The tragedy of Messallina the Roman emperesse As it hath beene acted with generall applause divers times, by the Company of his Majesties Revells. Written by Nathanael Richards.

THE TRAGEDY OF Messallina, The Roman Empresse.

ACT. 1.

SCENE. 1.

Enter Silius reading in a Booke.

Sil.

SOla virtus vera nobilitas. Vertue is onely true nobilitie, So speakes our times best Tutor Seneca, And 'tis divinely spoken, like himselfe. True Philosopher, for what is't to man For to be borne noble, and yet detaine Th' ignoble mind of vice, licentious will, Such no way are alide to noblenesse. Times hellbred, base, ignoble noble blood, Runnes through his veines, tha••s only great not good▪ Farre better live a private life with thee, Thou sweete companion to Well-minded man. Here's no seducing Pompe, no clouds of vice, Nor fogges of vanitie obscures mans sight

From the direct to wayes directly ill. This seale confirme the sequell of my life To immitate the good that thou presents.

Kisseth the Booke.

Enter Valens and Proculus.

Val.

Still plodding at your Book, shall we ne'r find You otherwise; Pox of this sad mutt'ring To your selfe; hang't up, 'tis a disease to Sweet alacritie, of all true joviall Minds to be abhord, come.—

Offers to take away the Booke.

Sil.

Prethe disist.

Pro.

How scurvily this shewes, how ill in you, That Should be fram'd just of the times fashion.

Sil.

Thats learning, and valour; or should be so At least; and not in outsides fond delight, Whereon Times Puffe-paste costly coxcombe, all His great little wit, and wealth, thinkes best bestow'd To please his Mistri's Eye; when all mans minde Should bend his course to follow virtues steps.

Val.

Out upon't; drinke me and whore; those are The vertues best, and best accepted 'mong Gallants of this age.

Sil.

Th'are gallant sots, Silly and senselesse; what's all the delight, That seemes so pleasing to the itchie whorer? But like the Itch, scratch't raw, 'tis still the sorer 'Twill smart to purpose; make you to find out An obscure grave, cold as the snowy Alpes, There, in a hollow circle of the night Lust breeds more cause of terrour then delight.

Pro.

Fie Cajus fie, turn'd Satire gainst your friends,

Sil.

Alas y'are blind my friends, and I am sorry.

Val.

Pish; wer't not for sparkling beauty, pretious woman, Woman I say, that faire and winning creature, Whose ne'r to be resisted delicate touch, Divides us into all the sweets of sense, Wer't not for her, (glorious sweet fac'd woman,) Man makes no use of his Creation, What saies our Roman phrase, Si non letaris vivens laetabere nanquam. Leave then this puling study and be rul'd. Hang up Philosophy that Sceane of sorrow, Come goe with me to beauties faire abode, There, if you'l make true tryall of your strength, Let it be there imploy'd; doe but withstand The catching beauties there, and spight of all Their povverfull charmes and incantations Come freely off, untainted with the Act. For ever Ile abjure to be seduc'd By the worlds quainte enticements; betake me Wholly to Philosophy, and practise The same in life.

Pro.

So shall Proculus.

Sil.

O were I sure that sworne you'd keepe, & not Infringe your vowes (though noble wisedome bids, To shunne the glorious strumpets licorish snares,) You soone should finde me sudaine, dare to stand, The baites of whoorish fortitude unmoov'd.

Val.

Talke not but do't.

Pro.

Therein consists the Test Of compleat man.

Sil.

Then on this booke take Oath, Sweare that by all the good therein contain'd, And all that's good the vertues of true Man, At my returne free from adult••'ate sinne

To live true friends to vertue ever after You shall prevaile.

Both.

We sweare.

Vall.

So deepely sweare That may loves thunder strike when we forsake Our vowes.

Sil.

Tis well, lead on; And if I ever prove False to Syllana punish me great Iove.

Exeunt.

E••ter Veneria the Bawd, Calphurnia, Hem and Stitch, Panders.

Bawd.

Hey ho, what Hem, Hem, Hem, what Hem I say.

Hem.

Here Mistresse.

Bawd.

Stitch, oh Stitch.

St.

In your side Madam.

Bawd

No Stitch, orethwart my heart, O I shall die; The bottle, the bottle, the bottle knave the bottle.

Shee drinkes.

Cal.

Doe doe drinke and be fatter still up with't, Why so my brave bundle of guts and garbish.

Bawd.

I you may well say drinke, well may I drink All sorrow from my heart, for I thanke you Ten thousand sesterces, this day is lost To our victorious Empresse Messallina; Witnesse the Number five and twentie, All in the circuit of a day and night, And yet shees ready for a new delight.

Cal.

She may, for who but shee dares do the like, For a poore subject, ••alse the number serves,

On greatest Queenes most servants still attends.

Bawd.

Hadst not provocations to enable thee, Confection of Cantharides, Diasaterion Eringoes, Snailes, Oysters, Alligant, and could not these Make thee hold out with five and twentie; 'Twas but a Forenoones worke, a forenoones worke You paltry puling.

Cal.

I, in your young dayes.

Bawd.

In my young dayes, I tell thee small Floun∣der, Old as I am and fat, I durst yet wager, To lay twice the number of such shrimpes as thee, That they should ne're rise more.

Cal.

Yes with a Pox. I have not the Court art to kill my lovers, Nor draw them on with witchcraft, Circean charmes, Nor is it lust, but want makes me a trader, And those I clip with, I must like at least, Let Romes brave Empresse do her liking,

Stitch.

I she's a brave Roman dame indeed.

Hem.

And those Mad-dames are the best doers Stitch.

Cal.

Calphurnia loathes varietie of men, Times big bone Animalls so apt to please, Th'Empresse will whets not my appetite, Besides you know I'me not for durance, Wanting the daily visits of best Doctors, To make me broths of dissolv'd Pearle and Amber, Which well considered will not quit the cost, She won the wager, I am glad I lost.

Bawd.

Glad I have lost, Let me come to her, Ile claw you Minkes, glad I have lost, and which goes nearest my heart; To raile, and none to raile against but tall Proper and goodly able men, calling

Them big-bond Animals, O blasphemy. Why Phisgig; must I keepe thee rich in cloathes, To want that ever pleasing sweet, Hony, and Sugar candy delight; which the Bravest high spirited glistering Ladies, (Such as make Punies of their pettie Lords) Account their heaven, their onely happinesse, Never but discontented when they are Out of Action▪ and are you defective now; Fallen out (forsooth) with the felicitie You shu'd take in men; O most absurd, Not to be suffer'd, utter'd, nor indur'd, It is intollerable; it is, it is▪ it is, Thou muddy minded piece of mischiefe it is.

St.

Hem, Mistris, here comes our fellow Pander The Lord Saufellus.

Hem.

All of a house, but not all fellowes Stitch, And yet we hope to be Sir Panders; nay since Great-ones be of that profession, and thrive so by it, It cannot chuse but be a brave profession.

St.

Oh, tis a good, A goodly brave profession; 'tis the best, Best streame to fish in, be ne'r so impious, Gold stiles the royall villaine vertuous.

Sauf.

Here, here my most pretious procurers Downe, and adore our royall Empresse, And me the messenger of these glad tidings; Proud is her highnesse of the wager wonne, Yet scorning the advantage of the losse Trebly returnes your owne, with a reward, And signe of her high favour ever after.

Ba.

I hope her mightinesse receiv'd content, And will make bold with my poore house hereafter.

Sauf.

Yes, with your house a little bold her yet,

Silius comes hither straight brought by his friends Valens and Proculus, your best wills worke, To make him serve her pleasure.

Ba.

Pleasure her, What? Silius a private gentleman of Rome And be so grosse as not to pleasure her. Which of you gallants wu'd not pleasure an Emp'resse; that a man should be so very a sot As not do, Oh 'twere abominable.

Sauf.

But hee's a man of precise abstinence, And hardly will be drawne by any woman.

Ba.

Hoy day; not drawne by woman sayd you, If he come here, he shall be hang'd and drawne, And dry drawne to; not drawne by a woman! Gogs nigs that's fine ifaith.

Sauf.

See, here they come prepar'd; I must withdraw For a more apt imployment, shew your skills, Women through lust and Hell will worke their wills.

Exit.

Enter Silius, Valens, Proculus.

Val.

Come Sir, wee'l enter you.

Sil.

Most certaine Into the divels vaulting schoole; where lust In triumph rides or'e shame and innocence, Am I not in Hell.

Pro.

O silly Silius. Cannot a sweet shap't gallant like my selfe, Enter the house where Ve••us vestalls live But it must needs be Hell, ha, ha, ha.

Ba.

Welcome Princely Spirits, Sweet faces, rich cloathes, and exquisite bodies, Make you for ever (my most curious clients)

Pru••iently, pleasing to the blood of beautie, Hem and Stitch some stooles and cushions quicke.

Sil.

What have you brought me to your Sempsters house.

Ba.

These are no idle persons.

Sil.

Is this your lusty kindred, sweet pleasure Which angles soules to hell, as men hooke fish; I, this is she the bane of all devotion, She whose inticements turnes weake men aside From the right way of vertue, throwing em downe Into the gulfe of all confusion; From whence me thinks those dreadfull soules I heare Now at this instant cursing of your Sex; Your sinne affected trimings to entice Which implicates the wretched mind of man Crying with horrour 'gainst your impudence. O woman, woman, thy bewitching motion, Fooles wisedome, reason, and blinds all devotion.

Ba.

What is the man detracted from his wits tro.

Sil.

Out thou devourer up of maiden heads

Ba.

Hoy day, I a devourer of maiden heads, That (with joy be it spoken) I have not had A maidenhead these fiftie yeares.

Vall.

Prethee be not thus bitter unto 'em, Poore necessary evils they pleasure us.

Sil.

Out on your beastly, your most senselesse plea∣sures, That makes you reasonlesse, esteeming best Those things delight you most.

Cal.

O I could stand, My lifetime here to heare this Silius raile.

Sil.

Note but the end of all your lustfull pleasures, All breed diseases, griefes, reproaches foule, Consumption of the body, and the soule, Engender sorrowes and sotishnesse, Forgets all prudence, growes most insolent,

Breeds th' Ep••leps••e that falling evill▪ Begets murder, makes a man a divell, O'rethrowes whole families, confounds the just, Foisteth in children illigitimate, Corrupts all humane sweet societie. The various paths of lust are all uneven, Her pleasures dreadfull plagues the scourge of heaven.

Enter Empe••esse and Saufellus attending with a cap.

Emp.

Our soveraigne good is pleasure unto which None can attaine but valiant men and wise.

Sil.

Oh.

Sil. fals on his knees.

Emp.

Silius thou shalt not fall unlesse I fall, Nor rise without me, we love thee Cajus Thou soule of musicke breath, breath and enchant.

Musick••.

With thy delicious Tones while thus we bend, And health our love mirrour of men to thee.

She drinkes.

Sil.

Foole that I am, thou hast undone thy selfe, Keepe in my vertue or this fie••y triall Flames thee to Cindars.

Emp.

Fill for him, ••st prepar'd?

Sauf.

With deepest Art.

Emp.

Here pledge, and pledge freely, a hearty draught (As I began) up witht; so tis well, this,

Sil. drinks.

This fayling, pure, precise one now is silenc'd, Conveigh him to our bed, Natures delight Where when he wakes he may admire and burne Be mad in love to pleasure free in us. Thanks Valens, and Proculus, Caesar dispatcht To Ostia, wee'l finde fit time to make you

Shine in glory, all shall finde rich rewards.

Exit Emperesse and Saufellus.

Ba.

May you for ever glister like the Sunne.

Val.

Silius y'are snar'd; and we our wager wonne.

Exit

Hoboyes. Enter Emperour, Claudius, Messallina Narcissus, Pallas, Calistus, Saufellus, with attendance.

Emp.

Swift nimble time the season of the yeare (To offer sacrifice unto the Gods) Calls us with speed from Rome to Hostia, in Which our absence, sweet, deare then my life, We doe implore, use all the carefull meanes That may preserve that life and happinesse Thy love assures us▪ which if want of health Should ••ate thee joy; Caesar were not himselfe Disaster, griefes, diseases pale and wan Wu'd make me marble, such is th' affiance, The strong perswasion of that love I beare To thee thou starre on earth my onely blisse Beare record heaven, blesse thou this parting kisse.

