Rhodon and Iris

RHODON AND IRIS .

A PASTORALL , AS IT WAS PREsented at the FLORISTS Feast in Norwich , May 3. 1631 .

Vrbis & orbis gloria Flora .

LONDON : Printed for MICHAEL SPARKE , at the blew Bible in Greene-Arbour . 1631 .

To the right Worshipfull , Mr. NICHOLAS BACON of Gillingham , Esquire .

Noble Sir :

COnsidering your true affection to Poesie , which ( no doubt ) proceeds from your singular perfection in that art ; seeing also how fervently you are addicted to a speculation of the vertues and beauties of all flowers ; I could not choose but present you with the patronage of this dramaticall peece , bringing this small sacrifice to the Altar of your worth , as the little Birds ( having nought else ) were wont to bring their feathers , and the Bees their waxe , to the Oracle of Apollo .

Yet though the worke doth crave nor Bayes , nor Cedar , But the mild censure of a gracious Reader . This to the proudest Criticke I dare tell , It feares nor Frankincense , nor Mackerell , Nor terrible Tabacco , that consumes Atlanticke volumes in his smoth'ring fumes .

But howsoever this small pittance may seeme un vorthy your acceptance , yet expecting to find your worth a protection for my weaknesse , I repose my selfe in an assured hope of your favour , and rest till a more reall occasion may make you a more true owner of my service .

Yours really ,

RA. KNEVET .

To his much respected friends , the Society of Florists . Gentlemen ,

TO you I am to speake of the fairest of Vegetals , Flowers , the minions of the spring , and for their beauties , deserving the title of terrestriall starres , being of such excellency , that ( if you will beleeve the asseveration of the wisest and the best of the sonnes of men ) you must grant that the wisest and happiest Prince that ever was , in all his glory , was not like one of them . And did not the omnipotent Architect of the Vniverse , place his Protoplast in a garden , as being the most convenient and pleasant habitation for Man , as yet unstained with with disobedience , and abstaining from the forbidden fruit ? And was not this Eden so holy and pure a place , that Adam could no longer be Tenant there then he kept his innocency ? If I should expatiate in the commendation of these glorious creatures ( I feare ) I should be brought into a maze whence I could not easily extricate my selfe ; therefore I will referre you that are desirous to be industrious in the indagation of their vertues and beauties , to those large volumes that are now extant , wherein their natures are amply and exactly described . How as concerning your feast , quod multi infectis oculis conspiciunt . 'T is true , Many sanctimonists , that like the men of China , thinke themselves wiser than all the world beside , doe inveigh against it ( how iustly I know not ) but as for my part , if I did thinke it might be any way preiudicial , either to politike , or morall society . I should detest it as deeply as the most zealous Heteroclite of them all . If it had any affinity with Bacchanalian riot , if Gluttony and Drunkennes ever found any entertainment there , I should utterly loath to name it : But since it is a meeting so civill , so unspotted , that Malice her selfe , had shee a brazen face , might blush to detract from it ; since it is a feast celebrated by such a conflux of Gentlemen of birth and quality , in whose presence and commerce ( I thinke ) your Cities welfare partly consists : I cannot but commend it ( though not so highly as it deserves ) in spite of Ignorance or Envy .

But some there be that are so pure and sage , That they doe utterly abhorre a Stage , Because they would be still accounted holy , And know , the Stage doth oft bewray their folly . You could but wonder to see what distaste They tooke , to see an Hypocrite uncas'd : Oh had they power , they would the Author use As ill as Bacchus Priests did Orpheus .

These , out of their malicious discretion ( having no other way to satisfie their uniust envy ) by meere misprisions , and under pretence that I should abuse a Corporation , would faine engage me in your Cities hatred , which although I account it one of the meanest disasters that can betide , yet I should thinke my selfe an unworthy man to doe any thing worthy of their haired . But whereas they accuse me for taxing of some private persons , I am content to referre this controversie to the arbitrement of any that is ingenious . But this ( as I tender my owne reputation , and Truth her selfe ) I must tell ye , that should I spye villany shelter her selfe under a Scarlet Gowne , I durst be so bold as to spurne her with the left foot of contempt , though not be so prodigall of that small store the Muses have allotted me , as to spend a line upon so despicable a subiect .

To the Booke and his worthy friend the AVTHOR . Dispers and vindicate thy Makers merits , Late disesteem'd by Lynx ey'd censuring spirits ; Whose captivated iudgements now may see , In this cleere glasse their owne deformitie ; Whose malice found no cause to disrespect Thy worth , but 'cause it past their intellect : My barren Muse cannot to life set forth Thy abstruse poesie , learning and worth : Th' abilities which in thy bosome lye , Will be admired of posterity : Wer 't thou but truely knowne , thy worth would raise Thee and thy Muse : best Poets would with bayes Crowne thy rich temples , and maugre thy will , Would place thee highest on Parnassus hill . Blest be their names , thy Nectar Genius nourish : By such , deiected poesie shall flourish . Let no Agnostus dare to read thy lines , Th' are made for those can iudge of high designes . In unknowne waters lest I wade too farre , Let thy bright rising sunne eclipse my starre . RI. PIRT.

To his friend the Author MAy none but Phabus kisse thy lines with sight , Hee 'l doe thee right . T is not for mortals once to dare to scanne , Thy height 'bove man . This speakes thy fellowship with supreme gods , There 's naught puts oddes , But lifes eternitie : tush , thy lines shall be , A saintlike canon of thy memory . Be bold then to the world , and dumbe that tongue That dares thee wrong : Yet thus give leave to vulgar braines to clap Agnostus cap Vpon their heads , whose braines doe much lesse crave , Then I deprave . Scorne blast their dwellings in simplicity That spit their poyson ; none shall venome thee . WILLIAM DENNYE .

To his friend the Author . I Cannot but admire this Worke of thine , ( Rightworthy Author ) that me thinkes each line Should gaine attention from a well tun'd Eare , And please the Eye of any shall appeare , That apprehends it : alwayes I le attend To wish this Worke well , as a faithfull Friend . IOHN MINGAY .

In Librum . EN Metamorphosis dispar descendit in orbem Illi , quam prisco descripsit tempore Naso : Humanas vertit formas in florea Naso Corpora : sed noster contrà floralia vestit Corpora forma hominum , cantandus laude Poeta . Pingis ( Naso ) tuam Met amorphôsin Latiali Ample stilo : Nostrum hunc pellexit at Anglica penna . Anglica penna vehat submilis ad aethera pennis Angelicis Anglum , qui tanta et talia finxit Hanc Metamorphôsin noster beet Author , et omnes Applaudant docti : veterem quae Naso beavit Voce suam , canat et redimitus tempora lauro . Iamque opus exegi , quod nec Iovis ira , nec ignis , Nec poterit ferrum , nec edax abolere vetustas . M.S.

Dramatis Personae . RHODON . Shepheard . ADANTHVS a friend to Rhodon . Shepheard . MARTAGON . Shepheard . CYNOSBATVS a friend to Martag . Shepheard . ANTHOPHOTVS . Shepheard . IRIS sister to Anthophotus . Shepherdesse . VIOLETTA sister to Rhodon . Shepherdesse . EGLANTINE sister to Cynosbatus . Shepherdesse . PANAS a seruant to Iris . Shepherdesse . CLEMATIS a seruant to Eglantine . Shepherdesse . AGNOSTVS an Impostor . PONERIA a Witch . GLADIOLVS a Page to Eglantine . FLORA .

The Scene is Thessaly .

Prologue . CAndid spectators , you that are invited Tô see the Lilly and the Rose united ; Consider that this Comedy of ours , A Nosegay is compos'd of sundry flowers . Which we selected with some small expence Of time , to please each one that hath a sence : But if this glorious Cynicke crowne containes A head that wants a competence of braines , We could desire his absence , and be glad That one more wise his seat or standing had . Because experience shewes that such as he , The greatest enemies to science be : For what the Noddy cannot understand , He will seeke to disparage underhand , Branding eternall lines with blacke disgrace , Because they doe his numbers smothe surpasse . For this bold Criticke would have the world know it , That he no small foole is , though a small Poet . But with Icarean wings , why strives he thus , To mount Parnassus tops with Pegasus ? When 't is most meet that he with Asses meeke , His pasture at the Mountaines feet should seeke , On thistles wilde , and brakes there let him knabble , While Pegasus does make the skies his stable . But you ( iudicious friends ) that well discry The strength and worth of noble Poesie ; That can discreetly iudge of what is done , We crave your favour and attention , And shall applaud the fortune of our Muse , If ought worth your acceptance we produce .

RHODON AND IRIS .

ACT. 1. SCEN. 1. Poneria , Agnostus . Ag. _TS the worlds eye not yet asleepe ? Po. Hath love not yet put on his starry night-cap ? No ; nor Iuno her spangl'd smocke ? Ag. What , hath Hesperus forgot to light heavens tapers up ?

Or be the Charret wheeles of Night o're loaden with the leaden waights of sleepe ,

That she delayes to throw her misty veyle upon the face of things ?

Po. Blind Ignorance that grop'st in Cymerian darknesse , That lyest invelop'd in the shads of everlasting night , That want'st those glorious spectacles of Nature , Those Chrystalline spheres that should illumine Thy Microcosmus , Why dost thou thus maligne the guiltlesse light , She being the fairest Creature that Nature ever made ? Ag. I hate her because she is light : I say she is The Mistris of disquiet and unrest , and breeds More troubles in the world then one of my young Hungry Lawyers doth in a Common-wealth ,

Or a schismatical selfeconceited Coxcombe in an antient Corporation .

Oh that I could Vlysses-like burne out the eye Of that Celestiall Polypheme ; Or raise dull Chaos from Demogorgons Cell To quench the worlds unnecessary luminaries . Po. Bold Ignorance , thou Idoll of these times That o're a woollen wit , oft wear'st a sattin Cap : And sometimes at our Bacchanalian feasts Appear'st as brave as a Canonicall Saint In a Kalender : I hug thy resolution , stupid divell , That dost with generous malice amply supply What is defective in thy intellect : But if thou 'lt give my faithfull Counsell leave For to divert the torrent of thy wrath , Then lend a facile eare to my advice : Bend not thy bootlesse hate against that Orbe of light , Whose mighty flames will scorch the impious wings Of those Nocturnall birds , that shall attempt With talons most prophane , to injure his bright beauty . A meaner object than this , shall satisfie Thy wrath , and my displeasure . This is the day whereon the new society of Florists , have determined to keepe their annual festivals : Whose pompous Celebration hath wont to eclipse All feasts besides : th' Olympian games , And Isthmian playes , with all those Ludicrous And Ludibrious Combats , are but meere Puppet playes To this grand feast , for Art and nature both have try'd To make this Feast surpasse all feasts beside . Vnite thy force with mine , then ten to one We shall disturbe their mirth , e're we have done . Ag. Then mischiefe lend me all thy guilty nerves : Let flames of boundlesse fury quite dispell Lethaean dulnesse from my Clouded braine . Assist our great designe , ye subterraneous powers , That utterly abhorre to view the glaring light : Let not the weakenesse of my Craz'd intellectuals , Nor yet this loath'd deficience of my sense , Be prejudiciall to the bent of our designe : Poneria , act thy part , for I am thine . Exeunt .

