Part 8
PRATE. I grant you--if there were a chamber convenient.
PRE. Willing minds will make shift in a simple hole; close windows, strong locks, hard bed, and sure posts, are your only ornaments.
PRATE. I think the knave be mad; sirrah, you chop-logic blockhead, you that have your brain-pan made of dry leather, and your wit ever wetshod, pack about your business, or I'll pack your pen and inkhorn about your ears.
PRE. Well, sir, I may go or so, but would my mistress take a standing of my preferment, I would so mount her, she should love strange things the better all her life after. [_Aside._
PRATE. Why, when, sir? [_Exit_ PRECEDENT. And come, sweet wife; and, neighbour, Let us have your company too. [_Exeunt._
_Enter at one door a Herald, and_ FLORIO, _marshal_ _for the King, with officers bearing the lists; at_ _the other door a Herald, and_ CÆLIO, _marshal_ _for the Queen_.
CAE. Holla! what are you?
FLO. High marshal for the king. Your character?
CAE. I likewise for the queen; where lies your equal ground?
FLO. Here underneath these walls, and there and there Ground for the battles.
CAE. Place there the queen's seat, And there and there chairs for the combatants.
FLO. Place here the lists; fix every joint as strong, As 'twere a wall; for on this foot of earth This day shall stand two famous monuments; The one a throne of glory bright as gold, Burnish'd with angels' lustre, and with stars Pluck'd from the crown of conquest, in which shall sit Men made half-gods through famous victory: The other a rich tomb of memorable fame, Built by the curious thoughts of noble minds, In which shall sleep these valiant souls in peace, Whom fortune's hand shall only overthrow. Heaven, in thy palm this day the balance hings,[150] Which makes kings gods, or men more great than kings.
CAE. So, now let the heralds give the champions sign Of ready preparations. [_Exeunt Heralds._
_The cornets sound; and enter at one end of the stage_ _a Herald, two Pages, one with pole-axes, the_ _other with hand-axes, the_ DUKE OF EPIRE _and_ ALPHONSO, _like combatants; the_ QUEEN _and_ MARIANA; PRATE, LOLLIA, COLLAQUINTIDA, _and_ PRECEDENT _aloft_.
FLO. What are you that appear, and what devoir Draws you within these lists?
EPIRE. I am the Duke of Epire, and the mine,[151] Which doth attract my spirit to run this marshal[152] course Is the fair guard of a distressed queen, would wed To hate and inequality, and brutish force; Which to withstand I boldly enter thus, And will defail,[153] or else prove recreant.
FLO. And what are you, or your intendiments?
ALPH. I am Alphonso, marshal of this realm, Who of like-temper'd thoughts and like desires Have grounded this my sanctimonious zeal, And will approve the duke's assertions, Or in this field lie slain and recreant.
FLO. Enter and prosper, as your cause deserves.
_The cornets sound; and enter at the other end of the_ _stage a Herald, two Pages with [hand-]axes and_ _pole-axes; then the_ KING OF CYPRUS _and_ PHILOCLES, _like combatants, and their array._[154]
CAE. What are you that appear, and what devoir Draws you within these lists?
CYP. I am the King of Cyprus who, led on By the divine instinct of heavenly love, Come with my sword to beg that royal maid, And to approve by gift of heaven and fate She is alone to me appropriate: Which to maintain, I challenge entrance here, Where I will live a king or recreant.
CAE. And what are you or your intendiments?
PHIL. I am less than my thoughts, more than myself, Yet nothing but the creature of my fate; By name my nature only is obscur'd, And yet the world baptiz'd me Philocles; My entrance here is proof of holy zeal, And to maintain that, no severe disdain, False shape of chastity, nor woman's will, Neglective petulance or uncertain hope, Foul-visor'd coyness, nor seducing fame, Should rob the royal temper of true love From the desired aim of his desires, Which my best blood shall witness, or this field Entomb my body, made a recreant.
CAE. Enter and prosper, as your cause deserves.
[_Draws two swords._
FLO. Princes, lay your hands on these swords' points. Here you shall swear[155] by hope, by heaven, by Jove, And by the right you challenge in true fame, That here you stand not arm'd with any guile, Malignant hate, or usurpation Of philters, charms, or night-spells; characters, Or other black infernal vantages; But even with thoughts as pure As your pure valours or the sun's pure beams, T' approve the right of your[156] affection; And howsoe'er your fortunes rise or fall, To break no faith in your conditions. So help you Jove!
ALL. We swear!
