Loves crueltie A tragedy, as it vvas presented by her Majesties Servants, at the private House in Drury Lane. Written by James Shirley Gent.

Actus Secundus.

Enter Hippolito Fencer.

Hip.

Come on sir.

Fen.

Pretty well I protest la, keepe your guard, now sir

Hip.

What de'e thinke ont, I shall never hit your subtle body

Fen.

A very dextrous profer, bring it home, everwhile you live Bring your weapon home,

Hip.

Agen sir

Fe.

But you do not hit me the neat Schoole-way, I wont give a rush to be kild out of the Schoole-way, you must Falsifie thus.

Hip.

How now man?

Fe.

Pretty well, let us breath

Enter Page and whispers to his Master.

Hi.

A Gentlewoman?

Pag.

That has woed me sir, if it were possible, to see you first At some distance

Hi.

Is she hansome?

Pa.

I am no comeptent judge of beauty, but if you will have My verdit, she is guilty of a good face.

Hi.

Ile trouble you no more, I thanke you for this exercise

Fe.

The tother bout

Pa.

Faces about good, Master Fencer, my Master has some businesse You and I will trie a veine below

Fe.

I would have another thrust I protest

Pa.

Not downe staires, what if my master desire to try his skill With some body else.

Exit.

Enter Clariana.

Hi.

What means the Gentlewoman? I am not to be bought Lady.

Cla.

If you were I have not wealth enough to purchase you.

Hi.

Do not over value me neither.

Cla.

I would I had not seene him

Hi.

Have you businesse with me Lady? Expect me in the next roome.

Cla.

I came sir but to see you

Hi.

To see how I doe, why I thanke you, you are pretty, and I

Am'well, what and they were both put together

Cla.

You may accuse my modesty that thus rudely,—

Hi,

Nay Lady, you cannot offend me that way, I can be as Rude as you—

Cla.

What shall I say? d'ee know me sir?

Hi.

No good faith not I, but I shall desire to know you any way You please

Cla.

Did you never see me?

Hi.

See you? you have a beauty would challenge a remembrance But sure I was not so happy till this minute

Cla.

You are a Courtier and can flatter.

Hi.

And such beauty was made to be flattered

Cla.

Tis a signe it carries not merit enough along to justifie it But tis as it is, I cannot help it, yet I could paint if I list

Hi.

The more excellent, I do not love your artificiall faces▪ give Me one that dates blush, and have but her owne colour for't Her'es a cheeke hath both Creame and Strawberie s••••'t a lip with Cheeries that say come eate me.

Cla.

You are very bold

Hi.

Not so bold as you are welcome, you say you came to see me And I would satisfie more then one of your sences. I do not Know your name,

Cla.

What would you do with it, if I told you?

Hi.

Lay it up precious to memory, and open it as a relick for Men to do it reverence, at my crowned table drinke a health To the excellent owner, and call it my everlasting Valentine.

Cla.

You would not

Hi.

By this kisse but I would;

Cla.

No swearing

Hip.

I cannot take too deepe an oath in such briske claret, Say shall I know it Lady?

Cla.

Excuse me sir

I would not have my name be the tost for every cup of Sack You drinke, you wild Gallants have no mercy upon Gentle∣women, when you are warme ithe Canaries

Hi.

Why conceale it, I am not in love with a name, and yet I have a Grudging, asuspition, that you ha paund or lost it

Cla.

What?

Hi.

Your good name, but let it go, I can tarry 'till you recover it, I have a bed with in Lady, and a Couch.

Cla.

What to do?

Hi.

Nothing but to laugh and ly downe:

Cla.

You are very merry sir. I do like him infinitly, I came for no such purpose, I am not so weary but I can walke

Hi.

There is a Gallery to walke after.

Cla.

I find it true, what you are reported;

Hi.

Leave this impertinency, and resolue me agen what you Came hither for

Cla.

If you will have the truth, I heard you had a wit, and A tall one, and I came hither

Hi.

