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 3.

King. Justinus. Eudina. Thymele. Attendants.

King.

No answer, no return? Must I intreat, Yet have my undeserved favours slighted?

Thy.

Yet, Sir, your Kingly patience.

King.

Stupid folly 'Twere longer to attend. My vow is past And register'd in heaven; the minute is Athand, that calls down thonder on me, which No tear, or prayers can mollifie or aver'••, If I upon so long deliheration Shall falsifie. So, call in Stratocles.

Exit. Attendants.

Eud.

O my dread father. Yet one hours patience Till Eupathus or Disanius return. One short, short hour: I may not live so long. His wife you nam'd; though you may force me take him.

King

I'le leave that to the Gods.

Eud.

They will forgive. Give them your imitation In mercy, as in power on earth. I know Disanius Went not in vain to call'em to your presence. And him that he brings first into this room O Philocles or Philargus I will take, Though he precede the other but one foot, I have it by inspiration from the Gods.

King

You are full of dreams.

Thym.

This cannot, Sir, be long In tryal. King Yet I am not bound to wait On those ingrateful men. O Stratocles,

Enter Strato.

You have from your late Errors, which your then Head-strong ambition hurried and cast you in With that humility purg'd your self, that I Conceive you now a temperate Man; and am Instructed by the clemency of the Gods To cherish and reward your vertue. Therefore From their divine appointment, as my hands—

Eud.

(O mighty, Sir—

King

Dare not to disobey me) Receive Eudina.

Str.

Royal King and Master, Mistake not so the pleasure of the Gods. My forfeit life you have forgiven me: Your Kingly power and grace might do it. You Have given it freely: but I took't with caution, By future service to make good your gift: But for my forfeit love to fair Eudina, And my lost honor to the twin-born brothers, There can be no redemption, if I add By acceptation of your bounteous offer A second trespass, greater then the former.

King

Do you refuse her then.

Str.

In hope shee'l plead My pardon to your grace.

Eud.

The Gods have wrought Effectually for me.

King

Strangely, unexpected Are you become a suppliant Placilla?

Pla.

In the behalf, Sir, of your loyal subjects,

Ent. Pla. with a pe∣tition.

The Swains of Tempe.

King.

I expected, rather, News from your unkind brothers. See Justinius, The Commons, rather then I shall bestow

kneels.

My daughter upon Stratocles, do beseech me To take a further time.

Just.

Y'are happy, Sir, In his refusal and in their request. They are fair predictions of ensuing joyes To you, your daughter, and the Kingdom, If I may be worthy to divine so much.

King

How ere thy divination proves, thy wish Is worth our thanks. And we may have

Enter Eupathus

Glad tidings presently. Now Eupathus Where is Disanius, Philocles, and Philargus? Why come they not?

Eup.

They are all at hand my liege. This paper may excuse their stay.

King

O do

The K••reads the paper.

They plead excuse then?

Thym.

I am full of fears.

Eud.

And I of sodain joy.

Plac.

Pray all be well. The King has struck his breast, and seems perplext.

King

Justinius, Stratocles, read here this Paper. Go Eupathus, and let them enter. Stay. Yet go, bring them in their prescribed manner. I'le send the woman off, whose sodain grief May be a bar to our proceedings. Madam—

Thy.

I fear that Garrula has detected me.

King

I must intreat a while your absence, Lady.

Thy.

May I presume to ask your reason, Sir.

King

My will has been above your question. Pray, Let me request you go.

Thy.

I know obedience.

King

And go Placilla, send old Garrula to me.

Thy.

Now tis most evident. O mighty, Sir, Conceive not worse of me then Garrula. Let us appear together.

King

What means this?

Thy.

You may be pleas'd to hear me first.

King

Pray pull not More weight upon your breast then you can bear,

By your impertinent stay. Go I command you.

Thy.

I must obey. However tis too late To change the resolution of my fate.

Exit. Thym. Pla.

King

I have not known her thus. I fear destraction Fore-runs the voice of grief, as to prevent it. Heaven knowes I call'd for Garrula, but to send her With best directions to prepare and arm Her tender soul against the sting of sorrow Before it should approach her. But Eudina You must be valliant; and not let the sight Of death in others shake your confidence.

Eud.

How means your majesty?

King

Suppose that both Your fatal lovers, Philocles and Philargus Slept in the caves of death.

