Lusts dominion, or, The lascivious queen a tragedie / written by Christofer Marloe, Gent.

Act. III.

Scena I.

Enter Queen Mother, with a Torch, solus.

Qu. Mo.

FAir eldest child of love, thou spotlesse night, Empresse of silence, and the Queen of •…•…leep; Who with thy black cheeks pure comple∣xion, Mak'st lovers eyes enamour'd of thy beau∣ty: Thou art like my Moor, therefore will I a∣dore thee, For lending me this opportunity, Oh with the soft skin'd Negro! heavens keep back The saucy staring day from the worlds eye, Untill my Eleazar make return; Then in his Castle shall he find his wife, Transform'd into a strumpet by my son; Then shall he hate her whom he would not kill? Then shall I kill her whom I cannot love? The King is sporting with his Concubine. Blush not my boy, be bold like me thy mo∣ther,

But their delights torture my soul like De∣vills, Except her shame be seen: Wherefore awake Christophero, Verdugo, raise the Court, Arise you Peers of Spain, Alvaro rise, Preserve your country from base infamies.

Enter severally at severall doors, with lights and Rapiers drawn, Alvero, Roderigo, and Christophero, with others.

All.

Who rais'd these exclamations through the Cour•…•…?

Qu. Mo.

Sheath up your Swords, you need not swords, but eyes To intercept this treason.

Alv.

What's the treason? Who are traitors? ring the larum bell; Cry arm through all the City; once before The horrid sound of treason did affright Our sleeping spirits.

Qu. Mo.

Stay, you need not cry arm Arm, for this black deed Works treason to your King, to me; to you, To Spain, and all that shall in Spain ensue. This night Maria (Eleazars wife) Hath drawn the King by her Lascivious looks

Privately to a banquet, I unseen Stood and beheld him in him in her lustfull arms. Oh God! shall bastards wear Spains Dia∣dem? If you can kneel to basenesse, vex them not; If you disdain to kneel, wash of this blot.

Roder.

Lets break into the chamber and surprize her?

Alve.

Oh miserable me! do, do, break in, My Country shall not blush at my childs sin.

Queen Mo.

Delay is nurse to danger, follow me, Come you and wi•…•…nesse to her villany.

Alvero.

Haplesse Alvero, how art thou undone, In a light daughter, and a stubborn son.

Exeunt omnes.

Act. III. Scena II.

Enter King with his Rapier drawn in one hand, leading Maria seeming af∣frighted in th' other.

Maria.

OH! kill me ere you stain my chastity.

King.

My hand holds death, but love sits in mine eye, Exclaim not dear Maria, do but hear me; Though thus in dead of night as I do now The lustfull Tarquin stole to the chast bed Of Collatines fair wife, yet shalt thou be No Lucrece, nor thy King a Romane slave, To make rude villanie thine honours grave.

Maria.

Why from my bed have you thus frighted me?

King.

To let the view a bloody horrid Tragedy.

Maria.

Begin it then, I'le glaldly loose my life, Rather then be an Emperours Concubine.

King.

By my high birth I swear thou shalt be none, The Tragedy I'le write with my own hand, A King shall act it, and a King shall dye;

Except we•…•… mercies beam shine from thine eye. If this a•…•…ight thee it shall sleep for ever, If still thou hate me, thus this Noble blade, This Royall purple temple shall invade.

Maria

My husband is from hence, for his sake spare me.

King.

Thy husband is no Spaniard, thou art one, So is Fernando, then for countries sake Let mee not spare thee, on thy husbands face Eternall night in gloomy shades doth dwel; But I'le look on thee like the guilded Sun, When to the west his fiery horses run.

Maria.

True, true, you look on me with Sun set eyes, For by beholding you my glory dies.

King.

Call me thy morning then, for like the morn, In pride Mar•…•…a shall through Spain be born. This 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I prepar'd thine ears,

musick plays within.

Loue mee and thou shalt hear no other sounds, Lo here's a banquet set with mine own hands;

A banquet brought in.

Love me, and thou shalt feast thee like a Queen:

I might command thee being thy Sove∣raign; But love me and I'le kneel and sue to thee, And circle this white forehead with the Crown Of Castile, Portugall, and Arragon, And all those petty Kingdoms which do bow Their tributarie knees to Philip's heir.

Maria.

I cannot love you whilst my hus∣band lives:

King.

I'le send him to the wars, and in the front Of some maine army shall he nobly dye.

