THE EMPEROVR OF THE EAST. A Tragae-Comoedie. The Scaene Constantinople. As it hath bene diuers times acted, at the Black-friers, and Globe Play-houses, by the Kings Maiesties Seruants.

Written by PHILIP MASSINGER.

LONDON, Printed by THOMAS HARPER, for Iohn Waterson, ANNO 1632.

The ACTORS names.

  • THEDOSIVS the younger.
  • Paulinus, a Kinsman to the Emperour.
  • Philanax, Captaine of the Guard.
  • Timantus. Chrysapius. Gratianus. Eunuchs of the Emperours chamber.
  • Cleon, a trauailer, friend to Paulinus.
  • Informer.
  • Proiector:
  • Master of the manners.
  • Mignion of the suburbs.
  • Countryman.
  • Chirurgion.
  • Emperick.
  • Pulcheria, the protectresse.
  • Athenais, a strange virgin, after the Empresse.
  • Arcadia. Flaccilla. the younger sisters of the Emper.
  • Seruants.
  • Mutes.

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE, AND MY especiall good Lord, IOHN Lord MOHVNE, Baron of Okehampton, &c.

My good Lord,

LET my presumption in stiling you so (hauing neuer deseru'd it in my seruice) from the clemencie of your noble dispo­sition finde pardon. The reuerence due to the Name of Mohune, longe since ho­nored in three Earls of Sommerset, and eight Barons of Munster, may challenge from all pennes a deserued cele­bration. And the rather in respect those Titles were not purchas'd, but conferr'd, and continued in your Ancestours, for many vertuous, noble, and still liuing Actions; nor euer forfeited, or tainted, but when the iniquitie of those times labour'd the depression of ap­proued goodnesse, and in wicked policie held it fit that Loyaltie, and Faith, in taking part with the true Prince, should be degraded, and mulcted. But this admitting no farther dilation in this place, may your Lordship please, and with all possible breuitie to vnderstand, the reasons why I am in humble thankfulnesse ambitious [Page] to shelter this Poem vnder the wings of your Honora­ble protection. My worthy friend Mr Aston Cokaine your Nephew, to my extraordinarie content, deliuer'd to mee, that your Lordship at your vacant hours some­times vouchsaf'd to peruse such trifles of mine, as haue passed the Presse, & not alone warranted them in your gentle suffrage, but disdain'd not to bestow a remem­brance of your loue, and intended fauour to mee. I pro­fesse to the world, I was exalted with the bountie, and with good assurance, it being so rare in this age to mecte with one Noble Name, that in feare to bee censur'd of leuitie, and weakenesse, dares expresse it selfe, a friend, or Patron to contemn'd Poetrie. Hauing therefore no meanes els left mee to witnesse the obligation, in which I stand most willingly bound to your Lordship, I offer this Tragae-Comoedie to your gratious acceptance, no way despairing, but that with a cleere aspect, you will daine to receiue it (it being an induction to my future endeauours) and that in the list of those, that to your merit truely admire you, you may descend to number,

Your Lordships Faithfull Honorer; PHILIP MASSINGER.
To my worthy Friend, Mr. PHILIP MASSINGER, vpon his Tragae-Co­moedie, call'd The Emperour of the East.
SVffer, my friend, these lines to haue the grace,
That they may bee a mole on Venus face.
There is no fault about thy Booke, but this,
And it will shew how faire thy Emperour is.
Thou more then Poet, our Mercurie (that art
Apollo's Messenger, and do'st impart
His best expressions to our eares) liue long
To purifie the slighted English tongue,
That both the Nymphes of Tagus, and of Poe,
May not henceforth despise our language so.
Nor could they doe it, if they ere had seene
The matchlesse features of the faerie Queene;
Read Iohnson, Shakespeare, Beaumont, Fletcher, or
Thy neat-limnd peeces, skilfull Massinger.
Thou knowne, all the Castillians must confesse
Vega de Carpio thy foile, and blesse
His language can translate thee, and the fine
Italian witts, yeeld to this worke of thine.
Were old Pythagoras aliue againe,
In thee hee might finde reason to maintaine
His Paradox; that soules by transmigration
In diuers bodies make their habitation,
And more; that all Poetik soules yet knowne
Are met in thee, vnited, and made one.
This is a truth, not an applause. I am
One that at farthest distance view thy flame,
Yet may pronounce, that were Apollo dead,
In thee his Poesie might all bee read.
Forbeare thy modestie. Thy Emper [...]urs veine
Shall liue admir'd, when Poets shall complaine.
[Page]It is a patterne of too high a reach
And what great Phoebus might the Muses teach.
Let it liue therefore, and I dare bee bold
To say, it with the world shall not grow old.
Aston Cokaine.
A friend to the Author, and well-wisher to the Reader.
WHO with a liberall hand, freely bestowes
His bounty, on all commers, and yet knowes
No ebbe, nor formall limits, but proceeds
Continuing his hospitable deeds,
With dayly welcome, shall aduance his name
Beyond the art of flatterie: with such, fame
May yours (deare friend) compare. Your muse hath bene
Most bountifull, and I haue often seene
The willing seates receaue such as haue fedd,
And risen thankefull; yet were some mis-led
By Nicetie, when this faire Banquet came
(So I allude) their stomacks were to blame,
Because that excellent sharpe, and poinant sauce
Was wanting, they arose without due grace,
Loe thus a second time hee doth inuite you:
Bee your owne Caruers, and it may delight you.
Iohn Clauell.
To my true friend, and Kinsman: PHILIP MASSINGER.
I Take not vp on trust; nor am I lead
By an implicit Faith: what I haue read
With an impartiall censure I dare crowne
With a deseru'd applause, how ere cri'd downe
By such whose malice will not let 'em bee
Equall to any peece limnd forth by thee.
[Page]Contemne their poore detraction, and still write
Poems like this, that can indure the light,
And search of abler iudgements. This will raise
Thy Name, the others Scandall is thy praise.
This oft perus'd by graue witts, shall liue long,
Not dye as soone, as pass'd the Actors tongue,
(The fate of slighter toyes) And I must say
Tis not enough to make a passing play,
In a true Poet. Workes that should indure
Must haue a Genius in 'em strong, as pure.
And such is thine friend; nor shall time deuoure
The well form'd features of thy Emperour.
William Singleton.

Prologue at the Blackfriers.

BVT that imperious custome warrants it,
Our Author with much willingnes would omit
This Preface to his new worke. Hee hath found
(And suffer'd for't) many are apt to wound
His credit in this kind: and whether hee,
Expresse himselfe fearefull, or peremptorie,
Hee cannot scape their censures who delight
To misapplie what euer hee shall write.
Tis his hard fate. And though hee will not sue,
Or basely beg such suffrages, yet to you
Free, and ingenious spirits, hee doth now,
In mee present his seruice, with his vow
Hee hath done his best, and though hee cannot glorie
In his inuention, (this worke being a storie,
Of reuerend Antiquitie) hee doth hope
In the proportion of it, and the scope,
You may obserue some peeces drawne like one
Of a stedfast hand, and with the whiter stone
To bee mark'd in your faire censures. More then this
I am forbid to promise, and it is
With the most 'till you confirme it: since wee know
What ere the shaft bee, Archer, or the bow,
[Page]From which 'tis sent, it cannot hit the white
Vnlesse your approbation guide it right.

Prologue at Court.

AS euer (Sir) you lent a gratious eare
To oppress'd innocence, now vouchsafe to heare
A short petition, At your feete in mee
The Poet kneeles, and to your Maiestie
Appeales for iustice. What wee now present,
When first conceiu'd, in his vote and intent,
Was sacred to your pleasure; in each part
With his best of sancie, iudgment, language, art,
Fashiond, and form'd so, as might well, and may
Deserue a wellcome, and no vulgar way.
Hee durst not (Sir) at such a solemne feast
Lard his graue matter with one scurrilous ieast,
But labour'd that no passage might appeare,
But what the Queene without a blush might heare.
And yet this poore worke suffer'd by the rage,
And enuie of some Catos of the stage:
Yet still hee hopes, this Play which then was seene
With sore eyes, and condemn'd out of their spleen,
May bee by you, The supreme iudge, set free,
And rais'd aboue the reach of calumnie.

The Emperour of the East. The Scaene Constantinople.

Act 1. Scaene 1.

Paulinus. Cleon.
Paul.
IN your six yeeres trauaile, friend, no doubt you haue met with
Many, and rare aduentures, and ob­seru'd
The wonders of each climate, vary­ing in
The manners, and the men, and so returne,
For the future seruice of your prince and country,
In your vnderstanding betterd.
Cleon.
Sir, I haue made oft
The best vse in my power, and hope my gleanings,
After the full crop others reapd before me,
Shall not when I am call'd on, altogether
Appeare vnprofitable: yet I left
The miracle of miracles in our age
At home behind me; euery where abroad
Fame with a true, though prodigall voyce, deliuer'd
Such wonders of Pulcheria the Princesse,
To the amazement, nay astonishment rather
Of such as heard it, that I found not one
In all the States and Kingdomes that I pass'd through,
Worthy to be her second.
Paul.
She indeed is
A perfect Phoenix, and disdaynes a riuall.
Her infant yeeres, as you know, promis'd much
[Page]But growne to ripenesse shee transcendes, and makes
Credulitie her debtor. I will tell you
In my blunt way, to entertaine the time,
Vntill you haue the happinesse to see her,
How in your absence shee hath borne her selfe,
And with all possible breuitie, though the subiect
Is such a spatious field, as would require
An abstract of the purest eloquence
(Deriu'de from the most famous Orators
The nurse of learning, Athens, shew'd the world)
In that man, that should vndertake to bee
Her true Historian.
Cleon.
In this you shall doe mee
A speciall fauour.
Paulinus.
Since Arcadius death,
Our late great Master, the protection of
The Prince his Sonne, the second Theodosius,
By a generall vote and suffrage of the people;
Was to her charge assigned, with the disposure
Of his so many Kingdomes. For his person
Shee hath so train'd him vp in all those arts
That are both great and good, and to be wished
In an Imperiall Monarch, that the Mother
Of the Gracchi, graue Cornelia (Rome still boasts of)
The wise Pulcheria but nam'd, must be
No more remembred. She by her example
Hath made the court a kinde of Academy,
In which true honour is both learnd, and practisd,
Her priuate lodging's a chaste Nunnery,
In which her sisters as probationers heare
From her their soueraigne Abbesse, all the precepts
Read in the schoole of vertue.
Cleon.
You amaze me.
Paulinus.
I shall ere I conclude. For heere the wonder
Begins, not ends Her soule is so immense,
And her strong faculties so apprehensiue,
To search into the depth of deepe designes,
[Page]And of all natures, that the burthen which
To many men were insupportable,
To her is but a gentle exercise,
Made by the frequent vse familiar to her.
Cleon.
With your good fauour let me interrupt you.
Being as she is in euery part so perfect,
Me thinkes that all kings of our Easterne world
Should become riualls for her.
Paulinus.
So they haue,
But to no purpose. She that knowes her strength
To rule, and gouerne Monarchs, scornes to weare
On her free necke the seruile yoke of marriage.
And for one loose desire, enuie it selfe
Dares not presume to taint her. Venus sonne
Is blinde indeed, when he but gazes on her.
Her chastity being a rocke of Diamonds,
With which encountred his shafts flie in splinters,
His flaming torches in the liuing spring
Of her perfections, quench'd: and to crowne all;
Shee's so impartiall when she sits vpon
The high tribunall, neither swayd with piety,
Nor awd by feare beyond her equall scale,
That 'tis not superstition to beleeue
Astrea once more liues vpon the earth,
Pulcheriaes brest her temple.
Cleon.
You haue giuen her
An admirable character.
Paulinus.
She deserues it,
And such is the commanding power of vertue,
That from her vi [...]ious enemies it compells
Paeans of prayse as a due tribute to her. Solemno lowd musick:
Cleon.
What meanes this solemne musicke?
Paulinus.
It vshers
The Emperours morning meditation,
In which Pulcheria is more then assistant.
Tis worth your obseruation, and you may
Collect from her expence of time this day,
[Page]How her howres for many yeeres haue beene dispos'd of.
Cleon.
I am all eyes and eares.
Enter after a strayne of musicke, Philanax, Timantus, Patri­arch, Theodosius, Pulcheria, Flaccilla, Arcadia, followed by Chrysapius and Gratianus, Informer, Seruants, Officers.
Pulcheria.
Your patience Sir.
Let those corrupted ministers of the court,
Which you complayne of, our deuotions ended,
Be cited to appeare. For the Embassadours
Who are importunate to haue audience,
From me you may assure them, that to morrow
They shall in publike kisse the Emperours robe,
And we in priuate with our soonest leasure
Will giue 'em hearing. Haue you especiall care too
That free accesse be granted vnto all
Petitioners. The morning weares, Pray you on Sir;
Time lost is ne're recouerd.
Exeunt Theodosius, Pulcheria, and the trayne.
Paulinus.
Did you note
The maiesty she appeares in?
Cleon.
Yes my good Lord,
I was rauish'd with it.
Paulinus.
And then with what speede
Shee orders his dispatches, not one daring
To interpose; the Emperour himselfe
Without replie putting in act what euer
Shee pleas'd to impose vpon him.
Cleon.
Yet there were some
That in their sullen lookes rather confessed
A forc'd constraint to serue her, then a will
To bee at her deuotion, what are they?
Paulin.
Eunuchs of the Emperours chamber, that repine,
[Page]The globe and awfull scepter should giue place
Vnto the distaffe, for as such they whisper
A womans gouernment, but dare not yet
Expresse themselues.
Cleon.
From whence are the Embassadours
To whom she promisde audience?
Paulinus.
They ate
Imployd by diuers Princes, who desire
Alliance with our Emperour, whose yeeres now
As you see, write him man. One would aduance
A daughter to the honour of his bed,
A second, his fayre sister: to instruct you
In the particulars would aske longer time
Then my owne designes giue way to. I haue letters
From speciall friends of mine, that to my care
Commend a stranger virgin, whom this morning
I purpose to present before the Princesse,
If you please, you may accompany me.
Cleon.
Ile wait on you,
Exeunt.

Act. 1. Scene 2.

