Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 04 of 10

Actus Secundus. Scena Prima.

Enter the Emperour, Maximus, Licinius, Proculus, Chilax, as at Dice.

Emp. Nay ye shall set my hand out, 'tis not just
I should neglect my fortune now 'tis prosperous.

Lic. If I have any thing to set your Grace,
But Cloaths or good conditions, let me perish.
You have all my money, Sir.

Pro. And mine.

Chi. And mine too.

Max. Unless your Grace will credit us.

Emp. No bare board.

Lic. Then at my Garden-House.

Emp. The Orchard too.

Lic. And't please your Grace.

Emp. Have at 'em.

Pro. They are lost.

Lic. Why, farewel Fig-trees.

Emp. Who sets more?

Chil. At my horse, Sir.

Emp. The dapl'd Spaniard?

Chil. He.

Emp. He's mine.

Chil. He is so.

Max. Your short horse is soon curried.

Chil. So it seems, Sir,
So may your Mare be too, if luck serve.

Max. Ha?

Chil. Nothing my Lord, but grieving at my fortune.

Emp. Come Maximus, you were not wont to flinch thus.

Max. I have lost all.

Emp. There's a Ring yet.

Max. This was not made to lose, Sir.

Emp. Some love token;
Set it I say.

Max. I do beseech your Grace,
Rather name any house I have.

Emp. How strange
And curious you are grown of toys! redeem't
If so I win it, when you please, to morrow,
Or next day, as you will, I care not,
But only for my lucks sake; 'tis not Rings
Can make me richer.

Max. Will you throw, Sir? there 'tis.

Emp. Why, then have at it fairly, mine.

Max. Your Grace
Is only ever fortunate; to morrow,
And't be your pleasure, Sir, I'll pay the price on't.

Emp. To morrow you shall have it withou[t] price, Sir,
But this day 'tis my Victory; good Maximus,
Now I bethink my self, go to Æcius,
And bid him muster all the Cohorts presently;
They mutiny for pay I hear, and be you
Assistant to him; when you know their numbers,
Ye shall have monies for 'em, and above,
Something to stop their tongues withal.

Max. I will Sir,
And gods preserve you in this mind still.

Emp. Shortly I'll see 'em march my self.

Max. Gods ever keep ye— [Exit Maximus.

Emp. To what end do you think this Ring shall serve now?
For ye are Fellows only know by rote,
As Birds record their lessons.

Chil. For the Lady.

Emp. But how for her?

Chil. That I confess I know not.

Emp. Then pray for him that does: fetch me an Eunuch
That never saw her yet; and you two see
The Court made like a Paradise. [Exit Chilax.

Lic. We will, Sir.

Emp. Full of fair shews and Musicks; all your arts
(As I shall give instructions) screw to th' highest,
For my main piece is now a doing; and for fear
You should not take, I'll have another Engine,
Such as if vertue be not only in her,
She shall not chuse but lean to, let the Women
Put on a graver shew of welcome.

Pro. Well Sir.

Emp. They are a thought too eager.

Enter Chilax, and Lycias the Eunuch.

Chi. Here's the Eunuch.

Eun. Long life to Cæsar.

Emp. I must use you, Lycias:
Come, let's walk in, and then I'll shew ye all,
If women may be frail, this wench shall fall. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Enter Claudia, and Marcellina.

Claud. Sirrah, what ails my Lady that of late
She never cares for Company?

Mar. I know not,
Unless it be that Company causes Cuckolds.

Claud. That were a childish fear.

Mar. What were those Ladies,
Came to her lately
From the Court?

Claud. The same wench,
Some grave instructors on my life, they look
For all the world like old hatcht hilts.

Mar. 'Tis true, Wench,
For here and there, and yet they painted well too,
One might discover where the Gold was worn,
Their iron ages.

Claud. If my judgement fail not,
They have been sheathed like rotten Ships.

Mar. It may be.

Claud. For if you mark their rudders, they hang weakly.

Mar. They have past the line belike; wouldst live Claudia
Till thou wert such as they are?

Claud. Chimney pieces:
Now heaven have mercy upon me, and young men,
I had rather make a drallery till thirty,
While I am able to endure a tempest,
And bear my fights out bravely, till my tackle
Whistl'd i'th' Wind, and held against all weathers,
While I were able to bear with my tyres,
And so discharge 'em, I would willingly
Live, Marcellina, not till barnacles
Bred in my sides.

Mar. Thou art i'th' right, Wench;
For who would live whom pleasures had forsaken,
To stand at mark, and cry a Bow short, Seigneur?
Were there not men came hither too?

