Come Reader draw thy purse and be a guest  
To our Pa●…assus; 'tis the Muse's feast  
The entertainment needs must be divine;  
Apollo's th'Host ' where Cockains Heads 〈◊〉    

THE TRAGEDY OF OVID.  
Written by Sir ASTON COKAIN Baronet.  
LONDON: Printed for Francis Kirkman, and are to be sold at his Shop under S. Ethelborough's Church in Bishops-gate-street. 1669.   

TO MY Most highly honoured Cousin, CHARLES COTTON Esquire.  
Noble Cousin,  
AS soon as I had finished this Play of mine, (called The Tragedy of Ovid) I sent it to wait upon you, at your house in Berisford; where it found so courteous and generous an Entertainment, that I should accuse myself of much ingratitude, did I not Dedicate it to you, and entreat your Favour that it might visit the world under the secure Patronage of your authentic Name. I beseech you therefore to afford it so much grace, and to give it leave to lie in your Parlour-window, since you have been pleased to signalise it with two excellent Epigrams. This is but a small Testimony of my Thankfulness to you, for an abundancie of high and obliging Favours that I have (upon several occasions) received from you: To which you will infinitely add, by continuing in your good opinion,  
Sir, Your very affectionate Kinsman, and most humble Servant, ASTON COKAIN.   

To the Author, ON Captain HANNIBAL.  

An Epigram.  
YOur Captain Hannibal does snore and puff,  
Armed in his hrazen face, and greasy Buff  
Amongst Punks and Panders, and can rant and roar,  
With Cacala the Turd, & his poor Whore.  
But I would wish his Valour not mistake us;  
All Captains are not like his brother Dacus.  
Advise him then be quiet, or I shall  
Bring Captain Hough, to bait your Hannibal.  
Charles Co●….    


dramatis Personae.  
PYrontus, A young Lord.  
Philocles, His Friend.  
Bassanes, A young Lord.  
Marullus, His Friend.  
Phoebianus, Pyrontus his younger Brother; called also Caralinda.  
Hannibal, A banished Italian Captain.  
Cacala, A young fellow, his man.  
Publius Ovid Naso.  
Dacus, A Getick Captain.  
Clorina, Bassanes his Bride.  
Armelina, Her Sister.  
Cypassis, A Bawd.  
Spinella, Her Daughter, a Courtesan of Tomos.  
Floretta, A Roman Courtesan.  
Maskers.  
A Spectre.  
Servants.   The Scene Tomos, a City in Pontus.  


PUBLIUS OVID NASO EQVES ROMANUS-POETARUM INGENIOSISSIMUS   

The sweet-tongd Ovid's Counterfeit behold;  
Which Noblest Romen wore in rings of gold  
Or would you that, which his own pencil drew  
The Poet, in his d●…thless Poems, view.    

The Tragedy OF OVID  

Actns primi,  

Sena prima.  Enter Pyrontus, furiously intending to fall upon his sword, and Phylocles after him, who with his foot strikes it away. Pyrontus 
UNcivil man begun, before my rage  
Increases above my troubled patience;  
And 〈◊〉 for this untimely Courtesy.  
Make thee to harbinger my Soul, in death,  Phylocles. 
Alas! My Lord why will you take away  
The noblest Life that ever honoured Pontus?  
I pray you think upon't.  Pyron. 
I am resolved.  
Nor 〈◊〉 I live to see Clorina made  
A wife to any man besides myself.  Phylo. 
Ah! who would not run mad, and tear his hair.  
And weep until his eye-ball●… did dissolve,  
To see the bravest man of all this Land  
So passionate? And for a scornful Lady?  Pyron. 
Kill me Phylocles: Thou wilt do a deed  
The gods will love thee for; for I am One  
Full of those things that virtuous Souls abhor,  
Else sure Clorina would not use me thus.  Philo. 
To my own death to do you real Service  
You may command me readily (my Lord):  
But to entice me to advance my hand  
Against your Life; Great Love: and all the gods  
(Whom we do reverence and fear) forbid.  Pyron. 
Phylocles, dost thou love me?  Phylo. 
You know (my Lord) I do above my Life.  
In our late wars when we did aid our Friends  
The fortunate Roma●…, I attended you  
And when your Horse's Fall left you a Prey  
Unto the barbarous Cruelty of the 〈◊〉  
I, careless of my life, ran to your Aid  
And brought you off through many of their death●….  
Command me any thing, so you except  
Your noble Life, and I will do it freely.  Pyron. 
As well except you will not stir a foot  
To do your friend the greatest favour for him;  
Which with an ease, so easy as is walking,  
You may perform.  Phylo. 
What would you have me do?  Pyron. 
Begun my Phylocles. Is this a day  
For me to honour with my Life, wherein  
Clorina slighting all my years of service  
(Which I have paid to her with as great favour  
As any of our Priests adore the gods)  
Will give away herself unto Bassanes?  
Away my Friend, and let me die.  Phylo. 
My Lord I will obey you on condition  
That I may find you as I leave you, safe,  
And (till I see you next) untouched, and living.  
I have some hope I may bring comfort with me,  
Calm all these passions, and create a Joy  
That may occasion triumphs in your heart  Pyron. 
Go then, my friend, and prosper, but be sure  
Thou dost not trisse with me. Thou well know●…▪  
The nature of Pyrontus is a verse  
To suffering of abuses.  Phylo. 
I am gone  
With hope to bring you comfort speedily.  Exit. Pyron. 
False Tyrant Love! I would I had thee here,  
With thy own bow I'd shoot such passions in thee  
As should be over strong for thee to bear.  
Fond Boy! I'd make thee dote on chaste Diana  
And pluck thy Golden Feathers from thy Wing●…  
To write with them Repentance to the world.  
Which of the Fatal Sisters did provoke  
Thee careless of man's happiness, to do  
Those bloody deeds which thou art famous for?  
O that I knew her I And when I am dead  
I'd pass the dreadful Waves of Phlegeton  
But I would find her, and destroy her too.  
Upon Ixion ', wheel I'd torture her  
Till with her baleful Cries she did awake  
The Porter Corberus from his drowsy den,  
Then would I give her body unto him  
And he should eat it▪ and she be forgot.  
But, cruel Love, hadst thou been kind to me  
And equal sire 〈◊〉 in Clorina's breast,  
No●… only in 〈◊〉, but throughout a 〈◊〉 Pontus,  
I would have raised Altars to thy praise:  
Where night and day (whilst 〈◊〉 makes Night, and day)  
I would have had such Anthems carroled to thee  
●…y happy Lovers; that, eternal jove  
Should have wished himself to have been the god of love.  Enter Ovid, Phylocles, and Armelina. Phylo. 
My Lord, the beauteous Lady 〈◊〉  
Attended by the Poet's Pilory Ovid  
By the ●…treaty of the excellent Bride,  
〈◊〉 come to wo●…e you to your 〈◊〉,  Pyron. 
'tis a miraculous kindness, that th●… fair  
Clorina on this solemn day affords me,  
Had she but pleased t'have been so merciful  
In former times. I had not drooped thus  
Now all the City Tomos lays aside  
Neglected care, and puts on Jollity.  
Madam! what is the pleasure of my Deity?  
And thou full Soul of poetry (sweet Ovid)  
What unimmagined harmony of Comfort  
Bring you unto me?  Armel. 
My Lord! if that my sister  
Still doth retain the east of power over you  
By me she doth entreat you to continue  
Among the living. by all the Love you have  
Professed unto her, she conjures you t'bear  
The Chances of this Day worthy your birth,  
And all the noble Actions of your Life.  Ovid. 
It is an unbeseeming weakness in you  
〈◊〉 from the former fullness  
O●… all your Honours all your immense knowledge  
Of sage Philosophy, and of yourself  
〈◊〉 to captive your Reason, and becom●…  
Save to the passions of an heart let loose  
To the pursuit of ba●… barous 〈◊〉.  Pyron. 
Sweet 〈◊〉! you whose every word  
Strikes Music through my ears unto my Soul;  
You in your ●…olt language have 〈◊〉  
The Commands of my Goddess, must have po●…e.  
To make me die continually by living  Ovid. 
Assume a better Courage, and contemn  
These trifles, which you rashly deem Misfortunes.  
My Lord, you are the Glory of this Country▪  
The Basis upon which not only Tomos,  
But the Nobility of Pontus, build  
Their Glories on instructed hitherto  
By imitating You their great Example,  
A little time may alter your Opinion  
Of Beauty; you may chance to see ere long  
Another Lady that may please you better:  
And then this day you do account so miserable  
You in your Calendar will mark a Festival.  Pyron. 
Peace gentle Ovid, thi●… is blasphemy  
Against the Divinity of her fair soul,  
And that rich Heaven of happiness, her body▪  
Jove hath no Beauty, like her, on Olympus;  
She's nature's Masterpiece, and glorisies  
This Angle of the world so, that I prise it  
Above triumphant Rome, and all the Splendours  
The Court of great Tiberius is renowned for:  Ovid. 
You shall o'ercome Me, so you will Yourself:  
Say any thing (my Lord) and I will hear you;  
Do any thing, and I will honour it;  
So you forbear to trespass against your life.  Armel. 
My Sister doth expect (if you have ev●…  
Born real affection to her) that you should  
Return her word by me, that you will lose  
This resolution of self-murder, she will  
Love you as far as Honour will give leave,  
Entertain welcomly your Company,  
And conversation, whilst you prove yourself  
Delighted with her virtue And she knows  
The Lord Bassanes will must joyfully  
Continue you within the Catalogue  
Of his Friends most beloved, while you exceed not  
The Limits of a candied Amity,  
No●… attempt treason to her Nuptials.  Phylo. 
I see a Calmness in your looks (my Friend!)  
Thanks (gracious Madam) for your pains; And may  
Thy Roman Gods reward this kindness (Ovid).  
Yet he were savage that had ears so deaf,  
And dull an Intellect, as not yield  
To your great Reason, and most eloquent Tongue,  Ovid. 
Your partial Love doth too much over-value  
My poor Endeavours. Hark!  Music 〈◊〉 Armel. 
The Music doth  
Invite as in; Pray, Glorify this Ceremony  
With your fair presence  〈◊〉. 
〈◊〉 wills (my Lord)  
Owe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for it.  Ovid. 
Light a more  
Auspicious Torch, and (for a Courtesy  
So timely given crown your more happy head  
With 〈◊〉 b●…ss above your Hopes.  Pyron. 
●…ead in.  Exeunt, Ovid, 
I 〈◊〉 but collect myself▪ and follow you.  Armel. 
You will oblige us all.  Armelina. Pyron. 
My ●…iend Philocles!  〈◊〉. 
I am here my lord (he●…e!  Pyron. 
Oh! how a thousand passions combat  
But which of them shall prove predominant  
Commands (received from my fair, cruel Mistress)  
〈◊〉 have determined. What strange Miracles,  
〈◊〉 Deity of Love, are in thy power!  
〈◊〉 prompts me to advance my hand;  
And turn the Genial Bed into an Urn.  
By setting this Bassanes Soul at Liberty.  
But I must needs recall this infant-thought▪  
Or an inglorious stain may six upon  
My Reputation. He was ever noble  
In all his actions to me, and we  
Have long ago contracted such a friendship,  
That it hath been looked on, as an Example  
Worthy an Imitation. Besides, he  
Was never made acquainted with my Love.  
He than is innocent as any Injury  
Committed against me? and doth no more  
Then I. The bright 〈◊〉 he affects  
An●… so do I, and so must all the world  
That are not blind, or sensess when they see  
His Stars befriend him: all those Eyes of Heaven  
Did look asquint at my Nativity:  
And he hath far more merit to deserve her.  
Come Phylocles: she is my only Goddess  
And I must quit me of profaneness too  
What she commands, strike no forbidden Blow.  Exeunt.  

Sena secunda.  Enter Dacus, Cypassis, and Spinella. Spi. 
Mother! Captain Dacus promised me a new Gown against the Masque: and hath not kept his word with me. I desire therefore I may be quit of his Company?  Dac, 
Pretty grumbling Heart! My Tenants are slow in paying their Rents, I else had not failed thee: But you are very fine as you are, Venus be thanked.  Spi. 
That 〈◊〉 cost of yours. I am the more beholding to another friend.  Dac. 
To whom? The Bride's groom I warrant you Spinella,  Spi. 
'Tis he indeed.  Cypass. 
The Lord Bassanes was ever her noble Patron.  Dac. 
But I hope she will lose his bounty hereafter, Cypassis.  Spi. 
Your Jealousy prompts you to talk thus.  Cypas. 
After honeymoon 〈◊〉 past, he may return to her again.  Spi. 
You shall become more liberaly, or I will shortly 〈◊〉 you from my Acquaintance. What do you think, we venture reputation for nothing but oaths, flattering words, and a little foolish pleasure.  Cypass. 
Indeed Son▪ a young Gentlewoman must be maintained with other Materials. If she goes not sine, and cleanly, she is not fit for good Company. And if she keeps never so 〈◊〉 a while 〈◊〉, and it comes to be known, she may bid farewell for ever to all her holidays; The Honourable, and Worshipful will not care for her Embraces.  Dac. 
Are you against me too, mother? 〈◊〉 thought Madam Cypassis had had a greater kindness for me then so.  Cypas. 
Captain Dacus! You know I have much respected you from our first Acquaintance. But you must think of performing better with Spinella for the future. My poor Girl else, will not be able to live decently, in the fashion unless she should live more common than I could wish.  Spinel. 
Mother, you shall not need to fear that: for I can be married when I will. And this Wedding of my dear old friend invites me much to take that Course. Juno direct me to the best: for Venus (whom I have hither▪ to served ●…is but an ill Tutoress.  Dac. 
Prithee, sweet Spinella, leave thi●… melancholy Discourse. It sounds too unkindly, especially on a marriage day. We should now talk of Love, Maiden heads, Music, Banquets, Maskques, and so forth.  Spinel. 
Captain Dacus I must confess, my Genius is towards mirth indeed: But you must not then give me cause of sorrow.  Cypas. 
The 〈◊〉, Captain, you must not be so close handed for the future. The Lord Bassanes being married, peradventure may turn foolishly uxorious: and then you must either get you better Tenants.  Spinel. 
Or a new Mistress.  Dacus. 
Still in this Key▪  Cypas. 
What hath been done yet, hath been kept private. And so it concerned all our Reputations. But (now I think better on it) it is your best way (Spinella) to take an Husband, if he be worth having.  Spinel. 
He can scarce be worse than this servants.  Dacus. 
Pretty one, afford me better words: For I dearly love thee. And (though I never made use of my Credit yet in that kind) I will take up a new Gown for thee to morrow; on that condition I may take it up as often as I will.  Spinel. 
Then you shall have leave to do your best, or worst.  Cypass. 
Agreed, agreed.  
T●…s well the are come.  Enter Marullus. Spinel. 
He thought Bassanes had forgotten us: but we meant (you see) to come unsent for.  Mar. 
You might have been welcome if you had: I should have got you good place●…. But Bassanes is a Gentleman for his word, and hath sent me to conduct you accordingly.  Spinel. 
I thank his Bridegroom-ship.  Mar. 
You are angry (I warrant you, that he's married.  Spinel. 
Not I, Venus bear me record: Much good do him with his fresh meat. He will be weary of it no doubt ere long, as he hath been with Others: so you may tell him, 〈◊〉.  Mar. 
And then you op●… for him agai●…?  Cypas. 
Juno, and Diana defend. I dare swear she hath no such thoughts.  Dacus. 
So durst not I.  Mar. 
Nor I,  Spinel. 
I care not what you say, you are both minded to jest with me. But is not the young Phoebianus returned from Rome against these solemnities?  Mar. 
Pyrontus' writ for him.  Cypas. 
'tis 〈◊〉 Bassanes would not stay for his Arrival  Spinel. 
No wonder at all: All men so mad of a new face when they can get i●….  Cypas. 
Though often they leave a better for it.  Dacus, 
Well said, Mother: thou speakest Oracles, old Cypassis!  Mar. 
With some regret. This marriage is not yet digested by them in earnest, I must entreat you to beware of your behaviours. You are desired to pretend no Acquaintance to the Bridegroom These slips of youth are sit to be concealed  Spinel. 
Or Clorina may grow jealous.  Mar. 
'tis good preventing the worst: 'tis time we walk.  Exeunt Omnes.  

