_Sos._ The Prince.
_Cra._ The plot is laid Sir, howsoe'r I seem'd
A little scrupulous, upon better judgement
I have effected it.
_The._ 'Tis the last service
Of this foul kind I will employ you in.
_Cra._ We hope so Sir.
_The._ And I will so reward it--
_Nea._ You are bound to that; in every Family
That does write lustful, your fine Bawd gains more
(For like your Broker, he takes fees on both sides)
Than all the Officers of the house.
_Sos._ For us then
To be a great mans Panders, and live poor,
That were a double fault.
_Cra._ Come, you lose time Sir,
We will be with you instantly: the deed done,
We have a Mask that you expect not.
_The._ Thou art ever careful: for _Joves Mercury_
I would not change thee. [_Exit._
_Era._ There's an honour for you.
_Nea._ To be compar'd with the celestial Pimp,
_Joves_ smock-sworn Squire, Don _Hermes_.
_Cra._ I'll deserve it,
And Gentlemen be assur'd, though what we do now
Will to the Prince _Theanor_ look like Treason
And base disloyalty, yet the end shall prove,
When he's first taught to know himself, then you,
In what he judg'd us false, we were most true. [_Exeunt._
_Scæna Secunda._
_Enter_ Euphanes, Agenor, Leonidas, Conon.
_Euph._ Only make haste (my Lords) in all things else
You are instructed: you may draw your swords
For shew if you think good, but on my life
You will find no resistance in his servants,
And he's himself unarm'd.
_Ag._ I would he were not,
My just rage should not then be lost.
_Euph._ Good Sir,
Have you a care no injury be done
Unto the person of the Prince: but _Conon_,
Have you an eye on both, it is your trust that I relye on.
_Co._ Which I will discharge, assure your self most faithfully.
_Euph._ For the Lady,
I know your best respect will not be wanting:
Then to avoid suspition and discovery,
I hold it requisite, that as soon as ever
The Queen hath seen her, she forsake the place,
And fit her self for that which is projected
For her good, and your honour.
_Leo._ If this prosper, Believe it you have made a purchase of
My service and my life.
_Euph._ Your love I aim at.
_Leo._ Here I shall find you?
_Euph._ With the Queen.
_Co._ Enough Sir.
_Enter_ Page.
_Page._ The Queen enquires for you my Lord, I have met
A dozen Messengers in search of you.
_Enter_ Queen, Ladies, Attendants.
_Euph._ I knew I should be sought for, as I wish'd
She's come her self in person.
_Qu._ Are you found Sir?
I wonder where you spend your hours, methinks
Since I so love your company, and profess
'Tis the best comfort this life yields me; mine
Should not be tedious to you.
_Euph._ Gracious Madam,
To have the happiness to see and hear you,
Which by your bounty is conferr'd upon me,
I hold so great a blessing, that my honours
And wealth compar'd to that, are but as Cyphers
To make that number greater: yet your pardon
For borrowing from my duty so much time
As the provision for my sudden Marriage
Exacted from me.
_Qu._ I perceive this Marriage
Will keep you often from me: but I'll bear it.
She's a good Lady, and a fair, _Euphanes_,
Yet by her leave I will share with her in you:
I am pleas'd that in the night she shall enjoy you
And that's sufficient for a Wife: the day-time
I will divorce you from her.
_Leo. within._ We will force you if you resist.
_Qu._ What noise is that?
_The. within._ Base Traytors.
_Euph._ It moves this way.
_Enter_ Agenor, Leonidas _with_ Theanor, [M]erione
_like_ Beliza, Conon, Crates, Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton, Guard.
_Qu._ What e'r it be I'll meet it,
I was not born to fear: Who's that _Beliza_?
_Euph._ My worthiest, noblest Mistriss. [_Exit._
_Qu._ Stay her, ha?
All of you look as you were rooted here,
And wanted motion: what new _Gorgons_ head
Have you beheld, that you are all turn'd Statues?
This is prodigious: has none a tongue
To speak the cause?
_Leo._ Could every hair, great Queen
Upon my head yield an articulate sound,
And altogether speak, they could not yet
Express the villany we have discoverd,
And yet, when with a few unwilling words
I have deliver'd what must needs be known,
You'll say I am too eloquent, and wish
I had been born without a tongue.