ACT. 1. SCEN. 2. Rhodon , Acanthus . Aga. ( RHodon ) my honor'd , soule-united friend , Cast oft that dusky melancholy veyle . Too vile a robe for thy majesticke brow , Blast not the pride of Hyblas happinesse With thy offensive passion . Rho. Nay , good Acanthus , did love ere offend any ? Aca. And art not thou the map of loves calamity ? Witnesse those cristall bowles of thy bright eyne , Which I have seene sweld up with brinish teares , Prepar'd for sorrowes bitter beverage : Witnesse those frequent tempests of thy sighes , Which made thy brest a fiery sea of dolour : Witnesse those palled cheekes , whose glorious hue Aurora late envy'd , and quite despairing To reach thy beauties height , with Cupid treated , And him suborn'd to wound thy generous heart , ( Which no base passion ever durst assault ) That now like pale Narcissus on the brinke Of the beguilding streame , thou lyest a dying . Rho. I tell thee ( brazen Colosse ) marble statue , Whose heart loues darts could never penetrate ; Love is the Prince of all affections , And like the element of fire transcends His brothers in activity and splendour . Aca. It is a fire indeed , that doth consume All vertuous actions ; that feeds upon mens soules Like the fiend Eurynomus upon dead carkases ; That makes the microcosmus a meere Chaos . It is the Remora of all noble enterprises , And the Lernaean fenne which breeds a Hydra , Crested with a thousand inconueniences . Let me nere inherit more then my Fathers hempland , Or nere be owner of more wit then some elder brothers , If I thinke not Cupid the most pernicious deity Among all the Olympian Senators . Oh that I had but Stentors lungs , To thunder out the vanity of that idoll . Rho. Now I hope you have rail'd your self out of breath , And therefore I may now have time to speake : Thus 't is , deare friend Acanthus , I confesse That once I lov'd the Lady Eglantine , Whose rare endowments both of art and nature , Well corresponding with high birth and fortune , Did moderately attract my sincere love , Which love conspiring with a strong desire , To see the Customes of some forraine Nations , And know the manners of people farre remote , Made me to greet the Princely Dame With a personall visitation . Then my indulgent starres did me advise , For to suspend my suit : whose Counsell I obey'd . But trust me , friend , thou wert too much mistaken , To thinke that love had scorch'd or sing'd so much The wings of reason ; that I must needs fall , And perish in the fornace of despaire . Thou art a bad constructer of my thoughts , If that thou think'st 't is love which makes me sad : Yea , thou , oft-times , dost take thy marks amisse , To thinke me sad ; perhaps , when as my minde ( Uprais'd above the sphere of terrene things ) Is ravish'd with Celestiall Contemplation ; For earthly passion hath no power at all To worke upon an elevated soule . Passions are starres to lower orbs confin'd ; Scorching an earthly , not a heavenly mind . Yet am I not so much a Stoicke , or a Stocke , To plume the pinions of th' immortall soule , Who while she 's Cloyster'd in this Cell of Clay , Moves with the wings of the affections : But lest she , like to heedlesse Icarus , Should soare too high a pitch ; or like young Phaeton , Should shape her Course too low , Iove hath appointed Wise Vertue for to regulate her flight . Of these affections , love the Empresse is ; Who , while she stands submisse to reasons lore , Doth keepe the Fabricke of the little world in frame . Love is the geniall goddesse , the Lucina Which doth produce each honourable atchievement , Which this true axiome evidently proves , Nobilitas sub amore iacet . Had not the spritefull flames of love , egg'd on That Theban Kilcrow mighty Hercules , To brave adventures ; he , perhaps , had dy'd As much inglorious as did base Thersites . Had not the faire Andromache beheld , From Troian Towers , Hectors valiant acts Among the Greeks , amid the Phrygian fields ; The gallant Dames of Troy then might , perchance , Most justly have preferr'd Achilles farre before him . T is this heroicall passion that incends The sparkes of honour in each noble minde ; Making dull sluggards study industry ; And animating each unlearned head To toyle in Arts and liberall Sciences , Even to the high degree of rare proficience . Then cease Acanthus with thy lawlesse tongue , True loves Condition to maligne or wrong . Ac. Thou zealous patron of the winged Boy , Well hast thou pleaded thy blind Archers Case ; Pray Iove thou maist deserve a lusty fee For this Herculean labour of thy tongue . Rho. Surcease these malapert invectives , friend , Cupid is arm'd with fire and arrowes keene , To be aveng'd on those that shall him spleene . Ac. When Sol shall make the Easterne Seas his bed , When Wolves and Sheepe shall be together fed ; When Starres shall fall , and planets cease to wander , When Iuno proves a Bawd , and Iupiter a Pander ; When Venus shal turn Chast , and Bacchus become sober , When fruit in April's ripe , that blossom'd in October ; When Prodigals shall money lend on use , And Vsurers prove lavish and profuse ; When Art shal be esteem'd , and golden pelfe laid down , When Fame shal tel all truth , & Fortune cease to frown , To Cupids yoke then I my necke will bow ; Till then , I will not feare loves fatall blow . Rho. Wert thou a meere spirit , then I confesse , And thinke , this resolution might endure ; But so long as thy soule weares robes of earth , Lac'd all with veynes , that o're a Crimson deepe , Set forth an Azure bright ; needs must thy heart Yeeld to the force of Cupids golden dart .

ACT. 1. SCEN. 3. Clematis , Eglantine . Cle. OH impotent desires , allay the sad consort Of a sublime Fortune , whose most ambitious flames Disdaine to burne in simple Cottages , Loathing a hard unpolish'd bed ; But Coveting to shine beneath a Canopy Of rich Sydonian purple ; all imbroider'd With purest gold , and orientall Pearles ; In tesselated pavements , and guilded roofes , Supported by proud artificiall Columnes , Of polish'd Ivory and Marble ; doth love delight There ; doth he , like a mighty Tyrant , rage , Subverting the whole edifice of reason With his impetuous conflagration : That this is true , the gentle Shepheardesse Faire Eglantine doth evidently shew : For she , a sister to the great Cynosbatus , Was Courted lately by the Shepheard Rhodon : Whose suit she entertain'd with due respect , Requiting love with love : but Fate ( it seemes ) Not condescending that great Hymen should Accomplish their desires ; forbade the Banes , And Rhodon hath relinquished his suit ; And is return'd to Hybla sweet ; whose flowry vales Began to droope , and wither in his absence . But Eglantine remaines disconsolate ; Like to a Turtle that hath lost her mate . See where she comes , expressing in her face A perfect Map of mellancholy : I will retire , because I well desery , Shee 's out of love with all society . Enter Eglant . with her Lute . Eg. Addresse thy selfe sweet warbling Instrument , My sorrowes sad Companion ; to tune forth Thy melancholly notes ; somewhat to slake Those furious flames that scorch my tender heart . She sings and playes upon the Lute . Vpon the blacke Rocke of despaire My youthfull ioyes are perish'd quite , My hopes are vanish'd into ayre , My day is turn'd to gloomy night : For since my Rhodon deare is gone , Hope , light , nor comfort , have I none . A Cell , where griefe the Landlord is , Shall be my palace of delight ; Where I will wooe with votes and sighes , Sweet death to end my sorrowes quite ; Since I have lost my Rhodon deare , Deaths fleshlesse armes why should I feare ? Enter Cle. Cle. What time shal end thy sorrowes , sweetest Eglantine ? Egl. Such griefe as mine cannot be cur'd by time . But when the gentle fates shall disembogue My weary soule , and that Celestiall substance free From irkesome manacles of clay ; then may I finde , If not a sweet repose in blest Elysium , Yet some refrigeration in those shades , Where Dido and Hypsiphile do wander . Exit Egl. Cle. Thou gentle goddesse of the woods & mountains , That in the woods and mountaines art ador'd , The Maiden patronesse of chaste desires , Who art for chastity renowned most , Tresgrand Diana , who hast power to cure The rankling wounds of Cupids golden arrowes ; Thy precious balsome deigne thou to apply , Vnto the heart of wofull Eglantine ; Then we thy gracious favour will requite With a yong Kid , than new falne snow more white . exit .

ACT. 1. SCEN. 4. Cynosbatus , Martagon . Cy. MY honor'd friend , most noble Martagon , Who whilom didst with thy imperiall power Command the mountaines proud , and humble plaines Of happy Thessaly : who hath eclips'd The splendour of thy light , and clipp'd those wings That did ore-shade these fields from East to West . Each Shepheard that was wont to feed his flocks Vpon these fertile meads , was wont whilere To pay the tribute of his primest lambs . But now as one coup'd in an angle up , Thou art compell'd to satisfie thy selfe , With a small portion of that soveraignty Which thou didst earst enioy . Ma. Deare friend Cynosbatus , if that the world Had bin compos'd in a cubicke forme And not orbicular ; or if this globe Were destin'd to be ought else then fortunes ball , By alterations racket banded to and fro ; Then iustly might'st thou wonder to behold My present state , so short of my precedent height . Nor doth this monster , Change , beare sway alone , Ore elements , men , beasts , and plants , But those celestiall bodies that are fram'd Of purer constitutions , are compell'd To be obedient to her awfull doome . Reare up thy eyes unto the spangl'd cope , And there behold Ioves starre-enchased belt , The glittering Zodiacke wonderfully chang'd In a few thousand yeares : For those fixt stars , which like a Diamond cleare , Adorne the baudricke of the Thunderer , Have wander'd from their former stations . Witnesse the golden Ram who now is gone astray , And shoulder'd hath the Cretian Bull ; and he Those twins of Iove so sore hath butted , That they have crush'd the Crab , and thrust him quite Into the den of the Nemaean Lyon . Thus by the change of these superiour bodies , Strange alterations in the world are wrought , Great Empires maim'd , & Kingdoms brought to naught . And that auspicious lampe , who freely lends His light to lesser fires , the prince of generation , Even Sol himselfe , is five degrees declin'd , Since learned Ptolome did take his height . But if Egyptian wisards we may trust , Who in Astrologie wont to excell ; By them t is told , that foure times they have seene That glorious Charrioter flit from his place : Twice hath he rose ( they say ) where now he sets , And twice declined where he now doth rise . If these Celestiall powers , whose influence Commands terrestriall substances , Be object to mutation , then needs must Sublunar things , submit themselues to change . Then wonder not good friend Cynosbatus , To see my state and power diminish'd thus . Cy. T is true deare Martagon , experience showes That alteration every day brings forth A new birth of effects . Ma. But I prethe friend , satisfie me in one thing . Cy. My bosome 's yours , take from that Cabinet The choisest secret that can pleasure you : Tell me in what your will 's to be resolu'd . Ma. There is a rumour spred through Thessaly , That your faire sister , Madame Eglantine , Shall be espoused to the Shepheard Rhodon , The prince of all the Swaines that dwell on Hybla . Cy. From no ill grounds this rumor sprang , though The Fates did crosse what was by us intended . Na. Then there 's no expectation of my Nuptial rite Cy. No ; all 's dissolv'd . Na. I thanke my Starres for that . Cy. Your reason , Noble friend . Ma. A kin he is to that male spirited Dame , That stout Virago , that proud Shepheardesse Call'd Violetta : who complaines of wrongs Late suffer'd at my hands : And hee 's the man by whom she hopes To be aveng'd on me , for this pretended injury ; And had he matcht your sister , sweet Eglantine , Then might I have had cause for to suspect Your love not to be sound , since you accepted So great a soe of mine , for your neere friend . Cy. Then I am glad the Fates would not agree That I should lose so true a friend as thee . Exeunt .

