1111:: ^•' •;-/■ ', i|i||||>: Class J?:SJii^JL_ Copwighl X" ( (ll'YUU.IIT lli:i'()SIT. Love's Victory A Tragicomedy By William Chamberlaine Shaftesbury A Line-for-line Reprint of the Original Quarto, 1 658 Edited with Introduction and Notes By Charles K. Meschter Assistant Professor of English in Lehigh University Professor of Elnglish in the Moravian College for Women Bethlehem, Pa. Bethlehem Printing Company 1914 7K333J C2 fl^7 Copyright, 1914 by Charles K. Meschter Published June, 1914 A thesis presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania in partial fulfilnment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy JUN II 1914 'CLA874388 ^::=» Preface The following play is an exaot reprint of the original edition of 1658. It is hardly necessary to emphasize the desirability of this mode of reproduction, since it renders a text available not only for literary but for linguistic study as well, I have so closely adhered to the original that I have copied obvious errors, even the occasional inverted letters, so as to retain as nearly as possible the flavor of the original. Though many are obvious, I have cor- rected each one in the Notes. I wish to express my deep gratitude to my teachers Doctor Felix E. Schelling and Doctor Clarence G. Child for aid and inspiration extending far beyond the confines of this book. C. K. M. Lehigh University, June, 1914. NTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Little material for a biograp'hy of William Chamberlaine is to be found. He was born at Shaftesbury, Dorsetshire, in 1619. His father was Dr. Peter Chamberlaine. William became a Cavalier physician, a soldier, and a poet. There is only one occasion upon which he is known to have gone from his native locality ; this was when as a soldier "he fought among the royalists at the second battle of Newbury,"* October 27, 1644. To this event he alludes in "I must Let my pen rest awhile, and see the rust Scoured from my own sword; for a fatal day Draws on those gloomy hours. If in This rising storm of blood, which doth begin To drop already, I'm not washed into The grave, my next safe quarter shall renew Acquaintance with Pharonnida. — Till then, I leave the Muses — to converse with men."f If we may judge by Love's Victory, Chamberlaine was unswerv- ing in his allegiance to his king.;]; In this play there is "plenty of loyal sentiment."§ Indeed, "Oroandes is the very abstraction of loyalty — of high and principled loyalty."** As a poet Cham- berlaine is known for Love's Victory, a tragicomedy; Pharonnida, *C'hambers, Cyclopaedia of English Literature, 1902. tSaintsbury, Minor Poets of the Caroline Period, 1905, vol. i, Pharonnida, end of Book II. Other references to this volume by Saints- bury are to be found in his General Introduction and Introduction to William Chamberlayne. |For a passage on fidelity to the king, see 11. 2407-2418 following. %The Dictionary of National Biography. **Robinson, Retrospective Review, 1820, vol. i, p. 264. viii LOVE'S VICTORY an epic; and England's Juhile, a panegyric on the restoration of King Charles. He wished to associate with notable literary men but because of insufficient wealth and inferior social position was unable. "Fortune," he laments, "hath placed me in too low a sphere to be happy in the acquaintance of the age's more cele- brated wits."* In his drama he dilates on the incongruities of social castes. f Of him as a poet Grosse says: "He was separated, not merely from the new classical school, but from the old Marianists ['metaphysical'] school. He is not a Marianist at all, he goes back much further for his inspiration, he inherits much from Browne, much from Sidney, much from followers of Spenser." J Chamberlaine on the other hand influenced not only certain minor poets but Keats and Byron as well.§ Saintsbury says, "That Keats must have had direct obligations to Pharonnida has never been matter of doubt since people began to study Keats seriously."** In Chamberlaine "parallels have been found . . . both to Endymion and Don Juan."\\ He died January 11, 1689, JJ and "was buried at Shaftesbury in the churchyard of Holy Trinity"§§ where his "son to whom he had given the sounding and romantic name of Valentine Chamberlaine"! erected a monument to his memory. A portrait of the poet is said to precede the original text of Pharonnida, but as to this *Saintsbury,/. c, Pharonnida^ The Ebistle to the Reader. tSee 11. 483-503 following. JGosse, From Shakespeare to Pope, 1885, pp. 168-173. §See other persons on p. x. **Saintsbury, /. r. ttChambers, /. c. HSaintsbury in his book already mentioned and the Encylopaedia Britannica, eleventh edition, have 1679. On my writing to Saintsbury about these dates he replied : "1679 is pretty certainly a misprint." Like- wise, on inquiring of the Enclyopaedia Britannica the reply came : "the date 1679 given for the death of William Chamberlayne . . . must be a misprint." %^The Dictionary of National Biography. INTRODUCTION IX Saintsbury remarks that there is a portrait (? generally absent), in [the edition of] 1659."* England's Jubile, Ohamberlaine's last-printed poem, is his shortest one — containing two-hundred and ninety-eight lines. From the original title-page of this poem we learn that it was printed in London "for Robert Clavell at the Stags-head in St. Pauls church yard, 1660,"* The theme of England's Juhile is the happy return of Charles the Second. Saintsbury asserts his reprint of this poem in the Minor Poets of the Caroline Period is the first. Of it in that volume he says : "It is certainly the best of the poems on the Restoration next to Dryden's." Verily, a pretentious monument of ambition is Ohamberlaine's epic, Pharonnida, "one of the longest works in verse in the English language, extending to 13,000 lines."f Its original title-page reads : "Pharonnida : A Heroick Poem. By William Chamherlayne Of Shaftesbury in the County of Dorcet. [Here there is a Greek motto.] London, Printed for Robert Clavell, at the Sign of the Stags-head neer St. Gregories Church in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1659."* This production presents the f ormidability of an epic : it contains five books ; each book, five cantos ; and at the be- ginning of each canto, two quatrains, called "The Argument" — which is "almost useless," Saintsbury observes.* It is written in heroic couplet. As to the merits of Pharonnida opinions very from the one extreme of Langbaine, whose estimate is the first recorded, to the other of Saintsbury. The former thinks that "it hath nothing to recommend it."J The latter maintains that "to some extent, the Heroic Poem might not do unwisely to choose Chamherlayne its champion." "I have myself," he continues, "a very great admiration for Chamherlayne," "if not the poet. *Saintsbury, /. c. tGosse, /. c. JLangbaine, An Account of the English Dramatic Poets, 1691, p. 57. X LOVE'S VICTORY a poet and little less than a great one, for those who enjoy the 'poetic moment/ the 'single-instant' pleasure of image and phrase and musical accompaniment of sound."* In 1683 Pharonnida reappeared under the guise of a prose novel called Eromena, or the Noble Stranger. Of this "tiny pamphlet containing some seventy small pages of large print" Saintsbury remarks : "The earlier cantos are paraphrased with some fulness; the bulk of the story is altogether omitted. As Pharonnida becomes Eromena, so does Argalia take the alias of Horatio." He says of Eromena that "The thing, Which acknowledges no indebtedness, is worth- less enough; and only curious because of the admixture of Cham- berlayne's own original and highly poetic phrases with the flattest prose." Pharonnida was first reprinted in 1820. This edition does not contain the name of its editor. Saintsbury, however, informs his name was "Singer," i. e. S. W. Singer. The only other edition of Chamberlaine's epic is Saintsbury's, Finally, other notable men having passed critical judgment on Pharonnida, heroic in a double sense, all appreciative of some qualities of it, are Thomas Campbell, f "who was pleased to be the first critic to resuscitate the Pharonnida/'X Robert Southey,§ and Edmund Gosse.| Love's Victory, the first published production by C'hamberlaine, is the only drama that he wrote. In behalf of this play he was a suppliant at the feet of Sir William Portman, but no record tells what passed between them.** Both the drama and the epic were dedicated by Chamberlaine to Portman. The year of Port- man's birth is dubiously stated as 1641. Chamberlaine in *Saintsbury, /. c. See this place also for the following three quotations. fCampbell, Specimens of the British Poets^ 1853, p. 257. JGosse, /. c. §Southey, Poetical Works collected by himself in 1837, The Vision of the Maid of Orleans, Book 1, note on 1. 316. **See To the Right Worshipful Sir William Portman, Baronet, fol- lowing. INTRODUCTION XL the dedication of Love's Victory calls him a "youth."* On the death of his father in 1648 William succeeded in the baronetcy. He matriculated on April 26, 1659, at All Souls' College, Oxford. At the Restoration he was created a knight of the Bath by Charles II and repeatedly sat in Parliament. Sir Edward Seymour aside, Portman was regarded as influential a Tory as was to be found in the west of England. During the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth he was actively engaged in the service of King James II. He captured Monmouth on July 8, 1685, and was thereafter with Lord Lumley appointed to watch the duke day and night until the fugitive was taken to Whitehall previous to his confinement in the Tower. Portman in I^ovember, 1688, transferred his devotion to James to the Prince of Orange. The latter intended him for a high position, it is said; but death intervened in 1690. Although thrice married Portman left no descendants, whereupon his baronetcy became extinct. In endeavoring to determine the possible source or sources of Love's Victory we come upon a perplexing subject, made all the more so by the scantiness of biographical material pertaining to Chamberlaine. Although Love's Victory and Pharonnida were published in 1658 and 1659 respectively, they were according to their author's own words in process of composition more than fourteen years earlier. Of the former he says: 'it being then in the emhryo, when with its, War first made the present Age unhappy." In the latter at the end of Book II he writes : "I must Let my pen rest awhile, and see the rust Scoured from my sword ; for a fatal day Draws on." *See 1. 24 following. xii LOVE'S VICTORY These two passages allude to the Civil War, which, hegan in 1642, Chamberlaine had opportunity, as already implied, to brandish his scoured sword in the second battle of JSTewbury, 1644. This was his only engagement. He, born in 1619, must consequently have begun Love's Victory and Pharonnida when younger than twenty- five. Besides, during the interval of fourteen-odd years between their inception and their completion in 1658 and 1659 he must have thought them out contemporaneously. It can therefore hardly be otherwise than that one production took color from the other. As regards the source of Pharonnida Saintsbury writes that Italy was responsible for the "romanticized epic" in Europe from the latter sixteenth century to almost the end of the seventeenth. Pharonnida, moreover, has "something of the late romance of the i\jnadis type in it" and "intended references to the Aeneid" "but perhaps [Pharonnida] linked itself most of all to the prose Aethiopica of Heliodorus." "The resemblance, indeed, between Pharonnida and the type of the Greek romance generally is very strong."* These words of Saintsbury, because of the probable interaction of Chamberlaine's two productions, are significant as to the possible source of Love's Victory. Indeed, the Aethiopica of Heliodorus in Chamberlaine's day was a literary mine of the richest ore. Of it Michael Oeftering writes: "die oft recht verschlungen Bahnen . . . die der Roman Heliodors auf seiner glorreichen Wanderung durch fast alle europaischen Litteraturen eingeschlagen hat."f Oeftering in the Inhaltsiihersicht of his work just quoted mentions the following men with their books, appearing before Love's Victory, that owe something to this Grecian romance : "Heliodor und der Roman ... In England : *Saintsbury, /. c.^ see for all these quotations. fOeftering, Litterarhistorische Forschungen, Heft XVIII, Heliodor und seine Bedeutung fiir die Litteratur, 1901, Vorwort. INTRODUCTION xiii James Sandford : Amorous Tales. — Philip Sidney : Arcadia. — William Warner : Ban his Syrinx. — Burton : Anatomy of Melan- choly. — Roger Boyle : Parthenissa. . . . Heliodor auf der Biihne ... In England : Eine verlorene Chariclea. — Shakspere. — Gough : The Strange Discovery." Furthermore, Oeftering says this of English versions of Heliodorus's book in Chamberlaine's day : "An Aethiopian History . . . Englished by Thomas Under- downe [1569]. . . . 1577 die vorige ; Whibley nennt diese Ausgabe die erste, ebenso die Athenae Oxonienses. — 1587 die vorige. — 1591 The beginning of Heliodorus, in Hexametem von Abraham Eraunce. . . . The Oountesse of Pembroke's Yvy- ohurch. — 1592 . . . die vorige. — 1605 . . . die TJebersetzung Underdowns. — 1627 ... — 1634 ... von William L'Isle in fiinffiissigen Jamben. — 1638 die vorigen."* Whibley,f a recent editor of Underdowne's Aethiopica, remarks that "Heliodorus was a favorite from Elizabeth's reign to the close of the seventeenth century." On the strength of all this information it is virtually impossible not to believe that the Aethiopica was suggestive in Love's Victory. This inference is not refuted by the fact that neither Oeftering nor Whibley in writing of the influence of the Aethiopica on English literature mentions Chamberlaine. Doubtless neither one was aware of Chamberlaine^'s drama or the parallelism between it and Helio- dorus's romance. There is enough of parallelism between the Aethiopica and Love's Victory to prevent us from shutting our eyes to the subject. In the former there is a general of the king of Egypt with the name of Oroondates; in the latter a general of the king of Sicily *Oeftering, /. r. fWhibley, An Aethiopian History by Heliodorus, Englished by Under- downe in 1587, Introduction, 1895. Heliodorus's "best hope of immortality lies in this version of Underdowne," says Whibley. xiv LOVE'S VICTORY with the name of Oroandes. In the first Theagenes and Cariclia meeting in the temple at Delphi fall in love with each other; in the second Oroandes chancing upon Eurione in the temple at Syracuse becomes enamored of her who pledges him her future love. Cariclia in the Aethiopica and Eurione — and Heroina as well — in Love's Victory are subjected to trials of chastity but stoutly maintain their purity. In the romance Thyamis and in the drama Vanlore, both men of rank, are made captains of bandits. As wanton Ehodopis in the Aethiopica, going into the temple ostensibly to wors'hip, arouses lust in the priest ; so chaste Eurione in Love's Victory, performing her rites in the temple, finds the priest becomes lewd. Where in the romance the leech Ascestics diagnoses the ailment of Cariclia as love, so in the drama the physician Vanlore regards Theocrine's symptons the same malady; furthermore, both these ladies feign the love of certain persons in order that at last they may be united with men who are the choice of their heart. Cariclia's reproof of Theagenes for his seeming wantonness finds its analogue in Eurione's words to Oroandes. As the beauty of the former woman captivates l^ausicles, whom he secures from Mitranes, a captain ; so the beauty of the latter woman causes the king to wrest her from her lover Oroandes, the general. Moreover, as Cariclia is the prize in the fight between Theagenes and Pelorus, so Eurione becomes the source of strife between Oroandes and the king. In the Aethiopica Arsace, the wife of Oroondates, desires illicit relation with the young priest Thyamis; in Love's Victory the young priest lusts after Eurione in the temple. The lovers in the romance, Cariclia and Theagenes, are presented as booty of battle to King Hydaspes; the brother and sister in the drama, Eurione and Zannazarro, become spoils of rebellion for the "King." Finally, just as those two splendid lovers in the Aethiopica are released and exalted by King Hydaspes, so also the sister and the brother in Love's Victory when about INTRODUCTION xv to be sacrificed are freed and advanced by the "King." This parallelism compels one to believe that Chamberlaine in bis Love's Victory was under tbe influence of tbat man Heliodorus, "sonne of Tbeodosius, which fetched his petigree from the Sunne."* Again, in such facts as the following there is confirmation of the probability that Pharonnida and Love's Victory influenced each other. In both productions Vanlore is the name of a char- acter. In the former occurs "when the crusted earth Was tinselled o'er with frost" ;f in the latter Zannazarro "must fall before With ages frost he 's tinsel'd o're."J In addition, the drama of Chamberlaine's time had a shaping influence on Love's Victory. However, beyond all this explanation of possible origin of his play Chamberlaine himself should have what is without doubt his due. Much, perhaps very much, of its source was to be found in the dramatist's mind; for in word, in line, in passage, singly and together, he evinces cunning to fuse and transfuse a medley mass into literary metal of no mean quality. Love's Victory contains a main plot and a subsidiary plot. The former, enacted by persons of rank, involves the serious issues of the play; the latter, performed by simple characters, furnishes comic relief. In the revision of Love's Victory the lighter story was wholly removed and another substituted. § The incidents of the drama happen in Sicily. Let us look at each plot separately and the serious one first. Oroandes is appointed successor to the *The conclusion of Heliodorus's Aethiopica by Underdowne, ed. Whibley. fSaintsbury, Book I, Canto IV. tSee 11. 1283, 1284 following. §See p. xxii. xvi LOVE'S VICTORY deceased general of Sicily. At tliis the young lord Zannazarro rebels. War ensues. During its progress Oroandes when wounded enters the temple in which Eurione, Zannazarro's sister, happens to be; and he is at once captivated by her beauty. Into this place Zannazarro and his soldiers come violently; but Oroandes pre- vents them from doing harm, and immediately there is reconcilia- tion with all. It becomes his duty, nevertheless, to deliver sister and brother in revolt to the king. The king in turn gives them into the charge of a priest who is to prepare them for sacrifice. While Eurione is in the temple of Minerva preparing for her martyrdom, the priest instead of administering religious rites perfidiously puts her chastity to test. At the crucical moment Oroandes secreted in the temple rushes forth to kill her assaulter, but she pleads that he should not slay. The priest to expiate gives Oroandes his ecclesiastical robes for later disguise in order to avert the fate of Eurione. The day of precious sacrifice has come. Glorianda, Zannazarro, his sister Eurione, and Oroandes disguised in borrowed priestly robes appear in the temple before the king. As the victims are about to be slain, confounding noises alarm, and a simultaneous reversal of holy images takes place. Fate halts. Oroandes as the priest of Pallas steps forth, casts off his sacerdotal stole, and reveals to the king how he prevented the priest's attack upon Eurione. Terror and horror move the king to release the prisoners and present lover with beloved — Oroandes with Eurione, Zannazarro with Glorianda. But the king is captivated by the charm of Eurione, for whom he renounces the princess of Regium, Heroina. To win Eurione he compels Oroandes to fight a duel. In it Oroandes is victorious, and the king is left apparently dead. Bandits chance upon the royal body and bear it to their haunts. Into these quarters where the king lies only wounded, as it proves, a lady rescued from ship- wreck is brought. She becomes nurse to the king, whereupon he INTRODUCTION xvii soon learns that sLie is tlie one lie perfidiously rejected for Eurione. Heroina, however, is on the way to her coronation. The day arrives, people await the ceremony. The princess asks the sig- nificance of one throne in black with a crown on a mourning cushion and the other ''richly adorned." In reply Zannazarro bids Heriona ascend her throne to hear "the saddest story That ere did yet Siciliaes Annals blot." Learning of the king's death, the princess is overcome. Then Oroandes appears and discloses that he has killed the king, where- upon he is about to stab himself in remorse; but his hand is halted by a person who throws off his disguise and stands forth their king. He at once mounts the throne beside Heroina and there in the capacity of judge summons the offenders of the play and pronounces doom; but their doom becomes happiness. In conclusion the king says: "Come Heroina, let's conduct them to The Temple, where united hands shall prove Our cares are conquer'd by Victorious Love." The comic underplot begins with the "two cheats," Creon and Lewcippus, hectoring irresponsible Buffonie and "his man" Gudgeon, and ordering the former, an unwilling soldier, to the guard. At this juncture his parents appear. The father is about to disburse more money to the cheats as ransom for his son when a man Vanlore presents a letter from the courtier Arratus to the parent, wherein is the fact that Arratus wishes to adopt Buffonie. When Creon and Lewcippus learn this, they determine to extort more money from the parents; but Vanlore boldly prevents. Vanlore who loves Theocrine, daughter of rich Carlo, soon learns that her father is compelling her to love Buffonie. This she is unwilling to do but retains her affection for Vanlore. Her father thinking her ill secures a physician "of a strange country," who 2 xviii LOVE'S VICTORY is her true lover disguised, altliougli at first Theocrine is not aware of the fact. In due time the physician discloses his identity to her and reveals how her father has bribed Creon and Lewcippus to kill him, Buffonie's rival^ and how he himself has instead induced the prospective murderers to assist him. Patient and physician decide to abide their time. She feigns sickness and love of BufFonie; he continues as her physician and remains in touch with Creon and Lewcippus and the bandits, who shall ultimately assist the lovers to escape. Meanwhile, by his escapades Buffonie begins to shake the confidence of Theocrine's father. ^N'otwith- standing, preparations for the marriage of Buffonie and Theocrine are made. The day is at hand. The dis^ised lover-physician is present to attend the father for his gout. There is a sudden interruption of the ceremony, and amid the consternation Theocrine and Vanlore escape fleeing to the bandits. Among them also is the shipwrecked Heriona. All three again meet at the court where Theocrine and Vanlore, as well as others as we have learned in the first story, win the coveted victory of love. Love's Victory is according to the author himself a tragicomedy. We shall estimate it by Dr. Schelliiiior's explanation of this species of drama. After observing at the outstart that "The term tragi- comedy in the abstract is a misnomer, and involves a contradiction," Dr. Schelling says that "the Jacobeans themselves employed this dubious term to denote a romantic drama involving serious passion, yet ending happily." Love's Victory fulfills these re- quirements and in addition obeys the exaction of "The truest tragicomedy . . . which trembles between a tragical and a happy solution." Again, "Tragicomedy may result in two ways: by deepening the situation of comedy into serious mood by the in- fusion of a sentimental or a pathetic interest ; or by the resolution of a situation essentially tragic into reconciliation." It is this latter method that Love's Victory observes. Furthermore, "Tragi- INTRODUCTION xix comedy may be either realistic or romantic." The principal plot of Chamberlaine's play inclines to the romantic; but the subsidiary plot is more realistic. On the other hand, tragi- comedy's '^besetting sins are false sentiment and a sacrifice of dramatic logic to surprise, perverted ethics, and an overthrow of the laws of cause and effect."