Unc.Nay Nephew.Tut.Pupill, hear but reason.On.No, I have none, and will hear none; oh my honorMy honor blasted in the bud, my youth,My hopeful youth, and all my expectationEver to be a man, are lost for ever.Unc.Why Nephew, we as well as you are dub'dKnights of the Pantofle.Tut.And are shouted at,Kick'd, scorn'd, and laugh'd at by each Page and Groom,Yet with erected heads we bear it.Onos.Alas,You have years, and strength to do it; but were you(As I) a tender gristle, apt to bow,You would like me, with Cloaks envelloped,Walk thus, then stamp, then stare.Unc.He will run madI hope, and then all's mine.Tut.Why look you Pupil,There are for the recovery of your honorDegrees of Medicines; for a tweak by the NoseA man's to travel but six months, then blow itAnd all is well again: the BastinadoRequires a longer time, a year or two,And then 'tis buried: I grant you have been baffl'd,'Tis but a journey of some thirty yearsAnd it will be forgotten.Onos.Think you so?Tut.Assuredly.Unc.He may make a shorter cut,But hang or drown himself, and on my life'Twill no more trouble him.Onos.I could ne'r endureOr Hemp or Water, they are dangerous toolsFor youth to deal with: I will rather followMy Tutors counsel.Tut.Do so.Onos.And put inFor my security, that I'll not returnIn thirty years, my whole 'state to my Uncle.Unc.That I like well of.On.Still provided Uncle,That at my coming home you will allow meTo be of age, that I may call to accountThis Page that hath abus'd me.U[n]c.'Tis a match.On.ThenCorinth, thus the bashfulLampriasTakes leave of thee: and for this little timeOf thirty years, will labour all he can,Though he goes young forth, to come home a man.[Ex.
Unc.Nay Nephew.
Tut.Pupill, hear but reason.
On.No, I have none, and will hear none; oh my honorMy honor blasted in the bud, my youth,My hopeful youth, and all my expectationEver to be a man, are lost for ever.
Unc.Why Nephew, we as well as you are dub'dKnights of the Pantofle.
Tut.And are shouted at,Kick'd, scorn'd, and laugh'd at by each Page and Groom,Yet with erected heads we bear it.
Onos.Alas,You have years, and strength to do it; but were you(As I) a tender gristle, apt to bow,You would like me, with Cloaks envelloped,Walk thus, then stamp, then stare.
Unc.He will run madI hope, and then all's mine.
Tut.Why look you Pupil,There are for the recovery of your honorDegrees of Medicines; for a tweak by the NoseA man's to travel but six months, then blow itAnd all is well again: the BastinadoRequires a longer time, a year or two,And then 'tis buried: I grant you have been baffl'd,'Tis but a journey of some thirty yearsAnd it will be forgotten.
Onos.Think you so?
Tut.Assuredly.
Unc.He may make a shorter cut,But hang or drown himself, and on my life'Twill no more trouble him.
Onos.I could ne'r endureOr Hemp or Water, they are dangerous toolsFor youth to deal with: I will rather followMy Tutors counsel.
Tut.Do so.
Onos.And put inFor my security, that I'll not returnIn thirty years, my whole 'state to my Uncle.
Unc.That I like well of.
On.Still provided Uncle,That at my coming home you will allow meTo be of age, that I may call to accountThis Page that hath abus'd me.
U[n]c.'Tis a match.
On.ThenCorinth, thus the bashfulLampriasTakes leave of thee: and for this little timeOf thirty years, will labour all he can,Though he goes young forth, to come home a man.[Ex.
EnterEuphanesandMarshal.
Euph.Are your Prisoners ready?Mar.When it shall please the QueenTo call them forth my Lord.Euph.Pray you do me the favourTo tell me how they have born themselves this nightOf their imprisonment?Mar.Gladly Sir; your BrotherWith the other Courtiers willingly receiv'dAll courtesies I could offer; eat, and drank,And were exceeding merry, so dissemblingTheir guilt, or confident in their innocence,That I much wondred at it. But the Prince,That (as born highest) should have grac'd his fallWith greatest courage, is so sunk with sorrow,That to a common judgement he would seemTo suffer like a Woman: but to me,That from the experience I have had of manyLook further in him, I do find the deepConsideration of what's past, more frights himThan any other punishment.Euph.That is indeedTrue magnanimity: the other butA desperate bastard valour.Mar.I pressed to him,And notwithstanding the Queens strict command,(Having your Lordships promise to secure me)Offer'd to free him from his bonds, which heRefus'd, with such a sorrow, mixt with scornThat it amaz'd me; yet I urg'd his HighnessTo give one Reason for't: he briefly answer'd,That he had sate in judgement on himself,And found that he deserv'd them: that he wasA Ravisher, and so to suffer like one,Which is the reason of my tears: he addeth,For wer't not I again should break the Laws,By scorning all their rigor can inflict,I should dye smiling.Euph.I forbear to wonderThat you were mov'd that saw this: I am struckWith the relation so. 'Tis very well;See all things ready. I do wish I couldSend comfort to the Prince; be ready with him;'Tis in the Queens breast only which for us[Bar brought in.To search into were sauciness, to determineWhat she thinks fit.
Euph.Are your Prisoners ready?
Mar.When it shall please the QueenTo call them forth my Lord.
Euph.Pray you do me the favourTo tell me how they have born themselves this nightOf their imprisonment?
Mar.Gladly Sir; your BrotherWith the other Courtiers willingly receiv'dAll courtesies I could offer; eat, and drank,And were exceeding merry, so dissemblingTheir guilt, or confident in their innocence,That I much wondred at it. But the Prince,That (as born highest) should have grac'd his fallWith greatest courage, is so sunk with sorrow,That to a common judgement he would seemTo suffer like a Woman: but to me,That from the experience I have had of manyLook further in him, I do find the deepConsideration of what's past, more frights himThan any other punishment.
Euph.That is indeedTrue magnanimity: the other butA desperate bastard valour.
Mar.I pressed to him,And notwithstanding the Queens strict command,(Having your Lordships promise to secure me)Offer'd to free him from his bonds, which heRefus'd, with such a sorrow, mixt with scornThat it amaz'd me; yet I urg'd his HighnessTo give one Reason for't: he briefly answer'd,That he had sate in judgement on himself,And found that he deserv'd them: that he wasA Ravisher, and so to suffer like one,Which is the reason of my tears: he addeth,For wer't not I again should break the Laws,By scorning all their rigor can inflict,I should dye smiling.
Euph.I forbear to wonderThat you were mov'd that saw this: I am struckWith the relation so. 'Tis very well;See all things ready. I do wish I couldSend comfort to the Prince; be ready with him;'Tis in the Queens breast only which for us[Bar brought in.To search into were sauciness, to determineWhat she thinks fit.
EnterLeonidaswithMerione (in white) EuphaneswithBeliza (in black) Queen, Agenor, Conon, Marshal,withThea[n]or, Crates, Sosicles, Eraton, Lords, Ladies,Guard.
Lord.Make way there for the Queen.Quee.Read first the Law, and what our AncestorsHave in this case provided to deterSuch like offenders: To you gentle LadiesThis only, Would I could as well give comfort,As bid [you] be secure from fear or doubtOf our displeasure: be as confidentAs if your plea were 'gainst a common man,To have all right from us; I will not grieveFor what's not worth my pitty: Read the Law.
Lord.Make way there for the Queen.
Quee.Read first the Law, and what our AncestorsHave in this case provided to deterSuch like offenders: To you gentle LadiesThis only, Would I could as well give comfort,As bid [you] be secure from fear or doubtOf our displeasure: be as confidentAs if your plea were 'gainst a common man,To have all right from us; I will not grieveFor what's not worth my pitty: Read the Law.
Clerk reads.
Lycurgusthe nineteenth against Rapes: It is provided: andpu[b]lickly enacted and confirmed, That any man of what degreesoever, offering violence to the chastity of a Virgin, shall(Ipso facto)be lyable to her accusation, and according to the saidLaw be censured; Ever provided, that it shall [b]e in thechoice of the said Virgin so abused, either to compell the Offenderto marry her without a Dowry, if so she will be satisfied,or demanding his head for the offence, to have that accordinglyperformed.
Lycurgusthe nineteenth against Rapes: It is provided: andpu[b]lickly enacted and confirmed, That any man of what degreesoever, offering violence to the chastity of a Virgin, shall(Ipso facto)be lyable to her accusation, and according to the saidLaw be censured; Ever provided, that it shall [b]e in thechoice of the said Virgin so abused, either to compell the Offenderto marry her without a Dowry, if so she will be satisfied,or demanding his head for the offence, to have that accordinglyperformed.
Qu.You hear this: what do you demand?Mer.The benefitThe Law allows me.Bel.For the injuryDone to mine Honor, I require his head.Mer.I likewise have an eye upon mine Honor,But knowing that his death cannot restore itI ask him for my Husband.Bel.I was ravish'd,And will have justice.Mer.I was ravish'd too,I kneel for mercy.Bel.I demand but whatThe Law allows me.Mer.That which I desireIs by the same Law warranted.Bel.The RapeOn me hath made a forfeit of his life,Which in revenge of my disgrace I plead for.Mer.The Rape on me gives me the priviledgeTo be his Wife, and that is all I sue for.Age.A doubtful case.Leo.Such pretty Lawyers, yetI never saw nor read of.Euph.May the QueenFavour your sweet plea, Madam.Bel.Is that justice?Shall one that is to suffer for a RapeBe by a Rape defended? Look uponThe publick enemy of chastity,This lustful Satyr, whose enrag'd desiresThe ruine of one wretched Virgins honorWould not suffice; and shall the wrack of twoBe his protection? May be I was ravish'dFor his lust only, thou for his defence;O fine evasion! shall with such a slightYour Justice be deluded? your Laws cheated?And he that for one fact deserv'd to die,For sinning often, find impunity?But that I know thee I would swear thou wertA false Impostor, and suborn'd to this;And it may be thou artMerione:For hadst thou suffer'd truly what I have done,Thou wouldst like me complain, and call for vengeance,And our wrongs being equal, I aloneShould not desire revenge: But be it so,If thou prevail, even he will punish it,And foolish mercy shew'd to him undo thee,Consider, fool, before it be too late,What joys thou canst expect from such a Husband,To whom thy first, and what's more, forc'd embraces,Which men say heighten pleasure, were distastful.Mer.'Twas in respect, that then they were unlawful,Unbless'd byHymen, and left stings behind them,Which from the marriage-bed are ever banish'd.Let this Court be then the image ofJovesthrone,Upon which grace and mercy still attend,To intercede between him and his Justice;And since the Law allows as much to meAs she can challenge, let the milder sentence,Which best becomes a Mother, and a QueenNow overcome; nor let your wisdom sufferIn doing right to her, I in my wrongIndure a second Ravishment.Bel.You can free himOnly from that which does concern your self,Not from the punishment that's due to me:Your injuries you may forgive, not mine;I plead mine own just wreak, which will right both,Where that which you desire robs me of justice;'Tis that which I appeal to.Mer.Bloody Woman,Dost thou desire his punishment? Let him live then;For any man to marry where he likes notIs still a lingring torment.Bel.For one RapeOne death's sufficient, that way cannot catch me.Mer.To you I fly then, to your mercy Madam,Exempting not your Justice, be but equal;And since in no regard I come behind her,Let me not so be undervalu'd inYour Highness favor, that the world take noticeYou so preferr'd her, that in her behalfYou kill'd that Son, you would not save for me;Mercy, O mercy Madam.Bel.Great Queen, justice.
Qu.You hear this: what do you demand?
Mer.The benefitThe Law allows me.
Bel.For the injuryDone to mine Honor, I require his head.
Mer.I likewise have an eye upon mine Honor,But knowing that his death cannot restore itI ask him for my Husband.
Bel.I was ravish'd,And will have justice.
Mer.I was ravish'd too,I kneel for mercy.
Bel.I demand but whatThe Law allows me.
Mer.That which I desireIs by the same Law warranted.
Bel.The RapeOn me hath made a forfeit of his life,Which in revenge of my disgrace I plead for.
Mer.The Rape on me gives me the priviledgeTo be his Wife, and that is all I sue for.
Age.A doubtful case.
Leo.Such pretty Lawyers, yetI never saw nor read of.
Euph.May the QueenFavour your sweet plea, Madam.
Bel.Is that justice?Shall one that is to suffer for a RapeBe by a Rape defended? Look uponThe publick enemy of chastity,This lustful Satyr, whose enrag'd desiresThe ruine of one wretched Virgins honorWould not suffice; and shall the wrack of twoBe his protection? May be I was ravish'dFor his lust only, thou for his defence;O fine evasion! shall with such a slightYour Justice be deluded? your Laws cheated?And he that for one fact deserv'd to die,For sinning often, find impunity?But that I know thee I would swear thou wertA false Impostor, and suborn'd to this;And it may be thou artMerione:For hadst thou suffer'd truly what I have done,Thou wouldst like me complain, and call for vengeance,And our wrongs being equal, I aloneShould not desire revenge: But be it so,If thou prevail, even he will punish it,And foolish mercy shew'd to him undo thee,Consider, fool, before it be too late,What joys thou canst expect from such a Husband,To whom thy first, and what's more, forc'd embraces,Which men say heighten pleasure, were distastful.
Mer.'Twas in respect, that then they were unlawful,Unbless'd byHymen, and left stings behind them,Which from the marriage-bed are ever banish'd.Let this Court be then the image ofJovesthrone,Upon which grace and mercy still attend,To intercede between him and his Justice;And since the Law allows as much to meAs she can challenge, let the milder sentence,Which best becomes a Mother, and a QueenNow overcome; nor let your wisdom sufferIn doing right to her, I in my wrongIndure a second Ravishment.
Bel.You can free himOnly from that which does concern your self,Not from the punishment that's due to me:Your injuries you may forgive, not mine;I plead mine own just wreak, which will right both,Where that which you desire robs me of justice;'Tis that which I appeal to.
Mer.Bloody Woman,Dost thou desire his punishment? Let him live then;For any man to marry where he likes notIs still a lingring torment.
Bel.For one RapeOne death's sufficient, that way cannot catch me.
Mer.To you I fly then, to your mercy Madam,Exempting not your Justice, be but equal;And since in no regard I come behind her,Let me not so be undervalu'd inYour Highness favor, that the world take noticeYou so preferr'd her, that in her behalfYou kill'd that Son, you would not save for me;Mercy, O mercy Madam.
Bel.Great Queen, justice.
Age.With what a Masculine constancy the grave Lady hath heard them both!
Leo.Yet how unmov'd she sitsIn that which most concerns her!Con.Now she rises;And having well weigh'd both their arguments,Resolves to speak.Euph.And yet again she pauses;OConon, such a resolution onceARomantold me he had seen inCatoBefore he kill'd himself.Qu.'Tis now determin'd.Merione, I could wish I were no Queen,To give you satisfaction; no MotherBeliza, to content you; and would part,Even with my being, both might have their wishes;But since that is impossible, in few wordsI will deliver what I am resolved on:The end for which all profitable LawsWere made, looks two ways only, the rewardOf innocent good men, and the punishmentOf bad Delinquents: Ours, concerning Rapes,Provided that same latter [clause] of MarriageFor him that had fall'n once, not then foreseeingMankind could prove so monstrous, to tread twiceA path so horrid. The great Law-giverDraco, That for his strange severityWas said to write his stern Decrees in blood,Made none for Parricides, presuming thatNo man could be so wicked; Such might beLycurgusanswer (did he live) for this.But since I find that in my [Sonne], which was notDoubted in any else, I will add to it;He cannot marry both, but for both dying,Both have their full revenge: You seeBelizaYou have your wish; with youMerioneI'll spend a tear or two, so Heaven forgive thee.The.Upon my knees I do approve your judgement,And beg that you would put it into actWith all speed possible; only that I may,Having already made peace with my self,Part so with all the world: PrincelyAgenorI ask your pardon; yours my LordEuphanes;AndCrateswith the rest too, I forgive you;Do you the like for me: Yours, gracio[u]s Mother,I dare not ask, and yet if that my deathBe like a Son of yours, though my life was not,Perhaps you may vouchsafe it: Lastly, thatBoth these whom I have wrong'd, may wish my ashesNo heavy burden, e'r I suffer death,For the restoring ofMerioneshonor,Let me be married to her, and then dyeFor youBeliza.Qu.Thou hast made in thisPart of amends to me, and to the world,Thy suit is granted, call aFlamynforthTo do this holy work; with him a Headsman.
Leo.Yet how unmov'd she sitsIn that which most concerns her!
Con.Now she rises;And having well weigh'd both their arguments,Resolves to speak.
Euph.And yet again she pauses;OConon, such a resolution onceARomantold me he had seen inCatoBefore he kill'd himself.
Qu.'Tis now determin'd.Merione, I could wish I were no Queen,To give you satisfaction; no MotherBeliza, to content you; and would part,Even with my being, both might have their wishes;But since that is impossible, in few wordsI will deliver what I am resolved on:The end for which all profitable LawsWere made, looks two ways only, the rewardOf innocent good men, and the punishmentOf bad Delinquents: Ours, concerning Rapes,Provided that same latter [clause] of MarriageFor him that had fall'n once, not then foreseeingMankind could prove so monstrous, to tread twiceA path so horrid. The great Law-giverDraco, That for his strange severityWas said to write his stern Decrees in blood,Made none for Parricides, presuming thatNo man could be so wicked; Such might beLycurgusanswer (did he live) for this.But since I find that in my [Sonne], which was notDoubted in any else, I will add to it;He cannot marry both, but for both dying,Both have their full revenge: You seeBelizaYou have your wish; with youMerioneI'll spend a tear or two, so Heaven forgive thee.
The.Upon my knees I do approve your judgement,And beg that you would put it into actWith all speed possible; only that I may,Having already made peace with my self,Part so with all the world: PrincelyAgenorI ask your pardon; yours my LordEuphanes;AndCrateswith the rest too, I forgive you;Do you the like for me: Yours, gracio[u]s Mother,I dare not ask, and yet if that my deathBe like a Son of yours, though my life was not,Perhaps you may vouchsafe it: Lastly, thatBoth these whom I have wrong'd, may wish my ashesNo heavy burden, e'r I suffer death,For the restoring ofMerioneshonor,Let me be married to her, and then dyeFor youBeliza.
Qu.Thou hast made in thisPart of amends to me, and to the world,Thy suit is granted, call aFlamynforthTo do this holy work; with him a Headsman.
EnterFlamynand Executioner.
Raise up thy weeping eyesMerione,With this hand I confirm thy Marriage,Wishing that now the gods would shew some miracle,That this might not divorce it.Cra.To that purposeI am their Minister, stand not amaz'd,To all your comforts I will do this wonder,Your Majesty (with your pardon I must speak it)Allow'd once heretofore of such a Contract,Which you repenting afterwards, revok'd it,Being fully bent to match her withAgenor,The griev'd Prince knowing this, and yet not daringTo cross what you determin'd, by an oathBound me and these his followers to do somethingThat he might once enjoy her, we swore to it,And easily perswaded, being assur'dShe was his Wife before the face of Heaven,Although some ceremonious forms were wanting,Committed the first Rape, and brought her to him,Which broke the Marriage; but when we perceiv'dHe purpos'd to abuse our ready serviceIn the same kind: upon the chasteBeliza,Holding our selves less ty'd to him than goodness;I made discovery of it to my Brother,Who can relate the rest.Euph.It is most true.Qu.I would it were:Euph.In every circumstanceIt is upon my soul: For this known to me,I wanMerionein my Ladies habit,To be again (but willingly) surpriz'd,But withAgenor, and her noble Brother,With my approv'd friendConon, with such speedShe was pursu'd, that the lewd act scarce ended,The Prince (assur'd he had enjoy'dBeliza,For all the timeMerionesface was cover'd)Was apprehended and brought to your presence,But not till now discover'd, in respectI hop'd the imminent danger of the Prince,To which his loose unquenched heats had brought him,Being pursu'd unto the latest tryalWould work in him compunction, which it has done;And these two Ladies in their feign'd contentions,To your delight I hope have serv'd as MaskersTo their own Nuptials.Qu.My choice was worthyWhen first I look'd on thee, as thou hast order'dAll shall be done, and not the meanest thatPlaid in this unexpected Comedy,But shall pertake our bounty: And my Lord,That with the rest you may seem satisfi'd,If you dare venture on a Queen, not yetSo far in debt to years, but that she mayBring you a lusty Boy, I offer upMy self and Kingdom, during my life to you.Ag.It is a blessing which I durst not hope for,But with all joy receive.All.We all applaud it.Qu.Then on unto the Temple, where the rightsOf Marriage ended, we'll find new delights.[Exeunt.
Raise up thy weeping eyesMerione,With this hand I confirm thy Marriage,Wishing that now the gods would shew some miracle,That this might not divorce it.
Cra.To that purposeI am their Minister, stand not amaz'd,To all your comforts I will do this wonder,Your Majesty (with your pardon I must speak it)Allow'd once heretofore of such a Contract,Which you repenting afterwards, revok'd it,Being fully bent to match her withAgenor,The griev'd Prince knowing this, and yet not daringTo cross what you determin'd, by an oathBound me and these his followers to do somethingThat he might once enjoy her, we swore to it,And easily perswaded, being assur'dShe was his Wife before the face of Heaven,Although some ceremonious forms were wanting,Committed the first Rape, and brought her to him,Which broke the Marriage; but when we perceiv'dHe purpos'd to abuse our ready serviceIn the same kind: upon the chasteBeliza,Holding our selves less ty'd to him than goodness;I made discovery of it to my Brother,Who can relate the rest.
Euph.It is most true.
Qu.I would it were:
Euph.In every circumstanceIt is upon my soul: For this known to me,I wanMerionein my Ladies habit,To be again (but willingly) surpriz'd,But withAgenor, and her noble Brother,With my approv'd friendConon, with such speedShe was pursu'd, that the lewd act scarce ended,The Prince (assur'd he had enjoy'dBeliza,For all the timeMerionesface was cover'd)Was apprehended and brought to your presence,But not till now discover'd, in respectI hop'd the imminent danger of the Prince,To which his loose unquenched heats had brought him,Being pursu'd unto the latest tryalWould work in him compunction, which it has done;And these two Ladies in their feign'd contentions,To your delight I hope have serv'd as MaskersTo their own Nuptials.
Qu.My choice was worthyWhen first I look'd on thee, as thou hast order'dAll shall be done, and not the meanest thatPlaid in this unexpected Comedy,But shall pertake our bounty: And my Lord,That with the rest you may seem satisfi'd,If you dare venture on a Queen, not yetSo far in debt to years, but that she mayBring you a lusty Boy, I offer upMy self and Kingdom, during my life to you.
Ag.It is a blessing which I durst not hope for,But with all joy receive.
All.We all applaud it.
Qu.Then on unto the Temple, where the rightsOf Marriage ended, we'll find new delights.[Exeunt.
Here endeth the Queen ofCorinth.
A
TRAGEDY.
The Persons Represented in the Play.
WOMEN.
The SceneBritain.
The Principal Actors were
EnterBonduca, Daughters, Hengo, Nennius, Soldiers.
