The traitor to himself, or, Mans heart his greatest enemy a moral interlude in heroic verse, representing the careless, hardned [sic], returning, despairing, renewed heart : with intermaskes of intepretation [sic] at the close of each several act : as it was acted by the boys of a publick school at a breaking up, and published as it may be useful on like occasion.

INTERMASKE

Interpres and Scrutator meet, Salute, and Walk on, &c.

Scru.

ALas poor Heart! methinks in this I see That very carelessness that troubles me.

Inter.

True Sir, you judge aright, as Face to Face Answers in Water, so is it in this case,

The same corruption fills your Heart, and mine, In this Poetick Glass we see them shine.

Scru.

How soon he's reconciled to those Slaves That set him in the danger, and again Will trust the Knaves.

Inter.

So quickly Men forget, that Lusts do lead Them to the Paths and Chambers of the Dead, And soon again repeat their base desires, Though vengeance Sword threatens Eternal Fires.

Scr.

Who's this Ambassadour? and who the Prince? That doth with Truth the drowsy Heart convince,

Inter.

The Prince is our great Governour above, VVho in Divine and never failing Love By chosen Messengers speaks to the Heart, His living VVords Direction to impart, To know his dangers, and his Friends and Foes, VVith this advice Knowledg, and Conscience close. The Heart by this is of the Truth convinc'd, Inclines to yeild Obedience to his Prince.

Scru.

He seems to honour the Ambassadour, Commends his VVords, and lends a patient Ear. Yet I observ'd, that all the while he spake The Sweets of Truth, that Cardian did make But small observance, ever seem'd to talk; Continual whispering his Tongue did walk, Sometimes with one, and sometimes with another; In silent whispers secret thoughts did smother, At last directly Sleeps.

Inter.

'Twas well observ'd, that secret whispering Shows the poor careless Hearts vain wandering, VVhich when the Ear is set to hear in show, Ofttimes the Heart doth in loose wand'rings flow. Sometimes with Conscience the VVord approves, and then The worldly Toys enjoy the Heart agen. So strange a mixture, Man would blush to see Such Follies in his Heart transacted be. VVho thus himself deceives, doth only bring A dead, and hartless Carcase, to his King.

Seru.

Yet after all his fair pretence of Love, His resolutions otherwise do move. To his dull careless way, His Slaves do easily sway.

Inter.

Thus holy resolutions quickly fail, Passion and Folly easily prevail, And all advice is very soon forgot; The careless hear, as if they heard it not. And thus the Heart it self betrays to woe, Deceiving others doth it self undoe: Till carelessness the Heart so hardens o're, It loves those Enemies, it fear'd before. That Curtain drawn will show the hard sear'd Heart, Half dead in Sin feeles not the greatest smart.

Curtains drawn: discovers Cardian sitting, black patches on his Eyes: stopping his Ears with his Hands: Anoetus Pathus on each side stand thrusting Swords at his Side.

Scru.

VVhat black is that which covers o're his Eyes?

Inter.

Thick Scales of blindness from carelessness arise.

Scru.

VVhat means his Hands?

Inter.

VVith those he stops his Ears, Lest he the voice of Truth, or Conscience hears. And there his inbred Lusts their drawn Swords dart, Levelling unrebated points at's Heart. So hard, he nothing feels: but now no more, The rest you'l see e're the next Act be o're.

Shut the Curtains and retire to Standings: