyes : Can you think how you have murdred so much vertue , And not blush your self to death ? Eph. I think indeed I sent him General against the Argives , But 't was his own desire . Rin. 'T was not his own desire Sir , to have but 13000 men , Sir was it ? Was that Army fit to oppose great Argo ? There came a Messenger just now , that saw the Prince Not sixteen miles from hence ( for thither is the Foe marcht ) Draw up his men to engage the enemy . Eph. For heaven's sake Rinatus , post him back again , Bid him retreat ; command my son from me , Not to go on till greater forces follovv him , If it be possible redeem the error ; I 'de give my Kingdom , life , or any thing It vvere to do agen . Rin. I 'me glad to see this novv , heaven send it ben't too late . Eph. Nay stand not prating . A horn within . Rin. T is from the Army Sir , O heaven I fear ; Enter Mess. Eph. If from the Army , prethee put on better looks . Mess . Your son , nay more , your dying son , Commanded me to bring you word , He dy'd true to his honour , King , and Country-men , Nor let me stay to see the brightest lamp go out That ever grac't this orb . The King faints . Rin. O heaven , the King ! vvhy this is worse Sir Then the other , let not us lose you both . Eph. Let me but hear how t was he made his Exit , And then my glass is run , I will not live One minute longer . Mess . Sir , thus it was — T is scarce three hours ago since the brave Plangus marcht from ●axa with an Army , Whose souls were richer then their cloaths by far , Though their valour had put on all the bravery That Souldiers ever vvore . The Prince vvhose presence Breath'd nevv fire into these flaming spirits , Resolv'd to meet the enemy vvith his handful , And vvith a vvinged speed , fell dovvn to the Elean Straights , Determining there to try it with him . His Souldiers also true sons of War , Conteming so great odds , when victory and their Country Was to crown the Conquerors , whetted Their eager valours with impatient expectation of the enemy , who trusting to his multitude came on Wing'd both with scorn and anger , to see that paucity Should dare dispute victory against their odds . Plangus who though he saw , yet could not fear Destruction , and scorn'd to avoid it When the King commanded him to meet it , Marshal'd his Army to the best advantage , And having given Zopiro the left wing , The body to Evarness , himself chose out the right , Because he would be opposite to Argo . And keeping a reserve as great as could be hop't for From so small a company not above five hundred men , He gave the command of them to Zenon , Who with his fellows took it ill they should be so long idle , And had not the honour to be thought worthy To dye with the most forward , and would no question have Refus'd the charge ; but that the smiling Prince Promis'd them they should have time to dye . Words here were needless nor had he time to use them . Rin. What was Inophilus idle all this while ? Mess . I only heard the Prince wish just as He spur'd his horse against the valiant Argo , He had had fewer by a thousand men So he had Inophilus . Rin. O trayterous boy ! Mess . The Prince and Argo met ; and like two mighty Tydes Encountred . Here death put on her sable Livery , And the two Gallants whose valour animated each Army , Bandyed a long time with equal force , 'Till at last great Argo fell ; and on a sudden Multitudes of men accompani'd him , so that The wing went presently to rout and execution . Zopiro also , and Evarnes having slain Their opposite leaders , breath death and destruction To their reeling Foes . Thus flusht with victory , and blood the Iberians , Revel'd through the flying field 'till there came on The enemies reserve of twenty thousand men , Who fresh and lusty , grinded their teeth for anger At their fellows overthrow , and powring on Our weary Souldiers , turn'd the stream of victory . But the Princes valour , and good fortune soon Overcame this opposition , and having rallied his broken Troops , went to relieve his friends who had far'd worse ▪ When presently he saw Evarness who had pil'd up enemies About him , as an Obelisk of his own death and victory , Fall bleeding at his foot , and having kiss't it With his dying lips , intreated him to save Himself for a more happy day , and dyed . 'T was not long after the gallant Zenon ( Who had performed that day deeds of eternal fame , And with his few spight of opposition , thrice charg'd And routed some thousands of the enemy ) Expir'd , which when the Prince beheld , Weeping for anger , he flew among'st his enemies , Sustain'd only by the greatness of his courage , For blood and strength had both forsook him ; He spent that spark of life was left in him , In slaughter and revenge , when leaning on his weapons point That dropt with blood as fast as he , He then conjur'd me with all speed only to tell the King . I saw him dye worthy of his father , and himself . A horn without , Eph. O heaven ! what means these acclamations ? A shout , What do the Iberians welcome their bloody A shout again Conqueror ▪ with so much joy . SCAENA . 7. Enter to them Plangus , Inophilus , Zopiro , Captains . Eph. Oh! Oh! He faints . Rin. O cowardly boy , for that base word includes All baseness ; doth not shame kill thee , Or fear chill thy dastard blood to an ice , At sight of that most noble injur'd ghost ? 'T is well , dear Plangus ( if thy Divinity deserve not A more lasting name ) that thou art come To take revenge on that most traiterous son , In 's Father's presence , who detests his baseness More then thy self can do . — Pl. Excuse us dear Renatus , That wonder froze us to such a silence , If when we expected such a welcome As had that Roman son whose mother Dy'd for joy to see him , we found so cold An entertainment , something made us look't upon So ike an inconvenience , that we could not But put on some small amazement . Eph. And do I hear thee speak agen , And see thee , or only dream a happiness , Whose reality stars , and my Genius deny me ? Or art thou Plangus Angel come to rowse Me from despair . Pl. Sir , Pray beleeve it ; and be not backward In th'entertainment of these Souldiers , if You esteem it a happiness ; In a word , you are a Conqueror : And the audacious Argive have paid their Lives as sacrifices to your offended sword . Eph. A messenger of comfort to a despairing Lover Is a less acceptable thing , then this thy presence , If what you fellow told me were untruth , Thy welcome sight hath amply made amends For those tormenting fears he put me to ▪ But if it were not , let me know what chance redeem'd you . Pl. If you have hear'd how things then went When I sent away that Messenger . — Eph. Yes , I have heard it : Pl. Then know when death and our own fates Had sworn our ruine , and wee like some strong wall that Long resists the iron vomits of the flaming Cannon , At last shakes it self into a dreadful ruine To those who throw it down ; so had the Iberians With valour great as the cause they fought for Strove with a noble envy ; who should at first Out-go his fellow in slaughtering the Argives ; At