HERMEGILD

Hail, young soldier! My noble Paradine! The King must hold my nature much excused, If I do greet his safe approach with love, Less violent then I express to thy Rich soul. I am resolved thou art in health, And favour with thy stars. Thy vanquished Country owes unto thy fame A tall Pyramid! The captived virgins Of our Nation shall in their last Dirges Sing thy praise with mirth. Oh, I could grow old Within thy sighed. Something we now must talk Together, and heaven will listen to't, As to the breath of Saints— Afford your ears in private. Oh my sweet Lord— Such indeerements would too much impossibilities uerish My gratitude: yet, 'tis meet our actions Carry smooth equality: your consent Must further all my Suits You are the Kings Jewel, and hang richly in his ear. Rhodolinda is your humblest captive. She inserts you often in her prayers, And called it my chief duty to present Her true service to your Majesty. And may you live together until Time Shall sicken with his age. Cry up Rhodolinda too! Phœbus will be thought more rash then Phaeton, If now he hasten to the West. Sir, this Glorious day, merits well a longer age, Then what is limited to all within Our Calendar. You must repent this language. How, my Lord! He that inflamed this fire, will scorch his busy Fingers. My Lord, it was unkindly done T'affront my anger thus: but I have hope It is your last fault. You are a Bridegroom now. Sir, you are great on Earth! I am merely Your creation. My passion do afford Your high delight all sympathy. Old Time hath thrown his feathers from his heals, And slowly limps in's motion to prolong This Triumph: but if Paradine affront Hymen, and me with sullen rage, it shall Be called my piety to suffer. Paradine, I've and humble love. I will Present it first to your refusal— Spare me in the next, and I'll esteem you Courteous; so much wine will put me to the charge Of Physic. The Lombards use to share this sport! He kiss ses Thesina. Take heed! you will distract your memory. There's a Record, Time strives to loose; and Fame To hide beneath some oblique fold in her Thick Volume, as loath to discredit all Mankind. Your father valued you next to His interest in heaven. I've seen the good Old King search for his picture in your eyes; then— How smooth appears the Brow of Youth! Oh hold! 'twere black impiety in us To suffer such a horrid crime. You may Inform the King of my religious loyalty, Already I have used persuasive speech To reconcile this ods: but she grows wild, Repugnant to all mercy. He counsels Like a sacred Oracle. My Lord, the King is kind! Our memories Were frail, should we forget what hath so much Pertained unto our knowledge. I'm so found Over my Religion, I dare not taste Ingratitude: yet give me leave to say, You may mistake his love unto the Queen. The dry Tartar, who yokes his females neck With rusty Iron, not with Carckanets Of threaded Pearl; whom he preserves for physic More then increase; will the first night of their Conjunction, feast her in's imbroader'd tent; Call her Sovereign; and Like some amorous wind, Sport with her hair. You're skilful in the deeds that appertain To strength and fury; but they that aim At victory in Court, must practice smooth And subtle Arts. Wise Favourites do walk I'th dark, and use false lights. Nay, oft disguise Their breadth and stature; seem lesser then they are: For know, the slender Worm, or nimble Grig, May wriggle down into the oblique, and low Descent o'th narrow hold; while th'oregrowne Snake Peeps at the brim, but never can view the bottom. The Noble Brutus for his Countries' health, Made Caesar bleed; Cassius was heroic too, And had in war loud Fame, which he increased By mingling in this Act.— 'Tis wrought with skill, And apt leisure. His thoughts grow numerous, And engender horrid shapes; such as fright His fancy. Hymen and your Bride, will blame your tardy Service. Sweet Lord, a thousand times good night. Madam, the King? He greets your Excellence in a smooth phrase, And begs, you will permit his early visit. So soon? Ere Time permits them second Their embraces? Is not this a harsh compulsion? Alas! I'd rather cut my Eyelids off To prevent sleep then loose one minute that Could advantage a design so pious. And be it partly of your kind charity, to endear me to your Lord. 