Fragmenta aurea A collection of all the incomparable peeces, written by Sir John Suckling. And published by a friend to perpetuate his memory. Printed by his owne copies.

ACTUS V. SCENA I. (Book 5)

Enter Ziriff, Pasithas, and Guard: hee places 'em: and Exit. A State set out. Enter Ziriff, Jolas, Ariaspes.

Iol.

A Glorious night!

Ari.

Pray Heav'n it prove so. Are wee not there yet?

Zir.

'Tis about this hollow.

They Enter the Cave.

Ari.

How now! what region are we got into? Th'enheritance of night; Have wee not mistaken a turning Ziriff, And stept into the confines of some melancholy Devils Territorie?

Iol.

Sure 'tis a part of the first Chaos, That would not suffer any change.

Zir.

No matter Sir, 'tis as proper for our Purpose, as the Lobbie for the waiting womans. Stay you here, I'le move a little backward, And so we shall be sure to put him past Retreat: you know the word if it be the prince.

Ziriff goes to the doore

Enter King.

Ziriff.

Here Sir, follow me, al••'s quiet yet.

King.

Is hee not come then?

Zir.

No.

King.

Where's Ariaspes?

Zir.

Waiting within.

Iol.

I do not like this waiting, Nor this fellowes leaving of us.

Ari.

This place does put odd thoughts into thee. Then thou art in thine owne nature too, As jealous, as Love, or Honour; weare thy sword In readinesse, and thinke how neere we are a Crowne.

Zir.

Revenge!—

Guard seiseth on'em.

King.

Ha! what's this?

Zir.

Bring them forth.—

Brings them forth.

Ari.

The King.

Zir.

Yes, and the Princes friend—

Discovers himselfe.

D'you know this face?

King.

Zorannes.

Zor.

The very same, The wrong'd Zorannes,—King— D you stare.— Away with them where I appointed.

King.

T••aytours, let mee goe; Villaine, thou dar'st not doe this—

Zor.

Poore Counterfeit, How faine thou now would'st act a King and art not: Stay you,—

to Ariaspes.

Unhand him,—

Whispers.

Leave us now.—

Exeunt. Manet Ariasp. Zoran.

Ari.

What does this meane? Sure hee does intend the Crowne to mee.

Zor.

Wee are alone▪ Follow mee out of the wood, and thou shalt be Master of this againe, And then best a••me and title take it.

Ari.

Thy offer is so noble, in gratitude Icannot But propound gentler conditions, Wee will divide the Empire.

Zor.

Now by my fathers soule, I doe almost repent my first intents, And now could kill thee scurvily, for thinking If I had a minde to rule I would not rule alone, Let not thy easie faith (lost man) Foole thee into so dull an heresie; Orbella is our quarrell, & I have thought it fit, That love should have a nobler way of Justice, Than Revenge, or Treason.

If thou dar'st die handsomly, follow me.

Ex. And enter both agen

Zor.

There,—

Gives him his sword.

Ari.

Extremely good; Nature tooke paines I sweare, The villaine and the brave are mingled handsomely:—

Zir.

'Twas Fate that tooke it, when it decreed Wee two should meet, nor shall they mingle now, Wee are but brought together strait to part.—

Fight.

Ari.

Some Devill sure has borrowed this shape, My sword ne're staid thus long to finde an entrance.

Zir.

To guiltie men, all that appeare is Devill; Come trifler come.—

Fight.

Ari.

Dog, thou hast it,

Zir.

Why then it seemes my star's as great as his,

Ariaspes pants, and runs at him to catch his sword

I smile at thee, Thou now would'st have me kill thee, And 'tis a courtesie I cannot afford thee, I have bethought my selfe, there will be use Of thee,—Pasithas—to the rest with him.

Exit.

Enter Pasithas, and two of the Guard.—Exeunt.

Enter Thersames.

Ther.

