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Licensed for Printing 20 Nov., 1592
Dflte of earliest known dated edition .... 1599
(B.M., Gnnvitte Copy.)
Reproduced in Facsimile I912
@nfr0r JFarainttli
Under the Supervision and Editorship of
JOHN S. FARMER
Issued for Subscribers by the Editor of
THE TUDOR FACSIMILE TEXTS
MCMXII
si
aitb
c. 1592-9
This facsimile is taken from the best of fout copies in the 'British
{Museum. The Qren^pille Copy is undated \ but another is dated 1599.
There are internal reasons for supposing that whilst passing through the
press, differing impressions were issued. Solimon and Perseda Was licensed
for printing 20 No^. 1592 : whether the dated or undated copies can claim
priority is unknown, though it may be noted that some of the undated
examples are described as "newly corrected and amended."
The authorship has been attributed to Kyd (Sir Sidney Leey q.v.,
Kyd in T^.N.'B.)
The reproduction is excellent : some pages of all the original copies
are exceedingly bad, being very much off-set.
JOHN S. FARMER.
OF SOLIMOJt AND
PERSEDA.
Wherein is laide open, Loues
conftancie, Fortunes incon-
ilancie, and Deaths
Triumphs.
AT LONDON
Printed by Edward ^fllde^ for
Edward White, and are to be folde at
the little North doore of Paules Church*
at the fignc of the Gun.
THE
Tragedie ofSoliman and
Perfeda.
, ^f
^AdTVS; PRIMVS.
'
Enter Loue, Fortune, Death.
Hat, Deafbznd Fortune croflethe way of Loue?
For. Why .what is' Lou f,but Fortunes tenis-ball?
Death. Nayj What arc you both, but fubie&s
. vnto Death?
And I commaund you to forbeare this place;
For heerc the mouth of fad Melpomcni,
Is wholy bent to tragedies difcourfe:
And what are tragedies but a&s of death?
Heremeanes the wrathful! mufc in feas of teares,
And lowd laments to tell a difmsl! tale-:
A tale wherein (he lately hath bcftowed,
The hufkie humor of her bloudy quill,
And now for tables, takes her to her tung.
Loue. Why thinkes Deatb% Loue knows Hot the hiftorie,
Of braue Erqftus and his Rodian dame?
Twas I that made their harrsconfent toloue,
And therefore come I now as fitted perfon,
To ferue for Chorus to this Tragedie :
Had I not beene, they had not dyed fo foone.
Deatb, Had 1 not bcene, they had not dyed fo foone
A a
For. Nay then jt feemcfe yoii both-doomiffetfyttnarke,
Did not I change long loue to fudden hate?
And then rech^nge their hatred into ioue?
And then front Ifcue deiiuer them tcrdeitfh 2 *
Fortune i s Chorus+tLtive and Dectk be gone.
Death. I tell thee Fortune, and thee wanton Loue,
I will not downe to euerlaftirrg night,
Till I haue mpralliz'd t.his Tragedie, •»
Whofe cheefeft acior was my fable dart.
Loue. Nor will I vp into the brightfome fphere,
From whence I fprung, till in ihe chorus place,
I make it knowne to you and to the world.
• What intereft LQU* hiathlrf Tragedies.
For. Nay then though Fortune hauedelight in change,
lie (lay my flight, andceafe tp ^ime^rey wlb^cle,
Till I haue (hownc by demonftration,
What intreft I have in a Trag^die :
Tiifa^Fertunt cjin ^PP more, then Low or Death.
Loue. Why ftay wethen, le^giue the Aclors leaue,
And aa occafion ferues, make our returnc Exeunt,
Enter Eraftus and Perfeda.
Erafi. Why when ?trfeda% wilt thou not aflurc me ?
But fhail I like a maftleflr (hip at fea>
Goe euery way, and not the way I would ?
My loue hath laded from mine infancie.
And ft ill increafed as I grew my felfe.
When did Perfeda paftime in thcftrectes,
But her Eraflus ouer-cyed her fporte ?
When didft thou with thy fampler in the Sunne,
Sit fowing with thy feres, but I was by,
Marking thy lilly hands dexteritie:
Comparing it to twenty gratious things.
When didft thou fine a note that I could heare,
But I haue framdea dittie to the tune,
Figuring Perfeda twenty kindc of ways.
When
of S oilman and Pqtfeda.
When didft thou gpe to Church on h^i
But I haue waiteoon thee too and fro :
Marking my times, a* $auf cons L watch their flight*]
When Inaue rnift thce how J haue lamented,
As if my thoughts had been aflured true;
Thus in my youth,' now fince I grew a man,
I haue perfeuered to fet thce know,
The meaning;p£my true harts conftancie :
Then be not nice Perfe4a*$ women woont
To hafty louers whole Fancy .foone is fled :
My loue is of a long continuance,
And merites not a itrangers recompence.
Per. Enough J&qfluSr&y Perftda knowes,
She whom thou wouldft haue thine, Eruftus knowes
Eraft. Nay m^Perfeda knowes, and then tis well.
Per. I watch you vantages, thine be it then,
I haue forgot the reft, but thats the effect :
Which to effec'l, accept ihis carkanet.
My Grandamepn her death bed gaue it me,,
And there, euen there* I vowd.vntbmyfelfe,
To keepe the i&me, vntill my wahdring eye,
Should finde a harbour .for my hart p dwell,
Euen in thy Jbrcift^Q0^ ^ ?)*& mT re^»
Let in my hart $o,]k^p,thinje company.
Eraft. Ah!d facet forfeda accept this ring,
To equall it, receTu^ my hart to boote,
It is no boote, for'that was thine before :
And far more welcome is this change to me.
Then funny dayes to naked Sauages,
Or newes of pardon to a. wretch condemnd,
That waiteth for the fearefullftroke of death,
As carefull will I be to keepe this chaine,
As doth the mother keepe her children,
From water pits, or falling in the fire.
Ouer mine armour will I hang thischaine.
And when long combat makes my body faint,
The fight of this (hall fhew /Vr/hfc« name,
A 3 And
Tbe Tragfdie
A nd ad frefti cotrrage to my fainting lims. r* •;
This day the eger, Turke of Tripoli*. ' '
The knight of Mfalra, honourccffof his1 worth,
And he tnats titled by the golden fpurrc.'
The Moore vpon his hot Barbarian horfc, *
The fiery Spaniard bearing in his ^acf.
The emprefle of a noble warriour.
The fudden Frenchman, and the bigbon'4 Dane,
And Englifti Archers, hardy men at armes,
£c lipped Lyons of the Wefternc worlde ; . ' ' v
Each one of thefc approoucd combatants,
Aflembled from feucrall corners of the:w6rid;
Are hither come to trie their force1 in armes,
la honour of the Prince of Cyprif nuptials.
Amoncft thefe worthies will Eraftus troo^e; '
Though like a Gnat amongft a hiue of Bees:
Know me by this thy pretious carkariet,
And if Ithriue, in valour as the glafle,
That takes the Sun-bcames burning with his force:
He bethcglafle and thoii that heauenly'Suh;
From whence He borrow what 1 do atchieue :
And facet Perff da vn noted though I, be.
Thy beauty ye: (hall make me knownc ere night.
Per. Yong flippes arc neuer graft i n1 windy daies,
Yong fchollers neuer entered with the rod.
Ah my Erajtus there are Europes Knights,
That carry honour graucn in their helmcs.
And they muft winne it deere that winne it thence,
Let not my beau tic prick thee to thy. bane,
Better (it ft ill then rife and ouertane.
Eraft. Counfel! me not, for my intent is fworne,
And be my fortune as my loue defcrucs.
Per. So be thy fortune as thy features ierue,
And then Era/lus Hues without compare.
Enter a Msffenger.
Here comes a Meflenger to haft me hence, '
I know your meffage, hath the Princefle fent forme?
ofSoliman andPerfeda.
Mefftn. She hath, and deiircs you to cpnfort her to the *
; . £»/<rrPiftpiv (triumphes.
Pifon, Who faw my Mafter? ;
OfiriareV'ouheere? .,,, .
The Prince and all the pjitlaridifh Gentlemen,
Arc ready togoc^p the piurhphi, they (lay for you,
Eraftf Goe firra, bid my men bring my horfe,
and adofen ftaues,
Pijl. Yqu,' fl?all haue your horfes and two dofen ftaues.
WWik ^ " £.v;/Pifton.
Jbrajf. Wi(h me good hap Perffda a nd He winne
Suchglory, as no time (hall ere race put,,. r
Or end thepe^go^qf my youth in blood. y/
Per. Sucaifprr^ne as the good Andromqcbe,,
Wifht valfant ^w^wpynded with the Greekes, , ,.,
I wiih Eraftus in m&majd^n.warres.
Orecome with vallorthefe high minded Knights,
As with thy vcrtue tj^qu haft conquered me,
Heauens hearc jnay harty prayer and it, efFeci.; Exeunt*
• •
iijppp, fa Prince of pprts, Bafilifco,
and aii t he Knjgbts* ; ,
ights o,f Qbjrifleridome, and turkifli boph,
jn^hirdy honors caufe,
obc enrolgjn the brajs Jeaued booke,
fncuerwait^^ptuit^,
Put Lambe-ii^emiJ$ene3 toyourJuyons ft^rength.
And beourtihingliketwo brothers fports,
Thatexerciiif tjpei^^'arre with friendly blowes.
Braue Prince of tip^i&s an/d our Tonne, in, law.
Welcome thcfe worthies by their feuerall countries,
For in Uyrjhqnor hether, are they come,
To grace thy nuptials, wit^jbeir deeds at armes.
Cfpris. Firft'welcome thjife/jcnowned Engliflimin,
Graced by thy ejountry;, but ten times more
Sy thy apprpo^d jvaJqur in the jield*
Vn the oiifetfdftiK CDcmy,
»'*••' • •
What is thy thottii \dien thbu Carres thylioife?
Engiifaman. In Scotland w"as 1 made aKnigtxt,at atmci,
Where for my countries caufe l^rfargde my Launicc;
In France I tookeihc Standard/rom tht K!m&'
Andgiueth^flowePt^GaUia iiifmy crefh
Againft theligKtfbote Irffhhauel W&P
And in my skinne bare tokens of theft scenes:
Our word of courage ail the world hath heard, tf
Saint George forEnglahrf, and Siih't George fctf rnc.-^
Cipris. fcike welcome vnto theefaire Knight of Fraimce
Well famed thod art for'difcrpline in warre, '''
Vpon the incoumerof thint tintfmV?-.niJ olfM»Xi«J *»
What is thy mot renowAed KhighfFrhVe^ b>
Frenchman. ' in;ltaly I put mylini
Where in my fhirt but with a fin^lr
I combated a Romanemuch re'nio^.
His u/pannns noinr imnntfrvnr^fnr mv f>iini»l 'Jfn».>->.iO
Ctpris. Welcome Cafilian \oo amongft the reft,.
For fame tteth fdiuid thy valour tvith tWe fcfc- >***
Vpon jhy firft encounter of thy foe,
Whi^thy ^ord of courage bfaac rqan ttFS^8«J •
Spaniard. At fourcteene yeeresof^e was f ma^Khr^i,
When twenty thmrfandSpaftfards we?e irfWlft'
What time a da/ing Rytter made a cf«He»j&,
To change a bWlet 'with bur fwift flr^iflibt. >>lmr^
And I with fingl.c Heetfand leuell, hit
The haughtie cVlengerand ftrbok1^ him tfcarf.1
The golden Ffeepe is thit.we cry vpcjn,
And laques1,1 laques, is trie Spaniards cliojfe.
Om.Next welcome,Vntorh^ rendwnedTlirVfe01
O>m.Next welcome,Vnto|rh^ rendwnedTlirV01
Not for thy lay? but 'for thy *ftffy hi arr^:' v-^ ?/B
Vpon the firft'braue ofthiii^erierny,
What is thy noted word'of 'charW, brau^Turke?
J5ri/>r. Againft theSophy in tn'reC^McdficWs> '
Vnder the conduct of great St^ta^ '^ 3'J • > "" noti
Hauc
o
Haue J-feRgielthiqferfadjnmaimder Q$anfaakftjb',:b asm orf
And put the flint hearf'Bcft francs Jta cHef wdwEr.n7? /in b-
The dcfcrt p]ain<^xrf Affrid£e«hiiu<j MrfifcljiQW yiloi -.";;. V
With blood of Moore»v»ndt]^ne«i{ElaDce!lrefcbftfitd8 fought, *
Marcht conqueror through Afia^n r
Along the coafts hckbby the -fiottingiiize/ :i nO
Euriwlotthe verge of-golde; aboordipg Spaitei i^. .
Hath Bfufor led a valiant troope of.Turke^i JKU • .lo'jmolnl
A nfltra'derfdoktGhrJit ians Jctwiife, t&iUabwfoi>\ n iiuijt. j
Him we adore, a^d'irnbiirtioxrt i(f £BV n j ^Iq rfoiriw r.l
Mahomet for me and Sofimani -1. ;:r!: rf-'i • j.ii b^'^iiji
O>.-Now SignQur^//i>^youw9^\<!>^.Jil «< t no i: A
And therefore giue not you a rtrang^r« ;vw«kbi«Wi fi
^kunafeciR carter borne in Germanic,
Xpimtyhe firft4cncctinKcof ybur-foe: .
What is your brave upon the enemy ?. ,' ,
S&jtfLdi figsht ncmwrthiiDjr tonguey ^his is my Oratrix. .
t -j-)upnc^ 1 1 . iayiitferhisirvjn^ upon his fword.x'
^/j^}W^Sigocwsn\a^/j/^kiftailh6fVte(rd? (
Raji. I, and foareall bI
Perdie, eachfem?ftua.'fbai*oalitf.vefifJ4idJoot
And the vigour of this^aanoiftfringetb
The temper of any blade, quot^nsty aficrrfor
than this Urn, may very well beaTca^ninine jBpi;heton.
•ffiafil Sooth to fajr,;thc>eqrthJftmy. couutrey, ' (cottiitf cy ? '
Asflfafriire to the fowlc, or thje-marineimoifture
To the red guild fif^^«|»^<nyfetfi»Oj«owftrd:
For humilitie (hall mouBCnn4! :^.\\\i\^ J.i..;ii tfftiuift u/
I keep no table to chara<5ler in^i&refe>pafled,co*nfii^s. .
As I remember,itli^efh8pp«^ja^ifeidrtawight^ ' .^\
In fome part pfiBolfeia,] tnatefiiiftlqcwigif^^.j;-: r ,
Was feared with the JJuhtejGbdajJifeeent'. • Ili-v r^!-J " 1
I held it pollicie^ospbfttiie/ibtoricbif^eii' ..ni rinv;
^£lq t-oicjca 'ju^i-;
eue|Jie(Darehc earth,.; C
B The
The
The men died, the women wept, and the graffe grew.
Els had my Prize-land horfe periihed,
Whofc lofle would hauc more grieucd me,
Than the ruine of that whole Countrey.