_Qu._ Speak boldly,
For I, unmov'd with any loss, will hear.
_Leo._ Then know, we have found out the Ravisher
Of my poor Sister, and the place, and means
By which th' unfortunate, though fair _Beliza_
Hath met a second violence.
_Euph._ This confirms what but before I doubted to my ruine.
My Lady ravish'd.
_Qu._ Point me out the villain;
That guilty wretched monster that hath done this,
[T]hat I may look on him, and in mine eye
He [read] his Sentence.
_Leo._ That I truly could
Name any other but the Prince, that heard,
You have it all.
_Qu._ Wonder not that I shake,
The miracle is greater that I live,
Having endur'd the thunder that thy words
Have thrown upon me: dar'st thou kneel, with hope
Of any favor, but a speedy death,
And that too in the dreadful'st shape that can
Appear to a dispair[i]ng leprous soul,
If thou hast any? no, libidinous beast,
Thy lust hath alter'd so thy former Being,
By Heaven I know thee not.
_The._ Although unworthy
Yet still I am your Son.
_Qu._ Thou lyest, lyest falsly,
My whole life never knew but one chaste bed,
Nor e'r desir'd warmth but from lawful fires,
Can I be then the Mother to a Goat,
Whose lust is more insatiate than the grave,
And like infectious air ingenders plagues,
To murder all that's chaste, or good in Woman?
The gods I from my youth have serv'd and fear'd,
Whose holy Temples thou hast made thy Brothels;
Could a Religious Mother then bring forth
So damn'd an Atheist? read but o'r my life,
My actions, manners, and made perfect in them
But look into the story of thy self
As thou art now, not as thou wert _Theanor_,
And reason will compel thee to confess,
Thou art a stranger to me.
_Ag._ Note but how heavy
The weight of guilt is: it so low hath sunk him
That he wants power to rise up in defence
Of [his] bad cause.
_Qu._ Perswade me not _Euphanes_,
This is no Prince, nor can claim part in me:
My Son was born a Free-man, this a Slave
To beastly passions, a Fugitive,
And run away from virtue: bring bonds for him.
By all the honour that I owe to Justice
He loses me for ever that seeks to save him:
Bind him I say, and 'ts like a wretch that knows
He stands condemn'd before he hears the Sentence,
With his base Agents, from my sight remove him,
And lodge them in the Dungeon: As a Queen
And Patroness to Justice I command it:
Thy tears are like unseasonable showrs,
And in my heart now steel'd can make no entrance:
Thou art cruel to thy self (Fool) 'tis not want
In me of soft compassion; when thou left'st
To be a Son, I ceas'd to be a Mother;
Away with them: The children I will leave
To keep my name, to all posterities,
Shall be the great examples of my Justice,
The government of my Countrey which shall witness
How well I rul'd my self: bid the wrong'd Ladies
Appear in Court to morrow, we will hear them;
And by one Act of our severity
For fear of punishment, or love to virtue,
Teach others to be honest: all will shun
To tempt her Laws, that would not spare her Son. [_Ex._
_Scæna Tertia._
_Enter_ Onos, Uncle, _and_ Tutor.
_Unc._ Nay Nephew.
_Tut._ Pupill, hear but reason.
_On._ No, I have none, and will hear none; oh my honor
My honor blasted in the bud, my youth,
My hopeful youth, and all my expectation
Ever to be a man, are lost for ever.
_Unc._ Why Nephew, we as well as you are dub'd
Knights of the Pantofle.
_Tut._ And are shouted at,
Kick'd, scorn'd, and laugh'd at by each Page and Groom,
Yet with erected heads we bear it.
_Onos._ Alas,
You have years, and strength to do it; but were you
(As I) a tender gristle, apt to bow,
You would like me, with Cloaks envelloped,
Walk thus, then stamp, then stare.
_Unc._ He will run mad
I hope, and then all's mine.
_Tut._ Why look you Pupil,
There are for the recovery of your honor
Degrees of Medicines; for a tweak by the Nose
A man's to travel but six months, then blow it
And all is well again: the Bastinado
Requires a longer time, a year or two,
And then 'tis buried: I grant you have been baffl'd,
'Tis but a journey of some thirty years
And it will be forgotten.
_Onos._ Think you so?
_Tut._ Assuredly.
_Unc._ He may make a shorter cut,
But hang or drown himself, and on my life
'Twill no more trouble him.
