ARCHIDAMUS

Oh shame! that we that are a populous Nation, Engaged to liberal nature, for all blessings And Island can bring forth; we that have limbs And able bodies; Shipping, Arms, and Treasure, The sinews of the War, now we are called To stand upon our Guard, cannot produce One fit to be our General. We must obey The time, and our occasions, ruinous buildings, Whose bases and foundations are infirm Must use supporters; we are circled round With danger, over our heads with sail stretched wings, Destruction hovers; and a cloud of mischief Ready to break upon us; no hope left us That may divert it, but our sleeping virtue Rowsd up by brave Timoleon. The braveries Of Syracusae, among whom my son Timagorus, Leosthenes, and Asotas (Your hopeful heir Lord Cleon ) two days since Road forth to meet him, and attend him to The City, every minute we expect To be blessed with his presence. Which confirms His wished for entrance. Let us entertain him With all respect, solemnity, and pomp, A man may merit, that comes to redeem us From slavery, and oppression. And Ladies be it your care To welcome him, and his followers with all duty: For rest resolved; their hands, and swords, must keep you In that full height of happiness you live: A dreadful change else follows. Exeunt Arch. Cleon. Diphilus. It is your seat. Sir, empty men Are Trumpets of their own deserts: but you That are not in opinion, but in proof Really good, and full of glorious parts, Leave the report of what you are to fame, Which from the ready tongues of all good men Aloud proclaims you. Which is desired of all. But giving way To her invasion, not vouchsafing us (That fly to your protection) aid, and comfort, 'Twill believed, that for your private ends You killed a brother. Such a fair example Must needs be followed. We can press Of Labourers in the country (men inured To cold and heat) ten thousand. Though old, I will be there in person. So, so, it's well, how do I look? I shrink not in the shoulders, though I am old, I am tough, steel to the back, I have not wasted My stock of strength in Featherbeds: here's and arm too, There's stuff in't, and I hope will use a Sword As well as any beardless Boy of you all. Go too sirrah, I shall endure, when some of you keep your Cabins, For all your flaunting Feathers, nay Leosthenes You are welcome too, all friends, and fellows now. Pish, leave these Compliments, They stink in a Soldiers mouth, I could be merry, For now my Gown's off, farewell Gravity, And must be bold to put a question to you, Without offence, I hope. And you will answer truly? Go too, then, I presume you will confess, That you are two notorious Whoremasters. Nay spare your blushing, I have been wild my self, A snatch, or so, for Physic, does no harm; Nay, it is physic, if used moderately, But to lie at rack, and manger, What you'll groan for, I fear, when you come to the test. Old Stories tell us There is a Month called October; which brings in Cold weather, there are trenches too, it's rumoured In which to stand all night to the knees in water, In Gallants breeds the toothache, there's a sport too Named lying Perdi , (do you mark me) 'tis a game, Which you must learn to play at: now in these seasons, And choice variety of Exercises, (Nay I come to you) and fasts not for Devotion, Your rambling hunt-smocke, feels strange altorations, And in a Frosty morning, looks as if He could with ease creep in a pottle Pot In stead of his Mistress placket, then he Curses The time he spent in midnight visitations; And finds what he superfluously parted with, To be reported good, at length, and well breathed, But if retrieved into his back again, Enter Diphilus, and Cleora. Would keep him warmer then a Scarlet waistcoat, Or and Armour linde with Fur. Oh welcome, welcome, You have cut off my discourse, but I will perfect My lecture in the Camp. 'Tis my wish too, We must partly, nay to tears, my best Cleora, I shall melt too, and that were ominous. Millions of blessings on thee, all that's mine, I give up to thy charge, and sirrah, look You, with that care and reverence observe her Which you would pay to me, a kiss, farewell Girl. And upon the Walls Enter above, Pisander, Poli phron, Cimbrio, Gracculo, & the rest. Armed men seem to defy us! Our Bondmen stand against us! Bayed by our own curs? What's the matter? On whom is your Sword drawn? are you a judge? Or else ambitious of the hangmans office Before it be designed you? you are bold too, Unhand my daughter. With her consent, not otherwise. You may urge Your title in the Court; if it prove good, Possess her freely: Guard him safely off too. If you have ought to say, Deliver it in public; all shall find A joust Judge of Timoleon. It's most true. And though at first it did appear a fable, All circumstances meet to give it credit; Which work so on me, that I am compelled To be a Suitor, not be deni'de, He may have aequal hearing. Ill mannered too. You forget The dignity of the place. So careless we have been, my noble Lords, In the disposing of our own affairs, And ignorant in the Art of government, That now we needs a stranger to instruct us. Yet we are happy, that our neighbour Corinth (Pitying the unjust gripe Carthage would lay On Siracusa ) hath vouchsafed to lend us Her man of men Timoleon to defend Our Country, and our Liberties. When I look on (The labour of so many men, and ages) This well-built City, not long since designed To spoil and rapine; by the favour of The gods, and you their ministers preserved; I cannot in my height of joy, but offer These tears for a glad sacrifice. Carthage, though victorious, Could not have forced more from us: They fight Like devils: And run upon our Swords, as if their breasts Were proof beyond their Armour. Here they come. Let us first deliver Such as they have in Fetters, and at leisure Determine of their punishment. With my consent to All injuries forgotten. Thou art thine own disposer. Were his honours And glories centupled, (as I must confess, Leosthenes is most worthy) yet I will not, How ever I may counsel, force affection. It's believed Cleora, And much the rather, (our great gods be praised for't) In that I find beyond my Hope's, no sign Of riot in my house, but all things ordered, As if I had been present. It's my purpose To do him all the good I can, Cleora ; But his offence being against the State, Must have a public trial. In the mean time Be careful of your self, and stand engaged No farther to Leosthenes, then you may Come off with honour: For, being once his wife, You are no more your own, nor mine, but must Resolve to serve, and suffer his commands, And not dispute'em; ever it be to late, Consider it duly. I must to the Senate. Exit Archida. Note his language, It relishes of better breeding then His present state dares promise. You have made us see, Sir, To our shame the Countries sickness: now from you As from a careful, and a wise physician We do expect the cure.