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THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
■< H
HEYWOOD'S
DRAMATIC WORKS.
HE DRAMATIC WORKS OF
THOMAS HEYWOODNOW
FIRST COLLECTED WITH
ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES AND
A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR
IN SIX VOLUMES
Aut prodeffe folent aut deWlare
VOLUME THE THIRD
LONDON
JOHN PEARSON YORK STREET COVENT GARDEN
I8 74
THE
GOLDEN AGE:
OR
The Hues of Jupiter and Saturne, with
the deifying of the Heathen Gods.
As it hath beene fundry times a£ted at the Red
Bull, by the Queenes Maiefties Seruants.
Written ^Thomas Hey wood.
HSP3ftl
Tarn robvr. tarn robor. in-colis Arbor Iovis. 1610.
LONDON,
Printed for William Barrengcr, and are to be fold
at his Shop neare the great North-doore
of Pauls 1 6 1 1 .
3 B
To the Reader.
College
Library
'J/57D
111 1 /
/.3
jHIS Play comming accidentally to the
Preffe, and at length hauing notice
thereof, I was loath (finding it mine
owne) to fee it thruft naked into the
world, to abide the fury of all weathers, without
cither Title for acknowledgement, or the forr
mality of an Epiftle for ornament. Therefore
rather to kcepe cuftome, then any neceffity, I
haue fixt thefc few lines in the front of my
Booke ; neither to approue it, as taftfull to cucry
palat, nor to difgrace it, as able to relifh none,
onely to commit it freely to the generall
cenfure of Readers, as it hath already paft
the approbation of Auditors. This is the
Golden Age, the eldeft brother of three Ages, that
haue aduentured the Stage, but the onely yet,
that hath beene iudged to the Preffe. As this
is receiued, fo you fhall find the reft :
cither fcarefull further to proceede,
or encouraged boldly to
follow.
Yours cucr
T. H.
1 r*
347
The Names of Perfons prefented
in the Play.
Homer.
-, > two brothers.
Two Lords of Creet.
Vefta mother of Saturne.
Sybilla wife to Saturne.
Lycaon Sonne to Tytan.
Califto daughter to Lycaon.
Iupiter. Iuno.
Mellifeus King of Epire.
Archas fonne to Califto and Iupiter.
Diana. Atlanta.
t? i j c fonnes to Tytan.
Lnceladus. ) J
p, P >• brothers to Iupiter.
Acrifius King of Arges.
Danae daughter to Acrifius.
King Troos.
Ganimed.
A Lord of Arges.
Two Lords of Pelagia.
Foure Beldams.
Clowne. Nurfe.
Satyrs. Nimphs.
The Golden Age.
With the Hues of Iupiter and
Saturne.
A6lus I. Scsena I.
Enter o^Homer.
SHE Gods of Greece, whofe deities I
rais'd
Out of the earth, gaue them diuinity,
The attributes of Sacrifice and Prayer
Haue giuen old Homer leaue to view the world
And make his owne prefentment. I am he
That by my pen gaue heauen to Iupiter,
Made Neptunes Trident calme, the curled waues,
Gaue Aiolus Lordftup ore the warring winds ;
Created blacke hair'd Pluto King of Ghofls,
And regent ore the Kingdomes fixt below.
By me Mars warres, and fluent Mercury
Speakes from my tongue. I plac'd diuine Apollo
Within the Sunnes bright Chariot. I made Venus
Goddefle of Loue, and to her winged fonne
Gaue feuerall arrowes, tipt with Gold and lead.
What hath not Homer done, to make his name
Liue to eternity ? I was the man
That flourifli'd in the worlds firft infancy :
6 The golden Age.
When it was yong, and knew not how to fpeake,
I taught it fpeech, and vnderftanding both
Euen in the Cradle : Oh then fuffer me,
You that are in the worlds decrepit Age,
When it is neere his vniuerfall graue,
To fmg an old fong ; and in this Iron Age
Shew you the ftate of the firft golden world,
I was the Mufes Patron, learnings fpring,
And you mail once more heare blinde Homer fmg.
Enter two Lords.
i. Lord. The old Vranus, fonne of the Aire &
Day
Is dead, and left behinde him two braue fonnes,
Tytan and Saturne.
i. Tytan is the eld eft,
And fhould fucceed by the true right of birth.
2. Lord. But Saturn hath the hearts of al the
people,
The Kingdomes high applaufe, his mothers loue,
The leaft of thefe are fteppes vnto a crowne.
2. Lor. But how wil Tytan beare him in thefe
troubles,
Being by nature proud and infolent,
To fee the yonger feated in his throne,
And he to whom the true right appertaines,
By birth, and law of Nations quite caft off?
i. Lord. That either power or fteele mufl arbi-
trate : .
Caufes beft friended haue the beft euent.
Here Saturne comes.
Enter Saturne and Vefta with other attendants.
Saturn. Behold what nature skanted me in
yeares,
And time, below my brother ; your applaufe,
And general loue, fully fupplies me with :
The golden Age. 7
And make me to his crowne inheritable.
I choofe it as my right by gift of heauen,
The peoples fuffrage, the dead Kings bequefl,
And your election, our faire mother Queene,
Againft all thefe what can twelue moones of time,
Preuaile with Tytan to dif-herite vs.
Vejla. The Cretan people, with fhrill acclama-
tions
Pronounce thee foueraigne ore their lands and Hues,
Let Tytan florme, and threaten ftrange reuenge,
We are refolu'd thy honour to maintaine.
1. Lord. Tytan, thy ruine fhall attempt in vaine
Our hearts ad-here with Vejlaes our late Queene,
According to our foueraignes late bequefl,
To kneele to Saturne.
Saiurne. We accept your loues,
And we will ftriue by merite to exceed you.
In iuft requitall of thefe fauours done.
Vejla. Arme Lords, I heare the voyce
A noife of tumult within.
Of Tytan florming at this flrange election.
Enter Tytan, Lycaon, and others.
Tytan. Defcend proud vpflart, trickt vp in floln
weeds
Deckt in vfurped flate, and borowed honours,
Refigne them to their owner, that's to me.
Sat. Tytan keep off, I charge thee neere me not,
Lefl I thy bold prefumption feale with bloud.
Tytan. A Crown's worth tugging for, & I wil ha*t
Though in purfute I dare my ominous Fate.
Licaon. Downe with the vfurper.
Vejla. Saturne here fhall fland,
Immoueable ; vpheld by Vejlaes hand.
Tytan. Am I not eldefl ?
Vejla. Ey but yong'fl in braine.
Saturne the crowne hath ceas'd, and he fhall reigne.
8 The golden Age.
Tytan. Am I a baftard, that my heritage
Is wrefted from me by a yonger birth 1
Hath Vejla plaid th' adultereffe with fome ftranger 1
If I be eldeft from Vranus loynes,
Your maiden Iflue, why am I debar'd
The law of Nations ? am I Vejiaes fonne ?
Why doth not Vejla then appeare a mother ]
Was yonger Saturne bedded in your wombe,
Neerer your heart then I, that hee's affected
And I defpis'd ? If none of thefe, then grant me,
What Iuftice wils, my intereft in the Crowne :
Or if you make me out-caft, if my Mother
Forget the loue (he owes,. I fhall abandon
The duty of a fonne. If Saturne prooue
Vnnaturall, Tie be no more a brother,
But maugre all that haue my right withftood,
Reuenge my wrongs, & make my way through
bloud.
Sat. Tytan we both acknowledge thee a brother,
And Vejiaes fonne, which wee'le expreffe in loue.
But fince for many vertues growing in me
That haue no life in you, the Queen e, the Peeres,
And all the people, with lowd fuffrages,
Haue fhrild their Auees high aboue the clouds,
And ftil'd me King, we mould forget their loues
Not to maintaine their ftrange election.
Aduife you therefore, fince this bold aduenture
Is much aboue your flrength, to arme your felfe,
In fearch of future honours with our loue,
For what can Tytan do againft a people 1
Vejla. Saturne aduifeth well, lift to his confell.
Tytan. If my owne land proue thus vnnaturall,
I'le purchafe forraine aid.
i. Lord. Rather compound.
Sat. Let Tytan make demand of any thing
Sailing our Crowne, he fhall enioy it feeely.
Vejla. Tytan, your brother offers royally,
Accept this loue.
The golden Age. 9
Tytan. To loofe a Crowne includes
The lofie of all things. What fliould I demand?
Lycaon. This grant him Saturne, fince thy infinua-
tion
Hath wrought him quite out of the Cretans hearts,
That Tytans warlike iffue may fucceed thee.
Tytan. Lycaon well aduis'd, he during life,
Shall reigne in peace, no interruption,
Shall pafie from Tytan to diflurbe his reigne,
So to our Gyant race thou wilt affure
The crowne as due by right inheritance.
Saturne. To cut off all hoflile effufion
Of human bloud, which by our difference
Mufl needs be fpilt vpon the barren earth,
Wee'le fweare to this accord.
Tytan. Conditiond thus,
That to depriue all future enmity
In our fucceeding Iffue, thy male children
Thou in their Cradle flrangle.
Saturne. Kill my fonnes ?
Tytan. Or fweare to this, or all our warlike race,
Difperfl in feuerall Kingdomes Il'e affemble,
To conquer thee, and from thy ambitious head,
Teare that vfurped Crowne.
Saturne. Tytan, thy friendfhip
Wee'l buy with our own bloud, all our male children,
(If we hereafter fhall haue any borne)
Shall perifh in their births, to this we fweare,
As we are King and Saturne.
Tytan. I the like,
As I am Tytan, and Vranus fonne :
This league confirm'd, all my Allyes I'le gather
Search forreigne clymes, in which Il'e plant my kin,
Scorning a feate here where I am difpis'd,
To Hue a fubiecl to a younger birth.
Nor bow to that which is my owne by due.
Saturne farewell, Il'e leaue thee to thy flate,
Whil'fl I in forreigne Kingdomes fearch my Fate.
Thinke on thy oath.
io The golden Age.
Saturne. Firfl. flay with vs and feafl,
Tytan this day (hall be King Saturns guefl.
Enter the Clowne and a Nurfe.
Clown. There is no dallying, you mud come with
all fpeede,
For Madam Sibilla is growne a great woman.
Nurf. That is without queflion, for fhe is now a
Queene.
Clown. Nay, fhe is greater then many Queenes
are : for though you may thinke fhe is with ancient
folkes : yet I can affaire you fhe is with childe, you
may imagine, beeing now but morning fhee is new
rifen, yet t'is thought that ere noone fhe will bee
brought a bed. I neuer heard fhe was committed to
prifon : yet t'is look't euery houre when fhe fhall be
deliuered, and therefore Nurfe I was fent to you in all
hafte.
Nurf. Is fhe fo neere her time 1
Clown. Yes : and yet tis thought fhee will not-
withflanding hold out, becaufe fhe is groning.
Nurf. Your reafon ?
Clowne. Becaufe you know the prouerbe : A grunt-
ing horfe, and a groning wife neuer deceiue their Maifler :
fay, will you make hafte, Nurfe 1
Nurf What's the befl news abroad ?
Clown. The befl newes abrode is, that the Queene
is likely to keepe at home : and is it not flrange, that
halfe an houres being abroad fhould make a woman
haue a moneths minde to keepe in. But the worfl
newes is, that if the King haue a young Prince, hee is
tide to kill it by oath : but if his maiefly went drunke
to bed, and got a gyrle, fhe hath leaue to liue till fhe
dye, and dye when fhe can liue no longer.
Nurf. That couenant was the mofl vnnaturall
That euer father made : one louely boy
Hath felt the rigor of that flridl decree,
And if this fecond likewife be a fonne,
The golden Age. 1 1
There is no way but death.
Clotvn. I can tell you more newes : the king hath
fent to the Oracle to know whether my Lady be with
childe of a boy or a gyrle, and what their fortunes
fhall be : the Lord that went, is look't for euery day
to returne with his anfwere : it is fo Goffipt in the
Queenes chamber, I can tell you. O Nurfe wee haue
the brauefl king, if thou knewefl alL
Nurf. Why I pray thee ?
Clowne. Let his vertues fpeake for himfelfe : he
hath taught his people to fow, to plow, to reape corne,
and to skorne Akehornes with their heeles, to bake
and to brue : we that were wont to drinke nothing but
water, haue the braueft liquor at Court as paffeth.
Befides, he hath deuifed a flrange engine, called a
Bow and Arrow, that a man may hold in hand, and
kill a wilde beaft a great way off, and neuer come in
danger of his clutches. Tie tell you a flrange thing
Nurfe, lafl time the King went a hunting, he kild a
beare, brought him home to be bak't and eaten : A
Gentlewoman of the Court, that fed hungerly vpon
this pye, had fuch a rumbling and roaring in her guts,
that her Intrails were all in a mutiny, and could not
be appeafed. No phificke would helpe her, what did
the King but caufed an excellent Maftiffe to be
knock't in the head, and dreft, gaue it to the gentle-
woman, of which when fhe had well eaten, the flefh
of the Maftiffe worried the beare in her belly, and
euer fince her guts haue left wambling. But come,
corne, I was fent in haft, the Queene muft needs
fpeake with you. Exeunt.
Enter Saturne with wedges of gold andfiluer, models of
Jlups, and buildings, bow and arrowes, &>e. His
Lords with him.
Saturne. You fhall no more be lodg'd beneath the
trees,
Nor chamber vnderneath the fpreading Okes :
1 2 The golden Age.
Behold, I haue deuis'd you formes for tooles,
To fquare out timber, and performe the Art
Of Architecture, yet vnknowne till now.
I'le draw you formes of Cities, Townes and Towers,
For vfe and ftrength, behold the models here.
i Lord. Saturnes inuentions are diuine, not
humane,
A God-like fpirit hath infpifd his reigne.
Saturne. See here a fecond Arte of Husbandry,
To till the earth, to plow, to fow, to plant,
Deuis'd by Saturne : here is gold refin'd
From Groffer mettals, filuer, brafle, and tinne,
With other minerals, extract from earth.
I likewife haue found out to make your brooks,
Riuers and feas by praclife Nauigable.
Behold a forme to make your Craers and Barkes
To paffe huge ftreames in fafety, dangerlefle.
2. Lord. Saturne is a God.
Saturn. The lad, not leaft, this vfe of Archery,
The ftringed bow, and nimble-fethered-fhaft :
By this you may command the flying fowle,
And reach her from on high : this femes for warre,
To ftrike and wound thy foe-man from a farre.
What meanes this acclamation % A lowdjhout within.
i. Lord. Tis thy people,
Deuineft Saturne furnifht with thefe vfes,
(More then the Gods haue lent them) by thy meanes.
Proclaime to thee a lafting deity.
And would haue Saturne honoured as a God.
Saturn. Wee'l ftudy future profits for their vfe,
And in our frefli inuentions proue diuine.
But Gods are neuer touch't with my fufpires,
Paflions and throbs : their God-like Iffue thriue,
Whilft I vn-man-like muft deltroy my babes.
Oh my flricTt oath to Tytan, which confounds
All my precedent honours : one fweete babe,
My yongeft Ops hath felt the bloudy knife,
And perilht in his fwathing : And my Queene
Swels with another Infant in her wombe,
The golden Age. 1 3
Ready to tafte like rigor. Is that Lord
Return'd from Delphos yet ?
2. Lord. He is.
Saturn. Admit him : now what doth the Oracle
Speake by the Delphian Prieft.
3. Lord. Thus mighty Saturne.
After our Ceremonious Rites perform'd,
And Sacrifice ended with reuerence,
A murmuring thunder hurried through the Temple.
When fell a pleafant fhower, whole filuer drops,
Fil'd all the Altar with a rofeate dew.
In this amazement, thus the Delphian God,
Spake from the Incenft Altar : Lord of Creete,
Thus fay to Saturne : Sibill his faire wife,
Is great with a yong Prince of Noble hopes,
That (hall his fathers vertues much excell,
Ceaze on his Crowne, and driue him downe to Hell,
Sat. The Gods (if there be any boue our felfe)
Enuy our greatneffe, and of one that feekes
To beare himfelfe boue man, makes me more wretched
Then the moft flauifh bruit. What fhall my Sibill
Bring me a fonne, that (hall depofe me then 1
He (hall not ; I will croffe the Deities,
Tie toombe th' ufurper in his Infant bloud,
I'le keepe my oath ; Prince Tytan (hall fucceed,
Maugre the enuious Gods, the brat (hall bleed.
1 . Lord. Way for the dowager Queene.
Enter Veda. fad.
Sat. How fares our mother 1
How i'fl with faire Sibilla, our deere Queene?
Vejla. Your Queenes deliuered.
Sat. Of fome female birth,
You Deities I begge : make me oh Heauens,
No more inhumane in the tragicke (laughter
Of princely Infants, fill my decreed number
With Virgins, though in them I loofe my name
And kingdome, either make her barren euer
14 The golden Age.
Or elfe all generatiue power and appetite
Depriue me : left my purple finne be ftil'd
Many degrees boue murder. What's her birth %
Vejla. Shee's the fad mother of a fecond fonne.
Saturn. Be euer dumbe, let euerlafting filence
Tong-tye the world, all humane voyce henceforth,
Turne to confus'd, and vndiftinguifht found,
Of barking Hounds, hoarfe beares, & howling wolues,
To ftop all rumour that may fil the world
With Saturnes tyranies againft his fonnes.
Vejl. Ah, did but Saturne fee yon fmiling babe,
Hee'd giue it life, and breake ten thoufand oathes
Rather then fuffer the fweet infant dye,
His very looke would begge a quicke reprieue
Euen of the tyrant Tytan, faw the vnkle
With what a gracefull looke the Infant fmiles,
Hee'd giue it life, although he purchas'd it
With loffe of a great Kingdome.
Saturn. Then fpare the lad : I did offend too much
To kill the firft, tell Sibill be lhall liue,
I'le be no more fo monftrous in my rigor,
Nor with the bloud of Princes buy my Crowne.
No more their Cradles fhall be made their Tombes,
Nor their foft fwathes become their winding fheetes :
How can my fubiects thinke Il'e fpare their Hues
That to my owne can be fo tyranous 1
Tell Sibill he fhall liue.
Vejl. Vejla will be that ioyfull meffenger.
Saturn. Stay, let me firft reward the Oracle,
It told me Sibill fhould produce a fonne,
That fhould his Fathers vertues much excell,
Ceafe on my Crowne, and driue me downe to Hell.
Muft I then giue an Infant-traitor life,
To fling me to the heart ? the brat fhall bleed.
Vejla. Sweet fonne.
i. Lord. Deere foueraigne.
Saturn. He that next replyes,
Mother or friend, by Saturnes fury dyes.
Away fetch me his heart, brimme me a bowle
The golden Age. 1 5
With his warme bloud. Tytan, my vow He
keep,
Life newly wakend, fhall as newly fleep.
Vejl. Worfe then a bruit, for bruits preferue their
own.
Worfe then the worft of things is Saturne growne.
Saturn. Command the childe to death.
Vejl. Tyrant, I will.
Tygers would faue whom Saturn means to kill,
Sat. It is my fonne whom I command to death,
A Prince that may fucced me in my Throne,
And to pofterity reuiue my name.
Call Vejla backe, and bid her faue the Babe.
1. Lord. I'le do't my I^ord.
Sal. Yet ftay : the lad to kill
I faue my oath, and keep my kingdome ftill.
Pod after her, and charge them on their liues,
Send me the babes bloud in a cup of gold,
A prefent which I'le offer to the Gods.
Delay not, bee't our mother, nay our wife,
Forfeits her owne to faue the Infants life.
1. Lord. I fhall informe them fo.
Sat. Is this a deity,
To be more wretched then the worft on earth,
To be depriu'd, that comfort of my iffue,
Which euen the bafeft of my land enioy :
H'e henceforth for my rigor hate my felfe,
Pleafures defpife, and ioyes abandon quite.
The pureft bloud that runnes within my veines,
I'le dull with thicke, and troubled melancholy,
H'e warre with comfort, be at oddes with folace,
And league with nothing but diftemprature.
Henceforth my vnkem'd lockes fhall knot in curies,
Rafor nor any edge fhall kiife my cheeke,
Vntil my chin appeare a wilderneffe,
And make we wild in knowledge to the world.
Perpetuall care fhall cabin in my heart,
My tyranny I'le punifh in my felfe,
And faue the Gods that labour
1 6 The golden Age.
Saturns didurbance to the world ftiall be,
That planet that infufeth melancholy.
Enter Sibilla lying in childbed, with her child lying by
her, and her Nurfe, &c.
Sibilla. Is not our mother Vejla yet return'd,
That made herfelfe th'unwilling meffenger,
To bring the king newes of his new-borne fonne 1
Nurf. Madam, not yet.
Sibil. Mother, of all that euer mothers were
Mod wretched : kiffe thy fweet babe ere he dye,
That hath life onely lent to fuffer death.
Sweet Lad, I would thy father faw thee fmile,
Thy beauty and thy pretty Infancy,
Would molifie his heart wer't hew'd from flint,
Or caru'd with Iron tooles from the corficke rocke,
Thou laughed to thinke thou muft be kild in ieft.
Oh if thou needs muft dye, I'le be thy murdreffe,
And kill thee with my kifles (pretty knaue)
And canft thou laugh to fee thy mother weepe 1
Or art thou in thy cheerefull fmiles fo free
In fcorne ol thy rude fathers tyranny ?
Nurf. Madam, the King hath flaine his firft borne
fon,
Whom had hee feene aliue, hee'd not haue giuen
For ten fuch Kingdomes as he now enioyes,
The death of fuch a faire and hopefull child,
Is full as much as Tytan can demand.
Sib. He fhall fpare this fweet babe, I'le ranfome
thee
With my owne life, the knife that pierceth thee,
Will wound thy mothers fide, and I fhall feele
The lead fharpe droke from his offenfiue deele.
Nurf. The mother Queen's return'd.
Enter Vefla.
Sib. How lookes fhe Nurfe 1
Let her not fpeake, but vet a little longer
The golden Age. 1 7
My hopes hold in fufpence : oh me mofl wretched,
I reade my Lords harfh anfwere in her eye,
Her very lookes tell me the boy mufl dye.
Say, mufl he ? mufl he 1 kill me with that word,
Which will wound deeper then King Saturties
fword.
Vejla. The boy mufl dye.
Sib. Oh !
Nurf. Looke to the Queene, fhe faints.
Vejl. Oh let's not loofe the mother with her
infant,
The lofTe of one's too much.
Sibill. Oh wher's my childe ?
He hide thee in my bed, my bofome, brefl,
The murderer fhall not finde my little fonne,
Thou fhalt not dye, be not afraid my boy.
Go tell the King hees mine as well as his,
And I'le not kill my part : one he hath flaine,
In which I had like interefl : this I'le faue,
And euery fecond fonne keepe from the graue.
Enter the firjl Lord.
Vejla. Forbeare fir, for this place is priuiledg'd,
And onely for free women.
1. Lord. Yet is the Kings command boue your
decree,
And I mufl play th'intruder gainfl my will.
The King vpon your Hues hath charged you,
To fee that infant Lad immediately
Receiue his death, he ftayes for his warme bloud
To offer to the Gods. To thinke him flaine,
Sad partner of your forrowes I remaine.
Nurf. Madam you heare the king doth threat our
liues
Let's kill him then.
Sib. Is he inexorable ?
Why fhould not I proue as feuere a mother
As he a cruell father : fince the King
3 c
1 8 The golden Age.
Hath doom'd him, I the Queene will doo't my
felfe,
Giue me the fatall Engine of his wrath,
Il'e play the horrid murdreffe for this once.
I'le kiffe thee ere I kill thee : for my life,
The Lad fo imiles, I cannot hold the knife.
Vejla. Then giue him me, I am his Grand-
mother,
And I will kill him gently : this fad office
Belongs to me, as to the next of kin.
Sib. For heauens fake when you kil him, hurt
him not.
Vejla. Come little knaue, prepare your naked
throat,
I haue not heart to giue thee many wounds,
My kindneffe is to take thy life at orfce. (Now.)
Alacke my pretty Grand- child, frmTft thou ftill ?
I haue luft to kiffe, but haue no heart to kill.
Nurf. You may be careleffe of the kings com-
mand,
But it concernes me, and I loue my life
More then I do a fucklings, giue him me,
I'le make him fure, a fharpe weapon lend,
I'le quickly bring the yongfter to his end.
Alacke my pretty knaue, 'twere more then fin,
With a fharpe knife to touch thy tender skin.
Oh Madame, hee's fo full of Angell grace
I cannot ftrike, he fmiles fo in my face.
Sib. I'le wink & ftrike, come once more reach
him hither :
For dye he muft, fo Saturne hath decreed,
'Las for a world I would not fee him bleed.
Vejla. Ne fhall he do, but fweare me fecrefie,
The babe fhall Hue, and we be dangerleffe.
Sib. O blefle me with fuch happineffe.
Vejla. Attend me.
The king of Epires daughters, two bright maids,
Owe me for many fauours the like loue,
Thefe I dare truft, to them I'le fend this babe
The golden Age. 19
To be brought vp, but not as Saturns fonne.
Do but prouide fame trufty meffenger,
My honour for his fafety.
Sib. But by what meanes ftiall we delude the
king.
Vejl. A yong Kids heart, fwimming in reeking
bloud
Wee'l fend the King, and with fuch forged griefe,
And counterfet forrow fhadow it,
That this impofture neuer fhall be found.
Sib. O twice my mother you beftow vpon me,
A double life thus to preferue my boy.
Nurfe. Giue me the child, I'le finde a meflenger,
Shall beare him fafe to Mellifeits Court.
Vejla. The bloud and heart I'le prefently prouide,
T'appeafe the rage of Satume.
Sib. Firfl lets fweare,
To keepe this fecret from King Saturates eare.
Vejla. We will, and if this plot paffe vndif-
couer'd
By like deuife we will faue all your fonnes.
About our taskes ; you fome choyce friend to
finde,
I with my feigned teares the King to blinde.
A6lus fecundi, Scoena prima.
Enter Homer.
Homer. \ T 7" Hat cannot womens wits? they won-
V V ders can
When they intend to blinde the eyes of man.
Oh lend me what old Homer wants, your eyes,
To fee th'euent of what thefe Queenes deuife.
The doombe JJiew, found.
c 2
20 The golden Age.
Enter the Nurfe and Clowne, Jheefweares him tofecrefie,
and to him deliuers the child and a letter to the
daughters of King Mellifeus : they part. Enter
at one doore Saturne melancholy, with his Lords :
at the other Vefla, 6° the Nurfe, who with coun-
terfeit paffion prefent the King a bleeding heart
vpon a kniues point, and a bowle of bloud. The
King departs one way in great forrow, the Ladies
the other way in great ioy.
This paft fo currant, that the third forme borne,
Cal'd Neptune, was by like deuife preferu'd,
And fent to Athens, where he liu'd vnknowne,
And had in time command vpon the feas.
Pluto the yongeft was fent to Tartary,
Where he in procefie a ftrange City built
And cald it Hell, his fubiects for their rapine,
Their fpoils and theft, are Diuels tearm'd abrode.
Thus melancholy Saturne hath furuiuing
Three Noble fonnes in feuerall confines plac'd
And yet himfelfe thinks fonne-leffe : one faire daughter
Hight Luno is his fole delight on earth.
Thinke kinde fpedlators feuenteene fommers pail,
Till thefe be growne to yeares, and Iupiter
Found in a caue by the great Epyre King,
(Where by his daughters he before was hid.)
Of him and of his fortunes we proceed,
My iournie's long, and I. my eye-fight want.
Courteous fpectators, left blind Homer ftray,
Lend me your hands to guide me on your way.
Enter Lycaon with his Lords, Iupiter with other
Lords of 'Epyre.
Lycaon. After long warre, and tedious differences,
Betwixt King Mellifeus and our felfe,
What craue the Epyre Lords ?
Iupiter. This King Lycaon,
Since truce and hoftage hath tane vp thefe broiles,
The golden Age. 21
And ended them in peacefull amity,
Since all the damadge by the Epyrians done,
Is on our part aboundantly made good :
We come Lycaon to demand the like
Of thee and of thy Kingdome, and for proofe,
That all our malice is extinct and dead,
We bring thy hoftage backe, demanding ours.
Lycao7i. Receiue him Lords, a Banquet inflantly,
You fhall this day braue Epyre feaft with vs,
And to your boord your hoftage fhall be brought,
There to receiue him freely, meane time fit,
And tafte the royall welcomes of our Court.
lup. Lycaoiis iuft in keeping thefe conditions
So ftri&ly with a reconciled foe.
Lye. But faire prince, tell me whence you are
deriu'd,
I neuer heard King Mellifens had
A Prince of your perfections ?
Iupiter. This demand
Startles my bloud, being borne I know not where,
Yet that I am of gentry at the lead,
My Spirit prompts me, and my noble thoughts
Giue me approued warrant, being an infant
Two beauteous Ladyes found me in a caue,
Where from their voluntary charity,
Bees fed me with their hony, for that caufe
The two bright Ladies cal'd me Iupiter,
And to their Father Mellifeus brought me,
My Fofter-father, who hath train'd my youth,
In feats of Armes, and military proweffe,
And as an inftance of his deereft loue,
Hath honor'd me with this late Embafly.
A banquet brought in, with the limbes of a Man
in the feruice.
Lyca. We are fatisfi'd : Princes fit round and
feaft,
You are this day Lycaons welcom'fl gueft
22 The golden Age.
Lup. This meat diftafts me, doth Lycaon feaft vs
Like Caniballes 1 feed vs with humane flefh ?
Whence is this portent ?
Lycan. Feede Epyrians, eate,
Lycaon feafts you with no common meate.
Lup. But wher's the Epyre Lord we left as hoft-
age?
Lyca. Behold him here, hee's at the table with
. y° u '
This is the Epyres head, and thefe his limbes,
Thinkes Mellifeus that Lycaon can
(Difcended of the valiant Tytanoys)
Bury his hatred, and intoombe his fpleene
Without reuenge ? bloud in thefe warres was fhed,
And for that bloud your hoftage loft his head.
Lup. Beare wrong that lift, & thofe can brooke it
beft,
I was not borne to fuffrance : thoughts mount hye,
A King hath wrong'd me, and a King fhall dye.
Lycaon. Treafon, treafon.
Lup. Downe with the tyrant, and that hatefull
crue,
And in their murdrous breafts your blades imbrue.
Lycaon. Our guard.
A confufedfray, an alarme. Iupiter and the Epyriens
beat off Lycaon and his followers.
Lup. Lycaon's fled, make good the pallace gates,
And to th'arhazed Citie beare thefe limbs,
So bafely by the tyrant maflacred.
Happly his fubiecls by our words prepar'd
May fhake their bondage off, and make this warre,
The happy meanes to rid a tyrant thence.
Beare in your left hands thefe dif •membred limbes,
And in your right your fwords, with which make
way,
Courage braue Epyres, and a glorious day. Exeunt.
The golden Age. 23
Alarm, Lycaon makes head againe, and is beat off
by Iupiter and the Epirians, Iupiter ceazeth the
roome of Lycaon.
Iup. Lycaon's once more fled, we by the helpe
Of thefe his people, haue confin'd him hence,
To whom belongs this Crowne 1
1. Lord. To Iupiter.
2. Lor. None (hall protect our liues, but Iupiter.
All. A Iupiter, A Iupiter.
Iup. Nay we are farre from fuch ambition, Lords,
Nor will we entertaine fuch royalty.
1. Lor. Faire Prince, whom heauen hath fent by
miracle,
To faue vs from the bloudyeft tyrannies,
That ere were practis'd by a mortall prince,
We tender thee our fortunes : oh vouchfafe
To be our Lord, our Gouernour, and King,
Since all thy people ioyntly haue agreed,
None of that tyrants iflue fhall fucced.
All. A Iupiter, A Iupiter.
Iup. We not refufe the bounty of the Heauens
Exprefl in thefe your voyces ; we accept
Your patronage, and 'gainfl Lycaons tyrannyes
Henceforth protect you : but our conqueft yet
Is all vncertaine, fecond vs deere fubiecls,
To aflure our conquefls : firfl we muft prouide
Our fafty, ere attempt the helme to guide. Exeunt.
Alarme. Enter Califto.
Col. What meane thefe horrid and thefe fhrill
alarmes
That fright the peacefull Court with hollle cryes ?
Feare and amazement hurry through each chamber ;
Th'affrighted Ladies light the darkefl roomes
With their bright beauties : whence (6 whence ye:
Gods)
24 The golden Age.
Are all yon grones, cryes, and inhumane fownds
Of bloud and death : Licaon, where is he 1
Why in this dire and fad aftonifhment
Appeares not he to comfort my fad feares,
And cheere me in this dull diftemprature ?
Enter in a hurrie with weapons drawne, Iupiter and his
fouldiers.
Iup. The Iron bar'd dores, & the fufpe&ed vaults,
The Barricadoed gates, and euery roome,
That boafted of his ftrength, is forc'd to obey
To our free entrance : nothing can withftand
Our oppofite fury. Come, let's ranfacke further,
But ftay, what ftrange deiedled beauty's this
That on the fodaine hath furpris'd my heart,
And made me ficke with paflion 1
Califlo. Hence away.
When we command, who dares prefume to ftay 1
Iup. Bright Lady.
Cal. You afright me with your fteele.
Iup. Thefe weapons Lady come to grace your
beautie
And thefe my armes fhall be your fandluary
From all offenfiue danger : cheere your forrow,
Let your bright beauty fhoote out of this cloud,
To fearch my heart, as it hath daz'd my eyes.
Are you a Queene enthron'd aboue the Elements,
Made of diuine compofure, or of earth,
Which I can fcarce beleeue 1
Calift. I am my felfe.
Vnciuill flranger, you are much to rude,
Into my priuate chamber to intrude :
Go call the King my father.
Iup. Are you then
Lycaons daughter 1 (wonder without end,
That from a Fiend an Angell fhould defcend.)
Oh Loue, till now I neuer felt thy dart :
But now her painted eye hath pierc'd my heart.
The golden Age. 25
Faire, can you loue 1
Calijlo. To be alone I can.
Iup. Women, faire Queene, are nothing without
men :
You are but cyphers, empty roomes to fill,
And till mens figures come, vncounted flilL
Shall I fweet Lady, adde vnto your grace,
And but for number-fake fupply that place.
Cal. You'r one too many, and of all the reft,
That beare mens figure, we can fpare you bell.
What are you fir ?
Iup. We are Pelafge's King,
And thefe our fubiecls.
Calijlo. Thefe did of late belong
To King Lycaon (Oh iniurious wrong)
Iup. Oh fute your pitty with your Angell-beauty,
And Hue Pelafge's Queene.
Calijlo. Giue me a funerall garland to lament,
That bed becomes my wretched difcontent.
Jup. The fun-fhine of my fmiles and iocond loue,
Shall from your browes bright azure Elements,
Difperfe all clouds : behold my crowne is yours,
My fword, my conqueft, I am of my felfe,
Nothing without your foft companionate loue :
For proofe, aske what the heauen, earth, aire, or fea
Can yeeld to men by power or orifon,
And it is yours.
Cal. Sir, I fhall proue your love.
Iup. Pray vfe me Lady.
Cal. You'l grant it me my Lord.
Iup. By all my honours, and by all the fweets.
I hope for in your loues fruition,
Your wil's your owne.
Cal. You'l not reuoke your word ?
Iup. Bee't to inueft whom I did late degrade,
Tie doo't for you, bright and diuineft maid.
Cal. This onely freedome to your captiue giue
That I a Nunne and profefl maid may Hue.
26 The golden Age.
Iup. More cruell then the tyrant that begat thee,
Hadfl thou ask't loue, gold, feruice, Empiry,
This fword had purchaft for Calijlo all.
Oh moil vnkinde, in all this vniuerfe,
Ther's but one iewell that I value hye,
And that (vnkinde) you will not let me buy :
To Hue a maid, what ift ? 'tis to Hue nothing :
'Tis like a couetous man to hoord vp treafure,
Bai^d from your owne vfe, and from others pleafure.
Oh thinke faire creature, that you had a mother,
One that bore you, that you might beare another :
Be you as fhe was, of an Infant glad,
Since you from her, haue all things that fhe had.
Should all affect the ftrict life you defire,
The world it felfe fhould end when we expire.
Pofterity is all, heauens number fill,
Which by your helpe may be increafed ftill,
What is it when you loofe your mayden-head,
But make your beauty Hue when you be dead
In your faire iffue %
Cal. Tufh, 'tis all in vaine,
Dian I am now a feruant of thy traine.
Iup. Her order is meere herefie, her feci.
A fchifme, 'mongft maids not worthy your refpec~l.
Men were got to get ; you borne others to beare.
Wrong not the world fo much : (nay fweet your
eare)
This flower will wither, not being cropt in time,
Age is too late, then do not loofe your prime,
Sport whil'ft you may, before your youth be paft.
Loofe not this mowld that may fuch faire ones caft,
Leaue to the world your like for face and ftature,
That the next age may praife your gifts of nature.
Calijlo if you ftill grow thus precife,
In your ftrict vow, fucceeding beautie dies.
Cal. I claime your oath, all loue with men adue,
Diana? s Cloyfter I will next purfue. Exit Califto.
Iup. And there all beauty fhall be kept in iaile,
The golden Age. 27
Which with my fword : Ey with my life I'd baile :
What's that Diana %
2. Lor. She is the daughter of an ancient King,
That fwaid the Atticke fcepter, who being tempted
By many fuiters, firft began this vow :
And leauing Court betooke her to the forrefts.
Her beauteous traine are virgins of befl ranke,
Daughters of Kings, and Princes, all deuoted
To abandon men, and chufe virginity.
All thefe being firfl to her ftrict orders fworne,
Acknowledge her their Queene and Emprefle.
Tup. By all my hopes Cali/Io's loue to gaine,
I'd wi(h my felfe one of Dianae's traine.
1. Lord. Concerning your (late bufineffe.
Iupiter. Well remembred.
Pofls of thefe newes fhall be to Epyre fent,
Of vs, and of our new eftablifhment.
Next for Califlo, (but of that no more.)
We muft take firme pofleflion of this ftate,
Our fword hath wonne, Licaon loft fo late. Exeunt.
Enter with muficke {before Diana) fixe Satires,
after than all their Nimphs, garlands on their
heads, and iauelings in their hands, their Bowes
and Quiuers : the Satyrs fing.
Haile beauteous Dian, Queene of Jhades,
That dwels beneath thefe Jhadowie glades,
Miflreffe of all thqfe beauteous maids,
That are by her allowed.
Virginitie we all prof effe,
Abiure the worldlie vaine exceffe,
And will to Dyan yeeld no leffe
Then we to her haue vowed.
Tlie Shepheards, Satirs, Nimpfis, and Fawnes,
For thee will trippe it ore tlie lawnes.
Come to the Forrefl let vs goe,
And trip it like the barren Doe,
28 The golden Age.
The Fawnes and Satirsftill dofo,
Andfreelie thus they may do.
The Fairies daunce, and Satirs fing,
And on the graffe tread manie a ring,
And to their caues their venfon bring.
And we will do as they do.
The Shepheards, 6°<r.
Our food is honiefrom the Bees,
And mellow fruits that drop from trees,
In chace we clime the high degrees
Of euerie fleepie mountaine,
And when the wearie day is pafl,
We at the euening hie vs fq/l,
And after this our field repafl,
We drinke the pleafant fount aine.
The Shepheards, &°c.
Diana. Thefe fports, our Fawnes, our Satyrs and
our felues,
Make (faire Califlo) for your entertaine :
Pan the great God of Shepheards, and the Nymphes
Of Meades and Fountaines, that inhabite here,
All giue you welcome, with their Rurall fports,
Glad to behold a Princeffe of your birth
A happy Citizen of thefe Meades and Groues.
Thefe Satyrs are our neighbours, and Hue here,
With whom we haue confirm' d a friendly league
And dwell in peace. Here is no City-craft.
Here's no Court-flattery : fimpleneffe and footh
The harmlefle Chace, and ftricl: Virginity
Is all our praclife. You have read our orders,
And you haue fworne to keepe them, faire Califlo.
Speake, how efteeme you them %
Califlo. With reuerence.
Great Queene, I am fequeflred from the world,
Euen in my foule hate mans fociety,
And all their lulls, fuggeflions, all Court-pleafures,
The golden Age. 2 9
And City-curiofities are vaine,
And with my finer temper ill agree,
That now haue vow'd facred verginity.
Dian. We will not of your forrowes make re-
citall
So lately fuffred by the hand of chance.
We are from the world, and the blind Goddeffe For-
tune
We dare to do her worfl, as liuing here
Out of her reach : Vs, (he of force mud fpare,
They can loofe nothing, that for nothing care.
Col. Madam, deuotion drew me to your feruice,
And I am now your hand-maid.
Dian. Wher's Atlanta ?
Atlanta. Madame.
Dian. Is there no princeffe in our traine,
As yet vnmatch'd to be her Cabin-fellow,
And fleepe by her %
Atlanta. Madam, we all are cuppled
And twin'd in loue, and hardly is there any
That will be wonne to change her bed-fellow.
Dian. You muft be fingle till the next arriue,
She that is next admitted of our traine,
Muft be her bed-companion, fo tis lotted.
Come Fawns, and Nymphs, and Satyres, girt vs
rownd
Whilft we afcend our Mate, and here proclaime
A generall hunting in Dianaes name.
Enter Iupiter like a Nimph, or a Virago.
Iupiter. There I Arid too wide. That ftep was too
large for one that profeffeth the ftraight order : what
a pittifull coyle fhall I haue to counterfeit this woman,
to lifpe {forfooth) to fimper and fet my face like a
fweet Gentlewomans made out of ginger-bread 1 fhall
I venter or no ? My face I feare not : for my beard
being in the nonage durft neuer yet looke a Barber in
30 The golden Age.
the face. And for my complexion, I haue knowne as
browne Laffes as my felfe haue gone for currant. And
for my flature, I am not yet of that Giant fize, but I
may paffe for a bona Roba, a Rounceual, a Virago, or a
good manly Laffe. If they mould put me to fpinne,
or to fow, or any fuch Gentlewomanlike exercife, how
mould I excufe my bringing vp ? Turn, the hazzard
is nothing, compared with the value of the gaine.
Could I manadge this bufmeffe with Art, I mould
come to a hundred pretty fights in a yeare, as in the
Sommer when we come to flea our fmocks, &c. I
hope Diana doth not vfe to fearch her maides before
fhe entertaines them. But howfoeuer
Be my loffe certaine, and my profit none,
Tis for Calijlds loue, and I will on.
Diana. Wee'l chafe the Stagge, and with our
Bugles fhrill,
The neighbouring Forrefts with lowd eccho's fill.
lup. Is this a heauen terreflriall that containes
So many earthly Angells ? (O amazement)
Diana with thefe beauties circled round,
Pal'd in with thefe bright faces, beares more (late,
Then Gods haue lent them by the power of fate.
I am defcrid.
Diana. Soft, what intruder's that %
Command her hither.
Iup. Haile diuineft Queene,
I come to do thee feruice.
Diana. A manly Laffe, a flout Virago,
Were all our traine proportion'd to thy fize,
We need not feare mens fubtill trecheries.
Thy birth and fortunes 1
Iup. Madam, I deriue
My birth from noble and high parentage :
Report of your rare beauty with my loue
And zeale I flill beare to a virgins life,
Haue drawne me to your feruice.
Diana. Welcome Lady.
Her largeneffe pleafeth mee, if fhee haue courage
The golden Age. 3 1
Proportion'd with her limbs, fliee (hall be Champion
To all our wronged Ladies. You Atlanta,
Prefent her oath.
Her oath is given on Dianaes bow.
Atlan. Madam you mud be true
To bright Diana and her Virgin crew.
Iup. To bright Diana and her traine l'l (land.
Diana. What can you do 1 (afide.
Iup. More then the belt here can.
Atlan. You fhall vow chaflity :
Iup. That's more then I can promife (well pro-
ceed)
Atlan. You neuer (hall with hated men attone,
But ly with woman or elfe lodge alone.
Iup. Make my oath (Irong, my proteflation deep,
For this I vowe by all the Gods to keepe.
Atlan. With Ladies you (hall onely (port and
play,
And in their fellowfhip fpend night and day.
Iup. I (hall.
Atlan. Confort with them at boord and bed,
And fweare no man (hall haue your maiden-head.
Iup. By all the powers both earthly and diuine,
If ere I looft, a woman (hall haue mine.
Diana. Now you're ours, you'r welcome, kifle our
hand,
You promife well, wee like you, and will grace you,
And if with our election your's agree.
Califlo here your bed-fellow (hall be.
Iup. You Gods you will eternize me your choice
Madam I feale, both with my foule and voyce.
Dian. Then hand each other and acquaint your
felues,
And now let vs proceed in the purfuite,
Of our determin'd paflimes, dedicate
To the entertainement of thefe beuteous maides.
Satyres and fawnes ring out your pleafmg quire,
This done, our Bugles (hall to heauen afpire. Exeunt.
32 TJie golden Age.
Homes winded, a great noife of hunting, Enter
Diana, all her Nimphes in the c/iafe, Iupiter
pulling Califlo back.
Diana. Follow, purfue, the Stag hath tooke the
Mountaine,
Come let vs climbe the fteepe clifts after him,
Let through the aire your nimble iauelinges fing.
And our free fpoyles home with the euening bring.
All. Follow, follow, follow.
Winde homes, enter the Satyrs as in the chafe.
Sat. The nimble Ladies haue out-flript vs quite,
Vnleffe we fpeede we (hall not fee him fall.
Wee are too flow in purfuite of our game ;
Let's after tho ; fince they out-ftrip our eyes,
Runne by their noates, that from their Bugles rife.
Winde homes. Enter Iupiter, and Califlo.
Cal. Haft gentle Lady, we fliall loofe our traine,
And miffe Diana's paflime in the chafe,
Hie then to flaine our Iauelings guilded points
In bloud of yon fwift Stag, fo hot purfu'de.
Will you keepe pace with mee ?
Iup. I am tir'd already.
Nor haue I yet bene to thefe paflimes breath'd,
Sweet fhall wee here repofe our felues a little ?
Cal. And loofe the honour to be firft at fall ?
Iup. Feare not, you fhall come time enough to
fall.
Either you muft be fo vnkind to mee,
As leaue me to thefe deferts folitary,
Or flay till I haue reft, for I am breathles
And cannot hold it out, behold a place
Remote, an Arbor feated naturally,
Trim'd by the hand of nature for a bower,
The golden Age. 33
Skreen'd by the fliadowy leaues from the Suns
eye.
Sweet will you fit, or on the verdure lye ?
Cal. Rather then leaue you, I will loofe the
fport.
Iup. I'le finde you paftime, feare not, Oh my
Angell,
Whether wilt thou tranfport me, grant me meafure.
Of ioy before, I furfet on this pleafure.
Cal. Come dial's lye downe a little ?
Iup. Sooth I will.
I thirft in feas and cannot quaffe my fill,
Behold before mee a rich Table fpread,
And yet poore I am forc'd to ftarue for bread :
We be alone, the Ladyes farre in chace,
And may I dye an Eunuch by my vowe,
If bright Calijlo you efcape me now.
Sweet bed-fellow your hand, what haue I felt,
Vnleffe blancht fnow, of fubftance not to melt ?
Cal. You gripe too hard.
Iup. Good footh I fhall not reft
Vntill my head be pillowed on thy bread.
Cal. Leane on me then.
Iup. So fhall I wrong mine eyes,
To leaue your face to looke vpon the skyes.
Oh how I loue thee, come let's kiffe and play.
Cal. How?
Iup. So a woman with a woman may.
Cal. I do not like this kiffing.
Iup. Sweet fit dill,
Lend me thy lippes, that I may tade my fill.
Cal. You kifle too wantonly.
Iup. Thy bofom lend,
And by thy foft paps let my hand defeend.
Cal. Nay fye what meane you ?
Iup. Pre'thee let me toy,
I would the Gods would fhape thee to a boy,
Or me into a man.
8 n
34 The golden Age.
Cal. A man, how then ?
Iup. Nay fweet lye flill, for we are farre from
men,
Lye downe againe. Your foot I oft haue prais'd,
Ey and your legge : (nay let your skirt be rais'd)
I'le meafure for the wager of a fall,
Who hath the greateft great, or fmalleft fmall.
Cal. You are too wanton, and your hand to free.
Iup. You need not blufh to let a woman fee.
Cal. My bareneffe I haue hid from fight of skyes,
Therefore may barre it any Ladyes eyes.
Iup. Me thinks you fhould be fat, pray let me
feele.
Cal. Oh God you tickle me.
Iup. Lend me your hand,
And freely tafte me, note how I will ftand,
I am not ticklifh.
Cal. Lord how well you wooe.
Iup. We maids may wifh much, but can nothing
do.
Cal. I am weary of this toying.
Iup. Oh but I
In this Elifium could both liue and dye.
I can forbeare no longer, though my rape
Be punifht with my head, fhe fhall not fcape.
Say fweet I were a man.
Cal. Thus would 1 rife,
And fill the Dales and mountaines with my cryes.
A man ! (Oh heauen) to gaine Elifiums bliffe,
I'de not be fayd that I a man fhould kiffe.
Come, lets go wourd the Stagge.
Iup. Stay ere you goe,
Here Hands one ready that muft flrike a doe.
And thou art fhee, I am Pelagias King,
That thus haue fingled thee, mine thou fhalt be.
Cal. Gods, Angels, men, help all a maid to
free.
Iup. Maugre them all th'art mine.
The golden Age. 35
Caj. To do me right,
Helpe fingers, feet, nailes, teeth, and all to fight
Iup. Not they, nor all Dianais Angell-traine,
Were they in fight, this prize away fhould gaine. Exit.
He carries )ier away in his armes.
Act. 3. Sccene 1,
Enter Homer.
Horn. Yong Jupiter doth force this beauteous
maid,
And after would haue made her his bright Queene.
But difcontent fhe in the Forreft (laid,
Loath of Diana's virgins to be feene.
Oft did he write, oft fend, but all in vaine,
She neuer will returne to Court againe.
Eight moones are fild & wain'd when fhe grows great
And yong Ioues ifiue in her wombe doth fpring.
This day Diana doth her Nimphs intreat,
Vnto a folemne bathing, where they bring
Deflowr'd Cali/lo, note how fhe would hide
That which time found, and great Diana fpide.
A dumbe Jhow. Enter Diana and all her Nimphs to
bathe them : Jhee makes them furuey the place. Tliey
vnlace themfelues, and vnlofe their buskins: only
Califto refufeth to make Iter ready. Diana fends
Atlanta to her, who perforce vnlacing her, finds her
great belly, andjhewes it to Diana, who turnes her
out of herfocicty, and leaues her. Califto likewife
in great forrow forfakes the place.
Her crime thus found, fhee's banifht from their crew,
And in a caue fhe childs a valiant fonne,
d 2
36 The golden Age.
Cal'd Archas, who doth noble deeds purfue,
And by loues gift Pelagians feate hath wonne,
Which after by his worth, and glorious fame,
He hath tranf-ftil'd Archadia by his name.
But we returne to Tytan, who by fpyes
Hath learn'd, that Saturne hath kept fonnes aliue.
He now alTembles all his ftrange allyes,
And for the crowne of Creet intends to flriue.
Of their fucceffe, and fortunes we proceed,
Where Tytans fonnes by youthfull Ioue muft bleed.
Enter Tytan, Lycaon, Enceladus, ALgeon in Amies,
drum, colours, and attendants.
Tytan. Now are we flrong, our giant Iffue growne,
Our fonnes in feuerall kingdomes we haue planted,
From whence they haue deriu'd vs braue fupplyes,
From Sicily, and from th' JEgean fea,
That of our fonne ALgeon beares the name.
We haue affembled infinites of men,
To auenge vs on proud Saturties periury.
Lycaon. What I haue faid to Tytan, l'le make
good,
Tis rumour' d Mellifeus Fofter-child
He that expulft me from Pelagians Crowne,
And in my high tribunall fits enthron'd,
Is Saturnes fonne, and fliled lupiter,
(Befides my daughter by his luft deflowred)
On vs the poore diftreffed Tytanoyes
He hath committed many out-rages.
Age. All which wee'l punifh on K. Saturnes head,
I that haue made tWAgean confines fhake,
And with my powerfull voyce affrighted Heauen.
From whofe enraged eyes the darkned skyes
Haue borrowed luflre, and Promethian fire,
Will fright from Creet the proud Saturnian troope,
And thoufand hack't and mangled fouldiers bring
To intombe the glories of the Cretan King.
Encel. That muft be left to great Enceladus,
The golaen Age. 37
The pride and glory of the Tyta?is hoaft
I that haue curl'd the billowes with a frowne,
And with a fmile haue made the Ocean calme,
Spurn'd downe huge mountains with my armed foot,
And with my moulders lift the vallies high,
Wil in the wrinkles of my ftormy brow,
Bury the glories of the Cretan King,
And on his flaughtered bulke braine all his fonnes.
Algeon. And what fhall I do then ?
Encel. Do thou (land flill,
Whil'ft I the foes of Tytan pafh and kill.
Am 1 not eldeft from great Tytans loynes,
The Saturnifts hereditarie fcurdge ?
Leaue all thefe deeds of horror to my hand,
I like a Trophy ore their fpoyles will ftand.
Lica. Why breath we then %
Encel. Come arme your finowy limbes,
With rage and fury fright pale pitty hence,
And drowne him in the fweate your bodies flill.
With hoftile induftry, tofle flaming brands
About your fleecy lockes, to threat their Cities
With death and defolation, let your fteele
Gliftring againft the funne, daze their bright eyes,
That with the dread of our aftonifhment
They may be funke in Lethe, and their graue
May be the darke vawlt, cal'd obliuions Caue.
Titan. Are our Embaffadors to Saturne gone,
To let him know whence this our warre proceedes %
Lica. Your meffage hath by this ftartled th'vfur-
per.
Encel. Set on them, wafle their confines as we
march,
And let them tafl the rage of fword and fire,
Th* Alarm's giuen, and hath by this arriu'd
Euen at the wals of Creel, the cittadell
Where the Cathedral'd Saturne is enthron'd.
Tytan. Warlicke JEgeon and Enceladus,
Noble Lycaon lend vs your affiflance
38 The golden Age.
To forradge as we march, plant defolation
Through all this fertile foile, be this your cry ;
Reuendge on Saturne for his periury. Exit.
Enter Saturne with haire and beard ouergrowne,
Sibilla, Iuno, his Lords, drum, colours and foul-
diers.
Sat. None fpeake, let no harm voyce prefume to
iaii
In our diftreffed eare, I am all fadneffe,
All horrour and afrightment, fince the flaughter
And tragick murder of my firft borne Ops,
Continued in the vnnaturall maffacre
Of three yong Princes : not a day hath paft me
Without diftaft, no night but double darkned
With terrour and confufed melancholy :
No houre but hath had care and difcontent
Proportion'd to his minutes : not an inftant
Without remorfe and anguifh. Oh you crownes,
Why are you made, and mettald out of cares ?
I am ouergrowne with forrow, circumuolu'd
With multiplicity of diftempratures,
And Saturne is a King of nothing elfe,
But woes, vexations, forrowes, and laments.
To adde to thefe the threatnings of red war,
As if the murther of my Princely babes
Were not enough to plague an vfurpation,
But they muft adde the rage of fword and fire,
To affright my people : thefe are mifeiles,
Able to be compilfed in no dimenfion.
Iuno. My father (hall not macerate himfelfe,
He dare to interrupt his paflions,
Although I buy it deerely with his hate.
My Lord you are a King of a great people,
Your power fufficient to repulfe a foe
Greater then Tytan. Though my brothers birthes
Be crown'd in bloud, yet am I ftill referu'd
The golden Age. 39
To be the hopefull comfort of your age.
Sat. My dearefl lutio, beautifull remainder
Of Saturnes royall iffue, but for thee
I had ere this with thefe my fingers tome
A graue out of the rockes, to haue entomb'd
The wretched carkaffe of a caitife King :
And I will hue, be't but to make thee Queene
Of all the triumphes and the fpoyles I winne.
Speake, what's the proiect of their inuafion 1
t. Lord. That the King of Creet,
Hath not (according to his vowes and oathes)
Slaine his male iffue.
Sat. Haue I not their blouds
Already quaft to angry Nemefis ?
Haue not thefe ruthlefle and remorflleffe eyes,
(Vn-father-like) beheld their panting hearts
Swimming in bowles of bloud ? Am I not fonne-
leffe?
Nay child-leffe too, faue Iuno whom I loue :
And dare they then 1 Come, our continued forrow
Shall into fcarlet indignation turne,
And my fonnes bloud fhall crowne their guilty heads
With purple vengeance. Valiant Lords, fet on,
And meet them to their laft deftruction.
1. Lord. March forward.
Sat. Stay, becaufe wee'l ground our warres
On iuflice : Fair Sibiila, on thy life,
I charge thee tell me, and diflemble not,
By all the hopes in Saturne thou haft ftor'd,
Our nuptiall pleafures, and affaires of loue,
As thou efteem'ft our grace, or vengeance fear'ft,
Refolue me truly. Haft thou fonnes aliue 1
Sibiila kneeles.
Thefe teares, and that deiec~tion on thy knee,
Accompanied with dumbneffe, argue guilt.
Arife and fpeake.
Sib. Let Saturne know, I am a Woman then,
And more, I am a Mother : would you haue me
A monfter, to exceed in cruelty
40 The golden Age.
The fauadgeft of Sauadges ? Beares, Tygers, Wolues,
All feed their yong : would Saturne haue his Queene
More fierce then thefe ? Thinke you Sibilla dare
Murder her yong, whom cruell beafts would fpare %
Let me be held a mother, not a murdreffe :
For Saturne, thou haft liuing three braue fonnes.
But where ? rather then to reueale to thee,
That thou may'ft fend, their guiltleffe bloud to fpill,
Here eafe my life, for them thou fhalt not kill.
Sat. Amazement, warre, the threatning Oracle,
All mufter ftrange perplexions 'bout my braine,
And robbe me of the true ability
Of my direct conceiuements. Doubt, and warre,
Tytans inuafion, and my ieloufie,
Make me vnfit for anfwere.
i. Lord. Royall Saturne,
'Twas pitty in the Queene fo to preferue them.
Your ftridlneffe flew them, they are dead in you,
And in the pitty of your Queene furuiue.
Sat. Diuine affiftance plunge me from thefe trou-
bles,
Mortality here failes me, I am wrapt
In millions of confufions.
Enter a Lord.
2. Lord. Arme, great Saturne,
Thy Cities burne : a generall maffacre
Threatens thy people. The bigge Tytanoys
Plow vp thy Land with their inuafiue fteele.
A huge vn-numbred army is at hand,
To fet vpon thy Campe.
Sat. All my difturbances
Conuert to rage, and make my fpleene as high
As is their topleffe fury, to incounter
With equall force and vengeance. Go Sibilla,
Conuey my beauteous luno to the place
Of our befl ftrength, whil'ft we contend in Armes
For this rich Cretan wreath : the battel done,
The golden Age. 41
And they confin'd, wee'l treat of thefe affaires.
Perhaps our loue may with this breach difpence,
But firfl to Armes, to beate th'intruders hence.
Exeunt.
Alarme. Enter Tytan, Lycaon, Enceladus, Egeon.
Tyt. Saturne giues backe, and 'gins to leaue the
field.
Liea. Purfue him then vnto that place of flrength,
Which the proud Cretans hold impregnable.
Encel. This Gigomantichia be eternis'd
For our affright and terror : If they flye,
Toffe rockkes, and toppes of Mountaines after
them
To ftumble them, or elfe entombe them quicke.
AZgeon. They haue already got into the towne,
And barricadoed 'gainft vs their Iron gates.
What meanes then (hall we finde to flartle them %
Ence. What, but to fpurn down their offenciue
mures ?
To fhake in two their Adamantine gates,
Their marble columnes by the ground fylls teare,
And kicke their ruin'd walles as high as heauen ?
Tyt. Purfue them to their gates, and 'bout their
Citie
Plant a ftrong fiege. Now Saturne all my fuffrances
Shall on thy head fall heauy, wee'l not fpare
Old man or babe. The Tytans all things dare.
Exeunt.
Alarme. Enter Saturne, Sibilla, luno, with otfier
Lords of Creet.
Sat. The heauens haue for our barbarous cruelty
Done in the murther of our firft borne Ops,
Powr'd on our head this vengeance. Where, ol
where
Shall we finde refcue ?
42 The golden Age.
Sib. Patience royall Saturne.
Sat. Bid Woolues be milde, and Tygers pittiful,
Command the Libian Lions abflinence,
Teach me to mollifie the Corficke rocke,
Or make the Mount Chymera paffable.
What Monarch wrapt in my confufions,
Can tell what patience meanes 1
luno. Oh royall Father !
Sat. Oh either teach me refcue from thefe
troubles,
Or bid me euerlaflingly, ey euer
Sinke in defpaire and horror.
Syb. Oh my Lord,
You haue from your owne loines iffue referued,
That may redeeme all thefe calamities.
Saturne. Iffue from vs ?
Syb. From Saturne and Sybilla.
That royall Prince King of Pelagia,
And famous Mellifeus fofter-child,
Whom all the world fliles by the noble name
Of Iupiter, hee is King Saturnes fonne.
Satu. Thou haft Sybilla kept that fonne aliue
That onely can redeeme me from this thraldome,
Oh how fhall we acquaint yong Iupiter,
With this his fathers hard fucceffe in Armes.
Syb. My care did euer thefe euents forefee.
And I haue fent to your furuiving fonne,
To come vnto your refcue ; Then great Saturne
In your wiues pitty feeme to applaude the heauens,
That make me their relentfull minifter,
In the repairing of your downe-caft ftate.
Satu. If royall Iupiter be Saturnes fonne,
We fhall be either refcued or reueng'd,
And now I fhall not dread thofe Tytanois,
That threaten fire and fteele.
Syb. Truft your Sybilla.
Satu. Thou art my anchor, and the onely co-
lumne
The golden Age. 43
That fupports Saturnes glory, Oh my lupiter,
On thee the bafis of my hopes I erect,
And in thy life King Saturnes fame furuiues.
Are meflengers difpatch'd to fignifie
My fonne of our diftreffe.
Sib. As farre as Epire.
Where as we vnderfland, Ioue now remaines.
Satu. Then Tytan, and the proud Ence/adus,
Hyperion and JSgeon with the reft,
Of all the earth-bread race we wey you not,
Threaten your worft, let all your eyes fparke
fire,
Your flaming noflrils like Auernus fmoake,
Your tongues fpeak thunder, & your armed hands
Fling Trifulke lightning : Be you Gods aboue,
Or come you with infernall hatred arm'd,
We dread you not : we haue a fonne furuiues,
Shall calme your tempefls : beautious Iuno com-
fort,
And cheare Sybilla, if he vndertake
Our refcue, we from danger are fecure,
Wee in his valour all our Hues afiure. Exeunt.
A flourijh. Enter Iupiter and Mellifeus with
attendants.
Me//. Faire Prince, for lefle by your defertes and
honour,
You cannot be : your fortunes and your birth
Are both vnknowne to me : my two faire daughters
As a fwath'd infant brought you to my Court,
But whence, or of what parents you proceed
I am meerely ignorant
Iup. Then am I nothing,
And till I know whence my defcent hath bene,
Or from what houfe deriu'd, I am but aire,
And no effentiall fubflance of a man.
44 The golden Age.
Enter Califto purfu'd by her yongfonne Archas.
Cal. Help, help, for heauen fake help, I am
purfu'd,
And by my fonne, that feemes to threate my life.
Iup. Stay that bold lad.
Cal. What's he? falfe Jupiter 1
Iup. Calijio, or I much deceiue my felfe.
Cal. Oh thou mod falfe, mofl treacherous, and
vnkind,
Behold Calijio by her fonne purfu'd,
Indeed thy fonne : this little fauadge youth
Hath liued 'mongft Tygers, Lyons, Wolues, and
Beares,
And fince his birth partakes their cruelty.
Archas his name : fince I Diana left,
And from her chaft traine was diuorc't, this youth
I childed in a caue remote and filent.
His nurture was amongft the fauadges.
This day I by misfortune mou'd his fpleene,
And he purfu'd me with reuenge and fury,
And had I not forfooke the fhades and forrefts,
And fled for refcue to thefe walled Townes,
He had flaine me in his fury : faue me then,
Let not the fonne the mother facrifice
Before the fathers eye.
Iup. Archas my fonne,
My yong fon Archas, Iupiters firft borne
Oh let me hugge thee, and a thoufand times
Embrace thee in myne armes. Lycaons grand-
child
Calijlds fonne ; Oh will you beauteous Lady
Forfake the forrefts and yet liue with vs %
Cal. No thou falfe man, for thy penurious lufts
I haue abandoned humaine fubtelties :
There take thy fonne, and vfe him like a Prince,
Being fonne vnto a Princeffe. Teach him Arts,
And honoured armes. For me : I haue abiur'd
The golden Age. 45
All peopled Citties, and betooke my felfe
To folitary deferts. Ioue adue.
Thou prouing falfe, no mortall can be true. Exit.
Arc. Since fhe will needs be gone, be pleafed
then,
Weari'd with beads, I long to Hue 'mongfl men.
Iup. Yet flay Calijlo, why wilt thou out-runne
Thy Iupiter 1 Shee gone, welcome my fonne.
My deere fonne Archas, whom if fortune fmile,
I will create Lord of a greater flile.
Enter the Clowne with letters.
Clowne. Saue you fir, is your name K. Mellifeus ?
Melli. We are Mellifeus, and the Epire King.
Clowne. Then this letter is to you, but is there not
one in your Court, cal'd (let me fee) haue you here
neuer a gibbit-maker %
Iup. Sirra, here's one cal'd Iupiter.
Clowne. Ey Iupiter, that's he that I would fpeake
with. Here's another letter to you, but ere you reade
it, pray let me aske you one queflion.
Iup. What's that 1
Clowne. Whether you be a wife child or no ?
Iup. Your reafon ?
Clowne. Becaufe I would know whether you know
your own father but if you do not, hoping you are in
good health, as your father fcarce was, at the making
hereof, Theie are to certify you.
Iup. Newes of a father ! neuer could fuch tydings
Haue glutted me with gladneffe. They reade.
Clowne. For mine owne part, though I know not
what belongs to the getting of children, yet I know
how to father a child, & becaufe I would be loath to
haue this Parifh troubled with you, I bring you newes
where you were borne. I was the man that laid you
at this mans dore, & if you will not go home quietly,
you (hall be fent from Conflable to Conftable, till you
46 The golden Age.
come to the place where you were begot. Reade
further and tell me more.
Melli. Is Iupiter then mighty Saturns fonne ?
Iup. Am I the fonne of Satume, King of Creet 1
My father baffled by the Tytanoys ?
May all my toward hopes die in my birth,
Nor let me euer worthily inherite
The name of royalty, if by my valour
I proue me not difcended royally.
Clowne. I was the man that tooke paines with you,
'twas I that brought you in the hand-basket.
Iup. Should I haue wifht a father through the
world,
It had bene Satume, or a royall mother,
It had bene faire Sybilla, Queene of Creet.
Great Epires King, perufe thefe tragicke lines,
And in thy wonted bounty grant fupplies
To free my noble father.
Mel. Jupiter,
As I am Mellifeus Epyres King,
Thou fhalt haue free affiftance.
Iup. Come then, Arme,
Affemble all the powers that we can leauy.
Archas, we make thee of Pelagia King,
As King lycaons Gran-childe, and the fonne
Of faire Califto. Let that Clime henceforth
Be cal'd Arcadia, and vfurpe thy name.
Go then and preffe th' Arcadians to the refcue
Of royall Satume, this great King and I
Will lead th' Epyrians. Faile me not to meet,
To redeeme Satume, and to refcue Creet.
Exeunt. Manet Clown.
Clown. I haue no mind to this buffeting : He walke
after faire and foftly, in hope that all the buffeting may
be done before I come. Whether had I better go
home by land, or by fea 1 If I go by land, and mif-
carry, then I go the way of all flefh. If I go by fea
and mif carry, then I go the way of all fifh : I am not
yet relolu'd. But howfoeuer, I haue done my meflage
The golden Age. 47
fo cleanly, that they cannot fay, the meffenger is be-
reau'd of any thing that belongs to his meffage.
Alarme. Enter Tytan, Lycaon, Enceladus, with
Saturne, luno, and Sibilla prif oners.
Tyt. Downe trecherous Lord, and be our foot-pace
now
To afcend our high tribunall. Wher's that God-
head
With which the people Auee'd thee to heauen 1
Encel. 'Tis funke into the deep Abyfme of hell.
Teare from his head the golden wreath of Creet.
Tread on his captiue bulke, and with thy weight
Great Tytan, finke him to the infernall fhades,
So low, that with his trunke, his memory
May be extinct in Lethe.
Sat. More then tyrannous
To triumph or'e the weake, and to oppreffe
The low deiected. Let your cruelty
Be the fad period of my wretchednefle :
Onely preferue my louely Juno's life,
And giue Sibilla freedome.
Encel. By thefe Gods,
We neither feare nor value, but contend
To equall in our adlions : both fhall dye.
There fhall no proud Saiurnian liue, to braue
The meaneft of the high-borne Tytanoyes.
Lyca. Raze from the earth their hatefull memory,
And let the bloud of Tytan fway the earth.
Speake, are the ports and confines ftrongly arm'd
'Gainft all inuafions 1
Tytan. Who dares damadge vs T
Let all the paffages be open left,
Vnguarded let our ports and hauens lye.
All danger we defpife, mifchance or dread
We hold in bafe contempt.
Encel. Conqueft is ours,
Maugre diuine, or bafe terreftrial powers. Alarme.
48 The golden Age.
Enter sEgeon.
sEge. Arme royall Titan, Arme Enceladus,
A pale of brandifht fleele hath girt thy land.
From the earths Cauernes breake infernall fires,
To make thy villages and hamlets burne.
Tempeftuous ruin in the fhape of warre
Clowds all thy populous kingdome, At my heeles
Confufion dogges me, and the voyce of death
Still thunders in mine eares.
Tyt. Ift poffible 1 Beare Saturne firft to prifon
Wee'l after parly them.
Ence. Come Angels arm'd, or Diuels clad in
flames,
Our fury fhall repel them. Come they girt
With power celeftiall, or infernall rage,
Wee'l Hand their fierce oppofure. Royall Titan,
ALgeon and Hyperion, d'on your armes,
Brauely aduance your ftrong orbicular fhields,
And in your right hands brandifh your bright fteele.
Drowne your affrightments in th' amazed founds
Of martiall thunder (Diapafon'd deep)
Wee'l ftand them, be they Gods ; (if men,) expell
Their ftrengthles force, and flownd them low as hell.
A Florijh. Enter marching K. Mellifeus, Iupiter,
Archas, Drumme andfouldiers.
Tit. Whence are you that intrude vpon our con-
fines?
Or what portend you in thefe hoftile founds
Of clamorous warre %
Iup. Tytans deftruclion,
With all the ruin of his giant race.
Tit. By what pretence or claime 1
Iup. In right of Saturne :
Whom againft law the Tytans haue depos'd.
Tit. What art thou fpeak'ft it ?
The golden Age. 49
Iup. I am Iupiter,
King Saturnes fonne, immediate heire to Creet.
Encel. There paufe, that word difables all thy
claime,
And proues that Tytan feates him in his owne.
Tyt. If Saturne (as thou fay'A) hath fonnes aliue,
His oath is broken, and we are iuftly feiz'd
Of Creta's Crowne by his late forfeiture.
sEge. Thy tongue hath fpoke thy owne deftrucTion,
Since whom K. Saturne fpaVd, our fwords mufl kill,
And he is come to offer vp that life
Which hath fo long beene forfeit.
Iup. Tyrants no :
The heauens preferu'd me for a further vfe,
To plague your Off-fpring that afflicl. the earth,
And with your threatnings fpurne againft the Gods.
Lyca. Now (halt thou pay me for Calijlds wrong,
Exiling me, and for difhonouring her.
Iup. Are you there Caniball 1 Man-eating woolfe ?
Lycaon, thou art much beholding to me,
I woman'd firft Califlo, and made thee
A grand-father. Dofl not thanke me for't ?
See heer's the Boy, this is Archadia's King.
No more Pelagia now, fince thy exile.
Tyt. To thee that ftil'fl thy felfe K. Saturnes
fonne :
Know thou waft doom'd before thy birth to dye,
Thy claime difabled, and in fauing thee
Thy father hath made forfeit of his Crowne.
Iup. Know Tytan I was borne free, as my father,
Nor had he power to take that life away
That the Gods freely gaue me. Tyrants fee,
Here is that life you by Indenture claime,
Seize it, and take it : but before I fall,
Death and deftruc"lion fhall confound you all.
Encel. Deftruclion is our vaflaile, and attends
Vpon the threatning of our ftormy browes.
We trifle howers. Arme all your fronts with horror,
Your hearts with fury, and your hands with death.
? E
50 The golden Age.
Thunder meet thunder, tempefls ftormes defie,
Saturne and all his iffue this day dye.
Alarme. The battels wine, Tytan is flaine, and his
party repuljl. Enter ALgeon.
JEge. Wher's now the high and proud Enceladus,
To (lop the fury of the Aduerfe foe,
Or flay the bafe flight of our daflard troupes ?
Tytan is flaine, Hyperion flrowes the earth,
And thoufands by the hand of lupiter
Are fent into blacke darkneffe. All that fland
Sink in the weight of his high Iouiall hand.
To fhun whofe rage, sEgeon thou mufl flye.
Creet with our hoped conquefls all adiew.
We mufl propofe new quefls, fmceSati/rnes fonne
Hath by his puiffance all our campe ore-runne. Exit.
Alarme. Enter Enceladus leading his Army, lupiter
leading his. They make ajland.
Ence. None flir, be all your armes cramp't &
difeas'd
Your fwords vn-vfefull, may your fleely glaues
Command your hands, and not your finewes them,
Till I by fingle valor haue fubdu'd
This murderer of my father.
Iup. Here he flands,
That mufl lor death haue honour at thy hands.
None interrupt vs, fmgly wee'l contend,
And 'twixt vs two giue thefe rude factions end.
Encel. Two royall armies then on both fides fland,
To view this flrange and dreadfull Monomachy.
Thy fall, Saturnian, addes to my renowne :
For by thy death I gaine the Cretan Crowne.
Iup. Death is thy due, I finde it in thy flarres,
Whil'fl our high name giues period to thefe warres.
The golden Age. 5 1
Alarm. They combat with iauelings firfl, after with
fwords and targets. Iupiter kits Enceladus, and
enters with victory. Iupiter, Saturne, Sibilla, Iuno,
Mellifeus, Arenas, with the Lords of Crcet.
Sat. Neuer was Saturne deifi'd till now,
Nor found that perfecTneffe the Gods enioy.
Heauen can allure no greater happinefTe
Then I attaine in fight of Iupiter.
Sib. Oh my deare fon, borne with my painful
throws,
And with the hazard of my life preferu'd,
How well haft thou acquitted all my trauels,
In this thy laft and famous victory ?
Iup. This tels me, that yon royall King of Crcet
My father is : and that renowned Queene
My mother : all which proues by circumflance,
That 'tis but duty, that by me's atchieu'd.
Onely yon beauteous Lady ftands apart,
I know not how to ftile.
Satu. 'Tis Iuno, and thy filler.
Iup. Oh my flars !
You feeke to make immortall, Iupiter.
Iuno. Iuno is onely happy in the fortunes,
Of her renowned brother.
Iup. Royall Saturne,
If euer I deferu'd well as a victor,
Or if my warlike deedes, yet bleeding new,
And perfect both in eyes and memory
May pleade for me : Oh if I may obtaine,
As one that merits, or intreate of you,
As one that owes : being titled now your fonne,
Let me efpoufe faire Iuno : and bright Lady
Let me exchange the name of fifler with you
And flile you by a neerer name of wife.
Oh be my fpoufe faire Iuno.
Iuno. Tis a name,
E 2
52 The golden Age.
I prife 'boue lifter, if thefe grace the fame.
Satu. What is it I'l deny my Jupiter ?
Shee is thy owne. I'l royalife thy nuptials
With all the folemne triumphes Creet can yeeld.
Melli. Epyre mail adde to thefe folemnities,
And with a bounteous hand fupport thefe triumphs,
Archas. So all Archadia (hall.
Satu. Then to our Pallace
Paffe on in ftate, let all raryeties
Showre downe from heauen a lardges, that thefe bridals
May exceede mortall pompe. March, March, and
leaue mee
To contemplate thefe ioyes, and to deuife,
How with befl ftate this night to folemnize.
They all march of and leaue Saturne alone.
Satu. Saturne at length is happy by his fonne,
Whofe matchleffe and vnriual'd dignities
Are without peere on earth, O ioy, ioy % corfme
Worfe then the throwes of child-birth, or the tor-
tures
Of blacke Cimmerian darkeneffe. Saturne, now
Bethinke thee of the Delphian Oracle :
He fhall his fathers vertue firft excell,
Seife Creet, and after driue him downe to hell.
The firft is paft : my vertues are exceeded :
The laft I will preuent, by force or treafon.
I'l worke his ruine 'ere he grow too hygh.
His ftarres haue caft it, and the boy fhall dy.
More fonnes I haue, more crownes I cannot winne,
The Gods fay he muft dy, and tis no finne.
Actus. 4. Sccena 1.
Enter Homer.
Homer. O blind ambition and defire of raine,
The golden Age. 53
What horri'd mifchiefe wilt not thou deuife I
The appetite of rule, and thirfl of raigne
Befots the foolifh, and corrupts the wife.
Behold a King fufpicious of his fonne,
Purfues his innocent life, and without caufe.
Oh blind ambition what haft thou not done
Againft religion, zeale and natures lawes ?
But men are borne their owne fates to purfue,
Gods will be Gods, and Saturne finds it true.
A dumbejhew. Enter Iupiter, Iuno, Mellifeus, Archas,
as to reuels. To them Saturne drawes his f word to
kill Iupiter, ivho onely defends hbnfelfe, but beeing
hotly purfu'd, drawes his /word, beates away
Saturne, feifeth his crowne, and fweares all the
Lords of Creet to his obeyfance,fo Exit.
Saturne againft his fonne his force extended,
And would haue flaine him by his tyrannous hand,
Whilft Iupiter alone his life defended.
But when no prayers his fury could withftand,
Hee vf 'd his force, his father droue from Creet,
And as the Oracle before had told
Vfurpt the Crowne, the Lords kneele at his feete,
And Saturnes fortunes are to exile fold.
But leauing him, of Danae that bright laffe,
How amorous Ioue firft wrought her to his power,
How fhee was clofed in a fort of braffe,
And how he skal'd it in a golden fhowre,
Of thefe we next muft fpeake, curtious and wife,
Help with your hands, for Homer wants his eyes.
A flourijh. Enter Iupiter, Iuno, the Lords of Creet,
Mellifeus, Archas, Neptune, and Pluto.
Iup. Our vnkind father double tyrrannous,
To profecute the vertues of his fonne,
Hath fought his owne Fate> and by his ingratitude
Left to our head th'Imperiall wreath of Creet :
54 The golden Age.
Which gladly we receiue. JNeptune from Athens,
And Pluto from the lower Tartarie
Both welcome to the Cretan Iupiter.
Thofe Starres that gouern'd our natiuity,
And ftript our fortunes from the hand of death,
Shall guard vs and maintaine vs.
Nept. Noble Saturne,
Famous in all things, and degenerate onely,
In that inhumaine pradlife 'gainft his fonnes,
Is fled vs, whom we came to vifite freely,
And filiall duties to exprefle. Great Athens
The nurfe and foflreffe of my infancy,
I haue inftructed in the fea-mans craft.
And taught them truely how to faile by ftarres
Befides the vnruly Iennet I haue tam'd
And train'd him to the faddle, for which pradlife
The horfe to mee is foly confecrate.
Pluto. I from the bounds of lower Tartarie
Haue trauel'd to the fertile plaines of Creet.
Nor am I lefle in luftre of my fame,
Then Neptune, or renowned Iupiter.
Thofe barren Kingdomes I haue richt with fpoiles,
And not a people trafhcks in thofe worlds,
For wealth or treafure, but we cuftome them,
And they inrich our coffers : our arm'd guards
Prey on their Camels, and their laden Mules,
And Pluto's through the world renown'd & fear'd.
And fince we haue mifl of Saturne lately fled,
It glads me yet, I freely may furuey
The honours of my brother Iupiter.
Nep. And beauteous Iuno, Empreffe of all hearts
Whom Neptutie thus embraceth.
Pluto. So doth Pluto.
Iun. All diuine honours crowne the royall tem-
ples
Of my two famous brothers.
lup. King Mellijeus welcome them to Creet.
Archas do you the like.
Melli. Princes your hands.
Tke golden Age. 55
Archas. You are my royall vnckles.
Iup. Nay hand him Lords, he is your kinfman
too.
Arclias my fonne, of faire Califlo borne,
I hope faire Iuno it offends not you, ,
It was before your time.
Iuno. Shee was a flrumpet.
Iup. Shee mail be a Starre.
And all the Queenes and beautious maides on earth
That are renown'd for high perfections,
We'l woe and winne, wee were borne to fway and
rule.
