THE TRAGEDY OF ALBERTVS WALLENSTEIN, Late Duke of Fridland, and Generall to the Emperor Ferdinand the second.
Written by HENRY GLAPTHORNE.
Cedant carminibus reges Regumque triumphi.
The Scene, Egers.
And Acted with good Allowance at the Globe on the Banke-side, by his Majesties Servants.
Imprinted at London by Tho. Paine, for George Hutton dwelling at the Turn-stile in Holborne, 1639.
TO THE GREAT EXAMPLE OF VERTVE AND TRVE MECENAS OF Liberall Arts; Mr. WILLIAM MURREY of his Majesties Bed-chamber.
SIR,
GRatitude is the best Appendix to vertue: unthankefulnesse the worst addit on to vice. My indeavour to atchieve the one, and avoid the other, invited me to this publication of my many ingagements to your best selfe: and betrayd your noble name to the patronage of this Poem. The native magnificence of your disposition is so repleate with mercy, that it would bee an errour in [Page] the religion of my duty, should I question your remission of this audacious crime, the offence being onely the acknowledgement of my respective service to you. Works of this nature have alwaies assumed this priuiledge, to aspire the noblest for their Protectors. Since then authorisd by custome, worthiest Sir, it cannot bee a diminution to your fame, nor repugnant to the gravity of your most serious imployments to have him by publike profession known your servant, who hath long since by particular devotion been
The humblest of your honorers, HEN. GLAPTHORNE.
In caedem Alberti VVallenstenii, ducis Fridlandiae. 1634.
TVus etiam superbe Dux Fridlandiae,
Dignus cothurno lugubri interitus meos
Elicit Iambos? lugeant, quibus placet
Vacare lachrymis. Filiae ac Viduae sat est
Laniare crines, plangere & manu sinus,
Non ego sepulchro (si tamen quisquam tibi
Honor sepulchri detur) assideo gemens,
Non tibi Camaena funebrem panegyrin
Epice diúmve dedicat, potius sibi
Iam gratulatur, laeta Gustavo diu
Tui quodhaud te viderint superstitem;
Rependerit sed Egra
Rex Sueciae in pugnâ ad Lutzenum commissa; Walstenius Egrae interfectus.
Feralis Egra, dirus hospitii locus,
Splendore mensas quae Lycaonio struens,
Grandique cogens solvere pretio dapes,
Gladios, bipennes, tela, tormenta apparat.
Haec Imperator ducibus, & Walstenio
Gustanda cautus miserat bellaria.
[Page]Non ille tantum caede gaudet hostium,
Sed & suorum sanguine imbleri iubet
Egrae penates▪ [...]
Quantum cruoris Austriaca superbia
Sibi litatum lambit! & tamen sitit
Adhuc cruorem, saevior Pel [...]pis domo.
Nullúsne tandem caedibus aabitur modus?
Modum sed illa caedibus dedit tuis,
Alberte; qui, dum Ferdinand co [...]iis
Vexilla pandis, Ferdinandi penfido
Iugulum daturus advenis satelliri
Vbi illa tandem gaza, quâ Bohemiam,
Sil siámque, agrosque Brandenburgicos
Fretus perambulasti▪ ubi est exercitus,
Diro tuorum quo ministro facinorum,
Homicidia, stupra, furta, Pomeranta
Saepe execrata est, & Mechlenbergi sinus
Dum tu crematas famulus Austriacae domus,
Prosternis urbes, impotens violentiam
Marique fastum terminare Bal [...]ico?
Hoc tot laborum praemium tuus tibi
Dedit Imperater? Hoccine est stipendium,
Vt perduell [...] actus, & subito dolo
Captus cerebro spargeres caenacu um?
Sic beat amicus gentis Austrialae fides.
[Page]Quod si cruentâ morte pereundum fuit,
Cecidisse malles forsan hostili manu.
Nunc puto, videntur fata
Comes Pappenhemius in pugna Lutzeniana a Suedis occisus 6. Novem. 1632.
PapenhemiiTuisque
Generalis, Tullius in pugna Angustanâ graviter saucius fugit Ingolstadium ibique exspiravit.
Tillii invidenda Manibus.Quàm iustus ille Ferdinandus exstitit
Non quaero; verùm credo divina minime
Vindicta quòd dormitat. Ipse ut perfidas
Perfidiâ obires, lex inevitabilis
Fati volebat; quin & immanis diu
Crudelitatis artifex, crudeliter
Descenderes ad ima Plutonis loca.
Vbi unicum futura sint solatium
Fraus capta fraude, scelere cumulatum scelus,
Excidia eorum, caedis authores tuae
Quos fama novit, siquidem Alberti ducis
Celeri sequantur impios Manes pede.
Et maximê si (quoniam id haudsaepe accidit
Vti perirent morte siccâ principes)
Sanguinea multo sanguine exundet domus,
Tuique similem sortiatur exitum.
Alex. Gil.
The Persons.
- Ferdinand the seconed Emperor of Germany.
- Ferdinand his son King of Hungary.
- Albertus Wallenstein Duke of Fridland.
- Marquesse Brandenburg.
- Duke Saxon Waymax.
- Earle of Tertzki.
- Earle of Kintzki.
- Earle of Questenberg.
- Matthias Gallas.
- Colonell Newman.
- Marshall Illawe.
- Fredricke. Sonnes to Wallenstein.
- Albertus. Sonnes to Wallenstein.
- Colonell Gordon Governor of Egers.
- Colonell Lesle.
- Captaine Butler.
- Page to Wallenstein ▪
- Dutches to Wallenstein.
- Emilia Daughter to Saxon Waymar.
- Isabella woman to the Dutchesse.
- Dragoons▪ Guard to the Emperour.
- Guard to Wallenstein.
- Executioner.
- Attendants.
Actus primus:
Scena prima.
Kintzki, Tertzki, Gordon, Butler, Lesle.
Kint.
THe rumour still continues.
Tert.
Yes, my Lord,
Ill fames though quicke are certaine,
'tis concluded
Past question or dispute, for these reports
Are grounded on too manifest a truth,
To carry doubt in them, it is confirm'd this morning;
Hee must resigne
Lesle.
Though a stranger Sir,
And so lesse interessed in the Generalls cause
Then you his Country-man: were you not my friend,
You ly'd to speake it. Must our Generall
That soule of valor Wallenstein; who has
(Like subtle lightning) purg'd the German ayre,
From all the hot infections, forraign warre
Could threaten: sent the health-carousing Dane
Drunke with his owne blood home: broke all the force,
With which the valiant Palatine and his aydes.
Infested had the Province: given to Death
(That thunder-bolt of warre) whose very name
Was great as Fate it selfe unto his foes,
The Swedish King: and must he now, his age
Is candid o're with victories, be inforc'd
[...][Page]To a base [...] Death he's damn'd
That dare but mutter it▪
Gordon.
And they were so
Who first occasion'd it, 'twould bring much comfort
To all true Souldiers.
Lesle.
'Tis concluded Sir,
Past all redemption, they are doubly damn'd
For their ingratitude, displace a man
To whom they owe their lives! one whom, my Lords,
We have seen i'th heat and bravery of a fight,
Cheere up his fainting and disheartned troupes,
Even when his body seem'd but all one wound,
That it appear'd a little Iland, circled
Round with the purple deluge of his blood;
Who when warres Quiruters, the big-mouth'd Drums,
And surly Trumpet sung his Armies Dirge,
That fatall Musicke sweld his sprightly sense
More then soft Hymnes at Nuptials.
Tert.
Sir, his glories
Are so well knowne to us we need not urge
Their reputation, but 'tis past my thoughts,
Why on the sudden he should be compel'd
To give his charge up.
Kintz.
When the world beleev'd
He should have had a double triumph in
The honour of his victories.
Lesle.
Ile tell you,
There is in Princes Courts a leane-fac'd monster,
Term'd Envie, raigning in unworthy breasts,
To fames Heroicke sonnes, such as know to cringe
With subtle motion to their Princes smiles,
Adore his foot-steps and his awfull nods,
And can like Aspes instill into his eares,
A sweet yet killing venome: these thin soules
When the blunt Souldier, has on piles of wounds
Built up his Countries peace, whisper Beware
[Page]In time my Lord, least he doe grow too great:
This meeting with the jealous Princes feares,
(As Princes still are fearefull of the greatnesse
Of rising active subjects) breeds resolves to cut up
That prop, leaning on which themselves have stood,
Firme and unshaken on their base; and these
Court Parasites, and th'Emperors weake distrusts,
Puls this disgrace on Fridland, which if he
With an effeminate patience doe put up,
May all the Lawrels growing on his Crest.
Be turn'd to Cyprisse, serving for no use
But to adorne his Funerals.
