Soliman and Perseda

THE Tragedie of Soliman and Perseda .

Actus primus . Enter Loue , Fortune , Death . Loue . WHat , Death and Fortune crosse the way of Loue ? For. Why , what is Loue , but Fortunes tenis-ball ? Death . Nay , what are you both , but subiects vnto Death ? And I commaund you to forbeare this place : For heere the mouth of sad Melpomene , Is wholy bent to tragedies discourse ; And what are Tragedies but acts of death ? Here meanes the wrathfull muse in seas of teares , And lowd laments to tell a dismall tale : A tale wherein she lately hath bestowed , The huskie humour of her bloudy quill , And now for tables takes her to her tung . Loue . Why thinkes Death , Loue knowes not the historie ? Of braue Erastus and his Rodian dame : T was I that made their harts consent to loue , And therefore come I now as fittest person , To serue for chorus to this Tragedie . Had not I beene , they had not dyed so soone . Death . Had I not beene , they had not dyed so soone . For. Nay then it seemes you both doo misse the marke , Did not I change long loue to sudden hate ? And then rechange their hatred into loue : And then from loue deliuer them to death ? Fortune is chorus . Loue and death be gone . Death . I tell thee Fortune , and thee wanton Loue , I will not downe to euerlasting night , Till I haue moralliz'd this Tragedy , Whose cheefest actor was my sable dart . Loue . Nor will I vp into the brightsome sphere , From whence I sprung , till in the chorus place , I make it knowne to you and to the world , What interest Loue hath in Tragedies . For. Nay then though Fortune haue delight in change , I le stay my flight , and cease to turne my wheele , Till I haue showne by demonstration , What intrest I haue in a Tragedie . Tush , Fortune can doo more then Loue or Death . Loue . Why stay we then , let s giue the Actors leaue . And as occasion serues , make our returne . Exeunt . Enter Erastus and Perseda . Erast. Why when Perseda wilt thou not assure me ? But shall I like a mastlesse ship at sea , Goe euery way and not the way I would : My loue hath lasted from mine infancie , And still increased as I grew my selfe , When did Perseda pastime in the streetes , But her Erastus ouer-eied her sporte : When didst thou with thy sampler in the Sunne , Sit sowing with thy feres , but I was by Marking thy lilly hands dexteritie : Comparing it to twenty gratious things . When didst thou sing a note that I could heare , But I haue framde a dittie to the tune , Figuring Perseda twenty kinde of waies . When didst thou goe to Church on hollidaies , But I haue waited on thee too and fro : Marking my times as Faulcons watch their flight . When I haue mist thee how haue I lamented , As if my thoughts had bene assured true . Thus in my youth , now since I grew a man , I haue perseuered to let thee know , The meaning of my true harts constancie : Then be not nice Perseda as women woont , To hasty louers whose fancy soone is fled : My loue is of a long continuance , And merites not a strangers recompence . Per. Enough Erastus thy Perseda knowes , She whom thou wouldst haue thine , Erastus knowes , Erast. Nay my Perseda knowes , and then t is well . Per. I watch you vauntages , thine be it then , I haue forgot the rest , but that s the effect : Which to effect , accept this carkanet , My Grandame on her death bed gaue it me , And there , euen there I vow'd vnto my selfe , To keepe the same vntill my wandring eye , Should finde a harbour for my hart to dwell . Euen in thy brest doo I elect my rest , Let in my hart to keepe thine company . Erast. And sweet Perseda accept this ring , To equall it , receiue my hart to boot , It is no boot , for that was thine before ? And far more welcome is this change to me . Then sunny daies to naked Sauages , Or newes of pardon to a wretch condemde , That waiteth for the fearefull stroke of death . As carefull will I be to keepe this chaine , As doth the mother keepe her children , From water pits , or falling in the fire . Ouer mine armour will I hang this chaine , And when long combat makes my body faint , The sight of this shall shew Persedas name , And ad fresh courage to my fainting limmes . This day the eger Turke of Tripolis , The Knight of Malta , honoued for his worth , And he that s titled by the golden spurre . The Moore vpon his hot barbarian horse , The fiery Spaniard bearing in his face , The empresse of a noble warriour . The sudden Frenchman , and the bigbound Dane , And English Arthers hardy men at armes , Eclipped Lyons of the westerne worlde : Eche one of these approued combatants , Assembled from seuerall corners of the world , Are hither come to try their force in armes , In honor of the Prince of Cipris nuptials . Amongst these worthies will Erastus troupe , Though like a Gnat amongst a hiue of Bees : Know me by this thy pretious carkanet , And if I thriue , in valour as the glasse That takes the Sun-beames burning with his force : I le be the glasse , and thou that heauenly Sun , From whence I le borrow what I do atchieue . And sweet Perseda vnnoted though I be , Thy beauty yet shall make me knowne ere night . Per. Yong slippes are neuer graft in windy daies , Yong schollers neuer entered with the rod , Ah my Erastus there are Europes Knights , That carry honour grauen in their helmes , And they must winne it deere that winne it thence . Let not my beauty prick thee to thy bane , Better sit still then rise and ouer-tane . Erast. Counsell me not , for my intent is sworne , And be my fortune as my loue deserues . Per. So be thy fortune as thy features serues . And then Erastus liues without compare . Enter a Messenger . Here comes a Messenger to haste me hence , I know your message , hath the Princesse sent for me ? Messen. She hath , and desires you to consort her to the triumphes . Enter Piston . Piston . Who saw my Master ? O sir , are you heere ? The Prince and all the outlandish Gentlemen , Are ready to goe to the triumphs , they stay for you . Erast. Goe sirra , bid my men bring my horse , and a dosen staves . Pist. You shall haue your horses and two dosen of staves . Exit Piston . Erast. Wish me good hap Perseda and I le winne Such glory , as no time shall ere race out , Or end the period of my youth in blood . Per. Such fortune as the good Andromache , Wisht valiant Hector wounded with the Greekes , I wish Erastus in his maiden warres . Orecome with valour these high minded Knights , As with thy vertue thou hast conquered me , Heauens heare my harty praier and it effect . Exeunt . Enter Philippo , the Prince of Cipris , Basilisco , and all the Knights . Phil. Braue knights of Christendome , and turkish both , Assembled heere in thirsty honors cause , To be enrolled in the brasse leaued booke , Of neuer wasting perpetuitie . Put Lambe-like mildenes to your Lyons strength , And be our tilting like two brothers sportes , That exercise their war with friendly blowes . Braue Prince of Cipris , and our sonne in law , Welcome these worthies by their seuerall countries , For in thy honor hither are they come , To grace thy nuptials with their deeds at armes . Cipris. First welcome thrise renowned Englishman , Graced by thy country , but ten times more By thy approued valour in the field , Vpon the onset of the enemy , What is thy motto when thou spurres thy horse . Englishman . In Scotland was I made a Knight at armes , Where for my countries cause I chargde my Launce : In France I tooke the Standard from the King , And giue the flower of Gallia in my crest . Against the light foote Irish haue I serued , And in my skinne beare tokens of their skenes : Our word of courage all the world hath heard , Saint George for England , and saint George for me . Cipris. Like welcome vnto thee faire Knight of Fraunce , Well famed thou art for discipline in warre , Vpon the incounter of thine enemy , What is thy mot renowned Knight of Fraunce . French-man . In Italie I put my knighthoode on , Where in my shirt but with my single Rapier , I combated a Romane much renownd , His weapons point impoysoned for my bane , And yet my starres did bode my victory , Saint Denis is for France and that for me . Cipris. Welcome Castilian too amongst the rest , For fame doth sound thy valour with the rest : Vpon thy first incounter of thy foe , What is thy woord of courage braue man of Spaine ? Spaniard . At fourteene yeeres of age was I made Knight , When twenty thousand Spaniards were in field , What time a daring Rutter made a challenge To change a bullet with our swift flight shot , And I with single heed and leuell hit , The haughty challenger and strooke him dead . The golden Fleece is that we cry vpon , And Iaques , Iaques , is the Spaniards choice . Cipris. Next , welcome vnto thee renowned Turke , Not for thy lay , but for thy worth in armes : Vpon the first braue of thine enemy , What is thy noted word of charge , braue Turke ? Bruser. Against the Sophy in three pitched fields , Vnder the conduct of great Soliman , Haue I bene chiefe commaunder of an hoast , And put the flint heart Perseans to the sword . The desert plaines of Affricke haue I staind , With blood of Moores , and there in three set battels fought , Marcht conquerour through Asia , Along the coasts held by the Portinguze , Euen to the verge of golde , aboording Spaine Hath Brusor led a valiant troope of Turkes , And made some Christians kneele to Mahomet : Him we adore , and in his name I crie , Mahomet for me and Solyman . Cip. Now Signeur Basilisco you we know , And therefore giue not you a strangers welcome , You are a Rutter borne in Germanie , Vpon the first encounter of your foe : What is your braue vpon the enemy ? Basi. I fight not with my tongue , this is my Oratrix . Laying his hand vpon his sword . Cip. Why Signeur Basilisco is it a she sword ? Basi. I , and so are all blades with me : beholde my instance Perdie , each female is the weaker vessell , And the vigour of this arme infringeth , The temper of any blade , quoth my assertion , And thereby gather , that this blade beeing arprooued weaker than this lim , may very wel bear a feminine Epitheton . Cip. T is well proued , but what s the word that glories your Countrey ? Basi. Sooth to say , the earth is my Countrey , As the aire to the fowle , or the marine moisture , To the red guild fish : I repute my selfe no coward : For humilitie shall mount . I keepe no table To character my fore-passed conflicts . As I remember , there happened a sore drought In some part of Belgia , that the iucie grasse , Was seared with the Sunne Gods Element . I held it pollicie , to put the men children Of that climate to the sword , That the mothers teares might releeue the pearched earth . The men died , the women wept , and the grasse grew , Els had my Frize-land horse perished , Whose losse would haue more grieued me , Than the ruine of that whole Countrey . Vpon a time in Ireland I fought , On horsebacke with an hundred Kernes , From Titans Easterne vprise , to his Westerne downe-fall : Insomuch that my Steed began to faint : I coniecturing the cause to be want of water , dismounted : In which place there was no such Element , Enraged therefore with this Semitor , All on foote like an Herculian ofspring , Endured some three or foure howers combat , In which processe , my body distilled such dewy showers of swet , That from the warlike wrinckles of my front , My Palfray coold his thirst . My mercy in conquest , is equall with my manhood in fight , The teare of an infant , hath bin the ransome of a conquered cittie , Whereby I purchased