* Chamberlaine does at times lapse into false sentiment, yet this failing is not uncommon in dramatic writing, it seems to me. He may, too, like greater writers sacrifice dramatic logic to the logic of the gallery; but his ethics is not perverted : and his laws of cause and effect advance accord- ing to natural sequence. Although the scene of Love's Victory is Syracuse in Sicily and its environs, it could as well have been any other place ; for Cham- berlaine, born when the brilliancy of the Elizabethan drama had paled but little, also illustrates in his play "how purely a matter of convention was this naming of the dramatis personae and setting of the scene to Elizabethan auditors."! The events of this tragi- comedy extend over a "Few dayes.":j: It is only at the end of the second and the third act that the stage direction of "Ex. om." appears. Furthermore, there is no designation of scenes in the play. If "Scena Prima" at the beginning of the first act and "Scena Secunda" at the beginning of the fourth act were intended for divisions, these scenes are erroneous; for their end is not indicated; and "Secunda" should be "Prima." It is somewhat significant, however, that these two expressions occur at the be- ginning of the two motifs impelling the incidents of the play. ISTevertheless, we musit realize there is variation in the mechanical execution of the work. *See for all quoted passages in this paragraph Schelling, Elizabethan Drama, 1908, vol. ii, pp. 182-4. tSchelling, Elizabethan Drama, 1908, vol. i, p. 326. tSee 1. 507, XX LOVE'S VICTORY One-third of Love's Victory is prose; the remainder is written almost entirely in blank verse. Ehyme occurs in The Song* and in the short passage wherein the Devil, Carlo, and Theocrine talk together, when the Devil comes to take Carlo away.f A heroic couplet ends each act and besides is occasionally found at what is the close of a scene — although scenes are not indicated. Cham- berlaine has written a good quality of blank verse. Though he has not added anything new to it, he has at times written it very well. As to some of the prose in Love's Victory Gosse observes that "the swaines talk "West Country dialect, just as they do to the present day."I However, the swains Buffonie and "his man" Gudgeon are not always consistent in their speech ; for the former indiscriminately says "cham" and "I am", "chad" and "I had"; and the latter prates "chave", "I ha", and "I have"; "chill" and "I will". Again, these rustics in entire passages speak the most approved English. Vanlore, who poses as a foreign physician, does not speak consistent broken English; for in the same speech he utters "de" and "the", "dat" and "that". There are also outcroppings of dialectal expressions in the speech of other lowly persons such as the father and mother of Buffonie. Dialect in Love's Victory varies and serves merely to suggest the kind of character to be understood. Prose is commonly used in the play by the humble persons; verse, by those of higher rank; although metrical language becomes the medium wherewith the simple personages sometimes express their deepest emotion. Chamberlaine's recognition of defects in Love's Victory dis- arms the critics; for it is not fair to call a man to account for not doing what he was prevented from performing through no *See p. 35. tSee p. 65. JGosse, /. c. INTRODUCTION xxi fault of his own. He observes that his drama is an "imperfect embryo," that it has "roughness ... of style", and that in its begetting "Clamorous wars wild fury was so hot It dried up Helicon, and in distress Forc't the sad Muses to a wilderness."* This is just criticism; and for aU three faults war is blameable, the playwright says: but surely war does not palliate all mis- takes. In the drama there are blemishes in style, structure, versification, dramatic passion, and poetry. However, the final words of adverse criticism of this tragicomedy, A. W. Ward, one of the most recent and best known critics of it, shall utter. Cham- berlaine, he says, "avowedly composed his only extant play for reading while 'the mourning stage was silent.' . . . The author inveighs against the blind age when *in a cell The scholar stews his Catholic brains for food'; but the product is in this instance a mixture or 'meander' of ro- mantic and comic scenes, of which fluency of composition and a tendency to operatic effects are the most notable character- istics." f These words call to mind the applicability to Love's Victory of Goldsmith's much-bandied dictum that "There are a hundred faults in this thing, and a hundred things might be said to prove them beauties A book may be very amusing with numerous errors, or it may be dull without a single absurdity." The merits of this drama outweigh its defects. In it the virtuoso in words can find much to delight him. Surely, felicity of diction and fineness of fancy brighten the play. The principal women are *For these three quotations see the dedication to Sir William Portman and To the Reader following. fWard, A History of English Dramatic Literature, 1899, vol. iii, p. 289. xxii LOVE' 8 VICTORY unsullied in thought, dignified, and winning; the men of rank, nohle in thought and action. On the other hand, the lowly char- acters utter much ribaldry; their comic parts are well done. While there are no supremely great characters in Love's Victory, there are very interesting ones. Robinson says that in this play "there is feeling — there is passion — gentle — equable — noble — dig- nified."* Gosse regards it ''a very pretty tragicomedy." f Saints- bury declares that it "contains many fine passages in blank verse, . . . nor is even "the comic part, though it shares the ribaldry and crudity common in such productions, devoid of some of Chamberlayne's audacious felicities of expression. If that sup- plementary Dodsley, which has long been wanted, should ever appear, the piece should certainly find a place there." | There was an adaptation of Love's Victory, entitled Wits Led hy the Nose, licensed on August 16, 1677, and acted at the Theatre Royal. This alteration was published in 1678. Genest in describing this new play says "the serious scenes are contempt- ible, the comic ones are mere Farce — the serious characters are Pagans, yet the comic ones are, by a strange jumble. Englishmen travelling in Sicily... the author is unknown. "§ In 1820 Love's Victory, along with Pharonnida, was printed modernized after the manner of the day. This edition contains no notes, but following the text of the play there is a page of "Various Readings" containing forty-two words and six expres- sions, the longest being four words. The editor of this volume is S. W. Singer. The edition is now scarce. The only other appearance of Love's Victory is the following reprint. The following text has been reprinted from the original quarto *Robinson, Retrospective Review, 1820, vol. i, p. 259. fGosse, /. c. jSaintsbury, I. c. §Genest, Some Account of the English Stage, 1832, vol. i, p. 203. INTRODUCTION xxiii in the Library of the University of Pennsylvania. The copy is five and three-eights by seven and one^sixteenth inches. It con- tains eight pages from the title-page to the beginning of the play and eighty-seven pages of drama. In the copy not a line is cut off by the printer's knife. Only an occasional letter is blurred or omitted. Portions of prose in the play occasionally have the appearance of blank verse. Two pages are numbered "4", the mistake occurring on page 6. In editing Love's Victory it has been my purpose to reproduce as nearly as possible the original quarto. The text of this edition is, barring stage directions, a line-for-line reprint. In the first copy the stage directions are in the main printed on the right half of the page; in two instances these are narrow columns eleven lines in length. In this reprint stage directions have to some extent been rearranged. Spelling, capitalization, italics, pointing, indentation, and mistakes as well are copied as in the original. In the Notes I have endeavored to explain ambiguous passages, although it has seemed foolhardy to attempt to clarify a passage that doubtless came clouded from the brain of its author. The reader of the following play should realize that in Chamberlaine's time the "system [of punctuation] was mainly rhythmical."* It has been my purpose in this work not to mod- ernize the drama but to produce as nearly as possible the original text of Love's Victory. *Simpson, Shakespearian Punctuation, 1911, Introduction. There is an informing exposition of seventeenth century printing in Materialien zur Kunde des dlteren englischen Dramas in the Introduction to The Devil's Charter by R. B. McKerrow. LOVES VICTORY Loves Victory: TRAGI-COMEDY. BY WILLIAM CHAMBERLAINE Of Shaftsbury in the County of T>orseL Odiumque peril, Cum jussit amor, veteres cedunt Ignibus irae Printed by E. Cotes, and are to be sold by Robert Clavell at the Stags-head neer St. Gregories Church in St. Pauls-church-yard. 1658. To the Right Worshipful Sir WILLIAM PORTMAN, Baronet. SIR, ERe diverted by more serious Studies, which the benefit of an excellent Education, espous'd to a natural inge- 20 nuity, will soon render the rathe-ripe fruits of Your pregnant Wit, I hope it wil in me appear no unbecoming boldness, whilst your youth claimes the priviledge of Recreations, to present you with this, which though trivial in it self, improved by your acceptance, may become worthy the view of others; who beholding your . Name beautifie its front, may give it as fair an esteem as if they saw it adorned 30 with all the advantages of the Publique Stage; which since this rigid age hath silenced, (if I may be so happy to ob- tain) I shall value your single acceptance beyond the loud applause of a Theater. If the Reading afford you but as many minutes as the Composure did me hours of retired content, I shall thinJc these low delights of youthful fancy worthy the esteem of my maturer thoughts, to 40 which the burthens of imployment have now added {if not more Judgement) yet more Solidity. Nor shall I repent to have rowz'd it from its so long ly- ing dormant, it being then in the embryo, when with us. War first made the pre- sent Age unhappy, so may have some- thing to excuse the roughness of its style, its production being tvhilst I sacrificed to Minerva in the Temple of Mars; 50 Deities, which we have fair Prog- nostic's may be both propitious to your fu- ture Achievements ; for which, toge- ther with an affluence of all other per- fections, shall ever be sacrificed the hear- ty prayers of Sir, Your Devoted Servant William Chamberlaine. To The Reader. Since by this active Age 't hath heen thought^ best With their grave earnest to crush Plots in jest; The mourning Stage being silent, justly I May change a Prologue to Apologie; That so in private each Spectator may Singly receive his welcome to a Play. But here expect no parasite, that sin Justly condemn' d the Stage, though since 't hath been Hug'd by pretence with such hot zeal, as picMes Mad Sectaries for midnight Conventicles. 70 Yet though I bring no Opiate to allay Thy feverish guilt, nor tune my Muse to play Thy soul into a Lethargie, here lies No Satyr, less, hid in some sins disguise, Which should'st thou but seem, startl'd at, 'twould be An argument of some affinity Betwixt thy thoughts aiid that. They foolish hate That rails at those, raised by whatever fate Above their wishes, doth but vainly show By their own tvounds ivhat they inteud their foe; 80 Whilst graver wits, who by afflictions thrive. Make Balm of what was meant a Corrasive. That sicJcly genius tvhom no lines can please But those that rail their Author to disease. May still frown here; For know. J durst not write An ages ruine in an hours delight. Though this imperfect embryo was begot Whilst Clamorous wars wilde fury was so hot It dry'd up Helicon, and in distress Forc't the sad Muses to a wilderness, 90 Which inrag'd man {that ivorst of Beasts) had made A Scene of hloud, where guilty hands invade Poor trembling innocence, 'twas brought to light Unlike that ghastly Parent, since none fight Within these lists, but such as only prove Their Valour where the Victory is Love. A Catalogue of the Actors. The King of Sicilia. Oraandes General of his Army. Zannazarro a yong Lord in Rehellion. Arratus afi old Courtier. Carlo a rich Citizen. Vanlore a Noble Gentle- man, hut of a low for- tune. Buffonie a simple Clown, Nephew to Arratus. Gudgeon his man. Creon and Lewcippus two cheats. Heroina Princess of Re- gium Mistris to the 100 King. Glorianda Princess of Cyprus Mistris to Zannazarro. Eurione Sister to Zan- nazarro Mistris to Oroandes. Tlieocrine Daughter to Carlo Mistris to Van- lore. llOThe Father and Mother of Buffonie, Priests, Soul- diers, and Attendants. 120 Loves Victory. ACTUS PRIMUS. Scena Prima. A Funeral march: A Coffin horn over the Stage. Oroandes and his followers in mourning. Ex. Enter Cleon and Lewcippus. Cre. 'T^His is the place, is't not Lewcippus? 1 Lew. The same, nor will our under-officer delay us long. Cre. If this Goose prove not well featherd, our hopes Are blown up . our only happiness is, we have our Limbs to help us, whilst others must halt out their Wants in a Hospital. 140 Lew. Yes, and have their pensions paid them in rotten Tobacco, and carv'd bonelace sticks for bread. Cre. Thou art in the right, for the better rewards are Reserv'd for the decaied sons oth' shop, or decaied Placket squires, fellowes that dare not not look in a glass For fear they they should be frighted with the ruines Of a nose. Lew. Well, it was our wisdoms not to fancy this Grinning honour, in the mean time I would sell My forg'd Commission for a bankrouts bill of exchange. 150 Cre. And I my buff-coat for a freese jerkin, and all My airy honours for the greasie steam of a Cooks shop. Lew. Here he comes Enter a Serjeant and Buffonie. Like the captive Knight of the golden Image; Don dell Phoeho welcome. Ser. Fie Fie A Souldier and tears ! Buf. Doest lie — that doest, cham no Zodier, 2 LOVES VICTORY. Olia been better bred then zo. Lew. Twas ihj own proffer friend. 160 Buf. Yes, but when I wonder? when chad took a pot too muoh at market, and was a little toxicated. Ore. Thou shalt have a sober time of repentance : S-death ! what's here ? Enter Buf. mother followed by her husband and Gudgeon. An Incubus! Lew. Or else a fury frighted out of her wits. Cre. She wants but a perriwig of Snakes to lead the dance of Hobgoblins. Mot. Why Whore, be these Rogues here ? I have been 170 Frighted out of my naked bed to follow them : What doest thou amongst these Varlets? Come home come home you whorson lout. Hus. Nay wife, good wife, do not anger the worshipful Captains. Mot. Pew, you dotard, doest think I will be frighted out of my Boy, tis sign thou hast but small share in the begetting of him, that thou canst so willingly part with him Cre. Serjeant away with him, how vermin d'ee bark ? Lew. To the guard with him, and lay him neck and heels ; 180 S-death affronted! Fa. Captain I beseech your honorable worship. Lew. What saist old Cropshin? Cre. Go hire thy Beldame a house in a Churchyard, That when she hath bequeathed her garments to a Papermil, She may walk there to fright Sextons. Fa. Good Sir bear with her, for when she is up she is A devill in Carrion, but I will disburse here ; Here is vorty old Angels, and a good vitty fellow For a supply 190 Mot. How ! — — — part with thy gold ! why the Palsie LOVES VICTORY. 3 hatli shook thy wit out at thy nostrils: must Angels flie to fetch him back? He do't without, or He scratch their eyes out. Ore. Peace good matron, and go water the furrowes of thy cheeks in tears, 'twill look most religiously. Lew. Thou hast been so long hung to roof, that Otherwise thou wilt choak the wormes. And in the next age be sold for mummy. Bu. I took my Mother to be good for nothing, 200 Lew. Old fellow we incline to pity thee, but the supply looks something wretchedly, there must be some additi- onall advance. Fa. "We will not stumble at that. Ore. Didst ever handle armes friend? Serjeant, try him. Gud. Chwas nere thus hampered before, cham afeard tout come ofe. 8er. Come, handle your armes. Gud. Jch amt well skild in these guns, chave seen them at Monster set it a vier with the end of a cord, sure these snip- 210 per snappers be a new fashion, beant they? Cre. Nere fear, there's no hurt. The powder firing he fals. Enter Vanlore disguised. Van. Save you Gentlem.en ; Lives there one Cosmo Buffonie here? Fa. I am the man you spie for friend, vor want of a better. Buf. Look Gudgeon what spark is that? Van. I have a letter from the Lord Arratusj What it concerns, the contents will inform you. 220 Fat. Pray master Captain read it, we beant book learn'd. Mot. No whose fault was that you old knave, the Boy had dossety enough and thou wouldst ha put him toot. Lew. He here sends you word how he desires to have his 4 LOVES VICTORY. Nephew your Son sent forthwith to Syracuse, for he intends to adopt him his Heir, Mot. How ! why then we are made for ever ? Gudgeon thou goest too. Van. Creon and Lewcippu^, the city cheats, Vaii. aside. Ore. But hear, you friends, you first must disingage 230 from us. Van. How stands he Sir ingaged to you? Lew. How fellovv^, go medle with your horse comb sawcie groom: Serjeant — away with him. Fat. Nay worshipful Captain I will disburse. Van. For what ? keep up your money, who dares touch him? Ore. So bold, my livery creature? He make thee know Thou't not ith' stable, where thou command'st ore horse boyes; Unhand him, or by heaven 240 Van. What will you do Sir ? do' think I fear plunder'd Ooats and big looks ? Strikes up his heels and disarmes him whilst Creon runs away. Lew. Devils and fiends. Shall I indure this ! Van. Yes, and this too. Kicks him. Ex. Lew. Van. Come, your ransome is paid. Fa. Blessings on your heart, come son Bujfonie. Exeunt, Ora. A vollie of shot within, the mourners enter, a trumpet sounds, a herald reads Oroandes Com. 250 Om. Heavens crown the actions with successe! Oro. My gratitude divides It self amongst you all, the only mean Of recompence, untill some welcome beam Of opportunity shall light my wishes To a requital of your early loves. But now the minutes languish in sad hast. LOVES VICTORY. 6 And from the sad performance of these duties To our deceased General we must Remain griefs debtors, whilst we satisfie 260 Importunate revenge. You dismal badges Of their despair, tell us we have an enemy Whose resolutions are as high and bloudy. As their condition sad, if they refuse This last act of an injured Princes mercy. A parle sounded: Enter as on the wals Zannazarro and attendants. Zan. What means this hasty summons? is your anger So swift in motion, that it not admits Due rites unto the dead? The doleful hours 270 In which we mourn'd our Fathers funerals Hath scarce left seals on the records of time. Yet though the grief sit heavy on our souls, It's not of kin to fear, we dare to draw Our swords ere we have wiped our eyes, and in A peal of Canons, more harmonious then The solemn Bell, thunder his funeral peal. Oro. Tis pitty a resolve thus fortified With valour, should unravel all its glory In an unlawful cause. This desperation 280 Valours blind hieroglyphick, wherein nought Appears but monsters only, serves to fright Deluded fancie from supreme commands. Oh do not then precipitate a family Which may outlive approaching ruine, to Stand the supporters of this State, when those That prop it now, are sunk with weight of age. Nobility, like heavens bright Planets, waits Upon the Sun of Majesty, whilst none But Comets drop from their usurped sphears. 290 6 LOVES VICTORY. Then rectifie your reason, and let's now Conclude this war without a greater flux Of bloud then is already spent, that so Rebellion may not add more sables to What mercy yet may pierce. Zan. You might have spared this labour, though we lost The strongest Cittadel of all our hopes In our dear fathers death, those high resolves He dying left as legacies to us Are so much cherisht, that should I consent 300 To stiflle those brave flames, his angry ghost Rowz'd from the silence of a dormitory. Would reassume its seat to chide my sloath. I've only with me those few wounded men I Which from the last loud stroak of war escaped | With life, not health, to serve me; yet though their armes I Grown weak with the late frequent losse of bloud. Sell not our lives at honours highest rate, We'l fall no humble sacrifice to death. Oro. I'm sorry Sir, 310 That my advice, proceeding from the love I bear your worth, hath mist its wisht for ends. Farewel All happinesse But that which waits on victory attend you. Zan. The like to thee brave soul, since part we must ; When next we meet, 'twill be in bloud and dust. Ex. from below: an Alarm within, at which Ex. hastily from ahove. Whilst the hattail continues, the stage hung with lights and pictures represents a Temple. Enter Eurione, a book in her hand, she having kneeled a while, 320 Ent. a Lady hastily. Lady. Oh Madam ! whither will you flie ? The day is lost, your noble brother taken. LOVES VICTORY. 