A chain of golden poems embellished with wit, mirth, and eloquence : together with two most excellent comedies, (viz.) The obstinate lady, and Trappolin suppos'd a prince / written by Sr Aston Cokayn.

●● Aston Cockain .

A CHAIN OF GOLDEN POEMS Embellished with WIT , MIRTH , and ELOQUENCE . Together with two most excellent COMEDIES , ( viz. ) The OBSTINATE LADY , AND TRAPPOLIN Suppos'd a PRINCE : Written by Sr Aston Cokayn .

LONDON , Printed by W. G. and are to be sold by Isaac Pridmore , at the Golden-Falcon near the New-Exchange . 1

THE AUTHORS APOLOGY TO THE READER .

THese poor trifles ( courteous Reader ) had not now become so troublesome to the World , if it had been in my power to have prevented them : for at my going once out of London , I left them with a friend of mine , who dying , they were dispersed into divers hands . Mr. William Godbid got my Obstinate Lady , and though he found it with the last leaf torn out , wherein my conclusion to the play with the Epilogue were ; he procured some acquaintance of his to supply the defect at the end , and so Printed it . And though that Comedy , be very much of it writ in number , he put it forth as if the most part of it were prose . Here you have that defect much amended , and my own conclusion and Epilogue added . I was fearful my Trappolin , and other Poems should have run the like misfortune ; and therefore made a diligent enquiry after them , and when I had found them out could not get them delivered without parting with some money , and promising my honest friend Mr. W. Godbid , ( after I had afforded them some small correction ) I would bestow them on him , ( with my consent ) for the Press : For indeed without his ( assistance ) I should not have recovered them out of a Gentlemans hands whom I will forbear to name . I hope there is nothing in the whole so amorous as to arrive at impiety , yet nevertheless could I have imagined them worthy the trouble of transcription , you will find many things here that had been omitted . After this general Apologie I must also make my excuse for some particular pieces . I have been demanded by some Persons of Quality and judgement , why in my copy of Verses before Mr. Fletchers volume of Plaies , I chiefly reflect upon the Mad Lover , my noble friend and kinsman Mr. Charles Cotton , sent me that single Play in a Manuscript , which I had divers years in my hands : therefore when I found the Players were prohibited to act , I writ those poor Verses with an intention to have had the Mad Lover printed single , and them to have waited on it ; ( which when the large Volume came forth ) my Cosin Cotton commanded from me , and gave the Printers . Next , I must acknowledge I have been merry with Mr. James Strong and his pretty Pamphlet . But seeing many thus make as bold with him , I presumed I might take the same liberty . I must only request the chastwomen of Lin , to take no offence at these Verses , I intended them none ; if there be any of dissolute life in that town , let those be accounted of as his Joanes and no other : I hope James Strong is of Coriats gentle disposition , and will endure jesting with , otherwise ( at his leisure ) he hath my leave to be as pleasant with me . Some few things that I translated out of Latin and Italian , I have not inserted , as accounting them too wanton to breath in this chaster clime : and in truth if any body ( either through curiosity , or by any other accident ) should english any such pieces , it will be esteemed a discretion in them to forbear publishing them .

Lastly , I have made some progress into a Play , to be called the Tragedy of Ovid , which ( if my Obstinate Lady , and Trappolin take ) I may be encouraged to perfect , and present to you hereafter , with some other things that are not yet put into method , fit for the Press , if you be not cloid with these small Poems already , and hate a farther surfeit upon such toyes : If this book hath the fortune to attain to a second impression , you may then hear farther from me : and in the mean , while this is enough from

Your servant ASTON COKAIN

TO HIS NOBLE FRIEND Sir ASTON COKAIN on his Poetical composures . SIr , though I cannot on such praises hit , As well may suit the wardrobe of your wit , Rich and repleat ; yet give me leave to aim , And light my I'aper at your Delphick flame . But how should such a dazeled sence as mine , ( Lost in high-waies of Excellence divine ) See to pass judgements on your lines aright , That seem all g●●ded with Phoebaean light From your rich brain effus'd , that to the skie Rightly conformes in clear sublimity ? I almost should have thought your nimbler soul Had fire from Heaven , like fly Prometheus , stole ; But that whereas accursed plagues he brought , Wherewith Pandora's box was sadly fraught , You with choice things have blest us , such as be Treasures of wit , art , language , history . How strangely winds your fancy here and there ! Like to your Anchor , built with streams more clear That glide along as if they long'd to see Themselves ingulft in vast eternity . Surely you drew from noble birds of Po Those numerous sweetnesses that ravisht so ; And from rich Naples and renowned Rome Brought forth fine courtship and choice learning home . Your Muse ( impregnate with no common worth ) Thus travail'd for a fame , and brought it forth : Whose issue he that envies , let him hear ( Like Phrygian Midas ) with a lengthn ' deare Nothing but scornes shot at him sundry waies , Yet take those pellets for a charge of praise . Kick at such currish slaves , nor think them fit To pick up at your chair the crumbs of wit ; But think , whilst other Muses seem to dance After your measures , they your praise advance . Needs must those wits or harsh or heavy be , That move not at your strokes of harmony . Tho. Bancroft .

Faults escaped in ●●e printing , are thus to be corrected .

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From page 208 , to page 257 , the figure of one hundred is left out , which ( supposing Printed ) the Errata's following are thus to be amended .

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SMALL POEMS OF DIVERS SORTS .

A Remedy for Love . THat which the Sulmo Poet sung , again I do declare , but in a chasier strain . Of all the sisters that do sport upon The bifront hill , and Phocion Helicon , Thou unto whom this task doth most belong , Conduct my pen , & guide my faultering tongue : Give me a cup of the Castalian spring , That Remedy I may more sweetly sing : And sacred Phoebus , patron of the Nine , And God of Physick , thy assistance joyn . Henceforth no poor Inamorato shall Be accessary to his Funerall . Wherefore should mighty Turnus fall beneath The hand of Anchisiades in death ? 'T is shame that Dido should despair and die , Because the Trojan will from Carthage flie . Wherefore should Phillis for Demophoons stay With her own Girdle take her life away ? And why in Phoebus Temple should decease For his fair Dardan Lass Aeasides ? If any of these had but view'd our lines Surely they would have been of other minds . If Clytemnestra had this Poem read , She had not done great Agamemnon dead , For vile Aegistus sake ; nor had his son By hers , reveng'd the Kings destruction . If Paris Alexander had but seen This work , he had not stole the Spartan Queen : And Ilions gorgeous Towers yet had stood , And fam'd Scamander never drunk the bloud Of those couragious Princes that there dide , To rescue and keep back Atrides bride . If me ( brave Achelous ) thou hadst known , Alcides thee had never overthrown . If Alcumena's glorious son had view'd This Poesie , the fatall shirt embrew'd With poison , and the Centaures bloud , had lain Useless , and he on Oeta not been slain . I wish that Tereus had read us over , For then he had not been a bloudy lover , Nor had transfigur'd been . All these I could Have made more staid then Matrons grave and old . But such like ends hereafter none shall know : For we will slack the Paphian Archers bow . Wherefore ( untoward Boy ) art thou severe To those that gladly would thy yoke hold dear , If thou wouldst grant them such felicity , That whom they do affect they might enjoy : And that their hearts should never entertain Such darts as lawless passions would constrain ? I will not be too difficult to follow My Rules , though they be true they shall be shallow : All you therefore that love in vain , or where You should not , give unto my precepts ear . And gentle Ladies , you whose tender hearts Have felt the force of conquering Cupids darts ; Suffering in vain the burthen of his yoke , Attend , and your affections I le provoke : For almost all my documents will prove ( If you apply them ) Remedies of Love ; For what I write to men , you also may Make use of , your own passions to allay : Perform but my Injunctions , and you shall From all your fond desires be loosed all : Know happy liberty again , and throw Contempt on them that no regard would show . Here many Remedies we write , that all Of Liberty may us Physician call : One mind doth not possess all men , therefore Our art of Antidotes doth publish store . Perhaps at first these Remedies may seem Too difficult for you to follow them : A new back'd horse grieves greatly at the bit , But quickly after will away with it : Likewise the Oxen do at first conceive The yoke intolerably full of grief . I do not bid you , if you can obtain , A meritorious mistress to refrain : Our purpose is to quench base flames , and such As vainly burn ; but honest not to touch . If you have been where you have seen a Lass Whose marv'lous beauty your subjection was , Or whose admired qualities prevail'd So far , that they obtain'd when they assail'd : Think when you are retir'd , if you can win Her to your suit , which if you can , therein , If it be good , persist , if not , proceed To put in practice what you here shall read . Be willing to perform what I do sing , And thee from Cnidos there is hope to bring . Not Podalirius , nor Machaon can Unbridle the affections of a man ; Nor shield Apollo's son : none but himself Can unto him again restore his health . What should be done I can but onely show , Which is you slight , your self is your own foe . Now leave to love ▪ and do not ( fondling ) say To morrow you 'l begin , and not to day . The longer you affect the more you burn , And therefore finding her too coy , return . Doth not time make the little twig a tall Advanced tree , shading the humble vale ? Will not a Current which one here may stride Below , for such a passage be too wide ? And the small seeds which in the fields are sown , Unto high corn are they not quickly grown ? Strongly shun idleness ; take that away , And Cupids bow breaks , and his lamps decay . A standing water daily putrifies ; But that is fresh which through a channel hies . As much as fishes do in streames delight ; As much as Bats affect the silent night : So much contented Venus is with ease , For that the Fountain is of this disease . His Souldiers , the Wagge , the Idle makes , And all the busie as his fomen hates . By labour thou maist cure thee of this trouble , Which unto thee will bring a profit double : And though a sedentary life some hold To be an easie way , to grow in old It is a busie course , as they shall find , That study and employ their brains and mind : And thousand nights and dayes they must bestow In learning , that deep Scholars mean to grow ▪ Yet 't is a pleasing toyl ; knowledge being known , Full recompence for th' Acquisition . Keep one of our two Universities , And closely there thy knowledge make to rise By daily studies ; Cambridge our dear Mother , Fair Albions eldest birth ; or else the other , Her sister Oxford ; Places far renown'd For Education , and nobly crown'd By sweet-tongu'd Poets with eternal bayes , Fully deserv'd by their melodious laies . Or if thou pleasest , unto London go . ( Corruptedly from Lud●-town called so ) The seat of English Monarchs , and the grave Of more then any , since Norman valour gave It unto William ( Harold being slain ) And the Realme from the Saxons took again . There into one of her four Innes withdraw Thy self , and seriously go study Law . Or be a Souldier , and maintain his right , Whose cause is just , so thou may'st justlier fight ; Though wise Ulysses had a beautious wife , And chaste , and young , he led a souldiers life : Had she a proud disdainful mistress bin , Frown'd on his services and scorn'd him ; You may conceive he then would sooner far Have left , and slighted her , and gone to th' war . Or lead a Countrey life , where far from noise , Pride of the Court , and City-vanities , Thou may'st enjoy thy self sweet days and nights , And spend thy time in harmlesser delights . There thou maist hunt , or hawk , plant , graff , & find Thousand diversions for thy troubled mind . The noblest Romans many times would leave Their spendent City , and in th' Countrey live : Augustus self ( when it was at the height ) Forsook it , and in Caprae did delight . If that the Lyrick Horace had liv'd at home In his own Countrey-house , and kept from Rome , Perhaps he from 's fond passions had been free , As the chaste Virgin Anaxarete . If there thou spendest all the day in royle , In wonted fire at night thou wilt not broyle : For then sweet sleep you onely will request , That after wearinesse you may have rest . Travelling is a proved Antidote , Whereby a double profit may be got . I do not give thee counsel to subdue Thy passions by sailing unto Peru : Neither advise I thee to pass the seas , To take a view of the Pyramides : Nor into Italy where Romans old The Scepter of the Universe did hold : Nor into Spain , where John of Gaunt , the Duke Of Lancaster such battailes undertook : Nor into France , which our fifth Henry won , And when he died left to his infant-son , Who what his great victorious sire did gain , Piece-meal to Charles the seventh did lose again . The journey I enjoyn will not enforce Thee to take shipping , but to ride an horse : For will not England be sufficient To cure thy wound , and to produce content ? Travel it through ; but take along with thee A friend or two to bear thee company . I do not bid thee to go up and down , Through every Village , and through every Town : Onely the best and notedst places view ; Whereof unto thee I will name a few . To Troynovant , now called London , ride , By new fair buildings daily beautifide , And great resort of people ; There thou maist See how the Thames under a Bridge doth hast Of nineteen Arches ; Th●t so fair an other , And strangely built , is scarce all Europe over . There thou maist see the famous Monuments Of our Heroes , fram'd with large expence : There thou upon the Sepulchre maist look Of Chaucer , our true Ennius , whose old book Hath taught our Nation so to Poetize , That English rythmes now any equalize ; That we no more need envy at the straine Of Tiber , Tagus , or our neighbour Seine . There Spencers Tomb thou likewise maist behold ▪ Which he deserved , were it made of gold : If , honour'd Colin , thou hadst liv'd so long , As to have finished thy Faery Song , Not onely mine , but all tongues would confess , Thou hadst exceeded old Maeonides . Thence unto Canterbury take thy way , Famous for being our chief Arch-Bishops sea : Where thou maist see the ruines of the Tombe Of that great Prelate , who whilom in Rome Complained of his Soveraign , and did stand Boldly himself alone 'gainst all the Land . Dover is worthy of thine eyes , from whence Thou maist see Calice lost no long time since By Philip , son to Charles the fifth , and her That did again the Roman faith prefer . Afterwards into Surry go , where you Five of our Monarchs Palaces may view ; And Okam that renowned Village , were William was born , the deep Philosopher , Sur-named from his birth-place , whose divine Wit is observ'd by Nations transmarine . To Hant-shire , Winchester doth thee intreat , A journey to vouchsafe the ancient seat Of the West Saxon Kings , where thou may'st turn Thine eyes upon Canutus royal urn . From thence ( if thou art of a noble race ) To Totnes ride , Brutus his Landing-place ; A gallant branch of Anchisiades Flying from Italy through unknown seas . In Somerset-shire travel to the Bath , A place frequented much because it hath Waters for many a sickness good ; yet I Believe none there can cure loves malady . And upon Glassenbury Abby daine To look , where our Crow-fam'd King was slain , And Joseph ; and upon the Hawthorn-tree , On Christmas-day that blossoms annually . Wilt-shires Cathedral Church is of such price , That worthily it doth deserve thine eyes : Wherein as many windows do appear , As there be dayes in the divided year : Wherein the Marble pillars parallel The hours that in four quarters one may tell . And lastly where as many gates vouchsafe Entrance , as moneths a year completely hath ; In Bark-shire unto Windsor Castle ride , By British Arthur whiles re-edified : Which glorious Castle at one time detain'd Two captive Kings by our third Edward gain'd : And in whose Chappel those two Monarchs are Interr'd , that toyl'd us with intestine war . Saint Edmonds Bury is frequented much , Because that thereabouts the air is such : Unto that town a journey take , and thence To Ipswich go , by Danish violence Sack'd and made desolate , but now so brave That ( through 't be none ) we worser Cities have . Although the King of the East Angles did Reside at Thetford , yet I do not bid Thee see it : Lyn and Yarmouth more invite Thine eyes , but Norwich most deserves thy sight ; Norfolk ▪ chief glory , wherein rustick Ket For the commotion died he did beget . And take a view of Cambridge , wherein I Compos'd this Poem for thy Remedy . Hail honour'd Mother ! O vouchsafe so much , That worthless I may thee a little touch , Englands bright and right eye ! now honour'd more Then famous Athens was in dayes of yore , Accept my wish . May all thy sources be For ever ignorant of vacancie : And thou arise unto that height of fame That none comparatively may Oxford name : Which soon would come to pass , if that our King Would end what our sixth Henry did begin . Trinity Colledge ( unto which I do For my own education my self owe ) Invites thee to behold a spacious Court And what it is , afterwards to report : That Royal Fabrick rais'd by him that died By Crook-backs hands , and is so magnified , For that strange roof , will doubtless thee invite ( Within the walls ) of it to take a sight . For Colins sake ( who hath so well exprest The vertues of our Faery Elves , and drest Our Poesie in suth a gallant guise ) On happy Pembroke-Hall employ thine eyes . Oxford our other Academy , you Full worthy must acknowledge of your view : Here smooth-tongu'd Drayton was inspired by Mnemosynes's manifold progenie ; And Sydney ( honour'd by all English men ) In Castalie here dip'd his numerous pen. From Oxford go to Gloster , and from thence To sumptuous Bristow , whose magnificence For building every stranger much admires ; A City situated in two shires . Kenchesters Phoenix , Hereford behold : And Marcley hill whose motion is so told . In Worcesters Cathedral Church you may King Johns white Marble Monument survey . And Arthurs sad Jet Tomb , the eldest son Of him that Bosworth field from Richard won . Thither a journey make . Then Coventry That by Godiva gained liberty , Be sure to visit ; where at Gofford gate , Hangs a Boars bone that some do wonder at . See Peterborough Minster : And the * * Leicest. place Which second Henry did so much deface , For Earl Bossus Rebellion . Lincolne grown Far into Age , a City whilome known More populous and great , do not pass by ; The Minster in it merits any eye . Nor suffer fair and pleasant Notingham , ( Where the great Mortimer by those that came Thorow a vault , was taken with the Queen ) By any means by thee to be unseen . Thence unto Darby ( for your Authors sake , A Native of that Shire ) a journey take : Where in a Black-pot of renowned Ale Drink unto me , wishing I may prevail So far in Poetry , that my lov'd name May be preserved by an endless fame . Here Melborne Castle stood , wherein the Duke Of Burbon was kept prisoner , bravely took In Agincourts great Battel , wherein we Conquered by a double policy . Repton a station was to glorious Rome , And yields unto a Saxon King a Tomb. At Burton ( in the Peak ) nine Springs break out Within a little compass , wondrous thought , Because that eight of them are warm , and one As if it were under the frigid Zone . Here likewise are two Caves , whereof one doth To stones turn water-drops that hang at th' roof : The other ( of which strange reports are told ) The Devils Arse is called . These behold , And Elden Hole , which had Aenaeas seen , He would have thought the way to Hell had been , And the renown'd Elysium shades ; for this ( To humane search ) remaines yet bottomless . Stafford-shire ( Trents producer ) Lichfield doth Adorn , and Shrop-shire Shrewesbury : See both . On ( Dublins opposite ) Westchester look , Wherein of eight Kings Edgar homage took . York-shire a City hath , our best but one , And a strange water that turns wood to stone ▪ Kingstone on Hull a fine Town is , and which Then many of our Cities is more rich . Kendall that by the River Cane doth stand , ( Famous for cloth ) is chief of Westmorland . Doubtless in Cumberland , Carleil by far Is the most eminent : See what these are . Upon New-Castle builded somewhat nigh Severus wall , lastly imploy thine eye . What ever City it may be , or Town Your Mistresse makes her habitation , You must avoid it , and let no pretence Occasion be of your not going thence : No business you must value that may be A prejudice to your recovery . But you to leave your Mistresle may suppose A misery below the depth of woes . Were but your body hurt you would endure Fire , and Iron to hasten on your cure : Or were you sick , & abstinence could gain Your health , from plentuous meals you would refrain , And though a thirst even seem to burn you , yet You would abstain from drink , and bridle it : And now to cure your mind , and draw the dart Of angry Cupid from your festring heart , You startle and recoil : For shame be bold , And the mind's health above the bodie 's hold . If you can pick a cause that may produce Dislike of your coy Lasse , thereof make use . Ill 's sometime neighbour unto good : For so ▪ Vertue ( by errour ) oft for vice doth go . Judge all things in your Mistress at the worst , For why should you be kind to her that 's curst ? If she be big made , eas'ly her esteem A match befitting monstrous Polypheme . Is but her stature low ? a Dwarfe her call , That like a Serpent on the ground doth crall . If she be slender , lean : If tall , suppose Her Charing-cross dress'd up in womans clothes . If she be merry think her wanton : or Reserv'dly fashion'd , as unbred abhor . If in the Northern parts she hath been bred , Say she her life most clownishly hath led . Or if in any City , or great Town , That she hath been a gadder up and down . What e're she is , be sure her to dispraise , A thousand Girles dislike a thousand wayes . If you perceive a want in her in ought , By crafty means to shew 't she must be wrought : As if she hath no voice , to sing , or dance , If she be skilless in that art , by chance . Hath she a big voice , or an ill discourse ? Occasion her to talk , and think them worse . Hath she an ill gate ? see her walk ; and tell Her merry stories , if her teeth be ill , To make her laugh and shew them . If her eyes Be weak , relate strange saddest Tragedies To force her tears ; And if she cannot play Upon the Lute , to play upon 't her pray . Never presume to take a walk alone , But ay delight in some Companion : If any time the scorching Lions heat Compelleth thee into a Grove to get , In imitation of Alcides strong , A Phyloctetes bring with thee along , With whom play , laugh , converse , and so to thee Dione's Grand-child will no tyrant be . Lovers , beware of solitariness ; A very dangerous thing for your disease : Let Crustamaena's daughter's w●ful Fate ( That walk'd alone through Forrests , and would waite Upon the Thracian shore ( as he did land ) In hope t' embrace Demophoon on the strand ) From all such melancholy walkes deter And warn you , by frequent remembring her . In your bed-chambers have some friends till sleep ; That from your minds they may by talking keep All amorous thoughts ; so Venus will depart , And leave in rest to each a quiet heart . Beware of reading Love ; take heed of those That either pourtract him in verse or prose : For amorous lines will many mischiefs raise , And make the Cinders of affection blaze . Though the Arcadia be a book approv'd , Arcadia must not be by thee belov'd . The Lady Wrothes Vrania is repleat With elegancies , but too full of heat . Spencers and Daniels Sonets do not view , Though they are good , they are not so for you . From feigned Histories refrain thy sight , Scarce one is there but is an amorous Knight . Musaeus English'd by two Poets shun ; It may undo you though it be well done . Harrington's Ariosto do not touch , For wanton lines scarce any book hath such . And my old friend Drayton's Epistles you ( Being too soft and languishing ) eschew , Be opposite to Cupids law , and when Thy tears are falling , forcibly smile then : But yet mistake me not , as if I thought , That unto freedome you might soon be brought , And on a sudden ; no , he must take time , That o're a mighty Mountain means to climb : So you resolvedly your health intend , Y' are certain to arrive at happy end . Talk not of Love . Alas ! the very name Is so enchanting that it will inflame ; Neither hear any , turn your head aside Or presently their company avoide ; Daphne had yeilded to Heavens Charioter , Had she but staid his wanton words to hear . Drinking of wine forbear , and be to feed Wary on meats from which lust doth proceed ; At every meal be sure to shun excess ; By eating little heat grows less and less . Antonius one of the Triumvirate , Competitor with Caesar for the State , With flowing Bowles , and with luxurious feasts Was entertain'd , and entertain'd his guests : Which was the cause his lust so high did flame , That life he lost for the Egyptian Dame , And over all those Countreys to be head , Wherein the Roman Eagles ere were spread . If by some slight a Garter you have got From her that will not love you , keep it not ; Or if you have a Bracelet of her hair , Or any such like toy , them never wear ; For surely these are Cytheraea's Baites , Which infinitely chast Diana hates . Or if your Mistriss heretofore hath bin Kind unto you , and you have gloried in Her bounteous favours , thought your self above All mankind grac'd , with th' honour of her love ; If under her fair hand you Letters have , That she returns her heart for that you gave , Fraught with so sweet expressions as would draw Even women-Haters under Cupids Law : If she retreats and alters in her minde , To you grows cruel that to her are kinde , Assume a noble Courage , and condemn To angry Vulcan every one of them ; Or if you have her Picture , send it home , Or offer it a gallant Hecatombe To your offended Love ▪ that she may know You scorn her Relicks that hath us'd you so . Being in love with one , and cannot get her , Affect another and you will forget her , So Ariadne did when she did find Renowned Theseus was to her unkind In Naxos Isle , where he did her forsake , Neptune she did into her favour take . Affection divided you will find To be a lesser burthen to your mind . As a great river with a mighty rore Runs through the vales , and wounds the yeilding shore , If into several Channels it doth fall , It less impetuous and maje●●icall Will prove , and in an humbler manner glide , Rob'd of it's former glory , strength , and pride . So Love be●●ow'd on several beauties will Grow much less dangerous and an easier ill . When his disloyal Queen the Trojan Prince , ( With 's beauty and his courtly eloquence ) Did win , and steal away , had Atrcus Son But done , as many others would have done , ( And it had prov'd the best ) become a Lover ( For sure she had some equals ) of an other ; He in a slourishing and happy peace Had liv'd at home in his own Court in Greece , And many an Argive King at home had found A Sepulchre , and not in Phrygian ground ; Therefore new Beauties seek to try , if you Can part with any love unto a new ; And to that end frequent all Solemn Balls All publick shows and sumptuous Festivals . Conjecture that which is not : think that you Are free from love , and that your thought is true : When one because he would not drink doth make As he were fall'n asleep , sleep him may take . If in the Wars you have a trusty friend , Your Cogitations to him always bend , Thinking upon the hazard he is in ; And so your thoughts your Mistress shall not win . Or if you have a Ship with riches fraught Returning home , ay on it fix your thought ; Contemplating the fury of the Sea , And how that many have been cast away ; Whereby your scornful Girl you shall forget , Sith your imaginations are not set On her , but on the Goods that Neptune hath Within the power of his love , or wrath . If that thy Mistress with a nimble hand All the Lutes ravishing harmony doth command , Or upon other Instruments can play Equal to Orpheus , that did make his way Through the Infernal Shades by his rare skill ; Hear her not play ; It will increase thine Ill. Or if she sings like Venus , when she fain Her weary wanton Cupid would constrain To lay his fatal quiver and bow away , And in the Groves of Amathusia Sleep by her side , while on the Cypress Trees A thousand birds warble their melodies , Hear her not sing ; Her voice will so allure That her contempt you longer will endure . Or dances she like to the Graces , when They are retit'd from the abodes of men , And Gods their pleas'd spectatours do become ; If she intends to dance avoid the room . Imagine not a Rival ; For so doing You never will be able to leave wooing ; For , ( to obtain the Girl from him ) you will Persist a vain Inamorato still . The one-ey'd Cyclop , when he Acis found Sitting with Galatea on the ground , His Rival with a rent up rock did kill , Yet n●'re the nearer to obtain his will ; When she anothers did begin to be , The more Orestes lov'd Hermione . Refrain from Playes ; Let not the Theatre At all include thee ; for by seeing there One act an amorous passion , may make you Your suit to your proud Lady to pursue . Because when you have seen that he hath got His Mistress , may conceive , why may you not ? Ah! his was but th' Invention of a brain , Your Ladies scorns runs in an higher strain . If you conveniently can , surprise Your mistress dressings , so your wary eyes Some strange conceal'd deformities may finde , To ease , if not release your Captive minde ; Which when you think upon ( at leisure ) more , They to your liberty may you restore . Most of our Ladys when they do expose Themselves to view , may thank their costly clothes Rich jewels , feigned statures , borrow'd hair , And beauteous colours that unnatural are ; They would not else seem objects of delight , But homely women , such as we should slight ▪ And your disdainful one perhaps being such , You see the least of her you love so much . But rashly do not practise this ; Be sure She useth art , or fly her chamber dore ; For a pure native beauty that doth scorn All helps of Art , arises like the Morn In a cleer sky , and ( dressing ) may discover Sights too attractive for a slighted lover . Do these , and though affections fire should blaze Like Aetna in your breast , you thence would chase Easily all those flames , and after be From all the Paphian vexations free . Unfortunate Lovers many times ( I guess ) All that reciprocally love do bless , Think every star ( when they were born ) did shine Benignely on them , and the Heavens combine To grace them with continuance of joyes , As if they were above all miseries ; When it falls often out , a fervent love A more extreme affliction doth prove . Alcyone her Ceyx did prefer Above all men and he all women , her ; Yet she did see his body float to shore Drowned at Sea but a few days before . Therefore to Hymens Temple though they come , And hear the soft Epithalamium , And many dayes do live in joy and peace , In depths of wretchedness they may decease . And many that for love do marry , be After unfortunate , and not agree ; Almighty Jove that did Saturnia wed , Bringing for love his sister to his bed , Quickly neglected her ; His wandring e●es Not long being pleas'd without varieties ; As witness Danae in the Brazen tower , And Semele his daring'st Paramour , Laeda by him esteem'd most beautifull , And fair Europa riding on a Bull ; Calisto ( chast Diana ) One of thine Deceiv'd , and vitiated neer Nonacrine ; Married Alcmena in a threefold night , And many such too tedious to recite . Thes● and the like of his Amours being known , Juno's firm'st patience was overthrown ; Who ( by her much opprobrious language given ) Hath divers times even scolded him from Heaven ▪ Be gentle henceforth ( Cupid ) and invite Reciprocally unto thy delight : For bloodshed ( wanton ) is unfit for you ; Thy Sire-by-law should dreadful Armes pursue ; T is he that may great Territories wast , And make whole Kingdoms at his name agast . T is he not thou that sternly should advance ( To the expulsure of a Soul ) a Lance. T is he that should sound trumpets , and the noise Of baleful Drums make penetrate the skies . Lutes , Viols , Orpherions , such as these , Not Mars his wrathful Musick thee should please : But be as cruel as thou wilt , my verse Shall blunt thine arrows that they shal not peirce . Our work we have concluded , and do pray All those , whose burnings Fits it shall allay , To love our Memory , and speak our prayse , And ( if we merit them ) to give the Bayes .

The first Eglogue . Coridon , and Strephon. Cori. WHy Strephon ▪ art thou melancholy grown And wil● not use thine oaten pipe ? hast known Any ill news of late hath dul'd thy wit , Made us unhappy , and thy self unfit ? Stre. 'T is no Report , kinde Coridon , hath made Me cloud my brow with sorrow and be sad ; It is a cause more high , a cause that can Destroy the joy of the most fortunate man . Cori. And may I know it Strephon ? Dare you trust Me with a Secret , and conceive me just , Believe I will be silent ? If you dare , I should desire this Novelty to hear . Stre. Ah , Coridon ! I am in love with one , The fairest Shepherdess was ever knowne ; Her Face is beauties abstract , wherein we May ( at perfection ) every beauty see . Corid . And art thou sad because thou art in love ? So Jove should grieve because he reigns above ; There is no fate so high befalls a Swain , As to love where he is belov'd again . Tell me ( my Strephon ) therefore why art sad ? Is it because thy Dear will not be had ? Stre. She cannot ( Coridon ) for she is wed , And fine young Perigot hath her maiden-head , As blithe a Shepherd as did ever sing Neat Roundelayes unto our Goat-foot King ; He is an happy man , and doth enjoy That beauty which I languish for , and dy . Cori. Strephon , I grieve thou art enthralled so ; Desist betimes , and forward do not go ; Thy flames extinguish whilst they do begin , For such a Love is against Pan a Sin . And while yong Perigot lives what hope have you , If she unto him do not prove untrue ? Stre. I do confess I have none ; neither would Commit so great an evil , if I could ; I am enamour'd neither more nor less Then Thenot , on the faithful Shepherdess : I love her vertues , and if she should fall , My love to her would be no love at all . Corid . Thou art an honest Swain , and our Feild-God Will bless thee in thy Cottage and abroad . Stre. As I have faithfully to you replide , So let none of my questions be denide . Cori. They shall not ( Strephon ; ) I should be unjust Unto your merits , if I did distrust Your secresie in any thing I speak ; He that doth doubt his friend , doth friendship break . Stre. Is there no l●ss whom Coridon doth like ? You , did the Paphian Archer never strike ? Or are you such a man as never car'd Whether a womans heart were soft or hard ? Corid . Strephon , I love , but I do fear in vain , Because rich Melibe intends to gain A wealthier Shepherd for his daughter , one Whose fortune must prevent thy Coridon . Stre. And would he merchandize his daughter ? may He long expect and never see that day . Steal her young Shepherd ; never let her be ( Whom thou affects ) subject to salarie . Corid . But ere I saw my Mira , or did know What beauties made her perfect , I did owe My love to Galatea ; but I lost My labour , which good old Palaemon crost , Because he did believe that I would prove A careless Shepherd , and the Downs not love : Judge ( Strephon ) that know'st me above report , If I be justly censur'd by him fort ' ; Do I not love the fields , and use to play On Oaten reedes many a Roundelay ? Stre. He that says otherwise , he doth not know Thy Nature truly , but becomes thy foe ; Because ( being Ignorant ) he doth undertake So bold a Character of thee to make ; Were he acquainted with thy wayes , to thee Palaemon would give Galatea free ; And think his age more happy then his youth , That made a Shepherd his of so much truth . Corid . Flatter not ( Strephon ) I do want those parts That make a man be lov'd for his deserts ; Could I but sing such neat fine Lays , as you , I might believe these praises were my due . Stre. And so you can if Tityrus says right , Who told me Dities you did well endite . Corid . Now you do mention Tityrus , I must Be to his merits , and our friendship just ; He is a Shepherd ( would he please to sing ) Might lengthen with his voice the speedy Spring : Did he but know how much the downs he wrongs , The woods and dales would eccho with his songs ; He knows when Notes are over-sharp , or flat , And is the ablest Boy that ever sat Upon an Hillock , would he use his Reed , And joy his want on flock while it doth feed . Stre. He is an able Lad indeed , and likes Arcadian Pastorals , and ( willing ) strikes A Plaudite to th' Epilogues of those Happy Inventions Shaksphere did compose ; Beaumont and Fletcher he will listen to , And allow Johnsons method high and true . He prais'd you to me , and I do believe He his own Judgement would not wrong to give Feign'd Commendations ; Do not ( therefore ) fear Sith he approves your pipe , who doth it hear . Corid . Strephon , I thank both you , and him , & will Be proud hereafter to make known my skill : If I but please the few I mean it for , To seek for vulgar praise I shall abhor . Stre. Coridon it is late : Farewel untill We meet again upon this flowry Hill ; My Master will make wonder at my stay , I otherwise would not so soon away . Cori. Thy Master 's happy in thy care , Adieu : As I will be in absence , be thou true .

The second Eglogue . Thenot , and Amarillis . Then. WHy art thou sad ( fair Shepherdess ) and so Fil'st Heaven with sighs of hidden inward wo ? What is the reason that in thy fresh years Thou drown'st thy lovely cheeks with showers of tears , Withering the Roses that did flourish there , And pal'st thy youthful blood with heavy chear ? Behold the long expected Spring is come , And joyful Birds are now no longer dumbe : They every Grove that is do make a Quire , Chirping in them the layes of their desire . Our Lads and Lasses that in winter were Drowsie like the dull season of the year , Are merry now , and ( upon all the Downs ) Kindly receive , and kindly give green Gowns . Onely our Amarillis fain'st of all Mourns like a follower of a Funeral : What is the cause ? for I would gladly know If it such sorrow doth deserve , or no. Amar. Ah Thenot , reverenc't for thy hoary hair , Of all the Shepherds that amongst us are ! To thee the soon'st I would unload my minde , That art in Counsel wise , in pity kinde , Wise , to advise me if I do amiss , And pitiful , to rue my wretchedness : Know I have cause to weep , as long as I Have any moisture left in either eye , To tear off every hair from off my head , And rage impatiently till I am dead . O my Credulity ! That did suppose There could be faith in any Lovers oathes ! Then. Then t is for love that Amarillis thus Disconsolately liveth here with us : But which of all our Boyes is so unwise To slight a Beauty of so rich a price ? Amar. Knew'st thou not Thyrsis , that had wont to keep On yonder Hill a jolly flock of Sheep , Who all the while they on the banks did feed , Play'd merry tunes upon his Oaten reed ? Such songs as Alta highly did esteem , And for their quaintness was in love with him ; The Daughter of rich Ionius , who was Took with his pipe , like many an other Lass . But when my Shepherd all the rest did slight , And in my beauty onely did delight , He did not care for all her wealth , and ( tho She was an hansome Wench ) would never wo ; For such Command I then had of his heart , That I did think he never could depart : Which being known , his angry Father sent Him out of Arcadie in discontent ; That being far remov'd , and forth of sight He might forget his Amarillis quite . And so I hear he hath ; and yet he swore Absence should make his love not less , but more . Ah , perjur'd man ! He faithless and untrue , Hath falsly slighted me , and took a new . O Thenot ! Couldst thou think that Thyrsis , he That made such vows would ever faithless be ? His vows had he broke onely , it had bin A pardonable and a venial Sin : Thenot ! can men weep like a Crocodile ? Have they their tears so ready to beguile ? He wept when we did part as much as I , And now is guilty of such perjury . Then. Sad Amarillis , though I know thy youth Cannot sustain the breach of Lovers truth Without Impatiency ( For women when They bear affection seldom change like men ) Yet know ( in you ) 't were wisdom to remove Your heart from him that hath so fail'd in love . Amar. Ere I can leave my Thyrsis , Thenot , know I must want life ; when I do backward go , Just Jove revenge my falshood ; I will be True as I was , though he hath slighted me ; Know honest Thenot that I am not Wind , When I have setled once , to change my minde ; When I prove false , Thou glorious Guide of day , Change East and West , and run another way ; And thou pale-horned Queen of night constrain The Sea to dulness , neither wax nor wane ; The pleasant Ladon first shall change his Course , And every River run back to the Source ; The fixed Stars weary of standing shall Amaze Astrologers be Planets all : And toil'd Bootes ( tired with his pain ) Leave travel off , and fix his sevenfold Wain . Then. Be comforted ( sweet Lass ) For sure when he Returns again , again he will love thee . Amar. Thenot , could I expect but so much good , I here would live as merry as I cood , And to our rural Pan each night and morn Make faithful Orisons for his Return . Then. Trust me ( young Amarillis ) I have no Doubt of him ; but am sure it will be so : An honest man may fall , and yet may be Not ever in his fault ; neither will he . When he returns and finds that you have bin True unto him , ashamed of his Sin , His former faith he will renew , and more Love Amarillis then he lov'd before . Amar. Thanks ( gentle Thenot ) for these words of joy , Poor Amarillis to her Fortunes try , And ( if that me you ever thankless find ) Banish my name for ever from your minde : Thy Speeches have rais'd hope he wil come back , And me again into his favour take ▪ And that on Holy-days ( when all the Rout Do sport the medows and the fields about , ( Crowning with Garlands her that Dances best , Making her Mistress of our Country-Feast ) With showing Gambals on the dazy Green And eating Chees-cakes with our Summer Queen ) I with my Shepherd ( among th' others ) shall Dance many a merry Jig , and many a Brall : For since my Thyrsis from Arcadia went , I solitary have liv'd discontent ; When others have been playing , have sat down And moystned wth my tears the Sun-burnt ground . Then. But leave such sadness ( Amarillis ) now And unto us thy Company allow ; For I dare lay the best Lamb I have here , He shortly will return , and love thee deare . Amar. My thanks again good Thenot ; Ever be Belov'd of Pan for comforting of me . Then. And may our rural God ( fair Shepherdess ) Thee with fruition of thy Wishes bless . Amar. I have no other wish but that my Swain Would come to us , and be mine own again . Happy the day when we by Ladon side Eat Cream , and kisses mutually enjoyde : And happy were those Nights , when on his knee He by the Fire side did dandle me ! How often as we sat so hath thy Son Thy Billy Thenot to th' old Woman run , For apples to make Lambs-wooll ! Never more We two shall drink as we have drunk before . But far more happy were those days of note , When we from Martin did live far remote , In thy kind Cottage , when I did not know What 't was to love and be forsaken so ; There I have sung , and laugh'd , & laugh'd , & song , And been as merry as the day was long ; But since my Thyrsis hath both woed , and won me , And so forgotten me , he hath undon me . Then. We should have something to divert this thought ; For Melancholy ( Shepherdess ) is naught . I hope that now we very shortly shall Hear on our Green that pleasant Pastorall , Which ( of an Obstinate Lass ) young Coridon , Thy love-sick Brother did write long agon ; Which Tityrus his faithful Friend approv'd , A Shepherd for his able parts belov'd . Amar. When it is song I will not fail to hear For Coridons sake , whom I do love so dear ; To me that Pastoral he oft hath said , While both our neighbor-flocks have fed , & plaid ; And ( honest Thenot ) many sundry times I unto him have read my Thyrsis rimes , Wherein he prais'd me above woman-kind ; And little did I think those Words were winde . But those few happy days are past , and now Sad care sits always heavy on my brow . Ere Thyrsis went none danc'd so much as I , None laugh'd so chearfully , none did enjoy So many nights of joy , and days of bliss ; And all because I thought that I was his : And if ( when he returns again ) he will Receive his long-forsaken Amarill , The Lamb , which best of all my Flock I prize , Unto our rural Pan I 'le sacrifice . Then. Fair Shepherdess , be confident ere long He will return , and quit him of the wrong That he hath don himself , increasing so His former love that you no end shall know . T is time to fould our Flocks : For we have sat So long a talking that it is grown late . Amar. Thenot , Goodnight ! And thanks for thy kind stay , Heaven prosper thee long to Arcadia : For , if that thou , and some few more should die , Our Countery soon the Pastoral Muse would flie .

A Satyre . AWay with Plays , and Sonnets ! I will write A dreadless Satyre shall the town affright , And make the Gallants curse and swear that he Meant this by him , and this he meant by me . I will spare none , but warn ; that each man learns ( When he applies ) to minde whom it concerns . But heark ! I hear a friend : Away ! And do Not such a thing ; It should not come from you : Let needy Poets that cannot sell their Plays Exclaim ( out of their want ) against the days ; Or ( whom a Lord for Dedication ows ) Tax him with all his faults , a way each knows ; Or let a despis'd Lover ( whom of late His Mistress for his verses jeer'd ) go prate , Tell how she paintes , who are her Bawds , & which Of the young Courtiers comes to ease her Itch ; But not a man of our own ranke disclose , What either he by his experience knowes , Or from his friendes relation ; In this time Not to perform but to be seen's a Crime : And there are many do grow worse when they See vice reveal'd , cause then they know the way . This cannot serve : I will unlode my spleen , And spare no ulcers be they old or green . Methinks I hear one speak ; Sir , do your worst , We shall not be the last , not are the first That have by Paper-blurrers been defam'd , And ( when y 'ave done ) we will proceed unsham'd . I did believe as much , but I will on Onely for my own recreation . Ask but a Chamber-maid ( which are the froth Of vain discourse ) what her young Lady doth ; And she will certifie you of each change Her humour hath , and every subtile range Her strange unbridled passions lead her to ; How she complains her Knight is grown untrue Unto his vows and her , and therefore she Seeks Pastimes to divert her Melancholie ; Frequents the Theatres , Hide-Park , or els talkes Away her pretious time in Gray's Inn Walkes ; Layes out what she can spare ( to win his heart By any means ) for the last helps of art ; And vowes ( if nothing in her power lyes To gain him ) she 'l no longer be unwise , And spend her flourishing days in solitude , Unfit , and unagreeing with her blood ; That there 's a Gallant Courtier , young , and rich In Natures perfectest Endowments , which She yet hath slighted much ; but now ( t is thought ) She will requite her Husband , and be naught . O Feminine Revenge ! to brand her Name , With Infamy , and Family with shame ! Nor is this all her News : She can discover Whom the old Knights daughter hath made her lover ; That she dotes on him so , she cannot keep Her tongue from naming him though in her sleep ; That she would fain be married , for the awe She bears unto an unkind Mother in law ; How he 's a younger brother , and ●oth lack Silver in 's purse though ha's enough on 's back . O vanity of times ! Secrets that shoo'd Be lock'd within 's fast as our bosomes blood , And faults that should be mended , and not known ( By such like means ) common discours are grown : Some will be censuring things that are above Their way , because such things they do not love ; Sir , out of love unto you I am come To certifie you , you give cause to some To laugh at you ; y 'ave writ a Play , and they Say t is a shame for you to write a Play : Besides you Poetry so much affect , That you the better Sciences neglect . O thou sweet Charmer of the Soul ● Why should This Iron age so meanly of thee hold ? Hast thou mov ▪ d salvage beasts , and rocks , & trees , And canst not win upon the hearts of These ! Enjoy your earthen thoughts : minds full of fire Can never grovel , but do all aspire . Madam ! T is true I 've writ some Plays , and wood I had the happiness to call them good , I would be proud on 't : for my love unto The Mus●s , I will ever love them so ; And though some think 't a fault , I know it none ; There is no poyson grows on Helicon . You are resolv'd : but I do think it fit That you on better things emploid your wit ; And so I leave you . Madam , Fare you well ; And what I 've said , unto my Daughers tell . Mend your own faults : be not so proud of your One portion , as if no body had more ; And when that you have Suitors , do not scare Them away with looks like th' angry God of war . But I must leave her : For I see another That for her wit may call my Madam mother . She is a young one , lately married to A Lord : Now let us see what she will do . Sir , I am glad to see you ; Madam I Rejoyce to hear of your good fortune ; why ? You have a noble and rich husband ; So I did deserve for what I brought you know . Were I but such a man I would not wed So low , and rather keep a single bed . I am an Hogen Mogens daughter ; good , You may boast of your wealth , not of your blood . Of my Husband I may . Indeed t is true ; But he was much to blame to marry you : Sir , you do wrong me much : and I do pray To me you would not dedicate a Play , I scorn to own such Trifles ; I did hear 'T was your Intent , which if it was , forbear : A Poet once of your acquaintance did , But for his sawciness he was well chid . Madam know this , I do not write for gain , My pleasure is the Guerdon of my pain ; And never with one mean to trouble you , Though it were acted in a publick Stew. I know the Poet you spoke of , and know It was his want that forc'd him thereunto ; He knew you was unfit for 't , and that scant Could understand a Scene so ignorant . Therefore learn this ; The rich the poor do praise , Not for their merits , but their stock to raise : And t is no doubt but he did give you high Titles of worth , yet knew himself did lye . Take your unpay'd for Coach , and to Hide-Park , And ( Madam ) when the Cuckow sings , pray heark ; It is a musick you can manage ; or send For a Croud of Fidlers and their skill commend ; Know , that for you t is an impossible thing The hear the sweet and solemn Muses sing : An earthen minde hath earthen thoughts , and they That noble Souls have noble things survey . Madam adieu ! Think of me what you will , Of your Opinion I am careless still . Whether this Lady angry be or no I do not care at all ; So let her go . Go into Gray's Inn Walks , and you shall see Matter for Satyres in each Companie ; This Lady comes to show her new fine Gown , And this to see the Gallants of the town . Most part of Gentlemen thither repair , To censure who is foul , and who is fair . Yon Lady in th' red Sattin looks so pale , That eirher she hath th' Green-sickness , or is stale . She in the Hat and Feather looks so like An Amazonian Tosser of a Pike , She 's fit for a fiery Captain : yon 's a face Pretty and beautiful at the first Gaze ; But view it seriously , and it is slight . What an old womans that with a young Knight ? Sure t is his Grand-mother , or great Aunt ; alas ! He had much rather a walk'd with a young Lass . O , says a young Lady to her brother , when Did you see so complete a Gentleman ? Has he not curious legs ? fine curled hair ? How well the Suite is made that he doth wear ! I would my Husband were so handsome : So He is her brother swears , but she sighs no. Yon Gallant 's gate is like unto a Dance , Sure he 's return'd but newly out of France ; Yon 's like a fools or clowns , I know not whether , And ( if h'as any wit ) hee 'l soon go thither , Says a Lady to her husband : He replide , See how that woman walks ! with what a pride , She very lately was a City-wife But now a Lord o' th Court hath chang'd her life : Her Husband being dead , and she left rich , She for a title of more height did itch ; Which her good fortune got her : In her own Conceit she is the onely happy one ; She thinks her Husband loves her , and I dare Be sworn that he for her doth nothing care . When he at night comes in , towards him she trips , And he must kiss her though he lothe her lips , Which out of his affection he doth doe , She thinks , but I have told you what is true . Vain , windy honour ! what a sought for thing ! 'T will make a Kettle have a silver ring . Survey a Tavern ; Not a Room but will Deserve a Satyre , they are all so ill . Here is a Gentleman that hath a smack Of riming with a Poet at his back , And half a dozen of his drunken friends , Who doth adopt him son for what he spends ; Praises his Poems for the best that were ( Since H●ngist time ) writ in the English aire : And ( For 't is vain to go to Delphos now For Oracles ) Son ! read my lines , and thou ( Cryes he ) wilt say Apollo never coo'd ( God of the sacred Muses ) write as good . He swears as many oathes as he repeates Verses , then calls for the dear'st Fowl , and eates , Beg's mony when the reckning 's paid , and so ( Having fil'd his Tobacco-box ) doth go . Another chamber view , and you may find Gentlemen staggering with wine as wind ; See healths drunk round & round ; To her that lies By Suffolk-house , and hath the fine blackeies ; Unto whose Lodgings he dares not repair , Because she will not marry but an Heir ; To the rich Lady Widow that did invite Him kindly unto supper yesternight , ( great ) Who ( though his means be smal , her joyntu●e Without his company can eat no meat ; To the rich Citizens daughter ( gallant Girle ! ) The laft Mask full of Diamonds and Pearle . Were you within the next Room , you might see A Gentleman with a great Companie Of miscal'd Captains , and Rorers that think ( drink ; Oathes ( Sugar-like ) sweeten each Glass they A pretious Engle ! Hug'd over , and over , and styl'd An hopeful spark , or they are all beguil'd ; The Table full of Pottles , Pintes , and Quartos , And they a humouring him with some old parts Of the last Coranto's , or perhaps some thing Of Note , perform'd by the late Sweden King . They call for what they list , meaning that he Shall pay the reck'ning for th' whole Companie ; Which when he hath , they steal what plate they can Finger , and part , and laugh at th' idle man . I 'le not go up two pair of stairs , yet there Could be Satyrical as well as here . And now I send , desiring those that know Themselves touch'd in these lines away to goe Silent , and mend ; For every thing is true : And though I neither do name him , nor you , Believ 't I could & that I would . But ( faith ! ) Would you not be revenged ? Do ; Show your wrath , Of me go and write Satyres , for ( I know it ) My faults will serve although you are no Poet.

Love Elegies .

1. Of my falling in Love . HAving resolv'd in Numbers great and high To sing our Brutus Flight from Italie ; How in this Island he arriv'd , and fought Till he it under his Subjection brought ; Here reing'd some years in peace , & when he di'de To his three Sons did all the whole divide : And being prepar'd to write , a sudden noise Of a Coach did occasion me to rise , Conjecturing whom it might be that did come , Till a new day approch'd our Dining-room . She was no sooner entred in the Place , With her fair hand dispers'd Night from her face By taking off her mask , and with a free Well-pleasing Garbe look'd on the Companie , ( My eies being all the while fix'd on her face , Astonish'd at her beauty , and her grace ) But I both sigh'd and trembled ; For I saw The winged Boy did follow her in awe , And was become her Champion , to subject All mankind at her feet that dare reflect Rash looks on her . Alas ! had I espide The fatal God , ere I her Beauties eyde , The sight of his resistless bow had soon ( With down cast eies ) made me to leave the room . To him she turning scornfully , did finde No shaft in 's hand , I had it in my minde , And said ; Why Truant , do you suffer thus A rash presumptuous youth to gaze on us ? He humbly gave this answer ; Madam , you May be appeas'd , he soon his fault will rue ; When he came hither first , he did intend A mighty Epick Poem to have pen'd ; But now that resolution will despise , And court your favours in soft Elegies : Before he had withdrawn his eies he found His yeilding heart assaulted with a wound . This said , a pretty , and disdainful look She cast upon me , and her leave then took Of those she came to visit , leaving me Possest with sad thoughts of my Miserie . Away ( Great Mars ) sigh'd I , when she was gone , And welcome ( Gentle Venus ) with thy Son ; The horrid wars that I did mean to write ( In stately numbers ) of the Trojan Knight , I must convert to softer Layes , and prove All ways t' incline her noble heart to Love .

2. To my Mistress . Fair glory of your Sex ! when you have read My name subscrib'd , and find who 's conquered , Blame not my weakness ; know your eies are strong , And can do what they will , or right or wrong . I did not look to love , onely to see , And was enthral'd when I least thought to be . Be kind ; or ( if you needs will tyrannize ) I le be your Martyr , burn me with your eies . But let me live ; For th' Art is more profound , To save a dying Man , then kill a Sound ▪

3. To my Mrs. before Mr. Mayes Lucan that I sent her . Pardon me Lady , that I dare invent Lines neither worth your view , nor my intent . Nero did murther Lucan , but I doe Expect a life , and not a death from you : With Piso and the learned Seneca He treason against Caesar did assay ; Yet 's Emperour gave him leave to choose by what Means he would undergo the Law of Fate . I never did conceive a thought that you Might think offence , unless affection true ; And that should not your indignation move : The Gods will give us leave their Heaven to love ▪ He lives unto Report , and so shall I ( If slain ) demonstrate your great Cruelty . You are my Empress ; under your fair hand Send me what Destiny you will command . My Fate is what you please to have it : I Live by your kindness , or your coyness dye .

4. Lady , in your applause verse goes As slow and dull as heavy prose ; And your known worthes ( would you submit Your self a subject unto Wit ) Would blunt invention , and ( ore'come With strong Amaze ) make Poets dumbe . By what means then shall I declare My thoughts at height , or what you are ? A world of Paper would but be My love in an Epitome : Fair Lady , therefore do not look For my affection in a book : Search my life through , and if you find Not what I can do , be unkind .

5. Petrarch , for the neat Sonnets he did frame In Laura's praise , obtain'd a Poets Name : I of my Mistress write in verse , and show it , And yet I do profess I am no Poet. They feign , but I speak truth ; what they invent ( Out of long study ) for a Complement , In me is earnest ; Those rich words that they Enforce upon some beauties , I can lay With reverence on you whom I adore , And Times to come may as a Saint implore ; Then unto all may you propitious be , I wish to heaven you now were so to me . Believe , because these are unsmooth , my wit Dul'd with amazement , and my hand unfit To hold a pen so steddy as to write , Lest some Offence should frustrate my delight . Your Beauty is my wonder : That you should Prove merciless , my fear : but my most bold , And happiest earthly wish is , That you may With kindness save whom else your beauties slay .

6. Lady I love , and ( if you can Believe there is a faith in man ) No one can think a Mistress fitter , Nor any love a Mistris better . When I do look on you , I scorn The rosie blushes of the morn ; When I do hear you speak , I know No musick can so sweetly go ; When I at first your lips did touch , I thought Jove never met with such ; I tasted Odours in your breath Able to win a Soul from death ; All things that have been by you , smell So fragrant after , and so well , That Flora may be banished , And you elected in her stead . My sences being yours , make all My future days one Festival : And comfort me who now am sad , Least losing Senses I grow mad .

7. Now after tedious weeks of being mute , The Mistress of my life I do salute . As it is in your power to make each line Of Poesie I write to you , divine ; ( For if you kindly smile on them , you give Ability enough to make them live ) So is it in your power ( if you would please To speak those words ) to raise me unto ease ; For unto me , Enceladus doth lye In flakes of Snow , and I in Fiers dye . Do not believe I counterfeit , who think Verses in your praise would transcolour Inke ; And your Glass an Elizium , where one may Behold your Shadow ere your dying day ; And that reflection I had rather view Then all the beauties in the world but you . Had I your Picture reasonably wrought , No Lady like it should command my thought ; Pigmalion-like I would adore't , until You did prove kind , or me my griefes did kill . Think not I do dissemble ; For who can Look on your face unmov'd , that is a man ? Who ist'hath heard your voice , but he will say Your Tongue can charm all hearers to obey ? And who hath touch'd your lips , but like unto A Lethe-drinker , forgets all save you ? But I am extasied ! you are above My best expressions though I am in love .

8. When I look on your Ribband-knots , I find That my rash gazing eies have thral'd my mind : For they become you so exceeding well , That they have tide my toung , I cannot tell . When I perceive the wanton Windes to play With your unequal'd hair , amaz'd I stay , And bless their happiness ; that they can move Those amorous tresses and not fall in love . When you into Hide Parke do go , all there To follow the race-riders do forbear , And all of them unanimously approch , And ( as if waiters ) do attend your Coach ; That your fair eys may shine on them , whose light Doth set their hearts on fier at the sight ; And force vows from them , that for your dear sake Of greatest toils they greatest joys would make . But what do I do then ! I nothing can ; Your beauties make a Statue of a Man . I cannot look and talke to you like some ; Lady ! your matchless Beauties strike me dumbe . But when I am retired , and alone , My resolutions then do yeild to none ; Regard , reward my earnest love , and so Raise me to heights of joy from depths of wo.

9. Lady , from Cornwall unto you I writ , But my hard Fates kept you from seeing it . How glad had I been if that you had known That there I was yours much more then mine own ! Each wind that blew I lov'd , because I thought The sound thereof might to your ears be brought ; Each Showre that came I wish'd of gold , and that Jove-like I fell into my Danae's lap : Each star I saw put me in minde of thee ; But th' art too fair a little star to be . I went to Sea , and when I there was come , I thought of him that to his Hero swom , And wish't so you did love as she did him , That like Leander I to you might swim . But now I am return'd again , be you As kind to me as you have found me true .

10. Awake my Muse ▪ put on thy best attire To sing her Beauty , and my raging fire : Make all the world know , ( since she will not know ) That she is much to blame to use me so . Sweet , cruel , fair one ! ( unto all of these You may reply causes of my unease ) For you are sweet as flowry May's west wind ; Why should so sweet a Creature be unkinde ? And you are fair , and fair , and sweet must be , The reason I endure your Cruelty . Each Statue I see makes me my Case thus mone ; It hath a Body , you an heart of stone . I fain would die , but thinking I must come To be a wanderer in Elizium , I do destroy that infant-thought ; for there No Soul 's so pure as is your body here . Each night my troubled thoughts keep sleep away ; That time 's to me as busie as the day : But you that are with never a care opprest , Enamour the night Deities in your rest ; Old Somnus fears his wand may do some ill , And therefore charms your eies with kisses still . O that I knew the way whereby to move My sweet and cruel fair One unto love ! Will sighing do it ? O you Gods of wind ! Lend me your breathes that I may sigh her kind : Will tears prevail ? O that my eies would then Melt out themselves into an Ocean ! Or may Entreaties win upon her sense ? Assist me all you Powers of eloquence ; Pity my miseries which are grown so high , That you must pity them , or I shall die : And be not henceforth harsh ; That I may finde My sweet and fair One like a Goddess kinde .

11. Fair Mistress , though my fate is so adverse , That I could rather weep then sing in verse ; Yet one or two I 'le force my Muse to write , And you with your own Cruelty delight . Me-thoughts when last I heard the Nightingal , She did not mention her own woes at all ; But every note that past my listning ear Did make me my own misery to hear : It was a change worthy her skill , for she Will sing the saddest things , and therefore me . Pity a man in Hell , for there I am , I could not else live so amidst my flame ; And make my joyes with all my sufferings even ; But two kind words , and I shall be in Heaven .

12. Dear Lady , from your eies there came A lightning did my heart inflame , And set it all on burning so , That forth the fire will never go . Be merciful , for I remain , Till you be kind , in endless pain ; And ( machless fair One ) deign to know That pity should with beauty goe ; That comely bodies should include Mindes in them equally as good . I will not doubt you until I Have reason from your Crueltie . Since we deformed bodies finde To be the Emblems of the minde ; Why should not I pursue that art , And think one fair hath such an heart ? Confirm Philosophie , which you By being merciful may do : And unto the eternal praise Of your rich Beauty I will raise A fame so high , that times to come Of your deare name shall ne're be dumbe ; So you with Rosalinde shall be Eterniz'd unto Memorie , With Stella live ; names known as well As Colin Clout , and Astrophel . As kindness in a Lady can Preserve in life a dying man ; So verses ( after she is dead ) Report will of her spread . Return affection , and we then Shall live though die , and live agen .

13. I have mine eyes and love : for who Hath eyes to see and doth not so ? Who can behold a lovely face , Both full of beauty and of grace ; See pretty lips , and glorious eyes , And not be chang'd though ne're so wise ? Rich Cherry-cheeks , and browes Divine , And not desire would she were mine ? I have a Lady lately seen Far perfecter then beauties Queen ; Diana's vertues make her stai'd , And Venus forme a lovely Maid ; Surely two Goddesses have strove To make a wonder of my Love : No Beauty Venus lets her want ; And Dian hath made her a Saint , To pray to Saints many deny , And censure for idolatry ; But none of them will say I erre If I with prayers petition her . Deign therefore virtuous , beauteous Fair , ( You that are more then others are For beauty whom all wonder at , And for your vertues emulate ) Pity my heart by you enflam'd ; For cruelty be not defam'd : Nor joy to see my miseries rage , Which your tongue onely can asswage ; But a true service entertain , Rewarding it with love again .

14. Before a little Book of my own that I sent her . Lady , I do not give this Book alone , But with 't my heart , which you have made your own : Censure my verses as you please ; but be Kind to my heart , lest you do ruine me . I made these little Poems , and ( if you Vouchsafe your love to me ) you make me too . Be kind as you are fair , I wish no other ; So make a doubtful man an happy Lover .

15. Be kind ( blind Boy ) and let not her alone ; T is tyranny in thee to shoot at one . Me thou hast wounded , she untouch'd remains ; Slights all my Sighs , and credits not my pains . If th' hast an Arrow ( though but one ) behind Strike her , and make us both be of one mind . Thou God of Love born in an happy hour In some fresh Garden in some flowry Bower , I , by thy wings fill'd with the sighes of thy Fast-●erter'd Subjects , by thy Quiver , and by Thy fatal Bow , by Venus drawn along Olympus Star-pav'd Courts ( the Gods among ) If thou dost ever hope eternal Jove Will eyes vouchsafe unto the God of Love ; By these and more I do beseech thine aide , Or make me mine , or mine , this Angel-Maide . Pity my misery , and take my part ; Or heal my wound , or wound her cruel heart . Fair Love ! Sole Centre of my thoughts ! to you I am a Suppliant , be my Judge and true ; Censure my pass●ons , prayers , affections , me Throughly and narrowly , and ( if you see No fault in me , as you no fault shall finde ) Leave off your cruelty , and be you kinde . Use me according to my love , if I Adore you not , let me unpitied die .

16. At her going out of the Countrey . Farewell fair Saint ! But when you are away And far remote , think of me once a day . When shall I see again your Amber-haire ? Look on your stately forehead , arched fair ? View those two Suns , your heart-bewitching eies ? Your Nose , and Mouth , and all your Rarities ? Hear your sweet tongue again , whose words alone Would make deaf Mortalls hear , if not a stone ? Not till I come to London : Phoebus , hie ; Drive not the Sun so slowly through the skie . If these short dayes , these Winter-days will seem So tedious , then what should I think of them If they were Summer-Hours ? Surely I Should wish ( like Phaeton ) thou might'st fall & die : For in your absence I shall take delight In Dreams of you t'wear out the longest Night . I love , and that is all that I can say ; My vehement thoughts take all my words away . The more I think to write , I can the less : His heart is safe who can his love express . Know I am yours much more then I can tell , And say ( with grief ) sweet'st of your Sex ! Farewell .

17. At my Return , having brought her the first days Journey . Farewell again , Fair Mistress of my heart ; For you must go , and I must now depart . My body doth return ; my heart doth stay : You it along with you do bear away . Lay it by yours , thither it would withdraw ; The fire of mine the frost of yours may thaw . Farewel dear eies : It will be tedious Night With me as long as I do want your light . Farewell sweet mouth , encompass'd with a row Of richest Cherries over and below ; The Nectar and Ambrosia I shall want That hang on them , and fast an irksome Lent . Farewel best tongue ; Now thee I shall not hear , I would not care if all things silent were . Farewell all fair ! Beauty I shall not view , Until again I do behold't in you . All things befriend you ; Hyems , do not frown Keep Boreas still , and all his Brethren down . Be of a kind Aspect , and look not pale With frost or Snow ; not sullenly let fall Showr's from thine eies ; Be milde , that Phoebus may Waite on my lovely mistress every day . So she may hap to favour thee ; which thing May change the Winter to another Spring . My last Farewel : Till I in London see My Love again , I shall a mourner be .

18. Hail my Delight ! whom I so well lov'd here , Do now love there and will love every where . I hope you do not doubt my faith : For I Know I adore you so I daily die . When you was here my passion was so great , That I did bow and sink down under it : But now y' are gone my Love is so extreme , I am distracted : when your happy name I think upon , your beauty , Goodness , all What you include , I into madness fall ; Rave at these days that do divide us two , At these slow hours that keep me from you . Thus I affect : would you did love me so , That when we meet there might not pass a No. Tell me how doth that richest jewel , your Unkindest heart against all love endure ? Although Diana's Charms environ round , And circle it , to keep it from a wound ; Yet Cupids Dart hath greater force then those , And when he please can peirce it with his throws . And I will make such prayers to him , that he Shall be reveng'd ( unto the height ) for me : It 's ears be not deaf as his eyes be blind , I 'le make him hear me , and he 'l make you kind . You cannot ( fairest Maid ) your Fate remove : Yield therefore not by force , but will to love .

