ACT 4. SCENE 1.
Varillus. Terſulus.
Var.We ſhould love one another, brother
Terſulus
More inwardly, and be in friendſhip true
As our Lords are. Prithee let their example
Piece up all difference betwixt us.
[I5v]I
The Love-ſick Court.
I know your meaning and your jear
Varillus,
Var.Fie on thy jealouſie ’Cauſe thou art a Taylor,
How ere a Gentleman by place, thou think’ſt
Look back unto the worlds beginning; there
Youl’ find a Taylor was before a Barber.
Var.Nay is you go to rip up old Antiquity.
Ter.Rippe! there he is again.
Collect, that the firſt man (who you ſuggeſt
Was his own Taylor) was his own Barber firſt.
Var.Do you think he did not ſcratch his head
In caſting how to faſhion out his breeches?
And that’s in part, you know, the Barbers office.
Ter.The ſcratching of the head.
In uſe ’mongſt Taylors on themſelves. But note
The ſoul corruptions brought in by Time;
Of old they did but rub invention up,
How to contrive their work: But now their heads
Wriſts, fingers, all have got an itch by’t, which
Nothing but ſtealing can allay; though that
Ter.Lying and ſtealing went
Of old together: now they are ſhar’d it ſeems
Between the Barber and the Taylor.
Ter.Your inſtruments are ſharp as mine, Sir Barber,
And you can pick more out of your Lords ears
Then I take from his Garments with my ſheers.
Var.Agree good brother, or would we had
Doris
[I6]Ter.
The Love-ſick Court.
Ter.There y’are afore me too.
(things,
Var.But come, Lords followers are their Apes in moſt
Why ſhould not we be as friendly Rivals, now
In
Doris Love, as are our Lords in the
Princeſs
Eudinas. We will take up a faſhion.
Enter Doris
Dor.Varillus, where’s your Lord?
Dor.Terſulus, where’s yours?
Dor.You Eccho one another. Y’are commanded
Both by the Princeſs and the Governeſs
Both.Your love commands our ſtay.
Dor.Coupled together? Go yet one of you.
Dor.Do you conſpire? I will return your care.
Ter.Nay gentle
Doris ſtay. For, tis in vain
To ſeek our Lords. They are both rod ſingly forth
To take the Air. Mine an hour ſince.
Var.Mine even now. I came but ſince to call
Dor.Your brother
Terſulus?
Ter.As deeply vow’d in friendſhip as our Lords are.
Var.It is with us as tis with them: we both
Are brothers, friends; yet Rivals in your love.
Can you now, as the Princeſs is to them,
Be equally affected to us both?
Dor.Do you ſtay me to abuſe me.
We love our Lords? and as you love the Princeſs,
Who loves them, love you us. You are
Eudina,
I
Philocles, and he
Philargus is.
[I6v]Dor.
The Love-ſick Court.
Ter.Suppoſe ſo Gentle
Doris.
Var.The King commands you to make preſent choice
Of one of us, or elſe ambitious
Stratocles
(That’s
Geron) muſt enjoy you. Now ſweet Princeſs
Be ſpeedy in your choice. The kingdoms good
Depends upon it. And in your Election,
O make
Philargus bleſt: He beſt deſerves you.
Ter.Admired friend, and brother
Philocles,
Your courteſie ore-comes me: I muſt ſue,
Though my heart akes the while as much for you.
Dor.This is fine fooling – – –
Good Barber
Philocles, and Taylor
Philargus,
You ſhall not need to trim up his Affection,
Nor you to ſtich up his with your forc’d courteſies.
I know, in this, each wooes but for himſelf,
And my aſſection runs as even betwixt you,
As nothing but your ſizors, or your ſheares
Var.See
Stratocles alias Geron. Enter Geron.
Ger.So
Whilome did contend two warlike Princes
For a fair Iland, till a powerful King
Subdu’d them both and it.
Doris, take heed,
Be wary in your converſation
(As
Whilom Tully warn’d his tender ſon)
With ſuch
Plebeians, leaſt their vulgar breeding
Your pupil learned
Geron.
