TITVS, OR THE PALME OF CHRISTIAN COVRAGE: To be exhibited by the Schollars of the Society of IESVS, at Kilken­ny, Anno Domini 1644.

THE ARGVMENT.

TItus a noble Gentleman more illustrious for his Christian courage, then parentage: was sollicited by the King of Bungo, to desert his Religion by severall, most artificious in­fernall plots, all which he sleighted and dashed with his invin­cible courage, and generous Christian resolution, whereat the King amazed, restored him to his liberty, wife and children, and granted him the freedome of his Religion, with all his lands and possessions of which before he was bereaved as trai­tor to the Crowne.

This history is compendiously set downe by Father Francis Solier, of the Society of IESVS in the 18. booke of his Ecclesiasticall historie of Iaponia, and yeare of our Lord, 1620.

Printed at Waterford by Thomas Bourke, M.DC.XLIV.

  • THE PROLOGVE. Divine love extolleth the Iaponian's courage.
  • Act 1. Scene 1. IDolatrie stormes at her expulsion out of Ia­ponia, and exciteth hell to revenge.
  • Scene 2. The Emperor of Iaponia declareth his affe­ction towards the Idolls, and to this end com­mandeth a solemne sacrifice.
  • Scene 3. The Bongo's receive no answer from their gods as they were wont, hence they rage against the Christians.
  • Scene 4. Faith and Fortitude, implore aide of the tri­umphant Church.
  • The Interlude. A Countrey Clowne hearing that a procla­mation was to issue against the Christians, is mighty merry, and attempts to robbe a passen­ger.
  • Act 2. Scene 1. THe Emperor commands the edict against Christians to bee proclaimed.
  • Scene 2. The edict is promulged.
  • Scene 3. Titus perusing the edict, deliberates, with death, judgment, hell, heaven and eternitie.
  • Scene 3. The King of Bungo inquireth narrowly af­ter [Page]the Christians.
  • Scene 4. Titus is summoned and biddeth adieu to wife and children.
  • Scene 5. Idolatrie triumphes before time, and is by faith repressed.
  • The Interlude. A Souldier fainedly sicke, calleth for the Doctor, whose purse artificiously he conveyeth out of his pocket, and hopes by a lad dreaming to get another.
  • Act 3. Scene 2. THe King of Bungo endevors first by threats, then by faire promises to pervert Titus.
  • Scene 2. Titus his wife and familie voweth loyaltie to God before the Crucifix.
  • Scene 3. The militant Church doth comfort them.
  • Scene 4. S. Francis Xaverius appeares & encourageth them.
  • Act 4. Scene 1. THe King of Bungo menaceth death to Titus his youngest sonne, if the father ab­jure not his faith.
  • Scene 2. Foure youngmen in vaine seeke to pervert the lad with the pleasures of the world.
  • Scene 3. Martina the daughter, biddeth adieu, with mother and brother, assuring them of her con­stancy.
  • Scene 4. Simon the eldest sonne bewaileth for that he is [Page]left behind.
  • Scene 5. Tidings are brought to Titus of his daugh­ters execution, Martina the mother of Simon is summoned.
  • Scene 6. By the King both are sollicited to desert their faith, Simon scourged.
  • The Interlude. Two souldiers force a lad to discover where the mothers purse lay hidden by whom they are deceived.
  • Act 5. Scene 1. TItus is sent for by the King, in whose view supposed heads of wife & children are produ­ced.
  • Scene 2. They are lead from prison before him and a superficiall command given to kill them in his presence, if he persists in his constant resolu­tion.
  • Scene 3. Divine providence declareth Gods care of his elect, and foretelleth Titus his triumph.
  • Scene 4. The King amazed at this constancie dismis­seth them, freedome of Religion granted with their lives and estates.
  • Epilogue. Exhorteth to imitate their couragious Chri­stian resolution.
FINIS.

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