THE ROYAL Shepherdess.  
A TRAGICOMEDY, ACTED By his Highness the Duke of York's Servants.  
Non Quivis videt immodulata Poemata Iudex.  Hor. de art Poet. 
LONDON, Printed for Henry Herringman, at the Sign of the Blue-anchor, in the Lower-walk of the New-Exchange, 1669.   

I have added little to the Story, only have represented that in Action, which was expressed by him in long Narrations: For we find (though the French do often relate the most considerable Actions in their Plays, especially in their Tragedies) the English will not be content without seeing such Actions done, and this is one, of those many things, that make our English Plays so much exceed the French: But this was long ago observed by Horace: 
Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem,  
Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta sidelibus.   
I have endeavoured to carry on these few Humours, which were but begun by him; and (to satisfy the Concupiscence as Mr. johnson calls it, of Jig and Song) I designed as fit occasions for them as I could, there being in the former Play but one short Song which is the last but one.  
Where it is possible, I have kept the Scenes unbroken, and with as proper a connexion as I could. What I have besides added I need not tell you, being I fear so much worse that his, that you will easily distinguish it.  
I shall say little more of the Play, but that the Rules of Morality and good Manners are strictly observed in it: (Virtue being exalted, and Vice depressed) and perhaps it might have been better received had neither been done in it: for I find, it pleases most to see Vice encouraged by bringing the Characters of debauched people upon the Stage, and making them pass for fine Gentlemen who openly profess Swearing, Drinking, Whoring, breaking Windows, beating Constables, etc. and that is esteemed among us a Gentile gaiety of Humour, which is contrary to the Customs and Laws of all civilised Nations. But it is said, by some, that this pleases the people, and a Poet's business is only to endeavour that: But he that debases himself to think of nothing but pleasing the Rabble, loses the dignity of a Poet, and becomes as little as a Juggler, or a Rope-Dancer; who please more than he can do: but the office of a Poet is, 
Simul & jucunda, & idonea dicere vitae.   
Which (if the Poets of our age would observe it) would render 'em as useful to a Commonwealth as any profession whatsoever.  
But I have too long troubled you with a Discourse of this Play, which (let me say what I will of it) you will judge of as you please: But if you consider, after such an Infinite number of Plays, when 
(Nil intentatum nostri liquère Poetae.)  How difficult it is to write even an indifferent one● (as none but those that cannot write think it easy) Methinks it were but an ordinary piece of Humanity   

Dramatis Personae.  
BAsilius, 
King.  Theander 
Prince.  Endymion 
A worthy Lord of small Fortune.  Pyrrhus 
A Creature of the Kings.  Neander 
A vain, cowardly, vicious effeminate Lord.  Geron 
An old Jealous Fop that has married a young Wife.  Priest.— 
 Queen.— 
 Cleantha 
Niece to the King.  Evadne 
Servant to the Queen.  Urania 
One that was a Shepherdess, and preferred by the Prince to wait on Cleantha.  Phronesia 
A vain foolish Woman, Wife to Geron.  Cleopatra 
Mother to Urania; concealed by the name of Parthenia.  Messengers, Officers, Shepherd's, and Shepherdesses, Nymphs, and Satyrs, Priests of Mars, etc. 
  
SCENE ARCADIA.   

THE ROYAL SHEPHERDESS.  

THE FIRST ACT.  Enter Pyrrhus, Endymion, Neander. Pyr. 
Believe't my Lords, they say the Prince does Wonders.  Nean. 
They say he kills a world of men indeed;  
But 'faith I think the wonder had been greater  
If he had made but half so many live.  Endy. 
Perchance, my Lord, you'd have him turn Physician.  Nean. 
Rather than Butcher, 'tis the Nobler Trade.  Endy. 
But they are his Enemies he kills,  
Men that offend, and do deserve to die.  Nean. 
O! than I think you'll praise the Hangman next,  
You give a definition of his Trade.  Pyrr. 
If I do not mistake your humour Sir,  
You were never taken with this dying,  
It is a thing does mar a Courtier much.  Nean. 
‛ Thank Heaven, I am not yet so mad to wish for't;  
Let Broken-Merchants, and the busy Rout  
That dirt the Streets, when their designs miscarry,  
Cry that there's nothing Certain in this World,  
I think there's less in that which is to come:  
Hear I'm sure of something, I'm a Lord,  
And live with men: But to be turned a grazing  
In the Elizian-Fields (that men do talk of)  
Among Philosophers, ne'er could make a Leg.  Endy. 
Fie, fie, Neander! this is too profane,  
And relisheth far more of Beast than Man.  
Arcadia shall Command those Provinces,  
Who lately thought our long and happy peace  
Had softened so our Minds, that now we were  
Fit to be Lo●ded over by their Wills:  
But strange it is, to see the King so little  
Joyed with the news, that still he bears a Face  
More troubled than Sicilian Seas in storms.  Pyrr. 
'Tis for the Love of that poor Shepherdess,  
The Prince not Ten months since took from a Cottage  
As he was a hunting, and gave the fair  
Cleantha for a Present.  Endy. aside 
Alas! my poor Urania! how doth  
Thy harder Fortune vindicate my Choice?  
Who now dares say Endymion loves to low,  
When he loves her that can make Princes die;  
No more, no more, we must scorn Cottages  
Those are the Rocks from whence our Jewels come.  
Gold breeds in barren Hills, the brightest Stars  
Shine o'er the poorer Regions of the North.  Enter King. Pyrr. 
Here comes the King▪ Endymion, pray retire,  
It is not fit you should be privy to his Thoughts.  Endy. 
I'll try if I can hear what resolution  
The Kings enraged Passion makes him take. He retires.  King. 
Pyrrhus! how thrives my Love? I have  
Entrusted you with all I am, and all I wish for.  Pyrr. 
Sir, I have already done,  
What Language and Rewards have power to do  King. 
And what return am I to hope for then?  Pyrr. 
There's little hope: This Ermine will not be  
Persuaded from the whiteness she so Loves.  King. 
Poor Country Girl, where can she find Words  
Or Resolution when you do assault her?  Pyrr. 
When I first  
Mentioned the business to her, all alone,  
Poor soul she blushed, as if already she  
Had done some harm by hearing of me speak.  
Whilst from her pretty Eyes two Fountains run  
(So true, so Native) down her fairest Cheeks,  
As if she thought herself obliged to weep  
That all the World was not as good as she.  Endym. 
Heaven! how does this Carriage please me!  King. 
This Modesty of hers inflames me more.  
As springs are hottest in the coldest weather.  Pyrr. 
Her Tears so innocently begged my pity,  
That I was straight turned over to her side,  
And had forgot the Cause for which I strove▪  
Till rallying again, I once more gave  
A new assault, and urged her to answer:  
All her reply was no: then humbly prayed me,  
Not to be Cruel to a poor weak Maid,  
Who had not any thing, in all the World,  
To give her value but her Innocence;  
With such Success as this I often have  
Assailed her Virtue.  King. 
Ah Pyrrhus! where will this Tyrant end? shall I  
Still be Priest, and Sacrifice, and Altar too,  
Unto a Passion, I can satisfy,  
But never Conquer? What poor things are Kings?  
What poorer things are Nations to obey  
Him whom a petty Passion does Command?  
Heaven! why was man made so ridiculous?  Pyrr. 
Your Majesty says that of yourself,  
Which were Impiety in any else,  
But once to think.  King. 
Men but Flatter me.  
Oh Fate! why were not Kings made more than men?  
Or why will people have us to be more?  
Alas! we govern others, but ourselves  
We cannot rule, like to our Eyes, that see  
All other things, but Cannot see themselves.  Pyrr. 
Sir, do not discompose yourself; you may  
Soon Queench this mighty Flame, and where your Prayers  
Have not prevailed, your Power may Command:  
Who in Arcadia dares resist your Will?  clean. 
My Lord 'tis true, Let's to the Queen—  Exeunt all but Evadne. Enter Neander. Nean. 
How does this Minute transport my soul with Joy, to have the blessed privilege to be with fair Evadne?  Evad. 
I am glad it makes some body happy.  Nean. 
With her who has my Heart.—  Evad. 
Have I it? pray my Lord take it again.  
I would not be troubled with keeping such a Bauble for the World.  Nean 
She whom great Nature (now grown wanton) made to look upon, and scorn her other Works.  Evad. 
My Lord Neander! I see you are resolved not to study to no purpose, you will have out your Compliment, let me say what I please: but I must take liberty to leave you in the middle of it.  Nean. 
Nay, Madam, I beseech you be not so unkind.  Evad. 
Nay now I have put you out of your Compliment; I care not if I stay a little longer.  Nean. 
Madam! you are Cruel! how do you Kill?  Evad. 
Kill Neander? No sure then you would not be so near me.  Nean. 
I ne'er could fear death from so fair a hand as yours.  Evad. 
I believe indeed, my Lord, you fear death least from the hands of a Woman, which is the Reason you choose to stay here at Court among the Ladies, rather than go to War with the Prince.  Nean. 
Madam!— You Ladies have a Privilege.  Evad. 
Yes, my Lord, ●it's sometimes a privilege to speak Truth.  Nean. 
'Faith Madam, you may say what you please.  Evad. 
Pardon me, my Lord, it would please me much better if I could say you were in the War in Thessaly.  Nean. 
Truly Madam, I could give you very good reasons why I went not to the War with the Prince.  Evad. 
I believe you can, and so can every body else that knows your Lordship: The first and Chiefest reason was a certain tenderness you have for the preservation of your Person, some scandalous people stick 〈◊〉 to call it fear.  Nean. 
Do not judge so Madam; I can assure you it was for very different reasons.  Evad. 
You will give very much satisfaction to the World, if you say what they are.  Nean. 
Why then, to tell you the truth, Madam, I am somewhat troubled with Corns that I cannot without pain wear a riding Boot▪ and then I am strangely subject to the Toothache, which makes me very unfit to lie in the Field, which indeed were the two main Reasons made me refuse the War.  Evad. 
What pity 'tis so brave a Mind should be so unluckily hindered from showing itself.  Nean. 
I perceive you railly, Madam.  Evad. 
I see Sir, you are a man of a quick apprehension.  Enter Priest. Priest. 
How now Daughter? what do you here? my Lord I do not desire your Lordship should make any addresses to my Daughter, her Fortune is too humble for your thoughts.  Nean. 
Your servant, Madam.  
[Aside] Pox on this Formal Priest.— Exit.  Priest. 
Well now Evadne, my dear Child, thou art  
Come forth upon the World's great Stage, and it  
Must be my care first to advise thee, then  
To pray for thee: Yet thou art innocent,  
(Oh mayst thou still be so my Child) yet know'st not  
Aught but the holy practices of cells,  
Where virtuous Matrons have instructed thee.  Evad. 
But now the Scene is changed, the Queen's Commands  
Have brought me to the Court to wait on her;  
The employment truly noble: and I have  
In her the brightest pattern of true virtue  
That all the world can boast of.  Priest. 
But thou'lt find  
Few more besides whose wand'ring paths are safe:  
Those of thy Sex thou'lt find so strangely vain,  
That they think they have washed, and patched, and cutled  
Themselves even into little Deities:  
They do believe that wanton men speak truth,  
When to consume those hours, they care not for,  Phro. 
Ay, Madam, is it not? would you be willing to be used so? Besides, Madam, no man in the Court offers to speak to me, but he thinks 'tis Love.  Evad. 
He thinks you are so handsome, perhaps, that it is impossible for any man to look upon you without being smitten.  Phro 
That may be something, as you say, Madam, but I will never put up this Injury: Marry me to keep me honest, quoth ' 'a? I'll never endure it, while I ha' breath:— See Madam— where he comes— do but observe him.  Enter Geron. Ger. 
I have brought myself into a sweet condition, like an old fool as I am, why could not I remember how many I had Cuckolded myself, and to think I should not be served in the same kind, were to suppose neither Wickedness, nor Justice in the World.  Phro. 
Look, Madam upon this Mischievous Countenance.  
Geron to himself How could I imagine that any of these sort of Women would keep themselves honest three minutes, when they feared neither the danger of taking Savin, nor a great Belly? Heaven! what a Condition am I in!— now do I plainly perceive the pain that poor Children endure at the coming of their Teeth, by the coming of my Horns— Oh Phronesia! are you there?  Phro. 
Yes! you old Fumbling Sot I am here.—  Evad. 
Fare you well. Ex. Evadne.  Ger. 
O wicked Phronesia! how have you used me? whom have you appointed now to do me the Courtesy?— my Lord Pyrrhus— he is of a black Complexion, and that never fails;— My Lord Endymion's a Poet forsooth, and prevails with Sonnets;— and for my Lord Neander,— the Priest convinced him the other day, that Adultery was a very great Sin, and that's reason enough for him to lie at Rack and Manger; I am sure my head must ache for't.  Phro. 
Let it ache on, you old Fop, you married me to keep me honest, did you? I'll honest you; I will go instantly and meet 'em all three▪ Exit.  Ger. 
But I'll follow you close at the heels, and prevent your recreation!— 
If any Man be weary of his life,  
Let him at Threescore marry such a Wife.   Exeunt. 
The End of the First Act.   