To take it downe,

Cla.

To try the keenesse, I confesse it has a pretty edge ont, not altogether so sharpe as a rasor

Hi.

Very good, I shall love this periwinke.

Cla.

They say you love women too

Hi.

So they, say, but dare not ly with e'm

Cla.

I do not beleeve you can love any woman truly, that love so many

Hi.

Be like you hold some intelligence in my affaires, and have a Catalogue of all my gennets, I thinke there be some women In the world that wish me well, and shan't I Love 'em againe? The misery on't is, I have never a Mistresse

Cla.

Do you not confesse many?

Hi.

Women I grant, some moveables, trimmings for a chamber things that serve the turne, but never a mistresse one that I would love and honor above all, my Lady Paramount, and super-inten∣dent Lindabrides and such an Empresse would thou wert.

Enter Page.

Pa.

Sir one from the Duke

Hi.

The Duke; Lady Ile waite upon you presently.

Cla.

I dare not name his friend nor who I am All is not well within me.

Hi.

Say I attend his grace immediately, Lady pardon my former rude trespasses, how vnwelcome the cause is that must divorce me from your sweet company I can onely imagine, but if you dare

be so gracious, having already so much honord me to entertaine the time of my absence in that gallery, where some Pictures may helpe away the time, you will oblige in the highest degree your servant, as I am a Gentleman I will returne instantly, and ac∣knowledge the infinite favors:

Cla.

The worst is past already, and I am desperately engag'd I have not yet exprest the businesse sir That brought me hither, confident of your noblenesse I will expect a while, Pray send my servant to me Good fortunes w'ee

Hi.

I must not loose her yet, Lady with your pardon, you shall keepe possession a while, This key will secure you till my returne.

I hope it will be a fashion shortly for Gentlewomen to come home and take their tribute, it will be some reliefe to our landresses.

Venus grant me a speedy returne, And she scapes me very hard if she have not her come againe.

Exe.

Enter Duke, Bellamente, Eubella, Courtiers.

Du.

Yet Lady have you changd your resolution May I now hope to be admitted?

Eu.

Whether?

Du.

To your embraces

Eu.

Sir I dare not tell you What I would say, I would some other man Might pleade your argument, I should be plaine And bolder in my answer, in your person There's something makes me fearefull to expresse What is behind, another in your name Would more encourage me to speake.

Du.

I'me glad, I have provided for your modestie I wonder hee's so tedious—

Eu.

Whither will these libidnous flames of men. Pursue poore virgins? does a generall feaver Possesse their blood? who shall protect the chast?

Enter Hip.

Hi.

When would you have me doot?

Du.

Now she is in presence.

Hi.

I am not so well Fortified as I may be an houre hence

Du.

It must not be delaid, I will prepare her.

Hi.

I am undone, the poore Gentlewoman will be in Purgatory when she finds I ha lock'd her up, and how to release her I know not, no tricke, no device? Bellamento prethee friend go to my lodging, and with this key release a Gentlewoman, that expects my returne, the Duke has put a scuruy businesse upon me, kisse her hand for me, and excuse my stay, wot? tell her hereafter I hope we shall meet and not be distracted, my honor is in pawne,

Bel.

You dare trust me with your tame foule belike, for once Because there is necessity, Ile take some compassion a your Pigions, yet you refusd to see my Mistresse, d'ee remember?

Hi.

No quittance now.

Du.

This is the man Lady, d'ee start already? winne her to the Game —

Hi.

Ile do what I canne; I may have better luck for you then For my selfe, give us opportuniy.

Eu.

Has the Duke pointed him to be his oratour

Hi.

Lady I bring you newes, which you must welcome, And give me thanks for,

Eu.

If they be worthy.

Hi.

The Duke loves you.

Eu.

D'ee know sir what you say?

Hi.

I am not drunke, the Duke, I say does love you

Eu.

Oh do not use that modest name of love To apparrell sinne, I know you meant to tell me The Duke pursues me with hot lust.

Hip.

