Francis Beaumont

“ Cel. Are there not men enough to fight?
Dem. Fie Celia. This ill becomes the noble love you bear me; Would you have your love a coward?
Cel. No; believe Sir, I would have him fight, but not so far off from me.
Dem. Wouldst have it thus? or thus?
Cel. If that be fighting—
Dem. Ye wanton fool: when I come home again I'le fight with thee, at thine own weapon Celia, And conquer thee too.
Cel. That you have done already, You need no other Arms to me, but these Sir; But will you fight your self Sir?
Dem. Thus deep in bloud wench, And through the thickest ranks of Pikes. ”

“ Leo. That will not do.
Sel. Leontius, you and I have serv'd together,
And run through many a Fortune with our swords,
Brothers in Wounds and Health; one meat has fed us,
One Tent a thousand times from cold night cover'd us:
Our loves have been but one; and had we died then,
One Monument had held our names, and actions:
Why do you set upon your friends such prices?
And sacrifice to giddy chance such Trophies?
Have we forgot to dye? or are our vertues
Less in afflictions constant, than our fortunes?
Ye are deceiv'd old Souldier. ”

“ You shall not have your will, sirrah, are ye running?
Have ye gotten a toy in your heels? Is this a season,
When honour pricks ye on, to prick your ears up,
After your whore, your Hobby-horse?
Lieu. Why look ye now: What a strange man are you? would you have a man fight At all hours all alike?
Leo. Do but fight something; But half a blow, and put thy stomach to't: Turn but thy face, and do-make mouths at 'em.
Lieu. And have my teeth knockt out; I thank ye heartily, Ye are my dear friend.
Leo. What a devil ails thee? Dost long to be hang'd? ”

“ There was no such, Demetrius.
Dem. She was vertuous, And therefore not unfit my youth to love her: She was as fair—
Ant. Her beauty I'le proclaim too, To be as rich as ever raign'd in Woman; But how she made that good, the Devil knows.
Dem. She was—O Heaven!
Ant. The Hell to all thy glories, Swallow'd thy youth, made shipwrack of thine honour: She was a Devil.
Dem. Ye are my father, Sir.
Ant. And since ye take a pride to shew your follies, I'le muster 'em, and all the world shall view 'em. ”

“ Dem. I cannot blame her, No more: there's no trust, no faith in mankind.
Enter Antigonus, Menippus, Leontius, and Souldiers.
Ant. Keep her up close, he must not come to see her: You are welcome nobly now, welcome home Gentlemen; You have done a courteous service on the Enemy Has tyed his Faith for ever; you shall find it; Ye are not now in's debt Son: still your sad looks? Leontius, what's the matter?
Leo. Truth Sir, I know not. We have been merry since we went.
Lieu. I feel it.
Ant. Come, what's the matter now? do you want mony? Sure he has heard o'th' wench. ”

“ Go from me, grave of honour; go thou foul one,
Thou glory of thy sin; go thou despis'd one,
And where there is no vertue, nor no virgin;
Where Chastity was never known, nor heard of;
Where nothing reigns but impious lust, and looser faces.
Go thither, child of bloud, and sing my doating.
Cel. You do not speak this seriously I hope Sir; I did but jest with you.
Dem. Look not upon me, There is more hell in those eyes, than hell harbours; And when they flame, more torments.
Cel. Dare ye trust me? You durst once even with all you had: your love Sir? By this fair light I am honest. ”

“ Ant. Do you hold so sleight account of a great Kings favour, That all knees bow to purchase?
Cel. Prethee peace: If thou knewst how ill favouredly thy tale becomes thee, And what ill root it takes—
Ant. You will be wiser.
Cel. Could the King find no shape to shift his pander into, But reverend Age? and one so like himself too?
Ant. She has found me out.
Cel. Cozen the world with gravity? Prethee resolve me one thing, do's the King love thee?
Ant. I think he do's.
Cel. It seems so by thy Office: He loves thy use, and when that's ended, hates thee: Thou seemest to me a Souldier. ”

“ Men. You never try'd her?
Leu. No, she is beyond my level; so hedg'd in By the Princes infinite Love and Favour to her—
Men. She is a handsome Wench.
Leu. A delicate, and knows it; And out of that proof arms her self.
Men. Come in then; I have a great design from the King to you, And you must work like wax now.
Leu. On this Lady?
Men. On this, and all your wits call home.
Leu. I have done
Toys in my time of some note; old as I am,
I think my brains will work without barm;
Take up the Books.
Men. As we go in, I'le tell ye. ”

“ SCENA VI. Enter Seleucus, Lysimachus, Ptolomie, Souldiers.
Sel. Let no man fear to dye: we love to sleep all,
And death is but the sounder sleep; all ages,
And all hours call us; 'tis so common, easie,
That little Children tread those paths before us;
We are not sick, nor our souls prest with sorrows,
Nor go we out like tedious tales, forgotten;
High, high we come, and hearty to our Funerals,
And as the Sun that sets, in bloud let's fall. ”

