her;

And bids thee live? Art thou above thy foemen,
And free as Phæbus ? Speak. If not, this stand

Enter King, ARETHUSA, GALATEA, MEGRA, Of royal blood shall be abroach, a-tilt,

CLEREMONT, DION, THRASILINE, BELLARIO, And run even to the lees of honour.

and attendants. Phi. Hold, and be satisfied: I am myself; King. Is it appeased ? Free as my thoughts are: by the gods, I am. Dion. Sir, all is quiet as the dead of night,

Cap. Art thou the dainty darling of the king? As peaceable as sleep.. My lord Philaster Art thou the Hylas to our Hercules?

Brings on the prince himself. Do the lords bow, and the regarded scarlets King. Kind gentleman ! Kiss their gummed golls, and cry, we are your I will not break the least word I have given servants ?

In promise to him: I have heaped a world Is the court navigable, and the presence stuck Of grief upon his head, which yet I hope With flags of friendship? If not, we are thy To wash away.

castle,
And this man sleeps.

Enter PHILASTER and PHARAMOND.
Phi. I am what I desire to be, your friend; Cle. My lord is come.
I am what I was born to be, your prince.

King. My son!
Pha. Sir, there is some humanity in you; Blest be the time, that I have leave to call
You have a noble soul; forget my name,

Such virtue mine! Now thou art in mine arms,
And know my misery : set me safe aboard Methinks I have a salve unto my breast
From these wild cannibals, and, as I live, For all the stings, that dwell there. Streams of
I'll quit this land for ever. There is nothing,

grief, Perpetual 'prisonment, cold, hunger, sickness That I have wronged thee, and as much of joy Of all sorts, of all dangers, and all together, That I repent it, issue from mine eyes: The worst company of the worst men, madness, Let them appease thee. Take thy right; take

age, To be as many creatures as a woman,

She is thy right too; and forget to urge And do as all they do; nay, to despair; My vexed soul with that I did before. But I would rather make it a new nature,

Phi. Sir, it is blotted from my memory, And live with all those, than endure one hour Past and forgotten. For you, prince of Spain, Amongst these wild dogs.

Whom I have thus redeemed, you have full leave Phi. I do pity you.-Friends, discharge your To make an honourable voyage home.

And if you would go furnished to your realm Deliver me the prince: I'll warrant you, With fair provision, I do see a lady, I shall be old enough to find my safety.

Methinks, would gladly bear you company: 3 Cit. Good sir, take heed he does not hurt How like you this piece? you:

Meg. Sir, he likes it well;
He's a fierce man,

I
sir.

For he hath tried it, and found it worth Cap. Prince, by your leave, I'll have a sur His princely liking. We were ta’en a-bed. cingle,

I know your meaning, I am not the first And mail you like a hawk,

[He slirs. That nature taught to seek a fellow forth: Phi. Away, away; there is no danger in him: Can shame remain perpetually in me, Alas, he had rather sleep to shake his fit off. And not in others ? or, have princes salves, Look ye, friends, how gently he leads. Upon my To cure ill names, that meaner people want? word,

Phi. What mean you? He's tame enough, he needs no further watch Meg. You must get another ship, ing

To bear the princess and the boy together. Good my friends, go to your houses,

Dion. How now? And by me have your pardons, and my love; Meg. Others took me, and I took her and him And know, there shall be nothing in my power At that all women may be ta'en some time. You may deserve, but you shall have your Ship us all four, my lord; we can endure wishes.

Weather and wind alike. To give you more thanks were to flatter you. King. Clear thou thyself, or know not me for Continue still your love; and, for an earnest,

father. Drink this.

Are. This earth, how false it is! What means All. Long may'st thou live, brave prince! brave

is left prince!

For me to clear myself? It lies in your

belief. [E. PHI. and PHA. My lords, believe me; and let all things else Cap. Thou art the king of courtesy !

Struggle together to dishonour me. Fall off again, my sweet youths. Come, and every Bel. Oh, stop your ears, great king, that I may man trace to his house again, and hang his pew

speak ter up; then to the tavern, and bring your wives As freedom would; then I will call this lady in muffs. We will have music; and the red As base as be her actions! hear me, sir grape shall make us dance, and rise, boys. Believe your heated blood, when it rebels

(E.reunt. | Against your reason, sooner than this lady.

fears;

can

tell you,

Brave prince!

near

Meg. By this good light, he bears it hand- | In court, of one Euphrasia, a lady,
somely.

