The coronation a comedy. As it vvas presented by her Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury Lane. Written by John Fletcher. Gent.

The coronation a comedy. As it vvas presented by her Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury Lane. Written by John Fletcher. Gent.

Table of contents

Title page

The Actors Names.

The Prologue.

THE CORONATION.

Actus. 1.

Actus Secundus.

Actus Tertius.

Actus Quartus.

Actus Quintus.

The Epilogue.

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

THE CORONATION A COMEDY.

As it was presented by her Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury Lane.

Written by John Fletcher. Gent.

[figure]

LONDON, Printed by Tho. Cotes, for Andrew Crooke, and William Cooke. and are to be sold at the signe of the Greene Dragon, in Pauls Church-yard. 1640.

The Actors Names.

[Page]

PHil [...]cles.

Lisander.

Cassander.

Lisimachus.

Antigon [...]s.

Arcadius.

Macarius.

Seleucus.

Queene.

Charilla.

Polidora.

Nestorius

Eubulus.

A Bishop.

Polianus.

Sophia.

Demetrius.

Gentlemen and Gentlewomen.

Servants and Att [...]ndants.

The Prologue.

[Page]

SInce tis become the Title of our Play,

A woman once in a Coronation may

With pardon, speake the Prologue, give as free

A welcome to the Theater, as he

That with a little beard, a long blacke clok [...],

With a starch'd face, and supple legge hath spoke

Before the Playes the twelvemonth, let me the [...] ▪

Present a welcome to these Gentlemen,

If you be kind, and noble, you will not

Thinke the worse of [...]e for my petticote.

But to the Play, the Poet bad me tell

His feares first in the title, lest it swell

Some thoughts with expectation of a straine,

That but once could be seene in a Kings raigne,

This Coronation, [...]e hopes you may

See often, while the [...] of his Play,

Doth proph [...]sit the Conduites may runne wine,

When the dayes triumph's ended, and divine

Briske Nectar swell his temples to a rage,

With something of more price to invest the stage▪

There rests but to prepare you, that although

It b [...] a Coronation, there doth flow

No undermirth, such as doth lar' [...] the scene

For course delight, the language here is cleare.

And confident our Poet bad me say,

Heele bate you but the folly of a Play.

For which although dull soules his pen dispise,

Who thinkes it yet too earely to be wise.

The nobler will thanke his muse, at least

Excuse him, cause his thought aym'd at the best,

[Page]But we conclude not, it dost rest in you.

To c [...]nsure Poet, Play, and Prologue too.

But what have I omitted? is there not

A blush upon my cheekes that I forg [...]t

The Ladies, and a Female Prologue too?

Your pardon noble Gentlewomen, you

Were first within my thoughts, I know you sit

As free, and high Commissioners of wit,

Have cleare, and active soules, nay though the men

Were lost in your eyes, they'l be found agen,

You are the bright intelligences move,

And make a harmony this sphere of Love,

Be you propitious then, our Poet sayes,

Our wreath from you, is worth their grove of Bayes:

THE CORONATION.

[Page]

Actus. 1.

Enter Philocles and Lisander.

Phi.

MAke way for my Lord Protector.

Lisa.

Your graces servants.

Enter Cassander and Lisimachus.

Cas.

I like your diligent waiting, where's Lisimachus?

Lisi.

I waite upon you sir.

Cas.

The Queene lookes pleasant

This morning, does she not?

Lis.

I ever found

Her gracious smiles on me.

Cas.

She does consult

Her safety in't, for I must tell thee boy,

But in the assurance of her love to thee,

I should advance thy hopes another way,

And use the power I have in Epire, to

Settle our owne, and uncontrouled greatnesse;

But since she carries her selfe so fairely,

I am content to expect, and by her marriage

Secure thy fortune, that's all my ambition

[Page]Now, be still carefull in thy applications

To her, I must attend other affaires,

Returne, and use what art thou canst to lay

More charmes of love upon her.

Lisi.

I presume

Shee alwayes speakes the language of her heart,

And I can be ambitious for no more

Happinesse on earth then she encourages

Me to expect.

Cas.

It was an act becomming

The wisedome of her Father to engage

A tye betweene our families, and she

Hath playd her best discretion to allow it;

But we lose time in conference, waite on her,

And be what thou wert borne for, King of Epire,

Exit.

I must away.

Lisi.

Successe ever attend you.

Is not the Queene yet comming forth?

Lisa.

Your servant,

You may command our duties,

This is the Court starre Philocles.

Phi.

The starre that we must saile by.

Lisa.

All must borrow

A light from him, the young Queene directs all

Her favours that way.

Phi.

Hees a noble Gentleman

And worthy of his expectations:

Too good to be the son of such a Father.

Lisa.

Peace, remember he is Lord Protector.

Phil.

We have more need of Heavens protection

I'th meane time, I wonder the old King

Did in his life designe him for the office.

Lisa.

He might suspect his faith, I have heard when

The King who was no Epirote advanc'd

His claime, Cassander, our Protector now,

Young then, oppos'd him toughly with his faction,

But forc'd to yeeld had faire conditions,

And was declar'd by the whole state next heire

[Page]If the King wanted issue; our hopes only

Thriv'd in this daughter.

Phi.

Whom but for her smiles

And hope of marriage with Lasimachus,

His Father by some cunning had remov'd

Ere this.

Lisa.

Take heed, the Arras may have eares

I should not weepe much if his grace would hence

Remove to Heaven.

Phi.

I prethee what should he do there?

Lisa.

Some Offices will fall.

Phi.

And the sky too, ere I get one staire higher

While hee [...] in place.

Enter Antigonus.

Ant.

Lisander, Philocles,

How lookes the day upon us? where's the Queene?

Phi.

In her bed-chamber.

Ant.

Who was with her?

Lisa.

None but the yong Lord Lisimachus.

Ant.

Tis no treason

If a man wish himselfe a Courtier

Of such a possibility: he has

The mounting fate.

Phi.

I would his Father were

Mounted toth' gallowes.

Ant.

He has a path faire enough,

If he survive by title of his Father.

Lisa.

The Queene will hasten his ascent.

Phi.

Would I wore Queene.

Ant.

Thou wod'st become rarely the peticote,

What wod'st thou doe?

Phi.

Why, I wod marry

My Gentleman usher, and trust all the strength

And burden of my state upon his legges,

Rather then be call'd wife by any sonne

Of such a Father.

Lisa.

Come lets leave this subject,

We may finde more secure discourse; when saw

[Page]You young Arcadius, Lord Macarius Nephew?

Ant.

Theres a sparke, a youth moulded for a favorite,

The Queene might doe him honour.

Phi.

Favorite, tis too cheape a name, there were a match

Now for her Virgin blood.

Lisa.

Must every man

That has a hansom [...] face or legge feed such

Ambition: I confesse I honour him,

He has a nimble soule, and gives great hope

To be no woman-hater, dances hansomely,

Can court a Lady powerfully, but more goes

Toth' making of a Prince? hees here

Ands Vncle.

Enter Arcadius, Macarius, Seleucus.

Sel.

Save you Gentlemen, who can direct me

To finde my Lord Protector?

Lisa.

He was here

Within this halfe houre, young Li [...]machus

His sonne is with the Queene.

Sel.

There let him complement,

I have other businesse, ha? Arcadius!

Exit.

Phi.

Observ'd you with what eyes Arcadius

And he saluted, their two families

Will hardly reconcile.

Ant.

Seleucus carries

Himselfe too roughly, with what pride and scorne

He past by em.

Lisa.

The tother with lesse shew

Of anger carries pride enough in's soule,

I wish em all at peace, Macarius lookes

Are without civill warre, a good old man,

The old King lov'd him well, Seleucus Father

Was as deare to him, and maintain'd the character

Of an honest Lord through Epire: that two men

So lov'd of others, should be so unwell-come

To one another.

Arc.

The Queene was not wont to send for me.

Mac.

The reason's to her selfe,

It will become your duty to attend her.

[Page]Arc.

Save you Gentlemen, what novelty

Does the Court breath to day?

Lisa.

None sir, the newes

That tooke the last impression is, that you

Purpose to leave the Kingdome, and those men,

That honour you, take no delight to heare it.

Arc.

I have ambition to see the difference

Of Courts, and this may spare; the delights

At home doe surfet, and the mistresse whom

We all doe serve is fixt upon one object,

Her beames are too much pointed, but no Country

Shall make me lose your memories.

Enter Queene, Lisimachus, Macarius, Charilla.

Que.

Arcadius.

Mac.

Your Lordship honord me,

I have no blessing in his absence.

Lisi.

Tis done like a pious Vncle.

Que.

We must not

Give any licence.

Arc.

If your Majesty

Would please.

Que.

We are not pleasd, it had become your duty,

To have first acquainted us, ere you declar'd

Your resolution publicke, is our Court

Not worth your stay?

Arc.

I humbly begge your pardon.

Que.

Where's Lisimachus?

Lisi.

Your humble servant Madam.

Que.

We shall finde

Employment at home for you, doe not lose us.

Arc.

Madam I then write my selfe blest on earth

When I may doe you service.

Que.

We would be private Macarius.

Mac.

Madam you have blest me,

Nothing but your command could interpose to

Stay him.

Que.

Lisimachus

You must not leave us.

Lisa.

Nothing but Lisimachus? has she not

[Page]Taine a philter?

Exit.

Que.

Nay pray be cover'd, Ceremony from you.

Must be excus'd,

Lisi.

It will become my duty.

Que.

Not your love?

I know you would not have me looke upon

Your person as a Courtier, not as favorite,

That title were too narrow to expresse

How we esteeme you.

Lisi.

The least of all

These names from you Madam, is grace ēnough.

Que.

Yet here you wod not rest.

Lisi.

Not if you please?

To say there is a happinesse beyond,

And teach my ambition how to make it mine,

Although the honours you already have

Let fall upon your servant, exceed all

My merit; I have a heart is studious

To reach it with desert, and make if possible

Your favours mine by justice, with your pardon.

Que.

We are confident this needs no pardon sir,

But a reward to cherish your opinion,

And that you may keepe warme your passion,

Know we resolve for marriage, and if

I had another gift, beside my selfe,

Greater, in that you should discerne, how much

My heart is fixt.

Lisi.

Let me digest my blessing.

Que.

But I cannot resolve when this shall be,

Lisi.

How Madam? doe not make me dreame of Heaven

And wake me into misery, if your purpose

Be, to immortalize your humble servant,

Your power on earth's divine, Princes are here

The Coppies of eternity, and create

When they but will our happinesse.

Que.

I shall

Beleeve you mocke me in this argument,

I have no power.

[Page]Lisi.

How no power.

Que.

Not as a Queene.

Lisi.

I understand you not.

Que.

I must obey, your Fathers my Protector.

Lisi.

How?

Que.

When I am absolute, Lisimachus,

Our power and titles meete, before, we are but

A shadow, and to give you that were nothing,

Lisi.

Excellent Queene,

My love tooke no originall from state,

Or the desire of other greatnesse,

Above what my birth may challenge modestly,

I love your vertues; mercenary soules

Are taken with advancement, yo've an Empire

Within you, better then the worlds, to that

Lookes my ambition.

Que.

Tother is not sit

To be despisd, Cosmography allowe [...]

Epire a place ith' mappe, and know till I

Possesse what I was borne to, and alone

Doe graspe the Kingdomes Scepter, I account

My selfe divided, he that marries me

Shall take an absolute Queene to his warme bosome,

My temples yet are naked, untill then

Our loves can be but complements, and wishes,

Yet very hearty ones.

Lisi.

I apprehend.

Que.

Your Father.

Enter Cassander, Sele [...]cus.

Cas.

Madam, a Gentleman has an humble sute,

Que.

Tis in your power to grant, you are Protector,

I am not yet a Queene.

Cas.

Hows this?

Lisi

I shall expound her meaning.

Queene.

Why kneele you sir?

Sel.

Madam to reconcile two families

That may unite, both counsells and their blood

To serve your Crowne.

[Page]Que.

Macarius, and Eubulus

That by are inveterate malice to each other.

It grew, as I have heard▪ upon the question

Which some of either family had made,

Which of their Fathers was the best commander:

If we beleeve our stories, they have both

Deserved well of our state, and yet this quarrell

Has cost too many lives, a severe faction.

Sel.

But Ile propound a way to plant a quiet

And peace in both our houses, which are torne

With their dissentions, and lose th [...] glory

Of their great names, my blood speakes my relation

To Eubulus, and I wish my veines were emptyed

To appease their warre.

Que.