'Tis all the pride In my ambition to do him service. Sweet Lord! you appear blushing Like the Morn! Something your Bride and you have done to increase The number of the Worthies. I have consumed my breath, till I grew faint, And wept to invite her mercy; but tears Were spilled Like water in the Forge, only to enrage the fire. She does abjure your visit. Captain, you mistake the King. He's Royal As his blood, and liberal as the Sun That shines on all. This unruly breath, where The City meet in council, might perhaps Blow their Purse-strings lose, so fill the Exchequer. And then you shall number your pay with your own Fingers. Lend me your ear, Captain! You look indeed Like a young heir. Well, Sir, Value me according to my true rate. I am your friend. You make ill choice of hours For help of your design. The King hath now Sad and tumultuous thoughts about his heart. Sir, you interpret ill. Grow more sober, Then challenge all my power in your behalf. Pursue Valdaura, Sir. You know, I am material in my speech, Full of duty; you want the silken garb, That must endear you to the Ladies eyes. Greet her kindly, Sir: 'tis Paradines Bride. You have not seen her since she endeavoured To increase the number of your subjects, With lose of her virginity. Sir, practice but your Courtship here. In troth You must affect the amorous Cringe, gestures Smooth and pliant; it will never do else. I've herd the Queen complain, you are too rough: And what these Ladies do observe, will take A sudden flight unto her ear. Strike but Their senses gently with your tongue. Often Flatter'em, and with a vigorous breath; They'll then implore the Queen in your behalf: And, Sir, the endeavour of their praise will soon Procure your peace. Begin your trial. If you salute this, (And other Ladies too) with some impression on Their lips; with managing their fingers thus,— With seizure on her wrist; as if you had Some business with her Pulse: then you inchant. Be flexive in your smiles, and wanton Like, Seek pictures in their eyes: and when they move, Then with personal conduct, guide their feet. amongst them you cannot seem too cheap. They will Admire you for't, and sing your praises to The Queen. The engine's now compact; each wheel does move With silent screws. The Mole's the subtle Pioneer: For when she undermines the earth, her slow Motion makes no noise. Exit. I Madam, and your Excellence may find A sudden growth, in all that shadows us. What is it your eyes so eagerly discern? I spy Valdaura there: but is that the King? Not for all the Sun beholds in's journey Through the world— It shows but silly art in industry, To seek what you would not find. The King was never given to compliment, You know. As for Valdaura — I think that she is chaste, but— I wish the King had not deserved to be Deprived of your soft embraces, then He might have kept his constitution tame. It ill becomes the garb of Majesty, To run thus neighing (Like a riotous Horse) After each female that he spies. Madam, you question me, as if what I Declare, were to your knowledge new and strange. Oh my officious Soul! must it be my crime To give the information up? would I Had known the King was here, you should have made Another path, your walk. Alas, you had enough of grief before. This addition will but show a tyranny In fate and me. It works with hight, Like new Mighty wine! as if it would split the Cask. This is a noble rage! Heaven knows how I Have grieved at your decay of soul. IT was my Sad fear, that all the angry sparks, which were By Justice kindled in your breast, had been Extinguished quite, now they grow up in flames. You now Like Phœbus show, when he hath washed His face with Due. Your influence does infuse A noble heat, such as would motion give Unto aged Statues; make them pluck up Their Mossy feet, and walk. I will mingle poison in my Ink, write With a Ravens Quill! it will be a fatal Scripture: and shall charm Like to those wise Jigs The Sire's sing. Some must direction bear to our Pensioners, that in our Country rule The stern Edicts of Law: some to Martial Spirits, who with their able skill do lead Those Regiments, the King hath garrisoned I'th bordering Towns. They shall revolt, my Queen, And seat thee in thy Father's Chair: they must Be drunk with the Elixir of my Gold. This new ambition hath so exalted All my faculties, that I seem taller Kneeling, then when I stood. But here with strict Solemnity I vow to teach my Soul New ways of merit: to revenge with stern, And horrid wrath, the Kings proud tyranny. To make your Greatness absolute, and high, Or sink my self lower then a Plummet, In