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A TRAGI-COMEDY.

The Commendatory Verses by Hills assign this Play wholly to Fletcher. It was first printed in the folio of 1647. We do not know of any alteration that has been made to it, nor has it been acted these many years.

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Enter Neanthes, Sosicles, and Eraton. Eraton. THE general is return'd then?

Nean With much honour.

Sos. And peace concluded with the prince of Argos?

Nean. To the Queen's wishes: The con-
ditions sign'd

So far beyond her hopes, to the advantage
Of Corinth, and the good of all her subjects,
That tho' Leonidas, our brave genera!,
Ever came home a fair and great example,
He never yet return'd or with less loss
Or more deserved honour.

Era. Have you not heard

The motives to this general good?

Nean. The main one

Was admiration first in young Agenor (For by that name we know the prince of Argos)

Of our Leonidas' wisdom and his valour; Which, tho' an enemy, first in him bred wonder,

That liking, love succeeded that, which was Followed by a desire to be a friend, Upon what terms soever, to such goodness. They had an interview; and, that their friend[cluded, ship Might with our peace be ratified, it was conAgenor, yielding up all such strong places As he held in our territories, should receive (With a sufficient dower paid by the Queen) The fair Merione for his wife.

[know,

Era. But how Approves the Queen of this? since we well Nor was her highness ignorant, that her son The prince Theanor made love to this lady, And in the noblest way.

Nean. Which she allow'd of,

And I have heard from some familiar with Her nearest secrets, she so deeply priz'd her, Being from an infant train'd up in ber service, (Or, to speak better, rather her own creature) She once did say, that if the prince should steal

A marriage without her leave, or knowledge, With this Merione, with a little suit

Boutefeu.] An incendiary.

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The prince should sit down with this wrong?

Nean. I know not;

I am sure I should not.

Era. Trust me, nor I:

A mother is a name; but, put in balance With a young wench, 'tis nothing. Where did you leave him?

Nean. Near Vesta's temple (for there he dismiss'd me)

And full of troubled thoughts, calling for Crates: [purpose,

He went with him, but whither, or to what I am a stranger.

Enter Theanor and Crates.

Era. They're come back, Neanthes.
The. I like the place well.

Cra. Well, sir? it is built

As if the architect had been a prophet,
And fashion'd it alone for this night's action;
The vaults so hollow, and the walls so strong,
As Dian there might suffer violence,

And with loud shrieks in vain call Jove to help her;

Or should he hear, his thunder could not find An entrance to it.

The. I give up myself

Wholly to thy direction, worthiest Crates: And yet the desp'rate cure that we must pracIs in itself so foul, and full of danger, [tise That I stand doubtful whether 'twere more manly

To die not seeking help, or, that help being So deadly, to pursue it.

Cra. To those reasons

I have already urg'd, I will add these:
For, but consider, sir-

Era. It is of weight

Of e

[They talk apart. [tion

Whate'er it be, that with such vchement acfeye, hand, foot, nay, all his body's motion, Crates incites the prince to.

Nean. Then observe,

With what variety of passions he [shakes Receives his reasons: Now he's pale, and For fear or anger; now his natural red Comes back again, and with a pleasing smile He seems to entertain it. Tis resolv'd on, Be it what 'twill: To his ends may it prosper, Tho' the state sink for't!

Cra. Now you are a prince

Fit to rule others, and, in shaking off
The bonds in which your mother fetters you,
Discharge your debt to Nature: She's your
Follow her boldly, sir.
[guide;

The. I am confirm'd,
Fall what may fall.

Cra. Yet still disguise your malice In your humility.

The. I am instructed.

Cra. Tho' in your heart there rage a thousand tempests,

All calmness in your looks.

The. I shall remember.

