Wits led by the nose, or, A poets revenge a tragi-comedy, as it is acted at the Theatre Royal.

SCENE the Court.

Enter the King and Vanlore, leading Heroina, attended by Theocrine Shepherds, and Shepherdesses, at one door; at the other, Zannazarro, Glorianda, and Amasia, all in Mourning, attended by the Kings Guard, Zannazarro kneels, and having kiss'd Heroina's hand, Roses.

Zan.

The best of welcomes this sad place affords wait on your Grace's Entertainment.

Her.

I thank you Sir, but must first Employ your service in de∣claring, what these silent Emblems of a sorrow means?

Zan.

Wilt please you Madam, lend your attention to the sad∣dest Story that e're did yet Seicilia's Annals Blot;

The Scene draws, and discovers the Picture of the King.

Behold great Princess, all but the memory of the living fame of Sy∣racusias Monarch.

Heroina swoons.

Glo.

Help, help the Princess.

Ama.

Madam, dear Madam.

Her.

Oh, Oh, Oh.

Arr.

Bear her forth, and give her more Air.

Her.

Hold, I am better here; if any thing revive my Spirits, 'twill be this that puts me in mind of my deceased Lord. Why stand you thus amaz'd?

Enter Oroandes, Zannazarro, and the rest seem amazed.

Zan.

Pardon us Madam; had the united dust of some dead friend, whose memories ne're forgot, visited Earth in his own shape again, our wonder could not have arriv'd unto a higher Pitch. Let me Embrace thee friend.

Oro.

Stand off, yet farther off, — you know not what you touch; you safer far may grapple with a flame; or in his midnight walks, affront a friend arm'd with full Vials of destructive wrath: the Graves Inhabitants, when folded in Corruption, are not more defil'd then I.

Zan.

What tends this Language to?

Oro.

Destruction, Zannazarro.

Ama.

How hast thou lost thy Temper Oroandes, prithee look on me friend, am I grown a stranger to thy knowledg?

Oro.

Leave me Amasia, thou art of kin unto those hollow'd An∣gels that did once attend my Actions, and must now with them a stranger to thy Oroandes grow.

Hero.

You are to me a stranger Sir, yet in your looks something I read, that may concern your absent Prince.

Oro.

I do, and would Relate it, but that it hath a sound so full of horror, I tremble to Relate it; yet I must, no other way can lead my Soul out of this wilderness of flesh; he's Murther'd.

Zan.

How?

Glo.

By whom?

Oro.

By me, do ve start? 'twas I, 'twas I, that when your blooming hope chear'd with the Sun of Majesty, were grown big with expected favours, did Eclipse the Glorious Light in a Black Cloud of Death; I cut the heart-strings of the Land, and fed the Groaning Land with Blood, whose Purple had bin by an Ancient Stock of Ancestors dy'd into Royalty.

Van.

Ingrateful Slave, why are our Swords so slow to Execute the Villain?

Offers to Draw.

Ama.

Oh hold, believe him not, he Raves.

Oro.

Thou hast but injur'd me Amasia, in staying their just fury.

Glo.

Oh Brother if this be true, thou hast undone us all.

Oro.

True, do not think this any Natural Distemper, that spreads this Malignant Vapour through my Veins, which nought but the Poison of my Guilt Corrupts; yes I have done it Brother, and you are all bound, as you love your Prince, to see't Reveng'd with Torments; here's a Note will when I'm dead, direct you where to find him.

Flings Zannazarro a Note.

And now I've done my Business on the Earth, I'le give the first stroke to Revenge, and here open a passage for your Swords to Enter.

Draws his Sword, and offers to kill himself; is stay'd by the King.

What bold hand is that?

King.

One that here may claim a priviledg.

Discovers himself, all kneel by Heroina.

Rise thou true Mirror of all Royalty, ne're higher in our favour.

Zan.

Our Gracious Soveraign!

Omnes.

Welcome, Oh welcome Royal Sir.

King.

You are all my much lov'd Subjects, such in whom never was King more Blest; Madam your presence Crowns our Joys, now I stand Exalted in the Zenith of my Fate; who would not pass a Stormy Night, to be thus Courted by a Glorious Day? You all are sharers in my heart, but thou my Love

To Heroina.

the chief Commandress of that Royal Fort.

Hero.

My Joys are now Compleated, and I find a Sea of Plea∣sure Crowns my Dangers past; what those were, at your leisure I'le Relate.

Now Joy and Thanks alike my Brest possess, Which leads me to a World of Happiness.

King.

Hymen shall light us to that World of Joy, Which once possess'd, shall all our Cares destroy.

Arratus.

I should chide you, but 'tis no time to wear an angry brow, although the Crime was monstrous,, to hier two wicked Slaves to Murder Vanlore, who then lay Leaguer at Ardenna, but by Miracle preserv'd, to save mine and Heroina's Life, for which all he desires, is your free Consent to Marry Theocrine.

Vanlore and Theocrine kneels.

Arr.

My Lord he has it and I Joy to hear his Life was sav'd to Act 〈◊〉〈◊〉 brave a ••••eed, Rise and receive my Blessing, you are a worthy So••.

King.

To add a Title to that Honour, I here Create him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you Oroandes to a Place of greater worth, and nearer to our 〈◊〉〈◊〉, thy Loyal 〈◊〉〈◊〉 merrits it.

Omnes.

Long live Ante•••••••• and Heroina, King and Queen of Scicily.

King.

My Debts are great to all, but must remain in full Ar∣rears until my Off'rings pa••'d to ••air Heroina give me liberty:

Then lull'd in Peace▪ and by this ••rize se•• down, Wee'l find new ways past Victories to Crown. The mighty Bliss about my Soul doth move In diff'rent forms, like unknown Joys Above, B'ing Crown'd at once with Loyalty and Love.