THE SLIGHTED MAID, A COMEDY, Acted with great Applause at the Theatre in Little Lincolns-Inn-Fields, By His Highness the DUKE of YORK 's Servants.  
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Dring, at the George near St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet. 1663.   

To the Illustrious Prince, JAMES Duke of MONMOUTH, etc.  
Knight of the most Noble Order of the GARTER.  
MY LORD,  
TO Your Grace I humbly Dedicate this Comedy; Your Creature; for it only received from me Matter and Form: But Your Satisfaction, at the Presentment, gave it Life. If it please You in the Reading, my Pen cannot make me Happier, unless I could Vote into myself the Spirit of Plutarch, to enable me to write the History, which Your early Perfections promise to the World. But since Nature has not put me into a Capacity of serving Your Grace as I would, be pleased (I beseech You) to accept of what I can, this, and the Zealous Wishes of  
Your Grace's most humble Servant, R. STAPYLTON,   

THE SCENE, NAPLES.  
Names Characters Actors. Salerno. An airy young Prince, who (being refused by his Love) is a pretender to Mistresses. Mr. Harris. Iberio. The Prince's Friend, a jealous Lover. Mr. Bettertun. Filomarini. The Prince's Uncle, a prudent and pleasant old Lord. Mr. Metborn. Lugo. Filomarini's son, who will not be governed by his father. Mr. Smith. Arviedo. A name which conceals the poverty of Giulio, the young Heir to the Family, Honour, and Valour of the Great Captain Gonsalvo. Mr. Cadiman. Corbulo. A valiant Lieutenant, constrained by his wants to be Decio's Porter. Mr. Young. Peralta. A desperate Sea-captain, who (being pardoned for Piracy) falls to cheating. Mr. Underhil. Gioseppe. Master of a Ship, a Vigilant Spy upon Menanthe. Mr. Noke the Elder. Vindex. Decio's Slave, who by his faithful Ingenuity merits his Freedom. Mr. Sanford. Decio. The Slighted Maid, Ericina, who (to revenge her refusal by Iberio) assumes the person of her dead Brother, Decio. Mrs. Gibbs. Pyramena. A passionate Lady, who (hating the jealousy of him she loves) marries one she knows not. Mrs. Bettertun. Diacelia. Elder daughter to the Prince of Bulgaria. Mrs. Long. Leandra. Younger daughter to the Prince of Bulgaria. Mrs. Williams. Menanthe. An impudent Cheat, a Greek Impostress, who takes upon her to be mother to Leandra. Mr. Noke the younger. Joan. A fat merry Hostess. Mr. Turner.  
The Instrumental, Vocal, and Recitative Music, was composed by Mr. Banister.   

THE PROLOGUE TO THE KING.  

IF Favours merit Thanks, what then is due  
For Blessings, Sir, derived to Us from You?  
Such Blessings as no People, ever since  
They prospered into Kingdoms, owed a Prince:  
Three Nations (by all others disesteemed)  
To Honour and to Freedom you redeemed.  
Now your Nobility are Lords age'n,  
Your Commonalty Valiant Loyal Men.  
Th'Oil that Anointed you healed our sad wounds,  
Your Laws have fixed us in our old just Bounds.  
When to your Throne you came, Justice returned  
From Heaven, and on the Bench (o'er which she mourned,)  
Sits in your Splendour, gives (not takes) the Word,  
And with her Balance overrules the Sword,  
Which now protects your poorest Subject's Plea,  
And guards the Labours of your Land and Sea.  
Nor is Toil barred from Pleasure any more,  
For, Public Recreations you restore;  
Not Roman theatres, that were designed  
For Sword-play, our Plays recreate the Mind,  
Instruct the judgement, which men's Natures learns,  
And how to manage Low and High Concerns:  
Our whole Globe in this Hemisphere we see  
Enlightened with the Rays of Majesty,  
Where all, but th' Author's doubtful Eye, looks clear,  
But, Sir, he hopes you'll smile away his fear.    

THE PROLOGUE TO THE HOUSE.  

YOur looks are eager, Gentlemen; new Plays,  
Like our new Beauties, expectation raise  
So high, you promise to yourselves a Feast  
Of Wonders; alas, Miracles are ceased:  
No working now by Supernatural means,  
Beaumond and Fletcher have writ their last Scenes.  
No Johnson's Art, no Shakespear's Wit in Nature:  
For, Men are shrunk in Brain as well as Stature.  
Little pure Wit is stirring, (I confess;)  
And that's cried down by those that have much less;  
And some by the fanatics have been taught  
To conclude, All Gentlemen do, is naught.  
When those Grave Critics in their Cradles lay,  
Good Plays grew faster than ill Weeds, than they:  
Now, one would think, that our slow Writers played  
A Spanish Mate at Chess, few Draughts are made,  
Since mere Gambetters kept the Stage in awe,  
For, (whoever sets the Men) they give the Law,  
Tyrannically, to our cost we know it,  
For (right or wrong) they judge against the Poet.  
From such (whom Spleen and Prejudice transport)  
Th' Author refers himself to this just Court,  
These Noble Ladies, Lords, and Gentlemen,  
And humbly at your feet he lays his Pen:  
If bad, it shall not write another letter;  
If't please, he'll take it up, and please you better.  
Incourageed Poets heighten their Designs,  
Like Painters, who at first draw ruder Lines.    

THE SLIGHTED MAID.  

Actus Primus.  Enter Filomarini, Gioseppe, and Peralta. Per. 
COme, come; as sure as I am in my wits,  
My Lord Filomarini, you are mad:  
You would not go to Sea else at your years.  Fil. 
To Sea? no, if I do, let me be drowned. [to Gioseppe.  Per. 
Are you so old, you've lived past sense of danger?  Fil. 
I've lived past th' age of telling him my secrets.  Per. 
Or so poor, that Need makes you trust your life  
To Planks and Billows?  Fil. 
Is my Wine aboard?  Gios. 
'Tis stowed, and all your Goods.  Per. 
All your Discretion,  
That's stowed too; your grave Wisdom's under Hatches,  
Princess Diacelia's Guardian wants a Guardian.  Fil. 
Princess Leandra wants a Guardian;  
This Pirate little thinks she's landed here,  
And that my Voyage ends in her Arrival.  Per. 
Turn Child again? now, when you have invited  
All Naples to a Feast, you'll not stay dinner;  
Pray, do but eat your breakfast with your friends.  Fil. 
But is Leandra grown the greater Beauty?  
My son's Bride, Diacelia, was the Sweeter.  Gios. 
Your Lordship knew Leandra in her childhood,  
You'll see her finely built, so tight, so you're;  
She lacks but you at Helm.  Fil. 
And I can Steer;  
I shall keep her from falling foul upon  
Lugo Filomarini. Where the Devil  
Did my son Lugo meet her?  Gios. 
Where the Devil  
Never appeared before so near an Angel,  
At Church, with the Greek Cheat her cursed Mother,  
That passes here for an Illustrious Lady;  
The Viceroy heard she was a Grecian Princess.  Per. 
Was ever a Vagary so well timed?  
This morning, when your Son is to reap here  
The Harvest which you sowed in th' Isle of Candy,  
To marry a young Princess; you are going  
To solace your cold body with the Mermaids.  Fil. 
To Princess Diacelia be a Traitor?  
On's Wedding-Eve fall in love with Leandra?  Gios. 
At th' Altar: down he fell upon his knees,  
And would have prayed to Her, but that I whispered,  
Take heed, Sir, how you set up a new Saint,  
He that kneels there is an Inquisitor;  
This frighted him from Superstition;  
But than he fell to Witchcraft, with th' Impostress  
Her Mother, the Greek Devil, made a Compact,  
That is, a Bargain, for twelve thousand Pistols,  
And struck a Match.  Fil. 
hay boy! how sits the Wind?  Gios. 
Foreright, and a brisk Gale.  Per. 
There's such a wind  
In your head, my good Lord, you hear not me.  Fil. 
Why did they not marry upon the place?  Gios. 
Because the Greek Leech holds it proper first  
To purge your son, and Bleed him in the Purse:  
She'll first be sure of his twelve thousand Pistols.  Fil. 
Captain Peralta, there's not such a wind  
In my head, but I hear thee, and know, all  
Thou sayst is nothing; answered in a word  
(The little Word, that governs the great World)  
Interest; advantage calls me, I'm concerned  
To leave my Son on's Wedding-day, no less  
Than he to compliment his Guests, or kiss  
His Bride, and I will do't as heartily.  Enter Lugo. Per. 
Answer your Son so, he's here (I have pressed  
Your father's Stay, to make him go his Voyage, [to Lugo  
He'll sail, near fear't) break my Lord Lugoes heart?  Fil. 
Hold up thy head, boy; I may come again,  
But if it be my Destiny to sink,  
I leave thee ' a Fortune to buoy up thy heart,  
I leave thee ' a Bride to multiply my Honor.  Lug. 
There's two good Fortunes.  Fil. 
And the third's not ill,  
I leave thee ' a Friend, my old Comrade in Candy;  
This Spanish Captain to draw his Sword for thee;  
Embrace him, he's experienced, take his counsel;  
Take heed he cheat not; if a Spaniard got him in his Ear.  
'Twas on a Gipsy, for he lives by Pillage,  
The Trade that set him up was Piracy;  
Had the Rogue been a Neapolitan,  
(He's stout and subtle) he'd have made a rare Bandit.  Lug. 
You would make a rare Galleyslave, [aside.  
For you can Look one way and Row another.  
The Captain may be needful, when I quarrel.  Fil. 
Use him, but trust thyself. So, farewell Naples.  
No further, son, my Blessing: I have blessed  
Th' Excellent Princess Diacelia,  
Thy Bride, be worthy of her; and remember,  
Remember, Sirrah, that her Ancestors  
Were Sovereign Princes; and (although I am  
Her Guardian, yet) that I imposed not thee  
Upon her, but thou art her own free choice;  
Remember how thou wert obliged, when she  
Refused my Nephew, the Prince of Salerno.  Per. 
You'll give me leave to wait you to the Port?  Fil. 
To cut thee off, I draw a line, this River  
Of Rubicon no Soldier is to pass. [Exeunt Fil. & Gios.  Lug. 
No talking to th' old man; is he not drunk?  Per. 
He may be so, he took care for his Wine.  Lug. 
More than he did for me; I'd rather be  
My Father's Sack or Claret, than his Son,  
He's better at choosing of Wines than Brides.  Per. 
He chose, for you, a Princess.  Lug. 
But 'twas I  
That should have chosen for myself. O Captain!  
I would have took Leandra in her Smock,  
Rather than married Princess Diacelia  
With all Bulgaria ', had she'd't in possession.  
My Father shows his judgement.  Per. 
He was thought  
(Ere he ran Sea-mad) wise.  Lug. 
Yes, for himself;  
Like an unnatural Moor, he would take money  
Even for the chaming of his son to th'Oar:  
But, Captain, thou hast promised to redeem me  
From the worst of all Slaveries, a loathed Marriage.  Per. 
I use not to redeem, but to sell Slaves.  
Would I could make a Bargain for his Lordship. [aside.  
My Lord, I hope to serve you [such a trick  
As yet you never saw] but the contrivance  
Must be considered in a place more private.  Enter Salerno and Iberio. 
See, the Prince of Salerno and his Friend  
My Lord Iberio, who commands the Forces  
Designed for Candy.  Lug. 
By their whispering,  
It seems, they would be private too; leave them  
The house, we'll take a turn or two i'th' Garden,  
My Bride is not yet dressed, there's time enough. Exeunt Lugo & Peralta.  Iber. 
She is the most—  Sal. 
Inconstant, you would say:  
Speak softlier.  Iber. 
Why not louder? 'tis a truth.  Sal. 
But, friend, all truths are not to be proclaimed.  
Prithee, my Lord Iberio, do not vex  
Thyself, because a Woman proves a Woman:  
Be thou a Man, laugh, as I do.  Iber. 
You may  
Have cause to laugh?  Sal. 
Thou hast almost as much,  
For, our two Cases differ, like two Clocks,  
About some half an hour: thy Mistress comes  
From the Church married, mine's going to be married,  
I give her.  Iber. 
Pish, you cannot, if you loved her.  Sal. 
Special Considerations moving us,  
I loved her for her Person, she was handsome;  
I loved her for her Fortune, she was rich;  
I loved her for her Title, though the Turk  
Usurps her Country of Bulgaria,  
Still she's a Princess: Princess of Salerno  
I wished her, but my x Lugo had  
The Preference; and since I must not be  
Her Husband, I'll e'en be her Reverend Father,  
And give her. What think'st thou of my Resolve?  Iber. 
I think, there's ne'er a Prince in Italy  
Better than you are, at digesting Willow.  Sal. 
Willow feeds me fat, I'm a kind of Kid,  
I feel myself so gamesome after it,  
So wanton: now am I for Mistresses,  
Mistresses in abundance.  Iber. 
One's too much.  Sal. 
The Enemy to my Bulgarian Love,  
He that unthroned her Crowned Progenitors,  
The Great Turk, keeps not Mistresses enough:  
A Mistress, Sir, may be your fairest play,  
For it is possible, she may be your Mistress,  
That would not be your Wife.  Iber. 
Impossible,  
I'll never see her more.  Sal. 
What will you lay?  Enter Arviedo. 
Your x can resolve us, he has made it  
His business to inquire. Where's Pyramena?  Aru. 
She's in the House.  Iber. 
In this House, Arviedo?  Aru. 
Her husband told me, she was going hither:  
And when his Highness lighted from his Coach,  
Her Chair was carried in.  Sal. 
A Plot! she married  
So early, to meet thee, and make Proposals:  
But she will lose her Time, and I my Sport,  
If the Bride be not hastened. Exit Salerno.  Iber. 
I would make  
The Prince no sport, but that I have engaged  
To dine here.  Aru. 
Better you would dine at home,  
For, Pyramena's husband, Decio,  
Armed with Gold, that puts Confidence in Cow'rds,  
Offers to every wanting hand a Bribe  
To poison you.  Iber. 
Decio poison me?  
Thy kind fear thinks (now he has married her,  
I should have had) that he must with my life  
Secure his Purchase.  Aru. 
He attempted me.  Iber. 
Do not I know, he loves to droll with thee?  Aru. 
He would scarce droll away the Sum he offered.  Iber. 
To thee? my kinsman, one that I bred up?  Aru. 
He urged my Obligation and Relation  
As the best Blinds; told me, that I might act  
In his Revenge, and make myself a Fortune,  
Like a destructive Mountebank, that thrives  
By Poison, first takes Money, then takes Lives.  Iber. 
In Rhyme? but he's an Illustrissimo  
Of Venice and Parnassus, a rich Poet:  
Would thou hadst took his Money.  Aru. 
And given you  
The Poison? sure I sooner should have drunk it.  Sal. 
I dare be sworn thou wouldst.  Aru. 
And can you wish  
Such Faith corrupted?  Sal. 
No, my noble Cousin,  
'Tis to prevent a Rogue that might be hired,  
That I wish thee employed.  Aru. 
On that account,  
I'll take his Gold, and undertake your Murder;  
To serve your Lordship I'll be any thing,  
Your Poisoner to preserve you.  Sal. 
Were he bold,  
I might suspect, that Decio would revenge  
His sister Ericina.  Aru. 
She that died  
For love of you.  Sal. 
But from so soft a spirit  
I apprehend no danger, howe'er sound him. Exit Arviedo.  Enter Salerno, Diacelia, Pyramena, and Attendants. Sal. 
Well, Princess Diacelia, my first Love,  
Although you make your unseen Guest, my Heart,  
A Mourner at your Wedding; yet those Joys  
From which you banish me, I wish to you.  Dia. 
In the Prince of Salerno's Arms I wish  
A better Wife.  Sal. 
Bar curses; no Wife, Madam,  
Mistresses what you please.  Dia. 
Fie, fie, Sir, leave  
This Raillery.  Sal. 
Leave you your frowning then; Pyram. smiles on Iberio.  
Learn of your Senior Bride there, how to smile  
On a condemned Prisoner of Love. He frowns?  
Abominable! frown when his Mistress smiles?  
Pardon my zeal, Madam, I hope my Friend  
May have a Mistress?  Dia. 
Not of Pyramena;  
She's Virtuous, take't upon my word.  Sal. 
Nay, now  
That I have the word of a Princess for  
Her Virtue, I'll engage my Friend to try it.  He Sings. 