Her onely ſtudy; ſuch as
Whilome was
How you become his wiſe: For he will love you
So by the book, as he will never lie with you
[I7]Without
The Love-ſick Court.
Without an Authour for’t.
More precious to me then
Homers Iliads,
Whilome to
Alexander, which he made
His mighty bed-ſellow: But why ſtand I
To render this account? The Princeſſe ſent you,
Doris, to call their Lords to walk with her,
And take the air of
Tempe.
Ter.They are gone to take the air already, ſir.
Ger.Come you with me then,
Doris.
Antiquity? I have heard you all this while,
And though you boaſt you have an intereſt in me,
We are not yet one volume, both bound up
Var.She ſpeaks in his Element.
Dor.No, I am yet looſe paper; and ’twere good
To keep me ſo; for when I’m bound I muſt
Obey, be ſearch’d, examin’d and corrected.
Yet this I’le do, and now be ſerious,
Is you will all obey my rule; and try
Your fortunes who ſhall have me.
Ger.Their merits bear no æquability
Dor.You boaſt your worth, and ſtand on confidence
In powerful advocates: But what are all
Unto my Love, and (which is more) my will?
Is you will hear my propoſition, hear it.
Var.Ter. We are agree’d. Pray hear’t.
The Gods, in Love,
Whilome have ſtoop’d with men.
Dor.That you all love me, I believe; and am
Content that every one of you do think
[I7v]Himſelf
The Love-ſick Court.
Himſelf prime man in my Affection:
And one of you I’le take. But yet my choice
Muſt wait upon
Eudina’s. Therefore mark
If your Lord wins the Princeſſe, and becomes
The Kings immediate Heir, I will be yours;
Ger.Therein the oddes is mine,
For they are both my Lords.
Dor.Then is both have her, I’le be yours: not elſe.
Ger.As
Whilome ſaid, None of the wiſeſt Clerks,
When the Sky falls we ſhall have ſtore.
Dor.Of
Whilomes: Ha, ha, ha.
Ger.Your Miſtreſſe, Lady, Princeſſe, and my Mother
Ger.Your Lords too I’le acquaint.
Is you had ſpent, in the Phyloſophers ſchool
Your time no better, then in
Cupids Lectures,
What a ſtrange dunce you had been. Tell her, Love ſhows
In you, as
Whilome – – – ſhe knows what ſhe knows.
Ger.Your Love I will forget; your ſcorn remember
In black revenge, and ſo– – –
Var.Hee’l to his Mother now. But tell me,
Doris,
What means that Beldame in
ſhe knows, ſhe knows:
She’s often up with’t to the Governeſſe.
Dor.It has relation to ſome uncouth paſſage
Betwixt them, in my Ladies youth I gueſſe.
Var.Tis ſome ſmock-ſecret I believe. But Gentlemen,
You know how I have laid my ſelf out to you.
Ter.That, as the Princeſſe ſhall beſtow her ſelf
On eithers Lord; you will embrace his man.
Var.And to that you’l hold?
This for a Creed, That heaven muſt make its choice
[I8]Of
The Love-ſick Court.
Of one of them, before ſhe takes the other.
You underſtand me, and now ceaſe your ſtrife:
When th’ones Lord’s dead, I’le be the others wife.
So farewel Gentlemen. I have ſtaid too long.
(it.
Var.She has given us both a hint now, would we take
Dor.You did not hear me ſay, Kill you his Lord,
Var.But ſhe has laid a ground
To end a ſtrife, that I ſhould nere ha’found.
Ter.Varillus, come, our Lords may be return’d:
And we be ſhent for loytering.
Var.I muſt think on’t.
Exit
ACT 4 SCENE 2.
Matho in his diſguiſe.
Mat.Now for my Combitants. Th’appointed ground
Is here; the time draws on; and the event
Foreſeen in my imaginary light
Of every paſſe projected in their ſight.
In the firſt paſſage, each ſhall wound the other;
Then ſhall they give, lend, pay, change wound for wound,
Till both of them lie fainting on the ground.
Holding between their teeth their doubtful lives:
When I, to end the queſtion, friendly come in,
And with an equal hand diſpatcht’em both.
