Five nevv playes, viz. The English moor, or the mock-marriage. The love-sick court, or the ambitious politique: Covent Garden weeded. The nevv academy, or the nevv exchange. The queen and concubine. / By Richard Brome.

ACT 4. SCENE 3.

King. Disanius. Justinius.

King.

Bereft of all my joyes and hopes at once! Is there no com••ort, nor no counsel left me? Why stand you gazing thus with sealed lips? Where is your counsell now, which you are wont In trifling matters to pour out in plenty? Now, in the peril of my life and state I cannot get a word. Give me my daughter,

Or take my Kingdom too. Where is she? Tell me.

Dis.

All we can say or hear is, she was taken Out of her private walks by violent hands, Onely we guesse the master of the plot Was Stratocles, who now is missing in the Court.

King

He ask'd my leave to leave the Court, and had it.

Dis.

Twas a fit glosse for his fowl treachery.

King

But what ha' you said for her recovery.

Just.

We have dispatch't a hundred several posts To every coast and angle of your Kingdom: No way of finding her is left unsought.

Dis.

Could we finde Stratocles, she might be found.

King

Stil upon him? Where's Philocles? where's Philargus? They are missing too.

Dis▪

Hell has not in't a thought That can detract their honours.

Jus.

Yet a Rumor Is spread about the Court; they are gone to fight.

Dis.

'Gainst whom?

Jus.

Against themselves. Nay more, that they Have fought, and both are slain.

Dis.

You may as soon Believe the Artick and Antartick poles Can meet it opposition, amidst The firmament, and jointly in a fall Extinguish both their lights in Neptunes bosom.

King

Whence springs this Rumor.

Dis.

Stratocles is the head We may be confident; and his men the pipes That have dispers't it.

Kin.

Stil you judge Stratocles.

Ent. Thym. weeps.

What purpose can he have in't.

Dis.

O my sister Has heard the news too. Weep not tender sister, Your sons are safe.

Thy.

Yes they are with the Gods.

King.

And, had they tane Eudina with them too, My doubts and fears were over, well as yours.

Ent. Garr. weeping

Dis.

Here's one that makes a face, an ugly one, And would weep too, had she but moisture in her. How now! Whose Mare's dead, Garrula? Take thy bottle And turn that into tears. Or dost thou wring

Thy face because that's dry? Gi'mee't, I'le fill it.

Gar.

My son, oh, oh my son is at deaths door.

Dis.

And is death so unkind to keep it shut Against him? Out upon him churle.

Gar.

My liege And Madam (it shall out) you might have sav'd My sons life in your servants love, whose scorn Will be his death, except the King divert it, And I shall tell him what you know I know—

Thy.

O me undone.

Gar.

And open such a secret Unto his majesty—

King.

Yet forbear me now.

Gar.

Do you slight me in the care of my sons life? Do you scorn my secret too, that may be worth More then your kingdom to you?

Dis.

Away old fool.

Gar.

Now you shall never know't.

Dis.

For thy good wil The king would thank thee, in offering at some mirth To cool his grief, but that it is too hot Yet to be touch'd.

Jus.

Indeed you do not well To move the King, or to perplex the Lady Now in their sorrows fulness.

Gar.

What's their sorrow To mine? My sons a dying.

Jus.

Her sons are dead, And the Kings daughter lost.

Gar.

But I pray, say, Is my Lord Philocles and Philargus dead?

Jus.

'Tis said so.

Gar.

Then I say my son shall live.

Dis.

And so wilt thou while thou canst lift thy bottle To that old Mazer.

Gar.

Hem! A hem! a ha!

Dis.

Do you rejoyce, and shew the rotten half tooth You have left that they are dead.

Gar.

No I rejoyce That the advancement that the giglet gap'd for In one of their fine followers is lost, In hope of which she scorn'd my son. But now He shall scorn her and live.

Dis.

Out envious trot

Gar.

Ile comfort him with the newes.

Dis.

away you Hag,

Exit Gar.

Here comes one merry look.

Eup.

Joy to the king.

Enter Eupathus. Eupa.

Dis.

Well said, speak up and home good

Eup.

Your daughter's safe return'd so is your son, Madam, For which you are to thank the Gods: This is Their true relation.

He gives the King a paper.

Dis.

Where is Stratocles?

Eup.

Caught in the snares of his foul treachery.

Dis.

Bravely and honestly spoken Eupathus.

He reads to Thym. aside.

Eup.

And by their hands whose voices he had once For his election.

Dis.

What his country heads?

Eup.

They all turn head upon him now.

Dis.

Brave heads Observe my judgement now, my king: Those heads I will so souse in our best Greekish Wines, That they shall be such heads! O heads, heads, heads!

King.

I do approve your judgment good Disanius, But wish you not insult ore mans dejection. We find that Stracocles is much Penetent And troubled at his trespass.

Dis.

A halter still him For an ambitious hypocritical Traytor.

King.

The time for my Eudina's match draws near, And I no longer will attend on fortune, I have decreed it past recal, regardless Whether against the oracle, or with it.

Thy.

Yet am I consident in your assertion You priests of Delphos.

Dis.

Hee'l bestow her yet On Stratocles, if she stand longer doubtful In a fair choise.

Eup.

Fear not my Lord. That doubt Your Countrey heads will clear. He has lost them For ever.

Dis.

O brave heads! I will so ring Their ears with jewels of praises and preferment That they shall glare like direful comets at him.

King.

One she shall chuse of them: If not, I'le put A third upon her.

Thy.

With your pardon Sir, Why are you (for I find it is so) stronger For Philocles?

King.

No reason urges me; And yet I find an inclination in me That pleads for him. I can perceive you too, Are partial towards Philargus. Can you yield

A reason for't?

Thy.

Yes, Sir, he is my eldest.

King.

Alas, But not an hour. Well, I'le remit My power propounding, and accept Her choice of either, made within the time.

Thy.

I, there my hopes do anchor; else they were Certain of Ship-wrack: yet the perillous waves My vessel rides on seems so many graves.