7 Wars furious Grodesse, fierce Enyo stands Over your batter'd gates, and wheeling round A dropping pine about lier bloudy tresses Lends with its dismall light an entrance to The ministers of death, the unclaspt power Of the rude Souldier, like a deluge break O're a rich field, the last and fatall blow 330 Is giving, all our dying hopes. Th' battlements Sweat oft in flames, whilst loud confusion fils The iulightned air with outcries, and our shrieks Choak'd in the embryo of our prayers can find No way to angry heaven : the infant dies Whilest in the porch of life, and natures webs Decayed by age, are rent from out the the looms. Imaculate Virgins to each touch betrayed Lie in a trembling agony, their beauties Like a rich Mine lavisht to vulgar hands, 340 The injured prize of every impious slave. Eur. Weep not my dear companion, thou that hast shar'd Alike with me in every change of fortune, If fate ordains this the Catastrophe Of all those tragick scenes, which these late wars Made us unwilling, though sad actors in. To us our virgin innocence shall be Protection safer then the united swords Of earths most powerfull monarchs. Outcries within. Lad. Oh they are entring, let's flie dear Madam. 350 Eur. Whither? when slaughter runs through all What place can give protection unto us ? Ex. Lad. En. Oroandes wounded, a Surgeon. Oro. To thy charge, my hurt's but sleight. Sur. Yet will deserve your care Sir. Ex. Sur. Oro. Hah ! what place is this ! 8 LOVES VICTORY. Hung round with stately pictures, starr'd with lights! With what an awfull majesty it looks! sure it inshrines some deity what's she ? with such a face 360 Troy's tutelary angell look'd, when all Her crown of turrets dropt their flaming heads. Eur. kneels to the altar. Eur. If those hlest spirits, which freed from all the crimes Cast on them by mortality, and made Eit for celestiall palaces, retain A thought of us, as else our faith deceives us. Oh let the white soul of some sainted Virgin Descend for my protection. She speahs. He draws nearer. She rising from the Altar 370 kneels to him. Eu. What ere thou art that in this dreadfull shape Com'st to profane this hallowed place with bloud, If in your brest there dwell a humane thought Telling you that a woman was your mother, For her sake pitty a distressed Virgin. Not for my life I beg, but ony that My honor kept unblemisht you would ease Me of that tedious burthen. Oroandes stands a while silent, lets fall his sword. 380 Oro. A chilling frost unnerves my joints, sure this is Divinity or Magick that hath thus Depos'd my reason to let Kebell passion Triumph ith' injur'd throne Rise Lady there's a religious ice about my heart That chains up all my fury I shall rather Slight the commands of an injured Prince, Then violate ought which the dictates of My soul proclaimes for sacred. LOVES VICTORY. 9 Eur. Oh lead me then to some polluted place 390 That's grown drunk with bloud, and there let mine Increase the purple deluge rather then Let life add yet more burdens to my soul. I shall not alwayes be protected by This places sanctity; or if I were, Find few of so much vertue to be with Religious reverence awed. Oro. Do not, dear soul, Mistrust the gentle smiles of fate, my power Secures you from all future violence 400 Which in the lewdest storme of fury can Pall from the steepest precipice of rage. Zannazarro retreating , Souldiers laying at him. Eur. Oh my dear brother. Soul. Kill kill the gaudy whore. Cro. Hold I command you hold : This is a place too sacred to be made A scene for such a bloudy act, and would Style what our cause cals justice sacriledge. Heaven being it self profan'd in the abuse 410 Of what its power for sanctity devotes. His wounds seem large enough already to Let life flie out through all the gards of nature; Or if they are not, to preserve him will Be but the glimring of a Taper ere Blown out by the formalities of Law. — Hear search his wounds, and let it be your charge To use all diligence in their recovery. Sound a retreat, and you, that bear command See the rude Souldiers violence be drawn 420 Within the bounds of mercy. Victories stain'd With too much bloud are blessings but profan'd. 10 LOVES VICTORY. Ex. Zanna. and Souldiers, ma. Oroan. and Eur. Do not my dear too much, afflict thy self, Each, tear you shead drops from my heart in bloud. I'me conquered in this victory, and become A captive to my prisoner. Come Lady, dare you trust Your self to my protection, your gardian Angel Rob'd in virginity, is not whiter then Those thoughts which clothe my soul when they reflect 430 On so much suffering vertue. Were my lust Hot as the womb of AEtna, yet there lies A secret magick in this touch to cool \ Those most intemperate fires. The morning pearls | Dropt in the Lillies spotlesse bosome, are \ Lesse chastly cool, ere the meridian Sun Hath kist them into heat ; yet since the ice Of Anchorites by religious flames may be Warm'd into holy Calentures, Oh give My passions leave to move within the orb 440 Of your Coelestial beauty, whilst no line _ Tends to the center of a thought unchast. I Eur. Alas my Lord — this is ]^o time to play with Love (that child of peace) , When war and death sit by and hold the stakes. 1 The impious mirth, of the bold Atheist, that Riots at funerals, and undaunted sits Whilst heaven in plagues drops vengeance round about him, TJnvests his soul of no more modesty Then such wilde love would mine, whose growth must needs 450 Be fatall when sown in a field of bloud. Yet I confesse — If heaven did e're lend balme to cure a grief So vast as mine, even whilst the orifice Was warm with bloud, this cordial favour would LOVES VICTORY. 11 Perforin tiie cure : but I am lost to all The future hopes of dull mortality; The habitation of my soul is grown Too great a burthen, since so often wet With miseries ere to be born with ease. 460 Oro. If all my service to my Prince hath merited Ought worth requital, he must shew it in Mercy to you, or by a blacker doom Shake my obedience off. But only grant Me thus much satisfaction, that when time Hath purg'd your griefs malignity, and for These thornes strew'd the soft roses of content Within your Virgin bosome, that you would With pity then on my afflictions look. Eur. I were ungrateful else: Know noble Sir, 470 I so much prize your virtues, that if ^re My frowning stars smile on my fate again. Their powerful'st influence shall reflect on you In so much thankful gratitude, you shall Acknowledge it the eldest child of love. Oro. My joy growes equall with my wishes ; Come Let's in my dear, and see thy wounded brother. Ex. Oro. and Eu. Ent. Vanlore alone. Van. My plot hath thriv'd thus far, I have discover'd A rival in my love to Theocrine but such a one 480 That nature in such haste did huddle up. She gave him scarce the Characters of man. How purblind is the world, that such a monster In a few durty acres swadled, must Be mounted in opinions empty scale. Above the noblest virtues that adorn Souls that make worth their center, and to that Draw all the lines of action ! Worn with age 12 LOVES VICTORY. And wounds to a neglected skeleton The noble Souldier sits, whilst in his Cell 490 The Scholar stews his Catholique brains for food. The Traveller return'd, and poor may go A second pilgrimage to Farmers doors, or end His journey in a Hospital: few being So generous to relieve where vertue doth Necessitate to crave. Harsh poverty, That moth which frets the sacred robe of wit, Thousands of noble spirits blunts, that else Had spun rich threads of fancy from their brain. But they are souls too much sublim'd to thrive 500 Amongst those crudities of men, that fill The nauseous stomach of the times with flesh Unsalted with the active souls of men. But I'm no Satyr, rather now possest With Loves more gentle spirit, which hath charm'd Me into strange attempts; assist me Fate; Few dayes will ruine or advance my state. Ex. Souldiers passe the Stage, Creon and Lew. dragging in Buff. and Gud. in new clothes. Ore. Nay, now you are hamper'd Rogues: disobey au- 510 thority ! Bu. Oh Gudgeon they wool durt our new clothers. Lew. Lie close you vermin. They hind them. Gud. I ha not kno-v^ni hop munday at this time oth' year. Bu. Stand upon thy guard page. They gag them. Cre. Grape Gudgeon so, now do not talk Your selves hoarse, this heavy carriage Shall not trouble you. Pich their pocTcets. Lew. Farewel farewel do not defile your lodging. Ex. Enter some stragling Souldiers tvith Wenches. 520 Wen. A prize a prize my lads; 1 LOVES VICTORY. 13 How eame you hither Sirrah ha? Bu. Oh Oh Oh ! Wen. What canst not speak, the rogues are gagg'd. 1. Sou. Alas poor fellowes help unbind them Wen. Hang them vagabond rogues, they are some rich Bores He warrant them, that have abused poor Souldiers : here puny — — change thy hat and thy sword. 2. Sou. These are some reliques of their Grand-fathers Blades that have been tryed in the first Punick war ; 530 Here, shalt have mine in exchange and liberty to boot. Wen. iN'ay, no hast to be gone Sir, this Coat will sell To the next Countrey Landlord yet agen, These Boots will serve an honester man. 1. Sou. Nay, thou art uumerciful Wen. Marry gip you milksop fool, thou wert best Go barefoot so thy conscience wear socks; why man, This is the farmers eldest whelp, coupled with A carter, they know how to swaddle their legs In straw do you not boobies — 540 Buf. Yes forsooth Mistris. Wen. Nsij, I should teach you manners, had I the tutoring of you. Ex. Souldiers and Wenches. Enter Zannazarro and Eurione. Eur. Do not, Brother, venture too boldly on this piercing aire. Surg. It's dangerous, Sir, and may recall your feaver. Zan. I thank your care, but owe so much unto Your art. that my recovered spirits tell me They are strong enough to strugle with disease, 550 Yet He not long tempt danger, only a while Sit and behold yon greedy flames convert My Fathers palace to his funerall pile. Oh Eurione, Ex. Surg. 14 LOVES VICTORY. To what sad period drives our hasty fate ! We we of all our house remain to be The mockery of fortune. Poor girle we must Ere long be led to grace the triumphs of A lawrel'd Conquerer, thorow the throng Of the insulting multitude, whose mirth 560 Our miseries will be, from thence be hal'd To ignominious death, and far remov'd From the fam'd umes of our dead ancestors, With theeves and murtherers mix our injured dust. In all their Annals, our wrong'd names shall be Branded with ignominious Epithets. Our gardian Angels vainly did protect us Beyond the ruins of our family; That shower of bloud dropt pretious balm, compar'd With those prodigious ills that fall in this. 570 Why did I suffer all those channels to Be stopt that drain'd the crimson sea of life? Were not my hands chain'd in my love to thee, I would again rend ope each orifice And set those conduits going, which are now Lockt in restrictive medicines. Eur. Do not Brother Unthrone thy soul with this unmanly passion. Prop with disdain, that falling pyramid Which in the lowest ebb of fortune may 580 Sit high as Sceptred Kings, and by the strength Of passive fortitude repell the beams Of our malignant stars, thoug'h darted down With barbed vengeance on us. Those calm souls Feel not the war of fierce affliction, which Preserves heavens peace within their quiet brests. The bitterest pils earth steeps in gall, are but LOVES VICTORY. 15 That liealthfull physick, wliicli the sickly mind \ Distasts, but languishes without into A swift consumption of its former virtues. 590 I know thy brest fill'd with too great a spirit To let in such ignoble ghests as fear. And shouldest thou nurse a meaner thought of me, 'Twould strike a blush upon the ashes of Our noble Mother, which could ne'r conceive So mean a thing in great Zoranzas bed. Zan, Now thou art sister to the noblest thoughts My soul extracts from weak humanity. This balm hath cur'd all mine internal wounds, Eur. Then prethee take a care not to offend thy other. 600 Zan. My honoured Gardian Enter Oroan. Oro. Brave Zannazarro, I'm glad to see the bloud Sit in such healthful symptoms on thy cheeks, My Princes mandates now inforcing me Unto a swift removal Fair Eurione I have more offerings here to pay, but yet Am too unsanctified. Eur. Those vows, my Lord, my death will soon discharge. Oro. I am commanded by a power above me; 610 But should my victory dip her lawrels in Your blouds, my own should wash the tincture off, And with your Cypress wreath their withered branches. But fairer hopes in my thoug'hts busie wars, Support the ruins of my falling stars. ACTUS SECUNDUS. Enter Creon and Lewcippus, one in the hahit of a Souldier, the other of a Dancing master. Ore. S-death ! thou look'st as if thou wert newly unfetter'd 4 16 LOVES VICTORY. Lewcippus, since thou skip'st into t'his Dancing suit, but me- 620 thinks thy legs are hardly fine enough for thy profession. Canst caper? Let's see. Lew. As well as thou canst tosse a pike my Valiant Hector thou walk'st in such state As if thou comest Crown'd from Olympus; Or for a reward of thy valor wert to be Elected King of the Romans. Cro. No, a Knight of Malta would serve the turn : And that if our design prosper, I may bid fair for. Lew. We shall no more need to march in back-lanes to 630 shun Catch-poles hist here comes the old Courtier and new Lord Enter Arratus Ar. Save you noble Gallants, and my very Good Friends. Ore. That he never saw before. Ar. Let the word of a Gentleman confirm you welcome. Lew. We had rather have the deeds. Ar. You shall be both respectively entertaiu'd In your several functions. 640 For thou my nimble Lad We'l dance Levalto's lighter then the air When it cuts capers from, the mountains tops. My Nephew's hours of mirthful recreation Shall by thy lighter genius be dispos'd. But there is valour in the Boy that will I doubt disdain the sport, I know his humor If he be of the right bloud of tlie Bujfonies, He will be all for Turnaments, and fighting duels I will seem not to like it, but it was my 650 Own humor when I was young, I believe the Countrey hath bestowed education on him in that kind LOVES VICTORY. 17 According to liis natural worth Wherefore my noble Corydon Ore. I am no Shepherd Sir. Ar. I cry thee mercy, my brave Herculean soul, I mean, what de'e call them — the followers of (wench. The sullen Greek that would not fig'ht for the losse of his Lew. Achilles and his Myrmidons. Ar. Thou hast hit it thou hast hit it 660 My single sol'd Eascal, I mean the Myrmidons: Pox on't ! I forget these hard names ; truth is, I hold it beneath a man of quality to spend His time among moth-eaten books, and leave the More generous recreation of Dogs and Hawkes; some *■ Shreds of Poetry pickt up among the scoundrel Players are all that I make use of; Yet I honor men of Art and Gallantry. Cre. Tis not my use to boast my own perfections, I've seen some petty portions of the world, 670 Serv'd under Caesar in the British wars. Assisted Crassus in the Parthian Conquest, Been with Porsenna at the siege of Rome, With Xerxes when his Army swallowed Greece, And fought for Pompie in Pharsalia's field, But my last piece of service was to fight For brave Adrastus in the Thehan war. Ar. JSTow by my soul a noble warrier; But how met you with this man of art ? Cre. In my travels and I protest stangely; 680 As I was passing over the Lyhian deserts, I lighted upon the Grand Signiors Court, and being invited by him into the Seraglio to see his Concubines, there skipt into this Gentle- mans acquaintance, he being one of those rare Artists kept to edifie the doxies. 18 LOVES VICTORY. Ar. "Now by my honour a strange encounter ; Wliat are these Ent. Buf. a7id Gud. A Servant. Ser. Your I^ephew Sir And his attendant — 690 Ar. How, are you son to Carlo Buffonie? Bu. I am the young Grentleman Sir, and as simple As I stand here, chad better clothers When's come from home. Ar. And how came you to lose them Couzen? Bu. We met with some vermin Zodiars that plunder'd us. Ar. Alas poor Couzen ! and who furnisht you With these new fashion'd Boots? Gu. They are the workmanship of my own hands. Bu. My man Gudgeon is right, a man of knowledge 700 Nunckell He warrant you. Gu. I will serve your worship in the same kind Upon any occasion, I have not been a servant To your brother honest Gotfer Carlo so long for nothing. Ar. Thou sayest well friend, I shall imploy thee. My noble friends, I shall refer my kinsman to Your care^ call for what money you shall see Occasion of to furnish him with all the gallantry He is yet capable of; I could wish he had Been better prepar'd for tutors so ingenious, 710 But hope to see the sudden effects of your skill. Lew. Sir, we shall do our best indevours Come my ill clad gallants, we vnW change your Rusty Swords for glittering Rapiers, Your Russets into Scarlet, and feed Your horses with your boots. Buf. What becomes of our breeches then Gudgeon? Gu. We will send them home to old Master, LOVES VICTORY. 19 They will serve for a change. Ex. Om. Enter the King, an Ambassador as from Cyprus. 720 Kin. How full of fatall changes are our lives ! What is't to be a Monarch, and yet live Trembling at every blast of passion thus! When all my thoughts in the fair hopes were calm'd Of Heroina's safe arivall, then Even then to have them smother'd in this cloud Of cur'st intelligence Oh Gloriandal Each star is dropt out of my heaven of joy; All our intended triumphs must convert To funerall obsequies, our Lawrels be 730 Wreathed o're with Cypress, and the Tyrian robe Strike all its splendor to an Ebon vail. Glo. Your grief is yet but weak suspitions birtch, And happily may prove abortive, Sir. Kin. Poor girle! Thou fain wouldst into comfort flatter us. But the malignity of sorrow can Admit no cordials, when its meager fist In all her functions grasps the strugling soul. Hear him unravel the black clew that led 740 Me into this dark labyrinth of grief. And tell me then where I have ever left Hopes to escape the Minotaure of passions. Glo. Shall I my Lord Burthen you with the weight of this sad story. Emb. Your will commands each motion of my soul. Though to a sad obedience Know then fair Princesse When first our full spread sailes were pregnant grown With prosperous gales of wind, and all our hopes Swel'd equall to their full strecht wombs, and we 750 With joy beheld proud AEtnaes gloomy top 20 LOVES VICTORY. And sleighting Neptune did begin to pray To our domestick Lars, even then A spightful storm stretch't on the wings of all The clamorous winds, proclaims a combat, and Chuses our latitude the fatall lists. The Suns fair mirrour curies her even brow, Whil'st white arm'd waves catch at the clouds, and fall Like liquid Mountains on our sinking Ships, Our rent sails hang on tops of rocks, our cords 760 Crack like the fibers of a dying heart, The frighted Sailer more distracted then The elements into confusion startles. The Master vainly cals for help, till by An angry wave washt off, he loses all His hopes ith' Seas unfathom'd womb. Whil'st in These full mouth'd oathes natures intemperate sons Swore our destruction, a calm gales soft breath Fans off dispair, we now behold none but Pacifick Seas, but in this new born light 770 ]^o beam of comfort dwelt we by it seeing Nought but the scatter'd ruins of our Fleet Which drest the floud in funerall pomp, but what Stroke most amazcj that Vessel where we had Treasur'd our hopes, the Princesse ship was lost. Glo. A sad relation. Kin. Oh but too true, too true my Glorianda, Devouring Seas have cousen'd our imbraces. But shall I lose her thus? go gather all Those Ships that owe obedience to this He 780 And let their squadrons cloud the Sea, untill You find her out, or else, by all that's good, Thy life, though an unworthy sacrifice. Shall fall an offering to her fathers losse. LOVES VICTORY. 21 Emb. I go though in despair to speed. Ex. Emh. Enter Oroandes, Zannazarro, Eurione. Oroandes kneeling, presents the prisoners. Oro. Thus only may your enemies encounter Those beams of sacred majesty that shine Through you from the Sicilian diadem. 790 Kin. Rise nohle Souldier, high in our love as wonder Thus joy encounters grief, but is to weak For such a foe are these thy victorious trophies? There's something in their looks that argues worth, Were it not clouded in Rebellions mask. But that's a sin whose black infection strikes Damps to the heart of Monarchie, and cannot Be nurst within a States ejecting womb Without distempering every vitall part. It was thy mercy when the obstructed sword 800 Like lightning fled, and left their lives untoucht, And now our justice must performe that task. Glo. I more then doubt poor Zannazarros safety, Some of loves old ingredients yet remain. Kin. Why so much woman, Glorianda? Thou but mispend'st thy pity, foolisli girl, Upon an object, which if not remov'd Would soon eclipse the brightnesse of our stars. Go call the Priests of Mars and Pallas hither. Or^o. At what wilde fury reaches this discourse? 810 If at his anger hell lights torches to Lead them into destruction, there must fall Some showers of bloud to quench them. Enter Priests. Kin. Here take the prisoners to your charge, and let Those ceremonies be perform'd, by which The tainted bloud of sacrifices are 22 LOVES VICTORY. Made incense for the gods; see them prepar'd Ere the next morning gilds the earth, delay Shall pluck no feathers from the wings of vengeance, 820 S-death ! what does't curd your blouds ? go bear them oif , That brow that dares contract it self into A frown had better meet a thunderbold. Glo. O they are lost, for ever lost ! Ex. Zan, Eurio. Oro. Is't grief, or reverence that unnerves me thus? Oh my soul thou art too weak too faintly weak To move beneath the Chaos of these woes! Kin. Now Oroandes I have time to imbrace thee, And hug this cabinet of virtue, which Contains those jewels by whose soverain price 830 Our safety was redeem'd. But I have not In all thy absence let thy goodnesse drop Out of my thoughts, witnesse this Lady, in Whose virgin brest I've strove to plant thy worth, Untill her sympathizing virtue might ISTurst to maturity, which to improve. He leave You to Loves fair Elizium, Privacie. Oro. I am your vassal Sir, but cannot pay Oblations due to so immense a love. Ex. King. Glo. Whither starts my degenerate spirits ! I was born 840 Of Parentage high as Sicilies King; And though their death made him my Gardian, yet May be allowed the freedom of my choice. The conversation of our youth had nurst A Cupid in each eye, ere Zannazarro Forc't by a fathers high aspiring pride Forsook's obedience to the Crown, and then A mutual love mixt our souls currents in One silver stream of joy, and shall I now Buy it with pride, 'cause his dejected state 850 LOVES VICTORY. 