THE TRAGEDY of MESSALLINA by N' Richards. london printed for Dan: Frere. 1640   

THE TRAGEDY OF MESSALLINA The Roman Empress.  
As it hath been Acted With general applause divers times, by the Company of his Majesty's Revels.  
Written by NATHANAEL RICHARDS.  
Optimus hic & formosissimus idem  
Gentis patritiae rapitur miser extinguendus.  
Messallinae oculis.  juvenal, satire▪ 10. 
London Printed by Tho. Cotes for Daniel Frere, at the sign of the Red Bull in Little Britain. 1640.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND TRULY NOBLE MINDED, JOHN CARY, VISCOUNT ROCHFORD,  
My Lord,  
YOur right Noble willing mind (though serious occasions could not permit you) to see this Tragedy Acted, emboldens me (through the confidence I have in your sweet disposition) to present it unto you, the Heir and Honour of your Great and Noble Family: Emperatricis libido, periculosissima est, witness Valeria Messallina, her Lust and Rule over doting Majesty. This testified by Rome's Historians, (Tacitus, Suetonus, Pliny, Plutarch and Juvenal) the world (unless among the crooked conditions of the Envious) may (being honestly opinionated) perceive, that the sole Aim of my discovery herein, no otherwise tends then to separate Souls from the discovered Evil, the suppression of Vice, and exaltation of Virtue, flight from sin for fear of judgement; which seriously considered in a Noble nature. The glorious Strumpet, sparkling in beauty and destruction can never have power to tempt: This Play upon the Stage, passed the general applause as well of Honourable Personages as others: And my hope is, the perusal will prove no less pleasing to your Honour. Two passages are past, the Stage and the Press; nothing is absent now but the gentle approbation of your Lordship's clemency to confirm the endeavour of him that truly is▪  
Your Lordship's true Honourer, Nathanael Richards.   

To his worthy Friend, Mr. Nathanael Richards, upon his well-written Tragedy of Messallina.  
WHen I beheld this Roman Tragedy,  
Where the mad sin of Lust in Majesty  
And power I saw attired, triumphantly,  
Guiding the Helm of doting sovereignty  
To her own Compass; I was pleased with it,  
Cause things immodest, modestly were writ.  
Not in Prodigious Language that would start  
Into the Cheeks the sufferings of the heart,  
And fright a Blush into a fever: though  
Of late (shame to this Age) some have writ so.  
Had yours been such, never should Pen of mine  
(Poor though my Muse) have lent you half a line.  
But now again, recalling what you writ,  
How well adorned with words, and wrought with wit;  
I'll justify the Language and the Plot  
Can neither cast aspersion, nor spot  
On your clean Fancy; But Apollo's bays  
Grows green upon your Brow to crown your praise.  
Then for this Tragedy, securely rest,  
'Tis current Coin, and will endure the Test.  
Stephen Bradwell.   

To my true Friend Mr. Nathanael Richards in due praise of his Tragedy of Messallina.  
FRiend, you've so well limned Messallina's lust  
'twere pity that the Piece should kiss the dust  
Of dark Oblivion; you have (I confess)  
Applied a due Preservative the Press.  
You're now sailed forth o'th' Narrow Sea, the Stage,  
Into the world's wide Ocean, where the rage  
Of Criticism, it's utmost will extend  
To buffet your new Bark: But fear not Friend,  
She's so well built, so balanced, so well maned  
With Plot, with Form and Language that she'll stand  
The storm; and having ploughed the Sea's passion,  
Will Anchor safe i'th' Rhode of approbation:  
Where judgements equal hand shall more her fast,  
And hang a laurel-garland on her Mast.  
Robert Davenport.   

Carissimo amico Auctori in eximiam Messallinae Tragediam.  
RIdentem venerem veteres pinxere, sed ecce  
Apparet Venus hic sanguimolenta, nigra.  
Lascivos amplexa viros amplectitur ensem:  
Effera quae vita, est haec furibunda nece.  
Sic eadem victrix, eadem que libidinis ultrix▪  
Messallina, altrix quae suit, ipsa fuit,  
Dum moritur mala pars, oritur pars, conjugis, illa▪  
Que superat quamvis mors in utramque furit,  
Casta parens toties, quoties fit adultera proles,  
Pugnat & adversa cum pielate scelus:  
Dumque scelus fugiens dat terg●, stat altera lugens,  
Et nituit niveo pectore purut honor▪  
H●c ubi sunt verbis aptata, tragedia digna  
Illa est inprimis laudis & illa tua est.  
Thoma Combes.   

To his Friend Mr. Nathanael Richard's, upon his Tragedy of Messallina.  
IF it be good to write the truth of ill  
And virtue's excellence, 'tis in thy skill  
(Respected Friend) thy nimble Scenes discover  
Rome's lust-burnt Empress and her virtuous Mother  
So truly to the life; judgement may see,  
(Praising this Piece) I do not flatter thee.  
Men here may read Heaven's Art to chastise Lust;  
Rich Virtue in a Play, so clear; no rust,  
Bred by the squint eyed critics conquering breath  
Can e'er deface it; Messallina's death  
Adds life unto the Stage; where though she dies  
Defamed; true justice crown this Tragedy.  
Io. Robinson.   

To my Friend the Author Mr. Nathanael Richards on his Tragedy of Messallina.  
FOr this thy Play (dear Friend) I must confess  
Thy Plot's contrived with such mysteriousness  
As if Fate turned the Scene; thy Language can  
Express thee a Divine and Moral Man,  
The Music of thy Numbers might entice  
Time's glorious Harlot from her lust-stung vloe.  
This is to show my judgement, who will say  
(That finds my approbation of this Play)  
I want needful knowledge? It shall be  
Sufficient praise for me, I can praise thee.  
'Tis judgement to know judgement, and I find  
Most of our Playhouse wits, are of my mind.  
Men call them Censurers a stock of brothers,  
Thought wise by praising and dispraising others:  
Bid them write Plays themselves, & then you'll foil 'em;  
they'll say they can't find time, yes time to spoil 'em.  
Thou art above their aims, who dislikes this  
Must be a Goose, or Serpent: let him hiss.  
Tho. jordan   

To his worthy Friend Mr. Nathanael Richard's, upon his Tragedy of Messallina.  
BEhold a Poet whose laborious Quill  
Dictates his maker's praise, above the skill  
Of times Earth finding Idols muddy strain  
(Base as the things they imitate) thy vein  
(Approved friend) strikes dead the impious Times  
Adored Vices and high raised Crimes  
Which pulls swift vengeance down; thy laboured lines  
Curbs Vice, crown Virtue, gold from dross refines  
All gazing eyes may see thy Anchorite Muse  
Delights in a conversion, not abuse  
Rome's mighty Whore by thee adorns the Stage:  
For to convert not to corrupt this Age.  
And they that (Messallina) thus penned sees  
Must praise the author's candour, thrifty Bees  
Suck Honey out of weeds, her actions may  
Have miracles for issue, if y'obeyobay  
Your jogging consciences that whispering say,  
Be ruled by this, instructing (Tragic) Play.  
Applaud that happy wit whose veins can stir  
Religious thoughts, though in a theatre.  
Tho. Rawlins.   

The Actors Names.  

Claudius Emperor— Will. Cartwright Sen.  
Silius chief Favourite to the Empress. Christopher Goad.  
Saufellus chief of Counsel to Silius and Messallina john Robinson.  


Of the same faction and favourites.  
Valens  
Proculus    
Menester an actor and Favourite compelled by the Empress. Sam. Tomson.  
Montanus a Knight in Rome defence virtuously inclined. Rich. johnson.  
Mela Seneca's Brother— Will. Hall.  


Senators of Messallinas Faction.  
Virgilianus and  
Calphurnianus    
Sulpitius of the same Faction.  


Minions to the Emperor of his faction  
Narcissus  
Pollas  
Galistus    
Evodius a Soldier.  
Messallina Empress— john Barret.  
Lepida mother to Messallina— Tho. jordan.  
Sylana wife to Silius— Mathias Morris.  
Vibidia matron of the Vestals.  
Calphurnia a Courtesan.  
Hem and Stitch, two Panders.  
Three murdered Roman Dames.  
Manutius and Folio, Servants to Lepida.  
Three Spirits.  
Two several Antimasques of Spirits and Bacchanals▪    

The Prologue.  
TO write a Tragedy is no such ease  
As some may think, 'mongst whom there's a disease  
Still of dislike, censuring whate'er is writ  
With ignorance; only to be thought a wit.  
Plays are like several meats, their strange effects  
So different prove, some carelessly neglect  
what others long for, that which surfeits thee,  
Another says 'tis good, gives life to me.  
What's to be done? the way to please you all  
Requires an Art, past Magic natural.  
Our best endeavours still with Comic fare  
Have strived to please; now all our cost and care,  
Soars on the wings of laboured industry;  
To feast your senses with the Tragedy  
Of Roman Messallina, the Play is new,  
And by Rome's famed Historians confirmed true.  
We hope you'll not distaste it, nor us blame,  
Where spots of life are acted to sin's shame.  
Tell me I pray? can there be no content?  
To see high towering sins just punishment  
And virtue's praise; insatiate lust to ●●e,  
And chaste Dames stared unto Eternity,  
Will not this please? if any answer no,  
ay, let that soul and all the world to know,  
Your love's the mark we aim at, all our might,  
Shoots at your love, labours to hit that white.   

THE TRAGEDY OF Messallina, The Roman Empress.  

ACT. 1.  

SCENE. 1.  Enter Silius reading in a Book. Sil. 
Sola virtus vera nobilitas.  
Virtue is only true nobility,  
So speaks our times best Tutor Seneca,  
And 'tis divinely spoken, like himself.  
True Philosopher, for what is't to man  
For to be borne noble, and yet detain  
Th' ignoble mind of vice, licentious will,  
Such no way are allied to nobleness.  
Time's hellbred, base, ignoble noble blood,  
Runs through his veins, that's only great not good▪  
Far better live a private life with thee,  
Thou sweet companion to Well-minded man.  
Here's no seducing Pomp, no clouds of vice,  
Nor fogs of vanity obscures man's sight  
From the direct to ways directly ill.  
This seal confirm the sequel of my life  
To imitate the good that thou presents.  Kisseth the Book. Enter Valens and Proculus. Val. 
Still plodding at your Book, shall we ne'er find  
You otherwise; Pox of this sad muttering  
To yourself; hang't up, 'tis a disease to  
Sweet alacrity, of all true jovial  
Minds to be abhorred, come.— Offers to take away the Book.  Sil. 
prithee desist.  Pro. 
How scurvily this shows, how ill in you,  
That Should be framed just of the Time's fashion.  Sil. 
That's learning, and valour; or should be so  
At least; and not in outsides fond delight,  
Whereon Times Puff-paste costly coxcomb, all  
His great little wit, and wealth, thinks best bestowed  
To please his Mistri's Eye; when all man's mind  
Should bend his course to follow virtues steps.  Val. 
Out upon't; drink me and whore; those are  
The virtues best, and best accepted 'mong  
Gallants of this age.  Sil. 
theyare gallant sots,  
Silly and senseless; what's all the delight,  
That seems so pleasing to the itchy whorer?  
But like the Itch, scratched raw, 'tis still the sorer  
'Twill smart to purpose; make you to find out  
An obscure grave, cold as the snowy Alps,  
There, in a hollow circle of the night  
Lust breeds more cause of terror than delight.  Pro. 
Fie Cajus fie, turned Satire 'gainst your friends,  Sil. 
Alas you're blind my friends, and I am sorry.  Val. 
Pish; were't not for sparkling beauty, precious woman,  
Woman I say, that fair and winning creature,  
Whose ne'er to be resisted delicate touch,  
Divides us into all the sweets of sense,  
Were't not for her, (glorious sweet faced woman,)  
Man makes no use of his Creation,  
What says our Roman phrase,  
Si non letaris vivens laetabere nanquam.  
Leave then this puling study and be ruled.  
Hang up Philosophy that Scene of sorrow,  
Come go with me to beauties fair abode,  
There, if you'll make true trial of your strength,  
Let it be there employed; do but withstand  
The catching beauties there, and spite of all  
Their powerful charms and incantations  
Come freely off, untainted with the Act.  
For ever I'll abjure to be seduced  
By the world's quaint enticements; betake me  
Wholly to Philosophy, and practise  
The same in life.  Pro. 
So shall Proculus.  Sil. 
O were I sure that sworn you'd keep, & not  
Infringe your vows (though noble wisdom bids,  
To shun the glorious strumpets liquorish snares,)  
You soon should find me sudden, dare to stand,  
The baits of whorish fortitude unmoved.  Val. 
Talk not but do't.  Pro. 
Therein consists the Test  
Of complete man.  Sil. 
Then on this book take Oath,  
Swear that by all the good therein contained,  
And all that's good the virtues of true Man,  
At my return free from adulterate sin  
To live true friends to virtue ever after  
You shall prevail.  Both. 
We swear.  Vall. 
So deeply swear  
That may loves thunder strike when we forsake  
Our vows.  Sil. 
'tis well, lead on; And if I ever prove  
False to Syllana punish me great jove. Exeunt.  Enter Veneria the Bawd, Calphurnia, Hem and Stitch, Panders. Bawd. 
hay ho, what Hem, Hem, Hem, what Hem I say.  Hem. 
Here Mistress.  Bawd. 
Stitch, oh Stitch.  St. 
In your side Madam.  Bawd 
No Stitch, o'erthwart my heart, O I shall die;  
The bottle, the bottle, the bottle knave the bottle.  she drinks. Cal. 
Do do drink and be fatter still up with't,  
Why so my brave bundle of guts and garbage.  Bawd. 
I you may well say drink, well may I drink  
All sorrow from my heart, for I thank you  
Ten thousand sesterces, this day is lost  
To our victorious Empress Messallina;  