Eud.

I should not live then;

King

Suppose his desteny had cut off one, And, in him, all the impediments, that crost You in th' enjoying of the other, say Which could you wish surviver? But you have Declar'd your constant purpose to possess The first Disanius brings into this presence. Come; one is dead. There is a strict necessity You know it. Now collect your Reason: For 'tis not Your passion for the dead; nor your dislike Of Stratocles; no though my subjects yeeld you A longer time, shall make me tempt the Gods

Recorders. Ent. Disanius be∣fore a herse. Phi∣locles after. Varil∣lus manacled and led by Tersu••us. Euputhus supports Philocles, as ready to sink with grief.

By breaking of my vow. Be stedfast then, As you respect a father; and take courage. See Philocles lives.

Eud

Philargus then Is brought in dead be••ore him by Disanius; And unto him the first to be brought in My faith was vow'd; and he is now my choice.

King

What being dead? Could you affect'em so Equally, both alive, that you forbore To chuse, because you could not have'em both;

And now seek onely him cannot be had?

The herse set down. Eudinae kneels to it. Philo. kneels

What Love, what madness call you this? good Gods, Throw not your wrath upon me in destruction on the other

Just.

Nor let your passion Master you great, sir, side, As sodain grief does her. But give a little Scope to her sorrow. Shee will soon return And meet her Reason in obedience To your desires.

King.

I thank thee good Justinius.

A Song.

During which Disanius &c. discourse with the King. Di∣sanius seems to acquaint the King with the manner of Philargus death, pointing at Varillus. The King seems much troubled; but at the end of the song, (as by the Kings appointment Disanius rais∣eth Philocles, and Justinius raiseth Eudina, and bring them to the King while Eupathus with the At∣tendants go forth with the herse, the Recorders play∣ing. which done,

King.

Your virgin tears and vowes ore your lost love I did attend with pardon, my Eudina, I•• hope you are now compliant to my will.

Dis.

Grieve not your father Madam.

Eud.

I ha'done; And as the Gods direct him to command me, I must and will obey.

Dis.

So that's well said.

King.

The Gods have pleas'd Eudina to determine Your doubtful choice, reserving Philocles Unto your love without competitor: Therefore it now remains that he be taken Into your liking; whom I have decreed My successor.

Eud.

His merits are above Me and this land; In which what interest My birth hath given me I resign to him. Onely let me beseech a further respite.

King.

For what? the celebration? I consent; But for the contract, this imediate hour Shall see it knit beyond all dissolution.

Dis.

I that I thirst to see.

King.

Give me your hands.

Eudina gives her hand.

Yours Philocles.

Dis.

Why give you not your hand, Dare you not trust the King with't? should he now Shew a jades trick and flie back.

Philoc.

I beseech Under your highness Pardon, yet, a respite.

Dis.

More respits yet? Was ever hopeful match Driven so round about?

King.

Why this delay?

Philoc.

My brothers blood cries in me for your justice Which must be executed on his murderer Before I safely can, or dare possess His interest in the faith of fair Eudina.

Dis.

O, is that all? that may be soon dispatch'd. Come forwards Poysoner. Good your Majesty, For expedition, make me his judge, And hangman too (I care not) rather then Suffer this match hang o'the tenters thus.

King

Has he confes'd the fact?

Dis.

Yes, yes to me. I beat it out of him. Quickly good King.

King

Your patience good Disanius Sirrah speak.

Var.

It was my act. But may your mercy look Upon my love in it unto my Lord.

King

Your Lord shall be your j••dge then.

Philoc.

I ad∣judge him To sharp but lingring tortures (for his death Alone can yeeld no satisfaction) Tortures that may draw in, by his confession, As accessaries with him, all the homicides That are i'th' Kingdom.

Dis.

A hard matter that.

Philoc.

Nor can I think his onely brain and hands Compos'd the poyson.

Dis.

Hang him, hee's a Barber, And uses Aqua fortis, oyl of Vitriol, Mercury, and such like, to cleanse his Rasors.

Just.

'Tis good that you Varillus clear your conscience And, if you had confederates in the fact, Give up their names.

Ter.

Varillus, I suspect Doris joyn'd hand with you in my Lords death.

Dis.

What's that you mutter?

Ter.