Maria.

I cannot love you if you murder him.

King.

For thy sake then, I'le call a Par∣lament And banish by a law all Moors from Spain.

Maria.

I'le wander with him into ba∣nishment.

King.

It shall be death for any Negroes hand, To touch the beauty of a Spanish dame. Come, come, what needs such cavells with a King? Night blinds all Jealous eyes, and we may play, Carowse that •…•…le to me, I'le pledg all this,

Being down, we'l make it more sweet with a kiss. Begin, I'le lock all doors, begin Spains Queen,

Locks the doors.

Loves banquet is most sweet, when 'tis least seen.

Maria.

Oh thou conserver of my honours life! Instead of poisoning him, drown him in sleep, Because I'le quench the flames of wild de∣sire, I'le drink this off, let fire conquer loves fire.

King.

Were love himselfe in reall sub∣stance here, Thus would I drink him down, let your sweet strings, Speak lowder (pleasure is but a slave to Kings) In which love swime. Maria kiss thy King, Circle me in this ring of Ivory. Oh! I grow dull, and the cold hand of sleep Hath thrust his Icie fingers in my brest, And made a frost within me; sweet, one kiss To thaw this deadnesse that congeales my soul.

Maria.

Your Majestie hath overwatch'd your self, He sleeps already, not the sleep of death;

But a sweet slumber, which the powerfull drugg Instill'd through all his spirits. Oh! bright day Bring home my dear Lord, ere his King awake, Else of his unstain'd bed he'l shipwrack make.

Offers to go.

Enter Oberon, and Fairyes dancing before him, and musick with them.

Maria.

Oh me! what shapes are these?

Oberon.

Stay, stay, Maria.

Maria.

My Soveraign Lord awake, save poor Maria.

Oberon.

He cannot save thee, save that pain, Before he wake thou shalt be slain; His mothers hand shall stop thy breath, Thinking her own son is done to death: And she that takes away thy life, Does it to be thy husbands wife. Adieu Maria, we must hence, Imbrace thine end with patience; Elves and Fairyes make no stand,

Till you come in Fairy Land.

Exeunt dancing and singing.

Maria.

Fairyes or Divels, whatsoe're you be, Thus will I hide me from your company.

Offers to be gone.

Act. III. Scena. III.

To her, Enter Queen Mother suddainly, with Alva•…•…o, and Roderigo, with Rapiers.

Q Mo.

LAy hold upon the strumpet, where's the King? Fernando, son; ah me your King is dead! Lay hand upon the murdresse.

Maria.

Imperious Queen, I am as free from murder as thy self, Which I will prove, if you will here me speak: The King is living.

Roder.

If he liv'd his breath would beat within his breast.

Q. Mo.

The life he leads, Maria thou shalt soon participate.

Maria.

Oh father save me!

Alvero.

thou•…•…rt no child of mine, had'st thou been owner of Alvero's spirit.

Thy heart would not have enterain'd a thought That had converst with murder: yet mine eyes (Howe're my tongue want words) brim full with tears, Intreat her further tryal•…•….

Verdugo.

To what end: here lies her tryall: from this royall brest Hath she stolne all comfort, all the life Of every bosom in the Realm of Spain.

Roder.

She's both a traytor and murdrefs.

Q. Mo.

I'le have her forthwith strang∣led.

Alv.

Hear her speak.

Q. Mo.

To heaven let her complain if she have wrong, I murder but the murdresse of my son.

Alv.

We murder the murdreffe of our King.

Alv.

Ah me my child oh! Oh cease your torturing!

Maria.

Heaven ope the window•…•…, that my spotlesse soul, Riding upon the wings of innocence, May enter •…•…aradice, Fairyes farewell; Fernandoes death in mine you did •…•…retell.

She dyes King wake,

King.

Who calls Fernando? love, Maria, speak:

Oh! whither art thou fled? whence flow these waters That fall like winter storms, from the drown'd eyes.

Alv.

From my Maria's death!

King.

My Maria dead? Damn'd be the soul to hell that stop'd her breath; Maria, Oh me who durst murder her?

Q. M.

I thought my dear Fernando had been dead, And in my indignation murdred her.

King.

I was not dead untill you murdred me By killing fair Maria.

Qu. Mo.

Gentle son.

King

Ungentle mother, you a deed have done, Of so much ruth that no succeeding age Can ever clear you of; Oh my dear love, Yet heavens can witnesse thou wert never mine: Spains wonder was Maria.