Informer; Officers bringing in the Proiector, the Sub­urbs Mignion, the Master of the habit and maners.
Informer.
Why should you droope, or hang your working heads?
No danger is meant to you, pray beare vp,
For ought I know you are cited to receiue
Preferment due to your merits.
Proiector.
Very likely,
In all the proiects I haue read and practisd
I neuer found one man compeld to come
Before the seat of iustice vnder guarde
To receiue honour.
Informer.
No; it may be you are
[Page]The first example. Men of qualities,
As I haue deliuer'd you to the protectresse,
Who knows how to aduance them, cannot conceiue
A fitter place to haue their vertues publish'de,
Then in open Court: could you hope that the Princesse
Knowing your pretious merits, will reward 'em
In a priuate corner? no, you know not yet
How you may be exalted.
Suburbs Minion.
To the gallowes.
Informer.
Fy,
Nor yet depressde to the Gallies; in your names
You carry no such crimes: your specious titles
Cannot but take her: President of the Proiectors!
What a noyse it makes? The master of the habit,
How proud would some one country be that I know
To be your first pupill? Minion of the suburbs,
And now and then admitted to the Court,
And honor'd with the stile of Squire of Dames,
What hurt is in it? One thing I must tell you,
As I am the State scout, you may think me an informer.
Master of the habit.
They are Synonima.
Informer.
Conceale nothing from her
Of your good parts, 'twill be the better for you,
Or if you should, it matters not, she can coniure,
And I am her vbiquitary spirit,
Bound to obey her, you haue my instructions,
Stand by, heeres better company.
Enter Paulinus, Cleon, Athenians, with a Petition.
Athenais.
Can I hope. Sir,
Oppressed innocence shall finde protection,
And iustice among strangers, when my brothers,
Brothers of one wombe, by one Sire begotten,
Trample on my afflictions?
Paulinus.
Forget them,
Remembring those may helpe you.
Athenais.
[Page]
They haue robde mee
Of all meanes to prefer my iust complaint
With any promising hope to gaine a hearing,
Much lesse redresse: petitions not sweetened
With golde, are but vnsauorie, oft refused,
Or if receau'd, are pocketted, not read.
A suitors swelling teares by the glowing beame [...]
Of Cholerick authority are dri'd vp,
Before they fall, or if seene neuer pittled.
What will become of a forsaken maide?
My flattering hopes are too weake to encounter
With my stronge enemy, despaire, and 'tis
In vaine to oppose her.
Cleon.
Cheere her vp, shee faints, Sir.
Paulin.
This argues weakenesse, thogh your brothers were
Cruell beyond expression, and the iudges
That sentenc'd you, corrupt, you shall finde heere
One of your owne faine sexe to doe you right,
Whose beames of iustice like the Sun extend
Their light, and heate to strangers, and are not
Municipall, or confinde.
Athenais.
Pray you doe not feede mee
With aerie hopes, vnlesse you can assure mee
The greate Pulcheria will descende to heare
My miserable storie, it were better
I died without her trouble.
Paulinus.
Shee is bound to it
By the surest chaine, her naturall inclination
To helpe th' afflicted, nor shall long delayes
(More terrible to miserable suitors
Then quicke denialls) grieue you; Drie your faire eyes,
This roome will instantly bee sanctifi'd
With her bless'd presence; to her ready hand
Present your grieuances, and rest assur'd
You shall depart contented.
Athenais.
You breath in mee
A second life.
Informer.
[Page]
Will your Lordship please to heare
Your seruant a few words?
Paulinus.
Away you rascall,
Did I euer keepe such seruants?
Informer.
If your honestie
Would giue you leaue, it would bee for your profit.
Paul.
To make vse of an Informer? tell mee in what
Can you aduantage mee?
Informer.
In the first tender
Of a fresh suite neuer begd yet,
Paulinus.
Whats your suite Sir?
Informer.
'Tis feasible, heere are three arrant knaues
Discouerd by my Art:
Paulinus.
And thou the arch-knaue,
The greate deuoure the lesse.
Informer.
And with good reason,
I must eate one a month, I cannot liue els.
Paulinus.
A notable canniball? but should I heare thee,
In what doe your knaues concerne mee?
Informer.
In the begging
Of their estates.
Paulinus.
Before they are condemned?
Inf.
Ye [...] or arraigned, your Lordship may speake too late [...]ls [...]
They are your owne, and I will bee content
With the fif [...] part of a share.
Paulinus.
Hence Rogue,
Informer.
Such Rogues
In this kinde will be heard, and cherish'd too.
Foole that I was to offer such a bargaine,
To a spic'd conscience chapman, but I care not
What hee disdaines to taste others will swallow.
Lowde Mus.
Enter Theodosius, Pulcheria, and the traine.
Cleon.
They are returned from the Temple.
Paul.
See, shee appeares,
What thinke you now?
Athenais.
[Page]
A cunning Painter thus
Her vaile tane off and awfull sword and ballance
Lay'd by woulde picture iustice.
Pulcheria.
When you please,
You may intend those royall exercises
Suiting your birth, and greatenesse: I will beare
The burthen of your cares, and hauing purged
The body of your empire of ill humors,
Vpon my knees surrender it.
Chrysapiu [...].
Will you euer
Bee awde thus like a Boy?
Gratianu [...].
And kis [...]e the rod
Of a proude Mistrisse?
Timantus.
Bee what you were borne Sir.
Philanax.
Obedience and Maiestie neuer lodg'd
In the same Inne.
Theodosius.
No more; hee neuer learned
The right way to command, that stopp'd his eares
To wise directions.
Pulcheria.
Reade ore the Papers
I left vpon my cabinet, two hours hence
I will examine you.
Flaccilla.
Wee spende our time well.
Nothing but praying, and poring on a booke,
It ill agrees with my constitution, sister.
Arcadia.
Would I had beene borne some masquing La­dies woman,
Only to see strange sights, rather then liue thus.
Flaccilla.
We are gone forsooth, there is no remedy, sister:
Exeunt Arcadia and Flaccilla.
Gratianus.
What hath his eye found out [...]
Timan [...]us.
'Tis fix'd vpon
That stranger Lady.
Chrysapius.
I am glad yet, that
Hee dares looke on a Woman.
[Page] All this time the informer kn [...]eling to Pulcheria, and deliuering papers.
Theodos.
Philanax,
What is that comely stranger?
Philanax.
A Petitioner.
Chrys.
Will you heare her case, and dispatch her in your Chamber?
Ile vndertake to bring her.
Theod.
Bring mee to
Some place where I may looke on her demeaner
'Tis a louely creature?
Exeunt Theodosius, Patriarck and the trayne:
Chrys.
Ther's some hope in this yet.
Pulch.
No you haue done your parts:
Paul.
Now opportunity courts you,
Prefer your suite,
Athenai [...].
As low as miserie
Can fall, for proofe of my humilitie,
A poore distressed Virgin bowes her head,
And layes hold on your goodnesse, the last alta [...]
Calamitie can flie to for protection.
Great mindes erect their neuer falling trophees
On the firme base of mercie; but to triumphe
Ouer a suppliant by proud fortune captiu [...]d,
Argue [...] a Bastard conquest: 'tis to you
I speake, to you the faire, and iust Pulcheria,
The wonder of the age, your sexes honor,
And as such daine to heare mee. As you haue
A soule moulded from heauen, and doe desire
To haue it made a star there, make the meanes
Of your ascent to that celestiall height
Vertue wing'd with braue action: they draw neer
The nature, and the essence of the Gods,
[Page]Who imi [...]ate their goodnesse.
Fulcher.
If you were
A subiect of the Empire, which your habit
In euery part denies.
Athenais.
O flie not to
Such an euasion; what ere I am,
Being a Woman, in humanitie
You are bound to right mee, though the difference
Of my religion may seeme to exclude mee
From your defence (which you would haue confinde)
The morall vertue, which is generall,
Must know no limits; by these blessed feete
That pace the paths of equity, and tread boldly
On the stiff [...] necke of tyrannous oppression,
By these teares by which I bath 'em, I coniure you
With pitty to looke on mee.
Pulch.
Pray you rise.
And as you rise receiue thi [...] comfort from mee.
Beauty set off with such sweete language neuer
Can want an Aduocate, and you must bring
More then a guiltie cause if you pr [...]uaile not.
Some businesse long since thought vpon dispatched [...]
You shall haue hearing, and as far as iustice
Will warrant mee, my best aydes.
Athen.
I doe desire,
No stronger garde, my equitie needs no fauour.
Pulch.
Are these the men?
Proiector.
Wee were, an't like your highnesse,
The men, the men of eminence, and marke,
And may continue so, if it please your grace.
Master
This speech was well proiected.
Pul.
Does your conscience
(I will begin with you) whisper vnto you
What heere you st [...]nd accused of? are you named
The President of Proiectors?
Inform.
Iustifie it man.
And tell her in what thou art vsefull.
Proiect.
[Page]
That is apparent,
And if you please, aske some about the court,
And [...]hey will tell you too my rare inuentions,
They owe their brauerie, perhaps meanes to purchase,
And cannot liue wi [...]hout mee. I alas
Lende out my labouring braines to vse, and sometimes
For a drachma in the pound, the more the pitty.
I am all patience, and indure the curse [...]
Of many, for the profit of one patron.
Pulch [...]r.
I do conceiue the rest. What is the second?
Informer.
The mignion of the suburbs.
Pulcheria.
What hath he
To doe in Constantinople?
Mign.
I steale in now and then,
As I am thought vsefull, marry there I am calde
The Squire of Dames, or seruant of the sex,
And by the allowance of some sportfull Ladies
Honor'd with that ti [...]le.
Pulch.
Spare your Character,
You are heere desciphered; stand by with your compere.
What is the third? a creature I ne're heard of;
The master of the manners, and the habit,
You haue a double office.
Master.
In my actions
I make both good, for by my theoremes
Which your polite, and terser gallants practise,
I rerefine the court, and ciuilize
Their barbarous natures: I haue in a table
With curious punctualitie set downe
To a haires breadth, how low a new stamp'd courtie [...]
May vaile to a country Gentleman, and by
Gradation, to his marchant, mercer, draper,
His linnen man, and [...]aylor.
Pulch.
Pray you discouer
This hidden mysterie.
Master.
If the foresayde courtier
(As it may chance somtimes) find not his name
[Page]Writ in the Citizens bookes, with a State hum
He may salute 'em after three dayes wayting:
But if he owe them money, that he may
Preserue his credit, let him, in policy, neuer
Appoint a day of payment, so they may hope still:
But if he be to take vp more, his page
May attend 'em at the gate, and vsher 'em
Into his Cellar, and when they are warm'd with wine,
Conduct 'em to his bedchamber, and though then
He be vnder his Barbers hands, assoone as seene,
He must start vp to embrace 'em, vayle thus low,
Nay though he call ' [...]m cosins, 'tis the better,
His Dignity no way wrong'd in't.
Paulinus.
Here's a fine knaue.
Pulch.
Does this rule hold without exception sir [...]h a
For Cou [...]iers in generall?
Mast.
No, dea [...]e madam,
For one of the last edi [...]ion, and for him
I haue c [...]mposde a Dictionary, in which
He is instructed, how, when, and to whom
To be proud or humble; at what times of the yeare
He may do a good deed for it selfe, and that is
Writ in Dominicall let [...]ers, all dayes else
Are his owne, and of those dayes the seuer [...]ll houres
Markt out, and to what vse.
Pulch.
Shew vs your method,
I am strangely taken with it.
Mast.
Twill deserue
A pension, I hope. First a strong cullise
In his bed to h [...]ighten appetite: Shu [...]tle-cock
To keepe him in breath when he rises; Tenni [...] Courts
Are chargeable, and the riding of great horses
Too boystrous for my yong Courtier, let the old ones
I thinke not of, vse it; next his meditation
How to court his Mis [...]re [...]e, and that he may seeme wi [...]ty,
Let him be [...]urnish'd with con [...]ederate iests
Between him and his f [...]iend, that on occasion
[Page]They may ventem mutually: what his pace, and garbe
Must be in the presence, then the length of his sword,
The fashion of the hilt, what the blade is
It matters not, 'twere barbarisme to vse it,
Vnlesse to shew his strength vpon an and iron,
So the sooner broke, the better.
Pulch.
How I abuse
This pretious time! Proiector, I treat first
Of you and your disciples; you roare out,
All is the Kings, his will aboue his lawes:
And that fit tributes are too gentle yokes
For his poore subiects; whispering in his eare,
If he would haue them feare, no man should dare
To bring a sallad from his country garden,
Without the paying gubell; kill a hen,
Without excise: and that if he desire
To haue his children, or his seruants weare
Their heads vpon their shoulders, you affirme,
In policy, tis fit the owner should
Pay for 'em by the pole; or if the Prince want
A present summe, he may command a city
Impossibilities, and for non-performance
Compell it to submit to any fine
His Officers shall impose: is this the way
To make our Emperor happy? can the groanes
Of his subiects yeeld him musick? must his thresholds
Be wash'd with widdowes and wrong'd orphans teares,
Or his power grow contemptible?
Proiect.
I begin
To feele my selfe a rogue againe.
Pulch.
But you are
The Squire of Dames, deuoted to the seruice
Of gamesome Ladies, the hidden mystery
Discouer'd, their close bawde; thy slauish breath
Fanning the fires of lust, the Goe-between
This female, and that wanton Sir, your art
Can blinde a iealous husband, and disguisde
[Page]Like a Millainer or Shoomaker, conuey
A letter in a pantophle or gloue
Without suspition, nay at his table
In a case of picketoothes; you instruct'em how
To parley with their eyes, and make the temple
A mart of loosenesse: to discouer all
The subtile brokages, were to teach in publick,
Those priuate practises which are, in iustice,
Seuerely to bee punish'd.
Mignion.
I am cast,
A iurie of my patronesses cannot quit mee.
Pulcheria.
You are master of the manners, and the habit,
Rather the [...]corne of such as would liue men,
And not like Apes with seruile imitation,
Studie prodigiou [...] fashions. You keepe
Intelligence abroad that may instruct,
Our giddie youth at home what new found fashion
Is now in vse, swearing hees most comp [...]te
That first turnes monster. Know villaines, I can thrust
This arme into your hearts, strip off the flesh
That couers your deformities, and shew you
In your owne nakednesse. Now though the law
Call not your follies death, you are for euer
Banish'd my brothers court. Away with 'em.
I will heare no reply.
Exeunt Informer, Officers, Prisoners, the curtaines drawne aboue, Theodosius, and his Eunuches discouer'd.
Paulinu [...].
What thincke you now?
Cleon.
That I am in a dreame, or that I see
A seconde Pallas.
Pulch.
These remou'd, to you
I cleare my browe, speake without care sweete mayde,
Since with a milde aspect and ready eare,
I sit prepar'd to heare you.
Athen.
Know greate Princesse,
[Page]My father, though a Pagan, was admir'd
For his d [...]epe serch into those hidden studies,
Whose knowledge is deni'd to common men:
The motion, with the diuers operations
Of the superior bodies, by his long
And carefull obseruation were made
Familiar to him, all the secret virtues
Of plants, and simples, and in what degree
They were vsefull to mankinde, hee could discourse of.
In a word conceiue him as a Prophet honourd
In his owne countrie. But being borne a man,
It lay not in him to defer the hower
Of his approching death, though long foretold:
In this so fatall hower hee call'd before him
His two sonnes, and my selfe, the deerest pledges
Lent him by nature, and with his right hand
Blessing our seuerall heades, hee thus began;
Chrys.
Marke his attention.
Phyl.
Giue mee leaue to marke too.
Athen.
If I could leaue my vnderstanding to you,
It were superfluous to make diuision
Of whatsoeuer els I can bequeath you,
But to auoide contention, I allot
An equall portion of my possessions
To you my sonnes: but vnto thee my daughter,
My ioy, my darling (pardon mee though I
Repeate his words) if my prophetick soule
Ready to take her flight, can truely ghesse at
Thy future fate, I leaue the strange assurance
Of the greatenesse thou art borne to, vnto which
Thy brothers shall be proud to pay their seruice,
Paulinus.
And all men els that honour beauty
Theod.
Nimph.
Ath.
Yet to prepare thee for that certaine fortune,
And that I may from present wants defend thee,
I leaue ten thousand crownes, which sayd, being call'd
To the fellowship of our Deities, he expird,
[Page]And with him all remembrance of the charge
Concerning me, left by him to my brothers.
Pulch.
Did they deteyne your legacy?
Athenais.
And still do.
His ashes were scarce quiet in his vrne,
When in derision of my future greatnesse,
They thrust me out of doores, denying me
One short nights harbor.
Pulch.
Weepe not.
Ath.
I desire
By your perswasion, or commanding power,
The restitution of mine owne, or that
To keepe my frailty from temptation,
In your compassion of me, you would please
I as a handmaid may be entertaind
To do the meanest offices to all such
As are honor'd in your seruice.
Pulch.
Thou art welcome. What is thy name?
Ath.
The forlorne Athenais.
Takes her vp and kisses her.
Pulch.
The sweetnes of thy innocence strangely takes me [...]
Forget thy brothers wrongs, for I will be
In my care a mother, in my loue a sister to thee;
And were it possible thou could'st be wooned
To be of our beleefe.
Paulinus.
May it please your excellence,
That is an easie task [...], I [...] though no schollar,
Dare vndertake it; cleere truth cannot want
Rhetoricall perswasions.
Pulch.
Tis a work,
My Lord, will well become you; break vp the Court,
May your endeuors prosper.
Paulinus.
Come my fai [...]e one,
I hope my conuert.
Ath.
Neuer, I will die
As I was borne.
Paulinus.
[Page]
Better you nere had beene.
Philanax.
What does your maiesty think of? the maid's gone.
Theod.
She' [...] wondrous faire, and in her speech appear'd
Peeces of schollarship.
Chrysap.
Make vse of her learning
And beauty together, on my life she will be proud
To be so conuerted.
Theod [...]
From foule lust heauen guard me.
Exeunt [...]

