The Saints Sacrifice, Act 5 – Section

The Saints Sacrifice · Act 5 – Section

Actus quinti, Scena prima.

Enter Hydaſpes and Syſimethres, with attendance.

Hydaſp.

Thus farre have we march'd by the bankes of Nile,

And conquer'd Philae, and the Smaragd mines,

Thus farre hath fortune favourd our attempts,

And ſterne Bellona ſet our conquering feet

Deepe in the boſome of th' Egyptian Land;

Are we not now reveng'd Syſimethres

For thy uncivill barbarous entertainement,

When we imploy'd thee our Embaſſadour

To Oroondates Deputy of Egypt?

How thinke you, doe they not repent the wrongs

And diſreſpect they gave thee, contrary

Unto the lawes of Nations? doe they not

Wiſh that they had ſurrender'd to our Crowne

Thoſe lands we juſtly challeng'd for our owne?

Syſim.

I thinke they doe, and curſe their arrogance

That hath brought home the warres unto their dores;

It cannot chooſe but vex their very ſoules

To ſee ſo fruitfull and ſo faire a ſoyle,

Their native Country, over-runne and ſpoyl'd

By the incurſions of a hoſtile army.

Hydaſp.

Tis fit they ſuffer for their uſurpation;

But where lurkes Oroondates ſince his flight

In our laſt battaile, no newes yet of him?

Syſim.

Fame gives it out, he is within this towne

Of Syene with the remnant of his army.

Hydaſp.

Will not the Towne yet come to compoſition?

Will it hold out yet longer notwithſtanding

Our water-workes to drowne them?

Syſim.

Royall ſir,

As ſoone as we had cut the banks of Nile

And let the river in upon the towne,

Th'inhabitants began to ſee and feele

Their miſery, for ſuddenly the water

Encompaſſed faire Syene round about

That it became an Iland, and by ſinking

Into the earth below the walls foundation,

The weight above begin to ſhake as if

It would have …allen downe in every place;

Then ſuddenly aroſe a piteous cry

Amongſt the people of the towne, imploring

The gods aſſiſtance, and the Deputy

It ſeemes by this extreamity conſtrained

Firſt camed letters …yed to a ſtone

As meſſengers to be ſhot to our campe

Out o… a ſling, and archers from their bowes

Sent their ſwift winged arrows to ſpeak for them,

But both fell ſhort and periſh'd in the water;

At laſt when we by ſignes perceiv'd their mindes,

As holding up their hands in token of

Submiſſion, and ſometimes behinde their backes,

In token they were re…ly to receive

Bandes …o they might finde me …ie, we ſent out

Some bootes to talke with them, who brought us word

They would ſurrender to your royall hands

The towne of Syene, if you would be pleaſ'd

To grant ſome poore conditions.

Hydaſp.

What are they?

Syſim.

Firſt Oroondates makes requeſt that he

And all his ſouldier without interruption

May march forth as beſt ſinteth their profeſſion,

With all their martiall habiliments

And armes about them, next to be convoy'd to

Elyphantina with you royall guard;

Elſe he would rather die then live to be

Condemned as a traitor to his king,

For yielding up the City and betraying

The armie, and beſides be put to death

With rackes and tortures.

Hydaſp.

What a foole is he

To make his owne conditions, or to argue

Of ſuch a matter? doth he not conceive

He is not in his owne power, but in ours,

To live or die, why what a madnes is it

For conquered men to argue of conditions?

But tis not noble to deſtroy a number

For one mans folly goe Syſimethres,

Take heere our ſeale and ſigne their articles,

For pitty workes upon a noble ſpirit. Exit Syſimethres.

Hydaſp.

If I could entertaine ambitious ſparkes

Within my royall breaſt, or never enter

Into examination with my ſelfe

Of right or wrong, (as many politicians

And proud uſurpers doe not) what ſhould let me

From adding this large kingdome to my owne,

Stretching my Empire to the mouth of Nile;

But iuſtice ſets downe limits to my thoughts,

Boundes my ambition in, ſo that I dare not

Advance one foote beyond it, ſacred goddeſſe,

Divine Aſtrea, though all kings rebell

And pay no reverence to thy deitie,

Hydaſpes ſhall adore thee, and his might

ſhall never be more potent then his right. Exit.

Actus quinti, Scena ſecunda.

Enter the Perſian magiſtrates as judges with Arſace, then enters Caricles with Aura bound, they ſit.

1 Magiſt.

Is this faire maid the priſoner?

Arſa.

Faire without, but foule within.

2 Magiſt.

Tis pitty vice ſhould beare

A ſemblance of faire vertue, or be maſk'd

Under ſo ſweet a vaile,

Sure by her lookes

3 Magiſt.

I ſhould not judge her guiltie.

Arſa.