You are a foole,

You understand his meaning, will you be wise, and meet it? such favours are not offred to every body, I ha knowne as hansome a Lady as you, would ha given all the world, and her selfe too for a bribe to any man that would ha procured her but a kisse, nay as honest women no dispraise ha longd for't, and it was mercie in his highnesse to save the childs nose, you have the whole treasure presented to you, Jupiter in a golden shower falling into your lap intreats to be accepted, come

You must receive him

Eu.

Whom?

Hip.

The Duke

Eu.

Withall the duty of a servant,

Hi.

Thats well said

Eu.

If he bring vertuous thoughts along with him

Hi.

Bring a Fiddlestick, come you do not know what it is to be a Dukes Mistresse, to enjoy the pleasures o'the Court to have all heads bare, the knees bow to you, every doore fly open as you tread, with your breath to raise this Gentleman, pull downe that Lord, and new mold the tother Lady, weare upon a tire the wealth of a province, have all the fashions brought first to you, all Courtiers sue to you, Tilts and Turnaments for you; to have the aire you live in, nay your very breath perfumd, the pavement you tread upon kisst, nay your Dog, or Munkey, not saluted without an officious leg, and some title of reverence. Are you Melancholy? a Maske is prepared, and Musicke to charme Orpheus himselfe into a stone, numbers presented to your eare that shall speake the soule of the immortall English Ionson, a scene to take your eye with wonder, now to see a forrest move, and the pride of summer brought into a walking wood, in the instant as if the sea had swallowed up the earth, to see waves capering about tall ships, Arion upon a rocke playing to the Dolphins, the Tritons calling up the sea-Nimphes to dance before you: in the height of this rapture a tempest so artificiall and sud∣daine in the clouds, with a generall darkenes and thunder so seeming made to threaten, that you would cry out with the Marriners in the worke, you cannot scape drowning, in the turning of an eye, these waters ravish into a heaven, glorious and angelicall shapes presented, the starres distinctly with their motion and musick so inchanting you, that you would wish to be drowned indeed, to dwell in such a happinesse

Eu.

Fine painted blessings!

Hip.

Will you feast, the water shall be summond to bring in her finny and shell inhabitants, the aire shall be unpeopled, and the birds come singing to their sacrifice, Banquets shall spread like wildernesses, and present more variety then men can possibly take in surfets. Are you sicke? all the Court shall take phisick for you,

if but your finger ake, the Lords shall put on night-caps, and happiest that Courtier that can first betray how much he suffers with you. Doth not this Pallace please, the Court remoues to morrow: doth the Scituation distast, new places are built, and piramids to put downe the Egyptians: will you hunt to day? the game is provided and taught newes to delight you: will you take the pleasure of the River? the Barge attends, Musicke and the Marmaides go a long, Swannes dy a long the shores and sing their owne dirges: will you spend? the Exchequer is yours all honor and offices yours, and which is the crowne of all, the Duke himselfe is yours, whose ambition shall be to make those pleasures lasting, and every day create new ones to delight his Mistresse.

Eu.

And yet I thinke you would not give away Your right hand for all these, much lesse present A poniard to your heart and stab your selfe.

Hi.

I thinke I should not.

Eu.

And would you tempt me to do worse?

Hi.

Worse?

Eu.

To sell my honor basely for these vanities

Hi.

Vanities?

Eu.

Meere trifles.

Hi.

And you go to that Lady, that which you part withall for All these pleasures, is but a trifle

Eu.

What?

Hi.

Your maidenhead? where is it? who ever saw it? Is it a thing in nature? what markes has it? many have beene lost you'ld say, who ever found em'? and could say and iustifie, this is such or such a womans maidenhead? a mere fiction, and yet you thinke you have such a iewell on't

Eu.

You cannot be so ignorant as you seeme

Hi.

I tell you what I thinke.

Eu.