Thou hast a noble soule,

This is a charity above thy youth,

And it flowes bravely from thee, name the way.

Sel.

In such a desperate cause, a little streame

Of blood might purge the foulenesse of their hearts

If youle prevent a deluge.

Que.

Be particular.

Sel.

Let but your Majesty consent, that two

May with their personall valour undertake

The honour of their family, and determine

Their diff [...]rence.

Que.

This rather will inlarge

Their hate, and be a meanes to call more blood

Into the streame.

Sel.

Not if both families

Agree, and sweare—

Que.

And who shall be the Champions.

Sel.

I beg the honour, for Eubulus cause

To be ingag'd, if any for Macarius,

Worthy to wager heart with mine, accept it,

I am confident, Arcadius

For honour would direct [...] to his sword,

Will not deny, to stake against my life

His owne, if you vouchsafe us priviledge.

[Page]Que.

You are thē expectation and toppē boughs

Of both your houses, it would seeme injustice,

To allow a civill warre to cut you off,

And your selves the instruments, besides

You appeare a souldier, Arcadius

Hath no acquaintance yet with rugged warre,

More fit to drill a Lady then expose

His body to such dangers: a small wound

Ith' head may spoyle the method of his haire▪

Whose curiosity exacts more time

Than his devotion, and who knowes but he

May lose his riban by it in his locke,

Deare as his Saint, with whom he would exchange

His head, for her gay colours; then his band

May be disorderd, and transform'd from Lace

To Cutworke, his rich cloathes be discomplexioned

With blood, beside the infashionable slashes,

And at the next festivall take physicke,

Or put on bla [...]ke, and mourne for his slaine breeches:

His hands cas'd up in gloves all night, and sweate

Pomatum, the next day may be endanger'd

To blisters with a sword, how can he stand

Vpon his guard, who hath fid [...]ers in his head,

To which, his feet must ever be a dancing.

Beside a fal [...]fy may spoyle his cringe,

Or making of a legge, in which cons [...]sts

Much of his Court perfection.

Sel.

Is this Character

Bestow'd on him?

Que.

It something may concerne the Gentleman,

Whom if you please to challenge

To dance, play on the Lute, or sing.

Sel.

Some catch?

Que.

He shall not want those will maintaine him

For any summe.

Sel.

You are my Soveraigne,

I dare not thinke, yet I must speake somewhat,

I shall burst else, I have no skill in jigges,

[Page]Nor [...].

Que.

How sir?

Sel.

Nor was I borne a Minstrell, and in this you have

So infinitely disgraced Arcadius,

But that I have heard another Character,

And with your royall licence doe beleeve it,

I should not thinke him worth my killing.

Que.

Your killing?

Sel.

Does she not jeerē mee;

I shall talke treason presently, I finde it

At my tongues end already, this is an

Affront, Ile leave her.

Que.

Come backe, doe you know Arcadius?

Sel.

I ha changd but little breath with him, our persons

Admit no familiarity, we were

Borne to live both at distance, yet I ha seēne him

Fight, and fight bravely.

Que.

When the spirit of Wine

Made his braine valliant he fought bravely.

Sel.

Although he be my enemy, should any

Of the gay flyes that buzze about the Court,

Sit to catch trouts ith▪ summer, tell me so,

I durst in any presence but your owne.

Que.

What?

Sel.

Tell him he were not honest.

Que.

I see Seleucus thou art [...]esolute,

And I but wrong'd Arcadius, your first

Request is granted, you shall fight, and he

That conquers be rewarded to confirme

First place and honour to his family:

Is it not this you plead for?

Sel.

You are gracious.

Que.

Lisimachus.

Lisi.

Madam.

Cas.

She has granted then?

Sel.

With much ado [...].

Cas.

I wish thy sword may open

His wanton veines, Macarius is too popular,

And has taught him to in [...]uate.

Que.

It shall

But haste the confirmation of our loves,

[Page]And ripen the delights of marriage, Seleucus.

Exit cu [...]. Sel.

Lisi.

As I guest,

It cannot be too soone.

Cas.

To morrow then we crowne her, and invest

My sonne with Majesty, tis to my wishes,

Beget a race of Princes my Lisimachus.

Lisi.

First let us marry sir.

Cas.

Thy brow was made

To weare a golden circle, [...]'me transported,

Thou shalt rule her, and I will governe thee.

Lisi.

Although you be my Father, that will not

Concerne my obedience, as I take it.

Enter Philocles, Lisander, and Antigonus.

Gentlemen,

Prepare your selves for a solemnity

Will turne the Kingdome into triumph, Epire

Looke fresh to morrow, [...] become your duties

In all your glory to attend the Queene

At her Coronation, she is pleased to make

The next day happy in our Callender,

My Office doth expire, and my old blood

Renewes with thought on't.

Phi.

Hows this?

Ant.

Crown'd to morrow.

Lisa.

And he so jo [...]full to resigne his regency,

There's some tricke in't, I doe not like these hasty

Proceedings, and whirles of state, they have commonly

As strange and violent effect [...]; well, heaven▪ save the Queen.

Phi.

Heaven save the Queene say I, and send her a sprightly

Bed-fellow for the Protector, let him pray for

Himselfe, he is like to have no benefit of my devotion.

Cas,

But this doth quicken my old heart Lisimachus,

There is not any step into her throne,

But is the same degree of thy owne state;

Come Gentlemen.

Lisa.

We attend your grace.

Cas.

Lisimachus.

Lisi.

What heretofore could happen to mankinde

Was with much paine to clime to heaven, but in

Sophias marryage of all Queenes the best,

Heaven will come downe to earth▪ to make me blest.

Ex [...].

[Page]

Actus Secundus.

Enter Arcadius, and Polidora.

Pol.

Indeed you shall not goe.

Arc.

Whether?

Pol.

To travell,

I know you see me, but to take your leave,

But I must never yeeld to such an absence.

Arc.

I prethee leave thy feares, I am commanded

Toth' contrary, I wonot leave thee now.

Pol.

Commanded? by whom?

Arc.

The Queene.

Pol.

I am very glad, for trust me, I could thinke

Of thy departure with no comfort, thou

Art all the joy I have, halfe of my soule;

But I must thanke the Queene now for thy company,

I prethee what could make thee so desirous

To be abroad?

Arc.

Onely to get an appetite

To thee Polidora.

Pol.

Then you must provoke it.

Arc.

Nay, prethee doe not so mistake thy servant.

Pol.

Perhaps you surfeit with my love.

Arc.

Thy love?

Pol.

Although I have no beauty to comparē

With the best faces, I have a heart above

All competition.

Arc.

Thou art jealous now;

Come, let me take the kisse I gave thee last,

I am so confident of thee, no lippe

Has ravisht it from thine; I prethee come

To Court.

Pol.

For what?

Arc.

There is the throne for beauty.

Pol.

Tis safer dwelling here.

Arc,

Theres none will hurt,

Or dare but thinke an ill to Polidora,

The greatest will be proud to honour thēē.

Thy luster wants the admiration here:

[Page]There thou wot shine indeed, and strike a reverence

Into the gazer.

Pol.

You can flatter too.

Arc.

No praise of thee can be thought so, thy vērtue

Will deserve all, I must confesse, we Courtiers

Doe oftentimes commend to shew our art,

There is necessity sometimes to say,

This Madam breaths Arabian Gummes,

Amber and Cassia; though while we are praysing,

We wish we had no nostriles to take in

The offensive steame of her corrupted lungs.

Nay, some will sweare they love their Mistresse,

Would hazard lives and fortunes, to preserve

One of her haires brighter then Berinices;

Or young Apollos, and yet after this,

A favour from another toy would tempt him

To laugh, while the Officious hangman whips

Her head off.

Pol.

Fine men.

Arc.

I am none of these,

Nay, there are women Polidora too

That can doe pretty well at flatteries;

Make men beleeve they dote, will languish for em,

Can kisse a Iewell out of one, and dally

A carcanet of Diamonds from another,

Weepe intoth' bosome of a third, and makē

Him drop as many pearles; they count it nothing

To talke a reasonable heire within ten dayes

Out of his whole estate, and make him mad

He has no more wealth to consume.

Pol.

Youle teach me

To thinke I may be flattered in your promises,

Since you live where this art is most profest.

Arc.

I dare not be so wicked Polidora,

The Infant errors of the Court I may

Be guilty off, but never to abuse

So rare a goodnesse, nor indeed did ever

Converse with any of those shames of Court,

To practise for base ends; be confident

[Page]My hēart is full of thine, and I so deepely

Carry the figure of my Polidora,

It is not in the power of time or distance▪

To cancell it, by all thats blest I love thee:

Love thee above all women, dare invoke

A curse when I forsake thee.

Pol.

Let it be some

Gentle one.

Arc.

Teach me an oath I prethee,

One strong enough to binde, if thou dost finde

Any suspition of my faith, or else

Direct me in some horrid imprecation

When I forsake thee, for the love of other

Woman, may heaven reward my apostacy

To blast my greatest happinesse on earth,

And make all joyes abortive.

Pol.

Revoke these hasty syllables, they carry

To great a penalty for breach of Love

To me, I am not worth thy suffering,

You doe not know what beauty may invite

Your change, what happinesse may tempt your eye

And heart together.

Arc.

Should all the graces of your sex conspire

In one, and she should court me, with a dower

Able to buy a Kingdome when I give

My heart from Polidora.

Pol.

I suspect not,

And to requite thy constancy I sweare.

Arc.

Twere sinne to let thee waste thy breath

I have assurance of thy noble thoughts.

Enter a servant.

Ser.

My Lord, your Vncle hath beene every where

Ith Court inquiring for you, his lookes speake

Some earnest cause.

Arc.

I am more acquainted with

Thy vertue then to imagine thou wilt not

Excuse me now, one kisse dismisses him

Whose heart shall waite on Polidora, prethee

Let me not wish for thy returne too often,

[Page]My Father.

Enter Nestorius, and a servant.

Nes.

I met Arcadius in strange haste, he told me

He had beene with thee.

Pol.

Some affaire too soone

Ravish'd him hence, his Vncle sent for him

You came now from Court: how lookes the Queenē

This golden morning?

Nes.

Like a bride, her soule

Is all on mirth, her eyes have quickning fires,

Able to strike a spring into the earth

In Winter.

Pol.

Then Lisimachus can havē

No frost in's blood, that lives so neere her beames.

Nes.

His politicke Father, the Protector smiles too,

Resolve to see the Cerimony of the Queene

Twill be a day of state,

Pol.

I am not well.

Nes.

How▪ not well? retire then, I must returne

My attendance is expected, Polidora,

Be carefull of thy health.

Pol.

It will concerne mē.

Exit.

Enter Arcadius, and Macarius.

Arc.

You amaze me sir.

Mac.

Deare Nephew, if thou respect thy safety,

My honour, or my age, remove thy selfe,

Thy lifes in danger.

Arc.

Mine? who's my enemy?

Mac.

Take horse, and instantly forsake the City,

Or else within some unsuspected dwelling,

Obscure thy selfe, stay not to know the reason.

Arc.

Sir, I beseech your pardon, which ith▪ number

Of my offences unto any, should

Provoke this dishonorable flight?

Mac.

I would when I petition'd for thy stay,

I had pleaded for thy banishment, thou knowst not

What threatens thee:

Arc.

I would desire to know it,

I am in no conspiracy of treason,

Have ravisht no mans Mistresse, not so much

As given the lye to any, what should meane

Your strange and violent feares, I will not stirre

Vntill you make me sensible I have lost

My innocence.

[Page]Mac.

I must not live to see

Thy body full of wounds, it were lesse sinnē

To rippe thy Fathers marble, and fetch from

The reverend vault his ashes, and disperse them

By some rude windes where none should ever find

The sacred dust, it was his legacy,

The breath he mingled with his prayers to Heaven

I should preserve Arcadius, whose fate

He prophesied in death, would need protection,

Thou wot disturbe his ghost, and call it to

Aff [...]ight my dreames, if thou refuse to obey me.

Arc.

You more inflame me to inquire the cause

Of your d [...]straction, and youle arme me better

Then any coward flight by acquainting me

Whose malice aimes to kill me, good sir tell me,

Mac.

Then prayers and teares assist me.

Arc.

Sir▪

Mac.

Arcadius,

Thou art a rash young man, witnesse the spirit

Of him that trusted me so much, I bleed,

Till I prevent this mischiefe.

Exit.

Enter Philocles, Lisander.

Arc.

Ha, keepe off.

Phi.

What meane you sir?

Lisa.

We are your friends.

Arc.

I know your faces, but

Am not secure, I would not be betray'd.

Lisa.

You wrong our hearts, who truely honour you.

Arc.

They say I must be kild.

Phi.

By whom?

Arc.

I know not, nor wod I part with life so tamely.

Phi.

We dare ingage ours in your quarrell, hide

Your sword, it may beget suspition,

It's enough to question you.

Arc.

I am confident,

Pray pardon me, come I despise all danger:

Yet a deare friend of mine, my Vncle told me

He would not see my body full of wounds.

Lisa.

Your Vncle [...]his is strange.

Arc.

Yes, my honest Vncle,

[Page]If my unlucky starres have pointed me

So dire a fate.

Phi.

There is some strange mistake in' [...].

Enter Antigonus.

Ant

Arcadius, the Queene would speake with you,

You must make haste.

Arc.

Though to my death, I fly

Vpon her summons, I give up my breath

Then willingly, if she command it from me.

Phi.

This does a little trouble me.

Lisa.

I know not

What to imagine, something is the ground

Of this perplexity, but I hope there is not

Any such danger as he apprehends.

Enter Queene, Lisimachus, Macarius, Eubulus, Seleucus, Arcadius, Ladies and attendants, Gent.

Que.

We have already granted to Seleucus

And they shall try their valour if Arcadius

Have spirit in him to accept the challenge,

Our royall word is past.

Phi.

This is strange.

Eub.

Madam my sonnē knew not what he asked,

And you were cruell to consent so soone.

Mac.

Wherein have I offended, to be rob'd

At once of all the wealth I have, Arcadius

Is part of me.

Eub.

Seleucus life and mine

Are twisted on one thre [...]d, both stand or fall

Together, hath the service for my Country

Deserved but this reward, to be sent weeping

To my eternall home? Wast not enough

When I was young, to lose my blood in warres,

But the poore remnant that is scarcely warme

And faintly creeping through my withered veines

Must be let out to make you sport.

Mac.

How can

We that shall this morne seē the sacred oyle

Fall on your virgin tresses▪ hope for any

[Page]Protection hereafter, when this day

You sacrifice the blood of them that pray for you.

Arcadius I prethee speake thy selfe,

It is for thee I plead.

Eub.

Seleucus, kneele

And say thou haste repented thy rash suite;

If ere I see thee fight, I be thus wounded,

How will the least drop forc'd from thy veines,

Afflict my heart.

Mac.

Why, that's good;

Arcadius speake to her; heare him Madam.

Arc.

If you call backe this honour you have done me

I shall repent I live, doe not perswade me

Seleucus thou art a noble enemy,

And I will love thy soule though I dispaire

Our bodies friendly conversation:

I would we were to tugge upon some cliffe,

Or like two prodigies ith ayre, our conflict

Might generally be gaz'd at, and our blood

Appease our grandsires ashes.

Mac.

I am undone.

Sel.

Madam, my father sayes I have offended,

If so, I begge your pardon, but beseech you

For your owne glory call not backe your word.

Eub.

They are both mad.

Que.

No more, we have resolv'd,

And since their courage is so nobly flamed,

This morning weele behold the Champions

Within the list, be not affraid, their strife

Will stretch so farre as death, so soone as we

Are Crown'd prepare your selves, Sel [...]ucus.

kisses her hand.

Sel.

I have receiv'd another life in this high favour,

And may lose what nature gave me.

Que.

Arcadius to encourage thy young vallour,

We give thee our Fathers sword.

Command it from our Armory; Lisimachus,

To our Coronation.

Exeunt.

Sel.

Ile forfeit

[Page]My hēad for a rebellion then suffer it.

Exit.

Arc.

I am circled with confusions Ile doē somewhat

My braines and friends assist me.

Exit.

Phi.

But doe you thinke they le fight indeed?

Lisa.

Perhaps

Her Majesty will see about or two.

And yet tis wondrous strange, such spectacles

Are rare ith' Court, and they were to skirmish naked

Before her, then there might be some excuse.

There is some gimcrackes in't, the Queene is wise

Above her yeares.

Phi.

Macarius is perplext.

Enter Eubulus.

Lisa.

I cannot blame him, but my Lord [...]

Returne [...], they are both troubled, las good men,

But our duties are expected, we forget.

Exit Phil. Lis.

Eub.

I must resolve, and yet things are not ripe,

My braines upon the torture.

Mac.

This may quit

The hazard of his person, whose least drop

Of blood is worth more then our families.

My Lord Eubulus, I have thought a way

To stay the young mens desperate proceedings,

It is our cause they fight, let us beseech

The Queene, to grant us two the priviledge

Of duell▪ rather then expose their lives

To eithers fury; it were pitty they

Should runne upon so blacke a destiny,

We are both old, and may be spar'd, a paire

Of fruitlesse trees, mossie and withered trunckes,

That fill up too much roome.

Eub.

Most willingly,

And I will praise her charity to allow it;

I have not yet forgot to use a sword,

Lets lose no time, by this act, she will licence

Our soules to leave our bodies but a day,

Perhaps an houre the sooner; they may live

To doe her better service, and be friends

When we are dead, and yet I have no hope

[Page]This will be granted, curse upon our faction.

Mac.

If she deny us—

Eub.

What?

Mac.

I wod doe somewhat—

Eub.

There's something oth' suddaine strucke upon

My imagination, that may secure us.

Mac.

Name it, if no dishonour waite upon't

To preserve them, Ile accept any danger.

Eub.

There is no other way, and yet my heart

Would be excus▪d but tis to save his life.

Mac.

Speake it Eubulus.

Eub.

In your eare I shall,

It shanot make a noyse if you refuse it.

Mac.

Hum? though it stirre my blood, Ile meet Arcadius,

If this preserve thee not, I must unseale

Another mystery.

Exit.

Enter Queene, Lisimachus, Cassander, Charilla, Lisander, Philocles, Antigonus.

Que.

We owe to all your loves and will deserve

At least by our indeavours that none may

This day repent their prayers, my Lord Protector.

Cas.

Madam I have no

Such title now, and am blest to lose

That name so happily, I was but trusted

With a glorious burden.

Que.

You have prov'd

Your selfe our faithfull counsellor, and must still

Protect our growing state, a Kingdomes Scepter

Weighs downe a womans arme, this crowne sits heavy

Vpon my brow already, and we know

There's something more then mettle in this wreath,

Of shining glory, but your faith, and counsell,

That are familiar with mysteries,

And depths of state▪ have power to make us fit

For such a bearing, in which both you shall

Doe loyall service, and reward your duties.

Cas.

Heaven preserve your Highnesse.

Que.

But yet my Lords and Gentlemen let nonē

[Page]Mistake me, that because I urge your wisdomes,

I shall grow carelesse, and impose on you

The managing of this great Province, no,

We will be active too, and as we are

In dignity above your persons, so,

The greatest portion of the difficulties

We call to us, you in your severall places

Releeving us with your experience,

Observing in your best directions

All modesty, and distance, for although

We are but young, no action shall forfeit

Our royall priviledge, or encourage any

Too unreverent boldnesse, as it will become

Our honour to consult, ēre we determine

Of the most necessary things of state,

So we are sensible of a checke,

But in a brow, that saucily controules

Our action, presuming on our yeares

As few, or frailty of our sex, that head

Is not secure that dares our power or justice.

Phi.

She has a brave spirit, looke how the Protector

Growes pale already.

Que.

But I speake to you

Are perfect in obedience, and may sparē

This theame, yet 'twas no immateriall

Part of our character, since I desire

All should take notice, I have studied

The knowledge of my selfe, by which I shall

Better distinguish of your worth and persons

In your relations to us.

Lisa.

This language

Is but a threatning to some body

Que.

But we misse some, that use not to absent

Their duties from us, where's Macarius?

Cas.

Retir'd to grieve, your Majesty hath given▪

Consent Arcadius should enter List

To day with young Seleucus.

Que.

We purpose

Enter Gentleman▪

[Page]They shall proceed, whats he?

Phil,

A Gentleman belonging to Seleucus, that givēs notice

He is prepar'd, and waites your royall pleasure,

Que.

He was composd for action, give notice

To Arcadius, and admit the challenger,

Let other Princes boast their gaudy tilting,

And mockery of battles, but our triumph

Is celebrated with true noble vallour.

Enter Selucus, Arcadius at severall doores, their pages before them bearing their Targets.

Two young men spirited enough to have

Two Kingdomes staked upon their swords, Lisimachus

Doe not they excellently become their armes,

Twere pitty but they should doe something more

Then wave their plumes.

a shout within.

What noyse is that?

Enter Macarius and Eubulus.

Mac.

The peoples joy to know us reconcild,

Is added to the Iubile of the day,

We have no more a faction but one heart,

Peace flow in every bosome.

Eub.

Throw away

These instruments of death, and like two friends

Imbrace by our example.

Que.

This unfain'd?

Mac.

By our duties to your selfe deare Madam

Command them not advance, our houses from

This minute are incorporated, happy day

Our eyes at which before revenge looke forth,

May cleare suspition, oh my Arcadius!

Eub.

We have found a neerer way to friendship Madam,

Then by exposing them to fight for us.

Que.

If this be faithfull our desires are blest,

We had no thought to waste, but reconcile

Your blood this was and we did prophesie

This happy chance, spring into eithers bosome,

Arcadius and Seleucus, what can now

Be added to this dayes felicity;

[Page]Yes, there is something, is there not my Lord?

While we are Virgin Queene.

Ca.

Ha, that string

Doth promise musicke.

Que.

I am yet my Lords

Your single joy, and when I looke upon,

What I have tooke, to manage the great care

Of this most flowrishing Kingdome, I incline

To thinke, I shall doe justice to my selfe,

If I chose one, whose strength and vertue may

Assist my undertaking, thinke you Lords,

A husband would not helpe?

Lisa.

No question Madam,

And he that you purpose to make so blest

Must needs be worthy of our humblest duty,

It is the generall vote.

Que.

We will not then

Trouble Embassadors to treat with any

Princes abroad, within our owne dominion,

Fruitefull in honour, we shall make our choyce;

And that we may not keepe you over long

Jn the imagination, from this circle, we

Have purpose to elect one, whom I shall

Salute a King and Husband.

Lisa.

Now my Lord Lifimachus.

Que,

Nor shall we in this action be accused

Of rashnesse, since the man we shall declare

Deserving our affection, hath beene earely

In our opinion, which had reason first

To guide it, and his knowne nobility

Long marryed to our thoughts, will justifie

Our faire election.

Phi.

Lifimachus blushes.

Cas.

Direct our duties Madam to pray for him.

Que

Arcadius you see from whence we come,

Pray lead us backe, you may ascend.

she comes from the state.

Cas.

Hows this? o're reach'd?

[Page]Arc.

Madam be charitab [...]e to your humblest creature,

Doe not [...]eward the heart, that falls in duty

Beneath your feete, with making me the burden

Of the Court mirth, a mockery for Pages,

Twere treason in me but to thinke you meane thus.

Que.

Arcadius you must refuse my love,

Or shame this Kingdome.

Phi.

Is the winde in that corner?

Cas.

I shall runne mad Lisimachus.

Lisi.

Sir, containe your selfe.

Sel.

Is this to be beleev'd?

Mac.

What dreame is this?

Phi.

He kisses her, now by this day I am glad on't.

Lisa.

Marke the Protector.

Ant.

Let him fret his heart strings.

Que.

Is the day cloudy on the suddaine?

Arc.

Gentlemen

It was not my ambition, I durst never

Aspire so high in thought, but since her Majesty

Hath pleasd to call me to this honour, I

Will study to be worthy of her grace,

By whom I live.

Que.

The Church to morrow shall

Confirme our marriage, noble Lisimachus

Weele finde out other wayes to recompence

Your love to us, set forward, come Arcadius.

Mac.

It must be so, and yet let me consider,

Cas.

He insults already, policy assist me.

To breake his necke.

Lisi.

Who would trust woman?

Lost in a paire of minutes, lost, how bright

A morning rose, but now, and now tis night?

Exeunt▪

[Page]

Actus Tertius.

Enter Polidora, and a Servant.

Pol.

Oh where shall Virgins looke for faith hereafter?

If he prove false, after so many vowes?

And yet if I consider, he was tempted

Above the strength of a young Lover, two

Such glorious courting his acceptance, were

Able to make disloyalty no sinne,

At least not seeme a fault, a Lady first,

Whose very lookes would thaw a man more fro [...]

Then the Alps, quicken a soule more dead then Winter.

Adde to her beauty and perfection,

That she's a Queene, and brings with her a Kingdome

Able to make a great mind forfeit heaven.

What could the frailety of Arcadius

Suggest to unspirit him so much, as not

To fly to her embraces, you were present

When she declar'd her selfe.

Ser.

Yes Madam.

Pol.

Tell me,

Did not he make a pause, when the faire Queene

A full temptation stood him?

Ser.

Very little

My judgement could distinguish, she did no sooner

Propound, but he accepted.

Pol.

That was ill,

He might with honour stand one or two minutes,

Me thinkes it should have startled him a little,

To have rememberd me, I have deserv'd

At least a cold thought, well pray give it him.

Ser.

I shall.

Ser.

Instantly.

Pol.

When?

Pol.

Not so,

But take a time when his joy swels him most,

When his delights are high and ravishing,

When you perceive his soule dance in his eyes,

[Page]When she that must be his, hath drest her beanty

With all her pride, and sends a thousand Cupids

To call him to the tasting of her lippe;

Then give him this, and tell him while I live,

Ile pray for him.

Ser.

I shall.

Exeunt.

Enter Cassander and Lisimachus.

Cas.

There is no way but death.

Lisi.

That's blacke and horrid,

Consider sir it was her sinne, not his;

I cannot accuse him, what man could carry

A heart so frozen, not to melt at such

A glorious flame [...]? who could not fly to such

A happinesse?

Cas.

Have you ambition

To be a tame foole [...] fee so vast an injury

And not revenge it? [...] me not suspect

Thy Mother for this sufferance, my Sonne.

Lisi.

Pray heare me sir▪

Cas.

Heare a patient gull,

A property, thou hast no blood of mine,

If this affront provoke thee not, how canst

Be charitable to thy selfe, and let him live

To glory in thy shame? Nor is he innocent;

He had before crept slily into her bosome

And practised thy dishonour.

Lisi.

You begin to [...] me sir.

Cas.

How else could she be guilty

Of such contempt of thee? and in the eye

Of all the Kingdome, they conspir'd this staine,

When they had cunning meetings, shall thy love

And blooming hopes be scattered thus, and Lisimachus

Stand idle gazer?

Lisi.

What sir will his death

Advantage us, if she be false to me?

So irreligious, and to touch her person—

Pause we may be observed.

[Page]Enter Philocles and Lisander.

Lisa.

'Tis the Protector

And his sonne.

Phi.

Alas poore Gentleman, I pitty

His neglect, but am not sorry for his Father.

Phi.

Tis a strange turne.

Phi.

The whirligigs of women.

Lisa.

Your graces servant.

Cas.

I am yours Gentlemen,

And should be happy to deserve your loves.

Phi.

Now he can flatter.

Lisa.

In't sir, to inlarge your sufferings, J have

A heart doth wish

The Queene had knowne better to reward

Your love and merit.

Lisa▪

If you would expresse

Your love to me; pray doe not mention it,

I must obey my fate.

Phi.

She will be marryed

To tother Gentleman for certaine then?

Cas.

I hope youle wish em joy.

Phi.

Indeed I will sir.

Lisa.

Your graces servant.

Exit.

Cas.

We are growne

Ridiculous, the pastime of the Court:

Here comes another.

Enter Seleueus.

Sel.

Wheres your sonne my Lord?

Cas.

Like a neglected servaut of his Mistresse.

Sel.

I would aske him a question.

Cas.

What?

Sel.

Whether the Queene

As tis reported, lov'd him, he can tell

Whether she promist what they talke of, marriage,

Cas.

I can resolve you that sir.

Sel.

She did promise?

Cas.

Yes.

Sel.

Then shees a woman, and your sonne;

Cas.

What?

Sel.

Not worthy his blood, and expectation,

If he be calme.

[Page]Cas.

Th [...]res no opposing destiny.

Sel.

I would cut the throate.

Cas.

Whose throate?

Sel.

The destinies, that's all your pardon sir,

I am Seleucus still, a poore shaddow

Oth' world, a walking picture, it concernes

Not me, I am forgotten by my starres.

Cas.

The Queene with more discretion might ha chosen

Thee.

Sel.

Whom?

Cas.

Thee Seleucus.

Sel.

Me? I cannot dance, and fri [...]ke with due activity,

My body is le [...]d, I have too much phleame, what should

I doe with a Kingdome? no Arcadius

Becomes the cushion, and can please, yet setting

Aside the tricke that Ladies of blood looke at,

Another man might ma [...]e a shift to weare

Rich cloathes, sit in the cha [...]re of state, and nod,

Dare venture on discourse, that does not trench

On complement, and thinke the study of armes

And arts, more commendable in a Gentleman

Than any galliard.

Cas.

Arcadius,

And you were reconcil'd.

Sel.

We? yes, oh yes,

But tis not manners now to say we are friends,

At our equality there had beene reason,

But now, subjection is the word.

Cas.

They are not

Yet marryed.

Sel.

[...] make no oath upont,

My Lord Lisimachus,

A word. you [...]e not be angry if I love you,

May not a batchellor be made a cuckold?

Lisi.

How sir?

Cas.

Lisimachus, this [...]

Is worth our embrace, hees spiritted,

And may be usefull.

Sel.

Harke you, can you tell

[Page]Where's the best Dancing-master? and you meane

To rise at Court, practise to caper, farewell

The noble science, that makes worke for cutlers,

It will be out of fashion to weare swords,

Masques, and devices welcome, I salute you.

Is it not pitty any division

Should be heard ou [...] of Musicke? Oh twill be

An excellent age of crotchets; and of Canters.

Buy Captaines that like fooles will spend your blood

Out of your Country, you will be of lesse

Vse then your feathers, if you returne unman'd

You shall be beaten soone to a new march,

When you shall thinke it a discretion

To sell your glorious buffes to buy fine pumps,

And pantables, this is I hope no treason.

Enter Areadius leading the Queene, Charia, [...], Lisander, Philocks, Polidor a, servant.

Cas.

Wot stay Lisimachus?

Lisi.

Yes sir,

And shew a patience above her injury.

Arc.

This honour is too much, Madam assume

Your place, and let Arcadius waite still:

Tis happinesse enough to be your servant.

Cas.

Now he dissembles.

Que.

Sir you must sit.

Arc.

I am obedient.

Que.

This is not musicke

Sprightly enough, it feeds the soule with melancholy.

How sayes Arcadius?

Arc.

Give me leave to thinke

There is no harmony but in your voyce,

And not an accent of your heavenly tongue,

But strikes me into rapture, I incline

To thinke the tale of Orphe [...] no fable,

Tis possible he might inchant the Rockes,

And charme the Forrest, soften hell, hell it selfe

With his commanding Lute, it is no miracle

To what you worke, whose very breath conveyes

[Page]The hearer into heaven, how at your lips,

Day winds gather perfumes, proudly glide away,

To disperse sweetnesse round about the world.

Sel.

Fine stuffe.

Que.

You cannot flatter.

Arc.

Not if I should say

Nature had plac'd you here the creatures wonder,

And her owne spring, from which all excellence

On earths deriv'd, and copyed forth, and when

The character of faire, and good in others

Is quite worne out, and lost, looking on you

It is supplide, and you alone made mortall

To feed and keepe alive all beauty.

Sel.

Ha, ha, can you indure it Gentlemen?

Lisa.

What doe you meane?

Sel.

Nay aske him what he meanes, mine is a downe

Right laugh.

Que.

Well sir proceed.

Arc.

At such bright eies the stars do light themselves,

At such a forehead Swans renew their white,

From such a lip the morning gathers blushes.

Sel.

The morning is more modest then thy prayses,

What a thing does he make her?

Arc.

And when you fly to heaven & leave this world

No longer maintenance of goodnesse from you,

Then Poetry shall lose all use with us,

And be no more, since nothing in your absence

Is left, that can be worthy of a Verse.

Sel.

Ha, ha.

Que.

Whose that?

Sel.

Twas I Madam.

Arc.

Seleucus?

Cas.

Ha?

Sel.

Yes sir, 'twas I that laugh'd.

Arc.

At what?

Sel.

At nothing.

Lisa.

Containe your selfe Seleucus.

Eub.

Are you mad?

[Page]Que.

Have you ambition to be punishd sir?

Sel.

I need not, twas punishment

Enough to heare him make an Idoll of you, he left

Out the commendation of your patience, I was a little

Mov'd in my nature to heare his codomontados, and

Make a monster of his Mistresse, which I pittyed first,

But seeing him proceed, I guest he brought you

Mirth with his inventions, and so made bold to laugh at it.

Que.

You are sawcy,

Weele place you where you shannot be so merry,

Take him away.

Lisa.

Submit your selfe

Arc.

Let me plead for his pardon.

Sel.

I wod not owe my life so poorely, beg thy owne

When you are King you cannot bribe your destiny.

Eub.

Good Madam heare me, I feare he is distracted,

Brave boy, thou should'st be master of a soule

Like his: thy honours more concernd.

Sel.

'Tis charity,

A way wo' mee, 'boy Madam?

Cas.

He has a daring spirit.

Exeunt Sel. Eub Cas.

Arc.

These and a thousand more affronts I must

Expect: your favours draw them all upon me;

In my first state I had no enemies,

I was secure while I did grow beneath

This expectation, humble valleyes thrive with

Their bosomes full of flowers, when the hils melt

With lightning, and rough anger of the clouds,

Let me retire.

Que.

And can Arcadius

A [...] such a breath be moved, I had opinion

Your courage durst have stood a tempest for

Our love, can you for this incline to leave

What other Princes should in vaine have sued for?

How many Lovers are in Epire now

Would throw themselves on danger, not expect

O [...]e enemy, but empty their owne veines,

And thinke the losse of all their blood rewarded,

[Page]To have one smile of us when they are dying?

And shall this murmure shake you?

Arc.

Not deare Madam,

My life is such a poore despised thing,

In value your least graces, that

To lose it were to make my selfe a victory,

It is not for my selfe I feare: the envy

Of others cannot fasten wound in me

Greater, then that your goodnesse should be check'd

So daringly.

Que.

Let not those thoughts afflict thee

While we have power to correct the offences

Arcadius be mine, this shall confirme it.

Arc.

I shall forget

And lose my way to heaven, that touch had beene

Enough to have restor'd me, and infused

A spirit of a more celestiall nature,

After the tedious absence of my soule,

Oh blesse me not too much, one smile a day

Would stretch my life to mortality,

Poets that wrap divinity in tales,

Looke here, and give your coppyes forth of angels,

What blessing can remaine?

Que.

Our Marryage.

Arc.

Place then some horrors in the way

For me, not you to passe, the journeys end

Holds out such glories to me, I should thinke

Hell but a poore degree of suffering for it,

Whats that some petition, a Letter to me.

You had a Polidora, ha, thats all.

Ith' minute when my vessels new lanch'd forth,

With all my pride and silken winges about me

I strike upon a Rocke: what power can save me?

You had a Polidora; theres a name

Kil'd with griefe I can so soone forget her

Ser.

She did impose on me this service sir,

And while she lives she sayes sheele pray for you.

Aarc.

Shee lives

[Page]Thats well, and yet twere better, for my fame,

And honour she were dead, what fate hath plac'd me

Vpon this fearefull precipice?

Ser.

Hees troubled.

Arc.

I must resolve, my faith is violated

Already, yet poore loving Polidora

Will pray for me, she sayes, to thinke she can

Render me hated to my selfe, and every

Thought's a tormentor, let me then be just.

Que.

Arcadius.

Arc.

That voyce prevailes agen, oh Poledora,

Thou must forgive Arcadius, I dare not

Turne rebell to a Princesse, I shall love

Thy vertue, but a Kingdome has a charme

To excuse our frailty, dearest Madam.

Que.

Now set forward.

Arc.

To perfect all our joyes.

Enter Macarius, and a Bishop, Casander.

Mac.

Ile fright their glories.

Cas.

By what meanes?

Mac.

Observe.

Arc.

Our good Vncle, welcome.

Que.

My Lord Macarius we did want your person,

There's something in our joyes wherein you share.

Mac.

This you intend your highnesse wedding day.

Que.

We are going.

Mac.

Save you labour

I have brought a Priest to meet you.

Arc.

Reverend Father.

Que.

Meete us, why?

Mac.

To tell you that you must not marry.

Cas.

Didst thou heare that Lisimachus?

Lisi.

And wonder what will follow.

Que.

We must not marry.

Bish.

Madam tis a rule

First made in heaven, and I muh needs declare

You and Arcadius must tie no knot

Of man and wife.

[Page]Arc.

Is my Vncle mad?

Que.

Ioy has transported him,

Or age has made him dote, Macarius

Provoke us not too much, you will presume

Above our mercy.

Mac.

Ile discharge my duty,

Could your frowne strike me dead, my Lord you know

Whose character this is.

Cas.

It is Thedosius.

Your graces Father.

Bis.

I am subscrib'd a witnesse.

Phi.

Vpon my life 'tis his.

Mac.

Feare not, Ile crosse this match.

Cas.

Ile blesse thee for't.

Arc.

Vncle dee know what you doe, or what we are

Going to finish, you will not breake the necke of my glorious

Fortune, now my footes ith' stirrups and mounting,

Throw me over the saddle, I hope youle let one

Be a King, Madam 'tis as you say,

My Vncle is something craz'd, there is a worme

In's braine, but I beseech you pardon him, he is

Not the first of your counsell, that has talk'd

Idly, dee heare my Lord Bishop, I hope

You have more religion then to joyne with him

To undoe me.

Bis.

Not I sir, but I am commanded by oath,

And conscience to speake truth.

Arc.

If your truth should doe me any harme, I shall never

Be in charity with a Croziers staffe, looke too't.

Que.

My youngest Brother,

Cas.

Worse and worse, my braines.

Mac.

Deliver to me an Infant with this writing,

To which this reverend Father is a witnesse.

Lisa.

This he whom we so long thought dead, a childe.

Que.

But what should make my father to trust him

To your concealement? give abroad his death, and bury

An empty coffin?

Mac.

A jealousie he had

[Page]Vpon Cassander, whose ambitious braine

He fear'd would make no conscience to depose

His sonne, to make Lisimachus King of Epire.

Que.

He made no scruple to expose me then

To any danger?

Mac.

He secur'd you Madam

By an earely engagement of your affection

To Lisimachus, exempt this testimony,

Had he beene Arcadius, and my Nephew

I needed not obtrude him on the state,

Your Love and marriage had made him King

Without my trouble, and sav'd that ambition

There was necessity to open now

His birth, and title.

Phi.

Demetrius alive.

Arc.

What riddles are these, whom do they talk of?

Omn.

Congratulate your returne to life, and honor,

And as becomes us, with one voyce salute you

Demetrius King of Epire.

Mac.

I am no Vncle, sir, this is your sister,

I should have suffered incest to have kept you

Longer ith' darke, love, and be happy both,

My trust is now discharg'd.

Lisa.

And we rejoyce.

Arc.

But doe not mooke me Gentlemen,

May I be bold upon your words to say

I am Prince Thedosius sonne.

Mac.

The King.

Arc.

Youle justifie it?

Sister I am very glad to see you.

Sop.

I am to finde a brother, and refigne my glory,

My triumph is my shame.

Exi [...].

Enter Cassander.

Cas.

Thine eare Lisimachus.

Arc.

Gentlemen I owe

Vnto your loves, as large acknowledgement

As to my birth for this greath onour, and

My study shall be equall to be thought

[Page]Worthy of both.

Cas.

Thou art turn'd Marble.

Lisi.

There will be the lesse charge for my monument.

Cas.

This must not be, fit fast young King.

Exit.

Lisa.

Your fister sir is gone.

Arc.

My sister should have beene my Bride, that name

[...] me in minde of Polidora, ha?

Lisander, Philocles, Gentlemen,

If you will have me thinke your hearts allow me

Thedosius sonne, oh quickely snatch some wings,

Expresse it in your haste to Polidora,

Tell her what title is new dropt from Heaven

To make her rich; onely created for me,

Give her the ceremony of my Queene,

With all the state that may become our Bride

Attend her to this throne; are you not there?

Yet stay, tis too much pride to send for her,

Weele goe our selfe, no honour is enough

For Polidora, to redeeme our fault

Salute her gently from me, and upon

Your knee, present her with this Diademe,

Tis our first gift, tell her Demetrius followes

To be her guest, and give himselfe a servant

To her chaste bosome, bid her stretch her heart

To meet me, I am lost in joy and wonder.

Exeunt Omnes.

Actus Quartus.

Enter Cassander, Eubulus, Souldier.

Cas.

VVHeres the Captaine of the Castle?

Sol.

Heele attend your honours presently.

Cas.

Give him knowledge we expect him.

Sol.

I shall my Lord.

Exit.

Cas.

He is my creature, feare not,

And shall runne any c [...]urse that we propo [...]d.

[Page]Eub.

My Lord, I like the substance of your plot,

Tis promising, but matters of this consequence

Are not so easily perfect, and it does

Concerne our heads to build upon secure

Principles, though Sel [...]eus, I confesse,

Carry a high, and daring spirit in him,

Tis hard to thrust upon the state new setled

Any impostor, and we know not yet

Whether heele undertake to play the Prince;

Or if he should accept it, with what cunning

He can behave himselfe.

Cas.

My Lord, affaires

Of such a glorious nature, are halfe finish'd

When they beginne with confidence.

Fub.

Admit

He want no art, nor courage, it must rest

Vpon the people to receive his title,

And with what danger their uncertaine breath

May flatter ours, Demetrius scarcely warme

In the Kings seate, I may suspect.

Cas.

That reason

Makes for our part, for if it be so probable,

That young Demetrius should be living, why

May not we worke them to beleeve Leo [...]atus

The eldest sonne was by some tricke preserv'd

And now would clame his owne: there were two sons,

Who in their Fathers life we supposed dead,

May not we finde a circumstance to make

This seeme as cleare as t'other, let the vulgar

Be once possest, weele carry Epire from▪

Demetrius, and the world.

Eub.

I could be pleasd

To see my sonne a King.

Enter Poleanus.

The Captaiues here.

Pol.

I waite your Lordships pleasure.

Cas.

We come to visit your late prisoner [...] ▪

I will not doubt, but you intreate him fairely

[Page]He will deserve I [...] for himselfe, and you

Be fortunate in any occasion

To have exprest your service.

Pol.

Sir, the knowledge

Of my honourable Lord his Father, will

Instruct me to behave my selfe with all

Respects becomming me, to such a sonne.

Cas.

These things will least

Obleige you, but how beares he his restraint?

Pol.

As one whose soule's above it.

Eub.

Patiently?

Pol.

With contempt rather of the great command

Which made him prisoner, he will talke sometimes

So strangely to himselfe.

Eub.

Hee's here.

Enter [...].

Sel.

Why was I borne to be a subject? 'tis

Soone answer'd, sure my Father was no Prince,

Thats all, the same ingredience use to make

A man, as active, though not royall blood

Went to my composition, and I

Was gotten with as good a will perhaps,

And my birth cost my mother as much sorrow,

As I had beene borne an Emperour.

Cas.

While I looke

Vpon him, something in his face presents

A King indeed.

Eub.

He does resemble much

Thedosius too.

Cas.

Whose sonne we would pretend him,

This will advance our plot,

Sel.

Tis but a name,

And meere opinion, that preferres one man

Above another, Ile imagine th [...]n

I am a P rince, or some brave thing on earth,

And see what followes, but it must not be

My fingle voyce will carry it, the name

Of King must be attended with a troope

[Page]Of acclamations, on whose ayrie Wings

He mounts, and once exalted threatens Heaven,

And all the starres: how to acquire this noyse,

And be the thing I talke of, men have rise

From a more cheape nobility to Empires,

From darke originalls, and sordid blood,

Nay some that had no fathers, sons of the earth,

And flying people, have aspir'd to Kingdomes,

Made nations tremble, any have practis'd frownes

To awe the world, their memory is glorious,

And I would hugge them in their shades, but whats

All this to me; that am I know not what,

And lesse in expectation?

Pol.

Are you serious?

Cas.

Will you assist, and runne a fate with us.

Pol.

Command my life, I owe it to your favour.

Sel.

Arcadius was once as farre from being

As I, and had we not so cunningly

Beene reconcil'd, or one, or both had gone

To seeke our fortunes in another world;

What's the devi [...]e now? If my death be next,

The summons shall not make me once looke pale.

Cas.

Chide your too vaine suspitions, we bring

A life, and liberty, with what else can make

Thy ambi [...]ion happie, th'ast a glorious flame

We come to advance it.

Sel.

How?

Cas.

Have but a will,

And be what thy owne thoughts dare prompt thee to,

A King.

Sel.

You doe not mo [...]ke me Gentlemen,

You are my father sir.

Eub.

This minute [...]hall

Declare it my Sel [...]ucus, our hearts swel'd

With joy, with duty rather, oh my boy▪

Sel.

What's the mistery?

Pol.

You must be a King.

Cas.

Sel [...]ucus, [...]tay thou art too incredulous,

[Page]Let not our faith, and studdy to exalt thee,

Be so rewarded.

Eub.

I pronounce thee King

Vnlesse thy spirit be turn'd coward, and

Thou faint to accept it.

Sel.

King of what?

Cas.

Of Epire.

Sel.

Although the Queen since she sent me hither

Were gone to Heaven I know not how

That title could devolve to me.

Cas.

We have

No Queene, since he that should have marryed her,

Is prov'd her youngest brother, and now King

In his owne title.

Sel.

Thanke you Gentlemen,

There's hope for me.

Cas.

Why, you dare fight with▪him

And need be, for the Kingdome.

Sel.

With Arcadius,

If youle make stakes, my life against his crowne,

Ile fight with him, and you, and your fine sonne,

And all the Courtiers one after another.

Cas.

'Twonot come to that.

Sel.

I am of your Lordships minde, so fare you well

Cas.

Yet stay and heare-

Sel.

What? that you have betraide me,

Doe, tell your King, my life is growne a burden,

And Ile confesse, and make your soules looke pale,

To see how nimble mine shall leape this battlement

Of flesh, and dying, laugh at your poore malice.

O [...]nes▪

No more, long▪ live Leonatus King of Epire.

S [...]l.

Leonatus, who's that?

Cas.

Be bold and be a King, our braines have beene

Working to raise you to this height, here are

None but friends, dare you but call your selfe

Leonatus, and but justifie with considence

What weele proclaime you, if we doe not bring

The Crowne to your head, we will forfeit ours.

[Page]Eub.

The state is in distraction, Arcadiu [...]

Is prov'd a King, there was an elder brother,

If you dare but pronounce, you are the same,

Forget you are my sonne.

Pol.

These are no trifles, sir, all is plotted

To assure your greatnesse, if you will be wise,

And take the faire occasion that's presented.

Sel.

Arcadius, you say, is lawfull King,

And now to depose him, you would make me

An elder brother, is't not so?

Cas.

Most right.

Sel.

Nay, right or wrong, if this be your true meaning.

Omnes.

Vpon our lives.

Sel.

Ile venture mine, but with your pardon,

Whose braine was this? from whom tooke this plot life?

Eub.

My Lord Cassander.

Sel.

And you are of his minde? and you? and thinke

This may be done?

Eub.

The destinies shall not crosse us, if you have

Spirit to undertake it.

Sel.

Vndertake it?

I am not us'd to complement, Ile owe

My life to you, my fortunes to your Lordship,

Compose me as you please, and when y'ave made

Me what you promise, you shall both divide

Me equally, one word my Lord, I had rather

Live in the prison still, then be a propency

To advance his politicke ends.

Eub.

Have no suspition.

Cas.

So, so, I see Demetrius heeles already

Trip'd up, and Ile dispatch him out oth' way,

Which gone, I can depose this at my leasure

Being an Impostor, then my sonne stands faire,

And may peece with the Princesse, we lose time,

What thinke you, if we first surprize the Court,

While you command the Castle, we shall curbe

All opposition.

Eub.

Let's proclaime him first.

[Page]I have some faction, the people love me,

They gain'd to us, weele [...]all upon the Court.

Cas.

Vnlesse Demetrius yeeld himselfe he bleeds.

Sel.

Who dares call treason sinne, when it sueceeds?

Execunt Omnes

Enter Soph [...]a and Charilla.

Cha.

Madam, you are too passionate, and lose

The greatnesse of your soule, with the expence

Of too much griefe, sor that which providence

Hath eas'd you of, the burden of a state

Above your tender bearing.

Sop.

Thar't a foole,

And canst not reach the spirit of a Lady,

Borne great as I was, and made onely lesse

By a too cruell destiny, above

Our tender bearing? what goes richer to

The composition of man, then ours?

Our soule as free, and spacious, our heart's

As great, our will as large, each thought as active,

And in this onely man more proud then wee,

That would have us lesse capable of Empire,

But search the stories, and the name of Queene

Shines bright with glory, and some precedents

Above mans imitation.

Cha.

I grant it

For the honour of our sex, nor have you, Madam,

By any weakenesse forfeited command,

He that succeeds, in justice, was before you,

And you have gain'd more in a royall brother

Then you could lose by your refigne of Epire.

Sop.

This I allow Charilla, I ha done;

Tis not the thought I am deposd afflicts me,

At the same time I feele a joy to know

My Brother living: no, there is another

Wound in me above cure.

Cha.

Vertue forbid.

Sop.

Canst finde me out a Surgeon for that?

Cha.

For what?

[Page]Sop.

My bleeding fame.

Cha.

Oh doe not injure

Your owne cleare innocence.

Sop.

Doe not flatter me,

I have beene guilty of an act, will make

All love in women questioned, is not that

A blot upon a Virgins name? my birth

Cannot extenuate my shame, I am

Become the staine of Epire.

Cha.

Tis but

Your owne opinon, Madam, which presents

Something [...]o fright your selfe, which cannot

Be in the same shape so horrid to our sense.

Sop.

Thou wod'st but canst not appeare ignorant,

Did not the Court, nay, the whole Kingdome, take

Notice I lov'd Lisimachus?

Cha.

True Madam.

Sop.

No. I was false

Though counseld by my Father to affect him,

I had my politicke ends upon Cassander,

To be absolute Queene, flattering his son with hopes

Of love and marriage, when that very day

I blush to thinke I wrong'd Lisimachus,

That noble Gentleman, but heaven punish'd me;

For though to know Demetrius was a blessing,

Yet who will not impute it my dishonour.

Cha.

Madam, you yet may recompence Lisimachus,

If you affect him now, you were not false

To him whom then you lov'd not, if you can

Finde any gentle passion in your soule

To entertaine his thought, no doubt his heart,

Though sad, retaines a noble will to meet it,

His love was firme to you, and cannot be

Vnrooted with one storme.

Sop.

He will not sure

Trust any language from her tongue that mock'd him,

Although my soule doth weepe for't, and is punish'd

To love him above the world.

[Page]Enter Lisimachus.

Cha.

Hees here

As fate would have him reconcild, be free,

And speake your thoughts.

Lisi.

If Madam I appeare

Too bold, your charity will signe my pardon:

I heard you were not well, which made me haste

To pay the duty of an humble visite.

Sop.

You doe not mocke me sir.

Lisi.

I am confident

You thinke me not so lost to manners, in

The knowledge of your person, to bring with me

Such rudenesse, I have nothing to present,

But a heart full of wishes for your health,

And what else may be added to your happinesse.

Sop.

I thought you had beene sensible.

Lisi.

How Madam?

Sop.

A man of understanding, can you spend

One prayer for me, remembring the dishonour

I have done Lisimachus?

Lisi.

Nothing can deface that part of my

Religion in me, not to pray for you.

Sop.

It is not then impossible you may

Forgive me too, indeed I have a soule

Is full of penitence, and something else,

If blushing would allow to give't a name.

Lisi.

What Madam?

Sop.

Love, a love that should redeeme

My past offence, and make me white againe.

Lisi.

I hope no sadnesse can possesse your thoughts

For me, I am not worthy of this sorrow,

But if you meane it any satisfaction

For what your will hath made me suffer, 'tis

But a strange overflow of charity,

To keepe me still alive, be your selfe Madam,

And let no cause of mine, be guilty of

This rape upon your eyes, my name's not worth

The least of all your teares.

[Page]Sop.

You thinke em co [...]nterfeit.

Lisi.

Although I may

Suspect a womans smile hereafter, yet

I would beleeve their wet eyes, and if this

Be what you promise, for my sake, I have

But one reply.

Sop.

I waite it.

Lisi.

I have now

Another Mistresse.

Sop.

Stay.

Lisi.

To whom I have made

Since your revolt from me, a new chaste vow,

Which not the second malice of my fate

Shall violate, and she deserves it Madam,

Even for that wherein you are excellent,

Beauty, in which she shines equall to you

Her vertue, if [...]he but maintaine what now

She is Mistresse of, beyond all competition,

So rich it cannot know to be improv'd,

At least in my esteeme, I may offend,

But truth shall justifie, I have not [...]latterd her,

I beg your pardon, and to leave my duty

Vpon your hand, all that is good flow in you.

Exit.

Sop.

Did he not say Charilla, that he had

Another Mistresse?

Cha.

Such a sound me thought

Came from him.

Sop.

Let's remove, here's too much ayre,

The sad note multiplies.

Cha.

Take courage Madam,

And my advice, he has another Mistresse,

If he have twenty, be you wise, and crosse him

With entertaining twice as many servants,

And when he sees your humour heele returne,

And sue for any Livery, grieve for this,

It must be she, 'tis Polidora has

Taken his heart, she live my rivall,

How does the thought inflame me.

[Page]Cha.

Polidora?

Sop.

And yet she does but justly, and he too;

I would have rob'd her of Areadius heart,

And they will both have this revenge on me,

But something will rebell.

Exit.

Enter Demetrius, Philocles, Lisander.

De.

The house is desolate, none comes forth to meete us,

Shees slow to entertaine us, Philocles,

I prethee tell me, did she weare no cloud

Vpon her brow, wast freely that she said

We should be welcome.

Phi.

To my apprehension,

Yet tis my wonder she appeares not.

Lisa.

She nor any other,

Sure there's some conceite

To excuse it.

Dem.

Stay, who's this? observe what followes?

Phi.

Fortune? some maske to entertaine you sir.

Enter Fortune crown'd, attended with Youth, Health, and Pleasure.

For.

Not yet? what silence doth inhabite here?

No preparation to bid Fortune welcome!

Fortune the genious of the world, have we

Descended from our pride, and state to come

So farre attended with our darlings, Youth

Pleasure, and Health, to be neglected thus?

Sure this is not the place? call hither Fame.

Enter Fame.

Fa.

What would great Fortune?

For.

Know,

Who dwels here.

Fa.

Once more I report great Queene,

This is the house of Love.

For.

It cannot be,

This place has too much shade, and lookes as if

It had beene quite forgotten of the Spring,

And sunne beames Love, affect society

And heate, here all is cold as the haires of Winter,

[Page]No harmony to catch the busie eare

Of passengers, no object of delight,

To take the wandring eyes, no song, no grone

Of Lovers, no complaint of Willow garlands,

Love has a Beacon upon his palace top

Of flaming hearts, to call the weary pilgrime

To rest, and dwell with him, I see no fire

To threaten, or to warme, can Love dwell here?

Fa.

If there be noble love upon the world,

Trust Fame, and finde it here.

For.

Make good your boast

and bring him to us.

De.

What does meane all this?

Lisa.

I told you sir we should have some device,

Enter Love.

There's Cupid now, that little Gentleman,

Has troubled every masque at Court this seven yeare.

Dem.

No more.

Love.

Welcome to Love, how much you honor me!

It had become me, that upon your summons

I should have waited upon mighty Fortune,

But since you have vouchsafed to visite me;

All the delights Love can invent, shall flow

To entertaine you, Musicke through the ayre

Shoote your inticing harmony.

For.

We came to dance and revell with you

Lov.

I am poore

In my ambition, and want thought to reach

How much you honor Love.

Dance.

Enter Honour.

Hon.

What intrusion's this?

Whom doe you seeke here.

Lov.

Tis Honour.

For.

He'e my servant.

Lov.

Fortune is come to visit us.

Hon.

And has

Corrupted Love, is this thy faith to her,

On whom we both waite, to betray her thus

[Page]To Fortunes triumph, take her giddy wheele,

And be no more companion to honour

I blush to know thee, whole beleeve there can

Be truth in Love hereafter?

Lov.

I have found

My eyes, and see my shame, and with it, this

Proud sorceresse, from whom, and all her charmes,

I flye agen to Honour, be my guard,

Without thee I am lost and cannot boast,

The merit of a name.

For.

Dispis'd? I shall

Remember this affront.

Dem.

What morral's this?

Exeunt.

Enter Honour with the Crowne upon a mourning Cushion.

What melancholly object strikes a suddaine

Chillnesse through all my veines, and turnes me Ice?

It is the same I sent, the very same,

As the first pledge of her insuing greatnesse,

Why in this mourning livery, if she live

To whom I sent it? ha, what shape of sorrow?

Enter Polidora in mourning.

It is not Polidora, she was faire

Enough, and wanted not the setting off

With such a blacke, if thou beest Polidora,

Why mournes my love? it neither does become

Thy fortune nor my joyes.

Pol.

But it becomes

My griefes, this habit fits a funerall,

And it were sinne, my Lord, not to lament

A frie ndnew dead.

Dem.

And I yet living? can

A sorrow enter but upon thy garment,

Or discomplexion thy attire, whilst I

Enjoy a life for thee? who can deserve

Weigh'd with thy living comforts, but a peice

Of all this Ceremony? give him a name

Pol.

He was Arcadius.

[Page]Dem,

Arcadius?

Pol.

A Gentleman that lov'd me dearely once,

And does compell these poore, and fruitlesse drops,

Which willingly would fall upon his hearse,

To imbalme him twice.

Dem.

And are you sure hees dead?

Pol.

As sure as you're living sir, and yet

I did not close his eyes, but he is dead,

And I shall never see the same Arcadius,

He was a man so rich in all that's good,

At least J thought him so, so perfect in

The rules of honour, whom alone to imitate

Were glory in a Prince, Nature her selfe

Till his creation wrought imperfectly,

As she had made but tryall of the rest,

To mould him excellent.

Dem.

And is he dead?

Come, shame him not with praises, recollect

Thy scattered hopes, and let me tell my best,

And dearest [...]olidora, that he lives,

Still lives to honour thee.

Pol.

Lives, where?

Dem.

Looke here.

Am not I worth your knowledge?

Pol.

And my duty,

You are Demetrius King of Epire, sir.

I could not easily mistake him so,

To whom I gave my heart.

Dem.

Mine is not chang'd,

But still hath fed upon thy memory,

These honours, and additions of state

Are lent me for thy sake, be not so strange,

Let me not lose my entertainement now

I am improv'd, a [...]d raisd unto the height,

Beneath which, I did blush to aske thy love.

Pol.

Give me your pardon sir, Arcadius,

At our last meeting without argument

To move him more then his affection to me,

[Page]Vow'd he did love me; love me bove all women,

And to confirme his heart was truely mine,

He wish'd, I tremble to remember it,

When he forsooke his Polidora's love,

That Heaven might kill his happinesse on earth:

Was not this nobly said, did not this promise

A truth to shame the Turtles?

Dem.

And his heart

Is still the same, and I thy coustant Lover.

Pol.

Give me your leave I pray, I would not say

Arcad [...]us was perjur'd, but the same day

Forgetting all his promises, and oathes,

While yet they hung upon his lips, for sooke me,

Dee not remember this too, gave his faith

From me, transported with the noyse of greatnesse,

And would be marryed to a Kingdome.

Dem.

But heaven permitted not I should dispose

What was ordain'd for thee.

Pol.

It was not vertue

In him, for sure he found no checke, no sting

In his owne bosome, but gave freely all

The reines to blind ambition.

Dem.

I am wounded,

The thought of thee ith' throng of all my [...]yes,

Like poyson powr'd in Nectar, turnes me franticke,

Deare, if Arcadius have made a fault,

Let not Demetrius be punishd for't,

He pleads that ever will be constant to thee.

Pol.

Shall I beleeve mans flatteries agen,

Lose my sweete rest, and peace of thought agen,

Be drawne by you, from the streight paths of vertue

Into the maze of Love.

Dem.

I see compassion in thy eye, that chides me

If I have either soule, but what's containd

Within these words▪ or if one sillable

Of their full force, [...]e not made good by me,

May all relenting thoughts in you take end,

And thy disdaine be doubled, from thy pardon,

[Page]Ile count my Coronation, and that houre

Fix with a rubricke in my Calender,

As an auspicious time to entertaine

Affaires of weight with Princes, thinke who now

Intreates thy mercy, come thou sha't be kinde,

And divide titles with me

Pol,

Heare me sir,

I lov'd you once for vertue, and havē not

A thought so much unguarded as to be wonne

From my truth, and innocence with any

Motives of state to affect you,

Your bright temptation mournes while it staies here

Nor can the triumph of glory, which made you

Forget me, so court my opinion backe,

Were you no King, I should be sooner drawne

Againe to love you, but tis now too late,

A low obedience shall become me best▪

May all the joyes I want

Still waite on you, if time hereafter tell you

That sorrow for your fault hath strucke me dead,

May one soft teare drop from your eye, in [...]ty

Bedew my hearse, and I shall sleepe secu [...]ely

I have but one word more for goodnesse sake,

For your owne honour sir correct your passion

To her you shall love next, and I forgive you.

Exit.

Dem.

Her heart is frozen up, nor can warme prayers

Thaw it to any softnesse.

Phi.

Ile fetch her sir againe.

Dem.

Perswade her not.

Phi.

You give your passion too much leave to triumph.

Seeke in another what she denies.

Enter Macarius

Mac.

Where's the King? oh sir, you are undone,

A dangerous treason is a foote.

Dem.

What treason?

Mac.

Cassander, and Eubulus havē proclaim'd

Another King, whom they pretend to be

Leonatus your elder brother, he that was,

[Page]But this morning prisoner in the Castle.

Dem.

Ha?

Mac.

The easie Epirotes

Gather in multitudes to advance his title,

They have seased upon the Court, secure your person

Whilst we raise power to curbe this insurrection.

Ant.

Lose no time then.

Dem.

We will not arme one man,

Speake it agen, have I a brother living?

And must be no King.

Mac.

What meanes your grace?

Dem.

This newes doth speake me happy, it exalts

My heart, and makes me capable of more

Then twenty Kingdomes.

Phi.

Will you not sir, stand

Vpon your guard?

Dem.

Ile stand upon my honour,

Mercy releives me.

Lisa.

Will you lose the Kingdome?

Dem.

The worlds too poore to bribe me, leave

Me all, lest you extenuate my fame, and I

Be thought to have redeem'd it by your counsell,

You shall not share one scruple in the honour;

Titles may set a glosse upon our name,

But vertue onely is the soule of Fame.

Mac.

He's strangely possest Gentlemen.

Exeunt Omnes.

Actus Quintus.

Enter Philocles, and Lisander.

Phi.

HEres a strange turne, Lisander.

Lisa.

Tis a Kingdome

Easily purchasd, who will trust the faith

Of multitudes?

Phi.

It was his fault, that would

So tamely give hi [...] title to their mercy,

[Page]Thē nēw King has possession.

Lisa.

And is like

To keep't, we are alone, what doft thinke of

This innovation? ift not a fine ligge?

A precious cunning in the late Protector

To shuffle a new Prince into the state.

Phi.

I know not how they have shuffled, but my head on't

A false card is turn'd up trump, but fates looke too't.

Enter Cassander and Eubulus.

Eub.

Does he not carry it bravely.

Cas.

Excellently.

Philocles Lisander.

Phi. Lis.

Your Lordships servants,

Are we not bound to heaven, for multiplying

These blessings on the Kingdome.

Phi.

Heaven alone

Workes miracles my Lord.

Lisa.

I thinke your Lordship

Had as little hope once, to see these Princes

Revive.

Phi.

Here we must place our thankes,

Next providence, for preserving

So deere a pledge.

Enter Leonatus attended.

Eub.

The King.

Leo.

It is our pleasure

The number of our guard be doubled, give

A Largesse to the Soldiers; but dismisse not

The troopes till we command.

Cas.

May it please.

Leo.

It will not please us otherwise, my Lord,

We have tride your faith,

Eub.

Does he not speakē with confidence?

Leo.

My Lords, and Gentlemen, to whose faith we must

Owe next to heaven our fortune, and our safety,

After a tedious eclipse, the day

Is bright, and we invested in those honours,

Our blood, and birth did challenge.

[Page]Cas.

May no time

Be registred in our annalls, that shall mention

One that had life to oppose your sacred person,

Leo.

Let them whose titles forg'd and flaw'd suspect

Their states security, our right to Epire,

Heaven is oblig'd to prosper, t [...]eason has

No face so blacke to fright it, all my cares

Levell to this, that I may worthily

Manage the province, and advance the honour

Of our deere Country, and be confident,

If an expence of blood, may give addition

Of any happinesse to you, I shall

Offer my heart the sacrifice, and rejo [...]e

To make my selfe a ghost, to have inscrib'd

Vpon my marble, but whose cause I dyed for.

Enb.

May Heaven avert such danger.

Cas.

Excellent Prince,

In whom we see the Coppy of his Father

None but the sonne of Theodosius,

Could have spoke thus.

Leo.

You are pleasd to interpret well,

Yet give me leave to say in my owne justice,

I have but exprest the promptnesse of my soule

To serve you all, but tis not empty wishes

Can satisfie our mighty charge, a weight

Would make an Atlas double, a Kings name

Doth sound harmoniously to men at distance,

And those who cannot penetrate beyond

The barke, and outskinne of a common wealth,

Or state, have eyes but ravish'd with the Ceremony

That must attend a Prince, and understand not

What cares allay the glories of a Crowne,

But good Kings finde and feele the contrary,

You have tride, my Lord▪ the burden, and can tell

It would require a Pilote of more yeares

To steere this Kingdome, now impos'd on me,

By justice of my birth.

Cas.

I wish not life,

[Page]But to partake those happy dayes, which must

Succeed these faire proceedings, we are blest,

But sir be sparing to your selfe, we shall

Hazard our joyes in you too soone, the burden

Of statē affaires impose upon your counsell.

Tis fitter that we waste our lives then you,

Call age too soone upon you with the trouble,

And cares that threaten such an undertaking,

Preserve your youth.

Leo.

And choose you our protector,

Ist that you would conclude my Lord? We will

Deserve our subjects faith for our owne sake,

Not sit an idle gazer at the helme

Enter Messenger.

Phi.

How observ'd you that,

Marke how Cassander's planet strucke.

Eu.

He might have lookd more calmely for all that

I begin to feare; but doe not yet seeme troubled.

Leo.

With what newes travailes his hast? I must secure

My selfe betimes, not be a King in jest,

And weare my crowne a tenant to their breath.

Cas.

Demetrius sir, your brother,

With other traytors that oppose your claimes

Are fled to the Castle of Nestorius

And fortifie.

Mes.

I said not so my Lord.

Cas.

Ile have it thought so, hence.

Exit Messen.

Leo.

Plant forces to batter

The wals, and in their ruine bring us word

They live not.

Eub.

Good sir heare me.

Cas.

Let it worke,

Were Demetrius dead, we easily might uncrowne

This swolne impostor, and my sonne be faire

To peice with young Sophia, who I heare

Repents her late affront.

Eub.

Their lives may doe

You service, let not blood staine your beginnings

The people not yet warme in their allegiancē,

May thinke it worth their tumult to revenge it

[Page]With hazard of your selfe.

Leo.

Who dares but thinke it?

Yet offer first our mercy, if they yeeld,

Demetrius must not live, my Lord your counsell,

What if he were in heaven?

Cas.

You have my consent,

You shannot stay long after him.

Leo.

Sophia is

Not my sister,

To prevent al that may indanger us, wee'l marry her

That done no matter though we stand discover'd,

For in her title then we are King of Epire,

Without dispute.

Cas.

Hum? in my judgement sir,

That wonot doe so well.

Leo.

Whats your opinion?

Cas.

He countermines my plot: are you so cunning

Leo.

Whats that you mutter sir?

Cas.

I mutter sir?

Leo.

Best say I am no King, but some impostor

Rais'd up to gull the state.

Cas.

Very fine to have said within

Few houres you'd beene no King, nor like to be,

Was not in the compasse of high treason

I take it.

Eub.

Restraine your anger, the Kings mov'd, speake not▪

Cas.

I will speake louder, doe I not know him?

That selfe same hand that raisd him to the throne

Shall plu ke him from it, is this my reward?

Leo.

Our guard, to prison with him,

Cas.

Me to prison?

Leo.

Off with his head.

Cas.

My head?

Eub.

Vouchsafe to heare me, great sir.

Cas.

How dares he be so insolent?

Jha wrought my selfe into a fine condition,

Dee know me Gentlemen?

Phi.

Very well my Lord;

[Page]How are we bound to heaven for multiplying

These blessings on the Kingdome.

Leo.

We allow it.

Eub.

Counsell did never blast a Princes ēare.

Leo.

Convey him to the sanctuary of rebels,

Nestorius house, where our proud brother has

Enscon [...]d himselfe, theyle entertaine him lovingly,

He will be a good addition to the traitors,

Obey me or you dye for't, what are Kings

When subjects dare affrout em.

Cas.

I shall vex

Thy soule for this.

Leo.

Away with him, when Kings

Frowne, let offenders tremble, this flowes not

From any cruelty in my nature, but

The fate of an usurper, he that will

Be confirm'd great without just title to it,

Must lose compassion, know whats good, not doe it.

Ex [...]unt.

Enter Polidora and her servant.

Ser.

Madam, the Princesse Sophia.

Pol.

I attend her highnesse.

Enter Sophia.

How much your grace honours your humble servant

Sop.

I hope my brother's well.

Pol.

I hope so too Madam.

Sop.

Doe you but hope? he came to be your guest.

Pol.

We are all his whilst he is pleasd to honour

This poore roofe with his royall presence Madam.

Sop.

I came to aske your pardon Polidora,

Pol.

You never Madam trespas'd upon me,

Wrong not your goodnesse.

Sop.

I can be but penitent,

Vnlesse you point me out some other way

To satisfie.

Pol.

Deere Madam doe not mocke me.

Sop.

there is no injury like that to love,

I finde it now in my owne sufferings,

[Page]But though I would have rob'd thee of Arcadius

Heaven knew a way to reconcile your hearts,

And punishd me in those joyes you have found,

I read the story of my losse of honour,

Yet can rejoyce, and heartily, that you

Have met your owne agen.

Pol.

Whom doe you meane?

Sop.

My brother.

Pol.

He is found to himselfe and honour,

He is my King, and though I must acknowledge

He was the glory of my thoughts, and I

Lov'd him as you did Madam, with desire

To be made his, reason, and duty since,

Form'd me to other knowledge, and I now

Looke on him without any wish of more

Then to be call'd his subject.

Sop.

Has he made

Himselfe lesse capable by being King.

Pol.

Of what?

Sop.

Of your affection.

Pol.

With your pardon Madam.

Love in that sense you meane, lest Polidora

When he forsooke Arcadius, I disclaime

All tyes betweene us, more then what a name

Of King must challenge from my obedience.

Sop.

This does confirme my jealousie, my heart,

For my sake Madam, has h [...] lost his value?

Pol.

Let me beseech your grace, I may have leave

To answer in some other cause, or person,

This argument but opens a sad wound

To make it bleed a fr [...]sh, we may change this

Discourse, I would elect some subject, whose

Prayses may more delight your care then this

Can mine; let's talke of young Lisimachus.

Sop.

Ha? my presaging fear [...]s.

Pol.

How does you [...] grace?

Sop.

Well, you were talking of Lisimachus,

Pray give me your opinion of him.

[Page]Pol.

Mine?

It will be much short of his worth, J thinke him

A gentleman so perfect in all goodnesse,

That if there be one in the world deserves

The best of women, heaven created him,

To make her happy.

Sop.

You have in a little, Madam,

Exprest a Volume of mankind, a miracle,

But all have not the same degree of faith,

He is but young.

Pol.

What mistresse would desire

Her servant old? he has both Spring to please

Her eye, and Summer to returne a harvest.

Sop.

He is blacke.

Pol.

He sets a beauty off more rich,

And she thats faire will love him, faint complections

Betray effeminate mindes, and love of change,

Two beauties in a bed, compound few men,

He's not so faire to counterfeit a woman,

Nor yet so blacke, but blushes may betray

His modesty.

Sop.

His proportion exceeds not.

Pol.

That praises him, and well compacted frame

Speakes temper, and sweet flow of elements,

Vast buildings are more of [...] for shew then use,

I would not have my eyes put to the travell

Of many acres, ere I could examine

A man from head to foote, he has no great,

But he may boast, an eligant composition.

Sop.

Ile heare no more, you have so farre outdone

My injuries to you, that I call backe

My penitence, and must tell Polidora,

This revenge ill becomes her. Am I thought

So lost in soule to heare, and forgive this?

In what shade doe I live? or shall I thinke

I have not at the lowest enough merit,

Setting aside my birth, to poyze with yours,

Forgive my modest thoughts, if I rise up

[Page]My ownē defence, and tell this unjust Lady

So great a Winter hath not frozen yet

My cheeke, but there is something nature planted,

That carries as much bloome, and spring upon't

As yours, what flame is in your eye, but may

Finde competition here (forgive agen

My Virgin honour,) what is in your lip,

To tice the enamour'd soule, to dwell with more

Ambition then the yet unwithered blush

That speakes the innocence of mine.

Enter Demetrius.

Oh brother?

Dem.

Ile talke with you anon, my Polidora,

Allow thy patience till my breath recover

Which now comes lade [...] with the richest newes

Thy eare was ever blest with.

Sop.

Both your lookes,

And voyce expresse some welcome accident.

De.

Guesse what in wish could make me fortunate

And heaven hath dropt that on Demetrius.

Sop.

What meanes this extasie?

Dem.

Twere sinne to busie

Thy thoughts upon't, Ile tell thee that I could

Retaine some part, tis too wide a joy

To be exprest so soone, and yet it falls

In a few sillables, thou wot scarce beleeve me,

I am no King.

Sop.

Hows that!

Pol.

Good heaven forbid.

De.

Forbid? Heaven has releiv'd me with a mercy

I knew not how to aske, I have they say

An elder brother living, crown'd already,

I onely keepe my name Demetrius,

Without desire of more addition,

Then to returne thy servant.

Pol.

You amaze me,

Can you rejoyce to be deposd:

Dem.

It but

[Page]Translates me to a fairer and better Kingdome

In Polidora.

Pol.

Mee?

Dem.

Did you not say,

Were I no King you could be drawne to love

Me agen, that was consented to in Heaven,

A Kingdome first betray'd my ambitious soule

To forget thee, that, and the flattering glories,

How willingly Demetrius doe resigne,

The Angels know, thus naked without titles

I throw me on thy charity, and shall

Boast greater Empire to be thine agen, then

To weare the triumphs of the world upon me.

Enter Macarius.

Mac.

Be not so carelesse of your selfe, the people

Gather in multitudes, to your protection

Offering their lives, and fortunes, if they may

But see you sir, and heare you speake to em,

Accept their duties, and in time prevent

Your ruine.

Sop.

Be not desperate, tis counsell.

Dem.

You trouble me with noyse, speake Polidora

Pol.

For your owne sake preserve your selfe,

My feares distract my reason.

Enter Antigonus.

Ant.

Lord Lisimachus

With something that concernes your safety, is

Fled hither, and desires a present hearing.

Mac.

His soule is honest, be not sir a mad man,

And for a Lady give up all our freedomes.

Exit.

Pol.

Ile say any thing here Lisimachus.

Sop.

Deare brother heare him.

Enter Lisimachus.

Lisi.

Sir, I come to yeeld

My selfe your prisoner, if my father have

Raisd an Impostor to supplant your title

Which I suspect and inwardly doe bleed for.

I shall not onely by the tender of

[Page]My selfe declare my innocence, but either

By my unworthy life secure your person,

Or by what death you shall impose, reward

The unexpected treason.

Sop.

Brave young man,

Did you not heare him brother?

Lisi.

I am not minded.

Pol.

Be witnesse Madam, I resigne my heart

It never was anothers, you declare

Too great a satisfaction, I hope

This will destroy your jealousie,

Remember now your danger.

Dem.

I dispise it,

What fate dares injure me?

Lisi.

Yet heare me sir.

Sop.

Forgive me Polidora, you are happy,

My hopes are remov'd farther, I had thought

Lisimachus had meant you for his mistresse,

Tis misery to feed, and not know where

To place my jealousie.

Enter Macarius.

Mac.

Now tis too late,

You may be deafe, untill the Cannon make,

You finde your sence, we are shut up now by

A troupe of Horse, thanke your selfe.

Pol.

They will

Admit conditions.

Sop.

And allow us q [...]arter.

a shout within.

Pol.

We are all lost.

Dem.

Be comforted.

Enter Antigonus.

Ant.

Newes my Lord Cassander sent by the new King.

To beare us company.

Dem.

Not as prisoner?

Ant.

It does appeare no otherwise, the souldiers

Declare how much they love him, by their noyse

Of scorne, and joy to see him so rewarded.

Dem.

It cannot be.

[Page]Ant.

Youle finde it presently,

He curses the new King, talkes treason gainst him

As nimble as he were in's shirt, he's here,

Enter Cassander.

Cas.

Oh let me beg untill my knees take roote

Ith' earth, sir, can you pardon me?

Dem.

For what?

Cas.

For Treason, desperate, most malicious treason

I have undone you sir▪

Dem.

It does appeare

You had a will.

Cas.

Ile make you all the rēcompencē I can,

But ere you kill me heare me, know the man,

Whom I to serve my unjust ends, advanc'd

To your throne, is an impostor, a meere counter [...]eit,

Eubulus sonne.

Exit Anti.

Dem.

It is not then our brother?

Cas.

An insolent usurper, proud, and blooddy

Seleucus, is no leprosie upon me?

There is not punishment enough in nature

To quit my horrid act, I have not in

My stocke of blood to satisfie with weeping,

Nor could my soule though melted to a flood

Within me, gus [...] out teares to wash my staine off.

Dem.

How? an Impostor, what will become on's now?

We are at his mercy.

Cas.

Sir, the peoples hearts

Will come to their owne dwelling, when they see

I dare accuse my selfe, and suffer for it,

Have courage then young King, thy [...]ate cannot

Be long compell'd.

Dem.

Rise, our misfortune

Carries this good, although it lose our hopes,

It makes you friend with vertue, weele expect

What providence will doe.

Cas.

You are too mercifull.

Lisi.

Our duties shall beg heaven still to prēserve you.

Enter Antigonus.

Ant.

Our enemy desires some parley sir.

[Page]Lisi.

'Tis not amisse to heare their proposition.

Pol.

Ile waite upon you.

Dem.

Thou art my angell, and canst best instruct me,

Boldly present our selves, you'le with Cassander.

Cas.

And in death be blest

Exit

To finde your charity.

Sop.

Lisimachus,

Lisi.

Madam.

Sop.

They will not misse your presence, the small time

Is spent in asking of a question.

Lisi.

I waite your pleasure.

Sop.

Sit I have a suite to you.

Lisi.

To me? it must be granted.

Sop.

If you have

Cancell'd your kinde opinion of me,

Deny me not to know, who hath succeeded

Sophia in your heart. I beg the name

Of your new Mistresse.

Lisi.

You shall know her Madam,

If but these tumults cease▪ and fate allow us

To see the Court agen, I hope youle bring

No mutiny against her, but this is

No time to talke of Love, let me attend you.

Sop.

I must expect, till you are pleasd to satisfie

My poore▪ request▪ conduct me at your pleasure▪

Exeunt

Enter Leonatus, Eubulus, Bishop, Lisander, Philocles.

Leo▪

They are too slow, dispatch new messengers,

To entreatem fairely hither, I am extasied,

Were you witnesse for me too, is it possible

I am what this affirmes▪ true Leonatus▪

And were you not my father, was I given

In trust to you an Infant?

Eub.

Tis a truth,

Our soule's bound to acknowledge▪ you supply'd

The absence and opinion of my sonne,

Who dyed but to make you my greater care

I know not of Demetrius, but suppos'd

Him dead indeed, as Epire thought you were,

[Page]Your Fathers character doth want no testimony,

Which but compar'd with what concernes Demetrius

Will prove it selfe King Theodosius act,

Your royall Father.

Bish.

I am subscrib'd to both his Legacies

By oath oblig'd to secresie, untill

Thus fairely summon'd to reveale the trust.

Eub.

Cassander had no thought you would prove thus.

To whose policy I gave this aime, although

He wrought you up to serve but as his engine

To batter young Demetrius, for it was

Your Fathers prudent jealousie, that made him

Give out your earely deaths, as if his soule

Prophesi'd his owne first, and fear'd to leave

Either of you to the unsafe protection,

Of one whose study would be to supplant

Your right, and make himselfe the King of Epire.

Bish.

Your sister faire Sophia in your Fathers

Life, was design'd to marry with Lisimachus

That guarded her, although she us'd some art

To quit her pupillage, and being abso'ute,

Declar'd love to Demetrius, which enforc'd

Macarius to discover first your brother.

Leo.

No more, least you destroy agen Leonatus▪

With wonder of his fate, are they not come yet?

Something it was, I felt within my envy

Of young Demetrius fortune, there were seeds

Scatterd upon my heart, that made it swell

With thought of Empire, Princes I see cannot

Be totally eclipst, but wherefore stayes

Demetrius, and Sophia, at whose names

A gentle spirit walk'd upon my blood.

Enter Demetrius, Polidora, Sophia, Macarius, Cassander▪ Li [...]as▪

Eub.

They are here,

Leo.

Then thus I flye into their bosomes,

Nature has rectifi'd in me Demetrius,

The wandrings of ambition, our deere sister

You are amaz'd, I did expect it, read

[Page]Assurance there, the day is bigge with wonder,

Mac.

What meanes all this?

Leo.

Lisimachus, be deare to us,

Cassander, you are welcome too.

Cas.

Not I,

I doe not looke for't, all this shannot bribe

My conscience to your [...]action, and make

Me false agen, Seleueus is no sonne

Of Theodosius, my deare Countrymen

Correct your erring duties, and to that,

Your lawfull King, prostrate your selves, De [...]rius

Doth challenge all your knees.

Dem.

All love and duty,

Flow from me to my royall King, and brother

I am confirm'd.

Cas.

You are too credulous,

What can betray your faith so much?

Leo.

Sophia, you appeare sad, as if your will

Gave no consent to this dayes happynesse.

Sop.

No joy exceeds Sophia's for your selfe.

Lisi

With your pardon sir, I apprehend

A cause that makes her troubled, she desires

To know what other mistresse since her late

Vnkindnesse, I have chosen to direct

My faith and service.

Leo.

Another Mistresse.

Lisi.

Yes sir.

Leo.

And does our sister love Lisimachus?

Sop.

Here's something would confesse.

Leo.

He must not dare

To affront Sophia.

Cas.

How my shame confounds me,

I beg your justice, without pitty on

My age.

Leo.

Your penance shall be, to be faithfull

To our state hereafter.

Omnes.

May you live long and happy,

Leonatus King of Epire.

[Page]Leo.

But where's your other Mistresse?

Lisi.

Even here sir.

Leo,

Our sister? is this another Mistresse sir?

Lisi.

It holds

To prove my thoughts were so when she began

Her sorrow for [...] [...], that sweetnesse

Deserv'd I should est [...] her another mistresse,

Then when she cruelly forsooke Lisimacus,

Your pardon Madam, and receive a heart

Proud with my first devotio [...] to serve you

Sop.

In this I am crownd agen, now mine for ever.

Leo.

You have deceiv'd her happily,

Ioy to you both.

Dem.

We are ripe for the same wishes,

Polidora's part of me.

Pol.

He all my blessing.

Leo.

Heaven powre full joyes upon you.

Mac,

We are all blest,

There wants but one to fill your armes.

Leo.

My mistresse,

And wife shall be my Country, to which I

Was in my birth contracted, your love since

Hath playd the Priest to perfect what was Ceremony

Though Kingdomes, by just [...]tkes prove our owne,

The subjects hearts doe [...] secure a Crowne.

Exeunt Omnes.

The Epilogue.

[Page]

THere is no Coronation to day.

Vnlesse your gentle votes doe crowne our Play,

If smiles appeare within each Ladies eye,

Which are the leading starres in this faire skie,

Our solemne day sets glorious, for then

We hope by their soft influence, the men

Will grace what they first shinde on, mak't appeare,

(Both) how we please, and blesse our co [...]tous [...]are

With your applause, more welcome then the Bell [...],

Upon a triumph, Bonfires, or what else

Can speake a Coronation. And though I

Were late dispos'd and spoyl'd of Majesty▪

By the kindayde of your hands, Gentlemen,

I quickely may be Crown'd a Queene [...] ▪

FINIS.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

The coronation a comedy. As it vvas presented by her Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury Lane. Written by John Fletcher. Gent.

Shirley, James, 1596-1666.

Edition statement

1640

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2005-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A12133

ID [STC]

STC 22440

ID [STC]

ESTC S117330

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99852545

ID [PROQUEST]

99852545

ID [VID]

17870

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A12133)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 17870)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 938:7)

Source

— The coronation a comedy. As it vvas presented by her Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury Lane. Written by John Fletcher. Gent., Shirley, James, 1596-1666., Fletcher, John, 1579-1625, attributed name..

Extent

[72] p.

Printed by Tho. Cotes, for Andrew Crooke, and William Cooke. and are to be sold at the signe of the Greene Dragon, in Pauls Church-yard,. London :: 1640.. (Not in fact by John Fletcher, but by James Shirley.) (In verse.) (Title page partly from the same setting of type as John Fletcher's "The night-walker" (STC 11072).) (Signatures: A² B-I⁴ K² .) (Reproduction of the original in the Folger Shakespeare Library.)

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