Argalus and Parthenia· as it hath been acted at the court before their Maiesties: and at the Private-House in Drury-Lane, by their Maiesties Servants. By Hen. Glapthorne.

Actus I. Scena I.

DEMAGORAS, PHILARCHUS.

VRge this no more, 'tis troublesome.

Philar.

My Lord, though I affect you Almost with that Religion I do our Gods, yet The constant motion of my will does fixe On noble Argalus, and I confesse His gracious merit challenges a wife, Faire as Parthenia, did she staine the East, When the bright morne hangs day upon her cheeks In chaines of liquid pearle.

Demagoras.

I must confesse, I have not studied the nice rules of love, Nor can with flattering eloquence adore A Ladies ayery shadow, court her smiles

With adoration, or with supple knees Cringe like an humorous dancer, when the ayre Play's with her hayre, or fret to see the Sun Be over sav••cy with her cheeks or 〈◊〉〈◊〉: I speake this to my glory; the big War Has been my mistris, where intented fields When I have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a moving grove of Pike•• Advanc'd as if the splendor of their heads Meant to obscure the Sun beame, gore the clouds Till they wept ••loud, a••d heard the fiery h••rse Neighing destruction to ••n host of men, From their hot nostrils: there I did command With ample Fortune; and to be repuls'd In an effeminate Skirmish; wounds my soule Worse than a quiver of sharp Parthian shafts Could prejudice my body.

Philar.

I could wish Both for your present peace, and to secure Your future quiet, you had still confin'd Your disposition to that war∣fare; this Is far more dangerous▪ He that means to win Loves bloodlesse battails, must be strong in teares, Marshall his Army in a Field of Sighes, Have for his Ensigne beauty in his looks, Under which colours ought to march kind smiles As ablest 〈…〉〈…〉 the van. Smooth vowes, And amoro••s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will batter Ladies hearts, Sooner than slings or iron rams demolish Resisting Citadels.

Demag.

Canst thou conceit, That I Demagoras, to whose very name Laconian Matrons have with early••haste, Payd tributary vowes, her choysest mayds, Have left Pans Orgies to present so••t Hymns To th' honour of my merit, can decline So much my great soule, as with forc'd intreats To beg Parthenias mercy; let tame fooles

Such as have hearts scarce fit to furnish Doves, Or spleen lesse Iambs with courage; intercede For female favours by submissive prayers; My resolution grounded on the worth Of my desert, shall with her mothers power Inforce Partheniae, were she cold as ayre In its most subtle motion, to become In her affection fervent as the day, That she was borne in, was to gawdy light, Or ruine her best comforts,

Enter Chrisaclea.

Chrisa.

I am faine to be Your most industrious advocate: my Daughter Thinks she offends in each familiar looke Bestowd on manhood, but I hope that Time And Counsell may convert her to become Loves proselyte,

Demag.

Shee's that already Madam, Or Argalus durst not without consent, And patronage from her, rivall my love; But if the boy oppose me in a thought, Borrow a smile, or pay an amorous glance As tribute to her eyes, were he defenc'd, With some light bogge, that dances to the winds Loud whistling Musick, I would dart a frowne Should ravish his mortality into Ayre, For the presumption.

Chrisa.

'Tis my Lord, This rough demeanor (though it speake you man) Declares a spirit full of fire, which does fright Parthenia's softnesse: Virgins loves are wone (Like Heavens compassion) by submissive prayers. 'Tis not the brave relation of a fight, Can move the milde brest of a tender mayd

To ought but terrour; she will start at sight Of scars though bought with honor, bleed in teares, When wounds are mention'd; for Lord Argalus His affable and courtly carriage cals Respective blushes into the bashfull cheeks Of every Virgin, that my daughters bound By a due Justice, to esteeme his worth, With more than common curtesie, yet my will Seconded by a Mothers kind intreats, Shall work upon her duty to accept You'l as her servant.