THE SECOND ACT.  Enter Pyrrhus and Urania. Pyrr. 
COme fair Urania, think upon the honour  
To be a Mistress to a King, sounds it not Well?  Uran. 
It is an Honour I should not envy her  
That sought my ruin! I will ne'er forsake  
My Virtue, for a little outward splendour.  Pyrr. 
Is Love a Vice Urania? why did Nature  
Make us all Vicious, when she did immerse  
Love in the very beings of all Creatures:  
Go search the Universe, and show me there  
What but affrighted man is not as free  
To satisfy his Love as Thirst or Hunger;  
Beasts ne'er dispute the Lawfulness of what is Natural.  Uran. 
'Tis well, my Lord, when you intent  
Unlawful Loves to instance not in men  
But Beasts— but let me ever be  
Of that affrighted Number that follow virtue.  Pyrr. 
Come, come, Urania! Love, like men, was free,  
ere Pow'r and Laws had taught 'em both the use  
Of Chains, and Fetters: Nature ne'er Confined  
Her No leave Creature to the Narrow'st Prison,  
Nor gave him Inclinations to torment him,  
And with a holy Flame, my Sighs and Tears  
Have been as pure, as are those Gales and Springs  
which in Elysium do refresh the blessed:  
And yet thou hast not pitied him that loves thee,  
Even though thou be'st as gentle, and as soft  
As morning dew just melting into Air.  Uran. 
What shall I serve you in my Lord?  Endym. 
Permit  
Me to enjoy the Title of your servant,  
And pay my fire with equal flames again.  Vran. 
My Lord, I were ingrateful if I should not.  Endym. 
Then be not so, but (to be short) I fear  
The King's approach, and therefore if thou'lt promise  
This night to sleep within my arms (being first  
Authorised by Hymen's Priest)  
I'll free thee from the King's unlawful Love.  Uran. 
What's to be done in this sad Exigence?— aside.  
(To him) My Lord, I will, but satisfy me, how?  Endym. 
You must appoint the King to meet you there,  
In yonder Grotto, and oblige him to  
The Language, and the time of Love, soft Whispers,  
And the Night; and I'll prepare  
Some other Woman to supply your place;  
This will gain time till to morrow, when  
I'll own you to the King to be my Wife:  
Then the respect to all my Loyal services  
Will make him quench his now Unruly Passion.  Uran. 
Ah, who will be so wicked as to meet him?  Endym. 
Enough, ne'er fear it.  Uran. 
Sure 'tis impossible!  
What Woman would consent to such an Act?  Endym. 
Ten thousand, Madam!  Uran. 
But they shall not for me,  
I'll rather choose a Thousand times to die,  
Then own a wretched Life, saved at the rate  
Of so much infamy.  Endym. 
Come, be content,  
Chaste Soul; I'll do what you shall well approve;  
My dear, I must retire, I fear the King:  
Now act thy part, and then confide in me;  
Be happy fair Urania, I am blessed  
That my employment is to do thee service. Ex. Endymion.  Vran. 
Ah, dear Endymion! how could I weep  
If tears were able but to wash away  
The blackness of my Crime? now thou hast thought  
To lead me from the Labyrinth of my Woes,  
The next thing I must think must be to cheat  
All thy Innocent expectations, which  
〈…〉 to myself,  
〈…〉 Soul;  
 