That's a rule

Deceives us, for the choiceſt fruites of all

Ofttimes have rotten cores, and underneath

The faireſt flowers lurke moſt the fouleſt ſnakes.

That cannot hold,

Bring forth the priſoners;

You are accus'd for poyſoning Cibile,

How doe you anſwer this?

Caric.

Who's my accuſer?

Arſa.

My ſelfe, and theſe my ſervants, who were preſent

When the old woman dy'd, and heard her name

Thee, and that other guilty of her death;

Canſt thou deny the fact?

Caric.

Ile anſwer thee

Proud dame, if my Theagines live yet,

I ſay, I am not guilty of this murther,

But if by thy moſt damnable attempts

His purer ſoule hath left the earthly priſon

Of his faire body, I declare my ſelfe

Guilty of this and whatſoever elſe

Thy malice can invent, I was the woman

That poiſon'd then thy nurſe, who train'd thee up

To all thoſe goodly vertues of thy mind;

I doe deſire to ſuffer, kill me ſtraight

That I may meet my lover, who ſo ſtoutly

Reſiſted thy ſoule luſt, and lewd enticements,

Chooſing to die rather then condeſcend.

Arſa.

Baſe queane, how durſt thou take unto thy ſelfe

Such liberty of ſpeech? judicious ſirs.

And magiſtrates of Perſia, underſtand

That this ſhe ſaith is falſe touching my honour;

I take the gods to witneſſe that when firſt

This woman and her friend came to the Palace,

I entertain'd them as became the ſtate

Of greater perſons, and ſo long continued

My favours to them till by open proofe

I found they came as ſpies to … ſent

From King Hydaſpes army, then indeed

I did begin to draw backe my affection,

Many more things inciting me to doe it

Which I forbeare to ſpeake of, but in briefe

Although I lov'd this maid ſo as to make her

My boſom-friend, and my moſt deare companion,

She hath repaid me as you ſee, and poiſon'd

My truſty woman, is't not to be doubted

Her purpoſe ſtretch'd yet further, even to me?

Caric.

I doe confeſſe yet once againe, I poiſon'd

Thy nurſe, and would have done ſo much to thee

Had I not beene prevented.

Aura.

O Cariclea,

Unhappy maid, why doſt thou wrongfully

Accuſe thy ſelfe, and draw on death upon thee?

Heare me right grave and moſt impartiall Judges,

There is no fault in her, I onelyonly, I

Gave Cibile the poiſon by miſtake,

Which was prepared for this vertuous mayd

By that old beldame, this is true, or elſe

Ye gods hurle downe your thunder on my head.

2 Magi.

But how came this miſtake? make it more plaine.

Aura.

Old Cibile my miſtris did prepare

This cup for faire Cariclea, I was forc'd

To have a hand in't too; when I ſhould give

The poiſon'd cup unto Cariclea,

And Cibile the other, I know not

Whither being troubled with ſo ſtrange a deed

Or haſtily cal'd on by Cibile,

I chang'd the cups, and poiſon'd the old woman.

Arſa.

This is a forg'd deviſe, believe it not,

This woman is a traitor, and conſpires

With them in all their plots, as privie to them.

3.

If ſhe that cals herſelfe Cariclea.

Be guiltleſſe of this buſineſſe, what ſhould make her

To caſt herſelfe into the jawes of death

By her ſo free confeſſion of the fact?

Aura.

Sir I believe ſhe's weary of her life,

And being in deſperation e're to ſee

Much leſſe t'enjoy her husband, without whom

Life ſeemes a burthen, haſtens on her death.

1.

Madame you muſt produce ſome witneſſes,

Or we ſhall cleere the priſoners.

Arſa.

Here are five

Will be depos'd they heard Cibile charge

Theſe two here with her death.

2.

What ſay you friends.

Dare you ſweare this?

All 5.

We dare and will, by Iſis,

And …l the gods tis ſo.

3.

Then we muſt paſſe

Sentence according to the law, which moſt

Depends on witneſſes, your doome is death,

Carry theſe two forthwith unto the f…e,

Caric.

O … and earth, and all you bleſſed creatures

That are above or un lerneath this ound

Terreſtriall ball, you that doe take revenge

On ſuch as worke impiety, beare witneſſe

I die an innocent, and willingly

Submit my ſelfe to death, for to avoyd

Th▪ intollerable griefes that burthen me;

Vouchſafe to take me gently to your hands,

And ſpeedily inflict your puniſhments

Upon this whore Arſace, who hath plotted

This miſchiefe to no other end and purpoſe

But to take from me my Theagines. Exeunt.

Actus quinti, Scena tertia.

Enter Caricles ſolus, Nebulo liſtning.

Caric.

Cariclea rap'd, O gods how can it be;

Where is your juſtice then? where our reward

For ſerving at your altars, when you ſuffer

Your ſacred temples to be rob'd and ſpoyld

Of its chiefe jewell, and my life, Cariclea?