Cra. And at no hand, tho' these are us'd

as agents,

[instant Acquaint them with your purpose, 'till the That we employ them; 'tis not fit they have Time to consider: When 'tis done, reward Or fear will keep them silent. Yet you may Grace them as you pass by; 'twill make them And greedier to deserve you. [surer, The. I'll move only

As you would have me. Good day, gentlemen! Nay, spare this ceremonious fem of duty To him that brings love to you, equal love, And is in nothing happier than in knowing It is return'd by you; we are as one.

Sos. I am o'erjoyed! I know not How to reply; but

Era. Hang all buts !-My lord,
For this your bounteous favour-
Nean. Let me speak.

If to feed vultures here, after the halter
Has done his part, or if there be a hell
To take a swinge or two there, may deserve
Sos. We're ready.

Era. Try us any way.

Nean. Put us to it.

The. What jewels I have in you!

Cra. Have these souls,

[this

That for a good look, and a few kind words, Part with their essence?

The. Since you will compel me To put that to the trial which I doubt not, Crates, may be suddenly, will instruct you How, and in what, to shew your loves: Obey As you would bind me to you. [him

Cra. 'Tis well grounded;

Leave me to rear the building.

Neun. We will do

Cra. I know it.

Era. Any thing you'll put us to. [Excunt.

1

SCENE II.

Enter Leonidas, Merione, and Beliza. Leo. Sister, I reap the harvest of my labours

In your preferment; be you worthy of it, And with an open bosom entertain [for! A greater fortune than my love durst hope

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2 To deserve you.] Sympson and Seward chuse to read, serve instead of deserve: We think the latter word genuine, if not preferable. To deserve you' signifies to merit your favour.'

Be wise, and welcome it: Play not the coy And foolish wanton, with the offer'd bounties Of him that is a prince. I was woo'd for you, And won, Merione; then, if you dare Believe the object that took me was worthy, Or trust my judgment, in me think you were Courted, sued to, and conquer'd.

Mer. Noble brother,

I have and still esteem you as a father,
And will as far obey you; my heart speaks it:
And yet, without your anger, give me leave
To say,
that in the choice of that on which
All my life's joys or sorrows have dependance,
It had been fit, ere you had made a full
And absolute grant of me to any other,
I should have us'd mine own eyes, or at least
Made you to understand, whether it were
Within my power to make a second gift
Of my poor self.

Leo. I know what 'tis you point at, The prince Theanor's love; let not that cheat you; [service

His vows were but mere courtship; all his
But practice how to entrap a credulous lady.
Or, grant it serious, yet you must remember,
He's not to love, but where the Queen his
mother
[up;
Must give allowance, which to you is barr'd
And therefore study to forget that ever
You cherish'd such a hope.

Mer. I would I could!

1

[person

Leo. But brave Agenor, who is come in To celebrate this marriage, for your love Forgives the forfeit of ten thousand lives, That must have fallen under the sword of war Had not this peace been made; which gene

ral good

Both countries owe to his affection to you.
Oh, happy sister, ask this noble lady,
Your bosom friend (since I fail in my credit)
What palm Agenor's name, above all princes
That Greece is proud of, carries, and with
lustre.

[cellent; Bel. Indeed, fame gives him out for exAnd, friend, I doubt not but when you shall see him,

Enter a Servant, who whispers Beliza 3, He'll so appear to you.-Art sure 'tis he? Ser. As I live, madam

Bel. Virtue enable me to contain my joy!

'Tis my Euphanes?

Ser. Yes.

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Believe I am not one of those weak ladies, That (barren of all inward worth) are proud Of what they cannot truly call their own, Their birth or fortune, which are things without them:

Nor in this will I imitate the world,

Whose greater part of men think when they give [friends: They purchase bondmen, not make worthy By all that's good I swear, I never thought My great estate was an addition to me, Or that your wants took from you.

Euph. There are few

So truly understanding or themselves or what They do possess.

Bel. Good Euphanes, where benefits

3 Enter a Servant.] Without the addition I have made to this direction, every reader perhaps would not take the abrupt question, 'Art sure 'tis he?' in a proper light.

