The Laws of Candy.  

Actus primus.  

Scaena prima.  Enter Gaspero, and Melitus. Mel. 
SIr, you're the very friend I wished to meet with,  
I have a large discourse invites your ear  
To be an Auditor.  Gas. 
And what concerns it?  Mel. 
The sadly thriving progress of the loves  
Between my Lord the Prince, and that great Lady,  
Whose insolence, and never-yet-matched pride,  
Can by no Character be well expressed,  
But in her only name, the prowed Erota.  Gas. 
Alas Melitus, I should guess, the best  
Success your Prince could find from her, to be  
As harsh as the event doth prove: but now  
'Tis not a time to pity passionate griefs,  
When a whole Kingdom in a manner lies  
Upon its deathbed bleeding.  Mel. 
Who can tell  
Whether or no, these many plagues at once  
Hang over this unhappy Land, for her sake,  
That is a monster in it.  Gas. 
Here's the misery  
Of having a child our Prince: else I presume  
The bold Venetians had not dared to attempt  
So bloody an Invasion.  Mel. 
Yet I wonder  
Why, Master Secretary, still the Senate  
So almost superstitiously adores,  
Gonzalo the Venetian Lord, considering  
The outrage of his Countrymen—  Gas. 
The Senate  
Is wise, and therein just, for this Gonzalo,  
Upon a Massacre performed at Sea  
By the Admiral of Venice, on a Merchant  
Of Candy, when the cause was to be heard  
Before the Senate there, in open Court  
Professed, that the cruelty the Admiral  
Had showed, deserved not only fine, but death:  
For Candy then, and Venice were at peace:  
Since when upon a motion in the Senate,  
For conquest of our Land, 'tis known for certain,  
That only this Gonzalo dared to oppose it,  
His reason was, because it too much savoured  
Of Lawless, and unjust ambition.  
The wars were scarce begun, but he (in fear  
Of quarrels 'gainst his life) fled from his Country,  
And hither came, where (to confirm his truth)  
I know (Melitus) he, out of his own store,  
Hath moneyed Cassilanes the General.  Mel. 
What, without other pledges than Cassilanes  
Bare promise of payment?  Gas. 
No, it may be  
He has some petty Lordship to retire to:  
But this he hath done; now 'tis fit Melitus,  
The Senate should be thankful, otherwise,  
They should annihilate one of those Laws,  
For which this Kingdom is throughout the world  
Unfollowed, and admired.  Mel. 
What Laws are these? sir,  
Let me so much importune you.  Gas. 
You shall,  
And they be worth your knowledge; briefly thus:  
Who ere he be that can detect apparently  
Another of ingratitude, for any  
Received benefit, the Plaintiff may  
Require the offender's life; unless he please  
Freely, and willingly to grant remission.  Mel. 
By which strict Law the Senate is in danger,  
Should they neglect Gonzalo.  Cas. 
Right; the Law  
Permits a like equality to Aliens,  
As to a home-born Patriot.  Mel. 
Pray sir the other?  Gas. 
Know Melitus,  
The elder Cretans flourished many years,  
In War, in Peace, unparalleled, and they  
(To spur heroic spirits on to virtue)  
Enacted that what man soe'er he were,  
Did noblest in the field against his enemy,  
So by the general voice approved, and known,  
Might at his home-return, make his demand  
For satisfaction, and reward.  Mel. 
They are  
Both famous Laws indeed. Enter a Messenger.  Mes. 
Master Secretary,  
The Senate is about to sit, and crave  
Your presence.  Gas. 
What, so suddenly?  Mes. 
These Letters  
Will show the causes why.  Gas. 
Heaven thou art great,  
And worthy to be thanked▪  Mel. 
Your countenance sir  
Doth promise some good tidings.  Gas. 
O the best  
And happiest for this land, that e'er was told!  
All the Venetian Forces are defeated.  Mel. 
How Sir?  Gas. 
And what doth add some delight more,  
There is amongst the Soldiers a contention  
Who shall be the triumpher and it stands  
Doubtful between a Father and his Son,  
Old Cassilanes, and young Antinous.  Mel. 
Why may not both demand it?  Gas. 
The Law denies it:  
But where the Soldiers do not all consent,  
The parties in contention, are referred  
To plead before the Senate; and from them,  
Upon an open Audience, to be judged  
The Chief, and then to make demands.  Mel. 
You ravish me  
With wonder and delight,  Gas. 
Come: as we walk,  
I shall more fully inform you. Exeunt.   

Scaen. 2.  Enter Cassilanes, Arcanes, Antinous, and Decius. Cas. 
Admit no Soldier near us, till the Senate  
Have took their places.  Arc. 
You are obeyed, my Lord.  Ant. 
Decius, fall off.  Dec. 
I shall.  Cas. 
Give leave Arcanes:  
young man come nearer to me: who am I?  Ant. 
It were a sin against the piety  
Of filial duty, If I should forget  
The debt I owe my father on my knee;  
Your pleasure?  Cas. 
What, so low? canst thou find joints,  
Yet be an Elephant? Antinous, rise:  
Thou wilt belie opinion, and rebate  
The ambition of thy gallantry, that they  
Whose confidence thou hast bewitched, should see  
Their little God of War, kneel to his father,  
Though in my hand I did grasp Thunder.  Ant. 
Sir,  
For proof that I acknowledge you the Author  
Of giving me my birth, I have discharged  
A part of my obedience. But if now  
You should (as cruel fathers do) proclaim  
Your right, and Tyrant like usurp the glory  
Of my peculiar honours, not derived  
From successary, but purchased with my blood,  
Than I must stand first Champion for myself,  
Against all interposers.  Cas. 
Boldly urged,  
And proudly, I could love thee, did not anger  
Consult with just disdain, in open language  
To call thee most ungrateful. Say freely,  
Wilt thou resign the flatteries, whereon  
The reeling pillars of a popular breath,  
Have raised thy Giantlike conceit; to add  
A suffrage to thy father's merit, speak?  Ant. 
Sir, hear me: were there not a Chronicle  
Well penned by all their tongues, who can report  
What they have seen you do; or had you not  
Best in your own performance writ yourself,  
And been your own Text, I would undertake  
Alone, without the help of Art, or Character,  
But only to recount you deeds in Arms,  
And you should ever then be famed a precedent  
Of living victory: But as you are  
Great, and well worthy to be styled great,  
It would betray a poverty of spirit  
In me to obstruct my fortunes, or descent,  
If I should cowardlike surrender up  
The interest, which the inheritance of your virtue,  
And mine own thrifty fate can claim in honour:  
My Lord, of all the mass of fame, which any  
That wears a sword, and hath but seen me fight,  
Gives me, I will not share, nor yield one jot,  
One tittle.  Cas. 
Not to me?  Ant. 
You are my father,  
Yet not to you.  Cas. 
Ambitious boy, how dar'st thou  
To tell me, that thou wilt contend?  Ant. 
Had I  
Been slothful, and not followed you in all  
The straits of death, you might have justly then  
Reputed me a bastard; 'tis a cruelty,  
More than to murder Innocents, to take  
The life of my yet Infant-honour from me.  Cas. 
Antinous, look upon this badge of age,  
Thy father's gray-haired beard: full fifty years,  
(And more than half of this, ere thou wert borne)  
I have been known a Soldier, in which time  
I found no difference twixt War and Peace,  
For War was peace to me, and Peace was war;  
Antinous, mark me well; there hath not lived  
These fifty years, a man whom Crete preferred  
Before thy farther; let me boldly boast,  
Thy father, both for Discipline, and Action,  
Hath so long been the first of all his Nation;  
Now canst thou think it honest, charitable,  
Nay humane, being so young, my son, my child,  
Begot, bred, taught by me, by me thy father,  
For one day's service, and that on thy first,  
To rob me of a glory which I fought for  
A half of hundred years.  Ant. 
My case observes  
Both equity, and precedents; for sir,  
That very day whereon you got your fame,  
You took it from some other, who was then  
Chief in repute, as you are now; and had been  
Perhaps as many years deserving that,  
Which you gained in a day, as I have mine.  Cas. 
But he was not my father then Antinous.  
Thou leav'st out that.  Ant. 
Sir had he been your father,  
He had been then immortal: for a father  
Heightens his reputation, where his son  
Inherits it, as when you give us life,  
Your life is not diminished, but renewed  
In us, when you are dead, and we are still  
Your living Images.  Cas. 
So be thou cursed  
In thy posterity, as I in thee,  
Dishonourable boy: O shall that Sun,  
Which not a year yet since, beheld me mounted  
Upon a fiery steed, waving my sword,  
And teaching this young man to manage Arms,  
That was a raw, fresh novice in the feats  
Of Chivalry, shall that same sun be witness  
Against this brat, of his ingratitude?  
Who to eclipse the light of my renown,  
Can no way hope to get a Noble name,  
But by the treading on his father's greatness;  
Thou wilt not yield? Enter Arcanes.  Ant. 
My life, but not the prize  
My Sword hath purchased.  Arc. 
The Senate  
My Lord are here at hand; and all the soldiers  
Begin to throng about them.  Cas. 
Now Arcanes the—  Arc. 
What sir?  Cas. 
Trifles will affront us: that  
Fine fighting Stripling,  Arc. 
Let him have the shame on't:  
Please you withdraw on this side.  Cas. 
My great heart  
Was never quailed before.  Dec. 
My Lord be confident,  
Let not your father daunt you.  Ant. 
Decius, whether  
Must I withdraw?  Dec. 
On this side.— See the Soldiers  
Attend your pleasure— courage sir; the Senate.  Cas. 
Way for the Senate.  Enter Porphicio, Possenme (3 Senators) Gonzalo, Gaspero, soldiers.. 
My good Lords I know not  
What tax of arrogance I may incur,  
Should I presume, though courted by your favours,  
To take a place amongst you: I had rather  
Give proof of my unfeigned humility  
By force, though mean, yet more becoming place,  
Then run the hazard of a doubtful censure.  Pos. 
My Lord, your wisdom is both known & tried;  
We cannot rank ye in a nobler friendship,  
Than your great service to the state deserves.  Por. 
will't please you sit? Enter Fernando with Sold.  Gonz. 
What here my Lord Porphicio?  
It must not be.  Porp. 
My Lord you are too modest.  Gonz 
It is no season to be troublesome,  
Else— But I have done: Your Lordships are observed.  Gosp. 
Is the demandant ready?  Arc. 
He is ready.  Gasp. 
Produce him then.  Arc. 
Before this sacred presence,  
ay, by a general consent, am made  
The soldier's voice, and to your gracious wisdoms,  
Present as chief in Arms, his country's Champion,  
Cassilanes.  Dec. 
Most reverend Lords, you hear the lesser number  
Of those who have been Guardians to this Country,  
Approve this Champion; I in all their names  
Who fought for Candy, here present before you  
The mightiest man in Arms, Antinous.  
Speak fellow soldiers.  Sold. 
Antinous, Antinous.  Gasp. 
Stand by all, save the two competitors.  Poss. 
My Lords, how much your Country owes you both,  
The due reward of your desertful glories  
Must to posterity remain: But yet  
Since, by our Law, one only can make claim  
To the proposed honours which you both  
(It seems) have truly merited, take leave  
Freely to plead your rights: we shall attend you.  Porp. 
Wherein priority of voice is granted  
Lord Cassilanes to you: for that your rare  
And long experience in the course of war,  
As well doth challenge it, as the best privilege  
Of Order and civility, for that  
You are your brave opponents worthy father.  
Say Countrymen, are you content?  Sold. 
ay, I.  Cass. 