QUEEN. How often do my maiden thoughts correct And chide my froward will for this extreme Pursuit of blood! believe me, fain I would Recall mine oath's vow, did not my shame Hold fast my cruelty, by which is taught Those gems are prized best are dearest bought, Sleep, my love's softness then, waken my flame, Which guards a vestal sanctity! Princes, behold, Upon those weapons sits my god of love, And in their powers my love's security[157]. If them you conquer, we are all your slaves: If they triumph, we'll mourn upon your graves.
MAR. Now, by my maiden modesty, I wish Good fortune to that Philocles: my mind Presages virtue in his eaglet's eyes. 'Sfoot, he looks like a sparrow-hawk or a wanton fire, A flash of lightning or a glimpse of day: His eye steals to my heart, and lets it see More than it would: peace! blab no secrecy; He must have blows.
FLO. Sound cornets, princes, respect your guards.
[_Here they fight, and_ PHILOCLES _overthrows_ ALPHONSO, _and_ EPIRE _overthrows_ CYPRUS.
PHIL. I crave the queen's conditions, or this blow Sends this afflicted soul to heaven or hell. Speak, madam, will you yield, or shall he die?
EPIRE. Neither, bold prince; if thou but touch a hair, The king's breath shall redeem it: madam, your love Is safe in angels' guarding; let no fear Shake hands with doubtfulness: you are as safe As in a tower of diamonds.
PHIL. O, 'tis but glass, And cannot bear this axe's massiness. Duke, thy brave words, that second thy brave deeds, Fill me with emulation: only we two Stand equal victors; then if thou hast that tie And bond of well-knit valour, which unites Virtue and fame together, let us restore Our captives unto freedom, and we two In single combat try out the mastery. Where whoso falls, each other shall subscribe To every clause in each condition.
EPIRE. Thou art the index of mine ample thought, And I am pleas'd with thine election. Speak, madam, if ever I deserved grace, Grace me with your consent.
QUEEN. 'Tis all my will. Thy noble hand erect and perfect me.
PHIL. What says his majesty? My stars are writ in heaven: nor death nor fate Are slaves to fear, to hope, or human state.
CYP. I neither fear thy fortune nor my ruin; But hold them all beyond all prophecy. Thou hast my free consent, and on thy power Lies my life's date or my death's hour.
EPIRE. Then rise and live with safety.
PHIL. Alphonso, here my hand, Thy fortune lends thy peace no infamy. And now, thou glorious issue of Jove's brain[158], That burnt the Telamonian ravisher, Look from thy sphere, and if my heart contain An impure thought of lust, send thy monsters forth And make me more than earthly miserable.
[_Here the cornets sound, they fight, and_ PHILOCLES _overcomes the_ DUKE. _The_ QUEEN _descends_[159].
PHIL. Yield, recreant[160], or die!
EPIRE. Thine axe hath not the power to wound my thought, And yields a word my tongue could never sound. I say thou'rt worthy, valiant, for my death: Let the queen speak it--'tis an easy breath.
QUEEN. Not for the world's large circuit; hold, gentle prince, Thus I do pay his ransom: low as the ground, I tender my unspotted virgin love To thy great will's commandment: let not my care, My woman tyranny, or too strict guard, In bloody purchase take away those sweets Till now have govern'd your amaz'd desires; For trust me, king, I will redeem my blame With as much love as Philocles hath fame.
CYP. Thus comes a calm unto a sea-wreck'd soul, Ease to the pained, food unto the starv'd, As you to me, my best creation. Trust me, my queen; my love's large chronicle Thou never shalt o'erread, because each day It shall beget new matter of amaze, And live to do thee grace eternally. Next whom my Philocles, my bounteous friend, Author of life, and sovereign of my love, My heart shall be thy throne, thy breast the shrine, Where I will sit to study gratefulness. To you, and you, my lords, my best of thoughts, Whose loves have show'd a duteous carefulness; To all, free thanks and graces. This unity Of love and kingdoms is a glorious sight. Mount up the royal champion, music and cornets sound: Let shouts and cries make heaven and earth rebound. [_Exeunt._
EPIRE. How like the sun's great bastard o'er the world Rides this man-mounted engine, this proud prince, And with his breath singes our continents. Sit fast, proud Phaeton, or[161] by heaven I'll kick And plunge thee in the sea; if thou'lt needs ride, Thou shouldst have made thy seat upon a slave, And not upon mine honour's firmament. Thou hast not heard the god of wisdom's tale, Nor can thy youth curb greatness, till my hate Confound thy life with villain policy. I am resolv'd, since virtue hath disdain'd To clothe me in her riches, henceforth to prove A villain fatal, black and ominous. Thy virtue is the ground of my dislike; And my disgrace, the edge of envy's sword, Which like a razor shall unplume thy crest, And rob thee of thy native excellence. When great thoughts give their homage to disgrace, There's no respect of deeds, time, thoughts, or place.
