Fifty comedies and tragedies written by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Gentlemen ; all in one volume, published by the authors original copies, the songs to each play being added.

Actus Secundus.

Scena Prima.

Enter Gonzalo, and Gaspero.

Gasp.

NOw to what you have heard; as no man can Better than I, give you her Character; For I have been both nurs'd, and train'd up to Her petulant humours, and been glad to bear them, Her Brother, my late Master, did no less: Strong apprehensions of her beauty hath Made her believe that she is more than woman: And as there did not want those flatterers 'Bout the worlds Conquerour, to make him think, And did perswade him that he was a god; So there be those base flies, that will not stick To buzze into her ears she is an Angel, And that the food she feeds on is Ambrosia.

Gonz.

She should not touch it then, 'tis Poets fare.

Gas.

I may take leave to say, she may as well Determine of her self to be a goddess, With lesser flatterie than he a god: For she does conquer more, although not farther. Every one looks on her, dyes in despair, And would be glad to do it actually, To have the next age tell how worthily, And what good cause he had to perish so: Here beauty is superlative, she knows it, And knowing it, thinks no man can deserve, But ought to perish, and to dye for her: Many great Princes for her love have languish'd, And given themselves a willing sacrifice, Proud to have ended so: And now there is A Prince so madded in his own passions, That he forgets the Royaltie he was born to, And deems it happiness to be her slave.

Gonz.

You talk as if you meant to winde me in, And make me of the number.

Gas.

Sir, mistake me not, the service that I owe ye Shall plead for me: I tell you what she is, What she expects, and what she will effect, Unless you be the miracle of men, That come with a purpose to behold, And goe away your self.

Gonz.

I thank you, I will do it: But pray resolve me, How is she stor'd with wit?

Gas.

As with beauty, Infinite, and more to be admired at, Than medled with.

Gonz.

And walks her tongue the same gate with her feet?

Gas.

Much beyond: what e're her heart thinks, she utters: And so boldly, so readily, as you would judge It penn'd and studied.

Enter Erota, Philander, Annophil, Hyparcha, Mochingo, Attendants.

Gonz.

She comes.

Gas.

I must leave you then, But my best wishes shall remain with you.

Exit.

Gonz.

Still I must thank you. This is the most passionate, Most pitifull Prince, Who in the Caldron of affections, Looks as he had been par-boy'ld.

Ph l

If I offend with too much loving you, It is a fault that I must still commit, To make your mercy shine the more on me.

Erot.

You are the self-same creature you condemn, Or else you durst not follow me with hope That I can pity you, who am so far From granting any comfort in this kind, That you and all men else shall perish first: I will live free and single, till I find Something above a man to equal me; Put all your brave Heroes into one, Your Kings and Emperours, and let him come In person of a man, and I should scorn him: Must, and will scorn him. The god of love himself hath lost his eyes, His Bow and Torch extinguish'd, and the Poets That made him first a god, have lost their fire Since I appear'd, and from my eyes must steal it. This I dare speak; and let me see the man, Now I have spoke it, that doth, dare deny; Nay, not believe it.

Mo.

He is mad that does not.

Erot.

Have not all the nations of the Earth heard of me? Most come to see me, and seeing me, return'd Full of my praises? teaching their Chroniclers To make their Stories perfect? for where the name, Merely the word of fair Erota stands, It is a lasting History to time, Begetting admiration in the men, And in my own Sex envie: which glorie's lost, When I shall stick my beautie in a cloud, And clearly shine through it.

Gonz.

This woman's in the altitudes, and he must be A good Astrologer shall know her Zodiack.

Phil.

For any man to think Himself an able purchaser of you, But in the bargain there must be declar'd Infinite bounty: otherwise I vow, By all that's excellent and gracious in you, I would untenant every hope lodg'd in me, And yield my self up loves, or your own Martyr.

Erot.

So you shall please us.

Phil.

O you cannot be So heavenly, and so absolute in all things, And yet retain such cruel tyranny.

Erot.

I can, I do, I will.

Gonz.

She is in her Moods, and her Tenses: I'le Grammer with you, And make a trial how I can decline you: By your leave (great Lady.)