Sympson.

Are ill conferr'd, as on unworthy men, That turu them to bad uses, the bestower, For wanting judgment how and on whom to place them,

Is partly guilty: But when we do favours To such as make them grounds on which they build [fortunes Their noble actions, there we improve our To the most fair advantage. If I speak Too much, tho' I confess I speak not well5, 'Prithee remember 'tis a woman's weakness, And then thou wilt forgive it.

Euph. You speak nothing

But what would well become the wisest man: And that by you deliver'd is so pleasing That I could hear you ever.

Bel. Fly not from

Your word, for I arrest it; and will now Express myself a little more, and prove That whereas you profess yourself my debtor, That I am yours.

Euph. Your ladyship then must use Some sophistry I never heard of.

Bel. By plain reasons;

For, look you, had you never sunk beneath Your wants, or if those wants had found supply

[ther, From Crates, your unkind and covetous broOr any other man, I then had miss'd A subject upon which I worthily Might exercise my bounty: Whereas now, By having happy opportunity

To furnish you before, and in your travels, With all conveniencies that you thought useful,

[coffers,

That gold which would have rusted in my Being thus employ'd, has render'd me a part

per

In all your glorious actions. And whereas,
Had you not been, I should have died a thing
Scarce known, or soon forgotten; there's no
trophy

In which Euphanes for his worth is mention'd,
But there you have been careful to remember,
That all the good you did came from Beliza.
Euph. That was but thankfulness.
Bel. "Twas such an honour,
And such a large return for the poor
I ventur'd with you, that, if I should part
With all that I possess, and myself too,
In satisfaction for it, 'twere still short
Of your deservings.

trash

Euph. You o'er-prize them, madam. Bel. The Queen herself hath given me gra[nes,

cious thanks

In your behalf; for she hath hear 1, EuphaHow gallantly you have maintain'd her ho

nour

In all the courts of Greece: And rest assur'd (Tho' yet unknown) when I present you to her,

Which I will do this evening, you shall find That she intends good to you.

Euph. Worthiest lady,

Since all you labour for is the advancement Of him that wil! live ever your poor servant, He must not contradict it.

Bel. Here's your brother; 'Tis strange to see him here. Enter Crates.

Cra. You're welcome home, sir! (Your pardon, madam,) I had thought my house, [worthy Considering who I am, might have been Of your first visit.

Euph. 'Twas not open to me

When last I saw you; and to me 'tis wonder That absence, which still renders men for

gotten,

Should make my presence wish'd for.
Bel. That's not it;

Your too-kind brother, understanding that
You stand in no need of him, is bold to offer
His entertainment.

Cra. He had never wanted

Or yours, or your assistance, had he practis'd
The way he might have took, to have com-
Whatever I call mine.
[manded

Euph. I studied many,
But could find none.

Cra. You would not find yourself, sir, Or in yourself, what was due to me from you; The privilege my birth bestow'd upon me Might challenge some regard.

Euph. You had all the land, sir; What else did you expect? And I am certain You kept such strong guards to preserve it I could force nothing from you.

Cra. Did you ever Demand help from me?

[yours,

Euph. My wants have, and often, With open mouths, but you nor heard nor

saw them.

May-be, you look'd I should petition to you, As you went to your horse; flatter your servants,

To play the brokers for my furtherance; Sooth your worst humours, act the parasite On all occasions; write my name with theirs That are but one degree remov'd from slaves; Be drunk when you would have me, then wench with you,

Or play the pandar; enter into quarrels, Altho' unjustly grounded, and defend them, 'Cause they were yours: These are the tyrannies,

Most younger brothers groan beneath; yet

bear them

From the insulting heir, selling their freedoms
At a less rate than what the state allows
The salary of base and common strumpets:

4 As to unworthy men.] Amended by Sympson.

5 I speak well.] The insertion of the word not is recommended by Sympson. The answer of Euphanes, and all that follows, proves it to be the original reading.

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