The Principal Actors were
John Lowin,
John Underwood,
William Eglestone,
Rich. Sharpe,
Joseph Tailor,
Robert Benfield,
George Birch,
Tho. Polard.
Actus Primus. Scæna Prima.
A Bell Rings.
Enter Pymero, Christophero, and Pedro.
Pymero. Open the Ports, and see the Watch reliev'd,
And let the guards be careful of their business,
Their vigilant eyes fixt on these Islanders,
They are false and desperate people, when they [find]
The least occasion open to encouragement,
Cruel, and crafty souls, believe me Gentlemen,
Their late attempt, which is too fresh amongst us,
In which, against all arms and honesty,
The Governor of Ternata made [surprize]
Of our Confederate, the King of Tidore,
As for his recreation he was rowing
Between both Lands, bids us be wise and circumspect.
Chr. It was a mischief suddenly imagin'd,
And as soon done; that Governor's a fierce knave,
Unfaithful as he is fierce too, there's no trusting;
But I wonder much, how such poor and base pleasures,
As tugging at an Oar, or skill in Steerage,
Should become Princes.
Py. Base breedings, love base [pleasure];
They take as much delight in a Baratto,
A little scurvy boat to row her [ti[th]ly],
And have the Art to turn and wind her nimbly,
Think it as noble too, though it be slavish,
And a dull labour that declines a Gentleman:
As we Portugals, or the Spaniards do in riding,
In managing a great horse, which is princely:
The French in Courtship, or the dancing English,
In carrying a fair presence.
Ped. He was strangely taken;
But where no faith is, there's no trust: he has paid for't
His Sister yet the fair and great Quisara,
Has shew'd a noble mind, and much love in't
To her afflicted brother, and the nobler still it appears,
And seasons of more tenderness, because his ruin stiles her absolute
And his imprisonment adds to her profit.
Feeling all this, which makes all men admire her,
The warm beams of this fortune that fall on her,
Yet has she made divers and noble Treaties,
And propositions for her brothers freedom,
If wealth or honor—
Py. Peace, peace, you are fool'd, Sir;
Things of these natures have strange outsides Pedro,
And cunning shadows, set 'em far from us,
Draw 'em but near, they are gross, and they abuse us;
They that observe her close, shall find her nature,
Which I doubt mainly will not prove so excellent;
She is a Princess, and she must be fair,
That's the prerogative of being Royal:
Let her want eyes and nose, she must be beauteous,
And she must know it too, and the use of it,
And people must believe it, they are damn'd else:
Why, all our neighbor Princes are mad for her.
Chr. Is she not fair then?
Py. But her hopes are fairer,
And there's a haughty Master, the King of Bakan,
That lofty Sir, that speaks far more, and louder
In his own commendations, than a Cannon:
He is strucken dumb with her.
Ped. Beshrew me she is a sweet one.
Py. And there's that hopeful man of Syana,
That sprightly fellow, he that's wise and temperate,
He is a Lover too.
Chr. Wou'd I were worth her looking
For; by my life I hold her a compleat one,
The very Sun, I think affects her sweetness,
And dares not, as he does to all else, dye it
Into his tauny Livery.
Py. She dares not see him,
But keeps her self at distance from his kisses,
And [weares] her complexion in a Case; let him but like it
A week, or two, or three, she would look like a Lion;
But the main sport on't is, or rather wonder
The Governor of Ternata, her mortal enemy,
He that has catcht her brother King, is struck too,
And is arriv'd under safe conduct also,
And hostages of worth delivered for him;
And he brought a Letter from his prisoner,
Whether compell'd, or willingly delivered
From the poor King, or what else dare be in't.
Chr. So it be honourable, any thing, 'tis all one
For I dare think she'll do the best.
Py. 'Tis certain
He has admittance, and sollicites hourly,
Now if he have the trick—
Ped. What trick?
Py. The true one,
To take her too, if he be but skill'd in Bat-fowling,
And lime his bush right.
Chr. I'll be hang'd when that hits,
For 'tis not a compell'd, or forc'd affection
That must take her, I guess her stout and virtuous,
But where's your Uncle, Sir, our valiant Captain,
The brave Ruy Dias all this while?
Py. I marry.
He is amongst 'em too.
Ped. A Lover.
Py. Nay,
I know not that, but [sure] he stands in favour,
Or would stand stifly, he is no Portugal else.
Chr. The voice says in good favour, in the list too
Of the privy wooers, how cunningly of late
I have observ'd him, and how privately
He has stolen at all hours from us, and how readily
He has feign'd a business to bid the Fort farewel
For five or six days, or a month together,
Sure there is something—
Py. Yes, yes, there is a thing in't,
A thing would make the best on's all dance after it;
A dainty thing; Lord how this Uncle of mine
Has read to me, and rated me for wenching.
And told me in what desperate case 'twould leave me,
And how 'twould stew my bones.
Ped. You car'd not for it.
Py. I'faith not much, I ventur'd on still easily,
And took my chance, danger is a Soldiers honor;
But that this man, this herb of Grace, Ruy Dias,
This father of our faculties should slip thus,
For sure he is a ferriting, that he
That would drink nothing, to depress the spirit,
But milk and water, eat nothing but thin air
To make his bloud obedient, that his youth,
In spight of all his temperance, should tickle,
And have a love mange on him.
Chr. 'Tis in him, Sir,
But honourable courtship, and becomes his rank too.
Py. In me 'twere abominable Leachery, or would be,
For when our thoughts are on't, and miss their level,
We must hit something.
Ped. Well, he['s a] noble Gentleman,
And if he be a suitor, may he speed in't.
Py. Let him alone, our family ne'r fail'd yet.
Chr. Our mad Lieutenant still, merry Pyniero,
Thus wou'd he do, if the Surgeon were searching of him.
Ped. Especially if a warm wench had shot him.
Py. But hark Christophero; come hither Pedro;
When saw you our brave Countrey-man Armusia?
He that's arriv'd here lately, and his gallants?
A goodly fellow, and a brave companion
Methinks he is, and no doubt, truly valiant,
For he that dares come hither, dares fight any where.
Chr. I saw him not of late, a sober Gentleman
I am sure he is, and no doubt bravely sprung,
And promises much nobleness.
Py. I love him,
And by my troth wou'd fain be inward with him;
Pray let's go seek him.
Ped. We'll attend you Sir.
Py. By that time we shall hear the burst of business. [Exeunt.
Enter Ruy Dias, Quisara, Quisana; and Panura.
Quisar. Aunt, I much thank you for your courtesie,
And the fair liberty you still allow me,
Both of your house and service, though I be
A Princess, and by that Prerogative stand free
From the poor malice of opinion,
And no ways bound to render up my actions,
Because no power above me can examine me;
Yet my dear brother being still a prisoner,
And many wandring eyes upon my ways,
Being left [alone a Sea-mark], it behoves me
To use a little caution, and be circumspect.
Quisan. You're wise and noble Lady.
Quisar. Often Aunt
I resort hither, and privately to see you,
It may be to converse with some I favour;
I wou'd not have it known as oft, nor constru'd,
It stands not with my care.
Quisan. You speak most fairly,
For even our pure devotions are examin'd.
Quisar. So mad are mens minds now.
Ruy. Or rather monstrous;
They are thick dreams, bred in fogs that know no fairness.
Quisan. Madam, the House is yours, I am yours, pray use me,
And at your service all I have lies prostrate;
My care shall ever be to yield ye honor,
And when your fame falls here, 'tis my fault Lady;
A poor and simple banquet I have provided,
Which if you please to honor with your presence—
Quisar. I thank ye Aunt, I shall be with you instantly,
A few words with this Gentleman.
Quisan. I'll leave ye,
And when you please retire, I'll wait upon you. [Exeunt Quis. & Pan.
Quisar. Why, how now Captain, what afraid to speak to me?
A man of Armes, and danted with a Lady?
Commanders have the power to parle with Princes.
Ruy. Madam, the favors you have still showr'd on me,
Which are so high above my means of merit,
So infinite, that nought can value 'em
But their own goodness, no eyes look up to 'em
But those that are of equal light, and lustre,
Strike me thus mute, you are my royal Mistriss,
And all my services that aime at honor,
Take life from you, the Saint of my devotions;
Pardon my wish, it is a fair ambition,
And well becomes the Man that honors you;
I wou'd I were of worth, of something near you,
Of such a royal piece, a King I wou'd be,
A mighty King that might command affection,
And bring a youth upon me might bewitch ye,
And you a sweet sould Christian.
Quisar. Now you talk Sir;
You Portugals, though you be rugged Soldiers,
Yet when you list to flatter, you are plain Courtiers;
And could you wish me Christian, brave Ruy Dias?
Ruy. At all the danger of my life great Lady,
At all my hopes, at all—
Quisar. Pray ye stay a little,
To what end runs your wish?
Ruy. O glorious Lady,
That I might—but I dare not speak.
Quisar. I dare then,
That you might hope to marry me; nay blush not,
An honorable end needs no excuse;
And would you love me then?
Ruy. My soul not dearer.
Quisar. Do some brave thing that may entice me that way,
Some thing of such a meritorious goodness,
Of such an unmatcht nobleness, that I may know
You have a power beyond ours that preserves you:
'Tis not the person, nor the royal title,
Nor wealth, nor glory, that I look upon,
That inward man I love that's lin'd with virtue,
That well deserving soul works out a favor;
I have many Princes suiters, many great ones,
Yet above these I love you, you are valiant,
An active man, able to build a fortune;
I do not say I dote, nor meane to marry,
Only the hope is, something may be done,
That may compel my faith, and ask my freedome,
And leave opinion fair.
Ruy. Command dear Lady,
And let the danger be as deep as Hell,
As direful to attempt—
Quisar. Y'are too sudden,
I must be rul'd by you, find out a fortune
Wisely, and hansomely, examine time,
And court occasion that she may be ready;
A thousand uses for your forward spirit
Ye may find daily, be sure ye take a good one,
A brave and worthy one that may advance ye,
Forc'd smiles reward poor dangers; you are a Soldier,
I wou'd not talke so else, and I love a Soldier,
And that that speaks him true, and great, his valor;
Yet for all these which are but Womens follies,
You may do what you please, I shall still know ye,
And though ye weare no Sword.
Ru. Excellent Lady,
When I grow so cold, and disgrace my Nation,
That from their hardy nurses suck adventures,
'Twere fit I wore a Tombstone; you have read to me
The story of your favor, if I mistake it,
Or grow in the study of it,
A great correction Lady—
Quisar. Let's toth' banquet,
And have some merrier talk, and then to Court,
Where I give audience to my general Suiters;
Pray heaven my womans wit hold; there brave Captain,
You may perchance meet something that may startle ye;
I'll say no more, come be not sad—
I love ye. [Exeunt.
Enter Pyniero, Armusia, Soza, Christophero, and Emanuel.