Exit Emperour, cum sui••▪

Mess.

Farewell my life, my love, my royall, Foole Shallow braine fop, dull ignorance adeiu, The kindest Cuckold woman ever knew. Saufellus draw nigh, Now is the wis••t for time to crowne delight Turne night to day and day into the night, Prepare for stirring, Masque, midnight revells All rare varietie to provoke desire; Then haste and fetch those envide Adamants Rome most admires for foolish chastitie, When we have graspt them here, surfeits riot

Shall squeese their spungie vertue into vice. If they deny to come, let vengeance fall Like to that all devouring thunders flame Which fierd the world, be mercilesse and kill. Rome shall take notice, our incensed blood, Like to Medusa's shall to Serpents turne, Poys'ning the Ayre, where locall chastitie Claymes least preheminence.

Sauf.

Spoke like your selfe beyond thought excel∣lent O it becomes you rarely; thinke what you are All glory drosse is, in comparison Of that all rare inestimable worth, You truly owe; all admir'd beautie past, And that to come with full attractive force Have fixt their lively characters in you. Divinest faire; earth breathes not such another, Twere madnesse longer your delights to smother: I'me fierd with joy to see your high blood free. Continue with encrease, adde flame to flames. Burne high bright glorious wonder of thy Sex, Act what your thoughts shall prompt too, I in all Am onely yours at whose commanding will Ile death and horrour wade to save or kill.

Offers to goe.

Mess.

Stay er'e you goe resolve us; what is that Stagerites Name, he that last night i'th play Did personate the Part of Troylus.

Sauf.

Menester (glorious Empresse) thats his name.

Mess.

Menester how that name works on my blood And like a violent Tyde, swells me with full Desire to know the man; it must be so Command him to attend our will tonight.

Sauf.

Know mightie Queen I by your looks perceiv'd ••he gracefull Actor pleasing to your eyes,

And therefore already here in court, I Have prepar'd him.

Mess.

Diligent Saufellus, Ile to my chamber, Admit him thither; be swift in returne,

Exit Sauf.

We long for change to feede on various fruit; Vp Messallina let thy mountaine will Too long kept downe, fly to thy full desire, Ile live in pleasure though I burne in fire.

Exit.

Enter Saufellus with a Torch, Menester following.

Sauf.

Come, come, come, this way, f••o how I sweat, This venery is a stirring businesse, Remaine you here, Ile instantly returne.

Exit.

Men.

My heart that ne're yet shr••nk begins to throb, And my good Genius whispers in mine care A faire retreat; I am faire warn'd, and yet I waver doubtfull.

Sauf.

Fortunate Actor, Now let thy best of action to the life Court Romes rare Emp'resse to the height of pleasure, Muster up all the powers of man in thee To an united strength, prepare a part To ravish, pleasure winne an Empresse heart, Looke to't, prove active to yeeld full content, Or else ••ou die, die a most shamefull death, So speed as you shall please.

Exit.

Men.

That's certaine death, I, I that in Pompeys, spacious Theater Acted the noble vertues of true man, When the faire piercing lines so much prevail'd, I felt a sacred flame runne through my braines, And in this Orb of mans circumference, My selfe at furious war within my selfe,

That in my lifes sweet sequell, I still striv'd Wrestled with flesh and blood to immitate The good I then presented, but now, a Coward plague, or else some F••end rais'd from the Pit of feare, hath all my goodnesse to a Period dropt; and I like chaffe, blowne on this Wide worlds stage, am now to act my owne part, Which must be vicious now, lust stung vicious With Romes majesticke Empresse, whose command Strikes dead in the refusall, dead; a word That quakes even the most valiant He, though least Exprest, if by escape I thinke my selfe Secure in some remote soile, her revenge Will with the selfe same stroake there strike me dead, 'Mong petty emminent persons now tis Common; then Princes cannot faile, their Armes Are long and large, compulsion bids me on Who ere shall reade my story then shall say 'Tis forc'd compulsion, and not rich reward, No high Court favourers made Menester sinne. Inchanting earth's temptation is in vaine, He basely, basely sinnes that sinnes for gaine. If not for gaine, shall I commit for feare, For feare to die, I must, I will not, keepe There my minde, and with chast fortitude O be my barre to this lascivious act, And cleave me to the Center er'e I yeeld,

Enter Messallina.

Your pardon glorious Empresse, Ther's something in me workes so powerfull,

I dare not, dare not yeeld to your content.

Mess.

How's this, dare not, is that answer for us Why foole, poore scumme of the Earth do'st know What tis to stop an Empresse loftie will: Saufellus, within there, a Guard, wee'l learne You better manners, hoist him on the Racke,

Enter Saufellus and Guard.

To the Racke with him, teare limbe from limbe, dare not We will enforce thee wretch.

They put him on the Rack.

Sauf.

O dog; not doe; Vp with the Snow ball, melt him, so, so, so.

Mess.

Shall our high favours, (equall to base and Mercinare Trulls) prove common put offs, What say you now Sir.

Mon.

That I am truly miserable, weake, And vile, not being able to endure This torment, O let me downe; my paine, but Not my minde yeelds to your bed, I doe Consent, consent.

Mess.

Ha, ha, doe you so, Sir; Let him downe, and let him finde sudaine cure Command our Docters, feede him hot and high, Pleasur's a Princesse full felicitie.

Exit. Mess.

Men.

Mans a weake Bulrush; all his fortitude Brittle at best; witnesse these tenter'd, limbes, Witnesse the Racke, which teares me from the sight Of sacred vertue; whose just anger now, Like a d••nyed wooer puts me off, Blushing and despairing; ••eaven out of sight Mans out of heart, all virtues lose their light.

Exeunt omnes.

ACT. 2.

SCENE. 1.

Enter Lepida in her night attire with a Booke and a lighted Taper.

Lep.

MY servants all are fast 'tis dead of night, And yet my restlesse senses want their rest; This was no wont to be, tis wondrous strange I feare (nor is't unlike) my daughter, my Most ambitious, irreverent daughter, Dead to good counsell, now in great Caesars Absence, most apt for ill; takes her full flight To the loose life of all licentiousnesse, Now at this instant wrongs him, and that the Gods, whole eyes see blackest deeds, doe see and Abhorre; and therefore caus'd me thus to wake From dead resembling sleepe, to pray T'oppose her ill with good, heaven I obay.

A Bell ri••gs as far off, three Ro∣man dames knocke within.

1.

Open the doore, O noble Lepida Open the doore.

Lep.

What ill includes this noyse.

2.

Open the doore, O save us from the gripes

Knock againe.

Of Rape and Ruine.

Lep.

That was a womans voyce most certaine 'twas, I will no longer stay you.

Opens the doore.

3.

O save us from the Rape, death doggs us At the heeles.

1.

Our parents and husbands slaine In their beds this night, have payd lifes forfeit For our escape.

2.

For whom there is no hope If shelter'd not under your wings of safetie▪

3.

She is your daughter that commands this ill.

Lep.

Woe is me wretch, accursed be the time That brought her forth; O may it ever be, For ever bard the ranke of blessed houres.

Bell rings as neere at hand▪

1.

Harke, harke, they come, that fatall bell rings their, Approach; turne us to Ayre some whirlewind, er'e We perish through spotted whoredome.

Enter Sauf. the two Ruffans, and Baud.

Sauf.

O are you here.

Ba.

And have we found you out. O you abominable pictures of ••eevish vertue, ye thread bare thin cheek't chastitie, Ye Puppets.

Lep.

I am amaz'd, if from my daughter sent, Tell me ye frightfull villaines her demand.

Sauf.

Them there, whose paltery puling honestie, Merits no favour but a world of mischiefe, They must live at Court.

Ba.

There to live, and brave.

Hem.

To shine in pearle, and gold flow in treasure.

St.

Fed with delicious Cates, to swim in pleasure. breath.

Ba.

Tost on the downy beds of dalliance.

Lep.

Peace hell bred hagge, stop thy unhallow'd throat.

Sauf.

Dispatch, resolve to goe or die.

Lep.

Then die, Arme you brave Roman Dames, Tertestriall stars, Arm'd with faire fortitude resolve to die, That when y'are gone I may looke up and see

Your chast thought starres in the Celestiall spheares▪ Is it not better die then live at court? Rackt, torne and tost on proud dishonours wheele, There to be whoor'd, your excellence defil'd, Rather be free, be free rare spirits for Succeeding times to wonder at; spurne, spurne In contempt of death, at deaths base strife, To die for vertue is a glorious life.

All.

O blest encouragement.

1.

All are so willing, ther's not one of us Wu'd wish to live, so fairest mind farewell, Behold we linke in love, thus arm'd to die, Strike slaves, mount soules, fly to eternitie.

kild.

Lep.

Mischievous Monsters, O what have you don.

Ba.

Take this, this, and this for me, ye Puppets Of purity.

Baud stabs at them with h••r knife, and in her go∣ing off, is shut in by Le∣pida.

Lep.

Wu'd you be gone! Nay you damb'd hell-hagge I'le preserve you safe Manutius Folio wake, wake from drowsie sleepe.

Exit Lepida.

Ba.

How's this, lockt in, what the great divell Will become of me.

Lepida within.

Lep.

Murder murder, what ho, Manutius awake.

Ba.

How she bawles, vengeance stop your throat.

Enter Lepida with her two Servants.

Lep.

O see where murder'd chastitie lies slaine, Vnder my tragicke roofe this fatall night.

Ser.

Sad dismall accident.

Lep.

Here take this Baud.

She hath a large hand in this impious act Take, hang her by the heeles then let my dogs, Compell'd through hunger teare, eate her alive, I must to Court there prosecute the rest.

Exit

Ser.

Remove those bodies I'le take charge of this, O thou insufferable Bitch Whore, Bawd, Have you beene actor in this blooddy Scene? You shall be gnawne with dogges for't, totter'd And peecemeale torne, you shall you rotten Stinking tunne of decay'd Letchery you shall. Yet, I will set thee free, grease me now finely, Finely ith' Fist, you know the Art, mony Will corrupt, 'tis beggery to be honest.

Ba.

Hold ther's my purse, the better part is gold Performe thy promise, I'le advance thy sta••e At Court promote thee.

Ser.

To weare brave cloathes.

Ba.

Rich, wondrous rich.

Ser.

And shall I have a wench.

Ba.

A very daintie device, a Springer▪ One that shall make thy constitution curvet And winde about thee like a Skeine of Silke Titckle, tickle, tickle thee my brave bully:

Ser.

Sayst thou so, my old motions procurer, Goe thy wayes—stay—O wonderfull whats that There betwixt thy teeth, gape.

He gags her.

Ba.

Au, au, au.

Ser.

We must be honest here, nay you shall goe Not to be tickle, tickle, tickl'd, but To be totter'd with your heeles aloft To be totter, totter, totter'd my brave Bawd, To be totter'd.

Exeunt.

Enter Messallina.

Mess.

Menester, Valens, Proculus, not all No, not a world of favorites can yeeld To us that free delight in dalliance which Silius gives, he must not live at Forum, Though it be neare at hand 'tis too farre off Calphurnia.

Enter Calphurnia.

Calph.

Your highnesse pleasure.

Mess.

Cause Cajus, Silius to be sent for straight, And let Harmonius Musicks ravishing Ayres, Breath our delight.

Calph.

To your accomplisht wish.

Exit. Cal.

Mess.

Circle me round you Furies of the night, Dart all your fiery lust-stung Arrowes here.

Musicke.

Here, here, let Circe and the Syrens charmes, Poure their inchantments; Monarch of flames, Fill with aluring poyson these mine eyes That I may with the mistie soules of m••n, And send them tumbling to th'Acharusian Fen: 'Twere an all pleasing object unto thee, Thou great Arck-Ruler of the lowe Abysse, Like to Cadmaean Semele I wu'd burne Rather then want this my implor'd desire▪ And be consum'd in thunder, smoake, and fire; Let petty Queenes dull appetite dread feare, I'le be my selfe sole pleasures Queene in all. Ha, whats this? cease that Musicke there, A suddaine strange and drousie heavinesse Enchants my tender eyes to close their lights▪

Dormit.

Enter three Furies with the A••rowes of Pride, Lust, and Murder.