last oppress'd with multitude and toyl , We sunk under the unequal burden ; Then was our emulation chang'd , and who before Strove to out-do each other , now eagerly contended To run the race of death first . Sir , there it was I ( and many other braver Captains ) fell , Being one wound from head to foot . O then it was Inophilus came in With about twenty other Gallants , and with what speed The nimble lightning flyes from East to West Redeem'd this bleeding trunk , which The insulting Argive had encompas't Blown up with victory and pride ; He with a gallantry like none but great Inophilus , Being bravely backt by his own Souldiers , Whose actions spoke them more then men , Had not Inophilus been by , redeem'd the honour Of a bleeding day . And thus were our troops As little now as their valour great Enrich'd with victory , blood , and Jewels , of which The opposite Army wanted no store , Returnd with the renown of an atchievement As full of glory and honour to the Conquerors As ruine to the Argives , Ino. My Liedge — Had this action , and my merit been so great As our Prince would make it , I then might Own it , and expect reward . — But it was so small , so much below my duty , That I must upon my knees beg pardon That I came no sooner . Eph. This is a prodigy beyond what ever yet Was wrote in story . Inophilus , we have been too backward In cherishing thy growing vertue , we will Hereafter mend it And , dear Rinatus , be proud of thy brave son , And let the people honour the remaining Army , We shall esteem it as a favour done to us ; We have a largess for your valours Captains , You have not fought in vain . This day let our Court put on its greatest jollity , And let none wear a discontented brow ▪ For where a frown is writ , vvee 'l think it reason To say , that face hath Characters of treason . Exeunt . ACT. III. SCAENA 1. Enter Plangus and Inophilus talking to him . Ino. BUt Sir , when you consider she 's a woman — Pl. O dear Inophilus ! Let earth and heav'n forget , there are such things ; Or if they ever name them , let it be with a curse Heavy as are the ills they act ; a Mandrakes note Would ring a better peal of Musick In my ears , then those two syllables pronounc't agen ▪ Ino. Pray Sir , put off this humour , This peevish Pet , and reason tamely ; Sir , you Have lost a Wench , and will you therefore lose Your self too ? Hear me but patiently a word or two . Pl. Prethee go teach the Gally-slaves that word , Things that dare own no thought beyond their chains , And stand in fear of whipping , and wanting bread : Bid them be tame and patient that fry in Sulphur , 'T is a word I have forsworn to know the meaning of , Or if I must , 't is but to shun it , and hate it more . Oh! were thy wrongs as great as mine , Inophilus , Or didst thou love me half so well as thou dost Plangus , Thou would'st instill into me the poyson of revenge , And puff me up with thought of vengeance , Till I did burst , and like a breaking cloud Spread a contagion on those have injur'd me . Ino. Why this were handsome in some Country-fellow , Whose soul is dirty As the thing he 's mad for ; 'T were pretty in a Lady that had lost her Dog , But — Pl. I know what thou wouldst say , But for Plangus : Oh t is for none but him to be so . Those that have injur'd me are persons I once held dearer then my eyes , But how much Greater was my love , so much the more is the offence ; Wounds from our friends are deepest . Had any but my father — And yet me thinks That name should have protected me . Or was it made only to secure offenders ? My life was his , he gave it me , my honour too I could have parted with ; but 'las my love Was none of mine , no more then vows made to a Deity , And not performd — And for that creature , Who must be lost for ills through which I must make way to my revenge , Had she betrayd my honour to any thing But him that gave me being , She had made me half amends , in that my way To vengeance had been open ; Now I am spurr'd Forward to revenge by fury , and yet Held in by the rein of a foolish piety , That doth no man good but them that use it not : T is like the Misers Idoll , it yeelded him no gold Till he had broke the head off . Nay , Inophilus , one secret more , And the horror of it blow thee from earth to heaven , Where there are no such things as women , T will turn thy soul the inside outside outward . I cannot get it out . Prethee what is 't Inophilus ? Ino. Alas ! I know not , Sir . Pl Do but imagine the worst of ills Earth ever groan'd under ; a sin nothing but woman , Nay such a woman as Andromana durst think on ; And it is that . Ino. How revenge transports you ! Princes have lost their Mistresses before , Nay , and to those have not such right to them As hath Ephorbas to what Plangus hath ; Who could command her , if not Ephorbas . Pl. But I have — Oh Inophilus — I burst — Yet it will out — dost thou not see it here Unbuttons his doubles . Oh I have known Andromana as Ephorbas did last night . — Ino. Why Sir , the sin done by your Father is not yours If you could not help it . — Pl. Why there it is : T is that which gnaws me here ; But I swore By all the gods that she vvas as innocent From my unclean imbraces , as is The new faln Snow , or Ermines that will meet Ten deaths before one spot : I made my father think The thoughts of Angels were less innocent then she . No it was I betray'd him ; his vertue was too great , Not to have suspected it . How do I look Inophilus . In. Like some blest man that griev'd for other sins , And could out of a good nature part with half His own whiteness to purge the others stains . Pl. Now thou sooth'st , and like some flattering glass Presents me to advantage . I am in short , One born to make Iberia unhappy . Had I as black a face as is my soul , You 'd finde in respect of it Aegyptians were snow white . Me thinks I hear heaven tell me I am slow , And it is time I had begun revenge . Ephorbas has done him wrong who lov'd him More then heaven or his happiness , and would Have run out of the world to have left him free , What ever he would lay claim to but Andromana ; Nay she also had been his , so 't could have been without a sin , But she knew the sin she acted , and yet did it , And lives free from the stroke of thunder . Is there such such a thing as heaven , or such a one As Justice dwells there ? and can I ask the question ? O the tameness of a conscience loaded with sin ! Which reasons and talks when it should do . But I will be reveng'd , and thus I begin , Inophilus , He draws . Be sure when I am dead to meet my ghost , And do as that instructs thee ; 't will tell all the particulars Of my revenge , who must dye first , who last , and What way too ; I have my lesson perfect . He leans the pummel on the ground to fall on it . Inoph . kicks it by with his foot . Ino. Is this the revenge befits great Plangus ? Pl. Had this been done two dayes ago — Thou durst as well have met the lightning Naked , as have oppos'd my will thus . Ino. Hear me . He draws . Ask me no questions , nor answer me , — or if you do , By heav'n I 'le never speak