Thy Love is chaste, they tell theeso;  
But how, young Soldier, shalt thou know?  
Do by her  
As by thy Sword,  
Take no Friend's word,  
But try her:  
'Twill raise her Honour one step higher.  
Fame has her Trial at Love's Bar,  
Deified Venus from a Star  
Shoots her Lustre:  
She had never been Goddessed,  
If Mars had been modest:  
Try and trust her.   Dia. 
What a strange wild-brained husband have I scaped!  Iber. 
You think, I take this for a current smile,  
I know 'tis counterfeit, gilt brass, your Face  
Puts mirth on, when your Conscience is tormented.  Py. 
My conscience?  Iber. 
Have you none? or is't a-sleep?  
It shall be waked, I'll thunder.  Py. 
If Heaven thundered  
I should not tremble, for I am not guilty.  Iber. 
Then you ' are not married?  Py. 
I am Wife to Decio,  
No Lord, but equal to a Lord of Naples;  
A Gentleman of Venice. When will't thunder?  
I see no Lightning yet.  Iber. 
The Clap comes now,  
(Avoid it, if you can) did you not swear  
You would be my Wife?  Py. 
Did not you swear first,  
That you would not be jealous? were ye not?  
Fell you not out with me, for visiting  
My Kindred? then I married: Where's my crime?  
'Tis you that should fear Thunder, you are perjured,  
You broke th' Oath upon which my Oath was built,  
And Superstructures always fall to ground,  
When their Foundation sinks. Can you deny it?  Iber. 
Mine was not Jealousy, but Tenderness  
Of your Repute: 'tis a censorious Clime  
We live in; from the Liberty you took,  
I feared a popular Scandal on your Honor.  Py. 
It seems so, by th' Insolence of your Language;  
Did you not tell me, that the world would say,  
Iberio was a fool to venture her  
To common Courtship, that was Vowed to him—  Sal. 
This makes for me, if Vow have passed between them;  
May not Iberio court his own Wife, Madam? [too Dia.  Iber. 
And would you leave me for a hasty word?  Py. 
Yes, he that would control me when my Servant,  
Would tyrannize when he should be my Husband.  
I have one that Vows he never will commit  
Your Jealous Sin against my Innocence▪  
But I forgive you; something too I'll give you,  
Myself I cannot, you have forfeited  
Your Right in me: but I'll create a Title  
For you, next Husband, you shall be my Friend.  Sal. 
Did not I tell thee? [to Iberio.  Enter Gioseppe disguised, he gives a Letter to Diacelia. Py. 
If your Lordship please  
To taste the First-fruits of our Bridal Board  Sal. 
And Bed. Ah Rogue, wrapped in thy Mother's Smock.  Py. 
You shall be the Bride's guest.  Iber. 
I won't.  Sal. 
Out Clown.  Dia. 
Honest old friend Gioseppe, I dare say,  
My Guardian, my Lord Filomarini,  
Is misinformed; for grant that his son Lugo  
Had no Love for me, yet for his own Honour,  
Now we are going to Church to be married,  
He'd not fly off.  Gio. 
But when you see the proof;  
Your Highness (as your Guardian directs)  
Will be pleased to put on the Spanish Veil,  
And go with me.  Dia. 
He writes, that, by your means,  
He has preferred himself and me for Servants  
To the Greek Cheat, your Mistress. I'll obey him.  Gio. 
Pray send for me, I'll wait at your Back-stairs. [Exit Gioseppe.  Py. 
My Husband is a Stranger, a Venetian,  
(For when I found you jealous, I resolved  
Never to have a Neapolitan,)  
But he so loves your Town, he'll dwell with you:  
And sure you cannot but love him again,  
The goodest man, nothing but innocent mirth,  
His whole delight is to make Songs and Masks;  
I hope you'll come?  Iber. 
If I do, I'll tell Decio  
What an inviting Wife he has.  Py. 
Your Servant.  Enter Lugo and Peralta. Lug. 
Sir, my dear Love, my good Lord, noble Lady,  
Please to excuse me, that I have thus long  
Deferred the Ceremony of the Day,  
I stayed for this slow Friend: let's now to Church.  Per. 
No haste: I was your Friend more than mine own,  
Or else I would not have engaged with you  
(For such a vast sum) to the jews.  Iber. 
Engage?  
Pirates engage? will jews trust Freebooters?  Per. 
My Bill's protested, and my Credit lost,  
By your neglect of payment at your Day,  
And I come not to give your Lordship Joy,  
But to renounce the name of Friend to one  
That has so publicly renounced his Honor.  Lug. 
Good angry Captain, Soldiers should not be  
Judges of Lovers: if you come to th' Honour  
Of being a Bridegroom, you will never think  
Of transitory things. When I am married,  
I'll satisfy the jews.  Per. 
Satisfy me,  
In point of Reputation. [You are out, [aside.  
You're out: seem moved; answer, Is that the business?]  Lug. 
Is that the business? You have reason, Captain:  
Before the Priest join our hands, I'll dispatch thee.  
My dear, once more excuse me, if you pardon  
th'adjournment of our Marriage, my Friends will;  
Indeed they would not pardon me, if I  
Preferred the Law of Hospitality  
Before the Rule of Honor. Follow, Captain. [Exeunt Lugo & Peralta.  Sal. 
Your colour changes, Madam? use my service.  Dia. 
Pardon me, that I decline company,  
Till my Lord comes back.  Sal. 
Your obedient Servant. [aside.  Dia. 
Now I perceive my Guardian's a great Prophet.  Exit Diacelia. Py. 
This is the second time that I'm enforced  
To give you over, for th' Infirmity  
You sucked from Nature, Jealousy; yet once  
You had some colour, but now no pretence,  
For, you ate Jealous of another's Wife. [Exit Pyramena.  Sal. 
Deny fewer Wife? art thou a Man?  Iber. 
Not such a man as the Prince of Salerno;  
You are for serving Mistresses, but I  
Serve Christendom against th' Encroaching Turk,  
And so, our cross-designes must sever us.  Sal. 
A cross-grained Dunce thou art, and so I leave thee.  Enter Arviedo. Iber. 
Stay, hear my x Arviedo's news,  
Though there be not a Mistress in the case;  
Did thou or I guess right?  Aru. 
Your Lordship did;  
For Decio vows, that when he courted me  
To poison you, he meant you no more hurt  
Than I, when I accepted the employment.  Iber. 
What a Droll's this?  Aru. 
I have a Drolling message,  
But more ridiculous.  Sal. 
Better still, what is't?  Aru. 
An Offer, such as man yet never made,  
He callest a Kindness: Decio prays your Lordship,  
To think his House and all within it, yours;  
Though all without it be not so much worth  
As one within it, and that is, his Wife.  Sal. 
I vow a kindness.  Aru. 
He acknowledges,  
She wronged you in her marriage, and that you,  
For her offence, might justly make yourself  
A stranger to his Wife, but if you do,  
'Twill grieve her, and her grief will break his heart.  Sal. 
By his kind heart, who would not swear this fool  
Marked for this Cuckold; wert thou not resolved  
Never to see his Wife?  Iber. 
Who told you so?  Sal. 
Thou.  Iber. 
True, I did, but that was in my rage,  
When my hot fit was on me, now 'tis off,  
I'll dine with Decio.  Aru. 
Will you?  Iber. 
Will I live?  
I'm the Bride's guest.  Aru. 
Your Highness is his friend,  
Pray, Sir, dissuade him, interpose your power.  Sal. 
What, now there is a Mistress in the case?  Aru. 
But there's a Man too, and a spleenful Man,  
Decio's an Enemy.  Sal. 
Decio's an Ass.  Aru. 
Although he has a pretty innocent face,  
Decio is not the Fool you take him for;  
But would a Fool invite Him to his Wife,  
And mean less than a Murder?  Sal. 
I'll secure  
All Avenues, he shall not be surprised.  Aru. 
You forget whose death Decio would revenge,  
Think of his Sister. [to Iberio.  Iber. 
I think of his Wife.  Aru. 
You ought to think of her as of a Siren,  
That sings but to entice you to a Rock.  Iber. 
In those soft Rocks there is no danger, x.  Aru. 
I only fear the danger of their Honours. [aside.  Sal. 
Danger? now there's a Mistress in the Case?  
Mark the word Mistress, does it not sound well?  Iber. 
Sweeter (by far) than Arviedo's Lute.  Sal. 
Or Trills of Nightingales.  Iber. 
Or Canary-Birds,  
Whistling the Flajolet.  Sal. 
Now, as friends should be,  
We are of one mind, and I will not leave thee;  
Never may be Plead more, that leaves his place  
At Bar, when there's a Mistress in the case. [Exeunt.   

Actus Secundus.  Enter Vindex with a Paquet of Letters in his hand. Vin. 
THis Wedding-day, this Dancing, and this Fiddling,  
Puts all my Master Decio's business by:  
Porter at Gate, speak to the Paquet-Boat,  
These are for Venice, hast thou any Letters?  Enter Corbulo. Cor. 
None.  Vin. 
Hast thou any Wine? the Slave's a-dry.  Cor. 
None neither.  Vin. 
Corbulo, then farewell and be—  Cor. 
Hanged thou mean'st, Rogue, that stop deserves a Bottle, Corbulo embraces Vindex.  
And in my Lodge I have a bouncing Bottle,  
Good-fellows too, come in, we'll take a Touch;  
But first, sing o'er the Roll, and name our Healths.  They Sing. 

