The Roman actor A tragædie. As it hath diuers times beene, with good allowance acted, at the private play-house in the Black-Friers, by the Kings Majesties Servants. Written by Philip Massinger.

ACTVS, II. SCAENA, 1.

Enter Philargus, Partheniu••.

Philarg.

My sonne to tutor me. Know your obedience And question not my will.

Parth.

Sir were I one Whom want compeld to wish a full possession Of what is yours. Or had I euer numbred Your yeeres, or thought you liu'd to long, with reason You then might nourish ill opinions of me. Or did the suite that I prefer to you Concerne my selfe, and aim'd not at your good You might denie, and I sit downe with patience, And after neuer pre••se you,

Philarg.

I' the name of Pluto What wouldst thou haue me doe?

Parth.

Right to your selfe, Or suffer me to doe it. Can you imagine This nastie hat, this tatterd cloke, rent shooe, This sordid linnen can become the master Of your faire fortunes? whose superfluous meanes (Though I were burthensome) could cloth you in The costliest Persian silkes, studded with iewels The spoyles of Prouinces, and euery day Fr••sh change of Tirian purple.

Philarg.

Out vpon thee, My monyes in my coffers melt to heare thee. Purple, hence Prodigall. Shall I make my Mercer Or Taylor my heyre, or see my Ieweller purchase•• No, I hate pride.

Parth.

Yet decencie would doe well. Though for your outside you will not be alterd, Let me preuaile so farre yet, as to winne you Not to denie your bellie nourishment; Neither to thinke you haue feasted when 'tis cramm'd With mouldie barley bread, onions, and leekes, And the drinke of bondmen water.

Philarg.

Wouldst thou haue me Bee an Apicius, or a Lucullus, And ryot out my state in curious sawces? Wise nature with a little is contented, And following her, my guide, I cannot erre.

Parth.

But you destroy her in your want of car•• (I blush to see, and speake it) to maintaine her In perfect health and vigor, when you suffer (Frighted with the charge of Phisicke) Rheumes, Catars, The Sc••••fe, Ach in your bones to grow vpon you, And has••en on your fate with too much sparing. When a cheape Purge, a Vomit and good dyet May lengthen it, giue me but leaue to send The Emperors Doctor to you.

Philarg.

Ile be borne first Halfe rotten to the fire, that must consume me, His Pills, his Cordials, his Electuaries,

His Sirrups Iulips, Bezerstone nor his Imagin'd Vnicornes horne comes in my bellie, My mouth shall be a draught first, 'Tis resolu'd. No; I'le not less••n my deare golden heape. Which euerie houre increasing does renew. My youth, and vigor, but if lessen'd, then, Then my poore hartstrings cracke. Let me enioy it, And brood ore'c while I liue, it being my life, My soule, my all. But when I turne to dust, And part from what is more esteem'd by me Then all the Gods, Romes thousand Altars smoke to, Inherit thou my adoration of it, And like me serue my Idoll.

Exit Philargus.

Parth.

What a strange torture Is Auarice to it selfe! what man that lookes on Such a penurious spectacle but must Know what the fable meant of Tantalus, Or the Asse whose backe is crack'd with curious viands Yet feedes on thi••••les. Some course I must take, To make my Father know what crueltie He vses on himselfe.

Enter Paris.

Par.

Sir with your pardon, I make bould to enquire the Emperours pleasure, For, being by him commanded to attend Your fauour may instruct vs what's his will. Shall be this night presented?

Parth.

My lou'd Paris, Without my intercession you well know You may make your owne approaches, since his eare To you is euer open.

Par.

I acknowledge His clemencie to my weakenesse, and if euer. I doe abuse it, lightning strike me dead, The grace he pleases to conferre vpon me (Without boast I may say so much) was neuer Impoly'd to wrong the innocent, or to incense His furie.

Parth.

'Tis confess'd many men owe you

For Prouinces they nere hop'd for; and their liues Forfeited to his anger, you being absent, I could say more.

Par.

You still are my good Patron. And lay it in my fortune to deserue it, You should perceiue the poore•••• of your clients To his best abilities thankefull.

Parth.

I belieue so. Met you my Father?

Par.

Yes Sir, with much griefe. To see him as he is. Can nothing worke him To be himselfe?