Scena Tertia.  Loud Music: Then Enter, Pyrontus Bassanes, Phylocles, ●…vid, Clorina, Armelina. Bassanes. 
Welcome for ever to my hand, Clorina,  
Who long hast been the Regent of my heart,  
This day hath made me Owner of such Riches,  
(The Mine of Joys in my delicious Pride)  
That I our mightiest 〈◊〉 do not envy  
Why does my dearest blush ●…Because thy modesty  
Doth she so many beauties here Inferior  
To thy supremest one but blush on fairest,  
Like to a setting Sun, at the approach  
Of this so 〈◊〉 for Night, that's to determine  
Your Virgin Honour.  Clor. 
Now you make me blush  
Indeed my Lord.  Pyron. 
I wish you (Madam) a Life so circled in  
With joy, that you may never breathe a sigh:  
And (when you shall grow weary of the Earth)  
Become Jove's Dotage and be Queen of Heaven.  Clor. 
My Lord Pyrontus. I return you thanks:  
And hope th' immortal gods will recompense  
This kindness, with an happiness transcending  
What ever yet 〈◊〉 could desire.  Ovid. 
May Heaven  
Propitiously smile on you with all those  
Bright eyes that do enlighten Night and Day.  Arm. 
I did not think this City could have shown.  
A Multitude so gallant of both Sexes.  Bassa. 
They come (I thank them) to grace our Nuptials.  Phyloc. 
They come no doubt to see and to be seen.  Enter Marulllus, Dacus, Cypassis, Spinella. Mar. 
Hymen be praised, we are come in time  Cypass. 
Venus bless mine eyes! what a sine show is heree?  Spin. 
Indeed (Captain Dacus) you have endeared me much  
We are beholding to your lusty Shoulders,  
That made a Pretty Lane through all the Crowd,  Dacus 
My best of strength shall evermore attend.  
To do you service  Mar. 
Here let us keep together  
This is the best Room that is left. Pray tell me  
How do ye like the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
Dart subtle rays, such as may 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
Within the breasts of all mankind▪  Spin. 
I do not know how some may love heart, burning,  Cypass. 
It is a Pretty Lady, but I have seen  
Some faces that have seemed as well.  Mar. 
O Envy! Madam Cypassis, where beseech you?  Dacus. 
I hope Spinella would be loath enough  
To change with her.  Spinel. 
I am not yet weary  
Of mine own.  〈◊〉. 
It doth grow late, and time they did begin  Ovid. 
They only waited your Commands.  Mar. 
That●…s Publius Ovid Naso, the Chief Poet  
Not only of Rome, but all the mighty Empire.  Cypas. 
I know him well enough, and was acquainted  
Many years with him, ere I saw this Country.  Ovid. 
May music b●…g  
Some Deities from Olympus▪ top, to grace  
This Nig●…it s solemnities. The mask.  The Maskers all attired according to the Fancies of the Ancient Poets. After a slourish of loud Music Enter Hymen, Cupid, and Venus singing. Ven. 
I ●…nil'd with eyes, that darted rays  
Of sweet desire on either's face.  Cupid. 
And I such shafts did put in ure  
As only they themselves could cure.  Him, 
And I Loves best Physician quickly found;  
Each others hand might heal each others wound.  Ven. 
May they dissolve in love, yet prove  
No Diminution by their love,  Cup. 
May they their fears and pains requite,  
And spend (in such revenge) this night.  Him, 
What ere they do, they may with ardent zeal.  
For they have Licence under my great Seal.  Enter Mercury. Mere. 
Jove hath commanded me to let you know.  
You shall not want a grace that Heaven can show.  
By virtue therefore of my sacred Wand  
Juno, and pallas, hither I command;  
That they (with Venus) may again contest,  
To whom belongs the Golden Apple best.  
And Paris (by my Caduceus Power),  
I charge to come from thy Elysium Bower.  
Now let thy doom meet the just will of Jove  
And thou shalt feast with Deities above,  
Forgo thy Solitary shades▪ and sit  
A judge upon Olympus for thy wi●….  Enter Juno, and Pallas. Pallas. 
Wherefore are we thus summoned to appeir  
To hu●…in view? and to these Mortals here?  Juno. 
I hope Jove now will not disturb our Reign,  
And fall in love with women kind again.  Pallas. 
Surely long since (Queen of the Deities)  
He did abandon terrene vanities.  Juno. 
Daughter, he swore (by Dis) to me himself, he would for ever leave all amorous stealth: Yet Juno cannot but suspect the worse; He once so long continued such a Course.  Pallas. 
Pallas hath often blushed to hear Mars tell▪  
Following his Father's steps he did but well.  
My brother was too blame.  Juno. 
Alas! my son  
Gloried to imitate what Jove had done.  
Your sister Venus was an handsome Child.  Pallas. 
And Mars (when he was young) was very wild.  Merc. 
Saturnia, needless, I do know your fear;  
Had 〈◊〉 meant so▪ heed not have met you here.  
Paris is slow in his Approach. Sure some  
Fine Dreams have fixed him in Elysium  
Again I must command him to appear.  Enter Paris Paris. 
You need not (Maia's sons) for I am here.  
I had not made such stay, but was in talk,  
With my fair Queen in a delicious Walk,  
Where Agamemnon, and the Spartan King,  
And all those many Princes, they did bring  
To fight for the Revenge of that famed Rape,  
Did laugh at our Discourse, not envy at.  
Thrice happy are those Shades, where none do bear.  
Those Passions that so tyrannize it here.  
The Grecian Chie●…ains have a thousand times,  
curs'd their own rage, that crossed us in our Crimes:  
For when their wiser souls were loosened from  
Their Bodies (Porced unto Elysium  
By voilent deaths) and clearly understood,  
Those follies they had sealed with their blood.  
Amazement ceased upon them all Our 〈◊〉,  
(Which that so fatal Quarrel did dostroy●…)  
Had slourished still in pomp; All they and we  
Had lived in peace and in Felicity.  
And died in our own beds, had they been blessed  
T'have had those thoughts wherewith ●…'are now possessed.  
We are not jealous in those plains of Bliss:  
They so●… fruition care not there, that kiss  
Helen of Greece, and I (with out despite  
To 〈◊〉 self) take what Delight,  
Pleaseth 〈◊〉 there the most. Every one there;  
Sleights those thing●… most they doted upon here.  
Our Bodies being composed of Elements  
Incline Mankind to seek to please the sense.  
But there our Spirits (being confined)  
Strive at the satisfaction of the mind.  
Though Souls embrace, They Organs want, and Places.  
To raise a jealousy at their embraces:  
We at our old Amours do often laugh.  Merc. 
Then you was in discourse, which I broke off?  Paris. 
No matter (Mercury) 'tis sit I pay  
My duty unto Jove, and him obey:  
What therefore is his will? that I may soon  
Submit to his Inevitable Doom.  Merc. 
You must again an Umpire be, and tell  
(In beauty) which of these doth most excel.  Paris. 
My Judgement I have given, once and why  
Should that again to my discussion lie?  Merc. 
'Tis▪ Jove's Decree, And he (if you refrain)  
Will make you Subject unto Pluto's Reign,  
From the Elysium Plains, remove you quite,  
And cast you into an eternal night,  
(Instead of Helen's voice) where evermore  
You shall hear Cerberus bark, Cocytus roar,  
And dreadful Phlegeton (with horrid Noise)  
Torment your ears, as darkness shall your eyes▪  Paris. 
I must submit.  Merc. 
Here take this golden Ball▪  
And give't her that's hansom'●… of them all.  Paris. 
I shall (in my Opinion) doom aright:  
But wish that Jove had chose: some other wight.  
But the last time these goddesses employed  
Me in this kind, it was on Sacred Ide.  
Why therefore here, in so remote a Town?  
And countries, so far distant from mine own▪  Merc 
Cast but your eyes about this Crowded place,  
And you may judge, it is to do a Grace  
To some in this fair company.  Hymen. 
To day,  
That generous youthful Pair became my Prey.  Cupid. 
But they had never been your Captives▪ bond,  
If I had not compeed them by a wound.  Merc. 
Jupiter (to do honour to this Night)  
Hath summoned these t' appear to human sight:  
And hath commanded you (before this Throng)  
To give that Apple where't doth most belongs:  
Be well advised (after exact Survey)  
How you dispose the golden Fruit away.  Paris. 
Prime goddesses of the Olympic Court,  
That Paris grace again with your Resor.  
I on my knees beg leave, that what I d●…th  
For One, may not offend the other Two:  
Because our Poets have professed that we  
Have been afflicted for my first decree;  
For thence two of you did our foes become,  
And hastned-on the Sack of Ilium.  
I must obey Imperious Jove's Command,  Venus, 
And we to thy Arbitrament will stand.  Juno▪ 
I do protest (by all my Rule above)  
I'll not be angry how soe'er It prove.  
Pallas And, Priam's son I will be nothing stirred  
Or discontent, if others be preferred.  Paris. 
Having implored your Mercies, Now I fall  
To look to whom belongs the Golden Ball.  
Juno hath sweet black eyes, Pallus sine hair,  
Venus is just proportioned wondrous fair.  
As I have done before, again I must,  Venus, 
The Ball's thine; And my judgement just.  Gives it to her. Juno. 
To tax thy Doom, were but a needless shift,  Pallus. 
Nor do we envy her the petty gift.  Venus. 
To show there is no falling out Lets all  
Fall in, and dance (before this Pair) a Ball.  Juno. 
You and I (Trojan Prince) will lead this sport  Juno. 
You have been famous for, in Priam's Court.  Paris. 
Supremest goddess, you a Grace confer  
Too high, upon your humble Honourer.  Juno. 
Hymen, Cupid, and Maia's son, advance;  
Let's show these Mortals an Olympic Dance.  All the Maskers dance, After a Flourish of Solemn loud Music, Enter Jupiter. Merc. 
The King of gods and men! Hail, thundering Jove!  Pallas 
Why hath my Father left his Throne above?  Jupiter. 
Perceiving Venus, and her wanton Son,  
(To do some service) were by Hymen won  
From my star-paved Court, and looking down  
Upon the world and (in it) on this Town,  
I soon espied the business: Therefore strait  
Summoned you both to meet (this Nuptial night)  
My daughter Venus here, that we might do,  
A Grace divine unto these happy two.  
How Paris hath bestowed the Ball, I've seen:  
But give it me again (you amorous Queen  
Of Cyprus) It hereafter must not be  
A Trophy to the Paphian Deity.  Ven. 
Great Jupiter, I yield to thy Command  Jupi. 
And I thus give it t' a more beauteous hand.  Gives it Clorina▪ 
Here may you flourish long in bliss, and when  
You weary grew of the abodes of men,  
I'll fix you both (t'amaze all humane eyes,)  
A glorious Constellation in the skies.  
Pallas and Venus do not take offence,  
For she is a superior Excellence,  
And frown not Juno; I no more will make  
Converse with Mortals, for thy Quiet'●… sake.  
Hadst thou thus given the Golden Ball, had  Speaks to Paris. 
Made thee Companion unto Ganymede.  
Take hands, and dance, whilst our attentive ears  
Do guide our feet, to music of the spheres▪  They dance the second Dance, A Song. Hymen. 
Blessed, and best Pair make hasto to bed,  
The Bride still owes her Maidenhead.  Cupid. 
There you can only find a Balm,  
The festering of my Darts to calm.  Venus. 
And Youth, and Beauty may delight,  
In all Joys of a Nuptial night.  Chorus. 
There when you shall be left alone, and Kiss,  
You need not envy to the gods, their Bliss.  Jupiter. 
'Tis time we leave these to a new Delight,  
And therefore Jove himself doth bid good night.  Exeunt, Maskers Bassanes. 
Let us to bed, my Dear: I long to lose,  
Myself in thy Embraces. Gentle Ovid  
The bright Clorina, and myself shall owe,  
All power we have to serve you to the utmost:  
And may propitious Heaven incline great Caesar,  
To look with gracious eyes, on your Misfortunes.  Ovid. 
You both vouchsafe too much of honour to me,  
If you forgive the rudeness of my Muse.  Pyron. 
I find myself extremely ill o'th' sudden  
And must not be so barbarous t'interrupt  
(With any sign of sickness) the Felicities  
Of this Blessed Company: Good night to all.  
Farewell my Lord, The happiest of mankind:  
Clorina too goodnight,— you most unkind.  Exeunt Bassanes, Ovid, Clorina, Armelina. Marull. 
Captain I do commit to your Conduct  
Madam Cypassis, and her pretty daughter.  
I must go help the Groom to bed, and see  
The Bride to taste her last Virginity posset.  Exit Marullus. Dacus. 
I shall becarefull of my charge. Spinello,  
I had rather have spent my time in bed with thee,  
Then have been at this Maskque.  Spin. 
So had not I with you.  Dacus. 
I know you jest my little Rogue.  Cypas. 
Juno was of a demure look, and had a grave behaviour.  Dacus. 
Pallas had a smart cast with her eyes.  
I warrant you she beat  
Her husband, if she were ever Married,  
Spin, Venus indeed was the handsomest of them all.  Dacus. 
But you are handsomer than she my pretty One.  Exeunt. Dac. Cyp. Spin. Phyloc. 
'tis very late and time to hasten home.  
How is it with Noble Lord Pyrontus.  Pyr. 
I am undone (my Philocles) for ever.  
And have too tamely yielded to this Match.  
I should have challenged my friend Bassanes,  
If he would not have given up his interest:  
And (by his fall) raised up myself some hope;  
Or lost her bravely with my life together.  Phyl. 
My Lord for Heaven's sake, cast aside such Thoughts,  
And (to your Aid) call generous Patience.  Pyron. 
The Coward's virtue! O the Multitude  
Of those grand joys Bassanes 〈◊〉 possessed of  
By this Conjugal knot! And oh the Myriad  
Of Miseries, my poor life is to wade through  
By her severe Command! were I the mighty  
Tiberius, and (o'er the conquered world)  
Bore Sovereignty, the Empire I should slight,  
And give't Bassanes for his Room to night.  Exeunt Ambo.   