Drink to me, Boy;  
Here's to thee, Boy;  
A Health t' our Master,  
A Nobler never obeyed I;  
Couple him with my Lady,  
Never Man had a Chaster;  
Match the Viceroy, as even,  
With his Royal Creator, knocking at Gate.  
To the King: bless him Heaven,  
And a Pox take the Traitor.   Cor. 
hay! what rapping? Vindex, turn the Key.  Vin. 
Thou thinkst that thou art a Lieutenant still,  
And tak'st me for thy Corporal? look thou  
To the Gate, I dare not, lest I be knocked,  
Their fingers are so furious.  Cor. 
If the Lodge  
Be thus unquiet, such an Iron-mill,  
I'll turn our fine young Master, Decio,  
Out of my service; hold, and let me see  
Who 'tis, that knocks so like a Gentleman.  Enter Salerno, Iberio, and Arviedo. 
Cry mercy, Sir; though I thought 'twas no Beggar,  
I looked not for a Prince.  Sal. 
Iberio, go, [Exit Iberio.  
Mind thou thy Mistress; Fear is the best Spy,  
Thou, Arviedo, make discoveries.  Aru. 
I have made one, Sir, Is not this the Soldier,  
That, when our men fell basely from th' Assault,  
Rallied them, beat the French, entered the Breach,  
And set upon the Bulwark the King's Colours?  Sal. 
He serve a private man?  Aru. 
Know'st thou the Prince?  Cor. 
He has forgot me.  Aru. 
Sure I have seen thy face?  Cor. 
And this hand, Arviedo, better armed.  Sal. 
Lieutenant Corbulo? why, fellow-Soldier,  
Prithee, how comes thy Partisan thus changed  
Into a Porter's Staff?  Cor. 
The times are changed, Sir,  
War into Peace, and Soldiers into Beggars,  
And, Sir, you know, Beggars must be no Choosers;  
If I might choose my Office, I would be  
(Not Porter, but) Lieutenant Corbulo,  
And in my hand I'd flourish Steel, not Silver.  Sal. 
I cannot blame thee, for Steel masters Gold,  
There's some for thee, drink my Mistrise's Health. gives him gold  Cor. 
I must drink to your Inclinations.  
Health upon Health; we hear, Sir, you are raising.  
A Regiment of Mistresses; how full  
Your Companies, how many do you Muster?  Sal. 
I beat my Drums yet.  Cor. 
March a thousand strong,  
I am for your first Mistress, a pitched Battle,  
A fair Campania; War, Sir, glorious War  
Will dignify your Title, raise your Fame.  Sal. 
True, Corbulo, and ruin my Estate,  
Have we not Precedent for that? what Fortune  
Has famed Gonsalvo, the great Captain, left  
To his Posterity? is not the young Heir  
Of that brave General's Family, Giulio,  
So poor, he dares not show his face in Naples?  Cor. 
But you know Generals Heirs who are great Lords.  Sal. 
Why dost not thou fight to advance thyself?  
Now the Pope raises here a Regiment  
Commanded by my Lord Iberio.  
Go with my Friend to Candy and get Honour;  
Kill Turks, man, and the Signory of Venice  
Will make thee ' a Knight of th'Order of St. Marc.  Cor. 
Though I've got only wounds in the King's Service,  
I will not fight but by the King's command,  
And in a place of Honour and of Profit:  
But, Sir, your Highness needs no Salary.  Sal. 
I may, like th' Emperor Maximilian,  
Trail my Pike under an Invincible King.  Cor. 
Serve ours again, fight for the Crown of Spain,  
And I'll no longer serve a Foreiner.  Sal. 
Wilt serve me, in thy Neapolitan Mistress?  Cor. 
No; I keep her for my Venetian Master.  Sal. 
It seems, thou hast a Charge of Chastity.  Cor. 
One of the Warders in the Brazen Tower.  Sal. 
That keep thy Danäe safe from midnight Visits.  Cor. 
I'll help your Highness to a handsomer—  Sal. 
Handsomer than thy Lady?  Cor. 
Than all Ladies,  
Th'incomparable Beauty, Continence:  
Make short sleeps; lie and fare (as I do) hard,  
You shall have Continence, an't please your Highness.  Sal. 
Hang her, She pleases neither High nor Low:  
But I am pleased to see thy care, Lieutenant.  Cor. 
True to my trust.  Sal. 
For which (hold) there's more Gold.  Cor. 
More Counsel I will give you for this Fee,  
Marry, and make me your Porter.  Sal. 
Here's my hand—  Cor. 
It is a liberal one, I kiss your Bounty. [Exit.  Sal. 
I dare not trust this Soldier, there may be  
More of the Crew, he may command a Party:  
Let's seek Iberio out, and fetch him off. [Exeunt Salerno & Arviedo.  Enter Iberio and Pyramena. Py. 
You may praise my good Nature, you'll scarce match it  
In Naples; show another of my Sex,  
That scorned like me, will slight the Injury,  
And welcome the Affronter; but you're welcome  
To Decio's House, my Heart, and your old Love.  Iber. 
But will you love me, may I ask, and hope?  Py. 
I promise you any thing in my power.  Iber. 
Will you then, do—  Py. 
Do what?  Iber. 
It will not out;  
Do me the favour to show me the House,  
Which seems to be, like you, a Paradise.  Py. 
The Building is much handsomer than I,  
But both are (equally) at your dispose:  
The Rooms of State your Lordship may see now,  
But 'twill be dinnertime ere I can show you  
The private Lodgings.  Iber. 
On, sweet Madam, on.  Enter Salerno. Sal. 
Iberio? stay.  Iber. 
You will not offer it,  
Now she invites me?  Sal. 
To this ruin, fool:  
The Porter is Lieutenant Corbulo,  
The boldest Officer of all our Foot,  
Thou know'st him, he confesses, he takes Pay  
Of Decio for securing his fair Wife.  Enter Arviedo hastily. Aru. 
Stand on your Guard, Decio has lined his House  
With Mariners out of the Turky-Ship,  
Which came from the Levant into the Harbour  
This morning.  Iber. 
See the fruit of Mistresses.  Aru. 
How much more noble would your death have been  
Had your blood smeered a Bashaws Scimitar?  
Then you had died upon the Bed of Honor.  Py. 
He cannot have a Plot to murder you.  Aru. 
Two hours since he had one to poison him;  
I heard the Word given now, it is, Fall on.  Py. 
Your Forlorn I will be.  Iber. 
sayst thou me so?  
I shall love Mistresses better for thy sake. [Within.] Salerno, Iberio, and Arviedo draw their Swords.  Dec. 
Fall on.  Sal. 
Do, Rogues, we'll sell our— how? a Dance? Sailors and their Wife's Dance.  Enter Decio and Vindex. Vin. 
What will you do?  Dec. 
Villain, how dar'st thou ask?  
Justice I'll do, teach men how to slight Maids.  
Princes, the Turky-Ship thus speaks your welcome  
To my Wife's House, for I have neither House,  
Nor Land, nor Body, nor Soul, all's my Wife's,  
And (mark Poetic Prophecy) she'll be yours.  Iber. 
My Wife?  Dec. 
Your Wife.  Sal. 
When, Decio?  Dec. 
Let me see?  
All the men of my Race died (punctually)  
At two and twenty, so that three years hence  
She's yours, if you've a stomach to her then,  
As ready as the Wedding-dinner now  
On my Wife's Table, your Wife that shall be  
Three years hence.  Py. 
Have but patience till we have dined,  
After the Banquet. [Exeunt Decio & Pyramena.  Sal. 
Thou shalt see and taste  
The Fruit of Mistresses and my Endeavours.  
Look you serve me (another time) as well.  Iber. 
Better, I'll work thee a new Mine of Beauty. [Exeunt.  Enter Filomatini, Diacelia, and Gioseppe, in their Disguises as Spaniards. Gios. 
Quick, fellow-servants, set the Chairs, Gioseppe:  
My Lady's little Dog has fouled the Carpet,  
Perfume here, Princess Diacelia.  Dia. 
Princess Diacelia?  Fil. 
I should say, Fritilla,  
For, to serve Diacelia and Leandra  
(As by a Guardian's duty bound) I have  
Unlorded myself and Unprincessed thee,  
Granchild Fritilla, Daughter to my Son  
That's at Madrid, Mace-bearer to the King;  
But I defy the City of Madrid  
To match this Spanish Beauty.  Dia. 
You are pleasant;  
But Guardian, I should say, Grandfather Draco,  
Why are we Spaniards? if you had still been  
My Lord Filomarini, your son Lugo  
Had married me without dispute.  Fil. 
No, Grandchild,  
He had too great a passion for Leandra.  Dia. 
Methinks, in your own shape you might have awed him.  Fil. 
I should have shamed him into Impudence  
If I had made a public Business of it.  Gio. 
Twelve thousand Pistols you had saved your son.  Fil. 
What e'er he loses, she shall not lose him,  
Nor shall my Nephew, the Prince of Salerno,  
That's mad for Mistresses, now want a Wife:  
I'll bring them about, Master, as the Wind  
Carries thy Sails, without appearing in't.  Enter Leandra. 
Look where Leandra comes, your Bridegrooms Love.  Dia. 
Let me embrace my Rival. Leandra lays her hand on Diacelia's breast.  Lean. 
We'll not quarrel;  
Here sticks Love's Arrow with the golden head,  
My sullen heart is wounded with dull Lead.  Fil. 
By why alone, young Mistress? where's our Lady,  
Th' old Hag, your Mother?  Lean. 
Talking with a Captain  
Sent from your Son.  Fil. 
The Fool employs the Pirate.  Lean. 
Yes, to lay me aboard; I hope you'll fight him?  Fil. 
My Nephew shall; for, the Prince of Salerno  
(If you can like him) must love you, I'll charm him  
With this Leandra ' in little, this thy Picture  
Given me by a Witch (I mean, thy Mother)  
Shall melt him, (Liver, Lungs, Brain, Heart, and all)  
As if't were his own Picture, made in Wax,  
And stuck with Needles.  Lean. 
When I see your Nephew,  
I'll tell you how I like him: 'tis the Man,  
And not the Prince, that I shall look upon.  Fil. 
I see, thy humble humour is quite spent.  Lean. 
I found my spirits when I found my friends,  
(Thanks to this Pilot, my good Guide Gioseppe)  
But to your Lordship's Orders I submit.  Fil. 
Yet a while seem obedient to th'old Woman;  Enter Menanthe and Peralta. 
She comes, the Pirate after her.  Me. 
Wait here, to Peralta, (who in his hand has a small Coronet and knot of Diamonds.)  
Till I dispatch these to their several duties.  
Hosepe, we are pleased with these new Servants  
Of thy commending, once again you're welcome. they bow to her.  
Draco, do what you undertook to do,  
Show the young Prince, (who cries up Mistresses)  
Leandra's Picture, try how much he'll offer,  
Lugoes twelve thousand Pistols must not buy her. [Filomarini bows, and goes off.  
Hosepe, take you, from the Captain's man,  
Those Turky-Vests sent us by my Lord Lugo. [Gioseppe bows, and departs.  
Fritilla, choose you out the richest Vest,  
And fit it to Leandra: Mignion, look  
That you obey my Maid in point of Dress; [Diacelia and Leandra make low Curtsies.  
And hark you? trifle not your time away,  
Your Lord will come straight: do y' hear? put on Patches. [Leandra still makes Curtsies down to the ground. [Exeunt Leandra & Diacelia.  
Twelve thousand Pistols in Gold I expected, [to Per.  
But, Friend, if you engage that, bonafide,  
The Jewels are worth so much, I'll accept 'em.  Per. 
Two thousand Pistols my Lord Lugo will  
Bring from the Mint, these are well worth ten thousand.  Me. 
These you deliver upon Reputation?  Per. 
First, Madam, give me leave to satisfy  
My curiosity; do you, Greek Ladies,  
Keep Turkish State?  Me. 
It is both State and Wisdom,  
Servants and Children to their Mistresses  
And Mothers should be Mutes, bow, not presume  
To ta k.  Per. 
But may a Stranger use his tongue?  
Will you not be offended if I speak?  Me. 
What would you say?  Per. 
Protest, I know not what:  
For though we that are bred up in the Wars,  
Are seldom out of countenance in Peace,  
Your presence daunts me.  Me. 
We are Great, not Proud.  Per. 
I am not ignorant, what a high Esteem  
The Court has for you, what respect the Lords;  
May then a poor plain Captain ask a question?  Me. 
It shall be answered, if't be in our Sphere.  Per. 
'Tis in the Sphere of your Activity;  
Live you not by your Wits?  Me. 
Alas, poor Captain;  
Are you come to your Wits? Fear's a short Frenzy▪  
Speak again.  Per. 
Live you by your Wits?  Me. 
Again.  Per. 
Are you a Cheat?  Me. 
In Hell's name, what art thou,  
That ask'st me this damned question?  Per. 
A Sea-Captain.  Me. 
Or (as some Copies render it) a Pirate.  Per. 
I was a Pirate, Sovereign of the Sea,  
Fired Billows, to make way for Robbery,  
Kept a Prize-Office at Algiers, of Goods  
Stolen from my Prince, the mighty King of Spain,  
(For which I have his Pardon in my poquet)  
And do you think a Pirate, an old Thief,  
Can want eyes to discern his fellow-Thief?  Me. 
It were a vanity for me to halt  
Before a Cripple; I employ the Talon  
Nature gave me to live by, This young Lord  
I mean to cheat; Leandra shall be sold  
Over and over. But (bold Captain) you  
That were the Sovereign of the Sea (and so forth)  
Kept a Prize-Office at Algiers, of Goods  
Stolen from your Prince, the mighty King of Spain,  
You will not scruple (sure) to join in cheating  
Any of the King's Subjects, though your Friend?  Per. 
Join? we'll join Issue, for I'll marry thee.  Me. 
Two words to such a bargain, worthy Captain.  
Discharge your Trust, deliver me the Jewels,  
And on my Honour, I'll not be unthankful.  Per. 
Three words to such a bargain, noble Lady.  
These Gems are held in Mort-main, locked as fast  
As in a dead man's hands, I will take nothing,  
I'll give myself and these; accept of both,  
Or neither.  Me. 
What if neither?  Per. 
Why then, Madam,  
Graciously you may please to hang yourself,  
And save the Law a labour. Does Menanthe  
Because grown gallanter, (Leandra taller)  
Think I forget thee and thy theft in Candy?  
Refuse me, and to all Thiefs (that dare live  
Under the Noses of the men they robbed)  
I'll make thee an Example; marry me,  
This Hand, this Sword protects thee.  Me. 
Nay, if you  
Have had a Passion for me so long since,  
And never yet, from your undaunted heart,  
Could blot out my Remembrance; 'tis a Match.  Per. 
Lugo shall pay thy Portion.  Me. 
One half, Captain,  
The Prince shall pay the other Moiety. [Exeunt▪  Enter Salerno, and Filomarini with a Book of Pictures in little. Sal. 
From th'Universal Monarch?  Fil. 
That's his Style.  Sal. 
Tell me (ere I inquire into thy Message)  
How long is't since his Holiness conferred  
That Title on the King?  Fil. 
What King?  Sal. 
Our King,  
The King of Spain; com'st thou not from the King?  Fil. 
I come from one to whom the King's a Subject.  Sal. 
Thou speak'st not like a Subject; what's thy name?  Fil. 
My name is Draco.  Sal. 
Of the Athenian Draco's?  Fil. 
No, of the English Drakes, great Captain Drake  
(That sailed the World round) left in Spain a By-blow,  
Of whom I come.  Sal. 
From whence com'st thou to me?  
What Prince's Agent art thou?  Fil. 
Love's, Love's Envoy;  
I am a Messenger from Cupid, sent  
To help you to a Venus.  Sal. 
But one Venus?  Fil. 
To one, two, three, four hundred Venuses:  
Build a Seraglio, I can furnish it  
With Rarities, Provided, you will have  
The Patience of a Prince, to see, and hear.  Sal. 
Reverend Pimp, thou shalt have Audience.  Fil. 
Illustrious Potentate, Love's Envoy shows  
Letters of Credence; There's a Mistress for you. [Fil. shows a Picture, Sal. looks on't and throws it away.  Sal. 
There she's for thee again, the Pox to boot,  
To wish it her, the curse would come too late;  
Why, one Eye's perished.  Fil. 
Sir, I Articled  
For patience; what great Lapidary ever  
Showed his best Diamond first? Here's one will fit you.  Sal. 
Fourscore years hence, for she's at least a hundred.  Fil. 
You're very curious; this is young enough.  Sal. 
Ugly enough too in all conscience;  
Pretty ' Owl, how't stares? and deep in the Green-sickness:  
Go, go; she that I take the pains to cure,  
Shall be a Paragon.  Fil. 
A Paragon  
This is, or my eyes fail me; by degrees  
Examine her, the Morning is not younger—  Sal. 
Nor blushes sweeter; what a Skin? the Alps  
Were never whiter: Lips which eager Birds  
Would peck at, for Ripe Cherries; Caesar's Eyes,  
That Conquer Nations they but look upon.  Fil. 
Have I performed like a Discoverer?  Sal. 
Had the great Drake (whose Issue thou art) put  
As many Girdles round about the Earth,  
As ever the Sun▪ did about the Heavens,  
A Lovelier he could not have discovered.  
But, Sirrah, will you justify this Piece?  
Shall not I (as a mighty Prince did) curse  
The Picture-drawer, when I see the Maid?  Fil. 
Sir, if her Character were to be writ:  
The sweetness of her Disposition,  
Her Mildness, Innocence, Humility,  
Obedience, if these were to be described,  
Your Highness might curse th' Orator and Poet,  
But you will bless me and the Picture-drawer,  
When you shall see Leandra.  Sal. 
Ha, Leandra?  
I have heard of her Mother, the Greek Lady,  
My service, honest Draco, soon at night  
I'll visit her.  Fil. 
No, than you'll come too late;  
Your x Lugo will be married to her:  
His Duel was a trick, Sir, to change Brides.  Sal. 
That must not be; then I'll go with thee, Draco.  Fil. 
No, than you'll come too early; let me try  
My little wit first to break off the Treaty.  
If you'll be at your Palace, when 'tis time  
I'll call you. [A Banquet set forth.  Sal. 
What if Lugo should debauch her?  Fil. 
I'll watch for you, like Danae's old Father.  Sal. 
I'll pay thee better than young jupiter  
Paid his Procurer, when the wanton God  
Coined himself into Gold. Let none corrupt▪  Enter Iberio. 
Her Virtues but myself. Iberio, see,  
Wonder, and shake hands, I am going to her.  Iber. 
You shall stay, and rid me of Decio first.  Enter Pyramena. Py. 
I cannot get my Husband to the Banquet,  
He's so pleased with your x Arviedo,  
(His Brother-Lutenist) he has carried him  
To see his new Scenes, for this hour they're safe.  
Sir, will you please to sit?  Sal. 
To wait of you.  Iber. 
Oh, pray be gone; he's full of business, Madam;  
You lose your time.  Sal. 
Then I've my liberty.  Iber. 
I'll throw Marc Antony's old shoe after you,  
His Slippers will serve me, I'm going to bed. [Exit. Sal.  
Now, Madam, we are (to our wish) alone. they sit to the Banq.  Py. 
The fewer though better fare; you freelier may  
Taste any thing you love here.  Iber. 
I love you.  Py. 
You cannot, better than I love your Lordship.  Iber. 
That's Music to our Banquet. Let's embrace  
The Opportunity, and one another.  Py. 
I hope I understand not, what do y' mean?  Iber. 
To claim your promise.  Py. 
What was't?  Iber. 
Any thing  
In your power.  Py. 
Such a promise I did make.  Iber. 
Perform it; your Injoyment's in your power.  Py. 
I have heard Casuists say, That's only in  
Our power which justly and safely we may do.  Iber. 
Then do what's in your Power, perform your Promise,  
That's just; and be my Love, and you are safe.  Py. 
In Honour?  Iber. 
Honour?  Py. 
I love you, my Lord,  
Above all men, (my Husband not excepted)  
But I love Virtue more than I love you.  Iber. 
If you love Virtue so much, when you knew  
My application vicious, why did you  
Encourage me to hope? tell me the truth?  Py. 
The truth is, I have fooled you.  Iber. 
Cruelly.  Py. 
I have indeed, cruelly fooled your Lordship. He riseth and shuts the door.  
Do y' lock the door? you will not ravish me?  Iber. 
Oh no; my fair inviting Cruelty,  
You will be found the Ravisher: no Law  
Adjudges him a Murderer, that kills  
One that provoked him. Th' Anch'rite, who has lived  
An Age in's Grave, remembers not his Mistress  
With greater horror, than I thought of you,  
Until you courted me, and blew the sparks  
Of my old Love into a flame of Lust,  
Which shall (as your due Punishment) consume you,  
In your own Instrument of Tyranny,  
Like the Designer of the Brazen Bull.  Py. 
Your Brazen Bull's an Ass; th'inventer of it  
A Novice in my Art of Tyranny,  
He tortured but the Body, I the Soul,  
Which I know nothing more torments, than Hope  
Raised high, and leveled.  Iber. 
Do you smile?  Py. 
I laugh,  
To see so great a Soldier fool himself  
With a belief, that th' Enemy (the Traitor,  
As you were graciously pleased to call me)  
Would yield without a Summons: true it is,  
To work your Hope up to a Confidence,  
My white Flag I hung out, courted a Treaty,  
As if I held a Fort untenable,  
You'll find it Maned, the Woman so well Maned,  
That you may sooner take Constantinople.  Iber. 
Yet valiant Madam, notwithstanding all  
Your scornful Ranting in our Terms of War,  
You are impolitic in your cruelty,  
That to torment me sacrifice your Honour. She catches a Knife from the Table.  Py. 
See what protects my Honour; if you stir,  
I'll show you, what poor Lucrece should have done,  
My Honour shall not die before myself.  Iber. 
But if you kill yourself, the Prince (who knows  
You sought this meeting) what will he report?  Py. 
Report can neither do me good nor hurt, [She lays her hand on her heart.  
Here's that will justify me after death.  
And know, that since Iberio declared  
For Jealousy against Love, I scorned life:  
Nor had my Soul endured her Glog so long,  
But to convince you of Apostasy:  
This made me marry a Pool, and then invite  
You to this Parley, that your Eyes might give  
Your Heart the Lie, when you beheld me stand  
The Flatteries and Threats of him I love,  
Yet not dishonour him that I love not;  
And now, farewell to both.  Iber. 
Hold, more than Woman,  
Heroic Lady, show one Bravery more,  
Forgive me; next ill thoughts I have of you,  
I'll pluck my heart out, 'tis no heart for me,  
That thinks you less than Saint.  Py. 
Now we are friends. [She flings down the Knife.  Iber. 
And friend, I'll tell y' a secret, kept from you,  
When I was but your Servant; I command  
These men raised by his Holiness to serve  
The State of Venice against the Grand Signior;  
They are Embarked, this night I go aboard,  
Therefore my Love, (still you're my Virtuous Love)  
Though it grieves me to speak—  By 
And me to hear—  Iber. 
Yet the sad word must be pronounced, Farewell.  Py. 
You shall not Farewell yet, I'll call for Cards  
And hold you one hour longer.  Iber. 
What you please;  
I am your Soldier, you command in Chief.  Py. 
Then play a little, to beguile our grief. [Exeunt.   

