Francis Beaumont

“ Our souls are things not to be waken'd in us
With larums, and loud bawlings, for in Elyzium
Stilness and quietness, and sweetness, Sirra,
I will have, for it much concerns mine honour,
Such a strong reputation for my welcome
As all the world shall say: for in the forefront
So many on white Unicorns, next them
My Gentlemen, my Cavaliers and Captains,
Ten deep and trapt with Tenter-hooks to take hold
Of all occasions: for Friday cannot fish out
The end I aim at; tell me of Diocles,
And what he dares do? dare he meet me naked?
Thunder in this hand? in his left—Fool—
Fool. ”

“ Chi. She would have ye read it. [He reads.
Si. Siphax, the will of Heaven hath cast me on thee
To be thy Wife, whose Will must be obey'd:
Use me with honour, I shall love thee dearly,
And make thee understand thy worths hereafter;
Convey me to a secret Ceremony,
That both our hearts and loves may be united,
And use no Language, till before my Brother
We both appear, where I will shew the Oracle,
For till that time I am bound, I must not answer.
[Pg 66]
Si. O happy I!
Chi. Ye are a made man.
Si. But Chilax,
Where are her Women? ”

“ Behold the heart of Memnon: does it start ye?
Cal. Good gods, what has his wildness done?
Pol. Look boldlie,
You boldlie said you durst, look wretched woman,
Nay flie not back fair follie, 'tis too late now,
Vertue and blooming honour bleed to death here,
Take it, the Legacie of Love bequeath'd ye,
Of cruel Love a cruel Legacie;
What was the will that wrought it then? can ye weep?
Imbalm it in your truest tears
If women can weep a truth, or ever sorrow sunk yet
Into the soul of your sex, for 'tis a Jewel
The worlds worth cannot weigh down,
Take it Lady ”

“ Great as your beautie scornfull; had your power
But equal poise on all hearts, all hearts perish't;
But Cupid has more shafts than one, more flames too,
And now he must be open ey'd, 'tis Justice:
Live to injoy your longing; live and laugh at
The losses and the miseries we suffer;
Live to be spoken when your crueltie
Has cut off all the vertue from this Kingdom,
Turn'd honour into earth, and faithful service.
Cal. I swear his anger's excellent.
Pol. Truth, and most tried love
Into disdain and downfall.
Calis. Still more pleasing. ”

“ Wit, wit, ye Rascals.
Fool. I have a Stye here, Chilax.
Chi. I have no Gold to cure it, not a penny,
Not one cross, Cavalier; we are dull Souldiers,
Gross heavy-headed fellows; fight for Victuals?
Fool. Why, ye are the Spirits of the time. ”

“ She do not love me neither? I am old 'tis certain.
Eumen. His spirit is a little quieter.
Mem. My blood lost, and limbs stiff; my embraces
Like the cold stubborn bark, hoarie, and heatless,
My words worse: my fame only and atchievements
Which are my strength, my blood, my youth, my fashion,
Must wooe her, win her, wed her; that's but wind,
And women are not brought to bed with shadows:
I do her wrong, much wrong ”

“ For if ye be the Princess, I will love ye,
Indeed I will, and honour ye, fight for ye,
Come, wipe your eyes; by Heaven she stinks; who art thou?
Stinks like a poyson'd Rat behind a hanging?
Woman, who art? like a rotten Cabbage.
2 Capt. Y'are much to blame, Sir, 'tis the Princess. ”

“ And how we young men are entic'd to wickedness,
By these lewd Women, I had paid for't else too.
I am monstrous holy now, and cruel fearful,
O 'twas a plaguey thump, charg'd with a vengeance.
Enter Siphax, walks softly over the stage, and goes in.
Would I were well at home; the best is, 'tis not day:
Who's that? ha? Siphax! I'll be with you anon, Sir;
Ye shall be oracled I warrant ye,
And thunder'd too, as well as I; your Lordship
Enter Memnon, Eumenes, Stremon, and two carrying Torches.
Must needs enjoy the Princess, yes: ha! Torches? ”

“ Cha. Those Gentle loves that are belov'd again.
Orph. This Souldier loves, and fain wou'd dye to win,
Shall he goe on?
Cha. No 'tis too foul a sin.
He must not come aboard: I dare not row,
Storms of despair, and guilty blood will blow.
Orph. Shall time release him, say?
Cha. No, no, no, no.
Nor time nor death can alter us, nor prayer;
My boat is destinie, and who then dare
But those appointed come aboard? Live still,
And love by reason, Mortal, not by will.
Orph. And when thy Mistris shall close up thine eyes,
Cha. ”

“ Enter Memnon alone.
Mem. 'Tis but to dye, Dogs do it, Ducks with dabling,
Birds sing away their Souls, & Babies sleep 'em,
Why do I talk of that is treble vantage?
For in the other World she is bound to have me;
Her Princely word is past: my great desert too
Will draw her to come after presently,
'Tis justice, and the gods must see it done too.
Besides, no Brother, Father, Kindred there
Can hinder us, all languages are alike too.
There love is everlasting, ever young,
Free from Diseases, ages, jealousies,
Bawds, Beldames, Painters, Purgers: dye? ”