Ent. Philarg.
And ſo into my ambuſh. One approaches.
Exit
Philar.This is the place.What is’t that urges me
So prompty to deed, which being acted,
Will be th’aſtoniſhment of Heaven and earth?
Applauded no where but in Hell. Fair
Tempe,
Let it not be deriv’d to after Ages,
By any uncouth mark upon thy face,
Let not thy graſſy locks, that ſhall receive
[I8v]The
The Love-ſick Court.
The drops of blood, wither and die, condemning
The place that bore them to continual baldneſs;
Let not the impreſs of our labouring feet
Hold it’s proportion; nor that part of earth,
Whereon the ſlain ſhall meaſure out his length,
Reſerve the ſtamp, and make it monumental,
By a perpetual ſpring of more procere
And bigger bladed graſs: And, when my ſoul
Hath found an
Exit(which my purpoſe is
My Brothers ſword ſhall open) let the valley
(When hee’s departed) ſink and undermine
The bordering hills that they may cover me.
Ent. Philoc.
Philoc.He hath prevented me in haſt: In death
I ſhall prevent his happily expected
Labour and toy’l, who for no other end
Am here arriv’d but to be ſacrific’d
For expiation of his diſcontent.
Philar.Let all the eyes of heaven be hooded, onely
One ſtar to guid his point unto my heart,
Which inſtanty ſhall fall, and be extinct
In my diſtilled blood; that ſo the Gods
May not behold him. May ſome magick ſpell
Inſtruct his arm and weapon how to ſlay
My name and memory, that of me, there be not
Any deſire; on him no Imputation.
Philoc.My cure is onely how my breaſt may ſwallow
His point, without revealing mine intent.
Philar.I ſo’t ſhall be: a violent aſſay
For provocation; and then ſpit my ſelf
Upon his ſteel.
They eſpie one
Philoc.Philargus. What! ſo quick,
another draw,
Philar.What’s meant by this?
and paſs at each
Philoc.That ſhould be my demand.
other, inſtanty both
Philar.Are you ſo changeable?
ſpread their arms to
Philoc.Not I
Philargus.receive the wound.
K [1]Philar.
The Love-ſick Court.
The reputation rais’d of your high valour.
Philoc.I came to make experiment of none
But what conſiſts in ſuffring.
If you deny me that laſt friendly office.
Philar.Brother you dally with me. Therefore I conjure you
By faire
Eudina let your anger looſe;
Break up this caſk of blood, and give the earth
A draught unto her health.
(Then which no greater ſubject of an oath)
I ſwear to be your nuptialls ſacrifice,
Be you the Prieſt. I’le ſuffer without noiſe
In my diſplayed bowels you ſhall read
An augury of bliſs upon you both.
Philar.This is hard meaſure,
Philocles, to mock
Philoc.I’le mock no more. Adieu.
He offers to
kill himſelf,
Philar.Hold, hold, and be not prodigal of
Philargus clos-
es with him.
(that blood,They ſtrugle,
More precious then
Pactolus golden ſtreams.
and both fall
Philoc.Was then your challenge but to try
down, ſtill ſtri-
Philar.Yours was, it ſeems; but none went
each others
Philoc.Then are we both enſnar’d by
Enter Matho.
Matho.This I foreſaw’twould come to.’Save ye lord-
And whither travail ye? Do you not want a guide
To help ye on your way?
Matho draws
Philar.This is the villane
they ſtart up
That ſummon’d me.
and diſarm him.
Philoc.And me. Villane, what art thou?
[K1v]Math.
The Love-ſick Court.
Math.Unhappily gues’d. I pray inquire no further.
Philoc.Unworthy on thy face to bear mans enſign.
Who has ſubborn’d thee? See tis
Stratocles man.
He un-
Philar.Die villane, die. And were thy ma-
beards him.
The thirſt of whoſe ambition ſought our bloods;
His fleſh with thine ſhould here become a prey
And ſpare my life, my Lords, and I’le reveal
Matters of weight and wonder; which, conceal’d,
Will yet coſt both your lives, and make the Princeſs,
If ſhe not anſwer my Lords fierce deſires,
Subject to rape and murder.