Actus secundi,  

Scena Prima.  Enter Captain Hannibal, Cacala, and Caralinda, Floretta. Hani. 
FRom Ostia, we have had a voyage hither,  
So fraught with Storms, and Tempests that I wonder  
The Sea gods  Cacala. 
The Sea-Monsters call them rather.  Han. 
Were not all tired with using so much Rage  
On us: And yet you (Beauteous Caralinda)  
Seemed fearless of the Furies of the Ocean.  
Dreadless of thunder and lightning? whilst my man  
This Rascal Cacala did nothing but shit,  
And spew, and pray; when there was such a Noise,  
(Betwixt the Mariner's voices, and the Elements,)  
That Neptune could not hear the timorous villain.  Caca. 
Sir, I did love you well: you have been bountiful  
On a 〈◊〉 Occasions to me, I else should never  
Have left my Native Country pleasant Italy;  
IT have undergone a voluntary Exile.  
But had I ever dreamt on such a Passage,  
Such Thunders, Whirlwinds, and such horrible Tempests,  
I would have taken leave to stay in Rome.  Han. 
Although Floretta sometimes wept for fear.  
She did not bavi, and whine like thee.  Cac. 
No Matter.  
She does not know how precious a Thing life is,  Flor. 
Surely I do; but well enough imagined,  
That such ungoverned Out-cries might disturb  
The Company, yet not incline the gods  
The sooner to deliver us from drowning.  Caral. 
Intruth, Cacala, your fear was often times  
So full of noise, the Mariners could not hear,  
Their own voice to attend their necessaries:  
But, you perhaps are valianter at Land.  Han. 
He's every where a Coward Caralinda  Cac. 
I would confute you (Sir,) with all my heart,  
If you, and Mistress Floretta would consent. to't:  
Were I in bed with her, I'd prove myself,  
As valiant as the proudest Captain living.  Han. 
How now you, saucy Rogue  Flor. 
He talks most wickedly.  Cac. 
I had rather do.  Flor. 
You must go look a Mate then.  Caral. 
Where do you mean to lie in Tomos, Captain?  
Good Lodgings, here, I think are somewhat rare.  Han. 
As soon as we came to Town I dispatched Cacala.  
T' inquire out one Madam Cypassis, A Gentlewoman,  
Of my Acquaintance in my very youth, she was  
A servant once unto the Princess Julia.  Caral. 
You rather should say, T' Ovid's famed Corinna.  Han. 
By your fair leave, I know I speak a Truth,  
And were not Ovid timorous he'd confess,  
He Julia veiled under Corinna's Name.  
Cacala hath taken me Lodgings at Cypassis;  
Where you may hear of your humble servant Hannibal.  Caral. 
And does Floretta lie there also?  Han. 
Yes marry,  
Venus defend else.  Caral. 
Then you do resolve.  
(It see us) to make a wedding on't  Han. 
By no means; Madam, Neither pretty Floretta.  
Nor I, are yet such fools, to flight our Liberties,  
Whilst we like one another we'll keep together,  
And when we grow a weary we may part.  
The world hath other men and women enough  
And we are both of us yet ignorant,  
How soon we may affect variety.  Caca. 
But, fear you not the gods? Are they well pleased,  
Think you with such a life?  Cacala. 
My Captain never▪  
Feared any thing And for Mistress Floretta  
What Man could do to her, she never dreaded:  
But how her Courage stands towards the gods,  
I cannot say.  Flor. 
You say too much, Cacala: And must learn manners.  
Or I must pray the Captain to bestow  
A Cudgel on you.  Cacala. 
Sure his valour scorns  
Such mean employment; He disdains to touch  
A weapon that's beneath a sword, or poniard.  
My noble Captain ever was accustomed,  
To give me leave to jest.  Han. 
But you must know,  
Your distance to Floretta,  Caca. 
I know it but too well;  
And always am more distant than I would be.  Caral, 
But, Captain I'd advise you both to marry,  
It is a life thar is more honourable.  Cacala, 
You are deceived (Madam Garalinda)  
Our Roman Captains think there is more honour  
In keeping wenches▪ then in Marriage.  Han. 
Out upon Wedlock: I had rather fear  
Alarms at Midnight then the Multitude  
To bawl Thalassio, ●…t a Nuptials.  Caral. 
YE are a mad Captain, Hannibal.  Han. 
I acknowledge it.  
And ne'er had else been banished into Pontus.  
But where abouts in this town (Caralinda)  
Do you intent to make abode  Caral. 
At Publius Ovid Nasoes:  
I write to him from Rome, t' entreat that Courtesy.  
And he returned me thither word (by Letter)  
I should be welcome▪ I have sent my servants  
Thither to prepare for me, and to beg  
His company here, that he may be my guide.  
Unto his house,  Han: 
Were Ovid in his Youth  
He would be glad of such a Purchase (Lady▪  
YE are of a tempting beauty. He had famed you  
Equal unto his so renowned Corinna,  
Had he been then acquainted with your Excellencies.  Caral. 
You shame me Captain Hannibal: I am  
So conscious of my own deformities,  
That I shall (all I may) eat public view  
Besides I know the Noble Poet hath  
Subdued his Passions, and is now become,  
As rigid in his behaviour, as the gravest  
Of all the ancient Philosophers.  Cacala. 
These women such Discourse affect as if  
They were pure Vesta-Nuns▪ But they that do  
Give credit to them, are of a Belief  
That is not in my Creed,  Caral. 
You must have leave,  
To talk: know likewise Captain!  
Enjoyed the generous Ovid his prime youth,  
And Flourished again in his own house,  
(Adjoining unto our triumphant Capitol)  
I should choose to live with him, I do prize him  
As the supreme wit of the Empire.  
Whose Conversation ever was admired.  
Besides, I dare presume on my'own Temper▪  
I fear not the Temptations of all mankind▪  
And such Averseness have to all that Sex;  
That here (in presence of the Immortal gods)  
I vow (in that kind) never man shall touch me.  Cacala. 
For all your Confidence in your own Chastity,  
(I speak it with a reverence to your merit▪)  
Beware of the old Game, and of the Consequence;  
Known commonly by the name, of Great— Belly.  Caral. 
My Life (through all my Actions) shall vindicate  
My Reputation spot less.  Han. 
Your Beauties, and unequaed Qualities are  
Too potent charms for frail mankind to know,  
And not be conquered, by so many wonders.  Caca. 
Besides her clothes would set one's teeth on edge.  Flor. 
On Shipbord she went in an homelier habit.  Caral. 
The meanest clothes will serve at Sea for women:  
Captains in Tyrain died Habiliments.  
And with their divers coloured Plumes should flourish,  
At all times in all Places to beget  
Awe, and Respect, from those they do converse with.  Han. 
Fair Caralinda, You speak Oracles:  
The Hearts of all the Geteses here, must do Ho. mage  
To your unparallelled perfections;  
They will not only own you for most beautiful,  
But the chief female Gallant of the Province.  Enter Ovid, Caral. 
Your Praises so transcend, they make me blush.  Ovid. 
Welcome my sweetest Cousin Caralinda.  
May all the gods of Seas and winds be praised,  
For your Arrival in this Country safely.  Caral. 
Thanks, generous Ovid, I rejoice to see  
The wonder of the Roman Empire living.  Ovid. 
Oh spare to overvalue so your servant,  
A serious Adorer of your virtues:  
Admire only you have found me breathing,  
After so many years here in Exilement.  Han. 
Madam, because we see you in that Company  
We know you have an honour for, and who will  
Conduct you to your Lodgings, we will press  
No further on your Privacies; But take  
Our leave for this Time. May both gods, and men  
Bear Hatred to Tiberius, un till he  
Repeal the gentle Ovid. When we next  
Do meet, we will converse at large. May Jove  
Juno, Pallas, and the whole Court of Deities,  
Be evermore auspicious to you both.  Caral. 
Also to me. Master; and to Floretta:  
What ere we do, I'd have the gods be merciful.  Exeunt, Han. Flor. Cac. Caral. 
I need not hope I shall be safe, but be secure I shall be so, while I comtinue in  
Your house.  Ovid. 
You (Madam) to yourself shall promise  
All privacy you can desire: you are  
As secret as you were not in the world,  
Although your Native City you inhabit,  
Your name shall not escape my lips. But why  
(if with an offence I may demand it)  
Affect you such concealment, now especially  
When all your friends would be so proud to see you,  
And in this time of public joy?  Caral. 
Hereafter,  
At better leisure I'll acquaint you with  
My very soul, in all Particulars.  Ovid, 
I will await your time. But when you left.  
The world's great Head, happy and flourishing Rome,  
How was Tiberius moved by the Intre aties  
Of my dear wife, and some few real friends,  
That my Repeal solicited?  Caral. 
Your virtuous wife and many constant friends,  
Have not evaded any opportunity  
In your behalf. And (though they have not yet,  
Effected their desires in that Concern)  
They do not despair of prosperous success  Ovid. 
I have two powerful enemies I believe,  
And such who block up (with their imputations)  
All ways of mercy. And yet they are men,  
I cannot accuse myself for ever injuring.  Caral. 
You always was too noble to do wrongs,  Ovid. 
Even he that hath that cruelty of heart,  
To tempt the wife of a poor banisht-Man,  
(Amidst her sighs and tears for my misfortunes)  
Makes use of all the mighty Imterest  
He hath with Caesar, still to fix me here.  
Pardon my passion, ye Just gods, if I  
Do wish one day you will requite the Mischiefs  
Of Cornificius.  Caral. 
Your wife could make good Mirth with his Affection,  
Were not her heart so sad for your long Banishment.  Ovid 
Some of my Griefs I have flung on him under  
The counterfeit Name of Ibis.  Caral. 
Those Curses he richly deserves, Our sacred  
Empress the sweet conditioned Julia,  
Hath from the Island Trimerus, (where she  
Hath lived confined about these twenty years)  
Writ to him oft in your Behalf. But she  
(Although she brought to him the world in Dowry)  
Could not prevail.  Ovid. 
She graced too much an Exile.  Caral. 
But had much reason to solicit throughly,  
She being believed to be the fair Corinna,  
Whom in your Poems you have celebrated.  Ovid. 
I pray you think not so: you wrong her virtues,  
Of which I only was a true Adorer.  Cara. 
Though you deny it ne'er so much, a Many,  
And of the nobler fort, believe it otherwise  
Droop rot best Poet; but Courage.  Ovid. 
Alas.  
My hopes sunk with Augustus to the Grave  
And here my aged bones must find an Urn,  
Will you not see the Bridal house, although  
In this disguise, and sure to be unknown?  Caral. 
I all those Inclinations must suppress:  
It is the will of Heaven, and not mine own,  
'tis time we walk.  Ovid. 
I'm ready to attend you.  Exeunt.  

Scena secunda.  Enter Pyrontus solus, Pyron. 
This sweet and solitary Grove (adjoining  
To your city's walls) I have made Choice to vent  
My sorrows in: This Place that many times  
Clorina's smiling eyes have graced more,  
Then Phoebus with his beams could ever do.  
Happy you Trees, whose roots received vigour  
From the lifegiving virtue of her looks:  
And you sweet Birds that choose this shady place,  
To warble forth your various notes were blessed,  
To learn new Airs from bright Clorina's voice:  
And all those Beasts are fortunate, that here  
Enjoy the cool shades, and the Crystal springs,  
The waters and the grass receiving virtue  
(From her rich presence) towards their ease, and nourishment  
Even all th'Inhabitants of Tomos choose  
This place to recreate their minds withal:  
Pan ' Faunus, Satyrs, and the Dryads  
Have not afforded me so good success  
Wherefore alas! thus do I vainly tax  
The rural gods? Clorina is my foe,  
Else I had been as happy as Bassanes,  
Who is the most blessed man of all the Empire,  
And that unparallelled Beauty doth enjoy,  
Whose Loss must perpetually lament;  
Whose Loss must sit so near unto my Soul,  
The world will want a Cure to make me whole.  Enter Cypassis, Cypas. 
Thanks to These Trees auspicious shades▪ whereby  
I, undiscovered, have been made partaker  
Of Lord Pyrontus' Love unto the Bride▪  
I will observe (with all the curious search  
I may) what progress he intends to make,  
And hope I shall raise motives to withdraw  
Bassanes from the dotage on his wife,  
And six his heart again upon Spinella.  Enter Pyrontus, and Philocles. Philo. 
I have been searching for you long  Cypas. 
'tis best I do retire, where unperceived  
I their discourse may over hear.  Philo. 
You should not.  
Give such a Liberty to your Melancholy,  
Nor take delight in solitary walks.  
My Lord Pyrontus in your early youth.  
You was instructéd (by the ablest Mastero  
That famous Athens or triumphant Rome  
Could glory in) in all the Principles  
Of grave Philosophy; reflect upon them  
And raise yourself thence strength to conquer these  
Unruly passions.  Pyron. 
My dear Philocles,  
'tis very easy for a man to give  
That counsel to his friend, he could not follow  
Himself, were he in his condition;  
I want a Power to preformed The world  
Cannot afford me means: I must enjoy  
Clorina, or I útterly am lost.  
And therefore (though Bassanes is my Friend,)  
My Amity cannot enjoin me silence  
I must pursue my suit, and will.  Philo. 
take heed:  
You than will run a course against all Virtue,  
Offend the sacred Deities, whom we  
Are bound by strictest Obligations,  
To observe in all they have commanded us.  Pyron. 
But they are merciful, and will forgive  Philoc 
But 'tis inglorious to commit a Crime  
Out of presumption of a pardon; and  
Your breach of friendship, all mankind will censure  
An Act degenerating from true Nobility  Pyron. 
These Morals (Philocles) are cast away  
On me, who am so overwhelmed in love,  
I have not Reason left to practise them.  Philo. 
But you will have sufficient if you would  
Take up a Resolution to withstand  
This dangerous passion.  Pyron. 
'tis in vain to preach  
These things to me: I must enjoy Clorina,  
Or leave you friend for ever, I shall die.  Philoc. 
How this untoward Love destroys your sensel  Pyron 
There is not Oratory enough on earth,  
To win me from the Pursuit of my love,  
One way or other I must get Clorina:  
And to invent a Means to compass her,  
Shall be my only study; and if I prove  
So fortunate as to accomplish that,  
I shall account myself a Favourite▪  
The most esteemed of by the Gods.  Philo 
Fiends rather.  Pyron. 
Then I shall find there is a Fate attends  
On Lovers; Harsh Beginnings, happy Ends.  Exit Pyrontus Philo. 
I will not give him over thus, but follow him  
And though I have small Hopes I shall prevail  
Yet I (in Friendship) am obliged to do  
My best to stop him in this vicious Course.  
O brave Pyrontus! How hath impious Love  
Abused thy Reason with this mighty Dotage!  
He that hath been the Glory of this Province,  
Will make himself, this way, the shame and scandal,  Exit Philocles Cypassis discloseth herself. Cypassis. 
is he so hotly set that none beside,  
The Bride can satisfy his luxury!  
This shall Bassanes know. Now will I work  
With all the treacherous Art I'm Mistress of,  
To raise a Discord in their Marriage, she  
Is made of Flesh and blood and may prove false,  Pyrontus. 
is resolved to Court her strongly;  
A Gillant Gentleman, handsome as any,  
Perfect in amorous Compliments no doubt.  
I wonder how he missed her, if he ever  
Made it his business to obtain her favour.  
I wish him good Success May this Clorina  
Fall into his Embraces: Then my Girl  
Spinella it is likely may arise  
Into her former Favour with Bassanes.  
he's rich, and bountiful; And such are welcome  
Unto young Women? who will lose no time,  
And love to live in Flourish of the Fashion,  Enter Bassanes. Bassanes. 
I like this marriage well, For now I led  
My Life in favour of our best of gods.  
I have lived loosely long enough, and paid  
My services to Venus, and wild Priapus.  
Juno will now befriend me, sure, and Hymen  
Rain blessings on my head, and Family.  Cypassis. 
Good day, my Lord Bassanes! what alone?  
Can you so soon deprive yourself of the  
Fair Sunshine of your bright Clorina's eyes?  
Find in your heart to be out of her Company?  Bassanes. 
I must not be a shadow to my wife,  
Nor she to me: we must not evermore  
Follow each other; so our Loves might prove  
Troublesome to ourselves. But say, Cypassis;  
What business brought you hither? Is't for health's sake  
That you are come to walk, and take the Air:  
Or out of hope to meet me here, to tell me?  
Fictitious stories of Spinella's Love  
To me?  Cypassis▪ 
I had not any such intention:  
Affection to the Groves, and a desire  
To exercise myself a while in walking▪  
Did bring me hither. But I've lost my labour,  
And (●…as you came) was a returning home.  Bassanes. 
This is a Riddle, Who could hinder  
You from walking?  Cypassis. 
My own Curiosity,  
I have been listening to the saddest speech,  
That ever yet did pass a Lover's lips.  Bassanes, 
Prithee Cypassis, Who had the ill Fortune,  
To vent his Sorrows in thy hearing?  Cypassis. 
A friend  
Of yours: But 'tis no matter who, you are  
In a condition of such Happiness  
That it would be an incivility in me,  
To cause the least sad thoughts in you. Continue.  
In mirth, and Jollity▪ And so, Farewell.  Bassanes. 
I pray thee stay a while. I must confess  
I have a curiosity to know,  
Who this is that you call a friend of mine  
Who can be sad now I am grown so happy.  Cypassis. 
My Lord Bassanes! I must crave your pardon,  
Secrets of Love you know should be concealed.  Bassanes. 
I am no Common Brother.  Cypassis. 
For old Acquaintance sake I cannot choose,  
But tell you any thing you shall request.  Bassanes. 
I thank you. How doth fair Spinella? I  
Should have enquired sooner of her health,  
But your discourse drew me aside from it.  Cypassis, 
Oh! how you flatter me. I easily can  
Believe you have forgotten her for ever.  Bassanes. 
You wrong our Friendship: Happiness I wish her,  
As much as you and she can both desire.  Cypassis. 
I'll tell her so, and so again Farewell.  Bassanes. 
Nay tell me (ere you go) what Friend of mine  
Is grown so Amorous, and so passionate.  Cypassis. 
Since you will have me, think.  Bassanes▪ 
I cannot guests,  Cypassis. 
It is Pyrontus.  Bass. 
It may be so, yet he  
Never revealed to me he was in love.  Cypassis 
At that I make no wonder.  Bass. 
Whom should he  
Be so enamoured of?  Cypassis. 
Clorina's eyes  
Have Beams enough a Province to inflame.  Bass. 
My wife!  Cypassis. 
The very same.  Bass. 
He surely then will stisle  
His passion generously, and not attempt  
The wife of his approved Friend.  Cypassis. 
You guess amiss, He is resolved to try  
Her to the utmost. He's a proper Gentleman,  
And (I believe) hath a prevailing language:  
You may be civil to him, and be wary.  Bassanes. 
It is too likely. On our Marriage-night  
He so abruptly did depart, he gave us  
Not leisure enough to take our leaves; A sign  
He wanted patience to look on my Joys.  Cypassis 
I thought he somewhat suddenly was gone  
But Love's a passion not to be commanded.  Bassanes 
What was't he in your hearing said?  Cyp●…sses. 
Alas!  
Enough: Too much. He doth deserve our pity,  Philocles. 
did surprise him, and did use  
His best persuasions to divert him from  
So vain, and dangerous an Affection.  Bassanes. 
Come to particulars, my good Cypassis,  
Conceal not from me any thing. The gods  
Did guide you hither t' over-here him, Why  
Stand you in such suspense?  Cypassis. 
Take heed, my Lord Bassanes! Oh, beware  
Of Jealousy, 'tis an accursed Fiend,  
That otherwise your Quiet will molest,  
Involve you in a Perpetuity  
Of hideous Chimeras. Fair Clorina  
Is innocent, and of a spotless virtue,  
She is not accessary to his fault;  
If to be beautiful be not a Crime.  Bassanes. 
I am not jealous; neither will be ever.  Cypassis. 
A Resolution worthy your great mind,  
And worthy the Respects you ought to owe,  
And pay, unto the virtues of your Lady.  Bassanes. 
I know her excellent body is enriched,  
With so sublime a spirit, and so pure,  
That Vice dares not approach her, thoughts, Be free  
Therefore, and tell me all thou knowst.  Cypassis. 
You may command me; And I will conceal  
Nothing from you  Bassanes. 
Good old Cypassis! thanks.  Exeunt Ambo,  

Scena Tertia.  Enter Pyrontus, and Clorina. Clorina. 
For shame (Pyrontus) cease to prosecute  
A suit so much beneath your Honour, and  
So prejudicial to my Reputation:  
I must not hear you.  Pyron. 
What a misery,  
To be condemned to an eternal penury,  
And be forbidden to complain! Fair, cruel  Clorina, 
do not so insult. Although  
I am most wretched, it's in your power to make me  
Happy, when you shall please to be but kind.  Clorina, 
I am not of a savage nature, neither  
Ever rejoiced at my body's Grief,  
I wish you all content, and ever did  
A wife superior unto me in all things.  
Sink not beneath this passion of your Love,  
You undervalved evermore your merits,  
To think of me in that way  Pyron. 
You abuse  
The truest affection amorous heart did ever  
Pay to his Mistress, if you think I can  
Efface your image in my soul. The centre  
Of this vast Globe we breathe on, is not faster  
Fixed than your Beauties here: Here in my Bosom  
They sit triumphant. Aetna in its torrey-Entrals  
Doth nourish lesser. Flames▪ then burn me daily.  
And yet you have no pity for my sufferings.  Clorina. 
Alas! what would you have the make myself  
A Beast, of such an horrid name I tremble  
But to think of it? all though Gods forbid,  
Would you have her, whom you have cast away  
Some kindness on, become an Whore? My heart  
Trembles to think upon't. And the swift Lightning  
Of Blushes flies into my Cheeks▪ Me thinks▪  
My tongue doth burn like fire within my Mouth  
Since it did mention so abhorred a name  Pyron, 
Will you then never think me worth your mercy  
Shall the vain terrors of an empty name,  
Condemn me to a languishing life for ever.  Clorina. 
You gods are Witnesses, that know my thoughts,  
I would not by the wrack of Chastity,  
And proving to my marriage false, redeem  
Myself from the most cruel death that Tyrant  
Did ever invent for his most hated enemy.  Pyron. 
More merciless than worst of all those Tyrants!  
Can you refuse a Courtesy to me,  
Which my assidnous services may plead for?  
And such an one, as can be never known,  
Neither impoverish you in the least degree?  
Reflect upon my misery, sweet Clorina,  
And imitate the gods in Mercy.  Clorina. 
Rather the Fiends, if I should be so wicked.  
The Lord Pyrontus (whom I heretofore  
Did look upon as a most noble Person,  
Accomplished with the virtues) hath declared  
Or Counterfeited himself an Atheist, to  
Allure Clorina from her Purity.  
The gods see every thing. Nature, nor Art,  
Can any thing conceal from them. Thoughts which  
Did never take the air in words, to them  
Discovered lie: And is it not far worse,  
To have the gods to see our Crimes then men?  
Could I prove guilty of so foul a fault,  
I should impoverish myself to nothing;  
A Bankrupt be in honour; which who wants  
Is a companion fit for such wild people,  
As never heard the name of virtue. Riches  
Are Fortune's Trifles, neither altogether  
To be despised, or doted on, but well used.  
Poor Virtue is most rich. Virtue itself  
Was (by the Ancients) held the greatest wealth.  Pyron. 
In your Discourse you are too much a Stoic:  
Young Ladies hearts should not so utterly  
Be void of all Compassion.  Clorina. 
I must leave you,  Pyron. 
Not without hope of Comfort, I beseech you,  
Let me but taste of those sweet Delicacies  
You cloy Bassanes with, if it be possible  
He can be satiated with such delights.  Clorina. 
I trespass on my modesty to hear you.  Exit. Pyron. 
In a condition she so sad hath left me,  
Joy is become an Exile from my heart.  
To love and not be loved, is such a Curse  
Jove (on his Foes) cannot inflict a worse.  Exit.   