Actus Tertius.  Enter Decio and Arviedo. By a Laurel-tree is set a Shepherd's Hook, a Pipe, and a Wreath of Laurel. Dec. 
THe breath of Music (Brother Lutenist)  
Is Sound, which into points of Time Art breaks:  
But Poetry's the Language Music speaks.  
Poetry's that Divinity of Numbers,  
By which Pythagoras transformed himself  
Into the several Shapes of Men and Gods;  
And thou, or I may do't, as well as Herald  Aru. 
I think we may.  Dec. 
Behold th' Experiment,  
I'm Decio now; but now that I take up  
This Shepherd's Hook, Pipe, and Poetic Laurel,  
I am Apollo, Shepherd to Admetus,  
Not Herdsman: I have left his Royal Droves  
In Thessaly, to keep his Flocks in Naples.  
Will Arviedo be my Favourite,  
My Hyacinthus?  Aru. 
What must transform me?  Dec. 
Poetry; a new Ode, which I've composed;  
Sit down and hear it, 'tis Apollo's Song.  

Here I Pipe, here I keep  
King Admetus' Sheep,  
Here I gather Laurel for my Wreath:  
But Apollo, where  
Dost thou live? Oh not here,  
Absent Lovers live not where they breath.  
But my Spirit is  
In a Place of Bliss,  
Wheresoever that Blessed Place may lie,  
In a Garden, or a Grove,  
In a Grott, or an Alcove;  
Ever where my Love is, there am I  
Uncircumscribed thus acts the Mind,  
Why should the Body be confined?  
Swift as Thought can move,  
Little God of Love  
Carry me, upon thy nimble Wings,  
To the top of yonder Tower,  
Where precisely at this hour  
Hyacinthus strikes his Lute and sings.  
We are met, sweet Boy,  
What I now enjoy  
Not a God, besides myself, shall know:  
Cupid, thou hast leave to play,  
To thy Mother fly, and say,  
That Apollo has a Heaven below.   Aru. 
You have feasted mine Ear.  Dec. 
I'll treat thy Eye;  
The sweetest Prospect Naples has, I'll show thee,  
The Pasture where Apollo feeds his Flocks.  The Scene is discovered, over which in Capital Letters is writ CAMPI ELYSII. Decio describes it thus. 
Th' Elysian Fields my Hyacinthus sees,  
Those Walks are Jessamine and Orange-trees,  
Beneath, a Crystal River cuts the Plain,  
Wherein you see those fair Trees o'er again,  
Close by the Flowery Bank, a Flock of Sheep  
Feeds in a Mead; the Shepherds fast asleep;  
The Shepherdesses lying arm in arm.  Aru. 
Is't Life? or Art?  Dec. 
Art Magic, hear the Charm.  

Rise, dull Sleepers, fie, how coldly  
You move! Shepherds, come on boldly;  
No Wol shall your Flocks endanger;  
Dance and welcome this young stranger. [The Shepherds dance, and go off.   Aru. 
I take this as a high Civility,  
For which I'll thank you with a Friend's Advice;  
Go to your Wife; lose her not the first day:  
If she think you neglect her, she will hate you.  Dec. 
She cannot think it a Neglect in me  
To leave her with Iberio and the Prince:  
Can she have better company than they?  Aru. 
She may have safer; the Prince flies at all:  
You know, my Lord Iberio was your Rival.  Dec. 
True; he and Pyramena were contracted  
Upon Conditions (mutually agreed to)  
And pray thee, Arviedo, tell me truly,  
Which of our Titles dost thou think the best?  Aru. 
I am no competent Judge; but (questionless)  
You would resolved, before you married her;  
It must not now be questioned,  Dec. 
Not in public;  
But in a Court of Conscience, thou may'st be  
Judge or Assistant?  Aru. 
How do y' mean Assistant?  Dec. 
I mean, if you conceive the Match unlawful,  
You then may lawfully assist your Kinsman,  
To Cuckold me.  Aru. 
Keep distance; we shall meet  
As Friends no more; I am thy Enemy,  
As much as thou art Enemy to Virtue;  
Draw, I will fairly vindicate my Honour.  Dec. 
I will not fight.  Aru. 
Draw, or I vow to kill thee.  
Ingrateful Villain, is an Infamy  
All the return thou mak'st for a Friend's counsel,  
Against my Kinsman's Opportunity?  
I gave it, that thou might'st not be a Wittol,  
He an Adulterer, I a Property.  
I'll talk no longer—  Dec. 
Hear me, but a word.  Aru. 
Quick; for my Wrong call, for a swift Revenge.  Dec. 
It needs not any; know, all I said now,  
And all I did before, when I brought Gold  
To work upon thy Poverty, and make thee  
For thy advantage poison thy great Kinsman,  
Was but to try the gallantry of thy Mind,  
Which I find equal to thy outward Beauty.  Aru. 
No fooling now.  Dec. 
If you believe me not, Decio delivers up his sword.  
Behold, I put my life into your hands.  Aru. 
I must believe th' Innocence of that face;  
A thousand times better than mine—  Dec. 
Dost like it?  Aru. 
Better than any face I ever saw.  Dec. 
It seems, thou, and my Lord Iberio  
Are not allied in Judgement; for, my Sister  
(Whose heart he broke) was like me.  Aru. 
To preserve  
So sweet a Maid, I rather would have died.  Dec. 
Pray, wear this Ring for Ericina's sake,  
'Twas hers.  Aru. 
The Diamond is a rich Stone,  
But Ericina's name doubles the value.  Dec. 
Something from me you must accept; I know,  
You're neither Lord of Gold nor Silver-Mines.  Aru. 
My Ancestor did service here in Naples,  
Which both the Indies could not pay him for:  
It pleased the King to call him into Spain,  
And so his Branches (at this distance) withered.  Dec. 
Here, take this Purse.  Aru. 
I take no Purses, Sir,  
I am no Thief, I have more of the Merchant,  
The Money I receive I will return.  Dec. 
I'll show thee how to pay this Debt, and leave  
Me in Arrier: get Dancers, and this Evening  
Make me a Serenade, 'tis only a Round  
Well-danced, and a short Song or two; let's see  
Thy Poetry?  Aru. 
I never studied it,  
Yet naturally I'm a Ballad-maker,  
I'll keep your Purse, and lay out the Gold for you.  Dec. 
Then I've the noblest Steward in the world. [Exit Arviedo.  Enter Corbulo. Cor. 
Good e'en▪ what day's this?  Dec. 
St. Gennaro's day,  
Patron of Naples.  Cor. 
And your Wedding-day,  
I take it: here's the Bridegroom, at his Pastime,  
But where's the Bride? what Sport is she at? Cards;  
Who plays with her?  Dec. 
The Prince.  Cor. 
The Prince is gone;  
My Lord Iberio plays with your Wife.  Dec. 
I like that well—  Cor 
And they're locked up; you like  
That well too?  Dec. 
Do you grumble at it, Slave?  
Cannot my Wife be private with her Servant,  
But that my Servant must take notice of it?  Cor. 
Why do I wait?  Dec. 
What did I hire thee for?  
To be my Porter, and to guard my Wife.  Cor. 
That she may take her pleasure undisturbed?  Dec. 
That she may take her pleasure undisturbed.  Cor. 
But must she take it with another man?  
Cannot you, Sir, contenta Wife?  Dec. 
Nor you, Sir,  
Nor any man in Europe, with one Body:  
He sooner might content her with one Gown.  Cor. 
The you'll allow your Lady a Gallant?  Dec. 
I hold it Husband's Duty, to provide  
An Adjutant.  Cor. 
Th' Opinion's new, and strange.  Dec. 
'Tis strange, that you (a Soldier) say 'tis new:  
Why? General's have Adjutants General.  Cor. 
This I pass over; look I never hear,  
In things of baseness that you use again  
The noble name of Soldier, if I do,  
I'll lay down your Commission here, my Staff,  
And cut your throat.  Dec. 
Thou know'st, Lieutenant, I  
Love Soldiers, and have showed my love to thee,  
Relieved thy wants, because thou wert a Soldier,  
A Sufferer; trusted thee with the guard  
Of my fair Wife, because thou hast the name  
Of a stout Soldier; but though I love thee,  
I do not love thy humour, mine is fooling,  
And by a Jeaster's privilege I speak  
Severe things against Women, as if we  
Had no Italian Wives but Messalina's,  
But I know many Portia's, gallant Ladies,  
Whose life, and death depends upon their Husbands.  
And would saint thou have me jealous of my Wife?  Cor. 
Sir, I would have you jealous of your Honour.  Dec. 
What Honour can be greater, than to see  
The Lady's point at me, and call me, Mirror  
Of Married men, Mirror of Married men?  Cor. 
They'll point at you, and call you, what do y' think?  Dec. 
Not Cuckold?  Cor. 
No, not Cuckold—  Dec. 
That were shameful.  Cor. 
But this dishonourable, They'll call you  
The basest kind of Cuckold, Wittol, Sir.  Dec. 
How? Wittol? that's an ugly name indeed,  
(Now thou hast spoke to my capacity)  
I'll not endure it— but my Lord Iberio  
May challenge me.  Cor. 
Against the world, I'lbe  
Your Second.  Dec. 
I shall do brave things, I think:  
Lead, Soldier; Devil? Wittol? I defy thee. [Exeunt.  Enter Filomarini and Gioseppe. Gio. 
Ha, ha, ha!  Fil. 
This Laugh promises good news.  Gio. 
If't be not profitable news, 'tis pleasant;  
Pray wish your old Comrade, Peralta, joy;  
He's married to Menanthe.  Fil. 
They're well matched,  
Pirate and Cheat: the Galleys give 'em joy,  
Is this the pleasant news?  Gio. 
No, the sport is,  
The two Cheats mean to cozen one another.  Fil. 
Why, sure the Pirate will not cheat his Bride?  Gio. 
Even of his first night's service, he's in love  
With his Wife's Maid, his supposed Countrywoman,  
Your Grandchild, she has told it to your Mistress.  Fil. 
But when Thiefs fall out, methinks true men might  
Come by their own.  Gio. 
This is the pleasant news,  
Fritilla hopes to cozen the two Cheats.  Enter Menanthe and Diacelia, Peralta following aloof. Fil. 
See, see, the Pirate—  Gio. 
How he tacks about  
To weather her? he's got to Windward of her,  
But the small Pinnace to the Leau-ward, proves  
The better Sailer.  Fil. 
Let us give 'em Sea-room. [Exeunt Fil. & Gios.  Me. 
Dog, Dog, Piratic Sea-dog—  Dia. 
Patience, Madam,  
I may mistake, believe your eyes, from his  
That Pillar will obscure you.  Me. 
Good, good Girl. Menanthe stands behind the Pillar and peeps.  Per. 
Fritilla? hist, Fritilla; is she gone?  Dia. 
Her business requires haste, and so does mine.  Per. 
One little word with me, before you go.  
Dear Countrywoman, pity a poor Spaniard,  
Or, like a Roman Funeral, I shall burn  
To ashes for thy love.  Dia. 
For love to me?  
You have a Wife.  Per. 
Foh! a rich stinking jew,  
Taken into my Body-Politick;  
I married an Expedient, not a Wife;  
Jewels and Gold I married.  Me. 
A Rope take thee,  
My Garter (Rogue) would serve; Queen joan of Naples  
Hanged up her Husband in her Wedding-garter.  Per. 
I took a rich Jade for her wealthy Burden.  Me. 
Cheated directly, all the Booties gone;  
Body and Goods I'll venture after it,  
But I'll revenge me on this Spanish Rogue,  
My Husband- Gusman.  Per. 
Smile some consolation.  Dia. 
Why, Don, think you here's such a dearth of Spaniards,  
That I must be a Spanish Pirate's Wench?  
Our Country-Fig, a Spanish Fig for Pirates.  Me. 
Would mine had one in's guts, a Spanish Fig  
Would cure his Itch; but he shall smart, I'll scratch him,  
The merry Greek will claw her mangy Don.  Per. 
My Wench? I scorn it, thou shalt be my Wife.  Dia. 
The Church allows no man two Wives at once.  Per. 
True; but this Marriage is a Nullity,  
'Tis within the Degrees prohibited;  
My Mother was a Grecian, and her Father  
Was (I can prove it) Brother to Menanthe,  
th'old-woman my Great-Aunt.  Me. 
O lying Rascal!  Per. 
But say thou wilt be mine, and 'tis enough,  
I'll hire a passage for's in the Pope's Galley,  
That's bound for Ostia, and I'll marry thee  
(In the face of the Church, my Girl) at Rome.  Dia. 
You see I'm silent.  Per. 
Silence giveth consent.  Dia. 
No Captain.  Per. 
Maids say no, and take it, Jewel;  
Now I name Jewel, I will give Fritilla  
All Lugoes Jewels.  Dia. 
If you keep one back,  
It is no Match.  Per. 
A match then.  Dia. 
You must get  
My Grandfather's goodwill. Here's your Great-Aunt.  Enter Menanthe. Per. 
That we may be kept from committing Incest;  
The Devil choke her; hark you, pretty one,  
Lugo must not know we are married, Lamb.  Me. 
I would he knew we were unmarried, Goat.  Enter Gioseppe and Filomarini. Gio. 
Madam, here's my Lord Lugo.  Me. 
Call Leandra. [Exit Gioseppe.  Enter Lugo. Fil. 
The Prince is come.  Me. 
Wait him in, honest Draco. [Exit Fil.  Lug. 
Two thousand Pistols, Madam, I have brought you  
In new-coined Gold.  Per. 
I'll give 'em to her Maid. [Peralta takes the bag.  Me. 
hay, Snap! she knows for what use they're designed.  Per. 
And I know for what use your Maid's designed.  Enter Leandra. Me. 
My Lord, you've made a purchase of a Wife.  Lug. 
I've purchased Happiness in so much Beauty;  
But her sweetness of Obedience  
And Harmony of Nature, all those Worlds  
Of Music which Divine Pythagoras  
Placed in the Planets. Where's the Priest?  Enter Salerno and Filomarini. Lean. 
Here's one  
That looks more like the Bridegroom than the Priest.  Fil. 
'Tis the Prince of Salerno. [to Leandra.  Lug. 
What wind blows  
My x of Salerno?  Dia. 
The Prince, Madam. [to Leandra.  Sal. 
Directed to the life by this fair Figure. [He shous her Picture.  Lug. 
Decline his courtship; slight him.  Lean. 
'Slight a Prince?  Me. 
Withdraw, I pray thee.  Lean. 
Pray thee? pray thee peace,  
(I never heard so simple an old Soul)  
When a Prince makes his first Address, withdraw?  Me. 
I charge thee—  Lugier 
Do you hear who charges you?  
Your Mother, never disobeyed.  Lean. 
There is  
A time for all things, for my Mother too  
To be advised better than to enjoin  
Ill manners: leave a Prince that visits me?  Lug. 
Not when your Mother (that groaned for you) bids?  Lean. 
I'll ask a question first; pray, Sir, how got you  
My Picture?  Sal. 
Madam, by a Miracle.  Me. 
Get y' in.  Lean. 
I'll stay to hear the Miracle.  Sal. 
Now for a Story to excuse Love's Envoy. [too Fil.  
'Twas news at Court, that the great Virtuoso,  
Virgetio, was come from Rome to Naples,  
And had brought with him a rare Concave-glass,  
Made with Art more than Mathematical,  
So that upon a white Plane 'twould cast off  
The Form or Species of the Man or Woman  
Any one wished to see; to him I went  
(Out of an Airy curiosity)  
To see my Mistress.  Lean. 
And he showed you this?  Sal. 
The form by which my Servant drew this Piece.  Lean. 
This? (what a Villain was the Virtuoso!)  
This Mistress? Mother, pardon—  Lug. 
Her first fault.  Me. 
Take heed, my Girl, take heed of a Relapse,  
If you forget your duty any more—  Lean. 
Then do not you remember such a child.  Enter Gioseppe. Gio. 
The Priest is ready.  Lug. 
We are ready for him.  Sal. 
I must beg of you—  Lean. 
Of me?  Lug. 
Hear him not.  Lean. 
Not hear a Prince that comes a begging to me?  
I'll hear and answer: Sir, what's your command?  Sal. 
Madam, my suit is, that you'll please to sit for  
Your Picture, and I'll send you a great Master  
Shall limn it (rarely) by the life.  Lean. 
He shall.  Me. 
Daughter, he shall not.  Lean. 
Woman, Shall thy Men,  
Those thou imploy'st: the Limner comes to me,  
And I'll not have him Shalled.  Me. 
Woman?  Lean. 
Good Woman,  
Meddle with thy own Matters, good Old Woman.  Me. 
Th'Old Woman's Mother to my fine Young Lady,  
If she be pleased to remember it.  Sal. 
Remember, that you are a Prince's Mistress.  Lean. 
A Prince's Mistress? though 'twas my Resemblance,  
That Mistress could not be Leandra's Spirit;  
I do remember, that you are my Mother,  
And once again I pray to be forgiven:  
But send your Picture-drawer, Sir, I'll sit,  
If she were all the Mothers under th' Sun.  Fil. 
Go, leave the Prince to pause on't. [to Leandra.  Lug. 
Come, my Love. [Exeunt Lug. Lean. Menan. & Gios.  Sal. 
She would be my Love too, but not my Mistress;  
But, Mistress, I may Master you, I may.  Fil. 
You shall; in my Experience, Sir, confide,  
Youth marches safe that follows an old Guide. [Exeunt.  Enter Decio and Corbulo. Cor. 
Your Wife comes.  Dec. 
I'm grown valiant now, Lieutenant,  
I'll march, but stand thou—  Enter Pyramena. 
Centree for my Captain. [Exit Corb.  Py. 
My heart, I was at such a loss—  Dec. 
At Cards?  Py. 
No, I won all I played for: but I was  
At such a Loss for want of thee—  Dec. 
To fool?  
I know my duty, 'tis my Family-duty;  
Tell me true, hadst thou ever married me,  
But for the noble quality of fooling,  
Taking me for a Gifted man?  Py. 
That gift  
(I must confess) bribed me.  Dec. 
Th' Acknowledgement  
Is most ingenuous; at another time,  
I'll be as free with thee, and tell thee why  
I married thee.  Py. 
Will you not tell me now?  Dec. 
Now you shall tell me, who played at Cards with you?  Py. 
None but my Lord Iberio and I played.  Dec. 
Who waited?  Py. 
No body.  Dec. 
No Page?  Py. 
No Page.  Dec. 
No Groom?  Py. 
No Groom; I tell you no body.  Dec. 
What, not your Woman?  Py. 
Not my Woman: lack,  
How your tongue runs!  Dec. 
If any man, but I,  
Be private with my Wife, is't for her Honour?  Py. 
Is Honour treated of, by your small Poets?  
Do y' find it among Gods and Goddesses?  
Pray tell me, what's our Honour? or Dishonour?  Dec. 
What's th' Honour or Dishonour of a Wife?  
'Tis at her death (when clear unbiased Truth  
Takes th'Inventory of her Vice and Virtue)  
The Total Sum, th' Account which Fame gives of her.  Py. 
How? this is sense; these are not Parot's words:  
This Husband is no Engine, but a Man,  
A jealous Man; I shall love Jealousy,  
If it awake his Soul. I'll try him further: [aside.  
But how gets Fame her good and bad Reports?  Dec. 
Of th'eating and the drinking mouths, our Servants:  
We must be careful of our Credit (Love)  
Unless he mean to be our Servants Slaves.  Py. 
Kiss me; you shall find fault with me no more,  
Henceforth I will be jealous of myself.  Dec. 
How e'er you take it, it concerns you most;  
If you miscarry in your Honour, I  
Shall (like a Merchant broke by his misfortune)  
Be pitied; but my Wife will be despised.  Py. 
What will this Man prove? what shall I say to him?  
Iberio never was alone with me,  
But by my Maids I made your Men believe 't,  
To put the sense of Honour into you.  
Now you deserve my Love, kiss me again.  Dec. 
Here's a new Wedding on th'old Wedding-day;  
Were the Mask ready—  Enter Corbulo. Cor. 
Sir, a kind of Mask  
Is brought you (these hard words stick in my throat)  Enter Arviedo. 
They call't a Screnade, here's the Presenter.  Dec. 
My Arviedo, welcome; 'tis apparent,  
Thou wilt not fail thy friend in great Engagements,  
Who art so punctual in a promised trifle.  Aru. 
The man that is not in th' Enemies power,  
Nor fettered by Misfortune, and breaks promise,  
Degrades himself, he never can pretend  
To Honour more.  Dec. 
Thou art the Soul of Honour.  Enter the Evening (in a Crown of Shadowed Stars, and a Cloudy Vest with some small Stars upon it) brought in by two Winds. 
what's here? if th' Evening (as I fancy it)  
Could take a Visible form, this would be ours,  
A gloomy Evening, suddenly brought in  
By two Winds.  Aru. 
You guess right, 'tis so intended.  
Madam, I only beg you'll pardon me,  
If you will, he must, for 'twas his Injunction. [they sit. Flajolets play a far off.  Song in Dialogue. Evening. 
I am an Evening dark as Night,  
Jack-with-the-Lantern bring a Light—  Jack. 
Whither, whither, whither? [within.  Evening. 
Hither, hither, hither.  Jack. 
Thou art some prattling Echo, of my making.  Evening. 
Thou art a Foolish Fire, by thy mistaking:  
I am the Evening that creates thee.  Enter Jack in a black Suit bordered with Glow-worm's, a Coronet of Shaded Beams on his head, over it a Paper Lantern with a Candle in't. Jack. 
My Lantern and my Candle waits thee.  Evening. 
Those Flajolets that we heard play,  
Are Reapers who have lost their way;  
They Play, they Sing, they Dance around,  
Lead them up, here's Faery-ground.  

