:

a

with me,

That calls my flesh unto them: I am cold : I've heard, if there be any life, but bow
Be resolute, and bear them company.

The body thus, and it will shew itself.
There's something, yet, which I am loth to leave. Oh, she is gone! I will not leave her yet.
There's man enough in me to meet the fears, Since out of justice we must challenge nothing,
That death can bring; and yet, 'would it were I'll call it mercy, if you'll pity me,
done!

Ye heavenly powers! and lend, for some few years, I can find nothing in the whole discourse

The blessed soul to this fair seat again. Of death, I durst not meet the boldest

way; No comfort comes; the gods deny me too! Yet still, betwixt the reason and the act,

I'll bow the body once again.

Aspatia! The wrong I to Aspatia did stands up :

The soul is fled for ever; and I wrong I have not such another fault to answer.

Myself, so long to lose her company. Though she may justly arm herself with scorn Must I talk now? Here's to be with thee, love! And hate of me, my soul will part less troubled,

[Kills himself. When I have paid to her in tears my sorrow. I will not leave this act unsatisfied,

Enter Servant. If all that's left in me can answer it.

Serv. This is a great grace to my lord, to have Asp. Was it a dream? There stands Amintor the new king come to him: I must tell him ho still;

is entering. Oh, heaven! Help, help! Or I dream still. Amin. How dost thou? Speak; receive my love Enter Lysippus, Melantius, Calianax,Cleon, and help.

DIPhilus, and STRATO.
Thy blood climbs up to his old place again :
There's hope of thy recovery.

Lys. Where's Amintor?
Asp. Did you not name Aspatia?

Sero. Oh, there, there. Amin. I did,

Lys. How strange is this ! Asp. And talked of tears and sorrow unto her? Cal. What should we do here? Amin. 'Tis true; and 'till these happy signs in Mel. These deaths are such acquainted things

thee Did stay my course, 'twas thither I was going. That yet my heart dissolves not. May I stand Asp. Thou’rt there already, and these wounds Stiff here for ever! Eyes, call up your tears ! are hers:

This is Amintor : Heart! he was my friend; Those threats, I brought with me, sought not re- Melt; now it flows. Amintor, give a word venge;

To call me to thee.
But came to fetch this blessing from thy hand. Amin. Oh!
I am Aspatia yet.

Mel, Melantius calls his friend Amintor. Oh, Amin. Dare my soul ever look abroad again?

thy arms Asp. I shall surely live, Amintor; I am well : Are kinder to me than thy tongue! Speak, speak! A kind of healthful joy wanders within me. Amin. What?

Amin. The world wants lives to excuse thy loss! Mel. That little word was worth all the sounds, Come, let me bear thee to some place of help. That ever I shall hear again.

Asp. Amintor, thou must stay; I must rest here; Diph. Oh, brother! My strength begins to disobey my will.

Here lies your sister slain; you lose yourself How dost thou, my best soul? I would fain live In sorrow there. Now, if I could : Wouldst thou have loved me, Mel. Why, Diphilus, it is then?

A thing to laugh at, in respect of this: Amin. Alas!

Here was my sister, father, brother, son:
All that I am's not worth a hair from thee, All that I had ! Speak once again : What youth
Asp. Give me thy hand; my hands grope up Lies slain there by thee?
and down,

Amin. 'Tis Aspatia.
And cannot find thee: I am wondrous sick : My last is said. "Let me give up my soul
Have I thy hand, Amintor?

Into thy bosom.

Dies. Amin. Thou greatest blessing of the world, Cal. What's that? what's that? Aspatia? thou hast.

Mel. I never did
Asp. I do believe thee better than my sense. Repent the greatness of my heart till now:
Oh! I must go. Farewell !