ACT. 1. SCEN. 3. Rhodon . Anthophotus . Acanthus . Iris. Panace . An. Never till now , did my Hymettus flourish : More blest effects hath thy sweet presence wrought , ( Honour'd Rhodon ) then could have beene produc'd By moist-wing'd Zephyrus , or Favonius , Who fanns our flowers with his gentle breath . Rho. Thankes , good Anthophotus : An. Nor doth our sister Iris hold her selfe Meanely engag'd to you , for this your gracious visit . Rho. To be the meanest servant of so sweet a saint , Is the full height and scope of my ambition . Ir. Faire Sr. I wish you would be pleas'd t' imploy Your service on an object of more worth . Rho. Dissemble not , admired Shepheardesse ; For thou art she , that art as farre beyond That light peece of beauty , Hellen of Greece ,

In outward perfections ; as shee was short of thee in inward graces .

Yea , had those fifty Kings that did for her Engage themselves in a long tedious warre , Seene but the Modell of thy rare beauty , Drawne by the hand of but a rude painter , Doubtlesse , they had their honours forfeited , And broke that sacred oath which they had tane . Their worke in hand they had relinquish'd quite , And left the walls of wretched Troy untoucht ; For each attracted with thy beauties splendor , No Seas nor perils would have left unpast , To finde thee in the furthest angle of the world . Ir. Could my perfections , valu'd at the highest rate , But countervaile a dramme of your great worth , Then should I thinke my selfe borne under starres Most happy and auspicious . An. Surcease your Complements , deare Rhodon , Let empty Caskes , and hollow Cymbals speake That ayrie language , which unworthy is Of your reallities . Rho. Pardon me , gentle Sir : this radiant starre , My judgements feeble eyes did dazle so , That I was forc'd to speak what passion did informe me . Enter a Messenger . Messen. Which is the Shepheard Rhodon ? Rho. I am the man . Messen. Then you are he whom Violetta greets . Rho. How fares my sister ? Messen. This letter shall relate what I can never utter . Exit Messen. Rho , Pray Iove we have good newes , me thinks I saw A pallid horrour setl'd in the face Of the sad Messenger : be 't good or ill , We are resolu'd to see it , come what will . He opens and reads the Letter . I Violetta much distrest By Martagon my mortall foe , Your succour humbly doe request , To set me free from servile woe . Our flowers he hath trampled on , Our Gardens turn'd to thickets wilde ; Our fields and Meads he hath ore-run , That we are forc'd to live exil'd . We therefore doe your aide implore , Vs to our freedome to restore . Your distressed sister , Violetta , Violetta . 'T was for no good , that the late shag hair'd Comet With his erected staring lookes , did over-looke Our frighted flocks , who all amaz'd poore wretches At such a horrid unexpected sight , Ere Hesperus gan from the west to peepe , Halfe empty , did retire unto their folds againe : Nor were those idle fires which late we saw , Hang like a flaming canopie above us , When we did walke the round about our folds , To keepe the warwolfe from our Lambs by night . But is 't possible that man should be so savage , To vent his rage upon a silly woman ? An. It is no wonder gentle sir at all : For when Prometheus form'd his man of clay , T is said that he did to his stomacke adde , The raging fury of a Lyon fierce . Rho. T is true : but histories report that a Lyon did , The suppliant Getulian virgin spare ; Scorning to make so innocent a creature His pray or quarry . An. Foule shame and infamy it is , god wot , That manly might should women weake oppose , Whom they by right for life ought to defend . Acan. ( Rhodon ) doe thou but say Amen : and I will in An instant raise our spritefull youth , And lead them on with such a vigorous force Against the most unhumane Martagon ; That we will pull the Craven from his nest , Disrobing him of all his borrowed plumes , And repossessing Violetta of her owne . Rho. In actions of such consequence as this , We must not be too precipicious , Mature deliberation must conclude What shall be done in such a maine designe : The stately Steed that with a full careere Attempts to mount the brow of the steepe hill , Oft breaks his winde , ere he can reach the height . But the slow snayle without or harme , or perill , In time ascends unto the mountaines top , For that true love we owe to Thessaly , In which affection all we are ingag'd ; We by a friendly treaty will endevour To bring th' usurper to a restitution . But if the Olive branch will doe no good , Then let the scourge of warre it selfe disclose ; They that our friendship scorne , must be our foes . An. And if my right hand faile to second thee , Then for a Peasant let me counted be . Exeunt Rho. Antho. Iris. Banace offers to goe out , and is stayed by Acanthus . Ac. Nay , stay faire Nimph , I would request A private Conference with you . Pa. If that I could with my affaires dispense , I gladly should imbrace your Conference : But my occasions bid mee hast away ; Sweet Sr , adieu ; I can no longer stay . Exit Pa. Ac. I that of late was made of Scythian snow , And Hyperborean ice , am now quite thaw'd In the uncessant flames of hot desire . A new Vesuvius burnes within my brest , But shall I overturne those noble trophies Which I most firmely have on vertue sounded ; Or shall I singe the wings of reason so , In the outragious flames of passion ; That I must needs fall downe and perish quite In the blacke hideous gulfe of deepe despaire , No : no : I will not , Of this I am resolv'd whatso're befall , Or not to love too much , or not at all . Exit .

ACT. 2. SCEN. 1. Poneria : Agnostus . Po, BOld foolish wickednesse is that Which walks by day , expos'd to the world's eie . Sinne is the daughter of the darkest night , And therefore doth abhorre to come to light . Give me that cole blacke sinne that can lye hid . Vnder the candid robes of seeing sanctity ; Which dares put out the perspicacious eyes Of those that shall attempt to find her out . Come dull Agnostus , let us disguise our selves And be prepar'd to act some stratagem To eclipse the glory of these festivals . She puts on the garment . This robe of vertue doth belong to me ; This goodly vaile shall hide my blacke intents . Thus personated , I durst undertake To rend a well woven state in factious peeces ; To win the eares of mighty Potentates ; And hood-winke Kings , that they should neither see To doe what 's iust , nor heare the pitteous cryes Of those that are opprest . But that thou , Agnostus , maist second my designes , 'T is very fit thou shouldst be thus accouter'd . Ag. My deare Poneria , I am yours . Shee puts on his beard . Po. Then first unto thy chin we must apply This Philosophicall beesome . Now is the old proverbe really perform'd , More haire than wit . How like a Senator he lookes ? What a world of gravity 's harbour'd in that beard ? Surely the world can take him for no other Than the third Cato that should fall from heaven . But here 's the Ensigne of learning , The badge of the seven Liberal Sciences , Operculum ingenij , the silken Case of wit , The Cap of knowledge ; Clap this upon thy Empty hog shead , put this on , and then thy head Will become a Helicon , and thy braine a Pyrene . He puts on the Cap. Ag. It fits me exceeding well . Po. Dost not perceive thy head begin to ake With meere abundance of knowledge ? Ag Now , me thinks , I could confute a Colledge of Divines A Synod of Doctors , a Lycaeum of Philosophers ; Yet me thinkes my braines are not right , And somewhat too weake to maintaine a paradox . Po. Away fond idiot , doe not conceit That this Cap can infuse any thing reall into thy pate , That is uncapable of all art and science . Under the protection of this Cap , thou maist be bold To traduce thy betters , to censure the best , To decide controversies without discretion , To torment all companies with thy discourse , And weary eares of yron with thy impertinences ; Doe but weare this head-peece over the Coyfe of Selfe-conceit ( alwayes provided ) that thou forget'st Not to leave off a brazen face ; and I dare Vndertake it , thou in a short time , shalt gaine More respect ( especially among Plebean Coxcombs ) Then euer Pythagoras , had of his auditors . Ag. I am thy slave , divine Poneria : Oh admirable rare Artist that I am ! Po. But yet , me thinkes , there 's somewhat else to doe To make thee more accomplish'd and compleat . 'Slight , the politicall gowne ; I had as cleane forgot it , As the time since I lost my mayden-head . Here 't is : dispatch . and put it on , And then be reputed both grave , — Learn'd , and wise . Doubtlesse it will become thee exceeding well . He puts on the Gowne . Now lookes he not like a maine stud of a Corporation ? Ag. How heavy is the burthen of authority ? Po. 'T is true , authority is heavy , I confesse , But not so heavy but an Asse may beare 't . Since now , Agnostus , that we are well fitted With habits meet , to act what we intend ; Thou seeming like a grave and learned Sire ; Though thou indeed then that bee'st nothing lesse , And I like to a vertuous maiden dight , Though I all vertue deeply doe abhorre ; We thus disguis'd , will all the world delude , And set the flowers at ods among themselves , That they in civill enmities embroyl'd , Shall of their pride and gloryes be dispoyl'd . Exeunt .

