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Actus Quintus. Scena Prima

Enter Duke, Burris, and Gentlemen

 
Duke. How does Lord Archas?
 
 
Bur. But weak, and't please ye;
Yet all the helps that art can, are applied to him;
His heart's untoucht, and whole yet; and no doubt, Sir,
His mind being sound, his body soon will follow.
 
 
Du. O that base Knave that wrong'd him, without leave too;
But I shall find an hour to give him thanks for't;
He's fast, I hope.
 
 
Bur. As fast as irons can keep him:
But the most fearful Wretch —
 
 
Du. He has a Conscience,
A cruel stinging one I warrant him,
A loaden one: But what news of the Souldier?
I did not like their parting, 'twas too sullen.
 
 
Bur. That they keep still, and I fear a worse clap;
They are drawn out of the Town, and stand in counsels,
Hatching unquiet thoughts, and cruel purposes:
I went my self unto 'em, talkt with the Captains,
Whom I found fraught with nothing but loud murmurs,
And desperate curses, sounding these words often
Like Trumpets to their angers: we are ruin'd,
Our services turn'd to disgraces, mischiefs;
Our brave old General, like one had pilfer'd,
Tortur'd, and whipt: the Colonels eyes, like torches,
Blaze every where and fright fair peace.
 
 
Gent. Yet worse, Sir;
The news is currant now, they mean to leave ye,
Leave their Allegiance; and under Olins Charge
The bloody Enemy march straight against ye.
 
 
Bur. I have heard this too, Sir.
 
 
Du. This must be prevented,
And suddenly, and warily.
 
 
Bur. 'Tis time, Sir,
But what to minister, or how?
 
 
Du. Go in with me,
And there we'll think upon't: such blows as these,
Equal defences ask, else they displease. [Exeunt.
 

SCENE II

Enter Petesca, and Gentlewoman

 
Pet. Lord, what a coil has here been with these Souldiers!
They are cruel fellows.
 
 
Wom. And yet methought we found 'em
Handsome enough; I'll tell thee true, Petesca,
I lookt for other manner of dealings from 'em,
And had prepar'd my self; but where's my Lady?
 
 
Pet. In her old dumps within: monstrous melancholy;
Sure she was mad of this Wench.
 
 
Wom. And she had been a man,
She would have been a great deal madder, I am glad she is shifted.
 
 
Pet. 'Twas a wicked thing for me to betray her,
And yet I must confess she stood in our lights.
 

Enter Alinda

 
What young thing's this?
 
 
Alin. Good morrow beauteous Gentlewomen:
'Pray ye is the Princess stirring yet?
 
 
Wom. He has her face.
 
 
Pet. Her very tongue, and tone too: her youth upon him.
 
 
Alin. I guess ye to be the Princess Women.
 
 
Pet. Yes, we are, Sir.
 
 
Alin. Pray is there not a Gentlewoman waiting on her Grace,
Ye call Alinda?
 
 
Pet. The Devil sure in her shape.
 
 
Wom. I have heard her tell my Lady of a Brother,
An only Brother that she had: in travel —
 
 
Pet. 'Mass, I remember that: this may be he too:
I would this thing would serve her.
 

Enter Olympia

 
Wom. So would I Wench,
We should love him better sure: Sir, here's the Princess,
She best can satisfie ye.
 
 
Alin. How I love that presence!
O blessed Eyes, how nobly shine your comforts!
 
 
Olym. What Gentleman is that?
 
 
Wom. We know not, Madam:
He ask'd us for your Grace: and as we guess it,
He is Alinda's Brother.
 
 
Olym. Ha! let me mark him:
My grief has almost blinded me: her Brother?
By Venus, he has all her sweetness upon him:
Two silver drops of dew were never liker.
 
 
Alin. Gracious Lady —
 
 
Olym. That pleasant pipe he has too.
 
 
Alin. Being my happiness to pass by this way,
And having as I understand by Letters,
A Sister in your vertuous service, Madam —
 
 
Olym. O now my heart, my heart akes.
 
 
Alin. All the comfort
My poor youth has, all that my hopes have built me,
I thought it my first duty, my best service,
Here to arrive first, humbly to thank your Grace
For my poor Sister, humbly to thank your Nobleness,
That bounteous Goodness in ye.
 
 
Olym. 'Tis he certainly.
 
 
Alin. That spring of favour to her; with my life, Madam,
If any such most happy means might meet me,
To shew my thankfulness.
 
 
Olym. What have I done, Fool!
 
 
Alin. She came a stranger to your Grace, no Courtier;
Nor of that curious breed befits your service,
Yet one I dare assure my Soul, that lov'd ye
Before she saw ye; doted on your Vertues;
Before she knew those fair eyes, long'd to read 'em,
You only had her prayers, you her wishes;
And that one hope to be yours once, preserv'd her.
 
 
Olym. I have done wickedly.
 
 
Alin. A little Beauty,
Such as a Cottage breeds, she brought along with her;
And yet our Country-eyes esteem'd it much too:
But for her beauteous mind, forget great Lady,
I am her Brother, and let me speak a stranger,
Since she was able to beget a thought, 'twas honest.
The daily study how to fit your services,
Truly to tread that vertuous path you walk in,
So fir'd her honest Soul, we thought her Sainted;
I presume she is still the same: I would fain see her,
For Madam, 'tis no little love I owe her.
 
 
Olym. Sir, such a maid there was, I had —
 
 
Alin. There was, Madam?
 
 
Olym. O my poor Wench: eyes, I will ever curse ye
For your Credulity, Alinda.
 
 
Alin. That's her name, Madam.
 
 
Olym. Give me a little leave, Sir, to lament her.
 
 
Alin. Is she dead, Lady?
 
 
Olym. Dead, Sir, to my service.
She is gone, pray ye ask no further.
 
 
Alin. I obey Madam:
Gone? now must I lament too: said ye gone Madam?
 
 
Olym. Gone, gone for ever.
 
 
Alin. That's a cruel saying:
Her honour too?
 
 
Olym. Prithee look angry on me,
And if thou ever lovedst her, spit upon me;
Do something like a Brother, like a friend,
And do not only say thou lov'st her —
 
 
Al. Ye amaze me.
 
 
Oly. I ruin'd her, I wrong'd her, I abus'd her;
Poor innocent soul, I flung her; sweet Alinda,
Thou vertuous maid, my soul now calls thee vertuous.
Why do ye not rail now at me?
 
 
Al. For what Lady?
 
 
Oly. Call me base treacherous woman.
 
 
Al. Heaven defend me.
 
 
Oly. Rashly I thought her false, and put her from me,
Rashly, and madly I betrai'd her modesty,
Put her to wander, heaven knows where: nay, more Sir,
Stuck a black brand upon her.
 
 
Al. 'Twas not well Lady.
 
 
Oly. 'Twas damnable: she loving me so dearly,
Never poor wench lov'd so: Sir believe me,
'Twas the most dutious wench, the best companion,
When I was pleas'd, the happiest, and the gladdest,
The modestest sweet nature dwelt within her:
I saw all this, I knew all this, I lov'd it,
I doated on it too, and yet I kill'd it:
O what have I forsaken? what have I lost?
 
 
Al. Madam, I'le take my leave, since she is wandring,
'Tis fit I know no rest.
 
 
Oly. Will you go too Sir?
I have not wrong'd you yet, if you dare trust me,
For yet I love Alinda there, I honour her,
I love to look upon those eyes that speak her,
To read that face again, (modesty keep me,)
Alinda, in that shape: but why should you trust me,
'Twas I betray'd your Sister, I undid her;
And believe me, gentle youth, 'tis I weep for her:
Appoint what penance you please: but stay then,
And see me perform it: ask what honour this place
Is able to heap on ye, or what wealth:
If following me will like ye, my care of ye,
Which for your sisters sake, for your own goodness —
 
 
Al. Not all the honour earth has, now she's gone Lady,
Not all the favour; yet if I sought preferment,
Under your bounteous Grace I would only take it.
Peace rest upon ye: one sad tear every day
For poor Alindas. sake, 'tis fit ye pay. [Exit.
 
 
Oly. A thousand noble youth, and when I sleep,
Even in my silver slumbers still I'le weep. [Exit.
 

SCENA III

Enter Duke, and Gentlemen

 
Duke. Have ye been with 'em?
 
 
Gent. Yes, and't please your Grace,
But no perswasion serves 'em, nor no promise,
They are fearfull angry, and by this time Sir,
Upon their march to the Enemy.
 
 
Du. They must be stopt.
 

Enter Burris

 
Gent. I, but what force is able? and what leader —
 
 
Du. How now, have you been with Archas?
 
 
Bur. Yes, and't please ye,
And told him all: he frets like a chaf'd Lyon,
And calls for his Arms: and all those honest Courtiers
That dare draw Swords.
 
 
Du. Is he able to do any thing?
 
 
Bur. His mind is well enough; and where his charge is,
Let him be ne're so sore, 'tis a full Army.
 
 
Du. Who commands the Rebels?
 
 
Bur. The young Colonel,
That makes the old man almost mad: he swears Sir,
He will not spare his Sons head for the Dukedom.
 
 
Du. Is the Court in Arms?
 
 
Bur. As fast as they can bustle,
Every man mad to goe now: inspir'd strangely,
As if they were to force the Enemy,
I beseech your Grace to give me leave.
 
 
Du. Pray go Sir,
And look to the old man well; take up all fairly,
And let no bloud be spilt; take general pardons,
And quench this fury with fair peace.
 
 
Bur. I shall Sir,
Or seal it with my service; they are villains:
The Court is up: good Sir, go strengthen 'em,
Your Royal sight will make 'em scorn all dangers;
The General needs no proof.
 
 
Duke. Come let's go view 'em. [Exeunt.
 

SCENA IV

Enter Theodore, Putskie, Ancient, Souldiers, Drums, and Colours

 
The. 'Tis known we are up, and marching: no submission,
No promise of base peace can cure our maladies,
We have suffer'd beyond all repair of honour:
Your valiant old man's whipt; whipt Gentlemen,
Whipt like a slave: that flesh that never trembled,
Nor shrunk one sinew at a thousand charges,
That noble body rib'd in arms, the Enemy
So often shook at, and then shun'd like thunder,
That body's torn with lashes.
 
 
Anc. Let's turn head.
 
 
Put. Turn nothing Gentlemen, let's march on fairly,
Unless they charge us.
 
 
The. Think still of his abuses,
And keep your angers.
 
 
Anc. He was whipt like a top,
I never saw a whore so lac'd: Court school-butter?
Is this their diet? I'le dress 'em one running banquet:
What Oracle can alter us? did not we see him?
See him we lov'd?
 
 
The. And though we did obey him,
Forc'd by his reverence for that time; is't fit Gentlemen?
My noble friends, is't fit we men, and Souldiers,
Live to endure this, and look on too?
 
 
Put. Forward:
They may call back the Sun as soon, stay time,
Prescribe a Law to death, as we endure this.
 
 
The. They will make ye all fair promises.
 
 
Anc. We care not.
 
 
The. Use all their arts upon ye.
 
 
Anc. Hang all their arts.
 
 
Put. And happily they'l bring him with 'em.
 
 
Anc. March apace then,
He is old and cannot overtake us.
 
 
Put. Say he doe.
 
 
Anc. We'l run away with him: they shall never see him more:
The truth is, we'l hear nothing, stop at nothing,
Consider nothing but our way; believe nothing,
Not though they say their prayers: be content with nothing,
But the knocking out their brains: and last, do nothing
But ban 'em and curse 'em, till we come to kill 'em.
 
 
The. Remove then forwards bravely; keep your minds whole,
And the next time we face 'em, shall be fatal. [Exeunt.
 

SCENA V

Enter Archas, Duke, Burris, Gent, and Sould

 
Ar. Peace to your Grace; take rest Sir, they are before us.
Gent. They are Sir, and upon the march. [Exit Duke.
 
 
Ar. Lord Burris,
Take you those horse and coast 'em: upon the first advantage,
If they will not slake their march, charge 'em up roundly,
By that time I'le come in.
 
 
Bur. I'le do it truly. [Exit.
Gent. How do you feel your self Sir?
 
 
Ar. Well, I thank ye;
A little weak, but anger shall supply that;
You will all stand bravely to it?
 
 
All. Whilst we have lives Sir.
 
 
Ar. Ye speak like Gentlemen; I'le make the knaves know,
The proudest, and the strongest hearted Rebel,
They have a law to live in, and they shall have;
Beat up a pace, by this time he is upon 'em, [Drum within.
And sword, but hold me now, thou shalt play ever. [Exeunt.
 

Enter Drums beating, Theodore, Putskie, Ancient, and their Souldiers

 
The. Stand, stand, stand close, and sure;
 

Enter Burris, and 1 or 2 Souldiers

 
The horse will charge us.
Anc. Let 'em come on, we have provender fit for 'em.
 
 
Put. Here comes Lord Burris Sir, I think to parly.
 
 
The. You are welcom noble Sir, I hope to our part.
 
 
Bur. No, valiant Colonel, I am come to chide ye,
To pity ye; to kill ye, if these fail me;
Fie, what dishonour seek ye! what black infamy!
Why do ye draw out thus? draw all shame with ye?
Are these fit cares in subjects? I command ye
Lay down your arms again, move in that peace,
That fair obedience you were bred in.
 
 
Put. Charge us:
We come not here to argue.
 
 
The. Charge up bravely,
And hotly too, we have hot spleens to meet ye,
Hot as the shames are offer'd us.
 

Enter Archas, Gent. and Souldiers

 
Bur. Look behind ye.
Do you see that old man? do you know him Souldiers?
 
 
Put. Your Father Sir, believe me —
 
 
Bur. You know his marches,
You have seen his executions: is it yet peace?
 
 
The. We'l dye here first.
 
 
Bur. Farewel: you'l hear on's presently.
 
 
Ar. Stay Burris: this is too poor, too beggerly a body
To bear the honour of a charge from me,
A sort of tatter'd Rebels; go provide Gallowses;
Ye are troubled with hot heads, I'le cool ye presently:
These look like men that were my Souldiers
Now I behold 'em nearly, and more narrowly,
My honest friends: where got they these fair figures?
Where did they steal these shapes?
 
 
Bur. They are struck already.
 
 
Ar. Do you see that fellow there, that goodly Rebel?
He looks as like a Captain I lov'd tenderly:
A fellow of a faith indeed.
 
 
Bur. He has sham'd him.
 
 
Ar. And that that bears the Colours there, most certain
So like an Ancient of mine own, a brave fellow,
A loving and obedient, that believe me Burris,
I am amaz'd and troubled: and were it not
I know the general goodness of my people,
The duty, and the truth, the stedfast honestie,
And am assur'd they would as soon turn Devils
As rebels to allegeance, for mine honour.
 
 
Bur. Here needs no wars.
 
 
Put. I pray forgive us Sir.
 
 
Anc. Good General forgive us, or use your sword,
Your words are double death.
 
 
All. Good noble General.
 
 
Bur. Pray Sir be mercifull.
 
 
Ar. Weep out your shames first,
Ye make me fool for companie: fie Souldiers,
My Souldiers too, and play these tricks? what's he there?
Sure I have seen his face too; yes, most certain
I have a son, but I hope he is not here now,
'Would much resemble this man, wondrous near him,
Just of his height and making too, you seem a Leader.
 
 
The. Good Sir, do not shame me more: I know your anger,
And less than death I look not for.
 
 
Ar. You shall be my charge Sir, it seems you want foes,
When you would make your friends your Enemies.
A running bloud ye have, but I shall cure ye.
 
 
Bur. Good Sir —
 
 
An. No more good Lord: beat forward Souldiers:
And you, march in the rear, you have lost your places. [Exeunt.
 

SCENA VI

Enter Duke, Olympia, Honora, Viola

 
Du. You shall not be thus sullen still with me Sister,
You do the most unnobly to be angry,
For as I have a soul, I never touch'd her,
I never yet knew one unchast thought in her:
I must confess, I lov'd her: as who would not?
I must confess I doated on her strangely,
I offer'd all, yet so strong was her honour,
So fortifi'd as fair, no hope could reach her,
And whilst the world beheld this, and confirm'd it,
Why would you be so jealous?
 
 
Oly. Good Sir pardon me,
I feel sufficiently my follies penance,
And am asham'd, that shame a thousand sorrows
Feed on continually, would I had never seen her,
Or with a clearer judgement look'd upon her,
She was too good for me, so heavenly good Sir,
Nothing but Heaven can love that soul sufficiently,
Where I shall see her once again.
 

Enter Burris

 
Du. No more tears,
If she be within the Dukedom, we'l recover her:
Welcom Lord Burris, fair news I hope.
 
 
Bur. Most fair Sir,
Without one drop of bloud these wars are ended,
The Souldier cool'd again, indeed asham'd Sir,
And all his anger ended.
 
 
Du. Where's Lord Archas?
 
 
Bur. Not far off Sir: with him his valiant son,
Head of this fire, but now a prisoner,
And if by your sweet mercy not prevented,
I fear some fatal stroke. [Drums.
 

Enter Archas, Theodore, Gentlemen, Souldiers

 
Du. I hear the Drums beat,
Welcom, my worthy friend.
 
 
Ar. Stand where ye are Sir,
Even as you love your country, move not forward,
Nor plead for peace till I have done a justice,
A justice on this villain; none of mine now,
A justice on this Rebel.
 
 
Hon. O my Brother.
 
 
Ar. This fatal firebrand —
 
 
Du. Forget not old man,
He is thy son, of thine own bloud.
 
 
Ar. In these veins
No treacherie e're harbour'd yet, no mutinie,
I ne're gave life to lewd and headstrong Rebels.
 
 
Du. 'Tis his first fault.
 
 
Ar. Not of a thousand Sir,
Or were it so, it is a fault so mightie,
So strong against the nature of all mercy,
His Mother were she living, would not weep for him,
He dare not say he would live.
 
 
The. I must not Sir,
Whilst you say 'tis not fit: your Graces mercy
Not to my life appli'd, but to my fault Sir,
The worlds forgiveness next, last, on my knees Sir,
I humbly beg,
Do not take from me yet the name of Father,
Strike me a thousand blows, but let me dye yours.
 
 
Ar. He moves my heart: I must be suddain with him,
I shall grow faint else in my execution;
Come, come Sir, you have seen death; now meet him bravely.
 
 
Du. Hold, hold I say, a little hold, consider
Thou hast no more sons Archas to inherit thee.
 
 
Ar. Yes Sir, I have another, and a nobler:
No treason shall inherit me: young Archas
A boy, as sweet as young, my Brother breeds him,
My noble Brother Briskie breeds him nobly,
Him let your favour find: give him your honour.
 

Enter Putskie (alias Briskie) and Alinda, (alias Archas.)

 
Pu. Thou hast no child left Archas, none to inherit thee
If thou strikst that stroke now: behold young Archas;
Behold thy Brother here, thou bloudy Brother,
As bloody to this sacrifice as thou art:
Heave up thy sword, and mine's heav'd up: strike Archas,
And I'le strike too as suddenly, as deadly:
Have mercy, and I'le have mercy: the Duke gives it.
Look upon all these, how they weep it from thee,
Choose quickly, and begin.
 
 
Du. On your obedience,
On your allegeance save him.
 
 
Ar. Take him to ye, [Soul. shout.
And sirrah, be an honest man, ye have reason:
I thank ye worthy Brother: welcom child,
Mine own sweet child.
 
 
Du. Why was this boy conceal'd thus?
 
 
Put. Your graces pardon:
Fearing the vow you made against my Brother,
And that your anger would not only light
On him, but find out all his familie,
This young boy, to preserve from after danger,
Like a young wench, hither I brought; my self
In the habit of an ordinarie Captain
Disguis'd, got entertainment, and serv'd here
That I might still be ready to all fortunes:
That boy your Grace took, nobly entertain'd him,
But thought a Girle, Alinda, Madam.
 
 
Ol. Stand away,
And let me look upon him.
 
 
Du. My young Mistris?
This is a strange metamorphosis, Alinda?
 
 
Al. Your graces humble servant.
 
 
Du. Come hither Sister:
I dare yet scarce believe mine eyes: how they view one another?
Dost thou not love this boy well?
 
 
Oly. I should lye else,
Trust me, extreamly lye Sir.
 
 
Du. Didst thou never wish Olympia,
It might be thus?
 
 
Oly. A thousand times.
 
 
Du. Here take him:
Nay, do not blush: I do not jest; kiss sweetly:
Boy, ye kiss faintly boy; Heaven give ye comfort;
Teach him, he'l quickly learn: there's two hearts eas'd now.
 
 
Ar. You do me too much honour Sir.
 
 
Du. No Archas,
But all I can, I will; can you love me? speak truly.
 
 
Hon. Yes Sir, dearly.
 
 
Du. Come hither Viola, can you love this man?
 
 
Vio. I'le do the best I can Sir.
 
 
Du. Seal it Burris,
We'l all to Church together instantly:
And then a vie for boyes; stay, bring Boroskie.
 

Enter Boroskie

 
I had almost forgot that lump of mischief.
There Archas, take the enemie to honour,
The knave to worth: do with him what thou wilt.
 
 
Ar. Then to my sword again; you to your prayers;
Wash off your villanies, you feel the burthen.
 
 
Bor. Forgive me e're I die, most honest Archas;
'Tis too much honour that I perish thus;
O strike my faults to kill them, that no memorie,
No black and blasted infamy hereafter —
 
 
Ar. Come, are ye ready?
 
 
Bor. Yes.
 
 
Ar. And truly penitent, to make your way straight?
 
 
Bor. Thus I wash off my sins.
 
 
Ar. Stand up, and live then,
And live an honest man; I scorn mens ruines:
Take him again, Sir, trie him: and believe
This thing will be a perfect man.
 
 
Du. I take him.
 
 
Bor. And when I fail those hopes, heavens hopes fail me.
 
 
Du. You are old: no more wars Father:
Theodore take you the charge, be General.
 
 
The. All good bless ye.
 
 
Du. And my good Father, you dwell in my bosom,
From you rise all my good thoughts: when I would think
And examine time for one that's fairly noble,
And the same man through all the streights of vertue,
Upon this Silver book I'le look, and read him.
Now forward merrily to Hymens rites,
To joyes, and revels, sports, and he that can
Most honour Archas, is the noblest man. [Exeunt.