1.

From those blew flames burning dimme, Where black soules in sulphure swimme. Darke infernall Den below, Lakes of horrour, paine and woe.

2.

From dread Thunder smoaking fire, We come▪ we flye at thy desire.

3.

To fire thy mind, lewdly inclind.

1.

To deeds unjust, murder and lust.

2.

Dreaming see, at thee, at thee.

3.

Furies dart sinnes potent night.

1.

Sable shafts of endlesse night.

Eight Furies dance an An∣ticke and depart.

Messalina awakes.

Mess.

Furies enough, I'me fully satisfide, A Plurifie of lust runnes through my veines I could graspe with any.

Enter Silius

Sil.

Me above all.

Mess.

O the unsounded sea of my delight In thee my Silius, tis miraculous, Ineffable, never to be exprest By learnings deepest Art.

Sil.

Glory of Queenes▪ Cease to enchant with words that can so charme.

Mess.

And Scarfe about thy neck, my Ivory Arme Practise upon thy lips the Energie Of sweet alurements, shoot into thine eyes Amorous glances stirring dalliance, Embracements, passions, such as shall beget

Perpetuall appetite, that all the gods May in beholding emulate our joy, Enveloped with pleasures sweetest sweets, Ambrosiack kisses thus.

Kisse.

Sil.

Delicate Nectar.

Mess.

Redoubled thus and thus.

Kisse again double

Sil.

O I am all Flame, A scorcht inchanted flame and I shall burne To Cinders with delight, debar'd to quench Fervour with fervour, violent flame with flames.

Mess.

Thou art too noble a substance to imbrace Thy wife Syllana, be sudaine, kill her, She must not live.

Sil.

How?

Mess.

Be not ignorant, That singular alone we must enjoy The freedome of thy body undebard Least let to pleasure, by this I charme thee.

Kisse.

Sil.

O that delicious melting kisse prevailes; Sucks dry the sweetnesse of a soule distrest, Poysons my blood and braine, and makes me apt To doe an outrage▪ I should loathe to name: O if I er'e was gracious in your sight,

Sil. kneeles.

Desist faire beauties abstract, I implore; Spur me not on to murders horrid act Which I shall ever rue; let it su••hse, I'me onely yours, never Syllana's more; Sworne a perpetuall exile from her bed,

Exit. Messalina.

Vanisht so soone, how wondrous strange seemes this.

Enter Messallina with a Pistoll.

Mess.

Death and destruction satisfie my will Or take't in thy bosome, I'me intemperate Briefly resolve.

Sil.

Hold, be not so respectlesse Of him that loves you dearer then his life▪ Dreadlesse of death I speake it, what is death? A bug to scarre th'ignoble cowards minde The valiant never; did the Fates conspire And terrible death in the most horrid shape It er'e put on threat, despaire, and ruine, Yet it should ne're affright the soule of Silius; Th'impatient sudaine cause of discontent In your rare worth, onely torments me more Then were I rack't upon Ixions wheele To perpetuitie; be gracious then To him that does repent, confesse his errour, Seal't with this kisse.

Mess.

Did Lucius Cataline Spare wife nor childe, for Orestillas love, And must our high borne savours be slighted Put off with bare perswasives.

Sil.

Oh be pleas'd.

Mess.

Let mighty Queenes, majestick emminence In the high pitch of their ambition learne Of us to hate corivalls in their love Trampling the Torch of Hymenaeall rites Vnder their se••te.

Sil.

The attractive force Of those amazing eyes those glorious lights Fixt in the Firmament of your sweet f••ce Shall make me undergoe the worst of ill,

Though with the forfeiture of life I ••azard A death more terrible then Alcides was.

Mess.

I love thee now, like to a burning glasse Th'ast fier'd a fresh th'affection of my minde More violent then ever▪ be gone, be gone, Hasten Syllanas death then come to Court, There the Emperiall Diadem of Rome Dreadlesse of Caesar shall impale thy Front Like Iove and Iuno in a nuptiall knot, Wee'l knit the bands of Hymen, and out shine The glorious Tapers of the golden Sunne, Whirle through the stately streets of spacious Rome Like glistring Phaeton in an Orient chaire. That with the bare report, swift fame shall strike Amazement through the world Monarchall state All-gazing eyes fixt on our rich attire Languish in dreames our stately state admire.

Sil.

Ravisht in thought panting amaz'd I stand At your Harmonious speech Emphaticall. Ambitious blood, like to the Bankes of Nyle Ore flowes this Orbe of mans circumference, And points my actions thus their way to ill Aspiring Armes Lavolto when they kill.

Exit Sil▪ Presenting his naked Poniard.

Goe the influence of whose power starres, Mounts thy imperiall lot to set aloft On the high Orbe of our affection, Like the bright rising orientall Sun, When it salutes Aurora; 'bove the choice

Of five and twentie Iove-like Ganimends, Who charm'd, and wrapt in wanton dalliance, Live fir'd with admiration; O pleasing, More pleasing sweet to my insate desire, Then was to Synon Illions loftie fire.

Mess.

Shall Messallina in her flourishing youth Like dull and tame, Nobilitie live coopt, Confin'd and mew'd up singular to one; No Caesar no, t'were fooles Philosophy, And I abjure't; there is no musick in't, Those of our Sex the mindes of sots containe And are of no brave spirits that deny Pleasure, the heaven of my Idolatry.

Enter Saufellus and Lepida.

Lep.

Plagues yet unfelt light on thee mischievous Slave, villane, dog, murderer rot as thou livest.

Mess.

Mother the cause of your distemprature.

Lep.

Murder in thee, in thee thou wicked Impe And that thy substitute by the ordain'd Gainst the most noble mindes of chastitie, Whose innocent blood like th' Atlantick sea Lookes red with murder, and cries out to heaven For justice and revenge; O hadst thou first Then beene the Author of so foule a fact Made thy owne passage, happy woman I.

Mess.

Beldame give or'e, or Ile disclaime all smoothnesse, Ther's nothing done that's wisht undone by us.

Lep.

1st even so, then too too ill farewell Truths story shall relate to after times My love to thee; hate to thy desp'rate crimes.

Mess.

Pish to your chamber dotard be advis'd.

Sauf.

Goe and a mischiefe dambe you, and all your Pittifull Sex.

Mess.

We doe commend thy care, Ioy 'ith performance of our strict command, Which shall from hence forth stile thee favorite To us, that will command thy fortunes rise.

Sauf.

And all those fortunes, favours, life and all, Shall like an Atlas undergoe the weight Of your imperious will, be it toth' death Of Parents, massacre of all my kin, To exceede the divell, act any sinne.

Mess.

For which we thus enseame thee,

Kisses him.

Sauf.

O Dulce, Divinest goddesse whom my soule adores, Multiply that sweet touch of rare delight, And from the Garden of Hesperides, Those delicate delicious rubie lips, Make me immortall, quench, quench the burning heat Which like th'immoderate thirst of Tantalus, (Scorching the medowes of my solid flesh) Dries up the Rivers of my crimson blood, And as the gaping tongue tide earth for raine Opens her griefe, so in my lookes behold, View my distresse; make me to live or die.

Mess.

Graspe me Saufellus; lets have a sprightly dance, Swift footing apts my blood for dalliance.

Sauf.

Musicke, rich musicke there; O that my skill Could transcend mortall.

Mess.

Tush: wee'l accept thy will.

Dance a Coranto.

Enter Lepida.

Sauf.

What divell sends her back,

Mess.

Pish minde her not.

Lep.

Nature constraines me back, what though dismai'd Shall I desist, O then shees lost for ever, No; I will bend with fairest faire demeane. To save her soule I'le make my foot my head, Mothers were Monsters else not truly bred, Give my speech once more freedome.

Mess.

You'l force us through unmannerly exclaimes To rest the strictnesse of our dread command

Lep.

I come not bent with wrath, but to implore On bended knees, with penitentiall teares, T'appease the Gods for thy full Sea of sinne, Such is a mothers love, and such is mine; Prove thou m•• like, thy soule shall never fall Into those damned sinnes it nourisheth; Which like a ponderous Argosey full frought, Cuft on the mountaine top of some bigge wave, In the descent, falls on the fearefull Rock And splits in peeces irrecoverable. So fatall death upon the wings of night Whirles the blacke soule in her triumphant Car To the Tartarian vales; where crown'd in flames, Tumbling descend to dreadfull Or••us Cell, That mercilesse pit of bottomlesse despaire, To fry in those blew fl••mes of feare for ever, In never ending endlesse paine for ever. If mothers teares were e're of force to move, Let th••se of mine take place; strive to repent, Thinke what a horrid thing it is to see

There is feare above us; feare still beneath us, Feare round about, and yet no feare within us.

Mess.

I doe begin to melt.

Lep.

Heavens blessings on thee.

Sauf

And hells curse on thee; tis high time to speak, O be your selfe divinest faire on earth, This idle superstitious lecturing Proceeds of malice; what? to make you childe And slave to her desires.

Lep.

O impious devill.

Mess.

No more, live and be thankfull.

Exit. Mess. and Saufel.

Lep

Ha, howes that? Live and be thankfull; am I then contemn'd Is all my labour in a moment lost. Live and be thankfull; sure I doe but dreame, It cannot be, na••ure against it selfe Should so rebell; O foole, foole that I am With vaine hope thus to play the flatterer. Mors e••umna••um quies; mors omnibus finis. Dissolve the glassie pearles of mine eyes, That N••obe-like I may consume in teares, And nevermore behold da•• light agen. Pish, all this is but talke; and talke I must, Fly from me soule and turne my earth to dust. Must I then live to see my daughters shame, Crack, crack poore heart; sterne death let fly thy dart, Send my sad soule to the El••zium shades That there it might drinke Lethe, and forget It ever liv'd in this mortallitie. Parcae dispatch; when, when I say; no, no,

Falls distracted.

Then will I act Medeas murd'ring part Vpon my staine of blood▪ that gods and men May sit and laugh, and plaudite my revenge.

Ye dismall sisters of the fatall night, Rise, rise, and dance hells rounde laies for joy, Rhamn••sia finds imployment for you all. Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow. Note with your grim aspects the courts of Kings, See how the politicke statesman for his ends, Sits hammering mischiefe; and how Toad-like swels Bombaste with treasons riches; see ther's lust, Brave Madam, lust temptations painted whore Divinely worshipt by the bastard brood Of knaves and fooles. Ye dread and irefull furies i'ft not true. Why then imploy your burning whips of steele, Lash with eternall lashes, there, there, there, Excellent Furies how you doe excell, So, so, so, so, tis holy day in hell.

Syllana drawne out upon a Bed as sleeping, to whom Silius with a light Torch enters.

Sil.

O what a fiery combate feeles my soule, The Genius good and bad that waights on man, Shakes natures frame, trembles this Microcosme, There vertue pleads for sleeping innocence, For love, true love, chast thoughts, and vertuous acts Which entertain'd within a constant brest Makes man triumphant crown'd immortall blest. But O the pondrous plummets of blacke vice, Suppresse those pure imaginations, Which breake like lightning onely for a flash, Wanting the true materiall to impell, And to continue this false clocke of life From its exorbitant course; such like are Majesticke title, and the Empresse,

That unpeer'd excellence, bewitching dalliance▪ Soule of temptation sweete, so charmes all sense, Vertue I loath, like politick states whose good Depends on ill, worke their attempts in blood.

Syla.

O my affrighted soule art thou there sweet•• Then am I safe; t'was but a dreame I see, A waking walking in my sleepe wherein, Me thought I saw neare to a River side, Two lovely Turtles sit, like morne in May, Adorn'd with all the glories of the Spring, Their loves to either seem'd to sympathize, And with such sober chastitie connex, That their two hearts (as true loves ever should, Like fire and heate inseperate a like) Shew'd like the splendor of a heart that liv'd In sacred flames; in unextinguisht flames Of chast desires, free from the tainted spot Of pe••ulent dalliance, till temptations snare Appear'd Parthenope like; that with her charmes Work't so effectuall on the Turtle Male, He (like Troy, firebrand, falsly that forsooke Vnpitied Oenon) not alone content, Alone forlorne, t'abjure his lovely mate, But back return'd his black intents to further, And to the height of lust he added murther The very thought seem'd daggers to my brest, That with the feare I wakt.

Sil.

To sleepe thy last.

Presents his lomard to her.

Syl.

Light of my life how's that?

Sil.

Briefly this; I'le be your dreames expositor thou must die; Die by this hand, this fatall instrument

Nor must I seeme to yeeld a slave to pittie.

Sil.

Sure, sure I dreame, dreame still, if not tell, O Tell me my better selfe, whose killing words, Wounds crueller then death; what cause, what offen•• What ill desert in me, that wrong'd you never, The Gods me witnesse beare.

Sil.

Tis for no fault sustain'd on thy behalfe, N••; tis the Empresse Doome.

Syl.

She; nay then.

Sil.

'Tis thee; that modell of creation, Must through thy death participate alone All that is man in me; And to that end With sweetest concord of discording parts, Out sings the Syrens, fiers this mansion With haut, Ambition, Romes imperiall crowne, And therefore I must kill; or else forgoe All those bright shining glories, which what foole Would be so nice.

Syl.

Is there then no hope, No comfort, no remorse; must I depart Where I shall never see thy face agen, Never behold those joyes, which Hymens Rites Were wont to crowne with true loves flames, Is there no remedy. Farewell vaine world, my life is such a toy, I will not with to live, t'abate thee joy. Yet er'e I goe, grant this one courtesie, 'Tis the last kindnesse you shall ever give, Place gainst my heart thy deadly pointed steele, So, now farewell; death is for me most meet, Strike sure and home, I doe forgive thee sweet.

Sil.

Bravely resolv'd, and I'le performe thy will As bravely thus,

Pretending a violent stab he flings away the Poniard.

Not to be Emp'rour of the spacious earth, Live, live Syllana free.

Syl.

Ist possible, Twixt feare and hope strucke through with deepe amaze I waver doubtfull.

Sil.

Cease admiration And be sure of this, though I must confesse I hither came Arm'd with a full intent To take thy life, yet Silius ne'r shall adde To his libidinous life, a murderers name. Of ill••, 'tis ever best, the worst to sh••nne, By murders murderers soules are oft undone; I wish I were farre better then I am. But since without my most assured ruine It cannot be; being so farre ingag'd Into the Empresse favour, I must on Make use of some devise cloakt with deceit, That farre beyond perswasion may enforce Thy deaths b••••eefe.

Syl.

Kill, O kill me rather. Be not far crueller to thy selfe then death To put to hazard on so slight a ground Thy life for mine; I know the Emp'resse That if least notice of my life she heare, Not irefull Nemesis in swift revenge Could be more speedy.

Sil.

Pish, I will so worke You shall not neede to feare, therefore as I, At court with my continuance must make way

To cleare suspect; use you the matter so Among your noble Family whereby Argos ey'd Envie descrie me not; I Shall securely live dreadlesse of danger.

Syl.

Though you had struck my body f••ll of wounnds And I survive, m•• fierce revenge should he Good against ill, how to preserve your life.

Sil.

Th'art the true Emblem of a perfect wife, For whose rare vertue, from my soule I wish All husbands were the same, in that right way A perfect husband truly ought to be. Which since in me (ordain'd by powerfull Fate) Never to be avoyded backward runnes, Let my recursion from thy mind expell, That Serpent foe to life; sad griefes extreame. As grossely vaine in being remedilesse, and Therefore shunne it, patient conjuence Is the calme of trouble, best cure gainst care, Gives greatnesse best content in meane estate. Why doe I then (like Godlesse villains) tell, The way t'heaven, yet lead the path to hell. Mindes that will mount into superiour state, Climbe mischiefes Ladder; vertuous actions hate. Yet ist not so with Silius; I doe love Those vertues in another, though I want The like performance; nor shall my high ayme, Rais'd on advancements top doe me more good, Then th'injoyning free from the act of blood. But I protract delay, ther's danger in't; Video meliora, proboque, deteriora Sequor. Never was man so infinitely Bewitcht; charm'd, and inchanted as is Caiu•• Silius, to leave a constant wife; farewell,

We must part.

Syl.

Must, must, O wretched word o•• Mischievous command; must we part.

Sil.

We must; nay prethee weepe not sweet,

Syl.

Blessings like drops of raine shower on thy soule, O that I might part dying in thine armes.

Sil

Farewell.

Syl.

Farewell.

Sil.

Teares want their remedy, There is no striving, gainst our destinie▪

Exeunt.

ACT. 3.

SCENE. 1.

Enter Annaus Mela.

Mela.

MY brother gone to exile and I here, So neare the Empresse Court, the Court of shame, Where mischiefes hourely breed; how strange seemes this, I have a will to follow, yet I want My wills performance; not that I am sicke, Wanting, or limbes, or libertie; which begets More strange immaginations, yet all I can, Comes short to guesse th'inscrutable meaning That thus deteines me here, in vaine, in vaine•• The more I strive my senses I confound, Then give it o're, salute thy mother earth,

Lies ••own••

And rest, rest while thy poore distracted minde Vpon the wings of thought takes flight and flie Fly to the Iland of Cor••yra there, Learne the soules comfort sweete Philosophy, What infinite good 'tis to contemplate heaven, For to that end the life of man is given.

Enter Montanus in disguise.

Mon

Prove prosperous my designe upon this Brother to the banisht Seneca, Are you cought Sir?

Snat••heth Mela's Sw•• from behind him.

Mel.

Ha, villaine what art thou.

Mon.

A murderer and villaine, O Sir, 'Tis the best thriving trade and best imployd 'Gainst such malevolent Satyrists ••s you. You that are all for vertue, a meere word, When indeede ther's no such thing; say there be None truly loves it but dies beggerly.

Mel.

Slave, rather dispatch me then torment m•• sou•• With thy envenom'd scoffes 'gainst that that is Most rare, most excellent.

Mon.

A little more, And then I'le speede you, excellent Ladies Cannot disable with a charming spell, (A trick of wit, a humour that they have) Husbands they not affect; making free way For Atlas backs to leape their lovely lappes, But your Satyricall censure straight must pa••••e, Th'ones pride's scab••-hammd Rascalls, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mischiefes veneriall Trulls; these are fine tearmes, Pray who made you a censurer of manners.

Mel.

O slave,

Mon.

T'upbraid such emminent persons What madnesse durst the like, deserv'st not death, Yes, yet your life is safe, passe but your vow T'embrace a beautie I shall bring you to, (More delicate then was the Spartan Queene) One that shall pay large tribute night by night, Give thee thy weight in gold for each delight.

Mel.

Not I, I yeeld my body mercenary slave To lust and lucre, no, though mines of gold She could give oftner then those who••ish lookes Women take pride in, to bewitch mens soules; First partch't to Cinders, 'gainst the burning Zone, Be buried quicke▪ all torments possible, (Stretcht on the Tenters of invention) I gladly would (most willingly) endure E're thy soule killing proffers enters here.

Mon.

No?

Mel.

Pish, for my death, ther's too much man in me To feare so sleight a scratch; let it come, I will no budg a foote; strike faire and home, Tis better die then live to live unjust, Slave to th'unsounded Sea of womans lust.

Mon.

Are you so confident, have at you Sir,

Offers to runne at him and flings downe the Weapon.

Your love, your love, 'tis onely that I seeke I am no villaine, though I seem'd in show But one that fearefull in these dangerous times For to retaine a friend; led on by hope Of your faire life, whom envie in your foes Reports no lesse of; caus'd me through disguise, To put to tryall your unvalued worth,

Which beyond man I find of such pure mold, Sun-like your vertues outshine purest gold.

Mel.

Beleeve me Sir ther's no such thing in me Worthy your least Encomium.

Mon.

But there is A miracle, which but in me in part, Through friendships deare respect incorporate. And you shall binde me everlastingly To blesse the hou••e we met.

Mel.

As I am slow, To friendships confidence (as tis requisite For ev'ry one, and yet once enter'd in Affect stabilitie, judge you the same, A man that truly sensative well knowes, Vertue to be but meerely adjective; Wanting that soveraigne sweetnesse which directs The minde to honest Actions; and therefore, As friendship joynes with vertue; truly is, The lover of love; each true friends propertie, By that true blessing, sundry, wills connexion Our h••arts as hands unite, dilate affection, That th'enlarge length, orbicular may spread And ne'r finde end.

Mon.

So am I yours.

Mel.

You mine.

Mon.

Vnparallel'd is that love where friends com∣bine▪

Enter Valens, Proculus, Menester.

Here comes the top top gallants of the time.

Mel.

The fooles of the time; how are we bound to heaven Exempt the bondage of these Palace Rats, These, whose delights are last provocatives.

Mon.

Let us withdraw, and seeme to minde them not.

Men.

Was men er'e blest with that excesse of joy Equall to ours; to us that feele no want Of high court favours lifes licentiousnesse; Kings have their cares, and in their highest state, Want those free pleasures crownes us fortunate.

Val.

O happy state.

Mel.

Glorious slave. —

Aside.

Val.

Thrice happy, I'de not change Earth for Ioves felicitie.

Pro.

Nor I, who wu'd, what inconsiderate he For such a Mistris as the Emp'resse Wu'd be so dull, as not make use of Art, Forcing the bodies joviall able might, To yeeld her expectation full delight.

Mon.

Libidnious Goate. —

Aside.

Val.

I'de do't, though Phaeton like, The hot receipt should fire this Fabrick.

Men.

When I commemorate her excellence, How lavish lovely dalliance free proceedes From that raritie of perfection, O How I'me ravisht; ravisht in thought as well, As with the Act; which breeds no wonder though High Iove transhap't him to Amphitrio To taste the pleasure of Alemenas bed; Needs must such prodigall sweets mad thoughts of Men; when power t'atract the Gods▪

Mel.

Impious Letchers. —

Aside.

Mon.

Silence, marke the event. —

Aside.

Val.

I that know none more worthy then my selfe Of true regard and worth; would be resolv'd What's he, that beares the valliant minde of man Dares for his mightie soveraigne Mistris more

Then Vrctius Valens.

Pro.

That dare I, I dare; Pond that thou art to question such a toy, Were thy power equall to thy daring pride, Proculus dares doe more.

Men

Nor thou, nor he, Not Valens nor Proculus though you both, Both durst as much as he durst cuckold Iove Menester would transcend you.

Val.

That our bloods decide.

All draw, exposed to a Triple sight round.

Pro.

A Spirit of valour.

Men.

Let it come.

Enter Messallina and Saufellus above.

Mess.

What killing objects, this presents our eyes, Our Favorites turn'd fighters must not be, Descend Saufellus, know the cause, wee'l follow.

Val.

Stand all so firme, this Seale expresse my rage.

P••o.

Mine this,

Wound each other.

Men.

This mine

Enter Saufellus.

Sauf.

Hold, hold, y're wounded all; As you'l incurre our Emp'resse deepe displeasure Hold, and resolve why thus you have expos'd Your lives to danger.

Enter Empresse.

Mess.

Whence proceeds this fray.

Men.

From that concernes the credits of best men

Which of us three in our affections priz'd Your excellence most.

Mess.

And was that the cause? Wee doe embrace and pretiously account The vigour of your loves; so you no more So full of spight, let prosecute your hate. With the like hardy daring, twill not please. We should esteeme your jarres rediculous Issuing from brainelesse wit discern'd in others. And as 'tis common to our emminent Sex, Triumph instate, and glory in your falls; Yet th'operation of your loves so workes, That it scruze ours to judge the contrary. Dry up your wounds with care; then come to court Love shall entrance your soules; prepare for sport.

Exit Messallina and Saufel.

Val.

Ile study Art in love for recompence.

Pro.

My love shall mount.

Men.

Mine yeeld profuse expence.

Exeunt Favorites.

Mon.

Here was a storme of mischiefe soone blowne or'e,

Mel.

'Twas to preserve them for a wicked life, But since these complices are gon that are Not worth least memory; behold this booke, Set my deare friend, and I will read to thee Of that high Majestie puissant Ens, From whom we have our being, life, and soule, Which should dull flintie inconsiderate man, When with black deeds 'ith myrie bog of sinne, Beast like he wallowes; considers right, Thinkes on his present state (whence came and must) Then on that terrible Thunderer that sees,

His actions kick at heaven; he then no more Would dare t'offend his Maker, but with teare••, Lament his soules polution, which doth give Matter, by which mens soules immortall live, But through an unfrequented heavinesse I am prevented.

Mon.

Repose a while I'le reade.

Enter Empresse and Saufellus above.

Emp.

Make us celestiall happy with thy newes, Art thou sure 'tis he.

Sauf.

'Tis, 'tis Montanus, Sure as I live, I tooke full view of him Before and after the fight; then with drawne Within you grove of Oakes.

Emp.

My hearts on fire To clip him; fly swift as thought Saufellus Conduct him to our Paradice of joy, If he escape desire then confound us, We onely view'd him once, but then the time Crost our desires; blest opportunitie That makes our happinesse a very heav'n Wee'l build an Altar, and erect a shrine That shall eternize thee for this; wer't my brother Resembled him we so intirely love, Wee'd force him ravish pleasure if not kill Be a S••••i••amis to sate our will.

Enter Saufellus.

Sauf.

Haile to Montanus.

Mon.

Sir the like to you.

Sauf.

'Tis th'Emp'resse pleasure you attend her will.

Mon.

Know you the cause.

Sauf.

Delay not with demands th'are frivilous Will you along.

Mon.

Your favour sir a while; I'le but awake my friend, (So-ho) sleepy still, Pray heaven this heavinesse imports no harme.

Exeunt.

Mel.

How's this, my friend departed, I alone, I know not what to thinke, 'tis very strange, He thus unwak'd would leave me; sure he striv'd, Yet I so fast, that he no doubt was loath To breake my rest; 'tis so, and some chiefe cause Which I might well dispence with drew him hence. I'le to his fathers house, there certaine finde Or heare of him.

Exit.

Hoboyes. A Banquet, to it Montanus is usher'd in state by Saufellus and others, who placing him de∣part; Hoboyes cease, and solemne Musicke playes during his speech.

Mon.

O Potent lust, thou that hast power to make The valiant and the wise, coward, and foole, I'me not so dull, but that I know thee now. Now comprehend why Musicke breathes delight, And why this banquet; why both presents themselves To be my slaves; 'Tis to make me a slave To lust; that deadly potion of the soule, Whose poyson quaft, kills body and the soule.

That's the maine end of these harmonious straines, These stirring meates, which unto me appeare, Like those blew flames the damned taste in hell.

Enter Emperesse by degrees, gazing at him.

Celestiall Angels guard me, now she comes, And I so ill prepar'd, I, know not what, A suddaine earthquake trembles natures frame, Which like a falling Pine tree to and fro, Vncertaine where to fall, it tottering stands. She's most bewitching sweet, I feare, I feare, She will ore come; now I begin to burne, To scortch, like to the coales of Etna; strike Me eternall winter with thy frosts; quench Quench this hot combustion in my blood, And if I needs must fall, O sacred powers Benumbe my senses so, that I may taste No sweetnesse in the Act, yeeld no delight.

Emp.

Thus long with admiration we have stood To gaze on thy perfections, pretious shape Why dost thou shake? why stare? as rapt in wonder Why dumbe? or think'st thy happinesse a dreame This kisse confirme thee ours; entrance thy soule To stirre loves-panting appetite while thus We clip thee in our Armes, embrace thee thus.

Mon.

O —

Emp.

That's loves Alarum, to bed, to bed, To Venus field, there combate for loves treasure Swimme in excesse of joy, there ravish pleasure.

Exeunt.

Enter Mela.

To thee faire fortune in divinest sense, In w••om all excellence inclusive is, To that high power, I invocate impore. If pleas'd, direct where I may finde my friend, Fi••l when, I fitly may assimulate The restlesse acquiessence of my minde, To the perpetuall motion of a wheele. That by the force of water restlesse turnes The vigour of the torrent left unstopt. So the strang absence of my noble friend, Suffers th'insulting tortent of sad griefe, (Tyranicke-like upon the wheele of sense) To racke my restlesse rest, which I must beare, 'Tis vaine to strive 'gainst sorrowes streame to swim, Man hath no power on griefe, griefe power on him; What's he declines his visage to the ground, Is't not my friend? tis he, happily met.

Enter Montanus dejected in countenance.

Mon.

Hell-cat no more, no more of thy imbrace, Findest thou my body enemy to lust And yet agen attempts me.

Mel.

How's this?

Mon.

Keepe off insatiate Empresse, I'le no more, Poyson of Monsters, the blood of Nessas Damme up thy Curtian-gulph-like appetite; May furies fright thy whorish fortitude Dancing Lavolto's in the very act And dambe you.

Mel.

Save him divine assistance,

For he's lost; mistake not I'me thy friend

Mon.

Tis so, and I am happily mistooke, Thy pardon worthy friend, it was my feare Of further ill; made me forget my selfe Distracted sense, as well it might, Other's A strange deede past.

Mel.

I fully comprehend, By that distemper lately in your blood. 'Twas musicks sweetest concord to my soule, To heare with what a cold performance Th'act was wrested from you, happy prevention, How like a doubtfull battle it hath made The victory more joyfull; which had else, Had you replenisht those soule-killing sweets, No meanes for safetie then, but fall you must, A prey to slaughter, or a slave to lust. But since with heavens prevention you are free, Fly Rome; the impious maladies she breeds, Experience tells, are hookes to catch at soules. Therefore to be avoyded, ther's no trust To trust to stay, where such infection raignes. VVho is at all times one; in that right way Man ought to be, being circumvolv'd mong those, That by the Plummets of licentious will Measure their vertues; 'tis impossible. The scholler, He, in whom there doth consist Honest conditions, and within whose heart Ther's many vertues make their residence, Though with night watchings at his study site, Wasting his vitall spirits (not unlike His burning Tapor) to illuminate Others the way that leads to the direct, From superficiall to essentiall joy, Even he, ill company corrupts, directs

To the indirect; so that some one vice Robs him of all his vertue: The Souldier That magnanimious resolution, He that leaves nothing unattempted May tend to the honour of his countrey, Ill company poysons with selfe conceit, Cankers with envie; till on the racke of Haute ambition stretcht, like stubble set On fire he prove a flame. And therefore to prevent us, gainst all ill 'gainst Wisedome commands our absence, truly knowes, Man at the best, his power to doe is little His state obnoxious, at the best most brittle.

Mon.

Your counsell points my actions their true way To immortalitie, forewarnes to flye, The dire event of future Tragedy Which as the flame, the fire of force must follow By th'Emp'resse bloudy project; that Monster In nature, in this the Emperours absence, Mounts on the highest Spyre of infamy, Resolves to joyne in Hymeneall bands With Cajus which Silius quaint vallanie, To put in speedy practise, he last night Ariv'd at Court.

Mel.

There let their impudence, For glassie glories of Monorcall state Ingender sinne with sinne, flatter their hopes, While our soules fixt on contemplation Make for the Ile of Corce, (come my deare Friend there on the Tyrhen shore wee'l practise Mans sole perfection to be heavenly wise.

Exeunt.

ACT. 4.

SCENE. 1.

Enter Empresse, Silius, Virgilianus, Calphu••nianus. Valens, Proculus, Menester and Sausell•••• with attendants.

Sil.

YOur Excellence that too, too gloriously Resembles your rare Sex; succeeding times Shall to the end of time, gaze and admire, Wonder at your high prudence, which to the Combination of our Nuptialls, hath charm'd Dull Casar to a free consent, behold;

Shewes the confirmation of the marriage.

There you whose loves doe ever bind me yours May view my fortunes like a valley rise Above those hills that will admit no clouds, Ther's a full grant wherein you may discerne My glories in this admirable lemme.

Val.

'Tis a fit bound unto your boundlesse glory.

Men.

Not Ninus, Was e're more dull, more easily entrap Then Romes rediculous Em'prour Claudius.

Vir.

Rediculous indeede here 'tis comfirm'd.

Emp.

Reade it Virgilianus.

V••r.

The mariage of our Emp'resse with Cajus Silius we fairely like; and to that end,

Reade.

(For approbation of our Copious Grant) With our imperiall signet willingly Have seal'd this assurance, granting a Dower Out of our Treasurie to be exhaust, And of our royall pleasure to be given With her our onely happinesse on earth. By whose perswasions we are confident The sa••d Nuptialls, to be but colourably, Onely of purpose t'avert the danger Of certaine prodigies, aym'd at our losse Of life and Empire.

Calp.

This credulitie in Caesar, was by Her highnesse excellently mannag'd.

Sauf.

Sure Ioves high love to his lov'd Gaenymed Descends in triumph on the Noble Silius.

Val.

Else, how should the meanes to his high ay••••e, Free from the plots of blood thus fairely greet Without least flaw in safetie.

Pro.

True, true, nor Can it enter in my thoughts to thinke, What obstacle should barre his excellence From writing Emp'rour.

Men.

None, not the least let; The people that are the Nerves of Empire All for the vertues of your noble Syre, Dearely affect you; boldly rely on't At publication of this copious grant They'l adde all majestie to your high fame.

Sauf.

Their love to you and feare of prodigies Pretended for to dimme dull Caesars glory Will worke constraint.

Val.

Refresh to memory The Acts of blood that raign'd in Scylla's dayes▪

Emp.

Busie their braines, and put them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 minde That the blacke thoughts of Cataline survive For this prodigious Age to perpetrate.

Calp.

Besides the Auspices, 'mong whom this grant Was sign'd, they by the Entrailes of their beasts Firmely affirme (past contradiction) Your raigne to be most safe and popular.

Vir.

Which with the rest are piercing motives, that Of necessitie (as food and rayment To the bodies health) will force the people Constant; they in their love and feare must make Your more then royall spirit most endear'd That state best rules, rul••s to be lov'd and fear'd

Sil.

Noble Romans, deare country men and friends These solid certainties you here pronounce In my behalfe, which argues your firme friendship, The vengefull Gods must in their justice grant. Make me the Minister of Fate, dig up The dignities of Caesars Race, and in The stead, plant monumentall ruine, make The name wretched draw dishonour'd breath, All the dire torments Furies can invent, Were all too little for my Fathers losse, That memorable 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ he that hath stood The fiery fervour of so many fights, Come bravely off, and sav'd this Empire. Gave unto Caesar Rome and servile senate Gave all their strength and being, and for all (Growne too too great examples for the times,) Plots were devis'd in recompence to kill, And that their machivillian darkenesse, he No sooner sented, but in open senate

Scorning Tiberius, and deaths base censure Expos'd his life a sacrifice to valour. And for that fact, upon the blood and name, That caus'd so brave and famous an example For all free spirits, Ile be reveng'd after No common sort.

Val.

Brave Silius go on, and Prosper, and command me ever And all.

Sil.

The thankes 'mong Princes of ignoble braine That shines like rotten wood, serves pettie use, The mind of Silius much much more then scornes, The grave V••rg••l a••os, during the Life of Silius shall ne'r speake but with the Voice of Co••sull; he, Calphurnianus Vectius Valens, Proculus, Menester, And Saus••llus Trogus, to all renowne Command and wealth of Provinces shall flow, T'expresse the gratitude of Sil••••s, and Though last nam'd, yet your bright excellence (the Which for gratitude ever remembred) Best in esteeme and first; not unlike, to That rare Iem reserved last to view for Worth and glory, to you all the delight This world of man affords I freely give.

Emp.

Thy temper melts me my magnanimous Mate.

Sil.

The Rites of Hymen, with next morrowes Sun Shall apt my blood unto the perfect height Of pleasure, love and emminence, lead on. Pompey nor Caesar, could endure a Mate, Nor Silius Claudius in superiour state.

Exeunt omnes.

Enter Narcissus, Pallas, Calistus.

Nar.

Emp'rour of emptie braines z'heart I could curse, His soule to th' depth of Barathrum O—

Pal.

Who but Claudius, unworthy of Empire, Drunke with the dreggs of overlight beleefe Would be so gross••ly gul'd.

Cal.

Scar'd with the Bugges Of Babies.

Nar.

A whoores invention, a drab Of state, a cloth of Silver slut, the tricks Of a tempting Tissue Troll, to push his Hornes upon the Pikes of ruine, where he Should rot; rot; wer't not to serve our owne ends, Maintaine that habit of perfection sure, Which till this sudaine unexpected change Like Paste has workt him to what mould we pleas'd.

Pal.

And must doe still, or certainly we perish.

Cal.

'Tis the prime pollicie, the heart of state, Which if with vigilance we not pursue, We lose, and in that losse lost for ever. Silius growes popular, and the people As 'tis their nature, ever covet change, They are as easie ••o be fil'd with errours, As for a lust-stung strumpet to take up To her dishonor; therefore as Saylers, That have for guide the South and North, sometimes To traverse and to crosse their way, and yet Not lose their guide; so in the deepe affaires Of such high consequence of state (as now The time concernes) we must for guide, detaine

The knowledge how to peirce the ends of those We most maligne.

Pal.

Thereby indeede man rarely Rests deceived, which for to put in speedy Practise, and stop the marriage, you and I My Lord (under the vaile of friendship) will To Rome; perswade the Empr'esse Caesar is Himselfe; perceives that all her plots to his Destruction tends; the losse of Empire and Th' abuse of 'his bed, disswaded her from the Love of Silius, which (in the refusall) Blood and fire must quench.

Nar.

This put home With low submission, making her beleeve By cringes, creepings, and a Synons face, That all our care is onely for her good, May worke perswasion.

Cal.

But not in her. There is no trust to such uncertaintie, T'were deadly Stibium to our vitall blood, Like that dire poyson thats resistative 'Gainst the most wholesome Antidotes of life. Weake mindes of men they are, fit to be fool'd, Slighted, add scorn'd, whose dull ignorance Knowes not that women in their height of ill, Who barres them their delight, delight to kill. What will Valeria, Messallina, the Emp'resse then; ••hinke you she will be slow, Whose hot Alarums in the very Act Within the circuit of a day and night Indur'd the test of five and twentie, came

Off unwearied: A deede to quake the hearts Of vertuous Dames, thinke you she will be bar'd Diswaded from the love of Silius, no, We cannot therefore (knowing that credit and Authority is farre more safely for To be maintain'd with circumspect, then with Rash counsell) cannot I say be too too Wary, least by any notice taken She take least knowledge of our discontent Whose rugged thoughts unseene, must be smooth'd ore And with a pleasing vaile, appeare in shew To like, and give full approbation Of the approbrious marriage, so to Secure us from suspect and perill, Vndoubted death.

Nor.

I fully apprehend, That so Ro••es Syren in the height of pride; Silius and all the factious Complices Through wicked wedlocks jollitie made drunke Drunke with the dregges of blinde securitie. Then, then my pyoning pollicies aloft (Of which my braine deteines the Theorick) Shall apt a Time for vengeance unwithstood The thirst of their Ambition qu••nche in blood. Till when sleepe on, sleepe on ye fooles of fate, "Plots best-encounter plots, free from suspect, "Fly like the bolts of jove, firme in effect.

Exeunt.

Cornets, Enter Emperesse and Silius crown'd atten∣ded in state by the Auspices and their faction passing over the stage to the Temple, Lepida with her haire dishivelled wringing her hands meets them, they goe off shee speakes.

Lep.

Blest be that sacred power which restor'd

My senses lost, and in that perfect being Gives me the noble patience for to see, And suffers not mine eye-balls to drop out At sight of this my daughters impudence, Shame that attends this wicked Nuptiall Rites Now in the name of goodnesse, what meanes this

Enter Valens, Proculus, Menester and Saufellus.

Whispering? what new mischiefe lies hatching In yonder bloudy villaines busie braine? In the discovery, counterf••it sleepe, And madnesse be my Moske.

Sauf.

At the Bachanalian feast which now Drawes nigh, then a rich stirring Maske will best Expresse it selfe in greatest glory; the Tunes for song I'le take that charge on me.

Val.

For changes in each dance my braine shall worke.

Sauf.

What sayes Menester, he that has borne the Prize; leapt Madam Venus in her height of pride For gracefull action and sweet Poesie.

Val.

Now, Does he claw like a decay'd Tradesman▪ when To maintaine the wagging of his chappes His wives Veneriall Firk-in must to Sale.

Men.

Why? did you ne're heare of a fellow, that By the scratching of his nimble pate, Workt your best pleasing project for a maske, Was well rewarded for't, when such as you For paines in song and dances laught to scorne Poore simple sots▪ their payment was the horne.

Pro.

O nimble Satyricall veine.

Men.

That's slow enough and dull at this time.

Sauf.

What thinke you Of a wooden Cupid brought in, in An antick amble making it wag like The Apish head of a French Fidler, when he Firkes with his Fingers.

Val.

'Twill never take Vnlesse you bring in the dapper dancer, With his la ta tat a teero tat a tant Ta ra rat a ta too rant tat a ta teero tat a too, Flinging away his legges, and skrewing his face Into the fury of a thousand fooles. Whose this? Mad-madam Lepida a sleepe.

Sauf.

Tis well; else shee'd raile faster then any Citie Pupper.

Pro.

That's a horrid hearing.

Sauf.

O a hell, none like it, let Scorpios itch Raigne in her middle spheare, phy how shee'l Play the divell with Cuckold simplicitie Her hu••band for want of performance, it Passeth all admiration, and that with No little wonder, yet demand the Act, And then you shall have my nice o'recurious dame, Vpon the Tiptoes of her apish pride, Protest, with O no—I will not wrong my Husband for earths treasure, stand upon her Honesty, then smile, change in a moment, And then wantonize, mop, mew, bite lip and Wriggle with the bumbe to put a man in minde, Then touch, shee'l gripe, and clip with a kisse, Melt into all the formes of Venery Thought can devise, and ther's her honesty.

Men.

O petulant purenesse of defiled pitch, But you forget what actors are prepar'd In readinesse for practise gainst the Masque.

Sauf.

The vestall Virgins from the Temple hail'd They shall supply that want 'tis so decreed By th' Empresse strict command.

Lep.

O horrible.

Aside.

Sauf.

All from the age of ten, to twentie five Must suffer Rape, and shall, stood hell in fight.

Val.

Spoake like thy selfe my metropolitan Cut throate of chastitie.

Sauf

'Twill be excellent, Rare, I fat with laughter at the rich conceite, Wee'l play at Tennis with their maiden heads, Fiftie at a breakfast, shall not give me Content.

Lep.

I say, vertues a Cyphar in The hearts of great ones, and stands for nothing. What sayes your most approved judgements, your Single sole conceits I am sure will stand For bawdy Comedies, and ribald jests. Insinuate thou and so wax knavish wise, Thou a stampt villaine, learne to temporise, Plot thou, and set friends hourely at debate, Cling to the surer side, the weaker hate, Turne Bavvd at midnight, Dander to a Whore While lust in 'ith act (ye knaves) looke to the doore. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

Exit.

Sauf.

Laughs thou mad mawde Goe with a burning mischiefe, Z'heart I could cut Her throate, but something in her lookes there is That shakes me; what a gen.

Enter Lepida.

Lep.

Be thou, One that knowes how to mix with perilous 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

The deadly poyson with the amorous dart, Drunk with conceite, that greatnesse beares the sway, Safely to act what villany it may. Godge godden I'le come agen anon.

Exit.

Sauf.

But wee'l prevent you, come Lords to Court, She shall be silenc'd or her tongue cut out.

Exeunt.

Lep.

Gon, O happy blessed blest prevention That to mine eares unlockt the horrid sound The blacke intention of so foule a rape▪ A hundred vestall virgins to be whor'd, First let the world dissolve and disipate; To its first Chaos; O thou all seeing power Prostrate on bended knees, I here implore, Beg at thy mightie hands t' inspire my soule, Make me the substitute and holy meanes▪ The sweet prevention of so horrid a Fact; O heaven tis granted, thankes Majestie Divine; worke on my minde; thought happily Thought upon; a spacious vault I have, which Neare adjo••nes unto the Vestalls Temple; Thither this night by a back secret way I'le draw the holy maide•• (none will suspect Because all deeme me mad) there by this hand Succour, releefe, and safetie shall attend Your noble soules; chaste maides live long and blest, "Free from the bondage of blacke mischiefe•• hands, "To vertuous Actions, heaven propitious stands.

ACT. 5.

SCENE. 1.

Enter Emperour, Narcissus, Pallas, Calistus.

Emp.

ARe we not Caesar? Is not Romes Empire servile unto us? You mad me with your newes.

Nar.

Mad a Dog, a Cat, a Rat, y'are to tame, want spirit To be mad, I am mad, mad to the depth Of madnesse; O I could teare my haire, to See you thus, thus senselesse of your wrongs, but Doe, doe; be the grand Cuckold of this universe, Let Cajus Silius raigne Romes Emp'rour.

Pal.

Lov'd of the people.

Cal.

Honour'd of the Senate

Nar.

Hurrid in triumph through the streets of Rome▪

Pal.

In Caesars Chariot glistring like the Sunne,

Cal.

While Caesar, unlike Caesar calmely suffers.

Nar.

Out of his Empire finely to be work't, Finely, betwixt the two hot Palmes of lust.

Pal.

Abus'd (forsooth) for feare of Prodigies.

Nar.

That, that, O infinite shame in stately Majestie, to make your selfe a never Dying scoffe for ages yet unknowne To point at you, for the most famous Cuckold.

Cal.

The renowned Cuckold.

Pal.

The high and mightie Cuckold.

Nar.

Cuckold by five and twentie, all in the Short space of a day and night, O insati••te Bawdy villany.

Emp.

Damnation seize her, I will heare no more; misery of miseries, Impatience crampes my vitall veine••; that swell With fiery boyling rage, O I am a lumpe Of true vexation, tortur'd with torments Worse then those in hell, in hell, very hell; This body sure is not substantiall, no I am all ayre, pierc'd through and through with stormes, Incessant stormes, that strike a terrour to My panting soule, misery of mariage, Horn'd, and abus'd by every vastaile Groome Vessells of basenesse, they shall buy it deare The high Sea of their daring pride must downe All topsie turvie to confusion turne: I will uncharme and never more be fool'd Slave to those wonder darting eyes that strike Amazement through the world, those bewitching Lampes her eyes, fed with the oyle of whorish Fortitude, (that like the Centaure'•• blood) ••ive••s the poyson of ••ell furies rage Into my blood and braine, those false false eyes, Shall never more intice, because that I Will never see them more, they shall put out Their glory for a grave, there forgot. Scorn'd, and contemn'd of Caesar, lye and rot.

Nar.

Now are you Caesar.

Pal.

What you ought you are.

Cal.

The high and mightie Roman Emperour.

Emp.

But am I so indeede (for I'me amaz'd At my dull follies past) is't not too late To call backe errours darknesse, O tell me Narcissus, is not Silius Emperour, Vsurpes he not that name past reach to quell.

Nar.

Confe••re on me that absolute command, Which Geta Captaine of your guard now holds Over your souldiers here at Hostia, And er'e the next Sun set his circular course The daring pride of all the faction, Cesar shall sit in senate, and their doome.

Emp.

Sweetest revenge, honour'd Narcissus draw Out the souldiers at thy free dispose Here's thy command Geta we doe mistrust

Gives him a Ring.

Thee onely trust, accelerate revenge, That I may ebbe the high swolne tide of wrongs, Which beyond limmits teares my restlesse braine, Knits and then teares with infinite unrests If there be Hell, the divell and damnation 'Tis mans delight in woman, insatiate Woman; that will doe with the divell, O 'Tis a fearefull thing to be a Cuckold, Rowl'd up in wrinkles of foole patience, We heare they have a Masque, but rather, then Any of the lustfull route, make their escape Fire me the Palace, burne 'em in that Masque, It will be brave to see 'em dance in fire, Skip letch'rous Antickes in a boyling flame, That thus with raging passion, boyling, flames My most distracted braine; tortures no lesse, Then if on Caucasus we were expos'd, A never dying prey to the Eagles beake. Such is the misery of marriage, where The besotted husband most affects, there

To be most abus'd, Cuckold, Cuckold, Cuckold, O.

Exi••

Nar.

After Calistus, t'appease his fury.

Exit Calistus.

My Lord, I'le post to Rome, the people groane Beneath the Emp'rsse weight; tis mischievous The bloody massacre of those Roman dames Murder'd for hate to lust, affords plentle Of friends, to force the Citie gates open To our free entrance.

Pal.

In si••ne whereof, From the high top, the temple of god Mars Let a bright burning Torch i'th' dead of night Waft our approach.