 
〈…〉 King.  
〈…〉 Showers allay you thus your Beams?  
〈…〉 and more are due to my Misfortunes.  
〈…〉 this, Pyrrhus told me you had consented.  Vran. 
With what Face can I say yes to the King?  
Tho' I but feign consent, and mean to cheat him,— Aside.  
It is Immodest sure— it cannot fit  
A Woman's Mouth.  King. 
Are you not yet resolved?  
What means this doubt? Consent to my desires,  
And you shall live adored and feared by all;  
The Kingdom shall rejoice at all your smiles,  
And tremble at your frowns: But if you do not—  Vran. 
Is there no other way to save my life?  King. 
Come, do not trifle thus to tempt my rage.  Uran. 
Good Sir, be not angry; ay will.  King. 
My dear Urania! now be happy, let's withdraw  
This place is much too public for our Love.—  Uran. 
Let me not lose all Modesty at once,  
But let Sin take possession by degrees,  
I have some sparks of Virtue yet remaining  
Which will require some time to quench.  King. 
I am impatient of delays, in this  Nean. 
A death from your fair hand, I would embrace.  Evad. 
Ay, this kind of dying put's a man to no pain, but to be run through the Lungs, or shot through the Body is mighty inconvenient.  Nean. 
Ay, 'faith is it.—  Evad. 
But 'tis honourable.  Nean. 
For my part, I cannot possibly find what honour there is in having Eyelet-holes made in a man's body: 'Slife a Man's body is not made to see through, is it? and yet I know some Duelling Coxcombs so often run through, as if their bodies were intended Thoroughfares for Swords.—  Evad. 
But I hope you have more prudence then to venture that danger.  Nean. 
If I be run through, may I be pickled up when I am dead like a Sturgeon, & be served up to the Table of an old 〈…〉 surer.  Evad. 
I will say this in your Commendations, 〈…〉 presents itself, I believe there is not a man in 〈…〉 as yourself, I mean so swift of Foot.  Nean. 
Not so, Madam, indifferent, indifferent 〈…〉  Evad. 
But suppose Sir I should stand in need of a Champion.  Nean. 
O Madam! your Eyes will revenge your Quarrels.  Evad. 
Or they must be unrevenged for you!  Nean. 
Nay, Madam, in a Lady's Cause I can be a lion.  Evad. 
When you meet with a Lamb.  Nean. 
Nay, Madam! I have Courage, but I must confess,  
'Tis a thing a man may better spare then any of his  
Goods and Ghattels.  Evad. 
Yes, yes, you have Courage, witness the going to The War when you were commanded!  Nean. 
It was not want of that; But who the Devil, that had a plentiful Estate, like me, and might live among these pretty Ladies at the Court, would go to lie without Sheets, with Stones and Blocks, for Pillows, and be most honourably Lousy, and damnably nettl'd, for a company of ungrateful Fellows, that live Luxuriously at home, and laugh at the Honourable Affairs abroad? and when they have done, they value these Mighty men of War, just as a man does a Creditor that Duns him for Money lent, which he never intended to pay.  Enter Geron. Evad. 
What would this old jealous Fop have?  Ger. 
Nay, now I will not hang myself yet: I'll be revenged on this Lord first— My Lord—  Nean. 
Pox o' this Rogue, how I scorn any one that's below me, What say you Geron?  (Geron aside.) 
Furies pursue him.  
How does your Lordship?  Nean. 
Very well! how does your Lady?  Ger. 
'Tis he has done it, a Curse on him. Aside.  Nean. 
Why how now? what do you Conjure? what's the matter?  Ger. 
I need not Conjure, I know the Father now. To himself.  Nean. 
Why what dost thou mutter man?  Ger. 
My Lord! why should you ask for my Wife?  Nean. 
Because I am Civil.  Ger. 
Because I am a Cuckold. Aside.  Nean. 
Pox on thee, why dost not speak out?  Evad. 
Your Servant, my Lord, suppose by this time my Lord Endymion has left the Queen.  Nean. 
I beseech you let me wait on your Ladyship Exeunt.  Ger. 
This is the man! 'tis he; Why should he ask for my Wife? Suppose I have a Wife, what's that to him, must he needs be asking for her presently? This Rascal Neander, this Villain that I dare not say any thing to; not because he's Valiant, for than it would not grieve me, but because he's a Lord, which he could no more help, than I can that I am a Cuckold: Here's another Lord too.  Enter Endymion. Endym. 
O Geron! how is't with you?  Ger. 
Your Servant, my Lord.  Endym. 
How does Phronesia?  Ger. 
Here's another, what Two Lords to make one Cuckold?  Endym. 
What, are you mute? has any Misfortune befallen your Wife?  Ger. 
Too much has befallen me I am sure: 'Sdeath I am Cuckolded and laughed at too; you do not well my Lord to use me thus.  
And her great Titles reckoned up, whilst she,  
Does in her Closet, weep she is not less,  
Poor Endymion! how little dar'st thou think  
My Thoughts; or I dare say them to thee?  Uran. 
Should Endymion speak,  
You than would hate him for his Confidence,  
A Crime of which he never can be guilty.  Clean. 
Nay, should he speak, in that he would forfeit  
The very thing I love him for, that rest  
He finds in the Elysium of his thoughts,  
And those true satisfactions which he takes  
In being all the World unto himself.  Enter 〈…〉 Evad. 
Sir, I beseech you 〈…〉,  
It would incense my Father 〈…〉 against me  
If he should see you.  Nean. 
Madam, never mind  
What old Grey people in their Wisdom talk of,  
They'd Cross us out of Envy to our youth;  
For when the Wine of Love is drawn out of 'em,  
They live some years by its Vinegar, spite.  Clean. 
Poor Lady, how she's pestered with yond gaudy Nothing.  Enter Phronesia, and after Geron. Phro. 
O Madam! we shall have a Ball to night, The Queen will entertain his Majesty, and desires your Highness to be ready.  Clean. 
I attend her pleasure.  Gerard 
Hell take that Clog of mine; how overjoyed she is to have an opportunity to show herself, and lay baits for young Gudgeons?  Nean. 
Let me Consider how I may look He pulls out of his Pocket a Looking-glass. amiably in the sight of the Ladies; let me see, a Patch or two here, and a little more red here— very well; this Face of mine cannot choose but charm them!  Ger. 
Well Minion, there's a Ball; but let me but see you dare to look upon any man but myself there, and by all the villainies of thy Sex, I'll tear thy flesh from thy bones, and hang thy Skeleton up in a Physic School. She shrinks from him.  Clean. 
How now Geron, what in passion with your Wife?  Ger. 
O no: and ' please your Highness I cannot be angry with any one I love so well.  Phro. 
Ah, Madam! he threatens to tear my flesh from my bones, an't please your Highness.  Clean. 
Geron! do you know before whom you do this?  Ger. 
Certainly, my dear, thou art distracted, how com'st thou to mistake thyself so; Madam, I have a great Tenderness for her as I have for my own eyes, Heaven knows.  Nean. 
They deserve much alike; his Eyes are Bloodshot, Rheumatic and Blind, and his Wife Ugly, Insolent and Froward.  Ger. 
If thou knew'st, my dear Phronesia, how great a value I have for thee, thou wouldst not thus have injured me.  Clean. 
So, this is well; but Urania and Evadne let us go wait upon the Queen: Neander, stay you here.  Ex. Clean. Uran. Evad. Nean. 
I like not that so well, I love this Evadne most abominably.  Ger. 
Prithee! my Dear, harbour not so ill thoughts of thy loving Husband till death; Geron— you Strumpet, I'll make you know what 'tis to use me thus.  Phro. 
My Lord Neander help, or this old Wizard will murder me; Avaunt Belzebub.  Nean. 
Hold Geron!  
Here's a Fellow I may show my Valour on; Aside.  
He is old, and Cowardly: Oh, that all Hectors had the  
Same discretion in the Choice of their men that I have,  
They would not be so often beaten as they are; Now  
Will I prove as good a Knight Errand as the best of 'em,  
And rescue this distressed Lady.  Ger. 
Huswife, to morrow will come.—  Phro. 
My Lord! Pray take my part against this wicked old Jealous, Toothless, Impotent fellow.  Nean. 
Do you hear Sir! do but dare to think of injuring this Lady,  Qu. 
Alas! dear Sir! you injure me to think that that same Evening that gives pain to you; Can give me pleasure.  King. 
My dear! I am not sick.  
I only am a little indisposed,  
I'll beg your pardon to retire this night,  
But pray stay you, and take no further Care,  
Till at your own apartment I see you  
To morrow morning.  Qu. 
Sir! your will is still my Law.  King. 
Once more good Night— Ex.  Qu. 
Poor Prince! now little dost thou think  
How soon thou art to meet with her thou fliest,  
That wife that still has been so constant!  
Oh! how ridiculous  
Just Heaven does make the ways of men,  
When they forsake the ways of Virtue.  
This brave Prince,  
(At whose Victorious Armies Greece now trembles)  
When he contrives inglorious actions, shall  
At the same time, be pitied by his servants,  
And a poor Girl shall upbraid him, in  
Contriving to preserve him virtuous:  
How do men ravel back to Childhood, when  
They cease to be thy Children, sacred Virtue!  
And need the Care of every little person,  
That what they call for may not do 'em harm.  Priest. 
Not to be subject to temptation is  
A privilege only had in th' other world,  
And yet I hope, Madam, what you design  
Will him from his intended Crime defend,  
Use you the means, and Heaven will crown the End.  Exeunt. 
The End of the Second Act.   

