Microcosmus. A MORAL MASK, PRESENTED WITH general liking, at the private house in SALISBURY Court, and here Set down according to the intention of the Author THOMAS NABBES. Debent et prodesse, et delectare Poetae. LONDON, Printed by RICHARD OULTON for Charles Greene, and are to be sold at the white Lion in Paul's Churchyard. 1637. TO THE SERVICE AND DELIGHT OF ALL TRULY NOBLE, GENEROUS AND HONEST SPIRITS, THE AUTHOR THOMAS NABBES dedicateth both his LITTLE WORLDS. To his dear friend the Author upon his MICROCOSMUS. THE knowledge of the little World of old Lived in Philosophers, who barely told Man 'twas himself. Thy learning and thy wit By breathing life and action into it Have made that knowledge full. Here when may see Presented what they ought, what not to be; Inform and please themselves, and cry it good. (The World's not wise oft in such gratitude.) Were the restraint ta'en off, our ears and sight Should fetch new shares of profit and delight From this thy work or World, and the supplies That shall from thy Divine Minerva rise. And friend I hope the stage again will shine, In part for mine own sake as well as thine. RICH. BROOME. To his beloved friend Master Thomas Nabbes. SEEING thy Microcosmus, I began To contemplate the parts that make up Man A little World. I found each Moral right: All was instruction mingled with delight. Nor are thine like those Poets looser rhymes That wait upon the humours of the times: But thou dost make by thy Poetic rage A School of Virtue of a common Stage. Me thinks the ghosts of Stoics vex to see Their doctrine in a Masque unmasqued by thee. Thou mak'st to be expressed by action more, Then was contained in all their Books before. WILL. CUFAUDE. The errors escaped in the Press are not such, but that the apparent oversight of the Corrector may prevent thy taxing me of ignorance. I therefore have omitted to express them. The Persons figured. Nature. A fair Woman in a white robe wrought with birds, beasts, fruits, flowers, clouds, stars, &c. on her head a wreath of flowers interwoven with stars. janus. A man with two faces signifying providence, in a yellow robe, wrought with snakes as he is Deus anni: on his head a crown. He is Nature's husband. Fire. A fierce countenanced young man, in a flame-coloured robe, wrought with gleams of fire. His hair red; and on his head a crown of flames. His creature a Vulcan. Air. A young man of a variable countenance, in a blue robe, wrought with diverse coloured clouds. His hair blue; and on his head a wreath of clouds. His creature a Giant or Silvane. Water. A woman in a Seagreen robe wrought with waves. Her hair a Seagreen, and on her head a wreath of seggs bound about with waves. Her creature a Siren. Earth. A young woman of a sad countenance, in a grass-green robe, wrought with sundry fruits and flowers. Her hair black, and on her head a chapler of flowers. Her creature a Pigmy. Love. A Cupid in a flame coloured habit; Bow and quiver, a crown of flaming hearts, &c. Physander. A perfect grown man in a long white robe, and on his head a garland of white Lilies and Roses mixed. His name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Choler. A Fencer. His clothes red. Blood. A dancer in a watchet coloured suit. Phlegm. A Physician. An old man, his doublet white and black, trunk hose. Melancholy. A Musician. His complexion hair and clothes black: a Lute in his hand. He is likewise an amourist. Bellamina. A lovely woman in a long white robe: on her head a wreath of white flowers. She signifies the soul. Bonus Genius. An Angel in a like white robe: wings & wreath white. Malus Genius. A devil in a black robe: hair, wreath and wings black. The 5. Senses. Seeing a Chambermaid. Hearing the usher of the Hall. Smelling a Huntsman or Gardner. Tasting a Cook. Touching a Gentleman-usher. Sensuality. A wanton woman richly habited, but lasciviously dressed, &c. Temperance. A lovely woman of a modest countenance: her garments plain, but decent, &c. A Philosopher. An Eremite. A Plough man. A Shepherd. All properly habited. 3. Furies. As they are commonly fancied. Fear. The crier of the Court, with a tipstaff. Conscience. The judge of the Court. Hope and despair. An advocate and a Lawyer. The other 3. virtues. As they are frequently expressed by Painters. The Heroes. In bright antique habits, &c. The Front. Of a workmanship proper to the fancy of the rest, adorned with brass figures of Angels and Devils, with several inscriptions: The Title in an Escocheon supported by an Angel and a Devil. Within the arch a continuing perspective of ruins, which is drawn still before the other scenes whilst they are varied. The Inscriptions. Hinc gloria. Appetitus boni. Hinc poena. Appetitus mali. MICROCOSMUS. For the first Act. After a confused noise and Music out of tune, Nature enters as amazed at it. WHat horror wakes me! and disturbs the peace I sat enthroned in? shall dissension ruin Eternal acts? Hath the great deity Made me his instrument, and shall my power Be slighted so by their rebellious difference? Cease mutiny, or be your own destructions. Accurst confusion that neglects the form Nature prescribes. I rather would preserve ye: That in distinguished order ye might show The glory of my work; each in his sphere Subscribing to my better government. But my commands are useless. Their deaf wills Persist to act their own and my sad ills. To her janus. Where's my delight I whence is this sad dejection? How amazed Nature stands I Have our embraces Brought forth a race of elemental forms That live in simple bodies, to be made Pregnant for other births, and will she now Neglect their teeming? I would be a Grandfather, And see my issue multiply. Nature. Oh husband! Our union hath been vain; our offspring proves A rebel to our peace, and nature's laws. Light fire descends to earth, beneath whose weight He groans to be delivered, till with struggling He lifts earth up, in whose repression air Contracts his forces to extinguish fire. Again; fire from this mutinous assault Doubles his strength; when straight ambitious water Climbing his seat consumes herself in flames. Thus fire, air, water, earth, each would be all, And are made neither; but a confused mass, And indigested Chaos. janus. Am I janus, (The figure of eternal providence) And shall this disobedience scape the stroke Of my sever'st correction? Fire I shall lash you, And make your nimble pyramids skip upward. I'll chain earth to her centre. Air had best Confine himself to his three regions, Or else I'll disinherit him. If water Exceed her bounds. To them the four Elements, with their several 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, (which Paracelsus calleth homines spirituales) playing on antique instruments out of tune. Nat. See; the dissentious come Mazed in the errors of their own confusion: As if their dissolution should precede Their yet not perfect being. How my griefs Press down the organs of my utterance, And choke words in their passage! Speak good janus. jan. Ye disobedient children of that love That joined us to produce ye. Fire. Stop good father, Our wills are deaf to counsel. Air. Or to threats. Set both your brows with wrinkles, and put on Th' austerest anger, we'll be awed by none But our own wills. Wat. I'll quench my brother's flames, Or burn myself into him. My cold moisture Shall not be tied t' embrace as cold a sister, And not ascend above them. Earth. I'll be active As air or fire. Else with my ponderous weight▪ I'll press their climbing heads beneath my centre; And by inversion bury them within me, Till earthquakes shatter all, and small ruin Dilate their passage. Fire. Are we not one birth? Why then should there be a precedency, And not an equal power of all first qualities? Be not you partial parents, we'll obey The government of nature. Air. Otherwise With our own strength we'll prosecute this war Till ruin stop's it. jan. Stubborn boys, I'll yoke ye In such a bondage. Nat. Gentle husband try Persuasions strength: Perhaps 'twill better work Upon the temper of their fiercer nature. I am your mother; let me reconcile ye: That in your peace I may preserve the order Of my intended work. Should fire forsake His lofty mansion, and infect his flames With grosser weight, it would benumb his activeness, And make his motion dull. Were my pure air Pent in his sister's entrailes, her foul veins Would soon infect him. What creation meant In your diversities, your rash ambitions Must not pervert. Since providence hath made ye The means for many ends, dispute not them, Nor your own