Nar.

Like Synons unto Troy; Talke trifles time.

Pal.

Farewell my noble Lord.

Exit. Pa.

Nar.

Till next we meete farewell, it is decreed I'th height of pride murder and lust must bleed.

Exit. Nar.

Enter Lepida and V. bidea, meeting each other.

Lep.

Now good Vibidia, thou vertuous Matron Of Romes Vestall maides, say, are they all safe, Can they endure the vault, that wretched shift This wretched Age inforces,

Vib

Best, best Lady, Thou Angell mother, of a Fiend-like child, All earthly similies are too too base To expresse thy admirable vertues,

By you Romes Vestall Virgins all are safe, Onely by you preserv'd and kept from rape From being hurrid in sad silence, unto The gate Colina, there in a deepe pit To be put into, there buried alive, From that dire death which was at first ordain'd For unchaste vestalls; by thee chaste vestalls Live all preserv'd, to them their darkesome vault Is farre more glorious then the courts of Kings, For which upon my knees in blessed time, Wonder of women let me kisse thy feete.

Kneeles.

Lep.

What meanes Vibidia?

Vib

To reverence your steps, The earth, the very ground whereon you tread, For that's made holy by your sacred steps.

Lep

Not unto me Vibidia but to heaven, To that lets kneele, to that omnipotence Which made this earth, lets both with holy zeale

Both kneele.

Salute our mother earth in ardent love,

Kisse the earth.

To heavens great Master.

A Noyse within of Follow follow, follow.

Vib.

Now the good Gods preserve us.

Lep.

Fly to the vault, I feare we are betrayd.

Exeunt.

Enter Saufellus, Hem and Stitch with Lights.

Sauf.

Search, search about,

My Genius whisper'd in mine eares last night The vestalls lodg••d within this mad Mawdes house Shee dies for't, while the chaste puppets we will Drag to court, there ravish and there kill, 'I will prove an excellent closing to the Masque.

Hem.

How if we finde them no▪ (my Lord)

Sauf.

Finde or finde not, for that I'me sure th'are here Wee'l fire the house and flame it into Ayre.

Hem.

The ground shakes, I sinke,

Thunder and lightning, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gapes and swallowes the three murders by degrees.

Zownes Hems hem'd to the earth I cannot stirre.

St.

Nor I I sinke, Stitch sinkes Had we our names for this, a vengeance of All false Stitches, they have stirc••t me, O horror.

Sauf.

How's this.

Hem.

Hell and confusion

Sinke both.

St.

Divells and Furies

Sinke both.

Sauf.

Horror of darkenesse, what dread sight is this What black Red-raw-eyd witch hath charm'd this ground▪ Sink'st thou my limbes supporter; must I yeeld, Dost thou then faint proud flesh, mount mount my blood, And like Enc••ladus out dare thy fate, O that my wish were suited to my will Now would I cuckold all the world, leave not A man unhorn'd, a maid unrap't, beget A b••ood of Centaure's to supply, and worke The worlds confusion; ha more horror yet,

Thunder. Enter Angell, three murdered Dames with revenge threatning.

Why silly dames, I confesse your murders, But to repent the fact, know that my heart. Is like the Corsick Rock, more hard; farre more Vnpassable then Chymera mount, whats That in white there, what so e're it be; the Majesty it beares, trembles my sinewes, O how it shakes me; came Furies clad in Flames, not all hells totturts, th'affrights & horrours Equalls the thousand part the paines I feele Through sight of that, that flaming Christall, sinke Me O—earth; Pindus and Ossa cover Me with Snow, hide me Cimerian darkenesse Let me not see it, my Eye sight failes Ingeniosi sumus ad salendum nosmet ipsos, Farewell Romes Emp'resse

Shot with a Tunderbol••.

To all ambitious vermine, Puncks, Pimpes, and Panders, Whores and Bawdes farewell. Confound the world, the worst of death is hell.

Sinkes.

Enter Sulpitius with a Guard.

Sul.

Make way there for shame; cleare the staires, You of the guard, force all intruders backe,

1. Gua.

Backe, backe, backe there, keepe backe,

2. Gua.

For shame make hast, way for my Lords the Senate.

Sul.

Burne beards and faces, burne em in the face. That offer to presse in▪

Cornets sound a Flourish, Enter Senate who placed by Sulpitius, Cornets cease, and the Antique Maske con∣sisting of eight Bachinalians enter guirt with Vine leaves, and shap't in the middle with Tunne Vessells, each bearing a Cup in their hands, who during the first straine of Musick playd foure times over, enter by two at a time, at the Tunes end, make stand; draw wine and carouse, then dance all: The Antimasque gone off: and solemne Musicke playing: Messallina and Silius gloriously crown'd in an Arch-glitering Cloud aloft, Court each other.

Sil.

Abstract of rare perfection my Iuno, Glorious Emp'resse all admiration.

Emp.

Excellent Silius all perfection.

Sil.

Amazing rarity, beauties treasure.

Emp.

Natures wonder, my delight my pleasure.

Sil.

Let me suck Nectar, kisse, kisse, O kisse me.

Emp.

Soule to my lips, embrace, hug, hug me.

Sil.

Leap heart.

Emp.

Mount blood.

Sil.

Thus rellish all my blisse.

Emp.

Agen the pressure of that melting kisse.

Sil.

Descend my Venus all compos'd of love.

Emp.

Lockt in thy Armes my Mars.

Sil.

Downe, downe we come Like glistring Phaebus mounted in his Car, When in the height of the celestiall signes He sayles along the Circuit of the Skie.

While they descend, Valens, Proculus, and Menester with three Curtezans in the habit of Queenes with Corone••s of state meete them beneath, during their si∣lent congratulation, Narcissus enters aloft w••th a Torch and speakes.

N••r.

Blacke is the night; a Canopie of cloud••, Hides the bright Silver spangles of the skie, All is secure, revenge proportion keepes To my full wish; no thought of blood and death Writes on the Index of blacke deeds at Court The least suspect; mad lust and wine, revells And pleasures, muffle their understanding. O Lust, lust, lust, wer't thou not what thou art, A thicke blacke cloud onely compos'd of ill For to tempt judgement, hadst thou the rellish Of sweet good, as thou art badly bitter, Thee above all the Gods I would adore, Thee, thee adore, that unresisted thus, Snares the besot••ed Faction to their fall. Loade them with Lethe still, while thus I waft Revenge from Hostia; like the sad flames Of Ilion burne, burne bright Torch; let thy faire view Tune to the dance of death, the amorous Measures of full vengeance; blaze prodigie, When the bad bleed give me that Tragedy.

Exit▪

Leaves the Torch burning.

Emp.

Musicke, distill new sweetnesse, vary thy Nectar Notes, while Loves bright eyes, court lips to The height of dalliance, each sacrifice a kisse, To all th'inchantments of loves luscious blisse.

All.

O liquid life of live.

All kisse.

Sil.

Here's a full bole, a health to the height of pleasure.

Kisse.

Emp.

Brave health agen, another, and a third.

Val.

That deepe carouse, makes Vectius Valens see.

Sil.

See, what dost see?

Val.

In my mindes eye me thinks, A moving Army comming from Hostia.

Sil.

O likelyhood, an Army from Claudius.

Emp.

Senselesse Cornuto, he's to confident, He ha's too great affiance in my love.

Pro.

His Cornucopia skull feares prodigies,

Men.

Alas, his hornes fork'd like an aged Oake, Are growne too great, to huge to enter Rome.

Val.

O mightie hornes.

Pro.

O monstrous Majestie.

Sil.

Scoffe of glory.

Emp.

My scorne, Come, come lets dance, Musicke proceed, Claudius my hate shall with the next sun bleed.

The dance ended, Alarum within.

Enter Sulpitius his sword drawne.

Sulp.

Hast, hast to save your selves, we are betrayd, The armed Troopes of Caesar enter Rome, Fly or their brandisht ste••le will guirt the Court Past all escape.

Emp.

Deafe, deafe me O thuunder, B••trayd, O blacke afright, fly Silius flie.

Exeunt Senate and Curtezans.

Sil.

What to out live my Fate, no, you of The Senate fly, fly all, stand not amaz'd, my mightie Mistris, endanger not your selfe, Excellent Empresse, Sulpitius be your guard.

Exeunt Empr. and Sulpitius.

But why you sad copartners in my fall, Why stand you thus plung'd in the panting depth Of deepe amaze, collect your spirits and Pursue your safetie.

Val.

What? fly? And leave you here; first with this hand

I'le teare my bowells out, and sacrifice My heart's last leave to life.

Pro.

To flye from you, O 'twere the loathsom'st scumme coward e're lapt:

Men.

Blacke blots of infamy to endlesse fame Wu'd write our Epitaphs, if basely flye. Where were the noble mindes of Brutus then, Brave Cassius, and Tytinnius hate to life,

Sil.

Our deaths shall be more glorious, far lesse ill; Yet will we die, arm'd with a world of valour. Not like those desperate fooles, which by their Owne swords fall; we are too deepe in lust▪ to Sucke such backe damnation, that were horrid. The soule, the all that is the best in man, Tells of two opposites, life and death in death. True sorrow for lifes death misselead in life, That's perfect valour, makes men bravely die That liv'd not so, when the selfe violent death Is but a bastard volour.

Enter with weapons drawne, Emperour Claudius, Narcissus, Calistus, with souldiers.

Emp.

Now you luxurious traytor, Emperour Silius; your highnesse gates at length are forc'd To bow; wher's your top gallant strumpet, that Strumpet, witch, hell-Cat; most insatiate whore That ever cleav'd to the loynes of Letchers. Tell me ye impious villens, Traytrous slaves, That I may execute my burning hate, And send ye swimming in her blood to hell.

Sil.

Claudius, let it suffice, she is not here, Spit all thy venome; be it a Sea of Poyson let it fall, here's none will shrinke; ou•• Bloods are all too much enobled, into The eminent temper of true Monarches,

To dread respectlesse death.

Val.

None here but scornes To plead with humble basenesse, low submission For miserable mercy.

Pro.

None here complaines upon the enticements Of your Emp'resse, that were too basely vile.

Men.

We win no glory in our deaths by that, Our selves against our selves give guilty, Onely beg mercy from the Gods.

Sil.

Of you our quicke dispatch▪ tarte lifes ex∣change For a delicious death; which if I thought Should feede upon delay▪ by all thats sacred Thus weaponlesse, we all would force And cut our way to death through some of you.

Emp.

I fret with sufferance, upon 'em souldiers▪

Souldiers wound them.

Sil.

O ravishing content.

Val.

Fulnesse of joy, My lustfull bloud flowes from me, man's ne're blest, Till freed by death; lockt from the worlds unrest.

Die••

Pro.

Man is to man a monster hearted stone, With heaven ther's mercy, but with man ther's none.

Dies.

Men.

This Tragick end is the most welcome part I ever grac'd with action; 'tis the best, O homo fragilis, specta volupta••es abeuntes. Man is an Actor, and the world the Stage▪ Where some do laugh, some weepe, some sing, some rage, All in their Parts▪ during the Scene of breath Act follies, scourg'd by the Tragedian death. My Sun is set in blood; fly soule and catch "At a more glorious being, farewell breath, "Man's never in the way to joy till death.

Dies.

Sil.

Why like a worme crawling twixt life & death

Am I thus forc'd; I must, I will not die So like a beast, the lofty Cedar and the aged Oake, Cuft with incessant stormes shall represent The fall of Silius; what? wil't not do? no? Shall my death then prevaile above my minde▪ O sad condition, misery of life. Expence of bloud faints me, and yet I stand, Stagger in spight of death; lifes threads uncur, What meanes this Riddle? are the Fates asleepe? So drunke at sight of this sad spectacle, I must awake their waking; I'me abus'd, Where art thou, thou invisible threefe; leane Rogue I dare thee to this comb••te, why slave, Dog, coward, dastard Death, no no; why then O kind best loving death; if valiant, if Thou be that sole conquerour of Kings time Speakes thee for? prethee, but for one bout, I'le not resist, scarse able to stand; open Breasted, take all advantage, disjoynt the Chaine of inauspicious stars, fettering My over wearied flesh with life, one thrust Put home will end me.

Emp.

Sinke him Evodius.

Sil.