The Dog-star's got up high, it should be late: And sure by this time every waking eare And watchfull eye is charm'd; and yet mee thought A noyse of weapons struck my eare just now. 'Twas but my Fancie sure, and were it more, I would not tread one step, that did not lead To my Aglaura, stood all his Guard betwixt, With lightning in their hands. Danger, thou Dwarfe drest up in Giants clothes, That shew'st far off still greater than thou art, Goe, terrifie the simple, and the guiltie, such As with false Opticks still doe looke upon thee: But fright not Lovers▪ wee dare looke on thee In thy worst shapes and meet thee in them too.— Stay these trees I made my marke, tis hereabouts, —Love guide mee but right this night, And Lovers shall restore thee back againe

Those eyes the Poets tooke so boldly from thee.

Exit.

A Taper Table out.

Enter Aglaura, with a Torch in one hand, a Dagger in the other.

Agl.

How ill this does become this hand? much worse This suits with this, one of the two should goe. The shee within mee sayes, it must be this— Honor sayes this—and honour is Thersames friend. What is that shee then? is it not a thing That sets a Price, not upon me, but on Life in my name, leading me into doubt, Which when 'tas done it cannot light me out. For feare does drive to Fate, or Fate if wee Doe flie, oretakes, and holds us, till or death, Or infamie, or both doe seize us.—

Puts out the light.

Ha!—would 'twere in agen. Antiques & strange mishapes, Such as the Porter to my Soule, mine Eye, Was ne're acquainted with, Fancie lets in, Like a disrouted multitude, by some strange accident Piec'd together, feare now afresh comes on, And charges Love too home. —Hee comes, he comes.—

A little noyse below.

Woman, if thou would'st be the Subject Of mans wonder, Not his scorne hereafter,— —Now shew thy selfe.

Enter Thersames from the vault, she stabs him as hee riseth.

Ther.

Unkindly done—

Agl.

The Princes voyce, defend it Goodnesse?

Ther.

What art thou that thus poorely Hast destroy'd a life?

Agl.

Oh sad mistake, 'tis hee?

Ther.

Hast thou no voyce?

Agl.

I would I had not, nor a being neither.

Ther.

Aglaura, it cannot be?

Agl.

Oh still beleeve so, Sir, For 'twas not I Indeed, but fatall Love.

Ther.

Loves wounds us'd to be gentler than these were, The paines they give us have some pleasure In them, and that these have not.

Enter Ziriff with a taper.

Oh doe not say 'twas you, for that does wound agen: Guard me my better Angell, Doe I wake? my eyes (since I was man) Ne're met with any object gave them so much trouble, I dare not aske neither to be satisfied, Shee lookes so guiltily—

Agl.

Why doe you stare and wonder at a thing That you your selfe have made thus mizerable?

Zir.

Good gods, and I o'the partie too.

Agl.

Did you not tell me that the King this night Meant to attempt my honour; that our condition Would not admit of middle wayes, and that we must Send them to graves, or lye our selves in dust?

Zir.

Unfortunate mistake?

Ziriff knocks.

I never did intend our safety by thy hands:

Enter Pasithas.

Pasithas, goe instantly and fetch Andrages From his bed; how is it with you Sir?

Ther.

As with the besieg'd: My soule is so beset it does not know, Whether't had best to make a desperate Sally out by this port or not?

Agl.

Sure I shall turne statue here.

Ther.

If thou do'st love me, weepe not Aglaura: All those are drops of bloud and flow from me.

Zir.

Now all the gods defend this way of expiation, Think'st thou thy crime, Aglaura would be lesse, By adding to it? or canst thou hope To satisfie those powers, whom great sins Doe displease, by doing greater.

Agl.

Discourteous courtesie! I had no other meanes left mee than this, To let Thersames know I would doe nothing To him, I would not doe unto my selfe, And that thou takest away.

Ther.

Friend, bring me a little neerer, I find a kind of willingnesse to stay And find that willingnesse something obey'd. My bloud now it perswades it selfe You did not call in earnest, Makes not such hast.—

Agl.

Oh my dearest Lord, This kindnesse is so full of crueltie, Puts such an uglinesse on what I have done, That when I looke upon it needs must fright Me from my selfe, and which is more insufferable. I feare from you.

Ther.

Why should that fright thee, which most comforts mee? I glorie in it, and shall smile i'th' grave To thinke our love was such, that nothing But it selfe could e're destroy it.

Agl.

Destroy it? can it have ever end? Will you not be thus courteous then in the other world? Shall we not be together there as here?

Ther.

I cannot tell whether I may or not.

Agl.

Not tell?

Ther.

No: The Gods thought me unworthy of thee here, And when thou art more pure Why should I not more doubt it?

Agl.

Because if I shall be more pure, I shall be then more fit for you. Our Priests assure us an Elysium, And can that be Elysium where true Lovers Must not meet? Those Powers that made our loves, Did they intend them mortall, Would sure have made them of a courser stuffe, Would they not my Lord?—

Ther.

Prethee speake still, This musique gives my soule such pleasing businesse, Takes it so wholly up, it findes not leisure to Attend unto the summons death does make;

Yet they are loud and peremptorie now, And I can onely—

Faints.

Agl.

Some pitying Power inspire me with A wa•• to follow him: heart wilt thou not Breake it of thy selfe.

Zir.

My grie••es besot me: His sou••e will sai••e out with this purple tide, And I shall here be found staring After't like a man that's come too short o'th' ship, And's left behind upon the land.

Shee swounes.

Enter Andrages.

Oh welcome, we come here lyes Andrages Alas too great a tr••all for thy art.

And.

There's life in him: from whence these wounds?

Zir.

Oh 'tis no time for storie.

And.

'Tis not mortall my Lord, bow him gently, And help me to infuse this into him; The sou e is but asleepe and not gone forth.

Ther.

Oh—ho:—

Zir.

Hearke▪ the Prince does live.

Ther.

What e're thou art hast given me now a life, And with it all my cares and miseries, Expect not a reward no not a thanks. If thou would'st merit from me, (Yet wh would be guilty of so lost an action) Restore me to my quietnesse agen, For life and that are most incompatible.

Zir.

Still in despaires: I did not thinke till now 'twas in the power Of Fortune to have robb'd Thersames of himselfe, For pitie, Sir▪ and reason live; If you will die die not Aglaura's murther'd, That's not so handsome: at least die not Her murthered and her murtherer too; For that will surely follow. Looke up, Sir, This violence of Fortune cannot last ever: Who knowes but all these clouds are shadowes,

To set off your fairer dayes, if it growes blacker, And the stormes doe rise, this harbour's alwayes open.

Ther.

What say'st thou▪ Aglaura?

Agl.

What sayes Andrages?

And.

Madam, would Heaven his mind would admit As eafie cure, as his body will, 'Twas onely want of bloud, And two houres rest restores him to himselfe.

Zir.

And by that time it may be Heaven Will give our miseries some ease: Come Sir, repose upon a bed, There's time enough to day.

Ther.

Well, I will still obey, Though I must feare it will be with me, But as 'tis with tortured men, Whom States preserve onely to wrack agen.

Exeunt.

Take off table.

Enter Ziriff with a taper.

Zir.

All fast too, here They sleepe to night I'their winding sheets, I thinke, there's such A generall quiet. Oh! here's light I warrant you: For lust does take as little rest, as care, or age. Courting her glasse, I swear, fie! that's a flatterer Madam, In me you shall see trulier what you are▪

He knocks, Enter Queen.

Orb.

What make you up at this strange houre, my Lord?

Zir.

My businesse is my boldnesse warrant, (Madam) And I could well afford t'have been without it now, Had Heav'n so pleas'd.

Orb.

'Tis a sad Prologue, What followes in the name of vertue?

Zir.

The King—

Orb.

I: what of him? is well, is he not?

Zir.

Yes,— If to be on's journey to the other world

Be to be well, hee is.

Orb.

Why he's not dead, is he?

Zir.

Yes, Madam, dead.

Orb.

How? where?

Zir.

I doe not know particulars.

Orb.

Dead!

Zir.

Yes (Madam.)

Orb.

Art sure hee's dead?

Zir.

Madam, I know him as certainly dead, As I know you too must die hereafter.

Orb.

Dead!

Zir.

Yes, dead.

Orb.

We must all die. The Sisters spin no cables for us mortalls; Th'are threds; and Time, and chance— Trust me I could weep now, But watrie distillations doe but ill on graves, They make the lodging colder.

Shee knocks.

Zir.

What would you Madam?

Orb.

Why my friends, my Lord; I would consult and know what's to be done.

Zir.

(Madam) 'tis not so safe to raise the Court; Things thus unsetled, if you please to have—

Orb.

Where's Ariaspes?

Zir.

In's dead sleepe by this time sure,

Orb.

I know he is not! find him instantly.

Zir.

I'm gone,—

Turnes back againe.

But Madam, why make you choyce of him, from whom If the succession meet disturbance, All must come of danger?

Orb.

My Lord, I am not yet so wise, as to be Jealous; Pray dispute no further.

Zir.

Pardon me (Madam) if before I goe I must unlock a secret to you; such a one As while the King did breathe durst know no aire, Zorannes lives.

Orb.

Ha!

Zir.

And in the hope of such a day as this Has lingred out a life, snatching, to feed His almost famish'd eyes, Sights now and then of you, in a disguise.

Orb.

Strange! this night is big with miracle!

Zir.

If you did love him, as they say you did, And doe so still; 'tis now within your power!

Orb.

I would it were, my Lord, but I am now No private woman, if I did love him once, (as 'tis so long agoe, I have forgot) My youth and ignorance may well excus't.

Zir.

Excuse it?

Orb.

Yes, excuse it Sir.

Zir.

Though I confesse I lov'd his father much▪ And pitie him, yet having offer'd it Unto your thoughts: I have discharg'd a trust; And zeale shall stray no further. (Your pardon Madam:)

Exit.

Orb.

May be 'tis but a plot to keep off Ariaspes Greatnesse which he must feare, because he knowes Hee hates him: for these great States-men, That when time has made bold with the King And Subject, throwing downe all fence That stood betwixt their power And others right, are on a change, Like wanton Salmons comming in with flouds, That leap o're wyres and nets and make their way To be at the returne to every one a prey.

Enter Ziriff.

Zir.

Looke here vaine thing and see thy sins full blown: There's scarce a part in all this face, thou hast Not been forsworne by, and Heav'n forgive thee for't! For thee I lost a Father, Countrey, friends, My selfe almost, for I lay buried long; And when there was no use thy love could pay Too great, thou mad'st the principle away:—

Prompt.

As wantons entring a Garden, take

The first faire flower they meet, and Treasur't in their laps. Then seeing more, doe make fresh choyce agen, Throwing in one and one, till at the length The first poor flower o're-charg'd, with too much weight Withers and dies: So hast thou dealt with me, And having kill'd me first, I will kill—

Orb.

Hold—hold— Not for my sake, but Orbella's (Sir) a bare And single death is such a wrong to Justice, I must needs except against it. Find out a way to make me long a dying; For death's no punishment, it is the sense, The paines and feares afore that makes a death: To thinke what I had had, had I had you, What I have lost in losing of my selfe; Are deaths farre worse than any you can give: Yet kill me quickly, for if I have time, I shall so wash this soule of mine with teares, Make it so fine, that you would be afresh In love with it, and so perchance I should Again come to deceive you.

She rises up weeping, & hanging down her head.

Zir.

So rises day, blushing at nights deformitie: And so the prettie flowers blubber'd with dew, And over washt with raine, hang downe their heads▪ I must not looke upon her:

(Queen Goe•• towards him.)

Orb.

Were but the Lillies in this face as fresh As are the Roses; had I but innocence Joyn'd to these blushes, I should then be bold, For when they went a begging they were ne're deni'de, 'Tis but a parting kisse Sir—

Enter Pasithas, and two Guard.

Zir.

I dare not grant it.—Pasithas—away with her. A bed put ••••t. Thersames and Aglaura on it, Andrages by.

Ther.

Shee wake't me with a sigh, And yet shee sleepes her selfe, Sweet Innocence,

Can it be sinne to love this shape, And if it be not, why am I persecuted thus?— Shee sighs agen, sleepe that drownes all cares, Cannot I see charme loves? blest pillowes, Through whose finenesse does appeare The Violets, Lillies and the Roses You are stuft withall, to whose softnesse I owe the sweet of this repose, Permit me to leave with you this,—

Kisses them, shee wakes.

See if I have not wake't her, Sure I was borne, Aglaura, to destroy Thy quiet.

Agl.

