THE phoenix IN HER FLAMES. A TRAGEDY.  
The Scene, Arabia.  
The Author, Master William Lower.  
LONDON, Printed by Thomas Harper, for Michael Young, 1639.   

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL, MY Most honoured x, Thomas Lower Esquire, humbly; Health and Happiness.  
Sir,  
IT was once disputed within me, whether to give this poor Phoenix birth or burial, whether to commit her to the fire, and suppress her in her ashes, or let her ascend again in her own nature and live; there was only one reason to persuade the former, and that was your favourable and courteous approbation, divers considerations to urge the later, but the chiefest of all her imperfections. I have adventured notwithstanding by virtue of your patronage, to expose her to the public view and censure of the world, no longer now behaving myself as I have scene a timorous young soldier at his first entrance i'th' war, duck down the head at every shot of th' enemy, but rather as a bold and experienced Martialist under your Colours, run resolutely on up to the canon's mouth of the most carping and most malicious Critic whatsoever, needing no other fortification than your protection, which is a sufficient guard and defence against their strongest invasion. Cherish this innocent bird that flies into your bosom for sanctuary, respect her for her rarity, though she can plead no other merit, and in lieu of such noble favour, she hath vowed (when she expires) to make herself in her flames your sacrifice, as I  
Your servant, WILLIAM LOWER.   

Prologue.  
THis air shall be perfumed, and every sense  
Delighted with sweet smelling frankincense  
And aromatic fumes: for please you know,  
Gentle Spectators, from our Scene doth grow  
Abundance of such fragrant stuff, you'll see  
A Play that breathes Arabian spicery,  
And such a doleful story as may take  
Your minds to see a Prince and Princess fate  
Presented, and their hard adventures shown,  
Yea make you weep, and think they are your own:  
Our Poet fears none but the common wits,  
Who think a scene's not good unless it fits  
Their merry humours with some apish toys,  
And peevish jests fancied by girls and boys,  
Despised by abler judgements, who desire  
A sad and solid matter, such a fire  
Is kindled for you here; we fear no blame  
Shall brand our Phoenix in her Funeral flame.   


Dramatis personae.  
The King of Arabia.  
Amandus Prince of Damascus.  
Consolario his Tutor.  
A Colonel of his.  
A Gentleman of his.  
Perseus' Prince of Persia.  
The Ambassador of Egypt.  
Allecto Nephew to the King. 5 Thieves.  
Rapinus. captains of the thieves. Praedarius.  
Lucinda Princess of Egypt.  
Sara her Maid.  
Phoenicia daughter to the King.  
Saba her Maid.  
Her Doctor.  
Besides Messengers and attendants.    

The Phoenix in her Flames. A Tragedy.  

Actus Primus, Scena Prima.  Amandus, Consolario. Cons. 
SIr, do not grieve, it is the chance of war,  
Cheer up, & triumph in despite of fortune,  
What falls without the compass of redress  
To sorrow for, argues a feeble spirit,  
And it doth nothing suit your Princely mind  
Too much to yield to passion.  Amand. 
I confess,  
Moral Philosophy doth teach as much,  
And you have given me precepts, read me lectures  
Of fickle fortune's mutability,  
How madly, and without consideration,  
She doth confer her favours, yet my sufferings  
(How great you know my faithful Consolario)  
Are of that nature, as but counterpoised  
In equal balance with weak humane frailty,  
They would in spite of my resistance weigh me  
Down, down unto she ground.  Cons. 
How noble Prince,  
Your passion hath unrectified your mind,  
And lead you into error, did you never  
Read and believe what Scipio Affricanus  
Said unto some commanders of his army?  
That he did show a greater magnanimity  
In mastering the affections of his mind,  
Then in o'erthrowing armies, conquering kingdoms.  
Apply this noble Roman, to yourself,  
Sweet Prince Amandus, what although your state  
Be desperate now, your Country almost ruined,  
Your army fled, and your chief City straight  
Besieged by these Barbarians, if you can  
Bear with a constant patience what the will  
Of heaven doth lay on you, no doubt you shall  
Purchase a greater glory to yourself  
By manly suffering what yond cannot help,  
Than Geolon the Tartar, though the fates  
Surrender fair Damascus to his hands.  Amand. 
Why should the partial fates be so unjust,  
So cruel to me? had my fortune been  
Good as my right, the lot of grief had fall'n  
Upon another soil: and thou my Country,  
My dearest Country, hadst not felt these wrongs,  
These miseries of war thou now sustainest;  
The careful husbandman had then enjoyed  
His harvest to himself, and reaped the fruits  
Of his own labours, had not seen his house  
Burnt to the very ground, his Vineyards spoiled,  
His fields laid waste; the woeful father then  
With bleeding heart had not beheld his daughter,  
His fairest daughter ravished in his sight,  
And his chaste wife lie prostituted to  
The lust of common soldiers, whilst alas  
He stands spectator of the loathed Scene,  
Whose death at last shuts up the tragedy:  
These things had never happened if my cause,  
Had been considered, nor this stately City  
(Whose lofty turrets wrap themselves in clouds)  
Had never been begirt thus round about  
By foreign foes.  Enter a Gentleman with a letter. 
What news bring you my friend?  Gent. 
Sir, heavy news, this letter will inform you  
Sent from the Governor, which to bring hither  
In a disguised shape, I passed the guards,  
The trenches and the camp of Geolon,  
With thousand hazards of my life, all which  
I reckon not to do my Noble Prince,  
My Prince Amandus' service.  Amand. 
You are welcome,  
And we congratulate your safe arrival;  
But in what state did poor Damascus stand  
When you departed thence? how victualled?  
How furnished with ammunition was it?  
How long can it hold out? first I will hear  
Your sad relation ere I break the seal.  Gent. 
O Sir, I'm sorry my unworthy mouth  
Should be the organ to convey a sound  
Unto your Princely ears, so harsh as this,  
So doleful, so unpleasant, I would rather  
Be silent in a story of such woe;  
Yet since you do command me, know my Liege  
The City is distressed for want of food:  
All their provision is consumed and spent,  
And nothing left for to sustain their lives.  
These two months have they fed upon the flesh  
Of horses, dogs, and cats, now they are driven  
To such an exigent, as they begin  
To eat sod leather, yea the excrement  
Of men and beasts, and which is more, their flesh,  
Their proper flesh: this day within Damascus,  
I saw a sight which grieves me to relate,  
It did appear so horrid, 'twas a woman  
With hunger pined▪ who had not eat a bit  
In seven days' space of any sustenance,  
forced with her knife to cut her infant's throat  
That sucked upon her breast, to satisfy  
With its sweet flesh her ravenous appetite:  
And for the ammunition of the town▪  
As powder, bullets, match, and such materials  
Of war, 'tis almost spent, for three years' siege  
Cannot but empty well the magazine;  
Yet notwithstanding all this misery,  
(Such as the like I think was never heard  
Or seen in any age) they are resolved  
(So much their loyal hearts affect their Prince)  
Never to yield the town, so long as any  
Survives to make resistance, and despise  
All quarter, all reward that hath been offered  
By Geolon the Tartar▪  Amand. 
Consolario,  
Where are you now with your Philosophy?  
You're gone, you're gone, will you preach patience yet  
To wretched me your pupil? can you open  
Your mouth to that effect in such a deluge,  
In such an inundation of my woes?  
No, 'tis in vain, I can receive no comfort:  
Open ye watery sluices of mine eyes,  
And let out tears enough to drown my heart,  
My heart that's gauled for poor Damascus' sake,  
And my dear friends within: O had the heavens  
Showered cataracts upon me, had their plagues  
Drunk up my moisture, till my shattered bones  
Had crumbled into dust, had I excused  
My country with my fall, my peaceful ashes  
Had filled their urn in silence, whereas now  
Even life is tedious.  Consol. 
Sir, I am your tutor,  
And I must chide you though you are my Prince,  
When I perceive you err as now you do  
Through weakness of your youth▪ else I should show  
No love nor duty, these grey hairs of mine,  
Which time hath turned into a silver hue,  
Know something of the world, and my experience,  
howe'er you slight it, hath seen many changes  
And alterations wrought in mighty states.  
I have waded through the various passages  
Of a long life, and therefore can instruct  
Your youth in the right way, if you but lend  
An ear unto my counsels: hark my son,  
I'll tell you plainly, you degenerate  
In this intemperance of your grief,  
From the brave stock of your progenitors,  
Your royal predecessors; fie for shame,  
Wrong not your virtue to be desperate,  
O bury not in the forgetful grave,  
Nor drown in this Laethean flood your glories,  
Your former glories purchased on your foes  
By your so oft relieving of your country▪  
Rouse up your drowsy spirits, and mitigate  
Your swelling passions, till I find a way,  
A way to cure your sorrows.  Amand. 
Heaven reward thee  
For this sweet balsam thou hast poured into  
My wounded heart, your words have eased me of  
A great part of the burden which oppressed me,  
And I refer me wholly to your wisdom,  
To perfect what you have so well begun;  
Now to my letter, here's sad matter sure.  Opens and reads the letter. 
Sir, so miserable is the state and condition of the town for want of food to sustain us (as this bearer can more particularly inform you) that unless we have speedy relief, I fear Damascus will be taken in upon an assault, for our men are so weak through hunger, as they are scarce able to come up and visit the breach, notwithstanding we are resolved rather to die there, then surrender: so much we prefer your good before our own safety.  Amand. 
Now Consolario, what will you advise me  
To do in this extremity of fate?  
Hark how the Ordnance battereth the walls  
Of yond fair City, how the Musketeers  
Discharge whole volleys; 'tis some sally sure,  
Made by the brave besieged; how do I talk,  
They are too weak, too feeble to attempt it,  
Poor hunger-starved souls; may it not be  
A Mine sprung in the rampire of the town,  
And an assault made? O I fear 'tis so,  
My mind presageth ill, mine arms, sa, sa,  
I'll once again attempt for to relieve it,  
Although repulsed last.  Consolar. 
Sir, 'tis in vain,  
They are too strong entrenched for your weak power  
To make an entrance, had you not experience  
Too sad, last time by loss of your own blood,  
And slaughter of your men, what folly 'twas  
For to attempt impossibilities?  
You may fall on, and lose yourself and soldiers  
Unnecessarily, and to no purpose:  
But this yond cannot term true fortitude,  
But rather rashness and temerity;  
For 'tis a policy in war, sometimes  
For to preserve your soldiers, as it is  
At other times to put them upon service:  
But 'tis not proper now, stay and attend  
The sequel of this business.  Enter a Colonel. 
Colonel,  
Can you inform the Prince what did occasion  
The shooting that we heard now near the town:  
Was it a sally, or a triumph made  
By the Tartarians for their good success.  
In conquering this Kingdom?  Colon 
Neither Sir,  
But an assault alas upon Damascus,  
A soldier that escaped, told me the manner,  
And thus it was: After the enemy  
Had sprung their Mine, which levelled the rampire,  
And made a breach that eight might march in front:  
They did assault it with their multitudes,  
And furiously fell on: thrice the besieged,  
Though hunger-starved, repulsed them, thrice they were  
enforced to quit the breach, some had their brains  
Dashed out with stones and beams, others with flails  
Received their deaths, and some whose limbs were rent  
To pieces with granadoes, but at length,  
Fresh succours from the quarters coming down,  
And Hydra-like increasing, they prevailed,  
When all our men were slain in the defence,  
Before they entered: only this poor soldier  
Escaped whilst they were pillaging the town,  
From whom I learned this sad intelligence.  Amand. 
Now fortune do thy worst, and if thou canst,  
Make me more wretched, I'll no longer now  
Flatter thy malice; since mine eyes have seen  
The final period of my country's fate.  
Come Consolario, thou and I, and these,  
Will travel like poor pilgrims through the world,  
For I am weary of this desolation,  
And as we pass through this and tother Realm,  
We will inquire their state, that I may find,  
If possible, a partner in my grief.  
Dear Colonel, dismiss that little Army,  
That little remnant which the wars hath left me;  
Bid each man seek his safety where he can,  
And tell them if Amandus ere may hope  
To see a change of fortune, and enjoy  
Hereafter better days, he will then think  
Upon their faithful service, and reward them,  
When all these gusts of sorrow are blown o'er,  
In ample manner. Now let us obey  
Our stars, and follow where they point the way.  Exeunt. Rapinus, Praedarius. Rapin, 
Brother Praedarius, couldst thou not find in thy heart to turn Orator now, and bestow thy best Rhetoric in praise of our most noble profession.  Praedar. 
If my education, friend Rapinus were answerable to my desire, I should write whole volumes upon that subject, so much am I taken with it.  Rapin, 
How right you jump upon my humour, for when I do reflect with judicious eyes upon the poor state and condition of our former life, and weigh it with this glorious change, I magnify myself beyond measure for entertaining such brave sparks of honour and true fortitude in my breast, which hath kindled my affections to these worthy exploits.  Praeda. 
And now since you bring that into our remembrance, let us consider what poor mechanic rascals we were, under what slavery we lived, how oppressed by hard and usurping Landlords, and the like?  Rapin. 
All this is true, and much more we suffered, but how are these times altered since? how do we live now my friend? nothing inferior in command to the King of Arabia himself; are not all these mountains ours? these caves and forests ours? these deserts and wildernesses ours? are we not safe in these fortifications from the greatest powers that can possibly invade? we need not now fear the King nor his imposts, he shall now make us amends, and pay tribute of all such goods as pass this way under our jurisdiction.  Praedar. 
Tribute say you? it shall be tributus totalis, not a part, but all shall be confiscated to our use: all travellers whatsoever, whether Arabians, Jews, Turks, Persians or Egyptians, whose occasions bring them hither either as pilgrims to Maecha, or as convoyers of rich merchandise over these deserts, must here be content to do homage, and unload their commodities to enrich the brave mountaineers.  Rapinus 
How commendable therefore is this course of 〈◊〉 how profitable unto us, as when wealth and rich boot is as it were every day offered to our possession, nothing is required from us but a little valour to make us masters of infinite treasures.  Praedar. 
And what care we though they brand our foreheads with the names of robbers, thieves, out laws, rebels, renegadoes, and such like, whilst we live rich and brave and enjoy our pleasures.  Rapin. 
True, but we can give ourselves when we list other attributes, taking upon us the glorious name of soldiers, which we worthily merit in exposing our lives, to purchase wealth and honour, to so many hard and dangerous enterprises.  Praedar. 
Rightly spoken, for confirmation whereof witness so many scars upon our bodies, so much treasure in our Caves, so many Captives in our chains, all symbols of our mighty darings.  Rapin. 
But I marvel we have had no doings today, will there be no Market think ye? no travellers? no carriages? no Camels, no Dromedaries? no boot? it was not wont to be so, how comes this change in the name of Mahomet, what is the clock prithee Praedarius?  Praedar. 
It cannot be less than six, for Apollo hath left dallying with Aurorae more than an hour ago.  Rapin. 
By Fermagant this is strange, we were wont to be at our prey as soon as they at their play, how comes it we hear not from our sentinels we sent out to discover.  Praedar. 
Hark I hear them coming, they should bring good news by their joyful acclamations.  Enter four or five of the thieves with shouts and cries. Rapin. 
What news soldiers, are there any travellers stirring this morning, or caravans driving over the mountains? speak quickly, we are rusty for want of action.  1 Thief. 
Noble Captains as we sate to discover the plain, from the top of yonder mountain, we might perceive to descend great troops of people, but the distance of the place suffered us not to discern whether they were travellers, pilgrims, or merchants.  Rapin. 
Which way come they, and whether do they bend their course?  2 
It should seem they come from Alexandria, and are travelling towards Ormus, for they take that way.  Rapin. 
Then they are rich without question; courage my hearts, we shall be all made by Mahomet; need we animate them Praedarius with an Oration?  Praedar. 
It will not need, for you see no dulness in them to the business, too much whetting will take of the edge of their courages.  3 
Captain Rapinus.  4 
Captain Praedarius.  5 
What d'ye mean to delay the time so long in talk, and let this rich boor in the mean time slip out of our hands.  Rapin. 
'tis well considered, and we're glad you are So forward in the action; now my friends Let's fall one bravely, thus I do dispose you; Some 50. shall lie close in ambuscado Behind the thicket that's within the valley; Discover not yourselves before you hear Their Camels pass beyond you, then break forth And give a sudden onset; fifty more Shall be obscured from sight behind the mountain That lies upon the right hand, and commanded If it stand with the liking of Praedarius By his discreet conduct; the rest with me Shall guard the passage o'er the bridge, and lie Along the crystal River, which so gently Glides on the left hand by the mountain's foot. There is no other passage but those three, Which thus blocked up, the prey must needs be ours; Now every man unto his charge; we aim in our attempts at nought   Exeunt. Enter Rapinus and Praed, again with their rabble of thieves, and the boot brought in in bags. Rapinus. 
Have we not reason my masters, to adore the deity of Fortune, for still favouring our attempts, sure we are much indebted to that goddess for her continual blessings, and we should be very ungrateful if we did not acknowledge it.  Praedar. 
we are in a double manner bound to her courtesy. First for this wealth, next for sending such a cowardly guard to convoy it, for had they behaved themselves valiantly, we had not been masters of our prey, but returned home well beaten for our labours.  Rapin. 
But no more of this, I am glad we have it: now we will divide it equally among ourselves; your share Praedarius shall be the jewels and Plate, the Money, Merchandise and other commodities shall be evenly distributed amongst our men, and for mine own part I desire nothing but the fair Lady.  Praedar. 
Ha the fair Lady I must not condescend to that, she is my prisoner taken by my own hands, and therefore belongs to me as a guerdon of my valour, take you the jewels, and leave me the Lady.  Rapin. 
By Termagant thou art a villain, and shalt not live an hour for contradicting my will.  They both draw. 
Give up all claim to her, or thy life Praedarius.  Praedar. 
Never, thou shalt write that resignment with thy blood, and seal it with thy heart.  Rapin. 
Then have at thee— they fight.  1 
Forbear good Captain Rapinus.  2 
Captain Praedarius what do you mean, will you kill one another for a woman, a pox on her, let her be common to both, peculiar to neither, enjoy her alike by turns.  3 
She will find you both employment enough I'll warrant you.  4 
She looks like a free metalled beast that will not faint in a double career.  5 
When you have spurred her sufficiently, and she begin to grow dull for your service, turn her over to us that we may back her.  Rapinus 
She shall be mine, and who dares lay claim to her beside, forfeits his life.  Praedar. 
She shall be only mine maugre the devil himself.  1 
Assuage your furies (I beseech you) and let me decide the business between you, since you both claim her particularly to yourselves, and neither will yield thereunto, refer yourselves to the lady's own choice, and be content to stand to her election.  Rapin. 
I am content— I know I am the properer man— aside.  Praedar. 
I subscribe to't willingly— she must needs choose me for many respects, whose deserts cannot but be discerned by her affectionate eyes— aside.  Rapin. 
Methinks I am embracing her dainty body already, whilst thou Praedarius stand'st as an envious spectator of my happiness.  Praedar. 
Alas poor fool how thou art deceived, thou embracest Ixion like but a cloud in thy imagination, while the Lady juno the true substance is reserved for me; mark thou th'event to thy shame Rapinus.  Rapin. 
I come Lucinda, thy Rapinus comes  
To court thy beauty, who in spite of fate  
And all the opposition of the world  
With this right hand will guard thee, though a troop  
Or armed Fiends stood up, grant me but Love  
I'll hold thee then though rivalled by jove.  Exit Rapinus. Praedar. 
But that I know Lucinda ne'er will grant  
When she perceives Praedarius rivals him  
Her lovely guardian, I do see her eyes  
Dart amorous glances on me, and her hate  
To him shall be discerned in his fate  Exit Praedarius. 1 Thief 
This is good they are gone and left all the boot behind, but 'twill not be amiss to discover if the coast be clear or no. Ha, ha, ha, they are gone sheer away by this light, was it not sport comrades to see them fight one with another, what fools were they to fall out in that manner and leave this unregarded?  2 
Let them still disagree so, we fare the better for't, if this occasion had not happened we had fingered but a little share of this wealth, I can tell ye.  3 
This bag is mine.  4 
And this is mine.  1 
But where is my part then?  2 
And mine, by Mahomet we will not be thus used.  1 
This is good i'faith, whilst we are talking you are taking, my masters you are best let us share with you, give me this bag Sirrah.  2 
And me this, or by.  5. 
'tis in vain to strive, you shall get nothing that way but blows, do you not know that possession is a main point of the Law.  1 
Cheat us and jeer too, Rogues our parts are your hearts— they fall together by the cares.  Rapinus, Praedarius. Praedar. 
How now what's the matter here, fighting about the prey, we'll have you all hanged for this you slaves.  1 Thief. 
Good Sirs be patient, and by your good savours, let me tell you we did but follow your example, and we know 'tis a chief maxim in war that Soldiers are bound to follow their Leaders.  2 
Besides Sirs our quarrel bears a better colour with it then yours, being for gold and jewels, yours but for a pretty Wench, pardon our saucy talkings.  Rapin. 
Well for this time we pardon you, yet because you shall learn next how to behave yourselves better, and to make use of a booty when 'tis offered unto you, we will case you of this burden, come your bags, Sir your bags.  Praedar. 
And yours Sir, dispatch we must have them all,  
Henceforth my friends agree, and differ not  
In the division of your boot, nor give  
The world occasion to traduce our fame  
By confirmation of this proverb old,  
When thieves fall out, true men come by their gold.  Exeunt. 
Finis. Actus primi.   

Actus Secundus, Scena Prima.  Perseus, Ambassador of Egypt. Perseus 
WHat should I think my Lord of this delay,  
That holds so long the Princess of my life,  
My fair Lucinda from me, do not you  
Measure the time, and wonder what should be,  
Th' occasion of her stay? methinks 'tis strange!  Embas. 
I wonder not at all Prince Perseus,  
Nor scarce expect her yet, for but consider  
The distance of these kingdoms, and the tract  
Of ground twixt Egypt and the Persian Realm,  
And you must then conclude that this is not  
A work of three days' journey.  Pers. 
Then my hopes  
And languishing desires to see my love  
Err in the computation of the time,  
Fancying three days three years, but by your leave,  
Was't not reported in this Court of Persia  
More than a moneth agone that she was ready  
With her Egyptian train to take her journey?  Emb. 
'Tis true 'twas so reported, yet it might  
Be a false rumour, grant the contrary  
That truth and it concurred, yet many things  
Happen you know between the cup and the lip.  
The Princess then might have been indisposed  
To health and sick and so unapt to travel,  
Or else he royal Father and my king  
(Which heavens defend) might be affected with  
His old disease, and she loath to depart  
Before he had recovered better state;  
Innumerable other things might happen  
Which now I cannot think of, but suppose  
She had at home no let or interruption,  
Yet must they pass the red sea, or be forced  
To come about by isthmus overland,  
Then travel through the deserts of Arabia,  
Which is a tedious way and not so soon  
To be o'ercome as you suppose it is.  Perseus. 
It may be so, my Lord Ambassador,  
These are the reasons or such like as these,  
But my Prophetical my Delphic mind  
Prompts me alas unto another cause  
More probable, I fear that glorious Orb  
Where my fair star moves in (I mean your land,)  
Made glorious by her lustre, and envied  
By all the neighbouring kingdoms round about,  
Should now grow proud, & scorn her beams should grace,  
Besides their own, another Hemisphere,  
What think you Sir of this?  Embas. 
It cannot be  
Your princely mind should harbour such conceit,  
To think our land so dull, as not to see  
The greatness of this empire, and the honour  
Egypt receives to match with Persia;  
But I interpret otherwise your speech  
Applying it unto the power of love,  
Whose force is such as it will draw a man  
Into Poetic raptures,  Perse. 
I approve  
Your judgement in the art, when I but name  
Lucinda, that bare sound strikes heavenly music  
Into my soul, and makes my thoughts harmonious,  
Each syllable therein is a strong charm  
To hold me in the labyrinth of love;  
Fairest Lucinda why dost thou withhold  
The day so long, and suffer Perseus  
To live in night wanting thy wished presence,  
till thou appear I can behold no sun  
No beam of comfort, that bright wagoner,  
Who doth begin his progress in the East  
And ends it in the West, each day surrounding  
The compass of this lower world, infuses  
No light into my senses, for he stays  
To borrow some of them; bright star appear.  Embass. 
Now Sir I see love hath divinely wrought  
Upon your inward faculties, that could  
Beget so high a strain as you have used  
In admiration of the loud object;  
Put love they say is nurse of poetry.  Pers. 
I think no less for for ere I was in love  
Before Lucinda's beauty kindled had  
A sacred fire in my inflamed breast,  
I knew not what it was to poetize,  
But now I'll clothe my lines in sable weeds,  
And vent my thoughts in an Elegiac name,  
I'll sing sad songs until my mistress comes  
For to inspire me better; O I cannot  
Bear with her absence, what think you my Lord  
Is she upon her journey that I may  
myself in person with some troops of horse  
Ride forth to meet her on the way as far  
As the wild deserts of Arabia stretch  
To safe conduct her hither.  Embass. 
Noble Prince  
I do believe she wants no strong convoy  
To guard her o'er the mountains, and more strength  
Added, I think would be superfluous,  
For sure the King knowing the passage well  
How dangerous, how long and troublesome  
Would ne'er consent she should go weakly guarded,  
But you may do your pleasure.  Enter a Messenger in haste. Pers. 
Friend, what news  
Bringst thou unto the Court? what speaks thy face  
Commixed with dust and sweat?  Messeng. 
Redoubted Prince,  
It speaks in characters a story which  
Will make you sad to hear, and me to speak,  
Which thus I read unto you, our fair Princess,  
The beautiful Lucinda travelling through  
The Country of Arabia, for to meet  
Her happiness in Persia with a guard  
Of some few horse and foot, was set upon  
By soldiers, what they were I do not know,  
Their number was ten times as much as ours,  
Yet we so long resisted as we could,  
Until the most part of our men were slain,  
Than some were forced to save their lives by flights  
Some three or four, no more of which small number  
I write myself, who took my journey hither  
Alone to give you notice what befell us;  
Let not my news great Prince, exclude my welcome.  Embas. 
But what befell the Princess all this while,  
Her Ladies and attendance?  Messen. 
Taken prisoners  
By two that seemed to command the rest  
With all their plate and jewels.  Embas. 
Know you not  
In what part of that fatal soil befell  
This sad disaster, or by whom 'twas done?  
Was't in Arabia faelix, or desert,  
Or Petrea else?  Messen. 
'Faith Sir I was never  
There in my life before, nor did I then  
inquire the true denomination of it,  
And therefore cannot satisfy you in  
The thing you do demand  Embas. 
But you can tell me  
The nature of the place and Country, then  
I'll satisfy myself: was't sweet and lovely,  
Perfumed with spices and rich Frankincense,  
Or was't a rocky soil, and mountainous,  
Wild, unfrequented, full of caves and dens,  
Of wood and desert, you can tell me this?  Messen. 
I'm sure it was not spicy, for it had  
A bitter smack, we proved it to our cost,  
Some never could digest it: Frankincense  
There was not any, I should smell it then:  
Mountains I saw, and unfrequented paths,  
Resembling well a desert: this is all  
I can inform you of by circumstance.  Perseus. 
How's this? am I awake, or in a dream?  
Dead, or alive? what Apoplex was that  
Tied all this while my tongue from breaking forth  
Into wild exclamations? O my heart!  
My better part, Lucinda prisoner!  
Heavens what a sound is that, no death so fatal,  
So doleful to my thoughts, Lucinda ta'en  
By thieves and outlaws, worse, and Perseus'  
Uncertain where she is, still worse and worse.  
What shall I do, die? that were to no purpose,  
And leave her unredeemed: no, I'll first  
Raise a great Army, and lay waste that soil,  
That fatal soil which first procured my woe:  
I'll cut off this distinction of three names,  
Arabia faelix, Petraea, and Deserta,  
And bring them into one, and that's the later:  
Cosmographers shall ne'er divide the land  
Into three parts, Arithmeticians neither  
Shall work it as a fraction, but entire,  
An entire number, termed by all deserta:  
The Phoenix shall no longer harbour there,  
Or if she do, we will destroy the Spices  
Where with she always built her funeral pile  
To burn herself to ashes, and thereby  
Hinder a second birth: what will we not  
Do to revenge this wrong? the worst of ills  
That can be thought of is not bad enough  
For to afflict that Country which detains  
My fair Lucinda from me: I have not  
The patience to dispatch an Embassage  
And to expect reply: I'll go myself  
And by my armies march, my cannon's mouth,  
My trumpets warlike sound, my beating drum,  
The King shall know the business why I come.  Exeunt. Amandus, Consolario, Colonell, Gentleman. Amand. 
Then you dismissed the army.  Colon. 
As I was  
Commanded by your Highness, so I did.  Amand. 
But did you tell my loving friends & soldiers,  
That in this grateful heart of poor Amandus,  
Was treasured up their love and faithful service,  
Never to be forgotten.  Colon. 
Sir, I was not  
Wanting in the least part of my commission.  Amand. 
How did they take my leaving them, and this my separation.  Colon. 
At the first unkindly,  
Because you would not take them as a guard  
To safe conduct your person, yet when I  
enforced your love by binding arguments,  
They did submit unto your will, and stood  
No longer to dispute it.  Amand. 
Yet their hearts  
Were grieved I make no question, for their loss  
And desperate fortunes.  Colon. 
Not so much my Lord  
For their own fortunes, as for yours appeared they  
Troubled in mind, for when I drew them all  
Into a Ring, and told your mind unto them,  
From every common soldier's eye, gushed forth  
Rivers of tears, and after from their hearts,  
broke forth these exclamations: O my Prince,  
My dearest Prince, why should the partial heavens  
Deal so unjustly with thee, or their malice  
Injure thy goodness? why wilt thou depart  
So weakly guarded, and expose thyself  
Yet longer naked to the stroke of fortune?  
Why should we be excluded from thy presence?  
Yet since it is his pleasure, we'll no longer  
Dispute the reasons why, but yield unto it:  
Heavens prove propitious, let his smiling stars  
Shed pleasing influences o'er his head,  
And guide his journey, let the froward fates  
See and repent the wrong they did unto him,  
And recompense his loss with interest  
For all his sufferings: O what cause have we  
To grieve for him, for ne'er in any age,  
Have subjects boasted of a sweeter Prince.  Amand. 
This makes me melt again, and to deplore  
Their miserable state and sad condition  
That were so touched with mine; but Consolario,  
What desert soil is this, that so well suits  
My desert mind? what solitary land  
That mocks my far more solitary heart?  
What air do we now breath in?  Consol. 
Sir, this Country  
Is termed the deserts of Arabia  
Where we now travel in.  Amand. 
Not that same Country.  
So famous for the Phoenix and her nest,  
And for that second Phoenix, rare Phaenicia,  
(Far more to be admired then the first)  
Th' Arabian Kings fair daughter.  Consolar. 
No my Lord,  
That's called Arabia Faelix, this deserta,  
So infamous through thefts and robberies  
Committed on all travellers by the thieves  
And outlaws of the Country, who frequent  
These Caves and Mountains, this and th'other part  
Make but one kingdom, 'twas not my advice  
You came this way, you know I told you of  
The danger by the robbers.  Amand. 
Prithee tell me  
What should they rob from me that I should shun them?  
What have I left that I should fear a thief?  
A jewel, two or three, poor paltry toys  
To lose, when I before have lost a kingdom:  
You'll say they'll take my life, alas they will not  
Be so compassionate to ease me of  
A burden so despised, under which  
I faint, and panting breath this air of woe.  Consol. 
Nay good my Lord, no more of this discourse,  
You promised once a manly resolution  
To tug with fortune, will you fall again  
Into relapse of grief, and sad remembrance?  
How poor this shows in you!  Amand. 
Well, I'll forget it,  
And find some other talk: you told me now  
This was a part of fair Arabia,  
Termed deserta, and another part  
Hight Faelix, there's another yet beside,  
Or else the history is false that writes it,  
How name you that?  Consol. 
That Sir is Petraea,  
So called of Petra, the chief City in't,  
Or else because 'tis rocky.  Amand. 
Which of these  
Arabia faelix, Petraea or deserta  
Is that sweet soil so much commended for  
Her gums and spices, odours, and perfumes?  
I'm sure it is not this.  Consol. 
No, that is Faelix,  
And rightly bears it that denomination;  
For 'tis a happy Country, no delight  
But flows abundant there, embroidered fields,  
Fair meadows, pleasant groves, clear crystal brooks,  
Sweet lovely Cities, gardens diapered  
All o'er with Flora's richest tapestry,  
Are seen there all the year, continual spring  
Dwells in that coast, white hoary bearded Hiems,  
ne'er shakes his snowy tresses, nor his frost  
Nips the fair flowers that beautify her breast,  
Nor boisterous Boreas with his winter blasts,  
Shakes her fair fruit, but delicate Favonius  
Creeps gently o'er her fields with flowery breath  
Creating gums and spices; sure it is  
The garden of the world; the Phoenix else  
Had never chose that place above all other  
To recreate herself in: your Damascus  
Is but a desert if compared unto it.  Amand. 
But good old man, have you forgotten that,  
Before the Tartar did invade my land,  
We had laid down our travel there to see  
The much admired Phoenicia, when the sight  
Of this fair picture did captive my heart:  
What motion do I feel again within me,  
To blow the fire raked in forgetful ashes,  
And half dead in Damascus?  Enter Praedarius with 5 thieves. Praedar. 
Stand, and give up your purses, or your lives, We require one or both.  Amand. 
Dost thou not see us Stand with our swords drawn, mine I thus give up into thy body,—  kills Praedarius. 3 thief 
What shall we do? our Capt killed, let's fly.  Gent. 
As thou hast lived with him, so shalt thou die  
And serve him in the other world  kills the third thief. 4 thief. 
But I  
Served him for fear, not love, and should be loath  
To wait on him to hell on such a journey.  Colon. 
Villain forsake thy master, that thou shalt not my sword shall keep thee in thy true obedience,  Kills him, the other three escape to Rapinus. Consolar. 
Blessed deliverance! we have cause to thank  
The heavenly powers for this our victory,  
And preservation.  Gentle. 
With what confidence  
Of good success their Captain gave the onset?  
But when the PRINCE's conquering sword dispatched him  
How soon his thieves were quelled.  Consolar. 
Sweet Prince I fear  
More storms for in this clouded Wilderness  
They are most frequent, and I doubt the worst  
Is not blown o'er, let's therefore haste our journey  
To shelter us in safety.  Amand. 
I'll not be  
Averse unto good counsel though I value  
This life at a low rate; now let's direct  
Our steps towards that happy soil you spoke off,  
That I may see though now with humbled eyes  
Phaenicia fair, the minion of the skies,—  Exeunt. Enter Rapinus wounded, with all his rabble of thieves leading in between them Amandus, the Colonel and gentleman also wounded, Consolario following after weeping, then enter Lucinda. Rapinus 
See fair Lucinda mine, what triumphs we  
Bring to adorn thy conquests, see what captives  
Are ready here to wait upon thy triumph,  
See what a purple flood hath issued forth  
From these two gaping wounds which I received  
To bring these precious jewels to Lucinda,  
And yet she kills Rapinus with disdain,  
Did ere your eyes see fairer?  Lucinda 
Never true lie,  
And I believe this Kingdom yields none such,  
They speak the owner some great personage,  
From whom did you extort them?  Rapin. 
From that captive  
Who killed Praedarius and thus wounded me,  
And made such havoc of our men, he now  
Shall lie in durance for't.  Lucinda 
Heavens what a wonder,  
What an Angelic object strikes mine eyes,  
In masculine appearance!— aside.  
Were you Noble  
These jewels were a ransom to redeem him,  
And set his friends and him at liberty  
At least to bar hard usage.  Rapin. 
If it be  
Your pleasure to command their free enlargement,  
I seal unto it, for fair Lady know  
You carry such divinity about you  
As it converted hath and almost altered  
(I speak it to my shame) my former nature,  
But had I still continued as myself,  
I had not begged this favour, which you know  
I might command at pleasure.  Lucinda 
You are angry  
And all this while mistake me, I as little  
Desire their liberty as you yourself,  
But I would have them used in gentler manner  
Than other prisoners for these jewels sake,  
Which take me more than all the wealth you ere  
Presented me withal.  Rapin. 
This cheers me yet  
That now at length, one of my offerings are  
Accepted by my goddess; captives kneel  
And reverence her deity whose breath  
Hath freed you from a servitude more dark  
Than hell itself; now this must be your prison  
This Cave of mine, till we determine further.  Lucind. 
Would I might be his jailor and his surgeon,  
Alas, his wounds bleed— aside  
Sir you'll lose your prisoners  
Unless some care be taken for their wounds,  
Their death can do no service, first I'll dress  
Your hurts, and then for pity's sake apply  
A plaster unto theirs.  Rapin. 
Do what you will  Lucinda 
Your wounds are deep Sir— dresses him.  Rapin. 
I believe they are,  
And you have one fair Lady too wants tenting,  
I hope one day to search it and return  
Your courtesy again in a kind nature.— aside  Lucind. 
This salve will cure it.  Rapin. 
I believe no less,  
There is great virtue in 't derived from you.  Lucind. 
Come let the dress you Sir.  Amand. 
Me gentle Lady,  
No let me bleed to death, like Seneca  
Go sleeping to my grave, your pains were ill  
Bestowed on one that's weary of his life;  
Show your compassion one my friends, and than  
You shall oblige my ashes in their urn  
To bless your bounty.  Lucind. 
I'll not be denied,  
Your friends I care for too— sure Leda's swans  
Were black compared to this more whiter skin,  
No silk so soft— aside  
Now I have done with you.  
As I have been your Surgeon be mine too,  
Would he did know my wound— all aside.  Amand. 
To speak my thanks  
Would come too short by far of what I think;  
I'm sorry Madam your so precious salve  
Should wasted be on such a wretch as I,  
It better were reserved for nobler uses.  Lucind. 
Now Sir you must receive too from my hand,  
This plaster and your cure.  Colon. 
I kiss those hands  
That deign me such a favour— dresses him.  Lucinda. 
You must feel  
The virtue of my salve too.  Gentle. 
As we have  
The bounty of your noble disposition,  
For both our humble thanks— dresses him,  Rapin. 
Come have you done,  
You dwell too long there and neglect a cure  
Worth all the rest, Rapinus' heart is sick,  
And craves a plaster, wounded by your love,  
A patient in your care to be preferred  
Before a thousand captives.  Lucinda. 
May be so,  
But yet repent not charitable works  
Upon the poor distressed, if gentle nature  
Move not your heart to this, yet let the thought  
That they may do good service in your wars,  
(Since you yourself have seen the valour tried)  
Work that effect upon you.  Rapin. 
You plead strongly,  
And I cannot repugn your argument;  
But are all Ladies so compassionate  
And pitiful as you? I think they are not.  Lucinda. 
They are indeed, cur sex hates cruelty.  Rapin. 
Then you should hate cruelty in love.  Lucinda. 
That's in another nature.  Rapin. 
Come sit down,  
How long have you professed surgery?  
I never saw you practise it before.  Lucinda. 
I learned it from a child.  Rapin. 
'Tis a fine art  
And well it doth become a Lady's hand  
Gently to touch a wound, but I forgot  
To ask my prisoners what and when they were,  
And to what place they traveled, pray demand.  Lucind. 
I will Sir— this suits well with my desire— aside  
Fair Sir may I request to know your state,  
Your name and country, whence you come and where  
Your journey lay when this captivity  
Befell you on your travel?  Amand. 
Courteous Lady,  
You first demand my state, I can resolve you  
In these two words; 'tis poor and miserable,  
Made so by fortune's malice, and my stars.  
My name I humbly crave I may conceal,  
My Country is Damascus, and therein  
As in a book you may read out my story;  
Have you not heard the fall of that brave City?  Lucinda 
Yes, and the fame of that more braver Prince  
Admired Amandus, I believe you have  
Some near relation to him.  Amand. 
Yes, in fortune  
I have indeed, for I suppose our sufferings  
Are much alike.  Lucinda 
So are your names and natures;  
I make no question, if they were revealed,  
But I have found enough.  aside. Rapinus 
He will not tell  
His name it seems  Lucind. 
That matters not at all,  
I gather by his words he is some Knight  
Of sad Damascus, or some kinsman of  
Th'unfortunate Amandus.  Rapinus 
Very likely,  
But we spend too much time in this discourse.  
What do I mean? I have not yet given order  
To put out sentinels upon the hills  
For to discover boot; come will you walk  
And take the air a little? prisoners come  
You shall receive a dram too and no more  
But to prepare your stomachs 'gainst the time,  
I'll wean you from it.  Amand. 
Wean me from my breath  
Of life, and then I'll thank thee in my death.  Exeunt Enter the three thieves 1 thief 
This is worse and worse by the Almanac.  2 thief 
Alkeron, fool thou wouldst say, we do not use to swear in that phrase.  3 thief 
Besides, there is no sense in Almanac.  1 thief 
I say there is good sense and meaning in't, if you had the wit to conceive it.  2 thief 
As how prithee?  1 thief 
As thus, grossum caput, 'tis worse and worse by the Almanac, that's as much to say, 'tis worse with us this year then 'twas the year before.  3 thief 
'Faith thou sayest true, thou hast opened and applied the point too very handsomely, I commend thy wit for't.  1 thief 
Besides, did I not shift an oath too very prettily observe my religion in't as well as my wit.  2 thief 
I thought thou hadst sworn.  3 thief 
And so did I by the Alkeron.  1 thief 
But to our first discourse before you interrupted me: is't not worse and worse with us every day than other? we were wont to have some feeling of the gain, as well as of the pain, and to share with our Captains, now we must be contented to stand to his courtesy, devil share him for it.  2 thief 
We lost our best Captain when we lost Praedarius, would Rapinus had excused him, we should had better days then.  3 thief 
What fools were we to save his life, when he lay at the mercy of the stranger, I repent it now most heartily,  2 thief 
And so do I, but had we known he would reward us so, and give us nothing for our labours, he should have gone to hell for me, I would never have stayed him.  3 thief 
And the more to torment his Ghost, we would have made his foe and conqueror Captain in his place.  1 thief 
If he continue thus dogged, we may do it yet by some trick or other, let him not too much provoke us.  2 thief 
All his mind is upon the wench by Mahomet, all is given unto her, nothing unto us but a bastinado now and then, shall we endure't?  3 thief 
And yet for all so much treasure as he gives her, of my conscience she gives him nothing in return thereof, no not so much as her maidenhead.  1 thief 
Her maidenhead, 'twas a question if she had that to give him.  3 thief 
Then not a vaulting turn, not one single career, not a foot in the stirrup, or term it what you will.  2 thief 
Nay, I believe scarce a dry kiss unless by force.  1 thief 
Then he is a precious coxcomb, if I were he, I trow she should give me a dry and a wet kiss too by her leave.  3 thief 
I am clean out of charity with him in good faith.  2 thief 
And so are we all for his hard dealings.  1 thief 
But we must smother our discontent as well as we can.  2 thief 
What shall we do now?  3 thief 
To our old trade, to watch for other's Profit.  2 thief 
Come let's away then, we shall be found tardy else, and perchance told so much by a dumb instrument called the cudgel.  1 thief 
Indeed he speaks often to us in that language.  
But come comrades the times may altered be,  
When we shall speak that speech so well as he,  
And make him understand us when we call,  
As he doth make us now, this may befall.  Exeunt. 
Finis Actus secundi.   

Actus Tertius, Scena Prima.  The King of Arabia, Allecto. King 
IN midst of storms, and these tumultuous times  
Of war and blood, in midst of troubled seas  
Of foreign states, how safety do we sail  
And steer our course, Allecto, in a calm:  
No dusky cloud lours on our ship of state,  
No winds of adverse fortune shake our peace,  
But smile and gently breathe a quiet gale:  
Blessed stars that reigned at our nativity,  
Kind Planet, under whose sweet influence  
We were brought forth, dear fortune that conferred  
This happiness upon th' Arabian King.  Allecto 
It cannot be denied Sir, but you are  
As much indebted to the gods for favours,  
As any mortal Prince, and in some things  
Enjoy prerogatives above them all,  
As in the wealth and beauty of your land:  
Your subjects' love, your peace with foreign Kings  
That are your neighbours. Lastly, in this point,  
Which makes you more admired than all the rest,  
In having such a daughter, who for virtue  
And beauty both cannot be paralleled  
By any other Princess, and I think  
Hath not her equal in the world beside.  King 
She is my chiefest joy I must confess,  
And the sole staff of my declining age.  
I undervalue far my Crown beneath her,  
My gold, my jewels, yea although I were  
Possessed of the world's vast treasury,  
It were but dross unto my darling dear,  
My dear Phoenicia, all my care and study  
Is how to see her married as becomes  
The daughter of a King, and the great dower  
Dame nature and her fortune both will leave her.  Allecto 
This likes me not, I'll thwart it what I can,  
For to advance my love and proper fortunes.—  aside. 
But royal Sir, have you proposed yet  
A match unto the Princess?  King 
Yes, and have  
showed her the portraitures of divers Princes,  
Of Persia, of Tartaria, of Austria,  
Of Egypt, Babylonia, and the rest,  
To make her choice, but yet she likes not any.  Allecto 
That's good, she likes a substance, not a shadow:—  aside. 
This makes for me.  
What doth she then object  
An't please your royal Majesty?  King 
That she's  
Not yet disposed to marriage, pleading youth  
And ignorance in what doth suit a Bride.  Alect. 
That's nothing, she'll be soon instructed by  
Her husband in that duty.  King 
Yet I will not  
Force her affection; she desires to have  
Two years yet added to her age, before  
She would determine marriage; but you left  
The clause imperfect, when you did digress  
From what we first discoursed, and fell upon  
The praises of my daughter, now no more  
Of this, but enter on the first again;  
What was it nephew?  Allecto 
Sir, I was applauding  
Your happy state and fortune, and what cause  
You had to thank the gods for benefits  
You did enjoy above all other Princes,  
Yet to the end you might not think yourself  
In earthly pleasures absolutely happy,  
And so grow proud, there lies a bar between you  
And the full consummation of your bliss.  King 
A bar, what is't? it shall be then removed,  
And the way cleared.  Allecto 
There's difficulty in't:  
I mean the thieves and our laws of your Country,  
Who make your land unfree, and hold by force  
The third part of Arabia,  
Who rob yourself and subjects of their goods,  
Usurping privileges, and exacting  
Tributes an dues of every passenger,  
Stranger or other wise that travel that way.  King 
This takes away much from my true content,  
(I must confess) and troubles me the more,  
Because I know not which way to redress it.  
You know we have left no way unattempted,  
To drive them thence, yet failed in our desire,  
Because of their retreat into the mountains,  
Which for our army is inaccessible.  
Many complaints are preferred unto us,  
Not only by our subjects, but by others  
Against these rebels for their goods extorted,  
Who do demand from us all restitution,  
As if those thieves were under our command:  
Yea, many Kings our neighbours have dispatched  
Ambassadors about it to our Courts  
Whose Caravans and treasures have been robbed,  
Passing the deserts by these mountaineers,  
Demanding for their loss, full satisfaction,  
Who have departed hence much discontented:  
This in the end I doubt will raise a war  
Between us, and disturb our settled peace.  Enter a Lord attendant. 
What news with you?  Lord 
Sir, there's a Gentleman  
Lately returned from travel, now arrived  
Unto the Court, who humbly craves to have  
Access about affairs of great import  
Which do concern your royal Majesty.  King. 
Admit him straight, we'll hear the business.  Enter the Gentleman. 
We understand you're late returned from travel,  
From what parts came you now?  Gent. 
From Persia Sir.  King. 
What have you to deliver?  Gent. 
That the Persian  
Is marching hither with a mighty army  
To fall upon your Kingdom, from the Court  
I did accompany the Camp, until  
I learned the certainty of their design,  
Then in the night I left them, and with speed  
Rode post to warn you, that you might provide  
Against a strong invasion.  King. 
But where did you  
Part from the Persian Army?  Gentle. 
In the confines  
Of Babylonia near fair Euphrates.  King. 
How strong are they?  Gentle. 
Their Army doth amount  
Unto a hundred thousand foot, their horse  
equal that number bravely equipaged  
And furnished for the war.  King. 
Who doth command  
As General?  Gentle. 
Prince Perseus himself.  Allecto 
Could you not understand upon what grounds  
They built their discontent and rash proceeding?  Gent. 
I can in form you nothing of the cause,  
But so much of th'effect, I can assure you,  
Is it too too true.  King. 
This makes me not a little  
To wonder at the strangeness of the thing;  
whoever heard of any Prince that was  
Invaded by his foe, before he knew  
What his pretence was, and the cause that moved him  
To enter into war; I cannot guess  
The reason why the Persian should receive  
Distaste, and therefore am incredulous  
Almost of your report.  Gentle. 
Sir I could wish,  
(So much I do prefer my King and Country  
Before my life) I might be proved a liar,  
Although I suffered for it, rather than  
Behold the devastation of a soil  
So sweet as fair Arabia; but alas  
Your royal self, and we your loyal subjects  
I fear too soon will have experience of  
The truth of my relation, and perchance  
Repent too late your incredulity,  
Grounded upon too much security.  
What should it ought advantage me to lie?  King. 
Urge it no more, we do believe what you  
Have told us is a truth, and will provide  
Against the enemy's approaching force;  
Sure 'tis some wrongs hath caused this by the thieves,  
And the mad hare brained Prince hath not the patience  
(It seems) for to acquaint me but by war,  
And violent eruption into Arms;  
It must be so, else can I not imagine  
The least occasion why, well we will stand  
Upon our strongest guard to keep our land.  Exeunt. Rapinus, Lucinda. Rapin. 
In troth sweet Lady you are much to blame  
Thus to defer my pleasures, and delude  
My longing hopes with trifling vain delays,  
I suffer most extremely.  Lucinda. 
I could laugh  
To hear you talk thus; are you so impatient,  
You that are borne to such a course of life,—  
(And so low fortune) as you cannot stay  
A month or two to wait the love and pleasure  
Of a king's daughter, for the which great Princes  
Have sued, and served a year for.  Rapin. 
Are you then  
Of the blood royal, well we'll mix our bloods  
Together, so shall mine be royal too;  
But wherefore did you tell me that you were  
But an Egyptian Lady?  Lucinda. 
And in that  
I did not lie, scarce use equivocation  
For Madam is a title that's applied  
To Queens sometimes as unto common Ladies.  Rapin. 
Why did you keep me in this ignorance  
So long, and now at last reveal yourself?  Lucinda. 
To awe your boldness when I saw it grow  
To such a height as now; Sir keep your distance.  Rapin. 
High words indeed seeming to have a kind  
Of reference to Majesty; but tell me  
What King begat you?  Lucinda. 
Not to satisfy  
Thy proud demand, but make thee know thyself  
And the base wrong thou dost me, do I answer  
Unto thy question: understand I am  
The mighty soldan's daughter and his heir  
Sent by my Father to be married to  
The Prince of Persia, when thy barbarous troop  
And lawless self enforced a Rape upon me,  
For which thou shalt repent, unless thou do  
Make speedy restitution of myself  
Unspotted in my honour.  Rapin. 
Not such haste  
To part, fair Princess, in a fit of choler;  
You know not yet my humour nor I yours,  
We must participate each other's nature  
Before we can resolve in colder blood.  Lucind. 
uncivil groom dost thou think to enjoy me?  
I'll rather prostitute my body to  
The lust of a deformed Incubus,  
Or ugly Satire, then retain one thought  
Of thy lewd loathed embraces  Rapin. 
That's because  
You're told they're active in the art of vaulting,  
But you shall find me madam so dexterious,  
As not inferior to them in that kind;  
Try my performance.  Lucinda. 
Thou lascivious man  
Thou bestial Goat, how dar'st thou taint chaste ears  
With thy infectious breath? know 'tis in vain  
Further to urge thy lust, for I'm resolved  
To run the hazard of a thousand deaths  
Rather than to yield unto it.  Rapin. 
Foolish woman  
Thy rage o'er comes thy wit, think'st thou this way  
To work upon me? dost thou not perceive  
Thou art my prisoner, and what now thou hast  
Is all my gift, thy life, thy reputation;  
Thy wealth and jewels? dost not see when I  
Please to command thee to give up those things  
Thou hast not power to hold them fear a minute?  
And yet art thou so inconsiderate?  
Dream not, nor feed this foolish fantasy  
Within your mind to think your Father can  
Rescue you hence, or your betrothed Lord  
The Persian Prince redeem you from my cave,  
Although they came with greater forces far  
Then Xerxes or Darius; I am safer  
Here in this unfrequented wilderness,  
Thus barricadoed round with hills and mountains,  
Than they in all their strong fortifications,  
Their Forts and Castles.  Lucind. 
I perceive my error,  
And therefore must a little temporize  
To prevent outrage.— aside.  
Sir, you moved your lust,  
But not your love and wooed me in a phrase  
That fitter were to be applied unto,  
A common whore or strumpet, than a Lady,  
Much less a Princess, this I must confess  
Inflamed my anger, and enforced me to  
Forget myself a little.  Rapin. 
I confess  
My error too, and crave your pardon Lady,  
See how one gentle word hath mollified  
My disposition, and clean turned the stream  
Of my full bent desire to be possessed  
By force of what I now resolved am  
To crave by fair entreaty in the way  
Of honest marriage.  Lucinda. 
Now your style is good,  
And tasteth something of civility,  
Yet I desire some respite to give answer  
Unto your suit for two considerations:  
First, that I may have time to make my prayers  
Unto the shrine of holy Mahomet,  
To grant a dispensation of my vow  
Made to the Persian Prince, to be his wife:  
Next that I be not perjured to myself,  
To lose my Virgin girdle, ere my age  
Hath numbered twenty springs to reinvest  
Our naked mother earth in robes of green.  Rapin. 
Why did you make, pray, such a foolish vow  
To stay a Maid so long?  Lucind. 
I did indeed.  Rapin. 
What wants now of the time?  Lucind. 
But a bare month,  
That is not long you know.  Rapin. 
Well, I'm content,  
Though my desires are apt to climb the tree  
Just at this very instant, and to taste  
Your dainty maiden fruit, but love is sweeter  
If freely granted, then if ta'en by force,  
Therefore I'll stay the time prefixed, and not  
Beyond the same a minute, see you do not  
Longer abuse my patience, if you do,  
What love cannot, force shall constrain you to:  
Come, will you go?—  Exit Rapinus. Lucind. 
I must stay here a little.  
I'll wait on you soon; heavens in what narrow straits  
Wretched Lucinda have thy fates confined thee?  
In what amazed labyrinth of love  
Am I enclosed, and cannot find a clue  
To guide me forth, no light, no salliport?  
I love my fellow prisoner, but I hate  
The thief Rapinus, how I shall enjoy  
The one, and handsomely avoid the other.  
A woman's wit alas cannot contrive:  
How soon I have forgot the Persian Prince?  
How soon myself? my eye but glanced on  
The beauty of this stranger, but his look,  
His high commanding look, which darted forth  
Majestic sparks, captived my yielding heart:  
He is though shadowed, that far famed Amandus,  
Damascus' Prince, I read the characters  
Of majesty deep stamped in his brow;  
I'll vent my thoughts unto him, and this cave  
Shall help me to his love, or to my grave.  Enter Sara her Maid. Sara 
what wilt thou counsel me to do in the thing you wot of?  Sara 
I have told you my opinion already.  Lucinda 
But can a woman with any modesty make love to a man?  Sara 
Puh, why not in a case of extremity, when the woman is hot, and the man is cold in the business?  Lucind. 
But if I should commit through extreme passion such a folly, should I not be wondered at, and hated amongst women for giving an ill example to the world?  Sara 
Nothing less, but on the contrary, be assured you shall reap from them infinite love and thanks for laying them down such a precedent of boldness, but if you dispute pro & con, thus, and make such objections, you shall never obtain your desires while you live, I will warrant you.  Lucinda 
But dost thou think there is any hope of speeding in my suit, upon notice given him of my love.  Sara 
No question, madam, he cannot but most willingly embrace it, and bless his fortune for so high a favour.  Lucind. 
ay me Sara, I fear I am not so happy, my stars foretell not so prosperous an Omen: though I have by signs and dumb shows, by sighs and amorous glances told him my affection, yet seems he not to understand that language, but as insensible of my pain, suffers me to languish in my torment.  Sara 
I would fain ask your Ladyship one question, if I might be so bold, and thereby not incur your displeasure.  Lucind. 
Speak thy mind freely, thou shalt give me no offence at all.  Sara 
Taking your word for my warrant then, I desire to know if you be in earnest or in jest, for I cannot believe you should so soon forget the great Prince of Persia, and dote so extremely on this stranger, whose rank and quality you know not, but by conjecture.  Lucind. 
Such is the commanding power of love thou seest, which is able to do more impossible matters then these; I mean sincerely;  
Neither have I reason to repent the chance.  Saera 
No, suppose he be that poor exiled Prince of Damascus, is he to be compared, or in your good opinion to be preferred before the puissant Persian, one of the greatest Monarchs of the world?  Lucind. 
How foolishly thou talkest, dost thou not know that comparisons are odious, especially in love matters? counsel me better what to do, or keep thy thoughts in thine own bosom.  Sara 
madam, my help and furtherance shall not be wanting in any thing wherein I can do you service: let your wit contrive the way according to your desire, and let me alone to put it in execution.  Lucind. 
Then what if I sent thee to him with a letter stuffed full of affection, would not that be a pretty way to cover my blushes, and yet discover my love? sure it would, what thinkest thou Sara?  Sara 
I cannot but approve your plot exceedingly madam, for if there be then any fault escaped, or any small breach of maiden modesty made, it shall be imputed to the ink and paper, which is of too pale a colour to blush.  Lucind. 
It shall be so then, get me pen, ink, and paper presently, but soft, he comes to save me that labour, I am armed with boldness for the encounter, assist me, Cupid, I beseech thee.  Amandus, Consolario, Colonel, Gentleman. Amand. 
Fair Princess, here behold before your eyes;  
Those whom your courtesy hath made your slaves:  
I mean my friends and me, whose thanks, yea lives  
We come to tender to you, but alas,  
The debt we owe is greater, and the sum  
Not to be answered so, yet we beseech you  
Take this in part of payment, which we offer  
With zealous hearts, and no less strong devotion,  
And though we cannot cancel your great bill,  
Impute that to our want, not to our will.  Lucind. 
Most courteous Sir, if through my means you have  
Enjoyed the benefit of any thing,  
I thank my fates that made me an instrument  
Of doing so much good: you shall oblige me  
To tell me, since I cannot tell myself  
What thing Lucinda did, that could produce  
So strong an obligation.  Amand. 
You impose  
Too great a task upon me, for weak words  
Cannot express it full; madam, we owe you  
First for our lives, then for our liberties,  
For curing of our wounds with your fair hand,  
And many other favours great beside,  
All which we treasure up here in our hearts,  
As in a trusty Cabinet.  Lucinda 
Sure the man  
Seems of so gentle nature, that he would not  
Be so unkind, as to repel the suit  
Of a poor love-sick Lady— aside.  
Will you grant me  
One boon in lieu thereof, and you shall make me  
A tenfold satisfaction.  Amand. 
For your good  
We will expose our lives unto all hazards,  
For we account them yours, and not our own,  
Since by your means we live, and do enjoy them:  
What's your command?  Lucinda 
Sir, since you do acknowledge  
You owe to me your life and liberty,  
Your cure, and other courtesies beside,  
I am endangered now as you were then.  
'Tis now my turn, and I am like to suffer  
In all these things, unless your gentle nature  
And pity do relieve me.  Amand. 
How sweet Lady  
I do beseech you comes it? doth the thief  
Rapinus dare to offer violence  
Unto your chastity, or threat your death  
Unless you yield unto him? I will soon  
(So much I'm obliged unto your goodness)  
Find out a way to send that fiend to hell,  
Although I suffer for it twenty deaths,  
If this procure your fear.  Lucinda 
This is the least,  
(Although I know not well how to avoid him)  
Of what I suffer.  Amand. 
Let me know it then:  
Your life and liberty endangered?  
In need too of a cure, and not that way?  
Strange mystery, unfold it I beseech you,  
That if it lie in my poor power, I may  
Make known how much I love and honour you.  Lucinda 
Sir, 'tis a secret, and requires to be  
Spoken to you in private all alone.  
Should I not be unmannerly to crave  
Your friend's retirement for a little space?  Consol. 
madam, there needs no ceremony in  
Your ladyship's commands to us your vassals.  Exeunt. Lucind. 
Now you can help me by an easy way  
Without your hurt, for know I am your Patient,  
But am ashamed to lay to you open my wound:  
Imagine in what nature 'tis by these  
My tears, my blushes, my abrupted sighs,  
My broken speeches, my dejected eyes,  
My strange unwonted passions: more, I am  
Your prisoner too by the commanding power  
Of all subduing love, now 'tis in you  
To cure me, 'tis in you to give me life  
And liberty at once: O be not cruel  
Fair Prince, but help a poor distressed Lady,  
Who craves but love, and in that suit your best  
Construction: take it not in the worst sense,  
Nor think me aught immodest, though I have  
Opened my sore which was procured by  
Your most majestic carriage.  Amand. 
Heavens defend  
So great a Princess, and so beautiful,  
Of such imperial fortunes, should descend  
So low in thought, to look on such a wretch  
As I am, being the map of misery,  
Griefs Emblem, yea the tennis ball of fortune,  
Tossed by her angry Racket evermore  
Beneath the line, into a thousand hazards—  
For her disport, I love you better Lady  
Than so, to work your downfall, and should ill  
Requite your favours that way: you that may  
For beauty, birth, or fortune, match with any  
The greatest Prince of the terrestrial orb.  
'Twere sin in me not to be pardoned,  
To wrong you with my love in way of marriage,  
Who can assure you nothing for a dower  
But sorrow and affliction,  Lucind. 
Sure you cannot,  
Although you would, conceal yourself from me,  
Whose love discerning eyes have found you out  
To be admired Amandus, and surveyed  
Each lineament a part, with such regard  
As Painters use in limming of a piece,  
You're drawn within my heart, from head to foot.  Amand. 
I grant it Madam, that I was that Prince  
You pleased to name, but now have nothing left me  
But the bare title, but that airy name,  
Poor echo of Damascus, would I might  
Lose that and life, the shadow with the substance,  
Than I were happy, but my fates alas  
I fear reserve me for more misery.  
If possible, than I have tasted yet:  
Therefore let all avoid me as the plague,  
Lest they should be infected with my grief.  Lucind. 
Do not suppose your pleading poverty,  
Or ought you can allege, to wrong yourself,  
Hath power to turn the stream of my affection  
Another way then now it holds its course,  
Or to repel my argument of love:  
No, no, the plea is stronger, though you were  
Poorer then Irui (I invoke as witness  
Of this my vow the power that made me yours)  
Yet would I rather be conjoined to you  
In nuptial bands, then be the wedded wife  
Of any other Prince, although he were  
Richer than Croesus, and heaven knows I could  
Content me better in this prison here,  
(So you could love me, and I might enjoy you)  
Then in the Persian Palace, if I lie,  
Let Cupid shoot you with a leaden dart,  
And with disdain kill poor Lucinda's heart.  Amandus 
O dearest Princess, take deliberation,  
And enter into thought of what you are,  
Of what I am, and what the Persian is.  
Then you will soon call home these wandering thoughts,  
And place them where they shall be worth your love:  
In me alas they cannot, for although  
I had not lost my Country, though my kingdom  
Had still been mine, and though I now enjoyed  
My former regal dignities and state,  
Yet should I count myself too mean by far,  
To match with you the mighty soldan's heir,  
And only daughter, now I scarce deserve  
To wait on you in nature of your servant.  
Lucinda This shall not serve your turn, these vain excuses  
And wrongful reasons urged against yourself,  
Shall not prevail at all: the more you strive  
To stop the current of my swelling passions,  
The more they rage within this breast of mine,  
And in the end will overflow and break  
My heart if you prove cruel, and put off  
My hopes with such weak shifts and poor delays.  
Come, grant me love, and seal it with a kiss  
As an assurance.  Enter Rapinus listening before at the door. Rapinus. 
What is this I hear  
Spoken by Lucinda to this captive slave,  
Come grant me love, and seal with a kiss  
As an assurance? well I'll be revenged  
By all the Pagan gods; ignoble strumpet  
How dar'st thou wrong me thus, and in my Cave  
To court my prisoner? was't for this thou didst  
Deny my suit, and still from time to time  
Delude me with delay, that thou might'st act  
Thy shame, and make me pander to thy lust?  
Base Whore was this thy drift? for this abuse  
I'll presently enjoy thee, if thou yield  
Without constraint, I'll keep thee to myself,  
But if thou strive, or make the least resistance  
To cross my will, when I have satisfied  
My lust at full, I'll put thee o'er to be  
Used and abused by every common soldier;  
Come housewife I must teach you true obedience.  
Offers to ravish her.  Lucinda. 
Help, help.  Amand. 
Base villain offer her no wrong,  
But turn thee upon me, although unarmed  
I dare thy utmost power.  Rapin. 
Then thou shalt feel  
The fury of my rage, have at thee slave.  
Draws his sword and assaults him, Amand. defends  
himself with a stool, and at last closing with him,  
hath him at this mercy.  Amand. 
Now I will die thy sword in thy own blood,  
Which thou didst think to make deep drunk in mine.  Rapin. 
O stay thy hand for fair Lucinda's sake.  Ama. 
That hastes thy death, & puts me in remembrance  
Thou wouldst have ravished her.  Lucinda. 
Sir let him die,  
And free us all from this captivity,  
Never a better time than now to do it.  Amand. 
Then it is done, take that, and breathe thy last,  kills him. Lucinda. 
Heroic Prince now show thy pity on me,  
And as thou hast released me from this thief,  
And from the violence of loathed lust,  
So free me from the violence of love  
By taking me unto thy wedded wife:  
I will refuse no danger, nay no death  
To bear thee company, live here or travel  
Throughout the world, I'll Lackey it afoot  
With sweet Amandus; can you be so hard  
And cruel to me? sure when Ladies woo  
Hard are the shifts love doth constrain them too.  Amand. 
No more of this sweet Lady till we have  
Ordered the business that now falls upon us:  
The thieves we need not fear, for I have them  
Firmly at my devotion through distaste  
And discontent they did receive against  
Rapinus in his life, they will not stir  
(I know) one foot in his revenge, but rather  
Render me thanks for acting of his death;  
Come let us go, to better our poor state  
We must confirm these men yet in their hate.  Exeunt. Enter the three thieves. 1 
But my masters shall we be still ridden thus, and undergo thee but then patiently, without seeking remedy or revenge?  2 
No we'll suffer it no longer, if we do we shall deserve Midas ears i'faith.  3 
And Actaeon's horns too for our future fortune.  1 
Then we are all resolved to do our best to dispatch him, are we not?  2 
All the shame of the world befall him that is against it.  3 
And all the bastinadoes that do grow in the deserts light upon him▪ let's devise a way now to work our revenge, will you study the plot?  1 
Since you refer it to me, I will not be long about it, let's release the stranger, give him arms, make him our Captain, and cut Rapinus' throat; how like you this?  2 
Excellent well, it cannot choose but advantage us greatly, for the stranger is wonderful valiant, you know we had costly experience of it, and he seems of a generous disposition beside, that would not forget such a courtesy.  3 
This will I believe, so oblige his gentle nature as whatsoever boot we take, he will not trouble himself with it, but divide it freely among us; will not this be excellent my hearts?  1 
But who lies here all this while weltering in his own blood and we not see him? our Captain Rapinus, 'tis he, come here and congratulate his death,  2 
Blessed accident!  3 
This befell according to our wishes, and hath saved us the labour to put our design in execution.  1 
Ha Captain do you lie there i'faith, remember how often you gave me the bastinado, I could now be revenged upon your dead carcase, but I will now only satisfy myself with laughing over thy body, ha, ha, ha.  2 
To whom are we bound for this courtesy, I marvel, I cannot imagine to whose courage to impute it unless to the strangers.  3 
'tis he, it can be no other, he shall be our new Captain for the deed, do you consent to it?  1 
By all means we approve it, he shall have his act presently.  2 
Come let us find him out, and know how the business passed between Rapinus and him.  1 
Agreed, and offer him our service and receive his commands.  
How apt a soldier's mind is still to range,  
And doth desire his officers to change,  2 
But stay let us not leave Rapinus' body lie here unburied, lend me your hand for charity's sake.  3 
That's well remembered— exeunt with the body.  
Finis Actus tertij.   

Actus Quartus.  The King, Allecto. King. 
We hear ill news, Allecto, Perseus  
Hath passed his Army over Euphrates  
And marches through our Country, all the spoil  
That can be used in war his soldier's practice,  
All the hostility that can be thought off,  
As burning houses, robbing Villages,  
Committing Sacrilege, deflowering Maids,  
Ravishing Women, murdering the Men,  
And divers other outrages beside:  
Come let us march, I make you General  
Of one part of my Army, tother part  
I will command myself, our subjects' cries  
Are come already home unto our Court;  
Beat Drums, sound Trumpets.  Enter a Lord attendant. Lord. 
Royal Sir there is  
A Herald now arrived unto the Court  
Sent from the General of the Persian army,  
Who craves he may deliver what in charge  
Was given him by the Prince.  King. 
He shall be heard,  
Admit him to the presence.  Enter Herald. 
Speak your business.  Herald 
Then this it is my sovereign Lord and Prince,  
Demands surrender of the fair Lucinda  
Th' Egyptian Princess his betrothed love,  
Upon whose person in your Kingdom here,  
There was a rape committed; if she be not  
Returned unspotted in her reputation,  
And all her goods, her gold and precious jewels  
Restored, and a full satisfaction made  
Unto the utmost doit, he vows by heaven  
To lay Arabia waste, until it be  
Reduced unto a wilderness, and made  
A habitation for the forlorn Owl,  
The Bat, and other birds of dismal night,  
That shun and hate th'appearance of the light.  King 
Tell Perseus we do not doubt his power,  
But dare his utmost malice, and because  
We would not have him live in ignorance,  
Give him to understand that we know nothing  
Of what befell the Princess, and this is  
The first time that we heard it; for the wrong  
He doth us in invading of our land,  
Without just cause, he shall be answerable:  
So much inform thy master.  Exit Herald. Herald 
'Tis my duty.  King 
This is strange news, Allecto is it not?  
The soldan's daughter raped, and we not know it  
Till now, and yet done in our kingdom too?  
How should it be? let us consider of it;  
I now have found it, and 'tis probable,  
How think you? may it not be by the thieves  
That live among the deserts? so it is  
Upon my life, for that way she must pass  
To travel into Persia, and we know  
Their strength too well: these villains in this war  
Will more annoy us then the Persian army:  
Heaven look upon us, for we stand in danger,  
Between a Then and domestic so:  
We sail between the rocks, the shelves, the shores  
Of Scylla and Charybdis, yet we may  
Escape those dangers, if th' immortal Gods  
Commit the balance to Astrea's hands,  
To weigh our causes; let our fortune be  
According to our right, and we agree.  Exeunt. Amandus, two of the thieves. Amand. 
Now fellow soldiers, since you have committed  
This place of Captain to me, and submitted  
yourselves to my command, I must reduce you  
Into another way, another form,  
Another course of life more honourable,  
And make you worthy of that glorious title  
And attribute of soldier, which as yet  
You but usurp and wrongfully apply  
Unto yourselves: I do assure you this,  
You shall not have occasion to complain,  
Or to repent the change.  1 
Sir, you shall mould us  
Into what form or fashion you please.  2 
Our minds shall be as soft and tractable  
To your commands, as Virgin wax unto  
Th'impression of the seal.  Amaand. 
Then I will give you documents of war,  
And rudiments of martial discipline.  
But first you must shake off unworthy thoughts,  
And stick to virtuous actions, ere you can  
Rightly attain this knowledge, you must not  
Seek by unlawful means to gather wealth,  
Or to extort by violence and wrong,  
What doth not rightly appertain to you.  
You must not rob poor passengers, nor take  
Them prisoners on their way, you must forget  
Your outrages, your murders, rapes, and thefts,  
And put on other habits which may suit  
This our profession.  1 
But then how shall we  
Subsist and live?  Amand. 
I'll tell you how you shall  
More rich than ever, and yet honestly  
And honourably too.  Enter Col. and Gentleman. 
What news my friends?  Colon. 
Strange unexpected news we have received,  
The Persian army is at hand and ready  
To enter in the deserts, and are marching  
In hostile manner to th' Arabian Court,  
Burning and spoiling all the land before them.  Amand. 
But can you understand what moved the Persian  
To enter into war against the King,  
And to invade his Country?  Gentle. 
'Tis because  
He was informed, though falsely, that the rape  
On fair Lucinda was committed by  
The king's command, and she detained at Court.  Amand. 
How came you Sirs by this intelligence?  Gent. 
We had it from a prisoner, which our men  
Took of the Persians, who it seems, is one  
Of the fore-riders of the camp.  Amand. 
Here's work,  
And brave employment for you, here you can  
Get wealth and honour too, and do your King  
And Country service: here's boot enough,  
Win it and wear it; now courage my hearts.  Enter the third thief. 3 
Sir, from the top of yonder lofty mountain,  
The sentinel discovers dust to rise  
From up the champain country, and doth hear  
Drums beating of a march, and trumpets sounding,  
Which makes us doubt an army.  Amand. 
Let them come,  
we'll stand upon our guard for to receive them,  
Yet we'll do things discreetly too, and not  
Give battle rashly, for the Persian army  
Is rich and mighty, not for us to deal with  
But upon great advantages: attend  
My words, we'll lie close in our ambuscadoes  
Until we hear the vanguard of their army,  
And battle is marched by, then on the rear  
We will fall on, and fiercely give the charge  
Upon the narrow passage, so before  
The vanguard and the battle can assist,  
We shall cut of their baggage, and retire  
With all our wealth into the Caves and Mountains  
Safe from the strongest forces of the world;  
I'll bring you on and off with honour Sirs.  All 3 
Go one brave Captain with success, and we  
In all thy bold attempts will second thee.  Exeunt After a flourishing charge, enter again with much wealth. Amand. 
Now fellow soldiers is not this more honourable,  
And profitable too? To beat an army,  
Then to oppress poor pilgrims, and the like,  
Who travel for devotions sake unto  
The tomb of famed Mahomet at Maecha?  
Sure you must needs confess it.  1 
We extol  
And magnify this change of discipline.  2 
and will conform ourselves to any thing  
You shall command us.  3 
Yea so much we love,  
And honour your brave spirit and resolution,  
As these your faithful friends shall not more close  
Stick to your side in fortune's doubtful chance  
Than we, whom you have honoured with the name  
Of your poor soldiers.  Amand. 
My kind thanks to all:  
Now for this wealth which we have purchased  
With glory to ourselves, I will distribute  
And equally divide it 'mongst you all:  
As for my part, I will not take one denier,  
But freely give it you in recompense  
Of your good service.  All 3 
we'll not yield to this,  
All shall be yours, our lives too at your service,  
And we beseech you take it.  They offer him the wealth, he refuseth it. Amand. 
'Tis a meed  
Due to your valours, therefore I command you  
Enjoy it freely: now I must acquaint you  
Further with my intentions, which shall be  
To raise your fortunes, and procure your good.  
In brief, I do resolve forthwith to send  
A messenger unto th' Arabian King,  
Your native Lord, to offer in his aid  
All our assistance 'gainst the Persian Prince,  
And to come over to him with proviso,  
That he shall pardon, and no more remember  
The trespasses you did commit against him:  
Which he will willingly embrace, I know,  
And more beside, bestow preferments on you,  
Endeared the more unto us by affection  
For this our service, which serves as a prologue  
To usher in our welcome: condescend you  
To this I do propose?  1 
With willing hearts.  2 
And count it a religious piece of service  
To help our King and Country.  Amand. 
I am glad  
You are so altered in your inclination  
And rudeness of your nature: but where is  
The fair Lucinda, and old Consolario?  Enter Lucinda and Consolario. 
Fair Lady, welcome, you have made this place  
Poor by your absence.  Lucind. 
But you have enriched it  
With your fair presence Sir.  Amand. 
I'm sorry Lady  
That we must part so soon: the Prince of Persia  
Is come to fetch you with a mighty army,  
Who claims you as his wife, therefore in justice  
And conscience too, we cannot hold you from him:  
You shall have all that is your own, and more,  
we'll wait upon you as becomes the state  
Of such a mighty Princess, with a guard  
To safe conduct you to the Persian camp.  
How is your mind disposed?  Lucind. 
Unkind Amandus,  
More cruel far than proud Narcissus was  
Unto the constant Nymph that loved him so,  
More savage hearted then the boy Adonis,  
That scorned the love of Venus, these were never  
Half so beloved as you, yet will you leave me  
To die in your disdain, and put me over  
To him I cannot love? unkind Amandus!  Amand. 
Sweet Lady, think I do prefer your good  
Before mine own, misconstrue not my words,  
For I do speak this for your great advantage,  
If you conceive me rightly, but we will not  
Force you to any thing against your will:  
I'm sorry that you will participate  
Our evil fortunes, and refuse to live  
The Persian Empress, 'twas for this I did  
Persuade you unto what I did.  Lucind. 
O let me.  
Go with you Sir, and if you cannot love me  
In nature of your wife, yet I beseech you  
Respect me as your handmaid, who's still ready  
To wait on your command.  Amand. 
You do confound me  
And make me blush to hear so great a Princess  
To speak to me in such an humble key,  
Who do confess myself your lowly vassal;  
And since you're bent so much to wrong yourself  
And to forget your state, my life shall stand  
'tween you and danger; Madam you have heard  
Our resolution to assist and help  
Th' Arabian King against the Prince of Persia;  
Will you go over with us?  Lucind. 
Where you go  
There do I bend my journey.  Amand. 
Consolario  
I must dispatch you to the Arabian King  
About this business, wherein I'll instruct you]  
Particularly more before you go.  Consol. 
My faith and care shall not be wanting in  
The trust you shall commit unto my Charge;  
How I may do you service is my study.  Amand. 
So then all's done but this, to crave you hand  
And lead you wheresoe'er you shall command.  exeunt. Enter the Persian and the Ambassador of Egypt. Perseus 
So let this most inhospitable Land  
Suffer our wrath, so let the whip of war  
Inflicted on this country by our hand  
Lash them severely that have violated  
The laws of Nations, and therein committed  
What even the base Barbarians hate to think off;  
Now let the speedy messenger of death  
The king of weapons, called the sword unsheathe him.  
And drink his fill in blood, let every soldier  
Freely enjoy his pleasure, make his pillage  
And do the greatest outrage that he can;  
We will no longer now suppress our fury  
But let it burn unto full height, the cries  
Of ravished Maids and Virgins shall no more  
Enter our ears, the humble supplications  
Of undone Orphans shall not move my pity,  
So much I am incensed against the King.  Embassad. 
I would divert you from this cruelty  
Great Prince if you would hear me, and allege  
Some reasons too to fortify my speech,  
First, 'tis a beauteous country, and the world  
I think not parallels it, next you do  
Intend it for a conquest, will you spoil  
So sweet a habitation, and lay waste  
A seat will make you proud to be enthroned in?  
If this be not sufficient to induce you  
To spare the rod of vengeance, let respect  
Unto your Princely fame withhold your hand;  
What sordid blot, what foul aspersion can  
More taint the candid honour of a Prince  
Than tyranny upon poor silly wretches:  
You know as much my Lord, and histories  
Show many soul examples of such tyrants  
Whose names live in reproach to these our times:  
But Sir have you received the news? my mind  
Was big to bring it forth, before your speech  
Hindered the birth.  Perseus. 
News I hear none but that  
The fearful King dares not fight a battle,  
We must enforce him to it, or pursue him  
As greedy greyhouds do the heartless Hares,  
Till we have ta'en his Crown and Life away;  
Now what is that you hear?  Embassa. 
Quite contrary  
To what you last delivered for they say  
He is prepared to fight, and with his army  
Means speedily to seek you, all the thieves  
That in your passage through the deserts did  
So damnify your army, have submitted  
Unto their King, and serve him in this war;  
His force is much augmented, and you're like  
To to have a speedy trial of your fortune.  Perseus. 
And after that a speedy strong possession  
Of all this Kingdom, I am confident  
That with our breathes we shall destroy them all  
Poured forth in anger, our great multitudes  
Will scatter them as Wolves a flock of Sheep,  
Suppose his army doth amount unto  
Some fifty thousand men, which is the most  
His strength can raise, our army doth exceed it  
By half the number put away our horse,  
Whose gallantry is spoken of by all  
The Nations of the World, and held to be  
The best for service in the universe:  
Can he resist our Force? or the Arabian  
Stand up against the Persian in a battle?  
Speak your opinion.  Embassa. 
Sir you know the chance  
Of war is doubtful, and plumed victory  
Doth oftentimes deceive great expectations,  
Besides dame fortune is a fickle Lady  
We know not how to trust her, but if things  
Be justly carried with an equal hand,  
If juggling be not used amongst the fates,  
'tis evident your army must o'ercome,  
But judge we cannot till we see th'event.  Perseus. 
We doubt not nor despair of the success  
But from this talk, I have been oftentimes  
Resolved to ask you, but till now forgot  
What might be gathered hence that fair Lucinda  
Your Princess, in this time of her restraint  
Solicits nothing for her liberty  
Nor writes a word unto us of her state,  
We hear she lives at the Arabian Court.  Embassa. 
I heare so too, and worthily entreated  
According to her byth' and high degree.  Perseus. 
This makes me to admire, nay to suspect  
The stream of her affection is diverted  
Another way, and holds no constant course,  
It must be so, else being so entertained  
And high respected in all points of honour  
Would any man conjecture, that the King  
Would hold her 'gainst her will, if she desired  
To come unto us, now she hath forgot us,  
And may be too, her honour and good name,  
Than we are gross abused, fooled with a match  
And must be full revenged; I have no patience,  
My Lord Ambassador doth your opinion  
Go hand in hand with mine?  Embassa. 
Then I should be  
A traitor to my King; dare I presume  
To think the Princess should distain her honour?  
Far be it from my thoughts, Sir I must tell you  
You are too rash in passing such a censure,  
And your too unadvised tongue exceeded  
The decent bounds prescribed him not to touch  
A Princess reputation.  Perseus. 
Thou durst as well  
Have eaten fire, as uttered these bold words,  
If 'twere not for the laws that are observed  
Between all Nations, that Ambassadors  
Be well entreated, this great privilege  
Hath brought forth this presumption; know yourself  
And how far you may go, else I shall be  
Though loath, a breaker of the ancient custom.  Embassa. 
Sir, I'm commanded not to be in place  
Where I shall hear my King, or any branch  
Sprung from that royal stock traduced in fame,  
But to make answer roughly, not to stand  
A silent auditor, or a dumb statue,  
Without or sense or motion.  Perseus. 
I commend thee  
Old man, and love thee for it, we will be  
Soon reconciled, and will lay the fault  
Of our contention to the heat of youth  
And choler of old age; now our affairs  
Call us to fight a battle, all my thoughts  
Must be employed in this, whereby I shall  
With glory rise, if not with honour fall.  Exeunt. The King, Lucinda, Phaenicia. King. 
Now whilst the trumpets sound, drums beat alarm,  
The cannons roar, the armies join and charge,  
(Which sometimes were the music we delighted)  
Must old Arabia lay his arms aside,  
And sit at home with Ladies by command  
Of nature's law although his life and crown,  
Lie at the doubtful hazard of the day:  
Heaven bless our army we that cannot fight  
Will send our prayers up to the Gods for aid,  
And wake there sleeping justice with our cries:  
Great Princess you are sad to see us so  
And of your silken disposition seem  
To have a fellow feeling of our sorrow,  
Cheer up, we do beseech you, and dear daughter  
Be joyful too, we shall have good success  
My better Genius tells me.  Lucinda. 
Who commands  
Great King your army 'gainst the enemy?  King. 
The valiant Prince Amandus, whom at length  
We did persuade to take that charge upon him.  Lucind. 
Then be assured the victory is yours,  
For all things prosper under his conduct.  Phaenic. 
Madam you do revive our dying spirits  
With words of comfort, happy time that made us  
Enjoy your conversation, blessed occasion  
That brought the noble Prince unto our aid  
Whom heavens defend from danger and return  
Home safe conqueror crowned with victory.  Enter a Lord with news. King. 
Here comes a Lord with news, what tidings bring you?  
To whether side doth victory incline,  
And bend her flight?  Lord. 
'tis doubtful yet my Lord  
Where she will light, she hovers in the air  
Uncertain where to rest her, sometimes ready  
To light upon the prince his white pavilion,  
Sometimes upon the Persians; had we not  
Fought at such disadvantage as we do,  
The glory of the day had not so long  
Between us been disputed: never was  
An army better ordered for a battle,  
Than ours is by the Prince,  
Doth wonders in the field breakes through their troops,  
And strong battalions,  
Wisely retraits with honour: hard's the fight  
That is between them, and the issue stands  
Yet in suspense.  King. 
We must attend more news  
Another Lord intelligencer comes.  Enter another Lord. 
How speeds the battle?  Lord 
Sir, it was endangered  
On our side when, I left it for the mighty  
And strong brigadoes of the enemy:  
broke the battalion of the Duke Allecto,  
And charged quite through the body of that squadron  
Where he himself commanded if he be  
Alive or dead, escaped or taken prisoner  
I have no certain knowledge.  King 
Then our army  
Is half defeated, for Allecto doth  
Command as great a part as Prince Amandus:  
But let me not despair, until we hear  
The utmost trial.  Enter a third Lord. Lord 
Long live mighty King.  
I bring you joyful news of victory,  
The Prince hath won the field, redeemed the Duke  
Out of the hands of death, and when the battle  
In all men's judgement was supposed lost,  
He by his valour, and his wisdom both,  
By none but by the mountaineers assisted,  
Recovered it again, and took the prey  
Out of the Persians jaws, routed their troops,  
broke their battalions, and reduced their order  
Into confusion, fighting hand to hand,  
He brought the Persian Prince unto his mercy.  
And took him prisoner, than the Persians fled,  
And we pursued them; great the slaughter is,  
And infinite the riches that is ta'en  
In costly plate and jewels, gold and silver  
Was never a more braver overthrow.  
Each common soldier now is like a Captain,  
With scarlet hose, buff coat, and tossing feather,  
There's no distinction in their habits seen.  King 
Thanks to the gods for this our victory,  
Next, to their instrument Damascus' Prince,  
Three times a day we'll smoke your sacred altars  
With sweet perfumes, and come with adoration  
To offer to your shrines, three times a night.  
The Priest shall sprinkle o'er with blood of beasts  
Your sacred places, and with zeal perform  
The ceremony of your sacrifices.  Enter the first Lord again. Lord 
The Prince Amandus, and the Duke Allecto.  
Are come in triumph with their prisoners,  
And wait your royal pleasure.  King 
Pray them from us  
They would be pleased to enter.  Enter Amand, leading Perseus' prisoner, Allecto hurt, Colonel, the Ambassador of Egypt, the Gent. all in triumph. Amand. 
Unto your  
The Prince of Persia the chance  
Of war hath made me master of: I freely  
Give unto your possession, all the wealth  
Is gotten in this Persian overthrow  
And I am glad my  
Occasion to me, whereby I have shown  
Unto your Majesty my love and service.  King 
Victorious Prince, sent to us from the gods,  
(Whom we may term the patron of our Country)  
Thy fame reward thee fully, for we cannot,  
Let the shrill trumpet of thy virtues blaze thee  
Throughout the world, let monuments be raised  
And trophies built to speak they living praise.  
Let every piece and picture  
Be gazed upon by men's' adoring eyes,  
And this thy conquest crowned Laurel boughs.  
Prince Perseus welcome, we receive you now  
I know a most unwilling guest, you shall not  
Be entertained beneath your royal state,  
Although our  
Please you salute these Ladies, one of them  
I doubt not but you know.  Perseus. 
The faire Lucinda  salves her 
But who's the other  
As diamonds glass.  aside. salutes Phaenicia. 
That lovely touch hath filled  
My veins with a new fire, and quite put out  
The former flame within me.  also aside. Embas. 
madam, I crave the honour for to kiss  
Your highness' Princely hands.  Lucind. 
My father's servant.  
And trusty subject, sent in his affairs  
To foreign Princes, I am glad to see you,  
We shall have private time to talk at large  
Of our affairs.  King 
My royal guests I fear  
We keep you from your rests, whose wearied bodies  
Would fain enjoy the benefit of sleep,  
Toiled with the sweating labour of the day:  
Please you to walk, we'll show you to your lodgings.  Exit King, then Perseus leading Lucinda, Amand. Phaenicia Phaenicia 
You grace me Sir.  Amand. 
madam, I under stand  
No honour like to this, to kiss your hand.  Exeunt. Amandus at one door, Phaenicia at another, they meet. Amand. 
Most fair and beauteous Princess,  
My thoughts did tell me as I lay a-bed,  
There was a wonder to be seen this morn,  
A Sun whose glorious beams eclipsed Apollo's  
As much as he doth cinthia's, she the stars.  
I find they were no liars, for behold  
I see it verified, my gazing eyes  
Are come to bless, and to adore your rise,  Phaenicia. 
Fair Prince, it was some false suggesting dream  
Abused your sleep, and wronged your expectation.  
You find not what was promised, though your wit  
Would fain excuse the leaving of your bed  
So soon for nothing: do you use to stir  
So early in a morning?  Amand. 
Seldom madam.  
But if such Nymphs attend Aurora's train,  
I'll hate to be a sluggard, and more often  
Frequent this place, the garden of delight.  Phaenic. 
You are not like another time to jeer me  
For early rising.  Amand. 
Nay, fair Princess leave not  
This good and wholesome exercise, the graces  
Will die for sorrow then, the mounting Lark  
Will not read o'er his matins, nor the Thrush  
Warble forth ditties with delightful throat:  
Fair Philomela shall no more be heard  
To chant and charm the hearers of her songs;  
And all the other winged choristers  
Will hang the head, and weep in silent tears,  
If fair Phoenicia grant no audience:  
Hark how they do salute you, every one  
Striving to paste, and to excel the other  
In sweet harmonious notes to please your ears:  
O what a consort's this! if you but mark it,  
There is a certain mutual emulation  
Amongst these pretty birds, whose music's sweetest,  
Hath attracted most your kind attention,  
Proud to be overheard by beauty's Queen.  Phaen. 
Sir, you have learned a pretty art indeed,  
To understand the languages of birds,  
And tell their meanings: I have read of some  
Could well interpret that way, but believe not:  
You use it row in a poetic sense,  
And so I take it, I should make another  
Construction of their singing that they chide me,  
And say I am not modest to adventure  
Alone without my Maids into the garden.  
The wronged Philomela most of all  
Urgeth her grief, and bids me take example  
Of her too much credulity of man:  
I was to blame to come so weakly guarded  
I must confess, nor would I change a word  
With any other man besides yourself  
Alone in such an hour, so much I trust  
Your virtue noble Prince, and worthy thoughts.  Amandus 
My humblest thanks for this high privilege  
Bright goddess that you deign me, let my lips  
Pay duteous tribute to your lily hands  
I do beseech you  Kisses her hand. Phaenc. 
Sir I now leave you,  
For fear I should be missed, and so fell under  
The censure of black tongues, which take delight  
To spot the reputation of a maid;  
I should be loath to give the world occasion  
Even of the least suspicion, yet I must  
Dispense with my return a little longer  
To do one friendly office in behalf  
Of a distressed Princess, you may guess  
The scope of my intent in these few words.  Amand. 
Who do you mean, the fair Lucinda Madam?  
Whose angry stars made so unfortunate,  
As to bestow her love on me unworthy,  
Whose state is such, as that I cannot make  
Reciprocal return of her affection.  Phaenic. 
I must impute that to your cruel nature,  
(Pardon me Sir) and to no other cause,  
Else what should make the Princess so contemned?  
Is beauty wanting? no, the envious't wretch  
That breathes this air, must be enforced to say,  
Her portion's large that way, the curious't eye  
Can see no blemish in her beauteous face.  
Is youth decayed then? no, 'twere sin to think it,  
For flowers and Roses spring up in her cheeks,  
Half white, half red, most purely intermixed.  
Is virtue banished? O methinks my tongue  
Profaned is for asking such a question  
So much improbable! will you allege  
She is not great enough in birth or fortune?  
That will not stand in law, for 'twill be proved  
She is the greatest Princess of the world;  
If beauty, youth, virtue, and high descent  
Accompany her greatness: what is more  
To be required in a princely Bride?  Amand. 
I grant it Madam, that she comes not short  
Of what you speak her, but abounds in all  
Perfections of the body and the mind,  
But yet this cannot bind me to become  
Disloyal to the Saint, whose temple was  
Long since erected in this heart of mine,  
Before I saw Lucinda, I'll adore  
No other goddess in my thoughts but she,  
To whom I sacrifice my heart and soul;  
I know your virtue's such, as not to urge  
(My reasons thus revealed) a thing unlawful:  
O no, you hate to further such a suit,  
Fair Princess, so unjust.  Phaenic. 
Would I were she  
He loves with such devotion, but alas  
I do despair my fortune.  aside. 
I have done.  
Far be it from my thoughts to make a breach  
Of love and loyalty between two hearts,  
United in themselves; but since I have  
Made this discovery, I beseech to know,  
(Pardon a woman's curiosity)  
The Mistress of your thoughts, I must not be  
The second time denied.  Amand. 
You do impose  
Such a command upon me, as I know not  
If I shall more offend to disobey  
Your will in saying nothing, or in uttering  
What you will have me speak; if it displease you,  
The fault is yours, not mine, for I had been  
Content to smother up my woes in silence;  
Know then, sweet Princess, that I loved as soon  
As fourteen years crept on upon my age,  
A beauteous picture, such as rare Apelles  
Durst ne'er presume for fear, to imitate,  
Lest he should come far short, and shame himself:  
I served this shadow with a zealous heart,  
six years, but yet the heavenly substance knows not  
How much I suffered for her love so long,  
I dare proceed no further.  Phaenic. 
Come, you must  
Unfold this dark Aenigma, I do long  
To bear your story to the end; but if  
You be so modest, let me see the picture,  
And I'll dispense the trouble of your speech.  Amand. 
madam 'tis yours, so doth the blushing morn  
Cast a most pure vermilion on her cheeks  
When Phoebus doth salute her, wonder not  
Admired Goddess that I am so bold,  
To court a beauty doth deserve the style  
Of more than mortal, love compelled me to  
This high presumption, and confirmed me in it  
By telling that his mother loved a mortal,  
juno and Pallas did the like, he swore,  
Yea chaste Diana though she were so coy,  
Cupid will be deposed upon the book  
Would sport in private, upon Latmus' top,  
With fair Endymion once a Shepherd's boy;  
Descend a little from your heavenly state,  
And look upon a wretch, who lays his life  
Now at your mercy; can you grant me love  
And life, divine Phoenicia.  Phaenic. 
Noble Prince,  
My tongue can now not sound the negative,  
Although I fain would, for my heart commands  
That instrument of speech who in this thing  
Is all affirmative; I never could  
Dissemble what I thought, and therefore tell you  
I'm yours, if you be mine, so firm united  
Unto your love as death shall not dissolve  
The gordian knot is tied between us two:  
But Sir we do forget ourselves to stay  
So long together here, suspicious eyes  
Will overlook our actions, and I fear  
Allecto's malice and his jealousy,  
See where he passes by, we are discovered,  
Come let's away, next meeting shall conclude,  
If fates do say amen, loves interlude.  Exeunt. The Prince of Persia, Lucinda, the Ambassador. Perse. 
Madam we hear you're fallen of from us  
In your affection, and prefer Amandus  
In your best thoughts before the Persian Prince,  
How can you answer this, and save your honour?  Lucind. 
I'll lay the fault (if any be) on Love,  
Chide him not me; I was obliged to  
The valour of Amandus for my life  
And honour, when they both endangered were  
By fierce Rapinus, was not this a tie  
To make me love him?  Perse. 
Yes but not so much  
To dote upon him as I hear you do,  
Your reputation I must tell you Lady  
Suffers reproach & scandal, and herein  
You undergo, the censure of bad tongues  
Which will not cease to blaze you.  Lucind. 
Sir you are  
A most unworthy Prince to tax my fame,  
I never thought you other, though I were  
enforced to entertain your love embassage,  
My heart ne'er condescended to my journey,  
For fame had told me what you were though rich  
In the external fortunes of the world,  
Yet poor in the internal faculties  
And virtues of the mind, which do adorn  
A Prince more than his greatness; I disclaim  
All interest you can or may allege  
In my affection, for I scorn the man  
Shall question my good name.  Perse. 
This doth confirm  
Your foul disloyalty, your own tongue almost  
Tells me you have been false, I do believe it,  
Else would you not have broke your plighted faith,  
Nor stayed with poor. Amandus when you might  
Come over unto me without disturbance;  
Is he to be put in scale with me?  
An exile banished from his native home,  
A poor distressed Pilgrim? what although  
He were sometimes Damascus petty Prince,  
He now is but a beggar, and at best,  
When most he flourished in his state and fortune,  
Was then but worthy to attend my train,  
And could you be so prodigal of love  
And favours on this man, as to adventure  
The shipwreck of your honour and your oath,  
The high displeasure of the King your Father,  
And your perpetual ruin I am glad  
The match is broken off, and by your means,  
I am not guilty of the breach of faith.  
Were you endowed with both the Indies wealth  
And were the daughter of great Alexander,  
Were you ten times more fair than you are,  
By all the gods we worship and adore,  
I would not marry you to wear a Crown  
Actaeon should lay claim too; Perseus' bed  
I trow, deserves to have a Maidenhead.  Offers to go out the Ambassador stays him. Embassa. 
Stay, in the mighty soldan's Name my King  
I do defy thee unto mortal war  
For this base wrong, and foul contagious spot  
Thy leprous mouth hath vomited against  
The Princess reputation, look to be  
Called to a strict account for this abuse.  Perse. 
I do not fear thy King, but sleight his force  
As weak and feeble to encounter mine  
He durst not look our country in the face  
In angry arms, we are more apt and likely  
To enter on his confines with an army.  Lucinda. 
And be taken prisoner, valiant Prince,  
As in this Country with so small a force;  
You'ave reason sure to boast your mighty power  
'tis so redoubted by your wit and valour,  
Experience shows it.  Perse 
Lady of lost honour  
Your jeering cannot patch your broken credit,  
I will divulge you, and your Father's Kingdom  
Shall pay the wrong you did me,  so farewell. exit Perseus. Lucind. 
Just heavens bear witness of mine innocence,  
And clear me of this foul aspersion which  
This villain casts upon me undeserved,  
If I have played false, let the greatest plagues  
You can inflict fall on me, let the earth  
Gape and devour me, let your thunderbolts  
Light on my head, and strike me to the centre,  
But if I'm guiltless (as you know I am)  
Return your plagues on him that is the author  
Of those my wrongs, and let him justly suffer  
The utmost of your rage, that by his fate  
The world may know his scandal was but hate.  Exeunt. The King, Allecto, with attendants. King. 
Nephew we understand how intimate  
And dear you are unto the Persian Prince,  
How much he honoureth your society  
Above all others, you can well inform us  
What entertainment he doth give his fortune,  
And how a prisoner suits his lofty mind.  Allecto. 
At first he stormed and cursed his angry stars,  
Reviled the fates, and railed against the gods,  
Refused to eat or drink, banished all sleep  
From entering in his eyes, locked up himself  
Within his private study all alone,  
Commanding none upon his high displeasure  
Should offer to disturb his meditation:  
His high swollen heart, was big with angry passion  
Until another far more powerful wrought  
A contrary effect, and that was love,  
For gazing on the Princess peerless beauty  
With surfeiting delight, a sudden shaft  
Sent from the curious circlet of her eye  
Stroke him unto the heart, and there withal  

* Cupid.  The winged archer, sprung up from his stand  
And took him prisoner, now he languisheth,  
But pleasingly doth take this second chance,  
Submits with patience to the will and pleasure  
Of fair Phoenicia Lady conqueress,  
And glories to be manacled by her  
Whose prison he esteems, and doth prefer  
Before the Palace of the greatest Kings.  King. 
This thing is motioned to us; how think you  
Can I bestow her better, or find out  
A marriage greater or more honourable?  Ale. 
You cannot though you sought the spacious world  
From one end to the other— I must turn  
My thoughts unto as many several shapes.  
As Proteus used—  aside. 
Have you proposed this thing unto the Princess?  King. 
Not yet but now we do intend to do it:  
Go bid Phoenicia hither to repair  
Unto our presence, we must speak with her.  exit attendant. 
How will she entertain the motion think you?  
She cannot sure dislike or disapprove it,  
What's your opinion Nephew?  Allecto. 
I should think so,  
But for one bar that lieth in the way  
Were that ta'en off all scruple were removed.  Enter Phaenicia. Phaenici. 
Did you command me hither to repair  
Unto your presence Sir?  King. 
I did Phoenicia,  
And this's the business, daughter you perceive  
My care and study of your future good,  
And Fatherly affection: I am old  
And cannot live long by the course of nature,  
If I might see thee married as becomes  
Thy state and fortune ere I left the world,  
And settled well my Crown for thy possession,  
I then should welcome death, come when it would,  
And these grey hairs descend into my grave  
Without disturbance, there is offered now  
A marriage, shall advance thy regal state  
Above the clouds, and make thee overtop  
The greatest Queens and Empresses that are.  Phaenic. 
Unless it be Amandus I shall be  
The most unhappiest Princess of the earth — aside.  
Please you my royal Father to acquaint me,  
Who is the party meant?  
The Persian Prince,  
He loves and serves you with a strong devotion,  
Yea doth even idolize you in his heart  
His saint and goddess; he hath said unto me  
My liking might procure you to his wife,  
And I have granted what he did demand;  
I know your virtue's such and your obedience  
As not to stand against our will and pleasure,  
Especially when it presents you nothing  
But what is for your honour and high fortune.  Phaenic. 
Please you to hear me, this you do propose  
Is most unlawful, and my conscience tells me  
It were a sin to think off: for you know  
The Prince of Persia is betrothed to  
The beautiful Lucinda, and shall I  
Be guilty of the breach of faith between them?  
Far be it from me; I believe he is  
Inconstant in his love, and apt to change  
From one unto another, his large titles  
Shall never win me to his wavering humour,  
I rather would content me with a match  
Inferior far so I might marry virtue,  
In him indeed I cannot, for not only  
Fame but experience manifests his vices.  King. 
Come, come, you are a foolish girl to make  
These vain excuses to put off your good,  
You do presume too much upon our love  
And tender nature, we have been too fond  
And given you too much of your will; unless  
You do conform yourself to our command,  
We shall be are o'er you a severer hand:  
Get out my sight, and think upon your duty.  Exit Phaenicia. 
Is this not strange Allecto, that my daughter  
Is so averse unto her good? you told me  
Just as she entered that there was a bar  
Lay in the way might chance to stop the match,  
What is it prithee that we may remove it?  Allecto. 
She loves Amandus Sir, and he loves her,  
I over heard their courtship in the garden,  
Their amorous discourse, and protestations  
Of love and service, such affection shown  
In action, gesture, speech, as greater was not  
Expressed between fair Hero and Leander:  
Their eyes stood fixed upon each other's face,  
Their tongues were sometimes mute and could not utter  
Th' abundance of their hearts, then would their sighs  
Supply that silence, till they had recovered  
The instrument of speech to make it move,  
I never saw more passion used in love.  King. 
This makes me wonder much that her ambition  
Bears such an humble wing, we must not suffer  
This business to run on, what though we are  
Bound to Amandus in a high degree,  
Yet not so much his benefits oblige us  
As to confer our Daughter and our Crown  
Upon his merits, whose poor state is such  
As he can give her nothing for a Dower:  
This must nor shall not be, our full endeavour  
Shall be employed this love to break and sever.  Exeunt Perseus Allecto, Perseus musing. Allecto. 
Why how now noble Prince, within a dump?  
How come you so dejected in your thoughts  
I do beseech you? hath your love sped ill  
Unto the fair Phoenicia, or some other  
Ill accident befall you, that you are  
So melancholy Sir?  Perseus 
My dearest friend,  
Welcome; the mistress of my thoughts hath slain me  
With too much cruelty alas, for when  
I marched with my army led by love,  
And came before the fortress of her beauty,  
To lay my siege there, how she played upon me  
From all her batteries, but when I began  
To make approach. then from her angry eyes  
Flew balls of wildfire, and granadoes followed,  
Which scorched and rent my heart, but last of all,  
The cannon of her mouth so thundered on  
My poor besieging thoughts, as I was fain  
To raise my siege in haste, and get me gone,  
This is the poor success of my design.  Allecto 
D'ye know Sir what's the cause you speed so ill?  Perse. 
I have been thinking on't, but cannot lay  
The blame on any thing but fortune's malice,  
Can you inform me better?  Allecto 
Would I could not.  
I have found out Amandus hath her heart,  
By what smooth guile, or Siren oratory  
He won her to himself; I am not able  
To give you satisfaction, or to guess it:  
This ancient enemy of yours and mine,  
(For who stands ill affected unto you,  
Shall ne'er affected be by me your friend)  
Hath now the second time deceived your match.  
Wrong of all wrongs! disgrace of all disgrace!  
So to be cheated of two princely brides:  
Sir, you must be revenged, deeply revenged,  
Or else your Princely name will be reproached  
With foulest infamy that can be spoke.  
Blind men and boys will sing you in the streets  
In Ballads, and at length 'twill grow a proverb,  
So patient as the Prince of Persia,  
If you sustain those injuries which lie  
So heavy on your Princely reputation.  Perseus 
I am even burst with rage and jealousy,  
That villain, vagabond, that renegado,  
Borne to be author of my sufferings,  
Shall not outlive one day; I am incensed  
Beyond all measure, and I cannot longer  
Contain myself, I'll find that beggar out.  Allecto 
Stay Sir, be patient, and do things discreetly,  
I'll join with you, and have a hand as deep  
Or deeper as yourself in your revenge,  
For the great love I bear you: by the gods  
I am as much touched with your wrongs, and am  
As zealous in your cause, as you yourself.  
And now to work to bring our ends to pass,  
I have a dainty powder here that was  
Ordained for such a purpose, which will work  
Effect unto our wish in it but fall  
Into his cup, or light upon his hair,  
'Twill soon dispatch him with a powder hence,  
Such virtue is therein: we sh●●●●●rupt  
His Barber by rich gifts or by some other  
Unthought of way yet, procure the same  
To be employed and used upon the Patient  
This physic is ordained for: like you this,  
Or shall we yet devise some other way?  Perseus 
These figs are too too common, and beside,  
It doth not suit the honour of a Prince  
By such a way of  
Destruction to his foe; although Amandus  
Deserve from me an ignominious death,  
Yet 'cause he is a Prince, and bred in war,  
I faine would have him, like a soldier die  
Nobly, by sword or pistol.  Allecto 
He shall fall then  
According to your will and in this manner  
If you approve it Sir, what if you send  
A challenge to him for to meet you single,  
A foot or horseback, in the field to answer  
These shameful wrongs he did you? I will be  
Ready to rescue you when I perceive  
You need my help with certain friends of mine,  
Who will lie close the while, and undiscovered,  
Until we see you have the worst, then forth  
we'll break, and soon dispatch that traitor Prince.  Perseus 
This, noble Duke, is daintily devised,  
I shall be grateful ever to your love,  
And show it in a large and ample manner,  
Well I'll dispatch my challenge instantly.  
I build upon your aid, you will not fail me  
In time of my extremity.  Allecto 
The floods  
Shall fail to pay their tribute to the sea,  
Before I break with noble Perseus.  Perseus 
I'm confident of thee my dearest friend,  
adieu, until we meet, our work to end.  Exit Perseus. Allecto 
This now begins to work as I would wish;  
The shallow witted Persian thinks my aims  
Do bear a wing with his, and my ambition  
Is bounded by his love: I fished to take  
His good opinion with mine angle wit,  
Not to advance his ends, but work mine own.  
Alas poor Prince, he thinks I am his friend,  
And on that platform grounds his resolution:  
He is deceived, I'm friend unto myself,  
And enemy to him as to Amandus.  
I hate them both, as being both my rivals:  
Rivals unto my love, and to my kingdom:  
Neither must live, neither survive the other.  
I'll let them sight till one of them be killed,  
The Persian shall in vain expect relief,  
Although distressed: the conqueror shall die  
By me and my associates: these removed  
The way unto my Crown, lies smooth and easy;  
The Princess sure will break her heart for grief.  
The King I'll poison, than Allecto reign  
King of Arabia, crowned by thy brain.  Exit. Amandus solus. Amand. 
A furious challenge, and it speaks the man  
All in a fire that sent it, but extremes  
Are seldom permanent, I doubt 'twill prove  
But like a sudden flash that's soon burnt out:  
This is the time and place, but how comes it  
The Persian is so tardy? this proud paper  
Stuffed full with ostentation, made me think  
He would not be the last man in the field.  
What, is his courage cold, or doth he now  
Begin to take advised deliberation  
Upon the matter, that he stays so long?  
I should not think so neither, for a Prince  
Cannot so much forget his reputation,  
No sure, he'll come, some business of import,  
I do believe, detains him; I'll attend  
His leisure here with patience, if my thoughts  
Would but descend a little from their height,  
I would consider too what should beget  
This fierce challenge, but he comes, I must  
Prepare to entertain him.  Perseus 
Here before me?  
This honour I could hardly spare you Sir,  
You came before the hour appointed, else  
I could not be prevented.  Amand. 
Punctually  
I did observe the time, but to what purpose  
Are we come hither? to discourse and talk,  
And nothing else? I do expect some doings,  
Some wonders too by you performed upon me,  
If I may credit this your salutation.  