“ Thou wo't strike the stroke: I cannot do much harm wench.
Clo. Nor much good.
Chi. Siphax shall be thy Husband,
Thy very Husband woman, thy fool, thy Cuckold,
Or what thou wilt make him: I am over joy'd,
Ravisht, clean ravisht with this fortune; kiss me,
Or I shall lose my self.
Clo. My Husband said ye?
Chi. Said I? and will say, Cloe: nay and do it
And do it home too; Peg thee as close to him
As birds are with a pin to one another ”

“ Enter Chilax, Fool and Boy.
Chi. You dainty wits! two of ye to a Cater,
To cheat him of a dinner?
Boy. Ten at Court, Sir,
Are few enough, they are as wise as we are.
Chi. Hang ye, I'le eat at any time, and any where,
I never make that part of want, preach to me
What ye can do, and when ye list.
Fool. Your patience,
'Tis a hard day at Court, a fish day.
Chi. So it seems, Sir,
The fins grow out of thy face.
Fool. ”

“ Chide me again, what wou'd this man doe pleas'd,
That in his passion can bewitch souls? stay.
Eumen. Upon my life she loves him.
Calis. Pray stay.
Pol. No.
Cal. I do command ye.
Pol. No, ye cannot Ladie,
I have a spell against ye, Faith and Reason,
Ye are too weak to reach me: I have a heart too,
But not for hawks meat Ladie.
Cal. Even for Charity
Leave me not thus afflicted: you can teach me.
Pol. How can you Preach that Charity to others
That in your own soul are an Atheist,
Believing neither power nor fear? I trouble ye,
The Gods be good unto ye. ”

“ And all this sport for cheese, and chines of dog-flesh,
And mony when two wednesdayes meet together,
Where to be lowzie is a Gentleman,
And he that wears a clean shirt has his shrowd on.
Chi. I'le be your scholar, come if I like fooling.
Fool. You cannot choose but like it, fight you one day
I'le fool another, when your Surgeon's paid,
And all your leaks stopt, see whose slops are heaviest,
I'le have a shilling for a can of wine,
When you shall have two Sergeants for a Counter.
Boy. Come learn of us Lieutenant, hang your Iron up,
We'l find you cooler wars. ”

“ Dye Siphax; take thy Sword,
And come by that door to her; there's a price
To buy a lusty love at.
Si. I am content, Sir,
To prove no Purchaser.
Mem. Away thou World-worm,
Thou win a matchless Beauty?
Si. 'Tis to lose't Sir,
For being dead, where's the reward I reach at?
The love I labour for?
Mem. There it begins Fool,
Thou art meerly cozen'd; for the loves we now know
Are but the heats of half an hour; and hated
Desires stir'd up by nature to encrease her;
Licking of one another to a lust ”

“ Fool. Chilax.
Chi. Please me well, Fool.
And you shall light my pipes: away to the Temple.
But stay, the King's here, sport upon sport, Boys.
Enter King, Lords, Siphax kneeling, Cloe with a Vail.
King. What would you have, Captain?
Speak suddenly, for I am wondrous busie.
Si. A pardon, Royal Sir.
King. For what?
Si. For that
Which was Heaven's Will, should not be mine alone, Sir;
My marrying with this Lady.
King. It needs no pardon,
For Marriage is no Sin.
Si. Not in it self, Sir ”

“ Enter Cleanthe and Siphax.
Clean. A Souldier and so fearfull?
Siph. Can ye blame me;
When such a weight lies on me?
Clean. Fye upon ye,
I tell ye, ye shall have her: have her safelie,
And for your wife with her own will.
Siph. Good Sister—
Cle. What a distrustfull man are you! to morrow,
To morrow morning—
Siph. Is it possible?
Can there be such a happiness?
Clean. Why hang me
If then ye be not married: if to morrow night,
Ye doe not—
Siph. ”

“ He's slow a coming.
Si. Keep me ye blest Angels,
What killing power is this?
Cal. Why, dost thou look for't?
Dost think he spoke in earnest?
Lucip. Methinks, Madam,
A Gentleman should keep his word; and to a Lady,
A Lady of your excellencies.
Cal. Out Fool!
Send me his heart? what should we do with't? dance it?
Lucip. Dry it and drink it for the Worms.
Cal. Who's that?
What man stands there?
Clean. Where?
Cal. There.
Cle. A Gentleman,
Which I beseech your grace to honour so much,
As know him for your servants Brother. ”

“ They are as common here as Caterpillers
Among the corn, they eat up all the Souldiers.
Clo. Are they so hungry? yet by their leave [C] hilax,
I'le have a snatch too.
Chi. Dost thou love him still wench?
Clo. Why should I not? he had my Maiden-head
And all my youth.
Chi. Thou art come the happiest,
In the most blessed time, sweet wench the fittest,
If thou darst make thy fortune: by this light, Cloe,
And so I'le kiss thee: and if thou wilt but let me,
For 'tis well worth a kindness.
Clo. What shou'd I let ye?
Chi. Enjoy thy miniken.
Clo. Thou art still old Chilax. ”

“ Calis. This, and all fair Fortunes.
Mem. And he that bears this from me, must strike boldly. [Cleanthe kneeling.
Calis. I do forgive thee: be honest; no more wench.
King. Come now to Revels, this blest day shall prove
The happy crown of noble Faith and Love. [Exeunt.
[Pg 75]
Prologue.
To please all's impossible, and to despair
Ruins our selves, and damps the Writers care:
Would we knew what to doe, or say, or when
To find the mindes here equal with the men:
But we must venture; now to Sea we goe,
Faire fortune with us, give us room, and blow;
Remember ye're all venturers ”

“ Fool. 'Tis ten to one the body shall come after,
And he that works deserves his wages.
Chi. That's true.
Fool. He riddles finely to a waiting Gentlewoman,
Expounds dreams like a Prophet, dreams himself too,
And wishes all dreams true; they cry Amen,
And there's a Memorandum: he can sing too
Bawdy enough to please old Ladies: he lies rarely,
Pawns ye a sute of clothes at all points, fully,
Can pick a pocket if ye please, or casket ”

“ Enter Siphax.
Si. Where's the General?
[Pg 21] Chi. There's the old sign of Memnon, where the soul is
You may go look as I have.
Si. What's the matter?
Chi. Why question him and see; he talks of Devils,
Hells, Heavens, Princes, Powers, and Potentates,
You must to th' pot too.
Si. How?
Chi. Do you know Elyzium? a tale he talks the Wild-goose chase of.
Si. Elyzium? I have read of such a place.
Chi. Then get ye to him,
Ye are as fine company as can be fitted. ”

“ Mem. Why dost thou appear now?
Thou wert fairly slain: I know thee, Diocles,
And know thine envy to mine honour: but—
Chi. Stay Memnon,
I am a Spirit, and thou canst not hurt me.
Eum. This is the voice of Chilax.
Strem. What makes him thus?
Chi. 'Tis true, that I was slain in field, but foully,
By multitudes, not manhood: therefore mark me,
I do appear again to quit mine honour,
And on thee single.
Mem. I accept the challenge.
Where?
Chi. On the Stygian Banks.
Mem. When?
Chi. Four days hence.
Mem. Go noble Ghost, I will attend.
Chi. I thank ye. ”

“ Could ye not love her here and live? consider.
Mem. Ha? Yes, I think I could.
Si. 'Twould be far nearer,
Besides the sweets here would induce the last love
And link it in.
Mem. Thou sayest right, but our ranks here
And bloods are bars between us, she must stand off too
As I perceive she does.
Si. Desert and Duty
Makes even all, Sir.
Mem. Then the King, though I
Have merited as much as man can, must not let her,
So many Princes covetous of her beauty;
I wou'd with all my heart, but 'tis impossible.
Si. Why, say she marry after.
Mem. No, she dares not;
The gods dare not do ill ”

“ For more than all is needful, shew all reason
If love can hear o' that side, if she yield
We have fought best, and won the noblest field. [Exeunt.
Enter Eumenes, Captains, Stremon.
1 Cap. I have brought the wench, a lusty wench,
And somewhat like the Princess.
Eumen. 'Tis the better, let's see her,
And go you in and tell him, that her Grace
Is come to visit him: how sleeps he Stremon?
Stre. He cannot, only thinks, and calls on Polydor,
Swears he will not be fool'd; sometimes he rages,
And sometimes sits and muses. [Exit Stremon.
[Pg 56]
Enter Whore, and Captain. ”

“ There 'tis, that has fired him,
I knew he had some inspiration.
But does she know it, Sir?
Mem. Yes marry does she,
I have given my heart unto her.
Si. If ye love her.
Mem. Nay, understand me, my heart taken from me,
Out of my Body, man, and so brought to her.
[Pg 24] How lik'st thou that brave offer? there's the love
I told thee of; and after death, the living;
She must in justice come Boy, ha?
Si. Your heart, Sir?
Mem. I, so by all means, Siphax.
Si. He loves roast well
That eats the Spit. ”

“ Calis. Why gone?
Lucip. H'as dispatch't his business.
Calis. He came to speak with me,
He did.
Clean. He did not.
Calis. For I had many questions.
Lucip. On my Faith Madam, he
Talk't a great while to ye.
[Pg 44]
Calis. Thou conceiv'st not,
He talk't not as he should doe; O my heart
Away with that sad sight; didst thou e're love me?
Lucip. Why do you make that question?
Calis. If thou didst
Run, run wench, run: nay see how thou stir'st.
Lucip. Whither?
Calis. If 'twere for any thing to please thy self
Thou woud'st run toth' devil: but I am grown—
Clean. ”