(Dies. It will not burst at need. Amin. She swoons! Aspatia! Help for Cal. My daughter dead here too! And you heaven's sake, water !

have all fine new tricks to grieve; but I never Such as may chain life ever to this frame.

knew but direct crying. Aspatia, speak! What, no help yet? I fool! Mel. I am a prattler ; but no more. I'll chafe her temples: Yet there's nothing stirs :

[Offers to kill himself. Some hidden power tell her, Amintor calls, Diph. Hold, brother, And let her answer me! Aspatia, speak !

any

Lys. Stop him.

To stop my breath? or, if

you

tie down those, Diph. Fie! how unmanly was this offer in you; I vow, Amintor, I will never eat, Does this become our strain?

Or drink, or sleep, or have to do with that, Cal. I know not what the matter is, but I am That may preserve life! This I swear to keep. grown very kind, and am friends with you. You Lys. Look to him tho', and bear those bodies in. have given me that among you, will kill me quick- May this a fair example be to me, ly; but I'll go home, and live as long as I can. To rule with temper: For, on lustful hings,

Mel. His spirit is but poor, that can be kept Unlooked-for, sudden deaths from heaven are sent; From death for want of weapons.

But curst is he, that is their instrument. Is not my hand a weapon sharp enough

[Ereunt omnes.

PHILASTER;

OR

LOVE LIES A-BLEEDING.

BY

BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.

DRAMATIS PERSONE.

cess.

MEN.

WOMEN. Kixg.

ARETH USA, the king's daughter. PHILASTER, heir to the crown.

Galatea, a wise modest ludy, attending the prinPARAMOND, prince of Spain. Dron, a lord.

Megra, a lascivious lady. CLEREMONT,? noble gentlemen, his associates.

An old wanton lady, or crone, attending the prinTHRASILINE, S An old captain.

Another lady attending the princess. Fite citiz

Euphrasia, daughter of Di but disguised like A country fellow.

a page, and called Bellario. Tuo woodmen. The king's guard and train.

Scene,-Sicily.

cess.

ACT I.

Enter Diox, ClEREMONT. and THRASILINE. Dion. Sir, it is, without controversy, so neant. Cle. Here's nor lords nor ladies!

But 'twill be a troublesome labour for him to Dion. Credit me, gentlemen, I wonder at it enjoy both these kingdoms with safety, the right They received strict charge from the king to at- heir to one of them living, and living so virtend here. Besides, it was boldly published, that tuously; especially, the people admiring the no officer should forbid any gentlemen, that de- bravery of his mind, and lamenting his injuries. sire to attend and hear.

Cle. Who? Philaster? Cle. Can you guess the cause?

Dion. Yes; Whose father, we all know, was Dion. Sir, it is plain, about the Spanish prince, by our late king of Calabria unrighteously deposed that's come to marry our kingdom's heir, and be from his fruitful Sicily. Myself drew some blood our sovereign.

in those wars, which I would give my hand to be Thra. Many, that will seem to know much, washed from. say, she looks not on him like a maid in love. Cle. Sir, my ignorance in state policy will not

Dion. Oh, sir, the multitude (that seldom know let me know, why, Philaster being heir to one of any thing but their own opinions) speak that, these kingdoms, the king should suffer him to walk they would have; but the prince, before his own abroad with such free liberty. approach, received so many confident messages Dion. Sir, it seems your nature is more confrom the state, that I think she's resolved to be stant than to enquire after state news. But the ruled.

king, of late, made a hazard of both the kingdoms, Cle. Sir, it is thought, with her he shall enjoy of Sicily and his own, with offering but to imprison both these kingdoms of Sicily and Calabria. Philaster. At which the city was in arms, not to

a

a

be charmed down by any state order or procla- | And so deserving I dare speak myself) mation, till they saw Philaster ride through the To what a person, of what eminence, streets pleased, and without a guard; at which Ripe expectation, of what faculties, they threw their hats, and their arms from them; Manners and virtues, you would wed your kingsome to make bonfires, some to drink, all for his doms : deliverance. Which, wise men say, is the cause, You in me have your wishes. Oh, this country! the king labours to bring in the power of a foreign By more than all my hopes I hold it happy; nation, to awe his own with.

