John Fletcher

Philaster, or Love Lies a-Bleeding

Beaumont, Francis, and John Fletcher. Philaster, or Love Lies a-Bleeding . In: Brooke, C. F. T.; Paradise, N. B. (ed.) English Drama 1580-1642 . Boston: D. C. Heath and Company, 1933.

Joan Oleza Simó (Investigador principal) Tronch Pérez, Jesus (Editor)

English · Verso · 356 versos

https://playcode.fly.dev/plays/EMOTHE0419_PhilasterOrLoveLiesABleeding

Tiempo histórico: Tiempo indeterminado
Datación: 1608–1610
anterior o hasta 1608 y hasta o posterior 1610

Bibliografía

Ediciones modernas

Brooke, Charles F. Tucker; Paradise, Nathaniel Burton, ed. English Drama 1580-1642. Boston: Heath, 1933.
Dyce, Alexander, ed. The Works of Beaumont and Fletcher: The Text Formed from a New Collation of the Early Editions. Vol. 1. 2. Boston: Phillips, Sampson, and company, 1854.
Glover, Arnold, ed. The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher. Vol. 1. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1905. Cambridge English Classics.
Gossett, Suzanne, ed. Philaster or, Love Lies a-Bleeding. Beaumont, Francis; Fletcher, John. London: Methuen Drama A & C Black, 2009. Arden Early Modern Drama.
Gurr, Andrew, ed. Philaster or, Love Lies a-Bleeding. Beaumont, Francis; Fletcher, John. London: Methuen, 1969. The Revels Plays.
Matthews, Brander; Leider, Paul Robert, ed. The Chief British Dramatists Excluding Shakespeare. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1924.
Nethercot, Arthur H.; Baskervill, Charles R.; Heltzel, Virgil B., ed. Stuart Plays. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1971.
P. A. Daniel, ed. Philaster. Fletcher, John. In: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher. Vol. 1. London: G. Bell & Sons, 1904, pp. 115–242.
Philaster. Ashe, Dora J. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1974, pp. 152. Regents Renaissance Drama Series.
Philaster. Fletcher, John. In: Turner, Robert Kean, ed. The Dramatic Works in the Beaumont and Fletcher Canon. Vol. 1. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1966, pp. 367–540.
Spencer, Hazelton, ed. Elizabethan Plays. Boston: Heath, 1933.
Wheeler, C. B., ed. Six Elizabethan Plays by Contemporaries of Shakespeare. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1915. World’s Classics Series.

Bibliografía crítica

Adkins, Mary Grace Muse. ""The Citizens in 'Philaster': Their Function and Significance". Studies in Philology. 1946, 43, p. 203-12.
Banerjee, Rita. ""The Subalterns in 'Philaster' and the Ideology of the Play". Discoveries: South-Central Renaissance Conference News and Notes. 1997, 15, 1, p. 3-4, 9-10.
Bliss, Lee. ""Three plays in one: Shakespeare and 'Philaster'". Medieval and Renaissance Drama in England. 1985, 2, p. 153-70.
Collier, Susanne. ""Cutting to the Heart of the Matter: Stabbing the Woman in 'Philaster' and 'Cymbeline'". Ed. Kendall, Gillian Murray. Shakespearean Power and Punishment: A Volume of Essays. 1998 ed. London: Fairleigh Dickinson UP, p. 39-58.
Davison, Peter. ""The Serious Concerns of 'Philaster'". ELH: journal of English literary history. 1963, 30, p. 1-15.
Harrison, T. P., Jr. "A Probable Source of Beaumont and Fletcher's 'Philaster'". PMLA: publications of the Modern Language Association of America. 1926, 41, p. 294-303.
Lawrence, W. J. "The Riddle of 'Philaster'". Times Literary Supplement. 1921, 17.
Loughlin, Marie H. "Cross-dressing and the politics of dismemberment in Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher's 'Philaster'". Renaissance and Reformation/Renaissance et réforme. 1997, 33, 2, p. 23-44.
Miller, Jo E. "'And all this passion for a boy?': cross-dressing and the sexual economy of Beaumont and Fletcher's 'Philaster'.". English Literary Renaissance. 1997, 27, 1, p. 129-50.
Mokris, Mary P. "From Disintegration to Integration: Identity in Beaumont and Fletcher's 'Philaster'". Proceedings of the Third Dakotas Conference on Earlier British Literature. 1995, p. 71-82.
Park, Judy H. ""The tragicomic moment: republicanism in Beaumont and Fletcher's 'Philaster'". Comparative Drama. 2015, 49, 1, p. 23-47.
Radel, Nicholas F. "'Then thus I turne my language to you': the transformation of theatrical language in 'Philaster'". Medieval and Renaissance Drama in England. 1986, 3, p. 129-47.
Savage, J. E. "The 'Gaping Wounds' in the Text of 'Philaster'". Philological Quarterly. 1949, 28, p. 443-57.
Savage, James E. "Beaumont and Fletcher's 'Philaster' and Sidney's 'Arcadia'". ELH: journal of English literary history. 1947, 14, p. 194-206.
Schutt, J. H. "Beaumont and Fletcher's Philaster, considered as a work of literary art.". English Studies. 1924, 6, p. 80-7.
Turner, Robert K., Jr. "The Printing of 'Philaster' Q1 and Q2". Library. 1960, 15, p. 21-32.
Varnardo, Christine. ""Getting used, and liking it: erotic instrumentality in 'Philaster'.". Renaissance Drama. 2016, 44, 1, p. 25-52.
White, D. Jerry. "Irony and the Tree Temptations in 'Philaster'". Thoth: Syracuse University Graduate Studies in English. 1975, 15, 2, p. 3-8.
Wilson, Harold S. "'Philaster' and 'Cymbeline'". English Institute Essays. 1951, p. 146-166.

Note on this digital edition

For this digital edition, names of characters have been expanded in speech prefixes and stage directions. Line numbers may not coincide with those in the source text. With the support of research project GVAICO2016-094, funded by Generalitat Valenciana (2016-2017). __________________________________________________

THE ACTORS' NAMES

KING of Sicily [and Calabria]

PHILASTER Heir to the Crown [of Sicily]

PHARAMOND a Spanish Prince

DION a Lord

CLEREMONT }

THRASILINE } Noble Gentlemen, his Associates

ARETHUSA the King's Daughter

EUPHRASIA Daughter of Dion, but disguised like a page and called Bellario

GALATEA a wise modest Lady attending the Princess

MEGRA a lascivious Lady

An old Captain

five Citizens

a Country Fellow

two Woodmen

the King's Guard and Train

Messenger

two Ladies

All

Voices

Actus Primus

Scena Prima

([The Palace.])

(Enter Dion, Cleremont, and Thrasiline)

Cleremont

Here's nor lords nor ladies.

Dion

Credit me, gentlemen, I wonder at it. They receiv'd strict charge from the King to attend here; besides, it was boldly published that no officer should forbid any gentleman that desired to attend and hear.

Cleremont

Can you guess the cause?

Dion

Sir, it is plain, about the Spanish Prince that's come to marry our kingdom's heir and be our sovereign.

Thrasiline

Many that will seem to know much say she looks not on him like a maid in love.

Dion

Faith, sir, the multitude, that seldom know anything but their own opinions, speak that they would have; but the prince, before his own approach, receiv'd so many confident messages from the state, that I think she's resolv'd to be rul'd.

Cleremont

Sir, it is thought, with her he shall enjoy both these kingdoms of Sicily and Calabria.

Dion

Sir, it is without controversy so meant. But 't will be a troublesome labour for him to enjoy both these kingdoms with safety, the right heir to one of them living, and living so virtuously: especially, the people admiring the bravery of his mind and lamenting his injuries.

Cleremont

Who? Philaster?

Dion

Yes; whose father, we all know, was by our late King of Calabria unrighteously deposed from his fruitful Sicily. Myself drew some blood in those wars, which I would give my hand to be washed from.

Cleremont

Sir, my ignorance in state-policy will not let me know why, Philaster being heir to one of these kingdoms, the King should suffer him to walk abroad with such free liberty.

Dion

Sir, it seems your nature is more constant than to inquire after state-news. But the King, of late, made a hazard of both the kingdoms, of Sicily and his own, with offering but to imprison Philaster; at which the city was in arms, not to be charm'd down by any state-order, or proclamation, till they saw Philaster ride through the streets pleas'd and without a guard; at which they threw their hats and their arms from them; some to make bonfires, some to drink, all for his deliverance: which wise men say is the cause the King labours to bring in the power of a foreign nation to awe his own with.

(Enter Galatea, Megra, and a Lady)

Thrasiline

See, the ladies! What's the first?

Dion

A wise and modest gentlewoman that attends the princess.

Cleremont

The second?

Dion

She is one that may stand still discreetly enough and ill-favour'dly dance her measure; simper when she is courted by her friend, and slight her husband.

Cleremont

The last?

Dion

Faith, I think she is one whom the state keeps for the agents of our confederate princess; she'll cog and lie with a whole army, before the league shall break. Her name is common through the kingdom, and the trophies of her dishonour advanced beyond Hercules' Pillars. She loves to try the several constitutions of men's bodies; and, indeed, has destroyed the worth of her own body by making experiment upon it for the good of the commonwealth.

Cleremont

She's a profitable member.

Lady

Peace, if you love me! You shall see these gentlemen stand their ground and not court us.

Galatea

What if they should?

Megra

What if they should!

Lady

Nay, let her alone. – What if they should! What, if they should, I say they were never abroad. What foreigner would do so? It writes them directly untravell'd.

Galatea

Why, what if they be?

Megra

What if they be!

Lady

Good madam, let her go on. – What if they be! Why, if they be, I will justify, they cannot maintain discourse with a judicious lady, nor make a leg nor say "Excuse me."

Galatea

Ha, ha, ha!

Lady

Do you laugh, madam?

Dion

You desires upon you, ladies!

Lady

Then you must sit beside us.

Dion

I shall sit near you then, lady.

Lady

Near me, perhaps; but there's a lady endures no stranger; and to me you appear a very strange fellow.

Megra

Methinks he's not so strange; he would quickly be acquainted.

Thrasiline

Peace, the King!

(Enter King, Pharamond, Arethusa, and Train)

King

To give a stronger testimony of love 97

Than sickly promises (which commonly 98

In princes find both birth and burial 99

In one breath) we have drawn you, worthy sir, 100

To make your fair endearments to our daughter 101

And worthy services known to our subjects, 102

Now lov'd and wondered at; next, our intent 103

To plant you deeply our immediate heir 104

Both to our blood and kingdoms. For this lady, 105

(The best part of your life, as you confirm me, 106

And I believe,) though her few years and sex 107

Yet teach her nothing but her fears and blushes, 108

Desires without desire, discourse and knowledge 109

Only of what herself is to herself, 110

Make her feel moderate health; and when she sleeps, 111

In making no ill day, knows no ill dreams. 112

Think not, dear sir, these undivided parts, 113

That must mould up a virgin, are put on 114

To show her so, as borrow'd ornaments 115

To speak her perfect love to you, or add 116

An artificial shadow to her nature, – 117

No, sir; I boldly dare proclaim her yet 118

No woman. But woo her still, and think her modesty 119

A sweeter mistress than the offer'd language 120

Of any dame, were she a queen, whose eye 121

Speaks common loves and comforts to her servants. 122

Last, noble son (for so I now must call you), 123

What I have done thus public, is not only 124

To add a comfort in particular 125

To you or me, but all; and to confirm 126

The nobles and the gentry of these kingdoms 127

By oath to your succession, which shall be 128

Within this month at most. 129

Thrasiline

This will be hardly done. 130

Cleremont

It must be ill done, if it be done. 131

Dion

When 't is at best, 't will be but half done, whilst 132

So brave a gentleman's wrong'd and flung off. 133

Thrasiline

I fear. 134

Cleremont

Who does not? 135

Dion

I fear not for myself, and yet I fear too. 136

Well, we shall see, we shall see. No more. 137

Pharamond

Kissing your white hand, mistress, I take leave 138

To thank your royal father; and thus far 139

To be my own free trumpet. Understand, 140

Great King, and these your subjects, mine that must be, 141

(For so deserving you have spoke me, sir, 142

And so deserving I dare speak myself,) 143

To what a person, of what eminence, 144

Ripe expectation, of what faculties, 145

Manners and virtues, you should wed your kingdoms: 146

You in me have your wishes. Oh, this country! 147

By more than all the gods, I hold it happy; 148

Happy in their dear memories that have been 149

Kings great and good; happy in yours that is; 150

And from you (as a chronicle to keep 151

Your noble name from eating age) do I 152

Opine myself most happy. Gentlemen, 153

Believe me in a word, a prince's word, 154

There shall be nothing to make up a kingdom 155

Mighty and flourishing, defenced, fear'd, 156

Equal to be commanded and obeyed, 157

But through the travails of my life I'll find it, 158

And tie it to this country. By all the gods, 159

My reign shall be so easy to the subject, 160

That every man shall be his prince himself, 161

And his own law – yet I his prince and law. 162

And, dearest lady, to your dearest self 163

(Dear in the choice of him whose name and lustre 164

Must make you more and mightier) let me say, 165

You are the blessed'st living; for, sweet princess, 166

You shall enjoy a man of men to be 167

Your servant; you shall make him yours, for whom 168

Great queens must die. 169

Thrasiline

Miraculous! 170

Cleremont

This speech calls him Spaniard, being nothing but a large inventory of his own commendations.

Dion

I wonder what's his price; for certainly 173

He'll sell himself, he has so prais'd his shape. 174

(Enter Philaster)

But here comes one more worthy those large speeches 175

Than the large speaker of them. 176

Let me be swallow'd quick, if I can find, 177

In all the anatomy of yon man's virtues, 178

One sinew sound enough to promise for him, 179

He shall be constable. By this sun, 180

He'll ne'er make king unless it be of trifles, 181

In my poor judgment. 182

Philaster

[kneeling.] Right noble sir, as low as my obedience 183

And with a heart as loyal as my knee, 184

I beg your favour. 185

King

Rise; you have it, sir.

([Philaster rises.])

Dion

Mark but the king, how pale he looks with fear! 186

Oh, this same whoreson conscience, how it jades us! 187

King

Speak your intents, sir. 188

Philaster

Shall I speak 'em freely?

Be still my royal sovereign. 189

King

As a subject,

We give you freedom. 190

Dion

Now it heats.

Philaster

Then thus I turn

My language to you, prince, you foreign man! 191

Ne'er stare nor put on wonder, for you must 192

Endure me, and you shall. This earth you tread upon 193

(A dowry, as you hope, with this fair princess), 194

By my dead father (oh, I had a father, 195

Whose memory I bow to!) was not left 196

To your inheritance, and I up and living – 197

Having myself about me and my sword, 198

The souls of all my name and memories, 199

These arms and some few friends besides the gods – 200

To part so calmly with it, and sit still 201

And say, "I might have been." I tell thee, Pharamond, 202

When thou art king, look I be dead and rotten, 203

And my name ashes: for, hear me, Pharamond! 204

This very ground thou goest on, this fat earth, 205

My father's friends made fertile with their faiths, 206

Before that day of shame shall gape and swallow 207

Thee and thy nation, like a hungry grave, 208

Into her hidden bowels. Prince, it shall: 209

By the just gods, it shall! 210

Pharamond

He's mad beyond cure, mad.

Dion

Here is a fellow has some fire in 's veins: 211

The outlandish prince looks like a tooth-drawer. 212

Philaster

Sir Prince of popinjays, I'll make it well 213

Appear to you I am not mad. 214

King

You displease us:

You are too bold. 215

Philaster

No, sir, I am too tame,

Too much a turtle, a thing born without passion, 216

A faint shadow, that every drunken cloud 217

Sails over, and makes nothing. 218

King

I do not fancy this.

Call our physicians; sure, he's somewhat tainted. 219

Thrasiline

I do not think 't will prove so. 220

Dion

H'as given him a general purge already, 221

For all the right he has; and now he means 222

To let him blood. Be constant, gentlemen: 223

By heaven, I'll run his hazard, although I run 224

My name out of the kingdom! 225

Cleremont

Peace, we are all one soul.

Pharamond

What you have seen in me to stir offence 226

I cannot find, unless it be this lady, 227

Offer'd into mine arms with the succession; 228

Which I must keep, (though it hath pleas'd your fury 229

To mutiny within you,) without disputing 230

Your genealogies, or taking knowledge 231

Whose branch you are. The king will leave it me, 232

And I dare make it mine. You have your answer. 233

Philaster

If thou wert sole inheritor to him 234

That made the world his, and couldst see no sun 235

Shine upon anything but thine; were Pharamond 236

As truly valiant as I feel him cold, 237

And ring'd among the choicest of his friends, 238

(Such as would blush to talk such serious follies, 239

Or back such bellied commendations), 240

And from this presence, spite of all these bugs, 241

You should hear further from me. 242

King

Sir, you wrong the prince; I gave you not this freedom 243

To brave our best friends. You deserve our frown. 244

Go to; be better temper'd. 245

Philaster

It must be, sir, when I am nobler us'd. 246

Galatea

Ladies, 247

This would have been a pattern of succession, 248

Had he ne'er met this mischief. By my life, 249

He is the worthiest the true name of man 250

This day within my knowledge. 251

Megra

I cannot tell what you may call your knowledge; 252

But the other is the man set in mine eye. 253

Oh, 't is a prince of wax! 254

Galatea

A dog it is.