THE THIRD ACT.  Enter King and Pyrrhus. King. 
GOod morrow, my Lord.  Pyrr. 
A good day to your Majesty.  
A day as pleasant as your night has been.  King. 
Ah Pyrrhus! I wish it indeed.  Pyrr. 
I hope your Majesty has been well enough diverted  
This night.—  King. 
Yes, my Lord, tho' not as you suppose,  
I've been diverted from those wild desires  
That made me first injure myself, and then  
Unlord my Confident, but I have asked pardon  
Of Heaven, and my own Majesty, and now  
I beg it too from you, my Loyal Pyrrhus;  
Forgive me that I have profaned thy faith,  
By such Commands, that thou art bound to ask  
Blessed Heaven forgiveness for thy Loyalty.  Pyrr. 
Your Majesty I hope will give me leave  
To wonder at this Change, and understand it,  
When you shall please to think me fit for't.  King. 
I'll tell thee all— when now the Night  
Grew black enough to hide a skulking action,  
I softly stole  
To yonder Grotto, through the upper Walks,  
And there found my Urania; but I found her,  
I found her Pyrrhus, not a Mistress, but  
A Goddess rather, which made me to be,  
No more her Lover, but her Worshipper:  
She only whispered to me as she promised,  
Yet never heard I any voice so loud,  
And tho' her Words were gentler far than those  
That holy Priests do speak to dying Saints;  Clean. 
Heaven bless you— Ex King.  
— when Every thing is green  
Must poor Cleantha only wither, and never  
Know a Spring? Was I made only high  
Like Rhodope, and Haemus, or the Alps,  
To dwell with everlasting Winter? to wear Snow,  
When every Valley is adorned with Roses?  
Well I must die, than I may also be  
Happy as other Folks; the Grave looks Wistly,  
Like my Fortune, there I shall not see  
Poor Villagers more blessed in Love then I,  
And there I shall be able to make appear  
Cleantha and Endymion Equal are;  
Then possibly some of Cleantha's Earth  
May prove a little Flower, and look fresher  
Than when it was a part of a great Princess.  Enter Urania. Vran. 
Madam! the Queen expects your Highness.  Clean. 
I'll wait on her.— Ex. Cleantha.  Vran. 
Endymion is returned! what shall I do?  
To be at once both Just and Civil too.  
If I could satisfy Endymion's Love,  
I should unjust to great Theander prove;  
That Prince who to so mean a thing as I,  
(Bred in a little Cottage) did bestow  
His Noble Heart, which is a Present fit  
For any Princess fruitful Greece can boast of:  
From whom if I could give my Love, I would not.  
Why did I give my Promise then last night?  
And yet the Generous Endymion  
Will sure forgive me when he knows the Cause:  
He's here; Heaven forgive me, what I'm forced to.  Enter Endymion. Endy. 
Madam! I come upon my Knees to beg your pardon.  Vran. 
My Lord, it is not well to mock me further,  
You have deluded me enough already:  
Thus we that are so easy to bestow  
Our Love, the greatest Treasure we possess,  
Are still neglected by ungrateful men;  
But I had thought to have found more truth in you.  Endym. 
Madam! 'twas my allegiance forced me from you.  Vran. 
Those men, who dare offer such injuries,  
Never want bolduess to excuse their Crimes.  Endym. 
Had I refused t'obey my King's Command,  
You could not think me Worthy of your Love.  Vran. 
aside He speaks a Truth, I ought, but dare not own,  
What a fond Fool was I to be so forward  
In trusting a Court Lord, to believe  
You e'er would marry one of my mean Fortune.  Endym. 
Dear Urania, I appeal to'th' Gods  
Who are honoured when they're witnesses to truth.  Vran. 
Make no more Vows, I am not to be deceived again,  
I was too foolish to believe your last: Farewell, my Lord.  
Aside. The Powers above forgive me.— Ex. Vran.  Endym. 
How much unlike Urania is this Passion?  
Who used to be all Calm, and gentle still:  
And sure would be so, did not my unlucky  
Stars, that never meant me good, incline  
Her to this Anger.— Ex. Neander.  Nean. 
Your servant, my Lord!  Endym. 
‛ Curse on this vain, Fop.— Ex. Endym.  Nean. 
Are you so stout; Farewell.— Well! I wonder whom the Devil intends I shall marry with? I have been a servant, as they call't; that is, I have Lied, and Sworn, and spent Money upon every Lady about the Court, and still am as far from having one of them as the veriest Eunuch is; nay more, for they say Eunuches have a Trick now adays to please the Ladies Exceedingly:— I was in most hopes of Evadne, and love her best: but the old Priest forbids her to see me, or speak with me; Here she comes! I will force her to hear me— Enter Evadne in haste. Dear Apple of my Eye! why this haste? thou hast wounded me, and then thou fliest me.  Evad. 
There is a sufficient reason for't.  Nean. 
Must then Neander die?  

Cho. of 3. Here our own proper Flocks of Sheep  
We may in pleasant safety keep.   

Here a perpetual Spring does clothe the Earth,  
And makes it fruitful with each seasons birth.  
In this fair Climate every day  
Is fresh and green as May,  
And here no beauty can decay.   

Cho. of 3. Thus, thus live we,  
As the Elements free  
Each day and each night  
Is Crowned with delight  
Without either Envy or Strife  
This is the jolly Shepherd's life.   

2.  
Free from all Cares in pleasant Shades,  
And fragrant Bowers, we spend the day;  
(Bowers which no Heat, nor Cold invades;  
Which all the year are fresh and gay)  
Each does his Loving Mate embrace,  
And in soft pleasures melts the Hours away,  
So Innocently that no Face,  
Of Nymph or Shepherd can a guilt betray:  
And having Ease, the Nurse of Poetry,  
We sing the stories of our Loves,  
As Chaste as Turtle-Doves,  
Free from all Fear and jealousy  
From every Envious Eye:  
For every Man possesses but his own,  
No Shepherd sighs, nor Shepherdess does frown:  
No Ambition here is found,  
But to be Crowned  
Lord or Lady of the May;  
And on that solemn day,  
For Singing to have praise  
Or for inditing to deserve the Bays,  
Thus, thus, live we, etc.   

3.  
In the Cool Evening, on the Lawns we play,  
And merrily pass our time away.  
We dance, and run, and pipe, and sing,  
And Wrestle in a Ring.  
For some gaudy Wreaths of Flowers,  
Cropped from the fruitful Fields, and Bowers.  
By some pretty Nymphs composed,  
By their fair hands to be disposed,  
To those ambitious Shepherds, who  
With Virtuous Emulation strive to do  
What may deserve the Garlands, and (obtained)  
Are prouder far than Princes that have gained  
In fight their Valour's prize,  
Or ever stubborn Nation's Victories;  
Whilst in the adjoining Grove the Nightingale  
Does tell her mournful Tale,  
And does our Pleasures greet,  
With each Note,  
So sweet, so sweet, so sweet  
From her pretty jugging, jugging throat.  
It does each Breast inspire  
With loving heat and with Poetic Fire.  
Thus, thus live we, etc.   