Act. 2. Scaene 1.

Philanax, Timantus, Chrysapius, Gratianus.
Philanax.
We only talk when we should do [...]
Timantus:
Ile second you,
Begin, and when you please.
Gratianus.
Be constant in it.
Chry.
That resolution which growes cold to day,
Will freeze to morrow.
Gratianus.
'Slight, I think sheele keepe him
Her ward for euer, to her selfe ingrossing
The disposition of all the fauors
And bounties of the Empire.
Chrys.
Wee that by
The neerenesse of our seruice to his person,
Should raise this man, or pull downe that, without
Her licence hardly dare prefer a suit,
Or if wee doe, 'tis cross'd.
Philanax.
You are troubled for
Your proper ends, my aimes are high and honest
The wrong that's done to M [...]iesty I repine at:
I [...] loue the Emperor, and 'tis my ambition
To haue him know himselfe, and to that purpose
Ile run the hazard of a check.
Gratianus:
And I [...]
[Page]The losse of my place [...]
Timan.
I will not come behinde,
Fall what can fall.
Chry.
Let vs put on sad aspects
To draw him on; charge home, weele fetch you off,
Or ly dead by you.
Enter Theodo [...]ius.
Theod.
How's this? clouds in the chamber [...]
And the ayre cleere abroad.
Phil.
When you our Sunne
Obscure your glorious beames, poore we that borrow
Our little light from you, cannot but suffer
A generall Eclipse.
Timantus.
Great Sir, 'tis true,
For 'till you please to know, and be your selfe,
And freely dare dispose of what's your owne
Without a warrant; we are falling meteors;
And not fixed flarres.
Chrys.
The pale fac'd Moon that should
Gouerne the night, vsurpe the rule of day,
And still is at the full in spite of nature,
And will not know a change.
Theod.
Speak you in riddles?
I am no Oedipus, but your Emperor,
And as such would be instructed.
Philanax.
Your command
Shall be obeyd, till now I neuer heard you
Speak like your selfe; and may that power by which
You are so, strike me dead, if what I shall
Deliuer, as a faithfull subiect to you,
Hath root, or growth from malice, or base enuy
Of your Sisters greatnesse; I could honor in her
A power subordinate to yours, but not
As 'tis predominant.
Timan.
It it fit that she,
[Page]In her birth your vassall, should command the kn [...]es
Of such as should not bow but to your selfe?
Grat.
Shee with security walkes vpon the heads
Of the nobility, the multitude
As to a Deitie offr [...]ng sacrifice,
For her grace, and fauour.
Chrys.
Her proude fe [...]te euen wearied
With the kisses of petitioners.
Gratian,
While you,
To whom alone such reuerence is proper,
Passe vnregarded by her,
Timant.
You haue not yet
Bene Master of one houre of your whole life,
Chrys.
Your will and [...]aculties kept in more awe,
Then shee can doe [...]er owne
Philanax.
And as a bondman,
O let my zeale finde grace, and pardon from you,
That I descende so low, you are designed
To this or that imployment, suiting well
A priuate man I grant, but not a Prince,
To bee a perfit horseman, or to know
The words of the chace, or a faire man of armes,
Or to bee able to pierce to the depth,
Or write a comment on th' obscurest Poets,
I grant are ornaments, but your maine scope
Should bee to gouerne men to guarde your owne,
If not enlarge your empire.
Chrys.
You are built vp
By the curious hand of nature to reuiue
The memo [...]ie of Alexander, or by
A prosperous successe in your braue actions
To riuall Caesar.
Timant.
Rouze your selfe, and let not
Your pleasure bee a copye of her will
Philan.
Your pupill age is pass'd, and manly actions
Are now expected from you [...]
Grat.
Doe not loose
[Page]Your subiects heartes,
Timant.
What is't to haue the meanes
To bee magnificent, and not exercise
The boundlesse vertue?
Grat.
You confine your sel [...]e
To that which strict Philosophie allowes of,
As if you were a priuate man.
Tim.
No pompe,
Or glorious showes of royaltie, rendring it
Both lou'd, and terrible.
Grat.
'Slight you liue, as it
Begets some doubt, whether you haue or not
Th'abilities of a man.
Chrys.
The Firmament
Hath not more starres then there are seuerall beautie [...]
Ambitious at the height to impart their deare,
And sweetest fauours to you.
Grat.
Yet you haue not
Made choice of one, of all the [...]ex, to serue you,
In a Physicall way of courtshippe.
Theod.
But that I would not
Beginne the expression of my being a man,
In blood, or staine the first white robe I weare
Of absolute power, with a s [...]r [...]ile imitation
Of any tyrannous habit, my iust anger
Prompts mee to make you in your suffrings feele,
And not in words to instruct you, that the licence
Of the loose, and saucie language you now practised,
Hath forfeited your heades.
Gr [...]t.
How's this?
Phil.
I know not
What the play may proue, but I assure you that
I doe not like the prologue.
Theod.
O the miserable
Condition of a Prince! who though hee varie
More shapes then Proteus in his minde, and manners,
Hee cannot winne an vniuersall suffrage,
[Page]From the many-headed monster, Multitude.
Like AEsops folish Frogges they trample on him,
As a senselesse blocke, if his gouernement bee easie.
And if hee proue a Storke, they croke, and rayle
Against him as a tyranne. Ile put off
That maiestie, of which you thinke I haue
Nor vse, nor feeling, and in arguing with you,
Conuince you with strong proofes of common reason,
And not with absolute power, against which, wretches,
You are not to dispute. Dare you that are
My creatures, by my prodigall fauours fashion'd,
Presuming on the neerenesse of your seruice,
Set off with my familiar acceptance,
Condemne my obsequiousnesse to the wise direction [...]
Of an incomparable Sister, whom all parts
Of our world, that are made happy in knowledge
Of her perfection [...], with wonder gaze on?
And yet you that were only borne to eate
The blessing [...] of our mother earth, that are
Distant but one degree from beasts (since slaues
Can claime no larger priuiledge) that know
No farther then your sensuall appetites,
Or wanton lust haue taught you, vndertake
To giue your soueraigne lawes to follow that
Your ignorance markes out to him?
Walkes by.
Gratian.
How were wee
Abus'd in our opinion of his temper?
Phil.
Wee had forgot 'tis found in holy writ,
That Kings hearts are inscrutable.
Timantus.
I ne're reade it,
My studie lies not that way.
Philan.
By his lookes
The tempest still increases.
Theod.
Am I growne
So stupid in your iudgments, that you dare
With such security offer violence
To sacred maiestie? will you not know
[Page]The Lyon is a Lyon, though he show not
His rending pawes? or fill th'affrighted ayre
With the thunder of his rorings? you bless'd Saints,
How am I trenched on? is that temperance
So famou [...] in your cited Alexander,
Or Roman Scipio a crime in mee?
Cannot I bee an Emperour, vnlesse
Your wiues, and daughters bow to my proud lusts?
And cause I rauish not their fairest buildings
And fruitfull vineyards, or what is dearest,
From such as are my vassalls, must you conclude
I doe not know the awfull power, and strength
Of my prerogatiue? am I close handed
Because I scatter not among you that
I must not call mine owne. Know you court leeches,
A Prince is neuer so magnificent,
As when hee's sparing to inrich a few
With th'iniuries of many; could your hopes
So grossely flatter you, as to beleeue
I was born and traind vp as an Emperour, only
In my indulgence to giue s [...]nctuarie,
In their vniust proceedings, to the rapine
And aua [...]ice of my groome [...]?
Philar.
In the true mirror
Of your perfections, at length wee see
Our owne deformities.
Timant.
And not once dating
To look vpon that maiestie wee now sleighted,
Chrys.
With our faces thus glewd to the earth, wee beg
Your gratious pardon.
Grat.
Offring our neckes
To bee trod on, as a punishment for our late
Presumption, and a willing testimony
Of our subiection.
Th [...]od.
Deserue our mercie
In your better life heereafter, you shall finde,
Though in my Fathers life I helde it madnesse,
[Page]To vsurp his power, [...]nd in my youth disdainde not
To learne from the instructions o [...] my sister,
Ile make it good to all the world, I am
An Emperor; and euen this instant graspe
The Scepter, my rich stock of maiesty
Intire, no scruple wasted.
Phila.
If these teares
I drop, proceed not from my ioy to heare this.
May my eye-bals follow 'em.
Tim [...]
I will shew my sel [...]e
By your suddain metamorphosis transform'd
From what I was.
Grat.
And nere presume to a [...]ke
What fits not you to giue.
Theod.
Moue in that sphere,
And my light with full beames shall shine vpon you.
Forbeare this slavish courtship, 'tis to me
In a kinde idolatrous.
Phil.
Your gratious sister.
Enter Pulcheria [...] Seruant.
Pul.
Has he conuerted her?
Ser.
And, as such, will
Present her when you please.
Pul.
I am glad of it.
Comand my Dresser to adorne her with
The robes that I gaue order for.
Mar.
I shall.
Pul.
And let those pretious Iewels I tooke la [...]
Out of my Cabinet, if't be possible,
Giue lustre to her beauties, and that done,
Command her to be neere vs.
Mar.
Tis a prouince
I willingly embrace,
Exit Mart.
Pul.
O my deare Sir [...]
You haue forgot your morning taske, and therefore
[Page]With a mothers loue I come to reprehende you,
But it shall bee gentlie.
Theodos.
'T will become you, though,
You [...]aid with reuerend duty. Know heereafter,
If my mother liu'd in you, how ere her sonne,
Like you shee were my subiect.
Pulch.
How?
Theod.
Put off
Amazement, you will finde it. Yet Ile heare you
At distance, as a sister, but no longer
As a gouernesse, I assure you.
Grat.
This is put home,
Timant.
Beyond our hopes
Philam.
Shee stands as if his words
Had powerfull magick in 'em.
Theod.
Will you haue mee
Your pupill euer? the downe on my chinne
Confirmes I am a man, a man of men,
The Emperour, that knowes his strength.
Pulcheria,
Heauen grant
You know it not too soone.
Theod.
Let it suffice
My wardships out. If your designe concernes vs
As a man, and not a boy, with our allowance
You may deliuer it.
Pulch.
A strange alteration!
But I will not contend. Bee, as you wish, Sir,
Your owne disposer, vncompeld I cancell
All bondes of my authority.
Kneeles.
Theod.
You in this
Pay your due homage, which perform'd, I thus
Embrace you as a Sister. No way doubting
Your vigilance for my sa [...]etie as my honor,
And what you now come to impart, I rest
Most confident, points at one of them!
Pulch.
At both,
And not alone the present, but the future
[Page]Tranquillity of your minde: since in the choice
Of her, you are to heate with holy fires,
And make the consort of your royall bed,
The certaine meanes of glorious succession,
With the true happinesse of our humane being,
Are wholy comprehended.
Theodosius.
How? a wife?
Shall I become a votarie to Hymen,
Before my youth hath sacrific'd to Venus?
'Tis something with the soonest, yet to shew
In things in different, I am not auerse
To your wise counsailes, let mee first suruay
Those beauties, that in being a Prince I know
Are riualls for mee. You will [...]ot confine mee
To your election, I must see deere sis [...]er [...]
With mine owne eyes.
Pulcheria.
'Tis fit Sir, yet in this
You may please to consider, absolute Princes
Haue, or should haue, in Policie, lesse free, will
Then such as are their vassals. For, you must,
As you are an Emperour, in this high businesse
Waigh with due prouidence, with whom alliance
May bee most vsefull for the preseruation
Or your increase of Empire.
Theod.
I approue not
Such compositions for our morall ends,
In what is in it selfe diuine, nay more
Decreed in heauen. Yet if our neighbour Princes,
Ambitious of such neerenesse, shall present
Their dearest pledges to mee (euer reseruing
The caution of mi [...]e owne content) Ile not
Contemne their courteous offers.
Pulch.
Bring in the pictures:
2. Pictures brought in.
Theod.
Must I then iudge the substances by the shadowes?
The Painters are most enuious, if they want
Good colours for preferment [...] virtuous Ladies
Loue this way to bee fla [...]terd, and accuse
[Page]The workeman of detraction, if he adde not
Some grace they cannot truely call their owne.
Is't not [...]o Gratianus? you may challenge
Some interest in the science.
Grat.
A pretender
To the art I truely honor, and subscribe
To your maiesties opinion.
Theod.
Let mee see,
Cleanthe, daughter to the King of Epirus,
AEtatis sua, the fourteenth: ripe enough,
And forward too, I assure you. Let me examine
The Symmetries. If Statuaries could
By the foote of Hercules set downe punctually
His whole dimensions, and the countenance be
The index of the minde, this may instruct me,
With the aydes of that I haue read touching this subiect,
What shee is inward: the colour of her haire,
If it be, as this does promise, pale, and faint,
And not a glistering white; Her brow, so so;
The circles of her sight, too much contracted;
Inno's faire cowe eyes by old Homer are
Commended to their merit, heeres a sharpe frost,
In the tippe of her nose, which by the length assures mee
Of stormes at midnight, if I faile to pay her
The tribute she expects. I like her not:
What is the other.
Chrysapius.
How hath hee commenc'd
Doctor in this so sweete and secret art,
Without our knowledge?
Timantus.
Some of his forward pages
Haue rob'd vs of the honor.
Philanax.
No such matter,
Hee has the theorie only, not the practick.
Theod.
Amasia, Sister to the Duke of Athens,
Her age eighteen, descended lineally
From Theseus, as by her pedegree
Will be made apparent: Of his lustie kinred?
[Page]And loose so much time! 'tis strange! as I liue, shee hath
A Philosophicall aspect, there is
More wit then beauty in her face, and when
I court her, it must be in tropes, and figures,
Or shee will crie absurd. Shee will haue her elencha
To cut off any fallacie I can hope
To put vpon her, and expect I should
Euer conclude in Syllog [...]smes, and those true ones
In parte & toto, or sheele tire mee with
Her tedious Elocutions in the praise
Of the increase of generation, for which
Alone the sport in her moralitie
Is good and lawfull, and to bee often practis'd
For feare of missing. Fy on't, let the race
Of Theseus be match'd with Aristotles,
Ile none of her.
Pulcher.
You are curious in your choice, Sir,
And hard to please, yet if that your consent
May giue authority to it, Ile present you
With one, that if her birth, and fortunes answer
The rarities of her body, and her mind',
Detraction durst not tax her.
Theod.
Let me see her,
Though wanting those additions, which we can
Supplie from our owne store: it is in vs
To make men rich, and noble, but to giue
Legitimate shapes and virtues, does belong
To the greate creator of'em, to whose bounties
Alone 'tis proper, and in this disdaines
An Emperour for his riuall.
Pulch.
I applaud
This fit acknowledgement, since Princes then
Grow lesse then common men, when they contend
With him, by whom they are so.
Enter Paulinus, Cleon, Athenais newly habited.
Theod.
I confess [...] it.
Pulcheri [...].
[Page]
Not to hold you in suspense, Behold the virgin
Rich in her naturall beauties, no way borrowing
Th'adulterate aydes of art. Peruse her better,
Shee is worth your serious view.
Phyl.
I am amaz'd too.
I neuer saw her equall.
Gratian.
How his eye
Is fix'd vpon her!
Timantus.
And as shee were a fort,
He would suddainly surprize, Hee measures her
From the bases to the battlements.
Chrys,
Ha! now I view her better,
I know her; 'tis the mayd that not long since
Was a petitioner; her brauerie
So alters her, I had forgot her face.
Phil.
So has the Emperour.
Paulinus.
Shee holdes out yet,
And yeeldes not to th'assault.
Cleon.
Shee is strongly garded [...]
In her virgin blushes.
Paulin.
When you know, faire creature,
It is the Emperour that honours you
With such a strict suruay of your sweete parts,
In thankefulnesse you cannot but returne
Due reuerence for the fauour.
Athenais.
I was lost
In my astonishment at the glorious obiect,
And yet rest doubtfull whether he expect [...]
Being more then man, my adoration,
(Since sure there is diuinity about him,)
Or will rest satisfi'd if my humble knees
In duty thus bowe to him.
Theod.
Ha! it speakes.
Pulch.
Shee is no statue Sir.
Theod.
Suppose her one,
And that shee had nor organs, voice, nor heat,
Most willingly I would resigne my Empire
[Page]So it might be to after-time [...] recorded
That I was her Pigmalion, though, like him,
[...] doted on my workmanship, without hope too
Of hauing Cytherea so propitious
To my vowes, or sacrifice, in her compassion
To giue it life or motion.
Pulch.
Pray you be not rap'd so,
Nor borrow from imaginary fiction
Impossible aydes; she's flesh and blood, I assure you,
And if you please to ho [...]or her in the triall,
And be your owne security, as youle finde
I fable not, she comes in a noble way
To be at your deuotion.
Chry.
'Tis the maid
I offer'd to your highnesse, her chang'd shape
Conceal'd her from you:
Theod.
At the first I knew her,
And a second firebrand Cupid brings to kindle
My flames almost put out: I am too cold,
And play with opportunity.
May I taste then
The nectar of her lip? I do not giue it
The praise it merits: antiquity is too poore
To help me with a simile to expresse her.
Let me drink often from this liuing spring,
To nourish new inuention.
Pulcheria.
Do not surfet
In ouer-greedily deuouring that
Which may without satiety feast you often.
From the moderation in receiuing them,
The choysest viands do continue pleasing
To the most curious palate; if you thinke her
Worth your embraces, and the soueraigne title
Of the Graecian Empresse,
Theod.
If? how much you sinne,
Only to doubt it; the possession of her
Makes all that was before most pretious to me,
[Page]Common, and cheap: in this you haue shown your selfe
A prouident Protectresse. I already
Grow weary of the absolute command
Of my so numerous subiects, and desire
No soueraignty but here, and write downe gladly,
A period to my wishes.
Pulcher.
Yet before
It be too late, consider her condition,
Her father was a Pagan, she her selfe
A new conuerted Christian.
Theod.
Let me know
The man to whose religious meanes I ow
So great a debt.
Paulinus.
You are aduanc'd too high Sir,
To acknowledge a beholdingnes, 'tis discharg'd,
And I, beyond my hopes, rewarded, if
My seruice please your Maiesty.
Theod.
Take this pledge
Of our assured loue. Are there none here
Haue suits to prefer? on such a day as this
My bounty's without limit. O my dearest,
I will not heare thee speak; what euer in
Thy thoughts is apprehended, I grant freely:
Thou would'st plead thy vnworthinesse, by thy self
The magazine of felicity, in thy lownesse
Our Eastern Queens at their full height bow to thee,
And are in their best trim thy foyles and shadowes.
Excuse the violence of my loue, which cannot
Admit the least delay. Command the Patriarch
With speed to do his holy office for vs,
That when we are made one.
Pulch.
You must forbeare Sir,
She is not yet baptiz'd.
Theod.
In the same houre
In which she is confirmed in our faith,
[Page]We mutually will giue away each other,
And both be gainers; weele heare no reply
That may diuert vs on.
Pulch.
[...]u may hereafter
Please to remember to whose furtherance
You ow this height of h [...]ppinesse.
Ath.
As I was
Your creature when I first petition'd you,
I will continue so, and you shall finde me,
Though an Empresse, still your seruant.
All go off but Philanax, Gratianus, and Timantus!
Gratianus.
Here's a marriage
Made vp on the suddain!
Philanax.
I repine not at
The faire maids fortune, though I feare the Princesse
Had some peculiar end in't.
Timantus.
Who' [...] so simple
Only to doubt it?
Gratianus.
It is too apparent,
She hath preferr'd a creature of her owne,
By whose meanes she may still keepe to her selfe
The gouernment of the Empire.
Tim.
Where as if
The Emperor had espous'd some neighbour Queen,
Pulcheria with all her wisdome could not
Keepe her preheminence.
Philanax.
Be it as it will,
'Tis not now to be alter'd, heauen I say
Turne all to the best.
Gratianus.
Are we come to praying againe [...]
Phil.
Leaue thy prophanenesse
Gratian.
Would it would leaue mee.
I am sure I thriue not by it.
Timant.
Come to the Temple.
Grat.
Eu'n where you will, I know not what to think on [...]t,
The end of the second Acte.