Claud. Brave fellows:
I fear me Bawds of five i'th' Pound.

Mar. How know you?

Claud. They gave me great lights to it.

Mar. Take heed, Claudia.

Clau. Let them take heed, the spring comes on.

Mar. To me now
They seem'd as noble Visitants.

Claud. To me now
Nothing less, Marcellina, for I markt 'em,
And by this honest light, for yet 'tis morning,
Saving the reverence of their gilded doublets,
And Millan skins.

Mar. Thou art a strange Wench, Claudia.

Claud. Ye are deceiv'd, they shew'd to me directly
Court Crabs that creep a side-way for their living,
I know 'em by the Breeches that they beg'd last.

Mar. Peace, my Lady comes; what may that be?

Enter Lucina, and Lycias, the Eunuch.

Clau. A Sumner
That cites her to appear.

Mar. No more of that wench.

Eun. Madam, what answer to your Lord?

Luci. Pray tell him, I am subject to his will.

Eun. Why weep you Madam?
Excellent Lady, there are none will hurt you.

Luci. I do beseech you tell me Sir.

Eun. What, Lady?

Luci. Serve ye the Emperor?

Eun. I do.

Luci. In what place?

Eun. In's chamber Madam.

Luci. Do ye serve his will too?

Eun. In fair and just commands.

Luci. Are ye a Roman?

Eun. Yes noble Lady, and a Mantuan.

Luci. What office bore your parents?

Eun. One was Pretor.

Luci. Take heed then how you stain his reputation.

Eun. Why worthy Lady?

Luci. If ye know, I charge ye,
Ought in this Message, but what honesty,
The trust and fair obedience of a servant
May well deliver, yet take heed, and help me.

Eun. Madam, I am no Broker.

Claud. I'le be hang'd then.

Eun. Nor base procurer of mens lusts; Your husband,
Pray'd me to do this office, I have done it,
It rests in you to come, or no.

Luci. I will Sir.

Eun. If ye mistrust me, do not.

Luci. Ye appear so worthy,
And to all my sense so honest,
And this is such a certain sign ye have brought me,
That I believe.

Eun. Why should I cozen you?
Or were I brib'd to do this villany,
Can mony prosper, or the fool that takes it,
When such a vertue falls?

Luci. Ye speak well Sir;
Would all the rest that serve the Emperour,
Had but your way.

Claud. And so they have ad unguem.

Luci. Pray tell my Lord, I have receiv'd his Token,
And will not fail to meet him; yet good Sir, thus much
Before you goe, I do beseech ye too,
As little notice as ye can, deliver
Of my appearance there.

Eun. It shall be Madam,
And so I wish you happiness.

Luci. I thank you— [Exeunt.

SCENE [III]. [Tumult & noise within.

Enter Æcius, pursuing Pontius, the Captain, and Maximus, following.

Max. Temper your self Æcius.

Pon. Hold my Lord,
I am a Roman, and a Souldier.

Max. Pray Sir.

Æci. Thou art a lying Villain, and a Traytor;
Give me my self, or by the Gods my friend
You'l make me dangerous; how dar'st thou pluck
The Souldiers to sedition, and I living,
And sow Rebellion in 'em, and even then
When I am drawing out to action?

Pon. Hear me.

Max. Are ye a man?

Æci. I am a true hearted, Maximus,
And if the Villain live, we are dishonour'd.

Max. But hear him what he can say.

Æci. That's the way,
To pardon him; I am so easie natur'd,
That if he speak but humbly I forgive him.

Pon. I do beseech ye noble General.

Æci. Has found the way already, give me room,
One stroak, and if he scape me then h'as mercy.

Pon. I do not call ye noble, that I fear ye,
I never car'd for death; if ye will kill me,
Consider first for what, not what you can do;
'Tis true, I know ye for my General,
And by that great Prerogative may kill:
But do it justly then.

Æci. He argues with me,
A made up Rebel.

Max. Pray consider,
What certain grounds ye have for this.

Æci. What grounds?
Did I not take him preaching to the Souldier[s]
How lazily they liv'd, and what dishonours
It was to serve a Prince so full of woman?
Those were his very words, friend.

Max. These, Æcius,
Though they were rashly spoke, which was an errour
(A great one Pontius) yet from him that hungers
For wars, and brave imployment, might be pardon'd.
The heart, and harbour'd thoughts of ill, make Traytors,
Not spleeny speeches.

Æci. Why should you protect him?
Goe to, it shews not honest.

Max. Taint me not,
For that shews worse Æcius: All your friendship
And that pretended love ye lay upon me,
Hold back my honesty, is like a favour
You do your slave to day, to morrow hang him,
Was I your bosome piece for this?

