The Emperour of the East· A tragæ-comœdie. The scæne Constantinople. As it hath bene diuers times acted, at the Black-friers, and Globe play-houses, by the Kings Maiesties Seruants. Written by Philip Massinger.

The Emperour of the East. The Scaene Constantinople. (Book 1)

Act 1. Scaene 1.

Paulinus. Cleon.

Paul.

IN your six yeeres trauaile, friend, no doubt you haue met with Many, and rare aduentures, and ob∣seru'd The wonders of each climate, vary∣ing in The manners, and the men, and so returne, For the future seruice of your prince and country, In your vnderstanding betterd.

Cleon.

Sir, I haue made oft The best vse in my power, and hope my gleanings, After the full crop others reapd before me, Shall not when I am call'd on, altogether Appeare vnprofitable: yet I left The miracle of miracles in our age At home behind me; euery where abroad Fame with a true, though prodigall voyce, deliuer'd Such wonders of Pulcheria the Princesse, To the amazement, nay astonishment rather Of such as heard it, that I found not one In all the States and Kingdomes that I pass'd through, Worthy to be her second.

Paul.

She indeed is A perfect Phoenix, and disdaynes a riuall. Her infant yeeres, as you know, promis'd much

But growne to ripenesse shee transcendes, and makes Credulitie her debtor. I will tell you In my blunt way, to entertaine the time, Vntill you haue the happinesse to see her, How in your absence shee hath borne her selfe, And with all possible breuitie, though the subiect Is such a spatious field, as would require An abstract of the purest eloquence (Deriu'de from the most famous Orators The nurse of learning, Athens, shew'd the world) In that man, that should vndertake to bee Her true Historian.

Cleon.

In this you shall doe mee A speciall fauour.

Paulinus.

Since Arcadius death, Our late great Master, the protection of The Prince his Sonne, the second Theodosius, By a generall vote and suffrage of the people; Was to her charge assigned, with the disposure Of his so many Kingdomes. For his person Shee hath so train'd him vp in all those arts That are both great and good, and to be wished In an Imperiall Monarch, that the Mother Of the Gracchi, graue Cornelia (Rome still boasts of) The wise Pulcheria but nam'd, must be No more remembred. She by her example Hath made the court a kinde of Academy, In which true honour is both learnd, and practisd, Her priuate lodging's a chaste Nunnery, In which her sisters as probationers heare From her their soueraigne Abbesse, all the precepts Read in the schoole of vertue.

Cleon.

You amaze me.

Paulinus.

I shall ere I conclude. For heere the wonder Begins, not ends Her soule is so immense, And her strong faculties so apprehensiue, To search into the depth of deepe designes,

And of all natures, that the burthen which To many men were insupportable, To her is but a gentle exercise, Made by the frequent vse familiar to her.

Cleon.

With your good fauour let me interrupt you. Being as she is in euery part so perfect, Me thinkes that all kings of our Easterne world Should become riualls for her.

Paulinus.

So they haue, But to no purpose. She that knowes her strength To rule, and gouerne Monarchs, scornes to weare On her free necke the seruile yoke of marriage. And for one loose desire, enuie it selfe Dares not presume to taint her. Venus sonne Is blinde indeed, when he but gazes on her. Her chastity being a rocke of Diamonds, With which encountred his shafts flie in splinters, His flaming torches in the liuing spring Of her perfections, quench'd: and to crowne all; Shee's so impartiall when she sits vpon The high tribunall, neither swayd with piety, Nor awd by feare beyond her equall scale, That 'tis not superstition to beleeue Astrea once more liues vpon the earth, Pulcheriaes brest her temple.

Cleon.

You haue giuen her An admirable character.

Paulinus.

She deserues it, And such is the commanding power of vertue, That from her vi••ious enemies it compells Paeans of prayse as a due tribute to her. Solemno lowd musick:

Cleon.

What meanes this solemne musicke?

Paulinus.