the surname of Pities adomant . Rough wordes blowe my choller , As the winde dooth Mulcibers worke house , I haue no word , because no countrey , Each place is my habitation , Therefore each countries word mine to pronounce . Princes , what would you ? I haue seene much , heard more , but done most , To be briefe , hee that will try me , let him waft mee with his arme . I am his , for some fiue launces . Although it go against my starres to iest , Yet to gratulate this beninge Prince , I will suppresse my condition . Phylip. He is beholding to you greatly sir : Mount ye braue Lordings , forwards to the tilt , My selfe will censure of your chiualrie , And with impartiall eyes behold your deedes , Forward braue Ladies , place you to behold The faire demeanor of these warlike Knights . Exeunt . Manet Basilisco . Basi. I am melancholy : an humor of Venus belegereth me . I haue reiected with contemptable frownes , The sweet glances of many amorous girles , or rather ladies : But certes , I am now captiuated with the reflecting eye Of that admirable comet Perseda . I will place her to behold my triumphes , And do woonders in hir sight , O heauens , she comes , accompanied with a child , Whose chin beares no impression of manhood , Not an hayre , not an excrement . Enter Erastus , Perseda , and Pystan . Erast. My sweet Perseda . Exeunt Erastus and Perseda . Basi. Peace Infant thou blasphemest . Pist. You are deceiued sir , he swore not , Basi. I tell thee Iester he did worse , he cald that Ladie his , Pist. Iester : O extempore , o flores ! Basi. O harsh vnedicate , illiterate pesant , Thou abusest the phrase of the Latine . Pist. By gods fish friend , take you the Latins part , i le abuse you to . Basi. What saunce dread of our indignation ? Pist. Saunce : what languidge is that ? I thinke thou art a worde maker by thine occupation . Basi. I , tearmest thou me of an occupation , Nay then this fierie humor of choller is supprest , By the thought of loue . Faire Ladie , Pist. Now by my troth she is gon . Basi. I , hath the Infant transported her hence , He saw my anger figured in my brow , And at his best aduantage stole away , But I will follow for reuenge . Pist. Naye , but here you sir , I must talke with you before you goe . Then Piston gets on his back , and puls him downe . Basi. O if thou beest magnanimious , come before me . Pist. Naye , if thou beest a right warrior , get from vnder me . Bas. What wouldst thou haue me a Typhon , To beare vp Peleon or Ossa ? Pist. Typhon me no Typhons , But sweare vpon my Dudgin dagger , Not to go till I giue thee leaue , But stay with me , and looke vpon the tilters . Bas. O thou seekst thereby to dim my glory . Pist. I care not for that , wilt thou not sweare ? Bas. O I sweare , I sweare . He sweareth him on his Dagger . Pist. By the contents of this blade , Bas. By the contents of this blade , Pist. I the aforesaid Basilisco , Bas. I the aforesaid Basilisco , Knight good fellow , knight , knight . Pist. Knaue good fellow , knaue , knaue . Will not offer to go from the side of Piston . Bas. Will not offer to go from the side of Pyston , Pist. Without the leaue of the said Piston obtained , Bas. Without the leaue of the said Piston , Licensed , obtayned and granted . Pist. Inioy thy life and liue , I giue it thee . Bas. I inioy my life at thy hands , I confesse it , I am vp , but that I am religious in mine oath , Pist. What would you do sir , what would you do , Will you vp the ladder sir , and see the tilting . Then they go vp the ladders , and they sound within to the first course . Bas. Better a Dog fawne on me , then barke , Pist. Now sir , how likes thou this course . Bas. Their Launces were coucht to hie , And their Steedes ill borne . Pist. It may be so , it may be so , Sound to the second course . Now sir , how like you this course . Bas. Prettie , prettie , but not famous , Well for a learner , but not for a warriour . Pist. By my faith , me thought it was excellent . Bas. I in the eye of an infant , a Peacocks taile is glorious . Sound to the third course . Pist. O well run , the baye horsse with the blew taile , And the siluer knight , are both downe , By Cocke and Pie , and Mouse foote , The English man is a fine Knight . Bas. Now by the marble face of the Welkin , Hee is a braue warriour . Pist. What an oath is there , fie vpon thee extortioner . Bas. Now comes in the infant that courts my mistresse , Sound to the fourth course . Oh that my launce were in my rest , And my Beauer closd for this encounter . Pist. O well ran , my maister hath ouerthrown the Turke . Bas. Now fie vpon the Turke , To be dismounted by a Childe it vexeth me . Sound to the fift course . Pist. O wel run Maister , he hath ouerthrown the Frenchman . Bas. It is the fury of his horse , not the strength of his arme I would thou wouldst remit my oath , That I might assaile thy maister . Pist. I giue thee leaue , go to thy destruction , But syrra where s thy horse ? Bas. Why my Page stands holding him by the bridle . Pist. Well goe mount thee , goe . Bas. I go , and Fortune guide my Launce . Exit Basilisco . Pist. Take the braginst knaue in christendom with thee : Trulie I am sorrie for him , He iust like a knight , hee le iustle like a Iade . It it a world to heere the foole prate and brag , He will iet as if it were a Goose on a greene : He goes many times supperles to bed , And yet he takes Phisick to make him leane . Last night he was bidden to a Gentlewomans to supper , And because he would not be put to carue , He wore his hand in a scarfe , and said he was wounded : He weares a coloured lath in his scabberd , And when t was found vpon him , he said he was wrathfull , He might not weare no iron . He weres Ciuet , And when it was askt him , where he had that muske , He said , all his kindred smelt so : Is not this a counterfet foole ? Well i le vp and see how he speedes . Sound the sixt course , Now by the faith of a squire , he is a very faint knight , Why my maister hath ouerthrowne him And his Curtall , both to the ground , I shall haue olde laughing , It will be better then the Fox in the hole for me . Sound : Enter Phylippo , Erastus , Ferdinando , Lucina , and all the Knights . Cypr. Braue Gentlemen , by all your free consents , This Knight vnknowne , hath best demeand himselfe , According to the proclimation made , The prize and honor of the day is his , But now vnmaske thy selfe , that we may see , What warlike wrinckles time hath charactered , With ages print vpon thy warlike face . English . Accord to his request , braue man at armes , And let me see the face that vanquished me . French . Vnmaske thy selfe , thou well approoued knight . Turke . I long to see thy face braue warriour . Luci. Nay valiant sir , we may not be denide , Faire Ladies should be coye to showe their faces , Least that the sun should tan them with his beames , I le be your page this once , for to disarme you . Pist. That s the reason , that he shall helpe Your husband to arme his head , Oh the pollicie of this age is wonderfull . Phyllyp. What young Erastus , is it possible ? Cipr. Erastus be thou honoured for this deed . English . So yong , and of such good accomplishment , Thriue faire beginner as this time doth promise , In vertue , valour , and all worthinesse : Giue me thy hand , I vowe my selfe thy friend . Erast. Thanks worthie sir , whose fauourable hand , Hath entred such a youngling in the warre , And thanks vnto you all , braue worthy sirs , Impose me taske , how I may do you good , Erastus will be dutifull in all . Phyl. Leaue protestations now , and let vs hie , To tread lauolto , that is womens walke , There spend we the remainder of the day , Exeunt . Manet Ferdinando . Ferdi. Though ouerborne , and foyled in my course , Yet haue I partners in mine infamie . T is wondrous , that so yong a toward warriour , Should bide the shock of such approoued knights , As he this day hath matcht and mated too , But vertue should not enuie good desert , Therefore Erastus happy , and thy fortune , But my Lucina , how she changed her couler , When at the encounter I did loose a stirrop , Hanging her head as partner of my shame , Therefore will I now goe visit her , And please her with this Carcanet of worth , Which by good fortune I haue found to day , When valour failes , then gould must make the way . Exit . Enter Basilisco riding of a Mule . Bas. O cursed Fortune enemy to Fame , Thus to disgrace thy honoured name , By ouerthrowing him that far hath spred thy praise , Beyond the course of Titans burning raies , Enter Piston . Page set a side the iesture of my enemie , Giue him a Fidlers fee , and send him packing . Pist. Ho , God saue you sir , haue you burst your shin , Bas. I villaine , I haue broke my shin bone , My back bone , my channell bone , and my thigh bone , Beside two dossen small inferior bones . Pist. A shrewd losse by my faith sir , But where s your coursers taile . Bas. He lost the same in seruice . Pist. There was a hot piece of seruice , where he lost his taile But how chance his nose is slit . Bas. For presumption , for couering the Emperors Mare . Pist. Marrie a foule fault , but why are his eares cut ? Bas. For neighing in the Emperours Court . Pist. Why then thy Horse hath bin a Colt in his time , Bas. True , thou hast said . O touch not the cheeke of my Palphrey , Least he dismount me while my wounds are greene , Page , run , bid the surgion bring his incision . Yet stay i le ride along with thee my selfe . Exit . Pist. And i le beare you companie , Piston getteth vp on his Asse , and rideth with him to the doore , and meeteth the Cryer . Enter the Cryer . Pist. Come sirra , let me see how finely you le cry this chaine Cryer . Why what was it worth ? Pist. It was woorth more , then thou and all thy kin are worth , Cryer . It may be so , but what must he haue that findes it ? Pist. Why a hundred Crownes . Cryer . Why then i le haue ten for the crying it . Pist. Ten Crownes , and had but six pence , For crying a little wench of thirty yeares old & vpwards , That had lost her selfe betwixt a tauerne & a baw die house . Cryer . I that was a wench , but this is Golde , Shee was poore , but this is rich . Pist. Why then by this reckoning , a Hackneyman Should haue ten shillings for horsing a Gentlewoman , Where he hath but ten pence of a begger . Cryer . Why and reason good , Let them paie , that best may , As the Lawyers vse their rich Clyents , When they let the poore go vnder Forma pauperis . Pist. Why then I pray thee crie the Chaine for me , Sub forma pauperis , For money goes very low with me at this time . Cryer . I sir , but your maister is , though you be not . Pist. I but hee must not know That thou cry cryest the Chaine for me , I do but vse thee to saue me a labour , That am to make inquirie after it , Cry . Well sir , you le see me considered , will you not ? Pist.

I marry will I , why what lighter paiment can there be , then consideration .

Cryer . O yes . Enter Erastus . Erastus . How now sirra , what are you crying ? Cryer . A chaine sir , a chaine , that your man bad me crie . Erastus . Get you away sirra , I aduise you Meddle with no Chaines of mine , Exit Cryer . You paltrie knaue , how durst thou be so bould , To crie the chaine , when I bid thou shouldst not , Did I not bid thee onely vnderhand , Make priuie inquirie for it through the towne , Least publike rumor might aduertise her , Whose knowledge were to me a second death ? Pist.

Why would you haue me runne vp and downe the towne ? and my shooes are doone .