more . It is revenge you 'd have , and t is a great one , a very noble one To kill your self ▪ Be confident your greatest foes wish nothing more When after ages come to hear your story , What will they say ? Just as they did of Cato , He durst not look great Caesar in the face ; So Plangus was afraid and dyed : A very pretty story , and much to a man's credit ; For shame , dear Plangus ( let friendship use that title ) Shew your great soul the world beleeves you 're the Master of ( And I dare swear you are ) in this action . Nay rally up your self , and fight it stoutly , Shake from your minde revenge , and having lay'd That passion by , put on that vertue The world admires in you , 't is now the time to shew it : The Sun broke from a cloud doubles his light , And fire the more resisted flames more bright . Andromana has injur'd you scorn her therefore , And shew she had done nothing ; I 'de not do her the favour To have one thought for her , or could be troubled At that she did , — As for your father , Sir , Besides the tye of nature , he knows not he hath wrong'd you : Or if he doth , t is love that caus'd him ; a word that once Made an excuse with Plangus for what offence soever . Pl. Thou hast wrought upon me , And I am resolv'd to live a day or two more : But if I like it not — Well , I will go to try to sleep a little — perhaps that may — I 'me strangely Melancholy — prethee lye down by me Inophilus , I 'me safe while in thy company . Exeunt . SCAENA 2. Enter Plangus as from sleep . Pl. Lord ! how this spirit of revenge still haunts me , And tempts me with such promis'd opportunity , And magnifies my injuries ▪ Sometimes it calls me Coward , and tells me , Conscience in Princes who are injur'd like my self , Is but an excuse they finde for that is in truth Poorness of spirit ; or something baser ; It tells me t is a sin to be good when all the world is bad . It makes me look upon my self , whilst wearing This garb of vertue , like some old Antiquary , In cloaths that are out of fashion in Iberia . But I will not yeeld to it , I know it is a greater glory to a mans self ( and he that courts opinion , Is of a vulgar spirit ) to disobey then satisfie An appetite which I know is sinful . Good heaven guard me , how am I tempted . Enter Androm . To put on my former temper , but thus I fling it from me . Throws away his sword . SCAENA 3. And. Why how now Prince ? If you part with your darling so easily , There is small hopes but you have thrown all love behind you . Pl. Heaven , how she 's alter'd ! I that once swore , Iove from the well-tun'd sphere Ne're heard such harmony as I did , when she spake ; Me thinks I can now in comparison of her voice Count Scritch-owls musick , or the croaking Toad . And. Who is 't you speak of Sir ? Pl. Tempt me not , Madam , with another word , for by heav'n You know I 'me apt being incenst — Wake not those wrongs that bellow louder in my soul Then wretches in the brazen Bull , or Iove Who speaks in thunder ; those wrongs my goodness Had half lay'd aside . Or if you do , I have a soul dare what you dare tempt me to . And. Sir , I must speak though Iove forbad me With a flash of lightning . You think perhaps Sir , I have forgot my Plangus . But Sir , I have infinitly in ur'd you , And could not satisfie my conscience , ( If I should say my love too , I should not lye ) Till I had ask't your pardon . Pl. Madam , the fault 's forgiven and forgotten , Without you move me to remember●t with a worse Apology . Live and enjoy your sins , and the angry gods : Nay the severest plague I wish you , is , That you may dye without one cross ( for afflictions commonly Teach vertues to them that know them not while prosperous ) Secure without one thought or sense of a repentance . And. Me thinks you have a steely temper on , to that Which the other day you wore , when you were More soft then down of Bees ; But Sir if you but knew the reason why I have done The action , which you perhaps call treason to our loves , You would forbear such language . Pl. Reason ! no doubt the man that robs a Church , Or prophanes Altars , hath reason for what he doth ; To satisfie your lust , you have that reason Madam . And. That I have loved you once , I call heav●n , my own heart , and you to witness ; Now by that love , by all those vows have pass't Betwixt us , hear me . Pl. O heaven ! is that a conjuration ! things you have broke With as much ease as Politicians do Maxims of Religion . But I will hear to know you , and to hate you more . Speak on . And. You know whilst Leon liv'd , whose due they were , I out of love resign'd my love and honour unto you . Pl. Lust , Madam . And. I knovv not Sir : Your eloquence gave it that title then . How many dangers walkt I fearless through To falsifie your pleasures ? your very will . Nay more your word , nay if I thought by sympathy A thought of yours , that I imagin'd you Might blush to speak , I made it straight my own , And waked and studied as much to put it into act , As doth a Gamester upon loss to compass mony . At last we vvere betray'd Sir , to your Father's spies , Who deny'd us aftervvards those opportunities We stole before , be friended by my husband's ignorance . Novv vvas I brought to that vvhich is the vvorst of ills , A seeing , but not en●oying of that vvhich I held dearest . To see you daily , and to live vvithout you , Was a death many degrees beyond my ovvn . I knevv the love vvas great , so great I durst not ovvn it . Nay more I knevv t vvas noble too , so noble I knevv my husband being dead you vvould not stick To ask your fathers leave for publick Marriage . Pl. Heaven and the gods can vvitness I intended it . And. Nay farther yet , I knevv your fathers love , which vvould not have denyd you any thing , Would also have granted that . Pl. Madam , you riddle strangely . And. When I had forecast these easie possibilities , lyet foresavv one thing that crost our designs , That vvas a sense of honour I had in me . Me thoughts in honour I could not condescend , you Should debase your self so low . It pleas'd me better to be your Mistress , then your Queen . And stoln imbraces without the scandal Of a publick eye , were sweeter then those Which might bring upon me for rising greatness Is still envy'd ) the rancour of the people , and Consequently distasts against their Prince . Sir now we may act safely what might have been Less secure . Your fathers name gives a protection ▪ Or if that startle you , wee 'l call him husband . Pl. Are you in earnest ? And. As serious as love can be . Pl. Then I want words to tell you how I hate you : I would sooner meet Megaera 'tween a pair of sheets . And can you think I should have so small piety , As to be false unto my fathers bed ? That I lov'd you once , I confess with shame , and that I should Have done so still , had you preserv'd those flames I think with horror , but for those sins , and Whatsoever else I must repent , I shall no doubt Have great occasion , when I shall see the Kingdome Enveloped in those swarms of plagues your sins call down , And feel a share of them my self . For