Right grave, right gracious fathers; how unfit  
It is for me, that all my life time have  
Been practised in the school of blood, and slaughter,  
To bandy words now in my life's last farewell,  
Your wisdoms will consider; were there pitched  
Another, and another field, like that  
Which not yet three days since, this arm hath scattered,  
Defeated, and made nothing, than the man  
That had a heart to think he could but follow,  
(For equal me he should not) through the lanes  
Of danger and amazement, might in that,  
That only of but following me, be happy,  
Reputed worthy to be made my rival:  
For 'tis not Lords, unknown to those about me,  
(My fellow soldiers) first with what a confidence  
I led them on to fight, went on still, and  
And as if I could have been a second Nature,  
As well in heartening them by my example,  
As by my exhortation, I gave life  
To quicken courage, to inflame revenge,  
To heighten resolution; in a word,  
To outdo action: It boots not to discover,  
How that young man, who was not fledged nor skilled  
In Martial play, was even as ignorant  
As childish: But I list not to disparage  
His non ability: The signal given  
Of Battle, when our enemies came on,  
(Directed more by fury, then warrant  
Of Policy and Stratagem) I met them,  
I in the forefront of the Armies met them;  
And as if this old weather-beaten body  
Had been composed of Cannon-proof, I stood  
The volleys of their shot. ay, I myself  
Was he that first disranked their woods of Pikes:  
But when we came to handy-strokes, as often  
As I lent blows, so often I gave wounds,  
And every wound a death. I may be bold  
To justify a truth, this very sword  
Of mine slew more than any twain besides:  
And, which is not the least of all my glory,  
When he, this young man, hand to hand in fight,  
Was by the General of the Venetians,  
And such as were his retinue, unhorsed,  
I stepped between, and rescued him myself,  
Or horses hooves had trampled him to dirt;  
And whilst he was remounting, I maintained  
The combat with the gallant General,  
Till having taken breath, he thronged before me,  
Renewed the fight, and with a fatal blow,  
Stole both that honour from me, and his life  
From him, whom I before myself alone,  
Had more than full three quarters killed: A man  
Well worthy only by this hand to have died,  
Not by a boy's weak push: I talk too much,  
But 'tis a fault of Age: If to bring home  
Long peace, long victory, even to your Capitol;  
If to secure your Kingdom, Wives, and Children,  
Your lives and liberties; if to renown  
Your honours through the world, to fix your names,  
Like Blazing stars, admired, and feared by all,  
That have but heard of Candy, or a Cretan,  
Be to deserve the approvement of my manhood,  
Then thus much have I done: what more, examine  
The Annals of my life; and then consider  
What I have been, and am. Lords I have said.  Gonz. 
With reverence to the Senate, is it lawful,  
Without your Customs breach, to say a word?  Pos. 
Say on my Lord Gonzalo.  Gonz. 
I have heard,  
And with no little wonder, such high deeds  
Of Chivalry discoursed, that I confess,  
I do not think the Worthies while they lived  
All nine, deserved as much applause, or memory,  
As this one: But who can do aught to gain  
The Crown of honour from him, must be somewhat  
More than a man; you tread a dangerous path,  
Yet I shall hear you gladly: for believe me,  
Thus much let me profess, in honour's cause,  
I would not to my father, nor my King,  
(My Countries father) yield: if you transcend  
What we have heard, I can but only say,  
That miracles are yet in use. I fear  
I have offended.  Porp. 
You have spoken nobly.  
Antinous use your privilege.  Ant. 
Princely fathers.  
ere I begin, one suit I have to make,  
'Tis just, and honourable.  Porp. 
Poss. Speak, and have it.  Ant. 
That you would please the soldiers might all stand  
Together by their General.  Poss. 
'Tis granted.  
All fall to yonder side: Go on, Antinous.  Ant. 
I shall be brief and plain: All what my father  
(This Countries Patron) hath discoursed, is true.  
Fellows in Arms: speak you is't true?  Sol. 
True, true.  Ant. 
It follows, that the blaze of my performance  
Took light from what I saw him do; and thus  
A City (though the flame be much more dreadful)  
May from a little spark be set on fire;  
Of all what I have done, I shall give instance  
Only in three main proofs of my desert.  
First I sought out (but through how many dangers  
My Lords judge ye) the chief, the great Commander,  
The head of that huge body, whose proud weight  
Our Land shrunk under, him I found and fought with,  
Fought with, and slew. Fellows in Arms, speak you,  
Is't true or not?  Sold. 
True, true.  Ant. 
When he was fall'n,  
The hearts of all our adversaries  
Began to quail, till young Fernando, son  
To the last Duke of Venice gathered head,  
And soon renewed the field, by whose example  
The bold Venetians doubling strength and courage  
Had got the better of the day, our men  
Supposing that their adversaries grew  
Like Hydra's head, recoil, and 'gan to sly:  
I followed them; and what I said, they know;  
The sum on't is; I called them back, new ranked them;  
Lead on, they followed, shrunk not till the end:  
Fellows in Arms is't true, or no.  Sold. 
True, true.  Ant. 
Lastly, to finish all, there was but one,  
The only great exploit; which was to take  
Fernando prisoner, and that hand to hand  
In single fight I did: myself without  
The help of any arm, save the arm of heaven.  
Speak soldiers, is it true, or no?  Sol. 
Antinous, Antinous.  Ant. 
Behold my prisoner, Fathers.  Fern. 
This one man  
Ruined our Army, and hath glorified  
Crete in her robes of mightiness and conquest.  Pos. 
We need not use long circumstance of words,  
Antinous thou art conqueror: the Senate,  
The soldiers, and thy valour have pronounced it.  All. 
Antinous, Antinous.  Porp. 
Make thy demand.  Cas. 
Please ye (my Lord) give leave  
That I may part.  Pos. 
No Cassilanes, the Court  
Should therein be dishonoured, do not imagine  
We prize your presence at so slight a rate.  
Demand Antinous.  Ant. 
Thus (my Lords) to witness  
How far I am from arrogance, or thinking  
I am more valiant, though more favoured  
Then my most matchless father, my demand is,  
That for a lasting memory of his name,  
His deeds, his real, nay his royal worth,  
You set up in your Capitol in Brass  
My father's Statue, there to stand for ever  
A Monument and Trophy of his victories,  
With this Inscription to succeeding ages,  
Great Cassilanes, Patron of Candy's Peace,  
Perpetual Triumpher.  Por. Pos. 
It is granted. What more?  Ant. 
No more.  Cas. 
How boy?  Gonz. 
Thou art immortal,  
Both for thy Sonlike piety, and beauties  
Of an unconquered mind.  Ant. 
My Prisoner (Lords)  
To your more sacred wisdoms I surrender:  
Fit you his ransom; half whereof I give  
For largesse to the Soldiers: the other half  
To the erection of this monument.  Cass. 
Ambitious villain.  Gonz. 
Thou art all unimitable.  
My Lords to work a certain peace for Candy  
With Venice, use Fernando like a Prince;  
His ransom I'll disburse whate'er it be:  
Yet you may stay him with you, till conditions  
Of amity shall be concluded on:  
Are ye content?  Porp. 
We are, and ever rest  
Both friends add debtors to your nobleness.  Gonz. 
soldiers attend me in the Marketplace,  
I'll thither send your largesse.  Sold. 
Antinous, Antinous. Exeunt.  Cas. 
I have a suit too, Lords.  Porp. Pos. 
Propose it, 'tis yours, if fit and just.  Cas. 
Let not my services,  
My being forty years a drudge, a packhorse  
To you, and to the State, be branded now  
With Ignominy ne'er to be forgotten:  
Rear me no Monument, unless you mean  
To have me famed a Coward, and be stamped so.  Pos. 
We understand you not.  Cas. 
Proud boy, thou dost,  
And Tyrantlike insult'st upon my shame.  Ant. 
Sir, heaven can tell, and my integrity,  
What I did, was but only to enforce  
The senate's gratitude. I now acknowledge it.  Cas. 
Observe it Fathers, how this haughty boy  
Grows cunning in his envy of mine honours:  
He knows no mention can of me be made,  
But that it ever likewise must be told,  
How I by him was mastered; and for surety  
That all succeeding times may so report it,  
He would have my dishonour, and his Triumphs  
Engraved in Brass: hence, hence proceeds the falsehood  
Of his insinuating piety.  
Thou art no child of mine: thee and thy blood,  
Here in the Capitol, before the Senate,  
I utterly renounce: So thrift and fate  
Confirm me; henceforth never see my face,  
Be, as thou art, a villain to thy father.  
Lords I must crave your leaves: come, come Arcanes. Ex.  Gonz. 
Here's a strange high-born spirit.  Pos. 
'tis but heat  
Of sudden present rage; I dare assure  
Antinous of his favour.  Ant. 
I not doubt it,  
He is both a good man, and a good father.  
I shall attend your Lordships.  Poss. 
Do Antinous.  Gonz. 
Yes: feast thy Triumphs,  
With applause and pleasures.  Por. 
Poss. Lead on. Exeunt. Flor. Cornets.  Ant. 
I utterly renounce— 'Twas so?  
Was't not, my Decius?  Dec. 
Pish, you know my Lord,  
Old men are choleric.  Ant. 
And lastly parted  
With, never henceforth see my face: O me,  
How have I lost a Father? Such a father?  
Such a one Decius! I am miserable,  
Beyond expression.  Dec. 
Fie, how unbecoming  
This shows upon your day of fame?  Ant. 
O mischief:  
I must no more come near him; that I know,  
And am assured on't.  Dec. 
Say you do not?  Ant. 
True:  
Put case I do not: what is Candy then  
To lost Antinous? Malta, I resolve  
To end my days in thee.  Dec. 
How's that?  Ant. 
I'll try  
All humble means of being reconciled,  
Which if denied, than I may justly say,  
This day has proved my worst: Decius my worst. Exeunt    

Actus Secundus.  

Scaena prima.  Enter Gonzalo, and Gaspero. Gasp. 
NOw to what you have heard; as no man can  
Better than I, give you her Character;  
For I have been both nursed, and trained up to  
Her petulant humours, and been glad to bear them,  
Her brother, my late Master, did no less:  
Strong apprehensions of her beauty hath  
Made her believe that she is more than woman:  
And as there did not want those flatterers  
'Bout the world's Conqueror, to make him think,  
And did persuade him that he was a god;  
So there be those base flies, that will not stick  
To buzz into her ears she is an Angel,  
And that the food she feeds on is Ambrosia.  Gonz. 
She should not touch it then, 'tis poet's fare.  Gas. 
I may take leave to say, she may as well  
Determine of herself to be a goddess,  
With lesser flattery than he a god:  
For she does conquer more, although not farther.  
Every one looks on her dies in despair,  
And would be glad to do it actually,  
To have the next age tell how worthily,  
And what good cause he had to perish so:  
Her beauty is superlative, she knows it,  
And knowing it, thinks no man can deserve,  
But aught to perish, and to die for her:  
Many great Princes for her love have languished,  
And given themselves a willing sacrifice,  
Proud to have ended so: And now there is  
A Prince so manded in his own passions,  
That he forgets the Royalty he was borne to,  
And deems it happiness to be her slave.  Gonz. 
You talk as if you meant to wind me in,  
And make me of the number.  Gas. 
Sir, mistake me not, the service that I owe ye  
Shall plead for me: I tell you what she is,  
What she expects, and what she will effect,  
Unless you be the miracle of men,  
That come with a purpose to behold,  
And go away yourself.  Gon. 
I thank you, I will do it: But pray resolve me,  
How is the stored with wit?  Gas. 
As with beauty,  
Infinite, and more to be admired at,  
Then meddled with.  Gonz. 
And walks her tongue the same gate with her feet?  Gas. 
Much beyond: whate'er her heart thinks, she utters:  
And so bold, so readily, as you would judge  
It penned and studied.  Gonz. 
She comes. Enter Erota, Philander, Annophill, Hyparcha, Mochingo, Attendants.  Gas. 
I must leave you then,  
But my best wishes shall remain with you.  Gonz. 
Still I must thank you.  
This is the most passionate,  
Most pitiful Prince,  
Who in the cauldron of affections,  
Looks as he had been parboiled.  Phil. 
If I offend with too much loving you,  
It is a fault that I must still commit,  
To make your mercy shine the more on me.  Erot. 
You are the selfsame creature you condemn,  
Or else you durst not follow me with hope  
That I can pity you, who am so far  
From granting any comfort in this kind,  
That you and all men else shall perish first:  
I will live free and single, till I find  
Something above a man to equal me;  
Put all your brave Heroes into one,  
Your Kings and Emperors, and let him come  
In person, of a man, and I should scorn him:  
Must, and will scorn him.  