Nor mall the name of wife be curbe to vs,
Or fnaffle in our pleafures. Beauteous Io t
And faire Europa, haue by our tranmapes,
And guiles of loue already bene deflour'd,
Nor hues fhee that is worthy our defires,
But we can charme with court-fhip. Royal brothers
What newes of note is rumor'd in thofe Realmes,
Through which you made your trauels %
Nep. Haue you heard
Of great Acrifius, the braue Arges King,
And of his daughter Danae.
Iup. His renowne,
And her faire beauty oft hath peirc't our eares.
Nor can we be at peace, till we behold
That face fame hath fo blazond. What of her %
Nep. Of her inclofure in the Darreine Tower,
Guirt with a triple Mure of mining braffe.
Haue you not heard %
Iup. But we defire it highly.
What marble wall, or Adamantine gate,
What Fort of fleele, or Caflle forg'd from braffe,
Ix)ue cannot fcale % or beauty cannot breake through?
Difcourfe the nouell Neptune.
Nep. Thus it was.
The Queene of Arges going great, the King
Sends (as the cuflome is) to th'Oracle,
To know what fortunes fhall betide the babe.
56 The golden Age.
Anfwer's return'd by Phoebus and his Priefts :
The Queene (hall childe a daughter beautifull,
Who when Ihe growes to yeares, fliall then bring
forth
A valiant Princely boy, yet fuch a one
That fhall the King his grandfire turne to flone.
Danae is borne, and as fhe growes to ripeneffe,
So grew her fathers feare : and to preuent
His ominous fate pronounc'd by th'Oracle,
He mowlds this brazen Tower, impregnable
Both for the feat and guard : yet beautifull
As is the gorgeous palace of the Sunne.
Iup. Ill doth Acrifius to contend and warre
Againft th'unchanging Fates, I'le fcale that Tower :
Or raine downe millions in a golden fhower.
I long to be the father of that babe,
Begot on Danae, that fhall proue fo braue,
And turne the dotard to his marble graue.
Tis caft already : Fate be thou my guide,
Whim for this amorous iourney I prouide.
MeL But is the Lady there immur'd, and clos'd
From all fociety and fight of man %
Nept. So full of iealous feares is King Acrifius,
That, faue himfelfe, no man muft neere the Fort
Only a guard of Beldams pafl their lufls,
Vnfenfible of loue, or amorous pitty,
Partly by bribes hir'd, partly curb'd with threats,
Are guard vnto this bright imprifoned dame.
Plut. Too pittileffe, and too obdur's the King,
To cloyfler beauty from the fight of man.
But this concernes not vs.
Iup. That fort I'le fcale,
Though in attempting it be death to faile.
Brothers and Princes, all our Courts rarities
Lye open to your royal'fl entertainment
Yet pardon me, fince vrgence cals me hence
To an inforced abfence. Nay Queene luno
You muft be pleas'd, the caufe imports vs highly.
Feafl with thefe Princes till our free returne.
The golden Age. 57
Attendance Lords, we mud defcend in gold,
Or yon imprifoned beauty ne'r behold. Exit.
Enter foure old Beldams, with other women.
1. Beld. Heer's a coyle to keep fire and tow
a funder. I wonder the King (hould (hut his daughter
vp fo clofe : for any thing I fee, (he hath no minde to
a man.
2. Beld. Content your felfe, you fpeake according
to your age and appetite. We that are full fed may
praife fad. We that in our heate of youth haue drunke
our bellyfuls, may deride thofe that in the heate of
their blouds are athirfl. I meafure her by what I was,
not by what I am. Appetite to loue neuer failes an
old woman, till cracking of nuts leaues her. When
Danae hath no more teeth in her head then you and
I, Il'e trufl a man in her company, and fcarce then :
for if we examine our felues, wee haue euen at
thefe yeares, qualmes, and rhumes, and deuifes
comes ouer our (lomakes, when we but look on a
proper man.
1. Beld. That's no queflion, I know it by my felfe,
and whil'fl I (land centinell, I'le watch her for that I
warrant her.
2. Bel. And haue we not reafon, considering the
penalty 1
1. Bel. If any (land centinel in her quarters,
we (hall keep quarter here no longer. If the
Princefle mifcarry we (hall make gun-powder, and
they (ay an old woman is better for that then
Saltpeter.
The 'larme bell rings.
3. Beld. The larme bell rings,
It fhould be K. Acrifius by the found of the
clapper.
4. Beld. Then clap clofe to the gate and let
him in.
58 The golden Age.
Enter Acrifius.
Aert. Ladies well done : I like this prouidence
And caxefull watch ore Danae : let me finde you
Faithlefle, you dye, be faithhill and you liue
Eterniz'd in our loue. Go call her hither,
Be that your charge : the reft keep watchfull eye
On your percullift entrance, which forbids
All men, faue vs, free paffage to this place.
See ! Danae is defcended. Faire daughter
Enter Danae.
How do you brook this palace %
Dan. Like a prifon :
What is it elfe 1 you giue me golden fetters,
As if their value could my bondage leffen.
Acri. The architectur's fumptuous, and the building
Of coft inualuable, fo rich a ftructure
For beauty, or for ftate, the world afifoords not.
Is not thy attendance princely, like a Queenes ?
Are not all thefe thy vaffails to attend %
Are not thy chambers faire, and richly hung %
The walkes within this barricadoed mure
Full of delight and pleafure for thy tafte
And curious palate, all the chiefeft cates
Are from the furtheft verges of the earth
Fetch't to content thee. What diftaftes thee then %
Dan. That which alone is better then all thefe,
My liberty. Why am I cloyfter'd thus,
And kept, a prifoner from the fight of man 1
What hath my innocence and infancy
Deferu'd to be immur'd in brazen walls ?
Can you accufe my faith, or modefty t
Hath any loofe demeanour in my carriage
Bred this diftruft 1 hath my eye plaid the rioter ?
Or hath my tongue beene lauifh ? haue my fauours
Vn-virginlike, to any been profufe,
That it Ihould breed in you fuch ieloufie,
Or bring me to this durance ?
The golden Age. 59
Acri. None of thefe.
I loue my Danae. But when I record
The Oracle, it breeds fuch feare in me,
That makes this thy reteinement.
Danae. The Oracle 1
Wherein vnto the leafl of all the Gods
Hath Danae beene vnthankfull, or profane,
To bondage me that am a princefTe free,
And votarefle to euery deity ?
Acri. I 'e tell thee Lady. The vnchanging mouth
Of Phoebus, hath this Oracle pronoun'ft,
That Danae Ihall in time childe fuch a fonne
That (hall Acrifius change into a flone.
Danae. See your vaine feares. What leffe could
Phoebus fay %
Or what hath Danae's fate deferu'd in this ?
To turne you into (lone ; that's to prepare
Your monument, and marble fepulcher.
The meaning is, that I a fonne mail haue,
That when you dye lhall beare you to your graue.
Are you not mortall ? would you euer liue ?
Your father dy'd, and to his Monument
You like a mourner did attend his herfe.
What you did to your father, let my fonne
Performe to you, prepare your fepulcher.
Or lhall a flranger beare you to your tombe,
When from your owne bloud you may (lore a
Prince
To do thofe facred rights : or fhall vaine feares
Cloifter my beauty, and confume my yeares ?
Acri. Our feares are certaine, and our doome as
fix't
As the decrees of Gods. Thy durance here
Is without limit endlefle. Go attend her Exit Danae.
Vnto her chamber, there to liue an Ankreffe
And changeleffe virgin, to the period
Of her laft hower. And you, to whom this charge
Solely belongs, banifh all womanifli pitty :
Be deafe vnto her prayers, blinde to her teares,
60 The golden Age.
Obdure to her relenting paflions.
Should fhe (as heauen and th'Oracle forbid)
By your corrupting loofe that precious Gemme
We haue fuch care to keepe and locke fafe vp :
Your liues are doom'd. Be faithfull we defire,
And keepe your bodies from the threatned fire. Exit.
1. Beld. Heauen be as chary of your Highnefle
life,
As we of Danais honour. Now if lhee bee a right
woman, lhee will haue a mind onely to loofe that,
which her father hath fuch care to keepe. There is a
thing that commonly ftickes vnder a womans fto-
macke.
2. Beld. What do we talking of things 1 there mull
be no meddling with things in this place, come let vs
fet our watch, and take our lodgings before the Princelfe
chamber. Exit.
Enter Iupiter like a Pedler, the Clowne his man, with
packs at their backes.
Iup. Sirrah, now I haue fworne you to fecrecy at-
tend your charge.
Clow. Charge me to the mouth, and till you giue
fire I'l not of.
Iup. Thou know'ft I haue fluft my packe with rich
iewels, to purchafe one iewell worth all thefe.
Clowne. If your pretious ftones were fet in that
Iewell it would be braue wearing.
Iup. . If we get entrance, footh me vp in all things :
& if I haue recourfe to the Princelfe, if at any time
thou feed me whifper to her, find fome tricke or other
to blinde the Beldams eyes.
Clow. Shee that hath the belt eyes of them all, I
haue a trick to make her nofe Hand in her light.
Iup. No more K. Iupiter but goodman Pedler,
remember that.
Clow. I haue my memorandums about mee. As
I can beare a packe, fo I can beare a braine, & now I
The golden Age. 6 1
talke of a packe, though I know not of the death of
any of your freinds, I am forry for your heauineffe.
Iup. Loue and my hopes doe make my loade
feeme light,
This wealth I will vnburthen in the purchafe
Of yon rich beauty. Prethee ring the bell.
Clow. Nay do you take the rope in your hand for
lucke fake. The morall is, becaufe you fhall ring
all-in.
He rings the bell, Enter tfu 4 Beldams.
Iup. I care not if I take thy counfell.
1. Beld. To the gate, to the gate, and know who
'tis ere you open.
2. Beld. I learn't that in my youth, ftill to know
who knockt before I would open.
Iup. Saue you gentle Matrons : may a man be fo
bold as aske what he may call this rich and ftately
Tower?
3. Beld. Thou feem'fl a flranger to aske fuch a
queftion,
For where is not the tower of Darreine knowne ?
Clow. It may be cal'd the tower of Barren for
ought I fee, for heere is none but are paft children.
4. Beld. This is the rich and famous Darreine
Tower,
Where King Acrifius hath inclof d his daughter,
The beautious Danae, famous through the world
For all perfections.
Iup. Oh then 'tis heere ; I here I muft vnload.
Comming through Creet, the great King lupiter
Intreated me to call here at this Tower,
And to deliuer you fome fpeciall Iewels,
Of high prif 'd worth, for he would haue his bdunty
Renown'd through all the earth. Downe with your
packe,
For here muft wee vnload.
1. Beld. Iewels to vs ?
62 The golden Age.
2. Beld. And from lupiter i
Iup. Now gold proue thy true vertue. Thou
canft all things and therefore this.
3. Beld. Comes he with prefents, and fhall he vn-
packe at the gate ? nay come into the Porters lodge
good Pedlers.
Clowne. That Lady hath fome manners, fhee hath
bene well brought vp I warrant her.
4. Beld. And I can tell thee pedler, thou haft that
curtefy that neuer any man found but the King
Acrifius.
Iup. You fhall be well paid for your curtefy,
Here's firft for you, for you, for, for you, for you.
1 . Beld. Rare !
2. Beld. Admirable !
3. Beld. The belt that ere I faw !
4. Beld. I'l run and (hew mine to my Lady.
' 1. Beld. Shut the gate for feare the King come,
and if he ring clap the Pedlers into fome of yon old
rotten corners. And hath K. lupiter bene at all this
coft ? hee's a courteous Prince, & bountifull. Keepe
you the pedler company, my Lady fhall fee mine
too.
Iup. Meane you the Princefle Danae% I haue
tokens from lupiter to her too.
1. Bel. Runne, runne, you that haue the beft
legges, and tell my Lady. But haue you any more of
the fame?
Clowne. Haue we quoth he? We haue things
about vs, wee haue not fhewed yet, and that euery
one muft not fee, would make thofe few teeth in your
head to water, I would haue you thinke, I haue ware
too as well as my Mayfter.
Enter inflate Danae with the Beldams, looking vpon
three feuerall iewels.
1. Bel. Yonder's my Lady. Nay neuer bee
abafht Pedler, There's a face will become thy iewels,
The golden Age. 63
as well as any face in Creel or Arges either. Now
your token.
Iup. I haue loft it Tis my heart, beauty of
Angels,
Thou art o're matcht, earth may contend with heauen,
Nature thou haft to make one compleate creature
Cheated euen all mortality. This face
Hath rob'd the morning of her blufh, the lilly
Of her blanch't whitnes, and like theft committed
Vpon my foule : (hee is all admiration.
But in her eyes I ne're faw perfect luftre.
There is no treafure upon earth but yonder.
Shee is 1 (oh I (hall loofe my felfe)
Clowne. Nay Sir, take heed you be not (melt
out.
lupi. I am my felfe againe.
Dan. Did hee beftow thefe freely 1 Danae' s guard
Are much indebted to King Iupiter.
If he haue (lore wee'l buy Tome for our vfe,
And wearing. They are wondrous beautifull,
Where's the man that brought them 1
1. Beld. Here forfooth Lady, hold vp your head
and blu(h not, my Lady will not hurt thee, I warrant
thee.
Iup. This iewell Madam did King Iupiter
Command me to leaue heere for Danae.
Are you fo fti'ld 1
Danae. If fent to Danae,
'Tis due to me. And would the King of Creet,
Knew with what gratitude we take his gift.
Iup. Madame he (hall. Sirrah fet ope your pack,
And what the Ladies like let them take freely.
Dan. Much haue I heard of his renowne in
armes,
His generoufnefte, his vertues, and his fulnefle
Of all that Nature can bequeath to man.
His bounty I now taft, and I could wi(h,
Your eare were his, that I might let him know
What intereft he hath in me to command.
64 The golden Age.
Iup. His eare is myne, let me command you
then.
Behold I am the Cretan, Iupiter,
That rate your beauty aboue all thefe gems,
What cannot loue, what dares not loue attempt ?
Defpight Acrifius and his armed guards,
Hether my loue hath brought me to receiue
Or life or death from you, onely from you.
Dan. We are amaz'd, and the large difference
Betwixt your name and habite, breeds in vs
Feare and diftruft. Yet if I cenfure freely
I needes mufl thinke that face and perfonage
Was ne're deriu'd from bafeneffe. And the fpirit
To venture and to dare to court a Queene
I cannot (tile leffe then to be a Kings.
Say that we grant you to be Iupiter,
What thence inferre you ?
Iup. To loue Iupiter.
Dan. So far as Iupiter loues Danais honour,
So farre will Danae loue Iupiter.
2 . Beld. We waight well vpon my Lady.
Iup. Madam you haue not feene a cleere flone,
For colour or for quickneffe. {fweeteyour eare.
Dan. Beware your ruine, if yon Beldams heare.
Iup. Sirra fhew all your wares, and let thofe Ladies
belt pleafe themfelues.
Clowne. Not all at thefe yeares. I fpy his
knauery. Now would he haue mee keepe them
bufied, whilfl he courts the Lady.
3. Beld. Doth my Lady want nothing ?
Shee laokes backe.
Clown. As for example, heer's a filuer bodkin,
this is to remoue dandriffe, and digge about the roots
of your filuer-hair'd furre. This is a tooth-picker, but
you hauing no teeth, heere is for you a corrall to rub
your gums. This is cal'd a Maske,
1. Beld. Gramarcy for this, this is good to hide
my wrinckles, I neuer fee of thefe afore.
Clown. Then you haue one wrinckle more behinde.
Tfie golden Age. 65
You that ar« dim ey'd put this pittiful fpe<5lacle vpon
your nofe.
Iup. As I am fonne of Saturne, you haue wrong
To be coop't vp within a prifon ftrong.
Your father like a mifer cloyfters you,
But to faue coft : hee's loth to pay your dower,
And therefore keepes you in this brazen Tower.
What are you better to be beautifull,
When no mans eye can come to cenfure it ?
What are fweet cates vntafted ? gorgeous clothes
Vnworne ? or beauty not beheld ? yon Beldams
With all the furrowes in their wrinkled fronts
May claime with you like worth ; ey and compare.
For eye to cenfure you none can, none dare.
Dan. All this is true.
Iup. Oh thinke you I would lye
(With any faue Danae.) Let me buy
This iewell, your bright loue, though rated higher
Then Gods can giue, or men in prayers defire.
Dan. You couet that, which faue the Prince of
Creet
None dares.
Iup. That fhewes how much I loue you (fweet)
I come this beauty, this rare face to faue,
And to redeeme it from this brazen graue.
Oh do not from mans eye this beauty skreene,
Thefe rare perfections, which no earthly Queene
Enioyes faue you : 'twas made to be admir'd.
The Gods, the Fates, and all things haue confpir'd
With Iupiter, this prifon to inuade,
And bring it forth to that for which 'twas made.
Loue Jupiter, whofe loue with yours (hall meet,
And hauing borne you hence, make at your feet
Kings lay their crownes, & mighty Emperours kneele :
Oh had you but a touch of what I feele,
You would both love and pitty.
Dan. Both I do.
But all things hinder, yet were Danae free,
She could affe<fl the Cretan.
3 F
66 The golden Age.
Iup. Now by thee
(For what I mod affect, by that I fweare)
I from this prifon will bright Danae beare,
And in thy chamber will this night fad feale
This couenant made.
Dan. Which Danae mud repeale.
Iup. You fhall not, by this kiffe.
i. Beld. Tis good to haue an eye.
(She lookes backe.)
Clown. Your nofe hath not had thefe fpeclacles on
yet.
Dan. Oh Iupiter.
Iup. Oh Danae.
Dan. I mud hence :
For if I day, I yeeld : Il'e hence, no more.
Iup. Expect me for I come.
Dan. Yon is my doore,
Dare not to enter there. I will to red.
Attendance.
Iup. Come I will.
Dan. You had not bed. Exit Danae.
2. Beld. My Lady calls. Wee haue trifled the
night till bed-time. Some attend the Princeffe :
others fee the Pedlers pack't out of the gate.
Clown. Will you thrud vs out to feeke our lodging
at Midnight. We haue paid for our lodging, a man
would thinke, we might haue laine cheaper in any
Inne in Arges i
Iup. This cadle dands remote, no lodging neere,
Spare vs but any corner here below,
Bee't but the Inner porch, or the lead daire-cafe,
And we'l begone as early as you pleafe.
2. Beld. Confider all things, we haue no reafon to
deny that. What need we feare % alas they are but
Pedlars, and the greated Prince that breathes would
be aduis'd ere he durd prefume to court the princeffe
Danae.
I. Beld. He court a princeffe ? hee lookes not with
the face. Well pedlers, for this night take a nap vpon
The golden Age. 67
fome bench or other, and in the morning be ready to
take thy yard in thy hand to meafure me fome fluffe,
and fo to be gone before day. Well, good-night, we
muft attend our princeffe.
Iup. Gold and reward, thou art mighty, and haft
power
O're aged, yong, the foolifh, and the wife,
The chafte, and wanton, fowle, and beautifull :
Thou art a God on earth, and canft all things.
Cloiun. Not all things, by your leaue. All the
gold in Creete cannot get one of yon old Crones with
childe. But fhall we go fleepe ?
Iup. Sleep thou, for I muft wake for Danae.
Hence cloud of bafeneffe, thou haft done inough
To bleare yon Beldams. When I next appeare
Hee puts off his difguife.
To yon bright Goddefle, I will fhine in gold,
Deck't in the high Imperiall robes of Creet,
And on my head the wreath of Maiefty :
For Ornament is a preuailing thing,
And you bright Queene I'le now court like a King.
Exit.
Enter thefoure old Beldams, drawing out Danae's bed-.
Jhe in it. They place foure tapers at the foure corners.
Dan. Command our Eunuch's with their pleating* ft
tunes
To charme our eyes to reft Leaue vs all, leaue vs.
The God of dreames hath with his downy fanne
Swept or"e our eye-lids, and fits heauy on them.
1. Bel. Hey-ho, Sleepe may enter in at my mouth,
if he be no bigger then a two-peny-loafe.
Dan. Then to your chambers, & let wakeleffe
(lumbers
Charme you in depth of filence and repofe.
All. Good night to thee faire Danae.
Dan. Let mufick through this brazen fortrelTe
found
Till all our hearts in depth of fleepe be drown'd.
F 2
68 The golden Age.
Enter Iupiter crown! d with his Imperiall Robes.
Iup. Silence that now hath empire through the
world
Expreffe thy power and Princedoms Charming
fleepe
Deaths yonger brother, (hew thy felfe as flill-leffe
As death himfelfe. None feeme this night to hue,
Saue Ioue and Danae. But that Goddeffe wonne
Giue them new life breath'd with the morning funne,
Yon is the doore, that in forbidding me
She bad me enter. Womens tongues and hearts
Haue different tunes : for where they moil defire,
Their hearts cry on, when their tongues bid retire.
Al's whift, I heare the fnorting Beldams breathe
Soundneffe of fleepe, none wakes faue Loue and we
Yon bright imprifoned beauty to fet free.
Oh thou more beauteous in thy nakednefle
Then ornament can adde to
How fweetly doth fhe breath % how well become
Imaginary deadnefle 1 But II' e wake her
Vnto new life. This purchafe I mufl win,
Heauens gates Hand ope, and Jupiter will in.
Danae 1 He lyes vpon her bed.
Dan. Who's that ?
Iup. 'Tis I, K. Iupiter.
Dan. What meane you Prince 1 how dare you
enter here ?
Knowing if I but call, your life is doom'd,
And all Creetes treafure cannot guard your perfon.
Iup. You tell me now how much I rate your
beauty,
Which to attaine, I call my life behinde me,
As lou'd much lefle then you.
Dan. Il'e loue you too,
Would you but leaue me.
Iup. Repentance I'd not buy
At that high rate, ten thoufand times to dye.
You are mine owne, fo all the Fates haue fed.
TJu golden Age. 69
And by their guidance come I to your bed.
The night, the time, the place, and all confpire
To make me happy in my long defire.
Acrifius eyes are charm'd in golden fleepe,
Thofe Beldams that were plac't your bed to keepe,
All drown'd in Lethe (faue your downy bed,
White (hetes, and pillow where you reft your head)
None heares or fees ; and what can they deuife,
When they (heauen knowes) haue neither eares nor
eyes.
Dan. Befhrow you fir, that for your amorous
pleafure
Could thus fort all things, perfon, place, and leafure.
Exclaime I could, and a loud vproare keepe,
But that you fay the Crones are all a fleepe :
And to what purpofe fhould I raife fuch feare,
My voyce being foft, they faft, and cannot heare %
Iup. They are deafe in reft, then gentle fweet ly
further,
If you fhould call, I thus your voyce would murther,
And ftrangle with my kiffes.
Dan. Kiffes, tufh.
I'le fmke into my fheetes, for I fhall blufh.
I'le diue into my bed.
Iup. And I behind ?
No : wer't the Ocean, fuch a gemme to find,
I would diue after.
lupiter puts out the lights and makes vnready.
Dan. Good my Lord forbeare
What do you meane ? (oh heauen) is no man neere,
If you will needs, for modefties chaft law,
Before you come to bed, the curtaines draw,
But do not come, you fhall not by this light,
If you but offer't, I fhall cry out right
Oh God, how hoarfe am I, and cannot 1 fie
Danae thus naked and a man fo nye.
Pray leaue me fir : he makes vnready ftill,
Well I'le euen winke, and then do what you will.
Jo The golden Age.
The bed is drawne in, and enter the Clowne new wak't.
Clowne. I would I were out of this tower of
Brafle, & from all thefe brazen fac't Beldams : if we
mould fall afleepe, and the King come and take vs
napping, where were we % My Lord ftaies long, &
the night growes fhort, the thing you wot of hath coft
him a fimple fort of Iewels. But if after all this coft,
the thing you wot of would not do : If the pedler
mould fhew himfelfe a pidler, he hath brought his hogs
to a faire market. Fye vpon it, what a fnorting for-
ward and backeward thefe Beldams keep ? But let
them fleepe on, fome in the houfe I am fure are
awake, and ftirring too, or I miffe my aime. Well,
here muft I fit and waite the good howre, till the gate
be open, and fuffer my eyes to do that, which I am
fure my cloake neuer will, that is, to take nap. Exit.
Enter Iupiter and Danae in her night-gowne.
Danae. Alaffe my Lord I neuer lou'd till now,
And will you leaue me ?
Iup. Beauteous Queene I muft,
But thus condition'd ; to returne againe,
With a ftrong army to redeeme you hence,
In fpight of Arges^ and Acrifius,
That doom's you to this bondage.
Danae. Then fare-well.
No fooner meete but part 1 Remember me ;
For you great Prince I neuer fhall forget !
I feare you haue left too fure a token with me
Of your remembrance.
Iup. Danae, be't a fonne,
It fhall be ours when we haue Arges wonne.
Danae. But fhould you faile ?
Iup. I fooner fhould forget
My name, my ftate, then faile to pay this debt,
The day-ftarre 'gins t' appeare, the Beldams ftir,
Ready t' vnlocke the gate, faire Queene adue.
The golden Age. 71
Dan. All men proue falfe, if loue be found vn-
true. Exit.
Iup. My man ?
Clown. My Lord.
Iup. Some cloud to couer mee, throw or'e ray
moulders
Some fhadow for this date, the Crones are vp,
And waite t' vnprifon vs, nay quickly fellow.
Clow. Here My Lord, cad your old cloake about
you.
Enter thefoure Beldams in haft.
1. Beld. Where be thefe Pedlers 1 nay quickly, for
heauen fake : the gate is open, nay when 1 fare-well
my honed friends, and do our humble duties to the
great King Iupiter.
Iup. King Iupiter (hall know your gratitude, Fare-
well.
2. Beld. Nay, when I fay fare- well, fare- well.
Clow. Farewell good Miniuers.
Exeunt diuers waies.
Actus. 5. Scaen. 1.
Enter Homer.
Horn. Faire Danae doth his richeft Iewell weare.
That fonne of whom the Oracle foretold
Which coft both mother and the grand-fire deare
Whofe fortunes further leafure (hall vnfold :
Thinke Iupiter return'd to Creet in haft,
To leuy armes for Danaes free releafe,
(But hindred) till the time be fully pad,
For Saturne once more will didurbe his peace.
72 The golden Age.
A dumbejhew. Enter King Troos and Ganimed with
attendants, To him, Saturne makes fuite for aide,
Jhewes the King his models, his inuentions, his
feuerall mettals, at the Jlrangneffe of which King
Troos is moued, cats for drum, and collors, and
marches with Saturne.
The exil'd Saturne by King Troos is aided,
Troos that gaue Troy her name, and there raigned
King,
Creet by the helpe of Ganimed 's inuaded,
Euen at that time when It ue mould fuccors bring
To refcue Danae, and that warlike power.
Mufl now his natiue Teritories guard,
Which mould haue brought her from the brazen
tower,
(For to that end his forces were prepar'd)
We grow now towards our port and wifhed bay,
Gentles your loue, and Homer cannot ilray.
Enter Neptune and Pluto.
Nep. Whence are thefe warlike preparations,
Made by the King our brother.
Plu. 'Tis giuen out,
To conquer Arges. But my fitter Iuno
Sufpecls fome amorous purpofe in the King %
Nep. And blame her not, the faire Europaes rape,
Brought from sEgenor, and the Cadmian rape,
Io the daughter of old Inachus,
Deflour'd by him ; the louely Semele,
Faire Leda daughter to King Tyndarus
With many more, may breed a iuft fufpecl,
Nor hath hee fpar'd faire Ceres Queene of Graine,
Who bare to him the bright Proferpina.
Such fcapes may breed iuft feares, & what knowes
fhee
But thefe are to furprife faire Danae.
The golden Age. 73
Sound. Enter Iupiter, Archas, with drum and
fouidiers.
Iup. Arme royall brothers, Creefs too fmall an He,
To comprehend our greatneffe, we mud adde
Arges and Greece to our Dominions.
And all the petty Kingdomes of the earth,
Shall pay their homage vnto Saturnes fonne,
This day wee'l take a mufler of our forces,
And forward make for Arges.
Archas. All Archadia
Affemble to this purpofe.
Iup. Then fet on.
The Eagle in our enfigne wee'l difplay,
loue and his fortunes guide vs in our way.
Enter King Mellifeus.
Melli. Whether intends the King this warlike
march?
Iup. For Arges and Acrifius.
Melli. Rather guard,
Your natiue confines, fee vpon your Coafl,
Saturne with thirty thoufand Troians landed
And in his aid King Troos and Ganimed.
Iup. In neuer worfe time could the Tyrant come
Then now, to breake my faith with Danae.
Oh beauteous loue, I feare Acrifius ire
Will with feuerefl cenfure chafiice thee,
And thou wilt deeme me faithlefle and vnkinde
For promife-breach, (but what we mufl we muft)
Come valiant Lords, wee'l firfl our owne defend
Ere againft forreine climes our arme extend.
Sownd. Enter with drum and colours, King Troos,
Saturne, Ganimed, with other Lords and attendants.
Sat. Degenerate boyes, bafe baflards, not my
fonnes,
74 The golden Age.
Behold the death we threatned in your Cradles
We come to giue you now. See here King Troos
In pitty of depofed Saturnes wrongs,
Is come in perfon to chaftice your pride,
And be the heauens relentleffe Iufticer.
Iup. Not againft Saturne as a Father, we,
But as a murderer, lift our oppofite hands.
Nature and heauen giues vs this priuiledge,
To guard our hues gainfl tyrants and inuaders,
That claime we, as we're men, we would but Hue :
Then take not from vs, what you cannot giue.
Tro. Where hath not Saturns fame abrode bene
fpred
For many vfes he hath giuen to man ;
As Nauigation, Tillage, Archery,
Weapons and gold 1 yet you for all thefe vfes
Depriue him of his kingdome.
Plut. We but faue
Our Innocent bodies from th' abortiue graue.
Nep. We are his fonnes, let Saturne be content
To let vs keepe what Heauen and Nature lent.
Gam. Thofe filiall duties you fo much forget
We come to teach you. Royall Kings to armes,
Giue Gammed the onfet of this battell,
That being a fonne knowes how to lecture therr,
And chaftice their tranfgreflions.
Sat. Gammed,
It fhall be fo, powre out your fpleene and rage
On our proud Iffue. Let the thirfty foyle
Of barren Creet quaffe their degenerate blouds,
And furfeit in their finnes. All Saturnes hopes
And fortunes are ingag'd vpon this day.
It is our laft, and all, bee't our endeuour
To win't for ay, or elfe to loofe it euer.
Alar me. The battels ioyne, the Troians are repuTJl.
Enter Troos and Saturne.
Tut. Our Troians are repul'ft, wher's Gammed ?
The golden Age. 75
Sat. Amid'fl the throng of weapons, acting won-
ders.
Twice did I call alowd to haue him flye,
And twice he fwore he had vow'd this day to dye.
Troos. Let's make vp to his refcue.
Sat. Turn, tis vaine.
To feeke to faue him we fhall loofe our felues.
The day is loft, and Ganimed loft too
Without diuine affi fiance. Hye my Lord
Vnto your fhippes, no fafety Hues a land,
Euen to the Oceans margent we are purfu'd,
Then faue your felfe by fea.
Troos. Creet thou haft wonne
My thirty thoufand Souldiers, and my Sonne,
Come, let's to fea. Exit.
Sat. To fea muft Saturne too,
To whom all good ftarres are ftill oppofite.
My Crowne I firft bought with my infants bloud,
Not long enioy'd, till Tytan wrefted it ;
Re-purchaft, and re-loft by Iupiter.
Thefe horrid mifchiefes that haue crown'd our brows,
Haue bred in vs fuch ftrange diftemprature,
That we are growne deiecled and forlorne.
Our bloud is chang'd to Inke, our haires to quils,
Our eyes halfe buried in our quechy plots.
Confumptions and cold agues haue deuour'd
And eate vp all our flefh, leauing behinde
Nought faue the Image of defpaire and death :
And Saturne fhall to after ages be
That ftarre, that fhall infufe dull melancholy.
To Italy I'le flye, and there abide,
Till diuine powers my place aboue prouide. Exit.
Alartne. Enter Ganimed compajl in with foldiers, to
them Iupiter, Neptune, Pluto, Archas, Mellifeus.
Iup. Yeeld noble Troian, ther's not in the field
One of thy Nation lifts a hand faue thee.
Gani. Why that's my honour, when alone I ftand
j 6 The golden Age.
Gainft thee and all the forces of thy land.
flip. I loue thy valour, and would woo thy friend-
fhip,
Go freely where thou wilt, and ranfomleffe.
Gan. Why that's no gift : I am no prifoner,
And therefore owe no ranfome, hauing breath,
Know I haue vow'd to yeeld to none faue death.
Iup. I wifh thee nobly Troian, and fince fauour
Cannot attaine thy love, I'le try conclusions,
And fee if I can purchafe it with blowes.
Gan. Now fpeak'ft thou like the nobleft of my
foes.
Iup. Stand all a-part, and Princes girt vs round.
Gan. I loue him beft, whofe ftrokes can lowdeft
found.
Alar me, they fight ', and loofing their weapons embrace.
Iup. I haue thee, and will keep thee.
Gan. Not as prifoner.
Iup. A prifoner to my loue, elfe thou art free,
My bofome friend, for fo I honour thee.
Gan. I am conquer'd both by Armes and
Courtefie.
Nept. The day is ours, Troos and K. Saturn's
fled,
And Iupiter remaines fole conquerour.
Plu. Peace with her golden wings houers ore
Creet,
Frighting hence difcord and remorflefle warre :
Will Iupiter make up for Arges now?
Melt. Winter drawes on, the fea's vn-nauigable,
To tranfport an Army. There attends without
A Lord of Arges.
Iup. Bring him to our prefence.
Enter Arges.
How ftands it with the beauteous Danae ?
Arg. L. As one diftreft by Fate, and miferable.
The golden Age. 77
Of K. Acrijlus, and his Fort of braffe,
Danaes inclofure, and her Beldam guard,
Who but hath heard ? yet through thefe brafen walles
Loue hath broke in, and made the maide a mother
Of a faire fonne, which when Acrifius heard,
Her female guard vnto the fier hee doomes,
His daughter, and the infant prince her fonne,
He puts into a maftles boat to fea,
To proue the rigor of the ftormy waues.
Iup. Acrifius, Arges, and the world fhall know
loue hath beene wrong'd in this : her further fortunes
Canft thou relate ]
Arges L. I can. As farre as Naples
The friendly winds her maftleffe boat tranfports,
There fuccourd by a curteous Fifher-man
Shee's firft releeu'd, and after that prefented
To King Pelonnus, who at this time reignes :
Who rauifht with her beauty, crownes her Queene,
And deckes her with th' Imperiall robes of ftate.
Iup. What we haue fcanted is fupph/d by fate.
Here then ceafe Armes, and now court amorous
peace
With folemne triumphes, and deere Ganimed,
Be henceforth cal'd The friend of Jupiter.
And if the Fates hereafter crowne our browes
With diuine honours, as we hope they fhall,
Wee'l flyle thee by the name of Cup-bearer,
To fill vs heauenly Nectar, as faire Hebe
Shall do the like to Iuno our bright Queene.
Here end the pride of our mortality.
Opinion, that makes Gods, muft flyle vs higher.
The next you fee vs, we in ftate muft fhine,
Eternized with honours more diuine. Exeunt omnes.
Enter Homer.
Homer. Of Danae Perfeus was that night begot,
Perfeus that fought with the Gorgonian fhield,
Whofe fortunes to purfue Time fuffers not.
78 The golden Age.
For that, we haue prepar'd an ampler field.
Likewife how Ioue with faire Alcmena lay :
Of Hercules, and of his famous deeds,:
How Pluto did faire Proferpine betray :
Of thefe my Mufe (now trauel'd) next proceedes.
Yet to keepe promife, ere we further wade,
The ground of ancient Poems you fhall fee :
And how thefe (firft borne mortall) Gods were made,
By vertue of diuineft Poefie.
The Fates, to whom the Heathen yecld all power,
Whofe doomes are writ in marble, to endure,
Haue fummon'd Saturnes three fonnes to their Tower,
To them the three Dominions to affure
Of Heauen, of Sea, of Hell. How thefe are fcand,
Let none decide but fuch as vnderftand.
Sound a dumbe Jhew. Enter the three fatall fiflers,
•with a rocke, a threed, and a paire of Jheeres ;
bringing in a Gloabe, in which they put three lots.
Iupiter drawes heauen : at which Iris defcends
and prefents him with his Eagle, Crowne and
Scepter, and his thunder-bolt. Iupiter firjl afcends
vpon the Eagle, and after him Ganimed.
To Iupiter doth high Olimpus fall,
Who thunder and the trifulke lightning beares.
Dreaded of all the reft in generall :
He on a Princely Eagle mounts the Spheares.
Sound. Neptune drawes the Sea, is moimted vpon a
fea-horfe, a Roabe and Trident, with a crowne are
given him by the Fates.
Neptune is made the Lord of all the Seas,
His Mace a Trident, and his habite blew.
Hee can make Tempefts, or the waues appeafe,
And vnto him the Sea-men are flill true.
Sound, Thunder and Tempefl. Enter at \feuerall cor-
ners the 4 winds : Neptune rifeth diflurVd : the
The golden Age. 79
Fates bring the 4 winds in a ehaine, 6* prefcnt
them to JSolus, as their King.
And for the winds, thefe brothers that flill warre,
Should not difturbe his Empire, the three Fates
Bring them to JEolus, chain'd as they are,
To be inclof'd in caues with brazen gates.
Sound. Pluto drawes hell: tlie Fates put vpon him a
burning Roabe, and prefent him with a Mace, and
burning crowne.
Pluto's made Emperour of the Ghofts below.
Where with his black guard he in darknes raignes,
Commanding hell, where Styx and Lethe flow,
And murderers are hang'd vp in burning chaines.
But leauing thefe : to your iudiciall fpirits
I mud appeale, and to your wonted grace,
To know from you what ey-lefle Homer merits,
Whom you haue power to banifh from this place,
But if you fend me hence vncheckt with feare,
Once more I'l dare vpon this Stage t'appeare.
FINIS.
THE
SILVER AGE,
INCL VDING
The loue of Iupiter to Alcmena
The birth of Hercules,
AND
The Rape of PROSERPINE.
CONCLUDING,
With the Arraignement of the Moone.
Written ^THOMAS HEYWOOD.
Aut prodejfe folent aut delegare.
LONDON,
Printed by Nicholas Okes, and are to be folde by
Bcniamin Lightfoote at his Shop at the vpper
end of Grates Inne-lane in Holborne.
1613.
3 G
•
To the Reader,
Et not the Title of this booke I en-
treate bee any weakening of his worth,
in the generall opinion. Though wee
begunne with Gold, follow with Siluer,
proceede with Braffe, and purpofe by Gods
grace, to end with Iron. I hope the declining
Titles (hall no whit blemifh the reputation of
the Workes : but I rather truft that as thofe
Mettals decreafe in valew, fo e contrario, their
books fhall encreafe in fubftance, weight, and
eftimation. In this we haue giuen Hercules
birth and life : In the next wee fhall lend him
honour and death. Courteous Reader, it hath
bene my ferious labour, it now onely attends thy
charitable cenfure.
Thine,
T. H.
C 2
Dramatis Perfonae.
H
OMER.
Acrifius.
Q. A urea.
Pretus.
Andromeda.
Bellerophon.
Alcmena.
Perfeus.
Iuno.
Danaus.
Iris.
Jupiter.
Galantis.
Ganimcd.
Hypodamia.
Amphitrio.
Ceres.
Soda.
Prqferpine.
Eurijkus.
Semele.
Hercules.
Tellus.
Thefeus.
Arethufa.
Perithous.
A Guard.
Philocletes.
2. Captaines.
Mercury.
6. Centaur es.
Triton.
Seruingmen.
Pluto.
Swaines.
Cerberus.
Theban Ladies.
Rhadamantus.
Thefeuen Planets
Afculaphus.
Furies.
The Siluer Age.
Attus I. Sccena I.
Enter Homer.
Hnce moderne Authors, moderne things
haue trac't,
Serching our Chronicles from end to end,
And all knowne Hiftories haue long bene
grac't,
Bootlefle it were in them our time to fpend
To iterate tales oftentimes told ore,
Or fubiecls handled by each common pen ;
In which euen they that can but read (no more)
Can poynt before we fpeake, how, where, and when
We haue no purpofe : Homer old and blinde,
Of eld, by the bed iudgements tearm'd diuine,
That in his former labours found you kinde,
Is come the ruder cenfures to refine :
And to vnlocke the Casket long time fliut,
Of which none but the learned keepe the key,
Where the rich Iewell {Poefic) was put
She that firft fearch't the Heauens, Earth, Ayre, and
Sea.
We therefore begge, that fince fo many eyes,
And feuerall iudging wits muft tafle our ftile,
The leam'd will grace, the ruder not defpife :
86 The Siluer Age.
Since what we do, we for their vfe compile.
Why fhould not Homer, he that taught in Greece,
Vnto this iudging Nation lend like skill.
And into England bring that golden Fleece,
For which his country is renowned Hill.
The Golden pad, The Siluer age begins
In Iupiter, whofe fonne of Danae borne,
We firfl prefent, and how Acrifius finnes
Were punifh't for his cruelty and fcorne.
We enter where we left, and fo proceed,
(Your fauour ftill, for that muft helpe at need)
Alarme. Enter with viclory, K. Pretus, Bellero-
phon, bringing in K. Acrifius pr if oner, drum and
colours.
Pretus. Now you that trailed to your Darreine
ftrength,
The brazen tower that earft inclos'd thy childe,
Stand'fl at our grace, a captiue, and we now
Are Arges King, where thou vfurp'ft fo late.
Acrifius. Tis not thy power King Pretus, but our
rigor
Againft my daughter, and the Prince her fonne,
(Thus punifh't by the heauens) haue made thee
victor.
Pretus. Twas by thy valor, braue Bellerophon,
That took'fl Acrifius prifoner hand to hand.
Beller. The duty of a feruice and a feruant
I haue exprefl to Pretus.
Pretus. By thy valor.
We reigne fole King of Arges, where our brother
Hath tyrannis'd, and now thefe brazen walles,
Built to immure a faire and innocent maide,
Shall be thine owne Iayle. Gyue his legges in Irons,
Till we determine further of his death.
Acrifius. Oh Danae, when I rude and pittileffe
Threw thee with thy yong infant, to the mercy
Of the rough billowes, in a maftleffe boat,
The Siluer Age. 87
I then incur'd this vengeance. Jupiter,
Whofe father in thofe bled and happy dayes
I. fcorn'd to be, or ranke him in my line,
Hath chaftis'd me for my harfli cruelty.
Pretus. We are Ioues rod, and we will execute
The doome of heauen with all feuerity :
Such mercy as thy guardian Beldams had,
(Who for the loue of Danae felt the fire)
Thou fhalt receiue from vs. Away with him.
Acrifius is led bound, and enters Q. Aurea.
Aur. Why doth K. Pretus lead his brother bound,
And keepe a greater foe in liberty ?
This, this, thou mod vnchaft Bellerophon,
And canfl thou blufhleffe gaze me in the face 1
Whom thou fo lately didfl attempt to force,
Or front the Prince thy maifter with fuch impu-
dence,
Whofe reuerent bed thou haft practis'd to defile.
Beller. Madame, my Lord.
Aurea. Heare not th'adulterers tongue,
Who though he had not power to charme mine
eares,
Yet may inchaunt thine.
Pretus. Beauteous Aurea,
If I can proue by witneffe that rude practife,
His life and tortures Il'e commit to thee.
Aurea. What greater witneffe then Q. Aureds
teares 1
Or why fhould I hate you Bellerophon,
That (faue this pracTife) neuer did me wrong 1
Beller. Oh woman, when thou art giuen vp to fin
And fhameleffe lufts, what brazen impudence,
Hardens thy brow 1
Aurea. Shall I haue right of him ?
Pret. Thou fhalt : yet let me tell my Aurea :
This knight hath feru'd me from his infancy,
88 The Siluer Age,
Beene partner of my breafl and fecret thoughts :
His fword hath beene the guardian of my flate,
And by the vertue of his ftrong right hand,
I am pofieft of Arges. I could reade thee
A Chronicle of his great feruices
Frefh in my thoughts, then giue me leaue to paufe,
Ere I pronounce fad fentence of his death.
Aurea. Grant me my L. but a few priuate words
With this diflembling hypocrite : Il'e tell him
Such inflance of his heynous enterprife,
Shall make him blufh, and with efeminate teares,
Publifh his riotous wrongs again ft your bed .
Pretus. We grant your priuacy.
Aurea* Neare vs Bellerophon.
Beller, Oh woman, woman.
Aurea. We are alone, yet wilt thou grant me
loue,
Put me in hope, ,and fay the time may come,
And my excufe to Pretus fhall vnfay,
Thefe loud exclaimes, and blanch this sEthiop fcan-
dall,
As white as is thy natiue innocence :
Loue mee, oh loue mee, my Bellerophon
I figh for thee,T mourne, I die for thee,
Giue me an anfwere fwift and peremptory ;
Gaine by thy grant, life ; thy deniall, death.
Wilt thou take time and limite mee fome hope
By pointing me an houre %
Belleroph. Neuer, oh neuer.
Firft fhall the Sun-god in the Ocean quench,
The daies bright fire, and o're the face of heauen
Spread euerlafting darkneffe.
Aurea. Say no more.
Dogge, deuill, euen before my husbands face
Darft court me, Pretus canft thou fuffer this 1
Iniurious Traytor, think'ft thou my chaft innocence,
Is to bee mou'd with praifes, or brib'd by promifes ?
Hath the King hir'd thee to corrupt his bed ?
TJie Siluer Age. 89
Or is he of that flauifh fufferance,
Before his face to fee mee {trumpeted ?
Pretus, by heauen, and all the Gods I vow,
To abiure thy prefence, and confine my felfe
To lading widdow-hood, vnleffe with rigor
Thou challice this falfe groome.
Pretus. Bellerophon
Thou haft prefum'd too much vpon our loue,
And made too flight account of our high power
In which thy life or death is circumfcrib'd.
Beller. My Lord, I fhould tranfgreffe a Subiecls
duty,
To lay the lead groffe imputation
Vpon the Queene, my beauteous Souerainteffe,
And rather then to queftion her chafte vertues
I laie my felfe ope to the ftricleft doome,
My feruice hath bene yours, fo fhall my life,
I yeeld it to you freely.
Pretus. Aureas teares,
Contend with thy fuppofed innocence
And haue the vpper hand : to fee thee die
My fetled loue will not endure : but worfe
Then death can bee, we doome thy infolence ;
Go hence an exile, and returne no more
Vpon thy Knight -hood, but expofe thy felfe
Vnto to that monftrous bead of Cicily,
Cal'd the Chimera, t'hath a Lyons head,
Goats belly, and a poyfonous Dragons traine.
Fight with that beaft, whom Hoafts cannot with-
ftand,
And feede, what Armies cannot fatisfie.
My doom's irreuocable.
Beller. For all my feruice
A faire reward, but by my innocence,
Vertues, and all my honours attributes,
That fauadge Monfter I will feede, or foile,
Die by his iawes, or bring home honoured fpoile.
A urea. Yet, yet, thy body meedes a better graue,
And kill not mee too, whom thy grant may (aue.
§o The Siluer Age.
Belter. A thoufand fierce Chimerae's firft Pie
feede,
Ere Maine mine honour with that damned deed.
Aurea. Againe to tempt me, hence bafe traytor
flie,
And as thy guilt's meede, by that monfler die.
Pretus. Away with him, 'tis our milde fufferance
Begets this impudence, come beauteous Aurea
Thou (halt bee full reuenged, I know him honourable
In this, and will performe that enterprife
Which in one death brings many ; let vs now
Inioy our conquefts, hee fhall foone bee dead,
That with bafe Heights fought to corrupt our bed.
Enter Perfeus, Andromeda, and Danaus.
Perfeus. There flay our fwift and winged Pegafus,
And on the flowers of this faire Medow grafe,
Thou that firft flewft out of the Gorgons bloud,
Whofe head wee by Mineruaes aide par'd off,
And fmce haue fixt it on our Chriftall fheild.
This head that had the power to change to ftone,
All that durft gaze vpon't ; and being plac't here
Retaines that power to whom it is vncac'd :
Hath changed great Atlas to a Mount fo high,
That with his fhoulders hee fupports the skie.
Dana. Perfeus, great fonne of Ioue and Danae,
Famous for your atchieuements through the world
Mineruaes fauorite, Goddeffe of Wifedome,
And husband of the fweete Andromeda.
Whom you fo late from the Sea-monfter freed,
After fo many deedes of Fame and Honour,
Shall we returne to fee our mother Danae %
Perfeus. Deere brother Danaus, the renowned
iffue
Of King Pellonus that in Naples raignes,
Where beauteous Danae is created Queene,
Thither Fie beare the faire Andromeda
To fee our Princely mother.
TJie Siluer Age. 91
Andro. Royall Perfeus,
Trudy defcended from the line of Gods,
Since by the (laughter of that monftrous Whale,
You freed me from that rocke where I was fixt
To be deuoured and made the Monflers prey,
And after wonne me from a thoufand hands
By Phineus arme, that was my firft betroathed,
Ingrate were I your fellowfhip to fhunne
Whom by the force of Armes you twice haue won.
Enter Bellerophon.
Perfeus. Towards Naples then, but foft, what
Knight's that
So pafhonately deiecT. ? Let vs falute him,
Whence are you gentle Knight 1
Beller. I am of Arges.
Perfeus. But your aduenture 1
Beller. The infernall Monfter,
Cal'd the Chimera bred in Cicily.
Perfeus. Thou canfl not ftake thy life againfl fuch
oddes,
And not be generoufly deriu'd, I Perfeus
The fonne of Ioue and Danae, offer thee
Afliftance to this noble enterprife.
Beller. Are you the noble Perfeus whom the
world
Crownes with fuch praife and royall hardinefle ?
Fam'd for your winged fteed, and your Gorgons
fheild,
And for releafe of faire Andromeda ?
Perf Wee Perfeus are, and this Andromeda,
King Cepheus daughter, refcued by our fword,
The keene-edged harpe.
Beller. Let me do you honours
Worthy your State, and tell fuch newes withall
As fhall difturbe the quiet of your thoughts,
I am of Arges where Acrifius raigned.
Perf. Our Grand-fire, and raignes ftill.
92 The Siluer Age.
Beller. His brother Pretus
Hath cafl him both of ftile and kingdomc too,
Nor let Bellerophon himfelfe belie,
It was by vertue of this ftrong right arme
Which he hath thus requited, to expofe me
Vnto this ftrange aduenture, the full circumftance
I fhall relate at leafure.
Per/. Dares King Pretus
Depofe Acrifius, knowing Perfeus Hues 1
Guide me faire Knight vnto my place of birth,
Where the great King of Arges hues captiu'd,
That I may glaze my harpe in the bloud
Of Tyrant Pretus.
Beller. I am fworne by oath
To dare the rude Cycilian Monfter firft,
Whom hauing flaine, Fie guide you to the refcue
Of K. Acrifius.
Perfeus. Thou haft fir'd our bloud,
And ftartled all our fpirits Bellerophon,
Wee'l mount our Pegafus, and through the ayre
Beare thee, vnto that fell Chimeraes den :
And in the flaughter of that monftrous beaft
Affift thy valour. Thence to Arges flye,
Where by our fword th'vfurper next muft dye.
Beller. We are proud of your afliftance, and
withall
AfTur'd of Conqueft.
Perfeus. Faire Andromeda,
Danaus fhall be your guardian towards Arges,
Where after this atchieuement we will meet,
To giue our grand-fire freedome. Come, lets part,
We through the ayre, you towards Darreine towre, .
Where Tragicke mine Pretus fhall deuoure. Exeunt.
Enter K. Pretus, and Q. A urea.
Pretus. Aurea, we were too hafty in our doome,
To loofe that knight, whofe arme protected vs,
Whofe fame kept all our neighbour Kings in awe :
The Siluer Age. 93
Nor was our Mate confirm'd, but in his life.
Aurea. Let Traitors perifli, and their plots de-
cay,
And we Mill by diuine afliftance fway.
Pretus. But fay fome Prince fhould plot Acrifius
refcue,
Inuade great Arges, or fiege Darreine tower,
Then fhould we wifh Bellerophon againe,
To expofe their fury, and their pride reflraine.
Aurea. To cut off all thefe feares, cut off Acri-
fius,
Appeare to him a brother full as mercileffe
As he a cruell father to his childe,
The beauteous Danae and her infant fonne.
Pretus. Onely his ruine muft fecure our flate,
And he fhall dye to cut off future claime
Vnto this populous kingdome we enioy.
Our guard, command our captiue brother hither,
Whom we this day muft fentence. Oh Bellerophon !
Thy wrongs I halfe fufpect thy doome : Repent,
Since all thy ac~ls proclaime thee innocent.
Acrifius brought in by the guard.
Guar. Behold the King your brother.
Pretus. We thus fentence
Thy life Acrifius, thou that hadfl the heart
To thruft thy childe into a maflleffe boate ;
With a faire hopefull Prince, vnto the fury
And rage of the remorfleffe windes and waues :
To doome thefe innocent Ladies to the fire,
That were her faultleffe guardians, the like fentence
Receiue from vs : We doome thee imminent death
Without delay or paufe. Beare to the blocke
The tyrant, he that could not vfe his raigne
With clemency, we thus his rage reflraine.
Acrif. Thou fhew'fl thy felfe in rigor pittifull,
And full of mercy in thy cruelty,
To take away that life, which to enioy
Were many deaths, hauing my Datiac loft.
94 The Silucr Age.
With her fonne Perfeus : hauing loft my kingdome,
All through the vaine feares of Prophetike fpelles :
Why fhould I wifh a wretched life to faue,
That may reft happy in a peacefull graue 1
Aflourijh and afliout. Enter a gentleman.
Pre. What fhout is that 1 the proiecl ?
Genii. Strange and admirable.
Bellerophon and a braue ftranger knight,
Both crownd in bloud in the Chimeraes fpoyle,
Haue cleft the ayre on a fwift winged fteede,
And in your Court alighted ; both their fwords
Bath'd in the Serpents bloud, they brandifh ftill,
As if they yet fome monfter had to kill.
Pretus. Bellerophon return'd % Thou haft amaz'd
vs.
Enter Perfeus, Danaus, and Bellerophon, with Andro-
meda. Kill Pretus and Aurea, beat away the rejl
of the guard.
Perfeus. One monfter (then the rude Chimere
more fell)
That's Pretus, Danaes fonne muft fend to hell.
Pretus. Treafon. Our guard.
Perfeus. Liues there a man, the tyrant Pretus
dead,
Saith that the Crowne fhall not inueft his head 1
All. We all ftand for the King Acrifius.
Perf Then by this generall fuffrage once more
raigne,
Since by our hand th'vfurper here lyes flaine.
Acrifius. Our hopeleffe life, and new inuefted
ftate,
Strikes not fo deepe into Acrifius ioyes,
As when he heares the name of Danaes fonne.
Liues Danae ?
Tlie Siluer Age. 95
Perfeus. Grand-fire, thy faire (laughter Hues
A potent Queene : we Perfeus are her fonne,
This Danaus your hopefull grand-childe too :
Nor let me quite forget Andromeda,
By Perfeus fword freed from the huge Sea-whale,
And now ingraft into your royall line.
Acrif Diuide my foule amongft you, and impart
My life, my ftate, my kingdome, and my heart.
Oh had I Danae here, my ioyes to fill,
I truely then mould be immortalis'd.
Renowned Perfeus, Danaus inly deere,
And you bright Lady, faire Andromeda,
You are to me a ftronger fort of ioy
Then Darreines braffe, which no fiege can deflroy.
Dana. My gran-fires fight doth promife as much
bliffe,
As can Elifium, or thofe pleafant fields,
Where the bleft foules inhabite.
Andro. You are to me
As life on earth, in death eternity.
Acrifius. Let none prefume our purpofe to con-
trowle :
For our decree is like the doome of Gods
Fixt and vnchanging : Perfeus we create
Great Arges King, crown'd with this wreath of ftate.
Perfeus. With like applaufe, and fuffrage fhall be
feene,
The faire Andromeda crown'd Arges Queene.
Acrifius. Onely the Darreine tower I ftill referue
In that to pennance me a life retir'd,
And I in that fhall proue the Oracle.
Faire Danaes fonne inflated in my^throne,
Shall thus confine me to an Arch of ftone.
There will I Hue, attended by my guard,
And leaue to thee the manadge of my Realme.
Our will is law, which none that beares vs well,
Will ftriue by word or action to refell.
Perf The Gods beheft with your refolue agree
To increafe in vs this growing maiefty.
g6 t The Siluer A%e.
Bellerophon, we make thee next our felfe
Of ftate in Arges : Danaus you fhall hence,
To cheere our mother in thefe glad reports,
And to fucceed Pelonnus : but firft flay,
Rights due to vs ere we the ftate can fway.
A6lus 2. Scoena. I.
Homer.
Alacke ! earths joyes are but fhort-liu' d, and laft
But like a puffe of breath which (thus) is pafil.
Acrifius in hisfortreffe Hues retired,
Kept with a Jlrong guard ': Perfeus reignes fole King,
Who in himfelfe one fad night long defird
To fee his grand-fire fome glad nerves to bring,
Whom thefileame warders (in the night) vnknowne
Seeke to keepe backe, whence all his grief e is growne.
A dumbe fhew.
Enter 6 warders, to them Perfeus, Danaus, Bellero-
phon and Andromeda. Perfeus takes his leaue of
them to go towards the tower : the warders repulfe
him, he drawes his fword. In ifie tumuli enter
Acnfius to pacifie them, and in the hurly-burly
is flaine by Perfeus, who laments his death. To
them Bellerophon and the refl : Perfeus makes
Bellerophon King of Arges, and with Danaus and
Andromeda departs.
Homer.
Perfeus repulfl, the flurdy Warder fir ikes,
This breeds a tumult, out their weapons flye,
Acrifius heares their clamours and their fhrikes,
The Siluer Age. 97
And downe defcends this broyle to pacifie ;
Not knowing whence it growes ; and in this brail,
Acrifius by his grand-childes hand doth fall.
The Oracle's fulfifd, hees turn'd tofhne,
Thats to his marble graue, by Danaes fonne ;
Which in the Prince breeds fuch lament and mone,
That longer there to reigne heJl not be wonne :
Butfirjl Bellerophon he will inueft,
And after makes his trauels towards the Eafl.
Of Iupiter now deifid and made
Supreme of all the Gods, we next proceed :
Your fuppofitions now mufl lend vs ayd,
That he can all things (as a God indeed.)
Ourfceane is Thebes : here f aire Alcmena dwels,
Her husband in his warfare thriues abroad,
And by his chiualry his foes expels.
He abfent, now defcends th' Olimpicke God,
Innamored of Alcmena, and tranf-fhapes
Himfelfe into her husband'. Ganimed
He makes affiflant in his amorous rapes,
WhiPJl he preferres the earth fore Iunoes bed.
Lend vsyour wonted patience without f come,
Tofinde how Hercules was got and borne.
Enter Amphitrio with two Captaines and Socia with
drum and colours : hee brings in the head of a
crowned King, fweares the Lords to the obeyfance
of Thebes. They prefent him with a flanding
bowle, which hee lockes in a Casket, and fending
his man with a letter before to his wife, with news
of his viilory. He with his followers, and Ble-
pharo the maister of thefhip, marcheth after.
Homer.
Creon that now reignes here, the Theban King,
Alcmenaes husband great Amphitrio made
His Generall, who to his Lord doth bring
98 The Siluer Age.
His enimies head that did his land inuade.
Thinke him returning home, but fends before
By letters to acquaint his beauteous wife
Of his fucceffe, himfelfe in fight offhore
Mufil land this night : where many a doubtfull strife
Amongfl them growes, but Ioue himfelfe difcends,
Cuts off my fpeech, and heere my Chorus ends.
Thunder and lightning. Iupiter difcends in a cloude.
Iup. Earth before heauen, we once more haue
preferd :
Beauty that workes into the hearts of Gods :
As it hath power to mad the thoughts of men,
So euen in vs it hath attraction.
The faire Alcmena like the Sea-mans Starre
Shooting her gliftering beauty vp to heauen,
Hath puld from thence the olimpick Iupiter
By vertue of thy raies, let Iuno skold,
And with her clamours fill the eares of heauen,
Let her bee like a Bachinall in rage,
And through our chriftall pallace breath exclaimes,
With her quicke feete the galaxia weare,
And with inquifitiue voice fearch through the
Spheares.
Shee fhall not finde vs here, or fhould fhe fee vs,
Can fhee diftinguifh vs being thus tranfhapt ?
Where's Ganimed ? we fent him to furuey
Amphitrioes Pallace, where we meane to lodge
Enter Ganimed fhapt like Socia.
In happy time return' d : now Socia.
Gani. Indeed that's my name, as fure
As your's is Amphitrio.
Iup. Three nights I haue put in one to take
our fill
Of daliance with this beauteous Theban dame.
A powerfull charme is caft or'e Phoebus eies :
Who fleepes this night within the euxine fea,
T/te Siluer Age. 99
And till the third day (hall forget his charge
To mount the golden chariot of the Sunne,
The Antipodes to vs, (hall haue a day
Of three daies length. Now at this houre is fought
By Iqfua Duke vnto the Hebrew Nation,
(Who are indeede the Antipodes to vs)
His famous battle 'gainfl the Cananites,
And at his orifon the Sunne (lands dill,
That he may haue there (laughter, Ganimed
Go knocke and get vs entrance. Exit Iupiter.
Gani. Before I knocke, let mee a little determine
with my felfe, If I be acceflary to Iupiter in his amorous
purpofe, I am little better then a parcell guilt baud,
but muft excufe my felfe thus, Ganimed is now not
Ganimed, And if this imputation be put vpon mee, let
it light vpon Soa'a, whom I am now to perfonate ; but
I am too long in the Prologue of this merry play we
are to act, I will knocke, and the Seruingmen (hall
enter.
1. Seruing. Who knocks fo late?
Gani. Hee that mud in, open for Soda,
Who brings you newes home of the T/ieban warres.
2. Ser. Soa'a returned.
Enter 3. Seruingmen.
3. Ser. Vnhurt, vnflaine ?
Gani. Euen as you fee, and how, and how ?
I. Ser. Soda ? let me haue an armefull of thee.
Gani. Armefuls, and handfuls too, my boyes.
a. Ser. The news, the news, how doth my Lord
Amphitrio 1
Gani. Nay, how doth my Lady Alcmena, fome of
you cary her word my Lord will be heere prefently.
1. Ser. I'le be the meffenger of thefe glad
newes.
2. Ser. I'le haue a hand in't too.
3. Ser. I'le not be lad. Exeunt Seruingmen.
Gani. They are gone to informe their Lady, who
will bee ready to intertaine a counterfeite Lord, Iupiter
h 2
ioo The Siluer Age.
is preparing himfelfe to meet Alcmena, Alcmena, fhe
to encounter lupiter, her beauty hath inchanted him,
his metamorphofis mud beguile her : al's put to
proofe, I'le in to furnifh my Lord whilft my fellow
feruants attend their Lady : they come.
Enter at one dore Alcmena, Theffala, 4. Seruingmen ;
at the otJier Jupiter Jhapt like Amphitrio to
Ganimed.
Alcm. But are you fure you fpake with Soda ?
And did he tell you of Amphitrioes health ?
1. Ser. Madam, I affure you, wee fpake with Soda,
and my L. Amphitrio will be here inftantly.
Alcm. Vfher me in a coftly banquet ftraight
To entertaine my Lord, let all the windowes
Glifter with lights like ftarres, caft fweete perfumes
To breath to heauen their odoriferous aires,
And tell the Gods my husband's fafe return' d,
If you be fure 'twas Soda.
2. Ser. Madam take my life, if it be not true.
Alcm. Then praife be to the higheft lupiter,
Whofe powerfull arme gaue ftrength vnto my Lord
To worfte his fafety through thefe dangerous warres,
Hang with our richeft workes our chambers round,
And let the roome wherein we reft to night,
Flow with no leffe delight, then fund's bed
When in her armes fhe clafpeth lupiter.
Iup. I'le fill thy bed with more delightfull fweetes,
Then when with Mars the Ciprian Venus meetes.
Alcm. See how you ftir for odours, lights, choife
cates,
Spices, and wines, is not Amphitrio comming
With honour from the warres? where's your attend-
ance?
Sweete waters, coftly ointments, pretious bathes,
Let me haue all, for taft, touch, fmell, and fight,
All his fiue fenfes wee will feaft this night.
Iup. 'Tis time to appeare, Alcmena :
The Siluer Age. 101
Alem. My deere Lord.
Gam. It workes, it workes, now for Iuno to fet a
Skold betweene them.
A banquet brought in.
A lent. O may thefe armes that guarded Thebes
and vs,
Be euer thus my girdle, that in them
I may hue euer fafe, welcome Amphitrio
A banquet, lights, attendance ; good my Lord
Tell mee your warres difcourfe.
Iup. Sit faire Alcmena.
Alent. Proceede my dearefl loue.
Iup. I as great Generall to the Theban King,
March't gainft the Teleboans : who make head
And offer vs encounter : both our Armies
Are call in forme, well fronted, fleeu'd and wing'd
Wee throw our vowes to heauen, the Trumpets
found,
The battels fignall, now beginnes the incurfions,
The earth beneath our armed burdens groanes,
Shootes from each fide reuerberat gainft heauen,
With Arrowes and with Darts the aire growes
darke
And now confufion ruffles, Heere the fhoutes
Of Victors found, there groanes of death are
heard,
Slaughter on all fides ; ftill our eminent hand
Towers in the aire a vidlor, whilfl the enemy
Haue their defpoyled helmets crown'd in dufL
Wee ftand, they fall, yet ftill King Ptelera
Striues to make head, and with a frefh fupply
Takes vp the mid-field : him Amphitrio fronts
With equall armes, wee the two Generals
Fight hand to hand, but loue omnipotent
Gaue me his life and head, which we to morrow
Mufl giue to King Creon.
Alcni. All my orifons
Fought on your fide, and with their powerfull weight,
102 The Siluer Age,
Added vnto the ponder of your fword,
To make it heauy on the Burgonet
Of flaughtered Pielera.
Iup. I for my reward,
Had by the Subiecls of that conquered King
A golden cup prefented, the choice boule
In which the flaughtered Tyrant vs'd to quaffe.
Soda.
Gan. My Lord.
Iup. The cup, fee faire Alcmena.
Gani. This cup Mercury flole out of Amphitrioes
cafket, but al's one as long as it is truely deliuered.
Alcm. In this rich boule Tie onely quaffe your
health,
Or vfe, when to the Gods I facrifice.
Is our chamber ready ?
Iup. Gladly I'de to bed,
Where I will mix with kiffes my difcourfe,
And tell the whole proiect.
Alcm. Mirth abound,
Through all thefe golden roofes let muficke found,
To charme my Lord to foft and downy reft.
Iup. Come light vs to our flieetes.
Alcm. Amphitrioes head
Shall heere be pillowed, light's then and to bed.
Exeunt with Torches.
Gani. Alas poore Amphitrio I pitty thee that art
to be made cuckold againft thy wiues will, fhe is
honeft in her worft dilhonefty and chaft in the fuper-
latiue degree of inchaftity : but I am fet heere to
keepe the gate : now to my office.
Enter Soda with a letter.
Soda. Heere's a night of nights, I thinke the
Moone ftands ftil and all the Stars are a fleepe, he
that driues Charles wayne is taking a nap in his cart,
for they are all at a ftand, this night hath bene as
long as two nights already, and I thinke 'tis now
The Siluer Age. 103
entring on the third ; I am glad yet that out of this
vtter darkenes I am come to fee lights in my Ladies
Pallace : there will be fimple newes for her when I
fhall tell her my Lord is comming home.
Gani. 'Tis Soda and Amphitrioes man, fent before
to tell his Lady of her husband, I muft preuent
him.
Soda. This night will neuer haue an end, he that
hath hired a wench to lie with him all this night, hath
time enough I thinke to take his peny worths, but I'le
knocke.
Gan. I charge thee not to knock here leaft thou
be knocked.
Soda. What not at my Maifters gate.
Gani. I charge thee once more, tell mee whofe
thou art? whether thou goeft, and wherefore thou
commeft ?
Soda. Hither I go, I feme my Maifter, and come
to fpeake with my Lady, what art thou the wifer?
nay, if thou beeft a good fellow let me pafle by
thee.
Gani. Whom doft thou ferue ?
Soda. I ferue my Lord Amphitrio, and am fent in
haft to my Lady Alcmena.
Gani. Thy name ?
Soda. Soda.
Gani. Bafe counterfeit take that, can you not
be content to come fneaking to one's houfe in the
night, to rob it, but you muft likewife rob me of my
name ?
Soda. Thy name, why, what's thy name ?
Gani. Soda.
Soda. Soda, and whom doft thou ferue ?
Gani. My Lord Amphitrio chiefe of the Theban
Legions, and my Lady Alcmena, but what's that to
thee?
Soda. Ha, ha, That's a good ieft, but do you
heare, If you be Soda my Lord Amphitrioes man, and
my Lady Alcmenaes, Where doft thou lie.
104 The Siluer Age.
Gani. Where do I lie ? why in the Porters
Lodge.
Soda. You are deceiu'd, you lie in your throate,
there's but one Soda belongs to this houfe, and that
am I.
Gam. Lie flaue, and wilt out-face mee from my
name ?
I'le vfe you like a your felfe a counterfeit, Beats him.
What art thou 1 fpeake 1
Soda. I cannot tell.
Gani. Whom doft thou ferue ?
Soda. The time.
Gani. Thy name ?
Soda. Nothing.
Gani. Thy bufmeffe 1
Soda. To bee beaten.
Gani. And what am I ?
Soda. What you will.
Gani. Am not I Soda ?
Soda. If you be not, I would you were fo, to be
beaten in my place.
Gani. I knew my L. had no feruant of that name
but me.
Soda. Shall I fpeake a few coole words, and bar
buffeting.
Gani. Speake freely.
Soda. You will not ftrike.
Gani. Say on.
Soda. I am the party you wot off, I am Soda, you
may ftrike if you will, but in beating me (if you be
Soda) I aflure you, you fhall but beate your felfe.
Gani. The fellowes mad.
Soda. Mad, am I not newly landed ? fent hither
by my Maifter? Is not this our houfe? Do I not
fpeake ? Am I not awake ? Am I not newly beaten ?
Do I not feele it ftill ? And fhall I doubt I am not
my felfe ? come, come, I'le in and doe my meffage.
Gani. Sirrah, I haue indured you with much im-
patience,
The Siluer Age. 105
Wilt thou make me beleeue I am not Soda 1
Was not our mips launcht out of the Perficke hauen ?
Did I not land this night ?
Haue we not won the Towne where K. Ptelera
raign'd ?
Haue we not orethrowne the Teleboans ?
Did not my Lord Amphitrio kill the King hand to
hand?
And did hee not fend mee this night with a letter to
certify my Lady Alcmena of all thefe newes.
Soda. I beginne to miflruft my felfe, all this is as
true as if I had told it my felfe ; but Il'e try him
further : What did the Teleboans prefent my Lord with
after the victory.
Gani. With a golden cuppe in which the King
himfelfe vs'd to quaffe.
Soda. Where did I put it.
Gani. That I know not, but I put it into a casket,
fign'd by my Lords Signet
Soda. And what's the Signet ?
Gani. The Sun rifing from the Eaft in his Chariot,
But do you come to vndermine me you flaue ?
Soda. I muft go feeke fome other name, I am
halfe hang'd already, for my good name is loft ; once
more refolue me, if thou canft tell me what I did
alone I will, refigne thee my name : if thou bee'ft
Soda, when the battles began to ioyne, as foone as
they beganne to skirmifh, what didfl thou ?
Gani. As foone as they began to fight I began to
runne.
Soda. Whither ?
Gani. Into my Lords tent, and there hid mee
vnder a bed.
Soda. I am gone, I am gone, fomebody for
charity fake either lend mee or giue me a name, for
this I haue loft by the way, and now I looke better
on he, me ; or I, hee ; as he hath got my name, hee
hath got my fhape, countenance, ftature, and euery
thing fo right, that he can bee no other then I my
106 The Siluer Age.
owne felfe ; but when I thinke that I am I, the fame
I euer was, know my Maifter, his houfe, haue fence,
feeling, and vnderftanding, know my meffage, my
bufmeffe, why mould I not in to deliuer my letter to
my Lady.
Gani. That letter is deliuered by my hand.
My Lady knowes all, and expects her Lord,
And I her feruant Soda am fet heere
To keepe fuch idle raskals from the gate,
Then leaue mee, and by faire meanes, or He fend thee
legleffe, or armeleffe hence.
Soda. Nay, thou haft rob'd me of enough already.
I would bee loath to loofe my name and limbes both
in one night : where haue I mifcaried ? where bene
chang'd? Did I not leaue my felfe behind in the
fhip when I came away, I'le euen backe to my
Maifter and fee if hee know mee, if hee know mee, if
he call me Soda, and will beare me out in't, Il'e come
backe and do my meffage, fpight of him faies nay,
Farewell felfe. Exit.
Gani. This obftacle, the father of more troubles
I haue put off, and kept him from difturbance
In their adulterate paflimes, faire Alcmena
Is great already by Amphitrio
And neere her time, and if fhee proue by lupiter
He by his power and God-hood will contract
Both births in one, to make'her throwes the leffe :
And at one inftant fhee fhall child two iffues,
Begot by Ioue and by Amphitrio.
The houfe by this long charm'd by Hermes rod
Are ftirring and Ioue glutted with delights,
Ready to take his leaue, through fatiate
With amourous dalliance : parting's not fo fweet
Betweene our louers, as when firft they meet.
Enter lupiter, Alcmena, and the feruants.
lupit. My deereft Ioue fare-well, we Generals
Cannot be abfent from our charges long :
The Siluer Age. 107
I ftole from th' Army to repofe with thee,
And muft before the Sunne mount to his Chariot,
Be there againe.
Alcm. My Lord, you come at midnight,
And you make hafte too, to be gone ere morne,
You rife before your bed be throughly warme.
Iup. Faireft of our Theban Dames, accufe me not,
I left the charge of Souldiers to report
The fortune of our battailes firft to thee :
Which fhould the camp know, they would lay on me
A grieuous imputation, that the beauty
Of my faire wife, can with Amphitrio more
Then can the charge of legions. As my comming
Was fecret and conceal'd, fo my returne,
Which fhall be fhort and fudden.
Ale. That I feare,
Better I had to keepe you beeing here.
Iup. Nay part we muft fweet Lady, dry your
tearei.
Ale. You'l make my minuts months, & daies
feeme yeares.
Iup. Your bufmeffe ere we part ?
Ale. Onely to pray
You will make hafte, not be too long away.
Farewell.
Iup. Fare-well. Come Ganimed, 'tis done,
And faire Alemena fped with a yong fonne. Exit.
Enter Amphitrio, Socia, two Captaines with attendants.
Amph. Oh Gentlemen, was euer man thus croft ?
So ftrangely flowted by an abiect groome 1
That either dreames, or's mad: one that fpeakes
nothing
Sauing impoffibilities, and meerely
Falfe and abfurd. Thus thou art here, and there,
With me, at home, and at one inftant both,
In vaine are thefe delirements, and to me
Mod deeply incredible.
108 The Siluer Age.
Soda. I am your owne, you may vfe me as you
pleafe : One would thinke I had loll inough already,
to loofe my name, and fhape, and now to loofe your
fauour too. Oh !
i. Copt. Fye Soda, you too much forget your
felfe,
And 'tis beyond all fufferance in your Lord,
To vfe no violent hand.
Soda. You may fay what you will, but a truth is a
truth.
2. Copt. But this is neither true nor probable,
That this one body can deuide it felfe,
And be in two fet places. Fie, Soda. fie.
Soda. I tell you as it is.
Ampk. Slaue of all flaues the bafefl : vrge me not,
Perfift in thefe abfurdities, and I vow
To cut thy tongue out, haue thee fcourg'd and
beaten,
Il'e haue thee flay'd.
Soda. You may fo, you may as well take my skin
as another take my name and phifnomy : all goes one
way.
Amph. Tell ore thy tale againe, make it more
plaine.
Pray gentlemen your eares.
Soda. Then as I fayd before, fo I fay flill : I am
at home ; do you heare 1 I am heare : do you fee ? I
fpake with my Lady at home ; yet could not come in
at the gate to fee her : I deliuered her your letter, and
yet haue it Hill in my hand. Is not this plaine 1 do
you vnderfland me 1 I am neither mad nor drunke,
but what I fpeake is in fober fadneffe.
i. Cap. Fie Soda, fie, thou art much, too much too
blame.
2. Cap. How dare you tempt your maiflers patience
thus?
Amph. Thinke not to fcape thus : yet once more
refolue me
And faithfully : Do'fl thou thinke it poffible
The Siluer Age. 109
Thou canft be here and there 1 Be fencible,
And tell me Soda.
Socia. 'Tis poffible ; nor blame I you to wonder :
for it maruels me as much as any heere : Nor did I
beleeue that Hee, my owne felfe, that is at home, till
hee did conuince me with arguments, told me euery
thing I did at the fiege, remembred my arrand better
than my felfe : Nor is water more like to water, nor
milke to milke, then that He and I are to me and
him : For when you fent me home about mid-
night
Amph. What then ?
Socia. I flood there to keepe the gate a great while
before I came at it.
Copt. The fellow's mad.
Socia. I am as you fee.
Amph. He hath been flrooke by fome malevolent
hand.
Socio, Nay that's certaine : for I haue been foundly
beaten.
Amph. Who beat thee.
Socia. I my owne felfe that am at home, how oft
fhall I tell you %
Amph. Sirrah, wee'l owe you this. Now gentle-
men
You that haue beene co-partners in our warres,
Shall now co-part our welcome : we will vifite
Our beauteous wife ; with whom (our bufineffe ended)
We haue leafure to conferre.
Enter Alcmena with herferuatits and Mayd.
Ale. Haue you took down thofe hangings that
were plac'd
To entertaine my Lord ?
1. Seru. Madame they are.
Ale. And is our priuate bed-chamber dif-roab'd
Of all her beauty ? to looke ruinous,
Till my Lords prefence fhall repair't againe.
I io The Siluer Age.
a. Seru. Tis done as you directed.
Ale. Euery chamber,
Office and roome, (hall in his abfence looke,
As if they mifl their maifter, and beare part
With mee in my refembled widow-hood.
3. Seru. That needs not madame : See my Lord's
return'd.
Ale. And made fuch hade to leaue me: I mif-
doubt
Some tricke in this : Is it diftruft or feare
Of my prou'd vertue : value it at bed,
'T can be no leffe then idle iealoufie.
Amph. See bright Alcmena, with my fudden greet-
ing,
Il'e rap her foule to heauen, and make her furfet
With ioyes aboundance. Beauteous Lady fee
Amphitrio return'd a Conquerour,
Glad to vnfold in his victorious armes
Thy nine-moneth abfent body, whofe ripe birth
Swels with fuch beauty in thy conftant wombe.
How cheeres my. Lady ?
Ale. So, fo, wee'l do to her your kinde commends,
You may make bold to play vpon your friends.
Amph. Ha, what language call you this, that
feemes to me
Paft vnderftanding ? I conceiue it not,
I reioyce to fee you wife.
Ale. Yet fhals haue more ?
You do but now, as you haue done before.
Pray flowt me ftill, and do your felfe that right,
To tell that ore you told me yeiler-night.
Amph. What yefternight % Alcmena this your
greeting
Diftaftes me. I but now, now, with thefe gentlemen,
Landed at Thebes, and came to do my loue
To thee, before my duty to my King.
This ftrangeneffe much amazeth me.
Socia. We haue found one Soda, but we are like
to loofe an Amphitrio.
The Siluer Age. 1 1 1
Ale. Shall I be plaine my Lord ? I take it ill,
That you, whom I receiu'd late yefter-night,
Gaue you my freeft welcome, feafted you,
Lodg'd you, and but this morning, two houres fmce
Tooke leaue of you with teares, that your returne
So fudden, mould be furnifht with fuch fcorne.
Amph. Gentlemen, I feare the madneffe of my
man
Is fled into her braine, be thefe my witnefle,
I am but newly landed : witneffe thefe
With whom I haue not parted.
i. Capt. In this we needs mufl take our Generals
part,
And witneffe of his fide.
Ale. And bring you witneffe to fuggefl your
wrongs,
Againft you two I can oppofe all thefe.
Receiu'd I not Amphitrio yefter-night ?
i. Sent. I affure you my Lord remember your
felfe, you were here yefter-night.
All. 'Tis mod certaine.
Amph. Thefe villaines all are by my wife fubom'd,
To feeke to mad me. Gentlemen pray lift,
Wee'l giue this errour fcope : Pray at what time
Gaue you me entertainement the laft n ight %
Ale. As though you know not ? Well, Il'e fit your
humor,
And tell you what you better know then I.