4.  
We live aloof from Destiny,  
(That only quarrels with the Great)  
And in this Calm Rretreat,  
(Content with Nature uncorrupted) we  
From splendid miseries of Courts are free;  
From pomp, and noise, from pride, and fear,  
From Factions, from divisions Clear,  
Free from brave beggary, smiling strife.  
This is indeed a Life:   Clean. 
O Gods! banish Endymion: desire Evadne to come  
To me.  Vran. 
I will— Ex. Urania.  Clean. 
Wretched Cleantha! is thy Love a Crime,  
A Crime to him thou lov'st? must it be ruin  
To a person, if thou but affectest him?  
Have I some Plague that I must thus destroy,  
Whom I embrace? or is my Destiny  
Grown Paradoxical, and proves my Love  
To be true Hatred?—  
O Death! thou art not half so Cruel yet,  
In thy destructions of the Prosperous,  
As in not killing Wretches that would die.  Enter Endymion. Endym. 
Urania does not well to treat me thus:  
I took no leave of her, but I have told her  
The reasons why my Love forbade it me,  
Yet she persists in Cruelty.  Clean. 
He's here—  
His Countenance betokens grief.  Endym. 
To be thus angry and accuse me of  
Slighting a poor deluded Maid  
In spite of all my Vows of Love to her—  
The Princess still is Gracious to me:  
I had best entreat her to persuade my now  
Provoked Urania She's here;  
But she's alone, I dare not interrupt her Thoughts.  Clean. 
Good morrow, my Lord.  Endym. 
Your pardon, Madam, if unthought of, I  
Have rushed on your Retirement.  Clean. 
Your Presence will better it.  
Pray what News from Argos?  Endym. 
Madam, the Report was brought last night to Cortu  
Had nothing on't of Truth: I found all quiet,  
But only for the disturbance which we made  
Ourselves by our Arrival in the Night.  Clean. 
I am glad my Lord your danger was no more.  Endym. 
You oblige me Madam to undergo  
Much greater danger for your Highness then  
This could have proved.  Clean. 
My Lord! you have already  
Served me beyond what I can recompense.  Endym. 
Madam! 'thas been your Highness's pleasure still  
To honour with two great respects the little  
Merits of your mean Servant, who's advanced  
When numbered in the lowest rank of those  
That have been Fortunate to do you service.  Clean. 
You add still to my debts, my Lord, yet are  
No way injurious, since you make me rich  
In having such a Noble Creditor:  
But pray, my Lord, tell me, (as one concerned  
Much in your Fortunes) what's the Cause  
Your Lordship has not worn of late that rest  
Upon your looks which heretofore appeared.  Endym. 
Madam, it is for you to wear that rest who are  
Placed in that upper Region where there is  
No Wind, but a little Bark, i'th' midst  
Of a great Sea, subject to every Wave,  
And every gust of Wind, can ne'er pretend  
To this blessed ' State.  Clean. 
My Lord; you have some griefs that are particular.  Endym. 
For my troubles, Madam,  
Alas; their objects would appear so small  
To your great Eye, you'd think I did affront you  
Should I dare say them to you. Could the Lion  
In his Midnight-walks hear some poor Worms  
Complain for want of little drops of dew,  
What pity could that noble Creature have,  
Who never wanted small things, for those poor  
Ambitions? yet these are their concernments,  
And but for want of these they pine and die.  Clean. 
I hope my Lord what is your Trouble may  
Not be augmented by my knowing it,  
Else I shall never think aught small that can  
Thus to instruct you in Astronomy.  Endym. 
I am lost in wonder:— Aside.  
Madam, 'tis not strange,  
If I'm proud of what you blush at, but  
I am sure your unbounded wit to morrow  
Will with much greater reason quite deny it.  Clean. 
My Lord, you think no woman can be constant  
To what she says a day, but your Urania:  
But till you have tried, pray have more Charity,  
You'll after have more Faith: my Lord Farewell:  
The Gods forgive my breach of Modesty— Aside.  Endym. 
What have I heard!  
Was't not enough to lose my dear Urania,  
Unless I also did adore the hand  
That snatched her from me, Cleantha Loves Endymion  
But Fool it cannot be; ne'er may I know  
Her Noble breast harbour a thought so low.— Exeunt.  
The End of the Third Act.   

THE FOURTH ACT.  Enter Neander. 〈◊〉. 
I Was (at least in my own conceit) in probability of winning the sweet Evadne; and now, that not only her ugly Father, but the Queen too should forbid her to see me or speak to me; it is what I cannot, will not bear: Though Fate itself say, I shall do it, I am resolved that old grey Priest and his Mistress the Queen, shall be the subjects of my Revenge: and yet I am not ambitious to show my Valour so far, as to be hanged for't neither— I think I ha''t; If I can do this, 'twill be the sweetest part of my Revenge, to live, and tread, and spit upon their Graves: I have sent for Geron, a Rogue sit for my purpose, for he is Covetous to Extremity, and I have Gold to bribe him, and which is lucky above my Wishes, the Priest and Queen have chec'kd him lately, and countenanced his Wife against him, which torments him so, that I believe he would be glad to be hanged on any terms.— Here he is.  Enter Geron. Ger. 
Consume him he's here—  Nean. 
Dear Geron, let him embrace thee that  
Perhaps is thy best Friend.  Ger. 
Perhaps, with a Curse to him— Aside.  
No, my Lord, you are a Friend to my Wife.  Nean. 
Geron! give me your hand.  Ger. 
Would I had your Heart's blood.— Aside.  Nean. 
Give me your Hand, Geron.  Ger. 
My Good Lord! you do me too much honour.  Nean. 
I beg your pardon heartily that I presumed to  
Countenance your ugly, impertinent, ill-natured, vain  
Wife against you, you that are so worthy an honest Knight;  
It was Ignorance of her, and you made me do it. I protest it was.  Ger. 
What the Devil does he mean by this?— Aside.  Nean. 
Upon my Honour Geron it was; had I not been a stranger to her ill Qualities.  Ger. 
I am afraid you know 'em too well.— Aside.  Nean. 
I should never have encouraged her in her Insolence to you.  Ger. 
What does all this tend to?— Aside.  Nean. 
For I am well satisfied, a Man, especially an old Man that has had experience of the vanity of the World, aught to have an absolute Dominion over his Wife.  Ger. 
My Lord, this is a Truth! I would you had acknowledged sooner; for my abominable Wife, instead of being humbled, is ●ncourg'd by the Court.  Nean. 
I know though too late now, your Wife is froward, Foolish, petulant, wanton, proud, expensive, disobedient, Ungrateful.—  Ger. 
'Tis too true; but a Plague on him, I am afraid he has  
Night resumed his desires, and that Urania has promised it in earnest.  Nean. 
But Urania will contradict that—  Ger. 
No; she asked the Princess liberty to leave the Court a day or two for some private business or other, and is now absent.  Nean. 
Excellent Geron! but how shall we carry this story?  Ger. 
My Wife; who shall still be ignorant of the matter.  Nean. 
Admirably invented: thou shalt have the Talents; besides if thy Wife should discover thee or me, if she be questioned, we'll face her down in't and she shall hang for't.  Ger. 
That Argument prevails with me more than the Talents: whether she betrays us or no, we'll do that my Lord.  Nean. 
With all my heart, Excellent Geron: for the Priest, thou shalt go to him, and subtly persuade him that the Queen has made an appointment to meet me in the Grotto, and that I to avoid suspicion am to be in Woman's clothes.  Ger. 
My Lord, he'll ne'er believe it.  Nean. 
Do thou confirm it by ten thousand Oaths.  Ger. 
That will be dangerous.  Nean. 
Not at all: But think on the Talents, and the death of thy Wife man: Thou mayst persuade the Priest to meet her to prevent it in a Woman's loose habit, and then bring the King to see them.  Ger. 
But the Priest will soon undeceive the King.  Nean. 
No, no, fear not that, the King will be so enraged: 'tis ten to one he kills 'em both without Examination; if not, you and I, who will be the first Accusers will swear 'em both down in't; think upon Revenge and Profit.  Ger. 
My Lord— I'll do't about the time of this Even'ng Sacrifice for the Victory of Theander.  Enter Endymion with a Guard. Ger. 
What means this?  Nean. 
O Endymion's banished.  
And this Guard is to convey him out of the  
King's Dominions; let him be hanged and  
He will.— let us about our business— Ex. Geron and Nean.  Endym. 
May I not see the Princess for  
Whom I am banished before I go?  Officer. 
No, no, along Sir.  1. Sould. 
Pray Sir, go a little faster.  2. Sould. 
Prithee, let the Gentleman alone, soft  
And fair goes far, and the Gentleman  
Considers he has far to go.  Endym. 
Farewell than brave Cleantha, may'st thou never  
Once think Endymion suffers for thy sake:  
And farewell dear Urania, I will love thee  
On those hard Rocks I now must dwell upon.  Officer. 
What's this muttering? Along Sir.  2. Sould. 
Good Gentleman! he's loath to leave the Princess  
I warrant him. Enter Cleantha.  1. Sould. 
Here she comes.  Endym. 
The Princess!— Great Princess pardon  
My glorious sufferings; forgive me that Kneels.  
I ever saw the Light, or lived a Minute:  
That you are injured thus by him whose being  
Is not worth your meanest thought.  Clean. 
Ah, my Lord, affront me not:  
Rise brave Endymion! 'Tis my misfortune:  
Thou art too low already.  Endym. 
Fortune made me low to be advanced by a hand  
More Worthy than her own. Rises.  Clean. 
My Noble Lord!  
I have undone you! what can I give you now  
In recompense of Liberty, and all  
The pleasures you must lose  
In a sad banishment, for her who only  
Can be afflicted at your sufferings.  Endym. 
Madam, you have Enough to give to pay  
So mean a debt, if you will call it one  
A thousand times.  Clean. 
Name it, and take it, dear  
Endymion, though it be my life.  Endy. 
Madam!  
Then grant me this request: use every art  
To make your Hours as blessed as I shall pray  
They may be many; and never let a thought  
My impatience to be troublesome to others.  King. 
You grieve for Endymion, when all Arcadia  
Rejoices at the Victory of  
Theander, which this Evening we shall Celebrate  
With Sacrifices, and with other Rites, for whom  
We will prepare a public Triumph:  
Compose yourself, and let not others see  
Your shame.  Clean. 
My Shame they ne'er Aside.  
Shall see; Call it my Glory, so it is.  Enter Pyrrhus. Pyrr. 
Sir, the Sacrifice is ready for the  
Altar, and the Priests wait your Royal presence  
For the Execution.  King. 
Niece! think on what I've said, and follow us.  Ex. King and Pyrr. Qu. 
Come, dear Cleantha, prithee be not sad,  
The Prince of Macedon will be fitter for  
Your noble Blood which is derived from Kings.  Clean. 
And some other will be fitter for him  
Then I, unless he likes a broken heart.  
Besides the Prince is Contracted already to  
The Queen of Thrace's eldest Daughter.  Qu. 
She is long since dead.  Clean. 
Who can tell that, Madam; I am apt to believe  
If she had her Kingdom yet the Prince would find  
Her out.  Enter Phronesia. Qu. 
What News with you?  Phro. 
News that does import your Majesty.— Whisper.  Enter Geron. Ger. 
Madam! the Queen and your Highness are expected at the Temple▪ this will be a night of Joy.  Clean 
That brings me nought but sorrow; the name of joy  
Is odious to me, since Endymion's gone.  Qu. 
Art thou sure of this Phronesia?  Phro. 
Yes, Madam, doubt it not.  Qu. 
The Gods amend all once more, I'll prevent it:  
But first I'll to the Temple; Come Cleantha.  Ger. 
What have you told the Queen  
What I enjoined you?  Phro. 
I have, and she is resolved to Circumvent him: Come to the Temple, haste.— Ex. Phron.  Ger. 
Thus far it goes well; I have with many Oaths and Protestations confirmed the Priest in the belief that Neander in Woman's clothes is this night to meet the Queen: it takes admirably— The Talents are my own, and this wife of mine is dead already.  The Scene changes to the Temple. After the Sacrifice, there is a Consort of Martial Music, and two or three of the Salii or Priests of Mars sing as follows. 


