CHARICLES

W Hat course shall aged Carcles now take After his weary travels? shall I here Resolve to lay my bones, and Egypt make The final perjod of my pilgrimage? No, I must bid Catadupíce adieu So famous for these sluices of fair Nile, And since the surfeit which I took of sorrow For my deer daughters sad untimely death, Is well digested in this breast of mine, And change of air hath wrought a change of mind; I am resolved to stately Greece to weened And breath my last breath where I breathed my first, It's so determined;— Enter Nebulo his man. Honest Nebulo, My man draw near, I'm in a humour now To change some words with thee;—so oftentimes— aside. We see wise men for recreations sake, Consult with Fools, and honest men with Knaves.— aside What course does thy found brain advice me to? Nay prithee stay a little longer and hear me; wilt thou leave me now at last, and frustrate the good opinion I have always had of thy simple plainness and constant service? have patience awhile, and I will accompany thee in thy journey; as for thy wife Nebulona (if that trouble thee) I shall rectify her in the truth of all thy actions. Who knocks there? go see, and bring me word before you grant entrance Nebulo. Who is it now? What e'r he be admit him. Welcome Sir, Although I have not seen your face before That I can well remember. I confess I am a stranger born, and should be glad To know your name, your country and your business. Understand then, You do not err in your imagination, I am a Grecian born, and sometime Priest Unto Apollo in that sacred City Of Delphos, which Parnassus lofty tops, As with a wall, encompasses about, And sweet Castalius pleasant springs refresh, There was I born and bred, and exercised The office I was called to by the gods. The great misfortune that I had at home. When you have herd my story to the end, Your wonder will forsake you. Upon your better knowledge and acquaintance I sh ll, till when excuse me. Pray Sir let me see them, You must for these, good Sir, seek other chapmen, The Margaritas, the Smaragds, Hiacinths, Are for a Princes use, and not for mine: Each one alone is ransom for a King, My whole estate cannot buy one of them. It's true, I can receive them, but I marvel Why you should mock me thus? Would would would. Is't not a matter which Deserveth laughter, when you promise things Of such a prize, and yet assure me more; You cannot mean uprightly. You tempt me shrewdly Sir. You have wone me To what you would. By great Apollo, then whose Minister I was at Delphos, I shall not digress From what you shall instruct me touching this. What's your pleasure, That I should do in lieu of this reward? Apollo keep thee In his safe custody. I marvel much Whence this unlooked for kindness should proceed, I'll see the issue on't, what e'r betide me, It may be that the gods have preordained I shall once more be happy, and in lieu Of all my passed sorrows, reap the fruit Of long expected comfort, sure my mind Is much illuminated with the thought Of some good fortune, and refreshed as if The spirit of Pitho were infused into me By heavenly inspiration; I'll obey My Genius, for oftentimes the gods by signs Will have that mortals understand their minds. Exit. I am amazed to see so rare a beauty, Such and Angel-like creature. But what befell her after pray go one. In process then of time this princely maid Growing and as she grew increasing still More fair then any women else beside (For beauty surely cannot e concealed Though under ground but would from thence appear) I fearing least her fortune should be known And I brought unto danger, sued to be Sent in embassage to the Deputy Of Egypt and abstained it, therefore come I And bring her with me, full of zealous care To set her business right and in good order. Leave that to me. What will you have me do concerning her? Direct me, and i'll punctualle observe it. Expect me there then; but I cannot brook So long a time to see the Virgin masked In so obscure a manner. Can you speak Greek my pretty sweet heart, can you? she smiles upon him but says nothing. No, can you speak Egyptian? neither sweet? Nebulo Thou seest I have another daughte owe, She shall be called fair Cariclea Derived from Caricles which is my name. Thy house would flourish then, were she thy daughter. What grown so high conceited Nebulo? I believe it, Many such toys do take thee in the head: Get me a mask, I must convey this damosel Muffled home to my house. Sirrah away, dispute no more, but do it. Come you must go With me my daughter deer where you shall be Used and respected as my native child: When I have understood (hark Nebulo Hers news for thee) by good Sysimethres My daughters fur her state, we'll hie forthwith To Greece and Delphos, and