19. I will not now implore a Muse , not One Of the inhabiters of Helicon : Neither Apollo , he that doth above Sing Sacred Anthems to eternal Jove : If you ( sweet Mistress ) will vouchsafe to be Gracious , and read , each line will come off free . Since I beheld your Beauty I 've forgot My former pleasures , and now know them not : I've no Delight but you , and you are so Unkind to me you are my torment too . Unmerciful Destinies ! that do unite A cruel torment with a sweet delight . But be you far more harder-hearted then Was ever Lady yet to any man ; Though Daphne-like you shun , and run away ; Like Phoebus I behind you will not stay . You are regardless , and will lend no ear Unto my vows , nor my entreaties hear : Deign therefore , you immortal Deities That reign enthroned in the lofty Skies ; Hear , and redress my wrongs , pity my mone , Or make her 's flesh , or mine an heart of stone ; Or guide her tongue that thence kind words may Or strik me deaf , or strik my Mistress dumb : ( come , Yet is her tongue all Musick , and so rare , It makes me even to love my own despair . For Neptunes sake , whose Trident awes the Sea , Pale Luna shine with an auspicious ray . If thou dost love the bright delicious bride Of Mulciber , Mars be thou on my side . By thy wing'd feet , and by thy Charmed wand , A gracious influence , Mercury , I command . For Alcumena's Night , and for her Child , The Monster-Queller , Jupiter be mild . If ever thou didst love Adonis deare , Now Venus favour me in thy Careere . If thou dost hope Jove will allow thee peace In heaven , that did affor'd thee small in Greece ; On Lovers ( Saturne ) gently smile , and joyn ( With th' other Six ) to perfect my design . By all Ver's various flowers , and Autumns fruit , Sol , I implore thee to complete my suit . If me the Planets do befriend in this , Her Cruelty cannot withstand my bliss ; Against the Stars there is no striving , she Must yield unto her Fate , which is to me ; And ( Lady ) if their beams be gracious , know , I mean to have you whether you will or no.

20. My love ( Dear Soul ) is grown unto that height , That when I cannot see you I must write : By my affection , now I am from you , You may perceive my former words were true . Doubt me not ( Lady ! ) rather doubt the Sun ( Dash'd out with Ocean waves ) will cease to run : Believe the Moon , pale Cynthia of the night , Will leave her Sphere , and on the earth a light ; And th' other Planets ( frighted a this change ) Will stand still in a maze , and leave to range ; Believe old Neptune missing of his Deare , Will be dul'd into calmness out of fear ; Suppose the earth wanting the Light Divine That nourish't it , will never more be green ; Believe the earth agreeing yet with Heaven , Into another Chaos will be driven ; Imagine what you will , true or untrue ; But never think I can be false to you . Know that if you affection will return , That now Im'warm , and will hereafter burn ; That now I curb my passions ; but will then Give way unto them , love , and love agen . We 'l not be parted , be not you ingrate , By Lands , or Seas , by friends or foes , or fate .

21. Dear Saint , I do love you so well , You cannot think , nor I can tell . As when from earth some look on high , And see the Lights that grace the skie , They think them small , because they seem Not unto them to be extreme ; So you perchance when you do read My Love dress'd in so poor a weed As my weak Muse can frame , will straight Or think it counterfeit , or light : But could my hand express my minde , You would no longer be unkinde ; For t is so full of love to you , You cannot think , nor I can shew .

22. May you ( fair Sweet ) live long and happily : But do not you live so that I must dye . Be kind ; for if you chance to frown I fall : Your No is equal to the Fates sad Call . A curious Limner dares profess a Strife With Nature , thinks with art to match the life : O that my pen could draw my heart , and you Be won ( by certainties ) to know me true ! How many thousand prayers would you read over ! How many vows professed by your Lover ! What a poor martyr you would see ! An heart , Dying in flames because you care not for't ! ●hall I believe you always will remain ●o careless of me , and so slight my pain ? ●'le not despair ; when you least think to be Kind unto me , the Gods may pity me ; Make you with me in an affection joyn And mollifie your heart as much as mine , To sacred Hymen their high wills reveal , And make him sign our Loves with his broad seal ▪ Nor will I wish ( if you do slight me ever ) That you may love , and may be pitied never ; Far be it from me : onely that you may Sigh once , weep one tear , and wear black one day ▪ But I will hope you may be kind , and ( though Y' are strange so long ) not always use me so . Pity your Servant ; if I do not prove Worthy of your love , then withdraw your love .

23. To her resolved to go beyond Sea . Unkind , fair Mistress ! are not frowns and Noes Enough , to fill your Servant full of woes ? Can you not be cruel enough , unless You leave this Kingdom , and do pass the Seas ? Like unto Caesar would you have me fall With many wounds , and triumph over all ? Though , when y' are gon my fate is sad , I will Wish you all good though you wish me all ill . May Neptune proud of such a burthen , smooth His old and angry Face , and fall in love ; May not an adverse winde as much as breath ; That you may smile upon the Seas beneath . Were I not wondrous true , instead of prayers I should use imprecations , curse the stars , Wish Neptune with his powerful Trident throw The waters from the Centre , and below In that Abyss sink down your Ship , and then The raging winds blow back the Seas agen And cover you , that women henceforth may Beware , and earnest love with earnest pay . But I am patient , and ( though in vaine I love ) I dare not therefore be profane . May you arrive safely and soon , and live In all felicity whil'st I here grieve , And sigh , and weep for you ; may not a thought Of yours remember me , ( be I forgot ) Lest when you think how you have left me , you Should give a stop unto your mirth , and rue . But one word more ; it is not yet too late To make a wretched Lover fortunate : Let not my prayers , sighes , vows be spent in vain , But as I do love you , so love again ; And we will go together , never part , Till I your body have who have my heart ; Which had I in possession , I should finde Ways soon enough to win your backward mind .

24. Although she cannot number thousands , even With some deform'd , whom Fortune more hath given ; Shall want of wealth ( scorn'd by true happiness ) Resist my way , or make me love her less ? Yet hath she a fair Portion , and her Name From one of our best Houses , Coritane ; And she is beauteous as a cheerful day , Or Venus rising from her Mother-Sea . Are not her teeth the richest Pearls ? and sure He that hath Pearls enow cannot be poor ; Are not her radiant eies two diamonds fair ? And we all know that those stones precious are ; Art not her hairs of Gold ? And what but it ( fit ? Makes wrinkles smooth ; Age , youth ; unfit things , Her beauteous Cheekes are Roses , such as neither The Spring can give , nor the cold Winter wither . Her lovely Breasts are Apples of more worth Then ever the Hesperides brought forth ; Arabian Odours , both the India's Good She in one curious body doth include ; Cupid in nothing more his eies doth miss , Then that he cannot see how fair she is . Jupiter for her would unthrone his Queen , And Pluto leave his lovely Proserpine ; Neptune from Amphitrite would remove , And Mars for her forsake the Queen of love . She 's like a Soul before it doth depart ; Even all in all , and All in every part . No man hath seen her , but to every Sence Of him she bettereth the intelligence ; He knows his eies are perfect in their sight , That in no other Object can delight ; He knows his smelling's exquisite that doth When he hath felt her breath all others loth ; A perfume for the Gods most fit , and sweet When they ( at Counsel ) on Olympus meet , And Iris they or Mercury beneath T is likely send for her so fragrant breath : A free and unconfined touching her Above the lips of Queens all would prefer , Or sacred hands of bounteous Kings ; compar'd The pretious Down of Phoenix's being hard Unto her softer skin : And her sweet Tongue Which chides in Musick , and enchantes in song , And strikes the ablest Rhetoricians dumb , Is fit'st to plead the peace of Christendom ; He in the sphere of happiness will move On whom she pleases to bestow her love , And have the most delicious Repast That shall her Hymenaean Dainties tast . You that are beauty in the Zenith , who Can find no Equal wheresoer'e you go , My Love no longer cruelly despise , But dart me mercy from your gracious eyes , And we shall both be rich : For I am sure , Themselves no happy Lovers ere thought poore .

25. To her obtain'd . Past are my sighs , and woes , complaints , and tears , Nor am I longer subject to my fears ; Her frowns no more strike terrour to my soul , Though I was wounded she hath made me whole . Within the rank of happy Lovers I Am now enrol'd , and march triumphantly Ore all the Crosses that before did stay , And hinder me to enter in this way , And sing the Boy-Gods praise , who ( wanting sight ) Shot at my Mistress and did hit the White . My happiness is such , that Times to come Shall not complain I of my joys was dumbe . Let him whose Mistress is deform'd or old , Not worth a Sonnet nor a Line , withhold : Or ( if on such an heap of years , or sad Chaos of features , he will needs run mad ; Loose the true judgement of his eyes , or think That Channel water's Nectar he doth drink ) Let him profess he 's happy ne're so much , The World that sees her cannot think him such . 'T were fondness in me , that what ere my youth Writ in her praise I now should say was truth ; I would not if I could : but to be just To her , and to my self , thus much I must . I 'm so far from repenting of my choice , That every day she 's dearer in mine eyes . Dear heart ! and dearer to me then mine heart ! We 'l live in love , and in our loves depart . The World shall bless our Fates , and they that come Into sad bonds , wish happy Lovers dumb ▪

Funeral Elegies .

1. On the Death of my very good Friend Mr. Micha●l Drayton . PHoebus , art thou a God , and canst not give A Priviledge unto thine own to live ? Thou canst : But if that Poets nere should dye , In Heaven who should praise thy Deity ? Else ●ill ( my Drayton ) thou hadst liv'd and writ ; Thy life had been immortal as thy wit . But Spencer is grown hoarse , he that of late Song Glorian● in her Elfin state : And so is Sydney , whom we yet admire Lighting our little Torches at his fire . These have so long before Apollo's Throne Carrel'd Encomiums ▪ that they now are growne Weary and faint ; and therefore thou didst dye , Their sweet unfinish'd Ditty to supply ▪ So was the Iliad-writer rapt away ; Before his lov'd Achilles fatall day , And when his voice began to fail , the great 〈…〉 did assume his seat : Therefore we must not mourn , unless it be 〈◊〉 none is left worthy to follow thee . It is in vain to say thy lines are such As neither time not envies rage can touch : For they must live , and will whiles there 's an eye To reade , or wit to judge of Poetrie ▪ You Swans of Avon , change your fates , and all Sing , and then die at Drayton's Funeral : Sure shortly there will not a drop be seen , And the smooth-pebbled Bottom be turn'd green , When the Nymphes ( that inhabit in it ) have ( As they did Shakespeere ) wept thee to thy grave . But I molest thy quiet ; sleep , whil'st we That live , would leave our lives to die like thee .

2. On my dear Sister Mrs. Isabella Cokaine , who who died at Ashbourne about the 18th yeer of her Age , and lyes there buried . IT is an irreligious pride to turne Away our eyes , and not to see thine Urne . For sure that body whose blest soul doth keep A Jubile in heaven , ( while here asleep It lies in holy earth ) is every day Bless'd by good Angels , that do pass that way : And therefore we with reverence should eye The Sepulchres where Saints entomb'd do lye : And every time that we do go or come Nigh where thine Ashes lye , behold thy Tombe ▪ But when we see it , should we weep our eyes Dry of their tears , and then conclude in cries ? It is impossible that our complaints Should make a Diapason to the Saints . ●an Hallelujahs song above agree With tears on earth ? T is an Antipathie ▪ But 't is unnatural we should be glad , And 't is Impiety we should be sad : We must not grieve therefore , nor yet rejoyce ; But fix us in the mean , and shew us wise . Be glad , that we believe her soul is crown'd With endless Glory in Heavens ample Round : Onely lament that we have lost our guide , And ( wanting her ) are apt to wander wide ▪ We need not bid thee sleep secure , that know That God himself rock'd thee asleep below . Sweet Sainted Maid , thou meritest the Pen Of Cherubims to shew thee unto men : And dost deserve a bench of Poets grave To study , and to write thine Epitaph , Which in Mosaick work with diamonds bright Should be drawn out , and read by it's own light ▪ A Titian , or a Bonarota should Cast thee a Statue of pure Ophir Gold : Had'st thou thy due , the eager earth would sure Anatomize one India for Ore And precious stones , a Pyramid to reare , Lasting and great as the Egyptian were , To thy eternal memorie ; and from Th e eastern-lands bring all the plenteous sum Of spices and perfumes , and on the height Of that rich monument burn them day and night ▪ But 't is a thing impossibly too hard For men on earth to give thee thy reward : Thy God , whose power and love is infinite , Thee hath , and doth , and ever will requite Among the Chorus of Heavens Virgins pure , To sing Divinest Anthems evermore . The homely verses I have writ , she oft Hath smil'd upon , approv'd them smooth and soft : And if my pen hath power to give a fame , Dear Isabella , here shall live thy Name . Had I the deathless Homer's brain , and could Sing lofty numbers like to Maro Old ; A wit to match Sulmonean Ovid , I Had writ a Poem , not an Elegie . ▪ T is known , and I confess this is beneath Her Life , and her expressions at her death : Her resurrection plain will shew how well She led her life , and bad the World Farewel .

3. On the death of Henry Lord Hastings , Son to the right Honourable Ferdinand Earl of Huntingdon , &c. KNow all to whom these few sad lines shall come , This melancholy Epicedium , The young Lord Hastings death occasion'd it , Amidst a ●●orm of Lamentations writ ; Tempests of sighes and grones , and flowing eyes Whose yielding balls dissolve to Deluges : And mournful Numbers that with dreadful sound Waite his bemoned body to the ground , Are all , and the last duties we can pay The Noble Spirit that is fled away . T is gone , alas ! t is gone , though it did leave A body rich in all Nature could give ; Superiour in beauty to the youth That won the Spartan Queen to forfeit truth , Break wedlocks strictest bonds , and be his wife ; Environed with tumults all her Life . His years were in the balmie Spring of Age Adorn'd with blossomes ripe for marriage , And but mature ; His sweet conditions known To be so good they could be none but 's own . Our English Nation was enamour'd more On his full worth , then Rome was heretofore Of great V●●pa●●an's Jew-subduing Heire , The love and the Delight of mankind here . After a large survey of Histories , Our Criticks ( curious in honour , wise In paralleling generous Souls ) will finde This youthful Lord did bear as brave a minde . His few but well spent years had master'd all The liberal Arts : And his sweet tongue could fall Into the ancient Dialects , dispence Sacred Judeas amplest eloquence ; The La●ine Idiome elegantly true ; And Greek as rich as Athens ever knew : Italy , France , and Spain , did all confess Him perfect in their modern Languages , At his Nativity , what angry Star Malignant influences slung so far ? What Caput Algolls , and what dire Aspects , Occasioned so tragical effects ? As soon as death this fatal blow had given , I fancy mighty Clarence sigh'd in Heaven ; And till this glorious Soul arrived there , Recover'd not from his Amaze and fear . Had this befal'n in ancient credulous times , He had been deifi'd by Poets rimes ; That Age enamour'd of his Graces , soon Majestick Fanes ( in adoration ) Would have rays'd to his memory , and there On golden Altars ( year succeeding year ) Burnt holy incense , and Sabaean Gums , That Curles of vapour from those Hecatombs , Sould reach his Soul in Heaven : but we must pay No such Oblations in our purer way : A nobler Service we him owe then that , His fair example ever t'emulate . With the Advantage of our double years Le ts imitate him , and ( through all Affairs , And all Encounters of our Lives ) intend To live like him , and make as good an end . To aim at brave things is an evident signe In Spirits , that to honour they incline ; And though they do come short in the Contest , T is full of glory to have done one's best . You mournful Parents whom the Fates compel To bear the Loss of this great miracle , This wonder of our Times , amidst a sigh ( Surrounded with your thick'st Calamity ) Reflect on joy , think what an happiness ( Though humane Nature oft conceits it less ) It was to have a Son of so much worth , He was too good to grace the wretched earth . As silver Trent through our North Countries glides , Adorn'd with Swans , & crown'd with flowry sides , And rushing into mightier Humbers Waves , Augments the Regal Aestuarium's Braves : So he , after a life of eighteen years Well mannaged Example to our Peeres , In 's early youth encountring sullen Fate , ( Orecome ) became a Trophey to his State . Didst thou sleep Hymen ? or art lately grown T' affect the Subterranean Region ? Enamour'd on bleard Libentina's eyes , Hoarse-howling Dirges , and the baleful Cries Of Inauspicious voices , and ( above Thy Star-like torch ) with horrid tombs in love ? Thou art ; or surely hadst oppos'd this high Affront of death against thy Deity : Nor wrong'd an excellent Virgin who had given Her heart to him , who hath his Soul to Heaven ; Whose Beauties thou hast clouded , and whose eyes Drowned in tears at these sad Exequies . The fam'd Heroes of the golden Age , Those Demigods whose vertues did asswage And calm the furies of the wildest mindes That were grown salvage even against their kinds , Might from their Constellations have look'd down And by this young Lord seen themselves out-gon . Farewel ( Admired Spirit ) that art free From this strict Prison of Mortalitie . Ashby , proud of the honour to enshrine The beauteous Body ( whence the Soul Divine Did lately part ) be careful of thy trust , That no profane hand wrong that hallow'd Dust . The Costly Marble needes no friend t'engrave Upon it any doleful Epitaph ; No good Man's tongue that Office will decline , Whil'st years succeeding reach the end of time .

4. On the death of my dear Cousin Germane Mrs. Olive Cotton , who deceased at Berisford the 38th year of her Age , and lyes buried at Bently by Ashbourne , &c. AMongst the many that shall celebrate ( With sighes and tears ) this excellent womans Fate ; And with the many that shall fix a verse ( Sacred unto her Fame ) upon her Herse ; World ! pardon me my boldness , that intrude These few poor lines upon thy Multitude : They need not read them , I have my desire If they but see my name , and look no higher : But with my Sadness thou may'st well dispence A tribute due to her Departure hence ; For from my soul I honoured her , and grieve That I 've but such small means to win beliefe . Others may aim with a victorious Rhime To vindicate her from the rage of time ; Our ablest Poets , whose each Distick may Both Brass and Marble Statues wear away , Last till the noble Soul again shall come And take possession of her ancient Roome ▪ Converting all their Funeral Elegies ( By that Reunion ) t' Epithalamies ; And so by solemnizing her just worth , Acquire themselves an endless Name on earth ▪ I no Ambition have but to make known Her merits , were my Admiration . Her Conversation harmless was and free , For neither Pride nor ill Discourse had she : Her sweet Conditions all the vertues were , Not studied , but habitual in her : And ( ere the fatal Feaver had begun T'disturb her calm Soul's Habitation ) The beauteous body was a Palace fit ( Above all other ) t' entertain in it So Sublime , and so many vertues , such As made old Saints and martyrs prais'd so much . But she is gone , and we are left behinde To mourn the want of worth in Woman-kinde ▪ For femal vertues ( as our fears surmize ) Are all with her return'd to Paradise . And there ( best Cousin ) may your welcome b● A Crown of Glory and Immortalitie .

5. A funeral Elegie on my Dear Cousin Mistress Elizabeth Reppington , who deceased at Ammington about the eighteenth year of her age , and lyes buried at Tamworth . THe Contemplation of death to prize Above all thoughts of humane vanities A Sublime wisdom is , and makes Amends For such sad Contemplations at our Ends. Stifle therefore ( my Muse ) at their first birth All thoughts that may reflect upon the earth : Be meraphysical , disdaining to Fix upon any thing that is below . Fame set thy Trump unto thy lips , and sound The world this sad newsfrom her hallow'd ground ; Elizabeth Reppington , that glorious Maid , Hath left to guide us in this mortal shade By her unparallel'd example ; she Hath chang'd all Finite for Infinity . Her Grave all beauty doth include , for there Two Suns eclips'd lie in one Hemisphere , Enveloped with Clouds , thicker then those Which the remotest Arctick doth impose . Her humble Lovers , that like Persians pai'd Devotion to the Beams of her fair Head , ( Whose hair their eyes in wonder did contain ) Continue to wish that Golden Fleece in vain : Flowers more rich then graced Eden ever , Lillie● and Roses there to dust do wither ▪ Oracles too are ceas'd again , they from The temple of her mouth had us'd to come . A lurid paleness sits upon the skin That did enclose the beau●eous body in : As after a bright day Night do●h succeed , And clothe high Heaven in a most horrid weed ▪ Her hands a Consort were of musick , such As skilfully bes● Instruments did touch , Begetting harmony to emulate What the Intelligencing Spirits create By motion of the Spheres ; yet now they lye Uselesly here through deaths Impietie . You that shall chance to read in these poor rhimes This Virgins Fate , whose life did grace our times , Whose Death this Nation justly may lament , She being of it the prime Ornament ; And many vertues must a pattern prove To all those generous Souls that vertue love : Consider what a loss her Parents have Whose Hopes are fal'n with her into the Grave ; ( Her Graces grown to an unequal'd height ) Lying now sleeping in the longest night . Yet any Soul but hers would have been glad So fair and pure Confinement to have had : But more illustrious hers , like a bright flame Broke loose , and is return'd from whence it came ▪ Where she enjoys all joys , smiles on our tears , Wishing that ours as happy were as hers : And her sweet Company and Conversation We are depriv'd of , but by Contemplation ▪ The maides that do in flowing Anchors streames Conceal themselves from busie Phoebus beames , ( Upon whose Banks she us'd to walk , and smile On the slow waters that past by the while ) Her immature Discease cease not to mone Under each Willow , and on every stone . The woods of Amington , which oft times she Grac'd with her Presence to hear harmonie From the Innocuous Quiristers of the Aire , Now murmure for her loss in sad despaire ; The Dryades that there had wont to play , Spending in weeping for her every day . The Graces , that us'd thither to retire To dance unto skilful Apollos Lyre , As often since as they that way do come , Sit down , and sing an Epicedium . Thus I could prosecute ; but being grown Dull with so long a Lamentation , My hand so trembling it can onely blot , And Eies so fraught with tears that they see not ; I leave the World ( though sorrow struck it faint ) To mourn her Loss , and make up my complaint .

6. A Funeral Elegie upon the Death of Mr. Thomas Pilkington , one of the Queens Musicians , Who deceased at Wolverhampton about the 35. year of his Age , and lies there buried . AT the Report of so sad News sure soone The grieved Nation will be out of tune ▪ For Pilkington is dead , who did command All Instruments with his unequal'd hand : Mastring all Musick that was known before ; He did invent the Orphion , and gave more . Though he ( by playing ) had acquir'd high Fame , He evermore escap'd a Gamesters Name : Yet he at Gamut frequent was , and taught Many to play , till Death set his Gam out . He was facetious , and did never carp , Making that Musick which came from him sharp ▪ His Flats were all Harmonious ; not like theirs Whose ebbs in prose or verse abuse our ears : But to what end praise I his Flats , since that He is grown One himself , and now lies Flat ? Others for Days mispent are charged with crime ▪ But he a strict observer was of time . Nothing escap'd his Study ( by all votes ) Being most perfect of mankind at Notes . Though he was often in his Moodes , they were Such as rejoyc'd all mindes , and pleas'd each ear ▪ The Muses two-clif'd Hill he did surpass ; Whose Musick had three Cliffs to do it Grace ▪ With rashness none his Credit could impair , Who did observe his Stops with so much Care ▪ His Frets were gentle Ones , such as would be Stop'd with a Finger , and make Harmonie ▪ His Family agree so in their Hearts , That they did make a Consort of five Parts ; ( To be a Pattern unto every one ) Himself , his Wife , two Daughters , and a Son : Though somtimes there might some Division run , T was for the best in the Conclusion ; For each learn'd Master in this Science knowes Good Musick often hath from Discords rose . A Large his generous heart was and a Long ; His Life was wish'd by all the happy Throng Acquainted with his worths : But ( in the chiefe Of all his Dayes ) Death made it be a Briefe . Crotchets he had good store , yet such as were Harmonious , full of Spirit , life , and aire . His Life was but a Minum , till his prime ▪ When as old Age should last out Sembrief-time ; His proved over short , as if indeed He were , Alas ! to die by Quaver-speed . Whose Loss our trembling Heart such wise lament , As they like Semi , and Demi-Quavers went . So he is gone ( as Heaven hath thought i● best ) And ( after all his pains ) hath made a Rest . Musicks best Instrument his body made , Wherein his soul upon the Organs plai'd : But Death was likewise Sacrilegious grown , Who rudely hath those Organs overthrown . For other Exequies what need we call ? Play o're his Hearse his own fam'd Funeral ; The doleful Aire that he compos'd , to mourn For beauteous Reppingtons untimely Urne . What need more words , when no words can declare The Merits of a Man so wondrous rare ? He was too excellent for earth : And 's gone , To be in Heaven a prime Musician .

Letters to divers Persons .

1. To the Right Honourable John Lord Mohun Baron of Okehampton , my Vncle in Law ▪ MY Lord , unto you now I have not writ For Ostentation , or to boast my wit , I know it weak ; this onely is to shew How willingly I 'de pay the debt I owe ; Which though I cannot , I should be most rude To let my Silence prove Ingratitude . I must write therefore , though when I have done I rest in silent Admiration . Be you but pleas'd to reade , although t is true I cannot draw a line deserveth you : So gracious Kings will give their Subjects leave To gratulate the Blessings they receive . Let our most able Poets , such as can Feign vertues for a well deserving Man , Express with th' eloquence of all the Arts , Half one of your Innumerable Parts : I can but onely wonder and profess I know so little that I cannot guess . It were an easier matter to declare The heights and depthes that in each Science are : All Labyrinthes that Dialect affords , And ( Critick-like ) which are the hardest words . Of you a Character would be a task Maeonides and Maro would not ask , If for preeminence they were to write ; It is so weighty , and their skill so slight . The fluent Singer of the Changes would In imploration for Aide grow old : And yet they were the Miracles of Wit , Through all Times famous , and renowned yet ; Honour'd by Grandees of the world , and by The Supreme beauty of sweet Italy . Witness the conquering Macedonian Prince , Who wept for envy Homer's eloquence , And mighty Poesie rais'd to the Stars Achilles Fame ; and thunder'd not his wars : And great Augustus who could easily slight All other things , t' admire rich Virgil's height . Witness bright Julia too , who far above The Roman Princes all did Ovid love . Happy was Orpheus that in former times ( To admiration ) did rehearse his rhimes : So was Amphion too , that long ago His matchless skill in poetry did show . Had they been your Contemporaries , they ( Whom all men did , and Salvages obey , And rocks and trees ) with all their study ne're Could pen one line worth your attentive ear ▪ Had great Aeacides your worthes , he so Had not effected Hectors Overthrow : He had been slain fairly or liv'd ; for great And worthy mindes unworthy Actions hate ▪ Ajax was onely honour'd in the field ; Would you had pleaded for him , for the sheild , The Ithacan disgrac'd away had gone , And the blunt Souldier put the trophie on . Comparisons are odious ; I disgrace You , to look on you by anothers face . You Heaven-bred souls whom Phoebus doth inspire From high Olympus with Poetick fire , Bewail no more these ignorant wretched days ; This singular Lord will not withhold the Bays . You Sisters that frequent the Thespian Spring , And on Parnassus Io Paeans sing , He hath been , and is now a Patron to you , And in his own immortal Lays doth woe you . Proceed my Lord , and let it be your Glory No Chronicler dares put you in his Story : For if your vertues verse cannot express , I must believe that heavy Prose much less . Again proceed , and let this move you to it ; Of your own worthes you must be your own Poet : Or let your vertues rule Amazements throne , To be expres'd by no Muse but your own : And ( lest from your own goodness you decline ) Pardon each fault that is in every line .

2. To my friend and Kinsman Mr. George Giffard , who cal'd his Mistress the Green Bird of France . THe Necromancy of your love doth change Your Mistress to a Bird , so to ' estrange Her name from vulgar ears , and to conceal Those harmless passages of love you steal : And by this means be your heart what it will , Your tongue's Platonick that can keep this still . But sure your judgement and most curious eyes Fancie no bird , but that of Paradise , The Phoenix , or a third of mighty worth ; A wonder and a Glory to the earth . Jove's Eagle's too aspiring to invite Your mind to love , or love to apetite ▪ The Doves of Venus you too gentle know ; And yours must give you cause to court and wo. Minerva's Owl is onely for the Night ; And your fair Mistress doth become the light : Saturnia's Peacock hath a gaudy train , But feet too course such Colours to sustain : Your Bird so curious is , she would disperse The Clouds of prose , and make it run in verse . She 's not deriv'd from Magellanick Streights , Where the most numerous Parat-Covey delights : But from a richer Soyle , and may perchance The Dolphin wake , to court the Bird of France : But Caesars self might conquer Gaul anew , And with his victories not trouble you . Your fair green Bird of France doth know her power Superiour to the roughest Conquerour ; Whil'st she resists no fort so strong as she , Whose victour must her own consenting be . Nor martial engine , sword , or piece can move Her from your love while she will be your love . But if her Resolution alter , then Her how to you will you retrieve agen ? Like the mad lover make your heart the sure , And that will bring her , or she 'l come no more . Had Hymen lighted his auspicious Pine , And you joyn'd happy hands before his shrine , Then would not you and your admired love The Changes imitate of amorous Jove , Who like a Swan fair Laeda did compress , And on her got the Twins Tyndarides ? But why since Birds are of all colours seen , Do you call her you most affect the Green ? The Firmament we see attir'd in blew , But that too heavenly a Colour is for you . The earth is green ; and you do think most fit That she be so , while she doth live on it . The Sea is green , and Sea-born Venus was Made beauties Goddess being most beauteous Lass ! And your fair One , whom you think Parallel To her , you call the Green-Bird wondrous well . All health I wish her , from each sickness free But one , whose cure I do commit to thee : If the Green Sickness she doth chance to get , Your Love and Care of her may remed ▪ it .

3. To the right honourable Ferdinand Earl of Huntingdon , &c. MY Lord , I have not silent been so long For want of zeal , but fear'd to do you wrong : Could I but draw a line deserv'd your eyes , Your name should from the earth touch at the skies . But as the meanest Pesants came before The greatest Caesars Rome did ere adore ; And as the gracious Gods no more despise The poorest then the richest Sacrifice ; So I ( my Lord ) present my self to you , And this slight humble verse unto your view . Let our best Heralds , such as are most good , Sail up the mighty Current of your blood , And from the ancient and most glorious Stem Of those that wore the English Diadem , Blazon your pedegree , whil'st I admire Your fair Conditions , sparks of honours fire . To be born onely great , and not to be Vertuous too , is , as we often see The morning Sun rise clearly in the East , Presently after be with Clouds opprest , And ( after one fair chearful blaze of light ) The day prove stormy till it mix with night . But this concerns not you ; you are as far From all unworthiness , as is that star That by the vertue of the Southerne stayes This Mass of earth , and water in its place From earth : And as those opposite Stars do poise This Globe of earth , and Water midst the skies Equally distant , in all places , from The Heavens that round it in Circumference come . Or to descend ; As Mahomets tombe doth fix By vertue of two Loadstones them betwixt ; So you ( my Lord ) for sweet Conditions known Parallels to your high birth , stand alone Unaim'd , and unarriv'd at , ( to their ends ) Th' Amaze of all ▪ and honour of your friends . Accept this graciously my Lord ! And know 'T is but a Glimps of the respect I owe , And but an Atome of the Service ; For Whole volumes would not be a Character .

4. To a Lady that was so like another that I cal'd her Picture . I Call you Picture , and by your Consent ; Although I know you want no Ornament , Nor any curious Arts use , to supply Any defect in you to any eye . You then are none , and do want Colours so ( snow ; As heaven wants clouds ▪ or Summers earth wants Both which do both deform ; And you therefore To ou●vy heaven and earth admit no more . You then no picture are , but unto those That can become enamour'd on your clothes . Vandike , Mitten , Geltrop ▪ or Johnson may Draw something like you ; As a Summers day May in the fleeting Clouds well counterfeit Similitudes of things here , and not hit ; For 't is impossible to Limn you right , As 't is the earthly Globe without a night . To make your eyes were to amaze us all ; Make in your face two Suns rise ; And to vail Their glorious motions , no eclipses there Can be more beautiful then your brown hair ; So doth the brightest star ofttimes repine At it's own glory , and forbear to shine . To name Apelles ▪ and to wish him draw Your Portraicture , could he perform 't 't were law To future Limners ; but your beauties height All imitation doth transcend outright . Your Lips are like the rosy buds of May ; And your even teeth the pearls of India ; Your mouth 's the sweetest Magazin of bliss , Where Cupids Dialect best spoken is . Your loveliest Cheeks are the tru'st Hemispheres Of beauty , triumphing above your Peeres . This your first sitting is ; when you sit next , I shall be better pleas'd , and you more vext ; For I shall more admire your beauties store , Though you be angry th' are so slubberd o're .

5. To my Mistress . TO love you ( Lady ) is but just ; we know We have good eyes and Judgments that do so . Your beauties are no Common Ornaments , But Rarities , and plac'd ( with excellence ) By Natures curious hand ; That could entice Even Jove from all his Glories , and the Skyes ; Make him reject his full triumphant way O're Gods and men , and thunder cast away ; Depose himself from high Olympus , leave Amaz'd the heavenly Deities , and beneath Retire himself on earth to gaze on you , More wonderful then all the Goddess Crew ; Make him forsake his stately Queens embrace , Wise Pallas eyes , and amorous Venus Face , His draughtes of Nectar fil'd by Ganymed , And the sweet Lessons by Apollo plai'd ; His sister Juno had not been his Queen , If you the ●●atelie● beauty he had seen . His daughter Venus had not been enstal'd Goddess of love , but you the Goddess cal'd : Nor had Minerva ( with the fair gray eyes ) Been crown'd for wisdom 'bove the Deities , Had Jove heard your discourse ; your words do fall With such a ravishing force upon us all . Immortal Phoebus that with glorious beams All Nations lights , and gilds all Ocean streams ; In all his Progress yet did never view A beauty so supreme , and bright as you . Had Phaeton liv'd till now , and skilful been , He would have given his Chariot unto him , Left the Star-chequer'd Court , and ( from the skies ) A light on earth in some unus'd disguise , To court your smiles , more precious then his throne , And all the glories that attend thereon ; And ( in your company ) swear by a kiss He never was before in any bliss . Your eyes are not the Sun and Moon ; for they Are equal lights , and both do rule by day : Your Nose is such as doth become your face Better , then the best other in that place . Your mouth exceedes the breaking of the day ; For that is sweet when Night drives light away . Your teeth surpass the milky way in Heaven , More white then it , more wonderful , more even . Your lips are smooth as Chrystal , red as is Pure abstract redness , blessedness to kiss . Your bosom 's a new paradise of joy , And undiscover'd to the vulgar eye . Your hidden beauties do as much excell All , all Art can invent , and all tongues tell ; As doth your body ( magazin of joyes ) Exceed your clothes seen onely by our eyes . But were this all , you onely did present A curious Outside , picture , Ornament : Your mind ( brave Lady ) is a thing above All Objects yet of all the past worlds Love : It is so gentle , sweet , and unconfin'd In goodness , that it makes the body , minde : Like the Philosophers Stone that mixing with Worse metals , doth to them gold-substance give . Let them therefore that do not wonder , when They have seen you , be counted beasts not men .

6. To the Lady M. BEst of your Sex , and handsomest to boot , I here present you with no marriage-suit ; My Fate is fix'd , and I contented am , Although sometimes I court another flame . I dare not wish a wrong to your desert ; ( Far be such thoughts for ever from my heart ) Yet must not be so cruel to my self , As not from you to covet such a wealth , Arabia's rich perfumes are nothing to , Nor all the Spices all the East can show . Sure my desire can be no Crime in me , Nor your Consent can your dishonour be : Else all the ancient Poets did devise To cheat the modern with most Stygian lyes . Wherefore should Jove neglect Saturnia's Love , And all his endless happiness above ? Assume so many various Shapes t' enjoy With humane beauties sensuality ? And glorious Phoebus cast his Rayes away , With our fine Lasses here below to play ? Although grim Pluto the Infernal flames Endures ; his rage Proserpin's beauty tames . Cynthia , whose chastity each Grecian pen , And Roman wit , renowned left to men , Victorious Love in triumph trampled on , And made her wanton with Endimion . These high examples we may imitate ; For Deities did nothing we should hate . They , whom all nations for Heroick soules , And vertuous Actions , above the Poles Have ●nthroniz'd , did nought we should condemn : And therefore ( Lovely One ) let 's follow them . Strict Hymens rules wherefore should we obey , Which on themselves the Gods did never lay ? Is it more honour to observe the lives Of surly Cato's then the Deities ? Away with fear ; 'T is reason prompts you to What I desire , and love , me what to do : And therefore do not blush , unless it be Because so many will envy thee and me : Yet ( Madam ) know ( after so much exprest ) I honour vertue , and have writ in jest .

7. To my Cousin Mr. Charles Cotton . I Wonder ( Cousin ) that you would permit So great an Injury to Fletcher's wit , Your friend and old Companion , that his fame Should be divided to anothers name . If Beaumont had writ those Plays , it had been Against his merits a detracting Sin , Had they been attributed also to Fletcher . They were two wits , and friends , and who Robs from the one to glorifie the other , Of these great memories is a partial Lover . Had Beaumont liv'd when this Edition came Forth , and beheld his ever living name Before Plays that he never writ , how he Had frown'd and blush'd at such Impiety ? His own Renown no such Addition needs To have a Fame sprung from anothers deedes . And my good friend Old Philip Massinger With Fletcher writ in some that we see there . But you may blame the Printers ; yet you might Perhaps have won them to do Fletcher right , Would you have took the pains : For what a foul And unexcusable fault it is ( that whole Volume of plays being almost every one After the death of Beaumont writ ) that none Would certifie them so much ? I wish ●s free Y 'had told the Printers this , as you did me . Surely you was to blame : A Forreign wit Ownes in such manner what an English writ : Joseph of Exeters Heroick piece Of the long fatal war 'twixt Troy and Greece , Was Printed in Corn●lius Nepos Name , And robs our Countreyman of much of 's fame . 'T is true ; Beaumont and Fletcher both were such Sublime wits , none could them admire too much ; They were our English Polestars , and did beare Between them all the world of fancie cleare ▪ But as two Suns when they do shine to us , The aire is lighter , they prodigious ; So while they liv'd and writ together , we Had Plays exceeded what we hop'd to see . But they writ few ; for youthful Beaumont soon By death eclipsed was at his high noon . Surviving Fletcher then did pen alone Equal to both , ( pardon Comparison ) And suffer'd not the Globe , and Black-Friers Stage T' envy the glories of a former Age. As we in humane bodies see that lose An eye , or limbe , the vertue and the use Retreats into the other eye or limb , And makes it double ; So I say of him : Fletcher was Beaumonts Heir , and did inherit His searching judgement , and unbounded Spirit . His Plays are Printed therefore as they were , Of Beaumont too , because his Spirit 's there .

8. To my Son Mr. Thomas Cokaine . YOU often have enquir'd where I have been In my years Travel ; and what Cities seen And s●ai'd in : of the which therefore ( in brief ) I ( for your satisfaction ) name the chief . When four and twenty years , and some moneths more Of Age I was , I left our English Shore : And in a thousand six hundred thirty two Went hence , fair France and Italy to view . At Roy July the sixteenth we took Ship , And on the seventeenth did arrive at Deipe , Henry the fourths secure retreat ; where one Night having lain I rode next day to Roan ; Thence in a Coach I did to Paris go , Where then I did but spend a day or two . Thence with the Lions messenger went thither , And pass'd through Mont-Argis , Mollins , and Never . In two days thence we did to Cambray get , A City at the foot of Eglebet ▪ At Maurein I din'd , and six days spent Among the Alpes with high astonishment . There dreadful Precepice , and horrid sound Of water , and hills hid in Cloudes I found , And trees above the Clouds on Mountains top , And houses too ; a wonder to get up . On Mount-Sinese's top I did ride o're , A smooth , and pleasant Plain , a League or more ▪ Upon the which a large Fish-pool there is , And one o' th Duke of Savoy's Palaces : At the Plains End , a little Chappel , and A pretty Inn do near together stand . That night we did descend 'bove half the way , Where first we heard Italian spoke , and lay . Next morn we down to Susa rode , full glad When Mount-Sinese we descended had : And that same night to Turin came ▪ where we Staid but a day the Beauties of 't to see . There we took Coach for Millaine , and ( by th' way ) A Dinners time did at Vercelli stay , And at Novara lay a night , and stai'd But at great Millaine one ; such hast I made : And but at Crema one , and by the Lake Of stormy Garda did a dinner take . Through the low Suburbs of high Bergamo I rode , and that night did to Brescia go , For works of Iron fam'd ; And having past Thorow Verona , by Catullus grac't , Did at Vicenza dine , so forward went Through Padoa , and ( on the banks of Brent ) Saw many Palaces of pleasant Site , And to the rich fam'd Venice came that night . Thence ( having stai'd there half a year ) did go Unto Ferrara by the river Poe , Saving some four miles , where a Coach we took , When Phaetons fatal River we forsook . I at Ravenna din'd , Rimmini lay , And the next Night did at Ancona stay ; A long days journey , wherein we betime Pesaro rode through , did at Fano dine , For hansome women fam'd ; And ( in our way ) Rid neer small , well-wall'd Siningaglia . The next day at Loretto din'd , and there View'd the Fair Church , and House fam'd every where : Thorow long Recanati rode , and so To Macerata in the Even did go . Next day I din'd at Tolentin , and was It 'h Church of their renown'd Saint Nicholas . Foligno and Spoletto having past , Terin , and Narin , took a Nights repast Within Otricoli , I the next day Din'd at Rignano ' i th' Flaminian way : And in the Evening afterwards did come Thorow the Port del Popolo to Rome ; Where what the holy week , and Easter could To strangers view afford , I did behold : Where that old Cities wonders I did view , And all the many Marvels of the new . Three weeks I there made my abode , and then For Naples took my travels up agen : Of all Frascati's Wonders had a sight , And thence unto Velletri rode that night ; At Terrachina lay the next . Then through The Kingdom pass'd at Mola , took a view Of Old Gaeta ; thence to Capua rode , Where onely I dinners time abode . So I to Naples came , where three weeks stay Made me the wonders thereabouts survey ▪ I at Puzzolo was , there cross'd the Bay ( Fam'd for the bridge of proud Caligula ) To Baja , and that day a view did take Of Aniana , and Avernus Lake . The mortal Grott was in , and Sepulchre Which murther'd Agrippina did interre : Was in Sybilla's Cave , and on the Ground Cal'd Vulcans Forge , yielding an hollow sound , At Pausalip pass'd through that hollow path Which Virgil for its primest Glory hath . These and the rest beheld : One day got up On evermore smoking Vesuvius top ; Vesuvius that two years before did throw Such death and damage upon all below ▪ Which burnt up grass , and trees did make appear ; And tore Griego that did stand too near . Above three weeks I did at Naples stay , Then ( in a Galley ) went to Genoa ; Which ( in it ) an Embassador did bear To th' Cardinal Infante landed there , Sent by the Vice-Roy to salute his hands , Going t' be Governour o th' Netherlands ▪ I there remain'd but a few days , but found A vessel that was for Marseilles bound ; I in it thither pass'd , but by the way Did at Savona land , and dinner stay . I at Marseille ▪ but two dayes abode , And the next after to Avignion rode . I din'd at Orange , and lay at Vienne , And so to Lyons did return agen , There stai'd a day , or two ; and then did ride Unto Roana on the Loyers side : About three days and nights along that streame We went by Boat , till we to Briack came . There we did leave the River , and next morne Unto Mount-Argis did again return . The morning after we from thence did go , And lay that Night at pleasant Fountain-Bleau . Thence we to Conbril went , and ( on the Seine ) To Paris thence by Boat did come again . There I above two moneths then made a stay ; Save on Saint Dennis wonders spent a day . After which time I went to Amiens , There lay one night , and went to Calice thence . As my stay serv'd , what ever was of Fame Or note I visited where ere I came . Four days I was in Calice , then cross'd over The Sea in eight hours space , and came to Dover .

Encomiastick verses on several Books .

To my friend Mr. Thomas Randolph on his Play called the Entertainment , Printed by the name of the Muses Looking-Glass . SOme austere Cato's be that do not stick To term all Poetry base that 's Dramatick : These contradict themselves ; For bid them tell How they like Poesie , and they 'l answer well . But as a stately Fabrick rai●ed by The curious Science of Geometrie , If one side of the Machine perish all Participates with it a ruinous fall : So they are enemies to Helicon , That vow they love all Muses saving one . Such supercilious humours I de● devise se , And like Thalia's harmless Comedies . Thy entertainment had so good a Fate That whosoe're doth not admire thereat Discloseth his own Ignorance ; for no True Moralist would be supposed thy foe . In the pure Thespian Spring thou hast refin'd Those harsh rude rules thy Author hath design'd : And made those precepts which he did reherse In heavy prose , to run in nimble verse . The Stagarite will be slighted ; who doth list To read or see 't becomes a Moralist : And if his eyes and ears are worth thine Ore ▪ Learn more in two hours then two years before . Thou hast my suffrage Friend ; And I would fain Be a Spectator of thy Scenes again .

To my friend Mr. Philip Massinger , on his Tragi-comedy called the Emperour of the East . SUffer ( my Friend ) these lines to have the grace That they may be a mole on Venus face : There is no fault about thy book but this , And it will shew how fair thine Emperour is . Thou more then Poet ! our Mercury , that art Apollo's Messenger , and dost impart His best expressions to our ears , live long To purifie the slighted English Tongue . That both the Nymphes of Tagus and of Po May not henceforth despise our language so : Nor could they do it if they ere had seen The machless features of the Faery Queen ; Read Johnson , Shakespeare , Beaumont , Fletcher , or Thy neat-lin'd pieces ( skilful Massinger . ) Thou known , all the Castellians must confess De Vega Carpio thy foil , and bless His Language can translate thee , and the fine Italian wits yield to this work of thine . Were old Pythagoras alive again , In thee he might finde reason to maintain His Paradox , that Souls by transmigration In divers bodies make their habitation : And more ; that all poetick Souls yet known Are met in thee contracted into one . This is a truth , not an applause ; I am One that at farthest distance view thy flame , Yet dare pronounce , that were Apollo dead , In thee his Poetry might all be read . Forbear thy modesty : thy Emperours vein Shall live admir'd , when Poets shall complain It is a pattern of too high a reach , And what great Phoebus might the muses teach . Let it live therefore , and I dare be bold To say , It with the world shall not grow old .

To my Friend Mr. Philip Massinger on his Tragi-comedy called the Maid of Honour . WAs not thine Emperour enough before For thee to give , that thou dost give us more ? I would be just but cannot ; that I know I did not slander , this I fear I do ▪ But pardon me if I offend ; thy fire Let equal poets praise whil'st I admire . If any say that I enough have writ ; They are thy Foes , and envy at thy wit . Believe not them nor me : they know thy Lines Deserve applause , and speak against their mindes . I out of Justice would commend thy Play : But ( Friend ) forgive me , 't is above my way . One word , and I have done : and ( from my heart ) Would I could speak the whole truth , not the part : Because 't is thine , It henceforth shall be said , Not th' maid of honour , but the honour'd maid .

Of Mr. John Fletcher his Plays , and especially the Mad Lover . WHil'st his well organ'd Body doth retreat To it's first matter , and the formal heat Triumphant fits in judgement to approve Pieces above our Candor and our love ; Such as dare boldly venture to appear Unto the curious eye , and Critick ear : Lo ! the Mad Lover in these various times Is prest to life t' accuse us of our Crimes . Whil'st Fletcher liv'd , who equal to him writ Such lasting monuments of natural wit ? Others might draw their lines with sweat , like those That with much pains a Garrison enclose , Whil'st his sweet fluent vein did gently run As uncontrol'd , and smoothly as the Sun . After his Death our Theatres did make Him in his own unequal'd Language speak : And now ( when all the Muses out of their Approved modesty silent appear ) This Play of Fletchers braves the envious Light , As wonder of our ears once , now our sight . Three and fourfold best Poet , who the lives Of Poets and of Theatres survi'st ! A Groom or Ostler of some wit , may bring His Pegasus to the Castalian Spring ; Boast he a Race ore the Pharsalian plain , Or happy Tempe valley dares maintain ; Brag at one leap upon the double Cliffe ( Were it as high as monstrous Temariffe ) Of far renown'd Parnassus he will get , And there t' amaze the world confirm his seat : When our admired Fletcher vaunts not ought , And slighted every thing he writ as nought ; Whil'st all our English wondring world ( in 's cause ) Made this great City eccho with applause : Read him therefore all that can read , and those That cannot , learn ; If y' are not Learnings Foes , And willfully resolved to refuse The gentle Raptures of this happy Muse . From thy great Constellation ( noble Soul ) Look on this Kingdom , suffer not the whole Spirit of Poesie retire to Heaven , But make us entertain what thou hast given . Earthquakes and thunder Diapasons make , The Seas vast rore , and Irresistless shake Of horrid winds a Sympathie compose ; So that in these there 's musick in the close : And ( though they seem great discords in our ears ) The cause is not in them , but in our fears . Granting them musick , how much sweeter 's that Mnemosyne's daughters voices do create ? Since Heaven , and earth , and Seas and air consent To make an harmony ( the Instrument Their own agreeing selves ) shall we refuse The musick that the Deities do use ? Troy's ravish't Gamymed doth sing to Jove ; And Phoebus self playes on his Lyre above . The Cretan Gods , or glorious men who will Imitate right , must wonder at thy skill , Best Poet of thy times ! or he will prove As mad , as thy brave Memnon was with love ▪

To my very good Friend Mr. Thomas Bancroft on his Works . A Done ( my friend ) lay pen and paper by , Y 'ave writ enough to reach eternity ; In soft Repose assume thy happy Seat Among the Laureats to judge of wit : Apollo now hath cal'd you to the Bench For your sweet vein , and fluent eloquence ; Whose many works will all rare patterns stand , And deathless Ornaments unto our Land , Belov'd , admir'd and imitated by All those great souls that honour poesie . Against th' approch of thy last hour , when He thee shall call from the abodes of men , ( In his own Quire ( for thy exceeding Art ) Among renowned wits to sing a part ) Nor you , nor any friend need to prepare Marble or brass a Pyramid to reare , To thy continuall memory , nor with A Mausoleum hope to make thee live : All such materials time may devour , But ore thy works shall never have a power . While nimble Darwen Trent augments , and while The streams of Thames do glorifie our Isle , And th' English tongue whiles any understand , Thy lines shall be grace unto this Land . Our Darbyshire ( that never as I knew Afforded us a Poet untill you ) You have redeem'd from obloquie , that it Might boast of wooll ▪ and lead , but not of wit . Virgil ( by 's birth ) to Mantua gave renown , And sweet-tongu'd Ovid unto Sulmo town , Catullus to Verona was a fame ; And you to Swarton will become the same . Live then ( my friend ) immortally , and prove Their envy that will not afford thee love .

To Mr. Humphry C. on his Poem entitled Loves Hawking Bag. SIR , I applaud your enterprise , and say Y'our undertaking was a bold assay : But you have nobly don 't , and we may read A work that all old Poems doth exceed . Avant you Grecian Mungrils , with your Scraps Fal'n from linde Homers , or did Hesiods chaps : Musaeus too ▪ ( for all Scaligers cracking ) With Hero and Leander may be packing . Virgil be gon ! we hate thy slandrous tongue , For doing the chast Queen of Carthage wrong . Venusian Horace too hereafter may Put up his pipes , and hearken to thy Lay. Ovid , thy several witty Poems , all From hence to Pontus into exile call . Valerius Flaccus , hang thy Golden Fleece Before some honest Tavern door in Greece . Silius Italicus hence get thee far With all the tumults of thy Punick war : And Spanish Lucan quickly call away Caesar and Pompey to Pharsalia . Statius thy Theban story leave to brag : And listen all unto Loves-Hawking Bag. Chaucer , we now commit thee to repose , And care not for thy Romance of the Rose . In thy grave at Saint Edmonds Bury , thy Hector henceforth ( Lydgate ) may with thee ly ; Old Gower ( in like manner ) we despise , Condemning him to silence for his Cryes . And Spencer , all thy Knights may ( from this time ) Go seek Adventures in another Clime . These Poets were but Footposts that did come Halting unto's , whom thou hast all outrun : For Sol hath lent thee Pegasus the Nag , To gallop to us with Loves-Hawking Bag ; And welcome ( mighty Poet ) that alone Art fit to sit with Phoebus in his throne .

To Mr. James Stronge Bachelour , upon his wonderful Poem called Joanareidos . WHat a fine piece of poetrie appears ! Such as hath not been seen these many years : So strange for matter , and so strangly writ That Joanareidos is matchless yet . The Iliads and Odysses must give way , And fam'd Aenaeados yield up the day : The high Austriados must also yield , And Mortem●riados leave the field . For where 's that poet ( all the world among ) That must not vail the bonnet to James Strong ? Thou bachelour of Arts , or rather bungler , Or bachelour in life to whom the stronglier ( sluts , ( What else should move thee to commend thy That might'st have spent thy time in cracking nuts , Or looking birds-nests ? or ( what 's best of these ) In eating butter'd cake , or tosted cheese ) Hail our James Strong ! ( Strong James ! ) whose every line Draws like a cable all our wondring ey'ne , And general applause from friends and foes , And many strangers up and down ( he trowes . ) O 't is a wondrous book ; each word doth smell As if 't had something in it of a spell : The lines are charming , and ( if I guesse right ) They will bewitch women to scold and fight . Old Robin Hood your western dames excel Scarlet , and little John , and Adam Bell , Clem of the Clough , and William Cloudeslee , And all the out-laws of the Greenwood tree . Had Guy of Warwicke and the bold Sir Bevyes , Stukely , and Jonny Armstrong made their levies Of the most valiant Souldiers of their time , And come to this siege ▪ th 'had been bet at Lime . The Chubs in buff trembled , when ( like to Turks ) The saw thy Joanes to rage upon the works , ( plight , They might have burnt their foes in piteous Had they but been their bed-fellows a night . But oh ! their fury was so rash , they kept That fire within , for those they did protect : So ( for their zeal unto the ●ause ) perhaps They pay'd them with a plaudite of claps . Merciless then they were ( there is no doubt ) That spar'd no friends within , nor foes without . Nor within walls onely their valour lay , But field too , as thy title page doth say : And I believe their mettle they have shown Under some Hedges , if the truth were known . But I digress their power to relate , It is a theme onely becomes thy pate . I for thy pains ( if such there can be found ) Wish thee one of thy Joanes , and that Joane sound ; That thou may'st lime her , and ( on her ) in time , Beget a race of Joanes to fight for Lime . O happy New-Inn-Hall ! ( where thou hadst luck Such savoury dregs of poetry to suck ) For all will say it henceforth must excel ( For rhiming ) Kates-Hall and Emanuel . This Nation may report ( upon their Oathes ) As Coriate did exceed for writing Prose ; So thou for penning an Heroick Song Dost all surpass ; In meeter being James Strong .

A Praeludium to Mr. Richard Bromes Plays . THen we shall still have Plays , and though they may Not them in their full Glories yet display ; Yet we may please our selves by reading them , Till a more noble Act this Act condemn . Happy will that day be , which will advance This Land from durt of precise Ignorance ; Distinguish moral vertue , and rich wit , And graceful Action , from an unfit Parenthesis of Coughes , and Hums and Haes , Threshing of Cushions , and Tautologies : Then the dull zelots shall give way , and fly , Or be converted by bright Poesy ; Apollo may enlighten them , or els In Scottish Grots they may conceal themselves . Then shall learn'd Johnson reassume his Seat , Revive the Phoenix by a second heat , Create the Globe anew , and people it , By those that flock to surfeit on his wit . Judicious Beaumont , and th' ingenious soul Of Fletcher too may move without control . Shakespeare ( most rich in humours ) entertain The crouded theatres with his happy vein . D'avenant , and Massinger , and Sherly then Shall be cri'd up again for famous men : And the Dramatick Muse no longer prove The peoples malice , but the peoples love . Black , and White-Friars too shall flourish again , Though here have been none since Queen Mary's reign : Our theatres of lower note in those More happy days shall scorn the rustick prose Of a Jack-Pudding , and will please the Rout With wit enough to bear their Credit out . The Fortune will be lucky , see no more Her Benches bare as they have stood before : The Bull take Courage from applauses given , To eccho to the Taurus in the heaven : Lastly , Saint James may no Aversion show , That Socks and Buskins tread his Stage below . May this time quickly come , these days of bliss Drive Ignorance down to the dark Abyss : Then ( with a justly attributed praise ) We 'l change our faded Brome to deathless Bayes .

To my worthy , and learned Friend Mr. William Dugdale , upon his Warwickshire Illustrated . THey that have visited those forreign Lands Whence Phoebus first our Hemisphere commands ; And they that have beheld those Climes , or Seas Whence he removes to the Antipodes : Have follow'd him his Circuit through , and been In all those parts that day hath ever seen , ( Although their number surely is but few ) Have not ( learn'd friend ) travel'd so much as you ; Though in your study you have sat at home , Without a mind about the world to rome . Witnesse this so elaborate piece ; how high Have you oblig'd us by your Industry ! We may be careless of our fames , and slight The pleasing trouble any books to write : The Nobles and the Gentry ( that have there Concerne ) shall live for ever in your Shire . Our names shall be immortal , and when at The period of inevitable fate We do arrive , a poet needes not come To grace an Herse with 's Epicedium . Marble and brass for tombes we now may spare , And for an Epitaph forbear the Care : For , for us all ( unto our high content ) Your book will prove a lasting monument . And such a work it is , that England must Be proud of ( if unto your merit just ; ) A grace it will unto our Language be , And Ornament to every Library . No old , or modern rarity we boast , Henceforth shall be in danger to be lost : Your worthy book comes fortunately forth ; For it again hath builded Killingworth . Maugre the rage of war or time to come Aston shall flourish till the general doome : And the Holts Progeny shall owe as much Unto your lines , as him that made it such . The Spires and walls of Coventry your pen Hath built more lasting then the Hands of men . The prospects of our noble seats you shall Secure from any ruine may befall : Our pleasant Warwick , and her Castle ( that Surveyes the streams of Avon from her seat ) Your Labours more illustrious have made Then all the Reparations they e're had . Victorious Guy you have reviv'd , and he Is now secure of Immortality . Even my beloved Pooley that hath long Groan'd underneath sinister fortunes wrong , Your courteous eyes have look'd so kindly on , That now it is to it's first splendor grown ; Shall slight times devastations , and o're The banks of Anchor flourish evermore ; For there 's such vertue in your powerful hand , That every place you name shall ever stand . The skilfullest Anatomist that yet Upon an humane body e're did sit , Did never so precisely show his Art , As you have yours , in your Cor●avian part : You ( in your way ) do them in theirs exceed , You make the dead to live , they spoil the dead . Now Stratford upon Avon , we would choose Thy gentle and ingenuous Shakespeare Muse , ( Were he among the living yet ) to raise T' our Antiquaries merit some just praise : And sweet-tongu'd Drayton ( that hath given renown . Unto a poor ( before ) and obscure town , Harsull ) were he not fal'n into his tombe , Would crown this work with an Encomium . Our Warwick-shire the Heart of England is , As you most evidently have prov'd by this ; Having it with more spirit dignifi'd , Then all our English Counties are beside . Hearts should be thankfull ; therefore I obtrude This testimony of my gratitude . You do deserve more then we all can doe : And so ( most learned of my friends ) Adieu .

To my learned friend Mr. Thomas Bancroft upon his Book of Satyres . AFter a many works of divers kindes , Your Muse to tread th' Aruncan path designes ; 'T is hard to write but Satyres in these dayes , And yet to write good Satyres merits praise : And such are yours , and such they will be found By all clear Hearts , or penitent by their wound . May you but understanding Readers meet , And they will find your march on stedfast feet . Although your honest hand seems not to stick To search this Nations Ulcers to the quick , Yet your Intent ( with your Invective Strain ) Is but to lance , and then to cure again , When all the putrid matter is drawn forth That poisons precious Souls , & clouds their worth ▪ So old Petronius Arbiter appli'd Corsives unto the age he did deride : So Horace , Persius , Juvenal ( among Those ancient Romans ) scourg'd the impious throng : So Ariosto ( in these later times ) Reprov'd his Italy for many crimes : So learned Barclay let his Lashes fall Heavy on some , to bring a cure to all . So lately Withers ( whom your Muse doth far Transcend ) did strike at things Irregular . ( But all in one t' include ) So our prime wit ( In the too few short Satyres he hath writ ) Renowned Don hath so rebuk'd his times , That he hath jear'd vice-lovers from their crimes . Attended by your Satyres , mounted on Your Muses Pegasus ( my friend ) be gone , ( As er'st the Lictors of the Romans went With Rods and Axes ( for the Punishment Of Ill ) born with them ) that all vice may fly ( nigh . ( That dares not stand the Cure ) when you draw

To my most honoured Cousin Mr. Charles Cotton the younger , upon his excellent Poems . BEar back you Croud of Wits , that have so long Been the prime Glory of the English tongue ; And room for our Arch-Poet make , and follow His steps , as you would do your great Apollo : Nor is he his Inferiour , for see His Picture , and you 'l say that this is he ; So young , and handsome both , so tress'd alike , Thar curious Lilly , or most skil'd Vandike Would prefer neither : Onely here 's the odds , This gives us better verse , then that the Gods . Beware you Poets that ( at distance ) you The reverence afford him that is due Unto his mighty merit , and not dare Your puny thrids with his lines to compare ; Lest ( for so impious a pride ) a worse Then was Arachne's Fate , or Midas curse , Posterity inflicts upon your fames , For ventring to approch too near his Flames ; Whose all-commanding Muse disdains to be Equal'd by any , in all Poesy . As the presumptuous Son of Clymene The Suns command importun'd for a day Of his unwilling Father , and for so Rash an attempt fell headlong into Po ; So you shall fall , or worse ; not leave so much As empty names , to show there once were such . The Greek and Latine Language he commands , So all that then was writ in both those Lands : The French and the Italian he hath gain'd , And all the wit that in them is contain'd : So , if he pleases to translate a piece From France , or Italy , Old Rome , or Greece , The understanding Reader soon will find It is the best of any of that kind ; But when he lets own rare Fancy loose There is no flight so Noble as his Muse : Treats he of War ? Bellona doth advance , And leads his March with her refulgent Lance : Sings he of Love ? Cupid about him lurks , And Venus in her Chariot draws his works ▪ What e're his subject be , he 'l make it fit To live hereafter Emperour of wit . He is the Muses Darling ; All the Nine Phoebus disclaim , and term him more Divine . The wondrous Tasso that so long hath born The sacred Laurel , shall remain forlorn : Alonso de Ercilla that in strong And mighty Lines hath Araucana song : And Salust that the ancient Hebrew-story Hath Poetiz'd , submit unto your Glory : So the chief Swans of Tagus , Arne and Seine , Must yield to Thames , and vail unto your streine . Hail generous Magazin of Wit ; you bright Planet of Learning , dissipate the Night Of Dulness , wherein us this Age involves , And ( from our Ignorance ) redeem our soules . A word at parting Sir , I could not choose Thus to congratulate your happy Muse : And ( though I vilifie your worth ) my zeal ( And so in mercy think ) intended well . The world wil find your Lines are great & stronge ▪ The Nihil Ultra of the English Tongue .

To my learned Friend Mr. Thomas Bancroft , on his Poem entituled the Heroick Lover . FRom your retir'd abode in Bradley town Welcome ( my Friend ) abroad to fair renown . Nova Atlantis and Utopia you Again expose unto the publick view By your Heroick piece ; unknown before To all Mankind , but Bacon , and to More . To the tripartite world Columbus er'st The Western India discover'd first ; Yet after his more curious Survey Vesputius much on 's Glory took away , By giving it his Name : So ( though those two Most learned Lords did first those countries shew ) You by your Antheon , and his fair delight Far-sought Fidelta , skilfully unite Utopia and Atlantis : what they two 〈◊〉 to their Pens , they both owe you . Nor Belgium , Italy , nor France , nor Spain , Nor Graecia , nor Sicilia could constrain ( With their most tempting Objects ) your brave Knight To yield submission to a false delight . Although Sir Antheon did refrain to run The monstrous Courses of the Knight o' th Sun , ( Whose Fablers so strange tales of him rehearse , That such untruths never appear'd in verse ) Those Countrey beauties he despis'd , and pelf ; Others o'recome others , but he himself : And of all victories it is the best To keep our own wilde appetites supprest . Hereby his prowess he did most discover , And hence you term him the Heroick Lover . Your fair Fidelta did not range about Vtopian Cities to find Suitors out : A free well-order'd house she kept , and there Sir Antheon met with her , and married her . Joy , or long life , I need not wish them either , They in your Lines shall happy live for ever : And you ( for penning their high Epick Song ) With Laurel crown'd , shall live i th' Poets throng .

A MASQUE Presented at Bretbie in Darbyshire On Twelfth-Night . 1639.

The Prologue To be spoken by whom the Masquers shall appoint . TO you great Lord , and you most excellent Lady , And all this wel-met , wellcome Company , Thus low I bow : And thank , that you will grace Our rude Solemnities with such a presence . The Lar Familiaris of the house being proud of so much and great Company , and glad of their free and noble Entertainment , appears to congratulate the hospitality of the Lord and Lady , and speaks these lines . BEtter then I could wish ! Superlative To all relations , not examples now ! I 've known the Houshold Gods of Rome & Greece , And all the good Penates of fam'd Troy , Heard what they could triumph in , of their Fates ; Tell jovial stories of the frolick Greek● , And the great Banquets of fam'd Ilium ; Have been inform'd of Egypts glorious Feasts To entertain the Courtly Anthony : Yet was there or Necessity , or pride , Or empty prodigality in all . Here is a Course steer'd even , and voluntary ; And I rejoyce , as much as Ganymed , Olympus Nectar , and Ambrosia Keeper . Here I grow fat with plenty of all sorts That either Seas , or Land , or Air can yield ; And here I live as well admir'd , as envi'd By all the Lares of all other Places : For there 's a Constancie in my delights , A blest Elyzium where I do not want The tithe of any wish I ever thought . The proudest Lares of the greatest Princes May boast of state , and languish in a noise , Whil'st here I live secure , and do enjoy As much of every thing , but fears and dangers . And may it last while Fate attends on time , Until the supreme Deities of Heaven Think you too worthy to adorn the earth , And mean to fix you glorious Stars in Heaven : And whiles there 's air but to receive a Sound , May your Names busie it to speak your praise ▪ Continue ever matchless , as you are A Pair without Compare , and but a Pair , A Satyre invited by the Loudness of the Musick , and the perpetual concourse of people to inform himself to what end all tended , comes boldly in , and meets with the Lar Familiaris . Lar. What means this bold Intrusion ? Sat. Friend , forbear , Though I was born i th' Woods , and rudely bred Among the Salvages , I have a mind Aspires the knowledge of great Princes Courts , And to what end aimes all this jollity In yours as well as others Palaces . Lar. Dost thou approch to censure our delights , And nip them in the bud ? Satyre ! take heed We 'l hunt you hence through al the woods&launs , And over all the brooks thine eyes have seen . Sat. You threaten more perhaps then you can do : What art ? Lar. I am this Palace Deity . Sat. I wish tho● wert a Servant unto Pan , Or any God that doth frequent the Fields . Lar. So would not I : I 'm better as I am . Sat. Thy Ignorance bewitches thee to this : Thou liv'st among all fears , all noise , all cares , While I walk merry under heavens bright eye . We in the Fields are free from any Sin Against th' almighty Deities of Heaven : We know no Law but natures ; do not tremble At Princes frowns ; have neither fear nor hope ; And are content , a State the Gods exceed not . You languish in a perpetuity Of thoughts as unconfin'd as are your ends You truly lavish all your faculties In getting covetous wealth , which we contemn . Your sleeps are starting , full of dreams and fears ; And ours as quiet as the Barks in Calmes . The youthful spring makes us our Beds of flowers , And heaven-bright summer washeth us in springs As clear as any of your Mistress's eies : The plenteous Autume doth enrich our Banquets With earths most curious fruits , & they unbought : The healthful Winter doth not pain our bones , For we are arm'd for cold , and Heat in Nature . We have no unkind loves in meads or fields , That scorn our tears , or slight our amorous sighes . Nor are we frantick with fond jealousie , The greatest curse Iove could inflict on 's Queen , For all her curious search into his Life : We in the woods esteem that Beast the stateliest That hath his head the richliest spread with horns . The Golden Age remains with us , so fam'd By your Athenian and Roman Poets . Thus we enjoy what all you strive to get With all the boundless riches of your wit . Lar. Satyre ! When I but say th' art Ignorant , Thy flourishing Boast is answered at the full . Sat. But I desire a larger way . Lar. And take it . Canst thou compare the Rags of nakedness Before the studied dressings of these times ? And canst thou like a cold and stony Cave Before the perfum'd Beds of Palaces ? Admire the Melancholie falls of waters , Or whistling Musick of th' inconstant windes , The chirping discords of the wanton Birds , Above the Angel-voices of our Ladies , And th' exquisite variety of Musick Order'd to thousand several Instruments ? Content to cloy thy homely Appetite With Crabs , and Slows , and Nuts , and rude mixt herbs , Before the stately Banquets of the Great ? How canst thou like Beasts inarticulate voices Above the Heaven-given eloquence of men ? Forsake the Woods ( fond Satyre ) and but try The unthought difference 'twixt them and us . The Hills are fit for Beasts : Converse with men , And thou wilt never like thy Cause agen . Sat. Thou almost dost perswade me : but then I Shall leave mine old , and honest Company . Lar. Thy new Ones shall exceed them . Her 's a Wil give thee wine as rich as is thy blood : And her 's a Cook will clothe thy bones with flesh Butler As rich as was young Jason's Golden Fleece . Sat. Well : I will live with thee . Lar. And welcome Satyre . Sat. Spite of the Fates , and Grecia's best Protector , I 'le be Achilles , and o'recome by * * The Cooks Name . Hector . Lar. A resolution worthy thy Sylvanus . Sat. But for my last Farewell unto the Woods , ●'le shew you a wild Dance of nimble Satyres : For we do dance as much as they that live In Princes Courts , and Tissue-Palaces . First Song . YOU Satyres that in Woods Have frozen up your bloods , Advance your selves , and show What great Pan's men can do ; Appear . Here you had need beware , And move as swift as Air : These are not Sylvane Swaines , But Courtly Lords and Dames Sit here .

The Antimasque . Satyres rudely but decently attired , stuck with Flowers , and Bayes-Chaplets on their heads , come in , and dance as many several Anticks , and in as many several shapes , as shall be necessary . Being ready to depart , two excellent youths in rich apparel , come striving in together ; to whom the Lar speaks . Lar. What do you mean ( sweet Boys ) to interrupt Our sports ? I pray you leave your wrestling thus , And do not strike your skins , too soft for blows . 1. He would out-run me , and be kist before me . 2. And he leave me among these dreadful Satyres . Lar. Whence come you ? 1. We both were left i' th woods , and tempted by Such things as these to live abroad with them . Lar. What would you have ? 1. I would go to my Father . 2. And I unto my Mother . Lar. Who is your Father ? 1. The ever honour'd Earl of Chesterfield , Worthy of all his Titles by his vertues ; And full of Noble thoughts . A great maintainer Of our great Grand-Fathers vertue , Hospitality : The Feeder of the poor ; whose Gate 's so open , It doth not need the Office of a Porter : Whose House is now Delphian Apollo's seat : For he 's the Patron of all Arts and Wit. Lar. And who is your Mother , pretty One ! 2. She is the Countess to that Noble Lord ; A Lady worthy more then earth can give her : Rich in those vertues make her Sex admir'd ; A fair exceeder of the best examples That Greek or Roman stories e're produc'd : Goddess of Tame , of Anchor , and of Trent . She 's such an one as hath none equal to her , And therfore you may very easily know her . Lar. I know them both , and honor'd in my knowledge : Sweet youth ! yon'd is your Father , kiss his hand : And that ( fair little One ) th' unequal'd Lady You asked for : go , and beg a kiss of her . Here the Lord of the House gives his hand to his Son , and the Countess kisses her Son . Then the Satyre speaks to his Companions . Sat. Fellows , since you have done , Farewel : I 'le leave you And all the rural Pastimes of the woods : I like this noble Company so well , That I hereafter here intend to dwel . The Anti-Masquers depart : then the Lar Familiaris speaks to the Satyre . Lar. Now ( Satyre ) I will let thee see how far The Palace-pleasures do exceed the Woods . The Lar leads the Satyre to a curious bower , all deckt with the best and finest flowers of the season : and opens a wide entry into it , where sitting upon pleasant banks , full of the sweetest herbs and delicatest flowers , he discovers the Masq●ers : then presently invites them forth with this song . 1. Second song . IT is unfit we should be dumbe , When beauties like to those of Heaven To grace our mirths are hither come , And help to make our measures even . Then let us dance , and let us sing , Till Hills and Dales with Eccho's ring . 2. Now it is fit our Souls should know No thought but what is full of pleasure ; That we our sorrows should out-go , And tread them down in every measure , Then let us dance and let us sing , Till Hills and Dales with Eccho's ring . 3. 'T is mirth that raiseth up the Minde , And keeps Diseases from the Heart : Sports harmless never were inclin'd To cherish vice , but to divert . Then let us dance , and let us sing , Till Hills and Dales with Eccho's ring . Here the Grand Masquers come forth ; the Ladys drest like the ancient Goddesses ; then the Lar speaks to the Satyre . Lar. Satyre sit , and observe a while alone : For I do mean to mix with these in Dance . Here they Dance what or as many Set-dances as they please , the Masquers being Men and Women , or onely Women : When they have danced all they intended , the Lar , or one of the Masquers invites the Spectator-Ladyes with this song to joyn with them . 1. Third song . COme Ladyes rise , and let us know Now you have seen , what you can do ; Harke how the Musick doth invite All you to Solemnize this Night : Then let the Sounds that you do hear Order your feet unto your ear . O rise ! rise altogether , And let us meet : Musick 's Divine , and well may joyn Our motions rude unto a sweet . 2. The Figures of the Magick Art We 'l equall in a better part : Judicial Astrologie Cannot cast such an one as we : Adde but your skill ( as we desire ) And wee 'l keep time to Phoebus Lyre . O rise ! rise altogether , And let us meet : Musick 's Divine , and well may joyn Our Motions rude unto a sweet . Here all the Company dance what they please , and while they please ; when they leave , the Lar , or one of the Masquers , sings this to the spectator Ladyes , as they go from them . Fourth song . LAdyes enough ; we dare not Tempt you to more then this ; Now may your Servants spare not To give each of you a kiss : If we were they you should have them To recompence your pain : O happy they that gave them , And may give them again ! 'T is late ; Goodnight : go sleep , and may Soft slumbers crown your eyes till day . This being sung , the Masquers , the Lar Familiaris , and the Satyre , go into the Arbour , which closes on them .

An Epithalamium , design'd for the Nuptials of Sir Andrew Knyvegston my Wives Brother , and Mrs. Elizabeth Stanhope of Elveton my Cousin-german ; Their Marriage prevented by her death . RIse amorous Virgins , rise and dress The Bride , her Groome's in readiness : She wakes , and fain would call you from Your Beds , but blushes ; therefore come . The early Bridesgroom swears he knowes You dream't to night of pleasing Showes ; Of Hymen joyning willing hands To be subjected to his bands ; Of Hymen joyning mutual hearts , And Hymen joyning other Parts ; Or else you did not sleep at all , For thinking what was to befall To the fair Virgin , that to night ( Full of soft trembling , and delight ) Must a pure Maiden go to Bed And rise without her Maidenhead . But merry Lasses hast ; It may Be your own turn another day : Attire her quickly , and while you Are busied so laugh at her too ; And any of you would laugh to be So happy , and so nigh as she . Let her be drest as Juno , when She tempted Jove , scorn'd mortal men : As the bright Cyprian Queen , when she Did first enthral War's Deitie : As the delicious Memphian Dame When she great Anthony o'recame , Not by her Souldiers masteries , But beams of her al-powerful eyes . Now she is ready , stay a while , And let us see her blush and smile : May all the Genial powers Divine , Most gentle sweet One , now combine And shower and power upon you two All that you can desire , they do . But lead her out ; Now go together To be of two made one , or either : You go divided , and alone , But must return both of you One : He must be hers not his , and she Must not be hers , but his must be . Now they do walk triumphant o're Those fears that troubled them before ; And all their friends attendants by , All joyful for this day of joy . She studies not as she doth go , How she again may answer No ; But unto every thing say I , As all the Maides would that are by . He happy man , soon to be blest , Unto the Temple maketh hast : And every minute hates that stands Not 'twixt their hearts but 'twixt their hands ▪ Behold ! they are arrived where They will be placed in one Sphere , To run through a most glorious Life Of Love ; most blessed Man and Wife . Th' Amazed Priest when he espies The radiant beauties of her eyes , Cannot believ 't the Bride to be , But an Immortal Deitie Descended from Olympus Top , Where they all drink in Hebe's Cup ; Or Cytheraea Queen of love , Or the chast daughter of high Jove , The new Solemnities to grace , Or on the youthful Pair to gaze . But when he 's satisfi'd 't is she , He looks no more for fear that he His heart should deep enthral in love , Past any hope of a remove . When both are willing and past woing , No Marriage can be long a doing : The Parson asks , and they Consent , Both eager of their own Content ; Though now and then he smiles , and she Doth blush to think what soon must be . Now all is done that's to be done Within the Church , and they are One ▪ The Bride-men wish all joy betide Unto the glad and bashful Bride ; And the Bride-maides do bid the like To him : which he expects at night . At their Return ( with all the prayers ) Of all their Friends for happy years ) A Sumptuous Dinner doth invite All to 't with different Appetite . Most sit to feed their covetous eyes With the Brides matchless delicacies : No other Object can remove Their looks , and many rose in love , Some old cold few , and their neer kin Eat well , and many healths begin To both their future days of joy , And the soon getting of a Boy : Such healths do often make her spred Her beauteous face with sudden red ; For Virgins often blush to hear Those things they long for , and love dear . All Dinner-while a fine-voic'st Boy Sings many a Song , and many a Toy Of Love , and of lost Maiden-heads , And all the joyes of Marriage-Beds . The Bridegroom happiest man of all May safely take survey ( and fall . Into no danger ) of the sweet Delicious Bride ; and she doth meet His every look , and every smile , And blushes for 't all dinner-while . She is asham'd to look therefore ; And loves so she cannot give o're . On fire and fire again they set Their hearts , but careless are of it : They know the night will come , and then Th' are sure to cool themselves agen . Dinner being done , the afternoon Is tedious in regard of soon ; Yet with variety worn away Of sports belonging to that day . They dance , and the fair Bride doth move In conjuring circles of sweet Love : She treads so evenly as she meant To make the ground an Instrument ; And sends up sounds so soft and rare , Angels might dance unto that Aire . The Bridegroom 's blest by every tongue Of all the merry various thronge , To be an Owner of that One , Whose equal they have never known : And she is counted happy too , To be belov'd by him , so true To her , and worthy unto all , Both blest in equal Nuptial . He now dares boldly kiss , and oft Doth give her hard ones ; she him soft . She is his own , and no delight He wants , but what will come at night . Though she 's asham'd when he doth kiss , She 's not content when he doth miss . And thus the Afternoon being spent , Time draws them nearer their content ; They go to Supper , not to eat , But both to be reveng'd on meat : Because , till that be done they know To bed they must not , cannot go . Supper being finish't ( and indeed Too much time , knowing what 's to succeed ) The fearfull Virgin 's lead away Trembling at what she would assay ; And her undresses tell next morn , What she must rise , yet wish her turn : And lay her in a bed so sweet , Jove would come down to 't , did he see 't ; Where lies a jewel of richer use Then either India can produce . The first assault she wisheth done ; And he that it was but begun : What between smiles and fears , she lies In the tru'st posture to entice : And scarce dares see who looks upon her , Thinking her honour her dishonour . Her Bed doth seem the bower of bliss , Where every sweet and pleasure is : Her eyes two Lights divine , to smile On all , and comfort them the while : Her delicate hair ( that 's onely found Upon her Cheeks ) a net on ground Of purest Marble , set to take Not onely Mars , but all that make On high Olympus top abode ; Even every stern , and gentler God . Her Lips the twins of Loveliness , Like roses on a bank , that bless The eyes of all the lookers on ; From whence a Zephyrus doth come , So sweet , and calm , as it would soon Turn every thing into perfume . The pleasant Garden of Delight , Her cheeks mantled with red and white , Seem like the early morning , e're The Sun comes in our Hemisphere . The Stately Column of her Neck , Is onely worthy to protect Beauties rich Palace , her fair head , As smooth as Ivory polished . She was in bed , and we no more Could see of all her wondrous store . Now comes the Bridegroom , now so blest , His onely miserie 's not undrest : He helps , and they do help him streight ; ( Few Men do linger on this night . ) Who soon stands in his Shirt , whil'st she Doth hide her Face , asham'd to see : But by her side he 's quickly laid And kisses the fair bashful Maid . When they hop'd all would leave the Room , The Bridal Posset in doth come : A Ceremony he exclaimes Unfit for Hymens youthful flames , And all the company prayes , ( If we Must eat it ) let it our breakfast be : And many thought the Virgin kind Was also of her Bridegroom's mind . The Company laugh'd , and said 'T was just For him to do as others must : There is no help , he doth obey , And eats to get them soon away . The Posset being done , they wish Goodnight , and leave them to their bliss . Now he and she are equally Blest , and possest both of their joy : And Innocent Love his Part doth play , And recompences long delay . Love's is no Coward Fight , although A Friend meets Friend , and Foe not Foe ; It is a battel sweet , not cruel , And yet an even and naked duel : No timorous giving back , yet strife Perpetual 'twixt man and wife . As Nilus in one channel bound , Runs long through Egypts fertile Ground , And yet at last into seven Currents Divides his swift and plenteous Torrents , And separated so runs on Till it mix with the Ocean : So , happy Pair , I wish may prove Your fruitful and auspicious Love ; May you pass through a fortunate And glorious Life , and know no fate Sinister whiles you live ; and from Your Loves an hopeful Off-spring come , That may grow great , and equal good As you are now , and as their blood : To honours highest Zenith climbe , And fix there till the end of time . As this , I wish full of delight To you all nights ; and so goodnight .

EPIGRAMS The first Book .

1. To the Right Honourable Philip Earl of Chesterfield , Baron of Shelford , &c. My Uncle . MY Lord , you are my Patron ; and I 'le tell The reason why , then judge if I do well : None of these Epigrams are worth a rush ; And naughty Wine doth need a gallant bush .

2. To the Reader . Though ( Generous Reader ) now and then I write Verses that justly may appear too light : Yet on my word ( and you may credit me ) In jest I make them for varietie ; And do protest to all censorious men , They flow not from my heart , but from my Pen.

3. To Chloris . What a beginning is , you fain would know , And it therefore unto you thus I show : You are exceeding naught ; be good , and so Of a beginning you example show .

4. To Mr. William Turner . School-fellows when we ( Friend ) together were , The verses that I writ you lov'd to hear : Soon as I can I will requite the same ; In the mean while receive this Epigram . But this is nothing you reply : In troth , And your applauses then were little worth .

5. To my Cousin germane Mrs. Olive Cotton . Suspicion , Grief , Disdain : Fame , Beauty , Truth , Wrongeth , consumes begets : keeps , wounds , indueth Friendship , life , hatred : deeds , the mind , the best . You want the first three , and enjoy the rest : Suspicion hate , shun grief , abhor disdain , Love fame , keep beauty , and in truth remain .

6. To my worthy Friend Mr. Harbert Aston . When we at Chenie School together were , I knew you often to abuse a Boy , Whom , when he did to you for pity cry , You beat the more ; but good Sir ! Do you hear ! Is not this true , when he to you did mone Did he not then lament unto Ast●n ?

7. Of my self , when I was motion'd to a Judges Daughter . I hate to lacquey humours , and detest Some things as vile , though others think them best . I must not lose my freedom for a face I cannot dote on ; nor refrain that place Nor company I like ; think Poets poor , Of Captains too prejudicately , endure No sight of Wine , judge Playes unlawful be ; A fraudulent shadow men can onely see . Hypocrisie I do abhor ; and woo'd My Life should be chearful as well as good . I know I have spies on me , but I slight Their vigilancie , and dare take my delight . I may obtain another Mistress , know No such constraints for her , nor undergo Censure for things I should do : I prefer My liberty , and friends much above her : Not that I do dislike that beauty ; so I should erre foully from a truth I know .

8. Of my staying Supper with my Cousin Mrs. Olive Cotton . If that the Seas were gentle , there would be No violent Tides , waters would run as free When they mix with the Ocean , as at first When out of their original rocks they burst . If that the winds were quiet , and would stay Enclos'd in rocks under their Sovereigns sway ; The frighted Lilly would as firmly grow As the great'st-bodied Beach , and never bow . If that wise Fate had not appointed what Our lives should aim to , either this or that ; Rebellious man would make his will his rule To live by , and his Soul his body's fool . I meant not to have stai'd : but must relate , Ladies do what they please like Seas , Winds , Fate .

9. An Epitaph on my younger Brother Mr. Thomas Cokaine , who died at Bath about the 18th year of his age , and lyes there Buried . Passenger stay , and ( though thou art Of Flint ) weep e're thou dost depart : For underneath this stone lies he Who was Heavens Epitome . Mourn , if thy Friend , that he did take His flight so soon , and thee forsake : Or ( if a stranger to his worth ) That he unknown to thee went forth . What old men are so long about , He learn't to do e're he went out ; The Art of dying well : And so May all by him . Now thou mai'st go .

10. To Mr. John Honyman . On hopefull youth , and let thy happy strain Redeem the Glory of the Stage again : Lessen the Loss of Shakespeares death by thy Successful Pen , and fortunate phantasie . He did not onely write but act ; And so Thou dost not onely act , but writest too : Between you there no difference appears But what may be made up with equal years . This is my Suffrage , and I scorn my Pen Should crown the heads of undeserving men .

11. Of Love . Heroick Caesar that did overcome So many Nations , triumphed in Rome , Was by a Lady's eye captived so That amorously he did both court and woe ; And never quiet was till he enjoy'd Fair Cleopatra her young brothers bride : Illustrious Anthony did leave the Care To be Romes Emperour , and forsook the War , Left all his Souldiers in a doubtful Fight , And on the Seas pursued his fled delight . Since such great mindes by Love enthralled be , Wherefore , alas ! wonders the world if we ? May married couples lawfully enjoy The Sweetes of Love till they themselves do cloy , And must the rest their censures undergo For the same thing which they so often do ? We must not have fruition where we woo'd , But onely there where we do know 't is good . A circumstance doth make a thing unjust : For th' chastest Love is but a Lawful Lust .

12. To young Maides , translated out the 3. lib. De Arte Amandi . Venturae memores jam nunc estote senectae : Sic nullum vobis Tempus abibit iners . Dum licet , & veros etiam nunc editis annos , Ludite : sunt anni more fluentis aquae . Nec quae praeteriit rursum revocabitur unda : Nec quae praeteriit hora redire potest . Vtendum est aetate ; cito pede labitur aetas : Nec bona tam sequitur quam bona prima fuit . Think often on old Age , and it's decayes , And so you will not lose your flourishing dayes . Whil'st you enjoy fit years , young wenches , play : For years like speedy waters steal away . Past streams will never be cal'd back again : Nor will an hour return , though spent in vain . Use youth , for it quickly away doth pass , And time to come's not as the former was . Thus far the Roman Poet. But alas That book the cause of his exilement was : And ( if you follow the advise h'ath given ) 'T wil work you a worse banishment from Heaven .

13. To Plautia . Away ( fond thing ) tempt me no more ; I 'le not be won with all thy store . I can behold thy golden hair , And for the owner nothing care : Thy Starry eyes can look upon , And be mine own when I have done : Thy cherry ruby lips can kiss , And for fruition never wish : Can view the Garden of thy cheeks , And slight the roses there as leeks : Can hear thee sing with all thine Art , Without enthralling of mine heart : My Liberty thou canst not wrong With all the Magick of thy tongue : Thy warm Snow-breasts and I can see , And neither sigh nor wish for thee : Behold thy feet , which we do bless For bearing so much happiness ; Yet they at all should not destroy My strong preserved Liberty : Could see thee naked as at first Our Parents were when both uncur'st ; And with my busie searching eyes View strictly thy hid rarities ; Yet after such a free survey , From thee no Lover go away . For thou art false , and wilt be so , I else no other fair would wo. Away therefore , tempt me no more , I 'le not be won with all thy store .

14. Of my Mistress , written at Venice ▪ I thought when I was far remov'd , My Mistress I should not have lov'd ; But having seen another Fair ( As in all Cities Beauties are ) My former passions should forget , And here a new affection set . But Venice , though fam'd every where For matchless Ladies , cannot bear My thoughts from her whom I unkind ( Though she the cause ) have left behind . Had she not been a cruel One , But lov'd , I then had stai'd at home : And be she far more harsher then Tigers half starv'd , or salvage men ; Abroad she shall not kill me , I In my own Countrey will go die ; And vow some true friend to engrave Upon my Stone this Epitaph : Here lies the Man , whose faith him slew ; Who still had liv'd if been untrue .

15. To Mrs. Mary Coke , an Acrostick M y busie eyes lately captiv'd me so A bove my strength , I know not what to do . R etain my Liberty I could not : all Y our beauties , Lady , needs must make a thrall . C ould I but shew my heart , which I desire ; O n it your Picture you might see entire . K inde therefore be , and let it be your will E ffectually to save , and not to kill .

16. To my Uncle Sir John Stanhope , an Acrostick S ir , to be silent unto you , would be I magin'd ill by you , thought worse by me ; R eason I have to write , and therefore will : I cannot with my thoughts sit and be still . O ver and over let me search my heart , H ere you , and there I find in every part . N o man was ever to another bound S o much as I to you ; for you have found ( T o make your self more matchless ) such new A s the Invention would extort a praise . ( wayes , N ature was kind to me , and I do bless H er care , to give me such an happiness . O nely t' have been your friend had been a fate , P roud to have made me ever : but my State E xceedes ; I am your Nephew , and you do Increase my joy , and make me your friend too . Shall I be silent then ? I can as well Make my self worthy as refrain to tell . You are my wonder ; every word you speak Vice trembles at , and thinks that she shall break . No stop hath vertue , but you do remove , Casting the same away out of your love . Live long , and glory in your worth : for you Equal your will , exceed what others do .

17. Of my Mistress . I love a Lass , whose eyes are Stars Divine ; Whose teeth are pearls set in a ruby line ; Whose mouth 's a sacred spell , and doth encharm Her coldest hearers hearts , and makes them warm ; Whose hairs are curls of God , and can compel The God of Love himself to love her well . But be she cruel ; would here eyes were not Such Heavenly Stars , that they might be forgot ; Would her teeth were not pearls , but far from fair , That I for them at all might nothing care ; Would her mouth were an homely one , and all Her hair would change the curious hew , or fall : For if my Mistress force me to despair , I cannot choose but wish she were not fair .

18. To my Cousin Mr. Charles Cotton , an Acrostick . C ousin , I write to you that you may know H ow much I love you , and how much would A ll that I can I will do , and have good ( show : R eason to do much more , and if I coo'd . Long time I have desired to express E ach thought I have of my own happiness ; S uch you have made me by your love , and do C ompel me each day more to honour you . O 't is a noble part in you to make T rue friendship wheresoe're you undertake . T hus you do live , and living so you may O mit the care of your departing day ; N o death can raze your memory away .

19. To my very good Friend and Cousin Mr. Roger King . I love , and so do you ; but know you whom ? Faith that same party best that first doth come : And my love is as constant as her stay ; Why should I love her when she goes away ? If you are of the same mind , we are then Two constant Lovers though not constant men . We both are still in love , but fix not ; for We the new Object evermore preferr : And that affection surely is most wise That comes not from the heart , but from the eyes .

20. To Thalia . Weep out thine eyes ( Thalia ! ) why are they Unmelted yet into an Inland-Sea ? Drown all thy slanderers with them ; such as dare Affirm thee guilty , and thy name not fair : Or rather scorn their Ignorance that frame Unworthy Calumnies against thy Name . Mnemosyne , thou mother of the maides , And you sweet Sisters that in Ascra shades ( Retired from the troubles of the Earth ) To many a lasting verse give fortunate birth ; Do'st not offend you that the Comick Muse Should suffer such affronts , and high abuse ? Because that I frequent the thronged Stage , I 'm censur'd by the malice of this Age Of Levity ; but I despise the frowns Of rigid Cato's , and the hiss of Clowns . Illiterate Fools may please their gluttonous tast At dinner with some Epicure-Lord , and wast Their precious dayes in riot ; whil'st I feed Mine ears with all the wit these Times do breed . Sing loud , Thalia ! Noble Souls will love To see thy Servants in their Socks to move : And may their ends be Tragical that hate The harmless mirth thy Comedies create . I do profess I 'm one that do admire Each word refin'd in true Poetick fire : And do approve of natural action , where Fables seem as true passages they were : And love our Theatres of worth , where we May thee in all thy several dresses see .

21. An Epitaph on my dear Cousin German Mrs. Elizabeth Stanhope , who died at Elveston about the 20th year of her age , and lies there buried . Here lies a Virgin , and ( in stead Of losing of her Maiden-head ; For she should soon have been a wife ) Bereaved of a noble Life : Stanhopes lament , and Ratcliffes mourn Before her sad untimely Urne . But such a sorrow is too slight For cause of so extreme a weight ; Droop Elveston , and Darbyshire , No Green , but black perpetual wear : May April showers to Heavens tears turning , Make all May-flowers spring up in mourning . Weep all that ever knew her , or Rather all that have heard of her . For trivial Deaths let 's mourning wear Of black , for her of cloth of hair : Or let us senseless clothes despise , And show our sadness in our eyes . Let 's melt our hearts though they be stones , And weep our eyes to Diamonds . Which ( being touch'd by deaths cold hand ) Congeal'd may on her Marble stand . Any discourse let us detest ; For sighs and grones express us best . But who is this that we in such A sorrow must lament so much ? Elizabeth Stanhope ; now you know , Go mourn until you die for wo.

22. An Epitaph on my dear sister the Lady Boteler , who deceased about the 34th year of her Age. Here lies the Lady Boteler , who ran through Two States of Life , and both of them so true And just were known to all that knew her , that Her , her survivers all may imitate . The Virgin , and the matrimonial life She blest with her example : And so rife Her memory doth flourish , that it can Not die , while there on earth lives one good man . Cokaine her own name was : Elveston gave Her Life , Tutburie death , Ashbourn a Grave .

33. To Lesbia . I thank you ( Lesbia ) for your lips , and smiles , Your pretty courtship , and your amorous Wiles ▪ Her breath was sweet as Venus bower of bliss , Her joyes uncounterfeit , and not remiss ; Her skin was smooth as calmest summers day , And warm as are the temperate Noons in May : Her mind was willing , and her body laid In th' truest Garbe to tempt who durst invade . There wanted nothing to complete our joyes , Had not the house been liable to spies ; For I do value more a Ladies fame , Then satisfaction of my highest flame . Thus much in jest , now to speak truth is time ; I 'm glad we parted , and escap'd the Crime .

24. An Epitaph on a great sleeper . Here lies a great Sleeper , as every body knows , Whose Soul would not care if his body ne're rose . The business of life he hated , and chose To die for his ease for his better repose ; And 't is believ'd when the last trump doth wake him , Had the Devil a bed , he would pray him to take him .

25. An Epitaph on a great Wencher . Here lies a great Wencher , and dead I dare swear , For were he alive an whore would be here .

26. To my honoured Friend Mr. Marmaduke Wyvel . Sir , I have ever honour'd you , and do Owe all fair service I can pay to you : But ( Friend ) I owe you more then this , yet shall ( With all the speed that may be ) absolve all .

27. An Epitaph on Mrs. M. H. Here lies a body whose soul went hence Fuller of Glory then Innocence : What her life wanted to make high Her worth , she wrought when she did die : And now when all her fight is done , Her Foes must say that she hath won . Let her faults perish with her breath , And none think of her life , but death .

28. To Mr. Nathaniel Hazard and his Wife , on their Marriage . Blest Pair Goodnight ! The Prologue now is done : Your wooing's past , and both of you are won . The sweets of Love remain , the Play 's behinde , To yield delight to a long longing minde . May all fair fortune crown your happy Lives , You out-love husbands , and she out-love wives . May every night and day , and day and night ; And hour and minute be to you delight . May all my wishes prosper , and may you Never repent y' are one , and wish you two : And ( for your Epilogue ) when you return To earth , may all that know you for you mourn .

29. To Corinna . Why ( excellent Corinna ) do you throw Your gold away for durt to lay on snow ? For so , compar'd unto your whiter skin , The Linen is you veil your body in : For like a Diamond taken from a rock You would appear unclouded of your smock .

30. Of Lycoris . Beauty and Honour are great names ; and they Here and hereafter differ many a way . Beauty half Age destroyes ; and none can be Enamour'd on the fair'st Anatome . Immaculate Honour easily disperses All Cloudes that hover o're Heroes Heirses . Beauty triumpheth over humane kind , And mighty Love enthrones in every mind . Honour disdains base Actions , and would have A noble life to be our Epitaph . The fair Lycoris doth desire a long And flourishing Spring of beauty , ever young ; Her many years to wear away in mirth , And Heavens epitome to have on earth : Her dayes in musick , and in feasts ; and nights ( Between her lovers Armes ) in soft delights ; But with so cunning Carriage to enjoy This momentary false felicity , As to deceive the curious world , that for't She every where may have a fair report : And that ( when she enters the Grave's descent ) Honour may fix upon her Monument .

31. Of Mary a Chambermaid . Mary a Chambermaid , a brown-eyde Lass Complain'd that she all day in labour was ; I laugh'd at her simplicity , and said , Surely at Night then you 'l be brought to bed .

32. Of Katherine , a Kitchen-wench . Katherine a Kitchen-wench merrily said That lame men were the best to please a maid : I ask'd her why ? She wittily repli'd , They that have Legs defective love to ride .

33. Of the Infamie of his Mistress . Tibull . Lib. 4. Rumor ait crebro nostram peccare puellam : Nunc ego me surdis auribus esse velim . Crimina non hae● sunt nostro sine ficta dolore : Quid miserum torques ? Rumor acerbe tace . Of falshood Fame my Mistress doth accuse : Would I were deaf , and could not hear the newes . This is not forged without my unease : Why dost thou vex me ? cruel Rumour , peace .

34. To Apollo , Ausonius Gallus ▪ Pone arcum Paean , celeresque reconde sagittas : Non te virgo fugit , sed tua tela timet . Phoebus thy Bow and Arrows hide ; for she Thy weapons feats , but doth not fly from thee .

35. To my Cousin Mr. Charles Cotton . Pardon my boldness ( Cousin ) that defames Your name among my trivial Epigrams : Yet I before have sometimes us'd you thus ; For in my Eclogues you are Tityrus ▪

36. Of Chaucer . Our good old Chaucer some despise : and why ? Because say they he writeth barbarously . Blame him not ( Ignorants ) but your selves , that do Not at these years your native language know .

37. Of Edmond Spencer . Our Spencer was a Prodigie of wit , Who hath the Fairy Queen so stately writ : Yield Grecian Poets to his Nobler Style ; And ancient Rome submit unto our I 'le . You modern wits of all the four-fold earth ( worth ) ( Whom Princes have made Laureates for your Give our great Spencer place , who hath out-song Phoebus himself with all his Learned Throng .

38. To my Noble Cousin Colonel Ralph Sneyde . When the last spring I came to Keel , and found Old Hospitality on English Ground , I wonder'd : and ( Great Sydney ) did prefer My Sneyde superiour to thy Kalander . All things are neat , and Jovial Plenty keepes Continual Festivals by years , not weekes : He good decai'd House-keeping doth revive , And doth preserve our English Fame alive . So liv'd our worthy Ancestours , and so May you till you the oldest Man may grow Within the Land ; and ripe for heaven go hence , Bemon'd as far as known . Poets th' expence Of time and paper both may save that day , The Poor your lasting'st epitaph will say .

39. Of Farmo . Farmo one afternoon was drunk extreamly , Wherein he curs'd , and swore , & ly'd , not meanly . One ask'd him whence ( when he had 's wits again ) So many vices did proceed , so vain ? Marry ( quoth he ) as I do truly think , They came not from my heart , but from my drink ▪

40. Of Ovids Banishment . The secret cause of Ovids sad mischance Was seeing or being seen in dalliance . They that dare act that vice should choose their time , And not add scandal also to the crime .

41. To Mr. Thomas Bancroft . Sir , in your Epigrams you did me grace T' allow me 'mong your many Friends a Place : T' express my gratitude ( if Time will be After my death so courteous to me , As to vouchsafe some few years to my name ) Freely enjoy with me my utmost Fame .

42. To the Lady Elizabeth Darcy , my Cousin German . Madam , the greatest Ladies of past Times Kind Influences upon Poets rhimes Have from their gracious eyes bestow'd , and made Them Heaven with their Inventions to invade ▪ As the Pelignan Poet honour'd by The supreme Princess of sweet Italy , Who singing her ( under Corinna's Name ) Fill'd the whole Roman Empire with her Fame ; Which having spread from his immortal verse , Is now renown'd through all the Universe . And ( Madam ) you will do your self no wrong T' encourage a good Poet in his Song ; And to your mercy you no Injury do , If you forgive this toy I 've sent to you .

43. To my worthy Friend Colonel Edward Stamford . Great-soul'd Achilles was a noble Friend ; Hector for valour every where renown'd ; Thousands the bounteous Caesar did commend ; Antonius the best natur'd man was found . What need I search for more in Rome or Greece ? You ( in you ) have the vertues of all these .

44. To my Cousin German Mrs. Cordelia Harryes . When as in Cornwall at Powlmaggon , I Enjoy'd that sweet retired Companie . Methought that house afforded all the bliss Poets can feign there in Elysium is . My Lord and Lady ( blest in wedlock ) led Their dayes in as much quiet as in bed They spent their Nights ; fit couple t' entertain Hermes and Jove , walk't they on earth again : And their House to be made a Temple , where Concor'd and peace triumphed all the year . But old Philemon and his reverened wife Led a most poor though a contented Life . My Lord Mohun liv'd in a plenteous wise , Able to feast the wandring Deities . You and your Sisters Graces seem'd to grace Your Parents firm Affection , and the Place . So live the blest , and best : and so may I , While you a more transcendent Life enjoy .

45. To Lydia . You boast that you are beautiful , and wear A several rich Gown every week i' th' year ; That every day new Servants you do win : But yet no vertue have to glory in . One of less beauty and less bravery , and Servantless , sooner should my heart command . Beauty will fade , and ruines leave behind ; Give me the lasting beauty of the mind . Servants and clothes are the Enammel oft Of bodies too luxurious and soft . Leave vaunting ( Lydia ) therefore till you can Speak one true vertue , and I 'le hear you then .

46. Of a Room in an Ale-house that we call the Apollo . This Room with Mirth and jests we hallow Unto the Deity of Apollo ▪ And ( although here we do want Wine To consecrate before his Shrine , To absent Friends ) we do prevail In plenteous Pots of mighty Ale : Such as it seemes great Dis did love , Who Ceres daughter from above Did steal ; such drink as will constrain Ceas'd Oracles to speak again ; And noble Spirits will infuse Into the poor'st and humblest Muse : And Men in all the humours dress Of Ovids Metamorphosis . An Ant by drinking this is grown To be a lusty Mirmydon : The rustick Numa it will bring From Plow , and make him Rome's great King : Desire in coldest bosomes move , Quickning Pygmalion's marble Love : Against Troy's Conquerours combine , And turn the victours into Swine . Then welcome all that hate the Folly Of Solitary Melancholy , Love mirth and jests , and mean to hallow This Room unto the great Apollo .

47. Of Delia. Talking with Delia I did perceive A natural Perfume in her fragrant breath ; And could not choose but gather many a kiss From her sweet lips , Portcullisies of bliss . Like a Chamelion I could live , and spare All other things to feed upon that air .

48. Ca. Germanici Augusti Epigramma de Puero Thracensi . Thrax puer astricto glacie cum luderet Hebro , Frigore concretas pondere rupit aquas : Dumque unae partes rapido traherentur ab amne , Praesecuit tenerum lubrica tecta caput , Orba quod inventum mater dum conderet urna , Hoc peperi flammis , caetera dixit aquis . A Thracian Boy on frozen Hebrus plai'd , Till with his weight a breach i' th Ice he made , Which from his body cut his tender head , The rest being by the Waters swallowed . His Mother sigh'd ( bestowing 't in an Urne ) That I brought forth for waters , this to burn .

49. Of Cajus Germanicus Augustus . Germanicus was Drusus Son , o' th high And the illustrious Claudian Family ; An eminent Poet ; to whom Ovid sent His Roman Kalander from Banishment . His Cousin Agrippina was his Wife , By whom he many children had . His life ( At thirty four years age in Antioch ) Tiberius ( by poyson ) from him took . Of all his many Poems nothing came Unto our Times , but that one Epigram .

50. To my very good Friend Mr. Francis Lenton . Sir , many years ago when you and I Frequently kept together company With Master Lightwood , and my Noble Brother Sir Andrew Knyveton , and some few such other ; Tom Lightwood made each following Anagram ( Which I illustrated ) upon your name , While ( at the Fleece in Covent Garden ) we Drank roundly Sack in Rosen Cans , and free . There all was done in jest , and so was took : Pray laugh at them again now in this book .

51. Francis Lenton Poet. Anagram . Fil-pot Rosen Canne . Filpot ! What Pot ? A Rosen Canne : Who shall ? Frank Lenton shall , that man , But must he then turn Tapster ? No , But fill for him he drinks unto . He ( like a small Wit ) scorns to put My Friends health in a little Cup , But ( like a Generous valiant man ) His smal'st health drinks in a whole Can : But Poets Drink is surely Wine ; No Ale-house trash makes men Divine . Why then Filpot , and Rosen Can , Except he be a Malt-drink-man ? He 's nothing less ; Glasses being small , In Cans he doth drink Sack to all . His Anagram is true , and so His sack doth him true Poet show : He therefore is a Gallant man , And owneth Filpot Rosen Can.

52. Francis Lenton . Anagram . Nann Colts fire . Nann Colts Fire , That is Love : For Love's a Flame ; But sure Nann Colt then is some curious Dame . It may be not : For he may carry perhaps Nann Colts fire in his Breeches , have her claps . Then Nann Colt is unsound , and likely he , Why should he fresher then his Mistress be ? Nann Colts fire once did burn his heart : but lo ! It now hath setled in a place below . I thought that Poets Wits should be of fire , And not their bodies ; that flames did aspire . 〈…〉 burnt Frank ? Be not dejected ; so 〈…〉 of Wine hath been you know , And yet the better for 't ; and so mai'st thou By leaving her upon a solemn vow . But thou may'st be her fire another way , The Man that doth her heart and passions sway : A goodly fortune , to express desire , To have thy brains distil'd by Nann Colts fire !

53. To the World , of Nan Colt . If there be Lady that this Name doth own , Or ( of inferiour condition ) A Woman in the world ; world ! witness bear We did not mean ( by this ) to injure her : We knew none such , he found it in his name , And ( thus much said ) I hope w' are free from blame .

54. To Mr. Francis Lenton , refusing wine . Dost thou endeavour ( Franke ) to leave thy drink That made thee such high raptures write & think ? Or art a weary of the Muses ? for What els could make thee Phoebus Sack abhor ? It is our grief , our mourning , and thy shame , That the Queenes Poet , and a man of name , Should drive Apollo from his breast with a Fine glass of six shillings , or a dish of Whey . Redress our sorrows , and return again To wine , and make thy head like Charles his wain .

55. Francis Lenton . Anagram . Not Nel ; Cis , Fran. Not Nel , for she is fair and sound and sweet ; But Cis , for she 's as common as a street . Why should a Poet that can drink base drink , After a Lady that 's deserving think ? Or why should you , because your Characters Are good , expect a Mistress like the Stars ? Because your Anagrams are rich to you , Would you a Mistress rich in beauty too ? Not Nel ; Cis ( Fran ) is thine , and use her well , That 's make her tympanous belly rightly swell . Blame not thy fortune but thine eyes ; or sure Some dark nights sport behind , or 'gainst a dore . What though she be decai'd like wither'd rose ? She is no ancienter then her best clothes . You 'l say this Anagram is naught : but shew Your reason , for we all do know it true . However 't is unfortunate , you 'l say : For Poets Loves should be as bright as day . It is your name ( good Fran ) doth tell she 's foul , And makes the world acquainted with her soul . But you will ask , why may not Cis be fair , And Nel the homely One beneath compare ? This will not help you Fran : for Nel is known Famous for beauty , witness Sparta Town : And Cis is yet , and hath been ever since , A common name for every Kitchen-wench . You must be patient therefore , and may thank Your name for this fine beast ; Not ▪ Nel , Cis ( Frank. )

56. To my very good Friend M. Thomas Lightwood . Sir , that I do expose these trifles to The world , which we ( in jest ) writ long ago , Pray pardon me : for ( I am sure ) I do A greater wrong unto my selfe then you . After so many troubles , they remain Once more to make us laugh at them again .

57. To my noble Cousin Mr. William Milward . When I have wanted company sometimes , I 've made my self merry with writing rhimes ; And I do hope that reading them you will Laugh too , and pardon what you finde too ill : For worth your approbation here is nought ; My whole book being a continual fault .

58. To my worthy Friends the two Colonel William Bales . So lov'd the two Alcides as you two : So did Alcides and Paeantius do . In the same steps that Noblest friends have mov'd , And with as firm a love as they have lov'd , You hand in hand have walk'd , and work'd as high And glorious Actions of Amity , Striving each others affection to out-go : Yet ( from your Spheres of Honour ) look'd below On me , and me into your friendship took ; Who here have link'd you ( with me ) in my book : And that fair Fortune that your hearts inclines , Grant us a life immortal in my lines .

59. To my dear Cousin Mr. Robert Milwand . Whil'st you retir'd at Alsop in the Dale , With Poets and Philosophers converse ; And o're Voluminous Law-books do prevail , And those hours you from study steal , desperse Into your Oeconomical Affairs , You mixe much pleasure with some easie cares .

60. To my noble Friend , Mr. Marmaduke Wivel . After so many in the English tongue , Whose happy Muses , Epigrams have sung , I have too boldly done , and writ in vain To get repute by following that strain . When I bethink me that great Johnson ( he Who all the ancient wit of Italy And learned Greece ( by his industrious Pen ) Transplanted hath for his own Countreymen , And made our English tongue so swell , that now We scarce an equal unto it allow ) Writ Epigrams , I tremble , and ( instead Of praise ) beseech a pardon when I 'm read .

61. To my honoured kinsman Mr. Henry Kendal the younger . Your Grand-Mother was hospitable , did Invite me often to her house , and bid Me hearty welcome ; And I hope to prove The like effects hereafter of your love . Poets of old were Prophets held ; and I For once will venture on a Prophesy : You shall at Smithsby flourish , gain the Hearts Of all your Countrey by your worthy Parts .

62. To Maides . Soft Virgins , you whose tender hearts are prone To yield unto your own destruction , Resist all vicious flames , and you will find The Glories of an undefiled mind ; Preserve your bodies as a Magazin That doth contain the richest Treasure in ; For Diamonds , Pearls , and Stones of highest price Heaven lov'd virginity mainly out-vies : Patavine Chastity enjoying more Content , then Acts of a * * A prime street in Old Rome . Suburran Whore . 'T is mean to yield submission unto Sense , When virtue hopes so great a Recompence .

63. To the truly Noble Sir Arthur Gorges . Those worthy Romans that scorn'd humble things , Created , and obliged after-Kings , Amidst their thoughts of highest honour , ne're Conceiv'd Imaginations 'bove your sphere . The Babylonian Euphrates may For ever run , and Tybris never stay ; The plenteous Rhine continually speed on , And Danubie , each to it's Ocean , And not out-go your fair and high repute , Which doth amaze the world , and strikes me mute .

94. To Sir Andrew Knyveton my wives brother . Wonder not why among so many of My Epigrams , I do not oftner scoff , And taunt of men , observing when they halt , And tax them smartly after for their fault . I know that Epigrams should either be Satyres reduc'd to an Epitome ; Or els in choicest Language should invite ( Being what you please ) the Readers with delight . Troth ! I in scoffes but little do prevail , Which is the cause that I no oftner rail : And have for Eloquence but what you see ; And therefore all my friends must pardon me .

65. To my Cousins Germans Mr. Cromwell , Mr. Byron , Mr. Ratcliff , and M. Alexander Stanhope . The worlds four Parts , and all the various Seas And Rivers that embrace them thousand wayes , Perfect the Globe terrestrial , set it fix't Equal the circumvolving Heaven betwixt : So you four ( joyning in a Sympathie Of an unmach'd , fraternal Amitie , Sought to for noble Soules , by all that can Under and Honour , or a Generous man ) Are courted on all sides , and truly do Love them reciprocally that love you ; So that your friends and you do justly stand The Centre of fair Friendship in the Land .

66. To my Cousin Mr. Charles Cotton the younger . In how few years have you rais'd up an high Column of Learning by your Industry , More glorious then those Pyramids , that Old Canopus view'd , or Cair doth yet behold ! Your noble Father ( that for able Parts Hath won an high Opinion in all hearts ) May like the elder Scaliger look down With admiration on his worthy Son . Proceed fair plant of Ex'lencies and grow So high , to shadow all that are below .

67. To my honest Kinsman Sir John Reppington . I pray you ( Sir ) impale your Woods , that we In them the hunting of the Buck may see : By which good deed you will be sure to please grounds ; The Naiades , and Hamadryades ; Honouring the woods and brooks that grace those And raise a stately Eccho by your Houndes , T' invite Diana to your Groves ; that she A partner in your rural sports may be : Or peirce the beauteous Goddess Venus ear , And bring her down from her celestial sphere To be spectatress of your game ; brought thence To guard some young Adonis from Offence . By making you a park all this is done , A pleasant Grace unto your Amington .

68. To my Brother in Law Colonel Will . Nevil . The old luxurious Romans vaunts did make Of gustful Oysters took in Lucrine Lake : Your Essex better hath , and such perchance As tempted Caesar first to pass from France . How did those ancient Worthies captive all The humbled world unto their Capitol ! Yet from it's highest Towers could not survey So rich a Countrey as ( from Holt ) you may . The noble Brutus , vertuous Portia , Luckless Antonius , chast Octavia , Soul-fix'd Paulina to her murther'd Lord ( The learned Seneca ) such worthes afford As have astonish'd Ages ; yet your best Of wives may justly with them all contest . You then enjoying a full Fortune , and The delicacies may eat of Sea and land ; Your dayes spend at a house of so fair site , And ( with a so deserving wife ) each night : Consider ( since that you possess all this ) If y' are not happy , who the Devil is ?

69. An Epitaph on a Penitent Bawde . Here lies a good woman ( to speak but the truth ) Who liv'd by her Tail all the days of her youth : And when she was old , and none could endure her , Stuck still to the Flesh , and became a Procurer : Yet was at her death so full of Remorses , That she cri'd a peccavi for all her lewd courses .

70. An Epitaph on an old Bawde . Here lies an old Bawde whom the grave should have gotten Fourty years since , for then she was rotten : Now here she doth lie for all People to piss on , ( For fear of Doomes-day ) in a stinking Condition . But enough of this business ; for well we may think The more we stir in it the more it will stink .

71. To my Cousin Mr. William Milward . Whil'st you at Chilcote live , and I at Pooley , Let 's every Week meet one another duly ; Talk of our long Acquaintance , and the strange Things that have hapned since this mighty change : And drink a Glass of honest Countrey-Ale To all our absent Friends at every Tale.

72. Don Quixot . Quarta parte , Cap. 33. Es de vidrio la Muger , Pero no se ha de provar , Si se puede , O no quebrar ; Porque to do podria ser. Y es mas facil el quebrar se , Y no es cordura ponerse A peligro de romperse Lo que no puede soldar se . Yen esto opinion esten Tados , yen r'azon la fundo , Que si ay Danaes en el mundo . Ay pluvias de Oro tambien .

Englished . Of Women . A Woman is of Glass , or weaker , And should not be put to the proof ; Or if she be , not as to break her ; Which is a thing facile enough . Glass is crack'd with an easie stroke : And it no wisdom is to put That within danger to be broke , Which never can be solder'd up . All men of an Opinion are , And it upon this reason ground , That if there any Danaes were , Gold Showers also would be found .

73. Of a Servant-Maid . A servant maid in Winter washing clothes Upon the banks where pleasant Arnus flowes , A passenger espi'd her , and did say I wish ( sweet heart ) you had a warmer day . She look'd upon him in a pretty snuff , And then repli'd ; Sir , here I 've fire enough , Laying her hands you may guess where . He smil'd To hear her answer come so quick , and wild : And ( pulling out his weapon ) said ( fair Wench ) Light me this Candle then e're I go hence .

74. The Boyes Opinions . A few untoward Boyes hapning together , Started a Question t' be resolved whether ; And from the youngest put it to the oldest , What part about a Woman was the coldest . The first a knee did say ( in his Opinion ) Was the cold'st place of any female Minion . The next recovering from some thought he stuck at , Said he conceiv'd it needs must be her buttock , By feeling cold ( but he was but a Noddy ) When she takes up her clothes to ease her body . The third then spake ( with very earnest urging ) The breasts he did imagine of a virgin . Maid , or no maid , the fourth cri'd , 't is no matter , The cold'st place sure lies between wind & water . After the Question thus being vext and hammer'd , Oh! sigh'd a Lover ( lately grown enamour'd ) ( Who ever speaks the truth may be the boldest ) Of a coy Ladies parts her heart 's the coldest . I ( quoth the sixth ) from all of you do vary , And am of an Opinion quite contrary : For with a Woman I lay late , and found her ( her● ) Warm every where to th' purpose ( Pox confound They all laugh'd , saying , he might thank his riot , And they gues'd him a Clap by his strict diet . My Hostess heard them , ( grunting on her Palet ) And swore , an old Woman as any Sallet Was cold & wholesome : And ( to clear this riddle ) She to him call'd ; Son ! you may come and fiddle : But he seem'd bashful , and refus'd the Grannum ; Swearing , what Lust is in these beasts to dam u'm ?

75. Of a Sawyer . One cleaving Billets for a Courtezan , ( Viewing her beauty ) was a wounded man : He sigh'd , and mus'd , and did his work neglect ; So that she came and him for Loytering check't . He standing more amaz'd ; she said , speak ( friend ) What dost thou aile ? Why dost not make an end ? Recovering from 's astonishment , he thought That faint hearts never fair Atchievement wrought : And ( Mistress ) said , A great desire I have To lie with you : She answered him , peace ( knave ) I scorn so base a Clown . For all this he Pli'd her , and at the last they both agree : A Crown of Gold he was to give her : so She pluckt her Clothes her favour to bestow , And with her white hand clapt her whiter Thigh , Saying's this flesh fit for a Sawyer ? Fye ! He hearing this look't on his Gold again , And said , is'e fit to give this to a Quean ? And so the Goodman chanced to recover , ( Saving his mony ) and went home no Lover .

76. Of a Gentleman of Venice , and his Mistress . A Gentleman of Venice ( as the most Of them themselves do put unto that cost ) Kept a fair Mistress , and did every day ( In solace ) weare with her some hours away . Coming one Afternoon ( with an Intent To spend some time in amorous blandishment ) He found her undispos'd , and newly laid Groning , and sick , and cover'd on her Bed . He ( seeing this ) sigh'd sadly ( Love ) I fear , I 'm now but troublesome in staying here ; An other time I 'le visit you . Pray stay , Quoth she : Introth you shall not go away ; Come sit down by me : Heark you ( Servant ) I Am ner'e so sick , but on my back can ly .

77. To my especial Friend Mr. Henry Thimbleby . Platonick Love must needs a Friendship be , Or els Platonick Love's a Gullery : Love is ( as Johnson in 's New ▪ Inne hath prov'd ) Desire of union with the belov'd : And cannot onely be a gazing at ; But a strong Appetite t'incorporate . Why do you praise a Ladies Beauties so , And ( in a silence ) let her vertues go ? Leave trifling ; for we gather ( by your suit ) Your marriage shortly will your words confute .

78. The Florentine Dutchess , and her Woman Dwarfe . A great Duchess of Florence some years since Had a She-Dwarfe of quick Intelligence , And a surpassing beauty ; whom ( above Her other Servants ) she did highly love . Nanna , I bear thee such good will ( she said ) That I 've a great desire to have thee wed One of thy Size , but handsome as might be ; Because I Children fain would have of thee . Madam ( she answer'd I ) have sometimes been Within your Cellar , and your vessels seen ; And ( which did me with a strange pleasure strike ) The great and least had bunge-holes all alike .

79. To my honoured Friend Sir William Persal . Sir , you are every where belov'd , and should I say admir'd , my words a truth woo'd hold . You master all the Arts , and can discourse Of any science from the very Source To the full growth of it : From Pole to Pole Nature hath made you Doctor of her whole . What others have grown old about and gray , You have acquir'd by a more gentile way : For what they an Herculean Labour make , To you is but a soft Symposiack . Your quick , all-apprehending brain is such , It dictates wonders ; which are prov'd as much . Let not this ( Sir ) seem flattery , and offend : I write but what I think ; And so I end .

80. A Design of an Epick Poem . I sing the valiant deeds and brave exploits Of Brutus , equal to the Worthies Nine : And the adventures strange of wandring Knights Famous in ours , and Countries transmarine ; From Italy their high auspicious flights , Directed hither by the fates Divine : And how fair Ladies ( in their bloomy years ) Became enamour'd on those Cavaliers . A work Heroick , worthy to be writ In stately numbers equal to their deeds ; And by no humble , and no vulgar wit By one that onely knows but oaten reeds ; But by an able Poet that can fit Each Lover , and each Souldier in their weeds , That knows to draw a Line so firmly wrought , As neither Time nor War can bring to nought ▪ But seeing none this Task to undertake , And fearing these great Actions might die ; Neglected cast all into Lethe Lake , Because that some malicious enemy Hath won upon this stupid Isle to make It think them Fictions rais'd by poetry : I ( out of zeal unto so great a truth ) Present this poem to our English youth .

81. To my vertuous fair Cousin the Lady Trentham . Madam , I dare not blame this Age , nor call Any vice in it Epidemical : You are immaculate , and of so high A vertue , that you awe Impiety . Your Heart is a pure Heaven , where nothing is Admitted that can be conceiv'd amiss . The Poets Flight of vertues I contemn , And patient ●low Astrea's after them : You are their Sphere of happiness , and do Entertain all the Goddesses in you .

82. To the Same . You bear that holy Martyrs name that did Die for her chastity , Saint Winnifrid , An honour here you do her ; and when you Shall meet in Heaven , she will return your due : You there will the precedent Saint appear , And she your name eternally then bear .

83. To my old Friend Mr. Rob. Grosvenor . Sir , we have heard of Slanders of that height , As if to Paradise they directed right : When ( out , alas ! ) it is a foul offence Any way to traduce an Innocence . Those Crimes that are by some on others thrown Guiltlesly , they do make those faults their own : And the just Judge their punishment will give Due to the sins that they have slander'd with . Besides ▪ his Soul he within vengeance bounds , That with a truth a reputation wounds : Your Friend and mine so much abus'd doth fall Under the First , and not the last at all . To talk of things commonly known and true , No mulct from Heaven will unto us accrue . But sure he of a blest Condition is That hates of any one to speak amiss : That hath a merciful and candid thought , And thinks all good , rather then any naught . Heaven by a spotless life is won , and by The patient bearing of an Infamy .

84. To my honest Cousins Mr. Robert Milward , and Mr. Roger King . You best of Friends , and my best Friends , that me Have many years grace'd with your Amity ; My lines you honour with your worthy Names , ( A lasting Glory to my Epigrams : ) As Princes Stamps upon base metals do Make them prove currant , and of value too .

85. To Sir Francis Boteler , my brother in law , from Ashbourn . How Christmas steals upon us , as in fear To be oppos'd by the bold Presbyter ! And how you part from us against this Time , As if you thought to meet it here a Crime ! But oh inevitable business ▪ when Old Christmas we meant to have trick'd agen , In 's long neglected usual Ornaments , You have prevented it by going hence : So your Departure we accuse to be Guilty ( by chance ) of an Impietie ; Tom Hurt , Will Taylour , and my self shall mourn , Till you recover our joy by your return .

86. To the right Honourable Henry Lord Hastings Baron of Loughborough . My Lord , when in my youth I ( for some while ) Did leave the pleasures of our native Isle , And travel'd France and Italy , I spent ( Methought ) my Time in a most high content ; And was so far from longing to return , That I when I was sent for home did mourn . And doubtless you are pleas'd , who now enjoy A Calme after a storme of jeopardy . Homer his Iliads might have writ of you ; And ( as our fear prompts ) his Odysses too . But we will hope the best , and that you may ( As er'st Ulysses to his Ithaca ) Return to England ( all those tumults past ) And finde it crown'd with happy dayes at last ; Be reconcil'd to every own , and know ( Among so many Friends ) no single foe .

87. To my Noble Cousin Mr. Henry Hastings of Branston . Sir , since our first acquaintance , ever through Our Friendship with the Noble Loughborough , What tumults have we seen , and dangers past , Such as in graves have many thousands cast ! And yet we live ( thanks to the Powers Divine ) And love , I thank your Friendship gracing mine . I needes must say such troubles disagree Both with my Genius as well as me . Though Poets often sing of Wars , and with A mighty verse an Eccho seem to give To the shrill Trumpet , or the loudest Gun That thunder rores , and spreads destruction ; Yet in a sweet retreat from care and noise , They draw those lines that make those Sympathies ; And though I am no Poet , I confess I am enamour'd much of Quietness .

88. To the right honourable Charles Lord Cokaine , Viscount Cullen . My Lord , you have an honest Heart , and known To be of a most sweet Condition ; A Grace unto our Family and Name , And every where of a most candid Fame : This is a truth ; but lest you should suppose ( If I proceed ) I flatter'd , here I close .

89. An Epitaph on my worthy Cousin German Colonel Michael Stanhope slain at Willoughbie-Fight , and lyes buried in the Church there . Here Michael Stanhope lies , who fought and dy'd , When prosp'rous fortune left the Regal side : He of a dauntless minde by all was known , And of a Noble disposition : Yet his conditions , and his valiant Heart Could not prevail with Death to stay his Dart ; For here he lies , and doth ( by 's Fall ) express , Great Courages do often want Success .

90. An Epitaph on my dear Cousin German Mrs. Olive Cotton . Passenger stay , and notice take of her Whom this Sepulchral marble doth inter : For Sir John Stanhope's Daughter , and his Heir By his first wife , a Berisfor'd lies here . Her Husband of a Noble house was ▪ one Every where for his worthes belov'd , and known . One onely Son she left ; whom we presage A grace t' his family , and to our age . She was too good to live , and young to die , Yet stay'd not to dispute with destinie ; But ( soon as she receiv'd the summons given ) Sent her fair Soul to wait on God in Heaven . Here , what was mortal of her turns to dust , To rise a Glorious Body with the just . Now thou may'st go : But take along with thee ( To guide thy Life and Death ) her Memory .

91. To my Cousin German Mr. John Stanhope of Elveston . When in an Epigram I did salute Your other brothers , and of you was mute , The reason was because I did not know Whether that then you were alive or no. Your safety I congratulate , and wish You a long Life of as long happiness . This Tribute of my Love to you I give , Under the Honour of your Name to live .

92. Of Caesar and Cleopatra . Great Caesars vaunt is known to all , who said , That he did come , look't on , and conquered : But when to Egypt he did come from Rome , And saw the Queen , he then was overcome : But ( to prove rather he was not beguil'd ) Her he o'recame ; for he got her with childe .

93. An Epitaph on my most honour'd Kinsman Colonel Ralph Sneyd , who dy'd in the Isle of Man about the 40th year of his Age. Here lyes a body that gave Lodging to A Soul as noble as the world did know ; It was well-organ'd , handsome , manly , and Of equal structure to the best o' th Land : Yet was unworthy of the Soul was given , And therefore dy'd cause that fled back to Heaven . Here Colonel Ralph Sneyd doth lie ; In brief The joy of mankind living , now the grief .

94. Of Slander . To speak too well of thousands safer is Then of one single Person once amiss ; Happy is he therefore whose wary tongue Wisely refrains to do another wrong .

95. To Elveston a Town in Darbyshire . Dear Elveston , that art a grace Unto the Shire where I was born ; And Elveston , that art the Place Where first I did salute the Morn ; The noble Stanhopes are thy praise , Whom thou afford'st a birth , and Urne : And may they flourish there always Till th' world to Chaos doth return .

96. Of Venice , Translated out of Sannazarius . Viderat Adriacis Venctam Neptunus in undis Stare urbem , & toti ponere jura mari : Nunc mihi Tarpejas quantum vis , Jupiter , arces Ob●ice , & illa tui maenia Martis , ait Si pelago Tibrim praefers , urbem aspice utramque Illam homines dices , hanc posuisse Deos.

Englished . In Adriatick Waters Neptune saw Venice , that layes on the whole Sea a Law : Object Tarpejan Towers , Jove , whil'st thou wilt , He said , and walls by thy Mars Off-spring built , Prefer'st thou Tyber ! view both towns , and th'ods , And thou wilt yield men that made , this the Gods .

97. Of the Gratuity given the Poet. The noble Senate for the fair renown ( From his immortal pen ) fix'd on their town , Crown'd ( with six thousand crowns ) the Poets wit ; ‛ Would I had half so for translating it .

98. Of Women . The tree a Grace to Eden did appear , Yet was prohibited our Parents there : So Women as earths glories we esteem , And yet how mch are we forbidden them ! It pleases Heaven to keep us all in awe ( To try our duties ) by a rigid Law .

99. Of the same . In Paradise a Woman caused all The ruine of mankind by Adams fall : What wonder then if they o'recome us here When w' are more weak , and they perhaps as fair ?

100. An Epitaph on Mr. John Fletcher , and Mr. Philip Massinger , who lie buried both in one Grave in St. Mary Overie's Church in Southwark . In the same Grave Fletcher was buried here Lies the Stage-Poet Philip Massinger : Playes they did write together , were great friends , And now one Grave includes them at their ends : So whom on earth nothing did part , beneath Here ( in their Fames ) they lie , in spight of death .

101. Of Augustus Caesar , and Marcus Antonius . Augustus was to Ovid too unkind , Who him not onely banish't , but confin'd Him ; had the noble Anthony o'recome , He might have led his life , and di'd in Rome . But of these two great Romans this is known , Caesar caus'd others deaths , Marcus his own .

102. To the Lady Mary Cokaine , Viscountess Cullen . Madam , I hear you do intend to grace Your Rushen with your presence all this year , You cannot honour a more noble Place , If you resolve the Countrey for your Sphere ; And Lords and Ladies enjoy happiest dayes When in their homes their right Orbs they appear : So Stars do glorifie Heaven that keep their Orders , When Comets do presage ruines and murders .

103. To the same . Madam , I do recant what I have writ , As savouring too much of a countrey-wit , And I fear Clownishness : for where should your Fair Sexe live but in London evermore ? Bright Ladies in the Countrey , we esteem As the Sun shaded by the cloudes doth seem ; So Pearls lie hid in Shells , and Diamonds so Upon their solitary Rocks do grow . As Stars grace Heaven your beauties do the town , Which is the proper Sphere for them to own . Hast therefore up ; you here will prove a Star Of Glory , who move there irregular .

104. An Epitaph of Colonel Ferdinand Stanhope Son to the Earl of Chesterfield , who was slain about Shelford , and lies there buried . Here underneath this monumental Stone Lie Honour , Youth , and Beauty all in One : For Ferdinando Stanhope here doth rest , Of all those Three the most unequal'd Test . He was too handsome and too stout to be Met face to face by any Enemy ; Therefore his foe ( full for his death inclin'd ) Stole basely near , and shot him through behind .

105. To my Wives Neece Mrs. Elizabeth Pegge . I thank my Wife for my so neer relation Unto a mine of vertue of our nation . To name your handsomness I do decline , As to tell Ethiops the Sun doth shine : You are as witty as the Lesbian Lass , Who the tenth Muse so oft accounted was : And chaster then the glorious Roman Dame That kil'd her self for vicious Tarquin's shame . Thus I could prosecute your Worths , but know Y 'had rather Heaven then men should judg you so .

106. To her Brother Mr. Tho. Pegge . The various manners you of men have seen , And have in divers forreign Cities been ; And after three years travel are come home From Brussells , Paris , and more glorious Rome , To fix you here for all your future Life ; I wish y' a vertuous , rich , young , handsome wife .

107. To my Wife . My Mall , how we desire both to go down , And still how business stayes us in the town ! Since Plays are silenc'd by the Presbyter , And Wine is grown so very naught and dear ; London seems frowning like a Step-dame now , That look'd before with so serene a Brow . Away therefore , and let us hasten home To our Loves pledges our dear Mall and Tom.

108. Of Hubert Wypart . Hubert Wypart a Leigios some years since My Servant was i' th Countrey , and from thence Ask'd leave to go to London to be by At a Friends death of his condemn'd to dy ; For he ( he added ) loves me so I know , That he three hundred miles and more would go To see me hang'd ; we could not choose but laugh : Hubert had leave to go ; but 's Friend got off .

109. To Tom Mullins . Tom sell good Ale ; and since we do thee grace To call thy Room Apollo , and the place With mirth and jests raise Oracles in , be sure Thy drink have strength to make them both endure : For it would an Impiety be of thine , With base Ale to pollute bright Phoebus Shrine . In lien of Eastern perfumes we will pay Sacrifice of Verinas every day . Though we by mighty Liquor fall sometime , 'T is accidental , and a generous crime ; A fate that upon strictest Friends awaites , When those that drown themselves in brooks , Heaven hates .

110. To his Wife . What Vulcan's wife sell Ale ! Thanks Venus for 't ; The Goddess though did use another Sport . Bess , since thou likewise art a Black-smiths wife , Imitate somewhat the Cyprian Queen in life . But thou art old , and honest : therefore get A young Wench to fill drink that may be fit . But thou too much of vertue hast ; therefore Sell Noble Sack , and we will ask no more .

111. An Epitaph on Mr. Isaac Coe who died about the 40th year of his Age. Here Master Isaack Coe of Lincolns-Inn , A Glory to that house , and to his kin , Doth buried lie ; which Loss we needs must mourn , And pay our tears as Tribute to his Urne : But how can we call this his Sepulchre , Whom all his Friends do in their hearts inter ?

112. To Zoilus . Zoilus , thou say'st my Epigrams are worse Then any that thy Censurer did curse : Zoilus , I am of thy Opinion too ; And therefore ( pray thee ) make no more adoo .

113. Of Lupa One , two , three , four , five , six , seven , eight , nine , ten Have lain with Lupa , and all lusty Men , Such as their Boasts of strength in each place tell . Yet none of them could make her Belly swell . But Lupa vaunts of this ; that she doth hate Her Belly should confirm what Men do prate . A slanderous tongue oft Innocence traduces ; But when the Belly tells , farewell Excuses .

114. Of Cloe. One , two , three , four , five ▪ six , seven , eight , nine , ten , Eleven , twelve , thirteen , fourteen , fifteen Men Sixteen , seventeen , eighteen , and nineteen more Cloe hath tempted to make her an whore . Count how many she hath wish'd she had lain under , And you will find it come t' a pretty number . Yet none of them have ever known her bed ; For Cloe still retains her Maidenhead . Sure she 's unhansome then ! No ; she 's a Lass As beautiful as ever Hellen was . She is observed by so wary spies , That hitherto she could not play her Prize : But twenty t 'one e'relong she 'l find a time To cheat their eyes , and perpetrate her Crime .

115. Of the Thames . Some gallant Rivers do neglected run , And have no viewers but the constant Sun , The solitary Moon , and Beasts that by Their hollow banks do feed themselves to die : Whil'st upon Thames , the Glory of our Isle , Fair Towns , and Palaces , and Castles smile : But above all London ( that doth embrace Those sprightly streams ) affords the chiefest grace . 'T is well it is so big ; or else this Town ( Would in the Beer that 's drunk ) soon quaff it down ▪

116. To my fellow Travellour Mr. Maurice La Meir , alias Ardenville . How many Cities have we seen , together ? But now I wish we might seen one another .

117. To Porphyrius . Porphyrius ! that is enough to tell , He that doth all things ill doth nothing well . An Epigram's is too short for such a matter , His faults but touch'd at brief deserve a Satyre ; And as an expert Archer hits the white , So on the Black his Poet needes must light .

118. His Mistress . She is his own , and he is happy much , Because besides himself none doth her touch : But 't is not for respect to him , or her ; For she 's so foul all men do her abhor . She constant is to him against her minde , And he t' her , 'cause he can no other find .

119. Their Marriage . A wedding solemniz'd , because none els Would court them to divide them from themselves : And it is fit they should be married , when None els will have that Woman , or Woman Man . The beasts are coupled ; and 't will be no wonder , If like beasts they agree , or part asunder .

120. An Epitaph on Mr. Humphry Cumberford who died in Tamworth about the 34th year of his age , and lyes there buried . Here Master Humphry Cumberford doth ly , Who was a Man of truth , and honesty . A Lady Knighted him ( to his good fate ) Whose Honour so scap'd nulling by the State . Belov'd he was by all of every sort , From Bess of Bow-Mill to the very Court . He dy'd a maid , or ( if he did do ill ) 'T was not his Nature , but against his will . But let him rest in peace ; and may we all Wish , we may die as well when death doth call .

121. To Clarinda . That Lent is sweet , devout Clarinda sayes , And why ? she feeds on sweet-meats most those days . But pardon me that thus traduce your merit ; You keep the flesh low to advance the Spirit .

122. To my Book . Go trivial Book , and when thou art abroad Be humble where thou find'st a kind abode . If at thy errours any smile , give way , It is not handsome in thee to gainsay . They gave some money for thee ; and 't is fit That ( for their money ) they some laughter get .

EPIGRAMS The second Book .

1. To the Fellow-Commoners of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge . GEntlemen , in my youth I spent some years Within your walls ; but few , it plain appears By this poor Book , which I an offering make Unto you , for your recreations sake : Not that I do presume that you may finde Any thing in it worth your eyes , or minde ; But that the view of these slight toyes may raise You to accomplish works deserving praise . When you have laugh'd enough at these , pray take ( Each of you ) Pen in hand , and better make : Which would a noble emulation prove , And ( from our rank ) an Obloquie remove .

2. To the Reader . Reader , ( because I would escape the fury Of all thy Tribe , the grand , and petty Jury That sit on Books , and Wits ) I do profess Although this Book be small , the Wit in 't 's less . Having thus censur'd it , I need not fear What others say , or wish them to forbear . Why should you read it therefore , you exclaime ? Because y 'ave bought it read it o're for shame .

13. To Mr. Tho. Harper a Printer . You Printers , and the Stationers do raise Unto your selves a fame , if not a praise : For be the Authour what he will , you give Stamps of your Names on 's Book , and with him live . But if Errata's you prevent , you raise Not onely to your selves a Fame , but praise .

4. Of Virgil. Wherefore should Virgil wrong the Carthage Queen ? Was it through Ignorance , or out of spleen ? If he unwittingly eclips'd her Glory , The ablest Poet was unskil'd in Story : If he through malice tax'd her with such guilt , It was 'cause she Romes dreaded rivall built . But he might think ( though her he did debase ) To be in his Lines any thing was Grace .

5. To Mr. Bryan Cokaine . Cousin , I hope each Star when you was born , Did Heaven with a benign aspect adorn : And every glistering jewel of the sky Dispense their Good to your Nativity . You being sweet-condition'd , having mov'd All men to honour you ( so well belov'd ) Nobly descended , bred to all the Arts That give a man renown for worthy parts ; To a great fortune heir , and a brave seat , ( For what then Rushton can be held more sweet ! ) Married to a fine Lady , the first day Of her youths spring ( whose ripe and flourishing May Of Beauty , still is years to come ; yet she Handsome as fancy can think woman t' be ) Inheritrix unto a grand estate , ( And yet her excellent vertues far more great ) We needs must guess the Heavens your friend , and know ( Y 'ave so much Land upon 't ) the earth is so .

6. To Mrs. Elizabeth Cokaine , his Lady . Hail Maid , and wife ! But ( Cousin ) I wish you Had chang'd that name ( were older ) for a new . But this is not enough without another : I wish you quickly too an happy Mother . Rushton and Roster both expect you shood Unite them strictlier by so great a good : Cokaines and Trenthams then their joys will tell ; So till a Christning come ( Cousin ) Farewell .

7. To my honest kinsman Mr. John Cokaine . When at your Pigeon-house we meet sometime ( Though bawling Puritans call it a Crime ) And pleasant hours from serious thoughts do steal With a fine little glass , and temperate Ale , Talk of Sir Cokaine , and how near He was alli'd to Will the Conquerer , * * Attested by the same Mr. John Cokaine of Rushton , my Lords Cousin Germane , who had an ancient evidence to prove it . Liv'd in his reign at Henningham Castle , and That lately there his Bow and Arrows did stand , That there his Sword and Buckler hung , and that ( If they have scap'd these Times ) th' are all there Some fall asleep because healths are but few , ( yet ; And care not for such Tales though ne're so true . So as ( through too much drink ) we see sleep come On others , it for too little falls on some .

8. To Dulcinea . Dulcinea ( it seems ) bears me a grutch Cause of my Love to her I talk so much . To love , and have no vent at all , would break An heart , therefore give Lovers leave to speak , But be appeas'd ( fair Maid ) for I 'le be sworn I love thee vertuous , vicious O thee should scorn .

9. To Sir Robert Brett . Sir , that your Lady Cousin-german is Unto my wife ( and yet I boast of this ) Is not my amplest glory ; I rejoyce That to the world your friendship I may voice .

10. To Mr. George Porter . Whether in one that I affect above Others , I honour should or friendship love , Is now become my doubt ; but soon I shall ( By contemplating you ) o'recome it all . What is anothers Honour unto me , If our affections want a Sympathie ? And how can any friendship have a stamp Of worth upon it , that doth Honour want ? Honour and friendship should Concomitants be , And ( in as near relation ) should agree , As Light doth with the Sun ; for Honour doth Keep friendship from all flawes ; they both seem both . The grand example of your excellent parts ( The wonder , and delight of noble hearts ) Honour and friendship ( to their splendid height ) Do in all great and generous souls unite . Malice it self no stain can tax you with , But that unto me you your friendship give : And ( Sir ) I am so proud on 't , that I must Unto your mighty merit be unjust ; ( In this let envy censure how it will ) Pray honour me with your fair friendship still .

11. To Mr. Richard Grey of Adderston , my worthy kinsman . Sir , you Platonicks do defend too much , And I guess talking so may make you such : Yet 't is not in your nature , I suppose ; For something you may love besides their clothes , Their conversation , and their vertues in The tender female Sexe : but you have been So long a champion for Platonick love , That you conceit it a disgrace to move From your aerial tenents ; pray you leave This argument , and all their hopes deceive , That gape after your wealth when you are gone ; Marry a wife , and leave it to your own . But ( if your humour you resolve shall last ) Make me your heir , and all my trouble 's past .

12. An Epitaph on my Noble Cousin Mr. Edward Reppington , who deceased about the 24th year of his age , and lies buried in Tamworth . Stay , whosoe're thou art that passest by , And notice take who here entomb'd doth ly : For Edward Reppington ( the hopes , and heir ) Of Ammington and Adderston lies here . He was a Gentleman of so much worth , That he hath left few equals on the earth ; As early Fruit for Princes got , even so ( Being ripe for Heaven ) he hence so young did go . The Reppingtons , and Seabrights should rejoyce For giving being to such ex'lencies ; Although ( through Natures weakness ) they yet mourn That 's mortal part is faln into his Urne : They that would be belov'd as he , must grow In vertue as in years ; think on 't , and go .

13. Of Men. How rude is mankind grown ! savager far ▪ And more inhumane then the brute beasts are ! When our first great Grandsire enjoy'd the joys , The walks , and Groves of glorious Paradise , When in the State of Innocense he stood , ( That little while he was completely good ) And ere his beauteous Mate was made , He then Was King of beasts , and not a King of men .

14. To Robert Shotwall of Ashbourne . Robin , thy Ale , and company are both So good , that I to leave thee oft am loth . But yet thy Bill for Boots and Shoes forgi' me ; And then ( I 'le promise ) you shall oftner see me . For then to spend I should have so much more Which should be yours ; So I would quit my score .

15. Of Rome . Rome ! once the conquer'd worlds great Head , and yet The Queen of Cities , and deserving it , Thy ruines are more glorious to behold Than our new Palaces glittring with gold And richest Tapistry : thy Statues broke , Thy Amphitheatres half faln , the stroke Of Time upon thy Obelisques , and Decayes of Emperours ; Termes do command A reverence from our eyes ; Each step in thee Puts us in minde of some Antiquitie . Triumphant Arches ( though half buried ) show Which way victorious Caesars once did go . This was the earths Metropolis ; In it Historians , Oratours , and Poets met From all the Provinces ; and herein they Wore many a day and many a night away In frolick Banquets , made Suburra own More joyes then on Olympus e're were known . But various plenty of delicious Wine Completes thy Praise , and makes an end of mine .

16. Of Womens Clothes . The gentle female Sexe that doth affect Liberty so , doth liberty neglect : For ( for the fashions sake ) they are content Their clothes should be their strict Imprisonment .

13. Of Cupid . Beauty is but opinion of the Liker ; And Cupid's no good archer , but a striker . His rage he strangly doth employ , and parts ( At random carelesly ) with all his darts ; And all these mischiefs , and these miseries We do impute unto his want of eyes : But we may bless our fates that he is blind ; Else war ( for beauty ) would destroy mankind .

18. Of Galla. Galla hath still her maidenhead ; And why ? She is unhandsome , and her price too high . Yet she would fain be rid of it ; but none Will pay so dear , therefore 't is still her own . So ( although her desires be thus unjust ) Her covetousness doth overpoise her lust .

19. Of Bettina . Ever to love a Lass so fair as she Loseth no judgment , but doth settle me In an opinion , that I would have no Zeal in affection , but for her , to show . All men admire her much who ever yet Beheld her face : And shall I wrong my wit Expresly to declare I like her not , To whom I owe as much as I have got ? Have I my Sences ? I can try no way But by approving her ; my eyes survey All Objects , but like none like her ; my ears Receive no Musick like her voice : her tears Compose the purest Nectar : her soft touch Lends torn Prometheus ease ; and body such A perfume doth evaporate , that she Yields choicer sweets then in Arabia be .

20. To the same . Although , Bettina , I profess'd deep Love Unto you , in the Epigram above , Mine was no want on flame ; though I admir'd Your beauties , I fruition ne're desir'd . All your discourse was of such pretty stuff , That I ( methoughts ) could never hear enough : Your conversation did my motive prove ; So mine a friendship was , and not a Love .

21. Of the River Cham. Why crooked Chams dull streams so slowly move , It is , cause it with Cambridge is in love ? Poor river ! thy Amours as vain decline , For water Schollars care not for , but wine .

22. To my ingenuous Friend Mr. Alexander Brome on his Essay to translate Lucretius . I know a Lady that hath been about The same designe , but she must needes give out : Your Poet strikes too boldly home sometimes , In geniall things , t' appear in womens rhimes , The task is masculine , and he that can Translate Lucretius , is an able man , And such are you ; whose rich poetick vein , And general Learning perfectly can plain , And smooth your Authors roughnesses , and give Him such a robe of English as will live , Out-wear , and all such works exceed , and prove This Nations wonder , and this nations Love . Therefore proceed , ( my friend ) and soon erect This Pyramid of our best Dialect .

23. To my dear Cousin-Germans Mrs. Anne , Mrs. Elizabeth , Mrs. Phillipia , and Mrs. Dorothie Stanhope , Sisters . Lincolne was , London is , and York shall be The most renowned City of the three , Is an old saying : but I now must tell Limby ( near Nottingham ) doth all excel : Where live four Stanhopes of the female Sex , Who ( to produce them equals ) would perplex The Land ; to which ( for all things highly good ) They the best pattern may be understood . My sweet , fair Cousins ! all the worlds four parts ( By Imitation of your rare deserts ) May grow in vertue ; you a mirrour be , Where what they should be womankind may see .

24. To my Vncle ( in law ) Mr. Richard Sutton . When you and I meet Master Bancroft , we Envy no mirth of any Company : We all love cordially ; his Wit and Sack Make us enjoy our selves and nothing lack . We Covetousness despise and , cares let fly In Spanish smoke , and consecrate to joy The hours we spend ; and when Sol leaves the skies Drink our next merry meeting , and so rise .

25. Of Ashborn . Ashborn ( where many years our Cokaines name Hath been ( as Cambden tells us ) of some fame ) Though in the Peak thou stand'st , thy fertile ground ( That like a Lover doth embrace thee round ) The Medows needes not envy , which the Thames Saluteth ( in his passage ) with his streames . The banks of Dove we think we do abuse , If unto those compar'd , of York-shire Ouse . Our fruitful soil we do prefer to that Which holy Dee so long hath murmur'd at , For not affording him a speedier way To pay his waves to the Virginian Sea . Severnes and Trent's it envies not and thence We do conclude yields none preeminence ▪ If I commend too much , 't is not a skill I would profess , but onely my good will : Yet other praises I ( to this ) could joyn ; If Betty Sheepy would draw better wine .

22. To Mrs. Elizabeth Sheepy of Ashbourne . Betty , your wine is good : and yet we know You may get better ; which we pray you do . Our Countrey-wits would then leave clubbing In Darby-Ale , and chang their penny-Pots ( groats , Into fine Venice-glasses ( sparkling full ) Of generous Sack , and be more bountiful . Your Talbot then would rore , and Poets sing That there did run the true Castalian spring . Your husband honest Tom ( that 's sick ) it would Recover soon , and make him live t' be old . Get therefore ( Betty ) the best wine you may : And we will style you our Mnemosyne .

23. To my dear Cousin Germans Mrs Stanhope , and Mrs. Isabella Hutchinson ; Sisters . Let others praise Nottingham for the Site , The River Trent , and prospects of delight , Mortimers Cave , and ( now ) the ruine sad Of one of the best Castles England had : I say that you two are the chiefest grace ( By living there ) that doth adorn the place .

24. To Mr. John Young , of the Bear in Powlesworth . Though Puritans on in their grumblings go , Be merry Master Young , whil'st you are so . What though their sensless zeal bark at your Bear ? If the Bandogs venture to come so near , Keep such strong drink shall take them by the Crown , And pluck the hypocrites of Piety down . Making them do homage unto your sign , And think it ( though an Image 't is ) divine .

29. Of Men and Women . Whilst Monuments of Brass and Marble stand , Whilst Ships do grace the Seas , and Cities Land , And Men do walk upon the Terrene Ball ; So sure ( undoubtedly ) will women fall . Yet let not this the females onely taxe , Men fall on them that fall upon their backs .

32. To Mr. Ralph Rawson lately fellow of Brasen Nose Colledge . Though I of Cambridge was , and far above Your Mother Oxford did my Cambridge love ; I those affections ( for your sake ) remove ; And ( above Cambridge ) now do Oxford love : But I recant that change , and say where e're You live , that a third Academie's there . You conquer humane passions , and enshrine All vertues that the Schooles did e're define ; And to such height master all learned Arts , That I know none your equal for all Parts : Therefore what place soever you shall please To grace with your abode on Lands or Seas , ( Although in frozen Thule ) I far above My Cambridge , and your Oxford shall it love .

31. To my most honoured Cousin the Lady Mary Fitzherbert of Tissington . Madam , the Peak is famous far and near For a great many wonders that are there ; Pooles-Hole , the Devils Elden-hole , the well That ebbes and flowes , make Darbyshire excel ▪ The sandy hill that ever falls away And yet ( in bulk ) doth suffer no decay : And Burtons Baith ( though in a village town ) Abroad our County give a fair renown . These and the like do far and near invite Strangers , and natives to delight their sight . But these are Grotts , Waters , and Hills , and such As we have one that doth exceed them much : Your beauties , and your many vertues speak You the chief Wonder that doth grace the Peak .

32. Of Naples . Naples the Romans old Parthenope . ( Built under Hills , upon the Midland-Sea ) Thou to Compania ( most delicious Part Of Italy ) the primest Glory art . The Princes , Dukes , the Counts and Barons that ( In great abundance ) there do make their seat , And flourish in all joyes this Life can grant To humane kind , others I leave to vaunt : Above all things that honour 't I preferre The all renowned Virgils Sepulchre ; And think that Virgil dead gives more renown , Then all those Lords alive , unto that Town .

33. Of Wakes , and May-Poles . The Zelots here are grown so ignorant , That they mistake Wakes for some ancient Saint , They else would keep that Feast ; For though they all Would be cal'd Saints here , none in heaven they call : Besides they May-Poles hate with all their Soul , I think , because a Cardinal was a Pole .

34. An Epitaph on Mr. Will . Davenport , a Cousin-German of my wifes , who dyed at Henbury his own house in Cheshire , and lies buried by his wife at Dubridge in Darby-shire ; he being aged about 29. Here William Davenport lies , and ( Stranger ) know That he was high in worth that lies so low . He had a noble soul , and liberal mind , A generous courage , and behaviour kind ; Sir Thomas Milwards daughter was his wife , Whom he surviv'd , and led a widowers life . Our age was proud of him , though ( in his prime Of years ) Death gave a Period to his time : He left two Daughters , and a spotless fame , Which evermore shall wait vpon his Name .

35. To Iustice Would be . That you are vext their Wakes your neighbours keep , They guess it is , because you want your sleep : I therefore wish that you your sleep would take , That they ( without offence ) might keep their Wake .

36. To Mrs Elizabeth Spencer . Hail beauteous Virgin ! you whose glorious hair Justly with Ariadne's may compare : Whose eyes are Globes of purest fire , whence flashes Th' enamour'd Nation soon would burn to ashes , Did not your mighty modesty delight ( With their fair lids , and veils ) to cloud their sight . Your features are such wonders , they can finde No Parallels throughout all Womankinde . How fine your hands are ! And how sweetly they Command the Lutes delicious Harmony ! Your Figure with your Form so right agrees , That you are Natures exquisitest Piece . Pretty ones we your feet must guess to be , That toots are unto such a graceful Tree ; Whose leaves your clothes are & conceal such things As would in Queens raise envy , Flames in Kings . Your own affection cause of fruit must prove , Which yet none of our sex could ever move . You are all fair without , and sure within Your fairer soul 's a glorious Cherubin : He of mankind will lead the happiest life , Whom you shall honour to become his wife .

37. Of Pope Urban the Eight . When I in Rome made some abode , I oft Urban the Eight beheld , and often laught To think how here our Zelots bawld him down , And Preach'd him for the whore of Babylon ; He seem'd a gallant Prince , and they that look , May find him a fine Poet by his book . Though bawds have sometimes beards ; none sure did see A Woman ere have such a beard as he . But they were more mistaken in their speeches , Tho , virtuous women may , whores wear no breeches : Besides , no wencher would bestow a doit To lye with such an whore a winters night .

38. To those Preachers . My friends , I wish you would forbear your running After this whore ; and henceforth show your cunning ( Leaving this subject , to no purpose vext ) To follow in the lieu of it your text .

35. To Parissus . Sir , I conceive that you are in the List Of those that think the Pope is Antichrist : Could you get one of them with child , alone It should be you that made the true Pope Ioan.

40. To the Popes . Princes you are , have Dukedomes , two , or three ; I wish you would give one of them to me : But that were to rob Peter to give Paul , Or rather to rob both of them for Saul : For I a Lay-man am , and ( which is worse ) I think a Poet , by my empty purse .

41. To my wife on the birth of her daughter Isabella . I in this second Daughter wish you joy , Yet should have had more , had it been a Boy . Girles are ( by far ) more chargeable ; And ( when Boyes are grown up ) less care will serve for Men. You say a Nun you mean her : such another ( I think ) you do intend as was her mother . But whether she live Maid , or prove a wife , I wish her a long , healthful , happy life . So I do leave you with your new Delight , Till you and I do meet again at Night .

42. Of our Ladie of Loretto . I have been at Loretto , and did there See the fam'd House , which I 'le not argue here ; Do onely wish ( when I from Earth remove ) That I may see where she abides above .

43. An Epitaph on Mr. Thomas Pilkington , one of the Queens Musicians , who dyed at Wolverhampton about the 35 year of his age , and lies there buried . Musicks prime Master of our Land , this stone Covers ; For here lies matchless Pilkington : He was the soul of Musick , did contain All sorts of it in his harmonious brain . A strange malignant Fever set a strife Between his soul and body ; ceas'd his Life . So with his soul the soul of Musick fled , Leaving that Science fainting , though not dead . Though oft his work was playing , it was such , As all Musicians cannot do so much With all their works . In brief , the richest Part , The best Epitome of all that Art And choisest Musick ( that ere ravish'd ear ) ( Put out of tune by death ) lie buried here .

44. To Zoilus . Zoilus reports never a line I write Deserves t' appear before a wisemans sight : Zoilus , at this I nothing do repine ; But say ( thou being a Fool ) th' are fit for thine .

45. An Epitaph on my dear sister Mrs. Lettice Armstrong , who deceased about the 43 of her age , and of Mrs. Lucy Cokain , who dyed about the 34 of hers , and lye both buried at Ashborn . Lettice and Lucy here ( two sisters ) lye , So constant to each others company , Death could not part them long ; for four years space Reduc'd them both to this Sepulchral place . There was no difference 'twixt them all their Life , Save one liv'd single , th' other was a Wife . They both were virtuous ; left this world behind In hope the Glories of the next to finde . Their Coffins lye so very close , it doth Appear , as if one Grave contain'd them both : As their loves did unite them ; so the stone That both of them doth cover , is but one : And ( more to shew their mutual hearts ) it hath For both ( upon it ) but one Epitaph .

46. To my Cousin Mr. Thomas Cokaine of Manciter . You boast your Manciter was once a Town ( When here the Romans govern'd ) of Renown : That Aderston from Ruines of it grew To be so spacious , and so fair of view . I yield unto your Truthes , and adde one more , Aderston drink makes Manciter so poor .

47. Upon the Marriage of Mr. Edward Tilsly , and Mrs. Anne Fleetwood . So all your fears are past ; you both are sped , And have no trouble but to go to bed : Where ( what young married couples love the best ) I wish you a good night with little rest .

48. Of Vesuvius . I on the top have of Vesuvius been , There laid me down upon my breast , and seen Into the mighty Rupture , whence the smoke Proceeds , that often seems the skies to choke : Torre de Guego din'd at , which I found ( With that Hills scalding streams ) much burnt and drown'd . As with ( their quarries ) Hills build Cities , so They ( with their vomits ) them may overthrow ,

49. Of George Buchanon . Buchanons oathes at Murries service were ; What he would say audacious George would swear . Poets would lye I 've heard , but never one That would forswear himself but Buchanon ; Yet he a famous Poet was : what though ? Serpents may lurk in flowers of fairest show .

50. To Mrs. Anne Adams , my mothers Cosin-german Whilst you the generous Trenthams name enjoy'd , And knew not what it was to be a Bride ; You in delicious Brussels wore away Most of your virgin-years beyond the Sea , There you did thinke to lead a single life ; But thanks to Iohn that won you to his wife . Who ( when you did return to England ) found That way to fix you on your native ground : For you together live , as if heaven meant To make you ( though not richest ) most content .

51. To my highly honoured Cousin-German , Mr. Arthur Sanhope , son to the Earl of Chesterfield . I do rejoyce at the respect you bear To Bretby , by your choice of living there : My Lord so great a house kept , that by none ( Of all our Noblemen ) he was out-gone : And you so neatly and gentilely live , That all that know you Commendations give . If my Lord Stanhope comes , and you remove , May you be follow'd by all good mens love ; That ( wheresoere you live ) there may be seen No change , but alteration of the Scene .

52. To Mris. Elizabeth Kendall , my wives Niece . Twycross I cannot choose but envy , where Such ravishing Musick is , and I not there . You , and your sister Frank Pegge every day So rarely sing , that wondring Queens would stay ( To listen to your Layes ) from any sport , And prize ( that while ) your house above a Court.

35. To Mr. Humphrey Mosley , and Mr. Humphrey Robinson . In the large book of Playes you late did print ( In Beaumonts and in Fletchers name ) why in 't Did you not justice ? give to each his due ? For Beaumont ( of those many ) writ in few : And Massinger in other few ; the Main Being sole Issues of sweet Fletchers brain . But how came I ( you ask ) so much to know ? Fletchers chief bosome-friend inform'd me so . Ith'next impression therefore justice do , And print their old ones in one volume too : For Beaumonts works , & Fletchers should come forth With all the right belonging to their worth .

54. To my much honoured Cousin Sir Francis Burdet Baronet . The honest Poet , Michael Drayton , I Must ever honour for your Amity , He brought us first acquainted ; which good turn Made me to fix an Elegie on 's urn : Else I might well have spar'd my humble stuffe ; His own sweet Muse renowning him enough . In Warwick-shire your house and mine stand neer , I therefore wish we both were setled there ; So we might often meet , and I ( thereby ) Your excel'nt conversation oft enjoy : What good should you get by it ? truly none : The profit would acrue to me alone .

55. To Mrs. Anne Gregson of Ashburn . Y' are good , and great , and had you had some itch For wealth , and married God be here , had been rich : But money you contemn'd ( it doth appear ) Content to live a widdow by good Beer .

56. To my sweet Cousin Mrs. Isabella Milward . Your noble father Sir Iohn Zouch ( when you Was very young ) occasion'd you to view Virginia , took you thither , where some years You spent , till you had moistned with your tears His and your eldest sister Katharine's Tombe , Interr'd so far from Codnor their old home . After so sad a loss you thought it time To return back unto your native clime , Where your ( by all men honour'd ) husband found , A richer Prize then all the spacious ground Known by Vesputius surname ere did give ; And may you long together happy live .

57. An Epitaph on King Arthur . Arthur our Worthy , whose grand fame in war Shall evermore load Fames triumphant Car , This Marble covers ; nobler dust then those For whom the Pyramids of Egypt rose . Had but his life reacht out to his intent , Queen Artemisia's wondrous Monument Had been his Sepulchre , and not his tombe ; His merits would have rose to such a summe . Nothing but treason foul could periodize The Progress in his Saxon victories : And Glassenbury Abbey loudly boasts That it contains the Terrour of their Hoasts .

58. An Epitaph on Henry the fourth of France , Forbear thy rude approch , bold Passenger : Henry the Great , the fourth of France lies here . His claim unto that Crown he knew so right , That he for it unarm'd did often fight . The sword of Mars , Minerva's Lance , and Gun Of Mulciber fear never made him shun . Cover'd with fire and bullets by his Foes , He wore them not as Terrours , but his clothes . What Spain , France , and the League could not command With their united force , a murtherers hand Did perpetrate : Ravilliac struck him from The top of all his Glories to his Tombe . As the bright Sun ( throughout our Hemisphere ) His course being finished ) sets full and clear , And the next morn again doth beauteous rise , And with his beams decks both the earth and skies : So he ( after a life triumphant led ) Did bid the world adieu , and here lies dead : And when the last day comes ( return'd from dust ) Shall glorious rise , and live among the Just .

59. Of Fame . Fame 's a strange Good , and a strange Evil , that Doth often give too much , and oft detract ; And sometimes justice doth , and hits the Mean , Avoiding each extravagant Extream . Let us precisely to our duties stick , And Fames worst malice shal not wound to th' quick : Or if it gives us that which is above Our merits , why such flatteries should we love ? Doth Fame the virtuous right ? 't is well . We shall Else each have 's due after his funeral .

60. An Epitaph on Mr. Ralph Fitzherbert who dyed at Ashby de la Zouch about the 22 year of his age , and lies there buried . Cornet Fitzherbert ( who in many a Fight Lord Loughboroughs Colours bore in the Kings right ) Lies here inter'd : His skill in Musick gone , And his good parts all cover'd with this stone . He was too brave to find an Enemy To kill him ; and therefore in 's bed did dye . Yet was he young and virtuous : but alas ! On youth and virtue death no pity has . Learn therefore ( Reader ) that no humane state Is safe ; and alwayes live prepar'd for Fate .

61. Of Death . Once born the best must dye : why ( therefore ) then Should Death inflict such terror on us men ? Faint-hearted souls they are that fear to run The common Path which there 's no hope to shun . A Life to Heaven and Earth in justice led , Will give us leave to live in no such Dread ; They that so pass their dayes , the world shall find That they a fair Report do leave behind : When those that otherwise do wast their Times , Shall fill Posterities mouthes with their foul crimes .

62. To Mris. Katharin Pegge my wives eldest sister . Although this age is against Crosses set , I cannot quit me of my Crosses yet : But welcome any Cross that comes , we say ; It may be for our goods another day . So let us ever to the Powers divine Our selves , and what belongs to us resign : That no Prosperity may be allow'd So to exalt our mindes to make us proud ; And no Adversity deject us so , But patiently we may it undergo . Then let our Crosses go , or Crosses come , Whilest we can say , the will of Haaven be done .

63. Of Cambridge and Oxford . Cambridge one doth commend , Oxford another , And would have one prefer'd above the other . When they are best term'd equals : And no other Such Foreign Place comes near the one or th' other ▪ This my opinion is : who would an other , May leave to trouble me , and ask another .

64. To Mrs. Elizabeth Nevil , my wives youngest sister . If you at Westow-Lodge do live ▪ I there Do often wish my self to be so near My mother Cambridge : If at Holt you live In Leicestershire , I there my self would give The Pleasures of that gallant Seat , whose sight Affords fine Prospects various in delight . Or if you live at Cressing Temple , then Thither my wish transporteth me age● ; Colchester Oysters and Sea-fish invite Thither ofttimes my longing appetite . But pardon me these vanities : above All these , I your sweet conversation love , And your good husbands noble Company : Those things I talk'd of , but would these enjoy .

65. To Parson Dulman . Your zealous Ignorance doth oft dispraise Our Poets whatsoever that write Playes : So small a pittance you of learning have , Their worst of Playes doth all your works outbrave ; And I your zealous ignorance dispraise , Telling you fam'd Nick Machiavil writ Playes . But you to write a Play think an offence , Is it not worse to preach so much nonsence ?

66. To Mrs Francis Shalcross , and Mrs. Julia Boteler my Niece , on their wedding night . To bed ( fair bride ) your happy groom ( Full of desire ) doth long to come , Now lye down by her in a trice ; Your Genial bed's a Paradise . Though she 's to lose , you are to get , Her Zone unti'd untiddles it : You need not any sweet forbear , Both moving in your proper sphere . I need not wish you joy ; you have What Heaven can give , or Lovers crave : But truely wish ( unto this height ) It may last both your lives . Good night .

67. To Captain Mouther . I 've been importun'd by some friends to tell How I approve your verses ; I say well : Nor dare I otherwise that understand You have a desperate Courage , heavy hand , And a long sword . Those few that do not matter The trifle cal'd their lives , may scorn to flatter : And so do I , swearing that you write Works Will please the Christians , and amaze the Turkes .

69. To Mr. Clement Fisher of Wincott . Shakspeare your Wincot-Ale hath much renownd , That fo'xd a Beggar so ( by chance was found Sleeping ) that there needed not many a word To make him to believe he was a Lord : But you affirm ( and in it seem most eager ) 'T will make a Lord as drunk as any Beggar . Bid Norton brew such Ale as Shakspeare fancies Did put Kit Sly into such Lordly trances : And let us meet there ( for a fit of Gladness ) And drink our selves merry in sober sadness .

70. To Astrologers . Your Industry to you the art hath given To have great knowledge in th' outside of heaven : Beware lest you abuse that Art , and sin , And therefore never visit it within .

An Epitaph on Mrs. Brigit Allibond , who dyed at Chenye about the eighteenth year of her age , and lies there buried . Here Brigit Allibond doth buried lye ; Whose too much love occasioned her to dye . Insatiate thirst of gold ! Her Servants friends Sent him to travel , and workt ' both their ends ; There he deceas'd : which sad news thrust the Dart Of death through both her ears into her heart : So Love chang'd Darts with Death , Love too unkind To kill the body with the wound o th' mind . Virgins should mourn her loss ; And ( by her ) men May see how Maids belov'd can love agen .

72. An Epitaph on Lycisca , who forc'd her husband to counterfeit his Religion . Here lyes Lycisca , that was full of Evil : And ( therefore to be fear'd ) gone to the Devil . Now ( seeing he and she have set all even ) Her Husband may walk in the Rode to Heaven .

73. To Mrs. Francis Pegge , my wifes Neece . You once did think to be a Nun , but now I hope you will forbeae that sacred vow ; And if you will be making vows ) pray take An husband , and an holy vow him make : So whether you become a Nun , or wife , ( Under a vow ) you may lead out your life .

74. To Mr. Gilbert Knyveton , and Mr. Thomas Knyueton my wifes Brothers . Pray take an house , and so continue on The hospitality you have begun : For of such means none handsomer did live , Or to their friends more generous welcome give . Though you from Bradley are remov'd , make known To noble minds each Country is their own .

75. To my sister Mrs. Katharine Weston . We were two brothers , and five sisters ; now They are all dead , alas ! save I , and you : All that Affection that among us was , Let us therefore on one another place : So we ( for Brothers , and for sisters love ) An Emulation shall in others move .

76. To my Cousin Mr. John Milward . Of women some are foul , and some are fair , Some virtuous are , and others are as bad : Some go in poor apparel , others rare , Some melancholy are , and others glad : Some are at their prime , others decaying are , Some are reserv'd , and others to be had : Some timorous are , any thing others dare , Some dull and mop'd , and others blith , and mad : Some humorous are , others of freakes beware , Some love to keep rheir homes , others to gad : Some high in virtues do themselves declare , Others are overwhelm'd in vices sad . Ovid would take of all to please his sences : Give me a glass of Sack , and choose you wenches .

77. An Epitaph on Mr. Peter Allibond , Fellow of Lincolne Colledge in Oxford . Here buried lies within this hollow ground , Oxfords prime glory , Peter Allibond : His Learning Lincolne Colledge hath renown'd , And few the road to his high Parts have found . Death in his Proctorship gave him his wound , And ( thereby ) hindred him to go his Round ; And here hath laid him in a sleep so drown'd , Not to awake but by th' last trumpets sound : From hence then to arise , and to be crown'd ( We hope ) with joyes , where all joyes do abound .

78. To my Niece Mrs. Isabella Boteler . Your sister Iulia's married well , and so ( Sweet Niece ) I wish you were dispos'd of too . You the green sickness languish in , and sure For that an husband is the proper'st cure . What tho child-bearing pains on women drawes ? Sweet-meats ( by th' Proverb ) should have sowre sauce .

79. To Mr. Andrew Whitehall . You make a Violl speak : your nimble hand , That instrument seems onely to command . How meanly many play ! strike so amiss , That ( at their want of skill ) the strings do hiss : Like resty horses they false steps do make , And the vext strings with very shame to shake . Well tun'd that would agree , they wrong so far , Their artless violence doth make them jar . So they but scrape , abuse the strings , and stick ; How dull the quickest are to you more quick ! Some few with their soft hands may please ; but you Please not alone , but raise amazement too . Your fingers on the neck , and hand on Bow , The motions of the Intellect out-go . Such is your playing : But if you would write , How much you Works all mankind would delight !

80. An Epitaph on my Father Mr. Tho. Cokain , who deceased in London , about the of his age , and lyes buryed in St. Giles's Church in the Fields . Stay Passenger , and read under this stone , Here Thomas Cokain lyes , Sir Edwards son . Mapleton gave him birth ; but far from home At London he deceas'd , and this his Tombe Too mean a Monument for his great worth ; But virtue never findes reward on earth . He was his families Heir ; but ( transitory Knowing all terrene wealth ) chang'd his for glory . And here his body soft repose doth take Till him the Angels Trumpets shall awake .

81. Of Cats . Two Cats fell out , and one an other slew ; May all Cats so to one another do : Yet I can them endure , would be their friend , But that they company so oft offend .

82. Of the English , Spanish , and French . The Spaniards love the English , they them hate ; The English love the French , and they hate them ; A strange capriciousness of humane Fate , 〈◊〉 Nations should affect whom them contemn ▪ Despised Lovers need not to complain , Seeing t is known whole kingdomes love in vain .

83. Of the Low Dutch. The Belgians hate all but themselves ; wherefor Because no nation else can them endure . What should the reason be of such an hate ? For aid receiv'd they have been so ingrate .

84. To Isabel Manifold of the Black Swan in Ashb Heark Isbel Parker ! Isbel Hood ! But hold , These names might serve were hers not Manifol ▪ Pray answer , were your husband in the grave , Soon after would not you another have ? If other women divers men should use , They would disgrace their names for such abuse : But ( without blushes ) you may hear it told , That you ( of Men ) have lain with Manifold .

85. To the same . As great a wonder as black Swans some guess , So strange a thing an honest Hostess is . It is believ'd that there no black Swans are ▪ But you are , and are honest , so more rare .

86. An Epitaph on my most honoured kinsman Ferdinando Earl of Huntington , who deceased at his house in Donnington Park about the 48 year of his age , and lyes buried at Ashby de la Zouch . Here Ferdinando Earl of Huntington Doth lye inter'd under this Marble-stone ; Which will weep drops of dew , if we refrain To shed our tears ; yet weeping is in vain . Nor sighes nor tears will call him from his urn ; Our griefs then let 's to imitation turn . Let 's emulate his worthy Parts ( for such His Qualities were ) and we shall merit much : For each man may report that passeth by , Courtesie and good Nature here doth lie .

87. To Henry Right of the Cock in Poulesworth . Harry , what ere thou dost ( by day or night ) ( Though it be never so amiss ) th' art Right : Though some for doing wrong taxe thee in spight , Contemn their malice ; for th' art known t' be Right . Let thy Guests sober go to bed , not fight , And all thy reckonings be as thou art , Right : And lead an upright life , that thou mayst light On Heaven at last , and there thou t' be most Right .

88. Of high-spirited women . Neither do husbands heed , nor Heaven above ( For the most part ) high-spirited women love Are they in errour ? through their ignorance , And self-opinion they prove seldom Saints . And husbands who are tide unto such wives , Usually live with them unquiet lives . To wed meek women men are most inclin'd , And Heaven it self affects the humble mind .

89 In thalamis Regina tuis hac nocte jacerem , Si verum hoc esset , Pauper ubique jacet .

Englished . Queen , in your chamber I should lye to night , If a poor man lyes every where , were right .

To Sir Robert Hilliard . Who made this Distich it is fit I tell , Which I have English'd but indifferent well ; I think Tom Randolph : Pardon what 's amiss In my translation for my gift of his ; Whom you and I so well did love and know , When Cambridge ( for his wit ) extol'd him so .

90 To my honoured Cousin Mr. Basill Fitzherbert of Norbury , and his Lady . Basill Fitzherbert did Iane Cotton wed , And she hath blest him with a Sonne and Heire ; A Couple fortunate i' th Genial bed , And in all other things an happy pair . This is my judgement of your worths , and you ( By all your actions ) confirme it true .

91. To my noble Cousin Mr. Charls Cotton the younger . D' Avila , Bentivoglio , Guicciardine , And Machiavil the subtile Florentine , ( In their Originals ) I have read through , Thanks to your Library , and unto you ; The prime Historians of late times ; at least In the Italian Tongue allow'd the best . When you have more such books , I pray vouchsafe Me their perusal . I l'e return them safe : Yet ( for the courtesie ) the recompense That I can make you will be onely thanks . But you are noble-soul'd , and had much rather Bestow a benefit , then receive a favour .

92. To the same . Your Basford house you have adorned much ; And Bently hopes it shortly shall be such : Think on 't ; and set but Bentley in repair , To both those Basfords you will show y' are Heir .

93. To my honoured friend Mr. Samuel Roper . Make Darbyshire by your most able Pen , Allow you her obliging'st Countrey-man ; From dust and dark oblivion raise her Glories , And ( from old Records ) publish all her stories . So you ( with Mr. Dugdale ) shall remain Your Countreys honour ; other Countreys stain .

94. To Mrs Mary Cokain my eldest daughter . Because I fear my fate is not so good , To give you such a portion as I wou'd : Your Education I intend shall prove Some satisfaction to you of my love . Musick and Dancing I would have you taught , And all the skil that is by needles wrought : All sorts ofhouswifery that should be done , ( From your own chamber ) to the meanest Room : And ( to give full perfection ) to walk even ( Whilst here you live ) in the right road to Heaven .

95. To the right honourable the Lord Winfield Cromwell Earle of Arglass , my noble kinsman . My Lord , a share y 'ave given me in a Grove : But how shall I requite so great a Love ? If ever I ( in any of my land ) Should Gold or silver find , you shall command : I hope to get much money by your Lead , If store of ore God Plutus there hath hid : But should I gain no riches from your ground , Yet I may boast that there your love I found .

96. To my worthy friend Mr. Henry Turville . Most of these are too long and naught , t is true ; I wish them faultless both for me and you : For I your candour would provoke , not blame , And ( to my self ) acquire some little Fame .

97. Of Cupid and Marriage . Cupid is careless and doth shoot at random , Strikes a young man , and oftentimes a Grandam ▪ Yet neither he Physician is , or Surgeon , To cure the wounds his senseless Darts do urge on , Either by any med'cines , or Incision : The nuptial bed is Surgeon and Physician .

97. To Parson Nameless . When you do preach of Mountain Ararat , And how Noahs floating Ark first staid thereat ; Though your loud voice doth fill the sacred house , Your Sermon bigge with mountains drops a Mouse .

99. To my honoured Cousin Mr. Charls Cotton Iunior . Donne , Suckling , Randolph , Drayton , Massinger , Habbington , Sandy's , May , my Acquaintance were : Iohnson , Chapman , and Holland I have seen , And with them too should have acquainted been . What needs this Catalogue ? Th' are dead and gone ; And to me you are all of them in one .

100. To Mr. John Adams , my Cousin . When we at Pembletous in Roster meet , Time that before went slow flyes very fleet ; The reason is , an easie thing to think , A knot of Jovial Blades , and mighty Drink .

101. Of a Roome in cal'd the Minerva . Approch not you dull souls , that durt and muck Do grovell in ; follow your sordid luck : Athens no Fame had for mechanick Arts , But by those generous spirits of nobler Parts . They that are Wits , and love the Wits , may come , Converse and tipple in this jovial Room ; Pallas admits none else : For know , the Owle , Her sacred Bird will ( at their entrance ) howl . Herein the Grécian Sages do converse , And here the Poets their high lines reherse . Here Tully and Demosthenes doe plead , And Plato here and Aristotle's read : For this the Epitome of Athens is , And teaches all the Liberal sciences . Such is the companies discourse : Then hence All earthen-minded Brats of ignorance ; And welcome the ingenious to this spring That makes the Orator write , and Poet sing ; To the Philosopher new truths discovers , And courage gives to the faint-hearted Lovers . To those lets drink ( Conversion from their Crime ) That over Ale and Beere can spend their time , That on their Errours they may may turn their back , And in Minerva's Fane here tipple Sack : For Ale and Beer breed Flegm , engender Pains ; But rich Canarie elevates the Brains .

102. To my honoured Friend Mr. Cassevilan Burton . Where will you do your self so great a right To let your English Martial view the light ? You will oblige this Nation by your pains , Those ' specially to whom the Latin's strange . And he ( in the Elysian shades ) will smile To heare he speakes the language of this Isle .

103. Of Cardinal Bellarmine . Of all the writers of the Roman Part , Bellarmine , thou the most confuted art : How happens thy ill Fortune , that we call Thy confutation , if we drink up all ?

104. Of Cornelius Gallus . A Poet and a Traytour is such news , Mercuries and Diurnals do not use . Gallus a Traitour ; Gallows a Reward : But sure Augustus did not prove so hard . He put him to a nobler death we hope ; Poets should live by linesn , or dye by 'th rope .

105. To Banellus . Welcome ( good Sir ) to truth , and welcome to The way to Heaven which you directly go : May we your stedfast footsteps follow even , And ( t is no doubt ) we shall arrive at Heaven .

106. To Mr. Henry Longville . Marvel not ( Friend ) that oftentimes I write As if in drinking I did take delight : I ( at my best ) am ill enough , and hate To make my self a Beast at any rate . Of Mirth and companie I sometimes think ; The cause that now and then I write of drink .

107. Of Catullus , Tibullus , and Propertius . The ancient Epigrammatist Catullus , Propertius , and the amorous Tibullus , Are often bound together : what s the reason ? They all weremerry Blades at every season ; Whilst they did live they often were together : And now th' are dead th' are bound up so in Leather .

108. To my Son Mr. Thomas Cokaine . Let others glory in their Hawks and Hounds , Their golden heaps , and Circuit of their Grounds , Their gallant Breed of Horses , and their meat , Drest so , that Heliogabalus would eat ; Their Mistresses ( whose Beauties would inflame Unknown Lands Salvages , and make them tame ) Themselves , and them so richly dres'd , that you The Heavens ( without a Cloud ) would think in view : Give me a study of good Books , and I Envy to none their hugg'd Felicity .

109. To Mr. Daniel Millescent . Momus doth carp that I do write so few Lines on this Theme , and sayes th' are not enow : I to a hundred thousand write t is true , And worth so many ( for your worths ) are you .

110. To Mr. Robert Creitton Dr. of Divinity , formerly Oratour and Greek Professour of the University of Cambridge . Among the many friends that I do name , Neglected I do mention you , 't were shame . You were my Tutour ; and t is fit I show The world a Part of the Respects I owe : Let this poor trifle be an atome of it , Although to my disgrace and your no profit . Expect from your learn'd Pupils Works of Art ; I can present you but a grateful heart .

111. Of high-spirited women . Histories of all ages do declare High-spirited women noble things have done : One shall serve mention'd in particular , And she the brave Ioeni an Amazon . Bonduca long the Romans force withstood , And seal'd her love t' her Countrey with her blood .

112. To Momus . Momus doth grumble ; Prethee spare me not : Th' excception's just thou hast against me got . I writ Catullus , and the other two , Were all of them Contemporaries , t is true : Valerius ere they flourish'd dy'd , I know it ; Poets may feign , in that hold me a Poet : With truth of History I was too bold , As men tye knots on Ropes to make them hold .

113. To Mr. Edmond Ravenhill . How in your company I do delight ! A Pleasure to my ears , as well as sight When on the Harpsecals your sister Win Doth play , and you upon the Violin ; I with that musick am affected much , She plays so well , and eke your Art is such . Hast t' us , and when ( with playing ) you are weary ; A Bottle of rich sack shall make us merry .

114. To Anne Hill ▪ Nan Hill , th' art good and great : Think it not better To grow up to a Mountain , and be greater : With marriage therefore do not be beguil'd ; Y' are made a Mountain if y' are got with child . But marry ( Nan Hill ) if you should grow wanton , Rather then to be worse become a Mountain .

115. To my honoured kinsman Mr. Edward Darcy . Repair your house at Newhall , and hast down , And leave the noise of this expenceful Town : You here deprive your self of many a good To be enjoy'd by Countrey-solitude . Pretend not want of Companie ; For I Will waite upon you oft , that live thereby . You may reply you better would ; I grant it : Keep a good house there , and you need not want it .

116. An Epitaph on Mr. Gilbert Knyveston , my wives Brother , who deceased in London about the 38 year of his age , and lies buried at St. Giles in the fields . Stay Passenger , forbear thy hast , And read whom Death herein hath plac't : For Gilbert Knyveston here doth lye , A shaking of mortality . All Ethicks he his practice made , On Christian foundation laid . His Life was noble , and his Death A rich soul did to heaven bequeath : His loss we therefore should not mourn , But ( for our selves ) to sadness turn ; Lament that we do want so much Of those great worthes that made him such . Let 's study him , and imitate so , That we may prove like him : Now go .

117. Of amorous Courtship . Men do solicite Women , they contemne , ( If they are bashful ) to importune them : Man was made first , and therefore should begin ; Do Women ? They 'gainst Modesty do sin .

118. Of Katherine Boer . A Catholick German knit his angry brow , And cal'd Frier Martin Luthers wife a Sow : But such his Passion was it did run ore , She could not be a Sow that was a Boar.

119. Of Puritans . Against Saints Fasts the Puritans do bawl : And why ? To th' Flesh they are addicted all .

120. To my brother in law Mr. William Nevil . Dare Cambridgeshire , leave off to boast Thy University so crost : And Cambridgeshire , forbear to vaunt Of Ely , fam'd for many a Saint ; And Westow-lodge henceforth let be The primest glory that 's in thee ; Where plenty , neatness , and a right Well-govern'd house yield full delight ; Wherein you and your Lady give Example how the good should live .

121. To Mrs. Alice Nevill , his sister . Y' are virtuous , young , and handsome ; and I dare With Sydneyes Queen of Corinth you compare . Between you I no difference can write ; But she was slighted , you your servants slight , You may relent , and I do hope you will : If prayers prevail not , Cupid use thy skill .

122. To Mrs. An & Mrs. Mildred Nevil his daughters . Henceforth our English youth may cease to glory In famous Sydneys celebrated story : For you two sisters shortly must incite Some matchless pen your happy lives to write ; That unto all this land it may be known , Pamela and Philoclea are out-gone .

123. To Paulinus . Marry in Lent ! t is strange ; and yet no treason You say , although unusual that season : Marriage is not , but the solemnization Forbidden then , and y 'ave a dispensation . The Church hath favour'd you ; shew it your duty , And prize 't henceforth above your Ladies beauty .

124. To my honoured friend Major William Warner . Playes , Eclogues , Songs , a Satyre I have writ , A remedy for those 'i th amorous fit , Love Elegies , and Funeral Elegies , Letters of things of divers qualities , Encomiastick Lines to works of some , A Masque , and an Epithalamium , Two Books of Epigrams : All which I mean Shall ( in this volume ) come upon the Scene ; Some divine Poems , which ( when first I came To Cambridge ) I writ there , I need not name ; Of Dianea neither my Translation , Omitted here as of another fashion . For heavens sake name no more you say , I cloy you : I do obey you ; Therefore ( friend ) God b'wy you .

125. Of this Book . This little Work I 've done , which time may wast ; Or Ioves displeasure into darkness cast : But I will hope the best , and that it may Last ( after I am ashes ) many a day .

FINIS .

EPIGRAMS . The third Book .

1. To the Gentry of Darbyshire . GEntlemen , and my Countrey men ! pray look With courteous eyes upon this trivial Book : For I present it to you , that it may Show my respects to you another day . Why to the Lords I write not you enquire : I should not be so bold , though I desire . But ( to avoid prolixity of words ) Gentlemen they are , though you are not Lords .

2. To the Readers . Two Books of Epigrams I 've writ before , Yet ( Gentle Readers ) I present you more : Behold the third here offer'd you ; but what It will prove , good or bad , I know not yet . May it likewise obtain your candor ; els Henceforth ( for me ) write Epigrams your selves .

3. To the Right Honourable Philip Earl of Chesterfield , Baron of Shelford , &c. Philip the second ! Earl of Chesterfield ! I a request have , and I hope you 'l yield : Yet I ( in modesty ) long time have stuck From making it ; And 't is but for a Buck : Bestow one on me , and on this good reason , I will not ask again till the next season .

4. An Epitaph on Elizabeth the Lady Reppington , who deceased at Ammington , about the 50. year of of her age , and lies buried at Tamworth . Here underneath this Monumental Stone Elizabeth the Lady Reppington Doth lye inter'd : And therefore whosoere Thou art that passest by , awhile forbear Thy hast , and read , and weep ; for he 's unjust Unto the merits of her precious dust , That doth not drop his Tears in showers ; for she Is worthy of eternal Memory , Worthy of storms of sighes , Thunder of Grones , To mourn her loss with due afflictions . The sea-bright family that gave her birth , Hath gain'd thereby a glory on the earth . Happy her husband in so good a wife ! Happy her children to receive a life From such a Magazine of worthes as she ! A fair example for Posterity . To name her virtues , is to name them all ; She was their Centre , she their pure White-hall , Their Court , their Palace , where heaven did rejoyce To see such Cherubims without a vice . She was their Paradise , and her bright soul The Diety that did command the whole . But O! there is another heaven , else sure Her soul had never left a place so pure . Earth is not the reward for virtue . Look Upwards , that 's towards her , she is a Book , A Directory for thy life ; which read , And practiced , thou wilt be so prais'd when dead .

An Epitaph on my honoured Cousin Mr. John Reppington , who deceased at Ammington about the 25 year of his age , and lies buried at Tamworth . Here lies Iohn Reppington , that came to be ( By Edwards death ) Heir of his Family : As t' him his elder brother did give room , So he t' his younger , witness by this tomb . He a few weeks after his mother di'd , And of the same ( new term'd ) disease beside ; So he a most obsequious son was found , That waited on his mother under ground . He was good natur'd , bore an honest mind , Belov'd by all men , and to all men kind : And had no foe but death , who ( too severe ) Hath cast an Heir so young and hopeful here .

6. To Mr. Charles Hutchinson my Cousin German . Cousin , I long to see you married well , And long ( at Rawslison ) to see you dwell . Then I should oft wait on you , make some stay ; It being ( from Pooly t' Ashburn ) in the way . So I should make your house mine Inne ; what tho ? W' are friends , and neer a kin : Pray be mine so .

7. To Mr. Francis Fitzherbert of Lincolnes Inne , my kinsman . To love , and not to love ; it is all one If you do let the Fair belov'd alone : And to love once , unless you do love ever , Is a slight toy , and was an earnest never . Therefore ( to shew you true affection have ) Your Mistrisse wed , and love her to the grave .

8. To Mr. Will . Stanhope the younger my Cousin German . Why do you live so long a Batchelor ? Is it cause you the femall sex abhor ? Or do you fear women are troublesome , And therefore loth into their yoke to come ? If such opinions do your minde enthrall , Marry a wife , and she 'l confute them all .

9. Of Quintilla . Quintilla talkes too much , and why is it ? Because Quintilla hath but little wit : And at each thing she speakes , she doth laugh after ; A Fool is known by an excess of laughter .

10. To my mother Mrs Anne Cokain . Let none our Ashbourn discommend henceforth ; Your Gardens shew it is a place of worth . What delicate Sparagus you have growing there , And in how great abundance every year ? What gallant Apricocks , and Peaches brave , And what delicious Nectorins you have ? What Mellons that grow ripe without those Glasses That are laid over them in other Places ? What Grapes you there have growing ? and what wine ( Pleasant to tast ) you made last vintage time ? Plant Vines ; & ( when of Grapes you have got store ) Make wine enough , and I will ask no more : Then Mr. Bancroft ( in high lines ) shall tell The world , your cellar 's Aganippe's Well .

The rest are to be made .

Song 1. 1. I Saw a proud fair Lass to day , Whose beauties equal those of May : She is as sweet as flowers new blown ; Much pity she should lie alone . What would you give to bless your sight With such an object of delight ? 2. I wondred at her delicate hair , Mulcibers Net so soft and rare , T' entangle even the Gods above , And fill their hearts with gentle love . What would you give , &c. 3. I gaz'd upon her beauteous eyes , Loves exquisitest Palaces : Wherein as many Cupids be , As there are men that dare them see ▪ What would you give , &c. 4. Het stately forehead was so fair , That Iris Arch is no compare : Match'd onely in lame Vulcans bride , Unequal'd in the world beside . What , &c. 5. Her sweetest Mouth doth far excell The Delphian certain Oracle : T is Loves best musick , all ears charmer , All hearts enthraller , and blouds warmer . What , &c. 6. Her pretty hands I did espy , Fitter for kisses then an eye : They were so small , I cannot look For such again but in a book . What , &c. 7. Her bosome , Beauties sweet champain , The Poets Elizium I do fain . Not white with snow , but a selecter Colour , all overstrow'd with Nectar . What , &c. 8. The two brave Thrones of beauty , her Fine admirable Breasts prefer Before Olympus , or Mount Ide , Where Iove most happy might abide . What , &c. 9. She had her clothes on , and I could See no more , but to say am bold , That there was too much beauty under To be look'd on for love and wonder . What would you give , &c.

The second Song . 1. You Ladies fair , That worthy are Of all to be beloved , And yet have hearts So hard that darts From eyes have never moved . 2. You cruel Saints , That slight complaints , And scorn to pity any ; I hope to see The time when ye Shall be in love with many . 3. Which when I hear , Then I will swear That you are rightly fitted : And that himself The little Elfe On you hath well acquitted . 4. But do your worst , I 'm not accurst , My Mistris is no coy one : For she is kind , And hath no mind Within her to destroy one .

The third song , being an answer to O no , I tell thee no. 1. Away I say , away , I no longer can delay , And my heart forbids me stay : It swears by thy squint eyes , That could never entice Foul Porters or Footboyes ; By thy Ruby nose , and lips lilly white , And thy teeth with yellow dight , Nere to come , nere to come again in thy sight . 2. It swears by thy dry'd skin Thy bosome within , And thy paps lank , and thin ; And by thy durty golls , That be to carry coles , And rake dust out of holes ; By thy beastly form , and thy foul gouty feet , That can scarce cross a street , Nere again , nere again thee any where to meet . 3. By my hatred it swears , Thy crook-back , and lave-ears , Thy threescore and odde years , By thy breath that is So strong , that ( with a kiss ) It would kill a Cockatrice . By my last farwell , this kicke on thy breech , And thy old salt Itch , Nere to see , nere to see thee again thou witch .

The fourth song , being a fictitious Relation . Let every man beware , for fear of stout Hugh Nunnick , To speak ill of his Cornwall , or to dispraise Boconnick . For he 's a Cornish Chaugh , and not of it ashamed , And born was near Boconnick at a place needs not be named . 2. He hath been very merry all from the mount to Lanston , Where about many a May-pole , and many a green he hath danc'd on , At Lestithel , and Bodman , at Truro , and Polmagon The courteous Lad Polwheel and he have tossed many a Flagon . 3. He plaid at foils before his Worship Sir Iohn Trelany , Where on the eyes , and foreheads , and mouthes he hit a many . There was a cudgel-play not long since at Penwarden ▪ Where he did break a Constables head , and the shins of a Churchwarden . 4. At Foy , he almost lost his eyes with too much laughter , When he was at the wedding of Pru the Mayors fair daughter . He was invited to venison , but the Pasty being open , There nought was in 't but Apples , and they but meanly soken . 5. At Tap-houses he drank Syder with the old Lord Roberts Brewer , And cuft him ere he parted , for saying he was truer : Then the Hostesse railed , and said that he was foxed : She ly'd like a stinking Baggage ; he could have drunk an Hogshead . 6. At Okehampton town old Sherry gave him th● staggers , Where he was so unruly , they lodg'd him among the Beggars . At Exeter a Chine of beef he had , the first he eat o● And you my friends that hear this song , he swore ● was a great one . He spent his money in rambling , and so was fain● rook on Al the way from Salssbury until he came to Okeham Where he lives very merry ; For he is that town Carrier , And never left his trade but once , to be Grave Maurice Warrier .

The fifth Song . 1. It is an offence to love , and to love you ; Wou'd I were blind , or you were true . Why should there be a mine of joyes within Your Body , and to know 't a sin ? 2. If I do say I love , I 'm sure t is fit , If I have judgement , or have wit : For your deserts are wonders that would move Not onely mine , but any 's love . 3. Some half-soul'd men that cannot tell what t is To love or hate beyond a kiss ; By seeing you do kindle a strange fire Within them , and your sweets desire . 4. You need not clothes , nor art , nor with a smile Hope any mans heart to beguile : Your Coyness , your Neglects , your Frowns will do More then all Ladies else that wooe . 5. T is not my weakness , but t is your desert , I am not owner of my heart :

The puppet-play that by water goes , The sword of Guy , or Iohn of Gaunt . We wise , &c. 5. Let zealous fasters trudge a foot , And toile their legs to hear a Lecture , And there be chok'd with an Hebrew root , At which the Minister doth conjecture . We wise , &c. 6. They that are gluttons , and love meat , And it had rather be devouring , The greasy Cook-shops may repleat ; Whil'st we our full cups are out-pouring . We wise , &c. 7. Y' are welcome all unto this place That fears no Constable or Church-warden : Here we will sing and drink apace , And slight the sports of Paris-garden . We wise Do them despise ; For we will stay here , And with whole flaggons baite our own bear .

The eighth song , upon the first expedition into the North under the late King . 1. Will you hear a song Shall do no body no wrong , And yet was writ at randum By a friend of mine Ore a glass of wine , So great it would make a man dumb . 2. He wanted no matter , To have made it a Satyre , And abus'd all towns-men , and Nobles : But he thought it unfit o to wrong his wit , To bring himself into troubles . 3. To all his friends He sends his commends , And praies them when they are drinking To forbear to prate Of matters of State , And leave them to th' Councels thinking : 4. Nor to take it in snuff If a man in buff Doth come into their chamber ; As if they thought All Souldiers were naught , And a contempt was in armour . 5. Nor when they are drunk To think of a punk , For fear of the flux , or sweating ; But away to creep , And ( at home ) go sleep , And leave it a friendly meeting . 6. He would have them next Not to be perplext If their mistress be cruel ; Nor to fight with them Whom they do esteem ; Lest they be jeer'd for the Duel . 7. If a man love one , And her heart be gon , And plac'd upon another ; Let him do the same In little Cupids name , And that will please Loves mother . 8. Let him that is forth Going to the north , Have his health drunk every sitting ; And all good success Wish'd unto the English , And all things else befitting . 9. Let the souldiers obey What the captains say , Lest they disgrace their profession ; And save their blows From their friends for their foes , And all their angers expression . 10. Let us fight for our King , And fame will sing Of us an endless story ; The Chronicles will tell That we did well , And liv'd and dy'd in glory .

The ninth song . 1 O Cupid use thy bow , Thy deity declare ; Make all fit people know Thy force that living are . 2 But shoot aright ( good boy ) And mutual fire constrain ; For it is tytanny To make our love in vain . 3 Let Matrons peevish be Whose lookes time hath decaid : But let no youthful she From earth decease a Maid . 4 Let Ethiops froward prove Whom nature hath made back : And they thy pleasures love That no perfections lack . 5. Make every man love one , And him his mistress too ; So Hymen shall not moane For wanting of his due . 6. The young ones of each sex Will thereby have content , And not hereafer vex , To fast so long a Lent .

The tenth Song . 1. Curle every hair , smile with your eyes , And enchant Any Saint With the rare musick of your voice : Show your breast , Or your best , Me you no way have to entice . 2. Dance to sweet numbers , to excel , Being so quick , ‛ Rithmetick ; And so most evenly , and so well , That out wonder May not number Those soft steps your feet do tell . 3 Take your sweet Lute ( which is the spirit Of musick ) And use it Unto your highest praise of merit : Though each sound My ears wound , My heart nereless shall freely bear it . 4. Were all your clothes so rich and fine , As you were In her sphere Bright Citheraea to out-shine ; Yet they shoo'd Not my blood Warm like unto a glass of wine . 5. In hope to conquer at first sight , To each part Add all art : And to provoke an appetite , To your will Joyn your skill ; Yet all your magick I shall slight . 6. Let you and I together go In the spring , When birds sing ; And I 'le swear to talk , not wooe : Or when heat Makes us get Into an Arbour , I 'le do so . 7. I cannot be a thrall to her Who I know Heart doth ow To another , and him prefer ; If my suit Miss the fruit , I the tree can well abhor . 8. Yet ( Lady ) witness all we see , T is not I That deny , Nor is it you that disagree : Honour so Slight you do , That I in love can never be .

The eleventh Song . 1. Wherefore should gallants be sad , And keep house like an owl all day ? Sure they that do so are mad , Or want money a shot to pay . Then let 's drink off our pots , Our glasses and our bowles : The refusers all are sots , And men of narrow soules . Our honest hostess doth sing , our honest hostess doth sing With a pot of ale In her hand , that is stale , Sing hey ding , ding a ding , ding . 2 Leave thinking of London sack , Of Rhenish , Claret , and White Such chargeable liquors lack , And in an Alehouse delight . If our drink be strong of the malt , And boyled enough withal , I wonder who can find fault With such a good cup of ale . Our honest hostess doth sing , &c. 3. If any two be fallen out , And ready a duel to fight , Let them drink together a bout , A whole day or a whole night : And that will make them friends , And have no mind to quarrel , Without their bloods expence ; Such vertue is in a barrel . Our honest hostess doth sing , &c. 4. If any man be in love , And cannot his mistress get , Let him all business remove , And go and drink a fit . Good company , and good drink , And an house that will reckon right , Will make a body think Time spent in love's no delight . Out honest hostess doth sing , &c. 5. If a man want money or clothes , And hath but a friend to pay ; Good liquor will banish his woes , And make him a merry day : It Physick is for each grief , And medicine for all diseases ; The labourers sole relief , And all his toile appeases . Our honest hostess doth sing , &c. 6. A pot of spic't ale and a tost Is good for a mornings draught ; And meat either boyl'd or rost , For dinner , if it be salt . 'T will make ones liquor go down Without sharking , with delight ; And Gentleman make , or clown , To sleep without waking all night . Our honest hostess doth sing , &c.

The twelfth song . The wenches complaint , Non e maggior tormento . 1. I can no greater torment find Then ly with one I cannot love ▪ Each minute seems a year confin'd , So slowly then do minutes move . When me his hap 's to kiss , or touch , I with him am offended much . 2. If he doth chance to me to say , Can it be possible ( my Dear ) You so abstemious are from play That you ( against your will ) ly here ? I am enforc'd in complement To tell him I have much content . 3. Imagine Ladies , you that know What a vexation it is , If from my heart I speak or no , And do not counterfeit all this : For when to him I turn my back , I mouthes at him in hatred make ▪ 4. All that enamoured are of me , Whom I cannot affect again , Thus from their passions I do free ; I have no pleasure in their gain : And ( ifthey think I any take ) T is with their money I it make ▪ 5. These four first Stanza's are translated out of Italian ; the end in the original omitted as too ▪ wanton , and this last added for a conclusion . Women that are by want opprest And therefore yield unto this vice , Know all the world they do detest Embraces that are not their choice . The want of mony is unjust , To make them subject unto Iust .

The thirteenth song . William the Conquerour to Emma the Miliners daughter of Manchester . 1. Hellen of Greece I should despise , And Cressida unhandsome call ; Poppaea would not please mine eyes , My Emma so exceeds them all . When she doth chance to combe her head , She scatters night upon her face ; Her lovely brown hair being spred , Those clouds forbid our eagerest gaze . Envy about her can suppose No fault at all , but in her clothes . 2. When her fine hand th' Eclipse removes , And lets her eyes dart forth their beams , Our hearts are burned by our loves , And quenched by our Optick streams . Lest her sweet eyes , ore-glorious lights , Should fire on one another reflect , And burn themselves to endless nights , Her delicate nose stands to protect . Envy about , &c. 3. Her lips themselves in love have kist , And married were by her sweet tongue ; Her dear heart gave them to the Priest , And all th' Epithalamium song . Her even and little teeth all clad In white , as white as purest snow , Instead of bridemen wait most glad , And for the bridemaids likewise go . Envy about &c. 4. Her pretty ears this Paradise Do guard without a Gun or sword ; Vertue commands in chief , and vice Dares not approch though in a word . Her neck doth seem the milky way Unto the Tempe of her breast , Where two fine hills nipples display , Like two suns rising east and west . Envy about &c. 5. Her lovely hands ( when they do stir Through motion she unto them lends ) Add several graces unto her , And beauty shake at fingers ends . These are her glories that we know , Her envious clothes conceal the rest : Happy is he that so can woe As win her to reveal the rest ! Envy about her , &c. 6. Let fancy work till she be kind ; And lay her on a bed of Roses , Terra's incognita's to find , And it a paradise discloses . Her belly like a bed of creame Appears unto our curious eyes , Upon whose top you may esteem The Navil like a cherry lies . Envy about her , &c. 7. Her mountain-thighs we doespy Cover'd with warm perpetual snow : Ah what a streight between doth ly , No Magellan did ever know ! Her neat-made legs forth stretched ly On sheets resembling a calme Sea , And ( like to Promontories ) try To frame a safe and pleasant Bay . Envy about her , &c. 8. Her pretty feet like lands-ends seem , Whose toes likes Fairies do appear To tempt beholders to esteem No beauty such , and t' enter there . T is like ( fair maid ) you yet may boast That trifle cal'd virginity : How many joyes you then have lost ! Therefore away with such a toy . Envy about her , &c. 9. When you shall gracious be but thus To meet in groves or amorous beds ; Young Kings and Queens shall envy us , And we will get new maidenheads : And when we do refresh awhile , You like a Princess bride shall rise ; And Art and Nature both shall toyl To dress you glorious as the skies . Envy about you shall suppose No fault , and wonder at your clothes .

The fourteenth song . Emma's answer to William the Conquerour . 1. Great conquerour , you do a wrong Unto your judgement , to compare Poor Emma ( in your amorous song ) To Ladies so renown'd and fair . The hair that grows upon my head I have no cause to glory in ; It is as brown as is my bread , And can ( I hope ) tempt none to fin . My clothes are homely as my form , I wear them but to keep me warm . 9. My humble eies ( when I am up ) To read my office are employ'd , And unto house-affaires to look , And not to gaze abroad in pride . I hope no want on beams they cast To work to any an unease : Therefore my nose needs not be plac'd As Constable to keep the peace . My clothes are homely , &c. 3. My lips will serve a country wench , So also will my northern tongue ; It with my heart agrees in sense , What I think speaking , and no wrong . My teeth are like to other girls , Nor even , nor white , but in the mean : I know they are but bones , not pearls , And slut I were , were they not clean . My clothes are homely , &c. 4. My ears will serve to do the part Which nature did designe them for ; The love of vertue 's in my heart , And to hear lewdness I abhor . I wonder why my neck you praise ; As other maidens are so 's it : So is my breast , which I adaies Use to weare cover'd , as is fit . My clothes are homely , &c. 5. My hands employ'd in houswifries , To sow , to spin , or else to card ; Cannot be soft , not being nice , And 't is no shame to have them hard . Such is poor Emma , and no better , Whom ( royal Sir ) you so commend : And I beseech you therefore let her Her poor life in plain truth to end . My clothes are homely , &c. 6. Let not your fancy be unkind Unto your self , ill thoughts to raise : My wearied body at night doth find A bed of flocks or straw alwaies . My other parts you please to name Are ordinary as the rest ; And I in truth do blush for shame To hear them so by you exprest . My clothes are homely , &c. 7. I cannot from my tears refrain To hear you tax virginity : How many martyr'd virgins reign In heaven for keeping chastity ! And ( in the dark Abyss below ) How many wretched souls do grone , For slighting here their honour so , As heathens have far better done ! My clothes are homely , &c. 8. I hope I never shall become Ungracious in so a high a wise , To prostitute to any one A jewel heaven so much doth prize : If I ( to please my friends ) should wed To any honest neighbours child , I am resolv'd the marriage-bed To keep ( my life through ) undefil'd . Though me then better clothes transform , I le wear them but to keep me warm .

The fifthteenth Song . 1. Here 's a Health to a merry old sinner , A Glass of strong Aquavitae , That for a crown and a dinner Will get you a Wench will delight you . 2. Because that you are not for Ale , Here 's a Health to a Wench in strong Beer ; Although she ( like it ) be stale , She may happen to cost you dear . 3. Here 's a Health in Ale to your Dear , That lately hath serv'd in the Kitchin ; A bouncing Wastcoteer , A remedy for your itching . 4. Here 's a Health to the Earls fine daughter , In Rhenish with Lemmon and Suggar , Who ( with this well ballanc'd ) will after Give liberty to you to hugge her . 5. Unto the Green-sickness Maid Here 's a Health in sparkling White , Though yet she be never so staid , She may alter her mind ere night . 6. Unto the new married wife , An Health here is in neat Claret ; Though her spouse lead a jealous Life , And her tongue out-prattles a Parret , 7. To the jovial widdow at last , An health we will drink in Sack ▪ Her constitution 's in hast , You may quickly guess what she doth lack . 8. Now you have so freely drunk Their healths , and merrily round . Each of you may go to his Punk , They are yours a mite to a pound . 9. Bút now I 've thought better on 't , Y 'ad best to leave drinking and whoring ▪ For virtue hereafter will vaunt , When vice shall receive a great scowring ,

The sixteenth Song , of two lovers . 1. Two lovers lately that for some years space Enjoy'd in each others looks an heaven of bliss , Are parted , and have left their usual gaze , He on her beauties , and she upon his . Behold what alterations time can raise In humane breasts , and setled constancies : Great Love , we do accuse thee of our crime , And thank for our recovery onely Time . 2. As I have seen a crooked river run Through Meads and moorish grounds in oblique course , So slighly stealing as no way it won , And no intention had to leave the source ; And never roar'd at all till it begun Into another stream to yield its force : So no dislike her cunning Fashion show'd , Till all her Favours she from him bestow'd . 3. Long he her lov'd , and long she lov'd again , And both did glory in each others heart : Cupid in each breast kept an equal reign , A mutual court of joy without all art ; Without dissimulation or disdain , Without the least offence to either part , Till a new love possest her yielding mind , After so long continuing true and kind , 4. He afterwards retreated ( as was fit ) Cal'd home his heart , and quench'd the mighty fire , With drinking Lethe to his former fit , That had so long enthral'd him to desire . And ( generous spirit ) that hast conquer'd it , All hail ! And welcome to the sacred Quire Of Freedoms Temple , where bright Truth discovers , And laughes at all the follies of all Lovers .

The seventeenth Song . Of a Mistresse . 1. I love a Lass as fair as ere was seen , Yet have I never seen if she be fair : Grandees her suitors have and servants been , And they that wooe her now great Nobles are ▪ How can I therefore think that she will dain To look on me ? I fear I love in vain . 2. Unto the Beauty which I do so desire I will make hast , to see how fair she is ; And though I find my betters wooers by her , I will be bold , and all my thoughts express ; Which when I have done , will she therefore dain To pity me ? I fear I love in vain . 3. I le tell her that her hairs are golden Twines Able t' enamour all the Deities ; And that her eyes are two celestial signes , More glorious then the twelve within the skies . When I have told her this , will she then dain To love me too ? I fear I love in vain . 4. If ( when that I have said what I can say , And made what Protestations I can make ) She will be proud , and coy , and say me Nay , Though nere so fair , my heart from her I le take I will not subject be to her disdain : The world shall never say I love in vain .

The eighteenth song . Of women . 1. I wonder why by foul-mouth'd men Women so slander'd be , Since it so easily doth appear Th' are better far then we . 2. Why are the Graces every one Pictur'd as women be , If not to shew that they in Grace Do more excell then we ? 3. Why are the liberal Sciences Pictur'd as women be But t' show ( if they would study them ) They 'd more excell then we . 4. And yet the Senses every one , As men should pictur'd be ; To make it known that women are Less sensual then we . 5. Why are the virtues every one Pictur'd as women be ; If not to shew that they in them , Do more excell then we ? 6. Since women are so full of worth , Let them all praised be ; For commendations they deserve In ampler wise then we .

The nineteenth Song . You are too proud to love , and are too kind To hate : what therefore is your mind ? Think you none worthy of you , 'cause you know That you should be admired so ? And will you not hate , 'cause you would Not be a maid when you are old ? 2. Though nature hath been liberal in your parts , And you ( for jewels ) do wear hearts If you your self do onely like and love , You in a wrong sphere for you move . As you were made to love , beside So you were made to be enjoy'd .

The twentieth Song . A Ballad of Darbyshire . 1. Dear Polyhymnie , be Auspicious unto me , That I may spread abroad Our Shires worth in an ode , Merrily chanting . They that our Hills do blame , Have no cause for the same ; Seeing the Muses lye Upon Parnassus high , Where no joy's wanting . 2. Upon Olympus Hill Hebe Heavens cup doth fill : And Iove of Candy Isle Doth the Gods reconcile , When they do wrangle . In France at Agincourt ( Where we fought in such sort ) Behind an hill we did Make our Archers lye hid , Foes to entangle . 3. The long commanding Rome , And old Byzantium , Lisbon in Portugal , Are situated all Upon Hills strongly : All therefore that protest Hilly ground 's not the best , Are of their wits bereav'd , And all of them deceiv'd , And censure wrongly . 4. The Peer of England known Darby's Earldom to own , Is honour'd by the style Of King of Mona's Isle Hereditary . Why hath Orantus found A Channel under ground Where t'lye hid , but for shame When it hears Darwins name , Which Fame doth carry ? 5. Why do the Nymphs ( believe ) Of Nile , it down Rocks drive ; Unless it be for fear Trents glory should go near To overgo them ? The Spaw Luick Land hath , And Sommerset the Bath : Burtons ( dear County ) be As famous unto thee As they unto them . 6. For King Mausolus Tomb , Lango's known by each Groom ; And the Campanian Lake Doth very famous make Italies confines ; The walls of burned stone Eternize Babylon : And the large Devils vault Doth Darbyshire exalt , Wherein no sun shines . 7. The Pike to Tennariff An high repute doth give ; And the Coloss of brass , Where under ships did pass , Made Rhodes aspire . Tunbridge makes Kent renown'd , And Epsome Surryes Ground : Pools-hole , and St. Annes Well Makes Darbyshire excell Many a shire . 9. Here on an Hills side steep Is Elden hole , so deep , That no man living knowes How far it hollow goes ; Worthy the knowing ▪ Here also is a Well Whose Waters do excell All waters thereabout ; Both being in and out Ebbing and flowing . 9. Here 's Lead , whereof is made Bullets for to invade Them whose pride doth prevail So far , as to assail Our Brittish borders . Our Lead so much may do , That it may win Peru ; And ( if we chance to meet A Spanish silver Fleet ) Commit great murthers . 10. Diana's Fane to us Extolleth Ephesus : The Sand-hil , and deaf stone , Do Darbyshire renown , Worth Admiration . Windsor Berks doth commend , And Essex Audley-end : We of our Chatsworth boast , A Glory to our coast , And the whole Nation . 11. Spain doth vaunt of it's Sack , And France of Claret crack ; Of Rhenish Germany : And of thy Ale speak free My gallant County . Now I have made an end , I wish you to commend Either the Authors wit , Or me for singing it , Out of your bounty .

Song 21. 1. Ah me ! I have sinned so , That the thought of it is my woe ; That my eyes To the skyes , Nor my prayer Neither dare I to lift , but here mourn below . What therefore , had I best here to sit , And lament for my faults in unfit Sorrow ? no ; Who doth so , Spends his fears , And his tears All in vain any mercy to get . 2. My soul , mount thou then aloft , And beseech him tha 'st angred so oft ▪ He easily can Pardon man , Being inclin'd To be kind With real contrition , and soft . What though my many foul transgressions do Exceed all the stars in our view ; Do overcome Motes it 'h Sun , And surpass Blades of grass ? His merits do exceed all these too . 3. His mercies exceed all these , And all sins wherewith men him displease ▪ Every sigh He did give , Every wound That is found On his body could a world release . And therefore for shame if not for love , ( Yet love is all fear and shame above ) Let us shun Hell , and run In heavens way , Whiles t' is day ; For from thence is no sad remove .

FINIS .

THE OBSTINATE LADY A COMEDY Written by ASTON COKAIN .

LONDON Printed by WILLIAM GODBID , 1658.

Dramatis Personae . Polidacre An old Lord . Philander . His son . Carionil . A young Lord . The counterfeit . Negro , and cal'd Tucapelo . Falorus . His friend . Lorece . A phantastick gallant . His brother . Phyginois . Cal'd Draculemion . Iaques . An old simple daughter of Vandonae's . Servants . Maskers . Rosinda . Polidare his wife , cal'd Tandorix . Lucora . The obstinate Lady her daughter . Cleanthe . Her sister cal'd Anclethe . Vandona . A young rich widow . Antiphila . A fine young Lady . Nentis . Lucora's Woman , Vandone's sister .

The Prologue . BRave crown of Gallants welcome ! May this place Meet expectation ; you afford us grace : We joy that such a multitude divine Of Planets in our little Spheres do shine ; And that besides our Horizon is stuck With lesser lights , we do esteem 't good luck . For the great favour , may each several scene Affect you more , then Hebe's Nectar Heaven . We can but wish't : for if y' are come to day In expectation of a faultless play , Writ by learn'd Johnson , or some able pen , Fam'd , and approv'd of by the world , you then We disappoint : our Poet had never yet Hisses condemn , or hands commend his wit . Troth , Gentlemen , we know that now a daies Some come to take up wenches at our plaies ; It is not our designe to please their sence , We wish they may go discontented hence . And many Gallants hither come ( we think ) To sleep , and to digest their too much drink : We may please them ; for we will not molest , With drums or trumpets , any of their rest . If perfum'd wantons do for eighteen pence , Expect an Angel , and alone go hence , We shall be glad withall our hearts , for we Had rather have their room then company : For many an honest gentleman is gone Away for want of place , as look ye you : We guess some of you Ladies hither come To meet your servants wh' are at dice at home ; You 'l be deceiv'd , and therefore will dispraise , And say this is the worst of all the plaies You ever saw : but keep your censures ( pray ) Until you meet them here another day . Our Poet is not confident , nor doth Distrust his work , but labours 'twixt them both : He hopes it will be lik'd , and well ; if not , 'T can be but hiss'd at worst , and soon forgot ▪

Actus primi Scena prima .

Enter Carionil , and Falorus . Fal. SHe has out-gone my belief by 't , I did not think that project would have fail'd ; I cannot speak her . Car. The Alpian snow is not more cold . Fal. Her disposition is most strange . Car. 'T were easier far To spurn the soultry Cyclops Anvil down , And kick it thus into Atomes in the air , Then to obtain her love ; It were , my dear Falorus . Fal. O think not so Carionil . Car. Have I not cause ? Fal. At last after a constant and a brave pursuit She may be won . Car. Could I but hope so much , Did all the stars malignant influences Threaten fate opposite to my happiness , I would not deem them worthy my observance , But persevere till I obtain'd , or fell . Fal. Conjecture still the best . Car. T is easier to advise then to perform ; Had you , Falorus , been so oft dismist Comfortless , scornfully sent away , By her own lips , ( O heavens ! ) you could not think it . Fal. I could and would . Car. With hope friend ? Fal. Yes with an assurance . Car. Upon what ground would you build it ? Fal. Upon a womans frequent dissimulation . Can you believe , when envious clouds deprive Your eyes from the suns beams , that it shines not ? In these times young Ladies for a while Do mantle their affections in dislike : Let not an ignorance of Virgins wiles Disturb your noble breast with weak despaire ; Carionil assume a confidence , Were you inferiour unto her in blood , Or any whit deform'd , after her nayes You might suspect the period ▪ but seeing 'T is known , as noble blood runs through your veins , And that nature compos'd you in a mould As excellent as she was form'd in , and With substance of as beauteous a gloss ; You need not let doubts puzzle you . Enter above Lucora and Nentis . Car. Stay and admire with me ; exalt your eyes to happiness . Fal. Your Mistress and her Woman , my Carionil . Car. Lucora , She 's a transcendent of Epithets . Fal. I see a Lute : let us escape their sight , And it is likely we shall hear her sing . Lucora . Now give it me . Is it in tune ? Nen. Yes Madam . Car. Forbear awhile to play upon the spheres , Ye servants to the Deities : the Gods Will blame you , if your musick keep the ayr Of her all-ravishing harmony from their eares . A song . 1. Sweet Diana , vertuous Queen , By heavens edict Guide of night , That dost affect the medows green , And dost in fresh-leav'd woods delight ; Like to thy Nymphs , suffer me To consecrate my self to thee . 2. Thou that for lust diddest transform Rash Actaeon to a Hart ; Either most strongly Maidens charm , That men may never them divert From purity , or else make Them other Harts for virgins sake . Car. How ! a votress to Diana , The heavens forbid that injury to earth . Had the deceitful Syrens such a voice , And bodies of so rare a form , I would Nere come on shipboard , for fear of being drawn To drown my self by swimming after them . Nen.

I do not like her Madam .

Luco . Who ever yet spoke ill of Daphne ? fie ! Banish such impious censures from you . Nen.

Troth , Madam , I should have been glad to a been my Lady Apollo .

Luco .

O rellish more of purity Nentis . Alas , 't is a fraile comfort can come with a husband .

Nen.

I think otherwise indeed Madam .

Luco . Be all such thoughts remote from my breast , My resolution shall be never to marry . Exeunt . Car.

Now you have heard her thoughts Falorus .

Fal.

That she disguises not her love you mean .

Car.

True , and I am most miserable .

Fal.

My happy friend you will be .

T is an ignorant common custome among young ones to do so .

Car. But she 's a fixed star , and cannot move . Fal. Fixed in your heart t is likely , But otherwise I doubt , nor do you . Car. Y 'ave s●ird a feeble belief within me , Friend , That the excellent Lucora may be won , And I will nourish it unto some height . Fal. A necessary that none must want , which do Desire fruition of those whom they wooe . Enter Jaques . Car.

O honest Iaques !

Iaq.

My Lady presents her service to your Lordship .

Car.

She is in health I hope .

Iaq.

Very well . And I am glad to see your Honour so , though I say it .

Car.

She is not towards another husband yet ?

Iaq.

No certainly .

Car.

Methinks her fortunes should give her a various choice . You are elsewhere employed I perceive : remember my best respects unto your Lady .

Exit Iaques .

Y 'ave heard of my cousin Vandona , Falorus ?

Fal.

But very little .

Car.

She 's the most phantastick piece of womankind I ere chang'd breath with , but a young one , wealthy , and truly not unhandsome .

Fal.

Lorece does intend to make love unto her .

Car.

Your brother , my Falorus ?

Fal.

Yes , so he told me .

Car.

May he obtain her if you wish it .

Fal.

Her estate would make the match a good one .

Enter Cleanthe .

Is this the boy you so commended to me ?

Car.

'T is he , and think him you worthy the praise I gave him .

Clean.

He 'l come and wait upon you at night , my Lord .

Car.

'T is well Anclethe .

Fal.

You spoke him not unto his merits .

Car.

You are beholding to my friend ( Ancleth . )

Enter a Page . Fal.

Your Lord 's in health ?

Page

And desires to speak with your Lordship ,

Fal.

Where may I find him ?

Pag.

He 'l be at his lodgings these two houres .

Fal.

I 'le wait upon him presently .

Exit Page .

I am his servant . Carionil , I must take my leave .

Car.

The Gods go with you . He may be my father in law , but will not if he can prevent it : Adieu friend .

Exit Falorus .

O my Anclethe ! thou canst not guess the world of torments I nourish here ; I cannot number them my self , and because I cannot , I fear the Gods will not .

Clean.

What can you ail my Lord ?

Car.

Canst thou imagine me free from misery ?

Clea.

Indeed I did .

Car. No , there 's a Lady ( she 's above all Ladies , And were she pitiful , I should swear a goddess ) That does deny me happiness . As thou hast me , Idalian Archer , so On her use thy eternal stringed bow : Draw to the head thy shaft , and let it fly ; For love but love there is no remedy . Exit Car. Clean. Wretched Cleanthe ! to what a multitude Of woful sighes my destinies have driven me ! Could all the tears that I abundantly have wept , But find that recompence I dare not look for , O they were showers to be belov'd like those That deck the spring with bravery ! Carionil ( For whom I languish in disguise ) it seems Hath setled his affections on a Lady Does not return him love . May she continue Obstinate ever : but I must blame her judgement , Who can behold a man ( with all the art Of nature ) fram'd to curiosity , And heare the world report his vertues equal Unto his form , and not admire and love him . Enter Lorece . Lore .

Now my young sweet face ! what pretty foolish whimsies trouble thy pate , that thou lookest so composedly ?

Clea.

Sir , I am as I use to be .

Lore .

Then you use to be scurvy . Use the Tavern once or twice a day . You must not be so melancholy .

Clean.

It best becomes me .

Lore .

Canst thou swear ?

Clean.

The Gods forbid .

Lore .

Canst thou sing .

Clean.

Not worth your hearing Sir .

Lore .

Say'st thou so ! Then will I something worth thine .

1. Of six shilling beer I care not to hear , A barrel's not worth a carret , I as others think , that there is no drink Like unto Sack , White wine , and Claret . 2. Diana's a fool , and me shall not rule To live a bacheller ever ; For I mean not to tarry , in her livery , but marry , And quickly , believe me , or never . 3. And I and my wife will lead such a life , As she shall think well befel her ; For throughout the year we 'l tipple March-beer ▪ And seldome be out of the Cellar . 4. All Sto●ical prate , and Diana I hate , With her maidenly scurvy advices : Green sickness upon her , sweet Venus I honour ; For wenches and wine are not vices . 5. Woo'd Baceus the knave had met with this brave Diana , this whey-blooded Lady ; For the credit of ' th grape he had made a rape , And got a puissant babie . Cle.

Y' are not melancholy Sir , your brother is more solemn .

Core .

I melancholy ! I scorne it boy . Yet I 'me not so merry as I was wont , the young gunner Mr. Cupid had somewhat tam'd me : but I am good mettle still ( thank my jovial fates ) and will sound melodiously , my young Paris .

Enter Jaques .

Welcome to Hercules noble Theseus . Good boy ,

Go wait on thy master .

Exit Cleanthe .

How do'st , thou old magazine of precious knavery ?

Iaq.

I am glad to see your Worship well .

Lore .

My noble milner of words , thou that dost grind thy speeches with a merry pronunciation , wilt be my bosome , my cabinet , my friend Iaques ?

Iaq.

I will obey your good Worship .

Lore .

Liberally spoken ! when I have opened me , will you be privy ?

Iaq.

Very secret and officious : it is good manners in me , your command shall wedge my tongue , hedge my heart , and tye a true lovers knot upon it with the strings of it .

Lore .

Thou art an honest clod of earth , Iaques .

T is pity the malicious sun-shine warm'd thee not into a diamond .

Iaques .

Your Worship speakes above my brains .

Lore .

I am marvellously enamour'd on your Lady , Iaques . Vandona is my Mistris .

Iaq.

Wonderful news ! Is my Lady your Worships sweet-heart ?

Lore .

Yes . But ignorant of my affection yet .

Iaq.

I could be drunk were you my Master , Sir .

Lore .

I would have a Wine-cellar o' th purpose . My estate Iaques is but mean : It must be craft must get her : Knowest thou any possible way to win her ?

Iaq.

Sir , I am passing empty of invention , but wherein I can pleasure you , tell me at any time , and I will not fail you . But the Gods bless your good Worship : Sir , would you marry her ?

Lore .

Yes my old trusty Perithous . Why dost wonder at it ?

Iaq.

She does nothing all day but read little Comedies , and every night spendstwo or three hours on a great Tragedy of a merry fellow Dametas , and a company of strange-nam'd learned Lovers , she 's no more houswife then you or I Sir , on my own proper knowledge , I swear , vow and protest it .

Lore .

Thou art too earnest my old-fac'd Saturn , I think her not the worse woman . Houswifery is the superficies of a genteel female , and the Parenthesis of a Lady , which may well be left out .

Iaq.

You are a Scholar , your bookship shall direct me .

Enter Phyginois . Lore .

Who 's that ? knowest thou him Iaques ? He walkes corantoly , and looks big .

Iaq.

And like your Worship , this tide first brought him to my eyes .

Lore .

He came not by water , did he old Boy ?

Iaq.

I meant Time Sir , the London word .

Phy. When we this passion into us receive , Our former pleasures we do loath and abandon ▪ Iaq.

Leave , by your leave .

Phy. If it were foolishness in us to take Affection , why did heaven two sexes compose ? Iaq.

Make , would make Rhime .

Phy. Why Period to the Phoenix doth fire give , But because it doth against nature consist ? Iaq.

Live , he should say . This is some very smal Poet.

Phy. I le on , and am resolved to preferre My life to be a service unto her . Lore .

What an affected utterance has this fellow !

Iaq.

He 'l nere make good Ballad warrant him , that will not rhime when he may .

Lore .

The Catastrophe was in ●hime though . He would be lik'd for a stage Poet.

Phy.

Noble Heroes ! the Gods intend your fortunes to your thoughts .

Lore .

An Academical Idiome : enquire his name Iaques , he delivers his mind after the garb of a Signior .

Iaq.

Have you a name friend ?

Phy.

I answer to Draculemyon .

Iaq.

Good Sir , let 's trudge hence ; this is some great Conjurer .

Lore .

Are you a Necromancer ?

Iaq.

Mr. Lorece , I fear he is some Saracen , he looks so dismal .

Lore .

Art thou a Panim , speak ?

Iaq.

For all your great looks Termegant is an Idol .

Phy.

I am nor one nor other , but your Honours vassall , and a poor Englishman . Wilt please you to hear the Musick of Helicon ?

Iaq.

Law you now Sir , how one may be deceiv'd ! I believe the whorson is a Fidler . Can you sing ( sirra ? ) answer me .

Phy.

I am no Fidler ; but live by my tongue and legs : will you hear me ( noble Sir ) speak a Parnassian Oration , or see me measure the ground with a dance ?

Lore .

What saiest thou Iaques ?

Iaq.

Why now Sir , t is dinner time with my Lady , and I dare not neglect her , neither will I my own stomach , and therefore for me he may shew us a fair pair of heels , and be gone .

Lor.

Well then — spend this for me .

Phy.

Y' are , Sir , the best part of a moralist : you are most liberal .

Lor.

Come Iaques .

Iaq.

I follow you Sir , farewell goodman Draculemyon .

Phy. The Gods bless me , there 's a name ! Exeunt . Proceed Phyginois , and be fortunate ; This project will furnish me with mony to cloth me Both fashionably and rich enough , and then I dare assail my Nentis with some confidence : Politick Lovers seldom miss . Smile heaven upon my plot , that there may be A crowned Period to my policy . Exit .

Scena Secunda . Enter Polidacre and Falorus . Pol.

HOw do you like Lucora ?

Fal.

She 's a Lady above my thoughts , much more my tongue .

Pol.

Could not you wish her yours ? I have a desire to make her so .

Fal. Ambrosia Hebe's Cates are for the Gods : Princes she doth deserve to wooe her love . Pol. You undervalue her my Lord ; The best is not too good for him that gets her . Your breeding has been worthy your descent ; I 've known you from your Infancy , and am Desirous to make you mine . Fal.

He enforceth me to an acceptance . I must temporize with him ,

Most worthy Polidacre , I cannot attain to a greater happiness on earth , then to bear the name of your Son in law .

Pol.

I thank thee my Falorus . I le go presently , & get my daughters consent . As you shall not want beauty with her , so you shall not money . I le take my leave .

Fal. I am your most humble servant , my Lord . Exit Pol. What envious Star when I was born , divin'd This adverse Fate , who having such a beauty Profer'd him , would refuse it ? The pin'd man Whom Poets phantasies have plac'd in Hell With fruit before him , had not such a cross . The true regard I bear unto my friend . The brave Carionil must not be slighted ; The sacred truth of friendship ever shoo'd By force enfeeble all rebellious blood . Enter Carionil . Well met my dear Carionil . Car.

I am happy in your company : y' are my hearts best treasury , Falorus .

Enter Lucora and Nentis . But give me leave my friend . Fal. O! I see the cause ; your Mistris . Car. Retire ye Clouds , and weep out showers of woe , Because ye may no longer stand and gaze On her , for whom the heavens their circuits go , That they may see , and wonder at her face . Dear Falorus withdraw your self awhile . Fal. The Gods assist your suit . Car. Thanks worthy friend . He withdraws .

Hail natures most perfect work , and the continual Idea of my admiring Soul , for whom ( if it be your will ) I must dye , and by whom ( if it is your pleasure ) I shall live , live in an unspeakable felicity by enjoying you , who shall dye happily for wanting you , and I cannot live in such a penury .

Nen.

Woo'd I had such a servant : I should not serve him scurvily .

Car.

Honour your poor adorer , Lady , with a gracious look of your beloved eyes , and my misery for you , both with commiseration and remedy .

Luco . My Lord , if you presume upon a womans Feign'd carriage to her wooers , leave it now . For ( if you 'l give me leave ) I 'le call to witness Every particular Deity we adore , That I will never have a husband : and For your saying you must dye for me , I hold it A common Complement of idle Lovers ; And wish you so much happiness , that you May live well without me . Cario . O be not so unmerciful ! Let not that tongue erre into virulent words , Which could have cal'd Euridice from Hell . Had your most excellent mother ( fairest Lady ) Inexorable been , you had not been , Nor Crimson Roses ever spread upon Your lovely cheeks , nor had the world discover'd Two Planets more : hath nature liberally Heaped the rarest perfections ( she could give Mortality ) upon you to no end ? No surely , not can I believe that she Ment to enclose a mind infractible Within a body so powerful to subdue . As you ( even your dear self ) was daughter to A beauteous mother , so you also should Indebt the world unto you by your issue : Be not so cruel therefore ( dear Lucora ) Let not your tongue degenerate from your form . Luco . Sir , you have heard me speak what I intend . Car. Be not a Tygres Lady . Luc. Any thing but a wife : Sir , I must leave you , and leave you this humour ; The Court hath many Ladies , take your choice . Nentis ! Nen. Mad am Luc. Come my Lord take my counsel . Nen. I could use him kindlyer . Car. What say you Lady ? Nen. Nothing my Lord . Exeunt Luco . Nent . Car. Doth a fair face presage a cruel heart ? I's t not a meer full contrary in Nature , That the softest body should be hard'st to win ? Nature is grown decrepit , and all things Sublunary erre against her rule of order . Stir not then thou glorious Fabrick of the heavens , And periodize the Musick of the spheres . Thou ever yet fast fixed Globe of earth , Whirl round in a perpetual Motion . Ye Stars and Moon that beautifie the night , Change rule with clear Hyperion , and so cast Succeeding time into another mould . Then with thy powerful beams , Apollo , draw The Ocean into clouds , and drown the world : So there a new creation may befall , And this life be a life celestial . Enter Falorus . O all my happiness on earth , my true Falorus ! Lucoraes beauty triumphs in my breast , And shortly will destroy me : There 's no beast That haunts the vastest Affrican wilderness , Of such a merciless constitution . She 'l never marry man . Fal.

She will Carionil . Her father would have her , and she has not so much evil to contradict his will : where then can she make such a choice as you ? that in a duel , your Grandfather did kill hers , y'v e heard her oft protest she valued not .

Car.

Does he desire it , or does your love flatter me into a little possibility of obtaining her ? Alas , if she could like me , her father would very difficultly consent . He loves not my family .

Fal.

Polidacre could not hinder you , were she willing . But ( friend ) her father means to marry her . His own lips offer'd her to me .

Car. O ye just heavenly powers ! then I am lost , Sunk into misery beneath a spark Of this lives happiness . Falorus , you shall not have her . Fal. I would not wrong my noble friend so much . Car. A puff of wind and gone . For her who would not Do all mankind an injury , and out-act In horrid deeds all those that ere profess'd Licentious Atheisme ? unsheath your sword ; I will not take that life basely away Which next unto Lucoraes I esteem , Yet stay . Fal. He 's frantick ! withdraw this frensie O ye Gods . Car. You are my friend ? Fal. I have been so accounted by you . Car. Let me consult it out , shall one word . Na ( which is less ) one sillable ( friend extract Out of me all the interest that I Have to Lucora , by affecting her : But this is a safe medium , a true friend Exceeds all words , and syllables at height ; A man may , nay he should poize equally His love , and part unto his friend the justice of it , Which is the full half ; so that it appears They should be lov'd by 's as we love our selves . But to a Mistress who would not give more ? Who can choose to give more ? the love that we Bear to a friend , it is an accident , a meer one : But t is our nature to affect a woman , And 't is a glory to preserve a Mistress Entire to ones self without competit ors . My reason 's satisfi'd : no friendship can Keep in the sword of any rival'd man . Fal. Collect your self Carionil . Car. You 'l fight with me ? Fal. I do not wear a weapon for such a Quarrel . Car. What more affliction ! yet t is against manhood , ( A most ignoble murther ) to take his life Who makes no opposition . And yet if death Prevent him not she will be his . Sad fates ! You shall not have Lucora . Fal. You wrong our amity by this suspicion : I swear I will not . Car. How ! Fal. Consider ( dear Carionil ) I grieve To see my friend so over-passionate , It is a weakness in you to be pittied . Car. My love ore-sway'd my reason : pardon me My best Falorus , I believe your vertue Would not act such an injury against Your own Carionil . Fal. Shall we walk ? and I 'le tell you all that pass'd 'Twixt me and Polidare . Car. I am a thousand waies obliged yours . Fal. You are my Carionil , I wish no more From you then a perpetuity of love , And that our hearts may never be unti'd . Car. You are too worthy for my friendship . Exunt .

Scena tertia . Enter Antiphila sola reading . Fair Antiphila hath hair Would grace the Paphian Queen to weare ; Fit to tune Heavens Lute withall , When the Gods for musick call ; Fit to make a vail to hide Aurora's blush each morning tide ; Fit to compose a crafty gin To take the hearts of lookers in ; Able to make the stubborn kind , And ( who dislike it ) t' be judg'd blind : Though it is soft and fine , it ties My heart , that it in fetters lies .

It is a great I know not what . I have not Poetry enough in me to give it a name . These Lovers are the prettiest fooles ( I think ) in the world . And t' were not for them I cannot tell what we women should do . We desire nothing more then to be praised , and their love to us will do it beyond our wishes . I gave Philander upon his long importunity a lock of hair , and see into what a vein it has put him ! I 'me sorry he had it not a week sooner , I should then perhaps a had a Sonnet-book ere this : 't is pitty wit should lie obscurely in any , if a lock will give it vent . I love him not ; I shood rather choose his father , who is as earnest a suitor to me as he : yet I know , because of his age , very few Ladies wood be of my mind ; but as yet I care for neither of them .

Enter Philander .

Now I must expect an assault , 't is in 's ear already , he 's very fine .

Phi. My dear Anniphila , you have receiv'd . Anti.

Your verses ( Sir ? ) I have .

Phi.

I am your true adorer for them Lady .

Wood your white hand had done me the honour it did them !

Anti.

In what Sir you must explain .

Phi.

That a touch of your skin might have ravish'd me into happiness .

Anti.

The Lock has alter'd your discourse , I wood it had shut your mouth .

Phil.

Ther 's no need of that ( excellent Antiphila ) I wood rather deprive my self of my tongue , then that any word of mine should be offensive unto you

Anti.

You relish too much of the Court.

Phi.

Polite words can never misbecome a speaker who hath such a subject .

Anti.

Am I your subject ? you have cal'd me Mistress .

Phi.

You are my Saint Lady , and I must pray to you .

Anti.

Saints hear no prayers some say .

Phi.

Pray you shew otherwaies by granting mine .

Anti.

Have you any more papers ?

Phi.

My mouth shall speak mine own errand .

Anti.

You must pardon me now Sir , I must leave you .

Exit Antiphila . Phi. She yet is obstinate : but I am free From doubt she will continue in that way ; There is no cause of fears in womens nayes , For none of that sex means the thing she saies . Enter Rosinda .

Now Tandorix ! where 's my father ?

Ros.

Faith I know not Sir .

Phi.

You are one of the melancholiest servants he keeps .

Ros.

It pleases you to say so Sir .

Phi.

They all report so of you .

Ros.

I cannot tell Sir .

Phi.

Y' are overlonely : be merrier , you shood put your self into more companie , you should Tandorix ; I respect you for my mothers sake , for whose last sad letter you was entertained here .

Ros.

I thank you ( Sir ) for your kindness .

Phy.

Farwel Tandorix .

Exit Phy ▪ Ros. My son perceives my sadness , but the cause Deserves it fully ; t is now above a year Since I did write that I did drown my self , And bare the Paper to my husband , when I thought his memorie was somewhat lost , And I inur'd unto this habit , drawn To 't by a fond desire to know if he Would keep his promise to me , with which oathes He oft hath made , that never ( if he should Survive me ) he would take another wife ; But he ( as other men ) esteems no more Of perjury then common breath ; 't were fit That husbands vows upon the sands were writ . Exit .

Finis Actus primi .

Actus secundi Scena prima .

Enter Lorece and Jaques . Lor.

I Am beholding to thee Iaques .

Iaq.

I will be dutiful to your Worship .

Lor.

I should be glad to cope with your Lady , now methinks I am of a prompter expression then usual : Lovers and the Muses are cater-cousins .

Enter Vandona .

My Vandona , Iaques .

Iaq.

I must vanish like a mist .

Exit . Lor. Farewell grave Titan. I le out with a Poetical Soliloquie in her hearing for my Preludium . The gaudy Stars are not more full of glee , When golden Phebus setteth in the West ; Nor do the cheerful Birds with more delight Rejoyce at the new Livery of the spring ; Then I to have this miracle of beauty Enter within the knowledge of miue eyes . Van.

He speaks well , I woo'd he meant earnest . The Gentleman seems very deserving : but he is something wild .

Lor.

She shall be stoutly accosted . Impudency is a very happy quality in a wooer .

Van.

A comes .

Lor.

Lady , you are not a puny in the Court of Cupid , and therefore ( I hope ) need not the tedious circumstances of an annual service . I am bold to tell you plainly , I love you , and ( if I find occasion ) I will maintain it boldly .

Van.

I pray you ( Mr. Lorece ) desist .

Lor.

Never my sweet Vandona ; my descent ( I know ) you doubt not , and my affection you need not . Whilest I live I shall love you , and ( if you die ) your memory .

Van.

I shall be catch'd . We widows are glass mettal , soon broke .

Lor.

I can do no more Lady , and I will do no less .

Van.

Your habit , carriage , and discourse , Sir , shew you a Traveller .

Lor.

My boldness she means . Sweetest Vandona , I have been one . The habits , conditions , and situations of many great kingdoms I have exactly gathered into my table-books : and also my fortnights observation of the Antipodes .

Van.

O strange ! have you been there ? I wonder how you came thither .

Lor.

I will tell you Lady . When I was bound thither , I was in Asia at Taxcallau ; there we took ship , and in a pair of Oares sailed to Madrid , the Catholique Kings Court . From thence to Naples in Savoy , from Naples to Crenia , and thence to Alexandria , where against a tree we suffered shipwrack . Into a new Phaluk therefore we got us , which was rigg'd for Francfort , where shortly after we arrived , victual'd our Gondalo , and threw away our fresh water .

Van.

T is a great way thither .

Lor.

Thence we went to Lisbon , and after to Mantua , and the next morning we came to the Antipodes , at twy-light i' th afternoon .

Van.

What sights saw you there Sir ?

Lor.

So many sights ( dear Lady ) that they almost made me blind .

Van.

Relate a few .

Lor.

First , Lady , the King is no man .

Van.

I believe you Sir , for it never could enter my mind that any man inhabited there .

Lor.

There they have no houses , but the Emperours Palace , where Sir Francis Drake was entertain'd , after he had shot the Pyraenaean Gulfe , upon the Mediterranean mount in Russia .

Van.

Where then lies all the Court , I wonder ?

Lor.

In the Court Mistris .

Van.

I guess hem but cold lodgings .

Lor.

Your Ladyship is mistook : they are never a cold ; For the Sun , being never above a hundred degrees above Saturn , makes that Climate as hot as Norway . They at the Antipodes hear with their noses , smell with their ears , see by feeling , but taste with all their Senses : for they are the most insatiable gluttons under the cope : and feel not any thing ;

For they cannot be hurt .

Van.

This is wonderful . And I cannot imagine how their senses can be so contrary to ours .

Lor.

No! did you never hear ( excellent Vandona ) that they are opposite to us ?

Van.

O yes ! I have indeed .

Lor.

I will now tell you Madam something of the South Indies .

Van.

Has not the Mogul of Persia his bread thence ?

Lor.

The King of Spain hath his gold there , of which the Hollanders took a great prize , when they won the silver Fleet.

Van.

How I was mistook !

Lor.

I will give you the situation of the Countrey . Some of the ancient Geographers , as Heliodorus , the Knight o' th Sun , Amadis de Guale , and Palmerin de Oliva , affirm it to lie a thousand Italian miles from the Isthmos of Corinth● but some modern writers , as Don Quixot , Parismus , Montelion , and Mervin , say it is a Peninsula in Arabia Foelix , where the Phoenix is . But learned Hollinshed affirms , the South Indies are separated from Armenia by the Calidonean Forrest , from Asia Minor by the Venetian Gulfe , and from China by a great brick wall . There instead of Chery-stones children play with Pearls : and ( for glass ) the windows are of broad Diamonds . Hunters there have no horns but the Unicorns ; no water runs there but Scamander , Simois , Aganippe , Hippocrene , and the like . There are no hills but Olympus , Ida , and Parnassus . No valley but Tempe of Ascra and Margiana ; no men but of the off-spring of Scipio Affrican , Iulius Caesar , Alexander the Great , Hector , Hanibal and Hercules .

Van.

It is a pleasant Countrey sure !

Lor.

I will now tell you the conditions of our neighbour Nations . The Spaniards are humble , the Italians chast , the French peaceful , the Dutch sober , and the Irish cleanly . I came at last to Virginia , where I saw nothing more worthy mention then an honest woman who cast her self into the sea because no body would lie with her . In conclusion ; at Iames Town Port I took horse , and the next morning ( after a long and tedious journey ) arrived in Wales .

Van.

And what did you there Mr. Lorece ?

Lor.

As soon as I could I went to Merlins Cave , which is obscurely situated on the top of a Beech , where all the night he lay on the ground .

Van.

What was he Sir ?

Lor.

He was an intricate Prognosticator of firmamental Eclipses , and vaticinated future Occurrents by the mysterious influences of the sublime Stars , and vagabundical Planets ; generated he was by the inhumane conjunction of an Incubus ; And was immur'd alive in a cave , by the preeminent Magick of the Lady of the Lake .

Van.

You frequent Playes , do you not ?

Lor.

They are most commonly my afternoons employment .

Van.

I like him the better for it .

— Aside . Van.

And you have read many Histories ?

Lor.

Many , Lady . I am a worm in a book , I go through them .

Van.

This pleases me too

— aside .

Farewel Sir .

Lore .

Admired Philoclea , leave me not so .

Van.

What would you have ?

Lore .

Your consent Lady .

Van.

Expect that a month or two hence .

Lore .

Dear Vandona , sweet Mistress !

Van.

Indeed you must .

Lore .

Nay , sweet Oriana .

Van.

Y' are two importunate .

Lore .

Excellent Claridiana , Polinarda , Taurana , Bradamant .

Exit Van.

It makes no matter , I am sure to have her : how some women are taken with strange tales !

Next time we meet I do not doubt to get her , Hercules could not wooe a Lady better . Ent. Iaques .

Now my old Anchises ! how dost true penny ! Be merry Iaques .

Iaq.

Is she tender-hearted ?

Lor.

Respectful and pliant .

Iaq.

Good truth I am glad on 't Sir ; my Lady ( though I say it ) is of a very good nature , my mind alwaies gave me she would be coming on .

I beseech your Worship to be a good Master to me .

Lore .

Thou shalt find me so .

Exuent .

Scena secunda . Enter Cleanthe sola . Cle.

IMperious Love ( that hatest whom thou woundest , and lovest those best thou dost let alone )

If my obsequious duty unto thee Can move thee to commiseration , Instruct me how to win him , and ( when I Disclose my self ) assist a wretched woman ; For it is in thy power to work my bliss . He dotes upon a Lady that regards None of those miseries he undergoes By languishing for her , with one fair stroke Thy ignominy redeem : thou art cal'd blind , Because how thou dost shoot thou dost not mind . But what availes it me thus to implore , Or rather to reiterate those deep wishes , Millions of houres can witness I have say'd , And yet find no help ? Ah my dear , and ever Most lov'd Carionil , would thou wert so Strongly inflam'd as I , or didst conceive , Truly didst know , what misery lies here ! I think ( though thou hadst suckt a ravenous Wolf ) It would overcome thy nature , and thereby Transform my sorrow to felicity . Enter Carionil . Car. I cannot hope , a letter I have writ To my Lucora , can find that acceptance , And bring so good success I wish it may : Sure never man so passionately ado'rd A Lady of so froward a disposition ; If I could know the cause she is unkind I would destroy it , or destroy my self . Anclethe ! art thou there my boy ? alas ! Why dost thou weep ? Clea. To see the sorrow you are alwaies in , And not to know wherefore . Though I ( Sir ) am Both young and little , I both dare , and would Venter my life to do your any service That may redeem you happy daies again . Car. Alas poor boy ! it is past thy redress ; Yet I do thank thee for thy love unto me . Enter Rosinda . Cle. My Lord , a servant of my Lord Polidacres . Car. Tandorix ! what news ? Ros.

The Lady Lucora commanded me to deliver this Paper to you .

Car.

T is most welcome , would my heart could read it .

Ros.

I wish he had my daughter : for he 's a noble gentleman .

Aside .

My Lord , command you me any service ?

Car.

Onely my dear respects unto the Lady that sent you .

Ros.

Farewel Anclethe .

Exit Rosinda . Car. The Letter . SIR ,

I am sorry that ( against my use ) I cannot answer you more civilly ; but I am blameless : The fault being in your foolish passion , and not my desire . If in fairer terms you should receive my reply , I am sure you would think it some beginning of love to you ; according to your desire I have none , and I wish your love was so as mine , so we might be friends : yet I love you as a Gentleman of my acquaintance ; but if any more you rouble me with letters or courting , I will hate you . So I end ,

Her own , Lucora . ●er own Lucora ! I cannot now conceive This Lady of a humane nature , sure A woman cannot have so harsh a mind , So I end ! what will she end so alwaies ? O then that I might end even now ! that all The sorrow that possesseth my whole body ●n every member , would mutiny against My heart , that so I might die speedily ! s it not miraculously strange , that this ●oor microcosme , this little body , should Contain all the sorrow this great world can nflict upon it , and not sink beneath o huge a burthen ? one hill does overcome The strugling of Enceladus a Giant , And yet I stand , I live : what , am I of Lucora's temper , impregnable ? oh , oh , oh ! Cle. Alas my Master ! good my Lord , collect Your strength , and be not thus effeminate . Car. I 'me manly boy : for women cannot tell What thing affliction is , their stony hearts Relent so little at it in their lovers . Oh! I shall never have her ! now I give Liberty to a just despaire to wrack me : And it must ever do so . What a Chaos Of misery ▪ is an unfortunate Lover ! Cle.

I pray you ( Sir ) put off this vehemency of passion , she will relent .

Car.

Never whil'st I live .

Cle.

She will indeed , I know she will .

Car. Woo'd she would love me after I am dead for her : It were some happiness to think that , Anclethe . Cle. I doubt not but she will shortly be yours ( my Lord ) And weep for joy to hear me make relation Of this same violent passion you are in now . Car. Thou art a good boy , but this Lady , O my heart ! Could sitting down in Cassiopeia's chair , And kicking proud Arctophylax from the skie ; Could stopping the Septentrian sevenfold teame , And putting out the starry Eagles eies ; Could swimming violently up those Rocks From which the Memphian Nilus tumbles down ; Could the compelling of rash Phaetons Sire To change his course , and run from north to South ▪ Could the adventuring to undertake A journey through Affrickes dread'st wilderness , When the Aeolians do loudest breath , And vale the Sun with sandy mountains height ; Enforce her to repent the Tragedy By these attempts drawn on me , she should find What truth of love was in her servants mind . Clea. Keep back his hands , O heavens , from violent deeds , Let him not offer injury against His own dear life . Car. I have pratled too much : but I ha done . No longer shall my happiness be delaid , Nor the displeased destinies any more Jeer the sad depth of wretchedness I live in , Thus — Here I fall her cruel sacrifice . Clea. Hold , for heavens sake hold . Car. T is too late to prevent : Patience Anclethe ! commend me to Lucora , That Angel beauty without Angel pity : Tell her my wofull story , how ( ere since Thou knew'st me ) I have languished for her ; That I have spent whole nights in tears and sighes , What days in solitude to think of her ; That I did suffer her unkindness , while I had a dram of patience left within me : Tell her how her most cruel letter rais'd A despair higher then my strength , and that Under her strange unkindness I am faln . Weep not Anclethe ! I am faint , struck dumb . Fly passionate soul into Elizium . He faints Cle. O my dear Lord , brave young Carionil , I 'le wash thy wound with tears , stop it with sighes : Unkindest day that ever wore the sun ! Thou art accurst for giving light unto His hand to guide it to an act so much Beneath manhood . O me ! I am undone ! What now will my disguise avail me , Foolish sister Lucora ! O ye heavens , Where lies our difference ? are we not the same By birth on both sides , of one sex ? sure nature Degenerates against it self , or this Untimely — O ye Gods I dare not name it , Nor will I believe it ; he is alive , So suddenly the world cannot be ruin'd , Which is if he be lost ; all vertue gone , All valour , piety , and every thing Mortality can boast of . My Lord , noble Carionil ! he doth not hear me , alas ! I am for ever most desolate of women ▪ Injurious heart-strings break , why do you tie Me to a life millions of degrees more lothsome Then the forgetful sepulchre of death ? Would some commiserating benevolent star ( Which carries fate in 't ) would in pitty to My misery , take me from it : for love he Lies here this bemoaned spectacle ; and shall My passion be undervalued ? tears , nor sighes , Nor Dirges sung by me eternally , Can parallel our loves at full , 't must be The same way , and it shall ; the same blade Shall be the instrument , and I receive it Tragediously here on my knees ; wood some Kind body would interr us in one tomb : Be firm my hand , and bold . Fal. Anclethe ! Enter Falorus . Cle. My Lord Carionil cals , is●t you ! then — Fal. But I must hold you , and bereave your hand . Cle. And you may also die , your friend is slain ; My noble Lord Carionil is dead , The paper in his left hand yet , that brought His reason into such subjection , That he even frantickly did stab himself . Fal. I will extend my life till I have read it . He reads the Letter . This Lady is a rough blown sea , on which His worthy life has foully suffer'd shipwrack : I have her ! not Mercury pleading in her defence With Oratory able to stint Ioves wrath ( When he has bespoke thunderbolts of the Cyclops , To wreak some injury ) should ever win me To her bed . Polidacre , mew her up Like Danae in a brazen fort , or else Make her to answer with her life this murther She 's accessary to : proud piece of vanity ! I do want words to give my thoughts expression ; So much I hate her . Prithee Anclethe pardon My injury against thy rest , for holding Thee in a life so loth'd as this is to thee : I le lead thee . Car. Oh , oh ! Cle. Withhold awhile my Lord : he groans . Car. Thou art the cause Lucora , and I must not I blame thee : I struck not that blow right , but this shall do 't . Wam fainter then I guess'd , I have not enter'd . B hat ! who has stole the Stilletto from me ? oy ! Anclethe , restore it as thou lovest me . Fal. Carionil , I joy you are recovered : Death is grown courteous , or by this you had Been wandring in the Elizian groves . Car. My friend Falorus ! Fal. Your loyall friend . Give me your hand and rise : — I 'me glad to see Your wound no worse . T was care and willingness To die bereft you of your Senses . I will shew you How you may win your Mistris — you hear me . Car. I like it we I : it may prevail , I hope It will . Fal. Anclethe had slain himself had I not come . Car. Good boy , thou wert too kind . Cli.

Indeed my Lord I never shall desire to survive you .

Car. Divulge my death . Cle. I will not fail . Fal. Why ( my Carionil ) would you engage So much your self to any of that sex , As for a disrespondency to lay Violent hands upon your self ? Intruth ( my friend ) I wonder at it justly ▪ You merit more then they can satisfie With their endeavours all of them . Car. Proceed not ( good Falorus ) in this language . Fal. What good do women ! old Amphitrite's face Is not so full of wrincles , as they are Of ▪ vices . Car. No more , as you regard ( what alwaies yet You have profest ) our long continued friendship . O women , most admired Creatures ! how Can the just heavens these speeches so allow ? What good do women ! I do say what ill ? Who do perform what men can onely will . Why have we ears , if not to hear the sound And sacred harmony their tongues compound ? Why have we tears , if not to weep when we Do chance a woman discontent to see ? Why have we eyes , if not to look upon Their beauties , natures high perfection ? Why have we tongues , if not to praise them , when They slander'd are by railings of ill men ? Why have we reason all , if not to deem us Happy , because some women do esteem us ? Fal. You are their worthy champion : what I said Was out of passion for Lucora's dealing . I will report y' are dead . Car. I shall be obliged unto you by 't . Exeunt . Enter Phyginois solus . Phy. My clothes are almost made , and every thing That does belong unto the habit of A gentleman , I have prepar'd me richly ; For in these garments I dare not accost her . I had good fortune to come with Cleanthe , Who hath been very bountiful unto me . Enter Polidacre , Rosinda , Antiphila , Lucora , and Nentis . Pol. Lady , I take it very kindly you Would do me such an honour as visit me : It shall be my study to deserve it . Ant. My Lord , this is too ceremonious : Pray you let us walk . I much approve of this Aire : I know no place so sweet about the City . Ro.

How observant he is ! he would fain make it a match , and I think she is willing enough . But I shall prevent them with amazement .

I will see further in it first .

Phy.

The heavens ( worthy gallants ) be serene as long as you presume under the safety of them .

Pol.

Know you this fellow Tandorix ?

Ro.

His name is Draculemion .

Pol.

O! I have heard of him .

Luc.

T is some frantick .

Pol.

What wind brought you hither ?

Phy.

That which ( noble Sir ) shall blow me all over the Universe to do you service .

Pol.

I thank you for your complement , your Captainly protestation .

Phy.

Brave Bevy of gallants , my purse being Millions of degrees voyder of money then my heart of courage , I desire to empty my mouth of words , to fill up the vacuum of it , if you please to lend me your attention , and afterwards to commemorate ( with munificence ) the worth of my Oration .

Pol.

Sweet Antiphila , what say you ?

Anti.

He speaks so strangely I would hear him .

Pol.

Draculemion , you know what to do .

Phy.

Hail ( but fair weather ) I that have been the favorite of inconstant fortune , and term'd worthily by the worshipfull title of a gentleman , am now debas'd into an humble fugitive . Commiserate this wonderful change ( most excellent Auditors ) and let your recompence be a help , again to restore me , and a story to exalt me towards the fastigium of my pristine felicity , and ( at your connivence ) I will post afoot to Mexico , drink your healthes till I 'me sick , and kill any I hear speak irreverently of you . These , and more then these will I accomplish , though to my perpetual ignominy , or dissolution of my life , conditionally you will bestow fluently upon your slave so undeserving a little .

Dixi. Pol.

Here 's for all the company .

Phi.

Will you give me leave to be grateful ?

Pol.

Yes surely .

Phi. I le not desire the Muses to repleat My willing genius with poetick heat : This subject doth transcend them : I le desire Apollo to this Lay to touch his Lyre . Thou Charioter of heaven , that dost invest Thy swift-hoof'd Coursers in the dewy East ( With harness work'd by Mulciber ) to light The world , and dissipate the clouds of night ; For Phaetons sake ( not unto me unlike ) Thy sweetest notes unto this ditty strike . Pol.

If the Exordium be so long , t' will be tedious before the conclusion .

Anti.

Dismiss him therefore .

Pol.

Farewell Draculemion .

Phi. Would I might kiss thee before , Nentis . - Aside Exit Phi. Pol.

Madam , how do you like the Lord Falorus ?

Anti.

Very well my Lord .

Pol. Him I have often motion'd to Lucora , And he hath consented to marry her , would it not Be a good fortune for her think you ? Ant.

Indeed I think it would .

Pol.

How say you now Lucora ?

Ant. For he is a much applauded gentleman , Of good conditions , and of sweet behaviour , Whose company is every where acceptable ; He deserves a good match , such a one as your daughter is . Pol. How say you girle ! was any thing I told you Of Falorus , a falshood ? Come prethee do thy self a good turn , And take him , do Lucora . Luc. Dear Father , pardon me , indeed I have not Any desire yet to marry . Pol. Sure you have ! Bethink you , and speak wiser . Luc. Truly I have not Sir , Pol. Y' are a stubborn wench , and I am sorry It was my hard fortune to be thy father : Your shrewdness shal not carry you through so freely ( As you believe it will ) it shall not maiden . Anti. Do not chide her . She will be rul'd by you . Luc. Indeed Madam I had rather live as I do . Pol. No I believe not that . There is some one Or other farre inferiour unto him Whom she's in love withall , perhaps some vile Scumme of the Town . Luc. Dear Sir , you conceive amiss of me ; for I Love no man yet , and hope I never shall Be of another mind . Poli. T is false , I cannot believe you . Luc. If ever I should I d'e hate my self to place Affection on a man of base birth , or Unseemly qualities . Anti. Be not angry Sir . Nent . I pray you marry ( Madam ) for it is A state wherein one may securely kiss . Luc. Leave thy foolery , Nent . O t is a fine thing to have a coach of ones own , to go to a play when you will , And be restrain'd from nothing you have a desire to do . Luc. Marriage is no such liberty as you make it . Pol. Think of my will : I give you time . Exeunt all but Rosinda . Rosin . They have hard fortune ( which the Gods remove ) That ( where they cannot ) are compel'd to love : I woo'd she had Carionil ; I esteem not the ancient Enmity Between the families . Enter Phyginois . Now Draculemion , how do you ? Phy.

At your beck , and in good health , brave sparks of generosity .

Ros. I must needs attend my Lord , otherwise We would have had one pint together . Phyg . Thou art a joviall Lad. Farewell . Ex. Rosin .

O my Nentis ! thou art a worthy Andromache , and dost deserve Hector the couragious Trojan Wagg .

Enter Philander . Phil. They are not here . Phyg . I must to my trick agen . Divine Apollo , and the Muses nine , Can ye behold his ruine , unto whom Ye have vouchsafed sacred Poesie ? Or see him sleep under a hedge i' th field , Who hath so often on Parnassus lain ? Or seek the River for to quench his thirst , Who at Boeotian Hippocrene hath Pledged Mnemosyne in full-fraught Cups ? Or wander bareleg'd , who upon the Stage Hath acted oftentimes in Sockes and Buskins ? Or see him tan'd for want of an old Hat , Whose Temples ( unto his immortal praise ) Ye have so richly view'd begirt with Bayes ? Phil.

Daculemion ! I am glad to find thee : l'●e have a speech .

Phyg .

Your Worship shall .

As yet the contentious night has not exterminated Hyperion from the celestial Globe ; who daily useth to hawke with the firmamental Eagle , and to hunt Ursa Major round about the Forrest of the skie , to go to plow ▪ when he wants Corn with Taurus , and ( when he is hungry ) to eat Aries , and at night ( when he comes 'i th West ) to court the Lady Virgo to be his bedfellow , whom because he cannot obtain , he lashes on his horses , and goes and reports his stubbornness to his friends at the Antipodes . Nor as yet hath the Trumpeter Boreas blown stormy Clouds into our Horizon to deprive our eyes from the powerful radiance of his orbicular and refulgent head . Nor as yet am I weary to do you service , nor will be while I am able .

Phil.

Here 's for you .

What a wordy nothing thou hast spoken ? Phyg . You have given me current silver for it . Y' are a bountiful gallant . Exit . Phil. My father is my Rival , and I find To him Antiphila is most inclin'd . What the Fates will we never can prevent , And ( till the end ) we know not their intent . Exit .

FINIS Actus Secundi .

Actus Tertii .

Scena Prima . Enter Falorus solus . Fal. A Potion he hath took , and is orecome By the deceitful working of 't , and lies As if he had no interest in this life . Lucora I have sent for , that we may See how she 'l take it , for by her carriage now We shall perceive if there be any hope . Enter Cleanthe . What will the Lady deign her presence here ? Cle. She will my Lord . Falo . T is well . Cle. And is at hand of entring . Falo . Prithee Anclethe , bid them bring out my friend . Exit Cleanthe . Though once Carionil did not believe My protestations to him to relinquish All title to Lucora , yet I meant it : Were she a Lady farre more excellent , And richer in the ornaments of Nature ; Did she exceed the fairest of her Sex More then fine-featur'd Mars the ugliest Satyre ; Were her tongue Musick , and her words enchanting , And her conditions gentle like a Goddess . I 'de rather carry Aetna in my breast , Then be disloyal to my friend , farre rather . Enter Cleanthe , and Servants putting forth a Bel ▪ with Carionil upon it . Thou art most dutiful , Anclethe ; O Art ! Natures most curious imitatresse , How like a body late depriv'd of life Does he lie sleeping without motion ! Enter Lucora , and Nentis . Cle. My Lord , the Lady Lucora , Fal. Draw back : But stay you here Anclethe . Exeunt Servi . I thank you Lady for this favour to us ; Were Carionil alive he would requite it . He would unto the utmost . Luc. My Lord , I 'me sorry that a gentleman reputed ever Most wise , and voyced by a general fame To be complete and perfect in all goodness , ( The which Carionil was ) should thus destroy The great opinion all the world had of him : His depriving himself of his own life For that foolish affection he bare me , ( I having often told him that he spent His service barrenly , and that it would Yield him no fruit ) was such a weakness in him , That his lives honour his deathes shame hath ruin'd . Hither I came at his dying request , Which ( his Boy told me ) was to have me see What my obdurateness hath urg'd him to ; For so he term'd it : his desire is satisfi'd : Were he alive agen I could not love him . Si● , I should love him less for the poor weakness This act accuses him of , I should , believe me ; And so my Lord I take my leave . Nent . Had I been his Mistris he had liv'd . — Aside . Fal. Stay Lady , Shew more respect , for truly he deserv'd it . Clean. But kiss his lips , if you will do no more . Luc. The Boy and all . Clean. Speaks reason . — Aside Luc. His will I have accomplish'd . Farewell Sir . Exeunt Luco . and Nent . Fal. Hath she a heart ? or if she have , what mettal or stone is it of ? Dost thou not think ( Anclethe ) that man happy Who 's free from all the molestations That are concomitants to affection , And to the grievous bondage of a woman ? Cle. My Lord contingently . Fal. Thy timeless inexperience doth deceive thee . Believe me boy , there does not live a woman Who more then complementally is my Mistris . Cle. Sir , you do not fear to love one of them ? Fal. Yes : and the Gods keep me still in that fear . Sure such another as Lucora put out Cupids eyes . O women , women ! Cle. Truly my Lord I do believe all Ladies Are not cruel ; indeed I do . Fal. Thou art too young to be suspected , otherwise I should think that some subtile false one had Beguil'd thy youth . Nature has work'd the Potion out . Cle. My Lord recovers strength . Car. How is t ? Fal. How does my friend ? Car. Repeat my destiny . Fal. Receive it with as calm a quietness As I deliver it : your ear ! — Privately . Cle. Vouchsafe him patience , O ye Gods . Car. When huge-wav'd Rivers from the earths high banks Precipitate themselves into the Ocean , Will stilness follow ? Can you think then , can you , I may be quiet ? was Iove so , when the great Brood of the Earth , the Giants did assay Olympus conquest ? Can I then a poor Dejected man be calm ; when all the misery The world can send it pours on me fully ? Aeolus , run thy ventrous sword again Into the Rocks , and give an Issue to The winds , that they may with their irefull blasts Remove the world from off it 's stedfast hinge . Or blow the Pole-Stars out , and so let fall This Globe we breath on . Or ( by whirlwinds force ) Both Sexes collect together , and carry them In't places opposite ; The one into The Arctick , the other the Southern Regions , And let them of themselves propagate the like : So womens Tyrannies can do no ill , And men perform what one another will . Fal. This favours frantickly . Cle. Deprive him not of reason , but exalt Him to himself , O heavens ! Ah me ! Car. T is true . The sea is alwaies full of water , ( The Lands do relieve it ) and yet has no cause For lamentation , but wofull man Hath but a few , indeed a very few Salt tears to mollifie the burthenous draught Of misery which his malignant Stars Compell him to endure . What ? his Mistris venome obstinacy ? not possible , T is unsufferable , above our frail carriage . Fal. The word friend , waies all titles of honour down , And therefore not by them , but that I beseech you Not to neglect your self . I 've lately known The time when death almost inevitable Could not unfix your thoughts . This cause is weaker . Car. How ! Fal. Believe me friend . Car. Believe you ! I would believe thee friend , Didst thou affirm absurdest contraries : That the Sun was extinguished , and the bright Moon was blown out , and all the Stars were faln , And nature ( yet harmonious ) disordered Into another Chaos , I would believe you : For rather then you should pronounce a falshood , Things that are not would be . Fal. Alas ! you are distempered ; I grieve to see you so for so poor a cause . Car. It is a weighty one , and if the brave Fam'd off-spring of Alcmena had endur'd it , He had enlarg'd his labours to thirteen , And been another wonder to the world . But ( noblest friend ) you know the History , How he the knotty club did lay aside , Put off the rough Nemaean skin , and don'd Maidens apparrel , for the love he bore To ruin'd Picus daughter , young Iole . Fal. But he nere offer'd violence to himself . Cle. He did not Sir , be counsel'd by your friend , Do my good Lord . Car. He had not cause , she did return him love ; And ( except in this case ) I would suffer Beyond expression from another hand , Without a thought to use my own . But you May say I 'me passionate : t is right , I am so I know 't , and you cannot expect less from me . Were I as free from love as you have known me . You should not taxe me with that fault , although Unstable fortune made an Irus of me : But you may call this boasting . Fal. Far be it from me , t is a perfect truth . Cle. Ah , Alas ! Car. Leave sighing boy prethee . Fal. Come , You shall be temperate again ( my friend ) And have fair likelyhood to obtain your Lady . Car. Impossible ! Fal. I 've form'd the plot already , you must be , draw near . Car. How a Negro , an Ethiopian ! t' is frivolous . She is too obdurate , most obstinate . Fal. Hath she not refused the bravest and handsomest gentlemen of this kingdome ? You cannot deny it . Be therefore counselled , She that cannot love a man of a better complexion , On one of them may settle her affection . Car.

I have some hope again , you shall stay with my friend , refuse it not I prethee .

For many conveniences it is necessary ; I every day shall see thee , and shortly will take thee agen .

Cle. My Lord , I beseech you . Car. Nay , my Anclethe let me not use words , As thou dost love me deny me not . Cle. Sir , I am charm'd , and will obey you . Fal. Come , le ts walk , and I 'le instruct you fully . Exeunt Omnes .

Scena secunda . Enter Iaques solus drunk .

THis London wine is a parlous liquor ; t will turn you a mans head so long round , that at last 't will set it where his heeles should be : another glass on t had prov'd me a reeler , a cotqueane , which I was never brought up to ; I learnt a song of my old gra●am , many a good ballad she would have sung me by the fire side ore a black pot , but your city wine is a more stinging liquor . She left me a very fair cow , but a villanous thief stole me her , ( foul cheeve him for it ) and escap'd I know not whither : but all s won , much good do him with it , my Ladies Worships service is better then a team of oxen . But the song must not be forgot .

1. All that about me sit , Laugh at my pleasant wit , And neither cough nor spit , Till I have done a. For I will sing a song , That fitly shall be long , To a cow and not wrong Mount Helicona . 2. Don Quixots Rosinant , And Sancho's asse errant , And Bankes his horse do want What she may brag of . They would ones breech much gall , And give one many a fall , Sufficient therewithal To break ones crag off . 3. That Jove did love a steed , I yet did never reed ; But by all t is agreed Io he loved . No beast upon the field , Doth man more profit yield , Whither alive or kild , As may be proved .

Well , I 'le to my chamber and sleep awhile , otherwise I's t ha a foule deal of do to keep me on my legs this afternoon ,

Enter Lorece .

Iaques is now a very Barnabey !

Lore .

Iaques ! so ho my boy !

Exit Iaques .

His ma●ch is extraordinary , sure the rogue 's drunk ,

He 's so very deaf —

The report is that Doctor Aristotle cast himself into the sea , because he could not ( with all his rambling Philosophy ) find out the natural cause of the ebbing and flowing of it : but ( had his good scholarship been troubled with my Mistris ) he might a jolted out his brains against a rock , for his dulness in inventing a method of wooing to win her Ladiship withal . I here will sit and muse .

Sits in a private place . Enter Vandona and Iaques . Iaq.

Indeed Madam I will be very serviceable unto you , if now and then you will suffer me to be blith and full of merry moods .

Van.

Iaques ! where ha you been ?

Ia.

At the spigget . Is it not a very rainy wet day ?

Van.

Thou art well washed within .

Iaq.

T is a very dark day : the sun shines clear tho .

Van.

T' hast a light head Iaques .

Iaq.

And yet I cannot bear 't stedfast on my shoulders , wine's monstrous strong .

Let me see who am I ?

Van.

Th' art a fool .

Iaq.

The play 's the better for 't .

Van.

Y' are a drunken coxcomb , go .

Iaq.

Thou captive Greek , I am a Beglerbeg .

Van.

Thou woot be a beggar and thou leav'st not thy drinking .

Iaq.

Thou me Roxalana ! am not I the great Sultan ?

Van.

A booby .

Iaq.

You shew your breeding to upbraid the Majesty of the Grand Signior .

Van.

Peace , no more fooling .

Iaq.

You are drunk with north countrey Balderdash , you keep no wine , water your kitlings with beer , nothing but wine shall be drunk in my court .

Van.

I shall be troubled with him else . Embassadors wait your return at your Palace .

Iaq.

We will withdraw : send the Bashaes after me , they shall present me wine .

Exit . Lorece discloseth himself . Van.

Is he here ?

I shall be courted certainly , and perhaps shall yield .

Lore . Most welcome happiest Genius of my life , Dearest Vandona , let your lilly hand Enrich my lips . Van.

Y' are very complemental , servant .

Lore . Mistris , faith I love you , as for millions of causes , So also for a natural demeanour , It showes you are no of-spring of the City . Van.

You would marry none , servant ?

Lore .

No , six thousand pounds cannot hide a squint eye , a crooked back , or a red head , or a muddy face , though they may gild them .

Van.

This is very Satyrical , but there be Beauties of all coloured hair , eies , and complexions .

Lore .

I at any time will carry you to a Play , either to the Black Friers or Cockpit . And you shall go to the Exchange when you will , and have as much money as you please to lay out , you shall find me a very loving husband in troth dear Lady .

Van.

But servant , you have been a very deboist gentleman .

Lor.

Forget what y 'ave heard , and you shall hear no more on 't . But we are extravagant , come , let 's to 'th joyner .

Van.

To whom , and for what Mr. Lorece ?

Lore .

To Hymen in his saffron coat , to be married .

Van.

Some other time , a month hence will serve .

Lor.

Then must I court another bout .

Van.

What you please Sir .

Lor. O Cupid the Bow-man , I am not thy foe man ; For I love this woman , As well as I know man . And therefore I pray thee , From mischief to stay me ; And quickly to lay me In bed with this Lady . Van.

What call you this Sir ?

Lor.

T is my imploration , and ode .

Van.

Y' are very fluent Sir .

Lor.

And yet neglected . But I le make Cornelius Gallus speak English , and he shall wooe for me .

Van.

What say you servant ?

Lor. Be you attentive , and you shall hear . My sweet Vandona , fine and comely lass , ( Whose beauty Milk and Lillies doth surpass , And the sweet Roses , both t●● white and red , Or Indian Ivory new polished ) O spread , O spread abroad thy yellow hair , Like glorious gold , shining all out as fair : Thy purest Alablaster neck , and show's Which ( from between thy graceful shoulders ) Open thy Starry eyes , and let us view ( growes ; Their browes above them of a Sable hew : And both thy Roseal cheeks let us espie Beautified with a natural Tyrian die . Put forth thy lips , their Corral let us see , And ( Dovelike ) gentle kisses give to me . Kisses her . Of amorous life my breath did draw out part : Those kisses peirc'd meto the very heart . Why didst thou suck my blood ( O cruel she ? ) Henceforth thy dugges ( like Apples ) hide from me , Which with Ambrosiack cream shall swell thy breast , Discloseth Cynamon I yield , and best Delights arise from thee : yet thy Paps cover , Whose growth , and beauty , do make me a lover : For seest thou not , that languishing I lye ? A man half dead how canst thou thus destroy ! Van.

This is meer flattery .

Lor.

T is but a spark ( Madam ) an almost invisible atome of truth , which can scarce be discern'd in the Sun-shine of your perfections , credit me Madam

Van.

They are most childish will believe all that their servants say , my most poetical Servant .

Lor.

Most obdurate Lady .

Van.

Will you wrangle ?

Lor.

Was ever Widow so hard to win ? Sure your husband got not your maidenhead you are so backward .

Van.

Adieu Sir .

Lor. Not yet I pray you sweetest Lady , if — Van.

Pray you trouble me with no more speeches .

Lor. O cruel reply to a Lovers suit ! If ever you have felt this passions pain , If ever you would pitied be your self , Or if you know that Love hath power to kill ; For all these ( which you heretofore have been Subject unto ) commiserate a heart So full of love for you that it will break . If you deny : But if you will remain inexorable , And frown on him who ay must fawn on you , I wish my fortune may be yours , and that If ere you love you may be served so . Van. I 'm but a woman , and these words would move A stupid rock to pitty , Sir I can Resist no more , your tongue has magick in 't : You have overcome me , and enjoy your conquest . Lor.

My dear widow , let me kiss thee for this ! thy dare of wearing black is almost out . O my joy ! methinks I could out-sing old Homer , the nine Muses , and put their Patron Apollo our of fame .

Enter Falorus , Ceanthe and Phyginois in brave apparel .

My Vandona , yonder is my brother , he will be glad to hear of my good fortune .

Fal.

Who 's he ?

Clea.

A friend of mine ( my Lord )

Fal.

I shall be desirous ( Sir ) both for your own , and for Anclethes sake , to be better acquainted with you .

May I demand your name ?

Phy.

Your servant is cal'd Phyginois .

Fal.

How have you sped brother ?

Lor.

She will be cal'd your sister : salute her , go kiss her for 't .

Fal. Lady , I hope my brother will deserve you , By proving an affectionate husband to you . Phy.

Madam , I am a stranger , but will endeavour to make my self known unto you by any service I can do you .

Van.

Thank you Sir .

Phy.

My Nentis doth excel her sister

— Aside . Lor.

Come brother , will you go with us ?

Fal.

I le wait upon your Mistress .

Exeunt Fal. Lor. Van. Cle. My faithful friend , may all thy wishes prosper , And a fair end crown them most happily . Phy.

Sweetest of Ladies !

Clea.

Thou didst prefer goodness before the raising of thy house .

Phy.

It grieved me to think so noble a Lady should be so poorely dispos'd of ;

My brothers birth , nor forunes could deserve you .

Cle.

I was ignorant , and might have undone my self .

Phy.

I did pitty you .

Cle.

And ever have oblig'd me to you for 't .

Phy.

If your sisters woman Mistress Nentis be obstinate , and you prosper ;

Hereafter you may do me a multitude of favours .

Cle.

I nere will fail to do the best I can ; now let us follow them .

Love is a passion not to be withstood ; And ( until hearts be mutual ) never good . Exeunt .

Scena Tertia . Enter Carionil solus like a Negro , in strange apparel . Car. AN houres life is like the various year , Which hardly bears one form a fortnights space : He sure deserves respect that to obtain His Mistress , thinks all trouble a content . These two years have not had so many quarters As I disguises , scarce as many daies As I devises , and yet to no purpose : What I may do in this I cannot guess ; But for mine own purpose must hope the best . My late long residence i th Spanish Court , when I lay there Leiger Embassador , Hath made me speak the Castilian language perfectly ; Which will be my great furtherance , because Polidacre affects that tongue exceedingly ; And I know will gladly give me a free access Unto his house at all times . Estoy yo ( como deue ) muy lobrego ; Porque de mi , Lucora haze un Negro . Enter Polidacre , Lucora and Nentis . They shall not see me yet .

Sir , your daily importunities have so mov'd me that I must yield unwillingly , onely I request to have our marriage defer'd a month dear Sir , do not deny me this .

Pol.

I thank thee girle .

Enter Falorus .

Welcome Falorus : my daughter 's yours after four weeks be past .

Fal.

Worthy Sir , y' are too bountiful . Most excellent Lady , you will make my fortune envied . I must dissemble yet , for I will not wrong Carionil .

Nen.

I like this well .

Luc.

But I will rather die then have him

— Aside . Car.

I do not doubt my friend .

Pol.

I have laboured much for you .

Car.

Now I 'le disclose my self , and counterfeit the Negro as well as I can .

Taken forth of Acaucana . Y pues en todos triempos , y occasiones Por la causa comun sin cargo alguno , En battallas formadas , y esquadrones Puede usar delas armas cadauno : Por las mismas ligitimas razones E's licito combate de uno a uno , A pie , a cavallo , armado , disarmado Orasea campo , abieto , or a estocado . Don Carionil , would I could hear of thee ! Luc.

He is the brav'st proportion'd African I ever saw .

— Aside . Pol.

I will speak to him .

Habla ( voste ) yngles ?

Car.

Yes Sir I learnt your language at Brussels .

Pol.

I shall be most glad ( Sir ) to be acquainted wi● you .

Car.

Grave Nelides years be doubled ( most honourable Hero upon you ; your courtesie has won one of the greatest Ethiopian Lords to become your servant .

Luc.

What an unequal'd carriage he is of !

— Aside . Car.

You look , Sir , like a noble Gentleman , I salute you .

Fal.

Well , Don Carionil maist thou prosper , your Mistress has consented a month hence to marry me , but doubt me not my friend .

Car. According to the Ethiopian custome , Great Lady , I adore your pantofle . Luc. You are a worthy , and a noble Moor. Car.

This is your shadow ; you shall command me fair one .

Nen.

Thank you Sir .

Pol.

I heard you mention Carionil .

Car. T is true , When we were in the Spanish Court together , I being commanded thither an Ambassador From th' Emperor of both the Ethiopias And of the mighty kingdoms and vast countries Of Goa , Caffares , Fatigar , Angote , Xoa , Barne , Balignazo , Adea , Vangue and Goyamine , He wrong'd me , and I am come hither to seek him ; And with my sword to punish his rude language . If you will tel me ( Sir ) where I may find him , You shall eternally oblige me to you . Pol.

He is lately dead Sir .

Car.

You do but jest .

Fal.

I was with him when he died .

Car.

Then he had not so honourable an end as I intended him .

Pol.

If I should not seem too inquisitive , I would desire to know your quarrel .

Luc.

I am much taken with this object

— Aside . Car. You may command me any thing . We meeting in the presence one afternoon ( 'Mongst many things ) did happen to discourse Of Ladies ; he said that none of all the world Were so beautiful as the Spanish : I that had read in many histories The English have the best and loveliest faces , Did tell him so , yet could not change his mind ; After long altercations he grew hot ,

Gave me the lie reprochfully ; which forced me to tell him , that though I owd so much honour to both the Majesties of our great masters , as not for private wrongs to disturb our Embassies : I meant before I died to visit his countrey , and call him there unto a strict account .

Pol. I thank you for your free relation ; While you intend to stay in England , use My house at your pleasure , I pray you do , Your company will be alwaies welcome to me ; And I love the Castilian language , which You speak both readily and purely : May I demand your name ? Car. T is Tucapelo , and I 'me subject to Great Prestor Iohn ( whose powerful Scepter awes Sixty two Kings ) and in Garama live Magnificent for silken palaces . Fal.

His behaviour is without suspicion

— A side . Pol.

T is dinner time or nigh , pray you be my guest ; You shall be very welcome ( Sir ) both now and at all times .

Car.

I 'le wait upon you .

Pol.

Falorus , let me intreat your stay .

Fal.

You shall command me .

Ex. Pol. Car. Fal. Luc.

Injurious tyrant Love ! Nentis !

Nen.

Madam .

Luc. Stay a little . How frail is any womans resolution ! I that so seriously have often thought Never to change my name , am now become A slave unto a Moore ; I feel the mighty Fabrick of all maiden vertue totter . What may befall me worse ? but I may as well Withstand a volley of shot , and as easily , As resist these new desires : t is very strange That I who have denied the earnest suit Of so complete a Gentleman as was Carionil , and neglected his friend , ( For I will rather steale away , and do Mean services to my inferiors , Then be his wife ) should dote upon a person Some Ladies scarce dare look upon , a Moor , A sun-burnt Moor I 'me ●tter stranger to . What would my father say if he should know My thoughts ? banish me ever from his sight , And never more think of Lucora's name . But Love is not confin'd to the opinion Of others . O this is a revenge for my Slighting of brave Carionil ; yet if He were alive again I could not love him . Alas I am undone ! O that my Fates Had been so kind as to have wrought my heart Fit and propense to have requited him ? Nentis , will you be silent of my love ? Be so good Nentis . Nen.

Why , Madam , will you have this Blackamoor ? me thinks my Lord Falorus is a handsomer man by much . Alas ! he will take you beyond sea .

Luc.

Nothing is strong enough to divert me .

Nen.

Your secrets ( Madam ) are as safe in my breast as yours .

Luc. Befal what will , I am resolv'd . Affection that doth tend Not crookedly , but to a noble end , Is worthy ; and they stubbornly repine At their creation who from it decline . Exeunt ambae .

Finis actus tertii .

Actus quarti Scena Prima .

Enter Phylander and Antiphila . Phy. SWeetest Antiphila ! Anti.

I wonder Sir , in what I have so forfeited my faith that I cannot be credited .

Phy. Urge me not , Lady , unto a belief , That will be my destruction : Delay me rather with a little hope , And save me from despair . Ant. I can but say what I have said already . You do not trust my tongue ; Pray take a parchment , And there inscribe a sad and solemn Oath ; And I 'le subscribe that I will never have you . Phy. The fatal Ravens hoarse crying Is Thracian Musick unto your reply . Would I had heard a thousand Mandrakes groan , So you had left me in silence . Ant.

I pity you , but did you know me truly , you would bless my denial ( young Philander . )

Phi. Bless it ! O Lady , Durst I but be so horribly prophane As to curse any thing you please to do , I would go study imprecations , and Vent them in places that are haunted by Wild walking devils ; but my grand affection Condemns that violence . Do not then suppose That thongh you were a Suc●ubus , I durst Utter such impious breath . Be all the faults ( That either truth or Poets fictions Have shewn in women ) in you , I will love you With serious admiration . Ant. Sir , I will release your affection . Phi. Impossible . ●ot the fairest creature ( by diligent search pick'd out Of all the infinite Myriades of beauties , Selected from the spacious kingdoms of The Earth , and I might chuse her freely ) Should win upon my heart to dispossess you ; She should not Lady . Ant. You will not hear me . Phi. Then may eternal deafness seize upon me : Speak Lady , and though you do say the last Word I shall ever hear , I will with joy Be most attentive . The dark cave of sleep Is not more quiet . Anti. I am contracted . Phi. You are not Lady . Ant. I am Sir . Phi. Unto my father ? Ant. No. Phi. Then sentence his sure death by naming him . Ant. Will you destroy the man I love ? Phi. And you him that loves you ? Ant. What is done cannot be undone ▪ Phi. It shall ▪ Ant. You must not know his name therefore . Phi. If there be any manhood in his breast , He shall dispose himself : I le challenge him By such sure circumstances ( and set the papers On publick places by the Play-Bills ) that if He dares but use a sword he will be known . Ant. So you will publish my disgrace . Phi. Too true , O Lady , dear Antiphila , Give me his name . I will not kill him foully , We will meet fairly : I may die upon His sword , and you thereby be freed from my Unworthy suit . Ant. Sir , promise me one thing , and I will tell you . Phi. Here is my hand , you shall charm me . Anti. I must lye , and grosly , to be rid of his Courtship . — Aside .

It is Tandorix . You must not speak it unto any , or quarrell about it .

Phi. T is not : you mock me ( sweet Antiphila . ) Ant. Indeed Philander I do not . You will be secret for my sake , untill I do release you of your promise . Phi. Y 'ave had my hand : silence must be my death . Ant. I le leave you Sir , and build upon your word , For I perceive you are displeased . Exit Antiphila . Phi. This t is to be a fool : which is the truest , And briefest definition of a Lover . What fury fascinated so my sences , As wilfully to make me become a slave Unto the childish passions of a woman ? On this occasion wood I understood The saddest Epithets of Necromancy , That I might joyn them to this sex : O my heart ! I am orecome with rage , and will be rather A perjur'd Mahumetan , and wade Through streams of blood into her arms , then a Soft-conscience'd ass , and let this villain have her : Could envious hell suppose a body of So delicate a composition , cood Within it lodge a mind so poor and worthless ? This is a womans weakness ▪ no , t is a baseness Cannot be match'd in all the faults of man . But why am I so angry ? I will shew My fury , not in idle breath but deeds . Enter Rosinda . And this shall be the time ; thou base ambitious Slave , before we part thou diest . Rosin . O good Sir , why ? I nere offended you , Heaven knows I love you best of all the world , Phi. Thou art the hinderance of all the bliss I could expect or wish for upon earth . Ros. Sir , let me hear the reason of your rage , And ( if you find that I have injur'd you ) I will not beg for life . Phil. Find it ! I know it clearly , And will not honour thee , vile man , so much As 't let my tongue joyn such unequal names . Ros. I understand you not : Dear Sir , be plain . Phi. Art thou prepar'd to die ? if not , kneel here , And pray thy self into a readiness . Rosin . Be not so violent . Phi. Repent . Ros. Let me understand my offence ; the chrysome child Is not more innocent of wrongs to you , Then guiltless I. Phi. The tears of Crocodiles ! Ros. I humbly do upon my knees implore you That you thus rashly will not take away The life you never can restore , and will Bewaile for in an overlate repentance . Phi. To heaven , and not to me make orizons . Ros. I am resolv'd . For your deceased mothers sake ( at whose Sad funeral letter I was entertaind Into your fathers family ) and for Those tears and sighes , and sorrows she did weep , Groan , and express at her delivery of you , Be merciful unto a faultless stranger . Phil. A tedious and an exquisite torture for Thy death ▪ should not deter me from it . My mother ( Could she arise out of her watry grave , Appear in both our views , and be an eloquent Suppliant unto me for thy life ) should not Prevail to win me to it . Ros. Then nothing will satisfie , keep in your sword ; I am your mother , draw off this Perriwig , And my face will establish your belief . Phi. It does indeed ; here prostrate on my knees For my rude language I do crave remission . Ros. And you obtain it and my blessing too ; But you deserve blame for your violent fury . O let me kiss your gracious hand , and seal My pardon on your happy lips . Why did you grieve us for the sad report Of your untimely end ? Rosin . You shall know all anon . But yet conceal My being , till your fathers love be ripe , And grown mature for a second marriage ; I pray you do . Phil. Mother , I will . Now I 've good hope Antiphila will be mine .

Scena Secunda . Enter Carionil , Lucora and Nentis . Car. And Lady you shall not wish any thing ( If that an humane power can obtain it ) But I will make it yours . I hope you do Not wrong my love with a suspicion That I cannot perform what ere I promise . Luc. I do not , Sir , distrust your affection : But give me leave to doubt I shall not live According to my content in Aethiopia . Car. Most noble Lady , I that have seen both places , Dare promise you , you will . Luc. I cannot tell Sir , I must believe you . Car. For these few words ( whose sweetness doth exceed Vast and elaborate volumes of eloquence ) May all the joyes that ever have made happy The numerous Queens and Empresses that have Been ornaments and glories to the world , Meet unto their perfection in you . Luc. My Tucapelo ! when I did see you first , I fell in Love as deep as Lady could . Car. And may I dye when ( in unperfect thoughts ) You do repent your choice : Mistris , I can Make famous Gamara as pleasing to you As is your native Countrey : You shall find Delights above , not equal to your mind . Luc. Sir , your company shall be all things unto me . Car. You shall not touch one drop of water , but shall Be of more virtue then the Thespian spring , Where reverent Poets of the former times Quaft off huge bowls to great Apollo's health . Young virgins ( whose sweet voyces do exceed Mnemosyne's daughters ) shall sing you a sleep Each night , and ( when you grace the happy woods With your rich presence ) they shall make a consort With the innocuous queristers of the spring , To entertain the Mistris of my life . ( — Aside . Nent . And I go thither they shall teach me to sing — Car. The Jewel-tippets of your ears shall weigh The curious points of precious Isicles , When Leo breathes hot vapours on the earth . Your sedulous slaves ( enrich'd by noble bloud ) Shall bear your Litter through the tedious streets Of Gamara , while all the gallant youth Within it runs to wonder at your beauty . Luc. I do believe you love me so much Sir , That you will shew it all the wayes you can : And I do thank you for it , and love you , And I will shew it all the wayes I can . Car. O happiest speech my ears did ever hear ! — Amphions musick made not such a sound ; Nor Orpheus Lute that tam'd the stubborn spleen Of hells inhumane dogge , when he did play For the redemption of his ravish'd spouse ; Nor Phoebus ( when unto his gold-strung Lyre He for superiority did sing His sweetest Anthems and best Madrigals Against ambitious Pan ) made harmony To parallel the sweetness of your tongue . Luc. If that all my endevours can deserve At this height your affection , by my fault It never shall decrease . Car. You over-act me much , but never shall Have thoughts beyond me . Luc. I pray you spare my company a while ; A while I would be private with my woman . Car. Lady , I will do things unwillingly At your command : but give me leisure ( fairest ) To print my heart upon your heavenly lips , Ere my departure hence — The Ottoman Emperours — Kisses her . In their immense Seraglio never saw Your matchless features in their numberless Successive multitudes . I am so blest , That my excessive joyes cannot be guest . Ex. Car. Luc. Nentis ! Nent . Madam . Luc. Unfold thy heart unto me : Let me know What thoughts thou hast of me . Nent . I may offend . Luc. Indeed thou shalt not . Nent . Then I do wonder ( Madam ) that you will Bestow your self ( I think ) unworthily . Luc. How ! Nent . This is unpleasing to you , I will be Hereafter silent : I have offended you . Luc. No : proceed . Nent . You are a Lady untill now unstain'd With any blot ( save obstinacy to The brave deceas'd Carionil ) and will you Give the world reason , a good one ( pardon My honest boldness ( Madam ) to taxe your judgement ; And ( which is worse ) your virtue for this choice ? Is not Falorus far more worthy of you ? Marry him ( Madam ) and live still in England . I 'me sure my counsel would be seconded By all the friends you have , did they but know As much as I. But ( Madam ) if you have Settled your affection past recall , and are Resolved , I will be most obedient And secret unto all your purposes . Luc. And wilt thou go to Aethiopia with me ? Nent . If I do get no Servant before , and if You will ( if I dislike the country ) give Me liberty to return home . Luc. Most willingly . Enter Falorus , Cleanthe , and Phyginois . Nent . My Lord Falorus . Luc. Where ? Phyg . If I can find the least opportunity I will try ( Nentis ) of what mettal th' art made . Fal. I hope ( Mistris ) our company Is not unwelcome to you . Luc. By no means Sir . Fal. How gently it past her tongue ! For that sweet word I kiss your hand , dear Lady . Luc. Where did you leave my father my Lord ? Fal. Above a reading Guicciardin . Nent . Sir , I can perceive when I am flatter'd . Phyg .

Earnest expressions of love deserve a better name .

Nent . Why Sir , I cannot believe you love me . Phyg . You need not doubt of that , Mistris , I do With as much fervency as servant can ; I do beseech you Lady to believe me . Nent .

They are of easie faiths that believe all their servants say .

Luc. What ail you my Lord ? you are not well . Fal. Unwelcome guest away — I was thinking of — Luc. Of what ? Fal. I ha forgot — would they would all love me — — Aside . I am most strangely alter'd on the sudden : My friendship ( I fear ) will be too weak a tye To make me silent . Clean. My Lord ! Fal. Thou hadst a Master did deserve thee better . Cle. But he is dead , and I am yours by his Last Legacy . Fal. What wouldst thou say ? — Aside . Cle. I hope y' are well . Fal. He has found out an alteration in me : I must beware of publick signs . I was Privately ▪ Full of Carionil ; my thoughts were busie Concerning him : Madam , I pray you pardon my neglect Of frequents visits ; I have been too guilty . Luc. You have not offended . Fal. T is your great goodness to say so . Nent . This , Sir , is too importunate . Phy. To slack ( dear Mistris ) but wink at my insufficiency . Nent . You said , you love no woman in the world But me . Phy. And may you hate me if I do . Nent .

As I see you ready to give me full satisfaction that you mean faithfully , so shall you find me willing to requite you .

Phy. No man can boast such happiness . Nent .

Sir , be moderate ; y' are not so sure of me , but ( upon occasion ) I can retire ; neither would I have the company take notice of us .

Phyg . You shall command me ( Mistris ) Fal.

These passions are new to me : woo'd I were private .

I never did observe her so well before .

Luc. My Lord ! Fal. What say you ( Madam ? ) Luc. You saw not my brother Philander to day ? Fal. No truly Lady I did not . Luc. Your brother ( Nentis saies ) shall shortly be married to The rich widow her sister . Fal. So he doth hope . Enter Tandorix . Rosin . Madam , dinner stayes of you . Luc. You hear my Lord . Fal.

Nay Anclethe , stay not for me , wait on the Lady : I le follow immediately .

Exeunt ▪ Luc. Nen. Phy. Clean. What ailes me ? let me see What is the cause of such an alteration I find within me : doubtless it is Love . To whom ? to whom but to the worthiest And sweetest Lucora ? Take heed , t is dangerous ▪ A sudden ruine so will seise my friendship , And prove my former protestations Feign'd untruths . Cannot the noble name Of young Carionil prevent me ? No , Nor certainty of all the evil wills Of all the friends I have ; Were both our better Genius Orators , And here embraced fast my knees , and wept Miraculous tears ( to quench the rising flames Lucora's irresistible eyes have kindled In me , or to drown this late impression Love Hath seald upon my heart ) I 'de be as remorseless As the most stern and unremoved Scythian , And deafer then the people that inhabit Near the Egyptian Cataracts of Nile . But I am base , base to infringe the knot Of amity a long and serious knowledge Of each other hath tyed betwixt us . T were safer Sayling with drunken Mariners between Hard Sylla and Charybdis , then to suffer My much divided thoughts , and forth of them To work such a conclusion to my passions , As might hereafter confirm me noble in Th' opinion of the world : but I 'me most ignorant , And know not what to do . Wood I were so Distraught , that my own self I could not know . Exit .

Scena Tertia . Enter Lorece , and Vandona . Lor. Sweet Mistris , your bounty will become An envy unto future times . Van. So let your love Sir . Lor. But speak ( my Dear ) what happy day shall give A fair conclusion unto all my wishes ? Van. What haste good servant ? Enter Jaques . Lor. Nay be not angry Sweet . Ia.

Madam ( and please you ) your own good servants desire to shew your Worships some pretty pastime .

Van. It pleases us well : when begins it ? Iaq.

Eene presently ; I le goe and tell them all what a good woman you are .

Exit Ja. Lor. This is not usual with you ? Van. Indeed Servant so seldom , that I remember not the like : Sure t is for your entertainment ; they think I have Been a niggard of it , and help to make it out . Lor. You are too good . Van. So you can never be . Lor. And yet I will not fail to do my best . Van.

I pray you do not ( dear Lorece ) for t is a good resolution .

Enter Clownish Maskers . Lor.

I see we shall have some odde thing .

Van.

I wish Sir ▪ it may prove worthy your laughter .

Lor.

My fair Vandona , I believe you will have your desire .

Van.

Iaques is among them : he may move you .

Iaq. An'ether of you ask what 's here , t is a Mask Which we Actors do hope will content you : If not , when it ends let us all part friends , And of your attention go in and repent you .

I hope your Worships will say I have pronounc'd this well enough .

Lor.

To my content honest Iaques .

Van.

I 'me glad you like it .

Ja. Come Hymen , thou fellow that always wear'st yellow , Draw near in thy Frock of Saffron ; Once more I say appear before this gentleman here , And this Lady in the white apron . If the boy thou dost bring hath a voice fit to sing , Le ts have a merry new Ballet : Begin thou the Song , and it will not be long ( We hope ) before he will follow 't .

A Song . Hymen . Say , Boy , who are fit to be Ioyn'd into an unity ? Boy . They that will permit their wives To live pleasant quiet lives , And will never entertain Thoughts of jealousie , if vain . Hym. Now Boy let this couple hear What should be the womans care . Boy . A wife should be secret , true , Most obedient , and no shrew ; Should obey her husbands will , While therein she finds no ill . Omnes . Such a Wife and husband too We do wish both him and you .

Lor.

Prithee Sweet lets be married this afternoon , and this shall be our Epithalamion .

Van.

Stay my leisure good servant : t' will not belong .

Iaq.

Now if you please to cast a glance Hither , ye shall see us dance :

Fidlers play , begin and strike : What ye see do not dislike . They dance . Lor.

What a mad toy t is Mistris !

Van. Iaques ! this day use my wine-cellar , you and your company May be as free in it as you will . Hym. Her Ladyship sayes well : Good now ho le ts go thither , Without more ado . Iaq.

Goodman Wedlock , where was your mind marle ? Is there not a piece behind yet ? I le not budge a foot till I have discharg'd it .

Hym.

Out with it then .

Iaq.

Mr. Marriage , put me not out with your grining : for an you do all 's spoil'd .

Gentleman and Madam , you have seen What our Mask and performance hath been : If you like both t is well ; and if but one , Of the other wood we had done none . For clapping of hands we care not two chips ; We are satisfied if you joyn your lips . Lor.

I thank you all .

Van.

And so do I : you now may go .

Iaq.

And so we must , for I ha done . All 's done : this last ( what do you call , ) was the full end of it .

Hym.

Why go we not ?

Boy .

I am very dry with singing and dancing .

Iaq.

Follow me to the wine-cellar .

Exeunt Maskers . Van.

You must keep your promise : you are expected by this .

Lor. Lady , I ki●● your hand : This is my vale as often as I come . I le seal my welcome on your lips . Farewell widow . Van.

Remember my service to your brother .

Lor.

Command me any thing .

Exeunt Ambo .

Scena Quarta . Enter Carionil Solus . Car. The tedious winter of my many griefs Her calmer heavenly breath hath now blown over ; And all my tears and sighes are now converted Into a happiness will soon be perfect . The gallant Courtier Paris Alexander ( When he had stole the young Atrides Bride , The sister of the two Tindarides , And with great triumphs entred into Troy ) Was sad and melancholy unto me . How wise the Fates are ! Ere we can obtain Perfect frnition of the thing we love , We must break through great difficulties & tedious , Unto the end that we may more esteem And prize our happiness when we atchieve it . Thanks ( excellent Lady ) for your gracious promise : May every Lover henceforth bless your tongue . ●he hath prefix'd this hour to be the time Wherein I shall out-grow all hope , and fix Upon the proudest height of fortunes wheel . Hail happy hour ! This is her chamber window , And this the door whereby she must escape . Enter Lucora and Nentis above . Shine well ye stars , and let this project find Your influences to a lover kind . Nen.

See Madam , he is come : My Lord Tucapelo has not trespas'd on a minute .

Luc.

Then is our parting near : your new servant hath prevented your journey .

Car. Nentis ! Luc. Most honoured Tucapelo , I am here In presence to give answer to my Love . Car. Are you ready worthiest Lady ? Luc. I am , my Love . Car.

Neglect your Jewels : Gamara shall supply you .

Luc. I care for nothing if I have but you . Car. Descend ( my Dear ) each minute is an age Until I crown my joyes with your possession . Luc. I come . Nentis farewell : report that my Escape was uuto thee unknown , and that I stole away when thou wast fast asleep : I would not have thee blam'd for me . Excuse Me to my father all the wayes I have Instructed thee in . Descendunt . Car. Cinthia , triumph ; and let thy brother hear His eyes did never witness such a stealth : Be proud in thy pale lustre , and make known , Apollo doth tell tales , but thou relst none . Not yet ! how tedious seems a moment ! Delayes in Love Would raise impatience in Olympick Iove . Enter Lucora , and Nentis . But she is entred ! welcome sweet Lucora , Above expression welcome , my crown of joy I would not change for an imperial Scepter . Luc. I am most happy in your love ( dear friend )

Thanks good Nentis : My woman cannot go with 's .

Car.

Then farewell Nentis .

Nen.

May the propitious heavens crown both your heads with all fair fortune .

Car. Our thanks go with you . Exit Nentis . Luc. It is your promise , Sir , that I shall live Without contradiction in my Religion , Enjoy my conscience freely : your vow was solemn . Car. I do acknowledge it , and will perform it .

— True — not to be denied , what a great frost chils my affection !

Luc. Then I le be confident . Car. You may : I am amaz'd , and lost within a wonder . Let me consider ; have I cause to love A Lady that hath so much neglected me , That she hath prefer'd a Negro ? And t is likely ( When she knowes me ) will care as little for me As ere she did , and ( if she meets with one Of this complexion I feign ) conferre Her perfect love upon the slave ? T is clear , I have no reason to do it , neither will I ; For I am free , know liberty again : This poor unworthiness in her hath loos'd me . Would it not be a weakness in me ( let me argue it ) To bestow my self upon a woman of So obstinate a nature , that she lov'd me less When she believ'd that for her sake I had Done violence upon my self ? It would be A matchless one , beyond example , and which Future times would admire , but not parallel . Luc. Come , shall we hence ? delay is dangerous . Car. No ; be it what it will . Luc. We must not stay here long . Car. Nor will we . Luc. Alas ! what ailes my noble Tucapelo ? You had not wont to answer me so slightly . Do you not love me still ? Car. No. Luc. The heavens forbid ! I am Lucora . Car. I do confess you are , but must deny I love you . Luc. I could endure your Sword with better ease : Us 't , and revenge what ignorant ill I have Committed against you . I had rather dye By your dear hand , then to return from hence With this strong poyson in my breast . Car. Kill you ! Lady , I would not do it to obtain The Soveraignty of the Sea-parted Earth ▪ Live many years in happiness : I wish it With all my soul , else may I dye unwept for . But give me leave to leave you , and bestow Laughter , not tears for my inconstancy . Think me unworthy of your worthy self ; For I cannot love you , nor will marry you . Luc. Surely you will . Have you a cause to be So merciless unto a passionate Lady , One that so truly wonders at your worths ? I pray you ( Sir ) jest not so solemnly : Thunder is Musick in my ears to this . Car. I do not : credit me ( most fair Lucora ) I am in earnest , nor would I spend the time In words . Shall I call Nentis ? Luc. Rather call Basiliskes to look me dead Then her , to help to mourn your unkind parting . O! do not thus : wherein am I deform'd So suddenly , that you so soon should leave me ? Car. This is a trouble to your self : you cannot Speak words enough to make me yours . Luc. Can I not speak sufficiently ! Then I Will try if there be Magick in my knees : Look ( Sir ) a Lady kneels to you for love , She kneels . To whom the noblest in the Realm have su'd . Car. All is in vain . Luc. Thou man ( that art more lasting in thy fury Then the Egyptian wonder through the stormes Of many bleak tempestuous winters ) Say worthless man , if it becomes thee well To let a loving Lady kneel to thee , And thou be merciless and not raise her ●p . Car. I pray you rise . Luc. And will you then be reconcil'd unto me ? Car. No I cannot . Luc. Then I will turn a Statue . Car. I pray you leave me and forget me ever : Henceforth you shall not see me any more , Luc. Not see you any more ! O faithless man and full of perjuries ! Thy nature is transparent , thou art false As is the smooth-fac'd Sea , which every wind Disturbes ; a false Barbarian , and born under Deceitful Mercury . A Britain would Rather have died then thus have wronged me : Thou art inhumane , and mayest boast the conquest . Tell your most salvage countrey-men this Act , ( If the just God of Seas revenge me not ) And number it 'mongst your proud cruelties . Car. Be pacifi'd : I pray you leave this rage . Luc. When I am dead I shall , and not before , And that shall not be long ; For thou shalt see me , Merciless man thou shalt , and adde that to Thy bloody conquests ; boast how a slighted Lady ▪ For thy unkindness made her self away . This hand ( wherewith I would have given my self Offers to kill her self . To thee ) shall take me from my misery . Car.

Hold : I am Carionil .

Luc.

How ! say that again .

Car.

I am Carionil .

Luc. That breath hath rais'd me , and made me my self . Car. I counterfeited the Negro to obtain you , The wished period of my griefes ; and might , But will not love that woman that shall scorn All my endeavours , and entertain a stranger , An Ethiopian , and prefer him , no : Judg ( fair Lucora ) if I have not cause . Luc. Yes , yes you have : But now you do not need More of your Rhetorick to disswade me from you . There are not in the world temptations Can make me yours : I cannot give a reason , T is in my nature , and a secret one . Car. I am glad it is so . Luc. This is the happiest hour My life did ever pass , and quickly chang'd . Car. I rejoyce at the alteration : Madam , you shall Command me to do any thing but marry you . Luc. Then I command you never move me more . Car. I will obey you . Luc. Now you may call Nentis : She is not yet in bed ; I see a light yet . Car. Most willingly . Nentis , Nentis . Enter Nentis above . Nen. What 's the matter , marle . Luc. Come down . Nen. I wonder much : I come ( Madam . ) Descendit . Luc. You will be secret , Sir , of what hath past ? Car. You may be confident I will . Luc. I else shall suffer much in my honour . Women ! take heed : the men whom you deny May win you to be theirs by Policy : They Proteus-like will vary shapes , until Beyond their wishes they have plac'd their will . Enter Nentis . Car. Your woman 's come : Good night . Luc. Good night ( Sir ) Exit Carionil . Nentis , I now will never pass the Seas : Tucapelo is become Carionil . Nen.

Amazement ceaseth me !

Luc.

Anon thou shalt know all .

Nen.

I hope that now you will be rul'd by your friends , and take the Lord Falorus to your husband .

Luc.

Hang husbands !

Nen.

The Gods bless them all I say , and send me a good one .

Luc.

Let 's to bed : lock the door after you .

Exeunt Ambae .

Scena Quinta . Enter Cleanthe sola . Cle. How joy fully the birds salute the morn , Warbling a welcome from their gentle throats ! But I am of another mind ( poor maid ! ) Aurora doth no sooner blush upon The world , but I make my complaints afresh . I am in love , and for my wretched State Can blame no body but sinister Fate . Enter Carionil . Car. Well met ( Anclethe ) I will hide no longer My self in this disguise . Again thou shalt Be my Anclethe : wilt thou be my Boy , And sing me songs , as thou hadst wont to do ? Cle. You have obtain'd your Mistris I see , my Lord . Car. I have not ( boy ) nor will I seek her more : Some other time thou shalt receive the story . Cle. My hour is come : dear Cupid be my aid . And will you never have another Sir ? Car. I do not know Anclethe , but if I have , She must not be so obstinate as this . Cle. But say a Lady of a noble house ( One that is not unhandsom ) were in love With you , did love you violently ( my Lord ) Would you not pity her , but be unkind ? Car. Boy , I do know what t is to love in vain So well , and what a misery is in it , That if she were but reasonably well , She should not grieve for me , indeed she should not . Cle. You are most noble : old Philosophy Never defin'd a virtue which you want . There is a Lady Sir , and not ill-favour'd , Born of an ancient honourd family , So much in love with you , that if you do Refuse her ( my Lord ) you do deny her life . Car. What is she cal'd Anclethe ? Cle. My Lord , my Commission doth not reach so farre ; She 'd have her name conceal'd until y 'ave seen her . Tomorrow morning you may meet her here : She with a gentleman ( a friend of hers ) Will here expect you about ten a clock . Car. Well , I will see her ( boy ) and if I find Her answer thy report , I will be kind . He that neglects a loving Lady for Weak causes , may the Gods that man abhorre . Exeunt Ambo .

Finis Actus quarti .

Actus quinti , Scena prima .

A Banquet set forth : Then enter Polidacre , Antiphila , Servants and M●sitians . Pol. YOu will pardon a sudden entertainment . Ant. I hope we need not complement . Pol. You do instruct me . Sit down ( my sweet Antiphila ) and taste . Fill wine : All health and happiness to you ( dear Mistris . ) Ant. A true return of loyal thanks . Pol. Play a more merry tune : I do abhor What ever relisheth of melancholy . Sing , the spheres are dull — Apply it to your self that best deserve it . The Spheres are dull , and do not make Such Musick as my ears will take : The slighted Birds may cease to sing , Their chirpings do not grace the spring : The Nightingal is sad in vain , I care not to hear her complain : While I have ears and you a tongue , I shall think all things else go wrong . 2. The Poets feign'd that Orpheus could Make stones to follow where he would : They feign'd indeed , but ( had they known Your voice ) a truth they might have shown . All instruments most sadly go , Because your tongue excels them so : While I have ears , and you a tongue , I shall think all things else go wrong . Ant. T is pretty . Pol. Reiterate again your yielding , Lady , And once more let your breath perfume those words . Ant. Sir , I am yours . Pol. And I my fair Antiphila's , your tongue Hath made me happy . Ant. May your joy last long . Exeunt omnes

Scena secunda . Enter Philander and Rosinda in womens apparel . Phi. How glad I am to see you like your self ! Dear mother ; pardon an excess of joy . Ros. Such signes of true affection need no pardon . Enter a servant . Ser. Sir , here 's a Letter for you . Phi. For me ! from whom ? the hand resolves me ; Present my service to the Lady that sent it . Tell her , ere long I will come kiss her hands . Ser. I will Sir . Exit servus . Phi. Mother , I writ unto Antiphila , And did desire her ( for guerdon of my love ) To hold me second in her thoughts , and ( if She married not my father ) to have me . Ros. She may perform What she believ'd would never come to pass . The Letter .

SIR , I confess I am not contracted , and that I told you so to make you desist . I should be exceeding ungrateful to deny you so small a request . There is nothing hinders me from being yours , but your Father : And I solemnly vow unto you , that ( if I have not him ) you shall have me . But let not this beget any hope in you ; ▪ for ( if I be not his ) it shall be his refusal . Let it onely manifest so much , that ( had I never seen him ) I could have lov'd you most truly . I pray you , let this suffice , and use me so . Choose another Mistris , and let me be her second : You will love me well enough , if you love another better . Farewell .

Your Fathers Antiphila . Ros. What writ you to her ( Son ) concerning her Pro●●ssing a contract betwixt us two ? 〈…〉 my rage I met with Tandorix , 〈…〉 him of his life ; 〈…〉 he was a woman ▪ And for a Gentleman cal'd Perimont , ( Who often had deni'd to marry her ) That habit did assume , thereby to learn More easily what did prevent her joy , And whether he affected any other . Thus I your being kept unknown . Rosin . I 'me gald you did so . Phi. You do well , Mother , to wear a mask : you shall Thereby be sure to be conceal'd untill You find the fittest opportunity Your self ( unto my Father ) to reveal . Exeunt Am●● ▪

Scena Tertia . Enter Falorus solus . Fal. What will become of me ( unfortunate man ) Who needs must live in fire ▪ or live in shame ? I know not what to speak nor what to do , Both fear and grief do so confound my sences ▪ I fear to wrong Carionil so much As to be traiterous against our friendship ; And griefs unsufferable endure for the Fairest of Ladies , incomparable Lucora : I would she had been kind unto my friend , Unto him then I never had prov'd false ; Nor will I : I will rather search out frozen Climates , and lie whole nights on hills of Ice , Or rather will take powerfull potions , and sleep Out those unpleasant houres I have to live ; But then I shall not see that beauty : who But senceless frantickes would have thoughts so poor ? My reason forsakes the government of this Weak frame , and I am falne into disorder . Oh! I could sigh my body into air , And weep't into a Lake , if merciless nature Had made it of a substance suitable Unto my wish now : methinks I could level A Promontory into a Province , and tread The centre through to read the destinies Of southern stars , and bless their fortunes that Are born under their light ; for ( I am confident ) Their influences are more mild then ours . There is no other Fate can fall on me Shall awe me now ; I will be proud and daring As the ambitious waves , when wrathful blasts Of Northern windes do hoist them violently Against the highest cloudes , and rather will Destroy my self then wrong Carionil . Exit Falorus .

Scena quarta . Enter Cleanthe in womans apparel , and Phygionis . Cle. And serv'd my sister well to leave her so . Phy. How much ( dear Madam ) have you impoverished Mens cies , by hiding your perfections In their apparel ? indeed I flatter not , I do not know the Lady owns so much beauty . Cle. If my Carionil will like me , then I shall attain the end of my desires : May I appear but lovely in his eye , And what I seem in others I will slight . But ( good Phygionis ) tell me I prethee In your affection what success you have . Is Nentis won , or do you hope she will ? Phy. She 's mine , we are contracted . Cle. Joy wait on you , And make your lives of many years pass pleasant . Is it not ten ? are all the clocks grown envious Against my bliss , and will not let me know How nigh his coming is ? for I esteem My self most happy in his company . Enter Carionil like himself . Car. This is the place Anclethe nam'd . Phy. Madam he 's here . Cle. Be friend me my good stars ! Car. Here is a Lady and a matchless one ! Wood two years since I had beheld this beauty , When first I came from Spain and had my heart free , Then many a sad day had been merry unto me , For unto her Lucora should have yielded . Sweet Lady , you that are the fairest creature Nature did ever form , vouchsafe so much Of happiness unto me as to give Me liberty to touch your lips — do you Kisses her . Know me ? and have your ears ere heard So poor a name as is Carionil ? But I am much mistook ; you are not she Whom here I was to meet : I needs must doubt The fates did not intend me such a joy . Cle. I am . Car. Deceiv'd Pythagoras ! hadst thou but dream't The sweetness of this voice , the musick of The Spheres thou never hadst recorded . Speak , Fairest and best of Ladies , let me hear If you have so unmatch'd a pity in you As to look on me with a friendly eye . Can you love me ? Cle. Most noble Sir , I do most violently . Car. If that to live with you detain'd me not , I should be griev'd that my joy for so great A fortune did not stupifie my senses , And cast me into an eternal sleep . Where is Anclethe ? he is much to blame In not attending you . Cle. Whom speak you of dear Sir ? Car. My boy . Cle. I do not know a boy of that name truly : Nor ( I think ) is there . Car. You do amaze me . Cle. You may believe me , Sir , for I am he . Car. Wonders in Riddles ! Cle. I am your Page Anclethe , and sister to Lucora , who for love attended you Disguis'd , because ( I found ) for the great enmity Between our families ) my father never Would give me where I would bestow my self . Car.

Your Nurse did steal you when you was a child ?

Cle. Most true : This gentleman her son , my friend , Occasioned my escape , by giving me A knowledge of my birth . His true relation Can vindicate me from suspicion . Car. I need it not : Were you not she ( as I believe you are ) And mean of birth , I should account my self A gainer by you . Sir , you have done that Hath plac'd you in my heart among those friends For whose sakes I my life will sacrifice . Phi. My Lord , you do indebt me to your service : In your acquaintance I shall be most honour'd . Cle. Sir , if you please he will relate my Story . Car. By no means : keep it for your father , when You do disclose your self . But can you pardon Those incivilities I did commit When you was Anclethe ? Cle. Wrong not your self : you did make more of me Then I deserv'd , or could . Car. But why , my sweet Cleanthe , would you not Let me know who you was before ? Cle. Dear Sir , I saw how violent you was In your affection to my careless sister , And had no hope you would leave her for me : And ( if you did obtain her ) meant to do What my disastrous fate should prompt me to . Car. Sweetest of all your sex . Cle. But ( if you never got her , and orecame Her obstinacy ) to declare my self ; If not ( but Love had triumph'd in your fall ) I 'de not have liv'd to see your Funeral . Car. The Gods requite this goodness , and make me worthy Of you , my dear Cleanthe ; I contract My self upon your lips : which we will perfect Ere you own publikely your Father , for The enmity will make him charge you otherwise . Cle. I pray you let us . Car. A thousand thanks , come shall we walk ( fair Mistress ) ? Cle. Conclusions fair the fates to them do give Who constant in their loves , and faithful live . Enter Falorus . Car. Stay , dear Cleanthe , here is my friend , he shall Partake my joy ; well met my best Falorus . Fal. It seems you are not Tucapelo now : Where is Lucora ? have you married her ? Car. No , I have not , friend . Fal. Refrain : I am your enemy , embrace me not , Receive my sword , and peace this heart ( Carionil . ) Gives his sword . Car. He hath not yet descri'd you : Withdraw a little ( dear Mistress ) Sir , I pray you To bear her company , for who can tell What in this phrensie he may do ? Exeunt Cle. Phy. Cle. Hereabouts we will await your leisure . Car. What ailes my friend ? let me but know the man Is cause of this disorder in you , and He shall not see the gray-ey'd morning break From th' oriental Mountains any more : Let me partake of that unwieldy grief Hath bowd my friend so much beneath himself . Fal. Leave complements Carionil , and make A passage for my soul , that it may leave So vile a habitation as this body ; And ( when I 'me dead ) rip out my heart and in 't Survey my fault , for I want words , and have Not impudence enough to tell it you . Car. O what might be the cause this matchless frame And worthiest Cabinet that ever man Inclos'd his secrets in , is so disturb'd ! Noble Falorus , think to whom you speak , It is Carionil , whose life you do Make burthenous to him by the suspicion Of wronging him whom you have ever lov'd . Fal. You do deceive your self ; I lately have Transgres'd against our league of amity : If you desire to be a happy man , And to enjoy what most you seek , be kind Unto your self , and run my body through . Car. Can I be happy and Falorus dead ! No , I should live a desolater life Then ere the strictest Anchorite hath done , And wear my body to an Anatome , For real sorrow at such a dire mishap : Live then ( my friend ) and may you number daies Until Arithmetick grow faint , and leave you . Fal. You know not how much hurt you wish your self . Would you torment me twice ? If not , forget Falorus utterly , and let me dye . Car. I understand you not . Fal.

Would you have me blast my own fame by speaking

My fault ? And have me Executioner

Unto my self ?

Car. Release your Soul of all her griefes , and say From whence your sorrows have original . Have you not oft told me of my impatiency ? Give me now leave to be as plain with you : The angry winds never enrag'd the seas So much as some small grief hath done my friend . I do conjure you by our former loves ( For sure not long since we were friends indeed ) To let me know why you are thus distemper'd : I do not fear but I shall free you from This passion so precipitate and dangerous . Fal. You are most good , and get your self , Carionil , A name above the ablest character , None ( like it ) can decipher you ; and would I alwayes had continued Falorus , Then I yet had remain'd your friend . But ( if You needs will know the reason of my fury ) Draw out the sword , that ( when you have receiv'd it ) Your hand , and not your words may strike me dead . Car. Be not importun'd longer ; ease your heart : For ( credit me ) I grieve to see you thus . Fal. I am in love , suppose the rest , and kill me . Car. With Lucora ? Fal. Too true , now curse me into dust , and with Your breath disperse me into aire : but spare me , Chide me not for my falshood , and inflict But one punishment on me , and be that the sword ; Yet hear me speak one word or two before . I have not woo'd her , nor have sought performance Of that free promise that her father made me , But faithfully have temporiz'd with him ; Nor did I willingly consent unto This passion , it did seise me violently . Car. Be you more calme , take her ( Falorus ) you have A liberty for me , I speak in earnest . Fal. Then all is well , return my sword ( dear friend ) Carionil , I will not hinder thee : Gives him his sword . My name shall not be blasted in thy sighes ; Fall worthless man , t is pity I should live . Offers to kill himself . Car. What mean you ( my Falorus ? ) for heavens sake leave , And your own light rashly extinguish not : I for Lucora do not care , and have All my affection unto her recal'd , And am engag'd unto another Lady ; I stole her from her chamber in my disguise , And then ( bethinking me how she had us'd me ) I told her that I would not have a Lady Who would prefer a Moor before me . Her Slighting of me made me to leave her so . Fal. Is this not policy to delay my death ? Car. If ere you found me false , believe me not . Fal. It then is true ? Car. Most true , Falorus . Fal. Licence me ( friend ) now to embrace you ; well met ( Carionil ) and welcomer indeed Then ever yet man was unto me : I Will live and owe my life unto you , and ( when You please ) I for your sake will lay it down : Freely I may Lucora now adore ; And ( rather then to lose her ) I will try All waies that are contain'd in policie . Car. But say she never will consent ? Fal. I am Most confident she will to please her Father : But ( if she should not ) I could suffer it ; 'T was not my Love made me thus passionate , It was because in it I wronged you . Car. Did you not marke ( when you did see me first ) A joy unusual sit upon my brow ? Fal. I had so much of sorrow in my heart , That with it all my sences were possest . Car. But you perceiv'd I had left my disguise ; What out of it did you collect ? Fal. I thought Lucora had descri'd you , and you had A peremptory denial to your suit . Enter Cleanthe and Phyginois . Cle. Sir , seeing you had made a fair conclusion , And measuring each minute for an hour Until I were with you , I rudely come Uncal'd for to you . Car. Ever most welcome my Cleanthe ; friend , This is the Lady I did mention to you , She was Anclethe , b●t is sister to The Mistress of you● thoughts , and cal'd Cleanthe , Whom long since all her friends believed lost , And have these many years left mourning for . Fal. A strange discovery and admirable ! Car. Some other time command the history ; This mutually among our selves we 'l spend . Fal. Lady , account me servant to your vertues , And you , Sir , may command Falorus alwaies . Phy. Your love will honour me ( most noble Lord. ) Cle. Sir , I for you will intercession make Unto my sister , and do hope shall prosper : I will make known how much you are her servant , And what affection my ears have witnessed ; For I ( unseen to you ) did hear what pass'd . Fal. You will oblige me everlastingly . Car. Now let us walk . Fal. Whosoever loyal friendship doth regard , With fair events the Gods will him reward . Exeunt omnes .

Scena quinta . Enter Iaques solus . Iaq.

I have a Licence for my Lady , & the brave gallant Mistress Lorece , But it cost too much a conscience , I wood a writ five times as much for halfe I gave for it : But t' is the fashion among great ones , so they have their wills they care not at how dear a rate they buy them . This marriage is like Christmas , when it comes it brings good cheer with 't , we have fat Venison , hold belly hold : and wine I am sure we shall want none , for the Vintner had twenty pounds on me this morning . I ha bespoke a merry company of Fidlers ; O they are boon fellows ! and there will be old dancing , for I mean to sweat my doublet quite through ere I leave .

Enter Lorece and Vandona .

Madam , here 's the License your Worships sent me for , the Parson and this will make all sure .

Lor.

T is well done Iaques , for this , be thou the Neptune of the Cellar , raise a tempest , and drown who ever doth go down the staires ;

Like old Silenus behave thy self .

Van.

When we have din'd , le ts go to my Lord Polidacres , and invite that house .

Lor.

We will ( my dear Widow . )

Iaq.

T will be a merry time I see .

Exeunt Omnes .

Scena sexta . Enter Polidacre , Lucora , Antiphila , and Nentis . Ant.

I wonder we have not seen the Ethiopian Lord to day .

Pol. He 'l not be long absent . Lucora , thou hast my heart for thy consent : Falorus is a worthy Gentleman , And one of an approved fashion , He doth deserve a Princess ; my Lucora , I know his nature is most noble , else I would not move thee for him , and ( although The time is not expir'd ) will you steal So much from age , and be his wife ? I long To see thee well bestow'd . Luc. What ere you please t'command I will perform . Enter Falorus . Pol. Here is Falorus ! welcome my Lord , I shall Shortly say my son ; my daughter I have won , And when I please , unto you she will give Away herself . Fal. You are most noble : But can you ( fairest Lady ) look so low As is Falorus ? can there be such a vertue Of rare humility within you , that You thus confer affection upon me ? Luc. My Lord , my father desires to make me yours ; And I have learnt so much obedience , As willingly to do what he commands . Fal. I wish I could ( most excellent Lucora ) Thanke you in all the languages are worth Your dear attention , you have made me so Exceeding happy , I envy not his wealth That ownes the inhaustible mines of fam'd Peru. Luco . I thank you for this love , and have a hope Requite you Sir . Fal. My joy hath dul'd my senses . Enter Lorece , Vandona , and Jaques . Lor. Now brother ! have I not ended happily ? Vandona is my own : We onely want The ceremony Eclesiastical . My Lord , I am your servant . Fal. I have a Mistris got , the richest beauty Great Brittain ever was renowned for . Lor. Much , very much y faith ; have you won her For whom hopeful Carionil did dye ? Fal. I won her not ( Lorece ) her fathers desire Meeting with her consent , have made her mine . Van.

Sister , you have been a stranger to me , I pray you be not so .

Nen.

You shall see me oftner .

Lor.

Thou maist be Mercury , and I will glory

Thou art my brother .

Van.

Madam , I 'm very glad to meet you here .

Ant.

And I as joyful of your company .

Enter Carionil , Cleanthe , and Phygionis . Lor. Wonders ▪ Carionil's alive again , and here . Pol. For some strange end he did give forth his death : But what yong beauteous Ladie 's that ? Luc. It is a face worthy of admiration . Pol. Rise Lady : kneel not unto me . She kneels . Cle. Then I were most unfit to be your Child . Pol. How ▪ my daughter that was lost ? Clea. Yes my Lord , and beg your blessing . Pol. May the good heavens make of thee ( my daughter ) ( If you be she ) an old and happy woman . Luc. I am a Sister to you : Spare some time For me to shew how much I do rejoyce At this unlook'd for good : none of your kin ( Fair Sister ) are more glad then I to see you , Whom we had never hope to see : I am Most proud to be alli'd unto So excellent a creature as you are . Clea. I am most joyful of your love . Ant. We are most glad to see you safe . Van. As if you were our Sister . Clea. My thanks ( sweet Ladies ) Pol. Dearest Cleanthe , confirm thy father in His joy : relate thy life , that out of it I may grow confident thou art my daughter . Phy. Lady , leave that to me : My Lord ( and if You with her silence can so long dispence ) I would do that . Clean. He is my Nurses Son , to whom ( my Lord ) I owe all thanks for my escape . Pol. Sir , when you please you may begin . Nen. What , not a gentleman ! I am undone , But must be secret in 't . — Aside , Phy. My Lord . This Ladies Nurse , my mother , had a Sonne Older then the Lady Cleanthe is by seven years ; Whom she did love so extraordinarily , That for his sake she foulely er'd from vertue : She thought it was an easie thing for her ( If that their lives attained to those years ) To make your daughter wife unto her son ; Which is the cause she privily escap'd . Pol. Most strange ! Phy. By chance I heard this of my brother , who Told me ( against my mothers strict command ) What a great marriage he should have , and that Cleanthe was the daughter of a Lord , Your Honours child , Whom all we thought but of a mean descent : ( For she had won the country to believe That she did find her in the open field : ) I pittying her hard chance , did tell her all , And promis'd her I would attend upon her , Until she had her parents happy made With knowledge of her safety . Cle. The rest I must relate : Dear Sir , be kind , and ( if I have done ought You shall dislike ) pardon my first offence ; I was no sooner come to town , but saw This noble Gentleman , with whom so violently I fell in love , that for his sake ( pray pardon me ) My own apparel I did lay away , And did become his Page : And ( when I did Disclose my self ) he kindly did requite me . In brief we are contracted , I did not well without you to do thus ; But your forgiveness , Sir , I cannot doubt : He told me that there was a difference Between our families , and therefore you ( If your consent was ask'd ) would never yield . Iaq.

Wood I were it 'h Cellar , I care not for these drie and tedious tales .

Pol. Whether I should or no I cannot tell , But I am glad that it hath chanced thus ; This match an ancient discord will conclude , And may the Gods be favourable to it . Car. Most Worthy Lord , my faithful thankes . Phy. Here also is a ring which by Your Father ( my Lord Falorus ) was given her , When at the Font he for her answer'd ; She wo'rt about her neck when she was stolne . Pol. I know it well , and am confident Thou art my lost Cleanthe : Be his wife , And may the heavens make up the match most fortunate . Carionil , I now am glad I have A man so honour'd to my son in law . Car. My Lord ( if that I can perform my will ) You never shall repent your daughters choice . Pol. I do not doubt I shall . Now I would know Why your death was reported . Car. I was in love long which your eldest daughter ▪ The fair Lucora , but could never win her ; Brought almost to despair I did assume The habit and colour of a Negro . Pol. Then you was Tucapelo . Car. I was indeed ▪ Knowing she had refus'd the greatest Marriages , And many of the handsomest of the Kingdome , I fully did believe she never would Like any man of this Complexion , And therefore feign'd my self an Ethiopian . But first gave out my death , and that unto My self I had done violence , for her . Luc. Surely , he will not do so unworthily As to make mention of my fond affection . A side . Car. But all could not prevail . Luco . I am glad he ends so . — A side . Cario . And therefore I desisted wholly : which when Anclethe saw ( my sweet Cleanthe now ) She did disclose her self . Polid. I do perceive the Heavens intended you Should reconcile our Families . Iaq.

Her 's love , and love agen : I wood some body would love me .

Luco . My dear Sister , you must not think me rude Because I do express my love so fully . Poli. Be my Carionil ; All that ●●e mine respect this Lady : For I do intend to make her so . Car. We are her Servants , and most joyfully Shall kneel unto a Lady of her vertues . Enter Philander , and Rosinda . Fal. What Lady 's that ? Car. She 's masked , and I cannot guess . Pol. Philander , this Lady is thy Sister , the lost Phi. Grow not to weak , my body , to contain ( Cleanthe . My soul within thee at these joyes : Fair Sister , I am glad that I can name So beauteous a Lady as you are so ; For you the heavens be thanked . Pol. Carionil's alive , and must be styl'd your brother , Cleanthe him hath chose : Perfect thy joyes ( Philander ) when thou wilt , And hear their Histories ; This Lady you must call mother . Phil. But I must not . Poli. How ! Phil. This here I will ; Dear mother , now confirm my words . Unmaskes . Poli. Welcome to life Rosinda : Thy face and beauty I do remember well : But wherefore did you Raise the report of your untimely death ? Rosin . That at a fitter time . This give me leave To spend in joy . My dear Cleanthe ( for I do believe Because thy father doth acknowledge thee , Thou art Cleanthe my so long lost daughter ) Never was mothers heart so light ; I cannot Utter my joyes , my tears must witness them . To time I am indebted , that he hath Spared my life untill I see thee safe . Cle. I want expression : But my life shall be A comment on my heart , wherein you shall Perceive what your Cleanthe is . Phil. Now you are mine ( fair Antiphila . ) Ant. I will perform my promise . Phil. Both your consents I begge . Polid. How 's this ! Anti. I did engage my self , That ( if I were not yours ) I would be his . Pol. Then may the knot prove happy , and continue A firm one , while the Gods do lend you breath . Ros. It is my wish . Pol.

Was you her servant too ? Wife , chide me in secrer , I was forsworn .

Ros. We all are frail ; Mortality may boast Of strength , but many conclusions deny it . Nen. Away , I will have none of you , I will not begge . Pol. You shall not need , I ( for his love and care Unto my daughter ) will give him means befitting A Gentleman , which shall descend unto His posterity , poverty shall not spoil his fortune . Vandon . 'T is nobly said , If you do like him , take him sister . Ment. Now I 'm content . Phyg .

My joy is great : My thanks ( sweet Mistriss ) My Lord Polidacre , I am your grateful , though unworthiest servant . Now , Mistriss , you shall know the policy I won your affections with ; my affections being setled so high , and I poor , I made my self Draculemion ; But your promise , worthiest Lord hath now enriched me .

Iaq.

O me ! Was you that merry fellow ? you have a parlous wit .

Phyg .

One thing I must crave of you .

Polid.

You shall obtain Sir .

Phyg .

That you will pardon my Mother .

Polid.

I do for your sake .

Luco . Since I perceive you in the bounteous way Of granting Boons , Sir , I assume the boldness To become a Petitioner to you . Polid. My dear Lucora freely ask , for I Doubtlessely shall consent to thy demand . Luco . Seeing the gracious Heavens have blessed our house With the recovery of my long lost Sister ; And since the powers divine have link'd her heart To the affections of a noble Gentleman , A marriage like to grace your honour'd Age With hopeful Nephews ; I humbly crave your licence To enjoy the freedom of a single life ; For I 've no inclination to become A subject unto Hymens glorious bondage . Polid. Remember ( my Lucora ) all your promises , And suffer not your obstinacy to cloud The happiness of this Evening . Falor . My excellent Mistris , you have rais'd me neer The Zenith of all happiness , and will you Now leave me on that mighty precipice , To fall into a sad Abyss of misery ? Clean. My dear sweet Sister , give me leave to trouble you With a few words aside ; I saw the Lord Falorus for your sake ( Between a great affection and firme friendship ) In as high a passion as you can imagine . A noble and a faithful Lover to you ; He in his soul adores you , I am confident ; And I 'm obliged by promise to become His Intercessor for your kind affection : I do beseech you therefore grace your Sister ( Though bold , being younger , to importune you thus ) T'honor the Lord Falorus with your Love . Lucor . I dare not ( my fair sister ) be so cruel As to deny you in your first request ; I 'le entertain his flame and be his Bride . I will be plain with you , had you been silent , In a ship bound for Spain I had gone to night With some Ladies of our neer kindred towards Lisbone , And so avoided the Courtship of Falorus , And all my Fathers continual importunities . To make this escape more unexpected , and The better to provide me for this journey , I had consented when my father pleas'd To marry him ; but your intreaties have Prevail'd above all my resolutions . Falor . Dear Madam , let me beseech your assistance . Rosin . My Lord , I will desire her , and am confident I ▪ shall obtain . I pray thee ( my Lucora ) Submit to the intreaties of thy friends , And let not thy refusal of Falorus Beget a sad look on this happy evening . Lucor . Madam , you and my sister shall overcome ; And though ( my Lord Falorus ) you may taxe me For an obstinate disposition , you shall find me Throughout my future dayes ) to made amends , And prove a very loving wife unto you . Falor . Now you have fixed me in a fortunate And glorious life . Polid. I thank thee my Lucora . Iaq.

Every body has his Sweetheart but I ; one or other take pity on me , and let me not be a Cypher and stand here for nothing . I see the fault is in my years , otherwise Serving-men are not so slighted by Ladies .

To the Spectator Ladies . Polid. Let us withdraw ; you all Shall suppe with me to night , and we 'l design The happy day that shall each couple joyn . Cario . You that have Mistrisses , do not despair To get them , be they nere so proud and fair ; One way or other ( you have seen it done ) The Obstinatest Lady may be wone . Exeunt omnes .

FINIS .

The EPILOGUE . Lucora . THe obstinate Lady yet is obstinate , And ( careless either of your love or hate ) She dares continue so : Nor will I beg Some friend within to come with his low leg , And 's hat in 's hand to woe your praise : It is So poor , that I had rather hear you hiss . Our Poet bad 's be bold , For 's Play was good , And that t' would take , if it was understood ; And so we are : For what 's our fate we must And will endure , be 't lawful , or unjust . Unto your justice we appeal , which lies Within your hands : Do what you please , and rise , Cleanth . O sister ! This is likely to spoil all : Gentle Spectators , also give me leave . Ladies and Gentlemen , if we have said Ought that hath pleas'd your ears , or pastime made ▪ Our time we have spent well ▪ but if that we Have tedious been , and you did sit and see With we ariness , our Poet will repent That you this Comedy we did present . Y 'ave paid the Actors wel , we thank you & know it , And wish that you would gratifie our Poet ▪ He wants no money as the case now stands , Yet ●rayes you to be liberal of your hands . FINIS .

Trappolin creduto Principe . OR TRAPPOLIN Suppos'd a Prince . An Italian TRAGE-COMEDY . The scene part of Italy . Written by Sir ASTON COKAIN .

LONDON Printed by WILLIAM GODBID 1658.

The Actors names .

Lavinio . The great Duke of Tuskany . ●forza . The Duke of Milain . Horatio . Son of the Duke of Savoy . Barbarine . Machavil . Two noble Florentines . Mattemores . A Spanish Captain . Trappolin . Suppos'd a Prince . Mago . A Conjurer . Pucannello . A Jaylour . Bulflesh . A Butcher . Calfshead . A Puritan . Barne . A Farmer . Tiler . A poor workman . Whip . A Coachman . A Notary . A Guard . Officers . Attendants . Eo , Meo and Areo. Divels . Hymen , Luna , Mars , Mercury , Iupiter , Venus , Saturn , Sol : Maskers . Isabella . Wife to Lavinio . Hortentia . Wife to Sforza . Prudentia . Horatio's Mistress . Hipolita . The Captains Mistress . Flametta . Trappolines sweetheart . Mrs. Fine . A Plaintiff .

The PROLOGUE . GAllants , be 't known as yet we cannot say To whom you are beholding for this pla● ; But this our Poet hath licens'd us to tell , Ingenious Italy hath lik'd it well : Yet is it no translation ; for he nere But twice in Venice did it ever hear ▪ There it did take , and he doth hope ( if you Have your old humors ) it will please here too He swears he hath not spoil'd it , and protest We think it good , though he doth none o t'h best You often have heard worse it 'h house before , And had we made the Prologue wee 'd say more That labour he hath sav'd us , cause he wood No partial friend should crie it up for good ; An excellent new Comedy as you say , When you have seen 't , he so will judge his pla● He is not peremptory , like to some Who think that all is best from them doth come Ladies and Gentlemen , you that do know To censure rightly as you think so do : Our Poet scornes to beg your hands , yet saith , That at the end if he the favour hath , This shall not be his last , that he 'l endeavou● To gratifie you shortly with another : How ere it takes , he for your presence sends His thankes by me , and hopes we shall par● friends .

Trappolin suppos'd a Prince . Actus primus & scena prima .

Enter Trappolin solus .

MY wench Flametta is a dear rogue , the pretty fool dotes on me ; my Lord Barbarin can do nothing with her ; his pistols and jewels she cares not for . And t is a handsome thing : no Pomatum ere toucht her lips , or painted her cheeks , yet are they cherries and roses ; I am most happy to be what I am , and to have the love of such a one as she .

Enter Flametta . Flam.

Good morrow Trappolin , how does my Love ?

Trap. First let us kiss , and after I will tell , For ever thine Flametta . Flam.

O thanks my dear .

Enter Barbarino . Bar.

The villain Trappolin has a handsome wench , and ( which angers me ) an honest one ; I have spent many weeks about her , but could never do any good , she will not neither for love or money ; and see where they are a talking together .

Trap.

Yonder is my Lord Barbarino .

My dear Flametta , I am your Honours servant ; this free promise of thine , I can never enough thanke thee for — at your Lordships command . How happily shall we live together in marriage , both loving so well and truly ? Your Honours humble slave . Let us kiss agen — your poor vassal my Lord , thus will we spend our daies in these delights ; so will we kiss Flametta — I beseech your Honour to pardon me : we nere will be a weary of our selves , if thou dost sigh , thy Trappolin will weep , — your Honour shall command me alwaies ; and when thou singst thy Trappolin will dance .

Flam. And I am thine my honest Trappolin , And ever will be constant unto thee . Trap. I 'le attend your Honour presently . Flam. There 's no man alive shall make me prove Unfaithful unto thee , so much I love . Trap. Your Lordship must pardon me a little , I am something busie . Flam. My Trappolin shall not bestow a kiss , But I will pay it him with usury ; It is impossible for thee to be More thy Flametta's then Flametta's thine . Trap. I will come to your Honour presently . Flam. Pardon Sweetheart that now I must be gone , My stay another time shall make amends : A kiss my dear , my lovely Trappolin ; With such I shall be never satisfied . Exit . Trap. Farewel my dear rogue ; my Lord I come ,

Your Honour must pardon me , you saw how I was employ'd , I could not leave the poor fool , your Lordship sees she loves me , and protest her labour is not lost : now if your Honour hath any thing to command me , I am ready Trappolino , your poor servant .

Barb. You are a sawcy peremptory villain , And I have well perceiv'd your base demeanor ; Although I see the wench is yours , you shall Repent the freedome of your evil language , Be sure you shall . Exit . Trap. Good morrow my Lord ,

Let him do his worst I care not a rush for him ; he would ha my wench , and I am glad I abus'd him , I ha made his Honour something collerick , let him disgest it how he will .

Exit . Enter Lavinio the great Duke , Prudentia , Barbarin , Machavil and others . Lavin . The Tuscane glory have we yet upheld , And from the fierce assaults of enemies Rescued our cities , set them in a peace As happy as the Gods did ere vouchsafe . Sforza the Duke of Milain our old friend , Who hath in all our wars still sent us aide , Hath promised me the matchless Isabella His sister for my wife ; and seeing now We have no more to do with enemies , I will to Milain go and marry her , And quickly unto Florence will return , Where I will celebrate our nuptial With that magnificence becomes our state . You , whom I ever have found faithful to me , Lord Barbarino , and Lord Machivil , To you I do commit the government Of Tuscany until I return ; And full commission to do what you shall See necessary for the good of Florence : My dear Prudentia , the onely joy Of our deceased Father , the last Duke , Live happy , and enjoy thy own desires , Which I do know are vertuous all . Prud. Most noble Sir , it is impossible That I should happy be , and you not present : But I am unworthy to beseech your stay ; Go and be fortunate in a worthy choice , While I to heaven pray for your safe return . Dear sweet Prudentia , and also Lords , Look well unto my prisoner Brunetto ; Yet let him want nothing but a free release , For sure he is more then he seems to be . I have been long about this journey ; now All things are ready , my Prudentia Farewel ; and sister , be not melancholy , For in few weeks I will return , and bring A sister home to keep thee company , The beauteous Milanes . Prud. And may she prove According to your wishes , noble Sir . Barb. And be a joy unto the Florentines . Mach. And be a happy mother , that there may Not want an heir unto your Highness . Lav. Our thanks ; Onward , t is time I were upon my way . Exeunt . Barba . Now will I be reveng ; d of Trappolin , Who hath so boldly to my face abus'd me ; I have authority to do 't withall , I 'le make him to repent his sawciness . Enter Trappolin . He 's here , but I will do 't as if by Justice . Trap.

I can think of nothing but my pretty villain Flammetta ; O 't is a dear rogue , and she saies she loves me , and I know she does : when I have married her I will betake me to the country , where we will live as jovial as the day is long . —

Enter Mattemores the Spanish Captain . Mat ▪ I 'le fight for Florence while I have a vein To hold my heart from falling unto death ; Nor shall the Longobardy Mantuaus Ere win a Flag while I am in the field ; I 'de make the Tuscan Duke to know the man Whom he hath trusted to conduct his troops , Durst but Gonzaga ever stir again . Methinks there is no nobler thing on earth , Then to see hills of bodies , lakes of blood : No braver Musick then the Martial Drum ; Nor Diapasons sweeter to the ear , Then unto it the Warlike Trumpets make ; When I but hear this harmony , I could , Full of delight , venter my single person Against an armed Troop . Away with peace , It is the Canker and the bane of minds ; 'T is that which makes us to forget our selves , And spend our lives in sensuality . Then glorious war advance thy armed arm , That soldiers may have waies to shew themselves ; Wo'd Gothes and Vandals once again would come Int' Italy , or Moors into our Spain , That Mattemores might wear out his sword With hewing bones , and cleaving armed men : Each thing doth to his centre fall , and I Would unto mine , which is to fight or die . Who art thou ? Trap. I ! Matte . I you ! what are you to good to be asked ? Trap. I am Trappolin . Matte . By that I know not , art thou a man of war ? Is Trappolin in any Captains roll ? I's t writ ? Trap. Yes ( Seignior Captain ) in the Parsons book , The day thereof my baptisme is set down . Mat. And in that honour oft hast thou ere fought With Infidels , and slain a score or two ? Trap.

Not I , Heavens be prais'd , a score or two said you Captain ? then should I sure never escape , for I promise you many an one is hang'd for killing of one .

Mat.

Fie , what an ignorance is this ! hast thou a mind to become now a souldier ?

Trap.

Indeed , Seignior Captain , I cannot resolve you as yet , I am about a wife , I le ask her if she will turn souldier too , and then if I like it ther 's an end . But I pray you Captain what is a souldier ?

Mat. A souldier , Trappolin , is he that does Venter his life a hundred times a day , Wood in his countries , and his Princes cause Stand canon shot , and wood of steeled pikes ▪ Wood when his bodie 's full of wounds all night , Lie in the field and sleep upon his helm . Trap.

Good Captain pardon me , neither I nor Flametta will be souldiers ; heavens defend , venter my life so many times a day ! there is more safety and gain in turning thief : I love my countrey and Prince well , but my self better ; 't is good sleeping in a whole skin , t is better lying with Flametta in a warm bed ; marry I had thought a souldier had not been such a fool .

How many of them might there be in Florence , Sir Captain ?

Mat.

Thou coward , many hundreds .

Trap.

The Gods send them more wit , that s eene all that I can say : but I pray you Sir Captain , now I think ont'● perswade my Father and mother , sisters and uncles , and aunts , and all the kin I have to turn souldiers , that they may be kil'd quickly and I be their heir ; I swear Captain you should lose nothing by 't , I would give you a good present for 't .

Mat.

Base coward .

Trap.

Good Captain , what is the meaning of coward ? I have often heard that word , and would fain know the true meaning of it .

Mat. A coward is a fellow base as thou , One that doth spend his precious time in sloth , Cares not what alterations kingdomes have , So he at home may welter in his pleasures ; A fellow that had rather sit all day Drinking tobacco , and carousing cups , Then die his sword in blood of enemies . Trap.

Why then Captain , in faith I am a very coward ; t is better by half then a souldier , I know there is far more pleasure in a glass of good wine and a pipe of true Varines , then in bullets whizzing about ones ears , and pikes or halberts , or what you will abeating out ones teeth .

Mat.

Thou dunghil wretch .

Trap.

Seignior Captain , be not angry , for I vow I mean earnest , I should never digest the souldiery life , nor am I sure wood Flametta , and the Gods help them that do .

Matte .

Thou earthen-minded slave , t is pity thou shouldest eat or drink that hast no better thoughts ,

Trap.

Not as long as I pay for 't ; what the Devil have I to do with your souldery Sir Captain ? give me leave to be of my own mind , and a Coward ; for i 'me sure no wise man but wood say as I do , let those follow your wars that are aweary of their lives .

Matte .

Thou art as dunghil a minded Rascal as ere I heard in my life ; I would not for any thing thou wast a Spaniard , thou wouldst be a slander to the whole Nation . And Villain , I tell thee if thou wert one , I would kill thee ; Mattemores would do it , and so I leave it .

Exit . Trap.

Farewel my Sir Don , go hang your self , what have I to do with your wars tro ? for nothing would I venter to fight but Flametta , and for her I durst not exceed about it fifty Cuffs , or about with a little pair of Cudgels at the most : I should never endure to shoot off a Gun , not I , the very noise of it would make me endanger my Breeches ,

Enter Horatio .

Brunetto , honest Brunetto , how dost do ? be merry man , this time will have an end man , and till it come be as jovial as thou canst , thou wouldst ene a ble●● thy self to a seen how I vext the patience of my Lord Barbarin .

Horat.

You have not sure .

Trap.

Marry but I have , and to the purpose too .

Horat.

Then you are undone Trappolin .

Trap.

Why man ?

Horat.

The Duke has left him and the Lord Machavil governours till his return ,

Trap.

The Devil he has .

Horat.

T is very true .

Trap.

Troth then I am but little better I fear .

Enter Officers . 1.

That 's he ,

Lay hold on him .

Trap.

Brunetto , I am und●n , thy Trappolin must to the Jayle , pray you my small friends give me leave to speake but one word , Remember me to my sugar-candy Flametta .

Away with him .

To prison with the saucy Rogue .

Exeunt . Horat. I came to Mantoa to ayde the Duke My Uncle gainst his foes the Florentines , Where hearing every man to praise the beauty Of sweet Prudentia , the report did win me ; Being taken in the wars , I was not sad , Because I was to go where she did live : But seeing so many Princes all desirous ▪ To marry her , I knew the great Duke never Would bestow her on Savoyes second Son . And therefore yet I have concealed my self ; Nor doth she know I am Horatio : For want of opportunity I yet Could nere so much as sigh within her hearing . Enter Prudentia and Hipolita . Hipo. The Lady Isabella , by her picture , May be supposed to be a matchless fair one ; Each feature of her face is wondrous good , And her fine head of hair 's a curious colour . Prud. In her we shall be happy all , for she The world reports hath equal to her forme A noble and a vertuous mind ; Whose that ? Hipo. He is your brothers prisoner , called Brunetto , That in the wars of Mantoa was took . Prud. T is a handsome man . Hipo. And thought by all the Court a Gentleman Of good descent , but he hath not disclosed His parentage to any . Prude . Why doth he not ? Hipol . That no man knows yet besides himself . Prud. How melancholy he doth seem ? Hipo. He hath good cause for it Madam : Who can be merry in Captivity ? Pruden . T is true ; A Gentleman of good descent suppos'd , I never saw a man of braver Carriage , Nor one that pleas'd me better then he doth ; Aha! Hipo. Why sigh you Madam ? Prud. To think of fortune ; perhaps this prisoner Is of a house as good as the Medices , Hath lived before the wars of Mantua , In all the happiness you could desire , And now we see him thus . Hipol . Methinks I hear him sigh . Prud. And so do I. Hipo. He 's gone . Exit Horatio . Prud. But with how sad a gate ? Methinks I am not as I was before . Hipolita . Hip. Madam . Prud. Preethee go tune my Lute , I have a mind To sing a little , I shall forget to play If I so seldome use it . Hip. I go Madam . Exit Hipolita . Prud. I have sent her hence that I might search my heart , For sure it is not as it lately was ; It is so full of thoughts , I cannot find The free access into it I had wont : What should the reason be , what have I don To breed this alteration ? nothing I , Ere I came here I felt my self as free From this strange — what it is I cannot tell , The place is not bewitched sure , nor have I seen ought but this hapless prisoner . ‛ Alas poor Gentleman , ( for in his looks And in his carriage I can guess him such ) How little to the fates art thou beholding To let thee live a prisoner thus ? how now ! What i's t I say , talk of Brunetto ? Oh , I am in Love , the Gods will have it so . Exit .

Scena tertia . Enter Barbarino , Machavil , Mattemores , and Officers leading Trappolin after them . Barb. This man , Lord Machavil , is one of those That doth in Florence nourish vice , he is A pander , one that if he sees a stranger , Straight makes acquaintance with him , for what end Your self may guess ; so he may gain thereby He would betray our daughters , lead our sons To Brothels , vicious and full of rottenness . Trap.

I wonder how the Divel he came to know any thing that I did .

Barb.

This writing yesternight was presented to me :

Here you may see what enormities he is guilty of .

Trap.

His Lordship would shew himself a great hater of bawdery .

Mach.

T is good we did examine him .

Mat.

And there is not such a coward in Tuscany ; He 's able to corrupt an army .

Trap.

Seignior Captain , never fear it , for I nere mean to come into one .

Barb.

Bring him before us .

Trap.

Ah that I durst tell my Lords Excellence why he deals thus with me , t is for a wench , and yet how eager he is against bawdery .

Offic.

Forward Trappolin , go before their Excellencies .

Barb. Sirra , this paper doth not onely shew You are a rogue , your looks declare you one , Thou hast as ill a face as ere I saw . Trap. And yet Flametta think'st as good as his , I did not lie and if I said a better . Mac.

Ere we come to his pandarisme , I 'le examine him about other matters ;

Sir , do you never use to carry pistols about you ?

Trap.

Sometimes and please your Excellence I do .

Bar.

Write down that Notarie .

Trap.

What does your Lordship mean , I did not steal them .

Mac.

I know well enough what I do ; sirra , you went to shoot some body .

Trap.

Beseech your Honour to take me along with you , I mean money .

Mach.

That 's vain , then Notarie tear it out .

Barb.

Do you nere carry other armes neither ?

Trap.

Many times my Lord .

Barb.

Nota●ie down with it , he shall be talk'd with for that .

Trap.

Your Honour is deceiv ▪ d agen , I mean onely armes upon seales , or scutchions from the Heralds .

Mac.

This is nothing Notarie , tear it out .

Barb.

A pimp I 'me sure he is .

Mac.

Do you never carry no Love Letters , as from a Gentleman to a Lady , or a Gentlewoman to a Cavalier , or so ?

Trap.

O very oft my Lord .

Barb.

Do you so indeed ? Notarie write it down .

Trap.

Your Honour must understand me , Letters of Love , of friendship , as when a Lady writes unto her brother at Siena , a wife to her husband at Pisa , a son to his mother at such a place , a father to his daughter married at such a town , I am often hired , and carry them to the Post .

Mac.

Notarie , you must tear out this too .

Barb. But sirra , to come nearer to the matter , Do you not keep intelligence with Whores ? Have you nere plaid the Ruffian ? by your means Hath no man been provided of a lodging ? Trap.

This I have no excuse for , the whole city knowes me a pimp .

Aside .

And that it is very nigh my living .

Mac.

What say you sirra ?

Trap.

My Lords , I am but a poor fellow , and must live .

Barb.

By Bawdery ?

Trap.

T is but a friends part .

Mac.

A wicked ones , Notarie down with this at large .

Trap.

Alas my Lord , what hurt is it , if I help a Gentleman to a sound wench , where is there any fault ? good your Honours , consider me , think not I am a man alone in this business , that many others live by it as well as I.

Bar. What an impudency is this ? Not onely to do ill , but to defend it , Is a transgression exceeds forgiveness . Trap.

Good my Lord take pity on me , wel a day what should I do !

I have not onely done a favour in it for my self , but also a courtesie for many a Gentleman .

Mach.

Do not teare out that , Notarie .

Trap.

Beseech your Honours let him tear 't out .

Barb.

What shall we do with this villain ?

Mac.

Why let 's hang him and ther 's an end of him .

Trap.

That 's true I faith , consider my Lords , that never man was put to death for such a matter , but rather that they have been beloved , and well paid by noble men and cavalieres .

Mach.

Had we not best to condemn him to the Gallies ? or le ts banish hm .

Barb.

I that 's the best .

Trap.

Beseech your Honours pity me .

Mac.

After to morrow , Trappolin , if thou be'st seen in Florence thou shalt die , be hang'd ; we banish thee for term of life , therefore prepare against to morrow to be gone .

Trap.

Pray your Honours .

Bar.

Notarie , write down he 's banish't .

Mac.

You rogue , it is irrevocable , and therefore make you ready .

Trap.

I think I am the first man that ever was banish't for such a matter ; were all of my profession in the City served so , I think we should make an Army Royal of us .

Barb. This matter is concluded , Trappolin ; Go seek your fortune . My Lord Machavil ; We may depart . Exeunt . Matte . Thou man of durt , hadst thou a Souldier been , This banishment had never been pronounc'd . Trap.

But Sir Captain , I fear I should have been kil'd , which is worse .

Matte . If for thy Country , t' had been a noble death . Trap.

I had rather live Cap. then die nobly .

Matte . Thou man compos'd of sand , in vain I spend My breath to talk with such a slave as thou ; Go and be hang'd , for ●o thou do dost deserve , And might I judge thee , it should be thy end . Exit . Trap.

Thou brazen-headed Coxcomb , may'st thou go to the divel with a Drum before thee ; I had as leeve be banish't out of my Country and walk in peace , as be out on 't in the wars .

Enter Horatio .

Brunetto , O Brunetto , I must leave thee , I must be gone Man to morrow , farewell Florence .

Hora.

Why , what s the matter Trappolin ?

Trap.

Why , I have banish't the Lord Barberino , and the Lord Machavil .

Hora.

How ! you banish't them ?

Trap.

They have banished me , or I them , 't is all one , I must be gone , and the divel a bit a mony I have : shall I help thee to a Wench Brunetto ? Or if thou hast no mind to one , know'st thou any body that has ? I 'de fain be earning a little mony .

Hora. I wish thee well , live honest Trappolin , And so thou shalt be sure to prosper better ; This Ring I give thee , sell it , and the mony Spend to maintain thee . Trap. Honest Brunetto , faith An ere I can I will requite thee fully ; Farewell , I must also take my leave Of my Flametta ▪ we shall cry together Like unto School Boys that are to be whipt . Exit . Hora. Alas poor simple Trappolin , I pity Thy fortune , yet 't is better far then mine ; Of all mankind I am most miserable , And lead a life would make a soul prove mortal , Yet do I not repine : Most dear Prudentia , I never can endure enough for thee , So that at last I may attain my wishes : There 's not a grief mankind did ever suffer ▪ Nor pain , I would not pass to make thee mine ; Thou art the Centre of my wishes , all Horatio's thoughts upon thy beauty fall . Enter Prudentia . Prud. O Heavens , be merciful , and if I tell Him I am his , let him say he is mine ▪ I have a fire within my breast must out , Longer I cannot hide it , if he now Do's not wooe me , I shall solicite him . How sad a pace he walks ? how melancholy Do's he look ? Love compels us unto things In others we would scorn ; I 'le speak unto him , Because I fear he dares not unto me . Brunetto . Hora. Divinest Lady . Prud. I thought a Gentleman ( for so I guess you ) Could have endured affliction better far , That in the wars durst venter so his person . Hora. Most Excellent Princess , many thousand men Can suffer well the dangers of a battel , But there are few or none at all that can Bear out the passions of a mind afflicted . Prud. Then you are discontent : Alas , you long for Your liberty , and ( truth ) I cannot blame you . Hora. Then should I hate my self , being a slave to one Whom I desire evermore to serve . Ye that command the destinies of men , Now let me die , and if I shall not prosper : Know , Noblest Lady , that the prisoner That speaks unto you is a Prince by birth ; I am Horatio , second son unto The Duke of Savoy , and the Piemondt Prince ; At Mantoa the fame of your perfections Captiv'd my soul , and when that I was took , I did account my self a happy man , Being to go where you did live ; I know , Most dearest Princess , that I am unworthy So great a happiness as is your love ; Yet if you deny me , witness heaven , I never will return unto Turin , But here die languishing for your refusal . The Duke my father soon would pay my ransom , But thraldom for your sake I have esteemed Above liberty and pleasures of a Court. Prud. My thanks , most gracious heavens — Brunetto is A Prince , most worthy brave Horatio , I scorn to dally with my happiness , Like some that love to counterfeit their joys ; Know I do love thee dear as my own soul , And that if thou hadst now been silent , I My heart unto thee had disclosed , live happy , And if it in my power lies thou shalt . Hora. Doubt , fear , despaire be gone , I am a man That envy not the blessed lives of Kings ; Now she hath dain'd to say these happy words , I care not though all mankind threaten me . Most excellent and mercifullest Lady , Y 'ave raised me to a joy beyond my thoughts , May all the Gods requite you for this goodness , And I wear out my life to do you service . Prud. My dear Horatio enough , I doubt not Thy affections equal unto mine ; we will Love while we live , and may we dye forgotten When we do cease to love , say I not well ? Hora. Admired Princess , you out-speak me much , But never shall out-love me . Prud. Heavens be kind , And make us in two bodyes have one mind . Exeunt .

Finis Actus Primi .

Actus secundus & scena prima .

Enter Trappolin solus . Trap.

THis banish't life is very doleful , I walk I know not whither , and every step I go Flametta comes into my mind , I think how she cried when we parted , and swore that she would go too , and certainly so she wood , if I had not told her she was not banisht , and might not . Farwel my true Flametta ; and the Divel take the two scurvy Lords Barbarino , and Machavil , for Captain Mattemores he is a pratling asse ; but by my conscience , he could nere ha turn'd me loose for such a matter . Farwel my draughts of Montefiascone and Bologna Sausages , me thinks this is a very melancholy place : I have not seen a living body these two houres , but they had wings , or four legs : let me bethink me whither to betake my self ; for in Tuscany stay I must not , I de to Rome and turn Frier if I had any Latine in me ; there is nothing of Millain or Naples , without I mean to turn souldier for one dinner a day . Farwel all my good suppers I was wont to have , the wenches I helpt Gentlemen to : Venice , I that 's the likeliest place of all , and there I 'le follow my own trade , I love to be fingring of Mons , and Polax Ryals , well then I 'le to Venice , and turn pimpe ; it is a good gainful life in Italy , full of ease and pleasure , especially if the flesh be young and handsome . Methinks I hear a busling in yon trees , I hope it be not a thief ; for then I shall lose the ring Brunetto gave me , and may go hang my self . Yon 's an old man , an he be one I care not , for sure I shall be good enough for him .

Enter Mago a Conjurer . Mago .

Son , you are banisht , I know all the matter .

Trap.

T is true , old friend , I am indeed ; but how the Divel came you to know it ?

Mago .

Why the Divel told me .

Trap.

Alas that ere I was born ! I pray you father conjurer do not hurt me .

Mago .

Son Trappolin , I am so far from hurting thee , that thee I do intend to make a Prince .

Trap.

I pray you pardon me father conjurer , I have no mind to domineer or swagger in hell .

Mag.

You understand me not , thou shalt return to Florence .

Trap.

And be hang'd there for my labour .

Mago . Be honoured there , and be suppos'd the Duke , Who now in Milain is about his wife . Trap.

Faith if you can bring this about , father conjurer ; I should laugh indeed ; but suppose it could be done , when his Highness comes

Woe be to my neck .

Mag.

No fear at all , leave all to me , and but remember what I say and thou art safe .

Trap.

Faith I know not what to think of this ; but Conjurers can do much .

Mag.

I 'le do it never doubt , come near to me , within this circle go , and do not fear though thou seest divels skip about thee .

Trap.

Father Conjurer farewel , I had rather live in banishment then see the Divel .

Mago . Thou silly fellow do not fear , in this Myriades of fiends dare not , nor can they hurt thee ; Here thou shalt stand as safe from any danger As ever thou didst yet in any place . Think'st thou I have so little power over spirits , As they dare disobey what I command ? Tell me thy wish , and if thou hast it not , Before thy face I 'le sink away with fear . Give me thy hand and come . Trap.

Father conjurer , I faith I wish nothing more then what you have promised me already ; could that be done I need nere be a pander agen .

Mago .

Why do you stay ?

Trap.

Shall I be safe ?

Mago .

As free from peril as you can desire .

Trap. Why then I 'le venter , being for such a matter ; But honest father Conjurer , if for fear I chance To die , let not your divels take my body . Mago . Come , do not fear at all , there is no need . Trap.

I will venter , but I pray you let not the divels come too near me .

Mago . You that below frequent the Stygian lake , And in Cocytus waves do bathe yourselves , You that upon the strands of Phlegetov Do use to walk , attend unto my charmes , Appear , I charge thee to appear , thou fiend , Thou that over mans head power hast , appear Eo thou spirit come , — Trap. Good father conjurer Let not the Divels be too ugly , lest I play the sloven and annoy your nose . Mago . Fear not . Trap.

Honest Master Counjurer , yonder comes your Divel , pray you circle me once more , for I 'me afraid he 'l be too bold with me .

Mago . Not all the fiends that are in hell can do The least annoyance to thee , Trappolin : Thou art safe , and so believe thou art , come Eo Give me that hat unchanted . Eo . Here it is , Command me ought else . Mago . No , vanish now : Son Trap. observe me well , this hat Keep alwaies on thy head , 't is Eo cald , One of the things will make thee thought a Prince . Trap.

T is none of the handsomest , mine 's of a better block , I think some Naples Devil made it , t is so high crownd , ● one that saw me in this would rather think me a fool then a duke .

Mago . Meo thou spirit of magick glass appear , I charge thee in dread Plutoes name to come ; Trap.

More Devils yet ! is the Circle sure , Father Conjurer ? and t' be not I pray you take an order with it , I have no mind at all to venter my self against the Devil .

Mago . Have I not told thee thou art safe ? fear not , Trap.

Yonder 's another Devil I think of M●ran , for he brings a looking glass with him .

Mago . Deliver it , be gone . Trap.

I thank you for it , ( besworn ) for in good earnest father Conjurer I would have as little the company of your Devils as is possible .

Mago . But before I give you this mirrour ( Sonne ) Receive this powder by Magick art compos'd , And secret spells ; he upon whom thou flingest it ( It hath such hidden vertue in it ) will Be took by all for Trappolin . Trap.

For me ?

Mago .

Yes certainly for thee .

Trap.

Say you so ? why then I faith with all my heart : Give it me , I swear unto you ( old father ) the very best man in Tuskany shall be Trappolin .

Mago .

Here put it up and keep it safe .

Trap.

And I do not hang me .

Mago .

Now are you ready for the looking glass ?

Trap.

I am very ready indeed .

Mago . Son Trappolin , this looking glas● was wrought In the deep Caverns of the dark Abyse , I Compos'd of the mud of Phlegeton , And with the blood of tortur'd Miscreants , It is a Mirrour I have studied long And now have brought unto perfection : This upon thee I do bestow , a gift Such as the Crowns of Emperours could not buy . Trap.

And yet Father Conjurer , I have seen half a dozen better sold for a pistol .

Mago . They were the works of mortalls : When thou hast A cloke I le give thee two : but look in this And thou shalt see thy self the Duke ; and if , When he returnes agen , thou meetest him ( But throw the powder on him first ) and he Begins to rage , bid him look in 't , and it Will shew him the reflexion of thee . Trap. Say you so ? why then give me the glass . Mago . Here , stand still , I will now raise up the fiend That hath the Cloke which I have promised thee . Trap. Father Conjurer , as you love your son Trappolin , give me another Circle or two , for I promise you I fear this almost worne out , Mago . Still thou dost fear ; be bold and confident , Hell cannot hurt thee as thou standst . Trap. Why then let him come . Mago . In Proserpin's dread name our Soveraign Queen , Areto , I do , ●●●ge thee to appear ; Thus by th●croast of this enchanted Wand I do command thee fiend unto this place . Trap.

No more Father Conjurer , hold , here comes the Devil , he 's a Taylor in hell sure , for he brings a cloke .

Areo. Thou against whom fierce Cerberus dares not bark , Here is the Cloke , which , to obey thy will , We ( that thy servants are ) have made . Mago . T is well : Be gone , I licence thy depart ; this Cloke , Son Trappolin , doth perfect thee the Duke . Trap.

I know not , but on my conscience the poorest of his Highness servants near wore a worse , it seems to me to have been made of these miserable thefts of a beggerly Taylor , t' is of so many Colours ; and for the fashion of it ( by your leave Father Conjurer ) t is very clownish , and something inclining to the fools fashion .

Mago . Thy words , Son Trappolin , are vain . Those Counts And Marquesses that swagger it in Gold , Shall not appear so glorious to the eyes Of men as thou in this . Trap. Father Conjurer , I le be rul'd by you , put on . Mago . Thou art the great Duke now in shew , the wisest Judgements will believe thee so , now take the glass and see thy self in 't . Trap. Beseech your Highness pardon me , I am A poor subject of yours , for a small matter Banish't by envious Lords . Mago . Why Trappolin what folly is this ? Trap.

Besworne to you Father I thought I saw his Highness , and was a begging to be pardoned :

Mago . Away with ignorance , t was thy Reflexion , As thou didst seem unto thy self , so thou Shalt likewise to the world appear ; now mark me , Not one of these can make thee like the Duke ; They altogether do : nere leave them off Without thou art secure , for one but missing Thou wilt appear thy self : The Hat is cald After the Devills name that brought it , Eo , The Looking Glass Meo , the Cloke Areo , And there are fiends within them . Trap.

Father Conjurer , I thank you for your kindness , take all your ware agen ; carry so many Devills about me ? so I shall be sure to be carried to the Devil by um .

Mago . Suspect no hurt , they can as well destroy Their immortality as do thee harm . Trap.

Why then ( honest father Conjurer ) I le venter my self among them , but I swear unto you if they begin to stir I le ene fling them all away without more a do .

Mago . Farewell son Trappolin , return to Florence , And flourish in the pleasures of the court : Other affairs command me to be gone , Give me thy hand ; farewell son Trappolin . Trap.

Be not so hasty ( my dear old father ) one word before you go : how shall I say , that I bring not my Dutchesse with me , but come alone ?

Mago Why any thing , what you will . Trap.

I le make um believe then that I licenced her to stay as long as she pleases , and that I came alone to see how they governed in my absence .

Mago . 'T will do , now have you done with me ? Trap.

I have : I thank you for all your things here , fare you well honest father Conjurer .

Exit Mago . Trap. Now Trappolin is no more Trappolin , What I am in my glass I 'le look again : The great Duke , ha ! t is well , 't is very well ; This scurvy Cloak doth seem his gallant one , And this base Hat his Highness Beaver ; my face , My body , leggs and all seem changed ; I faith The Conjurer is a wondrous learned fellow . You scoundril Lords that banish't me , I 'le make Sport with your scurvy Honors , that I will . Eo , Meo , and Areo attend Unt ● your offices well , and guard your friend .

Scena Secunda . Enter Sforza the Duke of Milain , Hortentia the Dutchess , Isabella his sister , Lavinio the great Duke with Attendants . Sfor. Most noble brother ( for so the Temple Rites Of Hymen done do licence me to call you ) Honour our entertainment one half hour Longer , and we will leave you with your Bride . Lavinio . Great Prince , the glories you have done me here I leave to future Chronicles to tell , And still you do increase them ; sure no man In Milain ever did receive such honours ; You always shall command me . Sfor. Sir , we deserve no complements , we have Our wishes , if you but rest satisfied Of our good meaning . Lavinio . Most gracious Madam , the Roman Emperours Would have wondred at your Court had they but known it : Which of them all would not have blest his fates For the fruition of so rich a Beauty , As is the matchless Lady Isabella ? Isab . Sir , of your own you may say what you please , But I am sure you over-praise me much . La. Dearest of all the world , thou dost deserve Princes and Poets both to speak thy worth . Bless'd be the powers divine , that me of all Mankind did chuse to make most fortunate , In giving me the glory of the earth . Sfor. Sit down most noble brother , from your Bride We will not part you : sister , this place is yours ; So let them now begin . Enter Hymen , Luna , Mars , Mercury , Jupiter , Venus , Saturn , Sol , after Musick . Hym. Hither we are descended from above , To gratulate your nobly grounded love ; That you most worthy happy paire should know The Gods themselves are pleas'd with what you do . Me you have honoured , and to honour you , I have brought the Deities along , which do Command and rule the dayes , that they may bless You all the year with plenteous happiness . May Tuscanes Cities boast of Milains Spouse ; And future Ages , when they would compose One grac'd with all the vertues , her express To be a Lady like this Milaness . And may the most ingenious Florentines , Your Citizens ( Great Duke ) busie their minds In writing , and in singing Marriage-songs , Delectable Epithalamiums . While you do live love ever , and may you Continually your generous heats renew . Thus Hymen wishes , and it will go hard If what a god says gods do not regard . Thus I could spend the night , but that would prove A wrong unto my Rites and to your love . Here they dance , and Hymen leads it . Luna . Cinthia I am , that with my borrowed light Out-shine the Stars , and do command the night : Many a time , when else I vail'd would ride , I will appear to see you with your Bride . Lamps nor wax lights you shall not need , for I Instead of them will ever more be by . And may you in this life you have begun , Equal in love me and Endymion . Mars . Though my aspect be fierce , and wars presage , To you they shall be such as Lovers wage ▪ Sweet kisses , soft embraces , and such things As amorous Queens enjoy and amorous Kings . You therefore without pity both may fight Battailes , not full of danger but delight : And may they last until I part you two ; Which I do promise I will never do . Mer. Hermes I am , Maja's wing'd Son , and shine Among the Planets in a Globe of mine : And though 't is true I favour thefts and sleights , Yet will do none t' diminish your delights . Love therefore , laugh and kiss , embrace , and be Secure , nothing can hurt you without me ; And if I ever do , may I forgo My Sphere , and live among the fiends below . Iupit. Of all the Gods and Goddesses I am The most supreme , and bear the chiefest name ▪ For Love what is it that I have not done To bring my wishes to conclusion ? I for my self have done no more then I Will do for you , to make you live in joy . Therefore most happy pair of Lovers , fear Nothing , since Iove himself doth hold you dear ; Live merrily , and let this be your mover , That Iupiter himself was once a Lover . Venus . A Song . Since in my Orbe I shined fair , And Lovers did befriend , ( The morning and the evening Star ) I never could commend ( Heaven blessed paire ) none like to you , Whom time shall never make untrue . May Hesperus and Vesper lose Their lights , fair Venus fall ; If all her power she doth not use To prosper you withal . May other Dieties grant you life , I 'le make you loving man and wife . Sat. Though I am old and rigid in aspect , And cold and youthful sports do not affect ; And though my influences many ways Adverse to others be , and cross their days : For you , heaven-loved pair , my self I 'le force , And run a milder and a gentler course ; His ancient custome Saturne will forget , Rise for your pleasures , for your pleasures set . Doubt me not therefore , for my vow is strong , That for your sakes again I wish me young . Sol. Phoebus I am , the glorious guide of day , That all the Planets lighten with my ray : I am the brightsome , lightsome Charioter That heaven and earth adorn within my Sphere ; And know what 't is to be in love since I Followed my Daphne , who from me did flie . May I lose all my glory , all my Beams Fall like my Phaeton in t' Ocean streams , If all my faculties I do not try To make you live in joy , and love in joy . In Summer time when you in t' Arbors go , I will not shine to trouble you below , Will onely peep to see you kiss and smile , To make me think , this I have done ere while . In Winter season when the Frost doth stay , And hinder Rivers to go on their way ; When flakes of Snow do cover earths green face , I for your sakes will thaw off both apace . In pleasures evermore you shall accord ; Apollo cannot falsifie his word . Here they dance another dance which Hymen leads . Hym. The gracious Planets which command the days By powerful influences , you have heard To bless you both according to their ways , Vowing to be your keepers and your guard . Them for your sakes with me I brought along , That they might prosper you as well as I , Because this marriage knot I 'de tye so strong , That it there nothing ever should untie . You whom the heavens will prosper all your life , You whom on earth ther 's nothing can offend , Most happy pair , most happy man and wife , Your lives in love wear out and in love end . Nor shall a Poet hired for his gain , Vpon your Tomb a feigned verse engrave ; Mens tongues and tears shall make you both remain Above the power of an Epitaph . But may you live till you aweary be , Not of your selves , but of these earthly sports ; And the eternal joys above would see , Which ever are in joves immortal Courts . Thus unto you do gods their wishes give , And unto them may you according live . Exeunt Maskers ▪ Sfor. I think , Hortentia , now the Mask is done , Our brother gladly would go to his rest . Hort. And it is time , most noble brother , when You please we will attend you to your Chamber , And sister , we will see you laid in bed ; Methinks it is a very pretty thing To see a Virgin blush , look pale and blush . Isa. 'T is sport to others , to the Maid 't is none . La. Most excellent , Princess when you please let 's go , For now each minute is as tedious to me As years have been , so much I do desire The chast embraces of my matchless Spouse . Sfor. And worthy friend , let us entreat your stay As long in Milain as is possible ; You cannot be in Florence more beloved , Nor by the better nor the meaner sort . La. What I can do you know you may command Unto my utmost power . Hort. Lights . Lavi . My fairest , dearest love , your hand , this part Of happiness makes me suppose the rest . Exeunt .

Scena Secunda . Enter Mattemores . Matt. Those lazy times that do degenerate minds , And breed new thoughts in most Heroick hearts , By noble spirits are to be abhor'd , And lothed as the ruine of their souls . Whilst I did follow the Triumphant War Through fire and blood , I was a happy man ; I thought no pleasure was a parallel To the loud cry of mortal wounded foes : But now I am transformed from my self , Hipolita hath charm'd me with a look ; May I but hear her speak , how I rejoyce ▪ M ay I but hear her sing , I think me blest . O how my heart 's ashamed of my tongue , W hich never until now effeminate thoughts C ould win upon . O would to heaven this Lady W ere but a man , and circled round with death , That I might kill her , and release my self : Or were she like the Warlike Amazon , With whom renowned Theseus did contend , That with my honour I might challenge her For an enchanter , and a witch . How fondly And foolishly I rave ! strongest resolutions A womans powerful beauty doth destroy ; He that can conjure men , unpeople towns , Cover the sea with Fleets , drink rivers dry With armed squadrons he conducts to fight , Whom potent monarchs fear , and Emperors wish To make their friend , a Ladies smile , or eye Subdues above resistance , and makes die . Enter Horatio and Prudentia . Hora. Most dearest worthiest Princess , I am blest Above the proudest of my former wishes ; Your love to me was like a thing desired , But far from expectation : as men Forlorn and wretched , being content to die , And sure to suffer , wish to live , although , They fully do despair of life ; of late Even so was it with me , I lov'd you Above my lives expression , but did ever Despair the blessedness of such an honour . Prud. My dear Horatio , I cannot speak So well as you , but I can love as truly . Mat. A strange discovery ! I will retire More close and hear the rest . Pru. And 〈…〉 Sir , Because I know my brother the Great Duke Will not at all , or scarce allow this match , I will with you whensoever you command Leave Florence , and what fortune it shall please The Gods to send us , bear with cheerfulness . Hora. Excellent merciful Prudentia , I must pray Heaven make you a full requital , For I shall ever be unable . Prud.

I cannot stay longer with you now , at our next meating I 'le cloy you with my company . A kiss .

Farewel my hearts best pleasure . Exit Prudentia . Hora. Let others travel Italy all over , To talk of such a City , such a place : Go to magnificent and holy Rome , Once the sole Empress of the conquered world ; To Venice●i●h ●i●h , commanding , politick ; Unto sweet Naples plenteous in Nobility ; Unto great Milain ; unto sat Bologna , Civil Ferrara , Arriostoes town , Strong-walled Padua which Antenor built ▪ The Trojan Prince , and Titus Livius fames For his nativity and sepulchre ; To subtile Burgamo , most highly honoured For neer relation to Tarquato Tasso ; To proud and ●●a●ely Genua renown'd By her seafaring citizen Col●mbo ; Worthy Varona , old Catulius city ; Bloody Peruggin , warlike Bessia , Glorious Man●ua , Virgilius Maro's birth-place , Good Rimini , iron Pistoya , Fine languag'd Siena , and industrious Luca , Odd-humor'd Forly , honest old Ravenna , Ill-aired Simegallia , Capua Effeminate and amorous , wherein The Carthaginian Captains Souldiers were Spoil'd and debauch'd with pleasures ; Pisa hanging , Pesaro a garden of best fruits , Ancona Prays'd for the Port Loyal , and true Urbino , Round Ascoli ▪ long Recanati , built Upon a steep hills slage , Foligno full Of sugry streets , among the Ap●nnine , Faro for handsome women most extold , And Modena happiest of them all ▪ From beauteous comely Florence when I part Without Prudentia , thunder strike my heart . Exit . Mat. A gallant resolution ; for the man I cannot blame him , but the Princess , she To look so low , and dote upon a s●ive , Seems very strange , and full of wonder to me . Had Dolphian Oracles , ever ador'd For uttering truth , spoke this , I should have doubted : She whom we thought ? Saint●● pattern for Nunnes , Thus to forget her self , it doth amaze me . O women , I could rage against the sex ! And lov'd I not Hipoli●a I wo●ld . She cannot hear me , and I needs must speak A word or two , they are all false and fickle all , The poyson of mens happiness , within ( Though they are fair without ) most full of sin . Enter Barbarino and Machavil . Barb. Good morrow Captain Mattemores . Mac. How do you Captain ? Mat. Your Honours humble slave , I am well , but sad ; And so had all the Court good cause to be , Did they but know so much as I. Bar. Why Captain , What 's the matter ? Mat. I 'le not be silent for her Honours sake ; Prudentia the Princess is in Love , With whom do you suppo●e my Lords ? Mac. I think with none , for we all know , she yet Hath slighted Modena's and Parma's Duke , And seem'd careless of mankind . Mat. Alas ! She were most happy were it one of them : It is Brunetto she 's in love withall . Barb. How ? Mac. Impossible ! Mat. It is a thing most true , my eies and eares Have seen and heard it , while I stood unseen . Mac. You amaze us . Barb. It is a thing I never should have thought , Though spent my life in fond imaginations . Mat. As I have seen an amorons cloud receive A stately hil into her lovely breast , And of his lofty head our eyes bereave , And seem to lull his sences unto rest : So did the scorneful Lady daign to leave All her majestick state , and sore opprest With inward flames , her eager armes she cast About his neck , kist and embrac't him fast . Bar. Wonders . Mac. How the Great Duke will rage ? Mat. And do you not my Lords in time prevent them , They 'l steal away I fear , for so she vow'd , When he but said the word she wood . Mac. By his imprisonment we 'l hinder that . Enter Horatio . Barb. Here is the man we spake of . Mac. For the Princes honour let us keep it close As possible we can . You of the guard . Enter the guard . Barb. Seise on Brunetto , carry him to prison , Bid Puchannello keep him safe , T is our pleasures . Hora.

What violence is this ? O had I been suffered to wear a sword , some of you should pay dearly for it ▪

Mac. Away with him . Exeunt the guard with Horatio . Mat ▪ My Lords , you have done wisely to prevent So great a dishonour as might have ensu'd Tainted the family of the Medices , And been a lasting sorrow to the Duke . Enter Trappolin . Barb. His Highness is returned . Mach. Great Sir , upon our knees we welcome you ; You come unlookt for , we did not expect This happy time so soon by fourteen dayes . Where is our Dutchess ? Trap.

Your Dutchess will not come till the Gods know when , for I do not , I have gin her leave to stay as long as she will , but besworne I fear you have governed but s●●rvily in my absence ▪ I hear that you have banisht an honest poor man cal'd Trappolin ▪ is it true ?

Mach. So please your Highness he deserv'd no less . Trap.

Why what hurt had he done , had he knockt any body o th the head ?

What was his fault ?

Bar. He was a pander , and corrupted youth . Trap.

You lie Sirra not panders but whores do that , and not they neither if they be sound : banish one of my subjects for such a matter ? besides were there no more in Florence but he ?

Mac. Be not displeased we humbly pray your Highness , For we did think we did it for the best . Mat. I wonder at our Duke in this . Trap.

Well , I am very weary , I left all my train behind with my wife , and rid as fast as I could drive that I might come unlookt for the better to see now you behav'd your selves , which you have done bad enough . When I was almost at Florence a saucy Varlet rob'd me and stole my horse from me , so that I was beholding to my leggs to bring me hihither . Barberino and Machavil come you hither both of you .

Mach. What is your Highness pleasure ? Trap.

Sirra Barberino hold by Mach's breeches , and stoop , for on thy back I will ride to my Palace .

Barb. I le go fetch a Coach for your Highness . Trap.

The Devil take your Coaches , stoop I say without more ado : where is your obedience ?

Matte .

I think the Duke 's run mad , or foxt soundly at the least I know not what to think of this .

Trap.

You Sirra Don , run by my side , supply my Lackeys office , wonder not but obey .

Mach.

There is no remedy : heaven be merciful , I think his Highness run mad for fear when he was robd .

Trap. Now on and do not loyter : Thus like the Roman Emperours will I ride To triumph through Florence ; stumble not you had best , Chariots them carried , a Tuscan Noble me ; mine is the starelier and the braver way ; Eo , Meo and Areo thanks . Matte . He jeers us and miscalls us . Trap. On apace , That I may quickly be in my Palace . Exeunt Omnes .

Finis Actus Secundi .

Actus Tertius , Scena prima .

Enter Horatio in prison . Hora. UNto the man enthral'd black and obscure Is the clear beauty of the brightest day ; Through Iron Grates he only sees the light , And thereby doth increase his misery ; Those whom he doth perceive in joy to pass Augment his wretchedness , by making him To think that thus I lately was my self : But admirablest Lady of the world , Divine Prudentia , may I die abhor'd By all mankind , if I repine at all , Seeing for thy sake I do suffer this ; The exquisitest tortures curious inventions make , For thee I would think sports , and undergo ; Mayst thou live happily and free from care , And all my miseries of no moment are . Enter Trappolin . Trap.

Eo , Meo and Areo , faith you are all brave Devils all on you , and my father Conjurer an excellent fellow ; I love to see my self , Meo thou art not the work of Moran ; No , the Duke himself I seem . I now must learn to walk in state , and speak proudly , I le play such tricks with my Lord banishers , shall make me sport enough : banish a poor man for doing courtesies ! it is against the law of friendship , I am suppos'd a Prince , the Florentines acknowledge me the great Duke ; what ever I do tho never so bad passeth with approbation : poor Trappolin turn'd Duke ! t is very strange , but very true ;

Would the fates favour panders in this wise , He were a fool besworn would not turne pimp , Seeing Pandors Dukes become , he is an asse That may hav 't will let the office pass .

O me Brunetto , alas for thee man ! how camst thou there ? I think in my heart an there be a mischief in the world thou wilt be at one end orother on 't ,

So ho Pucchanello , Pucchanello ! Puch . Who calls : Enter Pucchanello . Trap.

That do I Sirra , let me Brunetto out presently , and bid him come to me .

Pucch . Your Highness pleasure shall be done . Ex. Trap.

Alas poor Brunetto ! marl what he has done to be lockt in such a place , I think in my conscience t is not for any Lechery , for I could never get him to 't , and many a time I have offered him many a good bit : Brunetto to come into the Jayle ! I cannot tell what to think of it , but be 't for what it will out he goes ; my good friend Brunetto who gave me a Ring shall not lie there ;

Honest Brunetto . Enter Brunetto Hora. Great Prince : Trap.

He makes a very low leg , but I will not be out-gone in courtesie ;

Dearest Brunetto .

Hora.

Your Highness doth forget your self exceedingly , I am your prisoner .

Trap.

My best friend good Brunetto .

Hora.

Beseech your Highness to remember your self .

Trap.

So I do but never must forget thee . I am glad to see thee in good health , dear Brunetto .

Hora.

I shall fall to the ground even now in this salutation ; beseech your Highness , I am your prisoner , your slave .

Trap.

I am thy servant Brunento .

Hora.

Wonders ! I am astonished ; upon my humble knees I do congratulate your safe and speedy return .

Trap.

And upon my knees I do embrace thee Brunetto , thou art an honest man ▪ my most sweet Brunetto .

Hora. I know not what to think , nor what to speak ; Beseech your Highness rise . Trap.

Not without thee , up Brunetto , honest Brunetto up I say .

Hora. Beseech your Highness , I am your humble slave . Trap.

I am thy servant Brunetto , and as long as thou liest on the ground so will I too ; up therefore , let us rise and talk , away with your complements ; I cannot abide them , up I say , le ts rise ; thou shalt not stay I swear .

Hora.

I am amazed , by force I must obey : Great Sir , I know not what to think , you honour me above all expression .

Trap.

Honour a fig , I love thee Brunetto , thou art a good honest fellow , I love thee with all my heart : Complement with me , and I will be very angry ; without more ado I tell thee I love thee . Puchanello so ho !

Sirra Puchanello , bring two chairs hither presently .

Hora.

Your Highness .

Trap.

Away with Highness , I say away with it , call me Lavin Duke , plain Medices , I cannot abide your Highness , your Excellency , your Worship . I hate such idle slimflams , dear Brunetto , how I love thee I faith I do with al my heart , and if I lie unto thee I would I might be hang'd .

Hora. Sure I am awake , this is no dream . Trap.

We will live merrily together , I faith we will Brunetto , how glad I am to see thee in health ! come Sirra , what a while ha you been a bringing a couple of chairs ! set them here Sirra and be gone .

Exit Pucchanello .

Brunetto , sit thee down , sit down man I say .

Hora. I will attend your Highness on my knees . Trap.

Why I am not thy Father , am I ? leave fooling and sit thee down , that we may talk together , sit thee here I will have it so ,

Hora. I am astonisht , I humbly pray your Highness . Trap.

Pray me no praying , but sit thee down , sit thee here man .

Brunetto be rul'd .

Hora. On the right hand , I know not what to think ▪ Trap.

I am something aweary Brunetto , and will not not sit without thee , therefore I pray thee make me stand no longer ; obey , me for I am the Duke .

Mora. Here then so please your Highness . Trap.

Why an thou wilt have it there , there let it be , but I am mistook thats on the left hand , what do you think me a clown and without breeding , that I ha no more manners in me ? for shame of the world , sit thee down Brunetto , sit thee down & without more bidding , without thou wilt ha me lie on the ground , for I am so weary I can scant stand .

Hora. There is no remedy , I must obey . Trap.

So , well done , sit still man , what art doing , art afraid of me ?

Hor. What does your Highness mean ? Trap.

Marry and thou drawst back I le draw back too ; Brunetto sit thee still and let us talk .

Hora. I will obey your Highness . Trap.

Highness me no more highness , I cannot abide it , my name is Lavin , call me Lavin Duke , and t is enough a conscience .

Hora. Great Sir , I am far unworthy of these honors , The noblest Florentines would be most proud To be thus graced by their Prince . Trap.

I like not these set speeches neither , let us talk as we were companions in a Tavern together , and notafter the Court fashion , I am as weary of it as a Dog , I am Brunetto ; prithee man how cam'st thou into the Gaol ?

Hora. O pardon me Dread Soveraign . Trap.

On thy knees man ? what meanest thou by this , dost take me for Mahomet ? as well as I can pardon thee I do , any thing what ere it be , though thou hast kil'd every body ; rise therefore I say Brunetto , and set thee in thyplace again or I le kneel too .

Hora. Most merciful Prince , hear me before , lest you Repent your kindness towards me afterward . Trap.

Up I say Brunetto , up , I pardon thee any thing , upon condition thou wilt rise and sit thee down .

Hora. It is your Highness will . Trap.

Now good Brunetto without any fear ( for I swear unto thee I do not care what thou hast done , and forgive thee whatsoever it be ) tell me the cause .

Hora. Dread Soveraign , I was for love put in . Trap.

Who put thee in ?

Hora.

Your Highness Governors , Lord Barberino , and Lord Machavil .

Trap.

They are a couple of Coxcombs for their pains ; who art in love withal ?

Hora.

O pardon me .

Trap.

Sit still or I will not , and if thou dost I will .

Hora. Your Highness Excellent sister — O great Prince ! Trap. Sit still Brunetto , wast thou laid up for that ? Alas for thee , hast thou married her ? Hora. So please you Highness no. Trap.

It doth neither please my Highness nor Lowness neither , I wo'd thou hadst , and that 's all the hurt I wish thee : co ldst thou think I that loved thee so would be angry with thee for this , hast thou her consent ?

Hora. I have . Trap.

I am very glad of it , and I here give thee mine too : prethee Brunetto do me the favour to go and bid Barberino or Machavil come to me , I 'le send for my sister presently , and if she says so to me , I 'le soon have you married .

Hora. You Highness shall command me to my death , More willingly unto my life , for so This business doth importt ; he heavens be praised , And ever be propitious to you , bless you According to your own and my desires . Exit . Trap.

This Brunetto is a good honest fellow , and hath always behaved himself very well , and whatsoever he be I 'le give him Prudentia for the Ring he gave me , I will not be ungrateful ; he said he was in love with my sister , and if he had them all , I wo'd een say much good do his heart with them ▪ but he means the Princess , and though I have little to do with her , yet if I can give her him I will , Brunetto's Ring I shall never forget .

Enter Machavil . Mac.

Your Highness pleasure .

Trap.

My Highness pleasure , Sirra Lord , is , that you go and tell my sister Prudentia I would speak with her presently , I will expect her here : be gone .

Exit .

The Dukes life is very pleasant , I take great content in it , and were it not for one thing I were most happy , which is , I dare not disclose my self to my dear Flametta , for she is a woman , and full of title tatle as the rest are ; nor if I could win her without making my self known , durst I lye with her , by reason of putting off Eo , Meo , and Areo ; otherwise sure I should get her ; for sure she would not refuse a Duke .

Enter Flametta . Flametta . Here is the Duke alone , whom I so long Have sought for to petition for the repeal Of my dear Trappolin . Great Prince , as low As truest humility can make a Suitor ; Before you I prostrate my self ; Most excellent And merciful Sir , pitty a loving Maid , Who is bereaved of her joys ; I beg Poor banish't Trappolin might be recalled , Whom ( when your Highness was to Milain gone , ) Was by those cruel Lords whom you did leave Our Governors , sent into banishment . Great Duke , you that have noble thoughts , and sure A heart full of commiseration , Kill me not with a cruel hard denial . Trap.

Ah Eo , Meo , and Areo , hinder me ! I must counterfeit with her ; fair Maiden rise .

Flam. O let me kneel ( Great Sir ) until you say My Trappolin shall be repeal'd . Trap.

Rise I say , & we will talk of it ; I cannot abide to see any body kneel unless they are in the Church that have leggs to stand on : how may I call you Maiden ?

Flam.

So please your Highness , my name is Flametta .

Trap.

Mris. Flametta , I say give me your hand , rise without more ado , rise without you mean to say your Beads over ; Mris. Flametta be rul'd , good Mris. Flametta be rul'd , wo'd I were hanged i● ever Trappoline come home and you get not up ; up I say therefore .

Flam. I must be most rude . Trap.

Why that 's well done Mris. Flametta : Trappolin for whom you are a petitioner , young Mistris , is banish't you say , for what it matters not , tell me what you 'l give for his repeal .

Flam. Even any thing I have , all that I have . Trap.

Are you a Virgin ? tell me true , if you are not ▪ it is no wonder besworn , it is more wonder by the half if you are , for I think there be not two of your age in the City that be .

Flain . May I not prosper in my wishes Sir , If I be not a Maid . Trap.

And will you give your Maidenhead to have him recal'd from banishment ?

Flam. To him when he comes home , and we are married . Trap.

Well said Mistress , But tell me now what will you give me for to have him come home ? —

Flam. Even any thing I have . Trap.

I am a great man , and like them , will not do favours for nothing ; will you give me your Shoos ?

Flam. My Shoos ! your Highness jests . Trap.

I swear unto you ( Mistriss ) but I do not , and if you do not give me what I ask ( how ridiculous soever it seems to you ) Trappolin nere comes in Florence again .

Flam. I wonder at the Duke , but will obey him ; Here are my shooes dear Prince . Trap.

Well done I say , but I must have your Stockings too off with them therefore without any more arguing .

Flam.

My Stockings with all my heart to have my Trappolin .

Trap.

Very well done Mrs Flam. you do very well , give me your gown too ; Do not wonder , these will do nothing without it .

Flam. Then shall your Highness have it . Trap.

I see you love that fellow well , 't is well done of you , I think he be an honest man , which makes me the willinger to yield to his repeal ; I say I must have that Petticote too , else all this is not worth a rush i'faith .

Flam.

I think the Duke's mad — And will you give me then your Highness word ?

Trap. I will . Flam. I cannot help it , here it is . Trap.

I swear unto thee , young Wench , give me thy under Petticote and thy Smock , and I will give thee my word , and send for him presently to night● this Wench makes me curse Eo , Meo , and Areo.

Flam. Most excellent Sir , there is not in the world The thing that in my power lies I wo'd Deny to do for my dear Trappolin , But modesty forbids me to do this . Trap. I shall not have them then ? Flam. I beseech your Highness pardon me . Trap.

I am very sorry I could not see her naked , but it cannot be help't ; well how many kisses wil you give me my young Mistriss ?

Flam. Kisses ? Most Gracious Prince , a thousand and a thousand times . I 'le kiss your hand upon my humble knees . Trap.

I have no pleasure in that : how many kisses upon lips will you give me ?

Flam.

For Trappolins sake , I 'le do any thing that modesty will give me leave ; do what you please Sir .

Trap.

Ah honey sweet Flametta , how I love thee ▪ prithee kiss better : dear lips ! I could almost wish Eo , M●o , and Areo i' th' fire ; again , again , again , sweet Flametta .

Flam. Shall Trappolin come home ? Trap.

Do but let us kiss , and thou shalt have any thing .

O me ! what a misery 't is to be a great man ? again , again Flametta , Trappolin shall come home .

Flam.

I am aweary .

Trap.

So shall I never be ; again , again .

Enter Prudentia . Flam. The Princess , your Highness sister : You have gin your word . Trap.

Young Mistress , I have not leisure to answer you now , come to me some other time , and I 'le talk with you further : now take up your things and be gone .

Flam.

I am assur'd I shall prevail : heavens guard your Highness .

Exit . Prud. Now I expect my brothers rage , for sure ( Though nere so secret kept ) my Love unto My dearest Horatio by some uncouth means Is known : say what he will , or can , I am Resolv'd , and my affection 's setled . Trap.

Fair Lady , come hither , you are my sister , are you ?

Prud. I am your sister and servant Sir . Trap.

Complement with me no more then I complement with you ; good Madam sister sit you down , I would talk with you a little .

Prud.

He talkes as though he were distracted . I obey you Sir .

Trap.

T is well done , good Lady sister .

Prud. I never saw my brother thus before ; Sir , I am exceeding glad to see you

Return'd in safety out of Lombardy ; but should have been more joyful had you brought your Dutchess with you .

Trap.

She 'l come soon enough nere fear 't ; but sister , I must be something brief , for I am a hungry ; as soon as I came home I saw Brunetto in the Gaol , who after many circumstances and fears , told me 't was for love of you that he was put there ; tell me sister Prudentia , do you love him ? I 'le besworn the man is a good honest fellow , if you have a mind to him I 'le give you my consent with al my heart : I vow as I am an honest man , and the Duke , I do not jest .

Prud. Most worthy brother , thanks ; I do confess I love Brunetto , and were very guilty Of cruelty if I did not ; for he Loves me I know as his own happiness : Nor , Sir , have I plac'd my affections Unworthy ; Brunetto is a Prince , His name is Horatio , and he 's second son Unto the Duke of Savoy ; for my sake He chang'd his name and lives a prisoner . Trap.

How 's this ! is Brunetto a Prince ? you love him Lady sister you say .

Prud. Most truely Sir I do . Trap. Are you content to marry him ? Pru. I do desire no greater bliss on earth , So that your Highness will consent thereto . Trap.

Lady sister , here is my hand , I am content i'faith , without more words I am .

● am an hungry now , and would be brief , sister mine I say marry him when you will , beshrew my heart and I be not content ;

I had rather you had him then any man in the world .

Prud. I know not what to think , he 's strangely chang'd . Trap.

Let this suffice Madam sister ; I am very hungry I say , have you any good store of meat in the house ? I could eat soundly now sister of a dish of Sausages : come Lady sister , le ts to dinner , be gone , I have a good stomach as I am an honest man .

Exeunt .

Scena secunda . Enter Mattemores . Mat , I that have led a life until of late In spite of death , pass'd through the dangers of it Dreadless without regard ; whom never men Conducted by brave Captains to the field , Did yet withstand , am won and vanquished : Hipolita , heroick Amazon , In Love hath conquered me with amorous smiles ; Methinks it is a thing most full of wonder , That what not massie pikes , nor murtherous guns Could ever do , a Ladies smiling eyes , The beauty of a timorous woman should ; Her eyes have darted fire into my breast , Which nothing but her kindness can extinguish , And be she cruel I shall soon be ashes . Do I thus yield ? shall I forget the sound Of martial Drums , the warlike noise of Trumpets , To list to the lascivious harmony Of instruments touched by Hipolita's hand ? Shall I forget the ordering of a Camp , To ride great horses , to besiege a city , To undermine a Castle , to raise Bulwarks , All for the love of a fair fearful woman ? It must be so ; these legs that wont to lead Arm'd men to battel , I must use in dances : This hair that us'd to be covered with a helm , Cloggy with sweat and blood , I now must powder : These hands that wont to wave a dreadful sword , Instead of iron gauntlets now must wear Perfum'd gloves : I that had wont to be Under the Chirurgions hands to cure my wounds , Must have a barber now to keep me neat : O Love ! thou art divine , and canst transform A man from what he was : it is in vain To think to shun the thing thou dost constrain . Enter Hipolita . Hipol . I. T is idleness that is the cause We lose our liberties : The busie Cupid never drawes To yield unto his vice . 2. Away with love , it is a thing I hope I nere shall know ; When many weep so I shall sing , Have joy while they have woe . 3. The happiness of love is poor , Compar'd to liberty ; Blest lovers do hard things endure , Their pleasures to enjoy . 4. May I live ever as I do Free from that foolish pain ; I wish that no man may me woo , Until I love again . Mat. O Heavens , is thus her mind compos'd ! if I Can win this Lady , it will be a conquest Deserves a Trophie far above my best Of Victories , I will go trie her : hail Glory of Italy , compar'd to whom The fam'd Egyptian Queen would yield , sweet Lady , Most excellent Hipolita vouchsafe To hear me tell your conquest and my foile ; Whom the Great Dukes greatest foes could never vanquish , Your powerful beauty hath ; know Mattemores , ( Whose valour Spain not only doth report , But Mantoa hath prov'd your matchless eyes Transcendents of the brightest lightest stars ) Have wounded fatally unto the heart , Unless you prove as kind as you are fair . Hip. Do you jest with me Captain ? Mat. My hearts delight , sweet centre of my thoughts , I vow by your rich beauty , if my heart Could speak , it would agree full with my tongue , I would tell my lover more then I can express . Hip. What ill fortune , good Seignior , you have had , To fall in Love with one deserves it not , Nor doth not care for you ? and I do hope I nere shall bear affection unto man . Mat. Patience assist me mightily ; not all The murtherous canon bullets I have heard Fly buzzing by my ears , nor dismal cries Of dying souldiers , nor the horrid noise Of rough tempestuous seas have ever mov'd me , Onely your harsh unkind reply hath struck Unto my very soul . Hip. I cannot help it ; Had you now , Captain been abroad it 'h field , This nere had happened to you ; and to cure you The field will be the best ; go to the wars , Busie your self in fights , and you will soon Forget you ever saw Hipolita . Mat. Most cruel fair one , be assur'd that ere I would forget you ( which I know's a thing For me impossible to do ) I would Into oblivion cast my best of pleasures , Even all my pleasures , I would forget to use My sword , and all the Militarie science ; Witness triumphant Son of Iove , Great Mars , I vow by all the Honours of a souldier I love thee dear as mine own heart , but this Admirable Lady much above it : Nor do I displease thee in 't , I know that thou Preferd'st the embraces of the Cyprian Queen Above the glorious battels of the field . Therefore ( dear Lady ) be most confident While I have memory , above all things , Your beauty will be fixed in 't . Hip. Good Seignior , Trouble me not to answer you agen ; Let this suffice , I wish you lik'd me not , Because I neither would have you nor any To love a woman will not return affection . Mat. O Heavens ! Will you continue thus obdurate ever ? Hip. Alwaies believe it Captain . Mat. I have not patience to contain my self ; An angry cloud full fraught with thunder bolts Work't by the Cyclops on Campagnia's Stithy , Now hanging ore my head , menacing death , Presaging speedy sad destruction , Could not compel my silence , 't is decreed By my adverse malignant stars that I Shall die destroy'd by a fair cruel woman ; Which ere I do , I will a little ease My troubled heart of woe : heare merciless woman : ( Whom I do curse because I love so dearly ) Hear me , and afterwards go glory that Your wondrous beauty , and your savage heart Hath made a man distracted , kild a souldier . Hip.

A Captain and be thus mov'd by a womans refusal !

Mat. Sweetest Hipolita , be merciful , and save His life that honours you above the world . Hip. Pray you Seignior be answered . Mat. You are resolv'd then to ruine me : Curs'd be those battels all that I have fought And conquer'd in , t 'had been more honour for me To have been slain by my incensed foes Which were brave souldiers , then to die in peace By the unkindness of a proud fair woman . Hip.

Beseech you leave your rage , and leave me Captain .

Mat. More cruel then Hyrcanian Tigers , hear Me take my leave before I go . Hip. Proceed . Mat. Thou God of love , and if thou art a God Revenge thy self and thy wrong'd deity On this unmerciful Lady ; make her fall In love with the basest of all mankind , A man so full of ignorance , that he In shape alone may differ from a beast , Not know that she is fair and slight her beauty ; And he himself the most deformed thing That ever burthened our mother earth With his unworthy steps : Cupid attend , And yield unto my just request ; make this Lady run mad for such a monster , shed A thousand thousand tears upon her knees , While he stands laughing at her : may you die Raging for love , Hipolita as I. Hip. I do begin to pity him ; sure I never Shall have a man to love me better , and though I once intended alwaies to live single , His words have altered my resolution : Nor , if I take him , shall I do a thing Will misbecome me , for he is a man High in the Great Dukes favour . Noble Captain , It is your happy fate to conquer alwaies ; I vow unto you by my honour , I think Most seriously , no man upon the earth Besides you could have won ; I 'me the last Of all your victories , Theseus like you have Overcome Hipolita . Mat. And will you love me then ? Hip. I do and alwaies will . Mat. Blest be the stars that shin'd at my nativity , I want words to express my joyes ; but dearest Lady , My sweet Hipolita , my forward actions Shall make you know my heart above my tongue ; I am a souldier , and was never wont To speak amorously . Hip. You have said enough . Mat. Love is but thought by words , by deeds t is known ; Shew me you love me , and let words alone . Mat. Worthiest of Ladies , when I cease to do All that I can , then may your love cease too . Exeunt .

Finis actus Tertii .

Actus Quartus , Scena prima .

Enter Barbarino & Machavil . Bar. HE cannot counterfeit so much . Mac. I know not , But if he do not surely he is mad ; What wild phantastick things he does , and talks Of Eo , Meo , and Areo , names Unheard i' th the Court before ! Bar. Some Milain Counts I warrant you he means by them . Mac. The strangest thing of all is the release Of Brunetto , and his extraordinary love unto him , Whom he hath caused richly to be clothed . Bar. And useth him as if he were his better . Enter Horatio . Mac. Yonder 's the man we talk of ; what a change We see ! A prisoner but lately lockt up safe , And now to be the wonder of the Court. Hor. Next Eo , Meo , and Areo , the Duke Doth swear he loveth me ; but who those are I cannot tell nor learn : my Lords , good day , Saw you his Highness lately ? Bar. No sir . Hora. You speak as tho you were displeased . Mac. We are not well contented Sir . Hor.

The Duke is noble , utter your grievances to him .

Bar. So we will Sir . Enter Trappolin Mac. And now Sir , Know worthy Prince we are your loyal subjects , And what we say is for your honour . Trap. If it be for my honour I le hear you , But be as brief as you will . Mac. Your Highness hath lately released Brunetto . Trap. T is a thing very certain . Mac. We doubt not but done out of clemency , Not knowing why he lay there . Trap. Well , why was he put there ? Mac.

Even for your Honour sake ( most Gracious Sir ) The Lady Prudentia your sister loves him .

Trap. Say you so ? So ho Puchanello , So ho ! Puch . Who calls ? ( Within . ) Bar. His Highness ; come hither presently . Trap.

Bid the guard enter .

Enter Puchanello and the Guard .

You say Brunetto was put in prison because my sister lov'd him , you think it good and fitting he were there again .

Bar. So please your Highness , yes . Trap.

Puchanello take me these two Coxcombly Lords into your Custody ; they are never well but when they are banishing some body , or doing some mischief or other : Brunetto was laid in prison because my sister lov'd him , and lay me these there because I love them .

Mac. Beseech your Highness not to deal so hardly With us whom you have known so faithful to you . Trap.

Puchanello , away with them I say : you of the Guard see them in .

Bar. Most worthy Prince be merciful , if we Have done amiss t was out of ignorance . Trap.

Sirra rogue away with them , or I le lay up you too .

Puch . Your Honours must have patience and walk . Mach. There is no remedy . Bar. The heavens be merciful to Florence ; What ill malignant starre hath so depriv'd Our wise and noble Duke of all his reason , That he remembers not who are his friends ? Ex. Hor. The Gods be ever most propitious ; Great Sir , unto you , and continue long Your life , chief honour of the Medices . Trap.

Prince Horatio I am your servant , I pray you forgive me my calling of you by your nick-name of Brunetto ; my sister hath told me you are the Son of the Duke of Savoy , besworn unto you I am very sorry I have not used you as befitted you , but it was your fault that told me not who you were : I have talked with Prudentia , and she loves you she saies , which I am glad on , and I le marry you as soon as you will

Hor. Sir , it is true I am Horatio , Son of the Piemond Prince ; but being his second , I durst not think me worthy of such honours As your Highness hath do ne me ; and therefore told None but your beauteous sister who I was . Trap. Enough my friend ; and Prince Horatio , Could you suppose I would deny my sister , Though she were made of Gold and precious stones , Unto your Highness , and to such a friend ? You do deserve a better wife then she ; She 's not half good enough for you , and if I had another sister , you should have them both . My friend a Prince ! I 'm very glad i' faith , But sorry that I did not know you such , That I might have done you right : wood I were hang'd If you are not far a better man then I. Hora. Great Prince , you do forget your self . Trap.

Your Highness must pardon me , I do remember my self well enough , yet Eo , Meo , aad Areo , have made me something proudish , but howsoever I am your servant , Prince Horat. i' faith I am your very dutiful servant : how sa you now , the Duke of Savoyes son ! i' faith I am your poor servant Lavin the Duke of Florence .

Hora. I am amaz'd ; he 's mad : Beseech your Highness leave , I pray you Sir . Enter Mattemores the Spanish Captain with petitioners . Trap.

What have we here now , do's the Captain bring us Morris-dancers ? what lobs are these tro ?

Mat.

So please your Highness , being importun'd much these I have brought before you , that you might , do justice .

Trap.

Captain Mattemores , justice I 'le do with all my heart , but execution let do who will for me .

Calfshead . Great Duke of Tuscany , vouchsafe to hear me , For what I speak is out of conscience ; This fellow Mr. Bulflesh a Butcher , I saw Verily with mine own eyes even yesternight ( When he was drunk ) to kill my man , which he Swore was good Beef , and he would sell it dear . Bulf.

Sirra Puritan you are a base scoundrel , was not I drunk in your company to make you merry ?

Calfes .

But Mr. Bulflesh , you do know , and that full well , that I praied you on my knees for your own souls sake to drink no more , and profess'd to you that it was a great abominable sin in you to fox your self , or be foxed .

Bulflesh .

Goodman Calfeshead , you are a base scurvie Companion ; do you not know that for your sake I killed your man , ( yet I meant but only to beat him soundly ) because he pour'd not the wine into your Codpiece ? did not I do it out of friendship unto you ? did I not you puritan you , and you to complain ? O the ingratitude of Puritans !

Trap.

Peace both of you . Master Puritan hold your tongue I say : wil not Calfeshead be drunk Bulflesh ?

Bulf.

So please your Highness no , he will let a man sooner hang him then make him drunk ; Besides , he is a fellow of strange opinions , and hath sent his sonne to Geneva , to hear Iack Calvin preach . He stole a Surpless to make his Amorosa a Smock of ; and hath writ a paultry Book against the Bishops , printed at Amsterdam in Decimo sexto . He will lie and steal without comparison ; is both for Boyes as well as Queans when he hath mony ▪ And like a true Italian Hypocrite , is for any sin or mischief but our Drinking .

Trap.

Then know I very well how to do justice : Mr. Calfeshead , you say the Butcher kild your man when he was fox't , be you fox't when you will and then kill him for'● ▪

Calf .

Heavens defend , I nere was drunk yet , and never will be .

Hora.

There is mad justice ; he doth increase my wonder .

Calfs .

Bless me , murther ! I would not do it for the world .

Mat.

This is strange justice , the Butcher doth very wel deserve to be sent into the Gallies at Ligorn .

Trap.

I have done with you Mr. Puritan , you may be gone to the Tavern ; and Bulflesh you may get you to the Shambles as soon as you will , for I have no more to say to either of you .

Exeunt Calfsheead & Bulflesh .

I am ready for the next ; speak therefore .

Barne . Most excellent Prince , pity a childless father ; As yesterday my only Sonne did walk Under an house , this fellow Gaffer Tiler , Who was a working on it , did fall down Upon my son , and kil'd him with his fall . Tiler .

Mr. Barne be not so eager , you know I bore your son no malice , and that it was a hundred to one I broke not my own neck .

Trap. This is an easie matter to conclude ; Friend Barn , you say this Gaffer Tiler Fell off a house , and so did kill your son ; I will be very upright in my justice , Go you upon the house from whence he tumbled , ( And he shall stand beneath ) and fall on him . Mat.

And the Duke be not stark mad , I am to think him so .

Barn . So I may break my own neck . Hor. He strangely is distracted . Trap.

Neighbour Barn , get you about your business , for I have done with you .

Barn . I must have patience . Exeunt Barn and Tiler . Trap.

Now let me make an end with these , and I have done .

Mrs. Fine . Daign , Noble Duke , to hear my just complaint , I am a poor and an unfortunate widow ; This man Dick Whip , as the other day he drove His coach , run over a little child of mine That was playing in the street , and kild it . Trap. Sirra Whip , is this true ? Whip . So please your Highness I confess it is . Trap.

It doth not please me , nor displease me , for I neither did it , nor was the child mine .

Whip .

It was against my will , a thing of chance , Mrs. Fine cannot deny it .

Trap. Mrs. Fine , you are a widow you say ? Mrs. Fine . A poor unhappy one I am . Trap.

You say that Whip the coachman hath kil'd your child ; and how he did it I have understood .

This is my justice , I will do you right ; Whip shall lie with you untill he get you another . Mat. Madder and madder . Hora. I cannot choose but smile . Whip .

Most willingly , so please your Highness I am well content to do her that satisfaction .

Mrs. Fine .

You shall be hang'd first , that you shall , is thus my expectation fail'd ?

Trap.

Mrs. Fine be rul'd , I will have justice done , Whip shall lie with you ; you may marry him and you will : he kil'd your child , and he shall get you another , I say but right , and Sirra Whip look unto 't , and you play the bungler and fail , you shall to Ligorn and learn to row : Mrs. Fine be contented , and you do not like him you might have held your tongue , for I know no body that sent for you , and so get you both gone .

Whip . The Heavens preserve your Highness . Exeunt . Trap. My friend and Prince Horatio , go unto My sister , bid her to prepare her self , I 'le have you married within this day or two ; I long to see you both in bed together . Hora. Most willingly I will do such a message , The Gods preserve you happily . Exit . Mat. A strange discovery if true . Trap.

Seignior Captain , I say I have done very good justice , and in a little time too , I am not like your scarlet coats that will do nothing without mony ; a company of fellows they are whose beards and hearts agree not together .

Mat.

Your Highness doth dispatch things very soon .

Trap.

Though I am the Duke yet I love to do no hurt , as other men in authority would , I hate to banish men as Machavil and Barb. ha done : alas poor Trappolin , I hear they have banisht an honest poor man cald Trap. what the Divel Seignior Mat. came in their heads to send a poor fellow away out of his country without any money ? though men may sometimes gather a reasonable Sallet abroad , he shall get no oyle to eat it withall .

Mat. Great Duke of Tuscany , our noble Master , That Trap. of whom your Highness speaks , Had little fault in him , ( good faith ) at all Saving he was a most notorious coward . Trap.

Why you Don of guns or pikes , do you think every mans mind is given to the wars ? Trap. was addicted to the peace , a poor fellow full of courtesies ; one that will never deny to do a favour for a friend ▪ I will have a little sport with my Don of the wars ; O me , Sir Captain , look yonder : Eo , Meo and Areo , I will put you off for a while , I will try some conclusions .

Mat. Your Highness ! wher 's the Duke gon I marle ; What Trappolin , art thou come again ? Faith many a wench in Florence will be glad ; Follow thy old trade , be a Pander still . Trap.

Seignior Captain I am your humble slave , and if I can do you any kindness at any time , i'faith Don Mathemores you shall command me — and if you have but a mind to any Beauty in Florence , pay but me well for my pains , and her well for hers , and I will not fail you ; and Captain I can give you a delicate poyson to dispatch any enemy with whom you dare not fight .

Mat. I see thou art resolv'd to be a rogue , T is pity that his Highness did repeal thee ; Next time I see him , sirra Pimp , I will Make suit to have you sent into Ligorn . Trap.

You Spanish coxcomb , go hang your self , do your worst .

Mat. Wer 't thou a souldier I wood fight with thee , Being a rogue thou dost deserve my foot ; Take this you rascal . Trap.

I will presently be out of his debt — who 's yonder ? it is the Duke or I am deceiv'd ; Eo , Meo , and Areo , on agen , my hat , my glass , and cloke , sit close : how now sirra Captain , where are your manners ? what do you think of me , who am I tro ? I am not your Lieutenant am I ? stoop and take up your hat , and let me see if it will not become your hand as well as your head in my presence .

Mat. I did not see your Highness . Trap.

Will you lie too ? take that and learn to speak truth .

Kicks him . Mat. Most Noble Prince , and my most royal Master , Pardon the error which unwillingly I have committed ; in Tuscany there lives not A man that freelier for your sake would lose His life then I. Trap. Well , get you gone , I do Forgive you ; but my Don at armes , remember The Duk 's to be observ'd , he is the man That doth maintain you . Mat. And most worthy Prince , Did but occasion shew it self , I would Venture and lose my life to do you service . Exit . Trap.

And my Father Conjurer would come into Florence , I would make him the next man unto my Highness ; he is a good man , and it is great pity that he should go to the Divel , as they say Conjurers and Witches do : well , I am a brave fellow , I love to see my self in my glass , I am the Duke ifaith , the very Duke , I see me .

Enter Flametta . Flam. I will go and petition him agen . Trap.

My rogue Flametta , I could kiss her to pieces , bite off her lips , and suck out her eyes I love her so well .

Flam. The great Duke of Tuskany the gracious heavens Prosper your Highness ever , I am the same That lately did intreat for the repeal Of my Beloved sweetheart Trappolin : Most excellent Sir , pity my earnest suit , And let me have my Trappolin recal'd . Trap.

This is a very precious villain , how she loves me ! and I ever marry while I am a Duke by Eo , Meo and Areo's leave I will have her , — your name little maid , is Flametta , as I remember ?

Flam ▪ So please your Highness , yes . Trap.

You sue to have banisht Trappolin come home ?

Flam. Most humbly , most excellent Sir , I do . Trap.

Well 't is all as please Eo , Meo and Areo , I can do nothing witho t them , and ( my young Mistress ) as long as they are in authority , I can do little for you .

Flam.

Then by your Highness leave , do I wish Eo , Meo , and Areo in the fire .

Trap.

Methinks they should be enough in that already , for the Divel made them all ; now I think well on 't , sometime when I have good opportunity I will off with my things and have a little sport with her : since , fair Maid , you are so earnest for your sweetheart Trappolin , he shall come home very shortly , he shall believe me , but upon condition I will do it .

Flam. On any condition except my honour Sir . Trap. That he shall lie with you . Flam.

Were we but married , most willingly .

Trap.

If he gives you his oath to have you , will not that suffice ?

Flam.

I had rather we had married before .

Trap.

You need not fear , should he swear unto you and break his oath , I would hang him , and yet ( though I nere mean to break my word with her ) I faith I should very hardly hang my self for any thing ; the rope is a very dismal thing .

Flam.

Shall he come home , say the word Noble Prince .

Trap.

Well on my word he shall ▪ as soon as possibly I can , but on that condition that you will accept of him without marriage , upon his oath to have you .

Flam.

I see his Highness is mad ( as every body saies ) otherwise what should ail him to talk thus ? most excellent Prince , he and I would not disagree .

Trap.

Well here is my hand , he shall come home shortly , now I must have a kiss and leave you : I am very hungry , I ha been so long a doing justice that I am very hungry , give me a buss sweetheart .

Kisses her . Flam.

Heaven bless your Highness .

Exeunt severally .

Actus quartus scena secunda . Enter Lavinio the great Duke , Isabella the Dutchess with Attendants . Lav. My hearts sweet solace , my dear Isabella You are most welcome unto Florence ; Live according to your wishes happily , And may I perish if I do not strive In every thing to please you to my power ; I 'm sorry at my coming home I find Such strange and unexpected alterations , That for to quiet them I must deprive My self some houres of your company . Isab . Most Excellent Sir , I do account my self Most highly blest , that am not onely married Unto a Prince , but one that can And doth vouchsafe his love unto me , being Defective of those beauties should deserve it . To your affairs betake you Worthy Sir , I will expect you till your leisure serves . Lav. You are good unto a miracle Sweet Isabella — attend the Dutches in ; Adieu my Love , some few but tedious minutes Past over I will come unto you . Isa. I will await your leisure . Exeunt with Isabella . Lav. What mad fantastick humours have possest In general the heads of the Florentines ? They have amaz'd me , speak as if I Had been with them before my Dutchesse came . Barbarino and Machiavil appear in prison . Bar. You great commander of the Tuscan Cities , Pity your subjects , and your loyal servants ; In what we sued for we had no design , Neither the least intent for to offend . Mac. Be merciful therefore most gracious Prince , Let not the noblest of the Florentines Wear out their daies and thraldom in a Prison , Being men not long ago high in your favour . Lav. I am lost within a Labyrinrh of wonders , I know not what to think , the chiefest of The Florentine Nobility in prison , And sue to me as if I had commanded Them to this place ; sure some ill spirit hath Possest mens minds while I was absent : do you Know me ? Bar. Your Highness is the Duke our Master . Lav. Are you not called Barb. and you Macha . the Lords unto whom I left The government of Tusk any in My absence ? Mac.

We are your loyal subjects though your prisoners ; and were left your Deputies when your Highness went to Milain .

Lav. How came you there ? Bar. Great Sir , you know most well , At your command . Lav. I must be satisfied in this : Puchanello so ho ! Puch . Who calls ? what s the matter I wonder . Within . Lav. Release me the Lords presently , and send them To me hither : The more I think of these accidents , The more I marvel how they come to pass ; The men whom I did leave here governours Are prisoners ( and which increaseth more Amazement in me ) they say it was I That made them so ; some unheard malady Unknown unto the world before it seems , Hath infected all my subjects with a frenzy . Enter Barberino and Machiavil . Bar.

He hath chang'd his humor it seems .

Mach.

And may he continue in this if it be a good one .

Lav. I am astonished to see the things I every minute do , especially You two ( to whom I left the weighty charge Of rule ) in prison ; resolve me for heavens sake How you came there . Bar. Sure he doth jest with us . Mac. Your Highness is disposed to be merry ;

You know ( most excellent Sir , ) full well that none except your self could do it .

Lav. I do it ? Barb.

He doth things in his madness he remembers not when he 's in 's right sences it seems .

Lav. Florence I left a wise ingenious City ; But I have found it now at my return Possessed with a strange unheard of madness : Who put you in prison ? collect your wits in 't order And answer wisely . Mac. I vow by the prosperity of Tuscany , Your Highness . Lav. Most strange ! Why did I so ? Bar. Because we did ( most gracious Sir ) give notice Unto you how the Princesse Prudentia , Your machless beauteous sister lov'd Brunetto . Lav. Whom ? what Brunetto ! Mac. Your prisoner taken in the Mantoan warrs . Lav. My sister so forget her self ! I am Full of amazement : she that had refused The youthfull Dukes of Modena and Parma , Dote on a slave slighted by all the starrs ! My sister also so to lose her sences , She that was wise , and honoured for her vertues ! Sure also this same strange infection Of madness wood ha seis'd upon my self If I had stayd at home . I will not now So marvel at the common people , seeing The most discreet of the Nobility , And my own sister equally distracted . Mac.

I hope he comes to himself again , he talks something more wisely then of late .

Lav. It is a frequent thing to see a City Miserably groan under a heavy sickness , To have the Plague , or fierce diseases full Of danger , rage and even unpopulate places ; But such a general phrenzy to possess And to distract all Florence , is a wonder , A miracle unmach'd in historie . Bar.

How he talks as if all we were mad , and he had done nothing !

Lav.

Are you sure you are both in your right sences ?

Mac. Did once your Highness know us so ? Lav. Yes . Bar. We are as free from any distraction As ever yet we were since we were born . Lav.

You must both of you tho give me leave to think what I know .

Enter Mattemores .

I●e trie an he be mad too . Cap. these Lords say I put them in prison , how say you ?

Mat.

So your Highness did — he 's distracted another way .

Lav.

Good Gods be merciful . Why ?

Mat. Because they spoke against Brunetto's liberty . Lav. He 's in the same tale ; Though they are all deprived of their sences , They do not differ . But why ( good Cap. ) answer me a little , Should I desire Brunetto's freedom , being Beloved by my sister as they say ? Wood it not be a great dishonour , think you , Unto the Family of the Medices , That she should cast her self away upon one We do neither know whom , or whence he is ? I pray you Captain , if that yet you have Any small remnant of your wit remaining , Reply according to it . Mat. And he be grown wise again , Heavens be praised . It is a certain truth your Highness speaks , That if your sister should bestow her self ( Being a Princesse meriting so much For her unequal'd beauty , and her vertues ) Upon a man such as you pleas'd to mention , It would be a great weakness in her ; but you Your self I heard ( most excellent Sir ) To call Brunetto Prince Horatio , The second Sonne unto the Duke of Savoy . Lav. How , I call him so ! truth Captain you Have heard these things which I did never say . Bar. You never heard him call Brunetto so . Mac. Never , this is the first time I ever heard of it . Lav. My wonder is so great , I do want words Whereby to give it vent ; I see that all My subjects being distracted think me mad . Mat. And more , so please your Highness , you did send Brunetto , whom you Prince Horatio called , Unto your sister , to bid her prepare Her self ; for you within a day or two Would see them married . Lav. Enough , Captain , I swear unto you by my Dukedome , That rather I would send Brunetto ( though He were the Duke of Savoys second son ) To have his head struck off , then on that message You say I did . Mat. He doth remember nothing . Bar. If the Duke be come to his right sences again , I beseech the Gods keep him so . Mac. And I. Enter Horatio and Prudentia . Mac. Beseech your Highness look , let your own eyes Be witness of their mutual affection ; Behold the Princess your sister and Brunetto : Let us withdraw where we may stand unseen , And you shall hear them talk what I have said . Hor. Dear Lady , you have raised me to a fortune So high , that when I look upon my self I am amaz'd , and wonder at your goodness . Pru. Most noble Prince , let my unfeigned love Excuse the weak expressions of my tongue ; I 'm glad my Brother bears so noble a mind , As to be willing to unite our bodies As we have done our hearts . Hora. Not only willing , divine Prudentia , But earnest for us ; he doth seem to grieve That two such faithful lovers as we are Should live so long a sunder . Prud. It is a worthy nature in him . Lav. I can contain my self no longer : though this Be out of madness done I will not suffer it . Sister ! Prud. Live long most worthy Brother happily . Lav. So should I wish for you , bore you a mind Deserv'd your self . Prud. What mean you Sir ? Hor. Good Heavens be kind , and do not now undo What you have almost brought unto perfection ; I fear his m adness that once favoured me ; Hath chang'd his mind to my undoing . Lav. I will but spend few words ; are you a Son Of the Duke of Savoys ? Hora. Your Highness knowes I am his second . Lav. Whether You are or no I care not ; and if you be , My sister once deserv'd a better husband , And she shall rather in a Monastery Spend all her future dayes then be your wife : And be you what you will Sir , I will shew you That you have wronged me , and I do not fear The Duke of Savoy if he be your father . Puchanello , Puchanello come hither . Mac. I like this . Pru. He 's wonderfully distracted — most worthy Brother , Be not so much unmerciful . Lav. Peace Prudentia , I never thought You had so weak a reason . Hor. He 's mad to my undoing ; gracious Gods , Soon make him leave this humour . Bar. I hope he 's come unto himself . Enter Pucchanello . Lav. Sirra , convey Brunetto into prison , Lock him up close . Puc . Here 's do and undo — Will our Duke nere be in his Right sences again ? Prud. My dear Horatio , love me still , for I Unto thee will be constant though I die . Hor. Though I be tortured unto death my Dear . Exeunt with Horatio . Mat. I know not what to think of these alterations . Lav. Thus ( but the heavens assist ) I hope to bring Int' order from confusion every thing . Exeunt Omnes .

Finis Actus quarti .

Actus quintus , Scena prima .

Enter Trappolin solus . Trap.

THe Duke is come home , and therefore my hardest part is behind ; Father Conjurer and you be not my friend now I am undone ; Eo , Meo , and Areo sit you all close and lose not a jot of your vertue : happen what will as soon as I meet him his Highness , I will try the vertue of my powder on him , let him take it how he please .

Enter Prudentia . Prud. Here is my brother , I will try him , perhaps He may have chang'd his sullen humor now , And set the Prince Horatio at liberty . Most excellent noble Sir . Trap.

My dear sister , how dost thou do ? why look you so sad , ha you got the green sickness to night with lying alone ? and you have I will take an order for your cure very shortly , and to your liking too , I 'le have you married within these two days at the furthest .

Prud. Married Sir ! unto whom ? Trap. Unto my friend your lover , Prince Horatio ▪ Prud. I am glad of this : Alas Sir , why then have you Made him a close unhappy prisoner ? Trap. I see the Duke hath met with him : You do deceive your self Lady sister , indeed You do ▪ put up my friend in prison ? heaven defend . Prud. Sir , pardon me for speaking truth , I heard When you commanded it . Trap.

Sister mine , if I did I was drunk , and now I am sober I will let him out . Sirra Pucchanello , so ho.

Prud. May he continue always in this vein Of kindness ; thus his madness is not grievous . Trap.

Madam sister , I am very sorry I was such a beast as in my drink to commit such a fault ; I pray you forgive me .

Enter Pucchanello . Pucch . What is your Highness will ? Trap.

It is that you set Prince Horatio at liberty , and send him hither presently .

Pucch . I wonder — most willingly . Exit . Prud. You are a gracious Prince , and the high Gods Will recompence your pity unto lovers . Trap.

What a Swine was I do such a thing ! I am ashamed as often as I think on 't , I shall be ashamed to look on my friend ; sister , you must pray him to forgive me .

Trap. Sir , trouble not your self , and be assur'd , Unless you part us , you can never do Offence either unto the Prince or me . Enter Horatio . Hora ,

It seems his mind is changed , the heavens be praised .

Trap.

Prince Horatio , an you do not forgive me my locking of you in prison , I shall never be merry again ; I did it when I was drunk , and my sister knows that as soon as she told me on 't , I sent for you ; I pray you therefore forgive me good Prince Horatio .

Hora. Most excellent Sir , I was a man unworthy Of this sweet Ladies love , did I not freely . Trap.

I thank you i'faith Prince Horatio with all my heart I swear unto you , here take you my sister , take her by the hand , lead her whether you will , and do what you will unto her with her consent : I am very sorry I parted you so long ; I know Lovers would be private , though they do nothing but talk , therefore I will not hinder you : fare you well both my Princely friend and Lady sister .

Prud. The Gods preserve you . Hora. And reward your goodness . Exeunt . Trap.

Thus what the Duke doth I will undo — such excuses will serve my turn well enough .

Enter Barbarino and Macchavil .

Here are my Lord banishers , it seems the Duke hath set them at liberty , but in they go again as sure as the cloaks on their backs .

Bar. May the good angels that attend upon Princes on earth , defend your Highness always From every offensive thing . Macc. And may you live A long and happy life , enlarge your state , Excel in fame the first great Duke . Trap.

Your good wishes I like , but credit me my Lord Banishers , neither of you . Who let you out of prison ?

Bar. He 's mad as ere he was — your Highness Sir . Trap. You lye Sir : Pucchanello come hither quickly . Macc. Heavens be merciful , we must in again I see . He do's and undo's , and remembers nothing . Enter Pucchanello . Trap.

Sirra Rogue , why did you set these two at liberty ?

Pucc . Your Highness did command it . Mac. If our Duke must be mad , the Gods grant him That which he had the last . Trap.

You ill-fac'd rascal you lie .

Pucc . Beseech your Highness remember your self , it Was at your command . Trap.

It may be so , but I am sure I was drunk then , and now I am sober they shall in again ; therefore take them with you , be gone I say .

Barb.

There is no remedy .

Macc.

Good gods pitty Florence .

Exeunt . Trap.

Eo , Meo , and Areo , thanks i'faith ▪ yet I am suppos'd the Duke , Father Conjurer , by thy Art I am suppos'd a Prince ; stick to me still and be my friend .

Enter Isabella .

Here is the Dutchess ! Eo , Meo , and Areo , be true to me , and I 'le have a kiss or two at the least .

Isa. Sir you are fortunately met . Trap. Who are you Lady Madam ? Isa. Do you not know Sir ? Trap. I 'de have you tell me . Isa. I never knew him so before , I am your Wife . Trap.

I 'me glad on 't I promise you , come and kiss me then .

Isa. You are wondrous merrily disposed . Trap.

Madam Dutchess I am something jovial indeed , I have been a drinking Montefiascone very hard , kiss me again my dear Lady wife .

Isa. He 's drunk . Trap.

You are a handsome woman I promise you : prethee tell me my Lady Dutchess , am I a proper handsome fellow ?

Isa. Do not jest with me Sir , you know you are Him whom above the world I do esteem . Trap. Well said my Ladie wife . Isa. I nere saw him so distempered before . Trap.

Have you nothing yet in your belly ?

Isa. You know I am with child Sir . Trap.

Faith but I do not , for your belly swells not .

Isa. I am full of wonder . Trap.

Lady wife get you in , I am halfe drunk , and now am unfit for you , but give me a kiss or two before , — Madam Dutchess fare you wel .

Isab . I had thought he had not been addicted to A vice so loathsome as drunkenness . Exit . Trap.

Yet all happens very well ; protest the Dutchess is a gallant woman , I almost like her as well as Flametta ; I could lie with her and I woo'd , but I am half honest , and will not wrong the Duke nor Flametta . Why is not my wench as good as she ? wherein do they differ , but onely in clothes ? Flametta's a woman as right as she , and perhaps naked as handsome : what good in the night do jewels and fine clothes to a woman when she hath them not on ? besworn I am very merry ; Eo Meo and Areo are brave tame Devils , and my Father Conjurer an excellent learned fellow .

Vienca wine , and Padua bread , Trivigi tripes , and a Venice wench in bed . Exit singing .

Actus quinti scena secunda . Enter Lavinio . YE glorious Plannets that do rightly guide The giddy ships upon the Ocean waves , If some of your malignant influences Have rais'd this madness in my subjects heads , Let some of your benigne influences , Again restore them to their former sences : Those Florentines whom all their enemies Could not impeach , could not withstand in armes , Suffer not , you immortal powers divine , Thus to be ruin'd , by distraction . Machavil and Barbarino appear in prison .

I am astonished , O Heavens , I know not what to think !

Puchanello , Puchanello , let me out the two Lords , and send them to me presently , I 'le talk unto um here at large .

Bar. His ill fit 's off . Mac. The goods be praised . Lav. I do not think that since the infancy And first creation of the world , a madness Pestiferous and equal unto this Was ever known ; good Heavens reveal ( and soon ) The cause , that I may do my best to help it . Enter Barbarino , Machavil and Puchanello . Mac. Long may this fit continue . Barb. If it hold alwaies , sure he 's in 's wits agen . Lav.

I wonder , Lords , and justly , that you whom I have known to have the noblest judgements , should thus become distracted ; you in your fits of frenzie run to prison of your selves ,

And think I sent you .

Bar. Most royal Sir , we grieve to see these daies ; You did command us thither . Lav. I ? Mac. Your Highness self . Lav. You are both deceiv'd ; to do such idle errours , And lay the blame on me doth more amaze me . Puchanello how came these in prison ? Puc . So please your Highness , you were angry with them And did commit them . Lav. I commit them ? That thou art mad is not so great a wonder ; I tell you both with sorrow , witness heaven , You are strangely bereav'd of your reason . Well , go ye in , and pray unto the Gods That they hereafter would be kind unto you And keep you from relapse . Mac. Heavens bless your Highness . Bar. And be unto you a perpetual guard . Exeunt . Lav. Famine , plague , war , the ruinous instruments Wherewith the incensed dieties do punish Weak mankind for misdeeds , had they all fallen Upon this city , it had been a thing To be lamented but not wondred at . Enter Isabella . O my dear Isabella ! I have brought thee From Milain flourishing in all delights , Into a city full of men distracted . Isab . He is not sober yet . Go in and sleep Sir , You do not well thus to bewray your weakness Unto the publick view . Lav. My wife and all ! O heavens ! Isa. What say you Sir ? Lav. My Isabella , thou hast cause to curse me For bringing thee into a place infected : The aire is sure pestiferous , and I wonder Now how I have escaped . Isab . Good Sir , I pray you sleep . Lav. Wherefore my Isabella ? Isab . Why you have drunk too much . Lav. Madness unmatch'd ! Dear Isabella , withdraw thy self into Thy chamber , I will presently come to thee , There we will pray unto the angry Gods That they would from 's remove this heavy ill . Isab . I will obey you Sir to get you home ; Good Gods nere let him thus offend again . Exit . Lav. What have I done so much offensive to The supreme powers , that they should punish me Not onely with the madness of my subjects , But the distraction of my wife and sister ! Enter Horatio and Prudentia . What do I see ? they do embrace and kiss : My sisters madness will undo her , how He came at liberty I marvel much ;

Whom I would have to lie in prison , walke in freedome , and whom I would have in freedome run of themselves to prison .

Prud. Most noble Brother . Lav. Sister , I grieve to see thee thus . Hora. Excellent Prince ! Lav. Sure the good Angels that had wont to guard The Medices in all their actions , Have for the horrid sins of Florence left us , And fled to Heaven . Hora. His mind again is altered . Pru. Dear brother , do not frown and look so angry . Lav. Peace sister , I 'me asham'd to hear you speak , Each word you say is poyson in my eares . Puchanello , Jailor . Puc . I come . Within . Pru. What mean you Sir ? Hor. I must again to prison , fickle fortune , How soon a happy man thou makest wretched ▪ Enter Puchanello . Lav. Sirra , why did you set this man Brunetto , Or this Horatio ( I know not what to call him , ) At liberty ? Puc . Will he nere be wise ! your Highness bade me . Lav. I ! Bethink you , and answer truly . Puc . Your Highness knowes I durst not for my life Ha don 't without your licence . Pru. Sweet Brother . Lav. Silence would become you better far . Hor. Life of my heart , do not disturb your self , I am unworthy you should speak for me . Lav.

Sirra , take him again , and look to him better then you have ; your madness shall not excuse you , if once more you serve me thus .

Hor.

I must be patient : good Heavens , soone alter this sullen fit into his former kindness :

Farewel my sweet Prudentia . Exeunt with Hora , Pru. I wonder Brother , what pleasure you take In crossing me after this sort . Lav. It is in vain to answer frantick people . Pru. I , I am mad , 't is your perversness makes me . Exeunt .

Scena tertia . Enter Trappolin solus . Trap.

YEt I cannot meet with the Duke , I long to see him look like me , I would fain powder his Highness . Eo , Meo and Areo , I thank you faith , my hat , my glass , and cloke ; honest Father Conjurer , I will love thee while I live .

Enter Barbarino and Machavil .

Hel's broke loose again , I do what the Duke undoes , and he undoes what I do .

Mac. Long live your Highness . Trap. Amen . Bar. And happily . Tra.

Amen I say ; but how my small friends came you hither ? I thought you had been under lock & key .

Mac. I fear he 's ill as ere he was . Trap.

Sirra Puchanello , so ho , so ho ! come hither you rogue .

Bar. We must in again . Mac. Good Gods , will this frenzie never leave him ! Enter Puchanello . Trap.

Goodman durty-face , why did you not keep me these in prison till I bid you let them out ?

Puc . So please your Highness so I did . Trap.

Dare you lie so boldly ? you take me for a Doctor , Gracian of Franckolin I warrant you , or a fool in a play , you 'r so sawcy with me .

Mac. Good Gods ! Bar. Was ever heard the like ? Puc . Beseech your Highness to remember your self . Trap.

Now I bethink my self , perhaps I might do it when I was drunk ; if I did bid you give them their liberty it was when I was fox't , and now I am sober lay them up agin ; walk my good Lord Banishers , your Honours know the way .

Puc . Will this humour never leave him ? Bar. We must endure it . Mac. There is no remedy . Trap.

My Lord Prisoners get you gone , I am an hungry and cannot stand to hear any supplication .

Puc . You must obey my Lords . Exeunt . Trap. Yet all goes well , all goes exceeding well ; My wil 's obey'd , I am suppos'd the Duke ; My hat my glass and cloak retain their force , And Father Conjurer does not forsake me . Exit .

Scena quarta . Enter Mattemoros the Spanish Captain solus . Mat. THough horrid War , thou bear'st a bloody sword , And marchest o're the world in dreadful arms ; Though fearful mankind on their humble knees , Beseech the Gods to keep thee from their homes , Yet art thou ( when trick'd up in dismall robes , Presaging death and ruine to a State ) More lovely to a valiant souldiers eyes , Then are the pleasures of a wanton Court . And sure if our great Duke Lavinio Had been i' th field expecting of a foe , He nere had been distracted as he is : 'T is peace that doth bewitch us from our selves , Fills most Heroick hearts with amorous toyes , And makes ●s to forget what honor is ; But for Hipolita's sake I must not speak Any thing ill of Love ; Love I must say Is good , but war leads the more noble way . Enter Lavinio . Lav. How do you Captain ? Mat. I am your Highness creature . Lav. Saw you not lately Barbar ▪ or Maccha ? Mat.

Yes .

Lav. Where are they ? Mat. Your Highness knows in prison . Lav.

O heavens , in prison again ! Good gods , when will you remove this frenzy from the Florentines ?

Mat. I see there is little hope on him . Lav. Why are they in prison ? Mat. Because your Highness did command . Lav.

Never , Captain , I never did command it ; go and bid Pucchanello let them out .

Mat. Sir , he dares not at my bidding . Lav. Here take my Ring and do 't . Mat.

One humor in the morning , and another in the afternoon , will it never be better ?

Exit . Lav. Wo'd I did know what hainous sin it is I have commited that is so offensive Unto the Gods to cause this punishment , That I might sue unto them for forgiveness , And they be reconcil'd and pitty Florence . I 'm f●ll , and full of wonder ; perhaps some fiend , Permitted by the heavens , assume's my shape , And what I do undoth ; was ever known Such a distraction in the world before ? Enter Trappolin . Trap. At last I have found him . Lav. This the Impostor is that hath deceiv'd The eyes of all , it can be nothing else . Trap.

I vow and swear I am something afraid , but will be bold ; Eo , Meo and Areo , sit close , come out powder , come out , father Conjurer I rely on your powder ;

Take that for my sake .

( Flings it on him . ) Lav. What rudeness is this ? Trap.

I have don 't i'faith , Trap. I have repealed thee for Flametta's sake .

Lav. How is this ? If thou art a fiend , the gracious heavens be kind , And give a period to thy wild proceedings ; But if thou art a Conjurer , I 'le have thee Burnt for thy Magick , as thou dost deserve . Trap. Trappolin talk wisely . Lav. Why dost thou call me so ? Trap. Aha! A man forget himself so ! art thou not he ? Lav. I am the Duke . Trap.

Beware of treason ; do you know your own face if you see 't ? look here ; what say you now ?

Lav. I am bewich't , thou art a Conjurer , And hast transformed me to a banish't Rogue . Trap.

For Flametta's sake I pardon thee this language , but learn to speak better lest you walk again .

Exit . Lav. Heaven , earth and hell , have all agreed together To load me with a plague unknown before Unto the world : The heavens have given consent Unto my misery , hell hath plotted it , And the deceived earth believes me mad , And now will take me for a banish't Rogue . Enter Flametta . Flam. O joy above expression ! behold My Trap. is come ; Love , welcome home ; Thou art beholding unto me ( my Dear ) 'T was I that won the Duke for thy repeal . Lav. I am amazed . Flam. Give me a hundred kisses ; let us spend An hour in kissing , afterwards we 'l talk . Lav. Away . Flam. Have you forgotten me so soon ? I am Thy true Flametta ( lovely Trap. ) Lav. Be gone I say . Flam. Dost thou reward me thus for all the pains I 've took to get thee home again ? Lav. Leave me Thou impudent whore , or I will kick thee hence . Flam. O faithless men ! Women , by me take heed You give no trust unto this perjur'd sex . Have I all thy long banishment been true , Refused Lord Barbarino with all his gifts ; And am I slighted thus ? I will complain Unto his Highness of thee . Enter Mattemoros . Lav. Have you don 't ? Mat. What ? Lav. Have you let the Lords at liberty ? Mat. What 's that to thee ? Lav. Give me my Ring . Mat.

He has heard the Duke sent me with his Ring , and this impudent Rogue dares think to get it . Sirra , is it not enough to be a Coward and a Pander , but you wo'd be a thief too ?

Lav. I am bewitched . Flam. I fear my Trappolin is turned mad man . Lav. Suffer not this ye Gods . Enter Trappolin . Mat.

I have set the Lords Barbarino and Macc. at liberty according to your Highness order ; and here is your Ring again .

Trap.

Better and better — I ma●le where the Prince Horatio is .

Mat.

He forgets every thing , he 's in prison .

Trap.

Sure he is not .

Lav.

How this Impostor divel acts me !

Mat.

Your Highness did commit him .

Trap.

Fie upon 't , what things do I do in my drink ? here take my Ring , go and set him out , and come hither with him presently .

Lav. I am the Duke , and will be obey'd , Go not upon your life , he shall lye there . Flam.

Sure my Trappolin's run mad for grief in his banishment .

Mat. Peace ( frantique ) peace , do not disturb his Highness . Trap. Regard not mad men , go . Mat. I 'm gone . Exit . Lav. Thou traitor . Fam.

Dear Trappolin be silent , regard my tears , thou wilt undo thy self .

Trap.

Maiden and your Sweet-heart continue thus , I 'le have him sent abroad again .

Enter Prudentia . Flam. Sweet Trappolin for my sake hold thy tongue ▪ Lav. I rage in vain , good heavens be merciful . Prud. Dear brother pity me , regard my sorrow , Release the Prince Horatio , and no longer Separate their bodies whose hearts the Gods have joyned . Trap.

Sister , have patience a little , a very little , Prince Horatio will be here presently , and I le make an end with you .

Lav. Prudentia , art thou not asham'd ? Pru. What sawcines is this ▪

Most worthy noble Brother all my heart is full o● thanks for you : wood Ide a tongue could utter them .

Enter Mattemores and Horatio . Mat. Your Highness ring . Trap. T is well : Captain , Sister , and Prince Horatio , Here take my signet , by the warrant of it , go And get you married , Hor. Our humble thanks . Lav. I do want patience . Hor. T is best to do it while he 's in 's good humor : Are you content Sweet Princesse ? Pru. With all my soul I go . Exeunt . Lav. Sister , sister . Mat. Peace lest you be soundly punisht Sirra . Fla. Good Trappolin be quiet . Lav. I am the Duke , I am Lavinio ; This is a fiend of hell or an Impostor . Mac. Will your Highness suffer this ? Trap. I pity him , he knows not what he saies . Lav. I am bewitched . Mat. I am sure thou art distracted . Trap. A done you had best . Lav. Thou enemy unto our happiness , Know the Gods will relent ; in time be wise . Trap.

There is no remedy , he must go to Puchanello : so ho , Pachanello , so ho.

Puch . I come . Within . Flam.

There could come no better of it , beseech your Highness pardon him , he 's distracted .

Lav. You are all distracted , all bewitched . Enter Puchanello . Trap.

Sirra take Trap. and lock him up safe .

Flam. You 'd take no warning . Lav. O Florence , how I pity thy decay . Trap. Away with him . Mat. Puchanello take him , and be gone . Trap. You of the Guard see him laid safely up . Lav. I will not go . Puch . We then might force you . Exeunt , Flam.

Alas poor Flametta ! Thy Trappolin cares not for thee , I beseech the Gods to give him his right sences again .

Trap. Come Captain . Mat. I attend your Highness . Exeunt .

Scena Quinta . Enter Barbarino and Machiavil . Mach. The strange distraction of our Duke will give Sufficient matter unto Chronicles To make whole volumes of him . Bar. Yet he believes himself right in his sences And we out of our wits think him mad . Lavinio appears in Prison . Lav. Wood I had been born to a mean estate , So in 't I might have lived happily . The greater honours that men have , the greater Their troubles are ; the begger that hath nothing Lives a more quiet life then Monarchs do . Lord Barbarino ▪ and Lord Machavil , Get me releas'd , I am the Duke Lavinio , Bewitched as you are by an Impostor . Bar. Go Trappolin and sleep : we have heard al l , Thou art run mad . Mac. Go sleep poor Trappolin . Lavin . Be kind good Gods , pity our miseries . Bar. Leave talking and go sleep . Enter Trappolin . Mac. His Highness . Bar. How fares our noble master ? Trap.

I have not been sober a day together this good while ; Eo Meo and Areo have made me fox't , but now I will leave it .

Mac. Who are they ? Bar. I know not . Trap.

It 's in vain to lay them up any more , I having had sport enough with them . Trappolin whom you banisht is come home stark mad .

Mac. Exceedingly . Bar. And raves most strangly in prison . Enter Flametta . Flam. Here is his Highness , I will not leave him till He doth release from prison Trappolin . Most excellent Sir , perfect your noble kindness ; Give liberty unto poor Trappolin . Trap. With all my heart I would , wood he be quiet . Flam. Alas he is distracted , and doth not know

What he sayes ; and therefore why should you regard him ?

Trap.

Well , fair maid , for thy sake that lovest him so he shal come out . Puchanello so ho ! come hither .

Bar. He will do any thing , and undo any thing . Mac. Sure there was never such a Duke i' th world . Enter Horatio and Prudentia . Trap.

Welcome Sister and Brother ( I hope I may say , ) are you married ? are you content ? tell me if any thing remains that I can do for you , speak it , for I am ready , the Duke

Your servant .

Pru.

Most worthy brother , you have perfected our joyes , for we are married .

Pru. I am very glad Lady sister that you are so . Hora. Here is your Highness ring . Enter Puchanello . Trap.

You Sirra of chains and keyes set me Trappolin at liberty presently , and send him hither .

Puc .

Will he never be wise ? I wood he wood make another Jaylor , I am weary of the place , I can never be at quiet for putting in and setting out .

Flam The Heavens reward your goodness . Ex. Puc . Trap.

Brother and Prince Horatio , I am something given to be drunk , Eo , Meo and Areo are good fellows : but I pray you pardon me .

Hora. Sir , you wrong your self . Trap.

My friend , and Prince Horatio , I 'le nere wrong my self I warrant you ; but you I have , and my sister Prudentia : but it was when I was fox't , and I will never be so again .

Enter Mattemores and Hipolita . Mac. I am glad he will once let us be quiet . Bar : I should be very glad if he would continue it . Trap.

Ho now Seignior Captain ▪ ha you got a sweet-heart ?

Mat. A fair Mistress so please your Highness . Trap.

I see , my Don at Armes , when you cannot follow the wars of the field , you will of the bed .

Enter Lavinio . Flam. Prethee my Trappolin , now hold thy tongue . Be wise sweet Love . Lav. Leave me thou frantick fool . Trap.

For Flametta's sake I have given you your liberty , use it well .

Lau. O Heavens , endure not this impostor thus With his enchantments to bewitch our eyes . Mac. Will he suffer him ? Bar. Perhaps one mad man wil pity another . Lav. Ye Florentines , I am Lavinio , I am the Tuskan Duke , this an enchanter , That by his magick Art has raised all These strange chimeraes in my Court. Mat.

Your Highness is too patient , it were more fit he rav'd in Prison .

Flam. Sweet Trappolin be rul'd . Trap. Hold your tongue I say . Hor. Poor Trappolin , art thou distracted too ? Lav. You Lords of Florence , wise Machavil , and You Lord Barbarino , will you never come Out of this frenzie ? Valiant Mattemores , I am the Duke , I am Lavinio : This whom you do suppose is me , is some Hellish Magician that hath bewitched us all . Trap.

He will not be rul'd : Puchanello take him again ▪

Flam.

Beseech your Highness : Trappolin , come away .

Prud. Was ever seen the like ? Lav. Ah my poor subjects ! how I pity you , That must obey the monstrous wickedness Of one that works by Necromantick means , And is forsaken by the blessed Gods ! Trap. Away with him . Enter Mag. Mag. Stay . Trap. Yon 's Father Conjurer . Bar. What new accident is this ! Trap. I hope he 'l do no hurt . Hora. What will the event be ( marle ? ) Mat. What old Long-beard's this ? Mag. A word with you , Will you , if I clear every thing , Pardon what 's past ? Lav. Do you know me then ? Mag. You are the Duke . Trap.

Father Conjurer , do no hurt , and I 'le give you a hundred pistols to buy you sallets and oile it 'h wood .

Mag. I 'le talk with you even now ; Will you promise me ? Lav. I swear by all the honours of my state , By both my Dukedomes , Florence and Sienna , I will forgive what ever 's past . Mag. Him and all ? Lav. Him and all . Trap. Good Father Conjurer , remember your son . Mac. What will come of this ? Mag. Be not affrighted . Mat. Never , not I. Mag. What ere you see , Fear not , nothing shall hurt you . Prud. This is a Conjurer . Hip. Sweet Captain stand close by me . Bar. What strange events are these ! Mag. Eo , Meo , and Areo , appear . Trap. I am undone I fear .

Father Conjurer , remember your son , I 'le give you two hundred pistols .

Mag. Appear I say . Enter Eo , Meo , and Areo. . Prud. Alas ! Hor. Fear nothing . Hipo. Oh me ! Mat. Be bold , I am here Hipolita . Mag. Go take the hat , the glass , and cloke from him . Trap. Ah me ! Ah me ! here , here , here , here , come not too near me . Eo , Meo , and Areo , farewel all on you ; Father Conjurer has undone me . Bar. Trappolin . Mac. Two Trappolins . Flam. I know not which is mine . Mag. Attend a while . Thus with the waste of this enchanted wand I do release your Highness . Mat. The Duke . Hor. Wonders . Mag.

You have engaged your word , y 'ave pardon'd all , me who have done and undone every thing , and him , and every body .

Lav. I have . Mac. The Heavens be prais'd ; long live your Highness . Omnes . Long live the Duke . Hor. What will become of me ? Mag. I 'le perfect every thing ; Brave Prince Horatio , your elder Brother , Prince Filberto is dead . Sir , you cannot , With reason dislike this match , they are Married , and your consent doth perfect it . Lav. Now I am assured he is a Turin Prince ▪ Heir to the Dukedome of Savoy , I am glad They are espoused : sister I wish you joy ; Sir , I intreat forgiveness for what 's past . Hor. All 's forgotten . Prud. Thanks gracious Heavens . Lav. I 'le have your wedding solemnized with state . Mac. I am glad this Gordian knot 's untied . Trap. I shall be hang'd Father Conjurer . Mag. The Duke hath pardoned you and me all . Trap.

Then let Eo , Meo , and Areo go to the Divel from whence they came . Flametta , I am thine .

Flam. Ah my dear Trappolin ! Trap. Here is your Highness ring . Mag. From henceforth I abjure my wicked art . Hor. I for thy love to me will send thee into Piemondt , and give thee an Earldome in Vercelly . Trap.

The Heavens reward you : you know I alwaies made much of your Highness Majesty . Flathou shalt be a Countess .

Mag.

Son Trappolin , I am thy natural father , twenty years since banisht ten years from Florence : through my misfortune I have served the Turk in his Gallies .

Trap.

By your leave Father you have served the Divel too I 'me sure : for you are one of the best Conjurers in the world . Welcome unto the Court , your son of Honour , and to Flametta's Earlship : will your Honours forgive me too ?

Mac. Yes . Enter Isabella . Bar. For the Princes sake I do . Trap.

I thank you both : now all 's well agen , henceforth I will live honestly and be the Divels Butcher no longer .

Lav. My Isabella welcome ; every thing That did molest our happiness in Florence Is took away , now we will spend our time In Courtly joyes ; our famous Tuskan Poets Shall study amorous Comedies and Masks , To entertain my beauteous Millaness : I have a story full of ridiculous wonders , Within to tell thee at our better leisure . Trap. The weaker side must yield unto the stronger , And Trappolin's suppos'd a Prince no longer . Exeunt omnes .

Finis actus quinti & ultimi .

The Prologue . LAdies and Gentlemen , you that now may Approve ( or if you please ) condemn our Play , We thank you first ; for here it was not writ In sweet repose and fluencies of wit ; But far remote , at Rome begun , half made At Naples , at Paris the conclusion had . Yet the perfection is behind , which ( if You give 's a Plaudite ) you in England give ; Our Nation 's courteous unto strangers , nor Should you refrain unto this Traveller . I must not sue ; Ther 's nothing now remains , Saving the Guerdon of our Poets pains : He for himself is careless , onely wo'd , That for the Actors sakes you 'd say 't is good . We are doubtful yet , your hands will set all right ; Do what you please , and ( Gentlemen ) Good night . FINIS .

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