It vshers The Emperours morning meditation, In which Pulcheria is more then assistant. Tis worth your obseruation, and you may Collect from her expence of time this day,

How her howres for many yeeres haue beene dispos'd of.

Cleon.

I am all eyes and eares.

Enter after a strayne of musicke, Philanax, Timantus, Patri∣arch, Theodosius, Pulcheria, Flaccilla, Arcadia, followed by Chrysapius and Gratianus, Informer, Seruants, Officers.

Pulcheria.

Your patience Sir. Let those corrupted ministers of the court, Which you complayne of, our deuotions ended, Be cited to appeare. For the Embassadours Who are importunate to haue audience, From me you may assure them, that to morrow They shall in publike kisse the Emperours robe, And we in priuate with our soonest leasure Will giue 'em hearing. Haue you especiall care too That free accesse be granted vnto all Petitioners. The morning weares, Pray you on Sir; Time lost is ne're recouerd.

Exeunt Theodosius, Pulcheria, and the trayne.

Paulinus.

Did you note The maiesty she appeares in?

Cleon.

Yes my good Lord, I was rauish'd with it.

Paulinus.

And then with what speede Shee orders his dispatches, not one daring To interpose; the Emperour himselfe Without replie putting in act what euer Shee pleas'd to impose vpon him.

Cleon.

Yet there were some That in their sullen lookes rather confessed A forc'd constraint to serue her, then a will To bee at her deuotion, what are they?

Paulin.

Eunuchs of the Emperours chamber, that repine,

The globe and awfull scepter should giue place Vnto the distaffe, for as such they whisper A womans gouernment, but dare not yet Expresse themselues.

Cleon.

From whence are the Embassadours To whom she promisde audience?

Paulinus.

They ate Imployd by diuers Princes, who desire Alliance with our Emperour, whose yeeres now As you see, write him man. One would aduance A daughter to the honour of his bed, A second, his fayre sister: to instruct you In the particulars would aske longer time Then my owne designes giue way to. I haue letters From speciall friends of mine, that to my care Commend a stranger virgin, whom this morning I purpose to present before the Princesse, If you please, you may accompany me.

Cleon.

Ile wait on you,

Exeunt.

Act. 1. Scene 2.

Informer; Officers bringing in the Proiector, the Sub∣urbs Mignion, the Master of the habit and maners.

Informer.

Why should you droope, or hang your working heads? No danger is meant to you, pray beare vp, For ought I know you are cited to receiue Preferment due to your merits.

Proiector.

Very likely, In all the proiects I haue read and practisd I neuer found one man compeld to come Before the seat of iustice vnder guarde To receiue honour.

Informer.

No; it may be you are

The first example. Men of qualities, As I haue deliuer'd you to the protectresse, Who knows how to aduance them, cannot conceiue A fitter place to haue their vertues publish'de, Then in open Court: could you hope that the Princesse Knowing your pretious merits, will reward 'em In a priuate corner? no, you know not yet How you may be exalted.

Suburbs Minion.

To the gallowes.

Informer.

Fy, Nor yet depressde to the Gallies; in your names You carry no such crimes: your specious titles Cannot but take her: President of the Proiectors! What a noyse it makes? The master of the habit, How proud would some one country be that I know To be your first pupill? Minion of the suburbs, And now and then admitted to the Court, And honor'd with the stile of Squire of Dames, What hurt is in it? One thing I must tell you, As I am the State scout, you may think me an informer.

Master of the habit.

They are Synonima.

Informer.

Conceale nothing from her Of your good parts, 'twill be the better for you, Or if you should, it matters not, she can coniure, And I am her vbiquitary spirit, Bound to obey her, you haue my instructions, Stand by, heeres better company.

Enter Paulinus, Cleon, Athenians, with a Petition.

Athenais.

Can I hope. Sir, Oppressed innocence shall finde protection, And iustice among strangers, when my brothers, Brothers of one wombe, by one Sire begotten, Trample on my afflictions?