The truſt the Gods have put into our hands
If we neglect to execute juſtice on thee.
Math.Let me but warn ye of
Eudina’s danger,
Whereby her virgin Innocence may not ſuffer,
And then inflict your furies on me.
(quickly.
Philoc.That charms our ready hands and ſteel. Speak
Math.This very hour ſhe’s to be ſurpriz’d
By my Lord
Stratocles, here, on
Tempe plains,
Where ſhe is come to walk, ſlenderly guarded
To take the air. He with a ſtrength will ſeiſe her
And hurry her hence unto his Manſion houſe,
To yield to his deſire, or death, if ſuddenly
Math.Preſerve me from his vengeance, and I’le bring
Unto his enterprize.
(you
K 2He
The Love-ſick Court.
He may have laid an Ambuſcado for us.
Enter 6 Ruſt.
Philar.See brother, ſtand upon our guard.
with Weapons.
Math.Help, help, aid me good people, help.
2. Rus.What is your grievance, ſpeak?
Math.I am a ſervant to Lord
Stratocles
Who has preſerv’d your Countrey and your lives.
1. Rus.We are the more beholding to him; on.
2. Rus.’Twas more his gentenes then our deſerving;
Math.Theſe two are his malignant enemies;
(on.
And finding that my Lord is in theſe parts
Together with the Princeſs, fair
Eudina
(Who has made him her choice) they lie in wait
To murder him, as they had me, had not
The Gods ſent you to reſcue me.
(ſerving, on.
1. Rus.’Twas more their Gentleneſs, then your de-
Math.I have no more to ſay,but that you take’em
On your allegiance to ſafe cuſtody,
Our genteneſs then your deſerving too; on, on.
1. Rus.Good, interrupt us not we’ll hear ye in order.
On you, Sir, ere you go; and come not back
For any thing unſpoke you left behind.
Math.I thank you, Sir, I had like to ha’left my ſword
Behind, which they diſarm’d me of.
(deſerving
1. Rus.That was their Genteneſs more then your
(They having three ſwords, and you none to guard you)
They kill’d you not indeed, yet on again.
What further do you charge’em with.
Math.No more, nor you, leſs you detain me longer.
1. Rus.Now you grow bold, and ſaucy I muſt tell you.
2. Rus.Now y’are a knave, a villane and a Traytor,
Left you no more behind you but a ſword?
[K2v]I
The Love-ſick Court.
I ſaw a ſcabberd on your face of late,
A falſe one: Seek it out.
1. Rus.Put it him on again. On with it, on.
the falſe
Reſiſt and we will hang thee. Now my Lords,
beard.
My Princes I may ſay: For one of you
Muſt be our King. We know you though you know
Not us; you may perhaps hereafter know us
More by your Genteneſs then our deſerving.
1. Rus.We are the heads of
Tempe; and the chief
Swain heads of
Theſſaly (the King has known us)
And here we came to lay our heads together
For good of common wealth. Here at the verge
Of this adjoyning Thicket is our Bower
Of conſultation; and from thence (regardful
Ever with eye and ear for common good)
We ſaw a beard pull’d off; and heard that mouth,
(Which now is dumb) open a plot, unlike
The pittiful complaint he made to us.
Philar.But ſaw you not ſome paſſages before?
Of his attempt upon our lives?
2. Rus.No we came in but then. Thoſe are enough
To hang the man, and turn his Lord out of
Our Countrey favour: If we find he has
That plot upon the body of the Princeſs
Of Rape and Murder. He can be no King
For us: for, ſirrah, we have wives and daughters.
En. Stra.
1. Rus.Stand cloſe. See who comes here.
Eud. Soul.
Str.So, now go back my friends. There’s ſome reward.
Sol.Thanks to the noble bounteous
Stratocles.gives a purs
Str.Lady your tears are booteſs.
Exit Souldiers
Str.Your cries as unavailable. The Gods
(To whom your friendly fooliſh lovers
Have ſacrific’d each other) have given you up
K 3To
The Love-ſick Court.
To me the onely worthy of you.
