PALLANTUS

How now friends, amazed at what's passed: dangers over blown are dreams, no more to be esteemed of, within this hour you would have given a world to stand thus, were it yours, let not smaller losses then afflict you, the greatest goods are trifles after such deliverance, our birth day was not half to us so happy as is this minute, then we had no sense of life, now we perceive and joy in't. What moved these villains hatred? sure they know me not, nor did I ere see them before this voyage, they could not hope for money, there's more in't, heres a paper which He sear ches the ̄ . may chance to tell me something, by this I see they are mur therers, what's here, a beard and hair? black patches, sure 'tis their trade they are so furnished, both of the same pro fession. I am glad to hear you have found Pallantus, receive this man the bearer into your company and council, and if your secret practises fail you, assault him openly, and by violence perform the murder: let the one or other be done speedily, my employments here for you, are many and instant. Art thou the Lord? my wonder then is done, Thy treacheries is greater than thy hate, And that too is something more than malice Above the search of innocence, a knot Unto the subtlest Traitors, a riddle To thy self; were not thy home villainies Enough, but thou must maintain thy Factors Out for lives in foreign Kingdoms? bloody Merchant. I have lain hid so long, am now So new formed by time, no friend can know me. Hate, thine eyes are more perceiving far than Friendship; I have not dared to name my self, Because with it I do name my Father, And yet thou hast it perfect; him with Many more, who were too good to look on So much ill, as thine and thy father's lives, Were made away — ease; my breast, or too much Rage, instead of a Revenger, will turn me A stock, a fool; Hear me you banished gods, For I may justly fear, if that your Powers Are absent any where, it's from this place Where tyranny does reign; on this Altar I do vow to be your Martyr, if not Your surviving instrument, never to let Fallen your vengeance, till it light on those which Slew the King, your King, the image of your Goodness, which killed the Prince, and dared to say That he was lost, lost indeed; which on the Princess do intend a rape, their marriage is No better, which killed my father, and last Resolved on me: Had I a thousand lives I'de gage them here And think your Judgement yet not bought too deer. Why? what am I Sir? Were your troop absent I'de make you find, I were without those helps, 'twas so long since you saw a man, a true one, that you know not when you meet one, your Lordship's glass showed you none this morning. From Sea. Yes. These are some insolent scoffers which breath their wits on all they see weaker then themselves against they meet the fool next, I wrong my self to talk with they. None of your wit yet. Was it that made me such a wonder? I do so. Yes, I was assaulted by two rank rascals which I let blood and cured? S r . your thoughts are base, and you do ill thus to insult upon mine innocence. Robbed they? moneys more be low my thoughts then Earth, my education hath been noble, and though the Midwife leapt me not in Purple, nor Princes gossiped at my birth, I have dard to be as honest as the richest, my word hath commanded more then all your Land or money. Those deeds which I have done, dishonestly dard not to have looked on, they would have frighted your Lordship if but told you towards bed time. Behind there, if you search they you may find more, if they had any money the Sea washed them clean on't before their death's. Yes, but it seems they had a land-fate. I told you once so, Jam no proud on't, to boast it over again, and tell you how I did it. While you talk thus I can, and in your business if ho nesty go yoked with danger: it cannot fright me then though it have more terror then Seamen feign at their return, or Cowards fears suggest, horred even unto a lie. I dare face it, and wager a life i'll conquer it. Pardon my words if my actions prove as fatal. My Lord? My Lord, I shall be a shamed to pretend so much un to the Soldier, as to make my self uncapable of so great and honour this Lady does me by her fair salutation, though I am unworthy, I can be proud to be her Servant. Amongst those many voices, and knees which day lie do you honour. I gladly would receive and humble place, and pay my duties at your feet too, you may demand what they are. A heart and careless life to do you sir vice just so, what was Incense on and Altar to a Dei ty that had no sent: or a Cake and Wine to a power that had not Stomach? yet they hearkened to those which offered such trifles, and liked and approved the wor ship, with the same Hope's I present my flight but most devo ted Services. Peace Fool— The King will hear thee and thou wilt be whipped for balling. Exit. It is the power of Princes for to change The place the come in to a Court, but this Lady bears such divinity about her, That where she comes, she consecrates the place A Temple, me thinks a sacred awe does Fill the room resulting from her presence. How happy were those times which saw a King And Council of the same blessed temper, Informed with souls Like hers; that knew no vice But what they punished, nor learned it further Than the law and common place instructed; In that great Massacre (I may rathersay) Of virtues than of men, all that fled not To this holy Sanctuary were crushed to nothing. You are a Soldier my Lord, and though but young perhaps have seen already what others whole lives have not shown them, yet we'll play a game we dare invite you to, though you were accompanied with all the ancient Heroes, who had they leave but in their airy shapes to fit on a Tri bunall, spectators of the war, this their second leaving of the earth, should be more grievous to them than their former death's, and they would wish this Kingdom might be their Elizium. And shall I alone in such a glorious Actium walk unseen? and as a fault perform my duties in disguise? I rather will proclaim it, here fallen my missed away, now thou only barrest me from my joys, to which I am not near enough unless I can embrace. Give me leave my Lords that as my life, so I may throw my body at his feet; I have a share in him, I, though a Stranger to you, it was my Father's purchase, with his life, he bought it, nor desire I to hold it by another patent, may such be the noted end successively of all our name, no disease but our Mistress cause to die on. Here let me kneel and pray all happiness and the best things may fallen, and then rise, and with my Sword pro cure those blessings I have prayed for, know me my Lords, I am Pallantus. — My Lord, they are well lost, both those which were the causers of it, shall receive wounds as Deep though not so disfiguring, and afford their blood to wash the scars they have made. We are both alone, the Gods have given this time for my revenge. I'll not lose this opportunity. In a manner, the same words, accompanied only with a few threats more. There is but one of the messengers returned: the other for his stout demanding of the Crown lost his head, there his fellow reports he delivered those words you put into him, with such resolution, that he appeared not to denounce, but bring those evils on him. The Tyrant grew pale, and seemed to feel them in his threats, nor could he think himself safe en compassed with his friends and guard, till he had silenced that voice that so could wound him through all their swords. Where are all our great words now? those Mighty sounds that made a trembling in the air, And caused no less a deafness with their fallen, Then if thunder, the voice of heaven were turned Articulate, and spoke the threats of Jove Unto the world? changed to as great a silence, Such when a Tempest ceases is the calm That follows, no noise is herd, as if the Wind with blasts were breath less grown, and the Seas Sat down, and after so much toil required ease. Not able for to lift that from a Rock, Whose Keel struck hell, and Mast the Clouds did knock, Why had we not bodies equal to our minds? That when we durst meet Perils, we might Bear them too, and not with a fading trunk Loose thoughts invincible: yet I will do Something, and where the gods have given a will We ought not in their service to fit still. Exit. Pallantus. Though the fallen be great it cannot shake me When I know it's joust. The malefactors Penitence, takes not the justice of his Doom a way, though he be changed that remains Unstained, he may die with pity, but not With innocence. They mind me not I'll endeavour To escape while they are thus stupified with grief, I will not trust their obedience to a dead command. Exit. Hold, I command you hold, he that takes a life shall pay one back again. The Soldiers free the Ladies. My rage hath blindly led me on to violate a place, no less sacred then the Temples and rudely, ere I looked about, hath thrust me on the Deity. Like those which being led to see some glorious thing, eager, and longing, ask still as they pass, which is the sighed, and how near, until they are engaged within its splen dour, which opening suddenly upon them, makes them retire as fast again with reverence. My revenge how false thy beauty was? And thou all that ever I herd of good. Hold villains dare you make and offer to such a deed, and not in that thought expect a bolt upon your breasts? he that heaves his hand shall know I have that thunder here. Thou worse than she hath nam, unhallowed Traitor, canst thou command such Sacrilege? if that thy faults were told thee from above, thou'dst blaspheme the voice that spoke to thee. If shalt dare to speak such things as these, I'll make thy soul pass faster than thy words, think not to wrong me with a seeming show. I'll not take your bitterness, though gilded in the name of friendship, withdraw and show your love this way. Still you injure me with your kindness. Though I seem all that you have nam, and fouler yet, this is a sin blacker than all; such as I dare not do. Oh think me not worse than you have said already, and then I may again be happy. The beasts are noble, meek to Chastity, and humbly lick the feet of Majesty. Judge me not by show, our eyes deceive us, and as oft persuade us to the wrong, as do the blind men feet, falsely do prompt us. All that is white is innocent, and all that's black is sinful, without exception. Should those which look on you be led so by the scence, they must kneel down before you, and adore you as some Deity, not being able to fantasy so much God, as they do see in you; such forms their power have given you, that you may become a rival in their worships. Neither intend violence, would you could entertain of me one thought of goodness, as hopeless as you think me, I de undertake to make it good, and better't daily. Forgiveness, I dare not say love. The world of causes that partly me and happiness. My youth and comeliness whither are you fled? Is there a way? Oh my joys, the gods are merciful, name it, name it to me. Needs I and oath to confirm I would be happy? 'tis my own happiness I thus eagerly pursue in yours, every sighs you give does make me breathless, and every tear which you let fallen does bow me nearer to the earth, than all the years and wounds that I have suffered; yet I will swear by all things holy, all that I fear and reverence, to refuse no labours, death's, to gain your ease— And restore joy unto your life again. From what a heaven of happiness am I fallen? Stay, Oh; stay that hand, let that goodness in you which would spare things fair, and holy, preserve the fairest, and the holiest. The angels would be proud to take such shape upon them when they visit earth, it's such as your self ought to look with reverence on. She's gone, my times no longer, our lives were woven on the same web, the destynies condemned me to see her death, and then to follow. Were my Soul fled, that voice would call it back a gain, it self would return: and choose this Paradise on earth, I'll not disturb her with my longer stay. If that your Lady shall need any thing, you may have it with a thought, a long peace shall not present it with more care, and speed: she shall not find less tenderness, and honour then if her Father still ruled all. The Guards at your command, and shall stay only for your safety. Exit Pallanius. The Kingdom owes a Sacrifice for your life, all will joy to hear it, which had it failed, would have pulled more gilded upon us, than the sins of a whole age. My offensive tongue can utter nothing pleasing to you, so great are your misfortunes, and your honour so tender to you, the wounds that I have given you are beyond my cure. If my repentance can make me clear, I am not, other ways 'tis I that partially hearing my own cause, believed and judged for it, that hastily without examining what I did, de creed on all your woe. Nothing so strangely as my Hope's are, at first they did appear in a divine and holy form, beyond all that I can fantasy, such a mind though ravishd with the beauty, could not express then, and promised all should be as heavenly as their shape, called me the instrument of Justice, the saver of my Country: set all the sins before me, I was to punish, told me there was no heaven, but what their clouds did veil; thus they crept into me, and wone me with the most specious shows unto their service, on my bore re solution gave me partly of that happiness I was to aim at. Then they clothed me in a body, foul as the Tram gedy I was to act, and made me dote on those deformities which all did loath, when they had bewitched me with these false, yet glittering names, and I obeyed their black commands, in a moment they changed into Repentance, a mournful figure: and sadly left me as they first did find me, and as I now appear to you. Yet, I had a cause (Pardon me that I say) and being that I saw not you before I did it, a joust one. I lost a Soon reign, as never to me in blood, as love; and if this cause may seem remote, I had a father murdered, whose death, as it be comes you thus to mourn, so it did me for to revenge, my self was banished, loyalty was both our faults, and when they had heaped these sorrows on me, left me not one hope to lean on; they were not yet content with my despair, but sought my life, which was so poor, it could not be distinguished then from death; their injuries forced a new one in me, and blue the spark until the flame consumed they. But had I be held you before their danger, it would have turned my soul within me, changed me from a Foe unto their party. I cannot now believe I had a Justice, that there could be any where you were injured in it, so much my love does mount above my grief, that it makes me think I have only lost your father. Why weep you thus? Could that recall him, I'de bear you company, and break those stub born gates, which from my childhood to this present hour hath kept them back, and spend my whole store here. But nothing can redeem him, let that common reme die which all apply, and helpeth all, give ease unto you, that nothing can redeem him. Oh learn a strength of me (that is the worst name for it) to bear a father's lose. Let the inno cence of mine excuse my violence to yours, we are the wret chedst two alive, made so by our selves, and can be only happy in our selves. Look on this, it may bring you comfort, with making out of love with the subject of your grief. Falls not my deformities away? This is the first time I darde to be so. Can you yet read a resemblance but of Justice in my Actions. You are not at all allied unto his vices. Profane not then your goodness, it is a sin though you your self commit it; that you was a Princess was not your ambition but obe dience, you are only guilty in thinking of your self so, why then do yue talk of death thus? My self, and the many which have suffered them do think so, and are received of all with pity, and with honour, can you expect to find less humanity? you are not fallen so low, but the greatest Prince would be proud to do you service. 'Tis vainenes to profess, all civility is your endue. You are a Judge too cruel to your self, I did deserve them at the least from you, it was a noble passion, and owed unto your friends, had they been worse, yet if you'de make a mends, where there was no wrong, give one comfort to your self, and I shall receive a million: ample and satisfactory. Fallen not to a relapse again, I dare not leave you thus. May peace and quiet return to their home, again to this place. Exeunt omnes. S r , I humbly crave your pardon, that thus tardily of ter the people and your enemies, I present my service to you, and wish you happiness. My Lord, you promise too highly for me. S r , I bow to you. But that which is my grief will be no longer mine alone, then while I do conceal it, all that hearest will also have their share in it, it's a disease that good men catch merely by the fantasy. Justice could never yet with all her care so carve out her punishment, but that the In nocent were wounded with the blow, and felt the Judgement of another sin, while with her Sword she cuts off the offen ding parent the child is made and Orphan in the Cradle, and mourns hereafter because he had no fault. To this S r , as we have slain withal religion a bloody tyrant, one that was greater in his sins then in the King dome he purchased by them. So too we have causeless slain the father of a Lady, that knew not so much gilded as to satisfy her, why she lost him: for want of whose life she now con temnes her own, a Jewel of inestimable valve with all that does behold it but her self, S r , you cannot call her and enemy, though her goodness hath stood against you, and preserved her Father so many years in spite of all his sins, she ought to resist all piety if it were and enemy to her own. Now retire, but on the least call be ready for to enter. What shape can I put on, and thou not injure me in't. I never yet appeared to thee in any form, but that I suff read by thee, at first I was thy fear, as all that were innocent did fright thee, because thou Wertenberg guilty I was banished, not to remove me, but my death, which with treachery thou seekest. And when I had, with wonder escaped thy inten dead mischiefs, by chance thou wouldst have slain me when thou hadst no cause of hatred, my disguise wronged thee not, it as much a stranger to thee, as and inhabi tant of remotest Africa — Hold, I came to bring peace and not destruction, do you yet perceive how vain is all your malice? If I thought so, I'de grant to your request, and kill you; I could do it, I have strength, and justice enough to make me able, but you are not so bade, as you suppose, these are despairing, and not malicious thoughts; yet ere I go one way or other I'll give you satisfaction, I came for that intent. Let me see your Articles — And if these may not be granted, that thus accompanied, we may depart the Isle. How poor are these requests? without more commission I dare grant you greater. Why, these are de mands within the compass of a Subject's breast, deceive not your selves, you were not so safe in your own reign, as in your e nemies. The State is not translated from one tyranny to another, but to a kingdom. A Prince governs now, which is the name of mercy, as well as power, w changed he truly knows, and in his first deeds desires to show on you; he does not think he's then Like Jove when he can thunder, but when he can hold it in, not when he is the voice of death, but when he sits harmless, with the power of death about him. Revenge, Torments, Executions, are not expressions of a king, but a destruction, he rivals not the im mortal powers in Temples, statues, adoration, but transcendent virtues, divine performances, these are the additions by which he climbs heaven, and appears a God on earth. Have you yet resolved on any thing? I will go on in mercy, 'tis my commission, and if you will not dam against its streams, it may flow to you: yet the way is even; why look you strangely at the word? 'tis no wonder to the sender of it, nor they which live about him. Though the dangers may seem great, it not worthy of the high name of his mercy, if the offence were not such. This is but the least of his expressions, that his enemies were courted for to live, but presently you think 'tis not to save you, but to defer your death. A vain thought, when can it be done more safely, and more justly, you are now as far from those to help you, as to pity you. None but himself has any care of you. 'Tis true, there is a Lady that had a share in you, but with your honour you threw her off, nor can you claim and interest, when you have neglected her in all her Misery's; not in your flight, your articles, no, not in your thoughts providing for her. And, had she not fallen into the hands of enemies that were servants too, to honour; you had thrown away a Jewel that had a first thought, even among the gods. Sir, keep in your joy, we do not think our selves such high deservers, in doing that which barbarous people would have done, they which would have burned the Temples, would have kneeled to her, and what duties they neglected to the Altar, would have paid at her feet. Think you we could desire to save such enemies as you, and not adore and enemy of her virtues. Now I meet you: and first give me leave with this to throw away all danger that does threaten you. Next my request is (if you dare trust me) to leave this place, and presently go with me whither I shall led you. Joy attend you Madam. Your unfortunate one, to see that little he had wrought with much care so soon decayed again, yet I hope I shall this time be more happy in my cure, before I brought but Phy sick for your grief, but now I bring you joy it self, it makes me bold and assures me of my welcome, though thus without leave I enter. He needs no ceremony that can say your brother lives. I dare not play with holy things, nor would I defer your Hope's, much less delved they; he came along with me, and stayed but till I had thus prepared his way: I know to have given him you, as you imagine, had been twice only to have taken him away, no danger threatened him but his own discontent. The King among his first cares provided for his safety: he shall himself confirm my words. Oh be not too severe, but suddenly give that joy you have prepared for him. The King? Sir, you needs not, he understands the nature of, your losses, and will not expect so suddenly to see you. I did Madam. She lives only by the favour. Sir, you much honour me, and entreat me to that I am most ambitious of, my will I freely offer, but the greater partly is wholly devoted to your service Sir, and none beside ought to dispose of it. How gladly I would think my self so much con cernd, as to ask a leave of you, but I have ever made my self a stranger to you or whats worse, a known enemy, and can expect only ill wishes from you. You have given me a happiness, which neither envy, malice, nor the worst of fortune can take from me. I stand the only man above the stroke of Fate, may I hope to see that joy dwell in your face again, which I was never yet so blessed as to behold? And will you leave off these mourning Habits? Accursed that I am, to be the Author of such misery, is there no way to restore that peace which you have lost? if there be any, despair not of it, though it be held in the jaws of death, I'll snatch it for you; though it were lost in the darkest mass of things, my love would distinsh't in a Chaos: if it have no being but what your thought gives life too, I'll wish it for you. So strong my fantasy is to serve you; let it be any thing to be done I'll doe't, can I, the wretched cause removed bring ease unto you, here on my knee I yield my life unto your taking, or if you had rather, I'll offer't up my self. All about you does minister to your grief. The King would gladly comfort you, can you admit his visit? Madam, I'll meet the King, and meet upon him in.