Vpon a Time in Ireland I fought,
On horfebacke with an hundred Kernes,
From Titans Eafterne vprife, to his Wcftern downe-fall:
Infomuch that my Steed began to faint;
I conjecturing the caufe to be want of water, difmounted:
In which place there was no fuch Element,
Enraged therefore with this Semitor,
All on foote like, an Herculian of-fpring,
Endured fome three or foure houres combat,
In which proccfle, my body diftilled fuch dewy (bower of
That from the warlike wrinckles of my front, (fwet,
My Palfray coold his third.
My mercy in conqueft, isequall with my manhood in.fight,
The tcareofan in Ant, hath bin the ranfome of a conquered
Whereby I purchafed the furname of Pities adamant, (citie.
Rough wordes blowe my choller,
s the wind dooth Mulcibers worke houfe,
haue no word, because no countrey,
Lach place is my habitation,
Therefore each countries word mine to pronounce.
Princes, what would you ?
I'haue fecn much, heard more, but done moft,
Tobebricfc, hee that will trie mec, let him waft me with his
I am his, for fome fiue launces* (arme.
Although it go againft my ftarres to ieft,
Yet to gratulate this beninge Prince,
I will fupprefle my condition.
Philip. He- is beholding to you greatly frr:
Mount ye braue -Lofdings, forwards to the-tilt,
Myfclfe will ccnfure of your chiualrie,
And with impartiall eyes behold' your decdes,
Forward braue Ladies, place you to behold
The fatre demca nor of t hcfe warlike Knight*. £xaat.
Manet.
ofSoliman and Perfeda.
Manet Bafilifco.
Bafi. I am melancholy: an humor of Venus bcleagerethme:
1 haue rejected with contemptable frownes,
The fweet glances of many amorous girles or rather ladies:
But certcs, 1 am now captiuated with the reflecting eye
Of that admirable comet Perfeda.
I will place her to behold my triumphes.
And do wonders in hir fight,
0 heauen (he comes, accompanied with a child,
Wnofechin bearcs no impreflion of manhood,
Not an hayre, not an excrement. . 1
Enter Eraftus, Perfcda, and Py ftan.
Era/I. My fweet Perfeda.
Exeunt Eraftus and Perfeda.
Bafi. Peace Infant thou blafphemeft.
Pift. Youaredeceiued fir, hefwore not.
Baji. I tell thee letter he did worfe,hecaldthat Ladiehis.
Pift. lefter : 0 extempore, ofloreA
Bafi. O harm vn-edicate illiterate pefant,
Thou abufeft the phrafe of the Latine.
Pift. Bygods fi(h friend, take you the Latins part, ile abufe
Bafi. What faunce dread of our indignation ? (you to.
Pift. Saunce : what languidge is that ?
1 thinke thou art a word maker by thine occupation.
Bafi. I, termed thou me of an occupation,
Nay then this fierie humor of chollcr is fupprcft,
By the thought of loue. Faire Ladie,
Pif. Now by my troth (he is gon.
Bafi. I, hath the infant tranfported htr hence,
He faw my anger figured in my brow.
And at his bcft aduantage ftole away, (
But I will follow for reuenge.
, Pift. Naye, but here you fir,
I muft talke with you before you goe.
Then Pifton^/ on bis backt andpuh him downed
Bajj. O if thou beeft magnanimous, come before me.
Pift* Nay, if thou becft * right warrior, get from vndier <he.
B 2 £af.
Baf. Wkab'^otilaH%itAu hauc me a
vv
P/V?. ypho&K&imltyfawpviioiilriu b^fbsiDi DU
But iwow^VKa^^^iNtginidag^riij^o won -.71 * Q v- :.
Nat{CD$gb£iini'gi:te tbtviaiw^jf JE-J v,-o :T ru; ; ',x:>r
But (lay with me, and lofcloVpflnJtiiC'WJc)dr&-< :
Baf. Othou f^cirftithereby'to^daibrfiyiglory. *•>•# I
Ptft. I care not for that, wUryp»aibat'fwear?
Baf. O Jtfinaw^i Meare/ -^-r. ^WYJ sii> r.auw.l 0
A V/
.r.
/^. By the contents of thisrblade* ".« -r,n ,/i<r !n«-\
fl/. By thtfttA^iitencfiC'hikbftUc;". id\j\
Ptft. Ithcaforefaid Bq/ilifca. '.^ \3^
j5^dUfie^<^^id;B^///«, -A"
Knight good fellotfj Knight, Knight. .V I j.^..
nauc gobct ftWow, knaud, knaac, uo'i . \$'\
o»fFeiitogo!fipbmtiiefidcofP///o«. !• «j .;
. Willnot offer ti go from the-fidft of Pyl*t>
Ptft. Withqcrithtileawoflchc faid P/>*i obtaine;
^/.Without the lerfuciofkhc faid P.jjfon, HT
•Liccnfcd, obtained- and granted. <; -I
.01 ttjft Inioy thy Hfeaoailiut, i«ivb it thee.
Baf. I inioy m/.lifc' At thy hands, 1 confcffe it,
I am. vp; but that 1 am religious in mine oath. . » I
Pi/?. Wha( wouh^ you do fir, what would you do,
Will you vp the ladder fir, and fee the tilting.
Thru they go up the ladders, and they found
within to tbefrfi courfe.
Baf. Better a Dog fa wne on me, then barke.
Ptft. Now fir, haw like» you this courfe, :
Baf. Their Launces were coucht too hie, >
And their Stcedes ill borne. • J.
Ptft. It may be fo, it may be fa.
Sound to tbefecond'Courfe.
Now fir, how like you this courfe.
Baf. Prettie, pret tie, but not famous, ^
Well for a learner, but not for a, warriour.
of S oilman <&rd Perfeda.
Pift. By my faith me thought it was excellent.
Baf. I in the eye of an infant!, a Peacocks taile is glorious.
1 • I Soktndta'the'ttiirdcourfeji^
Pift. O well I'att, the baye.'horfe with the bicw taile,
And the filuer knight, fcre bothdovfrni,
B y Cock and Pie, and Moufe foote, > l • <E> o
The Engliftiman is a fine Knight. v
Baf. Now by the marble face, of the Welkin,
He is a braue wafriour.
Pi/friWhaian oath is there, iieTpboithrire'kBofctroher. !
Baf. Now comes in the1 infant that cxwitslmy.miftrerffe/
Sound to thefokrth conrfel '
Oh that my lance were in my reft,
And my Beauer clofd for rhis encounter. -
Pift. Dwell ran, my maifterhaih ouerthrownethe Turkc.
Baf. Now fie vpon the Tu rke,
To be difihounted by a Childe it veaeth rrie. ' \ .
. - . i&duntit'c-thejift-co'ur/e.' .frnan,
Ptft. O well ran maifter, he hath duertjirowne the Frenoh-
Baf. It is the fury of his horfe, ndt the ftrength of hisarme.
I would thou wouldft remit my oath,
That I might aflaile thy marfter.
Fiji. I giue thee.leaue, go to thy deftruotion,
But fynrawheres thy horfe? . '.
Baf. Why my Page holding him by the bridle.
Pift* Well goe mount thee,goe.
Baf. I go, and Fortune guide my Launce.
Exit Bafilifco. . (
Pift. Take the braginft knaue in Chriftendom withthce:
Truly lam forrid f6r him, .
He iuft like a Knight] heeleiuft like a lade.
Jt is a world toheere the foole prate and brag,
He will iet as if it were a Goofe on a greene:
He goes many times fupperles to bed,
And yet h~e takes Phifick to make him leane.
Laft night. he was bidden to a Gentle womans to fupper,
And becaufe he- would not be pot to carue,
B 3 He
He wore his hand in a fcarfc, and fa id he was wounded :
He weares a coloured lath in his fcabberd,
And when twas found vpon him, he faid he was wrathful!.
He might not wcare iron. He weres Ciuec,
And when it was a*kt htm, where he had chat muskc.
He faid, all his kindred fmelt To:
Is not this a counterfet foole ?
Well ilc vp and fee how he fpeedes.
Sound tbcfixt cour/e,
Now by the faith of a fquire he is a very faint knight, «
Why my .maifter hath ouerthrownc him
Arid his Curtail, both to the ground,
I (hall haue olde laughing,
It will be better then the r ox in the hole for me,
Sound: Enter Philippe, Eraftus, Ferdiaando,
Lucina, and all tbe Knights.
Cipr. Braue Gentlemen, by ail your free confents,
Thii Knight vnknowne, hath bcft demeand himfelf.
According to the proclamation made,
The prize and honor of the day is his,
But now vnmaike thyfelfe, that we may fee,
What warlike wrinckles time has charactered,
With ages print vpori thy warlike face.
EngUJh. Accord to his requefl, brave man at armes,
And let me fee the face that vanquished me,
French. Vnmaike thy felfe, thouwell approoued knight.
Turke. I long to fee thy face brauc warriour.
Luci. Nay valiant fir, we may not be denide,
Faire Ladies mould be coye to (howe their faces,
Lead that the fun (hould tan them with his beames,
He be your Page this once, for to difarme you.
Pijt. Thats the reafon, that he fhall helpe
Your huiband to arme his head,
Oh the pollicie of thisage is wonderfull.
Phillip. What young Eraftus, is it poflible?
Cipr. Eraftus be thou honoured for this deed.
EntUfb. So yone. and offuch coodaccompUflimcnt,
Thriue
of Soliman and Perfeda.
Thriue faire beginner as this time doth promifc,
In vertue, valour and all worthines:
Giue me thy hand, I vow my felfe thy friend.
Eraft. Thankes worthy nr, whofe fauorablrhand,
Hath entred fuch ayongling in the warre,
And thankes vnto you all, braue worthy firs,
Impofeme tafke, how I may doe you good,
Erajlus will be dutifull in all.
Phil. Lcaue proteftations now, and let vs hye,
To tread lauolto, that is womens walke,
There fpend we the remainder of the day.
Exeunt. Manft Ferdinando.
Ferdi. Though ouer-borne, and foyled in my courfe,
Yet haue I partners in mine infamy.
Tis wondrous, that fo young a toward warriour,
Should bide the (hock of fuchapprooued knights,
As he this-day hath matcht and mated too,
But vertue fhould<notenuy good defert,
Therefore Erajlus happy, laude thy fortune,
But my Lucina, how (he changed her colour,
When at the encounter I did loofe a ftirrcp,
Hanging her head as partner of my iharae.
Therefore now will I goe vifit her,
And pleafe her with this Carcanet of worth,
Which by good fortune I haue found t*> day,
When valour failcs then mud golde make the way. Exit.
Enter Baiilifco riding of a Mule.
Baf. O curfed Fortune enemy to Fa me,
Thus to difgrace thy honored name,
By ouer thro wing him that far hath fprcd thy praife,
Beyond the courfe of Titans burning raies.
Page fet a fide the iefture of my enemy,
Giue him a Fidlers fee, and fend him packing.
Pift. Ho, God fauc you fir, haue you burft yourfhin,
Baf. I villaine, I haue broke my (bin bone,.
My backe bone, my channell bone, and my thigh bone,
Be-
Befide two {WfirnnfftniUl inferior bonet- 4 :-ii
Ptft. A fhrewd lofleby my faith lir,.. i>,,« T :cV/ ,o:ji^/ rl
But wheres youxftzourfori rayief. 1 tL -»A y f;o -r: OUK)
l?^/". ye ioibf he ifasae in ifc«j hce . • ~ .- -IT . " vv< A
Ptft. There was $ not*>icce of fiprUife where hd toft hia taiiH
Baf. Forprefujbpajon^fof eowerin|;*nc Enipcrors Mare. !
Pijl. Marry a foule fault, but'wl^-a're'hiseaTcficm? -.•'>>» t*i
Pijl. Why then tUy.horfe hath bina (tdk inhM'tfibv^ii <>T
jB^/! True, thou hpft £ddt- J! ^^f !>ii: aw bna^l s»dT
O touch not thefcheeiteollmy Prflphncf^.^
Lead flftxbfrtoimt me wh He tpy: wounds are" -grcchc, . /• T-.
Page, run, bid the furgion bring his incifion. j ."/
Yet ftay He j^ieainngii'ith thee my felfc. - Exit!
Pifl. AntfJ^f.bfc^rr^ouafompany, .L ,,fi - rli
Pifion get(&kicp>Qn-his Affe-> iutd.rrd&tb Tp&b bivL>. • <. A
to tbe dqane, nxAmt&ttbJbrGrylnrj'l j -.r/ iuH
•• ! , . uY : fil
j^. Comefirra^ Jernie fee how finely. youlecty thischaini-//
Cryer. Why whafiwft it worth ? . ; x! i "fworth^i
PrJJ. It was worth more^ then, thou add all thyJciR arc> T
Cry. It may bq fojbut what muft he haue that firtdes it? ; '-.
Ptft. Why a hpndred Cuovrnca. , < ri n , . (d ibiilV/
.C^ WhicthwiiliflihaueJtoiiftirthccpym^of it. !»v rm /»y
P^?. Ten Crown*a,Andiiadbut fixqince, ..
For cry ing a little wench of thirtyy ceres olde and vptoaftdgs,
That had loft her fclfe betwixtaTaoeme and A bawdy houfc. P
Cry. I that wasla hrenchyand Ai« is Golde, -i-j i y5
She was poorc, but ihis is rich. . ( ^d
Ptft. Why then by. this reckoning, a Hackney man
Should haue ten (hillings for horfing a Geotkwo'rnany ^^i.*l
Where he hath but ten pence of a beggcr. 1 . \ >. '
Cry* Wih^aadiieafon good, ,- ;: :LI boO toi L A\j*i
JLet them pay thatcbeft may, ' . j .utri I .^n'clliv I .\J1
As thtcLawyere vfethcir rich Qwurti^ 3 vm .»nod •> :•! MM <M
.03 When
ofSoHtitan and Perfeda,
When they let the poore goe vnder Forma pauperis.
Fiji. Wny then I pray thee cry the chayne for me,
Subformapauptris.
For money goes very low with me at this time.
Crier. I fi r, but your matter is, though you be not.
Ptfl. I but he muft not know,
.That thou cryeft the chaine for me,
I doe but vfe the to faue me a labour,
That am to make inquiry after it.
Cri. Well fir, youle fee me confidered, will you not?
Piftt I marry will I, why what lighter paiment can there
be, then confideration.
Cn.Oyes.
Era/I. How now firra, what are you crying?
Cri. A chaine lira chaine, that your man bad me cry.
Erqft. Get you away firra, I aduife you
Meddle with no chaines of mine. Exit Cryer,
You paltry knaue, how durft thou be fo bould,
To cry the chaine, when I bid thou fhouldft not,
Did I not bid thee onely vnderhand,
Make priuie inquirie for it through the towne,
Lead pubiike rumour might aduertife her,
Whofe knowledge were to me a fecond death?
Pi/I. Why would you haue me runne vp and downe the
towne ? and my mooes are doone.
Eraft. What you want in mooes, ile glue you in bio wes.
Pift. I pray you fir hold your hands,
And as I am an honeft man,
Ile doe the beft I can to finde yourc chaine Exit Pifton.