heaven's sake , Madam ! for my father's sake , Nay for my own too , if that have any interest , Learn now at last a vertue , that may make us As happy as much as hitherto unfortunate , And render your story to posterity so burnisht With your shining goodness , that their eyes may not Perceive the errour of your former years . Perhaps I then shall have a reverence for you , As great as any son hath for a fathers wife . You wonder , Lady , to see me talk thus different From what you saw me half an hour ago . I look't upon my self as one that had lost a blessing — But heaven hath been happier to me , for I am now So far from thinking you one , that I look upon you As a pla●●e , no sin of good Ephorbas could deserve , But love to you — And. Sir , — Pl. Answer me not in words , but deeds ; I know you alwayes talkt unhappily . And if your heart dare do what 's ill , I know it can well teach your tongue excuses . Exit Plangus . SCAENA 4. Manet Andromana . And. And is my love then scornd ? The Chaos of that eternal night possess my breast , That it may not see to startle at any Undertakings , though they would make Medusa's Snakes curle into rings for fear . If greatness have inspird me with thoughts Of a more brave revenge ▪ they shall be acted . A husbands murder was such a puny sin , I blush to speak it ; but it was great enough For a Merchants wife : a Queen must be more Daring in her revenge , nor must her wrath Be pacify'd under a whole Kingdomes ruine . Enter Libacer . SCAENA 5. And. My better Genius thou art welcome , as A draught of water to a thirsty man , I ne're had need of thee till now . Muster those devils dwell within thy breast ; And let them counsel me to a revenge , as great As is my will to act it . Lib. Madam , leave words . The rest you take in breathing makes your anger cool . Out with it , and if I do it not , if I startle At any ill to do you service , though it be to kill my mother , Let me be troubled with the plague of a tender conscience ; And lye sick of repentance a half year after . And. What need I tell thee more ? Plangus must dye , And after him Ephorbas , because he is his father . Lib. Madam , he shall . But give me leave to ask you , How he , for whom alone of all the world you had a passion , Is now become an object of the hatred , so great , As others must dye because they have relation to him . And. The aire is hot yet with those words I profferd him in satisfaction . And he refus'd it , what need I speak ? Is 't safe that he should live knows so much by us ? Lib. He had been happy had he never known what vertue meant . I wonder that paltry thing is not banisht earth , It neer did any good yet . Beggeries a blessing to 't ; Who ere grew rich by vertue ? Madam , wee are not troubled with it . But to our business , I have thought a vvay . You knovv his father loves him , T is he shall ruine him , and lets alone for him . And. Pish , pish , that cannot be . Lib. These women are alwayes with their Cannots , What cannot be ? have you but read the Sophy ? You will finde that Haly ( Oh how I hug that fellow's name ) Ruin'd great Mirza by his father , and his father by his son . The great Politician while all the Court Flam'd round about him , sat secure and laught , Like those throw fire-works among the waving people , That have nothing but fire and smoke about them , And yet not sindg one hair . Indeed he fell at last ; 'T is true , but he was shallow in that part oth'plot . What have we his example but to learn by it ? Praise Plangus to Ephorbas then so far , That first he may fear for his Kingdome , And if you do proceed till he grow jealous of his bed , 'T will do the better . The King coming , I must be gone , Exit Lib. Manet And. SCAENA 6. Enter Ephorbas to her . Eph. How fares Andromana ? I 'me glad this greatness sits so well about thee ; My Court was blest that hour I knew thee first . Wee 'l live and still grow happy ; we shall flourish Like some spreading tree that shall n're cease , Till its proud height o're look the skies , I hope I bad fair for a boy to night . How happy should I count my self , could I but leave My Kingdome something that had thy image in 't . And. Sir , never think Iberia can be happy in another son , When such a Prince as Plangus lives the heir . Who is the subject of all men's prayers , nay The deserver too . There 's not a man or woman In the Kingdome hath one good wish within their breast , But they strait bestow it upon Plangus , a Prince Whom mothers shew their little children , as something They should learn betime to worship and admire . Eph. I know , Andromana , but — And. Sir , vertues perfection Is at the height in him . What ever after ages bear I give the name of worth to , must if compar'd to him Be but as foyles to set his glory off the brighter . Nor are the men only thus taken with him . There 's not a Lady in the land but sighs with passion for him , And dreams on him anights . Husbands grow jealous of him , yet with joy That they are Plangus Rivals . Eph. All this is nothing . Men talk't as loud of Me when I was young . And. Yea but they say Sir , You were not half so mincing in your carriage , Nor so majestick . Besides — Eph. I hope they do not make comparisons . Starts . And. And. Sir , I thought we could not have discourst on a more Welcome theam then what is full of Plangus . Ep. No more you cannot . Let him as a less star enjoy his splendor , But ' ●must not be so great to darken me . But prethee do they compare us then ? An. You 're discompos'd Sir , I have done . Eph. Nay nothing but the remembrance of a foolish dream . What say they ? An. Why Sir , some went so far , To say , they wondred a Lady of my years Could marry the father , though a King , When I might have had Plangus himself . Ep. They did not — An. Then I confess I blusht , and had been out Of temper , but that I thought it might be The Court fashion to talk boldly . Ep. This story jump't just with my dream to night ; Me thought I saw him threatning to kill me , 'Cause thou hadst marry'd me ; But the young sawcy boy shall know , I hold My Scepter strong enough to crush him into Atomes Did they not name Inophilus ? An. I think they did . He had some share of praises too , but it was so , As gleanings to a lading cart , They sometimes fell beside . Ep. Then I am satisfy'd , t is an aspiring youth . T is something that unites Plangus and him so . I must be speedy in resolves . Exit Eph. SCAENA 7. Manet Andromana . An. Who waits without there ? Enter Libacer . Oh art thou come ? stay , let me breathe , or else , Lib Nay spare your pains ; I know it all , I saw him drink it with as great greediness , As usurers do unthrift , lands , or jealous husbands Confirm their Cuckold-ships by ocular testimony . An : It took most rarely , Beyond our hopes . I 'le leave the rest to thee , Thou art so fortunate in all designs . Go on and prosper . Lib. And I 'le attend for an opportunity to meet With Plangus , and betray him to ruine As great as unavoydable . Exeunt . ACT. IV. SCAENA 1. Ephorbas solus . Eph. FOr ought I know my bed may be the next , Men are