Mine, my Lord, Call you this drowsinesse a quiet then? Beleeve me, Sir, 'twas an intruder I much Struggled with, and have to thanke a dreame, Not you, that it thus left me.

Ther.

A dreame! what dreame, my Love?

Agl.

I dreamp't (Sir) it was day, And the feare you should be found here.

Enter Ziriff.

Zir.

Awake; how is it with you, Sir?

Ther.

Well, extreamly well, so well, that had I now No better a remembrancer than paine, I should forget I e're was hurt, Thanks to Heav'n, and good Andrages.

Zir.

And more than thanks I hope we yet shall Live to pay him. How old's the night?

And.

Far-spent I feare, my Lord.

Zir.

I have a cause that should be heard Yet ere day breake and I must needs intreat You Sir to be the Judge in't.

Ther.

What cause Zorannes?

Zir.

When you have promis'd—

(Zorannes.

Ther.

'Twere hard I should deny thee any thing.—

Exit

Know'st thou, Andrages, what he meanes?

And.

Nor cannot ghesse, Sir,—

Draw in the bed.

I read a trouble in his face, when first Hee left you, but understood it not.

Enter Zorannes, King Ariaspes, Jolas, Queene and two or three Guard.

Zor.

Have I not pitcht my nets like a good Huntsman? Looke, Sir, the noblest of the Herd are here.

Ther.

I am astonished.

Zor.

This place is yours.—

Helps him up.

Ther.

What wouldst thou have me doe.

Zor.

Remember, Sir, your promise, I could doe all I have to doe, alone; But Justice is not Justice unlesse't be justly done: Here then I will begin, for here began my wrongs. This woman (Sir) was wondrous faire, and wondrous Kinde,—I, faire and kind, for so the storie runs, She gave me looke for looke, and glance for glance, And every sigh like eccho's was return'd, Wee sent up vow by vow, promise on promise, So thick and strangely multiplyed, That sure we gave the heavenly Registers Their businesse, and other mortalls oaths Then went for nothing, we felt each others paines, Each others joyes, thought the same thought, And spoke the very same; Wee were the same and I have much a doe To thinke she could be ill, and I not Be so too, and after this, all this (Sir) Shee was false, lov'd him, and him, And had I not begun revenge, Till she had made an end of changing, I had had the Kingdome to have killd, What does this deserve?

Ther.

A punishment he best can make That suffered the wrong.

Zor.

I thanke you, Sir, For him I will not trouble you, His life is mine, I won it fairly,

And his is yours, he lost it foully to you— To him (Sir) now: A man so wicked that he knew no good, But so as't made his sins the greater for't. Those ills, which singly acted bred despaire In others, he acted daily, and ne're thought Upon them. The grievance each particular has against him I will not meddle with, it were to give him A long life, to give them hearing, I'le onely speake my owne. First then the hopes of all my youth, And a reward which Heaven had settled on me, (If holy contracts can doe any thing) He ravisht from me, kill'd my father, Aglaura's father, Sir, would have whor'd my sister, And murther'd my friend, this is all: And now your sentence, Sir.

Ther.

We have no punishment can reach these crimes: Therefore 'tis justest sure to send him where Th'are wittier to punish than we are here: And cause repentance oft stops that proceeding, A sudden death is sure the greatest punishment.

Zor.

I humbly thanke you Sir.

King.

What a strange glasse th▪have shew'd me now my selfe In; our sins like to our shadowes, When our day is in its glorie scarce appear'd, Towards our evening how great and monstrous They are.

Zor.

Is this all you have to say?—

Drawes.

Ther.

Hold:—now goe you up.

Zor.

What meane you, Sir?

Ther.

Nay, I denyed not you,— That all thy accusations are just, I must acknowledge, And to these crimes, I have but this t'oppose, Hee is my Father, and thy Soveraigne.—

'Tis wickednesse (deare Friend) wee goe about to punish, and when w'have murther'd him, What difference is there 'twixt him and Our selves, but that hee first was wicked?— Thou now would'st kill him 'cause he kill'd thy Father, And when th'hast kill'd, have not I the selfe same Quarrell?

Zor.

Why Sir, you know you would your selfe Have done it.

Ther.