put on again My first religious habit; to your shrines You gods we'll offer sanctified minds. Exeunt. Welcome to Greece my worthy friend and brother, And in the fittest time, because I shall Needs your assistance in the perfecting A business which concerns me, you are wise And can persuade, when reason is your theme. In this, you know last night I did relate Cariclaes story, how I did receive her And brought her from your Egypt here to Greece, where in a short time she hath learned our tongue , And so far passes she all other beauty's That she attracteth all men's eyes to gaze With admiration on her, as well strangers As Greeks, so that where e'r she be conversant, Either at home, or in the Temples, or At public exercises, all men's eyes Are fixed upon her with as great devotion As if she were the image of some goddess Lately created; that which grieves me, is She loathes to hear of marriage, and resolves To live a maiden still, and so becoming Diana's servant, for the most partly does Apply her self to hunting and to shooting; I had a great desire to marry her Unto my sisters son, a fine young man, Well mannered, and fair spoken; but I cannot, Either by prayer or promise, or by force Of argument persuade her thereunto: In this I crave your help, deer Calasiris, Use some point of your wisdom to persuade her To know her nature, that she is a woman, And that she would not so degenerate From all those of her sex; this I beseech you To do for great Apollos sake, and all Your country gods. They are the noblest Of all Thessaliam, this same sacrifice They send to Pyrrhus, stout Achilles son, Every fourth year (at such time as the feast Again is kept unto Apollo here) For here was Pyrrhus massacred before Apollos altars by enraged Orestes, This message is more honourably done Than any of the rest, because they say The Captain is sprung from Achilles line. Indeed, such is the beauty of his person And brave majestic carriage, as confirms He is some goddess son. You shall, and his brave ordered sacrifice, Cariclea too, my daughter, must be there To day by custom, at the funeral pomp Of Neoptolemus, but you have seen her Before. The sacrifice indeed belongs to me, But you ir, as the Captain oh this charge, And sacred mess ge, ought to take the taper Of her there, who of all those ceremonies Is p esedent, and burn the altar of; This is the order and our Country f shion. Saw you my only joy, and the sole honour Of Delphos, fair Cariclea my daughter? The people praised Theagines the young Thessalian captain, Attributing the second place to him. Come will you go with me to visit her I doubt the concourse of so great a troop Hath prejudiced her rest. What ails my sweet, my deer Carcilea, Tell me my daughter. What should this mean good Calasiris think you, What disease hath she taken? I must laugh at this, Then you believe as commonly men do, That there is witch craft Your wise reasons bear Some probility I must confess. You have discussed this doubt right sagely Sir, I would my daughter once might feel and find What love does mean, I would not then conceive That she were sick, but in her perfect health, But nothing less then this is to be thought Hath happened to her, who contemnes all love, But rather seems to be bewitched indeed; Dear Calasiris for our friendships sake Show some point of your wisdom to dissolve This witchcraft, and if possible to bring her Into a good opinion of my nephew. It's his rustieke manner; Oh what a lo ty fellow Bacchus is When he is well washed! but come let us go Least with his cudgel honest Nebulo Do drive us forward. Sir, Superabundant are your cates and dainties, Fair Cleopatra that luxurious Queen Might revel here, and be contented too, We that are Priests use to such dainty fare Whose lives are squared by rules of temperance. Theagines, I must return you thanks. What means this variety? I think Some envious eye hath looked upon him too, Methinks Cariclea and Theagenes Haave one disease. — softly to Calasires Theagines, Cariclea as the custom is did hold The prize, and he received it at her hand, She still grows worse and worse, deer Calasiris, Employ your skill and wisdom to restore her, I know 'tis easy for you if you please To heal her, who, you say, is but bewitched, For I believe 'tis not impossible For holy Priests to bring to pass strange things. Content, Apollo grant a good success Unto thy work, and Aesculapius. Exeunt. My child, my daughter deer, tell me thy father The cause of thy disease, have a good heart, This wise man Calasiris is requested By me to find some remedy to cure thee, And he can well perform it as a man Of heavenly knowledge, and a sacred priest. My most endeared friend, you shall do well To suffer him to exercise his art And