23 Unvested of its gaudy honour stands? No let his titles sacrifices fall Unto his guilt, so I may him injoy. Oro. She weeps sure there is more in this Then yet my thoughts can fathome: If it be love to Zannazarro, perhaps we may Prevail by our united prayers Pardon Lady My unbecoming rudenesse, I have sorrows That like my evill Grenius on my soul, Sit cloath'd in sables that obscure the light 860 Of beauties rayes Glo. You need no mask to walk ith' Moonlight Sir, But were there flames to quench you, I should shed Tears large enough to quench the rising fire, Oro. We are not like to thrive in love that plant The sprightly fruit in such a watery soyl. Glo. Yet our affections are prehaps of kin, Did we discover their originall. Let's both disvellop truth my Lord, I blush not To let you know these tears are only shed 870 To mollifie those stubborn deities That sway brave Zannazarroes fate And think Yours sympathize in a relation near As is 'twixt him and fair Eurione. Oro. Oraculous truth ! Dear Lady, let me kisse This hand the index to so brave a heart, And on its seal allegiance to your heart. Our souls could nere have met a nearer way But in the rode of wedlock, this hath claspt All the black lines of our affections in 880 One volume, though by natures hand transcrib'd In different characters : but oh ! it lies not In our united prayers for to release 24 LOVE 8 VICTORY. The objects of our love from those strict bands Our Princes rage fetters their safety in. Glo. All violence would wear the ugly brand Of Sacriledge, else I would try the power Of all my Kingdom to support their fates. Rhegium holds many active spirits that would Bear his proud anger with as high a flame, 890 Should I but stir what now conceals their hate. Oro. I have an Army too Not yet disbanded, which would gladly kindle Their discontents at the least beam of mine, The airy weight of a few would set The fatall engin going; bnt my bloud Shrinks to its center at rebellions name. And as if tainted with the thought from thence Scatters an ague through my limbs. If all Our prayers, when mounted on the wings of love, 900 Cannot prevail, let's mix our bloud with theirs. And Martyrs die to our adored saints. Glo. I shall do something too, something that may Preserve my name in sanguin characters. But first let's visit him, perhaps those engins That batter heaven, may shake his marble brest. Oro. My prayers shall wait on yours; and if denied, A lover die, not live a regicide. Ex. om. Enter a Taylor with a new suit, a Hatter, Shoomaker, Spurrier, with other Tradesmen. 910 1. Tra. Come neighbours, shal's crack each one's our Kan before the Gentleman comes. 2. Tra. Our Kans, hang the muddle horsedrench, Let's drink each of us our groat square off Brisk sack, this forain liquor but Adulterates our blouds. LOVES VICTORY. 25 3. Tra. As many of your wives does your beds. 1. Tra. How this coxcombly boy prates Because he hath nere a one of his own ? We shall shortly have him buy the feesimple 920 Of a piece of land, that hath been broke Up to his hand in the Countrey. 3. Tra. Did your easie entrance inform you, Your own was such ? 2. Tra. Go to Sirrah, you are a sawcie boy To prate thus to antient men and thy betters. I tell thee, both my neighbor and My self are town-born children. And have born offices, And before thy head was hot to some of us. 930 3. Tra. But not before your own was hom'd Sir. 1. Tra. How you impudent rascall ! a little more would make me lay my yard about your ears. 3. Tra. But take heed you do not break him ; for I have heard though you are double yarded, your wife wants her full measure. 1. Tra. I protest I will complain to the officer and make him prove it. 2. Tra. Hist you prating coxcomb here comes the Gentleman. 940 Enter Lewcippus. 1. Tra. God save your good worship. 2. Tra. We are glad to see your worship well. Lew. Come what have you brought here? let's see your bils^ thou should'st be a man of might by the largenesse of thy weapon, but without help of thy shears I -will pare off half there, nay take it without grudging, and set thy hand to the receipt. 1. Tra. Nay, I beseech your good worship to consider a 26 LOVES VICTORY. poor Tradesman, our taxations are heavy. 950 Lew. Tusli ! you were born to be made slaves off, come, tby band. 1. Tra. To the whole bill Sir? Lew. S-death ! you crosse leg'd cur, d'ee snarl ? thou wert better eat thy pressing iron then reply another word come you with the taffaty face, thy blew apron fits not methodi- cally friend I protest thy conscience is made of sarce- net, pure and tender as thy wives new blancht cheeks hast thou set thy hand to the bill? how! my money will not hold out but I will send anon 960 that satisfies. 2. Tra. Most aboundantly, an't please your worship. Lew. My jolly Crispin, thou must grant the same curtesie. 3. Oh Lord sir, your worship may command. Lew. Thou deservest to be heir apparent to Sir Hue, and to have thy apron a perpetuall winding sheet to his bones ; come along with me, and transport your commodities, 'tis your Indiaes. Ex. om. Enter Arratus, Carlo, Creon. Art. Signiour, you are welcome. 970 Car. I thank your Lordship intruth so shall your Nephew be to my house and to my daughter too or she and I shall square, but I would fain see the sprightly gal- lant, as lame as I am, I have walk'd thus far on purpose. Arr. He will not long be absent Sir, but is that wild head Vanlore dead? Car. This Gentleman can best inform you. Cre. It was my fortune to close his dying eyes. Car. Captain, not a word of our bargain. Car. aside. Cre. Swounds! d'ee think my neck itches for a halter? 980 Poor Vanlore he was a Gentleman whose memory My love to worth ingages me to hono.ur. LOVES VICTORY. 27 Was this not well dissembled old boy? Aside. Car. Karely thou mayst be secretary to the Devil. Arr. My Nephew Sir Enter Buff. Lew, Gudgeon. Car. God save you noble Sir you'r happily encounter'd. Buf. Would the old fellow beg something Tutor ? We will give him Gudgeons old clothers, they are better then his. 990 Lew. JSTot too loud this must be your father — law. Arr. Nephew, take notice of this Gentleman, you may hereafter call him father. Gud. He should ha better clothers first and I were as my Master he had as good a father as this at home. Buf. Peace fool and let your Master talk how lik'st this Cloak and sword and boot old boy ha ! Lew. You are too rude observe his gravity. Buf. Why, no matter as long as I talk loud enough ; Doest keep any dogs old boy? He course my fathers 1000 Crop-ear'd bitch with thee for vorty groats. Lew. Fie fie, you must lay no wagers under pounds. Buf. Why then pounds let it be or we have a forehorse of our own breed shall draw with ere a horse in Syracuse. Lew. Fie, this is discourse too vulgar. Buff. Why, did you not tell me 'twas Gentleman like To talk of nothing but Dogs and Horses? Gud. Yes, and Whores too Master. Buf. Thanks good memory He begin. Lew. Not for a world before your uncle Aside. 1010 That is discourse for Taverns betwixt the drinking scenes, Whilst men take breath to throw away estates ; There you may vie obscenity, and lard Your dry discourse with oathes but must be civill here. Car. His Tutor's giving him good counsell. 28 LOVES VICTORY. Arr. He is a Gentleman I'm woundrous happy in, for wholesome precepts. Car. Will you not give him leave to visit my poor house ? My Lord his company will be pretious. Arr. Sir I intended he should wait on you home. 1020 Captain it is our pleasure, you attend him. The Citie's full of swaggerers, and he something rash. Nephew we'l leave you to attend this Gentleman ; Bring me word how thou lik'st fair Theocrine. Ex. Car. Come Siguier, will you walk ? Buf. N^ay pray Sir go before. Ex. om. Enter Oroandes alone. Oro. All yet is silent, dark and secret, as if The powers of night did favour my intent. Pardon you Gods that have a residence 1030 Within this sacred roof, if I profane, You are the authors of it, if you own Affections cloth'd in robes immaculate As martyr'd Saints imbrace their sufferings in. Such sure are mine, witnesse that bloud which when Wami'd with the pride of victory did grow Too cold to hatch the embryoes of a sin, Though there were flames of beauty large enough To thaw an Anchorite. Pity me then, just powers. And spare your guiltlesse sacrifice. This hour 1040 This dismall silent hour, is near the time In which the Priest, with hidden mysteries To purge his offering from all the staynes Of secret thoughts, into this Temple comes I do not know What earthquakes cold divinity may breed Within my brest, but sure he must be more Then man that bears her hence, unlesse he Avears My life upon his sword But I am vain. LOVES VICTORY, 29 Nought but the Gods arm'd with destructive thunder Are gardians of this place, which if this act 1050 Be black and sinfull, will, when purpl'd in The guilt on't hurl me into hell if not Protect my bold indevors They come He withdraws. Enter Eurione led by the Priest of Minerva, i7i his hand a Censer burning, at which having lighted the tapors he unvailes her. Pri. Hail noble Virgin more to be ador'd Then she whom our fond superstition makes Our Common-wealths Proteetresse. Eur. What language do I hear? are you her Priest, 1060 And dare prophane your own Miverna thus? Pri. I would not have your judgment Lady look On us with much deluded eyes, to think We pay a private adoration to This gilded marble, only deified By some unperfect souls unworthy fear Whose reason darkned, flew to fancy for Relief, and from those vain idea's fram'd Those tutelary powers, which wiser men Pretend devotion :^o, only to awe 1070 Irregular humanity into A dull obedience to their power, which were Mad to adore those dieties they make. Eur. Oh horrid blasphemy ! Are these the hallowed mysteries you use To sanctifie your offerings with, or is't Your Criielty now I am neer the steep And dangerous precipce of death to stagger A feeble womans faith, that so your mortall May passe to an eternal punishment? 1080 Had I no drop of bloud but what had been 30 LOVES VICTORY. Fir'd with a feaver of hot lusts, the graves Cold damps unfetter'd by your Princes doom Had long ere this extinguisht them. My soul The warm imbraces of her flesh is now, Even now forsaking, this frail body must Like a lost feather fall from oif the wing Of vanity, ere many minutes lie A lump of loth'd corruption, foul enough Without being with so black a sin deform'd. 1090 Pr. Deluded innocence! think you that fate should rob Me of the glorious treasure of your beauty. Soon as I had injoyed it ? What though you are With your heorick Brother destin'd to Confirm a simple Princes zeal ; I know Wayes to evade it that shall make him tremble To touch this sacred beauty, with a reverence Holy as that he payes unto the Gods, Whilst you ( though now ) ordain'd to die a Martyr Shall live a Saint among the sacred number 1100 That in this temple spend their happy hours In silent close delights, such as do make The amorous soul spring in the womb of fancy: Here every hour that links the chain of life We fill with pleasures, yet nere feel their surfets, Degenerate to that pale disease of fear The ignorant world cals Conscience. Eur. How strangely lies the Devill here disguiz'd Within the masque of age and hoilnesse? Pr. Of age! — look here Eurione, Throws off his ornaments. 1110 Is this a face to be despis'd? be not amaz'd The holy reverence which the people bear Unto my office, keeps me so much stranger Unto their knowledge, that I still may be LOVES VICTORY. 31 Secure within the shade of a disguize, Pleasing the sprightly Vestals, which my youth Knows better how to do then feeble age. Had not that excellence of beauty which Appears in you bright as men fancy Angels, I had not stoop't to this discovery, but 1120 With the severity of my office led You to inevitable death, which now My love redeems you from, if with a fair Consent you meet the vigour of my passion. Eu. Witnesse you Gods that see my soul disvellop'd From every thought of earth, how much more willingly I would submit my self to the imbraces Of crawling wormes, the cold inhabitants Of silent dormitories, then to have My dying hopes warm'd into life again 1130 By those wilde fires of thy prodigious lusts. "No impious villian when ghastly horror makes A giddy circle round thy death-bed and Thy sins like Furies all ajppear to fright Thy trembling soul from her last stage of life, When thou shall curse thy birthday, and implore Eternall darknesse to obscure thee from Heavens all discerning eye, this sin shall not Make up a link o'th everlasting chain. Pr. Must I be then denied, fond girl ! thou hast 1140 Precipitated all the hopes of life By this abortive virtue, unlesse thou canst Command a guard of those imaginary And helplesse deities to circle thee In forms more dreadful then the night, or death Presents them to our fears, no power shall save thee, Thy prayers are sown on unrelenting rocks 5 32 LOVES VICTORY. Mixt with a wildernesse of air through which Thou'lt never find them in their wisht effects. Tush ! this weak resistance is in vain 1150 The "Virgin Goddesse stirs not. She flies to the Altar. Eu. Oh hear hear me you sacred powers, And from your thrones look on an injured maid. Pr. Poor fool they'r deaf to thunder. Eu. Some pitying God protect me. Oroandes discovers himself and drawing his sword, runs at him. Oro. Hold hold, There's thy reward mist thee ! Sure there's no god protects thee. 1160 Impious Devil ! Canst thou ere hope to shun me ? Eu. Oh gods ! why was I wak'd to life again To see the mine of my honour ? My Oroandes ! Or hath some pitying deity Possest thy shape to rescue me? Oro. Eurione my hallowed Eurione, I'm too profane to touch thee yet, untill Cleans'd in this villains scalding bloud, which must 1170 Be shed an offering to thy injured virtue. Offers at him, he fals on his Jcnees. Eu. Oh hold my Oroandes, Do not defile thy hands in humane bloud Before such sacred witnesses as these, Let his worse punishment he to survive An act so wicked, till the dictates of His conscience doth anticipate his hell. Pr. My guilt amazes me, nor do I know Whether with greater confidence to beg 1180 LOVES VICTORY. 33 Pardon from heaven, or you; so black, so foul Are my attempts against both: but if confession May be the harbenger of penitence Although deform'd with sin, I shall disrobe The blackest secrets of my soul, these flames Of lust, whose dreadful blazes light me to Future destruction, may perhaps conduct You to a throne of safety. Hoping to Obtain my black desires, when fear of death Should be my moving advocate, I had 1190 Lay'd counterplots for to prevent the fall Of the intended stroak. If you make use Of these contaminated robes, which I Have more abus'd, you'l find their operation In wonders seeming ominous, as those Which drive men to devotions last retreat. ]^ot that I wish for life, but fear to die Ith' youthful vigour of my sins, before Repentance hath infeebl'd them, I beg Life from your mercy, which shall never be 1200 Lavisht in pleasures more, remov'd from all The noise and businesse of the world. He live Attended only with my sorrow, where My private sorrow may no object find But my own gangren'd sins to work upon. Oro. The gods are pityful, and thou mayst live to me- rit life eternally. Canst thou ( my dear Eurione) forget thy wrong? Eu. I else should fear to goe where's fate conducting me. 1210 Oro. Farewell mayst thou acquaint thy soul with heaven. Takes up the Priests robes. 34 LOVES VICTORY. Come my fair sacrifice, these robes can be ISTever profan'd, worn to deliver thee. Ex. om. The end of the Second Act. ACTUS TERTIUS. Officers belonging to the Temple set forth an Altar, others prepare a Throne, loud musicTc. Enter the King crowned, Glorianda and attendants, the 1220 King ascends the Throne, the rest place themselves. Kin. n^ Hon look'st too sadly Glorianda, 1 Though funerals do attend the day we're not To wear the sables of our souls, whilst we With sacrifices feast the deities. Glo. My sadnesse is not grief Sir, only fear How my frail temper may indure a sight So full of horror Kin. We will support thee, here now only wants Sick Oroandes, I hope it is not love that troubles him. 1230 Glo. He is too wise Sir, inconsiderate women Are greatest sufferers in that tyranny. Kin. Yet let it not afflict thee girl, He will do well again Loud musick, the Priest of Mars enters at one side of the Altar leading Zannazarro, his armes hound in a crimson scarf e, crowned with hayes, after him two hoyes with Censers and sacrificing in- struments. Softer mtisicTc, at which enter Oroandes drest liTce the Priest 1240 of Pallas, leading in Eurione, her rohe crimson, her armes hound with a white scarf e. Virgins in white hearing Censers. LOVES VICTORY. 35 Kin. My rage begins to melt, I could even wish They might survive the rigour of their doom. Glo. Must I see this and live? JSTo Zannazarro ■ here is my convoy to thee. Draws a poniard. The Priests lead the sacrifices above the Altar, where unbinding their amies, they give thern liberty of mutual imbraces. 1250 Zan. So now we have ended, my Eurione, All our imployments on the earth this is The last of all our mortall enterviews. The wheels of time worn on the road of age. Will lose their motion, ere we shall again Meet in the robes of flesh, which must ere that Change to a thousand shapes its varied dust : Yet still ( dear girl) our souls unseparable Shall walk together to eternity. Eur. Farewel dear Brother if thy soul do take 1260 Its flight ere mine stay for me in the clouds. They are bound and led to the Altar, where whilst they kneel a Song from within, the Chorus by the attendants to the Priests, who light the fire for the sacrifice. The SONG. See, each winde leaves Civill Wars, The gods approve your Sacrifice, And to behold it, all the Stars look through the curtains of the skies. 1270 Peace reigns through every element. Chorus. Whilst this fair pair to heaven are sent. 36 LOVES VICTORY. Sparta's dear Ipiiigenia died A spotted sacrifice to this Bright Nymph compared, whose Virgin pride Sayes nature nought hath done amisse. And yet this flower so choicely made Clio. By deaths untimely stroke must fade. Romes honour d Decii might have fought Under this youths cominand, yet been 1280 More fam'd then when their valour brought The bloud of foes, t' imbalm it in. Yet this brave soul must fall before Clio. With ages frost he's tinsel' d o're, What's falling now shall rise more pure. The fatall stroke but sinks the Mine, Whose oare this flaming calenture Shall only for heavens Mint refine. Go then and live ivhere time shall be Cho. Confounded in eternitie. 1290 Prepare, prepare the faiall stroke Which their fair threeds must separate: Goodnesse may pity, not revoke The inevitable doom of fate. What their crimes were, let men forget, Cho. No letters but heavens alphabet, When mortals are from virtue fell. Their vices should in censure spell. The Song ended, the Priests prepare to strike. A clap of thunder, groans, and shrieks throughout the Temple, 1300 the Priests robes dropt over with bloud, the Images of the gods reverst. LOVES VICTORY. 37 Kin. What horrid prodigies are these? The gods are sure grown angry with our prayers. Fr'i. I have been long attendant on those powers Within this place ador'd, yet never saw The gods thus moved before. We have profan'd Something their knowledge cals Angelical. Kin. Be gone these gaudy trappings of my pride, This lowly dust looks lovelier then a throne. 1310 Lies here no charme Throwes off his crown and rohe. To release our fears? The Priest unties their scarfes, at which soft musich from above, hoth the images turning again. Pri. Here here lies the guilt of our impiety, The gods are pleas'd again, and those whom we Intended Martyrs must our Saints survive. Oroandes throwes off his robes and discovers himself. Kin. Hah Oroandes what damn'd imposture's this! Glo. To what extent of miracle growes this ! 1320 Oro. The arguments of mercy from the gods Imbolden me to seek the like from you. My violent passions forc't my love into Strange labyrinths of attempts. But what I first Trembling with guilt did undertake, these miracles Have prov'd legitimate. Arm'd with a high But inconsiderate heat of fury, when Eurione into the inmost room Was of the temple brought, resolv'd to bear Her from the rigour of her doom, I had 1330 Thither in private first conveigh'd my self Attending on the hour in which the Priest With his sad charge should enter, which arriv'd I that come there to offer sacriledge 38 LOVES VICTORY. Unto that lioly function, saw my self Ordain'd the instrument of heaven to free Her from the hands of a foul ravisher, The hallowed lights being only kindl'd to Make way to th' injur'd object of his lust, His prayers to blasphemies, his sacred unction 1340 To prophanations more obscene then those That revell in the sinks of sin were turn'd. The badges of a reverend age (these robes The sacred livery of heaven) thrown off Appears a sprightly gallant, fitter for A champion to the stewes, then servant of The injur'd gods, whose violence had not My presence rescu'd her, had couzen'd heaven Of your intended sacrifice to please His own exuberate lust. 1350 Kin. This dreadful story Strikes trembling earthquakes through all my veins. To what vast monster will our sins unchain'd From fear of vengeance grow! Oro. That this is true, witnesse those powers which own'd That eause which I (though rashly) undertook. Kin. Pardon me you diviner powers I have Been too neglective of the charge you gave me. But vnll redeem it in my future zeal. That villains bloud forc't out by torments shall 1360 Begin the purple deluge For you fair souls I must forget those crimes heaven hath been pleas'd Thus freely to forgive rise higher in Our favour then was that exalted story From whence your father fell. Oro. Mountains of grief fall from my burthen'd soul In their delivery : but your soveraign mercy LOVES VICTORY. 39 Must either with one cordiall more relieve My sickly hopes, or I am lost for ever Kin. Thy actions speak thy wishes here Oroandes 1370 Take from my hand this gift of heaven — she's thine By their decree. Gives him Eurione. Glorianda kneels. Glo. Ere your extended mercy shall contract Its liberall hand, let me be happy in The full fruition of my joyes My love To Zannazarro, though long smother'd in His fates obscurity, must now break out In cataracts of prayers, untill you make Me so much sharer of the blessings of This happy day to meet my hopes in him. 1380 Kin. Thy thoughts arrive clothed in the robes of joy. Here Zannazarro Imbrace in her thy happinesse, Zan. With such a trembling pleasure bodies shall Encounter with their separated souls. Kin. Now all your seas are calm'd only my bark Still flags her wings beneath a tempests weight; Yet will I strugle with my griefs to show How much we to this dayes delivery owe. Ex. om. Enter Theocrine and her maid. The. Good wench no more, thou'st tir'd me with this 1390 story. Mai. But had you seen it Mistris you could never have been weary, it was the sumptuousest sight that ever eyes beheld, the Kings good grace (God blesse him) is a brave man by my troth my thought it did me good to see him, but we were all overjoy'd when the sacrifices were releast. The. Prithy no more the sacrifice releast, Happy are they but I must die a sacrifice to love, No helpful Angel will vouchsafe to look From his blest throne on me ; my Vanlores ghost 1400 40 LOVES VICTORY. Is now triumphing 'mongst the Saints, and sees Or else regards not mine afflictions here. A cruell Father first divorc'd what now A harsher fate eternally divides. But know my dear, where ere thy wandring spirit Eoves unappeas'd with sacred funerall rites; Thy Theocrine lives but to pay her tears Oblations to thy memory, and will i^e'r put off sorrows sable robe until The mourning wi-eath shall knit my winding sheet. 1410 These were the bands wherewith we once confirm'd Puis off a bracelet. The obligations of our love but now Are seals of my affliction sent me back As messengers of his untimely fate. Enter Carlo, and Vanlore disguized liJce a Mountihanck Car. Look yonder she is, in one of her fits I protest : I doubt she is craz'd, good Doctor behold her. Van. Love love I see it by the beating of her pulse. 1420 Ca. Why how now daughter, never out of these quandaries? Thou wilt spoil a good face with this puling. Van. Your tres humble servitor Madam. Car. Nay do not look so sleightly on him. He hath promist me to cure thee wench. He is a man of art come forth of a strange countrey. And knows more then a thousand of our dull Ilanders. Van. Foh they are buffones horsleaches, Know nothing more den the Earrier, how to give A great drench pig enough to break de horse 1430 Belly begar meer pisse-prophets, De very spawn of de white wich, fellowes Dat use no medicine but what day pick out LOVES VICTORY. 41 Of de hedge not so virtuous as Madams Old book of receipts The. Sir did you bring this fellow here to rail? Car. Tis but his humor, Theocrine, give him way. Van. Me scorn de stinking drugist, have no use of his horse loads of trash Mine be de pure extract de spirit of de Mineral, here be de Chimical pill, here de quintessence 1440 of balsom dat which cures all solution of continuity though in de ventricles of de heart but here be de grand Elixar, the soveraign medicine that cured the great Mogul when he had been seven year sick of a Le- thargy. Car. Doctor lie leave her to your care. Van. Me warrant dat shall cure her come Madam Begar you but dissemble dis is no inveterate Disease me see no symptomes of it in your face, Dere is no giddy rowling of the eye no swelling 1450 Of de veins about de forehead nor does the Pulse inform me but the systole and diastole Keep due time dis love to Vanlore be but a Pretence to free your self from him, you hate The more deserving Buffonie. The. If grief for him be my disease thy honesty Is as recoverable, now practise hath Made the malignity inveterate. Keep thy strange termes of injur'd art to fright The Ague or a toothake off My griefs 1460 Are grown beyond imaginary cures. Van. Pishaw suppose you did once love him, He be dead, and dere be better men dat seek your love, I have encountered with dat Vanlore in my Peregrination, and found him to be a kickshaw A man of no worth. 42 LOVES VICTORY. The. Thou art a villain to abuse the dead, Had his deserts crauled on the earth like thine, Tis baseness to depresse them now he is Above or else beneath all mortall hate; 1470 But were he living, thy invectives might Sully the Sun as soon as spot his fame. Go then^ and let the wondring multitude Admire thee on a stage, come here no more To scare away my private thoughts, the worst Of which more pleases then thy company. Van. You will be of de oder mind, when I have freed You of all de grief for Vanlore. The. It must be by some speedy means to cast This flesh into the grave that mould of death, 1480 There to be model'd for eternity. Within whose everlasting springs we shall Meet with those joyes whose blasted embryo's were Here made Abortive. If thou hast a poyson Subtill as that the eyes of Basilisks Shoots forth destruction in, with more delight He tak't then ere a fainting Patient did Receive thy promist Cordials. Van. What stronger confirmation needs then this? aside. She's constanter then times vicissitudes. 1490 Yet He make good my word, Throwes ojf his disguize. Receive my Theocrine The promist cordiall, and approve my art. The. My Vanlore! niay I believe my eyes intelligence. Or is this joy deluded fancies birth? Van. Reall as our affections, when we first Assimilated souls in sacred vowes. The. My joy hath almost rarified my spirits Into a substance volatile as that LOVES VICTORY. 43 Which souls begin their separation in. 1500 Support me, frieud, with the relation of Thy fatall story, or this surfeit will Be near as dangerous as the dearth of hope. Van. For fear thy father should prevent our story, I inust shrink under this dark vail again. Puts on his disguize. Tis a relation, Theocrine, will raise Thy virtue in a blush thy Father, Love — — — Thy cruell Father. The. I always doubted 'twas his wretched spirit 1510 That rais'd this dangerous storm. Van. It was and by a means so full of wickednesse I tremble to relate it whilst I lay Ith' Leaguer at Ardenna, he corrupts Creon and Lewcippus, two mercenary slaves, To do what he too long expected had From the wars doubfull fortune, but those villains By his gifts thaw'd from their poverty, Let forth in streams of luxurie their sins Wilde Catarracts, untill the channel] grew 1520 So big it bore the Boyes of reason down. And lets this secret in their midnight cups Flow undescreetly out, which by a friend Of mine inform'd of, from their poison I Received my antidote, and knowing where They had design'd the place to steal my life. Thither prepar'd for my defence repair. The place was cloth'd in privacy enough To warrant them a safe retreat, if in Their black design successefull, hoping to 1530 Surprise me unawares; they here being hid Attempt my life, but finding me prepared. 44 LOVES VICTORY. Had with a guilty basenesse fled if not Inforc't by me, first to unravell all This knot of villainy, confessing how Corrupted by thy fathers gold, they had Sworn my destruction, which repenting, now To merit mercy, they ingage as far Towards my assistance, vowing to obey What ever I commanded; and to shew 1540 Their faiths example, this dear relique of Shewes a Bracelet. Our first affections give me, w'hich receiv'd With those strict bonds of base soul'd cowards (threats) Chaining up their obedienee to my will. I then instruct them with what message they Should cheat thy Fathers willing faith, thy token Although the choicest Jewell of my soul Trusting them with to strengthen impudence At their return, which done, I left the Army. The. But wert unkinde, 1550 Thus long to let me languish in despair. Van. That only cast a cloud on the design, Those villains lavishing the time untill Detected vice made them forsake the Army, Whilst I to live unknown repair'd unto A troop of wilde Bandets, 'mongst whom I have (Though honour'd with their Captains title) liv'd Till weary of their sins, yet keep them still Friends to protect me when with thee I make A safe retreat unto those desert haunts. 1560 The. Teach me the way my Vanlore, though it lie Through dangers greater then the midnight fears Of sickly brains sully their fancies with, Through all He follow thee. Van. Then my good angels cannot stay behind, LOVES VICTORY. 45 Thou must, my dear, pretend to love this fool, Nay more, consent to marry him. The. How! do not run dangerous hazards. Van. We must or else lie still at anchor here. When thy consent ripens thy fathers joy, 1570 Ours will grow neer maturity this disguize Will furnish me with means enough to know The night-walks of his thoughts by which we may Proportion all our actions he comes This kisse; and bid thy Vanlore then farewell. Enter Carlo. Car. A skilfull man I protest, what store of implements he hath? Gaily pots, Glasses, and Ventosses, I hope he hath done the wench good save you Doctor; how thrives your indevour? 1580 Van. Prave prave better then we expected; But me scorn to pipe forth mine own praises. Madam speak for your self, and informe de old Mounsieur your vader Car. How is it Theocrinef ha! The. Well Sir as the harmonious musick of the spirits Supplyed with air sprung from well temper'd bloud, Composes all the organs of the soul. Only in this calm sea of health I find Some pleasing spirits hover 'bout my heart, 1590 Things that till now I was not sensible Of, since I first did love forgotten Vanlore. Van. Now de magicall potion begins to work. The. Forgive my disobedience Sir, She Tcneels. My hate unto that worthy Gentleman Your wisdom had pro^dded for me, shall Pay for redemption all the powers of love, So you'l not punish it in the denying 46 LOVES VICTORY. That blessing which till now I cal'd a curse. Shall your consent tell me I'm pardon'd Sir? 1600 Car. With as much pleasure as I got thee girl. Now thou hast reconcil'd my thoughts, my gold Is not more cordiall then this hlessed change, I^ow I shall live to see thee happy in Possession of a vast estate. The. The man is unto me more pleasing Sir. Car. So I would have him as long as he hath an Estate to boot, I do not like when love grows Daring, and encounter poverty, because they Imagine the threadbare suit adorn'd with a few 1610 ISTeedlesse virtues. Van. Yat dinke you now Signiour ? Car. That thou'rt a man of art incomparable. As AEsculapius self 'twas a cure easily done, And therefore I hope will not stand me in much. My good word shall be ready. Van. Me be not mercenary, de generous Artist Scornes all reward but what comes willingly. Car. Saist thou so ? then thou art for my turn, I like when men will not exact Come, we will 1620 Dine together, and then go visit the Lord Arraius Sprightly kinsman Come my girl. Enter Creon, Lewcippus, Buffonie, Gudgeon, Wenches, Servants, a Bawd. Cre. Come grannum.are they fresh and wholesome, such as may be tilted at and not indanger the head of the Lance ? Baxv. Away you wag, d'ee think I would furnish Custo- mers with ware that should not be for their turn? I protest they came to town but yesterday. Since I dealt in the fleshy 1630 occupation I have not had better. LOVES VICTORY. An Buf. Thou shall be payed well for them Punk, There's gold and here's more left yet. Baw. This is a Boy of mettle. 1. We. Let us alone to melt it mother, Come sir, you are sad. If any service of mine might please you, I will Strive to shew activity in your content, let me lead You to the private lists of Venus, where We'l make the bloud dance measures through our veins Till warm'd with the delitious sport it glows 1640 Our wreath'd imbraces in extracted balm. 2. Wen. We'l kisse you into extasies, and make Our breasts the pillowes to repose your head. 1. Wen. We'l please each sense vdth some delight. Your eyes With unvail'd beauties whiter then the Alps, Your touch with skins like polisht Ivory smooth. Your tast shall surfet on the balm of lips, For Indian gums, the fruitfuU vally that Lies underneath fair Venus mount shall send Far more delightfuU perfumes, and when tyred 1650 With these delitious sports, we will sing Your wearyed spirits into rest. 2. Wen. And whilst you sleep our nimble fancies shall Study some undiscovered passage through The corall banked straights of love, with which We'l entertain your naked innocence. 1. Wen. Our Banquets shall be all on Cordials, sauc't With strong provocatives, whose sprightly power Each minute shall create new appetites. Lew. The Wenches have ravisht him. 1660 Buf. Who would not spend Estates upon these Ladies? But have you ne'r an ordinary bit for my man Gudgeon^ I would not have him sit idle. Baw. Rather then he shall want imployment, I will g 48 LOVES VICTORY. Venture my self to give him a heat ; But lie hatli more mind to a Countrey dance I see lie is putting his feet in measure. Gud. I won't we had a Fidler here, I could foot it, I faith. Baw. Shal's have a dance Gentlemen, I have an old 1670 Stallion within that can play. Buf. Call him good Grannum, and let's to't, can you dance Ladies? Wen. We will do any thing that tends to your de- light Sir. Ent. Fidler. Baw. Come twist thy guts up old squeaker. Fid. Couple your selves, I am in tune. Lew. Woot dance Creonf Ore. ISTot I, the sport's too light, let Gudgeon supply 1680 my place. Baw. Come Gudgeon thou and I Play the shaking of the sheets. They dance. Knock within. Within. Ho house ho what, all asleep! Baw. Hark the Collonel,, and the rest of the Blades Are come shall I call them hither? Ore. No, we will wait on them, come Pupil, We will acquaint you with the City Gallants. Ex. om. Enter three Bandeets, three Sailers meeting them. 1. Sai. Save you Gallants where's our Captain? 1690 Here is a prize for him worth a hording. 1. Ban. A lovely heauty S-death ! how came you by her? 2. Sai Where we found store of other treasure, nay our Trade at Sea will prove better then yours at Land. But is not our Captain to be spoke withall? 2. Ban. ^N'ot now, he is imployed, but where we LOVES VICTORY. 49 know not. 3. Ban. We expect his speedy return, but till then I am his Viceroy in our Common-wealth, 1700 3. Sai. Then take charge of this Lady, but let her be Preserv'd untoucht for him and hark you Sir, Be carefull of it if her complaints inform Him otherwise, you'l dearly suffer for it. Whispers. Hero. What dreadful precipice of misery are My sullen fates descending Can I hope My honors safety, whilst my body is Commanded by these that no Law controuls ? 1. Ban. Come Lady, you must now be a wilde inhabitant Of these dark woods with us, yet do not weep, 1710 Though our profession seem to promise none, Here you may finde civility. Her. Pray heaven I may, my journey hither hath Been full of strange misfortunes I have found Crown'd expectations for captivity Unhappily exchang'd. Sai. Valiant Bandeets farewell look to your charge. 3. Ban. With as much care as we would strive to keep Jewels, whose losse would ruine all our hopes. Ex. Sai. 3. Ban. Come noble Lady if your birth hath cloth'd 1720 Honour in higher attributes, forgive Our rudenesse, since the child of ignorance. Her. Alas ! what ere my birth hath been, I'm now A slave to you, and must forget those vain Airs of ambitious honour, so I may But find civility enough to be Protectress of my Virgin honor, all My others will most willingly be spar'd. Yet they are such that were I known I might Perhaps repair these broken fortunes which 1730 50 LOVES VICTORY. Thus makes you run the hazard of the Law. 1. Ban. We wish this curtain of your fate may be Swiftly withdrawn, till then, let all our vowes Prevent your fears, the rudenesse of our lives May be your trouble, but shall never grow To a disease more dangerous. Her. I live in hopes to gain ability Of an extent so large as recompence. Ex. om. Enter three Blades, Buff, and Gudgeon drunk, Drawers with Wine. 1740 1. Bla. Stand up brother come, our brains are not warm enough yet fill out here noble brother. Buf. Thanks brother Collonel I will pledge thee were it a Tub full and pay for't too here's gold enough. 2. Bla. Here a health to my Lord Arratus. Buf. Come to my JSTunckel there lies my hat. 3. Bla. Here Gudgeon, thou must have it too. Gud. I ha more already then I can carry upright. 1. Bla. Round with another health here To my brother Buffonies Lady. 1750 Bujf. That's the two yong Grentlewomen of the house These be Gallants Gudgeon sons of fame. Gud. She blew them from her breech. 2. Blad. House more Wine here, where be these Vermin? (Brother, Buf. What will they not hear? let's break down the doors Or fire the house nay I am valiant too. KnocTcs, a Wench looks out a the window. Wen. Why, what d'eemean there Gentlemen to beat my mothers doors down? 1760 Buf. Some Wine and Wenches you Cockatrice. Wen. You have too much already Sir, to sleep 1. Bla. Why you harpy, doest think we'l be confin'd to LOVES VICTORY. 51 the Lobby. Wen. You will have the greater benefit of the air Sir. 2. Bla. Swounds we'l not be bafl'd thus. Buf. No that we will not brothsr, I feel the spirit of "Wine in my brains, and will not be bafl'd. 1. Bla. We'l scale your windows you Whores. Buf. Brother let's brother Collonel 1770 He in first. 2. Bla. We will not put you on a matter of such dan- ger Sir. Bujf. Danger I scorn the word I fear it not brother, He do it I and my valiant sword-bearer. Oud. He not creep in at windows, not I, amongst Whores to have my eyes scratch't out not I. Buff. How not venter? why thou wilt not turn coward and fear scratching? • shall not be said but we Countrey boys are as valiant as the best of them. 1780 3. Bla. But the window is narrow, and will spoil your new suit. Buff. Come, come prepare help me and He put them off. 2. Bla. Valiant brother, thou shall have the honour to enter first. Buff. I and my squire will enter this inchanted Castle, And relieve the imprison'd Ladies. Gudgeon let's untrusse and prepare for the combate. 1. Bla. He help my brother whilst you prepare Gudgeon. 1790 N'ow for the boots. Buff. My foot is at thy service noble brother, IvTay off with my breeches too I have drawers on. 2. Bla. Hast thou drawers too Gudgeon? Gud. I; but I had as leave a been hang'd as ha come to this. 62 LOVES VICTORY. Buf. Come now, your helping hands, He scale the wals. Attendant be at hand with my weapon. 1. Bla. We'l second thee immediately venturous brother. Come Gudgeon follow thy Master. 1800 Put them in at the window. Outcries within. Buf, Oh oh — - — - help us brother Collonel, Draw up thy forces. 1. Bla. The conflict is begun we'l leave them to the mercy of the Wenches, and now the guls are uncas't make use of their feathers here's a prize lads. 2. Blad. The Golden fleece was but stinking sheep- skin to't. 3. Blad. Come let's be gone, the Bloud-hounds will pursue. Ex. cm. 1810 Enter Creon and Lewcippus. Ore. Pox on the slaves they're gone. Lew. This Devill Lust hath undone us. Ore. Tis no now time to dispute it ; Let's rather bethink our selves of some course To preserve our credit with his unkle. Lew. There's it, and I am deceived, if I have not found it out ; thou knowest the opinion he hath of his valour : I will home, and possesse him that he privately withdrew as we fear to fight, and that thou wert in quest of him whilst I 1820 come to inform his doting Lordship. Ore. Blessed be thy pregnant brain. Be gone and thrive, I will return upon my cue. Ex. am. Enter Buffonie and Gudgeon in their shirts hath hloudy, wenches following. Baw. Out of my doors you Rogues. Buf. Good reverend Matron we heartily repent Gudgeon our clothes what's become of our brother Collo- nel, and the rest of the Blades ? LOVES VICTORY. 53 1. Wen. Faith even sheathed in your scabards by this 1830 time, you ignorant Rogues to come to abuse a civill house and to be couzen'd of your clothes. Gud. Oh we shall die with cold, Buf. Good Gentlwomen give us some slender gar- ments, my Nunckel shall give satisfaction Oh Gud- geon my Hat and all my fine Ribbons, and my Sword • all's gone. Gud. I woot we had our old ones here. 1. Wen. But faith tis pity to turn them off thus. The puppies will catch the pip have you no old breeches ? 1840 Baw. By my fay nothing that belongs to man, but an old armour that a beggerly Souldier pawn'd and that He fetch. 2. Wen. And He lend the page an old petticoat and wast- coat. Bring forth an Armour and clothes. Buf. We shall be bound to pray for you. 1. Wen. Go arme the Knight whist I prepare the Lady of the lake. Put the Armor on Buffonie, the petticoat and wastcoat on Gud. Gud. I doubt we shall not passe the street for the Scoun- 1850 drell boyes. Buf. Put it on Gudgeon, and be thankfull. Any thing to hide thy nakednesse, good Gudgeon. Gud. I have played maid Marrian ere now. 1. Wen. So now you are provided, my honour'd Don Buf. We kindly thank your good Ladyships, we shall be bound to pray for you tis not so cold as 'twas. 2. Wen. Gome, march my valiant Hector. 1. Wen. N'ay faith here is each of them a nold pair of slippers too. 1860 Buf. Good-be-wy my honourable young Ladies. Ex. Buf. and Gud. 54 LOVES VICTORY. Baw. So now let's in and share, Ex. om. Enter Arratus, Carlo, Theocrine, and Lewcippus. Arr. I wonder at this when saw you him last? Lew. Some three hours since, when leaving him at a Play, whilst we went to dispatch some businesse in the City, at our return we mist him I perceiv'd some difference be- twixt him and a blade oth' town, snd doubt the sword hath disputed it. 1870 Car. Tis most like that's it, he is resolute. The. Must I then be so unhappy when I first began to che- rish love to lose its wisht for object? Arr. Grieve not Lady I hope all is well. The. I doubt his valour will betray him to Some desperate quarrell, in whose fury all My hopes of him may perish. Car. I will go send my servants abroad. We cannot be too carefull of his safety. Arr. Trouble not your self Sir I have took 1880 order. Enter Buff, and Gud. Buf. Ah ah ready to die with cold. Arr. What have we here? a prologue to the mask of Witches ? Car. Some intended sport without question. Which now will come out of season. Buf. Ha ! forgot me I^unckel I am your poor kinsman. Arr. Thou art my shame, and mak'st me grieve that ever 1890 I entertain'd a thought of raising thee So much beyond the pitch of thy deserts. The. Let not your anger Sir Add waights to his unhappinesse. Arr. Sure she is bewitcht you are a moving advocate. LOVES VICTORY. 65 But so it render him not lost wifMn The place he did in your affections hold, I shall be easily wrought to pardon him. The. That were a love too much depending on The accidents of fortune to be thought 1900 Worthy of him I on this Armor look As spoiles got from some conquer'd enemy, His garments lost by stealth, not from him took By any force of man. Buf. She is in the right Nunckel, my brother Collonel stole them, whilst my squire and I scal'd the wals. The. I thought 'twas some such desperate attempt; Let me disarme thee love, and see thy wounds. Car. Rare Artists! this Philter works wonders. Arr. He hath met with some cheat for Knights, 1910 And the nails of whores for steel. The. Let me wipe off the bloud, and thy poor ser- vants too. Gud. I will not trouble you Mistris, I use to heal such sleight wounds as this by washing them in mine own water. Buf. I had rather go in out of the cold. Arr. Thou makest me blush unmanner'd fool: Why doest not with more thankfulnesse imbrace The tender of her love? Lewcippus have them 1920 In, and see them once more cloth'd. I can impute as much to youths irregularity As others can : but if he leave not this, My hate may ruine what my love hath built. The. I hope your wisdom Sir will look on this But as an errour, which correcting age May easily reform. Car. This is an ill sign I doubt he will spend all. 56 LOVES VICTORY. Arr. I siiall do much for your sake Lady. Let's in and see him, though 'twere amiss, 1930 To make him mend, it is to laugh at this. Ex. om. ACTUS QUARTUS. Scena Secunda. Enter the King in a night gown, two Pages with lights, one hearing uhe 'picture of Heroina, the other of Eurione, set down the light and pictures, and ex. Pages. Kin. Yy Ee gone, and let me gaze my self to marhle here. l-'Oh I have lost the quiet of my soul. All peaeefull harmony. My eyes have suckt 1940 A subtill poison, and disperst it through My souls oreflowing rivolet. Oh Heroina I have defil'd those noble thoughts in which I should have eloth'd the memory of this Fain would I smoother this proud flame But vainly strive It hath lay'd hold on reasons battlements. This is Heroina's Looks on her picture. The same whose fair Idea untill now, I only entertain'd within my thoughts 1950 And must I let this glorious angell flie From the polluted temple? I must Here lies a spell that charmes me Oopens Eurione's picture. What did I say Pardon thou fair commandresse of my soul, I did blaspheme this sacred beauty is Fit for loves highest Altar, where my heart If sacrific'd dies in Enthean fire, Pure as the Elements, when quintessenc't LOVES VICTORY. 