Love and war a tragedy / written by Tho. Meriton.

Scen. 3.

Celerinus, Orestes, Sisterus, Burnomoy

Cele.

It is decreed, the businesse pursues the cause.

Orest.

My Leige, the post of quick known news Did come, not knowing your Majesties Privy Chamber, to my hands, he being Accompanied with many conditions Of King Aberdens will, and the fuel That now maintains the quarrell betwixt us And him, sent to your Highnesse presence, Did leave then to your best times consideration▪

Celer.

Are they now present?

Orest.

They are, my Liege.

Cele.

Read them, I'le attend.

Orest.

Aberdens Conditions of this waging War, sent from Bruzantia to Celerinus, King of Numenia.

Since all the Regions Under Nothern Pole, Stretch forth their Distance as far as they can, Doth do obedience, (not One doth condole) Unto the Country and Bruzantia's man. Send yearly tribute, And their dayly vowes Unto their Gods to Prosper our successe. That by the clamour of Their open mouthes, We have a musick that Beyond all blesse. It is the purpose and The onely care Of great Aberden to Have you do so; And that hereafter You do not dispaire To do the like, and to His presence owe. If you refuse, his ships Are all rig'd for The Ocean waves, and by A prosperous gale; To sally out and come Unto your shoar, Before you think his Ships be put to sale; Therefore consider, take

A serious time, Regard your cause, to Whom it ••hould then bend, Do not then waver, follow Streight a l••ne. To have Aberden either Foe or Friend:

Sist.

Put it up, its read, inclose the lines, A bold design to such a powerfull name.

Cele.

His usurping grace strives too too high, Who swels with blood of lost innocent ones, Which will by vacuation prove a gall, He cannot carry manhood for a praise Of Warlike courage as the free-born souls For country, good, and health, without more time; My mind is fixt, no other fancy takes My genius, but send a daring challenge To his will.

Bur.

It is right, dread Soveraign, My never tyr'd yet hand shall bring with it Vermillian hue, when 'se're return, and I, As long as strength doth give its aid, Withstand their bold attempt.

Orest.

My mind by looks did so much answer him, They were so fixt by fury in my brow. I slight his threatning lines with spitting fume, We can set envy up as well as he, Upon a banner tost, and make him know 'Twas rash without a Councell chose, Thus answers him, Orestes.

Sist.

The Chaos was my Mother, so to Chaos Will return, e're I be thought base in a Pedigree, my mind stands to their will.

Celer.

So, Hector by way ne'r gain'd such fame, as we, By this dread undertaking; but before. We force a Camp, I shall ingagement bring Upon your souls, that you a solemn vow, By this my signature of all Numenia, To stand your colours, as long as flesh or

Bone, and blood by circulation, keeps dame Nature in, and fight for him, (my selfe the Meaning is) as breath hath interal passage, And then postreme, to kill who's e're you take; See that you do confirm.

Omnes.

Long live Celerinus King.

[They bow and kiss the Sig∣nature on his hand.

Celer.

Well said, brave noble souls, But before we for leagure do provide, We'l know our Generals will and Captains too, So Burnomoy bring them then into presence,

[Exit Burn.

And things right managed with a discreet will, Brings good well hap, and very seldom ill; For if the case be plain, and take no heed, Oft ruin comes by that same bad misdeed.