PHORMIO

No Sir, he commanded immediate notice Should be given of your coming. Let it not trouble you, he never shuts his eyes Till all this other World opens theirs, nor does he Sleep then, but with distracted thoughts Labours his fancy, to present him objects that may Advance his grief. IT was monstrous indeed, he lost his Mistress, Barbarously murdered by her perfidious Uncle: Her Urn is in Cirrha, which my Lord nightly Visits and presents it, all his contracted Sighs of the fled day; but at his parting Reassumeth more, by thinking she is not: to Whose deer memory his tears and griefs are Offered, he's now alone, and the religious awe Which makes our Priests retire, before they Do adore the incensed powers, is seen in him, Who never dares approach her honoured tomb, Till a just contemplation of his lose, hath Made his sorrow eloquent. See he comes, if when he parts your hast will License you, I will relate the story of his Unequaled sufferings. Sir, you are sad. What a sad accent had each word he uttered? Sir, will you now take horse? Thus then in short, These noble Kingdoms Thessaly and Sparta, Have from the time, two Kings commanded all, Under both Titles, still been emulous, And jealous of advantages which each, Suspected might be in the adverse party: This caused a lasting war, but the fierce storm Threatened not till the reign of these two Kings, Both crowned young, both of and equal age, Both having all the passion of their Subject's, Their fears excepted: the Ambassadors That should congratulate the new made Kings, As if one spirit had inspired both, Came with this message little varied, That each were joyed in such and enemy: No more the fearful wisdom of old men Should rust their swords, that fate had given to one Command of all. In short, their forces met, And in ten bloody days none could decide Which had the better cause: The virtues of each Prince so prevalent. Fortune was but spectator, to conclude, Urgent affairs at home compelled each King To leave their Armies, ours committed his To STRIMON father of Prince LYSICLES. The Duke of Argos did command the SPARTANA, Who swollen with the great name of General. Before his King had hardly left the sighed Of his great Army, draws his forces out. And faced us in our Trenches: it's not yet Unquestioned, whither fear or policy Made STRIMON keep in his: but certainly this, That Virtue sharpened by necessity, Procured our Triumph: here LYSICLES Anticipated years unto his fame, And on the wounds of his brave Enemy, Did write his Story, which our Virgins sing. But from this conquest did begin the cause of all his misery. He's Lord of so much Virtue, He cannot fear it in a Subject. I know not that, but this I am Perfect in, His judgement is directed by the Kings so powerfully, He cannot think his virtues injured, Though many should be nearer in his graces, It would inflict him strangely if any should be thought, To love his Prince better than he. The Duke defeated, posts unto the Court, Where he designed, unto his dire revenge, Th'obscurest path that ever time revealed Since her first glass: procures his King to throw Neglects upon him, and to seem in doubt Of his obliged faith: a severe search Made on his papers, his treasure valued By the public Officer, and is himself, Twice deprehended in a seeming flight, Calumniated, libeld, and disgraced, By his own seeking, and belief of others, Who judging him to be their honours ruin. First raze his house, and then demand his life As sacrifice, unto their brother's, sons, Nephews, and public lose: sedition Had now the face of piety, which once Received as just, can hardly be repelled. The King with difficulty does assure his life, With promise of his banishment. This he foresaw and sought, and did disguise Himself, in fear of the incensed people: Parts in the night, and partner of his fate Hath his fair Niece, who is so innocent, She cannot think there is a greater crime, Practised by men than error, which does make Us seem more vicious, than in act we are. Sir, you know Revenge does master all our passion, That are not servants to her rage. This story will resolve you, to this Court he comes, Is brought to King, then with a modest freedom Relates his sufferings, Hope's that same hath taught His story ere his coming, else he should Continue miserable, as believed, Both by his friends and enemies a Traitor: Delivers that he sought protection From him, because none else could vindicate His innocence, which many mother's here Says, he hath wept that day when fortune Consulted Eat, who should be Conqueror: You brave Lords (says he) that were present, did my sword Parley? did you receive wounds on condition? Were these by compact? all my blood is lost Since 'tis discredited, what before was spent, Ran in my name and made that live: but now Great King, you only repeal my honours fallen, By giving death unto your enemy. Our Prince resents his fate, confirms him his By a large pension, and too soon intrusts With all his secrets, gives him means to view His forts, which he