Happy, in their dear memories, that have been Enter King, PHARAMOND, ARETHUSA, and train. And from you (as a chronicle to keep

Kings great and good; happy in yours, that is; King. To give a stronger testimony of love Your noble name from eating age) do I Than sickly promises (which commonly

Open myself, most happy. Gentlemen, In princes find both birth and burial

Believe me in a word, a prince's word, In one breath), we have drawn you, worthy sir, There shall be nothing to make up a kingdom To make your fair endearments to our daughter, Mighty, and flourishing, defenced, feared, And worthy services known to our subjects, Equal to be commanded and obeyed, Now loved and wondered at. Next, our intent, But through the travels of my life I'll find it, To plant you deeply, our immediate heir, And tie it to this country. And I vow Both to our blood and kingdoms. For this lady My reign shall be so easy to the subject, (The best part of your life, as you confirm me, That every man shall be his prince himself, And I believe, though her few years and sex And his own law (yet I his prince and law). Yet teach her nothing but her fears and blushes, And, dearest lady, to your dearest self Desires without desire, discourse and knowledge (Dear, in the choice of him whose name and lastre Only of what herself is to herself,

Must make you more and mightier) let me say, Make her feel moderate health ; and when she You are the blessedest living; for, sweet princess, sleeps,

You shall make him yours, for whom
In making no ill day, knows no ill dreams. Great queens must die.
Think not, dear sir, these undivided parts,

Thra. Miraculous !
That must mould up a virgin, are put on

Cle. This speech calls him Spaniard, Aside.

. To shew her so, as borrowed ornaments, being nothing but a large inventory To speak her perfect love to you, or add

of his own commendations. An artificial shadow to her nature :

Enter Philaster. No, Sir; I boldly dare proclaim her, yet No woman. But woo her still, and think her Dion. I wonder what's his price? For certainly modesty

He'll sell himself, he has so praised his shape.
A sweeter mistress than the offered language But here comes one, more worthy those large
Of any dame, were she a queen, whose eye

speeches,
Speaks common loves and comforts to her servants. Than the large speaker of them.
Last, noble son (for so I now must call you), Let me be swallowed quick, if I can find,
What I have done thus public, is not only In all the anatomy of yon man's virtues,
To add a comfort in particular

One sinew sound enough to promise for him, To you or me, but all; and to confirm

He shall be constable. The nobles, and the gentry of these kingdoms, By this sun, he'll never make a king By oath to your succession, which shall be Unless it be for trifles, in my poor judgment. Within this month at most.

Phi. Right noble sir, as low as my obedience, Thra. This will be hardly done.

And with a heart as loyal as my knee, Cle. It must be ill done, if it be done.

I beg your favour. Dion. When 'tis at best, 'twill be but

King. Rise; you have it, sir. half done, whilst

Dion. Mark but the king, how pale he looks So brave agentleman's wronged, and flung

with fear! off.

Aside. Oh! this same whorson conscience, how it jades us! Thra. I fear.

King. Speak your intents, sir. Cle. Who does not?

Phi. Shall I speak them freely? Dion. I fear not for myself, and yet I

Be still my royal sovereign.fear too.

King. As a subject, Well, we shall see, we shall see. No more.)

freedom. Pha. Kissing your white hand, mistress, I take Dion. Now it heats. leave

Phi. Then thus I turn To thank your royal father; and thus far My language to you, prince; you, foreign man! To be my own free trumpet. Understand, Ne'er stare, nor put on wonder, for you must Great king, and these your subjects, mine that Endure me, and you shall. This earth you tread must be,

upon (For so deserving you have spoke me, sir,

We give you

:

well appear

(A dowry, as you hope, with this fair princess) You deserve our frown. Go to; be better temBy my dead father (oh, I had a father,

pered. Whose memory I bow to !) was not left

Phi. It must be, sir, when I am nobler used. To your inheritance, and I up and living;

King. Philaster, tell me
Having myself about me, and my sword, The injuries you aim at, in your riddles.
The souls of all my name, and memories,