The god of Love himself hath lost his eyes,  
His Bow and Torch extinguished, and the Poets  
That made him first a god, have lost their fire  
Since I appeared, and from my eyes must steal it.  
This I dare speak; and let me see the man,  
Now I have spoke it, that doth, dare deny;  
Nay, not believe it.  Mo. 
He is mad that does not.  Erot. 
Have not all the nations of the earth heard of me?  
Most come to see me, and seeing me, returned  
Full of my praises? teaching there Chroniclers  
To make their Stories perfect? for where the name,  
Merely the word of fair Erota stands,  
It is a lasting History to time,  
Begetting admiration in the men,  
And in my own Sex envy; which glory's lost,  
When I shall stick my beauty in a cloud,  
And clearly shine through it.  Gonz. 
This Woman's in the altitudes, and he must be  
A good ginger shall know her Zodiac.  Phil. 
For any man to think  
Himself an able purchaser of you,  
But in the bargain there must be declared  
Infinite bounty: otherwise I vow,  
By all that's excellent and gracious in you,  
I would untenant every hope lodged in me,  
And yield myself up Loves, or your own Martyr.  Erot. 
So you shall please us.  Phil. 
O you cannot be  
So heavenly, and so absolute in all things,  
And yet retain such cruel tyranny.  Erot. 
I can, I do, I will.  Gonz. 
She is in her  
Moods, and her Tenses: I'll grammar with you,  
And make a trial how I can decline you:  
By your leave (great Lady.)  Erot. 
What are you?  Gonz. 
A man, a good man, that's a wealthy;  
A Proper man, and a proud man too; one  
That understands himself, and knows, unless  
It be yourself, no woman on the Universe deserves him.  
Nay, Lady, I must tell you too withal.  
I may make doubt of that, unless you paint  
With better judgement next day then on this;  
For (plain I must be with you) 'tis a dull Fucus.  Erot. 
Knows any one here what this fellow is?  Attend. 
He is of Venice (Madam) a great Magnifico,  
And gracious with the Senate.  Erot. 
Let him keep then among them; what makes he here?  
Here's state enough where I am: here's ado—  
You, tell him, if he have aught with us, let him  
Look lower, and give it in Petition.  Mo. 
Mighty Magnifico, my Mistress bid me tell you,  
If you have aught with her, you must look lower,  
And yield it in Petition.  Gonz. 
Here is for thee a Ducat.  Mon. 
You say well sir, take your own course.  Gonz. 
I will not grace you  
(Lady) so much as take you by the hand;  
But when I shall vouchsafe to touch your lip,  
It shall be through your Court a holiday  
Proclaimed for so high favour.  Erot. 
This is some  
Great man's Jester: Sirrah, begone, here is  
No place to fool in.  Gonz. 
Where are the fools you talk of?  
I do keep two.  Erot. 
No question of it: for  
In yourself you do maintain an hundred.  Gonz. 
And besides them I keep a noble train,  
Statists, and men of action: my purse is large and deep,  
Beyond the reach of riot to draw dry:  
Fortune did vie with Nature, to bestow  
(When I was borne) her bounty equally:  
'tis not amiss you turn your eyes from me;  
For should you stand and gaze me in the face,  
You perish would, like Semele by Iolus:  
In Venice at this instant there do lie  
No less than threescore Ladies in their graves,  
And in their Beds five hundred for my love.  Mo. 
You lie more than they; yet it becomes him bravely;  
Would I could walk and talk so? I'll endeavour it.  Erot. 
Sir, do you know me?  Gon. 
Yes, you were sister to the late Prince of Candy,  
Aunt to this young one: And I in Venice,  
I am borne a Lord; equal to you in fortunes,  
In shape; I'll say no more, but view.  Mon. 
There needs no more be said, were I a woman—  
O he does rarely: in shape; I'll say no more,  
But view: Who could say more, who better?  
Man is no man, nor woman woman is,  
Unless they have a pride like one of these.  
How poor the Prince of Cyprus shows to him?  
How poor another Lady unto her:  
Carriage and State makes us seem demigods,  
Humility, like beasts, worms of the earth.  Enter Antinous and Decius. Ant. 
Royal Lady, I kiss your hand.  Erot. 
Sir, I know you not.  Anno. 
O my noble Brother, welcome from the wars.  Ant. 
Dear sister.  Ann. 
Where is my father, that you come without him?  
We have news of your success: he has his health I hope?  Ant. 
Yes sister, he has his health, but is not well.  Ann. 
How not well? what Riddles do you utter?  Ant. 
I'll tell you more in private.  Gonz. 
Noble sir,  
I cannot be unmindful of your merit,  
Since I last heard it: you are a hopeful youth,  
And (indeed) the soul of Candy.  
I must speak my thoughts.  Ann. 
The Prince of Cyprus Brother, Good Decius.  Ant. 
I am his servant.  Phil. 
You are the Patron of your Country, sir,  
So your unimitable deeds proclaim you,  
It is no language of my own, but all men's.  Gonz. 
Your Enemies must needs acknowledge it:  
Then do not think it flattery in your friends,  
For if they had a heart, they could not want a tongue.  Erot. 
Is this your brother Annophill?  Anno. 
Yes Madam.  Erot. 
Your name's Antinous?  Ant. 
I am (Lady) that most unfortunate man.  Erot. 
How unfortunate? are you not the soldier,  
The Captain of those Captains, that did bring  
Conquest and victory home along with you?  Ant. 
I had some share in't; but was the least  
Of the least worthy.  Gonz. 
O sir, in your modesty you'd make  
A double Conquest: I was an earwitness  
When this young man spoke lesser than he acted,  
And had the soldier's voice to help him out:  
But that the Law compelled him for his honour,  
To enforce him make a claim for his reward,  
I well perceive he would have stood the man  
That he does now, buried his worth in silence.  Erot. 
Sir, I harken not to him, but look on you,  
And find more in you than he can relate?  
You shall attend on me.  Ant. 
Madam, your pardon.  Ero. 
Deny it not sir, for it is more honour  
Than you have gotten i'th' field: for know you shall,  
Upon Erota's asking, serve Erota.  Ant. 
I may want answers, Lady,  
But never want a will to do you service.  
I came here to my sister, to take leave,  
Having enjoined myself to banishment,  
For some cause that hereafter you may hear,  
And wish with me I had not the occasion.  Anno. 
There shall be no occasion to divide us:  
Dear Madam for my sake use your power,  
Even for the service that he ought to owe,  
Must, and does owe to you, his friends, and country.  Erot. 
Upon your Loyalty to the state and me,  
I do command you Sir, not depart Candy:  
Am I not your Princess?  Ant. 
You are a great Lady.  Erot. 
Then show yourself a Servant and a Subject.  Ant. 
I am your vassal.  Mon. 
You are a Coward; I that dare not fight,  
Scorn to be vassal to any Prince in Europe:  
Great is my heart with pride, which I'll increase  
When they are gone, with practice on my Vassals.  Atten. 
The noble Cassilane is come to see you Madam,  Dec. 
There's comfort in those words, Antinous:  
For here's the place, and persons that have power,  
To reconcile you to his love again.  Ant. 
That were a fortunate meeting.  Enter Cassilane and Arcanes. Cas. 
Greatness still wait you Lady.  Ero. 
Good Cassilane, we do maintain our greatness,  
Through your valour.  Cas. 
My prayers pull daily blessings on thy head,  
My unoffending child, my Annophill.  
Good Prince, worthy Gonzalo! ha? art thou here  
Before me? in every action art thou ambitious?  
My duty (Lady) first offered here,  
And love to thee (my child) though he outstrip me;  
Thus in the wars he got the start on me,  
By being forward, but performing less;  
All the endeavours of my life are lost,  
And thrown upon that evil of mine own  
Cursed begetting, whom I shame to father.  
O that the heat thou robd'st me off, had burnt  
Within my Entrails, and begot a fever,  
Or some worse sickness, for thou art a disease  
Sharper than any physic gives a name to.  Ann. 
Why do you say so?  Cas. 
O Annophill; there is good cause my girl:  
He has played the thief with me, and filched away  
The richest jewel of my life, my honour,  
Wearing it publicly with that applause,  
As if he justly did inherit it.  Ant. 
Would I had in my Infancy been laid  
Within my grave, covered with you blessings,  
Then grown up to a man, to meet your curses.  Cas. 
O that thou hadst.  
Then I had been the father of a child,  
Dearer than thou wert even unto me,  
When hope persuaded me I had begot  
Another self in thee: Out of mine eyes,  
As far as I have thrown thee from my heart,  
That I may live and die forgetting thee.  Ero. 
How has he deserved this untamed anger,  
That when he might have asked for his reward  
Some honour for himself, or mass of pelf,  
He only did request to have erected  
Your Statue in the Capitol, with Titles  
Engraved upon't, The Patron of his Country?  Cas. 
That, that's the poison in the gilded cup,  
The Serpent in the flowers, that stings my honour,  
And leaves me dead in fame: Gods do a justice,  
And rip his bosom up, that men may see,  
Seeing, believe the subtle practises  
Written within his heart: But I am heated,  
And do forget this presence, and myself.  
Your pardon, Lady.  Ero. 
You should not ask, 'less you knew how to give.  
For my sake Cassilane, cast out of your thoughts  
All ill conceptions of your worthy son,  
That (questionless) has ignorantly offended,  
Declared in his penitence.  Cas. 
Bid me die (Lady) for your sake I'll do it;  
But that you'll say is nothing, for a man  
That has outlived his honour: But command me  
In any thing save that, and Cassilane  
Shall ever be your servant. Come Annophill,  
(My joy in this world) thou shalt live with me,  
Retired in some solitary nook,)  
The comfort of my age; my days are short,  
And aught to be well spent: and I desire  
No other witness of them but thyself,  
And good Arcanes.  Anno. 
I shall obey you sir.  Gonz. 
Noble sir:  
If you taste any want of worldly means  
Let not that discontent you: know me your friend,  
That hath, and can supply you.  Cas. 
Sir, I am too much bound to you already,  
And 'tis not of my cares the least, to give you  
Fair satisfaction.  Gonz. 
You may imagine I do speak to that end,  
But trust me, 'tis to make you bolder with me.  Cas. 
Sir, I thank you, and may make trial of you,  
Mean time my service.  Ann. 
Brother be comforted; so long as I continue  
Within my father's love, you cannot long  
Stand out an Exile: I must go live with him,  
And I will prove so good an Orator  
In your behalf, that you again shall gain him,  
Or I will stir in him another anger,  
And be lost with you.  Ant. 
Better I were neglected: for he is hasty,  
And through the Choler that abounds in him,  
(Which for the time divides from him his judgement)  
He may cast you off, and with you his life;  
For grief will straight surprise him, and that way  
Must be his death: the sword has tried too often,  
And all the deadly Instruments of war  
Have aimed at his great heart, but ne'er could touch it:  
Yet not a limb about him wants a scar.  Cas. 
Madam my duty—  Ero. 
Will you he gone?  Cas. 
I must (Lady) but I shall be ready,  
When you are pleased command me, for your service.  
Excellent Prince— To all my hearty love,  
And a good farewell.  Mon. 
Thanks honest Cassilane.  Cas. 
Come Annophill.  Gonz. 
Shall I not wait upon you sir?  Cas. 
From hence you shall not stir a foot:  
Loving Gonzalo, it must be all my study  
To requite you.  Gonz. 
I may be so fortunate to deserve  
The name of friend from you, I have enough.  Cas. 
You are so, and you have made yourself so.  Gonz. 
I will then preserve it.  Ero. 
Antinous you are my servant, are you not?  Ant. 
It hath pleased you so to grace me.  Ero. 
Why are you then dejected? you will say,  
You have lost a father; but you have found a Mistress  
Doubles that loss: be master of your spirit;  
You have a cause for it.: which is my favour,  Gonz. 
And mine.  Ero. 
Will no man ease me of this fool?  Gonz: 
Your fellow.  Ero. 
Antinous wait upon us.  Ant. 
I shall Madam.  Gonz. 
Nay but Lady, Lady.  Erot. 