Eud.No they are both ſublim’d into one ſtar,
Yet of a double influence, that ſhall
Strike death into thy purpoſes, and give
Me light by which t’aſcend with them to live
After my preſent death.
She offers
Str.Your haſt to death ſhall not prevent my luſt.
to kill her
Philoc.She muſt outlive thy Luſt and the falſe
ſelf with
Rus.Hold, hold, diſarm, but kill him not.
holds her.
Eud.I am in heaven already.
Philar.Live wonder of the heavens, a ſtar on earth
Eud.What a ſhort journey ’tis
For heavenly minds to reach unto the Gods!
1. Rus.No not betray,d. Y’are but well met my Lord,
But that’s our Gentleneſs more then your deſerving.
Str.Am I become the ſhame and ſcorn of peſants.
1. Rus.Or if you’l ha’t betray’d, then blame your own
Overmuch policy and want of Beaſts
To carry it to Market. We nere lay
More burthen on a Aſſe, then he can bear
Here in the countrey: what is done at court
We know not. H ere perhaps is one can tell,
Know you this bearded
Satyre?Pull off Ma-
Str.Coward, ſlave,
thos beard.
Thy faintneſs hath betray d me.
Such as men meet that fight againſt the Gods.
1. Rus.The fellow has ſome Grace; he weeps: But come
Princeſs and Princes, what is now your pleaſure
Eud.For me, I have learn’d
[K3v]By
The Love-ſick Court.
By mine own ſufferings in my afflictions
To be compaſſionate. I wiſh their pardon.
Str.That mercy wounds me deeper with remorſe
Then all my loſt deſigns, and their deriſion
Have done with indignation.
1. Rus.There is ſome hope theſe yet may prove new
Eud.Lord
Stratocles, (men.
Thoſe wounds that pierce the heart with true contrition
Do bring the precious balm in’em that cures it.
May guard you innocent of future blame.
2. Rus.Here’s ſweetneſs upon ſweetneſs.
1. Rus.Now it remains, that we adviſe our ſelves,
Brethren of
Tempe, that ſince theſe delinquents
Are fallen into our hands, that we diſcharge
Our Countrey loyalty with diſcretion,
And not releaſe him from our power, but by
The power above us. (that’s the kings) wee’l wait
On you to court. On you for your new loves,
And you for old acquaintance.
Eud.I’le acquaint my father with your care,
He ſhall be witneſs of our bringing in
The ambitious Politick trapt in his own gin.
ACT 4. SCENE 3.
King. Diſanius. Juſtinius.
King.Bereft of all my joyes and hopes at once!
Is there no comfort, nor no counſel left me?
Why ſtand you gazing thus with ſealed lips?
Where is your counſell now, which you are wont
In trifling matters to pour out in plenty?
Now, in the peril of my life and ſtate
I cannot get a word. Give me my daughter,
K 4Or
The Love-ſick Court.
Or take my Kingdom too. Where is ſhe? Tell me.
Diſ.All we can ſay or hear is, ſhe was taken
Out of her private walks by violent hands,
Onely we gueſſe the maſter of the plot
Was
Stratocles, who now is miſſing in the Court.
King.He aſk’d my leave to leave the Court, and had it.
Diſ.Twas a fit gloſſe for his fowl treachery.
King.But what ha’you ſaid for her recovery.
Juſt.We have diſpatch’t a hundred ſeveral poſts
To every coaſt and angle of your Kingdom:
No way of finding her is left unſought.
Diſ.Could we finde
Stratocles, ſhe might be found.
King.Stil upon him? Where’s
Philocles? where’s
Philargus?
Diſ.Hell has not in’t a thought
That can detract their honours.
Is ſpread about the Court; they are gone to fight.
Jus.Againſt themſelves. Nay
Have fought, and both are ſlain.
Believe the Artick and Antartick poles
Can meet in oppoſition, amidſt
The firmament, and jointy in a fall
Extinguiſh both their lights in
Neptunes boſom.
King.Whence ſprings this Rumor.
Diſ.Stratocles is the head
We may be confident; and his men the pipes
King.Stil you judge
Stratocles.Ent.
What purpoſe can he have in’t.
Thym.