Paulinus.

Forget them, Remembring those may helpe you.

Athenais.

They haue robde mee Of all meanes to prefer my iust complaint With any promising hope to gaine a hearing, Much lesse redresse: petitions not sweetened With golde, are but vnsauorie, oft refused, Or if receau'd, are pocketted, not read. A suitors swelling teares by the glowing beame•• Of Cholerick authority are dri'd vp, Before they fall, or if seene neuer pittled. What will become of a forsaken maide? My flattering hopes are too weake to encounter With my stronge enemy, despaire, and 'tis In vaine to oppose her.

Cleon.

Cheere her vp, shee faints, Sir.

Paulin.

This argues weakenesse, thogh your brothers were Cruell beyond expression, and the iudges That sentenc'd you, corrupt, you shall finde heere One of your owne faine sexe to doe you right, Whose beames of iustice like the Sun extend Their light, and heate to strangers, and are not Municipall, or confinde.

Athenais.

Pray you doe not feede mee With aerie hopes, vnlesse you can assure mee The greate Pulcheria will descende to heare My miserable storie, it were better I died without her trouble.

Paulinus.

Shee is bound to it By the surest chaine, her naturall inclination To helpe th' afflicted, nor shall long delayes (More terrible to miserable suitors Then quicke denialls) grieue you; Drie your faire eyes, This roome will instantly bee sanctifi'd With her bless'd presence; to her ready hand Present your grieuances, and rest assur'd You shall depart contented.

Athenais.

You breath in mee A second life.

Informer.

Will your Lordship please to heare Your seruant a few words?

Paulinus.

Away you rascall, Did I euer keepe such seruants?

Informer.

If your honestie Would giue you leaue, it would bee for your profit.

Paul.

To make vse of an Informer? tell mee in what Can you aduantage mee?

Informer.

In the first tender Of a fresh suite neuer begd yet,

Paulinus.

Whats your suite Sir?

Informer.

'Tis feasible, heere are three arrant knaues Discouerd by my Art:

Paulinus.

And thou the arch-knaue, The greate deuoure the lesse.

Informer.

And with good reason, I must eate one a month, I cannot liue els.

Paulinus.

A notable canniball? but should I heare thee, In what doe your knaues concerne mee?

Informer.

In the begging Of their estates.

Paulinus.

Before they are condemned?

Inf.

Ye•• or arraigned, your Lordship may speake too late ••ls•• They are your owne, and I will bee content With the fif•• part of a share.

Paulinus.

Hence Rogue,

Informer.

Such Rogues In this kinde will be heard, and cherish'd too. Foole that I was to offer such a bargaine, To a spic'd conscience chapman, but I care not What hee disdaines to taste others will swallow.

Lowde Mus.

Enter Theodosius, Pulcheria, and the traine.

Cleon.

They are returned from the Temple.

Paul.

See, shee appeares, What thinke you now?

Athenais.

A cunning Painter thus Her vaile tane off and awfull sword and ballance Lay'd by woulde picture iustice.

Pulcheria.

When you please, You may intend those royall exercises Suiting your birth, and greatenesse: I will beare The burthen of your cares, and hauing purged The body of your empire of ill humors, Vpon my knees surrender it.

Chrysapiu••.

Will you euer Bee awde thus like a Boy?

Gratianu••.

And kis••e the rod Of a proude Mistrisse?

Timantus.

Bee what you were borne Sir.

Philanax.

Obedience and Maiestie neuer lodg'd In the same Inne.

Theodosius.

No more; hee neuer learned The right way to command, that stopp'd his eares To wise directions.

Pulcheria.

Reade ore the Papers I left vpon my cabinet, two hours hence I will examine you.

Flaccilla.

Wee spende our time well. Nothing but praying, and poring on a booke, It ill agrees with my constitution, sister.

Arcadia.

Would I had beene borne some masquing La∣dies woman, Only to see strange sights, rather then liue thus.

Flaccilla.

We are gone forsooth, there is no remedy, sister:

Exeunt Arcadia and Flaccilla.

Gratianus.

What hath his eye found out••

Timan••us.

'Tis fix'd vpon That stranger Lady.

Chrysapius.

I am glad yet, that Hee dares looke on a Woman.

All this time the informer kn••eling to Pulcheria, and deliuering papers.

Theodos.

Philanax, What is that comely stranger?

Philanax.

A Petitioner.

Chrys.

Will you heare her case, and dispatch her in your Chamber? Ile vndertake to bring her.

Theod.

Bring mee to Some place where I may looke on her demeaner 'Tis a louely creature?

Exeunt Theodosius, Patriarck and the trayne:

Chrys.

Ther's some hope in this yet.

Pulch.

No you haue done your parts:

Paul.

Now opportunity courts you, Prefer your suite,

Athenai••.

As low as miserie Can fall, for proofe of my humilitie, A poore distressed Virgin bowes her head, And layes hold on your goodnesse, the last alta•• Calamitie can flie to for protection. Great mindes erect their neuer falling trophees On the firme base of mercie; but to triumphe Ouer a suppliant by proud fortune captiu••d, Argue•• a Bastard conquest: 'tis to you I speake, to you the faire, and iust Pulcheria, The wonder of the age, your sexes honor, And as such daine to heare mee. As you haue A soule moulded from heauen, and doe desire To haue it made a star there, make the meanes Of your ascent to that celestiall height Vertue wing'd with braue action: they draw neer The nature, and the essence of the Gods,

Who imi••ate their goodnesse.

Fulcher.

If you were A subiect of the Empire, which your habit In euery part denies.

Athenais.

O flie not to Such an euasion; what ere I am, Being a Woman, in humanitie You are bound to right mee, though the difference Of my religion may seeme to exclude mee From your defence (which you would haue confinde) The morall vertue, which is generall, Must know no limits; by these blessed feete That pace the paths of equity, and tread boldly On the stiff•• necke of tyrannous oppression, By these teares by which I bath 'em, I coniure you With pitty to looke on mee.

Pulch.

Pray you rise. And as you rise receiue thi•• comfort from mee. Beauty set off with such sweete language neuer Can want an Aduocate, and you must bring More then a guiltie cause if you pr••uaile not. Some businesse long since thought vpon dispatched•• You shall haue hearing, and as far as iustice Will warrant mee, my best aydes.

Athen.

I doe desire, No stronger garde, my equitie needs no fauour.

Pulch.

Are these the men?

Proiector.

Wee were, an't like your highnesse, The men, the men of eminence, and marke, And may continue so, if it please your grace.

Master

This speech was well proiected.

Pul.

Does your conscience (I will begin with you) whisper vnto you What heere you st••nd accused of? are you named The President of Proiectors?

Inform.

Iustifie it man. And tell her in what thou art vsefull.

Proiect.

That is apparent, And if you please, aske some about the court, And ••hey will tell you too my rare inuentions, They owe their brauerie, perhaps meanes to purchase, And cannot liue wi••hout mee. I alas Lende out my labouring braines to vse, and sometimes For a drachma in the pound, the more the pitty. I am all patience, and indure the curse•• Of many, for the profit of one patron.

Pulch••r.

I do conceiue the rest. What is the second?

Informer.

The mignion of the suburbs.

Pulcheria.

What hath he To doe in Constantinople?

Mign.

I steale in now and then, As I am thought vsefull, marry there I am calde The Squire of Dames, or seruant of the sex, And by the allowance of some sportfull Ladies Honor'd with that ti••le.

Pulch.

Spare your Character, You are heere desciphered; stand by with your compere. What is the third? a creature I ne're heard of; The master of the manners, and the habit, You haue a double office.

Master.