O ſacriledge unheard of! can you ſleepe

And winke at this? or is your anger to me

Implacable, and therefore to torment

My heart the more, you ſeeme not to regard it?

Was't not ynough, O cruell powers, to kill

My daughter at her Nuptiall, and my wife

For griefe thereof, but to augment my ſorrow

Beyond the bounds of reaſon, give conſent

Unto Caricleas rape, who was my joy,

My onelyonly comfort, heart, yea life and all?

Well I will once more put on pilgrimes weedes.

Nebu.

Ha, what was that? a dreadfull ſound me thought

More pilgrimages? ſtay but liſten yet.

Caric.

And goe in queſt of thee throughout the world,

Firſt to Theſſalia, where that thiefe was borne

That ſtole thee hence, then unto Memphis City

Where Calaſiris that falſe prieſt remaines.

Nebu.

I am confirm'd in horror, tis too true

He'll travell once againe, but ſoft attend.

Caric.

And if I finde thee not, ile travell further,

Even to the utmoſt bounds of Aethiopia,

Where I ſuppoſe thy parents live and raigne.

Nebu.

To Aethiopia, what ſtrange land is that

(I marvell) oh, oh now I doe remember

Syſimethres was borne there as he ſaid; Nebulo diſcovers himſelfe.

We ſhall be blacke as divels it we goe there.

Caric.

What Nebulo, my truſty friend and ſervant,

Prepare thy ſelfe to accompany thy maſter.

Nebu.

Where ſir, unto the temple of Apollo?

Caric.

Beyond the ſeas I meane.

Nebu.

Beyond the …eas;

He's mad I thinke, or hath ſome worſe diſeaſe. aſide.

Caric.

I heare you ſir, it ſeemes your growne a Poet

You rime ſo well.

Nebu.

I care not who doth know it.

Caric.

Raptures ſtill flow upon thee more and more,

Nebu.

But this bad newes of yours doth vex me ſore,

That you will croſſe the ſeas, the bare conceit,

Will keepe me ſeven daies without taſte of meat.

Caric.

Why that is profitable, ſaves thy purſe.

Nebu.

But hurts my body ſi…, and that is worſe.

Caric.

Why th▪art a ſecond Ovid, all he ſaies

Doth flow in verſe.

Nebu.

Then I ſhall weare the Bayes.

Caric.

But Nebulo no more of this, you are content to accompany me this journey, are you not?

Nebu.

Good ſir, do not urge me to it; you know how willing

I ſhould be to wait upon ye, did not one thing croſſe it.

Caric.

What's that thy wife?

Nebu.

You have hit the marke, tis dangerous (I can tell yee) for me to goe abroad and leave her at home, I had woefull experience on't after our laſt peregrination.

Caric.

What did ſhe make thee a cuckould in thy abſence:

Neb.

I know not, but ſhe dub'd me knight of the forked order.

Caric.

Why that honour is for terme of thy Life man; thy ſtaying at home cannot take it away, nor thy going abroad adde unto it.

Nebu.

No, doe they not riſe by degrees? I ſuppoſe yes, as in this manner, from Knight to Lord, from Lord to Earle, from Earle to Duke of the forked order, and ſo forward: but my ambition is not to climbe ſo high, therefore i'le ſtay at home and prevent that promotion.

Caric.

fie, prevent thy honour?

Nebu.

My Nebulona will heape ynough ſuch honours on my head, If I follow your counſell, but I tell you againe I am not ambitious ſo to be promoted, yet notwithſtanding, ſo well I love you, that rather then you ſhall goe alone, i'le once more adventure my fortune.

Caric.

Spoken like a right honeſt man, come let's away then withall expedition.

Delphos and Greece farewell, your prieſts hard fate

Denyes him ſtill t▪enjoy a ſetled ſtate. Exeunt.

Actus quinti, Scena quarta.

Enter Theagines, Cariclea, and Aura.

Theag.

And haſt thou ſcap'd the fire my deareſt love?

Miraculous deliverance! let me heare

The manner on't related.

Caric.

Thus it was,

After we were condemned to be burnt

By foule Arſaces ſlanderous report

For poiſoning Cibile, a blazing fire

Was made, and we two caſt into the ſame,

And whereas it was thought by everie one

The fierceneſſe of the flame would ſoone conſume us,

It prov'd cleane contrarie, for we ſtood in

The middſt of it untouch'd, for everie ſide

It gave us way, and never ſing'd our cloaths,

Although Arſace with a threatning voice

Commanded the tormentors to lay on

More wood and reed, yet all prevailed not,

For no hurt would approach us, which the whore

Arſace ſeeing, preſently declar'd

Before the people with an open voice

That we were witches; though good Calaſiris

Did what he could to free us from her hands,

We by her guard were apprehended, and

Brought here againe to thee my deare, for which

I'm glad that we may ſuffer both together.

