A tragedy of Cola's furie, or, Lirenda's miserie written by Henry Burkhead, 1645.

The first Act.

Enter a Constable and two Souldiers with halberts.

1. Sold.

MVst not a Creature passe?

Const.

No, that's the the scoape of our Commission: Stand; who comes there?

Enter a Citizen.

Cittiz.

A friend.

Const.

The Word;

Cittiz.

Marry Sirs, God blesse us all;

Const.

well spoken, yet you must not passe,

Citiz.

Not passe? then if you be good fellowes, let us chat a while▪ prethee what meanes this sudden tumult?

Const.

The matter seemes so strange to me as yet, we can reurne no other answer, but the state on paine of death commands all men, (thus ready arm'd) to stand upon their guard;

1. Sould.

You may be sure there's some rancke plot in hand, or would the State at these unusuall houres sit in a private Councell else:

Citiz.

'Twish a fable; 'tis but some dronken quarrell thus disturbes

our rest: or the field appointed by some hot furious gallant, whereto the State will not give way.

Const.

Be it the same, wee'll not remove from hence, nor you in dutie ought to sleight the matter thus, as if your worships wisedome were so ripe to apprehend the cause;

Citiz.

You cannot give more likelier reasons for't:

Const.

Y'are mistaken friend, the common report's abroad farre different from your conceit; rais'd to the highest point of a distracted mutiny, wee wote not what to thinke or speake, such is the horrid treacherie intended.

Citiz.

Good Lord forbid; 'gainst whom?

Const.

This City Castle; and by a few of Romish Recusants thinke to subvert the true reformed Gospell:

Citiz.

How? our owne fast friends, that were a jest indeed past my beliefe;

Const.

Be not incredulous:

Citiz.

How can I choose, but frame my thoughts like a confused Chaos; to thinke, these men who by exteriour signes and loving conversations, threw their hearts into our armes, nay more I might expresse: but that I see▪ all proves a fained friendship, and our joynt love's turn'd to a mortall hate;

Const.

'Tis much, much feared, wee'll find it so e're long, written in Characters of blood.

1. Sold.

Silence: the Lords themselves doe come, to give their best advice;

Enter Pitho, Berosus, Mayor, Recorder.

Pitho.

Wee call'd you hether, to make knowne the danger, that now, even now is reveal'd, wherefore so true we conceive you be, that with all speed you goe unto each port, and see them strongly guarded, with strict command that none on paine of death shall issue forth, untill a true & perfect search be made throughout

this Citie, for as we credibly are inform'd, Guyrva with all his rude conspirators, are at this instant in a doubtfull feare to be discovered; the guilt of such a heynous fact doubtlesse betrayes them; Worthy friends, then slake not your endeavours; the hast which this great businesse now requires, admitts no leisure to stirre your willingnesse with th'effectuall speech of our just cause; that toucheth not your persons only; but aymes at the Crowne of our dread Soveraigne; and to imbase this Kingdomes glory, beneath the hollow concave of their Popish faction; this wee thought fit to adde unto your now intended care, not doubting yours, nor these your brethrens love to him, this waightie matter most concernes:

Record.

Sir, we really intend; (far from vaine glory be it spoken) to uphold this Cities ancient fame, that hitherto hath noblie borne, the tytle of a pure unspotted towne; when treason came as nie to cut you off, our fidelity did then expulse your foes and with the trophies of their bloodie spoyle return'd victorious, this we did, and are as willing yet to manifest the same so farre as heart and life can shew the dutie of allegiance:

Bero.

Them Noble acts renders you famous to posterity; nor did th'Angolean princes prove ungratfull for that service, as your faire City charter can approve,

Reco.

It is acknowledg'd their royall bounty, wherefore we that doe live will strive to give as great a lustre to th' Angolean nation, as our renowned ancestors have done, in this we rest, O Lord decree our willing powers may curb this treacherie.

Exeunt omnes pre∣ter Pitho & Bero.