FOOTNOTES:
[128] Langbaine observes that several incidents in this play are borrowed from novels, as the story of Mariana swearing Philocles to be dumb, from Bandello's Novels; Alfonso cuckolding Prate the orator, and the latter appearing before the council, from the same book. The English reader may see the same story in, "The Complaisant Companion," 8o, 1674.
[129] The word _music_ is here inserted in the 4o, 1608, and is repeated at the commencement of each act.
[130] _'Tis heresy I hold_--edit. of 1608.
[131] [Old copies, _fare see_.]
[132] An old word used by Chaucer, Spenser, Fairfax, and other writers, signifying a physician.
[133] The entrance of Mariana with the queen, &c., is not mentioned, though her _exit_ is noticed: by the dialogue, which follows their departure from the walls, it is evident that she ought to be named, though hitherto omitted.--_Collier._
[134] Dr Johnson observes that worm is the Teutonic word for serpent; and Dr Percy, that in the northern counties the same word is still used in that sense. See their several notes, and also Mr Tollet's to "Antony and Cleopatra," act v. sc. 2.
[135] [Greater, better.]
[136] [Former edits., _dulat_, which can surely have no meaning.]
[137] If Theobald had been as well read in our ancient dramatic writers as he pretended to be, he would have produced this passage in justification of the celebrated line in "The Double Falshood"--
"None but himself can be his parallel."
It is certain, if authorities would sanctify absurdity, he might have made a better defence against Mr Pope than that which he published. He might also have quoted the following line from Massinger's "Duke of Milan," act iv. sc. 3--
"And, but herself, admits no parallel."
[138] [Former edits., _active_.]
[139] [Former edits., _it shows_.]
[140] [Edits., _Majesty's hand_. The emendation was suggested by Collier.]
[141] There seems no reason for omitting these explanatory matters, which save a reference to the _Dramatis Personæ_.--_Collier._
[142] [Former edits., _gardens_.]
[143] An ornament for the neck, a collar-band, or kind of ruff. Fr. _Rabat_.
[144] [Allusively to the enormously high headdress worn by ladies.]
[145] [Old copy, _a_.]
[146] This proverb is also quoted in "The Bloody Banquet," by T.D., 1639, which Mr Malone [wrongly] gives to R. Davenport--
CLOWN. O, always _the weakest goes to the wall_.
There was a play first printed in 1600, under the title of "The Weakest goeth to the Wall," the plot of which is taken with much servility from B. Rich's "Farewell to the Militarie Profession," 1581 and 1606, which book also furnished Shakespeare with the plot of his "Twelfth Night."--_Collier._
[147] Fine.
[148] See Mr Collins's note to "Troilus and Cressida," [or Dyce's "Shakespeare Glossary," art. _Potato_.]
[149] "Skirret, Sisarum, quasi skirwort, _i.e._, sisar-wort. Tiberii Aug. deliciæ: credo potius a Belg. _suycker-wortel_, idem signante...."--_Skinner._ Compare Hofman and C. Plinii "Nat. Hist." lib. xix. c. 5.
[150] [An old form of] _hangs_. See the Glossary to Douglas's "Virgil," voce _Hingare_ [or Halliwell's "Dict." in _v._]
[151] The magnet, for in Kent they call the ironstone _mine_, quasi _mineral_.--_Pegge._
[152] [Martial.]
[153] _i.e._, Prove defective, fail in my strength: _defailler_, Fr.--_Steevens._
[154] [Edits., _army_; but the king would scarcely bring an army to such an encounter, even a stage-army.]
[155] When the combat was demanded and allowed, it was the custom for each party to take an oath to the following purport, viz., "that they had not brought into the lists other armour or weapon than was allowed, neither any engine, instrument, _herbe, charm_, or _enchantment_, and that neither of them should put affiance or trust in anything other than God and their own valours, as God and the holy Evangelists should help them."--Segar's "Honour Military, &c.," p. 134.
See also Mr Steevens's note on "Macbeth," act v. sc. 7.
[156] [Old copy, _pure_.]
[157] [Former edits., _severity_.]
[158] _i.e._, Minerva, who killed Ajax Oïleus with a thunderbolt for ravishing Cassandra in her temple.--_Steevens._
[159] [Both the edits., _defends_.]
[160] [Edits., _recant_.]
[161] [Old copy, _for_.]
ACTUS II., SCÆNA 1.
_Enter_ PRATE, LOLLIA, COLLAQUINTIDA, _and_ PRECEDENT.
PRATE. Come, wife, methought our party stood stifly to it.
PRE. Indeed they were stiff, whilst they stood; but when they were down, they were like men of a low world. A man might have wound their worst anger about his finger.
LOL. Go to, sirrah, you must have your fool's bolt in everybody's quiver.
PRE. Indeed, mistress, if my master should break his arrow with foul shooting or so, I would be glad if mine might supply the hole[162].
PRATE. I find you kind, sir.
PRE. True, sir, according to my kind, and to pleasure my kind mistress.
PRATE. Go to, sirrah, I will not have your kindness to intermeddle with her kind; she is meat for your master.
PRE. And your man, sir, may lick your foul trencher.
COL. Ay, but not eat of his mutton.
PRE. Yet I may dip my bread in the wool, Mistress Collaquintida.
PRATE. Go to, sirrah, you will be obscene, and then I shall knock you. But to the combat. Methought our side were the most proper men.
LOL. True, and therefore they had the worse fortune: but see, here's the Lord Florio.
_Enter_ FLORIO.
FLO. Master Orator, it is the king and queen's majesties' pleasure that you presently repair unto the court, touching the drawing out of certain articles for the benefit of both the kingdoms.
PRATE. My lord, I will instantly attend their majesties.
FLO. Do, for they expect you seriously. [_Exit_ FLORIO.
PRATE. Wife, you can have my service no longer. Sirrah Precedent, attend you upon your mistress home; and, wife, I would have you to hold your journey directly homeward, and not to imitate princes in their progress; step not out of your way to visit a new gossip, to see a new garden-house, to smell the perfumes of court jerkins, or to handle other tools than may be fit for your modesty. I would not have you to step into the suburbs, and acquaint yourself either with monsters or motions[163], but holding your way directly homeward, show yourself still to be a rare housewife.
LOL. I' faith, i' faith, your black outside will have a yellow lining[164].
PRATE. Content thee, wife, it is but my love that gives thee good counsel. But here comes one of my clients.
_Enter_ DRAP, _a country gentleman_.
DRAP. Sir, master orator, I am bold to trouble you about my suit.
PRATE. Sir, master country gentleman, I am now for present business of the king's.
DRAP. You may the better remember me.
PRATE. Heyday! I shall mix your business with the king's?
DRAP. No, but you may let his majesty know my necessity.
PRATE. Sir, sir, you must not confine me to your seasons. I tell you, I will select[165] mine own leisures.
_Enter_ VELOURS, _a citizen_.
VEL. Master orator, is it your pleasure I attend you about my despatches?
PRATE. Sir, it is my pleasure you despatch yourself from mine encumbrance; I tell you, I am for instant business of the king's.
VEL. Sir, I have borne my attendance long.
PRATE. Bear it till your bones ache, I tell you; I cannot bear it now, I am for new business.
DRAP _and_ VEL. Yet the old should be despatched; it was first paid for.
PRATE. If you be gentlemen, do not make me mad.
DRAP _and_ VEL. Sir, our suits are of great weight.
PRATE. If you be Christians, do not make me an atheist. I shall profane if you vex me thus.
_Enter the_ LORD MECHANT.
What, more vexation? My lord, my lord, save your breath for your broth; I am not now at leisure to attend you.
MECH. A word, good master orator.
PRATE. Not a word, I beseech your lordship. I am for the king's business; you must attend me at my chamber. [_Exit_ PRATE.
MECH., DRAP, _and_ VEL. And everywhere else: we will not leave you. [_Exeunt._
PRE. Now (methinks) my master is like a horse-leech, and these suitors so many sick of the gout, that come to have him suck their blood. O, 'tis a mad world!
LOL. Go to, sirrah, you will never leave your crabtree similes; but, pity of me, whom have we here?
_Enter_ ALPHONSO.
O, 'tis the Lord Alphonso.
ALPH. Mistress, God save: nay, your lip, am I[166] a stranger, and how doth Mistress Collaquintida? O, you are an excellent seasoner of city stomachs.
COL. Faith, my lord, I have done my best to make somebody relish your sweetmeats. But harkee you, my lord, I have struck the stroke, I have done the deed; there wants nothing but time, place, and her consent.
ALPH. Call you that nothing?
COL. A trifle, a trifle; upon her, my lord; she may seem a little rough at the first, but if you stand stiffly to her, she'll fall. A word with you, Master Precedent. [_They whisper._
ALPH. Mistress Prate, I am a soldier, and can better act my love than speak it. My suit you know by your neighbour, my love you shall prove by my merit; to both which my tokens have been petty witnesses; and my body shall seal and deliver upon thee such a brave confirmation, that not all the orators in Sicily shall be able to cancel the deed.
LOL. Truly, my lord, methinks you, being witty, should be honest.
ALPH. Nay, wench, if I were a fool, there's no question but I would be honest; but to the purpose; say, wench, shall I enjoy, shall I possess?
LOL. To enjoy my love, is not to possess my body.
ALPH. Tut, wench, they be words of one signification, and cannot be separated.
LOL. Nay, then, I should wrong my husband.
ALPH. 'Sfoot, thou shouldst but do for him as he does for the whole world. Why, an orator were a needless name, if it were not to defend wrong; then, wench, do as he doth, write by a precedent.
LOL. O, my lord, I have a husband, A man whose waking jealousy survives, And like a lion, sleeps with open eyes; That not a minute of mine hours are free From the intelligence of his secret spies. I am a very covert[167] Danae, Thorough whose roof suspicion will not let Gold showers have passage, nor can I deceive His Argus eyes with any policy: And yet I swear I love you.
ALPH. Dearest[168] affection! if thou lov'st me, as thou say'st thou dost, Thou canst invent some means for our delight. The rather sith it ever hath been said That walls of brass withstand not willing minds: And women, when they're prone, make love admir'd For quaint endeavours: come, instruct thy wit, And find some scale to our high height of bliss.
LOL. Then briefly thus, my lord. To-morrow doth the senate sit to judge Causes both criminal and of the state; Where of necessity my husband's place Must be fill'd by himself, because his tongue Must gild his clients' causes. Now if you please All that self-hour, when he is turmoiled About those serious trifles, to vouchsafe To visit me, his absence and my care Shall give us liberty of more delight. You know my meaning, and I am asham'd My love should thus betray my modesty; But make the use according to your fancy.
ALPH. What hour assures his absence?
LOL. Eight is the latest time.
ALPH. This kiss [shall] leave[169] my faith with thee: farewell. Thou hast given me double glory from thy breath, Nothing shall lose me time but certain death.
[_Exit_ ALPHONSO.
PRE. Truly, Mistress Collaquintida, you are an excellent piece of sweet gall.
LOL. Well, sir, will you lead the way homeward?
PRE. To your bed-chamber, mistress, or your privy lodging? [_Exeunt._
_Enter_ PHILOCLES _alone_.
PHIL. Night clad in black mourns for the loss of day, And hides the silver spangles of the air, That not a spark is left to light the world; Whilst quiet sleep, the nourisher of life, Takes full possession of mortality. All creatures take their rest in soft repose, Save malcontents and we accursed lovers, Whose thoughts perturbed make us passion's slaves, And rob us of the juice of happiness. Dear Mariana, shap'd in an angel's mould, Thou thrall'st my senses, and inflam'st my blood: Love's power by wisdom cannot be withstood. But see, the morning-star breaks from the east, To tell the world her great eye[170] is awak'd, To take his journey to the western vales: And now the court begins to rise with him.
[_Here pass over the stage a physician, a gentleman-usher, and a waiting-maid._
There goes the physician, the waiting-maid, And a fine, straight-legg'd gentleman-usher. The preface to a kirtle all puff-paste; One that writes sonnets in his lady's praise, And hides her crimes with flattering poesy.
_Enter_ MARIANA.
But peace! amazement! see the day of life, Nature's best work, the world's chief paragon! Madam, one word.
MAR. Ay; so now, farewell.
PHIL. You do mistake me.
MAR. That yourself can tell. You ask'd me one word, which I gave, said _ay_; A word of least use in a virgin's breath,[171] Urge not my patience then with fond reply.
PHIL. Dear lady, lend an ear unto my voice, Since each were made for other's happiness: My tongue's not oil'd with courtly flatterings, Nor can I paint my passions to the life; But by that power which shap'd this heavenly form, I am your bondslave forc'd by love's command; Then let soft pity with such beauty dwell, Madam, I love you.
MAR. As I am a virgin, so do I.
PHIL. But, madam, whom?
MAR. Myself no lady better.
PHIL. But will you love me?
MAR. No, by my chastity.
PHIL. I hope you do but jest.