67 Into perfection shall communicate 1960 To bodies glorified These bloudlesse shadows hold no symmetry In their proportion, this interior orb Sits like a smaller Planet near the Sun. I should not thus sharpen a Scorpions sting, If not already Basilisk'd to death. But I like Atlas vainly struggle to O'rethrow a world of fancy I'm resolv'd. Enochs, enter Page, takes him a Letter, Convey this speedily to Oroandes. 1970 The cure is dangerous, but where the sharp disease Breaths nought but desperation, 'tis in vain Through reasons Limbeck to extract our thoughts. Mufl'd in clouds of sin and shame I go To grope for light, or sink in endlesse wo. Ex. King. Enter Vanlore leading in Theocrine. The. Be not too confident my Vanlore, They're desperate gamesters That throw their whole stock at one trembling cast. If in this mornings progresse we are maskt, 1980 Time ne'r will lend a beam to light us forth Of sorrows subtill labyrinth should thy plot Crampt with prevention halt behind thy hopes, And I be marryed to this wretch we may Go then aside, and sacrifice our tears. Our fruitlesse tears unto those Gods for whom We have prepared our holy vowes but never Must meet in warm imbraces. Van. Do not doubt The powerfull influence of our stars should what 1990 I have prepar'd to combate their design, Be by some sullen spie betrayed, I have 58 LOVES VICTORY. Fitted a friend ordain'd for action in This Comick Scene, whose sword hath glister'd 'mongst A throng of braver enemies then they; By whose assistance, if they durst oppose, He cut the cordage of that hand although Before the Altar, that layes hold on thee. The. I would not have that silver feather'd dove, On whose pure wings we first rais'd our affection, 2000 Her yet immaculate pinnions dip in bloud. Van. Yet must we not Tamely let Vultures prey upon our hearts. I hear thy Father, Ceugh within. And must betake my self to canting. Enter Carlo, servant leading him. Car. Oh oh oh ! Help me good Doctor: Oh this tormenting Gout, my joints are rack'd. Van. Marke you Mounsieur — you must be — paesant till 2010 my me-di-cine can operate. Car. Oh I can hold no longer, set me down softly Geafery. Van. And lay up de leg Sh-free Here on de Cushoone so no, easie now. Car. I^ot much not much how now girl? Hast thou sent to invite thy ghests? The. I have Sir, but doubt your want of health will much obstruct their mirth. Car. We'l have the fewer girl, 'twill save charges. I do not like these costly feasts, 2020 They but undo young couples Oh my joints ! Doctor, we shall have your company. Van. Me be very sorry, me cannot be your servant, But de number of de patients dat call upon me. The. "We shall excuse you Sir, but could your time permit, LOVES VICTORY. 69 you should be rang'd with the best of our friends. Van. Me humbly thank you Madam. The. We will be free, though my husband be not Courtly. Car. N^ot Courtly saist, marry the better wench, it puts 2030 me in hope I shall not live to see thee want, the swaggering Gallant goes out like a snuff, when the constant house- keeper gives the best light at last Oh ^oh oh ! my pain is intolerable I would not have him hearken to this paltry poetry, nor visit harlotry playhouses. Let his imployments be to read the Statutes. oh 'twill do him good the knavery of a Lawyer, or the cunning of a Bankrout shall never undo him. Van. And tose as I have heard be diseases Epidemical — but 2040 be de law de speciall antidote. Car. 'Tis our last refuge, but in these parts not thorough- ly prosecuted, I have now at the least fifty suits depending, and many of them I know to be poor rascals and not able to pay oh now now And yet I can have no further re- compence then throwing them in Gaole Oh my knee ! where they shall lie till they rot, if they pay not. Enter a servant. Ser. Some Tradesmen Mris. Theocrine 2050 Desire to speak with you. Ex. The. Car. Do not buy thy garments too gaudy. Gold is better in thy purse then on thy back. Take example by thy aged father, Theocrine. Oh now it tugs again now now! Van. Be of good comfort, it is but de acerbity of de humor I will to my poison mixers, and prepare de richest ingredients. 60 LOVES VICTORY. Car. I think an ointment of good Foot oyl were good, It is cheap and easily got, I would not 2060 Be at too much charges lead me in Geofry oh ! farewell good Doctor oh ! This double charges will undo me. Van. Thou ne'er wilt he so happy, wretched Miser, To have that file polish thy cankerd soul. The generous spirits punishment would be To thee the effects of mercy. Is Theocrine, My virtuous Theocrine, descended from So vile a Father? Sure her Mother was Some Angell clothed in flesh, that could not be 2070 Corrupted with th' afiinity of vice; Else had the rudenesse of his nature planted Some thomes within that Paradise, w'hich now The amorous Myrtles tender branches dresse In such soft lovely robes, her passions are Sharpn'd with anger, but like thornes plac't To guard those roses Virgin modesty. 'Nov can pale fear in her more refuge seek. Then to improve the Lillies on her cheek. Enter Theocrine. 2080 The. Come follow me Vanlore, I have prepar'd thy habit let's hasten. Ex. om. Enter Buff. Grodg. Creon, Lewcip. Ore. Fie, fie! ISTot ready yet, and to be a Bridegroom ere break of day? Buf. I cannot tie my bond-strings. Lew. Assist him Gudgeon S-death! what doest gape for? G^id. Cham't thorowly awak'd yet, chad rather Be at whome again, a keeping of Sheep, There chad time to fetch out my full sleep, 2090 Here cham tottered up all hours of the nig'ht. LOVES VICTORY. 61 Ore. Why, thou doest not grumble Rascall, give me come, pox on thy gouty fingers, they are fitter to tie sacks Gud. 'Tis no matter for your frumps: Chon't be thus abused long, chill get me home, and be a paultry Servingman no longer, to lick trenchers and live upon scraps. Lew. Why, how now slave, wert thou ever thus fine before? 2100 Gud. Yes in a pranked suit, 'tis much credit sure, e'n as much as the slit in our hawked Bullocks ear, or a mark in the side of a Sheep. Buff. Come Tutor, now come help me trusse my points, Chwas never thus troubled with harnessing my self before, and this be the fruit of marriage, I will marry no more yet in hast. If my Nunckel had been a man as other men be, he might ha marryed her his self, and ha saved me this labour, but no matter Gudgeon, we'l have about at trull-me-dems when the Parson hath done. 2110 Enter Arratus. Arr. I to my grief have heard all this. Unmaner'd slave ! are these the fruits of all My ill bestowed expenses? I see it lies not I'th power of art to polish thee, I have Eansack'd the City for the choiest wits, They rackt invention to improve thy knowledge, And yet thou still remainst a senslesse block. Pox on your ugly looks you sleepish clown. Pull up thy spirits or by heaven Kicks him. 2120 Gud. Master, give the testy old fool a clowt o'th ear. Arr. What, art thou barking connsell to him? Kever were there such a couple of whelps Harl'd together, hell take you both for muddy slaves; 62 LOVES VICTORY. He rather leave my revenues in the wals of a Hospitall. Or build Temples for the next Faction to pull down, Then bestow it on such a puppy. Ore. 'Twill become your discretion, Sir, to smother Your anger for the present, let this dayes Businesse be past over ere you nourish the flame; 2130 Then if you see no reformation, we shall not Counsell to ought your judgment approves not of. Lew. Should you so untimely withdraw your love, His disgrace would reflect on your reputation. Arr. You shall prevail for this once, come Sirrah See thy behaviour redeem thy credit Or thou art lost Oud. Lost ! hey 'tis no matter and we were Both lost, so we could find some of our old Mates again Ich can't abide these Courtnowles. Ex. om. 2140 Enter Zanna. leading Glori. Oroandes Eurione. Zan. Must we part here? Glo. Yes there are some ceremonies yet to come Ere you enter farther Oro. To morrow night "No Cherubin will guard the gates that lead • Unto our blisful thrones, these Ivory temples Will dedicated both to Janus stand Open in all the Civill wars of love. Eur. How Oroandes thou art wanton friend, 2150 We are yet cloth'd in thoughts as pure and white As new created Vestals, such discourse Will not be harmony when fetter'd in Your bridall beds, we willing captives lie. Oro. 'Not discord my Eurione the modest blush Corals the Virgin cheek no longer then The trecherous light betrayes her to the view LOVES VICTORY. 63 Of the delighted Paranymplis. The curtain'd bed presents unknown delights Cloth'd in unpractic't nature, which improv'd 2160 By loves assimilating virtue warmes The unform'd embryo into full blovni joy. Eur. What shall I call this, experimental or imaginary? Oro. Thy virtue best knows what Glo. I see my Lord the active wars afford Sometime to melt in passive thoughts, your steel Soft love may polish to a looking glasse. Eur. Yes, and work the waving plume into a fan. Glo. The stubborn helmet into lawn, and strew Bodkins and pins for rapiers round their beds. 2170 Zan. Why, Ladies though we have been Immui*'d in steel, we are no Cyclopes yet, Our joints are supple, though not weak as those Whose knees are oftner to his Mistris bowed Then to his God, who measures out his life In wanton Galliards, and a fidlestick Knows better how to handle then a sword, N'o stand of pikes their bristled squadrons place About our chins, nor are our lips hedg'd in With quickset beards which thatch a Scythians face. 2180 The Souldier when he'th steVd his bowels in The bloud, and sweat of enemies, is then Most fit to kisse the balmy lips of peace; His fresh and lusty appetite digests What glutted Courtiers surfet on, and makes They labour his refreshing exercise. Glo. We cannot doubt the softnesse your limbs, As long as flints will break on feather beds. Zan. Thy active wit my Glorianda sports In our rude fancies deserts. n 2190 64 LOVES VICTORY. Oro. Let lier freind, to morrow miglit she must Impal'd within the narrow circle of Thy armes he harr'd that liherty, and then Her world of Virgin thoughts will all conclude In the possession of Elyzium, Her Lillies and thy Lawrell both will be Oretopt by Cupids Myrtles. The Phoenix And warlike Eagle to a wildernesse Untrod by fancies future steps may flie, Wihilst Venus Doves are harbour'd in your brests. 2200 Enter a Page. Pag. My Lord Oro. To me ! thy businesse. Gives him a Letter. From his Majesty. It nought contains but what must be obeyed. Pag. 1 shall return that answer Sir. Ex. Pag. Oro. They must not see this, it may contain News that may ruffle all their calm delights. Eur. What was this fellowes businesse Oroandes'i Oro. The King hath sent for me. Go virgin friends, 2210 This night lie shivering in your native ice, The blooming spring approaches, which must change Your snow to beds of roses goodnight Blest Angels clasp their wings above your beds. Ex. Oro. Zan. Come He only wait you to your Chamber door, And there leave my best wishes to attend you further. Ex. severally. Enter the Priest of Hymen, two Maids leading Buffonie, Creon and Lewcippus leading Theocrine, Carlo horn in a chair, Arratus with lights and attendants. 2220 Car. Carry me gently oh that my pain should so vex me at this good time! Being come to the middle of the Stage, the candles hegin to LOVES VICTORY. 65 wax out, flashes of light within the curtain, Vanlore in manner of a ghost appears, and suddenly draws hack within the curtain. Pri. What prodigies are these? ( Arr. ) The light appears again. Car. It is some spectrum. (Buf. ) I hope the Devill wo' not forbid the banes. 2230 He appears again, at which the hearers letting fall Carlo's chair, run hastily forth all hut Carlo, who lies sprawling on the ground, to him enters one disguized in a dreadfull shape representing the Devill. Dev. Prepare prepare I come to bear Thy body where No eye shall ere Behold thee more, but those that share 2240 With thee in everlasting care. Car. Oh ! Oh ! I cannot rise, Some good body save me from the spirit. Dev. Come come away, Hell hates delay, I sent the day. And dare not stay, Lest light by ugly form betray, Ghosts may not see what mortals may. Theocrine ahove. 2250 Be gone foul fiend, there are some saving drops Of mercy yet hang over him and stops Thy eager hast. Dev. Oh do not wast Thy time i'th' air, heaven his eternall doom Hath seal'd with Orphanes bloud, but will no room 66 LOVES VICTORY. Eor sucli dam'd souls admit, Thou art call'd up to sit Circl'd witli glory 'mongst the blisful thrones, But he cast down, down, where in hollow groans 2260 His sins shall still complain. The. Tears will wash off their stain, There needs no flames to purge them Live live then But only to repent on earth which when Perform'd, come rest with me. Car. Where art ? oh let me see. The. That is not in my power to grant to thin Unbodied aire I am resolv'd, which in This region only hovers Till time and fate discovers 2270 What will become of thee. (Dev.) What but to go Wi h me where flouds of flaming sulphur flow, Through dark and souty caves. Where endlesse madnesse raves, Where living flame in everlasting night Still dying burns, but burning gives no light ? The busie Furies there His restlesse bed prepare Of molten gold spread o're with burning flakes, Curtain'd with horror, and begirt with Snakes. 2280 Then cease, and hast unto Those white souls that have flew Above my reach^ which I have only power To envy not to hurt. ( The. ) But can the hour ISTot be a while prolong'd? Dev. Then destiny were wrong'd. Shaking his chains he runs towards him, at which enter the Priest in his pontiflcall ornaments, as he LOVES VICTORY. 67 begins to read, the Devill roaring runs forth. 2290 Pri. I thought thou durst not stand to encounter with So brave an enemy as this. A noise within, at which Carlo rising runs halting forth. Ex. Priest. Enter Vanlore, Theocrine, and two Bandeets. Van. They're gone and too much frighted to re- turn in hast. The. Our plot hath equall to our wishes thriv'd. Van. I am indebted brave Bandeets to you, But will requite it in the like attempt 2300 When ere occasion shall require my aid. 1. Ban. We are so much your creatures Sir, that tis The child of duty, when our gratitude Offers all service to so loved a master. Van. Time will admit but small commerce of words. My actions still shall speak me yours The. Dear Vanlore let's be gone; They will pursue as soon as they've collected Their yet unrallied spirits. Van. Thou art the loadstone Theocrine, by whose 2310 Attractive power the Compasse of my thoughts Directed by thy wit, their ISTeedle, steers My almost Shipwrackt hopes, into a safe And quiet harbor of content. Ex. om. Enter Oroandes alone reading a note, Oro. The hour five the place the plain beneath the Hermits rock. I have not mist in either circumstance, Unlesse my haste anticipated time it yet is not full five The morning hath not lost her virgin blush 2320 N'or step, but mine soild the earths tinsel'd robe. 68 LOVES VICTORY. How full of heaven this solitude appears, This healthful comfort of the happy swain, Who from his hard, but peacefull bed rous'd up In's morning exercise saluted is By a full quire of feather'd Choristers Wedding their notes to the inamour'd air. Here I^ature in her unaffected dresse, Plaited with vallies and imbost with hils, Enchac't with silver streams, and fring'd with woods, 2330 Sits lovely in her native russet, whilst Lame Art to hide her known deformitie With painting surfets each discerning eie. Enter the King disguized. Oro. 'Tis he, but strangely chang'd. Kin Oroandes, you're now a loyal Subject. Oro. All my ambition ne'r flew higher Sir, Then in that region of your thoughts to thrive. Kin. There it was grown to full maturity Ere thou wrotest man, my Oroandes, but I must 2340 Like wanton Nero either ruine all The glorious structure of thy hopes, or live Imprison'd in thy loyalty, thy life Till now my strongest fortresse is become The fatall engine of my ruine. Oro. Heaven what have I done to merit this? Kin. l^othing but been too virtuous, and by that Center'd affections, which I must remove Or shake thee into Chaos. Oro. This language blasts me, sure I have no sin 2350 Ponderous enough to boy your vengeance up Unto this dangerous height. Did I but think One Viper lodg'd in my remotest thought, I'd tear each fiber of my heart to find LOVES VICTORY. 69 The monster forth, and in my blond imbalm'd Throw it as far as lifes short span can reach. But heaven my witnesse is, no flame of zeal But hath been yours i'th second magnitude. My vowes of kin to those I paid the gods, My prayers, but love, and duty, fir'd into 2360 A holy Calenture. Yet if all this Like a small Stars kind influence govem'd by A regall Planets crosse aspects, must drop Its fading beams into that house of death Your fierce destructive anger, let me shew The latitude of my obedience, in Dying at the command of him for whom I only wish to live. Did all my friends Look on the object through their tears, the ghost Of my dead Mother, capable of grief 2370 As of eternity, and yet clothed in Humanities most frail affections, all Those rivolets of sorrow should not wash The sanguin stain of my resolves, so they If executed could procure a calm In this high tempest of your soul. Kin. Thy virtue fathomes not my depth of guilt. Such a prevention of my anger would Only exchange the active passion for Sorrow as insupportable; those characters 2380 Which must unfold the sables of my soul Are in dark Hieroglyphicks hid, through which Thy strength of judgment cannot pierce. Oro. You speak in misty wonders, Sir, such as lead My appreihension into wilde Meanders. Kin. This will unriddle all our doubts draw. Oro. Against my Soveraign ! an act so wicked would 70 LOVES VICTORY. Retort the guilty steel into my breast. Fear never yet marbled a cowards bloud More then obedience mine, that breath hath lockt 2390 In ice the panting channels of my heart, No spirits dare from their cold center move. Kin. Will you deny w^hen I command? Oro. Pardon me royall Sir; had such a voice Legitimated my attempts, I had i^ot paus'd at the incounter of a danger Horrid as all the wars oth' elements, Wlien ruffl'd into stormes could present; I would bestride a cloud with lightning charg'd, In's full carreer affront a thunderboult, 2400 Leap through the clefts of earthquakes, or attempt To prop the ruins of a falling rock, Yet count all this my happinesse, so I Met death in the white robes of loyalty. But to encounter such a ghastly foe In the black shadow of Rebellion, shakes The strongest pillars of my soul. You are my King, My King whose frowns should be More dreadfull to me, then oraculous truths When threatning sudden ruine; your sacred person 2410 Is circl'd with divinity, which without reverence To touch is sacriledge, to look on sin Unlesse each glance is usher'd with a prayer. Kings are but living temples, wherein is As in the Nations center, the chief seat Of their protecting God, and shall I then Pollute my hands in bloud, whose every drop Would swell my Countreys tears into a floud? Kin. Are my attempts priz'd at so cheap a rate? Wears not my sword a danger on its point 2420 LOVES VICTORY. 71 As well as thine? draw or I shall conclude 'Tis fear, not loyalty, that charmes thy hand. Oro. This stirs my bloud were you a private man That only had his better genius to Protect him, though allied to me by all The ties of Nature and of friendship, yet Being thus far urged, our Swords long since should have Made known whose Stars the brighter influence had. Kin. I have unfetter'd all those legall bondes draw, For thy denying now but sleights my power. 2430 Oro. Then since the res no evasion, Or. draws. Witnesse ye Gods my inocence is wrong'd. But gratious Sir Kneels. Before I fall or stand, lesse fortunate To see you overthrow, oh let me know What fate, what cruell fate hath rob'd me of The treasures of your love: I never yet Sullied my soul with any thought that might Deserve your hate, heaven is my faithful witnesse I harbour none of you, but such as are 2440 More full of zeal then those pure orizons, "Which martyr'd Saints mix with their dying groans. Kin. And must such goodnesse die ! know noble youth, I am so far from calling it desert In thee, that hath unsheathed my sword, that in This midnight storm of fancy, I can shead Some drops of pity too, pity to change So true a subject for a treacherous ghest. I come not rashly to attempt thy life. But long have strugl'd with my hot desires, 2450 Stood fiery trials of temptations, which Have sublimated reason till it's grown Too volatile to be contain'd within My brain, that overheated Crucible. 12 LOVES VICTORY. I am diseas'd, and know no way to healtli But through a deluge of thy bloud. Oro. There needs not then this storm to break down The hayeis that verge the crimson sea this stroke Shall open all the sluces of my bloud. Kin. Hold — ■- — or else thou rob'st me of my fixt resolves. 2460 There is a cause Commands me die in the attempt, or kill thee. Gro. Dear Sir, reveal it That ere I fall my penitential tears May from that leprous crime expunge my soul. Kin. Alas brave youth, thy innocence needs not The laver of a tear, thy candid thoughts White as the robes of Angels are, but mine The dresse of Devils, I that should protect Am come to rob my best of subjects, to rob 2470 Thee of thy dearest treasure; I know thy love To fair Eurione inseparable As goodnesse from a deity yet must Deprive thee of this darling of thy soul. Oro. With pardon, royall Sir, I cannot think The Cyprian Princesse is so soon forgot, With whom compar'd, my poor Eurione Though bright to me, to more discerning eyes Shine dim as the pale Moon w'hen she lets fall Through a dark grove her melancholy beams. 2480 Kin. Doest thou affect her, yet dispraise a beauty That in its orb contracts divinity? This prophanation, what had else been sin Will render meritorious guard thy self. They fight, Antellus wounded. Oro. Hah thou bleedest. Kin. Oh but too slowly if your wound admits LOVES VICTORY. 73 No otlier medicine, this will neer be balm. Fight again, the King wounded. Oro. I doubt that thrust 2490 Kin. It was a gentle one, and hath concluded The business that we met for. Now we are friends again; friends till death. Fals. Oro. Oh do not faint, Call up your spirits Sir, there yet is hopes of life. Kin. None my vitall powers fail they're heavy leads. My eyes are bowing to eternall night. My heart beats thick alarmes, yet can rally No troops of scattered spirits oh oh ! I faint. Oro. And I grow wilde with horror, wilder then 2500 A flame provoked by angry winds. What shall I do ? or whither flie, To leave behind me this pursuing guilt? A noise within. Kin. Oh oh be gone be gone Oroandes. Some company draws neer. Mayst thou live long and happy in the imbraces Of her, whom I unjustly strove to have. My dying wishes waits upon your joyes. Oro. Angels attend your latest hour, I go From hence, but to my everlasting wo. Ex. Oroandes. 2510. Enter four Bandeets. 1. Ban. S-death! He not loose my share. 