Qu. Mo.

Sweet have done:

King.

Have done! for what, for shedding zealous tears Over the tomb of virtues chastitie; You cry have done, now I am doing good,

But cri'd do on, when you were shedding blood: Have you done mother; yes, yes, you have done, That which will undo your unhappy son.

Roder.

These words become you not my gracious Lord.

King.

These words become not me, no more it did Become you Lords to be mute standers by, When lustfull fury ravish'd chastity. It ill becomes mee to lament her death, But it became you well to stop her breath: Had she been fair and not so virtuous, This deed had not been halfe so impious.

Alv.

But she was fair in virtue, virtuous fair, oh me!

King.

Oh me! she was true honours heir. Hence beldame from my presence, all flye hence, You are all murderers, com poor innocence, Clasp thy cold hand in mine, for here I'le lye, And since I liv'd for her, for her I'l die.

Act. III. Scena. IV.

Enter Eleazar with a Torch and Rapier drawn.

Eleazar.

BAr up my Castle Gates; fire and confusion Shall girt these Spanish Currs; was I for this, Sent to raise power against a fugitive: To have my wife deflowr'd. Zounds where's my wife, My slaves cry out, she's dallying with the King? Stand by, where is your King? Eleazars bed shall Scorn to be an Emperours brothelrie.

Qu. Mo.

Be patient Eleazar, here's the King,

Eleaz.

Patience and I am foes, where's my Maria?

Alu.

Here is her haplesse coarse that was Maria.

King.

Here lies Maria's body, here her grave, Her dead heart in my breast a tomb shal have.

Eleazar.

Now by the proud complexion of my cheeks, Tan'e from the kisses of the amorous sun; Were he ten thousand Kings that slew my love, Thus shou'd my hand (plum'd with revenges wings) Requite mine own dishonour, and her death.

Stal•…•… the King.

Qu. Mo.

Ah me! my son.

All.

The King is murdred, lay hold on the damn'd traitor.

Eleaz.

In his brest that dares but dart 〈◊〉〈◊〉 finger at the Moor, I'le bury this Sharp steel yet reeking warm, With the unchast blood of that lecher King, That threw my wife in an untimely grave.

Alv.

She was my daughter and her time∣lesse grave Did swallow down my joies as deep as yours: But thus.

Eleaz.

But what? bear injuries that can, I'le wear no forked crest.

Roder.

Damn this black feind, crie trea∣son through the Court. The King is murdred.

Eleaz.

He that first opes his lips, I'le drive his words

Down his wide throat upon my rapiers point. The King is murdred and I'le answer it; I am dishonour'd, and I will revenge it. Bend not your dangerous weapons at my brest: Thinke where you are, this Castle is the Moors, You are inviron'd with a wall of flint. The Gates are lock'd, Purculle•…•…es let down If Eleaz. spend one drop of blood,

Zarack and Baltazar above with Calivers.

On those high turret tops my slaves stand arm'd, And shall con found your souls with mur∣dring shot. Or if you murder me, yet under ground A villain that for me will dig to hell, Stands with a burning limstock in his fist, Who firing gunpowder up in the air, Shall fling your torn and mangled carcasses.

Qu. Mo.

Oh! sheath your weapons, though my son be slain, Yet save your selvs, choose a new Soveraign.

All.

Prince Philip is our Soveraign, choose him King.

Eleaz.

Prince Philip shall not be my So∣veraign, Philip's a bastard, and Fernando's dead;

Mendoza sweats to wear Spains Diadem, Philip hath sworn confusion to this Realm, They both are up in arms, warrs flames do shine Like lightningin theair, wherefore my Lords Look well on Eleazar; value me not by my sun-burnt Cheek, but by my birth; nor by My birth, but by my losse of blood, Which I have sacrificed in Spains defence. Then look on Philip, and the Cardinall: Look on those gaping currs, whose wide throats Stand stretch'd wide open like the gates of death, To swallow you, your country, children, wives. Philip cries fire and blood, the Cardinall Cries likewise fire and blood, I'le quench those flames, The Moor cries blood and fire, and that shall burn Till Castile like proud Troy to Cinders turn.

Roder.

Lay by these Ambages, what seeks the Moor?

Eleaz.

A Kingdom, Castiles crown.

Alve.

Peace divell for shame.

Qu. Mo.