“ Sel. We have none left us, But that one comfort of our deaths together; Give us but room to fight.
Leo. Win it, and wear it.
Ptol. Call from the hills those Companies hang o're us, Like bursting Clouds; and then break in, and take us.
Dem. Find such a Souldier will forsake advantage,
And we'll draw off to shew I dare be noble,
And hang a light out to ye in this darkness,
The light of peace; give up those Cities, Forts,
And all those Frontier Countries to our uses.
Sel. Is this the Peace? Traitors to those that feed us, Our Gods and people? give our Countries from us? ”

“ Is like the Glow-worms light, the Apes so wonder'd at:
Which when they gather'd sticks, and laid upon't,
And blew, and blew, turn'd tail, and went out presently:
And in another place he calls their loves,
Faint Smells of dying Flowers, carry no comforts;
They're doting, stinking foggs, so thick and muddy,
Reason with all his beams cannot beat through 'em.
Ant. How's this? is this the potion? you but fool still; I know you love me.
Cel. As you are just and honest; I know I love and honour you: admire you. ”

“ SCENA II. Drum within, Alarm, Enter Demetrius, and Leontius.
Dem. I will not see 'em fall thus, give me way Sir, I shall forget you love me else.
Leo. Will ye lose all?
For me to be forgotten, to be hated,
Nay never to have been a man, is nothing,
So you, and those we have preserv'd from slaughter
Come safely off.
Dem. I have lost my self.
Leo. You are cozen'd.
Dem. And am most miserable.
Leo. There's no man so, but he that makes himself so.
Dem. I will goe on. ”

“ Lieu. Pox upon it, They have such tender bodies too; such Culisses, That one good handsom blow breaks 'em a pieces.
Leo. How stands the Enemy?
Lieu. Even cool enough too: For to say truth he has been shrewdly heated, The Gentleman no doubt will fall to his jewlips.
Leo. He marches not i'th' tail on's.
Lieu. No, plague take him,
He'l kiss our tails as soon; he looks upon us,
As if he would say, if ye will turn again, friends,
We will belabor you a little better,
And beat a little more care into your coxcombs. ”

“ Yes Leontius,
There is a hope, which though it draw no love to it,
At least will draw her to lament my fortune,
And that hope shall relieve me.
Leo. Hark ye Sir, hark ye: Say I should bring ye—
Dem. Do [not] trifle with me?
Leo. I will not trifle; both together bring ye, You know the wrongs ye' done.
Dem. I do confess 'em.
Leo. And if you should then jump into your fury, And have another querk in your head.
Dem. I'le dye first.
Leo. You must say nothing to her; for 'tis certain, The nature of your crime will admit [no] excuse.
Dem. I will not speak, mine eyes shall tell my penance. ”

“ Dem.No more of that, no more Leontius, Revenges are the gods: our part is sufferance: Farewell, I shall not see thee long.
Leo. Good Sir, tell me the cause, I know there is a woman in't; Do you hold me faithful? dare you trust your Souldier? Sweet Prince, the cause?
Dem. I must not, dare not tell it, And as thou art an honest man, enquire not.
Leo. Will ye be merry then? ”

“ Leo. You must not: I shall tell you then,
And tell you true, that man's unfit to govern,
That cannot guide himself: you lead an Army?
That have not so much manly suff'rance left ye,
To bear a loss?
Dem. Charge but once more Leontius, My friends and my companions are engag'd all.
Leo. Nay give 'em lost, I saw 'em off their horses, And the enemy master of their Arms; nor could then The policie, nor strength of man redeem 'em. ”

“ SCENA IV. Enter Antigonus, Seleucus, Lysimachus, Ptolomy, Lieutenant, Gentlemen, Lords.
Ant. This peace is fairly made.
Seleu. Would your Grace wish us
To put in more: take what you please, we yield it;
The honour done us by your son constrains it,
Your noble son.
Ant. It is sufficient, Princes; And now we are one again, one mind, one body, And one sword shall strike for us.
Lys. Let Prince Demetrius But lead us on: for we are his vowed servants; Against the strength of all the world we'l buckle.
Ptol. And even from all that strength we'l catch at victory. ”

“ I dare not slack your honour; not a hand more, Only this look; the gods preserve, and save ye.
ACTUS SECUNDUS. SCENA PRIMA. Enter Antigonus, Carinthus, Timon.
Ant. What, have ye found her out?
Char. We have hearkned after her.
Ant. What's that to my desire?
Char. Your grace must give us time, And a little means.
Tim. She is sure a stranger, If she were bred or known here—
Ant. Your dull endeavours Enter Menippus. Should never be employ'd. Welcom Menippus.
Men. I have found her Sir, I mean the place she is lodg'd in; her name is Celia, And much adoe I had to purchase that too. ”

“ Bid me go on, no less fear'd, than Antigonus,
And to my maiden sword, tye fast your fortune:
I know 'twill fight it self then: dear Sir, honour me:
Never fair Virgin long'd so.
Ant. Rise, and command then,
And be as fortunate, as I expect ye:
I love that noble will; your young companions
Bred up and foster'd with ye, I hope Demetrius,
You will make souldiers too: they must not leave ye.
Enter Leontius.
2 Gent. Never till life leave us, Sir.
Ant. O Leontius, Here's work for you in hand.
Leon. I am ev'n right glad, Sir. For by my troth, I am now grown old with idleness ”