ACT. 2 , SCEN. 2. Martagon , Cynosbatus . Ma. TO hinder the conjunction of those starres , We must try all our skill , Cynosbatus . Cy. I jealous am of their maligne aspect , And therefore hold it best to take away That cause which may produce such bad effects ; For I shall never cease t' applaud his skill , That in the shell , the Cockatrice doth kill . Ma. The Serpent will be hatch'd , I shrewdly feare , E're we the mischiefe can prevent , if thus We should delay to act our purposes : For late , a certaine rumor , through my eare , Did strike me to the heart ; when 't was reported That Rhodon on Hymettus hill was seene ; Where by Anthophotus , and his sister Iris , He was with such solemnity receiu'd , That all surmise there is a match intended Betweene the Shepheard Rhodon and faire Iris . Cy. If once they be conjoyn'd in Hymens rites , Then all our toyle 's ridiculous and vaine ; For Hymens obligations are ( we see ) Seldome by any cancell'd , but by death . Ma. Then let us set some Stratagem abroach , The Cords of their new amity to breake . The tender twig may easily be broke , But who 's so strong to bow the sturdy Oke . Our friends will say ( if we procrastinate ) That , like the Troians , we were wise too late . Exeunt

ACT. 2. SCEN. 3. Eglantine sola . SInce that the gods will not my woe redresse , Since men are altogether pittilesse , Ye silent ghosts unto my plaints give eare ; Give eare ( I say , ye ghosts ) if ghosts can heare : And listen to my plaints that doe excell The dol'rous tune of ravish'd Philomel . Now let Ixions wheele stand still a while , Let Danaus daughters now surcease their toyle : Let Sisyphus rest on his restlesse stone , Let not the Apples flye from Plotas sonne ; And let the full gorg'd Vultur cease to teare The growing liver of the ravisher ; Let these behold my sorrowes , and confesse Their paines doe farre come short of my distresse . Were I but Lady of more wealthy store Then e're the Sunne beheld ; or had I more Then Midas e're desir'd ; I would ( in briefe ) Give all to be deliver'd from this griefe . Rocks of rich Indian pearle , shores pav'd with gemmes , Mountaines of gold , and Empires Diadems , These would I give , yea , and my selfe to boot , My selfe and these prostrating at his foot , To enioy him whom I so dearely love . Aye me , fond love , that art a sweet sower evill , A pleasant torture , a well-favour'd devill . But why doe I , weake wretch , prolong my griefe ? Why doe I live , since death affords reliefe ? Doe thou ( sweet ponyard ) all my sorrowes ease , That art a medicine for all grievances , Assist my hand , thou goddesse of revenge , That on my selfe , I may my selfe avenge . Enter Poneria and Agnostus . Po. Hold , hold thy hand , faire Shepheardesse , Attempt not to commit a fact so horrid . Eg. What Fury sent you hither , Caitiffes vile , Thus to prolong my sorrow , and my toyle . Po. No Fury , but your happy Genius Brought us to these uncomfortable shades , For to prevent your mischievous intent . Eg. Death is a plaister for all ills ( they say ) What mischiefe then can be in death , I pray . Po. 'T is true ; death is a mortall wound that cures all wounds Of body , and of mind : it is the soules potion That purgeth her from corporall pollution . But you must not your owne Physician prove , Not be the Doctor , and the Patient too : For if thy soule be sickly , and grow weary Of this unwholesome earthly habitation , Because this ayres spissitude suits not With her Celestiall Constitution , She must not like a bankrupt Tenant prove , That flyes by night from an unprofitable Farme , Before the terme of his Lease be expir'd : But stay till heaven shall give her egresse free Vnto the haven of rest and happinesse . Eg. Were I not plunged in a grievous plight , Perhaps I would not thinke thy counsell light . Po. Art not thou the sister of Cynosbatus , Lord of the silver mines , and golden mountaines . And art not thou as faire a Shepheardesse As trips upon the plaines of Thessaly ? Eg. For being great , I am malign'd by Fate , For being faire , I am unfortunate . Po. I know thy sorrowes , sweetest Eglantine ; Thy Rhodons absence hath wrought all thy woe , Who now , they say , doth beauteous Iris court . But if thov wilt make me thy instrument , I 'll undertake to breake the match , If not , renew the love which earst he bare to thee . Eg. Doe this , and I will live ( Poneria ) To give thy merit ample satisfaction . I will adore thy skill , and thee adorne With what may make thee famous through all Thessaly . Po. Then banish all these melancholly thoughts , And decke thy selfe in thy most sumptuous weeds . Make hast unto the Fane of gentle Venus , A payre of Turtles of a snowy hue , Vpon her altars offer thou to her , And her beseech to intercede for thee Vnto her angry boy : Then shalt thou finde The god and goddesse to true lovers kinde . Eg. My deare Poneria , I am truly thine . But tell me , I prethe , what grave Sr. is this That lookes like one of Greeces Sages ; His reverent Countenance makes me surmise That he 's a man of sublime qualities . Po. He is but what he seemes , faire Shepheardesse : His head 's the officine of art ; his tongue The oracle of truth ; he is the man Whom onely Nature hath vouchsaf'd to make Her privy Counsellour . Those abstruse secrets which no mortall eye Did ever view , he plainely can discry ; He is the man that 's destin'd to find out That grand mysterious secret , in whose discovery So many bold adventrous wits have perished : I meane th' Elixar , the Philosophers precious stone . He is the man who by strange policies Can breake the strong Confederacies of Kings , And overthrow more Empires by his plots , Then mighty Alexander er'e did by strength : Agnostus is his name , renown'd no lesse For honesty , than skill in Sciences . Eg. His silence argues something extraordinary . Ag Belphegor , Zazel , Astragoth , Golguth , Machon Malortor . Egl. offers to flye away , and is stayed by Po. Eg. Aye me , Poneria . Po. Agnostus , not a word more for thy life . Stay , stay , sweet Eglaentine , and dread no harme , This is the language which the Persian Magi us'd When they with their familiars did converse , To which he is so frequently accustom'd , That oft he speakes it e're he be aware . ( Agnostus ) vouchsafe to use your native language , That Eglantine may know what you are . I hope you know your lesson , Aside . Twice twenty times and ten , &c. Ag. Twice twenty times and ten , hath Titan run Quite through the Zodiacke , since I begun To converse with wise fiends , that I might get The golden key of Natures Cabinet . By industry I got immortall same , For ignorance begets contempt and shame : So perfect in the Magicke Arts I grew , That natures secrets most abstruse I knew ; The spirits of ayre and earth did me dread , And did at my venite come with speed ; The silly ghosts from graves I did forth call . The earth I make to bellow , starres to fall . The world at my great awfull charmes did quake , Nature her selfe for very feare did shake : To change midday to midnight , or to cause Estiuall snowes , or breake the vipers iawes , Or to drive rivers backe to their spring heads , And make seas stand unmov'd , or to strike dead The vernall blossome , or the haruest eare : A man would thinke these strange conclusions were , But I account them of small weight : I know The use of hearbes , and whatsoever grow ; The cause to the effect I can apply , And worke strange things by hidden sympathies . I doe exactly know the compositions Of unctious Philters , and loves potions : Figures , suspensions , and ligations , Characters and suffumigations . For I the vertues of all simples know From whence ; effects that seeme impossible I show . The gall of shreeke Owles , & harsh night Ravens tongus Guts of Panthers , and Chamelions lungs , A blacke Buls eyes , a speckled toads dry'd head , Frankincense , camphire , and white poppie-seed ; Poysenous Melanthion , and a white Cocks bloud , Sweet Myrrhe , Bay-berries , precious balsome wood , A Harts marrow that hath devour'd a snake , And scalpes which from a wilde beasts jawes we take , The bone that lyes i th' left side of a Frogge , A stone that is bitten with a mad dogge . The Mandrake root , the blood of a blacke Cat , A Turtles liver , the braines of a Batt , Hyaenas heart , the Cockatrices bloud , That are against so many evils good : The haire of a thiefe that hangs on a tree ; The nailes of ships that wracked be , The blood of a wretched man that was slaine , The eyes of a Dragon and Weasels braines . These precious simples , and a thousand more I could produce ; I have them all in store : And though they seeme to men meere trifling things , Each one ( I vow ) ore'weighes ransomes of Kings . The blindnesse of these times cannot discrie The vertues rare that in these simples lye . Po. Enough Agnostus : Now faire Shepherdesse , I hope you have a faire expression Of this learn'd mans sublime desert , and art ? Eg. I doe admire his skill , and see ( by happe ) Good stuffe may be beneath a fatten Cap . Exeunt .

ACT. 2. SCEN. 4. Rhodon , Martagon , Violetta , Acanthus . Rho. KNow Martagon , that as no dynasties can stand , No Empires long subsist , unlesse they be Supported by the Columnes of true equity : So shall that gouernment of thine decay , Since thy oppression makes the weake a pray . Mar. T is no oppression for to punish those , That have transgrest the Lawes , as I suppose . Vio. The lawes ( Colossus ) proud , uniust tyrant , That dost observe nor equity nor law , But by the torrent of ambition hurry'd , Dost act what lawlesse passion prompts thee to : What Lawes have I transgrest ? it is thy might , That into seeming wrong hath chang'd our right : Had Fortune beene as just as was our cause , We that are censur'd now for breach of Lawes , Maugre thy viprous hate , had now bin free , And for thy foule injustice censur'd thee . Mar. And is your pride Virago still so high ? That it doth over-top your misery . Cann't sorrow strike thee dumbe , can no disaster , The liberty of thy tongue over-master . Ac. Nay , be assur'd ( proud man ) not any smart , Can cure the courage of a valiant heart : No force a heart of adamant can breake ; And loosers must , and shall have leave to speake . Rho. No more Acanthus : heare me Martagon : Wilt thou give Violetta what 's her owne ? Wilt thou restore her right and due possessions ? And make a recompence for all oppressions , That happy peace with joy and plenty crown'd , May in the fields of Thessaly be found ? Mar. This will I doe , When seas shall be drunke dry by Phoebus beames , And when the lesser starres shall drinke the streames . This will I doe , When of my life and freedome I am weary , Non minor est virtus quam quae rere parta tueri . Ac. Before this guiltlesse woman shall endure Such shamefull injuries : thy selfe assure I le empty all these azure rivulets Of their virmilion streames ; and quite discharge This contemn'd bulke of mine , of living ayre ; And stretch'd upon the gelid bed of death , I le to the world this Epitaph bequeath , Here lyes a Swaine that spent his deerest blood , To kill a Tyrant for a Virgins good . Ma. Bold heroe doe thy worst , what I have won I nere will part withall till life be done . Rho. Tenacious Tyrant , in whose flinty heart Nor equity , nor justice ere had part : Assure thy selfe thy guilty soule shall feele Revenges hand , arm'd with a scourge of steele . exeunt .

ACT. 3. SCEN. 1. Clematis Solo. WEll , if I were but once rid of her service , If I ever seru'd love-sicke mistris againe , I would feed all my life time on Agnus Castus , And give all the world leave to let me dye a maid : I even spoyld a good mother wit With beating my head about these knick knacks , Which my mistris , Madam Eglantine Hath enioyn'd me to procure her , For now seduc'd by the old bawd Poneria , She thinks to recover her old sweet-heart Rhodon . Here is a Catalogue as tedious as a Taylors bill ,

Of all the devices which I am commanded to provide , videlicet :

Chaines , coronets , pendans , bracelets and eare-rings , Pins , girdles , spangles , embroyderies , rings , Shadowes , rebatos , ribbands , ruffes , cuffes and fals : Scarfes , feathers , fans , maskes , muffes , laces and cals ; Thin tiffanies . cobweb-lawne and fardingals , Sweet-bals , vayles , wimples , glasses , crisping-pins ; Pots , oyntments , combs , with poking-sticks & bodkins ; Coyfes , gorgets , fringes , rowles , fillets and haire-laces ; Silks , damasks , velvet , tinsels , cloth of gold , And tissue , with colours of a hundreth fold . Enter Gladiolus But in her tyres so new fangl'd is she , That which doth with her humour now agree , To morrow she dislikes , now doth she sweare , That a loose body is the neatest weare ; But ere an houre be gone , she will protest A strait gowne graces her proportion best : Now cals she for a boistrous fardingall , Then to her hips she le have her garments fall : Now doth she praise a sleeve that 's long and wide , Yet by and by that fashion doth deride : Sometimes sh' applauds a pavement-sweeping traine , And presently dispraiseth it againe . Now she commends a shallow band so small , That it may seeme scarce any band at all ; But soone to a new fancy doth she reele , And cals for one as big as a coach-wheele : She 'le weare a flowry coronet to day , The symboll of her beauties sad decay , To morrow she a wauing plume will try , The embleme of all female lenitie , Now in her hat , then in her haire she 's drest , For of all fashions she thinks change the best . Gla. Good fellow seruant , honest Clematis , Let me conclude thy tedious tale with this ; I say the rest lesse sea and flitting winde , Are constant in respect of women kinde . Cle. Nor in her weeds alone is she so nice , But rich perfumes she buyes at any price . Storax and Spiknard she burnes in her Chamber , And daubes her selfe with Civit , Muske and Amber . With limbecks , viols , pots , her Closet's fill'd , Full of strange liquors by rare art distill'd : She hath Vermilion and Antimony , Cerusse and sublimated Mercury . Waters she hath to make her face to shine ; Confections eke to clarifie her skin ; Lipsalues , and cloathes of a pure scarlet dye She hath , which to her cheekes she doth apply : Oyntments wherewith she pargets ore her face , And lustrifies her beauties dying grace . She waters for the Morphewes doth compose , And many other things , as strange as those ; Some made of Daffadils , some of lees , Of scarwolfe some , and some of rinds of trees , With Centory , sower Grapes , and Tarragon , She maketh many a strange lotion : Her skin she can both supple and refine , With iuyce of Lemons and with Turpintine : The marrow of the Hernshaw and the Deere , She takes likewise to make her skin looke cleere : Sweet waters she distils , which she composes Of flowers of Oranges , Woodbine or Roses : The vertue of Iesmine and three-leav'd grasse , She doth imprison in a brittle glasse , With Civet , Muske , and odours farre more rare , These liquors sweet incorporated are : Lees she can make which turne a haire that 's old Or colour'd ill , into a hue of gold . Of horses , beares , cats , camels , conies , snakes , Whales , Herons , bittours , strange oyles she makes , With which dame natures errours she corrects , Vsing arts helpe to supply all defects . She in the milke of Asses bathes her skin , As did the beautifull Poppea , when She tempted Nero to forsake the bed Of great Octavia , and her selfe to wed . Gla. If there be any Gentlewoman here , That will with gracious acceptation use The service of a tatling Chambermaid , I would aduise her to make choice of this Frisketta , That is as chaste as Helen , or Corinthian Lais , As chary of bewraying secrets as was Echo : Oh she would prove a rare Privie Councellour In some great Ladies privie Chamber . The perpetuall motion for which Artists have so labor'd Is discover'd no where so plainly as in her tongue , Which scarce finds any leisure to rest , No not when she is asleepe : But of her curtesie she is so charitable , And so heroically magnificent , That she will both vouchsafe to commiserate The lowe estate of an humble groome of the stable , And also satisfie the desire Of a high and mighty Gentleman-usher In a kisse or any other amorous encounter : Gentlemen beleeue me in few , she is a pearle , Whose worth the age cannot value . If there be any Gentleman here That will bestow a small pension upon her , With a kisse or two once a fortnight , To make her his intelligencer of state In his wives common-wealth ; I will undertake he shall be able to make good A faction against his wife , Had she an Amazons stomacke , a Zenobia's , Or a Xanthippes tongue . Cl. Out you pratling Parachito , Come you hither to abuse me . She strikes him . Take this for your paines . Gla. Now thank thy stars , that with a female signature Did stampe thy sexe , audacious strumpet , Shall I draw ? no , now I thinke on t I will not ; For reason and experience shewes , that no man Ere gain'd repute by drawing gainst a woman . Dl. Stripling , dost thinke I feare a naked blade ; I le meete thee where thou dar'st , and whip thee too For thy unruly tongue , thy sawcinesse . Gla. Well minion , remember this , If I doe not cry you quit for this abuse , Then let me nere be trusted : Your Mistris shall know how you have us'd me , So she shall . Cl. Skippiake tell what you can , I weigh't not this , I le make you know that you have done amisse . exeunt .

ACT. 3 : SCEN. 2. Poneria , Eglantine . Po. FOrget you not the powder for your breath , Eg. I tooke a dram of it this morning , According to your appointment . Po. Your pallid cheeke requires , in mine opinion , A deeper tincture of vermilion . Eg. And I am of the same minde : But 't was my Maids fault . I thinke she goes about utterly to undoe me : She is as good a servant as ere was Married to the whipping . post . Po. I tell you true I would not for twenty crownes That Rhodon had seene you with this face . That Ceruse on your brow is extreamely dull , There is no lustre , no resplendency in it . S'light I have seene often times a stain'd cloath Over a smoakie chimney in an Alehouse Present me with a better face . Eg. Nay , I could not for my heart perswade The wicked pertinacious harlot , To lay more colour on then pleased her fancy ; Bat if I live I will cashiere the queane . Po. If you doe not , you are no friend to your selfe . Eg. How lik'st thou the colour of my haire . Po. Oh that is exceedingly well dyde . Eg. Me thinks the hue is not high enough . Po. Nay , pardon me Madam : t is passing well . The browne hue is the most incomparable colour For a haire of all other . Those golden wires that on faire Hero's sholders dangle And those faire flaxen threds that made Ioue Dote upon faire Nonacrine , May not be compar'd with the lovely browne . Eg. Discreet Poneria , thy wise approbation Doth give my fancy ample satisfaction . But heare me Poneria , will you undertake That I shall meet with the Shepheard Rhodon , As you oft have promis'd me . Po. Faire shepheardesse I will . Eg. But 't is a thing impossible I feare . Po. Why so good Eglantine ? Eg. Because I heare he deeply is ingag'd To Iris , that proud Damsell of Hymettus . Po. I grant he is : and since things are thus , I will so act my part , that his new love Shall be the meanes to renue that good will That hath bin heretofore twixt him and you . Eg Nor Circes drugs , nor all Vlysses wits , I tell thee Beldame , can accomplish this . Po. Good daughter undervalue not my skill , For 't is contriv'd how it shall be effected , And to satisfie thy curiosity , I will declare how I have laid the plot . Eg. I prethe blesse my eares with this relation . Po. I will a message beare in Iris name , Vnto the Shepheard Rhodon , which shall shew , That she desires an am'rous interview With him , in such a privacy That day must not be guilty of it : A solitary glade shall be the place , Where you protected by the veile of conscious night , Instead of Iris shall present your selfe Vnto the Shepheard Rhodon , Whom you shall entertaine with sweet discourse , And so comport your selfe , that he shall thinke , You are his dearest Iris . But to assure him yours , I have provided A precious Philter of rare efficacy , Compos'd according to the rudiments of art . This shall you cause him to carouse As water of inestimable worth . Which done , he is your owne ; And Iris then shall be forgotten cleane , As one whom he had nere scarce knowne or seene . Eg. T is bravely plotted sweet Poneria : But what houre wilt thou allot for this designe . Po. Provide your selfe to meet him in the mirtle grove Vpon eleven at night . Eg. Very good . Po. Now I le to Rhodon goe , and him invite , To meet you at the appointed place this night . Eg. Now most auspicious be thy stars and mine , Let all good lucke attend our great designe . exeunt .

ACT. 2. SCEN. 3. Martagon , Cynosbatus . Cy. BUt is the angry swaine ( sai'st thou ) so hot , Is Rhodon growne so zealous in his sisters cause ? Ma. If that his actions with his words agree , I must expect a sodaine storme . Cy. I am resolu'd to take part in thy fortunes , Be they the worst that ere to any fell . Ma. Thanks noble friend , then here le ts ioyne our hand In signe of most unseparable bands . Cy. But there 's Acanthus a iolly swaine , He frets ( they say ) like a furious Mirmidon . Ma. In braving language he exceeded so , That Martagon nere saw so bold a foe , Surcharg'd with swelling passion , he did vowe To take a full revenge on me and you . Cy. And is the youth so fill'd with valrous heate ? Who would have thought the frozen mountaines could Have bred so brave a hot-spurre . Ma. These raging Lyons must , Cynosbatus , Be undermin'd by some egregious sleight ; We must pitch some strong toile for these fierce Beasts , Where we may take them captive at our pleasure : For if we should assaile them openly , Much perill then we might incurre thereby . Cy. What thy high iudgement shall conclude to doe , I am resolv'd to condiscend unto . Ma. Then heare what I propound . Cynosbatus , Within a place nigh hand , resides A Beldam much renown'd for sacred skill In magicke mysteries . She with her awfull Charmes wonts to call forth All sorts of noysome Creatures that are bred In Sandy Lybia , or cold Scythia , From whom she takes her choyce of poyson strong . The Herbs which grow on precipitious Erix , She with her bloudy Sicle crops : And whatsoever poysonous weed springs on The craggy top of snowy Caucasus , That 's sprinkled with the bloud of wise Prometheus , She carefully selects ; Those venomes which the warlike Medians , and The nimble Parthians , or Arabians rich , Vse to annoynt their deadly shafts withall . She doth by Moone-light gather ; Each Herbe that in this fertle vernall season Puts forth its head from Opses pregnant bosome She searches for ; whether the same be bred In the cold Forrest of Hercynea , Or in the deserts of parch'd Africae , What flower soe're doth in his seed or root Strange causes of great mischiefe nourish , She never faileth to finde out : Whether the same on bankes of Tigris growes , Or on the sun-burnt brinke of warme Hydaspes , Whose golden channels pau'd with precious stones ; Some of these herbes she doth by twilight gather , At midnight some , and some at breake of day . Nor is she ignorant how to apply The panting heart of the dull melancholy Owle , Or the breathing entrailes cut from a living Cat . The proudest Swaine that lives in Thessaly Is glad to be obsequious to her will ; For in her power it is to cure or kill . Vnto this reverent Sybill let us goe , And her advice request in this designe ; By her instructions let us our actions regulate , Providing for our owne security : She can divine of all events , and tell Whether things shall succeed or ill or well . Cy. What thy sound judgement thinks fit to be done , I condescend to , noble Martagon .

ACT. 3. SCEN. 4. Rhodon , Anthophotus , Acanthus . Rho. SInce that the proud usurper Martagon Will not restore what he hath tane away By force and injury from Violetta , We are resolu'd to put on lawfull armes , To swage the pride of that great Termagant ; That of his prowesse doth so vainly vaunt . Therefore deere friends addresse your selves to shew Your true and faithfull fortitudes , for know An ignominious peace may not compare , With any iust and honourable warre . An. Out upon this Fabian valour , These tedious cunctations : I tell thee Rhodon , I must needs chide thee for our losse of time , My troopes are all in perfect readinesse , And long to meet their foes in open field ; If we deliberate a day longer The edge of their valour ( I feare ) will be quite taken off . Rho. Now fie upon that valour which depends On circumstance of time or place , T is relative vertue , that like glasse is brittle , Whose force soone dyes and perfects very little , Ac. Now recollect thy spirits Rhodon , Let Spartan resolution spread it selfe Into each angle of thy noble heart . For now our hostile forces are assembled , Covering the fields from Ossa to Olympus . Their painted banners with the windes are playing : Their pamper'd coursers thunder on the plaines : The splendor of their glistring armes repels The bashfull sun-beames backe unto the clouds . Their bellowing drums and trumpets shrill , Doe many sad corrantos sound , Which danger grim and sprawling death must dance . Now therefore Rhodon , doe reflect thy eye Upon the glories of thy ancestours , And strive by emulation to transcend Those trophies which were yet nere paralleld . An. Surcease this needlesse talke , let us to action , The losse of time consisteth in protraction . Rho. Your noble courages , endeared friends , A good event to our designes portends . exeunt .

ACT. 3. SCEN. 5. Martagon , Cynosbatus . Ma. WIthin the precincts of this grove Poneria dwels , Here nightly she hath coventicles With her wise spirits ; see how the trees are carv'd With Magicall mysterious characters , See how the fiery fiends with their frequent resort have Scorch'd the leaves , and chang'd the Merry livery of the spring into a mournfull hue . Behold the grasse dyde with the swarthy gore Of some great sacrifice , that late was offer'd up To the infernall powers . Cy. The blacke aspect of this strange uncouth place Doth make my heart to quake . Ma. Within a vault hewne from the stony bowels , Of you high precipicious rocke she dwels . Cheere up ( Cynosbatus ) and come away , Let 's to her Cell , and I le shew thee the way .

ACT. 4 : SCEN. 1. Iris , Panace , Violetta . Ir. CVrst was the wight that did in murther first Embrue his guilty hands : curst was that hand Which first was taught by damned hellish art To forge the killing blade in Vulcans flames : What raging fury raignes in mortall brests , That man should man pursue with deadly hate ; Oh what maglignant power hath defac'd , That specious image of the gods above ? Who hath inspir'd man with that bestiall quality Of murderous revenge ? The Lybian Lyons seldome are at oddes , The Tygers of Hyrcania doe agree , But man to man 's become a very divell : That Thracian god which is delighted most With humane sacrifices , is now ador'd ; Blood-thirsty Mars now beares the onely sway , Who direfull devastations doth affect , Peace hath forsooke the earth , and fell debate Shaking his batter'd armes , now stalketh every where . I hop'd for nuptials sweet , of late , but now I may have cause to feare a funerall . Hymen affrighted with the confus'd noyse Of brutish warre , is fled I know not whither . My dearest Rhodon must depart from me , And in the field ingage his tender Corps To all extremities of death , of wounds , of danger , Of sicknesse and unrest : Vi. Strike not the ayre with this vaine language , Iris , Wound not thy soule with these unseemely plaints , But be content to wait the will of Iove , Who will crowne our designes with blest successe . For in a cause that 's honest , iust , and right , The gods themselves will take up armes and fight . Ir. Then oh ye powers , that are the grand protectors Of Hyblas happinesse and welfare ; Whether ye doe delight in our flower-crown'd mountaines , Our od'rous vales , or in our Christall fountains , Your gracious favour I implore , besceching you To gard the person of my dearest Rhodon ; Fond woman , how forgetfull have I bin ? Here is a gemme whose price doth farre transcend All estimation : my faithfull Panace Deliver't thou unto my gentle Shepheard , And pray him weare it for my sake . Pa. Madam , I will . Ir. It from the bowels of a Cocke was tane , And whoso weares the same ( as wise men say ) Shall ever be victorious in warre . Vio. Commend me to my brother , gentle nymph , And beare this token of my love to him : It is the precious herbe call'd Latice , Which whosoever weares shall never want Sufficient sustenance both for himselfe and his ; Besides , it frustrates quite the divellish force Of strongest poysons or enchantments . exit Pan. Now Iris , let us haste to Floras fane , With our devotions let 's importune her , These horrid sturs and troublous broiles to cease , That we againe may live in happy peace . exeunt .

ACT. 4. SCEN. 2. Martagon , Cynosbatus , Poneria . Ma. DIvinest Matron ; god-inspired Sybill Doe this , and be what thou canst desire . Po. Doubt not great Martagon but I will effect it . Ma. Now deere Cynosbatus let us prepare To resist th' impression of our foes : Since that our powerfull forces ready stand , To be obedient to our great command . Cy. With thee I am resolu'd to spend my breath , Indifferent in the choice of life or death . exeunt Ma. Cy. Po. Agnostus come forth : blacke cloud of ignorance , Advance thy leaden pate , dull Camell . Ag. I cannot brooke this thin and piercing ayre . Po. Thou sonne of sleepe ; that hat'st the lightsome day , Clap on thy spectacles of iudgement , and behold How I have plaid my part . Thou flow'st with gall ( Agnostus ) I confesse , But thou hast a braine intolerably dry , As empty of wit , as the world is of conscience . Ag. What hast pluck'd up the flowers by the roots , Or is all Thessaly in a combustion ? Po. Surcharg'd with deepe despite and viprous hate , Their forces they against each other bend . Ag. Then I hope their painted pride shal quickly be abated . Po. But I have a plot , old plumbeous dotard , To crop the proudest flower that growes In Hybla or Hymettus . Ag. Poneria , I adore thy art and wisedome . Po. This glasse containes a rare confection : T is vipers bloud mix'd with the juyce of Aconite : This is the Philter , the sweet love-potion Which Eglnatine poore love-sick foole , Must commend to the Shepheard Rhodon , Who this night by my appointment , Is to meet her in the mirtle grove , under the Name of Iris : now I le to Eglantine , And blesse her longing eares with these glad tidings . Ag. Oh great profound Poneria : never yet Was any that could parallell thy wit . exeunt .

ACT. 4. SCEN. 3. Rhodon , Acanthus . Rho. WHat houre of night is 't friend Acanthus ? Ac. Th' eleventh at least : for see Orion hath Advanced very high his starry locks in our horizon . Rho Me thinks the stars looke very ruddy , As if they did portend tempestuous weather . Ac. They doe but blush to see what crimes are acted By mortall under covert of the night . Rho. Saw'st thou yon star that Northward fell . Ac. I saw the blazing meteor stoupe , And bend his course toward the humble Center . Rho. This seem'd a glorious , and resplendent star , Yet was it but a grosse ill temperd meteor . This meteor seem'd as if it had bin fix'd In an orbe for a perpetuity , Yet in a moment is it fallen , thou seest , And who regards this foolish and ignoble fire , Or lookes upon the place from whence it fell . Ac. He that by honourable meanes is rais'd , And hath his seat establish'd on the square Of never sliding vertue , cannot fall . Rho. But if young Phaeton shall undertake To guide the Charret of the great Apollo , And in that action shall miscarry , so That the whole universe shall be ingag'd To utter ruine and destruction , Then ought great Iove to have a speciall care For to preserve and keepe the common good . And if he shall dismount the Chariotter , And with a deadly blow lay him along , The world then for his iustice shall thanke Iove , And Phaetons foole-hardinesse reprove . Ac. Who dares contest with Iove , or question what His Soveraigne highnesse shall doe or determine . Enter Egl. Poneria . Rh. T is altogether wicked & uniust : ( Acanthus ) retire . For now me thinkes I see a glimpse of Iris , Who promised to meet me here this night . Exit Ac. Loe how the lustre of her beauty penetrates The en envyous clouds of these nocturnall shades . Po. See yonder the beguiled lover walkes In vaine , expecting the comming of his deare Iris , Now , Eglantine remember my instructions , Have a care that your tongue betray you not . Be not too talkative in any case . Forget not the posture I so oft told you of , Vnder pretence that these cold nightly dewes are Offensive , you may knit your veile more close , And conceale your feature . Eg. Poneria , retire : I will addresse my selfe unto him . Po. But be sure you perswade him to take the Potion before he sleepes ; You 'll remember those vertues which I told you it containes . Forget not to declare them amply . Eg. Make no doubt on 't : thou hast arm'd me For all assaies . Exit Pon , Rho. Thou brightest star that shin'st this night , Auspitious be thy influence to thy Rhodon . My dearest Iris , I am surcharg'd with ioy To meet thee here . Eg. ( Deare Rhodon ) who , like the vernall Sunne , Dost lend refreshing heats to my affections . Tak 't not amisse , that I have chose this houre And unfrequented place t' enioy thy company . Pho. Sweet Iris know that I esteeme this houre of night , Since I enioy thy sweet society , 'Bove all the dayes that I e're hitherto beheld . Eg. But from a maidens modesty ( faire Sir ) It may seeme much to derogate , To be abroad so late at night . Rho. Since no immodest act is here intended , The time cannot be preiudiciall To thy unstained modesty . Eg. Great pitty t is indeed , Sir , that true love Should be disparag'd , because 't is so true . Rho. I tell thee , I till now was never happy : All those delights which I ere saw before , Were but meere transitory dreames , Compar'd with that felicity which now I finde . Eg. The sodaine newes of this late kindled warre , Wherein I heare ( to my great griefe ) you are ingag'd , Made me transgresse the bounds of modesty so farre , That I desir'd once more to see your face , Ere your departure to the field of danger . Rho. Since my good fortune and thy constant love Have ioy'd me once againe with thy sweet presence , I blesse my lot , and to the field will hasten , As ready to out-face danger , as scorne death ; And if I there finde fortunate successe , Of all my good I le count thee patronesse . Eg. And here on you I doe bestow this viall , Which such a precious dosis doth containe , That it doth farre exceed the height of value . It is a potion made by wondrous art , Nectar is no more comparable to it , Then Bonniclabar is to Husquobath ; And Aurum potabile is as far short of it , As poore Metheglin is of rich Canary : All the confections even from the lowest degree Of Sage-ale , to the height of Aqua-Celestis , Are no more like it then the beere of the Low-countries Is to the High-country wine : A dram of it taken before you goe to bed Cheeres the heart , prevents the Incubus And all frightfull dreames ; cheeres the blood , Comforts the stomacke , dispels all collickes , Cures all aches , repayres the liver , helpes The lungs , rectifies the braine , quencheth All the senses , strengthens the memory , refresheth The spirits . Taken fasting it breaks the stone in bladder Or kidnyes , cures the gout , expels a quartane ague : Outwardly apply'd it kils the gangrene , And destroyes the wolfe , heales all sorts of wounds , Bruses , boyles , and sores . And not to use more multiplicity of words , I tell you gentle Rhodon you shall finde , It cures all griefes of body and of minde . Rho. ( Faire one ) verball expression cannot shew What I to thee for this great gift doe owe : But till for all I full requitall make , My constant love thou for a pledge shalt take . Eg. But ( gentle Sir ) although your constitution So well attemper'd seemes , that no disease Can either hurt or over-throw your health , Yet if my counsell might prevaile with you , I should perswade you to make tryall of this Rare water this night before you sleepe . Rho. Since thou vouchsaf'st to be my kinde Physician , For this time I will act a patients part , And ere that sleepe shall with his leaden keyes Locke up the portals of my drowsie eyes , I le taste of this most precious liquor : But lest the gealed moisture of the night Should preiudice thy health , ( sweet Iris ) Let me conduct thee homeward . Eg. Since these nocturnall distillations May be offensive to your health ( sweet Rhodon ) I will be well contented to be gone , Though wondrous loth from you to part so soone . Rho. But in my absence be assur'd of this , That Rhodons heart in thy possession is . Exeunt .

ACT. 4 : SCEN. 4. Panace Sola . VPon this shady banke with laurels crown'd , The gentle Shepheard Rhodon dwels : His Cottage seated is upon a Cristall River , The sweetest streame that e're in valley crept . Two pretious presents I to him must beare : The one from his true love , the beaut'ous Iris , And that 's a gemme of admirable vertue ; The bounty of the Easterne mines could ne're bestow A Iewell of such worth as this , Which from the entrailes of a Cocke was ripp'd ; For whosoever shall possesse the same , Shall be invincible in fight . But his deare Sister , lovely Violetta , Commends to him this admirable plant , The noblest herbe that e're in garden grew . For , setting many pretious properties aside , It is the best and strongest antidote That Art or Nature ever made . No deadly poyson can withstand its power , But is expulst by it with great facility . These noble gifts beseeming well Both the receivers and the givers qualities , I will deliver to the honour'd Swaine . exit .

ACT. 4. SCEN. 5. Martagon , Cynosbatus , Poneria , Ma. SAge Dame , how fares thy grand designe ? Dost thinke thy plot will take ? Po. Nay , if you doubt it , I wish it nere might take . Have I made hell a partie in the action , And laid such snares , that more then humane force Cannot withstand my well knit stratagem ; Yet will you still torment me with these doubts ? Ma. Nay gentle mother , be not so impatient . Po. You tempt my patience , while you thus mistrust My skill and my ability . Cy. We doe adore thy matchlesse skill and wisdome , Thou grace and wonder of thy sexe . Po. Me thinkes I see the merry Post at hand , That brings us joyfull newes of Rhodons death : And not behinde him much me thinkes I see Another Post , who comes with better newes , That Rhodons army is discourag'd and discarded , Yea quite disbanded and disperst . Ma. Oh happy newes ( divine Poneria ) Po. Yet ye account me a meere silly Dame , Yea as silly as some simple simpering Citizen . That hath but manners enough to take The upper end of a Table at a feast , And to carve a Capons legge to a Coxcombe . Ma. The en Sybils were no more comparable to thee , Than an old Gentlewoman is to a yong Chambermaid . Sweet Poneria , I am even in love with thee : Yea , I durst almost sweare I should kisse thee , If thou had'st but three rotten teeth in thy head . Po. Well , my Masters , I hope you 'll thanke me When you heare that I have made proud Rhodon A Legier Embassadour in Don Pluto's Court . Ma. Thy thankes , Poneria , shall be duly paid In eye bewitching talents ; Wee 'll rip the matrice of our grandam earth To see the place where riches are conceiv'd ; And from her pregnant wombe we 'll draw A golden age for thee to live in ( Deare Poneria ) Po. Who would leave any villany undone , Exit Pone . To be thy slave , most noble Martagon . Cy. Now Martagon let us goe put on armes , And toward Hybla march in strong aray . Let us deface the glory of their flowers , If Rhodon be but dead , the day is ours .

ACT. 5. SCEN. 1. Acanthus . Anthophotus . An. THou speak'st of things beyond beleefe , Acanthus , Ac. Too true it is , I shrewdly feare , For every circumstance makes it appeare That Rhodon in the mirtle grove , last night , Had private conference with Iris , From whom ( it seemes ) he tooke the venom'd potion , For now he doth , in his extremest fits , Exclaime on the untruth of woman kind , Bewailing the unlucky houre that did present Your sister Iris to his sight . Enter Pan. Pa. Anthophotus and Acanthus , y' are well met . Ac. Nay , never worse , thou wouldst say , gentle Panace , If thou knew'st all . Pa. What dire disastre hath befalne you , honor'd friends ? How fares the noble Shepheard Rhodon ? Ac. Rhodon's mishap 's the cause of all our sorrow : Rhodon's betray'd , poyson'd , and lies at point of death . Pa. Curs'd be the hand that did attempt A villany so impious and foule . But if you love your selves , and Rhodons health , Conduct me to him immediately : I have an antidote that shall cure him , If any breath be left within his bulke . An. Oh happy comfort ! come sweet Panace , To our sicke friend , we 'll thy Conductors be . exeunt .

ACT. 5. SCEN. 2. Martagon , Cynosbatus . Cy. A happy morne be this to thee ( friend Martagon , ) Ma. Nay , 't is the happiest morn . that e'r we two beheld Rhodon is dead ; And is by this time , serv'd up in a wooden dish , To feast the wormes upon an earthen table ; The purple bosom'd rose whose glorious pride Disdain'd the beauties of all other flowers , is cropt , Yea the ambitious bramble is quite wither'd , And now is laid in the contemned dust : Ponerias wit hath done this noble act . Cy. This is good newes , I must confesse , yet could I wish That noble Rhodon had not so ignobly dy'd . Ma. Thou art too ceremonious for a politician , And too superstitious : our duties 't is to iudge Of the effect as it concernes the state of our affaires , And not to looke backe on the meanes by which 't was wrought . He is unfit to rule a Civill state That knowes not how in some respects to favour Murther , or treason , or any other sinne , Which that subtill animall , call'd man , Doth openly protest against , for this end , That he may more freely act it in private , As his occasions shall invite him to 't . But 't is no disputing now ; the deed is done , We are in a faire way to victory , Conquest , triumph , and renowne ; We have a faire bginning , and what 's well begun , ( If that the proverbe speakes truth ) is halfe done . exunt .

ACT. 5. SCEN. 3. Poneria . Agnostus . Po. NOw Agnostus , since by the death of Rhodon We have endear'd our selves to Martagon , 'T is meet we provide for a backe winter , That we purchase some eminence of place , To make us glorious in the worlds ill-sighted eye , That being great we may the greater mischiefe doe : And since a warre is newly set abroach , I will a suter be to Generall Martagon ; To place thee in some military office Of high regard and speciall consequence , Where by thy ignorant conduct and base carriage , Thou mai'st a thousand heroicke soules send packing Vnto the Stygian shore . Ag.

Nay good Poneria , I finde my selfe unfitting for the warres .

Po. What neither hart nor braines ; out inglorious lozel , Thou most unweldy burthen of the earth : I could finde in my heart to kicke thy soule out Of thy carkasse : art all compos'd of earth and water ? Hast not a sparke of ayre or fire in that bulke ? Ag. Nay sweet Poneria , I am thy slave . Po. I tell thee I will procure thee a Captaines place . Ag.

But I am altogether ignorant in the words of command ,

And know not one posture neither of Musket or Pike . Po. Hast wit enough to swallow the dead payes , And to patch up thy Company in a Mustring day : Hast valour enough to weare a Buffe-jerken With three gold laces . Hast strength enough to support a Dutch felt With a flaunting Feather ? Can thy side endure to be wedded to a Rapire

Hatch'd with gold , with hilt and hangers of the new fashion ?

Canst drinke , drab , and dice : Canst damne thy selfe into debt among Beleeving Tradesmen ; Hast manners enough to giue thy Lievetenant , Antient or Sergeant leave to goe before thee Vpon any peece of danger ? Hast wit enough , in thy anger , not to draw a sword ? These are the chiefe properties that pertaine To our moderne Captaines ; and if thou Could'st but be taught these military rudiments , I doubt not but thou mightst prove a very Excellent new souldier . Ag. If this be all , I hope , in time , to be as famous As e're was Caesar , or great Pompey . Po. Agnostus , come along , thy selfe prepare To be a servant to the god of warre . exeunt .

ACT. 5. SCEN. 4. Rhodon . Acanthus . Anthophotus . Panace . Rho. THis strange imposture hath amaz'd me so , That I am almost to a statue strucke , Not knowing what to speake , or what to thinke . Pa. Assure your selfe it was a strange Collusion : For this , on my fidelity , beleeve , That 't was not Iris whom you met last night . Rho. Then 't was some hellish hag , that , in her shape , Gave me the venemous confection Which had undone me quite , if thou in time Had'st not apply'd thy precious antidote . But yet , me thinkes , that heaven should not permit The subt'lest hellish power to counterfeit The feature of so beautifull an angell . Ac. Doubtlesse it was the false Ponerias plot , Whom Martagon hath lately entertaind , With her companion ; old Agnostus ; For , know the malice of your foes is such , That if by open force they can't destroy you , By hidden plots they 'll seeke your overthrow . Rho. Then I must pardon crave of gentle Iris , To whom I did ascribe this treacherous fact . An. If she were guilty of so blacke a deed , These hands should chaine her to a fatall stake , And sacrifice her Corps in hideous flames , Vnto the awfull goddesse of revenge ; ( Which done ) I 'de throw her hatefull ashes up Against the furious gusts of boistrous winds , That being so disperst , there might remaine Not the least relique of so vile a wretch . Rho. My Iris is as cleare as innocency it selfe ; And since my treacherous foes have gone about , By wicked slights , to wrong so sweet a saint , And bring me also to a shamefull end , I here enioyne ye ( honourable friends ) Vpon my sword to take a solemne oath , He drawes his sword , they lay their hands upon it , and kisse it . Ne're to lay downe your iust and lawfull armes , Vntill we be avenged to the full , For such unkindly and disloyall wrongs : True honour , that with dearest bloud is sought , Is like a precious gemme that 's cheaply bought . An. Ill is a life bestow'd upon that wight That dares not loose it to maintaine the right : Him I account a base inglorious sot , That dares not honor pull from dangers throat . exeunt :

ACT. 5. SCEN. 5. Martagon , Cynosbatus , Agnostus , Poneria . Ma. LAdy Poneria , upon your commendation , We bestow a regiment upon this Gentleman . Po. Thanks ( worthy Martagon ) beleeve it Sir , Those good respects which I to your affaires owe , Vrg'd me t' importune you for his employment , Because I know him to be a tri'd souldier , Of great experience , worth and merit : How say you , Colonell Agnostus , I hope your actions shall make good my words hereafter . Ag. I am at your service , Madam Poneria : I am a man of action , I confesse . Po. Trust me sir , although he wants verball expression , He is a Gentleman of singular abilities . Ma. And I thinke no lesse , for th' are not good words That makes deserving souldiers , but good swords . Cy. He lookes as if he had bin bred , borne , And brought up in a Leager all his life time . Enter Gladiolus . Gla. Noble Generall ; the beaut'ous Eglantine Wisheth all happinesse to your designes , Desiring that this paper may kisse your hands for her . He opens the Letter . Ma. T is about a place , I le pawne my life on 't : Heare me Mounsier , I understand the businesse : Her request is granted . She when she please , may at my hands command A greater curtesie then this . Gla. Thanks honor'd Sir . Ma. On you I bestow a Captaines place . Gla. Now I perceive that the readi'st way to attaine Preferment in the Court of Mars , Is to creepe into the favour of Venus . Ma. I understand you are a man of reall worth , And very sufficient for such an office . Enter Acanthus Ac. Imperious Martagon , that art no lesse Knowne for thy power , then thy wickednesse : In Rhodons name I doe defie thee here , Who chalengeth the Combat at thy hands , To be aveng'd on thee for thy foule wrongs : But if thou dar'st not in a single fight , Give satisfaction to the noble Shepheard ; Then thee and all thy troopes he doth invite , To a bloudy breakfast to morrow morne . Attended by a vigorous army he Stands in the confines of his owne dominions , Swearing that he will prove it in the field , That thou a tyrant and a traitour art . Ma. Bold friend , I prethe speake ingeniously , Doth this defiance come from Rhodons mouth . Ac. Vpon my life , & by the honor of a souldier it doth . Ma. Then tell him , I 'me resolu'd to be a guest , More bold then welcome at his bloudy feast . Ac. I will great Martagon ; and misdoubt not , But that your cheere shall be exceeding hot . Exit Aca. Ma. Dissembling witch : how hast thou beguil'd us ? Po. What aduerse power hath crost our plot ? Ma. Did'st not thou with thy deep protestations force us To give strong credence to thy false relations , When thou affirm'dst that thou hadst poyson'd Rhodon . Po. The opposition of the cursed fates Hath brought us to deseru'd confusion . Ma. Avant you hagge , abhominable sorceresse , Here I doe thee on paine of death enioyne , With that Impostor thy companion , Immediately to depart out of my Dominions . Po. Now I accursed wretch have seene too well , That heaven will not be overrul'd by hell . Ag. How sodainly by one contrarious gust , Is all our honour tumbled into dust . Ma. Since that our brauing foe is now at hand , ( Cynosbatus ) we must not thinke of a retreat . Cy. What your discretion holds fit to be done , I condiscend to noble Martagon . Ma. Then let us meet our proud foe face to face , And with our swords and speares that right maintaine , Which lately we by sword and speare did gaine . exeunt .

ACT. 5. SCEN. 6. Rhodon , Anthophotus , Acanthus . Rho. DEserving friends and fellow souldiers , Now arme your selves with Romane fortitude : First call to minde the iustice of our cause , And then let each remember that true honour , Which must be valu'd above health and life : Consider also that we must contend , Against a tyrant and a meere usurper ; A person guilty of no meane offences , Which must be iustly punish'd by our swords . Enter Poneria , Agnostus . Po. Thrice noble Rhodon , in whose noble brest True pitty dwels , vouchsafe a pardon To us distressed Caitives . Rho. I neither know what your offences are , nor yet yourselues . Po. I am the unfortunate Poneria , That was suborn'd by uniust Martagon To worke thy utter ruine : I did conduct the love-sicke Eglantine Vnto thy presence instead of Iris : I caus'd her to give thee a poysonous drinke , Vnder the pretence that it was a love-potion . I have deserv'd to dye , and crave life at your hands . Rho. And are you the grand incendiary That have so many mischiefes wrought in Thessaly ? Now I remember I have seen your elvish countenance , Nor have I altogether forgot your reverent mate , Who with his personated gravity deludes the world , Being accounted a man of profound art . Acanthus , see them committed to safe custody , See you make them sure for starting . exeunt Po. Ag. Ac. Po. Nay worthy sir . Ac. Yov must away , for no entreaties can prevaile . Rho. The apprehension of these wretches doth presage Auspicious fortunes to our actions ; Drum beats a march within List , list , Anthophotus , our enemies are at hand , Their thundring drums warne us of their approach . Wee 'le bid them nobly welcome then : this day will I Victorious be ( I vow ) or bravely dye . Rho. Thy honour'd resolution I commend , And take it for a signe of good successe . Enter Acan . Ac. Arme , arme : the hostile forces are in sight , And thus come marching on in proud array : The battaile 's led by Martagon himselfe , Wherein are marshal'd neere five thousand Bill men , All clad in coats of red : A furious Amazon cald Tulipa , Brings on three thousand burley Swissers , Arai'd in gorgeous Coats of red and yellow ; And these make up the vanne : To which are added for a forlorne hope , Two hundred melancholy Gentlemen . The fierce Cynosbatus brings up the Rere , Wherein about two thousand souldiers be Clad all in greene , and arm'd with pikes of steele . Narcissus with a thousand Daffadils , Clad in deepe yellow coats doth flanke The right side of the battaile . The left wing is by Hyacinthus led , Wherein a thousand Souldiers march , Arraid in purple coats . Enter Martagon , Rhodon . Ma. What fury tempted thee unhappy Rhodon , In hostile manner thus to invade my confines . Rho. For Violettas sake I tooke up armes , Whom thou uniustly hast opprest . Musicke sound , Ma. What I have done my sword shall justifie . Rho. Whence comes this most harmonious melody . Enter Flora , Iris , Eglantine , Panace . Flo.

Put up those murdring blades on paine of my displeasure ,

Confine them to perpetuall prison in the scabbard , That they may nere come forth to manage civill broiles . All . We must obey , and will , Oh awfull goddesse . Flo. While in my flowry bowers I tooke repose , I heard the noyse of these tumultuous broiles , Which strooke me with a wonderfull amazement . Then hastily I left my bankes of pleasure , And hither came to end these mortall iarres ; Therefore I charge you both on that allegance And respect which you doe owe to me , Quite to dismisse your armed bands . And you Martagon , who have faire Violetta wrong'd , To her shall make an ample restitution , Of what y' have tane from her ; And entertaine a friendly league with Rhodon , Which you Cynosbatus must also condescend to : But as for you fond Madam Eglantine , Since you have broke the sacred lawes of love , And by unlawfull meanes sought to accomplish Your designes , and make the Shepheard Rhodon Enamor'd on you : You to a vestall Temple shall be confin'd , Where with ten yeeres pennance You shall expiate your folly . But where be those two intruders Poneria and Agnostus . These that have crept in among us , and with false slights Sought to ore-throw our state . Poneria and Agnostus brought . We banish them quite Out of Thessaly for ever . What I have decreed you must assent unto . Ma. We doe , because we must . Flo. Rhodon , I here bestow on thee this noble shepherdesse . Rho. Thanks for your precious gift , renowned Queen . Flo. And now since all things are reduc'd to ioyfull peace , Let us betake our selves to sweet delights , And solemnize with mirth your nuptiall rites .

Epilogue . SInce Ignorance and Envie now are banish'd ; Since discord from among the flowers is vanish'd ; Since Rhodon is espous'd to Iris bright ; Since warre hath happy Thessaly left quite , Let every one that loves his Countries peace , His height of gladnesse with his hands expresse . FINIS .

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c3any-002-b-1280 agracious Bayes , nor Cedar , But the mild censure of a gracious Reader . This to the proudest Criticke c3any-003-a-0550 Irepose your worth a protection for my weaknesse , I repose my selfe in an assured hope of your c3any-003-b-0190 sepake _TO you I am to speake of the fairest of Vegetals , Flowers , the c3any-003-b-2210 ●xtant beauties , to those large volumes that are now extant , wherein their natures are amply and exactly c3any-005-a-3480 centroversie private persons , I am content to referre this controversie to the arbitrement of any that is ingenious c3any-006-a-0510 but'cause found no cause to disrespect Thy worth , but 'cause it past their intellect : My barren c3any-006-a-1690 sarre In unknowne waters lest I wade too farre , Let thy bright rising sunne eclipse my c3any-006-b-0320 height'bove for mortals once to dare to scanne , Thy height 'bove man . This speakes thy fellowship c3any-006-b-0550 thylines puts oddes , But lifes eternitie : tush , thy lines shall be , A saintlike canon of thy c3any-008-b-0520 tolight What , hath Hesperus forgot to light heavens tapers up ? c3any-009-b-2080 fea thy sighes , Which made thy brest a fiery sea of dolour : Witnesse those palled cheekes c3any-009-b-2120 Witn esse Which made thy brest a fiery sea of dolour : Witnesse those palled cheekes , whose glorious hue c3any-011-a-2030 avenc'd arm'd with fire and arrowes keene , To be aveng'd on those that shall him spleene . c3any-011-a-2560 shalturn Bawd , and Iupiter a Pander ; When Venus shal turn Chast , and Bacchus become sober , c3any-015-a-0110 thou●● From no ill grounds this rumor sprang , though The Fates did crosse what was by us intended c3any-016-a-1190 frrm succour humbly doe request , To set me free from servile woe . Our flowers he hath trampled c3any-018-b-0600 ▪ politicall gowne ; I had as cleane forgot it , As the time since I lost my mayden ▪ head c3any-018-b-0680 mayden ▪ head cleane forgot it ▪ As the time since I lost my mayden-head . Here 'tis : dispatch . and put c3any-019-a-1090 ccrtaine delay to act our purposes : For late , a certaine rumor , through my eare , Did strike me c3any-020-b-2820 vouchsas'd truth ; he is the man Whom onely Nature hath vouchsaf'd to make Her privy Counsellour . Those abstruse c3any-022-a-0520 Heis Elixar , the Philosophers precious stone . He is the man who by strange policies Can breake c3any-022-b-2440 ●oads Chamelions lungs , A blacke Buls eyes , a speckled toads dry'd head , Frankincense , camphire , and c3any-024-b-0740 copweb-lawne muffes , laces and cals ; Thin tiffanies . cobweb-lawne and fardingals , Sweet-bals , vayles , wimples c3any-027-a-0160 dangl● golden wires that on faire Hero's sholders dangle And those faire flaxen threds that made c3any-029-b-0720 grimand Doe many sad corrantos sound , Which danger grim and sprawling death must dance . Now therefore c3any-031-a-1880 ▪ cloud of ignorance , Advance thy leaden pate , dull Camell . c3any-031-b-1060 confectign This glasse containes a rare confection : Tis vipers bloud mix'd with the juyce c3any-032-b-0110 vyous the lustre of her beauty penetrates The en envyous clouds of these nocturnall shades . c3any-032-b-2250 unfreqrented amisse , that I have chose this houre And unfrequented place t'enioy thy company . c3any-036-b-1160 Iozel neither hart nor braines ; out inglorious lozel , Thou most unweldy burthen of the earth c3any-039-b-0670 offencesare I neither know what your offences are , nor yet yourselues . c3any-039-b-2490 amarch Drum beats a march within c3any-040-b-0870 ●llegance iarres ; Therefore I charge you both on that allegance And respect which you doe owe to me , Quite