Is chastity and innocence no treasure? Are holy thoughts and virgin puritie Of so small value? where is your religion? Were we created men and women to Have a command and empireore the creatures And shall we loose our priviledge our charter

And wilfully degrad our selves of reason And piety, to live like beasts, nay be such? For what name else can we allow our selves? Hath it been held in every age a vertue Rather to suffer death then staine our honor? Does every sinne stricke at the soule and wound it And shall not this, so foule as modesty Allowes no name, affright us? can the Duke Whose wicked cause you plead, with justice punish Those by his lawes that in this kind offend, And can he thinke me Innocent, or himselfe When he has plaid the foule adulterer? Princes are gods on earth and as their virtues Doe shine more exemplary to the world So they stricke more immediately at heaven When they offend.

Hi.

I did not trouble you with this divinity,

Eu.

I see you are a Gentleman he favours Be worthy of his trust, and counsell him To better wayes, his shame is your dishonor; For every good man suffers with his prince: Put him in the memory of the holy vow, When he received his Septer He promis'd then protection to the innocent; Tell him the punishment in store for lust This were an Angels office.

Hi.

But Ile not doo't for a hundred angells, thanke you as much As though I did, that were the tricke of a wise Courtier, tell The Prince of his faults

Eu.

If he have but the seeds of goodnesse in him Hee'll take it well

Hi.

He shall doe when I take it upon me, I am not weary o'my place, thou wodst make a very fine Court Surgeon—well dee heare, you wo'not doe this feate for the Duke then?

Eu.

I dare not.

Hi.

You wonot y'are resolv'd for his sake, why then prethee doo't for mine, you told me once you lov'd me,

Ile take it as a courtesie;

Eu.

I never lov'd your vicious wayes;

Hi.

My wayes, they shanot trouble you, Ile take my owne Course, meet him but to night for my sake and twine with him.

Eu.

Ile sooner meete with a disease, with death; You are ignoble, do you urge it as An argument of my respect to you To sinne against my love?

Hi.

I shall do no good upon her—were I the Duke, you should Find another usage.

Eu.

A tirant might do any thing

Enter Duke

Du.

How now is she moist and supple? Will she stoope to the impression?

Hi.

I told you sir, I was not arm'd toth' purpose, you tooke me un provided, at the next bou't I may do somewhat, ith meane time let me Counsell you, to let her feed high, shee'le never fall low enough else, she must be dieted, if you let her pick her sallets, you may fast another Lent, and all our paines be not worth an egge at Easter.

Du.

Come cruell faire one; we may take the aire together.

Hi.

So so Im'e discharged, now to my guest.

Exeunt.

Enter Clariana and her maide.

Cla.

Not yet returnd? I shall expect too long He is a hansome Gentleman and witty I must not alwayes walke in clouds, his friend Must bring us more acquainted, I do love him. Not yet? his businesse has much force upon him▪

Mil.

Madam the doores are lock'd

Cla.

What should this meane? he knowes me not I cannot feare betraying

Enter Bellamente.

Bel.

Now for this Ladybird ha

Mil.

Madam tis Bellamente

Cla.

Cupid defend wench, ha.

Bel.

Sure tis a dreame

Cla.

All is at stake, I must be confident, how does my servant?

Bel.

I am wondring

Cla.

To see me here I warrant

Bel.

Is not your name Clariana?

Cla.

Yes.

Bel.

Tis not sure You are some other Lady without a name Whom our friend made a prisoner to his Chamber, And cause his businesse with the Duke detaines him Sent me to kisse your hand and disingage you

Cla.

Will you not know me then?

Bel.

Yes now I looke better on you, y'are Claria a To whom Bellamente hath devoted all His loving honest service, she that gave me Vowes in exchange of mine, if my eyes be not Vnfaithfull and delude me.

Cla.

Come Ile take Your wonder off

Bel.

Take it all off together, I ha not done My admiration, have I not mistooke My way and falne upon some other lodging? Is this your dwelling Madam?

Cla.

No?

Bel.

His name, I pray you call the owner

Cla.

Tis

Bel.

Tis so and I am miserable, false Clariana O whither is the faith of women fled!

Cla.

Youle heare me sir?

Bel.

Was't not Hippolito, Whom I so often did entreate to see her My friend Hippolito, he wod not go with me To her, that were too publicke, he had plots And private meetings, Lady he has seene you now And knowes you too, And how dee like him Lady, does he not careere handsomely In the Divells sadle? my soules upon a torture

Cla.

Youle heare me sir?

Bel.

I must be mad come tell me, why do not I kill thee now,

Cla.

Tis in your power to be a murderer, but if you knew,

Bel.

I know too much but Ile begin with him.

Cla.

What dee meane?

Bel.

To write upon his hart he has abus'd me,

I like a tame foole must extoll his friendship But never for his sake will I trust man Nor woman, you have forfeited your soules There's not a graine of faith nor honesty In all your sexe, you have tongues like the Hyena And onely speake us faire to ruine us You carry springs within your eies and can Out weepe the Crocadile, till our too much pitty Betray us to your mercilesse devouring.

Cla.

When you are temperate enough to heare The cause that brought me hither happily You will repent this passion, in which I must be bold to tell you sir, my honor Suffers unkindly—and your friends

Bel.

Grow not from fraile to impudent,

Cla.

You are resolved To be impatient? when you are collected

Bel.

Stay I will heare, indeed I will, say any thing

Cla.

First then you have no cause to accuse Hippolito For breach of friendship, had he purpos'd any Dishonor to your selfe through me, he could not Be such a foole to send you to his chamber Whoe's knowledge, it should last of all the world Arrive at, if you soberly consider. He knowes not so much of me, as my name; Thinke then but with what justice, you have all This while inveighed against him—for my selfe I confesse freely sir I made a visit But innocently and pure from any thought To iniure you; I had a curiosity To see the man you had so much commended That was my fault, and I before you came Accusd my selfe, and could without your furie. Have chid my modesty enough. Yet sir You tooke me in no action of dishonour My maide was all my company.

Bel.

But you look'd for One to returne, misfortune kept him from you

Tell me but this, if thou hast any truth Could any woman Clariana, that Would ha the world but thinke her virtuous Suffer her selfe to be'lock'd up suspitiously Within a strangers lodging,

Cla.

By all goodnesse It was without my knowledge, I was weary Expecting him, and meaning to depart; Some minutes ere you came my servant told me I was a prisoner, you have all the story Which cannot, if but weighd with reason Carry a crime like yours

Bel.

Like mine?

Cla.

I ha said it Tis you have made a greater fault then I, With so much violence to condemne before You know the offence, and I must tell you sir But that my love is grounded upon virtue, This were enough to stagger my affection Raile at your Mistresse but for going abroad To see your friend? so just a one? I see You will be jealous when we are married.

Bel.

Never, you have awakd my honour Lady I dare beleeve and aske thy pardon, trust me I will command my passions hereafter And if thou but consent, give proofe, all jealousie Is flowne away, wee'le marry instantly Should he retaine a thought not square of her This will correct all, he is here, no word Of discontent, put all off merrily. Lets kisse

Enter Hip.

Hip.

How now, he wo'not serve me so?

Bel.

We are acquainted and now you have seene My Mistresse, I shall hope, we may enioy Your company hereafter,

Hi.

Ha, your Mistresse?

Bel.

mine. Clariana

Clar.

Tis my name

Bel.

Come sh'as told me all

Ile take her word nothing has past offensive, Salute her now as mine, the character I gave her, and thy resolution Not to see her, engaged her to this travell

Hi.

May I be confident, you have forgiven My wilde discourse, my studies shall hereafter bend all to serve you nobly

Cla

There is cause that I should beg your pardon.

Bel.

Weele not part. Now till the Priest hath made all perfect

Hi.

Ile assist the Clarke

Cla.

You have power to steere me

Bel.

Hymen light up thy Torches, woods of Pine Should be cut up to make thy altars shine.

Exeunt.