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 5. SCENE 1.

Philocles. Philargus.

Philoc.

Brother, and friend, I'm deaf to all deswasion. I charge you by Eudina's love, our friendship, And (if there be) ought that you hold more sacred, Move not to alter my fix'd resolution.

Philar.

That resolution's mine; And I conjure you By the self-same respects, and all that are Or may be hollowed, to let me depart. I will remove but for some few daies journey Whence you shall duly hear from me. But rather I'le travail to th' Antipodes, then here Linger the vain impediment of your joyes In your Eudina.

Philoc.

Travel's my design. Eudina must be yours. She is a bliss Which heaven created for you.

Philar.

Can a bliss Be purchas'd with your absence? No: 'Twil torture Equally in fruition as in want. Were it a Kingdom onely, we could part it Without the quarrel of the Thebean brothers; Or, were it heaven it self, Castor and Pollux Should have our imitation. But Eudina Is onely indivisible.

Philoc.

Add to it this, Their sentence is erroneous, that deny Partition to the soul: For ours do witness, Friendship can give her a division, And make reciprocal community Of all her faculties. But still Eudyna Is indivisible. Why name I her, Whom to forget must be my onely tasque? Brother adieu.

Philar.

'Tis I that must take leave.

Enter Disan.

Dis.

Is it even so?

Philoc.

I fear we are prevented.

Dis.

Nephews, why left you so the presence? I May justly fear you were ill advis'd in it. The King expects your quick return, and will not Let pass this peremptory day, set down For matching of his daughter; to preserve Life, State, or Kingdom. Have you a purpose, First having beg'd that villain Stratocles pardon, To give him up your interest in the Princess? The Kingdom too, to boot? will you compel The King to give him all?

Philar.

Not so good Uncle.

Dis.

What do you less in flying from the presence, When that affair is now in agitation?

Philoc.

Uncle, you saw withal the great destraction We left the Princess in. How when she look'd Upon Philargus, she inclin'd to him; And when on me to me; when on us both How extasied she fell!

Philar.

A strong necessity There is that one of us absent.

Dis.

Therefore You both flie off to travel several wayes! Come, let me tell you your courtesie is foolish, And you unworthy to have such a fortune Hang like a pregnant cloud over your heads Ready to be dissolv'd in showres upon you, While your own madness conjures up a wind

To blow't away.

Philar.

Uncle, you are unjust, I would remove to let that golden showre Light upon Philocles.

Philoc.

I upon Philargus.

Dis.

I could even swadle'em both for a brace of Babyes. Your folly makes me mad: will you return Yet to the presence, both of you?

Philoc.

Uncle, you know To be both there, is neither to be there, But to breed more perplexity in Eudyna. Pray take Philargus.

Dis.

Nephew, come, be wise: It is a crown that Courts you; and the name Of friend, or Brother ought to stand aloof, And know a distance, where such dignity Is tendred. Take your opportunity, I find you coming, come.

Philarg.

I pray take Philocles.

Dis.

I'le take him for the wiser man then. Nephew, Come, and embrace your fortune, and forget not To thank the Gods your Brother has no more wit. A Kingdom and a beauteous bed▪fellow (There Nephew, there!) Do not those bare a sound 'Bove friend and Brother, ha?

Philoc.

not in mine ears.

Dis.

What frost has ceiz'd their blood, & brains, which neither Beauty nor dignity can thaw? Go travel. What stay you for? young Gentlemen sometimes Wait for a gale of gold to blow'em out O'th'harbour; Stratocles will furnish you, And thank you more then for his forfeit life.

Philoc.

Stratocles can gain nothing by my abscence, While her Philargus stayes.

Philarg.

No, nor by mine, While Philocles remains.

Dis

Shall I make a motion, Will one of you remain?

Both.

One must and shall.

Dis.

Then yield to take your lots for't. (I will make'em) As you respect my love; your mothers life; The kingdoms good; Eudynas love and life, Let it be so. Pause not upon't, but do't.

See, here's ink and paper. I am inspir'd, Apollo, with thy wisdom. Love.—and friendship. See, here's a pass for one, and a plantation

He writes two lots.

For tother. Love and friendship Gentlemen. Love shall abide at home, and friendship walk, According to the custom of the world. Let it be so. ▪Come study not, but draw, I'le draw upon ye both else.

They drew the lots.

Philar.

Friendship for me then.

