The saints sacrifice: or, a commentarie on the CXVI. Psalme Which is, a gratulatory psalme, for deliverance from deadly distresse. By William Gouge, D.D.
Gouge, William, 1578-1653.

Actus tertii Scena tertia.

Enter Calasiris solus.
Calas.
'Twas not a dreame or such like fantasie,
As oftentimes invades and creepes into
The mindes of men, when Morpheus shuts their eyes,
That tooke me last night napping in my bed:
No, twas no dreame, but a true apparition.
I saw Apollo, and Diana both
Appeare before me, and with them they brought
Theagenes and faire Cariclea,
Apollo gave me him, Diana her,
With this command, goe take these young folkes with thee,
And haste thee home unto thy native countrey,
Tis time, for so the Destinies command,
Love them as if they were thy naturall children,
And when thou comst to Egypt, leade them further,
Where it shall please us gods to give direction;
With that they vanish'd, and a token gave
That it was not a dreame, or a false vision:
Immortall powers, your hests I will obey,
If you vouchsafe to point me out the way.
one knockes.
Who's there?
Theag.
'Tis I, Theagenes your friend.
Calas.
Theagenes, the brave Thessalian Captaine,
Most welcome Sir, what businesse was of force
To make you stirre so earely?
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Theag.
Reverend Father,
A stirring one which keeps my thoughts awake,
And banisheth sweet slumber from mine eyes,
Hath made me breake your morning meditations,
And though I suffer beyond thought of man,
Yet blush I to reveale my griefe for shame.
Calas.
Come, come, I know your griefe, although you are
Asham'd to tell it me, I know it well,
For nothing from my wisedome can be hid,
And from the knowledge of the gods my son.
Calasiris casteth some account upon his finger, as if he would prophesie.
Young man, thou art in love, nay, start not backe,
Thou art in love with faire Cariclea.
Theagines embraceth him about the necke.
Theag.
Thy prophesie is true, I am in love
With faire Cariclea, save me learned man;
For without helpe I cannot live a day,
So much this mischiefe workes upon my heart;
I never till now knew the effects of love,
Nor ere saw woman that I thought deserv'd
To be beloved, before Caricleas beauty
Made me a slave to Cupids cruelty.
Calas.
Weepe not Theagines, be of good cheere;
For since you have recourse to me for helpe,
My wisedome shall prevaile above her strength,
Although shee be perverse, and easily
Will not be drawne to love, I'le try all meanes
For your sake whom I love, and use all art
I can to breake her nature, be but bold,
And doe as I shall shew you.
Theag.
With my soule,
And if you doe this, I am yours, and all
I have at your command.—
one knockes.
Calas.
Who's there, be gone
Theagines, to morrow morne I'le meet you
In great Apollos Temple and talke more.—
Exit Theagines.
Enter Nebulo.
O, is it you Sir Nebulo, what newes
Page  [unnumbered] Bringst thou I prethee?
Neb.

What dee take me for, a newes Carrier? I would you should know it, I am none such, I have not to doe with other mens businesse nor their wives, I would they had not to doe with mine, but tis no mater for once, there is promised a refor∣mation, I hope all will be amended, let it passe; but to the point now.

Calas.
I, to the point Nebulo by all meanes.
Neb.
And then to the businesse afterward.
Caricles.

Why, didst thou not meane the businesse when thou mention'dst the point? is it not all one in the sense? I conceive it so, else thou art more learned than I am.

Neb.

No tis not all one, the point is one thing, and the busines another, we must first handle the point, before we come to the businesse; for your better understanding, I will make it plainer.

Calas.

Thou art a very learned Doctor sure, in matters of this nature.

Neb.

I hope so, yet my wife hath gone beyond me I'le be∣sworne, by many degrees.

Calas.

But Nebulo▪ prethee what wouldst thou have with me? how doth thy Master, and my good friend Caricles?

Neb.

In health, but doggedly out of tune, hee will be with you presently, so much he bid me tell you, and something else, but I have forgotten it, so much businesse I have to thinke of.

Enter Caricles.
Calas.
My dearest friend and brother, welcome to me,
Why doe you looke with such a sullen cheere?
Methinks you're very sad and melancholy.
Caricles.
I am indeed, and I have reason for it.
I come to crave your counsell what to doe,
But first depart and leave us Nebulo.
Neb.

Wherefore I pray? well, there will be a sweet coun∣sell now I am excluded, I should be loth to change heads with either of them for all my hornes.—

Exit Nebulo.

Caricles.
My daughter, Sir, since yesterday, the race
Was run in armour tweene Theagenes
And stout Ormenes, hath beene wondrous sicke,
And the last night did never sleepe one winke.
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Calasiris.
Who won the garland Sir?
Caric.
Theagines,
Cariclea as the custome is did hold
The prize, and he receiv'd it at her hand,
She still growes worse and worse, deere Calasiris,
Imploy your skill and wisedome to restore her,
I know tis easie for you if you please
To heale her, who, you say, is but bewitch'd,
For I believe tis not impossible
For holie Priestes to bring to passe strange things.
Calas.
Let's goe then if you please unto the maid.
And by recommendation strive to make
Me more familiarlie acquainted with her,
That she the bolder may sustaine my cure.
Caric.
Content, Apollo graunt a good successe
Unto thy worke, and Aesculapius.
Exeunt.