Gordon.
Soft,
The Generall's here himselfe: my gracious Lord
The Duke.
Tert.
Our thrice redoubted Generall.
Enter Wallenstein, Illawe.
Wallens.
Ha! that sound
Awakes my drowsie soule, pray good my Lords,
What do you behold degenerate in my lookes,
Shewing me unworthy still of that great title?
Tert.
I would pull my eyes out,
Should they convey into my soule a thought
Tending to so much sacriledge to honour,
And perfect masculine vertue.
Wallens.
Yet I must
Put off that glorious title, like a garment,
Old and unfit for wearing: O my Lords,
Our honours individuall with our soules
Growes to that essence, as toth' hand or cheeke
The native whitenesse; and to have that torne,
Lug'd off by violent torture, is a suffrance
Beyond the strength of patience: is't not, Lords?
Tert.
Yes, and looke
How farre the noble immateriall soule,
Transcends the duller body, so much torments
[Page]Resemblance of a star, a Comet fall
By my owne fire consum'd to earth forgotten.
Lesle.
Great Sir, though a stranger to you
By birth and nation, yet the strict alliance
I've to your princely noblenesse, injoynes me
Under your pardon, and with the allowance
Of these brave Counts, your followers, to deliver
My zealous counsell to you.
Wallens.
Noble Scot,
Use your discretion freely.
Lesle.
Thus great Sir then,
Though't be i'th power of Princes to prescribe
Lawes to their subjects, 'tis their subjects wills
Must put those Lawes in act, 'tis their obedience,
Which are the ablest sinewes of the state,
And 'twere a barbarous cruelty to imploy
Their hands against themselves, a strange injustice,
To make their proper vertue instrument
Of their owne ruine.
Tert.
Colonell Lesle
Speakes home.
Kint.
And to much purpose.
Lesle.
Doe not Lords
Misunderstand my meaning, I speake not this,
That I contemne authority, or dislike
Order in every thing, without preeminence
In title of command our trade the warfare
Could not subsist, but to informe our Generall,
Our too much injur'd Generall, that it is
No such strange crime, to disobey a Prince
In things injust; and can there be a greater,
Or shamefuller injustice then for Caesar,
By's Mandate to inforce him to resigne
His glorious charge up?
Gordon.
'Twere a shame.
Illawe.
An utter, an abominable disgrace
[Page]To all that honor vertue, should we suffer it?
Lesle.
Here then
Ends what I would have uttered; of what force
Are Caesars Mandats, when their reall loves
Has disannull'd them? circled with these hearts,
These bulwarkes of brave hearts, what need have you
To acknowledge any Emperor but your selfe?
Your selfe great Duke, whose merit lays just claime
To that supremest title.
Lesle.
Pray once more,
Give me your patience: Rashnesse, Gentlemen,
Gives the first on-set fiercely, then recoyles,
As Waspes when they have lost their stings: affaires
Of this high consequence, doe require mature
Deliberation: to confirme our owne
Strength for the exploit, 'twere fit we did conjoyne
With Saxon Waymar and Gustavus Horne,
And the other bold confederates: how likes
Your Grace this project?
Wallens.
The Drum and Fife,
Trumpet and Canon, when their lowd voyces sing,
Iös to victory, could nere beget
More musick in my ravished sense: best friend,
I am so bankrupt growne in my extent
Of gratitude, that trust me I could weepe,
To see my selfe so farre outdone in friendship:
I am ingag'd in honour to goe on,
That this insulting Emperor by his fall,
To gaine fit meanes to gratifie your loves.
Thou aëry name of loyalty, hence to heaven,
And finde like smoake a buriall in the clouds,
Thus I expire thy essence; henceforth Ile acknowledge
No other Emperor but these worthies hearts.
Tert.
And we (great Duke) henceforth will nere submit,
To any rule but yours, which to confirme
As sure as Fate had seal'd it, on your sword
[...][Page]My Councell alwayes has had that successe,
To be accounted faithfull to my Prince:
Feare it not, follow then my poore advice,
Meet trechery with policie, and try,
If you the Ambitious traytor can surprize,
The head once off, the weake and fainting limbes,
Like sear'd dri'd boughs, by an impetuous wind,
Torne from an aged Oke, will fall to earth,
And be consum'd to ashes.
Empe.
It shall be so,
Lord Questenberg, with all convenient speed,
Dispatch a trusty messenger unto
The King of Hungary, command his presence,
With his most able legions for the safeguard
Of our owne person: In such like affaires,
Which doe concerne the uncertaine rule of States,
Wise men should alwayes be above their fates.
Exeunt.
Scena tertia, Albertus, Newman.
Newm.
A pox upon her fir, and for her sake,
On all good faces; must you sigh and whine,
And make a face worse then a zealous drunkard
Does o're dead mustie wine, because she is beauteous:
We Souldiers doe not use to ingender with
A phisnomy, nor as the learned terme it,
Co-habit with a handsome nose or lip,
There are some parts beneath the waste I take it,
More usefull for a man of Armes.
Alber.
Good Colonell,
No more of this.
Newm.
Should I aske you
The reason why you love her, you must answer;
'Tis for the sport (as for what other reason
Women were made, unlesse to prick upon
A clout, or starch, transcends my best Philosophy)
[Page]And for that purpose, a short coat frister,
That as she milkes each morning,
Bedewes the coole grasse with her Virgin moisture,
As usefull is and active (sounder far
That's certaine granted) pray, my Lord, remember
Shee's but your mothers Gentlewoman, and whom perhaps
The Butler has oftener folded up, then ere
He did his table linne one.
Alber.
No more, you'l anger me.
Newm.
You'l anger me agen then: we Imps of Mars,
Should know no other mistresses, then what the Camp contains,
I nere durst love ith' field (marry in the Citie.
I've had copulation with all trades) but one poor sutlers wife, &
She as faire too, as was the kettle which she boyl'd her beefe in,
O how the sweet smell of her amber greace
And kitchin-stuffe perfum'd my greedy nostrils,
Yet on this beauty doted I (inspir'd by insurrection of the flesh)
And gave her to cuckol'd the good corporall her husband.
Int Isabella.
Ten comely dollers, and the divell take her, she paid me with a pox. But see, here comes the Lady of the Lake, for whom you good fir Lancelot make these lamentations; be not you bashfull now, but fall on boldly heart, let me drill her for you, if her body be under Musket proofe, 'tis ten to one my morris pike shall enter. to her, to her.
Exit Newm.
Isabel.
Surpriz'd by him alone, O my just feares.
Albert.
Why, cruell faire one, should you shun his sight,
Whose very soule moves in your eyes, or why
Should your blest voyce, speake health to all the world,
Yet threaten death to me: look on my youth,
My hopefull youth, which in the active war,
Has taught old Souldiers discipline: behold it
Nipt by the cold frost of your icie beauty,
As in a feaver languishing to nothing,
Forgetfull of the noble pride and strength,
It has so lately boasted, 'tis injust
To see me still over my foes victorious,
[Page]Made by my selfe your captive, to insult
Over your suppliant vassaile, would those eyes,
Which can contract lights orbe into a glance,
Become impoverish'd by a smile, those cheekes
Sully their native tincture, should they blush
At your mindes cruelty, 'twould rather adde
To the illustrious excellence.
Isabel.
My noble Lord.
Albert.
Stay, you must not speake yet,
There's not an accent issuing from your lips,
But has the power, should thunder speak, to charme,
To peacefull quiet the affrighted, the world,
And would strike dumbe my passion: best of Virgins
There is not that disparity 'twixt our births,
As there's inequall difference 'twixt our hearts;
Mine's all on fire, dare combat with the Sun
For heats priority, yours Mountaine snow,
Cold as the north, and cruell as my fortunes:
Yet you may make them equall as your eyes are,
By yeelding up that fort, which will, when time
Has given it ceremonious priviledge, be perhaps
By some unworthy groome, without resistance
Surpriz'd and entred.
Isabel.
My Lord, bad custome is become
In men a second nature to deceive
Poore Virgins by their flatteries; noble youth,
That I doe love you dearely, may these teares,
Shed for your folly testifie: looke backe
Into your princelesse honour, call that up
To assist the fortresse of your minde assail'd
By foule unlawfull passion: thinke how base 'tis,
To rob a silly Orphan of her dowry;
I have no other but my Virgin whitenesse,
Left to uphold my fame, nought but my vertue
To my inheritance; should you dispoile me
Of that faire portion by your lust, my memory,
[Page]Would like an early Rose bud by that tempest,
Dye on its owne stalke blasted.
Albert.
I doe dreame sure.
Isabel.