thought-defects: each is supplied With a perfection, and an equal worth Distinguished in proportion; but the excellence Of your own attributes cannot appear, Whilst you disturb the distribution Of them to other forms, which from your mixtures Must enter different bodies of the first, Second, third, fourth, fifth composition. Vapours & exhalations; meteors; vegetables And minerals; animals, and lastly man, Homo dicitur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; non ab humo, ut alij volunt. Called so from concord▪ for he doth contain A harmony of parts, and in them figure His end of being. Let not then your wills Persist in this rebellious mutiny, And hinder high intendments. Pray agree, And leave the reason of such acts to me. Fire. Vain oratory. Think you us so easy To be o'ercome by words! swell high my rage, And with licentious fury break the ties Of these too weak commands. Air. Let's on to fight, Whilst the yet discord of the untuned spheres Add's courage, and delights our warlike ears. The 4. Elements and their creatures dance a confused dance to their own antique musics: in which they seem to fight with one another: and so go forth confusedly. Nat. What shall we do? The universal fabric Will be everted, if this war continue: Let's sue to Love; his power may be prevailing. To them Love. Love. See; Love appears at thy request. Thou cause of motion and of rest. Thou greater powers great substitute, Whose will and acts none must dispute. Thou that form'st the best of things From thought-impossibles, and brings Contrary matters to produce Another difference, than the use Of a mere quality in one Can work unto perfection. Thou that thy secrets dost unlock To propagate a lasting stock; And multiply that th' issue might Be little less than infinite. Thou mother of all that is found Within this universal round, What is thy will with Love? Nat. Oh gentle power Thou that art Nature's soul, and the beginning Of every humane thing: that giv'st them laws, And to thyself art law. Figure of peace; That to thy godheads attribute an next The quiet order of the world's vast frame To have its form and being from thy rule; Which must be now imperious or its ruin Will prevent time. The mutinous elements Have razed rebellion, and disjointed quite The order of their fabric. The pure heavens (Whose motion should be harmony) roll cross, And bend their Axletree, till both the poles Do kiss each others ends. Then rectify Great Love this dire confusion. Love. Straight I'll do it. Can Love deny if Nature woo it. The heavens first in tune I'll set; And from their music soon beget A charm, of power to make light fire Skip to his sphere, and earth retire To her parched den. The subtle air I'll calm from mists, and make it fair, And water with her curled waves sweep The bounded channels of the deep, That order may succeed, and things Grow perfect from their lasting springs. Move right ye spheres in concord sound, And with your music fill this round. Whilst the following song is singing, the first Scene appears; being a sphere in which the 4. Elements are figured, and about it they sit embracing one another. The Song. Hence confusion and dissension. Be no more new form's prevention, Crossing still A mother's will, And Nature's great intention. Concord is the soul of being. Nothing's better than agreeing. Chorus. Then let embraces crown this times beginning, Loves power is winning. And when he throws the darts that arm his hands, Who can resist his great commands? Nat. Nature must pay Love thanks for this great work Of reconciliation. May the peace Be lasting as yourselves, and no ambition Move a new war: but from your loving mixtures New generation follow. Love. Spheres again Your brazen trebles higher strain. And lusty moving sounds advance To make us active whilst we dance. The dance. Now to the other work: our art Shall make all perfect ere we part. They return into the Scene, and it closeth. For the Second Act. Physander led in by janus. jan. Come forth thou son of earth, and view the day That glories in the presence of thy beauty. Phys. What am I? My imperfect sense is yet Vnapprehensive, and the intellect My mother hath inspired, doth not instruct me To know myself. jan. Look up thou masterpiece Of Nature's workmanship, thou little world: Thou that excel'st in form, that comprehends All the perfections which her curious hand Designed and finished: That when other creatures Behold the earth, and with dejected eyes Look downwards on't, hast an erected figure To see the stars, and contemplate their beings, Celestial causes, and their influence, Whence great effects ensue: Thou that hast speech To be thy thoughts interpreter, expect A farther act of Love to crown thy life By joining thee to an immortal wife. Exit. Phys. Receive my thanks great power. I yet am mazed, And wander in a labyrinth of thoughts, That throng confusedly together, striving Who should first issue, till their multitude Chokes up the passage. Oh ye powers that made me To be a King, and to have sovereignty Annexed unto my difference, send me quickly The glorious guide that may remove this darkness. To him the 4. Complexions. Phys. Ha! what are these? Chol. You may go look. Yet if you ask me mildly, perhaps I'll answer you. Blood. We are sent to be your servants. Phys. By whom? Our parents, the four Elements. Phys. Your names? Chol. My name is Choler. I was begot by Fire on Nature's Cookmaid in the time of a Festival. I was dry nursed by a lean Butterwife, and bred up in Mars his Fencing-school: where I have learned a mystery that consists in lying, distance and direction; pace, space and place; Time, motion and action; progression, reversion and traversion; blows, thrusts, falses, doubles, ships and wards; closings, gripes and wrestlings; fights guardant, open, variable and close. Then have we our stocatas, imbrocatas, mandritas, puintas and puintas reversas; our stramisons, passatas, carricadas, amazzas and incartatas. Phys. And what's all this? Chol. Terms in our dialect to puzzle desperate ignorance. Phys. What's yours? Blood. My name is Blood. Aire was my father, and my mother a light-heeled madame that kept a vaulting-schoole at the sign of Virgo. As she was one day practising a high triole she lost her hold, and fell down into my father's regions, where had not he kind man stopped her about though middle, she had broke her neck against a rock of Ice that hung beneath her, and Blood had not been as he is, a Dancer sir. Phys. What art skilled in? Blood. Garbs and postures of the body. Here's an honour for a Lord; a back-fall for a Lady, and a high rising is best in an active gallant. But pardonne moy monsieur, it do strain a de back too much. Here's a traverse for a nimble Lawyer. A hop and skip shall raise the son of a Cobbler well underlaid with pieces to the government of a province, till overmuch ambitious cutting wears him into his Last. A turn above ground for a Mercurial pickpocket, and an easy passage to destruction for him that danceth after infected wantonness▪ Cum multis aliis. Phys. And what's your name? Phle. Phlegm mine sir. Water was my mother, and she made me a Physician. I was nursed by Apollo's Hearbwife that dwells at the sign of the Crab, and she taught me to go backwards. Phys. And what can you do? Phle. Live by the inspection of excrements, and draw aurum palpabile out of them. Kill any one cum privilegio artis. I am Venus Midwife, and trusted with many secrets, which I never reveal but to my Apothecary when we meet at Libra to share and settle our correspondence. Your Physician will serve you at your death sir. Physa. Now your name? Melan. I am called Melancholy. I was begotten on the earth after a great drought in the time of barrenness: who breeding me up hardly, enabled me the better for this hungry profession. I would feign be in love; but having no other mistress. I am enforced to love mine own humour. Physa. All these are humours, and must be my servants. What a vast bounty have the heavens given me? But I must labour to preserve them regular, And not exceeding their proportion's Blood skipping about, justles Choler. Of substance or of quality, for than They will be masters. Disagreeing! Chol. He hath stirred me sir, and I will be angry. Blood. Then Phlegm must cool you. Chol. Phlegme's a fool. Melan. Or a Physician. Phleg. Choler, you must be taken down. Chol. I'll soon be up again. Provoke me no more: I am adust with rage, and will make you an odd number. Phys. Come, this agrees not with a servants duty. You must subscribe to