Peace doting Lord for shame, Oh miserie! When Indian slaves thirst after Empery; Princes and Peers of Spain wee are beset, With horror on each side; you deny him, Death stands at all our backs, we cannot flye him. Crown Philip King, The Crown upon his head, Will prove a fiery Meteor, Warr and ven∣geance And desolation will invade our land, Besides Prince Philip is a bastard born. Oh! give mee leave to blush at mine own shame; But I for love to you, love to fair Spain, Choose rather to rip up a Queens disgrace, Then by concealing it to set the Crown Upon a bastards head. Wherefore my Lords By my consent crown that proud Blacka∣more, Since Spains bright glory must so soon grow dim; Since it must end, let it end all in him.

All.

Eleazar shall be King.

Alv.

Oh treachery! have you so soon ra•…•… out Fernando's love; So soon forgot the duty of true Peers; So soon, so soon buried a mothers name,

That you will crown him King that slew your King.

Eleaz.

Will you hear him or me, who shall be King.

All.

Eleazar shall be Castiles Sovereign.

Alv.

Do, do; make hast to crown him! Lords 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Here hell must be when the Divel governs you.

Exit.

Eleaz.

By heavens great Star, which In∣dians do adore, But that I hate to hear the giddy world; Shame that I waded to a Crown through; blood, I'de not disgest his pills, but since my Lords You have chosen Eleazar for your King? Invest me with a generall applause.

All.

Live Eleazar, Castiles Royall King.

Roder.

A villain and a base born fu∣gitive.

Aside.

Christo.

A bloody tyrant, an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 slave.

Aside.

Eleaz.

Thanks to you all, 'tis not the Spanish Crown That Eleazar strives for, but Spains peace. Amongst you I'le divide her Empery; Christofero shall wear Granado's Crown;

To Roderigo I'le give Arragon: Naples, Navar and fair Jerusalem, I'le give to other three, and then our vice Roys, Shall Shine about our bright Castilian crown, As stars about the Sun. Cry all, arm, arm; Prince Philip and the Cardinall do ride Like Jove in thunder, in a storme we'l meet them; Go levy powers, if any man must fall, My death shall first begin the funerall.

Exeunt.

Act. III. Scena. V.

Enter Zarack and Baltazar with Calivers.

Baltaz.

IS thy cock ready, and thy pow∣der dry.

Zarack.

My cock stands pearching, like a cock o'the game; With a red cole for his crest instead of a colme; And for my powder, 'tis but touch & take.

Baltaz.

I have tickling geer too, anon I'le cry here I have it,

And yonder I see it; But Zarack is't poli∣cie for us To kill these bald-pates.

Zarack.

Is't pollicy for us to save our selves, If they live, we die. Is't not wisdom then To send them to heaven, rather then be sent our selves; Come you black slave, be resolute. This way they come, Here they will stand, and yonder wil I stand.

Baltaz.

And in yonder hole I.

Zarack.

Our amiable faces cannot be seen, if we keep close: Therefore hide your cocks head, left his burning cocks-comb betray us. But soft, which of the two shall be thy white.

Baltaz.

That black villain Frier Cole.

Zarack.

I shall have a sharp piece of service. Frier Crab shall be my man. Farewell and be resolut•…•….

Baltaz.

Zounds Zarack I shall never have the heart to doo't.

Zarack.

You rogue think who commands, Eleazar. Who shall rise Baltazar? Who shall die, a louzy Frier?

Who shall live our good Lord and Master? The Negro King of Spain.

Baltaz.

Cole, thou art but a dead man, And shall turn to ashes.

Exit.

Zarack.

Crab, here's that shall make vi∣negar of thy carcasse.

Ezit.

Enter Crab and Cole, two Friers, with a rout of Stinkards following them.

Frier Crab.

I brother 'tis best, so now we have drawn them to a head, We'l begin here i'th market place. Tut so long as we be commanded by the Mother Queen. We'l say her son is a bastard, and he were ten Philips.

F. Cole.

Take you one market form, I'le take another.

F. Crab.

No, Gods so; we must both keep one form.

F. Cole.

I in oration, but not in station mount, mount?

1

Well my masters, you know him not so well as I; on my word Frier Crab is a sowr fellow:

2

Yet he may utter sweet doctrine by your leave; but what Think you of Frier Cole?

1

He all fire, and he be kindled once a hot Catholick.

3

And you mark him, he has a zealous nose, And richly inflam'd.

1

Peace you Rogues, now they begin.

Crab.

Incipe Frater?

Cole.