Bon.The hardyRomans? O ye gods ofBritain,The rust of Arms, the blushing shame of soldiers;Are these the men that conquer by inheritance!The Fortune-makers? these theJulians.
Bon.The hardyRomans? O ye gods ofBritain,The rust of Arms, the blushing shame of soldiers;Are these the men that conquer by inheritance!The Fortune-makers? these theJulians.
EnterCaratach.
That with the Sun measure the end of Nature,Making the World but oneRomeand oneCæsar?Shame, how they flee!Cæsarssoft soul dwells in 'em;Their Mothers got 'em sleeping, Pleasure nurst 'em,Their Bodies sweat with sweet Oils, Loves allurements,Not lustie Arms. Dare they send these to seek us,TheseRomanGirls? IsBritaingrown so wanton?Twice we have beat 'em,Nenniusscatter'd 'em,And through their big-bon'dGermans, on whose PikesThe honour of their actions sit in triumph,Made Themes for Songs to shame 'em, and a Woman,A Woman beat 'em,Nennius; a weak Woman,A Woman beat theseRomans.Car.So it seems.A man would shame to talk so.Bon.Who's that?Car.I.Bon.Cosin, do you grieve at my fortunes?Car.No,Bonduca,If I grieve, 'tis at the bearing of your fortunes;You put too much wind to your sail: DiscretionAnd hardy valour are the twins of honour,And nurs'd together, make a Conqueror:Divided, but a talker. 'Tis a truth.ThatRomehas fled before us twice, and routed;A truth we ought to crown the gods for, Lady,And not our tongues. A truth is none of ours,Nor in our ends, more than the noble bearing:For then it leaves to be a virtue, Lady;And we that have been Victors, beat our selves,When we insult upon our honors subject.Bon.My valiant Cosin, is it foul to sayWhat liberty and honor bid us do,And what the gods allow us?Car.No,Bonduca,So what we say exceed not what we do.Ye call theRomansfearful, fleeingRomans,AndRomanGirls, the lees of tainted pleasures:Does this become a doer? are they such?Bon.They are no more.Car.Where is your Conquest then?Why are your Altars crown'd with wreaths of flowers,The beasts with gilt horns waiting for the fire?The holyDruidescomposing SongsOf everlasting life to Victory?Why are these triumphs, Lady? for aMay-game?For hunting a poor herd of wretchedRomans?Is it no more? shut up your Temples,Britains,And let the Husbandman redeem his heifers;Put out our holy fires; no Timbrel ring;Let's home, and sleep; for such great overthrows;A Candle burns too bright a sacrifice,A Glow-worms tail too full of flame. ONennius,Thou hadst a noble Uncle knew aRoman,And how to speak him, how to give him weightIn both his fortunes.Bon.By —— I thinkYe doat upon theseRomans,Caratach.Car.Witness these wounds, I do; they were fairly given,I love an enemy, I was born a Soldier;And he that in the head on's Troop defies me,Bending my manly Body with his sword,I make a Mistriss. Yellow-tressedHymenNe'r ty'd a longing Virgin with more joy,Than I am married to that man that wounds me:And are not all theseRomans? Ten struck BattelsI suck'd these honour'd scars from, and allRoman:Ten years of bitter nights and heavy marches,When many a frozen storm sung thorow my Curasse,And made it doubtful whether that or IWere the more stubborn metall, have I wrought thorow,And all to try theseRomans. Ten times a nightI have swom the Rivers, when the Stars ofRomeShot at me as I floated, and the billowsTumbled their watry ruines on my shoulders,Charging my batter'd sides with troops of Agues;And still to try theseRomans, whom I found(And if I lye, my wounds be henceforth backward,And be you witness, gods, and all my dangers)As ready, and as full of that I brought(Which was not fear nor flight) as valiant,As vigilant, as wise, to do and suffer,Ever advanced as forward as theBritains,Their sleeps as short, their hopes as high as ours.I, and as subtil, Lady. 'Tis dishonour,And follow'd, will be impudence,Bonduca,And grow to no belief, to taint theseRomans.Have not I seen theBritains—Bond.What?Car.Disheartned,Run, run,Bonduca, not the quick rack swifter;The Virgin from the hated RavisherNot half so fearful; not a flight drawn home.A round stone from a sling, a Lovers wishE'r made that haste that they have. By ——I have seen theseBritains, that you magnifie,Run as they would have out-run time and roaringBasely for mercy, roaring: the light shadows,That in a thought scur o'r the fields of Corn,Halted on crutches to 'em.Bon.O ye Powers,What scandals do I suffer!Car.Yes,Bonduca,I have seen thee run too, and thee,Nennius;Yea, run apace, both; then whenPenyusTheRomanGirl, cut thorow your armed Carts,And drive 'em headlong on ye down the hill:Then when he hunted ye likeBritain-Foxes,More by the scent than sight: then did I seeThese valiant and approved men ofBritain,Like boading Owls, creep into tods of Ivie,And hoot their fears to one another nightly.Nen.And what did you then,Caratach?Car.I fled too,But not [so] fast; your Jewel had been lost then,YoungHengothere; he trasht me,Nennius:For when your fears out-run him, then stept I,And in the head of all theRomansfuryTook him, and, with my tough Belt, to my backI buckled him: behind him, my sure Shield;And then I follow'd. If I say I foughtFive times in bringing off this bud ofBritain,I lye not,Nennius. Neither had ye heardMe speak this, or ever seen the child more,But that the Son of Virtue,PenyusSeeing me steer thorow all these storms of danger,My Helm still in my hand, my Sword my prow,Turn'd to my foe my face, he cry'd out nobly,GoBritain, bear thy Lions whelp off safely;Thy manly sword has ransom'd thee: grow strong,And let me meet thee once again in Arms;Then if thou stand'st, thou art mine. I took his offer,And here I am to honour him.Bon.O Cousin,From what a flight of honour hast thou checkt me!What wouldst thou make me,Caratach?Car.See, Lady,The noble use of others in our losses:Does this afflict ye? Had theRomanscry'd this,And as we have done theirs, sung out these