order. Phlegm shall be My substitute to moderate these jarrings. And if hereafter any one transgress But in the least dissension that disturbs The quiet of my state, he shall correct it; Nor spare himself. For in a government Th' offence is greatest in the instrument That hath the power to punish; and in laws The author's trespass makes the foulest cause. Recorders. What admiration works upon my sense! I hear and see such objects as would make Creation doubtful whether she were perfect Without these parts. Into what strange delights I'm hurried on the sudden? ha! The second Scene is here discovered, being a perspective of clouds, the inmost glorious, where Bellamina sits betwixt Love and Nature; behind her the Bonus and Malus Genius. Nat. Look hither Thou comfort of my love that gave thee being To figure greater power. See, Love hath brought Thy wish a spouse of's own immortal race, Clad in the glory of her innocence. Do not defile her, yet she's virgin white, And joined unto thee, that thou mayst enjoy Knowledge and virtue, not thy sensual pleasures, For being linked unto thee she is made As sensible of thy corrupted passions, As thou of mortal griefs. Let her direct Thy powers of appetite. she'll show thee heaven, And the reward of good; and if thou miss The path she guides thee in, thou wilt enforce her To share thy ruin, and pervert the ends Of her eternity. Which if thou tread By her directions, she communicates, And makes thee like herself. She must be changed According to thy disposition. Then let my counsel be so deep impressed The prosecution of't may make thee blessed. Whilst the following song is singing, they descend from the Scene and present Bellamina to Physander. Love. Fairest of all earthly things, Mount thy thoughts upon the wings Of contemplation, and aspire. To reach at my supernal fire: Whose heat shall purge thy spouse and thee From all dregs of impurity. Let no falser love delight Thy sense deluding appetite To seek out other wantons led, So heaven at length shall crown thy head. The Song. Descend thou fairest of all creatures, Graced with all thy heavenly features, In whom all perfections shine; For thou art In every part Little less than divine. Take thy Bride and enjoy her, But not with soul desires annoy her: For she is white And hath no true delight But what is given From the desire of heaven. Chorus. Now join, and each to other happy prove. That neither may Be led astray To seek a stranger love. Love and Nature return to the Scene, and it closeth▪ Phys. After my sacrifice of vows and thanks Let me embrace with reverence, Oh my life. And better soul: joy hath possession taken Of all my faculties, and gives a welcome To these delights. Bella. Do not abuse them then, For my pure substance will admit no mixture With any thing that's earthy, lest it should Be so defiled. Together with myself I must bestow on thee two different servants. The one is like myself, all innocence, The other's clad in an infernal robe Of malice to us, and will tempt thy frailty To lose desires, from her black invention Forging aspersions on me to divert Thy love: which I so prize, my bliss or ruin Hath sole dependence on it. If she urge Those accusations, deaf thy understanding To her suggestions, and inform thy reason Only from th' other, who best knows my passions, Powers and habits: thou wast made for me To be my instrument, and I for thee. Bella. And when I do forsake thee, or infect My looser thoughts with any other object Then thy wished good, may I be made th'example Of imbecility; the spoil of time; Mockery of fortune; image of inconstancy; The scale of envy and calamity. And this fair structure (now by these upheld) Be buried in its own and their lad ruins. Chol. I am angry at it. We shall have moral now instead of Martial discipline. Challenges will be proclaimed cowardice: and every white-livered silk-skinned Lady-courtier will answer a man's anger with, if it were not for the law and conscience. If no body will provoke me, I'll quarrel with myself. Phleg. Take heed Choler of a halter. Chol. Phlegm thou art a Mountebank, and I will make thee quake. Melan. Not so hot good Choler. I am partaking, and as discontented at this match as envy can make me. I could hatch a conspiracy to sever them, should cause posterity attribute all Matchiavillianisme to Melancholy. Blood. Blood's prevented, and the expectation of so many children begot on several mothers that should dote on the quivering of my calves, and the strength of my back is utterly frustrate. No Lady of liberty must admire this passage, or that skipping, till her veins swell with my addition. I must no more run here and there to tickle her sense, and fright the green-sickness from her complexion. Mela. Shall it be a plot? Chol. Let's kill them presently. Phleg. But the means? Blood. Why, is not Phlegm a Physician? Phys. Come my kind servants, let your active limbs Move to delight us, whilst the spheres agree To guide your measures with their harmony. A dance, wherein the complexions express themselves in their differences: the two Genij always opposite in the figure, and the Malus Genius stealing many times to Physander, whispers in his ear. I am disturbed within; a new desire Whet's appetite of pleasure in some change, Such as may touch the sense without a scruple Of wedlock's breach. Hence with these laws of conscience That would set limits to what's infinite. Two kisses more will cloy me▪ nought can relish But variation. Mal. Gen. Harken then to me. Leave this strict Bride that curbs licentious will, And rayn's it with her temperance. Liberty Makes delight full and swelling: it must feed On several objects, else 'twill glut itself Into a loathing. Phys. I applaud thy counsel, And am prepared to act it. Bella. Ha! Physander. So suddenly forgetful of thy vows Before full consummation of those rites Crown Bridegrooms happy? Bon. Goe Be not thus misled By her malicious envy. She but shows thee The easy path to ruin, whose broad entrance Painted with falsest pleasures, ends in a point Of all the ills attend our misery Contracted into one. Though virtue's way Be hard and straight to enter, yet the end Reacheth to heaven, where her fair hand bestows wreath of bright stars to crown deserving brows. Phys. Whisper that still; each accent's musical. The mere conceit of it makes me immortal. Hence; 〈◊〉 converse is hateful. I'll not tie Desire to such embraces. I'll enjoy A mistress fit and sportive; that can vary All shapes of dalliance, and present delight Each minute in a several fashion. Guide me, I'll follow. Compl. And we will attend. Exeunt. Bella. Wretched Bellamina, that in the instant Of thy expected comfort, shouldst be thrown Below all misery! O that lustful sense Should cause divorce betwixt us! I am lost Almost beyond recovery, since my substance Must be partaking of his hated ills: Such is the fate of wedlock. His content Exit with Bon. Genius. In false delights, must be my punishment. For the third Act. Physander richly habited. Malus Genius, the four Complexions. Phys. I'm bravely sitted; these are fitting ornaments. Come my best prompter, with endeavours wings Let's cut the air, and strain our motion, Till we attain this bower of Sensuality. And let the repetition of her praise Sweeten my painful longings. My desire Fee'ls many throes of travail; till delivered Of its sweet issue. Mal. Goe You must suffer for't. Pleasures whose means are easy, in the end Do lose themselves. Things only are esteemed And valued by their acquisition. Should you win her delights without some pains, They would not relish. Whilst your expectation Labours with the event, prepare yourself To court it bravely. she's high-spirited; And will not stoop to every common bait That catcheth easy wantonness. Phys. What's the best? Chol. A rough Soldier's phrase; a strong back, and a brawny limb: bait her with these she'll bite home. If she be coy, kick her in the breech, and cry farewell: after a few dissembling tears she'll yield with the greater appetite. If she refused me, I'd kill her. Blood. Could you but dance sir, and show yourself active before her, 'twere impossible for her to hold out till the discovery of one knave 'mongst many officers. Dancing is the most taking: if a man rise well, his Mistress cannot choose but fall. Phleg. Court her with solid language, and such discourse as may relish of aged experience. Express your thoughts such, and your actions such, as she may conceive judgement to be entailed upon you. If she be virtuous, that wins upon her soul, and let