Philoc.

See here I have it brother. And yours is love. My love be prosperous to you. My horse, my horse.

Enter Varillus

Var.

All's ready, Sir.

Philoc.

In the first place then bring A parting cup, that by the grapes Elizar As Jove by Acheron, I may protest My constancy and zeal unto my purpose.

Var.

And now's my time to act thy purpose, Doris.

Exit.

Dis.

Kick not your heels against the Gods, Philargus, It is most evidently their decree That you abide and Philocles remove.

Philoc.

I do obey my Lot. And noblest brother. Be you as free in love, as I from envy.

Philar.

But how can you forgo that equal interest You have with me in Thessaly, and Eudina?

Diss.

Why should that trouble you? you see he does Forgo't; and is a going. Would he were gone once.

Philar.

Can love allow't?

Philoc.

Variety of objects Like Nails abandon one a nother. So May I, by novelties of Travail, lose The thought of Love; and chearfully return Both hers and yours in a more just relation.

Enter Varil∣lus with a bowl of wine.

Give me the bowl. Now brother to that love You owe the fair Eudina, unto which I give th'addition of mine own, and all

The joves that ere I wish'd my self and her, And to that friendship, which nor Time, nor absence Shall ever end or alter.

He drinks and gives Varillus the bowl.

Var.

Now the service that may redeem my faults Is to be done.

Philar.

Give it me full, Varillus.

Var.

I'le give you more then you expect by this.

He puts in a pou∣der.

Philar.

You have the victory in friendship, brother, Who, by your resolute absence will inforce And drive me to a happiness; wherein I must not cease, in all the strength of prayers Of sacrifice, and vowes; in all my goods Of fortune, mind and body to be yours: Which that you may return to repossess With the more speed, this health to auspicate And expedite your travails.

Var.

They are done Already if my Pothecaries skill fail not.

Philoc.

With this embrace my brother, and my last Of present ceremony, I now wish you In th'arms of your Eudina— And may my better part of soul, which now I leave in trust with you, by you be breath'd Into her breast; that she may lively find She has my love in yours; and that in you She has us both.

Dis.

So, so, enough. Ha'ye done yet?

Philoc.

How is it with you brother?

Philarg.

As it is With souls that leave the world in peace.

Dis.

For shame Leave womanish ceremony. Will you part Before it be too late?

Philoc.

Too soon I fear. Philargus! Brother! Friend! Ye Gods, how comes this?

Dis.

What is he dead? I see then how it comes. You or your man, or both ha'poyson'd him.

Philar.

No, 'twas my self.

Dis.

Thou wilt not go out o'th'world With a lie i'thy mouth? Speak yet again,

Var.

He has said well for me already,

Philoc.

Gone, past recovery, but he shall not pass Without my company.

Dis.

Wilt thou die mad too?

He offers to kill himself. Dis. snatch∣eth his sword away.

Come, Sir, let go your whiblin. He has yet Some breath. Run for Physitians—No, Sir, stay. I will not quit you so. I can read guilty lines Palpably on this villans visnomy. Is there no more i'th'house? some help here! ho! Nephew forbear. As you will have me think

Philocles of∣fers again to kill him∣self.

You guiltless of your brothers blood, forbear. How am I tortur'd! Ho! Philargus; rub him, Rub him, he may live yet.

Philoc.

O that the world Might be so happy!

Dis.

So, well said: A box Or two in kindness will not do amiss. Stir not you sirrah. O, Sir, you lay hold

Enter Tersulus.

On that same traytor.

Var.

I'le not stir my Lord.

Dis.

I'le hold you to your word, Sir, run, Sir, you And fetch Physitians.

Ter.

O my Lord, fallen dead!

Dis.

Stay but to look upon him, and I'le swear Thou art his murderer. Fetch the Kings Physitians,

Exit Tersulus

If not to cure him; yet to rip the cause Out of his sodain death. I guess they'l finde Your handy-work in's maw.

Var.

You heard him say It was himself that did it. I am clear'd.

Enter Eupathus.

Eup.

My Lord, the King, impatient of your stay, Has sent ••.

Dis.

What has he sent. Has he sent means To call this man from death, or that from falling After him into th'grave?

Eup.

O heavy spectacle!

Dis.

But, come I will not cry tho'. Pray assist me, In with this body, Charity commands

When griev'd necessity intreats your hands.

Exeunt omnes.