Parth.

O Paris 'tis a waight Sits heauie here, and could this right hands losse Remoue it, it should off but he is deafe To all perswasion.

Par.

Sir with your pardon, I'll offer my aduice! I once obseru'd In a Tragedie of ours, in which a murther Was acted to the life, a guiltie hearer Forc'd by the terror of a wounded conscience, To make discouerie of that, which torture Could not wring from him. Nor can it appeare Like an impossibilitie, but that Your Father looking on a couetous man Presented on the Stage as in a mirror May see his owne deformity, and loath it. Now could you but perswade the Emperour To see a Comedie we haue that's stilde The Cure of Avarice, and to command Your Father to be a spectator of it, He shall be so Anotamiz'd in the Scaene, And see himselfe so personated; the basenes Of a selfe torturing miserable wretch Truely describ'd that I much hope the obiect Will worke compunction in him.

Parth.

There's your fee I ne're bought better counsaile. Be you in readines

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I will effect the rest.

Par.

Sir when you please Wee'l be prepar'd to enter. Sir the Emperour.

Exit. Paris.

Enter Caesar, Arctinus, Guard.

Caes.

Repine at vs?

Aret.

Tis, more, or my informers That keepe strict watch vpon him are deceiu'd In their intelligence there is a list Of malecontents, as Iunius Rusticus Palphurius, Sura, and this AElius, Lamia, That murmure at your triumphs as meere Pageants; And at their midnight meetings tax your iustice (For so I stile what they call tyrannie) For Paetus Thrasea's death, as if in him, Vertue her selfe were murther'd; nor forget they Agricola (who for his seruice done In the reducing Britanie to obedience) They dare affirme to be remou'd with poyson, And he compeld to write you a cohaeyre With his daughter, that his testament might stand, Which else you had made void. Then your much loue To Iulia your neece, censur'd as incest, And done in scorne of Titus your dead brother; But the divorce Lamia was forc'd to signe To her, you honour with Augusta's title, Being onely nam'd, they doe conclude there was A Lucrece once, a Collatine, and a Brutus, But nothing Roman left now, but in you The lust of Tarquin.

Caes.

Yes. His fire, and scorne Of such as thinke that our vnlimited power Can be confin'd, dares Lamia pretend An interest to that which I ••all mine? Or but remember, she was euer his That's now in our possession? fetch him hither.

The Gard goe of.

I'll giue him cause to wish he rather had

Forgot his owne name then e're mention'd hers. Shall we be circumscrib'd? let such as cannot By force make good their actions, though wicked Conceale, excuse or qualifie their crimes: What our desires grant leaue, and priuiledge to Though contradicting all divine decrees, Or lawes confirm'd by Romulus, and N••ma, Shall be held sacred.

Aret.

You should else take from The dignitie of Caesar.

Caes.

Am I master Of two and thirtie Legions, that awe All Nations, of the triumphed world, Yet tremble at our frowne, yeeld an accompt Of whats our pleasure to a priuate man? Rome perish first, and Atlas shoulders shrinke, Heav'ns fa••rique fall; the Sunne, the Moone, the Stars Loosing their light, and comfortable heate, Ere I confesse, that any fault of mine May be disputed.

Aret.

So you preserue your power As you should equall, and omnipotent heere, With Iupiters aboue.

Parthenius kneeling whispers to Caesar.

Caes.

Thy suite is granted What ere it be Parthenius for thy seruice Done to Augusta. Onely so? a trifle. Command him hither. If the Comedie faile To cure him, I will minister something to h••m That shall instruct him to forget his gold, And thinke vpon himselfe.

Parth.

May it succeed well Since my intents are pious.

Exit Parthenius.

Caes.

We are resolu'd What course to take, and therefore Arctinus Inquire no farther. Goe you to my Empresse, And say I doe entreate (for she rules him Whom all men else obey) she wo••ld vouchsafe The musicke of her voice, at yonder window,

When I aduance my hand thus. I will blend

Exit Are∣tinus.

My crueltie with some scorne, or else tis lost. Reuenge, when it is vnexpected falling, With greater violence; and hate clothed in smiles, Strikes, and with horror dead the wretch that comes not Prepar'd to meete it. Our good Lamia welcome.