Thrust home and sure, Why so; desire now followes my bloud, Farewell world picture of painted folly, Frame of woe; paltry life, I gladly shake thee off.

Enter Syllana running.

Syll.

Hold, hold, for pitty hold.

Sil.

It is too late. Too late Syllana my most vertuous wife.

Syll.

O my deare husband, ••lint hearted Caesar, Was not this husband wrought by the Circean Charmes of thy she divell; she, she hath bin,

The fatall Engine of my husbands sinne, She from my heart hath torne away this pearle More pretious then the world, O my deare love, I doe beseech thee to beare up in death, Shoot thy pale lookes through my afflicted soule, Whose sighes and teares & prayers knit up in groanes Ascend you starry globe unto the Gods. The good good Gods to pardon thee my love.

Sil.

Like a spent Taper onely for a flash, I doe recover to embrace thee sweet: Forgive me injur'd excellence; constant wife. Take from my lippes (deare heart) a parting kisse Cold as the dead mans Skull; nay weepe not sweet There is div••nity in that weeping eye, Prayer on thy lip, and holinesse in thy heart. The Divells cannot say I flatter thee, Nor this abusive, scornefull, dull darke Age, Taxe me to say it never, never can▪ Not out of all the Catalogue of women, Pick such a Phaenix Saint forth as thy selfe. In thee, bright heavens majesticke emminence, Lives my supporting prop against all ill To take me up to mercy.

Dies.

Syl.

Stay, O stay, And take me with thee up to mercies seate, For when we are there I know, we shall not Part thus; O he is gone; the strings of life Are crackt; I'le not outlive thee, no; thy losse Most noble husband, wa••••s my soule the way To her eternall rest, breake heart, swell griefe, And mount me to my love; I neede not I, The burning coales of Portia, Lucrece knife, One kisse wilt do't, thus ends Syllana's life.

Dies.

Enter Pall••s, with Virgilianus, Calphurnianus and Sulpitius Prisoners.

Pall.

Live royall Emp'rour long and happy live, To adde to your revenge behold I bring The approbrious Faction unto Silius.

Emp.

More blood unto this banquet welcome, what Virgillianus so grave a Senator So trech'rous, serv'd you as Bawdes to sooth the Mindes of Letchers, Calphurnianus and Sulpitius too: off with their heads, away With them, be suddaine, the tunne of vengeance Now begins to stoope broacht with the blood of These; vaine inconsiderate fooles.

Nar.

My Lord, The Core of lust still lives, time was Rome bragg'd Of these dead corpes for the most vertuous youths It e're brought forth, till your le••d Empresse Poyson'd their bloods with her bewitching lust.

Emp.

Where is that wretch?

Pal.

Prisoner my Lord, safe in Lucullu's garden

Emp.

Remove these bodies, her bloods the period To my full revenge.

Enter Vibidia

Vib.

Mercy great Emp'rour, mercy for the love You beare unto your hopefull royall issue, Lovely Britanicus, sweet Octavia, And for that admiration of her sex. Their mothers mother vertuous Lepida She that hath sav'd a hundred virgins from The racke of rape, for that true peircing motive Mightie Lord; O be in your great mercy Pleas'd; to give your Emp'resse audience.

Emp.

My Emp'resse, She is no more my Emp'resse, her blacke life Lost in lust, hath chang'd that name into an

Aethiops blacknesse, yet for those Infants sake For Lepida, and for the love we beare Your holy order we will heare her speake, Narcissus, against to morrow let her Have warning to appeare in Senate.

Exeunt omnes▪

Nar.

I but such warning as she shall nere come there.

Manet Narcissus.

I'le give no trust to those her whorish eyes. She will bewitch thee Caesar, mollifie Th•• flint heart; if they e're peece agen Off goes my head; I'le not abide the Test. The reconcilement of a drab of state, Tript, ith' height of pride when topt-with pleasure, O'twere fine foole state pollicy to trust Raise that declining tempest to her height, But I'le be no such president, it smacks Too much of the great dish of foole for me, And if I doe, may thunder sinke me.

Exit.

Enter Messallina, Lepida.

Mess.

Prevented with a storme in Sunshine, Frost in the heare of all our happinesse, O fire and Ice, O how betweene these two Sad smarting strange extreames I madly live Tortur'd in mind and blood.

Lep.

To this, if rul'd by me you ne're had plung'd But thats too late now; O strive to repent.

Mess.

Repent, redivell, Tell not me mother of repentance, Earths pleasures are to full of high content, To be forgot by such a bitter Pill.

Pray give some better solace, what returne Makes Romes grave Matron your friend Vibidi••, Can she with all her holinesse of life, Procure our pardon; is that possible.

Lep.

Onely a day of hearing that's all, which You must arme your selfe for 'gainst to morrow.

Mess.

O what a lightnings this to my sad heart My heavie heart, will Caesar heare me speake, Nay then I am sure of reconcilement. My quick-Ey'd sence, and Syrens tongue shall work it Charming like Lethe make him to forget My Crymenall life, then my rich Revenge Like to the Plots of thundring Iupiter

Horrid M••sicke.

Shall —ha, what horrid sound is this, What dreadfull sight thus quakes me.

Lep.

O 'Tis a gailty conscience.

Two Spirits dreadfully enter and (to the Treble Violin and Lute) sing a song of despaire, during which Lepida sits weeping.

Song.

1. Spir.

Help'esse wretch despaire, despaire,

2. Spir.

Foole to live, why draw'st thou Ayre.

1. Spir.

Friends all are dread, Friends all are dead, thou hast none▪

2. Spir.

Th••se that seem'd like Chaffe are blowne.

1. Spir.

Then die, O— die, Die—O die.

2. Spir.

'Tis better die then live disgrac'd, Ioyes and glories all defac'd.

1. Spir.

Thy pride of eyes, Thy pride of eyes,

Which world of hearts have fier'd Gon is their glory now no more desir'd.

2. Spir.

Then die—O—die

1. Spir.

Die—O—die, Die be free live exempt And scorne the base worlds base contempt.

1. Spir.

Come live with us, live with 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Live with us, with Spirits dwell, Life is a lake of woe continuall hell.

Exeunt.

After this song (which was left out of the Play in re∣gard there was none could sing in Parts) Enter the Ghosts of the murdered Roman Dames, Silius, Valens▪ Proculus, Menester, Saufellus, two Ruffaines and Bawd, they surround her with their Torches.

Mess.

Swallow me earth, gape gape and swallow Hide me from sight of this sad spectacle, No? why then doe sta••e till you burst agen 'Tis true, I was your deaths chiefe Actor Mischiefes chiefe Engine, ruine of you all Quid faciam? ubi fugiam, hi••, & illi••, Vbinam nescio, O dira Fata.

Exeunt Ghosts.

Close eyes and never open, all's vanisht now. T'was but the perturbation of my minde So let it passe—what agen.

Enter Narcissus and Evodius whispering.

Lep.

Tis a guard, I feare the Emp'rour in his minde is chang'd And this some sudaine plot to take your life.

Evod.

Within this houre my Lord.

Enter Headsman with Scaffold and a Guard.

Nar.

Let it be so, By that time hither I will conduct th'Emp'rour In th'interim cut her off, when she is dead

Narcissus with his owne saves many a head.

Mess,

A Headsman and a scaffold are these for me▪

Evod.

For thee thou woman all compos'd of lust ••loudy insatiate Monster of thy Sex See here thy stage of death, be sure to die, If thou haste respite given thee for to pray And aske the Gods forgivenesse, thinke it A world of favour and he suddaine, least Vnprepar'd we force you to the blocke.

Lep.

O be not wholly lost die resolute, If thou respect the wombe that brought thee forth, Let thy faults ripe in Act, be blowne to Ayre. Through faire repentance.

Mess.

How can that be? Am not I onely Author of all ill, Is it not I that have prepar'd the paths To the loose life of all licentiousnesse, Blacke murder, lust, and rapes unspeakable Why doe I live? I that have liv'd too long, Worthy a thousand deaths; I feare not death But O the journey I know not whether, Torments me more then twentie thousand deaths But how so e're it must not be deni'd, Fall then my earthly substance; thus low humbl'd Let my declining height submit my head To take an everlasting leave of life.

Shee mounts the Scaffo••d, submits her head to the blocke, and sud∣dainly rising up leaps downe, Snatcheth Evodius Sword and wounds her selfe.

Hold, our bloud's to precious we will not die So like a Calfe, nor by the hand of any But our owne, thus and thus, O this cold steele How it offends my flesh, I want full strength To put it home; if thou be valiant and a souldier Helpe to dispatch me; that was bravely done O my mad lust whither wilt thou beare me A dimme blacke fogge rais'd from the Lernean Fen Obscures my sight; farewell deare, deare Mother. Had I beene rul'd by you, I had beene happy Now justly scourg'd for disobedience. A Caitiffe most accurst she is no other That scornes the vertuous counsells of a Mother; So farewell light of eyes, ne'r to intice, Horrour invades my blood, I am all Ice.

Dies.

Enter Emperour, Narcissus, Pallas, Calistus with attendants.

Emp.

Is she then dead.

Evod.

And that desperatly by her owne hands.

Lep.

O Caesar grant this Corps to my dispose.

Emp.

'Tis at your free dispose convey her hence, And now since we are free by faire revenge, Never shall marriage yoake the minde of Caesar To trust the hollow faith of woman more, And if we doe; may Heaven by treason foule Shorten our dayes; the sequell of our raigne, Shall to the good of Rome suppresse blacke vice. Kingdomes are swallowing gulphes by carelesse rule, Iustice makes Kings the Gods to immitate, Vertue in Princes, is the prop of state.

Notes

• Messallina Claudij Casaris conjux hanc regalem existimans pa∣lam elegit in id ce••tamen nobilissimam •• prostitutis ••ancillam mercenarie stipis camque d••e ac nocte superavis quinto ac vice∣s••m•• concubitu Plin. lib. 10. cap. 62.
• Alij•• largitianis aut spei magnitudine sibi ex necestitate Culpam. Tacit. lib. 11.
• Nam in Caium Silium Inventuti•• Romanae pulcherri••u•• ita exar serat, ut Iuniam syllanam, nobilem faminam matrimonio ejus ex••urbaret v••cuoque adultero potiretur. Tacit. Lib. 11.
• Messallina nomen matrimonij cum Cajo Silio c••nc••pivit; ob magnitudinem infamia; cujus apud prodigos novissima volup∣tas est Tacit.
• Neque Sillus fiagitii aut per••culi nescius erat; sed certo fi abnueret exitio, & nonnulla fallendi spe, fimul magnis pramiis, opperiri futura, & praesentibus frui pro s••latio habebat, Tarit.
• Ne Trauli quidem Montano equitis Romani, defensio 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est, u modesta juventa, sed corpore insigni, accitus ultr•• noct••••••{que} intra unam a Messallina proturbatus erat, paribus lasci••••i•• ad cupidinem & fastidio. Tacit.
• Nihil compositum miraculi causa. Tacit.
• Nam illud o••nem fidem excesserit, quod nuptits quas Messalli∣na cum adultero Silio fece••as, ••abellas dotis & ipse consigna∣verit: inductus, quasi de industria simula•• ent••••, ad overtendum transferendum que periculum im••••••ere ipsi po•• q••aedam, ostenta portenderetur. Suet••n.
• Subibat fin•• dubi•• metus▪ reputantes hebetem Claudium & ux•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 devinctum. Tacit.
• Agitaver••; num M••ssallina secreti•• min i•• depellerent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Silij, cuncta alia dissimulantes deinde metu, ne ad perni••i•••• ul••••o traherentur desistunt. T••••it.
• Trepidabatur nihil••minis a C••sare, quippe Get•• pretorij prae∣fecto haud satis fide••at, ad honesta seu prava juxta levi, &c. Tacit.
• Multa m••rtes jussu Messalina pat••atas. Tacit.
• A••in cad••m ••jus Na••cissus prop••ravissat; vertera•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in accusa••••rem. Tacit.
• Lepida quae florenti filiae ••aud concors, Supremis ejus necessita∣tibus ad miserationem evicta erat. Tacit.
• Tunc primum fortunam suam introspexit, frustra jugulo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pectori per•••• epidationem 〈◊〉〈◊〉; ictu Tribuni transfigitur, Tacit. Lib. 11.