THE bondman: AN ANCIENT story. As it hath been often Acted with good allowance, at the Cockpit in Drury-lane: by the most Excellent Princess, the Lady ELIZABETH her Servants.  
By Philip Massinger.  
LONDON, Printed by Edw: Allde, for john Harison and Edward Blackmore, and are to be sold at the great South door of Paul's. 1624.   

THE ACTORS NAMES.  

Timolion, the General of Corinth.  
Archidamus, the Praetor of Siracusa.  
Diphilus, a Senator of Siracusa.  
Cleon, a fat impotent Lord.  
Pisander, (disguised) a Gentleman of Thebes.  
Leosthenes, a Gentleman of Siracusa enamoured of Cleora.  
Asotus, a foolish Lover, and the son of Cleon.  
Timagoras, the Son of Archidamus.  
Cleora, Daughter of Archidamus.  
Corisca, a proud wanton Lady, wife to Cleon.  
Olimpia, a rich Widow.  
Statilia, Sister to Pisander, slave to Cleora.  
Zanthia, Slave to Corisca.  
Poliphron, (disguised) friend to Pisander.  
Gracculo, Cimbrio. Bondmen.  
A jailor,    

TO The Right Honourable, my singular good Lord, PHILIP Earl of Mountgomery, Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter, &c.  
Right Honourable,  
however I could never arrive at the happiness to be made known to your Lordship, yet a desire borne with me, to make tender of all duties, and service, to the Noble Family of the Herberts, descended to me as an inheritance from my dead Father, Arthur Massinger. Many years he happily spent in the service of your Honourable House, and died a servant to it; leaving his, to be ever most glad, and ready, to be at the command of all such, as derive themselves from his most honoured Master, your Lordship's most noble Father. The consideration of this, encouraged me (having no other means to present my humblest service to your Honour) to shroud this trifle, under the wings of your Noble protection; and I hope out of the clemency of your Heroic disposition, it will find, though perhaps not a welcome entertainment, yet at the worst a gracious pardon. When it was first Acted, your Lordship's liberal suffrage taught others to allow it for currant, it having received the undoubted stamp of your Lordship's allowance: and if in the perusal of any vacant hour, when your honour's more serious occasions shall give you leave to read it, it answer in your Lordship's judgement, the report and opinion it had upon the Stage, I shall esteem my labours not ill employed, and while I live continue,  
The humblest of those that truly honour your Lordship, Philip Massinger.   

The author's Friend to the Reader.  
THe PRINTERS haste calls on; I must not drive  
My time past six, though I begin at Five.  
One hour I have entire; and 'tis enough,  
Here are no gipsy jigs, no Drumming stuff,  
Dances, or other Trumpery to delight,  
Or take, by common way, the common sight.  
The AUTHOR of this POEM, as he dares  
To stand th'austerest Censure; so he cares,  
As little what it is. His own, Best way  
Is to be judge, and AUTHOR of his PLAY.  
It is his Knowledge, makes him thus secure;  
Nor does he write to please, but to endure.  
And (Reader) if you have disbursed a shilling,  
To see this worthy STORY, and are willing  
To have a large increase; (if ruled by me)  
You may a merchant, and a POET be.  
'Tis granted for your twelvepence you did sit,  
And See, and Hear, and Understand not yet.  
The AUTHOR (in a Christian pity) takes  
Care of your good, and Prints it for your sakes.  
That such as will but venture Sixpence more,  
May Know, what they but Saw, and Heard before:  
'Twill not be money lost, if you can read,  
(there's all the doubt now,) but your gains exceed  
If you can Understand, and you are made  
Free of the freest, and the noblest Trade.  
And in the way of POETRY, now adays,  
Of all that are called Works the best are PLAYS.  W. B  

The Bondman.  

Actus-Primi. Scaena Prima.  Enter Timagorus, and Leosthenes. Timagorus. 
WHy should you droop Leosthenes, or despair  
My sister's favour? what before you purchased  
By Courtship, and fair language in these Wars,  
(For from her soul you know she loves a Soldier)  
You may deserve by action:  Leost. 
Good Timagorus  
When I have said my friend; think all is spoken  
That may assure me yours; and pray you believe  
The dreadful voice of war that shakes the City,  
The thundering threats of Carthage; nor their Army  
Raised to make good those threats, affright not me.  
If fair Cleora were confirmed his prize,  
That has the strongest Arm, and sharpest Sword,  
I would court Bellona in her Horrid-trim,  
As if she were a Mistress, and bless Fortune  
That offers my young valour to the proof,  
How much I dare do for your sister's love.  
But when that I consider how averse  
Your noble Father great Archidamus;  
Is, and hath ever been to my desires:  
Reason may warrant me to doubt and fear:  
What seeds soever I sow in this wars  
Of Noble courage, his determinate will  
May blast, and give my harvest to another  
That never toiled for it.  Timag. 
Prithee do not nourish  
These jealous thoughts: I am thine, (and pardon me  
Though I repeat it thy Timagoras)  
That for thy sake, when the bold Theban sued  
Far famed Pisander, for my sister's love,  
Sent him disgraced, and discontented home.  
I wrought my Father then, and I that stopped not  
In the career of my affection to thee,  
When that renowned Worthy that brought with him  
High birth, wealth, courage, as feed Advocates  
To mediate for him, never will consent  
A fool that only has the shape of man,  
Asotas, though he be rich Cleon's Heir  
Shall bear her from thee. Enter Pisander.  Leos. 
In that trust I love,  Timag. 
Which never shall deceive you.  Pisander. 
Sir the General  
Timoleon by his Trumpets hath given warning  
For a remove.  Timagoras. 
'Tis well, provide my Horse.  Pisander. 
I shall Sir. Exit Pisander.  Leost. 
This Slave has a strange aspect.  Timag. 
Fit for his fortune, 'tis a strong limmed knave;  
My Father bought him for my sister's Litter.  
O pride of women! Coaches are too common,  
They surfeit in the happiness of peace,  
And Ladies think they keep not state enough,  
If for their pomp, and ease, they are not borne  
In triumph on men's shoulders.  Leost. 
Who Commands  
The Carthaginian Fleet?  Timag. 
Giscos their Admiral,  
And 'tis our happiness: a raw young fellow,  
One never trained in Arms, but rather fashioned  
To tilt with Lady's lips, then crack a Lance,  
Ravish a Feather from a Mistress Fan  
And wear it as a Favour; a steel Helmet  
Made horrid with a glorious Plume, will crack  
His woman's neck.  Leost. 
No more of him, the motive's  
That Corinth gives us aid:  Timag. 
The common danger  
For Sicily being afire, she is not safe;  
It being apparent that ambitious Carthage,  
That to enlarge her Empire, strives to fasten  
An unjust gripe on us (that live free Lords  
Of Syracusa) will not end, till Greece  
Acknowledge her their Sovereign.  Leost. 
I am satisfied.  
What think you of our General?  Timag. 
He is a man A Trumpet sounds.  
Of strange and reserved parts; But a great Soldier.  
His Trumpets call us, I'll forbear his Character.  
Tomorrow in the Senate house at large,  
He will express himself.  Leost. 
I'll follow you. Exeunt.   

ACTVS I. SCAENA II.  Cleon, Corisca, Gracculo. Corisca. 
Nay good Chuck.  Cleon. 
I have said it; Stay at home,  
I cannot brook with gadding, you are a fair one,  
Beauty invites temptation, and short heels  
Are soon tripped up.  Corisca. 
Deny me, by my honour  
You take no pity on me. I shall swoon  
as soon as you are absent, ask my Man else,  
You know he dares not tell a lie.  Gracculo. 
Indeed,  
You are no sooner out of sight, but she  
Does feel strange qualms, then sends for her young Doctor  
Who ministers physic to her, on her back,  
Her Ladyship lying as she were entranced.  
(I have peeped in at the key hole and observed them)  
And sure his Potions never fail to work,  
For she is so pleasant, in the taking them  
She tickles again.  Corisca. 
And all's to make you merry  
When you come home.  Cleon. 
You flatter me, I am old,  
And Wisdom cries beware.  Corisca. 
Old, Duck to me  
You are young Adonis.  Grac. 
Well said Venus,  
I am sure she Vulcan's him.  Corisc. 
I will not change thee  
For twenty boisterous young things without Beards.  
These bristles give the gentlest Tittillations,  
And such a sweet dew flows on them, it cures  
My lips without Pomatum; here's a round belly,  
'Tis a Down pillow to my back. I sleep  
So quietly by it; and this tuneable nose  
(Faith when you hear it not) affords such music,  
That I curse all night Fiddlers.  Gracc. 
This is gross,  
Not find she flouts him.  Corisc. 
As I live I am jealous.  Cleon. 
jealous! of me Wife?  Corisc. 
Yes, and I have reason,  
Knowing how lusty and active a man you are.  Cleon. 
Hum, hum!  Gracc. 
This is no cunning quean! slight, she will make him  
To think, that like a Stag he has cast his homes,  
And is grown young again.  Corisc. 
You have forgot what you did in your sleep,  
And when you waked called for a caudle.  Gracc. 
'Twas in his sleep,  
For waking I durst trust my Mother with him.  Corisc. 
I long to see the man of war Cleora  
Archadamus Daughter goes, and rich Olimpa,  
I will not miss the show.  Cleon. 
There's no contending,  
For this time I am pleased, but I'll no more on't. Exeunt.   