And daughter to you ; betwixt whom and me,
Phi. This lady? I will sooner trust the wind They, that would flatter my bad face, would swear
With feathers, or the troubled sea with pearl, There was such strange resemblance, that we two

1
Than her with any thing. Believe her not ! Could not be known asunder, dressed alike.
Why, think you, if I did believe her words, Dion. By heaven, and so there is !
I would outlive them? Honour cannot take Bel. For her fair sake,
Revenge on you; then, what were to be known Who now doth spend the spring-time of her life
But death?

In holy pilgrimage, move to the king,
King. Forget her, sir, since all is knit That I may 'scape this torture.
Between us. But I must request of you

Dion. But thou speakest
One favour, and will sadly be denied.

As like Euphrasia, as thou dost look.
Phi. Command, whate'er it be.

How came it to thy knowledge, that she lives
King. Swear to be true

In pilgrimage?
To what you promise.

Bel. I know it not, my lord ;
Phi. By the powers above!

But I have heard it; and do scarce believe it.
Let it not be the death of her or him,

Dion. Oh, my shame! 'Is't possible? Draw
And it is granted.
King. Bear away that boy

That I may gaze upon thee. Art thou she,
To torture; I will have her cleared or buried. Or else her murderer? Where wert thou born?
Phi. Oh, let me call my words back, worthy Bel. In Syracusa.
sir !

Dion. What's thy name?
Ask something else! Bury my life and right Bel. Euphrasia.
In one poor grave; but do not take away Dion. Oh, 'tis just, 'tis she !
My life and fame at once.

Now I do know thee. Oh, that thou hadst died,
King. Away with him! it stands irrevocable. And I had never seen thee, nor my shame!
Phi. Turn all your eyes on me: here stands a How shall I own thee? shall this tongue of mine
man,

E’er call thee daughter more?
The falsest and tbe basest of this world.

Bel. 'Would I had died indeed! I wish it too : 1
Set swords against this breast, some honest man, And so I must have done by vow, ere published
For I have lived, till I am pitied !

What I have told, but that there was no means
My former deeds were hateful, but this last To hide it longer. Yet I joy in this,
Is pitiful; for, I, unwillingly,

The princess is all clear.
Have given the dear preserver of my life

King. What liave you done?
Unto his torture ! Is it in the power

Dion. All is discovered.
Of flesh and blood, to carry this and live!

Phi. Why then hold you me?
(Offers to kill himself.

(He offers to stab himself.
Are. Dear sir, be patient yet! Oh, stay that All is discovered! Pray you, let me go.
hand.

King. Stay him.
King: Sirs, strip that boy.

Are. What is discovered?
Dion. Come, sir; your tender flesh will try Dion. Why, my shame!
your constancy.

It is a woman ; let her speak the rest.
Bel. Oh, kill me, gentlemen!

Phi. How? that again !
Dion. No! Help, sirs.

Dion. It is a woman.
Bel. Will you torture me?

Phi. Blessed be you powers, that favour inno-
King. Haste there! why stay you ?

cence!
Bel. Then I shall not break my vow,

King. Lay hold upon that lady.
You know, just gods, though I discover all. Phi. It is a woman, sir! hark, gentlemen!
King. How's that? will he confess?

It is a woman! Arethusa, take
Dion. Sir, so he says.

My soul into thy breast, that would be gone
King. Speak then.

It is a woman! thou art fair,
Bel. Great king, if you command

And virtuous still to ages, in despite of malice.
This lord to talk with me alone, my tongue, King. Speak you; where lies his shame?
Urged by my heart, shall utter all the thoughts Bel. I am his daughter.
My youth hath known ; and stranger things than Phi. The gods are just.
these

Dion. I dare accuse none; but, before you two,
You hear not often.

The virtue of our age, I bend my knee
King. Walk aside with him.

For mercy,
Dion. Why speakest thou not?

Phi. Take it freely; for, I know,
Bel. Know you this face, my lord ?

Though what thou didst were indiscreetly done,
Dion. No.

'Twas meant well.
Bel. Have you not seen it, nor the like?

Are. And for me,
Dion. Yes, I have seen the like, but readily I have a power to pardon sins, as oft
I know not where.

As any man has power to wrong me.
Bel. I have been often told

Cle. Noble and worthy !

i

With joy.

Phi. But, Bellario,

King. Search out a match
(For I must call thee still so) tell me why Within our kingdom, where and when thou wilt,
Thou didst conceal thy sex? It was a fault; And I will pay thy dowry; and thyself
A fault, Bellario, though thy other deeds

Wilt well deserve him.
Of truth outweighed it: all these jealousies Bel. Never, sir, will I
Had flown to nothing, if thou hadst discovered Marry; it is a thing within my vow :
What now we know.

But, if I may have leave to serve the princess, Bel. My father oft would speak

To see the virtues of her lord and her, Your worth and virtue; and, as I did

grow

I shall have hope to live.
More and more apprehensive, I did thirst

Are. And I, Philaster,
To see the man so praised; but yet all this Cannot be jealous, though you had a lady
Was but a maiden longing, to be lost

Dressed like a page to serve you; nor will I
As soon as found; till sitting in my window, Suspect her living here. Come, live with me;
Printing my thoughts in lawn, I saw a god, Live free, as I do. She, that loves my lord,
I thought, (but it was you) enter our gates. Curst be the wife that hates her!
My blood flew out, and back again as fast,

Phi. Igrieve such virtues should be laid in earth As I had puffed it forth and sucked it in Without an heir. Hear me, my royal father: Like breath; then was I called away in haste, Wrong not the freedom of our souls so much, To entertain you. Never was a man,

To think to take revenge of that base woman; Heaved from a sheep-cot to a sceptre, raised Her malice cannot hurt us. Set her free So high in thoughts as I: you left a kiss As she was born, saving from shame and sin. Upon these lips then, which I mean to keep King. Set her at liberty; but leave the court; From you for ever. I did hear you talk, This is no place for such! You, Pharamond, Far above singiog! after you were gone, Shall have free passage, and a conduct home, I grew acquainted with my heart, and searched Worthy so great a prince. When you come there, What stirred it so: alas ! I found it love; Remember, 'twas your faults, that lost you her, Yet far from lust; for could I but have lived And not my purposed will. In presence of you, I had had my end.

Pha, I do confess, For this I did delude my noble father

Renowned sir. With a feigned pilgrimage, and dressed myself King. Last, join your hands in one. Enjoy, In habit of a boy; and, for I knew

Philaster, My birth no match for you, I was past hope This kingdom, which is yours, and after me of having you; and, understanding well, Whatever I call mine. My blessing on you! That, when I made discovery of my sex, All happy hours be at your marriage joys, I could not stay with you, I made a vow, That you may grow yourselves over all lands, By all the most religious things a maid

And live to see your plenteous branches spring Could call together, never to be known,

Wherever there is sun ! let princes learn Whilst there was hope to hide me from men's eyes, By this, to rule the passions of their blood, For other than I seemed, that I might ever For what heaven wills can never be withstood. Abide with you: then sat I by the fount,

[Exeunt 9nues Where first you took me up.

VOL. I.

K

REGULUS,
MEN.

DRUSIUS,

Roman officers. CARATACH, general of the Britons, cousin to Bon- MACER, duca.

CURIUS, NENNIUS, a great soldier, a British commander. Judas, a corporal, a cowardly, hungry knate. HENGO, a brave boy, nephew to Caratuch.

Herald. SUETONIUS, general to the Roman army in Bri- Druids. tain.

Soldiers. JUNIUS, a Roman captain, in love with Bonduca's daughter.

WOMEN. PETILLIUS, another Roman captain.

BONDUCA, queen of the Iceni, a brave virago. DEMETRIUS,

Her two daughters, by Prasutagus.
DECIUS, Roman commanders.
PENIUS,

SCENE,—Britain.

ACT. I.

Not lusty arms. Dare they send these to seek us, SCENE I.

These Roman girls ? is Britain grown so wanton?

Twice we have beat them, Nennius, scattered Enter BONDUCA, Daughters, HENGO, NENNIUS,

them; and Soldiers.

And through their big-boned Germans, on whose Bond. The hardy Romans ? Oh, ye gods of

pikes Britain,

The honour of their actions sits in triumph, The rust of arms, the blushing shame of soldiers ! Made themes for songs to shame them : And a Are these the men, that conquer by inheritance?

woman, The fortune-makers ? these the Julians,

A woman beat them, Nennius; a weak woman,

A woman, beat these Romans !
Enter CARATACH.

Car. So it seems;
That with the sun measure the end of nature, A man would shame to talk so.
Making the world but one Rome, and one Cæsar? Bond. Who's that ?
Shame, how they flee! Cæsar's soft soul dwells Car. I.
in them;

Bond. Cousin, do you grieve my fortunes ?
Their mothers got them sleeping, Pleasure nursed Car. No, Bonduca;
them;

If I grieve, it is the bearing of your fortunes : Their bodies sweat with sweet oils, love's allure-You put too much wind to your sail; discretion ments,

And hardy valour are the twins of honour,

And, nursed together, make a conqueror; As ready, and as full of that I brought,
Divided, but a talker. 'Tis a truth,

(Which was not fear, nor flight) as valiant, That Rome has fled before us twice, and routed; As vigilant, as wise, to do and suffer, A truth we ought to crown the gods for, lady, Ever advanced as forward as the Britons, And not our tongues; truth is none of ours,

Their sleeps as short, their hopes as high as ours, Nor in our ends, more than the noble bearing; Ay, and as subtle, lady. 'Tis dishonour, For then it leaves to be a virtue, lady,

And, followed, will be impudence, Bonduca, And we, that have been victors, beat ourselves, And grow to no belief, to taint these Romans. When we insult upon our honour's subject. Have not I seen the BritonsBond. My valiant cousin, is it foul to say

Bond. What? What liberty and honour bid us do,

Car. Disheartened, And what the gods allow us ?

Run, run, Bonduca ! not the quick rack swifter; Car. No, Bonduca:

The virgin from the hated ravisher So what we say exceed not what we do.

Not half so fearful; not a flight drawn home, You call the Romans ' fearful, fleeing Romans, A round stone from a sling, a lover's wish, * And Roman girls, the lees of tainted pleasures:' E'er made that haste, that they have. By the gods, Does this become a doer? are they such? I've seen these Britons, that you magnify, Bond. They are no more.

Run as they would haveout-run time, and roaring, Car. Where is your conquest then ?

Basely for mercy roaring; the light shadows Why are your altars crowned with wreaths of That in a thought scur o'er the fields of corn, Åowers ?

Halted on crutches to them. The beasts with gilt horns waiting for the fire?

Bond. Oh, ye powers, The holy Druides composing songs

What scandals do I suffer! Of everlasting life to victory?

Car. Yes, Bonduca, Why are these triumphs, lady? for a May-game? I've seen thee run too; and thee, Nennius ; For hunting a poor herd of wretched Romans ? Yea, run apace, both; then, when Penius Is it no more? Shut up your temples, Britons, (The Roman girl!) cut through your armed carts, And let the husbandman redeem his heifers, And drove them headlong on ye, down the hill; Put out our holy fires, no timbrel ring,

Then, when he hunted ye like Britain foxes, Let's home and slecp; for such great overthrows More by the scent than sight; then did I see A candle burns too bright a sacrifice,

These valiant and approved men of Britain, A glow-worm's tail too full of flame. Oh, Nen- Like boding owls, creep into tods of ivy, nius,

And hoot their fears to one another nightly, Thou hadst a noble uncle, knew a Roman, Nen. And what did you then, Caratach? And how to speak him, how to give him weight

Car. I fled too, In both his fortunes.

But not so fast; your jewel had been lost then, Bond. By the gods, I think

Young Hengo there; he trasht me, Nennius : You doat upon these Romans, Caratach ! For, when your fears out-run him, then stept I, Car. Witness these wounds, I do; they were And in the head of all the Roman fury fairly given :

Took him, and, with my tough belt, to my back I love an enemy; I was born a soldier ;

I buckled him; behind him, my sure shield; And he that in the head on's troop defies me,

And then I followed. If I say I fought Bending my manly body with his sword, Five times in bringing off this bud of Britain, I make a mistress. Yellow-tressed Hymen I lie not, Nennius. Neither had you heard Ne'er tied a longing virgin with more joy, Me speak this, or ever seen

the child more, Than I am married to that man, that wounds me: But that the son of virtue, Penius, And are not all these Roman? Ten struck battles Seeing me steer through all these storms of danger, I sucked these honoured scars from, and all Ro- My helm still in my hand (my sword,) my prow man;

Turned to my foe (my face, he cried out nobly, Ten years of bitter nights and heavy marches, 'Go, Briton, bear thy lion's whelp off safely; (When many a frozen storm sung through my Thy manlysword has ransomed thee; grow strong, cuirass,

And let me meet thee once again in arms; And made it doubtful, whether that or I Then, if thou stand'st, thou art mine.' I took his Were the more stubborn metal) have I wrought

offer, through,

And here I am to honour him. And all to try these Romans. Ten times a-night Bond. Oh, cousin, I have swam the rivers, when the stars of Rome From what a flight of honour hast thou checked Shot at me as I floated, and the billows Tumbled their watry ruins on my shoulders, What wouldst thou make me, Caratach? Charging my battered sides with troops of agues ; Car. See, lady, And still to try these Romans, whom I found The noble use of others in our losses. (And, if I lie, my wounds be henceforth back- Does this afflict you? Had the Romans cried this, ward,

And, as we have done theirs, sung out these And be you witness, gods, and all my dangers)

fortunes,

me!