At mid-night. '
Amph. At mid-night : Pray obferue that Gentle-
men,
At mid-night we were in difcourfe a boord
Of my Commiffion.
2. Capt. I remember't well.
Amph. What did we then at mid-night ?
Ale. Sate to banquet.
i. Seru. Where I waited.
2. Seru. So did we all.
Amph. And I was there at banquet
ii2 The Siluer Age.
3. Seru. Your Lordfliip's merry : do you make a
queflion of that ?
Ale. At banquet you difcourfl the Inter-view
Betweene the Theleboans and your hoaft.
Amph. 'Belike then you can tell vs our fucceffe,
Ere we that are the firft to bring thefe newes
Can vtter it
Ale. Your Lordfliip's pleafant ftill.
The battailes ioyn'd, cryes pafl on either fide,
Long was the skirmifli doubtfull, till the Thebans
Oppreft the Theleboans : but the battaile
Was by the King renewed : who face to face
And hand to hand, met with Amphitrio :
You fought, and arme to arme in fingle combat,
Troad on his head a Victor.
Amph. How came you by this ?
Ale. As though you told it not.
Amph. Well then, after banquet ?
Ale. We kift, embrae'd, our chamber was made
ready.
Amph. And then ?
Ale. To bed we went.
Amph. And there %
Ale. You flept in thefe my armes.
Amph. Strumpet, no more.
Madneffe and impudence contend in thee,
Which fhall afflict me mod.
Ale. Your iealoufie
And this impofterous wrong, heapes on me iniuries
More then my fex can beare : you had befl deny
The gift you gaue me too.
Amph. Oh heauen ! what gift %
Ale. The golden Cup the Theleboans King
Vs'd ftill to quaffe in.
Amph. Indeed I had fuch purpofe,
But that I keepe fafe lock't. Shew me the bowle.
Ale. Theffala the (landing cup Amphitrio gaue
me
Laft night at banquet, ther's the key.
The Silner Age. 113
Theffal. I (hall.
1. Capt. My Lord, ther's much amazement in the
opening of thefe ftrange doubts, the more you feek to
vnfold them, the more they pufle vs.
2. Capt. How came (he by the notice
And true recitall of the battailes fortune 1
Amph. That hath this villaine told her, on my
life.
Soc. Not I, I difclaime it, vnlefle it were my tother
felfe, I haue no hand in it.
Enter Theffala with the cup.
Theffal. Madame, the bowle.
Ale. Reflor t Amphitrio,
I am not worthy to be traded with it.
Amph. The forme, the mettall, and the grauing
too.
'Tis fomwhat ftrange, Soda, the casket ftreight.
Socia. Here fir.
Amph. What, is my fignet fafe ?
Soc. Vntouch't.
Amph. Then will I (hew her ftreight that bowle
The Theleboans gaue me. Wher's my key 1
Soc. Here fir. This is the ftrangeft that ere I
heard, I Socia haue begot another Soda, my Lord
Amphitrio hath begot another Amphitrio. Now, if
this golden bowle haue begot another golden bowle,
we (hall be all twin'd and doubled.
Amph. Behold an empty casket.
Ale. This not withftan ding you deny your gift,
Our meeting, banquet and our fportfull night,
Your mornings parting.
Amph. All thefe I deny
As falce, and pad all nature, yet this goblet
Breeds in me wonder, with the true report
Of our warres proiect : But I am my felfe
New landed with thefe Captaines, and my men,
8 1
ii4 ^* Siluer Age.
Deny all banquets and affaires of bed,
Which thou (halt deerely anfwere.
Ale. Aske your feruants
If I mif-fay in ought
i. Seru. My Lord, there is nothing faid by my
Lady, but we are eye-witneffes of, and will iuftifie on
our oathes.
Amph. And will you tempt me ftill ?
Soda, run to the fhip, bring me the maifter,
And he fhall with thefe Captaines iuftifie
On my behalfe, whilft I reuenge my felfe
On thefe falce feruants, that fupport their Lady
In her adulterous practife. Villaines, dogges.
i. Copt Patience my Lord.
Amphitrio beats in his men. Exit.
Ale. Nay let him ftill proceed,
That hauing kild them, I may likewife bleed.
His frenfie is my death, life I defpife.
Thefe are the fruits of idle iealoufies.
Enter Iupiter.
Yonder he comes againe, fo foon appeas'd,
And from his fury : I fhall nere forget
This injury, till I haue paid his debt.
Iupiter. What fad Alcmena % Pre' thee pardon me,
'Twas but my humour, and I now am forry.
Nay whither turn' ft thou 1
Ale. All the wit I haue,
I muft expreffe : borne to be made a flaue ;
I wonder you can hold your hands, not ftrike,
If I a ftrumpet be, and wrong your bed,
Why doth not your rude hand affault this head ?
Iup. Oh my fweet wife, of what I did in fport,
Condemne me not : If needs, then chide me for't.
Ale. Was it becaufe I was laft night to free
Of courteous dalliance, that you iniure me 1
Was I too lauifh of my loue ? Next night
The Siluer Age. 1 1 5
Feare not, Il'e keepe you fhort of your delight :
Il'e learne to keepe you off, and feeme more coy,
You fhall no more fwim in excefle of ioy,
Looke for't hereafter.
Iup. Punifh me I pray.
Ale. Giue me my dower and Il'e be gone away :
Leaue you to your harfh humors, and bafe ftrife,
Onely the honour of a vertuous wife
Il'e beare along ; my other fubftance keepe :
For in a widowed bed Il'e henceforth fleepe.
Iup. By this right hand, which you Amphitrio owe,
My wrongs henceforth fhall nere afflict you fo.
Speake, are we friends ? By this foft kiffe I fweare,
No Lady liuing is to me like deare.
Thefe nuptiall brawles oft-times more loue beget :
The rauifhing pleafures, when laft night we met
We will redouble. Thefe hands fhall not part
Till we be reconcil'd.
Ale. You haue my heart ;
Nor can my anger laft
Iup. Faire loue then fmile,
Enter Blepharo and Socia.
And let our lips our hearts thus reconcile.
Bleph. Thou tel'ft me wonders.
Socia. I aflure you there are two Soda's, and for
ought I can heare, there are two Amphitrids : we
were in hope to haue two golden bowles. Now if
your fhip can get two maiflers, you will be fimply fur-
nifh't to fea. But fee my Lord and my Lady are
friends ; let vs be partakers of their reconcilement.
Bleph. Haile to the generall : you fent to me my
Lord.
Iup. True Blepharo :
But things are well made euen, and we attoned,
Your chiefefl bufmeffe is to feafl with vs.
Attend vs Socia. Faire Alcmena now
We are both one, corabin'd by oath and vow. Exeunt.
1 2
n6 The Siluer Age.
Soda. Ther's muficke in this : If they feaft He
feaft with them, and make my belly amends for all the
blowes receiu'd vpon my backe.
Enter Gammed.
Gan. Iupiter and Alcmena are entred at the backe
gate, whil'ft Amphitrio is beating his feruants out at
the foregate. Als in vp-rore : I do but watch to fee
him out in the ftreet, to fhut the gates againft him.
But yonder is Soda, I'le paffe by him without fpeak-
ing.
Soda. I fhould haue feene your face when I haue
look't my felfe in a glafle, your fweet phifnomy, fhould
be of my acquaintance : I will not paffe him without
Conge. They paffe with many Jlrange Conges.
Enter Amphitrio, beating before him his feruants, the
two Captaines, they meet with Ganimed.
Amph. Villaines, dogges, diuels.
i. Capt. Noble Generall.
Amph. Thefe two wrongs are to indigne. Soda
return' d 1
Where's Blepharo?
Gan. I haue fought him aboord ; but he is in the
Citty to fee fome of his friends, and will not returne
till dinner. Now for a tricke to fhut the gates vpon
him. Exit.
Amph. Patience, if thou haft any power on
earth,
Infufe it here, or I thefe hypocrites,
Thefe bafe fuggefters of their Ladies wrongs,
Shall to the death purfue.
2. Capt. Finde for their punifhment
Some more deliberate feafon : fleepe vpon't,
And by an order more direct and plaine
Void of this ftrange confufion, cenfure them.
Amphi. Sir, you aduife well, I will qualify
The Siluer Age. 1 1 7
This heate of rage : now I haue beate them forth
Let's in and fee my wife, Socio, ftolne hence
And the gates fhut, let's knocke.
Knockes, enter Ganimed aboue.
Gani. What Ruffin's that that knocks ? you thinke
belike the nailes of our dores are as fawcy as your
felfe, that they neede beating.
Atnphi. Socia I am thy Lord Amphitrio.
Gani. You are a fooles head of your owne, are
you not ?
Atnphi. Ruffin and foole.
Gani. Take coxcombe and affe along, if you bee
not fatisfied.
Amphi. Do you condemne me now, pray Gentle-
men
Do me but right, haue I iuft caufe to rage 1
Can you that haue perfwaded mee to peace
Brooke this ? oh for fome battering engine heere
To race my Pallace walles, or fome iron Ramme
To plant againft thefe gates.
Gani. Sirrah, I'le make you eate thefe words, flay
but till I come downe, I'le fend you thence with a
vengeance, I am now comming, looke to it, I'le
tickle you with your counterfeit companions there.
Exit.
i. Cap. This is too much, 'tis not to be indured.
Amphi. I wifh of heauen to haue no longer life
then once more to behold him, hee fhall pay for all
the reft
2. Bapt. He promift to come downe.
Enter Socia and Blepharo.
1. Copt. And I thinke hee will, for harke, I heare
the gates open.
Amphi. Forbeare a little, note the villaines
humor.
Socia. Al's quiet within, I'le go helpe to fetch my
n8 The Siluer Age.
Lords fluffe from fhip, but fee, hee's out of the gates
before vs, which way came hee %
Bleph. Hee hath made haft
Soda. I thinke he hath crept through the key-
hole.
Amph. Nay, I'le be patient feare not, note my
humor : Soda.
Soda. My Lord.
Amphi. My honefl Blepharo I'le talke with you
anone, my faithfull feruant, who paft this houfe to you,
that you haue power to keepe the Maifler out 1 tell
me, what know you by your faire MiftrefTe, that you
call your Lord coxcombe and affe, (nay I am patient
ftill) Amphitrioes name is heere forgot, foole, ruffin are
nothing, them I pardon, now you are downe, when do
you beate me head-long from the gate, and thefe my
counterfeit companions hence.
Soda. Who I, I, is your Lordfhip as wife as God
might haue made you, I.
Amphi. You fee we are here ftill, when doe you
ftrike, what 1 not : Then I'le beginne with you.
Bleph. Amphitrio.
Soda. My Lord's mad, helpe Gentlemen.
Bleph. If you be Gentlemen and loue Amphitrio,
Or if you know me to be Blepharo
Your Maifler that transported you by fea
Giue not this madneffe fcope, vpon my credit
Soda is guiltleffe of this falce furmife.
Amphi. Is Blepharo turn'd mad too.
Bleph. Generall no,
It pitties me that left you late fo milde
And in fuch peacefull conference with your wife
So fuddenly to finde you lunaticke,
Pray helpe to bind him Gentlemen.
Amphi. So, fo, am I abus'd or no, fpeake fellow
fouldiers.
i . Cap. Infufferable, and yet forbeare your rage,
Breath, breath, vpon't and find fome other leafure
Thefe errors to determine.
Amphi. Well, I will.
The Siluer Age. 1 1 9
Enter Iupiter, Alcmena, Gammed before all the
feruants running fearefully.
Soda. Yonder's my brother, my fame felfe.
Bleph. Two Soda's, two Amphitrioes.
1. Cap. Coniuring, witch-craft.
lup. Friends and my fellow fouldiers, you haue
dealt
Vnfriendly with mee, to befiedge my houfe
With thefe exclaimes, to bring Importers hither.
Is there no law in Thebes f will Creon fuffer me
For all my feruice, to be iniur'd thus 1
Amph. Bee'ft thou infernall hagge, or fiend in-
carnate,
I coniure thee.
Iup. Friends, I appeale to you :
When haue you knowne me mad? when rage and
raue 1
Shall my humanity and mildneffe thus
Be recompenft ? to be out-brau'd, out-fac'd
By fome deluding Fairy 1 To haue my feruants
Beat from my gates ? my Generall houfe diflurb'd,
My wife full growne, and groaning, ready now
To inuoke Ludna, to be check't and fcorn'd 1
Examine all my deedr, Amphitrioes mildneffe
Had neuer reference to this Iuglers rage.
1. Capt. Sure this is is the Generall, he was euer a
milde Gentleman : I'le follow him.
2. Capt. There can be but one Amphitrio, and this
appeares to be he by his noble carriage.
Bleph. This is that Amphitrio I conducted by
fea :
1. Seru. My Lord was neuer mad-man, This (hall
be my maifter.
All. And mine.
Ale. This is my husband.
Soc. Il'e euen make bold to go with the bed.
Gan. Soft fir, the true Soda muft goe with the true
Amphitrio.
1 20 The Siluer Age.
Amph. Oh thou omnipotent thunder ! ftrike Am-
phitrio,
And free me from this labyrinth.
Iup. Gentlemen,
My houfe is free to you ; onely debar'd
Thefe Counterfets : Thefe gates that them exclude,
Stand open to you : Enter and tafte our bounty,
Attend vs. 'Laffe poore Amphitrio,
I muft confeffe I do thee too much wrong,
To keep thee in thefe maze of doubts fo long ;
Which here fhall end : For Iuno I efpy,
Who all our amorous paftimes fees from hye :
As fhe defcends, fo muft I mount the fpheares
To flop her, left fhe thunder in our eares.
Exeunt all but Amphitrio and Socia.
Amph. What art thou ?
Soc. Nay, what art thou 1
Amph. I am not my felfe.
Soc. You would not beleeue me when I fayd I was
not my felfe : why fhould I beleeue you t
Amph. Art thou Socia %
Soc. That's more then I can refolue you : for the
world is growne fo dangerous, a man dares fcarce
make bold with his owne name ; but I am he was fent
with a letter to my Lady.
Amph. And I am he that fent thee with that
letter,
Yet dare not fay I am Amphitrio ;
My wife, houfe, friends, my feruants all deny me.
Soc. You haue reafon to loue me the better, fince
none ftickes to you but I.
Amph. Let all yon ftarry ftrudture from his baffes
Shrinke to the earth, that the whole face of heauen
Falling vpon forlorne Amphitrio,
May like a marble monumentall ftone,
Lye on me in my graue. Eternall fleepe
Caft a nocturnall filme before thefe eyes,
That they may nere more gaze vpon yon heauens,
That haue beheld my fhame : or fleepe, or death
The Siluer Age. 1 2 1
Command me fliut thefe opticke windowes in :
My braine is coffin'd in a bed of lead,
'Tis cold and heauy ; be my pillow Socia :
For I muft fleepe.
Soc. And fo muft I, pray make no noyfe, for waking
me or my maifter. Theyjleepe.
Iuno and Iris defcendfrom the heauens.
Iuno. Iris away, I haue found th' adulterer now :
Since Mercury faire Iocs keeper flew,
The hundred-eyed Argus, I haue none
To dogge and watch him when he leaues the
heauens.
No fooner did I miffe him, but I fought
Heauen, fea, and earth : I brib'd the funne by day,
And ftarres by night ; but all their iealous eyes
He with thicke mifls hath blinded, and fo fcap't.
Iris my Raine-bow threw her circle round,
If he had beene on earth, to haue clafp't him in,
And kept him in the circle of her armes
Till fhe had cal'd for Iuno : But her fearch
He foone deluded in his flye tranf-fhapes.
And till I faw here two Atnphitrioes,
I had not once fufpected him in Thebes.
Roab'd all in wrath, and clad in fcarlet fury,
I come to be aueng'd vpon that ftrumpet
That durft prefume to adulterate lunoes bed.
Pull me from heauen (faire Iris) a blacke cloud,
From which Il'e fafhion me a beldams fhape,
And fuch a powerfull charme Il'e caft on her,
As that her baftard-brats (hall nere be borne ;
But make her wombe their Tombes. Iris away.
Iris. I flye Madame. Exit Iris.
Iuno. No, thefe are mortals, and not them I
feeke.
I feare me if he heare of me in Thebes,
He (with his Minion) ftreight will mount the heauens.
But let him feat him on the loftieft fpire
122 The Siluer Age.
Heauen hath : or place me in the lowefl of hell,
U'e reach him with my clamours.
Soda. Hey -ho, now am I dream'd of a fcold.
Enter Iris with a habit.
Iuno. But Iris is return'd : Rage, feaft thy fill,
Till I the mother fiey, the baftards kill. Exit Iuno.
Thunder and lightning. All the feruants run out of
the houfe affrighted, the two Captains and Blepharo,
Amphitrio and Socia amazedly awake : Iupiter
appeares in his glory vnder a Raitie-bow, to whom
they all kneele.
Iup. The Thunderer thunders, and the Lord of
feare,
Bids thee not feare at all Amphitrio.
loue, that againft the Theleboans gaue thee
The palme of Conqueft, and hath crown'd thy browes
With a vidlorious wreath, commands thy peace
With faire Alcmena, fhe that neuer bofom'd
Mortall, faue thee ; The errours of thy feruants
Forbeare to punifli, as forgot by vs,
And finde vs to thy prayers propicious.
Thy wife full growne, inuokes Ludnaes ayd :
Send in to cheare her in her painefull throwes.
Hers, and thy Orifons wee'l beare to heauen ;
And they in all your greateft doubts and feares,
Shall haue accelte to our immortall eares.
Amph. Ioue is our patron, and his power our
awe,
His maiefty our wonder : will, our law.
Iup. Our Act thus ends, we would haue all things
euen,
Smile you on earth whilft we reioyce in heauen.
The Siluer Age. 123
A<5lus 3.
Enter Homer oru way, Iuno another.
Homer. Behold where Iuno conies, and with a fpell
Shuts vp the wombe by which Ioues fonne mujl pajfe :
For whilftJJiee Croffe-leg'dfits (as old wiues tell,
And with clutch 't hands) there is no way alas
For /aire Alcmena's childing. All thofe wiues
That heare her painfull throwes, are in difpaire :
Yet in her wonibe the Ioue-bred Iffuejlriues :
Three dayes are pajl, her paines Jlill greater are.
But note a womans wit, though Iuno J mile.
A Beldams braine the Goddeffe Jhall beguile.
Iuno. Ha, ha ! Now Ioue with thy omnipotence,
Make (if thou canft) way for thy baftards birth,
Whofe paffage I thus binde, and in this knot
Which till their deaths, fhall neuer be diffolu'd,
I haue power to ftrangle all the charmes of hell.
Nor powers of heauen fhall ftreight me, till the
deaths
Of yon adultereffe and her mechall brats.
Laugh Gods and men, fea, earth, and ayre make ioy,
That Iuno thus Alcmena can deftroy.
Enter the Midwife, Galantis, with two or three other
aged women.
Galan. Haue you obferu'd her to fit croffe-leg'd
euer fince my Lady began her trauell 1 I fufpecl witch-
craft, Il'e haue a tricke to rouze her.
Mid. No doubt but did fhe open her knees and
fingers, my Lady fhould haue fafe deliuery.
Gal. Truft to my wit, Il'e in & find a meanes to
ftartle her.
Beld. Note how the Beldame fmiles, and in her
clutches
124 The Siluer Age.
Strangles my Ladies birth : fome friend remoue her.
Iuno. Ha, ha, he, their teares my griefes recure,
Thus I reuenge me of their deeds impure.
Enter Galantis merry.
Gal. Now Ioue be prais'd, and Ladies dry your
teares,
And gentle Madame come reioyce with vs.
Iuno. Why, what's the matter ?
Gal. I cannot hold my ioy : thankes faire Lucina
Goddeffe of child-birth, Ioue and all be prais'd,
Alcmena is deliuered, brought to bed
Of a fine chopping boy. Iuno rifeth.
Iuno. Is my fpell faild 1 how could I curfe and
teare ?
Mid. The witch is rouz'd, in and fee what
newes.
Gal. Stay, ftay, Il'e go fee what comfort's within :
for when I came out I left my poore Lady in midft of
all her torment.
Iuno. What edge of fteele, or Adamantine chaine,
Hath forc'd in two the vertue of my charme ?
Which Gods and diuels gaue vnite confent
To be infract % Oh powerfull Iupiter !
I feare thy hand's in this.
Enter Galantis extreamely laughing.
Beld. How the witch ftormes !
Iuno. What meanes the wretch to hold her fides
& laugh,
And ftill to point at me 1 How now Galantis 1
Gal. That's my name indeed : (hold heart, hold)
you are a witch, are you ? you fat croffe-leg'd, did
you ? my Lady could not bee brought to bed, could
fhe ? And now Gallantis hath gul'd you, hath fhe ?
Iuno. The morrall.
Gal. Il'e tell thee; I fufpecling thy trechery to
The Siluer Age. 125
my Lady, brought in counterfet newes (he was
brought to bed, which you (gooddy witch) no fooner
heard, but rofe vp ; & no fooner had you caft your
armes abroad, but my Lady was deliuered of two
goodly boyes, one like my Lord Amphitrio, but the
other the braueft chopping lad — laugh the beldam out
of her skin, and then returne to comfort my Lady.
Exeunt.
Juno. Oh that we mould be fubiect to the Fates !
And though being Gods, yet by their power be croft.
Galantis, Il'e be firft reueng'd on thee
P'or this derifion, and tranf-forme thy fhape
To fome fowle monfter, that fhall beare thy name.
And are the baftards borne? They haue paft the
wombe,
They fhall not paffe the cradle. Iris Ho.
Enter Iris.
Iris. Madame.
luno. Fly into Affricke, from the mountaines
there
Chufe me two venemous ferpents, of the blood
That Perfeus dropt out of the Gorgons head
When on his winged horfe, with that new fpoyle
He croft the Affricke climate ; thou fhalt know them
By their fell poyfon, and their fierce afpect. When
Irisl
Iris. I am gone.
Iuno. Hafte Iris, flye with expeditions wings,
Thefe brats fhall dye by their inuenomed flings.
Homer.
The iealous Goddeffe in the Cliamber throwes
The poyfonous ferpents, whofoone wound and kill
Yong Ipectetes, whom Amphitrio owes.
But Hercules, whom Ioue with power doth fill,
You firjljhall in his infant-cradle fee,
Ere growne a man, famous for chiualrie.
126 The Siluer Age.
The Nurfes bring yong Hercules in his Cradle, and
leaue him. Enter Iuno and Iris with two fnakes,
put them to the childe and depart : Hercules flran-
gles them : to them Amphitrio, admiring the acci-
dent.
Horn. He that could in his cradle ferpents kill,
Will {being growne) the world with wonders Jill.
Imagine him full growne, and nobly trained
By King Eurifteus, the bold youth proclaimes
Pajlimes of exercife, where he hath gauid
Chief e praife and palme in thefe Olimpicke games.
Them we mujl next, as his firjl grace prefent
With Iuno, to his fame maleuolent.
Enter, after great Jhouts and flour ijhes, Iuno aud
King Eurifteus.
Iuno. Harke, harke Eurifteus, how the yelling
throats
Of the rude rabble, deifie his praife :
Their lofty clamours, and their lhrill applaufes
Strike 'gainft the cleare and azure floores of heauen,
And thence againft the earth reuerberate,
That Iuno can nor reft aboue nor here,
But ftill his honours clangor ftrikes mine eare.
Eurijl. Patience celeftiall Goddeffe, as I wilh
Your powerfull aidance when I need it mod,
So for your fake I will impofe him dangers,
Such and fo great, that without Ioues owne hand,
He fhall not haue the power to fcatter them.
Iuno. If neither tyrants, monfters, fauages,
Giants nor hell-hounds, can the baftard quell ;
Let him be pafht, ftab'd, ftrangled, poifoned,
Or murdered fleeping. Harke Eurifleus ftill
fhouts within.
How their wide throates his high applaufes fhrill.
Eur. Th' earth fhall not breed a monfter, nor the
heauens
The Siluer Age. 127
Threaten a danger fhall not taske his life.
Iuno. Thou chim'ft me fpheare-like muficke, I
haue rouz'd
A monflrous Lyon, that doth range thefe woods :
My deere Eurifleus, make him tugge with him. fhouts.
Still doth his praife make the heauen refound ;
Farewell Eurifleus, II' e not fee him crown 'd.
Exit Iuno.
Enter the Kings of Greece to Eurifleus, with Garlands,
Hercules, Thefeus, Perithous, Philocletes, with
others from the games of Olimpus.
1. King. Thefe honoured paflimes on Olimpus
mount,
Begun by thee the Theban Hercules,
Shall lafl beyond all time and memory.
Thou art vnpeer'd, all Greece refounds thy praife,
And crowne thy worth with thefe greene wreaths of
Baies.
Here. More deere to me then the bed golden
Arch
That ere crown'd Monarkes brow, we haue begun
In paflimes, wee'le proceed to acts more dreadfull,
To expreffe our power and hardiment :
Though by your fufferage, we haue bed deferu'd ;
Yet merit we not all, thefe Grecian Princes,
Although degree'd below vs, did excell,
Though not as belt, receiue as thofe did well.
Thefeus, Perithous, Philocletes, take
Your valours meeds, your praifes lowd did found,
Then each one take from Hercules a crowne.
Thef Braue Theban youth, no leffe then loues
owne fon,
Giue Thefeus leaue both to admire and loue thee :
Lets henceforth haue one foule.
Here. Thefeus commands the heart of Hercules,
And all my deeds, next loue omnipotent,
Il'e confecrate to thee and to thy loue.
128 The Siluer Age.
Perith. Though all vnworthy to be ftil'd the
friend
Of great Alcides, giue Perithous leaue
To do thee honour, and admire thy worth.
Philocl. That Philocletes begges of Hercules.
Thy curtefie equals thy acliue power :
And thou in both art chiefe and patterneleffe.
Here. We prize you as the deereil gemmes of
Greece,
And all the honours of Alctnenaes fonne
You ihall partake, whil'ft thefe braue Argiue Kings,
That rang vs plaudits for the Olimpike games,
Shall clap our triumphes 'gainft the dreadful'fl mon-
fters
Heauen can fend downe, or deepe Auerne belch
forth.
As for the earth-bred monfters, we haue power
Infus'd by Joue, to calme their infolence.
Nor will we ceafe, till we haue purchas'd vs
The name of Tyrant-tamer through the world.
Eurift. It glads Eurijleus to be made fo happy
As to be Tutor to this noble youth.
Thou hafl (witneffe Olimpus) prou'd thy felfe
The fwifteft, actiu'ft, ableft, ftrongeft, conning'ft
In fhaft or dart ; which when thy ftep-dame Iuno
Shall vnderfland how much thou do'fl excell,
As 'twill pleafe Ioue, it will content her well.
Here. May we renowne Eurijleus by our fame,
As we (hall ftriue to pleafe that heauenly dame.
Eur. Set on then Princes to the further honours
Of this bold Theban : may he ftill proceed
To crowne great Greece with many a noble deed.
Enter a Heardfman wounded.
The/. Stay Lords : what meanes this Tragicke
fpeclacle ?
Herd/. If Greece, that whilome was efteem'd the
fpring
T/ie Siluer Age. 1 29
Of valor, and the well of chiualry,
Can yeeld an army of refolued fpirits,
Mufter them all againfl one dreadfull bead,
That keeps the forrefls and the woods in awe :
Commands the Cleonean continent,
Vnpeoples townes ; And if not interdicted,
In time will make all Greece a wilderneffe.
Here. Heardfman, thou haft expreft a monflrous
bead,
Worthy the taske of Ioue-borne Hercules.
What is the fauadge? fpeake.
Herdf. Whether fome God,
With Greece offended, fends him as a murreine,
To ftrike our hoards ; or as a worfer plague,
Your people to deftroy : But a fierce Lyon
Liues in the neighbour forreft, preying there
On man and bead, not fatisfied with both.
Ten Heardfmen of my traine at once he flew,
And me thus wounded ; yet his maw vnftaunch't,
He ftill the thicke Nernean groues doth ftray,
As if the world were not fufticient pray.
Eurijl. This Lyon were a taske worthy Ioues
fonne,
Oh free vs from this feare great Hercules.
Here. If he be den'd, Il'e rouze the monflrous
bead;
If feeking prey, Il'e chace him through the groues,
And hauing ouer-run the fugitiue,
Dare him to fingle warre : It fits Ioues fonne
Wradle with Lyons, and to tugge with Beares,
Grapple with Dragons, and incounter Whales.
Be he (as Ioues owne fhield) invulnerable,
Or be his bread hoop't in with ribbes of braffe,
Be his teeth rafer'd, and his tallons keene,
Sending at euery blow, fire from his bones,
Yet 1 ere night will cafe me in his skin.
This is a fport
Aboue th' Olimpiads ; we will hunt to day
Yon fierce Nemean terror, as a game
130 The Siluer Age.
Becomming Hercules. Winde homes, away :
For now a general! hunting we proclaime,
Follow vs Princes, you that loue the game. Exeunt.
Wind homes. Enter Iuno and Iris aboue in a cloud.
luno. Yon cheerefull noyfe of hunting tels mine
eare
Hee's in the Chace : Redouble Ire on Ire,
And teare the baflard Theban limbe from limbe.
Where art thou Iris 1 tell me from the cloud,
Where I haue plac'd thee to behold the Chace.
Iris aloft. Great Hercules
Purfues him through the medowes, mountaines, rockes.
Iuno. And flyes the fauadge? will he not turne
head,
Knowing his skin (faue by loues Thunderbolt)
Not to be piere'd 1 bafe trembling coward beaft.
Iris. Now doth the Lyon turne 'gainft Hercules
With violent fury : 'laffe poore Hercules.
Iuno. Gramercy Iris, I will crowne thy brow
With a new cafe of flarres, for thefe good newes.
Jhouts within.
Iris. Oh ! well done Hercules.
He makes him from his moulders like a feather.
And hurles the Lyon flat : The beaft again e
Leaps to his throat ; Alcides grapples with him.
The Lyon now : Now Hercules againe.
And now the beaft ; me thinkes the combat's euen.
Iuno. Not yet deftroyd ? Jfwuts within.
Iris. Well wraftled Hercules :
He gaue the monftrous Lyon fuch a fall,
As if a mountaine mould ore-whelme withall.
Aboue him ftill : he chokes him with his gripes,
And with his ponderous buffets flownds the beaft.
Iuno. Thus is my forrow, and his fame increaft.
Iris. Now he hath ftrangled him.
Iuno. Iris difcend.
But though this faile, Il'e other dangers flore,
The Sihter Age. 1 3 1
My Lyon flaine, I will prouide a Boare.
Enter to them at one doore, Eurifteus, and the Kings of
Greece : at the other Hercules, with the Lyons
head and skinne, Thefeus, Perithous, Philoc~letes.
Here. Thus Hercules begins his louiall taskes :
The horrid bead I haue torne out of his skin,
And the Nemean terror naked lyes,
Defpoyl'd of his inuinced coat of Armes.
Iuno. This head (O wer't the head of Hercules)
Doth grace Alcides (houlders, and me thinkes,
Deck'd in thefe fpoyles, thou dar'fl the God of
Armes.
Here. To you great luno, doth A lemma's fonne
His high laborious valour dedicate.
You might haue heard the Lyon roare to heauen ;
Euen to the high tribunall in the Spheares,
Where you fit crown'd in flarres. We fae'd the
bead,
And when he fixt his tallons in our flefh,
We catch't the monfler in our manly gripes,
And made him thrice breake hold. Long did we
tugge
For eminence : but when we prou'd his skin
To be wound-free, not to be piere'd with fteele,
We tooke the fauadge monfler by the throat,
And with our finowy puiflance (Irangled him.
Eurijl. Alcides honours Thebes, and fames whole
Greece.
Here. There (hall not breath a monfler here
vnawed,
We (hall the world affoord a wonderment,
Vnparalel'd by Theban Hercules.
This Lyons cafe (hall on our fhoulders hang,
Wee'l arme our body with th'vnvulner'd skin ;
And with this maffy Club all mon(lers dare :
And thefe (hall like a bloudy meteor (hew
K 2
132 The Siluer Age.
More dreadfull then Orions flaming lockes,
T'affright the Gyants that opprefie the earth.
Eur. Let Hercules meane time abide with vs,
Till King Eurifleus mew atchieuements finde,
Worthy his valour.
The/. Honour me great Prince,
To grace my friend Pcrithous, and his ayd,
To be at their high fpowfals.
Perith. Avpodamia.
Shall in this fuit aflifl Perithous,
With vs the Lapithes, the Centaurs meete,
Thofe whom Ixion got vpon a cloud.
They Hue amongft the groues of Theffaly,
And in their double fhapes will grace our feaft.
Here. Perithous, we will meet the Centaurs there,
And quaffe with them to Hypodamia's health.
But wherefore (lands bright Iuno difcontent ?
luno. Oh blame me not, an vncoth fauadge
Boare
Deuafts the fertill plaines of Theffaly :
And when the people come to implore our ayd,
Their Hues no mortall that dare vndertake
To combat him ; The rough Nemean Lyon
Was milde to this : he plowes the forrefts vp,
His fnowy foame he fcatters ore the hils,
And in his courfe or-turnes the Dordan okes :
Oh let him dye by mighty Hercules.
Here. Eternall Goddefle, were his fharpned
teeth
More dreadfull then the phangs of Cerberus,
Or were his briftled-hide Ioues Thunder proofe,
Were his head braffe, or his breaft doubly plated
With'beft Vulcanian armour Lemnos yeelds ;
Yet fhall his braines rattle beneath my Club.
The Eremanthian forreft where he den's,
Shall quake with terrour when we beat the bead :
And when we caft his backe againft the earth,
The ground fhall groan e and reele with as much
terror
The Siluer Age. 133
As when the Gyant Typhon (hakes the earth.
Iuno. Oh may'fl thou liue the Theban Conquerour.
(Dye by the fury of that fauadge fwine,
And with thy carkafle glut his rauenous maw).
Here. Perithous, I will bring thee to thy Bridals
This huge wilde fwine, to feafl the Centaurs with,
Diana's wrath (hall be Alcides di(h,
Which hee'l prefent to Hypodamia.
Tliefeus and Philocletes, you confort
Perithous, and aflift the Laypthes
In thefe high preparations : We will take
The Eremanthian forrefl in our way.
Let's part, and facred GoddefTe wifh vs well
In our atchieuements.
Juno. To be damn'd in hell. Exeunt.
Enter Ceres and Proferpine attired like the Moone, with
a company of Swaines, and country Wenches :
They ting.
With /aire Ceres Queene of graine
Song. The reaped fields we rome, rome, rome,
Each Countrey Peafant, Nimph and Swaine
Sing their haruefl home, home, home :
Whilfl the Queene of plenty hallowes
Growing fields as well as fallowes.
Eccho double all our Layes,
Make the Champians found, found, found
To the Queene of haruefl praife,
That fowes and reapes our ground, ground,
ground.
Ceres Queene of plenty hallowes
Growing fields as well as fallowes.
Ceres. As we are Ceres, Queene of all fertility,
The earthes fifler, Aunt to highefl Jupiter,
134 Ttie Siluer Age.
And mother to this beauteous childe the Moone,
So will we bleffe your haruefts, crowne your fields
With plenty and increafe : your bearded eares
Shall make their golden ftalkes of wheat to bend
Below their laden riches ; with full fickles
You fhall receiue the vfury of their feeds.
Your fallowes and your gleabes our felfe will till
From euery furrow that your plow-fhares raze
Vpon the plenteous earth, our fillers breaft,
You fhall caft vp aboundance for your gratitude
To Ceres and the chafte Proferpina.
Prof. WhU'ft with thefe fwaines my mother merry-
makes,
And from their hands eates cakes of neweft wheate,
The firfllings of their vowed facrifice,
Leaue me behinde to make me various garlands
Of all the choyceft flowers thefe medowes yeeld,
To decke my browes, and keepe my face from
fcorches
Of Phczbus raies.
Ceres. That done returne to vs,
Vnto our Temple, where wee'le feaft thefe fwaines.
Proferp. No fooner fhall faire Flora crowme my
temples,
But I your offerings will participate.
Ceres. Now that the heauens and earth are both
appeas'd
And the huge Giants that affaulted lone,
Are flaughtered by the hand of Iupiter ;
We haue leafure to attend our harmeleffe fwaines :
Set on then to our Rurall ceremonies. Exeunt finging.
Tempefls hence, hence winds and hailes,
Tares, cockle, rotten Jhowers, f}iowers,Jfiowers,
Our fong JJiall keep time with ourflailes,
When Ceres fings, none lowers, lowers,
lowers.
She it is whofe God-hood hallowes
Growing fields as well as fallowes.
The Siltier Age. 135
Profer. Oh ! may thefe medowes euer barren be,
That yeeld of flowers no more variety.
Here neither is the white nor fanguine Rofe,
The Straw-berry flower, the Paunce nor Violet :
Me thinkes I haue too poore a medow chofe,
Going to begge, I am with a begger met
That wants as much as I : I fhould do ill
To take from them that need. Here grow no more,
Then ferue thine owne delpoyled breaft to fill,
The meades I rob, fhall yeeld me greater More.
Thy flowers thou can (I not fpare, thy bofome lend,
On which to reft whiTft Phoebus doth tranfcend.
She lyes downe.
Thunder. Enter Pluto, his Chariot drawne in by
Diuels.
Pluto. What hurly-burly hath beene late in heauen
Again ft our brother Ioue omnipotent ?
The Gyants haue made warre : great Briareus
Whofe hundred hands, a hundred fwords at once
Haue brandifh't againft heauen, is topfie turn'd,
And tumbled headlong from th'Olimpicke Towers.
But big-limb'd Typho7i, that aflaulted moft,
And hurl'd huge mountaines 'gainft heauens chriftall
gates
To (hatter them, wraftled with Ioue himfelfe :
Whofe heeles tript vp, kick't 'gainft the firmament,
And falling on his backe, fpread thoufand acres
Of the affrighted earth, aftoniuYt Jupiter,
Left, he fhould rife to make new vp-rores there,
On his right hand the mount Pelorus hurle :
Vpon his left fpacious Pachinne lyes,
And on his legges, the land of Liliby :
His head the ponderous mountaine sEtna crownes,
From which the Gyant breathes infernall fires :
And ftruggling to be freed from all thefe weights,
Makes (as he raoues) huge earth-quakes that fhake
th' earth
136 The Si hie}' Age.
And make our kingdomes tremble. Frighted thence,
We haue made afcent to take a free furuey
Whether the worlds foundations be ftill firme ;
Left being cranied, through thefe concaue cliffes,
The Sunne and ftarres may mine, to lighten hell.
Al's found, we haue ftrooke th'earths baffes with our
mace,
And found the Center firme : Our Iron Chariot
That from his fliod wheeles rufty darkneffe flings,
Hath with our weight, prou'd mountaines, dales and
rocks,
And found them no where hollow ; All being well,
Wee'l cleaue the earth, and finke againe to hell.
Profer. Ceres, oh helpe me father Iupiter,
Yon vgly fliape affrights me.
Pluto. Ha, what's the matter 1
Who breath'd that well-tun'd fhrike, fweet fhape,
bright beauty, Pluto's heart was neuer foft till now.
Faire mortall.
Profer. Hence foule fiend.
Pluto. By Lethe, Styx, Cocytus, Acheron,
And all the terrors our blacke Region yeelds,
I fee and loue, and at one inftant both.
Kiffe me.
Profer. Out on thee Hellhound.
Pluto. What are you, beauteous Goddeffe ?
Profer. Nothing. Oh !
Helpe mother, father, Ceres, Iupiter.
Pluto. Be what thou canft, thou now art Pluto's
rape,
And fhalt with me to Orcus.
Profer. Clawes off Diuell.
Pluto. Fetch from my fifter Night a cloud of dark-
neffe
To roabe me in, in that Il'e hide this beauty
From Gods and mortals, till I finke to hell.
Nay, you fhall mount my Chariot.
Prof. Ceres, loue.
Pluto. Ceres nor lout, nor all the Gods aboue
The Siluer Age. 137
Shall rob me this rich purchafe. Yoake my (lallions
That from their noflrils breath infernall fumes :
And when they gallop through thefe vpper worlds,
With fogges choake Phoebus, chace the ftarres from
heauen,
And while my Ebon Chariot ore the rocks,
Clatters his Iron wheeles, make a noyfe more
hideous
Then Panompheus thunder.
Prof. Helpe heauen, helpe earth.
Pluto. Cleaue earth, and when I ftampe vpon thy
breafl
Sinke me, my brafie-fhod wagon, and my felfe,
My Coach-fleeds, and their traces altogether
Ore head and eares in Styx.
Profer. You Gods, you men.
Pluto. Eternall darkeneffe clafpe me where I dwell
Sauing thefe eyes, wee'le haue no light in hell. Exit.
Enter Ceres.
Ceres. Where is my faire and louely Proferpine ?
The feaft is done, and flie not yet return'd :
Speake Ioues faire daughter, whither art thou ftraid ?
I haue fought the medowes, gleabes, and new-reap't
fields,
Yet cannot finde my childe. Her fcattered flowers,
And garland halfe made vp, I haue light upon,
But her I cannot fpy. Behold the trace
Of fome flrange wagon, that hath fcortch't the fields,
And fing'd the grade : thefe routes the funne nere
fear'd.
Where art thou loue ? where art thou Proferpine%
Hath not thy father loue fnatch't thee to heauen
Vpon his Eagle ? I will fearch the fpheares
But I will finde thee out : fwift Mercury,
Ioues fonne, and Mayas; fpeake, fpeake from the
clouds,
And tell me if my daughter be aboue.
1 38 The Siluer Age.
Mercury flies from aboiie.
Mer. Thy clamours {Ceres) haue afcent through
heauen ;
Which when I heard, as fwift as lightning
I fearch't the regions of the vpper world,
And euery place aboue the firmament.
I haue pad the planets, foar'd quite through the
fpheares ;
I haue croft the Articke and Antarkicke poles.
Hot Cancer, and cold Arclos I haue fearch't,
Paft th' Hyperboreans, and th' Solfticies,
The Tropiques, Zones, Signes, Zeniths, Circles, Lines,
Yet no where can I finde faire Proferpine.
Exit Mercury.
Ceres. If not in heauen, Il'e next inquire the
earth,
And to the place where old Oceanus
Layes his hoare head in Amphitrites lap :
Il'e trauell till I finde my girle.
Aflift me gracious Neptune in my fearch ;
And Tryton, thou that on thy fhelly Trumpet,
Summons the Sea-gods, anfwer from the depth,
If thou haft feene or heard of Proferpine. Exeunt.
Enter Tryton with his Trumpe, as from thefea.
Tryt. On Neptunes Sea-horfe with my concaue
Trumpe,
Through all th' Abyffe, I haue fhril'd thy daughters
loffe.
The channels cloath'd in waters, the low citties,
In which the water-Nymphes, and Sea-gods dwell,
I haue perus'd; fought through whole woods and
forrefts
Of leaueleffe Corrall planted in the deepes,
Toft vp the beds of Pearle, rouz'd vp huge Whales,
And fterne Sea-monfters from their rocky dennes,
Thofe bottomes, bottomleffe fhallowes and fhelues :
The Siluer Age. 139
And all thofe currents where th' earths fprings breake
in,
Thofe plaines where Neptune feeds his Porpofes,
Sea-morfes, Seales, and all his cattell elfe.
Through all our ebbes and Tides my Trump hath
tlaz'd her,
Yet can no cauerne fhew me Proferpine. Exit Tryton.
Ceres. If heauen nor fea, then fearch thy bofome
earth,
Faire fifter Earth, for all thefe beauteous fields
Spread ore thy breaft ; for all thefe fertill croppes,
With which my plenty hath inrich't thy bofome.
For all thofe rich and pleafant wreathes of graine
With which fo oft thy Temples I haue crown'd :
For all the yearely liueries and frefh robes
Vpon thy fommer beauty I beftow,
Shew me my childe.
Earth rifeth from vnder thejlage.
Earth. Not in reuenge faire Ceres
That your remorfleffe plowes haue rak't my breaft,
Nor that your Iron-tooth'd harrowes print my face
So full of wrinkles, that you digge my fides
For marie and foyle, and make me bleed my fprings
Through all my open'd veines, to weaken me ;
Do I conceale your daughter : I haue fpread
My armes from fea to fea, look't ore my mountaines,
Examin'd all my paftures, groues, and plaines,
Marfhes and wowlds, my woods and Champian fields,
My dennes and caues ; and yet from foot to head
I haue no place on which the Moone doth tread.
Earth finkes.
Ceres. Then Earth thou haft loft her : and for
Prq/erpine
Il'e flrike thee with a lafting barrenneffe.
No more fhall plenty crowne thy fertill browes,
Il'e breake thy plowes, thy Oxen murren-flrike :
With Idle agues Il'e confume thy fwaines,
1 40 The Siluer Age.
Sow tares and cockles in thy lands of wheat,
Whofe fpykes the weed and cooch-graffe fhall out-
grow,
And choke it in the blade. The rotten fhowers
Shall drowne thy feed, which the hote funne fhall
parch,
Or mill-dewes rot ; and what remaines fhall be
A prey to rauenous birds. Oh Proferpine !
You Gods that dwell aboue, and you below,
Both of the woods and gardens, riuers, brookes,
Fountaines and wels, fome one among you all
Shew me her felfe or graue, to you I call.
The riuer Arethufa rifeth from the Jlage.
Areth. That can the riuer Arethufa do,
My ftreames you know faire Goddeffe, iffue forth
From Tartary, by the Tenarian Ifles :
My head's in Hell, where Stygian Pluto reignes,
There did I fee the louely Proferpine,
Whom Pluto hath rap't hence ; behold her girdle,
Which by the way dropt from her beauteous wafte,
And fcattered in my ftreames. Faire Queene adue,
Crowne you my banks with flowers, as I tell true.
Exit Are.
Ceres. Hath that infernall monfter ftolne my
childe %
Il'e mount the fpheares, and there folicite loue,
To inuade the Stygian kingdomes, to redeeme
My rauifh't daughter. If the Gods deny
That grace to Ceres, Il'e inuoke the helpe
Of fome bold mortall : noble Hercules,
Who with his Club fhall rouze th' infernall King,
Dragge out the furies with their fnaky lockes,
Strangle hels Iudges in their fcarlet robes,
And bring a double terrour to the damn'd.
Of Gods and Men I will inuoke the aides
To free my childe from thofe infernall fhades.
The Sihier Age. 1 4 1
Enter Hercules, Thefeus, Perithous, Philocletes, Hypo-
damia, the Centaurs, Neffus, Euritus, Chiron,
Cillarus, Antimachus, Hippafus. At a banquet.
Here. To grace thy feafl faire Hypodamia,
The Eremanthian forrefl we haue rob'd
Of that huge Boare : you Centaurs doubly fliap't,
Feed with Alcides on that monflrous fwine,
That hath deuour'd fo many Swaynes and Heards.
The/. Take Thefeus welcome for Perithous fake,
And fit with vs faire Princes, take your place
Next you Alcides ; then the Centaurs round.
Antunac. Now by Ixion, that our grand-fire was,
That dar'd to kifle the mighty thunderers wife,
And did not feare to cuckold Iupiter,
Thou dofl the Centaur's honour.
Neff. Let's quaffe the brides health in the bloud of
grapes,
Wine begets mirth, and mirth becomes a bridall.
Perith. Fill then for Neffus and Antimachus,
Let Euritus and Chiron pledge it round.
Eur. Fill to vs all, euen till thefe empty bowles
Turne vp their bottomes 'gainfl the face of heauen.
Chi. Off fhall all this to Hipodamia's health,
The beauteous bride : wil't pledge it Hercules 1
Here. Yes, were it deeper then the golden cup
Ioue quaffes in from the hand of Ganimed.
Silanthus, Hippafus, and Cillarus,
To the faire Princeffe of the Lapythes.
Anti. Shee's faire indeed, I loue her : wine and
loue
Adde fire to fire. To Philotletes this.
Phi. 'Tis welcome Hippafus. Here Cillarus.
Cil. Faire Hypodamia's of the Centaurs brood,
Great Bifhis daughter, neere ally'd to vs,
Il'e take her health.
Perith. Gramercy Cillarus :
Il'e do the like to faire Philonome,
Thy fweet She-Centaur.
142 TJie Siluer Age.
Cil. Double this to her.
Hyp. Crowne all your healths with mirth, let ioyes
abound
And to Philonome let this go round.
Anti. Gramercies, 'laffe my braine begins to fwim,
I haue an appetite to kiffe the bride,
I and I will.
Theff. What meanes Antimachus 1
Anti. Kifle Hypodamia, I and
The/. That's too much,
And more then any of the Centaurs dare.
Cil. Why ? who mould hinder him ?
The/. That Thefeus will.
Anti. Ha, ha, haue I from the fierce Lyon torne
her whelp ?
Brought from the forrefts fhe-Beares in my armes?
And dandled them like infants ? plaid with them,
And fhall I not then dare to kiffe the bride ?
Here. Audacious Centaur, do but touch, her
skirt,
Prophane that garment Hymen hath put on ;
Or with thy hideous fhape once neere her cheeke,
Il'e lay fo huge a ponder on thy skull,
As if the baffes of the heauen fhould fhrinke,
And whelme ore thee the marble firmament.
Anti. That will I try.
Cil. Affift Antimachus.
A confufed fray withjlooles, cups 6- bowles,
the Centaurs are beaten.
Peri. Refcue for Hypodamia.
Chi. Downe with the Lapythes.
Neff. Downe with Hercules.
Here. You cloud-bred race, Alcides here will ftand
To plague you all with his high Iouiall hand.
Alarme. Enter Iuno, with all the Centaurs.
Iuno. And fhrinkes Ixions race ? durft he afpire
To our celeftiall bed ? though for his boldneffe
The Siluer Age. 143
He now be tortured with the wheele in hell 1
And dare not you withfland bafe Hercules %
Currage braue Hyppo- Centaurs, let the baftard
Be hew'd and mangled with our conquering arme.
Renue the fight, make the Thefialian fields
Thunder beneath your hoofes, whilft they imprint
Vpon the earth, deepe femi circled moones.
Let all your arm'd race gallop from the hils,
To inmure the faint deiedled Lapithes.
Tis Juno, whom your tortur'd grand-fire lou'd,
Bids you to Armes : lift vp your weapons hye
And in their fall may great Alcides dye.
Antimac. Our grand-fires wheeles cracke all that
Centaurs bones,
That flyes when Juno giues incouragement.
Chirus, Latreus, Neffus, Eurttus,
And all our race firft tumbled in the clouds
That crown'd the mountaine toppes of Theffaly,
Make head againe, follow Antimachus,
Whofe braine through heated with the fumes of wine
Burnes with the loue of Hypodamia.
Thefeus, Peri/nous, and Alcides, all
Shall in this fury by the Centaurs fall.
Alarme. Enter to them Hercules, Thefeus, Perithous,
and Philodletes.
Here. Behold the lufl-burn'd and wine-heated
monflers
Once more make head ; wee'l pafh them with our
club.
This Centaure-match, it fhall in ages,
And times to come, renown e great Hercules.
Vpon them, when we parlee with our foes :
Tongues peace : for we breake filence with our blowes.
Alarme. They fight, the Centaurs are all difperjl and
flaine. Enter with victory, Hercules, Thefeus,
Perithous, Philocletes, Hypodamia, and others.
Here. Let Theffaly refound Alcides praife,
1 44 The Siluer Age.
And all the two-fhap't Centaurs that furuiue,
Quake when they heare the name of Hercules.
Were thefe Theffalian monfters bred at firfl
By Saturne and Philiris, as fome fay,
When in equinall fhape fhe was deflour'd ?
Or when Ixion, fnatcht to heauen by loue,
And feafted in the hye Olympicke hall,
He fought to ftrumpet Iuno 1 The heauens Queene
Transform'd a cloud to her celefliall fhape,
Of which he got the Centaurs. Be they bred
Of earth or vapour, their hote fiery braines
Are now difpurpled by Alcides Club,
And in their deaths renowne the Lapythes.
The/. Ioues fonne was borne a terrour to the
world, ,
To awe the tyrants that oppreffe and fway.
Perith. But moft indebt to thee Pentiums is,
That haft reftor'd a virgin and a bride,
Pure and vntouch't to fleep in thefe my amies.
Hypoda. My tongue fhall found the praife of Her-
cules.
My heart imbrace his loue.
Here. Oh had bright Iuno
My louing flep-dame, feated in the clouds,
Beheld me pafh the Centaurs with my club,
It would haue fild her with celefliall ioyes ;
Knowing that all my deeds of fame and honour
I confecrate to her and Iupiter.
Of thefe proud Centaurs Neffits is efcapt,
The reft all ftrew the fields of Thcjjaly.
Enter Ceres.
Ceres. Referues the noble Theban all his valour
For th'ingrate Iuno, and hath ftor'd no deed
Of honour for deiec"ted Ceres here 1
Ceres forlorne, forfaken and defpis'd,
Whom neither obdure heauen, relentleffe fea,
Nor the rude earth will pitty.
The Sihier Age. 145
Here. Queene of plenty,
Lye it within the ftrength of mortall arme,
The power of man, or worke of demi-god,
I am thy Champion.
Ceres. From heauen, earth and fea,
Then Ceres mud appeale to Hercules.
Know then I am rob'd of beauteous Proferpine,
Tartarian Dis hath rap't my daughter hence ;
Which when I heard, I skal'd the thunderers throne,
And made my plaints to him, who anfwered me,
His power was onely circumfcrib'd in heauen,
And Pluto was as abfolute in hell
As he in heauen ; nor would he mufler Gods
Againfl the fiends, ore which his brother reign'd.
Next made I fuit to haue Neptune call his waters,
And with his billowes drowne the lower world :
Who anfwered, the firme channell bounds his waues,
Nor is there paflage betweene fea and hell,
The earth beneath her center cannot finke,
Nor haue I hope from thence ; onely great Hercules.
Here. Will vndertake what neither lupiter,
Neptune, nor all the Gods dare make their taske :
The Stygian Pluto fhall reftore the moone,
Or feele the raaffe of this my ponderous club.
Comfort faire Queene, Il'e pafie the poole of Styx,
And if leane Charon waftage fhall deny,
The Ferry-man Il'e buffet in his barge.
Three-throated Cerberus that keepes hell-gates,
Shall (when we come to knocke) not dare to howle :
The ghofts already dead, and doom'd, fhall feare
To dye againe at fight of Hercules.
Sterne Mynos, sEachus, and Rhadamant,
Shall from the dreadfull fefiions kept in hell,
Be rouz'd by vs : wee'l quake them at that barre
Where all foules fland for fentence : the three fitters
Shall crowch to vs. Ceres, wee'l ranfacke hell,
And Pluto from th* infernall vaults expell.
Thrf. Tliefeus in this will ayd great Hercules.
3 L
146 The Siluer Age.
Peri. " And fo Perithons fhall.
Here. Comfort Queene Ceres,
Whom neither Harpyes, Boares or Buls can tame,
The darke Cimerians muft next found his fame.
Adue bright Hypodamia lately freed
From the adulterous Centaurs : Our renowne
That yet 'tweene heauen and earth doth onely fhine,
Hell fhall next blaze for beauteous Proferpine.
Homer.
Ere Hercules the Stygian pooles innade
A taske which none but he durjl vndertake,
Without both earthy and immortall ayde,
We Ioue prefent : who once more dothforfake
Heauen, for a mortall beauty ; one more rare
Earth yeelded not, then Semele the f aire.
Whilfl Iuno, Hercules with hate purfues,
Neglecling Ioue, he from the fpheares efpyes
This bright Cadmeian, and the groues doth chufe
To court her in : How, and in what difguife
You next fhall fee, they meetfirflin the Chace,
Where they difcourfe, acquaint, kiffe, and im-
brace.
Dumbefhew. Enter Semele like a huntreffe, with her
traine, Iupiter like a wood-?nan in greene : he woes
her, and winnes her.
What cannot Ioue, infusd with power diuine ?
He woes and winnes, enioyes the beauteous dame ;
The iealous Yuxvofpyes their Ioue in fine,
Leaues off her enuy to Alcides/tf//^,
And 'gainfl this beauteous Lady amies her fpleene,
Quite to deflroy the bright Cadmeian Queene.
Your fauours flill : fome here no doubt will wonder,
To fee the Thunderers Ioue perifli by thunder.
The Siluer Age. 147
Enter Iuno and Iris.
Iuno. Haft, thou found him Iris ?
Iris. Madame I haue.
Iuno. Where %
Iris. In the houfe of Cadmus, courting there
The faireft of the race, yong Semele.
Iuno. What am I better to be Qiteene of heauen,
To be the fifter and the wife of loue,
When euery ftrumpet braues my Deity ?
Whilft I am bufied to lay traps and traines
For proud Alcmends baftard, he takes time
For his adulterous rapes. Europa liues
Sainted on earth, Califlo fhines a ftarre,
Iuft in mine eye, by name of Leffcr Beare,
lo in sEgypt is ador'd a Goddefle :
And of my feruant Argus (flair) e by Mercury)
There liues no note ; faue that his hundred eyes
I haue tranfported to my peacockes traine.
Thus fall the friends of Iuno, whilft his ftrumpets
Front me on earth, or braue mine eye in heauen :
But Semele (hall pay for't. In what fhape
Saw'ft thou him court that ftrumpet %
Iris. Like a wood-man.
Iuno. I met him on the mountaine Erecine,
And tooke him for the yong Hyppolitus.
Iris I hau't ; 'tis plotted in my braine,
To haue the ftrumpet by her louer flaine.
Of her nurfe Beroe IFe affume the fhape,
And by that meanes auenge me on this rape.
Exeunt.
Enter Semele with her feruants and attendants.
Seme/. Oh Iupiter ! thy loue makes me immor-
tall,
The high Cadmeian is in my grace,
To that great God exalted, and my iffue,
When it takes life, fhall be the feed of Gods ;
l a
148 The Sihier Age.
And I (hall now be ranck't in equipage
With Danae, lo, Leda, and the reft,
That in his amours pleas'd the thunderer beft.
Me-thinkes fince his imbraces fil'd my wombe,
There is no earth in me, I am all diuine :
Ther's in me nothing mortall, faue this fhape,
Whofe beauty hath cal'd Ioue himfelfe from heauen,
The reft all pure, corruptleffe and refin'd,
That hath daz'd men, and made th' immortall blinde.
Leaue vs, oh you vnworthy to attend
Or wait vpon Cadmeian Semele :
Hebt fliall be my hand-mayd, and my wine
The hand of Iones owne cup-bearer fhall fill,
Il'e begge of him the Troian Ganlmed
To be my page ; and when I pleafe to ride,
Borrow his Eagle through the ayre to glide.
Go call me hither my Nurfe Beroe,
Whom I will make free-partner in my ioyes.
Enter Iuno in thejtiape of old Beroe.
Sera. Beroe attends your grace.
Sent. Oh my deere nurfe ! Hues there on earth a
Princeffe
Equally lou'd and grac'd by Ioue himfelfe ?
Iuno. Out on thee (trumpet, I could teare thofe
eyes,
Whofe beauty drew my husband from the skyes.
Sent. I am not happy Beroe 1
Iuno. Were you fure
'Twere Ioue himfelfe this gladneffe did procure.
Madame, there many fowle importers be,
That blinde the world with their inchaftity:
And in the name of Gods, being fcarce good men,
Iuggle with Ladyes, and corrupt their honors.
Think you yon ftripling that goes clad in greene,
Is Iupiter 1
Sem. I know him for heauens King,
Whofe iffue in my wombe I feele to fpring.
The Siluer Age. 149
Iuno. I thinke it not ; but Lady this I know,
That Gods are fo lafciuious growne of late,
That men contend their lufls to imitate.
Sem. Not Iupiter.
Iuno. Things truly reconcile,
You'l iumpe with me : how haue you beene the while,
Since you were breeding, now well, fometimes ill,
Subiecl. to euery imperfection Mill,
Apt to all chances other women be.
When were you lou'd of the high Deity,
That hath the guift of ftrength, power, health, and
ioy,
The lead of thefe could not your (late annoy.
Sem. Thou putft me in miftrufl, and halfe perfwad'ft
me
He is no more then mortall whom I loue.
How (hall I proue him nurfe ?
Iuno. Il'e tell you madame ; When you fee him
next,
Seeme with fome ftrange and vncoth paflion vext,
And beg of him a boone, which till he grant,
Sweare he no more your fauours (hall inchant.
Sem. Beroe, what boone ?
Iuno. To hugge you in that (late
In which faire Iuno he imbrac'd fo late.
To defcend armed with celefliall fire,
And in that maiefly glut his defire.
His right hand arm'd with lightning, on his head
Heauens many crowne ; and fo to mount your bed.
So are you fure he is a God indeed,
Obtaine this boone, and fairely may you fpeed,
Sem. Thou hafl fir'd me Beroe.
Iuno. Thou (halt be on flame,
So great, the Ocean fhall not quench the fame.
Sem. Beroe away, my chamber ready make,
Toffe downe on downe : for we this night mull
tumble
Within the armes of mighty Iupiter.
Of whom Il'e begge th' immortall fweets of loue,
150 The Siluer Age,
Such as from Ioue Imperiall Iww tafles.
Begone without reply, my loue's at hand.
Iuno. Thy deaths vpon thy boone : this Inno
cheares,
That my reuenge fhall mount aboue the fpheares.
exit Iuno.
Sent. I will not fmile on him, lend him a looke,
As the leaft grace, till he giue free afcent
To fill me with celeftiall wonderment.
Enter Iupiter like a wood-man.
Iup. Oh thou that mak'fl earth heauen, & turn'ft
th' immortal
Into this fhape terreftriall, thou bright iffue
Of old sEgenor, and the Cadmeian line,
For whom, thefe ftony buildings we preferre
Before our Chriftall flructures : that mak'ft loue
Abandon the high counfels of the Gods
To treat with thee of loues faire blandifhments :
Diuineft of thy race, faire Semele
Fold in thine armes Olimpicke Iupiter.
Sem. Iupiter !
Iup. That Iupiter that with a powerfull nod
Shakes the heauens arches, ore the vniuerfe
Spreads dreads & awe ; and when we arme our felfe
With maiefty, make th' earths foundation tremble,
And all mortality flye like a fmoake
Before our prefence vanifh't and confum'd.
Sem. Did Semele behold fuch Maiefty,
She could beleeue this were the thunderers voyce,
Thou hee %
Iup. What meanes this ftrangeneffe Semele ?
Haue I preferd thy beauty before hers
Whofe ftate fils heauen, whofe food's Ambrofia,
Vpon whofe cup the louely Hebe waits
When fhe quaffes Neflar ? whofe bright Chariot
Is drawn with painted peacocks through the clouds
And am I thus receiu'd ?
T/ie Siluer Age. 151
Sem. Thou bed with Iuno 1
Bafe groome, thou art no better then thou feem'ft,
And thy impoflures haue deceiued a Princeffe
Greater then ere defcended from thy line.
Hence from my fight thou earth, that haft profan'd
The dreadfull thunderers name : what fee I in thee
More then a man, to proue thy felfe a God 1
Thou deifi'd 1 thy prefence groome is poore,
Thy 'hauiour Height, thy courtfhip triuiall,
Thou haft not a good face, what's in thee worth
The fauour and the grace of Semele 1
A God 1 alaffe ! thou art fcarce a proper man.
Iup. Ha, fails my fhape, is he that awes the Gods,
Now valued leffe then man ? why Semele
Proue me and what I can : wouldft thou haue gold ?
Il'e raine a richer fhower in thy bofome
Then ere I powr'd on Danae.
Sem. Gold 1 what's that 1
Which euery mortall Prince can giue his loue.
Iup. Wouldft thou increafe thy beauty or thy
ftrength 1
Sem. I am nor fowle nor ficke.
Iup. Wouldft thou haue God-hood ?
I will tranflate this beauty to the fpheares,
Where thou fhalt fhine the brighteft ftarre in heauen :
Il'e lift thy body from this terrene droffe,
And on two eagles, fwift as Pegafus,
Wee'l take our daily progreffe through the clouds.
Il'e (hew thee all the planets in their ranke,
The monftrous fignes, the Lyon, Ramme and Bull,
The blacke-fcald Scorpion, and the Cancers clawes.
Aske what thou wilt to proue my Deity,
And take it as thine owne faire Semele.
Sem. Grant me one boone, leffe then the lead of
thefe,
My armes fhall fpread thus wide to imbrace my loue,
In my warme bofome I will gloue thy hand,
And feale a thoufand kiffes on thy lippes.
My fingers Il'e intangle in thefe curies,
152 The Siluer Age.
And fcarfe my Iuory arme about thy necke ;
And lay my felfe as proflrate to thy loue,
As th' earth her graffe-greene apron fp reads for raine.
Speake, fhall I aske ? or haue you power to grant 1
Iup. By dreadfull Styx, an oath I cannot change,
But aske and haue.
Sent. Then bed with me to night,
Arm'd with the felfe-fame God-hood, ftate and power
You Iuno meet.
Iup. Blacke day, accurfed houre,
Thou haft ask't too much, thy weake mortality
Cannot indure the fcorching fires of heauen.
Sent. Either you cannot doo't, as wanting might,
Or loath you are to breed me fuch delight.
Is this your loue 1
Iup. Thy death is in thy boone :
But 'tis thy fate, (he can it not recall,
Nor I vnfweare : the infant in her wombe
Not yet full growne and ripe, torments me mod :
For in this rafh demand they both are loft.
Sem. Il'e Hand it at all dangers, and prepare
For this nights fport.
Iup. Aboue my thunders are,
Thither I muft, and beeing arm'd, defcend
To giue this beauty (in her rafhneffe) end.
Sem. Remember by this kifle you keep your oath.
Iup. Neuer did loue to heauen afcend fo loath ;
Expect me this fad night.
Sem. With double ioy.
Celeftiall fweets fhall furfet me, and cloy
My appetite ; the Gods are loath to impart
Their pleafures to vs mortalls. Dance my hart,
And fwim in free delights, my pleafures crowne,
This Iouiall night fhall Semele renowne. Exit Semele.
Iuno and Iris plac'd in a cloud aboue.
Iuno. Come Iris, ore the loftieft pinnacles
Of this high pallace, let vs mount our felues,
The Siluer Age. 153
To fee this noble paftime : Is't not braue %
Iris. Hath her fuit tooke effect 1 'lafle Semele !
Iuno. Hang, burne her witch, be all fuch ftrum-
pets fir'd
With no lefle heat then wanton Semele.
Oh 'twill be gallant fport, wil't not Iris ?
To fee thefe golden roofes daunce in the aire.
Thefe pinnacles fhall pricke the floores of heauen,
Thefe fpires confufed, tumble in the clouds ;
And all flye vp and matter at the approach
Of his great God-hood. Oh 'twould pleafe me Iris
To fee this wanton with her baftard, blowne
And hang'd vpon the high homes of the moone.
The howre drawes on, we may from hence efpy
Th' adultreffe fprall, the pallace vpwards fly.
Enter ttvo maids of Semeles chamber.
1. Maid. Queftionleffe my Lady lookes for fome
great guefts, that lhe makes all this preparation.
2. Maid. 'Tis not like fhe expects them at fupper,
becaufe fhe herfelfe is preparing to bed.
1. Maid. Did you note how fhe made vs tumble
& toffe the bed before the making of it would pleafe
her?
2. Maid. There hath beene tumbling and toffing
on that bed hath pleas'd her better ; you know the
youth in greene, he hath made my Lady looke red
ere now.
1. Maid You know fhee is naturally pale ; hee
did but wraftle with her to get her a colour.
2. Maid. The youth in greene hath giuen her a
medicine for the greene fickneffe, I warrant her : I am
deceiued, if (when they meet) it go not two to one of
her fide.
1. Maid. Why do you thinke her with childe.
2. Maid. Tis paft thinking, I dare fweare. But
let's attend my Lady.
154 The Siluer Age.
Enter Semele drawne out in her bed.
Sem. Away, we will haue none partake our
pleafures,
Or be eye-witneffe of thefe prodigall fweets
Which we this night fhall in aboundance tafte.
This is the houre fhall deifie my earth,
And make this droffe immortal! : thankes my Beroe,
That thou haft made me begge my happineffe,
Shew'd me the way to immortallity,
And taught me how to emulate the Gods.
Defcend great loue in thy full maiefty,
And crowne my pleafures : here behold me fpred,
To tafte the fweets of thy immortall bed.
Thunder, lightnings, Iupiter defcends in his maiesty, his
Thunderbolt burning.
Jup. Thus wrapt in ftormes and black tempeftuous
clouds,
Lightning and fhowers, we fit vpon the roofes
And trembling Tarraffes of this high houfe
That is not able to containe our power.
Yet come we not with thofe fharpe thunders arm'd
With which the fturdy giants we ore-threw,
When we the mighty Typhon funke beneath
Foure populous kingdomes : thefe are not fo fiery,
The Cyclopes that vs'd to forge our bolts,
Haue qualifi'd their feruour, yet their violence
Is 'boue the ftrength of mortals. Beauteous Semele
In deed of thee I fhall imbrace thy fmoake,
And clafpe a fumy vapour left in place
Thunder and lightning.
Of thy bright beauty, Stormy tempefts ceafe,
The more I frowne, the more their breathes increafe.
Sem. What terror's this 1 oh thou immortall
fpeake !
My eyes are for thy maiefty too weake.
The Siltier Age. 155
As he toucheth the bed it fires, and all fly es vp,
\\i\n\.QT from thence takes an abortiue infant.
Iup. Receiue thy boone, now take thy free defire
In thunder, tempeft, fmoake, and heauenly fire.
luno. Ha, ha, ha.
Faire Semele s confum'd, 'twas acted well :
Come, next wee'l follow Hercules to hell.
Jupiter taking vp the Infant fpeakes as he afcends in
his cloud.
Iup. For Semele (thus flaine) the heauens fhall
mourne
In pitchy clouds, the earth in barrennefle ;
The Ocean (for her flaughter) fhall weepe brine,
And hell refound her loffe. Faire Semele
Nothing but afhes now ; yet this remainder,
That cannot dye, being borne of heauenly feed,
I will conferue till his full time of birth :
His name II' e Bachus call, and being growne,
Stile him, The God of Grapes ; his Bachenals
Shall be renown'd at feafts, when their light braines
Swim in the fumes of wine. This all that's left
Of Semele, vnto the heauens Il'e beare,
Whofe death this Motto to all mortals lends :
He by the Gods dyes, that 'boue man contends.
Homer.
let none thefecrets of the Gods inquire,
Left they {like her) be flrooke with heauenly fire.
But we againe to Hercules returne,
Now on his iourney to the vaults befav,
Where difcontented Proferpine doth mourne,
There's made to cheere her an inf email fJunv.
Ilels Iudges, Fates and Furies fummond beene
To giuefree welcome to the Stygian Queene.
156 The Silner Age.
A dumbe Jhew of Pluto and all his Diuels, prefenting
fenerall gifts and fliewes to cheer e, but fhe continues
in her dif content.
All this and more {the beauteous Queene to cheare)
Pluto deuis 'd, but flill her griefe remaines :
No food flic tafles within the gloomy fpheare,
Saue of a ripe Pomtgranat fome few graines.
The next thing we prefent (fit f aire and well)
Youftiall behold a Holy-day in hell.
Enter Thefeus, Perithous, and Philocletes armed.
Thefi Saw you not Hercules ?
Perith. Noble Thefeus no.
I left him in the forreft, chacing there
Dianaes Hart, and ftriuing to out-run
The fwift-foot beaft.
Thef, His actiue nimbleneffe
Out-flies the winged bird, out-ftrips the fteed,
Catcheth the hare, & the fwift grey-hound tires
Out-paceth the wilde Leopard, and exceeds
Beafls of moft ac"liue chace.
Phi. We haue arriu'd
At Tenaros ; this is the mouth of hell,
Which by my counfell, wee'l not feeke to enter
Till Hercules approach.
Thef. Not enter Philocletes 1
Our fpirits may compare with Hercules.
Though he exceed our ftrength, I with my fword
Will beat againft blacke Tartarus Ebon gates,
And dare the triple-headed dogge to armes,
Hels tri-fhap't porter.
Phi. Not by my perfwafion.
Peri. Perithous will affift his noble friend,
And in this worke preuent great Hercules.
Let's rouze the hell-hound, call him from his lodge,
And (maugre Cerberus) enter hels-mouth,
The Sillier Age. 157
And thence redeeme the rauifh't Prqferpine.
The/. Had Orpheus power by muficke of his
harpe,
To charme the curre, pierce Orcus, Pluto pleafe,
And at his hands begge faire Euridice :
And (hall not we as much dare with our fwords,
As he with fingring of his golden firings.
Come, let our ioynt affiflance rouze the fiend,
Thunder againfl the rufly gates of hell,
And make the Stygian kingdomes quake with feare.
They beaie against the gates. Enter Cerberus.
Cerb. What mortall wretch, that feares to dye
aboue
Hath trauel'd thus farre to enquire out death 1
The/. We that haue blaz'd the world with deeds of
praife
Mufl fill the Stygian Empire with our fame ;
Then rouze thee thou three-throted curre, and tafle
The ftrength of Thefeus.
Cerb. Thefe my three empty throats you three
fhall gorge,
And when my nailes haue tome you limbe from
limbe,
I'le fit and feaft my hunger with your flefh.
Thefe phangs fhall gnaw vpon your cruded bones,
And with your bloods Il'e fmeare my triple chaps,
Your number fits my heads, and your three bodies
Shall all my three-throats fet a worke at once.
Il'e worry you ; and hauing made you bleed,
Firft fucke your iuice, then on your entrails feed.
Perithous fights with Cerberus, and is Jlainc.
Thef. Hold bloudy fiend, and fpare my noble
friend,
The honour of the worthy Lapythes
Lyes breathleffe here before the gates of hell :
Ceafe monfler, ceafe to prey vpon his body,
158 The Siluer Age.
And feed on Thefeus here.
Ccrb. Il'e eate you all.
Thefeus is tvounded. Enter Hercules.
Here. Stay and forbeare your vp-roare, till our
club
Stickle amongft you : whil'ft we in the chace
Haue catch't the fwift and golden-headed ftagge,
Thefe valiant Greekes haue funke themfelues beneath
The vpper world, as low as Erebus.
Whom fee we 1 Thefeus wounded, yong Perlthous,
Tome by the rauenous phangs of Cerberus.
My griefe conuert to rage, and fterne reuenge.
Come, guard thee well infernall Caniball,
At euery ftroke that lights vpon thy skull,
Il'e make thee thinke the weight of all the world
And the earths huge maffe fhall crowne thee.
Cerb. Welcome mortall,
Thou com'ft to mend my breake-faft, thou wilt yeeld
me
Many a fat bit.
Here. Il'e make thee eate my club,
And fwallow this fell maftiffe downe thy panch.
At euery weighty cuffe I'le make thee howle,
And fet all hell in vp-roare : when thou roareft,
Thy barking groanes fhall make the brafen Towers
Where ghofts are tortur'd, eccho with thy found.
Plutoes blacke guard at euery deadly yell,
Shall frighted run through all the nookes of hell.
Hercules beats Cerberus ; and binds him in chalnes.
Here. Keep thou this rauenous hell-hound gyu'd &
bound,
Hels bowels I muft pierce, and rouze blacke JDls,
Breake (with my fifts) thefe Adamantine gates,
The Iron percullis teare, and with my club
Worke my free paffage (maugre all the fiends)
Through thefe infemals. Lo, I finke myfelfe
In Charms barge, Il'e ferry burning Styx,
The Siluer Age. 159
Ranfacke the pallace where grim Pluto reignes,
Mount his tribunall, made of fable let,
Defpight his blacke guard, ftownd him in his chaire,
And from his arme fnatch beauteous Proferpine.
Ghofts, Furies, Fiends fhall all before vs flye,
Or once more perifh, and fo doubly dye.
Hercules finkes himfrffc : FlafJies of fire; the Diucls
appeare at eucry corner of the flage with feiierall
fire-workis. The fudges of hell, and the three
fiflers run ouer the flage, Hercules after them :
fire-workes all ouer the houfe. Enter Hercules.
Here. Hence rauenous vulture, thou no more (halt
tire
On poore Prometheus, Danae fpare your tubs,
Stand ftill thou rovvling (lone of Sifiphus,
Feed Tantalus with apples, glut thy panch,
And with the fhrinking waues quench thy hote third.
Thy bones Ixion, fhall no more be broke
Vpon the torturing wheele : the Eagles beake
Shall Titius fpare at fight of Hercules,
And all the horrid tortures of the damn'd
Shall at the wauing of our club difiolue.
Enter Pluto with a club of fire, a burning cro7vne,
Proferpine, the Judges, the Fates, and a guard of
Diucls, all with burning rveapons.
Pluto. Wer't thou Imperiall Ioue, that fwaies the
heauens,
And in the ftarry ftruclure dwel'ft aboue,
Thou canft not reuell here : my flaming Crowne
Shall fcortch thy damn'd foule with infernall fires.
My vaffaile Furies with their wiery firings,
Shall lafh thee hence, and with my Ebon club
Il'e ding thee to the lowefl Barathrum.
here. Firft fhall this engine arm'd with fpikes of
fteele,
160 The Siluer Age.
That fore the gates of hell ftrooke flat thy curre,
Fall with no leffe power on thy burning fconce,
Then fhould great loae the maffy center hurle,
And turne the worlds huge frame vpon thy head.
Pluto. Vpon him Diuels.
Here Ayd me powers Diuine,
From thefe blacke fiends to refcue Proferpine.
Hercules /els Pluto, beats off the Diuels with all tJieir
Jire-workes, re/cues Proferpine.
Now are we King of Onus, Acheron,
Cocytus, Styx, and fiery Phlegeton.
Prof. Long liue Alcides, crown'd with Godlike
honours,
For refcuing me out of the armes of Dis,
The vnder-world, and fiery iawes of hell.
All the ghojls. Long liue eterniz'd noble Hercules,
That hath diffolu'd our torments.
Rha. Hercules,
Attend th' vnchanging doome of Rhadamant,
And if the Gods be fubiecl to the Fates,
Needs muft thou (noble Greeke) obey their doome,
Lo, in their name, and in the awfull voyce
Of vs the reuerend Iudges, to whofe doome
Thou once muft ftand : I charge thee ftir not hence,
Till we haue cenfur'd thee and Proferpi?ie.
Is not the power of Ioue confin'd aboue %
And are not we as abfolute in ftate
Here in the vaults below % To alter this
The heauens muft faile, the funne melt in his heat,
The elements diffolue, Chaos againe
Confufe the triple Maffe, all turne to nothing :
Now there is order : Gods there are, and Diuels :
Thefe reward vertue , the other punifh vice.
Alter this courfe you mingle bad with good,
Murder with pitty, hate with clemency.
Ther's for the belt no merit, for the offender
No iuft infliction.
Here. Rhadamant fpeakes well.
The Siluer Age. 1 6 1
Pluto. To whom will Hercules commit this bufi-
neffel
Here. I will appeale to loue, and to the Planets,
Whofe powers, though bownded, yet infufe their
might
In euery mortall.
diacus. Them the Fates fhall fummon,
Of whom this beauteous mayd, the Moone, is one,
The loweft of the feuen : you reuerend fillers,
Who all things that are pad, be, and to come,
Keepe regiftred in braffe, aflemble there.
Here. Be Ceres pleas'd, Alcides is content :
Nor can fhe fland to better luflices
Then to the Gods and Planets.
Sownd. Enter Saturne, Iupiter, Iuno, Mars, Phoebus,
Venus, and Mercury : t/iey lake tficir place as they
are in height. Ceres.
Satur. I know this place, why haue you fum-
mon'd Saturne
To hell, where he hath beene to arraigne the Moone %
Thefe vncoth cauemes better fuit my fadneffe
Then my high fpheare aboue, whence to all mortals
I (hoot my thicke and troubled melancholy.
Say, what's the bufineffe 1 fay.
Iup. Ceres, thy prefence
Tels me thy fuit is 'bout thy daughters rape.
Ceres. Is fhe not thine 1 and canfl thou fuffer her
To be intoomb'd in hell before her time ?
luno. Cannot hell fwallow your ambitious baftard
But (maugre all thefe monflers) liues he ftill 1
Phozb. I faw grim Pluto in my daily progreffe
Hurry her in his chariot ore the earth.
Venus. What could he lefie do if he lou'd the
Lady?
Mars. Venus is all for loue.
Mercu. And Mars for warre,
Sometimes he runnes a tilt at Venus lippes,
8 \!
1 62 The Siluer Age.
You haue many amorous bickerings.
Mars. Well fpoke Mercury.
Saturne. Come we hither
To trifle, or to cenfure ? what would Pluto ?
Pluto. Keepe whom I haue.
Ceres. Canft fuffer't lupiter ?
Here. I won her from the armes of Stygian Pluto,
And being mine, reftore her to her mother.
Ceres. And mail not Ceres keepe her 1 fpeake great
Ioue.
Iup. Thy cenfure Rhadamant.
Rhad. The Fates, by whom your powers are all
conferib'd,
Pronounce this doome : If fince her firft arriue
She hath tafted any food, fhe muft of force
Be euerlaftingly confin'd to hell.
Pluto. Afculaphus, thou didft attend my Queene,
Hath fhe yet tafted of our Stygian fruits ?
That we may keepe her flill 1
Afcu. I faw her in her mouth chaw the moift
grain es
Of a Pomegranate.
Ceres. Curft Afculaphus,
II' e adde vnto thy vglinefle, and make thee
A monfter, of all monfters moft abhor'd.
Pluto. Your cenfures, oh you Gods, is fhe not
Pluto's 1
Giue your free cenfures vp.
All. She muft be Pluto's.
Ceres. The Gods are partiall all.
Pluto. Welcome my Queene.
Here. What can Alcides more for Ceres loue,'
Then ranfacke hell, and refcue Proferpine ?
Needs muft our further conquefts here take end,
When Gods and Fates againft our force contend.
Ceres. Juftice, oh iuftice, thou Omnipotent.
Rob not thy Ceres of her beauteous childe,
Either reftore my daughter to the earth,
Or banifh me to hell.
The Siluer Age. 163
Saturne. Ceres you are fond,
Th'earth cannot want your plenty : your fertility
Will worfe become hell fcortched barrennefle.
Let's breake this Seffions vp, I am dull.
lup. You Gods aboue
And powers below, attend the Thunderers voyce,
And to our moderation lend an eare
Of reuerence. Ceres, the Fates haue doom'd her
The Bride of Pluto ; nor is (he difparaged
To be the filler of Olimpicke loue.
The rape that you call force, we title Loue :
Nor is he leffe degree'd faue in his lot,
To vs that fway the heauens. So much for Pluto.
Now beauteous Ceres we return e to you,
Such is your care to fill the earth with plenty,
To cherifh all thefe fruits, from which the mortals
Offend their gratitude to vs the Gods
In facrifice and offrings, that we now
Thus by our dread power, mittigate the ffrictneffe
Of the Fates doome : we haue not (oh you Gods)
Purpofe to do our Stygian brother wrong.
Nor rob the heauens the Planet of the Moone,
By whom the feas are fway'd : Be fhe confin'd
Below the earth, where be the ebbes and tides ?
Where is her power infus'd in hearbes and plants ?
In trees for buildings ? fimples phificall ?
Or minerall mines ? Therefore indifferent loue
Thus arbitrates : the yeare we part in twelue,
Cal'd Moneths of the Moone : twelue times a yeare
She in full fplendor (hall fupply her orbe,
And (hine in heauen : twelue times fill Pluto's
armes
Below in hell. When Ceres on the earth
Shall want her brightneffe, Pluto (hall enioy it,
When heauen containes her, (he (hall light the earth
From her bright fpheare aboue. Parted fo euen,
We neither fauour hell, nor gloze with heauen.
Plu. Pluto is pleas'd.
Ceres. Ceres at length agreed.
m 2
164 T/ie Siluer Age.
Profer. loue is all iuftice, and hath well decreed.
lup. Say all the planets thus ?
All. We do.
Iup. Our Seflions we diffolue then. Hercules,
We limit you to dragge hence Cerberus
To the vpper world, and leaue thee to the vniuerfe
Where thou flialt finifh all thy Iouiall taskes ;
Proceed and thriue. You that to earth belong,
Afcend to your mortality with honors,
The Gods to heauen : Pluto and his keepe hell,
The Moone in both by euen attonement dwell.
Exeunt three wayes Ceres, Thefeus, Philoctetes, and
Hercules dragging Cerberus one way : Pluto, hels
fudges, the Pates and Furies downe to hell: Iupi :
ter, the Gods and Planets afcend to heauen.
Enter Homer.
Our full Sceane's wane, the Moones arraignment ends,
loue and his mount, Pluto with his defcends.
Poore Homer's left blinde, and hath lofl his way,
And knowes not if he wander or go right,
Vnleffe your fauours their cleare beames difplay.
But if you daine to guide me through this night,
The acls of Hercules Ifhall purfue,
And bring him to the thrice-raz'd wals of Troy :
His labours and his death IVefhew to you.
But if what 's pafl your riper iudgements cloy,
Here 1 haue done : if ill, too much : if well,
Pray with your hands guide Homer out of hell.
Finis,
THE
BRAZEN AGE
The firjl A cl containing >
The death of the Centaure NeJJus,
The Second,
The Tragedy of Meleager :
The Third
The Tragedy of /a/on and Medea.
The Fovrth.
VVLCANS NET.
The Fifth.
The Labours and death of
HERCVLES:
Written £y THOMAS HEYWOOD.
LONDON,
Printed by Nicholas Okes, for Samuel Rand, dwelling
necrc Holborne-Brulge. 1613.
To the Reader.
[Hough a third brother mould not in-
hcrite whilft the two elder Hue, by the
laws of the Land, & therfore it might
breed in mee a difcoragement, to commit him
without any hereditary means, to fhift for it felfe
in a world fo detra6tiue & calumnious, yet rather
prefuming vpon the ingenious, then affraid of the
enuious, I have expos'd him to the fortunes of a
yonger brother, which is, moft commonly, brauely
to Hue, or defperately to hazard : yet this is my
comfort, that what imperfection foeuer it haue,
hauing a brazen face it cannot blufh ; much like
a Pedant about this Towne, who, when all trades
fail'd, turn'd Pedagogue, & once infinuating with
me, borrowed from me certaine Tranflations of
Ouid, as his three books De Arte Amandi, &
two De Rcmedio Amoris, which fince, his moft
brazen face hath moft impudently challenged as
his own, wherefore I muft needs proclaime it as
1 68 To the Reader.
far as Ham, where he now keeps fchoole, Hos
ego verjiculos feci tulit alter honores, they were
things which out of my iuniority and want of
iudgement, I committed to the view of fome
priuate friends, but with no purpofe of publifh-
ing, or further communicating them. Therfore
I wold entreate that Anjlin, for fo his name is,
to acknowledge his wrong to me in fhewing
them, & his owne impudence, & ignorance in
challenging them. But courteous Reader, I can
onely excufe him in this, that this is the Brazen
Age.
Drammatis Perfonae.
Homer.
Oeneus K. of Calidoti.
Mercury.
Alt/iea, &
Juno.
Her two brothers.
Mars.
Deyaneira.
Venus.
Meleager.
G alius.
Hercules.
Vulcan.
Adielous.
Lychas.
NeJJus.
Omphalc,
Iafon.
Her maids.
A treus.
sEneas.
Tellamon.
Anchifes.
Nejlor.
Laomedon.
Medea.
Hejione.
Oetcs.
Priam.
Abfyrtus.
Philocletes.
Adonis.
Water Nymphes.
Atlanta.
Cajlor.
Apollo.
Pollux.
Aurora.
Pyragmon.
Iupiter.
jg$23
>~-\l *5^ /
f f _ \
^S
L^^[AIl
__;-
^^ij
The Brazen Age,
.'CONTAINING
The labours and death of Hercules.
Enter Homer.
\S the world growes in yeares (tis the Heauens
curfe
Mens finnes increafe ; the priftine times were
beft:
The Ages in their growth wax worfe 6- worfe.
Thefirjl was pretious, full of golden reft.
Siluer fucceeded ; good, but not fo pure :
Then loue and harmelefjfe lujls might currant paffe :
The third tfiat followes we finde more obdure,
And that we title by the Age of Brafle.
In this more groffe and courfer mettaTd Age,
Tyrants and fierce oppreffors we prefent.
Ncphciues that gainst their Vnckles wreake their rage,
Mothers againjl their children difcontent,
A fijlcr with her brother at fierce warre,
{Things in our former times notfeene or inowne)
But vice with vertue now begins to iarre,
172 The Brazen Age.
Andfinnes {though not at height) yet great aregrowne.
Still with our hijlory wejhall proceed,
And Hercules viclorious acts relate :
His marriage firfl, next many a noble deed
Performed by him : lajl how he yeelds to Fate.
And thefe, I hope, may (wilh/ome mixtures) paffe,
So you fit pleas 'd in this our Age of Braffe.
A6lus I. Scoena I.
Enter Oeneus, King of Calidon, Queene Althea, Me-
leager, Deianeira, Plexippus, and Toxeus, brothers
to the Queene.
K. Oen. Thus midfl our brothers, daughter,
Queene and fonne,
Sits Oeneus crown'd in fertill Calidon
Whofe age and weakeneffe is fupported only,
In thofe ripe ioyes that I receiue from you.
Flex. May we long iland fupporters of your roy-
altyes,
And glad fpectators of your age and peace.
Tox. The like I wilh.
K. Oen. We haue found you brothers royall,
And fubiects loyall.
Althea. They are of our line,
Of which no branch did euer perifh yet,
By Cankers, blaftings, or dry barrenneffe.
But Meleager let me turne to thee,
Whofe birth the Fates themfelues did calculate.
Mel. Bray mother how was that % I haue heard
you fay
Somewhat about my birth miraculous,
But neuer yet knew the true circumflance.
Althea. 'Twas thus : the very inftant thou waft
borne,
The fillers, that draw, fpinne, and clip our liues,
The Brazen Age. 1 73
Entred my chamber with a fatall brand,
Which hurling in the fire, thus faid : One day, one
date,
Betide this brand and childe, eiien be tlieir fate.
So parted they, the brand begins to burne :
And as it wafted, fo didfl thou confume ;
Which I perceiuing, leap't vnto the flame,
And quenching that, ftayd thy confumption.
The brand I (as a iewell) haue referu'd,
And keepe it in a casket, lock't as fafe
As in thy bofome thou maintainft thy heart.
Melea. Pray keepe it well : for if not with my
mother,
With whom dare Meleager truft his life %
But fifter Deianeira, now to you.
Two worthy Champions mud this day contend,
And try their eminence in Armes for you,
Great Achelous, and ftrong Hercides.
Deia. We know it : my loue muft be bought with
blowes,
Not Oratory wins me, but the (word :
He that can brauelieft in the lifts contend,
Muft Deianeira 's nuptiall bed afcend.
Oen. Brothers, conduct thefe Champions to the
lifts,
Meane time Althea ftate thee on that hand,
On this fide Deianeira the rich prize
Of their contention.
Melea. Clamors from a farre,
Tell vs thefe Champions are adrefl for warre.
Enter at one doore the river Achelous, his tvcapons
borne in by Water- Nymphes. At the other Her-
cules.
K. Oen. Stand forth you warlike Champions, and
exprefle
Your loues to Deianeira, in your valours.
As we are Oeneus the /Etolians King,
1 74 The Brazen Age.
And vnder vs command whole Calidon,
So we contefl we make her here the prize
Of the proud victor.
Ache. Dares the Theban baftard
Contend with vs, as we are eldefl fonne
Vnto the graue and old Oceanus,
And the Nymph Nat's, borne on Pindus mount,
From whence our broad and fpacious currents rife
So are we proud to coape with Hercules.
Nere let my ftreames wafh Acarnanids bankes,
Or we confin'de in Thous, our grand feat,
Till (by the ruine of Alcmends fonne)
We lodge bright Deianeira in our armes.
Here. Haue we the Cleonean Lyons torne %
And deck't our fhoulders in their honored fpoyles ?
The Calidonian Boare crufht with our Club ?
The rude Theffalian Centaurs funke beneath
Our Iouiall hand ? piere'd hell 1 bound Cerberus t
And buffeted fo long, till from the fome
The dogge belch't forth ftrong Aconitum fpring ?
And mail a petty riuer make our way
To Deianeirds bed impaffable ?
Know then the pettieft ftreame that flowes through
Greece,
Il'e make thee run thy head below thy bankes,
Make red thy waters with thy vitall bloud,
And fpill thy waues in droppes as fmall as teares,
If thou prefum'ft to coape with Hercules.
Ache. What's Hercules that I fhould dread his
name?
Or what's he greater then Amphitrids fonne ?
When we affume the name of Demi-god
Not Proteus can tranf-fhape himfelfe like vs,
For we command our figure when we pleafe.
Sometimes we like a ferpent run along
Our medowy bankes : and fometimes like a Bull
Graze on thefe ftrands we water with our ftreames.
We can tranflate our fury to a fire,
And when we fwell, in our fierce torrents fwallow
The Brazen Age. 175
The Champian plaines, and flow aboue the hils,
Drowne all the continents by which we run ;
Yea Hercules himfelfe.
Here. Me Achelous !
I can do more then this : loue Deianeira,
Swim with her on my flioulders through thy ftreames,
And with my huge Club beat thy torrents backe,
With thine owne waters quench th' infernall fires
Thy figure Terpentine, flat on the earth :
And when th' art Bull, catch fall hold by thy homes,
And whirle thee 'bout my head thus into ayre.
Thou faire ALtolian dame, I cannot wooe,
Nor paint my paflions in fmooth Oratory,
But fight for thee I can, 'gainft Achelous,
Or all the horrid monfters of the earth.
Melea. When 'gins your proud and hoftile en-
mity?
Behold the prize propos'd, the viclors meed,
Champions your fpirits inkindle at her eyes.
Ache. It is for her this baftard I defpife.
Prepare thee Theban.
Here. See, I am adreft
With this to thunder on thy captiue creft.
I cannot bellow in thy bom baft phrafe
Now deafe thefe free fpeclators with my braues.
I cut off words with deeds, and now behold
For me, the eccho of my blowes thus fcold.
Alarme. Achelous is beaten in, and immediatly enters
in thejhape of a Dragon.
Here. Bee'ft thou a God or hell-hound thus tran-
fhap't,
Thy terrour frights not me, ferpent or diuell Il'e pafh
thee.
Alarme. He beats away the dragon. Enter a Fury
all fire-workes.
Here. Fright vs with fire 1 our Club fhall quench
thy flame,
1 76 The Brazen Age.
And beat it downe to hell, from whence it came.
When the Fury finkes, a Buls head appeares.
Here. What, yet more monfters % Serpent, Bull,
and Fire,
Shall all alike taile great Alcides ire.
He tugs with the Bull, and pluckes off one of his horns.
Enter from the fame place Achelous with his fore-
head all bloudy.
Ache. No more, I am thy Captiue, thou my Con-
queror :
I fee, no Magicke, or inchanting fpell
Haue power on vertue and true fortitude.
No Height Illufion can deceiue the eyes
Of him that is diuinely refolute.
I lay me at thy feet, a lowly vaffaile,
Since thou haft reft me of that precious home,
Which tearing from my head in fhape of Bull,
Thus wounded me. Take Deianeira freely,
Onely reftore me that rich fpoyle thou haft wonne,
Which all the Nymphes and graces dwelling neere,
Shall fill with redolent flowers, and delicate fruits,
And call it Cornucopia, plenties home,
In memory of Achelous loffe,
And this high conquefl won by Hercules.
Hercu. Hadfl thou not floopt thy horrid Taurine
fhape
I would haue peece-meale rent, and thy tough hide
Tome into rags as thicke as Autumn leaues :
Take thee thy life, and with thy life that fpoile
Pluckt from thy mangled front, giue me my loue,
I'le floare no homes at winning of a wife.
Giue me bright Deyaneira, take that home,
So late from thy diffigured Temples tome.
Deyan. I haue my prayers, Alcides his defires,
Both meete in loue.
Oen. Receiue her Hercules,
TJie Brazen Age. 1 77
The conquefl of thy warlike fortitude.
Here. Wee take but what our valour purchaft vs,
And beauteous Queene thou (halt allure his loue,
Whofe puiffant arme fhall awe the triple world,
And make the greateft Monarches of the earth
To thy diuineft beauty tributary.
Meleag. Will Hercules flay heere in Calidon,
To folemnize the nuptials of our fifter 1
I Me/eager, rich sEtolia's heire,
Whofe large dominions flretch to Oeta Mount,
And to the bounds of fertile Theffaly
Will grace thy Bridals with the greateft pompe
Greece can affoord, nor is't my meaneft honour
To be the brother to great Hercules.
Here. Thanks Meleager, foiourne heere we cannot,
My flep-dame luno tasks me to more dangers :
Wee take thy beauteous fifler in our guard,
Whom by Ioues aide wee flraight will beare to
Thebes.
Oen. A fathers wifhes crowne the happineffe
Of his faire daughter.
Mel. And a brothers loue
Comfort thee where thou goeft : If not with Hercules
Whom dare we truft thy fafety.
Here. Not Ioues guard
Can circle her with more fecurity.
Time cals vs hence, JStolian Lords farewell.
Oen. Adiew braue fonne, and daughter, onely
happy
In being thus beflowed, come Achelous,
With you we'le feafl, nor let your foyle deiect you,
Or Deyaniraes loffe ; he's more then man,
And needes mufl he do this, that all things can.
Exeunt.
Here. Dares Deyaneira trufl her perfons fafety
With vs a ftranger, onely knowne by Fame.
Dtyn. Wer't gainfl the Lyons in Chimera bred,
Or thofe rude Beares that breed in Caucafus :
« N
1 78 The Brazen Age.
The Hyrcan Tigers or the Syrian Wolues,
Nay gainfl the Giants that affaulted heauen
And with their fhoulders made thofe bafes make
That prop Olimpus : liu'd Enceladus
With whom Ioue wreftled, euen againft thofe monfters,
I'de thinke me fafe incircled in thefe armes.
Here. Thou art as fafe as if immur'd in heauen,
Pal'd with that Chriftall wall that girts loues houfe,
Where all the Gods inhabite, built by fate,
Stay, I mould know that Centaure.
Enter Neffus.
Neff. That's Hercules I know him by his Club,
Whofe ponderous weight I felt vpon my Skull
At the great Bridall of the Lapithes.
What louely Ladie's fhee that in her beauty
So much exceedes faire Hypodamia %
Here. Oh Neffus, thou of all thy cloud-bred race,
Alone didft fcape by trufting to thy heeles
At Hypodamia 's Bridals, but we now
Are friends, are wee not Neffus 1
Neff. Yes great Hercules,
(Till I can find fit time for iuft reuendge)
Methinkes my braines ftill rattle in my skull)
What Ladie's that in great Alcides Guard ?
Here. Deyaneira, daughter to the ALtolian King,
Sifter to Meleager, now our Bride ;
Wonne by the force of armes from Ac/ielous,
The boyfterous fioud that fiowes through Calidon.
Neff. A double enuy burnes in all my veines,
Firft for reuenge ; next, that he fhould enioy
That beauteous maide whom Neffus dearely loues.
Will Hercules commande me ? or his Bride J
I'le lackey by thee wherefoer'e thou goeft,
And be the vaffall to great Hercules.
Here. We are bound for Thebes, but foft, what
torrent's this
The Brazen Age. 1 79
That intercepts our way ? How fhall we pafle
Thefe raging flreames 1
Neff. This is Euenus floud,
A dangerous current, full of whirle-pooles deepe,
And yet vnfounded : dar'ft thou truft thy Bride
On Neffus backe 1 Tie vndertake to fvvimme her
Vnto the furtheft ftrond, vpon my moulders,
And yet not laue her fhooe.
Here. I'le pay thee for thy waftage Centaure.
well,
And make thee Prince of all thy by-form'd race,
If thou willt do this grace to Hercules :
But ferry her with fafety, for by loue,
If thou but make her tremble in thefe flreames,
Or let the lead waue dafh again ft her skirt ;
If the leaft feare of drowning pale her cheeke,
I'le pound thee fmaller then the Autumne duft
Toft by the warring winds ?
Xeff. Haue I not fwomme
The Hellefepont, when waues high as yon hils
Toft by the winds, haue crown'd me, yet in fpight
Of all their briny weight I haue wrought my felfe
Aboue the topmoft billow to ore-looke
The troubled maine : come beauteous Deyaneira,
Not Charon with more fafety ferries foules,
Then I will thee through this impetuous foord.
Here. Receiue her Centaure, and in her the
wealth
And potency of mighty Hercules.
Neff. Now my reuenge for that inhumaine ban-
quet,
In which fo many of the Centaures fell,
I'le rape this Princeffe, hauing paft the floud.
Come beauteous Deyaneira, mount my fhoulders,
And feare not your fafe waftage. Exeunt.
Here. That done return e for vs : faire Deianeira,
White as the garden lilly, pyren fnow,
Or rocks of Chriftall hardned by the Sunne .-
N 2
1 80 The Brazen Age.
Thou (halt be made the potent Queene of Thebes,
And all my louiall labours fhall to thee
Be confecrate, as to Alcides loue.
Well plunged bold Centaure, how thy boyflerous
breft
Plowes vp the ftreames : thou through the fwelling
tides,
Sail'ft with a freight more rich and beautifull,
Then the beft fhip cram'd with Pangeous gold :
With what a fwift dexterity he parts
The mutinous waues, whofe waters clafpe him round.
He plaies and wantons on the curled ftreames,
And Deyanira on his moulders fits
As fafe, as if fhe ftear'd a pine-tree barke.
They grow now towards the fhore : my club and
armes
I'le firft caft or'e the deepe Euenus foord,
But from my fide my quiuer (hall not part,
Nor this my trufty bow.
Deyan. Helpe Hercules. Within.
Here. 'Twas Deyaneiraes voyce.
Deyan. The Traytor Neffus
Seekes to defpoile mine honour, loue, you Gods :
Out trayterous Centaure : Helpe great Hercules.
Here. Hold, luft-burnt Centaure, 'tis Alcides cals
Or fwifter then Ioues lightning, my fierce vengeance
Shall croffe Euenus.
Deyan. Oh, oh.
Here. Darft thou deuill 1
Couldft thou clime Heauen or fmke below the Center
So high, fo low, my vengeance fhould perfue thee,
Hold ; if I could but fixe thee in my gripes,
I'de teare thy limbes into more Atomies
Then in the Summer play before the Sunne.
Deyan. Helpe Hercules (out dog) Alcides helpe.
Here. I'le fend till I can come, this poifonous
fhaft
Shall fpeake my fury and extracl thy bloud,
TJie Brazen Age. 1 8 1
Till I my felfe can croffe this raging floud.
Hercules Jhoots, and goes in : Enter Neffus with an
arrow through him, and Deianeira.
Neff. Thy beauty Deyaneira is my death,
And yet that Neffus dies embracing thee,
Takes from my fences all thofe torturing pangues
That fhould affociate death : to (hew I lou'd thee,
Tie leaue thee, in my will, a legacy ;
Shall (lead thee more, then fhould thy father giue
thee
Vnto thy Dower the Crowne of Calidon.
Of fuch great vertue is my liuing bloud,
And of fuch prize, that couldft thou valew it,
Thou wouldft not let one drop fall to the ground :
But oh I die.
Deyan. Teach me to rate it truely.
Neff. Now Neffus, in thy death be aueng'd on
him
On whom in life thou couldft not wreake thy rage :
(My bloud is poifon) all thefe pure drops faue,
Which I bequeath thee .ere I take my graue :
I know thy Lord lafciuious, bent to luft,
Witnefle the fifty daughters of King Thefpeius,
Whom in one night he did adulterate :
And of thofe fifty begot fifty fonnes :
Now if in all his guefts, he be with-held
By any Ladies loue, and flay from thee,
Such is the vertue of my bloud now fhed,
That if thou dipft a fhirt, fteept in the lead
Of all thefe drops, and fendft it to thy Lord,
No fooner fhall it touch him, but his loue
Shall die to ftrangers, and reuiue to thee,
Make vfe of this my loue.
Deyan. Centaure, I will.
Neff. And fo, whom Neffus cannot, do thou kill,
Still dying men fpeake true : 'tis my laft cry,
Saue of my bloud, 'tmay fteedc thee ere thou die.
182 The Brazen Age.
Deyan. Though I my loue miflruft not, yet this
counfell
Tie not defpife : this if my Lord fhould ftray,
Shall to my defolate bed teach him the way.
Enter Hercules.
Here. After long flrugling with Euenus flreames,
I forc't the riuer beare me on her breft,
And land me fafely on this further ftrond,
To make an end of what my fhaft begunne,
The life of Nejffus, Hues the Centaure yet ?
Deyan. Behold him grouelling on the fenceleffe
earth,
His wounded breaft transfixt by Hercules.
Here. That the luxurious flaue were fencible
Of torture ; not th' infernals with more pangues
Could plague the villaine then Alcides fhould.
Ixions bones rackt on the torturing wheele
Should be a paftime : the three fnake-hair'd fifters,
That lafh offenders with their whips of fteele,
Should feeme to dally, when with euery firing
They cut the fiefh like razors : but the dead
Wee hate to touch, as cowardly and bafe,
And vengeance not becomming Hercules.
Come Deyaneira, firft to confumate
Our high efpowfals in triumphant Thebes,
That done, our future labours wee'le perfue,
And by the afliftance of the powers Diuine,
Striue to act more then Iuno can affigne. Exit.
Enter Homer.
Faire Deyaneira vnto Thebes being guided,
And Hercules efpoufals folemnized,
Heefor his further labours foone prouided,
As Iuno by Euritius had deuifed.
The Apples of Hefperiay??y? he wan,
Mauger huge Atlas thatfupports thefpheares :
The Brazen Age. 183
And whiljl the Gyant on his bufinefle ran ;
Alcides takes his place, and proudly beares
The /teauens huge frame : thence into Scithia hies,
And there the Amazonian Baldricke gaines,
By conquering Menalip (a braue prife)
The warlike Queue that ore tlie Scithians raignes.
That heefupported heauen, doth well expreffe
His AJlronomicke skill, knowledge in flat res :
They thatfuch praftife know, what do they lejje
Then beare heauens weight : fo of the Lernean warres,
Where he the many-headed Hydra flew,
A Serpent of t.iat nature, when hisfword
Tar'd off one head, from that anot/ier grew.
Thisfliewed his Logicke skill : from euery word
And argument confuted, there arife
From one a multiplicity, therefore we
Poets andfuch as are efleemed wife,
Inflruft the world byfuch morality.
To conquer Hydra.ylwwed his poiverfull skill
In difputation, how to argue well.
{By all that vnderfland in cuflome flilt)
And in this Art did Hercules excell.
Now we the Egyptian tyrant mufl prqfent,
Bloudy Bufiris, a king fell and rude,
One that in murder plod t hisfole content,
With whofefad death our firfl Aft we conclude.
Enter Bufyris with his Guard and Priefls to facrifice ;
to them two flrangers , Bufyris takes them and kits
them vpon the Altar: enter Hercules difguis'd,
Bufyris fends his Guard to apprehend him, Her-
cules difcouering himfelfe beates the Guard, kils
Bufyris and facrificeth him vpon the Altar, at
which there fals afhower of raine, the Priefls offer
Hercules the Crowne of ALgypt which lie refufeth.
Homer. In dZgypt there of long time fell no raine,
For which vnto the Oracle theyfent :
Anfweres returrid, that till one flranger flaine,
184 The Brazen Age.
Immou 'd ' Jhall be the Marble firmament.
Therefore the Tyrant all thefe Jlrangers kils
That enter AUgypt, till Alcides came
And with the tyrants bulke the Altar fils :
At whofe red flaughter fell a plenteous raine.
For he thatflranger and vfurper was,
Whofe bloudy fate the Oracle for ef pake.
But for a while we let Alcides paj/e,
Whom thefe of uEgypt would their foueraigue make,
For freeing them from fuch a tyrants rage ;
Now Meleager next mufl fill ourflage.
A6lus 2. Scoena 2.
Enter Venus like a Huntreffe, with Adonis.
Venus. Why doth Adonis flye the Queene of loue ?
And fhun this Iuory girdle of my armes %
To be thus fcarft the dreadfull God of wane
Would giue me conquered kingdomes : For a kiffe
(But halfe like this) I could command the Sunne
Rife 'fore his houre, to bed before his time :
And (being loue-ficke) change his golden beames,
And make his face pale, as his fifter Moone.
Come, let vs tumble on this violet banke :
Pre'thee be wanton ; let vs toy and play,
Thy Icy fingers warme betweene my breafls ;
Looke on me Adon with a ftedfaft eye,
That in thefe Chriftall glaffes I may fee
My beauty, that charmes Gods, makes men amaz'd,
And ftownd with wonder : doth this rofeat pillow
Offend my loue ? come, wallow in my lap,
With my white fingers I will clap thy cheeke,
Whifper a thoufand pleafures in thine eare.
Adonis. Madame, you are not modeft : I affedl
Tlie Brazen Age. 185
The vnfeene beauty that adomes the minde.
This loofeneffe makes you fowle in Adons eye :
If you will tempt me, let me in your face
Reade blufhfulneffe, and feare ; a modeft blufh
Would make your cheeke feeme much more beautifulL
If you will whifper pleafure in mine eare,
Praife chaftity, or with your lowd voyce fhrill
The tunes of homes, and hunting; they pleafe
beft:
Il'e to the chafe, and leaue you to the reft.
Venus. Thou art not man ; yet wer't thou made of
(lone,
I haue heate to melt thee. I am Queene of loue,
There is no practiue art of dalliance
Of which I am not Miftrefle, and can vfe.
I haue kiffes that can murder vnkinde words,
And ftrangle hatred, that the gall fends forth :
Touches to raife thee, were thy fpirits halfe dead :
Words that can powre affection downe thine eares.
Loue me ! thou canft not chufe, thou (halt not
chufe.
Am I not Venus ? Hadft thou Cupids arrowes,
I fhould haue tooke thee to haue beene my fonne :
Art thou fo like him, and yet canft not loue ?
I thinke you are brothers.
Adonis. Madame, you wooe not well, men couet
not
Thefe proffered pleafures ; but loue-fweets deny'd :
What I command, that cloyes my appetite ;
But what I cannot come by I adore.
Thefe proftituted pleafures furfet ftill,
Where's feare, or doubt, men fue with beft good
will.
Venus. Thou canft inftrudl the Queene of loue
in loue.
Thou (halt not (Adon) take me by the hand,
Yet if thou needs wilt force me, theres ray
palme.
Il'e frowne on him (alas ! my brow's fo fmooth
1 86 The Brazen Age.
It will not beare a wrinkle :) hye thee hence
Vnto the chace, and leaue me : but not yet,
Il'e fleepe this night vpon Endimions banke,
On which the Swaine was courted by the Moone.
Dare not to come., thou art in our difgrace ;
(Yet if thou come I can affoord thee place.)
Adon's. I muft begone.
Venus. Sweet whither?
Adonis. To the Chace.
Venus. What doefl thou hunt 1
Adorns. The Calidonian Boare,
To which the Princes and bed fpirits of Greece
Are now affembled.
Venus. I befhrer/ thee boy,
That very word ftrooke from my heart all ioy :
It ftartled mee, me thinkes I fee thee dye
By that rude Boare. Hunt thou the beafts that flye,
The wanton Squirrell, or the trembling Hare,
The crafty Fox : thefe paftimes feareleffe are.
The greedy Wolues, and fierce Beares arm'd with
clawes,
Rough fhouldred Lyons, fuch as glut their iawes
With heards at once, Fell Boares, let them paffe by,
Adon, thefe looke not with thy Venus eye.
They iudge not beauty, nor diftinguifh youth,
Thefe are their prey ; My pitty, loue and ruth
Liues not in them. Oh to thy felfe be kinde,
Thou from their mouthes, my kifles fhalt not find.
Winde homes within.
Adonis. The fummons to the chace, Venus adue.
Ven. Leaue thofe, turne head, chufe thofe thou
maift purfue.
Adonis. I am refolu'd, Il'e helpe to rouze yon
beaft.
Venus. 1'hou art to deere his fauadge throat to
feaft.
Forbeare.
Adonis. In vaine.
Venus. Appoynt when we fhall meet.
The Brazen Age. 1 87
Adonis. After the chace. Farewell then.
Venus. Farewell fweet.
Adonis. This killing.
Venus. Adon, guard thee well, exprefle
Thy loue to me, in being of thy felfe
Carefull and chary : they that raze thy skin
Wound me. Be wife my Adon.
Adon. Never doubt.
So then. He kiffeth her.
Venus. But lip-labour, yet ill left out. Exeunt.
Winde homes. Enter with Iauelings, and in greene,
Me/eager, Thefeus, Telamon, Cq/lor, Pollux, la/on,
PeleuSy Nejlor, Atreus, Toxeus, Plexippus.
Melea. The caufe of this conuention (Lords of
Greece)
Needs no expreffion ; and yet briefly thus :
Ofneus our father, the ALtolians King,
Of all his fruits and plenty, gaue due rights
To all the Gods and Goddefles, loue, Ceres,
Bacchus, and Pallas ; but among the reft,
Diana he neglects : for which inrag'd,
She hath fent (to plague vs) a huge fauadge Boare,
Of an vn-meafured height and magnitude.
What better can defcribe his fhape and terror
Then all the pittious clamours fhrild through Greece ?
Of his depopulations, fpoyles, and preyes ?
His flaming eyes they fparkle bloud and fire,
His bridles poynted like a range of pikes
Ranck't on his backe : his foame fnowes where he
feeds
His tuskes are like the Indian Oliphants.
Out of his iawes (as if Ioues lightning flew)
He fcortches all the branches in his way,
Plowes vp the fields, treads flat the fields of graine.
In vaine the Sheepheard or his dogge fecures
Their harmlefle fowlds. In vaine the furious Bull
Striues to defend the heard ore which he lords.
1 88 The Brazen Age.
The Collonies into the Citties flye,
And till immur'd, they thinke themfelues not fafe.
To chace this bead we haue met on Oeta mount,
Attended by the noblefl fpirits of Greece.
Tela. From populous Salamine I Telamon
Am at thy faire requeft, King Meleager,
Come to behold this beaft of Calidon,
And prove my vertue in his fterne purfuite.
Iafon. Not Meleagers loue, more then the zeale
I beare my honour, hath drawne Iafon hither,
To this aduenture, yet both forcible
To make me try ftrange maifteries 'gainfl that mon-
fler,
Whofe fury hath fo much amaz'd all Greece.
Cajlor. That was the caufe I Castor, with my
brother
Pollux, arriu'd, and left our fifter Hellen
Imbrac't by our old father Tyndarus,
To rouze this beaft.
Pollux. Let vs no more be held
The fonnes of Lceda, and begot by loue,
Brothers, and cal'd the two Tyndarian twins
If we returne not crimfon'd in the fpoiles
Of this fierce Boare.
Neflor. To that end Nejlor came.
Nejlor, that hath already liu'd one age,
And entred on the fecond, to the third
May I nere reach, if part of that wilde fwine
I bring not home to Pylos where I reigne.
Atr. My yong fon Agamemtion, and his brother
Prince Menelaus, in his fwathes at home,
Without fome honour purchaft on this Boare,
May I no more fee, or Mycenes vifit.
Tref Well fpeakes Atreus, and his noble ac~ls
Stil equalize his language. Shall not Thefeus
Venter as farre as any ? heauens you know
I dare as much 'gainft any mortall foe.
Tox. Wher's Hercules, that at this noble bufines
He is not prefent, being neere ally'd
T/ie Brazen Age. 189
To Meleager, hauing late efpowfed
His fitter Deianeira ?
Plex. He's for Bu/iris, that Egyptian tyrant.
Mel. Elfe noble valour, he would haue bin firfl
To haue purchafl honour in this hauty quefl.
Enter Atlanta with a Iauelin. Homes winded.
Atl. Haile princes, let it not offend this troop,
That I a Princes and Atlanta cald,
A virgin Huntreffe, preffe into the field,
In hope to double guild my Iauelins poynt
In bloud of yon wilde fwine.
Melea. Virgineam in puero, puerilem in virginevnl-
tum.
Afpicio. Oh you Gods ! or make her mine,
Stated with vs the Calidonian Queene,
Or let this monftrous bead confound me quite,
And in his vaft wombe bury all my fate.
Beauteous Atlanta welcome, grace her princes
For Meleagers honour.
Iafon. Come, fhal's vncupple Lords,
Some plant the toiles, others brauely mount,
To vn-den this fauadge.
Melea. Time and my bafhfull loue
Admits no courtfhip, Lady ranke with vs.
Il'e be this day your guardian, and a fhield
Betweene you and all danger.
Atlant. We are free,
And in the chace will our owne guardian be.
Shals to the field, my Iauelin and thefe fhafts,
Pointed with death, fhall with the formoll flye,
And by a womans hand the beaft fhall dye.
Enter Adonis winding his home.
Melea. As bold as faire ; but foft, whofe bugle's
that
Which cals vs to the chace ? Adonis yours ?
190 The Brazen Age.
Adonis. Mine oh you noble Greekes, we haue dif-
couered
The dreadfull monfler wallowing in his den :
The toyles are fixt, the huntfmen plac't on hils
Preft for the charge, the fierce TJieffalian hounds
With their flagge eares, ready to fweep the dew
From the moifl earth : their breafts are arm'd with
fteele,
Againfl the incounter of fo grim a beaft.
The hunters long to vncupple, and attend
Your prefence in the field.
Atlanta. Follow Atlanta.
Il'e try what prince will fecond me in field,
And make his Iauelins point make euen with mine.
Melea. That Meleagers fhalL
Tela. Nor Telamon
Will come behinde Atla?ita, or the Prince.
Iqfon. Charge brauely then your Iauelins, fend
them finging
Through the cleare aire, and aime them at yon fiend,
Den'd in the quechy bogge, the fignall Lords.
All. Charge, charge.
a great winding of homes, & Jhouts.
Meleag. Princes, fhrill your Bugles free,
And all Atlanta's danger fall on me.
Enter la/on and Telamon.
Iqfon. This way, this way, renowned Telamon,
The Boare makes through yon glade ; and from the
hils
He hurries like a tempefl : In his way
He proflrates trees, and like the bolt of loue,
Shatters where ere he comes.
Tela. Diana's wrath
Sparkles grim terrour from his fiery eyes :
One Iauelin pointed with the purefl brafle,
I haue blunted 'gainft his ribs ; yet he vnfcar'd,
The head, as darted 'gainft a rocke of marble,
The Brazen Age. 191
Rebounded backe.
Iafon. He fhakes off from his head
Our beft The/falian dogges, like Sommer flyes :
Nor can their fharpe phangs faften on his hide.
Follow the cry.
AJhout. Enter Cajlor and Pollux.
Caftor. Wher's noble Telamon ?
Pollux. Or warlike Iafon 1
Iafon. Here you Tyndarides,
Speake, which way bends this plague of Calidon 1
Cajlor. Here may you ftand him, for behold he
comes
Like a rough torrent, fwallowing where he fpreads,
Ouer his head a cloud of terrour hangs
In which leane death (as in a Chariot) rides,
Darting his fhafts on all fides : 'mongft the Princes
Of fertill Greece, Anceus bowels lye
Strewd on the earth, torne by his rauenous tuskes :
And had not Nejlor (by his Iauelins helpe)
Leap't vp into an Oke to haue fcap't his rage,
He had now perifht in his fecond Age.
Pollux. Peleus is wounded, Pelegon lies flaine,
Eupalemon hath all his body rent
With an oblique wound : yet Meleager ftill,
And Thefeus, and Atreus, with the reft,
Purfue the chace, with Boare-fpeares caft fo thicke,
That where they flye, they feeme to darke the ayre,
And where they fall, they threaten imminent ruine.
Iafon. To thefe wee'l adde our fury, and our fire,
And front him, though his brow bare figured hell,
And euery wrinkle were the gulfe of Styx
By which the Gods conteft : Come noble Telamon
Diana's monfter by our hands fhall fall,
Or (with the Princes flaine) let's perifh all. Exeunt.
Homes andfhouts. Enter Meleager, Atlanta.
Melcag. Thou beauteous Nonacris, Arcadia's
pride,
192 The Brazen Age.
How hath thy valour with thy fortune ioyn'd,
To make thee ftaine the generall fortitude
Of all the Princes we deriue from Greece,
Thy launces poynt hath on yon armed monfter,
Made the firft wound, and the firft crimfon droppe
Fell from his fide, thy ayme and arme extracted,
Thy fame fhall neuer dye in Calidon.
Atl. We trifle heere, what (hall Atlanta gaine
The firft wounds honour, and be abfent from
The monfters death, we muft haue hand in both.
Melea. Thou haft purchaft honour and renowne
enough,
Oh ftaine not all the generall youth of Greece,
By thy too forward fpirit. Come not neere
Yon rude blood-thirfty fauadge, left he prey
On thee, as on Anceus, and the reft,
Let me betweene thee and all dangers ftand. Homes.
Fight, but fight fafe beneath our puiflant hand.
Atl. The cry comes this way, all my fhafts II' e
fpend.
To;giue the fury that affrights vs, end.
Melea. And ere that monfter on Atlanta pray,
This point of fteele fhal through his hart make way.
Exeunt.
After great JJwuts, enter Venus.
Venus. Adonis, thou that makeil Venus a
Huntrefle,
Leaue Paphos, Gnidon, Eryx, Erecine,
And Amathon, with precious mettals bigge,
Mayft thou this day liue bucklerd in our wing,
And fhadowed in the amorous power of loue :
My fwannes I haue vnyoakt, and from their necks
Tane of their bridles made of twilled filke.
And from my chariot ftucke with Doues white plumes
Lighted vpon this verdure, where the Boare
Hath in his fury fnow'd his fcattered foame.
A cry within.
The Brazen Age. 193
What cry was x thaf? It was Adonis Cure.
That piercefant flirike flirild through the muficall
pipes
Of his fweete voyces organs, thou Diana
I( thou haft fent this fiende to ruin loue,
Or print the lead skarre in my Adons flefh
Thy chaftity I will abandon quite,
And with my loofeneffe, blaft thy Cinthian light.
Enter Thefats and NeJIor, bringing in Adonis wounded
to death.
Thef. There lie moft beauteous of the youths of
Greece,
Whofe death I will not mourne, ere I reuenge.
Nejl. Tie fecond thee, thou pride of Greece
adiew,
Whom too much valor in thy prime ore-threw. Exit.
Ven. Y'are not mine eyes, for they to fee him
dead
Would from their foft beds drop vpon the earth :
Or in their owne warme liquid moifture drowne
Their natiue brightneffe : th'art not Venus heart,
For wert thou mine, at this fad fpectacle
Th'dfl breake thefe ribs though they were made of
braffe,
And leap out of my bofome inflantly.
My forrowes like a populous throng, all ftriuing
At once to paffe through fome inforced breach,
In (lead of winning paffage flop the way,
And fo the greatefl haft, breeds the moft flay.
Oh mee ! my multiplicity of forrowes,
Makes me almoft forget to grieue at all.
Speake, fpeake, my Adon, thou whom death hath fed
on
Ere thou waft yet full ripe ; and this thy beautie's
Deuour'd ere tailed. Eye, where's now thy bright-
neffe?
Or hand thy warmth ? Oh that fuch louely parts
3 o
1 94 The Brazen Age.
Should be by death thus made unferuiceable.
That (liueft then) had the power to intrance lone :
Rauifh, amaze, and furfet, all thefe pleafures
Venus hath loll by thy vntimely fall.
And therefore for thy death eternally
Venus fhall mourne, Earth fhall thy trunke deuoure,
But thy Hues blood I'le turne into a flower,
And euery Month in follemne rights deplore*
This beauteous Greeke flaine by Dianaes Boare. Exit.
The fall of the Boare being winded, Meleager with the
head of the Boare, Atlanta, Neflor, Toxeus, Plexip-
pus, Iafon, Thefeus, 6"<r. with their iauellius
bloudied.
Mel. Thus lies the terror that but once to day
Aw'd all the boldeft hearts of Calidon
Wallowing and weltering in his native bloud>
Transfixt by vs, but brauely feconded,
By noble Iafon, Thefeus, Peleus,
Telamon, Neflor, the Tyndarides,
And our bold vnkles, al our bore-fpeares flain'd
And gory hands lau'd in his reeking bloud,
To whom belongs this braue victorious fpoile ?
All. To Meleager Prince of Calidon.
Mel. Is that your generall fuffrage ?
Iafon. Let not Greece
Suffer fuch merite vnregarded paffe,
Or valour liue vnguerdon'd, that fel Swine
Whom yet, euen dead, th' amazed people feare,
And dare not touch but with aftonifhment
Fell by thy hand.
Tel. Thou flodfl his violence,
Til thy fharpe Iauelin grated gainfl his braines,
Beneath his fhield thou entred'ft to his heart.
At that we guirt him till a thoufand wounds,
Hee from a thoufand hands receiu'd at once :
And in his fall it feem'd the earth did groane,
And the fixt Center tremble vnder him.
The Bra zenA %e. ~% 195
Caflor. The fpoile is thine, the yong Adonis death,
A nans (laughter, and the maffacre
Of Archas, Pelagon, Eupateinon
And all the Grecian Princes loft this day,
Thou haft reueng'd, therefore be thine the fame,
Which with a generall voyce Greece mail proclaime.
Mel. Princes wee thanke you, 'tis mine giuen me
free.
Which faire Atlanta we bellow on thee.
Tox. Ha> to a woman.
Flex. And fo many men,
Ingag'd in't, call backc thy gift againe.
Cajl. Greece is by this difparaged, and our fame
Fowly eclipft.
Pollux. Snatch't from that emulous Dame.
Mel. Murmur you Lords at Meleagers bounty,
We firft beftow'd it as our owne by guift,
Yea, and by right, but now we render it
To bright Atlanta, as her owne by due
As fhee that from the Boare the firft bloud drew.
Nejl. We muft not fuffer this difgrace to Greece.
Atre. Let women claime 'mongft women emi-
nence,
Our Lofty fpirits, that honour haue in chace,
Cannot difgeft wrongs womanifh and bafe.
Cafl. Reftore this woman and thy fex enuy
For fortitude, aime not at quefts fo hye.
lafon. Cajlor forbeare.
Telia. Hee giues but what's his owne.
Tlief. Tis the Kings bounty.
Mel. By the immortall Gods,
That gaue vs this daies honour, the fame hand
By which the Calidonian terror fell,
Shall him that frownes or murmurs lanch to hell.
All. That will we try.
Mel. Then reskue for Atlanta,
This day fhall fall for thee, that art diuine,
Monfters more fauadge then Dianaes fwine.
o 2
1 96 The Brazen Age.
A Jlrange confufed fray, Toxeus and Plexippus are
Jlaine by Meleager, la/on and Tellamon Jland
betweene the two faclions.
laf. No more, no more, behold your vnkles
flaine,
Saue in this adl two Noble Gentlemen,
Purfue not fury to the fpoile of Greece,
And death of more braue Princes : let your rage
Be here confin'de, cut off this purple ftreame
In his mid courfe, and turne this torrent backe
Which in his fury elfe may drown'd vs all.
Tel. I fecond Iafon and expofe my felfe,
Betweene thefe faclions to compofe a peace.
Mel. Wee haue done too much already, impious
fury,
How boundleffe is thy power : vncircumfcribed
By thought or reafon, th'art all violence,
Thy end repentance, forrow and diftaft :
How will Althea take her brothers death
From her fons hand, but rafh deeds executed
May be lamented, neuer be recaPd.
Shall the furuiuers bee atton'd ?
Atreus. So it be done with honour on both parts
Wee haue fwords to guard our fortunes and our Hues,
And but an equall language will keepe both
Thus at the point.
The/. Ioyne hands renowned Princes,
The fury of the Prince of Calidon
Hath prey'd but on his owne, there let it end,
No further by your vrgent fpleenes extend.
Cajlor. We are appeas'd.
Iafon. Lords freely then embrace.
Mel. Firft then, wee'le royally interre our vnkles,
And fpend fome teares vpon their funerall rites,
That done we'le in our Palace feaft thefe Princes,
With bright Atlanta, whom wee'le make our Queene.
Our Vnkles once beftow'de into the earth,
Our mournings fhall expire in Bridall mirth. Exeunt.
The Brazen Age. 197
Enter K. Ocneus and Althea, meeting the bodies of tfieir
two brothers borne.
Oen. Come to the Temple there to facrifice
For thefe glad tydings, fince the Boare lies dead,
That fil'd our kingdome with fuch awe and dread.
Alth. What ioy names Ocneus in this fpectacle ?
This of a thoufand the mofl fad and tragicke,
Whofe murdered trunkes be thefe 1
Seru. Your royall brothers,
Prince Toxeus and Plexippus.
Althea. Speake, how flaine 1
Seru. Not by the Boare, but by your fons owne
hand.
Althea. By Afeleagers, how ? vpon what quarrcll
Could the proud boy ground fuch a damned a6l 1
Seru. Your fonne to faire Atlanta gaue the prife
Of this daies trauell, which for, they with-ftood
In mutinous armes they lofle their vitall blouds.
Alth. Shall I reuenge or mourne them.
Oen. O flrange fate.
An obiect that muft fhorten Ocneus daies,
And bring thefe winter haires to a fad Tombe
Long ere their date ; I finke beneath thefe forrowes
Into my blacke and timeleffe monument
Althea. My forrowes turne to rage, my teares to
fire,
My praiers to curies, vowes into reuenge.
Oen. Peace, peace my Queene, let's beare the
Gods vindiclion
With patience, as wee did Dianaes wrath :
Where Gods are bent to punifh, we may grieue
But can our felues nor fuccour, nor relieue.
Come, let vs do to them their latefl rites,
Wait on their Hearfes in our mourning blacke ;
Their happy foules are mounted 'boue the fpheares,
We'le wafli their bodies in our funerall teares. Exit.
Afanet Althea.
Althea. Althea what diftradl ion's this within thee ?
198 The Brazen Age.
A filler or a mother wilt thou bee 1
Since both I cannot, (for thefe Princes flaine)
Siller I chufe, a mothers name difdaine :
The fatall brand in which the murderers life
Securely lies, I'le hurle into the fire
And as it flames, fo fhall the flaue expire.
Mifcheife I'le heape on mifcheife, bad on ill,
Wrong pay with wrongs, and flaughter thefe that kilt
And fince the Gods would all our glories thrall,
I will with them haue chiefe hand in our fall.
But hee's my fonne : oh pardon me deere brothers,
Being a mother if I fpare his life;
Though it be fit his finne bee plaug'd with death,
And that his life lie in yon fatall brand,
'Twill not come fitly from a mothers hand.
Is this the hope of all my ten months paine,
Muft he by th' hand that nurft him now be flaine I
Would he had perifht in his cradle, when
I gaue him twice life : in his birth, and then
When I the brand fnatcht from the rauenous flame,
And for this double good, haft thou with fhame
And iniury repaide me 1 I will now
A filler be, no mother, for I vow
Reuenge and death ; Furies, affift my hand
Whilft in red flames I call his vitall brand. Exit.
A banquet, enter Meleager, la/on, Thefeus, Castor,
Pollux, Nejlor, Peleus, Atreus, Atlanta.
Meleag.- For faire Atlanta, and your Honours,
Lords
We banquet you this day : and to beginne
Our feftiuals we'le crowne this louiall health
Vnto our brother, Theban Hercules,
And Deyaneira, will you pledge it Lords ?
Iafon. None but admire and loue their matchlefie
worths,
Not faire Atlanta will refufe this health.
Atlan. You beg of mee a pledge, I'le take it
Iafon,
The Brazen Age. 1 99
As well for his fake that beginnes the round,
As thofe to whom 'tis vow'd.
Tell. Well fpoke Atlanta, but I wonder Lords
What Prouince now holds Theban Hercules t
The/. He is the mirrour and the pride of Greece,
And (hall in after ages be renoun'd,
But we forget his health, come Tellamon
Aime it at mee.
A fire. Enter Althea with a brand.
Althea. AIM my rage you fteme Eumenides,
To you this blacke deed will I confecrate.
Pitty away, hence thou confanguine loue,
Maternall zeale, parentall piety.
All cares, loues, duties, offices, affections,
That grow 'tweene fonnes and mothers, leaue this
place ;
Let none but furies, murders, paracides,
Be my affiflants in this dam'd attempt :
All that's good and honed, I confine,
Blacke is my purpofe ; Hell my thoughts are thine.
Mel. To bright Atlanta this lowd muficke fownd,
Her health fhall with our loftieft ftraines be crown'd.
Althea. Drinke, quaffe, be blith ; oh how this
feftiue ioy
Stirs vp my fury to reuenge and death,
Thus, thus (you Gods aboue, abie£l your eies
From this vnnaturall act) the murderer dies.
Shee fires the brand.
Mel. Oh, oh.
Atlan. My Lord.
Mel. I burne, I burne.
/a/on. What fuddaine paffion's this 1
Mele. The flames of hell, and Fluids fightleffe
fires,
Are through my entrals and my veines difpierft,
Oh!
Tell. My Lord take courage.
aoo The Brazen Age.
cV
Mel. Courage, Tellamonl
I haue a heart dares threate or challenge hell,
A brow front heauen ; a hand to challenge both :
But this my paine's beyond all humane fufferance,
Or mortall patience.
Althea. What haft thou done Allheal flay thy
fury,
And bring not thefe ftrange torments on thine owne.
Thou haft too much already, backe my hand,
And faue his life as thou conferufl this brand.
She takes out the brand.
Atlan. How cheeres the warlike Prince of
Calidon %
Mel. Well now, I am at eafe and peace within,
Whither's my torture fled % that with fuch fuddenneffe
Hath freed me from difturbance, were we ill 1
Come fit againe to banquet, muficke fownd,
Till this to Deyaneiraes health go round.
Althea. Shall mirth and ioy crowne his degenerate
head?
Whilfl his cold Vnkles on the earth lie fpread 1
No, wretched youth whilfl this hand can deflroy,
I'le cut thee off in midft of all thy ioy.
She fires the brand.
Mel. Againe, Againe.
Althea. Burne, perifh, waft, fire, fparkle, and con-
fume
And all thy vitall fpirits flie with this fume.
Mel. Still, ftill, there is at Mtna in my bofome
The flames of Stix, and fires of Acheron
Are from the blacke Chimerian fhades remou'd,
And fixt heere, heere ; oh for Euenus floud,
Or fome coole flreame, to fhoote his currents through
My flaming body, make thy channell heere
Thou mighty floud that flreamefl through Calidon
And quench me, all you fprings of Theffaly
Remoue your heads, and fixe them in my veines
To coole me, oh !
lafon. Defend vs heauen, what fuddaine extafy
The Brazen Age. 201
Or vnexpecTed torture hath diflurb'd
His health and mirth ?
Mel. Worfe then my torment,
That I mud die thus, thus, that the Boare had flaine
me
Happy Anceus and Adonis blefl,
You died with fame, and honour crownes your reft ;
My flame increafeth dill, oh father Ocncus
And you Allliea, whom I would call mother
But that my genius prompts me th'art vnkind,
And yet farewell, Atlanta beauteous maide,
I cannot fpeake my thoughts for torture, death,
Anguifh and paines, all that Prometliean fire
Was ftolne from heauen, the Thiefe left in my
bofome.
The Sunne hath caft his element on me,
And in my entrails hath he fixt his Spheare,
His pointed beames he hath darted through my
heart,
And I am ftill on flame.
Althea. So, now 'tis done,
The brand confum'd, his vitall threed quite fpun.
Exit.
Meleag. Now 'gins my fire wafte, and my naturall
heat
To change to Ice, and my fcortch't blood to freeze.
Farewell, fince his blacke enfigne death difplayes,
I dye, cut off thus in my beft of dayes. He dyes.
Jafon. Dead is the flower and pride of Calidon.
Who would difpleafe the Gods 1 Diana's wrath
Hath flretch't euen to the death, and tragicke mine
Of this faire hopefull Prince, here flay thy ven-
geance
Goddefie of chaflity, and let it hang
No longer ore the houfe of Calidon :
Since thou haft cropt the yong, fpare thefe old
branches
That yet furuiue.
202 The Brazen Age.
Enter Althea.
Althea. She fhall not, Jafon no,
She fhall not : Do you wonder Lords of Greece,
To fee this Prince lye dead ? why that's no nouell,
All men muft dye, thou, he, and euery one,
Yea I my felfe muft : but II' e tell you that
Shall ftiffe your haire, your eyes ftart from your heads,
Print fixt amazement in your wondring fronts,
Yea and aftonifh all : This was my fonne,
Borne with fick throws, nurft from my tender breft
Brought vp with feminine care, cherifht with loue ;
His youth, my pride ; his honour all my wifhes,
So deere, that little leffe he was then life.
But will you know the wonder (,'laffe) too true,
Him (all my fonnes) this my inrag'd hand flue,
This hand, that Dians quenchleffe rage to fill,
Shall with the flaine fonnes fword the mother kill.
Althea kils herfelfe with Meleagers fword.
Tela. The Queene hath flaine her felfe : who'l
beare thefe newes
To the fad King ?
Enter aferuant.
Seru. That labour may be fpar'd :
The King no fooner heard of his fonnes death,
(Wrought by his mother in the fatall brand)
But he funke dead : forrow fo chang'd his weakeneffe,
And without word or motion he expir'd.
Jafon. Wee'l fee them (ere we part from Calidoti)
Inter'd with honour : But we foiourne long
In this curft Clime ; oh let vs not incurre
Diana's fury, our next expedition
Shall be for Colchos, and the golden Fleece,
Vnto which (Princes) we inuite you all.
Our (lately Argoe we haue rig'd and trim'd,
And in it we will beare the bed of Greece,
Stil'd from our fhip by name of Argonauts.
The Brazen Age. 203
Great Hercules will with his company,
Grace our aduenture, and renowne all Greece,
By the rich purchafe of the Colchian Fleece. Exit.
Homer.
Let not euen Kings againfl the Gods contefl,
Lejl in this fall their ruines be expreft.
Thinke Hercules, from clenfing the fowlc flail
Andflable of Augeus, in which fed
Three hundred Oxen, (ueuer freed at all,
Till his arrive) return d where he was bred,
To Thebes ; there Deianeira him receiues
With glad imbraces, but heflaics not long,
Iafon the Lady of her Lordbcreaues :
For in the new-rig d Argoe, with the yong
And fprightly Heroes, he at Colchos aimes,
Where the rich Fleece mufl publifli their high fames.
Enter Deianeira and Lychas : to her Hercules, receiued
with ioy, after the prefentment of fome of his
labours. To them march in all the Argonauts,
lafon, Telamon, Atreus, Caflor, Pollux, Thefeus,
&c. Lafon perf wades Hercules to the aduenture ;
hee leaues Deianeira, and marcheth off with the
Argonauts.
Imagine now thefe Princes vnder faile,
Stearing their courfe asfarre as high-rear 'd Troy,
Where King Laomedon doth much beivaile
His daughter, whom a Sea-whale mufl deflroy.
Obferue this well : for here begins the iarre
Made Troy racket after in a ten yeares warre.
Sownd. Enter King Laomedon, Anchifes, yong Priam,
sEneas, He/tone bound, with otlier Lords and Ladyes.
Loomed. Hefione, this is thy laft on earth,
204 The Brazen Age.
Whole fortunes we may moume, though not preuent :
Would Troy, whofe walles I did attempt to reare,
Had nere growne higher then their ground-fils, or
In their foundation buried beene, and loft,
Since their high ftruclure muft be thus maintain'd,
With bloud of our bright Lad yes : Oh Hefione!
Th'onely remainder of thefe female dames
Begot by vs, I muft bequeath thy body
To be the food of Ncptunes monftrous Whale.
Priam. Had you kept troth and promife with the
Gods,
This had not chanc't : You borrowed of the Priefts
Of Neptune and Apollo, Sea, and Sunne,
That quantity of gold, which to this height
And fpacious compaffe, hath immur'd great Troy ;
But the worke finifh't, you deny'd to pay
The Priefts their due, for which imaged Neptune
Affembled his high tides, thinking to drowne
Our lofty buildings, and to ruine Troy :
But when the Moone, by which the Seas are gouern'd,
Retir'd his waters by her powerfull wane,
He left behind him fuch infectious flime,
Which the Sunne poyfoning by his perfant beames,
They by their mutuall power, raif'd a hot plague.
To flacke this hot peft, Neptune made demand,
Monthly a Lady to be chus'd by lot,
To glut his huge Sea-monfters rauenous iawes :
The lot this day fell on Hefione
Our beauteous fitter.
Loom. Priam 'tis too true,
Till now Laomedon nere knew his guilt,
Or thought the Gods could punifh.
Hefio. Royall father,
Mourne not for me, the Gods muft be appeas'd,
And I in this am happy, that my death
Is made the attonement 'tweene thofe angry powers
And your afflicted people, though my Innocence
Neuer deferu'd fuch rigor from the Gods.
The Brazen Age. 205
Come good Anchifes, bindc mc to this rocke,
And let my body glut th' infatiate fury
Of angry Neptune, and th' offended Sunne.
Anchif. A more unwilling monfler neuer pad
Afichifes hand.
Laom. Now, now, the time drawes nye,
That my fweet childe by Neptunes whale mud dye.
Priam. The very thought of it fwallowes my
heart
As deepe in forrow, as the monfler can
liury my fifler.
A great Jlunot within.
Laom. Soft, what clamor's that ?
JBtuas. A (lately fhip, well rig'd with fwelling
failes,
Enters the harbour, bound (by their report)
For Colchos : but when they beheld the fhores
Couered with multitudes, and fpy'd from farre,
Your beauteous daughter faflned to the rocke,
They made to know the caufe ; which certified,
One noble Greeke amongfl thefe Heroes flands,
And offers to incounter Neptunes whale,
And free from death the bright Hefione.
Laom. Thou haft (JZneas) quickned me from
death,
And added to my date a fecond Age.
.\dmit them.
Enter Hercules, La/on, Cajlor, Pollux, Thefcus, and all
the Argonauts.
Here. 'Tis told vs that thy name's Laomedon,
And that thy beauteous daughter mufl this day
Feed a fea-monfter : how wilt thou reward
The man that (hall incounter Neptunes whale ?
Tugge with that fiend vpon thy populous flrond,
And with my club fowfe on his armed fcalcs?
206 The Brazen Age.
Haft thou not heard of Theban Heracles %
I that haue aw'd the earth, and ranfack't hell,'
Will through the Ocean hunt the God of ftreames,
And chace him from the deepe Abifmes below.
Il'e dare the Sea-god from his watery deepes
If he take part with this Leuiathan.
Laom. Thy name and courage warlike Hercules
Affures her life, if thou wilt vndertake
This hauty qUeft \ two milke white fteeds, the bed
Afia ere bred, fhall be thy valours prize.
Here. We accept them ; keepe thy faith Laomcdon,
If thou but break'ft with loue-bome Hercules,
Thefe marble ftru<£lures, built with virgins bloud,
Il'e raze euen with the earth. When comes the mon-
fter?
Hefione. Now, now, helpe Ioue. A cry within.
Here. I fee him fvveepe the feas along.
Blow riuers through his noftrils as he glides,
As if he meant to quench the Sunnes bright fire,
And bring a palped darkneffe ore the earth :
He opes his iawes as if to fwallow Troy,
And at one yawne whole thoufands to deftroy.
Lao. Fly, fiye into the Citty. Exeunt the Troians.
Here. Take along
This beauteous Lady, if he muft haue pray,
In ftead of her Alcides here will flay.
Iafon. The heartleffe Troians fly into the towne
At fight of yon fea-diuell : here wee'l ftand
To wait the conqueft of thy Iouiall hand.
Here. Gramercy Iafon, fee he comes in tempeft,
Il'e meet him in a ftorme as violent,
And with one ftroke which this right hand fhall
aime,
Ding him into th' abiffe from whence he came.
Hercules kils the Sea-Monjler, the Troians on the walks,
the Greckcs below.
Priam. The monfter's flaine, my beauteous fifter
freed.
The Brazen Age. 207
lafon. Be euer for this noble deed renown'd,
Let Afia fpeake thy praife.
Telam. The Argonauts
Are glorifi'd by this victorious acl.
Priam. All Troy fhall confecrate to LLercules
Temples and Altars : lets defcend and meet him.
Laom. Stay, none prefume to ftirre, wee'l parly
them
Firft from the walles.
Here. Why doth not Troy's King from thofe wals
defcend ?
And fince I haue redeem'd Hefione,
Prefent my trauels with two milke-white deeds,
The prize of my indeuours 1
Lao. Hercules
We owe thee none, none will we tender thee,
Thou haft won thee honour, a reward fufficient
For thy attempt : our gates are (hut againfl thee,
Nor fhall you enter, you are Greckijh fpies,
And come to pry but where our land is weakc.
Priam. Oh royall father !
Laom. Peace boy : Greekes away :
For imminent death attends on your delay.
Here. The Sea nere bred a monfter halfe fo vile
As this Land-fiend. Darft threaten Herades 1
Would vniuerfall Troy were in one frame,
That I might whelme it on thy curfed head,
And crowne thee in thy ruine. Menace vs ?
Laom. Depart our walles, or we will fire your
Argoe,
Lying in our harbour, and preuent your purpofe
In the atchieuement of the golden fleece.
Here. Laomedon, IPe toffe thee from thy walles,
Batter thy gates to fhivers with my Club,
Nor will I leaue thefe broad Scamander plaines,
Til thy afpiring Towers of /Ilium
Lye leuell with the place on which we (land.
Lafon. Great Hercules, th' aduenture fals to me,
Our voyage bent for Colclios, not for Troy,
208 The Brazen Age.
The golden fleece, and not Laomedon :
Why fhould we hazard here our Argonauts ?
Or fpend our felues on accid entail wrongs 1
Telam. la/on aduifeth well, great Hercules,
We fhould difhonour him, and th' expectation
Greece hath of vs, delude by this delay.
The/. Then let vs from this harbour launch our
Argoe,
To Colchos firfl, and in our voyage home
Reuenge vs on this falfe Laomedon.
Here. You fway me princes : farewell trecherous
King,
Nought, faue thy bloud, fhall fatisfie this wrong
And bale difhonour done to Hercules.
Expect me ; for by Olimpicke Ioue I fweare
Nere to fet foot within my natiue Thebes,
See JDeianeira, or to touch in Greece,
Till I haue fcal'd thefe mures, inuaded Troy,
Ranfack't thy Citty, flaine Laomedon,
And venge the Gods that gouerne Sea and Sunne.
Come valiant Heroes, firft the fleece to enioy,
And in our backe returne to ranfacke Troy.
Exeunt.
Lao. We dread you not, wee'l anfwere what is
done,
As well as ftand 'gainft Neptune and the Sunne.
Enter Oetes, King of Colchos, Medea, yong Abfyrtus,
with Lords.
Oetes. How may we glory aboue other kings
Being (by our birth) defcended from the Gods 1
Our wealth renowned through the world tripartite,
Moft in the riches of the golden fleece,
And not the leaft of all our happineffe,
Medea for her powerfull magicke skill,
And Negromanticke exorcifmes admir'd,
And dreaded through the Colchian territories.
The Brazen Age. 209
Medea. I can by Art make riuers retrograde,
Alter their channels, run backe to their heads,
And hide them in the fprings from whence they
grew.
The curled Ocean with a word Il'e fmooth,
(Or being calme) raife waues as high as hils,
Threatning to fwallow the vaft continent.
With powerfull charmes Il'e make the Sunne (land
flill,
Or call the Moone downe from her arched fpheare.
What cannot I by power of Hecate 1
Abfyr. Difcourfe (faire fifler) how the golden
fleece
Came firfl to Colchos.
Medea. Let Abfyrtus know,
Phrixus the fonne of Theban Athamas,
And his faire fifler Helles, being betraid
By their curft flep-dame Ino, fled from Greece,,
Their Innocence pittied by Mercury,
He gaue to them a golden-fleeced Ramme,
Which bore them fafe to the Sygean fea,
Which fwimming, beauteous Helles there was drown'd,
And gaue that fea the name of Hellefpont,
That which parts Sejlus and Abidos ftill :
Phrixus arriues at Colchos, and to Mars
There facrific'd his Ramme in memory
Of his fafe waftage, fauoured by the Gods.
The golden Fleece was by the Oracle
Commanded to be fixt there, kept and guarded
By two fierce Buls, that breath infernall fires,
And by a wakefull Dragon, in whofe eyes
Neuer came fleepe : for in the fafe conferuing
Of this diuine and worthy monument,
Our kingdomes weale and fafety mofl confifts.
Oeies. And he that flriues by purchafe of this
fleece,
To weaken vs, or fhake our Royalty,
Mufl tafl the fury of thefe fiery fiends.
8 p
210 The Brazen Age.
A Jhootc. Enter a Lord.
The nouell : fpeake.
Lord. Vpon the Colchian fhores
A {lately veffell, man'd it feemes from Greece
Is newly lancht, full fraught with Gentlemen
Of braue afpects and prefence.
Oetes. Whofe their Generall ?
Lord. Lafon, he Miles himfelfe a Prince of Greece
And Captaine o're the noble Argonautes.
Oetes. Vfher them in, that we may know their
quefl
And what aduenture drew them to thefe fhoares.
Sound, Enter Lafon, Hercules, Thejeus, Caflor,
Pollux, &c.
Lafon. Haile king of Colchos, thou beholdft in vs
The nobleft Heroes that inhabite Greece
Of whom I, though vnworthiefl, flile my felfe
The Generall ; the intent of this our voyage
Is to reduce the rich and golden prife
To Greece, from whence it came, know I am come
To tug and wraftle with the infernall Buls,
And in their hot fiers double guild my armes
To place vpon their necks the feruile yoake,
And bondage, force them plow the field of Mars,
Till in the furrowes I haue fowed the teeth
Of vipers, from which men in armour grow
To enter combat with the fleepeleffe Dragon,
And mauger him fetch thence the golden Fleece.
All this Oetes, I am prefl to atchieue
Againft thefe horrid tasks my life to ingage
Buls fury, Vipers poyfon, Dragons rage.
Medea. Such a bold fpirit, and noble prefence
linkt
Neuer before were feene in Phafis Ifle,
Colchos be proud, a Prince demands thy Fleece,
The Brazen Age. 1 1 1
Richer then that he comes for ; let the Greekes
Our Phafian wealth and Oetes treafure beare,
So they in liew will leaue me Iafon here.
Oetes. Princes, you aime at dangers more in
proffe
Then in report, which if you mould behold
In their true figure, would amaze your fpirits :
Yea, terifye the Gods ; let me aduife you,
As one that knowes their terrour, to defift
Ere you enwrap your felfe into thefe perils,
Whence there is no euafion.
Here. Oetes ; know
Peril's a babe, the greater dangers threaten
The greater is his honour that breaks through.
Haue we in th* Argoe rowed with fixty oares
And at each Oare a Prince ; pierc't Samo-t/irace,
The Cfierfonefon fea, the Hellefpont,
Euen to the waues that breake on Colc/ws ftioares ?
And (hall we with dishonour turne to Greece 1
Know Oetes, not the lead of fixty Heroes
That now are in thy Confines, but thy monfters
Dare quell and baffle.
Tellamon. Much more Heratks.
Oetes. Hercules. •
Iafon. Starts Oetes at the name of Hercules,
What would he do to fee him in his eminence ;
But leauing that, this muft be Iafons queft,
A worke not worthy him ; where be thefe monfters t
Medea. May all inchantments be confinde to
hell,
Rather then he encounter fiends fo fell.
Oetes. Princes, fince you will needs attempt thefe
dangers
You (hall ; and if atchieue the Golden Fleece
Tranfport it where you pleafe, meane time, this
day
Repofe your felues, wel'e feaft you in our Pallace.
To morrow morning with the rifing Sunne,
Our golden prife fhall be conferu'd or wonne. Exit.
P 3
2 1 2 The Brazen Age.
Medea. If he attempts he dies, what's that to
mee?
Why mould Medea feare a ftrangers life ?
Or what's that lafon I mould dread his fall 1
If he o're-come, my fathers glory waines,
And all our 1 fortunes muft reward his paines.
Let lafon perilh then, and Colchos flourifh.
Our priftine glories let vs ftill enioy,
And thefe our braffe-head buls the Prince deftroy.
Oh ! what diftraclion's this within me bred,
Although he die, I would not fee him dead ?
The beft I fee, the word I follow ftill,
Hee nere wrong'd mee, why mould I with him ill ?
Shall the Buls toffe him whom Medea loues,
A Tygreffe, not a Princeffe, mould I proue ?
To fee him tortured whom I deerely loue ?
Bee then a traitreffe to thy fathers life,
A robber of the clime where thou waft bred,
And lor fome ftraggler that hath loft his way,
Thy fathers Kingdome and his State betray.
Turn, thefe are nothing, firft his faith I'le craue,
That couenant made, him by enchantments faue.
Enter lafon.
lafon. My task is aboue ftrength, Duke Pcleus
fent me
Not to atchieue, but die in this purfuite,
And to preuent the Oracle that told him
I muft fucceed ; lafon bethinke thee then
Thou com'ft to execution, not to a6l
Things aboue man ; I haue obferu'd Medea
Retort upon me many an amorous looke,
0<f which I'le ftuddy to make profperous vfe.
If by her art the Inchantments I can bind
Immur'd with death, I certaine fafety find.
Medea. Shall I o're-whelme vpon my captitte
head,
The curfe of all our Nation, the Crownes ruin 1
Tlie Brazen Age. 2 1 3
Clamours of men, and woemens loud exclaimes.
Burnings of children ; the vniuerfall curfe
Of a great people, all to faue one man,
A ftraggler (God knowes whence deriu'd, where
borne,
Or whether Noble?) let the proud Greeke die,
Wee Mill in Colchos fit inflated hye.
Oh me ! that looke vpon Medea caft
Drownes all thefe feares, and hath the reft furpaft.
Iafon. Madam, becaufe I loue I pitty you,
That you a beauteous Lady, art-full wife,
Should haue your beauty and your wifedome both
Inuelopt in a cloud of Barbarifme :
That on thefe barren Confines you fhould Hue,
Confin'd into an Angle of the world.
And ne're fee that which is the world indeed,
Fertile and populous Greece, Greece that beares men,
Such as refemble Gods, of which in vs
You fee the mofl deiedled, and the meaneft.
How harfhly doth your wifedome found in th'eares
Of thefe Barbarians, dull, vnapprehenfible,
And fuch, in not concerning your hid Arts,
Depriue them of their honour ; In Greece fprings
The fountaines of Diuine Phylofophy,
They are all vnderftanders ; I would haue you
Bright Lady with vs, enter to that world
Of which this Colchos is no part at all.
Shew then your beauty to thefe iudging eies,
Your wifedome to thefe vnderflanding eares.
In which they fhall receiue their merited grace,
And leaue this barraine, cold, and ftirrill place.
Medea. His prefence without all this Oratory
Did much with vs, but where they both conioyne
To entrap Medea, fhee muft needs bee caught
Iafon. I long to fee this Colchian tady clad
In Hymens flatelieft roabes, whom the glad Matrones,
Bright Ladies, and Imperiall Queenes of Greece
Shall welcome and applaud, and with rich gifts
*I4 The Brazen Age.
Prefent, for fauing of their fonnes and kinfmen
From thefe infernall monflers : As for lajon
If you Medea fhall defpife his loue,
He craues no other life then to die fo,
Since life without you is but torturing paine,
And death to men diftreft is double gaine.
Medea. That tongue more then Medeaes fpels in-
chants,
And not a word, but like our exorcifmes
And power of charmes preuailes. Oh loue ! thy
Maiefty
Is greater then the triple Hecates,
Bewitching Circes, or thofe hidden skils,
Afcrib'd vnto the infernall Proferpine.
I that by incantations can remoue
Hils from their fyts, and make huge mountaines
make,
Darken the Sunne at noone, call from their graues
Ghofts long fince dead, that can command the earth,
And affright heauen, no fpell at all can find
To bondage loue, or free a captiue minde.
Iafon. Loue la/on then, and by thy Diuine aide,
Giue me fuch power, that I may tug vnfcorcht
Amidft the flames with thefe thy fiery fiends,
That I vnuenom'd may thefe Vipers teeth
Caft from my hand, through Morpheus leaden
charmes,
Ouer that wakefull fnake that guards the Fleece,
For which liue Iafons happy Bride in Greece.
Medea. A match, what hearbs or fpels, what Magicke
can
Command in heauen, earth, or in hell below,
What either aire, or fea can minifter,
To guard thy perfon, all thefe helps I'le gather
To girdle thee with fafety,
Iqfon. Be thou then
For euer Iafons, and through Greece renown'd
In whom our Heroes haue fuch fafety found,
The Brazen Age. 1 1 5
Our bargaine thus I feale. He kiffeth lier.
Medea. Which I'le make good
With Cok/ws fall, and with my fathers bloud.
Enter Abfyrtiis.
Abfyr. Prince la/on, all the Heroes at the ban-
quet
Inquire for you, twice hath my father Odes
Made fearch for you ; Oh fifter !
Medea. No word you faw vs two in conference.
Abfyr. Do you take me to be a woman, to tell all
I fee, and blab all I know, I that am in hope one
day to lie with a woman, will once lie for a woman,
Sifter I faw you not
Jqfon. Remember ; come Prince, will you leade
the way ?
Abfyr. I have parted you that neuer parted fray
Come fir will you follow. Exit. Manet Medea.
Medea. The night growes on, and now to my black
Arts,
Goddeffe of witchcraft and darke ceremony,
To whom the elues of Hils, of Brookes, of Groues,
Of {landing lakes, and cauernes vaulted deepe
Are minifters ; three-headed Hecate
Lend me thy Chariot drawne with winged fnakes,
For I this night muft progreffe through the Aire.
What fimples grow in Tempe of Theffaly,
Mount Pindus, Otheris, OJ/a, Appidane,
Olimpus, Caucaf. or high Teneriff,
I muft felect to finifh this great worke,
Thence muft I flye vnto Amphrifus Foords,
And gather plants by the fwift Sperchius ftrcamcs,
Where rufhy Bebes, and Anthedon flow,
Where hearbes of bitter iuice and ftrong fent grow ;
Thefe muft I with the haires of Mandrakes vfe,
Temper with Poppy-feeds and Hendocke iuice :
With Aconitum that in Tartar fprings,
With Cyprejfe, Ewe, and Veruin, and thefe mix
1 1 6 The Brazen Age.
With incantations, Spels, and Exorcifmes
Of wonderous power and vertue ; oh thou night,
Mother of darke Arts hide mee in thy vaile,
Whilfl I thofe banks fearch, and thefe mountaines
skale.
Sownd. Enter King Oetes, Abfyrtus, and Lords.
Oetes. Vpon the fafeguard of this golden Fleece
Colchos depends, and he that beares it hence
Beares with it all our fortunes ; the Argonautes
Haue it in queft, if Iafon fcape our monflers
I'le rather at fome banquet poyfon him,
And quaffe to him his death, or in the night
Set fire vpon his Argoe, and in flames
Confume the happy hope of his returne,
This purpofe we, as we are Colchos King,
Abfyrtus, where's your fifter ?
Abfyrtus. In her chamber.
Oetes. When you next fee her giue to her this
noate,
The manner of our praclife, her fell hand
Cannot be mift in this, but it fliall fall
Heauy on thefe that Colchos feekes to thrall.
The howre drawes nigh, the people throng on heapes,
To this aduenture in the field of Mars,
And noble Iafon arm'd with his good fhield,
Is vp already and demands the field.
Enter Iafon, Hercules, and the Argonauts.
Iafon. Oetes, I come thus arm'd, demanding com-
bat
Of all thofe monfters that defend thy Fleece :
And to thefe dangers fingly, I oppofe
My perfon as thou feefl, when fetfl thou ope
The gates of hell to let thy deuils out %
Glad would I wraftle with thy fiery Buls,
And from their throats the flaming dewlops teare.
TJu Braze7i Age. 2 1 7
Vnchaine them, and to lafon turne them loofe,
That as Alcides did to Achelous,
So from their hard fronts I may teare their homes,
And lay the yoake vpon their vntam'd necks.
Odes. Yet valiant Greeke defifl, I, though a
ftranger
Pitty thy youth, or if thou wilt perfift
So dreadfull is the aduenture thou perfueft,
That thou wilt thinke I fhall vnbowell hell,
Vnmanacle the fiends, and make a paffage
Free for the Infernals.
lafon. I fhall welcome all,
Medea now if there be power in loue,
Or force in Magicke ; if thou haft or will
Or Art, try all the power of Characters,
Vertue of Symples, Stones, or hidden fpels,
If earth Elues, or nimble airy Spirits,
Charmes, Incantations, or darke Exorcifmes,
If any ftrength remaine in Pyromancy,
Or the hid fecrets of the aire or fire,
If the Moones fpheare can any helpe infufe,
Or any influent Starre, collect them all
That I by thy aide may thefe monfters thrall.
Oetes. Difcouer them.
Two fiery Buls are difcouer -ed, the Fleece hanging ouer
t/iem, and the Dragon fleeping beneath tlietn \ Medea
with flrange fiery-workes, hangs aboue in the Aire
in the flrange habile of a Coniureffe.
Medea. The hidden power of Earth, Aire, Water,
Fire,
Shall from this place to Iafons helpe confpire.
Fire withftand fire, and magicke temper flame,
By my ftrong fpels the fauadge monfter's tame :
So, that's perform'd, now take the Vipers teeth
And fow them in the furrowed field of Mars.
Of which flrange feed, men ready arm'd mufl grow
To affault lafon. Already from beneath
2 1 8 The Brazen Age.
Their deadly pointed weapons gin to appeare,
And now their heads, thus moulded in the earth,
Streight way fhall teeme; and hauing freed their
fate
(The ftalkes by which they grow) all violently
Purfue the valiant. Greeke, but by my forcery
I'le turne their armed points againft themfelues
And all thefe flaues that would on Iafon flie Jhoutes.
Shall wound themfelues and by fedition die.
Yet thriues the Greeke, now kill the fleeping fnake
'Which I haue charm' d, and thence the Trophy take,
Thefe fhouts witneffe his conqueft, lie difcend,
Heare Iafons feares and all my charmes take end.
Hercules. Oetes, now is this rich and pretious
Fleece,
By Iafons fword repurchafl, and muft turne
Vnto the place whence Phrixus brought his Ramme.
Odes. That praclife by your ruines He preuent,
And fooner then with that returne to Greece,
Your flaughtered bodies leaue with this rich fleece.
Iafon. Since our aduenture is atchieu'd and
done,
The prize is ours, we ceize what we haue wone.
Odes. Enioy it Iafon, I admire thy worth,
Which as it hath exceeded admiration,
So muft we needs applaud it. Noble gentlemen,
Depart not Colchos, ere you worths and valour
We with fome rich and worthy gifts prefent.
The conqueft of our Buls, and Dragons death,
(Though we efteem'd them) yet they fad vs not,
Since we behold the fafety of this prince.
Enter our palace, and your praife fownd hye,
Where you fhall feaft, (or all by treafon dye.)
Exeunt.
Abfyr. I haue not feene my fifter to day, I mufe
fhe hath not beene at this folemnity, me thinkes fhe
fliould not haue loft this triumph ; I haue a note to
deliuer her from my father. Here fhe comes.
The Brazen Age. 2 1 9
Enter Medea.
Sifter, perufe this briefe, you know the character,
It is my fathers. This is all. Exit. She reads.
Medea. Iafon with his Argonauts this night muft
perifti, the fleece not be tranfported to Greece — Medea
your affiftance.
This is my fathers plot to ouerthrow
Prince Iafon, and the noble Argonauts,
Which Il'e preuent : I know the King is fudden,
And if preuention be delay'd, they dye :
I that haue ventured thus farre for a loue,
Euen to thefe arts that Nature would haue hid
As dangerous and forbidden, fhall I now
Vndoe whsft I haue done, through womanifh feare,
Paternall duty, or for filiall loue ?
No Iafon, thou art mine, and my defire,
Shall wade with thee through bloud, through feas,
through fire.
Enter Iafon.
Iafon. Madam.
Medea. My Lord, I know what you would fay,
Thinke now vpon your life, the King my father
Intends your mine, to redeeme the fleece,
And it repurchafe with your tragicke deaths :
Therefore affemble all your Argonauts,
And let them (in the filence of the night)
Lanch from the Colchian harbour ; Il'e aflociate you
As Iafons bride.
Iafon. You are my patroneffe,
And vnder you I triumph : when the leaft
Of all thefe graces I forget, the Gods
Reuenge on me my hated periury.
Muft we then lanch this night 1 you are my direc-
trefle,
And by your art Il'e manage all my actions.
2 20 The Brazen Age.
Medea. Then flye, Il'e fend to fee your Argoe
trim'd,
Rig'd and made tight : night comes, the time growes
on :
Hye then aboord.
Iafon. I fhall. Exit.
Medea. Now populous Greece,
Thanke vs (not Iafon) for this conquer'd fleece.
Enter Oetes.
Oetes. Medea, we are rob'd, defpoil'd, dishonored,
Our Fleece rap't hence, we mull not fuffer it,
Since all our ominous fortunes it includes,
I am refolu'd Iafon this night fhall dye.
Medea. Should he furuiue, you might be held vn-
worthy
The name of King ; my hand fhall be as deepe
As yours in his definition.
Oetes. A ftrong guard
I will felecl, and in the dead of night,
When they are funke in Lethe, fet vpon them,
And kill them in their beds.
Medea. Il'e fecond you,
And laue my ftain'd hands in their reeking blouds
That praetife your dishonour.
Oetes. Iafon then dyes,
When he moft hopes for this rich Colchian prize.
Exit.
Medea. But ere the lead of all thefe ils betide,
This Colchian ftrond fhall with thy bloud be dy'd.
For Iafon and his Argonauts I ftand,
And will protect them with my art and hand.
Enter Iafon with the Fleece, and all the Greekes
muffled.
Iafon. Madam Medea.
The Brazen Age. 221
Medea. Leaue circumflance, away,
Hoyfe vp your fayles, death and deftruc"lion
Attends you on the fhoare.
Iqfon. You'l follow Madam. Exit.
Medea. Inflantly :
Blow gentle gales, affift them winds and tide,
That I may Greece fee, & Hue lafons bride.
Enter Abfyrtus.
Abfyr. How now fifter, fo folitary 1
Medea. Oh happy met, though it be late Abfyrtus,
You muft along with me.
Abfyr. Whither pray 1
Medea. Tie tell you as we walke.
This lad betweene me and all harme fhall fland ;
And if the King purfue vs with his Fleet,
His mangled limbes fhall (fcattered in the way)
Worke our efcape, and the Kings fpeed delay.
Come brother.
Abfyr. Any where with you fifter. exeunt.
Enter Homer.
Horn. Let none to whom true Art is not deny'd,
Our monflrous Buls, and magicke Snakes deride.
Some thinke this rich Fleece was a golden Booke,
The leaues of parchment, or the skins of Rammcs,
Which did include the Art of making gold
By Chimicke skill, and therfore rightly flild,
The Golden Fleece, which to attaine and compaffe,
Includes as many trauels, myfleries,
Changes and Chymicke bodies, fires and monsters,
As euer Iafon could in Colchos meet.
The f ages, and the wife, to keepe their Art
From being vulgar : yet to hauethtm tafled
With appetite and longing, giue thofe gloffes,
And flourifhes tofhadow what they write,
Which might (at once) breed wonder and delight.
222- The Brazen Age.
So did tK ^Egyptians in the Arts bejl iry'd,
In Hierogliphickes all their Science hide.
But to proceed, the Argonauts are fled,
Wfwm the inrag'd Oetes doth purfue,
And being in fight, Medea takes the head
Of yon% Abfyrtus, whom {vnkinde) flie flue,
And all his other limbes Jlrawes in the way
Of the old father, his pur jute to flay.
The Shew. -
In memory of this inhumane deed,
Thefe Iflands where his flaughtered limbes lyefpred y
Were caPd Abfyrtides : But we proceed
With King Laomedon, 'gainfl whom are led
The Argonauts, Troy by Alcides radd,
Ashes t/ie next place, and mufl in ranke be placed.
Enter Laomedon, Priam, Anchifes, ^Enea,
Hefione. 6°r.
Lao. The Argonauts return'd ?
Anchi. They are my Lord.
Lao. And landed ?
Anchi. Landed.
Lao. Where %
Anchi. At Tenedos.
Lao. Could not thofe Colchian monfters in their
bowels
Bury the Greekes, but mufl they all furuiue
To threat vs with inuafion. Speake Anchifes,
March they towards Troy ?
Anchif. In conduct of the mighty Hercules,
Wafting with fword and fire where ere they march :
Scamander fields they haue ftrew'd with carkaffes,
And Simois ftreames already purpled are
With bloud of Troians.
Priam. Let vs giue them battell.
Lao. In vaine, our forces are difperft abroad,
The Brazen Age. 223
Nor haue we order to with (land their fury :
Bed were we to immure our felues in Troy,
And trull vnto the vertue of our walles. Shouts.
yEneas. Do not delay your fafety, you may heare
Their cryes, and lofty clamors, threatning Troy :
They dogge vs to our gates, and without fpeed
And expedition, they will enter with vs.
Come then, our threatned Hues we will immure,
And thinke vs in our ftrong built walles fecure.
Exeunt.
After an alarme, enter Hercules, Iafon, Thefcus,
Telamon, and all the other Argonauts.
Here. Purfue the chace euen to the gates of Troy,
Then call th' ingrate Laomedon to parlee.
Iafon. The periur'd King (hall pay vs for the
wrong
Done to Alcides in his promis'd deeds.
Telatn. Better he had the monfter had deuour'd
His beauteous daughter, then t' abide our furies.
Neflor. He did exclude our vertue from the Citty,
And now therefore he (hall admit our fury.
Caflor. Thefe wals firft rear'd at the great Gods
expence,
Wee'l ruine to the earth : let's fummon him.
Here. We will call him to parlee. A parlee.
Enter vpon tlie wals, Laomedon, Anchifes, /Eneas,
Priam, &>c.
Here. Laomedon, we do not fummon thee
To parlee, but to warne thee guard thy walles,
Which (without paufe) we now intend to fcale.
Laom. Wilt heare me Hercules 1
Here. I liften'd thy penurious tongue too late.
Scale, batter, mount, aflault, facke, and deface,
And leaue (of Troy) nought faue the name and
place.
224 The Brazen Age.
Alarme. Telamonfirjl mounts the walks, the rejl after,
Priam fly es, Laomedon isflaine by Hercules, Hefionc
taken. Enter with viftory.
Here. Thus is the tyrant, that but late aw'd Troy,
Buried amidft his mines ; he chaftis'd,
And we reueng'd : the fpoyle of this rich Towne
Rated as high as Iafons Colchian prize,
You fhall diuide : but firft thefe lofty walles,
Builded by periury, and maintain'd by pride,
Wee'l ruine to the earth : Who faw yong Priam 1
Iafon. Hee's fled, and tooke the way to Samo-
thrace,
With him Anchifes, that on Venus got
The yong uEneas, they are fled together,
And left the fpoyle of all the towne to vs.
Here. Which fhall enrich Thebes, and the townes
of Greece,
And Telamon, to do thy valour right,
For mounting firft ouer the walles of Troy,
The firft and choyce of all the fpoyle be thine.
Telam. Then let Alcides honour Telamon
With this bright Lady, faire Hefione,
Sifter to Priam, daughter to Laomedon,
Whofe beauty I preferre before the flate
And wealth of Troy.
Here. Receiue her Telamon,
Shee is thine owne by gift of Hercules.
Telam. A prefent more delighting Telamon,
Then were I made Lord of high Illiums Towers,
And heire vnto the dead Laomedon.
Hefio. I am a Princeffe, fhall my fathers ils
Fall on my head ? If he offended Hercules,
He hath made fatisfaction with his life.
Oh be not fo feuere, to ftretch his punifhment
Euen after life ; haft thou from death redeem'd me,
To giue me captiue, and to flaue my youth 1
Things worfe then death j rather let Hercules
Expofe me to the rocke, where firft he found me,
The Brazen Age. 225
To abide the wrath both of the Sea and Sunne.
Oh ! rather make my body food for monfters,
Then brand my birth with bondage.
Telam. Faire Hefione,
I will not loofe thy beauty, nor thy youth,
Nor part with this my honour, couldft thou giue me
For ranfome of them, both our Argoes cram'd
With gold and gemmes ; you are my valours prize,
And fhaU with me to populous Salamine.
Hefione. Can you fo wrong the daughter of a king,
To giue her as a Dukes bafe Concubine 1
Touch me not Telamon, for I deuine,
If ere my brother Priam re-build Troy,
And be the king of Afia, hee'l reuenge
This bale difhonour done Hefione ;
And for his fifter, rauifh't hence perforce,
Do the like out-rage on fome Grecian Queene,
In iuft reuenge of my iniurious wrong.
Here. Should all the kings in Afia, or the world,
Take part with Priam in that proud defigne,
Like fate, like fortune with Laomedon
They (hall abide : renowned Telamon,
She is the warlike purchafe of thy fword,
Enioy her as the gift of Hercules.
And now braue Grecian Hero's, lets towards Greece
With al thefe honored fpoiles from Colc/ws brought
And from the treafures of defaced Troy.
Faire Deianeira longs for vs in Thebes,
Whom we will vifit next, and thence proceed
Vnto our future labours. Cams liues
A bloudy tyrant, whom we muft remoue :
And the three-headed Gerion fwayes in Spaine,
Notorious for his rapes and out-rages ;
Both thefe muft perifh by Alcides hand,
And when we can the earth from tyrants cleare,
In the worlds vtmofl bounds our pillers reare. Exit.
Homer.
Loath are we {curteous auditors) to cloy
3 r*
2 26 The Brazen Age.
Your appetites with viands of one tafl,
TJie beauteous Venus we mujl next imploy,
Whom wefaw mourning for Adonis loft.
Suppofe herflillfor the yong Adon fad,
But cheer 'd by Mars, their old loues they renue,
Andfhe, that (whiPjfl he liu'd) prefer d the Lad,
Hath quite forgot him, fince the Boare him flue.
Mars is in grace, a meeting they deuife,
Jealous of all, but feari?ig mofl the Sunne,
Hee that fees all things from his firfl vp-rife,
And like a blab, tels all that hee knowes done.
Our mortals mufl a while their fpleenes affwage,
And to the Gods, for this Acl, leaue the Stage.
Enter Mars and Venus.
Mars. I knew loues Queene could not be long
vnkind,
Though (whirfl I abfent, to teach Armes in Thrace)
You tooke th' aduantage to forget your Mars,
To doate on Adon, and Anchifes too ;
Yet (thofe worne out) let vs renue our loues,
And practife our firfl amorous dalliance.
Venus, How can I hate, that am the Queene of
loue?
Or praclife ought againft my natiue power %
As I one day, playd with my Cupids (hafts,
The wanton with his arrow raz'd my skin.
Truft me, at firft I did neglect the fmart :
At length it rankled, and it grew vnfound,
Till he that now lies wounded, cur'd my wound.
Mars. Come fhall we now, whilft Vulcan plyes his
forge,
Sweats at his Anuill, choakes himfelfe with duft,
And labours at his bellowes, kiffe and toy 1 ?
Venus. Why met we elfe 1 Here is a place re-
mote,
An obfcure caue, fit for our amorous fport :
In this darke cauerne wee'l fecurely reft,
The Brazen Age. 227
And Mars (hall adde vnto my Vulcans creft.
But how if we be fpy'd ?
Mars. Whom need we feare ?
Vnleffe the Sunne, who now the lower world
Lights with his beames ; I meane the Antipodes,
The tell-tale blab is bufie now elfe-where :
And I will fet to watch at the caues doore,
My trufty groome, who (ere the Sunne (hall rife
With his bright beames to light our Hemifpheare)
Shall waken vs.
Venus. For all the world I would not haue the
Sunne
Difcouer our fweet fport, or fee whats done.
Mars. Be that my charge. Wher's Gallus 1
Enter Gallus.
Gal. At hand fir : I am not that Gallows that is
made of three trees, or one that is neuer without
hangers on : nor that Gallus that is latine for a
French-man ; but your owne Gallus gallinacius, fer-
uant and true fquire to God Mars.
Mars. Syrrah you know this Lady.
Gallus. Yes, Miftreffe Vulcan, fhee is as well
knowne in Paphos here for her Meretrix, as any Lady
in the land, fhee was the firft that deuis'd ftew'd meate,
and proclaim'd pickle -oyfters to bee good for the
backe ; fhee is the firft that taught wenches the trade
of Venery, and fuch as were borne to nothing but
beauty, fhe taught them how to vfe their Talent : Yes,
I know her I warrant you.
Mars. Syrrah attend, this night yon Queene
and I
Muft haue fome priuate conference, in yon caue,
Where whilft we (lay, 'tmud be thy care to watch
That no fufpicious eye pry through thefe chinks,
Efpecially I warne thee of the Sunnes.
Gallus. I fmell knauery, if my Lady Venus play
the whoore
Q *
2 2 8 The Brazen Age.
What am I that keepe the dore ?
Mars. See thou do call vs, e're the Sunne vprile,
But fleepe not, for by all my Armes I fweare,
If by thy careleffe floth, or negligence
We be defcride, thy body I'le tranfiate,
To fome ftrange Monfter.
Gallus. I'me hard fauor'd enough already, you
need not make my face worfe then it is.
Mars. Com enter then faire Queene, we are
fecure,
Now fafely maift thou clafpe the God of warre,
Spight of Sunne, Moone, or any iealous ftarre.
Venus. Loue anfwers loue, defire with ardor
meetes,
Both which this night fhall taft a thoufand fweetes.
Exeunt.
Gallus., I fee you can make fhift to go too't with-
out fheetes : How fhall I paffe this night away till
morning, I am as drowfy as a dormoufe, the very
thought that I mull wake, charmes mee a fleepe
already, I would I durft venture on a nap ; Hey ho,
fure I may wake againe afore they rife, and neuer the
wifer, I will ftand to't, there is not a more ileepy
trade .in the world then a watchman, nor one that is
more acquainted with deeds of darkeneffe, tell mee of
the Sunne ! the Sunne will not rife this two houres ;
well, let them watch that will, or can, I mull haue a
nod or two, God night to you all, for here am I fafl
till morning.
Enter Aurora, attended with Seafons, Dates, and
Hewers.
Aurora. The day-ftarre fhines and cals me blufh-
ing vp,
From Tithons bed to harneffe Phoebus Steeds.
My rofeate fingers haue already ftroakt
The element where light beginnes to appeare,
And ftraight Apollo with his glittering beames,
The Brazen Age. 229
Will guild the Eaft, the Seafons, Months, and Daies
Attend him in the pallace of the Sunne.
The Howers haue brought his Chariot to the gate
Of Chriflall, where the Sunne-God mounts his
throne,
His fiery Steeds haue all their traces fet,
The vnruly (lalions fed with Ambrofy
(With their round hoofes fhod with the purefl gold)
Thunder againft the Marble floores of Heauen,
And waite till Phcebus hath but don'd his beames,
Which I the blufhing Morning Mill put on.
And now's the Howre (for thus time fleeteth flill)
That the Sunnes vp to clime the Eafterne hill.
Enter Phoebus to them, kiffes Aurora, and they all
exeunt.
Phcebus. Beauteous Aurora, for full twice twelue
howers
Till in my fpheare I haue compafl round the world
Farewell, I with my beames will dry thefe teares
Thou fhedft at parting ; we haue chac't hence night,
And frighted all the twinkling ftarres from heauen,
And now the fteepe Olimpus we mufl clime,
Till from the high Meridian we perufe
The fpacious bounds of this large vniuerfe,
And thence decline our Chariot towards the Weft,
Till we haue wa(ht our Coach-fteeds and our felfe
In IJlers icy ftreames : Wee with this eye
Can all things fee that mortals do on earth,
And what wee find inhumane, or to offend,
Wee tell to loue, that he may punilh finnes.
For this I am term'd a tel-tale and a blab,
And that I nothing can conceale abroad.
But let fpight fpit the worft and wrong me ftill,
Day hateth finnes, and ligh defpifeth ill.
Heefpies Mars 6- Venus.
And now behold a mod abhorred deed,
Mars beds with Venus, (hall not Vulcan know it ?
230 The Brazen Age.
By my light hee (hall ; I haue feene, and I will tell,
The Sunne hates finne but crownes them that do well.
Exit.
Enter Mars.
Mars. Venus awake, wee haue ore-flept our felues,
The Sunne's aboue in his diurnall taske, ,
I faw his piercing beames pry through a cranny,
And call his right eye full vpon our bed.
Enter Venus.
Venus. We are betraide, the blab will tell the
Smith,
Our loue will come to th' eare of Iupiter
And all the other Gods, what will Diana
Say when fhee heares of our inchaftity ?
Or how will Iuno take this fpoufe-breach from vs ?
Mars. Nay rather, how will Vulcan tafl our
fport ?
He might fufpedl, but neuer proue till now,
Where is the villaine Gallus let to watch 1
Venus. See where he fnorts, the flaue is dead
afleep.
Mars. Awake thou drowfy Groome, thy chaftife-
ment
Shall exceed torture.
Gallus. Hey ho, what's the matter there, ha ?
Mars. Looke, haft thou eies? is not the Sun two
howres
Mounted aloft ? hath he not feene thee fleeping
At the Caues dore, Yea beheld vs too ?
Gallus. More fhame for him to looke in at any
bodies window.
Mars. Speake, how canft thou excufe this 1
Gallus. Oh great God Mars.
Mars. Behold, this is thy doome, thy negligence
Thus I'le chaftice, thou malt thy humane fhape
The Brazen Age. 231
Henceforth forgo, 1 will tranflate thy body
Into a bird fhall euer beare thy name,
Bee Gallus ftill, a Cocke, and be thy nature
Euer hereafter this ; to watch the Sunne,
And by thy crowes and clamours warne the world
Two howres before he rife, that the Sunne comes
Clap with thy wings, and with thy fhrieking loud,
Proclaime his comming when thou thrice haft crowed.
Gal/us finkes, and in his place rifeth a Cocke and
crowes.
Venus. The flaues right feru'd, let this his punifh-
ment
Liue to all ages, and let Gallus name
Thy iufl reuenge to all the world proclaime.
But whither fhall we now 1
Mars. I will to Thface, go you to Lemnos.
Venus. Will you leaue me then
To Vulcans rage, no let vs once more meete
In Paphos, and if Vulcan needs will chide
Giue him fome caufe.
Mars. Content faire Queene of loue.
For more, he cannot be much more difpleas'd,
Let's fcore on flill, and make our reckoning full,
As yet, alas faire Queene, the debts but fmall,
Make vp the fumme, and anfwere once for all.
Venus. Content fweete Mars, and fince that he
was borne
To be a Cuckold, let's augment his home. Exeunt.
Enter Vulcan with two Ciclops, Pyragmon, and
Berontes.
Vulcan. Make haft with that fhield, fee't ham-
mer'd well,
For when 'tis done I'le giue't my father loue,
'Tis of the pureft mettall Lemnos yeelds.
Pyrag. I fhall fir, muft the plate of two cubes
high,
Be put into the Forge ?
232 The Brazen Age.
Vulcan. Pyragmon yes, that maffe muft be wrought
well
And foundly temper'd, bid your fellow Cyclops
Worke luftily, it muft be foone difpatcht.
Pyrag. When faw you my Lady Venus f
Vulcan. No matter when, the Hufwiffe's too fine
finger'd,
And faith, the veiy fmoake my Fordge doth caft
Choakes her, the very aire of Lemnos (man)
Blafts her white cheekes, fhe fcarce will let me
kiffe her,
But fhee makes vergiffe faces, faith my vifadge
Smug'd thus with cole-duft, doth infecl. her beauty,
And makes her weare a beard, fhee's, fure, in
Paphos,
Cyprejfe, or Candy, fhee's all for play,
Whilft we Ioues thunders hammer hard all day.
Pyrag. I heard her once mocke that polt-foote of
yours
How came it pray ?
Vulcan. I'le tell thee man, I was when I was
borne
A pretty fmug knaue, and my father loue
Delighted much to dance me in his lap.
Vpon a time as hee was toying with mee
In his high houfe aboue, that Phaeton
Had at that inftant fet the world a fire,
My father when he faw heauens bafes fmoake,
Th' earth burne, and Neptunes broth to feeth with
heate ;
But ftartles vp to thunder-ftrike the lad,
And lets me fall : downe tumbled I towards the
earth ;
I fell through all the Planets by degrees,
From Satume firft, fo by the Moone at lafl :
And from the Moone downe into Lemnos Ifie
Where I ftill Hue, and halt vpon my fall,
No maruell if t lam'd mee, for, Pyragmon,
How high I tumbled, who can gefle aright,
The Brazen Age. 233
Falling a Summers day from morne to night ?
Pyrag. 'Twas maruell you did not breakc your
necke.
Vulcan. Had I not bene deriu'd from God-like
feed,
Truft me Pyragmon I had don't indeed.
The Cocke crows and tnter Pfiozbus.
But to the Forge, for I Appollo fpie,
Hee that fees all things with the daies bright eye.
Good morrow Phoebus, whats the newes abroad 1
For thou feeft all things in the world are done,
Men act by day-light, or the fight of Sunne.
Phoebus. Sometime I caft mine eie vpon the fea,
To fee the tumbling Scale, or Porpoife play,
There fee I Marchants trading, and their fayles
Big bellied with the wind ; fea fights fometimes
Rife with their fmoake, thicke clouds to darke my
beames.
Sometimes, I fixe my face vpon the earth
With my warme feruour, to giue mettals, trees,
Hearbes, plants, and flowers life ; here in gardens
walke
Loofe Ladies with their louers arme in arme,
Yonder the labouring Plow- man driues his Teeme.
Further, I may behold maine battels pitcht,
And whom I fauour mod (by the winds helpe)
I can affift with my tranfparant raies.
Heere, fpye I Cattell feeding, Forrefts there
Stor'd with wilde beads ; here Shepeheards with their
lafles
Piping beneath the trees, whilft their flockes graze.
In Citties, I fee trading, walking, bargening,
Buying, and felling, goodneffe, badnefle, all things
And fhine alike on alL
Vulcan. Thrice happy Phoebus,
That whilfl poore Vulcan is confin'd to Lemnos,
Hall cuery day thefe pleafures. What newes elfe.
234 The Brazen Age.
Phoebus. No Emperour walks forth, but I fee his
State,
Nor fports, but I his paflimes can behold,
I fee all Coronations, Funerals,
Marts, Faires, Affemblies, Pageants, Sights, and
Showes.
No hunting, but I better fee the chafe
Then they that rowfe the game, what fee not I ?
There's not a window but my beames breake in,
No chinke or cranny but my raies pierce through,
And there I fee (oh Vulcan) wondrous things.
Things that thy felfe nor any God befides
Would giue beliefe to.
Vul. What, good Phoebus fpeake.
Phce. Here, wantons on their day-beds, I fee
fpread
Clafping their amorous louers in their armes,
Who euen before my face, are not fometimes
Afham'd to fhew all.
Vulcan. Could not god Phoebus bring mee
To fee this paftime.
Phoebus. Sometimes euen meane fellowes
A bed with noble Ladies whom they feme,
Seruant with feruant, married men with maides,
And wiues with Batchelours.
Vulcan. There's fimple doing.
P/icebus. And fhall I tell thee Vulcan, tother day
What I beheld, I faw the great God Mars.
Vulcan. God Mars.
Phoebus. As I was peeping through a cranny;
a bed.
Vulcan. A bed ; with whom 1 fome pretty wench
I warrant.
Phoebus. Shee was a pretty wench.
Vulcan. Tell me good Phoebus,
That when I meete him, I may fioute God Mars,
Tell mee, but tell me truely on thy life.
Phoebus. Not to diffemble Vulcan, 'twas thy wife !
The Brazen Age. 235
Vulcan. Out on her whore, out on him Cuckold-
maker,
Phoebus I'le be reuenged on great God Mars,
Who, whilfi I hammer here his fwords and fhields,
Hammers vpon my head, I will complaine
To loue, and all the Gods, and tell them flat
I am a Cuckold.
Phoe. Vulcan be aduis'd,
I haue had notice where they vfe to meete,
Couldft not deuife to catch them by fome wile 1
And lay their guilt, wide open to the Gods,
Then mightfl thou haue fit colour of complaint.
Vulcan. Enough, I haue deuis'd a fecret fnare,
A draw-net, which I'le place vpon the Couch
Where they flill vfe to bed, a wire fo tempered,
And of fuch fineneffe to deceiue the eie.
So catch them when they are at it, and by this
I may prefume, and be fure I am Cuckold.
Phoebus. That's the way to be fatisfied.
Vulcan. If I can catch them, all the Gods I'le call
To fee my wrongs, their fports I'le neere to marre,
And venge me on that letcherous God of warre.
Enter tlie Nymph, Claris, with two more, with flour es
in their laps.
1. Nym. Cloris, you are the Nymph whofe office is
To ftrow faire Venus bed with hearbes and flowers,
Here is the place fhee meanes to fport her felfe.
Clo. I am the hand-maide to the Queene of loue,
And vnto all her pleafures minifter,
When fhe drinkes Neclar, 'tis from Cloris hand,
If feede on fweete Ambrotia, or thofe fruits
That Cornu-copia yeelds, I feme them vp,
Come let vs with frefh Rofes ftrow her Couch,
With pances and the buds of Eglantine,
Her pillow is the purple Violet banke,
About whofe verges the blancht Lillies grow,
Whofe bodies twin'd about with wood-byne leaues
236 The Brazen Age.
Make a confufed fweetnefle, fo 'tis well,
Come Venus when lhee pleafe to take her reft,
Her Arbour's dight, and all things well addreft.
Enter Vulcan and Pyragnton with his net of wire.
Vulcan. By her baud Charts, this I know the
place,
Which with adulterate paftimes they pollute.
Here will I fet my pitfall for thefe birds,
And catch them in the clofure of this wire,
So, fo, al's fit, my fnare in order plac't,
Happy the time, that I this Charis trac't.
Enter Mars and Venus.
Mars. Once more in fpight of Phoebus and thefe
eies,
That dog our paftimes, we are clofely met,
And whilft the Cuckold Vulcan blowes the fire,
Our amorous foules their fportiue bliffe confpire.
Venus. Hee's limping thus, and like a cripple
halts
From Forge to Fornace ; where were Venus eies,
When fhe made choife of that foule polt-foote Smith,
He fmels all fmoake, and with his nafty fweate
Tawnies my skinne, out on him vgly knaue,
Mars is my loue, and he my fweets fhall haue.
Vulcan. Gramercy my kind wife.
Venus. Come God of warre,
I'le teach thee a new skirmifh, better farre
Then thy fterne battails, meete me with a kiffe
Which I retort thus, there's fpirit in this,
What's he would play the coward and turne face,
When fuch fweete amorous combats are in place ?
My hot incounters, leaue me wound nor skarre
Yet naked I dare meete the God of Warre.
Vulcan. Out of her Whoore.
Mars. I am arm'd for thee, prepare thee, for this
night
The Brazen Age. 237
ll'e bread to bread dare thee to fingle fight.
Venus. Come tumble in my lap, great Mars I
dare
To do his word. Vulcan catcheth them fajl in his net.
Vul. 'Tis well, your fports are faire.
Mars. Betraid 1 bound ? catcht ? releafe me, or by
loue,
Thou dy'd what ere thou art.
Vul. God Mars, good words ;
This is a fight in which you vfe no fwords.
Your haue left you fleele behinde.
Ven. Sweet Vulcan.
Vulc. No more.
Venus. Cand thou vfe Venus thus 1
Vul. Away you whore,
Tie keepe you fad, and call the Gods to fee
Your praclife, Neptune, loue, and Mercury,
Phazbtis and Iuno, from your fpheares looke downe,
And fee the caufe I weare a forked crowne.
All the Gods appear e aboue, and laugh, Iupiter, Iuno,
Phcebus, Mercury, Neptune.
Mars. The Gods are all fpeclators of our fhame,
And laugh at vs.
Venus. Oh ! I could cry for anger.
Sweet Vulcan let me loofe.
Vulc. When Gods and men
Haue feene thy fhame, but (drumpet) not till then.
lup. See how Mars chafes.
Iun. But Venus weeps for rage.
Nept. Why fhould Mars fret ? if it fo tedious be,
Good God of warre bellow thy place on me.
Merc. By all the Gods, would (he do me that
grace,
I would fall too't euen before Vulcans face.
Vul. To Gods and men let it be fully knowne
I am a Cuckold.
All. Vulcan is no leffe.
238 The Brazen Age.
Vul. Now fince red fhame your cheeks with bloud
hath dy'd,
I am reueng'd, and fee my net's vnti'd.
Phceb. The Gods haue laught their fill, Vulcan's
reueng'd,
And now all friends : fpeake, are we 1
lup. Mars ftill frown es.
luno. And Venus fcarce well pleas'd.
Vul. For my part (oh you Gods !) what's pad is
paft,
And what is once done, cannot be recald :
If Vulcan in this ieaft hath pleas'd the Gods,
All his owne wrongs he freely can forgiue.
Venus we are friends, to Lemnos we will haft,
And neuer more record what's done and paft.
Ven. No foole, before I did offend with feare,
My guilt was but fufpedted, but not prou'd :
And therefore I feledted priuacy,
Clofeneffe of place, and bafhfully tranfgreft ;
But fince both Gods and men now know my finne,
Why fhould I dread to fay I loue God Mars ?
What helpe haft thou in prouing thy wife falfe 1
Onely to make me doe with impudence,
What I before with feare did, on thy felfe
Brought a moft certaine fhame, where it before
Was but fufpedted.
Vul. Venus fpeakes good fence,
That's certaine now, which was before fufpence.
Ven. Now farewell iealous foole, for my difgrace,
Him whom I loue, I blufhleffe thus imbrace,
And may all fuch as would their wiues fo take,
(Although they might) be feru'd thus for thy fake.
Vul. I am vndone, be warn'd by me oh men,
Although you know your wiues falfe, where and
when,
Take them not in the manner, though you may :
They that with feare before, now blufhleffe ftray,
Their guilt 'tis better to fufpedt then know,
So you may take fome part of that you owe.
The Brazen Age. 239
Where I by feeking her good name to thrall,
Haue made my felfe a fcorne, and quite left all.
Iup. To Latinos then, to make our Thunders fit,
Which againft mortals we haue caufe to vfe,
Mars, you to Thrace, Venus in Paphos flay,
Or where you pleafe, we to our feuerall fpheares.
Vulcan, thy morrall this good vfe contriues,
Nonefearch toofarre th' offences of their wiues.
Exeunt.
Homer.
Our lajl Acl comes, which left it tedious grow,
Wfuxt is too long in word, accept injhow.
Thinke Hercules his labours hatting ended,
The Spanifti Gerion kild, and Cacus Jlaine,
As farre as Lydea he his palme extended,
Where beauteous Omphale this time doth raigne.
He that before to Deianeirayi?//,
As prefents, all the fpoyles that he could win,
Nowfils her heart with iealous d if content,
She heares how Hercules doth card andfpin
With Omphale, and femes her as aflaue.
(She quite forgot in Thebes) her grief e to cheare,
TH affembled Princes with their Counfels graue,
Are come to comfort and remoue her fear t.
By thefe all hisftor'd labours he hathfent
To call him home, to free Iter dif content.
A flietv. Enter Deianeira fad, with Lychas : to her
Iafon, Telamon, Caftor, Pollux, Neftor, 6°<r. They
feeme to comfort her, ftte fends Lychas, who brings
the Trophies of his twelue labours, Jhe delivers
them to the Princes, to beare to her husband. They
part feuerall waies.
Horn. Iafon, and the other Hero's for her fake,
Traucll to Lydia, to perfwade him thence
And by his hueltte knowne labours, vndertake
240 The Brazen Age.
To moue him, quite f abandon his fair e wench.
Further then this her iealoufie extends,
A farre worfe prefent flie by Lychas fends.
Enter Deianeira, and herferuant Lyc/uzs.
Lych. Madam, thefe forrowes are too violent
For your weake fex, I do not thinke tis true,
Your husband can preferre that Omphale
Before your beauty.
Deian. Hee's forgot in Greece.
Greece that was wont to clangor with his fame,
Is now all filent, who but Iafon now,
And Tclamon, that fcal'd the walles of Troy,
Alcides is a name forgot amongft vs,
And Deianeira too forgot with him.
Oh ! that I had the tempting ftrumpet here
That keepes my Lord away, confining me
Vnto the coldneffe of a widowed bed.
Lye. Madam, thefe prefents fent, and fo wel
knowne
Coming from you, muft needs preuaile with him.
Thefe Princes haue great intereft in his loue,
And can perfwade much.
Deia. But that ftrumpet more.
Lychas, he doates vpon her tempting lookes,
And is fo much with her inchantments blear'd,
That hee's turn'd woman : woman Lychas, fpinnes,
Cards, and doth chare-worke, whilft his miftres fits
And makes a cufhion of his Lyons skin,
Makes of his club a rocke. I loofe my felfe
In this my forrow, and forget the meanes
I ftill keepe by me, to reftore my loue ;
Lychas, fetch me the fhirt within my chamber,
I haue bethought me now.
Lych. Madam I fhall.
Dei. This fhirt (in bloud of Centaur Nejjus dipt,
And fmce wafht out) Il'e fend my Hercules,
Which hath the power to make his hot loue dye
To any ftranger, and reuiue to me.
The Brazen Age. 24 1
This (as his laft) the dying Centaur fpake,
To this Il'e trufl, all other hopes forfake.
Enter Lyehas.
Lyeh. Madam the fhirt.
Dei. This as my befl and deerefl,
Prefent me (trufty Lyehas) to my Lord,
Intreat withall, that if he haue not quite
Put off my loue, hee'le daine to put on this.
If he defpife my gift, returne it backe,
And in it my death.
Lych. Feare not faire Princeffe,
I hope to proue as fortunate as faithfull.
Da. Farewell, proue as thou fpeakeft If my gift
faile,
I haue fentenced all my forrowes to one death,
Whilft Deianeira hath a hand to vfe,
Shee'l not hue hated where fhe once did chufe. Exit.
Enter Omphale, Qiieent of Lydia, with 4 or $ maids
Hercules attired like a woman, with a dijlqffe and
afpindle.
Omph. Why fo, this is a power infus'd in loue,
Beyond all magicke ; Is't not ftrange to fee
A womans beauty tame the Tyrant-tamer ?
And the great Monfter-maifter ouer-match I
Haue you done your taske 1
Here. Beauteous Queene, not yet.
Omph. Then I (hall frowne.
Here. Before that (louely faire)
Augment my taske, vnto a treble chare.
For one fweet fmile from beauteous Omphale,
I'le lay before thee all the monftrous heads
Of the grim tyrants that opprefie the earth.
I that before, at luno's flridlbeheft,
The hundred gyants of Cremona flue,
Will twice fiue hundred kill for Omphale.
242 The Brazen Age.
Finde me a Cacus in a caue of fire,
Il'e dragge him from the mountaine Auentino,
And lay his bulke at thy victorious feet.
Finde me another Gerion to captiue,
All his three heads Il'e tumble in thy fkirt.
Bid me once more facke hell, to binde the furies,
Or to prefent thee with the Gods in chaines,
It fhall be done for beauteous Omphale.
Omph. Leaue prating, ply your worke.
Here. Oh what a fweetneffe
Liues in her lookes ! no bondage, or bafe flauery
Seemes feruitude, whilft I may freely gaze
(And vncontrold) on her : but for one fmile,
Il'e make her Empreffe ore the triple world,
And all the beauteous Queenes from Eail to Weft,
The Lydians vaffails, and my fellow-flaues.
There is no, Lord but Loue, no vaflailage
But in affection, and th' Emperious Queene
Doth tyranize ore captiue Hercules.
Enter a maid.
Maid. Madam, fome Dukes of Greece attend
without,
And craue to fee your captiue Theban here.
Omph. Admit them, they fhall fee what pompe we
haue,
And that our beauty can the loftieft fiaue.
Enter /a/on, Telamon, Cajlor, Pollux, Nejlor,
Atreus, &*c.
la/on. Our bufineffe was to Theban Hercules^
'Twas told vs he remain'd with Omphale,
The Lydian Queene.
Tel. Speake, which is Omphalel
Or which Alcides ?
Omph. We are queene of Lydia,
And this our vaffaile. Do you know him Lords %
The Brazen Age. 243
Stoope flaue, and kifle the foot of Omphale.
Here. I fhall.
Nejl. Oh wondrous alteration !
Cafl. Till now I traded this report was falfe,
And fcarcely can I yet beleejte mine eyes.
Pol. Lady, our purpofe was to Hercules,
Shew vs the man.
Omph. Behold him Greekes there.
Atreus. Where ?
Omph. There at his taske.
/a/on. Alas ! This Hercules f
This is fome bafe effeminate groome, not hee
That with his pui fiance frighted all the earth :
This '.is fome woman, fome Hermophrodite.
Here. Hath fa/on, Neflor, Cajlor, Telamon,
Atreus, Pollux, all forgot their friend ?
We are the man.
Iafon. Woman we know thee not
We came to feeke the loue-\>ovat Hercules,
That in his cradle ftrangled funo's fnakes,
And triumpht in the braue Olimpicke games,
He that the Cleonean Lyon flue,
The Eremanthian Boare, the Bull of Marathon,
The Lernean Hydra, and the winged Hart.
He that drag'd Cerberus from hell in chaines,
And ftownded Pluto in his Ebon Chaire,
That Hercules by whom the Centaurs fell,
Great Achelous, the Stymphalides,
And the Cremona giants 1 Where is he 1
Tel. That traiterous Neffus with a fliaft tranf-fixt,
Strangled Antheus, purg'd Augeus dalles,
Won the bright Apples of the Hefperides,
And whilft the Giant Atlas eaf'd his limbes,
Bore on his fhoulders the huge frame of heauen.
Here. And are not we the man % fee Telamon.
Tel. A woman do this 1 we would fee the Tlieban
That Cacus flue, Bufiris facrifie'd,
And to his horfes hurl'd (lerne Diomcd
To be deuour'd.
k 2
244 The Brazen Age.
Pol. That freed Hefione
From the Sea-whale, and after ranfackt Troy,
And with his owne hand flue Laomedon.
Nejl. He by whom Dercilus and Albion fell,
He that Oecalia and Betricia wan.
Atr. That monftrous Gerion with his three heads
vanquifht
With Linus, Lichas that vfurp't in Thebes,
And captur'd there his beauteous Megara.
Iafon. He that the Amazonian Baldricke wan,
That Achelous with his club fubdu'd,
And wan from him the pride of Calidon
Bright Deianeira, that now mournes in Thebes
The'abfence of that noble Hercules.
To him we came, but fmce he liues not here,
Come Lords, we wil returne thefe prefents backe
Vnto the conflant Lady, whence they came.
Here. Stay Lords.
Iafon. 'Mongft women ?
Here. For that Thebans fake
Whom you profefle to loue, and came to feeke,
Abide awhile, and by my loue to Greece^
Il'e bring before you that loft Hercules,
For whom you came to enquire.
Iafon. On that condition (Princes) lets flay a
little.
Tela. It workes, it workes.
Here. How haue I loft my felfe 1
Did we all this ? where is that fpirit become
T*hat was in vs ? no maruell Hercules,
If thou beeft ftrange to them, that thus difguif 'd,
Art to thy felfe vnknowne. Hence with this diftaffe
And bale effeminate chares.
Omp. How flaue ? fubmit and to thy taske againe.
Dar'ft thou rebell 1
Here. Pardon great Omphale.
laf Will Telamon perfwade me this is Hercules
The Libian Conquerer, now a flaues flaue.
He liu'd in midft of battailes, this 'mongft truls :
The Brazen Age. 245
This welds a diflaffe, he a conquering Club.
Shall we bellow faire Deianeiraes prefents
On this (heauen knowes) whether man or woman %
Here. Who nam'd my Deianeira ? Iafon you ?
How fares my loue 1 how fares my beauteous wife ?
I know thefe prefents, did they come from her 1
What flrumpet's this that hath detain'd my foule t
Captiu'd my fame, tranf-fliap't me to a foole ?
Made me (of late) but little leffe then God,
Now fcarce a man ? Hence with thefe womanifh
tyres,
And let me once more be my felfe againe.
Tel. Keep from him Omphale, be that your charge,
Wee'l fecond thefe good thoughts.
Omph. Alcides heare me.
Call. By your fauour madam.
Here. Who fpake %
Iafon. Thinke that was Deianeira 's voyce,
That cals thee home to dry her widowed teares,
And to bring comfort to her defolate bed.
Here. Oh Deianeira.
Otn. Heare me Hercules.
Here. Ha Omphale 1
Pollux. You mall not trouble him.
Iaf. 'Twas (he that made Alcides womanifti,
But Deianeira to be more then man.
For thy wiues lake thou art renown'd in Greece,
This Strumpet hath made Greece forget thee quite,
And fcarce remember there was fuch a man.
Tlubes that was wont to triumph in thy glories,
Is now all filent. Tyrants euery where
Beginne to oppreffe, thinking Alcides dead
For fo the fame's already. Shall a Strumpet
Do this vpon the Theban Hercules 1
And Deyaneira, faire, chad, abfolute
In all perfections, Hue defpis'd in Thebes 1
Here. By loue (he mall not, firft Tie rend thefe eies
out,
That fotted with the loue of Omphale
246 The Brazen Age.
Hath tranfhapt me, and deepely iniur'd her.
Come we will fhake off this effeminacy
And by our deeds repurchafe our renowne.
Iafon and you braue Greekes, I know you now,
And in your honours I behold my felfe
What I haue bene, hence Strumpet Omphale,
I cafl thee off, and once more will refume
My natiue vertues, and to proue this good
This day vnto the Gods Fie facrifice,
To grace which pompe, and that we may appeare
The fame we were, before vs mail be borne
Thefe of our labours twelue, the memory,
Vnto Iones Temple, grace vs worthy Heroes
To affift vs in this high follemnity.
Whilfl we vpon our manly moulders beare
Thefe maffy pillars we in Gades muft reare.
Exeunt.
Manet Omphale.
Omphale. We haue lofl our feruant, neuer yet had
Lady
One of the like ranke. All King Thefpius
daughters,
Fifty in number, childed all one night,
Could not preuaile fo much with Hercules
As we haue done ; no not faire Yole
Daughter to Cacus, beauteous Megara,
Nor all the faire and amorous queenes of Greece,
Could flaue him like the Lydian Omphale.
Therefore where e're his labours be renown'd,
Let not our beauty paffe vnregiflred.
Bondaging him that captiu'd all the earth,
Nor will we leaue him, or yet loofe him thus.
What either beauty, cunning, flattery, teares
Or womans Art can, we will practife on him.
But now the Priefls and Princes are prepar'd
For the great facrifice, which we will grace
With our high prefence, and behold aloofe
The Brazen Age. 247
Thefe rights vnto the gods perform'd and done
We'le gaine by Art, what we with beauty won.
Enter to the facrifice two Priejls to t/ie A/tar, fixe
Princes with fixe of his labours, in the midst
Hercules bearing his two brazen pillars, fix other
Princes, with the other fix labours, Hercules filaies
them.
Here. Now Ioue behold vs from thy fpheare of
Starres,
And lhame not to acknowledge vs thy fonnes.
Thus mould Alcides march amidft his fpoiles,
Inguirt with flaughtered Lyons, Hydraes, Whales,
Boares, Buls, grim Tyrants, Hel-hounds, Mongers,
Furies,
And Princes his fpectators : oh you Gods,
To whom this day we confecrate our praiers,
And dedicate our facred orifons,
Daine vs your eies, behold thefe moulders beare
Two brazen pillars, trophies of our fame,
That haue eas'd Atlas, and fupported heauen,
And had we (hrunke beneath that heauenly ftruclure
The Spheares, Orbs, Planets, Zeniths, Signes, and
Stars,
With Ioues high Pallace, all confufedly
Had mattered, falne, and o're-whelm'd earth and fea,
Wee haue done that, and all thefe labours elfe,
Which we this day make facred, Iuno fee
Thefe we furrender to thy Ioue and thee.
fet on.
As they march ouer the Stage, enter Lychas with
thefhirt.
Lych. From Deianeira I prefent this guift,
Wrought with her owne hand, with more kind com-
mends
Then I haue meafured (leps to Lydia
248 The Brazen Age.
From Thebes, which (he intreats you weare for her.
Here. More welcome is this guift to Hercules
Then Iafons Fleece, Laomedotis white Steeds,
Or mould loue grace me with eternity.
Here (land our pillars, with non vltra infculpt,
Which we mufl reare beyond the Pyrene Hils
At Gades in Spaine (Alcides vtmofl bounds)
Whilft we put on this fhirt, the welcome prefent
Of Deianeira, whom we deerely loue,
Lychas thy hand, In this wee'le facrifice
And make our peace with her and Iupiter.
Iajon. Never was Hercules fo much himfelfe,
How will this newes glad Deyaneiraes heart,
Or how this fight inrage faire Omphale %
Tell. All his dead honours he reuiues in this,
And Greece Ihall once more echoe with his fame.
Hercules puts on thejhirt.
Here. With this her prefent, I put on her loue,
Witneffe heauen, earth, and all you Peeres of Greece,
I wed her once more in this ornament,
Her loue and her remembrance fit to me
More neere by thoufands then this roabe can cleaue.
So, now before loues Altar let vs kneele,
And make our peace with heauen, attone our felfe
With beauteous Deyaneira our chafl wife
And cafl away the loue of Omphale.
All the Princes kneel to the Altar.
Priejl. Princes of Greece aflifl vs with your
thoughts,
And let your prayers with ours afcend the Speares,
For mortals orifons are fonnes to loue,
And when none elfe can, they haue free accefie
Vnto their fathers eare, haile fonne of Saturne,
To whom when the three lots of heauen, of fea,
And hell were cad, the high Olimpus fell.
Here. Oh, oh.
Priejl. That with a nod canft make heauens col-
lomes bend,
And th' earths Center tremble, whofe right hand
The Brazen Age. 249
Is arm'd with lightning, and the left with feare.
Here. No more, are all the furies with their
tortures,
Their whips and lafhes crept into my skin ?
Hath any fightleffe and infernall fire
Laid hold vpon my flefh % when did Alcides
Thus fhake with anguifh ? thus change face, thus
fhrinke ?
Shall torture pale our cheeke 1 no, Prieft proceed,
We will not feele the paine, thou (halt not breed.
Iafon. What alteration's this 1 a thoufand pangues
I fee euen in his vifage, in his filence
He doth expreffe euen hell.
Priejl. Thou facred Ioue
Behold vs at thy Altar proftrate here
To beg attonement 'tweene our fins and thee,
Lend vs a gracious eare and eye.
Here. Prieft no more,
I'le rend thy Typet, hurle Ioues Altars downe,
Hauock his Offerings, all his Lamps extinguish,
Raze his high Temples, and skale heauen it felfe
Vnleffe he (lay my tortures.
Iafon. Warlike TAedan,
Whence comes this fury 1 is this madnes forc't,
That makes Aleides thus blafpheme the Gods.
Tell. Patient your felfe.
Here. I will not Iafon, cannot Tellamon,
A ftipticke poyfon boyles within my veines,
Hell is within me, for my marrow fries,
A vulture worfe then that Prometheus feeles,
Fiers on ray entrails, and my bulke in flames.
Iafou. Yet be your felfe, renowned Hercules,
Striue with your torture, with your rage contend
Seek to ore-come this anguifh.
Here. Well, I will,
See Iafon, fee renowned Tellamon,
I will be well, I'le feele no poifon boyle,
Though my bloud skal'd me, though my hot fufpires,
Blafl where I breath like lightning, though my lungs
250 The Brazen Age.
Seeth in my bloud, I will not pale a cheeke,
Nor change a brow, I will not, fpight of torture
Anguifh, and paine, I will not.
Omp. What ftrange fury
Hath late poffeft him to be thus difturb'd ?
Iafon. Why this is well, once more repaire loues
Altar.
Kindle thefe holy Tapers and proceed.
Here. To plucke the Thunderer from his Chriftall
throne,
And throw the Gallaxia, by the locks,
And amber treffes, drag the Queene of heauen.
Nejlor. Alcides.
Here. Princes, Iafon, Tellamon,
Helpe me to teare of this infernall fhirt,
Which rawes me where it cleaues, vnskin my brawnes,
And like one nak't rowl'd in a Tun of fpikes
Of thoufands, make one vniuerfall wound,
And fuch is mine : oh Deyaneira falfe,
Treacherous, vnkind, difloyall ; plucke, teare, rend
Though you my bones leaue naked, and my flefh
Frying with poyfon you caft hence to dogs.
Dread Neptune, let me plundge me in thy feas,
To coole my body, that is all on flame.
Or with thy tri-fulke thunder ftrike me loue,
And fo let fire quench fire, vnhand me Lords,
Let me fpurne mountaines downe, and teare vp
rockes
Rend by the roots huge Okes, till I haue dig'd
A way to hell, or found a skale to heauen.
Something I muft, my torments are fo great,
To quench this flame and qualify this heate. Exit.
Iafon. Let vs not leaue him Princes lead this out-
rage
Make him lay violent hands vpon him felfe.
If Deyaneiraes heart, were with her hand,
Shee is her fexes fcandall, and her fhame
Euen whilft Time hues, fhall euery tongue proclaime.
Exit.
The Brazen Age. 251
Omph. I'le follow to, and with what Art I can,
Striue this his rage and torture to allay. Exit.
Lych. What's in this fhirt vnknowne to me that
brought it ?
Or what hath iealous Deyaneira done ?
To employ me, an vnwilling meflenger,
In her Lords death : well, whofoe're it proue
My innocence I know, I'le, if I may
Looke to my life, and keepe out of his way.
Enter Hercules.
Here. Lychas,
Lychas, where's he that brought this poyfon'd fhirt,
That I may teare the villaine lim from lim,
And flake his body fmall as Winters fnow,
His fhattered flefh fhall play like parched leaues,
And dance in th' aire, toft by the fommer winds.
Lychas. Defend me heauen.
Here. Oh that with ftamping thus,
I could my felfe beneath the Center finke,
And tombe my tortured body beneath hell.
Had I heauens mafly columns in my gripes,
Then with one fway I would or'e-turne yon frame,
And make the marble Elementall sky
My Tomb-ftone to enterre dead Hercules.
Oh father loue thou laift vpon thy fonne
Torments aboue fupporture, Lichas, oh !
I'le chafe the villaine o're Oetaes rockes,
Till I haue nak't thofe hils, and left no fhade
To hide the Tray tor.
Lichas. Which way fhall I flye
To fcape his fury 1 if I flay I dye. Hercules fees hint.
Here. Stay, (lay, what's he that creeps into yon
cauel
Is not that Lychas* Deyaueiraes fquire,
That brought this poyfoned fhirt to Hercules ?
I thanke thee Loue, yet this is fome allayment
And moderation to the pangues I feele,
252 The Brazen Age.
Nay, you (hall out fir Lychas by the heeles.
Hercules f wings Lychas about his head,
and kils him.
Thus, thus, thy limbs about my head I twine,
Eubcean fea receiue him, for he's thine.
Enter /a/on, Tellamon, and all the Princes, after them
Omphale.
Iaf. Princes, his torments are 'boue Phyficke
helpe,
And they that wifh him well, mud wifh his death,
For that alone giues period to his anguifh.
Tell. In vaine we follow and purfue his rage,
There's danger in his madneffe.
Nejl. Yet aloofe,
Let's obferue him, and great loue implore
To qualifie his paines.
Phy. As I am Philocleies I'le not leaue him,
Vntill he be immortall, Princes harke,
Hercules within.
Cannot thefe grones peirce heauen and moue to pitty
The obdure Iuno.
Omph. Beneath this rocke where we haue often
kill,
I will lament the noble Thebans fall,
The Lydian Omphale will be to him
A truer Myftreffe, then his wife, whofe hate
Hath brought on him this fad and ominous fate.
Nor hence, for any force or prayer remoue,
But die with him whom I fo deerely loue. cry within.
Cajl. His torments flill increafe, heare oh you
Gods,
And hearing pitty.
Enter Hercules from a rocke aboue, tearing downe
trees.
Here. Downe, downe, you fhadowes that crowne
Oeta Mount,
The Brazen Age. 253
And as you tumble beare the Rockes along.
I will not leaue an Oake or (landing Pine
But all thefe mountaines with the dales make euen,
That Oetaes felfe may mourne with Hercules.
Hah ! what art thou t
Omph. I am thy Omphale.
Here. Art thou not Deyanetra come to mocke
Alcides madnefle, and his pangues deride %
Yes, thou art (he, thou, thou haft fier'd my bones,
And mak'ft me boyle in poyfon, for which (minion)
And for (by fate) thou haft fhortned my renowne,
Behold, this monftrous rocke thy death fhal crowne.
Hercules kils Omphale, with a peece of a rocke.
So Deyanetra and her fquire are now
Both in their fins extindt.
The/. What hath Alcides done 1 flaine Omphale,
A guiltlefle queene that came to mourne his death.
Here. Torment on torment. Bnt (hall Hercules
Dye by a womans hand 1 No, ayd me Princes,
(If you haue in you any generous thoughts)
In my laft fabricke : Come, tofie trees on trees,
Till you haue rear'd me vp a funerall pile,
Which all that's mortall in me (hall confume.
Cajl. Princes, let none deny their free afliftance,
In his releafe of torture. Trier's lor me.
Pol. My hand (hall likewife helpe to bury him,
And of his torments giue him eafe by death.
All the Princes breake downe the trees, and make a
fire, in which Hercules placeth himfelfe.
Her. Thanks, thus I throne me in the midft of
fire,
And with a dreadlefie brow confront my death.
Olimpicke thunderer now behold thy fonne,
Of whofe diuine parts make a ftarre, that Atlas
May (hrinke beneath the weight of Hercules.
And (lep-dame Iuno, glut thy hatred now,
That haft beene weary to command, when we
Haue not beene weary to performe and act.
I that Bufiris flue, Antheus ftrangled,
254 The Brazen Age.
And conquer'd flill at thy vnkinde behefl,
The three-fhap't Gerion, and the dogge of hell,
The Bull of Candy, and the golden Hart,
Augeus and the fowles of Stymphaly,
The Hefperian fruit, and bolt of Thermidon,
The Lcrnean Hydra, and Arcadian Boare,
The Lyon of Ncemea,. Steeds of Thrace,
The monfter Cacus ; thoufands more then thefe,
That Hercules in death dares thee to chide,
And fhewes his fpirit, which torments cannot hide.
Lye there thou dread of Tyrants, and thou fkin,
He burnes his Club, and Lyons Skin.
Invulner'd flill, burne with thy maifters bones :
For thefe be armes which none but we can weild.
My bow and arrowes Philocletes take,
Referue them as a token of our loue,
For thefe include the vtmofl fate of Troy,
Which without thefe, the Greekes can nere deflroy.
You Hero's all fare-well, heape fire on fire,
And pile on pile, till you haue made a ftruc~lure
To flame as high as heauen, and record this
Though by the Gods and Fates we are ore-throwne,
Alcides dies by no hand but his owne.
lupiter aboue Jlrikes him with a thunder-bolt, his body
finkes, and from the heauens difcends a hand in a
cloud, that from the place where Hercules was
burnt, brings vp a flarre, and fixeth it in the
firmament.
Iafon. luno thou haft done thy worft ; he now
defies
What thou canft more, his fame (hall mount the
fkies.
What heauenly muficke's this ?
Tel. His foule is made a flar, and mounted
heauen,
I fee great loue hath not forgot his fonne :
All that his mothers was is chang'd by fire,
The Brazen Age. 255
But what he tooke of loue, and was deuine,
Now a bright ftar in the high heauens muft (hine.
E ftier Atreus.
Nefl. We all haue feene Alcides deifi'd.
But what newes brings Atreus %
Atr. A true report of Deianeira's death,
Who when fhe heard the tortures of her Lord,
And what effect her fatall prefent tooke,
Exclaim'd on Neffus, and to proue herfelfe
Guiltleffe of treafon in her husbands death,
With her owne hand fhe boldly flue herfelfe.
Pel. That noble act proclaim'd her innocent,
And cleares all blacke fufpition s but faire princes,
Let vniuerfall Greece in funerall blacke,
Mourne for the death of Theban Hercules.
Iqf. Who now fhal monflers quel, or tyrants
tame?
Th' oppreffed free, or fill Greece with their fame.
Princes your hands, take vp thefe monuments
Of his twelue labours in a marble Temple
(We will erect and dedicate to him)
Referue them to his lafting memory :
His brazen pillers (hall be fixt in Gades,
On which his monumentall deeds wee'l graue.
Arm'd with thefe worthy Trophies lets march on
Towards Thebes, that claimes the honour of his birth.
His body's dead, his fame fhall nere expire,
Earth claimes his earth, heauen fhewes his heauenly
fire. Exeunt omnes.
Homer.
lie that expecls fiue Jhort Acls can contaifie
Each circumjlance of thefe things we prefent,
Me thinkes fhould Jfuw more barrentieffe tlien braine :
All we haue done we aime at your content,
Striuing to illuflrate things not knowne to all,
256 The Brazen Age.
In which tiie learnd can onely cenfure right :
The rejl we craue, whom we vnlettered call,
Rather to attend then iudge; for more then fight
Wefeeke topleafe. The vnderflanding eare
Which we haue hitherto mofl gracious found,
Your gcner all loue, we rather hope then fear e ;
For that of all our labours is the ground.
If from your loue in any point we fir ay,
Thinke Homer blind, and blind men miffe their
way.
FINIS.
X
The Iron Age;
Contayning the Rape of Hellen
The fiege of Troy : The Combate be-
twixt Heclor and Aiax : Heclor and
Troilus flayne by Achilles : Achilles
flaine by Paris : Aiax and Vlijfes
contend for the Armour of
Achilles : The Death of
Aiax, &c.
Written by THOMAS HEYWOOD.
Aut prodejfefolent, aut deleclare.
Printed at London by Nicholas Okes, 1632.
3 s
Drammatis Perfonae.
Of the party of the
Troians.
King Priam.
Heclor.
Paris.
Troilus.
^Eneas.
Anthcnor.
Deiphobus.
Margareton.
Astianax, Heclors fonnc.
Queene Hecuba.
Cqffandra a Prophetefie.
Creffida, Calchas his
daughter.
Polixina, daughter to
Priam.
Oenon, Paris his firfl
loue.
Andromache, Heclor s wife.
Heclors Armour-bearer.
Troian fouldiers.
Of the party of the
Grecians.
King Agememnon Gene-
rail.
King Menelaus.
King Diomed.
Vlyffes, King of Ithacus.
Achilles.
A Spartan Lord.
An Embaffador of Crccte.
Caflor and Pollux, the
two brothers of Hel-
lena.
Aiax Duke of Salamine.
Therfites a raylor.
Queene Hellena.
Calchas, Apolloes Pried.
Patroclus, Achilles his
friend.
Achilles his Mermidons.
Grecian fouldiers.
Attendants.
«sra*
S 2
To my Worthy and much Refpedted
Friend, Mr. Thomas Mammon,
of Grayes Inne Efquire.
SIR,
|F the noble Scholler Nicltod. Frifceli-
mus, thought that his labour in Trans-
ferring fix o>{ AriftopJianes his Comedies
out of the Originall Greeke into the
Roman tongue, was worthy to be dedicated to fix
feueral, the moft eminent Princes of his time, for
Learning and Iudgement : Thinke it then no
difparagment to you, to vndertake as well the
Patronage, perufall of this Poem : Which as it
exceedes the ftrict limits of the ancient Comedy
(then in vfe) in forme, fo it tranfcends them
many degrees ; both in the fulnefle of the
Sceane, and grauity of the Subiect.
The Hiftory whereon it is grounded, hauing
beene the felecled Argument of many exquifite
Poets ; For what Pen of note, in one page or
The Epiftle Dedicatory.
other hath not remembred Troy, and bewayl'd
the facke and fubuerfion of fo illuftrious a Citty :
Which, although it were fcituate in AJia, yet out
of her afhes hath rifen two the rareft Phoenixes
in Europe, namely London and Rome. Sir my
acquaintance with your worth, and knowledge of
your iudgement, were the chiefe motiues, in-
ducing me to felecl you before many others :
accept it, I intreate you, as fauourably as hee
expofeth it willingly, who as he hath ante-
cedently long, fo futurely euer,
Shall remayne yours :
Thomas Heywood.
To the Reader.
\Ourteous Reader : Tlie Gold, Siluer,
and BraflTe Ages hauing beene many
yeares fince in the Preffe, continuing
tlie Hijlory from Iupiters Birth (the
fonne of Saturne) to the Death of Hercules. This
Iron Age (neuer till now Publifhed,) beginneth
where the otJier left, Jwlding on, a plaine and
direct courfe, from tlie fecond Rape of Hellen :
(For fhe was in ]ier minority rauiftied by Thefeus
the Friend of Hercules) not oncly to tlie vtter
mine, and dcuaflation of Troy ; but it, with tlie
fecond Part, flretcheth to the DeatJtes of Hellen,
and all tlwfe Kings of Greece, who were the
vndertakers of t/iat Ten yeares Bloody and fatall
Seige. I prefume the reading thereof fhall not
prooue diflaflfidl vnto any : Firfl in regard of the
Antiquity and NobleneJJe of the Hijlory : Next
becaufc it includeth the mofl things of efpeciall
remarke, which Jiaue beene ingenioufly Commented,
and labourioufly Recorded, by tlie Mufes Darlings,
To the Reader.
the Poets : And Times learned Remembrancers,
the Hiftriographers.
Lallly, I dejire thee to take notice, that thefe
were the Playes often (and not with the leajl
applaufe]) Publickely Acled by two Companies,
vppon one Stage at once, and haue at fundry
times thronged three feuerall Theaters, with nu-
merous and mighty Auditories, if the grace they
had then in the A clings, take not away the expecled
lujler, hoped for in tlie Reading, I /hall then hold
thee well pleafed, and therein, my f elf e fully fatis-
fied ; Euer remaining thine as jludious
Prodefse vt Deleclare
Thomas Heywood.
The Iron Age.
Aftus primus y Sccena prima.
Enter King Priamus, Queene Hecuba, Hector, Troilus,
iEneas, Deiphobus, &*c.
Priamus.
[Rinces and Sonnes of Priam, to this end
Wee cal'd you to this folemne Parleance.
There's a deuining fpirit prompts mee ftill,
That if we new begin Hoftility,
The Grecians may be forc't to make repayre
Of our twice ruin'd walls, and of the rape
Done to our fifter faire Hefione.
sEneas. I am my princely Soueraigne of your
minde,
And can by grounded arguments approoue
Your power and potency : what they twice demoliih't,
Is now with ftrength and beauty rear'd againe.
Your Kingdome growne more populous and rich,
266 The Iron Age.
The youth of Troy irregular and vntam'd,
Couetous of warre and martiall exercife.
From you and iiluer treffed Hecuba
Fifty faire fonnes are lineally deriu'd,
All Afiaes Kings are in your loue and league,
Their royalties as of your Empire held.
Hector and Hectors brothers are of power
To fetch your fifter from the heart of Greece,
Where fhe remaines imbrac't by Telamon.
Pria. s£neas, your aduife affents with vs.
How ftand our fonnes vnto thefe wars inclin'd 1
Heel. In mine opinion we haue no iuft caufe
To rayfe new tumults, that may Hue in peace :
Warre is a fury quickly coniured vp,
But not fo foone appeafed.
Par. What iufter caufe
When the whole world takes note to our difgrace,
Of this our Troy, twice rac't by Hercules.
Troy. And faire Hefione rapt hence to Greece,
Where fhe flill liues coopt vp in Salamine.
Heel. Troy was twice rac't, and Troy defer u'd that
wracke,
The valiant (halfe Diuine bred) Hercules,
Redeem'd this Towne from blacke mortality,
And my bright Aunt from death, when he furcharg'd
The virgin fedde Sea-monfter with his club.
For my owne Grand-fire great Laomedon,
Denied the Heroe, both the meede propos'd,
And (moil ingratefull) fhut him from the Gates :
Troy therefore drew iuft ruine on it felfe :
Tis true, our Aunt was bome away to Greece,
Who with more iuftice might transport her hence,
Then he whofe prife fhe was % bold Telamon
For ventring firft vpon the wals of Troy,
Alcides gaue her to the Saltnine Duke.
Detayning her 1 whom keepes he but his owne ?
Were fhe my prifoner I mould do the like.
By loue lhe's worth the keeping.
Par. Then of force,
The Iron Age. 267
Shee mud be worth the fetching.
Heft. Fetch her that lift : my reuerent King and
father,
If you purfue this expedition,
By the vntaunted honor of thefe armes
That Hue imblazon'd on my burnifh't fhield,
It is without good caufe, and I deuine
Of all your flourifhing line, by which the Gods
Haue rectified your fame aboue all Kings,
Not one fhal liue to meate your Sepulchre,
Or trace your funerall Heralds to the Tombes
Of your great Anceftours : oh for your honour
Take not vp vniuft Armes.
/Ene. Prince Heclors words
Will draw on him the imputation
Of feare and cowardefie.
Trot. Fie brother Heclor,
If our Aunts rape, and Troyes deftruction
Bee not reueng'd, their feuerall blemifhes
The aged hand of Time can neuer wipe
From our fucceflion.
Par. 'Twill be regiftred
That all King Priams fonnes faue one were willing
And forward to reuenge them on the Greekes,
Onely that Heclor durft not.
Heel. Ha, durft not didft thou fay ? effeminate boy,
Go get you to your Sheepe-hooke and your Scrip,
Thou look'ft not like a Souldier, there's no fire
Within thine eyes, nor quills vpon thy chinne,
Tell me I dare not 1 go, rife, get you gone,
Th'art fitter for young Oenons company
Then for a bench of fouldiers : here comes one,
A ntenor is returned.
Enter Antenor.
Pri. Welcome Antenor, what's the newes from
Greece ?
Ante. Newes of difhonour to the name of Priam,
268 Tlie Iron Age.
Your Highneffe Sifter faire Hefione :
Efteem'd there as a ftrumpet, and no Queene ;
(After complaint) when I propos'd your Maiefty
Would fetch her thence perforce, had you but feene
With what difdainefull pride, and bitter taunts
They toft my threats : 'twould haue inflam'd your
fpleene
With more then common rage, neuer was Princeffe
So bafely vf 'd : neuer Embafladour
With fuch dishonour fent from Princes Court,
As I was then from that of Telamons,
Of Agamemnons and the Spartan Kings.
Priam. I (hall not dye in peace, if thefe difgraces
Liue vnreueng'd.
Heft. By Ioue wee'le fetch her thence,
Or make all populous Greece a Wilderneffe,
Paris a hand, wee are friends, now Greece (hall finde
And thou (halt know what mighty Heclor dares.
When all ;th' vnited Kings in Armes (hall rue
This bafe difhonour done to Priams blood.
Par. Heare Gracious fir, my dreame in Ida
Mount,
Beneath the (hadow of a Cedar deeping.
Celeftiall luno, Venus, and the Goddeffe
Borne from the braine of mighty Iupiter,
Thefe three prefent me with a golden Ball,
On which was writ, Detur pulcherrinue,
Giue't to the faireft : luno proffers wealth,
Scepters and Crownes : faith, (he will make me rich.
Next fteps forth Pallas with a golden Booke,
Saith, reach it me, Pie teach thee Litterature,
Knowledge and Arts, make thee of all mod wife.
Next fmiling Venus came, with fuch a looke
Able to rauifh mankinde : thus befpake mee,
Make that Ball mine? the faireft Queene that
breathes,
Pie in requitall, caft into thine armes.
How can I (land againft her golden fmiles,
When beautie promift beauty ? (hee preuayl'd
The Iron Age. 269
To her I gaue the prife, with which fhee mounted
Like to a Starre from earth fhott vp to Heauen.
Now if in Greece (as fome report) be Ladies
Peereleffe for beauty, wherefore might not Paris
By Venus ayde fayle hence to Grecia,
And quit the rape of faire Hefione,
By dealing thence the Queene mod beautifull,
That feedes vpon the honey of that ayre 1
Pri. That amorous Goddeffe borne vpon the
waues
Affift thee in thy voyage, we will rigge
A royall fleete to waft thee into Greece.
s£neas with our fonne Dciphobus,
And other Lords (hall beare thee company.
What thinke our fonnes Heclor and Troy/us
Of Paris expedition ?
Heel. As an attempt the Heauens haue caufe to
profper.
Go brother Paris, if thou bring'fl a Queene,
Heclor will be her Champion ; then let's fee
What Greeke dare fetch her hence.
Pri. Straight giue order
To haue his Fleet made ready.
Enter Caflandra with her haire about her earcs.
Caffan. Stay Priam, Paris ceafe, ftay Troian
Peeres
To plot your vniuerfall ouerthrow.
What hath poore Troy deferu'd, that you fhould
kindle
Flames to deflroy it ?
Pa. What intends Caffandra ?
Caff. To quench bright burning Troy, to fecure
thee,
To faue old Priam and his fifty fonnes.
(The royal'ft iffue, that e're King enioy'de)
To keepe the reuerent haires of Hecuba,
From being torne off by her owne fad hands.
2 70 The Iron Age.
Pri. Caffandrds madde.
Caff. You are mad, all Troy is madde.
And railes before it's mine.
Heft. What would my fifter ?
Caff. Stay this bold youth my brother, who by
water
Would fayle to bring fire which fhali burne all Troy.
Stay him, oh (lay him, ere thefe golden roofes
Melt o're our heads, before thefe glorious Turrets
Bee burnt to afhes. Ere cleare Simois ftreames
Runne with bloud royall, and Scamander Plaine,
In which Troy (lands bee made a Sepulchre
To bury Troy, and Troians.
Pri. Away with her, fome falfe deuining fpirit
Enuying the honour we (hall gaine from Greece,
Would trouble our defignements.
Heel. Royal! Or,
Caffandra is a Veftall Propheteffe,
And confecrate to Pallas ; oft infpir'd.
Then lend her gracious audience.
Troil. So let our Aunt
Bee (lill a (laue in Greece, and wee your fonnes
Bee held as cowards.
sE?ie. Let Antenors wrongs
Bee bafely fwallowed, and the name of Troy
Be held a word of fcorne.
Caff. Then let Troy burne,
Let the Greekes clap their hands, and warme them-
felues
At this bright Bone-tire : dream'd not Hecuba
The night before this fatall Youth was borne,
That fhee brought forth a fire-brand ?
Hecu. 'Tis mod true.
Caff. And when King Priam to the Preift reueal'd
This ominous dreame, hee with the Gods confulted,
And from the Oracle did this returne,
That the Childe borne (hould (lately /lion burne.
Par. And well the Prophet gueft, for my defire
To vifit Greece, burnes with a quenchlefle fire :
The Iron Age. 2 7 1
Nor from this flaming brand fhall I be free,
Till I haue left rich Troy, and Sparta fee.
Caff. Yet Hecuba, ere thou thy Priam loofe,
And Priam ere thou loofe thy Hecuba,
Pri. Away with her.
Caff. Why fpeakes not in this cafe Andromache ?
Thou fhalt loofe a Hector, who's yet thine.
Why good /Eneas doft thou fpeech forbeare ?
Thou hop'fl in time another Troy to reare,
When this is fackt, and therefore thou flandfl mute,
All flrooke with filence ; none affift my fuite.
Pri. Force her away and lay her fafl in hold.
Caff. Then Troy, no Troy, but afhes ; and a
place
Where once a Citty flood : poore Priam, thou
That fhalt leaue fatherleffe fifty faire fonnes,
And this thy fruitfull Queene, a defolate widdow,
And Ilium now no Pallace for a King,
But a confufed heape of twice burnt bricke.
They that thy beauty wondred, fhall admire
To fee thy Towers defae'd with Greekijfi fire. Exit.
Pri. Thou art no Sibill, but from fury fpeak'ft,
Not infpiration we reguard thee not
Come valiant fonnes, wee'le firft prepare our fhips,
And with a royall Fleete well rigg'd to fea
Seeke iufl reuenge for faire Hefione.
Exeunt omnes, manet Paris, to him Oenon who in his
going out plucks her backe.
Oen. Know you not mee ?
Par. Who art thou ?
Oen. View mee well.
And what I am, my lookes and teares will teach thee.
Par. Oenon % what brought thee hither ?
Oen. To fee Ida bare
Of her tall Cedars, to fee fhipwrights fquare
The trunks of new feld Pines : Asking the caufe,
272 The Iron Age.
So many Hatchets, Hammers, Plowes and Sawes
Were thither brought : They gan mee thus to greete,
With thefe tall Cedars we mufl build a fleete
For Paris ; who in that mull fayle to Greece,
To fetch a new wife thence.
Par. And my faire Oenon,
Know that they told truth, for 'tis decreed
Euen by the Gods beheft, that I mould fpeed
Vpon this new aduenture : The Gods all,
That made mee iudge to giue the golden Ball.
Harke, harke, the Saylers cry aboard, aboard ;
The Winde blowes faire, fare-well.
Oenon. Heare me one word.
By our firft loue, by all our amorous kiffes,
Courtings, imbraces, and ten thoufand bliffes
I coniure thee, that thou in Troy may'ft ftay.
Par. They cry aboard, and Paris muft away.
Oen. What need'ft thou plowe the leas to feeke
a Wife,
Hauing one here, to hazard thy fweete life,
Seeking a Strumpet through warres fierce alarmes,
And haue fo kind a wife lodg'd in thine armes.
Par. Sweete Oenon, ftay me not, vnclafpe thine
hold.
Oen. Not for Troyes crowne or all the Sun-gods
Gold.
Canft thou 1 oh canft thou thy fweete life indanger,
And leaue thine owne wife to feeke out a ftranger 1
Pa. I can, farewell.
Oen. Oh yet a little ftay.
Pa. Let go thine hold, or I fhall force my way.
Oen. Oh do but looke on me, yet once againe.
Though now a Prince, thou waft an humble fwaine,
And then I was thine Oenon. (Oh fad fate)
I craue thy loue, I couet not thy Mate ;
Still I am Oenon ; ftill thou Paris art
The felfe-fame man, but not the felfe-fame heart.
Par. Vntie, or I fhall breake thy charming band,
Tlie Iron Age. 273
Neptune affift my courfe i thou loue my hand. Exit.
Oen. Mod cruell, mofl vnkind, hadft thou thus
faid
The night before thou hadfl my Maiden-head,
I had beene free to chufe, and thou to wiue ;
Not widdowed now, my husband Hill aliue.
Enter King Menelaus, King Diomed, Therfites, a
Lord Embaffadour with Attendants.
Mene. King Diomed, Sparta is proud to fee you,
Your comming at this time's more feafonable,
In that wee haue imployment for your wifedome
And royall valour.
Diom. The Chritian Scepter now in contrauerfie
(As this Embaffadour hath late inform'd)
Defpifing that vfurping hand, which long
Hath againft Law and Iuftice fwayd and borne it,
Offers it felfe to your protection.
Is it not fo my Lord ?
Embaffa. You truely vnderftand our Embafie.
Ther. Menelaus /
Mene. What faith Therfites ?
Ther. That Heauen hath many Starres in't, but no
eyes,
And cannot fee defert The Goddeffe Fortune
Is head-winkt, why elfe fhould fhe proffer thee
Another Crowne that hath one : (Grand Sir lone)
What a huge heape of bufineffe (halt thou haue,
Hauing another Kingdome ? being in Creete,
Sparta will go to wracke, being in Sparta,
Creete will to ruine : To haue more then thefe
Such a bright Laffe as Hellen : Hellen 1 oh !
'Mud haue an eye to her too, fie, fie, fie,
Poore man how thou' It bee pufl'd !
Mene. Why thinkes Therfites my bright Hellens
beauty
Is not with her faire vertues equaliz'd ?
Ther. Yes, I thinke fo, and Hellen is an affe,
s T
2 74 The Iron Age.
But thou beleeu'ft fo too.
Diom. Therfites is a rayler.
Ther. No, I difclaim't, I am a Counfellor.
I haue knowne a fellow match t to a faire wife,
That hath had ne're a Kingdome : thou haft two
To looke to, (fcarce a houfe) thou many Pallaces,
Hee fcarce a Page, and thou a thoufand feruants :
Yet hee hauing no more, yet had too much
To looke to one faire wife.
Diom. Were not the King
Well grounded in the vertues of his Queene,
Thy words Therfites might fet odds betwixt them.
Mene. My Hellen ? therein am I happieft :
Know Diomed, her beauty I preferre
Before the Crownes of Sparta, and of Creete,
Muficke ! I know my Lady then is comming,
Muficke within.
To giue kind welcome to King Diomed,
Strowe in her way fweete powders, burne Perfume,
And where my Hellen treads no feete prefume.
Ther. 'Twere better ftrowe horne-fhauings.
Enter Hellen with waiting Gentlewomen and
Seruants.
Bel. 'Tis told vs this Embaffadour doth (lay
To take my husband, my deare Lord away.
Men. True Hellen, 'tis a Kingdome calls me
hence.
Hel. A Kingdome ! hath your Hellen fuch fmall
grace,
That you preferre a Kingdome 'fore her face ?
You value me too cheape, and doe not know
The worth and value of the face you owe.
Ther. I had rather haue a good Calues face.
Hel. Thefeus, that in my non-age did affaile mee :
And being too young for paftime, thence did haile
me :
Hee, to haue had the leaft part of your bliffe
The Iron Age. 275
Oft proffered mee a Kingdome for a kiffe.
You forfeit in your pleafures, fwimme in fport,
But fir, from henceforth I (hall keepe you fhort
Dio. Faire Queene, 'tis honour calls him hence
away.
Hel. What's that to Hellen, if fheele haue him
flay?
Say I fhould weepe at parting, (which I feare)
Some for ten Kingdomes would not haue a teare
Fall from his Htllens eye, but hee's vnkind,
And cares not though I weepe my bright eyes blind.
Enter a Spartan Lord.
Sp. L. Great King, we haue difcouer'd from the
fhoare
A gallant Fleete of fhips, that with full fayle
Make towards the Port.
Mene. What number 1
Sp. L. Some two and twenty Sayle.
Men. Difcouer them more amply, and make good
The Hauen againft them, till we know th' intent
Of their arriue.
Sp. L. My Royall Lord I fhall.
Men. Embaffadour this bufines once blowne o're,
You fhall receiue your anfwer inflantly.
Hel. You fhall not goe and leaue your Hellen here,
Can I a Kingdome gouerne in your abfence,
And guide fo rude a people as yours is %
How fhall I doe my Lord, when you are gone,
So many bleake cold nights to lye alone ?
Y'haue vf 'd mee fo to fellowfhip in bed,
That fhould I leaue it, I fhould foone be dead :
Troth I fhall neuer indure it
Men. My fweete Hellen^
Was neuer King blefl with fo chafle a wife.
Enter the Spartan Lord.
Men. The newes 1 whence is their Fleete t
276 The Iron Age.
Sp. L. From Troy.
Men. The Generall ?
Sp. L. Priams fonne.
Men. Their expedition 1
Sp. L. To feeke aduentures and ftrange Lands
abroad,
And though now weather-beat, yet brauer men
More rich in Iewells, coftlier araide,
Or better featur'd ne're eye beheld,
Efpecially the Prince their Generall,
Paris of Troy one of King Priams fonnes.
Bel. Brauer then thefe our Lacedemons are 1
Sp. L. Madam, by much.
Hel. How is the Prince of Troy
To Menelaus mighty Spartans King ?
Sp. L. Prince Menelaus is my Soueraigne Madam,
But might I freely fpeake without offence,
(Excepting Menelaus} neuer breath'd
A brauer Gallant then the Troian Prince.
Men. What Intertainment fhall wee giue thefe
ftrangers 1
Hel. What ? but the choyce that Lacedemon
yeelds,
If they come braue, our brauery let vs fhow,
That what our Sparta yeelds, their Troy may know :
Let them not fay they found vs poore and bare.
Or that our. Grecian Ladies are leffe faire
Then theirs : giue them occafion to relate
At their returne, how wee exceede their ftate.
Mene. Hellen hath well aduis'd, and for the beft
Her counfell with our honour doth agree,
All Spartaes pompe is for the Troians free.
Hell. Oh had I known their Landing one day
fooner,
That Hellen might haue trim'd vp her attire
Againft this meeting, then my radiant beauty
I doubt not, might in Troy be tearm'd as faire,
As through all Greece I am reputed rare.
The Iron Age. 277
A/louri/h. Enter Paris, ^Eneas, Deiphobus, Antenor,
Menelaus and Diomed embrace Paris and the rejl :
Paris turtles from them and kiffeth Hellen, all way
Jhee with her hand puts him backe.
Hell. 'Tis not the Spartan fafhion thus to greet
Vpon the lips, when royall flrangers meete.
I know not what your Afian Court-fhip is.
Oh loue, how fweetely doth this Troian kiffe ?
Par. Beare with a ftranger Lady, though vn-
knowne ;
That's pra<ftis'd in no fafhion faue his owne.
Hee that his fault confeffeth ne're offends,
Nor can hee iniure, that no wrong intends.
Hell. To kiffe mee ! why before fo many eyes
The King could do no more : would fortune bring
This ftranger there where I haue met the King.
Mene. Patience, fweet Hellen, Troians welcome
all,
You fhall receiue the princeliefl entertaine
Sparta can yeeld you, but fome late affaires
About the Cretan fcepter calls vs hence,
That bufineffe once determin'd wee are yours,
In the meane time faire Hellen bee't your charge
To make their welcome in my abfence large.
They all goe off with aflourijh, onely Paris
and Hellen keepe the Stage.
Par. Oh Ioue my dreame ! fweete Venus ayde my
prayer,
And keepe thy word : behold a face more faire
Then thou thy felfe canfl fhewe, this is the fame
Thou promifl me in Ida, this I claime.
Giue me this face faire Venus, and that's all
I'le aske in guerdon of the golden Ball.
Hel. Of what rare mettall is this Troian made ?
That one poore kiffe hath power fo to perfwade,
Here at my lips the fweetneffe did beginne,
And fince hath paft through all my powers within :
Oh kiffe mee if thou lou'ft me once againe,
278 The Iron A%e.
I feele the firfl kiffe thrill through euery veine.
Par. Queene I raufl fpeake with you.
Hell. Mull 1
Par. Hellen, I,
I haue but two wayes to take, to fpeake, or dye :
Grant my tongue pardon then, or turne your head
And fay you will not, and fo ftrike me dead.
Hel. Liue and fay on, but if your words offend,
If my tongue can deftroy, you're neare your end.
Par. Oh loue, that I had now an Angels voyce
As you an Angels fhape haue, that my words
Might found as fpheare-like muficke in your eare.
That loue himfelfe whom I mud call to witnelfe,
Would now Hand forth in perfon to approoue
What I now fpeake, Hellen, Hellen I loue.
Chide mee, I care not ; tell your husband, doe,
Feareleffe of death, behold, I boldly woe.
For let mee liue, bright Hellen to inioy,
Or let mee neuer backe refayle to Troy :
For you I came, your fame hath hither driuen mee,
Whom golden Venus hath by promife giuen mee.
I lou'd you ere I faw you by your fame,
Report of your rare beauty to Troy came.
But more then bruite can tell, or fame emblazon
Are thefe diuine perfections that I gaze on.
Hel. Infolent ftranger, is my Name fo light
Abroad in Troy, that thou at the firft fight
Shouldfl hope to ftrumpet vs ? thinks Priams fonne,
The Spartan Queene can be fo eafily wonne ?
Becaufe once Thefeus rauifht vs from hence,
And did to vs a kind of violence :
Followes it therefore wee are of fuch price,
That ftolne hence once, we fhould be rauifh't twice ?
Par. That Thefeus ftole you hence (by Heauen)
I praife him,
And for that act I to the skies will raife him.
That hee return'd you backe by loue I wonder,
Had I beene Thefeus, hee that fhould afunder
Haue parted vs, and fnatcht you from my bed :
The Iron Age. 279
Firfl from my moulders mould baue tane this
head.
Oh that you were the prize of fome great flrife,
And hee that winnes might claime you as his
wife,
Your felfe mould finde, and all the world mould fee
Hellcn, a prife alone ordain'd for mee.
Hel. I am not angry ; who can angry be
With him that loues her ? they that Paris fee,
And heare the wonders and rare deedes you boaft,
And warlike fpoyles in which you glory moft :
By which you haue attaind 'mongft fouldiers grace,
None can beleeue you that beholds your face.
They that this louely Troian fee, will fay ;
Hee was not made for warre, but amorous play.
Pa. Loue amorous Paris then.
Hel. My fame to endanger ?
Par. I can be fecret Lady.
Hel. And a ftranger ?
Say I mould grant thee loue, as thou fhouldft clime
My long wifht bed ; if at th' appointed time
The Winde mould alter, and blow faire for Troy,
Thou muft breake off in midd'ft of all thy Ioy.
Par. Not for great Spartaes Crowne, or Afiaes
Treafure,
(That exceedes Spartaes) would I loofe fuch pleafure.
Hel. Would it were come to that
Par. Your Husband Menelaus hither bring,
Compare our ihapes, our youth and euery thing,
I make you Iudgeffe, wrong me if you can :
You needes muft fay I am the properer man.
Hel. I muft confeffe that too.
Par. Then loue mee Lady.
Hel. Had you then fett fayle,
When my virginity, and bed to enioy
A thoufand gallant princely Suiters came ?
Had I beheld thee firft, I here proclaime,
Your feature mould haue borne mee from the reft
You come too late, and couet goods poffeft.
280 The Iron Age.
Par. I came for Hellen, Hellens loue I craue,
Hellen I loue, and Hellen I mull haue :
Or in this Prouince where I vent my mones,
I'le begge a Tombe for my exiled bones.
A flourijh. Enter Menelaus, Diomed, Therfites,
with Spartan Lords : ^Eneas, Deiphobus, An-
tenor, &*c.
A banquet is brought in.
Men. Now Prince of 7roy, our bufineffe being
o're
This day in Lacedemon, you fhall feaft
Paris, wee are proud of fuch a Princely gueft.
Ther. Thus euery man is borne to his owne
Fate.
Now it raines Homes, let each man fhield his Pate.
Hel. This royalty extended to the welcome
Of Priams fonne, is more then Afiaes King
Would yeeld vnto the greateft Prince of Greece.
What is this Paris whom you honour fo ?
Men. Why askes my Queene %
Hel. May not this proud, this beauty vanting
Troian,
In a fmooth browe hide blacke and rugged Treafon t
Men. Hee fuch an one 1 rather a giddy braine,
A forma 11 traueller. King Diomed
Your cenfure of this Troian ?
Diom. A Capring, Carpet Knight, a Cufhion
Lord,
One that hath ftald his Courtly trickes at home,
And now got leaue to publifh them abroad
Hee's a meere toy.
Men. Therfites your opinion.
Did'ft euer fee wifdome thus attir'd ?
Ther. I haue knowne villany hath lookt as fmooth
As yon briske fellow.
Afene, I am a foole then fay.
Ther. And fo thou art,
The Iron Age. 281
To hugge the Serpent fraud fo neere your heart.
Men. Shallow Therfites, my faire Prince of Troy
Welcome, come fit betwixt my Queene and mee.
Iher. Hee'le one day Hand betwixt thy Queene
and thee.
I haue obferu'd, 'tis dill the Cuckolds fate
To hugge that knaue who helps to home his
pate.
Men. Fill me a Handing Bowie of Greekijh wine :
Prince Paris, to your Royall Fathers health.
Par. Thankes Menelaus. Here King Diomed.
Dio. To you JUneas.
Aine. Therfites, 'tmufl go round.
Ther. Not I, full bowles make empty braines,
not I.
Mene. Hellen, the more to dignifie his welcome
Beginne a health to aged Hecuba.
Ther. Men may be drunke, but hee's a drunken
foole
That brings his wife vp in the Drinking-fchoole.
Hel. Prince Paris, to the reuerent Hecuba.
Par. Will the Spartan King vouchfafe the pledge
of Priams Queene ?
Men. Prince Diomed, and fo to you Therfites,
This health mud needes pafle round.
Ther. 'Twill make you all turne round before you
part.
Diom. To you Therfites.
Ther. 'Tis better Hue in fire, then dye in wine :
That burnes but earth, this drownes a thing diuine.
I'le fcald my foule no more.
Hel. You looke not well Prince Paris, on my
life
His Colour comes and goes, are you not ficke ?
Ther. Sicke ! and fo many healths, how can that
bee?
Par. Peace Cinicke, barke not dogge : King, by
your leaue
I'le haue one health to beauteous Hellena.
282 The Iron Age.
Men. It fhall be pledg'd Prince Paris.
Ther. Drinke till you all drop downe, but when
you fall,
Looke that the Queene lie vnder-moft of all.
Par. I'le haue Therfites pledge this.
Ther. I'le be no drunkard, Kings and Queene I'le
rife.
Par. Drinke this or eate my fwoid.
Ther. Say fo, I'le kiffe the cup,
Hel. You are not well Prince Paris, walke with
mee.
Par. With you ! what you 1 you are the Queene of
hearts.
Hel. This Chayre feme for your bed, lye downe
and fleepe.
Par. Thankes Queene : to all good night.
Heefieepes.
Men. How now Therfites ? this your politition %
A fhallow weake braine Courtier.
Dio. Alas poore puny Prince, in troth Therfites
You were deceiu'd in him.
Ther. I knewe hee was either a politician or a
drunkard, your younger Brothers for the moft part are
fo.
Men. Well my faire Queene, whil'ft wee prepare
for Creete,
Feaft you the Prince : though his behauiour's rude,
Let vs be royall, bounty of all things
Doth befl expreffe the Maiefty of Kings.
Exeunt all, but Paris and Hellen, at which heejlarts vp
from his Chaire and takes her by the hand.
Par. Are they all gone % then pardon mee fweete
Queene,
I was not as I feem'd, but I am now
What once I vow'd, a Prince captiu'd to you.
Hel. No Paris no, I am the Queene of hearts.
Par. And fo you are, the Empreffe of all hearts :
The Iron Age. 283
Celeftiall Hellen, (hall I beeeterniz'd
In the fruition of your heauenly loue 1
Hel. And you deferue it well : O Prince ! fie, fie,
Diflemble with your friends fo cunningly 1
Par. My loue faire Queene exceedes the loue of
friends,
And therefore had the royall King your Husband
Expreft more loue to mee then euer Monarch
Did to a ftranger Prince, it could not though
Leafen my zeale to you : fpeake fayreft Queene
That euer fpake, this night fhall we agree
To confecrate to pleafure and delights :
Your husband left me charge I fhould inioy
All that the Court can yeeld : if all? then you
I would not for the world, but you fhould doe
All that the King your Lord commands you too :
Your King and husband, you finne doubly ftill
When you aflent not to obay his will :
Speake beauteous Queene. No ? then it may be
Shee meanes by filence to accord with me :
I'le trye that prefently, lend me your hand
'Tis this I want, and by the Kings command
You are to let me haue it': more then this,
I want your lips to helpe me make a kiffe. Kiffdh her.
Hel. Oh Heauen !
Par. Oh loue, a ioy aboue all meafure,
To touch thefe lips is more then heauenly pleafure.
Hel. Befhrew your amorous rhetorick that did
proue
My husbands will commanded me to loue,
Or but for that iniunction, Paris know
I would not yeeld fuch fauours to beftow
On any ftranger, but fince he commands,
You may take more then eyther lips or hands.
Do I not blufh fweete ftranger? if I breake
The Lawes of modefty, thinke that I fpeake,
But with my husbands tongue, for I fay ftill
I would not yeeld, but to obey his will.
Par. This night then without all fufpition,
a 84 The Iron Age.
The rauifhing pleafures of your royall bed
You may affoord to Paris : bitter Therfites,
King Diomed, and your feruants may fuppofe
By my late counterfeite diftemperature
I ayme at no fuch happineffe, alas
I am a puny Courtier, a weake braine,
A braine-ficke young man ; but Deuinefl Hellen,
When we get fafe to Troy.
Hel. To Troy%
Par. Yes Queene, by all the gods it is decreed,
That I mould beare you thither ; Priam knowes it,
And therefore purpofely did rigge this Fleete,
To waft me hether ; He and Hecuba,
My nine and forty brothers, Princes all
Of Ladies and bright Virgins infinite,
Will meete vs in the roade of Tenedos :
Then be refolu'd for I will caft a plot
To beare you fafe from hence !
Hel. This Troyan Prince
Will's more then any Prince of Greece dares pleade,
And yet I haue no power to fay him nay :
Well Paris I befhrew you with my heart,
That euer you came to Sparta (by my ioy
Queene Hellen lyes, and longs to be at Troy :)
Yet vfe me as you pleafe, you know you haue
My deareft loue, and therefore cannot craue
What He deny ; but if reproach and fhame
Purfue vs, on you Paris light the blame :
He wafh my hands of all, nor will I yeeld
But by compulfion to your leaft demaund :
Yet if in lieu of my Kings intertaine,
You bid me to a feaft aboord your fhip,
And when you haue me there, vnknowne to me
Hoyfe fayle, weigh Anchor, and beare out to Sea :
I cannot helpe it, tis not in my power
To let fal fayles, or ftriue with ftretching oares
To row me backe againe : this you may do,
But footh friend Paris He not yeeld thereto.
Par. You fhalbe then compell'd, on me let all
The Iron Age. 285
The danger waiting on this pra&ife fall.
Enter a Spartan Lord.
Sp. L. Cajlor and Pollux your two princely
brothers
Are newly landed, and to morrow next
Purpofe for Lacedemon.
Hel. On their approach
He lay my plot to efcape away with Paris.
I haue it : you fir for fome fpeciall reafon
Their comming keepe conceal'd, but when to mor-
row
You fhal perceiue me neere the water port,
Euen when thou feeft me ready to take Barge,
You apprehend me.
Sp. L. Gracious Queene I do.
Hel. Take that farwel : now my fayre princely
gueft
All that belongs to you's to inuite Queene Hellen
Aboord your (hip to morrow.
Par. Spartaes mirrour,
Will you vouchfafe to a poore wandring Prince
So much of grace, will your high maiefty
Daigne the acceptance of an homely banquet
Aboord his weather beaten Barke ?
Bel. No Friend,
The King my husband is from Sparta gone,
And I, til his returne, mufl needes keepe home :
Vrge me not I intreate, it is in vaine
Get me aboord, He nere turne backe againe.
Par. Nor mall you Lady, Sparta nor all Greece
Shal fetch you thence, but Troy fhal (land as high
On tearmes with Greece, as Greece hath flood with
Troy. Exeunt.
Enter the Spartan Lord.
Sp. L. This is the Water-port, the Queenes royal
286 The Iron Age.
gueft, hath bound me to attendance, till the Prince
and fhee bee ready to take Water : Methinkes in
this there mould bee fome tricke or other, (he was
once flolne away by Thefeus, and this a gallant
fmooth fac'd Prince. The Kings from home, the
Queenes but a Woman, the Troians mips new
trim'd, the wind flands fayre, and the Saylors all
ready aboord, fweete meates and wine, good words
and opportunity, and indeede not what? If both
parties bee pleafde, but pleafde or not, the muficke
giues warning, are they not now vpon their entrance.
Enter in state Paris, Hellen, Diomed, Therfites,
^Eneas, Antenor, Deiphebus, &c, with Attendants.
Sp. L. Health to your Maiefties, your Princely
brothers
Cajlor and Pollux, being within two Leagues
of this great Citty, come to vifite you.
Hel. My brothers ftolne vpon vs vnawares,
Let me intreate thee royall Diomed,
And you Therfites, do me fo much grace,
As giue them friendly meeting.
Diom. Queene we mail. Exeunt.
Hel. Our intertainment mail be giuen aboord,
Where I prefume, they mail be welcome guefts
To princely Pat-is.
Pa. As to your felfe, faire Queene.
Hel. Set forwards then.
Pa. We'le hoyfe vp fayle, neere to returne
againe. Exeunt the Troians with a great Jhout.
Enter Caftor, Pollux, Diomed, Therfites.
Cajl. Our brother Mtnelaus gone for Creete ?
Pol. Our loue to fee him, makes vs loofe much
time :
Yet all our labour is not vainly fpent,
Since we (hall fee our fitter.
The Iron Age. 287
Enter the Spartan Lord in hast.
Sp. L. Princes, the Kings betray'd, all Greece dif-
honoured, the Queene borne hence, the Troians haue
weigh'd anchor, and with a profperous gale they beare
from hence :
Shouting and hurling vp their caps for ioy,
They crye farwel to Greece, amayne for Troy,
Ther. Ha, ha, ha.
Dio. The Queene borne hence, with that fmooth
traytor Paris.
See princes with what pride they haue aduanc'd
The Armes of Troy vpon their wauing pendants.
Cast. Rage not, but lets refolue what's to be done.
Dio. Let fome ride pofl to Creete for Menelaus.
Sp. L. That be my charge.
Dio. Who'le after him to Sea 1
Pol. That wil my brother Castor and my felfe,
And perifli there, or bring my fifler backe.
Dio. Princes be't fo, and fairely may you fpeed :
Whilft I to Agamemnon, great Achilles,
Vlyffes, Nestor, Aiax, Idomean,
And all the Kings and Dukes of populous Greece,
Relate the wrongs done by this Rauimer.
Part, and be expeditious. Exeunt feueral wayes.
Ther. Ha, ha, ha,
I fmel this Sea-rat ere he come a fhoare,
By this hee's gnawing Menelaus Cheefe,
And made a huge hole in't : Ship-dyet pleafeth
'Boue all his Pallace banquets, much good doo't them :
They are at it without grace, by this both bare :
Cuckold 1 no fubiect with that name bee forry,
Since Soueraignes may be fuch in all their glory.
Explicit Aclus primus.
288 The Iron Age.
Aclus fecundus Sccena prima.
Enter Troilus and Crefida.
Troi. Faire Crefida, by the honour of my birth,
As I am Heclors brother, Priams fonne,
And Troilus beft belou'd of Hecuba,
As I loue Armes and fouldiers, I proteft,
Thy beauty Hues infhrin'd heere in my breft.
Cre. As I am Calchus daughter, Crefida,
High Prieft to Pallas, fhee that patrons Troy :
Now fent vnto the Delphian Oracle,
To know what ihal betide Prince Parts voyage,
I hold the loue of Troilus dearer farre
Then to be Queene of Afia.
Troi. Daughter to Calchus and the pride of
Troy,
Plight me your hand and heart.
Cre. Faire Heauen I doe.
Will Troilus in exchange grant me his too %
Troi. Yes, and faft feal'd, you gods, you anger
wreak
On him or her, that firft this vnion breake.
Cre. So protefts Crefiaa, wretched may they dye,
That 'twixt our foules thefe holy bands untye.
Enter Margaretan one of Priams youngest fonncs.
Marg. My brother Troilus, we haue newes from
Greece,
Prince Paris is return'd.
Troi. And with a prife 1
Marg. Afia affoords none fuch.
Troi. What is fhee worth our Aunt Hefione 1
Cre. Or what might be her name ?
Marg. Hellen of Sparta.
Troi. Hellens name
The Iron Age. 289
Hath fcarce been heard in Troy.
Marg. But now her fame
Will bee eterniz'd, for a face more faire
Sunne neuer (hone on, nor the earth e're bare.
Why flay you here 1 by this Paris and fhee
Are landed in the Port of Tenedos,
There Priam, Hecuba, Heclor, all Troy
Meete the mid-way to attend the Spartan Queene.
Troi. In that faire Traine, my Crefida fhal be
fure
Of rarer heauty then the Spartan Queene.
Aflourijh. Enter at one door e, Priam, Hecuba, Hector,
Troilus, &fc. At tlie other Paris, Hellen, ^Eneas,
Antenor, &»c.
Pri. What Earth, what all mortality
Can in the height of our inuentions finde
To adde to Hellens welcome, Troy fhall yeeld her.
Should Pallas, Patroneffe of Troy defcend,
Priam and Priams wife, and Priams fonnes
Could not afford Her god-head more applaufe,
Then amply wee bellow on Helena %
Hecu. We count you in the number of our daugh-
ters,
Nor can wee doe Queene Hellen greater honour.
Heel. I was not forward to haue Paris fent,
But being return'd th'art welcome : I defired not
To haue bright Hellen brought, but being landed,
Heclor proclaimes himfelfe her Champion
'Gainft all the world, and fhall guard thee fafe
Defpight all oppofition.
Par. Heclors word
Is Oracle, hee'le feale it with his fword.
And now my turne comes to bid Hellen welcome.
You are no ftranger here, this is your Troy,
Pricm your father, and this Queene your mother :
Thefe be your valiant brothers, all your friends.
» u
290 The Iron Age.
Why fliould a teare fall from thefe heauenly eyes
Being thus round ingirt with your allyes.
Hel. I am I know not where, nor amongfl whom,
I know no creature that I fee faue you :
I haue left my King, my brothers, fubiedls, friends
For ftrangers, who mould they forfake me now,
I haue no husband, father, brother neare.
Par. Haue you not all thefe, is not Paris heere ?
Harke how the people hauing Hellen feene
Applaud th' arriual of the Spartan Queene :
And millions that your comming haue attended,
Amazed fweare fome Goddeffe is defcended.
Troi. No way you can your eyes or body turne,
But where you walke the Priefts fhall Incenfe burne.
Alne. The facrificed beafts the ground fhall
beate,
And bright religious fire the Altars heate.
Heft. Nor feare the bruite of warre or threatning
fteele,
Vnited Greece wee value not.
Troi. Alone, by Heclor is this Towne well man'd,
Hee like an Army againft Greece fhall ftand.
Par. And who would feare for fuch a royall wife
To fet the vniuerfall World at ftrife :
Bright Hellens name fhall Hue, and nere haue end,
When all the world about you fhall contend.
Hel. Be as be may, fince we are gone thus farre,
Proceede we will in fpight of threatned warre,
Hazard, and dread ? both thefe we nothing hold,
So long as Paris we may thus infold.
Par. My father, mother, brothers, fillers all,
Iflium and Troy in pompe maiefticall,
Shall folemnize our nuptials. Let that day
In which we efpoufe the beauteous Hellena,
Be held a holy-day, a day of ioy
For euer, in the Kalenders of Troy.
Pri. It fhall be fo, we haue already fent
Our high prieft Calchas to the Oracle
At Delphos to return e vs the fucceffe,
The Iron Age. 291
And a true notice of our future warres,
Whilft we expect his comming, be't our care,
The Spartans fecond nuptials to prepare. Exit.
Enter after an alarum, King Agamemnon, Menelaus,
Achilles, Aiax, Patroclus, Theriites, Calchas, &c.
Aga. Thou glory of the Greekes, the great com-
mander
Of the flout Mirmedons : welcome from Delphos,
What fpeakes the Oracle 1 the facke of Troy ?
Or the Greekes ruine ? fay fhal wee be victors,
Or Priam tryumph in our ouerthrow.
Achi. The god of Delphos fends you ioyful
newes,
Troy fhal be fackt, and we be Conquerors :
Vpon your helmes weare triple fpangled plumes :
Let all the lowdefl inftruments of warre,
With flerne alarums rowfe the monfler death,
And march we boldly to the wals of Troy,
Troy fhall be fackt and we be conquerors.
Aiax. Thankes for thy newes Achilles, by that
honor
My father wonne vpon the wals of 7roy,
My warlike father Aiax Telamon ;
I would not for the world, Priam mould fend
Inceftious Hellen backe on tearmes of peace.
May fmooth Vliffes and bold Diomed,
Whom you haue fent on your late Embaffie,
Be welcom'd as Antenor was to Greece,
Scorn'd and reuil'd, fince th' Oracle hath fayd,
Troy fhal be fackt, and we be Conquerors.
Achi. King Agamemnon heere's a Troian priefl
Was fent by Priam to the Oracle :
The reuerent man I welcome, and intreate
The General with thefe Princes, do the like.
Agam. Welcome to Agamemnon reuerent Calchas.
Men. To Menelaus welcome.
Aiax. To Aiax welcome : father canft thou fight
u a
292 The Iron Age.
As wel as pray, if we fhould want for men 1
Cal. By prayers I vfe to fight, and by my
counfel
Giue ayde to Armes.
Aiax. Such as are paft armes, father Calchas
flill,
Say counfels good, but giue me flrength at will,
When you with all your Counfel, in the field
Meete Heclor with his flrength, tel me who'le yeeld 1
Aga. The flrong built walls of flately Tenedos
We haue leuel'd with the earth. It now remaines
We march along vnto the wals of Troy,
And thunder vengeance in King Priams eares,
Had we once anfwere of our Embaflie.
Aiax. I euer held fuch Embaflies as bafe,
The reflitution of our rauifht Queene
On termes of parley bars our flerne reuenge,
And ends our War ere fully it beginne.
King Agamemnon no, Aiax fayth no,
Whofe fword as thirfty as the parched earth,
Shall neuer ride in peace vpon his thigh,
Whilfl in the towne of Troy there breathes a foule
That gaue confent vnto the Spartans rape :
March, march, and let the thunder of our drummes
Strike terrour to the Citty Pergamus.
Achil. The fonne of Telamon fpeakes honourably,
Wee haue brought a thoufand ihips to Tenedos,
And euery fhip full fraught with men at Armes :
And all thefe armed men with fiery fpirits
Sworne to reuenge King Menelaus wrongs,
And burne skie-kiffing lflium to the ground.
Therefore ftrike vp warres Inftruments on hye,
And march vnto the Towne couragioufly.
//; their march they are met by Vlyfies and King
Diomed, at which they make ajland.
Aga. Princes, what anfwere touching Hellena ?
Dio. What anfwere but dishonourable tearme ?
The Iron Age. 293
Contempt and fcorne pearcht on their leaders browes,
By lone I thought they would haue flaine vs both.
If euer Hellen bee redeem'd from thence
But by the facke of Troy, fay Diomed
Is no true fouldier.
Vlyff. Euen in the King
There did appeare fuch high maiefticke fcorne
Of threatned mine, that I thinke himfelfe
Will put on Armes and meete vs in the field :
Wee linger time great Agamemnon, march,
That we may buckle with the pride of Troy.
Aga. Priam fo infolent, his fonnes fo braue
To intertaine fo great Embaffadours
With fuch vngentle vfage.
Achil. They haue a Knight cal'd Heclor, on whofc
valour
They build their proud defiance, if I meete him,
Now by the azurd Armes of that bright goddeffe
From whom I am defcended, with my fword
I'le loppe that limbe off, and inforce their pride
Fall at Achilles feete, Heclor and I
Muft not both fhine at once in warres bright Skie.
Aiax. When they both meete, the greater dimme
the leffe,
Great Generall, march, Aiax indures not words
So well as blowes, in a field glazd with fwords.
Enter to them in Armes, Priam, Heclor, Troilus, Paris,
-^Eneas, Antenor, Deiphobus, 6r>c.
Pri. Calchas a Traitour ?
Par. And amongft the Greekes ?
Heel. Bafe runagate wretch, when we their Tents
lurprife,
As Heclor Hues the traiterous Prophet dies.
s£ne. Let not remembrance of fo bafe a wretch
Make vs forget our fafety, th' Argitie Kings
Are landed, and this day rac't Tenedos :
And bid vs battaile on Scamander Plaines.
294 5DI* Iron Age.
Tro. Whom we wil giue a braue and proud
affront,
Shall we not brother Heclor ?
Heel. Troilus yes,
And beate a fire out of their Burgonets
Shall like an earthy Commet blaze towards Heauen
There grow a fixt ftarre in the Firmament
To emblaze our lafting glory : Harke their Drums,
Let our Drummes giue them parleance.
A par lie. Both Armies haue an enter-vietv.
Aga. Is there amongft your troopes a fellon
Prince
Cal'd by the name of Paris 1
Par. Is there amongft your troopes a Knight fo
bold
Dares meete that Paris fingle in the field,
And call him fellon %
Heel. Or infulting Greeke,
Is there one Telamon, dares fet his foote
To Paris (here bee ftands) and hand to hand
Maintaine the wrongs done to Hejione,
As Paris fhall the rape of Helena.
Aiax. Know here is one cal'd Aiax Telamon,
Behold him well, fonne to that Telamon :
Thou faine would'ft fee, and hee dares fet his foot
To Paris or thy felfe.
Heel. Thou durft not.
Aiax. Dare not 1
Heel. Or if thou durft, by this my warlike hand
T'le make thine head fall where thy foot (hould ftand
And yet I loue thee cuze, know thou haft parlie'd
With Troian Heclor.
Aiax. Wer't thou ten Heclors, yet with all thy
might
Thou canft not make my head fall to my feete,
By loue thou canft not cuze.
Achil. I much haue heard
The Iron Age. 295
Of fuch a Knight cal'd by the name of Heclor,
If thou bee'ft hee whofe fword hath conquerd King-
domes,
Pannonia, Illyria, and Samoihrace,
And to thy fathers Empire added them :
Achilles as a friend wils thee to fheath
Thy warlike fword, retire from Troycs defence,
And fpare thy precious life, I would not haue
A Knight fo fam'd meete an vntimely graue.
Heel. I meet thee in that honourable loue,
And for thine owne fake wifh thee fafe aboord.
For if thou ftayell thou fonne of Peleus,
I'd haue thee know thy fame is not thine owne,
But all ingroft for mee ; not all thy guard
Of warlike Mirmidons can wall it fafe
From mighty Heclor.
Dio. Shame you not great Lords
To talke fo long ouer your menacing fwords ?
All Greeks. Alarme then for Greece and Helena.
All Troians. As much for vs, for Troy and
Hecuba.
A great alarme and excurfcons, after which, enter
Hec~lor and Paris.
Heel. Oh brother Paris, thou haft this day lodg'd
Thy loue in Heclors foule, it did me good
To fee two Greeki/h Knights fall in their blood
Vnder thy manly arme.
Par. My blowes were touches
Vnto thefe ponderous ftroakes great Heclor gaue.
Oh that this generall quarrell might be ended
In equall oppofition, you and I
Againft the two moft valiant
Heel. I will try
The vertue of a challenge, in the face
Of all the Greekes I will oppofe my felfe
To fingle combate, hee that takes my gage
Shall feele the force of mighty Heclors rage.
296 The Iron Age.
A turtle. Both the Armies make ready to ioyne battaile,
but He&orJ?eps betwixt them holding vp his Lance.
Heel. Heare mee you warlike Greehes, you fee
thefe fields
Are all dyde purple with the reeking gore
Of men on both fides flaine, you fee my fword
Glaz'd in the fanguine moyfture of your friends.
I call the fonne of Saturne for a witneffe
To Heclor s words, I haue not met one Grecian
Was able to withftand mee, my ftrong fpirit
Would faine be equal'd ; Is there in your Troupes
A Knight, whofe breft includes fo much of valour
To meete with Heclor in a fingle warre %
By Ioue I thinke there is not : If there be %
To Him I make this proffer ; if the gods
Shall grant to him the honour of the day,
And I be flaine ; his bee mine honoured Armes,
To hang for an eternall Monument
Of his great valour, but my mangled body
Send backe to Troy, to a red funerall pile.
But if hee fall ? the armour which hee weares
I'le lodge as Trophies on Apolloes fhrine,
And yeeld his body to haue funerall rights.
And a faire Monument fo neere the Sea,
That Merchants flying in their fayle-wing'd fhips
Neere to the fhoare in after times may fay,
There lies the man Heclor of Troy did flay,
And there's my Gantler to make good my challenge.
Men. Will none take vp his gage ? fhall this proud
challenge
Bee intertain'd by none ? I know you all
Shame to deny, yet feare to vndertake it :
The caufe is mine, and mine fhall be the honour
To combat Heclor.
Aga. Menelaus pawfe,
Is not Achilles here, fterne Aiax here,
And Kingly Diomed% how will they fcorne,
That (land vpon the honour of their flrength,
The Iron Age. 297
Should you preuent them of this glorious combat.
Par. By Ioue I thinke they dare as well take vp
A poyfonous Serpent as great Heclors gage.
Aga. Yes Troian, fee'fl thou not JEacides
Dart emmulous lookes on Kingly Diomed,
Lead hee fhould ftoope to take his Gantlet vp.
And fee how Diomed eyes warlike Aiax,
Aiax, Vlyffes : euery one inflam'd
To anfwere Heclor.
Achil. Is there any here
Dares ftoope whilft great Achilles is in place ?
Aiax. I dare.
Dio. And fo dare I.
Achil. You are all too weake
To incounter with the mighty Heclors arme,
This combat foly doth belong to mee.
Aiax. Then wherefore do'fl not thou take vp the
Gantlet %
Achil. To fee if thou or any bolder Greeke
Dare be fo infolent to touch the fame,
And barre me of the honour of the combat.
Aiax. By all the gods I dare.
Achil. And all the diuells
I'le loppe his hands off that dares touch the gage.
Vlyff. Pray leaue this emulous fury : Agamemnon,
To end this difference, and prouide a Champion
To anfwere Heclors honourable challenge
Of nine the mod reputed valiant :
Let feuerall Lots be caft into an Helme,
Amongft them all one prife, he to whom Fortune
Shall giue the honour : let him ftraight be arm'd
To incounter mighty Heclor on this plaine.
Aga. It fhal be fo you valiant fonnes of Priam :
Conduct your warlike Champion to his Tent,
To breath a while, and put his armour on :
No fooner fhal the prife be drawne by any,
And our bold Champion arm'd, but a braue Herald
Shall giue you warning by the trumpets found,
298 The Iron Age.
Till when we will retire vnto our Tents.
As you vnto the Towne.
Par. Faint hearted Greekes,
Draw lots to anfwere fuch a noble challenge,
Had great Achilles cafl his Gauntlet downe
Amongft King Prt'ams fonnes, the weakefl of fifty
Would in the heate of flames, or mouth of Hel,
Anfwere the challenge of fo braue a King.
Heel. Greekes to your Tents, I to put armour on ;
Make haft, I long to know my Champion. Exeunt all.
Flourifh. Enter aboue vpon the wals, Priam, Hecuba,
Hellena, Polixena, Aftianax, Margareton,
with attendants.
Pri. Here from the wals of Troy, my reuerent
Queene,
And beautious Hellen, we will flay to fee
The warlicke combate 'twixt our valiant fonne,
And the Greekes champion. Young Ajlianax,
Pray that thy father may haue Victory.
AJla. Why fhould you doubt his fortune 1 whofe
ftrong arme
Vnhorft a thoufand Knights all in one day ;
And thinke you any one amongft the Greekes
Is able to incounter with his ftrength ?
Pri. But howfoeuer child, vnto the pleafure
Of the high gods, we muft referre the combate.
Enter Paris below.
Par. My royall father, Heclor in his armes
Sends for your bleffing, with the Queene my mother,
And craues your prayers to the all powerful gods,
To grant him victory.
Pri. Bleft may he be with honor, all my orifons
Shall inuocate the gods for his fucceffe.
Par. I aim oft had forgot, faire Hellena ;
The Iron Age. 299
Dart me one kiffe from thefe high battlements
To cheere him with : thanks queen, thefe lips are
charms
Which who fo fights for, is fecure from harmes.
Heralds on both fides : the two Champions Hector
and Aiax appeare betwixt the two Armies.
Agam. None preffe too neere the Champions.
Troi. Heralds on both fides, keep the fouldiers
back.
Heel. Now Greekes let me behold my Champion.
Aiax. Tis 1, thy coufen Aiax Telamon.
Hec. And Cuz, by loue thou haft a braue afpecl,
It cheeres my blood to looke on fuch a foe :
I would there ran none of our Troian blood
In all thy veines, or that it were diuided
From that which thou receiueft from Telamon :
Were I aflured our blood poffeft one fide,
And that the other ; by Olimpicke loue,
I'd thrill my Iauelin at the Grecian moyfture,
And fpare the Troian blood : Aiax I loue it
Too deare to fhed it, I could rather wifh
Achilles the halfe god of your huge army,
Had beene my oppofite.
Aia. Hee keepes his Tent
In mournful paffion that he mifl the combate :
But HecTor, I fhal giue thee caufe to fay,
There's in the Greekijh hoaft a Knight a Prince,
As Lyon hearted, and as Gyant ftrong
As Thetis fonne : behold my warlicke Target
Of pondrous braffe, quilted with feauen Oxe hides,
Impenetrable, and fo ful of weight,
That fcarce a Grecian (faue my felfe) can lift it :
Yet can I vfe it like a Summers fan,
Made of the ftately traine of Juno's bird :
My fword will bite the hardeft Adamant.
Tie with my Iauelin cleaue a rocke of Marble :
Therefore though great Achilles be not here,
300 The Iron Age.
Thinke not braue coufen Heclor but to finde,
Achilles equal both in flrength and minde.
Alarum, in this combate both hauing loft their fwords
and Shields. Heclor takes vp a great peece of a
Rocke, and calls at Aiax ; who teares a young
Tree vp by the rootes, and aflailes Heclor\zX
which they are parted by both armes.
Aga. Hold, you haue both fhed blood too deare
to loofe,
In fingle oppofition.
Par. Is your Champion,
My coufen Aiax willing to leaue combate ;
Will hee firft giue the word.
Aia. Sir Paris no,
'Twas Heclors challenge, and 'tis Heclors office,
If we furceafe on equal termes of valour,
To giue the word.
Hec. Then here's thy coufins hand,
By lone thou haft a lufty pondrous arme :
Thus till we meete againe, lets part both friends ;
For proofe whereof Aiax we'le interchange
Somewhat betwixt vs, for alliance fake :
Here take this fword and target, truft the blad,
It neuer deceiu'd his maifter.
Aia. Take of me
This purple ftudded belt, I won it coufen
From the moll valiant prince of Samothrace :
And weare it for my fake.
Enter an Herald,
He. Priam vnto the Greekijh General
This profer makes. Becaufe thefe blood-ftayn'd fields
Are ouer-fpread with (laughter, to take truce
Till all the dead on both fides be interr'd :
Which if you grant, he here inuites the Generall,
His nephew Aiax, and the great Achilles,
The Iron Age. 301
With twenty of your chiefe feledled Princes,
To banquet with him in his royal Pallace :
Thofe reuels ended, then to armes againe.
Aga. A truce for burying of the ilaughtred bodies
We yeeld vnto : but for our fafe returne
From Troy and you, what pledges haue you found ?
Hec. You fhal not need more then the faith of
Heclor
For Priams pledge, King Agamemnon take
My faith and honour, which if Priam breake,
He breake the heart of Troy.
Aga. We'le take your honor'd word, this night
we'le part,
To morrow morning when fit hower fhal call, 1
We'le meete King Priam neere his Citties wall. ]
Exeunt.
Explicit Adus fecundus.
Aclus Tertius Scoena prima.
Enter Therfites.
Ther. Braue time, rare change, from fighting now
to feafling :
So many heauy blades to flye in peeces
For fuch a peece of light flefh 1 what's the reafon ?
A Laffe of my complexion, and this feature
Might haue bin rapt, and ftolne agayne by Paris,
And none of all this ftirre for't : but I perceiue
Now all the World's turn'd wenchers, and in time
302 The Iron Age,
All wenches will turne witches : but thefe Trumpets
Proclaime their enter-view.
A fiourijh. Enter all the Greekes on one fide, all the
Troians on the other : Euery Troian Prince inter-
taines a Greeke, and fo march two and two, dif-
courfing, as being conducted by them into the Citty.
Ther. See here's the picture of a polliticke Hate,
They all imbrace and hugge, yet deadly hate :
They fay there are braue Laffes in this Troy.
What if Therfites fprucely fmug'd himfelfe,
And ftriu'd to hide his hutch-backe : No not I.
Tis held a rule, whom Nature markes in (how
And mod deformes, they are beft arm'd below.
I'le not conceale my vertues : yet mould I venter
To damme my felfe for painting, fanne my face
With a dyde Oftritch plume, plafter my wrinkles
With fome old Ladies Trowell, I might pafle
Perhaps for fome maide-marrian : and fome wench
Wanting good eye-fight, might perhaps miflake me
For a fpruce Courtier : Courtier ? tulh, I from
My firft difcretion haue abhor'd that name,
Still fuiting my conditions with my fhape,
And doe, and will, and can, when all elfe fayle :
Though neither footh nor fpeak wel : brauely rayle,
And that's Therfites humour.
Lowd Mujicke. A long table, and a banquet inflate,
they are feated, a Troian and Greeke, Hecuba,
Polixena, Crefida, and other Ladies waite, Calchas
is prefent whifpering to his Daughter Crefida.
Pria. After fo much hoflility in fteele,
All welcome to this peacefull intertaine.
Aga. Priam wee know thee to be honourable,
Although our foe Treafon is to be fear'd
In Pefants not in Princes. They fit.
The Iron Age. 303
Hee. Ey fo, now fit, a Troian and a Greeke.
Coufin Aiax neere mee, you are next in bloud,
And neere mee you (hall fit : the flrayne of honour
That makes you fo renown'd, fprong from Hefione.
Tis part of Heclors bloud, your groffer fpirits
Leffe noble are your father Telamons.
Welcome to Troy, and Heclor, welcome all :
Aiax. In Troy thy kinfman, but in field thy foe :
Thy welcome Coufin here I pay with thanks,
The truice expir'd, with buffets, blowes and knocks.
Heft. For that wee loue thee Cuze.
Achil. Me thinks this Troian Heclor
Out-fhines Achilles and his polifht honours
Ecclipfeth our bright glory, till hee fet
Wee cannot rife.
Par. King Menelaus, we were once your gueft,
You now are ours, as welcome vnto Troy,
As we to Sparta.
Men. But that thefe our tongues
Should be as well truce bound as our fharpe weapons,
We could be bitter Paris : but haue done.
Vlyff. Menelaus is difcreet, fuch haynous wrongs
Should be difcours'd by Armes and not by tongues.
Dio. Why doth Achilles eye wander that way ?
Achil. Is that a Troian Lady ?
Troi. Shee is.
Achil. From whence ?
Pru Of vs.
Achil. Her name 1
Pri. Polyxena.
Achil. Polixena 1 fhe hath melted vs within,
And hath diffolu'd a fpirit of Adamant.
Shee hath done more then Heclor and all Troy,
Shee hath fubdu'de Achilles.
Cal. In one word this Troy fhall be fackt and
fpoil'd,
For fo the gods haue told mee, Greece fhall conquer,
And they be ruin'd, leaue then imminent perill,
And flye to fafety.
304 The Iron Age.
Cref. From Troilus ?
Cal. From deftruclion, take Diomed and liue,
Or Troilus and thy death.
Cref. Then Troilus and my mine.
Cal. Is Crefid mad 1
Wilt thou forfake thy father, who for thee
And for thy fafety hath forfooke his Countrey ?
Cref. Muft then this City perifh?
Cal. Troy muft fall.
Cref. Alas for Troy and Troilus.
Cal. Loue King Diomed
A Prince and valiant, which made Emphafis
To his Imperiall ftile, liue Diomeds Queene,
Be briefe, fay quickly wilt thou 1 is it done ?
Cref Diomed and you i'le follow, Troilus fhun.
Trot. Bee't Aiax, or Achilles, that Greeke lyes
Who fpeakes it, i'le maintaine it on his perfon.
Aiax. Ha Aiax !
Achil. Achilles !
Dio. We fpeake it, and dares Troilus fay we lie ?
Troi. And weare it Diomed.
Dio. Dar'fl thou make't good ?
Troi. On Diomed, or the boldeil Greeke
That euer manac'd Troy excepting none.
All Greekes. None ?
^4// Troians. None.
Hec. Excepting none.
Aga. Kings of Greece.
Pri. Princes of Troy.
Achil. Achilles bafled %
Aiax. And great Aiax brau'd ?
Heel. If great Achilles, Aiax, or the Diuel
Braue Troilus, hee fhall braue and buffet thee.
Pri. Sonnes.
Aga. Fellow Kings.
Pri. As wee are Priam and your father.
Aga. As wee are Agamemnon Generall
Turne not this banquet to a Centaurs feaft,
If their be flrife debate it in faire termes,
The Iron Age. 305
Show your felues gouern'd Princes.
Achil. Wee are appeas'd.
Aiax. Wee fatisfied, if Heftor be fo.
Aga. How grew this flrife ?
Heft. I know not, onely this I know.
Troilus will maintaine nothing againfl his honour,
And fo farre, be it through the heart of Greece,
Heftor will backe him.
Pc : So will Paris too.
Pti. Mildly difcourfe your wrongs, faire Princes
doe.
Trot. King Diomed maintaines his valour thus,
He faith it was his Launce difmounted Troilus,
And not the Humbling on the breathleffe courfe
Of one new flaine that feld mee.
Par. 'Tis falfe.
Men. 'Tis true.
Par. It was my fortune to make good that field,
And hee fell iuft before mee, Diomed then
Was not within fixe fpeares length of the place.
Men. How Troian rauifher ?
Par. Call mee not Cuckold maker. They all rife.
I care not what you terme me.
Men. I cannot brooke this wrong.
Par. Say'fl thou mee fo madde Greekel
Pri. Paris.
Aga. Gouerne you Kingdomes Lords, and cannot
fway
Your owne affection ?
Pri. Paris, forbeare.
Mildly difcourfe, and gently wee fhall heare.
Par. I fay King Diomed vnhorfl not Iroilus.
Dio. How came I by his horfe then ?
Par. As the vnbackt courier hauing loft his rider,
Gallopt about the field you met with him,
And catch'd him by the raine.
Troi. Here was a goodly adl
To boafl on, and fend word to Crefida.
» x
306 The Iron Age.
Dio. Was no Prince neare when I encountred
Troilus %
Men. I was, and faw the fpeare of Diotned
Tumble downe Troylus but perufe his armour,
The dint's ftill in the vainbrace.
Aga. Bee't fo, or not fo, at this time forbeare
To vrge extreames. Kings let this health go round,
Pledge me King Priam in a cupful crown'd.
Hec. Now after banquet, reuels : Muficke ftrike
A pirhicke flraine, we are not all for warre,
Souldiers their ftormy fpirits can appeafe,
And fometimes play the Courtiers when they pleafe.
A lofty dance of fixteene Princes, halfe Troians
halfe Grecians.
Pri. I haue obferu'd Achilles, and his eye
Dwels on the face of fair Polixena.
Aia. Why is not Hellen here at this high feafl ?
I haue fweat many a drop of blood for her,
Yet neuer faw her face.
Achi. I could loue Heclor, what's our caufe of
quarrel ?
For Hellens rape ? that rape hath colt already
Thoufands of foules, why might not this contention
'Twixt Paris and the Spartan King be ended,
And we leaue Troy with honour.
Aia. Achilles how 1
Achi. Fetch Hellen hether, fet her in the midft
Of this braue ring of Princes, Paris here,
And Menelaus heere : fhe betwixt both :
They court her ore againe, whom fhe elects
Before thefe Kings, let him inioy her ftill,
For who would keepe a woman gainft her wil 1
Men. The names of wife and husband, th' inter-
change
Of our two bloods in young Hermione,
To whom we are ioynt parents, Hellens honor
The Iron Age. 307
All pleade on my part, I am pleafde to (land
To great Achilles motion.
Par. So are we.
All that I haue for comfort is but this,
That in the day I mow the properer man,
Ith' night I pleafe her better then hee can.
Hec. Are all the Greecian Kings agreed to this 1
All. We j> re, we are.
Hec. Place the two reuall then, each bide his fate,
And vfher in bright Hellen in all Mate.
The Kings promifcuoufly take their places, Paris and
Menelaus arefeated oppqfite, Hellen is brought in
betwixt them by Hecuba and tlie Ladies.
Hel. Oh that I were (but Hellen) any thing ;
Or might haue any obiecl. in my eye
Saue Menelaus : when on him I gaze,
My errour chides mee, I my ftiame emblaze.
Mene. Oh Hellen, in thy cheeke thy guilt appeares,
More I would fpeake, but words are drown'd in
teares.
Aia. A gallant Queene, for fuch a royall friend
What mortall man would not with Ioue contend ?
Mene. Hellen the time was I might call thee wife,
But that Mile's changed ; I thou thy felf art chang'd
From what thou waft. : and (mod inconftant Dame) 1
Haft nothing left thee, faue thy face and name.
Pa. And I both thefe haue : haft thou not confeft
Faire Hellen, thy exchange was for the bed.
Mene. What can our Sparta value ?
Pa. Troy.
Mene. You erre.
Pa. Who breathes that Sparta would 'fore Troy
prefer.
Mene. Thou haft left thy father Tcndarus.
Pa. To gayne
King Priam, Lord of all this princely trayne.
x 2
308 The Iron Age.
Mene. Thy mother Lczda thou haft left who
mournes,
And with her piteous teares laments thy loffe :
Cannot this mooue thee 1
Hel. Oh I haue left my mother.
Pa. No Hellen, but exchang'd her for another :
Poore Lceda, for rich Hecuba, a bare Queene
For the great Afian Empreffe.
Men. From Castor and from Pollux thou haft
rang'd
Thy naturall brothers.
Hel. True, true.
Par. No, but chang'd,
For Heclor, Troilus, and the royall ftore
Of eight and forty valiant brothers more.
Men. If nothing elfe can moue thee Hellena,
Thinke of our daughter young Hermione.
Hel. My deare Hermione.
Men. Canft thou call her deare,
And leaue that iffue which thy wombe did beare ?
Shee's ours betwixt vs, canft thou ?
Par. Can fhee 1 knowing,
A fweeter babe within her fweete wombe growing
Begot laft night by Paris.
Men. Looke this way Hellen, fee my armes fpread
wide,
I am thine husband, thou my Spartan bride.
Hel. That way?
Par. My Hellen, this way turne thy fight,
Thefe are the armes in which thou layeft laft night.
Hel. Oh how this Prolan tempts mee !
Men. This way wife,
Thou fhalt faue many a Greeke and Prolans life.
Hel. 'Tis true, I know it.
■ Par. This way turne thine head,
This is the path that leades vnto our bed.
Hel. And 'tis a fweete fmooth path.
Men. Heere.
Par. Heere.
The Iron Age. 309
Men. Take this way Hellen, this is plaine & euen.
Par. That is the way to hell, but this to Heauen :
Bright Comet (hine this way.
Men. Cleare flarre (hoot this,
Here honour dwels.
Par. Here many a thoufand kiffe.
Hel. That way I mould, becaufe I know 'tis
meeter.
Men. Welcome.
Hel. But I'le this way for Paris kifles fweeter.
Par. And may I dye an Eunuch if ere morne
I quit thee not
Men. I cannot brooke this fcorne,
Grecians to Armes.
Heel. Then Greece from Troy deuide,
This difference armes, not language mufl decide.
All Greekes. Come to our Tents.
All Troians. And wee to man the towne.
Heel. Thefe Tents mall fwimme in bloud.
Greekes. Blood Troy mail drown e.
Exeunt diuers wayes.
Achil. Yet (hall no flroke fall from Achilles arme,
Faire Polixena, fo powerfull is thy charme.
Alarme. Enter Troilus and Diomed.
Troi. King Diomed !
Dio. My riuall in the loue of Crefida.
Troi. Falfe Crefida, iniurious Diomed.
Now (hall I prooue in hoflile enter-change
Of warlike blowes that thou art all vnworthy
The loue of Crefid.
Dio. Why cam'fl thou not on Horfe-backe,
That Diomed once againe difmounting thee
Might greete his Lady with another courfe
Wonne from the hand of Troilus.
Troi. Diomed,
By the true loue I beare that trothleffe Dame
I'le winne from thee, and fend thy Horfe and Armour
3io The Iron Age.
Vnto the Tent of Crefid guard thy head,
This day by mee thou (halt be captiue led.
Alarme. They fight and are parted by the army,
Diomed loqfeth his Helmet.
Trot. Another Horfe for Diomed to flye,
Hee had neuer greater neede then now to runne,
Though hee be fled yet Troilus this is thine,
My Steede hee got by Height, I this by force.
I'le fend her this to whom hee fent my horfe.
Enter yEneas and Achilles reading a Letter.
Achil. Is this the anfwere of the note I fent
To royall Priam and Queene Hecuba,
Touching their daughter bright Polixema ?
sEne. Behold Queene Hecubaes hand, King Priams
feale,
With the confent of faire Polixena,
Condition'd thus, Achilles fhall forbare
To dammage Troy.
Achi. Returne this anfwere backe,
Tell Priam that Achilles Arme's benumb'd,
And cannot lift a weapon againft Troy.
Say to Queene Hecuba wee are her fonne,
And not Achilles, nor one Mirmidon
Shall giue her lead affront, as for the Lady
Bid her prefume, we henceforth are her Knight,
And but for her Achilles fcornes to fight.
ALne. Then thus faith Priam, but reftraine thy
powers,
And as hee is a King, his daughter's yours.
Achi. Farewell. Exit.
Alarme. Enter Aiax.
Aiax. Achilles, where's Achilles, what vnarm'd
When all the Champaigne where our battailes ioyne,
Tke Iron Age. 3 1 1
Is made a (landing poole of Greekijh blood,
Where horfes plung'd vp to the faddle skirts,
And men aboue the wafte wade for their hues,
And canfl thou keepe thy Tent ?
Achi. My Lute Patroclus.
A great Alarme. Enter Agamemnon.
Aga. Let Greekes, let Greekes, let's b#nd vnnatu-
rall armes
Againft our owne brefls, ere the conquering Troians
Haue all the honour of this glorious day.
Can our great Champion touch a womanifh Lute,
And heare the grones of twenty thoufand foules
Gafping their lafl breath ?
Achi. I can.
Alarume. Enter Menelaus.
Refcue, forae refcue, the red field is ftrowdl
With Heflors honours and young Troilus fpoyles.
Achi. Yet all this mooues not me.
Alarum. Enter Vlyffes.
Vlyff. How long hath great Achilles bin furnam'd,
Coward in Troy, that Heclor, Troilus, Paris,
Haue all that name fo currant in their mouthes ?
I euer held him valiant, yet will Achilles fight ?,
Achi. Vlyffes, no,
Eeneath this globe Achilles hath no foe.
Vly/f. Then here vnarm'd be flaine, think'fl thou
they'l fpare
Thee more then vs ?
Aiax. Or if thou wilt not arme thee,
Let thy Patroclus lead thy Mirmidons,
And weare thy Armour.
VlyJ. Thy Armour is fufficient
Without thy prefence being fear'd in Troy.
3 1 2 The Iron Age.
Achi. To faue our oath and keepe our Tents from
facke,
Patroclus don our Armes, lead forth our guard,
And wearing them by no Prince be out-dar'd.
Patro. Achilles honours me, what heart can feare,
And great Achilles fword proofe Armour weare ?
Exeunt all the Princes, enter Therfites.
Ther. Where's this great fword and buckler man of
Greece ?
Wee fhall haue him one of fneakes noife,
And come peaking into the Tents of the Greeks,
With will you haue any muficke Gentlemen.
Achi. Bafe groome, I'l teare thy flefh like falling
Snow.
Ther. If I had Heclors face thou durft not doo't.
Achi. Durft not ?
Ther. Durft not, hee's in the field, thou in thy
Tent,
Heclor playing vpon the Greekifh burgonets,
Achilles fingring his effeminate Lute.
And now becaufe thou durft not meete him in the
field, thou haft counterfeited an honour of loue.
Achilles % Thou the Champion of Greece, a meere bug-
beare, a fcar : crow, a Hobby-horfe.
Achi. Vliffes taught thee this, deformed flaue.
Ther. Coward thou durft not do this to Heclor.
Achi. On thee He pradlife, til I meete with him.
The. Aiax is valiant, and in the throng of the
Troians,
Achilles is turn'd Fidler in the Tents of the Grecians.
Alarum. Enter Diomed wounded, bringing in
Patroclus dying.
Dio. Looke here Achilles.
Achi. Patroclus 1
The Iron Age. 3 1 3
Pat. This wound great Heclor gaue :
Reuenge my death, before I meete my graue.
Enter Vlifles and Aiax wounded.
Vlif. Yet will Achilles fight ? fee Aiax wounded,
Two hundred of thy warlike Mirmedons
Thou haft loft this day.
Aia. Let's beate him to the field.
Achi. Ha %
Aia. Had I loft a Patroclus, a deere friend
As thou haft done, I would haue dond thefe armes
In which he dyed, fprung through the Troian hoaft,
And mauger oppofition, let the blow
Or by the fame hand dy'd : come ioyne with me,
And we without this piclure, ftatue of Greece,
This fhaddow of Achilles, will once more
Inuade the Troian hoaft.
Achi. Aiax 1
Aia. Achilles ?
Achi. Wee owe thee for this fcorne.
Aia. I lcorne that debt :
Thou haft not fought with Heclor.
Achi. My honor and my oath both combate in
mee :
But loue fwayes moft
Alarum. Enter Menelaus and Agamemnon.
Men. Our fhips are fiVd, fiue hundred gallant
veflels
Burnt in the Sea, halfe of our Fleete deftroy'd,
Without fome prefent refcue.
Achi. Ha, ha, ha.
Aga. Doth no man aske where is this double
fire,
That two wayes flyes towards heauen ?
Vpon the right our royall Nauy burnes,
Vpon the left Achilles Tents on fire.
3 14 The Iron Age.
Achi. Our Tent %
Aga. By Ioue thy Tent, and all thy Mirmedons,
Haue not the power to quench it : yet great Heclor
Hath fhed more blood this day, then would haue
feru'd
To quench, both Fleete and Tent.
Achi. My fsvord and armour :
Polixena, thy loue we will lay by,
Till by this hand, that Troian Heclor dye.
Aia. I knew he mull be fired out. Exit.
Alarum. Enter Heclor, Paris, Troilus, ^Eneas,
with burning staues and fire-bals.
A I the Troians. Strike, flab, wound, kill, toffe fire-
brands, and make way,
Heclor of Troy, and a victorious day.
Hec. Well fought braue brothers.
Enter Aiax.
Pa. What's hee ?
Troi. Tis Aiax, downe with him.
Hec. No man prefume to dart a feather at him
Whilfl we haue odds : coufen if thou feekefl com-
bate?
See we Hand fingle, not one Troian here,
Shall lay a violent hand vpon thy life,
Saue wee our felfe.
Aia. Coufen th'art honorable,
I now mud both intreate and coniure thee,
For my old Vncle Priams fake, his filler
Hefione my mother, and thine Aunt :
This day leaue thine aduantage, fpare our Fleete,
And let vs quench our Tents, onely this day
Stay thy Victorious hand, tis Aiax pleades,
Who but, of Ioue hath neuer begg'd before,
And faue of Ioue, will not intreate againe.
Al Troians. Bume, flill more fire.
The Iron Age. 315
Heft. I'le quench it with his blood
That addes one fparke vnto this kindled flame :
My coufin fhall not for Heftones fake
Be ought denide of Heclor, fhe's our Aunt :
Thou, then this day haft fau'd the Grecian Fleete :
Let's found retreat, whofe charge made al Greece
quake,
We fpare whole thoufands for one Aiax fake.
A Retreate founded. Exeunt the Troians.
Aia. Worthieft a liue thou haft, Greece was this
day
At her laft caft, had they purfude aduantage :
But I deuine, hereafter from this hower,
We neuer more fhal fhrinke beneath their power.
Exit.
Explicit Aclus tertius.
Attus Quartus Sccsna prima.
Enter Hector, Troilus, Paris, ^Eneas, Hectors
armour bearer, with otfiers.
Hec. My armour, and my trufty Galatee,
The proudeft fteed that euer rider backt,
Or with his hoofes beate thunder from the earth.
The Sunne begins to mount the Eafterne hill,
And wee not yet in field : Lords yefterday
Wee dipt a braue aduantage, elfe thefe fhips
That floate now in the Sanothracia.i road,
And with their wauing pendants menace Troy
Had with their flames reflecting from the Sea,
Gilt thofe high towers, which now they proudly
braue.
3 1 6 The Iron Age.
Troi. On then ; Achilles is vnconquered yet,
Great Agamemnon and the Spartan King,
Aiax the bigge-bond Duke of Salamine,
With him that with his Lance made Venus bleed,
The bold, (but euer rafh) King Dtomed,
To lead thefe captiue through the Scamander Plaines,
That were a taske worth Heclor.
Par. Why not vs ?
Yet moft becomming him, come then Apneas,
Let each Picke one of thefe braue Champions out
And fmgle him a captiue.
/Ene. 'Twere an enterprise
That would deferue a lafting Chronicle :
Lead on renowned Heclor.
Heel. Vnnimble flaue,
Difpatch, make haft, I would be firft in field,
And now I mult be cal'd on.
Enter Andromache and young Aflianax.
Andro. Oh flay deare Lord, my royall husband
ftay,
Caft by thy fhield, fellow vncafe his armes,
Knock off the riuets, lay that baldricke by,
But this one day reft with Andromache.
Hec. What meaneft thou woman ?
Andro. To faue my honoured Lord
From a fad fate, for if this ominous day,
This day difaftrous, thou appear'ft in field
1 neuer more (hall fee thee.
Hec. Fond Andromache.
Giue me fome reafon for't.
Andro. A fearefull dreame,
This night me thought I faw thee 'mongft the Greekes
Round girt with fquadrons of thine enemies,
All which their Iauelins thrild againft thy breft,
And ftucke them in thy bofome.
Hec. So many Squadrons,
And all their darts quiuerd in Heclors breft,
T/ie Iron Age. 3 1 7
Some glanc't vpon mine armour, did they not %
Par. Did none of thefe darts rebound from
Heclor
And hit thee lifter, for (my Lafle) I know,
Thou haft been oft hit by thine Heclor fo.
Andro. Oh doe not iefl my husband to his death,
I wak t and flept, and flept and wak't againe :
But both my {lumbers and my founde fleepes
Met in this one maine truth, if thou this day
Affront their Army or oppofe their fleete,
After this day we ne're more fhall meete.
Heft. Trufl not deceptious vifions, dreames are
fables,
Adulterate Sceanes of Anticke forgeries
Playd vpon idle braines, come Lords to horfe
To keepe me from the field, dreames haue no force.
Andro. Troilus, Apneas, Paris, young AJlianax,
Hang on thy frthers armour, flay his fpeed.
Asti. Father, fweete father do not fight to day.
Heft. Helpe to take off thefe burrs, they trouble
mse.
Andro. Hold, hold thy father, if thou canfl not
kneele,
Yet with uiy teares intreate hir~ flay at home.
AJli. I'l hang vpon you, you fhall beate me father
Before I le'; you goe.
Heel. How boy ? I'le whippe you if you ftirre a
foot,
Go get you to your mother.
Pa. Come to horfe.
Enter Priam, Hecuba, Hellen, 6rc.
Pri. Heclor, I charge thee by thine honour flay,
Go not this day to battaile.
Heel. By all the gods
Andromache, thou dofl abate my loue
To winne mee from my glory.
hec. From thy death.
3 1 8 The Iron Age.
Troilus, perfwade thy brother, daughter Hellen,
Speake to thy Paris to intreate him too.
Hel. Paris fweete husband.
Pa. Leaue your cunning Hellen.
My brother mail to the field.
Hel. But by this kiffe thou fhalt not.
Pa. Now haue not I the heart to fay her nay :
This kiffe hath ouercome mee.
Andro. My deareft loue,
Pitty your wife, your fonne, your father, all
Thefe Hue beneath the fafeguard of that arme ;
Pitty in vs whole Troy all ready doom'd
To finke beneath your mine.
Pri. If thou fall,
Who then fhall ftand 1 Troy fhall confume with fire
(That yet remaines in thee) wee perifh all,
Or which is worfe, led captiue into Greece :
Therefore deare Heclor, caft thy armour off.
Andro. Husband.
Hecu. Sonne.
Hel. Brother.
Heel. By loue I am refolu'd.
Andro. Oh all yee gods !
Heel. Not all the diuells
Could halfe torment me like thefe women tongues.
Pa. At my entreaty, and for Hellens loue,
Leaue vs to beare the fortunes of this day ;
Heres Troilus and my felfe will make them fweare ;
Ere the fight end there are two Heclors here.
Alne. Befides ALneus, and Deiphobus
Young Margareton, and a thoufand more
Sworne to fet fire on all their Tents this day ;
Then Heclor for una once refolue to flay.
Heel. To horfe then Paris, do not linger time.
Pa. To horfe, come brother Troilus.
Heel. Watch Margarelon, if the youthfull Prince
Venter beyond his ftrength, let him haue refcue.
Troi. Hee fhall be all our charge.
Pri. Heclor let's mount vpon the walls of Troy,
The Iron Age. 319
And thence furueigh the battaile.
Heft. Well bee't fo.
But if one Troian fhall for fuccour cry,
I'le leaue the walls and to his refcue flye. Exit.
Enter Troilus and Diomed after an alarum.
Troi. King Diomed.
Dio. Crefids firft loue.
Troi. Yes Diomed and her laft,
I'le liue to loue her when thy life is paft.
Enter Menelaus both vpon Troilus.
Men. Hold Troian, for no Greeke mufl be dif-
arra'd.
Enter Paris.
Pa. Vnmanly odds, King Menelaus turne
Thy face this way, 'tis Troian Paris calls.
Men. Of all that breath, I loue that Paris tongue
When it fhall call to Armes : now one fhal downe.
Alarum. Menelaus falls.
Par. Thou keep'fl thy word, for thou art downe
indeed.
Yet by the fword of Paris fhalt not dye.
I flew thy fame when I firfl ftole thy Queene,
And therefore Spartan will now fpare thy life :
Achilles, Diomed, Aiax, one of three
Were noble prife, thou art no fpoyle for mee.
Alarum. Enter aboue Priam, Hec"lor, Aftianax, He-
cuba, Hellen, &*c. Below Achilles and Mar-
gareton.
Achil. If thou bee'fl noble by thy blood and
valour,
Tell mee if Heclor bee in field this day.
320 The Iron Age.
Marg. Thy coniuration hath a double fpell,
Heftor is not in field, but here I ftand
Thy warlike oppofite.
Achi. Thou art young and weake, retire and fpare
thy life.
Mar. I'm heftors brother, none of Heftors blood
Did euer yet retreite.
Achi. If Heftors friend,
Here muft thy life and glory both haue end.
Achilles kils him.
Heft. Oh father, fee where Margareton lyes
Your fonne, my brother by Achilles flaine.
Pri. Thy brother Troylus will reuenge his death :
But Heftor (hall not mooue.
Hec. Troylus nor all the Troians in the field
Can make their fwords bite on Achilles fhield :
'Tis none but Heftor muft reuenge his death.
P. But not this day.
Heft. Before the Sunne decline,
That terrour of the earth I'le make deuine.
Exit from the wals.
Alarum. Enter Hector beating before him Achilles
Mermidons.
Heft. Thus flyes the duft before the Northern
winds,
And turnes to Attoms dancing in the ayre,
So from the force of our victorious arme,
Flye armed fquadrons of the boldeft Greekes,
And mated at the terrour of our name,
So cleare the field before me, no mans fauour'd :
The blood of three braue Princes in my rage,
I haue facrific'd to Margaritons foule.
Aiax Oilceus, Aiax Telamon,
Merionus, Menelaus, Idomea,
Arch-dukes and Kings haue fhrunke beneath this
arme,
Befides a thoufand Knights haue falne this day
The Iron Age. 32 1
Beneath the fury of my pondrous blowes :
And not the lead of my victorious fpoyles,
Quiuer'd my Iauelin through the brawny thigh
Of flrong Achilles, and I feeke him dill,
Once more to tug with him : my fword and breath
Aflifl me dill, till one drop downe in death.
Enter Achilles with his guard of Mermidons.
Achi. Come cad your felues into a ring of terrour,
About this warlike Prince, by whom I bleede.
Hec. What meanes the glory of the Grecian hoad
Thus to befiege me with his Mermidons %
And keepe aloofe himfelfe.
Achil. That fhall my Launce
In bloody letters text vpon thy bread,
For young Patroclus death, for my difhonours,
For thoufand fpoyles, and for that infinite wracke
Our Army hath indur'd onely by thee,
Thy life mud yeeld me fatisfaction.
Hec. My life 1 and welcome, by Apolloes fire
I neuer ventred blood with more content,
Then againd thee Achilles, come prepare.
Achil. For eminent death, you of my warlike
guard,
My Mermidons, for flaughters mod renown'd,
Now fworne to my defignements, your deele polaxes,
Fixe all at once, and girt him round with wounds.
Hec. Difhonourable Greeke, Heclor nere dealt
On bafe aduantage, or euer lift his fword
Ouer a quaking foe, but as a fpoyle
Vnworthy vs, dill left him to his feare :
Nor on the man, whom fingly I drake downe,
Haue I redoubled blowes, my valour dill
Oppofde againd a danding enemy.
Thee haue I twice vnhorft, and when I might
Haue flaine thee groueling, led thee to the field,
Thine armour and thy fhield impenetrable,
Wrought by the god of Lemnos in his forge
322 The Iron Age.
By arte diuine, with the whole world ingrauen,
I haue through pierc't, and flill it weares my skarres :
Forget not how lafl day, euen in thy tent
I feafled my good fword, and might haue flung
My bals of wild-fire round about your Fleete,
To haue fent vp your Greekifh pride in flames,
Which would haue fixt a ftarre in that high Orbe,
To memorize to all fucceeding times
Our glories and your fhames, yet this I fparM,
And ihall I now be flayne by treachery ?
Achi. Tell him your anfwer on your weapons
points,
Vpon him my braue fouldiers.
Hec. Come you flaues,
Before I fall, He make fome food for graues,
That gape to fwallow cowards : ceaze you dogges
Vpon a Lyon with your armed phangs,
And bate me brauely, where I touch I kill,
And where I faften teare body from foule,
And foule from hope of reft : all Greece fhall know,
Blood muft run waft in Heclors ouerthrow.
Alarum. Hector fals flayne by the Mermidons,
then Achilles wounds him with his Launce.
Achi. Farwell the nobleft fpirit that ere breath'd
In any terrene manfion : Take vp his body
And beare it to my Tent : He ftraight to horfe,
And at his fetlockes to my greater glory,
He dragge his mangled trunke that Grecians all,
May deafe the world with fhouts, at Heclors fall.
Enter Priam, ^Eneas, Troilus, Paris.
Pri. Blacke fate, blacke day, be neuer Kallendred
Hereafter in the number of the yeare,
The Planets ceafe to worke, the Spheares to mooue,
The Sunne in his meridian courfe to fhine,
Perpetuall darkneffe ouerwhelme the day,
In which is falne the pride of Afia.
The Iron Age. 323
Trot. Rot may that hand,
And euery ioynt drop peece-meale from his arme,
That tooke fuch bafe aduantage on a worthy,
Who all aduantage fcorn'd.
Pa. Yet though his life they haue bafely tane
away,
His body we haue refcued mauger Greece.
And Paris, I the meaned of Priams fonnes,
Haue made as many Mermidons weepe blood,
As had lead finger in the Worthies fall.
Pri. What but his death could thus haue arm'd my
hand,
Or drawne decreeped Priam to the field :
That darre is (hot, his lufler quite ecclips'd :
And fhall we now, furrender Hellena %
Pa. Not till Achilles lye as dead as Heclor,
And Aiax by Achilles, not whilfl Iflium
Hath one Hone rear'd vpon anothers backe
To ouer-looke thefe wals, or thofe high wals
To ouer-peere the plaine.
Troi. Contrary Elements,
The warring meteors : Hell and Elizium
Are not fo much oppof'd, as Troy and Greece,
For Heclor, Heclors death.
Par. A mod fad Funerall
Will his in Troy be, where (hall fcarfe an eye
Of twice two hundred thoufand be found drye :
Thefe obets once pad o're, which we defire,
Thofe eyes that now (hed water, (hall fpeake fire.
Aine. Now found retreate.
Pri. Wee backe to Troy returne,
Where euery foule in funeral black (hall mourne. Exit.
Par. Heclor is dead, and yet my brother Troilus
A fecond terrour to the Greekes dill Hues.
In him there's hope fince all his Mermidons
Hauing felt his fury, flye euen at his name.
But mud the proud Achilles dill infult
And tryumph in the glory of bafe deedes ?
No, Heclor hee dedroy'd by treachery,
v 2
324 The Iron Age.
And hee mufl dye by craft. But Priams temper
Will nere bee brought to any bafe reuenge :
A woman is mofl fubiecl vnto fpleene,
And I will vfe the braine of Hecuba :
This bloody fonne of Thetis doth ftill doate
Vpon the beauty of Polixena ;
And that's the bafe we now mufl build vpon.
My mother hath by fecret letters wrought him
Once more to abandon both the field and armes :
The plot is caft, which if it well fucceede,
He that's of blood infatiate, muft next bleed. Exit.
Achilles difcouered in his Tent, about him his bleeding
Mermidons, himfelfe wounded, and with him
Vliffes.
Vlif. Why will not great Achilles don his Armes,
And rowfe his bleeding Mirmidons 1 fhall Troilus
March backe to Troy with armour, fword, and lance,
All dyde in Grecian blood ? fhall aged Priam
Boaft in faire Iflium that the fonne of Thetis,
Whofe warlike fpeare pierc't mighty Heclors brefl,
Lies like a coward flumbring in his Tent,
Becaufe hee feares young Troilus.
Achi. Pardon mee,
Vliffes, here's a Briefe from Hecuba,
Wherein fhee vowes, if I but kill one Troian,
I neuer fhall inioy Polixena.
Vlif. But thinks Achilles, if the Greekes be flaine,
And forc't perforce to march away from Iroy,
That hee fhall then inioy Polixena 1
No, 'tis King Priams fubtilty, whilft thou
Sleep'ft in thy Tent, Troilus through all our Troups
Makes Lanes of flaughtered bodies, and will tofle
His Balls of wild-fire as great Heclor did
O're all our nauall forces : But did this Prince
Lye breathleffe bleeding at Achilles feet,
Difpairing Priam would to make his peace
Make humbly tender of Polixena,
The Iron Age. 325
And be much proud to call Achilles fonne ?
Achi. Were Troilus flaine ?
Vlif. Who elfe deales wounds fo thicke and fad as
hee,
They call him Heclors ghofl, he glides fo quicke
Through our Battalions : If hee beate vs hence,
And wee bee then compel'd to fue to them 1
It will be anfwer'd, that great Heclors deathf-man
Shall neuer wedd his filler : Heclors fonne
Will neuer kneele to him, by whofe ftrong hand
His father fell ; but were young Troilus flaine,
And Priams fonnes fent wounded from the field,
Troy then would ftoope, and fend Polixena
Euen to Achilles Tent.
Achi. My fword and armour,
Arife my bleeding miniflers of death,
I'le feaft you with an Ocean of blood-royall :
Vlyffes, ere this Sunne fall from the skies,
By this right hand the warlike Troilus dyes.
Alarum. Enter Troilus and Therfites.
Ther. Hold if thou bee' ft a man.
Troi. Stand if thou bee'ft a fouldier, do not
fhrinke.
Ther. Art not thou Troilus, yong and lufly
Troilus.
Troi. I am, what then 1
Ther. And 1 Therjites, lame and impotent,
What honour canft thou get by killing mee ?
I cannot fight.
Troi. What mak'ft thou in the field then 1
Ther. I came to laugh at mad-men, thou art one ;
The Troians are all mad, fo are the Greeks,
To kill fo many thoufands for one drabbe,
For Hellen : a light thing, doe thou turne wife
And kill no more ; I fince thefe warres began
Shed not one drop of blood.
Troi. But proud Achilles
326 The Iron A%e.
Slew my bold brother, and you Grecians all
Shall perifti for the noble Heclors fall.
Ther. Hold, the Pox take thee hold, whilft I haue
breath,
I am bound to curfe thy fingers.
Enter Achilles with his Mirmidons, after Troilus hath
beaten Therfites.
Achil. I might haue flaine young Troilus when his
fword
Late fparkled fire out of the Spartans helme,
But that had flild my fame, but I will trace him
Through the whole Army, when I meete the Troian
Breathleffe and faint : I'le thunder on his crefl
Some valour, but aduantage likes mee belt.
Enter Troilus.
Troi. Let Cowards fight with Cowards, and both
feare,
The bafe Therfites is no match for mee,
Oppofe mee to the proudeft hee in field,
Moil eminent in Armes, and befl approu'd,
To make the thirfly after blood to bleed,
And that's the proud Achilles.
Achi. Who names vs %
Troi. Fate, thou hail now before me fet the man
Whom I moll fought, to thee whom I will offer
To appeafe Heclors ghoft a facrifice.
You widdowed Matrons who now mourne in teares,
And all you watry eyes furceafe to weepe.
Fathers that in this warre haue loll your fonnes,
And fonnes your fathers, by Achilles hand ;
No more lament vpon their funerall Armes,
But from this day reioyce : poflerity
From age to age this to fucceffion tell,
Hee falls by Troilus, by whom Heftor fell.
Achi. Heclors fad fate betyde him, fouldiers on,
The Iron Age. 327
Both brothers fhew like mercy, thy vaine found
That boafled lyes now leuel'd with the ground.
Troilus isjlaine by him and the Mirmidons.
Enter Therfites.
Ther. Achilles !
Achi. What's hee 1 Therfites.
Ther. Thou art a coward.
Achi. Haue I not fau'd thy life, and flaine proud
Troilus
By whom the Greekes lye pilde in breathleffe heapes %
Ther. Yes when he was out of breath fo thou
flewefl Heclor
Girt with thy Mirmidons.
Achi. Dogged Therfites,
I'le cleaue thee to thy Nauell if thou op'ft
Thy venemous Iawes.
Ther. Doe, doe, good Dog-killer.
Achi. You flaue.
Ther. I am out of breath now too, elfe bug-bare
Greeke
Thou durfl not to haue touch't mee.
Achilles beates him off, retreate founded. Enter Aga-
memnon, Aiax, Vlyfles, &&, all the ot/ier but Paris.
Agam. To whom doll thou addreffe thine Em
bafie 1
Par. To Achilles.
Ago, And not the Generall ? It concernes our
place
To heare King Priams embafie.
Pa. Let mee haue paflage to Achilles Tent,
There Agamemnon (if you pleafe) may heare
What Priam fends to your great Champion.
Aga. Let it bee fo.
Aiax. The Generall wrongs that honour
Wee Princes in our loue conferre on him.
328 The Iron Age.
Had I th' imperiall mandat in my mouth,
I would not loofe one iot of my command
For all the proud Achilles's on earth,
Take him at befl hee's but a fellow peere,
And fhould he lift his head aboue the Clouds
I hold my felfe his equall.
Enter Achilles from his Tent.
Achi. Vntuterd Aiax.
Aia. Who fpake that word ?
Achi. 'Twas I Achilles, let the fonne of Priam
Bee priuat with vs.
Aga. It belongs to vs
To bee partakers of his Embafie.
Achi. Difmiffe then our Inferiours, you Vlijfes
Are welcome, Menelaus, Diomed.
Let Aiax flay without, and know his duty. Exit.
Aiax. Duty 1 Oh you gods !
Ha ? in what Dialect fpake hee that language
Which Greece yet neuer knew, wee owe to him %
I'le after him and dragge him from his Tent,
And teach the infolent, manners : Giue mee way.
Vlijfes, thou and all the world fhal know,
That faue the obedience that I owe the gods,
And duty to my father Telamon,
Aiax knowes none, no not to Agamemnon :
For what hee hath of mee's my courtefie,
What hee claimes elfe, or the proud'ft Greeke that
breaths,
I'le pay him in the poor'ft and bafeft fcorne
Contempt was ere expreft in.
Vlif. Aiax you are too bold with great Achilles,
You beare your felfe more equall then you ought,
With one fo trophy'd.
Aia. Bold 1 oh my merits,
Are you foone forgot ? why King of Ithaca,
What hath this Toy (aboue fo talkt of) done,
Sauing flaine Heclor, which at befl receiu'd
The Iron Age. 329
Was but fcarfe fairely, which the common tongues,
Voyces, with bafe aduantage.
V/if. Yes, Prince Troilus
Surnam'd the fecond Heclor, lyeth imbak'd
In his cold blood, flayne by Achilles hand :
The (Ireame of glory now runnes all towards him :
Achilles lookes for't Aiax.
Aia. But when Achilles flumbred in his Tent,
Or waking with his Lute courted the ayre ;
Then Aiax did not beare himfelfe too bold
With this great Champion : when I fau'd our Fleete
From Heclors wild-fire, I deferu'd fome prayfe,
But then your tongues were mute.
Vlif. You in thefe times
Did not affect oftent, but Hill went on :
But Thdis fonne lookes for a world of found
To fpread his attributes.
Aia. The proud Achilles
Shall not out-fhine me long, in the next battaile,
If to kill Troians bee to dim his prayfe,
I'le quench his lufler by my bloody rayes.
Enter Agamemnon, Achilles, Diomed, Menelaus,
and Paris, £rc.
Pa. Shall I retume that anfwere to King Priam %
Achi. Say in the morning we will vifite him :
So beare our kinde regreetes to Hecuba.
Aia. But will Achilles truft himfelfe with Priam,
Whofe warlike fonnes were by his valour flaine ?
Achi. Priam is honourable, fee here's his hand,
His Queene religious, and behold her name :
Polixena deuine, reade here, her vowes,
Honor, religions, and diuinity,
All ioyntly promifing Achilles fafety :
Paris, you heare our anfwere, fo returne it
Pa. We fhal receiue Achilles with al honor.
Exit.
3J0 Tfie Iron Age.
Mene. Were I Achilles and had flaine great
Heclor,
With valiant Troilus, Priams befl lou'd fonnes,
I for the brighter! Lady in all Afia,
Would not fo truft my perfon with the father.
Achi. I am refolu'd, Vlyffes you once told mee
Priam would fleepe if Troilus once were flayne.
Vlyff. And I dare gage my life, the reuerent King
Intends no treafon to Achilles perfon.
But meerely by this honourable League,
To draw our warlike Champion from the field.
Achi. But we'le deceiue his hopes : feare not great
Kings,
When to my Tent I bring Polixena :
The fooner Troy lyes leuell with the ground.
You vnderftand me Lords ; (hall I intreate you
Affociate me vnto the facred Temple
Of Diuine Phoebus 1
Aga. In me thefe Kings lhall anfwere, wee in
peace
Will bring Achilles to Apolloes fhrine,
Prouided, Priam ere we enter Troy,'
Will giue vs hoftage for our fafe returne.
Achi. My honour'd hand with his. Exeunt.
Enter Paris and Hecuba.
Hecu. Oh Paris, till Achilles lye as dead,
As did thy brother Heclor at his feete,
His body hackt with as many wounds,
As was thy brother Troilus when he fell.
I neuer neuer fhall haue peace with Heauen,
Or take thee for their brother, or my fonne.
Par. Mother I hate Achilles more then you ;
But I haue heard hee is invulnerable :
His mother Thetis from the Oracle
Receiuing anfwere, hee mould dye at Troy ;
(Being yet a childe,) and to preuent that fate,
The Iron Age. 331
She dipt him in the Sea, all faue the heele :
Thefe parts fhe drencht, remayne impenetrable ',
But what her dainty hand (forbore to drowne)
As loath to feele the coldneffe of the waue,
That, and that onely may bee pierc'd with (leele.
Now fince I know his fellow Kings intend,
To be his guard to IJlium : what's my rage ?
Or this my weapon to deflroy a Prince,
Whofe flefh no fword can bite off.
Hecu. Haue not I heard thee Paris praife thy
felfe
For skill in Archery ? haue I not feene
A ihaft fent leuell from thy conftant hand,
Command the marke at pleafure 1 maift not thou
With fuch an arrow, and the felfe-fame bow,
Wound proud Achilles in that vndrencht part,
And by his heele draw Hues blood from his heart ?
Par. Well thought on, the rare cunning of this
hand,
None faue the powers immortall can withfland :
When in the Temple hee fhall thinke to imbrace
My fifter Polixena, He ftrike him there.
The Greekes are entred Troy. Let's fill the trayne
To auoyde fufpect, and now my fhaft and bow,
Greece from my hand, receiue thine ouerthrow.
Enter at one doore Priam, Hecuba, Paris, ^Eneas, An-
tenor, Deiphobus, Hellena, and Polixena. At
the other, Agamemnon, Achilles, Menelaus,
Vlifles, Diomed, Therfites, and Aiax. They in-
terchange imbraces, Polixena is giuen to Achilles,
6fc.
Pri. Though the dammage you haue done to
Troy,
Might ceafe our armes, and arme our browes with
wrath,
Yet with a fmooth front, and heart vnfeigned,
Now bid Achilles welcome ; welcome all
33 ^ The Iron Age.
Before thefe Kings, and in the fight of Hellen,
The dearefl of my daughters Polixen
I tender thee : on to Apolloes fhrine,
The flamin ftayes : thefe nuptiall rights once paft,
You of our beft varieties (hall tafte. Exeunt.
Paris fetcheth his Bow and arrowes.
Par. My bow ! now thou great god of Archery.
The Patron of our action and our vowes,
Direct my (haft to wound bright Thetis fonne,
And let it not offend thy deity,
That in thy Temple I exhauft his blood,
Without refpedl of place, reuenge feemes good. Exit.
A great crye within. Enter Paris.
Par. Tis done, Achilles bleedes, immortal powers
Clap hands, and fmile to fee the Greeke fall dead,
By whom the valiant Heclors blood was fhed.
Enter all the Troians, and the Greekes bringing in
Achilles with an arrow through his heele.
A%a. Priam, thou hall dishonourably broake
The Lawes of Armes.
Pri. By all the gods I vowe,
I was a ftranger to this horrid ac~l :
It neuer came from Priam.
VlyJJ. Call for your Surgeon then to flop his
wound.
Mate. For if hee dye, it will be regiflred
For euer to thy fhame.
Pri. A Surgeon there.
Achi. It is in vaine for Hue, that god of Phyficke
We Grecians honor in a Serpent fhape ;
He could not flanch my blood : know fellow Kings
My mother Thetis by whofe heauenly wifdome,
My other parts were made invulnerable,
Could not of all the gods obtayne that grace,
But that my blood, vented as now it is,
The Iron Age. 333
The wound fhould be incureable : what Coward
That durfl not looke A chiles in the face,
Hath found my Hues blood in this fpeeding place 1
Par. 'Twas I, 'twas Paris.
Aiax. 'Twas a milke-fop then.
Diom. A Traytor to all Valour.
Par. Did not this bleeding Greeke kil valiant
Heclor,
Incompaft with his Guard of Mermidons ?
Pri. Degenerate Paris, not old Priams fonne,
Thou neuer took'fl thy treacherous blood from me.
Aia. How cheeres Achiles, though thy too much
pride
Which held, the heart of Aiax from thy loue,
He'le be the formofl to reuenge thy death.
Achil. Gramercy noble Aiax, Agamemnon,
Vhffes, Diomed, I feele my ftrength
Begins to fayle, let me haue buriall,
And then to Armes, reuenge Achilles death :
Or if proud Troy remayne inuincible,
To Lycomedes fend to youthfull Pirhus,
My fonne begot on bright Dedamia ;
And let him force his vengeance through the hearts
Of thefe, by whom his father was betray'd.
I faint, may euery droppe of blood I flied,
Exhald by Phsebus, putrifie the ayre,
That every foule in Afia that drawes breath,
May poyfoned dye for great Achilles death.
Aga. He's dead, the pride of all our Grecian
army.
Vlyjj. Will Priam let vs beare his body hence ?
Par. Yes, and not drag it 'bout the wals of Troy,
As hee did Heclors bafely.
Pri. Take it, withall truce, time to bury it
Aga. Come Princes, on your moulders beare him
then,
Braueft of fouldiers, and the bed of men.
334 The Iron Age.
They beare him off. And to Priam enter
^Eneas.
^Ene. Where's mighty Priam 1
Pri. What's the newes sEneas ?
^Ene. Such as will make your highnes doff your
age
And be as youthfull fpirited as the Spring :
Penthifilea Queen e of Amazons,
With mighty troopes of Virgin warriers,
Gallant Veragoes, for the loue of Heclor,
And to reuenge his death, are entred Troy.
May it pleafe you, to receiue the Scithean Queene.
Pri. What Troy can yeeld, or Priam can ex-
preffe,
The Amazonian Princeffe fhall pertake :
Come Hecuba, and Ladies, let's prepare,
To bid her friendly welcome to this warre.
Explicit Aclus quartus.
A£lus QuintuSy Sccena -prima.
Enter Therfites with Souldicrs, bringing in a
table, with chayres and Jlooles placd
aboue it.
Ther. Come, come, fpread, fpread, vp with the
pulpets ftraight,
Seates for the Iudges, all the Kings of Greece.
Why when you lazy drudges 1 Is this place
For a whole Iury royall 1 where's the Armour,
The prize for which the crafty Fox VHJjes,
And mad Bull Aiax, mult this day contend ?
The Iron Age. 335
What, is all ready ? rare world, when infteade
Of fmooth tong'd Lawyers, Souldiers now mud
pleade.
Loud Mufuke. Enter all the Kings of Greece, the
Armour of Achilles, borne betwixt Vlyfles and
Aiax, and placed upon the table, the Princes feate
themfelues, a chayre is placed at either end of the
Stage, the one for Aiax, the other for Vlyfles.
Aga. This Seffions valiant Duke of Salamine,
And King of Ithaca was cald for you :
Since great Achilles armour is the prife,
Due to the worthier, heere before thefe Kings,
And in the face of all the multitude,
You are appoynted for your feuerall pleaes,
That prince who to thefe armes can prooue mofl
right,
Shall weare his purchafe in the armies fight
Aia. If to the worthiefl they belong to mee :
Could you felect 'mongfl all this throng of Princes,
None worthier then Vliffes, to contend
With Aiax % and in view of all our Nauy,
Of all thefe tall fhips, gilt with Heclors flames,
Which when Vliffes fled into his tent,
I, I extinguifht, thefe twelue hundred fhips
I fau'd at once, deferu'd Achilles armes,
Laertes fonne may thinke it grace enough,
That though hee miffe his ayme, hee may be fayd
To haue flroue with Aiax : Aiax who excels
As much in armes, as hee in eloquence.
My hands performe more then his tong can fpeake,
A<51 more then hee can talke : were I leffe valiant,
And had but halfe my vigour (like him) weake,
My royall birth would for this armour fpeake.
Duke Telamon, that in the Argoe fayl'd
To Colchos : and in Jfliums fecond facke,
Firfl rear'd Alcides colours on the Wals
My father was : His father Eacus,
336 The Iron Age.
One of the three that iudge infernall foules ;
And Eacus was fonne to Jupiter.
Thus am I third from Ioue ; befides Achilles
By marriage was my brother, and I craue,
Since hee is dead my brothers amies to haue.
What hath Vliffes with our Kin to doe ?
Beeing a ftranger, not of Peleus blood :
Graue Heroes, if not honour, prize my merit,
I pleade both worth and blood, thefe armes to
inherit
Mene. Beleeue me, two found pleas on Aiax part,
I feare the prize will be conferr'd on him.
Dio. His arguments are maximes, and found
proofes
To winne him way, into the fouldiers hearts.
Agam. Let him proceed e.
Aia. Becaufe I hafted to the fiege of Troy,
When hee feign'd madnes, muft hee weare thefe
armes ?
When in the Phalanx, with old Nestor charging,
Thou at the name of Heclor fledfl. the fielde,
And left the good old man incompaft round,
Calling aloud Vliffes, Vliffes flay,
The more hee cry'd the more thou mad'il thy way,
Prince Diomed you faw it, and vpbrayded
This Ithacans bafe flight, but fee Heauens Iuftice,
Old Nestor fcapt, great Heclor was not there ;
But meetes Vliffes, as hee fled from Heclor,
Hee that but late denide helpe, now wants helpe,
For at the fight of Heclor downe he fals,
And cryes aloud for ayde, I came, and faw thee
Quaking with terrour vnder Heclors arme,
The pondrous blow I tooke vpon my Targe,
And as the lead of all my noble deedes,
Sau'd thefe faint limbes from flaughter, which now
fue,
To don thefe glorious armes, nor doe I blame thee
For fearing Heclor : what is hee of Greece
That fauing Aiax, quakt not at his name ?
The Iron Age. 337
Yet did I meete that Heclor guil'd in blood
Of Grecian Princes, fought with him fo long,
Till all the hoafl deaft with our horrid ftroakes,
Begirt vs with amazement : wilt thou know
My honour in this combate 1 it was this,
I was not conquered : if thou (lill contended 1
Imagine but that field, the Time, the foes,
Heclor aliue, thee quaking at his feete.
And Aiax interpofing his broad fhield
'Twixt death and thee, and thou the armes mud
yeeld.
Diom. What can the wife Vlijfes, fay to this ?
Aiax preuailes much with the multitude,
The generall murmur doth accord with him.
Men. I euer thought the fonne of Telamon
Did better merit th' Achillean Armes
Then the Dulichian King.
Agam. Forbeare to cenfure,
Till both be fully heard.
Aiax. Me thinkes graue Heroes, you fhould feeke
an Aiax
To weare thefe Armes, not let thefe Armes be
fought
By Aiax : what hath flye Vliffes done
To counteruaile my a<fts ? kild vnarm'd Rhefus,
And fet on fleepie Dolon in the night,
Stolne the Palladium from the Troian Fane.
Oh braue exploits ; nor haft thou thefe perform'd
Without the helpe of warlike Diomed :
So you betwixt you fhould deuide thefe fpoyles.
Alas thou knowft not what thou feekft, fond man,
Thou that fightft all byd craft an in the night
The radiant fplendor of this burnifht Helme
Shining in darkneffe, as the Sun by day,
Thy theeuifh fpoyles and ambufh would betray.
Thy politicke head's too weake to beare this caske,
This maffie Helme ; thou canft not mount his Speare,
His warlike fhield that beares the world ingrauen
Will tire thine arme, foole thou doft askc a Speare,
3 z
338 The Iron Age.
A fliield a caske, thou haft not ftrength to weare.
Now if thefe Kings, or the vaine peoples errour
So farre fhould erre from truth to giue them thee,
Twould be a meanes to make thee fooner dye :
The weight would lagge thee that art wont to flye :
Thou haft a fhield vnfcar'd, my feuen-fold Targe
With thoufand gafhes peece-meald from mine arme,
And none but that would fit mee : To conclude,
Go beare thefe Armes for which we two contend
Into the mid-ranks of our enemies,
And bidde vs fetch them thence, and he to weare
them
By whom this royall Armour can be wonne,
I had rather fight then talke, fo I haue done.
A loudjhout within crying Aiax, Aiax.
Vlif. If with your prayers oh Grecian Kings, my
vowes
Might haue preuail'd with Heauen, there had bin
then
No fuch contention, thou hadft kept thine Armes,
And wee Achilles thee : But fince the Fates
Haue tane him from vs, who hath now more right
To claime thefe Armes he dead, then hee that gaue
them
Vnto Achilles liuing % nor great Princes,
Let that fmooth eloquence, yon fellow fcornes,
(If it bee any) bee reie&ed now,
And hurt his maifter, which fo many times
Hath profited whole Greece, if we plead blood
Which is not ours, but all our Anceftours.
Laertes was my father, his Arcefius,
His loue, from whom I am third : befide I claime
A fecond god-head by my mothers name.
What doe wee talke of birth ? If birth fhould beare
them,
His father being nearer loue then hee
Should weare this honour, or if next of blood,
The Iron Age. 339
Achilles father Peleus fhould inioy them,
Or his fonne Pirhus ; but wee plead not kinred,
Or neare propinquity : let alliance reft,
His bee the Armour that deferues it beft.
Achilles mother Thetis being foretold
Her fonne fhould die at Troy, conceal'd him from vs
In habite of a Lady, to this fiege
I brought him, therefore challenge all his deeds
As by Vliffes done : 'Twas I fack't Thebes,
Chrtfcis, and Scylla, with Lerneffus walls,
I Troilus and renowned Hector flew :
Firft with this Helmet I adorn'd his head,
Hee gaue it liuing, who demands it dead ?
Dio. 'Tis true, for like a Pedler being difguis'd,
And comming where Achilles fpent his youth
In womanifh habite, the young Ladyes they
Looke on his Glades, Iewells and fine toyes :
Hee had a Bow too much Acliilles drew,
So by his ftrength the Ithacan him knew.
Vliff. Had Aiax gone Achilles then had ftayd,
Hector ftill liu'd, our ranfack't Tents to inuade :
What canft thou doe but barely fight 1 no more ;
I can both fight and counfell, I direct
The manner of our battailes, and propofe
For victuall and munition, to fupply
The vniuerfall hoaft, cheere vp the fouldiers
To indure a tedious fiege, when all the Army
Cry*d let's away for Greece, and rais'd their Tents.
Aiax among the formoft had truft vp
His- bagge and baggage : when I rated him,
And them, and all, and by my Oratory
Perfwaded their retreat : What Greece hath wonne
From Troy fince then, is by Vliffes done.
Behold my wounds oh Grecians, and iudge you
If they be cowards marks th' are in my breft :
Let boafting Aiax fhew fuch noble skarres.
Thefe Grecian Heroes tooke I in your warres.
I grant hee fought with Hector, 'twas well done,
Where thou deferu'ft well I will giue thee due,
z 2
340 The Iron Age.
But what was the fucceffe of that great day ?
Heclor of Troy vnwounded went away.
Men. Now fure the prife will to Vlifles fall,
The murmuring fouldiers mutter his deferts.
Preferring him fore Aiax: heare the reft.
VJif. But oh Achilles, when I view thefe Armes,
I cannot but lament thine obfequies :
Thou wall of Greece, when thou waft bafely flaine
I tooke thee on my moulders, and from Troy
Bore thee then arm'd, in the abillements
I once more feeke to beare, behold that fhield,
Tis a defcription Cofmographicall
Of all the Earth, the Ayre, the Sea and Heauen.
What are the Hyades ? or grim Orion;
Hee pleads, or what's Arclurus 1 thy rude hand
Would lift a fhield, thou canft not vnder ftand :
To omit my deeds of Armes, which all thefe know
Better then I can fpeake. When in the night
I venter'd through Troyes gates, and from the
Temple
Rap't the Palladium, then I conquerd Troy,
Troy whilft that flood could neuer be fubdu'd,
In that I brought away their gods, their honours,
Troyes mine and the triumphs of whole Greece.
What hath blunt Aiax done to conteruaile
This one of mine ? Hee did with Heclor fight,
I tenne yeeres warre haue ended in one night.
What Aiax did was but by my direction,
My counfell fought in him, and all his honours
(If they be any,) hee may thanke mee for
What hee hath done, was fince his flight I ftayd,
I therefore claime thefe Armes : fo I haue fayd.
A Jhout within Vliffes, Vlifies. The Princes rife.
Agatn. Such is the clamour of the multitude,
And fuch Vliffes are your great deferts,
That thofe rich Armes are thine, the prize inioy.
Vlif. To the defence of Greece and fack of Troy.
The Iron Age. 34 1
/
Dio. Come Princes, now this flrife is well deter-
min'd.
Men. To fee how eloquence the people charmes,
Vliffes by his tongue hath gain'd thefe Armes.
Agam. Counfell preuailes 'boue ftrength, Heralds
proclaime
Through the whole Campe Vliffes glorious name.
Exeunt. The Armes borne in triumph before Vliffes.
Aiax. What dream'fl thou Aiax f
Or is this obiect reall that I fee,
Which topfitumes my braine, bafe Ithaca
To fway defert thus : Oh that fuch rich Troophies
Should cloath a cowards backe, nor is it flrange ;
I'le goe turne coward too, and henceforth plot,
Turne politicians all, all politicians.
A rufh for valour, valour ? this is the difference
'Twixt the bold warrier, and the cunning flates-man,
The firfl feekes honour, and the lafl his health :
The valiant hoord the knocks, the wife the wealth.
It was a gallant Armour, Aiax limbs
Would haue become it brauely ; the dilgrace
Of loofing fuch an Armour by contention,
Will liue to all pofterity, and the fhame
In Stigian Lethe drowne great Aiax name.
Oh that I had heere my bafe oppofite,
In th' 'Achillean Armour briskly clad,
Vulcan that wrought it out of gadds of Steele
With his Ciclopian hammers, neuer made
Such noife vpon his Anvile forging it,
Then thefe my arm'd fifts in Vliffes wracke,
To mould it new vpon the cowards backe.
Enter Therfites.
Ther. Why how now mad Greeke ?
Ala. And art thou come Vliffes % thus, and thus
I'le hammer on thy proofe fleel'd Burganet.
Ther. Hold Aiax, hold, the diuell take thee,
342 The Iron Age.
hold ; I am Therfites, hell rot thy fingers off.
Aia. But art not thou Vlij/es ?
Ther. No I tell thee.
Aia. And is not thine head arm'd 1
Ther. Hells plagues confound thee, no; thou
think'ft thou haft Menelaus head in hand, I am Ther-
fites.
Aia. Therfites ? Canft thou rayle 1
Ther. Oh yes, yes ; better then fight
Aia. And curfe %
Ther. Better then either : rarely.
Aia. And fpit thy venome in the face of Greece ?
Ther. Admirably.
Aia. Doe, doe, let's heare, prethee for heauens
fake doe.
Ther. With whom fhall I begin ?
Aia. Beginne with the head.
Ther. Then haue at thee Menelaus, thou art a king
and a
Aia. No more, but if on any, rayle on mee.
Defert fhould ftill be fnarl'd at, vice paffe free.
Ther. Who thou the fon of Telamon, thou art a
foole, an Affe, a very blocke. What makeft thou here
at Troy to ayde a Cuckold, beeing a Bachelour?
Paris hath ftolne no wife of thine : if Aiax had beene
ought but the worft of thefe, he might haue kept his
Country, folac'd his father, and comforted his mother :
what thankes haft thou for fpending thy meanes, ha-
zarding thy fouldiers ? wafting thy youth, loofing thy
blood, indangering thy life ? and all for a
Aiax. Peace.
Ther. Yes peace for fhame, but what thankes haft
thou for all thy trauaile ? Vlijffes hath the armour, and
what art thou now reckoned ? a good moyle, a horfe
that knowes not his owne ftrength, an Afle fit for fer-
vice, and good for burthens, to carry gold, and to feede
on thirties : farwell Cox-combe. I fhall be held to bee
a Cocke of the fame dunghill, for bearing thee com-
pany fo long, He to Vliffes.
The Iron Age. 343
Aia. Bafe flaue, thou art for Cowards, not for men.
He ftown'd thee if thou com' ft not backe againe :
This vantage haue the valiant of the bafe,
Death, which they coldly feare, we boldly imbrace.
Helpe me to rayle on them too, or thou dyeft.
Ther. Do't then, whilft tis hot.
Aia. What's Agamemnon our great Generall I
Ther. A blind Iuftice and I would he had kift For-
tunes blind cheekes, when hee could not fee to doe
thee Iuftice.
Aia. Well, and what's Menelaus ?
Ther. A King and a Cuckold, and a home-plague
confume him.
Aia. Amen. What's Diomcd\ he fat on the bench
too.
Ther. A very bench-whiftler : and loues Crefida.
Hell and confufion fwallow him.
Aia. Amen. Amongft thefe what's Therfites %
Ther. A Rogue, a rayling Rogue, a Curr, a barking
Dog, the Pox take mee elfe.
Aia. Amen. But what's Vliffes my bafe aduer-
faryt
Ther. A dam'd politician, Scilla and Charibdis
fwallow him.
Aia. And greedily deuoure him.
Ther. And vtterly confume him.
Aia. And eate vp his pofterity.
Ther. And rot out his memory.
Aia. In endleffe infamy.
Ther. And euerlafting obliquie.
Both. Amen.
Aia. Inough, no more : (hall he the Armes inioy,
And wee the fhame t away Therfites, flye,
Our prayers now fayd, we mud prepare to dye.
Ther. Dye, and with them be dam'd. Exit.
Enter ouer the Stage all the Grecian Princes, courting
and applauding Vliffes, not minding Aiax.
Aia. Not looke on Aiax 9 Aiax Telamon,
Hee that at once fau'd all your (hips from fire,
344 7^ Iran Age.
Not looke on me 1 ha ? are thefe hands ? this fword ?
Which made the fame of Troy great Hcclor fhrinke
Below the ruines of an abiecl. fcorne 1
Sleighted ? fo ileighted ? what bafe thing am I,
To creepe to fo dull Greeke, whom fame or blood
Hath rair'd one ftep aboue 1 loue, fee this ;
And laugh old Grand-fir*: Ha, ha, ha, by hell
I'le make thy Kingdome for't : not looke on Aiax %
The triple headed-dog, the whippes of Steele,
The rauenous Vulture, and the reftleffe ftone
Are all meere fables ; heer's a trufty fword,
'Tis mine, mine owne, who claimes this from me % ha *?
Cowards and mallow witted fooles haue flept
Amidft an armed troupe fafe and fecure
Vnder this guard : nay Agamemnon too.
But fee, fee from yon Sea, a fhoale of fands
Come rowling on, trick't vp in brifled finnes
Of Porpoffes and Dog-fijh ho my fword,
I will incounter them, they come from Greece,
And bring a poyfonous breath from Ithaca
Temper'd with falfe VliQes gall, foh, foh ;
It (links of 's wife's chaft vrinal, looke, looke
By yonder wood, how fliely in the skirts
March policy and the diuell, on, I feare you not :
Dare you not yet ? not one to fight with mee :
Who then 1 what's hee muft cope with Aiax ?
Echo. Aiax 1
Aia. Well fayd old boy, wa'ft Nejlor my braue Lad 1
I'le doot, I'le doot, come my fine cutting blade,
Make mee immortall : liuely fountaine fprout,
Sprout out, yet with more life, braue glorious flreame
Growe to a Tyde, and finke the Grecian fleete
In feas of Aiax blood : fo ho, fo ho.
Lure backe my foule againe, which in amaze
Gropes for a perch to reft on : Heart, great heart
Swell bigger yet and fplit, know gods, know men,
Furies, inraged Spirits, Tortures all,
Aiax by none could but by Aiax fall.
He kills himfelfe.
The Iron Age. 34.
Enter on the one part Agamemnon, Vlifles, Menelaus,
Diomed, with the body of Hector borne by Gre-
cian fouldicrs : On the other part, Priam, Paris,
Deiphobus, ^Eneas, Anthenor, with the body of
Achilles borne by Troian fouldiers , they interchange
them, andfo with traling the Colours on both fides
depart, Therfites onelyflayes behindc and concludes.
The Epilogue.
Ther. A fweete exchange of Treafure, term't I
may,
Euen earth for afhes, and meere duft for clay :
Let Aiax kill himfelfe, and fay 'twas braue
Heclor, a worthy Call, yet could not faue
Poore foole his Coxcombe : Achilles beare him hye,
And Troilus boldly, all thefe braue ones dye.
Ha, ha, iudge you ; Is it not better farre
To keepe our felues in breath, and linger warre :
Had all thefe fought as I'ue done, fuch my care
Hath beene on both fides, that prefume I dare,
Thefe had with thoufands more furuiu'd : Iudge
th' hoaft,
I fhed no blood, no blood at all haue loft :
They fhall not fee young Pirhus, nor the Queene
Penthifelea, which had they but beene
As wife as I, they might : nor Sinon, hee
Famous of all men, to be mod like mee.
Nor after thefe, Orestes, and his mother
Pillades Egiflus with a many other
Our fecond part doth promife : Thefe if I fayle,
As I on them ; you on Therfites rayle.
Explicit Aclus Quintus.
E/AJS.
THE
Second Part of the Iron Age
Which contayneth the death of
Penthefilea, Paris, Priam, and Hecuba :
The burning of Troy : The deaths of
Agamemnon, Menelaus, Clitemnef-
tra, Hellena, Orestes, Egi/ius, Pil-
lades, King Diomed, Pyrktis,
Cethus, Synon, Tkerfites, &c.
Written by Thomas Heywood.
Aut prodejfe folent t ant delegare.
imr
Printed at London by Nicholas Okes, 1632.
Drammatis perfons.
New perfons not prefented in the former part of
this History.
Pyrhus the fonne of Achil-
les, furnamed Neoptole-
tnus.
Synon a periured Greeke,
by whofe teares Troy
was fet on fire.
Chorebus a Prince , who
came to the warres for
the loue of Cajfandra.
Laocoon, a prieft of Apollo.
Polites, a young fonne of
K\r\gPriam,a.n& Queene
Hecuba.
A Troian Citizen, & his
wife.
A fecond Troian.
Souldiers of Greece.
Souldiers of Troy.
The GhoR of Heclor.
A Lord of Mycena.
A Guard.
PentJufdea Queene of the
Amazons, with her trayne
of Viragoes.
Cethus fonne to King Nau-
lus, and brother of Pala
mides.
Pillades the friend ot
Orestes.
Orejles fonne to King Aga-
memnon, and his Queene
Clitemnejlra.
Eleclra, fifter to Orejles.
Hermione daughter to King
Menelaus and Q. Hellen.
Clitemnejlra wife and
Queene to Agamemnon.
Egijlus a fauorite to
Queene Clitemnejlra.
The Prieft of Apollo.
Attendants.
To the Reader.
Ourteous Reader ; / commend vnto
thee an intire Hiflory, from Iupiter
and Saturne, to the vtter fubuerfion
of Troy, with a faithfull account
of the Deathes of all thefe Princes of Greece,
wlw had hand in the Fate thereof (Vlifles only
excepted, to wlwm belongeth a furtlier Hiftory.)
Reade freely, and cenfure fauourably. Thefe Ages
haue beene long fince Writ, and fuited with tlie
Time then : / know not how tliey may bee receiued
in this Age, wliere nothing but Satirica Di6laeria,
and Comica Scommata are now in requefl : For
mine owne part, I neuer affecled either, when they
flretclied to tlte abufe of any perfon publicke, or
priuate. If tlte three former Ages (now out of
Print,) bee added to thefe (as I am promifed) to
make vp an handfome Volumne ; I purpofe (Deo
Afliftente,) to illuflrate the wlwle Worke, with
To the Reader.
an Explanation of all the difficulties, and an HiJ-
toricall Comment of eucry hard name, which may
appcare obfcure or intricate to fuch as are not
frequent in Poetry : Which (as the reft) I fliall
freely denote to thy fauorable perufall, in this as
all the refl induflrious to thy pleafure and profit :
Thomas Hey wood.
To my Worthy and much Refpected
Friend, Mr. Thomas Manner ing
Efquire.
Worthy Sir,
[Nd my much refpe£ted Friend :
The Impreflion of your Loue, after fo
many yeares acknowledgment, in-
forceth me that I cannot chufe, but in
my beft recollection, to number you in the File
and Lift of my beft and choyceft Well-wifhers.
True it is, that my vnable merit hath euer come
much fhort of your ample acknowledgement :
Howfoeuer, though you bee now abfent in the
Countrey, vppon a neceffary retyrement ; yet let
this witneffe in my behalfe, that you are not
altogether vnremembred in the Citty : Nor take
it vnkindly at my hands that I haue referued
your name to the Cataftrophe and conclufion of
this Worke : Since being Sccena nouiffima, It
muft be confequently the frefher in memory ; as
AA
354 The Epijlle Dedicatory,
you haue had euer a charitable and indulgent
ccnfure of fuch poore peeces of mine, as haue
come accedentally vnto your view. So I intreate
you now, (as one better able to iudge, then I to
determine,) to receiue into your fauourable patro-
nage, this fecond part of the Iron Age. I much
deceiue my felfe, if I heard you not once com-
mend it, when you faw it Acted ; if you perfift
in the fame opinion, when you fhall fpare fome
forted houres to heare it read, in your paynes, I
fhal hold my felfe much pleafed : euer remaining
Yours, not to be chang'd :
Thomas Heywood.
The fecond Part of the
IRON AGE:
With the Deftru&ion of
TROY.
Enter Agamemnon, Menelaus, Vlifles, Diomed,
Therfites. Drum, Colours, SoulaYers, &*c.
Agamemnon.
Ou Terrors of the Afian Monarchy,
And Europes glory : Warlike Lords of
Greece :
Although the great Prince of the Mirmi-
dons,
And arme-flrong Aiax, our bed Champions,
Be by the gods bereft vs : yet now comes
A Phoenix out of their cold afhes rifing :
Pyrhus, firnamed Neoptolemus :
On whom for his deceafed fathers fake,
Wee mufl beftow fome honours. Menelaus,
A A 2
356 The Second Part of
Vliffes, Diomed, giue the Prince meeting,
And be his conduct to the Generall.
A flourijh. Enter the Kings before named, bringing
in Pyrhus, Synon, with attendants.
Aga. Pyrhus kneele downe, we girt thee with
this fword,
It was thy fathers. In his warlike hand
It hath cleft Troians to the nauell downe,
Par'd heads off fader then the haruefl Sithe
Doth the thin ftalkes, or bending eares of graine :
Weare it, and draw it to reuenge his death.
Princes, performe your feuerall ceremonies.
Dio. Thefe golden fpurs I fallen to thine heeles,
The fame thy warlike father wonne in field,
When Heclor tide with thonges to his Heeds fet-
locks,
Was drag'd about the high built wals of Troy.
Vlif. This Armour, and this plumed Burgonet,
In which thy father, like a rampier'd wall,
Oppofde the fury of his enemies,
(By generall confent of all thefe Princes
Attributed to me) loe I furrender
To youthful JNeoptolemus, weare it Prince,
Not all the world yeeldes a more ilrong defence.
Mene. Achilles Tent, his Treafure, and his iewels,
We haue referu'd, inioy them noble Pyrhus ;
And laftly his Ilrong guard of Mirmidons,
And with the honour hee with thefe haue wonne,
His Sword, Spurs, Armour, Guard, Pauileon,
Be by this valiant fonne much dignified.
Pyr. Before I touch the handle of his fword,
Or to my Knightly fpurres direct my eyes,
Lace this rich Armour to my youthfull fides,
Or roofe mine head within this warlike Teni,
Make proofe of this his plumed Burgonet,
Or take on me the leading of his Guard :
Witneffe you Grecian Princes, what I vow :
The Iron Age. 357
By Saturnes fonne, the fire of /Eacus,
Begot on faire Europa ; by their iflue,
The fecond Iudge, plac'd on the infernall bench
I will difcend to Pe/eus, and from him,
Euen to my naturall father, with whofe honours
I ioyne my mother Deidamiaes
And in my vengefull oath include them all,
Till Priam be compel'd to (hut his Gates
For want of men : He be as mercileffe
As vntam'd Lyons, and the flefh-fed Beares,
Blood mail looke brighter in young Pyrhus eyes
Then diffolu'd Chriflall, till old Priams haires
Be dy'de in goare : till HecuUs reuerent lockes
Be gul'd in (laughter ; all their fonnes and daughters,
Subiedls, and Citty quite confuf 'd in mine,
Bow to our mercileffe fury : He not leaue
This blacke and fatall fiege ; and this I fweare
As I am Prince, and great Achilles heire.
Aga. Euen in thy lookes, I read the fack of
Troy,
And Priams Tragedy : welcome fweet Pyrhus,
And welcome you his warlike followers.
Syn. Where be thefe Troians 1 I would faine be-
hold
Their wing"d battalions grapple ? I would fee
The batte?d center flye about their eares
In cloudes of duft : I would haue horfes hoofes
Beate thunder out of earth : the chariot Trees
I would fee drown'd in blood, Scamander plaines
Ore-fpread with intrailes bak'd in blood and dull :
With terrour I would haue this day as blacke,
As when Hyperion leaping from his Spheare,
Cafl vgly darkneffe from his Chariot wheeles,
And in this vail'd confufion the faint Troians
Beate backe into the Towne : I'de fee their Gates
Entred, and fire by their high Battlements
Climing towards heauen : the pauement of th' flreets
I'de fee pau'd ore with faces : infants tofl
358 The Second Part of
On Lances poynts : big-bellied Ladies flung
From out their cafements : I'de haue all their foules
Set vpon wings, and Troy, no Troy, but fire,
As if ten thoufand Comets ioyn'd in one,
To clofe the word in red confufion.
Py. Wei fpake bold Synon; and my Lords of
Greece,
This fellowe boails no more then with his fword,
Hee will aduenture for, and fhould that fayle,
He'le fet his braine to worke. I tell you princes,
My Grandfire Lycomedes hath made proofe
Of Synons pollicies, ilate- quaking proie6ls
Are hand-maides to his braine : and he hath fpirit
To driue his plots euen to the doore of Death,
With rare effects, and then not all the world
Affoords a villa ine more incomparable,
Then Synon my attendant. Warlike Princes,
I fpeake this to his praife : and I profeffe
My felfe as fterne, bloody, and mercileffe.
Ther. I haue not heard a brauer Character
Giuen to a Greeke : and had hee but my rayling,
He were a man compleate.
Syn. Sure there is fomething
Aboue a common man in yon fame fellow,
Whom nature hath fo markt, and were his mind
As crooked as his body, hee were one
I could bee much in loue with.
Titer. Hee hath a feature
That I could court, nay will : I would not loofe
His friendfhip and acquaintance for the world.
Mee thinkes you are a comely Gentleman.
Syn. I euer held my felfe fo : and mine eye
Giues you no leffe : of all the Grecians here
Thou haft a face like mine, that feares no weather,
A fhape that warre it felfe cannot deforme :
I beft loue fuch complexions.
Ther. By the gods
Wee haue two meeting foules : be my fweete Vrchin.
The Iron Age. 359
Syn. I will,
And thou fhalt bee mine vgly Toade.
Ther. A match : be wee henceforth brothers and
friends.
Syn. Imbrace then friend and brother : my deare
Toade.
Ther. My amiable Vrchin.
Pyr. I long for worke, will not thefe Troians
come,
To welcome Pyrhus, great Achilles fonne 1
Vtyff- Their drummes proclayme them ready for
the field.
Enter Priam, Paris, Penthefilea, and her traine of
Viragoes, ^Eneas, Chorebus, Laocoon,
Anthenor, 6r*c.
Aga. Perhaps King Priam hath not yet related
The newes of Neoptolemus arriue,
That hee prefumes thus, weakned as he is,
To ope his Gates, and meete vs in the field.
Pyr. Tis like hee hath, becaufe for want of men
Hee brings a troope of Women to the field :
Mod fure hee thinkes, wee (like our warlike father)
Will be infnar'd with beauty : Priam no,
We for his death, are fworne vaine beauties foe.
Penth. Art thou Achilles fonne, beneath whofe
hand
AffiHed by his bloody Mirmidons,
The valiant Heclor fell ?
Pyr. Woman I am.
Penth. Thou fhouldfl be then a Coward.
Pyr. How ?
Penth. Euen fo :
Thy father was a foe difhonourable,
And fo the world reputes him.
Pyr. By all the gods
Penth. Sweare not, for ere the clofure of the bat-
taile,
360 The Second Part of
If both the Generals pleafe, with my good fword,
In fingle combate He make good my word.
Pyr. O that thou wert a man ! but womens
tongues
Are priuiledg'd : come Priam, all his fonnes
The whole remayne of fifty, He make good
My fathers honour gainft fufficient oddes.
But for thefe fcoulds, we leaue them to their fexe.
What make they amongft fouldiers.
Penth. Scorn not proud Pyrhns
Our pretence in the field ; I tell thee Prince,
I am a Queene, the Queene of Amazons,
A warlike Nation difciplin'd in Armes.
Pyr. Are you thofe Harlots famous through the
world,
That haue vfurpt a Kingdome to your felues,
And pent your fweete hearts in a barren ifle,
Where your adulterate fportes are exercif 'd.
Penth. Curbe thy irregular tong : we are thofe
women
That prac~life armes, by which we purchafe fame.
All the yeare long, onely three monethes excepted,
Thofe wherein Phoebus driues his Chariot,
In height of fplendor through the burning Cancer,
The fiery Lyon, and the Virgins figne :
Then we forfake our Sun-burnt Continent,
And in a cooler clime, fport with our men,
And then returne : if we haue iffue male,
Wee nurfe them vp, then fend them to their Fathers.
If females, we then keepe them, and with irons
Their right paps we feare off, with better eafe
To couch their fpeares, and practife feates of armes.
We are thofe women, who expel'd our Land
By AZgypts Tyrant : Conquered Afca,
/Egypt and Cappadocia : thefe two Ladies
Difcend from Menelippe and Hyppolita,
Who in Antiopes raigne, fought hand to hand
With Hercules and Thefeus ; we are thofe
That came for loue of Heclor to the field,
The Iron Age. 361
And (being murdred) to reuenge his death.
Py. Then welcome Amazonians, as I Hue
I loue you though I hate you : but beware,
Hate will out-way my loue, and ile not fpare
Your buskind fquadrons : for my fathers fall,
Troians, and Amazonians perifh all. Exeunt.
Alarum. Enter Pyrhus and Penthefilea.
Py. Now Queene of Amazons, by the flrong
fpirit
Achilles left his fonne, I let thee know
My father was an honourable Foe.
Pent. Defiance Pyrhus, ile to death proclaime,
Hector was by Achilles bafely flayne :
And on his fonnes head, with my keene edg"d fword,
And thundring flroaks, I will make good my word.
Alarum. They are both wounded, and diuided by the
two armies, who confufedly come betwixt them : to
Pyrhus enter Agamemnon, Vlifles, and Menelaus.
Vlif. What ? wounded noble Pirhus ?
Pyr. Wounded ? no,
I haue not met one that can raze the skinne
Of great Achilles fonne.
Aga. Yet blood drops from your arme.
Pyr. Not poflible !
Tis fure the blood of fome flayne enemy.
Come let vs breake into the battailes center,
And too't pel mel.
Mem. But Neoptolemus,
Wee prife thy fafety more then all aduantage :
Retire thy felfe to haue thy wounds bound vp.
Pyr. Cowards feare death,
Ile venge my blood, though with the lofle of breath.
Alarum. Enter Paris.
Art thou a mad-man fellow, that aduenturefl
362 The Second Part of
So neere the blood of Neoptolemus,
Whofe fmallefl drop mull cofl a Troians life.
Far. Art thou the bleeding iffue of that Greeke ?
I, in reuenge of noble Heclors death,
Slew in Apolloes Temple.
Pyr. Art thou then
That coward and effeminate Troian boy.
Pa. Arme wounded Greek, I flew the falfe
Achilles,
An a€l which I am proud of.
Aga. Fall on the murderer,
And flake him fmaller then the Lybean fand.
Pyr. If any but my felfe offer one blow,
He on the Troians party oppofe him.
Come Paris, though againft the oddes of breath,
Achilles wounded fonne, will venge his death.
Paris is Jlayne by Pyrhus. A retreate founded.
E#ter then King Diomed, and Synon.
Die. Why found the Troians this retreate %
Syn. Paris is flayne, and Penthifdea
Wounded by Pyrhus.
Dio. Come then Synon
Goe with me to my Tent, this night we'le reuell
With beauteous Creffida.
Syn. Not I, I hate all women, painted beauty
And I am oppofites : I loue thee lefle
Becaufe thou doat'ft on Troian Creffida.
Dio. She's worthy of our loue : I tell thee Synon,
Shee is both conftant, wife, and beautifull.
Syn. She's neither conftant, wile nor beautifull,
He prooue it Di< ned: foure Elements
Meete in the ftruclure of that Creffida,
Of which there's not one pure : ihe's compacl .
Meerely of blood, of bones and rotten flefh,
Which makes her Leaprous, where the Sun exhales
The moyft complexion, it doth putrifie
The region of th' ayre : there's then another,
The Iron Age. 363
Sometimes the Sunne fits muffled in his Caue,
Whilfl from the Clouds flye hideous (bowers of
raine,
Which fweepes the earths corruption into Brookes,
Brookes into riuers, Riuers fend their tribute,
As they receiue it to their Soueraigne
The feething Ocean : Thus Earth, Ayre, and Water,
Are all infected, fhe then fram'd of thefe,
Can fhe be beautefull ? No Diomed,
If they feeme faire, they haue the helpe of Arte,
By nature they are vgly.
Dio. Leaue this detraction.
Syn. Now for this Creffids wifedome, is fhe wife,
Who would forfake her birth-right, her braue friend,
The conftant Troylus, for King Diomed ;
To truft the faith of Greekes, and to loue thee
That art to Troy a profeft enemy ?
Dio. Canft thou difproue her conftancy %
Syn. I can.
Neuer was woman conftant to one man :
For proofe, doe thou but put into one fcale
A feather, in the other Creffids truth,
The feather fhall downe weigh it : Diotned
Wilt thou beleeue me, if I win not Creffid
To be my fweete heart : yet haue no fuch face,
No fuch proportion, to bewitch a Lady ;
I neuer pradlif'd court-fhip, but am blunt ;
Nor can I file my tongue : yet if I winne not
The moft chad woman, I will cut it out
Shall I make proofe with her ?
Enter Creffida.
Dio. There fhee comes,
Affront her Synon, He withdraw vnfeene.
Syn. A gallant Lady, who but fuch a villaine
As Synon would betray her : but my vowe
Is paft, for (he's a Troian. Creffida,
You are well incountred : whether away fweet Lady 1
364 The Second Part of
Cref. To meete with Kingly Diomed, and with
kiffes
Conduct him to his Tent.
Syn. Tis kindly done :
You loue King Diomed then ?
Cref. As mine owne life.
Syfi. What feeft thou in him that is worth thy
loue?
Cref. He's of a faire and comely perfonage.
Syn. Perfonage t ha, ha.
I prithee looke on me, and view me well,
And thou wilt find fome difference.
Cref. True, more oddes
Twixt him and thee, then betwixt Mercury
And limping Vulcan.
Syn. Yet as fayre a blowfe
As you, fweete Lady, wedded with that Smith,
And bedded too, a blacke complexion
Is alwayes precious in a womans eye :
Leaue Diomed, and loue me Creffida.
Cref. Thee.
Syn. Mee.
(tref. Deformity forbeare, I will to Diomed
Make knowne thine infolence.
Syn. I care not, for I, not defire to liue,
If not belou'd of Creffid : tell the King
If hee Hood by, I would not fpare a word.
For thine owne part, rare goddeffe, I adore thee,
And owe thee diuine reuerence : Diomed
In deed's Aitolians King, and hath a Queen e.
Cref. A Queene ?
Syn. A Queene, that fhal hereafter queflion
thee:
Or canft thou thinke hee loues thee really
Beeing a Troian, but for prefent vfe :
Can Greekes loue Troians, are they not all fworne
To do them outrage ?
Cref. How canft thou then loue me 1
Syn. I am a politician, oathes with me
The Iron Age. 365
Are but the tooles I worke with, I may breake
An oath by my profefiion. Heare me further,
Think'fl thou King Diomed, forgets thy breach
Of loue with Troy/us ? Ey or that he hopes
Thou canil be conftant to a fecond friend,
That waft fo falfe vnto thy firft belou'd.
Cref. Synon thou art deceiu'd, thou knowft I
neuer
Had left Prince Troylus, but by the command
Of my old father Calchas.
Syn. Then loue Diomed \
Yes, do fo ftill, but CreJJid marke the end,
If euer hee tranfport thee to Aitolia,
His Queene wil bid thee welcome with a vengance :
Haft thou more eyes then thefe ? fhe'le fal to work,
For fuch an other Vixen thou nere kneweft.
Come Creffida bee wife.
Cref. What (hall I doe ?
Syn. Loue me, loue Synon.
Cref. Synon loues not mee.
Syn. He fweare I do.
Cref I heard thee fay, that thou wouldft breake
thine oath.
Syn. Then He not fweare, becaufe I will not breake
it:
But yet I loue thee Creffida, loue mee,
He leaue the warres vnfinifht, Troy vnfackt ;
And to my natiue Country beare thee hence :
Nay wench He do't : come kiffe me Creffida.
Cref Well, you may vfe your pleafure ;
But good Synon keep this from Diomed.
Etiter King Diomed.
Die. Oh periured ftrumpet,
Is this thy faith 1 now Synon He beleeue
There is no truth in women.
Cref Am I betrayed 1 oh thou bafe vgly villaine,
Be pull thine eyes out.
366 The Second Part of
Syn. Ha, ha, King Diomed,
Did I not tell thee what thy fweet heart was.
Cref. Thou art a Traytor to all woman kinde.
Syn. I am, and nought more grieues me then to
thinke,
A woman was my mother.
Cref. A villaine.
Syn. Right.
Cref. A Diuell.
Syn. Little better.
Dio. Go get you backe to Troy, away, begon,
You (hall no more be my Companion.
Syn. And now faire Troian Weather-hen adew,
And when thou next loueft, thinke to be more true.
Exit.
Cref. Oh all you powers aboue, looke downe and
fee,
How I am punifht for my periury.
Alarum. Enter Penthefilea with her
Amazonians.
Penth. Stay, what fad Lady's this ? whence are you
woman ?
Of Troy or Greece %
Cref. I was of Troy till loue drew me from
thence,
But fince haue foiourn'd in the Tents of Greece,
With Diomed King of Etolia :
Oh had I neuer knowne him.
Pent. Would you truft
Your honour amongft ftrangers ? but fweete Lady
Difcourfe your wrongs.
Cref. I was betray'd :
It (names mee to relate the circumftance,
By a falfe Greeke, one that doth hate our fexe,
One Synon, if you meete him in the battaile,
I with my teares intreate you be reueng'd.
Pent. How might wee know him %
The Iron Age. 367
Cref. His vifage fwart, and earthy ore his moul-
der
Hangs lockes of hayre, blacke as the Rauens
plumes :
His eyes downe looking, you fhall hardly fee
One in whofe fhape appeares more treachery.
Pent. We loofe much time : Lady haft you to
Troy,
And if we meete a fellow in the battaile
Of your defcription, by our honor'd names,
We'le haue his blood to recompence your fhames.
Alarum. Enter Therfites.
Amaz. By her defcription this fhould be the man.
Ther. Compaft with fmockes and long coates :
Now you whoores.
Pent. Is thy name Synon ?
Ther. No, but I know bynon.
Hee is my friend and brother.
Atna. For Synons fake, prepare thy felfe for
(laughter.
Enter Synon.
Syn. Ho, who names Synon %
Ther. Brother thou nere couldfl come in better
time :
See, fee, how I am rounded.
Pent. Were euer fuch a payre of Diuels feene 1
They are fo like, they needes muft bee allied.
Syn. What can their Dammes fay to vs t
Pent. You betray Ladies, enuy all our fexe,
And that you now fhall pay for, girt him round.
Syn. I recant nothing, backe me fweete fac'd
brother :
And now you witches, varlets, drabes, and queanes,
We'le cut you all to fragments.
368 The Second Part of
Alarum. Synon and Therfites beaten off by the Ama-
zons. Pyrhus enters, fights with Penthefilea, after
this a retreate founded, then enters Menelaus, Aga-
memnon, Vliffes, Diomed.
Aga. The Troians found retreate.
Vliff. Who faw young Pyrhus 1
Mene. I feare his too much rage hath fpur'd him
on
Too farre amongft the Amazonian troopes.
Enter Synon and Therfites.
Syn. Why ftand you idle here, and let the
Troians
Lead warlike Pyrhus prifoner to the Towne.
Agam. How Pyrhus prifoner ?
Ther. Wee faw him compaft by the Amazons :
Penthefilea with her buflain troopes
Layd load vpon his Helme.
Vliff. Then this retreate
Vpon the fuddaine argues that they lead him
Captiue to Troy.
Enter Pyrhus.
Pyr. Courage braue Princes, I haue got a prife
Worthy the purchafe, on my Launces poynt
Sits pearcht the Amazonians lopt off head,
Vpon my warlike fword her bleeding arme,
At fight of which the Troians found retreate :
The honour of this day belongs to vs.
Omnes. To none but Neoptolemus.
Pyr. Synon you play'd the coward : fo Therfites.
Ther. If not fo
I had not liu'd to fee Troyts ouerthrow.
Syn- When didfl thou euer fee a villaine valiant ?
What's paft remember not, but what's to come :
The Iron Age. 369
Priam hath (hut his Gates, and will no more
Meete him in armes : can you with all your valour
Glide through the wals, if not what are you neerer
For all your Ten yeares fiege ?
Pyr. Tis true, fome ftratagem to enter Troy
Were admirable : for Princes till I fee
The Temple burne wherein my father dyde,
And Troy no Troy but afhes ; my reuenge
Will haue no fterne afpecl, till I behold
Troyes ground-fils fwim in pooles of crimfon goare.
Ramnufids Alter fild with flowing helmes
Of blood and braines : Priam and Hecuba
DragM by this hand to death, and this my fword
Rauilh the breft of faire Polixaia,
I fhall not thinke my fathers death reueng'd.
Aga. To him that can contriue
A ftratagem by which to enter Troy,
lie giue the whole fpoile of Apolloes Temple.
Mene. I my rich Tent
Vlif. I the Palladium that I brought from Troy.
Dio. I all my birthright in ALtolia.
Syn. Peace, tis here : I ha't.
Pyr. He hugge thee Synon.
Syn. Touch me not, away :
There're more hammers beating in my braine
Then euer toucht Vulcans Anuile, more Ideaes
Then Attomes, Embrions innumerable,
Growing to perfect fhape ; and now 'tis good.
Call for Endimions baftard, where's Epeus ?
He fet him ftraight a worke.
Pyr. Vpon fome Engine Synon.
Syn. A horfe, a horfe.
Pyr. Ten Kingdomes for a horfe to enter Troy.
Syn. Stay, let me fee :
Vliffes you haue the Palladium.
Vlif. I haue fo.
Syn. Call for Epeus then, the Generall
Hath no command in him.
Agatn. Lets know the proiedl.
3 B B
370 The Second Part of
Syn. And that Palladium flood in Pallas Temple,
And Confecrate to her.
Vltj. It did fo.
Syn. Call for Epeus then.
Pyr. Lets heare what thou intended.
Syn. He haue an Horfe built with fo huge a bulke,
As fhall contayne a thoufand men in Armes.
Pyr. And enter Troy with that %
Syn. Doo't you, you trouble mine inuention,
I am growne muddy with your interruption :
Good young man lend more patience, heare me out :
This Engine fram'd, and duft with armed Greekes.
(Will you take downe your Tents, march backe to
Tenedos X)
Pyr. What fhall the Horfe doe then 1
Syn. Not gallop as your tongue doth : good
Vliffes
Lend me your apprehenfion ; when the Troians
Finde you are gone aboord, theyle draight fuppofe
You'l not weigh Anchor : till the gods informe you
Of your fucceffe at Sea : if then a villaine
Can driue into their eares, the goddeffe Pallas
Offended for her dolne Palladium :
(Will you erect this Machine to her honour 1)
Withall that were it brought into her Temple,
It would retayne the gilt Palladiums vertue.
Might not the forged tale mooue aged Priam,
To hale this Engine prefently to Troy,
Pull downe his wals for entrance, leaue a breach
Where in the dead of night, all your whole Army
May enter, take them fleeping in their beds,
And put them all to fword.
Agam. Tis rare !
Pyr. Tis admirable, I will aduenture
My perfon in the Horfe.
Syn. Do fo, and get a thoufand fpirits more.
King Agamemnon, if you like the proie<5l,
Downe with your Tent.
Agam. Synon, wee will.
The Iron Age. 371
Syn. He fet a light vpon the wals of Troy
Shall giue the fummons when you fhall returne.
About it Princes : Pyrhus get you men
In readinefie, I will expofe my felfe
To bewitch Priam with a weeping tale,
I cannot to the life defcribe in words,
What He exprefie in action.
Agam. Downe with our Tents.
Pyr. He to picke out bold Greeks to fil the horfe :
Shine bright you lampes of Heauen, for ere't be long
We'le dim your radiant beames with flaming lights
And bloody meteors, from Troyes burning ftreetes.
Syn. Such fights are glorious fparks in Synotis eies,
Who longs to feaft the Diuell with Tragedies.
Explicit Atlus primus.
Atlus Secundus : Sccena prima.
Enter iEneas, and Chorebus.
Apneas. The Grecians gone ?
Cho. All their tents raif 'd, their ten yeares fiege
remoou'd :
Now Troy may reft fecurely.
Atne. They may report at their returne to Greece
The welcome they haue had : what haue they wonne %
But wounds, Times lofle, fhame, and confufion.
Enter K. Priam, Anthenor, young Polytes, Polixena,
Hecuba, and Hellen, with attendance.
Pri. We now are Lord of our owne Territories,
b b 2
372 The Second Part of
Ten yeares kept from vs by th' inuading Greekes :
Now wee may freely take a full furuey
Of all Scamander plaine, drunke with the mixture
Of th' oppofite bloods of Troians and of Greekes.
Hecu. And royall Husband we haue caufe to ioy,
That after fo long fiege the Greekes are fled,
And you in peace may reft your aged head.
^Ene. Vpon this Eaft-fide flood Vliffes Tent,
The polliticke Greeke.
Cho. There was old Nejlors quarter,
And Agamemnons that ; the Generall.
Pria. Vpon the north-fide of the field, Achilles
That bloody Greeke pitcht, and vpon this plaine,
I well remember, was my Heclor flayne.
Hel. This empty place being South from all the
reft,
The valiant Diomed hath oft made good,
And here, euen here, his rich Pauillion flood.
Hecu. But here, euen here, neere to Duke Aiax
tent,
Round girt with Mirmidons, my Troilus fell.
Cho. Then was this place a ftanding Lake of
blood,
Part of which moyfture the bright Sunne exhald ;
And part the thirfly earth hath quaft to Mars :
But now the fwords on eyther part are fheath'd,
And after ten yeares tumults warres furceafe,
They layding their fhips home with fhamefull peace.
Pria. For which we'le prayfe the gods, banquet
and feaft,
Since by their flight, our glorious fame's increaft.
Tlie Horfe is difcouered.
&ne. Soft, what huge Engine's that left on the
ftrond,
That beares the fhape and figure of an Horfe.
Cho. What, fhal we hew it peace-meale with our
fwords ?
Pria. Oh be not rafh, fure tis fome miftery
The Iron Age. 373
That this great Architecture doth include.
Cho. But mine opinion is, this Steedes huge bulke
Is fluft with Greekifh guile.
/Ene. I rather thinke
It is fome monumental 1 Edifice
Vnto the goddefle Pallas confecrate :
Then fpare your fury.
Enter Laocoon with a Iauelin.
Lao. Why fland you gazing at this horrid craft,
Forg'd by the flye Vlijjes, is his braine
Vnknowne in Troy 1 or can you looke for fafety
From thofe who ten yeares haue befieg"d your wals f
Either this huge fwolne bulke is big with fouldiers,
Longing to be deliuer'd of arm'd Greek es,
Whofe monftrous fatall and abhorred birth,
Will be Troyes mine : elfe this hill of timber
This horfe-like ftruclure ftabled vp in Troy,
Wil fpurne down thefe our wals, our towers demolifh,
Which it fhall neuer : come you Troian youth
That loue the publicke fafety, no proud Greeke
Vpon this Steedes backe, o're Troyes wall fhall ride.
Firft with this Iauelin He tranfpearce his fide.
Pria. What meanes Laocoon %
sEne. Princes ftay his fury.
Lao. Harke Troians, if a iarring noyfe of Armes,
Sighed not throw thefe deep Cauemes, I devine
This gluttenous wombe hath fwallowed a whole band
Of men in fteele, then with your fwords and glaues
Rip vp his tough fides, and imbowell him,
That we may prooue how they haue lin'd his intrailes.
Enter two fouldiers bringing in Synon bound.
Soul. Stay, and proceed, no further in your rage,
Till we haue learnt fome nouell from this Greeke,
Whom in a ditch we found faft giu'd and bound.
Pria. Laocoon ceafe thy violence till we know
374 The Second Part of
From that poore Grecian, what that Machine meanes.
Syn. Oh me, (of all on earth mod miferable,)
Whom neither Heauens will fuccour, earth preferue,
Nor feas keepe fafe, I, whom the Heauens difpife,
The Earth abandons, and the Seas difdaine :
Where fhal I fhroud me 1 whom, but now the Greekes
Threatned with vengeance ; and efcap'd from them,
Falne now into the hands of Troians, menacing
death :
The world affoords no place, to wretched Synon,
Of comfort, for where ere I fixe my foote,
I tread vpon my graue : the foure vafl corners
Of this large Vniuerfe, in all their roomes
And fpacious emptineffe, will not affoord me
My bodies length of reft : where ere I flye,
Or ftay, or turne, Death's th' obiect of mine eye.
Pria. What art thou 1 or whence com'ft thou ?
briefly fpeake.
Thou wretched man, thou moou'ft vs with thy teares :
Vnbind him fouldiers.
Syn. Shall I deny my felfe to be of Greece t
Becaufe I am brought Captiue into Troy ?
No Synon cannot lye : Heauen, Earth, and Sea,
From all which I am out-caft, witnefle with me
That Synon cannot lye ; thrice damn'd Vliffes,
The black-hair'd Pyrhus, and horned Menelaus
Crook-back'd Therfites, luxurious Diomed,
And all the rable of detefted Greekes,
I call to witnefle, Synon cannot lye.
Could I haue oyl'd my tongue, and cring'd my
ham,
Suppled mine humble knee to croutch and bend,
Heau'd at my bonnet, fhrugg'd my fhoulders thus,
Grin'd in their faces, Synon then had flood,
Whom now this houre muft flue in his own blood.
/Ene. The perfect image of a wretched creature,
His fpeeches begge remorfe.
Pria. Alas good man,
Shake off the timerous feare of feruile death,
T/ie Iron Age. 375
Though 'mongfl vs Troians, and thy felfe a Greeke,
Thou art not now amongft thine enemies,
Thy life He warrant, onely let vs know
What this Horfe meanes.
Syn. Greece I renounce thee, thou haft throwne
me off,
Faire Troy I am thy creature. Now He vnrip
Vliffes craft, my fatall enemy,
Who fold to death the Duke Palamides,
My Kinfman Troians (though in garments tome)
Synon (lands here, yet is he nobly borne :
For that knowne murder did I haint his Tent
With rayling menaces, horrible exclaimes,
Many a blacke-faint, of wifhes, oathes, and curfes
Haue I fung at his window, then demaunding
I u Mice of Agamemnon, Diomed,
Duke Nestor with the other Lords of Greece,
For murder of the Prince Palamides,
And being denide it in my moft vexation,
My bitter tongue fpar'd not to barke at them :
For this I was obferu'd, lookt through and through
Vliffes braine had markt me, for my tongue
And fatted me for death by Catenas meanes,
He wrought fo farre that I fhould haue bin offred
Vnto the gods for facrifice, the Prieft
Lifting his hand aloft to flrike me dead,
I lept downe from the Altar, and fo fled,
Purfuite and fearch was made, but I lay fafe
In a thicke tuft of fedge, till I was found
By thefe your fouldiers, who thus brought me bound.
Pria. Thou now art free fecur'd from all their
tyranny :
Now tell vs what's the meaning of this Horfe 1
Why haue they left him here, themfelues being gon ?
Syn. My new releaf'd hands, thus I heaue on
hye,
Witneffe you gods, that Synon cannot lye.
But as a new adopted Troian now
By Priams grace ; I here proteft by loue,
376 The Second Part of
By thefe eternal fires that fpangle Heauen,
The Alter, and that facrificing fword,
Beneath whofe ftroake I lay, fince my bafe Country
Cads me away to death, I am now borne
A fonne of Troy : not Heftor whilft he liu'd
More dammag'd Greece by his all wounding arme,
Then I by my difcouery : Well, you know
How the Greekes honour Pallas, who incenfl
Becaufe Vliffes the Palladium Hole
Out of her Temple, and her Warders flew,
In rage fhe threatned mine to all Greece :
Therefore to her hath Calchas built this Horfe.
(Greece pardon me, and all my Countrey gods
Be deafe to Synons tale, and let it bee
Henceforth forgot that I was borne in Greece,
Leaft times to come record what I reueale,
The blacke confufion of my Natiue weale.
Priam. And what's that Synon t
Syn, Where left 1 1 at the Horfe, built of that
fize,
Leaft you fhould giue it entrance at your Gates :
For know fhould your rude hands dare to prophan
This gift facred to Pallas : Rots and difeafes,
Pefts and infections fhall depopulate you,
And in a fmall fhort feafon, they returning,
Shal fee thy fubiects flain, faire Troy bright burning.
I'm euen with thee Vliffes, and my breath
Strikes all Greece home for my intended death.
Pria. Thankes Synon, we fhall bounteoufly reward
thee.
ALne. And fee my Leige, to make good his
report,
Laocoon, he that with his Iauelin pierft
This gift of Pallas, round embrac'd with Snakes,
That winde their traines about his wounded waft,
And for his late prefumption fling him dead.
Pria. We haue not feene fo ftrange a prodigy,
Laocoon hath offended all the gods,
In his prophane attempt.
The Iron Age. 377
Syn. Then lend your helping hands,
To lift vp that Palladian monument
Into Troyes Citty : Leauers, Cables, Cords.
Cho. It cannot enter through the Citty Gates.
Syn. Downe with the wals then.
Cho. Thefe wals that ten yeares haue defended
Troy,
For all their feruice (hall wee mine them.
Syn. But this mall not defend you for ten
yeares,
But make your Towne impregnable for euer.
Pria. Downe with the wals then, each man lend a
hand.
Cho. I heare a noyfe of Armour.
jEne. Ha, what's that ?
Cho. I feare fome treafon in that Horfe in-
clofed :
Nor will I lend an hand to hale him in.
Omnes. Downe with the Wals.
sEne. And Troians now after your ten years
toile,
Dayes battailes, the fields trouble, and nights watch,
This is the firft of all your reft, feaft, banquet, ioy
and play,
Pallas is ours, the Greekes fayl'd hence away.
Pria. Here we releafe all Centries and commit
Our broken wals to her Celeftiall guard :
We will reward thee Synon, the Greekes gone,
Priam may reft his age, in his foft throne. Exe.
Syn. So, fo, fo,
Synon I hope fhall warme his hands annon ;
At a bright goodly bone-fire : Here's the Key
Vnto this machine by Epeus built,
Which hath already with his brazen breft,
Tilted Troies wall downe, and annon being drunke
With the bed blood of Greece, in dead of night
Hauing furcharg'd his ftomacke, will fpew out
A thoufand men in Armes : fweet mid night come,
1 long to maske me in thy fable Wings,
378 The Second Part of
That I may do fome mifchiefe and blacke deedes :
We (hall haue rare fport, admirable fpoyle,
Cutting of throats, with dabbing, wounding, killing
Some dead a fleep, and fome halfe fleep, halfe
wake :
Some dancing Antickes in their bloody fhirts,
To which their wiues cries, & their infants fhreeks,
Play muficke, braue mirth, pleafing harmony :
Then hauing fpitt young children on our fpeares,
We'le roft them at the fcorching flames of Troy :
Flye fwift you winged minutes till you catch
That long-wifht houre of ftilnes : in which Troy
Sleeps her laft fleep, made drunk with wine and
ioy.
In the receiuing of this fatall Steede,
Sicke Troy this day hath fwallowed fuch a pill,
Shall fearch her intrayles, and her Hues blood fpill.
Exit.
Enter Agamemnon, Menelaus, Vlifles, with fouldiers
in a/oft march, witlwut noife.
Aga. Soft, foft, and let your ftilnefle fuite with
night,
Faire Phebe keepe thy filuer fplendor in,
And be not feene to night
Mene. Where Phebe in my cafe,
She foone would blufli to fhow her horned face.
Vliff. We would not haue a ftarre caft it's cleare
eye
On our darke enterprife : too faft : fo, dill.
Here Ambufh, till you fee the flaming Torch,
Synon this night vpon the wals of Troy,
Will tofie about his eares, as a true fignall,
The great Epean ftructure is receiu'd,
And we may find fafe entrance by the breach.
A%a. A ftand, the "word through all the Regi-
ment.
Mene. A ftand.
The Iron Age. 3 79
Enter Synon with a torch about.
Syn. Thy euerlafting fleepe, fleepe careleffe Trov,
This horrid night buried in Wine and mirth,
This fatall Horfe fpur'd by the braine of Synon,
Hath lept ore Troys high bulwarks great with Greeks,
Four times in rayfing vp the monument,
A making found of Armour harfhly iar'd
In all the Princes eares, and had they not
Beene drunk in Synons teares, they'd found our
guile.
It is now mid-night. The black darkneffe falne,
And rould o're all the world, as well the Poles,
As the great Ocean, and the earth : now's the time
For tragicke (laughter, clad in gules and fables,
To fpring out of Hels iawes, and play ftrang reaks
In fleepy Troy, this bright and flaming brand
Which fo often gire about mine eares,
Is fignall for the Armies quicke returne,
And make proud Jflium like my bright torch burne,
Winke all you eyes of Heauen, or you fhall be
Blood-fhot to view Troyes difmall Tragedy. Exit.
Aga. The fignals on the wal : forward braue foul-
diers,
The Horfe is entred, Synons Tale beleeu'd.
And wee this night fhall fee the facke of Troy.
Men. March on then, the black darknes couers vs,
And we without fufpition eafily may
Difperfe our felues about thefe high built wals :
Vlif. Now with a foft march enter at this breach
But giue no token of a loud Alarme,
Till we haue met with Pyrhus and the reft,
Whom the Steedes bulke includes.
They march foftly in at one doore, and prefently in at
another. Enter Synon with a stealing pace, hold-
ing the key in his hand.
Syn. Soft, foft, ey fo, hereafter Ages tell,
380 The Second Part of
How Synons key vnlockt the gates of Hell.
Pyrhus, Diomed, and the rest, leape from out the Horfe.
And as if groping in the darke, meeie with Aga-
memnon and the rejl : who after knowledge im-
brace. %
Pyrhus. The Generall ?
Agam. Pyrhus 1
Dio. Menelaus ?
Mene. Diomed %
Ther. My Vrchin %
Syn. What my Toad ?
Pyr. Well met in Troy great Lords.
Vlif. Where are wee now 1
Sy. In the high ftreet, nere to the Church of
Pallas,
And this you pad, the gate cal'd Dardanus.
Pyr. Then here begins Troyes fatall tragedy :
Princes of Greece, at once vnfheath your fwords,
And heare proteft with Neoptolemus,
By our fore-father Peleus, grandam Thetis,
The Emperious goddeffe of the Sea, that made
Achilles, faue th' heele, invulnerable,
And by my father great AEacides,
His glorious name, his Armour which I weare,
His bloody wounds, and his blacke fepulchre ;
I here abiure all refpite, mercy, fleepe,
Vntil this Citty be a place confus'd :
This murall girdle that begirts it round
A Cawfey for the Greekes to trample on,
The place a ftone-heape fwimming in an Ocean
Of Troian blood, which fhall from farre appeare
Like an high Rocke in the red Sea.
Syn. A braue mow,
To fee full Boats in blood of Troians rowe,
And [the poore labouring Snakes with armes fpread
fwimme
In luke-warme blood of their allyes and kin.
TJte Iron Age \ 381
Men. Whence muft this Ocean flowe 1 From
thoufand Springs
Of gentle and ignoble, bafe and Kings.
Pyr. Set on then, none retire ;
Waue in the one hand fteele, in the other fire.
Loud Drummes and Trumpets ring Iroycs fatall
peale,
That now lyes drawing on, the word be vengeance,
Alarum, at that watch-word fire, and kill,
And wide-mouth'd Orchus with whole legions fill.
A loude Alarum. Enter a Troian in his night-gowne
all vnready.
Tro. Twas an alarum fure that frighted mee
In my dead fleepe, 'twas neare the Dardan port :
lone grant that all be well.
Enter his wife as front bed.
Wife. Oh Heauen ! what tumult's this
That hurries through the fatall ftreetes of Troy %
I feare fome treafon.
Tro. Stay Wife, lay thine eare
Vnto the ground and lift, if we can gather
Of what condition this ftrange vproare is
That riots at this late vnfeafoned houre ?
Sure 'tis the noife of war, whence fhould it grow %
The Greekes are fayl'd hence, Troy needes feare no
foe.
Wife. The horrid ftirre comes on this way towards
vs.
Troi. Oh whither fhall we turne %
A great cry within. Alarum. Enter Pyrhus with the
rest ifieir weapons drawn and torches.
Wife. Oh faue mee husband.
Troi. Succour me deere wife.
382 The Second Part of
Omnes. Vengeance for Greece and Neoptolemus.
Pyr. So flye the word along, dye old and young,
Mourne Troy in afhes for Achilles loffe,
Steele in one hand, in th' other fire-brands tofle.
Exeunt.
Enter Chorebus at one doore, at another yEneas with
their weapons drawne.
Cho. This horrid clamour that hath cal'd mee vp
From my deepe reft, much, much amazeth mee ;
Tis on the right hand, now vpon the left,
It goes before me and it followes mee :
Oh loue expound the meaning of this horrour
Which the darke mid-night makes more terrible.
/Ene. This ftreete is cleare, but now I climb' d a
Turret,
And I might well difcerne half Troy in fire,
And by the flame the burnifht Helmets glifter
Of men in Armes, whence lout Olimpicke knowes.
Enter afecondTxoxaxi.
2. Tro. Where fhall I hide me ? Treafon, Troyes
betray'd ;
The fatall horle was full of armed Greekes.
Chore. Of Greekes % damn'd Synon.
2. Tro. Prince Chorebus fly,
Fly great ^Eneos.
Cho. Which way 1 where 1 or how ?
Are we not rounded with a quick-fet hedge
Of pointed fteele 1 are not the gates poffeft
And ftrongly man'd with Greekes ? death euery
where,
Then whither fhould we flye ?
ALne. Into the throng.
Where blowes are dealt, where our inflamed Turrets
Burne with moft fury.
Cho. Nobly fpeakes /Eneas.
The Iron Age. 383
s£e. Then whither flames, and furies, fhreiks and
clamors,
Death, danger, and the deuils hurry vs,
Thither will we : follow where I fhall lead,
Thoufands fhall fall by vs ere we be dead.
Enter Therfites, with other Greekes.
Ther. Charge on thefe naked Troians, and cry
thus,
Vengeance for Greece and Neoptolemus.
Cho. Charge on thefe armed Grecians, and thus
cry,
We may yet Hue to fee ten thoufand dye.
They charge the Greekes and kill them, Therfites runs
away.
Cho. Well fought braue fpirits in our vtter ruine,
We are Conquerours yet : let's don thefe Greekifh
habits,
And mixe our felues amongft their Armed ranks ;
So vnexpected murder all we meete :
The darkenefle will afiifl our enterprife.
Thefe Greekifh Armes this night by Troians worne ,
Shall to the fall of many Grecians turne.
Enter all the Greekes.
Omnes. Burne fire, and kill, as you wound cry
thus,
Vengeance for Greece and Neoptolemus. Exeunt.
Enter ^Eneas followed by Heclors ghofl.
/Ene. What art thou that with fuch a grim afpecl,
In this black night fo darke and turbulent,
Haunts me in euery corner of my houfe
384 The Secotid Part of
Which yet burnes o're mine eares 1
Heft. Doefl thou not know me ?
Or can sEneas fo forget his friend 1
This face did fright Achilles in the field,
And when I fhooke thefe lockes, now knotted all,
As bak't in blood ; all Greece hath quak't and trem-
bled.
Looke on mine Heeles, and thou maift fee thofe
thongs
By which fo often I was dragg'd 'bout Troy,
My body made an vniuerfall wound
By the vnnumbred hands of Mirmidons,
This th' hand that toft fo many wild-fire balls
Into the Argiue fleete, and this the body
That deck't in Aiax and Achilles fpoyles
Ridde from the fields triumphant thorow Troy.
Aine. Prince Heftorl
Heft. Hence /Eneas poft from Troy,
Reare that abroad the gods at home deftroy.
The Citty burnes, Priam and Priams glory
Is all expir'd, and tumbled headlong downe :
Caffandraes long neglected prophefies
This night fulfils. If either ftrength or might
Could haue protected Troy, this hand, this arme
That fau'd it oft, had kept it ftill from harme.
But Troy is doom'd, here gins the fatall Story
Of her fad facke and fall of all her glory.
Away, and beare thy Country gods along,
Thousands fhall iffue from thy facred feede,
Citties more rich then this the Grecian fpoyle.
In after times fhall thy fucceflors build,
Where Heftors name fhall Hue eternally.
One Romulus, another Bruite fhall reare,
Thefe fhall nor Honours, nor iufl Rectors want,
Lumbardies Roome, great Britaines Troy-nouant.
Hu fuge nate Dea ; teque his pater eripeflammis ;
Hojlis habet muros, ruit alto a culmitie Troia
Sacra, fuofque, tibi commendat Troia penates
The Iron Age. 385
Hos capefatorum comites, his tncenia quare,
Magna pererrato Jlatues quce denique ponto. Exit.
Altu. Soft lie thy bones and fweetly may they
reft
Thou wonder of all worthyes, but Troy burnes :
Thoufands of Troian Corfes blocke the ftreetes,
ome flying fall, and fome their killers kill :
Where (hall I meete thee death 1 before I flye.
Some Conquerors yet, fhall brauely conquered die.
Exit.
Explicit Aclusftcundus.
Aclus Ter Hits : Scoena prima.
Enter Priam in his night-gowne and flippers, after him
Hecuba, Hellena, Andromache, Caflandra, Po-
lyxena, Polites, Aftianax. An Alarum.
All La. Oh helpe vs father Priam, Oh the Greeks.
Pri. I haue done more then age would fuffer me
They haue tilted mails againft my Pallace gates,
And burft them open.
All La. Oh father Priam, whether fhall we flye!
Pri. We are incompaft round with fword & fire,
'Las Daughters, 'las my young Astianax.
All La. Oh heauen, they come, where may we
hide vs fafe ?
Pri. Safety and helpe are both fled out of Troy,
And left behind nothing but maflacre :
My Pallace is furpris'd, my guard all flaine,
My felfe am wounded, but more with your fhreeks,
Then by the fwords of Grecians : come let's flie
Vnto the facred Altar of the gods.
c c
386 The Second Part of
All La. May we be fafe there father ?
PH. Safe ? Oh no ;
Safety is fled. Death hath our Hues in chafe,
And fince we needes muft dye, let's chufe this place.
Exeunt.
Alarum. Enter at the one doore Hellen, at the other
Crefida.
Cref. Whither runnes Hellen ?
Hel. Whither fhould I fly ?
Cref. See, Troy is not it felfe, oh wretched Hellen 1
To fhun the Greekes to run into the fire,
Or flying fire, perifh by Greekifh fteele :
Which hadft thou rather chufe 1
Hel. Death, in what fhape foeuer hee appeares
To me is welcome, Fie no longer fhun him ;
But here with Crefida abide him : here,
Oh, why was Hellen at the firfl fo faire*,
To become fubiect to fo foule an end 1
Or how hath Crefids beauty fmn'd 'gainft Heauen,
That it is branded thus with leprofie ]
Cref. I in conceit thought that I might contend
Againft Heauens fplendor, I did once fuppofe,
There was no beauty but in Crefids lookes,
But in her eyes no pure diuinity :
But now behold mee Hellen.
Hel. In her I fee
All beauties frailty, and this obiect makes
All faireneffe to fhow vgly in it felfe :
But to fee breathleffe Virgins pil'd on heape,
What leffe can Hellen doe then curfe thefe Starres
That fhin'd fo bright at her natiuity,
And with her nayles teare out thefe lhining balls
That haue fet Troy on fire ?
Enter Pyrhus, Agamemnon, Menelaus, 6r>c.
Pyr. Pierce all the Troian Ladies with your
fwords,
The Iron Age. 387
Lead 'mongft them you might fpare Polixena.
Agam. Stay, I mould know that face, tis Helena.
Mene. My Queene 1
Hel. I am not Hellen, but Polixena :
Therefore reuengfull Neoptolemus
Doe Iuflice on me for thy fathers death.
Pyr. Polixena ? by all Achilles honours
He part thee limbe from limbe.
Cref. Pyrhus forbeare,
It's the Spartan Queene.
Men. If Hellen, the adulterous ftrumpet dyes,
He be her deathf-man.
Hel. Strike home Menelaus,
Death from thy hand is welcome.
Aga. Hold I fay,
Shee's Clitemnejlras fifler, for her fake
Hellen (hall Hue, and Kingly Menelaus
Receiue her into fauour.
Pyr. Agamemnon
Is too remifle, I haue fworne all blood to fpill
I meet with, and this one will Pyrhus kill.
Men. And I this other.
Aga. For our fake Menelaus let her Hue.
Was not our fifter borne againft her will
From Sparta 1 for that wrong done by the Troians
Doth not Troy burne 1 and are not all our fwords
Stain'd in the blood of Paris flaughtered friends ?
You fhall be reconcil'd to Helena,
And beare her backe to Greece.
Enter Therfites.
Ther. Hellen at fhrift : alas poore penitent Queane,
Dofl heare me Menelaus^ pardon her,
Take her againe to Sparta, thou'lt elfe want
So kind a bed-fellow.
Men. Take backe my fhame 1
Ther. Yes for thy pleafure.
There's in the world as rich and honourable
C c 2
388 The Second Part of
As thou, who lend the pleafures of their bed
To others, and then take them backe agayne
As they can get them.
Men. My brow (hall neuer beare
Such Characters of fhame.
Ther. Thy browes beare homes already, but who
fees them 1
When thou return'ft to Sparta, fome will thinke
Thou art a Cuckold, but who is't dare fay fo %
Thou art a King, thy finnes are clouded o're,
Where poore mens faults by tongues are made much
more.
Of all men liuing, Kings are laft fhall heare
Of their difhonours.
Aga. What inferiour Beaft
Dares tell the Lyon of his Tyranny,
Who is not torne afunder with his pawes ?
The King of Sparta therefore needs not feare
The tongues of fubiects, bid our fifter rife
To fafety in thine armes.
Ther. Doe Menelaus.
Men. But will my Hellen then by future vertue
Redeeme her long loft honour %
Hel. If with teares
The Heauens may be appeas'd for Hellens finnes,
They fhall haue penitent fhowers : If Menelaus
May with the fpirit of loue be fatisfied,
lie ten times re<5tifie my forfet honour
Before I touch his bed.
Men. Arife then Hellen, Menelaus armes
Thus welcome thee to fafety.
Ther. Ha, ha, ha.
Why this is well, for he that's borne to dye
A branded Cuckhold, huggs his deftiny :
Goe, get you after Pyrhus to the (laughter,
He looke to Hellen.
Aga. Conueigh her to our guard. Exit.
Ther. Hellen, hereafter fee thou proou'ft more
wife,
The Iron Age. 389
If not more honed, yet be more precife. Exit.
Enter Prince Chorebus with other Troians in Greekifh
habits.
Cho. Thefe fhapes thriue well, we haue guilt our
Greekifh armes
With blood of their owne nation : fome we haue fent
To euerlafting darknefle, fome repulft
Backe to their fhips : fome we haue made to flye
Into their horfes bulke, whence Pyrhus firft
Lept downe vpon his fpeare.
Enter Synon, Therfites, and the Greekes dragging in
Caffandra.
Syn. Come fouldiers, this is (lately tragical!,
The Greekes wade vp euen to the brawny thighes
In luke-warme blood of our defpoyled foes.
Aboue Melpomene's huge buskind top
We plunge at euery ftepp, and brauely fought
By Troyes bright burning flame : that's now our light
Ther. More of our valiant mates, let's ioyne with
them,
This ftreete yet's vnaffaulted and vnfir'd :
Some balls of wild-fire ftreight, and hurle this Lady
Into the fury of the burning flame.
Cho. My wife Caffandra 1
Syn. Courage, let none fcape
Fire, vengeance, blood, death, murder, fpoyle and
rape.
Cho. All thefe on Greece and twenty thoufand
more,
Till they like Troy be drown'd in teares and goare.
Chorebus and the rest beate off the Greekes, and
refcue Caffandra.
Caff. From Greekes to Greeks, from fire kept for
the fword,
3 go The Second Part of
From one death to another.
Cho. Caffandra no.
Caff. My Lord the Prince Chorebus ?
Cho. Yes the fame,
Who hath preferu'd thee both from fword and flame.
Enter ^neas with his father, who taking Chorebus for
a Grecian by reafon of his habite, fights with him
and kils him.
Aine. More Greekes and fee Caffandra captiue
made,
Affault them Troians, refcue the faire Princeffe ;
This way deare father mount my backe againe.
Caff. Oh falfe /Eneas, thou haft flaine thy friend :
Many a Greeke (thus fhapt) he fent to hell,
And being a Troian by a Troian fell.
/Ene. He dy'd not by my hand, but his owne fate.
Caf). And I forgiue thee good /Eneas, flie,
Thou fhalt furuiue, but Troy and wee muft fall :
The hope of all our future memories
Are ftor'd in thee, take vp thy facred load
Reuerent Anchifes bed-rid through his age,
We are all doom'd, faire Troy muft perifh here,
But thou art borne a greater Troy to reare.
/Ene. The Heauens haue hand in all things, to
their pleafure
Wee muft fubfcribe : Creufa, where's my wife ?
In loofmg her I faue but halfe my life.
Come reuerent father, on my moulders mount,
Though thoufand dangers dogge vs at the heeles,
Yet will wee force our paffage. Exeunt.
King Priam difcouered kneeling at the Altar, with him
Hecuba, Polixena, Andromache, Aftianax : to
them enter Pyrhus, and all the Greekes, Pyrhus
killing Polytes Priams fonne before the Altar.
Pyr. Still let your voyces to hye Heauen afpire
The Iron Age. 39 1
For Pyrhus vengeance, murdring fteele and fire.
All the Ladies. Oh, oh.
Pri. My fonne Polyles% oh thou more hard
hearted
Then fatall Pyrhus or his fathers guard,
That in the ftiadow of this facred place
Durft fprinke the childs blood in the fathers face.
Pyr. Priam 1 thanks fweet reuenge, through
fwords and armour,
Through mures, and Counter-mures of men and
fteele ;
Through many a corner, and blind entries mouth
1 haue followed this thy bleeding fonne to death,
Whofe fwift purfuite hath traind me to this Altar
To be reueng'd on thee for the fad fate
Of great Achilles.
Pri. Thou art Pyrhus then ?
Pyr. My ac"ls (hall fpeake my name,
I am that Pyrhus who did mount yon Horfe
Hyding mine armour in his deepe vaft bulke,
The firft that lept out of his fpacious fide,
And toft confuming fire in euery ftreet,
Which climb'd, as if it meant to meete the ftars,
I am that Pyrhus before whom Troy falls :
Before whom all the Vanes and Pinacles
Bend their high tops, and from the battlements
On which they ftand, breake their afpiring necks.
The proudeft roofe and moft imperious fpyre
Hath vaild to vs and our all wafting fire.
Pri. PyrhuS) I know thee for my deftin'd plague,
I know the gods haue left vs to our weakneffe,
I fee our glories ended and extinct,
And I ftand ready to abide their dooine ;
Onely for pitty and for pieties fake
Be gracious to thefe Ladies.
Syn. Pyrhus no,
Such grace as they did to Achilles fhew.
Let them all taft ; let grace be farre exil'd,
Kill from the elder to the fucking child.
392 The Second Part of
Pri. Hee's prone enough to mifchiefe of himfelfe,
Spurre not that fury on which runnes too faft,
Nor adde thou to old Priams mifery
Which fcarce can be augmented tis fo great.
Pyr. Dye in thy tortures then.
Hecu. Oh fpare his life.
AJli. Good man kill not my Grandfire.
Pri. Good man doe.
Hecu. Kill mee for him.
AJli. No, fhee's my Grandam too,
Indeed fhee's a good woman, chufe fome other
If you muft needes kill.
Pyr. This then.
AJli. Shee's my Mother,
You fhall not hurt her.
Pri. This boy had a father,
Heclor his name, who had hee liu'd to fee
A fword bent 'gainft his wife, this Queene, or me,
He would haue made all Greece as hot to hold him
As burning Troy is now to fhelter vs.
AJli. Good Grandfire weepe not, Grandam, Mother,
Aunt,
Alas, what meane you 1 If you be good men
Put vp your fwords and helpe to quench thefe flames,
Or if in killing you fuch pleafure haue,
Praclife on him, kill that ill fauoured knaue.
Syn. Mee bratt 1
Py r - Vfyjfi es > Agamemnon, Menelaus,
Synon, Therjites, and you valiant Greekes ;
Behold the vengeance wrathfull Pyrhus takes
On Priams body for Achilles death :
Synon, take thou that Syren Polixene,
And hew her peece-meale on my fathers Tombe.
Therjites, make the wombe of fifty Princes
A royall fheath for thy victorious blade :
Diomed, let Caffandra dye by thee,
And Agamemnon kill Andromache \
And as my fword through Priams bulke fhall flie,
Let them in death confort him, and fo dye.
Ther. When, when, for Ioues fake when ?
The Iron Age. 393
Syn. Some expeditious fate this motion further,
Me thinks tis long fince' that I did a murder.
Iri. Oh Heauen, oh lout, Stars, Planets, fortune,
fate,
To thinke what I haue beene, and what am now ;
Father of fifty braue Heroick fonnes,
But now no Father, for they all are flaine.
Queene Hecuba the Mother of fo many,
But now no Mother : for her barren wombe
Hath not one child to fhew, thefe fatal 1 warres
Haue eate vp all our iffue.
AJU. My deare Father,
And all my princely Vnkles.
Andr. My deare Husband,
And all my royall brothers.
Hecu. Worthy Heclor,
And all my valiant fonnes.
Pri. And now that Priam that commanded AJia,
And fate inthron'd aboue the Kings of Greece,
Whofe dreaded Nauy fcowerd the Hellefpont,
Sees the rich towers hee built now burnt to allies ;
The (lately walls he reard, leuel'd and euen'd ;
His Treafures rifled and his people fpoyl'd :
All that he hath on earth beneath the Sunne
Bereft him, fauing his owne life and thefe,
And my poore life with thefe, are (as you fee)
Worfe then the reft ; they dead, we dying bee.
Strike my fterne foe, and proue in this my friend,
One blow my vniuerfall cares fhall end.
Pyr. And that blow Pyrhus ftrikes, at once ftrike
all. They are all flaine at once.
Syn. Why, fo, fo, this was (lately tragicall.
AJU. Where fhall I hide me 1
Pyr. So nimble Heclors baflard 1
My father (lew thy father, I the fonne :
Thus will I tofle thy carkas vp on hie,
The brat aboue his fathers fame fhall die.
He tojjeth him about his head and kills him.
Syn. No, fomewhat doth remayne,
394 The Second Part of
Alarum ftill, the peoples not all flaine,
Let not one foule furuiue.
Pyr. Then Trumpets found
Till burning Troy in Troian blood be drown'd.
Exeunt.
The Alarum continued, Jhreiks and clamours are heard
within. Enter with Drumme, Colours, and Soul-
aiers Agamemnon, Pyrhus, Vlyffes, Diomed,
Menelaus, Hellen, Therfites, Synon, &>c.
Pyr. What more remaines t' accomplifh our re-
uenge ?
The proudefl Nation that great Afia nurft
Is now extinft in Lethe.
Mene. All by Hellen,
Oh had that tempting beauty ne're beene borne,
By whom fo many worthies now lie dead.
Syn. A hot Pell take the flrumpet.
Ther. And a mifchiefe.
Syn. Twas this hot whore that fet all Troy a fire.
Hel. Forgiue me Pyrhus for thy fathers death,
Troy for thy fack, King Priam for thy fonnes,
Greece for an infinite flaughter, and you Husband
For all your nuptiall wrongs, King Menelaus,
I mufl confeffe, my inconfiderate deed
Haue made a world of valiant hearts to bleed.
Dio. What note is that which Pyrhus eye dwels
on?
Pyr. The perfect number
Of Greekes and Troians ilayne on either part.
The fiege ten yeares, ten moneths, ten dayes indur'd,
In which there perifiYt of the Greekes 'fore Troy
Eight hundred thoufand & fixe thoufand fighting
men :
Of Troians fell fixe hundred fixe and fifty thoufand,
All fouldiers ; befides women, children, babes,
Whom this night mafiacred.
Hel. All thefe I flew.
The Iron Age. 395
Syn. Nay, fome this hand fent packing, that's not
true.
Vlyf. sEneas, with twenty two (hips well furnifh't,
(The felfe fame fhips in which young Paris fayl'd
When hee from Sparta dole faire Helena,)
Is fled to Sea.
Dio. Anthenor with hue hundred Troians more
Scap't through the gate cal'd Dardan.
Pyr. Let them goe,
That of Troyes fack the world by them may know,
Where aboue thirty braue Heroick Kings
Haue breath'd their laft : befides inferior Princes,
Barons and Knights, eighteene imperiall Monarches
With his owne hands renowned Heclor flew :
My father befides Troilus and that Heclor,
Eight famous Kings that came in ayd of Troy,
Three Troian Part's with his Arrowes flew,
Of which one was my father : Diomed
Foure Monarches with his bright fword fent to death.
Our felfe the warlike Queene of Amazons,
And aged Priam.
Ther. Brauely boaft he can,
A wretched woman and a weake old man.
Pyr. And now Troyes warres are ended, we in
peace
With glorious conqueft to fayle backe to Greece.
Their Nation's vanifh'd like their Citties fmoake,
Our enemies are all afhes : worlds to come
Shall Cronicle our pittilefle reuenge
In Bookes of Brafle and leaues of Adamant
Towards Greece victorious Leaders, our toyle's pad ;
Troy and Troyes people we haue burn't in flames,
And of them both left nothing but their names.
Exeunt.
Explicit AcTus tertius.
396 The Second Part of
Aclus Quartus : Sccena prima.
Enter Prince Cethus thefonne of King Naulus, and
brother to Palamides.
Ceth. With wondrous ioy they fay, the Greekes re-
turne
With Triumphes and ouations piercing Heauen,
Where e're they fet but foot loude Pseans fung,
And Oades to fpheare-like Notes tun'd in their
prayfe :
Whil'ft Cethus like a forlorne fhadowe walkes
Difpis'd, difgrac't, neglected and debofht ;
Playing his melancholly, cares and forrowes
On his difcordant Hart-ftrings. Oh my fate !
Shall I, that haue this body and this braine,
A royalty ftampt on mee in my birth :
Whofe wrongs haue beene of marke through all the
world
Troubling each eare, and being difputable
By euery tongue that hath beene taught to fpeake,
Euen in the mouthes of Babes, all rating mee
Of cowardefie and floth : fleepe, an occafion
Being fairely offer'd 1 No, awake reuenge,
He bring thee now to action.
Enter Pilades.
Pil. Heare you the newes.
Ceth. Orejles friend, the noble Pilades 1
Inflruct mine ignorance, I know of none.
Pil. This day the Prince, great Agamemnons
heire
Orejles whom you truely call your friend,
Betroths the young and faire Hermione
Daughter to beauteous Hellen.
The Iron Age. 397
Ceth. Hymens ioyes.
Crowne them with all true pleafure.
Pil. Shall we haue your prefence at the Contract ?
Ccth. Who's within 1
Pil. Onely Egistus, Clitemnesiras friend,
The Queene and faire Eleclra.
Ceth. Witneffe enough,
Then fpare me for this time good Pilades,
Wee'le owe them greater feruice.
Pyl. But tis a duty that I owe my friend,
My abfence would diftaft him. Exit.
Ceth. Fare you well.
Doe, doe, contract and marry, ayme at Heauen,
But Hell is that they plunge in : Oh Palamedes
My bafely betray* d brother, fold at Troy
As we would cheapen Horfes, yet a Prince :
A Prince ? nay Generall of the Greekifh hpft.
Emperour and Keyfer, chofe to that command
By a full Iury of Kings, and by them rated
The prime & worthieft : who being far from equal
Could find in whole Greece no competitor.
Yet this peculiar man, this God of men,
By falfe Vlyffes and Atreus fonnes
Agamemnon and Menelaus, bafely fupplanted ;
Who, for they would conferre among themfelues
The foueraignty forg'd letters fent from Troy,
And coine withall mark't with King Priams (lamp,
As if this father of his fame and Nation
Whofe onely ends were aymd to honour Greece
Would haue betrayde his people : this fuggefted,
My brother was arraign'd, conuidl, condemn'd ;
For which I haue vow'd the vniuerfall mine
Of all the Kings of that corrupted bench.
Palamides thy blood in Afia fhed
Shall make all Europe mourne fince thou art dead.
Enter Egiftus, Clitemneftra, Orefles, Pilades, Her-
mione, and Eleclra.
Cli. Mecenaes King and Sparta's would be proud
398 The Second Part of
To fee this happy and bleft vnion made
Betweene their royall Familyes.
Orejl. This faire Virgine,
Second from Lceda to whom Ioue vouchfaf 't
The flrict Imbrace of his immortall arme,
Vnfpotted with her mothers proflitution,
Wee'le thus receiue.
Hermi. May my chaft innocence
Breake ^through the Cloud which hath ecclips'd her
fame,
Whofe lufler may out-fhine my mothers fraileties,
And they through me may bee forgot in Greece.
Egi. Hermione, your words tafl of your breeding
Vnder this Queene your faire and Princely Aunt,
Were young Eleclra but fo well bellowed,
Great Agamemnon in fo braue a match
Would thinke himfelfe more grac'd, then in fruition
Of all the forraigne Trophies.
Ceth. May fhee prooue
A whore like to her mother : Prince Orestes,
And you bright Lady Spartans fecond light,
May all the vertues of this potent Queene
Take life in you, to prooue hereditary
That the great Arch-duke crown'd with fame and
honour,
In his returne may adde a furplufadge
To his already furfet ; find his bed
By this adultreffe bafely ftrumpetted,
And make the Downe they lye on quaffe their blood.
Orest. How doe you faire Eleclra in your iudge-
ment
Applaude your brothers choyce 1
Elecl. As of a contract
Made by the gods aboue, and now by Princes
Here ratified on earth.
Orest. I would my friend
Were to you filler, but as fafl betroth'd
As I to Hellens daughter : But deare Pilades,
Tis Time mufl perfect all things.
The Iron Age. 399
Pil. Madam you heare
This motion from your brother.
Elecl. And I craue
Time to confider on't.
Orejl. Tis on foote,
Purfue it then with all aduantages,
Command my free afliftance to beginne :
Had you Eletlra friend, as I Hermione ;
We were at firft as forraigne as you two,
And euery way as ftrange, but opportunity
That hath vnited vs, may make you one.
After fome amorous parliance, let vs now
Vnto the Temple and there facrifice
Vnto the gods, that Greece no more may mourne
But glory in our fathers fafe returne.
Egi/l. His fafety is our danger, for know Madam,
Our loue hath bin too publick.
Ceth. That's the ground
On which to build my proiecl.
Cli. Grant it hath.
Cannot a more then nine yeares widdow-head
Excufe mee being a woman 1 thinks the King
Wee can forget that leflon in our age,
Which was by him firft taught vs in our youth ?
Or was't his ayme to (hew vs choyce delights,
Then barre vs their fruition 1 Firft to taft
Our pallat, next to make vs appetite ;
And when our flomacks are prepaid and fharpen'd.
For Coftly vionds plac't before our eyes,
Then to remooue the table 1 hee's vnkind ;
And as hee hath dealt with vs, fo mufl find.
Enter Synon.
Syn. The Queene ? to her my fpeed is.
Cli. Speake on fouldier.
Syn. I am the herald of mod happy newes,
Troy with the earth is leueld, fackt, and burnt ;
400 The Second Part of
Priam with all his memory extinct,
Queene, daughters, formes, and fubiects ruin'd all.
Now like the vapour of their Citties fmoake,
And of them no more lound : And Madam now
The King your Lord, the Elder of the Atrycfs,
Duke of the puiffant and all conquering Hoft,
His temples archt in a victorious orbe,
And wreth'd in all the glories earth can yeeld
Is landed in Mycene a Conquerour.
Ceth. How could they fcape thofe fierce fires
Naulus made
In vengeance of his fonne Palamides
To fplit their curfed Fleete vpon the rocks.
Cli. Make repetition of their ioyes againe,
Beeing things that I cannot heare too oft,
And adde to them : Is Menelaus fafe
My husbands brother 1 Hellen how fares fhee %
Or is fhee thence repurchaft ? fill mine eares
With fuch fweete Tones, 'tis all I can defire.
Syn. Take your full longing then, for though the
Seas
With tempefts, ftormes, rocks, fhipwracks, fhelues and
fands
More dammag'd them then all the Troian fiege.
Although the Beacons fir'd to draw their Fleete
Diftreffed and difperft vpon the rocks
Sunke many a goodly bottome : Yet the Generall
Scap't by the hand of loue, with him King Diomed,
Vlyffes, and great Neoptolimus,
With Spartan Menelaus late attend
With beauteous Hellen caufe of all thefe broyles ;
All thefe attend vpon the Generall
To bring him home victorious, and this night
Will lodge in the Kings Pallace.
Cli. Souldier thanks,
Thefe twice fiue yeares I haue a widdow beene,
Thy newes haue now new married mee : giue order
For the Kings intertainment, all the Hate
The Iron Age. 401
Mycene can yeeld fliall freely be expos'd
In honour of thefe l'rinces : your great had
Doth aske fome reft, therefore repofe your felfe,
And for your fortunate newes expect reward.
Syn. The Queene is royall.
Ceih. And now to that diuell
Which I muft coniure vp : Is the Queene mad ?
Or thou Egijlus fottifh ? fee you not
The flake and fcaffold, nay the Hang-man too ;
And will you blind-fold run vpon your deaths
When there is way to 'fcape them ?
Egijl. What horrid fright
Is this propos'd by Cethus 1
Ceth. The King's return'd,
And doth not your veines gufh out of your temples
In fanguine blufhes ? are not your adulteries
Famous as Hellens ? nay, more infamous,
There was a rape to countenance what fhee did,
You nought faue corrupt luft and idleneffe :
Tis blab'd in the Citty, talk't on in the Court,
All tongues furcharg'd, all eyes are fix't on you,
To fee what fearefull vengeance he will take
For that your proftitution.
Cli. Hee's a King.
Ceth. True Clitemnestra, fo he went from hence,
But is return'd a Tyrant flefht in blood :
Think'ft thou that he who queld his foes abroad,
Will fpare at home domeftick enemies 1
That was fo prone to punifh others wrongs,
And can forget his owne ?
Cli. If Menelaus
Haue pardon'd Hellen, may not he his brother
Make Spartaes King his noble prefident,
To doe the like to me ?
Ceth. Tufh fhallow Queene,
How you miftake ; fee imminent fate affront you,
And will not fhun it comming ? If his brother
Be branded as a fcandall to the world,
What confequence is it that he will grone
3 D D
402 The Second Part of
Vnder the felfe fame burden ? rather thinke
He hath propos'd a vengeance dire and horrid
To terrifie, not countenance fuch mifdeeds :
And this muft fall on you, left time to come
Should Chronicle his family for a broode
Of Cuckolds and of Strumpets.
Egifl. This thy language
Strikes me with horrour.
Cli. And affrights mee too.
Ceth. Is hee not King ? hath he not Linxes
eyes,
&nd Gyants armes, the firft to fee farre off,
The laft as farre to punifh 1 was hee fo poore
In friends at home, to leaue no Argus here
To keepe his eyes ftill waking ] thinke it not
But that he knew the treafon of his bed,
Hee had not faire Brifeis fnatcht perforce
From th' armes of great Achilles.
CIL That I heard.
Ceth. Why hath he a new miftreffe brought from
Troy,
But to flate her in Clitemnestraes (lead,
And make her Micenes Queene whilft you poore
wretches
Like malefactors fuffer, mark't for the Stag
And moil ridiculous fpedtacles.
Cli. You fhew the danger,
But teach vs no preuention.
Egijl. Set before vs
The obiedls of our feares and difficulties,
But not the way to auoyde them.
Ceth. Heare me then,
Preuent your death's by his.
Cli. How 1 kill the King ?
So we heape finne on finne and bafely adde
Vnto adultery murder.
Ceth. Per fcelus feniper tutum feeler ibus iter,
Boldly you haue begun, and being once in,
Blood will cure luft, and mifchiefe phificke finne.
The Iron Age. 403
Cli. Perhaps our guilt lies hid.
Ceth. In a Kings Pallace
Can luft in fuch great perfons be conceald %
Cli. The firfl offence repents mee, and to that .
I fhould but adde a greater.
Ceth. Perifh, doe.
Or what concernes this mee 1 I fhall be fafe,
I haue flrumpetted no Agatnemnons Queene,
Nor baflarded the iffue of the Atrides :
Or why fhould I thus labour their fecurities
Who ftudy not their owne ?
Egiji. Refolue then Queene,
The Kings aufteere, and will extend his Iuftice
Vnto fome fad example.
Cli. Oh but my husband.
Ceth. After ten yeares widdow-hood
Can Clitemneflra thinke of fuch a name 1
Cli. You haue halfe wonne me, when fhall this be
done?
Ceth. When but this night 1 delayes are ominous :
Ere he haue time to thinke vpon his wrongs,
Or finde a tongue to whifper, ere fufpicion
Can further be inftrucled or lead cenfure,
To call his wrongs in queftion : inftantly,
Euen in his height of ioy, fulneffe of complement
With th' Argiue Kings : whilft cups are brim'd with
healths,
Whilft iealoufies are drown'd in Bacchus boles.
This night before he fleepe, or that his pillowe
Can giue him the leaft counfell, ere he can fpare
A minute for the fmalleft intelligence,
Or moment to confider : I haue done
If you haue either grace in apprehenfion
Or fpirit in performance.
Egiff. I haue both
What anfwers Clitemnestral
Cli. I am fwayd,
And though I know there's difference of Iuftice
In Princes fitting on the skarlet bench,
d v 2
404 The Second Part of
And husbands dallying in the priuate bed :
Fie hold him as one fits vpon my life,
Not one that lies inclos'd within mine armes ;
Hee's now my Iudge, not Husband, here I vow
Afliftance in his death.
Ceth. And fo furuiue
Secure and fortunate.
Egist. This night?
Cli. 'Tis done.
Ceth. The proiect I haue caft with all fecurity,
And fafety for your perfon : fmooth your browes,
And let there fhine a welcome in your lookes
At the Kings intertainment : nay begone,
By this time you are expected ; what remaines
Is mine in forme, but yours in action. Exeunt.
Now father ftile me a moft worthy fonne
Palamides, a brother, what neither fires,
Nor rockes could doe, what neither Neptunes rage,
Nor Mars his fury, what the turbulent Seas,
Nor the combuftious Land, that Cethus can :
Hee that fucceedes my brother in his rule,
Shall firfl fucceede in death : none that had hand
Or voyce in his fubuerfion that (hall ftand. Exit.
Enter Therfites and Synon.
Ther. Well met on Land kind brother, wee are
now
Victorious : let's be proud on't.
Syn. Thou fay'ft true,
Wee are Conquerours in our bafeft cowardife,
Wee had not beene here elfe.
Ther. Valiant Heclor,
Achilles, Troilus, Paris, A tax too,
They are all falne, we ftand.
Syn. Yes, and will ftiffe
When all the Grecian Princes that furuiue
Are crampt and ham-ftring'd.
Ther. Waft thou not fea-ficke brother ?
The Iron Age. 405
Syn. Horribly, and fear'd
In the rough feas to haue difgorg'd my heart,
And there to haue fed Haddocks.
Ther. Troians were fellowes
In all their fury to be parlied with :
But with the tempefts, gufls, and Furicanes,
The warring windes, the billowes, rocks and fires
There was no talking : thefe few times we pra/d,
The gods would heare no reafon.
Syn. Twas becaufe
The billowes with their roaring, and the winds
Did with their whiftling keepe them from their
eares:
But now all's hufht, could wee finde time to pray,
They might find time to heare vs.
Ther. Shall wee be
Spectators of the royall inter-view
Betwixt the King and Queene ?
Syn. Ten yeares diuorfl
Should challenge a kind meeting, let's obferue
The forme and Rate of this Court-complement,
(Things I did neuer trade with :) Harke loud muficke
Giues warning of their comming.
Loude muficke. Enter at one doore Agamemnon,
Vlyfles, Diomed, Pyrhus, Menelaus : Synon and
Therfites falling into their traytie. At the other
Egiflus, Clitemneflra, Cethus, Oreftes, Pylades,
Hermione, ElecTra, 6*c.
Aga. Vnto our Country and our Houfhold-gods
Wee are at length return'd, trophied with honours,
With Troyes fubuerfion and rich Afiaes fpoyles,
This is a facred day.
Egijl. Such Troy had once.
Aga. Vnto the gods wel'e facrifice.
Ceth. So Priam fell
Before the holy Altar.
Aga. This Citty is not Troy.
406 The Second Fart of
Ceth. Where Hellen treads,
I hold the place no better.
Aga. See our Queene,
Orestes and Eleclra, for our fake,
Princes of Greece daigne them your bed falutes,
Deare Clitemnestra.
Clit. Royall King and Husband.
After their falute. All the rest complement as Jlrangers,
but efpecially Pyrhus and Orejles.
Aga. What's he that kneeles fo clofe vnto our
Queen ?
Clit. Egijhis and your feruant.
Aga. Hee was young
When we at firft fet fayle from Aulis Gulfe,
Now growne from my remembrance ; we fhall finde
Fit time to fearch him further.
Ceth. Marke you that.
Egijl. Yes, and it toucht me deepely.
Mene. Our filter, and this young Hermione,
Daughter to vs and Hellen.
Ther. Prity puppy,
Of fuch a common brach.
Men. Young Neoptolemus,
This is the Lady promis'd you at Troy,
For your great feruice done there : (he's your owne,
Freely imbrace her then.
Syn. I fee we are like
To haue a iolly kindred.
Orest. Pyrhus, inioy
Her whom I haue in contract t
Pyr. Beauteous Lady,
The great'ft ambition Pyrhus aymes at now,
Is how to know you farther.
Her
Hath beene fo mighty to reuenge the wrongs
Of my faire mother, can from Hermione
Challenge no leffe then welcome.
Orejl. Oh you gods,
The Iron Age. 407
Pyrhus, thou wert more iafe in burning Troy
With horrour, fury, blood, fires, foes about thee.
Then in my fathers court.
Ceth. Another Collumne
On which to build my flaughters. Patience Prince,
This is no time for braues and Menaces,
I further (hall inftruct you.
Orejl. I haue done.
7 her. See now the two Queen es meete, and fmack
in publick,
That oft haue kift in corners.
Syn. Therfites f
Thou art growne a monfter, a ftrange thing fcarfe
knowne
'Mongft fouldiers, wiues and daughters.
Ther. They are two fifters.
Syn. Yes, and the two King-brothers royally
Betweene them two cornuted.
Ther. We are to loud.
Dio. Princes of Greece, fince we haue done a
duty
To fee our Generall mid'ft his people fafe,
And after many dreadfull warres abroad
In peace at home. 'Tis fit we fhould difperfe
Vnto our feuerall Countries inftantly,
I purpofe for sEtolia, where my Queene
With longing waites my comming.
Aga. Not King Diomed,
Till you haue feene Meccano's pompe and ftate
In amplieft royalty expreft at full,
Both tafted of our feafts and Princely gifts.
The faire Mgiale, who hath fo long
Forborne your prefence, will not I prefume
Deny to fpare you to vs fome few dayes,
To adde to the yeares number, though not as Gene-
rall
Yet will I lay on you a friends command
Which muft not be deny'de.
408 The Second Part of
Dio. Great Agamemnon
With mee was euer powerfull, I am his.
Cli. And now faire filler welcome back from
Troy,
Be euer henceforth Spartaes.
Hel. Your great care
In my enforced abfence (gracious Queene)
Exprefl vnto my deare Hermione,
Hath much obliged me to you. Oh my fate,
How fwift time runnes : Orejles growne a man,
Whom I left in the Cradle ! Young Eleclra
Then (as I tak't) fcarce borne, and now growne ripe,
Euen ready for an husband !
Syn. In whofe abfence
If but one handfome fweete-heart come in place,
Shee'l not turne tayle for't, if fhee doe but take
After mine old Naunt Hellen.
Enter a Lord.
Lord. The great and folemne preparation
Of the Court, ftate and glory mighty Princes,
Attend for you within.
Aga. All are confecrated
Vnto your royall welcomes, enter then,
Wee'l feaft like earthy gods, or god-like men.
Loud mufiick. They poffeffe the Stage in alljlate,
Cethusjlayeth behind.
Ceth. My brayne about againe, for thou haft
found
New proiedt now to worke on, and 'tis here,
Orejles hath receiu'd Hermione
From C/itemnestra's hand, her foule is his,
And hee her Genius, two combind in one :
Yet fhee is by the fathers Oath conferd
On Pyrhus, which fhall breede a ftormy flawe
The Iron Age. 409
Ne're to peec't againe, but by the deaths
Of the two hopefull vouths : perhaps the hazard
Of all thefe Kings if my reuenge drike home.
(Of that at leafure) but the bloody dage
On which to act, Generall this night is thine,
Thou lyefl downe mortall, who mull rife diuine.
Enter Oreftes to Cethus. Mufuke and healthing
within.
Orejl. Oh Cethus what's this muficke vnto me,
That am compof 'd of difcords 1 what are healths
To him that is druck heart-ficke 1 all thofe ioyes
Whofe leaders feeme to pierce againfl the roofes
Of thefe high dructures, to him that is drudl
downe
Halfe way below the Center 1
Ceth. Were you lower,
Yet here's a hand can rayfe you, deeper call
Then to the lowed Abifme : It lyes in me
To aduance you to the height of happinelfe,
Where you lhall liue eternif 'd from the reach
Of any humane malice.
Orejl. Hadd thou feene
Her, in whofe bread my heart was paradif 'd,
Kid, courted, and imbrac'd.
Ceth. By Pyrhus.
Orejl. Him :
What paflionate and infidiating lookes
Hee cad on her, as if in fcorne of me :
Shall hee inioy my birth-right, or inherite
Where I am heire apparant 1 lhall he vfurpe,
Or pleade my intered, where I am polled ?
Rule where I raigne ? where I am dated, fit ?
Braue me in my peculiar Soueraignty ?
Ceth. Hee mud not, lhall not
Orejl. Show mee to depofe
The proud Vfurper then.
Ceth. Prince, make't my charge.
4 1 o The Second Pari of
In the meanetime, from your diflracted front,
Exile all difcontent, let not lead rage
Raigne in your eye, or harfhnefle in your tongue,
Smooth waters are flill deep'ft : waite on the King,
And be no ftranger to your mothers eye,
Or forraigne to your Kindred : the feafl fpent,
And night with it : the morrow fhall beget
Proiedl of more import (fcarce thought on now.)
Orejl. I build vpon thy Counfell. Exit Orefl.es.
Ceth. Which hath proou'd,
Fixt as a rocke, dill conftant, and vnmoou'd.
Enter Egiflus.
Egijl. What Cethus here? why no fuch matter
now
No caufe of feare, or leaft fufpicion.
Ceth. Your reafon ?
Egijl. Tufli, prefume it, we are fafe.
Ceth. Obferue it, they are flill fecurefl, whom
The Diuell driues to mine.
Egijl. Harke, their healths
Carrowfmg to the Generals Victories,
In all their heate of ioy, and fire of wine,
No fparke of iealoufly, all th' Argument
Of their difcourfe, what they haue done at Troy.
Still health on health, and the great Generall
So farre from feeming to haue leaft diflafte,
That in all affable tearmes hee courts his Queene,
Nay more, cuts off all banquet Ceremonies,
To haften his bed-pleafures, as if times diflance
Betwixt his boord and pallade, feemed more tedious
Then all his Ten yeares fiege.
Ceth. Goe, loft man,
Sinke on firm ground, be fhipwrackt in a Calme.
Thefe healthes are to your ruines, his reuenge :
Hath not Egiflus read of a difeafe
Where men dye laughing : others that haue drunke
Poyfon in fleed of Cordials, perifh fo ?
The Iron Age. 411
To dye tis nothing, fince tis all mens due :
But wretchedly to fuffer, fall vnpittied,
Vnpittied ? nay derided, mockt, and curft :
To dye as a bafe Traytor, and a Thiefe,
The adulterator of his Soueraignes bed,
The poyfon of the Atrides family,
And fcandall of his iffue, fo to dye 1
Egi. Egijlus will preuent, he by this hand
Muftjfal, 'fore whom all Afia could not ftand.
Ceth. The banquet is broke vp, fleep cals to reft,
And mid-nights houre for murther, ftill fhowes beft.
Exit.
Loud muficke. Enter Egiftus with his /word drawne,
hideth himfelfe in the chamber behind the Bed-cur-
taines : all the Kings come next in, conducling the
Generall and his Queene to their Lodging, and
after fome complement leaue them, euery one with
torches vjhered to their feuerall chambers, 6r*c.
Aga. Methinkes this night, we Clitemnejlra meete,
At a new bridall ; all Attendants leaue vs,
Wee now are onely for bedpriuacies.
Cli. Great fir, I that fo long haue bin your wid-
dow,
Will be this night your hand-mayde.
Aga. You told me, Queene,
Orejles was a cunning horfe-man growne :
It pleafde me much to heare it.
Cli. Greece reports
No Centare can ride better.
Aga. And young Eleclra,
In all th' indowments that may beft become
A Princeffe of her breeding, moft compleate!
Cli. It was in your long abfence, all my care
(Being my charge) that you at your returne
Might finde them to your wifhes.
Aqa. Thankes for that.
Cli. How cunningly he feemes to carry it !
4 1 2 The Second Part of
But we muft finde preuention.
Aga. Who's without there ?
Cli. Why flatted you ?
Aga. Not all the Afian Legions, no not Heclor
Arm'd with his bals of wild-fire, had the power
To fhake me like this tremor : Is our Pallace
Leffe fafe in Greece, amidft our fubiecls here,
Then were our Tents in Afia %
Cli. Where, if not here in Clitemnejlraes armes,
Can fafety dwell?
Aga. And faire Queene, it fhould be fo.
Cli. But why fir cafi you fuch fufpicious eyes
About your Chamber 1 are wee not alone 1
Or will you to the priuate fweetes of night,
Call tell tale witneffe ?
Aga. Now tis gone agayne. Shall we to reft ?
Cli. So pleafe you royall Sir.
Aga. How hard this Doune feeles, like a monu-
ment
Cut out of marble. Beds refemble Graues,
And thefe me-thinkes appeare like winding fheetes,
Prepar'd for corfes.
Cli. Oh how ominoufly
Doe you prefage : you much affright me fir
In this our long-wifht meeting.
Aga. All's fhooke off,
I now am arm'd for pleafure : you commended
Late one Egijlus to me, prithee Queene
Of what condition is he ?
Egijl. Tyrant this.
Cli. And I am thus his fecond.
They both wound him, at which there is a greate
thunder crack.
Aga. 'Treafon, murder, Treafon :
This fhowes, we Princes are no more then men.
Thankes loue, tis fit when Monarches fall by
Treafon,
Thunder to all the world, would fhow fome reafon.
he dies.
The Iron Age. 4 1 3
Egi. The deede is done, lets flye to fome flrong
Cittadell,
For our more fafety.
Cli. Hee thus made diuine :
Now my Egiflus, I am foly thine. Exeunt.
A noyfe of vproare within. Enter all the Kings with
other Servants halfe vnready, as newly started
from their Beds. Orefl.es, Hennione, Pillades,
Electra, 6rc.
Mene. What flrange tumultuous noyfe is this fo
late,
To roufe vs from our beds 1
Pyr. Prodigious fure,
Since 'tis confirm'd by Thunder.
Orejl. In mine eares
Did neuer found feeme halfe fo terrible.
Hel. Nor to your eyes, as this fad obiedl is,
See great Atrides groueling.
Ceth. What damn'd Villaine
Was auther of this proie6l ?
Otnnes. Horrid fight.
Ore. Reft you amazed all, as thunder ftruke,
And without fence or motion Apoplext,
And onely heare me fpeake : Orefles, he
Who as if marbled by Medufaes head,
Hath not one teare to fall, or figh to fpend,
Till I finde out the murderer, and on him
Inflidt remarkable vengeance : for I vowe
Were it my father, brother, or his Queene,
Hadfl. thou my weeping fifter hand in it.
If hee ? whom equall, (if not rankt aboue)
I euer did, and (hall loue Pylades ?
Wert fhe whofe wombe did beare me, where I lay
Full nine moneths bedded ere I faw the Sunne,
Or the mod abie6l Traytor vnder Heauen,
Their doomes were all alike, and this I vowe.
Now you whom this filent and fpeechlefle King
4 1 4 The Second Part of
Hath oft commanded, this now fenceleffe braine
As oft directed, this now ftrengthlefle^hand
More oft protected in a warre, that fhall
Be to all times example : Lend your moulders
To beare him, who hath kept you all in life,
This is a blacke and mourning funerall right,
Deedes of this nature muft be throughly fearcht,
Nay be reueng'd : the gods haue fayd tis good,
The morning Sunne (hall rife and blufh in blood.
They beare him off with a fad and funeral/
march, &C.
Explicit Aclus quartus.
AElus Quintus : Sccena prima.
Enter Pyrhus, Hermione, Therfites, and Synon.
Pyr. Sweete Lady, can you loue ?
Her. Forbeare my Lord,
Can fuch a thing as loue be once nam'd here,
Where euery Marble that fupports this roofe,
In emulation doth vye teares with vs ?
Nay where the wounds of fuch a mighty King
Haue yet fcarfe bled their laft.
Pyr. Tufh faire Hermione,
Thefe fights that feeme to Ladies terrible,
Are common to vs fouldiers ; when from field return-
ing
All fmear'd in blood, where Dukes and Kings lie
flaine,
Yet in our Tents at mid-night it frights not vs
From courting a fweete Miftreffe.
The Iron Age. 4 1 5
Syn. Hee fayth right,
And note of this how I can poetife :
This his great father of his Loue defiVd,
When from the (laughter of his foes retyr'd
Hee doft his Cufhes and vnarm'd his head,
To tumble with her on a foft day bed :
It did reioyce Brifeis to imbrace
His bruifed armes, and kifie his blood-flain'd face.
Thefe hands which he fo often did imbrew
In blood of warlike Troians whom hee flew,
Were then imploy'd to tickle, touch and feele,
And fhake a Lance that had no print of fleele.
Ther. Continue in that veine, I'le feed thy Mufe
With Crafifh, Praunes and Lobfters.
Her. You brought thefe of purpofe to abufe mee.
Pyr. Peace Therfites>
And Synon you no more.
Syn. Wee fee by Agamemnon all are mortall,
And I but fhew his niece Hermione
The way of all flefh.
Ther. Tis an eafie path,
(The Mother and the Aunt haue troad it both)
If (hee haue wit to follow.
Enter Vlyffes, Menelaus, Diomed with others.
Mene. If it be fo, Egijlus is a traytor,
And fhee no more our fifter.
Vlyf. Tis not poffible
A Queene of her high birth and parentage
Should haue fuch bafe hand in her husbands death,
Her husband and her foueraigne.
Dio. Double treafon,
Could it be proou'd againfl her.
Men. It appeares
So farre againft humanity and nature
We dare not once fufpecl. it, but till proofe
Explaine it further, hold it in fufpence.
Vlyf. Oh but their fuddaine flight and fortifying.
4 1 6 The Second Part of
Mme. Thefe are indeed prefumptions, but leaue
that
To a moft ftridt inquiry euen for reuerence
Of Maiefty and Honour to all Queenes,
For loue of vs becaufe fhee was our fifter,
Both for Orestes and Eleclrds fake
Whofe births are branded in fo foule a deede,
Till wee examine further circumftances
Spare your feuerer cenfures.
Vlif. Tis a bufineffe
That leaft concernes vs, but for Honours fake
And that hee was our Generall.
Mene. What, princely Pyrhus courting our faire
daughter ?
Her. Yes fir, but in a time vnfeafonable
Euen as the fuite it felfe is.
Mene. All delayes
Shall be cut off and fhe be fwayd by vs.
Thefe Royall Princes ere they leaue Mycene,
Shall fee thefe nuptiall rights folemnized,
Weele keepe our faith with Pyrhus.
Pyr. Wee our vowes
As conftant to the bright Hermione,
Firft fee the royall Generall here interr'd
And buried like a fouldier, 'tis his due :
To queftion of his death concernes not vs,
Wee leaue it to Heauens iuftice and reuenge.
The rights, perform'd with faire Hermione,
Then to our feuerall Countries each man poft,
Captaines difperfe ftill when the General's loft.
Exeunt.
Enter Cethus, Oreftes, and Pylades, difguis'd.
Ore. Egijlus % and our Mother ?
Ceth. Am I Cethus,
Are you OreJIes, and this Pyllades,
So hire they were his murderers : this difguife
Will fuite an act of death, full to the life
The Iron Age. 4 1 7
Hee (lands vpon a ftricl: and fecure guard,
I haue plotted your admittance, it will take
Doubt not, it cannot fayle, I haue call it fo.
Ore. As fent from Menelaus ?
Ceth. Whofe name elfe
Can breake through fuch ftrong guards, where feare
and guilt
Keepe hourely watch 1
Ore. It is enough, I haue't,
And thou the faithful' ft of all friends deare Pillades,
Doe but affift mee in my vowed reuenge
And inioy faire Eleclra.
Pyl. Next your friendlhip
It is the prife I ayme at, I am yours.
Ceth. What flip you time and opportunity,
Or looke you after dreames ?
Ore. I am a wake.
And to fend them to their eternall fleepe.
In expedition there is dill fucceffe,
In all delayes defect : the traytor dyes
Were hee in league with all the deftinies.
Exe. Pilad. Orejl.
Ceth. And tis a fruitfull yeare for villany,
And I a thriuing Farmer. In this interim
I haue more plots on foote : King Menelaus
I haue incenc'd againft proud Diomed,
Pyrhus againft Oreftes> hee 'gainft him,
Vlyjjes without parralell for wit
Againft them all : fo that the firft combuftion
Shall burne them vp to afhes. Oh Palamides,
So deare was both thy loue and memory,
Not Hellen by her whoredome caus'd more blood
Streaming from Princes brefts, then Cethus (hall
(Brother) for thine vntimely funerall. Exit.
Enter Egiftus, Clitemneftra with a Jlrong guard.
Egifl. Let none prefume to dare into our prefence
Or pafle our guard, but fuch well knowne to vs
s E E
4 1 8 The Second Part of
And to our Queene.
Guard. The charge hath part, vs round.
Egijl. When finnes of fuch hye nature 'gainft vs
rife,
Tis fit wee fhould be kept with heedfull eyes.
Cli. Prefume it my Egijlus, we are fafe,
The Fort wherein we Hue impregnable :
Or fay we were furpris'd by flratagem,
Or fhould expofe our Hues vnto the cenfure
Of Law and Iuftice, euen in thefe extreames
There were not the leaft feare of difficulty.
Egijl. Your reafon Madam.
Cli. Whom doth this concerne
But our owne blood 1 fhould Pyrhus grow inrag'd,
I haue at hand my neece Hermione
To calme his fury : what doth this belong to
VlyJ/es, or ^Etolian Diomedl
Are they not ftrangers ? If it come in queftion
By Menelaus, is hee not our brother ?
Our fifter Hellen in his bofome ileepes,
And can with him doe all things, feare not then,
Wee are euery way fecure,
Egijl. Oh but Orejles
His ey's to mee like lightning, and his arme
Vp heau'd thus, fhewes like loues thunder-bolt
Aym'd againft luft and murder.
Cli. Hee's our fonne,
The filiall duty that's hereditary
Vnto a mother's name preuents thefe feares :
Eleclrds young, and childifh Pilades
Swai'd by his friend : It refts, could we but worke
Hellen and Menelaus to our fadtion,
Egijlus fhould be ftated in Mycene,
Wee Hue his Queene and Bride.
Egijl. Feare's ftill fufpicious.
Enter one of the guard.
Guard. A Letter fir.
T/ie Iron Age. 419
Egi. From whence ?
Guard. Tis fuperfcrib'd from the great Spartans
King,
And the Queene Hellen.
Egi. Who the meflenger 1
Guard. Two Gentlemen who much importune
you
For fpeedy anfwer.
Egi. Bidde them waite without,
Now fates proue but propitious, then my king-
dome
I (hall prefume eflablifh't
Cli. There's no feare,
Orejles once remoou'd, and that's my charge
Either by fword or poyfon.
Egi. See faire Queene,
Reade what your brother writes, by this we are
Eternis'd in our happinefle, and our liues
Rooted in fweete fecurity.
The Queene reades.
Cli. Wee not fufpect you in our brothers death,
A deede too bafe for any Noble bred.
Therefore in this neceflity of date,
And knowing in this forced vacancy
So great a kingdome cannot want a guide :
The foueraignty we thought good to conferre
On Clitemnejlra , or what fubftitute
Shee in her bed difcretion (hall thinke fit,
The vnited Kings of Greece haue thus decreed.
Your brother Menelaus.
Egijl. We are happied euer.
Cli. A ioy ratified,
And fubiecl to no change.
Egitl. Call in the meflengers,
Orejles and Eleclra once remoou'd,
e e 2
420 The Second Part of
Wee haue no riuall, no competitor,
Therefore no iealoufie at all.
Cli. None, none.
The gods haue with thefe Kings of Greece agreed
In his fupplanting and inflating thee,
Thee my mod deare Egiflus.
Oreftes and Pyllades difguifed are conducled in.
Egifl. You the men ?
Ore. Thofe, whom the Spartan King made fpeciall
choice of
To truft this great affaire with.
Egijl. And y'are welcome,
But are you men of action . fuch I meane,
As haue beene Souldiers bred, whofe eyes inur'd
To flaughter and combuftions : at the like
Would not change face, or tremble 1
Pit. They that to fee
Legges, armes, and heads ftrowed on Scamander
Plaine,
Kings by the common fouldiers ftew'd in goare,
And three parts hid with their imboweld Steedes,
Shadowing their mangled bodies from the Sunne,
As if aboue the earth to bury them :
They that to fee an Afian Potentate
Kil'd at the holy Altar, his owne blood
Mixt with his fonnes and daughters, Towers de-
molifht
Crufhing whole thoufands, of each fexe and age
Beneath their ruines : and thefe horrid fights
Lighted by fcathe-fires, they that haue beheld
Thefe and more dreadfull obiedls ; can their eyes
Moue at a private flaughter ?
Cli. Y'are for vs,
Will you for hire, for fauor, or aduancement,
(Now warres are done) to be made great in Court,
And vndertake that one man eafily fpar'd
T/ie Iron Age. 421
Amongfl fo many millions (now furuiuing)
That fuch a creature, no way neceflary
But a meere burden to the world wee liue in,
Hee might no longer liue ?
Ore. But name the man,
And as I loue Egi/lus, honour you
And al that glory in fuch noble deeds,
Be what hee will ; hee's loft.
Egijl. Ore/1'.s, then 1
Ore. Is there none then the world fo well may
fpare
As young Orejles 1 Hee to doe't 1
Hee kils Egiftus,yfry7 difcouering himfelfe.
Egijl. Vaine world farewell,
My'hopes withall, no building long hath flood
Whofe Height foundation hath bin layd in blood.
Cli. I'le dye vpon his bofome.
Ore. Secure the Fort my deare friend Pillades,
And to your vtmoft pacifie the guard :
Tell them we are Orejles and their Prince,
And what wee did was to reuenge the death
Of their dead Lord and Soueraigne.
Pil. Sir i'le doe't Exit.
Cli. Oh mee, that thinking to haue catcht at
Heauen,
Am plung'd into an hell of mifery.
Egijlus dead 1 what comfort can I haue,
One foote Inthron'd, the tother in the graue.
Ore. Can you find teares for fuch an abiec"l
Groome,
That had not for an husband one to fhed ?
Oh monftrous, monfirous woman ! is this carrion,
Is this dead Dog, (Dog faid 1 1) nay what's worfe,
Worthy the figh or mourning of a Queene,
When a King lies vnpittied ?
Cli. Thou a fonne 1
Ore. The name I am afham'd of : oh Agamemnon,
422 The Second Part of
How facred is thy name and memory !
Whofe acts (hall fill all forraigne Chronicles
With admiration, and moft happy hee
That can with greateft Art but booke thy deeds :
Yet whilft this rottennefle, this gangreen'd flefh
Whofe carkas is as odious as his name
Shall {linking lie, able to breede a Peft,
Hee with a Princefle teares to be imbalm'd,
And a King lie neglected ?
Cli. Ballard.
Ore. If I be,
Damn'd be the whore my Mother, I, I am fure
Nor my dead father had no hand in it.
Cli. Oh that I could but lengthen out my
yeares
Onely to fpend in curies.
Ore. Vpon whom %
Cli. On whom but thee for my Egijlus death ?
Ore. And I could wifh my lelfe a Nejlors age
To curfe both him and thee for my dead father.
Cli. Doeft thou accufe mee for thy fathers
death ?
Ore. Indeede 'twould ill become me being a
fonne,
But were I fure it were fo, then I durfl ;
Nay, more then that, reuenge it.
Cli. Vpon mee %
Ore. Were all the mothers of the earth in one,
All Emprefles and Queenes call in one mould,
And I vnto that one a onely fonne,
My fword fhould rauilh that inceftuous bread
Of nature, and of ftate.
Cli. I am as innocent of that blacke deede,
As was this guiltlefle Gentleman here dead.
Orejl. Oh ail you powers of Heauen I inuocate,
And if you will not heare me, let Hell do't :
Giue me fome figne from eyther feinds or angell,
I call you both as tellates.
The Iron Age. 423
Enter the Ghojl of Agamemnon, poynting vnto his
wounds : and then to Egiftus and the Queene, who
were his murderers, which done, hee vanijheth.
Godlike fhape,
Haue you (my father) left the Elizium fieldes,
Where all the ancient Heroes Hue in bliffe,
To bring your felfe that facred teftimony,
To crowne my approbation : Lady fee.
Cli. See what? thy former murder makes thee
mad.
Orejl. Reft Ghoft in peace, I now am fatis-
fied,
And neede no further witnefle : faw you nothing T
Cli. What fhould I fee faue this fad fpedlacle,
Which blood-fhootes both mine eyes.
Orejt. And nothing elfe ?
Cli. Nothing.
Orefl. Mine eyes are clearer fighted then, and
fee
Into thy bofome. Murdreffe.
Cli. How 1
Orejl. Inceftuous flrumpet, whofe adulteries,
When Treafon could not hide, thou thoughtft to
couer,
With moft inhumane murder.
Cli. Meaning vs %
Orejl. Then, monfter, thou didft firft nftruct
mine hand,
How to write blood, when being a Wife and Queene,
Thou kildft a King and husband, and haft taught
Mee being a fonne, how to deftroy a mother.
He wounds her.
Cli. Oh moft vnnaturall.
Orejl That I learnt of thee.
Cli. Vnheard of cruelty, but heauens are iuft,
And all remarkeable finnes punifh with marke,
One mifchiefe ftill another doth beget,
Adultery murder : I am loft, vndone. Shee dyes.
424 The Second Part of
Orejl. Being no wife, Orefles is no fonne.
Enter Cethus and Pillades with the guard.
Pil. The guard all (land for you, acknowledging
Orefles Prince and King.
Orejl. I now am neither.
Ceth. What obiecVs this ? Queene Clitemnejlra
flaine I
Pil. I hope no fonnes hand in't.
Orejl. Orejles did it,
The other title's loft.
Ceth. All my plots take
Beyond my apprehenfion.
Pil. This is an age
Of nothing but portents and prodigies.
Orejl. The fathers hand as deepe was in her
death
As was the fonnes, hee pointed, and I ftrooke :
Was hee not then as vnkind to a Wife,
As I was to a Mother ?
Pil. Oh my friend,
What haue you done ?
Orejl. There is a Plqfma, or deepe pit
Iuft in the Center fixt for Parricides,
I'l keepe my Court there, and Erinnis, (hee
In ftead of Hebe, fhall attend my Cup,
Charon the Ferri-man of Hell fhall bee
My Ganimed.
Pil. The Prince is fure diffracted.
Ceth. New proiect ftill for me.
Orejl. I'le haue a guard of Furies which fhall
light mee
Vnto my nuptiall bed with funerall Teades,
The fatall fillers fhall my hand-maides bee,
And waite vpon the faire Hermione,
Ceth. Hermione % fhee is betroth'd to Pyrhus,
And (mourning for your abfence) all the way
Vnto the Temple fhee will ftrowe with teares.
The Iron Age. 425
Orejl. Ha 1 Pyrhus rape my deare Hermione ?
Hee that (hall dare to interpofe my purpofe,
Or crofle mee in mine Hymineall rights,
I'le make him lie as flat on the cold earth
As doth this hound Egistus.
Ceth. And I would fo.
Ore/1. Would 1 nay I will, his father woare a
fmocke,
And in that fhape rap't Deiadamia.
Hee fhall not vfe my Loue fo, oh my Mother ;
Friend take that object hence.
Ceth. But you Hermione.
Orejl. My hand's yet deepe in blood, but to the
wrift,
It fhall be to the elbowe : gods, nor men,
Angels, nor Furies fhall my rage withftand,
Not the graue Honour of th' affembled Kings,
Not Reuerence of the Altar, nor the Prieft ;
No fuperftition fhall my fury flay,
Till Pyrhus from the earth be fwept away. Exit.
Ceth. PUlades attend your friend.
Pil. Hee's all my charge,
My life and his are twinnes.
Ceth. Their mines are countermin'd, Cethus, thy
fall
Is either plotted, or to blowe vp all. Exit.
Enter Synon and Therfites.
Syn. My head akes brother.
Ther. What a batchiler,
And troubled with the Spartan Kings difeafe ?
Syn. No, there's a wedding breeding in my
braine,
Pyrhus the Bride-groome :_thou flrange creature wo-
man,
To what may I compare thee %
Ther. Canft thou deuife ought bad inough ?
426 The Second Part of
Syn. Tis fayd they looke like Angels, and of
light ;
But for the mofl part, fuch light Angels prooue,
Ten hundred thoufand of their honefties
Will fcarce weigh eleauen Dragmaes.
Ther. Clitemneflra,
And Hellen for example.
Syn. Young Hermione
Hath face from both.
Ther, The fharpe fhrewes nofe, they ha'te here-
ditary.
Syn. Therfites, I commend that fellowes wit
Proffred a wife young, beautifull and rich,
Onely one fault me had, fhe wanted braine :
Who anfwered in a creature of that fexe,
I nere defire more wifedome, then to know
Her husbands bed from anothers.
Ther. I commend him,
But tis not in th' Atrides family,
To finde out fuch a woman.
An Altar fet foorth. Enter Pyrhus leading Her-
mione as a bride, Menelaus, Vliffes, Diomed. A
great trayne, Pyrhus and Hermione kneele at the
altar.
Syn. See now the facred nuptiall rights pro-
ceede,.
The Priefts prepare the Alter.
Pyr. Hymen to whom my vowes I confecrate
As all my loue. To thee Hermione,
Whom in the prefence of thefe Argiue Kings,
I heare contract, be thou aufpitious to vs :
This flamming fubftitute to Saturnes fonne,
Within whofe facred Temple wee are rooft,
And before all thefe high Celeftiall gods
And goddefles, in whofe eyes now we kneele :
Efpecially you Iuno Queene of marriage,
The Iron Age. 427
And faire Lucina, who haue child-births charge,
Your fauours I inuoake : Let your chad fires
Drye vp this Virgins teares : make her fo fruitefull
That in her iffue great Achilles name
And fame withall, may liue eternally.
Proceede Pried to your other Ceremonies.
Enter Oreftes, Cethes, and Pilades, with tJie guard,
all their weapons drawne, Oreftes runnes at
Pyrhus.
Orejl. Priam before the holy Alter fell,
Before the Alter bid thy life farwell :
Refcue Hermione.
Pyr. Achilles fome
Cannot reuengeleffe dye, then witneffe all,
Blood muft flow high where fuch great Princes fal.
Pil. Orejles is in danger.
Mene. Saue Prince Pyrhus.
Cethus whifpers with Diomed.
Ceth. This plot was layd
Both for your life and Kingdome.
Dio. Menelaus : fhall neuer beare it fo.
Vlyf. Fy Therfites,
Thy iword againft me,
Tlier. Curfe vpon all whoores.
A confufed fcuffle, in which Oreftes kils Pyrhus : Pyr-
hus, Oreftes : Cethus wounds Pillades, Diomed,
Menelaus, Vliffes, Therfites, &c. All fall dead
faue Vliffes, who beareth thence Hermione : Which
done, Cethus rifeth vp from the dead bodies and
fpeakes.
Ceth. What all afleepe? and are thefe gofliping
tongues,
That boafted nought faue Warre and Victory,
Now mute and filent ? Oh thou vgly rogue,
Where's now thy rayling t and thou parracide,
428 The Second Part of
Thy madneffe is now tam'd, thou need'fl no
chaines
To bring thee to thy wits, darkneffe hath don't.
This Diomed ? who dar'd to encounter Mars,
And fayd to wound faire Venus in the hand :
Where's your valour now 1 ALgiale,
Vnleffe (as fome fay) fhe be better ftor'd,
Is like to lye without a bed-fellow :
Rife Pillades, and helpe to wake thy friend,
What doth your friendfhip fleepe now ? Menelaus
Helleris with a new fweete-heart ith' next roome,
Wilt thou ftill be a Cuckold ? winke at errors
As pandors do and wittoles % Cethus now
Be crown'd in Hyftory for a reuenge,
Which in the former World wants prefident :
Methinks, as when the Giants warr'd 'gainft heauen,
And dar'd for primacy with Ioue himfelfe :
Hee darting 'gainft their mountaines thunder-bolts,
Which fhattred them to peeces : the warre done,
I like the great Olimpicke lupiter,
Walke ore my mines, tread vpon my fpoyles
With maiefty, I pace vpon this floore
Pau'd with the trunkes of Kings and Potentates,
For what lefle could haue fated my reuenge 1
This arch-rogue falne amongft them? he whofe
eies
Had the prepofterous vertue to fire Troy,
Now is thy blacke foule for thy periuries
Swimming in red damnation.
Synon who had before counterfeited death, rifeth vp, ana
anfwereth.
Syn. Sir, not yet,
All pollicies Hue not in Cethus brayne,
Synon hath fhare, and know if thou haft craft,
I haue referu'd fome cunning : fee my body
Free and vntoucht from wounds.
Ceth. Speake, fhall we then
The Iron Age. 429
Diuide thefe dead betwixt vs, and both Hue 1
Syn. If two Sunnes cannot fhine within one
fpheare,
Then why fhould two arch-villaines 1 thou haft dif-
couered
Proiecls almoft beyond me, and for which
I haue ingroft a raortall enuy here,
I will be fole, or none.
Ceth. Ceafe then to be,
That I may Hue without Competitor.
Caufe Synons name be rac'd out of the World,
And onely mine remembred.
Syn. Thine's but frailty,
My fame fhall be immortall : made more glorious
In treading vpon thee, as thou on thefe ;
Stoope thou my Vnderling.
Ceth.
I ftill fhall ftand
Rooted.
They fight and kill one another.
Syn.
And yet cut downe by Synons hand.
Ceth.
I am now duft like thefe.
Syn.
One fingle fight
Ends him, who millions ruin'd in one night.
Enter Hellena, Eleclra, and Hermione.
Her. Can you behold this Daughter ?
Hel. Yes, and dye
At fight of it : for why fhould Hellen Hue ?
Hellen the caufe of all thefe Princes deaths ;
Ceafe to lament, reach me my Glade Hermione,
Sweet Orphant do ; thy fathers dead already,
Nor will the fates lend thee a mother long.
Enter Hermione with a looking glaffe, then exit.
Thankes, and fo leaue me. Was this wrinkled fore-
head
When 'twas at bed, worth halfe fo many Hues ?
430 The Second Part of
Where is that beauty 1 Hues it in this face
Which hath fet two parts of the World at warre,
Beene ruine of the Afian Monarchy,
And almoft this of Europe 1 this the beauty,
That launch'd a thoufand fhips from Aulis gulfe %
In fuch a poore repurchafe, now decayde %
See fayre ones, what a little Time can doe ;
Who that confiders when a feede is fowne,
How long it is ere it appeare from th' earth,
Then ere it ftalke, and after ere it blade,
Next ere it fpread in leaues, then bud, then flower :
What care in watring, and in weeding tooke,
Yet crop it to our vie : the beauties done,
And fmel : they fcarfe laft betwixt Sunne and
Sunne.
Then why ihould thefe my blaftings ftill furuiue,
Such royall ruines : or 1 longer Hue,
Then to be termed Hellen the beautifull.
I am growne old, and Death is ages due,
When Courtiers footh, our glaffes will tell true.
My beauty made me pittied, and ftill lou'd,
But that decay'd, the worlds affured hate
Is all my dowre, then Hellen yeeld to fate,
Here's that, my foule and body muft diuide,
The guerdon of Adultery, Luft, and Pride.
She Jlrangles herfelfe.
Enter Vlyffes.
Vlyf. In thee they are punifht : of all thefe
Princes,
And infinite numbers that oppofed Troy,
And came in Hellens quarrell (faue my felfe)
Not one furuiues, (thankes to the immortall powers)
And I am purpofde now to acquire by Sea,
My Kingdome and my deare Penelope,
And fince I am the man foly referu'd,
Accept me for the Authors Epilogue.
If hee haue beene too bloody ? tis the Story,
The Iron Age. 43 1
Truth claimes excufe, and feekes no further glory,
Or if you thinke he hath done your patience wrong
(In teadious Sceanes) by keeping you fo long,
Much matter in few words, hee bad me fay
Are hard to expreffe, that lengthned out his Play.
Explicit Aclus quintus.
Here ends the whole Hi/lory of the
definition of Troy.
F I N J S.
NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
The Golden and Silver Ages were printed for the Shakefpeare
Society in 1851, with an Introduction and Notes by Mr. Payne
Collier. A promife was held out that the Brazen and Iron
Ages fhould follow ; but this has never been fulfilled. The de-
fign which the Author entertained, but was never able to carry
out, of collecting the five plays into one volume, is therefore now
accomplished for the firft time.
Page i.
The Golden Age ; or the Hues of Jupiter and Saturne,
■with the deifying of the Heathen Gods.
Some copies of the original quarto have " defining ;" and this
ridiculous blunder has been perpetuated by Mr. Collier, who
feems only to have confulted a fingle copy. It is a fact well-
known to ftudents of the Elizabethan drama that different copies
of the fame edition of a play often contain important variations
in the text. The prefent reprint has been made from one copy,
and corrected by two others.
The abfurdity of the error in queftion, and the obvioufnefs of
the correct reading fufficiently appear in the two opening lines of
Homer's firft fpeech, with which the play begins :
" The Gods of Greece, whofe deities I rais'd
Out of the earth, gaue them diuinity," &c.
" FF
434
Page 12.
to make your Craers and Barkes
To paffe huge Jlreames infafety
A cray, crayer, or crare, is a fmall fhip or craft of burden. The
word occurs in Cymbeline, on which fee Mr. Collier's note in his
Shakefpeare, vol. viii. 220.
Page 14.
Or elfe all generative power and appetite
Depriue me:
i.e., take away from me. " Depriue" is ufed in this fenfe by
many other authors of the time. In Beaumont and Fletcher's
Maid in the Mill (act iv. fc. 3) is a line of a fimilar conftruction
to that in our text —
'* But hung at the ear, deprives our own fight."
In the firft act of Hamlet, and by Heywood himfelf in the
fifth act of this play, the word is ufed in its ordinary modern
acceptation.
Page 16.
Enter Sibilla lying in child-bed.
Saturn and all his followers go out, and then the fcene, in the
fimplicity of our early ftage, is fuppofed to reprefent Sibylla's
chamber, a bed, no doubt, with the mother in it, having been
thruft upon the ftage for the purpofe. So in A Woman kilde
with Kindnejfe (vol. II. p. 154) we have "Enter Mrs. Frank-
ford, in her bed." Near the end]of Act IV. of the play before us
occurs a curious and appofite ftage-direction, where the four Bel-
dams draw Danae, in her bed, upon the ftage, and afterwards
leave her, as if (he were in her chamber. The bed is afterwards
withdrawn, with Jupiter and Danae in it.
Page 19.
Wee' I fend the King, and with fuch forged griefe,
And counterfet forrowfhadow it.
Mr. Collier points out that the metre of the fecond line is evi-
ently defective, and fuggefts " counterfeited " as probably the
435
correA reading ; though he has not ventured to introduce this
emendation into the text
Page 20.
Lend me your hands to guide me on your way.
Mr. Collier reads "the way" and fuggefts "my way" as an
alternative reading. We are by no means fure that he is right
in either.
Page 23.
we by the helpe
Ofthefe his people, haue confin'd him hence.
i.e., driven him from thefe confines.
Page 29.
Enter Iupiter like a Nimph, or a Virago.
A virago, in the time of Heywood and earlier, was a term
ufed to denote a mafculine-looking woman : it now generally
means a woman who brings her mafculine qualities into action.
[See the following Note.]
Page 30.
And for myjlature, I am not yet of that Giant fize, but 1 may
paffefor a bona Roba, a Rounceual, a Virago, or a good manly
Laffe.
A bona roba was a very common term for a woman of the town.
(See notes to Chapman, vol. I. p. 344.) A rounceval mult have
meant a fort of female warrior ; perhaps from Roncefvalles,
where Orlando was defeated and killed. Coles makes rounceval
equivalent to virago.
Page 31.
You neuerfhall with hated man attone,
U, agree, or be at one with him.
f r a
436
Page 37.
Whiljl I the foes of Tytan pafli and kill.
The verb to pafh means to ftrike down and break to pieces,
and in this fenfe it occurs in many authors of Heywood's time.
Thus Marlowe in his Tamburlane has thefe lines : —
M Zabina, mother of three braver boys
Than Hercules, that in his infancy
T)idpajh the jaws of ferpents venomous."
It occurs again in The Silver Age, in feveral places.
Page 41.
This Gigomantichia be eternis'd
Qy, Gigantomachia ? unlefs we are to fuppofe that Enceladus
in fpite of his fuperhuman ftrength, was no " fchollard," and
milpronounced the word !
Page 43.
On thee the bafts of my hopes I ere<5l.
Mr. Collier fuggefts "reft" as the word probably written by
the poet ; and as fuiting the meafure better, and the fenfe at
leaft as well.
lb.
Hyperion and ^Egeon with the reft.
Here 'we fee Heywood, though well read, accenting Hype-
rion as repeatedly by Shakefpeare, and by better fcholars than
either.
Page 46.
/ haue done my meffage fo cleanly, that they cannot Jay, the
meffenger is be-reau'd of any thing, &r.
Mr. Collier fuggefts that perhaps we ought to read berayed, in
the old fenfe of the word, inftead of " bereaved."
437
Page 48.
d'on your armes
So etymologically printed in the old copy ; but generally do on
is reduced to one word, don, without any apoftrophe. In the fame
way, doff is d'off, or do off.
x Page 52.
let all raryeties
Showre downefrom heauen a lardges, that thefe bridals
May exceede mortall pompe.
Mr. Payne Collier reads " let all the deities, " &c, and he calls
the reading of the old copy nonfenfe. I am not at all fure that
he is right in this emendation, for fee page 56, where Jupiter
fays : —
"all our Court rarities
Lye open to your royal'ft entertainment
lb.
corfiue
Worfe then the throwes of child-birth.
i.c. corrofive, as in The Thracian Wonder (a& I, fc. 2) : —
44 Think what a corfeve it would prove to me."
Page 59.
Thy durance here
Is without limit endlejfe.
The old copies read " with ;" but the emendation is fo obvi-
oufly required both by fenfe and metre that I have ventured to
introduce it into the text.
Page 60.
As I can beare a packe, fo I can beare a braine.
" To bear a brain " was a proverbial expreflion. It appears by
Henflowe's Diary, p. 155, that Dekker wrote a play in 1599,
with the title of " Bear a Brain."
438
Page 62.
looking vpon three feuerall iewels.
Mr. Collier reads "their." "Three," he fays, "muftbe amif-
print, as Jupiter has, at all events, given them/our feveral jewels
— one to each. "
Page 71.
Farewell good Minevers.
Poflibly the Beldams wore minever, a fpecies of fur, on their
dreffes ; or perhaps the Clown calls them after the name of a
well-known character. — Collier.
Page 72.
Faire Laeda daughter to King Tyndarus.
She was the wife of Tyndarus, and daughter of Thefpius.
Heywood is elfewhere not always quite correct in his mytho-
logy.
Page 75.
Our eyes halfe buried in our cpit&y plots.
Quechy, or queachy, which may have fome relation to queafy,
is an old word for wet, marflvy, fwampy.
lb.
And Saturnejhall to after ages be
That (larre, thatfhall infufe dull melancholy.
As he had previoufly prophefied,y#/>r^ p. 16 : —
" Saturns difturbance to the world fhall be
That planet that infufeth melancholy."
Page 87.
If I can proue by -witneffe that rude praclife
Mr. Collier (very unneceffarily, we think) alters " I " to you.
Page 89.
Or is he of that flaxLiftifutferance.
Other copies read "Jluggifh fufferance."
439
Page 89.
to fee thee die
My fettled loue will not endure : but ivorje
Then death can bee, we doome thy infolence ;
Here Mr. Collier's note only ferves to darken and confufe what
is perfectly intelligible. "The meaning," he fays, "is not very
clear ; but taking ' doom ' as it ftands in the old copy, to be the
true reading,' [who that reads the context and the previous
fpeech can doubt it ?]' it feems to be, ' We doom thy infolence
to what can be worfe than death. Poflibly," he adds, "we
ought to fubftitute deem for ' doom !' "
Page 92.
Hath caft him both of ftile and kingdome too.
For " ftile " Mr. Collier has fubftituted " ftate ;" but is filent re-
fpecting the reafon or authority for the alteration. Refpecting
the word "caft " he fays : " So the old copy, which there feems
no fumcient reafon to alter ; but the true reading, nevertheless
may be eafed [caft]."
Page 93.
To expofe their fury, and their pride reflraine.
Mr. Collier reads " oppofe."
Page 98.
By vertue of thy raits.
Mr. Collier reads " her rays."
Page 99.
By Jofua Duke vnto the Hebrew Nation.
( Who are indeede the Antipodes to vs)
A Angular anachronifm and mifreprefentation of geographical
pofition, apparently for the fake of connecting facred and pro-
fane hiftory in the minds of the auditory.
440
Page ioi.
Muft giue to King Creon.
In this hemiftich the prepofition is furplufage ; but, being
inferted in the old copy, we do not omit it : Heywood probably
wrote, "Muft give King Creon," the line being completed by
the firft words of Alcmena's fpeech, " All my orifons."
Page iio.
Glad to vnfold.
Mr. Collier reads u enfold."
Page iai.
But let him feat him on the loftiejl fpire
Heauen hath : or place me in the lowe/l of hell.
Mr. Collier omits "of," which, he fays, " is clearly too much,
both for the fenfe and metre, and muft have been accidentally
inferted." This is not to us by any means fo "clear" as it
feems to be to Mr. Collier.
Page 122.
The Thunderer thunders.
The old copy reads, "The Thunderer, Thunderers." We
have adopted Mr. Collier's emendation.
Page 123.
Of yon adulterejfe and her mechall brats.
"Medial" is wicked : it occurs again in our author's Chal-
lenge for Beauty (Vol. v. p. 75) : —
" her owne tongue
Hath publifli't her a mechall ^roKitaXQ."
Page 125.
Yong Ipecletes, whom Amphitrio owes.
So fpelt in the old copy, where a name of four fyllables is
required for the meafure; but the real name feems to have been
Iphiclus, or Iphicles.
44i
Page 141.
take your place
Next you Abides.
" So the old copy; and as it may poffibly be right, we make
no change, though it feems more proper to read 'Next to
Alcides." So Mr. Collier; but has he not created a difficulty
where none exifts.
Page 143.
This Centaure-match, itjhall in ages,
And times to come, renowne great Hercules.
Of the firft line the fenfe is complete, though not the metre.
It would be eafy to rectify the latter by reading "after ages," as
in the paflage at page 75 of this volume, noted antea p. 438 ;
but we prefer a ftrict adherence to the ancient text, though
poffibly defective, to mere conjectural emendations.
Page 157.
Thefe phangs Jhall gnaw vpon your eroded bones.
The precife meaning Heywood attached to the word " eroded'"
feems doubtful. Baret, in his "Alvearie" (1580) tells us, that
to "crad" is to coagulate; but that fenfe will hardly fuit the
paflage, and it is only another form of curd. " Cruded bones "
may be, Mr. Collier thinks, a mifprint for crujhed bones.
Page 158.
till our club
Stickle amongjl you.
To "ftickle" generally means to feparate combatants, and
Jlicklers were fometimes taken for arbitrators, or judges. In
Troilus and CreJJida (act v. fc. 9) Achilles fays : —
•' The dragon wing of night o'erfpreads the earth,
And, ftickler-like, the armies feparate."
In the inftance before us, Hercules was about to ufe his club as a
ftickler between Thefeus and Cerberus, to part them.
Page 159.
Danae Jpare your tubs.
Mr. Collier reads "Danaids." " All the daughters of Danais,
7 G G
.442
excepting Hypermneflra, were condemned to the panifhment in
hell of filling veflels, out of which the water ran as faft as it was
poured in."
Page 159.
My vajfaile Furies with their wiery firings.
Mr. Collier thinks that " flings " might fuit the fenfe better ;
but he has not altered the text.
lb.
IPe ding thee to the lowe/l Barathrum.
To ding down was formerly not an uncommon phrafe ; it is
from the Anglo-Saxon, in which language "to ding" means to
beat or flrike down.
Page 166.
certaine Tranflations of Ouid . . . . , they were things
which out of my iuniority and want of iudgment, I committed
to the view of fome priuate friends, but with no purpofe of pub-
lifhing, or further communicating them.
Some pafTages from thefe tranflations were afterwards inferted
by Heywood in his TTNAIKEION : or Nine Bookes of Various
Hijlory Concerning Women, Lond. fol. 1624.
Page 20 r.
And yet farewell
After extracting fome fcenes from The Brazen Age, Charles
Lamb fays : — " I cannot take leave of this drama without
noticing a touch of the trueft pathos, which the writer has put
into the mouth of Meleager, as he is wafting away by the opera-
tion of the fatal brand, adminiflered to him by his wretched
mother What is the boafted ' Forgive me, but for-
give me ' of the dying wife of Shore, in Rowe, compared with
thefe three little words?"
Page 209.
Phrixus
And his faire fijler Helles, being betraid
By their curfl flep-dame Ino, fled from Greece,
Their Innocence pittied by Mercury,
He gave to them a golden-fleeced Ratnme,
■443
Which bare themfafe to the Sygeanfea,
Which fwimming, beauteous Helles there was drowned,
And gave that/ea the name of Hellefpont, Ac.
In Hey wood's pageant, Londini Status Pacafus (1639), Medea
is made to tell the fame ftory in other words : —
" the Ram
Vpon whofe back Phrixus and Hellc fwam
The Hellefpont : (he to her lading fame
(By being drown'd there, gave the Sea that name :)
But Phrixus fafely did to Colchos fteere
And on Joves Alter facrificed there
The golden Bead."
All this was brought in to celebrate the greatnefs of the
"Worihipfull Society of Drapers," at whofe charges this
pageant was produced.
Page 212.
Shall the Buls tojfe him whom Medea hues
The ftory of Jafon and Medea is thus briefly alluded to by
Heywood in his pageant entitled Londini Status Pacatus, or
Londons Peaceable E/late (1639) : — "Jafon fignifieth fanans, or
healing ; Medea, con/ilium, or Counfell : he was the fon of j&ta,
his Father was no fooner dead but he left the Kingdome to his
brother Pelias, who fet him upon an adventure to fetch the
golden Fleece from Colchos: to which purpofe he caufed the
Argoe to be built, in which fixty of the prime Princes of Greece
accompanied him ; whom Medea the Daughter of (the) King of
Colchos courteoufly entertained with all the reft of the Argo-
nauts : and being greatly inamoured of him, and affraide leaft
he fhould perifh in the attempt ; knowing the danger he was to
undergoe, upon promife of Marriage, fhe taught him how he
fhould tame the Brazen-footed Bulls, & to caft the Dragon that
watched the Fleece into a dead fleepe : which hce did, and by
flaying him bore away the prize."
Page 253.
I tluit Buhris flue, Antheus Jlrangled,
And conquer 'd flill at thy vnkinde behe/l
The three-fltapt Gerion, and the dogge of hell,
The Bull of Candy, and the golden Hart, &c.
In his Apology for Aclors (Lond. 161 2), Heywood fays : — " A
444
description is only a fhadow, received by the eare, but not per-
ceived by the eye ; fo lively portrature is meerely a forme feene
by the eye, but can neither fhew action, paffion, motion, or any
other gefture to moove the fpirits of the beholder to admiration.
But .... to fee as I have feene, Hercules, in his owne fliape,
hunting the boare, knocking downe the bull, taming the hart,
fighting with Hydra, murdering Geryon; flaughtering Diomed,
wounding the Stymphalides, killing the Centaurs, pafhing the
lion, fqueezing the dragon, dragging Cerberus in chaynes, and
laftly, on his high pyramids writing Nil ultra, Oh, thefe were
fights to make an Alexander ! "
Page 384.
Heufuge, nate Dea, teqite his pater tripe flammis, &c.
Thefe five lines are from Virgil's iEneid, ii. 289 — 295 : —
" Alas, flee, goddefs-born, and efcape, father, from thefe flames.
The enemy holds the walls ; Troy from its very fummit is fink-
ing into ruins .... Troy entrufts to you her rites and her
houfehold gods; thefe take to fhare your deftinies, for thefe
fearch out the mighty city, which you fliall let up at laft, when
you have wandered over all the fea." They were probably
noted by Heywood in the margin againft the fpeech in which
they are paraphrafed, and got inferted into the body of the text
through the blundering ignorance of the printer.
Page 406.
Her
Hath beenefo mighty to reuenge the wrongs, &c.
The opening words of Hermione's fpeech (confiding of half a
line, or perhaps a line and a half), have flipt out in the old copies,
and it is now impoffible to fupply them except by conjecture.
It may be mentioned that the ftories of Juno, of Venus, of
Ceres, Proferpine, Atalanta, Hellena, Medea, Hefione, and
yEgiftus and Clitemneftra, are told in profe at more or lefs length
in Heywood's Nine Bookes of Various Hijlory Concerning Wo-
men, Lond. fol. 1624, pp. 5, 8, 16—18, 227, 259, 404, 423, 430,
435-
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