not bad by halves , nor doth One mischief stop a man in his carreir of sin . There 's as much reason ith'one , as the other . Doth he affect my Kingdome 'cause , ●●me old ? No , that 's not it ; he knows I must dye shortly . T is not a desire of rule and glory of their bending knees , Makes him forget his duty — He may as well covet Andromana 'cause she 's handsome , He satisfies a lust alike in both ; well let him be My Rival in the Kingdome , 't is but what He was born to , and I must leave it him ; But for my wife he must excuse me , Nay he shall — he pawseth . Yet now I think on 't better , the grounds are slender , And my suspicions slight ; no evidence against him But the peoples love , and that 's no fault of his Unless deserving be a crime . Who 's without there ? Go call in Plangus , and bid him stay , Enter Libacer . For I must speak with him . Exit King . SCENA 2. Manet Libacer . Lib. Nay then all 's dasht , if once it comes to parly . I must not have them talk . But here he is . Enter Plangus . SCAENA 3. All health and happiness attend the Prince . Pl. Pray tell me if you saw the King ; Be short , for I am very melancholy . Lib. He parted hence just now , but With such a fury revelling in his looks , There had been less danger in a Basillsk . Pl. Went he this way . Lib. Yes Sir , He is going out but turns short . Pl. But thou dost not know what mov'd him ? Lib. I heard some such words as these . My Rival in the Kingdome — There 's evidence against him — The people's love — deserving is a crime — And somewhat else my fear made me forget . Pl. Who was there with him lately ? Lib. I cannot tell , but about a quarter of an hour ago He askt for you , and every time he nam'd you , he seem'd angry Pl. Named me ? thou art mistaken . Lib. I had almost forgot Sir , I have message to you from Andromana . Pl. I will not hear one syllable . Lib. No , so she told me , but she charg'd me speak it , or dye , For it concerned your life , which she held dearer Then her own . Pl. I value it not , but speak the mystery . Lib. When first her lips began to move , a blush Oreflow'd her face , as if her heart had sent Her tainted blood to seek a passage out . Then with a showre of tears she told me , how Inordinate desires had made her but this morning , Tempt you to th' acting of a sin she would not name ; And that your vertue had so wrought upon her She had not left one thought unchang'd . She loves you still , but with affection That carries honour , and converted thoughts ; And next she bad me whisper in your ear , ( For time was short ) that if you loved her , Or your self , or did intend to cherish The peoples growing hopes , you shou'd not come When the King sent for you . For something had incenst him so highly Against you , that there was mighty danger in it . She bad me hast , for time would not permit her to say more . I was scarce out o th' chamber , when Your father came and askt for you , And bad me seek you out with speed Sir , I should be most proud to serve you . Pl. I thank thee friend , but prethee tell thy Mistress , Innocence knows no fear : T is for guilty souls To doubt their safety . If she would have me safe , My only way is by present appearance to clear my self , For I beleeve my false accusers wish nothing more , Then that I should be absent . Lib. The Devil 's in him sure , he guesseth so right . Aside . She told me so Sir , and would have wisht you to it , But that there was a way to serve you better by . She saith Ephorbas told her a few minutes hence , Hee 'd call a councel , where they 'd consult about you . The place is hang'd so that behinde the wall Sir , You may stand secure , and hear what passeth , And according to what they determine , you may Provide for your safety , only for more security She wisheth you would arm your self — Sir , pray resolve , she 'l pacifie the King , That you appear not presently , Pl. Well , I will be perswaded : Tell her , I 'me resolv'd , I will not come . Lib. Happiness attend you , half an hour hence , Exit Lib. I 'le wait upon you . Pl. We shall reward thee . SCAENA 4. Manet Plangus . Pl. Whence should this kindness come ? and on a sudden too ? A strange alteration . She who a day ago Forgot the vows her soul was fetter'd in , And but this morning tempted me to a sin , I can scarce think on without fear , should on An instant be careful for my safety , And that from a principle of vertue too . SCENA 5. Enter to him Inophilus . Ino. Who was that with you Sir just now ? Pl. An honest fellow certainly ; but one I know not . Ino. An honest fellow call you him . If he have not Rogue writ in great letters i●'s face , I have no physnomy . Pray Sir , what was his business to you ? Pl. A message from Andromana , Who out of love desires me not to go to my father , Because something hath put him in a fume against me . Ino. Did the King send for you ? Pl. He did so . Ino. But upon her intreaty you forbore to go ? Pl. What then . Ino. Then you are mad Sir , And tacitly conspire to your own ruine . Do , take an enemies advice , and dye the object Both of their joy and scorn . Where are your senses Sir ? or pray whence springs This friendship of Andromana's ? Alas you should not Measure her malice by the smalness of your own . She has injur'd you , she knows it Sir . And though at present she enjoyes her treachery , She may soon fall beside it ; Ephorbas's not immortal , nor can she promise to her self Security when you have power to call her ills in question . Were 't nothing else , her safety would make her To plot your death . I hinder you in talking , But pray be gone , and when you see your father , Speak boldly to him , or you are gone for ever . Pl. I tell thee once again Inophilus , Since I have said I would not go , both heav'n and thee Shall want a motive to make me stir one foot , Were danger just there before me , running With open jaws upon me , and had my word been giv'n To remain here , I would be forc't from life , Before my place . Ino. Here is a bravery now would make a man For swear all Gallantry , to fool away your life thus In a humour — I met the Court just now Sir , As full of whispers , every man's eyes spoke strong amazeme● My father 's sent for with two other Lords , Eubulus and Anamedes ; and the Court Gates are lock't . Resolve Sir , and command me something , wherein I may have an occasion to serve you . Pl. Then I resolve to do as I am caution'd ; Walk , in I 'le tell thee more . SCAENA 6. Ephorbas , Libacer . Eph. What was his answer then ? Lib. Tell him , I am resolv'd I will not come . Those were The very words Sir . Eph. ' ●was very pretty resolute methinks . If he be grown so stubborn already , The next we must expect is action . Lib. But yet he bid me if you askt why he came not , To finde some excuse or other . Eph. He could finde none himself then : Call in the Lords , we must be sudden in our execution : But prethee one thing more , who was there with him ? Lib. No body , but I met going to him young Inophilus . And heard one servant tell another in great haste Their Lord would speak with some oth'Captains