Sir, you are rude: and if you be the Master  
Of such means as you do talk of, you should  
Learn good manners.  Gonz. 
O Lady, you can find a fault in me,  
But not perceive it in yourself; you must, shall hear me:  
I love you for your pride, 'tis the best virtue  
In you.  Erot. 
I could hang this fellow now: by whom  
Are you supported, that you dare do this?  
Have you not example here in a Prince  
Transcending you in all things, yet bears himself  
As doth become a man had seen my beauty?  
Back to your Country, and your Courtesans,  
Where you may be admired for your wealth,  
Which being consumed, may be a means to gain you  
The opinion of some wit. Here's nothing  
To be got but scorn, and loss of time.  Gonz. 
Which are things I delight in.  Erot. 
Antinous follow me. Exit.  Gonz. 
She is vexed to the soul.  Mon. 
Let her be vexed, 'tis fit she should be so:  
Give me thy hand Gonzalo, thou art in our favour,  
For we do love to cherish lofty spirits,  
Such as percusteere the earth, and bound  
With an erected countenance to the clouds.  Gonz. 
''sfoot, what thing is this?  Mon. 
I do love fireworks, because they mount:  
An Exhalation I profess to adore,  
Beyond a fixed star, 'tis more illustrious,  
As every thing raised out of smoke is so:  
Their virtue is in action: what do you think of me?  Gonz 
Troth sir,  
You are beyond my guess, I know you not.  Mo. 
Do you know yourself?  Gonz. 
Yes sir.  Mon. 
Why you and I are one: I am proud, and  
Very proud too, that I must tell you; I saw  
It did become you, cousin Gonzalo, prithee  
Let it be so.  Gonz. 
Let it be so good cousin.  Mon. 
I am no great ones fool.  Gonz. 
I hope so, for alliance' sake.  Mo. 
Yet I do serve the Mighty, Monstrous, and Magnanimous  
Invincible Erota.  Gonz. 
O good cousin, now I have you: I'll meet you in your Coat.  Mo. 
Coat? I have my horseman's coat I must confess  
Lined through with Velvet, and a Scarlet outside;  
If you'll meet me in't, I'll send for't;  
And cousin you shall see me with much comfort,  
For it is both a new one, and a right one,  
It did not come collateral.  Gon. 
Adieu good cousin; at this present I have some business.  Mo. 
Farewell (excellent cousin.)    

Actus Tertius.  

Scaena prima.  Enter Gonzalo and Fernando. Gonz. 
CAndy, I say, is lost already.  Fer. 
Yes,  
If to be conqueror be to be lost.  Gonz. 
You have it; one days conquest hath undone them,  
And sold them to their vassalage; for what  
Have I else toiled my brains, profusely emptied  
My moneys, but to make them slaves to Venice,  
That so in case the sword did lose his edge,  
Than Art might sharpen hers?  Fer. 
Gonzalo how?  Gonz. 
Fernando thus: you see how through this Land,  
Both of the best and basest I am honoured;  
I only gave the State of Venice notice,  
When, where, and how to land, or you had found  
A better entertainment: I was he  
Encouraged young Antinous to affront  
The devil his father: for the devil I think  
Dares not do more in battle.  Fer. 
But why did ye?  
I find no such great policy in that.  Gonz. 
Indeed Fernando, thou canst fight, not plot:  
Had they continued one, they two alone  
Were of sufficient courage and performance  
To beat an Army.  Fern. 
Now by all my hopes,  
I rather shall admire, than envy virtue.  Gonz. 
Why then by all your hopes you'll rather have  
Your Brains knocked out, then learn how to be wise;  
You Statesman? Well sir, I did more than this,  
When Cassilane craved from the common treasure  
Pay for his Soldiers, I struck home, and lent him  
An hundred thousand Ducats,  Fer. 
Marry sir,  
The policy was little, the love less,  
And honesty least of all.  Gonz 
How say ye by that?  
Go fight, I say go fight, I'll talk no more with you,  
You are insensible.  Fer. 
Well, I shall observe ye,  Gonz. 
Why look you sir, by this means have I got  
The greatest part of Cassilanes estate  
Into my hands, which he can ne'er redeem,  
But must of force sink: do you conceive me now?  Fer. 
So:  
But why have you importuned the Senate,  
For me to sojourn with them?  Gonz. 
There's the quintessence,  
The soul, and grand elixir of my wit:  
For he (according to his noble nature)  
Will not be known to want, though he do want,  
And will be bankrupted so much the sooner,  
And made the subject of our scorn and laughter.  Fern. 
Here's a perfect plotted stratagem.  Gonz. 
Why? could you  
Imagine, that I did not hate in heart  
My country's enemies? yes, yes, Fernando,  
And I will be the man that shall undo them.  Fer. 
Ye are in a ready way.  Gonz. 
I was never out on't.  Enter Gaspero. Gonz. 
Peace,  
Here comes a wise Coxcomb, a tame Coward.  
Now worthy Gaspero, what,  
You come (I know) to be my Lord Fernando's  
conductor to old Cassilane?  Gas. 
To wait upon him.  Gonz. 
And my Lords the Senators sent you?  Gasp. 
My noble Lord they did.  Gonz. 
My Lord Fernando,  
This gentleman (as humble as you see him)  
Is even this kingdom's treasure; In a word,  
'Tis his chief glory that he is not wiser  
Than honest, nor more honest than approved  
In truth and faith.  Gasp. 
My Lord.  Gonz. 
You may be bold  
To trust him with your bosom, he'll not deceive,  
If you rely upon him once.  Ferd. 
Your name is Gaspero?  Gasp. 
Your servant.  Gonz. 
Go commend me  
(Right honest Gaspero) commend me heartily  
To noble Cassilane, tell him my love  
Is vowed to him.  Gas. 
I shall.  Gonz. 
I know you will.  
My Lord I cannot long be absent from you.  Fer. 
Sir, you are now my guide. Exit.  Gonz. 
Thus my designs  
Run uncontrolled; yet Venice though I be  
Intelligencer to thee, in my brain  
Are other large Projects: for if proud Erota  
Bend to my lure, I will be Candy's King,  
And Duke of Venice too. Ha? Venice too?  
O 'twas prettily shoved in: why not? Erota  
May in her love seal all sure: if she swallow  
The bait, I am Lord of both; if not, yet Candy  
Despite of all her power shall be ruined.  Enter Cassilane, Arcanes, and Annophill. Cas. 
Urge me no farther Annophill.  Anno. 
My Lord.  Cas. 
Thy father's poverty has made thee happy;  
For though 'tis true, this solitary life  
Suits not with youth and beauty, O my child,  
Yet 'tis the sweetest Guardian to protect  
Chaste names from Court-aspersions; there a Lady.  
Tender and delicate in years and graces,  
That dotes upon the charms of ease and pleasure,  
Is shipwrecked on the shore; for 'tis much safer  
To trust the Ocean in a leaking ship,  
Then follow greatness in the wanton rites  
Of luxury and sloth.  Ann. 
My wishes sir,  
Have never soared a higher flight, then truly  
To find occasion wherein I might witness  
My duty and obedience.  Cas. 
'Tis well said,  
Canst thou forbear to laugh Arcanes?  Arc. 
Why sir?  Cas. 
To look upon my beggary, to look upon  
My patience in my beggary: Tell me,  
Does it show handsome? bravely?  
Handsome? thou wilt flatter me,  
And swear that I am miserable.  Arc. 
Nothing  
More glorifies the noble, and the valiant,  
Then to despise contempt: if you continue  
But to enjoy yourself, you in yourself  
Enjoy all store besides.  Cas. 
An excellent change:  
I that some seven Apprenticeships commanded  
A hundred Ministers, that waited on  
My nod, and sometimes twenty thousand soldiers,  
Am now retired, attended in my age  
By one poor maid, followed by one old man.  Arc. 
Sir, you are lower in your own repute  
Than you have reason for.  Cas. 
The Roman Captains,  
I mean the best, such as with their bloods  
Purchased their country's peace, the empire's glory,  
Were glad at last to get them to some Farms,  
Off-from the clamours of the ingrateful great ones,  
And the unsteady multitude, to live  
As I do now, and 'twas their blessing too,  
Let it be ours Arcanes.  Arc. 
I cannot but  
Applaud your scorn of injuries.  Cas. 
Of injuries?  
Arcanes, Annophill, lend both your hands  
So, what say ye now?  Arc. 
Why now my Lord—  Cas. 
I swear  
By all my past prosperities; thus standing  
Between you two, I think myself as great,  
As mighty, as if in the Capitol  
I stood amidst the Senators, with all  
The Cretan subjects prostrate at my feet.  Ann. 
Sir, you are here more safe.  Cas. 
And more beloved:  
Why look ye sirs, I can forget the weakness  
Of the traduced soldiers, the neglect  
Of the fair-spoken Senate, the impiety  
Of him, the villain, whom (to my dishonour)  
The World miscalls my son.  
But by the—  Arc. 
Sir, remember that you promised no occasion  
Should move your patience.  Cas. 
Thou dost chide me friendly,  
He shall not have the honour to be thought upon  
Amongst us. Enter a Servant.  
Now? the news?  Ser. 
The Secretary,  
With the Venetian prisoner, desire  
Admittance to your Lordship.  Cas. 
How? to me?  
What mystery is this? Arcanes can they  
Thinkst thou, mean any good?  Arc. 
My Lord, they dare not  
Intend aught else but good.  Cas. 
'tis true, they dare not;  
Arcanes welcome them: Come hither Annophill,  
Stand close to me, we'll change our affability  
Into a form of State: and they shall know  
Our heart is still our own.  Enter Arcanes, Fernando, and Gaspero. Arc. 
My Lord—  Cas. 
Arcanes,  
I know them both: Fernando, as you are  
A man of greatness, I should undervalue  
The right my sword hath fought for, to observe  
Low-fawning compliments, but as you are  
A Captive and a stranger, I can love you,  
And must be kind. You are welcome.  Fern. 
'Tis the all  
Of my ambition.  Gas. 
And for proof how much  
He truly honours your heroic virtues,  
The Senate on his importunity,  
Commend him to your Lordship's guard.  Cas. 
For what?  Gas. 
During the time of his abode in Candy.  
To be your household guest.  Fer. 
Wherein my Lord,  
You shall more make me debtor to your nobleness,  
Then if you had returned me without ransom.  Cass 
Are you in earnest Sir?  Fern. 
My suit to the Senate  
Shall best resolve you that.  Cass. 
Come hither Secretary,  
Look that this be no trick now put upon me:  
For if it be— Sirrah.—  Gas. 
As I have troth  
(My Lord) it only is a favour granted  
Upon Fernando's motion from himself:  
Your Lordship must conceive, I'd not partake  
Ought, but what should concern your honour; who  
Has been the prop, our country's shield, and safety,  
But the renowned Cassilane?  Cass. 
Applause?  
Is Gaspero— puff— nothing— why, young Lord,  
Would you so much be sequestered from those  
That are the blazing Comets of the time,  
To live a solitary life with me?  
A man forsaken? all my hospitality  
Is now contracted to a few; these two,  
This tempest wearied soldier, and this Virgin;  
We cannot feast your eyes with Masques and Revels,  
Or Courtly Antics: the sad sports we riot in,  
Are Tales of foughten fields, of Martial scars,  
And things done long ago, when men of courage  
Were held the best, not those well-spoken youths,  
Who only carry conquest in their tongues;  
Now stories of this nature are unseasonable  
To entertain a great Duke's son with.  Ter. 
Herein  
Shall my Captivity be made my happiness,  
Since what I lose in freedom, I regain  
(With interest) by conversing with a Soldier  
So much less for experience, as great Cassilane.  
Pray sir admit me.  Cas. 
If you come to mock me,  
I shall be angry.  Fer. 
By the love I bear  
To goodness, my intents are honourable.  Cas. 
Then in a word, my Lord, your visitations  
Shall find all due respect: But I am now  
Grown old, and have forgot to be an host;  
Come when you please you are welcome.  Fer. 
Sir, I thank you.  Ann. 
Good sir be not too urgent; for my father  
Will soon be moved: yet in a noble way  
Of courtesy he is as easily conquered.  Fer. 
