AMANDUS

I confess, Moral Philosophy does teach as much, And you have given me precepts, read me lectures Of fickle Fortune's mutability, How madly, and without consideration, She does confer her favours, yet my sufferings (How great you know my faithful Consolario ) Are of that nature, as but counterpoise In equal balance with weak humane frailty, They would in spite of my resistance weigh me Down, down unto she ground. Why should the partial fates be so unjust, So cruel to me? had my fortune been Good as my right, the lot of grief had fallen Upon another soil: and thou my Country, My dearest Country, hadst not felt these wrongs, These Misery's of war thou now sustainest; The careful husbandman had then enjoyed His harvest to himself, and reaped the fruits Of his own labours, had not seen his house Burned to the very ground, his Vineyards spoiled, His fields laid waste; the woeful father then With bleeding heart had not beheld his daughter, His fairest daughter ravished in his sighed, And his chaste wife lie prostituted to The lust of common soldiers, while all He stands spectator of the loathed Scene, Whose death at last shuts up the tragedy: These things had never happened if my c see, Had been considered, nor this Ci y (Whose lefty turrets wrap themselves in clouds) Had never been begirt thus round about By foreign foes. What news bring you my friend? You are welcome, And we congratulate your safe arrival; But in what state did poor Damascus stand When you departed thence? how victualed? How furnished with ammunition was it? How long can it hold out? first I will hear Your sad relation ere I break the seal. Cons oh, Where are you now with your Philosophy? You're gone, you're gone, will you preach patience yet To wretched me your pupil? can you open Your mouth to that ect in such a deluge, In such and inundation of my woes? No, it's in vain, I can receive no comfort: Open you watery sluices of mine eyes, And let out tears enough to drown my heart, My heart that's gaul'd for poor Damascus sake, And my deer friends within: Oh had the heavens Showered cataracts upon me, had their plagues Drunk up my moisture, till my shattered bones Had crumbled into dust, had I excused My country with my fallen, my peaceful ashes Had filled their urn in silence, whereas now Even life is tedious. Heaven reward thee For this sweet Balsom thou hast poured into My wounded heart, your words have eased me of A great partly of the burden which oppressed me, And I refer me wholly to your wisdom, To perfect what you have so well begun; Now to my letter, here's sad matter sure. Sir, so miserable is the state and condition of the town for want of food to sustain us (as this bearer can more par ticularly inform you) that unless we have speedy relief, I fear Damascus will be taken in upon and assault, for our me are so weak through hunger, as they are scarce able to come up and visit the breach, notwithstanding we are resolved rather to die there, then surrender: so much we prefer your good before our own safety. Now Consolario, what will you advice me To do in this extremity of fate? Hark how the Ordnance battereth the walls Of yond fair City, how the Musketeers Discharge whole volleys; it's some sally sure, Made by the brave besieged; how do I talk, They are too weak, too feeble to attempt it, Poor hunger-sterv'd souls; may it not be A Mine sprung in the rampire of the town, And and assault made? Oh I fear it's so, My mind presages ill, mine arms, sa, a, I'll once again attempt for to relieve it, Although repulsed last. Now fortune do thy worst, and if thou canst, Make me more wretched, I'll no longer now Fl tter thy malice; since mine eyes have seen The final perjod of my Countries fate. Come Consolario, thou and I, and these, Will travel Like poor Pilgrim's through the world, For I am weary of this desolation, And as we pass through this and to'ther Realm, We will inquire their state, that I may find, If possible, a partner in my grief. Dear Colonel, dismiss that little Army, That little remnant which the wars hath left me; Bid each man seek his safety where he can, And tell them if Amandus ere may hope To see a change of fortune, and enjoy Hereafter better days, he will then think Upon their faithful service, and reward them, When all these gusts of sorrow are blown over, In ample manner. Now let us obey Our stars, and follow where they point the way. Then you dismissed the army. But did you tell my loving friends & soldiers, That in this grateful heart of poor Amandus, Was treasured up their love and faithful service, Never to be forgotten. How did they take my leaving them, and this my separation. Yet their hearts Were grieved