Act. 3. Scaena 1.

Paulinus. Philanax.
Paulinuss.
Nor this, nor the age before vs euer look'd o [...]
The like solemnitie.
Philan.
A suddain feuer
Kep'd mee at home. Pray you my Lord acquaint me
With the particular [...].
Paul.
You may presume
No pompe, nor ceremony could be w [...]nting,
Where there was Priuiledge to command, and meanes
To cherish rare inuentions.
Phil.
I beleeue it;
But the summe of all in briefe.
Paulinu [...].
Pray you so take it;
Faire Athenais not longe since a Suitor,
And almost in her hopes forsaken, first
W [...] Christned, and the Emperours mothers name
Eudoxia, as hee will'd, impos'd vpon her:
Pulcheria the euer matchlesse Princesse,
Assisted by her reuerend Aunt Maria,
Her God-mothers.
Phil.
And who the masculine witnesse?
Paul.
At the new empresse suite I had the honor.
For which I must euer serue her.
Phil.
'twas a grace,
With iustice you may boaste of.
Paul.
The marriage followed,
And as 'tis sayd, the Emperour made bold
To turne the day to night, for, to bed they went
Assoone a [...] they had din'd, and there are w [...]gers
Lay'd by [...]ome merrye Lord's, hee hath already [...]
[Page]Begot a boy vpon her.
Phil.
That is yet
To be determin'd of; but I am certaine,
A Prince so soone in his disposition alter'd,
Was neuer heard nor reade of.
Paul.
But of late,
Frugall and [...]paring, now nor boundes, nor limits
To his magnificent bounties. Hee affirm'd,
Hauing receiu'd more blessings by his empresse
Then hee could hope, in thankefulnesse to heauen
He cannot be to prodigall to others.
What euer s'off [...]r'd to his royall hand
Hee signes without perusing it.
Phil.
I am heere
Inioyned to [...]ree all such as lye for debt,
The creditor [...] to bee pay'd out of his coffers.
Paul.
And I all malefactors that are not
Conuicted, or for treason or fowle murther,
Such only are excepted;
Phil.
'Tis a rare clemencie!
Paul.
Which wee must not dispute, but put in practise.
Exeunt.

Actus 3. Scaen. 2.

Lowd Musick. Showt [...] within: Heauen preseru [...] th [...] Em­perour, Heauen blesse the Empresse: Then in State, Chry­sapius, Patriarch. Paulinus. Theodosius. Athenais. Pulcheria. Her two young Sisters beari [...]g vp Athe­nais trayne. Followed, by Philan [...]x. Gratia­nus. Timantus. Suitors, pres [...]nting peti­tions. The Emp [...]rour s [...]aling them. Pulcheria appeares troubled.
Iul.
SIR by your owne rules of Philosophie
You know thing [...] violent last not, royall bountie [...]
[Page]Are great, and gratious while they are dispens'd
With moderation, but when their excesse
In giuing gyant-bulkes to others, take from
The Princes iust proportion, they loose
The names of vertues, and, their natures chang'd [...]
Grow the most dangerous vices
Theod.
In this, sister,
Your wisdome is not circular; they that sowe
In narrow boundes, cannot expect in reason
A croppe beyond their ventures, what I doe
Disperse, I lend, and will with vsury
Returne vnto my heape: I only then
Am rich, and happy, (though my coffers sound
With emptinesse) when my glad subiect [...] feele,
Their plenty and felicitie is my gifte;
And they will finde, when they with cheerefulnesse
Supplie not my defectes, I being the stomacke
To the politick body of the State, the limbes
Grow suddainely faint, and feeble; I could vrge
Proofes of more finenesse in their shape and language,
But none of greater strength: dissuade mee not,
What wee will, we will doe; yet to assure you,
Your care does not offend vs, for an houre,
Bee happy in the conuerse of my best
And deerest comfort; may you please to licence
My priuacie some few minutes?
Athenais.
Licence Sir,
I haue no will, but is deriu'd from yours,
And that still waites vpon you, nor can I
Bee left with such security with any,
As with the gra [...]ious Princess [...], who receiue [...]
Addition, though shee bee all excellence,
In being stilde your sister.
Theod.
O sweete creature!
Let mee bee censur'd fond, and too indulgent,
Nay though they s [...]y vxorious, I care not,
Her loue, and sweete humility exact
[Page]A tribute far beyond my power, to pay
Her matchlesse goodnesse. Forward.
Exeunt, Theodosius and the traine.
Pulch.
Now you finde
Your dying fathers prophecie that foretolde
Your present greatnesse, to the full accomplish'd.
For the poore aides, and furtherance I lent you,
I willingly forget:
Ath.
Eu'n that bindes me
To a more strict remembrance of the fauor,
Nor shall you from my soule ingratitude,
In [...]ny circumstance euer finde cause
T'upbraid me with your benefit.
Pul.
I beleeue so.
Pray you giu [...] vs leaue: what now I must deliuer
Vnder the deepest seale of secrecy,
Though it b [...] for you good, will giue assurance
Of what is look'd for, if you not alone
Heare, but obey my counsels.
Ath.
They must be
Of a strange nature, if with zealous speed
I put 'em not in practice.
Pul.
'Twere impertinence
To dwell on circumstances, since the wound
Requires a suddain cure, especially
Since you that are the happy instrument
Elected to it, though yong in your iudgement
Write far aboue your yeeres, and may instruct
Such as are more experienc'd.
Ath.
Good madam,
In this I must oppose you, I am well
Acquainted with my weaknesse, and it will not
Become your wisdome, by which I am rais'd
To this titulary height, that should correct
The pride, and ouerweening of my fortune,
[Page]To play the parasite to it, in ascribing
That merit to me, vnto which I can
Pretend no interest; pray you excuse
My bold simplicity, and to my waight
Designe me where you please, and you shall find [...]
In my obedience, I am still your creature.
Pul.
'Ti [...] nobly answer'd, and I glory in
The building I haue rais'd; go on, sweet Lady,
In this your v [...]rtuous progresse [...] but to the point,
You know, nor do I enuy it, you haue
Acquir'd that power, which, not long since, was mine,
In gouerning the Emperor, and must vse
The strength you hold in the heart of his affections,
For his priuate, as the publique preseruation,
To which there is no greater enemy,
Then hi [...] exorbitant prodigality,
How ere his sycophants, and flatterers call it [...]
Royall magnificence, and though you may
Vrge what's done for your honor, must not be
Curb'd, or be controul'd by you, you cannot in
Your wisdome but conceiue, if that the torrent
Of his violent bounties be not stopp'd, or lessen'd,
It will proue most pernitious. Therefore, Madam,
Since 'tis your duty, as you are his wife,
To giue him sauing counsells, and in being
Almost his idoll, may command him to
Take any shape you please, with a powerfull hand,
To stop him in his precipice to ruine.
Ath.
Auert it heauen.
Pul.
Heauen is most gratious to you, madam,
In choosing you to be the instrument
Of such a pious work. You see he signes
What suit soeuer is pre [...]err'd, not once
Inquiring what it is, yeelding himselfe
A prey to all; I would therefore haue you, Lady,
As I know you will to aduise him, or command him,
As he would reap the plenty of your fauours,
[Page]To vse more moderation in his bounties,
And that before he giues, he would consider,
The what, to whom, and wherefore.
Ath.
Do yo think
Such arrogance, or vsurpation, rather,
Of what is proper, and peculiar
To euery priuate husband, and much more
To him an Emperor, can ranck with th'obedience
And duty of a wife? are we appointed
In out creation (let me reason with you)
To rule, or to obey? or 'cause he loues me
With a kinde impotence, must I tyrannize
Ouer his weaknesse? or abuse the strength
With which he armes me to his wrong? or, like
A prostituted creature, merchandize
Our mutuall delight for hire? or to
Serue mine owne sordid ends? in vulgar nuptials
Priority is exploded, though there be
A difference in the parties, and shall I,
His vassall from obscurity rais'd by him
To this so eminent light, presume to appoint him
To do, or not to do this, or that: when wiues
Are well aocommodated by their husbands
With all things both [...]or vse, and ornament,
Let them fix there, and neuer dare to question
Their wils or actions. For my selfe, I vow,
Though now my Lord would rashly giue away
His Scepter, and imperiall Diadem,
Or if there could be any thing more pretious,
I would not crosse it; but I know this is
But a triall of my temper, and as such
I do receiue it, or if't be otherwise,
You are so subtill in your arguments,
I dare not stay to heare them.
Pulcher.
Is't eu'n so?
I haue power ore these yet, and comm [...]nd [...]heir stay,
To hearken nearer [...]o me.
1 Sister.
[Page]
We are charg'd
By the Emperor, our brother, to attend
The Empresse seruice.
2 Sister.
You are too mortifi'd [...]ister,
(With reuerence I speak it) for yong Ladies
To keepe you company. I am so tir'd
With your tedious exhortations, doctrines, vses,
Of your religious morality,
That for my health sake, I must take the freedome
To enioy a little of those pretty pleasures
That I was borne to:
1 Sister.
When I come to your yeeres,
Ile do as you do, but till then, with your pardon,
Ile lose no more time. I haue not learn't to dance yet [...]
Nor sing, but holy hymnes, and those to vile tunes too;
Nor to discourse, but of Schoolemens opinion [...].
How shall I answer my sutors? since, I hope,
Ere long I shall haue many, without practice
To write, and speake somthing that's not deriu'd
From the fathers of Philosophy.
2 Sister.
We shall shame
Our breeding Sister, if we should go on th [...]s.
1 Sister.
'Tis for your credit, that we study
How to conuerse with men; women with women
Yeelds but a harren argument.
2 Sister.
She frownes,
But you'll protect vs Madam?
Ath.
Yes, and loue
Your sweet simplicity.
1 Sister.
All yong gyrles are so,
Till they know the way of't.
2 Sister.
But when we are enter'd,
We shall on a good round pace,
Ath.
Ile leaue you Madam.
1 Sister.
And we our duties with you.
Ex [...]unt Athenais and the yong Lady [...].
Pul.
[Page]
On all hands
Thu [...] slighted? no way left [...] am I growne stupid
In my inuention? can I make no vse
Of the Emperors bounties? now 'tis thought: within there [...]
Seruant.
Madam.
Enter a Seruant.
Pul.
It shall be so; neerer; your eare
Draw a petition to this end.
Seru.
Besides
The danger to prefer it, I beleeue
Twill nere be granted.
Pul.
How's this? are you growne,
From a seruant, my director? let me heare
No more of this. Dispatch, Ile master him
At his owne weapon.
Exit Seruant.
Enter Theodosius, Favorinus, Philanax, Timantus, Gratianus.
Theod.
Let me vnderstand it,
If yet there be ought wanting that may perfect
A generall happinesse.
Fau [...]r.
The peoples ioy
In seas of acclamations flow in
To wait on yours.
Philanax.
Their loue with bounty leuied,
Is a sure guard. Obedience forc'd from feare,
Paper fortification, which in danger
Will yeeld to the impression of a reed,
Or of it selfe fall off.
Theod.
True, Philanax.
And by that certain compasse we resolue
To steere our Barque of gouernment.
Enter Seruant with the petition.
Pul.
'Ti [...] well.
The.
My deerest, and my all-des [...]ruing Sister,
[Page]As a petitioner kneele? it must not bee,
Pray you, rise, although your suite were halfe my Empire,
'Tis freely granted.
Pulch.
Your alacritie
To giue hath made a begger; yet before
My suite is by your sacred hand and se [...]le
Confirm'd, 'tis necessary you peruse
The summe of my request.
Theod.
Wee will not wrong
Your iudgement, in conceiuing what 'tis fit
For you to aske, and vs to grant, so much,
As to proceede with caution, giue mee my signet,
With confidence I signe it, and heere vow [...]
By my fathers soule, but with your free consent
It is irreuocable.
Timantus.
What if shee now
Calling to memorie, how often wee
Haue cross'd her gouernment, in reuenge hath made
Petition for our heads?
Gratianus.
They must euen off then,
No ransone can redeeme v [...].
Theod.
Let those iewell [...]
So highly rated by the Persian merchants
Bee bought, and as a sacrifice from vs
Presented to Eudox [...]. Shee being only
Worthy to weare 'em, I am angrie with
The vnresistable necessitie
Of my occasions, and important care [...]
That so long keepe mee from her.
Exeunt Theodosius and the traynei
Fulcher.
Goe to the Empresse,
And tell her on the suddaine, I am sicke,
And doe desire, the comfort of a visit,
If shee please to vouchsafe it. From me vse
Your humblest language: But when once I haue her
[Page]In my possession, I will rise, and speake
In [...] higher straine, say it raise stormes, no matter.
Fooles iudge by the euent, my endes are honest.
Exeunt.