In my actions I make both good, for by my theoremes Which your polite, and terser gallants practise, I rerefine the court, and ciuilize Their barbarous natures: I haue in a table With curious punctualitie set downe To a haires breadth, how low a new stamp'd courtie•• May vaile to a country Gentleman, and by Gradation, to his marchant, mercer, draper, His linnen man, and ••aylor.

Pulch.

Pray you discouer This hidden mysterie.

Master.

If the foresayde courtier (As it may chance somtimes) find not his name

Writ in the Citizens bookes, with a State hum He may salute 'em after three dayes wayting: But if he owe them money, that he may Preserue his credit, let him, in policy, neuer Appoint a day of payment, so they may hope still: But if he be to take vp more, his page May attend 'em at the gate, and vsher 'em Into his Cellar, and when they are warm'd with wine, Conduct 'em to his bedchamber, and though then He be vnder his Barbers hands, assoone as seene, He must start vp to embrace 'em, vayle thus low, Nay though he call '••m cosins, 'tis the better, His Dignity no way wrong'd in't.

Paulinus.

Here's a fine knaue.

Pulch.

Does this rule hold without exception sir••h a For Cou••••iers in generall?

Mast.

No, dea••e madam, For one of the last edi••ion, and for him I haue c••mposde a Dictionary, in which He is instructed, how, when, and to whom To be proud or humble; at what times of the yeare He may do a good deed for it selfe, and that is Writ in Dominicall let••ers, all dayes else Are his owne, and of those dayes the seuer••ll houres Markt out, and to what vse.

Pulch.

Shew vs your method, I am strangely taken with it.

Mast.

Twill deserue A pension, I hope. First a strong cullise In his bed to h••ighten appetite: Shu••tle-cock To keepe him in breath when he rises; Tenni•• Courts Are chargeable, and the riding of great horses Too boystrous for my yong Courtier, let the old ones I thinke not of, vse it; next his meditation How to court his Mis••re••••e, and that he may seeme wi••ty, Let him be ••urnish'd with con••ederate iests Between him and his f••iend, that on occasion

They may ventem mutually: what his pace, and garbe Must be in the presence, then the length of his sword, The fashion of the hilt, what the blade is It matters not, 'twere barbarisme to vse it, Vnlesse to shew his strength vpon an and iron, So the sooner broke, the better.

Pulch.

How I abuse This pretious time! Proiector, I treat first Of you and your disciples; you roare out, All is the Kings, his will aboue his lawes: And that fit tributes are too gentle yokes For his poore subiects; whispering in his eare, If he would haue them feare, no man should dare To bring a sallad from his country garden, Without the paying gubell; kill a hen, Without excise: and that if he desire To haue his children, or his seruants weare Their heads vpon their shoulders, you affirme, In policy, tis fit the owner should Pay for 'em by the pole; or if the Prince want A present summe, he may command a city Impossibilities, and for non-performance Compell it to submit to any fine His Officers shall impose: is this the way To make our Emperor happy? can the groanes Of his subiects yeeld him musick? must his thresholds Be wash'd with widdowes and wrong'd orphans teares, Or his power grow contemptible?

Proiect.

I begin To feele my selfe a rogue againe.

Pulch.

But you are The Squire of Dames, deuoted to the seruice Of gamesome Ladies, the hidden mystery Discouer'd, their close bawde; thy slauish breath Fanning the fires of lust, the Goe-between This female, and that wanton Sir, your art Can blinde a iealous husband, and disguisde

Like a Millainer or Shoomaker, conuey A letter in a pantophle or gloue Without suspition, nay at his table In a case of picketoothes; you instruct'em how To parley with their eyes, and make the temple A mart of loosenesse: to discouer all The subtile brokages, were to teach in publick, Those priuate practises which are, in iustice, Seuerely to bee punish'd.

Mignion.

I am cast, A iurie of my patronesses cannot quit mee.

Pulcheria.