I make no question, for their lose And desperate Fortune's. This makes me melt again, and to deplore Their miserable state and sad condition That were so touched with mine; but Consolario, What desert soil is this, that so well suit My desert mind? what solitary land That mocks my far more solitary heart? What air do we now breath in? Not that same Country. So famous for the Phoenix and her nest, And for that second Phoenix, rare Phaeni In, (Far more to be admired then the first) the Arabian Kings fair daughter. Prithee tell me What should they rob from me that I should shun them? What have I left that I should fear a thief? A jewel, two or three, poor paltry toys To lose, when I before have lost a kingdom: You'll say they'll take my life, alas they will not Be so compassionate to ease me of A burden so despised, under which I faint, and panting breath this air of woe. Well, I'll forget it, And find some other talk: you told me now This was a partly of fair Arabia, Termed deserta, and another partly Hight Faelix, there's another yet beside, Or else the history is false that writes it, How name you that? Which of these Arabia faelix, Petraea or deserta Is that sweetsoyle so much commended for Her gums and spices, odours, and perfumes? I'm sure it is not this. But good old man, have you forgotten that, Before the Tartar did invade my land, We had laid down our travel there to see The much admired Phaenicia, when the sighed Of this fair picture did captive my heart: What motion do I feel again within me, To blow the fire raked in forgetful ashes, And half dead in Damascus? Dost thou not see us Stand with our swords drawn, mine I thus give up into thy body,— I'll not be Averse unto good counsel though I valve This life at a low rate; now let's direct Our steps towards that happy soil you spoke off, That I may see though now with humbled eyes Phaenitia fair, the minion of the skies,— Me gentle Lady, No let me bleed to death, Like Seneca Go sleeping to my grave, your pains were ill Bestowed on one that's weary of his life; Show your compassion one my friends, and then You shall blige my ashes in their urn To bless your bounty. To speak my thanks Would come to short by far of what I think; I'm sorry Madam your so pr tious salve Should wasted be on such a wretch as I, It better were reserved for nobler uses. Courteous Lady, You first demand my state, I can resolve you In these two words; it's poor and miserable, Made so by Fortune's malice, and my stars. My name I humbly crave I may conceal, My Country is Damascus, and therein As in a book you may read out my story; Have you not herd the fallen of that brave City? Yes, in fortune I have indeed, for I suppose our sufferings Are much alike. Wean me from my breath Of life, and then I'll thank thee in my death. Fair Princess, here behold before your eyes; Those whom your courtesy hath made your slaves: I mean my friends and me, whose thanks, yea lives We come to tender to you, but alas, The debt we owe is greater, and the sum Not to be answered so, yet we beseech you Take this in partly of payment, which we offer With zealous hearts, and no less strong devotion, And though we cannot cancel your great bill, Impute that to our want, not to our will. You impose Too great a task upon me, for weak words Cannot express it full; Madame, we owe you First for our lives, then for our liberties, For cum king of our wounds with your fair hand, And many other favours great beside, All which we treasure up here in our hearts, As in a trusty Cabinet. For your good We will expose our lives unto all hazards, For we account them yours, and not our own, Since by your means we live, and do enjoy them: What's your command? How sweet Lady I do beseech you comes it? does the thief Rapinus dare to offer violence Unto your chastity, or threat your death Unless you yield unto him? I will soon (So much I'm obliged unto your goodness) Find out a way to send that fiend to hell, Although I suffer for it twenty death's, If this procure your fear. Let me know it then: Your life and liberty endangered? In needs too of a cure, and not that way? Strange mystery, unfold it I beseech you, That if it lie in my poor power, I may Make known how much I love and honour you. Heavens defend So great a Princess, and so beautiful, Of such imperial Fortune's, should descend So low in thought, to look on such a wretch As I am, being the map of misery, Griefs Emblem, yea the tennis ball of fortune, Tossed by her angry Racket evermore Beneath the line, into a thousand hazards— For her desport, I love you better Lady Then so, to work your downfall, and should ill Requite your favours that way: you that may For beauty, birth, or fortune, match with any The greatest Prince of the terrestrial orb. 