_Onos._ I could ne'r endure
Or Hemp or Water, they are dangerous tools
For youth to deal with: I will rather follow
My Tutors counsel.
_Tut._ Do so.
_Onos._ And put in
For my security, that I'll not return
In thirty years, my whole 'state to my Uncle.
_Unc._ That I like well of.
_On._ Still provided Uncle,
That at my coming home you will allow me
To be of age, that I may call to account
This Page that hath abus'd me.
_U[n]c._ 'Tis a match.
_On._ Then _Corinth_, thus the bashful _Lamprias_
Takes leave of thee: and for this little time
Of thirty years, will labour all he can,
Though he goes young forth, to come home a man. [_Ex._
_Scæna Quarta._
_Enter_ Euphanes _and_ Marshal.
_Euph._ Are your Prisoners ready?
_Mar._ When it shall please the Queen
To call them forth my Lord.
_Euph._ Pray you do me the favour
To tell me how they have born themselves this night
Of their imprisonment?
_Mar._ Gladly Sir; your Brother
With the other Courtiers willingly receiv'd
All courtesies I could offer; eat, and drank,
And were exceeding merry, so dissembling
Their guilt, or confident in their innocence,
That I much wondred at it. But the Prince,
That (as born highest) should have grac'd his fall
With greatest courage, is so sunk with sorrow,
That to a common judgement he would seem
To suffer like a Woman: but to me,
That from the experience I have had of many
Look further in him, I do find the deep
Consideration of what's past, more frights him
Than any other punishment.
_Euph._ That is indeed
True magnanimity: the other but
A desperate bastard valour.
_Mar._ I pressed to him,
And notwithstanding the Queens strict command,
(Having your Lordships promise to secure me)
Offer'd to free him from his bonds, which he
Refus'd, with such a sorrow, mixt with scorn
That it amaz'd me; yet I urg'd his Highness
To give one Reason for't: he briefly answer'd,
That he had sate in judgement on himself,
And found that he deserv'd them: that he was
A Ravisher, and so to suffer like one,
Which is the reason of my tears: he addeth,
For wer't not I again should break the Laws,
By scorning all their rigor can inflict,
I should dye smiling.
_Euph._ I forbear to wonder
That you were mov'd that saw this: I am struck
With the relation so. 'Tis very well;
See all things ready. I do wish I could
Send comfort to the Prince; be ready with him;
'Tis in the Queens breast only which for us [_Bar brought in._
To search into were sauciness, to determine
What she thinks fit.
_Enter_ Leonidas _with_ Merione (_in white_) Euphanes _with_ Beliza
(_in black_) Queen, Agenor, Conon, Marshal, _with_ Thea[n]or,
Crates, Sosicles, Eraton, Lords, Ladies, _Guard_.
_Lord._ Make way there for the Queen.
_Quee._ Read first the Law, and what our Ancestors
Have in this case provided to deter
Such like offenders: To you gentle Ladies
This only, Would I could as well give comfort,
As bid [you] be secure from fear or doubt
Of our displeasure: be as confident
As if your plea were 'gainst a common man,
To have all right from us; I will not grieve
For what's not worth my pitty: Read the Law.
Clerk reads.
Lycurgus _the nineteenth against Rapes: It is provided: and_
_pu[b]lickly enacted and confirmed, That any man of what
degree soever, offering violence to the chastity of a Virgin,
shall_ (Ipso facto) _be lyable to her accusation, and according
to the said Law be censured; Ever provided, that it shall
[b]e in the choice of the said Virgin so abused, either to
compell the Offender to marry her without a Dowry, if so she
will be satisfied, or demanding his head for the offence, to
have that accordingly performed._
_Qu._ You hear this: what do you demand?
_Mer._ The benefit
The Law allows me.
_Bel._ For the injury
Done to mine Honor, I require his head.
_Mer._ I likewise have an eye upon mine Honor,
But knowing that his death cannot restore it
I ask him for my Husband.
_Bel._ I was ravish'd,
And will have justice.
_Mer._ I was ravish'd too,
I kneel for mercy.
_Bel._ I demand but what
The Law allows me.
_Mer._ That which I desire
Is by the same Law warranted.
_Bel._ The Rape
On me hath made a forfeit of his life,
Which in revenge of my disgrace I plead for.