Actus Tertii,  

Scena Prima.  Enter Ovid, and Caralinda. Ovid. 
Trasullus is a great ginger,  
In th' Mathematics skilful to perfection:  
For his profounder knowledge, the Chaldeans  
Submit all to him.  Caral. 
Therefore I have reason,  
More strictly to observe th' advice he gave me;  
And wait for the Accomplishment of the Fortune,  
Which he foretold me.  Ovid. 
But fair Caralinda!  
I would not have you either be too scrupulous,  
Or negligent. The skill which they pretend to  
Hath but foundation upon Probabilities:  
The glorious Planets may incline, but force not.  
We have a Liberty within ourselves:  
Our wills are free, not slaves unto the Stars.  Caral. 
Though I believe you; I am so superstitious  
I shall expect the Accomplishment of his Prophecy.  
Further Discourse of it I shall forbear now,  
And choose a worthier subject for our talk,  
Tell me (dear OVID) therefore how th●… Fair  
Bride's Fairer sister doth enjoy her health?  
I left her (when I went to Travail) like  
Illustrious Phoebus rising in the Spring,  
Without a Cloud about his Temples, promising  
A bright day to the world. I left her in  
Her early youth, but with so growing a Beauty,  
That surely now 'tis able to work wonders.  Ovid. 
Indeed she is a Miracle of Perfection;  
Nature hath prodigally bestowed upon her  
All her rich gifts: she is so fine a Virgin,  
That I should wrong her to describe her Farther.  
Health dares not be so rude as to forsake her,  
Nor sickness so uncivil to approach her.  Caral. 
You have delivered her to my Amazement:  
But I did always look that she would prove,  
The Glory of this Province for her Beauty.  Ovid. 
But Armelina hath besides a Soul,  
Replenished so with goodness, and all virtue,  
That were it lodged in any other body,  
It would be locked up in a Cabinet,  
Too mean for such a precious Jewel.  Caral. 
Ovid!  
She is obliged to you for the rich Character  
You have bestowed upon her.  Ovid. 
You mistake me,  
I cannot speak her to her merit. You  
Will think (when you shall see her) I have Injured her:  
Her merits do so much exceed all Language.  Caral. 
We two have from our Childhood had a Friendship,  
And she will grace me to continue it;  
If she be such an one, as you have spoke her.  Ovid. 
Ah!. Caralinda I am grown too old,  
To be a Flatterer.  Enter Armelina. 
Here she comes; and I  
Appeal to your own eyes, to be my witness.  
You grace me (Armelina) by this visit.  
You seem a Deity; And bring a Comfort  
To any Place you honour with your Presence.  Armelina. 
Duty obliges me to wait upon  
A Person so Renowned as is Ovid,  
One banished from his Friends, and Native Country  
And (in his Age) confined to our poor City.  Ovid. 
You have a Charity equal to your Beauty.  
This Lady is my Cousin, born at Sulmo;  
The Place of my Nativity, you will honour me  
To favour her with your Acquaintance, and  
(As you hereafter shall approve of her)  
With your fair Friendship too.  Armelina. 
The generous Ovid,  
New Obligations lays upon me daily.  Ovid. 
My Kinswoman is your servant. Caralinda!  
This Lady is the excellent Armelina  
We were discoursing of, and I commending  
(For who does otherwise that speaks of her,  
Doth sin against the greatest Truth on earth)  
As she came in.  Armelina. 
Madam! I kiss your hand; And am ambitious  
Of your acquaintance, and Affection.  
So excellent a Kinswoman of Ovid's  
Must find my best Respects, and truest Love.  Caralina. 
Admirable Armelina! you are of  
A Goodness so immense, that you may cast  
Away of it on others an abundance,  
And not impoverish yourself at all.  Armelina. 
I wish  
Pontus had any Person in it worthy  
To be a Suitor to you for your love;  
That here you might be married, and fix.  
We would not lose such Graces you are Mistress of  
Now we have seen you once. Ovid me thinks  
Should joy to have so great a Comfort near him,  
And settled past tho fear of Removal.  Caralina. 
Madam! my stay may prove much longer than  
You do imagine. But let my occasions  
Prove how they can (you with your Courtesy,  
Have won so on me) that without your leave  
I'll not return.  Armelina. 
You are too gracious, and have so ●…gag'd me,  
I know not what to speak or think.  Ovid. 
You saw,  
I will believe (in Rome) one Phoebianus,  
A Gentleman of this Country, and this City.  Caralina. 
I saw him oft, and know him very well,  
For he was pleased t' afford his friendship to me.  Ovid. 
When thinks he of returning? he stays long,  Armelina. 
I can imagine he is so discreet,  
That he had rather live in the Metropolis  
Of all the world, than in a solitude,  
Retired (in a manner) from the world,  
Upon the Confines of the Empire here:  
And to that purpose he hath mighty reason  
To choose himself (among the Roman Ladies)  
A Wife whose matchless Beauty shall have power,  
To fix him there for ever.  Caral. 
By your fair leave,  
Dear Armelina, I with confidence  
Dare say he shortly will be here.  Armel. 
Why pray you?  
Can he escape the Roman killing Beauties,  
And slight so much his own full happiness,  
As to return a Bachelor to Tomos,  
And here take up with an inferior woman  
To be his wife. He hath too much discretion,  
To be found guilty of so great a weakness.  Caral. 
You are a stranger it seems to his affection:  
For he hath lest his heart here. Divers times  
he hath told me, he hath such a Mistress here,  
That Rome, and all the World, doth want her equal:  
That there is neither Caesar, King, or Tetrarch,  
But would elect her rather for his wife,  
Then be an Emperor of the Universe,  
And have all Mankind Loyal Subjects to him:  Ovid. 
Who should that Beauty be?  Armel. 
This Province, sure,  
Hath none of so supreme an Excellency,  
As he to you hath intimated. Poets  
Report that Love is blind: And if he choose  
A wife in Pontus (after he hath seen  
Those glorious Ladies in Tiberius' Court)  
He will too late (by his Experience) find  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his own choice was also blind.  Ovid. 
Do you not know her name he so affects?  Armel. 
He is an handsome Gantleman, and if  
He comes not back debauched with the Luxuries  
Of that proud City, nor infected with  
The vices of it, He is a Personage  
Of eminent virtues. Such he went from us;  
And I shall hope he will come back untainted,  
And be an honour to his Native Country.  Ovid. 
But still my curiosity is unsatisfied,  
What might her name be, he doth celebrate  
With such Encomiums?  Caral. 
Perhaps it might offend him if I should  
Reveal that secret.  Ovid. 
Do not think it, I  
Believe (if he were here and I required it)  
He it from me would not conceal: And I  
Dare pass my word the Lady Armelina  
Will be as private in't as you can wish.  Caral. 
Madam! I easily will believe, that you  
Care not at all to hear it.  Armel. 
I dare not (in modesty) be so inquisitive,  
Ladies would have their Loves concealed.  Ovid. 
Sweet Cousin!  
Dear Caralinda, tell us who it is.  Caral. 
Sweet Armelina! I must needs obey,  
'Tis you that he affects.  Armelina. 
You jest with me, and he abuses me,  
To make me the subject of his mirth.  Caralina. 
I'm sure  
You are mistaken much: He hath expressed  
Too great a Love for you, to be in jest.  Armelina. 
There may be other women of my Name,  
For aught I know in Tomos or in Pontus.  Caralina. 
If you Clorina's Sister are, 'tis you.  Armelina. 
You made me blush, A better choice I wish him.  Caralina. 
Were all the Beautiful Ladies in the world  
Together, and among them, he might select  
Freely which he should please, I know the vehemency  
Of his Passion such, he would take you:  
And you are of an Excellency so unparallelled  
That he would wrong his Judgement, if he should  
Err into any other Choice.  Armelina. 
You compliment too much: you Flatter me.  Ovid. 
You do an injury to your mighty merits  
Deserve the Praise of all the world.  Armelina. 
Pray let us  
Discourse of something else.  Ovid. 
Since you will have it so,  
Let us withdraw; And taste a Glass  
Of Cretan wine.  Caral. 
Dedicate one health  
To Phoebianus, and his speedy Return.  Exeunt Omnes.  

Actus Tertii, Scena secunda.  Enter Dacus, Cypassis, and Spinella. Dacus. 
Now we are Friends again.  Cypassis. 
All very good Friends.  Dacus. 
Spinella too will smile upon me.  Spinella. 
Laugh at you also, when you deserve it.  Dacus. 
My wonderful old Mother! Dear Cypassis.  
You are grown merrier of late, and it  
Becomes you well; makes you grow fat, and hold  
The Relics of your Beauty up together:  
If there be any woman in the world  
That doth remember the building of the Capitol,  
I dare pronounce 'tis you. I wish I had  
But as much money as you have spent in Almanacs,  
(Reckoning but one for a year) since you could make use of them; And I  
Should be as rich as a Governor of a Province; And have Gold  
Enough to make daily high Entertainments  
Of the best Sweetmeats, and rich Grecian wines  
For you, and my Spinella, and maintain her  
In clothes beseeming one of Caesar's Family.  Cypassis. 
Well, well Captain  Dacus: 
For all you make a jest at my Age, you would  
Be very glad to live so long yourself.  Spinel. 
I think there is small reason to imagine  
He will arrive to such an Antiquity;  
His Debaucheries will shorten his days. Besides  
He is so quarrelsome, that 'tis a wonder  
That he hath lived till now.  Dac. 
Pretty Spinella, you steer another Course;  
Are tame enough, as Gentle as a God;  
And he that gives you money cannot Injure you.  Enter Hannibal, Cacala, and Floretta. Spinella. 
You prate, you prate.  Hannibal. 
Is the meat ready yet?  Cacala. 
Whether it be or no, my stomach's ready for it.  Cypassis. 
It is; but we must stay for Lord Bassanes.  Han. 
Will he be here, Cypassis?  Cypas. 
Yes, and his friend Marullus.  Han. 
The more the merrier, my reverend Mo.  Cacala. 
But the fewer the better Cheer, I say.  Dacus. 
Jove save you, Captain Hannibal. And Venus,  
Delicate Floretta, smile upon you always.  Han. 
Mars (Captain Dacus) be thy Friend, and Victory  
Sat on thy sword's point, when thou go'st to battle.  Caca. 
If Victory be of any weight, he had better  
Carry her behind him on horseback through the Field.  Floret. 
You look, Spinella, very well to day, are neatly attired;  
You meet with wealthy Servants, else you could  
Not go so richly clad.  Spinel. 
You wear as good Clothes as I; which makes me conclude that  
Captain Hannibal is of a wealthy Fortune.  Floret. 
His sword hath been his money; 'Tis it that hath  
Purchased him an Estate sufficient,  
To live in nobler splendour than he doth.  
But he's content without the Noise of Clients,  
And a Retinue of many Servants. Cacala  
Serves him for man; And me for Maid.  Dacus. 
I wish Bassanes would appear. 'Tis pity  
Good meat (out of a Compliment) should be spoiled.  Spinella. 
He is a Person of his word.  Cypassis. 
And will  
Be suddenly here I dare assure it.  Cacala. 
But how if he comes not this hour yet?  Cypassis. 
We must stay for him.  Cacala. 
I would then I were a Lord, and the better of the two; That we might go to our meat presently, and he come at his own leisure, and sit down accordingly.  Enter Bassanes, and Marullus. Dacus 
Long looked for comes at last!  Cypassis. 
My Lord Bassanes welcome! Friend Marullus!  
You're welcome too.  Bassanes. 
You see I trouble you Cypassis. Why  
Seems my Spinella discontent?  Spinella. 
Because  
She is not yours. You have forsaken me  
I have not seen you many a day.  Bassanes. 
I shall  
Not hereafter be such a stranger to you.  Marullus. 
These wenches strange Temptations are. Yet sure.  
Clorina's Beauties, and the sacred knot  
Of Hymen will continue him in virtue.  Bassanes. 
Your daughter looks exceeding well, Cypassis,  
She's Mistress of a Beauty so supreme,  
It is above the rage of time, of sickiless.  Cypassis. 
Venus be praised, she needs no Art, and never  
Read Ovid's Poem of the skill of Painting,  
She knows not what belongs unto a 〈◊〉  
Her Face doth ever wear its native Colours.  Spinel. 
Mother! the very thought of the Ingredients  
Of Paint, would powerfully deter me from it;  
I should be sick to daub my Face with Ointments  
Made of the spawn of Snakes, spital of Jews,  
And Mird of Infants.  Flor. 
Many a Gentlewoman  
Of good Repute, and excellent Features also  
Have not so nice a stomach.  Cypas. 
I credit it:  
And have known many (who use Art themselves)  
Rail at it with so fine an Impudence,  
As if they did intend to win belief,  
To paint they such Aversion had, as they  
Scorned (with it) to adulterate their Faces.  Mar. 
You women no Dissemblers are! 〈◊〉 that  
Can live without you is an happy man.  Caca. 
In my opinion, you Floretta had  
Better become my wife, then thus continue  
A Concubine to Captain Hannibal.  Floret. 
I shall inform him of your sauciness  
If you desist not from your suit. Know Cacala  
I scorn to be a wife to thee.  Caca. 
No more:  
You have more Cause to scorn to be a Whore.  Aside. Flor. 
What mutter you?  Caca. 
No matter of Importance. I conceit  
Your conversation with the Captain hath  
Inspired you with valour.  Flor. 
Prithee wherefore?  Caca. 
Because you lead such an Incontinent Life;  
I think you do not fear the Gods.  Flor. 
Adonis;  
Or I will make you fear my Hannibal's Anger.  Cypas. 
Our meat stays on us.  Bassanes. 
Mother lead the way.  
Give me your hand Spinella,  Spin. 
And my heart.  Dacus. 
I fear Bassanes will renew his Love.  Exeunt. 
Could I win her affection. I would marry her  
And take her to Rome out of his reach, she is  
Cypassis only Child; And they are rich.  
She may turn honest after she's a wife:  
However Money makes an happy Life.  Exit.  

Actus Tertii, Scena Tertia  Enter Armelina Sola. Armelina, 
Ovid's fair Cousin Caralinda hath  
Inspired a spirit of Joy into me. Those  
Sweet words she told me of my Phoebianus,  
Sunk pleasantly into my heart, and thence  
Disperse a Comfort unto all my Senses.  
Before he travailed he would often whisper  
Kind Accents in my ears of his Affection.  
But (though I wished him well) I durst not give  
Too easy credit to his amorous tongue.  
Yet from my Childhood I have had a kindness  
For him, as he professed he had for me.  
His Constancy my only Comfort is;  
And I will pay with my Affection his.   