the Baltic Sea. Should I not this perform, The Stars would fallen Like Cinders on my head: And winds imprisoned in the Earth; break forth, In a wild ruin, and shake me into sand: Then blow me in your Eyes; where if in tears You drown me, I am entombed in Pearl: and then My obsequies requite my death. IT was moist and luscious! I will cherish this Indeerement. Trees that tallest grow, do take The deepest root; so I must first sink low Ith' Earth; and after climb to fathom clouds. First, praise her mimic laughter: when she weeps, Then gather up with covetous regard Her tears for scattered Pearl. Lick her spittle From the ground: this disguised humility Is both the swift, and safest way to pride— I project to make you mighty! You shall Ascend my beauteous Sovereign, till you Can reach the Moon, and pick those seeds of light (The lesser Stars) from forth their wandering Spheres; To wear as new imbroadery on your sleeve. I long to hear your fatal Arts. Let's mix Our senses, and contrive. A woman's will, Is not so strong in anger, as her skill. Mark how close they meet: what variety They use in lust: now she hath melted quite his lips With her hight breath, she hangs upon his ear. Survey their gestures still. Now they depart. Who knows but they are gone to wallow in Their active sweats again? Alas, pure soul! You perceive these figures no Idea, No object of the mind, or air incorporate To cheat imaginary view. I, and the motive that provoked my soft Conscience to hasten your return, that you Might tell sad tales to heaven. For I (That still was nursed upon a Sybil's Lap) Who with prophetic Milk did nourish me, Can deeply guess at ominous portent Of sin. I hate such loose-reined Stallions; Such lascivious harmony in gilded. I, there's a contemplation that would crack Even heartstrings made of wire. Hymen's Taper But newly lighted, and he with rude breath Blows from the quickening week the gawdy flame. Then in the dark, thus wilfully miss-takes Your bed, and riots between unlawful sheets. Horror! horror! What should such white and harmless souls as we Do crawling over this mountainous Earth? Alas, We cannot drink, till we intoxicate A Whale, nor surfeit, till our greasy cheeks Do swell Like Th'vdders of a Cow. Nor can We kneel Like warm Idolaters, unto The rusty metal in a bag. We want These helps to gain us honour and esteem. But ere you do begin your last walk, ith' path Invisible, some meritorious act (Joined to the Charter of your Creed) should help Assure your future bliss. Your Lord (foul, and sinful as mortality Can make him) Salamander-like, shall bath In blue fires, unless by sufferance here On earth, he penetrate the hearth of heaven, And soften their decree. It will be called Your merit to revenge his crime, even with his death. Since I am strict to virtue, I must needs Be cruel unto vice. Let him not live To increase his own gilded, and betray more Ladies. Believe me skill in sacred Oracles, My piety to warrant the design Nor will I fright the frailty of your Sex, With horrid circumstance; he shall not bleed, This Viol does contain a draught; which if In's usual Beveridge poured, will cozen him Of's leprous soul in his most quiet sleep. It is the Fiend, that would dehort you from A pious act: trust not his whispering charms But with a hardy courage, (more then is Natural in thy modest Sex) proceed To merit heaven. And now requite my forward zeal To virtue, with concealment of my name, And interest in this act. Let not the Queen Nor your false Lord, know me the Perspective, Through which you saw their ravenous lustest, but say, The King revealed it to your ear. It'll make Them wild, and doubt their own confederate Bawds. Think not I forbid it as a danger To my person; for I affect not life. So soft and easie-metald is my heart, So well I love your sinful Lord, that when I hear the surly Bell proclaim his death, Like some new weaned Babe, I shall die crying. I, but I love heaven better. Where, when I come, troth I shall prove too found a Saint. Those Votaries that pray to me, shall find Their business soon dispatched: here, let this key Obscure you in my Clozet until noon: For then the Queen expects you will return From Pavia. Farewell, the most abused, But noblest Lady in the world. Who owns that sick clamor? Where, Sir? That's indeed a clear symptom of famine. It is my wonder, in a State so rich As ours, a climate still befriended thus By nature (flourishing with hopeful Springs, And Summer's choked with wealth) a Soldier should Be forced to make his hunger a disease. A prodigy vnparaleld, that want Should ever occasion such a dangerous fast. Wast not devotion made him thus abstain From meat? He must be sent unto some Hospital, There eat warmth broths, till he recover health: And then I will procure him from the State Some thrifty pension, to maintain the short Remainder of his life in sober works. He shall sing Hymns, and pray to the kind Saints In a blue gown. He must needs be hungry, that Like th'Ostridge Can digest Metal. Let him continue there his seat. Perhaps They (whom I shall straight conduct this way) Will so commiserate his want, that he Will soon relieue't, though he increase his own. There is some Art in this, which I must needs Discover, or forfeit my pains. Exit. Madame, you are now fully satisfied Ith'intention of this visit. I wish You'd be as free, and sportive with him, as Your modesty will give you leave. Your Majesty receives new cause to doubt The truth of his disease, from my Servants Information. Who swears, this very Morn He hath been seen in all the violence Of drink, and ith' Burdelli too. For, Sir, Though he be old, he's given much to propagation. The Lady Author sure, is o'th'Moddernes. A precious Ape! To him again, Madame? He looks now Like and Alchemist, that is Broiling o'red Herrings. Captain, I will be a Suitor for your reprieve. You shall only forfeit what his Grace owes you; And then your life's secured. Madame, the feathered Arrow sings ith' Air, Ere it arrive where it must wound; so this Sweet harmony, I 'ld have you counterfeit, But tempts him to security in sleep, Before his death. True, my Royal Lady! yet now peruse The greatness of his being his fate in battles, And by your own remembrance be informed Of our captivity. Alas, this crime he expiates with sighs So hight, that they would sing his Royal Beard, Did not his numerous tears opportunely drop, To quench the flame. These angry frowns upon your brows make you Appear aged. You hear his vows?—Seem found. If you can shed A tear, or two, the more to credit this Atonement, it'll much advantage our pretence. Sir, now enjoy what your indulgent grief Merits to keep, even from the hands of death. Good heart, see how she weeps? Sir, you neglect to use her Like a Lover; With amorous gestures. Sir, this dull Germane phrase, makes her suspect Your temperance. Mark how she trembles. Sir, not to night. That was a serious suit She bade me make, when first she purposed this Atonement. This was a subtle caution! else my Hope's Had twice been Cuckolded. Let'em revel With their salt Lips. the other sport is fulsome. But Paradine disturbs my sleep: he's young, Enriched with all the fertile strength of nature: And needs must prove more riotous in sin, Then I. My dark practice, and use Of silent contemplation; has made My marrow thin and black; Like Ink within My bones. I want the prompt alacrity. The Queen Hath tasted him, and may (perhaps) still to Possess his lust; remove Valdaura from This foggy Soil; then make him Lord of all My Hope's. This to prevent, I have decreed, Valdaura first shall minister his death. I u'e taught her too; to insinnuate to his Creed, That the King told her of is adulterous lust; Good, for when ̄ he thinks the King does know that gilded, His own safety then, will soon provoke him Hasten our prodigious murder. This may Be done, before the Poison operate In dire effect; for that delays its power; Till fourscore hours expire their course: which then No Antidote, nor humane skill resists. Mount, mount my thoughts, that I may tread on Kings, Or if I chance to fallen, thus soaring high; I melt Like Icarus, in the Suns Eye. Exit. Never.— My Lord, I have discovered all. See, how aguish her gilded hath made her. How she trembles Like a frosty Russian On a hill. Nay, Lady, never scatter thus Your wild looks. Confess the truth, and you'll gain Mercy. Valdaura (whose Soul Heaven keep From purging fires) hath told her Lord; the King Knows of his wanton stealth with our good Queen. You were the Instrument that betrayed him To th'mistake, and whose secrecy to doubt But yours, our reason cannot yet inform us. Stay, deer Madame! At my humble suit, contain your fury! We shall discover all. My noble Lord, It is a grief that will deprive my life Of many years, to think, I'm held by your Suspect, and Agent in that practice. Persist in my instructions! Aside. Now retire, Thesina, till I have begged Your free restorement to the Queen's mercy. I've nought else, to trouble my remembrance. Away, Away! Now Sir, y'haue herd such real circumstance, As needs must settle your belief, and free My heart, from your unkind dislike. I have other motives to teach you doubt His loyalty in love. Which my found heart Cannot conceal, thought would advantage much My own profit. He hath of late, hung thus— Upon my neck; until his amorous weight Became my burden: and then lay slabbering over My lips; Like some rheumatic Babe. This sport My serious brain abhorred. 