Phi. If you had my eyes, sir, and sufferance, These arms, and soine few friends, besides the gods; My griefs upon you, and my broken fortunes, To part so calmly with it, and sit still,

My wants great, and now nought but hopes and And say, ' I might have been.' I tell thee, Pha- fears, ramond,

My wrongs would make ill riddles to be laughed at. When thou art king, look I be dead and rotten, Dare you be still my king, and right me not? And my name ashes : For, hear me, Pharamond ! King. Give me your wrongs in private. This very ground, thou goest on, this fat carth,

[They whisper. My father's friends made fertile with their faiths, Phi. Take them, Before that day of shame, shall gape and swallow And ease me of a load would bow strong Atlas. Thee and thy nation, like a hungry grave,

Cle. He dares not stand the shock. Into her hidden bowels. Prince, it shall;

Dion. I cannot blame him : there's danger in't. By Nemesis, it shall !

Every man in this age has not a soul of crystal, Pha. He's mad; beyond cure, mad.

for all men to read their actions through : Men's Dion. Here is a fellow has some fire in his veins: hearts and faces are so far asunder, that they The outlandish prince looks like a tooth-drawer. hold no intelligence. Do but view yon stranger Phi. Sir, prince of poppingjays, I'll make it well, and you shall see a fever through all his

bravery, and feel him shake like a true recreant. To you, I am not mad.

If he give not back his crown again, upon the reKing. You displease us :

port of an elder gun, I have no augury. You are too bold.

King. Go to !
Phi. No, sir, I am too tame,

Be more yourself, as you respect our favour;
Too much a turtle, a thing, born without passion, You'll stir us else. Sir, I must have you know,
A faint shadow, that every drunken cloud sails | That you are, and shall be, at our pleasure, what
over,

fashion we And makes nothing.

Will put upon you. . Smooth your brow, or by the King. I do not fancy this.

godsCall our physicians: Sure he is somewhat tainted. Phi. I am dead, sir; you are my fate. It was Thra. I do not think 'twill prove so.

not I Dion. He has given him a general purge already, Said, I was wronged : I carry all about me, for all the right he has; and now he means to My weak stars lead me to, all my weak fortunes. let him blood. Be constant, gentlemen : By these who dares in all this presence speak (that is hilts, I'll run his hazard, although I run my name But man of Aesh, and may be mortal) tell me, out of the kingdom.

I do not most entirely love this prince,
Cle. Peace, we are all one soul.

And honour his full virtues !
Pha. What you have seen in me, to stir offence, King. Sure, he's possessed.
I cannot find; unless it be this lady,

Phi. Yes, with my father's spirit: It is here, Offered into mine arms, with the succession;

O king! Which I must keep, though it hath pleased your A dangerous spirit. Now he tells me, king, fury

I was a king's heir, bids me be a king; To mutiny within you; without disputing And whispers to me, these are all my subjects. Your genealogies, or taking knowledge

'Tis strange he will not let me sleep, but dives Whose branch you are. The king will leave it into my fancy, and there gives me shapes, me;

That kneel, and do me service, cry me“ king :" And I dare make it mine. You have your answer. But I'll suppress him; he's a factious spirit,

Phi. If thou wert sole inheritor to him, And will undo me. Noble sir, your hand: That made the world his, and couldst see no sun I am your servant. Shine upon any thing but thine; were Pharamond King. Away, I do not like this: As truly valiant as I feel him cold,

I'll make you tamer, or I'll dispossess you And ringed among the choicest of his friends Both of life and spirit: For this time (Such as would blush to talk such serious follies, I pardon your wild speech, without so much Or back such bellied commendations),

As your imprisonment. [Er. King, Pha. and Are. And from this presence, spite of all these bugs, Dion. See, how his fancy labours ! Has he not You should hear further from me.

Spoke home, and bravely? What a dangerous King. Sir, you wrong the prince :

train, I gave you not this freedom to brave our best Did he give fire to! How he shook the king, friends.

Nade his soul melt within him, and his blood

1