Erot.

What are you?

Gonz.

A man, a good man, that's a wealthy; A Proper man, and a proud man too; one That understands himself, and knows, unless It be your self, no woman on the Universe deserves him. Nay, Lady, I must tell you too withal, I may make doubt of that, unless you paint With better judgement next day than on this; For (plain I must be with you) 'tis a dull Fucus.

Erot.

Knows any one here what this fellow is?

Atten.

He is of Venice (Madam) a great Magnifico, And gracious with the Senate.

Erot.

Let him keep then among them; what makes he here? Here's state enough where I am: here's a do— You, tell him, if he have ought with us, let him Look lower, and give it in Petition.

Mo.

Mighty Magnifico, my Mistris bid me tell you, If you have ought with her, you must look lower, And yield it in Petition.

Gonz.

Here is for thee a Ducket.

Mon.

You say well Sir, take your own course.

Gonz.

I will not grace you (Lady) so much as take you by the hand; But when I shall vouchsafe to touch your lip, It shall be through your Court a holy-day Proclaimed for so high favour.

Erot.

This is some Great mans Jester: Sirrah, begon, here is No place to fool in.

Gonz.

Where are the fools you talk of? I do keep two.

Erot.

No question of it: for In your self you do maintain an hundred.

Gonz.

And besides them I keep a noble train, Statists, and men of action: my purse is large and deep, Beyond the reach of riot to draw drie: Fortune did vie with Nature, to bestow (When I was born) her bountie equally: 'Tis not amiss you turn your eyes from me; For should you stand and gaze me in the face, You perish would, like Semele by Jove: In Venice at this instant there do lye No less than threescore Ladies in their graves, And in their Beds five hundred for my love.

Mo.

You lie more than they; yet it becomes him bravel; Would I could walk and talk so? I'le endeavour it.

Erot.

Sir, do you know me?

Gon.

Yes, you were sister to the late Prince of Candy, Aunt to this young one: and I in Venice, Am born a Lord; equall to you in fortunes, In shape; I'le say no more, but view.

Mon.

There needs no more be said, were I a woman— O he does rarely: in shape; I'le say no more, But view: who could say more, who better? Man is no man, nor woman woman is, Unless they have a pride like one of these. How poor the Prince of Cyprus shews to him! How poor another Lady unto her! Carriage and State makes us seem demi gods, Humility, like beasts, worms of the Earth.

Enter Antinous, and Decius.

Ant.

Royal Lady, I kiss your hand.

Erot.

Sir, I know you not.

Anno.

O my noble Brother, welcom from the wars.

Ant.

Dear Sister.

Ann.

Where is my Father, that you come without him? We have news of your success: he has his health I hope?

Ant.

Yes Sister, he has his health, but is not well.

Ann.

How not well? what Riddles do your utter?

Ant.

I'le tell you more in private.

Gonz.

Noble Sir, I cannot be unmindfull of your merit, Since I last heard it: you are a hopefull youth, And (indeed) the Soul of Candy. I must speak my thoughts.

Ann.

The Prince of Cyprus Brother, good Decius.

Ant.

I am his Servant.

Phil.

You are the Patron of your Countrie, Sir, So your unimitable deeds proclaim you, It is no language of my own, but all mens.

Gonz.

Your Enemies must needs acknowledge it: Then do not think it flatterie in your friends, For if they had a heart, they could not want a tongue.

Erot.

Is this your Brother Annophil?

Ann.

Yes Madam.

Erot.

Your name's Antinous?

Ant.

I am (Lady) that most unfortunate man.

Erot.

How unfortunate? are you not the Souldier, The Captain of those Captains, that did bring Conquest and Victory home along with you?

Ant.

I had some share in't; but was the least Of the least worthy.

Gonz.

O Sir, in your modesty you'ld make A double Conquest: I was an ear-witness When this young man spoke lesser than he acted, And had the Souldiers voice to help him out: But that the Law compell'd him for his honour,

To inforce him make a claim for his reward, I well perceive he would have stood the man That he does now, buried his worth in silence.

Erot.

Sir, I hearken not to him, but look on you, And find more in you than he can relate: You shall attend on me.

Ant.

Madam, your pardon.

Erot.

Deny it not Sir, for it is more honour Than you have gotten i'th' field: for know you shall, Upon Erota's asking, serve Erota.

Ant.

I may want answers, Lady, But never want a will to do you service. I came here to my Sister, to take leave, Having enjoyn'd my self to banishment, For some cause that hereafter you may hear; And wish with me I had not the occasion.

Anno.

There shall be no occasion to divide us: Dear Madam for my sake use your power, Even for the service that he ought to owe, Must, and does owe to you, his friends, and country.

Erot.

Upon your Loyalty to the state and me, I do command you Sir, not depart Candy: Am I not your Princess?

Ant.

You are a great Lady.

Erot.

Then shew your self a Servant and a Subject.

Ant.

I am your vassal.

Mon.

You are a Coward; I that dare not fight, Scorn to be vassail to any Prince in Europe: Great is my heart with pride, which I'le encrease When they are gone, with practise on my Vassals.

Atten.

The noble Cassilane is come to see you Madam.

Dec.

There's comfort in those words, Antinous: For here's the place, and persons that have power, To reconcile you to his love again.

Ant.

That were a fortunate meeting.

Enter Cassilane, and Arcanes.

Cas.

Greatness still wait you Lady.

Erot.

Good Cassilane, we do maintain our greatness, Through your valour.

Cas.

My prayers pull daily blessings on thy head, My un-offending child, my Annophel. Good Prince, worthy Gonzalo! ha? art thou here Before me? in every action art thou ambitious? My duty (Lady) first offered here, And love to thee (my child) though he out-strip me; Thus in the wars he got the start on me, By being forward, but performing less; All the endeavours of my life are lost, And thrown upon that evil of mine own Cursed begetting, whom I shame to father. O that the heat thou rob'dst me of, had burnt Within my Entrails, and begot a feaver, Or some worse sickness, for thou art a disease Sharper than any Physick gives a name to.

Anno.

Why do you say so?

Cas.

O Annophil; there is good cause my girle: He has plaid the thief with me, and filch'd away The richest jewel of my life, my honour, Wearing it publickly with that applause, As if he justly did inherit it.

Ant.

Would I had in my Infancy been laid Within my grave, covered with your blessings rather Than grown up to a man, to meet your curses.

Cas.

O that thou hadst. Then I had been the Father of a child, Dearer than thou wert ever unto me, When hope perswaded me I had begot Another self in thee: Out of mine eyes, As far as I have thrown thee from my heart, That I may live and dye forgetting thee.

Erot.

How has he deserv'd this untam'd anger, That when he might have ask't for his reward Some honour for himself, or mass of pelf, He only did request to have erected Your Statue in the Capitol, with Titles Ingrav'd upon't, The Patron of his Countrey?

Cas.

That, that's the poison in the gilded cup, The Serpent in the flowers, that stings my honour, And leaves me dead in fame: Gods do a justice, And rip his bosom up, that men may see, Seeing, believe the subtle practises Written within his heart: But I am heated, And do forget this presence, and my self. Your pardon, Lady.

Erot.

You should not ask, 'less you knew how to give, For my sake Cassilane, cast out of your thoughts All ill conceptions of your worthy son, That (questionless) has ignorantly offended, Declared in his penitence.

Cas.

Bid me dye, Lady, for your sake I'le do it; But that you'l say is nothing, for a man That has out-liv'd his honour: But command me In any thing save that, and Cassilane Shall ever be your servant. Come Annophel, (My joy in this world) thou shalt live with me, (Retired in some solitarie nook,) The comfort of my age; my dayes are short, And ought to be well spent: and I desire No other witness of them but thy self, And good Arcanes.

Anno.

I shall obey you Sir.

Gonz.

Noble Sir: If you taste any want of worldly means, Let not that discontent you: know me your friend, That hath, and can supply you.

Cas.

Sir, I am too much bound to you already, And 'tis not of my cares the least, to give you Fair satisfaction.