* Messallina Claudij Casaris conjux hanc regalem existimans palam elegit in id certamen nobilissimam ● prostitutis ●ancillam mercenarie stipis camque die ac nocte superavis quinto ac viceamo concubitu Plin. lib. 10. cap. 62.  Witness the Number five and twenty,  
All in the circuit of a day and night,  
And yet she's ready for a new delight.  Cal. 
She may, for who but she dares do the like,  
For a poor subject, ●alse the number serves,  
On greatest Queens most servants still attends.  Bawd. 
Hadst not provocations to enable thee,  
Confection of Cantharides, Diasaterion Eringoes,  
Snails, Oysters, Alligant, and could not these  
Make thee hold out with five and twenty;  
'Twas but a forenoon's work, a forenoon's work  
You paltry puling.  Cal. 
ay, in your young days.  Bawd. 
In my young days, I tell thee small Flounder,  
Old as I am and fat, I durst yet wager,  
To lay twice the number of such shrimps as thee,  
That they should ne'er rise more.  Cal. 
Yes with a Pox.  
I have not the Court art to kill my lovers,  
Nor draw them on with witchcraft, Circean charms,  
Nor is it lust, but want makes me a trader,  
And those I clip with, I must like at least,  
Let Rome's brave Empress do her liking,  Stitch. 
I she's a brave Roman dame indeed.  Hem. 
And those Mad-dames are the best doers Stitch.  Cal. 
Calphurnia loathes variety of men,  
Times big bone Animals so apt to please,  
Th'mpress will whets not my appetite,  
Besides you know I'm not for durance,  
Wanting the daily visits of best Doctors,  
To make me broths of dissolved Pearl and Amber,  
Which well considered will not quit the cost,  
She won the wager, I am glad I lost.  Bawd. 
Glad I have lost,  
Let me come to her, I'll claw you minx, glad  
I have lost, and which goes nearest my heart;  
To rail, and none to rail against but tall  
Proper and goodly able men, calling  
Them big-boned Animals, O blasphemy.  
Why Phisgig; must I keep thee rich in clothes,  
To want that ever pleasing sweet,  
Honey, and Sugar candy delight; which the  
Bravest high spirited glistering Ladies,  
(Such as make Punies of their petty Lords)  
Account their heaven, their only happiness,  
Never but discontented when they are  
Out of Action▪ and are you defective now;  
Fallen out (forsooth) with the felicity  
You should take in men; O most absurd,  
Not to be suffered, uttered, nor endured,  
It is intolerable; it is, it is▪ it is,  
Thou muddy minded piece of mischief it is.  St. 
Hem, Mistress, here comes our fellow Pander  
The Lord Saufellus.  Hem. 
All of a house, but not all fellow's Stitch,  
And yet we hope to be Sir Panders; nay since  
Great-ones be of that profession, and thrive so by it,  
It cannot choose but be a brave profession.  St. 
Oh, 'tis a good,  
A goodly brave profession; 'tis the best,  
Best stream to fish in, be ne'er so impious,  
Gold styles the royal villain virtuous.  Sauf. 
Here, here my most precious procurers  
Down, and adore our royal Empress,  
And me the messenger of these glad tidings;  
Proud is her highness of the wager won,  
Yet scorning the advantage of the loss  
Trebly returns your own, with a reward,  
And sign of her high favour ever after.  Ba. 
I hope her mightiness received content,  
And will make bold with my poor house hereafter.  Sauf. 
Yes, with your house a little bold her yet,  
Silius comes hither straight brought by his friends  
Valens and Proculus, your best wills work,  
To make him serve her pleasure.  Ba. 
Pleasure her,  
What? Silius a private gentleman of Rome  
And be so gross as not to pleasure her.  
Which of you gallants would not pleasure an  
Empress; that a man should be so very a sot  
As not do, Oh 'twere abominable.  Sauf. 
But he's a man of precise abstinence,  
And hardly will be drawn by any woman.  Ba. 
Hoy day; not drawn by woman said you,  
If he come here, he shall be hanged and drawn,  
And dry drawn to; not drawn by a woman!  
gog's nigs that's fine i'faith.  Sauf. 
See, here they come prepared; I must withdraw  
For a more apt employment, show your skills,  
Women through lust and Hell will work their wills.  Exit. Enter Silius, Valens, Proculus. Val. 
Come Sir, we'll enter you.  Sil. 
Most certain  
Into the devil's vaulting school; where lust  
In triumph rides o'er shame and innocence,  
Am I not in Hell.  Pro. 
O silly Silius.  
Cannot a sweet shaped gallant like myself,  
Enter the house where Venus vestals live  
But it must needs be Hell, ha, ha, ha.  Ba. 
Welcome Princely Spirits,  
Sweet faces, rich clothes, and exquisite bodies,  
Make you for ever (my most curious clients)  
Pruriently, pleasing to the blood of beauty,  
Hem and Stitch some stools and cushions quick.  Sil. 
What have you brought me to your sempster's house.  Ba. 
These are no idle persons.  Sil. 
Is this your lusty kindred, sweet pleasure  
Which angles souls to hell, as men hook fish;  
ay, this is she the bane of all devotion,  
She whose enticements turns weak men aside  
From the right way of virtue, throwing 'em down  
Into the gulf of all confusion;  
From whence methinks those dreadful souls I hear  
Now at this instant cursing of your Sex;  
Your sin affected trimings to entice  
Which implicates the wretched mind of man  
Crying with horror 'gainst your impudence.  
O woman, woman, thy bewitching motion,  
fool's wisdom, reason, and blinds all devotion.  Ba. 
What is the man detracted from his wits trow.  Sil. 
Out thou devourer up of maiden heads  Ba. 
Hoy day, I a devourer of maiden heads,  
That (with joy be it spoken) I have not had  
A maidenhead these fifty years.  Vall. 
Prithee be not thus bitter unto 'em,  
Poor necessary evils they pleasure us.  Sil. 
Out on your beastly, your most senseless pleasures,  
That makes you reasonless, esteeming best  
Those things delight you most.  Cal. 
O I could stand,  
My life-time here to hear this Silius rail.  Sil. 
Note but the end of all your lustful pleasures,  
All breed diseases, griefs, reproaches foul,  
Consumption of the body, and the soul,  
Engender sorrows and sottishness,  
Forgets all prudence, grows most insolent,  
Breeds th' Epilepsy that falling evil▪  
Begets murder, makes a man a devil,  
o'erthrows whole families, confounds the just,  
Foisteth in children illegitimate,  
Corrupts all humane sweet society.  
The various paths of lust are all uneven,  
Her pleasures dreadful plagues the scourge of heaven.  Enter Empress and Saufellus attending with a cap. Emp. 
Our sovereign good is pleasure unto which  
None can attain but valiant men and wise.  Sil. 
Oh. Sil. falls on his knees.  Emp. 
Silius thou shalt not fall unless I fall,  
Nor rise without me, we love thee Cajus  
Thou soul of music breath, breath and enchant.  music. 
With thy delicious Tones while thus we bend,  
And health our love mirror of men to thee.  She drinks. Sil. 
Fool that I am, thou hast undone thyself,  
Keep in my virtue or this fiery trial  
Flames thee to Cinders.  Emp. 
Fill for him, is't prepared?  Sauf. 
With deepest Art.  Emp. 
Here pledge, and pledge freely, a hearty draught  
(As I began) up witht; so 'tis well, this, Sil. drinks.  
This failing, pure, precise one now is silenced,  
Convey him to our bed, Nature's delight  
Where when he wakes he may admire and burn  
Be mad in love to pleasure free in us.  
Thanks Valens, and Proculus, Caesar dispatched  
To Ostia, we'll find fit time to make you  
Shine in glory, all shall find rich rewards.  Exit Empress and Saufellus. Ba. 
May you for ever glister like the Sun.  Val. 
Silius you're snared; and we our wager won.  Exit oboes. Enter Emperor, Claudius, Messallina Narcissus, Pallas, Calistus, Saufellus, with attendance. Emp. 
Swift nimble time the season of the year  
(To offer sacrifice unto the Gods)  
Calls us with speed from Rome to Hostia, in  
Which our absence, sweet, dear than my life,  
We do implore, use all the careful means  
That may preserve that life and happiness  
Thy love assures us▪ which if want of health  
Should ●ate thee joy; Caesar were not himself  
Disaster, griefs, diseases pale and wan  
would make me marble, such is th' affiance,  
The strong persuasion of that love I bear  
To thee thou star on earth my only bliss  
Bear record heaven, bless thou this parting kiss.  Exit Emperor, cum suis▪ Mess. 
Farewell my life, my love, my royal, Fool  
Shallow brain fop, dull ignorance adieu,  
The kindest Cuckold woman ever knew.  
Saufellus draw nigh,  
Now is the wish for time to crown delight  
Turn night today and day into the night,  
Prepare for stirring, Masque, midnight revels  
All rare variety to provoke desire;  
Then haste and fetch those envied Adamants  
Rome most admires for foolish chastity,  
When we have grasped them here, surfeits riot  
Shall squeeze their spongy virtue into vice.  
If they deny to come, let vengeance fall  
Like to that all devouring thunders flame  
Which fired the world, be merciless and kill.  
Rome shall take notice, our incensed blood,  
Like to Medusa's shall to serpent's turn,  
poisoning the Air, where local chastity  
Claims least pre-eminence.  Sauf. 
Spoke like yourself beyond thought excellent  
O it becomes you rarely; think what you are  
All glory dross is, in comparison  
Of that all rare inestimable worth,  
You truly owe; all admired beauty past,  
And that to come with full attractive force  
Have fixed their lively characters in you.  
Divinest fair; earth breathes not such another,  
'twere madness longer your delights to smother:  
I'm fired with joy to see your high blood free.  
Continue with increase, add flame to flames.  
Burn high bright glorious wonder of thy Sex,  
Act what your thoughts shall prompt too, I in all  
Am only yours at whose commanding will  
I'll death and horror wade to save or kill.  Offers to go. Mess. 
Stay ere you go resolve us; what is that  
Stagyrite's Name, he that last night i'th' play  
Did personate the Part of Troilus.  Sauf. 
Menester (glorious Empress) that's his name.  Mess. 
Menester how that name works on my blood  
And like a violent Tide, swells me with full  
Desire to know the man; it must be so  
Command him to attend our will tonight.  Sauf. 
Know mighty Queen I by your looks perceived  
the graceful Actor pleasing to your eyes,  
And therefore already here in court, I  
Have prepared him.  Mess. 
Diligent Saufellus, I'll to my chamber,  
Admit him thither; be swift in return, Exit Sauf.  
We long for change to feed on various fruit;  
Up Messallina let thy mountain will  
Too long kept down, fly to thy full desire,  
I'll live in pleasure though I burn in fire. Exit.  Enter Saufellus with a Torch, Menester following. Sauf. 
Come, come, come, this way, fro how I sweat,  
This venery is a stirring business,  
Remain you here, I'll instantly return. Exit.  Men. 
My heart that ne'er yet shrank begins to throb,  
And my good Genius whispers in mine care  
A fair retreat; I am fair warned, and yet  
I waver doubtful.  Sauf. 
Fortunate Actor,  
Now let thy best of action to the life  
Court Rome's rare Empress to the height of pleasure,  
Muster up all the powers of man in thee  
To an united strength, prepare a part  
To ravish, pleasure win an Empress heart,  
Look to't, prove active to yield full content,  
Or else you die, die a most shameful death,  
So speed as you shall please. Exit.  Men. 
That's certain death,  
ay, I that in Pompey's, spacious Theater  
Acted the noble virtues of true man,  
When the fair piercing lines so much prevailed,  
I felt a sacred flame run through my brains,  
And in this Orb of man's circumference,  
myself at furious war within myself,  
That in my life's sweet sequel, I still strived  
Wrestled with flesh and blood to imitate  
The good I then presented, but now, a  
Coward plague, or else some Fiend raised from the  
Pit of fear, hath all my goodness to a  
Period dropped; and I like chaff, blown on this  
Wide world's stage, am now to act my own part,  
Which must be vicious now, lust stung vicious  
With Rome's majestic Empress, whose command  
Strikes dead in the refusal, dead; a word  
That quakes even the most valiant He, though lest  
Expressed, if by escape I think myself  
Secure in some remote soil, her revenge  
Will with the self same stroke there strike me dead,  
'Mong petty eminent persons now 'tis  
Common; then Princes cannot fail, their Arms  
Are long and large, compulsion bids me on  
Who ere shall read my story then shall say  
'Tis forced compulsion, and not rich reward,  
No high Court favourers made Menester sin.  

* Alijs largitianis aut spei magnitudine sibi ex necestitate Culpam. Tacit. lib. 11.  Enchanting earth's temptation is in vain,  
He basely, basely sins that sins for gain.  
If not for gain, shall I commit for fear,  
For fear to die, I must, I will not, keep  
There my mind, and with chaste fortitude  
O be my bar to this lascivious act,  
And cleave me to the Centre ere I yield,  Enter Messallina. 
Your pardon glorious Empress,  
there's something in me works so powerful,  
I dare not, dare not yield to your content.  Mess. 
How's this, dare not, is that answer for us  
Why fool, poor scum of the Earth dost know  
What 'tis to stop an Empress lofty will:  
Saufellus, within there, a Guard, we'll learn  
You better manners, hoist him on the Rack,  Enter Saufellus and Guard. 
To the Rack with him, tear limb from limb, dare not  
We will enforce thee wretch.  They put him on the Rack. Sauf. 
O dog; not do;  
Up with the Snow ball, melt him, so, so, so.  Mess. 
Shall our high favours, (equal to base and  
Mercenary Trulls) prove common put off's,  
What say you now Sir.  Mon. 
That I am truly miserable, weak,  
And vile, not being able to endure  
This torment, O let me down; my pain, but  
Not my mind yields to your bed, I do  
Consent, consent.  Mess. 
Ha, ha, do you so, Sir;  
Let him down, and let him find sudden cure  
Command our Doctors, feed him hot and high,  
pleasure's a Princess full felicity.  Exit. Mess. Men. 
Man's a weak Bulrush; all his fortitude  
Brittle at best; witness these tentered, limbs,  
Witness the Rack, which tears me from the sight  
Of sacred virtue; whose just anger now,  
Like a denied wooer puts me off,  
Blushing and despairing; Heaven out of sight  
man's out of heart, all virtues lose their light.  Exeunt omnes.   