Act. 3. Scaene 3.

Theodosius. Timantus. Philanax.
Theod.
WHat is become of her? can shee that carries
Such glorious excellence, of light about her [...]
Be any where conceal'd?
Philanax.
Wee haue sought her lodgings,
And all we can learne from the seruants is,
Shee by your maiesties sisters wayted on,
(The attendance of her other officers
By her expresse command deni'd,)
Theod.
Forbeare
Impertinent circumstances, whither went shee? speake.
Phil.
As they ghesse, to the lawrell groue [...]
Theod.
So slightly garded [...]
What an earth-quake I feele in mee [...] and but that
Religion assures the contrarie,
The Poets dreames of lustfull Fawnes, and Satyres,
Would make me feare, I know not what.
Enter Paulinus [...]
Paul.
I haue sound her,
And it please your Maiestie.
Theod.
Yes, it doth please mee [...]
But why return'd without her?
Paul.
As shee made
Her speediest approche [...] to your presence,
A seruant of the Princ [...]sses Pulcheria
Encounterd her; what 'twas, he whisperd to her
[Page] I am ignorant, but hearing it, she started,
And will'd me to excuse her absence from you,
The third part of an houre.
The.
In this she takes
So much of my life from me; yet Ile beare it
With what patience I may; since 'tis her pleasure [...]
Go back, my good Paulinus, and intreat her [...]
Not to exceed a minute.
Timant.
Here's strange fondnesse!
Exeunt.

Act. 3. Scaene 4.

Pulcheria. Seruants.
Pul.
You are certaine she will come?
Ser.
She is already
Enter'd your outward lodging [...].
Pul.
No traine with her?
Ser.
Your excellence sisters only.
Pulch.
'Tis the better;
See the doores strongly guarded, and deny
Accesse to all, but with our speciall licence.
Why dost thou stay? shew your obedience,
Your wisdome now is vselesse.
Exeunt Seruants.
Enter Athenais, Arcadia, Flaccilla.
Flac.
She is sick sure,
Or, in fit reuerence to your Maiesty,
She had waited you at the doore.
Ar.
'Twould hardly be
Pulcheria walking by.
Excus'd, in ciuill manners, to her equall,
But with more difficulty to you, that are
So far aboue her.
Ath.
Not in her opinion;
[Page]She hath beene too long accustom'd to command
T [...]acknowledge a superior.
Ar.
There she walks.
Fla.
If she be not sick of the sullens, I see not
The least infirmi [...]y in her.
Ath.
This is s [...]range!
Ar.
Open your eyes; the Empresse.
Pul.
Reach that chaire:
Now sitting thus at distance, Ile vouchsafe
To looke vpon her.
Ar.
How! sister: pray you awake,
Are you in your wits?
Fla.
Grant heauen, your too much learning
Does not conclude in madnesse.
Ath.
You intreated
A visit from me.
Pul.
True, my seruant vs'd
Such language, but now as a mistresse I
Command your seruice.
Ath.
Seruice!
Ar.
She's stark mad, sure.
Pul.
Youle finde I can dispose of what's mine owne
Without a guardian.
Ath.
Follow me. I will see you
When your frantique fit is ore. I do begin
To be of your beleefe.
Pulch.
It will deceiue you.
Thou shalt not str from hence, thus as mine owne
I seize vpon thee.
Flac.
Help, help, violence
Offer'd to the Empresse person.
Pulch.
'Tis in vaine:
Shee was an Empresse once, but, by my gift,
Which, being abus'd, I do recall my grant.
You are read in story; call to remembrance,
What the great Hectors mother Hecuba
Was to Vlysses, Ilium sack'd [...]
Ath.
[Page]
A slaue.
Pulch.
To me thou art so:
Ath.
Wonder and amazement
Quite ouerwhelme me: how am I transform'd?
How haue I lost my liberty?
Knocking without: Enter Seruant.
Pulcheria.
Thou shall know
Too soone, no doubt. Who's that with such rudenesse
Beats at the doore?
Ser.
The Prince Paulinus, madam,
Sent from the Emperor to attend vpon
The gratious Empresse.
Ar.
And who is your slaue now?
Fla.
Sister, repent in time, and beg pardon
For your presumption.
Pulch.
It is resolu'd:
From me returne this answer to Paulinus;
She shall not come; she's mine; the Emperor hath
No interest in her.
Exit Seruant.
Ath.
Whatsoere I am,
You take not from your power ore me, to yeeld
A reason for this vsage.
Pulch.
Though my will is
Sufficient to ad to thy affliction,
Know wretched thing, 'tis not thy fate, but folly
Hath made thee what thou art: 'tis some delight
To vrge my merits to one so vngratefull;
Therefore with horror heare it. When thou wert
Thrust as a stranger from thy fathers house,
Expos'd to all calamities that want
Could throw vpon thee, thine owne brothers scorne,
And in thy hopes, as by the world forsaken,
My pity, the last altar that was left thee,
I heard thy Syren charmes, with feeling heard them,
And my compassion made mine eyes vy teares
[Page]With thine, dissembling Crocodile; and when Queene [...]
Were emulous for thy imperiall bed,
The garments of thy sorrowes east aside,
I put thee in a shape as would haue forc'd
Enuy from Cleopatra, had she seene thee;
Then, when I knew my brothers blood was warm'd
With youthfull fire [...], I brought thee to his presence,
And how my deepe designes, for thy good plotted,
Succeeded to my wishes, is apparant,
And needs no repetition.
Ath.
I am conscious
Of your so many, and vnequall'd fauors,
But finde not how I may accuse my selfe
For any facts committed, that with iustice [...]
Can raise your anger to this height against me.
Pul.
Pride and forget [...]ulnesse would not let thee see that,
Against which now thou canst not close thine eyes.
What iniury could be equall to thy late
Contempt of my good counsell, when I vrg'd
The Emperors prodigall bounties, and intreated
That you would vse your power to giue 'em limits,
Or, at the least, a due consideration
Of such as su'd, and for what, ere he sign'd it?
In opposition you brought against m [...]
Th'obedience of a wife, that Ladyes were not,
Being well accommodated by their Lords,
To question, but much lesse to crosse their pleasures;
Nor would you, though the Emperor were resolu'd
To giue away his Scepter, hinder it,
Since 'twas done for your honor, couering with
False colors of humility your ambition.
Ath.
And is this my offence?
Pul.
As wicked counsell
Is still most hurtfull vnto those that giue it;
Such as deny to follow what is good,
In reason, are the first that must repent it.
When I please you shall heare more, in the meane time
[Page]Thank your owne wilfull follie that hath chang'd you
From an Empresse to a bondewoman.
Theod.
Force the doores,
Kill those that dare resist.
Enter Theodosius. Paulinus. Philanax. Chrysapius. Gratianus.
Ath.
Deere Sir redeeme mee.
Flaccilla.
O suffer not, for your owne honors sake,
The Empresse you so late lou'd to bee made
A prisoner in the court.
Arcad.
Leape to his lippes,
You 'll finde them the best sanctuarie.
Flaccilla.
And trie then,
What interest my reuerend Sister hath
To force you from 'em.
Theod.
What strange may-game's this?
Though done in sport, how ill this leuitie
Becomes your wisdome?
Pulch.
I am serious Sir,
And haue done nothing but what you in honor,
And as you are your selfe an Emperour,
Stand bound to iustifie.
Theod.
Take heed, put not these
Strange trialls on my patience.
Pulcher.
Doe not you Sir,
Denie your owne act; as you are a man,
And stand on your owne bottomes, 'twill appeare
A childish weakenes to make void a grant,
Sign'd by your sacred hand, and seale, and strengthend
With a religious oth, but with my licence,
Neuer to be recall'd. For some few minutes,
Let reason rule your passion, and in this, deliuers the deed.
Bee pleas'd to reade my interest; you will finde there
What you in me call violence, is iustice,
And that I may make vse of what's mine owne,
[Page]According to my will. 'tis your owne gift Sir,
And what an Emperour giues, should stand as firme
As the celestiall poles vpon the shoulders
Of Atlas, or his successor in that office
The greate Alcides.
Theod.
Miseries of more waight,
Then 'tis faind they supported, fall vpon mee,
What hath my rashnes [...]e done? in this transaction
Drawne, in expres [...]e and formall termes I haue
Giuen and consign'd into your handes, to vse
And obserue, as you please, my deere Eudoxa.
It is my deed, I doe confesse it is,
And as I am my selfe, not to bee cancell'd:
But yet you may shew mercie, and you will,
When you consider that there is no beauty,
So perfit in a creature, but is soilde
With some vnbeseeming blemish; you haue labour'd
To build mee vp a compleate Prince, 'tis granted,
Yet as I am a man, like other Monarchs,
I haue defects and frayleties, my facilitie,
To send petitioners with pleas'd lookes from me,
Is all I can be charg'd with, and it will [...]
Become your wisdome, (since 'tis in your power)
In charitie to prouide, I fall no further
Or in my oth, or honor.
Pul.
Royall Sir,
This was the marke I aim'd at, and I glorie
At the length, you so conceaue it. 'twas a weakenes
To measure by your owne integritie
The purposes of others. I haue showne you
In a true mirror what frui [...]e growes vpon
The tree of hudwinckt bounty, and what dangers
Precipitation in the managing
Your greate affaires produceth.
Theod.
I embrace it
As a graue aduertisement, and vow heereafter
Neuer to signe petitions at this rate.
Pulch.
[Page]
For mine, see Sir. 'tis cancel'd, on my knees
I redeliuer what I now beg'd from you.
Teares the deed:
Shee is my second gift.
Theod.
Which if I part from
Till death diuorce vs.
Kissing Athen.
Athenais.
So Sir,
Theod.
Nay sweete chide not
I am punish'd in thy lookes, defer the rest,
Till we are more priuate.
Pulch.
I aske pardon too
If in my personated passion I
Appeard to harshe, and rough.
Ath.
'Twas gentle language, what I was then considerd
Pulch.
O deere Madame,
It was decorum in the Scane [...]
Athen.
This triall,
When I was Athenais, might haue pass'd,
But as I am the Empresse.
Theod.
Nay no anger,
Since all good was intended.
Exeunt. Theodosius. Athenais. Arcadia. Flaccilla.
Pulcheria.
Building on,
That certaine base, I feare not what can follow,
Exit Pulch.
Paulinus.
These are strange deuices Philanax.
Philan.
True my Lord,
May all turne to the best.
Grat.
The Emperours lookes
Promis'd a calme.
Chrysapius.
But the vex'd Empresse frownes
Presag'd a second storme.
Paul.
I am sure I feele one,
In my legge already.
Philan.
Your old friend, the goute?
Paul.
My forc'd companion, Philanax.
Chrys.
To your rest:
Paul.
[Page]
Rest and forbearing wine, with a temperate dyet,
Though many Montebancks pretend the cure of't,
I haue found my best Physitians,
Phil.
Ease to your Lordship.
Exeunt [...]
The ende of the third Act.

Actus 4. Scaen. 1.