designs, and learns the strength Of each particular province, and informed Of all, makes his escape, and is received. Of the SPARTANA King with all remonstrances Of love, and confessed service; but before He parted, did that horrid act which LYSICLES must die for. At his arrival here, he left his Niece With this design, that when his plots were ripe, Without suspect he might come to the borders: Hither he comes, and at his entrance, is By a base traitorous Servant certified, Of the great love betwixt her and LYSICLES, The compact of their vows, with diverse Letters The Lovers had exchanged: he storms and cries, If thou dost love young LYSICLES, my hate Shall strike thee dead, thy hand plucked back my honour When it was mounting, be constant, and this hand Shall by her death give thee a lingering one, And my revenge in thy own house begin. Then with a barbarous unheard of cruelty Murders his Niece, and the same instant flies: Fame had the next Sun blown this through the City, His house was searched, the trunk of the dead Lady Found in the Hall, the head he carried with him, In honour of his cruelty. I would say so too, but that I would not make Him less guilty of this inhumanity. He sent the bitter summons of her death, By her that had betrayed her; the report Did make her spirits throng unto her heart, And sure had killed it, had not Heaven decreed His hand should be as black as his intent. She begged sometime for prayer, and retired: In her own blood did write her Tragedy, And parting, wishes to her deer betrothed. Now hear the strangest mistook piety, That ever entered in a Virgins breast: She so much loved this barbarous Homicide, She would not have him guilty of her death, And therefore with her own hand wounds her self, And as she bled, she writ unto her Lord: At last concludes. They will not let me make them innocent: I'm called unto my death, and I repent My wound, because I would not hurt That which I hope you loved: this bloody note Was found the next day in her pocket. It did, and if you ever had seen A hundred parents at one time deplore The unexpected death's of their lost Children: The father's sorrow, and the mother's tears, Would Emblemize, but not express his grief. Sometime he shreekt, as if he'd sent his soul Out in his voice: sometime stood fixed, and gazed As if he had no sense of what he saw: Sometime he'd found, and if the memory Of his deer Mistress, even ith'gates of Death Had not pursued him, he had certain died: Torment did now give life, at last he drew His sword, and ere he could be stayed, did fallen Upon the point. This I think did preserve him, For not being mortal, and he fainting with The lose of blood, had not then strength enough To end himself; until he was persuaded To live, to celebrate her memory, Which nightly he does do upon her Tomb, Whither he now is gone. Nor never shall of such a beauty as did cause it. It's late, and I'll not trouble you with her story: When you are at Court, all tongues will speak Her merit to your wonder. I'll bring you to your horse. Let's take some argument may last and hour of mirth. If the disease grow old in him, I'll pay the physician; But be it so, and let it be lawful to change as often as we will. The discourse of them, and themselves too, if we Could arrive to it: but what is she you love? At thesegames of love we set all; but the best is, We cannot stake, and there's no lose of credit in the breaking. CLEON, hast thou seen him with his Mistress? It's not ill done; but does he not speak to her? It's not amiss, if she have neither of the extremes. I mean, neither so ill favoured, as to have No ground for what we say, for their belief Will hardly enter; nor so handsome, as to have It often spoken to her: For your indifferent beauty's Are those whom slattery surpriseth, there being So natural a love and opinion of our selves, That we are adapted to believe that men are rather Deceived in us, than abuse us. Then thou hast yet a year of happiness: But why I prithee? You have more cause to doubt, that she will never Affect you, than that already she is not in love: What a young handsome Lady, that carries the flame of her heart in her cheeks, not have yet seen any one to desire? it's impossible. Conceits of your self, makes you of the opinion I mentioned: You think it's impossible for all men, What you cannot attain to; what Arts Have you used to gain her? Ifhe be subject to that frenzy, I will counsel him to take any Trade upon him Rather than that of Love. Nothing more opposite for languishing transports; Whinings and Melancholy makes us more laughed at, Than beloved of our Mistress's; and with reason: For why should we hope to deserve their favours, When we confess we merit not a lawful esteem of our selves? And they did wisely; for the victory being God, They were to prepare for a new Triumph, and Not Like your City Officers, ride still with the Same Liveries. Some I confess, have miscarried In it, but 'twas because their provision of Beauty was spent before they came to composition. Sooner than