You are master of the manners, and the habit, Rather the ••corne of such as would liue men, And not like Apes with seruile imitation, Studie prodigiou•• fashions. You keepe Intelligence abroad that may instruct, Our giddie youth at home what new found fashion Is now in vse, swearing hees most comp••••••te That first turnes monster. Know villaines, I can thrust This arme into your hearts, strip off the flesh That couers your deformities, and shew you In your owne nakednesse. Now though the law Call not your follies death, you are for euer Banish'd my brothers court. Away with 'em. I will heare no reply.

Exeunt Informer, Officers, Prisoners, the curtaines drawne aboue, Theodosius, and his Eunuches discouer'd.

Paulinu••.

What thincke you now?

Cleon.

That I am in a dreame, or that I see A seconde Pallas.

Pulch.

These remou'd, to you I cleare my browe, speake without care sweete mayde, Since with a milde aspect and ready eare, I sit prepar'd to heare you.

Athen.

Know greate Princesse,

My father, though a Pagan, was admir'd For his d••epe serch into those hidden studies, Whose knowledge is deni'd to common men: The motion, with the diuers operations Of the superior bodies, by his long And carefull obseruation were made Familiar to him, all the secret virtues Of plants, and simples, and in what degree They were vsefull to mankinde, hee could discourse of. In a word conceiue him as a Prophet honourd In his owne countrie. But being borne a man, It lay not in him to defer the hower Of his approching death, though long foretold: In this so fatall hower hee call'd before him His two sonnes, and my selfe, the deerest pledges Lent him by nature, and with his right hand Blessing our seuerall heades, hee thus began;

Chrys.

Marke his attention.

Phyl.

Giue mee leaue to marke too.

Athen.

If I could leaue my vnderstanding to you, It were superfluous to make diuision Of whatsoeuer els I can bequeath you, But to auoide contention, I allot An equall portion of my possessions To you my sonnes: but vnto thee my daughter, My ioy, my darling (pardon mee though I Repeate his words) if my prophetick soule Ready to take her flight, can truely ghesse at Thy future fate, I leaue the strange assurance Of the greatenesse thou art borne to, vnto which Thy brothers shall be proud to pay their seruice,

Paulinus.

And all men els that honour beauty

Theod.

Nimph.

Ath.

Yet to prepare thee for that certaine fortune, And that I may from present wants defend thee, I leaue ten thousand crownes, which sayd, being call'd To the fellowship of our Deities, he expird,

And with him all remembrance of the charge Concerning me, left by him to my brothers.

Pulch.

Did they deteyne your legacy?

Athenais.

And still do. His ashes were scarce quiet in his vrne, When in derision of my future greatnesse, They thrust me out of doores, denying me One short nights harbor.

Pulch.

Weepe not.

Ath.

I desire By your perswasion, or commanding power, The restitution of mine owne, or that To keepe my frailty from temptation, In your compassion of me, you would please I as a handmaid may be entertaind To do the meanest offices to all such As are honor'd in your seruice.

Pulch.

Thou art welcome. What is thy name?

Ath.

The forlorne Athenais.

Takes her vp and kisses her.

Pulch.

The sweetnes of thy innocence strangely takes me•• Forget thy brothers wrongs, for I will be In my care a mother, in my loue a sister to thee; And were it possible thou could'st be wooned To be of our beleefe.

Paulinus.

May it please your excellence, That is an easie task••, I•• though no schollar, Dare vndertake it; cleere truth cannot want Rhetoricall perswasions.

Pulch.

Tis a work, My Lord, will well become you; break vp the Court, May your endeuors prosper.

Paulinus.

Come my fai••e one, I hope my conuert.

Ath.

Neuer, I will die As I was borne.

Paulinus.

Better you nere had beene.

Philanax.

What does your maiesty think of? the maid's gone.

Theod.

She'•• wondrous faire, and in her speech appear'd Peeces of schollarship.

Chrysap.

Make vse of her learning And beauty together, on my life she will be proud To be so conuerted.

Theod••

From foule lust heauen guard me.

Exeunt••