King

Philaster, tell me 255

The injuries you aim at in your riddles. 256

Philaster

If you had my eyes, sir, and sufferance, 257

My griefs upon you, and my broken fortunes, 258

My wants great, and now-nothing hopes and fears, 259

My wrongs would make ill riddles to be laugh'd at. 260

Dare you be still my king, and right me not? 261

King

Give me your wrongs in private. 262

Philaster

Take them,

And ease me of a load would bow strong Atlas. 263

(They whisper.)

Cleremont

He dares not stand the shock.

Dion

I cannot blame him; there's danger in 't. Every man in this age has not a soul of crystal, for all men to read their actions through: men's hearts and faces are so far asunder, that they hold no intelligence. Do but view yon stranger well, and you shall see a fever through all his bravery, and feel him shake like a true tyrant. If he give not back his crown again upon the report of an elder-gun, I have no augury.

King

Go to; 275

Be more yourself, as you respect our favour; 276

You'll stir us else. Sir, I must have you know, 277

That y' are and shall be, at our pleasure, what 278

Fashion we will put upon you. Smooth your brow, 279

Or by the gods – 280

Philaster

I am dead, sir; y' are my fate. It was not I 281

Said I was wrong'd: I carry all about me 282

My weak stars lead me to, all my weak fortunes. 283

Who dares in all this presence speak, (that is 284

But man of flesh, and may be mortal,) tell me 285

I do not most entirely love this prince, 286

And honour his full virtues! 287

King

Sure, he's possess'd.

Philaster

Yes, with my father's spirit. It's here, O King, 288

A dangerous spirit! Now he tells me, King, 289

I was a king's heir, bids me be a king, 290

And whispers to me, these are all my subjects. 291

'T is strange he will not let me sleep, but dives 292

Into my fancy, and there gives me shapes 293

That kneel and do me service, cry me king. 294

But I'll suppress him; he's a factious spirit, 295

And will undo me. – 296

[To Pharamond] Noble sir, your hand; 297

I am your servant. 298

King

Away! I do not like this:

I'll make you tamer, or I'll dispossess you 299

Both of your life and spirit. For this time 300

I pardon your wild speech, without so much 301

As your imprisonment. 302

(Exeunt King, Pharamond, Arethusa.)

Dion

I thank you, sir; you dare not for the people.

Galatea

Ladies, what think you now of this brave fellow?

Megra

A pretty talking fellow, hot at hand. But eye yon stranger: is he not a fine complete gentleman? Oh, these strangers, I do affect them strangely! They do the rarest home-things, and please the fullest! As I live, I could love all the nation over and over for his sake.

Galatea

Gods comfort your poor head-piece, lady! 'T is a weak one, and had need of a night-cap.

(Exeunt Ladies.)

Dion

See, how his fancy labours! Has he not 314

Spoke home and bravery? What a dangerous train 315

Did he give fire to! How he shook the king, 316

Made his soul melt within him, and his blood 317

Run into whey! It stood upon his brow 318

Like a cold winter dew. 319

Philaster

Gentlemen,

You have no suit to me? I am no minion. 320

You stand, methinks, like men that would be courtiers, 321

If you could well be flatter'd at a price 322

Not to undo your children. Y'are all honest: 323

Go, get you home again, and make your country 324

A virtuous court, to which your great ones may, 325

In their diseased age, retire and live recluse. 326

Cleremont

How do you, worthy sir? 327

Philaster

Well, very well;

And so well that, if the king please, I find 328

I may live many years. 329

Dion

The king must please,

Whilst we know what you are and who you are, 330

Your wrongs and virtues. Shrink not, worthy sir, 331

But add your father to you; in whose name 332

We'll waken all the gods, and conjure up 333

The rods of vengeance, the abused people, 334

Who, like to raging torrents, shall swell high, 335

And so begirt the dens of these male-dragons, 336

That, through the strongest safety, they shall beg 337

For mercy at your sword's point. 338

Philaster

Friends, no more;

Our ears may be corrupted; 't is an age 339

We dare not trust our wills to. Do you love me? 340

Thrasiline

Do we love Heaven and honour? 341

Philaster

My Lord Dion, you had 342

A virtuous gentlewoman call'd you father. 343

Is she yet alive? 344

Dion

Most honour'd sir, she is;

And, for the penance but of an idle dream 345

Has undertook a tedious pilgrimage. 346

(Enter a Lady)

Philaster

Is it to me, or any of these gentlemen, you come? 347

Lady

To you, brave lord; the princess would entreat 348

Your present company. 349

Philaster

The princess send for me! Y'are mistaken. 350

Lady

If you be call'd Philaster, 't is to you. 351

Philaster

Kiss her fair hand, and say I will attend her. 352

([Exit Lady.])

Dion

Do you know what you do? 353

Philaster

Yes; go to see a woman. 354

Cleremont

But do you weigh the danger you are in? 355

Philaster

Danger in a sweet face! 356

By Jupiter, I must not fear a woman! 357

Thrasiline

But are you sure it was the princess sent? 358

It may be some foul train to catch your life. 359

Philaster

I do not think it, gentlemen; she's noble. 360

Her eye may shoot me dead, or those true red 361

And white friends in her cheeks may steal my soul out: 362

There's all the danger in 't. But, be what may, 363

Her single name hath arm'd me. 364

(Exit.)

Dion

Go on,

And be as truly happy as th'art fearless! – 365

Come, gentlemen, let's make our friends acquainted, 366

Lest the king prove false. 367

(Exeunt.)

[SCENE II]

([Arethusa's Apartment.])

(Enter Arethusa and a Lady)

Arethusa

Comes he not? 1

Lady

Madam?

Arethusa

Will Philaster come?

Lady

Dear madam, you were wont to credit me 2

At first. 3

Arethusa

But didst thou tell me so? 4

I am forgetful, and my woman's strength 5

Is so o'ercharg'd with dangers like to grow 6

About my marriage, that these under-things 7

Dare not abide in such a troubled sea. 8

How look'd he when he told thee he would come? 9

Lady

Why, well. 10

Arethusa

And not a little fearful? 11

Lady

Fear, madam! Sure, he knows not what it is. 12

Arethusa

You all are of his faction; the whole court 13

Is bold in praise of him; whilst I 14

May live neglected, and do noble things, 15

As fools in strife throw gold into the sea, 16

Drown'd in the doing. But, I know he fears. 17

Lady

Fear, madam! Methought, his looks hid more 18

Of love than fear. 19

Arethusa

Of love! To whom? To you?

Did you deliver those plain words I sent 20

With such a winning gesture and quick look 21

That you have caught him? 22

Lady

Madam, I mean to you.

Arethusa

Of love to me! Alas, thy ignorance 23

Lets thee not see the crosses of our births! 24

Nature, that loves not to be questioned 25

Why she did this or that, but has her ends, 26

And knows she does well, never gave the world 27

Two things so opposite, so contrary, 28

As he and I am: if a bowl of blood 29

Drawn from this arm of mine would poison thee, 30

A draught of his would cure thee. Of love to me! 31

Lady

Madam, I think I hear him. 32

Arethusa

Bring him in.

([Exit Lady.])

You gods, that would not have your dooms withstood, 33

Whose holy wisdoms at this time it is 34

To make the passion of a feeble maid 35

The way unto your justice, I obey. 36

(Enter Philaster [with Lady])

Lady

Here is my Lord Philaster. 37

Arethusa

Oh, 't is well.

Withdraw yourself. 38

([Exit Lady.])

Philaster

Madam, your messenger

Made me believe you wish'd to speak with me. 39

Arethusa

'T is true, Philaster; but the words are such 40

I have to say, and do so ill beseem 41

The mouth of woman, that I wish them said, 42

And yet am loath to speak them. Have you known 43

That I have aught detracted from your worth? 44

Have I in person wrong'd you, or have set 45

My baser instruments to throw disgrace 46

Upon your virtues? 47

Philaster

Never, madam, you.

Arethusa

Why, then, should you, in such a public place, 48

Injure a princess, and a scandal lay 49

Upon my fortunes, fam'd to be so great, 50

Calling a great part of my dowry in question? 51

Philaster

Madam, this truth which I shall speak will be 52

Foolish: but, for your fair and virtuous self, 53

I could afford myself to have no right 54

To anything you wish'd. 55

Arethusa

Philaster, know,

I must enjoy these kingdoms. 56

Philaster

Madam, both?

Arethusa

Both, or I die: by heaven, I die, Philaster, 57

If I not calmly may enjoy them both. 58

Philaster

I would do much to save that noble life; 59

Yet would be loath to have posterity 60

Find in our stories, that Philaster gave 61

His right unto a sceptre and a crown 62

To save a lady's longing. 63

Arethusa

Nay, then, hear:

I must and will have them, and more – 64

Philaster

What more?

Arethusa

Or lose that little life the gods prepared 65

To trouble this poor piece of earth withal. 66

Philaster

Madam, what more? 67

Arethusa

Turn, then, away thy face.

Philaster

No. 68

Arethusa

No. 69

Philaster

I can endure it. Turn away my face! 70

I never yet saw enemy that look'd 71

So dreadfully, but that I thought myself 72

As great a basilisk as he; or spake 73

So horrible, but that I thought my tongue 74

Bore thunder underneath as much as his; 75

Nor beast that I could turn from. Shall I then 76

Begin to fear sweet sounds? A lady's voice, 77

Whom I do love? Say you would have my life; 78

Why, I will give it you; for it is of me 79

A thing so loath'd, and unto you that ask 80

Of so poor use, that I shall make no price: 81

If you entreat, I will unmov'dly hear. 82

Arethusa

Yet, for my sake, a little bend thy looks. 83

Philaster

I do. 84

Arethusa

Then know, I must have them and thee. 85

Philaster

And me? 86

Arethusa

Thy love; without which, all the land 87

Discover'd yet will serve me for no use 88

But to be buried in. 89

Philaster

Is 't possible?

Arethusa

With it, it were too little to bestow 90

On thee. Now, though thy breath do strike me dead, 91

(Which, now, it may,) I have unripp'd my breast. 92

Philaster

Madam, you are too full of noble thoughts, 93

To lay a train for this contemned life, 94

Which you may have for asking. To suspect 95

Were base, where I deserve no ill. Love you! 96

By all my hopes, I do, above my life! 97

But how this passion should proceed from you 98

So violently, would amaze a man 99

That would be jealous. 100

Arethusa

Another soul into my body shot 101

Could not have fill'd me with more strength and sprit 102

Than this thy breath. But spend not hasty time 103

In seeking how I came thus; 't is the gods, 104

The gods, that make me so; and, sure, our love 105

Will be the nobler and the better blest, 106

In that the secret justice of the gods 107

Is mingled with it. Let us leave, and kiss; 108

Lest some unwelcome guest should fall betwixt us, 109

And we should part without it. 110

Philaster

'T will be ill

I should abide here long. 111

Arethusa

'T is true; and worse

You should come often. How shall we devise 112

To hold intelligence, that our true loves, 113

On any new occasion, may agree 114

What path is best to tread? 115

Philaster

I have a boy,

Sent by the gods, I hope, to this intent, 116

Not yet seen in the court. Hunting the buck, 117

I found him sitting by a fountain's side, 118

Of which he borrow'd some to quench his thirst, 119

And paid the nymph again as much in tears. 120

A garland lay him by, made by himself 121

Of many several flowers bred in the vale, 122

Stuck in that mystic order that the rareness 123

Delighted me: but ever when he turn'd 124

His tender eyes upon 'em, he would weep, 125

As if he meant to make 'em grow again. 126

Seeing such pretty helpless innocence 127

Dwell in his face, I ask'd him all his story. 128

He told me that his parents gentle died, 129

Leaving him to the mercy of the fields, 130

Which gave him roots; and of the crystal springs, 131

Which did not stop their courses; and the sun, 132

Which still, he thank'd him, yielded him his light. 133

The took he up his garland, and did show 134

What every flower, as country-people hold, 135

Did signify, and how all, order'd thus, 136

Express'd his grief; and, to my thoughts, did read 137

The prettiest lecture of his country-art 138

That could be wish'd: so that methought I could 139

Have studied it. I gladly entertain'd 140

Him, who was glad to follow; and have got 141

The trustiest, loving'st, and the gentlest boy 142

That ever master kept. Him will I send 143

To wait on you, and bear our hidden love. 144

(Enter Lady)

Arethusa

'T is well; no more. 145

Lady

Madam, the prince is come to do his service. 146

Arethusa

What will you do, Philaster, with yourself? 147

Philaster

Why, that which all the gods have pointed out for me. 148

Arethusa

Dear, hide thyself. – 149

Bring in the prince. 150

([Exit Lady.])

Philaster

Hide me from Pharamond!

When thunder speaks, which is the voice of Jove, 151

Though I do reverence, yet I hide me not; 152

And shall a stranger-prince have leave to brag 153

Unto a foreign nation, that he made 154

Philaster hide himself? 155

Arethusa

He cannot know it.

Philaster

Though it should sleep for ever to the world, 156

It is a simple sin to hide myself, 157

Which will for ever on my conscience lie. 158

Arethusa

Then, good Philaster, give him scope and way 159

In what he says; for he is apt to speak 160

What you are loath to hear. For my sake, do. 161

Philaster

I will. 162

(Enter Pharamond)

Pharamond

My princely mistress, as true lovers ought, 163

I come to kiss these fair hands, and to show, 164

In outward ceremonies, to dear love 165

Writ in my heart. 166

Philaster

If I shall have an answer no directlier, 167

I am gone. 168

Pharamond

To what would he have answer? 169

Arethusa

To his claim unto the kingdom. 170

Pharamond

Sirrah, I forbare you before the king – 171

Philaster

Good sir, do so still; I would not talk with you. 172

Pharamond

But now the time is fitter. Do but offer 173

To make mention of right to any kingdom, 174

Though it be scarce habitable – 175

Philaster

Good sir, let me go.

Pharamond

And by the gods – 176

Philaster

Peace, Pharamond! if thou –

Arethusa

Leave us, Philaster. 177

Philaster

I have done.

([Going.])

Pharamond

You are gone! by Heaven I'll fetch you back. 178

Philaster

You shall not need. 179

([Returning.])

Pharamond

What now?

Philaster

Know, Pharamond,

I loathe to brawl with such a blast as thou, 180

Who art nought but a valiant voice; but if 181

Thou shalt provoke me further, men shall say, 182

Thou wert, and not lament it. 183

Pharamond

Do you slight

My greatness so, and in the chamber of 184

The princess? 185

Philaster

It is a place to which I must confess 186

I owe a reverence; but were 't the church, 187

Ay, at the altar, there's no place so safe, 188

Where thou dar'st injure me, but I dare kill thee. 189

And for your greatness, know sir, I can grasp 190

You and your greatness thus, thus into nothing. 191

Give not a word, not a word back! Farewell. 192

(Exit.)

Pharamond

'T is an odd fellow, madam; we must stop 193

His mouth with some office when we are married. 194

Arethusa

You were best make him your controller. 195

Pharamond

I think he would discharge it well. 196

But, madam, 197

I hope our hearts are knit; but yet so slow 198

The ceremonies of state are, that 't will be long 199

Before our hands be so. If then you please, 200

Being agreed in heart, let us not wait 201

For dreaming form, but take a little stolen 202

Delights, and so prevent our joys to come. 203

Arethusa

If you dare speak such thoughts, 204

I must withdraw in honour. 205

(Exit.)

Pharamond

The constitution of my body will never hold out till the wedding; I must seek elsewhere.

(Exit.)

Actus Secundus

Scena Prima

([Philaster's Lodging.])

(Enter Philaster and his boy, called Bellario)

Philaster

And thou shalt find her honourable, boy; 1

Full of regard unto thy tender youth 2

For thine own modesty; and, for my sake, 3

Apter to give than thou wilt be to ask, 4

Ay, or deserve. 5

Bellario

Sir, you did take me up

When I was nothing; and only yet am something 6

By being yours. You trusted me unknown; 7

And that which you are apt to conster 8

A simple innocence in me, perhaps 9

Might have been craft, the cunning of a boy 10

Harden'd in lies and theft: yet ventur'd you 11

To part my miseries and me: for which, 12

I never can expect to serve a lady 13

That bears more honour in her breast than you. 14

Philaster

But, boy, it will prefer thee. Thou art young, 15

And bear'st a childish overflowing love 16

To them that clap thy cheeks and speak thee fair yet; 17

But when thy judgment comes to rule those passions, 18

Thou wilt remember best those careful friends 19

That plac'd thee in the noblest way of life. 20

She is a princess I prefer thee to. 21

Bellario

In that small time that I have seen the world, 22

I never knew a man hasty to part 23

With a servant he thought trusty. I remember, 24

My father would prefer the boys he kept 25

To greater men than he; but did it not 26

Till they were grown too saucy for himself. 27

Philaster

Why, gentle boy, I find no fault at all 28

In thy behaviour. 29

Bellario

Sir, if I have made

A fault of ignorance, instruct my youth: 30

I shall be willing, if not apt, to learn; 31

Age and experience will adorn my mind 32

With larger knowledge; and if I have done 33

A wilful fault, think me not past all hope 34

For once. What master holds so strict a hand 35

Over his boy, that he will part with him 36

Without one warning? Let me be corrected 37

To break my stubbornness, if it be so, 38

Rather than turn me off; and I shall mend. 39

Philaster

Thy love doth plead so prettily to stay, 40

That (trust me) I could weep to part with thee. 41

Alas, I do not turn thee off! Thou knowest 42

It is my business that doth call thee hence; 43

And when thou art with her, thou dwell'st with me, 44

Think so, and 't is so; and when time is full, 45

That thou hast well discharg'd this heavy trust, 46

Laid on so weak a one, I will again 47

With joy receive thee; as I live, I will! 48

Nay, weep not, gentle boy. 'T is more than time 49

Thou didst attend the princess. 50

Bellario

I am gone.

But since I am to part with you, my lord, 51

And none knows whether I shall live to do 52

More service for you, take this little prayer: 53

Heaven bless your loves, your sighs, all your designs! 54

May sick men, if they have your wish, be well; 55

And Heaven hate those you curse, though I be one! 56

(Exit.)

Philaster

The love of boys unto their lords is strange; 57

I have read wonders of it: yet this boy 58

For my sake (if a man may judge by looks 59

And speech) would out-do story. I may see 60

A day to pay him for his loyalty. 61

(Exit.)

[SCENE II]

([Lobby of the Court.])

(Enter Pharamond)

Pharamond

Why should these ladies stay so long? They must come this way. I know the queen employs 'em not; for the reverend mother sent me word, they would all be for the garden. If they should all prove honest now, I were in a fair taking. I was never so long without sport in my life, and, in my conscience, 't is not my fault. Oh, for our country ladies! Enter Galatea Here's one bolted; I'll hound at her. – Madam!

Galatea

Your grace! 10

Pharamond

Shall I not be a trouble? 11

Galatea

Not to me, sir.

([Going.])

Pharamond

Nay, nay, you are too quick. By this sweet hand – 12

Galatea

You'll be forsworn, sir; 't is but an old glove. 13

If you will talk at distance, I am for you: 14

But, good prince, be not bawdy, nor do not brag. 15

These two I only bar; 16

And then, I think, I shall have sense enough 17

To answer all the weighty apophthegms 18

Your royal blood shall manage. 19

Pharamond

Dear lady, can you love?

Galatea

Dear prince! how dear? I ne'er cost you a coach yet, nor put you to the dear repentance of a banquet. Here's no scarlet, sir, to blush the sin out it was given for. This wire mine own hair covers; and this face has been so far from being dear to any, that it ne'er cost penny painting; and, for the rest of my poor wardrobe, such as you see, it leaves no hand behind it, to make the jealous mercer's wife curse our good doings.

Pharamond

You mistake me, lady. 31

Galatea

Lord, I do so; would you or I could help it! 32

Pharamond

Y' are very dangerous bitter, like a potion. 33

Galatea

No, sir, I do not mean to purge you, though 34

I mean to purge a little time on you. 35

Pharamond

Do ladies of this country use to give 36

No more respect to men of my full being? 37

Galatea

Full being! I understand you not, unless your grace means growing to fatness; and then your only remedy (upon my knowledge, prince) is, in a morning, a cup of neat white wine brewed with carduus, then fast till supper; about eight you may eat. Use exercise, and keep a sparrow-hawk; you can shoot in a tiller: but, of all, your grace must fly phlebotomy, fresh pork, conger, and clarified whey; they are all dullers of the vital spirits.

Pharamond

Lady, you talk of nothing all this while.

Galatea

'T is very true, sir; I talk of you.

Pharamond

This is a crafty wench. I like in a shower of gold.

Galatea

What have you there, my lord? Gold! now, as I live, 't is fair gold! You would have silver for it, to play with the pages. You could not have taken me in a worse time; but, if you have present use, my lord, I'll send my man with silver and keep your gold safe for you.

([Takes the gold.])

Pharamond

Lady, lady!

Galatea

She's coming, sir, behind, will take white money. – 62

Yet for all this I'll match ye. 63

(She slips behind the arras.)

Pharamond

If there be but two such more in this kingdom, and near the court, we may even hang up our harps. Ten such camphor constitutions as this would call the golden age again in question, and teach the old way for every ill-fac'd husband to get his own children; and what a mischief that would breed, let all consider! Enter Megra Here's another: if she be of the same last, the devil shall pluck her on. – Many fair mornings, lady!

Megra

As many mornings bring as many days, 75

Fair, sweet and hopeful to your grace! 76

Pharamond

She gives good words yet; sure this wench is free. 77

If your more serious business do not call you, 78

Let me hold quarter with you; we will talk 79

An hour out quickly. 80

Megra

What would your grace talk of?

Pharamond

Of some such pretty subject as yourself: 81

I'll go no further than your eye, or lip; 82

There's theme enough for one man for an age. 83

Megra

Sir, they stand right, and my lips are yet even, 84

Smooth, young enough, ripe enough, and red enough, 85

Or my glass wrongs me. 86

Pharamond

Oh, they are two twinn'd cherries dy'd in blushes, 87

Which those fair suns above with their bright beams 88

Reflect upon and ripen. Sweetest beauty, 89

Bow down those branches, that the longing taste 90

Of the faint looker-on may meet those blessings, 91

And taste and live. 92

(They kiss.)

Megra

Oh, delicate sweet prince! 93

She that hath snow enough about her heart 94

To take the wanton spring of ten such lines off, 95

May be a nun without probation. 96

You have in such neat poetry gather'd a kiss, 97

That if I had but five lines of that number, 98

Such pretty begging blanks, I should commend 99

Your forehead or your cheeks, and kiss you too. 100

Pharamond

Do it in prose; you cannot miss it, madam. 101

Megra

I shall, I shall. 102

Pharamond

By my life, but you shall not;

I'll prompt you first. 103

[Kisses her.] Can you do it now? 104

Megra

Methinks 't is easy, now you ha' done 't before me; 105

But yet I should stick at it. 106

([Kisses him.])

Pharamond

Stick till to-morrow;

I'll ne'er part you, sweetest. But we lose time: 107

Can you love me? 108

Megra

Love you, my lord! How would you have me love you? 109

Pharamond

I'll teach you in a short sentence, 'cause I will not load your memory; this is all: love me, and lie with me.

Megra

Was it "lie with me" that you said? 'T is impossible.

Pharamond

Not to a willing mind, that will endeavour. If I do not teach you to do it as easily in one night as you'll go to bed, I'll lose my royal blood for 't.

Megra

Why, prince, you have a lady of your own 119

That yet wants teaching. 120

Pharamond

I'll sooner teach a mare the old measures than teach her anything belonging to the function. She's afraid to lie with herself if she have but any masculine imaginations about her. I know, when we are married, I must ravish her.

Megra

By my honour, that's a foul fault, indeed; 127

But time and your good help will wear it out, sir. 128

Pharamond

And for any other I see, excepting your dear self, dearest lady, I had rather be Sir Tim the schoolmaster, and leap a dairy-maid.

Megra

Has your grace seen the court-star, Galatea?

Pharamond

Out upon her! She's as cold of her favour as an apoplex; she sail'd by but now.

Megra

And how do you hold her wit, sir?

Pharamond

I hold her wit? The strength of all the guard cannot hold it, if they were tied to it: she would blow 'em out of the kingdom. They talk of Jupiter; he's but a squib-cracker to her. Look well about you, and you may find a tongue-bolt. But speak, sweet lady, shall I be freely welcome?

Megra

Whither?

Pharamond

To your bed. If you mistrust my faith, you do me the unnoblest wrong.

Megra

I dare not, prince, I dare not.

Pharamond

Make your own conditions: my purse shall seal 'em, and what you dare imagine you can want, I'll furnish you withal. Give two hours to yours thoughts every morning about it.

Come, I know y' re bashful; 152

Speak in my ear, will you be mine? Keep this, 153

And with it me: soon I will visit you. 154

Megra

My lord, my chamber's most unsafe; but when 't is night, 155

I'll find some means to slip into your lodging; 156

Till when – 157

Pharamond

Till when, this and my heart go with thee! 158

(Exeunt several ways.)

(Enter Galatea from behind the hangings)

Galatea

Oh, thou pernicious petticoat prince! are these your virtues? Well, if I do not lay a train to blow your sport up, I am no woman: and, Lady Dowsabel, I'll fit you for 't.

(Exit.)

[SCENE III]

([Arethusa's Apartment.])

(Enter Arethusa and a Lady)

Arethusa

Where's the boy?

Lady

Within, madam.

Arethusa

Gave you him gold to buy him clothes?

Lady

I did.

Arethusa

And has he done't?

Lady

Yes, madam.

Arethusa

'T is a pretty sad-talking boy, is it not? Ask'd you his name?

Lady

No, madam.

(Enter Galatea)

Arethusa

Oh, you are welcome. What good news? 10

Galatea

As good as any one can tell your grace, 11

That says she has done that you would have wish'd. 12

Arethusa

Hast thou discovered? 13

Galatea

Of modesty for you I have strain'd a point. 14

Arethusa

I prithee, how? 15

Galatea

In list'ning after bawdry. I see, let a lady live never so modestly, she shall be sure to find a lawful time to hearken after bawdry. Your prince, brave Pharamond, was so hot on 't!

Arethusa

With whom?

Galatea

Why, with the lady I suspected. I can tell the time and place.

Arethusa

Oh, when, and where?

Galatea

To-night, his lodging.

Arethusa

Run thyself into the presence; mingle there again 26

With other ladies; leave the rest to me. 27

([Exit Galatea.])

If destiny (to whom we dare not say, 28

"Why didst thou this?") have not decreed it so, 29

In lasting leaves (whose smallest characters 30

Were never alter'd yet), this match shall break. – 31

Where's the boy? 32

Lady

Here, madam. 33

(Enter Bellario)

Arethusa

Sir, you are sad to change your service: is 't not so? 34

Bellario

Madam, I have not chang'd; I wait on you, 35

To do him service. 36

Arethusa

Thou disclaim'st in me.

Tell me thy name. 37

Bellario

Bellario. 38

Arethusa

Thou canst sing and play? 39

Bellario

If grief will give me leave, madam, I can. 40

Arethusa

Alas, what kind of grief can thy years know? 41

Hadst thou a curst master when thou went'st to school? 42

Thou art not capable of other grief; 43

Thy brows and cheeks are smooth as waters be 44

When no breath troubles them. Believe me, boy, 45

Care seeks out wrinkled brows and hollow eyes, 46

And builds himself caves, to abide in them. 47

Come, sir, tell me truly, does your lord love me? 48

Bellario

Love, madam! I know not what it is. 49

Arethusa

Canst thou know grief, and never yet knew'st love? 50

Thou art deceiv'd, boy. Does he speak of me 51

As if he wish'd me well? 52

Bellario

If it be love

To forget all respect of his own friends 53

With thinking of your face; if it be love 54

To sit cross-arm'd and sigh away the day, 55

Mingled with starts, crying your name as loud 56

And hastily as men i' the streets do fire; 57

If it be love to weep himself away 58

When he but hears of any lady dead 59

Or kill'd, because it might have been your chance; 60

If, when he goes to rest (which will not be), 61

'Twixt every prayer he says, to name you once, 62

As others drop a bead, be to be in love, 63

Then, madam, I dare swear he loves you. 64

Arethusa

Oh y' are a cunning boy, and taught to lie 65

For your lord's credit! But thou know'st a lie 66

That bears this sound is welcomer to me. 67

Than any truth that says he loves me not. 68

Lead the way, boy. – 69

[To Lady.] Do you attend me too. – 70

'T is thy lord's business hastes me thus. Away! 71

(Exeunt.)

[SCENE IV]

([Before Pharamond's Lodging.])

(Enter Dion, Cleremont, Thrasiline, Megra, Galatea)

Dion

Come, ladies, shall we talk a round? As men 1

Do walk a mile, women should talk an hour 2

After supper: 't is their exercise. 3

Galatea

'T is late. 4

Megra

'T is all 5

My eyes will do to lead me to my bed. 6

Galatea

I fear, they are so heavy, you'll scarce find 7

The way to your own lodging with 'em to-night. 8

(Enter Pharamond)

Thrasiline

The prince! 9

Pharamond

Not a-bed, ladies? Y' are good sitters-up. 10

What think you of a pleasant dream, to last 11

Till morning? 12

Megra

I should choose, my lord, a pleasing wake before it. 13

(Enter Arethusa and Bellario)

Arethusa

'T is well, my lord; y' are courting of these ladies. – 14

Is 't not late, gentlemen? 15

Cleremont

Yes, madam. 16

Arethusa

Wait you here. 17

(Exit.)

Megra

She's jealous, as I live. 18

The princess has a Hylas, an Adonis. 19

Pharamond

His form is angel-like. 20

Megra

Why this is he that must, when you are wed, 21

Sit by your pillow, like young Apollo, with 22

His hand and voice binding your thoughts in sleep. 23

The princess does provide him for you and for herself. 24

Pharamond

I find no music in these boys. 25

Megra

Nor I:

They can do little, and that small they do, 26

They have not wit to hide. 27

Dion

Serves he the princess?

Thrasiline

Yes. 28

Dion

'T is a sweet boy: how brave she keeps him!

Pharamond

Ladies all, good rest; I mean to kill a buck 29

To-morrow morning ere y' have done your dreams. 30

Megra

All happiness attend your grace! 31

([Exit Pharamond.])

Gentlemen, good rest. –

Come, shall we to bed? 32

Galatea

Yes. – All, good night.

Dion

May your dreams be true to you! – 33

(Exeunt Galatea and Megra.)

What shall we do, gallants? 't is late. The king 34

Is up still: see, he comes; a guard along 35

With him. 36

(Enter King, Arethusa, and Guard)

King

Look your intelligence be true.

Arethusa

Upon my life, it is; and I hope 37

Your highness will not tie me to a man 38

That in the heat of wooing throws me off, 39

And takes another. 40

Dion

What should this mean?

King

If it be true, 41

That lady had been better have embrac'd 42

Cureless diseases. Get you to your rest: 43

You shall be righted. 44

(Exeunt Arethusa, Bellario.)

– Gentlemen, draw near;

We shall employ you. Is young Pharamond 45

Come to his lodging? 46

Dion

I saw him enter there.

King

Haste, some of you, ad cunningly discover 47

If Megra be in her lodging. 48

([Exit Dion.])

Cleremont

Sir, 49

She parted hence but now, with other ladies. 50

King

If she be there, we shall not need to make 51

A vain discovery of our suspicion. 52

You gods, I see that who unrighteously 53

Holds wealth or state from others shall be curs'd 54

In that which meaner men are blest withal: 55

Ages to come shall know no male of him 56

Left to inherit, and his name shall be 57

Blotted from earth. If he have any child, 58

It shall be crossly match'd; the gods themselves 59

Shall sow wild strife betwixt her lord and her. 60

Yet, if it be yours wills, forgive the sin 61

I have committed; let it not fall 62

Upon this underserving child of mine! 63

She has not broke your laws. But how can I 64

Look to be heard of gods that must be just, 65

Praying upon the ground I hold by wrong? 66

(Enter Dion)

Dion

Sir, I have asked, and her women swear she is within; but they, I think, are bawds. I told 'em, I must speak with her; they laugh'd, and said, their lady lay speechless. I said, my business was important; they said, their lady was about it. I grew hot, and cried, my business was a matter that concern'd life and death; they answered, so was sleeping, at which their lady was. I urg'd again, she had scarce time to be so since last I saw her: they smil'd again, and seem'd to instruct me that sleeping was nothing but lying down and winking. Answers more direct I could not get: in short, sir, I think she is not there.

King

'T is then no time to dally. – You o' the guard, 81

Wait at the back door of the prince's lodging, 82

And see that none pass thence, upon your lives. 83

([Exeunt Guards.])

Knock, gentlemen; knock loud; – louder yet. 84

([Dion, Cle., &c. knock at the door of Pharamond's Lodging.])

What, has their pleasure taken off their hearing? 85

I'll break your meditations. – Knock again. – 86

Not yet? I do not think he sleeps, having this 87

'Larum by him. – Once more. – Pharamond! prince! 88

(Pharamond [appears] above.)

Pharamond

What saucy groom knocks at this dead of night? 89

Where be our waiters? By my vexed soul, 90

He meets is death that meets me, for his boldness. 91

King

Prince, prince, you wrong your thoughts; we are your friends: 92

Come down. 93

Pharamond

The king!

King

The same, sir. Come down:

We have cause of present counsel with you. 94

Pharamond

If your grace please 95

To use me, I'll attend you to your chamber. 96

(Enter Pharamond below)

King

No, 't is too late, prince; I'll make bold with yours. 97

Pharamond

I have some private reasons to myself 98

Makes me unmannerly, and say you cannot. – 99

(They press to come in.)

Nay, press not forward, gentlemen; he must 100

Come through my life that comes here. 101

King

Sir, be resolv'd I must and will come. – Enter. 102

Pharamond

I will not be dishonour'd. 103

He that enters, enters upon his death. 104

Sir, 't is a sign you make no stranger of me, 105

To bring these renegadoes to my chamber 106

At these unseason'd hours. 107

King

Why do you

Chafe yourself so? You are not wrong'd nor shall be; 108

Only I'll search your lodging, for some cause 109

To ourself known. – Enter, I say. 110

Pharamond

I say, no.

([Enter] Megra above)

Megra

Let 'em enter, prince, let 'em enter; 111

I am up and ready: I know their business; 112

'T is the poor breaking of a lady's honour 113

They hunt so hotly after: let 'em enjoy it. – 114

You have your business, gentlemen; I lay here. 115

Oh, my lord the king, this is not noble in you 116

To make public the weakness of a woman! 117

King

Come down. 118

Megra

I dare, my lord. Your hootings and your clamours, 119

Your private whispers and your broad fleerings, 120

Can no more vex my soul than this base carriage. 121

But I have vengeance yet in store for some 122

Shall, in the most contempt you can have of me, 123

Be joy and nourishment. 124

King

Will you come down?

Megra

Yes, to laugh at your worst; but I shall wring you, 125

If my skill fail me not. 126

([Exit above.])

King

Sir, I must dearly chide you for this looseness; 127

You have wrong'd a worthy lady; but, no more. – 128

Conduct him to my lodging and to bed. 129

([Exeunt Pharamond and Attendants.])

Cleremont

Get him another wench, and you bring him to bed indeed.

Dion

'T is strange a man cannot ride a stage 132

Or two, to breathe himself, without a warrant. 133

If his gear hold, that lodgings be search'd thus, 134

Pray God we may lie with our own wives in safety, 135

That they be not by some trick of state mistaken! 136

(Enter [Attendants] with Megra [below])

King

Now, lady of honour, where's your honour now? 137

No man can fit your palate but the prince. 138

Thou most ill-shrouded rottenness, thou piece 139

Made by a painter and a 'pothecary, 140

Thou troubled sea of lust, thou wilderness 141

Inhabited by wild thoughts, thou swoln cloud 142

Of infection, thou ripe mine of all diseases, 143

Thou all-sin, all-hell, and last, all-devils, tell me, 144

Had you none to pull on with your courtesies 145

But he that must be mine, and wrong my daughter? 146

By all the gods, all these, and all the pages, 147

And all the court, shall hoot thee through the court, 148

Fling rotten oranges, make ribald rhymes, 149

And sear thy name with candles upon walls! 150

Do you laugh, Lady Venus? 151

Megra

Faith, sir, you must pardon me;

I cannot choose but laugh to see you merry. 152

If you do this, O King! nay, if you dare do it, 153

By all those gods you swore by, and as many 154

More of my own, I will have fellows, and such 155

Fellows in it, as shall make noble mirth! 156

The princess, your dear daughter, shall stand by me 157

On walls, and sung in ballads, anything. 158

Urge me no more; I know her and her haunts, 159

Her lays, leaps, and outlays, and will discover all; 160

Nay, will dishonour her. I know the boy 161

She keeps; a handsome boy, about eighteen; 162

Know what she does with him, where, and when. 163

Come, sir, you put me to a woman's madness, 164

The glory of a fury; and if I do not 165

Do 't to the height – 166

King

What boy is this she raves at?

Megra

Alas! good-minded prince, you know not these things! 167

I am loath to reveal 'em. Keep this fault, 168

As you would keep your health from the hot air 169

Of the corrupted people, or, by Heaven, 170

I will not fall alone. What I have known 171

Shall be as public as a print; all tongues 172

Shall speak it as they do the language they 173

Are born in, as free and commonly; I'll set it, 174

Like a prodigious star, for all to gaze at, 175

And so high and glowing, that other kingdoms far and foreign 176

Shall read it there, nay, travel with it, till they find 177

No tongue to make it more, nor no more people; 178

And then behold the fall of your fair princess! 179

King

Has she a boy? 180

Cleremont

So please your grace, I have seen a boy wait 181

On her, a fair boy. 182

King

Go, get you to your quarter:

For this time I will study to forget you. 183

Megra

Do you study to forget me, and I'll study 184

To forget you. 185

(Exeunt King, Megra, Guard.)

Cleremont

Why, here's a male spirit fit for Hercules. If ever there be Nine Worthies of women, this wench shall ride astride and be their captain.

Dion

Sure, she has a garrison of devils in her tongue, she uttered such balls of wild-fire. She has so nettled the king, that all the doctors in the country will scarce cure him. That boy was a strange-found-out antidote to cure her infection: that boy, that princess' boy; that brave, chaste, virtuous lady's boy; and a fair boy, a well-spoken boy! All these considered, can make nothing else – but there I leave you, gentlemen.

Thrasiline

Nay, we'll go wander with you.

(Exeunt.)

Actus Tertius

Scena Prima

([The Court.])

(Enter Cleremont, Dion, and Thrasiline)

Cleremont

Nay, doubtless, 't is true. 1

Dion

Ay; and 't is the gods 2

That rais'd this punishment, to scourge the king 3

With his own issue. Is it not a shame 4

For us that should write noble in the land, 5

For us that should be freemen, to behold 6

A man that is the bravery of his age, 7

Philaster, press'd down from his royal right 8

By his regardless king? and only look 9

And see the sceptre ready to be cast 10

Into the hands of that lascivious lady, 11

That lives in lust with a smooth boy, now to be married 12

To yon strange prince, who, but that people please 13

To let him be a prince, is born a slave 14

In that which should be his most noble part, 15

His mind? 16

Thrasiline

That man that would not stir with you

To aid Philaster, let the gods forget 17

That such a creature walks upon the earth! 18

Cleremont

Philaster is too backward in 't himself. 19

The gentry do await it, and the people, 20

Against their nature, are all bent for him, 21

And like a field of standing corn, that's mov'd 22

With a stiff gale, their heads bow all one way. 23

Dion

The only cause that draws Philaster back 24

From this attempt is the fair princess' love, 25

Which he admires, and we can now confute. 26

Thrasiline

Perhaps he'll not believe it. 27

Dion

Why, gentlemen, 't is without question so. 28

Cleremont

Ay, 't is past speech she lives dishonestly. 29

But how shall we, if he be curious, work 30

Upon his faith? 31

Thrasiline

We all are satisfied within ourselves. 32

Dion

Since it is true, and tends to his own good, 33

I'll make this new report to be my knowledge. 34

I'll say I know it; nay, I'll swear I saw it. 35

Cleremont

It will be best. 36

Thrasiline

'T will move him.

(Enter Philaster)

Dion

Here he comes.

Good morrow to your honour: we have spent 37

Some time in seeking you. 38

Philaster

My worthy friends,

You that can keep your memories to know 39

Your friend in miseries, and cannot frown 40

On men disgrac'd for virtue, a good day 41

Attend you all! What service may I do 42

Worthy your acceptation? 43

Dion

My good lord,

We come to urge that virtue, which we know 44

Lives in your breast, forth. Rise, and make a head; 45

The nobles and the people are all dull'd 46

With this usurping king; and not a man, 47

That ever heard the word, knows such a thing 48

As virtue, but will second your attempts. 49

Philaster

How honourable is this love in you 50

To me that have deserv'd none! Know, my friends. 51

(You, that were born to shame your poor Philaster 52

With too much courtesy,) I could afford 53

To melt myself in thanks: but my designs 54

Are not yet ripe. Suffice it, that ere long 55

I shall employ your loves; but yet the time 56

Is short of what I would. 57

Dion

The time is fuller, sir, than you expect; 58

That which hereafter will not, perhaps, be reach'd 59

By violence, many now be caught. As for the king, 60

You know the people have long hated him; 61

But now the princess, whom they lov'd – 62

Philaster

Why, what of her? 63

Dion

Is loath'd as much as he.

Philaster

By what strange means? 64

Dion

She's known a whore.

Philaster

Thou liest.

Dion

My lord – 65

Philaster

Offers to draw and is held. Thou liest, 66

And thou shalt feel it! I had thought thy mind 67

Had been of honour. Thus to rob a lady 68

Of her good name is an infectious sin 69

Not to be pardon'd. Be it false as hell, 70

'T will never be redeem'd, if it be sown 71

Amongst the people, fruitful to increase 72

All evil they shall hear. Let me alone 73

That I may cut off falsehood whilst it springs! 74

Set hills on hills betwixt me and the man 75

That utters this, and I will scale them all, 76

And from the utmost top fall on his neck, 77

Like thunder from a cloud. 78

Dion

This is most strange:

Sure, he does love her. 79

Philaster

I do love fair truth.

She is my mistress, and who injures her 80

Draws vengeance from me. Sirs, let go my arms. 81

Thrasiline

Nay, good my lord, be patient. 82

Cleremont

Sir, remember,

This is your honour'd friend, 83

That comes to do his service, and will show you 84

Why he utter'd this. 85

Philaster

I ask you pardon, sir;

My zeal to truth made me unmannerly: 86

Should I have heard dishonour spoke of you, 87

Behind your back, untruly, I had been 88

As much distemper'd and enrag'd as now. 89

Dion

But this, my lord, is truth. 90

Philaster

Oh, say not so!

Good sir, forbear to say so: 't is then truth, 91

That womankind is false: urge it no more; 92

It is impossible. Why should you think 93

The princess light? 94

Dion

Why, she was taken at it.

Philaster

'T is false! by Heaven, 't is false! It cannot be 95

Can it? Speak, gentlemen; for God's love, speak! 96

Is 't possible? Can women all be damn'd? 97

Dion

Why, no, my lord. 98

Philaster

Why, then, it cannot be.

Dion

And she was taken with her boy. 99

Philaster

What boy?

Dion

A page, a boy that serves her. 100

Philaster

Oh, good gods!

A little boy? 101

Dion

Ay; know you him, my lord?

Philaster

Hell and sin know him! 102

I'll reason it a little coldly with you. 103

If she were lustful, would she take a boy, 104

That knows not yet desire? She would have one 105

Should meet her thoughts and know the sin he acts, 106

Which is the great delight of wickedness. 107

You are abus'd, and so is she, and I. 108

Dion

How you, my lord? 109

Philaster

Why, all the world's abus'd

In an unjust report. 110

Dion

Oh, noble sir, your virtues

Cannot look into the subtle thoughts of woman! 111

In short, my lord, I took them; I myself. 112

Philaster

Now, all the devils, thou didst! Fly from my rage! 113

Would thou hadst ta'en devils engend'ring plagues, 114

When thou didst take them! Hide thee from mine eyes! 115

Would thou hadst taken thunder on thy breast, 116

When thou didst take them; or been strucken dumb 117

For ever; that this foul deed might have slept 118

In silence! 119

Thrasiline

Have you known him so ill-temper'd? 120

Cleremont

Never before. 121

Philaster

The winds that are let loose

From the four several corners of the earth, 122

And spread themselves all over sea and land, 123

Kiss not a chaste one. What friend bears a sword 124

To run me through? 125

Dion

Why, my lord, are you

So mov'd at this? 126

Philaster

When any fall from virtue,

I am distracted; I have an interest in 't. 127

Dion

But, good my lord, recall yourself, and think 128

What's best to be done. 129

Philaster

I thank you; I will do it.

Please you to leave me; I'll consider of it. 130

To-morrow I will find your lodging forth, 131

And give you answer. 132

Dion

All the gods direct you

The readiest way! 133

Thrasiline

He was extreme impatient.

Cleremont

It was his virtue and his noble mind. 134

(Exeunt Dion, Cleremont, and Thrasiline.)

Philaster

I had forgot to ask him where he took them; 135

I'll follow him. Oh that I had a sea 136

Within my breast, to quench the fire I feel! 137

More circumstances will but fan this fire: 138

It more afflicts me now, to know by whom 139

This deed is done, than simply that 't is done; 140

And he that tells me this is honourable, 141

As far from lies as she is far from truth. 142

Oh, that, like beasts, we could not grieve ourselves 143

With that we see not! Bulls and rams will fight 144

To keep their females, standing in their sight; 145

But take 'em from them, and you take at once 146

Their spleens away; and they will fall again 147

Unto their pastures, growing fresh and fat, 148

And taste the waters of the springs as sweet 149

As 't was before, finding no start in sleep; 150

But miserable man – 151

(Enter Bellario)

See, see, you gods,

He walks still; and the face you let him wear 152

When he was innocent is still the same, 153

Not blasted! Is this justice? Do you mean 154

To intrap mortality, that you allow 155

Treason so smooth a brow? I cannot now 156

Think he is guilty. 157

Bellario

Health to you, my lord!

The princess doth commend her love, her life, 158

And this, unto you. 159

(He gives him a letter.)

Philaster

Oh, Bellario,

Now I perceive she loves me: she does show it 160

In loving thee, my boy. She has made thee brave. 161

Bellario

My lord, she has attir'd me past my wish, 162

Past my desert; more fit for her attendant, 163

Though far unfit for me who do attend. 164

Philaster

Thou art grown courtly, boy. – Oh, let all women, 165

That love black deeds, learn to dissemble here, 166

Here, by this paper! She does write to me 167

As if her heart were mines of adamant 168

To all the world besides; but, unto me, 169

A maiden-snow that melted with my looks. – 170

Tell me, my boy, how doth the princess use thee? 171

For I shall guess her love to me by that. 172

Bellario

Scarce like her servant, but as if I were 173

Something allied to her, or had preserv'd 174

Her life three time by my fidelity: 175

As mothers fond do use their only sons, 176

As I'd use one that's left unto my trust, 177

For whom my life should pay if he met harm, 178

So she does use me. 179

Philaster

Why, this is wondrous well:

But what kind language does she feed thee with? 180

Bellario

Why, she does tell me she will trust my youth 181

With all her loving secrets, and does call me 182

Her pretty servant; bids me weep no more 183

For leaving you; she'll see my services 184

Regarded: and such words of that soft strain 185

That I nearer weeping when she ends 186

Than ere she spake. 187

Philaster

This is much better still.

Bellario

Are you not ill, my lord? 188

Philaster

Ill? No, Bellario.

Bellario

Methinks your words 189

Fall not from off your tongue so evenly, 190

Nor is there in your looks that quietness 191

That I was wont to see. 192

Philaster

Thou art deceiv'd, boy:

And she strokes thy head? 193

Bellario

Yes.

Philaster

And she does clap thy cheeks? 194

Bellario

She does, my lord.

Philaster

And she does kiss thee, boy? ha! 195

Bellario

How, my lord?

Philaster

She kisses thee? 196

Bellario

Never, my lord, by heaven.

Philaster

That's strange, I know she does. 197

Bellario

No, by my life.

Philaster

Why then she does not love me. Come, she does. 198

I bade her do it; I charg'd her, by all charms 199

Of love between us, by the hope of peace 200

We should enjoy, to yield thee all delights 201

Naked as to her bed; I took her oath 202

Thou shouldst enjoy her. Tell me, gentle boy, 203

Is she not parallelless? Is not her breath 204

Sweet as Arabian winds when fruits are ripe? 205

Are not her breasts two liquid ivory balls? 206

Is she not all a lasting mine of joy? 207

Bellario

Ay, now I see why my disturbed thoughts 208

Were so perplex'd. When first I went to her, 209

My heart held augury. You are abus'd; 210

Some villain has abus'd you; I do see 211

Whereto you tend. Fall rocks upon his head 212

That put this to you! 'T is some subtle train 213

To bring that noble frame of yours to nought. 214

Philaster

Thou think'st I will be angry with thee. Come, 215

Thou shalt know all my drift. I hate her more 216

Than I love happiness, and plac'd thee there 217

To pry with narrow eyes into her deeds. 218

Hast thou discover'd? Is she fall'n to lust, 219

As I would wish her? Speak some comfort to me. 220

Bellario

My lord, you did mistake the boy you sent. 221

Had she the lust of sparrows or of goats, 222

Had she a sin that way, hid from the world, 223

Beyond the name of lust, I would not aid 224

Her base desires; but what I came to know 225

As servant to her, I would not reveal, 226

To make my life last ages. 227

Philaster

Oh, my heart!

This is a salve worse than the main disease. – 228

Tell me thy thoughts; for I will know the least 229

That dwells within thee, or will rip thy heart 230

To know it. I will see thy thoughts as plain 231

As I do now thy face. 232

Bellario

Why, so you do.

She is (for aught I know) by all the gods, 233

As chaste as ice! But were she foul as hell, 234

And I did know it thus, the breath of kings, 235

The points of swords, tortures, nor bulls of brass, 236

Should draw it from me. 237

Philaster

Then it is no time

To dally with thee; I will take thy life, 238

For I do hate thee. I could curse thee now. 239

Bellario

If you do hate, you could not curse me worse; 240

The gods have no a punishment in store 241

Greater for me than is your hate. 242

Philaster

Fie, fie,

So young and so dissembling ! Tell me when 243

And where thou didst enjoy her, or let plagues 244

Fall on me, if I destroy thee not! 245

(Draws his sword.)

Bellario

Heaven knows, I never did; and when I lie 246

To save my life, may I live long and loath'd! 247

Hew me asunder, and, whilst I can think, 248

I'll love those pieces you have cut away 249

Better than those that grow, and kiss those limbs 250

Because you made 'em so. 251

Philaster

Fear'st thou not death?

Can boys contemn that? 252

Bellario

Oh, what boy is he

Can be content to live to be a man, 253

That sees the best of men thus passionate, 254

Thus without reason? 255

Philaster

Oh, but thou dost not know

What 't is to die. 256

Bellario

Yes, I do know, my lord:

'T is less than to be born; a lasting sleep; 257

A quiet resting from all jealousy, 258

A thing we all pursue. I know, besides, 259

It is but giving over a game 260

That must be lost. 261

Philaster

But there are pains, false boy,

For perjur'd souls. Think but on those, and then 262

Thy heart will melt, and thou wilt utter all. 263

Bellario

May they fall all upon me whilst I live, 264

If I be perjur'd, or have ever thought 265

Of that you charge me with! If I be false, 266

Send me to suffer in those punishments 267

You speak of; kill me! 268

Philaster

Oh, what should I do?

Why, who can but believe him? He does swear 269

So earnestly, that if it were not true, 270

The gods would not endure him. Rise, Bellario: 271

Thy protestations are so deep, and thou 272

Dost look so truly when thou utter'st them, 273

That, though I know 'em false as were my hopes, 274

I cannot urge thee further. But thou wert 275

To blame to injure me, for I must love 276

Thy honest looks, and take no revenge upon 277

Thy tender youth. A love from me to thee 278

Is firm, whate'er thou dost; it troubles me 279

That I have call'd the blood out of thy cheeks, 280

That did so well become thee. But, good boy, 281

Let me not see thee more: something is done 282

That will distract me, that will make me mad, 283

If I behold thee. If thou tender'st me, 284

Let me not see thee. 285

Bellario

I will fly as far

As there is morning, ere I give distaste 286

To that most honour'd mind. But through these tears, 287

Shed at my hopeless parting, I can see 288

A world of treason practis'd upon you, 289

And her, and me. Farewell for evermore! 290

If you shall hear that sorrow struck me dead, 291

And after find me loyal, let there be 292

A tear shed from you in my memory, 293

And I shall rest in peace. 294

(Exit.)

Philaster

Blessing be with thee, 295

Whatever thou deserv'st! Oh, where shall I 296

Go bathe this body? Nature too unkind; 297

That made no medicine for a troubled mind! 298

(Exit.)

[SCENE II]

([Arethusa's Apartment.])

(Enter Arethusa)

Arethusa

I marvel my boy comes not back again: 1

But that I know my love will question him 2

Over and over, – how I slept, wak'd, talk'd, 3

How I rememb'red him, when his dear name 4

Was last spoke, and how, when I sigh'd, wept, sung, 5

And then thousand such, – I should be angry at his stay. 6

(Enter King)

King

What, at your meditations! Who attends you? 7

Arethusa

None but my single self. I need no guard; 8

I do no wrong, nor fear none. 9

King

Tell me, have you not a boy? 10

Arethusa

Yes, sir.

King

What kind of boy? 11

Arethusa

A page, a waiting-boy.

King

A handsome boy? 12

Arethusa

I think he be not ugly:

Well qualified and dutiful I know him; 13

I took him not for beauty. 14

King

He speaks and sings and plays? 15

Arethusa

Yes, sir.

King

About eighteen? 16

Arethusa

I never ask'd his age.

King

Is he full of service? 17

Arethusa

By your pardon, why do you ask? 18

King

Put him away. 19

Arethusa

Sir!

King

Put him away, I say.

H'as done you that good service shames me to speak of. 20

Arethusa

Good, sir, let me understand you. 21

King

If you fear me,

Show it in duty; put away that boy. 22

Arethusa

Let me have reason for it, sir, and then 23

Your will is my command. 24

King

Do not you blush to ask it? Cast him off, 25

Or I shall do the same to you. Y' are one 26

Shame with me, and so near unto myself, 27

That, by my life, I dare not tell myself, 28

What you, myself, have done. 29

Arethusa

What have I done, my lord? 30

King

'T is a new language, that all love to learn: 31

The common people speak it well already; 32

They need no grammar. Understand me well: 33

There be foul whispers stirring. Cast him off, 34

And suddenly. Do it! Farewell. 35

(Exit King.)

Arethusa

Where may a maiden live securely free, 36

Keeping her honour fair? Not with the living. 37

They feed upon opinions, errors, dreams, 38

And make 'em truths; they draw a nourishment 39

Out of defamings, grow upon disgraces, 40

And, when they see a virtue fortified 41

Strongly above the battery of their tongues, 42

Oh, how they cast to sink it! and, defeated, 43

(Soul-sick with poison) strike the monuments 44

Where noble names lie sleeping, till they sweat, 45

And the cold marble melt. 46

(Enter Philaster)

Philaster

Peace to your fairest thoughts, dearest mistress!

Arethusa

Oh, my dearest servant, I have a war within me!

Philaster

He must be more than man that makes these crystals 49

Run into rivers. Sweetest fair, the cause? 50

And, as I am your slave, tied to your goodness, 51

Your creature, made again from what I was 52

And newly-spirited, I'll right your honour. 53

Arethusa

Oh, my best love, that boy! 54

Philaster

What boy?

Arethusa

The pretty boy you gave me – 55

Philaster

What of him?

Arethusa

Must be no more mine. 56

Philaster

Why?

Arethusa

They are jealous of him.

Philaster

Jealous! Who? 57

Arethusa

The king.

Philaster

Oh, my misfortune!

Then t is no idle jealousy.

Arethusa

Oh, cruel! 59

Are you hard-hearted too? Who shall now tell you 60

How much I lov'd you? Who shall swear it to you, 61

And weep the tears I send? Who shall now bring you 62

Letters, rings, bracelets? Lose his health in service? 63

Wake tedious nights in stories of your praise? 64

Who shall now sing your crying elegies, 65

And strike a sad soul into senseless pictures, 66

And make them mourn? Who shall take up his lute, 67

And touch it till he crown a silent sleep 68

Upon my eye-lids, making me dream, and cry, 69

"Oh, my dear, dear Philaster!" 70

Philaster

Oh, my heart! 71

Would he had broken thee, that made thee know 72

This lady was not loyal! 73

Forget the boy; I'll get thee a far better. 74

Arethusa

Oh, never, never such a boy again 75

As my Bellario! 76

Philaster

'T is but your fond affection.

Arethusa

With thee, my boy, farewell for ever 77

All secrecy in servants! Farewell, faith, 78

And all desire to do well for itself! 79

Let all that shall succeed thee for thy wrongs 80

Sell and betray chaste love! 81

Philaster

And all this passion for a boy? 82

Arethusa

He was your boy, and you put him to me, 83

And the loss of such must have a mourning for. 84

Philaster

Oh, thou forgetful woman! 85

Arethusa

How, my lord?

Philaster

False Arethusa! 86

Hast thou a medicine to restore my wits, 87

When I have lost 'em? If not, leave to talk, 88

And do thus. 89

Arethusa

Do what, sir? Would you sleep?

Philaster

For ever, Arethusa. Oh, you gods 90

Give me a worthy patience! Have I stood, 91

Naked, alone, the shock of many fortunes? 92

Have I seen mischiefs numberless and mighty 93

Grow like a sea upon me? Have I taken 94

Danger as stern as death into my bosom, 95

And laugh'd upon it, made it but a mirth, 96

And flung it by? Do I live now like him, 97

Under this tyrant king, that languishing 98

Hears his sad bell and sees his mourners? Do I 99

Bear all this bravely, and must sink at length 100

Under a woman's falsehood? Oh, that boy, 101

That cursed boy! None but a villain boy 102

To ease your lust? 103

Arethusa

Nay, then, I am betray'd:

I feel the plot cast for my overthrow. 104

Oh, I am wretched! 105

Philaster

Now you may take that little right I have 106

To this poor kingdom. Give it to your joy; 107

For I have no joy in it. Some far place, 108

Where never womankind durst set her foot 109

For bursting with her poisons, must I seek, 110

And live to curse you; 111

There dig a cave, and preach to birds and beasts 112

What woman is, and help to save them from you: 113

How heaven is in your eyes, but in your hearts 114

More hell than hell has; how your tongues, like scorpions, 115

Both heal and poison; how your thoughts are woven 116

With thousand changes in one subtle web, 117

And worn so by you; how that foolish man, 118

That reads the story of a woman's face 119

And dies believing it, is lost for ever; 120

How all the good you have is but a shadow, 121

I' th' morning with you, and at night behind you, 122

Past and forgotten; how your vows are frosts, 123

Fast for a night, and with the next sun gone; 124

How you are, being taken all together, 125

A mere confusion, and so dead a chaos, 126

That love cannot distinguish. These sad texts, 127

Till my last hour, I am bound to utter of you. 128

So, farewell all my woe, all my delight! 129

(Exit.)

Arethusa

Be merciful, ye gods, and strike me dead! 130

What way have I deserv'd this? Make my breast 131

Transparent as pure crystal, that the world, 132

Jealous of me, may see the foulest thought 133

My heart holds. Where shall a woman turn her eyes, 134

To find out constancy? 135

(Enter Bellario)

Save me, how black

And guiltily, methinks, that boy looks now! 136

Oh, thou dissembler, that, before thou spak'st, 137

Wert in thy cradle false, sent to make lies 138

And betray innocents! Thy lord and thou 139

May glory in the ashes of a maid 140

Fool'd by her passion; but the conquest is 141

Nothing so great as wicked. Fly away! 142

Let my command force thee to that which shame 143

Would do without it. If thou understood'st 144

The loathed office thou hast undergone, 145

Why, thou wouldst hide thee under heaps of hills, 146

Lest men should dig and find thee. 147

Bellario

Oh, what god,

Angry with men, hath sent this strange disease 148

Into the noblest minds! Madam, this grief 149

You add unto me is no more than drops 150

To seas, for which they are not seen to swell. 151

My lord hath struck his anger through my heart, 152

And let out all the hope of future joys. 153

You need not bid me fly; I came to part, 154

To take my latest leave. Farewell for ever! 155

I durst not run away in honesty 156

From such a lady, like a boy that stole 157

Or made some grievous fault. The power of gods 158

Assist you in your sufferings! Hasty time 159

Reveal the truth to your abused lord 160

And mine, that he may know your worth; whilst I 161

Go seek out some forgotten place to die! 162

(Exit.)

Arethusa

Peace guide thee! Thou hast overthrown me once; 163

Yet, if I had another Troy to lose, 164

Thou, or another villain with thy looks, 165

Might talk me out of it, and send me naked, 166

My hair dishevell'd, through the fiery streets. 167

(Enter a Lady)

Lady

Madam, the king would hunt, and calls for you 168

With earnestness. 169

Arethusa

I am in tune to hunt!

Diana, if thou canst rage with a maid 170

As with a man, let me discover thee 171

Bathing, and turn me to a fearful hind, 172

That I may die pursued by cruel hounds, 173

And have my story written in my wounds! 174

(Exeunt.)

Actus Quartus

Scena Prima

([The Court.])

(Enter King, Pharamond, Arethusa, Galatea, Megra, Dion, Cleremont, Thrasiline, and Attendants)

King

What, are the hounds before and all the woodmen? 1

Our horses ready and our bows bent? 2

Dion

All, sir.

King

[to Pharamond.] Y' are cloudy, sir. Come, we have forgotten 3

Your venial trespass; let not that sit heavy 4

Upon your spirit; here's none dare utter it. 5

Dion

He looks like an old surfeited stallion after his leaping, dull as a dormouse. See how he sinks! The wench has shot him between wind and water, and, I hope, sprung a leak.

Thrasiline

He needs no teaching, he strikes sure enough. His greatest fault is, he hunts too much in the purlieus; would he would leave off poaching!

Dion

And for his horn, h'as left it at the lodge where he lay late. Oh, he's a precious limehound! Turn him loose upon the pursuit of a lady, and if he lose her, hang him up i' the slip. When my fox-bitch, Beauty, grows proud, I'll borrow him.

King

Is your boy turn'd away?

Arethusa

You did command, sir, and I obey'd you.

King

'T is well done. Hark ye further.

([They talk apart.])

Cleremont

Is 't possible this fellow should repent? Methinks, that were not noble in him; and yet he looks like a mortified member, as if he had a "Sick Man's Salve" in 's mouth. If a worse man had done this fault now, some physical justice or other would presently (without the help of an almanac) have opened the obstructions of his liver, and let him blood with a dog-whip.

Dion

See, see how modestly yon lady looks, as if she came from churching with her neighbours! Why, what a devil can a man see in her face but that she's honest!

Thrasiline

Faith, no great matter to speak of: a foolish twinkling with the eye, that spoils her coat; but he must be a cunning herald that finds it.

Dion

See how they muster one another! Oh, there's a rank regiment where the devil carries the colours and his dam drum-major! Now the world and the flesh come behind with the carriage.

Cleremont

Sure this lady has a good turn done her against her will; before she was common talk, now none dare say cantharides can stir her. Her face looks like a warrant, willing and commanding all tongues, as they will answer it, to be tied up and bolted when this lady means to let herself loose. As I live, she has got her a goodly protection and a gracious; and may use her body discreetly for her health's sake, once a week, excepting Lent and dog-days. Oh, if they were to be got for money, what a great sum would come out of the city for these licences!

King

To horse, to horse! we lose the morning, gentlemen.

(Exeunt.)

[SCENE II]

([The Forest.])

(Enter two Woodmen.)

1 Woodman

What, have you lodged the deer?

2 Woodman

Yes, they are ready for the bow.

1 Woodman

Who shoots?

2 Woodman

The princess.

1 Woodman

No, she'll hunt.

2 Woodman

She'll take a stand, I say.

1 Woodman

Who else?

2 Woodman

Why, the young stranger-prince.

1 Woodman

He shall shoot in a stone-bow for me. I never lov'd his beyond-sea-ship since her forsook the say, for paying ten shillings. He was there at the fall of a deer, and would needs (out of his mightiness) give ten groats for the dowcets; marry, his steward would have the velvet-head into the bargain, to turf his hat withal. I think he should love venery; he is an old Sir Tristram; for, if you be rememb'red, he forsook the stag once to strike a rascal miching in a meadow, and her he kill'd in the eye. Who shoots else?

2 Woodman

The Lady Galatea.

1 Woodman

That's a good wench, and she would not chide us for tumbling of her women in the brakes. She's liberal, and by the gods, they say she's honest, and whether that be a fault, I have nothing to do. There's all?

2 Woodman

No, one more; Megra.

1 Woodman

That's a firker, i' faith, boy. There's a wench will ride her haunches as hard after a kennel of hounds as a hunting saddle, and when she comes home, get 'em clapp'd, and all is well again. I have known her lose herself three times in one afternoon (if the woods have been answerable), and it has been work enough for one man to find her, and he has sweat for it. She rides well and she pays well. Hark! let's go.

(Exeunt.)

(Enter Philaster)

Philaster

Oh, that I had been nourish'd in these woods 38

With milk of goats and acorns, and not known 39

The right of crowns nor the dissembling trains 40

Of women's looks; but digg'd myself a cave 41

Where I, my fire, my cattle, and my bed 42

Might have been shut together in one shed; 43

And then had taken me some mountain-girl, 44

Beaten with winds, chaste as the harden'd rocks 45

Whereon she dwelt, that might have strew'd my bed 46

With leaves and reeds, and with the skins of beasts, 47

Our neighbours, and have borne at her big breasts 48

My large coarse issue! This had been a life 49

Free from vexation. 50

(Enter Bellario)

Bellario

Oh, wicked men!

An innocent may walk safe among beasts; 51

Nothing assaults me here. See, my griev'd lord 52

Sits as his soul were searching out a way 53

To leave his body! – Pardon me, that must 54

Break thy last commandment; for I must speak. 55

You that are griev'd can pity; hear, my lord! 56

Philaster

Is there a creature yet so miserable, 57

That I can pity? 58

Bellario

Oh, my noble lord,

View my strange fortune, and bestow on me, 59

According to your bounty (if my service 60

Can merit nothing), so much as may serve 61

To keep that little piece I hold of life 62

From cold and hunger! 63

Philaster

Is it thou? Be gone!