ACT. 2.  

SCENE. 1.  Enter Lepida in her night attire with a Book and a lighted Taper. Lep. 
MY servants all are fast 'tis dead of night,  
And yet my restless senses want their rest;  
This was no wont to be, 'tis wondrous strange  
I fear (nor is't unlike) my daughter, my  
Most ambitious, irreverent daughter,  
Dead to good counsel, now in great Caesar's  
Absence, most apt for ill; takes her full flight  
To the loose life of all licentiousness,  
Now at this instant wrongs him, and that the  
Gods, whose eyes see blackest deeds, do see and  
Abhor; and therefore caused me thus to wake  
From dead resembling sleep, to pray  
T'oppose her ill with good, heaven I obey.  A Bell rings as far off, three Roman dames knock within. 1. 
Open the door, O noble Lepida  
Open the door.  Lep. 
What ill includes this noise.  2. 
Open the door, O save us from the gripes  Knock again. 
Of Rape and Ruin.  Lep. 
That was a woman's voice most certain 'twas,  
I will no longer stay you. Opens the door.  3. 
O save us from the Rape, death dogs us  
At the heels.  1. 
Our parents and husbands slain  
In their beds this night, have paid life's forfeit  
For our escape.  2. 
For whom there is no hope  
If sheltered not under your wings of safety▪  3. 
She is your daughter that commands this ill.  Lep. 
Woe is me wretch, accursed be the time  
That brought her forth; O may it ever be,  
For ever bar the rank of blessed hours.  Bell rings as near at hand▪ 1. 
Hark, hark, they come, that fatal bell rings their,  
Approach; turn us to Air some whirlwind, ere  
We perish through spotted whoredom.  Enter Sauf. the two ruffians, and bawd. Sauf. 
O are you here.  Ba. 
And have we found you out.  
O you abominable pictures of  
peevish virtue, ye thread bare thin cheeked chastity,  
Ye Puppets.  Lep. 
I am amazed, if from my daughter sent,  
Tell me ye frightful villains her demand.  Sauf. 
Them there, whose paltry puling honesty,  
Merits no favour but a world of mischief,  
They must live at Court.  Ba. 
There to live, and brave.  Hem. 
To shine in pearl, and gold flow in treasure.  St. 
Fed with delicious Cates, to swim in pleasure. breath.  Ba. 
tossed on the downy beds of dalliance.  Lep. 
Peace hell bred hag, stop thy unhallowed throat.  Sauf. 
Dispatch, resolve to go or die.  Lep. 
Then die,  
Arm you brave Roman Dames, Terrestrial stars,  
Armed with fair fortitude resolve to die,  
That when you're gone I may look up and see  
Your chaste thought stars in the Celestial spheres▪  
Is it not better die then live at court?  
Racked, torn and tossed on proud dishonours wheel,  
There to be whored, your excellence defiled,  
Rather be free, be free rare spirits for  
Succeeding times to wonder at; spurn, spurn  
In contempt of death, at deaths base strife,  
To die for virtue is a glorious life.  All. 
O blessed encouragement.  1. 
All are so willing, there's not one of us  
would wish to live, so fairest mind farewell,  
Behold we link in love, thus armed to die,  
Strike slaves, mount souls, fly to eternity. killed.  Lep. 
Mischievous Monsters, O what have you done.  Ba. 
Take this, this, and this for me, ye Puppets  
Of purity. bawd stabs at them with her knife, and in her going off, is shut in by Lepida.  Lep. 
would you be gone!  
Nay you damned hell-bag I'll preserve you safe  
Manutius Folio wake, wake from drowsy sleep.  Exit Lepida. Ba. 
How's this, locked in, what the great devil  
Will become of me. Lepida within.  Lep. 
Murder murder, what ho, Manutius awake.  Ba. 
How she bawls, vengeance stop your throat.  Enter Lepida with her two Servants. Lep. 
O see where murdered chastity lies slain,  
Under my tragic roof this fatal night.  Ser. 
Sad dismal accident.  Lep. 
Here take this bawd.  
She hath a large hand in this impious act  
Take, hang her by the heels then let my dogs,  
Compelled through hunger tear, eat her alive,  
I must to Court there prosecute the rest. Exit  Ser. 
Remove those bodies I'll take charge of this,  
O thou insufferable Bitch Whore, Bawd,  
Have you been actor in this bloody Scene?  
You shall be gnawn with dogs for't, tottered  
And piecemeal torn, you shall you rotten  
Stinking ton of decayed Lechery you shall.  
Yet, I will set thee free, grease me now finely,  
Finely i'th' Fist, you know the Art, money  
Will corrupt, 'tis beggary to be honest.  Ba. 
Hold there's my purse, the better part is gold  
Perform thy promise, I'll advance thy state  
At Court promote thee.  Ser. 
To wear brave clothes.  Ba. 
Rich, wondrous rich.  Ser. 
And shall I have a wench.  Ba. 
A very dainty device, a Springer▪  
One that shall make thy constitution curvet  
And wind about thee like a Skein of Silk  
Tickle, tickle, tickle thee my brave bully:  Ser. 
Sayst thou so, my old motion's procurer,  
Go thy ways— stay— O wonderful what's that  
There betwixt thy teeth, gape.  He gags her. Ba. 
Au, au, au.  Ser. 
We must be honest here, nay you shall go  
Not to be tickle, tickle, tickled, but  
To be tottered with your heels aloft  
To be totter, totter, tottered my brave Bawd,  
To be tottered. Exeunt.  Enter Messallina. Mess. 
Menester, Valens, Proculus, not all  
No, not a world of favourites can yield  
To us that free delight in dalliance which  
Silius gives, he must not live at Forum,  
Though it be near at hand 'tis too far off  
Calphurnia.  Enter Calphurnia. Calph. 
Your highness' pleasure.  Mess. 
Cause Cajus, Silius to be sent for straight,  
And let Harmonious Music's ravishing Airs,  
Breath our delight.  Calph. 
To your accomplished wish. Exit. Cal.  Mess. 
Circle me round you Furies of the night,  
Dart all your fiery lust-stung Arrows here.  Music. 
Here, here, let Circe and the Sirens charms,  
Pour their enchantments; Monarch of flames,  
Fill with alluring poison these mine eyes  
That I may with the misty souls of men,  
And send them tumbling to th'Acharusian Fen:  
'Twere an all pleasing object unto thee,  
Thou great arch-ruler of the low Abyss,  
Like to Cadmaean Semele I would burn  
Rather than want this my implored desire▪  
And be consumed in thunder, smoke, and fire;  
Let petty queen's dull appetite dread fear,  
I'll be myself sole pleasures Queen in all.  
Ha, what's this? cease that Music there,  
A sudden strange and drowsy heaviness  
Enchants my tender eyes to close their lights▪  Dormit. Enter three Furies with the Arrows of Pride, Lust, and Murder. 1. 
From those blue flames burning dim,  
Where black souls in sulphur swim.  
Dark infernal Den below,  
Lakes of horror, pain and woe.  2. 
From dread Thunder smoking fire,  
We come▪ we fly at thy desire.  3. 
To fire thy mind, lewdly inclined.  1. 
To deeds unjust, murder and lust.  2. 
Dreaming see, at thee, at thee.  3. 
Furies dart sins potent night.  1. 
Sable shafts of endless night.  Eight Furies dance an Antic and depart. Messalina awakes. Mess. 
Furies enough, I'm fully satisfied,  
A Pleurisy of lust runs through my veins  
I could grasp with any.  Enter Silius Sil. 
Me above all.  Mess. 
O the unsounded sea of my delight  
In thee my Silius, 'tis miraculous,  
Ineffable, never to be expressed  
By learning's deepest Art.  Sil. 
Glory of queens▪  
Cease to enchant with words that can so charm.  Mess. 
And Scarf about thy neck, my Ivory Arm  
practice upon thy lips the Energy  
Of sweet allurements, shoot into thine eyes  
Amorous glances stirring dalliance,  
Embracements, passions, such as shall beget  
Perpetual appetite, that all the gods  
May in beholding emulate our joy,  
Enveloped with pleasures sweetest sweets,  
ambrosiac kisses thus. Kiss.  Sil. 
Delicate Nectar.  Mess. 
Redoubled thus and thus. Kiss again double  Sil. 
O I am all Flame,  
A scorched enchanted flame and I shall burn  
To Cinders with delight, debarred to quench  
Fervour with fervour, violent flame with flames.  Mess. 
Thou art too noble a substance to embrace  
Thy wife Syllana, be sudden, kill her,  
She must not live.  Sil. 
How?  Mess. 
Be not ignorant,  

* Nam in Caium Silium Inventutis Romanae pulcherrimum ita exar serat, ut juniam syllanam, nobilem faminam matrimonio ejus exeurbaret vacuoque adultero potiretur. Tacit. Lib. 11.  That singular alone we must enjoy  
The freedom of thy body undebarred  
lest let to pleasure, by this I charm thee. Kiss.  Sil. 
O that delicious melting kiss prevails;  
Sucks dry the sweetness of a soul distressed,  
Poisons my blood and brain, and makes me apt  
To do an outrage▪ I should loathe to name:  
O if I ere was gracious in your sight, Sil. kneels.  
Desist fair beauties abstract, I implore;  
Spur me not on to murders horrid act  
Which I shall ever rue; let it suffice,  
I'm only yours, never Syllana's more;  
Sworn a perpetual exile from her bed,  Exit. Messalina. 
Vanished so soon, how wondrous strange seems this.  Enter Messallina with a Pistol. Mess. 
Death and destruction satisfy my will  
Or take't in thy bosom, I'm intemperate  
Briefly resolve.  Sil. 
Hold, be not so respectless  
Of him that loves you dearer than his life▪  
Dreadless of death I speak it, what is death?  
A bug to scar th'ignoble cowards mind  
The valiant never; did the Fates conspire  
And terrible death in the most horrid shape  
It e'er put on threat, despair, and ruin,  
Yet it should ne'er affright the soul of Silius;  
Th'impatient sudden cause of discontent  
In your rare worth, only torments me more  
Than were I racked upon Ixion's wheel  
To perpetuity; be gracious then  
To him that does repent, confess his error,  
Seal't with this kiss.  Mess. 
Did Lucius Catiline  
Spare wife nor child, for orestillas' love,  
And must our high born savours be slighted  
Put off with bare persuasives.  Sil. 
Oh be pleased.  Mess. 
Let mighty Queens, majestic eminence  
In the high pitch of their ambition learn  
Of us to hate corivalls in their love  
Trampling the Torch of hymeneal rites  
Under their seat.  Sil. 
The attractive force  
Of those amazing eyes those glorious lights  
Fixed in the Firmament of your sweet face  
Shall make me undergo the worst of ill,  
Though with the forfeiture of life I hazard  
A death more terrible than Alcides was.  Mess. 
I love thee now, like to a burning glass  
thoust fired a fresh th'affection of my mind  
More violent than ever▪ be gone, be gone,  
Hasten syllana's death then come to Court,  
There the Imperial Diadem of Rome  
Dreadless of Caesar shall impale thy Front  