Gonz.

You may imagine I do speak to that end, But trust me, 'tis to make you bolder with me.

Cas.

Sir, I thank you, and may make trial of you, Mean time my service.

Anno.

Brother be comforted; so long as I continue Within my Fathers love, you cannot long Stand out an Exile: I must goe live with him, And I will prove so good an Orator In your behalf, that you again shall gain him, Or I will stir in him another anger, And be lost with you.

Ant

Better I wore neglected: for he is hasty, And through the Choler that abounds in him, (Wh•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the time divides from him his judgement) He may cast 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and with you his life; For grief will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••t surprize him, and that way Must be his death. the sword has try'd too often, And all the deadly Instruments of war Have aim'd at his great heart, but ne're could touch it: Yet not a limb about him wants a scar.

Cas.

Madam my duty —

Erot.

Will you be gone?

Cas.

I must, Lady, but I shall be ready, When you are pleas'd command me, for your service. Excellent Prince — To all my heartie love, And a good Farewel.

Mon.

Thanks honest Cassilane.

Cas.

Come Annophel.

Gonz.

Shall I not wait upon you Sir?

Cas.

From hence you shall not stir a foot: Loving Gonzalo, it must be all my study To requite you.

Gonz.

If I may be so fortunate to deserve The name of friend from you, I have enough.

Cas.

You are so, and you have made your self so.

Gonz.

I will then preserve it.

Erot.

Antinous you are my servant, are you not?

Ant.

It hath pleased you so to grace me.

Erot.

Why are you then dejected? you will say,

You have lost a father; but you have found a Mistris Doubles that loss: be master of your spirit; You have a cause for it, which is my favour.

Gonz.

And mine.

Erot.

Will no man case me of this fool?

Gonz.

Your fellow.

Erot.

Antinous wait upon us.

Ant.

I shall Madam.

Gonz.

Nay but Ladie, Ladie.

Erot.

Sir, you are rude: and if you be the Master Of such means as you do talk of, you should Learn good manners.

Gonz.

O Lady, you can find a fault in me, But not perceive it in your self: you must, shall hear me: I love you for your pride, 'tis the best vertue In you.

Erot.

I could hang this fellow now: by whom Are you supported, that you dare do this? Have you not example here in a Prince Transcending you in all things, yet bears himself As doth become a man had seen my beautie? Back to your Country, and your Curtizans, Where you may be admired for your wealth, Which being consum'd, may be a means to gain you The opinion of some wit. Here's nothing To be got but scorn, and loss of time.

Gonz.

Which are things I delight in.

Erot.

Antinous follow me.

Exit.

Gonz.

She is vext to the soul.

Mon.

Let her be vext, 'tis fit she should be so: Give me thy hand Gonzalo, thou art in our favour, For we do love to cherish lofty spirits, Such as percusse the Earth, and bound With an erected countenance to the clouds.

Gonz.

'S foot, what thing is this?

Mon.

I do love fire-works, because they mount: An Exhalation I profess to adore, Beyond a fixed star, 'tis more illustrious, As every thing rais'd out of smoak is so: Their vertue is in action: what do you think of me?

Gonz.

Troth Sir, You are beyond my ghess, I know you not.

Mon.

Do you know your self?

Gonz.

Yes Sir.

Mon.

Why you and I are one: I am proud, and Very proud too, that I must tell you; I saw It did become you, cousin Gonzalo, prethee Let it be so.

Gonz.

Let it be so good cousin.

Mon.

I am no great ones fool.

Gonz.

I hope so, for alliance sake.

Mon.

Yet I do serve the Mighty, Monstrous, and Magnanimous Invincible Erota.

Gonz.

O good cousin, now I have you: I'le meet you in your Coat.

Mon.

Coat? I have my horse mans coat I must confess Lin'd through with Velvet, and a Scarlet out-side; If you'll meet me in't, I'le send for't; And cousin you shall see me with much comfort, For it is both a new one, and a right one, It did not come collateral.

Gonz.

Adieu good cousin; at this present I have some business.

Mon.

Farewel, excellent cousin.