Eraft. Ah treacherous Fortune, enemy to Loue>
Did ft thou aduaunce me for my greater fall,
In dalying war, I loft my chiefeft peace,
In hunting after praife, I loft my loue,
And in loues (hipwracke will my life mifcarrie,
Take thou the honor and giuemc the chaine,
Wherein was linkt the fum of my delight.
C ' When
Tbt Tragedie
When me deliucrcd me the Carkanet,
Keep it quoth me, as thou wouldft keep my felfe:
I kept it not, and therefore (he is loft,
And loft with her is all my happinefle,
And lofle of happines is worfethan death.
Come therefore gentle death and cafe my griefe,
Cut fhort what malice Fortune mifintends,
But ftay a while good Death, and let me Hue,
Time may reftore what Fortune tooke from me.
Ah no, great lolfes fildorhe arc reftord.
What if my chaine mail neuer be reftord,
My innocence mall clear my negligence.
Ah ! but my loue is ceremonious,
And lookes forjufticcat her louers hand,
Within forff funowes of her clowding brow,
As ftormes that fall amid a fun fhine day,
I read her iuft defires, and my decay. Exit.
Enter Solyman, Haleb,
lanefaries.
Sol. I long till Brufor be returnde from Rhodes,
To know how .he hath borne him gainft the Chriftians,
That are aflembled there to try their valour,
But more to be well allured by him,
How Rhodes is fenc'p1, and how I beft may lay,
My neuer failing iiege to win that plot>
For by the holy Alcaron I fweare,
Uc call my Souldiers home from Perfiat
And let the Sophie breath, and from the Ruffian broiles
Call home my hardy, dauntleffe lanifaries,
And from the other skirts of Chriftendome,
Call home my BaiTowes and my men of war,
And fo beleager Rhodes by fea and land,
That Key will fcrve to open all the gates,
Through which our pauage cannot finde a ftop,
Till it hauc prickt the heart of Chriftendome,
Which now that paltry Hand keeps from fcath.
ofSolhnan and Perfeda.
Say brother Amurath, and Haleb, fay,
What rbinke you of ourrcfolution?
AIKH Great Solimant heaaens onely fubftitute.
And earths commander vnder Mahomet:
So counfel I, as thou thy feife haftfaid.
Haleb. ParJon me'thx-ad Soueraigne, I hold it not
Good pollide, ro call your forces home
From Perfsaznd Polonia> bending them
Vpon a paltrie He of fmalJ defence.
A common prefle of bafe fuperfluous Turkes,
May foon be leuied for fo flight a taske. -
Ah Soltman, whofename hath fhakt thy foes,
As withered leaues with Autumn thrownedowne,
Fog not thy glrry with fo fowle ecllpfe,
Let not thy Souldiers found a bafe retire,
Till Perfea ftoope, and thou be conquerour.
What fcandall were it to thy mightinefTe,
After fo many valiant Ba fib wes flaine,
Whofc bloud hath bi n manured to their earth,
Whofe bones hath made their deepe waie^ paflable.
To found a homeward, dull, and harfti retreate,
Without a conqueft, or a mean reuenge.
Striue not for Rhodes tby letting Perfea flip,
The ones a Lyon almoft brought to death,
Whofe ikini (ball counteruaile the hunters toile;
The other is a Wafpe with threatning fting,
Whofe Hdnny is tiot worththe taking vp.
Amu. Why Haleb didlrthou not hearcourbrotherfwearc,
Vpon the Alcaron religiouily:
That he would make an vni verfall Campe
Of all his fcattered Legions: and dareft thou
Infer a reafon why it is not meete,.
After his Highnes -fweares it-fliall be fo,
Were it not thou art my fathers fonne,
And ftriuing kindnes wreftled not with ire, •
I would not hence, till I had let thee know,
What twere to thwart a Monarchs holy oath.
C 2 Haiti,
The Tragedie
* Why, his highnes gauc me leaue to fpeakc my will,
And farre from flattery I fpoke my minde,
And did difcharge a faithfull fubieds louc,
Thou Ariflippus like didft flatter him,
Not like my brother, or a man of worth :
And for his highnefle vowe, I croft it not,
But gaue my cenfure, as his highnefle bad.
Now for thy chaflifement know Amuratb,
I fcorne them as a retchlcfle Lion fcornes,
The humming of a Gnat in Summers night.
Amur. I take it Haleb thou art friend to Rhodes.
Haleb. Not halfe (o much am I a friend to Rhodes,
As thou art enemy to thy Soueraigne:
Amur. I charge thee fay wherein, or eife by Mahomet,
He hazard dutie in my Soueraignes prefence.
Haieb. Not for thy threats, but for my felfe I fay,
It is not meete, that one fo bafe as thou,
Shouldft come about the Perfon of a King.
Soli. Mufti giueaime to this prefumption?
Amur. Your Highnefie knowes, I fpake in dutious lou&/
Haleb. Your Highnefle knowes I fpakeat your command,
And to the purpole, far from flattery.
Amur. Thinks thou I flatter, now I,flatter not,
Ibtnbektls Haleb.:
Soli. What difmall Planets guides this fatal! hotter,
Villaine, thy brothers grones da ckll for thee,
TbenSoliman kils Amurath.
To wander with them through eternall night.
Amu. Oh Soliman for louingtbcc 1 die:
Sol. No Amuratb, for murthering him thou dyeft:
Oh Haleb bow (hall I begin to mourne,
Or how (hall I begin to ihed fait teares,
For whom no wordes nor teares can well fuffice ?
Ah that my rich imperiall Diadem,
Could fatiffie thy cruel deftinie:
Or that a thoufand of our Turkifh foules,
Or twenty thoufand millions of our foes,
Could
of Soliman and Perfeda.
Could ranfome thee from fell deaths tirannie,
To win thy life, would Soliman be poore,
And liue in feruile bondage all my dayes,
Accurfed Amuratb, that for a worthlefle caufe,
In blood hath fhortened our fweef Halebs dayes,
Ah what is dearer bond then brotherhood,
Yet Amurath thou wert my brother too,
If wilfull folly did not blinde mine eyes,
1, 1, and thou as vertuous as .Haleb,
And I as deare to thee as vnto Haleb,
And thou as neere to me as Haleb was,
Ah Amurath: why wert thou fo vnkinde to him,
For vttering'but a thwarting word ?
And Haleb, why did not thy harts counfell,
Bridle the fond intemperance of thy tongue ?
Nay wretched Soliman, why.didft not thou
Withhould thy hand, from heaping bloud on bloud,
Might I not better fpare one ioy then both,
I{ loue of Haleb forft me on to wrath,
Curd be that wrath that is the way to death.
If iuftice forft me on, curft be that iufticc
That makes the brother, Butcher of his brother.
Come Jamfanes, and helpe me to lament,
And beare my ioyes on either fide me :
J, late my ioyes, but now my lafting forrow,
Thus, thus, let Soliman pafle on his way*
Bearing in either hand his hearts decay.
.
Enter Chorus.
Lout. Now De&tb?.n& Fortune, which of all vs three,
Hath in the Adtors mowne the greateft po\wer.
Haue not I taught Eraftus and Perfeda,
By mutuall tokensito feal vp their loues?'
Fortune. 1 but thoie tokens, the Ring and Carkanet,
Were Fortunes gilts, Loue giues no.gbuldor Jewels.
Loue. Why what is iewels, or what is gould but earth,
An Jiumor knit together by compreflion,
Cj An
' *Tbe Tragedie
And by the worlds bright eye, firft brought to light,
Oncly to feed mens eyes with vaine delight.
Loues workes are .more then of a mortall temper,
I couple minds together by oonfent,
Whogaue Rhodes Princes -to.the Giprian Prince: but Louei
For. Fortune that firft by chance brought them together,
For till by Fortune perfons meete each other,
Thou canft not teach their eyes to wound their hearts.
Lone. I made thofe Knights of feucrall fedand countries,
Each one by armes to honor his bdoued.
For. Nay one alone to honor his beloued,
The reft by^rnrriio^f my tickle wheele,
Came fliort in reaching of faire honors markd:
I gaue Eraflus onely that dayes prize,
A fweet renowne, but mixt with bitter forrow :
For in cbnclufion of his happines,
I made him loofe the pretious Caircanet,
Whereon depended all his hope and ioy.
Death. Arid more then fa* for he that found the chaine^ .
Euen for that CHaine lhall bedepriued of life.
Loue. Belidcs, Loue hath inforft a foole,
The fond Bragardo to peefume to anrnes.
For. I, but thou'fecft how he w^s ouerthrowne, ; \ )
By Fortunes highdifpteafare.
Death. I zn&by Death had b eenc furprifd,
If Fates had giuen nae ieaue :
BtfrwBat I mid in h^nvandm the rfiu\ . r]nii£dS
I did accomplifh on Haleb and Amuratb,
The worthy brethren of greati6a//)»a/r.
But w,frererore'ftay u«er lee the fequele prooue,
Who is gre'attflv &artttntt>Deatb> or Loue. lExtuwk.'
; .ft.
Enter Ferdiriando aud Lucinx.
p^rr.'As fits the time, fo now well fits the place,
To coole affection with our words and jookes, • W
If in our thoughts be femblance fimpathie. i
Luci. My words, my lookes, my thoughtsuroall onthect
per-
ofSoliman and Perfeda.
Ferdinando is Lucinaes onely ioy,
Per. What pledge thereof?
Luci. An oath, a hand, akifle.
Ferdi O holy oath, faire handand fugred kifle:
Oh neuermay Ferdinando lack fuch blifle.
But faymy deare, when (hall the gates of heauen,
Stand all wide ope for celeftiall Gods?
With gladfome lookes togafe at Hymens robes.
When (hall the graces, or Lucinas hand,
With Rofie chaplcts deck my golden trefles,
And Cupid bring me to thy nuptiall bed,
Where tnou in joy-and pleafure muft attend,
A blifful war with me thy chiefeft friend.
Luci. Full fraught with loue, and burning with defire,
I long haue longd for light of Hymens lights.
Ferdi. Then that fameday, whofe warme& pleafant fight
Brings in the fpring, with many gladfome flowers,
Be our firft day of ioy and perfect peace:
Till when, receiue this precious Carcanet,
In figne, that as the linkes are interlaced,
So both ourhearts are ftill combined in one,
Which neuer can be parted but by death.
Enter Bafilifco and Perfeda.
Luci. And if I Hue this (hall not be forgot:
But fee Ferdinando where Perfeda comes,
Whom women loue for vertue, men for beauty,
All the world loues, none hates but enuy .
Baf. All haile braue Cauelere : God morrow Madam,
The faireft (hine that (hall this day be feene,
Except Perffdas beautious excellence, .
Shame to loucs Queen, and Emprefle of my thoughts.
Ferdi. Marry thrife happy is Perfedas chance,
To haue fo brauc a champion to her Squire,
Baf. Her fquire: her knight, and who fo elfe denies,
Shall feele the rigour of my Sword and Launce.
Ferdi. O fir, not I.
Luci. Heere is none but freinds, yet let me challenge you,
For
For gracing me with a malignant (Hie,
That I was faired, and yet rerfcdafayrtr.
We Ladie, (land vpon our beauties much.
Per. Herein Lucina let me buckler him.
Baf. Not Mars himfcife had care fo faire a Buckler.
Per. Loue makes him blinde,
And blinde can judge no colour.
Luci. Why then the mends is made, and we dill friends.
Per. Still friends, ftill foes, (he weares" my Carcanet.
Ah falfe Era/I us, how am I betraid! /
Luci. Whatailes you madam, that your colour changes
Per. A fudden qualme, I therefore take my leaue.
. Luci. Weele bring you home.
Per. No, I (hall foone get home.
Luci. Why then farewell: Fernando lets away.
Exeunt Ferdinando and Lucina.
Baf. Say worlds bright ftar,
Whence fprings this fuddainc change,
Is it vnkindnes at the little praife
I gaue Lucina with my glonng (lile?
Per. No, no, her beautie far furpafleth mine,
And from my neck, her neck hath woonethe praife.
Baf. What is it then, if Joue of this my perfon,
By fauour and by iuftice of the heauens,
At Jaft haue percft through thy tralucent breft,
And thou mifdoubts perhaps that ile proue coye.
Oh be afiur'd tis far from noble thoughts,
To tyrannife ouer a yeelding foe. •
Therefore be blithe, fwcet loue abandon feare,
I will forget thy former cruel tie. /
Per. Ah falfe Eraftus full of treacherie.
Baf. I alwayes told you that fuch coward knights,
Were faithlefie fwaines and worthie no refpect.
But tell me fweete loue, what is his offence?
That I with words and (Iripes may chaftice him, •
And bring him bound for thee to tread vpon.
Per. Now muft 1 find the mcanes to rid him hence.
Go
of Sol/man and Perfeda.
Goe thou foorthwith arme thee from top to toe,
And come an houre hence vnto my lodging.
Then will I tell thee this offence at large,
And thou in my behalfe (halt work reuenge.
Baf. I, thus mould men of valour be emploide,
This is good argument of thy true love.
I go, make reconing that Eraftus dyes,
VnlelTe forewarnd, the weakling coward flies.
Exit Bafilifco.
Per. Thou foolifh coward flies, Eraftus Hues,
The faireft ihape, but fowleft minded man,
That ere funne faw within our hcmyfpheare,
My tongue to tell my woes is all to weake.
I muft vnclafpe me, or my heart will breaker
But inward cares are mod pent in with griefe,
Vnclafping therefore yeelds me no releefe.
Ah that my moyft and cloud compacted braine,
Could fpend my cares in mowers of weeping raine.
But fcalding fighes like blafts of boifterous windes,
Hinder my teares from falling on the ground,
And I muft dye by clofure of my wound.
Ah falfe Eraftust how had I mifdoone,
That thou Ihouldftiquit my loue with fuch a fcorne.
Enter Eraftus.
Heere comes the Synon of my heart,
He frame myfelfe to his diflembling arte.
Eraft. Defire perfwades me on, feare puls me backe.
Turn I will to her, innocence is botfld,
How fares Perfeda my fweet fecond felfe?
Per. Well, now Eraftus my hearts onety ioy,
Is come to ioyne both hearts in vnion.
Eraft. And till I came whereas my loue did dwell
My pleafure was but paine, my folace woe.
Per. What loue meanes my Eraftus, pray thee tell?
Eraft. Matchlefle Perfeda, ihe that gaue me ftrcngth,
To win late conqueft from many victors hands,
Thy name was conquerour, not my chiualry ;
1'he Tragfdie
T*hy looks did arme me, not my coate of fteele^
Thy beauty did defend me, not my force,
Thy fauours bore me, not my light foote Steed,
Therefore to thee I owe both loue and life.
But wherefore makes Perfeda fuch a doubt,
As if Erajlus could'forget himfelfe:
Which if I doe all vengeance light on me.
Ptr. Aye me, how gracclefle are thcfe wicked men,
I can no longer hold my patience.
Ah how thine eyes can forge alluring looks,
Andfaine'decp oathes to wound poor filly Maides,
Arc there no honeft drops in all thy chcekes,
To checke thy fraudfull countenance with a blufh?
Calft thou me loue, and louelt another better,
If heauens were iuft, thy teeth would teare thy tongue,
For this thy periurde falfedifloyalty.
Ifheauens were iuft, men fhould haue open brefts,
That we therein might read their guilefull thoughts.
Ifheauens were iuft, that power that forceth loue,
Would neiier couple Wolues and Lambes together.
Yes, heauens are iuft, but thou art fo corrupt,
That in thee, all their influence doth change,
• As in the fpidergood things turne to poifon.
Ah falfe Erajiust how had 1 mifdone?
That thou fhouldft pawne my true affections pledge,
To her whofe worth will neuer equall mine.
What, is Lucinaes wealth exceeding mine?
Yet mine fufficicnt to encounter thine.
Is (he more faire then I? thats not my fault,
Nor her dcfart : whats beauty but a blaft?
Soonc cropt with age, or with infirmities.
Is fhe more wife? her y ceres are more then mine,
What ere fhe be, my loue was rrgre than hers,
And for her chaftity let others iudge.
But what taJkc I other? the fault is thine,
Ifl were fodifgratious in thine eye,
That flic muft needcc iiuoy my intereft,
Why
ofSoliman and Perfeda.
Why did ft thou deck her with my ornament ?
Could nothing ferue her but the Carcanet,
Which as my life I gaue to thee in charge ?
Couldft thou abufe my true limplicitie,
Whofegreateft fault was ouer louing thec?
He keepe no tokens of thy periury,
Heeregiueherthis Perfeda now is free,
And all my former loue is turnd to hate.
Eraft. Ah flay my fweete Perfeda heare me fpeakc.
Per What are thy words? but Syrens guilefull fongs:
That pleafe the eare, but feeke to fpoile the heart.
Eraft. Then view my teares, that plead for innocence.
Per. What are thy teares ? but Circes magike feas,
Where nonefcape wrackt, but blindfould Marriners.
Eraft. If words & teares difpleafe then view my lookes,
That plead for mercy at thy rigorous hands,
Per. What are thy lookes? but like the Cockatrice,
That feekes to wound poorc filly paflcngers.
Eraft. If words, nor teares, nor lookes, may winremorfe^
What then rernaincs? for my perplexed heart
Hath no interpreters but woraes, or tenres, or lookes.
Perfe. And they are all as falfe as thou thy feife.
Exit Perfeda.
Eraft. Hard doome of death before my cafe be knowne,
My iudge vniuft, and yet I cannot blame her,
Since Loue and iealoufie mifled her thus,
Myfelfc in fault, and yet not worthie blame,
Becaufe that Fortune made the fault, not Loue.
The ground of her vnkindnes growes, becaufe I loft
Thepretious Carcanet fliegaue tome:
Lucina hath it, as her words import,
But how (he got it, heauen knows, not I,
Yet this is fome aleagement to my forrow,,
That if I can but get the Chaine againe,
I bouldly then iliall let Perfeda know,
That flic hath wrongd Eraftus and her frend;
Ah Loue, and if thou beeft of heauenly power,
D 2 Jnfpire
Infpire me with fome prcfcnt ftratagerti,
Jt mud be fo, Lucinas a frankc Gaimfter,
And like it is, in play flicele hazard it,
For if report but blafen her aright,
Shees a franfce gaimfter, and i nclinde to play. Ho Piflon*
Pift. Hecre fir, wha«*vould you with me?
Era. Defire Guelpio & fignior Julio come fpeake with mc^
And bid them bring fome (lore of crownes with them,
And (irra, proujde me foure Vifards,
Foure Gownes, a boxe, and a Drum,
For I intend to go in mummery.
Pijl. I will fir. yEa/YPifton.
Era/i -Ah vertuous Lampes of euer turning heauens,
Incline her minde to play, and mine to win?
Nor dp I couet but w hat is mine owne,
Then mail I let Perjeda vnderftand,
How iealoufie had armd her tongue with malice.
Ah were (he not Perfeda whom my heart,
No more can flie, then iron can Adamant,
Her late vnkindnes would haue changed my minde.
Enter Guelpio ja^Iulio a»^Pifton.
. Guelp, How nowEraftus, wherein may weplcafure thec?
Erajl. Sirs thus it is, we muft to mummerie,
Vnto Lucinat neither for loue nor hate,
But if we can, to win thechaine (he weares,
For though I haue fome intercft therein,
Fortune may make me maiftcr of mine owne,
Rather than ile feeke iuftice gainft the Dame,
But this affure your felues it muft be mine,
Be game, or change, by one deuife or other:
The reft ile tell you when our fport is doonr.
Julio. Why then lets make vs ready and about it.
Eraft. What (lore of Crownes haue you brought?
Gael. Feare not for money man, ile beare the Boxe,
Julio. I haue fome little reply, if neede require.
Pift. I but heare you Mailtcr, was not he a foole,
That
of S oilman and Perfeda*
That went to (hoote, and left his arrowes behinde him.
Eraft. Yes, but what of that?
Pift. Mary that you may loofc your money,
And go without the chaine, vnlefle you carry falfe dice.
Qnel. Mas the foole fays true, lets haue fome got.
Pift. Nay I vfe not to go without a pair of falfe Dice,
Heere are tall men and little men.
Julio. Hie men and low men thou wouldft fay.
Era/I. Come firs lets go, Drumfler pray forme.
And ile reward thee : and firra PiJIon,
Mar not pur fport with your foolery.
Pift. I warrant you fir, they get not one wife word of me,
Sound up the Drum to Lucinaes doore.
Enter Lucina.
Luci. I marrie, this (howes that Charleman is come,
What mall we play heere ? content,
Since Slgmor Ferdinand will haue it fo.
Then they play and whcnjbe hafb loft her gold, Eraft us
point eth to her (haine, and thenjbejaid:
I were it Cleopatraes vnion :
Then Ernftuswinnetb the Chaine t and hojetb bisgould.
And Lucina fates.
Signior Fernando , I am fure tis you,
And Gentlemen, vnmalke ere you depart,
That I may know to whom my thankes is due,
For this fo courteous and vnlookt for fport:
No wilt not be, then fup with me to morrow,
Well then ile looke for you, till then farewell.
Exit Lucina.
Eraft. Gentlemen, each thing hath forted to our wiih,
Shee tooke me for Fernando i, markt you that :
Your gould (hall be repaide with double thankes,
And fellow Drumfler, ile reward you well.
Pift. But is there no reward for my falfe dice?
Eraft. Yes fir, a gardcd futd from top to toe. •
Enter Ferdinando.
Ftrdi. Dafcll mine eyes, or ift Lucinaes chaine.
D 3 Falfe
Ybt ¥ rage die
Falfe treteherjay down? the chaine that thou haft ftolc,
Eraft. He lewdly Ives thatcals me treacherous.
Fern. That lye my weapon (hall put down thy throate.
TbenErafrusJlaits Fcrdinando.
lull*. Flic Eraftus> ere the Gouernour haue any newes,
Whofe n^ere alye he was, and cheek delight.
Eraft. Nav Gentlemen,. fly e you and fave your felues, .
Lcaft~you pertakc the hardnefs of my fortune.
Exeunt Guelpio and lulio.
Ah fickle and blind guidrefle of the world,
What pleafure haft thou in my miferie?
Waft not enough when 1 had loft the Chaine,
Thou dift bereaue me of my deareft loue,
But now when I fhould repoflefle the fame,
To crofs me with this hapletfe accedent :
Ah if but time and place would giuc me leaue,
Great eafe it were for me tc purge my felfe,
And to accufc fell Fortune^ Loue and Death,
For all thefe three confpire my tragedie.
But danger waites vpon my words and fteps,
I dare not ft ay, for if the Gouernour
Surprifc me hecre, I dye by mar (hall law,
Therefore I go. But whether (hall I go?
If into any (lay adioyning Rhodes,
They will betray me to Pbytippos hands,
For loue, or gaine, or flatterie.
To Turkic muft I goe, the paflage (hort,
The people warlike, and the king rcnownd,
.' For all heroyicall and kingly vertues.
Ah hard attempt, to tempt a foe for ayde,
Neceflitie yet fays it muft be fo,
Or fuffer death for Ferdinandos death,
Whom honors title for ft me to mifdoe,
By checking his outragious infolence.
Pijlon> heere take this chaine, and giue it toPer/ida,
And let her know what hath befallen me.
When thou hail deliuered it, take fliip and follow me,
I will
ofSoliman and Perfeda.
I will be in Conftantinople.
Farewell my country dearer then life;
Farewell dearc friends, dearer then countrey foyle,
Farewell Perfeda, deareft of them all,
Dearer to me, then all the world betides.
Exit Eraftus.
Pift. Now am I growing into a doubtful agony,
What I were beft to doe, to run away with this Chainc,
Or deliuer it, and follow ray Maifter.
If I deliuer it and follow my maifter, I fhall haue thankes,
But they will make me neuer the fatter,
If J run away with it, I may Hue vpon credit,
All the while I weare this chaine,
Ordomincre with the money when I haUc fold ir,
Hitherto all goes well, but if I be taken,
I marry fir, then the cafe is altered, I and haltered to,
Of all things I doe not loue to preach
With a haulter about my necke :
Therefore for this once, lie be honed a^ainft my will,
Perffda (hall hauc it, but before I goe, lie be ib bolde
AS todiue into the Gentlemans pocket, for good luck fake,
If he deny me not : how fay you iir, are you content?
A plain cafe, %ui. facet confitiri
Enter Phylippo aadlulio.
lulio. See where h'*s body lyes.
Philip. I, 1, 1 fee his bodv all to foone,
What barbarous vilUine iu rhat rifles him.
Ah Fcrditiandot the ftay of itiy olde age,
And chiefe remainder of our progeny,
/rh louing cofen how art thou mifdonc,
By falfe Eraftnst ah no by trechery,
For well thy valour hath been often tride,
But while I (land and weep, and fpend the time,
In fruitlefle phinrf he murtherer will efcape,
Without reuenge, >-.e faluc for fuch a fore.
Say villaine wheretore didft thou rifle him?
Pift. Faith fir for pure good will,
Seeing he was going towards heauen,
I thought to fee, if ne had a pafport to S. Nicholas or no.
Phil. Some fot he feems to be, twere pitty to hurt him:
Sirra canft thou tell who flew* this man?
Fiji. I fir very well, it was my maifter Eraftus.
Phil. Thy maifter, and whether is he gone now?
Pift. To fetch the Sexton to bury him i thinke.
Phil. Twere pitty to imprifon fuch a fot.
Pift. Now it fits my wifdome to counterfeit the foole.
Phil. Come nether firra thou knoweft me
For the Gouernourof theCitty, doft thou not?
Pift. I forfooth fir.
Phil. Thou art a bondman, and wouldft faine be free ?
Pift. I forfooth fir.
Phil. Then doe but this, and I will make thee free,
And rich withall, learne where Eraftus is,
And bring me word, and lie reward thee well.
P<y?.That I will fir,I fhal finde you at theCaftle, mall I not?
Phil. Yes.
Pi/i. Why He be heere, as foon as ever I come again.
Exit Piflon.
PbiL But for Aflurance that he may not fcape,
Weele lay the ports and hauens round about,
And let proclamation ftraight be made,
That he that can bring forth the murtherer,
Shall have three thoufand Duckets for his paine,
My felfe will fee the body borne from hence,
And honored with Balme and funerall. Exit.
Enter Pifton. ,
Pift. God fends fortune to fooles,
Did you ever fee wife men efcape as I haue done.
I muft betray my mafter: I but when can you tell?
Enter Perfeda. ,
See where Perfeda> comes to faue me a labour,
After my moft harty commendation**
This is to let you vnderftand*
That
of S oilman and Perjeda.
That mymaifter was in good health at the fending thereof
Yours for euer and euer and euer,
In moft humble wife Pijlon.
Then he deliuereth her lie chaine,
Per. This makes me thinke that I haue been to crucll,
How got he this from of Lucinas arme?
Pift. Faith in a mummery, and a pair of falfe dice,
I wasoneof the mummers my felfe,., fimple as I ftand here.
Per. I rather thinke it coft him very dearc,
Pift. I fo it did, for it cod Ferdinando his life.
P/r.Howfo?
Piji. After we had got the chaine in mummery,
And loft our box in counter cambio,
Mymaifter wore the chaine about his necke,
Then Ferdinando met vs on the way,
And reuil'd my maifter, faying he ftole the chaine,
Withthatthey drew, & there Ferdinando had the prickado,
Per. And whether fled my poore Erafus then?
Pift. To Conflantinople whether I muft follow him,
But ere he went, with many (ighes and reares,
He deliuered me the chaine, and bad me giue it you,
For perfect argument that he was true,
And you too credulous.
Per. Ah ftay, no more, for I canheere no more.
Pift. And I can fing no more.
Per. My heart had arm'd my tongue with iniury,
To wrong my friend, whofe thoughts were euer true,
Ah poore Erajlus how thy ftarres maling:
Thou great commander of the fwift wingd winds,
And dreadful Neptune bring him backe againe,
But Eolus and Neptune let him go,
For heere is nothing but reuenge and death,
Then let him go, ile fhortly follow him,
Not with flow failes, but with louesgoulden wings,
My ftiip (hall be borne with teares, and blowne with fighs,
So will I foare about the Turkifti land,
Vntill I meete £rrf/?HJ my fweete friend.
E And
And then and there, fall downe amid his acmes,
And in his bofom there power foorth my foule,
For fatilfaction of my trefpafle paft.
Enter Bafilifco armde.
Baf. Faire Loue, according vnto thy command,
I feeke Erajius and will combat him.
Per. I feeke him, finde him, bring him to my fight,
For till we meete, my hart (hall want delight.
Exit Perfeda.
Eafi. My petty fellow, where haft thou hid thy maifter.
Pijl. Marrie fir in an Armorours (hop,
Where you had not beft go to him,
Baf. Why fo, I am in honor bound to combat him.
Pijl. I fir, but he knowing your fierce conditions,
Hath planted a double cannon in the doore,.
Ready to difcharge it vpon you, when you go by,
I tell you for pure good will.
Baf. In Knightly curtefie, I thanke thee,
But hopes the coyftrell to cfcape me fo,
Thinkes he bare cannon fhot can keep be back :
Why yvherfore ferves my targe otproofe, but for the bullet.
That once put by, I roughly come vpon him,
Like to the wings of lightning from aboue,
J with a martiall look aftonilh him,
Then fals hedowne poore wretch vpon his knee,
And all to late, repents his furquedry.
Then do I take him on my fingers point,
And thus I beare him through euery ftreete,
To be a laughing ftock to all the towne :
That done, I lay him at my miftrefle feete,
For her to give him doom of life or death.
Pijl. I but heere you fir, I am bound
In paine of my maiftcrs difpleafure,
To hauc about at cuffes, afore you and I part.
Baf. Ha, ha, ha, Eagles are chalenged by paltry flyes,
Thy folly giues thee pritiiledge, begon, begon.
Fiji. No, no fir, I muft haue about with you fir, thats flat,
Leau
ofSoh'man and Perfeda.
Leaft my maifter turne me out of feruicc.
Baft. Why, art thou wearie of thy life?
Pif. No by my faith fir.
Baf* Then fetch thy weapons, and with my fingle fift,
He combat thee, my body all vnarmd,
Pif* Why lend me thine, and faue me a labour,
Baf. I tell thee, if Alcides liued this day,
He could not wield my weapon.
Pig. Why wilt thou ftay till I come againe?
Baf. I vpon my honour.
Pifl. That ihall be when I come from Turkey. Exit Pi ft.
Baf. Is this little defperate fellow gon,
DoubtlelTe he is a very tall fellow,
And yet it were a difgrace to all my chiualrie,
To combate one fo bafe:
He fend fome Crane to combate with the Pigmew,
Not that J feare, but that I fcorne to fight. Exit Bafi 1 i f.
Enter Chorus.
Loue. Fortune thou madeft Fernando finde the chaine,
But yet by Loues inftru&ion he was taught,
To make a prefent of it to his Miftris.
. For. But Fortune would not let her keepe it long.
£0«e,Nay rather Louet by whofe fuggifted power>
Erafius vfde fuch dice, as being falfe,
Ran not by Fortune, but neceflitie.
For. Meanetime I brought Fernando on the way,
To fee and chalenge what Lucina loft.
Death. And by that chalenge I abridgd his life.
And forft Erafius into banilhment,
Parting him from his loue, in fpight of Loue.
Loue. But with my goulden wings ile follow him,
And giue him aide and fuccour indiftrefle.
For. And doubt not to, but Fortune will be there,
And crofle him too, and fometimes flatter him,
And lift him vp, and throw him downe againe.
Death. And heere, and there in ambufh Death will ftand-
E 2 To
The
To mar, v, hat Louc or Fortune takes in hand. Exeunt.
£jf/frSolym*n j/^/Brufor, •with lanifarics.
Soli. 1 low long fliull Solyman fpcnd his time.
And walte his daycs in fruitlcfTeobfequies?
Perhaps my grcetc and long continuall moane,
Ads but a trouble to my brothers ghoafts,
Which but for me would now haue tooke their" reft.
Then farewell forrow, and now rcuenge draw neere.
In controuerlie touching the He of Rhodes,
My brothers dyde, on Rhodes ile be reuengd.
Now tell mcBru/or, whats the newes at Rhodes?
Hath the yong prince of Gpris married
Cornelia, daughter to the Goucrnour.
Bru. He hath my Lord, with the greateft pompe,
That ere I faw at fuch a feftiuall.
Soli. What greater then at our coronation?
Bru. Inferiour to that onely.
Soli. At tilt, who woonethe honor of the day?
Bru. A worthy Knight of Rhodes, a matchlefle man,
His name Eraflust not twentie yeares of age,
Not tall, but well proportioned in his lims.
I neuer faw, except your excellence,
A man whofe prelence more delighted me,
And had he worfhipt Mahomet tor Chrift,
He might haue borne me through out all the world,
So well I loued and honoured the man.
Soli. Thefepraifes Brufor touch me to the heart,
And makes me wifh that I had been at Rhodes,
Vnder the habit of fome errant knight,
Both to haue fcene and tride his valour.
Bru. You fhould haue feene him foile and ouerthrow,
All the Knights that there incountred him.
Soft. What ere he be, euen for his vertues fake,
I wiih that fortune of our holy wars,
Would yccld him prifoner vnto Soliman :
That for retaining one fo vertuous,
We
of Soliman and Perfcda.
We may purfelues be famd for vertues.
But let him pafle, and Bru for tell me now,
How did the Chriftians vie our Knights ?
Brit. As if that we and they had been on feel.
Soli. What thinkft thou of their valour and demeanor?
Bru. Braue men at armcs, and friendly out of armes,
Courteous in peace, in battle dangerouSj
Kinde to their foes, and liberall to their friends;
And all in all, their deedes heroicall.
Soli. Then t&ll me Brufor, how is Rhodes fenft,
Foreyther Rhodes (hall be braue Solimanst
Or coft me more braue Souldiers
Then all that lie will beare.
Bru. Their flcete is weake:
Their horfe, I deemethem fiftie thoufand ftrong,
Their footmen more, yell exercifed in war,
And as it feemes, they want no needful vittaile.
Soli. How euer Rhodes be fenft by fea or land,
It eyther {hall be mine, or burie me.
Enter Eraftus.
Whats he, that thus bou Idly enters in?
His habite argues him a Chriftian.
Era/I. I worthy Lord, a forlorne Chriftian.
Soli. Tell me man v hat madnes brought the nether?
Era/}. Thy vertuous fame, and mineowne miferie.
Soli. What miferie? fpeake, for though you Chriftians,
Account our Turkifti race but barbarous,
Yet have we. cares to heare a iuft complaint,
And iuftice to defend the innocent,
And pitie to fuch as are in pouerrie,
And liberall hands to fuch as merit bountie.
Bru. My gratious Soueraigne, as this Knight,
Seemes by greefe tyed to iilence,
So hisdefert bindstne to fpeake for him.
This is Erajlus the Rhodian worthic, -
The flower of chiualric and curtefie.
Sol. Is this the nuuuhat thou haft fo defcribde?
E 3 Stand
The Yragedie
Stand vp faire Knight, that what my heart defires.
Mine eyes may view with pleafure and delight,
This face of thine ihouid harbour no deceit.
Eraftus, ile not yet vrge to know the caufe,
That brought thce hcther,
Lead with the difcourfe, thou (houldft afflid thy felfe,
And crofle the fulnes of my ioyful paflion.
But that we are aflurdf,
Heauens brought thee hether for our benefit.
Know thou that Rhodes, nor all that Rhodes containes,
Shall win thee from the fide of Soliman,
If we but findc thce well inclinde to vs.
Eraft. If any ignoble or dimonourable thoughts;
Should dare attempt, or but creepe neere my heart :
Honour fhould force difdaine to roote itout,
As ay re bred Eagles, if they once perceiue,
That any of their broode butclofe their fight,
When they mould gafe againft the glorious Sunne,
They ftraight way leafe vpon him with their talents,
That on the earth it may vntimely die,
For looking but a fcue at heauens bright eye.
Soli. Eraftust to make thee well affurde,
How well thy fpeach and prefents liketh vs,
Aske what thou wilt, it (hall be granted thee.
Eraft. Then this my gratious Lord is all I crauc,
That being baniiht from my natiue foile,
I may haue libertie to Hue a Chriftian.
Soli. I that, or any thing thou (halt defire,
Thou (halt be Captaineof our lanifaries,
And in our counlell (halt thou fit with vs,
And be great Solimans adopted friend.
Eraft. The leaft of thefe furpafle my beft defart,
Vnlefle true loyaltie may feemc defart.
Soli. Eraftus> now thou haft obtaind thy boone,
Denie not Soliman his owne requeft :
A vertuous enuie pricks me with defire,
To trie thy valour, fay arc thou content ?
Eraf,
of Soliman and Perfeda.
Era/, I, if my foueraigne fay content, I yeeld
Soli. Then giue vs Swordes and Targers,
And now Era/Ins thinke thee mine enemy,
But euer after thy eontinuall friend,
And fpare me not for then thou wrongft my honour.
Then they fight t and Eraftus ouercomes Solyman.
Nay, nay Eraftust throw not downe thy weapons,
As if thy force did faile, it is enough
That tjjou haft conquered Mmstroy ftrength,
By ccrtefie let Soliman conquer thee.
And now from armes, to counfell fit thee downe,
Before thy coming I yowd to conquer Rhodes,
Say wilt thou be our Lieutenant there,
And further vs in manage of thefe wars?
Era/l. My gracious Soueraigne, without prefumption,
If poore Eraftus may once more intreate,
JL,et not great Soli mans com maund,
To whole beheft I vow obedience,
Inforce me (heath my Slaughtering blade,
In the deare bowels of my countrymen:
And were it not that Soliman hath fworne,
My teares mould plead for pardon in that place:
Ifpeake not this to Ihrinke away for fcare,
Or hide my head in time of dangerous ftormes,
Imploy me elfe where in thy forraine wars,
Againft thePerfians or the barbarous Moore,
Eraftus will be formoft in the battaile.
Soli. Why fauourft thou thy countrymen fo much,
By whofe cruelty thou art exilde?
Eraft. Tis not my countrey, but Pbilippos wrath,
It muft be toulde, for Ferdinandos death,
Whom I in honours caufe haue reft of life.
Soli. Nor fuffer this or that to trouble thee,
Thou (halt not need Pbilippo nor his lie,
Nor (halt thou waragainft thy Countrymen.
J like £hy vertue in refuling it,
But that our oath may haue his currant courfe,
Brufor
The Tragedit
Bruforgoc leuic men,
Prepare a flccte to alfault and conquer Rhodes,
Mcane timeEraJlus and I will flriue,
By mutual! kindenes to excell each other,
Bra for begon, and fee not Soliman,
Till thou haft brought Rhodes in fubiedlion. £#//Brufor.
And now Eraflus come and follow me,
Where thou fhalt fee what plcafures and whatfports,
My Minions and my Kuenukes can deuife,
To driue away this melancholy moode. Exit Soliman.
Pift, Oh maifterfee where lam.
Erajl. Say Pijlon whats the newes at Rhodes?
Pift. Coldcand comfortles for you,
Will you haue them all at once ?
Era/! us. I.
Pi/I. Why the Goucrnour will hang you and he catch you.
Ferdinando is buried, your friends commend them to you,
Perfeda hath the chaine, and is like to dye for forrow.
Era/}. 1 thats the gricfe, that we are parted thus.
Come follow me and I will heare the reft,
For now I muft attend the- Emperour. Exeunt.
Enter Perfeda, Lucina and Bafilifco.
Pei\ Accurfcd chaine, vnfortunatc Perfeda.
Lu. Accurfed chaine, vnfortunate Lucina.
My friend is gone and I. am defolate.
Per. My friend is gone and I am defolate,
Returne him back faire flarres or let me dye.
Luci. Returne him backe fair heauens, or let me dye,
For what was he but comfort of my life?
Per. For what was he but comfort of my life?
But why was I fo carefull of the Chaine.
Luci. But why was I fo carelefle of the Chaine,
Had I nor loft it, my friend had not been flaine.
Per. Had I not askt it, my friend had not departed,
His parting is my death.
Luci.
of S oilman andPrrfeda.
Luci. His .deaths noy hues depcirring,
And here my tongue dooth ftay with fwc-Ine hearts greefe.
Per. And here my fwolne harts greefdothltay my tongue.
Baf. For whom vu-epe you ?
Luci. AM, for Fernando* dying.
Baf. For* whom mourne you?
Per Ah. for Eraftu* flyi'ig.
Baf. Why Ladv is not B,ijilifco here? ' . -~
Wh> L<tdy dooth noi&tjtlifc'o hue?
Am' not I worth both thefe lor whom you mourne?
Then take each one hakfe of me, and ceafe to weepe,
Or if you gladly would mioy me Doth,
Jle ferue the one by day, the other by night, ;
And I will pay you both your found delight.
Luci. Ahhow-vnplcafcim is mirth to melancholy.
Per. My heart is full, 1 cannot laugh at follie.
Exeunt Ladies.
Baf. Sejff, fee, Lucma hates me like a Toade,
Becaufe thafwhcn Erajlus Fpakemy name,
Her lone Fernando dyed at the fame,
So dread fuli is our name to cowardice.
On the other fide, Perfeda takes it vnkindly,
That ere he went I brought not bound vnto her,
Eraftuft that faint heart t-d run away :
Alaffe how could I, for his man no (boner
Ibformd him, that I foughr him vp and downe,
But he .was gone in twmcklmg of an eye:
But I will after my delitious loue,
For well 1 wot, though (he defemble thus,
A_nd cloake affe&ion with her modeftie,
\Vith loue of me her thoughts are ouef gone,
More then was Pbillis with her Demophon. Exit.
Lnter Philippe, the Prince of Cipris, with
. other Smldters .
Phil. Brdue prince of Cipris, and our fonne in law,
Now there is littletime to ftand and talke,
The Turkes haue part our Gallies and are landed,
F You
You with fomc men at armcs fhall take the Tower,
I with the reft will downc vnto the ftrarie :
If we be beaten backe weele come to you,
And here in fpight of damned Turkes, weelcgaine
A glorious death, or famous victorie.
Cyp. About it then. Exeunt.
Enter Brufor, and bis Sonldiers.
Bru. Drum found a parle to the Citizens.
The Prince ofCipris on the walles.
Cyp. What parlc craues theTurkifh at cur hands?
Bru. We come with mightie Solimans commaund,
Monarch and mightie Emperour of the world,
From Eaft to Weft, from South, to Septentrion,
If you refift, expect what warre affords,
Mifchiefe, murther, bloudand extremitie,
What wilt thou yeeld and trie our clemencie?
Say I, or no: for we are peremtorie.
Cyp. Your Lord vfurps in all that he pofiefieth,
And that great God which we do truly worfhip,
Shall ftrengthen vs againft your infolence.
Bru. Now if you plead formercie, tis too late:
Come fellow Souldiers, let vs to the breach,
Thats made already on the other fide. Exeunt to the battel.
Phylippo and Cipris are botbjlaine.
JLnter Brufor, with Souldiers> bailing Guelpio, lulio, and
Bafilifco, with Perfeda and Lucina prifoners.
Bru. Now Rhodes- is yoakt, and ftoopes to Soliman,
There lyes the Gouernour, and there his fonne:
Now let their foules tell forrie tidings to their anceftors,
What millions of men oppreft withruine and fcatb,
The Turkifli armies did in Chriftendome.
\Vhat fay thefe prifoners, will they turne Turk e, or no?
Julio. Firft lulio will die ten thoufand deaths.
CueL And Guelpio , rather then denie his Chrift.
Bru. Then ftab the flaues, and fend their foules to hell.
^beyfiab lulio and Guelpio*
Bafi*
of Soliman and Perfeda.
Baf. I turne, I turne, oh faue my life, I turne,
Bru. Forbcarc to hurt him : when we land in Turkic,
Helhall becircumcifed and haue his rites.
Baf. Thinke you I turne Turque,
For feare of feruile death thats but a fport,
I faith fir no :
Tis for Perfeda whom I loue fo well,
That I would follow her, though me went to hell.
Bru. Now for thefe Ladies: their Hues priuiledge
Hangs on their beautie, they (hall bepreferued,
To be prefented to great Solimant
Thegreateft honor Fortune could affbord.
Perfe. The mod dilhonour that could ere befall. Exeunt.
Enter Chorus.
Loue.Now Fortune , what haft thou done in this laterpaflage
For. I plafte Eraftus in the fauour,
Of Soliman the Turkim Emperour.
'Loue. Nay that was Louet for I coucht my felfe.
In poore Eraflus eyes, and with a looke
Orefpred with teares, bewitched Solyman.
Befide, I fat on valiant Brufors tongue,
To guide the praifes of the herodian Knight.
Then in the Ladies paflions, I mowed my power,
.And laftly Loue made Bajilifcos tongue,
To countercheck his hart by turning Turke,
And faue his life, in fpight of deaths defpight.
Death. How chance it then, that Loueand Fortunes power,
Could neither faue Pbilippo nor his fonne,
Nor Guelpio, nor fignior Iuiio,
Nor refcue Rhodes from out the hands of Death!
For. Why Brufors vi&orie was Fortunes gift.
Death. But had I flept, his conqueft had beene fmall.
Loue. Wherforeftay we, thers more behind which proues,
That though Loue winke, Loue ' s not ftarkc blinde. Exeunt.
Enter Eraftus *»i/Pifton.
Fiji, Faith maifter, me thinkes you are vnwifc,
Fa' That
That you w^art riot the hfj/h Su^er-loafe hat,
And th* gilded- go \vitf rht- Hmpcrour'gaue you.
£><?/? Peace foolcva fable urcd fnstiifcontent.Away,be-
P;ft. llegr pronidc your fupper, (gon.
A flioulder of mutton,, and neuer a Sallit. Exit Pifton.
Eroft. I nmft confcflc that Solyman is kindc,
Paft alltomparc, and more then my defarr,
But what helps gay garment^ wihcn the minds.oppreft^dT
What pl^afeth the eye, vvhcn the fence is altered?
My heart is oue-rwheimd with thoufand woes, ,
And mdanc hoi ie leads my foule in triomphe,
No meruaile then if I have little minde
Ofarth imbrdderiejOrGoftly'ornaments,
Of honors, titles, or of wealth, or gainc,
Of mtffickei viaJtdsv -or of dainty dame§.
No, no, my hope full longagoe was l«ft, - Sjh •'-.<
And Rhodes it felfe is loft, or els deftroydc,
If not dcflrbide, yet bound and,capkiuatey
If captiuate, then forft -from holy faith:
If forft from faith, forcucnmifcrable^: iO
For w hat is mifcry, but wamt of God,
And God is loft;' if faith bfcouerthrowne.
Entkr Soli man.
Soli. Why how now ,Er<j^fcj,alwaies in. thy diimpes?
Still in black habite fitting funeral! ?
Cannot my loue perfwade thee from this moode,
Notall myfaire intreatsarnd blandifhmcnts? H \
Wert thou my friend, thy mind would iumpewith mine,
For what are friends, but one jninde in two bodies- ^ lo'/I
Perhaps thou doubts my fricnd{bipscanftandrtf,j:
Then dooft thou wrong the meafurc of my IODC,
Which hath no.mcafure,and {hall.neu^riend.
Come Eraflus fit thet downe by rnc,
AndiEe impjurtctoikee bur Brufors ncwcs, _x
Newes to our honour, and to thy content:
The Gojiernour is (hbfteHfhat/ou^htlHyidiath.
Erajlt A^briiiyinao^trHXJj^h'nati'ffi^i^ fricbd/I
Soli.
ofSolinian and Perfeda.
Soli. The Prince ot'Cipnsro, is ltke\\ ife flaihe.
. Eraft. Faire bloflome, likely to ; auc.proned good fruitc.
Soli. Rhodes is taken, and all the men arc flaine,
Except fome fe\\ that rtirne to Mahomet.
Eraft. I there it is, now all my fr.cn. Is arc-flainc,
Andfaire Perftda murthrcd ordtrlouerd:
Ah gratious Solimati now fhowe thy lone,
In not denyimrthy poore fuppl-yant-:
Suffer me not to flay here in -thy pi i fence,
But by my fclfe lament me once for all'.
Heere if 1 ftaj>I nwififupprefle my teares,
And teares fuppf eft will but incrcafe my forrow.
£gh\>Go then, go fpend thy mournings all at once,'
That in thy prefence Sokman may ioy, , -Exit hrailus. .
For hetherto have I reaped little pleafure;
', Well well ErajluS) Rhodes may blefle thy birth,
For his fake onely will I fpare them more,
From fpoile, pillage, and oppreflion,
Then Alexander fpard warlike^^j
For Pindarus : or then Auguftus
Sparde rich Alexandria for drias fa'ko
i . £B/<rriBr.ufQr,'Perfeda> andLutiva. ruu (I .
Bru. My gratious.Lord, reioyce in hapipmtfle:
All Rhodes is yoakt, and ftoo.pea ^^to Soliiwn.
Soli. Fii;ft thanks to heauen, and next to.J3rufori valour,
Which ile not guerdon with large proroifes, .
But ftraight re ward' thee with a bounteoii&iargefle:
But what two ChrifttajarViTffinsihflOtf we ^rel t . ,
Bru. Part o(the fpoile of Hho<do»J'which; were;prcferu<d
To be prefented to yoiir mightijaeiTe. ..
Soli. This prefent pleafeth:nio*e;t^en all the reft,
And were their garments turnfcd froro<Wack to white,
I.fhould haue deemd thecnlunoes got)dly Swannes,
Or Venus milke \\hite Doues, fo mikJp they are,
And fo adornd with beauties miracktv ,
Heere Brufor this kind^ Turtle IhtU-be thine, i
Take herandvfeherat thy^pleafurc: t ."..
F 3 But
But this kinde Turtle is for Soliman,
That her captiuitie may turne to bliffe.
Faire lookes refembling Phabus radiant beames,
Smooth forhead like the table of high loue,
Small pcnfild eye browes, like to glorious rainebowes,
Quick lampel ike eyes, like heauenstwo brightest orbes,
Lips of pure Coral 1 breathing ambrofie,
Cheekes, where the Rofe andLillie arc in combate, .
Neck whiter then the Snowie Apenines,
Brefts like two ouerflowing Fountaines,
Twixt which a vale leads to the £li(iart ihades,
Where vndcrcouert lyes the fount of pleafure,
Which thoughts may gefie, but tongue muft notprophane.
A fweeter creature nature neuer made,
Loue neuer tainted Soiiman till nowj
Now faire Virgin let me heare the« fpeake.
Per. What can my tongue vtter, but greefe and death?
Soli. The found is hunnie, but the fence is gall :
Then fweeting blefle me with a cheerefull looke.
Per. How can mine eyes dart forth a pleafant looke,
When they are ftopt wilih flouds of flowing teares?
Soli. If tongue with griefe, and eyes witn tear^s be fild,
Say Virgin, how dooth thy heart admit,
The pureaffedlion of great Soliwan ?
Per. My thoughts are like pillers of Adamant,
Too hard to take an new impretfion.
Soly. Nay then I fee my (looping makes her proud,
She is my vafiaile, and I will commaund.
Coye Virginvknowefttbou what offence it is,
To thwart the will and jbleafureoft king?
Why thy life is doone, if I but fay the word.
Per. Why that* the period that my heart defires.
Soli. And die thou (halt, vnleffe thou change thy minde.
Per. Nay then Perffda growes refolute,
Solimans thoughts and mine refemble,
Liues paralife that neuer can be ioyned,
Sett. Then knccle thou downe»
And
of S oilman and Perfeda.
And at my hands receiue the ftroke of death,
Domdc to thy felfe by thine owne wilfulnes.
P^T.Strike,ftrike, thy words pearcedeeper then thyblows.
Soti. Brufor hide her, for her lookes withold me,
Then Brufor hides herimib a Lawne.
O Brufor thou haft not hid her lippes,
Forthere firs Mentis with Cupid on her knee,
And all the Graces fmiling round about her,
So crauing pardon that I cannot ftrike.
Bfu. Her face is couerd oucr quite me Lord*
&?/?, Why,fo.
0 Brufor feeil thou not her mil ke white necke,
That Alabafter tower,
Twill bi eake the edge of my krene Semitor,
And peeces flying cacKe will wound my felfe.
Bru. Now (he is all couered my Lord.
Soli. Wii) now at lad me dyes.
Per. O Chrift receiue my foule.
Soli. Harke$n//0rme cals on Chrift,
1 will not fend her to him,
Her words are muficke,
The felfe fame muficke that in auncient daics,
Brought Alexander from war to banqueting,
And made him fall from fkirmilhing to killing,
No my deare, Loue would not let me kill thee,
Though Maiefly would turnedefire to wrath,
There lyes my fvvord, humbled at thy feete,
And I my felfe. that gouerne many kings,
Jntreate a pardon for my rafli mifdeede.
Per- Now Soliman wrongs his imperiall ftate,
But if thou love me, and haue hope to win,
Graunt one boone that I mall craue of thee.
Soli. What ere it be, Perfeda 1 graunt it thee.
Per. Then let me Hue a Chriftian Virgin ftill,
VnlefTe my flate (hall alter with my will.
Soli. My word is paft, and I recall my pailions,
What Aiould he doe with crowneand Empery,
That
That cannot gouerne prmatti fund affeclions?
Yet giue me Icauc in honeft fort to court thec,
Toeaf^, though not to cure, my maladit-:
Come ftc-theedownevpbn my right hand heere,
This feat Ikeepioide for another friend:
Goe lanifaries call in. yourGouernor,
So (hall I ioy betwecne two c apuue friends,
And yet my fejfe bfrraptiue to them both,
If fiiendfhips yoake were not at liberty :
Sec where herotnes my'orhcr heft beloued.
Per/e. My fweet ami
ErajL My fw eet and bef> heloued: 1
Per. For tbt-^tcny deare^£r4/i(^haue I liued.
Eraft AndiUoV th'ee or cto Ihad-iiot Jmed.
Soli. What words in affection doe I fee?
ErajL Ah pardon me great Soiiman> for this is fhcj
For whom I mourned rubric then for -a 11 Rhodes,
And from vvhofe abftttce-Initriued my &*p&>\vk
P<?r.-And pardon me my Lord,: foil this is! fee,
For whom I thwarted Soltmans intreates^i^ ' /
And for whofe" exile I lafrverrted thus.
Era/}. Euen/fronvmy childhood have I tendered thee,
Witnes the heauens of my-unfeined loue.
Soli. By this one accident I well perceiue,
That heauensand heaiienly powers do manage loue;
I loue them both, 1 know not which. the better,
They loue each other bed, what then mould! follow^ i
Butthat I conquer" both by my defarts, : • 1
And ioyne fheir hands, wht>fe hearts are knitalready.
Eraftuspnd Perfedacomt you hether,
And both giue me your hands ii»;:r i j. ,
Eraftust norlC'bejfilhouiccMldft vtin Petjedv,
Pfrfeda, nottcibotthtoibCwildftM'in Erajlus, >'•
From great Splin[<Htt fo wel 1 1 loue y ou > both : ; tm
And now tdiftiffee la(e promifes-to-g6od eiFe^l:,
Be thou £ro/?«i>iJdUerrtoPOf'Rhodc«/ 2^
Siiir By
ofSoliman and Perfeda.
By this thou (halt difmifie my garifon.
Bruf. Muft he reape that for which I tooke the toile ?
Come enuie then and fit in friendlhips feate,
How can I loue him that inioyes my right?
Soli. Giue me a crownc, to crowne the bride withall.
Tbsn be crownes Perfeda.
Perfedat fpr my fake weare this crowne :
Now is (he fairer then me was before,
This title fo augments her beautie as the fire
That lay with honours hand rackt vp in alhes,
Reuiuesagaine to flames, the force is fuch,
Remooue the caufe, and then the effedt will die,
They muft depart, or I (hall not be quiet.
Erajlusznd Perfeda meruaile not,
That all in haft I wi(h you to depart,
There is an vrgent caufe, but priuie to my felfe,
Commaund my (hipping for to waft you ouer.
£ra/".Mygratious LorcT,wne£nz/?#jdoth forget this fauor,
. Then let him Hue abandond and forlorne.
Per. Nor will Perfeda (lacke euen in her prayers,
But flill folicite God for Solimant
Whofc minde hathproued fo good and gratioui. Exeunt.
Soli. Farewell Eraftus, Perfeda farewell to :
Me thinks I (hould not part with two fuch friends,
The one fo renownd for armes and curtefie,
The other fo adorned with grace and modeftie :
Yet of the two Perfeda mooues me moft,
I and fo mooues me, that I now repent.
That ere I gaue away my hearts defire.
What was it butabufe of Fortunes gift,
And therefore Fortune now will be reuengde.
What was it but abiife of Loues commaund,
And therefore mightie Loue will be reuengd:
What was it but abufe of heauens that gaue her me.
And therefore angrie heauens will be reuengd:
Heauens, Loue, and Fortune, all three haue decreed,
That I (hall loue her dill, and lack her (till,
G Like
Like euerthirfting. wretched Tantalus:
Foolifh Solyman, why did 1 ftriue,
To do hirri kindnes, and vndoe my felfe ?
Well gouernd friends do firft regard themfelues.
Bru. I now occafion ferues to ftumble him,
Thatthruft his fickle in my harueft corrre,
Pleafeth your Maieftie to heare Br#/0r fpeake.
Soli. To one pa.ft cure, good counfell comes too late,
Yet fay thy minde.
Bru. With fecret Jet.crs woe her, and with gifts..
Soli. My lines and gifts will but returne my.mame.
Luci. Here me my Lord, let'me go ouer to Rhodes,
That I may plead in your affcclio'ns caufe,
One woman may do much to win another.
Soli. Indeed Lucina were her hufband From her,
Shee happely might be wooneby thy perfwades,
But whilft he hues there is nohopein her.
Bru* Why Hues he then to greeue greac Solimani
This onely remaines, that you conlider,
In two extreames the leaft is to be chofen,
If fo your life depend vpon your looe*,
And thatiher foue depends upon his life;
Is it not better that Erajtusdie
Ten thoufartd deaths, then Solimati fhould periih?
Soli. I faift thou fo? why then it (hall be fo,
But by what means (hall poore Eraftuy dye ?
Bru. This mall be the meanes,
111 fetch him back againe,
Vnder coulour of great confequence,
No foorier mail he land vpon burfhore,
Bit witnes fhall be ready to-accufe him,
Of treafon doone againft your mightines,
And then he (hdl be doomd my marmill law.
^ Soli. O fine.d<?uife, Brnfor get thee gone,
Come thcu againe, but let the Lady ftay,
To win Pfrfida^o my will : meane whife; •
Will I prepare the iudgeand witnefles,
And
of Solitnan and Prrfeda.
And if this take effect, thou (halt he Viceroy,
And faire LucinaQueeneofTripofie.
Brufor be gone, for till thou come I -languid).
Exeunt Brufor and Lucina,
And now to eafe my troubled thoughts at laft,
I will go (it among my learned Euenukes,
And heerethem play, and fee my minions dance,
For till that Brufor bring me my deiire,
I may aflwage but neuer quench loues fire. Exit.
jEw/er Baliltfco.
Baf. Since the expugnation of jthe Rhodian He,
Me thinkesa thoufand years are ouerpaft,
More for the lack o.t my Perfedas prelence,
Then for the lofle of Rhodes that paltry He,
Or for my friends that there were murthered,
My valour euery where (hall purchafe friends,
A,nd where a man liues well, there is his countrie.
Alas the Chriftians are but very dial low,
In giuing iudgement of a man at armes,
A man of my defert and excellence.
The Turkes whom they account for barbarous,
Hauingforehardof Bafilifcoes worth,
A number vnder prop me with their (houlders,
And in proceffion bare me to the Church,
As I had beene a fecond Mahomet,
I fearing they would adore me for a God,
Wifely informd them that I was but man,
Although in time perhaps I might ufpire,
To purchafe Godhead, as did Hercules ,
I mean by doing wonders in the world:
Amidft their Church they bound me to a piller,
And to make triall of my valiancie,
They lopt a col lop of my tend reft member.
But thinkeyou Ba/ilifco fquicht for chat,
Euen as a Cow for tickling in the home,
That doone, they fet meon a milke white Affe,
Compafling me with goodly ceremonies,
CT 2 That
Tbe ?r age die
iat day me thought, I fat in Pompfyes Chaire,
And vicwd the Capitoll, and was Romcs greateft glorie.
£»/<rrPifton.
Pift. I would my maifterhad left
Some other tt> be his agent here :
Faith I am wcarie of the office alreadie.
What Seigniour ¥remomundot
That rid a pilgrimage to beg cakebread.
•&?//. O take roe not vnprouided, let me fetch my weapons.
P(ft. Why I meant nothing but a Bafolus manus.
Baf. No, didft thou not meane to giue me the priuieftab?
Pift. No by my troth fir.
Baf. Nay if thou hadft, I had not feard thce I,
I tell thee my flcin holds out Piftoll proofc.
Pift. Piftol) proofe ? ile trie if it will hold out pin proofe.
Then be pricks bim with a fin.
Baf. O fhoote no more, great God I yeeld to thee.
Pift. I fee his (kin is but piftol profc from the girdle vpward.
What fuddaine agonic was that?
Baf. Why fawft thou not, how Cufid God of loue,
Not daring looke me in the marfhalf face, .
Came like a coward Healing after me,
And with his pointed dart prickt my pofteriors.
Pift. Then here my opinion concerning that point,
The Ladies of Rhodes hearing that you haue loir,
A capitoll part of your Lady ware,
Haue made their petition to Cupid,
To plague you aboue all other,
As one preiuditiall to their muliebritie.
Now fir, Cupid feeing you alreadie hurt before,
Thinkes it a greater punilhment to hurt you behind,
Therefore I would wifh you to haue an eye tothe back dore.
Baf. Sooth thou fay eft, I mud be fencd behinde,
Ile hang my target there.
Pift. Indeed that will ferue to beare of fome blowes.
When you runaway in a fraye.
Baf. Sirra, firra, what art thou?
That
ofSolitnan and Perfeda.
That thus tncrocheft vpon my familiaritie,
Without fpeciall admittance.
Pift. Why do you not know me? I am Eraftus man.
Baf. What art thou that pettic pigmie,
That chalenged me at Rhodes ;
Whom I refufd to combat for his minoritie,
Where \sErq/lus,l owe him chaftifment in Perftdas quarrel.
PijL Do not you know that they are all friends,
And Eraftus maryed to Perfeda,
And Eraftus made gouernour of Rhodes,
And I left heere to be their agent?
/Baf. O cceluniy O terra, O mana Neptune,
Did I turne Turke to follow her fo far?
Pift. The more fhame for you.
Baf. And is fhe linkt in liking with my foe?
Pift. Thats becaufe youVereout of the way.
Baf. O wicked Turque for to fteale her hence.
Pijl. O wicked turne coate that would haue her (lay.
Bafi. The truth is, ile be a Turke no more,
Pift. And I feare thou wilt neuer prooue good chriftian.
Baf. I will after to take reuenge.
Pift. And ile ftay heere about my maifters bufines.
"Baf. Farewell Conftantinople, I will to Rhodes. Exit.
Pift. Farewell counterfeif foole,
God fend him good flapping: ,
Tis noifd about, that Brufor is fent,
To fetch my maifter back againe,
I cannot be well till I heare the reft of the ne wes,
Therefore ile about it ftraight. Exit.
Enter Chorus.
Lone. Now Fortune \v\\tt haft thou done in this latter act?
For. I brought Perfeda to the prcfence
Of«5W;aw*theturki{h Emperour,
And gaue Lucina into Brufors hands.
Lone. And firft I (lung them with confenting loue,
And made great S0/irnait(y/tcte beauties thrall,
Humble himfelfe at faire Perfedas feete,
G 3 And
Tke Tragedie
And made him praife loue,.and.captiues beautic:
Againe, I mack him to recall hispaffions,
And giue P'erfeda to Eraftus hands,
And after make repentance of the deed.
For. Meane time I fild Eraftus faHes with winde,
And brought him home vnto his natiue land.
Death. And Ifubornd /?r«/orwith enuious-ragc,
To counfell Soliman to flay his'friend,
Brufjor is fent to fetch him back againe,
Marke well what followes, for the hiftorie
Prooues me cheefe adtor in this tragedie. Exeunt.
Enter Eraftus and Perfeda.
Era/I. Perfedat thefe dayesareour dayes of ioy.
What could 1 more defire then thee to wife,
And that I haue : or then to goaerne Rhodes,
And that! doe, thankes to great Soliman.
Per. And thanks to gratious heauens, that fo
Brought Soliman from worfe to better,
•For though I neuer tould it thee till now,
His heart was purpofd once to do thee wrong.
Era/l. 'I that was before he knew thee to be mine,
•But'now Perfedat'\cts forget ould grcefes,
And let our ftudies wholly be imploid,
To work eachothers blifTeand hearts delight.
Per. Our prefent ioyes will be fo much the greater,
When as we call to minde forepafled greefes,
Sofinges the Mariner vpon the fhore,
When he hath paft the dangerous time offtormes :
But if my Loue will haue olde greefes forgot,
They ftiall lye buried in Perfedas breft.
/ £»/^rBrufor and Lucina.
Erafl. Welcome Lord Brufor.
Per. And Lucina to.
Bru. Thankes Lord Gouernour.
Luci. And thankes to you Madame.
* r* n.
Eraft,
of Soliman and Perffda.
Erafl. What hafty newes brings you fo footi to Rhodes?
Although to me you never come to foone.
Bru. So it is my Lord^that vpon great affaires,
Importuning health and wealth o{ Soliman,
His highnes by me intreateth you,
As euer you refped his future loue,
Or haue regard vnto his curtefie,
To come your felfe in perfon and vifit him,
Without inquiry what mould be the caufe.
Erafl. Were there no mips to crolTe the Seas withall,
My armes mould frame mine oares to crofle the feas,
And ffcould the feas turne tide to force mebacke,
Defire fhould frame me wings to fly to him,
I goe Perfeda thou muft giue me leaue.
Per. Though loath, yet Solimans commaund preuailes.
Luci. And fweete Perfeda I will ftay with you,
From Bruformy beloued, and ile want him,
Till he bring backe £ra/?«j vnto you.
Eraf. Lord Bru/or come, tis time that we were gon.
Bru. Perfeda farewell, be not angry,
For that I carry thy beloued from thee,
We will returne with all fpeed poflible, .
And thou Lucina, vfe Perfeda fo,
That for my carrying of Eraftus hence,
She curfe me rioc, arid fo farewell to both.
Per* Come Lucina lets in, my heart is full. . Exeunt'*
Enter Soliman, Lord Marfhall, the two witnefies
Soli. Lord marfhall, fee you handle it cunningly.
And when Eraftus comes our periurd friend, i
See he be condemd by marfhall law, v
Heere-will £ (land to fee and not be feene.
Mar/ball. Come fellowes-fee when this matter. comes in
You ftagger not : and lanifaries, (queftiorj
See that your ftrangling cords be ready.
Soli. Ah that Perfeda were not half fofairc>
Or
Tr age die
Or that Soliman were not fo fond,
Or that Perfeda had fome other loue,
Whofe death might fauemy poore Eraftuslife.
Enter Brufor and Eraftus.
Sec where he comes, xvhome though I deerely louc,
Yet muft his bloud be fpilt for my behoofe,
Such is the forccof marrow burning Joue.
Mar. Era/Jus, Lord Gouernour of Rhodes,
I arreft you in the Kings name.
Erajl. What thinkes Lord -Brufor of this ftrange arreft,
Haft thou intrapt me to this trcchery:
Intended well I wot without the leaue
Or licence of my Lord great Soliman.
Uru. Why then appeale to him, where thou (halt know,
And beaflurcd that 1 betray thee not.
Soli. Yes, thou, and I, and all of vs betray him.
Mar. No, no, in this cafe no appeale (hall ferue.
Era/I. Why then to thee, or vnto any elfe,
Ihcere proteft by heauens vnto you all,
That neuer was there man more true or iuft,
Or in his decdes more loyall and vpright,
Or more louing, or more innocent,
Than I haue been to gracious Soliman,
Since firft I fet my teete on Turkifh land.
Sol. My felfe would be his witnefle if I durlr,
But bright Perfedas beauty (lops my tongue.
Mar. Why firs, why face to face exprefleyou not,
The treafons you reueald to Soliman^
Wrtnejfes. That very day Eraftus went from hence.
He fent for me into his Cabinet,
And for that man that is of my profeflion.
Erajl. I neucrfaw them-vntill this day.
Witneffes. His Cabine doore faft (hut, he firft began
To queftion vs of all forts of fire workes,
Wherein, when we had fully refolued him,
What might be done, he fpred ing on the board,
A huge heape otour imperial! coyne,
' All
of S oilman and Perfeda.
'. AIT this is yours quoth he, if you confcnt,
To leaue great Solimanznd feruein Rhodes.
Mar. Why that was treafon, but onward with the reft.
JE»/<?rPifton.
Pi/}. What haue we heere, my Mafterbefore the Marfhall?
Wit. We faid not I, nor durft we fay him nay,
Becaufe we were alreadie in his Gallies,
But feemd content to flie with him to Rhodes,
With that he purft the golde, and gaue it vs, ,
The reft Idarenotfpeakeit is fobad. (them?
Eraft. Heauens heare you this, and drops not vengeance on
^<?0//&<frw/Y. The reft, and worfe,willldifcourfeinbriefe.
Will you confent quoth he to fire the fleete,
That lyes hard by vs heere in Bo/phoront
For be it fpoke in fecret heere quoth he,
Rhodes muft no longer beare the turkifli yoake.
We faid the taske might ealiliebe perforrnd,
But that we lackt fucn drugs to mixe with powder,
As were not in his gallies to be got,
At this he leapt for ioy, fwearing and promifing,
That our reward mould be redoubled:
We came aland not minding to returne,
And as our duety and alleageance bound vs,
We made all knowhe vnto great Soliman>
But ere we could fummon him a land,
His fhips were paft a kenning from the flioare,
Belike he thought we had betraid his treafons. '
Mar. That all is true that heere you haue declard,
Both lay your hands vpon the Alcaron.
1 . Wit. Foule death betide me if I fweare not true.
2 . Wit. And mifchiefe light on me, if I fweare falfe.
Soli. Mifchiefe and death fhall light vpon you both.
Mar. Erajtusthou feeft what witncs hath produced againft
What anfwereft thou vnto their accufation? (thee,
Erajl. That thefe are Synons and myfelfe poore Troy.
Mar. «Now it refteth, I appoint thy death.
Wherein thou fhaltconfciTe He favour thee.
H For
Tbf fragedie-
For that thou wcrt beloued of Soliman,
Thou (halt foorthwith be bound vnto that poft,
And ftrangled as our turkilh order is.
Pijl. Such fauour fend all turkes I pray God.
Eraft. 1 fee this traine was plotted ere I came,
What bootes complaining wheres no remedy:
Yet giue me leaue before my life (hall end,
To moane Perfedat and accufe my friend.
Soli. O vniuft Soliman% O wicked time,
Where filthie luft muft murtherhoneft louc.
Marjb. Difpatch, for our time limited is paft.
Eraft. Alas, how can he but be fliort, \\hofe tongue
Is faft tide with galling forrow.
Farewell Perfeda, no .more but that for her :
Inconftant Soliman, no more but that for him:
Vnfortunate Erajius, no more but that for me:
Loethis isal^&thus Ilcauetofpeake. Then they flrangk him.
Pift. Marie fir this is a faire warning forme to get me gon.
£x//Pifton.
Soli. O faue his life, if it be poflible,
I will not loofe him for my kingdomes worth.
Ah poore Eraft us art thou dead already,
What bould prefumer durft be fo refolued,
For to bereaue Eraftus life from him,
Whofe life to me was dearer then mine owne,
Waft thou and thou, Lord marmall bring them hether,
And at Eraftus hand let them receiue,
The ftrokeof death, whom they have fpoild of life.
What is thy hand to weake? then mine (hall helpe,
To fend them down toeuerlafting night,
To waite vpon thee through eternall fhade.
Thy foulemall not go mourning hence alone :
Thus die, and thus, for thus you murtherd him.
Then be kils the two lanifariss, that kild Eraftus.
But foft me thinkes he is not fatiffied,
The breath dooth murmure foftly from his lips,
And bids me kill thofe bloudie witnefles,
of Soliman and Perfeda.
By whofe treacherie Eraftus dyed :
Lord Marihall, hale them to the towers top,
And throw them headlong downe into the vailey,
So let their trcafons with their lines haue end.
i.Witn. Your felfe procured vs. 2. Wit. Is this our hier?
Then the Marjballbeares them to the tower top.
Soli. Speake not a worde, leaft in my wrathfull furie,
Idoomeyou to ten thoufanddirefull torments:
And Brufor fee Emftus be interd,
With honour in a kingly fepulcher.
Why when Lord marfhall? great Hefifors fonne,
Although his age did plead for innocence,
Was fooner tumbled from the fatal 1 tower,
Then are thofe periurde wicked witnefTes.
Then they are both tumbled downe.
Why now Eraftus Ghoit is fatiffied :
I, but yet the wicked ludgefuruiues,
By whom Eniftus was condemnd to die,
Brufor, as thou loueft me (lab inthemarfhall,
Lcaft he detecft vs vnto the world,
By making knowne ourbloudy practifcs,
And then will thou and'I hoift faile to Rhodes,
Where thy Lttcinaand myPer/eda liues.
Brn. I .will _my lord. lordMarfhal, itishishighnespleafure
That yo'q commend him to Eraftus foule.
Then bt kils the Mar/hall.
Soli. Heere ends my deere Erafltts tragedic,
And noyv. begins my pleafant Corned ie.
But ifP'erftdti vrtderlland thefe newes,
Our feane will proouebuttragicomicall.
Bru. Feare not my Lord, Lucina plaies her part,
And wooes apace in iSW/'wjwj behalfe.
Soli. Then Brufor come, and with fome few men,
Lets faile to Rhodes with all conuenient fpeedc,
For till I fould Perfeda in mine armes,
My troubled cares are deft with loues alarmes. Exeunt.
Enter Perfeda, Lucina, j«^Bafilifco. '
H 2 Per.
T'he Tragedie
Per. Now fignior Ba/jlifco, which like you,
The Turkifti or our nation bed ?
7fo//.That which your lady (hip will haue me like.
Luci. lamdeceiued but you were circumcifed.
Bafi. Indeed I was a little cut in the porpufe.
Per. Whatmeanes made you fteale back to Rhodes?
Bafi. The mightie pickanyed brand bearing God,
To whom I am fo long true leruitor,
When he efpyde my weeping flouds of teares,
For your depart, he bad me follow him.
I followed him, he with his fier brand,
Parted the leas, and we came ouer drie-mod.
Luci. A matter not vnlikely : but how chance,
Your turkifli bonnet is not on your head ?
Baji. Becaufe I now am Chriftian againe,
And that by naturall meanes, for as
The old Cannon faies very pretily,
Nibill fft tarn naluralit quodeo modo colligatum eft.
And fo foorth : fo I became a Turke to follow her,
To follow her, am now returnd a Chriftian.
Ptft. O Lady and miftris, weepe and lament,
And wring your hands, for my maiftcr
Is condemnd and executed.
Luci. Be patient fwecte Perfedat the foole but iefts.
Per. Ah no, my nightly dreames foretouldmethis,
Which foolilh woman fondly I neglected.
But fay, what death dyed my poore Era/lust
Pift. Nay, God be praifd, his death was reafonable,
He was 'but ftranglcd.
Per. But ftrangled, ah double death to me:
But fay, wherefore was he condemnd to die?
Pift. For nothing but high treafori.
Per. What treafon, or by whom was he condemnd?
Pift. Faith two great knights of the poft, fwore vponthe
Alcaron, that he would haue firde the Turkes Fleete.
by?
Pijion.
ofSoliman andPerfeda.
PiJIon. I.
Perfe. And Soliman?
Pijl. No, but I faw where he flood,
To heere and fee the matter well conuaid.
Per. Accurfed Holiman^ prophane Alcaron:
Lucina^ came thy hufband to this end,
To leade a lambe vnto the flaughtcr-houfe?
Haft thou for this in Solimans- behahc,
With cunning wordes tempted my chaftitie?
Thou (halt abide for both your trecheries,
It muft be fo. J&z/////?0dooeft thou lone me, fpeake.
Baf. I more then I loue either life or foule,
What (hall I flab the Emperour for thy fake?
Per. No, but Lucina, if thou l,oueft me kill her.
Then Bafilifco takes a dagger & feeles vpon the point o fit.
Baji. The point will marre her skin.
Per. What dareft thou not, giue me the dagger then,
Theres a reward for all thy treafons pa ft,
Then Perfcda kils Lucina.
Baji. Yet dare I bearc her hence, to do thee good:
Per. No let her lye, a prey to rauening birds:
Nor fhall her death alonefuffice for his,
Rhodes now fhall be no longer Solymans,
Weele fortifie our walles, and keepe thctownc*
In fpight of proud infulting Soliman.
I know the letcher hopes to haue my louc,
And firft Perfeda fhall with his hand die,
Then yeeld to him, and Hue in infamie. Exeunt.
Manet Bafilifco.
Baji. I will ruminate. Death which the Poets
Faine to be pale and meager,
Hath depriued Erajtus trunke from breathing vitalitie,
A braue Cauelere, but my approoued foernan.
Let me fee : where is that Aiddest furnamed Hercules^
The onely Club man of his time ? dead.
Where is the eldeft fonne of Pryam,
That abraham-coloured Troion? dead,
H 3 Where
7 be Tragedie
Where is the leader of the Mirmidons,
That well knit Accill? dead.
Where is that furious Aiaxt the fonne of Telamon,
Or that fraudfull fquireof Jthaca, iclipt tlffis? dead.
Where is tipfie Alexander, that great cup conquerour,
Or Pompey that braue warriour ? dead :
I am my felfe flrong, but I confefle death to be ftronger:
I am valiant, but mortall,
I am adorned with natures gifts,
A giddiegoddefTe, that nowgiueth and anon taketh:
I am wife, but quiddits will not anfwer death :
To conclude in a word, to be captious, vertuous, ingenious,
Or to be nothing when it pleafeth death to be enuious.
The great Turque, whofe feat is Conftantinople,
Hath beleagred Rhodes, \vhofe chieftaine is a woman.
I could take the rule vpon me,
But the (hrub is fafe when the Cedar fhaketh :
J loue Perfeda as one worthie,
But I loue Bq/ilifco as one 1 hould more worthy,
My fathers fonne, my mothers folacr, my proper felfe.
Faith he can doe little that cannot fpeake,
And he can doe lefle that cannot runne away:
Then fith mans life is a glaffe, and a phillip may cracke it,
Mine is no more, and a bullet may pearce it :
Therefore I will play lead in light. Exit.
Enter Soliman, Brufor, witbjanifaries.
Soli. The gates arc (hut, which prooues that Rhodes reuoltsA
And that Perfeda is not Solimans :
Ah Brufor fee where thy Lucina lyes,
Butcherddefpightfully without the walles.
Bru. Vnkinde Perfeda^ couldft thou vfe her fo ?
And yet we vfd Perfeda little better.
Soli. Nay gentle Brufor fay thy teares a while,
Lead with thy woes thou fpoile my commedie,
And all too foone be turnd to Tragedie.
Go Brufor ', beare her to thy priuate tent,
Where we at leifure will lament her death,
And
of Soliman and Perfeda.
And with ourtearcs bewaile herobfequies:
For yet Perfeda lines for Soliman.
Drum found a parle, were it not for her,
I would facke the towne ere I would found a parle.
The Drumfoundes a parle.
Perfeda comes upon the walls in mans apparel 7,
Bafilifcodffd Pifton, upon the walles.
Per. At whofe intreatie is this parle founded?
Soli. At our intreatie, therefore yeeld the towne.
Per. Why what art thou that boldlie bids vs yeeld?
Soli. Great Soliman^ Lord of all the world.
Per. Thou art not Lord of all, Rhodes is not thine.
, Soli. It was, and fhall be maugre who faies no.
Per. I that fay no will neuer fee it thine.
Soli. Why what art thou that dares refill my force?
Per. A Gentleman and thy mortall enemie,
And one that dares thee to the fingle combate.
Soli. Firft tell me doth Perfeda liue or no?
Per. She Hues to fee the wrack of Soliman.
Soli. Then lie combate thee what ere thou art.
Perfe. And in Erajius name He combate thee.
And heere I promife thee on my Chriftian faith,
Then will I yeeld Perfeda to thy hands,
That if thy ftrength mall ouer match my right, *,J
To vfe, as to thy liking fhall feeme bed.
BuVerc I come to enter fingle fight,
Firft let my tongue vtter my hearts defpight,
And thus my tale begins: thou wicked tirant,
Thou murtherer, accurfed Homicide,
For whom hell gapes, and all the vgly feindes,
Doe waite for to receiue thee in their iawes,
Ahperiur'dand inhumaine Soliman,
How could thy heart harbour a wicked thought,
Againft the fjrrtleire life of poore Erajiust
Was he not true? would thou hadil been as iuft.
Was he net valiant? would thou hadft been as vertuous.
Was he not loyaJl? would thou hadft been as louing.
Ah
The Tragtdie
Ah wicked tirant in that one mans death,
Thou haft betraide the flower of Chriftendome.
Dyed he becaufe his worth obfcured thine?
In flaughteringhim thy vcrtuesare defamed.
Didft thou mildoe him, in hope to win Ptrfedai
Ah foolilh man, therein thou art deceiued,
For though fhe liuc, yet will (he nere Hue thine,
Which to approoue, He come to combate thee.
Sol. Iniurious foulemouth'd Knight, my wrathfull arme
Shall chaftice and rebuke thefe injuries.
*Tben Perfeda comes down to Soliman, and
Fiji. I but heareyou, are you fo foolifh to fight with him?
Baf. I firra, why not, as long as I ftand by?
Soli. He not defend Erajlus innocence,
But thee in maintaining Pfrfedasbczutic.
Then they fight, Soliman kils perfeda.
Per. I now 1 lay Perfeda at thy feete,
But with thy hand firft wounded to the death,
Now (hall the world report that Soliman,
Slew Erajlus in hope to win verfeda,
And murdred her for iouing of her husband.
Soli. What my perfedat all that hauel done,
Yet kifle me gentle loue before thou die.
Per. A kifle I graunt thee though I hate thee deadlie.
Soli. I loued thee dearelie and accept thy kifle.
Why didft thou loue Erajlus more then me,
Or why didft thou not giue Soliman a kifle
Ere this vnhappy time, then hadft thou liued.
Baf.Ah let me kifle thee to before I dye.
Then Soliman kils Bafilifco;
Solt. Nay die thou. (halt for thy prefumption,
For kiflingher \vhome I doe hold fo deare.
Pift. I will not kifle her fir, but giue me leaue
To weepe oiler her, for while (he liued,
She loued me dearely, and I loued her.
Soli. If thou didft loue her villainc as thou faidft,
Then
f
ofSoliman and Perfeda.
Then wait on her thorough eternal night.
?$fnSoliman kils Pifton.
Ah Perfedat how (hall I mourne for thee 1
Faire fpringing Rofe, ill pluckt before thy time.
Ah heauens that hitherto have fmilde on me,
Why doe you vnkindly lowre on SolymanJ
The lofTe of halfe my Realmes, nay crownes decay,
Could not haue prickt fo neere vnto my heart,
As doth the lofle of my Perfedaes life:
And with her life, I like wife loofe my loue,
And with her loue my hearts felicitie.
Euen for Eraftus death, the heauens have plagued me.
Ah no the heauens did neuer more accurfe me,
Then when they made me Butcher of my loue.
Yet iuftly how can I condemne my felfe,
When Brufor Hues, that was the caufe of ail?
Come Brufor, helpc to lift her body vp,
Is fhe notfaire?
Bru. Euen in the houre of death.
Soli. Was (he not conftant?
Bru. As firme as are the poles whereon heauen lyes.
Soli. Was (he not chafte?
Bru. As is Pandora or Dianaes thoughts.
Soli. Then tell me (his treafons fet afide)
What was Eraftus in thy opinion?
Bru. Faire fpoken, wife, courteous, and libcrall:
Kinde, euen to his foes, gentle and affable,
And all, in all his deeds heroyacall.
Soli. Ah, was he fo : how durft thou then vngratious coun-
Firft caufe me murther fuch a worthy man, (feller,
And after tempt fo vertuous a woman?
Be this therefore the laft that ere thou fpeake:
lanifaries, take him ftraight vnto the block,
Off with his head, and fuffer him not to fpeake.
Exit Brufor.
And now Perfeda, heere I lay me downe,
And on thy beautie ftill contemplate,
I Vntill
The Tragedic
VntSJl mine eyes fhall furfet by my gafing:
Put flay, let me fc<' what paper is this-
2 ben be takts 17 1; paper and r cedes in i
Tyrant mv lips K ^ .• 7 w/'/A <fon//v pnyfont
^To plague thy ban thui isfofullofpojfon.
What am I poifoned ? then lanifades,
Let me fee Rhodes recouered rrc J Hie.
So'uld irrs, affault the to\\ ne on ever} fi;!e,
Spoilc all, kill all, let none efcapc your furie.
Sound an alarum to tbefgbt.
Say Captainc, is Rhodes recouered againe.
Capt. It is my Lord, and ftoopes to Soliman.
Soi/. Yet that alayes the furie of my paine,
Before I die, for doubdeffc die I mu(t,
I, fates, injurious fates, haue fo decreed,
For now I feele the poyfpn gins to workc,
And I am weake euen to the very death,
Yet fomethi ng more contentedly I dye,
For that my death was wrought by her deuife,
Who liuing was my ioy, whofe death my woe.
Ah lanifaries now dyes your Emoerour:
Before his age hath feenc his mellowed yeares.
And if you euer loued your Emperour,
Affright me not with forrowes and lanr/ents:
And when my foule from body fiiali depart,
Trouble me not, but let me paiTe in peace,
And in your filencc let your loue be (howne:
My btft requeft for I commaund no more,
Is that my tody, with Perfedas be,
Inrerd, where my Erajlus lyes intombd,
And let one Epitaph containe vs all :
Ah now I feele the paper tould me true,
The poifon is difperft through euerie vaine,
And boyles like fetna in my trying guts.
Jrorgjuc me deerc Eraftus my vnkindnes.
of Soliman and P erf e da*
I haue rcuengd thy death with many deaths:
And fweete Perfedaftie not Soliman,
When as my gliding ghoft (hall follow thee,
With eager moode, thorow eternall night:
And now pale Death fits on my panting foule,
And with reuenging iredooth tyrannife,
And fayes for Soliman too much amiffe,
This day fhall be the peryod of my bliffe. Exeunt.
Wen Soliman dyes, and they carry bimfortbinftlence.
Enter Chorus.
Fortune. I gaue Eraftus woe and miferie,
Amidft his greateft ioy and iollitie.
Loue. But I that haue power in earth and heauen aboue,
Stung them both with ncuer failing loue.
Death. But I bereft them both orloue and life.
Loue. Of life, but not of loue, for euen in death,
Their foules are knit, though bodyes be difioynd,
Thou didft but wound their fiefh, their minds are free,
Their bodies buried yet they honour me.
Death. Hence fooltfh Fortune, and thou wanton Louf,
Your deeds are trifles, mine of confequence.
For. I giue worlds happinefs and woes increafe.
Loue. ay ioyning perfons, I increafe the work).
Death. By waftning all, I conquer all the world.
And now to end our difference at laft,
In this laft aft, note but the deedes of Death,
Where is Eraftus now but in my triumph ?
Where are the murtherers but in my triumph ?
Where ludge and witnefjes but in my triumph ?
Whercs falfe Lucivabut in my triumph ?
Wheres faire Perfedabut in my triumph?
Wheres Baftlifco but in my triuniph ?
Wheres faithfull Ptftonbut in my triumph ?
Wheres valiant Erufor but in my triumph?
And wheres great Soliman but in my triumph ?
Their loues and fortunes ended with their Hues,
I a And
The Tr age die
And they muft wait vpon the Carre of Death:
Packe Lone and Fortune , play in Commedies,
For powerfull Death beft fitteth Tragedies.
Loue. I go, yet Lone (hail neuer yeeld to Death.
Exit Loue.
Death. But Fortune (hall, for when I wafte the world,
Then times and kingdomes Fortunes (hall decay.
For. Meane time will Fortune gouerne as (he may.
Exit Fortune.
Death. I, now will Death in his mod haughtie pride,
Fetch his impcriall Carre from deepeft hell.
And ride in triumph through the wicked world,
Sparing none but (acred Cyntbias friend,
VVhom Death did feare before her life began:
For holy fates hauegrauen it in their tables,
That Death (hall die, if he attempt her end,
Whofe life is heauens delight and Cyntbias friend,
FINIS.
Imprinted at London for Edward
White, and are to be fold at his shop, at the
little North doore of S. Paules Church
at tbejignc of the Gunne.
Solimon and Perseda
Solimon and Perseda
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY