[hood

The makers blush to own! Much-loved Cesario,
Brother, or friend, (each title may prevail)
Remember with what tenderness from our child-
We loved together, you preferring me
Before yourself, and I so fond of you
That it begot suspicion in ill minds,
That our affection was incestuous :
Think of that happy time, in which I know
That with your dearest blood you had prevented
This shower of tears from me! Mentivole,
My husband, register'd in that bright star-chamber,
Though now on earth made strangers, be the ex-
And offer in one hand the peaceful olive
Of concord; or, if that can be denied,
By powerful intercession, in the other
Carry the Hermian rod, and force atonement !

[ample!

Alb. And my name

To be no more remember'd.

Enter PROSPERO, Juliana, and BIANCA, in brave Apparel, Duke, What are these?

Ces. Bianca? 'tis Bianca, still Bianca! But strangely alter'd.

Bapt. If that thirteen years

Of absence could raze from my memory
The figure of my friend, I might forget thee;
But if thy image be graven on my heart,
Thou art my Prospero.

Pros. Thou my Baptista.
Duke. A sudden change!

Bapt. I dare not ask, dear friend,

If Juliana live; for that's a blessing

I am unworthy of! but yet deny not

To let me know the place she hath made happy, By having there her sepulchre.

Pros. If your highness

Please to vouchsafe a patient ear,

We shall make a true relation of a story
That shall call on your wonder.

Duke. Speak; we hear you.

Pros. Baptista's fortune in the Genoa court,
His banishment, with his fair wife's restraint,
You are acquainted with; what since hath followed
I faithfully will deliver. Ere eight moons
After Baptista's absence were complete,
Fair Juliana found the pleasures, that
They had enjoyed together, were not barren,
And, blushing at the burden of her womb,
No father near to own it, it drew on

A violent sickness, which call'd down compassion
From the angry duke; then, careful of her health,
Physicians were inquired of, and their judgment
Prescribed the baths of Lucca as a means
For her recovery: To my charge it pleased her
To be committed; but as on the way

We journied, those throes, only known to women,
Came thick upon her: In a private village
Bapt. She died?

Pros. Have patience!-She brought to the world
A hopeful daughter: For her body's sickness,
It soon decayed; but the grief of her mind
Hourly increased, and life grew tedious to her;
And, desperate e'er to see you, she enjoin'd me
To place her in a Greekish monastery,
And to my care gave up her pretty daughter.

Bapt. What monastery? as a pilgrim bare-foot, I'll search it out.

Pros. Pray you interrupt me not.
Now to my fortunes! The girl well disposed of
With a faithful friend of mine, my cruel fate

Made me a prisoner to the Turkish gallies,
Where for twelve years these hands tugg'd at the

With my faithful Host I left her, and with him
Till now she hath resided, ignorant

Both of her birth and greatness.

Bapt. Oh, my blest one!

Joy upon joy o'erwhelms me!
Duke. Above wonder!

Alb. I do begin to melt too; this strange story Works much upon me.

Duke. Since it hath pleased Heaven
To grace us with this miracle, I that am
Heaven's instrument here, determine thus: Al-
berto,

Be not unthankful for the blessings shewn you,
Nor you, Baptista! Discord was yet never
A welcome sacrifice; therefore, rage laid by,
Embrace as friends, and let pass'd difference
Be as a dream forgotten!

Host. The robbing me of all my plate and jewels; I mean, the attempting of it.

Clown. Please your grace, I will now discover this varlet in earnest; this honest pestilent rogue professed the art of conjuring; but all the skill that ever he had in the black art, was in making a sea-coal fire; only with wearing strange shapes he begot admiration 'mongst fools and women.

For. Wilt thou peach, thou varlet?

Duke. Why does he goggle with his eyes, and stalk so?

Clown. This is one of his magical raptures. For. I do vilify your censure! You demand, if I am guilty; whir-says my cloak, by a trick of legerdemain! Now I am not guilty; I am guarded with innocence, pure silver lace, I assure you.

Clown. Thus have I read to you your virtues, which, notwithstanding, I would not have you proud of.

For. Out, thou concealment of tallow, and counterfeit mummy!

Duke. To the gallies with them both!

Clown. The only sea-physic for a knave, is to be basted in a galley, with the oil of a bull's pizzle.

For. And will not you make a sour face at the same sauce, sirrah? I hope to find thee so lean in one fortnight, thou mayst be drawn by the ears through the hoop of a firkin.

Duke. Divide them, and away with them to the

SCENE I.-An Apartment in the Palace.

Enter DORIALUS, AGENOR, and NISUS. Agenor. Trust me, my lord Dorialus, I had missed of this, if you had not called me; I thought the princess's birth-day had been to-morrow.

Nisus. Why, did your lordship sleep out the day?

Dor. I marvel what the duke meant to make such an idle vow.

Nisus. Idle? why?

Dor. Is't not idle, to swear to grant his daughter anything she shall ask on her birth-day? she may ask an impossible thing; and I pray Heaven she do not ask an unfit thing, at one time or other: 'Tis dangerous trusting a man's vow upon the discretion of his daughter.

Age. I wonder most at the marquis her brother, who is always vehemently forward to have her desires granted.

Dor. He's acquainted with 'em before.

Age. She's doubtless very chaste and virtuous. Dor. So is Leucippus her brother.

Nisus. She's twenty years old; I wonder she ask not a husband.

Dor. That were a folly in her, having refused all the great princes in one part of the world; she'll die a maid.

Age. She may ask but once, may she?

Nisus. A hundred times this day, if she will : And, indeed, every day is such a day; for though the duke has vowed it only on this day, he keeps it every day; he can deny her nothing. Cornets. Enter HIDASPES, LEUCIPPUS, LEONTIUS, TIMANTUS, and TELAMON.

Leon. Come, fair Hidaspes! thou art duchess

to-day.

Art thou prepared to ask? thou know'st my oath
Will force performance. And, Leucippus, if
She now ask aught that shall or would have per
formance

After my death, when by the help of Heaven
This land is thine, accursed be thy race,
May every one forget thou art my son,
And so their own obedience-

Leuc. Mighty sir,

I do not wish to know that fatal hour,
That is to make me king: But if I do,
I shall most heartily, (and like a son)
Perform your grants to all, chiefly to her,-
Remember that you ask what we agreed upon.
[Apart to her

Leon. Are you prepared? then speak.
Hid. Most royal sir,

I am prepared, nor shall my will exceed
A virgin's bounds; what I request shall both
At once bring me [and you] a full content.
Leon. So it ever does.

Thou only comfort of my feeble age,
Make known thy good desire! for I dare swear
Thou lovest me.

[self

Hating an idle life far worse than death,
Some one that gave himself to wine and sloth,
Which breed lascivious thoughts, and found him-
Contemn'd for that by every painful man,
To take his stain away, framed to himself
A god, whom he pretended to obey,
In being thus dishonest; for a name
He call'd him Cupid. This created god
(Man's nature being ever credulous

Of any vice that takes part with his blood)
Had ready followers enow; and since
In every age they grew, especially
Amongst your subjects, who do yet remain
Adorers of that drowsy deity,

Which drink invented; and the winged boy
(For so they call him) has his sacrifices,

And these loose naked statues through the land,
In every village; nay the palace

Is not free from 'em. This is my request,
That these erected obscene images

May be pluck'd down and burnt, and every man
That offers to 'em any sacrifice
May lose his life.

Leon. But be advised,

My fairest daughter! If he be a god,
He will express it upon thee, my child;
Which Heaven avert !

Leuc. There is no such power;
But the opinion of him fills the land
With lustful sins: Every young man and maid,
That feel the least desire to one another,
Dare not suppress it, for they think it is
Blind Cupid's motion; and he is a god!

Leon. This makes our youth unchaste: I am resolved.

Nephew Ismenus, break the statues down
Here in the palace, and command the city
To do the like: Let proclamations

Be drawn, and hastily sent through the land,
To the same purpose!

Ism. Sir, I'll break down none
Myself, but I'll deliver your command:
Hand I'll have none in't, for I like it not.

[Exit ISMENUS.

Leon. But go and meditate on other suits : Some six days hence I'll give thee audience again, And, by a new oath, bind myself to keep it.

Ask largely for thyself: Dearer than life,
In whom I may be bold to call myself
More fortunate than any in my age,

I will deny thee nothing!

Leuc. 'Twas well done, sister.

[Exeunt all but DORIALUS, AGENOR, and NISUS. Nisus. How like you this request, my lord? Dor. I know not yet, I am so full of wonder! We shall be gods ourselves shortly, An we pull 'em out of Heaven of this fashion. Age. We shall have wenches now when we can An we transgress thus. [catch 'em, Nisus. An we abuse the gods once, 'tis a justice We should be held at hard meat. For my part, I'll e'en make ready for mine own affection; I know the god incensed must send a hardness Through all good women's hearts, and then we have brought

Our eggs and muscadine to a fair market: 'Would I had given an hundred pound for a toleration,

That I might but use my conscience in mine own

house!

Dor. The duke, he's old and past it; he would

never

Have brought such a plague upon the land else;
"Tis worse than sword and famine! Yet, to say
truth,

We have deserved it, we have lived so wickedly,
Every man at his livery; and 'would that
Would have sufficed us! we murmured at
This blessing, that 'twas nothing; and cried out
To the god for endless pleasures: He heard us, and
Supplied us, and our women were new still,

As we needed 'em; yet we, like beasts,

Still cried," Poor men can number their whores, give us

Abundance!" we had it, and this curse withal.

Age. By'r lady, we are like to have a long Lent

on't;

Flesh shall be flesh now! Gentlemen, I had rather Have anger'd all the gods than that blind gunner. I remember, once the people did but slight him In a sacrifice, and what follow'd: Women kept Their houses, grew good huswives, honest forsooth!

Was not that fine? wore their own faces, nay, They [let us] wear gay clothes without surveying; And, which was most lamentable, they loved their husbands.

Nisus. I do remember it to my grief, Young maids were as cold as cucumbers, And much of that complexion; bawds were aboAnd (to which misery it must come again) [lish'd; There were no cuckolds. Well, we had need to pray To keep these devils from us; the times grow There he goes! Lord! [mischievous!

"Enter one with an Image, and passes over the Stage. This is a sacrilege I have not heard of! 'Would I were gelt, that I might not feel what follows. Age. And I too. few years,

You shall see, within these

A fine confusion in the country; mark it!
Nay, an we grow for to depose the powers,
And set up Chastity again-Well, I have done!
A fine new goddess certainly, whose blessings
Are hunger and hard beds!

Nisus. This comes of fulness,

A sin too frequent with us; I believe now
We shall find shorter commons.

Dor. 'Would I were married! somewhat has

some favour;

The race of gentry will quite run out, now
"Tis only left to husbands; if younger sisters
Take not the greater charity, 'tis lawful.

Age. Well, let come what will come, I am but And as the plague falls, I will shape myself: [one, If women will be honest, I'll be sound.

If the god be not too unmerciful,
I'll take a little still, where I can get it,
And thank him, and say nothing.

Nisus. This ill wind yet may blow the city good, And let them (if they can) get their own children, They have hung long enough in doubt: But, how

Enter Priest of Cupid, with four young Men and Maids.
Priest. Come, my children, let your feet
In an even measure meet!
And your chearful voices rise,
For to present this sacrifice

To great Cupid! in whose name,

I his priest begin the same.

Young men, take your loves and kiss;
Thus our Cupid honour'd is.
Kiss again, and in your kissing
Let no promises be missing!
Nor let any maiden here
Dare to turn away her ear,
Unto the whisper of her love;
But give bracelet, ring, or glove,
As a token to her sweeting,
Of an after secret meeting!
Now, boy, sing, to stick our hearts
Fuller of great Cupid's darts!

SONG.

Lovers, rejoice! your pains shall be rewarded,
The god of love himself grieves at your crying:
No more shall frozen honour be regarded,
Nor the coy faces of a maid's denying.

No more shall virgins sigh, and say " We dare not,
For men are false, and what they do they care not."
All shall be well again; then do not grieve;
Men shall be true, and women shall believe.

Lovers, rejoice! what you shall say henceforth,
When you have caught your sweethearts in your arms,
It shall be accounted oracle, and worth:
No more faint-hearted girls shall dream of harms,
And cry" They are too young :" The god hath said,
Fifteen shall make a mother of a maid:
Then, wise men, pull your roses yet unblown!
Love hates the too-ripe fruit that falls alone.

[A measure.

Enter NILO, and other Gentlemen. Nilo. No more of this! here break your rites for

ever;

The duke commands it so.

Priest, do not stare! I must deface your temple, though unwilling, And your god Cupid here must make a scarecrow, For anything I know, or, at the best,

Adorn a chimney-piece.

Priest. Oh, sacrilege unheard-of!
Nilo. This will not help it.—

Take down their images, and away with 'em!—
Priest, change your coat, you had best; all service

now

Is given to men; prayers above their hearing
Will prove but babblings; learn to lie and thrive,
Twill prove your best profession: For the gods,
He that lives by 'em now must be a beggar.
There's better holiness on earth, they say;
Pray God it ask not greater sacrifice! Go home;
And if your god be not deaf as well as blind,
He will make some smoke for it.

Now shook off? and condemn'd by such, whose
Are but my recreation? Anger, rise! [lives
My sufferance and myself are made the subject
Of sins against us. Go thou out, displeasure!
Displeasure of a great god, fly thyself
Through all this kingdom; sow whatever evils
Proud flesh is taking of, amongst these rebels;
And on the first hearts that despise my greatness
Lay a strange misery, that all may know
Cupid's Revenge is mighty! With this arrow,
Hotter than plagues of mine own anger, will I
Now nobly right myself; nor shall the prayers,
Nor sweet smokes on my altars, hold my hand,
Till I have left this a most wretched land. [Ascends.

SCENE III.—A Room in the Palace.

Enter HIDASPES and CLEOPHILA.

Hid. Cleophila, what was he that went hence?
Cleo. What means your grace now?
Hid. I mean that handsome man,
That something more than man, I met at door.
Cleo. Here was no handsome man.
Hid. Come, he's some one

You would preserve in private; but you want
Cunning to do it, and my eyes are sharper
Than yours, and can with one neglecting glance
See all the graces of a man.
Who was it?

Cleo. That went hence now?
Hid. That went hence now? ay, he!

Cleo. 'Faith, here was no such one as your grace

thinks;

Zoilus, your brother's dwarf, went out but now. Hid. I think 'twas he: How bravely he pass'd Is he not grown a goodly gentleman? [by!

Cleo. A goodly gentleman, madam? He is The most deformed fellow in the land.