fortunes,Rail'd on our base condition, hooted at us,Made marks as far as the earth was ours, to shew usNothing but sea could stop our flights; despis'd us,And held it equal, whether banquetingOr beating of theBritainswere more business,It would have gall'd ye.Bon.Let me think we conquer'd.Car.Do; but so think, as we may be conquer'd:And where we have found virtue, though in thoseThat came to make us slaves, let's cherish it.There's not a blow we gave sinceJuliuslanded,That was of strength and worth, but like records,They file to after-ages. Our Registers,TheRomans, are for noble deeds of honour;And shall we burn their mentions with upbraidings?Bon.No more, I see my self: thou hast made me, Cousin,More than my fortunes durst, for they abus'd me,And wound me up so high, I swell'd with glory:Thy temperance has cur'd that Tympany,And given me health again, nay, more discretion.Shall we have peace? for now I love theseRomans.Car.Thy love and hate are both unwise ones, Lady.Bon.Your reason?Nen.Is not peace the end of Arms?Car.Not where the cause implies a general conquest:Had we a difference with some petty Isle,Or with our neighbors (Lady) for our Land-marks,The taking in of some rebellious Lord,Or making a head against Commotions,After a day of Blood, Peace might be argued:But where we grapple for the ground we live on,The Liberty we hold as dear as life,The gods we worship, and next those, our Honors,And with those swords that know no end of Battel:Those men beside themselves allow no neighbor;Those minds that where the day is, claim inheritance,And where the Sun makes ripe the fruits, their harvest,And where they march, but measure out more groundTo add toRome, and here i'th' bowels on us;It must not be; no, as they are our foes,And those that must be so until we tire 'em,Let's use the peace of Honor, that's fair dealing,But in our ends, our swords. That hardyRomaneThat hopes to graft himself into my stock,Must first begin his kindred under-ground,And be alli'd in ashes.Bon.Caratach,As thou hast nobly spoken, shall be done;AndHengoto thy charge I here deliver:TheRomansshall have worthy Wars.Car.They shall.And, little Sir, when your young bones grow stiffer,And when I see ye able in a morningTo beat a dozen boys, and then to breakfast,I'll tye ye to a sword.Heng.And what then Uncle?
That with the Sun measure the end of Nature,Making the World but oneRomeand oneCæsar?Shame, how they flee!Cæsarssoft soul dwells in 'em;Their Mothers got 'em sleeping, Pleasure nurst 'em,Their Bodies sweat with sweet Oils, Loves allurements,Not lustie Arms. Dare they send these to seek us,TheseRomanGirls? IsBritaingrown so wanton?Twice we have beat 'em,Nenniusscatter'd 'em,And through their big-bon'dGermans, on whose PikesThe honour of their actions sit in triumph,Made Themes for Songs to shame 'em, and a Woman,A Woman beat 'em,Nennius; a weak Woman,A Woman beat theseRomans.
Car.So it seems.A man would shame to talk so.
Bon.Who's that?
Car.I.
Bon.Cosin, do you grieve at my fortunes?
Car.No,Bonduca,If I grieve, 'tis at the bearing of your fortunes;You put too much wind to your sail: DiscretionAnd hardy valour are the twins of honour,And nurs'd together, make a Conqueror:Divided, but a talker. 'Tis a truth.ThatRomehas fled before us twice, and routed;A truth we ought to crown the gods for, Lady,And not our tongues. A truth is none of ours,Nor in our ends, more than the noble bearing:For then it leaves to be a virtue, Lady;And we that have been Victors, beat our selves,When we insult upon our honors subject.
Bon.My valiant Cosin, is it foul to sayWhat liberty and honor bid us do,And what the gods allow us?
Car.No,Bonduca,So what we say exceed not what we do.Ye call theRomansfearful, fleeingRomans,AndRomanGirls, the lees of tainted pleasures:Does this become a doer? are they such?
Bon.They are no more.
Car.Where is your Conquest then?Why are your Altars crown'd with wreaths of flowers,The beasts with gilt horns waiting for the fire?The holyDruidescomposing SongsOf everlasting life to Victory?Why are these triumphs, Lady? for aMay-game?For hunting a poor herd of wretchedRomans?Is it no more? shut up your Temples,Britains,And let the Husbandman redeem his heifers;Put out our holy fires; no Timbrel ring;Let's home, and sleep; for such great overthrows;A Candle burns too bright a sacrifice,A Glow-worms tail too full of flame. ONennius,Thou hadst a noble Uncle knew aRoman,And how to speak him, how to give him weightIn both his fortunes.
Bon.By —— I thinkYe doat upon theseRomans,Caratach.
Car.Witness these wounds, I do; they were fairly given,I love an enemy, I was born a Soldier;And he that in the head on's Troop defies me,Bending my manly Body with his sword,I make a Mistriss. Yellow-tressedHymenNe'r ty'd a longing Virgin with more joy,Than I am married to that man that wounds me:And are not all theseRomans? Ten struck BattelsI suck'd these honour'd scars from, and allRoman:Ten years of bitter nights and heavy marches,When many a frozen storm sung thorow my Curasse,And made it doubtful whether that or IWere the more stubborn metall, have I wrought thorow,And all to try theseRomans. Ten times a nightI have swom the Rivers, when the Stars ofRomeShot at me as I floated, and the billowsTumbled their watry ruines on my shoulders,Charging my batter'd sides with troops of Agues;And still to try theseRomans, whom I found(And if I lye, my wounds be henceforth backward,And be you witness, gods, and all my dangers)As ready, and as full of that I brought(Which was not fear nor flight) as valiant,As vigilant, as wise, to do and suffer,Ever advanced as forward as theBritains,Their sleeps as short, their hopes as high as ours.I, and as subtil, Lady. 'Tis dishonour,And follow'd, will be impudence,Bonduca,And grow to no belief, to taint theseRomans.Have not I seen theBritains—
Bond.What?