Is the fume vanished?  Perseus 
Thou shalt find it burn  
Afresh to fierce flames, it was my goodness  
That raked it up in ashes, lest it should  
Consume thee, and thou die in ignorance,  
Before thou knew'st th'occasion, now I'll tell thee.  
Lucinda's wrongs and mine call on my sword  
To do the office of revenge upon  
Thy treacherous head, thou didst dissolve the knot  
Was tied between us two, and alienatest  
Her heart from me, thou robbest her of her honour,  
And strumpetedst her fame, and not contented  
With this abuse, thou dost proceed yet further  
To do me mischief with false filed tongue,  
To wrest the fair Phoenicia from my love:  
These are gross injuries, and such as cannot  
Be undergone with patience, yet if thou  
Wilt urge thy suit no further to this Lady,  
But give up all thy right in her to me:  
I will forget thy former injuries,  
And count thee for my friend.  Amandus 
Coward, villain,  
Art thou my rival in phaenicia's love?  
And do I suffer thee to breathe a minute  
To utter these bold words, these defamations,  
These lies and slanders; know Phoenicia hates  
Thy sight as a pernicious Basilisk;  
Here farther, read my mind.  they draw and fight. Perseus receives a hurt. Perseus 
Thou seest my breath  
Fails, if thou art a Prince, and nobly minded,  
Thou wilt a little intermit the fight.  Amand. 
Breath than a little longer, though I might  
justly deny it, since we are not tied  
To any such conditions in a duel:  
But wherefore do you cast your sight about?  
I doubt some treachery, come, I'll delay  
The time no longer, there have at thee Prince.  they fight again. 
Guard well thy life, it is endangered.  Perseus 
This may endanger thine if it hap right.  Perseus falls. 
I faint and die, hell light upon Allecto,  
And all the furies rend his soul in pieces;  
False perjured villain.  dies. Amand. 
I do smell a plot  
Laid for my life, his words betoken something.  Enter Allecto and his associates. Allecto 
How's this! the noble Prince of Persia slain,  
And his bold murderer triumphing o'er  
His slaughtered body? come, my noble friend  
Shall not die unrevenged.  they fall all upon him, he defends himself, and kills two. Amand. 
If there be any  
Princely or royal blood within thy veins,  
Distain it not or shame by such a fact,  
To fight at such foul disadvantage with  
A wounded wearied man, yet in this state,  
Though faint with loss of blood, dismiss these men,  
And I will try my fortune out with thee,  
And if I fall, I'll say th' art noble too.  Allecto 
No, if thou liv'st, my fortunes then must die:  
I aim, man, for the kingdom, and to gain  
The love of fair Phoenicia, thou art a bar  
That hinders both, therefore must be removed:  
This plot I did contrive, not with intent  
To work thy end alone, but Perseus too;  
Now it is finished, make an easy passage  
For life to issue forth me dear associates,  
There's one gap more, a floodgate large enough.  they all thrust at him, he falls. Amand. 
Most impious wretch, think'st thou the gods above  
Will favour thy so damnable attempt?  
Thinkest thou to scape the justice of the heavens,  
And to hoodwink the gods? no, though thou hast  
Proceeded thus far in thy villainies:  
Though thou hast slain me by thy base treachery,  
My mind foretells thou shalt be soon cut off,  
And all thy hopes destroyed.  Consolario, Colonel, Gentleman, Mountaneers. Consol. 
Where is my Prince?  
Where is he? torment to my wounded heart?  
Weltering in his own blood.  Colon. 
How? heavens defend,  
What impious hand hath done so foul an act?  
Speak Noble Prince, speak quickly.  Amand. 
Worthy friends,  
You're fitly come here to revenge my death,  
There stands the villain, and his treacherous crew  
Who did procure it.  Gent. 
We will sacrifice  
Their lives with speed, to pacify your spirit;  
But that's a poor requital for our loss:  
Villains, our swords must send you hence to hell,  
Go, and the furies give you entertainment.  they kill Allecto and all his friends. Consol. 
Dear Sir, how do you? speak to Consolario,  
Speak to your tutor, open these lovely eyes,  
And look with pity on the aged face  
Of him that dies for sorrow of your wounds.  
Dear son, speak comfort to thy father's heart,  
(For so you bid me style you to my death)  
I faint, yet let one word come from you month,  
To tell me that you heare my grievous moan.  
And I shall die in peace.  Amand. 
Dear Consolario  
Thy cries have waked me from a pleasing sleep,  
I love thee still in death and after death.  Consol. 
But I'll die first, so, so my heart strings break.  Falls down dead by Amandus. Amand. 
Help, help, my Fathers fallen in a swoon.  Colonel 
He's dead sweet Prince and passed recovery.  Amand. 
I'll soon be with him, for I must not lose  
His loved society; have you revenged  
My death, upon Allecto and the rest?  Gent. 
'tis done, dear Sir, see where the villains lie.  Amand. 
Thanks dearest friends, one thing before I die  
I shall request you if my failing breath  
Will give me leave to utter it, 'tis this,  
Tell fair Phaenicia my beloved Princess  
The story of my death, tell how I love her,  
And grieve to leave her comfortless alone.  
I cannot fully speak my mind unto you,  
For death stops up the passage of my speech;  
Adieu dear friends, adieu, Phoenicia  
I die thy servant, sweet Phoenicia.  dies. Colon. 
Farewell brave Prince, we thy unworthy subjects  
Can but lament thy loss, and curse the fates  
For their unjust decrees; O could they not  
Have spared the chief of Princes to give lustre  
Unto the world? could not they see his beauty  
And virtue shining in their glorious Orbs?  
His youth fair blooming? cruel destinies!  
Come now your shoulders honour with his corpse  
Sweeter than all the perfumes of the Realm,  
Some to bring Consolarios body off;  
We'll see this fatal Land Arabia shall  
Provide them both a royal Funeral,  Exeunt, Phaenicia, Saba her maid. Phaeni. 
Do I yet breath and live when he that was  
The comfort of my life lies dead and breathless?  
Can I behold another Sun but that  
Which shined from his majestic countenance,  
Eclipsed now by death, procured by treason:  
O heavens grant freedom to my troubled spirit  
To break this prison of mortality,  
And so get loose with wings of swift desire  
To meet my lover in the Elysian fields.  
O how I languish here! hark blessed spirit  
Of my departed friend (for I believe  
Thou dost refine this air) hark to my woes;  
Do not condemn Phaenicia that she stays  
So long behind thee, for thou know'st her soul  
Desires to take her flight into thy bosom,  
Nor shall she meet a stop (I am resolved)  
Amandus have a little patience yet,  
And then I come, 'tis but a minute longer  
Until I do contrive an easy way  
For life to sally forth: my trusty maid  
My faithful Saba, now assist thy Mistress  
In this kind office that I shall command,  
Wherein thy love shall more appear then ever:  
I loathe this life thou seest, go fetch my Doctor  
I must take his advice; thou wilt be secret,  
I am assured, I have so often had  
Experience of thy faith; wilt thou dispatch,  
And bring him to me with all expedition?  Saba. 
What you command my duty will me do  
Without dispute, I'll instantly return  
And bring the Doctor—  Exit Saba. Phaeni. 
Do so trusty servant  
And thy reward shall follow; I must work  
This Doctor to my will by fair entreaties,  
And if that fail, by large rewards and gifts,  
I'll leave no way untried, nor unattempted,  
Until I do prevail.—  Enter Doctor with Saba. Phaeni. 
My worthy Friend  
And hitherto preserver of my health,  
I have a business now wherein I shall  
Make trial of your utmost love and trust,  
In which you must not fail me.  Doctor. 
Gracious Princess  
My life shall be employed in any service  
You shall have need to use it.  Phaeni. 
These are words  
Of ceremonious compliment, you shall not  
Adventure so for me, 'tis but a trifle  
I would employ you in.  Doct. 
What is't, I do beseech  
Your Grace to tell me, and 'tis done with speed.  Phaen. 
But I must have you swear to execute  
The thing intended, and be secret too,  
Else I shall think you never were my friend.  Doct. 
'tis some great matter that you bind me thus,  
But ladies' wills must not be disobeyed,  
Since 'tis your pleasure that I take my oath,  
I here protest before the gods above  
To do the utmost of my power therein.  Phae. 
Well then, you know my love, you know my loss,  
You know the virtues of that noble Prince  
Whose death exhausts tears from forth mine eyes  
And drops of blood from my poor wounded heart;  
I am resolved to die and now no longer  
To carry such a heavy load about me  
Of grief and sorrow, which doth overweigh  
By much the weakness of a woman's nature;  
Kind friend you must be the instrument to send me  
Unto the Prince Amandus, whose sweet spirit  
Shall come with mine, and hover o'er your house,  
Until the whistling air sound both our thanks:  
Come do this friendly office, you are tied  
Unto it by your oath, you must not start,  
Or fall back from your former resolution.  Doctor. 
You do but try me, madam, if I will  
Prove such a villain, sure you cannot mean  
Sincerely what you speak, or if you did,  
This is a thing unlawful, there was nothing  
You could command me but this only thing  
That I would not perform, but pardon me  
I must dispense with oath and all things else  
To leave this deed undone.  Phaen. 
And perjured prove  
Unto the gods, and false unto thy Mistress  
O cruel man! seest thou the pain I suffer  
And wilt not lend thy hand to ease my torment?  
Are all my favours out of thy remembrance?  
Could they not bind thee to this courtesy?  
Take pity on me yet, and here is gold  
Enough to purchase thee a Lordship fair,  
What sayst thou to me?  Doct. 
I am doubtful whether,  
To grant or to deny, but yet you have not  
Declared your mind at full; what must I do?  Phaen. 
Devise an easy way for me to die,  
Not in a common ordinary road,  
Which many use by cutting of a vain  
Or such like, to get passage to their bliss;  
I saw the Phoenix burning in her flames  
The other day, and was enamoured off  
So sweet a death, I fain would die so too  
Your art can help me in the imitation.  Doct. 
'tis true I can compose variety  
Of gums, of drugs and spices mixed together,  
And make a perfume not unlike unto  
The Phoenix Funeral fire, whereby you may,  
Be sweetly smothered lying in your bed,  
As she is in her nest, but I would rather  
You would desist from this your resolution,  
And make a trial of my love and service  
In any other thing.  Phaen. 
It is more easy  
To stop the current of a swelling river,  
Or to remove a mountain from his place,  
Than to divert my mind from this, whereupon  
It doth so firmly fix, therefore kind Sir  
Send me forthwith by this my maid (for now  
The time fits right) this excellent receipt.  Doctor. 
Your will shall be obeyed, mine shall give place.  
Come maiden will you go?  Exit Doctor and Maid. Phaen. 
Dispatch her to me  
With all the haste you can, in the mean time  
I'll rest me on my bed, and never rise  
Until I see Amandus with mine eyes  She lies down. 
This short, or rather this long time I have  
To breathe the air of woe (for life is tedious  
To those that take no pleasure but in death)  
Shall be employed wholly in meditation,  
How sweetly I shall pass unto my friend,  
And come unto him as in sacrifice,  
Mine altar smoking incense and perfume.  
Doctor and Maid again.  Doct. 
madam, I'm come myself to do the deed,  
Doubting the maid should fail in my directions.  Phaen. 
Most welcome, sacred priest, for that's the title  
Your office now requires, because you are  
To sacrifice me to Amandus' shrine  
A spotless Virgin; nay delay no time,  
But presently about it, light the fire  
Whilst I attend the sweet ascending flame  
Here in my bed with longing expectation  
To wrap my body round, dispatch I pray.  Saba. 
'tis kindled, Madam, and a cloud of fume  
Shrouds you from sight.  Phen. 
I smell a heavenly vapour  
Assaulting my weak breath, now Prince I come,  
Beloved Prince thy dear Phoenicia comes,  
Be ready to receive her, for her spirit  
Ascends up in this smoky sacrifice.  Saba 
She's dead Sir, for the sweetness of the fume  
Hath smothered her senses.  Doct. 
'Twas her pleasure  
She would not be dissuaded from her purpose.  
I must be gone, here is no safe abiding.  Saba. 
I dare not stay here neither, though her letter  
Be a sufficient warrant for our lives;  
I'll leave it on the bed, because the King  
May find it if he chance to enter in.  Exeunt Doctor and Saba. Enter the King with attendance. King 
How sweet my daughter sleeps and how her breath  
Perfumes the chamber o'er like Arabs gums,  
I'll wake my darling with a father's kiss,  
She sleeps too long; how's this? her lips are cold,  
Her cheeks are pale, ay me, I fear she's sick,  
I cannot feel her pulse, nor yet perceive  
The passage of her breath; O heavens, she's dead.  
A Doctor there with speed, my daughter dear,  
Speak to thy aged father: O she's gone.  Doctor, Lucinda, Emb. Cobon. Gentleman. 
What say you master Doctor? is there hope  
To call back life again?  Doct. 
My gracious Sovereign,  
'Tis too far fled to be revoked, the art  
Of could do nothing in't,  
Nor all the power of physic, nor the force  
Of medicine can help.  King 
O then I am  
The wretchedst man alive, why was I borne  
To see this woeful hour? but what is this?  
My daughters will and testament It may be  
'Twill give me satisfaction of her death:  
'Tis her own hand and seal, these the contents.  
My royal father, please you understand,  
Despair and sorrow for Amandus death,  
(Whom heavens ordained the owner of my heart)  
Made me loath life, and seek this way to die  
In perfume like the Phoenix, none is guilty  
Unto my death but I myself: dear Sir,  
I humbly crave you would be pleased to lay  
My ashes in Amandus' urn with his,  
That so my spirit may rest in quietness.  King 
Thy will shall be performed, lie there grey hairs  
And aged head, think now no more to wear  
A regal Crown, nor feeble hands to wield  
A sceptre, think of nothing but a grave:  
I'm coming daughter, and I will surprise thee  
Before thou art aware, beloved corpse!  
Help, bring it hence unto our bed chamber,  
That I may break my heart, whilst I embrace  
The body 'tween my arms.  Exit King, and the body of Phaenicia. Embas. 
What tragic Scenes  
This fatal land presents? come madam, let us  
Return to Egypt, to the King your father,  
And make relation of these sad disasters  
That have befallen in this our pilgrimage.  Lucind. 
Let it be so since things have fall'n out thus,  
When I come to my native Land, my thoughts  
Shall shun all pleasures, banish all delights,  
And live Diana's Votary I will,  
Till death shut up the remnant of my days.  
What course sirs will you take?  Colon. 
Fair Princess, we  
Intend to travel back unto Damascus,  
Where we first breathed, there to surrender up  
Our breath again unto the Land that gave it.  
The Tartars swords, we hope will cut it off.  Lucinda 
Nay rather go with us, & live in pleasure  
At the Egyptian Court, for I'll assure you  
High honours and preferments for the favours  
You showed me once in my captivity,  
And for his sake, whom yet in death I love,  
But I shall not participate in joy.  Gent. 
Alas, dear madam, we abhor delights  
As much as you, since our delight is gone;  
We thank your noble courtesy, but cannot  
Accept it, for despair and sorrow doth  
Possess our very souls, come, let us go  
And leave this Land so much replete with woe.  Exeunt omnes.   

The Epilogue.  
A Novelty is happened since the Play  
Was ended, and it came to pass this way,  
A scroll was found within the spicy bed  
Of that rare Phoenix, fair Phaenicïa dead,  
Sealed up, and superscribed thus, to all such  
Whom mine and Prince Amandus' fate doth touch  
With any sorrow: these were the contents,  
We thank you all for your kind audience.  
Come, and be welcome still, and let your friends,  
Who have not seen as yet our tragic end,  
Come here and weep with you, until together,  
You make up this a full pressed theater:  
Than it shall please our ghosts to think the age  
Pities our wrongs presented on the Stage.  
FINIS.