Womens fames sir,
Are like thin Chrystall glasses, by a breath
Blowne into excellent forme, and by a touch,
Crackt or quite broken: say I should consent
To your desires, your appetite once sated,
You would repent the fact, when you should see
Your selfe surrounded in a mist of cares,
View bashfull Virgins point at you, as at
Some hatefull prodigie; heare matrons cry,
There goes the lustfull thiefe, that glories in
The spoyle of innocent Virgins, that foule thiefe,
That has a hundred eyes to let lust in at,
As many tongues to give his wild thoughts utterance.
Albert.
Sure some Angell inhabits here,
This cannot be a Mansion
For mortall frailty: sweet farewell, good night,
I would not have my over-sawcie love,
Commit a rude intrusion on thy peace,
Though parting with thee be more torment to me,
Then to forgoe mine eyes; may all the joyes
Of healthfull slumbers crowne thy bed, thy dreames
Be free from paraphrasing on my memory▪
Lest it affright you; once more, Deare, good night,
While you with pleasing happy sleeps are blest,
I'le seeke some way to my eternall rest.
Exeunt.
Explicit Actus primus.
Actus secundus:
Scena prima.
Wallenstein, Waymar, Brandenburge, Tertzki, Kintzki, Illawe, Newman, Gordon, Lesle, Butler.
Wallens.
The honour you have done me mighty Princes,
Electors of the sacred Romane Empire,
By this your personal visit does ingage
So much our gratitude, that what our selves,
And the most able forces of our friends,
Can in requitall act, shall be perform'd,
Mutuall discourses often mingle soules▪
And as the Arteries convey the blood,
Throughout the body, they from mind to mind
Convey affection: to this end we did
Intreat this meeting, that our conference might,
Joyne in an individuall league our hearts.
Bran.
This happy treaty, glorious Duke, shall bring
Blest peace once more with turtles wings, to soare
Over the German Provinces; shall dry
Teares from the eyes of mothers, while the Virgins
Shall dedicate their houres to joyfull Hymnes,
In honour of your merit.
Waym,
The sturdy boore
Shall plough his fields in safety, and ascribe
To you, great Duke, that happinesse: 'twas you,
Who when Bellona thundred through the land,
Did stop the steel-wing'd Goddesse in her course,
Who when our Armies, like a raging floud,
Did beare downe all before them, did oppose,
The greedy torrent, boldly turn'd it backe,
Into its native body, and conjoyn'd
[Page]With you so inur'd to conquest, he were lesse
Then man, and more then coward, that could feare
Any insuing dangers.
Wall.
You doe me too much honor, mighty Princes:
And now my brave confederates in Armes,
Where businesse of import commands attendance,
That time's mis-spent, that's spent in uselesse words,
I shall so please you, therefore speake the cause,
(In briefe) which urg'd me to desire this conference,
And give you reasons for my strange revolt,
From my so long lov'd Master.
Bran.
'Twas the end
We onely came for.
Waym.
The sole reason
That drew us to this meeting.
Wallens.
Thus in briefe then,
How I have serv'd this Emperour, these wounds
That beautifie my body (cause the markes
Of my just loyalty) given by your swords,
Can beare me righteous witnesse; but good service
To a malicious and ingratefull Prince,
Are rather causes of suspect, then love,
And when mens actions doe transcend reward,
They then descend to punishment (my cause
Is rightly stated thus) for when my selfe,
(I well may speake it without partiall boast)
Had like his Eagle in my powerfull gripe,
Snatch'd up his Crowne that lay despis'd on earth,
And heav'd it up to Heaven, borne all the waight,
Which yours, the Danish and the Swedish force,
Could load these shoulders with; nay shooke it off
Lightly, as windes in Autumne doe from trees,
Their wither'd Summer garments: then, even then,
When my just hopes were pregnant with conceit
Of Wreathes and triumphes (as a brave reward)
My Souldiers by his Mandates were forbid,
[Page]To obey me as their Generall, and my selfe
Commanded straightway to resigne my charge,
All my great power which I had bought with blood,
Unto Matthias Gallas my Field-Marshall.
Saxon.
Insufferable injury!
Bran.
Inhumane and unhear'd of ingratitude!
Wallens.
Nay more,
As I had been a Traytor then in fact,
He did endevour my surprize, to bring me
A prisoner to Vienna: thinke then Lords,
When both my pricelesse honour and my life
Were at one stake propos'd, if I'de not cause
To play my game with cunning skill, when these
My brave Commanders from their martiall eyes,
Did for my wrongs shed teares of blood, cal'd on me,
As on their friend, their father, not to leave
My Sons my Souldiers: if I their request
Perform'd, I sav'd my honour and my life,
But if the Emperors, I gave up them both
To plaine perspicuous ruine; yet in not
Accomplishing my Masters harsh commands,
The name of treason brands me (but passe that,)
I of two evils chose to take the least,
Rather to draw upon me Caesars hate,
Then to forsake my charge and souldiers loves:
And now being free in my owne soule as thought
Unsought to (Lords) and unconstrain'd, I offer
T'assist against this Emperor (this thing
Made onely up of name and voyce) whom we
Will breake as showers doe bubles, which themselves
Of nothing had created.
Saxon.
So welcome
Is this your proffes'd amity, no blessing
Heaven in its fullest bounty could have showr'd,
Could have arriv'd more pleasing, and to shew
How much we prize your friendship, your the son,
[Page]Young Fredericke be affianc'd to my daughter,
The tye of nature to the tye of blood,
Will make the union perfect.
Wallens.
'Tis an honour,
We are bound in duty to accept, my Lords,
In noble soules no thought should once admit
Sullen delay, our progresse should be swift,
As is the passage of unlimited fire
In populous Cities; or as windes, whose force
Does at their birth send ope the stubborne wombe
Of the dull earth their mother; great designes
Should by great spirits onely be pursu'd,
And our last businesse is our speedy conference
With Chancelor Oxenstern, and the French Embassador.
Actions that carry an unusuall weight,
Ought still to flye at an unusuall height.
Exeunt Wallens. Bran. Waym. Tert. Kint. Illaw.
Lesle.
So, let the dull
Halfe-spirited soules, who strive on reremice wings,
By that which fooles terme honesty, to climbe
Toth' top of honour, in their silly vertue
Boast, while ingenious and more active spirits,
In a direct line without stop or hindrance,
Mount to their wishes, yet ith'worlds esteeme,
Are held as reall, and indu'd with goodnesse.
This Wallenstein, like a good easie Mule,
Have I led on byth' nose to this rebellion,
Fir'd with such venome as will spread,
Like swift infection through his soule: these two
Shall be my agents to atchieve my ends,
Factors in cunning to vent forth my intentions,
Lieutenant Colonell Gordon, and my good
Captaine Butler.
Gordon.
We were musing,
What serious thought it was, that could so long
Detaine you from our conference.
Lesle.
[Page]Faith I was studying
On our great Generals fortunes, upon which
Our hopes and lives depend; what thinke you of them?
Gordon.
Well at least, wee'r bound
To hope the best, he's in himselfe so mighty,
He seemes above his fate.
Butler.
His plots doe carry
A faire and specious out side.
Lesle.
'Tis a signe,
Corruption is within them, noble friends,
You are my country-men, and if my life
May preserve yours from ruine, I shall deem it
Religiously imploy'd: if you discover
What I intend to utter, 'twill but send
My age some houres before its destin'd minute,
Unto my grave, and I most willingly,
Shall dye the causes martyr.
Gordon.
By our honours,
No syllable shall ever passe our lips,
What you in love reveale to us.
Lesle.
Thus then friends,
Rebellion never yet could boast a happy
Or prosperous period, Wallensteins designes
Are built on sand, and with the Emperours breath
Will be disperst into the ayre; I speak not this,
That I doe hate the man, heavens know I love
His person, but detest the cause he justifies.
Gord.
True, the dignity of Princes,
Does make what ever quarrels subjects raise
Against their Soveraigns, odious.
Lesle.
Shall we then,
Here in a strange country, violate
The Lawes of hospitality, unmake the ancient faith
Ascrib'd unto our Nation, by assisting
A Traytor 'gainst his lawfull Prince, a Generall
Against that power which gave him that command,
[Page]Betray that royall Master, to whose bounty
We owe our lives: first rather let's resolve,
To open all his treasons, his proceedings,
Unto our Lord the Emperour.
Gord.
'Tis very just,
And in my judgement requisite.
Butler.
I doe approve it.
Lesle.
'Twere meere madnesse,
And he that does mislike it, beares no braine,
No soule about him: Instead of slight preferment,
Which (should our Generall prosper) we at best,
Could but expect, we shall have
Castles, Lordships, Earledomes, nay Provinces,
Be stil'd the savers,
Preservers of the Empire, have our names,
As 'twere in triumph sung about the streets,
In popular acclamations, thinke then friends,
How farre these certain honours will surpasse
Our aëry expectations: come let's post
Straight to Vienna, and informe the Emperour
Of all's proceedings, in this great affaire,
We must not use our fortune, but our care.