Scena Quarta,  Enter Bassanes, and Dacus. Bassanes. 
You should not be so angry. He intended  
You no affront. He had been drinking ere  
We came. You 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much as he  
Could bear: Come therefore in again, shake hands  
And still continue Friends.  Dacus. 
It must not be  
Refuse my Mistress health! It is a Crime,  
Which nothing but his death shall expiate.  
His body goes to Atoms for't aud's Soul  
Whither it pleaseth surly Charon to Waft it.  
Have I been ever his continual Friend,  
Waited on all his worst Extravagancies  
With my unwearied valour, and my sword?  
And am I slighted thus! I will rouse up  
The dreadful Furies from infernal shades,  
To stigmatize him full of my revenge.  
The lasting Stars of his Ingratitude.  Enter Marullus, Cypassis, Hannibal, Cacala, Floretta, Spinella. Cypassis. 
I'll Have no quarrelling in my house, you shall be Friends. He shall drink Spinella's health, and have no more.  Caca. 
And you can hinder Quarrels in a Bawdy-house, you have more power than a Constable. But if you force him to drink her health; Let him have something more, have her too, though it be but to night.  Spin. 
Leave limping Cacala, I have no need  
Of your assistance in this kind. Bassanes  
Let me en●… that you would reconcile them  Bassa. 
Marullus! I conjure you by our Friendship:  
And Captain Dacus! He shall have the Boul.  pointing to Marullus. Mar. 
You shall command me.  Spin. 
If you expect favour you must leave  
These ●…u yours. Are you Friends?  Dacus. 
I must obey you.  Flor. 
Shake hands, and let us in again.  Cypas. 
I need not of Clorina's Health inquire  
She cannot but be well whom you affect.  Bassa. 
Cypassis! this is pretty Compliment,  
She's free from sickness, and I will be careful  
To keep her clear from any vicious Act.  Cypas. 
Doubtless she's virtuous: Trouble not your head  
With Jealousy.  Bassa. 
I will be wise, old Mother!  Han. 
Come Captain.  
We men of War are for the Field, and there  
Will be victorious; Let the woman here.  Exeunt.  

Scena Quinta.  Enter Clorina above, as in her Chamber. Clorina. 
I am locked in, and at it am amazed  
But will conceal it from my servants while  
I any Excuse can find. It needs must be  
My Husband; For he last was with me here.  
I did not hear him do't; but (in all likelihood  
'Twas he, when's mind did run on something else  
I am so innocent I should fear nothing,  
And yet so timorous that I am in dread.  Enter Pyrontus, and Philocles below. 
Pyrontus and his Friend are come into  
The Garden: Gracious Heaven divert him from  
The Prosecution of his suit to me.  
My troublesome thoughts have brought a Drousiness  
Upon me. Sleep shall entertain my time  
Until Bassanes comes, and opes the door.  
I will not force the lock, because I am  
A stranger to the reason I'm made Prisoner.  
Perhaps my Husband knows some Mortal danger  
Designed against me, and hath thus secured me  
Till his return.  Withdraws. Pyron. 
My Philocles, by all  
The Circumstances of our mighty Friendship  
I pray thee vex me with no more Dissuasions.  
I cannot look upon my Passion to  
The fair Clorina as a Crime. If 'tis  
Offence on her to be enamoured, sure  
All mankind that beholds her, must be guilty.  Philoc. 
You are so obstinate, my heart foretells me  
You will draw Mischiefs on your head. For Heaven's sake  
Consider on your Friendship to Bassanes,  
Reflect upon the Contumely, you  
Will bring upon you from the Mouths of all,  
For your unbridled Appetite to the Wife  
Of your approved Friend; and for the Breach  
Of Sacred Amity by such a Crime.  Pyron. 
Your words you scatter in the wind to give  
Counsel to me. My Friendship must submit  
To my more powerful Love.  Philos. 
Noble Pyrontus,  
'Tis not too late yet to consult with Reason.  
Pray give me leave to wait upon you home.  
Rouse your depressed Virtue up, and let  
Time, your own Courage, and the gods Assistance  
Clear your brave mind, from all these vicious Flames.  Pyron. 
I will not leave the House till I have seen  
And spoken with Clorina.  Philoc. 
You have heard  
She is retired into her Chamber, there  
Hath locked herself up; And you may believe  
'tis done to shun your Courtship. Will you go?  Pyron. 
I will not stir from hence, till I have blessed  
My eyes with the most glorious Beams of hers.  Philoc. 
I then must take my leave. If I can do  
No good with my Entreaties to my Friend.  
The world shall not inflict their Curses on me,  
As if that I connived at his Impieties.  
I pray you come away.  Pyron. 
All-powerfull Love,  
〈◊〉 charmed me from obeying your Commands.  Philoc. 
Farewell then; but be wise and follow me.  Exit Philocles. Pyron. 
So let him go. I undisturbed may now  
Enjoy my thoughts; and follow my own Genius.  
She is not sick, and yet she keeps her Chamber;  
And locks herself in, to my greater Prejudice.  
That is the window to't. Oh! For the power  
Of Jove, t'fall on her in a golden shower.  
Mercury! thanks. The Gardener hath left  
A Ladder here. I'll rear it up and venture  
Thereby to get a sight of her; And (if  
I else where must not) there declare my grief.  Rears and climbs up the Ladder. 
The window open! every thing foretells  
Happy success!— she lies upon her Bed!  
Looks like Diana toiled with rural sports.  
Fortune hath thus far favoured me, and I  
Will by her Foretop hold, and venture in.  
Degenerate Minds are known by Fear: And ●…ate  
Makes the audacious persons fortunate.  
She sleeps! Morpheus his heavy hand hath laid,  
On the fair Lids of her bright eyes. I'll kiss  
Them open, till those Suns appear  
And shall disperse those Clouds.  Clorina. 
My Lord! Bassanes!  
You to Clorina are most welcome ever.  
Alas! I am deceived: What Spectre's this  
That haunts me in Pyrontus' shape?  Pyrontus. 
It is  
No airy Apparition, but the wretched  
Pyrontus' self, who hath presumed to steal  
Upon your Privacies.  Clorina. 
For Heaven's sake go, and never see me more.  
Yourself you too much trouble, and expose  
Me (whether I will or no) to so much Ignominy  
By this Intrusion, that should it be known  
My Reputation would be overthrown.  
For Heaven's sake, hence immediately retire  
Without a word.  Pyron. 
Have you no pity yet?  Clorina. 
Have you no Goodness?  
No care, and no Respect for a poor woman?  
A Married one, and your Friend's Wife? You gods  
Deliver me (in safety) from this Monster.  
Men have exiled all Piety from their hearts,  
I must not hope for any succour from them.  
Fie, sie Pyrontus! if you have not made  
A league with hell and mischief, vanish straight,  
And purge your foul Soul by sincere Repentance.  Pyron. 
Are you of so supreme a Beauty, that  
It were profaneness to compare you to  
The fairest of women kind (I think I may  
Say, Venus' self doth want of your Perfections?)  
And can you harbour so severe a mind,  
Within so rich a body? Give a Period  
To your long Cruelty, and mercy show.  Clorina. 
You blast me with your words, study my Ruin.  Pyron. 
Dearest Clorina! Have a Milder thought  
Of my immense affection. In a body  
(by Nature's liberal hand framed to a wonder)  
Lodge not a soul for ever void of pity;  
'Slight not my knees thus bowed to move a tenderness,  
In your so long inexorable heart;  
Neither despise my tears, which thus I pour  
A sacrifice to you disdain: No longer  
Attire your heart in Robes of Salvageness,  
Armour impenetrably cold. Oh! Molli●… it  
With the Remembrance of the assiduous service  
That I have paid you, upon all Occasions.  Enter Bassanes, and Marullus below. Bassa. 
Marullus! I have passed my word to make  
This Afternoon a Visit to Spinella.  Mar. 
You will not so discourteous be I know:  
Your friend Pyrontus (as I heard within)  
Is come to see you, and is in the Garden.  
It seems he is retired into some of  
The solitary walks; being out of sight.  Bassa. 
Faithful Marullus! I will not conceal  
A thought from you that doth disturb my Breast.  
He's to our Friendship false, loves my Clorina,  
And (if he hath not yet) intends to tempt her  
By his lewd Courtship to incontinent Life.  
Because to day I meant to go unto  
Cypassi's house, I've locked her in her Chamber,  
To prevent him of his wild Aims.  Marullus. 
I think  
I hear his voice in the next Ally to us  Bassa. 
My Wife is with him: Her tongue I'm well acquainted with.  Mar. 
It seems they are together.  Bassa. 
Here stands a Ladder at her Chamber window,  
How came it hither! Hark— O monstrous villainy,  
He by it is got up into her Chamber:  
I am betrayed; Marullus basely injured.  
Forsake me not (my Friend) in my adversity,  
Remove the Ladder safely without noise.  
Watch here Marullus, that he slides not down,  
And so escape; And this great Treachery,  
(By both of them) be impudently denied.  
So, so, 'tis done without discovery.  
Lay it down there, or any where, I now  
Will go and make a Third in her lewd Lodging.  Mar. 
But my best Friend! noble Bassanes! let not  
A rash impatience move you to say,  
Or to act any thing unworthy you.  Bassa. 
You need not fear me.  Exit. Mar. 
This is an Accident so strange, I cannot  
Consider it without astonishment.  
If these the Fruits of Marriage be: high Heaven  
Be praised that I have lived a Bachelor.  
Boast not henceforth you Women, of your wealths  
Or Beauties: for if you make no better Proof,  
You bring an Hell, in Dowry to your Husbands.  Bassanes unlocks the door above and enters there. Clorina. 
My Husband's come. Oh you have ruined me,  
Worked such a Mischief that the gods will blush at it.  Bassa. 
Thou beast! unworthy of the name of man,  
Much more unworthy of the name of Friend!  
Thy Crime so great is, that I need not lose  
A Minute in hearing Lies for thy Excuse.  Kills him. 
Die; and go rinse in vain thy so polluted  
Soul, in the flaming streams of Phlegeton.  Pyron. 
Let my last words (for they are perfect truth)  
Find Credit with you. Your Clorina's chaste,  
I here surprised her when she was asleep.  Bassa. 
He's sunk to Hell. Now my lewd Huswife come,  
I'll find another Room for your disports,  
Thy unclean Body shall no more infect  
My Nuptial Bed.  Clorina. 
Protect, Oh Gracious gods! my Innocence.  Bassanes. 
Walk in Marullus. I have suffered wrong:  
And this Adulteress, Justice shall ere long.  Exeunt Omnes.   

Actus Quarti,  

Scena Prima.  Enter Dacus, and Spinella. Dacus. 
I tell thee (sweet Spinella) I adore thee;  
Have for thee a more generous affection,  
Than the greatest Lord in all this Province hath.  Spin. 
You mean Bassanes. But, my doughty Captain!  
He doth express his love in Golden Terms;  
Which I more value than a Soldiers Oaths.  Dacus. 
He loves you for himself, and not for you;  
Mine is a virtuous Flame.  Spin. 
Your Dotage is,  
Forgetful grown of what is past.  Dacus. 
I fain  
Would marry you.  Spin. 
Dacus! I am too young.  Dacus. 
Why jests my pretty wanton so?  Spin. 
Old women that love melancholy Lives,  
Are the fittest Creatures to make slavish Wives.  Dacus. 
Have you so small Esteem for holy Marriage?  
And can you think it such a Bondage?  Spin. 
Yes,  
Are not such yoked together? And oftentimes  
Draw they not Contrary ways; like Dogs in Couples?  
The tugging at an Oar in any Galley  
Is as much Liberty as your Matrimony.  Dac. 
Fie pretty Atheist. Such profaneness quit  
And take an Husband, take thy Captain Dacus:  
A man whose sword shall reap the Parthian Fields,  
And bring thee in (by frequent victories)  
A large Revenue, equal to thy wishes.  Spinel. 
My glorious talking Captain, I shall not  
Be won with empty words.  Dacus. 
Have you no care  
Of future Bliss, or Bare?  Spinel. 
Plato, and Virgil he hath read, I smell him,  
And Courts me with their trim Philosophy.  Dacus. 
As you resolve to live, you do not mean  
To serve the Gods.  Spinel. 
There you come something near me;  
But Venus is a Goddess, and I shall.  
Serve her. But Dacus! To be plain with you,  
I love a Gaudy Chariot, and fine Horses,  
Servants of all sorts, in rich Liveries,  
Delicious Meats, and Wines, costly Apparel,  
And Jewels of the highest value. I must  
Out-glitter all the Females of the Province,  
Or I shall want my will.  Dacus. 
And all this Bravery  
Bassanes wealth shall furnish you withal  
You hope, as I suppose. But (dear Spinella)  
Think of his Marriage. He hath now a wife  
Of great Descent, who brought a Fortune to him  
So vast, I want Arethmetick to name it:  
And she may look to be maintained at th'height  
Of all his Means; And than your hopes will prove  
Fleeting as shadows, vanish in the Air.  Spinel. 
‛ Twit me not with his wedlock: For our Crime  
Will now be greater, And he shall be brought  
To buy his Pleasure at an higher value.  Enter Hannibal, Cacala, and Floretta. The Roman Captain his Mistress, and his servant. Dacus. 
How 〈◊〉 it with my mighty man of War.  
Lets us shake our victorious Hands in Peace,  
And pray to Mars to set the world in uproar.  Hannibal. 
That Timorous Princes may grow Bountiful;  
Court us to take Employment on us, while  
Their Luxuries they may securely follow.  Dacus. 
Brave Captain Hannibal, such Iron-Times  
Would be a Golden Age to us; shall we  
Together walk and drink an health or two,  
To all the Sons of Battle?  Hannibal. 
I am for you.  Spinel. 
Then I'll retire and keep my Mother Company.  Exeunt Han. Dac. Spin. Caca. 
Gentle Floretta stay. Let me not lose  
This opportunity to woo thy love.  Floretta. 
Where learned your folly those fine words?  Caca. 
Your eyes have taught me to express my heart:  
They have infused a Spirit of speech into me.  Flor. 
You have been certainly with some Pedagogue,  
And hired him to pen this Courtship for you.  Caca. 
I love thee better than I love my Captain.  Flor. 
And I your Captain much above you aff●…ct.  Caca. 
What delicate eyes you have! I'll kiss them out,  
And wear them in my ears.  Flor. 
You shall be hanged first;  
I'd rather scratch thy heart out with my nails.  
And stuff a Cushion with't  Caca. 
To sit, and fart upon't, and keep it warm.  
Thou art a precious Rogue, and I had rather  
Have thee to be my wife, than any Damsel  
That lives in the Saburra. Give me a wench  
In all the Gamesome frailty of her youth;  
Especially, would she turn honest afterwards.  Flor. 
Thou talk'st at such a Random Cacala,  
That thouart a Pastime to me. But why rather  
Wouldst thou elect a Beauty broken up  
Than one that's sound?  Caca. 
To tell you the plain Truth,  
An honest woman is a Bugbear to me:  
I never took Delight in their Acquaintance.  Flor. 
Run after your Master, tell him, I would speak with him.  Caca. 
I'll pimp no more: But will henceforth grow honest.  Flor. 
I doubt me (Cacala) thou hast of late  
Been troubled with some terrible Dreams. Hast seen  
Pluto, and his dark Region in thy sleep?  
What else should make thee talk of Virtue?  Caca. 
The goodwill (Floretta) that I bear to you  
Engages me to this discourse. I pray thee  
Take me unto thy Husband: And we then  
Will run away together, leave Captain Hannibal.  
To his new Fortune; And resolve both of us  
To lead our lives Honestly for the future.  Flor. 
Out thou Villain! Turn Traitor to ā Master  
So liberal to thee as my Captain is?  
But that I know he would frown thee to death,  
I would acquaint him with this Parley. Amend  
Or neither he, nor I, will be thy Friend.  Exit. Flor. Caca. 
I know not what to make of this wench; and yet I would fain  
Make her my Wife: But I think I am a Fool for my Labour.  
She'll hold her Peace I hope, That's all my Care,  
And then to get her, I will not despair.  Exit.  

