Title: Philaster Love Lies a Bleeding Author: Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher Language: English Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Jayam Subramanian and PG Distributed Proofreaders PHILASTER:OR,Love lies a Bleeding. Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher * * * * * The Scene being in Cicilie. * * * * * Persons Represented in the Play. The King. Philaster, Heir to the Crown. Pharamond, Prince of Spain. Dion, a Lord. Cleremont } Noble Gentlemen his Arethusa, the King's Daughter. Galatea, a wise modest Lady attending the Princess. Megra, a lascivious Lady. An old wanton Lady, or Croan. Another Lady attending the Princess. Eufrasia, Daughter of Dion, but disguised like a An old Captain. Five Citizens. A Countrey fellow. Two Woodmen. The Kings Guard and Train. * * * * * Actus primus. Scena prima. _Enter Dion, Cleremont, and Thrasiline. Cler. Here's not Lords nor Ladies. Dion. Credit me Gentlemen, I wonder at it. They receiv'd strict charge from the King to attend here: Besides it was boldly published, that no Officer should forbid any Gentlemen that desire to attend and hear. Cle. Can you guess the cause? Di. Sir, it is plain about the Spanish Prince, that's come Thra. Many (that will seem to know much) say, she looks Di. O Sir, the multitude (that seldom know any thing but their own opinions) speak that they would have; but the Prince, before his own approach, receiv'd so many confident messages from the State, that I think she's resolv'd to be rul'd. Cle. Sir, it is thought, with her he shall enjoy both these Kingdoms of Cicilie and Calabria. Di. Sir, it is (without controversie) so meant. But 'twill be a troublesome labour for him to enjoy both these Kingdoms, with safetie, the right Heir to one of them living, and living so vertuously, especially the people admiring the bravery of his mind, and lamenting his injuries. Cle. Who, Philaster? Di. Yes, whose Father we all know, was by our late Cle. Sir, my ignorance in State-policy, will not let me know why Philaster being Heir to one of these Kingdoms, the King should suffer him to walk abroad with such free liberty. Di. Sir, it seems your nature is more constant than to enquire after State news. But the King (of late) made a hazard of both the Kingdoms, of Cicilie and his own, with offering but to imprison Philaster. At which the City was in arms, not to be charm'd down by any State-order or Proclamation, till they saw Philaster ride through the streets pleas'd, and without a guard; at which they threw their Hats, and their arms from them; some to make bonefires, some to drink, all for his deliverance. Which (wise men say) is the cause, the King labours to bring in the power of a Foreign Nation to aw his own with. [ Enter Galatea, Megra, and a Lady. Thra. See, the Ladies, what's the first? Di. A wise and modest Gentlwoman that attends the Princess. Cle. The second? Di. She is one that may stand still discreetly enough, and ill favour'dly Dance her Measure; simper when she is Courted by her Friend, and slight her Husband. Cle. The last? Di. Marry I think she is one whom the State keeps for the Agents of our confederate Princes: she'll cog and lie with a whole army before the League shall break: her name is common through the Kingdom, and the Trophies of her dishonour, advanced beyond Hercules-pillars. She loves to try the several constitutions of mens bodies; and indeed has destroyed the worth of her own body, by making experiment upon it, for the good of the Common-wealth. Cle. She's a profitable member. La. Peace, if you love me: you shall see these Gentlemen stand their ground, and not Court us. Gal. What if they should? Meg. What if they should? La. Nay, let her alone; what if they should? why, if they should, I say, they were never abroad: what Foreigner would do so? it writes them directly untravel'd. Gal. Why, what if they be? Meg. What if they be? La. Good Madam let her go on; what if they be? Why if they be I will justifie, they cannot maintain discourse with a judicious Lady, nor make a Leg, nor say Excuse me. Gal. Ha, ha, ha. La. Do you laugh Madam? Di. Your desires upon you Ladies. La. Then you must sit beside us. Di. I shall sit near you then Lady. La. Near me perhaps: But there's a Lady indures no Meg. Me thinks he's not so strange, he would quickly be Thra. Peace, the King. [ Enter King, Pharamond, Arethusa, and Train. King. To give a stronger testimony of love Thra. This will be hardly done. Cle. It must be ill done, if it be done. Di. When 'tis at best, 'twill be but half done, Whilst so brave a Gentleman's wrong'd and flung off. Thra. I fear. Cle. Who does not? Di. I fear not for my self, and yet I fear too: Pha. Kissing your white hand (Mistress) I take leave, Thra. Miraculous. Cle. This speech calls him Spaniard, being nothing but A large inventory of his own commendations. [Enter Philaster. Di. I wonder what's his price? For certainly he'll tell himself he has so prais'd his shape: But here comes one more worthy those large speeches, than the large speaker of them? let me be swallowed quick, if I can find, in all the Anatomy of yon mans vertues, one sinew sound enough to promise for him, he shall be Constable. By this Sun, he'll ne're make King unless it be for trifles, in my poor judgment. Phi. Right Noble Sir, as low as my obedience, King. Rise, you have it Sir. Di. Mark but the King how pale he looks with fear. Oh! this same whorson Conscience, how it jades us! King. Speak your intents Sir. Phi. Shall I speak 'um freely? King. As a subject Di. Now it heats. Phi. Then thus I turn Pha. He's mad beyond cure, mad. Di. Here's a fellow has some fire in's veins: Phi. Sir, Prince of Poppingjayes, I'le make it well appear King. You displease us. Phi. No Sir, I am too tame, King. I do not fancy this, Thra. I do not think 'twill prove so. Di. H'as given him a general purge already, for all the right he has, and now he means to let him blood: Be constant Gentlemen; by these hilts I'le run his hazard, although I run my name out of the Kingdom. Cle. Peace, we are one soul. Pha. What you have seen in me, to stir offence, Phi. If thou wert sole inheritor to him, King. Sir, you wrong the Prince: Phi. It must be Sir, when I am nobler us'd. Gal. Ladyes, Meg. I cannot tell what you may call your knowledge, Gal. A Dog it is. King. Philaster, tell me, Phi. If you had my eyes Sir, and sufferance, King. Give me your wrongs in private. [They whisper. Phi. Take them, and ease me of a load would bow strong Atlas. Di. He dares not stand the shock. Di. I cannot blame, him, there's danger in't. Every man in this age, has not a soul of Crystal for all men to read their actions through: mens hearts and faces are so far asunder, that they hold no intelligence. Do but view yon stranger well, and you shall see a Feaver through all his bravery, and feel him shake like a true Tenant; if he give not back his Crown again, upon the report of an Elder Gun, I have no augury. King. Go to: Phi. I am dead Sir, y'are my fate: it was not I King. Sure he's possest. Phi. Yes, with my Fathers spirit; It's here O King! King. Away, I do not like this: [Ex. King, Pha. and Are. Di. I thank you Sir, you dare not for the people. Gal. Ladies, what think you now of this brave fellow? Meg. A pretty talking fellow, hot at hand; but eye yon stranger, is not he a fine compleat Gentleman? O these strangers, I do affect them strangely: they do the rarest home things, and please the fullest! as I live, could love all the Nation over and over for his sake. Gal. Pride comfort your poor head-piece Lady: 'tis a weak one, and had need of a Night-cap. Di. See how his fancy labours, has he not spoke Phi. Gentlemen, Cle. How do you worthy Sir? Phi. Well, very well; Di. The King must please, Phi. Friends, no more, Thra. Do we love Heaven and honour? Phi. My Lord Dion, you had Di. Most honour'd Sir, she is: [ Enter a Lady. Phi. Is it to me, or any of these Gentlemen you come? La. To you, brave Lord; the Princess would intreat Your present company. Phi. The Princess send for me! y'are mistaken. La. If you be call'd Philaster, 'tis to you. Phi. Kiss her hand, and say I will attend her. Di. Do you know what you do? Phi. Yes, go to see a woman. Cle. But do you weigh the danger you are in? Phi. Danger in a sweet face? Thra. But are you sure it was the Princess sent? Phi. I do not think it Gentlemen: she's noble, [Ex. Phil. Di. Go on: [Ex. Gentlemen. Enter Arethusa and a Lady. Are. Comes he not? La. Madam? Are. Will Philaster come? La. Dear Madam, you were wont Are. But didst thou tell me so? La. Why, well. Are. And not a little fearful? La. Fear Madam? sure he knows not what it is. Are. You are all of his Faction; the whole Court La. Fear? Madam (me thought) his looks hid more Are. Of love? To whom? to you? La. Madam, I mean to you. Are. Of love to me? Alas! thy ignorance La. Madam, I think I hear him. Are. Bring him in: [ Enter Phil. La. Here is my Lord Philaster. Are. Oh! 'tis well: Phi. Madam, your messenger Are. 'Tis true Philaster, but the words are such, Phi. Never Madam you. Are. Why then should you in such a publick place, Phi. Madam, this truth which I shall speak, will be Are. Philaster, know Phi. Madam, both? Are. Both or I die: by Fate I die Philaster, Phi. I would do much to save that Noble life: Are. Nay then hear: Phi. What more? Are. Or lose that little life the gods prepared, To trouble this poor piece of earth withall. Phi. Madam, what more? Are. Turn then away thy face. Phi. No. Are. Do. Phi. I cannot endure it: turn away my face? Are. Yet for my sake a little bend thy looks. Phi. I do. Are. Then know I must have them and thee. Phi. And me? Are. Thy love: without which, all the Land Phi. Is't possible? Are. With it, it were too little to bestow Phi. Madam, you are too full of noble thoughts, Are. Another soul into my body shot, Are. 'Tis true, and worse Phi. I have a boy sent by the gods, I hope to this intent, [ Enter Lady. Are. 'Tis well, no more. La. Madam, the Prince is come to do his service. Are. What will you do Philaster with your self? Phi. Why, that which all the gods have appointed out for me. Are. Dear, hide thy self. Bring in the Prince. Phi. Hide me from Pharamond! Are. He cannot know it. Phi. Though it should sleep for ever to the world, Are. Then good Philaster, give him scope and way Phi. I will. [ Enter Pharamond. Pha. My Princely Mistress, as true lovers ought, Phi. If I shall have an answer no directlier, Pha. To what would he have an answer? Are. To his claim unto the Kingdom. Pha. Sirrah, I forbear you before the King. Phi. Good Sir, do so still, I would not talk with you. Pha. But now the time is fitter, do but offer Phi. Good Sir, let me go. Pha. And by my sword. Phi. Peace Pharamond: if thou— Are. Leave us Philaster. Phi. I have done. Pha. You are gone, by heaven I'le fetch you back. Phi. You shall not need. Pha. What now? Phi. Know Pharamond, Phi. It is a place to which I must confess [Exit Phi. Pha. 'Tis an odd fellow Madam, we must stop His mouth with some Office, when we are married. Are. You were best make him your Controuler. Pha. I think he would discharge it well. But Madam, Are. If you dare speak such thoughts, [Exit Are. Pha. The constitution of my body will never hold out till the wedding; I must seek elsewhere. [Exit Pha. Actus Secundus. Scena Prima. Enter Philaster and Bellario. Phi. And thou shalt find her honourable boy, Bell. Sir, you did take me up when I was nothing; Phi. But boy, it will prefer thee; thou art young, Bell. In that small time that I have seen the world, Phi. Why gentle boy, I find no fault at all in thy behaviour. Bell. Sir, if I have made Phi. Thy love doth plead so prettily to stay, Bell. I am gone; [Exit. Phi. The love of boyes unto their Lords is strange, [Exit Phi. Enter Pharamond. Pha. Why should these Ladies stay so long? They must come this way; I know the Queen imployes 'em not, for the Reverend Mother sent me word they would all be for the Garden. If they should all prove honest now, I were in a fair taking; I was never so long without sport in my life, and in my conscience 'tis not my fault: Oh, for our Country Ladies! Here's one boulted, I'le hound at her. Enter Galatea. Gal. Your Grace! Pha. Shall I not be a trouble? Gal. Not to me Sir. Pha. Nay, nay, you are too quick; by this sweet hand. Gal. You'l be forsworn Sir, 'tis but an old glove. If you will talk at distance, I am for you: but good Prince, be not bawdy, nor do not brag; these two I bar, and then I think, I shall have sence enough to answer all the weighty Apothegmes your Royal blood shall manage. Pha. Dear Lady, can you love? Gal. Dear, Prince, how dear! I ne're cost you a Coach yet, nor put you to the dear repentance of a Banquet; here's no Scarlet Sir, to blush the sin out it was given for: This wyer mine own hair covers: and this face has been so far from being dear to any, that it ne're cost penny painting: And for the rest of my poor Wardrobe, such as you see, it leaves no hand behind it, to make the jealous Mercers wife curse our good doings. Pha. You mistake me Lady. Gal. Lord, I do so; would you or I could help it. Pha. Do Ladies of this Country use to give no more respect to men of my full being? Gal. Full being! I understand you not, unless your Grace means growing to fatness; and then your only remedy (upon my knowledge, Prince) is in a morning a Cup of neat White-wine brew'd with Carduus, then fast till supper, about eight you may eat; use exercise, and keep a Sparrow-hawk, you can shoot in a Tiller; but of all, your Grace must flie Phlebotomie, fresh Pork, Conger, and clarified Whay; They are all dullers of the vital spirits. Pha. Lady, you talk of nothing all this while. Gal. 'Tis very true Sir, I talk of you. Pha. This is a crafty wench, I like her wit well, 'twill be rare to stir up a leaden appetite, she's a Danae, and must be courted in a showr of gold. Madam, look here, all these and more, than— Gal. What have you there, my Lord? Gold? Now, as I live tis fair gold; you would have silver for it to play with the Pages; you could not have taken me in a worse time; But if you have present use my Lord, I'le send my man with silver and keep your gold for you. Pha. Lady, Lady. Gal. She's coming Sir behind, will take white mony. Yet for all this I'le match ye. [Exit Gal. behind the hangings. Pha. If there be two such more in this Kingdom, and near the Court, we may even hang up our Harps: ten such Camphire constitutions as this, would call the golden age again in question, and teach the old way for every ill fac't Husband to get his own Children, and what a mischief that will breed, let all consider. [ Enter Megra. Here's another; if she be of the same last, the Devil Meg. As many mornings bring as many dayes, Pha. She gives good words yet; Sure this wench is free. Meg. What would your Grace talk of? Pha. Of some such pretty subject as your self. Meg. Sir, they stand right, and my lips are yet even, Pha. O they are two twin'd Cherries died in blushes, Meg. O delicate sweet Prince; Pha. Do it in prose; you cannot miss it Madam. Meg. I shall, I shall. Pha. By my life you shall not. Meg. Methinks 'tis easie, now I ha' don't before; Pha. Stick till to morrow. Meg. Love you my Lord? How would you have me love you? Pha. I'le teach you in a short sentence, cause I will not load your memory, that is all; love me, and lie with me. Meg. Was it lie with you that you said? 'Tis impossible. Pha. Not to a willing mind, that will endeavour; if I do not teach you to do it as easily in one night, as you'l go to bed, I'le lose my Royal blood for't. Meg. Why Prince, you have a Lady of your own, that yet wants teaching. Pha. I'le sooner teach a Mare the old measures, than teach her any thing belonging to the function; she's afraid to lie with her self, if she have but any masculine imaginations about her; I know when we are married, I must ravish her. Meg. By my honour, that's a foul fault indeed, but time and your good help will wear it out Sir. Pha. And for any other I see, excepting your dear self, dearest Lady, I had rather be Sir _Tim _the Schoolmaster, and leap a Dairy-maid. Meg. Has your Grace seen the Court-star Galatea? Pha. Out upon her; she's as cold of her favour as an apoplex: she sail'd by but now. Meg. And how do you hold her wit Sir? Pha. I hold her wit? The strength of all the Guard cannot hold it, if they were tied to it, she would blow 'em out of the Kingdom, they talk of Jupiter, he's but a squib cracker to her: Look well about you, and you may find a tongue-bolt. But speak sweet Lady, shall I be freely welcome? Meg. Whither? Pha. To your bed; if you mistrust my faith, you do me the unnoblest wrong. Meg. I dare not Prince, I dare not. Pha. Make your own conditions, my purse shall seal 'em, and what you dare imagine you can want, I'le furnish you withal: give two hours to your thoughts every morning about it. Come, I know you are bashful, speak in my ear, will you be mine? keep this, and with it me: soon I will visit you. Meg. My Lord, my Chamber's most unsafe, but when 'tis night I'le find some means to slip into your lodging: till when— Pha. Till when, this, and my heart go with thee. [Ex. several ways. _Enter _Galatea from behind the hangings. Gal. Oh thou pernicious Petticoat Prince, are these your vertues? Well, if I do not lay a train to blow your sport up, I am no woman; and Lady Towsabel I'le fit you for't. [Exit Gal. _Enter _Arethusa and a Lady. Are. Where's the boy? La. Within Madam. Are. Gave you him gold to buy him cloaths? La. I did. Are. And has he don't? La. Yes Madam. Are. 'Tis a pretty sad talking lad, is it not? Askt you his name? La. No Madam. [ _Enter _Galatea. Are. O you are welcome, what good news? Gal. As good as any one can tell your Grace, That saies she hath done that you would have wish'd. Are. Hast thou discovered? Gal. I have strained a point of modesty for you. Are. I prethee how? Gal. In listning after bawdery; I see, let a Lady live never so modestly, she shall be sure to find a lawful time, to harken after bawdery; your Prince, brave Pharamond, was so hot on't. Are. With whom? Gal. Why, with the Lady I suspect: I can tell the time and place. Are. O when, and where? Gal. To night, his Lodging. Are. Run thy self into the presence, mingle there again La. Here Madam. [ _Enter _Bellario. Are. Sir, you are sad to change your service, is't not so? |