'Twas my wonder (Since you are called his Minion) he could ere Affect my look. I that am Like coffing Winter, old, and froward; you the darling Of the lusty Spring. And then enjoy a Queen, with all that does Belong to her achievement, or her birth. As for my services, they merit no Reward. I know my own creation much Unfit for Court affairs. If you but wrap Me in a shirt of hair, then seat me in A dark and gloomy Cell, where I may tumble over Some deep voluminous Rabbin, you make Me safe, and happy. And to thy memory high Statues built, About which our Noblest virgins once a year Shall dance in Circles, and sing, until they make The Marble move, Like to those lose Quarries; Which overheard Orpheus and his Harp. Or if These cannot inspire heroic fury, Yet argue thus; you knew his Bed, but by Mistake; which was our gilded, not yours; and for Our Countries benefit contrived. But he Defiled your sheets in the salt pride of lust. Horror! this would incense the temperate Dove; Turn all his moisture into gall; teach him To wear spurs on his heals, and make him fierce In Duel, as a British Cock. Follow, follow him, my deer Sovereign! Add new heat unto his rage. And d'ye hear! Since he is poisoned, 'twere most fit, some learned Physician, did endeavour to secure His health. Should you now forget your Royal promise, I loose all my industrious merit, And remain a sacrifice to love. Valdaura now is severed from her Soul: And Paradine is abler in delights Of Youth, more moist and amorous then I. Thus Nurses hush their froward babes asleep. Shortly she'll present me with a Corall-club, A Whistle strung with Bells'. These female Arts Can never my dark authentic practice cheat. Paradine must die! So I still secure My Hope's. When that sad hour arrives, Wherein the poisonous draught must work, No charmed medicine can resist its strength. I hug my Genius! IT was a subtle reach, To tell him, that the King hath horned his brow: For that will more incense his wrath, and aggravate The Queens revenge. The weight I bear, does make My motion slow: slow as the Snail I tread, Who travails with his tenement on is head. Exit. Lady, this is no time to woo: but D'ye think I'm so profane to violate My vow? Nimbly depart, I do conjure Your absence with this kiss— God's-light, these Wenches at Fifteen, are as riotous as Elephants. Marry a Court Kitten! There he sits! Hah, sick! My sweet Lord, how thrives your health? D'your pulses Still preserve their temperate music? have you Effected yet our great business? The Laurel, Mertle, and the Bay shall still Cold and naked stand before the Winter's Frosty breath; still strip their Boughs, to make Your head triumphant wreathes. Where is the Queen? Me thinks (my Lord) your body and your mind Seem much disturbed. Hah! hah! would! Do, groan, till thou raise and echo in this Square roof. Ere long thy Ribs will start from thy Lose Chine, thy lank Belly swell into a hill. The King never knew of thy adulterous crime 'Twas I told it to Valdaura, and made Her think, thy gilded proceeded not from a Mistake, but from thy wilful lust I've strung Thy Nosthrill with a spinners thread, so led Thee through subtle Labyrinths, t'inuolue Thy senses; and now I triumph over thy fate. This is Italian Spleen. Good, dull Soldier! why didst thou leave the Camp, Thy rusty Morio ̄ there; thy battered Corselet; And thy shivered Lance, to amble here at Court In slippery silks; to walk in cloudy mists Of perfumed air? 