Exeunt.
Scena secunda, Frederick, Albertus, Newman.
Newm.
Pish, perish still in ignorance, am I,
Who am grand master in the art of Love,
Not able to instruct a limber youth
Of the first growth, your brother here makes love
In all ill favor'd tone, and skrewes his countenance,
As he were singing of lamentable Ballads
Of Tillies overthrow, but you for your part,
(I've knowne you of an urchin) are so fiery,
You speake all squibs and crackers, carry a Canon
In your mouth, you'l fright the Lady, she'l imagine
[Page]You come to ravish her.
Albert.
The Colonell
Tells you, your owne, good brother.
New.
I've told you yours too, or I'm much mistaken,
You love, 'tshould seeme, the faire Emilia,
A pretty wench, they say, but that's no matter,
Your fathers are agreed on't, and you'd have me
Shew you the readiest way, how to accost her
Negatively, I will demonstrate instantly.
Fred.
I shall observe your doctrine most exactly.
Newm.
Pray observe,
You must not then accost her with a shrug,
As you were lowzie, with your Lady, sweet Lady,
Or most super-excellent Lady,
Nor in the Spanish garbe, with a state face,
As you had new been eating of a Raddish,
And meant to swallow her for mutton to't:
Nor let your words, as that I'm most afraid of,
('Cause 'tis your naturall mood) come rumbling forth,
Usher'd with a good full-mouth'd oath, I love you:
But speake the language of an overcomming Lover;
I doe not meane that strange pedanticke phrase,
Us'd by some gallants, who doe aime at wit,
And make themselves starke asses by't, praise their mistresses
Byth' Sun and stars, while the poore girles imagine,
They meane their signes, their Mercers or Perfumers
Inhabit at (for sure beyond those Planets
They've studied no Astrologie) but you must
In gentle, free, and genuine phrase deliver
Your true affection, praise her eye, her lip,
Her nose, her cheeke, her chin, her neck, her brest,
Her hand, her foot, her leg, her every thing,
And leave your roses and your lillies for
Your country froes, to make nosegayes of:
But stay, here comes your Mistris, her father too,
In conference; fall on my Mirmidon,
[Page]While we retreat.
Int. Waymar, Emilia.
Alber.
Speed your endevors, brother.
Ex. Newm. Alber
Waym.
'Tis so concluded 'twixt me and her father,
For both our goods, be not you nice Emilia,
The noble youth's so furnish'd with all worth,
You needs must like him.
Emilia.
Good sir give me license,
To let my eye direct my heart to love,
And if young Fredericke be the master of
Such absolute gifts, doubt not but I shall find them.
Waym.
My Lord I'm glad
Of this faire interview I and my daughter
Were even conferring of you; sir as yet
She's something timorous, dreads a Souldiers lookes.
Fred.
She needs not sir.
She beares a spell about her that would charme
A Scythians native fiercenesse into softnesse,
Those spirit-breathing eyes, my Lord, which can
Kill as they please, or quicken with a glance.
Waym.
Now they are enter'd,
Ile steale away and leave them.
Fred.
Gentle Lady,
To make the addresses of my love-sicke heart,
Plaine and apparent to you, that you may,
Search through my soule, and find it all your creature,
Give me your patient hearing.
Emil.
'Tis a request,
Might tax my manners, should I deny it to
One of your noble quality; use your pleasure.
Fred.
Which consists
In viewing your bright beauty, the idea
Of all perfections, which the jealous heavens
Durst ever lend to earth-divinest Lady,
The gentle ayre which circumscribes your cheeke,
Leaving its panting kisses on the flowres,
That in that Tempe blossome, does not love
[Page]Those fields of purity more then mine eyes do,
Mine, Lady, is a holy,
An intellectual zeale, such as the Angels
And Saints, who know no sexes do affect by,
Past imitation too, should they who strive
To trace me, take the constancy of Swans,
Or never-changing Turtles, as their patternes.
Emilia.
Sir, it seemes
You've studied complement as well as Armes,
But he's a foolish Lover, who to gaine
His Mistris, dare not promise what you have utter'd, but I must
Have more then verball assurance of your love.
Fred.
By your faire selfe I'm reall, do intend,
What I've deliver'd with as much true zeale,
As Anchorits do their prayers: I love your minde,
Your excellent minde, and for its sake, the pure
Shrine, which containes that blessing, this fair building,
This pallace of all happinesse, and intreat you,
As you have mercy in you, to take pitty
Upon my loves stern sufferings, and redresse them,
By your consent to take me for your husband.
Emilia.
Sir you are an over-hasty Lover, to imagine
I can at first sight of your person, be
Surpriz'd and yeeld, they must be strong allurements,
Must tempt a bashfull Virgin still inur'd
To no companion but her feares and blushes,
To give her heart away, and live in thraldome,
Unto a stranger.
Fred.
Love, Madam, has Eagles eyes; it can beget acquaintance,
Even in a moment, suddenly as time,
The time that does succeed it. Farewell.
I will not have my over-hasty zeale,
Urge your mild sufferance further, pray think on me
As one who've plaid my full extent of blisse,
In your injoying, think you are the land wracke,
By which the brittle vessell of my hopes,
[Page]Must through Loves-swelling Ocean be directed,
To a safe harbor, honour me to kisse
Your faire hand; Lady now farewell, no blisse
Can be in love, till we know what it is.
Exeunt.
Scena tertia: Ferdinand, King of Hungary, Gallas, Questenberge.
Emper.
Crownes are perpetuall cares, and to their heads,
That weare the wreath Imperiall, are annext.
Forraigne invasions oft may shake a state,
But civill broyles are the impetuous fire-brands,
That burne up Common-wealths; to quench
A flame domesticke we are met, which will
Like fame increase, by going on; this late
Revolt of Wallenstein.
Hungar.
Perfidious slave!
On whom your plenteous bounties showr'd so fast,
They seem'd to drown him▪ he whose great commands,
Could not know ought above them, but your selfe,
The Generall of your forces of Gloyawe,
Mechlenburg, Sagan, Fridland stil'd the Duke,
He to invert your owne Armes 'gainst your selfe,
Swels my vext soule to thinke on't.
Emper.
'Tis not words,
Or aëry threatnings will appease thy mischiefe,
It must be done by force; Matthias Gallas,
Have you according to our late commands,
Given order for the levying new forces,
To oppose this Traytor.
Matth.
Mighty Sir, I have,
And seen them mustred.
Emp.
To what amounts their number.
Gall.
Threescore thousand
Hung.
A royall Armie, had they been train'd
In Military discipline, experience
Is halfe the soule of Armes, we will take order,
[Page]To have them taught the exercise of Armes,
By those Hungarians troupes which we brought hither.
Emp.
Now sir, your businesse.
Int. a messenger.
Messen.
Mighty sir,
The Governor of Egers, Colonell Gordon,
Attended by Lieutenant Colonell Butler,
And Colonell Lesle doe desire admittance
Into your presence.
Emp.
Let them enter,
They are his friends, and may perhaps discover
Some of his trecheries: Noble strangers welcome,
Int. Lesle. Gordon, Butler.
I doe conceive 'tis businesse of importance
Has drawne you hither, in Colonell Lesles lookes
I reade affaires of consequence, with which
His active braine does teeme, and faine would be
By's tongue deliver'd.
Lesle.
Most mighty Caesar,
To indeare the service to you, I shall doe you,
By guilding o're each circumstance, its waight
And consequence, since 'tis my bounden duty,
To you, my royall Master, would but shew,
Pride and arrogant love in me the author,
To my owne act, and so 'twould rather lessen
Then amplifie my merit; how I've serv'd you
Under command of him, whom in due justice
I cannot mention now without foule curses,
Revolted Wallenstein is to these Lords,
And your great selfe best knowne.
Emp.
And our rewards
Shall strive to pay those services.
Lesle.
But when I saw him
Put off his faith, abandon his allegeance,
Accounting all your bounteous favors trifles,
Unto the mountainous pile of his deservings,
And like a black cloud hung o're all your Empire,
Uncertaine where to break and in's vast thoughts,
[Page]Aspir'd your sacred dignity and life,
I like his Genius skrewd into his counsels,
Explor'd his plots and treasons, and have found them
So full of eminent danger.
Gordon.
So malicious.
Lesle.
Empty of worth and honour, it had been
A sinne beyond the horridst punishments,
To have conceal'd them from you, and which most
Tortures my loyall thoughts, as't had not been
Sufficient for him to rebell himselfe,
He has firm'd a league defensive and offensive,
With your most eager enemies, Saxon Waymar,
Branàenburg, Arheim, and Gustavus Horne,
And had a personall meeting for that purpose,
Butler.
And 'tis to be fear'd,
That if sudden power stop not their progresse,
They will with speedy violence invade you,
Heere in your capitall City.
Emper.
Worthy strangers,
In this one act you've showne your selfe more faithfull▪
Then all my home-borne subjects, but be sure
If gratitude can equall your deserts,
You shall injoy that amply: Noble Lesle,
The time is come now, and the delemma cast,
That must conclude our Empire, which we must
Unto thy care commit; to kill a Traytor,
Is a deserving action, for thou strik'st
Then with the Sword of Justice: wilt thou adde
This one act to thy former high deservings,
Kill this Arch-Rebell.
Lesle.
'Twas an office,
We should have beg'd, beleev't he's dead already,
Ile kill him in his pride, in all his glories,
With such security, as I would sleepe
After a tedious watching.
Emp.
And expect,
[...] [...]
[Page]Natures choice pleasures, that same happinesse
You were created for.
Emil
You have prevail'd Sir;
You who are still victorious o're your foes,
Must needs remaine a Conqueror o're your friends,
My Lord, receive me freely, I am yours
For ever.
Fred.
This chaste kisse shall seale the contract.
Come my Emilia, love is such a wealth,
As must be gain'd by free consent, not stealth.
Scena secunda: Wallenstein, Dutchesse, Newman, Terzki, Kintzki, Illawe.
Wallens.
Are they agreed yet, Newman,
Newm.
Faith my Lord,
The Virgin Lady's something fearefull, feares
A man of warre should board her, lest his charge
Should make her keele split, my Lord Fredricke
Is of that rough demeanour, spight of my
Instructions, he will never learne to woe
In the due phrase and garbe.
Wallens.
I doe admire,
The fond base carriage of our giddy youth
In love affaires, and grieve to see my sonnes,
(Who should inherit from me my great spirit,
As well as fortune) so degenerate from
My masculine courage; when ith' blooming pride
Of my green youth I flourish'd, my desires
Aym'd alwayes rather in the tented field
To spend my houres, then on a downy Couch,
To see the face of a sterne enemy besmear'd with blood,
Pleas'd me farre better then a Ladies lookes.
Dutch.
And yet you vow'd,
E're you won me, my Lord▪ you ne're saw object,
[Page]That so much pleas'd your appetite.
Wallens.
Perhaps I might,
For the obtaining of my ends, descend
From my great spirit so much, as to decline
To idle Courtship, the birds and beasts will doe it
To sate their appetites, the fiery Steed,
(That in the fervor of a fight, oft times
Neighs courage to his rider) when provok'd
With eager heat, will licke and bite his female
Into the same desire: The Sparrowes bill,
And with a chirping rhetoricke, seeme to court
Enjoyment of their wishes, which fulfil'd
Dulls their heads, they couch beneath their wings,
And in a slumber, forfeit all remembrance
Of their past pleasures: Yet insatiate man,
In his desire more hot then Steeds or Sparrowes,
Will to obtaine it, quite devest his soule
Of all that's masculine in him, and transforme▪
His very being into woman.
Newm.
Sure,
My Lord intends to write some Proclamation,
'Gainst wearing holland smockes, some furious Edict,
'Gainst charitable leaguerers: I've knowne him,
(And so have you my Lords) for all this heat
'Gainst woman-hood, pursue a sutlers usroe,
(And she had but one eye neither) with as much zeale,
As e're knight-errand did his faire Linda brides,
Or Claridiana.
Ent. Fredrick, Emilia.
Tert.
My Lord, your son and faire Emilia.
Newm.
The quarrel's reconcil'd, Ile lay my life on't.
Wallens.
Beauteous Lady,
The contract 'twixt me and your father, touching
The marriage 'twixt my son and your faire selfe, I hope
By your consent is ratified: my boy
Lookes sprightly, as if he were new return'd
From a triumphant victory.
[...][Page]But pray divide my soule, my life and fortunes,
Are at your disposition: noble Lords,
That this base Emperour seekes to take my life
By trechery, is an apparant sigre,
He feares that I should live, and halfe victorious
E're blow be strucken, are they whom their foes
Dread, e're they doe behold them: let's go on then,
Arm'd with our aides, backt with our causes justice,
'Gainst this insulting Emperour, and resolve
To pull the tyrant from his Throne, destroy
His very name, his memory, his ashes,
With as much easie freedome, as rough windes
Demolish crasie buildings. Colonell Gordon,
Some five dayes hence we shall arrive at Egers,
There to make preparation for the Nuptials,
Betwixt our some and faire Emilia.
Come Lords, since we amongst our selves are true,
Conquest is ours, which we'l with speed pursue.
Exeunt.
Scena tertia: Albertus solus.
Alber.
To be in love, nay to be so in love,
To put off all our reason and discourse,
Which does distinguish us from savage beasts,
To dote upon a face (which like a mirrour,
Sully'd by any breath) by the least sicknesse,
Growes pale and ghastly: Is not this meere madnesse,
Why should't inhabit here then: sure the soule,
As 'tis a spirit of a subtle essence,
A forme as thin and pure, as is an Angels,
Can ne're be author of these wild desires,
So opposite to its nature, they'r all fleshly,
Sordid, as is the clay this frame's compos'd of.
Shall the soule,
The noble soule, be slave to these wild passions,
All reason, sense and soule are in her lookes,
There's no discourse beyond them: cruell faire one,
Are you still resolute to persist in your
Strange tyranny▪ and scorne my constant love.
Isabel.
Doe not sir
Abuse that sacred title which the Saints,
And powers celestiall glory in, by ascribing
It to your loose desires, pray rather cloth them
In their owne attribute, terme them your lust sir,
Your wild irregular lust, which like those fired rakes▪
Mis-guiding nighted travellers, will lead you
Forth of the faire path of your fame and vertue,
To unavoided ruine.
Alber.
This is coynesse,
A cunning coynesse, to make me esteeme
At a high rate, that jewell which you seeme
To part from so unwillingly (Merchants use it
To put bad wares away:) deare Isabella,
Thinke what excessive honour thou shalt reape,
In the exchange of one poore triviall gemme,
And that but meerely imaginary, a voyce,
And unsubstantiall essence, yet for that
Thou shalt have reall pleasures, such as Queenes,
Prone to delicious luxury, would covet
To sate their appetites: Think Isabella,
That hardest Marble, though not cut by force,
By oft diffusion of salt drops, is brought
Into what ever forme the Carvers fancie
Before had destin'd it: your heart's that substance,
And will by frequent oratory of teares,
Be brought to weare the perfect stampe, the figure
Of my affection on it.
Isabel.
Thus besieg'd,
It is high time, I summon up my vertue,
All that is good, about me, to assist
[...] [...]
[Page]But ne're aspire your Nuptials.
Alber.
You're too humble,
Impose too meane a value on a gemme,
Kings would be proud to weare, deare Isabella,
Let not thy modest sweetnesse interpose
A new impediment 'twixt my lawfull flames,
And thy owne Vestall chastity, let not feare,
(To thy sex incident) of my fathers wrath
Stagger thy resolution; thou shalt be
To me, my father, mother, brother, friend,
My all of happinesse; if we cannot here
In peace injoy our wishes, we will love
Like Turtles in a Desart, onely blest
In one anothers company.
Enter Fred Newm.
New.
Why look you sir. yonder's the cock oth' game,
About to tred you ginny hen, they'r billing;
Shall we retire, my Lord, perhaps they are going to't,
And 'twould be a shame to spoile their sport.
Fred.
I am resolv'd, I'le speake to him.
Newm.
Your pleasure must be accomplish'd,
But take heed we draw not the Virgins curses on us
Both, take heed on't, it will fall heavy.
Alber.
Surpriz'd, and by my brother, prethy sweet
Withdraw, I would not have thy timorous eares,
Frighted with his loud anger.
Fred.
Save you brother, you've parted with your
Mistresse, pray tell me, does she kisse well,
Has she a fragrant lip?
Are her demeanours courtly, apt to ravish?
Are you resolv'd to run away with her,
And stain the honour of our family, for her sweet sake?
Alber.
Gentle brother, you speak a language
I nor understand,
Nor value much the meaning. In your love
I medled not, and't had been manners in you,
Not to have intruded upon mine, your presence
[Page]Being unrequired.
Fred.
You'r very confident, young Gallant,
In defence of your brave Mistresse,
I know you are in love, bravely in love
With a trim Chamber-maid, a thing made up
Of a cast Taffatie gowne of an old Wardrobe:
Degenerate brother, were I not assur'd
Of your chaste mothers vertues, I should question,
Whither my father got you, but I'm come
To disinchant thy senses from the charmes,
That hatefull witch throwes on them, but resolve
Quickly to quit her, or by Heaven shee'd better
Commix with lightning.
Alber.
Pray, good brother use
Your threats upon your Corporals, or stampe
At your tame Lancepresados, when they doe not
Performe your charge; your rage upon your boyes,
Were more becomming, then upon your brother:
If you will sit, and with attentive patience,
Marke what I shall deliver, I will give you
Reasons for my intentions, but if not,
You may depart unsatisfied.
Fred.
Well Sir, be briefe, I shall attend you.
Alb.
In briefe, I love faire Isabella, so as honour,
Not the vicious heat of youth,
Commands me to affect, I love her vertue,
And have in that as noble, rich a dowry,
As the addition of estate and blood,
Which you have acquir'd in your late happy match
With young Emilia.
Fred.
Dare you, boy, name her,
And my Emilia as paralels.
Alb.
Why, good brother,
Though she transcends her in her birth and fortunes,
Yet in the rare indowments of her minde,
She is her equall, vertue has a soul as precious
[...][Page]Looke on my face, and reade my businesse there.
Alb.
Alas my Lord, your lookes
Are discompos'd with rage, your fiery eyes
Rowle with the accustom'd motion, they had wont
To dart upon your enemies, I am
Assur'd my innocence can no way merit
Your all-consuming anger.
Wallens.
'Tis a lye,
A worthlesse lye, false as thy flattering hopes are,
You are in love, most gallantly in love
With Isabella, one who is compos'd
Of paint and plaisters: thou degenerate monster,
Traytor to fame, and parricide to honour,
Abject in thy condition, as thy thoughts are;
Teare this vil'd strumpet from thy soule, do't quickly,
Renounce her with all binding tyes can urge thee
To keep thy faith, or I will quite put off
The name of Father, take as little notice
Thou art my of-spring, as the surly North,
Does of the snow, which when it has ingendred,
Its wild breath scatters through the earth forgotten.
Alb.
This was the killing fever I still fear'd;
Sir I should be a stranger to your blood,
As well as noble worth, should I commit
Actions I sham'd to justifie: I confesse
I love faire Isabella, and beseech you,
The meanenesse of her fortune and her birth
Omitted. she may be confer'd upon me
In lawfull marriage.
Wallens.
Dare you boy,
Speake this to me.
Alb.
I should Sir be degenerate
From your great spirit, should I feare to utter
What I doe wish effected, were you a God,
As being my Father, you'r but a degree
To me beneath one, in a cause so righteous,
[Page]I should not onely boldly crave your license,
But hope to have it granted.
Wallens.
Hell and furies,
Durst any mortall foole, but my owne issue,
Venter to brave my fury thus; resolve
Villaine in full to satisfie my purpose,
Doe it without regret, renounce this strumpet
Even from thy soule, abandon her remembrance.
Or by my owne unwearied valour, better,
And with more safety thou mayst hug a wave,
When its white lips kisse heaven: yong sir your honor
Is not your owne, for it you'r but my factor,
And must give me account, a strict account
Of the errors you run in: to the Dust
Of my great Ancestors, stand I accountant
For all my family, and their blest ashes
Would breake their Marble lodgings, and come forth
To quarrell with me, should I permit this bar
To staine their glorious Heraldry.
Alb.
Great Sir,
Can vertue be a blemish, or true worth
Disgrace Nobility; 'twas that at first,
When Nature made all equall, did distinguish
'Twixt man and man, and gave a just precedence
To the most worthy: Honour is Vertues of-spring,
Since then the Angell, my affection's fixt on,
Is faire and vertuous, all the good that ever
Durst with fraile flesh commix, or earth be proud of:
How to our Families honour can she bring
A diminution? Can sir the chaste ice,
Kiss'd by the Sun, into its native substance,
Pollute a chrystall River, surely rather
It addes fresh moysture to its streame. My Lord,
I am your sonne, and have been still obedient
To your commands; O by your love, your vertue,
Your never daunted vertue, I beseech you,
[Page]Grant me this one request, wer't for my life,
I should not be so abject, as to spend
This breath for its redemption.
Wallens.
Well, thy prate
Has overcome me, I am pittifull,
Beyond my nature pittifull to thee,
Thou shalt injoy thy wishes.
Alb.
All the blessings,
Prayers can obtain from heaven, showr down upon you
For your superlative mercy.
Wallens.
Stay and marke me,
'Tshall be with this condition, that as soone
As thou art wed, and hast injoy'd thy wishes,
Ere the next Sun rise on you,
You resolve without remorse,
To kill your Isabella.
Alb.
Heavens protect me!
Wall.
Nay thou shalt sweare it too: 'Las gentle boy,
I know thy nature is too full of fire,
To mix with sordid earth, and though thy last,
(Which is but manhood in thee) prompt thee on,
To taste the sweets of Isabellas beauty,
I know thou scornst so much to unmake thy Gentry,
To take her for thy wife, perhaps she will not
Give up her honour, till the Church has seal'd
That grant as lawfull; freely I allow
Her brave ambition, if as a reward
Due to her haughty pride, thy own hands kill her,
And so wipe out the infamy.
Alb.
Strange cruelty! so tyrants us'd to grant offenders life,
After their condemnation: to reserve them
To combat wild beasts in the spacious Cirque,
Or bloody Amphitheater: My Lord.
Wallens.
Pish I am deafe, inexorable as Seas
Toth' prayers of Mariners, when their sinking Keel
Is drunke with billowes.
Ent. Dutch. Isabel and Page.
Dutch.
[Page]O my Lord,
Your justice on this cursed witch, this thiefe,
This morning I have lost out of my Cabinet
The so much valu'd Jewell, which your bounty
Bestow'd upon me, none but she and I
Having been there since; she must be thiefe:
Force her to restitution.
Wall.
'Twas a gem, my mother gave me, which I did preserve
With as much care, as votaries doe the reliques
Of their protecting Saints: I gave it you,
When in the eager fervor of my youth,
I destin'd you my wife: come hither minion,
You who can steale the Jewels of mens hearts,
With your inchanting sorceries, will not feare
To make a venter upon pettier theft:
Sirrah goe bid them wait me here.
Isab.
My Lord,
I'm so secure in my own innocence,
That should your fury riot on my life,
'Twould not affright me, I should meet my death,
As willingly as I should doe my rest,
After a tedious watching, there's no armour
Like that of innocence, with which I'm guarded,
And therefore laugh at punishment.
Wal
So brave I shal soon quell your insolence; lay hands
Ent. a Guard
On this ignoble strūpet, hang her up, here in my presence.
Alb.
Stay sir, I doe beseech you heare me.
Wal.
Your intreaties are cast on me, as fools throw oyl on fire,
Striving to extinguish it: hang her up,
Ile hang you all else.
Alb.
Then Sir I will speake,
Since you forget to be a father to me,
I will put off my duty; I'm resolv'd,
Since 'tis impossible that we should live,
To dye together: nor doe not slave presume,
To touch this mine of purity, 'tis a treasure
[Page]While I'm alive Hell cannot ravish from me,
(For fiends would feare to touch it) if you murder
This spotlesse innocent Virgin, you are such,
So mercilesse a tyrant, as doe love
To feed on your owne bowels, one whom nature
Created for a curse, and to get curses,
Such prodigies as I am, one whom all Lovers
Shall tremble at, if mentioned; one.
Wallens.
Death have I lost my command, is he or I
To be obey'd? hang her, if he resist,
Kill the unnaturall Traytor.
Isab.
Deare Albertus, draw not a ruine on thy prizeles life,
For my despis'd sake I will go to death,
All peace as does an Anchorite, that's assur'd of all his sinnes forgivenesse.
Alb.
Sawcie divell, carry that touch of her to hell, 'twill serve
To mitigate thy tortures.
Is run through. Kils one of the Guard.
Dutch.
O my Lord, what has your fury acted,
Deare Albertus.
Alb.
'Twas a most friendly hand, and I could kisse it,
For the most welcome benefit; Isabella,
In death thou givest me life, thy innocence,
Will like my guardian Angell, safely convey me
To yonder heavenly Mansion: pray forgive me,
Deare Sir, if in my over-hasty zeale
In this poore innocents quarrell, my wild fury,
Transgress'd my naturall duty, and as the last
Request your dying son can aske, take pitty
On this most innocent Maid: thy hand, my faire one,
And now as willingly I doe expire,
As a blest Martyr, who does court the fire. O Isabella dies.
Dutch.
O my deare Albert.
Wall.
Death slave, dare you play with a flame
That shall consume you.
Hang her up, or torments shall pay your breach of duty.
Isab.
There friend, there's all the Jewels I am mistris of,
[Page]And that thou merits, prethee be as speedy
In thy dispatch, as fate it selfe; there is
A pure white Ghost in you same azure cloud,
Expects me straight, I come my deare Albertus.
Is hang'd.
Wallens.
Take hence their bodies, 'twas a hopefull boy,
And one I lov'd well, till his wild love
Made him forget his duty; and 'tis better
He di'd with fame, his sword in's hand, then that
He'd liv'd with foule dishonour: would he were
Alive agen, I do begin to feele strange horrors here, and that
Big guest, my soule, is shaken as with a nipping frost, hence idle
Grief, I must be furnish'd with more spritly passions, thou art too
Heavy, fit for the society of none but pensive women. All must dy,
Why should not he then, 'twas his destiny.
Exeunt.
Scena secunda: Gordon, Lesle, Butler.
Lesle.
Are all your horse in readinesse.
Gordon.
Yes, 'tis time,
That we were mounted, 'tis foure leagues at least
Unto the Generals Campe, and 'twill be late
Ere we arrive there, are you yet resolv'd
Upon the meanes, by which to put in practice
Our long intended purpose, our delay
Will make the Emperour apt to call in question
Our faiths integrity,
Lesle.
So great a businesse,
Is not with easie speed to be perform'd:
An eager haste oft-times o'rethrowes the fortunes
Of such affaires, if we once get him hither,
Within our City walls, be confident,
He's in his grave; but have you given command,
That all your Souldiers be in readinesse,
To waite the Generalls entry.
Butler.
They shall be
In their best furniture of Armes, all drawne
[Page]Into parada, he shall have all pompe,
And ornament of warre, to bid him welcome.
Lesle
These triumphs
Shall be but funerall pomps before his death;
Gordon, you must, as Governour of Egers,
Present the keyes with all humility
To his dispose, 'twill make him be more carelesse,
And trust his very soule into our hands.
Gordon.
Doubt not me,
I shall performe with cunning skill, what e're
Belongs to me; but doe you intend the Generall
Alone shall fall, or his confederates
Shall perish with him,
Lesle.
O by all meanes, Indian princes
Doe carry slaves to wait on them into
The other world, and 'twere inglorious,
That our brave Generall should not have that privilege
Count Tertzki, Kintzki, Newman, Marshall Illawe,
Shall be his harbingers, and i'th' shades below,
Provide fit entertainment for his Ghost.
Butl.
They are of power, their deaths will shrowdly weaken,
The strength of the Conspiracie.
Lesle.
Very true, I'le craftily instill into his eares,
New causes of distrust, so to beget
In him more confidence of my faith, so to
Allure him hither sooner, we must worke
Surely, as does the Mole, who digs
Her habitation in the earth, and scornes!
All the assaults of tempests; when he's in,
We must be prompt in action, sure of hand,
And sound of heart, and strike him with that violence,
From the suppos'd Heavens,
His ambition climbs to, that the thin ayre
Does from its purer Regions
Dull earthly meteors; come let's away,
Nought crosses actions like a dull delay.
Exeunt.
Scena tertia: Wallenstein solus.
Wallens.
To be diseas'd in mind, diseas'd past cure
Of Physicke or sage counsell, is a madnesse,
The active Souldiers, all whose ends are glory,
And that by vertue (cowards terme a sinne)
Ambition, should not be acquainted with.
Although my cares doe hang upon my soule,
Like mines of Lead, the greatnesse of my spirit,
Shall shake the sullen waight off; naturall rest,
(Is like a wholsome bath to limbes opprest
With gouts and aches) to a troubled minde,
A most excelling medicine, and I feele
A strong propension in my braine, to court
Sleepe for its mild Physitian: within there; boy.
Ent a Page.
Sirrah be sure that none disturbe my rest,
On no occasion, on your life I charge you.
Page.
Shall I sing Sir.
Wallens.
Yes, if the notes be heavy, apt to invite
The weary soule to slumbers.
Song.
Page.
Who's there? you must not enter.
Dutch.
Must not sirrah,
Ent. Dutch.
Where is your Lord?
Page.
Your pardon, gracious Madam, he's laid down
To rest, and has upon my life commanded
Me, none should wake him.
Dutch.
Thinkst thou he is
So much addicted to his ease, he will
Neglect his businesse, goe in and tell him,
The Governors of Egers, Colonell Gordon,
And Colonell Lesle are without upon
Affaires of consequence.
Page.
Would your Grace
Would pardon me, your selfe with greater safety
Might do it, Madam.
Dutch.
Foolish boy, goe in, I will be thy security.
Page.
I shall performe,
[Page]Though most unwillingly your command; my Lord,
Please you to rise, your Dutchesse.
Wallens.
Ha, where's my sword,
Thou art a Coward Ghost, and not my sonnes,
To take me in my sleepe unarm'd, my Poniard
Will still be faithfull to me, if thou beest not
Thin ayre, its point will graze on thee.
Stabs the Page.
Dutch.
O my Lord,
What has your fury acted? this your sudden
Murdring this innocent youth, doth adde new horrors
To your strange cruelties.
Wallens.
Ha, my Page! his death
Was but due justice for his breach of duty,
For thus disturbing of my rest.
Dutch.
My Lord,
Your hands are purpled so in innocent blood,
Teares cannot wash the tincture of: my selfe
Am as deepe guilty as you in the slaughter
Of Isabella, she was innocent,
The Jewell I accus'd her of, this morning,
Griefe to my soule, I've found, pray heaven, repentance
May expiate our offences.
Wallens.
I begin
To feele strange horrors here, my Marble soule,
Does strive to sweat it selfe into a teare,
At thought of these sad accidents. Noble Friends,
Ent. Gord. Butl. Lesle, Newm. Tert. Kint.
You'r opportunely welcome, I was opprest
With sudden melancholy, but your lov'd presence
Expells all thought of it, and I'm growne
As full of sprightly mirth, as when my hopes
Aime at a glorious victory.
Gordon.
Mighty Duke,
According to my duty, I am come
Here to present you with the keyes of Egers,
My place of Government, and with them my life,
[Page]To doe you service.
Wallens.
noble Gordon,
you doe so much indeare mee by your love,
I have no possibility to requite
Your overflow of Curtesies, have you not
Receiv'd new intelligence of businesse,
Which does concerne me.
Lesle.
New temptations Sir
Against your precious life, 'tis to be fear'd,
Lest seeing we doe slacke so in performance
Of what we've promis'd, he'l imploy new agents
To attempt your ruine, and should treason,
As 'tis a subtle serpent, stings unseen Sir,
Invade your life: to what a dire misfortune
Were we, whose lives have upon your dependance,
Betray'd, and therefore good my Lord beware,
Lest your owne courage, which contemns all dangers,
Doe undoe you.
Wallens.
Never feare; how farre
Is't hence to Egers.
Gordon.
Some three houres easie march.
Wallens.
Set forward thither;
It were in vaine my enemies swords to feare,
When I doe carry sharper poniards here.
Exeunt.
Explicit Actus quartus.
Actus quintus:
Scena prima.
Emperour, Hungary, Questenberg.
Emp.
Vext with so many cares, so many mischiefs,
That doe like Hidra's dreadfull heads increase,
By cutting off, as billowes follow billowes,
Succeed each other with that eager violence,
Our weary Eagles know not where to perch,
But flag their sickly wings: wer't not irreligious,
I should capitulate with the powers divine,
And tax them of injustice; my whole raigne
Has been a long and one continued trouble;
And if blest peace with her faire beames did e're
Shine on our Empire, 'twas but like a faire
Deceitfull wind, courting the ships out of the harbor,
Into the maine to drowne them: but the mother
Of a more horrid warfare, that I feare as
I found the Wreathe Imperiall drown'd in blood,
So I in blood must leave it.
Quest.
Have good hope Sir,
Tides then approach their full height, when their ebbe
Has been at lowest; the most hideous tempests,
Which seem'd to threat the ruine of the world,
Bing usher'd in by thunder and hot lightning,
Are soonest past, there's nothing violent
Can boast of perpetuity; our fortunes
Are not so desperate, as our feares present them:
We've hands and hearts left yet, that dare oppose
The inhumane Traytor, and our causes justice
[Page]Assures us, if we cannot live victorious,
We shall dye nobly.
Hung.
Man, my royall Father
Is not himselfe, when he beholds
Events through the quicke perspective of feare,
Which shewes him dangers at remotest distance,
As clearest and his most perspicuous obiects.
Suppose this traitor in his Giant-reach
Fathome ev'n heaven it selfe, yet there are bolts
To strike him into earth for his ambition,
And make his memory and name, all, save his treason,
For ever to be forgotten.
Emp.
That which most
Does drive my tortur'd soule into affrights,
Is, that I see we'r false among our selves:
The faithlesse Souldiers daily doe in troupes,
Fly from our Ensignes to the Traytors Campe:
What cause have we then but t'expect sad ruine?
When those who should be our security,
Doe prove our greatest enemies; our Guard,
Our feare and terror, they all looke
On him, as superstitious Indians on the Sunne,
With adoration; on me, with contempt,
Or (but at best) with pitty.
Quest.
Mighty Caesar,
To doubt an ill before it fall upon us,
'Mongst valiant and resolved soules▪ is counted
A point of cowardise: Great Spirits ever
Should be above their fates; good Sir retreat
Into that fortresse of your minde,
Your resolution, call it up to guard,
Your soule from timorous thoughts:
Are you the man have sway'd
The Roman Empire foure and twenty yeeres,
With that successe against your forraigne foes,
Your very name more then your forces vanquish'd,
[Page]To let a Traytor fright you: good my Lord
Let's draw forth new battalias to the Field,
Awake the Drum and Trumpet, summon up
The very last hopes of our weaken'd strength,
'Gainst this insulting traytor; very infants
Will on the sudden grow up able men,
And fight in this brave quarrell.
Hung.
Heaven it selfe
Will arme on our side, and with certaine vengeance,
Pursue the inhumane monster: why? to dye,
(As that's the worst can happen) in this cause,
Were a religious martyrdome: I am your son Sir,
And what your fortunes are, good or disastrous,
Mine has on them dependance; by my hopes, I doe
So little waigh the glorious traytors pride,
I thinke him worthy scarce my meanest thought,
And rest assur'd, ere long, I shall behold
This fearefull meteor, that would be a Star,
And does affright us with his hideous blaze,
Like a vaine Comet drop his fading rayes.
Emp.
Your comforts
Come as in droughts the elementall dew
Does on the earth, it wets, but leaves no moysture,
To give the sear'd plants growth: But yesternight
We'd certaine information, that our forces
Led by Matthias Gallas, were o'rethrowne
By Saxon Waymar, and his son young Fredricke:
Who had they knowne as well how to pursue,
As gaine a victory, and made a sudden
Onslaught upon Vienna, their's; not ours
Had been the Wreathe Imperiall. Now your newes sir.
Int Messenger.
Messen.
Letters from Colonell Lesle fir, from Egers.
Emp.
This is our latest hope; he writes me word,
That the Arch-traytor, and his prime confederates,
Last night arriv'd at Egers,, and assures me
[Page]Of their immediate ruine: Well Colossus,
You'd best stand firme, unshaken as a rocke,
Whose feet the fierce waves striving to trip up,
Doe 'gainst its hard hoofes dash themselves to pieces,
Or thou wilt fall unpittied, fall to be
The scorne of story, the contempt and by-word
To all posterity; let's in my Lords:
This law the Heavens inviolably keepe,
Their justice well may slumber, but ne're sleepe.
Exeunt.
Scena ultima: Wallenstein, Tertzki, Kintzki, Illawe, Newman, Lesle, Butler, Gordon.
Lesle.
The honour you have done us mighty Duke,
By this your gracious presence, gives a period
To our ambition; Egers is growne proud,
Dares with Vienna stand in competition,
Which is the capital City, which does hold
The true and lawfull Caesar.
Gordon.
Ferdinand,
Had he arriv'd here in his greatest glory,
Could not have been more welcome; while I am
Governour of this towne, it and my life
Are at your service.
Wallens.
Noble Gentlemen,
You do so loade me with new courtesies,
I know not first for which to give you thankes,
And did a sullen humour not possesse
My much distemper'd faculties, my mirth
Should speake my gratitude; but on the sudden,
I am so overburdned with sad thoughts,
I cannot suite my minde (so much opprest)
To jollitie.
Lesle.
'Tis our generall griefe,
[...][Page]Ought should disturbe your quiet here, when we
Were all compos'd of triumph, for the joy
We doe conceive for your arrivall. My noble Lord of
Tertzki, these are the welcomes
Full bowles of sprightly Wine that Souldiers use
In entertainment; to our Generals health,
And to his good recovery from his melancholy.
Tert.
Who shall refuse to pledge it with that zeale,
He would drinke healthfull potions, may it be
A deadly poyson to him: Colonell Gordon.
New.
May he dye for droughth like a Westphalia Pig
I'th' dog dayes, or be choakt with eating tosted cheese.
Gordon.
My Lord of Kintzki,
This to our Generals health, and welcome hither.
New.
I'm like to faint for thirst,
Would 'twould arrive at me once, my mouth
Even waters at it.
Kintz.
Noble Butler.
Butler.
Marshall Illawe.
Newm.
I shall be last, I see,
But if the stoopes hold out, 'tis ten to one
I'le have my share.
Illawe.
Here Colonell Newman.
New.
And 'twere the Tun of Heidleberg, I'd drink it
Off with as much ease, as a leaguer can
In a grim sutlers house of thatch: My Lord,
Under your gracious pardon, take me off
This lusty rowse to your owne health, and after
Begin as much to each of ours, and if
It doe not make you as merry as a Corporall
Upon pay day, say I'm no Esculapius,
But a meere Mountebanke in the effects
Of sprightly Wine.
Wallens.
Kind Gentlemen, my thankes
To all of you, and would my disposition
Afford me licence, I should not forget
[Page]The souldiers ceremonie, to begin
Each of your happy wishes howsoever
I will trench so farre on my melancholy,
To drink this cup. To all your healths.
Omnes.
Your Grace hath shewen us
A too excessive curtesie.
Wall.
Ile onely
Repose a little, and if I find
My sad distemper alter, Ile returne,
And frolicke in your company.
Newm.
I smell him:
Hee has a plot upon us, hee'le steale hence,
And shift a score or two of cups, and then
Set fresh upon us, make us all as drunke,
As rats in the Canaries.
Lesle.
Wee'l attend your Grace.
Wallens.
By no meanes,
Let not my melancholy discompose
Your thought of frolicke mirth:
There's Colonel Newman,
Will in my absence take a cup or two
For mee: meane time bee merry, 'tis my charge:
Remember to observe it.
Ex. Wallens.
Lesle.
I'me sorry,
Hee should bee thus distemper'd here. My Lord
Let not our Generals sadnesse rob us of
Our late intended iollity: Colonell Newman
You'd wont to bee all ayre: I hope, you are not
Turn'd earth o'th' suddaine.
Newm.
No faith, thank heaven, I feel no inclination
that savours of mortality: gentlemen
Shal's have a catch.
Omnes.
With all our hearts, good Colonell.
New.
A military Madrigall, I learn'd it
Of a right Impe of Mars, a red-fac'd Serjeant,
At Halberstat.
[Page]To me be terrible, since 'tis maine folly,
To feare that which we no way can avoid:
Nor is't much matter how we dye, by force,
Or naturally checker'd with grisly wounds,
Or in our beds, since all's but the same death still:
Oh! but to dye surcharg'd with mortall sinnes,
Such as can kill our everlasting beings,
Our soules, and send them hence to bathe in floods
Of living fire; there, that's the frightfull mischiefe,
The other's but a trifle; I, who never
Could feare the other, at the thought of this,
Am one with death already; my vast crimes,
My horrid murders kill that conscience in me,
Which makes me know my guilt, that conscience,
Which as my shaddow followes me.
Int. Lesle, Gordon, Butler.
Gordon:
Come softly,
And if my stroake misse, second me.
Stabs Wallenstein in the backe.
Wallens.
Ha! 'twas no ghost, that was a
Mortall touch,
It came so home and heavily: base Traytor,
Who e're thou art, thou durst not see my face,
My lookes would even have blasted thee:
Ha! Lesle, Gordon, Butler.
Lesle.
Yes Traytor-Duke, 'twas we, who out thy soul
From thy weake twist of life, we who glory
More in performing this brave act of justice,
Then had we gain'd the Empire thy ambition
Aspir'd to, thy base trecheries to Caesar,
Are by us reveng'd.
Gordon.
The Counts,
Thy bold confederate Rebels, by our hands
Sent to their ruine.
Wallens.
Thus coward Hare,
Prey on a dying Lyon, for thee Lesle,
[Page]Basely perfidious to me in thy faith,
Receive my last breath in a curse: you have
But plaid the Hang-men to performe heavens justice.
Forgive me Heaven my past offence: I dye,
Not for my ambition, but my cruelty.
Dyes.
Lesle.
Let us convey the body in, ard post
With all speed to Vienna, and give notice
Toth' Emperor of our proceedings; thus every Traytor shall,
Stead of a Crowne, meet his owne Funerall.
FINIS.