of the Army . Exit . SCAENA 7. Enter to the King , Rinatus , Eubulus , Anamedes . Eph. Sit down my Lords ; we have a business with you , Requires your hands and hearts , both speed and counsel ; Our danger 's such , that I could wish 't had flown Upon us without warning , for so cross the Fates are , Our safety must be bought at such a price , That we must lose what is as dear to us Almost as it . T is Plangus death or mine Must secure the others life ; nay startle not . If I am grown as wearisome to you As to him , your calling is in vain , my Lords ; Nor shall I labour longer to preserve A life denied me by the gods and you . But if there 's any here who hath a son Brought to these years with so much care and love As mine hath been ; think what a grief it is To lose him , and shed one tear with me . But for that son to plume kimself with feathers Pluckt from his fathers wings , would melt ones eye-balls . Yet Plangus who hath vizarded his ends With vertue , finding it useless now , hath thrown It from him , and openly attempts my crown and life . When mischiefs wheel once runs , how fast it speeds , Headlong to put in act the blackest deeds ! Were my crown his , had he my life to give , Though he would let me I would scorn to live . Eub. Sir , we are cal●'d upon a great affair , And if 't be true , the speed of our resolves Shall be as great as it . Your Majesty hath reign'd so happily , and long , We will not think a time beyond it . And such , so great your vertue still hath been , Strangers have been enamoured and admired it . Our enemies that could have wisht it less , Have yet sate down with envy , not attempted Ought against you , knowing ( I 'me codfident ) By such injustice the gods would be their foes . Me thinks t is therefore much less likely That Plangus , who hath hitherto been found A miracle of filial piety , And one that we may say was born the heir To all your vertues , all your goodness , As well as Kingdom ; who counts it glory As much to be an honest man , as a great Prince . I say for him , whom as he is your son , And as we hitherto have found him full Of worth and honour , we cannot but behold As him in whom the spreading hopes of all Iberia grow , and promise to themselves A still green happiness , that ne're shall knovv What Autumne , or a naked Winter means . For him that hath scarce yet put off Those cloaths which still wear the badges Of the great danger he was in , not for Himself , my Liedge , but you and us ; for had He wish't the ruine of his father and his Country , The Argives would have done that for him , And he not have been call'd in question . But when we must remember with what wings He flew to meet the Torrent , both against The counsel of his friends , and his own hopes ; How love to you and us spurr'd him on forward To those impossibilities , which nothing But love and valour durst have attempted . Why then methinks 't is strange , yea very strange Thus in a moment t'have flung all nature off , And all Religion ; and that Sir against you , Whom we all know and think with fear ( But our fading hopes spring fresh from Plangus ) Must shortly pay your tribute to the grave . Not that we doubt your Majesty hath cause To apprehend a danger , only 't is wish't Those who inform'd you were examin'd strictly , And Plangus sent for to answer for himself . Slanders like Mists still vanish at the sight Of Innocents , who bring their lyes to light . Eph. If an Oration could have made him clear , No doubt my fears are vain , and we shall lye Still sleeping in security , as great And lasting as Plangus , and his Complices Can wish upon us , nor wake till we are bound In the securest chains , death's fetters . That I am old is true , and Plangus knows it , He would have catch't a Cannon bullet sooner else , Between his naked hands ; then have provok'● My fury ; but age hath froze me To an icy numness , yet shall he know My veines have fire as well as his , and when Incen●● , my eyes shoot as much poyson too . What you alledge about his battel 'gainst the Argive As an excuse , it is a proof against him , Though theeves rob others , yet they ●ight themselves , For those that rob when strangers set on them , And all unite against a common enemy . Had Plangus private interests not held Him to us , no doubt had left us naked Of all defence ; but an intestine fury , To see the Argives bear away the fruits Of all his labours , all his treasons , Shot him into despair , and made him play A game was almost lost , rather then give all over . Besides , that action hath endear'd him to the people ; Gain'd him the Souldiers hearts with so great ease , The danger 's nothing in respect o th' rise He takes from thence to climb up to his ends . And for the vertue that hath gull'd us all , I 'de blush to speak it , that a son of mine Should ever be so base to seek a cloak For what he doth , but that I have disclaim'd All my relations to him , and would adopt A Cannibal sooner for son then he The evidence we have is what we wish were less , Then might I hug my Plangus and he me , But since the Fates and his own ills deny That entercourse ; what can remain , But that we should proceed to sentence Speedy as themselves , and stop the ill , which may Strike when 't is night , or while t is call'd to day . He knows his guilt too well , and hath deny'd To come , that so he might be justify'd . Once disobey'd as father , the next thing Will be Rebellion to me as his King . SCAENA 8. Enter to them Liba●er . Rin. As sure as death This is one of the Rogues that hath his Roguery to act , And comes in like something that brought news In the latter end of a play . Now shall we have Some strange discovery — How the Rogue stares . Lib. No sooner had we shut the gates , my Liedge . Then an uncertain rumour spred among the people That Plangus was in danger ; When if your ever saw a Hive of Bees . How if you stir but one , the whole swarm moves , And testifie their anger ; so strait whole crowds Of people , the greatest half not knowing what they came for , swarmed to the gates , and with confused cryes , hindred themselves from being understoood ; till some having divers times cryed Plangus , some their Prince , all with one note made up a common voice , and so continued till some Captains with one or two selected Troops made up to them , and having promised them they would secure the Prince , desired them to withdraw . And when they came so nigh as to be heard , they did in earnest what the other had attempted with so much noise and failed in ; ●or they told the Porter in plain Souldiers language , they would either see Plangus safe , or force the gates upon him . He in this exigent hath sent to know your pleasure . Eph. How say you now my Lords , Where is the innocence , the love to you and us ? For my part I will meet the danger ; Tame expectation is beneath a King , Only let me intreat you to see my Queen safe . 'T is pity she should smart who hath no sin To answer for , but calling me husband . Plangus — Iberia shall be thine — But He goes to stab himself , Rin. stayes him . With the curses of the angry gods , and a kinde Injur'd dying father . Rin. Heav'n bless you Sir , what a despair is this ? Because you hate a hangman , you will be Your executioner your self . Beleeve me , That which presents so great danger to you I look upon with joy : There is no subject That loves you or the Prince , but must be glad To see the zeal Iberians bear to a true vertue , When bending under an unjust oppression . No doubt their love had been as great to you , Had you been in like danger . — Besides , my Lord , You are not sure 't is with the Prince's consent The Souldiers do this . My life for yours You will be safe , let the worst come — Let us go meet your fears . They begin to rise when at the instant . SCAENA 9. Andromana enters undrest , and in a fright . An. Happy am I my Lord , She weeps . This sudden fright hath rescued me from being made The subject of some villains lust , who With his sword drawn just now was forcing me To lewd imbraces , if you command to search the Court , He cannot be far hence , for he ran that way . Rin. O impudence ! Plangus stirs behinde the hangings . Rinatus draws and runs at him . That durst attempt a sin ( darkness and woods Have too many eyes for ) in the open Court . I shall be with you — the Devil hath Armor on — Eph. Drag him to torture — They fetch him out . My son ! why have I liv'd to see this ! Away with him to death , the air will grow infectious , Why stay you ? SCAENA 10 ▪ Enter Zopiro , Inophilus , with Souldiers . Soul . Unhand the Prince , or else by heav'n he treads Into his grave that moves a foot to touch him . Ino. Madam , though Plangus noble self was blinde , And could not see the deep black darkness of your Hellish actions ; his friends had eyes about them . Was this your love ? this your repentance ? This your advice , your counsel ? I must confess had I , And these his noble friends here , been rul●d by him , E're this he 'd been a sacrifice to your revenge and you . Why stand you mute Sir ? vvant you a tongue to justifie Your innocence , our svvords and vve maintain . And novv , my Liedge , vve turn to you , Whom vve have serv'd as truly As ever subjects did any Prince alive , And vvhilst you 're worthy , vve vvill do so still , But vvee 'l be no mans slaves alive , Much less be his that is another's , vvhile this base Witch , For so she is , constrains you to do actions Children vvould blush at , and vvise men laugh at , Which vvill after leave you both to repentance and despair . This beggar , vvhom to ther day you took up as some lost thing , Gave your honour to , and in that our safety , That knew less to be good then Devils do , and hath Ills lodg'd in her , that would make a hell beyond that The Furies dwell in . Banish her hence , Send her to some place , where murders , rapines , Or sins yet unheard of , do inhabit , And where she can do us no mischief . Do you betake your self To your former vertue , and restore the Prince To those affections you once had for him , We then perhaps may live to see Iberia happy . Eph Why am I forc't thus to declare his shame , Which at the bound strikes me , and is made my own . You know not how well Plangus can dissemble , He is an hypocrite , I need not tell you more , Those three syllables comprehend all ill . My Queen just now scap't from his base attempt Wherein he would have forc't her to have damn'd Herself and him , and dishonour'd me . What mean't that Armour on , and why so guarded ? Where was a danger threat'ned him ? Or doth he think his conscience could not Sting him through it ? I wish that he might live , my Lords , but as nature That as he is my son bids me preserve him ; So honour which pleads to the King stronger Then nature can ▪ tells , me for that very reason , I can less pardon him then something born A stranger to my blood . — But I deserve To dye as well as he ; if he be grown A burden to the earth , I am so too , That gave the Monster being . Wherefore let me be dravvn to execution too , For fathers are guilty of their childrens ills . Ino. Would Plangus then have forc'●Andromana ; Yes , so would Daphne have ravish't Phoebus , I 'le undertake Goats are less salt then she — But for his Armor — can any man that breathes One common air with her not need an Armour ? Brass walls cannot be security enough . Why speak you not Sir ? are you dumb too ? Pl. It is for them to speak are sure to be beleev'd , And not for him that is condemn'd as guilty ; Words can excuse slight faults . If mine are esteem'd such , that all my actions , A speaking duty of one and twenty years Speak not enough to clear me , silence shall . I have no more to say therefore , But to bid you do your duty to the King , And ask him pardon for the intemperate zeal , Heav'n knows I wish't it not , nor would I buy My safety at one of my father's angry thoughts Much less his fears , For those I fall by . Obey my father , and if ye love me , Gentlemen , Shed not one tear for Plangus : For I am timely taken from those plagues This womans crying sins must bring Upon Iberia , and make you wish That you had dy'd as soon and innocent as I. An. That I was nothing I confess , that what I am I owe to Ephorbas ; nay , that the greatness I am now in , tells me it is too high To be secure , my fears bear witness . I wish my life would excuse Plangus his , At least my blood wash off the blackness of his guilt , Heav'n knows it should not be one minute Ere he should be restord to his former vertues , But since it cannot be , I 'le in and weep , Not for my self but him . Exit . Ino. Millions of plagues go with thee Sir , you shall along with us , we will not Trust you , or to the King , or her . Exeunt . ACT. V. SCAENA 1. Liba●er Solus . Lib. WHat Politician was there ever yet Who swimming through a sea of plots & treasons , Sunk not at last i th' very havens mouth ? And shall I do so too ? No , my thoughts prompt me , I shall be told in story as the first That stood secure upon the dreadful ruines He had thrown down beneath him . Yet I am nigh The precipice I strive to shun with so much care . I have betray'd Plangus tis true , and still Have found a growing fortune , but so long As jealousie binds up Ephorbas thoughts From searching deeper deeper ; T is not well That Plangus lives at all , though he be disgrac't H'has friends enow about the King , and they will finde A time to pacifie him , which will be my undoing , He must not therefore live . Andromana Is of that minde too ; but how to compass it — Or when perhaps I have , what will become of me ? Nothing more usual then for those folks Who have by sinister means reach't to the top o th' mountain of their hopes , but they throw down And forget the power that rais'd them ; Indeed necessity enforceth them , lest others climb By the same steps they did , and ruine them . I must not therefore trust her woman-ship , Who though I know she cannot stand without me now , Yet when she 's Queen alone Fortune may alter her , and make her look upon me As one whose life whispers unto her own guilt ; It is not safe to be the object of a Princes fear . Then she will finde