'Twere sin in me not to be pardoned, To wrong you with my love in way of marriage, Who can assure you nothing for a dower But sorrow and affliction, I grant it Madam, that I was that Prince You pleased to name, but now have nothing left me But the bore title, but that a ery name, Poor echo of Damascus, would I might Lose that and life, the shadow with the substance, Then I were happy, but my fa e alas I fear reserve me for more misery. If possible, then I have tasted yet: Therefore let all avoid me as the plague, Lest they should be infected with my grief. Base villain offer her no wrong, But turn thee upon me, although unarmed I dare thy utmost power. Now I will die thy sword in thy own blood, Which thou didst think to make deep drunk in mine. Then it is done, take that, and breath thy last, No more of this sweet Lady till we have Oh der'd the business that now falls upon us: The thieves we needs not fear, for I have them Firmly at my devotion through distaste And discontent they did receive against Rapinus in his life, they will not stir e (I know) one foot in his revenge, but rather Render me thanks for acting of his death; Come let us go, to better our poor state We must confirm these men yet in their hate. Now fellow soldiers, since you have committed This place of Captain to me, and submitted Your selves to my command, I must reduce you Into another way, another form, Another course of life more honourable, And make you worthy of that glorious title And attribute of soldier, which as yet You but usurp and wrongfully apply Unto your selves: I do assure you this, You shall not have occasion to complain, Or to repent the change. I'll tell you how you shall More rich then ever, and yet honestly And honourably too. What news my friends? But can you understand what moved the Persian To enter into war against the King, And to invade his Country? How came you Sirs by this intelligence? Here's work, And brave employment for you, here you can Get wealth and honour too and do your King And Country service: here's boot enough, Win it and wear it; now courage my hearts. Let them come, We'll stand upon our guard for to receive them, Yet we'll do things discreetly too, and not Give battle rashly, for the Persian army Is rich and mighty, not for us to deal with But upon great advantages: attend My words, we'll lie close in our ambuscades Until we hear the vanguard of their army, And battle is marched by, then on the rear We will fallen on, and fiercely give the charge Upon the narrow passage, so before The vanguard and the battle can assist, We shall cut of their baggage, and retire With all our wealth into the Caves and Mountains Safe from the strongest forces of the world; I'll bring you on and off with honour Sirs. Now fellow soldiers is not this more honourable, And profitable too? oh beat and army, Then to oppress poor pilgrimss, and the Like, Who travel for devotions sake unto The tomb of famed Mahomet at Maecha? Sure you must needs confess it. My kind thanks to all: Now for this wealth which we have purchased With glory to our selves, I will distribute And equally divide it amongst you all: As for my partly, I will not take one denier, But freely give it you in recompense Of your good service. It's a meed Endue to your valours, therefore I command you Enjoy it freely: now I must acquaint you Further with my intentions, which shall be To raise your Fortune's, and procure your good. In brief, I do resolve forthwith to send A messenger unto the Arabian King, Your native Lord, to offer in his aid All our assistance against the Persian Prince, And to come over to him with proviso, That he shall pardon, and no more remember The trespasses you did commit against him: Which he will willingly embrace, I know, And more beside, bestow preferments on you, Endeared the more unto us by affection For this our service, which serves as a prologue To usher in our welcome: condescend you To this I do propose? I am glad You are so altered in your inclination And rudeness of your nature: but where is The fair Lucinda, and old Consolario? Fair Lady, welcome, you have made this place Poor by your absence. I'm sorry Lady That we must partly so oh ne: the Prince of Persia Is come to fetch you with a mighty army, Who claims you as his wife, therefore in justice And conscience too, we cannot hold you from him: You shall have all that is your own, and more, We'll wait upon you as becomes the state Of such a mighty Princess, with a guard To safe conduct you to the Persian camp. How is your mind disposed? Sweet Lady, think I do prefer your good Before mine own, misconstrue not my words, For I do speak this for your great advantage, If you conceive me rightly, but we will not Force you to any thing against your will: I'm sorry that you will participate Our evil Fortune's, and refuse to live The Persian Empress, 'twas for this I did Persuade you unto what I did. You do confound me And make me blush to hear so great a Princess To speak to me in such and humble key, Who do confess my self your lowly vassal; And since you're bent so much to wrong your self And to forget your state, my life shall stand Between you and danger; Madam you have herd Our resolution to assist and help TO ' Arabian King against the Prince of Persia; Will you go over with us? Consolario I must dispatch you to the Arabian King About this business, wherein I'll instruct you] Particularly more before you go. So then al's done but this, to crave you hand And led you wheresoec'r you shall command. Unto you The Prince of Persia the chance Of war hath made me master of: I freely Give unto your possession, all the wealth Is got in this Persia And I am glad my Occasion to me, whereby I have shown Unto your Maj sty my love and vice. Madame, I under stand No honour Like to this, to kiss your hand. Most fair and beauteous Princess, My thoughts did tell me as I lay abed, There was a wonder to be seen this morn, A Sun whose glorious beams eclipsed Apollos As much as he does Cinthia's, she the stars. I find they were no liar , for behold I see it verified, my gazing eyes Are come to bless, and to adore your rise, Seldom Madame. But if such Nymphs attend Aurora's train, I'll hate to be a fl ggard, and more often Frequent this place, the garden of delight. Nay, fair Princess leave not This good and wholesome exercise, the graces Will die for sorrow then, the mounting Lark Will not read over his mattens, nor the Thrush Warble forth ditties with delightful throat: Fair Philomela shall no more be herd To chant and charm the hearers of her songs; And all the other winged choristers Will hang the head, and weep in silent tears, If fair Phaenicia grant no audience: Hark how they do salute you, every one Striving to past, and to excel the other In sweet harmonions notes to please your e re : Oh what a consort's this! if you but mark it, There is a certain mutual emulation Amongst these pretty birds, whose music's sweetest, Hath attracted most your kind attention, Proud to be overheard by beauty's Queen. Who do you mean, the fair Lucinda Madam? Whose angry stars made so unfortunate, As to bestow her love on me unworthy, Whose state is such, as that I cannot make Reciprocal return of her affection. I grant it Madam, that she comes not short Of what you speak her, but abounds in all Perfections of the body and the mind, But yet this cannot bind me to become Disloyal to the Saint, whose temple was Long since erected in this heart of mine, Before I saw Lucinda, I 'le adore No other goddess in my thoughts but she, To whom I sacrifice my heart and soul; I know your virtue's such, as not to urge (My reasons thus revealed) a thing unlawful: Oh no, you hate to further such a suit, Fair Princess, so unjust. You do impose Such a command upon me, as I know not If I shall more offend to disobey Your will in saying nothing, or in uttering What you will have me speak; if it displease you, The fault is yours, not mine, for I had been Content to smother up my woe in silence; Know then, sweet Princess, that I loved as soon As fourteen years crept on upon my age, A beauteous picture, such as rare Apelles Durst never presume for fear, to imitate, Lest he should come far short, and shame himself: I served this shadow with a z alous heart, Six years, but yet the heavenly substance knows not How much I suffered for her love so long, I dare proceed no further. Madame it's yours, does the blushing morn Cast a most pure vermilion on her cheeks When Phaebus does salute her, wonder not Admired Goddess that I am so bold, To court a beauty does deserve the style Of more then mortal, love compelled me to This high presumption, and confirmed me in it By telling that his mother loved a mortal, Juno and Pallas did the Like, he swore, Yea chased Diana though she were so coy, Cupid will be deposed upon the book Would sport in private, upon Latmus top, With fair Endymion once a shepherd's boy; Descend a little from your heavenly state, And look upon a wretch, who lays his life Now at your mercy; can you grant me love And life, divine Phaenicia. A furious challenge, and it speaks the man All in a fire that sent it, but extremes Are seldom permanent, I doubt it'll prove But Like a sudden flash that's soon burned out: This is the time and place, but how comes it The Persian is so tardy? this proud paper Stuffed full with ostentation, made me think He would not be the last man in the field. What, is his courage cold, or does he now Begin to take advised deliberation Upon the matter, that he stays so long? I should not think so neither, for a Prince Cannot so much forget his reputation, No sure, he'l come, some business of import, I do believe, detains him; I'll attend His leisure here with Patience , if my thoughts Would but descend a little from their height, I would consider too what should beget This fierce challenge, but he comes, I must Prepare to entertain him. Punctually I did observe the time, but to what purpose Are we come hither? to discourse and talk, And nothing lse? I do expect some doings, Some wonders too by you performed upon me, If I may credit this your salutation. Is the ume vanished? Breath then a ittle lo her, though I might ustly deny it, since we are not tied To any such conditions in a duel: But wherefore do you cast your sighed about? I doubt some treachery, come, I 'le delay The time no longer, there have at thee Prince. vard well thy life, it is endangered. I do sm ll a plot Laid for my life, his words betoken something. If there be any Princely or royal blood within thy veins, Distain it not or shame by such a fact, To fight at such foul disadvantage with A wounded wearied man, y to in this state, Though faint with lose of blood, dismiss these men, And I will try my fortune out with thee, And if I fallen, I'll say the art noble too. Most impious wretch, thinkest thou the gods a above Will favour thy so damnable attempt? Thinkest thou to escape the justice of the heavens, And to hoodwink the gods? no, though thou hast Proceeded thus far in thy villainies: Though thou hast slain me by thy base treachery, My mind foretells thou shalt be soon cut off, And all thy Hope's destroyed. Worthy friends, You're fitly come here to revenge my death, There stands the villain, and his treacherous crew Who did procure it. Dear Consolarie Thy ory have waked me from a pleasing sleep, I love thee still in death and after death. Help, help, my Father's fallen in a wound. I'll soon be with him, for I must not lose His loved society; have you revenged My death, upon Alecto and the rest? Thanks dearest friends, one thing before I die I shall request you if my failing breath Will give me leave to utter it, 'tis this, Tell fair Ph nicia my beloved Princess The story of my death, tell how I love her, And grieve to leave her comfortless alone. I cannot fully speak my mind unto you, For death stops up the passage of my speech; Adieu deer friends, adieu, Phaenicia I die thy servant, sweet Phaenicia. Oh dearest Princess, take deliberation, And enter into thought of what you are, Of what I am, and what the Persian is. Then you with l soon call home these wandering thoughts, And place them where they shall be worth your love: In me alas they cannot, for although I had not lost my Country, though my kingdom Had still been mine, and though I now enjoyed My former rega l dignities and state, Yet should I count my self too mean by far, To match with you the mighty Souldan's heir, And only daughter, now I scarce deserve To wait on you in nature of your servant. Lucinda This shall not serve your turn, these vain excuses And wrongful reasons urged against your self, Shall not prevail at all: the more you strive To stop the current of my swelling passion, The more they rage within this breast of mine, And in the end will overflow and break My heart if you prove cruel, and put off My Hope's with such weak shif S and poor delays. Come, grant me love, and seal it with a kiss As and assurance. My humblest thankee for this high privilege Bright goddess that you deign me, let my lips Pay duteous tribute to your lily hands I do bes each you Coward, villain, Art thou my rival in Phaenicias love? And do I suffer thee to breathe a minute To utter these old words, these defamations, These lies and slanders; know Phaenicia hates Thy sighed as a pernicious Basilisk; Here farther, read my mind. Then I will give you documents of war, And rudiments of martial discipline. But first you must shake off unworthy thoughts, And stick to virtuous actions, re you can Rightly attain this knowledge, you must not Seek by unlawful means to gather wealth, Or to extort by violence and wrong, What does not rightly appertain to you. You must not rob poor passengers, nor take Them prisoners on their way, you ust forget Your outrages, your murders, rapes, and the S, And put on other habits which may suit This our profession. That hastes thy death, & puts me in remembrance Thou wouldst have ravi Head her.