Athenais. Chrysapius.
Ath.
MAke mee her propertie?
Chrys.
Your maiestie
Hath iust cause of distast, and your resentment
Of the affront in the point of honor cannot
But meete a faire construction.
Ath.
I haue only
The title of an Empresse, but the power
Is, by her, rauish'd from me [...] shee suruayes
My actions as a gouernesse, and calls
My not obseruing all that shee directs
Folly, and disobedience.
Chrys.
Vnder correction,
With griefe I haue long obseru'd it, and if you
Stand pleas'd to signe my warrant Ile deliuer
In my vnfainde ze [...]le, and desire to serue you,
(Howere I run the hazard of my head fort
Should it arriue at the knowledge of the Princesse,)
Not alone, the reasons why things are thus carried,
But giue into your hands the power to clippe
The wings of her command.
Ath.
Your seruice this way
Cannot offend mee.
Chrys.
Bee you pleas'd to know then
But still with pardon, if I am too bold,
[Page]Your too much sufferance impes the broken feather [...]
Which carie her to this proude height, in which
Shee with securitie, soares, and still towres ore you,
But if you would imploy the strengths you hold
In the Emperours affections, and remember
The orbe you moue in should admit no star els,
You neuer would confesse the managing
Of state affaires to her alone are proper,
And you sit by a looker on,
Athenais.
I would not,
If it were possible I could attempt,
Her diminution, without a taint
Of foule ingratitude in my selfe.
Chrysapius.
In this
The sweetenesse of your temper does abuse you,
And you call that a benefit to your selfe
Which shee for her owne endes conferr'd vpon you.
'Tis yeelded shee gaue way to your aduancement:
But for what cause? that shee might still continue
Her absolute sway, and swing ore the whole state,
And that shee might to her admirers vaunt,
The Empresse was her creature, and the giuer
To bee preferr'd before the gift.
Athenais.
It may bee.
Chrys.
Nay 'tis most certaine: whereas would you please
In a true glasse to looke vpon your selfe,
And view without detraction your owne merits
Which all men wonder at; you would find that fate,
Without a second cause, appointed you
To the supremest honor. For the Princesse [...]
Shee hath raign'd long enough, and her remoue
Will make your entrance free to the possession
Of what you were borne to, & but once resolue
To build vpon her ruines, leaue the engines
Tha [...] must bee vs'd to vndermine her greatenes
To my prouision.
Ath.
I thanke your care,
[Page]But a designe of such waight must not be
Rashly determin'd of, it will exact
A long and serious consultation from mee.
In the meane time Chrysapius [...]est assur'd
I liue your thankefull Mistrisse.
Exit Ath [...]
Chrys.
Is this all?
Will the Physick that I minister'd worke no further?
I haue playd the foole, and leauing a calme po [...]t
Embarqu'd my selfe on a rough sea of danger.
In her silence lies my safetie, which how can I
Hope from a woman? but the die is throwne,
And I must stand the hazard.
Enter Theodosius. Philanax. Timantus. Gratianus. Huntsmen.
Theod.
Is Paulinus
So tortur'd with his gowte?
Phil.
Most miserablie,
And it ads much to his affliction, that
The payne denies him power to waite vpon
Your Maiestie.
Theod.
I pittie him: hee is
A wondrous honest man, and what he suffers,
I know will grieue my Empresse.
Tim.
Hee indeed is
Much bound to her gratious fauour.
Theod.
Hee deserues it,
Shee cannot finde a subiect vpon whom
Shee better may confer it: is the stagge
Safe lodg'd?
Gratian.
Yes Sir, and the houndes and huntsmen ready.
Philan.
Hee will make you royall sport. Hee is a deere
Of ten at the least.
Enter Countrieman with the apple.
Gratianus [...]
Whither will this clowne?
Timant.
[Page]
Stand backe.
Countrym.
I would zee the Emperour, why should you Courtiers [...]
Scorne a poore Countryman [...] wee zweat at the Plough
To vill your mouths, you and you curs might starue el [...].
Wee prune the orchards, and you cranch [...]he fruite;
Yet still you are snarling at vs.
Theod.
What's the matter?
Count.
I would looke on thy sweete face.
Timantus.
Vnmannerly swaine.
Count.
Zwaine, though I am a zwaine, I haue a heart yet,
As ready to doe seruice for my leege,
As any Princox Peacock of you all.
Zookers had I one of you zingle with this twigge,
I would so veeze you.
Timant,
Will your Maiestie
Heare his rude language?
Theod.
Yes, and hold it as
An ornament, not a blendish. O Timantus!
Since that drad power by whom we are, disdaines not
With an open eare to heare petitions from vs,
Easie accesse in vs his deputies,
To the meanest of our subi [...]cts, is a debt,
Which we stand bound to pay.
Count.
By my granams ghost
'Tis a holsome zaying, our vicar could not mend it
In the pulpit on a Zunday.
Theod.
What's they suite friend?
Count.
Zu [...]e? I would laugh at that. Let the court begge from thee.
What the poore countrie giues: I bring a present
To thy good grace, which I can call mine owne,
And looke not like these gay folke for a returne,
Of what they venture. Haue I giuent you? ha,
Chrys.
A perillous knaue.
Count.
Zee heere a dainty Apple,
Presents the Apple.
Of mine owne grafting, zweete, and zownde I assure thee.
Theod.
[Page]
It is the fairest fruite I euer saw.
Those golden apples in the Hesperian orchardes
So strangely guarded by the watchfull Dragon,
As they requi [...]'d greate Hercules to get 'em,
Nor those with which Hippomenes deceiu'd,
Swift footed Atalanta, when I looke
On this, deserue no wonder. You behold
The pooreman, and his present with contempt
I to their value prize both; he that could
So ayde weake nature, by his care, and labour,
As to compell a crabtree stocke to beare
A pretious fruite of this large size, and beauty,
Would by his industrie change a pettie village
Into a populous Citty, and from that
Erecte a flourishing Kingdome. Giue the fellow
For an encouragement to his future labours,
Ten Attick talents.
Countrym.
I will wearie heauen
With my prayers for your Maiestie.
Exit Count.
Theod. Philanax,
From mee present this raritie to the rarest
And best of women, when I th [...]nk vpon
The boundlesse happinesse that from her flow to me
In my imagination I am rap'd
Beyond my selfe; but I forget our hunting,
To the forres [...] for the exercise of my body,
But for my mind, 'tis wholly taken vp,
In the contemplation of her matchlesse vertues.
Exeunt.

Act. 4. Scaena 2.

Athenais, Pulcheria. Arcadia. Flacc [...]lla.
Ath.
YOV shall know ther's a difference betweene vs.
Pulch.
There was I am certain not long since, when you
[Page]Kneel'd a petitioner to me, then you were happy
To bee neere my feete, and doe you hold it now
As a disparagement that I side you Lady.
Ath.
Since you respect mee only as I was,
What I am shall be remembred.
Pul.
Does the meanes,
I practis'd to giue good, and sauing counsail's
To the Emperour, and your new stamp'd maiestie
Still sticke in your stomach?
Ath.
'Tis not yet digested,
In troth it is not, why good gouernesse,
Though you are held [...]or a grand Madam, and your selfe,
The first that ouerprize it, I nere tooke
Your words for Delphian oracles, nor your actions
For such wonders as you make 'em, there is one
When shee shall see her time, as fit and able
To be made partner of the Emperours cares,
As your wise selfe, and may with iustice challenge
A neerer interest. You haue done your visit,
So when you please, you may leaue me.
Pul.
Ile not bandye
Words with your mightinesse, prow'd one, only this,
You ca [...]rie to much saile for your small barke,
And that when you least think vpon't may sincke you.
Exit Pulch.
Flacc.
I am glad shee is gone.
Arcadia.
I feard shee would haue read
A tedious lecture to vs.
Enter Phil. with the apple.
Philanax.
From the Emperour,
This rare fruite to the rarest.
Ath.
How my Lord?
Philanax.
I vse his language Madame, and that trust,
Which hee impos'd on mee, discharg'd, his pleasure
Commands my present seruice.
Exit Philan.
Ath.
Haue you seene
So faire an Apple?
Flacc.
Neuer.
Arcad.
[Page]
If the taste
Answer the beauty.
Ath.
Prettily beg'd, you should haue it,
But that you eate too much cold fruite, and that
Changes the fresh red in your cheekes to palenesse.
Enter Seruant.
I haue other d [...]nities for you; you come from
Paulinus, how is't with that truely noble,
And hon [...]st Lord? my witnesse at the fount;
In a word the man to whose bless'd charity
I owe my greatenesse. How is't with him?
Seruant.
Spiritely,
In his minde, but by the raging of his goute
In his body much distemper'd, that you pleas'd
To inquire his health, tooke off much from his paine,
His glad lookes did confirme it [...]
Ath.
Doe his Doctors
Giue him no hope?
Seru.
Little, they rather feare,
By his continuall burning, that hee stands
In danger of a feuer.
Ath.
To him againe,
And tell him that I heartely wish it lay
In mee to ease him, and from me deliuer
This choice fruite to him, you may say to that,
I hope it will pr [...]ue Physicall.
Seru.
The good Lord
Will be oreioyde with the fauour.
Ath.
Hee deseru's more,
Exeunt.

Actus 4. Scaena 3.

Paulinus brought in a chaire. Chirurgion.
Chirurg.
I Haue done as much as art can doe, to stoppe
The violent course of your fit, and I hope you feele it,
How does your honor?
Paul.
At some ease, I thanke you,
I would you could assure continuance of it,
For the moyetie of my fortune.
Chir.
If I could cure [...]
The gout my Lord, without the Philosophers stone
I should soone purchase, it being a disease,
In poore men very rare, and in the rich
The cure impossible, your many bounties;
Bid mee prepare you for a certaine truth,
And to flatter you were di [...]honest.
Paul.
Your plaine dealing
Deserues a fee. Would there were many more such
Of your profession. Happy are pooremen,
If sicke with the excesse of heate or cold,
Caus'd by necessitous labour, not loose surfets
They, when spare dyet, or kind nature faile,
To perfit their recouery, soone arriue at
Their rest in death, but on the contrarie
The greate, and noble are expos'd as preyes
To the rapine of Physitians, and they
In lingring out what is remedilesse,
Aime at their profit, not the patients health;
A thousand trialls and experiments
Haue bene put vpon mee, and I forc'd to pay deere
For my vexation, but I am re [...]olu'd,
( I thanke your honest freedome) to be made
[Page]A propertie no more for knaues to worke on.
What haue you there?
Enter Cleon with a parchement role.
Cleon.
The triumphes of an artsman
O're all infirmities, made authenticall
With the names of Princes, Kings and Emperours
That were his patients.
Paul.
Some Empericke.
Cleon.
It may be so, but he sweare [...] within three dayes
He will grub vp your goute by the rootes, and make you able
To march ten leagues a day in compleate armor,
Paul.
Impossible,
Cleon.
Or if you like not him
Chirurg.
Heare him, my Lord, for your mirth; I will take order,
They shall not wrong you.
Paul.
Vsher in your monster.
Cleon.
He is at hand, march vp: now speak for your self?
Enter Emperick.
Emper.

I come not (right honorable) to your presence, with any base and [...]ordid end of reward; the immortality of my fame is the white I shoote at, the charge of my most curi­ous, and costly ingredients fraide, amounting to some sea­venteene thousand crownes, a trifle in respect of health, writing your noble name in my Catalogue, I shall acknow­ledge my selfe amply satisfi'd.

Chir.

I beleeue so.

Emper.

For your owne sake I most heartily wish, that you had now all the diseases, maladies and infirmities vpon you, that were euer remembred by old Galen, Hippocrates, or the later, and more admired Paracelsus.

Paul.

For your good wish, I thanke you.

Emper.
[Page]

Take mee with you, I beseech your good Lord­ship, I vrg'd it that your ioy in being certainely: and suddainly freed from them, may be the greater, and my not to bee paralleld skill the more remarkable: the cure of the goute a toy, without boast bee it said, my cradle practise, the camer, the Fistula, the Dropsie, consumption of Lunges, and Kid­nyes, hurts in the braine, heart, or liuer, are things worthy my opposition, but in the recouerie of my patients I euer ouercome them, but to your goute.

Paul.
I marry Sir, that cur'd I shall be apter
To giue credit to the rest
Emp.
Suppose it done Sir,
Chir.
And the meanes, you vse I beseech you.
Emper.

I will doe it in the plainest language, and discouer my ingredients. First my boteni Terebinthina, of Cypris, my Manna, ros coelo, coagulated with vetulos ouorum, vulgarly yelkes of Egges, with a little Cyath, or quantitie of my po­table Elixir, with some few scruples of sassa-fras and Gua­cum, so taken euery morning and euening, in the space of three dayes, purgeth, clenseth, and dissipateth the inward cau­ses of the virulent tumor.

Paul.

Why doe you smile?

Chir.

When hee hath done I will resolue you.

Emper.

For my exterior applications I haue these balsum­unguentulums extracted from hearbes plants, rootes, seeds, gummes, and a million of other vegetables, the principall of which are Vlissipona, or Serpentaria, Sophia, or Herba con­solidarum, Parthenium or commanilla Romana, Mumia transmarina, mixed with my plumbum Philosophorum, and mater metallorum, cum ossa paraleli, est vniuersal [...] medicamen­tum in podagra.

Cleon [...]

A coniuring balsamum,

Emp.

This applied warme vpon the pained place, with a fether of S [...]ruth [...]o cameli, or a bird of Paradise which is euery where to bee had, shall expulse this tartarous, v [...]seous, ana­theos, and malignant dolor.

Chir.
An excellent receipt, but does your Lordship
[Page]Know what it is good for?
Paul.
I would be instructed,
Chir.
For the gonorrhea, or if you will heare it
In a plainer phrase, the pox.
Emper.
If it cure his Lordship
Of that by the way, I hope Sir 'tis the better;
My medicine serues for all things, and the pox Sir,
Though falsely nam'd the Sciatica, or goute,
Is the more Catholick sickenesse.
Paul.
Hence with the rascall.
Yet hurt him not, he makes mee smile, and that
Frees him from punishment.
They thrust off the Emper [...]
Chir.
Such slaues as this
Render our art contemptible,
Enter Seruant
Seru.
My good Lord,
Paul.
So soone return'd?
Seru.
And with this present from
Your greate, and gratious Mistrisse, with her wishes
It may proue Physicall to you.
Paul.
In my heart
I kneele, and thanke her bounty. deere friend Cleon
Giue him the cupboorde of Plate in the next roome.
For a reward.
Exeunt Cleon and the Seruant.
Most glorious fruite, but made
More pretious by her grace, and loue that sent it.
To touch it only comming from her hand
Makes mee forget all paine. A Diamond
Of this large size, though it would buy a Kingdome,
Hew'd from the rocke, and lay'd downe at my feete,
Nay though a Monarchs gift, will hold no value,
Compar'd with this, and yet ere I presume
To [...]ast it, though san [...] question it i [...]
[Page]Some heauenly restoratiue, I in duty
Stand bound to waigh my owne vnworthinesse:
Ambrosi [...] is foode only for the Gods;
And not by humane lips to be prophan'd:
I may adore it as some holy Relick,
Deriu'de from thence, but impious to keepe it,
In my possession; the Emperour only,
Is worthy to inioy it goe good Cleon,
Enter Cleon [...]
(And cease this admiration at this obiect;)
From mee present this to my royall master,
I know it will amaze him, and excuse me
That I am not my selfe the bearer of it.
That I should bee lame now, when with wings of duty
I should flye to the seruice of this Empresse,
Nay no delaye [...] good Cleon.
Cleon.
I am gone Sir.
Exeunt.

Act. 4. Scaene 4.