1.  
ALL Praises to the God of War,  
Who in our Battles gives Success,  
By whom we now Victorious are,  
Who does not only us with Conquests bless,  
But 'tis his Power that gives us Peace.  
Arcadia now may safely that enjoy,  
Thessalians cannot that destroy:  
For brave Theander has our Foes oppressed,  
And by his Noble Toils procured our Rest.   

2.  
In vain they did their Heedless Force oppose,  
Against such Courage, and such Conduct too,  
Such as required more strong and numerous Foes▪  
Fit for his Noble fury to subdue.  
Oh how he thundered in the Van,  
Godlike he threatened, and did more than man●.    Priest. 
Heaven bless you Madam.— to her— Exit. Queen.  
To himself. And make you see your Crime  
In its own horrid shape ere you attempt it,  
And yet she bears it with so much assurance  
I could believe her Innocent, yet why  
Should Geron dare to invoke all the Gods  
To testify it; if it be false, what can  
Provoke him to this Villainy? If true,  
She never will acknowledge it to me  
What ere it be; 'tis worth my venturing  
To be undeceived.— Ex.  

The Third Scene.  Enter King, Geron and Pyrrhus. King. 
Is't possible? my Queen an Adultress?  
It cannot be: Be sure Sir, if you accuse her  
Falsely, ye shall not only die, but  
Linger out a wretched life in Torments.  Ger. 
Sir! if I lie, let me have what death  
The witty'st Cruelty can invent.  Pyrr. 
I am amazed! the Queen and Priest  
In Woman's clothes? strange Circumstance  
To meet in Grotto, this Night? Sure 'tis  
Impossible.  Ger. 
Sir, I am content to die for't, if you see not yourself all this to Night.  King. 
In the mean time, you'll be content to be secured?  Ger. 
Sir with all my heart.  King. 
Guard! take Geron, and secure him till further order.  Enter Guard, and seizes him. Pyrr. 
Sir! this dreadful news amazes me!  King. 
Ah Pyrrhus? in this very Grotto  
I met Urania, and forgot the Queen,  
Tho' then I thought her faithful.  
And as free from any Carnal thoughts  
At 〈◊〉 departed Souls in th' other world.  Pyrr. 
The Gods grant this meeting prove no worse  
Than that did.  King. 
O Heaven! methinks I see 'em already in their Lust, yet sure it cannot be; if I find this Accusation false, it had been better for this fellow he never had been born.  Pyrr. 
Sir, you may yet prevent it.  King. 
I may for this time, but I will not harbour  
That Devil Jealousy within my breast  
For all this World can give me: I am resolved  
To see the certainty myself; and if  
It prove untrue, my Queen shall live with freedom,  
As she has ever done, in all my Thoughts,  
And her Accuser fall her Sacrifice:  
But if she can forget her former Virtue,  
I can take as much pleasure to see her blood  
Drop from the fatal Sword, as e'er I did  
To see it blushing on her Cheek, when first  
I thought her modest▪  
Look! where they come— Enter Queen and Priest.  
Let us withdraw; it may be we shall  
Discover something.  Priest. 
And nothing is more Common  
Than this, which is not thought a sin, because  
It seems an Impulse of Nature.  King. 
Hear'st thou Pyrrhus? I am distracted!  Qu. 
The King.  Priest. 
All happiness attend your Majesty.  King. 
I must contain! how do you Madam?  Qu. 
Always happy whilst your Majesty is so.  King. 
And what are you discoursing of?  Qu. 
Nothing! but good with this good person sure.  King. 
What●s that you talk of which is not Sin  
Because an impulse of Nature?—  Qu. 
What do you mean Sir?  Priest. 
I know not how we came by Chance to speak  
How little wantonness is thought a sin  
Because it seemeth an Impulse of Nature.  
Whereas the Virtuous still fix their Eyes  
It has been very long, two hours at least: Enter a Lord of the Council.  
It's bad enough for certain: here it comes!  
My Lord, you have been long; but I expect  
No good; and therefore care not if you had  
Been longer.  Lord. 
Sir, before I can satisfy your Expectations,  
I must humbly pray you will be pleased to pardon  
The entreating your Answer to a Question  
On which all we have done depends.  King. 
What's that?  Lord. 
I may seem too insolent: but the whole Truth  
Of all the Examination does depend  
Upon't; that is, Whether your Majesty  
Did not one night Command a little Lady,  
That waits on the Princess, one Urania,  
To attend you in that Grotto, where  
The Queen and Priest were seized on▪  King. 
I did.  Lord. 
And she was there?  King. 
She was.  Lord. 
Is your Majesty assured it was she, or might it be the Queen?  King. 
Ha!— her Whispers were like the Queens: Pyrrhus knows I told him so.  Lord. 
Be happy then great Prince;  
Your Queen is Innocent; your Priest is holy,  
And Geron and Neander only are  
The Criminals.  King. 
Are you assured of this?  Lord. 
Yes Sir; it was the Hellish contrivance of  
Geron and Neander brought them both together.  King. 
Why did not the Queen reveal this?  Lord. 
She rather would have died then have disclosed  
Your S●mmo●● to Urania, which with your Majesty's  
Pardon, she's pleased to call your dishonour.  King. 
My Lord it was; but pray relieve my Wonder  
And tell me the whole Story.  Lord. 
Sir, in this Confession of Geron and Neander, and Phronesia, which we, (having found them Tripping in some part of the Story) by threatening Tortures, have extorted from 'em: Your Majesty may fully read the Story of the Innocence of the Queen and Priest, and of the guilt of these Barbarous Wretches.  King. 
Blessed ' Heaven! how are thy ways just like thy Orbs,  
Involved within each other: yet still we find  
Thy Judgements are like Comets that do blaze,  
And fright, but die withal, whilst all thy Mercies  
Are like the Stars which ofttimes are obscured,  
But still remain the same behind the Clouds.  Pyrr. 
May all your Doubts and Fears thus terminate▪  Lord. 
Thus are you shaken to be more confirmed.  King. 
Send for Urania, Pyrrhus! she shall wear  
This day the just rewards of Virtue; I  
Will visit my brave Queen, who rather chose  
To die unjustly as a Criminal  
Then I should justly be so termed,  
For which I will proclaim my Fault since she  
Will have the Glory of concealing it.  Enter Evadne. Evad. 
The King seems pleased, as he has reason.  King. 
My Lord! let the Council remove  
Into the Hall, where before all the Court  
I'll bring my Queen in Triumph there to hear  
Her base Accusers sentenced.— Ex. all but Evadne▪  Evad. 
I was told I should find Cleantha here—  
Why did I beg to leave my Cell?  
(Where I did never injure any one)  
To see this place, and in so little time  
To do more mischief than whole Generations  
Can parallel? how much  
Had it been better I had ever dwelled  
In those Retirements, where small Sins seem great▪  
And great Devotions small, then to be here  
Where the blood of Queens and Priests had like  
To have been sacrificed to the Malice of  
Wicked men? (had not the Gods taken the Cause  Clean. 
How's this?  King. 
What mean'st thou?  Gent. 
See Sir, see,  
Those Cheeks that lately Beauty wore, now pale  
With guilt.  King. 
Her Crime!  Gent. 
She is with Child.  Clean. 
It is impossible; she cannot dissemble so much Virtue,  
I'll engage my Life she's Innocent.  King. 
How know you this?  Gent. 
Sir, being sent in haste by my Lord Pyrrhus,  
To bring her to your Majesty, by chance  
I learned of one o'th' Servants of the Princess  
Near to what place he thought she was:  