Lady, your words are like your beauty, powerful;  
I shall not strive more how to do him service,  
Then how to be your servant.  Cas. 
she's my daughter,  
And does command this house.  Fer. 
I so conceive her.  Cas. 
Do you hear?  Gas. 
My honoured Lord.  Cas. 
Commend me to them.  
Tell 'em I thank them.  Gas. 
Whom my Lord?  Cas 
The Senate:  
Why now come you so dull? O they are gracious,  
And infinitely grateful Thou art eloquent,  
Speak modestly in mentioning my services:  
And if ought fall out in the By, that must  
Of mere necessity touch any act  
Of my deserving praises, blush when you talk on't,  
'Twill make them blush to hear on't.  Gas. 
Why my Lord—  Cas. 
Nay, nay, you are too wise now; good, observe me,  
I do not rail against the hopeful springal,  
That builds up monuments in Brass; rears Trophies  
With Mottoes and Inscriptions, quaint devices  
Of Poetry and fiction; let's be quiet.  Arc. 
You must not cross him.  Gas. 
Not for Candy's wealth.  Fer. 
You shall for ever make me yours.  Ann. 
'Twere pity to double your captivity.  Arc. 
Who's here, Decius? Enter Decius.  Cas. 
Ha! Decius? who named Decius?  Dec. 
My duty to your Lordship: I am bold,  
Presuming on your noble and known goodness  
To.—  Cas. 
What?  Dec. 
Present you with this—  Cas. 
Letter?  Dec. 
Yes my honoured Lord.  Cas. 
From whom?  Dec. 
Please you peruse  
The inside, you shall find a name subscribed,  
In such humility, in such obedience,  
That you yourself will judge it tyranny  
Not to receive it favourably.  Cas. 
Heyday.  
Good words my Masters; this is Court-infection,  
And none but Cowards ply them: Tell me, Decius,  
Without more circumstance, who is the sender?  Dec. 
Your much grieved son Antinous.  Cas. 
On my life  
A challenge; speak, as thou art worthy speak:  
I'll answer't.  Dec. 
Honoured Sir.  Cas. 
No honoured Sirs—  
Fool your young Idol with such pompous Attributes.  
Say briefly, what contains it?  Dec, 
'Tis a lowly  
Petition for your favour.  Cas, 
Rash young man,  
But that thou art under my own roof, and know'st  
I dare not any way infringe the Laws  
Of hospitality, thou shouldst repent  
Thy bold and rude intrusion. But presume not  
Again to show thy Letter, for thy life;  
Decius, not for thy life.  Arc. 
Nay then (my Lord)  
I can withhold no longer: you are too rough,  
And wrestle against nature, with a violence  
More than becomes a father: wherein would ye  
Come nearer to the likeness of God,  
Then in your being entreated? Let not thirst  
Of honour, make you quite forget you are  
A man, and what makes perfect manhoods, comforts  
A father.  Ann. 
If a memory remain  
Of my departed mother; if the purity  
Of her unblemished faith deserve to live  
In your remembrance, let me yet by these  
Awake your love to my uncomforted Brother.  Fer. 
I am a stranger: but so much I tender  
Your sons desertful virtues, that I vow  
His Sword ne'er conquered me so absolutely,  
As shall your courtesy, if you vouchsafe  
At 〈◊〉 our instances, to new receive him,  
Into your wonted favour.  Gas. 
Sir, you cannot  
Require more low submission.  Anno. 
Am I not  
Grown vile yet in your eyes? then by the name  
Of father, let me once more sue for him,  
Who is the only now remaining-branch  
With me, of that most ancient root, whose body  
You are, dear sir.  Cas. 
'Tis well: an host of furies  
Could not have baited me, more torturingly,  
More rudely, or more most unnaturally?  
Decius, I say, let me no more hear from him;  
For this time go thou hence, and know from me  
Thou art beholding to me that I have not  
Killed thee already, look to't next, look to't.  
Arcanes fie, fie Annophil, Exit.  Arc. 
He's gone.  
Chafed beyond sufferance: we must follow him.  Dec. 
Lady, this letter is to you.  Anno. 
Come with me,  
For we must speak in private: please you sir,  
To see what entertainment our sad house  
Can yield? Ex.  Fer. 
I shall attend you Lady.  Gas. 
How do ye like  
To sojourn here, my Lord?  Fer. 
More than to feast  
With all the Princes of the earth besides;  
Gonzalo told me that thou wert honest.  Gas. 
Yes sir.  
And you shall find it.  Fer 
Shall I?  Gas. 
All my follies  
Be else recorded to my shame.  Fer. 
Enough,  
My heart is here for ever lodged.  Gas. 
The Lady.  Fer. 
The place admits no time to utter all,  
But Gaspero if thou wilt prove my friend,  
I'll say thou art—  Gas. 
Your servant: I conceive ye,  
we'll choose some fitter leisure.  Fer. 
Never man  
Was (in a moment) or more blessed, or wretched. Exeunt.  Enter Hyparcha, (placing two chairs) Antinous, and Erota. Er. 
Leave us.  Hy. 
I shall. Ex.  Er. 
Antinous sit down.  Ant. 
Madam:  Er. 
I say sit down: I do command you sit;  
For look what honour thou didst gain by me,  
I cannot lose by it: happy Antinous,  
The graces, and the higher Deities  
Smiled at thy birth, and still continue it:  
Then think that I (who scorn lesser examples)  
Must do the like: such as do taste my power,  
And talk of it, with fear and reverence,  
Shall do the same unto the man I favour.  
I tell thee youth, thou hast a conquest won,  
Since thou cam'st home, greater than that last,  
Which dignified thy same; greater than if  
Thou shouldst go out again, and conquer farther;  
For I am not ashamed to acknowledge  
myself subdued by thee.  Ant. 
Great Lady—  Er. 
Sit still, I will not hear thee else: now speak,  
And speak like my Antinous, like my Soldier,  
Whom Cupid, and not Mars, hath sent to Battle.  Ant. 
I must (I see) be silent.  Er. 
So thou mayst:  
There's greater Action in it than in clamour,  
A look, (if it be gracious) will begin the War,  
A word conclude it: then prove no Coward,  
Since thou hast such a friendly enemy,  
That teaches thee to conquer.  Ant. 
You do amaze me Madam,  
I have no skill, no practice in this War,  
And whether you be serious, or please  
To make your sport on a dejected man,  
I cannot rightly guess: but be it as it will,  
It is a like unhappiness to me:  
My discontents bear those conditions in them, Music.  
And lay me out so wretched, no designs  
( however truly promising a good)  
Can make me relish aught, but a sweet-bitter,  
Voluntary Exile. Music again  Er. 
Why an Exile?  
What comfort can there be in those companions Enter Hyparcha.  
Which sad thoughts bring along with?  Hyp. 
Madam.  Er. 
Whence comes this well-tuned sound?  Hyp. 
I know not Madam.  Er. 
Listen wench:  
whatever friendly hands they are that send it Song.  
Let 'em play on; they are Masters of their faculty.  
Doth it please you sir?  Ant. 
According to the time.  Er. 
Go to 'em wench,  
And tell 'em, we shall thank 'em; for they have kept  
As good time to our disposition, as to their instruments;  
Unless Antinous shall say he loves, Enter Philander.  
There never can be sweeter accents uttered.  Phi. 
Let then the heart, that did employ those hands,  
Receive some small share of your thanks with them,  
'Tis happiness enough that you did like it;  
A fortune unto me, that I should send it  
In such a lucky minute; but to obtain  
So gracious welcome, did exceed my hopes.  Ero. 
Good Prince, I thank you for it.  Phi. 
O Madam, pour not (to fast) joys on me,  
But sprinkle 'em so gently, I may stand 'em:  
It is enough at first, you have laid aside  
Those cruel angry looks out of your eyes,  
With which (as with your lovely) you did strike  
All your beholders in an Ecstasy.  Ero. 
Philander, you have long professed to love me,  Phi. 
Have I but professed it Madam?  Er. 
Nay, but hear me?  Phi. 
More attentively, then to an Oracle.  Er. 
And I will speak more truly, if more can be:  
Nor shall my language be wrapped up in Riddles,  
But plain as truth itself: I love this Gentleman,  
Whose griefs has made him so uncapable  
Of Love, he will not hear, at least not understand it.  
I that have looked with scornful eyes on thee,  
And other Princes mighty in their states,  
And in their friends as fortunate, have now prayed,  
In a petitionary kind almost,  
This man, this well deserving man, (that I must say)  
To look upon this beauty, yet you see  
He casts his eyes rather upon the ground,  
Than he will turn 'em this way; Philander  
You look pale; I'll talk no more.  Phi. 
Pray go forward: I would be your Martyr,  
To die thus, were immortally to live.  Ero. 
Will you go to him then, and speak for me?  
You have loved longer, but not ferventer,  
Know how to speak, for you have done it like  
An Orator, even for yourself: then how will you for me  
Whom you profess to love above yourself.  Phi. 
The curses of dissemblers follow me  
Unto my grave, and if I do not so.  Er. 
You may (as all men do) speak boldlier, better  
In their friends cause still, then in your own;  
But speak your utmost, yet you cannot feign,  
I will stand by, and blush to witness it.  
Tell him since I beheld him, I have lost  
The happiness of this life, food, and rest;  
A quiet bosom, and the state I went with.  
Tell him how he has humbled the proud,  
And made the living but a dead Erota.  
Tell him withal, that she is better pleased  
With thinking on him, then enjoying these.  
Tell him— Philander, Prince; I talk in vain  
To you, you do not mark me.  Phi. 
Indeed, I do.  Er. 
But thou dost look so pale,  
As thou wilt spoil the story in relating.  Phi. 
Not, if I can but live to tell it.  Er. 
It may be you have not the heart.  Phi 
I have a will I am sure, howe'er my heart  
May play the coward, but if you please, I'll try.  Er. 
If a kiss will strengthen thee, I give you leave  
To challenge it, nay, I will give it you.  Phi. 
O that a man should taste such heavenly bliss!  
And be enjoined to beg it for another.  Er. 
Alas, it is a misery I grieve  
To put you to, and I will suffer rather  
In his tyranny, than thou in mine.  Phi. 
Nay Madam, since I cannot have your love,  
I will endeavour to deserve your pity:  
For I had rather have within the grave  
Your love, than you should want it upon earth.  
But how can I hope, with a feeble tongue  
To instruct him in the rudiments of love,  
When your most powerful beauty cannot work it?  Er. 
Do what thou wilt (Philander) the request  
Is so unreasonable, that I quit thee of it.  
I desire now no more, but the true patience,  
And fortitude of Lovers, with those helps  
Of sighs and tears, which I think is all the Physic—  Phi. 
O if he did but hear you, 'twere enough;  
And I will wake him from his Apoplexy.  
Antinous.  Ant. 
My Lord?  Phi. 
Nay pray,  
No courtesy to me, you are my Lord,  
(Indeed you are) for you command her heart,  
That commands mine: nor can you want to know it.  
For look you she that told it you in words,  
Explains it now more passionately in tears;  
Either thou hast no heart, or a marble one,  
If those drops cannot melt it; prithee look up,  
And see how sorrow sits within her eyes,  
And love the grief she goes with (if not her)  
Of which thou art the parent: and never yet  
Was there (by nature) that thing made so stony,  
But it would love whatever it begot.  Ant. 
He that begot me, did beget these cares  
Which are good issues, though happily by him  
Esteemed monsters: nay, the ill-judging world  
Is likely enough to give them those Characters.  Phi. 
What's this to love, and to love, and to the Lady? he's old,  
Wrathful, perverse, self-willed, and full of anger,  
Which are his faults; but let them not be thine;  
He thrusts you from his love, she pulls thee on,  
He doubts your virtues, she doth double them:  
O either use thy own eyes, or take mine,  
And with them, my heart, than thou wilt love her,  
Nay, dote upon her, more than on thy duty,  
And men will praise thee equally for it;  
Neglecting her, condemn thee, as a man  
Unworthy such a fortune: O Antinous,  
'Tis not the friendship that I bear to thee,  
But her command, that makes me utter this:  
And when I have prevailed, let her but say,  
Philander, you must die or this is nothing,  
It shall be done together with a breath,  
With the same willingness, I live to serve her.  Er. 