Theodosius. Chrysapius. Timantus. Gratianus.
Chrys.
ARE you not tir'd Sir?
Theod.
Tir'd? I must not say so
Howeuer, though I rode hard; to a huntsman,
His toyle is his delight, and to complaine
Of wearinesse, would shew as poorely in him,
As if a Generall should greiue for a wound,
Receau'd vpon his forhead, or his brest,
After a glorious victorie, lay by
These accoutrements for the chase.
Enter Pul [...]h.
Pulch.
You are well return'd Sir,
From your Princely exercise.
Theod.
Sister, to you
I owe the freedome, and the vse of all
The pleasures I enioy; your care prouides
[Page]For my security, and the burthen which
I should alone sustaine, you vndergoe,
And by your paine [...]ull watchings, yeeld my sleepes
Both sound, and sure. How happie am I in
Your knowledge of the art of gouernement!
And [...] mee, I glorie to behold you
Dispose of great designes, as if you were
A partner, and no subiect of my Empire.
Pulch.
My vigilance, since it hath well succeeded.
I am confident, you allow of, yet it is not
Approu'd by all.
Theod.
Who dares repine at that,
Which hath our suffrage?
Pulch.
One that too well knowes,
The strength of her abilities can better
My weake endeuours.
Theod.
In this you reflect
Vpon my Empresse [...]
Pul.
True, for as shee is
The consort of your bed, 'tis fit shee sh [...]re in
Your cares, and absolute power.
Theod.
You touch a string
That sowndes but harshely to mee, and I must
In a brothers loue aduise you that heereafter
You would forbeare to moue it. Since shee is
In her pure selfe a harmonie of such sweetenesse,
Compos'd of dutie, chaste desires, her beautie
(Though it might tempt a Hermit from his beades)
The least of her endowment [...]. I am sorrie
Her holding the first place, since that the second
Is proper to your selfe, calls on your enuie.
Shee erre? it is impossible in a thought,
And much more speake, or doe what may offend mee.
In other things, I would beleeue you sister:
But though the tongues of Saints, and Angells tax'd her
Of any imperfection, I should be
Incredulous.
Pulcheria.
[Page]
Shee is yet a woman Sir [...]
Theod.
The abstract of what's excellent in the sex:
But to their mulct [...], and frayleties a meere stranger;
Ile dye in this beleefe.
Enter Cleon with the apple.
Cleon.
Your humble [...]t seruant,
The Lord Paulinus, as a wi [...]nesse of
His zeale, and dutie to your Maiestie,
Presents you with this iewell.
Theod.
Ha!
Cleon.
It is
Preferr'd by him.
Theod.
Aboue his honor?
Cleon.
No Sir,
I would haue said his patrimonie,
Theod.
'Tis the same.
Cleon.
And he intreates, since lamenesse may excuse
His not presenting it himselfe, from mee
(Though far vnworthy to supplie his place)
You would vouchsafe to accept it.
Theod.
Farther off,
You haue told your tale. Stay you for a reward?
Take that.
Strikes him.
Pulch.
How's this?
Chrys.
I neuer saw him mou'd thus.
Theo.
Wee must not part so Sir, a guarde vpon him.
Enter Garde. they all got a side.
Theod.
May I not vent my sorrowes in the aire,
Without discouerie? forbeare the roome,
Yet be within call, what an earth-quake I feele in mee?
And on the suddaine my whole fabrick totters.
My blood within mee turnes, and through my vaines
Parting with naturall rednesse I discerne it,
Chang'd to a fatall yellow: what an army
Of hellish fu [...]ies in the horrid shapes
Of doubts, and feares, charge on mee! rise to my rescue,
Thou stout maintainer of a chaste wi [...]es honor,
The confidence of her vertu [...]; [...]ee not shaken
With the wind of vaine surmises, much lesse suffer
[Page]The diuell iealousie to whisper to mee
My curious obseruation of that
I must no more remember. Will it not bee?
Thou vninuited ghest, ill mannerd monster,
I charge thee leaue mee, wilt thou force mee to
Giue fuell to that fire I would put out?
The goodnesse of my memorie proues my mischief [...],
And I would sell my Empire, could it purchase
The dull art of forgetfulnesse. Who waites there?
Timantus.
Most sacred Sir.
Theod.
Sacred, as 'tis accurs'd
Is proper to mee. Sirra, vpon your life,
Without a word concerning this, command
Exit Ti [...].
Eudoxia to come to mee; would I had
Nere knowne her by that name, my mothers name,
Or that for her owne sake shee had continued
Poore Athenais still— No intermission?
Wilt thou so soone torment mee? must I reade
Writ in the table of my memorie,
To warrant my suspition, how Paulinus
(Though euer thought a man auerse to women)
First gaue her entertainement? made her way
For audience to my sister; then I did
My selfe obserue how hee was rauish'd with
The gratious deliuerie of her storie,
(Which was I grant the bait that first took me too)
Sh [...]e was his conuert, what the rethorick was
Hee vs'd I know not, and since shee was mine,
In priuate, as in publick, what a masse
Of grace and fauours hath shee heap'd vpon him!
And but to day this fatall fruite, Shee's come.
Enter Timantus. Athenais. Flaccilla. Arcadia.
Can shee bee guiltie?
Ath.
You seeme troubl'd Sir,
My innoc [...]nce makes mee bold to aske the cause
[Page]That I may ease you of it, no salute
After foure long houres absence?
Theod.
Prethee forgiue mee.
Kisses her.
Mee thanks I finde Paulinus on her lips,
And the fresh Nectar that I drew from thence
Is on the suddaine pal'd, how haue you spent
Your hours since I last saw you?
Ath.
In the conuerse,
Of your sweete sisters.
Theod.
Did not Philanax
From mee deliuer you an apple?
Ath.
Yes Sir;
Heauen! how you frowne! pray you talke of something els,
Thinke not of such a trifle.
Theod.
How! a trifle?
Does any toy from mee presented to you,
Deserue to be so sleighted? doe you valewe
What's sent, and not the sender? from a peasant
It had deseru'd your thanks.
Ath.
And meetes from you Sir
All possible respect.
Theod.
I priz'd it Lady
At a higher rate then you beleeue, and would not
Haue parted with it, but to one I did
Prefer before my selfe.
Ath.
It was indeed
The fairest that I euer saw.
Theod.
It was?
And it had vertues in it, my Eudoxia
Not visible to the eye.
Ath.
It may be so Sir,
Theod.
What did you with it, tell mee punctually;
I looke for a strict accompt.
Ath.
What shall I answer?
Theod.
Doe you stagger? ha?
Ath.
No Sir, I haue eaten it.
It had the pleasantest tast. I wonder that
[Page]You found it not in my breath.
Theod.
I saith I did not,
And it was wondrous strange.
Ath:
Pray you try againe.
Theo.
I find no scent of't heere. You play with me
You haue it still?
Ath.
By your sacred life, and fortune,
An oth I dare not breake, I haue eaten it.
Theod.
Doe you know how this oth binds?
Ath.
Too well, to breake it.
Theod.
That euer man to please his brutish sense
Should slaue his vnderstanding to his passions,
And taken with soone fading white and red
Deliuer vp his credulous eares to heare
The magick of a Siren, and from these
Beleeue there euer was, is, or can bee
More then a seeming honestie in bad woman
Ath.
This is strange language Sir.
Theod.
Who waites? come all.
Nay sister not so neere, being of the sex,
I feare you are infected to.
Pulch.
What meane you?
Theod.
To show you a miracle, a prodigie
Which Affrick neuer: equall'd can you think
This master peece of heauen, this pretious vellam,
Of such a puritie, and virgin whitenesse,
Could be design'd to haue periurie, and whoredome
In capitall letters writ vpon't?
Pulch.
Deere Sir,
Theod.
Nay adde to this [...]n impudence beyond
All prostituted boldnesse. Art not dead yet?
Will not the tempests in thy conscience rende thee
As small as Atomes [...] that there may no signe
Be left, thou euer wer [...] so! wilt thou liue
Till thou art blasted with the dreadfull lightning
Of pregnant, and vnanswerable proofes,
Of thy adulterous twines? dye yet that I
[Page]With my honor may conceale it.
Ath:
Would long since,
The Gorgon of your rage had turn'd mee marble,
Or if I haue offended?
Theod.
If! good Angels!
But I am tame: looke on this dombe accuser.
Ath.
O I am lost!
Theod.
Did euer cormorant
Swollow his pray and then digest it whole
As shee hath done this apple? Philanax,
As'tis, from me presented it. The good Lady
Swore shee had ea [...]en it; yet I know not how
It came intire vnto Paulinu [...] hands,
And I from him receau'd it, sent in scorne
Vpon my life to giue me a close touch,
That he was wearie of thee. Was there nothing
Left thee to see him, to giue satisfaction
To thy insatiate lust, but what was sent
As a decrefauour from mee? how haue I [...]ind
In my do [...]age on this creature? but to her
I haue liu'd, as I was borne, a perfit virgin.
Nay more I thought it not enough to be
True to her bed, but that I must feede high,
To strengthen my abilities to cloye
Her rauenous appetite, little suspecting
Shee would desire a change.
Ath.
I neuer did Sir.
Theod.
Be dumbe, I will not waste my breath in taxing
Thy base ingratitude. How I haue rais'd thee,
Will by the world be to thy shame spoke often.
But for that ribawd, who held in my Empire
The next place to my selfe, so bound vnto me
By all the tyes of duty, and allegeance
Hee shall pay deere for't, and feele what it is
In a wrong of such high consequence to pull downe,
His Lords slow anger on him. Philanax,
Hee's troubl'd with the goute, let him be cur'd
[Page]With a violent death, and in the other world,
Thanke his Physitian.
Philanax.
His cause vnheard Sir?
Pulch.
Take heede of rashnesse.
Theod.
Is what I command,
To bee disputed?
Philan.
Your will shall bee done Sir:
But that I am the instrument —
Theod.
Doe you murmur?
Exit Phil with the gard [...]
What couldst thou say if that my licence should,
Giue liberty to this tongue? thou would'st dye? I am not
Athen. kneeling, points to Theod. sword.
So to bee reconcil'd, See mee no more.
The sting of conscience euer gnawing on thee,
A long life bee thy punishment.
Exit Theod.
Flacc.
O sweete Lady
How I could weepe for her!
Arcad.
Speake deare Madam, speake.
Your tongue as you are a Woman, while you liue,
Should bee euer mouing, at the least the last part
That stirrs about you.
Pul.
Though I should sad Lady
In pollicie reioyce, you as a riuall
Of my greatenesse are remou'd, compassion,
Since I beleeue you innocent, commands mee
To mourne your fortune, credit mee I will vrge
All arguments I can alleage that may
Appease the Emperours furie.
Arc.
I will grow too,
Vpon my knees, vnlesse hee bid mee rise,
And sweare hee will forgiue you.
Flacc.
And repent too
All [...]his pother for an apple [...]
Exeunt Pulcheria. Arcadia. Flaccilla.
Chrys.
Hope deare Madam,
[Page]And yeeld not to despaire, I am still your seruant,
And neuer will forsake you; though a while
You leaue the court, and city, and giue way
To the violent passions of the Emperour.
Repentance in his want of you will soone finde him.
In the m [...]ane time Ile dispose of you, and omit
No oppor [...]unity that may inuite him
To see his error.
Athen.
Oh!
Wrangling her hands.
Chrys.
Forbeare for heau'ns sake:
The [...]nde of the fourth act.

Act. 5. Scaene 1.

Philanac. Paulinus. Guard. Executioners.
Paul.
THi [...] is most barbarous! how haue you lost
All feeling of humanity, as honor;
In your consent alone to haue mee vs'd thus?
But to bee as you are a looker on,
Nay more a principall actor in't (the softnes
Of your former life consider'd) almost turnes mee
Into a senselesse statue.
Philanax.
Would long since
Death by some other meanes had made you one,
That you might bee lesse sensible of what
You haue, or are to suffer.
Paul.
Am to suffer?
Let such, whose happinesse, and heauen depend
Vpon their present being feare to part with
A fort they cannot long holde, mine to mee is
A charge that I am wearie of, all defences
By paine, and sickenesse batterd; Yet take heede,
Take heede Lord Philanax, that for priuate spleene
[Page]Or any false conceiued grudge against mee,
(Since in one thought of wrong to you, I am
Sincerely innocent) you doe not that
My oyall Master must in iustice punish,
If you passe to your owne heart thorow mine
The murther as it will come out discouer'd.
Phil.
I murther you my Lord? heau'n witnesse for mee
With the restoring of your health, I wish you
Long life, and happinesse: for my selfe I am
Compell'd to put in execution that
Which I would flie from, 'tis the Emperour,
The high incensed Emperours will commands
What I must see perform'd.
Paul.
The Emperour!
Goodnesse, and innocence garde mee! wheeles, nor racks
Can force into my memorie, the remembrance
Of the least shadow of offence, with which
I euer did prouoke him, though belou'd
(And yet the peoples loue is short, and fatall)
I neuer courted popular applause;
Feasted the men of action, or labour'd
By prodigall giftes to draw the needy souldier,
The tribunes, or centurious to a faction,
Of which I would rise vp the head against him.
I hold no place of s [...]rength, fortresse, or castle
In my command, that can giue sanctuarie
To malecontents, or countenance rebellion.
I haue built no palaces to face the court,
Nor doe my followers brauerie shame his traine [...]
And though I cannot blame my fate for want,
My competent meanes of life deserues no enuie.
In what then am I dangerous?
Phil.
His displeasure
Reflects on none of those particulars,
Which you haue mention'd, though some iealous Princes
In a subiect cannot brooke 'em.
Paul.
None of these?
[Page]In what then am I worthy his suspition?
But it may, nay it must bee, some informer
To whom my innocence appear [...]d a crime,
Hath poyson [...]d his late good opinion of mee.
Tis not to dye, but in the censure of
'So good a Master guilty, that afflictes mee.
Phil.
There is no remedy.
Paul.
No, I haue a friend yet,
Could [...]he strictnesse of your warrant giue way to it,
To whom the s [...]ate I stand in now deliuer'd,
That by faire intercession for mee would
So far preuaile, that my defence vnheard
I should not innocent, or guiltie suffer,
Without a fi [...] distinction.
Phil.
These false hopes
My Lord abuse you. What man, when condemn'd,
Did euer find a [...]riend? or who dares lend
An eye of pitty to that starcros'd subiect
On whom his soueraigne frownes.
Paul.
Shee that dares plead
For innocence without a fee, the Empresse,
My greate, and gratious Mistrisse!
Phil.
There's your error.
Her many fauours which you hop'd should make you,
Proue your vndoing. Shee poore Lady is
Bannish'd for euer from the Emperours presence,
And his confirm'd suspition, to his wrong,
That you haue bene ouer familiar with her,
Doomes you to death. I know you vnderstand mee.
Paul.
Ouer familiar?
Phil.
In sharing with him;
Those sweete and secret pleasures of his bed,
Which can admit no partner.
Paul.
And is that
The crime for which I am to dye? Of all
My numerous sinnes, was there not one of waight
Enough to sinke mee, if he borrow'd not
[Page]The colour of a guilt I neuer saw,
To paint my innocence, in a deform'd
And mo [...]strous shape? but that it were prophane
To argue heauen of ignorance, or iniustice,
I now should tax it. Had the stars that raign'd
At my natiuity such cursed influence,
As not alone to make [...]ee miserable,
But in the neighbourhood of her goodnesse to mee
To force contagion vpon a Lady,
Whose purer flames were not inferior,
To theirs, when they shine brightest? to dye for her
Co [...]par'd with what shee suffers is a trifle.
By her example warn'd, let all greate women
Heereaf [...]er throw pride, and contempt on such
As truely serue 'em, since a retribution
In lawfull courtesies, is now stil'd lust,
And to be thankfull to a seruants merits
Is growne a vice, no vertue.
Phil.
These complaints
Are to no purpose: think on the long flight,
Your better part must make.
Paul.
Shee is prepar'd
Nor can the freeing of an innocent
From the Emperours furious iealousie hinder her.
It shall out, 'tis resolu'd, but to bee whisper'd
To you alone. What a sol [...]mne preparation
Is made heere to put forth an inch of taper
In it selfe almost extinguish'd? mortall poison?
The hangmans sword, the halter?
Phil.
Tis left to you,
To make choice of which you please.
Paulinus.
Any will serue,
To take away my goute, and life together.
I would not haue the Emperour imitate
Romes Monster, Nero, in that cruell mercie
Ilee shew'd to Seneca; when you haue discharg'd
What you are trusted with, and I haue giu'n you
[Page]Reasons beyond all doubt, or disputation,
Of the Empresses and my innocence, when I am dead,
Since 'tis my Masters pleasure, and high treason
In you not to obey it, I coniure you,
By the hopes you haue of happinesse heereafter,
Since mine in this world are now parting from mee,
That you would win the young man to repentance
Of the wrong done to his chaste wise Eudoxia,
And if perchance hee shed a teare for what
In his rashenesse hee impos'd on his true seruant,
So it cure him of future iealousie,
[...]Twill proue a pretious balsamum, and finde mee
When I am in my graue. Now when you please,
For I am readie.
Philanax.
His words worke strangely on mee,
And I would doe, but I know not what to thinke on [...]t.
Ex.

Act. 5. Scaene 2.