holy spells for your recovery, For I perceive thou art ore-look'd my child. Sir 'tis my duty to obey your will In all things you command me. Father you are deceived in my grief, You cannot guess at it for all your art. Whither he deigned to look on me or no Apollo have him in his custody; But whence is he, and what's his pedigree? Why do you wrongfully accuse the man Of witchcraft, who hath done no harm at all, There's no such matter, 'tis some other sickness. I love Theagines. Dear friend what have you done? what news have You to tell me that is good? Adieu deer friend, the gods reward thy pain. Here Acestinus, lies the sickly patient Exit Calasiris. You are well read in physic, feel her pulse And give your wise opinion. The gods forbid, Why say you so, must my deer daughter die Without all hope of her recovery? What then should be the cause of these her fits, Utter what y u perceive does trouble her, I do beseech you, skilful Acestinus. A man, heavens grant she be inclined that way, Then Calasiris hath played well his partly; How fares my daughter now, what sickness hast thou? Shall I send for more Doctors yet? 'Tis needless, Send none to me but Calasiris only, He hath the art to ease me, and none else. I'll send him to thee, sleep Cariclea, Until he come: if Alcamenes love Possess her heart, thanks to the gods above. Exeunt. No by Apollo, Would Alcamenes were the man she loved My sisters son, I have endeavoured it All that I can to make her fancy him. I'll take your counsel. I'll give you a relation. Exit Caricles. O woeful news, My daughter seems distracted, such a strange Infirmity does seize her, when I brought My nephew Alcamenes to her fight Freshly appareled, as if Gorgons head Appeared, or some more fearful thing, she cried With a loud voice, and turned her countenance From him and me, withal she put her hand Unto her throat, threatening to kill her self And bound it with and oath, if we departed Not suddenly the chamber, which we did In Less time then she spoke it, least she should Put that in execution which she said; Now Calasiris once again I come Most humbly to beseech you that you will not Suffer the maid to perish, nor her father Be fr strate oh his purpose. 'Tis probable; it may be so indeed. Come go with me, and I will show you all What in the Fascia is contained and written, I understand it not, character Is Aethiopian, and the letters are Not common, but such as the princes use Of Egypt in their holy businesses. Calasiris. I have them all, but how got you I pray The Fascia from old Caricles, for when He had received me from Sysimethres, Who brought me up, he brought me here to Greece I know not how, and took the Fascia from me, Which in a chest he did preserve and keep. How should I as being never told by any? Beside although I oftentimes had seen it, I could not understand the character, Pray sir, interpret what it does contain. My dearest friend, Forbear these candid raptures of your wit, Not my desert, and enter into thought Of what concerns us most. Oh I fear This kindness is some love plot on my deer. Exeunt. Oh heavens, my prophesy is too too true, My jealousy foresaw this. Theagines, This is no honest dealing, I perceive; Was it for this she sent us from her table Such curious viands, and such costly cates? Was it for this she did adorn our chambers With stately hangings wrought with sundry colours, Which came from Sidon and fair Lidia ? Was this her wicked end? would that we were A hundred leagues from this accursed place, Or that we never had beheld her face. Exeunt. But is this true That you have told me? you so often have Deceived me with untruths as I scarce dare To credit any thing you say unto me. On confidence that this is true I will. See here the justice of the heavens displayed To mortal view in this strange accident; This cup, this poisonous cup was meant to me By wicked Cibile, but yet it fell By some mistake to her own lot to drink it. What do you mean to bind me a weak maid, I'll go without constraint where you will led me If't be before Arsace, though I die I care not so Theagenes be by. Exeunt. Who's my accuser? I'll answer thee Proud dame, if my Theagines live yet, I say, I am not guilty of this murder, But if by thy most damnable attempts His purer soul hath left the earthly prison Of his fair body, I declare my self Guilty of this and whatsoever else Thy malice can invent, I was the woman That poisoned then thy nurse, who trained thee up To all those goodly virtues of thy mind; I do desire to suffer, kill me straight That I may meet my lover, who so stoutly Resisted thy foul lust, and lewd enticements, Choosing to die rather then condescend. I do confess yet once again, I poisoned Thy nurse, and would have done so much to thee Had I not been prevented. Oh sun, and earth, and all you blessed creatures That are above or underneath this round Terrestrial ball, you that do take revenge On such as work impiety, bear witness I die and innocent, and willingly Submit my self to death, for to avoid the intolerable griefs that burden me; Vouchsafe to take me gently to your hands, And speedily inflict your punishments Upon this whore Arsace, who hath plotted This mischief to no other end and purpose But to take from me my Theagines. Exeunt. Cariclea raped, Oh gods how can it be; Where is your justice then? where our reward For serving at your altars, when you suffer Your sacred temples to be robbed and spoiled Of its chief jewel, and my life, Cariclea ? Oh sacrilege unheard of! can you sleep And wink at this? or is your anger to me Implacable, and therefore to torment My heart the more, you seem not to regard it? Was't not enough, Oh cruel powers, to kill My daughter at her Nuptial, and my wife For grief thereof, but to augment my sorrow Beyond the bounds of reason, give consent Unto Caricleas rape, who was my joy, My only comfort, heart, yea life and all? Well I will once more put on pilgrimss weeds. And go in quest of thee throughout the world, First to Thessaliam, where that thief was born That stole thee hence, then unto Memphis City Where Calasiris that false priest remains. And if I find thee not, isle travel further, Even to the utmost bounds of Aethiopia, Where I suppose thy parents live and reign. What Nebulo, my trusty friend and servant, Prepare thy self to accompany thy master. Beyond the seas I mean. I hear you sir, it seems your grown a Poet You rhyme so well. Raptures still flow upon thee more and more, Why that is profitable, saves thy purse. Why th'art a second Ovid, all he says Does flow in verse. But Nebulo no more of this, you are content to accom pany me this journey, are you not? What's that thy wife? What did she make thee a cuckould in thy absence? Why that honour is for term of thy Life man; thy staying at home cannot take it away, nor thy going abroad add unto it. fie, prevent thy honour? Spoken Like a right honest man, come let's away then withal expedition. Delphos and Greece farewell, your priests hard fate Denies him still enjoy a settled state. Exeunt. Thus it was, After we were condemned to be burned By foul Arsaces slanderous report For poisoning Cibile, a blazing fire Was made, and we two cast into the same, And whereas it was thought by every one The fierceness of the flame would soon consume us, It proved clean contrary, for we stood in The midst of it untouched, for every side It gave us way, and never singed our clothes, Although Arsace with a threatening voice Commanded the tormentors to lay on More wood and reed, yet all prevailed not, For no hurt would approach us, which the whore Arsace seeing, presently declared Before the people with and open voice That we were witches; though good Calasiris Did what he could to free us from her hands, We by her guard were apprehended, and Brought here again to thee my deer, for which I'm glad that we may suffer both together. It should seem so, But still to be tossed on the angry seas Of rigid fortune and never see and end Of our sad Misery's, should rather argue Their hate and fierce displeasure, if that e be not Some secret and more hidden mystery. We mortals understand not, which r store u , After our sufferings when all hope is fled, Unto a happier state and peaceful being. It a rashly spoken, and I do repent it, My deer Theagines ; now I remember A dream I had last night, but had forgotten Till now to tell it you, Thy was the verse. By virtue of Pantarbe let fear of fire removed be: And easy thing to Persaetis, though else right strange to see. That Oracle hath but a sad constru cion, Which thus I dare interpret, Aethiopia Is meant that land that is beneath the ground, That with the maid is meant with Proserpine, And the escaping of Arsaces band Does signify the soul and bodies parting. I do believe This ring preserved us both from force of fire, Wherein is set a precious stone called Pantarbe, And round about some holy letters written; My Fascia, if you do remember well, Did mention such a one among my jewels; And to be brief, I think that stone contains Some heavenly virtue which withstandeth fire. No But I still held her always in my hand Whereon my ring was. Distressed Aura, What wilt thou do? At the sacred altars Of the immortal gods (to whom we are Reserved for sacrifices) you shall know Me and my parents. Wise, grave, and learned sir, be pleased to stay A little longer, for I have a cause Of consequence to plead before the King And Queen Persina, which concerns them too Aswell as me, this matter does require A speedy judgement, and I hear that you Give sentence on such noble personager; Therefore judge you this plea of life and death, And know it is not just to off r me Unto the gods. Oh Sun, thou founder of my ancestros High pedigree, and all you other gods. You noble men that here are met together Assist me in this place, and be a witness That what I say is true, and by firm proofs It shall appear: do you command, Oh King, Strangers or your own Subject's to be offered? Then it is fit and necessary, You seek out such, I am no stranger born, But of this country, and your subject too. You seem to wonder at small things, But there are greater undiscovered yet, I am not only of this Country born, But of the royal blood. My royal father, I beseech you know Your only daughter and despise her not. none shall dare To take me hence, unless the judges please So to command, for you are not to judge In your own cause although a King, but must Be subject to the law aswell as others Which privilegeth you perchance to kill Strangers, but neither this law, nor the law Of nature does allow you to destroy Your natural children, for the gods to day Shall by a strange discovery make you know I am your daughter, though you now disclaim me. All controversies in the law depend One these two points especially, that is Firm proof by writings, and sure confirmation By witnesses, both which I can produce To prove I am your child, my witness shall not Be common neither, but the judge himself, And here's a writing shall declare both mine And your estate. Yes, lo here they are She shows Sisimet: and the queen her jewels. These jewels were my mother's, but this ring Was yours, I think you know the Pantarbe well. I know them both great King; That maid which shall be found to be your daughte I nourished from a child; one of this country Gave her to me in Egypt, and with her Rich costly jewels, and a Fascia, Wherein was written her high pedigree; With her I went to Greece my native country, And being priest unto Apollo there, When I was busy in the rites and customs Belonging to my office, This Thessalian, Who vaunts himself born of Achilles line, Stole her from Delphos, and I understand Passed many dangers with her; I forgive him And crave you would be pleased to do so too; For since the gods by diverse signs and tokens Have unto us revealed their sacred wills, And made it plain by strange discoveries, Strive not to cross their workings. Oh my Father, As deer unto me as those that begat me, Take what revenge you please, lo here I stand Abide your sentence. Oh how largely am I Embraceth her and weep for joy. Rewarded for my travel! 'tis enough. I have beheld thy face yet once again. No, no, I have not good Sysimethres, But do congratulate our happy meeting. In that sir pardon me, I did abuse you, He's not my brother, but necessity Compelled me to dissemble, what he is Himself can boldly tell you. If he be sacrificed, I'll be that woman, Death must not partly us two. Then I must perish with him, For know, Oh king, (perchance I may not dare To call you father) it is cruelty To spare my body, and destroy my heart, He is my heart, my love, my life, and all, My husband by the destinies appointed, And it is sin t'oppose the gods decrees. Now is the God Apollos Oracle Of Delphos verified, which said of them That leaving Greece, and sailing surging streams They should arrive at Countries scorched with Phœbus burning beams, Where they as recompenses endue that virtues rare do gain, In time to come ere it be long white Miters should obtain. Come, you must go unto the Temple with us To help me in this ceremonious work. Great God of Delphos in whose sacred temple We celebrate these funeral obsequies Of great Achilles son, vouchsafe to send A happy ômen which may crown this work Of our devotion offered at thy Altar. Sir, be not angry, This man never drinketh wine, nor eats the flesh Of any living thing. He's and Egyptian, born at holy Memphis, And Isis Priest, whose custom is abstain From wine and flesh as things unlawful. What pleases you does please us. Thanks for our worthy entertainment Sir. Why, didst thou not mean the business when thou mention'dst the point? is it not all one in the sense? I conceive it so, else thou art more learned than I am. I am indeed, and I have reason for it. I come to crave your counsel what to do, But first depart and leave us Nebulo. My daughter, Sir, since yesterday, the raze Was run in armour tween Theagenes And stout Ormenes, hath been wondrous sick, And the last night did never sleep one wink. How did you Like her at the sacrifice? Did she set forth that brave sighed any thing? Because 'tis fore-decreed I must both live and die with that young man. I shall not fail you.