* Messallina nomen matrimonij cum Cajo Silio concapivit; ob magnitudinem infamia; cujus apud prodigos novissima voluptas est Tacit.  Like jove and juno in a nuptial knot,  
we'll knit the bands of Hymen, and out shine  
The glorious Tapers of the golden Sun,  
Whirl through the stately streets of spacious Rome  
Like glistering Phaeton in an Orient chair.  
That with the bare report, swift fame shall strike  
Amazement through the world Monarchal state  
All-gazing eyes fixed on our rich attire  
Languish in dreams our stately state admire.  Sil. 
Ravished in thought panting amazed I stand  
At your Harmonious speech Emphatical.  
Ambitious blood, like to the Banks of Nile  
o'er flows this Orb of man's circumference,  
And points my actions thus their way to ill  
Aspiring Arms lavolta when they kill. Exit Sil▪ Presenting his naked Poniard.  
Go the influence of whose power stars,  
Mounts thy imperial lot to set aloft  
On the high Orb of our affection,  
Like the bright rising oriental Sun,  
When it salutes Aurora; 'bove the choice  
Of five and twenty jove-like Ganimends,  
Who charmed, and wrapped in wanton dalliance,  
Live fired with admiration; O pleasing,  
More pleasing sweet to my insate desire,  
Then was to Sinon ilion's lofty fire.  Mess. 
Shall Messallina in her flourishing youth  
Like dull and tame, Nobility live cooped,  
Confined and mewed up singular to one;  
No Caesar no, 'twere fool's Philosophy,  
And I abjure't; there is no music in't,  
Those of our Sex the minds of sots contain  
And are of no brave spirits that deny  
Pleasure, the heaven of my Idolatry.  Enter Saufellus and Lepida. Lep. 
Plagues yet unfelt light on thee mischievous  
Slave, villain, dog, murderer rot as thou livest.  Mess. 
Mother the cause of your distemperature.  Lep. 
Murder in thee, in thee thou wicked Imp  
And that thy substitute by the ordained  
'gainst the most noble minds of chastity,  
Whose innocent blood like th' Atlantic sea  
Looks red with murder, and cries out to heaven  
For justice and revenge; O hadst thou first  
Then been the Author of so foul a fact  
Made thy own passage, happy woman I.  Mess. 
Beldame give o'er, or I'll disclaim all smoothness,  
there's nothing done that's wished undone by us.  Lep. 
1st even so, then too too ill farewell  
truth's story shall relate to after times  
My love to thee; hate to thy desperate crimes.  Mess. 
Pish to your chamber dotard be advised.  Sauf. 
Go and a mischief damn you, and all your  
Pitiful Sex.  Mess. 
We do commend thy care,  
joy i'th' performance of our strict command,  
Which shall from hence forth style thee favourite  
To us, that will command thy fortunes rise.  Sauf. 
And all those fortunes, favours, life and all,  
Shall like an Atlas undergo the weight  
Of your imperious will, be it toth' death  
Of Parents, massacre of all my kin,  
To exceed the devil, act any sin.  Mess. 
For which we thus enseam thee, Kisses him.  Sauf. 
O Dulce,  
Divinest goddess whom my soul adores,  
Multiply that sweet touch of rare delight,  
And from the Garden of Hesperides,  
Those delicate delicious ruby lips,  
Make me immortal, quench, quench the burning heat  
Which like th'immoderate thirst of Tantalus,  
(Scorching the meadows of my solid flesh)  
Dries up the Rivers of my crimson blood,  
And as the gaping tongue tide earth for rain  
Opens her grief, so in my looks behold,  
View my distress; make me to live or die.  Mess. 
Grasp me Saufellus; let's have a sprightly dance,  
Swift footing apts my blood for dalliance.  Sauf. 
Music, rich music there; O that my skill  
Could transcend mortal.  Mess. 
Tush: we'll accept thy will.  Dance a Coranto. Enter Lepida. Sauf. 
What devil sends her back,  Mess. 
Pish mind her not.  Lep. 
Nature constrains me back, what though dismayed  
Shall I desist, O then she's lost for ever,  
No; I will bend with fairest fair demean.  
To save her soul I'll make my foot my head,  
Mothers were Monsters else not truly bred,  
Give my speech once more freedom.  Mess. 
You'll force us through unmannerly exclaims  
To rest the strictness of our dread command  Lep. 
I come not bent with wrath, but to implore  
On bended knees, with penitential tears,  
T'appease the Gods for thy full Sea of sin,  
Such is a mother's love, and such is mine;  
Prove thou my like, thy soul shall never fall  
Into those damned sins it nourisheth;  
Which like a ponderous argosy full fraughted,  
Cuffed on the mountain top of some big wave,  
In the descent, falls on the fearful Rock  
And splits in pieces irrecoverable.  
So fatal death upon the wings of night  
Whirls the black soul in her triumphant Car  
To the Tartarian vales; where crowned in flames,  
Tumbling descend to dreadful orcus' Cell,  
That merciless pit of bottomless despair,  
To fry in those blue flames of fear for ever,  
In never ending endless pain for ever.  
If mother's tears were e'er of force to move,  
Let these of mine take place; strive to repent,  
Think what a horrid thing it is to see  
There is fear above us; fear still beneath us,  
Fear round about, and yet no fear within us.  Mess. 
I do begin to melt.  Lep. 
heaven's blessings on thee.  Sauf 
And hell's curse on thee; 'tis high time to speak,  
O be yourself divinest fair on earth,  
This idle superstitious lecturing  
Proceeds of malice; what? to make you child  
And slave to her desires.  Lep. 
O impious devil.  Mess. 
No more, live and be thankful.  Exit. Mess. and Saufel. Lep 
Ha, how's that?  
Live and be thankful; am I then contemned  
Is all my labour in a moment lost.  
Live and be thankful; sure I do but dream,  
It cannot be, nature against itself  
Should so rebel; O fool, fool that I am  
With vain hope thus to play the flatterer.  
Mors erumnatum quies; mors omnibus finis.  
Dissolve the glassy pearls of mine eyes,  
That Niobe-like I may consume in tears,  
And nevermore behold day light again.  
Pish, all this is but talk; and talk I must,  
Fly from me soul and turn my earth to dust.  
Must I then live to see my daughter's shame,  
Crack, crack poor heart; stern death let fly thy dart,  
Send my sad soul to the Elizium shades  
That there it might drink Lethe, and forget  
It ever lived in this mortality.  
Parcae dispatch; when, when I say; no, no,  Falls distracted. 
Then will I act Medea's murdering part  
Upon my stain of blood▪ that gods and men  
May sit and laugh, and plaudite my revenge.  
Ye dismal sisters of the fatal night,  
Rise, rise, and dance hells round lays for joy,  
Rhamnusia finds employment for you all.  
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow.  
Note with your grim aspects the courts of Kings,  
See how the politic statesman for his ends,  
Sits hammering mischief; and how Toadlike swells  
Bombast with treasons riches; see there's lust,  
Brave Madam, lust temptations painted whore  
Divinely worshipped by the bastard brood  
Of knaves and fools.  
Ye dread and ireful furies is't not true.  
Why then employ your burning whips of steel,  
Lash with eternal lashes, there, there, there,  
Excellent Furies how you do excel,  
So, so, so, so, 'tis holy day in hell.  Syllana drawn out upon a Bed as sleeping, to whom Silius with a light Torch enters. Sil. 
O what a fiery combat feels my soul,  
The Genius good and bad that weights on man,  
Shakes natures frame, trembles this Microcosm,  
There virtue pleads for sleeping innocence,  
For love, true love, chaste thoughts, and virtuous acts  
Which entertained within a constant breast  
Makes man triumphant crowned immortal blessed.  
But O the ponderous plummets of black vice,  
Suppress those pure imaginations,  
Which break like lightning only for a flash,  
Wanting the true material to impel,  
And to continue this false clock of life  
From its exorbitant course; such like are  
Majestic title, and the Empress,  
That unpeered excellence, bewitching dalliance▪  
Soul of temptation sweet, so charms all sense,  
Virtue I loathe, like politic states whose good  
Depends on ill, work their attempts in blood.  Syla. 
O my affrighted soul art thou there sweet  
Then am I safe; 'twas but a dream I see,  
A waking walking in my sleep wherein,  
methought I saw near to a riverside,  
Two lovely Turtles sit, like morn in May,  
Adorned with all the glories of the Spring,  
Their loves to either seemed to sympathize,  
And with such sober chastity connex,  
That their two hearts (as true loves ever should,  
Like fire and heat inseparate a like)  
Showed like the splendour of a heart that lived  
In sacred flames; in unextinguished flames  
Of chaste desires, free from the tainted spot  
Of petulant dalliance, till temptations snare  
Appeared Parthenope like; that with her charms  
Worked so effectual on the Turtle Male,  
He (like Troy, firebrand, falsely that forsook  
Unpitied Oenon) not alone content,  
Alone forlorn, t'abjure his lovely mate,  
But back returned his black intents to further,  
And to the height of lust he added murder  
The very thought seemed daggers to my breast,  
That with the fear I waked.  Sil. 
To sleep thy last.  Presents his lombard to her. Syl. 
Light of my life how's that?  Sil. 
Briefly this;  
I'll be your dream's expositor thou must die;  
Die by this hand, this fatal instrument  
Nor must I seem to yield a slave to pity.  Sil. 
Sure, sure I dream, dream still, if not tell, O  
Tell me my better self, whose killing words,  
Wounds crueler than death; what cause, what offend  
What ill desert in me, that wronged you never,  
The Gods me witness bear.  Sil. 
'tis for no fault sustained on thy behalf,  
No; 'tis the Empress Doom.  Syl. 
She; nay then.  Sil. 
'Tis thee; that model of creation,  
Must through thy death participate alone  
All that is man in me; And to that end  
With sweetest concord of discording parts,  
Out sings the sirens, fires this mansion  
With haut, Ambition, Rome's imperial crown,  
And therefore I must kill; or else forgo  
All those bright shining glories, which what fool  
Would be so nice.  Syl. 
Is there then no hope,  
No comfort, no remorse; must I depart  
Where I shall never see thy face again,  
Never behold those joys, which Hymen's Rites  
Were wont to crown with true love's flames,  
Is there no remedy.  
Farewell vain world, my life is such a toy,  
I will not with to live, t'abate thee joy.  
Yet ere I go, grant this one courtesy,  
'Tis the last kindness you shall ever give,  
Place 'gainst my heart thy deadly pointed steel,  
So, now farewell; death is for me most meet,  
Strike sure and home, I do forgive thee sweet.  Sil. 
Bravely resolved, and I'll perform thy will  
As bravely thus, Pretending a violent stab he flings away the Poniard.  
Not to be Emperor of the spacious earth,  
Live, live Syllana free.  Syl. 
Is't possible,  
Twixt fear and hope struck through with deep amaze  
I waver doubtful.  Sil. 
Cease admiration  
And be sure of this, though I must confess  
I hither came Armed with a full intent  
To take thy life, yet Silius ne'er shall add  
To his libidinous life, a murderer's name.  
Of illa, 'tis ever best, the worst to shun,  
By murder's murderers souls are oft undone;  
I wish I were far better than I am.  

* Neque Sillus fiagitii aut periculi nescius erat; sed certo fi abnueret exitio, & nonnulla fallendi spe, simul magnis pramiis, opperiri futura, & praesentibus frui pro solatio habebat, Tarit.  But since without my most assured ruin  
It cannot be; being so far engaged  
Into the Empress favour, I must on  
Make use of some device cloaked with deceit,  
That far beyond persuasion may enforce  
Thy death's belief.  Syl. 
Kill, O kill me rather.  
Be not far crueler to thyself then death  
To put to hazard on so slight a ground  
Thy life for mine; I know the Empress  
That if least notice of my life she hear,  
Not ireful Nemesis in swift revenge  
Could be more speedy.  Sil. 
Pish, I will so work  
You shall not need to fear, therefore as I,  
At court with my continuance must make way  
To clear suspect; use you the matter so  
Among your noble Family whereby  
Argos eyed Envy descry me not; I  
Shall securely live dreadless of danger.  Syl. 
Though you had struck my body full of wounds  
And I survive, my fierce revenge should he  
Good against ill, how to preserve your life.  Sil. 
thouart the true Emblem of a perfect wife,  
For whose rare virtue, from my soul I wish  
All husbands were the same, in that right way  
A perfect husband truly aught to be.  
Which since in me (ordained by powerful Fate)  
Never to be avoided backward runs,  
Let my recursion from thy mind expel,  
That Serpent foe to life; sad griefs extreme.  
As grossly vain in being remediless, and  
Therefore shun it, patient conjuence  
Is the calm of trouble, best cure 'gainst care,  
Gives greatness best content in mean estate.  
Why do I then (like Godless villains) tell,  
The way t'heaven, yet lead the path to hell.  
Minds that will mount into superior state,  
Climb mischief's Ladder; virtuous actions hate.  
Yet is't not so with Silius; I do love  
Those virtues in another, though I want  
The like performance; nor shall my high aim,  
Raised on advancements top do me more good,  
Then th'enjoining free from the act of blood.  
But I protract delay, there's danger in't;  
Video meliora, proboque, deteriora Sequor.  
Never was man so infinitely  
Bewitched; charmed, and enchanted as is Caius  
Silius, to leave a constant wife; farewell,  
We must part.  Syl. 
Must, must, O wretched word of  
Mischievous command; must we part.  Sil. 
We must; nay prithee weep not sweet,  Syl. 
Blessings like drops of rain shower on thy soul,  
O that I might part dying in thine arms.  Sil 
Farewell.  Syl. 
Farewell.  Sil. 
Tears want their remedy,  
There is no striving, 'gainst our destiny▪  Exeunt.   

ACT. 3.  