Æci. Forgive me,
The nature of my zeal, and for my Country,
Makes me sometimes forget my self; for know,
Though I most strive to be without my passions,
I am no God: For you Sir, whose infection
Has spread it self like poyson through the army,
And cast a killing fog on fair allegiance,
First thank this noble Gentleman, ye had dy'd else;
Next from your place, and honour of a Souldier,
I here seclude you.

Pon. May I speak yet?

Max. Hear him.

Æci. And while Aecius holds a reputation,
At least command, ye bear no arms for Rome Sir.

Pon. Against her I shall never: the condemn'd man
Has yet that priviledge to speak, my Lord;
Law were not equall else.

Max. Pray hear Aecius,
For happily the fault he has committed,
Though I believe it mighty, yet considered,
If mercy may be thought upon, will prove
Rather a hastie sin, than heynous.

Aeci. Speak.

Pon. 'Tis true my Lord, ye took me tir'd with peace,
My words almost as ragged as my fortunes.
'Tis true I told the Souldier, whom we serv'd,
And then bewail'd, we had an Emperour
Led from us by the flourishes of Fencers;
I blam'd him too for women.

Aec. To the rest Sir.

Pon. And like enough I blest him then as Souldiers
Will do sometimes: 'Tis true I told 'em too,
We lay at home, to show our Country
We durst goe naked, durst want meat, and mony,
And when the slave drinks wine, we durst be thirstie:
I told 'em this too, that the Trees and Roots
Were our best pay-masters; the Charity
Of longing women, that had bought our bodies,
Our beds, fires, Taylers, Nurses. Nay I told 'em,
(For you shall hear the greatest sin, I said Sir)
By that time there be wars again, our bodies
Laden with scarrs, and aches, and ill lodgings,
Heats, and perpetual wants, were fitter prayers
And certain graves, than cope the foe on crutches:
'Tis likely too, I counsell'd 'em to turn
Their warlike pikes to plough-shares, their sure Targets
And Swords hatcht with the bloud of many Nations,
To Spades, and pruning Knives, for those get mony,
Their warlike Eagles, into Daws, or Starlings,
To give an Ave Cæsar as he passes,
And be rewarded with a thousand drachma's,
For thus we get but years and beets.

Aeci. What think you,
Were these words to be spoken by a Captain,
One that should give example?

Max. 'Twas too much.

Pon. My Lord, I did not wooe 'em from the Empire,
Nor bid 'em turn their daring steel 'gainst Cæsar,
The Gods for ever hate me, if that motion
Were part of me: Give me but imployment, Sir;
And way to live, and where you hold me vicious,
Bred up in mutiny, my Sword shall tell ye,
And if you please, that place I held, maintain it,
'Gainst the most daring foes of Rome. I am honest,
A lover of my Country, one that holds
His life no longer his, than kept for Cæsar.
Weigh not (I thus low on my knee beseech you)
What my rude tongue discovered, 'twas my want,
No other part of Pontius: you have seen me,
And you my Lord, do something for my Country,
And both beheld the wounds I gave and took,
Not like a backward Traytor.

Aeci. All this language
Makes but against you Pontius, you are cast,
And by mine honour, and my love to Cæsar,
By me shall never be restor'd; In my Camp
I will not have a tongue, though to himself
Dare talk but near sedition; as I govern,
All shall obey, and when they want, their duty
And ready service shall redress their needs,
Not prating what they would be.

Pon. Thus I leave ye,
Yet shall my prayers still, although my fortunes
Must follow you no more, be still about ye,
Gods give ye where ye fight the Victory,
Ye cannot cast my wishes.

Aeci. Come my Lord,
Now to the Field again.

Max. Alas poor Pontius.— [Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

Enter Chilax, at one door, Licinius, and Balbus, at another.

Lici. How how?

Chi. She's come.

Bal. Then I'le to th' Emperour.— [Exit Balbus.

Chi. Do; Is the Musick placed well?

Lici. Excellent.

Chi. Licinius, you and Proclus receive her
In the great Chamber, at her entrance,
Let me alone; and do you hear Licinius,
Pray let the Ladies ply her further off,
And with much more discretion: one word more.

Lici. Well.

Chi. Are the Jewels, and those ropes of Pearl,

Enter Emperour, Balbus, and Proc[u]lus.

Laid in the way she passes?

Lici. Take no care man— [Exit Licinius.

Emp. What is she come?

Chil. She is Sir; but 'twere best,
Your Grace were seen last to her.

Emp. So I mean;
Keep the Court emptie Proculus.

Pro. 'Tis done Sir.