Chorus.  
Let the Men beware the Ditches;  
Maids, look to your Breeches,  
We'll scratch them with Briars and I histles:  
When the Flajolets cry,  
We are a-dry;  
Pond-water shall wet their Whistles. [Exeunt Evening, Winds, & Jack.   Dec. 
Does Pyramena know this Dancing Lantern?  Py. 
The Ignis Fatuus I suppose; some call it  
Jack-with-the-Lantern, some, Will with the Wisp;  
'Tis th' Evening's False Light, which leads stumbling Clowns  
(O'er Moor's and Marshes) into Bogs and Pits.  The Violins and Flajolets play. Jack leads in the Reapers, the Men in their Half-Shirts and Linen Drawers, the Maids in Straw-Hats, they stumble, and their Sickles fall into the Scene. They Dance in Figures. At the end of the first Dance Jack leads them out, and once or twice they thread the doors after him, than they take hands, compass in Jack, Dance a Round, and Sing 

Buffs a fine Sport,  
And so's Course o'-Park;  
But both come short  
Of a Dance in the Dark.  
We trip it completely,  
The Pipe sounds so neatly:  
But that which surpasses  
Is the breath of the Lasses,  
O the pretty Rogues kiss featly. [Jack runs away, and leaves them to stumble out in the dark.   Aru. 
Now if the Bride and Bride-groom's patience  
Be not tormented with my Poetry—  Dec. 
Profess 'tis well, 'tis natural, it suits  
This cloudy Evening: in a little time  
Thou'lt make as pretty a Poet as myself.  
I'll pay my thanks in Coin of the same Stamp,  
You shall see th'practice of my Mask; I hope,  
Love, you'll be pleased?  Py. 
With any thing of yours.  Dec. 
That's the sweet Close to Arviedo's Music;  
Th'expression of your love unclowds the Evening;  
What greater blessing can from Heaven descend?  
Decio is happy in a Wife and Friend. [Exeunt.   

Actus Quartus.  Enter Decio and Corbulo. Cor. 
ITalians are the Prodigies of Malice;  
No People under Heaven, nor Fiends in Hell,  
Outdo us in the plotting our Revenges;  
But a Design like yours I never heard of,  
Nor could believe it possible in Nature.  
Yet, for Humanitie's sake, stop your progress.  Dec. 
Dissuade me not, I'm deaf to intercession.  Cor. 
I know, 'twill grieve your soft Soul, when 'tis done;  
Then how much better were it, not to do it?  Dec. 
If the Train I have laid, would spring a Mine  
To blow up Naples, I'd give fire and perish.  Cor. 
Spare me.  Dec. 
How?  Cor. 
I desire to be excused,  
Corbulo will not act in't.  Dec. 
But he shall;  
Thou hast my Secret, and I have thy Oath:  
Dispute not, execute.  Cor. 
Well, than I must.  
But you'll curse th'Instrument.  Dec. 
The hand Divine  
Moves such an Instrument; the hand of Justice  
Squares Punishment adequate to th' Offence;  
Despair for Scorn is but due Recompense.  
My Lord Iberio's with his Regiment  
And Arviedo gone aboard, to take  
Leave of his Kinsman, than the youth returns  
To my house, be you sure you let him in.  
My Wife may send Arviedo for Iberio.  
Leave me, when I stamp thus, bring in thy Message. [Exit Corbulo.  Enter Pyramena. 
They danced not ill?  Py. 
Rarely well. Dear, your promise;  
Why did you marry me?  Dec. 
Guess.  Py. 
For my Fortune?  Dec. 
No, not for Money. Guess again.  Py. 
For Love?  Dec. 
Not for Love neither; thou art a base Guesser;  
But I'll resolve thee. I did marry thee  
(As th'ill-faced woman's Husband was made Cuckold)  
For spite.  Py. 
Ha, ha—  Dec. 
I'm glad it makes you merry.  
Why, thou more fool than thou imagin'dst me,  
What Worm trepaned thee, bored quite through thy skull  
Into thy dull brains, to think Decio  
Would feed upon Reversions of a Mistress:  
A Mistress to my mortal Enemy,  
My Sister's Murderer, Iberio?  Py. 
I doubt—  Dec. 
Dost but doubt? Bondmaid, know thy Lord.  
At our last Conference, I cast off my Cloud,  
My Property, the Droll; now I appear  
Myself, a stern Venetian, principled  
Out of old Machiavelli— When I married thee,  
I married (my dear Sister) thy Revenge.  Py. 
How miserable have I made myself!  Dec. 
To make me happy; I have scaped the Wheel  
By marrying thee, I'd been broke every bone,  
Had I done that I came to Naples for,  
Poisoned Iberio any way but this—  
I triumph in the ruins of his Love,  
His Sovereign is my Slave, my hated Slave.  Py. 
But how have I transgressed? in punishing  
Me for him, are you just?  Dec. 
No, I am cruel:  
All high Revenges must dispense with Justice.  
If I had to my End no other way,  
But like a Witch to violate the Grave  
Of my (now blessed) Sister Ericina,  
Who for her love to false Iberio died,  
I would break up her hallowed Marble; tear  
Her Cerecloth; scatter her sweet Bones; and cast  
Her dust in's face to blast him.  Py. 
O my heart!  Dec. 
I would not have it broke, till it be bruised;  
Until, by slow (but Sensible) degrees,  
I break the Idol which my Enemy worships.  
I know, your Hearts are like two Lutes racked up  
To the same pitch, and when I touch but one  
The other (by mysterious Sympathy)  
Will (though at distance) answer Note by Note,  
With the same dying sound; and that's the Music  
My heart so longs to hear. [he stamps▪  Enter Corbulo. Cor. 
A Messenger,  
Sent from the Venice Paquet-boat, desires  
That you'll come to the Port, he says, the Searchers  
Have seized your Trunk.  Dec. 
Think; like a Soul in Flames,  
Think and torment thyself, till I return,  
And finish my great work. You are all armed?  Cor. 
Ready, when you say, Strike; but— yet I've sworn,  
Therefore I'll do it.  Enter Arviedo. Dec. 
Arviedo's come;  
I hope, she'll send him for Iberio.  Aru. 
Madam, look up, you shall not be thus used  
By a base man (how was I cozened in him!)  
I've heard all, I'll call him to an account.  Py. 
But is my Lord Iberio gone aboard.  Aru. 
An hour since, but the Fleet rides still at Anchor;  
I'll take a Boat, and tell him how 'tis with you;  
I know he'll come.  Py. 
And let me speak with him,  
Before you call Decio to an account:  
But let him bring no Soldiers, lest the Porter  
Shut up the Gates; Dear Arviedo, go.  Aru. 
Would I could fly.  Py. 
Hast thou not wings concealed?  
Thou look'st like my Good-Angel.  Aru. 
I had need  
To borrow both his Vigilance and Speed. [Exeunt.  Enter Filomarini and Peralta. Fil. 
The greatest honour Draco's Family  
Yet ever had, is, that Captain Peralta  
(The Glory and the Terror of our Nation)  
Has a mind to my Grandchild.  Per. 
Oh! she's pretty.  Fil. 
Prettiness itself I wish her, for your sake.  Per. 
She's all that can be wished; I've hired a Passage,  
The Master of his Holiness' Galley,  
Will land us in St. Peter's Patrimony,  
We'll straight to Rome, there I'll marry Fritilla.  Fil. 
But your old Wife must be left here in Naples.  Per. 
Against the next Siege: for when Ammunition  
Is spent, she may do service; the old woman  
Will make rare Gunpowder, she's pure Saltpetre.  Fil. 
I have been i'th' blind Alley, old fat joan  
Melts her grease for you, she has made your bed  
In your old Chamber.  Per. 
Careful Grandfather,  
I shall requite thy pains.  Fil. 
You'll find me honest:  
I hope you'll find my Granchild honest too,  
I mean not of her Body, (as for that,  
You, that must be her Husband, may dispose it)  
But honest of her Mind your new Bride must be  
By Nature, by my Copy; I dare swear  
That to redeem me (if I were in pawn)  
She would not rob y' of any of the Jewels  
(Which you have promised to intrust her with)  
Yet if she would she cannot.  Per. 
For i'th' Street  
I march with my sweet Prisoner in my hand,  
And at my Chamber fold her in my arms.  Fil. 
Are you so hot? she has a Julip for you,  
Your old Wife shall cure your Concupiscence.  Per. 
But to my business, Grandfather, The Prince  
Offers not at this breathing Shrine, Leandra,  
And there's no waiting for uncertain hopes;  
Besides I fear my Lord Filomarini  
May come unlooked for; I'll pack up my free-boot:  
Remember an hour hence, in the close Walk. Exit Peralta. [Wax Lights on the Table.  Enter Salerno, Leandra, Menanthe, Lugo, and Diacelia. Sal. 
All friends, all friends; hang Fears and Jealousies.  
I (x) that came to your house this morning,  
To give your other Bride, that was my Mistress,  
I will not stick at giving of Leandra.  Lean. 
Pray hold your hand, my Mother will give me.  Dia. 
What means Leandra? [Men. and Lean. whisper.  Fil. 
As you do, to follow  
Her Guardian's advice; and yet she needs not  
My Precepts, Nature has instructed her:  
Madam, be confident, she'll demean herself  
As it becomes a Daughter to your Father.  Me. 
Take her, Son; finely put off the Fool Lugo.  Lean. 
You must not then be angry, if I rant  
As well at you as him.  Me. 
I will not, Child.  Lean. 
Then I'll spare neither. Diacelia now [too Dia.  
Shall see me do a younger Sister's duty,  
Cashier your Bridegroom. Mother-Midnight, take  
Your Son-in-law and marry him yourself;  
You may as well obey me, as I you:  
I disclaim you for Mother, him for Husband.  Lug. 
Have I with all those thousands purchased this?  
What reason have you for disowning me?  Lean. 
What reason had you to disown a Princess?  Lug. 
Would not you be a Princess?  Lean. 
If I were,  
This Ancient Gentlewoman (that presumes  
To call herself my Mother) should be racked  
So long, till she confessed herself to be  
My stepmother; for could a Natural Mother  
Betray her Child to one that has no Honour  
But Title?  Lug. 
Blind Love, thou art off my heart:  
And now with open eyes I see my folly.  
Were your Ambition pleased, were you a Princess,  
Were you an Angel, since the Devil's in you,  
I would not marry you. I'll find a Wife  
That's not a wicked Daughter.  Lean. 
Do, go home,  
'Tis time you ask forgiveness of your Bride.  Lug. 
You, of your Mother; but I'll pardon neither,  
Both shall hear from me, th'old Cheat, and young Ranter. [Exit Lugo.  Dia. 
So, so; my Game plays well.  Me. 
Now he's shaked off,  
My Child puts on her old Obedience:  
And on your Highness freely I bestow  
(To be commanded what you please) my Daughter.  Lean. 
Thy Daughter? dost thou in good earnest think  
Thyself my Mother?  Me. 
What think'st thou?  Lean. 
I know,  
By my own Truth, my Mother was no Liar;  
I know, by my Integrity, my Mother  
Could be no Cheat; and by my Modesty  
I know my Mother was no Bawd, which you  
Would be to the Prince; or else (virtuous Madam)  
I should not be commanded what he pleases.  Me. 
Wretch, thou wilt break thy aged Mother's heart.  Lean. 
Through her Ear; hark you, Beldame.  Me. 
Sure the Devil  
Is her Intelligencer; 'tis high time  
To shift for one, the Rogue will give's the slip.  
Let's go, Fritilla; Murderer of thy Mother,  
Hear my last words, I leave thee to the Prince. [Exeunt Men. & Dia.  Sal. 
You hear your Mother? she leaves you to me,  
By her Will parol, and that is as good  
To all intents of Law, as 'twere in Writing;  
Besides, you're left to the wide world, no fortune,  
But that foretold me by the Virtuoso—  Lean. 
That I should be your Mistress? that's your Servant, [She takes up one of the Wax-candles.  
Servant of Pleasure, put me into waiting,  
Pray let me light you to your Bedchamber? [Exit Filomarini.  Sal. 
By no means; I (your Servant) will light you.  Lean. 
The Taper better suits my Fortune, Sir;  
And 'tis discretion, ere I do the Fault,  
To practise how the Penance will become me.  Sal. 
You cannot think, you have so base a Servant  
As would see ' his Mistress do a public Penance;  
Should my Lord-Cardinal here, and the whole College  
Of Cardinals at Rome, join to disgrace thee,  
I'd have a Rendezvouz of all my Friends,  
And meet them in the head of a brave Army▪  
To beat them into more Civility.  
Set down the Taper.  Lean. 
Not till I have found—  Sal. 
You have lost nothing (to my knowledge) yet:  
What do you look for?  Lean. 
A room dark enough  
To cover a Maid's blushes.  Sal. 
As I live,  
The prettiest humoured Mistress i'th' whole world.  
Why, do you look for darkness with a Light?  
I'll blow it out—  Lean. 
You may extinguish this;  
But who can blow out those, the Lights of Heaven?  
The Stars still see us.  Sal. 
When we see not them?  
If you mean the great Room, the Sky; 'tis dark,  
Not one Star there.  Lean. 
Nor any Witness here?  Sal. 
Let's search the Chamber—  Lean. 
Search the Closet first,  
Your Bosom; whosoever contracts a guilt,  
Carries a cloud of Witnesses in his bosom.  Sal. 
Her other Fits were Natural, she's now  
In her Divine Fit. [aside.  Lean. 
Has he got no feeling? [aside.  
No sense of Honour, in a Man of Honour?  
You grow so dull, I see, you'd be at rest,  
And you'll not let me usher you: good-night.  Sal. 
Wilt cross thy Fortune?  Lean. 
No, your Virtuoso  
Is not so good, as I, at Fortune-telling;  
I'm rare at Physiognomy, I see  
My Fortune, wanton Prince, in your proud looks;  
You think me too unworthy for a Wife,  
And I know, I'm too worthy for a Mistress.  
Again, Good-night.  Sal. 
Ask any thing but Marriage—  Lean. 
Any thing else I scorn, as you scorn me.  
Good-night for ever.  Sal. 
There's a Passing-bell—  
No Composition?  Lean. 
Not your Prince's Crown,  
I'd rather carry a Milk-pail on my head. [Exit Lean.  Sal. 
Well, go thy way, no Mean man got that Spirit;  
If't be her own air, not an humour put  
Into her by th'old Knave, in hope I'll marry her,  
And then her grateful hand must feed th' old Beggar  
With my Gold; I've a Way to find the Plot,  
And if't be his, I'll cut off the Projector.  Enter Filomarini. 
Draco? [Sal. draws his Sword.  Fil. 
Congratulates your Victory,  
Nay, your Sword, Sir, never made such a Conquest.  
Is she not inimaginable Sweetness  
You have enjoyed?  Sal. 
I made her a fair offer.  Fil. 
She took it?  Sal. 
Sooner she'd have taken Ratsbane.  Fil. 
You mean not to kill her, for being honest?  Sal. 
But I mean to kill thee, for being a Knave,  
Old lying Tempter: didst not thou suggest  
The sweetness of her Disposition,  
Her Mildness, Innocence, Obedience?  Fil. 
Sir, you're a Prince of Famous Memory,  
Those were my words, and I remember yours,  
Let none corrupt her Virtues but myself:  
You wished her Virtuous, that you only might  
Have the debauching of her, I have done  
What you commanded; if she disobey you,  
Because she's virtuous must I lose my life?  Sal. 
Shall not I sheathe my Sword in that Man's breast,  
Who has into my bosom flung Fire, Wildfire,  
Not to be quenched but either in thy blood,  
Or her fruition; there's no third way? yes,  
I'll marry her.  Fil. 
(So cunning) Kill me first;  
I would not live, to see your Highness marry  
The Daughter of a Cheat.  Sal. 
Live, Draco, live  
High in our favour, I suspected thee  
To have a plot upon me, had I found  
Thy hand in't, the whole Earth should not have saved thee:  
I will not lose thee now for the King's Indieses.  Fil. 
And shall you lose th'enjoyment of Leandra?  
Shall such a Prince lauguish for such a Toy,  
That's now at my disposal? to be plain,  
The Cheat, her Mother, and Sea-Thief, her Husband,  
Having rooked your poor Love-sick x, Lugo,  
Are fled away, Leandra left to me,  
But I've a Spy upon them, they will lodge  
With the fat Naples-Hostess, at old Ioan's:  
Sign me your Warrant, I'll bring to your Palace  
The Cheats to morrow morning, but this night  
Leandra to your bed.  Sal. 
Come, I'll dispatch thee,  
And when 'tis done, I'll give thee a thousand Crowns.  Fil. 
And if I do't not, cut my throat in earnest. [Exeunt.  Enter Menanthe, Joan, and Gioseppo, with a Dark-Lantern. Me. 
joan, hast thou courage to abuse Peralta?  joan. 
Emboldened with your Sack (for I have drunk [to Gios.  
A pottle of your bounty) I'll so fool  
The Knave your Husband into honesty,  
That he shall stumble over his young Mistress,  
And fall upon's old Wife.  Gio. 
Thou wilt be famous  
For this night's work.  joan. 
This night, I will recover  
The credit of good women of my bulk:  
Rogues shan't say, all fat Hostesses are Bawds.  Gio. 
Methinks, this merry Monster should cheer you;  
Why do you cry? for your ungracious Child?  Me. 
No truly, (I've made my best of her) I cry  
To think that I should marry such a Villain.  Gio. 
You yourself being such an innocent creature?  Me. 
Send us good luck, for the night's foul and dark.  Gio. 
The fitter for our knavery. They stay long;  Enter Filomarini. 
Here comes the Captain? no, 'tis Captain Drake.  Fil. 
Captain Peralta's at my heels; stand close.  Gio. 
Hush, and the old Grey Cat shall catch her Mouse.  
That nibbles at a young delicious Maid.  
You'll have a sweet night, for he's high and hot.  Me. 
I'll cool him with a Robbery, though I die for't.  Enter Peralta with a Dark-Lantern in one hand, leading Diacelia in the other, she wears the Coronet and knot of Diamonds. Dia. 
Well, Captain, you are a complying Captain,  
To trust me with these Jewels, nothing else  
Could have made me trust myself in your hands:  
But now I'll follow you by Sea and Land,  
In Peace and War, I'll fight too.  Per. 
O brave Girl!  Dia. 
You've made me brave, the Master will mistake  
My Coronet for Ariadne's Crown,  
And in this knot of Diamonds find a Pole  
To sail by, this dark night.  Per. 
Here is th' Osteria,  
We are landed at old Iean's: Shipwrecked i'th'Harbour? Filomarini and Gioseppe break their hands and catch up Peralta's Lantern. Gioseppe and Joan put Menanthe's hand into Peralta's: Diacelia laying her cheek to Menanthe's, speaks to Peralta as if he held her by the hand.  
My Lantern gone? Fritilla?  Dia. 
Here, Sir, here.  Per. 
'Twas happy we were come to this blind Alley,  
The Streets are laid for me, I durst not call  
At any other house. joan, joan, why joan?  joan. 
Sure I do hear Captain Peralta's voice?  
Heigh-ho.  Per. 
Why dost thou sigh, and speak so faintly?  
A Light, joan?  joan. 
O good Captain, I beseech you  
Name not a Light. That ever I was born  
To see the Light of Heaven!  Per. 
Would I could see't,  
For 'tis as dark as Hell.  joan. 
Hell's a sweet place,  
If it be dark.  Per. 
What, is the Devil in thee?  joan. 
Not in me; but the Devil's in my Husband,  
He's run stark staring mad, and plays the Devil  
When he sees any Light, Sir: he struck out  
My eldest Daughter's Eyes, because he said  
They sparkled: and my Nose was almost leveled▪  
(Pray feel, I wear a Patch) because 'twas tipped,  
Only a little sprinkled with my Bottle,  
And he cried, 'twas afire.  Per. 
Then you've no fire?  joan. 
Nor Candle, Sir, Glow-worm, nor Rotten wood,  
Nor any thing that shines, besides my Nose,  
(And that's under a Cloud) but, Captain, you  
Know th'old way to your Bed.  Per. 
I'll lead thee, Dear.  joan. 
Is not your Roundlet of Sack well bestowed? [to Gioseppe.  Gio. 
Would 'twere a Hogshead for thee, old Shee-Bully.  Per. 
Why com'st not on?  Dia. 
Oh softly; the raw Air  
Has made my Head ache, as 'twould fly to pieces,  
And talking makes it worse: sweet Captain, ask  
No Questions, for then I'm obliged to Answer;  
But quietly to bed.  Per. 
With all my heart. [Exeunt Per. & Men. Gio. & Joan.  Dia. 
Grandfather, you must watch the Greek Impostress,  
Or else she'll carry away the Bag of Gold;  
I go a Bride-groom-catching; my old Servant,  
The Prince shall help me.  Fil. 
And the Gold shall meet thee. [Exeunt.  Enter Pyramena. Py. 
A Woman, sure, has two Souls, the one Noble,  
Th'other Base, and I've lost my Noble Soul,  
Or else could Pyramena (that scorned life  
This morning) now at night fear, like a Child,  
The bugbear we call Death? say he should come,  
Death only comes with terror to the Happy,  
To me he brings a Blessing, begged in vain  
By thousands, which, like me, have need to die;  
Alas! Death hears not, when the Wretched cry.  
But I've more need to live, that I may get  
A pardon for a Sin, but little less  
Than Perjury, and yet I saw it not  
(Even when it pulled down ruin on my head)  
So long as Spleen and Selfwill blinded me,  
Till Misery opened my eyes: and now  
I shall not see his face that would forgive me?  Enter Iberio in his Gorget, Arviedo following. 
How I belie my Happiness! he's here;  
Oh! O Iberio. [she kneels.  Iber. 
Fie, Pyramena,  
Why do you kneel to me?  Py. 
I must not rise,  
Till you pronounce my pardon.  Ibe. 
For what fault?  Py. 
You speak, as if I would outface it still;  
For the most foul of all faults, breach of Faith,  
For passing to another Man your Right,  
Your Pyramena.  Ibe. 
Rise, I pardon thee.  Py. 
But will Iberio love me?  Ibe. 
As a Friend.  Py. 
Not as a Wife?  Ibe. 
You are fewer now:  
You know I've forfeited my Right in you.  Py. 
In my own words most justly I am answered.  
Peace of Soul, all Delights that make Life sweet,  
Be with you.  Ibe. 
Stay, there's something in thy Eyes  
That makes thy wishes ineffectual,  
Thou look'st wild.  Py. 
Why should you concern yourself  
How I look? do you think Aeneas cared  
How Dido looked, when she saw him Embark?  Ibe. 
The Clay a Lover's made of, will not mould  
A Politician; I can bend my brow  
No longer. 'Tis thy Wedding-night, and yet  
Not Bedtime: thou art still untouched?  Py. 
A Virgin.  Ibe. 
Then thou art mine. I will put in my Claim  
At Rome; the Court, the Rota, must declare  
Us Man and Wife, thither I'll send the Case  
By the Pope's Galley, which to morrow morning  
Leaves the Fleet, and Tacks off for Ostia,  
To give our Holy Father an account  
Of our Venetian Levies; till we have  
The Judgement of the Court, we'll live in Candy.  Aru. 
Talk, when you're safe out of this dangerous place.  
Madam, I can sit you with a disguise.  Ibe. 
No, Pyramena, boldly show your face,  
For if the Porter question us, I'll kill him▪ Iberio draws, as he leads off Pyramena, Corbulo and Vindex enter with Firelocks in their hands.  Cor. 
The Porter stands as fair to shoot your Lordship,  
Unless you yield (and presently) to mercy;  
We give no quarter.  Ibe. 
Villain, shoot.  Py. 
Hold, Soldier;  
Since I see, my perfidious Crime against  
This Lord, must have Expiatory blood,  
Kill me.  Cor. 
You shalt be talked withal anon:  
Will you lay down your sword? 'tis your last Summons▪  Ibe. 
My Sword was made for no base hand. I'll die  
Thus, like a Soldier: die thou, like a Murderer,  
Broke on the Wheel.  Py. 
Hold, Oh hold! By these Tears,  
By your recovered first-love! conjure you,  
Yield to your cruel Fortune, not to Them:  
Yield, or they shoot me. She runs to Iberio, stands before him, and exposes her breast for his.  Ibe. 
Thou art safe. There, Slaves, [he flings down his sword.  
'Tis she that has disarmed me.  Enter Decio. Dec. 
Now, a man  
May bid my Lord welcome, (without a Dance)  
To's own, not his Wife's House; and loving Wife  
(Whether you are his Wife, or mine) you shall  
Embrace no more; bind both their arms, and bear 'em [Cor. and Vindex bind the three Prisoners.  
To th' place of Execution.  Ibe. 
What death?  Dec. 
Such notice as thou gav'st my murdered Sister  
Of that base Robbery, when thou stolest thyself  
From her at Venice, I mean to give thee  
Of the Intrigue of her Revenge. But know,  
Before she died, I promised Ericina  
To kill thee in the Joys of thy new Love;  
Therefore when you and Pyramena quareled,  
I held my hand, forbore to poison you,  
And from her Hatred to your Jealous Nature,  
Won her to marry me or my Free humour;  
Then gave you way to reconcile yourselves,  
That so I might get you into my power.  
Go thou, and marry her in the other world.  
Bear 'em to death.  Vin. 
Let him; I will not stir,  
Unless't be to unbind them.  Dec. 
Dar'st thou talk?  Vin. 
Freelier yet; set them at Liberty,  
Or I'll unriddle You: did not these hands  
Bury the Body of—  Cor. 
Braved by a Slave? Corbulo disarms Vindex, and offers to knock out his brains.  Dec. 
Hold thy hand, Corbulo: Vindex, hear thy doom,  
Die; or be honest, and live rich and free.  Vin. 
Life's sweet, when handsomely accommodated;  
Give me my Tools again, and let's to work.  Ibe. 
Comets, that rise and shine a while like Stars,  
Will down again and stink. Slaves will be Slaves.  Dec. 
See their last Draught prepared, as I directed.  Py. 
Spit out thy Poison now for both of us.  Dec. 
I'll satisfy your longing.  Ibe. 
Arviedo,  
Discover thyself to him; when he hears  
Thy name, 'twill shake the bloody Butcher's Knife  
Out of his hand.  Aru. 
No, my Lord, I will never  
Owe my life to your Murderer; 'tis my glory  
I die with you, whose bounteous hand has kept me  
Thus long alive.  Ibe. 
Thou hast the old Man's Soul,  
Had I his Sword—  Dec. 
It should save none of you;  
Yet I've a private kindness for the Youth,  
I'll bring him to a Priest before he dies;  
But no Sword shall redeem him from these arms.  
My long-mocked Fury, like an Army's rage  
That storms a Town, shall spare no Sex, nor Age. [Exeunt.   