Scena Secunda.  Enter Bassanes, Marullus, and Clorina, with Servants. Bassanes. 
So, place her in that Chair, and to the sides  
Tie fast her Arms, keep her hands open thus!  Here the servants tie her fast, and fasten Pyrontus' heart in her hands. 
Thus! That she may not close them, or remove them:  
And put her Paramour's Heart into them: So,  
Now Foul Adulteress! Thou may'st contemplate  
Of the Affection it did bear thee once.  
Reflect upon the Mountain of thy Sins,  
Which hath overwhelmed the false Pyrontus. Look  
Thou most libidinous woman, what a Ruin  
Thy Lust hath brought upon him, and thyself.  Clor. 
I have at large (calling the gods to witness  
That what I told swerved not a jot from truth)  
Related to you all the Particulars  
Of his unruly Love; that he surprised me,  
Came in at my window whilst I was asleep;  
With what an horror I was stricken at it,  
When I perceived 'twas he; how I railed at him,  
Called him by the worst names that I could think on;  
Bade him be gone for ever from my sight,  
That I looked on him as a Basilisk,  
The Ruin of his honour, and mine own,  
That I would tell you of him, my Bassanes,  
Inform you what a Devil's Company  
You kept i'th' likeness of a Friend. Just gods!  
Protect my Innocency, and by some means  
Divine, inspire these Truths into his heart.  Bassa. 
That wife who dares polluth the Nuptial Bed,  
Is prodigal enough of Vows and Tears,  
To win belief from credulous Persons; she  
Hath done no wrong, when she hath done all the wrong.  Clori. 
Thrice happy are those souls that from the Cares,  
And slanders of this wicked Age are free,  
Walk up and down Elysium in their thin  
And airy substances. And have them so  
Transparent that their thoughts may all be seen.  
Wood mine were such. Oh that the Deities  
Would lend their eyes a while to you, that you  
Might search (Bassanes) every Cranny of,  
My heart. I do not know a thought I have,  
I would conceal from you.  Bassa. 
Thou hast a Soul,  
So ulcerous, Clorina, that the Prayers,  
And vows of all the world can never cleanse it.  Clor. 
Oh! the hard heart of unbelieving Man!  
Happy you Virgins that do stop your ears  
Against the Charms of their bewitching tongues  
And evermore continue in your Chastity.  
I would to Heaven I never had beheld  
Hymen to light his Pine. Have I bestowed  
Myself on you to find such miseries,  
Under your Roof? I wish my Parents had  
As soon as I was born exposed me to  
The open Fields, unto the Cruelty  
Of the most savage Beasts; or in a small  
Unguided Bear, left me unto the fury  
O●… an enraged Sea. Would any Mischief  
Had fallen upon 〈◊〉, but this fatal Marriage.  Bassa. 
Harken Marullus! are you not amazed  
To hear her speak against our Nuptials thus?  
It is apparent that she doth repent her  
Of taking u●…, And wished she had Pyrontus.  Mar. 
I pray you 〈◊〉 her out.  Clorin 
How you mistake  
My meaning, my beloved, and cruel Husband!  
I would it had been pleasing to the gods,  
I never had been made a wise to any.  
How fortunate a choice might you elsewhere  
Have found; these dire Mischances mist; and I  
(With my ill Fate) have no man else infected.  Mar. 
My heart is big with sorrow at her words,  
And vents itself in this sad dew.  Bassa. 
What are these Tears for, you do dry away?  Mar. 
I cannot choose but Melt.  Bassa. 
You are too Tender.  
Come: we will leave her to contemplate here  
The horrid wickednesses, she hath acted.  
If that all sense of honour hath not left thee.  
Clorina, die: It will be endless shame  
For thee to live, after thou thus hast brought  
Perpetual Ignominy on my poor Family.  Mar. 
I pity her, Bassanes, much commiserate  
Her so disastrons Fate: She may be Innocent:  
I pray you think her so; I hope she is.  Bassa. 
Her Reputation's gone, for ever lost:  
A Sea of Tears cannot wash off her Gild,  
'Tis so infectious, I am tainted with it.  
False woman, die: Lost honour never more  
(By any Means) admits of any Cure.  Exeunt.  

Scena Tertia.  Enter Ovid, solus. 
Sure I was born when all the glorious Stars  
Were met in Council to contrive a Mischief.  
Under pretence of my Loose useful studies,  
For the composing of my Art of Love.  
In my declining years (when I expected  
Ease, and a quiet Life) I was exiled  
From Rome, and here confined to end my days  
Among a people rude, and almost barbarous,  
Except a few of th' Gentry and Nobility,  
In a Cold Country, where sierce Jether pays  
(Through divers channels) a Continual Tribute  
Of his vast streams into the Euxine Sea,  
A many have imagined Julia  
Daughter of great Augustus was too gracious  
And liberal of her Amorous Favours to me;  
Which caused him to inslict this Punishment.  
But ere that Emperor left the world, he was  
Informed (for that Particular) of my Innocency:  
And was acquainted that, if I were saulty,  
It was an Error in me, not a Crime;  
For if I ere enjoyed her, it was through  
Her craft; I taking her to be another.  
But he was too severe; That excellent Princess  
He showed as little Mercy to, as me.  
Now about Twenty years, in the small Island  
Of Trimerus (near the Apulian Shores)  
Confined by him she hath led a tedious Life.  
I must confess she had a Generous kindness  
For me, and took delight to read my Poems.  
But by her Letters, and Authentic witness  
Cleared me sufficiently from that Reproach:  
And won thereby so much upon her Father,  
That I had been repealed if he had lived.  
Since his Decease by divers Messengers  
(Persons of Noble Rank and Quality)  
And by her eloquent Epistles she hath  
(For my return to Rome) importuned much  
The great Tiberius, her too Cruel Husband,  
But he that to a Wife (who brought him all  
The Universe in Portion) shows no mercy;  
Will not redress my wrongs. Here I must mourn  
Out all my Life, and sinned my Funeral Urn.  Exit.  

Scena Quarta.  Enter Hannibal, and Cacala. Han. 
T●… Captain Dacus is a jovial Blade,  
〈◊〉 a very valiant Gentleman,  
And of an heart as liberal as the Air.  Cacala! 
How lik'st thou him  Caca. 
But so, so; yet?  
I was well pleased to see him pay the Reckoning.  
You are far from home, and Mistress Floretta is  
As chargeable as a stable of running Horses.  Han. 
It is grown something late; And Time to think  
Of our Return unto our Lodgings. Look!  
What's that?  Espies a man hanging on a Gibbet. 〈◊〉. 
Sir, 〈◊〉 thing.  〈◊〉. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what is't hangs there?  
〈◊〉  
'Tis 〈◊〉 poor 〈◊〉 that was executed  
Two, or three days ago.  Han. 
He had 〈◊〉 fortune.  
Had he 〈◊〉 beter have followed Mars, and fal●…  
In glorious Battle, and his soul expired  
Through 〈◊〉 wounds, then Ignominiously,  
Thus 〈◊〉 to death in Noose of paltry halter?  Caca. 
My Captain Hannibal talks evermore  
Of mighty Battles, or his little Whore.  Han. 
What mutter you, Sirrah?  Caca. 
I (by your valour's Leave.) was saying Captain,  
Yon man hangs in a pitiful cold corner.  
The North wind shakes his Legs as he were dancing.  
Of Wine, and Women, and of all good Meats,  
He hath for ever took his Leave.  Han. 
I'●… sorry for's hard Fate. Some lying People  
Report some of the dead have walked. If thou  
Canst such a piece of fine Activity show,  
Come sup with 〈◊〉 to night. Thou shalt be welcome.  Speaks to the Hang'd-man. Caca. 
He bows his head.  Han. 
〈◊〉 ' 〈◊〉  Caca. 
He 〈◊〉, not put himself to such unnecessary trouble:  
He that small savour hath received already,  
From some of's smaller Friends.  Han. 
If thouart a good dead Fellow, Come (I say)  
And sup with me to night.  Spectre. 
I'll come.  Caca. 
I think I heard him answer; he would come.  Han. 
Thou art so timorous; The Echo of  
My voice deludes thee.  Han. 
Follow me thou fearful Puppy.  Caca. 
A dog,  
His Captainship makes of me; Sir, I shall  
Even tread upon your Heels; I dare not stay  
Behind an inch.  Han. 
Come then, for I fear nothing.  Caca. 
By your Leave.  
I dread the Gallows mightily: And a Thief  
That can talk after he's dead is a terrible Bugbear.  Exeunt.  

Scena Quinta.  Enter Armelina, Bassanes, and Marullus. Arme. 
I'm come to wait upon you Brother, and  
To see how my dear Sister; your Clorina  
Enjoys her health. I found among your servants,  
A general sorrow as I passed along.  
And you (me thinks) reflect distractod looks:  
What is the reason of this Alteration  
Throughout your Family?  Bassa. 
I am something troubled,  
And now not in condition for discourse.  Arme. 
What is the matter, good Marullus! Though  
I may suppose some business, that hath fallen  
Athwart his Expectation, hath distempered  
His thoughts at present; yet I guess he is not  
Sick. Therefore my afflicted mind misgives me,  
That my poor Sister is not well: Resolve me,  
Alas! I see some malady hath taken her:  
And he like a Good Husband suffers with her,  
Grieves fot her want of health: Is it not so?  Bassa. 
Sweet Armelina! At this present leave me:  
I at another time should fitter be,  
To give you th'Entertainment you deserve;  
According to the utmost of my power.  Arme. 
The gods be with you: My poor Company  
Shall be no longer to you troublesome.  
I hope to find my Sister in her Chamber;  
And will go sit with her.  Bassa. 
She is not there.  Arme. 
Where is she then? For I resolve 〈◊〉 see her.  Bassa. 
She's not in case to give you Entertainment,  
Or to receive a visit.  Arme. 
Alas! You strike me  
Almost as dead, as I suspect she is.  
For Heaven's sake teach me where to find her.  Bassa. 
She is alive,  
I pray you let that satisfy, and leave us.  Arme. 
Not for the World. I will not leave the house  
Till I have seen, and spoken with Clorina.  Bassa. 
My dear Marullus! Since this Lady is  
So very importunate, She'll not be diverted,  
Guide her I pray you to her Sister.  Mar. 
I must obey you; And fair Armelina  
Shall wait upon you.  Exeunt Mar. and Arme. Arme. 
Led, and I follow you.  Bassa. 
Now she will curse me, and traduce my name,  
Though (the Gods know) her Sister's in the blame.  
He that refrains for fear of women's Tongues  
To right himself, basely submits to wrongs.  Exit.  

Scena Sexta.  After a small Supper set forth, Enter Hannibal, and Cacala. Han. 
What! Is this all we're like to have?  Caca. 
So please your Soldiership, renowned Captain,  
This is even all; And it may serve the turn.  
Although I have an Appetite as sharp  
As your victorious Sword, great Captain Hannibal.  Han. 
Where is Floretta (Cacala?) Go call her,  
She will rail at this meat, and call me covetous.  Caca. 
I needs must say, her stomach never failed her;  
Though she's but little, she's a tall woman at a Trencher.  Han. 
Run, and call her,  
Tell her the meat will be cold; And then 'tis spoiled.  Caca. 
I may save that Labour. Mistress Spinella hath invited her to Supper.  
They and Cypassis eat to night together.  Han. 
Will Captain Dacus be there.  Caca. 
I think not Sir.  
I never knew Cypassis but an hungry:  
She's not so bountiful, as to invite  
Others to eat her meat up.  Han. 
How comes it then Floretta is their guest?  
Sat down, and be not troublesome: You know  
I'd have it so.  Caca. 
I thank your valour. I have some small suspicion  
Bassanes hath a Liking took to your  
Dear Damigella, and Cypassis must  
Court her, and tempt her to his various Lust.  Han. 
May be so Cacala! Let him take his Chance:  
If he so lead, I'll follow him the Dance;  
Then I will woe Spinella; And he shall  
Father the spurious issue I'll get on her.  
Hark! Somebody knocks: Rise, and inform me who  
Is at the door— How now, What art thou deaf,  
And hearest me knock; or dumb because thou speakest not?  
An Apoplexy sure hath ceased upon thee.  
Sat down again, and drink a Glass of Wine  
It will recover thee. Well done, now eat thy meat.  
Again there knocks somebody at the door.  
Rise once more Sirrah, and conduct them in.  
Be gone, or I shall kick you to your duty.  He opens the door, turns back and falls down, as in a Swoon. 
This idle Rascal sure the falling Sickness  
Hath got of late. I must be at the charge,  
I fear to send for a Physician to him.  
I wonder who it is: For somebody knocks  
Again. It needs must be a stranger, else  
He suc●… long Compliment would not have showed.  
Still he knocks on. I will go bring him in.  Enter Spectre. 
Your name Sir, and your pleasure.  Spectre. 
My name, Helvidius is.  Han. 
You are a stranger  
Unknown to me; I pray, what is your business.  Spectre. 
I come to sup with you.  Han. 
Though clad so meanly,  
You shall be welcome.  Spectre. 
I am not so rude,  
To press upon you, uninvited, Captain.  Han. 
Who should invite you?  Spec. 
Sir! Yourself.  Han. 
'Tis strange.  
I should forget it then.  Spec. 
I come unlooked for Noble Hannibal,  
But you did bid me to supper to night.  Han. 
My Memory hath failed me. Where Helvidius?  Spec. 
At the Gibbet, by the City walls;  
Where I did hang in Chains.  Han. 
This is a Courtesy deserves a welcome;  
You are most welcome Sir, and so believe it.  Spec. 
You are my generous Patron, and I'thank you.  Han. 
Sat down, I pray sit down. So: 'tis well done,  Cacala! 
Where's Cacala. Give me a Glass of Wine,  
What on the floor still! rise man.  Caca. 
I dare not stir, nor breathe Sir.  Han. 
He will not hurt you.  Spec. 
I shall not be so rude, where I find welcome  
To do a Mischief.  Han. 
Fill Wine. Sir much good do you, And here's to you,  
To your fair Mistress' health; whether alive,  
Or your Companion i'th' Elysian Groves.  Spec. 
You much endear me.  Han. 
Could I have thought you would have supped with me,  
You should have been much better treated.  
Sat down and eat, Thou silly Cacala!  Caca. 
I am very timorous.  Han. 
His Promise and my Valour do protect thee.  Caca. 
This Napkin thus dispos d under my Hat,  
Shall keep my eyes off him. I'll cat like a Lion,  
Because I fit in fear, and after will  
Chew the Cud as some Beasts do, to disjest it.  Spec. 
Good Fellow, I salute thee with this Bonl,  
To thy brave Hannibal's Mistresses health.  Caca. 
I have no mind to drink yet. My Master  
Is the better Pledger of such Fancies.  Han. 
You shall not refuse him. Off with is Cacala:  
I'll conclude it.  Spec. 
It has gone round.  
Captain, your kindness hath so far obliged me,  
That I presume to beg a favour of you.  Han. 
You shall command.  Spec. 
I pray you dine with me to morrow.  Han. 
You jest.  Spec. 
I am in earnest: You shall be most welcome.  Han. 
Where?  Spec. 
At the Gibbit.  Han. 
I'll come.  Caca. 
Now my bellie's full, I cannot forbear.  
To cast a sheep's eye at him.  Oh! oh. Cries out aloud, falls backward, and (with his Legs under the Table) overthrows it, and all the meat. Spect. 
I thank you, generous Captain; And good night.  Han. 
Farewell Sir; And expect me as I promised.  
Rise thou unmannerly Beast, and let's to bed.  Caca. 
Good Master, and thrice-valiant Captain Hannibal,  
See me in bed first, and asleep, I beseech you,  
And let me have Mistress Floretta; For I dare not lie alone.  Han. 
Follow me and undress me.  Caca. 
Sir, I beseech you have a little patience:  
Say that I shall not lie alone to night,  
And you will comfort me. I otherwise  
Shall be so weak with fear, I shall not be  
Able to pluck your stockings off.  Han. 
Get whom  
Thou wilt to be thy bedfellow, but Floretta:  
For, her I cannot spare.  Caca. 
Then I entreat you,  
Let me lie in the same bed with you both.  Han. 
You must some other Lodging find.  Caca. 
Is't so?  
Then I must old Cypassis try: Perhaps  
A bottle of strong water will prevail  
So far with her,  
That she may give me leave  
To lie with her.  
And yet I had much rather  
Lie with my old Grandmother, or Grandfather.  Han. 
'Tis said she was a Beauty in her Youth.  Caca. 
Sure no man can report it that hath seen it:  
For I believe her birth was in the days  
Of Lucius Brutus, who was Rome's first Consul.  Exeunt.  