_Mer._ The Rape on me gives me the priviledge
To be his Wife, and that is all I sue for.
_Age._ A doubtful case.
_Leo._ Such pretty Lawyers, yet
I never saw nor read of.
_Euph._ May the Queen
Favour your sweet plea, Madam.
_Bel._ Is that justice?
Shall one that is to suffer for a Rape
Be by a Rape defended? Look upon
The publick enemy of chastity,
This lustful Satyr, whose enrag'd desires
The ruine of one wretched Virgins honor
Would not suffice; and shall the wrack of two
Be his protection? May be I was ravish'd
For his lust only, thou for his defence;
O fine evasion! shall with such a slight
Your Justice be deluded? your Laws cheated?
And he that for one fact deserv'd to die,
For sinning often, find impunity?
But that I know thee I would swear thou wert
A false Impostor, and suborn'd to this;
And it may be thou art _Merione_:
For hadst thou suffer'd truly what I have done,
Thou wouldst like me complain, and call for vengeance,
And our wrongs being equal, I alone
Should not desire revenge: But be it so,
If thou prevail, even he will punish it,
And foolish mercy shew'd to him undo thee,
Consider, fool, before it be too late,
What joys thou canst expect from such a Husband,
To whom thy first, and what's more, forc'd embraces,
Which men say heighten pleasure, were distastful.
_Mer._ 'Twas in respect, that then they were unlawful,
Unbless'd by _Hymen_, and left stings behind them,
Which from the marriage-bed are ever banish'd.
Let this Court be then the image of _Joves_ throne,
Upon which grace and mercy still attend,
To intercede between him and his Justice;
And since the Law allows as much to me
As she can challenge, let the milder sentence,
Which best becomes a Mother, and a Queen
Now overcome; nor let your wisdom suffer
In doing right to her, I in my wrong
Indure a second Ravishment.
_Bel._ You can free him
Only from that which does concern your self,
Not from the punishment that's due to me:
Your injuries you may forgive, not mine;
I plead mine own just wreak, which will right both,
Where that which you desire robs me of justice;
'Tis that which I appeal to.
_Mer._ Bloody Woman,
Dost thou desire his punishment? Let him live then;
For any man to marry where he likes not
Is still a lingring torment.
_Bel._ For one Rape
One death's sufficient, that way cannot catch me.
_Mer._ To you I fly then, to your mercy Madam,
Exempting not your Justice, be but equal;
And since in no regard I come behind her,
Let me not so be undervalu'd in
Your Highness favor, that the world take notice
You so preferr'd her, that in her behalf
You kill'd that Son, you would not save for me;
Mercy, O mercy Madam.
_Bel._ Great Queen, justice.
_Age._ With what a Masculine constancy the grave Lady hath
heard them both!
_Leo._ Yet how unmov'd she sits
In that which most concerns her!
_Con._ Now she rises;
And having well weigh'd both their arguments,
Resolves to speak.
_Euph._ And yet again she pauses;
O _Conon_, such a resolution once
A _Roman_ told me he had seen in _Cato_
Before he kill'd himself.
_Qu._ 'Tis now determin'd.
_Merione_, I could wish I were no Queen,
To give you satisfaction; no Mother
_Beliza_, to content you; and would part,
Even with my being, both might have their wishes;
But since that is impossible, in few words
I will deliver what I am resolved on:
The end for which all profitable Laws
Were made, looks two ways only, the reward
Of innocent good men, and the punishment
Of bad Delinquents: Ours, concerning Rapes,
Provided that same latter [clause] of Marriage
For him that had fall'n once, not then foreseeing
Mankind could prove so monstrous, to tread twice
A path so horrid. The great Law-giver
_Draco_, That for his strange severity
Was said to write his stern Decrees in blood,
Made none for Parricides, presuming that
No man could be so wicked; Such might be
_Lycurgus_ answer (did he live) for this.
But since I find that in my [Sonne], which was not
Doubted in any else, I will add to it;
He cannot marry both, but for both dying,
Both have their full revenge: You see _Beliza_
You have your wish; with you _Merione_
I'll spend a tear or two, so Heaven forgive thee.