2. Ban. Nor I, by heaven, althougih I search For what's my own through my opposers bloud. 3. Ban. Swounds ! what d'ee quarrel for trifles ? Pox on you for covetous Rascals, take all mine. 4. Ban. And mine too, so you will be content. 1. Ban. Another prize, the spoil of this will reconcile us, 2. Ban. He bleeds Sh-ho he stirs not, let's strip him. 2520 74 LOVI^S VICTOTtY, 3, Ban There's life in him let's bear him off. I have heard the captive Lady speak of a pretious Cordial she hath, if it recover him, his ransome may be better worth then these gaudy clothes 4. Ban. Here, lend your hands. They lay the body on a Cloke, and ex. Enter Buff, and Gudg. Buf. Oh Gudgeon we are undone, there is no recovering of her what shall I do for another wife? Gud. Shall I let her cry Master? 2530 Bujf. Ah, do good oarefull servant, some of these honest people may chance to know of her, aloud good Gudgeon. Mounts on a stool. Gud. Oh yes oh yes oh yes If any man in City Town or Countrey, Can tell any tidings of a strayed Lady. Enter Arratus and Carlo. Arr. What's this? A hobby-horse dance? Buff. Oh no Sir good Nunckel be quiet My man Gudgeon is only making known my losse. 2540 Arr. Is this thy grief, unpolisht clown? Buff. Why should I cry my self as long as I had a man? Arr. Thou art a scandall which will ever stick Like a corroding cancer on my name Be gone Kicks him. Back to thy rustick father, and there spend Thy time 'mongst beasts lesse savage then thy self. Buff. Why then farewel, a turd for all such Nunekels. Come Gudgeon we'l een go home to plow again. Gud. Ay, and whistle better tunes than ere we learn'd at 2550 Court. Ex. Buff, and Gudg. Enter a Messenger. Car. Oh save me brother, LOVES VICTORY. 75 Here comes the ghost. Mess. My Lord Arratus, you are suddenly expected at the Court. Arr. Why good friends ? what's the matter ? Mess The King and my Lord Oroandes are missing. Car. How ! lost ! I hope my daughters messenger hath not transported them, was it a ghost carryed them away 2560 friend? speak man I hear them still. Mess. I come not to jest Sir, my Lord, are you ready? Arr. I will follow thee how am I perplext? Come brother I will see you to your Chamber. Car. We will not go through the Gallery, The place smels of Brimstone. Ex. om. Enter Zannazarro, Glorianda, and Eurione. Zan. How sad a change is this ! this morning was Appointed for more joyfull enterviews. Glo. When last nights slumbers rob'd our wakeful hopes 2570 Of the delitious births of fancy, 'twas With fairer promises, else our closed eyes Had not been then made floudgates to these tears. Poor Eurione, I fain would comfort thee. But my own griefs make me a stranger to That balmy language, Zan. Dear Sister thy passions are too violent, The messengers are not yet all retum'd, N^or have we spoke with Arratus, some of which May happily bring news of them. 2580 Glo. They may Eurione, stifle thy passions untill then. Enter Arratus. Zan, My Lord, you either come to share in grief With us, or ease ours by some blest discovery. You've heard what royal mineral let flie this damp. Arr. Our Soveraign's lost. 76 LOVES VICTORY. Glo. Too sad a truth. Arr. My largest intelligence lies within the wals of the City, and there he hath not been yet heard of. Is none with him my Lord? 2590 Zan. Yes, Oroandes Arrr. I will go have the City searcht. Eur. That hath already proved a fruitlesse labour. Vain as the glimmerings of our hope, they're gone Beyond the reach of our industrious care. Some cruell fate hath laid an ambush to Betray the strength of all our joyes in them. Enter a Messenger. Zan. Here comes our last of hopes, speak thy successe. Mess. ISTot good my Lord, we've traverst all the fields 2600 That circle lofty Erix, and yet seen No chearfull beam of wisht intelligence, We left no traveller unaskt, no Cottage lay So unfrequented but we found it out. And into strict examination took Its rustick honour. Yet our journey was Oft by the dangerous excursions of Troops of Bandeets obstructed, safe from whom Our speed not strength convey'd us, all we found Worthy to fix an observation, was 2610 A place beneath the Hermits rock, which stained With store of bloud, did by that blush confesse So late a guilt, no cloud had since 'twas shed Dropt tears enough to wash it off, we searcht, The purple grasse, but no vestigia found, 'Less this may do it, to inform us whence it came. Shews a hloudy handJcerchief which they flnde to he the Kings. Eur. Oh my Prophettique fears! LOVES VICTORY. 77 Zan. Our Sorrows are confirin'd. 2620 Glo. They are, in bloudy characters. Arr. I will go and secure the Cittadel, and cry treason. Ex. Arratus. Zan. Sorrow outgrowes all my resolves. Eur. And my heart rents with this divided grief. Zan. This is an act of these untamed Bandeets, These plagues of Sicily, but if the force Of Syracuse can bay their power, we'l have Their heads to build a temple ore his grave. The end of the fourth Act. 2630 ACTUS QUINTUS. The King led in hy a Bandeet, Heroina preparing to dresse him. Kin. T 've now got strength enough to render thanks 1 Unto the fair preserver of my life. "Where is she Sir? Her. Here, ready to second my first weak indevours. Kin. They then were strengthen'd by some power above The common reach of art, my weaknesse else Had yet confin'd me to my sickly bed. 2640 He sits whilst she dresses him. Ban. Let me assist you Lady Her. Your change of colour argues faintnesse Sir, This will recall your spirits Giives him a Cordial. D'ee feel no alteration? Kin. Yes my spirits stir, as if they would shake off The sluggish weight of weaknesse, I am grown Active as if the vigorous strength of youth And health were wedded in my heart, my bloud Runs as it scom'd to be confin'd within 2650 78 LOVES VICTORY. The channels of my veins, yet is allayed By th' even temper of my soul. Sure this Rare Cordiall was some deities rich gift. Her. The fitter to he given to those they love, For such you are, else my poor medicines had Ne're thus effected miracles. Ban. Am I no longer useful here? if not, My husinesse cals me hence. Kin. Sir I should wrong your curtesie to draw You from the front of time, if ought that may 2660 Concern your self commands you hence. Ban. Then I will take my leave. Kin. My thanks attend you Sir. Ex. Band. Her. How much in every turning of the eie Doth he resemhle my heroick love? Aside. Kin. You're sad sweet Lady. Her. I have a cause, and such a one that did You know, your goodnesse would commiserate My wretched fortune. Kin. Reveal it Lady, I perhaps may he 2670 Inahled then to give your Cordials hack In some such curtesie as may deserve To be a thankfull handmaid unto yours. Her. I was resolv'd to weep away my time In private sorrow, hut discovery can N"ot aggravate my woe, besides I may Venture to lodge a secret, where I have found Such temperate virtues the souls portals bar, He only with this question usher in My own discovery, Is Sicily your place 2680 Of birth or not ? Kin. It is, and breeding both. Her. He not demand what were the Parentage LOVES VICTORY. 79 Where I find virtues plant Nobility, Yet would be loath to a Plebeian breast To trust what I must now divulge. Kin. You may be confident, I am a Grentleman As well by birth as education Lady. Her. I do presume it Sir, and therefore wish. Of all I now remain amongst to be 2690 Known unto you alone You never had relation to the Court? Kin. There was my breeding. Her. l^eer the person of the King? Kin. One of his Bed-chamber, and 'tis no boast To say as well belov'd of him as any. There being in the opinion of the Court A neer resemblance of our looks. Her. Then sure my name is not a stranger to you, Have you not heard of the Cyprian Princesse? 2700 Kin. The beauteous Heroina. Her. The wretched Heroina, such I'm sure Is my condition in my present state. Kin. Pardon this child of ignorance, my rude Kneels. And unbecoming boldnesse. Her. Rise Sir, we are companions yet, And hope we shall be, till your royall Master Possesse, what was long since intended his; By what disaster I was cast upon This dreadfull precipice of danger, as 2710 We are withdrawing He relate, but not To tempt a danger stay you longer liere. Kin. Your care can have no satisfaction but A loyall servants prayers. Ex. om. Enter Oroandes and a Surgeon. Gro. Not find the body sayst ? g 80 LOVES VICTORY. 8ur. No Sir yet by tlie large effusion of his bloud Had a too sad assurance of the place, Some Mountaineers have certainly conveyed His 'body thence to burial; those bloudy characters 2720 Are arguments of no lesse ill then death. Oro. Then I am lost eternally lost to all That bears a shew of goodnesse, heaven, and earth Will both strive to forget they ever knew A soul deform'd with wickednesse like mine. — ■ My feverish sins dry up the dews of mercy In their descent, and blast all vertue that Approaches neer me, I shall never find A Saint in heaven, or Fiend on earth but will, As a dire prodigy, created to 2730 Scatter infection through the world, forsake My hated company, as fit to mix "With none but the society of Devils. Sur. Sir I wish I in ought else could seiwe you. Oro. I thank thee friend Ex. Surgeon. Heavens What an unweildy monster am I grown Since by this act swel'd to a regicide — On my accursed stars that only lent Your influence to light me to damnation, 2740 Not all my penitential tears will ere Wash off the spots from my stain'd soul, this gangren Is cur'd by no Lixivium but of bloud. My heart is lodg'd within a bed of Snakes Such as old fancies arm'd the Furies with. Conscience waits on me like the frighting shades Of ghosts when gastly messengers of death. My thoughts are but the inforc't retreats Of tortur'd reason to a troubled fancy. LOVES VICTORY. 81 Hall ! am I surprized 2750 Enter Surgeon. Sur. Sir not by me, I only finding that You were much troubled at this accident, Am come to lend you my assistance in Concealing of your person, untill by The mediation of your friends you may Open these harsh obstructions of your fate. Oro. This is a curtesie I never merited Either from heaven, or thee their messenger. My hopes are yet not vt^holly ruin'd, I will 2760 Along with thee, and in some dark disguise Expect the clouded raies of better things. Ex. Sur. and Oroandes. Enter Vanlore, Theocrine, and Bandeets. Van. Wow Theocrine I boldly may ingage My promise for thy safety, we are past All habitable places The. Were not thy company my best security, This deserts wilde inhabitants would fright Me more then all my fathers Scouts, to whom 2770 Without a blush my innocence would dare Disrobe my actions, now I fear no fate So sad as the preventing my desires. Van. Thou art the joy and comfort of my life; More chearfull then the suns society To winter starved Scythians; Come my Love This bed of Violets courts us to repose. !N'ow, now within the circle of my armes I grasp a gem, by me more prized then all The worlds five zones imbraces, now we live 2780 I' th' upper sphere of fancy, and spin out The evenest threeds of all our mortall web. 82 LOVES VICTORY. These are the sugr'd minutes of our lives, The halmy drops that cure the minds sad wounds. Since man lost Paradise, he knew no place To emblem heaven, hut in a womans face. The. Why thou art wanton friend, this is discourse For Love that hath not out-grown infancy. Ours now is too mature Van. I^or ever will, when we are both grown old, 2790 Thy polisht ivory furrowed o'er with age In silver robes on beauties ruines plac't Our mutuall wonder still shall last, but I Must binde up all the gaudy flowers of love In threeds of admiration, no epithites Such fragrant virtues separated from The generall name of good, can ere again Pick out and bind them in due prayses up. The I can be well content to hear thee talk On any argument, but a lesse pleasing 2800 Thou couldst not well have taken. Enter a Bandeet. Ban. S-death! Captain, what d'ee mean? This is no place of safety, the wayes are all beset With troops of horse, our Scouts beat in from all parts Wounded and bloudy, if we all betake not our selves To our armes we are lost in an instant. The. Oh prithy Vanlore hasten hence. Van. I only fear thy safety. Ex. om. Enter two Bandeets wounded. 2810 1. Ban. S-death ! we must be gone. 2. Ban. Tis not our use to run. 1. Ban. Pox on't, the oddes is unreasonable. 2. Ban. Swounds, I think they have horst all the Carters in the Countrey, the thick skin'd rogues my Rapier could LOVES VICTORY. 83 hardly pierce them. 2. Ban- But theirs pierc't us, I have a wound here yawnes like a Dragon let's hasten to a Surgeon. Enter a Bandeet bleeding and fals. 3. Ban Hell perish all the slaves, 2820 I'm kill'd by a rustick dog. And what torments me most, fall unreveng'd. 1. Ban. Poor Brother we would help thee, but want it our selves. 3. Ban. Yet bear me from the villains, and if your time Permits, bury me like a Souldier, I was born Of noble parentage, but drove by want To these unlawfuU courses, and have this, This for my punishment One hollowes within. 2. Ban. Hark Swounds, we shall be surpriz'd 2830 Here right ere long They bear off him that fell, and ex. om. Enter Heroina alone. Her. What desperate wretches do I live amongst? Terror allarums them from every side. Their Scouts bring no intelligence but death Approaching at their backs, and yet They bathe in riot, and with bloudy oathes Stab heaven betwixt each word they speak, their prayers Are only for damnation, though they breath 2840 Their souls forth with that fearful wish. Enter a Bandeet drunh. 1. Ban. Dam me A short life and a merry. Swounds if we die we die let's be Merry whilst we live Her. I tremble at this Villains sight. Offers to go forth. 1. Ban. Whether now Doxie S-death ! you 84 LOVES VICTORY. Whore come hither Pox on your squeamish face, Lie down or He cut thy throat. 2850 Her. You will not offer to abuse me thus. 1. Ban. Dam me, He do't, and thou wert my sister, Thy puling shall not save thee. Her. Upon my knees I beg thee not to touch me. 1. Ban. Thou wilt be heard better lying upon thy back. Her. Thou knowest not whom thou injurest; I am a Princesse. 1. Ban. The better, then the boy I beget will be noble By the Mothers side Swounds, will you not bend? Her. Is none more civill near? 2860 Enter the King. Kin. What villany is this, Forbear unhallowed slave. Snatches forth the Bandeets sword. This weapon shall revenge her if thou durst Abuse her with the least uncivil touch. Enter two Bandeets. 1. Ban Swounds, help me here, This Rascall hath got my sword. 2. Ban. Dares the thawed snake to sting? 2870 Deliver him his sword Kin. I will, so you will promise he shall use It not to force resistlesse womens honour, As late he did attempt this noble Virgins, And if by me not timely rescued had Made it the prize of his oremastering strength. 3. Ban. Must you Sir make conditions? They hoth draw and lay at Mm. Whilst they are fighting, enter Vanlore and Theocrine. Van. What is the cause of this? 2880 Sheath your Swords, that man LOVES VICTORY. 85 That dares proffer another blow, Forfeits his life for tribute to my sword. Her. This was a timely rescue, and hath by The fair redemption of my honour, more Then satisfied all those arrears, your life Did stand ingag'd in to my usefull art. Kin. The brightest stars that inile my fate did light Me to the blest imployment, but had all Set ere their influence had attain'd its end, 2890 Had not this Gentlemans assistance lent New vigour to their fading beams. Her. I must confesse a debt of thanks to him, Which if irregular opinion prove No enemy to his own safety, shall Be suddenly discharg'd You may perceive Sir How black a. storm waits on the lives of all Your wilde associates, wherefore if you have An overswaying power amongst them, chuse The now presented opportunity 2900 To free you from all future fears, which thus He light you to, draw up your company. And let those persecutors of my honour be My convoy to the Court, you'l find a Prince To be intreated, when your advocate Bears Heroinaes name. Vanlore kneels. Van. Pardon me best of women and impute My rudenesse, to my ignorance, If any service can extenuate Crimes of such monstrous growth, our blouds shall pay 2910 The forfeit of our disobedience, in The not performing it. Her. Your hopes of safety prompts me to believe. Come Sir you shall attend us to the Court. 86 LOVES VICTORY. Kin. I am your vassal Madam, proud to have Such a command to usher my desires. Ex. om. Enter Oroandes alone in the habit of a Forrester. Oro. Not yet not yet at quiet no disguise Is dark enough to curtain o'er my guilt, Pale as the ghastly looks of men condemn'd 2920 It sits upon my Conscience. I see there is No place affords that soul a safe retreat That is pursued by a sharp-sented sin. The prosperous murtherer that hath clothed his guilt In royall Ermins, all those furs of state Cannot preserve from trembling, he looks on Dejected wretches, as assasinates. And each petition for a ponyard fears. Yet these are more secure then I, they may Pretend to merit in their wickednesse, 2930 And call their crimes the cure of sickly states; But I am left no refuge, lesse to know The depth of horror can no further go. Alas poor virtue, all thy white wing'd zeal Is wrought into a bed of sables, since Leaving thy heavenly dictates I betrayed My self unto these sooty gards of hell, Whose black inhabitants already call Me one of their society; my eyes Are grown more killing then the Basilisks, 2940 And each vein fill'd with poison, since these hands, These cursed hands were stained with royal bloud. Hah all this is true But do I want more desperation yet? Are there not fiends enough now waiting on me To guide my trembling hand untill it reach The center of my life? LOVES VICTORY. 87 Draws a sword from behind the curtain. This fatall weapon slew my Prince This was his bloud that stains it, 2950 The bloud that warm'd those browes a crown imbrac't Let forth by me t'embalm the earth, and in Warm vapors spend the pretious breath of life, Which mounting upwards sent perfumes to heaven; But now thou must 'be dipt in that which will Leave a perpetual rust upon thy steel More fretting then a canker. blast all that near it grows, And as it cools infect the ambient air With blasts more deadly then the steams of hell How it pants to come forth! 2960 Sets the Sword to his breast. Hah! something stayes my hand My better Angel sure hath left me quite How e'er I will not do it. Although that every blast of air I draw Be more tormenting then the gasps of death No, I will live live till disvellop'd guilt Makes me a publick spectacle of hate and then Fall with my sins about me, when each tongue Adds to their ponderous weight a full mouthed curse. 2970 The subtill spirits, that like lightning flie Thorow my bloud, hath yet not suffered me To parle with sleep since th' unhappy act, I find them something calm'd, and will attempt To reconcile them in this gentle shade. Lies down, having lain still a while enter two Bandeets. 1. Ban. We have lost our company. 2. Ban. No matter, we shall finde the way to Court, I fear nothing but how we shall do to live honest. 1. Ban. The place requires it not, at most 'twill be 2980 88 LOVES VICTORY. Enough to seem so. 2. Ban. Though we never us'd it much, I doubt not But Hypocrisie is an art easily leam'd. 1. Ban. Come let's hasten, I would willingly see thee Between the King and the captive Princesse. 2. Ban. Her captivity is like to he our redemption. 1. Bad. If it prove not so, we must dance off the Stage in a halter What do they call her name? 2. Heroina daughter to the Cyprian king, Betroth'd to ours a long time since, when he 2990 Was abroad in his travels. 1. Ban. 'Twill be a joyful meeting unto them. 2, Ban. Had we not had ill luck, a Bandeet had been his Taster They discover Oroandes. How now, what have we here So ho what art? 1. Ban. Tush, some drunk Forrester, let him alone. Ex. Bandeets. Oroandes rises. Oro. Heroina! A Princesse! And carying to the Court by Bandeets ! 3000 It is the unhappy Lady that was betroth'd Unto my murther'd Soveraign lighted on In their excursions by these rennegadoes. ■ Poor Lady I have spoil'd her entertainment there; But I will follow them, and with my bloud Crimson the sables that must cloud the day. Ex. Oroan. Enter Arratus, servants setting forth two thrones, the one richly adorned, the other covered in mourning, before the hlach throne a table, on which a Crown is laid on a mourning cushion, 3010 before the other throne is plac't the picture of the King. Arr. Come come see all things in order LOVES VICTORY. 89 The Princesse is at hand fie fie, This is an unexpected trouble ■■ — Away you grosse witted rascall doest not see We strive to paint our sorrow in checquer'd work, But this 'tis when women sit at the helm of state, They square all Court entertainments to the fashion Of the last Eomance they heard. 3020 Shout and acclamations within. Hark, they are enter'd the Palace, I hear the Cannon Go off from the Forts he gone and make way. Loud musick. the Lord high Marshall, his white rod wreathed in Mack ribbon, next him, the King and Vanlore leading Heroina, her train born up by Theocrine. At the other door (whilst a soft and melancholly musich playes within) Zannazarro, Glorianda, and Eurione 3030 all in mourning; Zannazarro kneels, and having hist Heroina's hand is raised by her, she sa- luting the other Ladies. Zan. The best of welcomes this sad place affords Waits on your Graces entertainment. Glo. And we to do what service lies within The verge of our indevours Her, I thank you both sweet Ladies, and must first 3040 Imploy your service in declaring what These silent emblems of a sorrow mean. I have not seen grief in the like disguise, The lawrell and the funerall Cypress here Have wreathed their ill met branches, and contends Whose leaves shall Crown the Syracusian queen. 90 LOVES VICTORY. Zan. Wil't please you ascend your tkrone, and there Lend your attention to the saddest story That ere did yet Siciliaes Annals blot? She ascends the throne. Zannazarro drawes the curtain 3050 from before it, and discovers the 'picture of the King. Zan. Behold, great Princesse, All but the memory of his living fame Of Syracusiaes Monarch. She sounds and fals from the throne. Olo. Oh help help the Princesse. Eur. Madam dear Madam. Her. Oh oh God ! Arr. Bear her forth, and give her more air. 3060 Her. Hold I am better here — if any thing Revive my spirits, 'twill be this that puts Me in the mind of my deceased Lord. Unhappy woman, first to know then love, Ingage thy faith, yet never to injoy! Enter Oroandes in his own habit. Her. Why stand you thus amazed? Zan. Pardon us Madam had the united dust Of some dead friend, whose memorie's near forgot. Visited earth in his known shape again, 3070 Our wonder could not have arrived unto A higher pitch Let me imbrace thee friend. Eur. My dearest Oroandes Oro. Stand off yet farther off; You know not what you touch, You safer far may grapple with a flame, Or in his midnights walk affront a fiend Arm'd with full vials of destructive wrath. LOVES VICTORY. 91 The graves inhabitants, when folded in 3080 Corruption, are not more defil'd then I. Zan. What tends this language to? Oro. Destruction Zannazarro. Eur. How hast thou lost thy temper Oroandes? Prithee look on me friend, or am I grown A stranger to thy knowledge? Oro. Leave me Eurione, thou art of kin Unto those hallowed Angels that did once Attend my actions, and must now with them A stanger to thy Oroandes grow. 3090 Eur. Neglected thus ! Alas where shall I weep ? Her. You are to me a stranger Sir, yet in Your look I something read that may concern Yonr absent Prince, collect those scattered spirits Now reaving in confusion, and relate it. Oro. I would, but that it hath a sound so full Of trembling horror, 'twill unnerve your joints, Yet I must do't, no other way can lead My soul from out this wildemesse of flesh He's murther'd. 3100 Zan. By whom? Oro. This cursed hand; d'ee start? I thought 'twould strike the bloud out of your cheeks, And make you paler then the act made me. 'Twas I — 'twas I, that when your blooming hopes Chear'd with the sun of Majesty, were grown Big with expected favours, did eclipse The glorious light in a black cloud of death. I cut the heartstrings of the Land, and fed The groaning earth with bloud, whose purple had 3110 Been by an antient stock of ancestors Died into royalty. 92 LOVES VICTORY. Van. Ingratefull slave ,wliy are our swords so slow ■ To execute the villain? Eur. Oh hold, believe him not he raves, These are the births of a distemper'd brain. Oro. Thou hast but injured me Eurione In staining their just fury farewel. Rest in E izium whilst I roar in hell. Eurione fals. Zan. Oh brother, if this be true, thou hast undone 3120 us all, Oro. True do not think 'Tis any natural distemper that Spreads this malignant vapour through my veins. Which nought but th' poison of my guilt corrupts. ISTo I have done it brother. And you are all bound as you love your Prince To see't reveng'd with torments, here's a note Will when I'm dead direct you where to find him. And now I've done my businesse on the earth, 3130 He give the first stroak to revenge, and here Sets the Sword to his hreast. Open a passage for your Swords to enter. As he is offering to stab himself the King stayes his hand. Oro. What bold hand is that ? Kin. One that here may claim a priviledge, Throwes off his disguize. Rise thou mirror of true loyalty, ISTe'r higher in our favour. They all Tcneel. All. Our gratious Soveraign! 3140 Welcome oh welcome royall Sir! Kin. You are all my much loved Subjects, such in whom ISTever was king more blest Madam Your presence crovnis our blessings now I stand Exalted in the zenith of my fate. LOVES VICTORY. 93 Who would not passe a stormy niglit, to be Thus courted by a lovely glorious day? You all are sharers in my heart, But thou my Love To Heroina. The great commandresse of that royall fort. 3150 Off with these night peec't curtains, no such vail Shall cloud the perfect beauty of our joyes. Puis ojf the black from the throne. Ascend this throne, a place too humble for Virtues so near allied to heaven as thine. Now you expect the story of my fate In Syracuses seeming Widowhood, But the full sea of pleasure cannot yet Contract its swelling waves, tumultuous joyes Cannot be reconcil'd into discourse, 3160 Till Hymens tapour to possession lights Our just desires, that eldest childe of hope. I only have a pron ise to perform Before you all unto this Gentleman, And then will hasten to discharge the Arrears I stand ingag'd in to your loyalty. Are the Prisoners ready? Van They wait at the door Sir. Kin. Go fetch them in, thou must my dear Ent. 2 Bandeets leading Carlo. 3170 Meet my first known imbraces, in the seat Of long neglected Justice, set forth the Prisoners. My Lord read the Indictment Reads. Vincentio Carlo, you are here accused of a murther committed on a Syracusian Gentleman, his name Vanlore, the act done by two Souldiers whom you hired in the Camp at the siege of Ardenna: Guilty or not guilty? Car. ISTot guilty and please your good Grace, alas I never 94 LOVES VICTORY. knew tlie man, I ! therefore I beseecli your Majesty to be good to me, I am a poor ignorant man, and full of grief for 3180 tlie losse of my only daughter Kin. That will be proved an act of your own, Read on. Reads. My Lord Arratus, you are here accused to be of confederacy with Signior Carlo in the murther of his daugh- ter Theocrine. Arr. "Who I! why I! who dares? Kin. Bandeets lay hold of him, where are the witnesses? Enter two officers leading Creon and Lewcippus going lame and hound ahout the head. Cre. Oh — oh — so weak, I am hardly able to go to the Bar. 3190 Lew. I doubt we shall find it a harder march To the Gallowes, but this I may thank thy villainy for. Cre. Thou liest Rascal, thou promptedst me to all. Kin. Read their accusations. Reads. Creon and Lewcippus, you are here accused for mur- thering Vanlore, at the siege of Ardenna, and being accessary to the death of Theocrine, daughter to Vincentio Carlo; Guilty or not guilty? Cre. N"ot guilty my Lord, I confesse I was with this villain Lewcippus hir'd to do it, by this wretched Carlo, but 3200 had no hand in the murther, it was Lewcippus committed it. Lew. I hope your Majesty will not believe him, For the Varlet is composed of falsehood. In the death of Vanlore he was as far forth As my self, but for the losse of Theocrine We neither of us had any hand in it, It was a plot contrived by Carlo, and my Lord Arratus, but for what ends we know not. Arr. 1 hope my good service to your Majesty Hath merited better then to have my reputation 3210 To be call'd in question by a common Rogue. LOVES VICTORY. 95 I protest I will sue the Rascall for a slander, I will slave by mine honour I will. — Kin. Swear not my Lord, by what you have abus'd; Honour (that venerable title) was Slain when to 'th law you forfeited your life, Bleeding to death at those unworthy wounds Wliieh these low actions to high titles gave. Stand all forth, and attend your doom. Car. Be merciful oh good my Liege, be merciful. 3220 Arr. Swounds ! I see I shall be cheated of my head. Kin. Your actions merit none, yet since it is The best companion of a Judge, we'l in Her virgin zone the sword of Justice wear. Discover your selves Puis ojf the veil from, Theocrine, at which Vanlore discovers himself. Here are the witnesses, brought to affirm our accusation. Car. Oh let me go they are Spirits, Ghosts Hobgoblins I will not stay, 3230 This is some inchanted place. 1. Ban. N'ay Sir, you are too fast to stir. Arr. S-death ! what jugling's this ? Vanlore and Theocrine Tcneel to Carlo. Van.^ Sir recollect yout spirits and bestow A blessing on us, both your children now. Car. l!^ay it is no point of my Religion to pray for the dead. The. Sir we still live, and live to want your prayers. Car. I want my money more that these two Rogues have 3240 Cousened me of, I hope your charity will Make them restore it again, I am An old man and like to come to want, 96 LOVES VICTORY. And every one hales what he can catch from me. (want; Kin. Cursed Miser, the Law will free thee from the fear of For though thy damn'd intentions did not wade So far as action into guilt thy life Is forfeited for the intended sin. Vanlore and Theo. kneels. The. If we were ever gracious in your eyes, 3250 Let us beg pardon for him. Kin. Their lives are yours, yet justice must not be Robb'd of all interest in them, for your sakes We'll mitigate their punishments. All Carloes wealth. That Devill which did tempt him to this sin. Being by the Law made forfeit unto us, We with his daughter, the fair Theocrine, Wholly bestow on Vanlore. Car. Oh I am undone I am undone, I had better been hang'd out of the way 3260 Then to have liv'd to have seen my goods Thus gave away before my face. Oh that ever I was born ! Kin. For Arratus — because he valued wealth More than his honour, he shall ever lose Those glorious titles, now grown burthensome Unto his age, which may betake it self To needfull rest, whilst all his places of High trust are by the worthier Vanlore managed. On whom, as but a just reward unto 3270 His merits, we bestow them. Van. Your Majesty will by your goodnesse teach Me future gratitude — Arr. And me perhaps repentance when too late. Kin. For these two villains, the base instruments Unto your guilt, since we desire to have LOVES VICTORY. 97 No bloud defile this dayes solemnity, Let them by publick Edict be for ever Excluded our Dominions. And now we've sbeatb'd The sword of Justice, let me open wide 3280 The armes of Friendship, unto you that have Been masqu'd in this Meander of our fate. My debts are great to all, but must remain In full arrear, untill my offerings paid To sacred Hymen, gives me liberty; Whose Altars now we'l all prepare to warm With the purest flame that ere Sicilia saw. Come Heroina, let's conduct them to The Temple, where united hands shall prove Our cares are conquer'd by Victorious Love. THE EISTD. NOTES NOTES 21. rathe-ripe : maturing early. Cf. Milton, Lycidas, 142. 61-96. This is the only passage of continuous heroic couplets in Love's Victory. In the alteration of this drama. Wits Led by the Nose, 1678, rhyming couplets are the rule. 69. pickles : small enclosures. 74. Satyr : satire. 77. They read Their, 80. intend read intend. 82. Corrosive : corrosive. 127. These persons also appear in the tragicomedy : "mourners", "Ser- jeant", "herald", "Lady", "Surgeon", "Wenches", "Ambassador" , "pris- oners", "Taylor", "Hatter", "Shooniaker", "Spurrier", "Tradesmen", "Officers", "boys", "Virgins", "Maids", "Bawd", "Fidler", "Bandeets" , "Sailers", "Blades", "Drawers", "Servants", "Pages", "Devill", "ghost", "bearers", "Messengers", and "Lord high Marshall". 133. Cleon read Creon. 142. bonelace sticks, bonelace : lace woven with bobbins originally made of bone. The sticks are bobbins. 145. Placket squires : petticoat gallants. Omit not. 146. Omit they. ISO. bankrouts : bankrupts. 155. Knight of the golden Image; Don dell Phoebo. Cf. Falstaflf's words in 1 Henry IV, I, ii, 16 : "Phoebus ... 'that wandering knight so fair'." Rolfe in his note on these words of Falstaff, quoting Steevens, says : "That wandering knight, etc. 'An allusion to El Donzel del Febo, the "Knight of the Sun," in a Spanish romance translated . . . during the age of S[hakespeare]. This illustrious personage was "most excellently faire," and a great wanderer'." 158. cham : 'ch am : ich am : Modern English, I am. ch. is a southern unaccented form of Old English ic. 159. cha : 'ch a : Modem English, I have, a is frequently found in Early Modern English for have, singular and plural. 166. Incubus : an evil spirit, supposed to seek carnal intercourse with women. Cf. Chaucer, Wife of Bath's Tale, 880. Reginald Scot in his Discoverie of Witchcraft, 1584 (ed. Nicholson), says of the incubus : "Indeed your grandam's maids were wont to set a bowl of milk before him [incubus] and his cousin, Robin Goodfellow, for grinding of malt or mustard, and sweeping the house at midnight." — Bk. IV, ch. X, p. 67. Again he tells that "in our childhood our mothers' maids have so ... f raid us with . . . Incubus . . . that we are afraid of our own shadows."— Bk. VII, ch. xv, p. 122. Scot in his Discourse upon Devils and Spirits has this on the incubus : "The Rabbins and, namely. Rabbi Abraham, writing upon the second of Genesis, do say tha God made the fairies, bugs, Incubus, Robin Goodfellow, and other familiar or domestic spirits and devils on the Friday; and being pre- 102 LOVE'S VICTORY vented with the evening of the Sabbath, finished them not, but left them unperfect; and that therefore, that ever since they use to fly the holiness of the Sabbath, seeking dark holes in mountains and woods, wherein they hide themselves till the end of the Sabbath, and then come abroad to trouble and molest men." — Ch. xi, p. 425. There is a tradition that a branch of the Tweedy family of Scotland has descended from an incubus. 167. fury. €f. 11. 1134-5, 2277-80, 2744-5, also Herrick, His Letanie, to the Holy Spirit: "When the passing-bell doth tole. And the Furies in a shole Come to fright a parting soule ; Sweet Spirit comfort me !" 170. Whore. The use of this term by a mother of her son is a striking illustration how commonly the word was used without explicit thought of its meaning. 183. Cropshin : a term of disrespect. The word designated herring of inferior quality. 188. devill in Carrion : a malapropism for devil incarnate. 189. Angels : an old English coin having as its device the archangel Michael standing upon and piercing the dragon. The last value of the angel recorded in the A'^. E. D. — and that nearest the time of Chamber- laine as well — is "6 Edw. VI 10s." vitty : fitting, suitable. 190. supply : substitute. 207. tont come ofe : it won't come off. 210. Monster : muster. a vier : afire. snipper snappers. This word is a coinage to describe some device like the flintlock or the gun as fitted with it in allusion to its quick snap or noise. 223. dossety : teachableness. and : an : if. 261. You read Yon. 271. funerals. The plural is used in the sense of our singular. 294. sables : garments for mourning. 296. The member introduced by though modifies the clause following it. 302. dormitory : tomb. 331. The sense is : giving to all. 337. Omit the. 423. nia. : manent : remain. 439. Calentures : ardor. 514. hop miinday : Hock Monday. "Hoke Monday was for the men, and Hock Tuesday for the women. On both days the men and women, alternately, with great merriment intercepted the public roads with ropes, and pulled passengers to them, from whom they exacted money to be laid out in pious uses." — Brand, Antiquities, ed. 1813, "Hoke Day," vol. i, p. 161. Gudgeon's remark signifies that the "two cheats" Creon and Lew- cippus bind and gag him and Buffonie, and then pick their pockets. NOTES 103 518. Pick. This verb is in the plural, for the subject They is under- stood — ^in the two stage directions immediately preceding They is ex- pressed. 527. Bores : boors. 535. unmerciful read unmerciful. 536. Marry gip. "In the 16th c, when marry had prob. ce;ased to be commonly apprehended as anything more than a mere interjection, the sound of the oath By Mary Gipcy (i. e. 'By St. Mary of Egypt') seems to have suggested the addition to it of the interjections Gip, Gup." — N. E. D. 544. The surgeon also enters. 592. ghests : guests. 615. "Ex. om." occurs at the end of only the second and third of the five acts of the drama. 628. Cro. read Cre. Knight of Malta. It is suggestive in this connection to recall the Fletcherian tragicomedy of The Knight of Malta, appearing in 1619, a play setting forth "contest for honors" and "the ideal of knighthood." The quotations are from Dr. F. E. Schelling's Elizabethan Drama, ed. 1908, vol. ii, pp. 221, 425. 631. Catch-poles : petty ofiScers of justice. 639. respectively : with respect. 642. Levalto's. The 's was a frequent plural sign of singular nouns ending with a vowel. 671-7. Merely the real wars in which Creon said he participated ex- tended over more than four-hundred years. 680. stangely read strangely. 691. Carlo Buffonie is called Cosmo Buffonie in 1. 215. 695. Couzen : nephew. The word was used for almost any relation- ship. 704. Gotfer : an old man. a term of address to an old man. 7Z2. birtch read birth. 752. The sense is : we sleighting Neptune did begin. 758. Whil'st read Whilst : also in 1. 766. 774. amaze : amazement. 797. Damps : dejection. 836. Nurst read Nurse 't. 869. disvellop : unfold. 896. bnt read but. 911. shal's. On this form there is this pertinent note in Abbott's Shakespearian Grammar : "Us for we in 'shall'j.' 'Shall.' originally meaning necessity or obligation, and therefore not denoting an action on the part of the subject, was used in the South of England as an imper- sonal verb. . . . Hence in Shakespeare 'Say, where shall'j lay him ?' — Cymb. IV. 2. 233." 914. off : of. 929. born : borne. 933. yard : stick. 104 LOVE'S VICTORY 956. taffaty : taflfeta. 963. Crispin : a name given to a shoemaker in allusion to St. Crispin, a patron saint of shoemakers. 964. .?. read 3. Tra. 965. Sir Hue : also Sir Hugh. St. Hugh was a patron saint of shoemakers. His bones, it was supposed, were made into shoemakers tools. "St. Hugh was the patron saint of shoemakers, and his bones were supposed to have been made into shoemaker's tools, for which this came to be a common term." — Note on "Saint Hugh's bones" in The Shoe- maker's Holiday, Thomas Dekker, The Mermaid Series^ edited by Ernest Rhys, HI, iii, 51. 968. Indiaes • allusively a land of fabulous wealth. 973. square : quarrel. 991. father-law : father-in-law. 1061. Miverna read Minerva. 1070. fo read to. 1079. mortall : human being. 1105. Omitting the comma at the end of the line makes the meaning dear. 1120. stoop' t read stoopt. discovery : revelation. 1140. fond : foolish. 1154. fool. The word was used as a term of endearment or pity. 1209. Where's fate read where fate's. 1266. The Song is without doubt original on the part of Chamberlaine. 1291. fa jail read fatall. 1350. exuberate : superabundant. 1395. my thought : methought. 1424. sleightly : slightly, sleightingly. 1428. Vanlore's broken English is not consistent, e. g. de and the, dat and that. 1431. begar is a minced oath equivalent to begad or by God. 1455. This line is not object of hate but explanatory of hitn in the preceding line. 1485. Basilisks : a fabulous reptile whose hissing drove away all other serpents and whose breath and look were fatal. 1521. Boyes : doubtless bays in the sense of bank as in 1. 2458. The possibility however must not be overlooked that Boyes may stand for buoys. The word in this sense marks out the channell so far as the streams have been restrained by reason, but now the buoys have been borne under by the irresistible flood. 1527. repair. This is the historic present. 1544. ohedienee read obedience. 1548. impudence : confidence. 1563. That for Of conveys the meaning. 1565. angels read angel. 1578. Gaily pots : gallipots, small pots for medicines. Ventosses : ventoses, cupping-glasses. NOTES 105 1609. encounter. Either this may be regarded a plural verb where the subject they (expressed later in the line) is understood, or it may be a mistake for the singular verb having for its subject love in the preceding line. In either case the sense is the same. 1679. Woot : vi^ilt thou. Cf. Hamlet. V. i. 298. 299. 1682. the shaking of the sheets. In Old English Popular Music by William Chappell there are these words on Tlie Shaking of the Sheets : "This is the other of the two 'very old country dances' given by Sir John Hawkins [in his History of Music], as mentioned under the preceding tune \Trenchmore] ; and there is the same uncertainty in this case as in that of Trenchmore whether the original was a ballad or a dance tune." Chappell, Old English Popular Music, ed. Wooldridge, 1893, vol. i, p. 228. 1689. To these stage directions should be added : leading in Heroina. 1720. Omit .?. Ban. and the indentation. 1739. Gndgeon read Gudgeon. 1764. Lobby : a small place enclosed by hedges or trees. 1767. brothsr read brother. 1789. untrusse : undress. 1795. / : aye, yes. 1819-20. The sense is : withdrew, as we fear, to fight. 1846. whist read whilst. 1854. tnaid Marrian. In the May-day festivity of England a boy or young man often dressed in woman's attire. 1861. Good-be-wy : a form of God be with you or ye. 1869. snd read and. 1875. doubt : fear. 1935. uhe read the. 1945. smoother : smother. In 1. 2128 the word is spelled with one o. 1949. Idea : image. 1958. Entliean : inspired by an indwelling god. 1973. Limbeck : alembic, or cap of a still. 2004. Ceugh : cough. 2030. marry : an interjection. 2083. Godg. read Gudg. 2095. frumps : jeers. , 2109. about read a bout. trull-me-deins. "The ladies, gentlewomen, wives and maids, may in one of the galleries walk; and if the weather be not agreeable to their expectation, they may have in the end of a bench eleven holes made, into the which to troll pummets, or bowls of lead, big, little or mean, or also of copper, tin, wood, either violent or soft, after their own discretion : the pastime trotde-'m-madame is called." — Dr. John Jones, Ancient Baths of Buckstone, 1572. 2124. Harl'd : knotted. 2140. Coiirtnowles : a contemptuous or familiar name for courtiers. 2158. Paranymphs : either bridesmaids or groomsmen. 2163. Qxperimental : experienced. 2166. Sometime read some time. 106 LOVE'S VICTORY 2176. Galliards : lively dances. 2186. They read Their. 2187. Read so finesse of. 2191. friend is used in address. 2215. wait : accompany. 2217. severally : separately. 2229. spectrum : specter. 2230. banes : banns. 2272. JVi h read With. 2273. souty : sooty. 2276. Still : always. 2305. commerce : interchange. 2321. Omit the comma in order to get the sense. 2330. Enchac't : set gold, etc. with gems. 2388. Retort : hurl back. 2395. Legitimated : rendered lawful. 2438. thonght read thought. 2458. bayes : banks. 2463. Gro. read Oro. 2467. laver : any spiritually cleansing agency. 2479. Shine read Shines. 2481. affect : love. 2485. The King in the alteration of this play, IVits Led by the Nose, is regularly called Antellus. 2496. they're heavy leads. The word leads means pieces of lead in allusion to their weight, a use that would not seem strange at the time the drama was written because of the constant use of the word for lead plates, bobs, vessels, etc. For the figurative application cf. Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra^ III, xi, 72, "Love, I am full of lead." 2530. cry : be advertised by outcry. 2555. suddenly : immediately. 2565. Gallery. In the drama of The Strange Discovery, printed in 1640, Persina, "Queene of the AEthiopians," remarks : "we happened one time to rest us after dinner in a gallerie where hung rare pictures and images." J. Gough, The Strange Discovery, 1640, Actus quarti, Scena prima, 1. 35. Also see the word in the note on 1. 2109. 2592. Arrr. read Ar. 2612. store : great quantity. 2615. vestigia : traces. 2716. Gro. read Oro. 2743. Lixivium : a solution obtained from substances by lixiviation. 2765. ingage : pledge. 2780. imbraces. The subject of this verb, five zones, may be regarded a collective noun, and it consequently requires a singular verb; or if the subject is plural the verb may be considered the s-plural. The meter of the line requires the extra syllable formed by s. 2814. horst : supplied horses for. NOTES 107 2848. Whether : whither. 2987. /. Bad. read 1. Ban. 2989. 2. read 2. Ban. 2994. Taster : one whose duty it is to test the quality of food or drink by tasting it before serving it to his master. Here the word has a vicious significance. It alludes to the thwarted intention of 11. 2843-60, which precedes the marriage of the King to Heroina. 3008. mourning read mourning. 3056. sounds read swounds. 3090. stanger read stranger. 3094. Yonr read Your. 3119. E izium read Elizium. 3163. pron ise read promise. 3219. attend : listen to. 3244. hales : drag or take with violence. Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: March 2009 Preservationlechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16056 (724)779-2111