Demag,

Servant, Lady; What mortall foole ambitious to out-vie The Gods in honour, dare presume to hope That glorious title from me? have I stood (When armies timorous of a generall death, Quaking with Panick horror, have invok'd Divine assistance) fearlesse, and not deem'd Heavens power deserving a religious prayer, After so many Trophees as may clayme Each its particular star, to be esteem'd A servant to a woman.

Philar.

Nay, my good Lord.

Demag.

Persuade the girle T'attire like Iuno in a dresse of clouds Her beauteous head; put off her human Earth For Immortality, and atchieve a seat Due to the Queen of Heaven, that with regard The humble Senate of the petty Gods, And Goddesses may tremblingly adore The sparkling Majesty, yet were my will Not satisfied by voluntary gift Of her affection, my great soule would scorne it, Worse than the proffered service of a Slave.

Enter Parthenia.

Chry.

See my Daughter, My Lord, loose not this opportunity, You shall have place, and leasure, for my presence Shall be no detriment to your purpose.

Exit.

Demag.

Now Lady, Are you in haste, or do you slight a presence May challenge your observance? I am come, Confident of my merit, to informe you You ought to yeeld me the most strict regard Your love can offer.

Parth.

Sir, I am not (Though I affect not selfe conceited boast) So ignorant of my worth, but I deserve From him who will enjoy me, a respect More faire and Courtlike.

Demag.

The blunt phrase of war Is my accustom'd language, yet I can Tell you yo'ar hansome, and direct your looks With a becomming posture; I must speake In the Heroick Dialect, as I use To court Bellona, when my high desires Ayme at a glorious victory.

Phi.

You'l scarce Conquer a Lady with this sterne discourse, Mars did not wooe the Queen of Love in Armes, But wrapt his batter'd limbs in Persian silks, Or costly Tyrian Purples, speak in smiles, To win her tempting beauty.

Demag.

I'le bring on Well-manag'd troops of Souldiers to the fight, Draw big battaliaes, like a moving field Of standing Corne, blown one way by the wind Against the frighted enemy; the Van Shall save the Rere a labour, and by me Marshald, shall fold bright conquest in the curles

Of their conducting Ensignes, while grim Death Shall on the feather'd arrows with more haste, Then on his own shafts, fly upon the foe; While the shrill Trumpet, and each piercing Fife Shall sing their Dirges, and the hoarse mouth'd Drums, Wars fatall bels, with surly noyse proclayme Their soddaine funerall: This brave resolve Vanquish'd my steele wing'd Goddesse, and ingag'd Peneian Daphne, who did fly the Sun, Give up to willing ravishment, her boughes T' invest my awfull front, and this shall prostrat Spight of all opposition, your nice soule To my commanding merit,

Par.

These high tearms, were apt to fright an enemy, or beget Terror in flinty bosoms: Can you think A timorous Virgin, can affect her feare, Yeld the security of her peace and life,

To the protection of her horror. You must not perswade my thoughts that you who vary so the Scene of love, can act it perfectly.

Demag.

Slighted in this: 'tis a contempt inhumane, and deserves my utmost scorne.

Enter Chrisaclea.

Chri.

Nay may most honor'd Lord, be not transported with a needlesse rage, 'tis but her childish folly.

Parthenia

You have done ill to entertaine a man Of such an absolute worth, with such a meane

Exeunt Dema. and Philar.

Regardlesse value; you must alter this Neglectfull temper, or my anger will Surpasse my naturall love, and I shall chide Your too affected nicenesse.

Parth.

Gracious Madam The zealous duty which religious laws, Teaches me owe my parents, would inflict A heavy curse for disobedient guilt,

Upon my Innocence, should I transgresse Th' intention of your honourable will, In what I can obey it.

Chri.

Then in this You are resolv'd t'usurp the priviledge Of your discretion: and not fulfill My will in the disposall of your love.

Parth.

Yes with that freedome that I would to Heaven Tender my best obedience; but since love Is by example and discourse allow'd Reasons superior, it must be esteem'd Above all duty.