Pitho.

Now kinde brother your grave experience

must direct, what is most needfull to be done;

Bero.

The chiefest care whereto our watchfull eye should bar from future mischiefe, this strong fort by heavens protection is secured, therein disabling our insulting foes hence forward to proceed:

Pitho.

Then are our feares extinct?

Bero.

Not so, deere Sir, the tempest threatens our ruin still; for 'tis a maxime warlike leaders use, not to despise the weaknesse of their foes, which else might give advantage to their designe as many woefull presidents there are within the limitts of my youthfull dayes: (too tedious now to nominate,) for sixtie odde yeares past, since first I practis'd arms, in the Hiberean warres, when Tyrona ledd on by some vaine prophesie or other, did strive by dint of sword to assure himselfe the Northern Crowne, with much expence of blood at length t'h Angolean forces cool'd his pride, and made his haughtie courage stoope unto a base ignoble flight, yet now me thinks the terrour of this sudden hell-bred newes, strikes neere my heart, then all the legions of his furious traine, could at that instant when Black-water-Fort, prov'd fatall to the most and best of ours:

Pitho

We then like prudent Statesmen must observe, some fit occasion may endeere the Palans to side with us, untill our powers encrease with new supplyes from the grand Parliament

Bero

Your advice is good, but we are the valiant stout Osirus here, we then could best proceed; yet fearing least the pilfring Mountaniers doe fire the suburbs, 'twere not amisse, if we employed that warlike Leader brave Carola, Cola, with whom five hundred of our best and ablest men to front the foe at home; Now friend; from whence thy newes?

Enter a Post with Letters.

Post.

From Adrohna▪

Pitho.

How fares the Governor?

Post.

In health, an please your Lordship.

Bero.

Is the noble Lord Tigranes in safetie?

They peruse the letters.

Post.

The same my Lord:

Bero.

It must not be difer'd a minute longer; goe hast thee to the governor againe, and tell him six hundred men compleatly arm'd shall forthwith march to strengthen him, and further bid him be of comfort, he shall not want, what's needfull;

Post.

I will not faile to returne your Lordships answer,

Bero.

Brother, we must withdraw to hasten what is promist we should incurre a lasting scandall else:

Exeunt

A march is beaten, then Enter Athenio, Mineus, Aretas Dora, Theodorike and Lentimos.

Athenio.

Now that our army is advanch'd thus farre, within the confines of our trembling foes whilst yet their scattered troupes lye all dismaid, wee'l pitch a field in view of yon proud towne, and stoutly summon them Within to yeeld, or traine them forth, moved which a bould defiance, wherein wee may expresse an ardent zeale to right our natives slavery, and stop the current of their puritan designe intended for our totall ruine;

Mineus.

Brave man at armes, thy invincible spirit adds more furie to the justnesse of our cause, then when I recollect a memory of Guyrva's sad misfortune, through some prodigious starre, ominus to poore Lirenda still, yet if undanted resolution may advance the drooping state, of this our native Clime, let him not prosper will not prosecute that base, perfidious, Puritanicall faction, enemies to God, our mild and gracious Soveraigne:

Aretas.

I will not boast what

my intentions are, nor derive an active power from my owne selfe conceit, No Noble friends and fellow peeres in armes, my ambition's fixt on them powers above, from whence I have a heart both true and loyall, consecrated to the service of this pious warre, in proofe whereof, (vouchsafe me but that honour) i'le be the first shall scale those feeble walls and raze yon loftie turretts to the ground, or dye in the adventure,

Dora.

Forbeare Aretas promise no more then thousands will beside we are departed from our home, under the conduct of a happy leader, to whom as to the publique good we owe the tender of life, estate and fortune, for royall Carola his just prerogatives, wrested from him by an elected crew of shamelesse Round-heads; wherefore lets once againe confirme our vow in his defence, that is most deere unto us;

(They draw.

Athe.