Go, sell those misbeseeming clothes thou wear'st, 64

And feed thyself with them. 65

Bellario

Alas, my lord, I can get nothing for them! 66

The silly country-people think 't is treason 67

To touch such gay things. 68

Philaster

Now, by the gods, this is

Unkindly done, to vex me with thy sight. 69

Th 'art fallen again to thy dissembling trade; 70

How shouldst thou think to cozen me again? 71

Remains there yet a plague untried for me? 72

Even so thou wept'st, and look'd'st, and spoke'st when first 73

I took thee up. 74

Curse on the time! If thy commanding tears 75

Can work on any other, use thy art; 76

I'll not betray it. Which way wilt thou take, 77

That I may shun thee, for thine eyes are poison 78

To mine, and I am loath to grow in rage? 79

This way, or that way? 80

Bellario

Any will serve; but I will choose to have 81

That path in chase that leads unto my grave. 82

(Exeunt severally.)

(Enter [on one side] Dion, and [on the other] the Woodmen)

Dion

This is the strangest sudden chance! – You, woodmen!

1 Woodman

My lord Dion?

Dion

Saw you a lady come this way on a sable horse studded with stars of white?

2 Woodman

Was she not young and tall?

Dion

Yes. Rode she to the wood or to the plain?

2 Woodman

Faith, my lord, we saw none.

(Exeunt Woodmen.)

Dion

Pox of your questions then! Enter Cleremont What, is she found?

Cleremont

Nor will be, I think.

Dion

Let him seek his daughter himself. She cannot stray about a little necessary natural business, but the whole court must be in arms. When she has done, we shall have peace.

Cleremont

There's already a thousand fatherless tales amongst us. Some say, her horse ran away with her; some, a wolf pursued her; others, 't was a plot to kill her, and that arm'd men were seen in the wood: but questionless she rode away willingly.

(Enter King and Thrasiline)

King

Where is she? 105

Cleremont

Sir, I cannot tell.

King

How's that?

Answer me so again! 106

Cleremont

Sir, shall I lie?

King

Yes, lie and damn, rather than tell me that. 107

I say again, where is she? Mutter not – 108

Sir, speak you; where is she? 109

Dion

Sir, I do not know.

King

Speak that again so boldly, and, by Heaven, 110

It is thy last! – You, fellows, answer me; 111

Where is she? Mark me, all; I am your king: 112

I wish to see my daughter; show her me; 113

I do command you all, as you are subjects, 114

To show her me! What! am I not your king? 115

If ay, then am I not to be obeyed? 116

Dion

Yes, if you command things possible and honest. 117

King

Things possible and honest! Hear me, thou, – 118

Thou traitor, that dar'st confine thy king to things 119

Possible and honest! Show her me, 120

Or, let me perish, if I cover not 121

All Sicily with blood! 122

Dion

Faith, I cannot,

Unless you tell me where she is. 123

King

You have betray'd me; you have let me lose 124

The jewel of my life. Go, bring her me. 125

And set her here before me. 'T is the king 126

Will have it so; whose breath can still the winds, 127

Uncloud the sun, charm down the swelling sea, 128

And stop the floods of heaven. Speak, can it not? 129

Dion

No. 130

King

No! cannot the breath of kings do this?

Dion

No; nor smell sweet itself, if once the lungs 131

Be but corrupted. 132

King

Is it so? Take heed!

Dion

Sir, take you heed how you dare the powers 133

That must be just. 134

King

Alas! what are we kings?

Why do you gods place us above the rest, 135

To be serv'd, flatter'd, and ador'd, till we 136

Believe we hold within our hands your thunder? 137

And when we come to try the power we have, 138

There's not a leaf shakes at our threatenings. 139

I have sinn'd, 't is true, and here stand to be punish'd; 140

Yet would not thus be punish'd. Let me choose 141

My way, and lay it on! 142

Dion

He articles with the gods. performance of covenants betwixt them!

(Enter Pharamond, Galatea, and Megra)

King

What, is she found? 146

Pharamond

No; we have ta'en her horse;

He gallop'd empty by. There is some treason. 147

You, Galatea, rode with her into 148

The wood. Why left you her? 149

Galatea

She did command me.

King

Command! you should not.

Galatea

'T would ill become my fortunes and my birth 151

To disobey the daughter of my king. 152

King

Y' are all cunning to obey us for our hurt; 153

But I will have her. 154

Pharamond

If I have her not,

By this hand, there shall be no more Sicily. 155

Dion

What, will he carry it to Spain in 's pocket? 156

Pharamond

I will not leave one man alive, but the king, 157

A cook, and a tailor. 158

Dion

Yes; you may do well to spare for a spawner.

King

I see the injuries I done must be reveng'd.

Dion

Sir, this is not the way to find her out.

King

Run all, disperse yourselves. The man that finds her, 166

Or (if she be kill'd) the traitor, I'll make him great. 167

Dion

I know some would give five thousand pounds to find her.

Pharamond

Come, let us seek.

King

Each man a several way; here I myself. 170

Dion

Come, gentlemen, we here.

Cleremont

Lady, you must go search too.

Megra

I had rather be search'd myself.

(Exeunt omnes.)

[SCENE III]

([Another part of the Forest.])

(Enter Arethusa)

Arethusa

Where am I now? Feet, find me out a way, 1

Without the counsel of my troubled head. 2

I'll follow you boldly about these woods, 3

O'er mountains, thorough brambles, pits, and floods. 4

Heaven, I hope, will ease me: I am sick. 5

(Sits down.)

(Enter Bellario)

Bellario

Yonder 's my lady. God knows I want nothing, 6

Because I do not wish to live; yet I 7

Will try her charity. – Oh hear, you that have plenty! 8

From that flowing store drop some on dry ground. – See, 9

The lively red is gone to guard her heart! 10

I fear she faints. She breathes not. – 11

Open once more those rosy twins, and send 12

Unto my lord your latest farewell! – Oh, she stirs. 13

How is it, Madam? Speak comfort. 14

Arethusa

'T is not gently done,

To put me in a miserable life, 15

And hold me there. I prithee, let me go; 16

I shall do best without thee; I am well. 17

(Enter Philaster)

Philaster

I am to blame to be so much in rage. 18

I'll tell her coolly when and where I heard 19

This killing truth. I will be temperate 20

I speaking, and as just in hearing. – 21

Oh, monstrous! Tempt me not, you gods! good gods, 22

Tempt not a frail man! What's he, that has a heart, 23

But he must ease it here! 24

Bellario

My lord, help, help! The princess! 25

Arethusa

I am well: forbear. 26

Philaster

Let me love lightning, let me be embrac'd 27

And kiss'd by scorpions, or adore the eyes 28

Of basilisks, rather than trust the tongues 29

Of hell-bred women! Some good god look down, 30

And shrink these veins up! Stick me here a stone, 31

Lasting to ages in the memory 32

Of this damn'd act! 33

You have put hills of fire into this breast, 34

Not to be quench'd with tears; for which may guilt 35

Sit on your bosoms! At your meals and beds 36

Despair await you! What, before my face? 37

Poison of asps between your lips! Diseases 38

Be your best issues! Nature make a curse, 39

And throw it on you! 40

Arethusa

Dear Philaster, leave

To be enrag'd, and hear me. 41

Philaster

I have done;

Forgive my passion. Not the calmed sea, 42

When Æolus locks up his windy brood, 43

Is less disturb'd than I. I'll make you know't. 44

Dear Arethusa, do but take this sword, 45

(Offers his drawn sword.)

And search how temperate a heart I have; 46

Then you and this your boy may live and reign 47

In lust without control. – Wilt thou, Bellario? 48

I prithee kill me; thou art poor, and may'st 49

Nourish ambitious thoughts; when I am dead, 50

Thy way were freer. Am I raging now? 51

If I were mad, I should desire to live. 52

Sirs, feel my pulse, whether you have known 53

A man in a more equal tune to die. 54

Bellario

Alas, my lord, your pulse keeps madman's time! 55

So does your tongue. 56

Philaster

You will not kill me, then?

Arethusa

Kill you? 57

Bellario

Not for the world.

Philaster

I blame not thee,

Bellario; thou hast done but that which gods 58

Would have transform'd themselves to do. Be gone, 59

Leave me without reply; this is the last 60

Of all our meetings – 61

((Exit Bellario.))

Kill me with this sword;

Be wise, or worse will follow: we are two 62

Earth cannot bear at once. Resolve to do, 63

Or suffer. 64

Arethusa

If my fortune be so good to let me fall 65

Upon thy hands, I shall have peace in death. 66

Yet tell me this, will there be no slanders, 67

No jealousy in the other world; no ill there? 68

Philaster

No. 69

Arethusa

Show me, then, the way. 70

Philaster

Then guide my feeble hand, 71

You that have power to do it, for I must 72

Perform a piece of justice! – If your youth 73

Have any way offended Heaven, let prayers 74

Short and effectual reconcile you to it. 75

Arethusa

I am prepared. 76

(Enter a Country Fellow)

Country Fellow

I'll see the king, if he be in the forest; I have hunted him these two hours. If I should come home and not see him, my sisters would laugh at me. I can see nothing but people better hors'd than myself, that outride me; I can hear nothing but shouting. These kings had need of good brains; this whooping is able to put a mean man out of his wits. There's a courtier with his sword drawn; by this hand, upon a woman, I think!

Philaster

Are you at peace? 87

Arethusa

With heaven and earth.

Philaster

May they divide thy soul and body!

(Philaster wounds her.)

Country Fellow

Hold, dastard! strike a woman! Th' art a craven. I warrant thee, thou wouldst be loath to play half a dozen venies at wasters with a god fellow for a broken head.

Philaster

Leave us, good friend,

Arethusa

What ill-bred man art thou, to intrude thyself 94

Upon our private sports, our recreations? 95

Country Fellow

God 'uds me, I understand you not; but 96

I know the rogue has hurt you. 97

Philaster

Pursue thy own affairs: it will be ill 98

To multiply blood upon my head; which thou 99

Wilt force me to. 100

Country Fellow

I know not your rhetoric; but I can lay it on, if you touch the woman.

Philaster

Slave, take what thou deservest! 103

(They fight.)

Arethusa

Heaven guard my lord!

Country Fellow

Oh, do you breathe?

Philaster

I hear the tread of people. I am hurt. 105

The gods take part against me: could this boor 106

Have held me thus else? I must shift for life, 107

Though I do loathe it. I would find a course 108

To lose it rather by my will than force. 109

(Exit.)

Country Fellow

I cannot follow the rogue. I pray thee, wench, come and kiss me now.

(Enter Pharamond, Dion, Cleremont, Thrasiline, and Woodmen)

Pharamond

What art thou?

Country Fellow

Almost kill'd I am for a foolish woman; a knave has hurt her.

Pharamond

The princess, gentlemen! – Where's the wound, madam? Is it dangerous?

Arethusa

He has not hurt me.

Country Fellow

By God, she lies; h'as hurt her in the breast: 118

Look else. 119

Pharamond

O sacred spring of innocent blood!

Dion

'Tis above wonder! Who should dare this? 120

Arethusa

I felt it not. 121

Pharamond

Speak, villain, who has hurt the princess? 122

Country Fellow

Is it the princess? 123

Dion

Ay. 124

Country Fellow

Then I have seen something yet. 125

Pharamond

But who has hurt her? 126

Country Fellow

I told you, a rogue; I ne'er saw him before, I. 127

Pharamond

Madam, who did it? 128

Arethusa

Some dishonest wretch;

Alas, I know him not, and do forgive him! 129

Country Fellow

He's hurt too; he cannot go far; 130

I made my father's old fox fly about his ears. 131

Pharamond

How will you have me kill him? 132

Arethusa

Not at all; 't is some distracted fellow. 133

Pharamond

By this hand, I'll leave ne'er a piece of him bigger than a nut, and bring him all to you in my hat.

Arethusa

Nay, good sir, 137

If you do take him, bring him quick to me, 138

And I will study for a punishment 139

Great as his fault. 140

Pharamond

I will. 141

Arethusa

But swear.

Pharamond

By all my love, I will. –

Woodmen, conduct the princess to the king, 142

And bear that wounded fellow to dressing. – 143

Come, gentlemen, we'll follow the chase close. 144

(Exeunt [on one side] Pharamond, Dion, Cleremont, and Thrasiline; [exit on the other] Arethusa [attended by] 1 Woodman)

Country Fellow

I pray you, friend, let me see the king.

2 Woodman

That you shall, and receive thanks.

Country Fellow

If I get clear of this, I'll go see no more gay sights.

(Exeunt.)

[SCENE IV]

([Another part of the Forest.])

(Enter Bellario)

Bellario

A heaviness near death sits on my brow, 1

And I must sleep. Bear me, thou gentle bank, 2

For ever, if thou wilt. You sweet ones all, 3

([Lies down.])

Let me unworthy press you; I could wish 4

I rather were a corse strew'd o'er with you 5

Than quick above you. Dulness shuts mine eyes, 6

And I am giddy; oh, that I could take 7

So sound a sleep that I might never wake! 8

([Sleeps.])

(Enter Philaster)

Philaster

I have done ill; my conscience calls me false 9

To strike at her that would not strike at me. 10

When I did fight, methought I heard her pray 11

The gods to guard me. She may be abus'd, 12

And I a loathed villain; if she be, 13

She will conceal who hurt her. He has wounds 14

And cannot follow; neither knows he me. 15

Who's this? Bellario sleeping! If thou be'st 16

Guilty, there is no justice that thy sleep 17

Should be so sound, and mine, whom thou hast wrong'd, 18

So broken. 19

(Cry within.) Hark! I am pursued. You gods, 20

I'll take this offer'd means of my escape. 21

They have no mark to know me by my blood, 22

If she be true; if false, let mischief light 23

On all the world at once! Sword, print my wounds 24

Upon this sleeping boy! I ha' none, I think, 25

Are mortal, nor would I lay greater on thee. 26

(He wounds him.)

Bellario

Oh, death, I hope, is come! Blest be that hand! 27

It meant me well. Again, for pity's sake! 28

Philaster

I have caught myself; 29

(Falls.)

The loss of blood hath stay'd my flight. Here, here, 30

Is he that struck thee: take thy full revenge; 31

Use me, as I did mean thee, worse than death; 32

I'll teach thee to revenge. This luckless hand 33

Wounded the princess; tell my followers 34

Thou didst receive these hurts in staying me, 35

And I will second thee; get a reward. 36

Bellario

Fly, fly, my lord and save yourself! 37

Philaster

How's this?

Wouldst thou I should be safe? 38

Bellario

Else were it vain

For me to live. These little wounds I have 39

Ha' not bled much. Reach me that noble hand; 40

I'll help to cover you. 41

Philaster

Art thou true to me?

Bellario

Or let me perish loath'd! Come, my good lord, 42

Creep in amongst those bushes; who does know 43

But that the gods may save your much-lov'd breath? 44

Philaster

Then I shall die for grief, if not for this, 45

That I have wounded thee. What wilt thou do? 46

Bellario

Shift for myself well. Peace! I hear 'em come.

([Philaster creeps into a bush.])

[Voices]

[within] Follow, follow, follow! that way they went.

Bellario

With my own wounds I'll bloody my own sword. 51

I need not counterfeit to fall; Heaven knows 52

That I can stand no longer. 53

(Falls.)

(Enter Pharamond, Dion, Cleremont, Thrasiline)

Pharamond

To this place we have track'd him by his blood. 54

Cleremont

Yonder, my lord, creeps one away. 55

Dion

Stay, sir! what are you? 56

Bellario

A wretched creature, wounded in these woods 57

By beasts. Relieve me, if your names be me, 58

Or I shall perish. 59

Dion

This is he, my lord,

Upon my soul, that hurt her. 'T is the boy, 60

That wicked boy, that serv'd her. 61

Pharamond

Oh, thou damn'd

In thy creation! What cause couldst thou shape 62

To hurt the princess? 63

Bellario

Then I am betray'd.

Dion

Betray'd! No, apprehended. 64

Bellario

I confess

(Urge it no more) that, big with evil thoughts, 65

I set upon her, and did make my aim 66

Her death. For charity let fall at once 67

The punishment you mean, and do not load 68

This weary flesh with tortures. 69

Pharamond

I will know

Who hir'd thee to this deed. 70

Bellario

Mine own revenge.

Pharamond

Revenge! for what? 71

Bellario

It pleas'd her to receive

Me as her page and, when my fortunes ebb'd, 72

That men strid o'er them careless, she did shower 73

Her welcome graces on me, and did swell 74

My fortunes till they overflow'd their banks, 75

Threat'ning the men that cross'd 'em; when, as swift 76

As storms arise at sea, she turn'd her eyes 77

To burning suns upon me, and did dry 78

The streams she had bestow'd, leaving me worse 79

And more contemn'd than other little brooks, 80

Because I had been great. In short, I knew 81

I could not live, and therefore did desire 82

To die reveng'd. 83

Pharamond

If tortures can be found

Long as thy natural life, resolve to feel 84

The utmost rigour. 85

(Philaster creeps out of a bush.)

Cleremont

Help to lead him hence.

Philaster

Turn back, you ravishers of innocence! 86

Know ye the price of that you bear away 87

So rudely? 88

Pharamond

Who's that?

Dion

'T is the Lord Philaster.

Philaster

'T is not the treasure of all kings in one, 89

The wealth of Tagus, nor the rocks of pearl 90

That pave the court of Neptune, can weigh down 91

That virtue. It was I that hurt the princess. 92

Place me, some god, upon a pyramis 93

Higher than hills of earth, and lend a voice 94

Loud as your thunder to me, that from thence 95

I may discourse to all the under-world 96

The worth that dwells in him! 97

Pharamond

How's this?

Bellario

My lord, some man

Weary of life, that would be glad to die. 98

Philaster

Leave these untimely courtesies, Bellario. 99

Bellario

Alas, he's mad! Come, will you lead me on? 100

Philaster

By all the oaths that men ought most to keep, 101

And gods to punish most when men do break, 102

He touch'd her not. – Take heed, Bellario, 103

How thou dost drown the virtues thou hast shown 104

With perjury. – By all that's good, 't was I! 105

You know she stood betwixt me and my right. 106

Pharamond

Thy own tongue be thy judge! 107

Cleremont

It was Philaster.

Dion

Is 't not a brave boy? 108

Well, sirs, I fear me we were all deceived. 109

Philaster

Have I no friend here? 110

Dion

Yes.

Philaster

Then show it: some

Good body lend a hand to draw us nearer. 111

Would you have tears shed for you when you die? 112

Then lay me gently on his neck, that there 113

I may weep floods and breathe forth my spirit. 114

'T is not the wealth of Plutus, nor the gold. 115

([Embraces Bellario.])

Lock'd in the heart of earth, can buy away 116

This arm-full from me; this had been a ransom 117

To have redeem'd the great Augustus Cæsar, 118

Had he been taken. You hard-hearted men, 119

More stony than these mountains, can you see 120

Such clear pure blood drop, and not cut your flesh 121

To stop his life, to bind whose bitter wounds, 122

Queens ought to tear their hair, and with their tears 123

Bathe 'em? – Forgive me, thou that art the wealth 124

Of poor Philaster! 125

(Enter King, Arethusa, and Guard)

King

Is the villain ta'en?

Pharamond

Sir, here be two confess the deed; but sure 126

It was Philaster. 127

Philaster

Question it no more;

It was. 128

King

The fellow that did fight with him 129

Will tell us that. 130

Arethusa

Aye me! I know he will.

King

Did not you know him? 131

Arethusa

Sir, if it was he,

He was disguis'd. 132

Philaster

Oh, my stars,

That I should live still. 133

King

Thou ambitious fool,

Thou that hast laid a train for thy own life! – 134

Now I do mean to do, I'll leave to talk. 135

Bear them to prison. 136

Arethusa

Sir, they did plot together to take hence 137

This harmless life; should it pass unreveng'd, 138

I should to earth go weeping. Grant me, then, 139

By all the love a father bears his child, 140

Their custodies, and that I may appoint 141

Their tortures and their deaths. 142

Dion

Death! Soft; our law will not reach that for this fault. 143

King

'T is granted; take 'em to you with a guard. – 144

Come, princely Pharamond, this business past, 145

We may with more security go on 146

To your intended match. 147

([Exeunt all except Dion, Ceremont, and Thrasiline.])

Cleremont

I pray that this action lose not Philaster the hearts of the people.

Dion

Fear it not; their over-wise heads will think it but a trick.

(Exeunt.)

Actus Quintus

Scena Prima

([Front Stage. Location indefinite.])

(Enter Dion, Cleremont, and Thrasiline)

Thrasiline

Has the king sent for him to death?

Dion

Yes; but the king must know 't is not in his power to war with Heaven.

Cleremont

We linger time; the king sent for Philaster and the headsman an hour ago.

Thrasiline

Are all his wounds well?

Dion

All; they were but scratches; but the

loss of blood made him faint. 8

Cleremont

We dally, gentlemen.

Thrasiline

Away!

Dion

We'll scuffle hard before he perish.

(Exeunt.)

[SCENE II]

([A prison.])

(Enter Philaster, Arethusa, Bellario)

Arethusa

Nay, faith, Philaster, grieve not; we are well. 1

Bellario

Nay, good my lord, forbear; we're wondrous well. 2

Philaster

Oh, Arethusa, oh, Bellario, 3

Leave to be kind! 4

I shall be shut from Heaven, as now from earth, 5

If you continue so. I am a man 6

False to a pair of the most trusty ones 7

That ever earth bore; can it bear us all? 8

Forgive, and leave me. But the king hath sent 9

To call me to my death: oh, show it me, 10

And then forget me! And for thee, my boy, 11

I shall deliver words will mollify 12

The hearts of beasts to spare thy innocence. 13

Bellario

Alas, my lord, my life is not a thing 14

Worthy your noble thoughts! 'T is not a life, 15

'T is but a piece of childhood thrown away. 16

Should I outlive you, I should then outlive 17

Virtue and honour; and when that day comes, 18

If ever I shall close these eyes but once, 19

May I live spotted for my perjury, 20

And waste by time to nothing! 21

Arethusa

And I ( the woful'st maid that ever was, 22

Forc'd with my hands to bring my lord to death) 23

Do by the honour of a virgin swear 24

To tell no hours beyond it! 25

Philaster

Make me not hated so.

Arethusa

Come from this prison all joyful to our deaths! 26

Philaster

People will tear me, when they find you true 27

To such a wretch as I; I shall die loath'd. 28

Enjoy your kingdoms peaceably, whilst I 29

For ever sleep forgotten with my faults. 30

Every just servant, every maid in love, 31

Will have a piece of me, if you be true. 32

Arethusa

My dear lord, say not so. 33

Bellario

A piece of you!

He was not born of woman that can cut 34

It and look on. 35

Philaster

Take me in tears betwixt you, for my heart 36

Will break with shame and sorrow. 37

Arethusa

Why 't is well.

Bellario

Lament no more. 38

Philaster

Why, what would you have done

If you had wrong'd me basely, and had found 39

My life no price compar'd to yours? For love, sirs, 40

Deal with me truly. 41

Bellario

'T was mistaken, sir.

Philaster

Why, if it were? 42

Bellario

Then, sir, we would have ask'd

You pardon. 43

Philaster

And have hope to enjoy it?

Arethusa

Enjoy it! ay. 44

Philaster

Would you indeed? Be plain.

Bellario

We would, my lord. 45

Philaster

Forgive me, then.

Arethusa

So, so.

Bellario

'T is as it should be now. 46

Philaster

Lead to my death.

(Exeunt.)

[SCENE III]

([The Palace.])

(Enter King, Dion, Cleremont, Thrasiline [with a guard])

King

Gentlemen, who saw the prince? 1

Cleremont

So please you, sir, he's gone to see the city 2

And the new platform, with some gentlemen 3

Attending on him. 4

King

Is the princess ready

To bring her prisoner out? 5

Thrasiline

She waits your grace.

King

Tell her we stay. 6

([Exit Thrasiline.])

Dion

King, you may be deceiv'd yet.

The head you aim at cost more setting on 7

Than to be lost so lightly. If it must off, – 8

Like a wild overflow, that swoops before him 9

A golden stack, and with it shakes down bridges, 10

Cracks the strong hearts of pines, whose cable-roots 11

Held out a thousand storms, a thousand thunders, 12

And, so made mightier, takes whole villages 13

Upon his back, and in that heat of pride 14

Charges strong towns, towers, castles, palaces, 15

And lays them desolate; so shall thy head, 16

Thy noble head, bury the lives of thousands, 17

That must bleed with thee like a sacrifice, 18

In thy red ruins. 19

(Enter Philaster, Arethusa, Bellario in a robe and garland [and Thrasiline])

King

How now? What masque is this? 20

Bellario

Right royal sir, I should 21

Sing you an epithalamium of these lovers, 22

But having lost my best airs with my fortunes, 23

And wanting a celestial harp to strike 24

This blessed union on, thus in glad story 25

I give you all. These two fair cedar-branches, 26

The noblest of the mountain where they grew, 27

Straightest and tallest, under whose still shades 28

The worthier beasts have made their lairs, and slept 29

Free from the fervour of the Sirian star 30

And the fell thunder-stroke, free from the clouds 31

When they were big with humour and deliver'd 32

In thousand spouts their issues to the earth: 33

Oh, there was none but silent quiet there! 34

Till never-pleased Fortune shot up shrubs, 35

Base under-brambles, to divorce these branches; 36

And for a while they did so, and did reign 37

Over the mountain, and choke up his beauty 38

With brakes, rude thorns and thistles, till the sun 39

Scorch'd them even to the roots and dried them there. 40

And now a gentle gale hath blown again, 41

That made these branches meet and twine together, 42

Never to be unarm'd. The god that sings 43

His holy numbers over marriage-beds 44

Hath knit their noble hearts: and here they stand 45

Your children, mighty King; and I have done. 46

King

How, now? 47

Arethusa

Sir, if you love it in plain truth,

(For now there is no masquing in 't,) this gentleman, 48

The prisoner that you gave me, is become 49

My keeper, and through all the bitter throes 50

Your jealousies and his ill fate have wrought him, 51

Thus nobly hath he struggled, and at length 52

Arriv'd here my dear husband. 53

King

Your dear husband! –

Call in the captain of the citadel – 54

There you shall keep your wedding. I'll provide 55

A masque shall make your Hymen turn his saffron 56

Into a sullen coat, and sing sad requiems 57

To your departing souls. 58

Blood shall put out your torches; and, instead 59

Of gaudy flowers about your wanton necks, 60

An axe shall hang, like a prodigious meteor, 61

Ready to crop your loves' sweets. Hear, you gods! 62

From this time do I shake all title off 63

Of father to this woman, this base woman; 64

And what there is of vengeance in a lion 65

Chaf'd among dogs or robb'd of his dear young, 66

The same, enforc'd more terrible, more mighty, 67

Expect from me! 68

Arethusa

Sir, by that little life I have left to swear by, 69

There's nothing than can stir me from myself. 70

What I have done, I have done without repentance, 71

For death can be no bugbear unto me, 72

So long as Pharamond is not my headsman. 73

Dion

Sweet peace upon thy soul, thou worthy maid, 74

Whene'er thou diest! For this time I'll excuse thee, 75

Or be thy prologue. 76

Philaster

Sir, let me speak next;

And let my dying words be better with you 77

Than my dull living actions. If you aim 78

At the dear life of this sweet innocent, 79

You are a tyrant and a savage monster, 80

That feeds upon the blood you gave a life to; 81

Your memory shall be as foul behind you, 82

As you are living; all your better deeds 83

Shall be in water writ, but this in marble; 84

No chronicle shall speak you, though your own, 85

But for the shame of men. No monument, 86

Though high and big as Pelion, shall be able 87

To cover this base murder: make it rich 88

With brass, with purest gold, and shining jasper, 89

Like the Pyramids; lay on epitaphs 90

Such as make great men gods; my little marble, 91

That only clothes my ashes, not my faults, 92

Shall far outshine it. And for after-issues, 93

Think not so madly of the heavenly wisdoms, 94

That they will give you more for your mad rage 95

To cut off, unless it be some snake, or something 96

Like yourself, that in his birth shall strangle you. 97

Remember my father, King! There was a fault. 98

But I forgive it. Let that sin persuade you 99

To love this lady; if you have a soul, 100

Think, save her, and be saved. For myself, 101

I have so long expected this glad hour, 102

So languish'd under you, and daily wither'd, 103

That, Heaven knows, it is a joy to die: 104

I find a recreation in 't. 105

(Enter a Messenger)

Messenger

Where's the king ? 106

King

Here.

Messenger

Get to your strength,

And rescue the Prince Pharamond from danger; 107

He's taken prisoner by the citizens, 108

Fearing the Lord Philaster. 109

Dion

Oh, brave fellows!

Mutiny, my fine dear countrymen, mutiny! 110

Now, my brave valiant foremen, show your weapons 111

In honour of your mistresses! 112

(Enter another Messenger)

2 Messenger

Arm, arm, arm, arm! 113

King

A thousand devils take these citizens! 114

Dion

A thousand blessings on 'em! 115

2 Messenger

Arm, O King! The city is in mutiny, 116

Led by an old gray ruffian, who comes on 117

In rescue of the Lord Philaster. 118

King

Away to the citadel! I'll see them safe, 119

And then cope with these burghers. Let the guard 120

And all the gentlemen give strong attendance. 121

(Exeunt all except Dion, Cleremont, and Thrasiline.)

Cleremont

The city up! This was above our wishes. 122

Dion

Ay, and the marriage too. By my life, 123

This noble lady has deceiv'd us all. 124

A plague upon myself, a thousand plagues, 125

For having such unworthy thoughts of her dear honour! 126

Oh, I could beat myself! Or do you beat me, 127

And I'll beat you; for we had all one thought. 128

Cleremont

No, no, 't will but lose time.

Dion

You say true. Are your swords sharp? – Well, my dear countrymen. What-ye-lacks, if you continue, and fall not back upon the first broken shin, I'll have ye chronicled and chronicled, and cut and chronicled, and all-to be-prais'd and sung in sonnets, and bawled in new brave ballads, that all tongues shall troll you in sæcula sæculorum , my kind can-carriers.

Thrasiline

What, if a toy take 'em i' th' heels now, and they run all away, and cry, "the devil take the hindmost"?

Dion

Then the same devil take the foremost too, and souse him for his breakfast! If they all prove cowards, my curses fly among them, and be speeding! May they have murrains reign to keep the gentlemen at home unbound in easy frieze! May the moths branch their velvets, and their silks only be worn before sore eyes! May their false lights undo 'em, and discover presses, holes, stains, and oldness in their stuffs, and make them shop-rid! May they keep whores and horses, and break; and live mewed up with necks of beef and turnips! May they have many children, and none like the father! May they know no language but that gibberish they prattle to their parcels, unless it be the goatish Latin they write in their bonds – and may they write that false, and lose their debts!

(Enter the King)

King

Now the vengeance of all the gods confound them! How they swarm together! What a hum they raise! – Devils choke your wide throats! – If a man had need to use their valours, he must pay a brokage for it; and then bring 'em on, and they will fight like sheep. 'T is Philaster, none but Philaster, must allay this heat. They will not hear me speak, but fling dirt at me and call me tyrant. Oh, run, dear friend, and bring the Lord Philaster! Speak him fair; call him prince; do him all the courtesy you can; commend me to him. Oh, my wits, my wits!

(Exit Cleremont.)

Dion

Oh, my brave citizens! as I live, I will not buy a pin out of your walls for this. Nay, you shall cozen me, and I'll thank you, and send you brawn and bacon, and soil you every long vacation a brace of foremen, that at Michaelmas shall come up fat and kicking.

King

What they will do with this poor prince, the gods know, and I fear.

Dion

Why, sir, they'll flay him, and make church-buckets on 's skin, to quench rebellion; then clap a rivet in 's sconce, and hang him up for a sign.

(Enter Cleremont with Philaster)

King

Oh, worthy sir, forgive me! Do not make 185

Your miseries and my faults meet together, 186

To bring a greater danger. Be yourself, 187

Still sound amongst diseases. I have wrong'd you; 188

And though I find it last, and beaten to it, 189

Let first your goodness know it. Calm the people, 190

And be what you were born to. Take your love, 191

And with her my repentance, all my wishes, 192

And all my prayers. By the gods, my heart speaks this; 193

And if the least fall from me not perform'd, 194

May I be struck with thunder! 195

Philaster

Mighty sir,

I will not do your greatness so much wrong, 196

As not to make your word truth. Free the princess 197

And the poor boy, and let me stand the shock 198

Of this mad sea-breach, which I'll either turn, 199

Or perish with it. 200

King

Let your own word free them.

Philaster

Then thus I take my leave, kissing your hand, 201

And hanging on your royal word. Be kingly, 202

And be not mov'd, sir. I shall bring you peace 203

Or never bring myself back. 204

King

All the gods go with thee. 205

(Exeunt omnes.)

[SCENE IV]

([A Public Place.])

(Enter an old Captain and Citizens with Pharamond)

Captain

Come, my brave myrmidons, let us fall on. 1

Let your caps swarm, my boys, and your nimble tongues 2

Forget your mother-gibberish of "What do you lack? 3

And set your mouths ope, children, till your palates 4

Fall frighted half a fathom past the cure 5

Of bay-salt and gross pepper, and then cry 6

"Philaster, brave Philaster!" Let Philaster 7

Be deeper in request, my ding-dongs, 8

My pairs of dear indentures, kings of clubs, 9

Than your cold water-camlets, or your paintings 10

Spitted with copper. Let not your hasty silks, 11

Or your branch'd cloth of bodkin, or your tissues, 12

Dearly belov'd of spiced cake and custards, 13

Your Robin Hoods, Scarlets, and Johns, tie your affections 14

In darkness to your shops. No, dainty duckers, 15

Up with your three-pil'd spirits, your wrought valours; 16

And let your uncut cholers make the king feel 17

The measure of your mightiness. Philaster! 18

Cry, my rose-nobles, cry! 19

All

Philaster! Philaster!

Captain

How do you like this, my Lord Prince? 20

These are mad boys, I tell you; these are things 21

That will not strike their top-sails to a foist, 22

And let a man of war, an argosy, 23

Hull and cry cockles. 24

Pharamond

Why, you rude slave, do you know what you do? 25

Captain

My pretty prince of puppets, we do know; 26

And give your greatness warning that you talk 27

No more such bug's-words, or that solder'd crown 28

Shall be scratch'd with a musket. Dear prince Pippin, 29

Down with your noble blood, or, as I live, 30

I'll have you coddled. – Let him loose, my spirits: 31

Make us a round ring with your bills, my Hectors, 32

And let us see what this trim man dares do. 33

Now, sir, have at you! here I lie; 34

And with this swashing blow (do you see, sweet prince?) 35

I could hulk your grace, and hang you up cross-legg'd, 36

Like a hare at a poulter's, and do this with this wiper. 37

Pharamond

You will not see me murder'd, wicked villains? 38

1 Citizen

Yes, indeed, will we, sir; we have not seen one 39

For a great while. 40

Captain

He would have weapons, would he? 41

Give him a broadside, my brave boys, with your pikes; 42

Branch me his skin in flowers like a satin, 43

And between every flower a mortal cut. – 44

Your royalty shall ravel! – Jag him, gentlemen; 45

I'll have him cut to the kell, then down the seams. 46

O for a whip to make him galloon-laces! 47

I'll have a coach-whip. 48

Pharamond

Oh, spare me, gentlemen!

Captain

Hold, hold; 49

The man begins to fear and know himself. 50

He shall for this time only be seel'd up, 51

With a feather through his nose, that he may only 52

See heaven, and think whither he is going. 53

Nay, my beyond-sea sir, we will proclaim you: 54

You would be king! 55

Thou tender heir apparent to a church-ale, 56

Thou slight prince of single sarcenet, 57

Thou royal ring-tail, fit to fly at nothing 58

But poor men's poultry, and have every boy 59

Beat thee from that too with his bread and butter! 60

Pharamond

Gods keep me from these hell-hounds! 61

1 Citizen

Shall's geld him, captain? 62

Captain

No, you shall spare his dowcets, my dear donsels; 63

As you respect the ladies, let them flourish. 64

The curses of a longing woman kill 65

As speedy as a plague, boys. 66

1 Citizen

I'll have a leg, that's certain. 67

2 Citizen

I'll have an arm.

3 Citizen

I'll have his nose, and at mine own charge build 68

A college and clap 't upon the gate. 69

4 Citizen

I'll have his little gut to string a kit with; 70

For certainly a royal gut will sound like silver. 71

Pharamond

Would they were in thy belly, and I past 72

My pain once! 73

5 Citizen

Good captain, let me have his liver to feed ferrets. 74

Captain

Who will have parcels else? Speak. 75

Pharamond

Good gods, consider me! I shall be tortur'd. 76

1 Citizen

Captain, I'll give you the trimming of your two-hand sword, 77

And let me have his skin to make false scabbards. 78

2 Citizen

He had no horns, sir, had he? 79

Captain

No, sir, he's a pollard. 80

What wouldst thou do with horns? 81

2 Citizen

Oh, if he had had,

I would have made rare hafts and whistles of 'em: 82

But is shin-bones, if they be sound, shall serve me. 83

(Enter Philaster)

All

Long live Philaster, the brave Prince Philaster! 84

Philaster

I thank you, gentlemen. But why are these 85

Rude weapons brought abroad, to teach your hands 86

Uncivil trades? 87

Captain

My royal Rosicleer,

We are thy myrmidons, thy guard, thy roarers; 88

And when thy noble body is in durance, 89

Thus do we clap our musty morions on, 90

And trace the streets in terror. Is it peace, 91

Thou Mars of men? Is the king sociable, 92

And bids thee live? Art thou above thy foe-men, 93

And free as Pœbus? Speak. If not, this stand 94

Of royal blood shall be abroach, a-tilt, 95

And run even to the lees of honour. 96

Philaster

Hold, and be satisfied. I am myself, 97

Free as my thoughts are; by the gods, I am! 98

Captain

Art thou the dainty darling of the king? 99

Art thou the Hylas to our Hercules? 100

Do the lords bow, and the regarded scarlets 101

Kiss their gumm'd golls, and cry, "We are your servants"? 102

Is the court navigable and the presence stuck 103

With flags of friendship? If not, we are thy castle, 104

And this man sleeps. 105

Philaster

I am what I desire to be, your friend; 106

I am what I was born to be, your prince. 107

Pharamond

Sir, there is some humanity in you; 108

You have a noble soul. Forget my name, 109

And know my misery; set me safe aboard 110

From these wild cannibals, and as I live, 111

I'll quit this land for ever. There is nothing, – 112

Perpetual prisonment, cold, hunger, sickness 113

Of all sorts, of all dangers, and all together, 114

The worst company of the worst men, madness, age, 115

To be as many creatures as a woman, 116

And do as all they do, nay, to despair, – 117

But I would rather make it a new nature, 118

And live with all these, than endure one hour 119

Amongst these wild dogs. 120

Philaster

I do pity you. – Friends, discharge your fears; 121

Deliver me the prince. I'll warrant you 122

I shall be old enough to find my safety. 123

3 Citizen

Good sir, take heed he does not hurt you; 124

He is a fierce man, I can tell you, sir. 125

(He strives.)

Captain

Prince, by your leave, I'll have a surcingle, 126

And mail you like a hawk. 127

Philaster

Away, away, there is no danger in him: 128

Alas, he had rather sleep to shake his fit off! 129

Look you, friends, how gently he leads! Upon my word, 130

He's tame enough, he needs no further watching. 131

Good my friends, go to your houses, 132

And by me have your pardons and my love; 133

And know there shall be nothing in my power 134

You may deserve, but you shall have your wishes. 135

To give you more thanks, were to flatter you: 136

Continue still your love; and for an earnest, 137

Drink this. 138

([Gives money.])

All

Long mayst thou live, brave prince, brave prince, brave prince! 139

(Exeunt Philaster and Pharamond.)

Captain

Go thy ways, thou art the king of courtesy! 140

Fall off again, my sweet youths. Come, 141

And every man trace to his house again, 142

And hang his pewter up; then to the tavern, 143

And bring your wives in muffs. We will have music; 144

And the red grape shall make us dance and rise, boys. 145

(Exeunt.)

[SCENE V]

([The Palace.])

(Enter King, Arethusa, Galatea, Megra, Dion, Cleremont, Thrasiline, Bellario, and Attendants)

King

Is it appeas'd? 1

Dion

Sir, all is quiet as this dead of night, 2

As peaceable as sleep. My lord Philaster 3

Brings on the prince himself. 4

King

Kind gentleman!

I will not break the least word I have given 5

In promise to him. I have heap'd a world 6

Of grief upon his head, which yet I hope 7

To wash away. 8

(Enter Philaster and Pharamond)

Cleremont

My lord is come.

King

My son!

Blest be the time that I have leave to call 9

Such virtue mine! Now thou art in mine arms, 10

Methinks I have a salve unto my breast 11

For all the stings that dwell there. Streams of grief 12

That I have wrong'd thee, and as much of joy 13

That I repent it, issue from mine eyes; 14

Let them appease thee. Take thy right; take her; 15

She is thy right too; and forget to urge 16

My vexed soul with that I did before. 17

Philaster

Sir, it is blotted from my memory, 18

Past and forgotten. – For you, prince of Spain, 19

Whom I have thus redeem'd, you have full leave 20

To make an honourable voyage home. 21

And if would go furnish'd to your realm 22

With fair provision, I do see a lady, 23

Methinks, would gladly bear you company. 24

How like you this piece? 25

Megra

Sir, he likes it well,

For he hath tried it, and hath found it worth 26

His princely liking. We were ta'en abed; 27

I know your meaning. I am not the first 28

That nature taught to seek a fellow forth. 29

Can shame remain perpetually in me, 30

And not in others? Or have princes salves 31

To cure ill names, that meaner people want? 32

Philaster

What mean you? 33

Megra

You must get another ship,

To bear the princess and her boy together. 34

Dion

How now! 35

Megra

Others took me, and I took her and him 36

At that all women may be ta'en sometime. 37

Ships us all four, my lord; we can endure 38

Weather and wind alike. 39

King

Clear thou thyself, or know not me for father. 40

Arethusa

This earth, how false it is! What means is left for me 41

To clear myself? It lies in your belief. 42

My lords, believe me; and let all things else 43

Struggle together to dishonour me. 44

Bellario

Oh, stop your ears, great King, that I may speak 45

As freedom would! Then I will call this lady 46

As base as are her actions. Here me, sir; 47

Believe your heated blood when it rebels 48

Against your reason, sooner than this lady. 49

Megra

By this good light, he bears it handsomely. 50

Philaster

This lady! I will sooner trust the wind 51

With feathers, or the troubled sea with pearl, 52

Than her with anything. Believe her not. 53

Why, think you, if I did believe her words, 54

I would outlive 'em? Honour cannot take 55

Revenge on you; then what were to be known 56

But death? 57

King

Forget her, sir, since all is knit

Between us. But I must request of you 58

One favour, and will sadly be denied. 59

Philaster

Command, whate'er it be. 60

King

Swear to be true

To what you promise. 61

Philaster

By the powers above,

Let it not be the death of her or him, 62

And it is granted! 63

King

Bear away that boy

To torture; I will have her clear'd or buried. 64

Philaster

Oh, let me call my word back, worthy sir! 65

Ask something else: bury my life and right 66

In one poor grave; but do not take away 67

My life and fame at once. 68

King

Away with him! It stands irrevocable. 69

Philaster

Turn all your eyes on me. Here stands a man, 70

The falsest and the basest of this world. 71

Set swords against this breast, some honest man, 72

For I have liv'd till I am pitied! 73

My former deeds were hateful; but this last 74

Is pitiful, for I unwillingly 75

Have given the dear preserver of my life 76

Unto his torture. Is it in the power 77

Of flesh and blood to carry this, and live? 78

(Offers to kill himself.)

Arethusa

Dear sir, be patient yet! Oh, stay that hand! 79

King

Sirs, strip that boy. 80

Dion

Come, sir; your tender flesh

Will try your constancy. 81

Bellario

Oh, kill me, gentlemen!

Dion

No. – Help, sirs. 82

Bellario

Will you torture me?

King

Haste there;

Why stay you? 83

Bellario

Then I shall not break my vow,

You know, just gods, though I discover all. 84

King

How's that? Will he confess? 85

Dion

Sir, so he says.

King

Speak then. 86

Bellario

Great King, if you command

This lord to talk with me alone, my tongue 87

Urg'd by my heart, shall utter all the thoughts 88

My youth hath known; and stranger things than these 89

You hear not often. 90

King

Walk aside with him.

([Dion and Bellario walk apart.])

Dion

Why speak'st thou not? 91

Bellario

Know you this face, my lord?

Dion

No. 92

Bellario

Have you not seen it, nor the like?

Dion

Yes, I have seen the like, but readily 93

I know not where. 94

Bellario

I have been often told

In court of one Euphrasia, a lady, 95

And daughter to you; betwixt whom and me 96

(They that would flatter my bad face would swear) 97

There was such strange resemblance, that we two 98

Could not be known asunder, dress'd alike. 99

Dion

By Heaven, and so there is! 100

Bellario

For her fair sake,

Who now doth spend the spring-time of her life 101

In holy pilgrimage, move to the king, 102

That I may scape this torture. 103

Dion

But thou speak'st

As like Euphrasia as thou dost look. 104

How came it to thy knowledge that she lives 105

In pilgrimage? 106

Bellario

I know it not, my lord;

But I have heard it, and do scarce believe it. 107

Dion

Oh, my shame! is 't possible? Draw near, 108

That I may gaze upon thee. Art thou she, 109

Or else her murderer? Where wert thou born? 110

Bellario

In Syracusa. 111

Dion

What's thy name?

Bellario

Euphrasia.

Dion

Oh, 't is just, 't is she! 112

Now I do know thee. Oh, that thou hadst died, 113

And I had never seen thee nor my shame! 114

How shall I own thee? Shall this tongue of mine 115

E'er call thee daughter more? 116

Bellario

Would I had died indeed! I wish it too; 117

And so I must have done by vow, ere publish'd 118

What I have told, but that there was no means 119

To hide it longer. Yet I joy in this, 120

The princess is all clear. 121

King

What, have you done?

Dion

All is discover'd. 122

Philaster

Why then hold you me?

All is discover'd! Pray you, let me go. 123

(He offers to stab himself.)

King

Stay him. 124

Arethusa

What is discover'd?

Dion

Why, my shame.

It is a woman; let her speak the rest. 125

Philaster

How? That again! 126

Dion

It is a woman.

Philaster

Blest be you powers that favour innocence!

King

Lay hold upon that lady.

([Megra is seized.])

Philaster

It is a woman, sir! – Hark, gentlemen, 129

It is a woman! – Arethusa, take 130

My soul into thy breast, that would be gone 131

With joy. It is a woman! Thou art fair, 132

And virtuous still to ages, in despite 133

Of malice. 134

King

Speak you, where lies his shame? 135

Bellario

I am his daughter.

Philaster

The gods are just.

Dion

I dare accuse none; but, before you two, 137

The virtue of our age, I bend my knee 138

For mercy. 139

([Kneels.])

Philaster

Take it freely; for I know,

Though what thou didst were undiscreetly done, 140

'T was meant well. 141

Arethusa

And for me,

I have a power to pardon sins, as oft 142

As any man has power to wrong me. 143

Cleremont

Noble and worthy! 144

Philaster

But, Bellario,

(For I must call thee still so,) tell me why 145

Thou didst conceal thy sex. It was a fault, 146

A fault, Bellario, though thy other deeds 147

Of truth outweigh'd it: all these jealousies 148

Had flown to nothing if thou hadst discover'd 149

What now we know. 150

Bellario

My father oft would speak

Your worth and virtue; and, as I did grow 151

More and more apprehensive, I did thirst 152

To see the man so prais'd. But yet all his 153

Was but a maiden-longing, to be lost 154

As soon as found; till, sitting in my window, 155

Printing my thoughts in lawn, I saw a god, 156

I thought, (but it was you,) enter our gates. 157

My blood flew out and back again, as fast 158

As I had puff'd it forth and suck'd it in 159

Like breath. Then was I call'd away in haste 160

To entertain you. Never was a man, 161

Heav'd from a sheep-cote to a sceptre, rais'd 162

So high in thoughts as I. You left a kiss 163

Upon these lips then, which I mean to keep 164

From you for ever. I did hear you talk, 165

Far above singing. After you were gone, 166

I grew acquainted with my heart, and search'd 167

What stirr'd it so: alas, I found it love! 168

Yet far from lust; for, could I but have liv'd 169

In presence of you, I had had my end. 170

For this I did delude my noble father 171

With a feign'd pilgrimage, and dress'd myself 172

In habit of a boy; and, for I knew 173

My birth no match for you, I was past hope 174

Of having you; and, understanding well 175

Than when I made discovery of my sex 176

I could not stay with you, I made a vow, 177

By all the most religious things a maid 178

Could call together, never to be known, 179

Whilst there was hope to hide me from men's eyes, 180

For other than I seem'd, that I might ever 181

Abide with you. Then sat I by the fount, 182

Where first you took me up. 183

King

Search out a match

Within our kingdom, where and when thou wilt, 184

And I will pay thy dowry; and thyself 185

Wilt well deserve him. 186

Bellario

Never, sir, will I

Marry; it is a thing within my vow: 187

But, if I may have leave to serve the princess, 188

To see the virtues of her lord and her, 189

I shall have hope to live. 190

Arethusa

I, Philaster,

Cannot be jealous, though you had a lady 191

Dress'd like a page to serve you; nor will I 192

Suspect her living here. – Come, live with me; 193

Live free as I do. She that loves my lord, 194

Curs'd be the wife that hates her! 195

Philaster

I grieve such virtue should be laid in earth 196

Without an heir. – Hear me, my royal father: 197

Wrong not the freedom of our souls so much, 198

To think to take revenge of that base woman; 199

Her malice cannot hurt us. Set her free 200

As she was born, saving from shame and sin. 201

King

Set her at liberty. – But leave the court; 202

This is no place for such. – You, Pharamond, 203

Shall have free passage, and a conduct home 204

Worthy so great a prince. When you come there, 205

Remember 't was your faults that lost you her, 206

And not my purpos'd will. 207

Pharamond

I do confess,

Renowed sir. 208

King

Last, join your hands in one. Enjoy, Philaster, 209

This kingdom, which is yours, and, after me, 210

Whatever I call mine. My blessing on you! 211

All happy hours be at your marriage-joys, 212

That you may grow yourselves over all lands, 213

And live to see your plenteous branches spring 214

Wherever there is sun! Let princes learn 215

By this to rule the passions of their blood; 216

For what Heaven wills can never be withstood. 217

(Exeunt omnes.)