Actus Quintus.  Enter Peralta in his Nightgown. Per. 
BLess me! (that's more than I have said this seven years)  
Come out old Hag, was't you that cast the Mist  
Before my eyes?  Enter Menanthe, a Sword in her right hand, in her left the Bag of Gold. Me. 
Yes, Captain-Coxcomb, I;  
I, brave Sea-Captain, I removed the Lights  
Out of your Admiral: I raised the Fog  
Wherein my Man of War was lost, and all  
The Gold aboard him shipwrecked, I left nothing  
To keep possession for him, not a Cat  
To spit Fire: but couldst thou not see the Beacons? [She points to her eyes.  Per. 
Fire will take those eyes, Witch, when thou art burned,  
They're now as dark as these rooms yesternight.  
Well, Nightmare, you have had your pleasure of me,  
You do not mean to rob me?  Me. 
Keep off, Captain,  
And do not you fore-speak me; for I mean  
To rob thee of this Gold, and pay myself,  
Like Wenches that have wit, for my Night's lodging;  
Once in my life I'll make prize of a Pirate.  
Advance, and if I kill thee not, hang me.  Per. 
Let me die, if I do ned begin to love  
Thy wit and spirit above all young flesh;  
Thou art an old Virago.  Me. 
I have wit  
And courage enough, Captain, to keep thee  
From any more embraces.  Per. 
Nay, then be  
Incredulous at thy peril, twice that Gold  
Will never purchase such a Bed-fellow.  Me. 
If there were any truth in such a Husband,  
I like thee for a Bed-fellow, but—  Per. 
No but,  
Wilt have me swear?  Me. 
Hast thou not sworn and broke?  Per. 
An Oath for Form-sake merely, Matrimony  
Is sworn of course; but now I'll marry thee  
The Sea-way, as the Duke of Venice marries  
The Gulf, make all that Gold into a Ring,  
And cast it into thee.  Me. 
Explain yourself.  Per. 
That is, first, as the true Proprietor  
I'll take the plunder to myself, and then  
Return thee All.  Me. 
Swear.  Per. 
As I hope to scape  
Being trussed up at the Main-yard, I'll do't.  Me. 
There's Gold and Sword; and now I hope I please thee.  Per. 
And I'll perform with thee, as the old Romans  
Did with Tarpeia, who betrayed for Gold  
The Capitol: thou shalt have the full Agreement,  
All, Gold and Sword?  Me. 
You will not?  Per. 
Pray, or curse,  
For to the Pot thou go'st.  Me. 
Then you're a Rogue.  Per. 
Did you doubt that? thus I resolve thee.  Me. 
Help!  Enter Officers, Filomarini and Gioseppe, the Officers seize Peralta and Menanthe, Gioseppe takes the bag of Gold. Fil. 
Fight with your Wife? fie, the Prince of Salerno  
Would speak with you; look to your Prisoner,  
He catches at your Bills; I tell thee, Captain,  
The Prince will only speak, not fight with thee.  Per. 
Nay, if I must not fight, I will not speak,  
The torture shall not get out one word more.  Fil. 
Thou hast the Bag?  Gio. 
Yes, the whole Cheat's recovered.  Enter Salerno and Lugo. Sal. 
Then thou art cheered, x?  Lug. 
Almost ruined,  Sal. 
I would not credit the Report, but now  
That you confirm it, I am satisfied:  
That's all my business.  Lug. 
You are too Noble  
To send for me to scorn my wants, I hope  
You summon me to better my condition.  Sal. 
On easy terms.  Lug. 
But I have nothing left  
To make terms out of.  Sal. 
Is your Bride lost too?  Lug. 
Suppose she were not; think you, I would make  
Terms out of Her?  Sal. 
x, you do not love her,  
That's public: were it then ill moved, to wish  
You would resign her to me, your near Kinsman,  
Who loved her first? 'tis to give me your trouble;  
But if you please, sell me your Title to her;  
To better your Condition, take my Title  
To the fair House and Lordship (which you know)  
Near Foro del Volcane.  Lugier 
I am poor,  
But ere my poverty be wrought upon  
To make a sale of Love, I'll starve. A Prince—  Sal. 
Stay, I perceive I move on a wrong ground,  
I took't for granted that you loved her not.  Lug. 
I was so fat from loving (once to day)  
That nothing was more odious to my heart  
Than Diacelia.  Sal. 
What has altered you?  Lug. 
The lovely Face with the deformed Mind,  
Leandra; her Impiety reflected  
Th'Angelical Form of Diacelia's Virtues;  
Nor is the odds so great between their Beauties,  
Bating the lustre of the Candian Habit,  
Leandra stains not Diacelia.  Sal. 
And now you would enjoy her?  Lug. 
Rather her  
Than all the Earth.  Sal. 
And, x, you shall have her,  
She plotted this Examination for you;  
Appear sweet Princess Diacelia.  Enter Diacelia in her Veil. Lug. 
Dear, can you pardon?  Dia. 
Can you love?  Lug. 
For ever. [Sal. Takes off her Veil and discovers the jewels.  Sal 
Behold part of your Fortune.  Enter Officers, Prisoners, and Gioseppe, who holds up the Bag, and pulls off his false Beard. Gio. 
The rest's here:  
And here's an honest Spy, Gioseppe, Master  
Of the Ship, which to Naples brought from Candy  
You, Madam, and my Lord Filomarini,  
By whose command I put to Sea again,  
Pursued the Greek Cheat to Constantinople,  
Gave her intelligence that a Renegado  
Meant to inform against her, for imbezling  
Her Master the Prince of Bulgaria's Jewels,  
Which did by right of Conquest appertain  
To the Great Turk: for this Lie she received me  
Into her Service: working on her Fears  
To Genoa I drew her, ticed her thence  
With Golden Hopes to Naples. What sayst, Cheat,  
To prodigal Neopolitans?  Me. 
I say,  
The hopes of prodigal Neopolitans  
Could never have got me to bring Leandra  
To Naples, but that you in your Disguise  
With your new Spanish name Hosepe (tricks  
I dreamed not off) fooled me into belief,  
That you yourself and my Lord Filomarini  
Were out at Sea upon a second Voyage  
To Turkey in pursuit of me, and thus  
You cheated me as well as I did you,  
And being quit, I hope you'll pardon me.  Gio. 
The Chest of Damask (which you robbed me of,  
When you fled out of Candy) I forgive thee;  
That only was injury to myself,  
But, Cheat, you know, there's a great injured person—  Enter Filomarini. Fil. 
The Party's come.  Sal. 
The thousand Crowns are thine; [Exit Fil.  
Bring her in: bid th'Officers leave the room. [Exeunt Officers and Prisoner.  Gio. 
Clear the room there; my Lord, you and the Princess  
May tarry, for you'll find yourselves concerned.  Enter Filomarini, he gives Leandra to the Prince. Fil. 
Leandra's yours.  Sal. 
Had you not better been  
My Mistress of your own accord? you're now  
Brought as an Offering to my Bed, 'tis ready.  Lean. 
Is your Priest ready too?  Sal. 
For what, I pray?  Lean. 
To make your Princely Bed a Lawful Bed,  
Into Unlawful Sheets I'll never come.  Sal. 
Rogue- Draco, hast not thou engaged thy throat? [Fil. discovers himself.  Fil. 
Here, cut it.  Sal. 
Uncle? is this your Sea?  
What meant you?  Fil. 
To reclaim you and my son;  
He is reformed; but, Mistris-monger, you  
Scarce pleased with three, four hundred Venuses,  
Will not this one serve your turn?  Sal. 
Very well.  Fil. 
But here's the spite on't, she'll not be a Mistress.  Sal. 
Faith, Uncle, wert not for some few respects I'd marry her.  Fil. 
I have done my endeavours  
To join you, and Leandra likes you well,  
What is't obstructs the Match?  Sal. 
Nothing, if you  
(From being an old Pimp) in an instant can  
Become a Saint, work Miracles: make her  
Good-natured, and the Cheat her Mother honest.  Fil. 
Bring in the Prisoners. Enter Officers and Prisoners.  
Look me in the face,  
Thou knowest me, and my wrongs; confess the truth  
And live; or— [Menanthe kneels.  Me. 
I confess, When the Venetian  
Fought with the Turk in Candy; my old Master  
Prince of Bulgaria, so valiantly  
Charged the Mahometans who from's Ancestor  
Had took the Principality, that he fell  
Into an Ambush, and received a hurt  
Of which he died, and by his Will left you  
(His fellow-Soldier in the Candian War)  
Guardian to his two Daughters.  Sal. 
How? two Daughters?  Fil. 
What if Leandra now should prove a Princess?  Me. 
I confess, That the Prince put me, his Landress,  
To wait on's younger Child, Princess Leandra;  
But when I saw my hopes to raise myself  
Out of my Master's Treasure, frustrated  
By his intrusting you, my Lord; the Jewels  
Committed to my charge I took away,  
And stole this lovely Child, upon whose ruins  
I was resolved to build myself a Fortune.  
But sure the Prince was more to blame than I,  
For placing a mean Wretch so near a Princess.  Fil. 
What? have I made a good Land-voyage, Nephew?  
Am I at home? may Drake now Moor his Ship?  
Is she good-natured, and her Mother honest?  Sal. 
And I most happy in thee, dear Leandra.  Lean. 
I'll answer, like an Oracle, in Heroics;  
Most happy in a Wife the Prince may prove,  
Not in Leandra, she'll have Love for Love.  Sal. 
If you admit of Love upon Love's score,  
Then I may challenge you.  Lean. 
And thousands more.  
What share can I expect in such a heart,  
Where every pretty Mistress claims a Part?  Sal. 
A Passion for all Beauties I must own;  
But they are all contained in you alone.  
Believe me, for my Word is a Decree.  Lean. 
Did you not pass your word, that You in Me  
Should be Most Happy, which is Most Untrue:  
Because I am as Happy, Sir, in You.  Sal. 
This comes off well. No Sun breaks forth so clear  
As through a Cloud, no Joy as through a Fear:  
Equally Happy (I confess) we are.  Dia. and Lug. 
And equally your Happiness we share.  Fil. 
Captain, if you have any thing to say—  Per. 
I've made a resolution to say nothing.  Fil. 
Then I'll speak for thee; Lugo, did not I  
Tell thee at first Peralta was a Knave,  
A Cheater? to the cozening of thyself  
Thou art an Accessary, therefore we  
Must either Punish both, or Pardon both.  
So, Captain, (for that sometimes thou hast been  
My Comrade) I discharge thy'Imprisonment:  
But I discharge my Friendship too; be gone,  
Nay, take your Baggage with you, worthy Captain▪  
But let this be (as Pardons that are got  
In years of Jubilee) no Encouragement  
To Vice, though you scape Justice.  Per. 
Not so clearly;  
For we are still condemned to one another. [Exeunt Per. & Me.  Fil. 
The thousand Crowns you owe me, pay Gioseppe,  
To make up his Reward.  Sal. 
Uncle, I will.  Fil. 
And now that you and my Son have got Ladies,  
'Tis time to carry them to Decio's Mask.  Sal. 
Aloon then, Scenes of Mirth we may expect. [Exeunt.  Enter Decio and Corbulo. Dec. 
Rare Poison! how suddenly it dispatched them?  
'Tis done, and bravely done.  Cor. 
'Twas bravely suffered.  Dec. 
And yet his Lordship stooped to make a suit.  Cor. 
But how? when Pyramena did resolve  
To drink first, than Iberio entreated  
The same Cup might be filled again for him:  
In that request to you, he courted her.  Dec. 
I must confess, Man never showed more courage.  Cor. 
Nor Woman greater sense of Love, and less  
Of Death; her last words I shall ne'er forget.  Dec. 
Nor shall the World forget them, for I'll be  
At charge of setting up their Monument:  
First, in the Marble shall be graved this Title,  
The Poisoned Lovers, than this Epitaph,  