Car.Disheartned,Run, run,Bonduca, not the quick rack swifter;The Virgin from the hated RavisherNot half so fearful; not a flight drawn home.A round stone from a sling, a Lovers wishE'r made that haste that they have. By ——I have seen theseBritains, that you magnifie,Run as they would have out-run time and roaringBasely for mercy, roaring: the light shadows,That in a thought scur o'r the fields of Corn,Halted on crutches to 'em.
Bon.O ye Powers,What scandals do I suffer!
Car.Yes,Bonduca,I have seen thee run too, and thee,Nennius;Yea, run apace, both; then whenPenyusTheRomanGirl, cut thorow your armed Carts,And drive 'em headlong on ye down the hill:Then when he hunted ye likeBritain-Foxes,More by the scent than sight: then did I seeThese valiant and approved men ofBritain,Like boading Owls, creep into tods of Ivie,And hoot their fears to one another nightly.
Nen.And what did you then,Caratach?
Car.I fled too,But not [so] fast; your Jewel had been lost then,YoungHengothere; he trasht me,Nennius:For when your fears out-run him, then stept I,And in the head of all theRomansfuryTook him, and, with my tough Belt, to my backI buckled him: behind him, my sure Shield;And then I follow'd. If I say I foughtFive times in bringing off this bud ofBritain,I lye not,Nennius. Neither had ye heardMe speak this, or ever seen the child more,But that the Son of Virtue,PenyusSeeing me steer thorow all these storms of danger,My Helm still in my hand, my Sword my prow,Turn'd to my foe my face, he cry'd out nobly,GoBritain, bear thy Lions whelp off safely;Thy manly sword has ransom'd thee: grow strong,And let me meet thee once again in Arms;Then if thou stand'st, thou art mine. I took his offer,And here I am to honour him.
Bon.O Cousin,From what a flight of honour hast thou checkt me!What wouldst thou make me,Caratach?
Car.See, Lady,The noble use of others in our losses:Does this afflict ye? Had theRomanscry'd this,And as we have done theirs, sung out these fortunes,Rail'd on our base condition, hooted at us,Made marks as far as the earth was ours, to shew usNothing but sea could stop our flights; despis'd us,And held it equal, whether banquetingOr beating of theBritainswere more business,It would have gall'd ye.
Bon.Let me think we conquer'd.
Car.Do; but so think, as we may be conquer'd:And where we have found virtue, though in thoseThat came to make us slaves, let's cherish it.There's not a blow we gave sinceJuliuslanded,That was of strength and worth, but like records,They file to after-ages. Our Registers,TheRomans, are for noble deeds of honour;And shall we burn their mentions with upbraidings?
Bon.No more, I see my self: thou hast made me, Cousin,More than my fortunes durst, for they abus'd me,And wound me up so high, I swell'd with glory:Thy temperance has cur'd that Tympany,And given me health again, nay, more discretion.Shall we have peace? for now I love theseRomans.
Car.Thy love and hate are both unwise ones, Lady.
Bon.Your reason?
Nen.Is not peace the end of Arms?
Car.Not where the cause implies a general conquest:Had we a difference with some petty Isle,Or with our neighbors (Lady) for our Land-marks,The taking in of some rebellious Lord,Or making a head against Commotions,After a day of Blood, Peace might be argued:But where we grapple for the ground we live on,The Liberty we hold as dear as life,The gods we worship, and next those, our Honors,And with those swords that know no end of Battel:Those men beside themselves allow no neighbor;Those minds that where the day is, claim inheritance,And where the Sun makes ripe the fruits, their harvest,And where they march, but measure out more groundTo add toRome, and here i'th' bowels on us;It must not be; no, as they are our foes,And those that must be so until we tire 'em,Let's use the peace of Honor, that's fair dealing,But in our ends, our swords. That hardyRomaneThat hopes to graft himself into my stock,Must first begin his kindred under-ground,And be alli'd in ashes.
Bon.Caratach,As thou hast nobly spoken, shall be done;AndHengoto thy charge I here deliver:TheRomansshall have worthy Wars.
Car.They shall.And, little Sir, when your young bones grow stiffer,And when I see ye able in a morningTo beat a dozen boys, and then to breakfast,I'll tye ye to a sword.
Heng.And what then Uncle?
Car.Then ye must kill, Sir, the next valiantRomanethat calls ye knave.Hen.And must I kill but one?Car.An hundred, boy, I hope.Hen.I hope five hundred.
Car.Then ye must kill, Sir, the next valiantRomanethat calls ye knave.
Hen.And must I kill but one?
Car.An hundred, boy, I hope.
Hen.I hope five hundred.
Car.That's a noble boy. Come, worthy Lady,Let's to our several charges, and henceforthAllow an enemy both weight and worth.[Exeunt.
Car.That's a noble boy. Come, worthy Lady,Let's to our several charges, and henceforthAllow an enemy both weight and worth.[Exeunt.
EnterJuniusandPetillius,twoRomanCaptains.
Pet.What ail'st thou, man? dost thou want meat?Jun.No.Pet.Clothes?Jun.Neither. For heavens love, leave me.Pet.Drink?Jun.Ye tire me.Pet.Come, 'tis drink; I know 'tis drink.Jun.Tis no drink.Pet.I say 'tis drink: for what afflictionCan light so heavy on a Soldier,To dry him up as thou art, but no drink?Thou shalt have drink.Jun.PretheePetillius—Pet.And by mine honor, much drink, valiant drink:Never tell me, thou shalt have drink. I see,Like a true friend, into thy wants: 'tis drink;And when I leave thee to a desolation,Especially of that dry nature, hang me.Jun.Why do you [do] this to me?Pet.For I see,Although your modesty would fain conceal it,Which sits as sweetly on a Soldier,As an old side-saddle.Jun.What do you see?Pet.I see as far as day, that thou want'st drink.Did I not find thee gaping like an OysterFor a new tide? thy very thoughts lie bareLike a low ebb? thy Soul that rid in Sack,Lies moor'd for want of liquor? Do but seeInto thy self; for by —— I do:For all thy body's chapt and crackt like timberFor want of moisture, what is't thou wantst there,Junius,And if it be not drink?Jun.You have too much on't.Pet.It may be a whore too; say it be; come, meecher,Thou shalt have both, a pretty valiant fellow,Die for a little lap and lechery?No, it shall ne'r be said in our Countrey,Thou dy'dst o'th' Chin-cough. Hear, thou nobleRoman,The Son of her that loves a Soldier,Hear what I promised for thee; thus I said,Lady, I take thy Son to my companion,Lady, I love thy son, thy Son loves War,The war loves danger, danger drink, drink discipline,Which is society and lechery;These two beget Commanders: fear not, Lady,Thy Son shall lead.Jun.'Tis a strange thing,Petillius,That so ridiculous and loose a mirthCan master your affections.Petil.Any mirth,And any way, of any subject,Junius,Is better than unmanly mustiness:What harm's in drink, in a good wholsome wench?I do beseech ye, Sir, what error? yetIt cannot out of my head handsomely,But thou wouldst fain be drunk: come, no more fooling,The General has new wine, new come over.Jun.He must have new acquaintance for it too,For I willnone, I thank ye.Pet.None I thank ye?A short and touchie answer.None I thank ye:Ye do not scorn it, do ye?Jun.Gods defend, Sir;I owe him still more honor.Pet.None, I thank ye:No company, no drink, no wench,I thank ye.Ye shall be worse intreated, Sir.Jun.Petillius,As thou art honest, leave me.Pet.None, I thank ye;A modest and a decent resolution,And well put on. Yes, I will leave ye,Junius,And leave ye to the boys, that very shortlyShall all salute ye, by your new sirnameOfJunius None I thank ye. I would starve now,Hang, drown, despair, deserve theforks, lie openTo all the dangerous passes of a wench,Bound to believe her tears, and wed her aches,E'r I would own thy follies. I have found ye,Your lays, and out-leapsJunius, haunts, and lodges:I have view'd ye, and I have found ye by my skillTo be a fool o'th' first head,Junius,And I will hunt ye: ye are in love, I know it:Ye are an ass, and all the Camp shall know it.A peevish idle boy; your Dame shall know it;[A wronger of my care; your self shall know it.]
Pet.What ail'st thou, man? dost thou want meat?
Jun.No.
Pet.Clothes?
Jun.Neither. For heavens love, leave me.
Pet.Drink?
Jun.Ye tire me.
Pet.Come, 'tis drink; I know 'tis drink.
Jun.Tis no drink.
Pet.I say 'tis drink: for what afflictionCan light so heavy on a Soldier,To dry him up as thou art, but no drink?Thou shalt have drink.
Jun.PretheePetillius—
Pet.And by mine honor, much drink, valiant drink:Never tell me, thou shalt have drink. I see,Like a true friend, into thy wants: 'tis drink;And when I leave thee to a desolation,Especially of that dry nature, hang me.
Jun.Why do you [do] this to me?
Pet.For I see,Although your modesty would fain conceal it,Which sits as sweetly on a Soldier,As an old side-saddle.
Jun.What do you see?
Pet.I see as far as day, that thou want'st drink.Did I not find thee gaping like an OysterFor a new tide? thy very thoughts lie bareLike a low ebb? thy Soul that rid in Sack,Lies moor'd for want of liquor? Do but seeInto thy self; for by —— I do:For all thy body's chapt and crackt like timberFor want of moisture, what is't thou wantst there,Junius,And if it be not drink?
Jun.You have too much on't.
Pet.It may be a whore too; say it be; come, meecher,Thou shalt have both, a pretty valiant fellow,Die for a little lap and lechery?No, it shall ne'r be said in our Countrey,Thou dy'dst o'th' Chin-cough. Hear, thou nobleRoman,The Son of her that loves a Soldier,Hear what I promised for thee; thus I said,Lady, I take thy Son to my companion,Lady, I love thy son, thy Son loves War,The war loves danger, danger drink, drink discipline,Which is society and lechery;These two beget Commanders: fear not, Lady,Thy Son shall lead.
Jun.'Tis a strange thing,Petillius,That so ridiculous and loose a mirthCan master your affections.
Petil.Any mirth,And any way, of any subject,Junius,Is better than unmanly mustiness:What harm's in drink, in a good wholsome wench?I do beseech ye, Sir, what error? yetIt cannot out of my head handsomely,But thou wouldst fain be drunk: come, no more fooling,The General has new wine, new come over.
Jun.He must have new acquaintance for it too,For I willnone, I thank ye.
Pet.None I thank ye?A short and touchie answer.None I thank ye:Ye do not scorn it, do ye?
Jun.Gods defend, Sir;I owe him still more honor.
Pet.None, I thank ye:No company, no drink, no wench,I thank ye.Ye shall be worse intreated, Sir.
Jun.Petillius,As thou art honest, leave me.
Pet.None, I thank ye;A modest and a decent resolution,And well put on. Yes, I will leave ye,Junius,And leave ye to the boys, that very shortlyShall all salute ye, by your new sirnameOfJunius None I thank ye. I would starve now,Hang, drown, despair, deserve theforks, lie openTo all the dangerous passes of a wench,Bound to believe her tears, and wed her aches,E'r I would own thy follies. I have found ye,Your lays, and out-leapsJunius, haunts, and lodges:I have view'd ye, and I have found ye by my skillTo be a fool o'th' first head,Junius,And I will hunt ye: ye are in love, I know it:Ye are an ass, and all the Camp shall know it.A peevish idle boy; your Dame shall know it;[A wronger of my care; your self shall know it.]
Enter CorporalJudas,and four Soldiers.