The motions good, joyne hands & hearts together Now God defend this kingdome by our powers whilst we are for our gracious king, and yours: Omnes Crant this, O Lord Amen, Amen, O Lord.

And kisse the hilts

Athe.

The squadrons now must quarter in due order, Dora take you the charge thereof, my selfe, Mineus, and Aretas will see if threats or promises will best prevaile, th'obdurate Newters to side with us:

Enter a Scout.

Scout.

Arme Sirs, arme, arme, an army of well appointed Angoleans march directly hither;

Athe.

Never more joyfull newes, come my hearts cheer up; hearken this welcome

March a farre off.

sound, invites your valour, be not found dismaid although your foes be arm'd, the most of ours all naked men, ne're train'd to any seemely posture

Theod.

What troopes will you appoint to give the charge?

Athe.

Lentimos, and you Theodorike must lead a partie forth, wee'l follow after with them we shall conceive expedient

Theod.

Shine happy starres, propitious fate direct us, Come, lets away, heaven will I hope protect us

Exeunt alarums

A good while after the Alarums begun, Enter Albinus and Celar, severally their weapons drawne.

Celar.

Whither shall we fly, Captain Albinus make hast away, or we are lost for ever, our ranks are broken by the bloodie foe that like so many cruell Tygers rage and slaughter all they meet, with ruth full groanes of dying men the aire is fill'd, and death in triumph waites upon our vanquisht forces.

Alb.

I scorne to flinch, or leave my harmelesse men a prey to them whose cruelty extends beyond the bounds of human nature; of my estate they have deprived me else, so most of those we have now seene lye dead then to revenge that wrong I led them forth, and to that end ile stay; my life's no more but lost a••gments the summe of their large score:

Celar.

Our Serjeant Major hath forsooke the field,

Alb.

More Coward he;

Celar.

Shall we submit or yeeld;

Albin.

Neither; you may in that your pleasure doe.

Celar.

As you resolve so I will stand to it to;

Enter Theode∣ricke & Len∣timos.

Theo.

See where Albinus stands, as if he meant to conquer all.

Alb.

Come on Traytor.

Theo.

Thou lyest. base slave, that proud word shall cost thee deerely.

Lent.

An equall match come, man to man;

Theod.

Fall backe good Sir, doe you pursue the rest that flyes amaine:

Exit. Lent.

have at you Sirs.

They fight, Celar flyes, and Albinus is kill'd.

packe hence thou wretched soule, goe downe to stix, there learne of Tantalus what is't to strive,

against the streame, for which he starves alive.

Exit.

The body is taken off, then enter Pitho, Berosus, Osirus, Cola, and Tibernus.

Pitho.

When first this unexpected newes was brought us we little thought it would clime to that height, or that there were such tyrannie intended, against the miserable Northerne Subjects but since we doe (unto our griefes) behold the sad disaster of our dearest friends

Cola.

Expect no better measure at their hands if their emperious pride be not abated;

Pitho.

'twill come too late I feare,

Osir.

'twish a fable, let damn'd Medaea raise her spitefull charmes, from the depth of th' infernall sootie caves, or from grim Pluto's court conjure a number of armed furies, this horrid crew, were they more strong then hell is deepe, our just cause, cryes at th'impartiall throane of God for aide, to affront and keepe in awe, these bold usurpers of our Soveraigne's power;

Pith.

Most nobly spoken:

Bero.

To thinke otherwise we should wrong our selves, had we not lost our expectations for some private guilt, against the deity my cause of knowledge being sad and heavy, for the late army we sent forth they say, received a fatall overthrow,

Osir.

Be not dismaid, thinke not the dismall sight of our defeated troupes, shall strike us silent or rent our fortunes with an odious tearme of Coward feare, 'tis a base deformed object▪ a scandall for posteritie to blot our fame, No my Lord, as yet my hopes hath life, by the same president in other stout commanders, witnesse Bellona's darling, invincible Caesar (whose fame and valour did spread over the girdled orb, unto the Antipodes) Darius, Priam, the

Macedonian King, with infinit others impertinent to nominate these potent conquerors I say, were subject to the like misfortunes, yet notwithstanding afterwards have been victorious; And why not wee?

Bero.

Our case, my Lord, is weake and desperate;

Osir.

For shame cast off them looks of sadd dispaire, it ill beseemes your calling, time, or place an occasion seldome lesse needfull, without a further consultation: come, let's goe immediatly claspe on our coates of steell, and dare the traytors to their face, whil'st I doe animate and lead up the rest of our decayed forces: Courage as then, a little sparke may lighten all againe:

Pitho.

Since your undanted spirit must needs forward, then be as prosperous as Hannibal when he conveyed his army o're the mounting Alps, or like the sonne of Iove, when Giants impudence did invade the heavens

Exeunt omnes preter Cola.

Cola.

My hearts, as good as theirs, had I equall power, ide teare the fabricke of this world asunder, my fury like Ioves violent thunder should blast the earth farre worse then Phaeton in his heedles course, what would I not have done, what Kingdomes ransackt till I had my will of these on whom I ground my hatred still:

Exit.

Enter Athenio, Mineus, Aretas and Dora: They take their Seates.

Athe.

To satisfy the nice conceit of those who judge our actions as their fancies are, our taking armes shall to the world appeare a just and naturall defence in us when to His Majesty, ther's not the least conceit of any harme once meant, either in's Royall person Crowne or dignitie;

Min.

So farre we still expresse our selves my Lord, for in this protection is layd forth

the motives whereon wee chiefely ground this warre next with a tender care we doe reserve all that concernes our soveraignes right, to the Lirendean Crowne, therein excluding all forraigne power, all Princes whatsoever:

Athe.

If such a Covenant we had not made; No Caesar, Scipio, Hanniball, nor that worlds conqueror proud Macedon, were their expired dates renewed againe, could not, nay should not subdue the gentry of Lirenda from their obedience to th' Angolean King, most firme and true since mighty Cheapstow did conduct us hither;

Aretas.

Nor doe we now intend a base revolt had Rome's majestique throne command it so my humble answer saith give Caesars due, to God thy heart and faith;

Dora.

That was indeed the chiefe occasion first that moved us joyne with them.

Athe.

And will maintaine it whil'st life breathes in this corps of mine,

Mine.

And mine,

Aret.

We are resolv'd to live and die together.

Enter a Messenger.

Messen.

May it please your Lordships, one Theodorike desires admittance to your Lordships presence:

Athe.

Goe give him entrance, good man his paines, are great to draw the Commons forth.

Exit Messeng.

Mine.

Such friends as him we need.

Dora.

The more his praise.

Enter Theodoricke.

Athe.

Welcome Theodoricke.

Theo.

Then know my Lords, with paines unspeakable I've drawne together, of mine my neere allyes their servants, friends and tenants, a thousand able men, at Rufus quarters, in a fit readines to doe you service, when further know, our scouts for certaine doe report, that fifteen hundred desperate bloodie rogues under the command of Sir Daretas, at

Medra haven are landed, beside one Collonell Crambich, (a branch of the cursed tribe in Pickland) is trusted with the leading of a thousand chosen men, all Citizens, with whom, by true intelligence, Sir Carola intends t'expulse us from our native dwellings, with such a savage spleen, men, women, infants on their mothers pape, are vowed to be kild;

Athe.

That project crusheth all, Notwithstanding cosen, and Collonell (a title not worth the least of thy applauded meritts,) returne, with such small forces as you have give Cola a manfull skermish, and we shall speedily unto your aide.

Theo.

To my griefe I speake it, the campe hath scarce a dozen pound of powder.

Aret.

Heaven will strengthen thee.

Athe.

Here take this sword, and use't against our foes.

Theod.

Vpon their carcasses ile spare no blowes, farewell my Lords, Theodorike will goe, expose his fate against your powerfull foe;

Exit.

Enter Florilla, Dulis, Pulchrina and Ellenora.

Ellen.

Yonder they are Madam.

Dul.

My thinkes they lacke them pleasant smiles of mirth, that like so many radiant beames of Sol, gave comfort to the gloomy shade of our disquiet thoughts.

Flor.

Why therefore we doe now presume this visit hoping we may at least disperse them cares that we suspect doth seize them unawares

Dora.

Behold my Lords, who comes?

Flor.

We are discover'd; health to your Lorships.

They rise.

Athe.

Welcome faire Ladyes all.

Pulch.

Must we demande your licence to entrude.

Athe.

'Twere needlesse; your beauties are sufficient to claime a greater favour.

Dulis.

Sir you know, 'tis the desire of love, fond women doe so much regard, that overcome with joy, you men esteemes it as a needlesse toy, and may perhaps our kindnesse now expresse in the harsh language of ungratfulnesse:

Athe.

Your will my deere,

Dulis.

Is only to be merry this new yeere, for Christmas being now well neere expir'd without the comfort of your usuall mirth, what joy have we, what sorrowes can prevent when in your looks the mappe of discontent:

Mine.

It lyes beyond the reach of female wit, to sound the cause that doth occasion it,

Dul.

Howsoever some short time wee'l borrow, to curb the mischiefe of a sudden sorrow;

Florill.

Our musicke hath of late unto them given, a song, penn'd by a friend that doth protest he loves this Nation deerely, in whose brest such deepe affection by their kindnesse came that he doth honour and respect the name;

Athe.

This makes you to affect it so.

Dulis.

Love bindes us to it.

Flor.

Will you be pleased to heare it then?

Athe.

Yes, and with thanks to.

THE SONG.

Come away, O come away, Couragious youths, O doe not stay, Now's the time, brave Mars will prove More powerfull then the god of love. Cast your Venus sports away, Valour brooks not long delay, Gods themselves are up in armes To protect you from all harmes. He that honour thinkes to gaine, Feares no danger, woe or paine, Death's grim looke or bloodie scarre, makes the minde more noble farre.

Then make hast O doe not stay, Dallie not the time away, If you meane for to persevere, Now's the time, O now, or never.

Dulis.

How like you this?

Mine.

A perfect good one, Ladie;

Flor.

Seeing the Poets fancie hath pleas'd you thus, wee crave the like respect, which granted us, shall not divert you long from them affaires whereto wee see you are enclin'd to most how like you of a dance my Lords.

Mine.

Fairest beautie, none dares denie, when you expresse the law that keepes offending lovers most in awe.

Flor.

It merits not this complement, your love, in this, is that which we desire to prove, some musicke there.

Musick and the Lords and Ladyes dance.

Athe.

believe me this was neatly done,

Mine.

And gave us much contentment.

Dora.

Ladies a banquet. after this to entertaine our Noble friends.

Flor.

If that small worth you thinke will please your friend, leade on the way my Lords and wee'l attend.

Exeunt omnes preter Ellenora.

Elle.

Goe, goe spend the remnant of your happy dayes, whil'st I with silent griefe doe vent my thoughts, thoughts able to dismay a minde most resolute if what a maidens braine conceives will take effect, our woefull houres are posting on; we may be confident Angolias furie, arm'd with a mortall hatreds ready bent to mischiefes, void of pittie, with pretence, this cruell rage is in their owne defence, least we who have been still as slaves to them should now endeavour to regaine our owne religion, lawes, and liberty, this, O this it feares me will produce more inhuman acts, then ever brutish Nero did invent: oh, oh, silly, heart, why doest thou figure forth

so strange a forme? silence no more, no more, let not the aire be private to thy griefe, fearing some fatall starre, approves thy speech propheticall; and make these thoughts in fact a mournfull Chorus to the following act:

Exit.