It shall out my Lord; The handmaid Doris put him on't; I know't By what she said to us both we being her lovers.

Dis.

The Taylor proves an honest man: because He cannot have the wench himself, he'll hang her.

Var.

Of her I had the poyson, tis confest.

Exit Tersulus

Dis.

O that whore. King. Find her and drag her hither.

Enter Thymele.

Thy.

Where's my Philargus? Give me yet his body, That with a mothers tears I may imbalm it.

Dis.

You have heard the wosul newes then; but my sister Could grief recal Philargus, we would weep A second deluge for his reparation; Renew his breath by sighing, and awake him, With grones out of his Sepulchre.

Thy.

Already Have you inter'd him then? you made strange hast. Was it your subtlety to send me hence, Fearing my cries might have reviv'd him, king? And so again delay'd your daughters marriage? I have enough to cross it yet Philargus

Dis.

What's that?

Str.

Destraction sure.

King

My fear foresaw't.

Thy.

You are deceiv'd, for from my depth of so••row, Through this thick film o•• tears, I can perceive You are about to joyn the hands and faiths Of Philocles and Eudina,

King.

Is not that Enough to dry your tears, and shew, you that The Gods were rather merciful in leaving This son, then rigorous in taking ••other?

Dis.

Or would you now, cause you have lost Philargus, Kill Philocles too by crossing of this contract?

Thy.

It is the pleasure of the Gods I cross it.

Ent. Gar.

Dis.

Of devils it is. What can she mean? Go sleep.

Gar.

King by your leave.

Dis.

What sayes old suckbottle now?

Thy.

Nay I am here before you Garrula, And now will tell the long hid secret for you. And if I erre in it, disprove me.

Gar.

Tell't then. My faltring tongue will fail me. I can hear tho'.

Drink••

Thy.

This contract must not be.

King

You then must yeeld More reason then I find you have.

Thy.

Your self Can never make it. You will sooner joyn The Wolfe and Lamb. Falcon and Dove together.

King

No trifling I command you Thymele.

Philoc.

If you be serious, Mother, hold us not In this suspence.

Thy.

Let not the royal blood Of Thessaly be stain'd with an incestuous match.

King

How!

Gar.

She sayes right. They are both your lawful chil∣dren By your own vertuous Queen now in—Elisium.

King

What dreams are these of your distemperd heads,

Thy.

This is no dream or fable. But unfain'd

Sip.

As truth it self: Which with your gracious leave I shall demonstrate, humbly craving pardon For my so long concealment, as I'le yeeld Due reason for it.

King.

Freely speak, you have it.

Thy.

You may remember in your civil wars, (Those cruel warres, as I may justly stile' em) In which my husband fell—

Dis.

O my brave brother!

Thy.

When open Rebels and domestick Traytors Pursu'd your Crown and life; your gracious Queen To have been brought to bed; and was beleev'd To have miscarried by an abortive birth.

King.

True: In her flight she was constrain'd to take A neighbouring cottage; and use the help Of the Swains wife.

Gar.

That swain-ess was my self, Though my deserts have glorified me since: And by my help (and somewhat of the Gods)

She then made you the Father of that Prince.

Dis.

Take up thy bottle—Sister, speak you on.

Thy.

Th'affrighted queen (yet wise in that extremity) Suspecting that the innocence of her babe Born to a Kingdom, could not be secur'd In those combustions from apparent danger, Sent him to me in private, then in travel Of my Philargus—Charging me to fain A second labour, with the Midwifes aid, For Philocles: I did, and was reputed Mother of both.

King

I cannot think our Queen Would keep us ignorant of so good a Fortune.

Thy.

I mov'd her oft to tell you. But she answer'd, All is not sound, There's danger, yet; And when After Eudyna's birth she felt her self At point of death, she strictly did enjoyn Me and this woman, onely conscious with her, By oath of which she had prepar'd this copy

A paper.

In her own hand, to keep it silent, till Philocles should be able to secure Himself from treachery; or that your terme Of life expiring, or some accident Of no lesse consequence requir'd detection. For further proof—

Kin.

My joy forbids more questioning Give me my ••lesh and blood into my bosome. Thrice happy Fathers if your Children were Borne to you thus of perfect Age. But where Is now a Match for my Eudina. I Have here a successor.

A shout within and crying Philargus, Philargus. &c.

King.

Hah! Voyces i'th Ayre that cry Philargus?

Eud.

Voyces that do tell me, I must follow him Up to the heavens, and there be married to him.

Des.

Here's the She-Devil now.

Ent. Turs. with Dor.

Dor.

You need not pull me For that mans love, I laid thy Lord to sleep: Had I lov'd thee best, then his Lord had slept.

Dis.

How does he sleep? speak impudent baggage, how?

Dor.

How? With a powder, Sir, which my own father A skilful pothecary prepar'd; who, if Philargus dye, shall hang with us for Company.

Dis.

Your father?

Dor.

Yes, But now the perils past. See, if he sleep, tis walking.

Enter Philargus Eupathus.

Philoc.

Ha! Philargus. Or but the shade; the spirit of my friend.

Philar.

Be not amaz'd, as at an apparition.

Thy.

Doth my son live? O then I have enough.

Dis.

Come hither. come hither you three. I will dis∣charge The scene of you▪ Thy love unto thy Lord (Though somewhat unadvisedly imploy'd) Deserves reward; Ile see it given thee, Thy Lord and King shall thank thee: take thy wench, She has love in her wit, and wit in her anger. I like the luck of things; that ill intents Should bring forth good events. Thy faithfulness To thy Lord too was happy. Go, I▪le see you

Ext. Var. Ter Dor.

All royally rewarded. How now Geron?

Ger.

My Lord I see here's joy towards, as why—

Ent. Ger.

Dis.

'Slife, stand not Whiloming now man:but be brief.

Ger.

Cry mercy. I had left it. But my Lord To celebrate the flowing joyes in Court, I and my Countrey heads have fram'd a Masque, Rather an antick dance, rather a countrey toy, Rather a Rustick round; rather a—

Dis.

Hoy day! Thy Rather's worse then thy Whilom. Dost know What time o'day 'tis.

Ger.

Tis a rural thing

To be presented at the Princess wedding And, if you think it meet, I will induce The practise of it presently. As why—

Dis.

Go fetch the heads and heels, I'le stay the King, To see and laugh at'em. That's grace enough.

Exit Geron.

King

Philargus you have much to know; the which We will Eudina tell you, now shee's yours. Receive her and our blessing.

Philar.

Were I dead (As I was thought to be) your name pronounc'd Over my grave, beyond all Necromancy, Would call fresh blood into my veins again; Strengthen my nerves, to break the Iron gates Of death; and force my joyful spirit from Th' Elisian Paradise to live with you.

King

You shall not be a looser Thymele: Philocles shall be yours, and in exchange Placilla mine.

Philoc.

To me my beauteous spouse Thou art as Juno to her Jupiter, Sister and wife.

Thy.

Your highness may be pleas'd Now at so happy leasure to perpend The Oracle; which truly hath effected Each word of the prediction.

King

Who can repeat the answer, I ha'lost it.

Dis.

I have it. Contend not for the jewel, which Ere long shall both of you inrich.

Philoc.

Eudina does so: me in a dear sister.

Philar.

Me in a Peerless wife.

Dis.

Pursue your fortune: for 'tis she Shall make ye what you seem to be.

Philoc.

She has done that too: For now indeed w'are brothers

King

Apollo thou hast fill'd us all with joy,

But has our joy already fill'd our Court

Loud Musick is here.

With Musick?

Dis.

Will your Majesty yet sit And see the practise of a presentation, Against the Marriages by your Swains of Tempe With thanks; and give it all the grace we may?

Ger.

From Tempe plains, the Tempe Swains

Enter Geron and the Swains and Nymphs for the dance.

With mirth aud Melody, With Dance and Song do hither throng To greet your Majestie.

Gar.

O there, look there, Madam my Son, and all My old Temperian Neighbours.

Ger.

We cannot hope in all our scope, To gain much praise for skill, But it shall be enough, if ye Accept of our good will.

The Dance.

King.

My thanks to all.

All

Heaven bless your Majesty.

Exeunt.

King.

Thanks to Apollo. Let his temple be The place of our solemnity. His Altars Let them be laden with Arabian spices; Let his Priests lead, in a devout procession, The horned Sacrifice, mantled with Ghirlonds And we (our Temples crown'd with Laurel) follow With Musick, sounding Hymen and Apollo.