I made Enquiry there, at a small house  
I was acquainted at; The Woman told me,  
She thought she I enquired for was in the house:  
And asking of me many Circumstances,  
She told me it was surely she: but told me too,  
As a great Secret, That she was with Child,  
But that she said she was Married;  
As did her Mother who this morning left her,  
At this I went to Urania, who confessed it,  
But would not tell me who her Husband was,  
And was very loath to come with me, though  
I told her, your Majesty had sent for her.  King. 
And is this truth Urania?  1. Lord. 
Speak to the King.  Vran. 
'Tis true.  King. 
And who's your Husband?  Lord. 
be not: shamed to name your Husband, Madam,  
'Twill be your shame if you name none.  Uran. 
I am not asham'd to name him, but afraid—  King. 
〈◊〉 is't, speak?  Vran. 
〈…〉 not disobey, and by my Lord  
Am author 〈…〉 him, when  
〈…〉 questioned, who's more tender  
〈…〉 his own.  1. Lord. 
Name him!  Vran. 
It is the Great Theander.  Qu. 
The Prince!  King. 
What are you married to the Prince!  
Married to Theander?— Rises in a Fury.  Vran. 
O pardon me, Great King,  
That I refused not to be taken from  
A Cottage, to the bosom of a Prince,  
On such Conditions as we dared to call  
The Gods to Witness.  King. 
Whether she be his Wife,  
Or only dares affirm it, though she were  
More to me then my Eyes, she should  
Die ere I sleep.  Clean. 
Upon my Knees I beg,  
Great Sir, you will recall this hasty Sentence;  
It is the Prince's fault, not hers.  King. 
I will hear  
No Intercessions— by the Honour of a King,  
I swear it.— The Prince in some few hours  
Will be in Town;— if what she says be false,  
This news shall be his welcome: but if true,  
'Tis fit his coming be too late to save her.  Vran. 
Ah, Great Prince, pity the distressed who has  
No friend to plead her Cause; all I affirm  
Is truth; Theander is my Witness, see Takes a Letter out of her bosom.  
That Noble Name; this I received from him  
Not three days since.  King reads it and gives it to the Queen. King. 
'Tis so; but know Urania!  
My Crown would prove too heavy for your offspring,  
Fit only for Cottages; it will behoove you to  
Prepare for death this day within Two hours.  Qu. 
Sir hold!  Clean. 
I beseech your Majesty—  King. 
I charge you on your Loyalty to hold;  
I swear again this day within two hours  
I'll see her head off▪ Martial take her hence,  Nean. 
Peace, wicked Woman!  Ger. 
O vile Woman! 'tis you that have brought me to this! must I be cut in pieces?  Phro. 
Truly loving Husband you must, and be given to Dogs too, but they'll have but ill Commons of you; you will be mighty tough; besides you have so many diseases, that if you were divided into as many pieces as there are hairs in your Beard, each Morsel would own a several Malady: for my part I would not advise any Dog that I have a kindness for to taste of you, for fear of endangering his health.  Ger. 
O thou abominable filthy Hag, if thou wert to be served so first, it would not trouble me.  Phro. 
O Sir, you would have drawn me in, but I shall live to tread upon your Grave! you know it were ill manners for me to be hanged before my Husband! but how does your Lordship? will you have some Greek-wine to comfort your cold stomach, you'll die with the fear on't else before to morrow morning; but I beseech you, my Lord, do not forget, if you do live till then, to have a Nosegay, and a pair of white Gloves, with clean Linen too, for the Execution! Men of quality are always very cleanly when they go to be hanged.  Nean. 
O! what will become of me? I shall never be able to endure it. Oh! you old cowardly Sot! this comes of your confessing; Rogue.  Ger. 
This may thank your villainous design, with a Curse to you, I was only drawn in.  Nean. 
You deserve to be hanged Rascal, and will be so.  Ger. 
'Twill be some comfort to me to have a Lord suffer with me, but 'twould be more honour to me, if that Lord were a wiser man.  Nean. 
O! you old Dog! that I could come at you.  Ger. 
That I could poison you with my breath, but that 'twould put you out of your pain, which is your immoderate fear.  Enter Priest. Priest. 
Peace be here!  Phro. 
You come as seasonably as can be, for the Traitors are at Civil War.  Priest. 
Away, woman, and interrupt 'em not.  Phro. 
I will not take my leave on you, for I intent to see my dear Husband again, at least before you be cut into Messes, Farewell.— Ex. Phron.  Priest. 
I am now come to speak to you as dying men.  Nean. 
Ay, ay, you old Rascal Geron, whom may that thank?  Ger. 
A villainous Lord that corrupted a poor innocent man as I was: a Curse on him for drawing me in.  Nean. 
A Curse upon an old Cowardly Rogue, to let his fear betray us.  Priest. 
Come, 'tis not now a season to quarrel with one another, but to make peace with the Gods: I am come to prepare you for your deaths, and first Neander I begin with you.  Nean. 
Pray Sir begin with him, he needs it most! he has always been the most perfidious, impious Wretch.  Ger. 
I need it most? I scorn to be prepared any more than yourself, if you go to that, with that ugly, pocky whoremasters face of your own.  Nean. 
Sir, it's no matter what he says; he has as much malice to good men, as Whores have to honest Women  Priest. 
I must first begin with you my Lord.  Ger. 
Look there, he knows who has most need on't.  Nean. 
Peace Wizard, peace! do you say this to me?  Priest. 
Peace stupid Wretches, I command you: and confess, and repent of your most horrid Crimes.  Nean. 
Well Sir, I have done; and I do confess from the bottom of my heart— O you old dry, raw-boned, wretched, decrepit-Cuckold you, to bring me to this.  Priest. 
Heaven! what impiety is this?  Ger. 
Ay Sir! you see his Devotion? O! Villainous wicked man.  Priest. 
Sir! hold your Tongue! my Lord, 'tis time now to be sensible of your sad condition.  Ger. 
Ay Sir! so it is, if you knew as much as I do of his wickedness, you'd say so.  Nean. 
Well Sir! I do confess, I'll torment the Rogue Aside. I have many Sins to repent of— First— I have been naught with that old fellow's Wife.  Evad. 
If pity poor Urania could do thee good,  
Thou hast enough on't.  Vran. 
I do confess I'm married to the Prince;  
But he will witness for me 'twas th' effect  
Of his own Choice: I never presumed  
To think it till he told me it should be so;  
Since when how faithful I have been to him  
Witness! Oh! Heaven! and all those Powers that dare  
Acquit whom Kings condemn; and tho' for this  
I now must suffer death, I cannot wish  
I had not done't, since 'twas the Prince's pleasure,  
Whom to contradict, to me were worse than death.  Gent. 
Alas! I pity her, her Case is too severe.  Vran. 
And yet I feel  
That death is bitter, 'tis an Enemy  
Looks cruelly on those who have no friends:  
'Tis hard to undergo the greatest Task alone;  
But 'tis my Fate, and Heaven must be obeyed—  
— 'Tis a long hazard that we run in death,  
And a short warning rather does disturb  
Then sit us for it; were't not for this,  
I could be well content to close these Eyes  
That have of late beheld so little pleasure.  Marsh. 
She draws Tears from my Eyes; I was not wont  
To be so soft.  Vran. 
But I too long  
Detain you with Complaints, whose business is  
To see me die: Live happy brave Theander,  
May all thy Sorrows die with thy Urania,  
And all those Joys live with thee which she took  
