COLLATINE

Theres moral sure in this, Valerius, Heeres model, yea, and matter too to breed Strange meditations in the provident brains Of our graven Father's: some strange project lives This day in Cradle thats but newly born. Val jus, no more, this talk does but keep us from the sighed of this solemnity: by this the Princes are entering the Capitol: come, we must attend. Servius. The news in the Camp. Then for the Camp. Now Sir for the Country. Why, what is ale? Only the news at home, and I have done. And couldst thou not have told me Lucrece stay, And I stand tri king here fellow away. You are madmen all that yield so much topassion. You lay your selves too open to your enemies, That would be glad to pry into your deeds. And catch advantage to ensnare our lives. The kings fear Like a shadow dogs you still, Nor can you walk without it: I commend Valerius most, and noble Scaevola That what they cannot mend, seem not to mind, By my consent lets all wear out our hours In harmless sports, hawk, hunt, game, sing, drink So shall we seem offenseles & live safe. In dangers bloody jaws where being humorous dance Cloudy and curiously inquisitive. Into the kings proceedings there armed fear May search into us, call our deeds to question, And so prevent all future expectation: Of wished amendment let us stay the time, Till heaven have made them ripe for joust revenge, When opportunity is offered us. And then strike home, till then do what you please: No discontented thought my mind shall cease. My man's a Rhetorician I can tell you, And this conceit is fluent. Enter Lords, You must be Lucrece guests, and she is scant In nothing: for such princes must not want. I must entreat you spare me, for my brain brooks not the fumes of wine, their vaporous strength offends me much. I'll hazard all my Fortune's on the virtues Of divine Lucrece, shall we try them thus? It is now dead of night, lets mount our steeds, Within this two hours we may reach to Room, And to our houses all come unprepared, And unexpected by our high praised wines, She of them all that we find best employed, Devoted and most huswife exercised, Let her be held most virtuous, and her husband Win by the wager a good horse and armour. Sweet wife salute these Lords, thy continence Hath wone thy husba ̄ worser a Barbarian horse, & a rich coat of arms. Then Lords you are indebted to me a horse and armour. I must beswaid: the joys and the delights of many thou sand nights meet all in one to make my Lucr ce happy. Only commend me. Would Royal Sextus would but honour me to bear her a slight token. This Ring. Have you seen Lucretia my Lord, how fares she? Give it me. Why how i'st with you Lucrece, tell me sweet? Why dost thou hide thy face? & with thy hand Darken those eyes that were my Suns ofioy, To make my pleasures flourish in the Spring? What Lucrece? Yet continued ̄ fort Lady, I quit thy gilded, for what could Lucrece do more then a woman? hadst thou died polluted, By this base scandal, thou hadst wronged thy fame, And hinderd us of a most joust revenge. Wife. O Devil! Sextus speak not thou of Gods, Not cast those false and feigned eyes to heaven, Whose rape the furies must torment , of Lucr: Lucrect: We do, and may our power so joust appear Room may have peace, both with our love & fear. But soft, what march is this? we embrace whose royal presence. Shall grace the Consul to the funeral pile. March on to Room, Jove our guard and guide, That hath in us venged Rape and punished pride. Not giddily Like Brutus, passionately Like old Lucretius with his tear swollen eyes, Not laughing Like Nor bluntly Like Horatius Cocles here, He has usurped a stranger garb of humour, Distinct from these in nature's every way. Strangely, he is all song, he's ditty all, Note that, Valerius hath given up the Court And weaned himself from the kings consistory In which his sweet harmonious tongue grew harsh, Whither it be that he is discontent Yet would not so appear before the king Or whither in applause of these new Edicts. Which so distaste the people, or what cause, I know not but now he's all musical. Unto the counsel chamber he goes singing, And whilst the king his wilful edicts makes, In which nonce tongue is powerful save the kings. He's in a corner, relishing strange airs. Conclusively he's from ̄ a towards hopeful gentleman Transeshapt to a mere balleter, none knowing this transitation. Sirrah the news with you. Let me know all the news. The foe comes on and we in trifling here hazard our self and people. Leave all to heaven. I should wrong my Lucrece not to stand for her. Such is my virtuous Lucrece. I am pleased. See Lords, thus Lucrece revels with her maids, In stead of Riot quaffing & the practice of high laualties to the ra uishing found of chambering music, she Like a good huswife Is teaching of her husband sundry chares. Lucrece. Lords will you yield the wager? I commit my Lucre wholly to the censure of Sextus. My Lord I know no cause of discontent, yet can not I be merry. Let Tullia yield then. And see great consul, where the pride of Room lies sunk and fallen. Nothing but what you all may well partake: read here my Lord. Dear Lord, if ever thou wilt see thy Lucrece, Choose of the friends which thou affectest best, And all important business set apart, Repair to Room: commend me to Lord Brutus, Valerius Mutius, & Horatius, Say I entreat their presence, where my Father Lucretius shall attend them, farewell sweet, That affairs are great, then do not fail to meet. I I die, Thou art not what thou seemest, Lord Scaevola, Thy heart mourns in thee, though thy visage smile, And so doe's thy soul weep, Valerius, Although thy habit sing, for these new humours Are but put on for safety, and to arm them Against the pride of Tarquin, from whose danger, None great in love, in counsel or opinion Can be kept safe: this makes me loose my hours At home with Lucrece, and abandon court. The wife of Tarquin would be a Queen, nay on my life she is with child till she be so. If here be any difference among the Princes and Senate, whose faction will Vale jus follow? Fair Lucrece, I would brought these Lords from Court To feast with thee, sirrah prepare us dinner. And my Lucrece fate, shall all be swalowd in this hostile hate. Lucrece! Which isle revenge.