ACTVS I. SCAENA III.  Arebidamus, Cleon. Diphilus, Olimpia. Corisca, Cleora, Zanthia. Archidamus. 
So careless we have been, my noble Lords,  
In the disposing of our own affairs,  
And ignorant in the Art of government,  
That now we need a stranger to instruct us.  
Yet we are happy, that our neighbour Corinth  
(Pitying the unjust gripe Carthage would lay  
On Siracusa) hath vouchsafed to lend us  
Her man of men Timoleon to defend  
Our Country, and our Liberties.  Diphilus. 
'tis a favour  
We are unworthy of, and we may blush,  
Necessity compels us to receive it.  Archid. 
O shame! that we that are a populous Nation,  
Engaged to liberal nature, for all blessings  
An Island can bring forth; we that have limbs  
And able bodies; Shipping, Arms, and Treasure,  
The sinews of the War, now we are called  
To stand upon our Guard, cannot produce  
One fit to be our General.  Cleon. 
I am old and fat,  
I could say something else.  Archid. 
We must obey  
The time, and our occasions, ruinous buildings,  
Whose bases and foundations are infirm  
Must use supporters; we are circled round  
With danger, o'er our heads with sail stretched wings,  
Destruction hovers; and a cloud of mischief  
Ready to break upon us; no hope left us  
That may divert it, but our sleeping virtue  
roused up by brave Timoleon.  Cleon. 
When arrives he?  Diphil. 
He is expected every hour.  Archid. 
The braveries  
Of Syracusae, among whom my son  
Timagorus, Leosthenes, and Asotas  
(Your hopeful heir Lord Cleon) two days since  
Rode forth to meet him, and attend him to  
The City, every minute we expect  
To be blessed with his presence.  Cleon. 
What shout's this?  Diphilus. 
'tis seconded with loud Music.  Archid. 
Which confirms  
His wished for entrance. Let us entertain him  
With all respect, solemnity, and pomp,  
A man may merit, that comes to redeem us  
From slavery, and oppression.  Cleon. 
I'll lock up  
My doors, and guard my gold; these Lads of Corinth  
Have nimble fingers, and I fear them more  
Being within our walls, than those of Carthage,  
They are far off.  Archid. 
And Ladies be it your care  
To welcome him, and his followers with all duty:  
For rest resolved; their hands, and swords, must keep you  
In that full height of happiness you live:  
A dreadful change else follows. Exeunt Arch. Cleon. Diphilus.  Olimpia. 
We are instructed.  Corisca. 
I'll kiss him for the honour of my Country,  
With any she in Corinth.  Olimpia. 
Were he a Courtier,  
I have sweet meat in my Closet should content him  
Be his palate ne'er so curious.  Corisca. 
And if need be  
I have a Couch, and a banquetting house in my Orchard,  
Where many a man of honour has not scorned  
To spend an afternoon.  Olimpia. 
These men of war  
As I have heard, know not to court a Lady.  
They cannot praise our dressings, kiss our hands,  
Usher us to our Litters, tell love Stories;  
Commend our feet, and legs, and so search upwards.  
A sweet becoming boldness: they are rough,  
Boisterous and saucy, and at the first sight  
Ruffle, and touse us, and as they find their stomachs  
Fall roundly to it.  Corisc. 
Troth I like 'em the better.  
I cannot endure to have a perfumed Sir  
Stand cringing in the hams; licking his lips,  
Like a Spaniel o'er a Firmenty pot, and yet  
Has not the boldness to come on, or offer  
What they know we expect.  Olimpia. 
We may commend  
A Gentleman's modesty, manners, and fine language,  
His singing, dancing, riding of great horses,  
The wearing of his clothes, his fair complexion,  
Take presents from him, and extol his bounty,  
Yet, though he observe, and waste his state upon us,  
If he be staunch and bid not for the stock  
That we were borne to traffic with; the truth is  
We care not for his company.  Corisc. 
Musing Cliora?  Olimp. 
She's studying how to entertain these Strangers,  
And to engross them to herself.  Cleora. 
No surely,  
I will not cheapen any of their Wares,  
Till you have made your Market: you will buy  
I know at any rate. Enter Timagor. Leosthenes, Asotus, Timoleon in black, led in by Archid. Diphilus, Cleon. followed by Pisander, Gracculo, Cymbrio, and others.  Corisc. 
She has given it you.  Olimpia. 
No more, they come.  
The first kiss for this jewel.  Archid. 
It is your seat.  Diphil. 
Which with a general suffrage  
As to the supreme Magistrates surely tenders,  
And prays Timoleon to accept.  Timoleon. 
Such honours  
To one ambitious of rule or titles;  
Whose heaven on earth, is placed in his command,  
And absolute power on others; would with joy,  
And veins swollen high with pride, be entertained.  
They take not me: for I have ever loved  
An equal freedom: and proclaimed all such  
As would usurp on others liberties,  
Rebels to nature, to whose bounteous blessings  
All men lay claim as true legitimate sons.  
But such as have made forfeit of themselves  
By vicious courses, and their birthright lost;  
'tis not injustice they are marked for slaves  
To serve the virtuous; for myself, I know  
Honours and great employments are great burdens,  
And must require an Atlas to support them.  
He that would govern others, first should be  
The Master of himself, richly endued  
With depth of understanding, height of courage,  
And those remarkable graces which I dare not  
Ascribe unto myself.  Archid. 
Sir, empty men  
Are Trumpets of their own deserts: but you  
That are not in opinion, but in proof  
Really good, and full of glorious parts,  
Leave the report of what you are to fame,  
Which from the ready tongues of all good men  
Aloud proclaims you.  Diphil. 
Besides you stand bound  
Having so large a field to exercise  
Your active virtues offered you, to impart  
Your strengths to such as need it.  Timoleon. 
'tis confessed.  
And since you'll have it so, such as I am  
For you and for the liberty of Greece  
I am most ready to lay down my life:  
But yet consider men of Syracusa,  
Before that you deliver up the power  
Which yet is yours to me, to whom 'tis given  
To an impartial man, with whom nor threats,  
Not prayers shall prevail, for I must steer  
An even course.  Archid. 
Which is desired of all.  Timoleon. 
Timophanes my brother, for whose death  
I am tainted in the world, and foully tainted,  
In whose remembrance I have ever worn  
In peace and war, this livery of sorrow  
Can witness for me, how much I detest  
Tyrannous Usurpation: with grief  
I must remember it, for when no persuasion  
Could win him to desist from his bad practice,  
To change the Aristocracy of Corinth  
Into an absolute Monarchy; I chose rather  
To prove a pious and obedient son  
To my Country my best mother, than to lend  
Assistance to Timophanes, though my brother  
That like a Tyrant strove to set his foot  
Upon the City's freedom.  Timagoras. 
'Twas a deed  
Deserving rather Trophies, than reproof.  Leost. 
And will be still remembered to your honour  
If you forsake not us.  Diphilon. 
If you free sicily  
From barbarous Carthage yoke, it will be said,  
In him you slew a Tyrant.  Archid. 
But giving way  
To her invasion, not vouchsafing us  
(That fly to your protection) aid, and comfort,  
'twill believed, that for your private ends  
You killed a brother.  Timoleon. 
As I then proceed,  
To all posterity may that act be crowned  
With a deserved applause, or branded with  
The mark of infamy; Stay yet, ere I take  
This seat of justice, or engage myself  
To fight for you abroad, or to reform  
Your State at home, swear all upon my sword,  
And call the gods of Sicily to witness  
The oath you take; that whatsoever I shall  
propound for safety of your Commonwealth,  
Not Circumscribed or bound in, shall by you  
Be willingly obeyed.  Archid. Dip. Cleon. 
So may we prosper,  
As we obey in all things.  Timag. Leost. Aso. 
And observe  
All your commands as Oracles.  Timoleon. 
Do not repent it. Takes the State.  Olimpia. 
He asked not our consent.  Corisca. 
he's a clown, I warrant him.  Olimp. 
I offered myself twice, and yet the Churl  
Would not salute me.  Corisc. 
Let him kiss his Drum,  
I'll save my lips, I rest on it.  Olimpia. 
He thinks women  
No part of the republic.  Corisc. 
He shall find  
We are a Commonwealth.  Cleora. 
The less your honour.  Timoleon. 
First then a word or two, but without bitterness,  
(And yet mistake me not, I am no flatterer)  
Concerning your ill government of the State,  
In which the greatest, noblest, and most rich,  
Stand in the first file guilty.  Cleon. 
Ha! how's this?  Timoleon. 
You have not, as good Patriots should do, studied  
The public good, but your particular ends.  
Factious among yourselves, preferring such  
To Offices, and honours, as ne'er read  
The Elements, of saving policy,  
But deeply skilled in all the principles,  
That usher to destruction.  Leost. 
Sharp.  Timagor. 
The better.  Timoleon. 
Your Senate house, which used not to admit  
A man( however popular) to stand  
At the Helm of government; whose youth was not  
Made glorious by action, whose experience  
Crowned with grey hairs, gave warrant to her counsels  
Heard, and received with reverence, is now filled  
With green heads that determine of the State  
Over their Cups: or when their sated lusts  
Afford them leisure, or supplied by those  
Who rising from base arts, and sordid thrift  
Are eminent for their wealth, not for their wisdom.  
Which is the reason, that to hold a place  
In Counsel, which was once esteemed an honour,  
And a reward for virtue, hath quite lost  
Lustre, and Reputation, and is made  
A mercenary purchase.  Timag. 
He speaks home.  Leost. 
And to the purpose.  Timoleon. 
From whence it proceeds,  
That the treasure of the City is engrossed  
By a few private men: the public Coffers  
Hollow with want; and they that will not spare  
One Talon for the common good, to feed  
The pride and bravery of their Wives, consume  
In Plate, in jewels, and superfluous slaves,  
What would maintain an Army.  Corisc. 
Have at us.  Olimp. 
We thought we were forgot.  Cleor. 
But it appears,  
You will be treated of.  Timol. 
Yet in this plenty,  
And fat of peace, your young men ne'er were trained  
In Martial discipline, and your ships unrigged,  
Rot in the harbour, no defence prepared,  
But thought unuseful, as if that the gods  
Indulgent to your sloth, had granted you  
A perpetuity of pride and pleasure,  
No change feared, or expected. Now you find  
That Carthage looking on your stupid sleeps,  
And dull security, was invited to  
Invade your Territories.  Arch. 
You have made us see, Sir,  
To our shame the country's sickness: now from you  
As from a careful, and a wise physician  
We do expect the cure.  Timoleon. 
Old festered sores  
Must be lanced to the quick and cauterised,  
Which borne with patience, after I'll apply  
Soft Unguents: For the maintenance of the war  
It is decreed all moneys in the hand,  
Of private men, shall instantly be brought  
To the public Treasury.  Timag. 
This bites sore.  Cleon. 
The Cure  
Is worse than the disease; I'll never yield to it.  
What could the enemy, though victorious  
Inflict more on us? all that my youth hath toiled for  
Purchased with industry, and preserved with care  
Forced from me in a moment.  Diph. 
This rough course  
Will never be allowed of.  Timol. 
O blind men!  
If you refuse the first means that is offered  
To give you health, no hope's left to recover  
Your desperate sickness. Do you prize your muck  
Above your liberties? and rather choose  
To be made Bondmen, than to part with that  
To which already you are slaves? or can it  
Be probable in your flattering apprehensions,  
You can capitulate with the Conqueror  
And keep that yours, which they come to possess,  
And while you kneel in vain, will ravish from you?  
But take your own ways, brood upon your gold,  
Sacrifice to your Idol, and preserve  
The prey entire, and merit the report  
Of careful Steward, yield a just account  
To your proud Masters, who with whips of Iron  
Will force you to give up what you conceal,  
Or tear it from your throats, Adorn your walls  
With Persian Hangings wrought of Gold and Pearl;  
Cover the floors on which they are to tread  
With costly Median silks; perfume the rooms  
With Cassia, and Amber: where they are  
To feast and revel, while like servile Grooms  
You wait upon their trenchers; feed their eyes  
With massy Plate until your Cupboards crack  
With the weight that they sustain; set forth your Wives  
And Daughters in as many varied shapes  
As there are Nations, to provoke their lusts,  
And let them be embraced before your eyes,  
The object may content you; and to perfect  
Their entertainment, offer up your Sons,  
And able men for Slaves; while you, that are  
Unfit for labour, are spurned out to starve  
Unpitied in some Desert, no friend by,  
Whose sorrow may spare one compassionate tear,  
In the remembrance of what once you were.  Leost. 
The blood turns.  Timag. 
Observe, how old Cleon. shakes,  
As if in picture he had shown him, what  
He was to suffer.  Corisc. 
I am sick, the man  
Speaks poniards, and diseases.  Olimp. 
O my Doctor,  
I never shall recover.  Cleora. 
If a Virgin,  
Whose speech was ever yet ushered with fear,  
One knowing modesty, and humble silence  
To be the choicest ornaments of our sex,  
In the presence of so many Reverend men,  
Struck dumb with terror and astonishment,  
Presume to clothe her thought in vocal sounds,  
Let her find pardon. First, to you, great Sir,  
A bashful Maid's thanks, and her zealous prayers  
Winged with pure innocence, bearing them to Heaven,  
For all prosperity, that the Gods can give  
To one, whose piety must exact their care,  
Thus low I offer.  Timol. 
'tis a happy Omen.  
Rise blessed one, and speak boldly: on my virtue  
I am thy warrant; from so clear a Spring  
Sweet Rivers ever flow.  Cleora. 
Then thus to you  
My noble Father, and these Lords, to whom  
I next owe duty, no respect forgotten  
To you my Brother, and these bold young men  
(Such I would have them) that are, or should be  
The City's Sword and Target of defence.  
To all of you, I speak; and if a blush  
Steal on my cheeks, it is shown to reprove  
Your paleness; willingly I would not say  
Your cowardice, or fear: think you all treasure  
Hid in the bowels of the Earth, or Shipwrecked  
In Neptune's watery Kingdom, can hold weight  
When Liberty, and Honour, fill one scale,  
Triumphant justice sitting on the beam?  
Or dare you but imagine that your gold is  
Too dear a salary for such as hazard  
Their blood, and lives in your defence? For me  
An ignorant Girl, bear witness heaven, so far  
I prize a Soldier, that to give him pay  
With such Devotion as our Flamens Offer  
Their Sacrifices at the holy Altar,  
I do lay down these jewels, will make sale  
Of my superfluous Wardrobe to supply  
The meanest of their wants.  Timoleon. 
Brave masculine spirit!  Diphil. 
We are shown to our shame what we in honour  
Should have taught others.  Archid. 
Such a fair example  
Must needs be followed.  Timag. 
Ever my dear Sister,  
But now our Family's glory.  Leost. 
Were she Deformed  
The virtues of her mind would force a stoic  
To sue to be her servant.  Cleon. 
I must yield,  
And though my heart blood part with it, I will  
Deliver in my wealth.  Asotas. 
I would say something,  
But the truth is, I know not what.  Timol. 
We have money,  
And men must now be thought on.  Archid. 
We can press  
Of Labourers in the country (men enured  
To cold and heat) ten thousand.  Diph. 
Or if need be,  
In roll of Slaves, lusty, and able Varlets,  
And fit for service.  Cleon. 
They shall go for me,  
I will not pay and fight too.  Cleora. 
How! your Slaves?  
O stain of Honour! once more, Sir, your pardon,  
And to their shames, let me deliver, what  
I know in justice you may speak.  Timol. 
Most gladly,  
I could not wish my thoughts a better organ,  
Than your tongue, t' express them.  Cleora. 
Are you men?  
(For Age may qualify, though not excuse  
The backwardness of these) able Young men?  
Yet now your country's liberty's at the stake,  
Honour, and glorious triumph, made the garland  
For such as dare deserve them; a rich Feast  
Prepared by Victory of immortal viands,  
Not for base men, but such as with their Swords  
Dare force admittance, and will be her Guests,  
And can you coldly suffer such rewards  
To be proposed, to Labourers and Slaves?  
While you that are borne Noble (to whom these  
Valued at their best rate, are next to Horses,  
Or other Beasts of carriage) cry aim,  
Like idle lookers on, till their proud worth  
Make them become your masters?  Timol. 
By my hopes,  
There's fire and spirit enough in this to make  
Thersites valiant.  Cleora. 
No; far, far be it from you,  
Let these of meaner quality contend,  
Who can endure most labour; Plough the earth,  
And think they are rewarded, when their sweat  
Brings home a fruitful Harvest to their Lords;  
Let them prove good Artificers, and serve you  
For use and ornament, but not presume  
To touch at what is Noble; if you think them  
Unworthy to taste of those Cates you feed on,  
Or wear such costly garments; will you grant them  
The privilege and prerogative of great minds,  
Which you were borne to? Honour, won in war  
And to be styled preservers of their Country  
Are Titles fit for free and generous Spirits,  
And not for Bondmen: had I been borne a man  
And such ne'er dying glories made the prize  
To bold Heroic Courage; By Diana,  
I would not to my Brother, nay my Father,  
Be bribed to part with the least piece of honour  
I should gain in this action.  Timoleon. 
she's inspired,  
Or in her speaks the Genius of your Country  
To fire your blood in her defence. I am raped  
With the imagination! Noble maid,  
Timoleon is your Soldier, and will sweat  
Drops of his best blood, but he will bring home  
Triumphant conquest to you. Let me wear  
Your colours, Lady, and though youthful heats  
That look no further than your outward form,  
Are long since buried in me, while I live,  
I am a constant lover of your mind,  
That does transcend all precedents.  Cleora. 
'Tis an honour: Gives her Scarf.  
And so I do receive it.  Corisc. 
Plague upon it,  
She has got the start of us. I could e'en burst  
With envy at her fortune.  Olimpia. 
A raw young thing,  
We have too much tongue sometimes, our Husbands say,  
And she outstrips us.  Leost. 
I am for the journey.  Timag. 
May all Diseases, sloth and lechery bring,  
Fall upon him that stays at home.  Archid. 
Though old,  
I will be there in person.  Diphil. 
So will I.  
methinks I am not what I was; her words  
Have made me younger, by a score of years,  
Than I was when I came hither.  Cleon. 
I am still  
Old Cleon, fat, and unwieldy, I shall never  
Make a good Soldier, and therefore desire  
To be excused at home.  Asotus. 
'tis my suit too.  
I am a grissell, and these Spider fingers,  
Will never hold a Sword. Let us alone  
To rule the Slaves at home, I can so yerk 'em,  
But in my Conscience, I shall never prove  
Good justice in the war.  Timoleon. 
Have your desires:  
You would be burdens to us, no way aids.  
Lead, fairest, to the Temple, first we'll pay  
A Sacrifice to the Gods for good success.  
For, all great actions the wished course do run,  
That are, with their allowance, well begun. Exeunt all but the Slaves.  Pisander. 
Stay Cymbrio, and Gracculo.  Cymbrio. 
The business?  Pisander. 
Meet me tomorrow night, near to the Grove  
Neighbouring the East part of the City.  Gracc. 
Well.  Pisander. 
And bring the rest of our Condition with you,  
I have something to impart, may break our fetters,  
If you dare second me.  Cymbrio. 
we'll not fail.  Gracc. 
A Cart-rope  
Shall not bind me at home.  Pisander. 
Think on't, and prosper. Exeunt.    


ACTVS II. SCAENA I.  Archidamus, Timagoras, Leosthenes with Gorgits, Pisander. Archid. 
So, so, 'tis well, how do I look?  Pisander. 
Most sprightfully.  Archid. 
I shrink not in the shoulders, though I am old,  
I am tough, steel to the back, I have not wasted  
My stock of strength in Featherbeds: here's an arm too,  
There's stuff in't, and I hope will use a Sword  
As well as any beardless Boy of you all.  Timag. 
I am glad to see you, Sir, so well prepared,  
To endure the travail of the war.  Archid. 
Go too sirrah,  
I shall endure, when some of you keep your Cabins,  
For all your flaunting Feathers, nay Leosthenes  
You are welcome too, all friends, and fellows now.  Leost. 
Your servant Sir.  Archid. 
Pish, leave these Compliments,  
They stink in a soldier's mouth, I could be merry,  
For now my gown's off, farewell Gravity,  
And must be bold to put a question to you,  
Without offence, I hope.  Leost. 
Sir, what you please.  Archid. 
And you will answer truly?  Timagor. 
On our words, Sir.  Archid. 
Go too, then, I presume you will confess,  
That you are two notorious Whoremasters.  
Nay spare your blushing, I have been wild myself,  
A snatch, or so, for Physic, does no harm;  
Nay, it is physic, if used moderately,  
But to lie at rack, and manger,  Leost. 
Say we grant this,  
For if we should deny it, you'll not believe us,  
What will you infer upon it?  Archid. 
What you'll groan for,  
I fear, when you come to the test. Old Stories tell us  
There is a Month called October; which brings in  
Cold weather, there are trenches too, 'tis rumoured  
In which to stand all night to the knees in water,  
In Gallants breeds the toothache, there's a sport too  
named lying Perdieu, (do you mark me) 'tis a game,  
Which you must learn to play at: now in these seasons,  
And choice variety of Exercises,  
(Nay I come to you) and fasts not for Devotion,  
Your rambling hunt-smock, feels strange alterations,  
And in a Frosty morning, looks as if  
He could with ease creep in a pottle Pot  
In stead of his Mistress placket, than he Curses  
The time he spent in midnight visitations;  
And finds what he superfluously parted with,  
To be reported good, at length, and well breathed,  
But if retrieved into his back again, Enter Diphilus, and Cleora.  
Would keep him warmer than a Scarlet waistcoat,  
Or an Armour lined with Fur. O welcome, welcome,  
You have cut off my discourse, but I will perfect  
My lecture in the Camp.  Diphil. 
Come, we are stayed for,  
The General's afire for a remove,  
And longs to be in action.  Archid. 
'tis my wish too,  
We must part, nay to tears, my best Cleora,  
I shall melt too, and that were ominous.  
Millions of blessings on thee, all that's mine,  
I give up to thy charge, and sirrah, look  
You, with that care and reverence observe her  
Which you would pay to me, a kiss, farewell Girl.  Diphil. 
Peace wait upon you, fair one. Exeunt Archid. Diphil. Pisander.  Timag. 
'twere impertinence  
To wish you to be careful of your Honour,  
That ever keep in pay a Guard about you  
Of faithful virtues: Farewell friend, I leave you  
To wipe our kisses off, I know that lover's  
Part with more circumstance and ceremony,  
Which I give way to. Exit Timagoras.  Leost. 
'tis a noble favour,  
For which, I ever owe you, we are alone,  
But how I should begin, or in what language  
Speak the unwilling word, of parting from you,  
I am yet to learn.  Cleora. 
And still continue ignorant,  
For I must be most cruel to myself,  
If I should teach you.  Leost. 
Yet it must be spoken,  
Or you will chide my slackness, you have fired me  
With the heat of noble action, to deserve you,  
And the least spark of honour, that took life  
From your sweet breath, still famed by it, and cherished,  
Must Mount up in a glorious flame, or I  
Am much unworthy.  Cleora. 
May it not burn here,  
And as a sea-mark, serve to guide true Lovers,  
(Tossed on the Ocean of luxurious wishes)  
Safe from the rocks of Lust into the harbour,  
Of pure affection? rising up an example,  
Which after-times shall witness, to our glory,  
First took from us beginning.  Leost. 
'tis a happiness,  
My duty to my Country, and mine Honour  
Cannot consent too, beside, add to these,  
It was your pleasure, fortified by persuasion,  
And strength of reason, for the general good,  
That I should go.  Cleora. 
Alas, I then was witty  
To plead against myself, and mine eye fixed,  
Upon the hill of Honour, ne'er descended  
To look into the veil of certain dangers,  
Through which, you were to cut your passage to it.  Leost. 
I'll stay at home then.  Cleora. 
No, that must not be,  
For so to serve my own ends, and to gain  
A petty wreath myself; I rob you of  
A certain triumph, which must fall upon you,  
Or virtue's turned a handmaid to blind Fortune:  
How is my soul divided! to confirm you,  
In the opinion of the world, most worthy  
To be beloved, (with me you are at the height,  
And can advance no further) I must send you  
To Court the Goddess of stern War, who if  
She see you with my eyes, will ne'er return you,  
But grow enamoured of you.  Leost. 
Sweet, take comfort,  
And what I offer you, you must vouchsafe me,  
Or I am wretched; all the dangers, that  
I can encounter in the War, and trifles;  
My enemies abroad to be contemned;  
The dreadful foes, that have the power to hurt me,  
I leave at home with you.  Cleor. 
With me?  Leost. 
Nay, in you,  
On every part about you, they are armed  
To fight against me.  Cleora. 
Where?  Leost. 
there's no perfection  
That you are Mistress of, but musters up  
A Legion against me, and all sworn  
To my destruction.  Cleora. 
This is strange!  Leost. 
But true, sweet,  
Excess of love can work such miracles.  
Upon this ivory forehead are entrenched  
Ten thousand rivals, and these sun's command,  
Supplies from all the world, on pain to forfeit  
Their comfortable beams; these Ruby lips,  
A rich Exchequer to assure their pay;  
This hand, Sibylla's golden bough to guard them  
Through Hell, and horror, to the Elysian Springs;  
Which who'll not venture for? and should I name  
Such as the virtues of your mind invite,  
Their numbers would be infinite.  Cleora. 
Can you think,  
I may be tempted?  Leost. 
You were never proved.  
For me I have conversed with you no farther,  
Then would become a Brother. I ne'er tuned  
Loose Notes to your chaste ears; or brought rich Presents  
For my Artillery, to batter down,  
The fortress of your honour, nor endeavoured  
To make your blood run high at solemn Feasts  
With Viands, that provoke; (the speeding Philtres)  
I worked no Bawds to tempt you; never practised  
The cunning, and corrupting Arts they study,  
That wander in the wild Maze of desire;  
Honest simplicity, and Truth were all  
The Agents I employed, and when I came  
To see you, it was with that reverence,  
As I beheld the Altars of the gods;  
And love, that came along with me, was taught  
To leave his Arrows, and his Torch behind,  
Quenched in my fear to give offence.  Cleora. 
And 'twas  
That modesty that took me, and preserves me,  
Like a fresh Rose, in mine own natural sweetness;  
Which sullied with the touch of impute hands,  
Loose both sent and beauty.  Leost. 
But, Cleora,  
When I am absent, as I must go from you,  
(such is the cruelty of my fate) and leave you  
Unguarded, to the violent assaults  
Of loose temptations; when the memory  
Of my so many years of Love, and service,  
Is lost in other objects; when you are courted  
By such as keep a Catalogue of their Conquests,  
Won upon credulous Virgins; when nor Father  
Is here to owe you; Brother to advise you;  
Nor your poor servant by, to keep such off,  
By lust instructed how to undermine,  
And blow your chastity up; when your weak senses  
At once assaulted, shall conspire against you;  
And play the traitors to your soul, your virtue:  
How can you stand? 'faith though you fall, and I  
The judge, before whom you then stood accused,  
I should acquit you.  Cleora. 
Will you then confirm,  
That love, and jealousy, though of different natures,  
Must of necessity be twins? the younger,  
Created only to defeat the elder,  
And spoil him of his Birthright: 'tis not well.  
But being to part, I will not chide, I will not,  
Nor with one syllable, or tear express,  
How deeply I am wounded with the arrows  
Of your distrust: but when that you shall hear  
At your return, how I have borne myself,  
And what an austere penance I take on me,  
To satisfy your doubts: when like a Vestal  
I show you to your shame, the fire still burning,  
Committed to my charge by true affection,  
The people joining with you in the wonder.  
When by the glorious splendour of my sufferings,  
The prying eyes of jealousy are struck blind,  
The Monster too that feeds on fears, e'en starved  
For want of seeming matter to accuse me,  
Expect Leosthenes, a sharp reproof  
From my just anger.  Leost. 
What will you do?  Cleora. 
Obey me,  
Or from this minute you are a stranger to me.  
And do it without reply: all seeing Sun,  
Thou witness of my innocence, thus I close  
Mine eyes against thy comfortable light,  
Till the return of this distrustful man.  
Now bind 'em sure, nay do't, if uncompelled.  
I lose this knot, until the hands that made it  
Be pleased to untie it, may consuming plagues  
Fall heavy on me, pray you guide me to your lips,  
This kiss, when you come back shall be a Virgin  
To bid you welcome: Nay, I have not done yet.  
I will continue dumb, and you once gone,  
No Accent shall come from me: now to my chamber,  
My Tomb, if you miscarry: there I'll spend  
My hours in silent mourning, and thus much  
Shall be reported of me to my glory,  
And you confess it, whither I live or die,  
My Chastity triumphs over your jealousy.   

ACTVS II. SCAENA II.  Asotus, Gracculo. Asot. 
You slave, you Dog, down Cur.  Gracc. 
Hold, good young Master,  
For pities sake.  Asot. 
Now am I in my kingdom.  
Who says I am not valiant? I begin  
To frown again, quake villain.  Grac. 
So I do, Sir,  
Your looks are Agues to me.  Asot. 
Are they so Sir,  
'Slight, if I had them at this bey, that flout me,  
And say I look like a sheep, and an Ass, I would make 'em  
Feel, that I am a Lion.  Gracc. 
Do not roar, Sir,  
As you are a valiant beast: but do you know  
Why you use me thus?  Asot. 
I'll beat thee a little more,  
Then study for a reason, O I have it,  
One broke a jest on me, and then I swore  
Because I durst not strike him, when I came home  
That I would break thy head.  Grac. 
Plague on his mirth,  
I am sure I mourn for't.  Asot. 
Remember too, I charge you  
To teach my Horse good manners; yet this morning,  
As I rode to take the air, th'untutored jade  
Threw me, and kicked me.  Grac. 
I thank him for't.  Asot. 
What's that?  Grac. 
I say, Sir, I'll teach him to hold his heels,  
If you will rule your fingers.  Asot. 
I'll think upon't.  Grac. 
I am bruised to jelly; better be a dog,  
Than slave to a Fool or Coward.  Asot. 
here's my Mother, Enter Corisca and Zanthia.  
she is chastising too: How brave we live!  
That have our slaves to beat, to keep us in breath,  
When we want exercise.  Corisca. 
Careless Harlotry, Striking her.  
Look to't, if a Curl fall, or wind, or Sun,  
Take my Complexion off, I will not leave  
One hair upon thine head.  Grac. 
Here's a second show  
Of the Family of pride.  Corisca. 
Fie on these wars,  
I am starved for want of action, not a gamester left  
To keep a woman play; if this world last  
A little longer with us, Ladies must study  
Some new found Mystery, to cool one another,  
we shall burn to Cinders else; I have heard there have been  
Such Arts in a long vacation; would they were  
Revealed to me: they have made my Doctor too  
Physician to the Army, he was used  
To serve the turn at a pinch: but I am now  
Quite unprovided.  Asot. 
My Mother in law is sure  
At her devotion.  Corisc. 
There are none but our slaves left,  
Nor are they to be trusted; some great women  
(Which I could name) in a dearth of Visitants,  
Rather than be idle, have been glad to play  
At small game, but I am so queasy stomached,  
And from my youth have been so used to Dainties,  
I cannot taste such gross meat; some that are hungry  
Draw on their shoemakers, and take a fall  
From such as mend Mats in their Galleries;  
Or when a tailor settles a Petticoat on,  
Take measure of his Bodkin: fie upon't,  
'Tis base; for my part, I could rather lie with  
A Gallants breeches, and conceive upon 'em,  
Then stoop so low.  Asot. 
Fair Madam, and my Mother.  Corisca. 
Leave the last out, it smells rank of the Country,  
And shows course breeding, your true Courtier knows not  
His Niece, or Sister from another woman,  
If she be apt and cunning. I could tempt now  
This fool, but he will be so long a working.  
Then he's my husband's Son; the fitter to  
Supply his wants, I have the way already.  
I'll try, if it will take; when were you with  
Your Mistress, fair Cleora.  Asot. 
Two days sithence,  
But she's so coy forsooth, that ere I can  
Speak a penned speech I have bought, and studied for her,  
Her woman calls her away.  Corisc. 
Here's a dull thing,  
But better taught I hope, send of your man.  Asot. 
Sirrah, be gone.  Grac. 
This is the first good turn,  
She ever did me. Exit Gracculo.  Corisc. 
We'll have a Scene of mirth,  
I must not have you shamed for want of practice.  
I stand here for Cleora, and do you hear Minion,  
(That you may tell her, what her woman should do)  
Repeat the lesson over, that I taught you,  
When my young Lord came to visit me, if you miss  
In a Syllable or posture!  Zant. 
I am perfect.  Asot. 
Would I were so: I fear I shall be out.  Corisc. 
If you are, I'll help you in. Thus I walk musing:  
You are to enter, and as you pass by,  
Salute my woman, be but bold enough,  
You'll speed I warrant you; begin.  Asot. 
Have at it.  
'Save thee sweet heart. A kiss.  Zant. 
Venus forbid, Sir,  
I should presume to taste your honour's lips  
Before my Lady.  Corisc. 
This is well on both parts.  Asot. 
How does thy Lady?  Zant. 
Happy in your Lordship,  
As oft as she thinks on you.  Corisc. 
Very good,  
This Wench will learn in time.  Asot. 
Does she think of me?  Zant. 
O Sir, and speaks the best of you, admires  
Your wit, your clothes, discourse; and swears, but that  
You are not forward enough for a Lord, you were  
The most complete, and absolute man: I'll show  
Your Lordship a Secret.  Asot. 
Not of thine own?  Zant. 
O no, Sir,  
'Tis of my Lady, but upon your honour,  
You must conceal it.  Asot. 
By all means.  Zanthia. 
Some times  
I lie with my Lady, as the lastnight I did,  
She could not say her prayers, for thinking of you,  
Nay, she talked of you in her sleep, and sighed out,  
O sweet Asotus, sure thou art so backward,  
That I must ravish thee, and in that fervour  
She took me in her arms, threw me upon her,  
Kissed me, and hugged me, and then waked, and wept;  
Because 'twas but a dream.  Corisc. 
This will bring him on,  
Or he's a block. A good Girl!  Asot. 
I am mad,  
Till I am at it.  Zant. 
Be not put off, Sir,  
With away, I dare not; fie you are immodest,  
My Brother's up, my Father will hear, shoot home, Sir,  
You cannot miss the mark.  Asot. 
There's for thy counsel.  
This is the fairest interlude, if it prove earnest,  
I shall wish I were a Player.  Corisc. 
Now my turn comes.  
I am exceeding sick, pray you send my Page  
For young Asotus, I cannot live without him,  
Pray him to visit me, yet when he's present,  
I must be strange to him.  Asot. 
Not so: you are caught.  
lo whom you wish, behold Asotus here!  Corisc. 
You wait well, Minion, shortly I shall not speak  
My thoughts in my private Chamber, but they must  
Lie open to discovery.  Asot. 
'Slid she's angry.  Zant. 
No, no, Sir, she but seems so. To her again.  Asot. 
Lady, I would descend to kiss your hand,  
But that 'tis gloved, and Civet makes me sick;  
And to presume to taste your lips not safe,  
Your woman by:  Corisc. 
I hope she's no observer,  
Of whom I grace. Zant. Looks on a Book, kisses her.  Asot. 
She's at her book, O rare!  Corisc. 
A kiss for entertainment is sufficient:  
Too much of one dish cloys me.  Asotus. 
I would serve in  
The second course, but still I fear your woman.  Corisc. 
You are very cautelous. Zanthia seems to sleep.  Asotus. 
'Slight she's asleep!  
'Tis pity, these instructions are not printed:  
They would sell well to Chambermaids, 'tis no time now  
To play with my good fortune, and your favour,  
Yet to be taken, as they say: a scout  
To give the signal when the enemy comes, Exit Zanthia.  
Were now worth gold: she's gone to watch.  
A waiter so trained up were worth a million,  
To a wanton City Madam.  Corisc. 
You are grown conceited.  Asotas. 
You teach me; Lady, now your Cabinet.  Corisc. 
You speak, as it were yours.  Asotas. 
When we are there,  
I'll show you my best evidence.  Corisc. 
Hold, you forget,  
I only play Cleora's part.  Asotas. 
No matter,  
Now we have begun, let's end the act.  Corisc. 
Forbear, Sir,  
Your Father's wife?  Asotas. 
Why, being his Heir, I am bound,  
Since he can make no satisfaction to you,  
To see his debts paid. Enter Zanthia running.  Zanthia. 
madam, my Lord.  Corisc. 
Fall off,  
I must trifle with the time too; Hell confound it.  Asotas. 
Plague on his toothless chaps, he cannot do't  
Himself, yet hinders such as have good stomachs. Enter Cleon.  Cleon. 
Where are you, Wife? I fain would go abroad,  
But cannot find my Slaves, that bear my Litter:  
I am tired, your shoulder, Son; nay sweet, thy hand too,  
A turn or two in the Garden, and then to Supper,  
And so to Bed.  Asotas. 
Never to rise, I hope, more. Exeunt.   

ACTVS II. SCAENA III.  Pisander, Poliphron, bringing forth a Table. Pisander. 
'Twill take, I warrant thee.  Poliphron. 
You may do your pleasure:  
But, in my judgement, better to make use of  
The present opportunity.  Pisander. 
No more. Enter Cimbrio, Gracculo, and Slaves.  Poliphron. 
I am silenced.  Pisander. 
More wine, pray thee drink hard, friend,  
And when we are hot, whatever I propound,  
Second with vehemency: men of your words, all welcome,  
Slaves use no ceremony, sit down, here's a health,  Poliphron. 
Let it run round, fill every man his Glass.  Gracc. 
We look for no waiters; this is Wine.  Pisander. 
The better,  
Strong, lusty wine: drink deep, this juice will make us  
As free as our Lords. Drinks.  Gracc. 
But if they find, we taste it,  
We are all damned to the quarry, during life,  
Without hope of redemption.  Pisander. 
Pish, for that  
we'll talk anon: another rouse, we lose time, Drinks.  
When our low blood's wound up a little higher,  
I'll offer my design; nay, we are cold yet,  
These Glasses contain nothing; do me right, Takes the Bottle.  
As ere you hope for liberty. 'Tis done bravely,  
How do you feel yourselves now?  Cimbrio. 
I begin  
To have strange Conundrums in my head.  Gracc. 
And I,  
To loathe base water: I would be hanged in peace now,  
For one month of such holidays.  Pisander. 
An age, Boys,  
And yet defy the Whip, if you are men,  
Or dare believe, you have souls.  Cimbrio. 
We are no Brokers:  Gracc. 
Nor Whores, whose marks are out of their mouths, they have none,  
They hardly can get salt enough to keep 'em  
From stinking above ground.  Pisander. 
Our Lords are no Gods?  Gracc. 
They are Devils to us, I am sure.  Pisander. 
But subject to  
Cold, hunger, and diseases.  Gracc. 
In abundance.  
Your Lord, that feels no ache in his chine at twenty,  
Forfeits his privilege, how should their Chirurgeon build else,  
Or ride on their foot-cloths?  Pisander. 
Equal nature fashioned us  
All in one mould: The Bear serves not the Bear,  
Nor the Wolf, the Wolf; 'twas odds of strength in tyrants,  
That plucked the first link from the Golden chain  
With which that thing of things bound in the world.  
Why then, since we are taught, by their examples,  
To love our Liberty, if not Command,  
Should the strong serve the weak, the fair deformed ones?  
Or such as know the cause of things, pay tribute  
To ignorant fools? All's but the outward gloss  
And politic form, that does distinguish us.  
Cymbrio, thou art a strong man; if in place  
Of carrying burdens, thou hadst been trained up  
In Martial discipline, thou mightst have proved  
A General, fit to lead and fight for sicily,  
As fortunate as Timoleon.  Cymbrio. 
A little fighting  
Will serve a general's turn.  Pisander. 
Thou, Gracculo,  
Hast fluency of Language, quick conceit,  
And I think, covered with a senator's robe,  
Formally set on the Bench, thou wouldst appear  
As brave a Senator.  Gracc. 
Would I had Lands,  
Or money to buy a place; and if I did not  
Sleep on the Bench, with the drowsiest of'em, play with my Chain,  
Look on my Watch, when my guts chimed twelve, and wear  
A state Beard, with my barber's help, rank with 'em,  
In their most choice peculiar gifts; degrade me  
And put me to drink Water again, which (now  
I have tasted Wine) were poison.  Pisander. 
'Tis spoke nobly,  
And like a Gown-man, none of these, I think too,  
But would prove good Burghers.  Gracc. 
Hum: the fools are modest,  
I know their insides: Here's an ill-faced fellow,  
(But that will not be seen in a dark Shop,)  
If he did not in a month, learn to outswear,  
In the selling of his Wares, the cunningest Tradesman  
In Syracusa, I have no skill; Here's another,  
Observe but what a cozening look he has,  
(Hold up thy head, man) if for drawing Gallants  
Into mortgages for Commodities, cheating Heirs  
With your new counterfeit Gold thread, and gummed Velvets,  
He does not transcend all that went before him,  
Call in his patent; pass the rest, they'll all make  
Sufficient Becos, and with their brow-antlers  
Bear up the Cap of maintenance.  Pisander. 
Is 't not pity then,  
Men of such eminent virtues, should be Slaves?  Cimbrio. 
Our fortune.  Pisander. 
'tis your folly, daring men  
Command, and make their fates. Say, at this instant,  
I marked you out a way to Liberty;  
Possessed you of those blessings, our proud Lords  
So long have surfeited in; and what is sweetest,  
Arm you with power, by strong hand to revenge  
Your stripes, your unregarded toil, the pride,  
The insolency, of such as tread upon  
Your patient sufferings; fill your famished mouths,  
With the fat and plenty of the Land; redeem you  
From the dark vale of Servitude, and seat you  
Upon a hill of happiness; what would you do  
To purchase this and more?  Gracc. 
Do any thing,  
To burn a Church or two, and dance by the light on't  
Were but a May-game.  Poliphron. 
I have a Father living,  
But if the cutting of his throat could work this,  
He should excuse me.  Cimbrio. 
'Slight, I would cut mine own,  
Rather than miss it, so I might but have  
A taste on't, ere I die.  Pisander. 
Be resolute men,  
You shall run no such hazard, nor groan under  
The burden of such crying sins.  Cimbrio. 
The means?  Gracculo. 
I feel a woman's longing.  Poliphron. 
Do not torment us  
With expectation.  Pisander. 
Thus then, our proud Masters;  
And all the able Freemen of the City  
Are gone unto the wars,  Poliphron. 
Observe but that.  Pisander, 
Old men, and such as can make no resistance,  
Are only left at home.  Gracculo. 
And the proud young fool  
My Master: If this take, I'll hamper him.  Pisander. 
Their Arsenal, their Treasure's in our power,  
If we have hearts to seize 'em, if our Lords fall  
In the present action, the whole country's ours;  
Say they return victorious, we have means  
To keep the Town against them: at the worst  
To make our own conditions: now if you dare  
fall on their Daughters, and their wives, break up  
Their Iron Chests, banquet on their rich Beds,  
And carve yourselves of all delights and pleasures  
You have been barred from, with one voice cry with me,  
Liberty, Liberty.  All. 
Liberty, Liberty.  Pisander. 
Go then, and take possession; use all freedom,  
But shed no blood: so this is well begun,  
But not to be commended, till't be done. Exeunt omnes.    


ACTVS III. SCAENA I.  Pisander. Timandra. Pisander. 
Why, think you, that I plot against myself?  
Fear nothing, you are safe, these thick-skinned slaves,  
(I use as instruments to serve my ends)  
Pierce not my deep designs: nor shall they dare  
To lift an arm against you.  Timandra. 
With your will.  
But turbulent spirits raised beyond themselves  
With case, are not so soon laid: they oft prove  
Dangerous to him that called them up.  Pisander. 
'tis true,  
In what is rashly undertook. Long since  
I have considered seriously their natures  
Proceeded with mature advice, and know  
I hold their will, and faculties in more awe  
Than I can do my own. Now for their Licence,  
And riot in the City, I can make  
A just defence, and use: it may appear too  
A politic prevention of such ills  
As might with greater violence, and danger  
hereafter be attempted; though some smart for't,  
It matters not: however, I am resolved;  
And sleep you with security. Holds Cleora  
Constant to her rash vow?  Timandra, 
Beyond belief;  
To me, that see her hourly, it seems a fable.  
By signs I guess at her commands, and serve 'em  
With silence, such her pleasure is, made known  
By holding her fair hand thus; she eats little,  
Sleeps less, as I imagine; once a day  
I lead her to this Gallery, where she walks  
Some half a dozen turns, and having offered  
To her absent Saint a sacrifice of sighs,  
She points back to her prison.  Pisander. 
Guide her hither,  
And make her understand the slaves revolt.  
And with your utmost eloquence enlarge  
Their insolence, and Rapes done in the City,  
Forget not to, I am their chief, and tell her  
You strongly think my extreme dotage on her,  
As I am Marullo, caused this sudden uproar,  
To make way to enjoy her.  Timandra. 
Punctually  
I will discharge my part. Exit Timandra. Enter Poliphron.  Poliphron. 
O Sir, I sought you.  
You have missed the best sport. Hell, I think is broke loose,  
There's such variety of all disorders,  
As leaping, shooting, drinking, dancing, whoring  
Among the slaves; answered with crying, howling,  
By the Citizens and their wives: such a confusion,  
(In a word, not to tire you) as I think  
The like was never read of.  Pisander. 
I share in  
The pleasure, though I am absent. This is some  
Revenge for my disgrace.  Poliphron. 
But Sir; I fear,  
If your authority restrain them not,  
They'll fire the City, or kill one another,  
They are so apt to outrage; neither know I  
Whether you wish it, and came therefore to  
Acquaint you with so much.  Pisander. 
I will among 'em,  
But must not long be absent.  Poliphron. 
At your pleasure.   

ACTVS III. SCAENA II.  Cleora, Timandra, a Chair, a shout within. Timandra. 
They are at our gates, my heart! affrights & horrors  
Increase each minute: No way left to save us;  
No flattering hope to comfort us, or means  
By miracle to redeem us from base lust,  
And lawless rapine. Are there Gods, yet suffer  
Such innocent sweetness to be made the spoil  
Of brutish appetite? Or, since they decree  
To ruin Nature's masterpiece (of which  
they have not left one pattern) must they choose,  
To set their tyranny of, slaves to pollute  
The spring of chastity, and poison it  
With their most loathed embraces? and of those  
He that should offer up his life to guard it?  
Marullo, cursed Marullo, your own Bondman  
Purchased to serve you, and fed by your favours.  
Nay, start not; it is he, he the grand Captain Cleora starts,  
Of these libidinous beasts, that have not left  
One cruel act undone, that Barbarous conquest,  
Yet ever practised in a captive City.  
He doting on your beauty, and to have fellows  
In his foul sin, hath raised these mutinous slaves,  
Who have begun the game by violent Rapes,  
Upon the Wives and Daughters of their Lords:  
And he to quench the fire of his base lust,  
By force comes to enjoy you: do not wring Cleora wrings her hands.  
Your innocent hands, 'tis bootless; use the means  
That may preserve you. 'Tis no crime to break  
A vow, when you are forced to it; show your face,  
And with the majesty of commanding beauty,  
Strike dead his loose affections; if that fail,  
Give liberty to your tongue, and use entreaties,  
There cannot be a breast of flesh, and blood,  
Or heart so made of flint, but must receive  
Impression from your words; or eyes so stern,  
But from the clear reflection of your tears  
Must melt, and bear them company: will you not  
Do these good offices to yourself? poor I then,  
Can only weep your fortune; here he comes.  Pisander. 
He that advances Enter Pisander speaking at the door.  
A foot beyond this, comes upon my sword  
You have had your ways, disturb not mine.  Timandra. 
Speak gently,  
Her fears may kill her else.  Pisander. 
Now love inspire me!  
Still shall this Canopy of envious night  
Obscure my Suns of comfort? and those dainties  
Of purest white and red, which I take in at  
My greedy eyes, denied my famished senses?  
The Organs of your hearing yet are open;  
And you infringe no vow, though you vouchsafe,  
To give them warrant, to convey unto  
Your understanding parts the story of  
A tortured and despairing Lover, whom Cleora shakes.  
Not Fortune but affection marks your slave.  
Shake not, best Lady; for (believe't) you are  
As far from danger as I am from force.  
All violence I'll offer, tends no farther  
Than to relate my sufferings, which I dare not  
Presume to do, till by some gracious sign  
You show, you are pleased to hear me.  Timandra. 
If you are,  
Hold forth your right hand. Cleora holds forth her right hand.  Pisandra. 
So, 'tis done, and I  
With my glad lips seal humbly on your foot,  
My soul's thanks for the favour: I forbear  
To tell you who I am, what wealth, what honours  
I made exchange of to become your servant:  
And though I knew, worthy Leosthenes  
(For sure he must be worthy, for whose love  
You have endured so much) to be my rival,  
When rage, and jealousy counselled me to kill him,  
(Which then I could have done with much more ease,  
Then now, in fear to grieve you, I dare speak it)  
Love seconded with duty boldly told me,  
The man I hated, fair Cleora favoured,  
And that was his protection. Cleora bows.  Timandra. 
See, she bows  
Her head in sign of thankfulness.  Pisander. 
He removed,  
By th'occasion of the war (my fires increasing  
By being closed, and stopped up) frantic affection  
prompted me to do something in his absence,  
That might deliver you into my power,  
Which you see is effected, and even now,  
When my rebellious passions chide my dulness,  
And tell me how much I abuse my fortunes;  
Now 'tis in my power to bear you hence, Cleora starts.  
Or take my wishes here, (nay, fear not Madam  
True love's a servant, brutish lust a Tyrant)  
I dare not touch those viands, that ne'er taste well,  
But when they are freely offered: only thus much,  
Be pleased I may speak in my own dear cause,  
And think it worthy your consideration.  
I have loved truly, (cannot say deserved,  
Since duty must not take the name of merit)  
That I so far prize your content, before  
All blessings, that my hopes can fashion to me,  
That willingly I entertain despair,  
And for your sake embrace it. For I know,  
This opportunity lost, by no endeavour  
The like can be recovered. To conclude,  
Forget not, that I lose myself, to save you.  
For what can I expect, but death and torture  
The war being ended? and, what is a task  
Would trouble Hercules to undertake,  
I do deny you to myself, to give you  
A pure unspotted present to my rival.  
I have said, if it distaste not, best of Virgins,  
Reward my temperance with some lawful favour,  
Though you contemn my person. Cleora kneels, then pulls off her Glove, and offers her hand to Pisander.  Timandra. 
See, she kneels  
And seems to call upon the gods to pay  
The debt she owes your virtue. To perform which  
As a sure pledge of friendship, she vouchsafes you  
Her fair right hand. Makes a low curtsy, as she goes off.  Pisander. 
I am paid for all my sufferings.  
Now when you please, pass to your private Chamber:  
My love, and duty, faithful guards, shall keep you  
From all disturbance; and when you are sated  
With thinking of Leosthenes, as a fee  
Due to my service, spare one sigh for me.  Exeunt.  

ACTVS III, SCAENA III.  Gracculo leading Asotus in an ape's habit, with a chain about his neck. Zanthia, in Corisca's Clothes, she bearing up her train. Gracculo. 
Come on, Sir.  Asotus. 
Oh.  Grac. 
Do you grumble? you were ever  
A brainless Ass, but if this hold, I'll teach you  
To come aloft, and do tricks like an Ape  
Your morning's lesson: if you miss—  Asotus. 
O no, Sir. Asotus makes mops.  Grac. 
What for the Carthaginians? a good beast.  
What for ourself your Lord? exceeding well. Dances.  
There's your reward. Not kiss your paw? So, so, so.  Zanthia. 
Was ever Lady the first day of her honour  
So waited on by a wrinkled crone? she looks now  
Without her painting, curling, and perfumes  
Like the last day of january; and stinks worse  
Than a hot brach in the dog days. Further of,  
So stand there like an image; if you stir,  
Till with a quarter of a look I call you,  
You know what follows.  Corisca. 
O what am I fall'n to!  
But 'tis a punishment for my lust and pride,  
justly returned upon me.  Gracculo. 
How dost thou like  
Thy Ladyship Zanthia?  Zanthia. 
Very well, and bear it  
With as much state as your Lordship.  Gracculo. 
Give me thy hand;  
Let us like conquering Romans walk in triumph,  
Our captives following. Then mount our Tribunals,  
And make the slaves our footstools.  Zanthia. 
Fine by jove,  
Are your hands clean minion?  Corisca. 
Yes forsooth.  Zanthia. 
Fall off then.  
So now come on: and having made your three duties,  
Down I say, (are you stiff in the hams?) now kneel,  
And tie our shoe. Now kiss it and be happy.  Gracculo. 
This is state indeed.  Zanthia. 
It is such as she taught me,  
A tickling itch of greatness, your proud Ladies  
Expect from their poor Waiters, we have changed parts;  
She does what she forced me to do in her reign,  
And I must practise it in mine.  Gracculo. 
'Tis justice;  
O here come more. Enter Cymbrio, Cleon, Poliphron, Olympia.  Cymbrio. 
Discover to a Drachma,  
Or I will famish thee.  Cleon. 
O I am pined already.  Cymbrio. 
Hunger shall force thee to cut off the brawns  
From thy arms and thighs, than broil them on the coals  
For Carbonadoes.  Poliphron. 
Spare the old jade, he's foundered.  Gracculo. 
Cutt his throat then,  
And hang him out for a scarecrow.  Poliphron. 
You have all your wishes  
In your revenge, and I have mine. You see  
I use no tyranny: When I was her slave,  
She kept me as a sinner to lie at her back  
In frosty nights, and fed me high with dainties,  
Which still she had in her belly again ere morning,  
And in requital of those courtesies  
Having made one another free, we are married,  
And if you wish us joy, join with us in  
A Dance at our Wedding.  Gracculo. 
Agreed, for I have thought of  
A most triumphant one, which shall express, we are Lords, and these our slaves.  Poliphron. 
But we shall want  
A woman.  Gracculo. 
No, here's jane of Apes shall serve;  
Carry your body swimming: where's the Music?  Poliph. 
I have placed it in yond Window. The dance at the end. Enter Pisander.  Gracculo. 
Begin then sprightly.  Poliphron. 
Well done on all sides. I have prepared a Banquet;  
Let's drink, and cool us.  Gracculo. 
A good motion,  Cymbrio. 
Wait here,  
You have been tired with feasting, learn to fast now.  Grac. 
I'll have an Apple for Jack, and may be some scraps  
May fall to your share Exeunt Gracculo, Zanthia, Cymbrio, Poliphron, Olympia.  Corisca. 
Whom can we accuse  
But ourselves for what we suffer? thou art just  
Thou all-creating power. And misery  
Instructs me now, that yesterday acknowledged,  
No Deity beyond my lust and pride.  
There is a heaven above us, that looks down  
With the eyes of justice, upon such as number  
Those blessings freely given, in the account  
Of their poor merits: Else it could not be  
Now miserable I, to please whose palate  
The Elements were ransacked, yet complained  
Of Nature, as not liberal enough  
In her provision of rarities  
To soothe my taste, and pamper my proud flesh:  
Now wish in vain for bread:  Cleon. 
Yes, I do wish too,  
For what I fed my dogs with.  Corisca. 
I that forgot  
I was made of flesh and blood, and thought the silk  
Spun by the diligent worm, out of their entrails,  
Too course to clothe me; and the softest Down  
Too hard to sleep on; that disdained to look  
On virtue being in rags; that stopped my nose  
At those that did not use adulterate arts  
To better nature; that from those, that served me,  
Expected adoration, am made justly  
The scorn of my own Bondwoman.  Asotus. 
I am punished,  
For seeking to Cuckold mine own natural Father.  
Had I been gelded then, or used myself  
Like a man: I had not been transformed, and forced  
To play an o'ergrown Ape.  Cleon. 
I know I cannot  
Last long, that's all my comfort: come, I forgive both,  
It is in vain to be angry, let us therefore  
Lament together like friends.  Pisander. 
What a true mirror  
Were this sad spectacle for secure greatness!  
Here they that never see themselves, but in  
The Glass of servile flattery, might behold  
The weak foundation upon which they build,  
That trust in humane frailty. Happy are those,  
That knowing in their births, they are subject to  
Uncertain change, are still prepared, and armed  
For either fortune: A rare principle,  
And with much labour, learned in wisdom's school!  
For as these Bondmen by their actions show,  
That their prosperity, like too too large a Sail  
For their small bark of judgement; sinks them with  
A foreright gale of liberty, ere they reach  
The Port they long to touch at: So these wretches  
Swollen with the false opinion of their worth,  
And proud of blessings left them, not acquired,  
That did believe they could with giant-arms  
Fathom the earth, and were above their fates.  
Those borrowed helps that did support them, vanished:  
Fall of themselves, and by unmanly suffering,  
Betray their proper weakness, and make known  
Their boasted greatness was lent, not their own.  Cleon. 
O for some meat, they sit long.  Corisc. 
We forgot,  
When we drew out intemperate feasts till midnight:  
Their hunger was not thought on, nor their watchings;  
Nor did we hold ourselves served to the height,  
But when we did exact, and force their duties  
Beyond their strength and power.  Asotus. 
We pay for't now,  
I now could be content to have my head  
Broke with a rib of Beef, or for a Coffin  
Be buried in the dripping Pan.  Cymbrio. 
Do not hold me, Enter Poliphron, Cymbrio, Gracculo, Zanthia, Olimpia, drunk and quarrelling.  
Not kiss the Bride?  Poliphron. 
No Sir.  Cimbrio. 
She's common good,  
And so we'll use her.  Gracculo. 
we'll have nothing private.  Olympia. 
Hold:  Zanthia. 
Here, Marullo.  Olympia. 
he's your chief.  Cymbrio. 
We are equals,  
I will know no obedience.  Gracculo. 
Nor superior,  
Nay, if you are lion-drunk, I will make one,  
For lightly ever he that parts the fray,  
Goes away with the blows.  Pisander. 
Art thou mad too?  
No more, as you respect me.  Poliphron. 
I obey, Sir,  Pisander. 
Quarrel among yourselves?  Cymbrio. 
Yes, in our Wine, Sir,  
And for our Wenches.  Gracculo. 
How could we be Lords else?  Pisan. 
Take heed, I have news will cool this heat, & make you  
Remember, what you were.  Cymbrio. 
How?  Pisander. 
Send off these,  
And then I'll tell you. Zanthia beating Corisca.  Olympia. 
This is tyranny,  
Now she offends not.  Zanthia. 
'Tis for exercise,  
And to help digestion, what is she good for else?  
To me it was her language.  Pisander. 
Leave her off,  
And take heed Madam minx, the Wheel may turn.  
Go to your meat, and rest, and from this hour  
Remember, he that is a Lord today, Exeunt Cleon, Asotus, Zanthia, Olympia, Corisca.  
May be a Slave tomorrow.  Cleon. 
good morality.  Cymbrio. 
But what would you impart?  Pisander. 
What must invite you  
To stand upon your guard, and leave your feasting,  
Or but imagine, what it is to be  
Most miserable, and rest assured you are so.  
Our Masters are victorious:  All. 
How?  Pisander. 
Within  
A days march of the City, fleshed with spoil,  
And proud of conquest, the Armado sunk,  
The Carthaginian Admiral hand to hand,  
Slain by Leosthenes.  Cymbrio. 
I feel the whip  
Upon my back already.  Gracculo. 
Every man  
Seek a convenient Tree, and hang himself.  Poliphron. 
Better die once, then live an age to suffer  
New tortures every hour.  Cimbrio. 
Say, we submit,  
And yield us to their mercy.  Pisander. 
Can you flatter  
yourselves with such false hopes? or dare you think  
That you imperious Lords, that never failed  
To punish with severity petty slips,  
In your neglect of labour, may be won  
To pardon those licentious outrages,  
Which noble enemies forbear to practise  
Upon the conquered? What have you omitted,  
That may call on their just revenge with horror,  
And studied cruelty? We have gone too far  
To think now of retiring; in our courage,  
And during, lies our safety; if you are not  
Slaves in your abject minds, as in your fortunes  
Since to die is the worst, better expose  
Our naked breasts to their keen Swords, and sell  
Our lives with the most advantage, than to trust  
In a forestalled remission, or yield up  
Our bodies to the furnace of their fury,  
Thrice heated with revenge.  Gracculo. 
You led us on.  Cimb. 
And 'tis but justice, you should bring us off.  Gracculo. 
And we expect it.  Pisander. 
Hear then, and obey me,  
And I will either save you, or fall with you;  
Man the Walls strongly, and make good the Ports  
Boldly deny their entrance, and rip up  
Your grievances, and what compelled you to  
This desperate course: if they disdain to hear  
Of composition, we have in our powers  
Their aged Fathers, Children, and their Wives,  
Who to preserve themselves, must willingly  
Make intercession for us. 'Tis not time now  
To talk, but do. A glorious end or freedom  
Is now proposed us; stand resolved for either,  
And like good fellows, live, or die together.  Exeunt.  

ACTVS III. SCAENA IIII.  Leosthenes, Timagorus. Timagoras. 
I am so far from envy, I am proud  
You have outstripped me in the race of honour.  
O 'twas a glorious day, and bravely won!  
Your bold performance gave such lustre to  
Timoleon's wise directions, as the Army  
Rests doubtful, to whom they stand most engaged  
For their so great success.  Leosthenes. 
The Gods first honoured,  
The glory be the Generals; 'tis far from me  
To be his rival.  Timagoras. 
You abuse your fortune,  
To entertain her choice, and gracious favours,  
With a contracted brow; Plumed victory  
Is truly painted with a cheerful look,  
Equally distant from proud insolence,  
And base dejection.  Leosthenes. 
O Timagoras,  
You only are acquainted with the cause,  
That loads my sad heart with a hill of lead.  
Whose ponderous weight, neither my new got honour,  
Assisted by the general applause  
The soldier crown it with: nor all wars glories  
Can lessen, or remove; and would you please,  
With fit consideration to remember,  
How much I wrong Cleora's innocence,  
With my rash doubts; and what a grievous penance,  
She did impose upon her tender sweetness,  
To pluck away the Vulture jealousy,  
That fed upon my Liver: you cannot blame me,  
But call it a fit justice on myself,  
Though I resolve to be a stranger to  
The thought of mirth, or pleasure.  Timandra. 
You have redeemed  
The forfeit of your fault, with such a ransom  
Of honourable action, as my Sister  
Must of necessity confess her sufferings  
Weighed down by your fair merits; and when she views you  
Like a triumphant Conqueror, carried through  
The Streets of Syracusa, the glad people  
Pressing to meet you, and the Senators  
Contending who shall heap most honours on you;  
The Oxen crowned with Garlands led before you  
Appointed for the Sacrifice; and the Altars  
Smoking with thankful Incense to the gods:  
The Soldiers chanting loud hymns to your praise:  
The windows filled with Matrons, and with Virgins,  
Throwing upon your head, as you pass by,  
The choicest Flowers; and silently invoking  
The Queen of Love, with their particular vows,  
To be thought worthy of you; can Cleora,  
(Though, in the glass of self-love, she behold  
Her best deserts) but with all joy acknowledge,  
What she endured, was but a noble trial  
You made of her affection? and her anger  
Rising from your too amorous ears, soon drenched  
In Lethe, and forgotten.  Leosthenes. 
If those glories  
You so set forth were mine, they might plead for me;  
But I can lay no claim to the least honour,  
Which you with foul injustice ravish from her;  
Her beauty, in me wrought a miracle,  
Taught me to aim at things beyond my power,  
Which her perfections purchased, and gave to me  
From her free bounties; she inspired me with  
That valour, which I dare not call mine own:  
And from the fair reflection of her mind,  
My soul received the sparkling beams of courage.  
she from the magazine of her proper goodness,  
Stocked me with virtuous purposes; sent me forth  
To trade for honour; and she being the owner  
Of the bark of my adventures, I must yield her  
A just account of all, as fits a Factor:  
And howsoever others think me happy,  
And cry aloud, I have made a prosperous voyage:  
One frown of her dislike at my return,  
(Which, as a punishment for my fault, I look for)  
Strikes dead all comfort.  Timagoras. 
Tush, these fears are needless,  
She cannot, must not, shall not be so cruel.  
A free confession of a fault wins pardon;  
But being seconded by desert, commands it.  
The General is your own, and sure; my Father  
Repents his harshness: for myself, I am  
Ever your creature, one day shall be happy  
In your triumph, and your Marriage.  Leosthenes. 
May it prove so,  
With her consent, and pardon.  Timagoras. 
Ever touching  
On that harsh string? she is your own, and you  
Without disturbance seize on what's your due.  Exeunt.   


ACTVS IV. SCAENA I.  Pisander, Timandra. Pisander. 
She has her health then:  Timandra. 
Yes, Sir, and as often  
As I speak of you, lends attentive ear  
To all that I deliver; nor seems tired,  
Though I dwell long on the relation of  
Your sufferings for her, heaping praise on praise,  
On your unequalled temperance, and command,  
You hold o'er your affections.  Pisander. 
To my wish:  
Have you acquainted her with the defeature  
Of the Carthaginians, and with what honours  
Leosthenes comes Crowned home with?  Timandra. 
With all care.  Pisander. 
And how does she receive it?  Timandra. 
As I guess  
With a seeming kind of joy, but yet appears not  
Transported, or proud of his happy fortune.  
But when I tell her of the certain ruin,  
You must encounter with at their arrival  
In Syracusa, and that death with torments  
Must fall upon you, which you yet repent not;  
Esteeming it a glorious martyrdom,  
And a reward of pure, unspotted love,  
Preserved in the white robe of Innocence:  
Though she were in your power, and still spurred on  
By insolent lust; you rather chose to suffer  
The fruit untasted, for whose glad possession,  
You have called on the fury of your Lord,  
Then that she should be grieved, or tainted in  
Her Reputation.  Pisander. 
Doth it work compunction?  
Pities she my misfortune?  Timandra. 
she expressed  
All signs of sorrow, (which) her vow observed,  
Could witness a grieved heart. At the first hearing  
She fell upon her face, rent her fair hair,  
Her hands held up to heaven, and vented sighs,  
In which she silently seemed to complain,  
Of heaven's injustice.  Pisander, 
'Tis enough: wait carefully,  
And upon all watched occasions, continue  
Speech, and discourse of me: 'tis time, must work her.  Timandra. 
I'll not be wanting, but still strive to serve you.  Pisander. 
Now, Poliphron, the news: Exit Timandra. Enter Poliphron.  Poliphron. 
The conquering Army  
Is within ken.  Pisander. 
How brook the slaves the object?  Poliph. 
Cheerfully yet; they do refuse no labour,  
And seem to scoff at danger; 'tis your presence  
That must confirm them; with a full consent,  
You are chosen to relate the tyranny  
Of our proud Masters; and what you subscribe too,  
They gladly will allow of, or hold out  
To the last man.  Pisander. 
I'll instantly among them:  
If we prove constant to ourselves, good fortune  
Will not, I hope, forsake us.  Poliphron. 
'Tis our best refuge. Exeunt.   

ACTVS IV. SCAENA II.  Timoleon, Archidamus, Diphilus, Leosthenes, Timagoras, others. Timoleon. 
Thus far we are returned victorious, crowned  
With wreaths triumphant, (famine, blood, and dearth,  
Banished your peaceful confines,) and bring home  
Security, and peace. 'Tis therefore fit  
That such as boldly stood the shock of war,  
And with the dear expense of sweat and blood  
Have purchased Honour, should with pleasure reap  
The harvest of their toil; and we stand bound  
Out of the first file of the best deservers,  
(Though all must be considered to their merits)  
To think of you Leosthenes, that stand,  
And worthily, most dear in our esteem,  
For your heroic valour.  Archidamus. 
When I look on  
(The labour of so many men, and ages)  
This well-built City, not long since designed  
To spoil and rapine; by the favour of  
The gods, and you their ministers preserved;  
I cannot in my height of joy, but offer  
These tears for a glad sacrifice.  Diphilus. 
Sleep the Citizens?  
Or are they overwhelmed with the excess  
Of comfort, that flows to them?  Leosthenes. 
we receive  
A silent entertainment.  Timagoras. 
I long since  
Expected, that the virgins, and the Matrons,  
The old men striving with their age, the Priests  
Carrying the Images of their gods before 'em  
Should have met us with Procession: Ha! the gates  
Are shut against us!  Archid. 
And upon the Walls Enter above, Pisander, Poliphron, Cimbrio, Gracculo, & the rest.  
Armed men seem to defy us!  Diphilus. 
I should know  
These faces; they are our slaves.  Timagoras. 
The mystery, Rascals?  
Open the ports, and play not with an anger,  
That will consume you.  Timoleon. 
This is above wonder.  Archid. 
Our Bondmen stand against us!  Gracculo. 
Some such things  
We were in man's remembrance; the slaves are turned  
Lords of the Town, or so; nay, be not angry:  
Perhaps on good terms, giving security,  
You will be quiet men, we may allow you  
Some lodgings in our Garrets, or outhouses;  
Your great looks cannot carry it.  Cymbrio. 
The truth is,  
We have been bold with your wives, toyed with your daughters.  Leosthenes. 
O my prophetic soul!  Gracculo. 
Rifled your Chests,  
Been busy with your Wardrobes.  Timagoras. 
Can we endure this?  Leosthenes. 
O my Cleora!  Gracculo. 
A Caudle, for the Gentleman,  
he'll die a'the pip else.  Timagoras. 
Scorned too! are you turned stone?  
Hold parley with our Bondmen? force our entrance,  
Than Villains, expect.  Timoleon. 
Hold: you wear men's shapes  
And if like men you have reason, show a cause  
That leads you to this desperate course, which must end  
In your destruction?  Gracculo. 
That, as please the Fates,  
But we vouchsafe; speak Captain.  Timagoras. 
Hell, and Furies!  Archid. 
Bayed by our own curs?  Cimbrio. 
Take heed, you be not wurried.  Poliphron. 
We are sharp set.  Cymbrio. 
And sudden.  Pisander. 
Briefly thus then,  
Since I must speak for all; your tyranny  
Drew us from our obedience. Happy those times,  
When Lords were styled fathers of Families,  
And not imperious Masters; when they numbered  
Their servants almost equal with their Sons,  
Or one degree beneath them; when their labours  
Were cherished, and rewarded, and a period  
Set to their sufferings; when they did not press  
Their duties, or their wills beyond the power  
And strength of their performance; all things ordered  
With such decorum, as wise Lawmakers,  
From each well-governed private house derived  
The perfect model of a Commonwealth;  
Humanity then lodged in the hearts of men,  
And thankful Masters carefully provided  
For Creatures wanting reason. The noble horse  
That in his fiery youth from his wide nostrils,  
Neighed courage to his Rider, and broke through  
Groves of opposed Pikes, bearing his Lord  
Safe to triumphant victory, old or wounded,  
Was set at liberty, and freed from service.  
The Athenian Mules, that from the Quarry drew  
Marble, hewed for the Temples of the gods,  
The great work ended, were dismissed, and fed  
At the public cost; nay, faithful dogs have found  
Their Sepulchres; but man to man, more cruel,  
Appoints no end to the sufferings of his slave;  
Since pride stepped in and riot, and o'erturned  
This goodly frame of Concord, teaching Masters  
To glory in the abuse of such, as are  
Brought under their command; who grown unuseful,  
Are less esteemed than beasts; this you have practised,  
Practised on us with rigor; this hath forced us,  
To shake our heavy yokes off; and if redress  
Of these just grievances be not granted us,  
we'll right ourselves, and by strong hand defend,  
What we are now possessed of.  Gracculo. 
And not leave  
One house unfired.  Cimbrio. 
Or throat uncut of those  
We have in our power.  Poliphron. 
Nor will we fall alone,  
You shall buy us dearly.  Timagoras. 
O, the gods!  
Unheard of insolence!  Timoleon. 
What are your demands?  Pisander. 
A general pardon, first, for all offences  
Committed in your absence. Liberty,  
To all such, as desire to make return  
Into their countries; and to those that stay,  
A competence of land freely allotted  
To each man's proper use; no Lord acknowledged.  
Lastly, with your consent, to choose them wives  
Out of your Families.  Timagoras. 
Let the City sink first.  Leosthenes. 
And ruin seize on all, ere we subscribe  
To such conditions.  Archidamus. 
Carthage, though victorious,  
Could not have forced more from us:  Leosthenes. 
Scale the Walls,  
Capitulate after.  Timoleon. 
He that wins the top first,  
Shall wear a mural wreath. Exeunt.  Pisander. 
Flourish, & alarms .Each to his place.  
Or death or victory; charge them home, & fear not.  Enter Timoleon and Senators. Timol. 
We wrong ourselves, and we are justly punished,  
To deal with Bondmen, as if we encountered  
An equal enemy.  Archidamus. 
They fight like devils:  
And run upon our Swords, as if their breasts  
Were proof beyond their Armour.  Enter Leothenes, and Timagoras. Timagoras. 
Make a firm stand:  
The slaves not satisfied, they have beat us off,  
Prepare to sally forth.  Timoleon. 
They are wild beasts,  
And to be tamed by policy; each man take  
A tough whip in his hand: such as you used  
To punish them with, as masters; in your looks  
carry severity, and awe; 'twill fright them  
More than your weapons; savage lions fly from  
The sight of fire; and these that have forgot  
That duty, your ne'er taught them with your swords,  
When unexpected, they behold those terrors  
Advanced aloft, that they were made to shake at,  
'Twill force them to remember what they are,  
And stoop to due obedience.  Enter Cimbrio, Gracculo, & other slaves. Archidamus. 
Here they come.  Cymbrio. 
Leave not a man alive; a wound is but a fleabiting,  
To what we suffered being slaves.  Gracculo. 
O my heart!  Cimbrio 
what do we see? the whip! our Masters!  Timag. 
Dare you rebel, slaves? Senators shake their whips, and they throw away these weapons, and run off.  Cimbrio. 
Mercy, mercy; where Shall we hide us from their fury?  Gracculo. 
Fly, they follow;  
O, we shall be tormented:  Timoleon. 
Enter with them,  
But yet forbear to kill them; still remember  
They are part of your wealth, and being disarmed,  
There is no danger.  Archidamus. 
Let us first deliver  
Such as they have in Fetters, and at leisure  
Determine of their punishment.  Leosthenes. 
Friend, to you  
I leave the disposition of what's mine:  
I cannot think I am safe without your Sister,  
she's only worth my thought; and till I see  
What she has suffered, I am on the rack,  
And fury's my tormentors. Exeunt.   

ACTVS IV. SCAENA III.  Pisander, Timandra. Pisander. 
I know, I am pursued, nor would I fly,  
Although the Ports were open, and a Convoy  
Ready to bring me off: the baseness of  
These villains, from the pride of all my hopes,  
Have thrown me to the bottomless Abyss  
Of horror, and despair; had they stood firm,  
I could have bought Cleora's free consent,  
With the safety of her Father's life, and Brothers:  
And forced Leosthenes to quit his claim,  
And kneel a Suitor for me.  Timandra. 
You must not think,  
What might have been, but what must now be practised,  
And suddenly resolve.  Pisander. 
All my poor fortunes  
Are at the stake, and I must run the hazard.  
Unseen, convey me to Cleora's Chamber,  
For in her sight, if it were possible,  
I would be apprehended: do not inquire  
The reason why, but help me.  Timandra. 
Make haste, one knocks, Exit Pisander. Enter Leosthenes.  
jove turn all to the best: you are welcome Sir.  Leosthenes. 
Thou giv'st it in a heavy tone.  Timandra. 
Alas, Sir,  
we have so long fed on the bread of sorrow,  
Drinking the bitter water of afflictions,  
Made loathsome to, by our continued fears,  
Comfort's a stranger to us.  Leosthenes. 
Fears! your sufferings,  
For which I am so overgone with grief,  
I dare not ask without compassionate tears,  
The villain's name, that robbed thee of thy honour;  
For being trained up in chastities cold School,  
And taught by such a Mistress as Cleora,  
'Twere impious in me, to think Timandra  
Fell with her own consent.  Timandra. 
How mean you, fell, Sir?  
I understand you not.  Leosthenes. 
I would, thou didst not,  
Or that I could not read upon thy face,  
In blushing characters, the story of  
Libidinous Rape; confess it, for you stand not  
Accountable for a sin, against whose strength  
Your o'ermatched innocence could make no resistance;  
Under which odds, I know Cleora fell too,  
Heavens help in vain invoked; the amazed Sun,  
Hiding his face behind a mask of clouds,  
Not daring, to look on it, in her sufferings  
All sorrow's comprehended; what Timandra,  
Or the City has endured, her loss considered,  
Deserves not to be named.  Timandra. 
Pray you do not bring, Sir,  
In the Chimaeras of your jealous fears,  
New monsters to affright us.  Leosthenes. 
O Timandra.  
That I had faith enough but to believe thee,  
I should receive it with a joy beyond  
Assurance of Elysian shades hereafter,  
Or all the blessings in this life, a Mother  
Could wish her children crowned with: but I must not  
Credit impossibilities, yet I strive  
To find out that, whose knowledge is a curse,  
And ignorance a blessing. Come, discover  
What kind of look he had, that forced thy Lady,  
(Thy ravisher, I will inquire at leisure,)  
That when hereafter I behold a stranger  
But near him in aspect, I may conclude,  
(Though men and Angels should proclaim him honest,)  
He is a hellbred villain.  Timandra. 
You are unworthy  
To know she is preserved, preserved untainted.  
Sorrow (but ill bestowed) hath only made  
A rape upon her comforts, in your absence.  
Come forth, dear Madam. Leads in Cleora.  Leost. 
Ha! Kneels.  Tima. 
Nay, she deserves  
The bending of your heart; that to content you,  
Has kept a vow, the breach of which a vestal  
(Though the infringing it had called upon her  
A living funeral,) must of force have shrunk at;  
No danger could compel her, to dispense with  
Her cruel Penance; though hot lust came armed  
To seize upon her, when one look, or accent  
Might have redeemed her.  Leosthenes. 
Might? O do not show me  
A beam of comfort, and straight take it from me;  
The means, by which she was freed? Speak, O speak quickly,  
Each minute of delay's, an age of Torment:  
O speak, Timandra.  Timandra. 
Free her from her oath,  
herself can best deliver it. Takes off the Scarf.  Leost. 
O blessed office!  
Never did Galleyslave shake off his chains,  
Or looked on his redemption from the Oar,  
With such true feeling of delight, as now  
I find myself possessed of; now I behold  
True light indeed; For since these fairest stars,  
(Covered with clouds of your determinate will)  
Denied their influence to my optic sense,  
The Splendour of the Sun appeared to me,  
But as some little glimpse of his bright beams  
Coveyed into a Dungeon; to remember  
The dark inhabitants there, how much they wanted.  
Open these long-shut lips, and strike mine ears  
With Music more harmonious, than the Spheres  
Yield in their heavenly motions; And if ever  
A true submission, for a crime acknowledged,  
May find a gracious hearing, teach your tongue  
In the first sweet, articulate sounds, it utters  
To sign my wished-for pardon.  Cleo. 
I forgive you.  Leost. 
How greedily I receive this? Stay, best Lady,  
And let me by degrees ascend the height  
Of humane happiness; All at once delivered,  
The torrent of my joys will overwhelm me;  
So, now a little more; And pray excuse me,  
If like a wanton Epicure I desire,  
The pleasant taste these cates of comfort yield me,  
should not too soon be swallowed. Have you not  
(By your unspotted truth, I do conjure you  
To answer truly) suffered in your honour:  
(By force, I mean, for in your will I free you)  
Since I left Syracusa?  Cleo. 
I restore  
This kiss, (so help me goodness,) which I borrowed,  
When I last saw you.  Leost. 
Miracle of virtue!  
One pause more, I beseech you, I am like  
A man, whose vital spirits consumed, and wasted  
With a long and tedious Fever, unto whom  
Too much of a strong Cordial at once taken  
Brings death, and not restores him. Yet I cannot  
Fix here: but must inquire the man, to whom  
I stand indebted for a benefit,  
Which to requite at full, though in this hand  
I grasped all Sceptres the world's Empire bow to,  
Would leave me a poor bankrupt; name him, Lady;  
If of a mean estate, I'll gladly part with  
My utmost fortunes to him; but if noble,  
In thankful duty study how to serve him;  
Or if of higher rank, erect him Altars,  
And (as a god) adore him.  Cleo. 
If that goodness,  
And noble temperance (the Queen of virtues)  
Bridling rebellious passions (to whose sway,  
Such as have conquered Nations have lived slaves)  
Did ever wing great minds to fly to heaven;  
He that preserved mine honour, may hope boldly  
To fill a seat among the gods, and shake of  
Our frail corruption.  Leosthenes. 
Forward.  Cleo. 
Or if ever,  
The powers above did mask in humane shapes,  
To teach mortality, not by cold precepts  
Forgot as soon as told, but by examples,  
To imitate their pureness, and draw near  
To their Celestial Natures; I believe  
he's more than man.  Leost. 
You do describe a wonder.  Cleo. 
Which will increase, when you shall understand,  
He was a lover.  Leost. 
Not yours, Lady?  Cleo. 
Yes,  
Loved me, Leosthenes; Nay more, so doted,  
(If clear affections scorning gross desires  
May without wrong be styled so) that he durst not  
With an immodest syllable, or look,  
In fear it might take from me, whom he made  
The object of his better part, discover,  
I was the Saint, he sued too.  Leost. 
A rare tempter!  Cleo. 
I cannot speak it to the worth: All praise  
I can bestow upon it, will appear  
Envious detraction. Not to rack you farther,  
Yet make the miracle full; though of all men  
He hated you Leosthenes, as his rival:  
So high yet he prized my content, that knowing  
You were a man I favoured, he disdained not  
Against himself to serve you.  Leost. 
You conceal, still,  
The owner of these excellencies.  Cleo. 
'Tis Marullo,  
My Father's Bondman.  Leost. 
Ha, ha, ha!  Cleo. 
Why do you laugh?  Leost. 
To hear the labouring mountain of your praise  
Delivered of a Mouse.  Cleo. 
The man deserves not  
This scorn, I can assure you.  Leost. 
Do you call,  
What was his duty, merit?  Cleo. 
Yes, and place it,  
As high in my esteem, as all the honours  
Descended from your Ancestors, or the glory,  
Which you may call your own, got in this action;  
In which I must confess you have done nobly,  
And I could add; As I desired; but that  
I fear, 'twould make you proud.  Leost. 
Why Lady, can you  
Be won to give allowance, that your slave  
Should dare to love you?  Cleo. 
The Immortal gods  
Accept the meanest Altars, that are raised  
By pure devotions; and sometimes prefer  
An ounce of Frankincense, honey, or milk,  
Before whole Hecatombs, or Sabaean Gums  
Offered in ostentation. Are you sick Aside.  
Of your old disease? I'll fit you.  Leost. 
You seem moved.  Cleo. 
Zealous, I grant, in the defence of virtue.  
Why, good Leosthenes, though I endured,  
A penance for you sake, above example,  
I have not so far sold myself, I take it,  
To be at your devotion, but I may  
Cherish desert in others, where I find it.  
How would you tyrannize, if you stood possessed of  
That, which is only yours in expectation?  
That now prescribe such hard conditions to me?  Leost. 
One kiss, and I am silenced.  Cleo. 
I vouchsafe it;  
Yet, I must tell you, 'tis a favour, that  
Marullo, when I was his, not mine own,  
Durst not presume to ask; No, when the City  
Bowed humbly to licentious Rapes, and lust.  
And when I was of men and gods forsaken,  
Delivered to his power, he did not press me  
To grace him with one look or syllable.  
Or urged the dispensation of an oath  
Made for your satisfaction; The poor wretch  
Having related only his own sufferings,  
And kissed my hand, which I could not deny him,  
Defending me from others, never since  
Solicited my favours.  Leost. 
Pray you, end,  
The story does not please me.  Cleo. 
Well, take heed  
Of doubts, and fears; For know, Leosthenes,  
A greater injury cannot be offered  
To innocent chastity, then unjust suspicion.  
I love Marullo's fair mind, not his person,  
Let that secure you. And I here command you,  
If I have any power in you, to stand  
Between him and all punishment, and oppose  
His temperance to his folly; If you fail—  
No more, I will not threaten. Exit.  Leost. 
What a bridge  
Of glass I walk upon, over a River  
Of certain ruin: mine own weighty fears  
Cracking what should support me: And those helps,  
Which confidence lends to others, are from me  
Ravished by doubts, and wilful jealousy.   

ACTVS IV. SCAENA ultima.  Timagoras, Cleon, Asotus, Corisca, Olimpia. Cleon. 
But are you sure we are safe?  Tima. 
You need not fear,  
They are all under guard, their fangs pared off:  
The wounds their insolence gave you, to be cured,  
With the blame of your revenge.  Asotus. 
And shall I be  
The thing I was borne, my Lord?  Timagoras. 
The same wise thing;  
'Slight, what a beast they have made thee! Afric never  
Produced the like.  Aso. 
I think so: Nor the land  
Where Apes, and Monkeys, grow, like Crabs, and Walnuts  
On the same tree. Not all the Catalogue  
Of Conjurers, or wise women, bound together  
Could have so soon transformed me, as my Rascal  
Did with his whip; Not in outside only,  
But in my own belief, I thought myself  
As perfect a Baboon.  Tima. 
An Ass, thou wert ever.  Aso. 
And would have given one leg with all my heart  
For good security to have been a man  
After three lives, or one and twenty years,  
Though I had died on Crouches.  Cleon. 
Never varlets  
So triumphed o'er an old fat man: I was famished.  Tima. 
In deed you are fall'n away.  Aso. 
Three years of feeding  
On Cullises and jelly, though his cook's  
Lard all he eats with marrow, or his Doctors  
Pour in his mouth Restoratives, as he sleeps,  
Will not recover him.  Tima. 
But your Ladyship looks  
Sad on the matter, as if you had missed  
Your ten-crown Amber Possets, good to smoothe  
The Cutis, as you call it, and prepare you  
Active, and high for an afternoon's encounter,  
With a rough gamester, on your couch; fie on't,  
You are grown thrifty, smell like other women;  
The College of Physicians have not sat,  
As they were used, in council how to fill  
The crannies in your cheeks, or raise a rampire,  
With Mummy, Ceruses, or Infants fat,  
To keep off age, and time.  Cori. 
Pray you, forbear;  
I am an altered woman.  Tima. 
So it seems;  
A part of your honour's ruff stands out of rank too.  Cori. 
No matter, I have other thoughts.  Tima. 
O strange!  
Not ten days since it would have vexed you more,  
Than th'loss of your good name; Pity, this cure  
For your proud itch came no sooner! Marry, Olympia seems to bear up still.  Olimp. 
I complain not, Sir,  
I have borne my fortune patiently.  Tima. 
Thou were't ever  
An excellent bearer; so is all your tribe,  
If you may choose your carriage: How now, friend,  
Looks our Cleora lovely? Enter Leosthenes. and Diphilus with a Guard.  Leost. 
In my thoughts, Sir.  Tima. 
But why this guard?  Diphi. 
It is Timoleon's pleasure;  
The slaves have been examined, and confess,  
Their riot took beginning from your house:  
And the first mover of them to rebellion,  
Your slave Marullo.  Leost. 
Ha! I more, than fear.  Tima. 
They may search boldly.  Timand. 
You are unmannered Grooms, Enter Timandra  
To pry into my Lady's private lodgings;  
There's no Marulloes, there. Enter Diphilus With Pisander.  Timag. 
Now I suspect too;  
Where found you him?  Diphi. 
Close hid in your sister's Chamber.  Timag. 
Is that the villain's sanctuary?  Leost. 
This confirms  
All she delivered, false.  Timag. 
But that I scorn,  
To rust my good Sword in thy slavish blood,  
Thou now wert dead.  Pisander. 
he's more a slave, than Fortune,  
Or Misery can make me, that insults  
Upon unweaponed Innocence.  Tima. 
Prate, you dog?  Pisander. 
Curs snap at lions in the toil, whose looks  
Frighted them being free.  Tima. 
As a wild beast,  
Drive him before you.  Pisander. 
O Divine Cleora!  Leost. 
Dar'st thou presume to name her?  Pisander. 
Yes, and love her:  
And may say, have deserved her.  Timandra. 
Stop his mouth: Exit Guard with Pisander.  
Load him with Irons too.  Cleon. 
I am deadly sick,  
To look on him.  Asotus. 
If he get loose, I know it,  
I caper, like an Ape, again: I feel  
The whip already.  Timan. 
This goes to my Lady.  Timag. 
Come, cheer you, Sir, we'll urge his punishment  
To the full satisfaction of your anger.  Leost. 
He is not worth my thoughts; No corner left  
In all the spacious rooms of my vexed heart,  
But is filled with Cleora: And the Rape  
She has done upon her honour, with my wrong,  
The heavy burden of my sorrow's song.  Exeunt.   


ACTVS V. SCAENA I.  Archidamus, Cleor. Archida. 
Thou art thine own disposer. Were his honours  
And glories centupled, (as I must confess,  
Leosthenes is most worthy) yet I will not,  
however I may counsel, force affection.  Cleora. 
It needs not, Sir, I prize him to his worth,  
Nay, love him truly, yet would not live slaved  
To his jealous humours. Since by the hopes of heaven,  
As I am free from violence, in a thought  
I am not guilty.  Archida. 
'Tis believed Cleora,  
And much the rather, (our great gods be praised for't)  
In that I find beyond my hopes, no sign  
Of riot in my house, but all things ordered,  
As if I had been present.  Cleora. 
May that move you  
To pity poor Marullo.  Archida. 
'Tis my purpose  
To do him all the good I can, Cleora;  
But his offence being against the State,  
Must have a public trial. In the mean time  
Be careful of yourself, and stand engaged  
No farther to Leosthenes, than you may  
Come off with honour: For, being once his wife,  
You are no more your own, nor mine, but must  
Resolve to serve, and suffer his commands,  
And not dispute'em; ere it be too late,  
Consider it duly. I must to the Senate. Exit Archida.  Cleora. 
I am much distracted; in Leosthenes  
I can find nothing justly to accuse,  
But his excess of love, which I have studied  
To cure with more than common means, yet still  
It grows upon him. And if I may call  
My sufferings merit, I stand bound to think on  
Marullo's dangers; though I save his life,  
His love is unrewarded: I confess,  
Both have deserved me, yet of force must be  
Unjust to one; such is my destiny. Enter Timandra.  
How now? whence flow these tears?  Timandra. 
I have met, Madam,  
An object of such cruelty, as would force  
A Savage to compassion.  Cleora. 
Speak, what is it?  Timan. 
Men pity beasts of rapine, if o'ermatched,  
Though baited for their pleasure: but these monsters  
upon a man, that can make no resistance,  
Are senseless in their tyranny. Let it be granted,  
Marullo is a slave, he's still a man;  
A capital offender, yet in justice  
Not to be tortured, till the judge pronounce  
His punishment.  Cleora. 
Where is he?  Timand. 
Dragged to prison  
With more than barbarous violence, spurned and spit on  
By the insulting officers, his hands  
Pinioned behind his back: loaden with fetters;  
Yet, with a Saintlike patience, he still offers  
His face to their rude buffets.  Cleora. 
O my grieved soul!  
By whose command?  Timandra. 
It seems, my Lord your brothers;  
For he's a looker on: and it takes from  
Honoured Leosthenes to suffer it,  
For his respect to you, whose name in vain  
The grieved wretch loudly calls on.  Cleo. 
By Diana,  
'Tis base in both, and to their teeth I'll tell 'em  
That I am wronged in't. As going forth.  Timan. 
What will you do?  Cleo. 
In person  
Visit, and comfort him.  Timan. 
That will bring fuel  
To the jealous fires, which burn too hot already  
In Lord Leosthenes.  Cleora. 
Let them consume him;  
I am Mistress of myself. Where cruelty reigns,  
There dwells nor love, nor honour. Exit Cleora.  Timandra. 
So, it works.  
Though hitherto I have run a desperate course  
To serve my brother's purposes, now 'tis fit, Enter Leosthenes & Timagoras.  
I study mine own ends. They come. Assist me  
In these my undertakings, love's great Patron,  
As my intents are honest.  Leosthenes. 
'Tis my fault.  
Distrust from others springs, Timagoras,  
From diffidence in ourselves. But I will strive,  
With the assurance of my worth, and merits,  
To kill this monster, jealousy.  Timagoras. 
'Tis a guest  
In wisdom never to be entertained  
On trivial probabilities; but when  
He does appear in pregnant proofs, not fashioned  
By idle doubts and fears, to be received,  
They make their own horns, that are too secure,  
As well as such as give them growth, and being  
From mere imagination. Though I prize  
Cleora's honour equal with mine own;  
And know what large additions of power  
This match brings to our family; I prefer  
Our friendship, and your peace of mind so far  
Above my own respects, or hers, that if  
She hold not her true value in the test,  
'Tis far from my ambition for her cure,  
That you should wound yourself.  Timandra. 
This argues for me.  Timago. 
Why she should be so passionate for a Bondman,  
Falls not in compass of my understanding,  
But for some nearer interest; or he raise  
This mutiny, if he loved her (as you say,  
She does confess, he did) but to enjoy  
By fair or foul play, what he ventured for,  
To me's a Riddle.  Leosthenes. 
Pray you, no more; already  
I have answered that objection in my strong  
Assurance of her virtue.  Timagoras. 
'Tis unfit then,  
That I should press it further.  Timand. 
Now I must Timandra steps out distractedly.  
Make in, or all is lost.  Timagoras. 
What would Timandra?  Leosthenes. 
How wild she looks? How is it with thy Lady?  Timagoras. 
Collect thyself, and speak.  Timand. 
As you are noble,  
Have pity, or love piety. Oh!  Leosthenes. 
Take breath.  Timago. 
Out with it boldly.  Timag. 
O, the best of Ladies,  
I fear, is gone for ever.  Leosthenes. 
Who, Cleora?  Timag. 
Deliver, how. 'Sdeath, be a man, Sir, speak.  Timand. 
Take it then in as many sighs, as words  
My Lady.  Timag. 
What of her?  Timand. 
No sooner heard,  
Marullo was imprisoned, but she fell  
Into a deadly swoon.  Timago. 
But she recovered.  
Say so, or he will sink too, hold, Sir, fie,  
This is unmanly.  Timand. 
Brought again to life,  
But with much labour; she awhile stood silent,  
Yet in that interim vented sighs, as if  
They laboured from the prison of her flesh,  
To give her grieved soul freedom. On the sudden  
Transported on the wings of rage, and sorrow,  
She flew out of the house, and unattended  
Entered the common prison.  Leosthenes. 
This confirms  
What but before I feared.  Timand. 
There you may find her,  
And if you love her, as a Sister—  Timago. 
Damn her.  Timand. 
Or you respect her safety, as a lover,  
Procure Marullo's liberty.  Timag. 
Impudence  
Beyond expression.  Leost. 
Shall I be a Bawd  
To her lust, and my dishonour?  Timand. 
she'll run mad else,  
Or do some violent act upon herself.  
My Lord her Father, sensible of her sufferings.  
Labours to gain his freedom,  Leost. 
O, the Devil!  
Has she bewitched him too?  Timago. 
I'll hear no more.  
Come, Sir, we'll follow her, and if no persuasion  
Can make her take again her natural form,  
Which by lusts powerful spell she has cast off,  
This Sword shall disenchant her.  Leost. 
O my heartstrings! Exeunt Leost. and Timagoras.  Timandra. 
I knew, 'twould take. Pardon me, fair Cleora.  
Though I appear a traitress, which thou wilt do  
In pity of my woes, when I make known  
My lawful claim, and only seek mine own. Exit.   

ACTVS V. SCAENA II.  Cleora, jailor, Pisander. Cleo. 
There's for your privacy. Stay, unbind his hands.  Jailor. 
I dare not, Madam.  Cleora. 
I will buy thy danger.  
Take more gold, do not trouble me with thanks;  
I do suppose it done. Exit jailor.  Pisander. 
My better Angel  
Assumes this shape to comfort me, and wisely;  
Since from the choice of all celestial figures,  
He could not take a visible form so full  
Of glorious sweetness. Kneels.  Cleora. 
Rise. I am flesh and blood,  
And do partake thy tortures.  Pisander. 
Can it be?  
That charity should persuade you to descend  
So far from your own height, as to vouchsafe  
To look upon my sufferings? How I bless  
My fetters now, and stand engaged to Fortune  
For my captivity, no, my freedom rather!  
For who dares think that place a Prison, which  
You sanctify with your presence? or believe,  
Sorrow has power to use her sting on him,  
That is in your compassion armed, and made  
Impregnable? though tyranny raise at once  
All engines to assault him.  Cleora. 
Indeed virtue,  
With which you have made evident proofs, that you  
Are strongly fortified, cannot fall, though shaken  
With the shock of fierce temptations, but still triumphs  
In spite of opposition. For myself  
I may endeavour to confirm your goodness,  
(A sure retreat which never will deceive you)  
And with unfeigned tears express my sorrow,  
For what I cannot help.  Pisander. 
Do you weep for me?  
O save that precious balm for nobler uses,  
I am unworthy of the smallest drop,  
Which in your prodigality of pity  
You throw away on me. ten of these pearls  
Were a large ransom to redeem a kingdom  
From a consuming plague, or stop heaven's vengeance  
Called down by crying sins, though at that instant  
In dreadful flashes falling on the roofs  
Of bold blasphemers. I am justly punished  
For my intent of violence to such pureness;  
And all the torments flesh is sensible of  
A soft and gentle penance.  Cleora. 
Which is ended  
In this your free confession. Enter Leosthenes and Timagoras.  Leost. 
What an object  
Have I encountered?  Timago. 
I am blasted too:  
Yet hear a little further.  Pisander. 
Could I expire now,  
These white and innocent hands closing my eyes thus,  
'Twere not to die, but in a heavenly dream  
To be transported, without the help of Charon  
To the Elysian shades. You make me bold:  
And but to wish such happiness, I fear,  
May give offence.  Cleora. 
No, for, believe't, Marullo,  
You have won so much upon me, that I know not  
That happiness in my gift, but you may challenge.  Leosthenes. 
Are you yet satisfied?  Cleor. 
Nor can you wish,  
But what my vows will second, though it were  
Your freedom first, and then in me full power  
To make a second tender of myself,  
And you receive the present. By this kiss  
(From me a virgin bounty) I will practise  
All arts for your deliverance; and that purchased  
In what concerns your father aims, I speak it,  
Do not despair, but hope.  Timag. 
To have the Hangman,  
When he is married to the cross, in scorn,  
To say, gods give you joy.  Leost. 
But look on me,  
And be not too indulgent to your folly,  
And then (but that grief stops my speech) imagine,  
What language I should use.  Cleora. 
Against thyself.  
Thy malice cannot reach me.  Timag. 
How?  Cleora. 
So, brother;  
Though you join in the Dialogue to accuse me,  
What I have done, I'll justify; and these favours,  
Which you presume will taint me in my honour;  
Though jealousy use all her eyes to spy out  
One stain in my behaviour; or Envy  
As many tongues to wound it, shall appear  
My best perfections. For to the world  
I can in my defence allege such reasons,  
As my accusers shall stand dumb to hear 'em,  
When in his Fetters this man's worth and virtues  
But truly told shall shame your boasted glories,  
Which fortune claims a share in.  Timag. 
The base villain  
Shall never live to hear it. Enter Archid: Diphilus, and Officers.  Cleora. 
Murder, help,  
Through me you shall pass to him.  Archid. 
What's the matter?  
On whom is your Sword drawn? are you a judge?  
Or else ambitious of the hangman's office  
Before it be designed you? you are bold too,  
Unhand my daughter.  Leost. 
she's my valour's prize.  Archid. 
With her consent, not otherwise. You may urge  
Your title in the Court; if it prove good,  
Possess her freely: Guard him safely off too.  Timago. 
You'll hear me, Sir?  Archid. 
If you have aught to say,  
Deliver it in public; all shall find  
A just judge of Timoleon.  Diphilus. 
You must  
Of force now use your patience. Exeunt omnes praeter Leost and Timag.  Timag. 
Vengeance rather  
Whirlwinds of rage possess me; you are wronged  
Beyond a stoic sufferance, yet you stand,  
As you were rooted.  Leost. 
I feel something here,  
That boldly tells me, all the love and service,  
I pay Cleora, is another's due,  
And therefore cannot prosper.  Timag. 
Melancholy,  
Which now you must not yield to.  Leosthenes. 
'Tis apparent,  
In fact your sister's innocent, however  
Changed by her violent will.  Timagoras. 
If you believe so,  
Follow the chase still: And in open court  
Plead your own interest; we shall find the judge  
Our friend I fear not.  Leosthenes. 
Some thing I shall say,  
But what—  Timag. 
Collect yourself, as we walk thither. Exeunt.   

ACTVS V. SCAENA ultima.  Timoleon, Archidamus, Cleon, Officers. Timoleon. 
'tis wondrous strange! nor can it fall within  
The reach of my belief, a slave should be  
The owner of a temperance, which this age  
Can hardly parallel in freeborn Lords,  
Or Kings proud of their purple.  Archid. 
'Tis most true.  
And though at first it did appear a fable,  
All circumstances meet to give it credit;  
Which work so on me, that I am compelled  
To be a Suitor, not be denied,  
He may have equal hearing.  Cleora. 
Sir, you graced me  
With the title of your Mistress, but my fortune  
Is so far distant from command, that I  
Lay by the power you gave me, and plead humbly  
For the preserver of my fame and honour.  
And pray you, Sir, in charity believe,  
That since I had ability of speech,  
My tongue has so much been enured to truth,  
I know not, how to lie,  Timoleon. 
I'll rather doubt  
The Oracles of the gods, than question, what  
Your innocence delivers: and as far  
As justice with mine honour can give way,  
He shall have favour. Bring him in, unbound: Exeunt Officers.  
And though Leosthenes may challenge from me,  
For his late worthy service, credit to  
All things he can allege in his own cause,  
Marullo (so I think you call his name)  
Shall find, I do reserve one ear for him,  
To let in mercy. Sit and take your places; Enter Cleon, Asotus, Diphilus, Olimpia, Corisca.  
The right of this fair virgin first determined,  
Your Bondmen shall be censured.  Cleon. 
With all rigour,  
We do expect.  Corisca. 
Tempered, I say, with mercy. Enter at one door Leosthenes Timagoras at the other Officers with Pisander and Timandra.  Timol. 
Your hand Leosthenes: I cannot doubt  
You that have been victorious in the war,  
should in a combat fought with words come off,  
But with assured triumph.  Leosthenes. 
My deserts, Sir,  
(If without arrogance I may style them such)  
Arm me from doubt, and fear.  Timoleon. 
'Tis nobly spoken,  
Nor be thou daunted (howsoe'er the fortune  
Has marked thee out a slave) to speak thy merits;  
For virtue though in rags may challenge more,  
Than vice set off with all the trim of greatness.  Pisander. 
I had rather fall under so just a judge,  
Then be acquitted by a man corrupt  
And partial in his censure.  Archida. 
Note his language,  
It relishes of better breeding then  
His present state dares promise.  Timoleon. 
I observe it.  
Place the fair Lady in the midst, that both  
Looking with covetous eyes upon the prize  
They are to plead for, may from the fair object,  
Teach Hermes eloquence.  Leosthenes. 
Am I fallen so low  
My birth, my honour, and what's dearest to me,  
My love, and witness of my love, my service,  
So undervalued, that I must contend  
With one, where my excess of glory must  
Make his o'erthrow a conquest? shall my fullness  
supply defects in such a thing, that never  
Knew any thing but want and emptiness?  
Give him a name, and keep it such from this  
Unequal competition? if my pride  
Or any bold assurance of my worth,  
Has plucked this mountain of disgrace upon me,  
I am justly punished, and submit; but if  
I have been modest, and esteemed myself  
More injured in the tribute of the praise,  
Which no desert of mine prized by self-love  
Ever exacted; may this cause, and minute  
For ever be forgotten. I dwell long  
Upon mine anger, and now turn to you  
Ingrateful fair one; and since you are such,  
'Tis lawful for me to proclaim myself,  
And what I have deserved.  Cleora. 
Neglect, and scorn  
From me for this proud vaunt.  Leosthenes. 
You nourish, Lady  
Your own dishonour in this harsh reply,  
And almost prove what some hold of your sex.  
You are all made up of passion. For if reason  
Or judgement could find entertainment with you,  
Or that you would distinguish of the objects  
You look on in a true glass, not seduced  
By the false light of your too violent will,  
I should not need to plead for that, which you  
With joy should offer. Is my high birth a blemish?  
Or does my wealth, which all the vain expense  
Of women cannot waste, breed loathing in you?  
The honours I can call mine own thought scandals?  
Am I deformed, or for my Father's sins  
Mulcted by nature? if you interpret these  
As crimes, 'tis fit I should yield up myself  
Most miserably guilty. But perhaps  
(Which yet I would not credit) you have seen  
This gallant, pitch the bar, or bear a burden  
Would crack the shoulders of a weaker bondman;  
Or any other boisterous exercise,  
Assuring a strong back to satisfy  
Your loose desires, insatiate as the grave.  Cleora. 
You are foul mouthed.  Archid. 
Ill mannered too.  Leost. 
I speak  
In the way of supposition, and entreat you  
With all the fervour of a constant lover,  
That you would free yourself from these aspersions,  
Or any imputation black tongued Slander  
Could throw on your unspotted virgin-whiteness;  
To which there is no easier way, then by  
Vouchsafing him your favour; him, to whom  
Next to the General, and the gods, and fautors,  
The country owes her safety.  Timagoras. 
Are you stupid?  
'Slight leap into his arms, and there ask pardon.  
O, you expect your slave's reply, no doubt  
We shall have a fine oration; I will teach  
My Spaniel to howl in sweeter language,  
And keep a better method.  Archid. 
You forget  
The dignity of the place.  Diphi. 
Silence.  Timo. 
Speak boldly.  Pisander. 
'Tis your authority gives me a tongue,  
I should be dumb else; and I am secure,  
I cannot clothe my thoughts, and just defence  
In such an abject phrase, but 'twill appear  
Equal, if not above my low condition.  
I need no bombast language, stolen from such,  
As make Nobility from prodigious terms  
The hearers understand not; I bring with me  
No wealth to boast of, neither can I number  
Uncertain fortune's favours, with my merits;  
I dare not force affection, or presume  
To censure her discretion, that looks on me  
As a weak man, and not her fancy's Idol.  
How I have loved, and how much I have suffered,  
And with what pleasure undergone the burden  
Of my ambitious hopes (in aiming at  
The glad possession of a happiness,  
The abstract of all goodness in mankind  
Can at no part deserve) with my confession  
Of mine own wants, is all that can plead for me.  
But if that pure desires, not blended with  
Foul thoughts, that like a River keeps his course,  
Retaining still the clearness of the spring,  
From whence it took beginning, may be thought  
Worthy acceptance; then I dare rise up  
And tell this gay man to his teeth, I never  
Durst doubt her constancy, that like a rock  
Beats off temptations, as that mocks the fury  
Of the proud waves; nor from my jealous fears  
Question that goodness, to which as an Altar  
Of all perfection, he that truly loved,  
Should rather bring a sacrifice of service,  
Then raze it with the engines of suspicion;  
Of which when he can wash an Aethiop white,  
Leosthenes may hope to free himself;  
But till then never.  Timago. 
Bold presumptuous villain.  Pisan. 
I will go farther, and make good upon him  
In the pride of all his honours, birth, and fortunes,  
he's more unworthy, than myself.  Leosthenes. 
Thou liest.  Timago. 
Confute him with a whip, and the doubt decided,  
Punish him with a halter.  Pisander. 
O the gods!  
My ribs, though made of Brass can not contain  
My heart swollen big with rage. The lie! Whip? Plucks off his disguise.  
Let fury then disperse these clouds, in which  
I long have masked disguised; that when they know,  
Whom they have injured, they may faint with horror  
Of my revenge, which wretched men expect,  
As sure as fate to suffer.  Leosthenes. 
Ha! Pisander!  Timagoras. 
'Tis the bold Theban!  Asotus. 
There's no hope for me then:  
I thought I should have put in for a share,  
And borne Cleora from them both; but now  
This stranger looks so terrible, that I dare not  
So much as look on her.  Pisander. 
Now as myself,  
Thy equal, at thy best, Leosthenes.  
For you, Timagoras; praise heaven, you were borne  
Cleora's brother, 'tis your safest armour.  
But I lose time. The base lie cast upon me,  
I thus return: thou art a perjured man,  
False and perfidious: And hast made a tender  
Of love, and service to this Lady; when  
Thy soul (if thou hast any) can bear witness,  
That thou wert not thine own. For proof of this,  
Look better on this virgin, and consider  
This Persian shape laid by, and she appearing  
In a Greekish dress, such as when first you saw her,  
If she resemble not Pisander's sister,  
One, called Statilia?  Leosthenes. 
'Tis the same! my guilt  
So chokes my spirits, I can not deny  
My falsehood, nor excuse it.  Pisander. 
This is she  
To whom thou wert contracted: this the Lady,  
That when thou wert my prisoner fairly taken  
In the Spartan war, that begged thy liberty,  
And with it gave herself to thee ungrateful.  Timand. 
No more, Sir, I entreat you; I perceive  
True sorrow in his looks, and a consent  
To make me reparation in mine honour,  
And then I am most happy.  Pisander. 
The wrong done her,  
Drew me from Thebes with a full intent to kill thee:  
But this fair object, met me in my fury  
And quite disarmed more, being denied to have her  
By you my Lord Archidamus, and not able  
To live far from her, love (the Mistress of  
All quaint devices, prompted me to treat  
With a friend of mine, who as a Pirate sold me  
For a slave to you my Lord, and gave my Sister  
As a present to Cleora.  Timoleon. 
Strange Meanders!  Pisan. 
There how I bore myself needs no relation.  
But if so far descending from the height  
Of my then flourishing fortunes, to the lowest  
Condition of a man, to have means only  
To feed my eye, with the sight of what I honoured,  
The dangers to I underwent; the sufferings;  
The clearness of my interest may deserve  
A noble recompense in your lawful favour.  
Now 'tis apparent that Leosthenes  
Can claim no interest in you, you may please  
To think upon my service.  Cleora. 
Sir, my want  
Of power to satisfy so great a debt,  
Makes me accuse my fortune- but if that  
Out of the bounty of your mind, you think,  
A free surrender of myself full payment,  
I gladly tender it.  Archidamus. 
With my consent to  
All injuries forgotten.  Timagoras. 
I will study  
In my future service to deserve your favour  
And good opinion.  Leosthenes. 
Thus I gladly fee Kissing Statilia.  
This Advocate to plead for me.  Pisander. 
You will find me  
An easy judge, when I have yielded reasons  
Of your Bondmen's falling off from their obedience,  
And after, as you please, determine of me.  
I found their natures apt to mutiny  
From your too cruel usage; and made trial  
How far they might be wrought on; to instruct you  
To look with more prevention, and care  
To what they may hereafter undertake  
Upon the like occasions. The hurt's little  
They have committed, nor was ever euer  
But with some pain effected. I confess  
In hope to force a grant of fair Cleora  
I urged them to defend the Town against you;  
Nor had the terror of your whips, but that  
I was preparing of defence elsewhere  
So soon got entrance; in this I am guilty,  
Now as you please, your censure.  Timoleon. 
Bring them in,  
And though you have given me power, I do entreat  
Such as have undergone their insolence,  
It may not be offensive though I study  
Pity more than revenge.  Corisca. 
'Twill best become you.  Cleon. 
I must consent.  Asotus. 
For me I'll find a time  
To be revenged hereafter.  Gracculo, Cimbrio, Poliphron, Zanthia, and the rest with Halters. Gracculo. 
Give me leave,  
I'll speak for all.  Timoleon. 
What canst thou say to hinder  
The course of justice?  Gracculo. 
Nothing. You may see  
we are prepared for hanging, and confess  
We have deserved it. Our most humble suit is  
We may not twice be executed.  Timoleon. 
'Twice? how meanest thou!  
At the Gallows first, and after in a Ballad  
Sung to some villainous tune. There are ten-groat-rhymers  
About the Town grown fat on these occasions.  
Let but a Chapel fall, or a street be fired,  
A foolish lover hang himself for pure love,  
Or any such like accident, and before  
They are cold in their graves, some damned ditty's made  
Which makes their ghosts walk. Let the State take order  
For the redress of this abuse, recording  
'Twas done by my advice, and for my part  
I'll cut as clean a caper from the Ladder,  
As ever merry Greek did.  Timoleon. 
Yet I think  
You would show more activity to delight  
Your Master for a pardon.  Gracculo. 
O, I would dance Capers.  
As I were all air, and fire.  Timoleon. 
And ever be  
Obedient and humble?  Gracculo. 
As his Spaniel,  
Though he kicked me for exercise, and the like  
I promise for all the rest.  Timoleon. 
Rise then, you have it.  All slaves. Timoleon, Timoleon! Timoleon. 
Cease these clamours.  
And now the war being ended to our wishes,  
And such as went the pilgrimage of love,  
Happy in full fruition of their hopes,  
'Tis lawful thanks paid to the powers divine,  
To drown our cares in honest mirth, and Wine. Exeunt.   
FINIS.