“ As e're you saw.
Sel. Pity her heart's so cruel.
Lys. How does your Grace? he stands still, will not hear us.
Ptol. We come to serve ye, Sir, in all our fortunes.
Lys. He bows a little now; he's strangely alter'd.
Sel. Ha? pray ye a word Leontius, pray ye a word with ye, Lysimachus? you bo'th knew mine Enanthe, I lost in Antioch, when the Town was taken, Mine Uncle slain, Antigonus had the sack on't?
Lys. Yes, I remember well the Girl.
Sel. Methinks now That face is wondrous like her: I have her picture, The same, but more years on her; the very same.
Lys. A Cherry to a Chery is not liker. ”

“ Never again be blest with name of Souldier.
Enter a Souldier.
Sel. How now? who charged first? I seek a brave hand To set me off in death.
Soul. We are not charg'd, Sir, The Prince lies still.
Sel. How comes this Larum up then?
Soul. There is one desperate fellow, with the Devil in him
(He never durst do this else) has broke into us,
And here he bangs ye two or three before him,
There five or six; ventures upon whole Companies.
Ptol. And is not seconded?
Soul. Not a man follows. ”

“ Ant. Thou hast abus'd thy youth, drawn to thy fellowship Instead of Arts and Arms, a Womans kisses, The subtilties, and soft heats of a Harlot.
Dem. Good Sir, mistake her not.
Ant. A Witch, a Sorceress:
I tell thee but the truth; and hear Demetrius,
Which has so dealt upon thy bloud with charms,
Devilish and dark; so lockt up all thy vertues;
So pluckt thee back from what thou sprungst from, glorious.
Dem. O Heaven, that any tongue but his durst say this!
That any heart durst harbour it! Dread Father,
If for the innocent the gods allow us
To bend our knees—
Ant. ”

“ Say she is faln under your sad displeasure,
Or any thing but dead, say she is banished,
Invent a crime, and I'le believe it, Sir.
Ant. Dead by the Law: we found her Hell, and her,
I mean her Charms and Spells, for which she perish'd;
And she confest she drew thee to thy ruine,
And purpos'd it, purpos'd my Empires overthrow.
Dem. But is she dead? was there no pity Sir? If her youth err'd, was there no mercy shown her? Did ye look on her face, when ye condemn'd her?
Ant. I look'd into her heart, and there she was hideous.
Dem. Can she be dead? can vertue fall untimely? ”

“ Pray ye take no way of peace now, Unless it be with infinite advantage.
Dem. I shall be rul'd;
Let the Battels now move forward,
Our self will give the signal: Enter Trumpet and Herald.
Now Herald, what's your message?
Her. From my Masters, This honourable courtesie, a Parley For half an hour, no more, Sir.
Dem. Let 'em come on, They have my Princely word.
Enter Seleucus, Lysimacus, Ptolomie, Attendants, Souldiers.
Her. They are here to attend ye.
Dem. Now Princes, your demands?
Sel. Peace, if it may be Without the too much tainture of our honour: Peace, and we'l buy it too. ”

“ Yet, whilest that great respect I ever bore ye,
Dwells in my bloud, and in my heart that duty;
Had it but been a dream, I must not touch ye.
Dem. O you will make some other happy?
Cel. Never, Upon this hand I'le seal that faith.
Dem. We may kiss, Put not those out o'th' peace too.
Cel. Those I'le give ye,
So there you will be pleas'd to pitch your ne ultra,
I will be merry with ye; sing, discourse with ye,
Be your poor Mistris still: in truth I love ye.
Enter Leontius, Antigonus, Seleucus, Lysimachus, Ptolomie, Lieutenant, and Gentleman.
Dem. Stay, who are these?
Lys. A very handsom Lady. ”

“ That the least adding to it adds to his ruine;
His loss is not so infinite, I hope, Souldier.
Soul. Faith neither great, nor out of indiscretion. The young men out of heat.
Enter Demetrius, Leontius, and Lieutenant.
Ant. I guess the manner.
Lord. The Prince and't like your Grace.
Ant. You are welcome home, Sir:
Come, no more sorrow, I have heard your fortune,
And I my self have try'd the like: clear up man,
I will not have ye take it thus; if I doubted
Your fear had lost, and that you had turn'd your back to 'em,
Basely besought their mercies—
Leo. ”

“ For less than such a power will doe just nothing:
And if you mean to see him, there it must be,
For there will he grow, till he be transplanted.
Sel. Beseech your grace, let's wait upon you thither, That I may see that beauty dares deny him, That scornfull beauty.
Ptol. I should think it worse now; Ill brought up beauty.
Ant. She has too much reason for't; Which with too great a grief, I shame to think of, But we'll go see this game.
Lys. Rather this wonder.
Ant. Be you our guide Leontius, here's a new peace. ”