your Physician alone with her body: If she be wanton, Phlegm can administer provocatives. Melan. Might I advise you sir, a passion at Courtship were more powerful. Let a sigh be the period of every amorous sentence. Sing her some pathetic madrigal full of cromatick flats: 'twill sharpen her. I would have all lovers begin and end their pricksong with Lachryme, till they have wept themselves as dry as I am. Phys. The air me thinks begins upon a sudden To be perfumed, as if Arabian winds Scattered their spices loosely on the face Of some rich earth, fruitful with aromates. Music breathes forth the soul of harmony. Music. How eagerly my senses catch these objects! To them the 5. Senses. But what are these? Mal. Goe Servants to Sensuality That wait her will, and with a diligence Becoming duty do prepare her pleasures. they're sent to entertain you. Phys. What their names, And offices? Seeing. Seeing mine sir. I am my Lady's Chambermaid, and the daughter of a Glasse-maker. A piece of brittle ware, and apt to be cracked. I have been often cemented together, but could never hold above a month. Through me sir you may see my Lady's secrets, and mine own are at your service when you shall command their revelation. Hear. My name's Hearing. I am usher of the Hall, and the trumpet that proclaims dinner ready with, Gentlemen, and Yeomen. When my Lady removes to her City privacy (for she keeps open house in the Country) I am the foreman at her Gate, with an instrument of correction for the offensive beggars. If you love noise sir, my wife and myself are at your service. Phys. Pray sir your name? Smell. Mine is Smelling. I am my Lady's Huntsman, and keep some lesser beagles for her chamber-use to excuse the freeness of her necessities eruptions. I play the Gardener likewise, and attend her always when she goes to pluck a Rose. My Mistress Cloaca had a very stinking breath, before Misackmos perfumed her, and she is now grown less common, then when her imperfections lay open. When you will use me sir, you shall always have me under your nose. Phys. And what's yours? Taste. Tasting mine sir. I am my Lady's Cook, and King of the Kitchen: where I rule the roast; command imperiously, and am a very tyrant in my office. My Subjects being all Soldiers are daily encountered by most fierce stomachs, and never returned but maimed and dismembered. Brawn, Beef, and Pork are always mustered in the van, and bring up Veal, Mutton, Minc'tpye, Goose, Turkey, Duck, and so forth. I have a sort of cowardly Custards, borne in the City, but bred up at Court, that quake for fear: yet are as valiant in suffering as the rest, and are all overcome even by the women with much noise. I then send forth a fresh supply of Rabits, Pheasant, Kid, Partridge, Quail, Lark, Plover, Tele, Tarts, &c. With a French troop of Pulpatoones, Mackaroones, Kickshaws, grand and excellent. The battle ended, I survey the field; and those whom I find untouched, I place in garrison in my larder: the rest endure a new and fierce assault by the valiant Serving-men. I than repairs my broken army; see their overthrow at supper; drink myself drunk; go to bed, and my that day's fury's over. I'll be your servant sir in spite of your teeth. Phys. Now yours? Touch. Touching mine. I am my Lady's Gentleman-usher, and kill Spiders for her Monkey. I am always her foreman in public, and sometimes in private: which makes way for me to her favour in reversion, if she survive two or three defective husbands, and her yet uncloyed appetite can pretend an expectation of issue. Mean time a handfull of eringoes and a little tickling weds me and the waiting women in her closet with more vows and protestations than a wanting gallant makes when he borrows money. We will conduct my Lady to her Bower, where she prepares to entertain you. Exit. Phys. Me thinks I am transformed into a happiness Cannot be figur'd. If before enjoying The expectation can beget such bliss, What will possession? Phleg. Shall I question you sir Cook? Taste. questionless a Cook can answer a Physician. Phleg. What Physical observations have you in your sauces, and condiments? Shall I instruct you? Taste. I thank you sir. My method is to dress Pheasant, Partridge and Coney for Lords, but their Ladies many times make the sauce. The waiting women are fed with Wagtails. I prepare tongues for Lawyers: most commonly Woodcocks for Alderman's Heirs, and Puddings for costive Citizens; whose wives must have flesh of a Court-dressing, or their bellies will never be full. Your projectors feed upon Calves-braines, and your students upon innocent Mutton. Chol. I hope sir our after familiarity will be the often taking down of choler's stomach. We should agree well; we both love fire. Tast. And Choler shall not want his Brawn whilst Cookery and Winter feasts last. I must in and look to my roast, of which at dinner you shall most plentifully taste. Exit. Phys. I am inflamed. My appetite begins To burn with hot desires; and if protraction Delay their satisfying, they'll consume Themselves and me. Mal. G. She comes: these sounds forerun her. During the following Song, the third Scene is discovered, being a pleasant arbour, with perspectives behind it, of a magnific building: in the midst thereof Sensuality sits. The Song. Flow flow delight, And pleasures swell to height. Drown every eye with joyful tears. And fill the ears With sounds harmonious as the spheres. Let every sense be ravished quite With a large fullness of delight. Chorus. join all ye instruments of pleasure; And from th' abundance of your treasure Choose out one t'enrich this bower, And make the Mistress of this paramour. Phys. Elysium sure is here, and that eternity I lately dreamt of. Sens. Let mine eyes first gaze Upon his figure. 'Tis a heavenly creature, And worthy my embraces, I have yet Conversed with earthy shapes, the baser issue Of that gross element, but here's a form Mingled with fire, that moves the soul of sense, And kindles passion in me. What was she Durst aim to prepossess herself of him My mouth can only challenge? Welcome sir. If my expressions suit not entertainment Of such a guest, creation must be blamed That gave none other; for what ere in nature Is found that can affect you, here 'tis stored; And shall be all exhausted to declare How much I love you. Phys. You in throne me Lady In happiness, above the difference Of that my birth can boast. You make me perfect: And every touch of this delicious hand, cheek, lip immortallize me. Sens. ope my treasury, And let it waste to emptiness. Wilt please Thine eyes? we'll mount a Chariot made of diamonds, Whose lights reflection shall create a day In the Cimmerian valleys. From some height We will survey the earth, and where weak beams Cannot extend themselves, we'll have an optic Shall show us in an instant all the hemisphere. we'll see the fair Arcadian Virgins hunt In their Parthenian groves. we'll count the beasts Lurk in Hucanias' dens; number the pines That crown Lycaus. Phys. You are the only object Mine eyes would gaze at. Sens. Would thine cares be blessed With pleasing sounds? The eyrie Choristers Shall strain their throats by art, and harmony Call down the spheres to make her consort up. Phys. Your words are only music. Sens. For thy smell Saba shall be translated where thou go'st, And strew thy path with spices. Panther's skins Shall be thy couch, and amber pave the floor Where thy foot treads. This breath's perfume enough To create a Phoenix, Wouldst delight thy taste? Then Samlan Peacocks, and Ambracian kid, Hens of Numidia, Pheasants, Phenicopters, Tartesian lampreys; Eels of Benacus, Cockles of Lucan; Eleusinian Plaise Shall fill thy dish, and thousand changes more To whet new appetite. Shalt drink no wine But what Falernus or Portuguese Aulon Yield from their grapes. Phys This kiss is more than Nectar. Sens. Shalt sleep upon a bed of purest down, Driven from white necks of Caysters' Swans, And Peneus sparrows. With Assyrian silks I'll clothe thy body. Phys. But this touch is softer. You ravish me with joys beyond expression. Chol. Why, this is rare. I am not angry. Blood I am very joyful: this tickles me. Phle. And makes me young. Mel. And me merry. Tast. Now my licentiate murderer, what say you to a dish of gluttony will bread the gout in a Lord before a beggar can break his fast with it? Are not we cooks good instruments? who together with an Hospital of sin cause diseases faster than you can cure them? Sens. A livelier music, come sweet heart we'll dance. A familiar Country dance. How doth my sweetheart like it? I do not with an economic strictness Observe my servants, and direct their actions: Pleasure is free. To them Bellanima in mourning, Bon. Gen. But what sad object's this? Bella. I come to snatch a Husband from thine arms Lascivious strumpet; thou whose looser eyes Bewitched his ill affection, and entice His thoughts with wanton appetite of sense, From my chaste love. Doth not Physander see Ruin hid under every bait of pleasure; She lays to catch him? Sens. Laugh at her sweet heart, Thou art secure in these embraces. Bella. Do not Afflict me thus. Those false dissembling kisses Wound me to death. Return unto my bosom, That never shall be warm with other's touch. she's common, and will mix her lustful blood Even with beasts. Sens. 'tis but her envy to me. Bella. Let not her Siren charms bewitch thee thus Unto a shipwreck. Every smile of hers Shadow's a rock to split thee: in my arms Shalt sleep as safe as if the clouds did guard thee. Am I not fair? Shoot not mine eyes a fire As lively? grow not colours on my cheeks, Brighter than those that paint her rottenness; And will Physander leave me? Did I not Forsake th'aethereal Palace of my father, To be thine only? and a whore to rival me! Oh misery! Phys. The art barren of those pleasures I here enjoy. Bella. What pleasures? guilded ones, To mock thy sense; their inside's bitterness. Return, with me shalt find delights, As far exceeding these as the great day Starr His pale cheeked sister, or nights lesser beauties. A thousand winged intelligences daily Shall be thy ministers, and from all parts Inform thee of the World's new accidents. Shalt from their scanning frame by my advice, Rules of prevention; shalt command all arts; As handmaids; Shalt converse with Heaven and Angels; And after all I'll bring thee to Elysium. Cold there compels no use of rugged furs, Nor makes the mountains barren. there's no dog To rage and scorch the harvest labourer: Whilst the lascivious Landlord wastes th'increase In prodigal contrivements, how t' allay The furious heat with artificial snows, And drinks his wine in ice. Spring's always there, And paints the valleys: whilst a temperate air Sweeps their embroidered face with his cursed gales, And breaths perfumes, no Persian aromates: Pontic Amomus, or Indian balsam Can imitate. There night doth never spread Her ebon wings; but daylight's always there, And one blessed season crown th' eternal year. Phys. He hear no more: nor can I be so credulous Having possession, to expect such fables. Here I am fixed. Bella. And I made miserable. Sens. Let's in to feast, and revel; and at night Shalt be possessed of a more full delight. Exeunt. Bel. Thus doth chaste wedlock suffer. Heavenly servant Whisper some powerful counsel in his ear, That may reclaim him. If it works, return, And bring me comfort, who till then must mourn. Exeunt severally. For the Fourth Act. Tasting, the 4. Complexions drunk, each having a bottle of Wine in his hand. Tast. The other health my boys. Phle. No more health if you love me. Tast. Indeed health agrees not with your profession. Coll. But we will have more health, and less health; or I will make a close stool pan of your Physician's noddle. Tast. Good brother Choler he pacified. Choll. I will not be pacified. He that denies health let him think himself dead ere he pronounce it. choler's dry. Mela. So is Melancholy. Blood. Blood would be heated better. Phle. And Phlegm moistened. Choll. Blood's a skip-jack, and I will make him caper. Tast. Nay brother Choler, thou art so cross. Mela. And will she not return? then may the Sun Stable his horses ever, and no day Guild the black air with light. If in mine eye she be not placed, what object can delight it? Taste Excellent amourist. Here's to thee Melancholy. Mela. What do I see? blush gray-eyed morn, and spread Thy purple shame upon the mountain tops: Or pale thyself with envy, since here comes A brighter Venus, than the dull-eyd star, That lights thee up Tast. Very fine Law now: Melancholy hath been some neglected Courtier: he's perfect in she-flattery. If he mistake me for the idol of his passion, I'll abuse him. Mela. Oh let me kiss those pair of red twinned cherries. That do distil Nepenthe. Tast. kiss and spare not. Bite not the cherry stones and eat, I care not. Mel. Oh turn not from me; let me smell the gums, Which thy rich breath creates. Tast. As for my gums you ' l find Sweeter here. I have no rotten teeth behind. Blood. This leg's not right. Tast. I know it. 'Tis my left. Blood. Carry your toes wider. Tast. Take heed that I foot not you. Blood. Now do your cinque pass cleanly. Tast. My cinque pass cleanly! A cook defies it. Chol. You lie too open. Guard yourself better, or I shall bang your coat. Phle. 'Tis a dangerous water. Here's an hypostasis argues a very bad stomach. Tast. Some Soldier perhaps that vows his Pay. Phleg. This sediment betokens a great swelling in the belly. Tast. 'Tis some Chambermaid sick of a Midwife's timpany. Phleg. 'Twere good she changed air. Remove her into the Country, and if she fall again into the green-sickness, she knows the cure. This water argues a great heartburning. Tast. 'Tis a Lovers that: or some misers that drank small beer in the Dog-days at his own charges. Phleg. The owner of this hath an imposthume in his head, and it is near breaking. Tast. Perhaps 'tis a Fencers, or some Shopkeepers, whose wife sells underhand by retail. Phleg. Let him compound for his light wife, and he may be cured without the charity of an Hospital. To them Physander sick. Phys. How on a sudden my delights are clouded? As when a surfeit makes the pleasant dish That caused it more distasteful than th'offence Of any bitter potion. My dulled senses Relish no objects. Colours do not take My filmed eyes. Mine ears are deaf to sounds, Though by a Chorus of those lovely maids Which jove begot on fair Mnemosyne Sung to Apollo's harp. Tast. Is it thereabouts? I'll play the state knave, and inform presently. Exit. Phys. Sickness begins To make this 〈…〉 mansion. Fever's burn it, And shake the weak foundation: then a cold Chills it again, as if a thousand Winters Contracted into one scattered their snow With Northern blasts, and froze the very centre. Palsies disjoint the fabric: loosen all The house-supporters, and at length they fall. Help me good servants. Phleg. We cannot help ourselves. Chol. Let's kill him, or he'll kill us. Melan. Phlegm do thou choke him. Blood. I'll empty his veins. Chol. I'll do it. blood's not worthy the employment. Blood. Worthier than Choler. Chol. Thou liest in thy throat. Blood. Thou hast inflamed me. They fall together by the ears, and Physander weakly endeavouring to part them, is himself hurt, and they flegh. Phys. Hold I command ye: How dare ye insult Upon my weakness thus? Oh I am wounded. Perfidious villains, was this treachery Your duties act? What fury prompted ye To such inhuman violence? Will no hand Of art or heaven supply me with a balm! Then I must die, and bury all my glories ere they are fully gazed at. Why did nature Produce me for her darling; and not arm My passive body with a proof 'gainst thunder? To him Sensuality, the 5. Senses. Oh thou in whose embraces I have slept And dreamt of heaven, when my waking sense Possessed delights in thee, I seemed to ride Commanding pleasure as if she had been My captive, and her spoils enriched the triumph; Help now to save me: or with wonted kisses Make me to lose the sense of this great pain My bleeding wounds inflict. Let me expire Within thy bosom, and I shall forget That death hath any horror. Sens. This Physander! I know him not. The bloody spectacle Is too offensive: Would it were removed. Tast. Please you, I'll carry the Calf into my Slaughter-house. But I fear he'll hardly be dressed for your Ladyship's tooth: he hath bled too much to be sweet flesh. Phys. Not know me Lady! how am I transformed! The sand of many minutes hath not fallen From times gray glass, since you vouchsafed to call me Lord of yourself and pleasures. Sens. Let me have Another sweet heart one whose lusty heat May warm my bosom. Gather all the flowers Tempe is painted with, and strew his way. Translate my Bower to Turias rosy banks, There, with a Chorus of sweet nightingales Make it continual Spring. If the Sun's rays Offend his tender skin, and make it sweat, Fan him with silken wings of mildest air; Breathed by Etesian winds. The briskest Nectar Shall be his drink, and all th' Ambrosian cates, Art can devise for wanton appetite. Furnish his banquet. As his senses tire, vary the object. Let delights be linked, So in a circled chain no end we see, Pleasure is only my eternity. Exeunt. Tast. Sick Sir farewell. By that time you are deadI Will have made you a caudle. Exit. I sure have dreamt; all past was but illusion. Hold out ye bloodless Organs until I Have railed upon this strumpet, then I'll die. To him the two Genij severally. How my distraction swells my tongue with curses? That I could shoot the poison of a basilisk From my inflamed eyes, or infect the air With my last breath to kill her. Mal. G. Ha, ha, he. Phys. Who's that can laugh at misery? Mal G. 'Tis! That triumph in thy ruin. I contrived it, And caused divorce betwixt thee and thy wife: Whom now! will torment. Exit. Phys. That wound is deeper Than all the rest Calling to mind my ills, That left a chaste wife for the loose embraces Of sensuality, a painted whore, 〈…〉 with beasts. Death hold thy ashye hand, Till I am conciled to my Bellanima, Then strike and spare not. Bon G. fixed in that resolution, I'll bring her to thee. Exit. Phys. That's my good Genius. The horrors of a thousand nights made black With pitchye tempests, and the Moon's defect, When she's affrighted with the howlings of Crotonean Wolves, and groans of dying Mandrakes Gathered for charms; the screech-owls fatal dirge▪ And Ghosts disturbed by furies from their peace. Are all within me. To him Bellanima, Bonus Genius. Bon. G. Wounded by the hands Of his distempered servants that are fled. Bella. Look up Physander, I am come to help thee, Not to afflict: I share thy sufferings. There's not an anguish but it is inflicted As equally on me. Why would Physander Cut wedlocks Gordian, and with looser eyes Dote on a common wanton▪ what is pleasure More than a lustful motion in the sense? The prosecution full of anxious fears; The end Repentance. Though content be called The soul of action, and licentious man Propounds it as the reason of his life; Yet if intemperate appetite pursue it, The pure end's lost, and ruin must attend it. But I would comfort thee. Do but express A detestation of thy former follies, We will be reunited, and enjoy Eternal pleasures. Phys. Can Bellanima Forgive the injuries that I have done her? she's milder than thou Love, or pities self. Let me be banished ever to converse With Monsters in a desert. 'tis a punishment Too little. Let me be confined to dwell On the North pole, where a continual Winter May bleak me to a statue; or inhabit The Acherusian fens, whose noisome air May choke my nostrils with their poisonous fumes, Yet linger death unto a thousand ages. Bella. we'll live Physander, and enjoy each other In new delights: thou shalt be cured by Temperance. she's the Physician that doth moderate Desire with reason, bridling appetite. Here the fourth Scene is suddenly discovered, being a Rock, with a spring of water issuing out of it. At the foot thereof a cave; where Temperance sits betwixt a Philosopher, an Hermit, a Ploughman and a Shepherd. Behind the Rock a Lantskip●. Yonder's her Cave, whose plain, yet decent roof Shines not with ivory or plates of gold. No Tyrian purples cover her low couch▪ Nor are the carved supporters artists work Bought at the wealth of provinces; she feeds not On costly viands, in her gluttony, Wasting the spoils of conquests: from a rock That weeps a running crystal she doth fill Her shell cup, and drinks sparingly. Phys. She cannot Heale my affliction; mercies self denies A time and means, and only black despair Whispers th'approach of death. Bon. G. Remove that sin, And hope with sorrow. Greatest faults are small, When that alone may make amends for all. Phys. Might I yet live to practise my resolve Of reformation, sooner should the day Leave to distinguish night; the Sun should choke His breathless horses in the western main, And rise no more, the gray morn ushering in His light approach, than my relapse from thee, And goodness cause new miseries. Direct me, Yet heavenly ministers; inform my knowledge In the strict course that may preserve me happy, Whilst yet my sighs suck in th'unwilling air, That swells my wasted lungs. Though not in life, In death I'll be Bellanima's. Bella. Physander, Expire not yet: thy wounds are not so mortal. Help me to bear him yonder; gently raise His weakened body. What can we not endure, When pains are lessened by the hope of cure? Temp. What wretched piece of miserable riot Is this that needs the aid of Temperance▪ What caused his sickness? Bella. Liberty in ills To please his senses, which have surfeited With an excess: and if your art supply not, Death will divorce us. Pity then sweet Lady, And from your treasure of instructions Prescribe a powerful medicine that may quicken His cold defects, which more and more increase, lessening his weakened powers. To a chaste wife Preserve (now 'tis reformed) her husband's life. Temp. Let the earth be his bed; this rock his pillow; His curtains heaven; the murmur of this water Instead of music charm him into sleep. And for the cates which gluttony invents To make it called an art, confected juice Of Pontic nuts, and Idumean palms Candied with Ebosian sugar; lampreyes guts Fetched from Carpathian straits, and such like wantonness, Let him eat sparingly of what the earth Produceth freely▪ or is where 'tis barren Enforced by industry. Then pour this balsam Into his wounds, and whilst his senses rest Free from their passive working, and endure Partial privation of their means and objects, His slumbers shall present what more's required To make him sound. Bella. My endless thanks great power, Mother of other virtues. Whilst he sleeps, My cares shall watch him. Oh thou death like god, That chayn'st the senses captive, and dost raise Dreams out of humours, whose illusive shadows, Oft work on fancy to beget belief Of prophecies, let no black horrors mix Their frightful presence, but with gentle shows, (Yet such as are instructive) sweetly work Upon what wakes within whilst th'other cease; Then sleeps the figure of eternal peace. They dance every one in a proper garb, showing their respect to Temperance, whilst Physander sleeps betwixt Bellanima and Bonus Genius, that seem to dress his wounds. Phys. I feel quick sense return, and every Organ Is active to perform its proper office: I am not hurt. What miracle hath Heaven Wrought on me? Bella. Next to Heaven, the thanks are due To this thy life's restorer. She hath precepts, By which thou mayst preserve it to a length, And end it happy. Temp. What thy dreams presented, Put straight in act, and with a constancy Persever in't. Rewards will only crown The end of a well prosecuted good. Philosophy; religious solitude And labour wait on Temperance: in these Desire is bounded; they instruct the minds And bodies actions. 'Tis lascivious ease That gives the first beginning to all ills. The thoughts being busied on good objects, sin Can never find a way to enter in. Phys. Let me digest my joys; I only now Begin to live: the former was not perfect. Bella we'll shortly to my father, who with joy Will entertain us. Tempe. I will meet ye there; Where ye shall be invested by the hands Of justice, Prudence, Fortitude and me In the bright robes of immortality. Phys. My heart's too narrow to contain the joys This reconciliation fills it with. Chain me again to misery, and make me Wretched beyond despair when next I fall. Let this my resolution be enroled Amongst eternal acts not to be canceled. Then man is happy, and his bliss is full When he's directed by his better soul. Exeunt. Temperance with the rest of hers being returned into the Scene, it closeth. For the last Act. Malus Genius as discontented. Mal. G. It must not be; his glory is my shame. Mischief attempted if it want success, Is the contrivers punishment. As darts Shot at resisting walls, in their return May light on him that did direct them. Malice Suggests a new attempt. I'll practise all That hell can teach me, but I'll work his fall. To the Malus Gen. Sensuality, the five Senses in torn and beggarlike habits. Who's here? Sens. Into what misery hath riot Brought my decayed state? Whilst I had the means To purchase pleasures, all delights were sold me. Those gone, necessity and lust than made me A mercenary prostitute, and since By the gradation of a wanton life, I'm fallen to this. Want and a loathsome sickness Make me reflect; nor can I but accuse myself At Conscience bar, but not with penitence; That's still in opposition with my will, Now custom hath confirmed me in all ill. Exeunt. Mal. G. T' accuse Physander, thither will I go, And if all fail try what despair can do. To the Mal. Gen. Physander, Bellanima in their first habits with Books in their hands, Bonus Genius, the four Complexions. he's here. Phys. I shall not need your diligence. Your treachery (although forgiven) hath made me Watchful upon ye. I have gotten now A careful guide to manage my affairs. Retire. I do embrace thy fellowship Prudence, thou virtue of the mind, by which We do consult of all that's good or evil Conducing to felicity. Direct My thoughts and actions by the rule of reason. Teach me contempt of all inferior vanities. Pride in a marble portal guilded over; Assyrian carpets; chairs of ivory; The luxury of a stupendious house; Garments perfumed; gems valued not for use But needless ornament; a sumptuous table, And all the baits of sense. A vulgar eye Sees not the danger which beneath them lie. Bella. she's a majestic ruler, and commands Even with the terror of her awful brow. As in a throng sedition being raised, Th' ignoble multitude inflamed with madness, Firebrands and stones fly; fury shows them weapons: Till spying some grave man honoured for wisdom, They straight are silent, and erect their ears, Whilst he with his sage counsel doth assuage Their mind's disorder, and appease their rage. So Prudence, when rebellious appetites Have raised temptations, with their batteries Assaulting reason, she doth interpose, And keep it safe. Th'attempts of sense are weak, If their vain forces wisdom deign to break. Phys. Temperance, to thee I owe my after life; Thou that command'st o'er pleasures, hating some, When thou dispens'st with others; still directing All to a sound mean: under thy low roof I'll eat and sleep, whilst grave Philosophy Instructs my soul in justice.. What is she? Bella. A habit of the mind by which just things Perfect their working. Man's the best of creatures Enjoying Law and justice; but the worst If separated from them. 'Tis established By fear of Law, and by Religion; Distributes due to all. Phys. That is reward To virtue, and to vice it's punishment. The thought of it hath horror in't. I fell From height of goodness in forsaking thee, And must be punished. Why is it delayed? Inflict it straight; protraction makes it greater. Bella. Physander is forgiven. Reflect not back On thy past errors, but with sorrow's eyes, That may be guides to the prevention Of after ills. Phys. Distract me not with comforts. If justice hath no other instrument. I must and will be just unto myself. When I have felt a torment that doth equal Th' offence for which I suffer it, 'twill confirm me, Bellanima is satisfied. Bella. She is, And can expect no greater. Think on Fortitude. Be not dejected by a fear that's grounded On such a weak foundation. 'tis not th'appetite Of things that carry horror makes men valiant; But patient bearing of afflictions That are necessited. Phys. Can Fortitude Be without justice? justice without Fortitude Is perfect in itself. When I am just, Valour is useful. Bella. It begins to work; I'll prosecute the rest. What he intends For good, shall be inverted to my ends. Exit. Phys. dissuade me not Bellanima, I cannot Think the dimensions of thy goodness such, That it may be extended to remit So great an ill without its satisfaction. Then will I challenge thy forgiveness due When I have suffered punishment; I dare not Owe all unto thy gentleness. Bella. Resist This black temptation: thy ill Genius whispered it. Phys. 'Tis taught me here; justice instructs me in't. Yet when I feel the lashes of their snakes Hells judges do employ: when vultures gnaw My growing liver, and the restless wheel hurries my racked limbs, (for these torments are Less than my fault deserves,) I'll laugh at all, And with a scorn provoke the executioners Till they are tired; and whilst they take in breath, Contrive some yet unheard of. Fortitude Shall teach me to bear all, (their end being justice) With more delight, then when I did enjoy Pleasures with Sensuality. Bon. G. I'll try him. Hell's malice sometimes doth pretend that good Which Heaven instructs, to make distinguishable Their several acts. But like a ball that bounds According to the force with which 'twas thrown: So in afflictions violence he that's wise, The more he's cast down will the higher rise. Exit. Bella. Presume not yet Physander: thou art weak. Fear, so Pusillanimous, is better Than daring confidence. Phys. I will encounter With a whole host of deaths, though each were armed In all th'artillery that ever conquered Mortality; meet thunder if but warned That it is coming, and be fixed unmoved T'embrace the subtle fire, though one step Might guard me in a grove of Magic Bays Walled with hyena's skins. The apprehension Of horror shall not fright me, though presented In the most hideous shape conceit can paint. To them three Furies. What apparition's this? or are ye Furies Sent to torment me? Speak, and satisfy My growing fears, which like an earthquake, when Pent air dilates itself with violence Do shake my trembling heart. 1. Fur. We are the daughters Of night and Acheron; our number three, Answering those three affects that bear then headlong Into all wickedness. These knotted snakes Shall sting thy bosom, and infect thy blood With burning rage, until it hurry thee Unto some desperate act, and on thyself Thou be thine own revenger. Bella. Now Physander, Where is this boasted valour? fear's expressed Even in thy silence. terror of an ill In sometimes greater in the expectation, Than th'ill itself: yet where true fortitude Guard's the mind with resolves, 'tis lessened by it, When it increaseth boldness. Chance may clear Many of punishment, but none of fear. Thou art not well instructed: go with me, I'll teach thee how to shun them. Exeunt. 2. Fur. Hath he scaped us? And left my vipers hissing for their prey, Which should have been his heart? Then they must feed Upon mine own. To them Malus Genius. Mal. G. Now my copartners In this black fellowship, is it successful? 3. Fur. No; reason guards him; frustrates our design. And we must back to be our own tormentors. Exeunt Fu. Ma. G. Will nothing prosper! Lend me Erinys adders, That from their poison my infected envy May swell until it break, venting a sea Of mischief to o'erwhelm him. One birth more My malice labours with. If that miscarry, I'll in content of heaven that guards his bride Eat mine own heart, and ne'er be satisfied. To the Mal. Gen. Fear. The judge is entering. Fear. Make way there for my Lord Conscience: he is upon coming, and I was afraid the cushions had not been handsomely laid for his case. Long causes many times require a nap. How I tremble to think of a long sitting before dinner; it makes fear have but a cold stomach. Bless me! who's this? one of the devils she lawyers? Her case must needs have a black box. Mal. G. I come t'accuse Physander. Why dost quake so? Fear. You never knew fear without an ague. Ma, G. Fear often cur's it. Fear. In the country where wise physicians practise. Ma. G. Is the court ready to sit? Fear. Instantly. But pray how long have you been a sollicitrix? Ma. G. Never before. Fear. I feared as much, when you ask an officer so many idle questions without some feeling. Ma. G. What officer art? Fear. No worse then the mouth of the court, that receoves all in with, O yes. To them Conscience, Hope, Despair, Sensuality, the five Senses. You see the power of that word; They are here. Stand by there. Hope. Hope must be still an advocate. Consc. 'Tis well. Despaires a subtle pleader, and employed Only by hell. Desp. Be winged, and fetch him hither: Let me alone; I'll have a plea shall shake His courage. Exit Mal. Gen. Consc. Fear call a court. Fear. O yes, o yes, o yes: All wicked mortals that have any business in the court of Conscience, let them come and accuse themselves, if they have so little wit▪ and they shall be judged by the proverb. Con. List to my charge. Conscience the judge of actions Is neither power, nor habit, but an act; To wit an application of that knowledge That shows the difference. It's Synteresis, Or purer part, is th' instigation Of will to good and honest things, and seats The mind in a rich throne of endless quiet; When being clogged with guilt of many ills, Those leaden weight express it as it mounts, And sink it into horror. Conscience stained Is like a fretting ulcer, that corrodes The part it hath infected, and though cured It leaves a scar. So heal a wounded Conscience: Repentance stays as the vestigium, Or mark impressed, by which the past disease Is found to have been. There's no punishment Like that, to bear the witness in ones breast Of perpetrated evils, when the mind Beat's it with silent stripes; guilty of blame. But being unstained it laughs at lying fame. Fear. Silence in the court, and harken to the charge: it may indoctrinate ye for justices, if there be not too much of Conscience in it. Consc. Hope is in opposition with despair; And like a zealous advocate i'th' cause Of his afflicted client, labours still To overthrow the fallacies and quirks Despair is nimble in; whilst fear with trembling Expects the trials issue. By these three men's acts informed of, scanned and canvased be, At length by Conscience censured, thy are sent To have reward, or suffer punishment. Fear. Hem. Now enter that woman. Consc. What are you? Sens. A desperate piece of neglected mortality, that have been a Lady of pleasure, and kept an open house where Lords took me up at high rates, till my bare commons would no longer serve their high feeding. Fear. And the Geese that grased on it would always be ever roasted. Sens. I thence fell to inferior customers, and doted most on the junior actors, to the danger of cracking many a voice. Nightwalking then supplied me, whilst I had any thing to pleasure a constable, or relieve the mortified watch with a snatch and away. But now I am not worth the reversion of an almsbasket: and those which heretofore would hire me to sin, do now deny me the benefit of a Spittle. I have not strength to climb and hang myself; and having been so light all my life time 'tis impossible I should be drowned. Hope. Hope yet with grief, and mend. Sensu. My mending must be miraculous. Were it in art to repair this rotten carcase, and in my stock of credit with the broker enough to case it, I might hope for as golden days and coaching again. But now welcome a cart or a Shrove-tuesdays tragedy. Despair tells me there is a fire in hell, and why should I, that have conversed with heats all my life time, fear it! Fear. Stand by there. What are you? Seeing. My Lady's ape, that imitated all her fashions; falling as she did, and running the same course of folly: the difference only, that what was hers first was mine in reversion; except her gentleman usher. Hell I fear not, for I have prevented leading apes. Besides the whips of furies are not half so terrible as a blue coat, and the shrieks of tormented ghosts nothing to the noise of hemphammers. Consc. Proceed quickly with the rest. Fear. I would excuse myself; but I despair of being heard, now my Lady's decayed and housekeeping broke up. I fear nothing so much as to be torn in pieces by the revengeful beggars. Smell. That punishment must I share. For I was an honest huntsman, and provided burial for many a scavingers horse in my dogs bellies; but finding it troublesome and unsavoury, took an easier course, and converted the remains of dinner and supper that should have fed the poor, into my dog's breakfast. For which I expect to be pursued by the common hunt, till I come to hell; and there the quest will be so hot, I shall not possibly scape it. Fear. Thou seem'st to have been a good fellow: shall I speak a word in thy behalf? Tast. No: Fear's an ill orator; he'll be out. I have been the most notorious thief, that ever robbed by privilege of his office. I have converted more butter into kitchen-stuff, then would have victualled a flemish garrison. I have cheated butchers; gone on their scores, and paid them with horns: helping to undo my Lady with the greatness of mine own credit. I have coney-catcht many a poulterers wife, and she hath plucked my feathers: what I got by the back I spent on the belly. But now short commons serve, licking my fingers and the halfe-cold dripping pan. Since my Lady's decay I am degraded from a cook, and I fear the devil himself will entertain me but for one of his black guard; and he shall be sure to have his roast burnt. Desp. Stand by. You shall be sentenced presently. Touch. I was a spruce observer of formality; wore good clothes at the second hand, and paid for them quarterly. Together with my Ladies my fortune tell, and of her gentleman usher I became her applesquire, to hold the door, and keep centinel at taverns. I can play the Bravo where my affronting is upon sure advantage: otherwise I can be kicked with as much patience, as a hungry fiddler, when he expects the reversion of a gallants oysters. I may yet be serviceable to the Succubuses in hell, but other preferment I despair of. Consc. Custom in ills that do affect the sense Makes reason useless, when it should direct The ills reforming. Men habituate In any evil, 'tis their greatest curse, Advise doth seldom mend, but makes them worse. To them Malus Genius, Physander, Bellanima, Bonus Genius. Mal. G. He's come Now use your utmost skill in plea, For fear our cause miscarry. Consc. Who is this? Desp Her's his accuser that prefers th'indictment. Consc. Let it be read. Fear. Stand out Physander. Desp. Thou art indicted by the name of Physander Lord of Microcosmus, for that being wedded to the fair and chaste Bellanima, daughter and heir of immortal Love, thou hast unjustly forsaken her, and been guilty of incontinence with a common whore, Sensuality. Phys. 'Tis not denied, nor needs it other witness; I bear it in my Conscience. Yet reverend judge, Sorrow for ills past doth restore frail man To his first innocence. What mine hath been, My earth bed wet with nightly tears can witness, And sighs, have made the trembling air retire, Unwilling to be lodged in a sad breast Already filled with zeal. If a perseverance Sprung from a constant resolution, And joined unto this sorrow may prevail To th' expiation of my former guilt, I hope forgiveness. Desp. But despair me thinks Should fright that hope with apprehension Of what eternal justice will inflict: And fear of deserved punishment should make thee Tremble with horror. Hope. 'Tis not so false orator, Necessity may be a powerful strengthening Of humane frailty: and as it acut's Sloth often into Diligence, Despair May be Hope's cause. The temple-robber to appease Th' offended god head to the Altar flies; Nor shames to beg his pardon with drowned eyes. Let thy resolves be firm. Phys. As fates decrees Enrolled in steel. Nor will I be secure In any confidence of mine own strength: For such security is oft the mother Of negligence, and that th'occasion Of unremedied ruin. From instructions Found here, we will consult our after-safetyes. And in all courses of my following life, I will be guided by my heavenly wife. Consc. I'll then pronounce ye happy. Man's a ship Laden with riches. Tempest's rage, and hell Sends pirates out to rob him; heavens eye guards him; His soul's the pilot, who through various seas Of time and fortune brings him to the port Of endless quiet. Now dismiss the court. Exeunt. Mal. G. My malice burst me. I have toiled in vain: And mine own torment is my only gain. Exit. Sens. I'll with thee to that place where horrors fright The guilty conscience with eternal night. Exit. Bon. G. Now freely pass unto the blessed abodes, Where those heroes that do merit it In life, are crowned with glory, and enjoy Pleasures beyond all comprehension. Bella. All le's are now removed; hell's malice falls Beneath our conquest, and Love's palace gates Ope'to receive our triumph. Here the last Scene is discovered, being a glorious throne: at the top whereof Love sits betwixt Justice, Temperance, Prudence and Fortitude, holding two crowns of stars: at the foot upon certain degrees sit diverse gloriously habited and alike as Elysijs incolae; who whilst Love and the Virtue's lead Physander and Bellanima to the throne, place themselves in a figure for the dance. The Song. Welcome, welcome happy pair To those abodes, where spicy air Breathes perfumes, and every sense Doth find his objects excellence· Where's no heat, nor cold extreme; No winter's ice, nor summer's scorching beam. Where's no sun, yet never night. Day always springing from eternal light. Chorus. All mortal sufferings laid aside Here in endless bliss abide. Love. Welcome to Love my now loved heir, Elysium's thine; ascend my chair. For following Sensuality I thought to disinherit thee. But being new reformed in life, And reunited to thy wife, Mine only daughter, fate allows That Love with stars should crown your brows. join ye that were his guides to this: Thus I enthrone ye both. Now kiss, Whilst you in active measures move, Led on to endless joys by Love. The dance ended, they return to their first order, whilst Love speaks the Epilogue: which done, he is received into the Scene, and it closeth. The End.