Pulcheria. Flaccilla. Arcadia. Timantus. Gratianus. Chrysapius.
Pulch.
STill in his sullen moo [...]d? no intermission
Of his melancholy fit?
Timantus.
It rather Madam
Increases, then grows lesse.
Gratianus.
In the next roome
To his bed-chamber, wee watch'd, for hee by signes
Gaue vs to vnderstand, hee would admit
Nor company, nor conference.
Pulch.
Did hee take
No rest as you could ghesse?
Chrys.
Not any Madam;
Like a Numidian Lyon, by the cunning
Of the desperate huntsman taken in a toyle,
And forc'd into a spatious cage, hee walkes
About his chamber, wee might heare him gnash
His teeth in rage, which opend, hollow grone [...]
[Page]And murmurs issu'd from his lippes, like windes
Imprison'd in the cauernes of the earth
Striuing for liberty; and sometimes throwing
His body on his bed, then on the ground,
And with such violence, that wee more then fear'd
And still doe, if the tempest of his passions
By your wisdome bee not lay'd, hee will commit
Some outrage on himselfe.
Pulch.
His better Angell,
I hope will stay him from so foule a mischiefe,
Nor shall my care bee wanting.
Tim:
Twice I heard him,
Say false Eudoxia, how much art thou
Vnworthy of these teares? then sigh'd, and straight
Rores out Paulinus, was his goutie age
To bee preferr'd before my strength and youth?
Then groand againe, so many wayes expressing
Th'afflictions of a tortur'd soule, that wee
Who wept in vaine, [...]or what wee could not helpe,
Were sharers in his suffrings.
Pulch.
Though your sorrow
Is not to bee condemn'd, it takes not from
The burthen of his miseries; wee must practise
With some fresh obiect to diuert his thoughts
From that they are wholly fix'd on.
Chrys.
Could I gaine
The freedome of accesse, I would present him
With this petition. Will your highnes please,
A paper de [...]liuer'd.
To looke vpon it. You will soone finde there
What my intents, and hopes are.
Enter Theod.
Gratianus.
Hal 'tis hee.
Pul.
Stand close,
And giue way to his passions, 'tis not safe
To stoppe them in their violent course, before
They haue spent themselues.
Theod.
I play the foole, and am
Vnequall to my selfe, delinquents are
[Page]To suffer, not the innocent. I haue done
Nothing, which will not hold waight in the scale
Of my impartiall iustice: neither feele
The worme of conscience, vpbraiding mee
For one blacke deed of tyranny; wherefore then
Should I torment my selfe? great Iulius would not
Rest satisfi'd that his wife was free from fact,
But only for suspition of a crime
S'ud a diuorce, no [...] was this Roman rigour
Censur'd as cruell, and still the wise Italian,
That knowes the honor of his family,
Depends vpon the purity of his bed
For a kisse, nay wanton looke, will plough vp mischiefe,
And sowe the seedes of his reuenge in blood.
And shall I to whose power the law's a seruant,
That stand accomptable to none, for what
My will c [...]lls an offence, being compell'd,
And on such grounds to raise an Altar to
My anger, though I grant 'tis cemented
With a loose strumpets and adulterers gore,
Repent the iustice of my furie [...] no.
I should not: yet still my excesse of loue
Fed high in the remembrance of her choice
And sweete embraces, would perswade mee that
Conniuence, or remission of her fault,
Made warrantable by her true submission
For her offence, might bee excusable,
Did not the crueltie of my wounded honor
With an open mouth denie it.
Pulch.
I approue of
Your good intention, and I hope 'twill prosper.
Hee now seemes calme. Let vs vpon our knees
Encompasse him. Most royall Sir,
Flacc.
Sweet brother.
Arc.
As you are our Soueraigne, by the tyes of nature
You are bound to bee a Father in your care
To vs poore Orphans.
Timant.
[Page]
Shew compassion Sir,
Vnto your selfe.
Grat.
The maies [...]ie of your fortune
Should flie aboue the reach of griefe.
Chrys.
And 'tis
Impair'd, if you yeeld to it.
Theod.
Wherefore pay you
This adoration to a sinfull creature?
I am flesh, and blood as you are, sensible
Of heat, and cold, asmuch a slaue vnto
The tyrannie of my passions, as the meanest
Of my poore subiects the proud attributes
(By oil'd tongu'd flatterie impos'd vpon vs)
As sacred, glorious, high, inuincible,
The deputie of heauen, and in that
Omnipotent, with all false titles els
Coind to abuse our frailetie, though compounded,
And by the breath of Sycophants appli'd,
Cure not the least fit of an ague in vs.
Wee may giue poore men riches; confer honors
On vndeseruers; raise [...] or ruine such
As are beneath vs, and with this puff'd vp,
Ambition would perswade vs to forget
That wee are men: but hee that sits aboue vs,
And to whom, at our vtmost rate, wee are
But pageant properties, derides our weakenesse.
In mee to whom you kneele, 'tis most apparent.
Can I call backe yesterday, with all their aides
That bow vnto my scepter? or restore
My minde to that tranquillitie, and peace
It then inioy'd? can it make Eudoxia chaste?
Or vile Paulinus honest?
Pul.
If I might
Without offence, deliuer my opinion,
Theod.
What would you say?
Pul.
That on my soule the Empresse
I [...] innocent.
Chrys.
[Page]
The good Paulinus guiltlesse.
Grat.
And this should yeeld you comfort.
Theod.
In being guiltie
Of an offence far, far transcending that
They stand condemn'd for. Call you this a comfort?
Suppose it could bee true? a corrasiue rather,
Not to eate out dead flesh, but putrifie
What yet is sown'd. was murther euer held
A cure for iealousie? or the crying blood
Of innocence, a balme to take away
Her festring anguish? as you doe desire
I should not doe a iustice on my selfe,
Adde to the proofes by which Paulinus fell,
And not [...]ake from 'em, in your charitie
Sooner beleeue that they were false, then I
Vnrighteous in my iudgement? subiects liues
Are not their Princes tennisballs to bee banded
In sport away, all that I can indure
For them, if they were guilty, is an atome
To the mountaine of affliction, I pull'd on mee,
Should they proue innocent.
Chrys.
For your Maiesties peace
I more then hope they were not; the false oth
Tooke by the Empresse, and for which shee can
Plead no excuse, conuicted her, and yeeld [...]
A sure defence for your suspition of her.
And yet to be resolu'd, since strong doubts are
More grieuous for the most part, then to know
A certaine losse.
Theod.
'Tis true Chrysapius,
Were there a possible meanes.
Chrys.
'Tis offer'd to you,
If you please to embrace it. Some few minutes
Make truce with passion, and but read, and follow
What's there proiected, you shall finde a key,
Will make your entrance easie to discouer
Her secret thoughts, and then, as in your wisdome
[Page]You shall thinke fit, you may determine of her,
And rest confirm'd, whether Paulinus died
A villaine or a Martyr.
Theod.
It may doe,
Nay sure it must, yet howsoeuer it fall,
I am most wretched which way in my wishes,
I should fashion the euent, I am so distracted
I cannot yet resolue of [...]ollow mee;
Though in my name, all names are comprehended.
I must haue witnesse [...], in what degree
I haue done wrong, or suffer'd,
Pulch.
Hope the best Sir.
Exeunt.

Act. 5. Scaena 3.

A sad song. Athenais in sack ecloth. Her loose haire.
Athen.
VVHY art thou slow, thou rest of trouble, Death,
To stoppe a wretches breath?
That calls on thee, and offers her sad heart
A prey vnto thy dart.
I am nor young, nor faire, bee therefore bold,
Sorrow hath mad [...] mee old,
Deform'd, and wrinkl'd, all that I can craue,
Is quiet in my graue.
Such as liue happy, hold long life a Iewell,
But to mee thou art cruell:
If thou end not my tedi [...]u [...] miserie,
And I soone cease to bee.
Strike, and strike home then, pit [...]y vn [...]o mee
In one short hours delay is tyrannie.
Thus like a dying Swan, to a sad tune
I sing my owne dirg, would a requiem follow
Which in my penitence, I despaire not of,
[Page]This brittle glasse of life, already broken
With misery, the long and quiet sleepe
Of death would bee most welcome, yet before
Wee end our pilgrimage, 'tis fit that wee
Should leaue corruption, and foule sinnes behinde vs.
But with wash'd feete, and hands, the Heathens dare not
Enter their prophane temples; and for me [...]
To hope my passage to eternitie
Can bee made easie 'till I haue shooke of
The burthen of my sinnes in free confession,
Ayded with sorrow, and repentance for 'em,
Is against reason. 'Tis not laying by
My royall ornaments, or putting on
This garment of humility, and contrition.
The throwing dust, and ashes on my head;
Long fasts to tame my proud flesh, that can make
Attonement for my soule, that must be humbled,
All outward signes of penitence, els are vselesse.
Chrysapius did assure mee, hee would bring mee
A holy man, from whom (hauing discoue [...]'d
My secret crying sinnes) I might receiue
Full absolution, and hee keepes his word.
Welcome most reuerend Sir, vpon my knees
I enter [...]aine you.
Enter Theodosius, like a frier [...] with Chrysapius.
Theod.
Noble Sir forbeare,
The place, the [...]cred o [...]fice that I come for,
Commandes all priuacie. My penitent daughter,
Bee carefull, as you wish remission from mee,
That in confession of your sinnes, you hide not
One crime, whose ponderous waight, when you would make
Your flights aboue the firmament, that may sincke you.
A foolish modestie in concealing ought
Is now far worse then impudence to professe,
And iustifie your guilte, bee therefore free
[Page]So may the gates of mercie open to you.
Ath [...]ais.
First th [...]n, I aske a pardon, for my being
Ingratefull to heau'ns bountie.
Theod.
A good entrance.
Ath.
Grea [...]enesse comes from aboue, and I rais'd to it
From a low condition, sinfully forgot
From whence it came, and looking on my selfe
In the [...]alse glasse of fl [...]tterie, I receiu'd it
As a debt due to my beautie, not a gift
Or fauour from the Emperour.
Theod.
'Twas n [...]t well.
Ath.
Pride wayted on vnthankfulnesse, and no more
Remembring the compassion of the Princesse,
And the meanes sh [...]e vs'd to make mee what I was,
Contested with her, and with sore eyes seing
Her greater light, as it dimm'd mine, I practis'd
To haue it quite put out.
Theod.
A greate offence,
But on repentance not vnpardonable.
Forward [...]
Athenais.
O Father, what I now must vtter,
I feare in the deliuerie will destroy mee,
Before you haue absolu'd mee.
Theod.
Heau'n is gratious.
Out with it.
Athenais.
Heau'n commands vs to tell truth.
Yet I most sinfull wretch, forswore my selfe.
Theod.
On what occasion?
Ath.
Quite forgetting that
An innocent truth can neuer [...]and in need
Of a guiltie l [...]e, being on the suddaine ask'd
By the Emperour my husband, for an Apple
Presented by him, I swore I had eaten it,
When my grieu'd conscience too well knowes, I sent it
To comfort sicke Paulinus, being a man,
I truely lou'd and fauour'd.
Theod.
A cold sweate,
[Page]Like the iuice of Hemlocke bathes mee.
aside.
Ath.
And [...]rom this
A furious iealousie getting possession
Of the good Emperours heart, in his rage hee doom'd
The innocent Lord to dye, my periurie
The fatall cause of murther.
Theod.
Take heed daughter,
You niggle not with your conscience, and religion,
In stiling him an innocent from your feare,
And shame to accuse your selfe. The Emperour
Had many spies vpon you, saw such graces,
Which vertue could not warrant, showr'd vpon him;
Glances in publick, and more liberall fauours
In your priuate chamber meetings, making way
For foule adulterie; nor could hee bee
But sensible of the compact pass'd betweene you,
To the ruine of his honor.
Ath.
Heare mee Father,
I look'd for comfort, but in this you come
To adde to my afflictions.
Theod.
Cause not you
Your owne damnation, in concealing that
Which may in your discouerie finde forgiuenesse [...]
Open your eyes, set heauen, or hell before you.
In the reuealing of the truth, you shall
Prepare a palace for your soule to dwell in,
Stor'd with celestiall blessings; whereas if
You palliate your crime, and dare beyond
Playing with lightning, in concealing it,
Expect a dreadfull dungeon, fill'd with horror,
And neuer-ending torments.
Ath.
May they fall
Eternally vpon mee, and increase,
When that which wee call time hath lost its name;
[Page]May lightning cl [...]aue the centre of the earth,
And I sinke quicke, before you haue absolu'd mee,
Into the bottomlesse Abysse, I feuer
In one vnchaste desire, nay in a thought
I wrong'd the honor of the Emperours bed.
I doe deserue, I grant, more then I suffer
In that my feruor, and desire to please him,
In my holy meditations press'd vpon me,
And would not bee kept out, now to dissemble
(When I shall sudd [...]inely bee insensible,
Of what the world speaks of mee) were meere madnesse:
And though you are incredulous, I presume,
If as I kneele now, my eyes swolne with teares,
My hands heaud vp thus, my stretch'd heartstrings ready
To breake a sunder, my incensed Lord
(His storme of iealousie blowne ore) should heare mee,
Hee would beleeue I lied not.
Theod.
Rise, and see him,
discouers himselfe.
On his knees with ioy affirme it.
Ath.
Can this bee?
Theod.
My sisters, and the rest there, all beare witnesse.
Enter Pulcheria, Arcadia. Flaccilla. Chrysapius. Gra­tianus. Timantus.
In freeing this incomparable Lady
From the suspition of guilt, I doe
Accuse my selfe, and willingly submit
To any penance, shee in iustice shall
Please to impose vpon mee.
Ath.
Royall Sir, your ill opinion of mee 's soone forgiuen.
Pul.
But how you can make satisfaction to
The poore Paulinus, hee being dead, in reason
You must conclude impossible.
Theod.
And in that
I am most miserable; the Ocean
[Page]Of ioy, which in your innocence flow'd high to mee,
Ebb's in the thought of my vniust command,
By which hee died. O Philanax (as thy name
Interpreted speakes thee) thou hast euer bene
A louer of the King, and thy whole life
Can witnesse thy obedience to my will,
In putting that in execution, which
Was trusted to thee, say but yet this once
Thou hast not done what rashly I commanded [...]
And that Paulinus liues, and thy reward
For not performing that which I inioin'd thee,
Shall centuple what euer yet thy dutie,
Or merit challeng'd from mee.
Phil.
'Tis too late Sir.
Hee's dead, and when you know hee was vnable
To wrong you, in the way that you suspected,
You'll wish it had bene otherwise.
Theod.
Vnable?
Phil.
I am sure hee was an Eunuch, and might safely
Lye by a Virgins side, at foure yeares made one,
Though to hold grace with Ladies hee conceald it.
The circumstances, and the manner how
You may heare at better leasure.
Theod.
How! an Eunuch?
The more the proofes are, that are brought to cleare thee,
My best Eudoxia, the more my sorrowes.
Athen.
That I am innocent?
Theod.
That I am guiltie
Of mur [...]her, my Eudoxia. I will build
A glorious monument to his memorie,
And for my punishment liue, and dye vpon it,
And neuer more conuerse with men.
Enter Paulinus.
Paulin.
Liue long Sir,
[Page]May I doe so to serue you [...] and if that
I liue does not displease you, you owe for it
To this good Lord.
Theod.
My selfe, and all that's mine.
Philan.
Your p [...]rdon is a payment.
Theod.
I am rap'd
With ioy beyond my selfe. Now my Eudoxia
My iealousie puff'd away thus, in this breath
I scent the naturall sweetenesse.
Kisses her.
Arcad.
Sacred Sir,
I am happy to behold this, and presume,
Now you are pleas'd, to moue a sute, in which
My sister is ioyn'd with mee.
Theod.
Prethee speake it,
For I haue vow'd to heare before I grant,
I thanke your good instructions.
Arc.
'Tis but this Sir,
Wee haue obseru'd the falling out, [...]nd in,
Betweene the husband and the wise showes rarely,
Their iarres, and reconcilements strangely take vs.
Flac.
Anger and iealousie that conclude in kisses
Is a sweete war in sooth.
Arc.
Wee therefore, brother
Most humbly beg you would prouide vs husbands
That wee may tast the pleasure of't.
Flac.
And with speede Sir,
For so your [...]auour's doubl'd.
Theod.
Take my word,
I will with all conuenience; and not blush
Heereafter to bee guided by your counsailes.
I will deserue your pardon. Philanax
Shall bee remembred, and magnificent bounties
Fall on Chrysapius. My grace on all.
[Page]Let Cleon bee deliuer'd and rewarded,
My grace on all, which as I len'd to you,
Returne your vowes to heauen, that it may please
(As it is gratious) to quench in mee
All future sparkes of burning iealousie.
THE END.

EPILOGVE.

WEE haue reason to be doubtfull, whether hee
On whom (forc'd to it by necessitie)
The maker did conferre his Emperours part
Hath giuen you satisfaction, in his art
Of action an [...] deliuerie; 'tis sure truth
The burden was too heauie for his youth
To vndergoe: but in his will wee know
Hee was not wanting, and shall euer owe
With, his, our seruice, if your fauours daine
To giue him strength, he [...]reafter to sustaine
A greater waight. It is your grace that ca [...]
In your allowance of this write him man
Before his time, which if you please to doe
You make the Player, and the Poet too.

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