'Tis I have shaked thy brains That heretofore were thick as Curds, into A pale, thin whay. Troth, thou art so feeble now, that were I killed By thee, I scarce should think that I were dead. Hah! does he counterfeit? Deprived of my defence! If th'ast a soul (Great as thy fame) restore my Sword. O, o! while I have warmth, I'll move with violence— Return my Sword, then manage Steeples Like To Pikes; yet, I'll affront thy fury— O, o! thou hast stuck Needles in my heart! I spy A white Soul hovering in the air! one when Corporeal, was sure some humble Hermit Here on earth. He's acquainted with the way To Heaven: should mine take flight alone, I fear IT would stray! Hoa! you, you that ascend the Spheres! We sinners still seem hoarse to Angels ears. What, hoa! he turns not yet: who knows but he Still lived in low Valleys, built his Mansion In some aged wall? but my path ever lay On hills, where the good Patriarchs never trod. Vain Arts! Ambition in all sacred Schools, Is held the sin of Heathens, and of Fools. He die. Rhodolinda does become her title And her birth. Since deprived of popular Homage, she hath been Queen over her great self. In this captivity never passionate But when she hears me name the King, and then Her passion not of anger taste, but love: Love of her Conqueror: he that in fierce Battle (when the Cannons sulphurous breath Clouded the day) her noble Father slew: Our Royal Master once; now sunk into His soil; where Like the Lily withered, He never shall renew his growth again. My memory disturbs my Tongue! Your fair Valdaura makes the Queen her rare and joust Example, and is in patience skilful. Captain, though the King be prompt in mercy, Yet hath he so much anger in him, As will express him mortal. 'Tis for your Safety, to avoid the Presence. The harmony of your sweet tongue is his Best physic: divorce him from those black thoughts, Whilst I employ my utmost skill, to win The Queen to his embraces. She's great of Soul, And may determine what my found heart laments To prophecy. I, there's the horror! whilst his Vows sat warm Upon his Lips; his breath not mingled yet With cooler Air; thus to perturb by stern Practice your sweet rest, was worse then perjury. I kiss your fair hands. The King already come? I must seem pensive as the night. The King seems fettered in his limbs: he wreathes His arms, as if he meant to bruise his heart. And Paradine does find my charms predominant. You'll forfeit me, and the Kings mercy! away! Though assist my great Hope's with opportune Induction, I consented to this act: Yet now I chide my found spirits. For who Dares trust the unruly appetite of youth? What I decreed she should but taste, she may Delight to surfeit on. It shows fulsome! Here's the precious medicine that must restore Health to my Hope's. Follow, gentle Lady. You see they now? Tak't, fair Pupil! think on't in your prayers. If you but enjoy one single motion That informs you it is good: do't with pride And boldness masculine. Distinguish thus Its operation. Four days must fully take Their room ith'Kalendar, ere it effect Our Hope's. Before that hour arrive, he must Be wrought to kill the King. Captain, I have brought the King here to view, And to commiserate your lean sickness, And your feeble wants. Be sudden in your speech! confirm my words: Then dispose even of my wealth and person. I will consent to matrimony; make Any use of this new interest. What, Lady, do you know of this?—Speak with Courage, I am your safety. Alas, my sweet deer Lord! (precious medicine!) He cannot possibly survive the next Minute. Does it destroy your strength? And are you fastened in the chair with weakness? I know th'Ingredients of thy poisonous draught. 'Twas I that gave it to thy wife. 'Twas I Did counsel her to mingle it in thy wine, When thou Wertenberg hight, and all thy Pores open As thy mouth. The Queen there too! Oh trivial Arts with my Own Mine I've blown my self even into dust! I stagger, and am drunk with my own blood!— I am prescribed my discipline in Court! You're now by holy Church incorporate; Therefore Divinity forbids me use My natural motions. How ever I think It fit, you give him direful cause, soon to Repent: Repentance sure is physic for his soul. Paradine and is young Bride! Your excellence Shall please that we retire: whilst I disguise My kind gesture, and seem to flatter in The Kings behalf— So sad a Requiem yet was never sung, Though the hoarse Raven, and the Whistler shrill, The Howlet, and the evening Dorr made up The fatal Choir. The young men there are yoked In pairs, and stretch their sinews in a Teem, To draw the wealthy harvest to the Grange, Where th'insulting foe resides. The aged (Heretofore in purple clothed) that disposed Of Law and Justice; are now sowed up In dunghill clouts; and dwell on parched hills, To tend the flocks; whose fleece the Victor wears In gawdy triumph. My Lord.