No more Philander.  Phi. 
All I have done, is little yet to purpose,  
But ere I leave him, I will perceive him blush;  
And make him feel the passions that I do,  
And every true lover will assist me in't,  
And lend me their sad sighs to blow it home,  
For Cupid wants a dart to wound this bosom.  Er. 
No more, no more Philander, I can endure no more,  
Pray let him go; go good Antinous, make peace  
With your own mind, no matter though I perish. Ex.    

Actus Quartus.  

Scaena prima.  Enter Hyparcha, and Mochingo. Hyp. 
I Cannot help it.  Mo. 
Nor do I require it,  
The malady needs no Physician,  
Help hospital people.  Hyp. 
I am glad to hear  
You are so valiant.  Mo. 
Valiant?  
Can any man be proud that is not valiant;  
Foolish woman, what wouldst thou say? thou—  
I know not what to call thee.  Hyp. 
I can you,  
For I can call you coxcomb, Ass, and Puppy.  Mo. 
You do do it, I thank you.  Hyp. 
That you'll lose a fortune,  
Which a Cobbler better deserves, than thou dost.  Mo. 
Do not provoke my magnanimity,  
For when I am incensed, I am insensible;  
Go tell thy Lady, that hath sent me word  
She will discard me, that I discard her,  
And throw a scorn upon her, which I would not,  
But that she does me wrong.  Enter Erota, and Antinous. Ant. 
Do you not glory in your conquest more,  
To take some great man prisoner, than to kill him?  
And shall a Lady find less mercy from you,  
That yields herself your Captive, and for her Ransom,  
Will give the jewel of her life, her heart,  
Which she hath locked from all men but thyself:  
For shame (Antinous) throw this dulness off,  
Art thou a man nowhere but in the field?  Hyp. 
He must here Drums, and Trumpets ere he sleeps,  
And at this instant dreams he's in his Armour:  
These Iron-hearted Soldiers are so cold,  
Till they be beaten to a woman's arms,  
And then they love 'em better than their own;  
No Fort can hold them out.  Ant. 
What pity is it (Madam) that yourself,  
Who are all excellence, should become so wretched,  
To think on such a wretch as grief hath made me?  
Seldom despairing men look up to heaven,  
Although it still speak to 'em in its glories;  
For when sad thoughts perplex the mind of man,  
There is a plummet in the heart, that weighs,  
And pulls us (living) to the dust we came from;  
Did you but see the miseries you pursue,  
(As I the happiness that I avoid  
That doubles my afflictions) you would fly  
Unto some wilderness, or to your grave,  
And there find better comforts then in me,  
For love, and cares can never dwell together.  Er. 
They should,  
If thou hadst but my love, and I thy cares.  Ant. 
What wild beast in the Desert, but would be  
Taught by this Tongue to leave his cruelty,  
Though all the beauties of the face were veiled!  
But I am savager than any beast,  
And shall be so till Decius do arrive,  
Whom with so much submission I have sent  
Under my hand, that if he do not bring  
His Benediction back, he must to me  
Be much more crueler, than I to you.  Ero, 
Is't but your father's pardon you desire?  An. 
With his love, & then nothing next that, like yours.  Er. 
Decius is come. Enter Decius.  Ant. 
O welcome friend; If I apprehend not  
Too much of joy, there's comfort in thy looks.  Er. 
There is indeed: I prithee Decius speak it.  De. 
How? prithee Decius? this woman's strangely altered.  An. 
Why dost not speak (good friend) and tell me how  
The reverent blessing of my life, received  
My humble lines; wept he for joy?  Dec. 
No, there's a letter will inform you more:  
Yet I can tell you, what I think will grieve you,  
The old man is in want, and angry still,  
And poverty is the bellows to the Coal,  
More than distaste from you as I imagine.  Ant. 
What's here? how's this? It cannot be: now sure  
My griefs delude my senses.  Er. 
In his looks,  
I read a world of changes: Decius mark  
With what a sad amazement he surveys  
The news: canst thou guess what 'tis?  Dec. 
None good I fear.  Er. 
I fear so too: and then—  Ant. 
It is her hand.  Er. 
Are you not well?  Ant. 
Too well: if I were aught  
But Rock, this Letter would conclude my miseries,  
Peruse it (Lady) and resolve me then,  
In what a case I stand.  Dec. 
Sir, the worst is,  
Your father's lowness, and distaste.  Ant. 
No Decius,  
My sister writes, Fernando has made suit  
For love to her: and to express sincerely  
His constant truth, hath like a noble Gentleman,  
Discovered plots of treachery; contrived  
By false Gonzalo, not intending more  
The utter ruin of our house, then generally  
Candy's confusion.  Dec. 
'Tis a generous part  
Of young Fernando.  Ant. 
'Tis, and I could wish  
All thrift to his affections Decius.  
You find the sum on't Madam.  Er. 
Yes, I do.  Ant. 
And can you now yet think a heart oppressed  
With such a throng of cares, can entertain  
An amorous thought? love frees all toils but one,  
Calamity and it can ill agree.  Er. 
will't please ye speak my doom?  Ant. 
Alas great Lady,  
Why will you flatter thus a desperate man,  
That is quite cast away? O had you not  
Procured the senate's warrant to enforce  
My stay, I had not heard of these sad news.  
What would you have me do?  Er. 
Love me, or kill me,  
One word shall sentence either: for as truth  
Is just, if you refuse me, I am resolute  
Not to outlive my thraldom.  Ant. 
Gentle Lady.  Er. 
Say, must I live, or die?  Dec. 
My Lord, how can you  
Be so inexorable: here's occasion  
Of succouring your father in his wants,  
Securely proffered: pray sir, entertain it.  Er. 
What is my sentence?  Ant. 
What you please to have it?  Er. 
As thou art Gentle, speak those words again.  Ant. 
Madam, you have prevailed; yet give me leave  
Without offence, ere I resign the interest  
Your heart hath in my heart, to prove your secrecy.  Er. 
Antinous, 'tis the greatest Argument  
Of thy affections to me.  Ants 
Madam, thus then,  
My father stands for certain sums engaged  
To treacherous Gonzalo; and has more 'gauged  
The greatest part of his estate to him:  
If you receive this mortgage, and procure  
Acquittance from Gonzalo to my father,  
I am what you would have me be.  Er. 
You'll love me then?  Ant. 
Provided (Madam) that my father know not  
I am an Agent for him.  Er. 
If I fail  
In this, I am unworthy to be loved.  Ant. 
Then (with your favour) thus I seal my truth,  
Today, and Decius witness how unchangingly  
I shall still love Erota.  Er. 
Thou hast quickened  
A dying heart Antinous.  Dec. 
This is well:  
Much happiness to both. Enter Hyparcha  Hyp. 
The Lord Gonzalo  
Attends you Madam.  Er. 
Comes as we could wish,  
Withdraw Antinous, here's a Closet, where  
You may partake his errand; let him enter. Enter  Ant. 
Madam you must be wary. Ex. Gonzalo  Er. 
Fear it not,  
I will be ready for him; to entertain him  
With smiling welcome: Noble sir, you take  
Advantage of the time; it had been fit  
Some notice of your presence, might have fashioned  
A more prepared state.  Gonz 
Do ye mock me Madam?  Er. 
Trust me, you wrong your judgement, to repute  
My gratitude a fault: I have examined  
Your portly carriage, and will now confess  
It hath not slightly won me.  Gonz. 
The wind's turned;  
I thought 'twould come to this: it pleased us Madam,  
At our last interview, to mention love,  
Have you considered on't?  Er. 
With more than common  
Content: but sir, if what you spoke, you meant,  
(As I have cause to doubt) then—  Gonz. 
What, (sweet Lady?)  Er. 
Methinks me should lay by this form of stateliness.  
love's courtship is familiar, and for instance,  
See what a change it hath begot in me,  
I could talk humbly now, as Lovers use.  Gonz 
And I: and I: we meet in one self-center,  
Of blessed consent.  Er. 
I hope my weakness sir,  
Shall not deserve neglect: but if it prove so,  
I am not the first Lady has been ruined  
By being too credulous: you will smart for't one day.  Gon. 
angel-like-lady, let me be held it villain,  
If I love not sincerely.  Er. 
Would I knew it?  Gon. 
Make proof by any fit command.  Er. 
What, do ye mean to many me?  Gonz 
How? mean? nay more, I mean  
To make you Empress of my earthly fortunes,  
Regent of my desires, for did ye covet  
To be a real Queen, I could advance you.  Er. 
Now I perceive you slight me, and would make me  
More simple than my sex's frailty warrants.  Gon. 
But say your mind, and you shall be a Queen.  Er. 
On those conditions, call me yours.  Gon. 
Enough,  
But are we safe?  Er. 
Assuredly.  Gon. 
In short,  
Yet Lady first be plain: would you not choose  
Much rather to prefer your own Sunrising,  
Then any's else though ne'er so near entitled  
By blood, or right of birth?  Er. 
'tis a question  
Needs not a resolution.  Gonz. 
Good: what if  
I set the Crown of Candy on your head?  Er. 
I were a Queen indeed then.  Gon. 
Madam, know  
There's but a boy twixt you, and it suppose him  
Transhaped into an Angel.  Er. 
Wise Gonzalo,  
I cannot but admire thee.  Gonz. 
'Tis worth thinking on:  
Besides your husband shall be Duke of Venice.  Er. 
Gonzalo, Duke of Venice?  Gonz. 
Ye are mine ye say.  Er. 
Pish: you but dally with me; and would lull me  
In a rich golden dream.  Gonz. 
You are too much distrustful of my truth.  Er. 
Then you must give me leave to apprehend  
The means, and manner how.  Gonz. 
Why thus—  Er. 
You shall not,  
We may be overheard; Affairs and counsels  
Of such high nature, are not to be trusted  
Not to the Air itself, you shall in writing,  
Draw out the full design; which if effected,  
I am as I profess.  Gonz. 
O I applaud  
Your ready care, and secrecy.  Er. 
Gonzalo,  
There is a bar yet, twixt our hopes and us,  
And that must be removed.  Gonz. 
What is't?  Er. 
Old Cassilane.  Gonz. 
He? fear not him: I build upon his ruins  
Already.  Er. 
I would find a smoother course  
To shift him off.  Gonz. 
As how?  Er. 
we'll talk in private,  
I have a ready plot.  Gonz. 
I shall adore you. Exeunt.  Enter Fernando, and Annophil. Fer. 
Madam, although I hate unnoble practices,  
And therefore have performed no more than what  
I ought, for honour's safety: yet Annophil,  
Thy love hath been the spur, to urge me forward  
For speedier diligence.  Anno. 
Sir your own fame  
And memory will best reward themselves.  Fer. 
All gain is loss (sweet beauty) if I miss  
My comforts here: The brother and the sister  
Have double conquered me, but thou mayst triumph.  Anno. 
Good sir, I have a father.  Fer. 
Yes, a brave one;  
Couldst thou obscure thy Beauty, yet the happiness  
Of being but his daughter, were a dowry  
Fit for a Prince: what say ye?  An. 
You have deserved  
As much as I should grant.  Fer. 
By this fair hand  
I take possession.  Anno. 
What in words I dare not,  
Imagine in my silence.  Fer. 
Thou art all virtue.  Enter Cassilanes, and Arcanes, Cas. 
I'll tell thee how: Baldwin the Emperor,  
Pretending title, more through tyranny,  
Then right of conquest, or descent, usurped  
The style of Lord o'er all the Grecian Islands,  
And under colour of an amity  
With Crete, preferred the marquess Mountferato  
To be our Governor; the Cretians vexed  
By the ambitious Turks, in hope of aid  
From the Emperor, received for General,  
This Mountferato; he (the wars appeased)  
Plots with the state of Venice, and takes money  
Of them for Candy: they paid well, he steals  
Away in secret; since which time, that right  
The state of Venice claims o'er Candy, is  
By purchase, not inheritance, or Conquest:  
And hence grows all our quarrel.  Arc. 
So a usurer  
Or Lumbard-Jew, might with some bags of trash,  
Buy half the Western world.  Cas 
Money Arcanes  
Is now a God on earth: it cracks virginities,  
And turns a Christian, Turk;  
Bribes justice, cutthroats honour, does what not?  Arc. 
Not captives Candy.  Cas. 
Nor makes thee dishonest,  
Nor me a Coward— Now sir, here is homely,  
But friendly entertainment.  Fer. 
Sir, I find it.  Arc. 
And like it, do ye not?  Fer. 
My repair speaks for me.  Cas. 
Fernando we were speaking off— how this?  Enter Gonzalo, and Gaspero, with a Casket. Gon. 
Your friend, and servant.  Cas. 
Creditors, my Lord,  
Are Masters and no Servants: as the world goes,  
Debtors are very slaves to those to whom  
They have been beholding to; in which respect,  
I should fear you Gonzalo.  Gon. 
Me my Lord?  
You owe me nothing.  Cas. 
What nor love, nor money?  Gon. 
Yes, love, I hope not money.  Cas. 
All this bravery,  
Will scarcely make that good.  Gonz. 
'Tis done already:  
See sir, your Mortgage which I only took,  
In case you and your son had in the wars  
Miscarried: I yield it up again: 'tis yours.  Cas. 
Are ye so conscionable?  Gon. 
'Tis your own.  Cas. 
Pish, pish, I'll not receive what is not mine,  
That were a dangerous business.  Gon. 
Sir, I am paid for't,  
The sums you borrowed, are returned; The bonds  
canceled, and your acquittance formerly sealed:  
Look here sir, Gaspero is witness to it.  Gas. 
My honoured Lord, I am.  Gon. 
My Lord Fernando,  
Arcanes and the rest, you all shall testify,  
That I acquit Lord Cassilane for ever,  
Of any debts to me.  Gas. 
'Tis plain and ample:  
Fortune will once again smile on us fairly.  Cas. 
But hark ye, hark ye, if you be in earnest,  
Whence comes this bounty? or whose is't?  Gon. 
In short,  
The great Erota, by this Secretary,  
Returned me my full due.  Cas. 
Erota? why  
Should she do this?  Gon. 
You must ask her the cause,  
She knows it best.  Cas 
So ho; Arcanes, none  
But women pity us? soft-hearted women,  
I am become a brave fellow now, Arcanes,  
Am I not?  Arc. 
Why sir, if the gracious Princess  
Have took more special notice of your services,  
And means to be more thankful than some others,  
It were an injury to gratitude,  
To disesteem her favours.  Anno. 
Sir she ever  
For your sake most respectively loved me.  Cas. 
The Senate, and the body of this Kingdom,  
Are herein (let me speak it without arrogance)  
Beholding to her: I will thank her for it;  
And if she have reserved a means whereby  
I may repay this bounty with some service,  
She shall be then my Patroness: come sirs,  
we'll taste a cup of wine together now.  Gonz, Fernando, 
I must speak with you in secret.  Fer. 
You shall— Now Gaspero, all's well.  Gas. 
There's news  
You must be acquainted with.  
Come, there is no masterpiece in Art, like Policy. Ex.    

Actus Quintus.  

Scaena prima.  Enter Fernando, and Michael. Fer. 
T The Senate is informed at full.  Mi. 
Gonzalo.  
Dreams not of my arrival yet.  Fer. 
Nor thinks  
'Tis possible his plots can be discovered:  
He fats himself with hopes of Crowns, and Kingdoms,  
And laughs securely, to imagine how  
He means to gull all but himself: when truly,  
None is so grossly gulled as he.  Mich. 
There was never  
A more arch villain.  Fer. 
Peace, the Senate comes.  Enter Porphino Pos. Senators, and Gaspero, Attend. Por. 
How closely, Treason cloaks itself in forms  
Of Civil honesty?  Pos. 
And yet how palpably  
Does heaven reveal it?  Fer. 
Gracious Lords.  Gas. 
The Ambassador,  
Lord Paulo Michael, Advocate  
To the great Duke of Venice.  Por. 
You are most welcome,  
Your Master is a just and noble Prince.  Mic. 
My Lords, he bade me say; that you may know  
How much he scorns, and (as good Princes ought)  
Defies base indirect, and godless treacheries;  
To your more Sacred wisdoms he refers  
The punishment due to the false Gonzalo,  
Or else to send him home to Venice.  Pos. 
Herein  
The Duke is royal: Gaspero the Prince  
Of Cyprus answered he would come.  Gas. 
My Lords,  
He will not long be absent Enter Philander, and Melitus.  Porp. 
You Fernando,  
Have made the State your debtor: worthy Prince,  
We shall be suitors to you for your presence,  
In hearing, and determining of matters  
Greatly concerning Candy.  Phi. 
Fathers, I am  
A stranger.  Pos. 
Why, the cause (my Lord) concerns  
A stranger: please you seat yourself.  Phi. 
howe'er  
Unfit, since you will have it so (my Lords)  
You shall command me.  Por. 
You my Lord Fernando,  
With the Ambassador, withdraw a while.  Fer. 
My Lords, we shall. Ex.  Pos. 
Melitus, and the Secretary,  
Give notice to Gonzalo, that the Senate  
Requires his presence. Ex. Gas. and Mel.  Phi. 
What concerns the business? Enter Cas. and Arca.  Por. 
Thus noble Prince—  Cas. 
Let me alone, thou troublest me,  
I will be heard.  Arc. 
You know not what you do.  Pos. 
Forbear: who's he that is so rude? what's he that dares  
To interrupt our counsels?  Cas. 
One that has guarded,  
Those Purple robes from Cankers worse than Moths,  
One that hath kept your fleeces on your backs,  
That would have been snatched from you: but I see  
'Tis better now to be a dog, a Spaniel  
In times of Peace, then boast the bruised scars,  
Purchased with loss of blood in noble wars:  
My Lords, I speak to you.  Por. 
Lord Cassilane,  
We know not what you mean.  Cas. 
Yes, you are set  
Upon a bench of justice; and a day  
Will come (here this, and quake ye potent great ones)  
When you yourselves shall stand before a judge,  
Who in a pair of scales will weigh your actions,  
Without abatement of one grain: as then  
You would be found full weight, I charge ye fathers  
Let me have justice now.  Pos. 
Lord Cassilane,  
What strange distemperature provokes distrust  
Of our impartiality? be sure  
we'll flatter no man's injuries.  Cas. 
'Tis well;  
You have a Law (Lords) that without remorse  
Dooms such as are beleaguered with the curse  
Of foul ingratitude unto death.  Por. 
We have.  Cas. 
Then do me justice.  Enter Antinous, Decius, Erota, Hyparcha. Dec. 
Madman, whether runnest thou?  Ant. 
Peace Decius, I am deaf.  Hyp. 
Will you forget  
Your greatness and your modesty?  Er. 
Hyparcha leave, I will not hear,  Ant. 
Lady; great, gentle, Lady.  Er. 
Prithee young man forbear to interrupt me,  
Triumph not in thy fortunes; I will speak.  Pos. 
More uproars yet; who are they that disturb us?  Cas. 
The viper's come; his fears have drawn him hither,  
And now (My Lords) be Chronicled for ever,  
And give me justice against this vile Monster,  
This bastard of my blood.  Er. 
'Tis justice fathers,  
I sue for too: and though I might command it,  
(If you remember Lords, whose child I was)  
Yet I will humbly beg it; this old wretch  
'Has forfeited his life to me.  Cas. 
Tricks, tricks;  
Complots, devices, twixt these pair of young-ones,  
To blunt the edge of your well tempered Swords,  
Wherewith you strike offenders, (Lords) but I  
Am not a baby to be feared with bugbears,  
'Tis justice I require.  Er. 
And I.  Ant. 
You speak too tenderly; and too much, like yourself  
To mean a cruelty; which would make monstrous  
Your Sex: yet for the love's sake, which you once  
Pleased to pretend, give my grieved father leave  
To urge his own revenge; you have no cause  
For yours: keep peace about ye.  Cas. 
Will you hear me?  Phi. 
Here's some strange novelty.  Pos. 
Sure we are mocked,  
Speak one at once: say wherein hath your Son  
Transgressed the Law?  Cas. 
O the gross mists of dulness;  
Are you this kingdom's Oracles, yet can be  
So ignorant? first hear, and then consider,  
That I begot him, gave him birth and life,  
And education, were I must confess,  
But duties of a father: I did more;  
I taught him how to manage Arms, to dare  
An Enemy; to court both death and dangers;  
Yet these were but additions to complete  
A well accomplished Soldier: I did more yet.  
I made him chief Commander in the field  
Next to myself, and gave him the full prospect  
Of honour, and preferment; trained him up  
In all perfections of a martialist:  
But he unmindful of his gratitude,  
You know with what contempt of my deserts,  
First kicked against mine honour, scorned all  
My services; then got the palm of glory  
Unto himself: yet not content with this,  
He (lastly) hath conspired my death, and sought  
Means to engage me to this Lady's debt,  
Whose bounty, all my whole estate could never  
Give satisfaction too: now honoured fathers,  
For this cause only, if your Law be law,  
And you the Ministers of justice; then  
Think of this strange ingratitude in him.  Phi. 
Can this be so Antinous?  Ant. 
'Tis all true,  
Nor hath my much wronged father limned my faults  
In colours half so black, as in themselves,  
My guilt hath dyed them: were there mercy left,  
Yet mine own shame would be my Executioner:  
Lords, I am guilty.  Er. 
Thou beliest Antinous,  
Thine innocence: alas (my lords) he's desperate,  
And talks he knows not what: you must not credit  
His lunacy; I can myself disprove  
This accusation: Cassilane, be yet  
More merciful; I beg it.  Cas. 
Time, nor fate,  
The world, or what is in it, shall not alter  
My resolution; he shall die.  Er. 
The senate's  
Prayers; or weeping Lovers, shall not alter  
My resolution: thou shalt die.  Ant. 
Why Madam,  
Are ye all Marble?  Pos. 
Leave your shifts Antinous,  
What plead you to your father's accusation?  Ant. 
Most fully guilty.  Pos. 
You have doomed yourself,  
We cannot quit you now.  Cas. 
A burdened conscience  
Will never need a hangman: hadst thou dared  
To have denied it, than this Sword of mine  
Should on thy head have proved thy tongue a liar.  Er. 
Thy sword? wretched old man, thou hast lived too long  
To carry peace or comfort to thy grave;  
Thou art a man condemned: my Lords this tyrant  
Had perished but for me, I still supplied  
His miserable wants; I sent his daughter  
Money to buy him food; the bread he eat,  
Was from my purse: when he (vaingloriously)  
To dive into the people's hearts, had pawned  
His birthright, I redeemed it, sent it to him,  
And for requital, only made my suit,  
That he would please to new receive his son  
Into his favour, for whose love I told him  
I had been still so friendly: But then he  
As void of gratitude, as all good nature,  
Distracted like a mad man, posted hither  
To pull this vengeance on himself, and us;  
For why, (my Lords) since by the Law, all means  
Is blotted out of your commission,  
As this hard hearted father hath accused  
Noble Antinous, his unblemished Son,  
So I accuse this father, and crave judgement.  Cas. 
All this is but deceit, mere trifles forged  
By combination to defeat the process  
Of Justice, I will have Antinous' life.  Arc. 
Sir, what do ye mean?  Er. 
I will have Cassilane's.  Ant. 
Cunning and cruel Lady, runs the stream  
Of your affections this way? have you not  
Conquest enough by treading on my grave?  
Unless you send me thither in a   
Steeped in my father's blood? as you are woman,  
As the protests of love you vowed were honest;  
Be gentler to my father.  Er. 
Cassilane,  
Thou hast a heart of flint: let my entreats,  
My tears, the Sacrifice of griefs unfeigned,  
Melt it: yet be a father to thy son,  
Unmask thy long besotted judgement, see  
A low obedience kneeling at the feet  
Of nature: I beseech you.  Cas. 
Pish you x  
Your hopes: your plots are idle: I am resolute.  Er. 
Antinous, urge no further.  Ant. 
Hence thou Sorcery  
Of a beguiling softness, I will stand,  
Like the earth's Centre, unmoved; Lords your breath  
Must finish these divisions: I confess  
Civility doth teach I should not speak  
Against a Lady of her birth, so high  
As great Erota, but her injuries  
And thankless wrongs to me, urge me to cry  
Aloud for justice, Fathers.  Dec. 
Whether run you?  Ant. 
For (honoured fathers) that you all may know  
That I alone am not unmatchable  
In crimes of this condition, lest perhaps  
You might conceive, as yet the case appears,  
That this foul stain, and guilt runs in a blood;  
Before this presence, I accuse this Lady  
Of as much vile ingratitude to me.  Cas. 
Impudent Traitor!  Phi. 
Her? O spare Antinous;  
The world reputes thee valiant, do not soil  
All thy past nobleness with such a cowardice,  
As murdering innocent Ladies will stamp on thee?  Ant. 
Brave Prince, with what unwillingness I force  
Her follies, and in those her sin, be witness,  
All these about me: she is bloody minded.  
And turns the justice of the Law to rigor:  
It is her cruelties, not I accuse her:  
Shall I have Audience?  Er. 
Let him speak my Lords.  Dec. 
Your memory will rot.  Ant. 
Cast all your eyes  
On this, what shall I call her? truthless woman,  
When often in my discontents, the sway  
Of her unruly blood, her untamed passion,  
(Or name it as you list) had hour by hour  
Solicited my love, she vowed at last  
She could not, would not live unless I granted  
What she long sued for: I in tender pity,  
To save a Lady of her birth, from ruin  
Gave her her life, and promised to be hers:  
Nor urged I ought from her, but secrecy,  
And then enjoined her to supply such wants  
As I perceived my father's late engagements  
Had made him subject to; what, shall I heap up  
Long repetitions? she to quit my pity,  
Not only hath discovered to my father  
What she had promised to conceal, but also  
Hath drawn my life into this fatal forfeit;  
For which, since I must die, crave a like  
Equality of justice against her;  
Not that I covet blood, but that she may not  
Practise this art of falsehood on some other,  
Perhaps more worthy of her love hereafter.  Por. 
If this be true—  Er. 
My Lords, be as the Law is,  
Indifferent, upright, I do plead guilty:  
Now sir, what glory have you got by this?  
'Las man, I meant not to outlive thy doom;  
Shall we be friends in death?  Cas. 
Hear me, the villain  
Scandals her, honoured Lords.  Er. 
Leave off to dote,  
And die a wise man▪  Ant. 
I am overreached,  
And mastered in my own resolution.  Phi. 
Will ye be wilful Madam? here's the curse  
Of love's disdain.  Cas. 
Why sit you like dumb Statues?  
Demur no longer.  Pos. 
Cassilane, Erota,  
Antinous, death ye ask; and 'tis your dooms,  
You in your follies lived, die in your follies.  Cas. 
I am revenged, and thank you for it.  Er. 
Yes, and I: Antinous hath been gracious.  Ant. 
Sir, may I presume to crave a blessing from you  
Before we part.  Cas. 
Yes, such a one as Parents  
Bestow on cursed sons now, now, I laugh  
To see how those poor younglings are both cheated  
Of life and comfort: look ye, look ye, Lords,  
I go but some ten minutes (more or less)  
Before my time, but they have fiuely cozened  
Themselves of many, many hopeful years  
Amidst their prime of youth and glory; now Enter Annoph.  
My vengeance is made full. Welcome my joy,  
Thou com'st to take a seasonable blessing  
From thy half buried father's hand; I am dead  
Already girl, and so is she and he,  
We all are wormsmeat now.  Anno. 
I have heard all;  
Nor shall you die alone: Lords on my knees  
I beg for justice too.  Porp. 
'Gainst whom, for what?  Ann. 
First let me be resolved; does the Law favour  
None, be they ne'er so mighty?  Porp. 
Not the greatest.  Ann. 
Then justly I accuse of foul ingratitude  
(My Lords) you of the Senate all, not one  
Excepted.  Pos. 
Porp. Us?  Phil. 
Annophill—  Ann. 
You are the Authors  
Of this unthrifty bloodshed; when your enemies  
Came marching to your gates, your children sucked not  
Safe at their mother's breasts, your very Cloisters  
Were not secure, your startingholes of refuge  
Not free from danger, nor your lives your own:  
In this most desperate Ecstasy, my father,  
This aged man, not only undertook  
To guard your lives, but did so; and beat off  
The daring foe; for you he pawned his lands,  
To pay your soldiers, who without their pay  
Refused to strike a blow: but (Lords) when peace  
Was purchased for you, and victory brought home;  
Where was your gratitude, who in your Coffers  
Hoarded the rusty treasure which was due  
To my unminded father? he was glad  
To live retired in want, in penury,  
Whilst you made feasts of surfeit, and forgot  
Your debts to him: The sum of all is this,  
You have been unthankful to him; and I crave  
The rigor of the Law against you all.  Cas. 
My Royal spirited daughter!  Fro. 
Annophill.  
Thou art a worthy wench; let me embrace thee.  Ann. 
Lords, why do ye keep your seats? they are no places  
For such as are offenders.  Pos. 
Though our ignorance  
Of Cassilanes engagements might assuage  
Severity of justice, yet to show  
How no excuse should smooth a breach of Law,  
I yield me to the trial of it.  Porp. 
So must I:  
Great Prince of Cyprus, you are left  
The only Moderator in this difference;  
And as you are a Prince be a Protector  
To woeful Candy.  Phil. 
What a Scene of misery  
Hath thine obdurate frowardness (old man)  
Drawn on thy country's bosom? and for that  
Thy proud ambition could not mount so high  
As to be styled thy country's only Patron,  
Thy malice hath descended to the depth  
Of hell, to be renowned in the Title  
Of the destroyer? dost thou yet perceive  
What curses all posterity will brand  
Thy grave with? that at once hast robbed this kingdom  
Of honour and of safety.  Erot. 
Children yet unborn  
Will stop their ears when thou art named.  Arc. 
The world will be too little to contain  
The memory of this detested deed;  
The Furies will abhor it.  Dec. 
What the sword  
Could not enforce, your peevish thirst of honour  
(A brave, cold, weak, imaginary fame)  
Hath brought on Candy: Candy groans, not these  
That are to die.  Phil. 
'Tis happiness enough  
For them, that they shall not survive to see  
The wounds wherewith thou stab'st the land that gave  
Thee life and name.  Dec. 
'Tis Candy's wrack shall feel—  Cas. 
The mischief of your folly.  Porp. 
Pos. Annophill—  Ann. 
I will not be entreated.  Cas. 
Prithee Annophill.  Ann. 
Why would ye urge me to a mercy which  
You in yourself allow not?  Cas. 
'Tis the Law,  
That if the party who complains, remit  
The offender, he is freed: is't not so Lords?  Porp. 
Pos. 'Tis so.  Cas. 
Antinous, By my shame observe  
What a close witchcraft popular applause is:  
I am awaked, and with clear eyes behold  
The Lethargy wherein my reason long  
Hath been becharmed: Live, live, my matchless son,  
Blessed in thy father's blessing; much more blessed  
In thine own virtues: let me dew thy cheeks  
With my unmanly tears: Rise, I forgive thee:  
And good Antinous, if I shall be thy father  
Forgive me: I can speak no more.  Ant. 
Dear Sir,  
You new beget me now— Madam your pardon,  
I heartily remit you.  Ero. 
I as freely  
Discharge thee Cassilane.  Ann. 
My gracious Lords,  
Repute me not a blemish to my Sex,  
In that I strove to cure a desperate evil  
With a more violent remedy: your lives,  
Your honours are your own.  Phil. 
Then with consent  
Be reconciled on all sides: Please you fathers  
To take your places.  Pos. 
Let us again ascend,  
With joy and thankfulness to heaven: And now  
To other business Lords.  Enter Gaspero, and Melitus, with Gonzalo. Mel. 
Two hours and more Sir,  
The Senate hath been set.  Gonz. 
And I not know it?  
Who sits with them?  Mel. 
My Lord, the Prince of Cyprus.  Gonz. 
Gaspero,  
Why how comes that to pass?  Gas. 
Some weighty cause  
I warrant you.  Gonz. 
Now Lords the business? ha?  
who's here, Erota?  Porp. 
Secretary do your charge  
Upon that Traitor.  Gonz. 
Traitor?  Gas. 
Yes, Gonzalo, Traitor,  
Of treason to the peace and state of Candy,  
I do arrest thee.  Gonz. 
Me? thou dog?  Enter Fernando and Michael. Mich. 
With Licence  
From this grave Senate, I arrest thee likewise  
Of Treason to the State of Venice.  Gonz. 
Ha?  
Is Michael here? nay then I see  
I am undone.  Ero. 
I shall not be your Queen,  
Your Duchess, or your Empress.  Gonz. 
Dull, dull brain.  
O I am fooled?  Gas. 
Look Sir, do you know this hand?  Mic. 
Do you know this Seal? First (Lords) he writes to Venice,  
To make a perfect league, during which time  
He would in private keep some Troops in pay,  
Bribe all the sentinels throughout this kingdom,  
Corrupt the Captains; at a Banquet poison  
The Prince, and greatest Peers, and in conclusion  
Yield Candy slave to Venice.  Gas. 
Next, he contracted  
With the Illustrious Princess, the Lady Erota,  
In hope of marriage with her, to deliver  
All the Venetian gallantry, and strength,  
Upon their first arrival, to the mercy  
Of her and Candy.  Erot. 
This is true Gonzalo.  Gon. 
Let it be true: what then?  Pos. 
My Lord Ambassador,  
What's your demand?  Mich. 
As likes the State of Candy,  
Either to sentence him as he deserves  
Here, or to send him like a slave to Venice.  Porph. 
We shall advise upon it.  Gonz. 
O the devils,  
That had not thrust this trick into my pate—  
A Politician fool? destruction, plague  
Candy and Venice both.  Pos. 
Porp. Away with him.  Mel. 
Come sir, I'll see you safe. Exeunt. Gonz. Mel.  Ero. 
Lords, ere you part  
Be witness to another change of wonder;  
Antinous, now be bold, before this presence,  
Freely to speak, whether or no I used  
The humblest means affection could contrive,  
To gain thy love.  Ant. 
Madam, I must confess it,  
And ever am your servant.  Ero. 
Yes Antinous,  
My servant, for my Lord thou shalt be never:  
I here disclaim the interest thou hadst once  
In my too passionate thoughts. Most noble Prince,  
If yet a relic of thy wonted flames  
Live warm within thy bosom, than I blush not  
To offer up the assurance of my faith,  
To thee that hast deserved it best.  Phil. 
O Madam,  
You play with my calamity.  Ero. 
Let heaven  
Record my truth for ever.  Phil. 
With more joy  
Than I have words to utter, I accept it.  
I also pawn you mine.  Ero. 
The man that in requital  
Of noble and unsought affection  
Grows cruel, never loved, nor did Antinous.  
Yet herein (Prince) ye are beholding to him;  
For his neglect of me humbled a pride,  
Which to a virtuous wife had been a Monster.  Phil. 
For which I'll rank him my deserving friend.  Ant. 
Much comfort dwell with you, as I could wish  
To him I honour most.  Cas. 
O my Antinous,  
My own, my own good son.  Fer. 
One suit I have to make.  Phil. 
To whom Fernando?  Fer. 
Lord Cassilane to you.  Cas. 
To me?  Fer. 
This Lady  
Hath promised to be mine.  Ann. 
Your blessing sir;  
Brother your love.  Ant. 
You cannot sir bestow her  
On a more noble gentleman.  Cas. 
sayst thou so?  
Antinous I confirm it. Here Fernando,  
Live both as one; she is thine.  Ant. 
And herein sister,  
I honour you for your wise settled love.  
This is a day of Triumph, all Contentions  
Are happily accorded: Candy's peace  
Secured, and Venice vowed a worthy friend. Exeunt.     
FINIS.