Scena Septima.  Enter Marullus, and Armelina, to Clorina fastened in a Chair, with the heart of Pyrontus in her hand. Arme. 
Y'ave made me such a terrible Relation  
Of his strange Jealousy, and his foul Murder,  
And's barbarous usage of your dear sweet self;  
That (my Clorina) I'm deficient  
Of Language to express my admiration.  
But (my dull eyes) can you so long refrain  
From dissolution into showers of tears?  
My heart is sure of stone, or it would break  
At these effects of's impious proceedings.  Clor. 
Have patience, my best Sister. 'Tis enough  
For me to be so miserable: I would not  
My sufferings should beget a grief in you.  Arme. 
Then I more stupid were then Savages,  
Then any beast in any Wilderness,  
Or any Fury in black Hell itself.  Clor. 
Oh! Armelina, how am I beholding  
Unto you, for your pity of my wrongs!  
And yet I needs must grieve to see you thus  
Afflict yourself at the sad sense of them.  
But I beseech you to assume a courage  
Worthy our Noble Family to o'ercome it.  
I shall but a few minutes longer trouble you  
With my unfortunate company: I find  
My heart too weak to make resistance longer  
Against th' impetuous storm of my vast injuries:  
I find Death stealing sensibly upon me.  Arme. 
The Heavens forbid.  Clor. 
Prayers come too late now to divert my Fate.  
I pray you therefore, good Marullus, hast  
To my dear Husband, and your faithful Friend;  
Tell him, I beg but so much favour from him,  
As I may breathe my soul out in his presence,  
And see him once again; and I shall die  
Contentedly, and pardon him my wrongs.  Mar. 
Madam! I do beseech you to have patience,  
I will go for him; and have hope he will  
Be very shortly reconciled unto you:  
For from my soul I pity your misfortunes.  Exit Marullus. Clor. 
Shed no more tears. You have, my Armelina,  
Spent too much of that precious dew already  
On poor unworthy me.  Arme. 
You are Clorina! my Elder, and  
My only Sister: And can I perceive  
Your innocency persecuted thus,  
And seem an unconcerned Spectator of it?  
It is impossible. Give me leave therefore,  
T' express all sorrow I am capable of,  
As tribute of my cordial affection  
To your so lovely, sweet, and injured person.  Enter Bassanes, and Marullus. Clor. 
Welcome my too unkind, though my dear Husband,  
To your Clorina, welcome my Bassaneses.  
My eyes grow dim, and I my heartstrings feel  
To crack. Your harsh suspicion of my Loyalty,  
And so severe an usage of me, have  
Cut off my life in prime of all my youth.  
Here, with my parting breath (in presence of  
The Gods, within the hearing of your friend Marullus,  
And of my Sister) I declare I die  
Free from all guilt, and never injured you.  
And so farewell for ever. Gods! I come;  
Afford my Innocency in Heaven a room.  She dies. Mar. 
She hath took leave of life.  Arme. 
I did not think  
Her death had been so near.  
Farewell for ever all content and pleasure  
Since she is gone. No thought of joy shall ever  
Possess my heart hereafter. She that was  
My only happiness is vanished from me.  
Look Monster of Mankind! This is a sight  
Only befits the eyes of such a Villain.  
Here thou hast murdered the most virtuous wife  
That ever Hymen knew; And one that was  
In her affection overfond of thee.  Bassa. 
Your passion makes you speak you know not what.  
Your Sister injured me in such high nature,  
That she hath justly brought upon herself  
The end that's come upon her.  Arme. 
Th' Anthropophagians that devour man's flesh.  
By thee may be instructed in worse Cruelties.  
What hellish wretch, but thy more hellish self  
Would thus have used a Lady of her beauty?  
To fasten with strong wires (in a Case of Male)  
A man's heart in his wife's own hand, and lock her  
With Chains into a Chair, fast; is a mischief  
None out Bassanes durst have done. What Tyrant:  
In History did ever act so ill?  
Perillus was an Innocent to thee.  
The vengeance of high Jove hangs o'er thy head,  
To strike thee with his forked-Thunder dead.  Bassa. 
No Husband but a Wittol, would have suffered  
The Prostitution of his Wife.  Arme. 
You slander her, basely belie her virtues.  
She to us all hath cleared herself. Marullus  
And I heard her relate the story. It was  
The suddest that did ever fall from tongue;  
Which she before had told thee all at large.  
She doted on thee to her death, and with  
Her last expiring breath protested freely  
Her Innocency from thy imputed Crime.  Bassa. 
I care not what you say: She was as foul  
In her base actions, as her face was fair.  Arme. 
Thou dost traduce in humanely her virtue;  
And I believe forbad'st she should have meat.  Bassa. 
I did not think of it; And therefore gave  
Forth no such Order.  Arme. 
If the least Humanity  
Remains yet in thee, let her be released  
From these so barbarous bonds; this heart removed  
Out of her hands; it with Pyrontus' body  
Delivered to his Friends for Sepulchre:  
And I will take care for the funeral-Rites  
Of sweet Clorina my poor murdered Sister.  Bassa. 
'Twill ease me of some trouble, and a Charge;  
Therefore I will consent to that demand:  
And the Gods keep me from a second Marriage.  Arme. 
Thou needst not fear that: thou canst not find a woman  
So lost to Virtue, and to Honour, that  
Dare be a Wife to such a bloody Butcher.  
Sure there's no woman in the world so senseless,  
And wicked, as to give herself to thee.  
I'll tell thy story unto all I meet;  
And thy reproach shall ring through every street.  Bassa. 
Your Alarm may run on, whilst I'll declare  
To all the world how false you women are.  Exeunt Omnes.   

Actus Quinti,  

Scena Prima.  Enter Ovid, Philocles, and Caralinda. Ovid. 
I am amazed much, and afflicted more,  
With the sad news you have imparted to us.  Philo. 
All my entreaties could not win him thence:  
And therefore missing him too long from home,  
And knowing upon what design he stayed,  
I did inquire of Armelina; who  
Made me the sad Relation you have heard.  
Oh brave Pyrontus! I lament thy Fate;  
That hast in love proved so unfortunate.  Gara. 
It is so sad a story you have made us,  
That it draws tears from my eyes. Though I was  
A stranger to their persons, my weak Sex  
Allows me liberty to weep. A man  
Would not be taxed of softness, to relent  
At so deplorable an History.  Philo. 
Madam! I am so far from blaming you,  
For gracing with your tears their cruel Fates,  
That my heart chides mine own eyes for not melting.  
Hell never plotted a worse Tragedy.  
Nor ever did so great a Lover find,  
So merciless a death as Lord Pyrontus:  
Neither did ever Virtue and Beauty meet  
So hideous a Treatment as Clorina.  Ovid. 
Have you their bodies seen, since they were dead?  
Oh Philocles! If you those woeful objects  
Have looked upon, you have beheld a sight  
More sad than ever Tomos was accus'd for.  Philo. 
Alas! I brought the Heart, and mangled body  
Of my dear Friend Pyrontus, to his house:  
And did attend the Corpse of fair Clorina  
To Armelina's Palace: where alas  
No April-shower ever fell so sweetly,  
As she 〈◊〉 weep over her Sister.  Cara. 
A word with you dear Cousin Ovid. My eyes  
Are big with tears, and my poor heart is loaden  
With grief. A thousand showers cannot drain them.  
And Time wants years enough to wear away  
The Sense and Memory of this woeful day.  Ovid. 
I must beseech you to have patience.  Cara. 
I have too much, dear Ovid! Much too much:  
But I will all the Fortitude collect  
That my poor heart is capable of, and shall  
Suppress all signs exterior of a grief.  
You know the Fortune which Trasullus told me:  
I find it now points at me; And will therefore  
Go walk abroad. You are acquainted well  
With Philocles. I'll leave you with him.  Ovid. 
I will attend upon you.  Cara. 
By no means,  
You are old and sickly; And I will not be  
So troublesome.  Ovid. 
You shall not go alone.  
Good Philocles, My Cousin Caralinda  
Is something undisposed, and hath a mind  
To take the Air abroad; You will oblige me  
To bear her company. She is a stranger,  
Which is the cause I crave the trouble from you.  Philo. 
The Noble Ovid may command me any thing.  
But you confer much Grace on me, to give  
Me leave to wait upon a gallant Lady  
Of so su●… passing Excellencies.  Cara. 
You compliment (Sir) with me.  Ovid. 
Hereafter you may like better of her Company,  
When you are more acquainted with her.  
Beware I pray you what you do; Take heed  Speaks to Caralinda aside. 
You give not too much Credit to Predictions.  
Take heed your vengeance be not rash; Beware  
You bring not ruin on your flourishing youth.  Cara. 
I will not play the Amazon, believe it:  
And so (best Poet) for a while farewell.  Philo. 
Your servant, generous Ovid!  Ovid. 
Sir, I'm yours.  Exeunt Caralinda, and Philocles. 
O Love, and Jealousy! What mighty power  
You, mighty passions, have o'er humane hearts?  
How you too often join within one breast,  
And joys that would aspire keep low suppressed!  
To be enamoured on a beautiful object;  
As natural to us is, as t' eat and drink:  
But to suspect whom we affect, is a Crime  
Declares a guiltiness within one's self;  
A want of Merit. Then a wise man should  
Make himself worthy of his Mistress Love,  
Or never prosecute his amorous suit.  
A discreet Lover in a beauteous outside,  
Expects a mind adorned with all the virtues;  
And holds it an impiety to think,  
So rich a soul can ever stoop to vice.  
Therefore the Lover that is rightly bred,  
Admits no jealous thoughts into his head.  
I wish Bassanes had proved such, than he  
Might have enjoyed an happy life on earth:  
Too passionate Pyrontus then had lived,  
And (in some time) might have overcome himself:  
The admirable and innocent Clorina  
Had been alive; this Tragedy had never  
Been acted here, which will be famous ever.  Exit.  

Scena Secunda.  Enter Bassanes, and Marullus. Mar. 
If you would give me leave (as your known Friend)  
Whom you have long graced with your Amity,  
To tell you freely my Opinion,  
And no offence, take it. I should tell you  
(My Lord Bassanes) I conceive you have  
Been much too rash in your proceedings.  Bassa. 
How?  
If such a thought you harbour of my actions,  
I needs must tell Marullus, that he thinks me  
Guilty of my Wife's blood: Do not imagine  
Your friend aspersed with such a Crime. She was  
A gallant Palace (to do her beauty right)  
Where all the Devils of Lust inhabited.  Mar. 
I cannot tell, but if one might give credit  
To her so often serious Protestations,  
And to her vows uttered with her last breath,  
She was an Innocent.  Bassa. 
They that dare play  
So foul a Game, value not what they say.  Enter Caralinda, and Philocles. 
What Lady's that?  Mar. 
I never saw her before.  Bassa. 
She is a Miracle of such handsomeness,  
She can no other be but Venus' self.  Philo. 
Yonder's the Murderer of my Lord Pyrontus,  
And the base user of the best of women.  
My blood is all on sire at this Encounter,  
My Hilt seems Loadstone, and my hand of Iron;  
I cannot keep it longer from my Sword.  
(A sudden vengeance he deserves,) which shall  
Fall on him. At this present I'll revenge  
The slaughter of my friend, and the sad death  
Of his so barbarously abused Clorina.  Cara. 
Dear Philocles forbear. I do conjure you,  
By all the love you bore unto Pyrontus,  
Suppress your anger for a while; yet know  
I wish him but a short Reprieve, and hate him  
As much as you. He at a fitter time  
May sinned his Destiny. Let it not be said  
He died i'th' presence of a tender mind.  Philo. 
I must obey you, Madam!  Bassa. 
She is an object so extremely ravishing,  
I must speak to her.  Mar. 
I had thought you had  
Done with that Sex for ever.  Bassa. 
I resolved so:  
But beauty such a potent Charm is known,  
Strongest Resolutions it hath overthrown.  
Hail Female Goddess, or if (of womankind)  
Hail! rich Epitome of all the beauty  
That ever yet in several women Nature  
Revealed to humane eyes!  Cara. 
Good Philocles!  
Draw back a little. I would find to what  
His fine words aim; and he will be more sparing,  
(If ye are too near us) to express himself.  Philo. 
I will retire a little. But beware  
His flatteries win not on your heart.  Cara. 
I warrant you.  Bassa. 
My friend Marullus, I beseech you walk aside.  Mar. 
I shall, my Lord, obey you.  
Good day to Philocles! Pray eat me not:  
For I am much afflicted at the Tragedies  
Bassanes Rage and jealousy have acted;  
I had no hand in them, and could I have  
Prevented them, they had not been performed,  Cara. 
You both provoke my wonder, and my blushes:  
Become enamoured on a stranger! One  
You never saw before!  Philo. 
Marullus he hath done such horrid acts,  
The Gods can never punish him enough.  Bassa. 
It doth become your beauty, to work such wonders.  
Madam! I am one of the chiefest persons  
Of all this Province, and have an heart to love you,  
Above the expressions of a thousand tongues.  Cara. 
Your name (Sir) I beseeeh you.  Bassa. 
'Tis Bassanes.  Cara. 
What he that (through his jealousy and fury)  
Murdered Pyrontus, and his innocent Wife?  Bassa. 
You have been misinformed: He did deserve  
The Fate he found: And her shame broke her heart.  
I am the same Bassanes, but not guilty  
Of any Crime. They in their deaths found Justice.  Cara. 
I've heard too much of them already, But how  
Can you so fresh a widower, so soon  
Give entertainment to a second flame?  Bassa. 
Your beauty that can work such Miracles  
Is a sufficient reason.  Cara. 
I may prove  
The like sad destiny Clorina did,  
Should I become your Wife.  Bassa. 
It is impossible;  
You are an heaven where all the virtues meet;  
And therefore cannot be inconstant to  
Your Wedlock-vows.  Cara. 
I merit not (Bassanes)  
This favour at your hands. If I ere wed,  
It shall be unto one of my own Country.  Bassa. 
Within a Body formed to all perfection,  
That ever liberal Nature, and the Gods  
Could, can, or ever shall make up (fair stranger.)  
Give not an Entertainment to Contempt  
Of your enslaved Bassaneses, neither in't  
Lodge thoughts disdainful, nor an heart of Flint.  Cara. 
'Tis an astonishment in me to hear you  
To make so passionate discourse to 〈◊〉,  
Even one whose name you neither know, nor Fortune:  
I may be poor, and vicious.  Bassa. 
Nothing but Virtue  
Can in a body so beautiful in habit.  
Vice dares not so presumptions be, as t' enter  
Under so fair a Roof: And ye are so rich  
In Beauty, that I with more joy should marry you,  
Then t' be saluted Emperor of the world.  Cara. 
You court me now indeed. I have some business  
Of such concern, that at this time no longer  
I can stay with you.  Bassa. 
But must you needs be gone?  Cara. 
I must, in truth.  Bassa. 
When shall I then receive  
So great a blessing as t' enjoy a second time  
Your covered company?  Cara. 
Within this half hour  
I'll meet you here again.  Bassa. 
Y'ave raised me to  
A joy as great, as Jove himself can know.  Cara. 
Come generous Philocles, I will impart  
Our Parley freely to you, and acquaint you  
With the whole Cause●…, why I entreated you  
To stisle your Revenge, and to retard  
His death. You shall know all my secret thoughts.  Philo. 
Sweet Caralinda, you oblige me much.  
I shall attend you any where.  Exeunt Caralinda, and Philocles. Bassa. 
Marullus!  
Cupid hath pointed all his shafts with the  
Fair beams of this bright Lady's eyes. I am  
Become enamoured on her to that height  
That I must marry her, or I shall die.  Mar. 
The Heavens forbid.  Bassa. 
Nay rather, friend, may all the gods vouchsafe it.  Mar. 
You know not what she is, she may be much  
Unworthy of such Nuptials:  
Resist betimes; Physic too late is took  
When sickness (through delay) is fixed at th' root.  Mar. 
Surely she can  
No other be, but Ovid's Kinswoman,  
Who (we have heard) so lately came to Tomos;  
I will presume her, then, of Noble Birth.  
That excellent Poet is my worthy friend;  
And I may hope will easily be won  
T' assist me to attain her to my wife.  
Methinks he should be glad to have his Cousin  
Well matched here; To be fixed a constant comfort  
Both to his Age, and grief for his Exilement.  Mar. 
May the just Powers Divine, turn all to th'best.  Bassa. 
If 〈◊〉 obtain her to become my Wife,  
An Heaven on Earth, I shall enjoy this life.   

Scaena Tertia.  Enter Hannibal, and Cacala. Caca. 
Sir, I entreat you (my too valiant Captainl)  
To give me leave to return home. I have  
No mind to such a formidable Dinner.  Han. 
What shouldst thou fear? My keen victorious Sword  
Carries spells strong enough to conjure down  
All the unruly Fiends of Pluto's Court.  
Therefore for shame take courage: Thou hadst wont  
To have a good stomach to thy meat: And sure  
This gallant Ghost will treat us very Nobly.  Caca. 
I have an horror to such company;  
And had a thousand times much rather be  
With Mistress Floretta, and converse with her.  Han. 
Thou talk'st so often of her, that I think  
Thou art in love with her.  Caca. 
I must confess  
I have some smackering that way: But the Awe  
I stand in of your Indignation,  
Deters me from professing my Respects.  
I wish your Captainship would cast her off,  
And give me leave to make her my honest Wife.  Han. 
Thou talk'st impossibilities, Fool Cacala!  
To thin●… make an Whore an honest woman.  
Such an one would indeed prove a strange wonder:  
And he that should to such an one be wed,  
Might raise a mighty portion to himself,  
By taking money for the sight of her.  Caca. 
His tongue's no slander.  Aside. Han. 
Walk on: we're almost there.  Caca. 
I'm monstrously afraid.  Han. 
Fear nothing in my company, but the marrying  
Of an Whore.  Caca. 
I ever dreaded stories of Hobgoblins,  
But evermore abhorred the sight of them:  
Beseech you therefore Captain Hannibal,  
Give me leave to go back.  Han. 
Thou shalt not leave me, I will make thee valiant,  
And neither to fear Men, nor Devils.  Caca. 
Heaven bless me!  Han. 
We shall have a brave dinner without doubt.  Caca. 
Instead of a Calf's head, and glorious Bacon,  
A skull half rotten of some Malefactor,  
Stolen from a Neighbour-Gallows to his own:  
And (in the place of a brave side of Venison)  
The sal●… Haunch of some executed 〈◊〉:  
And in the room of Grecian Wines, the moisture  
That doth distil from their hanged putrisied bodies.  
Sir, I will take my leave.  Han. 
Thou shalt go with me,  
And (when employment calls me forth again)  
I'll make thee my Lieutenant: w' are almost there.  
Look you! He is come down from off his Gibbet.  
'Tis the most courteous fellow that ere died  
By scurvy Halter. Would his Judges were  
Trussed up in's place, and all the villainous Jury  
That did condemn so brave a Spark.  Enter Spectre. Spectre. 
Welcome thou Noblest Son of Mars! Give me  
Thy hand, thou servant to great Hannibal.  Cacala. 
I wish you would excuse me the Compliment.  Spectre. 
You need not fear me.  Han. 
Cacala be courageous, and dread nothing,  
My friend Helvidius will no hurt do to thee:  
Should Corberus bark but at thee, with my Sword  
I (at one blow) would cut off all his heads.  A Table set forth, covered with a black Linen Cloth, all the Napkins of the same colour; the meat, and dishes, Bottles, Wine, and all things else. Spectre. 
You see your Entertainment, and are both  
Most heartily welcome. Let us sit, and eat.  They all sit down and eat. Caca. 
I do not like the colour of this Linen.  
The Meat, and Wine, and every thing is black.  Spectre. 
'Tis the sole colour used in Pluto's Court.  Caca. 
The meat tastes well though. Though I had rather be  
At a piece of Bread and Cheese at Madam Cypassis'.  
I cannot choose but eat. I think my fear  
Hath added to my hunger.  Spectre. 
Gallant Hannibal,  
I dedicate this Boul to thy Floretta.  Han. 
Off with it then, thou only Worthy of  
The other world. Here Cacala, thou shalt pledge me.  Caca. 
I'll do my weak endeavour.  Han. 
I thank you Sir, and in requital drink  
To him or her you most affect.  Spectre. 
YE are Noble.  
Friend Cacala, here's to you, and you conclude it.  Caca. 
I dare not do otherwise.  Han. 
Would you excuse my curiosity Sir,  
I would inquire why you were executed.  Spectre. 
I'll satisfy you: The Lords and Gentry of  
This City Tomos gave order to a Statuary  
To make the Image of the Poet Ovid,  
In beaten massy Gold, for the Honour he  
Had done them, by writing an excellent Poem  
I'th'Getick Language in Tiberius' praise.  
When it was ready to have been presented,  
I got into the house, and stole it thence;  
Melted it privately, and put it off  
By little parcels, spent it on wanton wenches,  
And among boon companions. In my Cups  
Bragged on't to two false Brothers, who betrayed me.  Han. 
I would they had been born both drunk, and Fools.  Spectre. 
I pray you give me leave to be as free  
With you. Why were you banished and confined?  Han. 
A poor old woman, and a Witch, a Friend  
Of mine, pretended an occasion to make use  
Of a live Infant, ripped out of the Belly  
Of's Mother: And th' Enchantment she was hammering  
Was for my service. I stole into a Cottage  
That stood alone, where such a woman lived then,  
Found her alone, and had so laid my plot,  
That I might undisturbed proceed; cut up  
Her belly, took her Infant thence, and sowed  
A Cat up in the place; so she enjoined me.  
This simple Sorceress being for other  
Matters accused, and like to die, confessed  
This Prank.  Spectre. 
How chanced it, you escaped with life?  Caca. 
My Captain is the greatest villain that  
I ever heard of; I will leave his service,  
Although I have oft been told of this before;  Han. 
The Favourite, all-powerful Sejanus,  
Did bring me off with life. I helped him to  
Floretta's Maidenhead; for which good turn  
I also had some bags crammed with Sesterces.  Spect. 
You had good fortune to escape so well.  Han. 
Some business calls me home. I give you thanks  
For this brave Entertainment: So farewell.  Spectre. 
I pray you stay a while, you shall look on  
A little Masque I have provided for you.  Han. 
You much oblige me, and are over-liberal  
Of your high favours to me.  Enter (after very solemn loud Music) Aeacus, Rhadamanthus, and Minos, the Judges of Hell; Allecto, Tysyphone, and Megaera, the Furies; and dance all together to loud Music. Spectre. 
Aeacus, Minos, and Rhadamantbus, the three  
Judges in Hell; Tysyphone, Megaera, and Allecto.  
The Furies there (of equal number to them)  
Led in a Dance.  Cacala. 
Can Devils be so merry!  
But I had ever thought there had been rather  
Three thousand Judges there, then three; I wonder  
Their number is so few: so of the Furies;  
For oft, on earth, one woman hath more in her.  The Dance ended, this Song follows. 