SCENE. 1.  Enter Annaus Mela. Mela. 
MY brother gone to exile and I here,  
So near the Empress Court, the Court of shame,  
Where mischiefs hourly breed; how strange seems this,  
I have a will to follow, yet I want  
My will's performance; not that I am sick,  
Wanting, or limbs, or liberty; which begets  
More strange imaginations, yet all I can,  
Comes short to guess th'inscrutable meaning  
That thus detains me here, in vain, in vain▪  
The more I strive my senses I confound,  
Then give it o'er, salute thy mother earth,  Lies down 
And rest, rest while thy poor distracted mind  
Upon the wings of thought takes flight and fly  
Fly to the Island of Corcyra there,  
Learn the soul's comfort sweet Philosophy,  
What infinite good 'tis to contemplate heaven,  
For to that end the life of man is given.  Enter Montanus in disguise. Mon 
Prove prosperous my design upon this  
Brother to the banished Seneca,  
Are you caught Sir?  Snatcheth Mela's Sw● from behind him. Mel. 
Ha, villain what art thou.  Mon. 
A murderer and villain, O Sir,  
'Tis the best thriving trade and best employed  
'Gainst such malevolent Satirists as you.  
You that are all for virtue, a mere word,  
When indeed there's no such thing; say there be  
None truly loves it but dies beggarly.  Mel. 
Slave, rather dispatch me then torment my soul  
With thy envenomed scoffs 'gainst that that is  
Most rare, most excellent.  Mon. 
A little more,  
And then I'll speed you, excellent Ladies  
Cannot disable with a charming spell,  
(A trick of wit, a humour that they have)  
Husbands they not affect; making free way  
For Atlas' backs to leap their lovely laps,  
But your Satirical censure straight must pass,  
Th'ones pride's scab-hammed Rascals, and the 〈◊〉  
mischief's venereal Trulls; these are fine terms,  
Pray who made you a censurer of manners.  Mel. 
O slave,  Mon. 
T'upbraid such eminent persons  
What madness durst the like, deserv'st not death,  
Yes, yet your life is safe, pass but your vow  
T'embrace a beauty I shall bring you to,  
(More delicate than was the Spartan Queen)  
One that shall pay large tribute night by night,  
Give thee thy weight in gold for each delight.  Mel. 
Not I, I yield my body mercenary slave  
To lust and lucre, no, though mines of gold  
She could give oftener than those whorish looks  
Women take pride in, to bewitch men's souls;  
First parched to Cinders, 'gainst the burning Zone,  
Be buried quick▪ all torments possible,  
(Stretched on the Tenters of invention)  
I gladly would (most willingly) endure  
ere thy soul killing proffers enters here.  Mon. 
No?  Mel. 
Pish, for my death, there's too much man in me  
To fear so sleight a scratch; let it come,  
I will no budge a foot; strike fair and home,  
'tis better die then live to live unjust,  
Slave to th'unsounded Sea of woman's lust.  Mon. 
Are you so confident, have at you Sir,  Offers to run at him and flings down the Weapon. 
Your love, your love, 'tis only that I seek  
I am no villain, though I seemed in show  
But one that fearful in these dangerous times  
For to retain a friend; led on by hope  
Of your fair life, whom envy in your foes  
Reports no less of; caused me through disguise,  
To put to trial your unvalued worth,  
Which beyond man I find of such pure mould,  
Sunlike your virtues outshine purest gold.  Mel. 
Believe me Sir there's no such thing in me  
Worthy your least Encomium.  Mon. 
But there is  
A miracle, which but in me in part,  
Through friendship's dear respect incorporate.  
And you shall bind me everlastingly  
To bless the hour we met.  Mel. 
As I am slow,  
To friendship's confidence (as 'tis requisite  
For every one, and yet once entered in  
Affect stability, judge you the same,  
A man that truly sensative well knows,  
Virtue to be but merely adjective;  
Wanting that sovereign sweetness which directs  
The mind to honest Actions; and therefore,  
As friendship joins with virtue; truly is,  
The lover of love; each true friend's property,  
By that true blessing, sundry, will connexion  
Our hearts as hands unite, dilate affection,  
That th'enlarged length, orbicular may spread  
And ne'er find end.  Mon. 
So am I yours.  Mel. 
You mine.  Mon. 
Unparalleled is that love where friends combine▪  Enter Valens, Proculus, Menester. 
Here comes the top top gallants of the time.  Mel. 
The fools of the time; how are we bound to heaven  
Exempt the bondage of these Palace Rats,  
These, whose delights are last provocatives.  Mon. 
Let us withdraw, and seem to mind them not.  Men. 
Was men ere blessed with that excess of joy  
Equal to ours; to us that feel no want  
Of high court favours life's licentiousness;  
Kings have their cares, and in their highest state,  
Want those free pleasures crown us fortunate.  Val. 
O happy state.  Mel. 
Glorious slave.— Aside.  Val. 
Thrice happy,  
I'd not change Earth for jove's felicity.  Pro. 
Nor I, who would, what inconsiderate he  
For such a Mistress as the Empress  
would be so dull, as not make use of Art,  
Forcing the bodies jovial able might,  
To yield her expectation full delight.  Mon. 
Libidnious Goat.— Aside.  Val. 
I'd do't, though Phaeton like,  
The hot receipt should fire this Fabric.  Men. 
When I commemorate her excellence,  
How lavish lovely dalliance free proceeds  
From that rarity of perfection, O  
How I'm ravished; ravished in thought as well,  
As with the Act; which breeds no wonder though  
High jove trans-shaped him to Amphitrio  
To taste the pleasure of Alcmena's bed;  
Needs must such prodigal sweets mad thoughts of  
Men; when power t'attract the Gods▪  Mel. 
Impious Lechers.— Aside.  Mon. 
Silence, mark the event.— Aside.  Val. 
I that know none more worthy than myself  
Of true regard and worth; would be resolved  
What's he, that bears the valiant mind of man  
Dares for his mighty sovereign Mistress more  
than Urctius Valens.  Pro. 
That dare I, I dare;  
Pond that thou art to question such a toy,  
Were thy power equal to thy daring pride,  
Proculus dares do more.  Men 
Nor thou, nor he,  
Not Valens nor Proculus though you both,  
Both durst as much as he durst cuckold jove  
Menester would transcend you.  Val. 
That our bloods decide.  All draw, exposed to a Triple sight round. Pro. 
A Spirit of valour.  Men. 
Let it come.  Enter Messallina and Saufellus above. Mess. 
What killing objects, this presents our eyes,  
Our Favourites turned fighters must not be,  
Descend Saufellus, know the cause, we'll follow.  Val. 
Stand all so firm, this Seal express my rage.  Pro 
Mine this, Wound each other.  Men. 
This mine  Enter Saufellus. Sauf. 
Hold, hold, you're wounded all;  
As you'll incur our Empress deep displeasure  
Hold, and resolve why thus you have exposed  
Your lives to danger.  Enter Empress. Mess. 
Whence proceeds this fray.  Men. 
From that concerns the credits of best men  
Which of us three in our affections prized  
Your excellence most.  Mess. 
And was that the cause?  
we do embrace and preciously account  
The vigour of your loves; so you no more  
So full of spite, let prosecute your hate.  
With the like hardy daring, 'twill not please.  
We should esteem your jars ridiculous  
Issuing from brainless wit discerned in others.  
And as 'tis common to our eminent Sex,  
Triumph instate, and glory in your falls;  
Yet th'operation of your loves so works,  
That it scruze ours to judge the contrary.  
Dry up your wounds with care; then come to court  
Love shall entrance your souls; prepare for sport.  Exit Messallina and Saufel. Val. 
I'll study Art in love for recompense.  Pro. 
My love shall mount.  Men. 
Mine yield profuse expense.  Exeunt Favourites. Mon. 
Here was a storm of mischief soon blown o'er,  Mel. 
'Twas to preserve them for a wicked life,  
But since these complices are gone that are  
Not worth lest memory; behold this book,  
Set my dear friend, and I will read to thee  
Of that high Majesty puissant Ens,  
From whom we have our being, life, and soul,  
Which should dull flinty inconsiderate man,  
When with black deeds i'th' miry bog of sin,  
Beast like he wallows; considers right,  
Thinks on his present state (whence came and must)  
Then on that terrible Thunderer that sees,  
His actions kick at heaven; he then no more  
Would dare t'offend his Maker, but with tears,  
Lament his soul's pollution, which doth give  
Matter, by which men's souls immortal live,  
But through an unfrequented heaviness  
I am prevented.  Mon. 
Repose a while I'll read.  Enter Empress and Saufellus above. Emp. 
Make us celestial happy with thy news,  
Art thou sure 'tis he.  Sauf. 
'Tis, 'tis Montanus,  
Sure as I live, I took full view of him  
Before and after the fight; then with drawn  
Within you grove of Oakes.  Emp. 
My hearts on fire  
To clip him; fly swift as thought Saufellus  
Conduct him to our Paradise of joy,  
If he escape desire then confound us,  
We only viewed him once, but then the time  
Crossed our desires; blessed opportunity  
That makes our happiness a very heaven  
we'll build an Altar, and erect a shrine  
That shall eternize thee for this; were't my brother  
Resembled him we so entirely love,  
we'd force him ravish pleasure if not kill  
Be a Semiramis to sate our will.  Enter Saufellus. Sauf. 
Haile to Montanus.  Mon. 
Sir the like to you.  Sauf. 
'Tis th'empress pleasure you attend her will.  Mon. 
Know you the cause.  Sauf. 
Delay not with demands theyare frivolous  
Will you along.  Mon. 
Your favour sir a while;  
I'll but awake my friend, (Soho) sleepy still,  
Pray heaven this heaviness imports no harm.  Exeunt. Mel. 
How's this, my friend departed, I alone,  
I know not what to think, 'tis very strange,  
He thus unwaked would leave me; sure he strived,  
Yet I so fast, that he no doubt was loath  
To break my rest; 'tis so, and some chief cause  
Which I might well dispense with drew him hence.  
I'll to his father's house, there certain find  
Or hear of him. Exit.  oboes. A Banquet, to it Montanus is ushered in state by Saufellus and others, who placing him depart; oboes cease, and solemn Music plays during his speech. Mon. 
O Potent lust, thou that hast power to make  
The valiant and the wise, coward, and fool,  
I'm not so dull, but that I know thee now.  
Now comprehend why Music breathes delight,  
And why this banquet; why both presents themselves  
To be my slaves; 'Tis to make me a slave  
To lust; that deadly potion of the soul,  

* x Trauli quidem Montano equitis Romani, defensio 〈◊〉 est, u modesta juventa, sed corpore insigni, accitus ultro noctesque intra unam a Messallina proturbatus erat, paribus lasciviis ad cupidinem & fastidio. Tacit.  Whose poison quaffed, kills body and the soul.  
That's the main end of these harmonious strains,  
These stirring meats, which unto me appear,  
Like those blue flames the damned taste in hell.  Enter Empress by degrees, gazing at him. 
Celestial Angels guard me, now she comes,  
And I so ill prepared, ay, know not what,  
A sudden earthquake trembles natures frame,  
Which like a falling Pine tree to and fro,  
Uncertain where to fall, it tottering stands.  
She's most bewitching sweet, I fear, I fear,  
She will o'er come; now I begin to burn,  
To scorch, like to the coals of Aetna; strike  
Me eternal winter with thy frosts; quench  
Quench this hot combustion in my blood,  
And if I needs must fall, O sacred powers  
Benumb my senses so, that I may taste  
No sweetness in the Act, yield no delight.  Emp. 
Thus long with admiration we have stood  
To gaze on thy perfections, precious shape  
Why dost thou shake? why stare? as rapt in wonder  
Why dumb? or think'st thy happiness a dream  
This kiss confirm thee ours; entrance thy soul  
To stir loves-panting appetite while thus  
We clip thee in our Arms, embrace thee thus.  Mon. 
O—  Emp. 
That's love's Alarum, to bed, to bed,  
To Venus' field, there combat for love's treasure  
Swim in excess of joy, there ravish pleasure.  Exeunt. Enter Mela. 
To thee fair fortune in divinest sense,  
In whom all excellence inclusive is,  
To that high power, I invocate impore.  
If pleased, direct where I may find my friend,  
Fill when, I fitly may assimilate  
The restless acquiescence of my mind,  
To the perpetual motion of a wheel.  
That by the force of water restless turns  
The vigour of the torrent left unstopped.  
So the strange absence of my noble friend,  
Suffers th'insulting torrent of sad grief,  
(Tyrannic-like upon the wheel of sense)  
To rack my restless rest, which I must bear,  
'Tis vain to strive 'gainst sorrow's stream to swim,  
Man hath no power on grief, grief power on him;  
What's he declines his visage to the ground,  
Is't not my friend? 'tis he, happily met.  Enter Montanus dejected in countenance. Mon. 
hellcat no more, no more of thy embrace,  
Findest thou my body enemy to lust  
And yet again attempts me.  Mel. 
How's this?  Mon. 
Keep off insatiate Empress, I'll no more,  
Poison of Monsters, the blood of Nessa's  
Dam up thy Curtian-gulph-like appetite;  
May furies fright thy whorish fortitude  
Dancing lavoltoes in the very act  
And damn you.  Mel. 
Save him divine assistance,  
For he's lost; mistake not I'm thy friend  Mon. 
'tis so, and I am happily mistook,  
Thy pardon worthy friend, it was my fear  
Of further ill; made me forget myself  
Distracted sense, as well it might, Other's  
A strange deed passed.  Mel. 
I fully comprehend,  
By that distemper lately in your blood.  
'Twas Music's sweetest concord to my soul,  
To hear with what a cold performance  
Th'act was wrested from you, happy prevention,  
How like a doubtful battle it hath made  
The victory more joyful; which had else,  
Had you replenished those soul-killing sweets,  
No means for safety then, but fall you must,  
A prey to slaughter, or a slave to lust.  
But since with heaven's prevention you are free,  
Fly Rome; the impious maladies she breeds,  
Experience tells, are hooks to catch at souls.  
Therefore to be avoided, there's no trust  
To trust to stay, where such infection reigns.  
Who is at all times one; in that right way  
Man ought to be, being circumvolved 'mong those,  
That by the Plummets of licentious will  
Measure their virtues; 'tis impossible.  
The scholar, He, in whom there doth consist  
Honest conditions, and within whose heart  
there's many virtues make their residence,  
Though with night watchings at his study site,  
Wasting his vital spirits (not unlike  
His burning Tapor) to illuminate  
Others the way that leads to the direct,  
From superficial to essential joy,  
Even he, ill company corrupts, directs  
To the indirect; so that some one vice  
Robs him of all his virtue: The Soldier  
That magnanimous resolution,  
He that leaves nothing unattempted  
May tend to the honour of his country,  
Ill company poisons with self conceit,  
Cankers with envy; till on the rack of  
Haute ambition stretched, like stubble set  
On fire he prove a flame.  
And therefore to prevent us, 'gainst all ill 'gainst  
Wisdom commands our absence, truly knows,  
Man at the best, his power to do is little  
His state obnoxious, at the best most brittle.  Mon. 
Your counsel points my actions their true way  
To immortality, forewarns to fly,  
The dire event of future Tragedy  
Which as the flame, the fire of force must follow  
By th'empress bloody project; that Monster  
In nature, in this the emperor's absence,  
Mounts on the highest Spire of infamy,  
Resolves to join in Hymeneal bands  
With Cajus which Silius quaint vallanie,  
To put in speedy practice, he last night  
Arrived at Court.  Mel. 
There let their impudence,  
For glassy glories of Monarchal state  
Engender sin with sin, flatter their hopes,  
While our souls fixed on contemplation  
Make for the I'll of Corce, (come my dear  
Friend there on the Tyrrhen shore we'll practise  
man's sole perfection to be heavenly wise.  Exeunt.   

ACT. 4.  