Chri.

Yet there ought to be Consent attayn'd from those whose power sh'ud guide Their childrens youth and actions.

Parth.

'Tis confest, But not except it justly sympathise With their affection: you would have suffred A conflict in your peace, had you been forc'd, When your free will had yeelded up your heart, My fathers choyse, to've had it ravish'd back, And in despight of your resolve confer'd Upon another.

Chri.

I was not so childish To contradict my parents, but subscrib'd To their discretions, as I would advise, You would obey mine, and yeeld consent To wed Demagoras.

Parth.

What can your Wisdome Behold in him, (if with impartiall Eyes You would survay his quality) that should ingage Your inclination to inforce my love, Besides the native fiercenesse of his looks Apter to fright a Lady, than beget Fancy: his courtships cloth'd in angry threats, As if that Love were turn'd a Souldier, And had unyok'd her teeme of spleenlesse Doves,

To have her Chariot drawn by ravenous Wolves, Tygres, or trecherous Leopards, had put off Her wreath of harm esse Mirtle to invest Her brow with Yew or Cipresse.

Chri.

This excuse Proceeds not from his merit, but your love To Argalus, a stranger only known For his brisque Courtship, the Queen supports His wavering Fortune, he depends on her, And should she faile by death, his utmost hopes Embrac'd a soddaine ruine.

Parth.

Argalus, Were he more abject in his fate than your Imagination could conceit, deserv'd My Equalst fancy; in his youthfull looks Sits a divinity able to inchant Queenes to admire, nay to adore his worth, Continued smiles make Summer on his cheeks, At his bright Eyes does Cupid warme his wings, When he intends to fly at Womens hearts; Musick and rich perfumes are in his breath, Aptly resembling aromatique winds, That sing the Phenix Exequies.

Chris.

Can my daughter So much decline the greatnesse of her spirit, Hereditary to her bloud, To affect a person meerly for his smiles, Effeminate carriage without any proofe Of manly valour in him.

Parth.

You mistake His character, though he can tread in peace An ayery measure to the warbling Lute, Demeane his actions with that sweet deceit. Can cosen Ladies of their soules, yet when The glorious war does summon him to th' field, He does excell in feats of active armes The ablest youth of Arcady; instructs

Old Souldiers Martiall discipline, that those Who had beheld his sweetnesse in the Court, Pusled in Faith, believed that conquering Mars Had cloth'd his fiercenesse in a Cupids shape, To vanquish some more beautious prize than was The blind Gods mother.

Chri.

'Tis offensive, I'le heare no more of this.

Parth.

Thus I'me inforc'd to prove, Dead to obedience if I live to love.

Chri.

Your nicenesse Must not excuse the due respects we beare The Lord Demagoras; if the shepherds be prepar'd, They shall present their mirth to expell his melancholy.

Exeunt Chris. & Parth.

Scena 2.

Clitophon. Strephon.

Strep.

Pish, you'r as fierce an aspen leafe you wag every way.

Clitop.

I'le tell thee honest Strephon, I No more affect a woman than the Sky Does Birds that sore in it, they are as vaine Inconstant as the flying showers of raine In Aprill Strephon.

Strep.

The more dissembling fellow you: why do you pro∣test to every Wench you see, you are inamor'd on her: why you should see, and seeing ought to imitate your betters, Cli∣tophon, ther's not a Lasse

That trips nimbly ore the Arcadian grasse, When shee does faire Strephon veiw, Though I fly, but will pursue, Throw her eyes out on my shape,

Call me Pigsny, pretty Ape; Some there are that doe suppose Loves hot fire in my nose: With which they scorch'd, for pitty cry, Blow it ou't Strephon, or' we die; Others say my head's a bell, My hayre the ropes, that ring the knell, My tong the clapper which though their deaths it rings, They sweare no Courefeu halfe so sweetly sings; The hollow of my eyes, the grave,

Which with their nailes they dig: but have— But who comes here?

Enter Sapho, and Aminta.

Sapho.