Theag.

I have not heard a ſtranger miracle,

This doth proceed from favour of the gods,

And their unbounded juſtice.

Caric.

It ſhould ſeeme ſo,

But ſtill to be toſt on the angry ſeas

Of rigid fortune and ne're ſee an end

Of our ſad miſeries, ſhould rather argue

Their hate and fierce diſpleaſure, if th…e be not

Some ſecret and more hidden myſtery,

We mortals underſtand not, which reſtores us,

After our ſufferings when all hope is fled,

Unto a happier ſtate and peacefull being.

Theag.

Oh ſweet, let not the ſence of miſery,

Make you offend the gods thus, but be patient.

Caric.

Twas raſhly ſpoken, and I doe repent it,

My deare Theagines; now I remember

A dreame I had laſt night, but had forgotten

Till now to tell it you, this was the verſe.

By vertue of Pantarbe let feare of fire removed be:

An eaſie thing to Perſaeti…, though elſe right ſtrange to ſee.

Theag.

The gods are good to us, for I likewiſe

Am made a Poet by remembring now

An anſwer which laſt night ſome ſpirit gave me

Who ſeem'd to ſay this,

To morrow ſhalt thou with the maid eſcape Arſaces hand.

And ſoone be b…ought with her into the Aethiopian land.

Caric.

That Oracle hath but a ſad conſtru…tion,

Which thus I dar… interpret, Aethiopia

Is meant that land that is beneath the ground,

That with the maid is meant with Proſ…rpine,

And the eſcaping of Arſaces band

Doth ſignifie the ſoule and bodies parting.

Theag.

Still how you erre! calamity hath made you

Forget your ſelfe, and alwaies doubt the worſt,

Turning all things to a ſiniſter ſenſe,

The Oracle is plaine, you are the maid

The gods do point at, whom I ſhall convey

Out of Arſaces power into your Land

Of Aethiopia, but how this ſhall be

Effected, unto us doth not appeare,

Yet it is credible the gods can doe it;

We muſt leave that unto their ſecret workings.

Now what your verſe ſhould meane I cannot gheſſe.

Which doth containe ſumany contra…ieties,

For Pantarbe, in its true ſignification,

Is taken for all fearefull, yet it would not

Have you to feare the ….

Caric.

I doe believe

This ring preſerv'd us both from force of fire,

Wherein is ſet a pretious ſtone calld Pantarbe,

And round about ſome holy letters written;

My Faſcia▪ if you doe remember well,

Did mention ſuch a one among my jewels▪

And to be briefe, I thinke that ſtone containce

Some heavenly vertue which withſtandeth fire.

Theag.

But then, how was't that Aura periſh'd not?

She had no Pantarbe to defend han.

Caric.

No

But I ſtill held her alwaies in my hand

Whereon my ring was.

Theag.

This is probable;

But now what other Pantarbe have we left

To ſhun the next daies danger, for Arſace

Will not end here, but practiſe ſtill new miſchiefe.

Aura.

Deſpaire not, but rely upon the promiſe

The gods made you laſt night.

Caric.

Diſtreſſed Aura,

What wilt thou doe?

Aur.

Run on, in the ſame fortune

That you doe, be it life or be it death.

With that enters an Officer from the Campe of Oroondates, to fetch Theagines and Cariclea.

Officer.

Be not afraid, I come not to deſtroy you

As you ſuppoſe, but to deliver you

From hence; my Lord and Generall Oroondates

Hath ſent me hither from the campe, to bring you

Unto him, for the fame of your rare beauty

And vertue in reſiſting his wifes lewdneſſe,

Hath wrought ſo much upon his diſpoſition

As he deſires your preſence, come with me,

Delay breeds danger▪ I have fifty horſe

Shall ſafe convoy us to the camp, the way

Is cleere.

Theag.

Lead on then, we are bound to obey. Exeunt.

Actus quinti, Scena quinta.

Enter Arſace ſola.

Arſa.

Ye ſterne Eumenides, and direfull powers

Of the infernall kingdomes, muſter all

Your troops together by a generall ſummon,

For I doe cite you to the court of hell,

My grievances beget this invocation;

Have I ſo long ſerv'd you, and bent my thoughts

To your low centre? have my actions beene

As lewd as you would wiſh them, and as bla…ke

As you your ſelves, and could you ſuffer me

To faile in this atchievement of my luſt?

So much your inſtigation? is this juſtice?

Juſtice that is a word not knowne in hell;

Is this injuſtice? no, then are you rebels

To your owne lawes, I doe inſiſt on this:

What other doctrine preach your miniſters

But foule injuſtice, rapes, impieties,

Adulteries, murthers, ſlaunders, ignominies,

Falſe accuſations and the like, all which

My life hath practis'd? yet ye puniſh me

With juſtice ne're till now heard in your courts:

You thought it juſt Cariclea ſhould eſcape

The poiſon'd cup, and afterward the fire,

You thought it juſt Theagines and ſhe

Should ſcape my hands, and Oroondates know

All my proceedings; curſed fates of mine!

Wretched Arſace, wilt thou live and feele

Thy puniſhment augmented by thy ſhame?

Shall the lawes triumph o're Arſaces will?

Or Oroondates ſay he was reveng'd

Upon the high and royall blood of Perſia

For wrong I did him? no, ſince I have fail'd

In my deſire, theſe fates I will withſtand,

And die by none but by this Perſian hand.

She fals upon a ſword, and kils her ſelfe.

Actus quinti, Scena ultima.

Enter Hydaſpes, Perſina his Queene, Syſimethres with attendance.

Hydaſp.

Perſina welcome to our campe, how durſt

Our faireſt Queene adventure forth to ſee

The angry face of Mars? this is no object

For Ladies eyes, dame Ʋenus ſport's more proper.

Perſ.

Where you are ſir, there is my object fixt,

Whether at home or here, all's one to me,

Beſides, where Mars is, there will Venus be.

Hydaſp.

This was a favour we expected not;

I muſt imbrace thee; O Syſimethres,

What is there wanting in the curious modell

Of this rare Architecture, built by nature,

That mortall or immortall eye can ſee

To adde more beautie to it then it hath?

Nothing, I know you'll grant it, then what pitty

Thinke you it is, ſo beautifull a frame

And building ſhould containe within it's wombe

No living creature, no inhabitant

That might ſupport it's ruines, but ſtand rather

For proſpect then for benefit?

Perſ.

this pointes

At my unfruitfull wombe. aſide.

Syſim.

I graunt it ſir,

But if the gods have order'd that this houſe

So ſtatelie built by them, this temple rather

Shall be reſerv'd for their immortall uſes,

And have forbid that any mortall ſeed

Shall dwell therein: it argueth in you

Sinne and impietie ſo to repine

At their decrees and ſecret operations. Enter a gentleman attendant.

Gent.

Sir the fore-riders of your royall army

Have tane two priſoners the moſt beautifull'ſt

That ere were ſeene, a young man and a maid,

They waite without attending what's your pleaſure.

Hydaſp.

Let them be brought forthwith into our preſence,

They may be found a fitting ſacrifice

And an oblation to be offered

Unto our gods for this our victorie,

Being the firſt fruites of the warres.

Enter Theagines, Cariclea, Aura and Bogoas the officer of Oroondates lead in priſoners.

Yee gods The king raiſeth himſelfe from his throne, And ſits downe againe in a ſtudie.

Be mercifull unto me!

Syſim.

What doth aile

Your royall majeſtie, that you remayne

In ſuch a ſtudious meditation?

Hydaſp.

I had a dreame laſt night Syſimethres,

That did preſent unto my fantaſie

A beautious virgin, ſuch as is this maid

Telling me that ſhe was my naturall daughter:

But whence are you, and of what countrey borne?

Theag.

Great King, I am her brother, ſhe my ſiſter.

Both borne in Greece.

Hydaſ.

O noble Greece, that ſtill

Produceſt what is good, and at this time

Haſt given us ſuch faire offerings to preſent

Unto our gods; but O thou beautious maid,

Why doſt thou hold thy peace, and anſwereſt not

Unto my queſtion?

Caric.

At the ſacred altars

Of the immortall gods (to whom we are

Reſerv'd for ſacrifices) you ſhall know

Me and my parents.

Perſ.

O ſir, what a mayd

Have you appointed to be ſacrific'd?

Ne're have mine eyes beheld a fairer creature;

With what a ſtout and an undaunted courage

Beares ſhe her fortune? I am mov'd with pity

At her ſo flowring age, O had my daughter

I bare unto you liv'd, ſhe would have beene

Almoſt as old as ſhe, I doe beſeech you

Spare her, and let her ſerve me at my table,

For I am prompted ſtrangely by my Genius

Unto commiſeration.

Hydaſ.

So am I,

Beyond imagination, but you know

The Law requires the firſt fruits of the warre

Should be the gods oblation, to the Sunne

Therefore we'll offer him, ſhe to the Moone,

The gods muſt be obey'd, the lawes fulfil'd.

They all offer to riſe, Cariclea fals at the feet of Syſimethres.

Caric.

Wiſe, grave, and learned ſir, be pleas'd to ſtay

A little longer, for I have a cauſe

Of conſequence to plead before the King

And Queene Perſina, which concernes them too

Aſwell as me, this matter doth require

A ſpeedy judgment, and I heare that you

Give ſentence on ſuch noble perſonager;

Therefore judge you this plea of life and death,

And know it is not juſt to offer me

Unto the gods.

Syſim.

Vouchſafe to heare, moſt gracious Soveraigne,

This ſtrange appeale, and what this maid requireth.

Hydaſp.

What judgement may this be? or what have I

To doe with her? by what meanes ſhould I come

Into her danger?

Syſim.

Ple…ſe you to attend,

She will declare it.

Hydaſ.

But take heed that this

You doe, be no true judgment, but plaine wrong,

If I that am a King muſt ſtand to plead

My cauſe with any priſoner whatſoever.

Syſim.

Juſtice and equity ner'e lookes into

The perſon, but the cauſe, and he ſpeeds beſt

That brings beſt reaſons.

Hydaſp.

But the Law permits

You onelyonly to determine controverſies

Betweene the King and ſubjects, not with ſtrangers.

Syſim.

Wiſe and diſcreet men doe not meaſure things

By the appearance, but by equity.

Hydaſp.

Well let her ſpeake, ſince good Syſimethres

Will have it ſo, but it is manifeſt,

She will ſay nothing to the purpoſe, but

Some forg'd deviſe to ſhun the ſtroke of death.

Caric.

O Sunne, thou founder of my anceſtro…

High pedegree, and all ye other gods,

Ye noble men that here are met together

Aſſiſt me in this place, and be a witneſſe

That what I ſay is true, and by firme proofes

It ſhall appeare: doe you command, O King,

Strangers or your owne ſubjects to be offer'd?

Hydaſp.

Strangers.

Caric.

Then it is fit and neceſſary,

You ſeeke out ſuch, I am no ſtranger borne,

But of this countrey, and your ſubject too.

Hydaſp.

Thou lieſt.

Caric.

You ſeeme to wonder at ſmall thinge,

But there are greater undiſcover'd yet,

I am not onelyonly of this Country borne,

But of the royall blood.

Hydaſp.

This woman's mad,

Away I'le heare no more ſuch lunacie.

Hydaſpes turnes from her in anger.

Caric.

My royall father, I beſeech you know

Your onelie daughter and deſpiſe her not.

Hydaſp.

Syſimethres and grave Gymnoſophiſts,

How long ſhall ſhe abuſe my patience?

This mayd's diſtracted, and the feare of death

Makes her ſpeake any thing how falſe ſoever,

How bould and impudent; I know I had

Sometimes a daughter, but ſhe dy'd aſſoone

As ſhe was borne, this is a falſe impoſtor,

Wherefore away with her, and let's delay

The ſacrifice no longer.

Caric.

none ſhall dare

To take me hence, unleſſe the judges pleaſe

So to command, for you are not to judge

In your owne cauſe although a King, but muſt

Be ſubject to the law aſwell as others

Which priviledgeth you perchance to kill

Strangers, but neither this law, nor the law

Of nature doth allow you to deſtroy

Your naturall children, for the gods to day

Shall by a ſtrange diſcoverie make you know

I am your daughter, though you now diſclaime me.

All controverſies in the law depend

One theſe two pointes eſpeciallie, that is

Firme proofe by writings, and ſure confirmation

By witneſſes, both which I can produce

To prove I am your child, my witneſſe ſhall not

Be common neither, but the judge himſelfe,

And heer's a writing ſhall declare both mine

And your eſtate.

She gives the Faſcia to the Queene, ſhe knowes it and is amazed.

Hydaſp.

What meaneth this Perſina, that thy blood

Thus comes and goes, and that thy countenance

Weares ſuch an alteration? is there ought

Contayned in this writing troubleth thee?

Perſ.

O King, my Lord and huſband, I have nothing

To ſay unto it; but take heed, and read it

Your ſelfe, the ſame ſhall teach you well and truelie.

Hydaſpes reads it to the end, then gives it to Syſimet: and the reſt.

Hydaſp.

Perſina doe you owne this character

As your owne hand, and know the birth to be

Legitimate and true?

Perſ.

By Sunne and Moone I ſweare it.

Hydaſp.

Although you tould me that my daughter dy'd.

I yet believe ſhe was expoſed forth

As heere is mention'd but who was the man

That tooke her up and carryed her to Aegypt,

How ſhall I know that he was taken with her,

Of this is ſhe, or whether the expoſed

Be dead or no, beſides whether ſome man

When he hap'd to finde this might his good luck

Abuſe, and make her play this famed pars,

Mocking the great deſire we have of iſſue

By the ſubor…ing of ſome changelinge and

Colouring the truth with this deviſed Faſcia.

All theſe doubts muſt be cleer'd ere I believe.

Syſim.

I can reſolve you in the firſt, for I

Was he that tooke her up, and carried her

With me to Aegypt, when you ſent me thither

Embaſſadour (you know we may not lye

Who are Gymnoſophiſts) I know this Faſcia,

Written with Aethiopias royall letters.

Therefore you need not doubt that it is forg'd.

Beſides tis ſigned with Perſinas hand;

But there are other tokens that I gave

To him that did receive you at my hands

Can you produce them?

Caric.

Yes, loe heere they are She ſhowes Siſimet: and the queene her jewels.

Hydaſp.

What are they? doe you know them?

Perſ.

Yes with wonder.

Caric.

Theſe jewells were my mothers, but this ringe

Was yours, I thinke you know the Pantarbe well.

Hydaſp.

I doe and all the reſt, but whether you

C…me by them as my daughter, that I know not,

You might have got them by ſome other meanes,

For to omit all other needles queſtions,

Your colour's ſtrange and the like never ſeene

In Aethiopia.

Syſim.

She was alſo white

That I brought up, and with this virgins age

Doth correſpond the terme of yeeres when ſhe

Was forth expoſed being ſeuenteene yeeres,

So old ſeemes this faire mayd.

Hydaſp.

Syſimethres

In my opinion you have ſhow'd your ſelfe

An advocate in this cauſe, not a judge,

Beware leaſt while you ſtrive to cleere this doubt,

I may ſuſpect Perſina hath beene falſe,

For how iſt poſſible that ſuch a thing

Sould be in nature, we two being black

To have an iſſue white? this is againſt

All humane ſence, and reaſon naturall.

Syſim.

The Faſcia tells you how this came to paſſe,

Perſina in the act of generation

Contemplatively eying the faire picture

Of beautifull Andromeda, and firing

A ſtrong imagination thereupon,

Conceived in her wombe the very figure

Of Perſeus Miſtris when ſhe was bound faſt

Unto the rocke, and he redeem'd her thence,

For proofe let that ſame picture be preſented,

And then compare them, you ſhall finde the ſubſtance

And ſhadow nothing different but in life.

Enter a Gentleman attendant.

Gent.

Sir there's a ſtrange prieſt newlie come from Greece

Deſires he may be heard touching this matter,

Who can informe you of the truth of thinges.

Hydaſp.

admit him ſtreight. Enter Caricles with the gentleman.

Grave Sir can you declare

Ought of this matter, doe you know this mayd

And that young man?

Caric.

I know them both great King;

That maid which ſhall be found to be your daughter

I nouriſh'd from a child; one of this countrey

Gave her to me in Aegypt, and with her

Rich coſtlie jewells, and a Faſcia,

Wherein was written her high pedegree;

With her I went to Greece my native countrey,

And being prieſt unto Apollo there,

When I was buſie in the rites and cuſtomes

Belonging to my office, This Theſſalian,

Who vaunts himſelfe borne of Achilles line,

Stole her from Delphos, and I underſtand

Paſſ'd many daungers with her; I forgive him

And crave you would be pleaſ'd to doe ſo too;

For ſince the gods by diverſe ſignes and tokens

Have unto us reveild their ſacred willes,

And made it plaine by ſtrange diſcoveries,

Strive not to croſſe their workings.

Cariclea fals at Caricles feete.

Caric.

O my Father,

As deare unto me as thoſe that begat me,

Take what revenge you pleaſe, lo here I ſtand

T'abide your ſentence.

Caric.

O how largely am I Embraceth her and weepes for joy.

Rewarded for my travell…tis ynough.

I have beheld thy face yet once againe.

Syſim.

What Caricles, doe you not know your friend?

Have you forgot the Aethiopian Legat? ſalutes him.

Caric.

No, no, I have not good Syſimethres,

But doe congratulate our happy meeting.

Hydaſp.

We have heard and ſeene ynough, I'm yet unmov'd,

Bring in the picture of Andromeda.

Enter the picture of Andromeda, the King for joy and admiration could not ſpeake, the people give a great ſhout.

Syſim.

One point is wanting yes ſtrip up your ſleeve

Faire maid, there was a blacke ſpot 'boue your elbow.

It is no ſhame to ſhew a naked arme▪

Before your pare…ts for to pro…e your birth.

She ſhowes there a mole, the Queene runs and embraceth her.

Hydaſp.

You ſtrive to wiſh me white an Aethiopian

In hin…ering this ſacrifice, you ſhall

Doe one aſwell as tother, for although

I now believe ſhe is my naturall daughter

Sprung from my loynes (as I have ſeene it prov'd

By many arg…ment,) yet I ſo much

Feare juſtice and the gods, and owe ſuch love

Unto my country, as ſle lay aſide

All naturall reſpects, and all regard

To the ſucceſſion of my blood, and offer

My daughter to the gods for your behoofe,

(As Agamemnon did his I phigene)

Regarding more the publique benefit

Then my owne private pro…it and reſpect.

All the people.

Save the blood-royall, ſave her whom the gods

Will have preſerv'd, appeaſe the Sunne and Moone

With a more lawfull ſacrifice.

Hydaſp.

Well ſince

You▪ … have it … th…ugh lo…th I am content;

And now I turne to thee my daughter deere

With a me…als of my love; but what is he

That was tane with thee, whom you cal'd your brother?

I …row he ſhall not too be prov'd my ſonne.

Caric.

In that …r pardon me, I did abuſe you,

He s not my brother, but neceſſity

Compell'd me to diſſemble, what he is

Himſelfe can boldly tell you.

Hydaſp.

Whatſoe re

He b…, he's de…tin'd to be ſacrificed,

So…e women too muſt beare him company.

Th… mayd that waites on yo… ſhall ſerve the turn.

Caric.

If he be ſacrific'd, Ile be that woman,

Death muſt not part us two.

Hy…sp.

The gods forbid,

Why ſay you ſo?

Ca…i….

Becauſe tis fore▪decreed

I muſt both live and die with that yong man.

Hydaſ.

I praiſe your courteſie and gentle nature

Unto this Grecian ſtranger, who hath beene

Companion of your journey, but we cannot

Breake …o the cu…tome of our Country, as

To ſave his life.

Caric.

Then I muſt periſh with him,

For know, O king, (perchance I may not dare

To call you father) it is cruelty

To ſpare my body, and deſtroy my heart,

He is my heart, my love, my li…e, and all,

My husband by the deſtinies appointed,

And it is ſinne t'oppoſe the gods decrees.

Hydaſ.

What will you counſell me to doe herein,

Syſimethres and thou moſt reverend Prieſt,

I will be guided by your wiſdomes wholly

In this affaire,

Syſim.

Through the exerciſe of joy

The wiſeſt men, oft-times we ſe… are blinded.

For at the firſt, great King you might perceive

The gods lik'd not this ſacrifice which was

Ordained, who have every way declar'd

Cariclea your daughter, and brought hither

Out of the midſt of Greece this reverend man,

Who bro…ght her up, to forti…e your faith.

Moreover it is plaine by many …ignes

And ſecret revelations that the gods

Have fore-decreed this couple man and wife,

And to that end have …reed them from ſo many

And imminent dangers, therefore let us ſuffer

Theſe divine miracles to …inke into

O… underſtandings, and from this time forward

Doe ſacrifices more acceptable

Unto the gods, who are not pleaſed with

Humane oblations, but the blood of beaſts.

Hydaſ.

Since things are thus appointed by the will

And pleaſure of the gods, ſince this faire couple

Have beene preſerv'd by fate from many dangers

By Land and Sea, and as ſhould ſeeme reſerv'd

For Hymens inſtigation, ile no longer

Reſiſt the will of heaven, heavens ſend you joy, puts their bane togethe…

And a moſt plenteous off-ſpring to ſucceed you.

This is our firme decree, which we'll confirme

By ſacrifice, and worſhipping the gods.

O Sunne and Moone, whoſe ſacred deities

We moſt adore, ſince it is falne out thus

By your decrees, that young Theagines

And faire Cariclea are made man and wife,

Accept their offerings, and vouchſafe to take them

Into the order of your holy Prieſthood.

Theagines, I doe reſigne unto thee

My office, be thou Prieſt unto the Sunne,

Weare this white Miter. Takes his Miter and puts it … Theagines his head.

Perſ.

And Cariclea thou

Weare this of mine, which conſecrateth thee

Prieſt of the Moone, adore her Deity.

Caric.

Now is the god Apollos Oracle

Of Delphos verified, which ſaid of them

That leaving Greece, and ſailing ſurging ſtreames

They ſhould arrive at Countries ſcorch'd with Phoebus burni… beam…

Where they as recompences due that vertues rare doe gaine,

In time to come ere it be long white Miters ſhould obtaine.

Exeunt omnes.

FINIS.

p. 78thus puts him in mind of his almighty power, ccIer 32. 27.Jer 32:27Behold I am the Lord, the God of all fleſhs is there any thing too hard for me? ddMar. 10. 27.Mark 10:27That which with men is impoſſible, is not ſo with God: for with God all things are poſſible. Though he have ſet bounds to his creatures, beyond which they cannot go: yet can none ſet bounds to him. eePſal. 115. 3.Ps 115:3Our God is in the heavens: He doth whatſoever he will. Read more hereof in▪ ff1 Sam. 2. 1, &c1 Sam 2:1Annahs ſong: and in Pſal. 113.

Of ſundry duties and comforts ariſing from a due conſideration of the foreſaid power of God, See The Guide to go to God, §. 213, 214. And of other inſtructions ariſing from the helpe which God affords in mans extremity, ſee the next § but one to this.