SCENE. 1.  Enter Empress, Silius, Virgilianus, Calphurnianus. Valens, Proculus, Menester and Saufellus with attendants. Sil. 
YOur Excellence that too, too gloriously  
Resembles your rare Sex; succeeding times  
Shall to the end of time, gaze and admire,  
Wonder at your high prudence, which to the  
Combination of our Nuptials, hath charmed  

* Nihil compositum miraculi causa. Tacit.  Dull Caesar to a free consent, behold;  Shows the confirmation of the marriage. 
There you whose loves do ever bind me yours  
May view my fortunes like a valley rise  
Above those hills that will admit no clouds,  
there's a full grant wherein you may discern  
My glories in this admirable lemme.  Val. 
'Tis a fit bound unto your boundless glory.  Men. 
Not Ninus,  
Was e'er more dull, more easily entrap  
Then Rome's ridiculous Emperor Claudius.  Vir. 
Ridiculous indeed here 'tis confirmed.  Emp. 
read it Virgilianus.  Ver 
The marriage of our Empress with Cajus  

* Nam illud omnem fidem excesserit, quod nuptiis quas Messallina cum adultero Silio feceras, tabellas dotis & ipse consignaverit: inductus, quasi de industria simulat ent●●, ad overtendum transferendum que periculum imponere ipsi po● quaedam, ostenta portenderetur. Sueton.  Silius we fairly like; and to that end, Read.  
(For approbation of our Copious Grant)  
With our imperial signet willingly  
Have sealed this assurance, granting a Dower  
Out of our Treasury to be exhausted,  
And of our royal pleasure to be given  
With her our only happiness on earth.  
By whose persuasions we are confident  
The said Nuptials, to be but colourably,  
Only of purpose t'avert the danger  
Of certain prodigies, aimed at our loss  
Of life and Empire.  Calp. 
This credulity in Caesar, was by  
Her highness excellently managed.  Sauf. 
Sure  
jove's high love to his loved Ganymede  
Descends in triumph on the Noble Silius.  Val. 
Else, how should the means to his high aim,  
Free from the plots of blood thus fairly greet  
Without least flaw in safety.  Pro. 
True, true, nor  
Can it enter in my thoughts to think,  
What obstacle should bar his excellence  
From writing Emperor.  Men. 
None, not the least let;  
The people that are the Nerves of Empire  
All for the virtues of your noble Sire,  
dearly affect you; boldly rely on't  
At publication of this copious grant  
They'll add all majesty to your high fame.  Sauf. 
Their love to you and fear of prodigies  
Pretended for to dim dull Caesar's glory  
Will work constraint.  Val. 
Refresh to memory  
The Acts of blood that reigned in Scylla's days▪  Emp. 
Busy their brains, and put them still in mind  
That the black thoughts of Catiline survive  
For this prodigious Age to perpetrate.  Calp. 
Besides the Auspices, 'mong whom this grant  
Was signed, they by the Entrails of their beasts  
Firmly affirm (past contradiction)  
Your reign to be most safe and popular.  Vir. 
Which with the rest are piercing motives, that  
Of necessity (as food and raiment  
To the Body's health) will force the people  
Constant; they in their love and fear must make  
Your more than royal spirit most endeared  
That state best rules, rules to be loved and feared  Sil. 
Noble Romans, dear country men and friends  
These solid certainties you here pronounce  
In my behalf, which argues your firm friendship,  
The vengeful Gods must in their justice grant.  
Make me the Minister of Fate, dig up  
The dignities of Caesar's Race, and in  
The stead, plant monumental ruin, make  
The name wretched draw dishonoured breath,  
All the dire torments Furies can invent,  
Were all too little for my Father's loss,  
That memorable 〈◊〉▪ he that hath stood  
The fiery fervour of so many fights,  
Come bravely off, and saved this Empire.  
Gave unto Caesar Rome and servile senate  
Gave all their strength and being, and for all  
(Grown too too great examples for the times,)  
Plots were devised in recompense to kill,  
And that their machiavellian darkness, he  
No sooner scented, but in open senate  
Scorning Tiberius, and deaths base censure  
Exposed his life a sacrifice to valour.  
And for that fact, upon the blood and name,  
That caused so brave and famous an example  
For all free spirits, I'll be revenged after  
No common sort.  Val. 
Brave Silius go on, and  
Prosper, and command me ever  
And all.  Sil. 
The thanks 'mong Princes of ignoble brain  
That shines like rotten wood, serves petty use,  
The mind of Silius much much more than scorns,  
The grave Virgilianus, during the  
Life of Silius shall ne'er speak but with the  
Voice of Consul; he, Calphurnianus  
Vectius Valens, Proculus, Menester,  
And Saufellus Trogus, to all renown  
Command and wealth of Provinces shall flow,  
T'express the gratitude of Sillus, and  
Though last named, yet your bright excellence (the  
Which for gratitude ever remembered)  
Best in esteem and first; not unlike, to  
That rare gem reserved last to view for  
Worth and glory, to you all the delight  
This world of man affords I freely give.  Emp. 
Thy temper melts me my magnanimous Mate.  Sil. 
The Rites of Hymen, with next morrow's Sun  
Shall apt my blood unto the perfect height  
Of pleasure, love and eminence, lead on.  
Pompey nor Caesar, could endure a Mate,  
Nor Silius Claudius in superior state.  Exeunt omnes. Enter Narcissus, Pallas, Calistus. Nar. 
Emperor of empty brains z'heart I could curse,  
His soul to th' depth of Barathrum O—  Pal. 
Who but Claudius, unworthy of Empire,  
Drunk with the dregs of overlight belief  
Would be so grossly guled.  Cal. 
scared with the Bugs  
Of Babies.  Nar. 
A whore's invention, a drab  
Of state, a cloth of Silver slut, the tricks  
Of a tempting Tissue Troll, to push his  
Horns upon the Pikes of ruin, where he  
Should rot; rot; were't not to serve our own ends,  
Maintain that habit of perfection sure,  
Which till this sudden unexpected change  
Like Paste has worked him to what mould we pleased.  Pal. 
And must do still, or certainly we perish.  Cal. 
'Tis the prime policy, the heart of state,  
Which if with vigilance we not pursue,  

* Subibat fine dubis metus▪ reputantes hebetem Claudium & uxo 〈◊〉 devinctum. Tacit.  We lose, and in that loss lost for ever.  
Silius grows popular, and the people  
As 'tis their nature, ever covet change,  
They are as easy to be filled with errors,  
As for a lust-stung strumpet to take up  
To her dishonour; therefore as Sailors,  
That have for guide the South and North, sometimes  
To traverse and to cross their way, and yet  
Not lose their guide; so in the deep affairs  
Of such high consequence of state (as now  
The time concerns) we must for guide, detain  

* Agitavero; num Messallina secretis min i● depellerent amore Silij, cuncta alia dissimulantes deinde metu, ne ad perniciem ultro traherentur desistunt. Tasit.  The knowledge how to pierce the ends of those  
We most malign.  Pal. 
Thereby indeed man rarely  
Rests deceived, which for to put in speedy  
practice, and stop the marriage, you and I  
My Lord (under the veil of friendship) will  
To Rome; persuade the Empress Caesar is  
Himself; perceives that all her plots to his  
Destruction tends; the loss of Empire and  
Th' abuse of 'his bed, dissuaded her from the  
Love of Silius, which (in the refusal)  
Blood and fire must quench.  Nar. 
This put home  
With low submission, making her believe  
By cringes, creepings, and a Sinon's face,  
That all our care is only for her good,  
May work persuasion.  Cal. 
But not in her.  
There is no trust to such uncertainty,  
'twere deadly Stibium to our vital blood,  
Like that dire poison that's resistative  
'Gainst the most wholesome Antidotes of life.  
Weak minds of men they are, fit to be fooled,  
Slighted, add scorned, whose dull ignorance  
Knows not that women in their height of ill,  
Who bars them their delight, delight to kill.  
What will Valeria, Messallina, the  
Empress then; think you she will be slow,  
Whose hot Alarms in the very Act  
Within the circuit of a day and night  
Endured the test of five and twenty, came  
Off unwearied: A deed to quake the hearts  
Of virtuous Dames, think you she will be barred  
Dissuaded from the love of Silius, no,  
We cannot therefore (knowing that credit and  
Authority is far more safely for  
To be maintained with circumspect, then with  
Rash counsel) cannot I say be too too  
Wary, lest by any notice taken  
She take lest knowledge of our discontent  
Whose rugged thoughts unseen, must be smoothed o'er  
And with a pleasing veil, appear in show  
To like, and give full approbation  
Of the approbrious marriage, so to  
Secure us from suspect and peril,  
Undoubted death.  Nor. 
I fully apprehend,  
That so Rome's Siren in the height of pride;  
Silius and all the factious Complices  
Through wicked wedlock's jollity made drunk  
Drunk with the dregs of blind security.  
Then, than my pioning policies aloft  
(Of which my brain detains the Theoric)  
Shall apt a Time for vengeance unwithstood  
The thirst of their Ambition quench in blood.  
Till when sleep on, sleep on ye fools of fate,  
"Plots best-encounter plots, free from suspect,  
" Fly like the bolts of jove, firm in effect. Exeunt.  Cornets, Enter Empress and Silius crowned attended in state by the Auspices and their faction passing over the stage to the Temple, Lepida with her hair dishevelled wringing her hands meets them, they go off she speaks. Lep. 
Blessed be that sacred power which restored  
My senses lost, and in that perfect being  
Gives me the noble patience for to see,  
And suffers not mine eyeballs to drop out  
At sight of this my daughter's impudence,  
Shame that attends this wicked Nuptial Rites  
Now in the name of goodness, what means this  Enter Valens, Proculus, Menester and Saufellus. 
Whispering? what new mischief lies hatching  
In yonder bloody villains busy brain?  
In the discovery, counterfeit sleep,  
And madness be my mask.  Sauf. 
At the Bachanalian feast which now  
Draws nigh, than a rich stirring Mask will best  
Express itself in greatest glory; the  
Tunes for song I'll take that charge on me.  Val. 
For changes in each dance my brain shall work.  Sauf. 
What says Menester, he that has borne the  
Prize; leapt Madam Venus in her height of pride  
For graceful action and sweet Poesy.  Val. 
Now,  
Does he claw like a decayed Tradesman▪ when  
To maintain the wagging of his chaps  
His wives venereal Firkin must to Sale.  Men. 
Why? did you ne'er hear of a fellow, that  
By the scratching of his nimble pate,  
Worked your best pleasing project for a mask,  
Was well rewarded for't, when such as you  
For pains in song and dances laughed to scorn  
Poor simple sots▪ their payment was the horn.  Pro. 
O nimble Satirical vein.  Men. 
That's slow enough and dull at this time.  Sauf. 
What think you  
Of a wooden Cupid brought in, in  
An antic amble making it wag like  
The Apish head of a French Fiddler, when he  
firks with his Fingers.  Val. 
'Twill never take  
Unless you bring in the dapper dancer,  
With his la ta tat a teero tat a tant  
Ta ra rat a ta too rant tat a ta teero tat a too,  
Flinging away his legs, and screwing his face  
Into the fury of a thousand fools.  
whose's this? Mad-madam Lepida asleep.  Sauf. 
'tis well; else she'd rail faster than any  
City Puppet.  Pro. 
That's a horrid hearing.  Sauf. 
O a hell, none like it, let Scorpio's itch  
Reign in her middle sphere, fie how she'll  
Play the devil with Cuckold simplicity  
Her husband for want of performance, it  
Passeth all admiration, and that with  
No little wonder, yet demand the Act,  
And than you shall have my nice o'ercurious dame,  
Upon the Tiptoes of her apish pride,  
Protest, with O no— I will not wrong my  
Husband for earth's treasure, stand upon her  
Honesty, then smile, change in a moment,  
And then wantonise, mop, mew, bite lip and  
Wriggle with the bumbe to put a man in mind,  
Then touch, she'll gripe, and clip with a kiss,  
Melt into all the forms of Venery  
Thought can devise, and there's her honesty.  Men. 
O petulant pureness of defiled pitch,  
But you forget what actors are prepared  
In readiness for practice 'gainst the Masque.  Sauf. 
The vestal Virgins from the Temple hailed  
They shall supply that want 'tis so decreed  
By th' Empress strict command.  Lep. 
O horrible. Aside.  Sauf. 
All from the age of ten, to twenty five  
Must suffer Rape, and shall, stood hell in fight.  Val. 
Spoke like thyself my metropolitan  
Cut throat of chastity.  Sauf 
'Twill be excellent,  
Rare, I fat with laughter at the rich conceit,  
we'll play at Tennis with their maiden heads,  
fifty at a breakfast, shall not give me  
Content.  Lep. 
I say, virtues a Cipher in  
The hearts of great ones, and stands for nothing.  
What says your most approved judgements, your  
Single sole conceits I am sure will stand  
For bawdy Comedies, and ribald jests.  
Insinuate thou and so wax knavish wise,  
Thou a stampt villain, learn to temporise,  
Plot thou, and set friends hourly at debate,  
Cling to the surer side, the weaker hate,  
Turn Bawd at midnight, Dander to a Whore  
While lust in i'th' act (ye knaves) look to the door.  
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Exit.  Sauf. 
Laughs thou mad mawde  
Go with a burning mischief, Z'heart I could cut  
Her throat, but something in her looks there is  
That shakes me; what again.  Enter Lepida. Lep. 
Be thou,  
One that knows how to mix with perilous 〈◊〉.  
The deadly poison with the amorous dart,  
Drunk with conceit, that greatness bears the sway,  
Safely to act what villainy it may.  
Godge God-den I'll come again anon. Exit.  Sauf. 
But we'll prevent you, come Lords to Court,  
She shall be silenced or her tongue cut out.  Exeunt. Lep. 
Gone, O happy blessed blessed prevention  
That to mine ears unlocked the horrid sound  
The black intention of so foul a rape▪  
A hundred vestal virgins to be whored,  
First let the world dissolve and dissipate;  
To its first Chaos; O thou all seeing power  
Prostrate on bended knees, I here implore,  
Beg at thy mighty hands t' inspire my soul,  
Make me the substitute and holy means▪  
The sweet prevention of so horrid a  
Fact; O heaven 'tis granted, thanks Majesty  
Divine; work on my mind; thought happily  
Thought upon; a spacious vault I have, which  
Near adjourns unto the Vestals Temple;  
Thither this night by a back secret way  
I'll draw the holy maids (none will suspect  
Because all deem me mad) there by this hand  
Succour, relief, and safety shall attend  
Your noble souls; chaste maids live long and blessed,  
"Free from the bondage of black mischief's hands,  
" To virtuous Actions, heaven propitious stands.    

ACT. 5.  

SCENE. 1.  Enter Emperor, Narcissus, Pallas, Calistus. Emp. 
ARe we not Caesar?  
Is not Rome's Empire servile unto us?  
You mad me with your news.  Nar. 
Mad a Dog, a  
Cat, a Rat, you're too tame, want spirit  
To be mad, I am mad, mad to the depth  
Of madness; O I could tear my hair, to  
See you thus, thus senseless of your wrongs, but  
Do, do; be the grand Cuckold of this universe,  
Let Cajus Silius reign Rome's Emperor.  Pal. 
Loved of the people.  Cal. 
Honoured of the Senate  Nar. 
hurried in triumph through the streets of Rome▪  Pal. 
In Caesar's Chariot glistering like the Sun,  Cal. 
While Caesar, unlike Caesar calmly suffers.  Nar. 
Out of his Empire finely to be worked,  
Finely, betwixt the two hot Palms of lust.  Pal. 
Abused (forsooth) for fear of Prodigies.  Nar. 
That, that, O infinite shame in stately  
Majesty, to make yourself a never  
Dying scoff for ages yet unknown  
To point at you, for the most famous Cuckold.  Cal. 
The renowned Cuckold.  Pal. 
The high and mighty Cuckold.  Nar. 
Cuckold by five and twenty, all in the  
Short space of a day and night, O insatiate  
Bawdy villainy.  Emp. 
Damnation seize her,  
I will hear no more; misery of miseries,  
Impatience cramps my vital veins; that swell  
With fiery boiling rage, O I am a lump  
Of true vexation, tortured with torments  
Worse than those in hell, in hell, very hell;  
This body sure is not substantial, no  
I am all air, pierced through and through with storms,  
Incessant storms, that strike a terror to  
My panting soul, misery of marriage,  
Horned, and abused by every vastaile Groom  
Vessels of baseness, they shall buy it dear  
The high Sea of their daring pride must down  
All topsy-turvy to confusion turn:  
I will uncharm and never more be fooled  
Slave to those wonder darting eyes that strike  
Amazement through the world, those bewitching  
Lamps her eyes, fed with the oil of whorish  
Fortitude, (that like the Centaur's blood)  
divers the poison of hell furies rage  
Into my blood and brain, those false false eyes,  
Shall never more entice, because that I  
Will never see them more, they shall put out  
Their glory for a grave, there forgot.  
Scorned, and contemned of Caesar, lie and rot.  Nar. 
Now are you Caesar.  Pal. 
What you ought you are.  Cal. 
The high and mighty Roman Emperor.  Emp. 
But am I so indeed (for I'm amazed  
At my dull follies past) is't not too late  
To call back errors darkness, O tell me  
Narcissus, is not Silius Emperor,  
Usurps he not that name past reach to quell.  Nar. 
Confer on me that absolute command,  
Which Geta Captain of your guard now holds  
Over your soldiers here at Hostia,  
And ere the next Sun set his circular course  
The daring pride of all the faction,  
Cesar shall sit in senate, and their doom.  Emp. 
Sweetest revenge, honoured Narcissus draw  
Out the soldiers at thy free dispose  
Here's thy command Geta we do mistrust  Gives him a Ring. 
Thee only trust, accelerate revenge,  
That I may ebb the high swollen tide of wrongs,  
Which beyond limits tears my restless brain,  
Knits and then tears with infinite unrests  
If there be Hell, the devil and damnation  
'Tis man's delight in woman, insatiate  
Woman; that will do with the devil, O  
'Tis a fearful thing to be a Cuckold,  
Rolled up in wrinkles of fool patience,  
We hear they have a Masque, but rather, than  
Any of the lustful rout, make their escape  
Fire me the Palace, burn 'em in that Masque,  
It will be brave to see 'em dance in fire,  
Skip lecherous Antics in a boiling flame,  
That thus with raging passion, boiling, flames  
My most distracted brain; tortures no less,  
Than if on Caucasus we were exposed,  
A never dying prey to the eagle's beak.  
Such is the misery of marriage, where  
The besotted husband most affects, there 
* Trepidabatur nihilominis a Cesare, quip Gets pretorij praefecto haud satis fidebat, ad honesta seu prava juxta levi, etc. Tacit.   
To be most abused, Cuckold, Cuckold, Cuckold, O.  Exit Nar. 
After Calistus, t'appease his fury.  Exit Calistus. 
My Lord, I'll post to Rome, the people groan  
Beneath the Empress weight; 'tis mischievous  

* Multa martes jussu Messalina pat●atas. Tacit.  The bloody massacre of those Roman dames  
Murdered for hate to lust, affords plenty  
Of friends, to force the City gates open  
To our free entrance.  Pal. 
In sign whereof,  
From the high top, the temple of god Mars  
Let a bright burning Torch i'th' dead of night  
Waft our approach.  Nar. 
Like Sinon's unto Troy;  
Talk trifles time.  Pal. 
Farewell my noble Lord. Exit. Pa.  Nar. 
Till next we meet farewell, it is decreed  
I'th' height of pride murder and lust must bleed.  Exit. Nar. Enter Lepida and V. bidea, meeting each other. Lep. 
Now good Vibidia, thou virtuous Matron  
Of Rome's Vestal maids, say, are they all safe,  
Can they endure the vault, that wretched shift  
This wretched Age enforces,  Vib 
Best, best Lady,  
Thou Angel mother, of a Fiendlike child,  
All earthly similes are too too base  
To express thy admirable virtues,  
By you Rome's Vestal Virgins all are safe,  
Only by you preserved and kept from rape  
From being hurried in sad silence, unto  
The gate Colina, there in a deep pit  
To be put into, there buried alive,  
From that dire death which was at first ordained  
For unchaste vestals; by thee chaste vestals  
Live all preserved, to them their darksome vault  
Is far more glorious than the courts of Kings,  
For which upon my knees in blessed time,  
Wonder of women let me kiss thy feet.  Kneels. Lep. 
What means Vibidia?  Vib 
To reverence your steps,  
The earth, the very ground whereon you tread,  
For that's made holy by your sacred steps.  Lep 
Not unto me Vibidia but to heaven,  
To that let's kneel, to that omnipotence  
Which made this earth, let's both with holy zeal  Both kneel. 
Salute our mother earth in ardent love,  Kiss the earth. 
To heavens great Master.  A Noise within of Follow follow, follow. Vib. 
Now the good Gods preserve us.  Lep. 
Fly to the vault, I fear we are betrayed.  Exeunt. Enter Saufellus, Hem and Stitch with Lights. Sauf. 
Search, search about,  
My Genius whispered in mine ears last night  
The vestals lodged within this mad Maud's house  
She dies for't, while the chaste puppets we will  
Drag to court, there ravish and there kill,  
'I will prove an excellent closing to the Masque.  Hem. 
How if we find them no▪ (my Lord)  Sauf. 
Find or find not, for that I'm sure theyare here  
we'll fire the house and flame it into Air.  Hem. 
The ground shakes, I sink,  Thunder and lightning, 〈◊〉 gapes and swallows the three murders by degrees. 
zounds Hems hemmed to the earth  
I cannot stir.  St. 
Nor I I sink, Stitch sinks  
Had we our names for this, a vengeance of  
All false Stitches, they have stitched me, O horror.  Sauf. 
How's this.  Hem. 
Hell and confusion Sink both.  St. 
devils and Furies Sink both.  Sauf. 
Horror of darkness, what dread sight is this  
What black Red-raw-eyed witch hath charmed this ground▪  
Sink'st thou my limbs supporter; must I yield,  
Dost thou then faint proud flesh, mount mount my blood,  
And like Enceladus out dare thy fate,  
O that my wish were suited to my will  
Now would I cuckold all the world, leave not  
A man unhorned, a maid unraped, beget  
A brood of centaurs to supply, and work  
The world's confusion; ha more horror yet,  Thunder. Enter Angel, three murdered Dames with revenge threatening. 
Why silly dames, I confess your murders,  
But to repent the fact, know that my heart.  
Is like the Corsic Rock, more hard; far more  
Unpassable than chimaera mount, what's  
That in white there, what so e'er it be; the  
Majesty it bears, trembles my sinews,  
O how it shakes me; came Furies clad in  
Flames, not all hell's tortures, th'affrights & horrors  
Equals the thousand part the pains I feel  
Through sight of that, that flaming Crystal, sink  
Me O— earth; Pindus and Ossa cover  
Me with Snow, hide me Cimmerian darkness  
Let me not see it, my Eye sight fails  
Ingeniosi sumus ad salendum nosmet ipsos,  
Farewell Rome's Empress  Shot with a Thunderbolt. 
To all ambitious vermin,  
Punks, Pimps, and Panders, Whores and bawd's farewell.  
Confound the world, the worst of death is hell.  Sinkes. Enter Sulpitius with a Guard. Sul. 
Make way there for shame; clear the stairs,  
You of the guard, force all intruders back,  1. Gua. 
Back, back, back there, keep back,  2. Gua. 
For shame make haste, way for my Lords the Senate.  Sul. 
Burn beards and faces, burn 'em in the face.  
That offer to press in▪  Cornets sound a Flourish, Enter Senate who placed by Sulpitius, Cornets cease, and the Antique Mask consisting of eight Bacchanalians enter girt with Vine leaves, and shaped in the middle with Tun Vessels, each bearing a Cup in their hands, who during the first strain of Music played four times over, enter by two at a time, at the Tunes end, make stand; draw wine and carouse, then dance all: The Antimasque gone off: and solemn Music playing: Messallina and Silius gloriously crowned in an Arch-glittering Cloud aloft, Court each other. Sil. 
Abstract of rare perfection my juno,  
Glorious Empress all admiration.  Emp. 
Excellent Silius all perfection.  Sil. 
Amazing rarity, beauty's treasure.  Emp. 
Nature's wonder, my delight my pleasure.  Sil. 
Let me suck Nectar, kiss, kiss, O kiss me.  Emp. 
Soul to my lips, embrace, hug, hug me.  Sil. 
Leap heart.  Emp. 
Mount blood.  Sil. 
Thus relish all my bliss.  Emp. 
Again the pressure of that melting kiss.  Sil. 
Descend my Venus all composed of love.  Emp. 
Locked in thy Arms my Mars.  Sil. 
Down, down we come  
Like glistering Phoebus mounted in his Car,  
When in the height of the celestial signs  
He sails along the Circuit of the Sky.  While they descend, Valens, Proculus, and Menester with three courtesans in the habit of Queens with Coronets of state meet them beneath, during their silent congratulation, Narcissus enters aloft with a Torch and speaks. Nor 
Black is the night; a Canopy of clouds,  
Hides the bright Silver spangles of the sky,  
All is secure, revenge proportion keeps  
To my full wish; no thought of blood and death  
Writes on the Index of black deeds at Court  
The least suspect; mad lust and wine, revels  
And pleasures, muffle their understanding.  
O Lust, lust, lust, were't thou not what thou art,  
A thick black cloud only composed of ill  
For to tempt judgement, hadst thou the relish  
Of sweet good, as thou art badly bitter,  
Thee above all the Gods I would adore,  
Thee, thee adore, that unresisted thus,  
Snares the besotted Faction to their fall.  
Load them with Lethe still, while thus I waft  
Revenge from Hostia; like the sad flames  
Of Ilion burn, burn bright Torch; let thy fair view  
Tune to the dance of death, the amorous  
Measures of full vengeance; blaze prodigy,  
When the bad bleed give me that Tragedy. Exit▪  Leaves the Torch burning. Emp. 
Music, distil new sweetness, vary thy  
Nectar Notes, while Loves bright eyes, court lips to  
The height of dalliance, each sacrifice a kiss,  
To all th'enchantments of love's luscious bliss.  All. 
O liquid life of live. All kiss.  Sil. 
Here's a full bowl, a health to the height of pleasure. Kiss.  Emp. 
Brave health again, another, and a third.  Val. 
That deep carouse, makes Vectius Valens see.  Sil. 
See, what dost see?  Val. 
In my minds eye methinks,  
A moving Army coming from Hostia.  Sil. 
O likelihood, an Army from Claudius.  Emp. 
Senseless Cornuto, he's too confident,  
He has too great affiance in my love.  Pro. 
His Cornucopia skull fears prodigies,  Men. 
Alas, his horns forked like an aged Oak,  
Are grown too great, too huge to enter Rome.  Val. 
O mighty horns.  Pro. 
O monstrous Majesty.  Sil. 
Scoff of glory.  Emp. 
My scorn,  
Come, come let's dance, Music proceed,  
Claudius my hate shall with the next sun bleed.  The dance ended, Alarum within. Enter Sulpitius his sword drawn. Sulp. 
Hast, haste to save yourselves, we are betrayed,  
The armed Troops of Caesar enter Rome,  
Fly or their brandished steel will girt the Court  
Past all escape.  Emp. 
Deaf, deaf me O thunder,  
Betrayed, O black affright, fly Silius fly.  Exeunt Senate and courtesans. Sil. 
What to out live my Fate, no, you of  
The Senate fly, fly all, stand not amazed, my  
mighty Mistress, endanger not yourself,  
Excellent Empress, Sulpitius be your guard.  Exeunt Empr. and Sulpitius. 
But why you sad copartners in my fall,  
Why stand you thus plunged in the panting depth  
Of deep amaze, collect your spirits and  
Pursue your safety.  Val. 
What? fly?  
And leave you here; first with this hand  
I'll tear my bowels out, and sacrifice  
My heart's last leave to life.  Pro. 
To fly from you,  
O 'twere the loathsom'st scum coward e'er leapt:  Men. 
Black blots of infamy to endless fame  
would write our Epitaphs, if basely fly.  
Where were the noble minds of Brutus then,  
Brave Cassius, and tytinnius' hate to life,  Sil. 
Our deaths shall be more glorious, far less ill;  
Yet will we die, armed with a world of valour.  
Not like those desperate fools, which by their  
Own swords fall; we are too deep in lust▪ to  
Suck such back damnation, that were horrid.  
The soul, the all that is the best in man,  
Tells of two opposites, life and death in death.  
True sorrow for life's death misled in life,  
That's perfect valour, makes men bravely die  
That lived not so, when the self violent death  
Is but a bastard valour.  Enter with weapons drawn, Emperor Claudius, Narcissus, Calistus, with soldiers. Emp. 
Now you luxurious traitor, Emperor  
Silius; your highness' gates at length are forced  
To bow; where's your top gallant strumpet, that  
Strumpet, witch, hellcat; most insatiate whore  
That ever cleaved to the loins of Lechers.  
Tell me ye impious villains, Traitorous slaves,  
That I may execute my burning hate,  
And send ye swimming in her blood to hell.  Sil. 
Claudius, let it suffice, she is not here,  
Spit all thy venom; be it a Sea of  
Poison let it fall, here's none will shrink; our  
Bloods are all too much ennobled, into  
The eminent temper of true Monarchs,  
To dread respectless death.  Val. 
None here but scorns  
To plead with humble baseness, low submission  
For miserable mercy.  Pro. 
None here complains upon the enticements  
Of your Empress, that were too basely vile.  Men. 
We win no glory in our deaths by that,  
ourselves against ourselves give guilty,  
Only beg mercy from the Gods.  Sil. 
Of you our quick dispatch▪ tart lives exchange  
For a delicious death; which if I thought  
Should feed upon delay▪ by all that's sacred  
Thus weaponless, we all would force  
And cut our way to death through some of you.  Emp. 
I fret with sufferance, upon 'em soldiers▪  Soldiers wound them. Sil. 
O ravishing content.  Val. 
Fullness of joy,  
My lustful blood flows from me, man's ne'er blessed,  
Till freed by death; locked from the world's unrest. Dies  Pro. 
Man is to man a monster hearted stone,  
With heaven there's mercy, but with man there's none.  Dies. Men. 
This Tragic end is the most welcome part  
I ever graced with action; 'tis the best,  
O homo fragilis, specta voluptates abeuntes.  
Man is an Actor, and the world the Stage▪  
Where some do laugh, some weep, some sing, some rage,  
All in their Parts▪ during the Scene of breath  
Act follies, scourged by the Tragedian death.  
My Sun is set in blood; fly soul and catch  
"At a more glorious being, farewell breath,  
" Man's never in the way to joy till death. Dies.  Sil. 
Why like a worm crawling twixt life & death  
Am I thus forced; I must, I will not die  
So like a beast, the lofty Cedar and the aged Oak,  
Cuffed with incessant storms shall represent  
The fall of Silius; what? will't not do? no?  
Shall my death then prevail above my mind▪  
O sad condition, misery of life.  
Expense of blood faints me, and yet I stand,  
Stagger in spite of death; life's threads uncut,  
What means this Riddle? are the Fates asleep?  
So drunk at sight of this sad spectacle,  
I must awake their waking; I'm abused,  
Where art thou, thou invisible thief; lean  
Rogue I dare thee to this combat, why slave,  
Dog, coward, dastard Death, no no; why then  
O kind best loving death; if valiant, if  
Thou be that sole conqueror of king's time  
Speaks thee for? prithee, but for one bout,  
I'll not resist, scarce able to stand; open  
Breasted, take all advantage, disjoint the  
Chain of inauspicious stars, fettering  
My over wearied flesh with life, one thrust  
Put home will end me.  Emp. 
Sink him Evodius.  Sil. 
Thrust home and sure,  
Why so; desire now follows my blood,  
Farewell world picture of painted folly,  
Frame of woe; paltry life, I gladly shake thee off.  Enter Syllana running. Syll. 
Hold, hold, for pity hold.  Sil. 
It is too late.  
Too late Syllana my most virtuous wife.  Syll. 
O my dear husband, flint hearted Caesar,  
Was not this husband wrought by the Circean  
Charms of thy she devil; she, she hath been,  
The fatal Engine of my husband's sin,  
She from my heart hath torn away this pearl  
More precious than the world, O my dear love,  
I do beseech thee to bear up in death,  
Shoot thy pale looks through my afflicted soul,  
Whose sighs and tears & prayers knit up in groans  
Ascend you starry globe unto the Gods.  
The good good Gods to pardon thee my love.  Sil. 
Like a spent Taper only for a flash,  
I do recover to embrace thee sweet:  
Forgive me injured excellence; constant wife.  
Take from my lips (dear heart) a parting kiss  
Cold as the dead man's Skull; nay weep not sweet  
There is divinity in that weeping eye,  
Prayer on thy lip, and holiness in thy heart.  
The Devils cannot say I flatter thee,  
Nor this abusive, scornful, dull dark Age,  
Tax me to say it never, never can▪  
Not out of all the Catalogue of women,  
Pick such a Phoenix Saint forth as thyself.  
In thee, bright heavens majestic eminence,  
Lives my supporting prop against all ill  
To take me up to mercy. Dies.  Syl. 
Stay, O stay,  
And take me with thee up to mercy's seat,  
For when we are there I know, we shall not  
Part thus; O he is gone; the strings of life  
Are cracked; I'll not outlive thee, no; thy loss  
Most noble husband, wastes my soul the way  
To her eternal rest, break heart, swell grief,  
And mount me to my love; I need not I,  
The burning coals of Portia, Lucrece knife,  
One kiss wilt do't, thus ends Syllana's life. Dies.  Enter Pallas, with Virgilianus, Calphurnianus and Sulpitius' Prisoners. Pall. 
Live royal Emperor long and happy live,  
To add to your revenge behold I bring  
The approbrious Faction unto Silius.  Emp. 
More blood unto this banquet welcome, what  
Virgillianus so grave a Senator  
So treacherous, served you as Bawds to soothe the  
Minds of Lechers, Calphurnianus and  
Sulpitius too: off with their heads, away  
With them, be sudden, the ton of vengeance  
Now begins to stoop broached with the blood of  
These; vain inconsiderate fools.  Nar. 
My Lord,  
The Core of lust still lives, time was Rome bragged  
Of these dead corpses for the most virtuous youths  
It e'er brought forth, till your lewd Empress  
Poisoned their bloods with her bewitching lust.  Emp. 
Where is that wretch?  Pal. 
Prisoner my Lord, safe in Lucullus' garden  Emp. 
Remove these bodies, her bloods the period  
To my full revenge.  Enter Vibidia Vib. 
Mercy great Emperor, mercy for the love  
You bear unto your hopeful royal issue,  
Lovely Britanicus, sweet Octavia,  
And for that admiration of her sex.  
Their mother's mother virtuous Lepida  
She that hath saved a hundred virgins from  
The rack of rape, for that true piercing motive  
Mighty Lord; O be in your great mercy  
Pleased; to give your Empress audience.  Emp. 
My Empress,  
She is no more my Empress, her black life  
Lost in lust, hath changed that name into an  
Aethiops blackness, yet for those infant's sake  
For Lepida, and for the love we bear  
Your holy order we will hear her speak,  
Narcissus, against tomorrow let her  
Have warning to appear in Senate.  Exeunt omnes▪ Nar. 
ay but such warning as she shall ne'er come there.  Manet Narcissus. 
I'll give no trust to those her whorish eyes.  

* A●in cadom ejus Narcissus properavissat; verteras 〈◊〉 in accusatorem. Tacit.  She will bewitch thee Caesar, mollify  
Thy flint heart; if they e'er piece again  
Off goes my head; I'll not abide the Test.  
The reconcilement of a drab of state,  
tripped, i'th' height of pride when topt-with pleasure,  
O 'twere fine fool state policy to trust  
Raise that declining tempest to her height,  
But I'll be no such precedent, it smacks  
Too much of the great dish of fool for me,  
And if I do, may thunder sink me. Exit.  Enter Messallina, Lepida. Mess. 
Prevented with a storm in Sunshine,  
Frost in the hair of all our happiness,  
O fire and Ice, O how between these two  
Sad smarting strange extremes I madly live  
Tortured in mind and blood.  Lep. 
To this, if ruled by me you ne'er had plunged  
But that's too late now; O strive to repent.  Mess. 
Repent, redivell,  
Tell not me mother of repentance,  
Earth's pleasures are too full of high content,  
To be forgot by such a bitter Pill.  
Pray give some better solace, what return  
Makes Rome's grave Matron your friend Vibidia,  
Can she with all her holiness of life,  
Procure our pardon; is that possible.  Lep. 
Only a day of hearing that's all, which  
You must arm yourself for 'gainst tomorrow.  Mess. 
O what a lightning's this to my sad heart  
My heavy heart, will Caesar hear me speak,  
Nay then I am sure of reconcilement.  
My quick-Eyed sense, and siren's tongue shall work it  
Charming like Lethe make him to forget  
My Criminal life, than my rich Revenge  
Like to the Plots of thundering jupiter  Horrid music. 
Shall— ha, what horrid sound is this,  
What dreadful sight thus quakes me.  Lep. 
O 'Tis a guilty conscience.  Two Spirits dreadfully enter and (to the Treble Violin and Lute) sing a song of despair, during which Lepida sits weeping. Song. 1. Spir. 
Helpless wretch despair, despair,  2. Spir. 
Fool to live, why drawest thou Air.  1. Spir. 
Friends all are dread,  
Friends all are dead, thou hast none▪  2. Spir. 
These that seemed like Chaff are blown.  1. Spir. 
Then die, O— die,  
Die— O die.  2. Spir. 
'Tis better die then live disgraced,  
joys and glories all defaced.  1. Spir. 
Thy pride of eyes,  
Thy pride of eyes,  
Which world of hearts have fired  
Gone is their glory now no more desired.  2. Spir. 
Then die— O— die  1. Spir. 
Die— O— die,  
Die be free live exempt  
And scorn the base world's base contempt.  1. Spir. 
Come live with us, live with us,  
Live with us, with Spirits dwell,  
Life is a lake of woe continual hell. Exeunt.  After this song (which was left out of the Play in regard there was none could sing in Parts) Enter the Ghosts of the murdered Roman Dames, Silius, Valens▪ Proculus, Menester, Saufellus, two Ruffaines and Bawd, they surround her with their Torches. Mess. 
Swallow me earth, gape gape and swallow  
Hide me from sight of this sad spectacle,  
No? why then do sta●e till you burst again  
'Tis true, I was your death's chief Actor  
mischief's chief Engine, ruin of you all  
Quid faciam? ubi fugiam, his, & illis,  
Ubinam nescio, O dira Fata. Exeunt Ghosts.  
Close eyes and never open, all's vanished now.  
'twas but the perturbation of my mind  
So let it pass— what again.  Enter Narcissus and Evodius whispering. Lep. 
'tis a guard,  
I fear the Emperor in his mind is changed  
And this some sudden plot to take your life.  Evod. 
Within this hour my Lord.  Enter Headsman with Scaffold and a Guard. Nar. 
Let it be so,  
By that time hither I will conduct th'emperor  
In th'interim cut her off, when she is dead  
Narcissus with his own saves many a head.  Mess, 
A Headsman and a scaffold are these for me▪  Evod. 
For thee thou woman all composed of lust  
Bloody insatiate Monster of thy Sex  
See here thy stage of death, be sure to die,  
If thou haste respite given thee for to pray  
And ask the God's forgiveness, think it  
A world of favour and he sudden, least  
Unprepared we force you to the block.  Lep. 

* Lepida quae florenti filiae haud concors, Supremis ejus necessitatibus ad miserationem evicta erat. Tacit.  O be not wholly lost die resolute,  
If thou respect the womb that brought thee forth,  
Let thy faults ripe in Act, be blown to Air.  
Through fair repentance.  Mess. 
How can that be?  
Am not I only Author of all ill,  
Is it not I that have prepared the paths  
To the loose life of all licentiousness,  
Black murder, lust, and rapes unspeakable  
Why do I live? I that have lived too long,  
Worthy a thousand deaths; I fear not death  
But O the journey I know not whether,  
Torments me more than twenty thousand deaths  
But how so e'er it must not be denied,  
Fall then my earthly substance; thus low humbled  

* Tunc primum fortunam svam introspexit, frustra jugulo es pectori per●● epidationem 〈◊〉; ictu Tribuni transfigitur, Tacit. Lib. 11.  Let my declining height submit my head  
To take an everlasting leave of life.  she mounts the Scaffold, submits her head to the block, and suddenly rising up leaps down, Snatcheth Evodius' Sword and wounds herself. 
Hold, our blood's to precious we will not die  
So like a Calf, nor by the hand of any  
But our own, thus and thus, O this cold steel  
How it offends my flesh, I want full strength  
To put it home; if thou be valiant and a soldier  
Help to dispatch me; that was bravely done  
O my mad lust whither wilt thou bear me  
A dim black fog raised from the Lernaean Fen  
Obscures my sight; farewell dear, dear Mother.  
Had I been ruled by you, I had been happy  
Now justly scourged for disobedience.  
A Caitiff most accurst she is no other  
That scorns the virtuous counsels of a Mother;  
So farewell light of eyes, ne'er to entice,  
Horror invades my blood, I am all Ice. Dies.  Enter Emperor, Narcissus, Pallas, Calistus with attendants. Emp. 
Is she then dead.  Evod. 
And that desperately by her own hands.  Lep. 
O Caesar grant this Corpse to my dispose.  Emp. 
'Tis at your free dispose convey her hence,  
And now since we are free by fair revenge,  
Never shall marriage yoke the mind of Caesar  
To trust the hollow faith of woman more,  
And if we do; may Heaven by treason foul  
Shorten our days; the sequel of our reign,  
Shall to the good of Rome suppress black vice.  
kingdoms are swallowing gulfs by careless rule,  
justice makes Kings the Gods to imitate,  
Virtue in Princes, is the prop of state.     

 

   

THE epilogue.  
Our Play is done, now what your censures are,  
If with, or against art's industry, the care  
took by the Author (and our pains to please)  
We know not yet, till judgement give us ease.  
Why should we doubt? this Theater does appear  
The Music Rome of concord; you being here.  
Let no harsh jarring sound of discord then,  
Echo dislike; claps crown the Tragic Pen.  
FINIS.   


Vera, ac viva Effigies NATHANAELIS RICHARDS