_The._ Upon my knees I do approve your judgement,
And beg that you would put it into act
With all speed possible; only that I may,
Having already made peace with my self,
Part so with all the world: Princely _Agenor_
I ask your pardon; yours my Lord _Euphanes_;
And _Crates_ with the rest too, I forgive you;
Do you the like for me: Yours, gracio[u]s Mother,
I dare not ask, and yet if that my death
Be like a Son of yours, though my life was not,
Perhaps you may vouchsafe it: Lastly, that
Both these whom I have wrong'd, may wish my ashes
No heavy burden, e'r I suffer death,
For the restoring of _Meriones_ honor,
Let me be married to her, and then dye
For you _Beliza_.
_Qu._ Thou hast made in this
Part of amends to me, and to the world,
Thy suit is granted, call a _Flamyn_ forth
To do this holy work; with him a Headsman.
_Enter_ Flamyn _and Executioner_.
Raise up thy weeping eyes _Merione_,
With this hand I confirm thy Marriage,
Wishing that now the gods would shew some miracle,
That this might not divorce it.
_Cra._ To that purpose
I am their Minister, stand not amaz'd,
To all your comforts I will do this wonder,
Your Majesty (with your pardon I must speak it)
Allow'd once heretofore of such a Contract,
Which you repenting afterwards, revok'd it,
Being fully bent to match her with _Agenor_,
The griev'd Prince knowing this, and yet not daring
To cross what you determin'd, by an oath
Bound me and these his followers to do something
That he might once enjoy her, we swore to it,
And easily perswaded, being assur'd
She was his Wife before the face of Heaven,
Although some ceremonious forms were wanting,
Committed the first Rape, and brought her to him,
Which broke the Marriage; but when we perceiv'd
He purpos'd to abuse our ready service
In the same kind: upon the chaste _Beliza_,
Holding our selves less ty'd to him than goodness;
I made discovery of it to my Brother,
Who can relate the rest.
_Euph._ It is most true.
_Qu._ I would it were:
_Euph._ In every circumstance
It is upon my soul: For this known to me,
I wan _Merione_ in my Ladies habit,
To be again (but willingly) surpriz'd,
But with _Agenor_, and her noble Brother,
With my approv'd friend _Conon_, with such speed
She was pursu'd, that the lewd act scarce ended,
The Prince (assur'd he had enjoy'd _Beliza_,
For all the time _Meriones_ face was cover'd)
Was apprehended and brought to your presence,
But not till now discover'd, in respect
I hop'd the imminent danger of the Prince,
To which his loose unquenched heats had brought him,
Being pursu'd unto the latest tryal
Would work in him compunction, which it has done;
And these two Ladies in their feign'd contentions,
To your delight I hope have serv'd as Maskers
To their own Nuptials.
_Qu._ My choice was worthy
When first I look'd on thee, as thou hast order'd
All shall be done, and not the meanest that
Plaid in this unexpected Comedy,
But shall pertake our bounty: And my Lord,
That with the rest you may seem satisfi'd,
If you dare venture on a Queen, not yet
So far in debt to years, but that she may
Bring you a lusty Boy, I offer up
My self and Kingdom, during my life to you.
_Ag._ It is a blessing which I durst not hope for,
But with all joy receive.
_All._ We all applaud it.
_Qu._ Then on unto the Temple, where the rights
Of Marriage ended, we'll find new delights. [_Exeunt._
_Here endeth the Queen of_ Corinth.
BONDUCA,
A
TRAGEDY.
The Persons Represented in the Play.
Caratach, _General of the_ Britains, _Cosin to_ Bonduca.
Nenius, _A great Soldier, a_ Britain _Commander_.
Hengo, _A brave boy, Nephew to_ Caratach.
Suetonius, _General to the_ Roman _Army in_ Britain.
Penius, _A brave_ Roman _Commander, but stubborn to the General_.
Junius, _A_ Roman _Captain, in love with_ Bonduca's _Daughter_.
Petilus, _A merry Captain, but somewhat wanton._
Demetrius, Decius, _Two_ Roman _Commanders_.
Regulus, Drusus, Macer, Curius, _Four_ Roman _Officers_.
Judas, _A Corporal, a merry hungry knave_.
Herald.
Druides.
Soldiers.
_WOMEN._
Bonduca, _Queen of the_ Iceni, _a brave_ Virago, _by_ Prosutagus.
_Her two Daughters._
* * * * *
_The Scene_ Britain.
* * * * *