Perhaps the Title moves thee not, but hear  
The Lady's last words, and thou'lt drop a Tear.  
When fairest Pyramena had drunk up  
The Poison, and her Lover took the Cup,  
She said, Not This I've drunk, but That thou art  
To pledge me, That (Iberio) breaks my heart.   
Does it not strike thee?  Cor. 
Sadly.  Dec. 
Ha-ha-ha.  
What if I had their Figures cast in Brass,  
As they are lying on my Bed, embracing?  
Th'Object has made me dull, I'll have some mirth,  
Make ready for the Mask: but first release  
Arviedo, and to show that he's no Prisoner,  
Give him his Sword: i'th' Gallery I'll meet him. [Exit Corbulo.  
My spleen abates, I've followed it too far.  
Who's there?  Enter Vindex with a Sword in his hand. Vin. 
ay, Vindex.  Dec. 
Ha! who sent for thee?  
How dar'st thou press upon our privacy?  
What wouldst thou have?  Vin. 
Impossibilities,  
A Line to bound an Infinite, your Rage:  
There is too much of Tiger's blood in you,  
I come to let it out—  Dec. 
To murder me?  
Help, murder!  Vin. 
Peace, or this shall silence you: [Vin. draws.  
Yet, if you let me alone, I do not come  
To kill you.  Dec. 
What's th'intention of thy coming?  Vin. 
To keep you from committing of more murders;  
You have sent Corbulo for Arviedo,  
Already I am witness to two proofs  
Of your strange fury, I'll prevent a third.  Dec. 
Thou wilt not keep me prisoner?  Vin. 
At your peril;  
You shall not rob the world of a young Worthy.  Dec. 
Know'st thou Arviedo?  Vin 
No; all's one for that,  
I hear the Gentleman's a Child of Honour:  
I pity him.  Dec. 
I love him.  Vin. 
Who I believe you?  Enter Arviedo and draws his Sword. Aru. 
Prodigious! a Slave drawn upon his Lord?  
Thy Sword?  Vin. 
You'll not take from me your Defence?  Aru. 
Villain, defend thyself.  Vin. 
I am too honest, [Vin. delivers his Arms.  
Hear me, or you'll be lost, Sir.  Dec. 
Let him live,  
Though he surprised me rudely, he meant well:  
Sirrah, about your business: Arviedo, [Exit Vindex.  
This was more noble—  Aru. 
Than you can imagine.  
I would not have you fall by your Slave's hand.  Dec. 
My life to Arviedo is a debt.  Aru. 
Pay it, for Decio has lived too long.  
It had been happy for thee, hadst thou died  
Before thy rage (in poisoning Pyramena  
And my brave Kinsman) made thee a Wild-beast,  
Which I must rid the world of.  Dec. 
In your breast  
There's more of Honour, than to murder one  
That is (you see) defenceless.  Aru. 
Where's thy Sword?  Dec. 
I'th' Gallery, the place where Corbulo  
Appointed you to meet: lead, Sir, from me  
You shall have satisfaction; and the like.  
I shall require from you.  Aru. 
I'll do you right.  
Ask any thing with your Sword in your hand:  
I shall be glad to find you so much Man.  Dec. 
How much of Man is in me, you shall try:  
I'll make you mine, or by your hand I'll die. [Exeunt.  Enter Corbulo and a Servant, with one-eyed visards in their hands. Seru. 
Why one Eye in the forehead of my Vizard?  Cor. 
Great Puppy, should a Cyclops have two Eyes?  
On with your Cyclops face, the Masks beginning; Enter Salerno, Leandra, Lugo, Diacelia.  
The Prince? These Chairs are for you and your Friends, Sir.  Sal. 
Where's Decio?  Cor. 
He'll wait upon your Highness.  The Scene Vulcan's Court, over it is writ, Foro del Volcane. Soft Music. Enter Aurora in a black Veil below. 
Song in Dialogue  Aur. 
Phoebus'?  Phoeb. 
Who calls the World's great Light?  Aur. 
Aurora, that abhors the Night.  Phoeb. 
Why does Aurora from her Cloud  
To drowsy Phoebus cry so loud?  Aur. 
Put on thy ●●eams; rise, (no regard  
To a young Goddess, that lies hard  
In th'old Man's bosom?) rise for shame,  
And shine my Cloud into a Flame.  Phoeb. 
Oblige me not beyond my power,  
I must not rise before my hour.  Aur. 
Before thy hour? look down, and see,  
In vain the Persian kneels to thee,  
And I (mocked by the glimmering Shade)  
A sad mistake in Naples made;  
Like Pliny, I had lost my life,  
If I had been a Mortal Wife.  Phoeb. 
Thou cam'st too near the Burning Mount  
Vesuvio?  Aur. 
Upon thy account,  
For I took Clouds of Smoke and Fire,  
(Which here from Vulcan's Court expire)  
For Morning-streaks, Blue, White, and Red,  
That Rouse me from cold Tithon's Bed.  Phoebus enters with his Beams on. Phoeb. 
Charge not upon me for a Crime,  
That I stayed th'utmost point of time,  
Before I would put off my Bays,  
And on Naples shed my Rays,  
Where such a mischief they have done,  
As will make Venus hate the Sun,  
Discovering to Vulcan's eye  
Where She and Mars embracing lie.  Aur. 
I'm sorry Mars and Venus had  
Such privacy: but I am glad  
That Phoebus does at last appear  
To shine away Aurora's Fear.  Phoeb. 
What frighted thee?  Aur 
I know not what;  
But thou know'st all; what noise is that? Within Vulcan roars out, No work, Rogues?  Phoeb. 
'Tis Vulcan, in a greater Heat  
Than th'Irons by his Cyclops beat:  
He makes the horror of that noise,  
Teaching and Knocking his great Boys,  
(From hamm'ring out Jove's Thunder) set  
To File and Polish Vulcan's Net,  
Which he'll catch Mars and Venus in.  Aur. 
What now? [Laughing within.  Phoeb. 
To laugh the Smiths begin:  
At furious Vulcan (halting off  
To measure his Wife's Bed) they scoff.  Aur. 
I'll leave the place; I can no more  
Endure the Laughter than the Roar. [Tuning within.  Phoeb. 
Hark, they record, they'll sing anon;  
'Tis time for Phoebus to be gone:  
For when such Lyric Asses bray,  
The God of Music cannot stay. [Exeunt Phoebus and Aurora.  

The Cyclops Song (within.)  
Cry our Ware, (Sooty Fellows  
Of the Forge and the Bellows)  
Has jove any Okes to rend?  
Has Ceres' Sickles to mend?  
Wants Neptune a Water-Fork?  
All these are the Cyclops work:  
But to Wiredraw Iron-rods,  
To File Nets to catch the Gods,  
What can make our fingers so fine?  
Drink, drink, Wine, Lippari-wine.   

Chorus.  
Smoak, Smoak breeds the Tysick,  
Wine, Wine's the best Physic,  
For every Cyclops a full Can;  
Our Terms runs thus,  
Some Wine for Us,  
Or no Net for our Master Vulcan.   Enter Vulcan with Iron Links in his hand, and a Horse-shoe reversed on his head, he drives before him the four Cyclops drunk, wearing half-Vizards with one Eye in the Forehead. Vul. 
Drink Fire, you Lazy Monsters; Lippari-Wine?  
No liquour down with you, but mine?  1 Cycl. 
We made a shift.  Vul. 
It seems so, for you reel:  
Is this my Cobweb weaved in Steel?  
How horridly it looks—  2 Cycl. 
But not so horrid [He points with two fingers at Vul.  
As Vulcan does, who Shoes his forehead.  Vul. 
With gaping loopholes, and wrought all awry:  
My Wife's Pox put out thy one Eye.  3 Cycl. 
He means her Smallpox, and that seldom misses  
The Eye, for 'tis a small Ulysses.  4 Cycl. 
I'll dance my Eye out.  Vul. 
Let who dare advance  
A step; no, Rogues, you shall not dance;  
I'll lay your legs fast, your heels you may shake  
In th'iron Stocks, those you can make.  Enter two Cupids, (a White and a Black) with Bows and Forked Arrows, with which they point at Vulcan. 1 Cycl 
Not Dance? Cow'rds? here come Cocks that are no  
Two Cupids? You've a charge of Bastards. [dastards;  2 Cycl. 
One foe the White Men.  3 Cycl. 
For the Black another.  4 Cycl. 
Your Wife's a very fruitful Mother:  
These Cupids shoot in Crossbows sure, for they  
Have forked Arrows?  1 Cycl. 
Sa, sa, sa;  
We have our Forks too, and though drunk, yet hearty,  
We'll join with the Malignant Party.  Exeunt Cyclops, and after Vulcan and the Cupids have begun the Dance, the Cyclops return with Khans in their hands, they dance and drink. When the Anticks done, all cry, Wave Horns, and then run away, only the White Cupid stays. Vul. 
My Hammer? Dogs, your legs have saved your brains,  
Still the European Brat remains  
Upon the place: Venus' only joy  
Come hither, my Wife's fine White Boy:  
You must change Colours, Sirrah, get a robe  
As black as Midnight makes the Globe,  
Mourn at thy. Mother's Funeral, if thou stayest,  
Thine shall be first—  Cup. 
Hold, I'm in haste. [Exit White Cupid.  Vul. 
I am so too: my Net I cannot make,  
'Tis now Venus' time to wake: Vul. pulls out a steel Watch  
Time Vulcan measures by exacter trial  
Than Phoebus does on his Sundial:  
A Master in my Art I'm known to be,  
Though not in th' Art of Poetry;  
My Verse halts like myself: but (day and night)  
My Workmanship, this Watch, goes right.  Lean. 
Why does he look upon his Watch?  Sal. 
It seems  
There is a Critical Minute Mars and Venus  
Must wake in. What? my Lord Iberio Iberio and Pyramena discovered lying on a Bed, at the Bed's feet sits Cupid weeping.  
Is Mars?  Lug. 
And is not Pyramena Venus?  Dia. 
'Tis Pyramena; how durst Decio  
Trust her old Servant?  Sal. 
Cupid Watches them.  Lean. 
Are they not dead? for they look deadly pale.  Enter Decio in a Nightgown, a Sword in his hand; He looks upon Vulcan's Watch. Dec. 
Vanish, Impostor; room for the true Vulcan;  
The Minute's come; wake, Lovers, wake, I say. [Iberio and Pyramena start.  Ibe. 
Wake? did we sleep? did we not both drink poison?  Dec. 
Credit the working, 'twas an Opiate,  
Only to make you sleep, till your Friends came  
(Stir not, my Lord, nor call for help, in vain)  
I sent for your Patron, the Prince, with hope  
That in his presence you will be ashamed  
To die, the second time, so sensually  
Embracing my Wife.  Ibe. 
Death shall not part us.  Py. 
This Knot's a Gordian, never to be loosed. Decio draws his Sword.  Dec. 
It may be cut, the Macedonian way.  Sal. 
Thou dar'st not offer at their Lives? [Sal. and Lugo draw.  Dec. 
And yours, [Decio stamps, the Cyclops enter with Arms.  
If you protect them; show your Swords the way  
Into their Scabbards; mine should be unsheathed,  
But I will put it up, and draw my Tongue  
Before these Judges: will you hear?  Sal. 
Speak freely.  Dec. 
Sir, I invited you, not to assist  
The Malefactors, but to sit and judge  
The Equity of my Revenge: and Ladies,  
Be not affrighted, whatsoe'er I suffer,  
No Affront shall be offered to your Sex.  
The Prisoners may (if they except against  
The Prince and Lugo) make appeal to you.  Dia. 
Speaks he not well?  Lean. 
He looks exceeding well,  
As if his Cause were good.  Dec. 
First, I charge you,  
My Lord Iberio, with my Sisters' death.  Ibe. 
Falsely, I am not guilty.  Dec. 
How? not guilty?  
Did not my Sister (upon your Engagement)  
Send for me (than in Candy) but ere I  
Could come to Venice, you were got to Naples,  
And had disowned her, which perfidiousness  
Soon after broke her heart.  Ibe. 
You do me wrong,  
To charge her Death upon my breach of promise;  
Indeed my Father promised, I should marry  
Your Sister Ericina; and if I  
(Who loved this Lady) had declared myself,  
I had been disinherited. My Father  
Dying of the Pestilence that reigned in Venice,  
I went to settle my Affairs in Naples,  
And from thence writ your Sister a Discharge.  Dec. 
Of Life. For who could live to be so scorned  
As Ericina was? all Naples called her  
The Slighted Maid: in short, it cost her life;  
And to revenge her death I came to Naples,  
Here I passed for an insignificant Poet,  
A Raillier, invited to all Tables,  
Where I but watched an Opportunity  
To poison you: until (as luck would have it)  
You being fooled out with your Mistress, she  
Fools in with me; but now that she's my Wife,  
(Faces about) you are in love again,  
And make no scruple of Cuckolding poor Decio.  Ibe. 
Thou liest, for Pyramena is as far  
From any loose, as thou from noble thoughts.  Dec. 
I'll but examine you to that point, than  
'Twill appear, who's the liar: were not you  
Contracted to my Wife?  Ibe. 
I was.  Dec. 
Conclude;  
What the pretention of a Precontract?  
Were you not preingaged to Cuckold me?  
Pray, what am I?  Py. 
Our Executioner;  
Therefore 'tis to no purpose to dissemble  
For us that are to die: I do renounce you,  
I'll die Iberio's Wife. Decio gives a sign to the Cyclops, they unbind Iberio and Pyramena.  Dec. 
No, I forbid  
The Banes of Death: you shall live Man and Wife,  
Your scorn is now sufficiently revenged:  
Behold the Slighted Maid. Decio puts off his Nightgown, & discovers himself to be a Woman.  Ibe. 
Lives Ericina?  Sal. 
What a strange Mother of the Maid is Venice,  
That breeds such Furies?  Dec. 
But my Brother Decio,  
(The very night he came to Venice) died  
Of that Mortality which took away  
My noble Friend, your Father. I concealed  
My Brother's sudden death, and gave it out  
(Easily believed) that your neglect killed me;  
My Brother Decio's Funeral passed for mine;  
In his shape (putting off my Love and Sex)  
I followed you, my Lord, as far as Naples;  
Here I tried several Keys of Death and Fortune,  
To open me a door to my Revenge;  
But still compassion stepped in to your rescue:  
Till Hatred springing from your Scorn, was buried  
In Love returned by one of your own blood, Enter Arviedo.  
The noblest and the sweetest Person living,  
Who will not slight me, if you like the Match.  Ibe. 
So well, that Ericina now shall know  
Which of my Kinsmen she makes choice of; this  
Is Giulio, Heir to the Family  
Of Great Gonsalvo; for his poverty  
Concealed, under the name of Arviedo;  
I bred him, and resolved the frowning World  
Should never know him till he had a Fortune;  
A noble one fair Ericina brings.  Aru. 
With it I'll serve my Love, next to my Prince.  Sal. 
Nay, the King's service will go roundly on;  
I warrant, she'll bring a whole Nursery  
Of Generals, she'll stock thee with young Gonsalvoes.  Dec. 
I'll promise only Possibilities;  
Though I deserve not the Great Captain's Heir,  
I hope to make him (what has been accepted  
By Kings themselves) a Gentleman of Venice.  
Judges, can you pardon a Woman's weakness,  
That will revenge her blushes?  Py. 
I forgive  
The cruelty of Ericina's Spleen,  
Which cured Iberio's Jealousy.  Sal. 
All's pleased  
With such a fortunate Close. Send for our Coaches,  
Mean time, let's have a Dance, as your Grand Mask. [They Dance.  
So, now at the next Chapel we'll be married,  
Then at my House I'll treat you, where th' Inviter  
Shall be Leandra's Guest. But still there wants  
A just Reward for this deserving Soldier,  
That boldly, at his lowest ebb of Fortune,  
Durst check a Prince in his career to Vice.  Dec. 
Who taking me for (what I seemed) a Man  
That would have given my Wife a wanton freedom,  
Advised me to be jealous of my Honour;  
And when he (swearing to do my commands)  
Knew me to be a Woman, for his Oath's sake,  
Against his Nature, he made you my Prisoner. [too Iber.  Ibe. 
I'll do myself the honour to advance him.  Sal. 
Then make him your Lieutenant-Colonel.  Ibe. 
I can't, but I'll give him my Regiment,  
And get the Viceroy to Sign his Commission.  Dec. 
And from a Slave, poor Vindex, thou shalt be  
(As I have promised) made both Rich and Free.  Ibe. 
Corbulo, manage thou our Candian Arms,  
The Battle I must fight in, is, at home.  Cor. 
I've not a Courtier's tongue to speak my thanks,  
But to the Turk I'll sell my blood so dear,  
I hope the Christian Cause will thank my Raiser  
For sending me to Candy. My grief is,  
I've but one Life to lose for the King's Honour.  Sal. 
No, Cor'nel, (doubtless) the King's better Stars  
Will guard thy life, to serve him nearer Spain.  
Let's all now joy this Military Bridegroom.  
Patience (thou seest) may lend blind Fortune Eyes  
To find out Men, and make low sufferers rise. [Exeunt.    

THE EPILOGUE Spoke by The SLIGHTED MAID.  

SLighted, you know, I was; but, Gentlemen,  
Resembling you in Shape and Courage, than  
I looked upon it with an angry brow:  
'Twould grieve me, if I should be slighted now.  
But though our Sex the proud Italians scorn,  
Th' English are Civil, you are Courtiers born,  
And she's cursed in her Cradle, that promotes  
Her Suit to you, and is denied your Votes.  
Behold, your Candidate before you stands:  
Your Semele sees Thunder in your hands,  
Let's hear it: Claps that would make some afraid,  
Will make the Slighted the Exalted Maid.    

EPILOGUE TO THE KING.  

I'Ve spoke before your Majesty, but yet  
I never kneeled in such a shaking Fit;  
For, Sir, the Author bids me kneel and pray  
Against your justice: all that he can say  
In his defence, is, that you would condemn  
His faults, if strictly you examined them.  
He hopes you will not; and why should he fear?  
Your Majesty was never yet severe  
To any thing well-meant, though ill-exprest;  
And he presumes, you think, he did his best  
To please you: therefore would be hard, if he  
In making for your mirth a Comedy,  
Should writes own Tragedy, yet that's his Case,  
If your Impartial justice should take place;  
But if your Gracious Favour intervene,  
The Epilogue is clearly his best Scene.   
FINIS.