soften their hearts by my tears, And though a River should run through me, I would seal up my eyes, before a drop should Come that way: for our unmanly submissions Raise them to that height, that they think We are largely favoured, if they Harken to us with contempt. If thou hast ever been used to talk sense, I should wonder at thee now: why I should Sooner hope to gain a Lady after the Murder Ofher family, than after she had and opinion I deserved to be slighted by her. Do; and if I do not dispossess you of all your Opinions, let me be — It's the best holdfast your foolish Devil has, But strong reasons shall be your Exorcise. Tell me first what is she you love? Then for all thy jesting, there's some hope Thou art yet in thy wits. Heyda, if the Ballad of the Rose and the Honeycomb Do not do it more than she deserves, or almost any woman, Let me be condemned to sing the funerals of Parrats. They would believe me, though they would be Sorry your Honours should: but what, this love Has it transformed us all? CLEON, you can tell Who it's he thus admires? Yes, but the mischief is, shee'le never think so Of him: If POLYGAMY were in fashion, I would Persuade him to marry her, to be Governess to the rest, But not till then, wouldst thou be content To lie with a Statue, that will never confess more of love, Than suffering the effects of thine? Believe me ERGASTO, these severe beauty's, that Are to be looked on with the eyes of respect, Are not for us: we must have them that love to Be praised more for fair Ladies, than judicious. Faith for that, who ever marries, must sacrifice To Fortune, and she, whose wisdom makes her Snow to you, may be Fire to another: Some odd Wrinkled fellow, that conquers her with wit, May throw her on her back with reason. Take This from the Oracle, that for the general Calamity of Husbands, all women are reputed Vicious, and for the quiet of particulars, Every one thinks his wife the Phoenix. Calumny is so general, that Truth has lost Her credit: But to purpose, what Rivals? what Hope's? Good night, I will dispute it no more, whither thou Shouldst have her, or no; for now I conclude, it is impossible. Though thou hadst hers too, be wise, and despair Betimes: In this point Women are Commonwealths, And are obliged to their faiths no farther Than the safety and honour of the State is Concerned: If thou were't the first example, I Would excuse thee for being the first cozened. But stay, who's here? O'my conscience, and Embassage from some of Your kind Mistress's, that would feign take their Leaves before you go to captivity. I won't think at all, for fear I judge amiss. The Mazes of a woman are so intricate, no Precept can secure us: yet this I am resolved on, She will not love you. The Devil that advised her can tell you, they Will not loose a servant while he lives, Though they command him to be murdered: it's the Woman Art, if they perceive a lover to desist Through fear, distrust, or harsher usage, they Open him the Heaven of their beauty, in smiles, And yielding looks, and with their eyes do melt The ice of doubts their fears contracted: perhaps Prince LYSICLES spurs coldly, while he rides Alone, and you must strain to make him go The faster: EUGENIO too was servant to your Mistress, and LYSICLES and he parted good friends. Should I think all the ways they have to cozen Us, 'twere endless: but I'll along with you, And guess at more. If J should weep as my Lady does, for all the Servants I have lost? And our faces were not 'twere no matter, They should make haste, or we she should overtake them, Or prevent them; a commodity of beauty that Would last forty years would bear a good price Madam. But is not my Lady a strange woman to weep Thus for one servant, when she has another in His place? for my partly, I could never find such Differences in men to be sad when I had any. Some ill-favoured woman, that meant to preserve Her last purchase which her want of beauty Forfeited, invented that name. What is God by this whining constancy, but the lose Of that beauty for one servant, which would procure us The Vows, Sacrifice, and service of a thousand? Yes, and told him that my Lady sent for him: But to what intent did you make me lie? These men have less reason than Mice, they would Know else how to shift places, and shelter themselves From a storm. If I were a man, and lost the happiness Of seeing my Mistress two days, I should Loose the desire the third: Do you sighs Madam? you are in love too? I'll be your Compurgator for the handle of a Fan: I know many love has brought into the world, But let out none: has he pierced you, would? Look to it, though it's but a little weapon, but I have known it make greater swellings than The sting of a Be. Do you long for a man? You'll find enough to do it: is the More still with My Lady? It's a shame such people should be suffered Near the Court. As it's, there be so many inquisitive Rascals, That we have much ado to keep matters secret; But if in despite of our care they be divulged, We shall be defamed on the