Thy.Yes they are with the Gods.
King.And, had they tane
Eudina with them too,
My doubts and fears were over, well as yours.
Ent. Garr.
Diſ.Here’s one that makes a face, an ugly one,
weeping.
And would weep too, had ſhe but moiſture in her.
How now! Whoſe Mare’s dead,
Garrulla? Take thy bottle
And turn that into tears.Or doſt thou wring
[K4v]Thy
The Love-ſick Court.
Thy face becauſe that’s dry? Gi’mee’t, I’le fill it.
Gar.My ſon, oh, oh my ſon is at deaths door.
Diſ.And is death ſo unkind to keep it ſhut
Againſt him? Out upon him churle.
And Madam (it ſhall out) you might have ſav’d
My ſons life in your ſervants love, whoſe ſcorn
Will be his death, except the King divert it,
And I ſhall tell him what you know I know– – –
Gar.And open ſuch a ſecret
Gar.Do you ſlight me in the care of my ſons life?
Do you ſcorn my ſecret too, that may be worth
More then your kingdom to you?
Gar.Now you ſhall never know’t.
The king would thank thee, in offering at ſome mirth
To cool his grief, but that it is too hot
Jus.Indeed you do not well
To move the King, or to perplex the Lady
Now in their ſorrows fulneſs.
To mine? My ſons a dying.
And the Kings daughter loſt.
Is my Lord
Philocles and
Philargus dead?
Gar.Then I ſay my ſon ſhall live.
Diſ.And ſo wilt thou while thou canſt lift thy bottle
Diſ.Do you rejoyce, and ſhew the rotten half-tooth
You have left that they are dead.
That the advancement that the giglet gap d for
In one of their fine followers is loſt,
In hope of which ſhe ſcorn’d my ſon.But now
He ſhall ſcorn her and live.
Diſ.Out envious trot
(Hag.
Gar.Ile comfort him with the newes.
Here comes one merry look.
Eup.Joy to the king.
Enter
Diſ.Well ſaid, ſpeak up and home good
Eupathus.Eupa.
[K5]Eup.
The Love-ſick Court.
Eup.Your daughter’s ſafe return’d ſo is your ſon, Madam,
For which you are to thank the Gods: This is
He gives
Diſ.Where is
Stratocles?the King
Eup.Caught in the ſnares of his foul treachery.
a paper.
Diſ.Bravely and honeſty ſpoken
Eupathus.He reads
Eup.And by their hands whoſe voices he had once
to Thym.
Diſ.What his country heads?
aſide
Eup.They all turn head upon him now.
Obſerve my judgement now, my king: Thoſe heads
I will ſo ſouſe in our beſt Greekiſh Wines,
That they ſhall be ſuch heads! O heads, heads, heads!
King.I do approve your judgment good
Diſanius,
But wiſh you not inſult ore mans dejection.
We find that
Stratocles is much Penetent
And troubled at his treſpaſs.
For an ambitious hypocritical Traytor.,
King.The time for my
Eudina’s match draws near,
And I no longer will attend on fortune,
I have decreed it paſt recal, regardleſs
Whether againſt the oracle, or with it.
Thy.Yet am I confident in your aſſertion
On
Stratocles, if ſhe ſtand longer doubtful
Eup.Fear not my Lord. That doubt
Your Countrey heads will clear. He has loſt them
Dis.O brave heads! I will ſo ring
Their ears with jewels of praiſes and preferment
That they ſhall glare like direful comets at him.
King.One ſhe ſhall chuſe of them: If not, I’le put
Thy.With your pardon, Sir,
Why are you (for I find it is ſo) ſtronger
And yet I find an inclination in me
That pleads for him. I can perceive you too,
Are partial towards
Philargus. Can you yield
[K5v]A
The Love-ſick Court.
Thy.Yes, Sir, he is my eldeſt.
King.Alas, But not an hour. Well, I’le remit
My power of propounding, and accept
Her choice of either, made within the time.
Thy.I, there my hopes do anchor; elſe they were
Certain of Ship-wrack: yet the perillous waves
My veſſel rides on ſeems ſo many graves.
Explicit Actus Quartus.