I.  
Most happy is the Libertine,  
And of mankind the most in genius;  
Who from grave Precepts doth decline,  
And doth indulge his jovial Genius.  
Oh! the joys, the joys,  
They have that follow Vice,  
Without any fear of the gods:  
Who freely waste their Treasures,  
To purchase them their pleasures,  
And are with the virtuous at odds.   

II.  
The Atheist is the greatest fool,  
Who only aims to please his Senses;  
Thinking in Heaven no Gods bear rule,  
And tipples, murders, swears, and wench es.  
Oh! the woes, the woes,  
That follow all those  
Who wear out their lives in vice,  
That swear, whore, kill, and drink,  
And never them bethink,  
Till they fall into Hell in a trice.    After the Song is ended, they all seize on him, and carry him away. Han. 
Must I be then bet raid thus! false Helvidius!  Exeunt with him 
And foolish Hannibal to trust to Spectres!  Spec. 
Away with him. Down to the Infernal shades  
Of grisly Pluto's Kingdom let him sink:  
A fouler soul was never seen in Hell,  
Where's witchcrafts, rapes, murders, and vicious life  
Will find a suitable endless punishment.  The Spectre vanisheth. Caca. 
This was a terrible sight indeed. Heaven keep me  
But in my wits till I can see Floretta,  
And I shall tell her such a tale, as will  
Make her return virtuous, if she hath not lost  
All love to th' Powers Divine, and fears no vengeance.  Exit.  

Scaena Quarta.  Enter Bassanes solus. Bassa. 
I find myself half raised to happiness  
Already, after my so late affliction.  
The stranger Ladies Beauties triumph here  
Within my heart; My hopes are fair enough  
That I shall win her to become my wife:  
Then all my future days I shall esteem  
To be a lasting Festival, and more  
To be prized by me then are all the Fasts  
Observed the year through in our Calendar.  Enter Phoebianus, and Philocles. Phoebia. 
I now have made you well acquainted with  
My Person, and my History, and have to you  
Revealed the reason why I did entreat  
You to forbear Bassanes, when your rage  
Would fain have flung you on him. Now you know  
The cause why I will meet him. Give me therefore  
Leave (Noble Philocles) to go alone.  
I fear him not at all, and shall not have  
Any need of your assistance. 'Tis  
The will, sure, of the gods, that I should singly  
Encounter him. Therefore retire (my Friend,)  
Near hereabouts you may conceal yourself:  
You within call may stay, I shall have quickly  
Dispatched with him, and shall not fail then to  
Hollow you back. See, there he is a walking,  
And waiting my approach.  Philo. 
You must command me,  
The Gods be with you.  Philocles withdraws. Phoebia. 
Well met Bassanes. Ovid's Kinswoman,  
The stranger Caralinda, hath employed me  
To you, to make Apology for her  
Not meeting you according to her promise.  
Why do you look so wishly on me? Do you  
Know me?  Bassa. 
I certainly have seen your face  
Before. Some alteration that I find  
Some years of absence might have made. Resolve me,  
I pray you Sir, Are you not Phoebianus,  
Pyrontus younger Brother, that have spent  
Three or four years abroad? If ye are not he,  
I never saw two Faces so alike.  Phoebia. 
I Phoebianus am, and Caralinda  
Whom you so lately troubled with your courtship.  
Through the Providence of the Almighty Gods,  
I met with thee in that disguise: And parted  
From thee but to divest me of those clothes,  
And bring my Sword to our next parley. 'Tis needless  
To tell thee more; And I have too much time  
Tristed away in this discourse. Pray draw  
Your Sword; For one of us must die.  
Thou traitorously, and unawares didst murder  
My brave, and hopeful Brother. Though he loved  
Clorina, he deserved her better far  
Than thou; never attempted violence unto her,  
And (in a little time) might have subdued  
His too unruly passion. Thou hast broke  
Thy Innocent Lady's heart with usages  
More horrid than a Scythian ever practised:  
Therefore unless you will die basely, draw.  Bassa. 
You are a glorious Talker, sine young man;  
But I shall presently allay your pride,  
And the fond confidence you seem to have  
In your own valour.  Phoebia. 
Let us try your skill.  Bassa. 
Y'ave sought your ruin by provoking me.  Phoebia. 
So: Have you yet enough?  Bassa. 
Oh! you have slain me.  
I have received so home a thrust, I die,  
Without another word.  Bassanes dies. Enter Marullus. Phoebia. 
Marullus, in an equal Duel I  
Have killed your friend. The Gods did guide my Sword;  
Justice was on my side: He slew my Brother:  
And I in Roman honour could do no less,  
And to preserve my Reputation clear,  
Among the Geteses my Countrymen, then to  
Fight fairly with him.  Mar. 
My mind mis-gave me some disastrous Fate  
Would overtake him for so foul a murder.  
Though I am grieved at his sad death, I'm glad  
You are, my Lord, returned so safely home.  Phoebia. 
You'll see his body conveyed unto high house.  Mar. 
I shall not fail.  Phoebia. 
The Gods preserve you.  Mar. 
Farewell, brave Phoebianus.  Phoebia. 
Friend Philocles!  Calls aloud. Phil. 
I'm (at your service) here.  Phoebia. 
Stay, and I'll come to you.  Exit. Mar. 
Draw near you that his servants are, and bear  Enter Servant's. 
This sad Lord to his Palace.  Exeunt.  

Scaena Quinta.  Enter Captain Dacus, Cacala, Cypassis, Floretta, and Spinella. Cypas. 
It was a lamentable Spectacle  
We met withal as we came hither.  Dacus. 
An usual one, a dead man:  
We Soldiers smile upon a thousand such.  Cypas. 
Bassanes was an extraordinary person.  Dacus. 
Caesar's, and Lords, must die.  Caca. 
You talk of trifles. The story I related you  
Of my Master Captain Hannibal's being took away with Devils,  
Deserves to be called terrible indeed.  
Hell broke loose on him, Devils, and Devils-Dams  
Seized both upon him. He would fain have hung  
An arse, but no resistance could prevail:  
Away they hurried him, and left me in  
So great a fear, I know not how I came home.  Flor. 
Thou hast told us too much of this already,  
And too often.  Caca. 
'Twill never out of my Memory.  Flor. 
Nor from thy tongue I fear.  Caca. 
Oh fear the Gods, Mistress Floretta, fear them;  
Take heed the Devils show you not such a Trick:  
Turn virtuous, pretty One, and marry me;  
For I do love thee above womankind:  
Show thyself therefore to me a kind woman.  Flor. 
Though I am sorry my Hannibal is perished so;  
I cannot call him back; And must some care  
Take of myself. And therefore Cacala  
I'll be thy wife. All his remaining Goods  
Are ours.  Caca. 
And I have something too to trust to  
In my own Country.  Cypas. 
Here's a Match soon made up.  Flor. 
We will return to Rome.  Caca. 
With all my heart.  Dacus. 
And will my fair Spinella prove as kind  Spinel. 
Now Lord Bassanes is dead, I am content  
To receive Captain Dacus for my Husband:  
Mother! I hope of your allowance to it.  Cypas. 
And you shall have it. The gods grant you joy.  Dacus. 
My Mother Cypassis now indeed!  Cypas. 
You knew her Father. He was your Countryman  
And a fine Gentleman, when he in Rome  
Did marry me; I else should never have been  
Content t' have lived in so remote a Province.  
Though his good nature, and many losses at Sea  
Melted a way most of his Land; we have  
Silver and Gold enough to make you live  
In plenty.  Dacus. 
Mother, I kiss your reverend hand  
In gratitude. What my own means may prove  
Deficient in, my valour shall supply.  Spin. 
We'll have no fight nor any quarrelling:  
I am for Peace. Love hates the noise of War.  Dacus. 
You are too timorous; grow as affectionate;  
For thus I print my Soul upon thy lips.  Caca. 
Let us go home, send for a Priest of Hymen's,  
And presently each Couple on's be married.  Omnes. 
Agreed, agreed.  Caca. 
I dare not lie alone to night for fear  
My Captain, or his Friends, should give me a visit.  Spinel. 
Was Hannibal a Gentleman by birth?  Dacus. 
My pretty One—  
Brave Hannibal the famous Carthaginian,  
Who marched like Mars, even to the walls of Rome,  
And fought against that Senate for the world's Empire,  
In one of's Winter-Quarters at Salapia,  
Obtained th' affection of a Beautiful Lady,  
Called Issidora: And from them he was  
Descended lineally; as he lately told me.  Spinel. 
And is now  
Descended to the Devil; we have heard how.  Exeunt omnes.  

Scaena Sexta.  Enter Ovid, Phoebianus, Philocles, Armelina, and Servants. Phoebia. 
My Father (on his deathbed) did enjoin me  
(For Educations sake) to stay so long.  
You grace me (excellent Armelina) much  
After so long a Trial to receive me.  Arme. 
I nothing have worthy your acceptation,  
But my reciprocal return of Love.  Phoebia. 
I kiss your hand for so immense a bounty.  
But why (my fairest) would you never honour  
My many Letters with one single answer?  Arme. 
I durst not; fearing (among the Roman Ladies)  
You might have made a second choice, and then  
Have left me blasted in my Reputation.  Phoebia. 
I was too true, and you was too severe.  Arme. 
But wherefore came you so disguised? and why?  
From me would you conceal yourself?  Phoebia. 
'Tis reasonable that I should satisfy you.  
Just upon my departure out of Italy,  
My Curiosity led me to Trasullus,  
One of the chief Astrologers of these times,  
And happy in foretelling future fortunes:  
I made Friends to him, and received these verses.  
Return disguised in Woman's clothes, and you  
The Murderer of your Friend shall pay his due;  
Obtain your Mistress to become your Bride,  
And with her gain a world of wealth beside.  Ovid. 
Bassanes his death, and fair Clorinas' wealth,  
(You being her Heir) added to your great Portion,  
Confirm for truth the soothsayers Prediction.  Arme. 
And I again must thank you for so bravely  
Revenging on Bassanes his soul Cruelties.  
But why (my Phoebianus) would you not  
Disclose yourself to me?  Phoebia. 
You are my Countrywoman; And I feared  
So doing, I should have broken my Injunctions:  
But now (divinest Lady) when shall I  
Be made so happy by your gracious self,  
As to receive you for my Bride?  Arme. 
As soon  
As I can give some stint unto my tears;  
After my Sister's Obsequies are past.  Philo. 
Pray listen! What noise is that without?  
I think  
I hear an horn, and 'tis some Post.  Enter a Post. Phoebia. 
From whence, my friend, come you?  Post. 
From Rome.  Phylo. 
What news?  Post. 
I've Letters for the famous Poet Ovid.  Ovid. 
Deliver them. I'm that unfortunate man.  Ovid breaks open his Letters and reads. 
I am undone for ever. No more hope  
For my return must ever flatter me.  
My Wife writes to me, she hath used the utmost  
Of her endeavour (assisted by the chiefest  
Of both our Friends, and of most power with Caesar.)  
For my Repeal, or but (at least) Removal  
To a more temperate Clime; and that th' are both  
Refused her, and she enjoined perpetual silence  
In my behalf. Besides, my Friend Graecinus  
(A Roman of high note) hath writ me word,  
The gracious Princess Julia, our great Empress  
And my best friend, is in Trimerus dead.  
One of these News were much too much to strike  
My poor and crazy body into my grave.  
But joining both their poisonous stings together,  
I needs must to the world this truth impart,  
That Ovid dies here of a broken heart.  Dies. Phil. 
It was too sad a truth his last breath did  
Express; for he, alas! is dead indeed.  Arme. 
Death is too prodigal of his Tragedies  
In this small City. I must spare from my  
Clorina's Fate one shower of tears to shed  
Upon his Grave.  Phil. 
Not only we, but all the Getick Nation  
Were worse than barbarous, paid we not that duty  
To Excellent Ovid's infelicious end.  Arme. 
He was a most accomplished Gentleman,  
A person asfable, and sweet-conditioned;  
And of the Roman Poets the most ingenious.  Phil. 
He was in Italy at Sulmo born,  
A pleasant City within the Territory  
Of the Peligni, and descended of  
The Ancient Family of the Nasones;  
Who had preserved the Dignity of Roman  
Knights, from the first Original of that Order.  
I'th' Astatick wars, he under Varro  
Had eminent Command, and well discharged it:  
Who now alas (after seven years' Exilement)  
Hopeless of a Repeal, hath breathed his last.  Arme. 
Take up his Noble Body, and bear it gently  
To his own house; we all will wait on it thither.  Phoebia. 
I'll have a stately Monument erected,  
(Without our City-walls, near the chief Gate)  
To his fair Memory, to declare the gratitude  
Of Tomos to him, for the Honour it  
Received by his so long abode among us;  
Enclosed in which (within a Marble-urn)  
Curiously wrought, his ashes shall for ever  
Remain in peace; An endless grace to Pontus.  Phil. 
No Poet ever did more glory contribute  
Unto the Latin Language, than his Pen.  
The Soul of Poetry feels a Convulsion  
By his Decrease. He no superior knew  
In that sweet Art; and was great Virgil's Equal.  
His works have an Eternity stamped on them,  
Do far exceed the Consul Cicero's verses,  
And all the lines sacred Augustus ever  
Writ in a numerous strain; All the fine Poems,  
The Darling of the People, the Facetious  
And valiant Prince Caesar Germanicus  
Hath published with applause; and all such things,  
Though writ by hands that were the spoils of Kings.  Ovid's Body being removed, Exeunt omnes.    

THE EPILOGUE.  

NOble, and generous Spectators, stay!  
A word at Parting, and then go your way.  
Our Author is stolen hence in mighty haste,  
Because he thought the House was overcast  
With Clouds on every Brow; and was in dread,  
A storm would else have fallen upon his head.  
I am his friend left purposely behind,  
T' inform him how his Fate proves; harsh, or kind.  
Beseech you Ladies smile: Their general Frown,  
Portends the Men will hiss our Tragedy down.  
Command them clap their hands; for it is strange,  
If men forbear, when women bid them clap.  
I thank you Ladies! thank you Gentlemen!  
To morrow, you may be welcome here again.   
FINIS.