Enter La∣mia with the Guard.

So much we owe you for a benefit With willingnes on your part conferd vpon vs, That '••is our studie we that would not liue Ingag'd to any for a courtesie, How to returne it.

Lam.

'Tis beneath your fate To be oblig'd that in your owne hand graspe The meanes to be magnificent.

Caes.

Well put off But yet it must not doe, the Empire, Lamia, Diuided equally can hold no waight, If ballanc'd with your guift in faire Domitia. You that could part with all delights at once, The magazine of rich pleasures being contain'd In her perfections, vncompell'd deliuer'd. As a Present fit for Caesar. In your eyes With teares of ioy, not sorrow, 'tis confirm'd You glory in your act.

Lam.

Derided too! Sir this is more.

Caes.

More then I can requite It is acknowledg'd Lamia. There's no drop Of melting n••ctar I tast from her lippe, But yeeldes a touch of immortalitie To the blest receiuer; euery gra••e and feature, Priz'd to the worth, bought at an easie rate; If purchas'd ••or a Consulship. Her discourse. So rauishing, and her action so attractiue, That I would part with all my other senses Prouided I might euer see, and heare her. The pleasure•• of her bed I dare not trust The windes or ayre with, for that would draw downe

In enuie of my happinesse, a warre From all the Gods vpon mee.

Lam.

Your compassion To me i•• your forbearing to insult On my calamitie which you make your sport, Would more appease those Gods you haue prouok'd Then all the blasphemous comparisons, You sing vnto her praise.

Caes.

I sing her praise? 'Tis farre from my ambition to hope it.

Musicke aboue and a song.

It being a debt she onely can lay downe, And no tongue else discharge. Harke. I thinke promped With my consent that you once more should heare her, She does begin. An vniuersall silence Dwell on this place. 'Tis death with lingring torments To all that dare disturbe her. Who can heare this

The song ended Caesar goe on.

And falls not downe and worships? in my fancie, Apollo being iudge on Latinos hill, Faire hayr'd Calliope on her iuorie Lute (But something short of this) sung Ceres prayse•• And gri••••lie Pluto's rape on Proserpine. The motion of the Spheares are out of time Her musicall notes but heard. Say Lamia, say, Is not her voice Angelicall?

Lam.

To your eare. But I alas am silent.

Caes.

Bee so euer, That without admiration canst heare her. Malice to my felicitie strikes thee dumbe, And in thy hope, or wish to repossesse What I loue more then Empire, I pronounce thee Guiltie of tresaon. Off with his head. Doe you stare? By her, that is my Patronesse, Minerua, (Whose Statue I adore of all the Gods) If he but liue to make reply thy life

The Guard lead off La∣mia slopping his mouth.

Shal answer it. My feares of him are freed now And he that liu'd to vpbraid me with my wrong For an offence he neuer could imagine

In wantonnes remou'd. Descend my dearest. Plurality of husbands shall no more Breede doubts or iealousies in you. 'Tis dispatch'd And with as little trouble heere, as if I had kild a flye. Now you appeare and in

Enter Domitia, vsherd in by Aretinus, her traine with all state borne vp by Iu∣lia, Caenis, and Do∣mitilla.

That glorie you deserue, and these that sloope To doe you seruice in the acte much honourd. Iulia forget that Titus was thy Father, Cae••is and Domitilla ne're remmeber S••binus, or Vespatian. To be slaues To her, is more true liberty then to liue Parthian or Asian Queenes. As lesser stars That waite on Phaebe in her full of brightnes, Compar'd to her you are (thus I seate you) By Caesa••s side. Commanding these that once Were the adored glories of the time To witnes to the world they are your vassals At your feete to attend you.

Domit.

Tis your pleasure And not my pride. And yet when I consider That I am yours, all duties they can pay I doe receiue as circumstances due To her you please to honour.

Enter Parthenius with Philargus.

Parth.

Caesars will Commaunds you hither, nor must you gaine-say it.

Phil.

Loose time to see an Enterlude? must I pay to For my vexation?

Parth.

Not in the Court, It is the Emperours charge.

Phil.

I shall endure My torment then the better.

Caes.

Can it bee This ••ordid thing Parthenius is thy Father? No actor can expresse him. I had held The fiction for impossible in the Scaene,

Had I not seene the substance. Sirrha ••it ••••ill, And giue attention, if you but nod You sleepe for euer. Let them spare the Prologue, And all the Ceremonies proper to our sel••e And come to the last act, there where the cure By the Doctor is made perfect. The swift minutes Seeme yeeres to me Domiti•• that diuorce thee From my embraces. My desires encreasing As they are satisfied all pleasures else Are tedious as dull sorrowes. Kisse me, againe: If I now wanted heate of youth, these fires In Priams veines would thaw his frozen bloud, Enabling him to get a second Hector For the defence of Troy.

Domit.

You are wanton? Pray you forbeare. Let me see the Play.

Caes.

Begin there.

Enter Paris like a Doctor of Physicke, AEsopus, Latinu•• brought forth a sleepe in a chayre, a key in his mouth.

AEsop.

O master Doctor he is past recouerie A lethargie hath ceas'd him. And howeuer His sleepe resemble death his watchfull ••ar•• To guard that treasure he dares make no vse of, Workes strongly in his soule.

Par.

What's that he holdes So fast betweene his 〈◊〉〈◊〉?

AEsop.

The key that opens His iron chests cramn'd with accursed gold, Rustie with long imprisonment. There's no dutie In me his sonne, nor confidence in friends, That can perswade him to deliuer vp That to the trust of any.

Philarg••

He is the wiser We were fashion'd in one mould.

AEsop.

He eate•• with it, And when deuotion calles him to the Temple

Of Mammon, whom of all the Gods he kneeles to That held thus still, his orisons are payde; Or will he though, the wealth of Rome were pawn'd For the restoring of it for one short houre Be wonne to part with it.

Philarg.

Still, still my selfe. And if like me he loue his gold, no pawne I•• good securitie.

Par.

I'll trie if I can force it. It will not be. His auaritious mind (Like men in riuers drown'd) makes him gripe fast To his last gaspe what he in life held dearest. And if that it were possible in nature Would carry it with him to the other world.

Philarg.

As I would doe to hell rather then leaue it.

AEsop.

Is he not dead? Long since to all good actions Or to himselfe, or others, for which wise men Desire to liue. You may with safetie pinch him, Or vnder his nayles sticke needle, •• yet he stirs not, Anxious feare to loose what his soule dotes on Renders his flesh insensible. We must vse Some meanes to rouse the sleeping faculties Of his mind, there lie•• the Lethargie. Take a Trumpet And blowe it into his eares, tis to noe purpose The roring noyse of thunder cannot wake him•• And yet despaire not I haue one tricke yet left

AEsop.

What is it?

Par.

I will cause a fearefull Dreame To steale into his fancie, and disturbe it With the horror it brings with it, and so free His bodyes Organs.

Domit.

'Tis a cunning fellow, If he were indeed a Doctor as the play sayes, He should be sworne my seruant, gouerne my slumbers And minister to me waking.

Par.

If this faile

A chest brought in.

I'll giue him ore. So with all violence

Rend ope this iron chest. For here is life lyes Bound vp in fetters, and in the defence Of what he values higher, 'twill returne And fill each veine and arterie. Lowder yet. 'Tis open, and alreadie he begins To stirre, marke with what trouble.

Latinus stretches himself••.

Philarg.

As you are Caesar Defend this honest thriftie man, they are theeues, And come to rob him.

Parth.

Peace the Emperour frownes.

Par.

So now powre out the bags vpon the Table, Romoue his iewels, and his bonds, againe. Ring a second golden peale, his eyes are open. He stares as he had seene Medusas head, And were turn'd marble. Once more.

Lat.

Murther, murther, They vs murther, murther. My sonne in the plot? Thou worse then paracide if it bee death To strike thy Fathers body, can all tortures, The furies in hell practise, be sufficient For thee that doest assassinate my soule? My gold! my bounds! my iewels! dost thou envie My glad possession of them for a day? Extinguishing the Taper of my life Consum'd vnto the snuffe?

Par.

Seem not to mind him.

Lat.

Haue I to leaue thee rich denied my selfe The ioyes of humaine being? Scrap'd and horded A masse of treasure, which had Solon s••en•• The Lidian Cr••••us had appear'd to him Poore a•• the begger Irus. And yet I Sollicitous to encrease it, when my intrayles Were clem'd with keeping a perpetuall fast, Was deafe to their loud windie cries, as fearing Should I disburse one peny to their vse, My h••yre might curse me. And to saue expence In outward ornaments, I did expose My naked body to the Winters cold, And summers scorching heate. Nay whe•• diseases

Grew thicke vpon me, and a little cost Had purchas'd my recouerie, I chose rather To haue my ashes clos'd vp in my vrne, By hasting on my fate, then to diminish The gold my prodigall sonne, while I am liuing, Carelessely scatters.

AEsop.

Would you would dispatch and die once. Y•••••• Ghost should feele in hell, that is my slaue Which was your master.

Philarg.

Out vpon thee varlet.

Par.

And what then followes al your carke, and caring, And selfe affliction when your ••taru'd truncke is Turn'd to forgotten dust? This hopefull youth Vrines vpon your monument. Ne're remembring How much for him you suffer'd. And then tells To the companions of his lusts, and ryots, The hell you did indure on earth to leaue him Large meanes to be an Epicure, and to feast His senses all at once, a happines You neuer granted to your selfe. Your gold then (Got with vexation, and preseru'd with trouble) Maintaines the publicke stewes, pandars, and ruffians That quaffe damnations to your memorie, For liuing so long here.

Lat.

'T will be so, I see it. O that I could red••eme the time that's past I would liue, and die like my selfe; and make true vse Of what my industrie purchas'd.

Par.

Couetous men Hauing one foote in the graue lament so euer. But grant that I by Art could yet recouer Your desperate sicknes, lengthen out your life A dozen of yeeres, as I restore your body To perfect health, will you with care endeuour To rectifie your mind

Lat.

I should so liue then As neither my heyre should haue iust cause to thinke I liu'd too long for being close handed to him,

Or cruell to my selfe.

Par.

Haue your desires Phaebus assisting, mee I will repayre The ruin'd building of your health, and thinke not You haue a sonne that hates you; the truth is This meanes with his consent I practis'd on you, To this good end, it being a deuice In you to shew the Cure of Avarice.

Exeunt Paris, La∣tinus, AEsopus.

Phil.

An old foole to be guld thus I had he died As I resolue to doe, not to be alter'd, It had gone off twanging.

Caes.

How approue you sweetest, Of the matter, and the Actors?

Domit.

For the subiect I like it not, it was fileh'd out of Horace, Nay I haue read the Poets but the fellow That play'd the Doctor did it well by Venus; He had a tunable tongue and neate deliuery, And yet in my opinion he would performe A louers part much better. Prethee Caesar For I grow wearie let vs see to morrow Iplus and Anaxerete.

Caes.

Any thing For thy delight Domitia. To your rest Till I come to disquiet you. Wayte vpon her. There is a busines that I must dispatch And I will straight be with you.

Exeunt Aretinus, Do∣mitia, Iulia, Canis, Do∣mitilla.

Parth.

Now my dread Sir Endeuour to preuayle.

Caes.

One way or other. Wee'l cure him neuer doubt it. Now Philargus Thou wretched thing, hast thou seene thy sordid basenesse? And but obseru'd what a contemptible creature A couetous miser is? dost thou in thy selfe Feele true compunction! with a resolution To be a new man?

Philarg.

This craz'd bodies Caesars, But for my minde.

Caes.

Tri••le not with my anger. Canst thou make good vse of what was now presented? And imitate in thy suddaine change of life•• The miserable rich man, that expres'd What thou art to the life.

Philarg.

Pray•• you giue me leaue To dye as I haue liu'd. I must not part with My gold, it is my life. I am past cure.

Caes.

No; by Minerua thou shalt neuer more Feele the least touch of auarice. Take him hence And hang him instantly. If there be gold in hell Inioy it, thine here and thy life together Is forfeited.

Philarg.

Was I sent for to this purpose?

Parth.

Mercie for all my seruice, Caesar mercie

Caes.

Should Ioue pleade for him. 'Tis resolu'd he dyes, And he that speakes one sillable to disswade me, And therefore tempt me not. It is but iustice. Since such as wilfully, will hourely dye, Must tax themselues, and not my crueltie.

Exeunt omnes.

The end of the second Act.