True: and therefore 'tis I beg his life, There was no way for mee to have Redeem'd th'intent, but by a reall Saving of it.

••e ready Courtiers, and Guard, with their swords drawne, at the brests of the Prisoners.

If he did ravish from thee thy Orbella, Remember that that wicked issue had A noble parent Love,—Remember How he lov'd Zorannes when he was Ziriff,— Ther's something due to that. If you must needs have bloud for your revenge, Take it here—despise it not Zorannes:

Zorannes turnes away.

The gods themselves, whose greatnesse Makes the greatnesse of our sins, And heightens'em above what wee can doe Unto each other, accept of sacrifice For what wee doe 'gainst them, Why should not you, and 'tis much thriftier too: You cannot let out life there, but my honour Goes, and all the life you can take here, Posterity will give mee back agen; See, Aglaura weepes: That would have beene ill Rhetorique in mee, But where it is, it cannot but perswade.

Zor.

Th'have thaw'd the ice about my heart; I know not what to doe.

King.

Come downe come downe, I will be King agen, There's none so fit to be the Judge of this As I; the life you shew'd such zeale to save,

I here could willingly returne you back; But that's the common price of all revenge.

Enter Guard, Orsames, Philan, Courtiers, Orithie, Semanthe.

Jol. Ari.

Ha, ha, ha: how they looke now?

Zor.

Death: what's this?

Ther.

Betray'd agen; All th'ease our Fortune gives our miseries is hope, And that still proving false, growes part of it.

King.

From whence this Guard?

Ari.

Why Sir, I did corrupt, while we were his pri∣soners, One of his owne to raise the Court; shallow soules, That thought wee could not countermine, Come Sir, y'are in good posture to dispatch them.

King.

Lay hold upon his instrument: Fond man, do'st thinke I am in love with villany? All the service they can doe mee here Is but to let these see the right I doe Them now is unconstrain'd, then thus I doe proceed. Upon the place Zorannes lost his life, I vow to build a tomb, and on that tomb I vow to pay three whole yeares penitence, If in that time I finde that heaven and you Can pardon; I shall finde agen the way To live amongst you.

Ther.

Sir be not so cruell to your selfe this is an age,—

King.

'Tis now irrevocable, thy Fathers lands I give thee back agen, and his commands; And with them, leave to weare the Tyara, That man there has abus'd.— To you Orbella, Who it seemes are foule as well as I, I doe prescribe the selfe same physick I doe take my selfe: But in another place, and for a longer time, Diana's Nunnerie.

Orb.

Above my hopes.

King.

For you, who still have beene The ready instrument of all my cruelties, And there have cancell'd all the bonds of brother, Perpetuall banishment: nor, should This line expire, shall thy right have a place.

Ari.

Hell and Furies.—

Exit.

King.

Thy crimes deserve no lesse; yet 'cause thou wert Heavens instrument to save my life, Thou onely hast that time of banishment, I have of penitence.—

Comes down. Ziriff offers to kisse the Kings hand

Jol.

May it be plague and famine here till I returne. No: thou shalt not yet forgive mee:

King.

Aglaura thus I freely part with thee, And part with all fond flames and warme desires, I cannot feare new agues in my bloud Since I have overcome the charmes Thy beauty had, no other ever can Have so much power, Thersames, thou look'st pale, Is't want of rest?

Ther.

No Sir; but that's a storie for your eare—

They whisper.

Ors.

A strange and happy change.

Ori.

All joyes wait on you ever.

Agl.

Orithie How for thy sake now could I wish Love were no Mathematick point, But would admit division, that Thersames might. Though at my charge, pay thee the debt he owes thee▪

Ori.

Madam, I loved the Prince, not my selfe; Since his vertues have their full rewards, I have my full desires.

King.

What miracles of preservation have wee had? How wisely have the stars prepar'd you for felicitie? Nothing endeares a good more than the contemplation Of the difficultie wee had to attaine to it: But see, Nights Empire's out, And a more glorious auspitiously does begin; Let us goe serve the gods, and then prepare

For jollitie, this day Ile borrow from my vowes. Nor shall it have a common celebration; Since't must be, A high record to all posteritie.—

Exeunt omnes.