Erast. What you want in shooes , i le giue ye in blowes . Pist. I pray you sir hold your hands , And as I am an honest man , I le do the best I can to finde your chaine . Exit Piston . Erast. Ah treacherous Fortune , enemy to Loue , Didst thou aduaunce me for my greater fall , In dalying war , I lost my chiefest peace , In hunting after praise , I lost my loue , And in loues shipwrack will my life miscarrie , Take thou the honor , and giue me the chaine , Wherein was linkt the sum of my delight . When she deliuered me the Carkanet , Keepe it quoth she , as thou wouldst keepe my selfe : I kept it not , and therefore she is lost , And lost with hir is all my happinesse , And losse of happines is worse then death . Come therefore gentle death and ease my griefe , Cut short what malice Fortune misintends , But stay a while good Death , and let me liue , Time may restore what Fortune tooke from me : Ah no , great losses sildome are restord . What if my Chaine shall neuer be restord , My innocence shall cleare my negligence . Ah! but my loue is cerimonious , And lookes for iustice at her louers hand , Within forst furrowes of her clowding brow , As stormes that fall amid a sun shine day , I read her iust desires , and my decay . Exit . Enter Solyman , Haleb , Amarath , and Janesaries , Soly. I long till Brusor be returnd from Rhodes , To know how he hath borne him gainst the Christians , That are assembled there to trie their valour , But more to be well assured by him , How Rhodes is fenc'd , and how I best may lay , My neuer failing siege to win that plot , For by the holy Alcaron I sweare , I le call my Souldiers home from Persia , And let the Sophie breath , and from the Russian broiles Call home my hardie , dauntlesse Ianisaries , And from the other skirts of Christendome , Call home my Bassowes and my men of war , And so beleager Rhodes by sea and land . That Key will serue to open all the gates , Through which our passage cannot finde a stop , Till it haue prickt the hart of Christendome , Which now that paltrie Iland keepes from scath . Say brother Amurath , and Haleb , say , What thinke you of our resolution ? Amura. Great Soliman , heauens onely substitute , And earths commander vnder Mahomet : So counsell I , as thou thy selfe hast said . Haleb. Pardon me dread Soueraigne , I hold it not Good pollicie , to call your forces home From Persea and Polonia , bending them Vpon a paltrie Ile of small defence . A common presse of base superfluous Turkes , May soone be leuied for so slight a taske . Ah Soliman , whose name hath shakt thy foes , As withered leaues with Autume throwen downe , Fog not thy glory with so fowle eclipse , Let not thy Souldiers sound a base retire , Till Persea stoope , and thou be conquerour . What scandall were it to thy mightinesse , After so many valiant Bassowes slaine , Whose bloud hath bin manured to their earth , Whose bones hath made their deepe waies passable . To sound a homeward , dull , and harsh retreate , Without a conquest , or a meane reuenge , Striue not for Rhodes , by letting Persea slip , The one s a Lyon almost brought to death , Whose skin will counteruaile the hunters toile ; The other is a Waspe with threatning sting . Whose Hunny is not worth the taking vp . Amu. Why Haleb didst thou not heare our brother sweare Vpon the Alcaron religiously : That : he would make an vniuersall Campe Of all his scattered legions : and darest thou Infer a reason why it is not meete , After his Highnes sweares it shall be so , Were it not thou art my fathers sonne , And striuing kindnes wrestled not with ire , I would not hence , till I had let thee know , What t were to thwart a Monarchs holy oath . Haleb. Why , his highnes gaue me leaue to speake my wil , And far from flattery I spoke my minde , And did discharge a faithfull subiects loue , Thou Aristippus like didst flatter him , Not like my brother , or a man of worth , And for his highnesse vowe I crost it not , But gaue my censure , as his highnesse bad , Now for thy chastisment , know Amurath , I scorne them as a rechlesse Lion scornes , The humming of a gnat in Summers night , Amur. I take it Haleb thou art friend to Rhodes . Haleb. Not halfe so much am I a friend to Rhodes , As thou art enemy to thy Soueraigne . Amur. I charge thee say wherein , or else by Mahomet , I le hazard dutie in my Soueraignes presence . Haleb. Not for thy threats , but for my selfe I say , It is not meete , that one so base as thou , Shouldst come about the person of a King . Soli. Must I giue aime to this presumption ? Amur. Your Highnesse knowes , I speake in dutious loue . Haleb. Your Highnes knowes I spake at your command , And to the purpose , far from flattery . Amu. Thinks thou I flatter , now I flatter not , Then he kils Haleb. Soli. What dismall Planets guides this fatall hower , Villaine , thy brothers grones do call for thee . Then Soliman kils Amurath . To wander with them through eternall night . Amu. Oh Soliman for louing thee I die , Soli. No Amurath , for murthering him thou dyest : Oh Haleb how shall I begin to mourne , Or how shall I begin to shed salt teares . For whom no wordes nor teares can well suffice . Ah that my rich imperiall Diadem , Could satisfie thy cruell destinie : Or that a thousand of our Turkish soules , Or twenty thousand millious of our foes , Could ransome thee from fell deaths tirannie , To win thy life would Soliman be poore , And liue in seruile bondage all my dayes , Accursed Amurath , that for a worthlesse cause , In bloud hath shortned our sweet Halebs dayes , Ah what is dearer bond then brotherhood , Yet Amurath thou wert my brother too , If wilfull folly did not blind mine eyes , I , I , and thou as vertuous as Haleb , And I as deare to thee as vnto Haleb , And thou as neere to me as Haleb was , Ah Amurath : why wert thou so vnkind to him For vttering but a thwarting word ? And Haleb , why did not thy harts counsell , Bridle the fond intemperance of thy tongue ? Nay wretched Solyman , why didst not thou Withhould thy hand , from heaping bloud on bloud , Might I not better spare one ioy then both , If loue of Haleb forst me on to wrath , Curst be that wrath that is the way to death , If iustice forst me on , curst be that iustice That makes the brother , Butcher of his brother , Come Ianisaries , and helpe me to lament , And beare my ioyes on either side of me : I , late my ioyes , but now my lasting sorrow , Thus , thus , let Soliman passe on his way , Bearing in either hand his hearts decay . Exeunt . Enter Chorus . Loue . Now Death and Fortune which of all vs three , Hath in the Actors showne the greatest power . Haue not I taught Erastus and Perseda , By mutuall tokens to seale vp their loues ? Fortune . I but those tokens , the Ring and Carkanet , Were Fortunes gifts , Loue giues no gould or iewels . Loue . Why what is iewels , or what is gould but earth , An humor knit together by compression , And by the worlds bright eye , first brought to light , Onely to feed mens eyes with vaine delight . Loues workes are more then of a mortall temper , I couple minds together by consent . Who gaue Rhodes Princes to the Ciprian Prince : but Loue . For. Fortune that first by chance brought them together , For till by Fortune persons meete each other , Thou canst not teach their eyes to wound their hearts . Loue . I made those Knights of seuerall sect and countries Each one by armes to honor his beloued , For. Nay one alone to honor his beloued , The rest by turning of my tickle wheele , Came short in reaching of faire honors marke : I gaue Erastus onely that dayes prize , A sweete renowne , but mixt with bitter sorrow : For in conclusion of his happines , I made him loose the pretious Carcanet , Whereon depended all his hope and ioy . Death . And more then so : for he that found the chaine , Euen for that Chaine shall be depriued of life . Loue . Besides , Loue hath inforst a foole , The fond Bragardo to presume to armes . For. I but thou seest how he was ouerthrowne . By Fortunes high displeasure : Death . I and by Death had beene surprisd , If Fates had giuen me leaue : But what I mist in him and in the rest , I did accomplish on Haleb and Amurath , The worthie brethren of great Soliman , But wherefore stay we , let the sequele prooue , Who is greatest , Fortune , Death , or Loue . Exeunt . Enter Ferdinando and Lucina . Fer. As fits the time , so now well fits the place , To coole affection with our woords and lookes . If in our thoughts be semblance simpathie . Luci. My words , my lookes , my thoughts are all on thee . Ferdinando is Lucinaes onely ioy . Ferdi. What pledge thereof ? Luci. An oath , a hand , a kisse . Ferdi. O holy oath , faire hand , and sugred kisse : Oh neuer may Fernando lack such blisse , But say my deare , when shall the gates of heauen ? Stand all wide ope for celestiall Gods , With gladsome lookes to gase at Hymens robes . When shall the graces , or Lucinas hand , With Rosie chaplets deck thy golden tresses , And Cupid bring me to thy nuptiall bed , Where thou in ioy and pleasure must attend . A blissfull war with me thy chiefest friend . Lucina . Full fraught with loue , and burning with desire , I long haue longd for light of Hymens lights . Ferdi. Then that same day , whose warme & pleasant sight , Brings in the spring , with many gladsome flowers , Be our first day of ioy and perfect peace : Till when , receiue this pretious Carcanet , In signe , that as these linkes are interlaced , So both our hearts are still combind in one , Which neuer can be parted but by death . Enter Basilisco and Perseda . Luci. And if I liue this shall not be forgot : But see Ferdinando where Perseda comes , Whom women loue for vertue , men for bewty , All the world loues , none hates but enuie . Bas. All haile braue Cauelere : God morrow Madam , The fairest shine that shall this day be seene . Except Persedas beautious excelence , Shame to loues Queene , and Empresse of my thoughts . Ferdi. Marry thrise happy is Persedas chance , To haue so braue a champion to hir Squire . Bas. Hir Squire : her Knight , and who so else denies , Shall feele the rigour of my Sword and Launce . Ferdi. O Sir , not I . Luci. Here s none but friends , yet let me chalenge you , For gracing me with a malignant stile , That I was fairest , and yet Perseda fayrer . We Ladies stand vpon our beauties much . Perse. Herein Lucina let me buckler him . Bas. Not Mars himselfe had eare so faire a Buckler . Perse. Loue makes him blinde , And blind can iudge no coulours . Luci. Why then the mends is made , and we still friends , Perse. Still friends , still foes , she weares my Carcanet , Ah false Erastus , how am I betraid . Luci. What ailes you madam , that your coulor changes . Perse. A suddaine qualme , I therefore take my leaue . Luci. Wee le bring you home , Perse. No , I shall soone get home . Luci. Why then farewell : Fernando let s away . Exeunt Ferdinando and Lucina . Bas. Say worlds bright starre , Whence springs this suddaine change , Is it vnkindnes at the little praise I gaue Lucina with my glosing stile ? Perse. No , no , her beautie far surpasseth mine , And from my neck , her neck hath woone the praise . Bas. What is it then , if loue of this my person , By fauour and by iustice of the heauens , At last haue percst through thy tralucent brest , And thou misdoubts , perhaps that i le proue coye , Oh be assur'd t is far from noble thoughts , To tyrannise ouer a yeelding foe . Therefore be blithe , sweete loue abandon feare , I will forget thy former crueltie . Perse. Ah false Erastus full of treachrie . Bas. I alwaies told you that such coward knights , Were faithlesse swaines and worthie no respect , But tell me sweete loue , what is his offence ? That I with words and stripes may chastice him , And bring him bound for thee to tread vpon . Perse. Now must I find the meanes to rid him hence , Go thou foorthwith arme thee from top to toe , And come an houre hence vnto my lodging , Then will I tell thee this offence at large , And thou in my behalfe shalt worke reuenge . Bas. I thus should men of valour be imployd , This is good argument of thy true loue , I go , make reconing that Erastus dyes , Vnlesse forewarnd , the weakoning coward flies , Exit Basilisco . Per. Thou foolish coward flies . Erastus liues , The fayrest shape , but fowlest minded man , That ere sunne saw within our hemyspheare , My tongue to tell my woes is all to weake , I must vnclaspe me , or my heart will breake : But inward cares are most pent in with greefe , Vnclasping therefore yeeldes me no releefe . Ah that my moyst and cloud compacted braine , Could spend my cares in showers of weeping raine . But scalding sighes like blasts of boysterous windes , Hinder my teares from falling on the ground , And I must die by closure of my wound . Ah false Erastus , how had I misdoone , That thou shouldst quit my loue with such a scorne . Enter Erastus . Here comes the Synon to my simple hart , I le frame my selfe to his dissembling art . Erast. Desire perswades me on , feare puls me back . Tush I will to her , innocence is bould , How fares Perseda my sweete second selfe ? Perse. Well , now Erastus my hearts onely ioy Is come to ioyne both hearts in vnion . Erast. And till I came whereas my loue did dwell , My pleasure was but paine , my solace woe . Per. What loue meanes my Erastus , pray thee tell ? Erast. Matchlesse Perseda , she that gaue me strength , To win late conquest from many victors hands , Thy name was conquerour , not my chiualrie : Thy lookes did arme me , not my coate of steele , Thy beautie did defend me , not my force . Thy fauours bore me , not my light foote Steed , Therefore to thee I owe both loue and life . But wherefore makes Perseda such a doubt , As if Erastus could forget himselfe : Which if I do , all vengeance light