〈◊〉 thy contents▪— May'st thou be happy in  
A Princess, great as thy own Merits, bright  
As thy own eyes, and virtuous as  
Are all thy Thoughts; and may she honour thee  
As truly as thy poor Urania did.  Execu. 
Are you ready, Madam?  Uran. 
Who is this?  Gent. 
Madam, 'tis your Destiny.  Vran. 
O, it is he  
Sir, you can instruct me what I am to do;  
I never yet saw any body die.  Gent. 
Madam, you must kneel.  Uran. 
How will he strike?  Gent. 
With all the mercy that he can.  Execu. 
When you have ended all you have to say,  
Pray kneel with your Face that way, and give  
Some sign when I shall strike.  Uran. 
I will.  Evad. 
I cannot stay to see't; Farewell, dear Urania. Exit. Evad.  Vran. 
When I am dead, pray Sirs suffer none  
But my Mother to fit me for my Grave;  
She will be careful of me, she will pay  
Holy devotions for me, and bedew  
With pious Tears that face she still has loved:  
And may the Gods give comforts in her sorrows,  
And all those Stars which have been hard to me  
Be merciful to her— May my misfortune  
Work in her only a more true content  
In the low Sphere she so securely moves in▪  Execu. 
I think she'll ne'er ha' done prating, they all keep such a coil when they come to die: Would the King would please to forbid all Speeches upon Scaffolds.  Vran. 
Sirs! Farewell, pray present  
My humble Service to my Noble Princess,  
With thanks for all her Favours, in my life,  
And Charity in death— blessed Gods assist me.— Kneels.  
Pray expect the Sign.  Execu. 
I shall.—  Enter in haste Parthenia Vrania's Mother Parth. 
Stay stay the fatal Blow.  King. 
What's this?  Par. 
A miserable Mother come to save her only Child.  King. 
Executioner do your Office. One of the Gent. lays hold of the Executioner.  
To dawn upon me, and instruct me, those  
Are nearer it, who kneel in humble Cells,  
Then such as stand on Tiptoe on high Towers.  
For now Theander makes Urania more  
A Princess, than a Kingdom could, by courting  
Her as a Shepherdess, and shows the World,  
That more than Chance conduced to her Greatness.  King. 
Why did you not tell Theander the whole truth?  Par. 
Sir, he married her at Court, and I knew not of it  
Till he we was gone to the War in Thessaly:  
For witness of all this, I do invoke  
Those Powers, who never testify untruths;  
And here produce those small Remains of Greatness  
Misfortune yet hath left me; See, Sir, here She shows several rich jewels.  
That so famed Jewel which so many Kings  
Of Thrace have worn, and with such veneration  
Have still preserved on an old Prophecy, that  
This should preserve the Thracian Family.  King. 
Pyrrhus! 'tis all true! Go tell the Queen and Princess this:  Ex. Pyrr. 
I need no Testimony but those words,  
All Queens might blush to hear from Cottagers,  
But is it possible so mean a place  
So long should hold great Cleopatra?  Par. 
Know, great Prince (and know it too  
From one who has experimented Greatness)  
When I had satisfied myself in my  
Endeavours of regaining my lost Rights,  
And saw 'em all unprosperous, (as if  
Heaven long enough had given one Family  
The privilege to govern others)  
I was as well content to be the first  
Must learn to act with common people,  
As he who first was called from them to rule.  King. 
Great Queen,  
The Prophecy is now fulfilled, That Jewel  
Will serve to satisfy the World as much  
Of all you say, as your own Words have me:  
And thus preserves the Thracian Family,— Embraces Urania.  
Dear Daughter! still be happy and forgive  
Our ignorance; I cannot love thee better  
Then at that very time I did condemn thee,  
I could as well have sentenced my two Eyes;  
And pardon me, dear Sister, if I first— Salutes Cleopatra.  
Asked pardon where I most did need it.  
Call the Queen, and tell Cleantha Urania is alive.  Par. 
Now, my dear Daughter thou art safe within my Arms.  Vran. 
Madam, it only did belong to you  
Who gave me life, thus to preserve it too.— Trumpets within.  King. 
What's this?  Gent. 
The Prince is come.  King. 
What will Theander say to see his dear Urania  
Thus attired at his return?  Uran. 
He'll say you're merciful.  Enter Queen, Cleantha and Pyrrhus. King. 
Madam, see here great Cleopatra  
And call her Sister; take Cleantha!  
Her thou hast wept for: Pyrrhus has told you all.  Enter Theander. 
My Son! never more welcome! never The Prince fixes his Eyes on Urania.  
Did more Joy spring from more Sorrow.  Thean. 
Bless me dread Sir!  
What Scene does entertain me? Are your Joys  
Expressed by Sacrifice?  King. 
Theander, take,  
Take thy Urania, and wonder not  
At any thing but her.  Thean. 
My Triumphs are more dreadful than my Conquests.  Qu. 
My Son be happy  
In thy best Choice; let not thy wonder make  
'Twill be but gratitude in me to do  
Some of their business for them, and reward  
So brave a Virtue as Endymion owns,  
And make him great for his Cleantha too.  Clean. 
Is Endymion returned? O happy hour!  Thean. 
The War in Thessaly has found an happy end,  
And there I've left  
Those hands that made that Sceptre stoop, who, now,  
Want but a Scene to do new wonders in,  
And this may prove rebellious Thrace, if you  
Sir, think fit I wear that Crown Urania gives me;  
In this Conquest, the brave Endymion  
Shall be my second; what shall I not expect from  
Such virtue and such valour when they meet?  King. 
I have of late received such mercies, that  
I cannot think of any thing which looks  
Like Cruelty. Therefore wonder not  
All that you ask so soon is granted you,  
Cleantha; Take then your Endymion; be  
More blessed in him than Greatness e'er could make you.  Qu. 
And now you're doing works of mercy Sir,  
I beg for the sake of this glorious day  
Which is a day of mercy to us all,  
That Geron and Neander may not die  
But suffer Banishment for life.  King. 
What you propose has much of Piety;  
I'll not deny't: and now I've one request  
To you my honoured Priest, your leave  
That Pyrrhus my best Confident may serve  
The fair Evadne  Priest. 
You oblige me Sir to make me see  
My poor Evadne is so much your care,  
It shall be mine; she still shall think that best  
Your Majesty is pleased to choose for her.  Enter Endymion. Thean. 
Endymion! why so slowly to thy Joys? Kneels and kisses Cleantha 's hand.  
Reap here the fruits of Gratitude and Mercy.  Clean. 
Welcome my Lord.  Qu. 
My Lord, you're welcome from your Banishment.  King. 
You've only now this Ladies leave to ask  
For any thing you'd have.  Endym. 
I am happy in your Royal mercy Sir,  
And hope in time to be so too in hers.  
Madam, I hope your Highness has the Charity  
To pardon your poor Servant, who was the  
Unwilling occasion of so much injury  
To so Noble a Princess.  Clean. 
You need not fear  
Your Sentence when Cleantha is your Judge.  King. 
Let us all away, and satisfy ourselves with what  
We have so long travailed with, and let the World  
Learn from this story, Those that are virtuous  
Cannot be long in Clouds; Innocence concealed is the  
Stolen pleasure of the Gods, which never ends  
In shame as that of Men does oft times, but  
Like the Sun breaks forth, when he has  
Gratified another World, and to our Eyes appears  
More Glorious through his late obscurity.  Priest. 
The Impious here a while may find some Rest,  
But in the End the good are only blessed.  Ex. omnes.   
FINIS.