Comedies and tragedies written by Thomas Killigrew ...
Killigrew, Thomas, 1612-1683.

ACT. III. SCEN. I.

Enter Virgilius, Facertes, and Minetes in rage, for the loss of Cicilia.
Facert.

HOw do you, Sir?

Virg.

Not well.

Facert.

What accident was this?

Virg.

Oh! Facertes, I have seen my Fate, and I conjure thee by all our friendship, not to call me weak, nor dispute with my passion, but obey thy friend, and suddenly, or I am lost for ever; for her innocence, I fear, will be no guard against their power; and without impiety I may mistrust the Gods, for they already have slept, and let her fall into misery; oh, Facertes, I am a slave to a Page  24 slave, and to hers my Fate is bound. And Temples, not chains are due to her; and when thou seest her thou wilt forgive me this change, for she has a Beauty against which thy honour must arm, else thy love will be no more a guard then was my re∣solution.

Facert.

All this for a slave!

Virg.

Oh! do not revile her; for when thou meet'st her, thy wonder and repentance will make but one thought, and like me thou wilt be lost in a maze.

Facert.

This is strange.

Virg.

I confess it; yet when the world was innocent before the bloody sword taught her pride by conquest, and learn'd the thirsty wooll to drink the purple dye, till it grew enrich'd with the far∣fetch'd stains, such innocence and beauty as waits on her might any where have claim'd a sacrifice.

Facert.

Sir, though I grant all these beauties, yet to me they bring like miseries to those the swift lightning leaves the wretched hus∣band-man; who instead of full joys, reaps from those wounding fires nought but weighty griefs; yet I'll obey you, though in this chance I foresee my own despairs, to the little hopes I had of hap∣piness. Farewell.

Virg.

Why do you conclude so? must you of necessity be mise∣rable, if I be happy? are my friends joys the less, 'cause mine are full?

Facert.

Pardon me, Sir, if you find me troubled to see all my hopes wither'd, and those wounds you gave my suffering Country now despairing of a cure.

Virg.

O friend! friend! has that word no power?

Facert.

Yes, and that makes me sleight my interest; for I am so accustomed to misfortune, 'tis almost natural to me: But when I think on whom you throw your fortune, youth and fame, I find a greater trouble as your friend, then as I am the lost Facertes; for you know not what she is; your love hunts thus in the dark, A slave, a thing set at sale for lust.

Virg. offers to go away.

Virg.

That, that, Facertes makes me rage; and again by all that's powerful I conjure thee fly with me to her rescue, before such a ruine find her.

Facert.

Virgilius, Sir, Virgilius stay; I must obey him, or he's lost.

Virg.

Draw thy sword then, and let me see thee plead with that against her enemies, as thou didst against me at Siracusa, and I'll conclude all hopes from that powerful Argument.

Facert.

Sir, I never us'd my Arguments to spare my sword; nor was my tongue now drawn, because I meant that should sleep: See 'tis drawn, but in vain you hope a service from it, as your self; and therefore stay here, while I fit you with a disguise.

Virg.

Be speedy then.

As Virg. and Minetes are going out they meet the Baud, Olym∣pia.

Facert.

I shall, but pray retire a little, this place is too publick, I'll return immediately.

[Exit Facert.
Virg.

I'll stay at the corner.—

[Enter Baud.
Page  25
Baud.

May I be bold?

Virg.

With whom?

Baud.

With you, Sir.

Virg.

No.

Baud.

Sir, your pardon.

He offers to go away, but she takes hold of him.

He offers her money.

Virg.

For what? I forgive thee.

Baud.

Sir, I would beg.

Virg.

Here, I'll prevent thee, if thou wilt let me go.—

Baud.

No, Sir, my business is no money; 'tis your self must sa∣tisfie me.

Virg.

Thou art mistaken sure, thy business was to my man.

Baud.

No, Sir, I go upon no such Errands. Did you not fight for a slave even now?

Virg.

Yes, what of her?

Baud.

Are you he?

Virg.

Yes, I tell thee.

Baud.

Farewell then, till you are at leisure.

Virg.

Prethee stay.

Baud.

No, Sir, your man is busie.

Virg.

Prethee excuse my trouble, which gave not ear to thee at first.

Paulina above.

That's he, why stays she so long to deliver her Message? she is angry.

Baud.

For once I excuse; you and look hereafter you entertain a woman with more: But to the business; the slave you wot of—(oh! that eye of yours) there lies a wag in't that will make a world of mischief,) you know not who it hath struck, pray heaven I get not a wound.

Virg.

Nay, to your story, good Mother, and leave this wandring.

Baud.

Mother? whose Mother, good-man boy? I am a Maid.

Virg.

You mistake me, I meant, Mother of my joys, and so you will be if you can lay by this youthful fire that makes you thus subject to choler, and proceed with your story.

Baud.

Yes, yes, do you jeer me?

Paul.

I can endure no longer; Sir, what ere you are, take my faith for your safety, and make this house your sanctuary; something concerning that slave I would deliver to you.

Baud.

Are you there, Hell and mischief find you.

Virg.

Madam, who ere you are that offers this charity to a stranger; know, I dare enter though I saw my ruine in the door. For fear I never found his pale den yet, though I have oft trod those paths that led both to dangers and to death; and I should scorn my self, could I apprehend him now where beauty has the guard. Which way do your commands guide me?

Paul.

That door.

[Ex. Virg. and his man, and Paul. from above.
Baud.

Now a publique Pox go with thee, that thy face may serve thee in no stead; malicious Villain, to call up my dead fears that had wont to tell me I had lost my time; proud scurvey fel∣low, to put me thus in despair; and if he had any good nature, he would have offer'd me a kindness, in courtesie to have com∣forted Page  26 me; I shall not eat to day; had he but call'd me Whore, yet it had been tolerable, for that carries youth with it. But old Mother? Rascal, none of thy Mother. But I'll be reveng'd.