Strepho, you'r well-met, good Aminta, see, Is he not chast, and faire as young Goates be, His head like to a Cedar over-growes, His studded cheeks and rich enameld nose.

Strepho.

I would be loath to give my face for the washing Girle, now Clitophon doe not you not imagine Venus girdle was My swathband, the maids so doate on my well timber'd limbs. Here's a leg, Satho, that's as neatly made, As any that ore Shepherdesse is laid; A thigh proportionable I tak't, I know thou longst to feell it nak't, A taile, some say, does hang therby, Which none must know but thee and I: I have a back too, though I say't That should not, can beare any waight, Full limbs, with sinews strong and plump, A lusty chine, and for my rumpe 'Tis so well made, and firmely knit, The Nymphs are all stark mad for it, Because they think the rest of my members proportionable.

Clito.

What a quick flame

Into my brest from Saphos bright eyes came, Another from Aminta's; my desire, Erst cold as Ice, grows active as the fire, Dearest Aminta, Sapho lend your eare To my just vowes.

Ami.

Fond Clitophon forbeare To sweare in earnest, I do know your heart Was never wounded with the blind Gods dart.

Saph.

See how bright Strephon does intice the ayre, To play with the sweet belropes of his hayre. What a soft murmuring the tresses makes, As did Medusa's locks, or Alectos snakes.

Clito.

Gentlest Virgin, white as infant snow, Pleasing as Ladon that does cooly flow, Through our green meadows; trust a loving swaine, When he protest with truth.

Amin.

There does remaine

Enter Florida.

No such good property 'mongst men on Earth, Truth is fled to Heaven with Justice. Florida the newes.

Florid.

The Lord Demagoras this way pursues, And must have entertainment, 'tis a charge From our great Lady, that we strait inlarge Our Pastorall devises.

Sapho.

We have none On such a sudden, lesse she will have done Those that were for Argalus welcome meant.

Florid.

Be prest with speed that greeting to present—

Chrisaclea, Parthenia, Demagoras, Philarchus.

Clit.

They are upon us ere we are ready for the action.

Chri.

Florida, are the shepheards here?

Florid.

Madame they are, Castalia only wants.

Chri.

This Musick speaks her intrance.

Enter Castalia.

Please your Lordship, Under this shadie Poplar, sit and see Our rurall pastimes.

1. Song.

Loves a Childe, and ought to be Wonne with smiles, his Deity Is cloth'd in Panthers skinnes, which hide Those parts which kill, if but espide. Hates warres, but such as mildly led By Venus are to pleasures bed, There does soft imbraces fight, Kisses combat with delight, Amorous lookes and sighes discover What will win a Virgin-Lover.

Demagor.

'Tis too effeminate this; I had rather heare The cryes of dying men than these nice straines, Or Souldiers with loud clamours rend the aire With shouts of victory.

Phi.

Patience my Lord, the Shepherds are proceeding to dance.

1. Dance.

Demag.

I doe not like this Morall, it includes Something that is distastefull; a mans possest With eminent frensie that would a minute View these idle Morris-Dances.

Phi.

That fellow That woo'd with such obsequiousnesse and wonne His yeelding Mistresse, sure did represent Effeminate Argalus. The other, who With confidence attempting, was repuls'd, Figur'd my selfe. This same was an abuse, Such as no hospitality, nor lawes Of true nobility can suffer. Madam.

You have done well and justly. I perceive You are as various in your giddy faith, As your coy daughter in her choice; reserve her For gracious Argalus: but if this scorne Meet not a sudden and severe revenge, May all my former glories be obscur'd; Though to performe it I should scale the Starres, And snatch them like quick wilde-fire from their Spheares, Then dart them on the earth: catch the dull clouds And squeese them into a deluge, and aspire To startle Iove with terrour of my ire.

Exit. Demag.

Chri.

This is the suddenest passion I have seene, Whence had it its originall? My Lord, Let's follow and perswade him.

Exeunt.

The end of the first Act.