on me . Perse. Aye me , how gracelesse are these wicked men ? I can no longer hould my patience . Ah how thine eyes can forge alluring lookes , And faine deepe oathes to wound poore sillie maides , Are there no honest drops in all thy cheekes , To check thy fraudfull countenance with a blush : Calst thou me loue , and louest another better , If heauens were iust , thy teeth would teare thy tongue , For this thy periurde false disloialtie . If heauens were iust , men should haue open brests , That we therein might read their guilefull thoughts . If heauens were iust , that power that forceth loue , Would neuer couple Woolues and Lambes together . Yes , heauens are iust , but thou art so corrupt , That in thee , all their influence dooth change . As in the Spider good things turne to poyson . Ah false Erastus , how had I misdone ? That thou shouldst pawne my true affections pledge , To her whose worth will neuer equall mine . What , is Lucinaes wealth exceeding mine ? Yet mine sufficient to encounter thine . Is she more faire then I ? that s not my fault , Nor her desart : what s beauty but a blast ? Soone cropt with age , or with infirmities . Is she more wise ? her yeares are more then mine , What ere she be ? my loue was more then hers , And for her chastitie let others iudge . But what talke I of her ? the fault is thine , If I were so disgratious in thine eye , That she must needes inioy my interest , Why didst thou deck her with my ornament ? Could nothing serue her but the Carcanet ? Which as my life I gaue to thee in charge , Couldst thou abuse my true simplicitie ? Whose greatest fault was ouer louing thee , I le keepe no tokens of thy periury . Heere giue her this , Perseda now is free , And all my former loue is turnd to hate . Erast. Ah stay my sweete Perseda heare me speake . Perse. What are thy words ? but Syrens guilefull songs : That please the eare , but seeke to spoile the heart . Erast. Then view my teares , that plead for innocence , Perse. What are thy teares ? but Circes magike seas , Where none scape wrackt , but blindfould Marriners . Erast. If words & teares displease , then view my lookes , That plead for mercy at thy rigorous hands . Perse. What are thy lookes ? but like the Cockatrice , That seekes to wound poore silly passengers . Erast. If words , nor teares , nor lookes , may win remorse , What then remaines for my perplexed heart ? Hath no interpreters but words , or teares , or lookes . Perse. And they are all as false as thou thy selfe . Exit Perseda . Erast. Hard doome of death before my case be knowne , My iudge vniust , and yet I cannot blame her , Since Loue and iealousie mislead her thus . My selfe in fault , and yet not worthie blame , Because that Fortune made the fault , not Loue . The ground of her vnkindnes growes , because I lost The pretious Carcanet she gaue to me : Lucina hath it , as her words import , But how she got it , heauens knowes , not I , Yet this is some aleagement to my sorrow , That if I can but get the Chaine againe , I bouldly then shall let Perseda know , That she hath wrongd Erastus and her frend : Ah Loue , and if thou beest of heauenly power , Inspire me with some present stratagem , It must be so , Lucinas a franke Gaimster , And like it is , in plaie shee le hazard it , For if report but blasen her aright , Shee s a franke gaimster , and inclinde to play , Ho Piston ? Enter Piston . Pist. Heere sir , what would you with me , Era. Desire Guelpio & signior Iulio come speake with me And bid them bring some store of crownes with them , And sirra , prouide me foure Visards , Foure Gownes , a boxe , and a Drumme , For I intend to go in mummery , Pist. I will sir . Exit Piston . Erast. Ah vertuous Lampes of euer turning heauens , Incline her minde to play , and mine to win , Nor do I couet but what is mine owne , Then shall I let Perseda vnderstand , How iealousie had armd her tongue with malice , Ah were she not Perseda whom my heart , No more can flie , then iron can Adamant , Her late vnkindnes would haue chaunged my minde . Enter Guelpio and Iulio and Piston . Guelp. How now Erastus , wherein may we pleasure thee ? Erast. Sirs thus it is , we must in mummerie , Vnto Lucina , neither for loue nor hate , But if we can , to win the chaine she weares , For though I haue some interest therein , Fortune may make me maister of mine owne , Rather then i le seeke iustice gainst the Dame , But this assure your selues it must be mine , By game , or change , by one deuise or other . The rest i le tell you when our sport is doone . Iulio . Why then let s make vs ready and about it , Erast. What store of Crownes haue you brought ? Guel. Feare not for money man , i le beare the Boxe , Iulio . I haue some little replie , if neede require . Pist. I but heare you Maister , was not he a foole ? That went to shoote , and left his arrowes behinde him . Erast. Yes , but what of that ? Pist. Mary that you may loose your money , And go without the chaine , vnlesse you carrie false dice . Guel. Mas the foole sayes true , let s haue some got . Pist. Nay I vse not to go without a paire of false Dice . Heere are tall men and little men . Iulio . Hie men and low men , thou wouldst say . Erast. Come sirs let s go , Drummer pray for me , And i le reward thee : and sirra Piston , Mar not our sport with your foolery . Pist. I warrant you sir , they get not one wise word of me , Sound vp the Drum to Lucinaes doore . Enter Lucina . Luci. I marrie , this showes that Charleman is come , What shall we play heere ? content , Since Signior Ferdinand will haue it so . Then they play , and when she hath lost her gold , Erastus pointed to her Chaine , and then she sayd : I were it Cleopatraes vnion : Then Erastus winneth the Chaine , and looseth his gould . And Lucina saies . Signior Fernando , I am sure t is you , And Gentlemen , vnmaske ere you depart , That I may know to whom my thankes is due , For this so courteous and vnlookt for sport : No wilt not be , then sup with me tomorrow , Well then i le looke for you , till then farewell . Exit Lucina . Erast. Gentlemen , each thing hath sorted to our wish , She tooke me for Fernando , markt you that : Your gould shall be repairde with double thankes , And fellow Drummer , I le reward you well . Pist. But is there no reward for my false dice ? Erast. Yes sir , a garded sute from top to toe . Enter Ferdinando . Ferdi. Dasell mine eyes , or i st Lucinas chaine , False treacher , lay downe the chaine that thou hast stole , Erast. He lewdly lyes that cals me treacherous . Fern. That lye my weapon shall put downe thy throate : Then Erastus slaies Ferdinando . Julio . Flie Erastus , ere the Gouernour haue any newes , Whose neere alye he was , and cheefe delight , Erast. Nay Gentlemen , flie you and saue yourselues , Least you pertake the hardnes of my fortune . Exeunt Guelpio and Iulio . Ah fickle and blind guidresse of the world , What pleasure hast thou in my miserie ? Wast not enough when I had lost the Chaine , Thou didst bereaue me of my dearest loue , But now when I should reposesse the same , To crosse me with this haplesse accedent : Ah if but time and place would giue me leaue , Great ease it were for me to purge my selfe , And to acuse fell Fortune , Loue and Death . For all these three conspire my tragedie , But danger waites vppon my words and steps , I dare not stay , for if the Gouernour Surprise me heere , I die by marshall law , Therefore I go . But whether shall I go ? If into any stay adioyning Rhodes , They will betray me to Phyllippos hands , For love , or gaine , or flatterie . To Turkie must I go , the passage short , The people warlike , and the king renownd , For all heroyicall and kingly vertues , Ah hard attempt , to tempt a foe for ayde , Necessitie yet sayes it must be so , Or suffer death for Ferdinandos death , Whom honors title forst me to misdoe , By checking his outragious insolence . Piston , heere take this chaine , and giue it to Perseda , And let her know what hath befallen me , When thou hast deliuered it , take ship and follow me , I will be in Constantinople . Farewell my countrie dearer then my life ; Farewell sweete friends , dearer then countrey soyle , Farewell Perseda , dearest of them all , Dearer to me , then all the world besides . Exit Erastus . Pist. Now am I growing into a doubtfull agonie What I were best to do , to run away with this Chaine , Or deliuer it , and follow my maister . If I deliuer it and follow my maister , I shall haue thanks . But they will make me neuer the fatter , If I run away with it , I may liue vpon credit All the while I weare this chaine , Or dominere with the money when I haue sold it , Hetherto all goes well , but if I be taken , I marry sir , then the case is altered , I and haltered to , Of all things I do not loue to preach With a haulter about my neck , Therefore for this once , i le be honest against my will , Perseda shall haue it , but before I go , i le be so bolde As to diue into this Gentlemans pocket , for good luck sake . If he deny me not : how say you sir , are you content ? A plaine case , Qui tacet consentire videtur . Enter Phylippo and Iulio . Iulio . See where his body lyes . Philip. I , I , I see his body all to soone , What barbarous villaine i st that rifles him . Ah Ferdinand , the stay of my old age , And cheefe remainder of our progenie , Ah louing cousen how art thou misdone , By false Erastus , ah no by treacherie , For well thy valour hath beene often tride , But whilst I stand and weepe , and spend the time In fruitlesse plaints , the murtherer will escape , Without reuenge , sole salue for such a sore , Say villaine , wherefore didst thou rifle him ? Pist. Faith sir for pure good will , Seeing he was going towards heauen , I thought to see , if he had a pasport to S. Nicholas or no , Philip. Some sot he seemes to be , t were pittie to hurt him : Sirra canst thou tell who slew this man ? Pist. I sir very well , it was my maister Erastus . Philp. Thy maister , and whether is he gone now ? Pist. To fetch the Sexten to burie him I thinke . Phil. T were pittie to imprison such a sot , Pist. Now it fits my wisdome to counterfeit the foole . Phil. Come hether sirra , thou knowest me For the Gouernour of the cittie , doost thou not ? Pist. I forsooth sir . Phil. Thou art a bondman , and wouldst faine be free ? Pist. I forsooth sir . Phil. Then do but this , and I will make thee free , And rich wiihall , learne where Erastus is , And bring me word , and i le reward thee well . Pist. That I will sir , I shall finde you at the Castle , shall I not ? Phil. Yes . Pist. Why i le be here , as soone as euer I come againe . Exit Piston . Phil. But for assurance that he may not scape , Wee le lay the ports and hauens round about , And let a proclamation straight be made , That he that can bring foorth the murtherer , Shall haue three thousand Duckets for his paines , My selfe will see the body borne from hence , And honored with Balme and funerall . Exit . Enter Piston . Pist. God sends fortune to fooles . Did you euer see wise man escape as I haue done , I must betraie my maister : I but when can you tell ? Enter Perseda . See where Perseda comes , to saue me a labour . After my most hearty commendations , This is to let you vnderstand , That my maister was in good health at the sending hereof , Yours for euer and euer and euer . In most humble wise Piston . Then he deliuered her the Chaine . Perse. This makes me thinke that I haue been to cruell , How got he this from of Lucinas arme ? Pist. Faith in a mummery , and a paire of false dice , I was one of the mummers my selfe , simple as I stand here . Perse. I rather thinke it cost him very deare . Pist. I so it did , for it cost Ferdinando his life . Perse. How so ? Pyst. After we had got the chaine in mummery , And lost our box in counter cambio , My maister wore the chaine about his necke , Then Ferdinando met vs on the way , And reuild my maister , saying he stole the chaine , With that they drew , & there Ferdinando had the prickado . Perse. And whether fled my poore Erastus then ? Pist. To Constantinople whether I must follow him , But ere he went , with many sighes and teares , He deliuered me the chaine , and bad me giue it you , For perfect argument that he was true , And you too credulous . Perse. Ah stay , no more , for I can heere no more . Pist. And I can sing no more . Perse. My hart had armd my tongue with iniury , To wrong my friend , whose thoughts were euer true , Ah poore Erastus how thy starres malign : Thou great commander of the swift wingd winds , And dreadfull Neptune bring him backe againe , But Eolus and Neptune let him go , For heere is nothing but reuenge and death , Then let him go , i le shortly follow him , Not with slow sailes , but with loues goulden winges , My ship shall be borne with teares , and blowne with sighes So will I soare about the Turkish land , Vntill I meete Erastus my sweete freend . And then and there , fall downe amid his armes , And in his bosome there power foorth my soule , For satisfaction of my trespasse past . Enter Basilisco , armde . Basi. Faire Loue , according vnto thy commaund , I seeke Erastus and will combate him . Perse. I seeke him , finde him , bring him to my sight , For till we meete , my hart shall want delight . Exit Perseda . Basi. My petty fellow , where hast thou hid thy maister , Pist. Marrie sir in an Armorours shop , Where you had not best go to him . Basi. Why so , I am in honour bound to combat him , Pist. I sir , but he knowing your fierce conditions , Hath planted a double cannon in the doore , Ready to discharge it vppon you , when you go by , I tell you for pure good will . Basi. In Knightly curtesie , I thanke thee , But hopes the coystrell to escape me so , Thinkes he bare cannon shot can keepe me back : Why wherfore serues my targe of proofe , but for the bullet That once put by , I roughly come vpon him , Like to the wings of lightning from aboue , I with a martiall looke astonish him , Then fals he downe poore wretch vpon his knee , And all to late , repents his surquedry . Then do I take him on my fingers point , And thus I beare him thorough euery streete , To be a laughing stock to all the towne . That done , I lay him at my mistres feete , For her to giue him doome of life or death . Pist. I but heere you sir , I am bound In paine of my maisters displeasure , To haue about at cuffes , afore you and I part , Basi. Ha , ha , ha , Eagles are chalenged by paltry flyes , Thy folly giues thee priuiledge , begon , begon , Pist. No , no sir , I must haue about with you sir that s flat , That for retaining one so vertuous , Least my maister turne me out of seruice . Basi. Why , art thou wearie of thy life ? Pist. No by my faith sir . Basi. Then fetch thy weapons , and with my single fist , I le combat thee , my body all vnarmd . Pist. Why lend me thine , and saue me a labour . Basi. I tell thee , if Alcides liued this day , He could not weild my weapons . Pist. Why wilt thou stay till I come againe ? Basi. I vpon my honour . Pist. That shall be when I come from Turkey . Exit Pist. Basi. Is this little desperate fellow gon , Doubtlesse he is a very tall fellow , And yet it were disgrace to all my chiualrie , To combate one so base : I le send some Crane to combate with the Pigmew , Not that I feare , but that I scorne to fight . Exit Basilis . Enter Chorus . Loue . Fortune thou madest Fernando finde the chaine , But yet by Loues instruction he was taught , To make a present of it to his Mistris , For. But Fortune would not let her keepe it long , Loue . Nay rather Loue , by whose suggisted power , Erastus vsde such dice , as being false , Ran not by Fortune , but necessitie . Fort. Meane time I brought Fernando on the way , To see and chalenge what Lucina lost . Death . And by that chalenge I abridgde his life , And forst Erastus into banishment , Parting him from his loue , in spight of Loue , Loue . But with my goulden winges i le follow him , And giue him aide and succour in distresse . Fort. And doubt not to , but Fortune will be there , And crosse him too , and sometimes flatter him , And lift him vp , and throw him downe againe . Death . And here and there in ambush Death will stand , To marre what Loue or Fortune takes in hand . Exeunt . Enter Solyman and Brusor , with Fanisaries , Soly. How long shall Soliman spend his time , And waste his dayes in fruitlesse obsequies , Ads but a trouble to my brothers ghost : Perhaps my greefe and long continuall moane , Which but for me would now haue tooke their rest , Then farewell sorrow , and now reuenge draw neere . In controuersie touching the Ile of Rhodes , My brothers dyde , on Rhodes i le he reuengd , Now tell me Brusor what s the newes at Rhodes ? Hath the yong prince of Cipris married Cornelia , daughter to the Gouernour . Bru. He hath my Lord , with the greatest pompe , That ere I saw at such a festiuall . Soli. What greater then at our coronation ? Bru. Inferiour to that onely . Soli. At tilt , who woone the honor of the day ? Bru. A worthie Knight of Rhodes , a matchlesse man , His name Erastus , not twentie yeares of age , Not tall , but well proportioned in his lims , I neuer saw , except your excellence , A man whose presence more delighted me , And had he worshipt Mahomet for Christ , He might haue borne me through out all the world , So well I loued and honoured the man . Soli. These praises Brusor touch me to the heart , And makes me wish that I had beene at Rhodes , Vnder the habit of some errant knight , Both to haue seene and tride his valour . Brusor. You should haue seene him foile and ouerthrow , All the Knights that there incountred him . Soli. What ere he be , euen for his vertues sake , I wish that fortune of our holy wars , Would yeeld him prisoner vnto Soliman : We may our selues be famd for vertues . But let him passe , and Brusor tell me now , How did the Christians vse our Knights ? Bru. As if that we and they had beene on sect , Soli. What thinkst thou of their valour and demeanor ? Bru. Braue men at armes , and friendly out of armes , Courteous in peace , in battell dangerous , Kinde to their foes , and liberall to their friends , And all in all , their deedes heroicall . Soli. Then tell me Brusor , how is Rhodes fenst , For eyther Rhodes shall be braue Solymans , Or cost me more braue Souldiers Then all that I le will beare . Brusor. Their fleete is weake : Their horsse , I deeme them fiftie thousand strong , Their footemen more , well exercised in war , And as it seemes , they want no needfull vittaile . Soli. How euer Rhodes be fencd by sea or land , It eyther shall be mine , or burie me : Enter Erastus . What s he that thus bouldly enters in ? His habite argues him a Christian , Erast. I worthie Lord a forlorne Christian . Soli. Tell me man , what madnes brought thee hether ? Erast. Thy vertuous fame , and mine owne miserie . Soli. What miserie ? speake , for though you Christians , Account our Turkish race but barbarous , Yet haue we eares to heare a iust complaint , And iustice to defend the innocent , And pitie , to such as are in pouertie , And liberall hands to such as merit bountie , Bru. My gratious Soueraigne , as this Knight , Seemes by greefe tyed to silence , So his deserts binds me to speake for him . This is Erastus the Rhodian worthie , The flower of chiualrie and curtesie , Soli. Is this the man that thou hast so describde ? Stand vp faire knight , that what my heart desires , Mine eyes may view with pleasure and delight , This face of thine should harbour no deceit . Erastus i le not yet vrge to know the cause , That brought thee hether , Least with the discourse , thou shouldst afflict thy selfe , And crosse the fulnes of my ioyfull passion , But that we are assurde , Heauens brought thee hether for our benefit , Know thou that Rhodes , nor all that Rhodes containes , Shall win thee from the side of Soliman , If we but finde thee well inclind to vs . Erast. If any ignoble or dishonourable thoughts , Should dare attempt , or but creepe neere my heart : Honour should force disdaine to roote it out , As ayre bred Eagles , if they once perceiue , That any of their broode but close their sight , When they should gase against the glorious Sunne , They straight way sease vpon him with their talents , That on the earth it may vntimely die , For looking but ascue at heauens bright eye . Soli. Erastus , to make thee well assurde , How well thy speach and presents liketh vs , Aske what thou wilt , it shall be graunted thee . Erast. Then this my gratious Lord is all I craue , That being banisht from my natiue soile , I may haue libertie to liue a Christian . Soly. I that , or any thing thou shalt desire , Thou shalt be Captaine of our Ianisaries , And in our counsell shalt thou sit with vs , And be great Solimans adopted freend . Erast. The least of these surpasse my best desart , Vnlesse true loyaltie may seeme desart . Soli. Erastus , now thou hast obtaind thy boone , Denie not Soliman this owne request ; A vertuous enuie pricks me with desire , To trie thy valour , say art thou content ? Erast. I , if my Soueraigne say content , I yeeld . Soli. Then giue vs Swords and Targets , And now Erastus thinke me thine enemie , But euer after thy continuall friend , And spare me not , for then thou wrongst my honour . Then they fight , and Erastus ouer comes Solyman . Nay , nay Erastus , throw not downe thy weapons , As if thy force did faile , it is enough That thou hast conquered Soliman by strength , By curtesie let Soliman conquer thee . And now from armes to counsell sir thee downe : Before thy comming I vowd to conquer Rhodes , Say wilt thou be our Leiutenant there , And further vs in manage of these wars ? Erast. My gratious Soueraigne , without presumption , If poore Erastus may once more intreat , Let not great Solimans commaund , To whose behest I vowe obedience , Inforce me sheath my slaughtering blade , In the deere bowels of my countrimen : And were it not that Soliman hath sworne , My teares should plead for pardon to that place : I speake not this to shrinke away for feare , Or hide my head in time of dangerous stormes , Imploy me else where in thy forraine wars , Against the Persians or the barbarous Moore , Erastus will be formost in the battell . Soli. Why fauourst thou thy countrimen so much , By whose crueltie thou art exylde ? Erast. T is not my countrey , but Phylippos wrath , It must be tould , for Ferdinandos death , Whom I in honours cause haue reft of life , Soli. Nor suffer this or that to trouble thee , Thou shalt not neede Phylippo nor his I le , Nor shalt thou war against thy Countrimen , I like thy vertue in refusing it , But that our oath may haue his currant course , Brusor , goe leuie men , Prepare a fleete , to assault and conquer Rhodes , Meane time Erastus and I will striue , By mutuall kindnes to excell each other . Brusor be gon , and see not Soliman , Till thou hast brought Rhodes in subiection . Exit Brusor. And now Erastus come and follow me . Where thou shalt see what pleasures and what sports , My Minions and my Euenukes can deuise , To driue away this melancholly moode . Exit Soliman . Enter Piston . Pist. Oh maister , see where I am , Erast. Say Piston what s the newes at Rhodes , Pist. Colde and comfortlesse for you , Will you haue them all at once ? Erastus . I . Pist. Why the Gouernour will hang you & he catch you . Ferdinando is buried , your friends commend them to you : Perseda hath the chaine , and is like to die for sorrow . Erast. I that s the greefe , that we are parted thus . Come follow me and I will heare the rest , For now I must attend the Emperour . Exeunt . Enter Perseda , Lucina , and Basilisco . Perse. Accursed Chaine , vnfortunate Perseda . Luci. Accursed Chaine , unfortunate Lucina , My friend is gone , and I am desolate . Perse. My friend is gone , and I am desolate , Returne him backe faire starres or let me die . Luci. Returne him back faire heauens , or let me die , For what was he but comfort of my life ? Perse. For what was he but comfort of my life ? But why was I so carefull of the Chaine . Luci. But why was I so carelesse of the chaine , Had I not lost it , my friend had not beene slaine . Perse. Had I not askt it , my friend had not departed , His parting is my death . Luci. His deaths my liues departing , And here my tongue dooth stay , with swolne harts greefe , Per. And here my swolne harts greef doth stay my tongue . Basi. For whom weepe you ? Luci. Ah , for Fernando s dying . Basi. For whom mourne you ? Perse. Ah , for Erastus flying , Basi. Why Lady is not Basilisco here ? Why Lady dooth not Basilisco liue ? Am not I worth both these for whom you mourne : Then take one halfe of me , and cease to weepe , Or if you gladly would inioy me both , I le serue the one by day , the other by night , And I will pay you both your sound delight . Luci. Ah how vnpleasant is mirth to melancholy . Perse. My heart is full , I cannot laugh at follie . Exeunt Ladies . Basi. See , see , Lucinae hates me like a Toade , Because that when Erastus spake my name , Her loue Fernando died at the same , So dreadfull is our name to cowerdice . On the otherside , Perseda takes it vnkindly , That ere he went I brought not bound vnto her , Erastus that faint hearted run away : Alasse how could I , for his man no sooner Informd him , that I sought him vp and downe , But he was gon in twinckling of an eye : But I will after my delitious loue , For well I wot , though she desemble thus , And cloake affection with hir modestie , With loue of me her thoughts are ouer gone , More then was Phillis with hir Demophon . Exit . Enter Philippo , the Prince of Cipris , with other Souldiours . Phil. Braue prince of Cipris , and our sonne in law , Now there is little time to stand and talke , The Turkes haue past our Gallies and are landed , You with some men at armes shall take the Tower , I with the rest will downe vnto the strane : If we be beaten back wee le come to you , And here in spight of damned Turkes , wee le gaine A glorious death or famous victorie . Cyp. About it then . Exeunt . Enter Brusor , and his Souldiers . Bru. Drum sound a parle to the Citttzens . The Prince of Cypres on the walles . Cyp. What parle craues the Turkish at our hands . Bru. We come with mightie Solimans commaund , Monarch and mightie Emperor of the world , From East to Weast , from South , to Septentrion , If you resist , expect what warre affordes , Mischiefe , murther , bloud , and extremitie , What wilt thou yeeld and trie our clemencie ? Say I , or no ; for we are peremtorie . Cyp. Your Lord vsurps in all that he posesseth , And that great God which we do truly worship , Shall strengthen vs against your insolence . Bru. Now if thou plead for mercie , t is to late : Come fellow Souldiers , let vs to the breach , That s made already on the other side . Exeunt , to the batel . Phylippo and Cipris are both slaine . Enter Brusor , with Souldiers , hauing Guelpio , Iulio , and Basilisco , with Perseda and Lucina prisoners . Bru. Now Rhodes is yoakt , and stoopes to Soliman , There lies the Gouernour , and there his sonne : Now let their soules tell sorrie tidings to their ancestors , What millions of men opprest with ruine and scath , The Turkish armies did in Christendome , What say these prisoners , will they turne Turke , or no ? Iulio . First Iulio will die ten thousand deaths . Guel. And Guelpio , rather then denie his Christ . Bru. Then stab the slaues , and send their soules to hell . They stab Iulio and Guelpio . Bas. I turne , I turne , oh saue my life I turne . Bru. For beare to hurt him : when we land in Turkie He shall be circumcised and haue his rites . Bas. Thinke you I turne Turque , For feare of seruile death that s but a sport , I faith sir no : T is for Perseda whom I loue so well , That I would follow her , though she went to hell . Bru. Now for these Ladies : their liues priuiledge Hangs on their beautie , they shall be preserued , To be presented to great Soliman , The greatest honour Fortune could affoord . Perse. The most dishonour that could ere befall . Exeunt . Enter Chorus . Lou. Now Fortune , what hast thou done in this later passage For. I plast Erastus in the fauour , Of Solyman the Turkish Emperour . Loue . Nay that was Loue , for I coucht my selfe In poore Erastus eyes , and with a looke Orespred with teares , bewitched Solyman , Beside I sat on valiant Brusors tongue , To guide the praises of the herodian knight . Then in the Ladies passions , I showed my power , And lastly Loue made Basiliscos tongue , To countercheck his hart by turning Turke , And saue his life , in spight of deaths despight . Death . How chance it then , that Loue and Fortunes power Could neither saue Philippo nor his sonne , Nor Guelpio , nor signior Iulio , Nor rescue Rhodes from out the hands of Death . For. Why Brusors victorie was Fortunes gift . Death . But had I slept , his conquest had beene small . Loue . Wherfore stay we , ther s more behind , which proues That though Loue winke , Loues not starke blinde . Exeunt . Enter Erastus and Piston . Pist. Faith maister , me thinks you are vnwise . That you weare not the high Sugerloafe hat , And the gilded gowne the Emperour gaue you , Erast. Peace foole , a sable weede fits discontent , Away , be gon . Pist. I le go prouide your supper , A shoulder of mutton , and neuer a Sallet . Exit Piston . Erast. I must confesse that Solyman is kinde , Past all compare , and more then my desart , But what helps gay garments , when the minds oprest , What pleaseth the eye , when the sence is altered , My heart is ouer whelmd with thousand woes , And melancholie leades my soule in triumphe , No meruaile then if I haue little minde , Of rich imbroderie or costly ornaments , Of honors titles , or of wealth , or gaine , Of musick , viands , or of dainty dames , No , no , my hope full long agoe was lost , And Rhodes it selfe is lost , or els destroyde , If not destroide , yet bound and captiuate , If captiuate , then forst from holy faith : If forst from faith , for euer miserable , For what is misery , but want of God , And God is lost , if faith be ouerthrowne . Enter Solyman . Solim. Why how now Erastus , alwaies in thy dumpes ? Still in black habite fitting funerall ? Cannot my loue perswade thee from this moode , Nor all my faire intreats and blandishments , Wert thou my friend , thy minde would iumpe with mine , For what are freends , but one minde in two bodies . Perhaps thou doubts my friendships constancie , Then doost thou wrong the measure of my loue , Which hath no measure , and shall neuer end , Come Erastus sit thee downe by me , And i le impart to thee our Brusors newes , Newes to our honour , and to thy content : The Gouernour is slaine that sought thy death . Erast. A worthy man though not Erastus friend , Soli. The Prince of Cipris to , is likewise slaine . Erast. Faire blossome , likely to haue proued good fruite . Soli. Rhodes is taken , and all the men are slaine . Except some few that turne to Mahomet . Erast. I there it is , now all my freends are slaine , And faire Perseda murtherd or deflowerd . Ah gratious Solyman now show thy loue , In not denying thy poore supplyant : Suffer me not to stay here in thy presence , But by my selfe lament me once for all , Here if I stay , I must suppresse my teares , And teares supprest will but increase my sorrow . Soli. Go then , go spend thy mournings all at once , That in thy presence Soliman may ioy . Exit Erastus . For hetherto haue I reaped little pleasure , Well well Erastus , Rhodes may blesse thy birth , For his sake onely will I spare them more , From spoile , pillage , and oppression , Then Alexander spard warlike Thebes For Pindarus : or then Augustus Sparde rich Alexandria for Arias sake . Enter Brusor , Perseda , and Lucina . Bru. My gratious Lord , reioyce in happinesse : All Rhodes is yoakt , and stoopes to Solyman . Soli. First thanks to heauen , and next to Brusors valour , Which i le not guerdon with large promises , But straight reward thee with a bounteous largesse : But what two Christian Virgins haue we here ? Bru. Part of the spoile of Rhodes , which were preserued To be presented to your mightinesse . Soli. This present pleaseth more then all the rest , And were their garments turnd from black to white , I should haue deemd them Junoes goodly Swannes , Or Venus milke white Doues , so milde they are , And so adornd with beauties miracle . Heere Brusor this kinde Turtle shall be thine , Take her and vse her at thy pleasure : But this kinde Turtle is for Soliman , That her captiuitie may turne to blisse . Faire lookes resembling Phoebus radiant beames , Smooth forhead like the table of high Ioue , Small pensild eye browes , like to glorious rainbowes , Quicke lampelike eyes , like heauens two brightest orbes , Lips of pure Corall breathing Ambrosie , Cheekes , where the Rose and Lillie are in combate , Necke whiter then the Snowie Apenines , Brests like two ouerflowing Fountaines , Twixt which a vale leads to the Elisian shades , Where vnder couert lies the fount of pleasure , Which thoughts may gesse , but tongue must not prophane . A sweeter creature nature neuer made , Loue neuer tainted Solyman till now , Now faire Virgin let me heare thee speake . Perse. What can my tongue vtter , but greefe and death . Soli. The sound is hunnie , but the sence is gall : The sweeting blesse me with a cheerefull looke . Perse. How can mine eyes dart foorth a pleasant looke , When they are stopt with flouds of flowing teares . Soli. If tongue with griefe , and eyes with teares be fild , Say Virgin , how dooth thy heart admit , The pure affection of great Soliman ? Perse. My thoughts are like pillers of Adamant , Too hard to take an new impression . Soli. Nay then I see my stooping makes her proud , She is my vassaile , and I will commaund , Coye Virgin knowest thou what offence it is , To thwart the will and pleasure of a king ? Why thy life is doone , if I but say the word . Perse. Why that s the period that my heart desires . Soli. And die thou shalt , vnlesse thou change thy minde . Perse. Nay then Perseda growes resolute , Solimans thoughts and mine resemble , Liues paralise that neuer can be ioyned . Soli. Then kneele thou downe , And army hands receiue the stroake of death , Domde to thy selfe by thine owne wilfulnes . Per. Strike , strike , thy words pierce deeper then thy blows . Soli. Brusor hide her , for her lookes withhould me , Then Brusor hides her with a Lawne . O Brusor thou hast not hid her lippes , For there sits Venus with Cupid on her knee , And all the Graces smiling round about her , So crauing pardon that I cannot strike . Bru. Her face is couerd ouer quite my Lord . Soli. Why , so . O Brusor , seest thou not her milke white neck , That Alablaster tower , T will breake the edge of my keene Semitor , And peeces flying back will wound my selfe . Bru. Now she is all couered my Lord . Soli. Why now at last she dyes . Perse. O Christ receiue my soule . Soli. Harke Brusor she cals on Christ , I will not send her to him , Her wordes are musick , The selfe same musick that in auncient dayes , Brought Alexander from warre to banquetting , And made him fall from skirmishing to kissing . No my deare Loue would not let me kill thee , Though Maiestie would turne desire to wrath , There lyes my sword , humbled at thy feete , And I my selfe that gouerne many kings , Intreate a pardon for my rash misdeede . Perse. Now Soliman wrongs his imperiall state , But if thou loue me , and haue hope to win , Graunt me one boone that I shall craue of thee , Soli. What ere it be , Perseda I graunt it thee , Perse. Then let me liue a Christian Virgin still , Vnlesse my state shall alter by my will , Soli. My word is past , and I recall my passions , What should he do with crowne and Emperie , That cannot gouerne priuate fond affections , Yet giue me leaue in honest sort to court thee , To ease , though not to cure , my maladie : Come sit thee downe vpon my right hand here , This seate I keepe voide for another friend : Go Ianisaries call in your Gouernour , So shall I ioy betweene two captiue friends , And yet my selfe be captive to them both , If friendships yoake were not at libertie : See where he comes my other best beloued . Enter Erastus . Perse. My sweete and best beloued . Erast. My sweete and best beloued : Perse. For thee my deare Erastus haue I liued . Erast. And I for thee , or els I had not liued . Soli. What words in affection doo I see ? Erast. Ah pardon me great Soliman , for this is she , For whom I mourned more then for all Rhodes , And from whose absence I deriued my sorrow . Perse. And pardon me my Lord , for this is he , For whom I thwarted Solimans intreats , And for whose exile I lamented thus . Erast. Euen from my childhood haue I tendred thee , Witnesse the heauens of my vnfeined loue . Soli. By this one accedent I well perceiue , That heauens and heauenly powers do manage loue , I loue them both , I know not which the better , They loue each other best , what then should follow , But that I conquer both by my deserts , And ioyne their hands , whose hearts are knit already , Erastus and Perseda come you hether , And both giue me your hands , Erastus , none but thou couldst win Perseda , Perseda , none but thou couldst win Erastus From great Soliman , so well I loue you both : And now to turne late promises to good effect , Be thou Erastus Gouernour of Rhodes , By this thou shalt dismisse my garison . Brus. Must he reape that for which I tooke the toile ? Come enuie then and sit in friendships seate , How can I loue him that inioyes my right . Soli. Giue me a crowne , to crowne the bride withall , Then he crownes Perseda . Perseda , for my sake weare this crowne : Now is she fairer then she was before , This title so augments her beautie as the fire , That lay with honours hand rackt vp in ashes , Reuies againe to flames , the force is such , Remooue the cause , and then the effect will die , They must depart , or I shall not be quiet , Erastus and Perseda , meruaile not , That all in hast I wish you to depart , There is an vrgent cause , but priuie to my selfe , Commaund my shipping for to waft you ouer . Era. My gratious Lord , when Erastus doth forget this fauor , Then let him liue abandond and forlorne . Perse. Nor will Perseda slacke euen in her praiers And still solicite God for Soliman , Whose minde hath proued so good and gratious . Soli. Farewell Erastus , Perseda farewell to . Exeunt . Me thinks I should not part with two such friends , The one so renownd for armes and curtesie , The other so adornd with grace and modestie : Yet of the two Perseda mooues me most , I and so mooues me , that I now repent , That ere I gaue away my hearts desire , What was it but abuse of Fortunes gift , And therefore Fortune now will be reuengde . What was it but abuse of loues commaund , And therefore mightie Loue will be reuengd : What was it but abuse of heauens that gaue her me , And therefore angrie heauens will be reuengd : Heauens , Loue , and Fortune , all three haue decreed , That I shall loue her still , and lack her still , Like euer thirsting wretched Tantalus : Foolish Soliman , why did I striue , To do him kindnes , and vndoe my selfe ? Well gouernd friends do first regard themselues . Bru. I now occasion serues to stumble him , That thrust his sickle in my haruest corne , Pleaseth your Maiestie to heare Brusor speake . Soli. To one past cure , good counsell comes too late , Yet say thy minde . Bru. With secret letters woe her , and with gifts , Soli. My lines and gifts will but returne my shame . Luci. Here me my Lord , let me go ouer to Rhodes , That I may plead in your affections cause , One woman may do much to win another . Soli. Indeede Lucina were her husband from her , She happely might be woone by thy perswades , But whilst he liues there is no hope in her . Bru. Why liues he then to greeue great Soliman , This onely remaines , that you consider , In two extreames the least is to be chosen , If so your life depend vpon her loue , And that her loue depends vpon his life , Is it not better that Erastus die Ten thousand deaths , then Soliman should perish ? Soli. I saist thou so ? why then it shall be so , But by what meanes shall poore Erastus die ? Bru. This shall be the meanes , I le fetch him backe againe , Vnder couler of great consequence , No sooner shall he land vpon our shore , But witnes shall be ready to accuse him , Of treason doone against your mightines , And then he shall be doomd by marshall law , Soli. Oh fine deuise , Brusor get thee gone , Come thou againe , but let the lady stay , To win Perseda to my will , meane while , Will I prepare the iudge and witnesses , And if this take effect , thou shalt be Viceroy , And faire Lucina Queene of Tripolie , Brusor be gone , for till thou come I languish . Exeunt Brusor and Lucina . And now to ease my troubled thoughts at last , I will go sit among my learned Euenukes , And here them play , and see my minions dance , For till that Brusor bring me my desire , I may asswage , but neuer quench loues fire . Exit . Enter Basilisco . Basi. Since the expugnation of the Rhodian I le , Me thinkes a thousand yeares are ouerpast , More for the lack of my Persedas presence , Then for the losse of Rhodes that paltry I le , Or for my friends that there were murthered , My valour euery where shall purchase friends , And where a man liues well , there is his countrie . Alas the Christians are but very shallow , In giuing iudgement of a man at armes , A man of my desert and excellence . The Turkes whom they account for barbarous , Hauing forehard of Basiliscoes worth , A number vnder prop me with their shoulders , And in procession bare me to the Church , As I had beene a second Mahomet , I fearing they would adore me for a God , Wisely informd them that I was but man , Although in time perhaps I might aspire , To purchase Godhead , as did Hercules , I meane by doing wonders in the world : A midst their Church they bound me to a piller , And to make triall of my valiancie , They lopt a collop of my tendrest member . But thinke you Basilisco squicht for that , Euen as a Cowe for tickling in the horne , That doone , they set me on a milke white Asse , Compassing me with goodly ceremonies , That day me thought , I sat in Pompeyes Chaire , And viewd the Capitoll , and was Romes greatest glorie . Enter Piston . Pist. I would my maister had left Some other to be his agent here : Faith I am wearie of the office alreadie , What Seigniour Tremomundo , That rid a pilgrimage to beg cakebread . Bas. O take me not vnprouided , let me fetch my weapons . Pist. Why I meant nothing but a Basolus Manus . Basi. No , didst thou not meane to giue me the priuie stab ? Pist. No by my troth sir . Bas. Nay if thou hadst , I had not feard thee I , I tell thee my skin holds out Pistoll proofe . Pist. Pistoll proofe ? i le trie if it will hold out pin prooue , Then he pricks him with a pin . Bas. O shoote no more great God I yeeld to thee . Pist. I see his skin is but pistol profe from the girdle vpward What suddaine agonie was that ? Ba. Why sawst thou not , how Cupid God of loue , Not daring looke me in the marshall face , Came like a coward stealing after me , And with his pointed dart prickt my posteriors . Pist. Then here my opinion concerning that point , The Ladies of Rhodes hearing that you haue lost , A capitoll part of your Lady ware , Haue made their petition to Cupid , To plague you aboue all other , As one preiuditiall to their muliebritie , Now sir , Cupid seeing you alreadie hurt before , Thinkes it a greater punishment to hurt you behind , Therfore I would wish you to haue an eye to the back dore Bas. Sooth thou saiest , I must be fencd behinde , I le hang my target there . Pist. Indeede that will serue to beare of some blowes , When you run away in a fraye . Bas. Sirra , sirra , what art thou ? That thus incrochest vpon my familiaritie , Without speciall admittance . Pist. Why do you not know me ? I am Erastus man . Bas. What art thou that pettie pigmie , That chalenged me at Rhode ; : Whom I refusd to combat for his minoritie , Where is Erastus I owe him chastisment in Persedas quarrel . Pist. Do not you know that they are all friends , And Erastus maryed to Perseda , And Erastus made gouernour of Rhodes , And I left heere to be their agent ? Bas. O coelum , O terra , O maria Neptune , Did I turne Turke to follow her so far , Pist. The more shame for you . Bas. And is she linkt in liking with my foe ? Pist. That s because you were out of the way . Bas. O wicked Turque for to steale her hence . Pist. O wicked turne coate that would haue her staye . Bas. The trueth is , i le be a Turke no more . Pist. And I feare thou wilt neuer prooue good christian . Bas. I will after to take reuenge . Pist. And i le stay heere about my maisters busines . Bas. Farewell Constantinople , I will to Rhodes . Exit . Pist. Farewell counterfeit foole , God send him good shipping : T is noisd about , that Brusor is sent , To fetch my maister backe againe , I cannot be well till I heare the rest of the newes , Therefore I le about it straight . Exit . Enter Chorus . Loue . Now Fortune what hast thou done in this latter act ? Fort. I brought Perseda to the presence , Of Soliman the Turkish Emperour , And gaue Lucina into Brusors hands . Loue . And first I stunge them with consenting loue , And made great Soliman sweete beauties thrall , Humble himselfe at faire Persedas feete , And made him praise loue and captiues beautie : Againe , I made him to recall his passions , And giue Perseda to Erastus hands , And after make repentance of the deed . For. Meane time I fild Erastus sailes with winde , And brought him home vnto his natiue land . Death . And I subornd Brusor with enuious rage , To counsell Soliman to slay his friend , Brusor is sent to fetch him back againe , Marke well what followes , for the historie Prooues me cheefe actor in this tragedie . Exeunt . Enter Erastus and Perseda . Erast. Perseda , these dayes are our dayes of ioy . What could I more desire then thee to wife , And that I haue : or then to gouerne Rhodes , And that I doe , thankes to great Soliman , Perse. And thankes to gratious heauens , that so Brought Soliman from worse to better , For though I neuer tould it thee till now , His heart was purposd once to do thee wrong . Erast. I that was before he knew thee to be mine , But now Perseda , let s forget ould greefes , And let our studies wholie be imploid , To worke each others blisse and hearts delight . Per. Our present ioyes will be so much the greater , When as we call to minde fore passed greefes , So singes the Mariner vpon the shore , When he hath past the dangerous time of stormes : But if my Loue will haue olde greefes forgot , They shall lie buried in Persedas brest . Enter Brusor and Lucina . Erast. Welcome Lord Brusor . Perse. And Lucina to . Bru. Thankes Lord gouernour . Luci. And thankes to you Madame . Erast. What hastie news brings you so soone to Rhodes ? Although to me you neuer come to soone . Bru. So it is my Lord , that vpon great affaires , Importuning health and wealth of Soliman , His highnes by me intreateth you , As euer you respect his future loue , Or haue regard vnto his curtesie , To come your selfe in person and visit him , Without inquirie what should be the cause . Erast. Were there no ships to crosse the Seas withall , My armes should frame mine oares to crosse the seas , And should the seas turne tide to force me backe . Desire should frame me winges to flie to him , I go Perseda thou must giue me leaue . Perse. Though loth , yet Solimans command preuailes , Luci. And sweete Perseda I will stay with you , From Brusor my beloued , and I le want him , Till he bring backe Erastus vnto you . Erast. Lord Brusor come t is time that we were gon . Bru. Perseda farewell , be not angrie , For that I carry thy beloued from thee , We will returne with all speede possible , And thou Lucina , vse Perseda so , That for my carrying of Erastus hence , She curse me not , and so farewell to both . Per. Come Lucina let s in , my heart is full . Exeunt . Enter Soliman , Lord marshall , the two witnesses , and Ianisaries . Soli. Lord marshall , see you handle it cunningly , And when Erastus comes our periurd friend , See he be condemnd by marshall law , Heere will I stand to see and not be seene . Marshall . Come fellowes see when this matter comes in question , You stagger not : and Ianisaries , See that your strangling cordes be readie . Soli. Ah that Perseda were not halfe so faire , Or that Soliman were not so fond , Or that Perseda had some other loue , Whose death might saue my poore Erastus life , Enter Brusor , and Erastus . See where he comes , whome though I deerely loue , Yet must his bloud be spilt for my behoofe , Such is the force of morrow burning loue . Marshall . Erastus , Lord Gouernour of Rhodes , I arrest you in the Kings name . Erast. What thinks Lord Brusor of this strange arrest , Hast thou intrapt me to this tretcherie : Intended well I wot without the leaue Or licence of my Lord great Soliman . Bru. Why then appeale to him , where thou shalt know And be assured that I betray thee not . Soli. Yes , thou , and I , and all of vs betray him . Mar. No , no , in this case no appeale shall serue . Era. Why then to thee , or vnto any else , I heere protest by heauens vnto you all , That neuer was there man more true or iust , Or in his deeds more loyall and vpright , Or more louing , or more innocent , Than I haue bene to gratious Soliman , Since first I set my feet on Turkish land . Soli. My selfe would be his witnesse if I durst , But bright Persedaes beautie stops my tongue . Mar. Why sirs , why face to face expresse you not , The treasons you reueald to Soliman ? Witnesses . That very day Erastus went from hence , He sent for me into his Cabinet , And for that man that is of my profession . Eras. I neuer saw them I vntill this day . Witnesse . His Cabine dore fast shut , he first began To question vs of all sorts of fire-workes , Wherein , when we had fully resolued him , What might be done , he spredding on the boord , A huge heape of our imperiall coyne , All this is yours quoth he , if you consent , To leaue great Soliman and serue in Rhodes . Mar. Why that was treason , but onwards with the rest . Enter Piston . Pist. What haue we heer , my maister before the marshall ? Witn. We said not I , nor durst we say him nay , Bicause we were already in his gallyes , But seemd content to flie with him to Rhodes , With that he purst the gould , and gaue it vs . The rest I dare not speake it is so bad . Erast. Heauens heer you this , and drops not vengeance on them The other wit . The rest , and worst , will I discourse in briefe , Will you consent quoth he to fire the fleete , That lies hard by vs heere in Bosphoron , For be it spoke in secret heere quoth he , Rhodes must no longer beare the turkish yoake , We said the taske might easilie be performd , But that we lackt such drugs to mixe with powder , As were not in his gallyes to be got , At this he lept for ioy , swearing and promising , That our reward should be redoubled : We came aland not minding for to returne , And as our duty and aleageance bound vs , We made all knowne vnto great Soliman , But ere we could summon him a land , His ships were past a kenning from the shore , Belike he thought we had bewrayd his treasons . Marsh. That all is true that heere you haue declard . Both lay your hands vpon the Alcaron . 1. Wit. Foule death betide me if I sweare not true , 2. Wit. And mischiefe light on me , if I sweare false . Soli. Mischiefe and death shall light vpon you both . Mar. Erastus thou seest what witnes hath produced against thee , What answerest thou vnto their accusations ? Erast. That these are Synons and my selfe poore Troy . Mar. Now it resteth , I appoint thy death , Wherein thou shalt confesse i le fauour thee , For that thou wert beloued of Soliman , Thou shalt foorthwith be bound vnto that post , And strangled as our Turkish order is . Pist. Such fauour send all Turkes I pray God . Erast. I see this traine was plotted ere I came , What bootes complaining where s no remedy : Yet giue me leaue before my life shall end , To moane Perseda , and accuse my friend . Soli. O vniust Soliman , O wicked time , Where filthie lust must murther honest loue . Marsh. Dispatch , for our time limited is past . Erast. Alas , how can he but be short , whose tongue Is fast tide with galling sorrow . Farewell Perseda , no more but that for her : Inconstant Soliman , no more but that for him , Vnfortunate Erastus , no more but that for me : Loe this is al , & thus I leaue to speake . Then they strangle him Pist. Marie sir this is a faire warning for me to get me gon . Exit Piston . Soli. O saue his life , if it be possible , I will not loose him for my kingdomes worth , Ah poore Erastus art thou dead already , What bould presumer durst be so resolued , For to bereaue Erastus life from him , Whose life to me was dearer then mine owne , Wast thou and thou , Lord marshall bring them hether , And at Erastus hand let them receiue , The stroake of death , whom they haue spoild of life : What is thy hand to weake ? then mine shall helpe , To send them downe to euerlasting night , To waite vpon thee through eternall shade , Thy soule shall not go mourning hence alone : Thus die and thus , for thus you murtherd him , Then he kils the two Ianisaries , that kild Erastus , But soft me thinkes he is not satisfied , The breath doth murmure softly from his lips , And bids me kill those bloudie witnesses , By whose treacherie Erastus dyed : Lord Marshall , hale them to the towers top , And throw them headlong downe into the valley , So let their treasons with their liues haue end . 1. Witn. Your selfe procured vs . 2. Witn. Is this our hier ? Then the marshall beares them to the tower top . Soli. Speake not a word , least in my wrathfull fury , I doome you to ten thousand direfull torments : And Brusor see Erastus be interd , With honor in a kingly sepulcher , Why when Lord marshall ? great Hectors sonne , Although his age did plead for innocence : Was sooner tumbled from the fatall tower . Then are those periurde wicked witnesses . Then they are both tumbled downe . Why now Erastus Ghost is satisfied : I , but yet the wicked Iudge suruiues , By whome Erastus was condemnd to die , Brusor , as thou louest me stab in the marshall , Least he detect vs vnto the world , By making knowne our bloudy practises , And then will thou and I hoist saile to Rhodes , Where thy Lucina and my Perseda liues . Bru. I wil my lord : lord Marshal , it is his highnes pleasure That you commend him to Erastus soule . Then he kils the Marshall . Soli. Heere ends my deere Erastus tragedie , And now begins my pleasant Comedie , But if Perseda vnderstand these newes , Our seane will prooue but tragicomicall . Bru. Feare not my Lord , Lucina plaies her part , And wooes apace in Solimans behalfe . Soli. Then Brusor come , and with some few men , Let s saile to Rhodes with all conuenient speede , For till I fould Perseda in mine armes , My troubled eares are deft with loues alarmes . Exeunt . Enter Perseda , Lucina , and Basilisco . Perse. Now signior Basilisco , which like you , The Turkish or our nation best . Basi. That which your ladiship will haue me like , Luci. I am deceiued but you were circumcised , Bas. Indeed I was a little cut in the porpuse . Per. What meanes made you to steale back to Rhodes ? Basi. The mightie pinckanied brand bearing God , To whom I am so long true seruitour , When he espyde my weeping flouds of teares , For your depart , he bad me follow him : I followed him , he with his fier brand , Parted the seas , and we came ouer drieshod . Luci. A matter not vnlikely : but how chance , Your turkish bonet is not on your head ? Basi. Because I now am Christian againe , And that by naturall meanes , for as The old Cannon saies verie pretily , Nihill est tam naturali , quod eo modo colligatum est . And so foorth : so I became a Turke to follow her , To follow her , am now returnd a Christian . Enter Piston . Pist. O Lady and mistris , weepe and lament , And wring your hands , for my Maister Is condemnd and executed . Luci. Be patient sweete Perseda , the foole but iests , Perse. Ah ho , my nightly dreames foretould me this , Which foolish woman fondly I neglected , But say what death dyed my poore Erastus ? Pist. Nay , God be praisd , his death was reasonable , He was but strangled , Perse. But strangled , ah double death to me , But say , wherefore was he condemnd to die ? Pist. For nothing but hie treason . Perse. What treason , or by whom was he condemnd ? Pist. Faith two great knights of the post , swore vpon the Alcaron , that he would haue firde the Turkes Fleete . Perse. Was Brusor by ? Piston . I . Per. And Soliman ? Pist. No but I saw where he stood , To heere and see the matter well conuaid . Perse. Accursed Soliman , prophane Alcaron , Lucina , came thy husband to this end ? To lead a Lambe vnto the slaughterhouse , Hast thou for this , in Solimans behalfe ? With cunning words tempted my chastitie , Thou shalt abie for both your trecheries , It must be so , Basilisco dooest thou loue me , speake , Basi. I more then I loue either life or soule , What shall I stab the Emperour for thy sake . Perse. No , but Lucina if thou louest me , kill her , Then Basilisco takes a Dagger & feeles vpon the point of it . Basi. The point will marre her skin . Perse, What darest thou not , giue me the dagger then , There s a reward for all thy treasons past , Then Perseda kils Lucina . Basi. Yet dare I beare her hence , to do thee good . Perse. No let her lie , a pray to rauening birds : Nor shall her death alone suffice for his , Rhodes now shall be no longer Solimans , Wee le fortifie our walles , and keepe the towne , In spight of proud insulting Soliman , I know the letcher hopes to haue my loue , And first Perseda , shall with this hand die , Then yeeld to him and liue in infamie . Exeunt . Manet Basilisco . Basi. I will ruminate . Death which the poets Faine to be pale and meager ; Hath depriued Erastus trunke from breathing vitalitie , A braue Cauelere , but my aprooued foeman : Let me see : where is that Alcides , surnamed Hercules ? The onely Club man of his time : dead . Where is the eldest sonne of Pryam ? That abraham couloured Troion : dead . Where is the leader of the Mirmidons , That well knit Accill : dead . Where is that furious Aiax , the sonne of Telamon , Or that fraudfull squire of Ithaca , Iclipt Vlisses ? dead , Where is tipsie Alexander , that great cup conquerour , Or Pompey that braue warriour ? dead : I am my selfe strong , but I confesse death to be stronger , I am valiant , but mortall , I am adorned with natures gifts , A giddie goddesse , that now giueth and anon taketh , I am wise , but quiddits will not answer death : To conclude in a word , to be captious vertuous , ingenious , Or to be nothing when it pleaseth death to be enuious . The great Turque , whose seat is Constantinople , Hath beleagred Rhodes , whose chieftaine is a woman . I could take the rule vpon me , But the shrub is safe when the Cedar shaketh : I loue Perseda as one worthie , But I loue Basilisco as one I hould more worthie . My fathers sonne , my mothers solace , my proper selfe . Faith he can doe little that cannot speake , And he can doe lesse that cannot runne away . Then sith mans life is as a glasse , and a phillip may cracke it , Mine is no more and a bullet may pearce it : Therefore I will play least in sight . Exit . Enter Soliman , Brusor , with Janisaries . Soli. The gates are shut , which prooues that Rhodes reuolts , And that Perseda is not Solimans . Ah Brusor see where thy Lucina lies Butcherd dispightfullie without the walles . Bru. Vnkinde Perseda , couldst thou vse her so ? And yet we vs'd Perseda little better . Soli. Nay gentle Brusor stay thy teares a while , Least with thy woes thou spoile my commedie , And all to soone be turnd to Tragedies . Go Brusor , beare her to thy priuate tent , Where we at leasure will lament her death , And with our teares be waile her obsequies : For yet Perseda liues for Soliman . Drum sound a parle , were it not for her , I would sacke the towne ere I would sound a parle . The Drum soundes a parle . Perseda comes vpon the walles in mans apparell Basilisco and Piston vpon the walles . Per. At whose intreatie is this parle sounded ? Soli. At our intreaty , therefore yeeld the towne . Per. Why what art thou that boldly bids vs yeeld ? Soli. Great Soliman , Lord of all the world . Per. Thou art not Lord of all , Rhodes is not thine . Soli. It was , and shall be maugre who saies no . Per. I that say no will neuer see it thine . Soli. Why what art thou that dares resist my force ? Per. A Gentleman and thy mortall enemie , And one that dares thee to the single combate : Soli. First tell me , dooth Perseda liue or no ? Per. She liues to see the wrack of Soliman , Soli. Then i le combate thee what ere thou art . Per. And in Erastus name i le combat thee , And heere I promise thee on my Christian faith , Then will I yeeld Perseda to thy hands . That if thy strength shall ouer match my right , To vse , as to thy liking shall seeme best , But ere I come to enter single fight , First let my tongue vtter my hearts despight , And thus my tale begins : thou wicked tirant , Thou murtherer , accursed homicide , For whome hell gapes , and all the vgly feends Do waite for to receiue thee in their iawes : Ah periur'd and in humaine Soliman , How could thy heart harbour a wicked thought ? Against the spotlesse life of poore Erastus ? Was he not true ? would thou hadst been as iust , Was he not valiant ? would thou hadst bin as vertuous , Was he not loyall ? would thou hadst beene as louing : Ah wicked tirant in that one mans death , Thou hast betrayde the flower of Christendome , Dyed he because his worth obscured thine , In slaughtering him thy vertues are defamed , Didst thou misdoe him , in hope to win Perseda , Ah foolish man , therein thou art deceiued , For though she liue , yet will she neare liue thine , Which to approoue , i le come to combat thee . Soli. Iniurious foule mouthd knight , my wrathfull arme Shall chastise and rebuke these iniuries . Then Perseda comes downe to Soliman , and Basilisco and Piston . Pist I but heere you , are you so foolish to fight with him ? Bas. I sirra , why not , as long as I stand by ? Soli. I le not defend Erastus innocence , But thee , maintaining of Persedas beautie , Then they fight , Soliman kils Perseda . Per. I now I lay Perseda at thy feete , But with thy hand first wounded to the death , Now shall the world report that Soliman , Slew Erastus in hope to win Perseda , And murtherd her for louing of hir husband . Soli. What my Perseda , ah what haue I doone , Yet kisse me gentle loue before thou die . Perse. A kisse I graunt thee , though I hate thee deadly , Soli. I loued thee deerelie and accept thy kisse , Why didst thou loue Erastus more then me , Or why didst not giue Soliman a kisse Ere this vnhappie time , then hadst thou liued : Basi. Ah let me kisse thee too before I die , Then Soliman kils Basilisco . Soli. Nay die thou shalt for thy presumption , For kissing her whom I do hould so deare , Pist. I will not kisse hir sir , but giue me leaue To weepe ouer hir , for while she liued , Shee loved me deerely , and I loued hir . Soli. If thou didst loue hir villaine as thou saidst , Then wait on her thorough eternall night . Then Soliman kils Piston . Ah Perseda , how shall I mourne for thee ? Faire springing rose , ill pluckt before thy time . Ah heauens that hitherto haue smilde on me , Why doe you vnkindly lowre on Soliman ? The losse of halfe my Realmes , nay crownes decay , Could not haue prickt so neere vnto my heart , As doth the losse of my Persedaes life : And with her life , I likewise loose my loue , And with her loue my hearts felicitie , Euen for Erastus death , the heauens haue plagued me . Ah no the heauens did neuer more accurse me , Then when they made me Butcher of my loue , Yet iustly how can I condemne my selfe , When Brusor liues that was the cause of all . Come Brusor , helpe to lift her bodie vp , Is she not faire ? Bru. Euen in the houre of death . Soli. Was she not constant ? Bru. As firme as are the poles whereon heauen lies . Soli. Was she not chast ? Bru. As is Pandora or Dianaes thoughts . Soli. Then tell me ? his treasons set aside , What was Erastus in thy opinion ? Bru. Faire spoken , wise , curteous , and liberall : Kinde , euen to his foes , gentle and affable , And all , in all , his deeds heroyacall . Soli. Ah , was he so ? how durst thou then vngratious Counseller , First cause me murther such a worthy man , And after tempt so vertuous a woman , Be this therefore the last that ere thou speake : Ianisaries , take him straight vnto the block , Off with his head , and suffer him not to speake . Exit Brusor. And now Perseda heere I lay me downe , And on thy beautie still contemplate , Vntill mine eyes shall surfet by my gasing : But stay let me see what paper is this . Then he takes vp a paper , and reedes in it as followeth . Tyrant my lips were sawst with deadly poyson , To plague thy hart that is so full of poison . What am I poisoned ? then Ianisaries , Let me see Rhodes recouerd ere I die , Souldiers , assault the towne on euery side , Spoile all , kill all , let none escape your furie , Sound an alarum to the fight . Say Captaine , is Rhodes recouered againe . Capt. It is my Lord , and stoopes to Soliman . Soli. Yet that alayes the furie of my paine , Before I die , for doubtlesse die I must , I , fates , iniurious fates , haue so decreed , For now I feele the poyson gins to worke , And I am weake euen to the very death , Yet some thing more contentedly I die , For that my death was wrought by her deuise , Who liuing was my ioy , whose death my woe . Ah Ianisaries now dyes your Emperour , Before his age hath seene his mellowed yeares , And if you euer loued your Emperour , Affright me not with sorrowes and laments , And when my soule from body shall depart , Trouble me not but let me passe in peace , And in your silence let your loue be showne : My last request for I commaund no more , Is that my body , with Persedas be , Interd , where my Erastus lyes intombd , And let one Epitaph containe vs all : Ah now I feele the paper tould me true , The poison is disperst through euery vaine , And boiles like Etna in my frying guts , Forgiue me deere Erastus my vnkindnes : I haue reuengd thy deaths with many deaths , And sweete Perseda flie not Soliman , When as my gliding ghost shall follow thee , With eager moode , thorow eternall night : And now pale Death sits on my panting soule , And with reuenging ire dooth tyrannise : And saies for Solimans too much amisse , This day shall be the peryod of my blisse . Exeunt . Then Soliman dyes , and they carry him forth with silence . Enter Chorus . Fortune . I gaue Erastus woe and miserie , Amidst his greatest ioy and iollitie . Loue . But I that haue power in earth and heauen aboue , Stung them both with neuer failing loue . Death . But I bereft them both of loue and life . Loue . Of life , but not of loue , for euen in death , Their soules are knit , though bodies be disioynd , Thou didst but wound their flesh , their minds are free , Their bodies buried , yet they honour me . Death . Hence foolish Fortune , and thou wanton Loue , Your deedes are trifles , mine of consequence , Fortune . I giue worlds happines , and woes increase . Loue . By ioyning persons , I increase the world . Death . By wastning all , I conquer all the world , And now to end our difference at last , In this last act , note but the deedes of death , Where is Erastus now but in my triumph ? Where are the murtherers but in my triumph ? Where s iudge and witnesse but in my triumph ? Where s falce Lucina but in my triumph ? Where s faire Perseda but in my triumph ? Where s Basilisco but in my triumph ? Where s faithfull Piston but in my triumph ? Where s valiant Brusor but in my triumph ? And where s great Soliman but in my triumph ? Their loues and fortunes ended with their liues , And they must wait vpon the Carre of death : Packe Loue and Fortune , play in Commedies , For powerfull death best fitteth Tragedies . Loue . I go , yet Loue shall neuer yeeld to Death . Exit Loue . Death . But Fortune shall , for when I waste the world , Then times and kingdomes Fortunes shall decay . For. Meane time will Fortune gouerne as she may . Exit Fortune . Death . I now will Death in his most haughtie pride , Fetch his imperiall Carre from deepest hell , And ride in triumph through the wicked world , Sparing none but sacred Cynthias friend , Whome Death did feare before her life began , For holy fates haue grauen it in their tables , That Death shall die if he attempt her end , Whose life is heauens delight and Cynthias friend .

FINIS .