exchanges. Is she? I would feign ask her one question: But, 'tis no matter, it's but taking Physic at the worst. Why I beseech you? What advantage my delicate sweet Lady? Right; but does this usage show it? Wit, I would be a good customer. Be thankful, and bestow it upon her in recompense: She will accept it, doubt not; she has taken such pains To redeem it: look how she casts her eyes upon thee: She's thine own for ever, and has been long. Marry, and get out of it; there may be some little straining At the first offer of the present, but if she send not for it Before you get home, I'll never trust my eyes more. Be confident, and prosper. You are little curious; why do you ask who This concerns? well, I'll tell you, you have redeemed ERGASTO, and he kneels to know your commands. Whilst he kneels, Hermione and the More look down from the window. He'll ask no more, But leave the rest to his respects and services. What wouldst thou have me do? Not for five hundred Crowns. Yes, and can give reasons for't beside experience, And when this act is known, this resolute Encounter, rich widows of threescore will Not doubt my prowess. What Mountain Have you pierced, that hath sent forth this wind since I left you? As how? O my sweet Lady, be merciful Like the gods you re semble; they have as often pardon in their hands as Thunder: And the truth is, if they will not forgive this fault of incon stancy, they must live alone, or atleast without men. This was the last gasp of his dying friendship to her, And now he is entirely yours. Fie, say not so, that's as great and injury as not Pardoning him: he has, and shall come naked To receive his punishment. See he dares not look For comfort, let him take it in at his ears. Never till you pardon him. It's enough. Yes. Faith ashamed, she loved you so well, and sorry she Had no reason to love you better. It's and excellent Lady. If I could make Jointers, I would not take this Pains for your honour. Cleon whither slip you? And what success? Away unthrift. O Madam, call all your sorrows to you, you are Not sad enough to hear the news I bring. You mistake me Madam, Eugenio is returned. He waits on your commands without. My Lord! My Lord, I have observed you long, and see you Wear your life Like something you would feign Put off. I will not undertake to counsel you, in That your nearest friends have oft attempted, Without success: yet if my life should issue With the words I now will utter, I'll boldly tell Your Grace, I will not be a means to cut your Days off, to make mine happy ever. If I were sure your enemies should only try The effects of what I can do in your service, The horridest tortures Treason ever justified, Should not exceed the sufferings of those Should take the poison I can bring you. And hour returns me with your commands Performed—yet I'll observe you farther. Pray Sir, let him do it himself: the task is not So hard, to require a Mediator. As good as any Chyromancer's in Egypt Madam. He tells you true Lady. Faith to deal truly, much Like the wheel of Fortune, Which turning round, puts the same persons Sometime at top, sometime at bottom: but at last Love shot his dart through the Axeltree, And fixed you Regent. A halter you shall as soon: come, come, I'll intercede And be your surety: Look, she stays to pardon You; down on your knees. Never fright me with the lightning of her eyes: On me she may open or shut her eyes as she please, But my happiness is not at her disposing. I will not deny but I may love her if she please: But if she be not pleased with my love, if it continue Two Hours, I'll give her leave to tie me to her Monkey. In Verse, or prose? A most excellent Girl, would she were poor. She would live rarely by her — Nay, let her go on, I'll Harken and Age. If ever there were a Sibyl at sixteen, this Lady is one By this day you have a high place in my heart. Nay, despise it not, you'll find good company there. And I would sane meet you when you are so. Will you give me leave to speak with your Scholar? For your sake I will do all I can: ERGASTO, Wilt thou be happy? Marry this Lady: Wilt thou be Revenged on thy proud Mistrosse? marry her: Wilt thou be sure to Father, wife, children do as I bid thee. You wrong your beauty, to expect and assurance From time, ordinary faces require it, to perfect The Impressions they make: yours strikes Like lightning, In and instant; if he did not adore you till now, You must attribute it to some fascination: But his judgement cleared, he will be forced To continue the adoration he has begun. Who's that? I have a strange Capriccio of love entered me: I must Court that shade. In the name of darkness, d'ee think I am not In earnest, that you coy it thus? Nay, it's most certain the Town is full of it: MILESIA, I know not how, is alive again: EUGENIO is made Governor; though you were constant, You can have no longer Hope's of HERMIONE: Therefore let me advice you, make that seem Your own Election, which will else be Enforcement: Quit your Interest in HERMIONE, and renew Your suit to IRENE.