Emp. Be not too sudden to her.

Chil. Good your Grace,
Retire, and man your self; let us alone,
We are no children this way: do you hear Sir?
'Tis necessary that her waiting women
Be cut off in the Lobby, by some Ladies,
They'd break the business else.

Emp. 'Tis true, they shall.

Chil. Remember your place Proculus.

Pro. I warrant ye.— [Exeunt Emp. Bal. and Pro.

Enter Lucina, Claudia, and Marcellina.

Chi. She enters: who are waiters there? the Emperour
Calls for his Horse to air himself.

Luci. I am glad,
I come so happily to take him absent,
This takes away a little fear; I know him,
Now I begin to fear again: O honour,
If ever thou hadst temple in weak woman,
And sacrifice of modesty burnt to thee,
Hold me fast now, and help me.

Chil. Noble Madam,
Ye are welcom to the Court, most nobly welcom,
Ye are a stranger Lady.

Luci. I desire so.

Chil. A wondrous stranger here,
Nothing so strange:
And therefore need a guide I think.

Luci. I do Sir,
And that a good one too.

Chil. My service Lady,
Shall be your guide in this place; But pray ye tell me,
Are ye resolv'd a Courtier?

Luci. No I hope Sir.

Clau. You are, Sir?

Chil. Yes, my fair one.

Clau. So it seems,
You are so ready to bestow your self,
Pray what might cost those Breeches?

Chil. Would you wear 'em?
Madam ye have a witty woman.

Mar. Two Sir,
Or else ye underbuy us.

Luci. Leave your talking:
But is my Lord here, I beseech ye, Sir?

Chil. He is sweet Lady, and must take this kindly,
Exceeding kindly of ye, wondrous kindly
Ye come so far to visit him: I'le guide ye.

Luci. Whither?

Chil. Why to your Lord.

Luci. Is it so hard Sir,
To find him in this place without a Guide?
For I would willingly not trouble you.

Chil. It will be so for you that are a stranger;
Nor can it be a trouble to do service
To such a worthy beauty, and besides—

Mar. I see he will goe with us.

Clau. Let him amble.

Chil. It fits not that a Lady of your reckoning
Should pass without attendants.

Luci. I have two Sir.

Chil. I mean without a man; You'l see the Emperour?

Luci. Alas I am not fit Sir.

Chil. You are well enough,
He'l take it wondrous kindly: Hark.

Luci. Ye flatter,
Good Sir, no more of that.

Chil. Well, I but tell ye.

Luc. Will ye goe forward, since I must be man'd,
Pray take your place.

Claud. Cannot ye man us too Sir?

Chil. Give me but time.

Mar. And you'l try all things.

Chil. No:
I'le make no such promise.

Claud. If ye do Sir,
Take heed ye stand to't.

Chil. Wondrous merry Ladies. [Ex.

Enter Licinius, and Proculus, Balbus.

Luci. The wenches are dispos'd, pray keep your way Sir.

Lici. She is coming up the stairs; Now the Musick;
And as that stirs her, let's set on: perfumes there.

Pro. Discover all the Jewels.

Lici. Peace. [Musick.

SONGS.

Now the lusty Spring is seen,
Golden yellow, gaudy Blew,
Daintily invite the view.
Every where, on every Green,
Roses blushing as they blow,
And inticing men to pull,
Lillies whiter than the snow,
Woodbines of sweet hony full.
All Loves Emblems and all cry,
Ladys, if not pluckt we dye.

Yet the lusty Spring hath staid,
Blushing red and purest white,
Daintily to love invite,
Every Woman, every Maid,
Cherries kissing as they grow;
And inviting men to taste,
Apples even ripe below,
Winding gently to the waste:
All loves emblems and all cry,
Ladies, if not pluckt we dye.

SECOND.

Hear ye Ladies that despise
What the mighty Love has done,
Fear examples, and be wise,
Fair Calisto was a Nun,
Læda sailing on the stream,
To deceive the hopes of man,
Love accounting but a dream,
Doted on a silver Swan,
Danae in a Brazen Tower,
Where no love was, lov'd a Showr.

Hear ye Ladys that are coy,
What the mighty Love can do,
Fear the fierceness of the Boy,
The chaste Moon he makes to wooe:
Vesta kindling holy fires,
Circled round about with spies,
Never dreaming loose desires,
Doting at the Altar dies.
Ilion in a short hour higher
He can build, and once more fire.

Enter Chilax, Lucina, Claudia, and Marcellina.

Luci. Pray Heaven my Lord be here, for now I fear it.
Well Ring, if thou bee'st counterfeit, or stoln,
As by this preparation I suspect it,
Thou hast betrai'd thy Mistris: pray Sir forward,
I would fain see my Lord.

Chil. But tell me Madam,
How do ye like the Song?

Luci. I like the air well,
But for the words, they are lascivious,
And over light for Ladies.

Chil. All ours love 'em.

Luci. 'Tis like enough, for yours are loving Ladies.

Lici. Madam, ye are welcom to the Court. Who waits?
Attendants for this Lady.

Luci. Ye mistake Sir;
I bring no triumph with me.

Lici. But much honour.

Pro. Why this was nobly done; and like a neighbour,
So freely of your self to be a visitant,
The Emperour shall give ye thanks for this.

Luci. O no Sir;
There's nothing to deserve 'em.

Pro. Yes, your presence.

Luci. Good Gentlemen be patient, and believe
I come to see my husband, on command too,
I were no Courtier else.

Lici. That's all one Lady,
Now ye are here, y'are welcom, and the Emperour
Who loves ye, but too well.

Luci. No more of that Sir.
I came not to be Catechiz'd.

Pro. Ah Sirrah;
And have we got you here? faith Noble Lady,
We'l keep you one month Courtier.

Luci. Gods defend Sir,
I never lik'd a trade worse.

Pro. Hark ye.

Luci. No Sir.

Pro. Ye are grown the strangest Lady.

Luci. How?

Pro. By Heaven,
'Tis true I tell ye, and you'l find it.

Luci. I?
I'le rather find my grave, and so inform him.

Pro. Is it not pity Gentlemen, this Lady,
(Nay I'le deal roughly with ye, yet not hurt ye)
Sho[u]ld live alone, and give such heavenly beauty
Only to walls, and hangings?

Luci. Good Sir, patience:
I am no wonder, neither come to that end,
Ye do my Lord an injury to stay me,
Who though ye are the Princes, yet dare tell ye
He keeps no wife for your wayes.

Bal. Well, well Lady;
However you are pleas'd to think of us,
Ye are welcom, and ye shall be welcome.

Luci. Shew it
In that I come for then, in leading me
Where my lov'd Lord is, not in flattery:— [Jewels shew'd.
Nay ye may draw the Curtain, I have seen 'em,
But none worth half my honesty.

Claud. Are these Sir,
Laid here to take?

Pro. Yes, for your Lady, Gentlewomen.

Mar. We had been doing else.

Bal. Meaner Jewels
Would fit your worths.

Claud. And meaner clothes your bodies.

Luci. The Gods shall kill me first.

Lici. There's better dying;
I'th' Emperours arms goe to, but be not angry—
These are but talks sweet Lady.

Enter Phorba, and Ardelia.

Phor. Where is this stranger? rushes, Ladys, rushes,
Rushes as green as Summer for this stranger.

Pro. Here's Ladies come to see you.

Luci. You are gone then?
I take it 'tis your Qu.

Pro. Or rather manners,
You are better fitted Madam, we but tire ye,
Therefore we'l leave you for an hour, and bring
Your much lov'd Lord unto you— [Exeunt.

Luci. Then I'le thank ye,
I am betrai'd for certain; well Lucina,
If thou do'st fall from vertue, may the Earth
That after death should shoot up gardens of thee,
Spreading thy living goodness into branches,
Fly from thee, and the hot Sun find thy vices.

Pho. You are a welcom woman.

Ard. Bless me Heaven,
How did you find the way to Court?

Luci. I know not,
Would I had never trod it.

Phor. Prethee tell me,
Good noble Lady, and good sweet heart love us,
For we love thee extreamly; is not this place
A Paradise to live in?

Luci. To those people
That know no other Paradise but pleasure,
That little I enjoy contents me better.

Ard. What, heard ye any Musick yet?

Luci. Too much.

Phor. You must not be thus froward; what, this gown
Is one o'th' prettiest by my troth Ardelia,
I ever saw yet; 'twas not to frown in Lady,
Ye put this gown on when ye came.

Ard. How do ye?
Alas poor wretch how cold it is!

Luci. Content ye;
I am as well as may be, and as temperate,
If ye will let me be so: where's my Lord?
For there's the business that I came for Ladies.

Phor. We'l lead ye to him, he's i'th' Gallery.

Ard. We'l shew ye all the Court too.

Luci. Shew me him,
And ye have shew'd me all I come to look on.

Phor. Come on, we'l be your guides, and as ye goe,
We have some pretty tales to tell ye Lady,
Shall make ye merry too; ye come not here,
To be a sad Lucina.

Luci. Would I might not.— [Exeunt.

Enter Chilax, and Balbus.