others will be as apt To keep her up , as I to raise her ; I will prevent her first . Time is not ripe yet , but when it is ( For I must walk on with her a little farther ) I will unravel all this Labyinth E'ne to the King himself . Then let her accuse me , Though she should damn her self to hell , I know shee 'l be beleev'd no more , then Plangus hath been hitherto . Thus shall I still grow great , though all the world Be to a dreadful ruine madly hurld . Exit . SCAENA 2. Plangus Solus . Pl. I can no longer hold , t is not i th' power Of fate to make me less ; bid me out-stare The Sun , out-run a falling star , Feed upon flames , or pocket up the clouds , And so burn up a land with plagues , the son Of flaming heat , for want of rain To cool the yawning chaps of the dry earth ; Or if there be a task mad Iuno's hate Could not invent to plague poor Hercules , Impose it upon me , I 'le do 't without a grudge : Condemn me to a Gally , load me with chains , Whose weight may so keep me down , I can scarce swell Under my burden to let out a sigh . I would o'recome all Were there a Deity that men adore And throw their prayers upon , that would lend Just ears to humane wishes , I would grow great by being punished , and be A plague my self , so that when people curst Beyond invention , to their prodigious Rhetorick This Epiphonema should be added , Become as miserable as wretched Plangus . I have been jaded , basely jaded , by those tame fools Honour and piety , and now am wake't into revenge , Breathing forth ruine to those first spread This drowsiness upon my soul . A woman ! O heaven ! had I been gull'd By any thing had born the name of man ! But this will look so sordidly in story ▪ I shall be grown , discourse for Grooms and Foot-boyes , Be ballated , and sung to filthy tunes . But do I talk still ? well I must leave This patience : And now Ephorbas Since thou hast wrought me to this temper , I le be reveng'd with as much skill as thou Hast injur'd me . I●e to these presently , For my hour-glass shall not return ten minutes longer , And having kill'd my self before thee , I le pluck my heart out , tell thee all My innocence , and leave thee hem'd in with A despair thicker then Aegyptian darkness . I know thou canst not choose but dye for grief , But here he is . SCAENA 3. Ephorbas Solus . Eph. Riddle upon riddle : I have dreamt this night Plangus was cloathd like innocence , all white ; And Andromana then methoughts was grown So black , nothing but all one guilt was shewn . What shall I do ? Shall I beleeve a dream ? Which is a vapour born along the stream Of fancy , and sprung up from the gross sumes Of a full stomach , sent to the upper rooms o th' brain by our ill Genius to spoyl our sight , And cloud our judgements like a misty night . Why do I doubt ? t is ominous to stay Demurring when the way is plain : Is day Or night best to judge colours ? shall I stand Trying the waters soundness , when the land Pre●●nts firm footing ? Truth by day appears , And 〈…〉 ●apers hope to find my fears 〈…〉 And yet ●e thinks 't is very strange 〈…〉 should suddenly thus change , 〈…〉 his nature off , I did not so 〈…〉 young I am res●lvd to know 〈…〉 ●ear this mist from fore my eyes , I● 〈…〉 be done by care , by gold , or spies ▪ Exit . SCAENA 4. Andromana Sola . Andr. So Badgers dig the holes And Foxes live in them : Of all Factors State-factors are the worst , and yet least to themselves Of a●l their labour . This Libacer is wading To the throat in blood to do me service , And I le reward him with a halter . Tame fool , can he imagine I remove A husband and a son , to suffer him To live still and upbraid my ills . Lib. It is resolv'd . Enter Libacer ▪ But here she is , I must speak fairly for a while : An. How doth it succeed now , my darling ? Shall we be great ? great alone ? Lib. As great as pride and fulness of revenge Can swell us . Hark in your ear , Madam , I le tell you all our plot , but softly , For perhaps the jealous walls may eccho Back the treason ▪ They whisper . SCAENA 5. Enter Plangus with his Sword drawn . Pl. I bore whilst I could , but no t is grown Too great to be contain'd in humane breast , And it shall out , though hoopt with walls of brass . Are they at it ? I stood once a listning at their intreaty , This time at my own I 'le stand and hearken . Steps aside . An. It is impossible . Lib. I tell you no , I le aggravate the injuries , And tell him how basely poorly it was For a father to betray his son so . An. His piety will never — Lib. But his fury shall , I le stab the King my self , and bring Those witnesses shall swear 't was Plangus . Pl. Nay then t is time to strike ; There , carry thy intents to hell . He stabs Libacer . An. Help , Murder , Murder , a Rape , a Rape . Ep. What dismal note was that ? An. Sir , there you see your Martyr , Whose force being too vveak to save my honour , His fidelity vvas greater , and dy'd a loyal sacrifice Offerd by the impious hand of that vile man . Eph. O heaven ! doth not the earth yet gape and svvallovv thee . Thy life shall be my crime no longer ; I gave it thee And thus resume it vvith a thousand curses . He stabs Plangus . Pl. Sir , I at length am happy To the height of all my vvishes . I am a going suddenly — from all Faints . My troubles all your fears — But I vvill tell my story first — Hovv you have vvrong'd , and been vvrong'd your self . This vvoman — to be short — Hath tvvin'd like Ivy vvith my naked limbs Before she marryd you — — And vvould — Oh — in spight of death I vvill go on — have tempted me to bed her since — Upon refusal she turnd her love to hate , And plots my ruine — And — Next your death — I can no more — I kill'd the instrument — farevvel — — Forgive me — Dyes . Ep. Can this be true Andromana . An. Do you beleeve it ? Ep. I vvish I had not cause — An. Sir every syllable vvas true he told you ; Whose vvords I thus confirm She takes Plang . Dagger , flings it at Ephorbas , and kills him . Ep. I me slain , mercy heaven , An. You should have come a little sooner . Enter Inoph . In. Do I see vvell ? or is the Prince here slain ? An. He is , and cause you love him , Carry that token of Stabs Ino. My love to him , I knovv hee 'l take it kindly that you take So long a journey only to see him . In. It vvas the Devil strook sure , A vvoman could not do it — Plangus Oh — Dyes . SCAENA 6. Enter to them Rinatus , Eubulus , Anamedes . Rin. Heaven defend us ! vvhat a sight is here ? The King , the Prince both slain ? vvhat and my son too ? Only this vvoman living ? speak out Scritch-ovvl , Witch , hovv came they by their deaths : An. By me , hovv else ? Rin. Le ts torture her . An. I can prevent you , I vvould not live a minute longer , Unless to act my ills again , for all Iberia . She stabs herself . I have lived long enough to boast an act , After vvhich no mischief shall be nevv — Dyes . Rin. Le ts in , and vveep our vveary lives avvay ; When this is told , let after ages say , But Andromana none could have begun it , And none but Andromana could have done it . Exeunt . FINIS . 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