Non ego 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Crab.

Nec ego.

Cole.

Quare?

Crab.

Quia?

Cole.

Quaeso,

All.

Here's a •…•…ueaxy beginning me thinks; silence, silence.

Crab.

B•…•…thren, Citizens, and market∣folks of Sivell.

Cole.

Well beloved and honoured Castili∣ans.

Crab.

It is not unknown to you!

Cole.

I am sure you are not ignorant.

Crab.

How vi•…•…anous and strong?

Cole.

How monstruous and huge?

Crab.

The faction of Prince Philip is;

Cole.

Philip that is a bastard:

Crab.

Philip that is a d•…•…ard.

Cole.

Philip that ki•…•…'d your King.

Crab.

Onely to make himself King.

Cole

And by Gads ble•…•…ed Lady you are all damn'd, and you suffer it.

1

Frier Cole says true, he speaks out of the heat of his zeal; Look how he glows.

2

Well Frier Crab for my money, he has set my teeth an edge Against this bastard.

1

Oh! his words are like Vergis, to whe•…•… a mans stomach.

All

Silence, silence.

Crab.

Now contrariwise.

Cole.

Your Noble King the Moor.

Crab.

Is a valiant Gentleman.

Cole.

A Noble Gentleman.

Crab.

An honourable Gentleman.

Cole.

A fair black Gentleman.

Crab.

A friend to Castilians.

Cole.

A Champion for Castilians.

Crab.

A man fit to be King.

Cole.

If he were not born down by hi•…•… that would be King, Who (as I said before) is a bastard, and n•…•… King.

1

What think you my masters? do you mark his words well.

Crab.

Further compare them together.

All.

S'blood, there's no comparison between them.

Cole.

Nay, but hear us good Country men.

All.

Hear Frier Cole, hear Frier Cole.

Cole.

Set that bastard and Eleazar toge∣ther:

1

How? mean you, by the ears.

Crab.

No, but compare them.

Colê.

Do but compare them.

2

Zounds, we say again comparisons are odious.

1

But say on, say on.

Pieces go of, Friers dye.

All.

Treason, treason, every man shift for himself. This is Philips treason. Arm, Arm, Arm.

Exeunt.

Act III.S cena. VI.

Enter Eleazar, Zarack, and Baltazar.

Eleazar.

ZArack and Baltazar, are they dispatch'd?

Zarack.

We saw'em sprawl, and turn up the white of the eye.

Elea.

So shall they perish, that lay coun∣termines; To erosse our high designments: by their habi•…•…, The Cardinall and Philip scap'd our nets. And by your hands they tasted our revenge.

Enter Queen Mother.

Here come the Queen, away! under our wings, You shall stand safe, and brave the proudest Kings.

Exeunt.

Qu. M•…•….

Oh! flie my Eleazar, save thy lite. Else point a guard about thee, the mad people Tempestuous like the Sea run up and down Some ca•…•…ing kill the bastard, some the M•…•…;

Some cry, God save King Philip; and some cry, God save the Moor; some others, he shall die.

Eleaz.

Are these your fears, thus blow them into air. I ru•…•…he amongst the thickest of their crowds, And with a countenance Majestical, Like the Imperious Sun disperst their clouds; I have persum'd the rackness of their breath, And by the magick of true eloquence, Transform'd this many headed Cerberus, This py'd Camelion, this beast multitude, Whose power consists in number, pride in threats; Yet melt like•…•…now when Majestie shines forth This heap of fools, who crowding in huge, swarms, Stood at our Court gates like a heap ofdung, Reeking and shouting out contagious breath of power to poison all the elements; This Wolf I held by 'th ear•…•…, and made him tame, And made him tremble at the Moors great name. No, we must combate with a grimmer foe, That damn'd Mendoza over-turns our hopes. He loves you dearly.

Qu. Mo.

By his secret Letters he hath in∣treated

me in some disguise to leave the Court, and fly into his arms.

Eleaz.

The world cannot devize a stra∣tagem Sooner to throw confusion on his pride: Subscribe to his desires, and in dead night Steal to his Castle, swear to him his love Hath drawn you thither; undermine his soul, And learn what villanies are there laid up, Then for your pleasure walk to take the air: Near to the Castle I'le in ambush lie, And seem by force to take you prisoner; This done, I have a practice plotted here, Shall rid him of his life, and us of fear: About it madam, this is all in all; We cannot stand unlesse Mendoza fall.