 
Erastus. Perseda, these days are our days of joy: What could I more desire than thee to wife? And that I have: or than to govern Rhodes? And that I do, thanks to great Soliman. Perseda. And thanks to gracious heav'ns, that so Brought Soliman from worse to better; For though I never told it thee till now, His heart was purpos'd once to do thee wrong. Erastus. Ay, that was before he knew thee to be mine; But now, Perseda, let's forget old griefs, And let our studies wholly be employ'd To work each other's bliss and heart's delight. Perseda. Our present joys will be so much the greater, When as we call to mind forepassed griefs: So sings the mariner upon the shore. When he hath pass'd the dangerous time of storms; But if my love will have old griefs forgot, They shall lay buried in Perseda's breast.
Erastus. Welcome, lord Brusor. Perseda. And Lucina too. Brusor. Thanks, lord governor. Lucina. And thanks to you, madam. Erastus. What hasty news brings you so soon to Rhodes? Although to me you never come too soon. Brusor. So it is, my lord, that upon great affairs, Importuning health and wealth of Soliman, His highness by me entreateth you, As ever you respect his future love, Or have regard unto his courtesy, To come yourself in person, and visit him, Without inquiry what should be the cause. Erastus. Were there no ships to cross the seas withal, Mine arms should frame me And, should the seas turn tide to force me back, Desire should frame me wings to fly to him. I go, Perseda: thou must give me leave. Perseda. Though loth, yet Soliman's command prevails. Lucina. And, sweet Perseda, I will stay with you From Brusor my beloved; and I'll want Till he bring back Erastus unto you. Erastus. Lord Brusor, come; 'tis time that we were gone. Brusor. Perseda, farewell; be not angry, For that I carry thy beloved from thee; We will return with all speed possible. And thou, Lucina, use Perseda so, That for my carrying of Erastus hence She curse me not; and so farewell to both. [Exeunt. Perseda. Come, Lucina, let's in; my heart is full. [Exeunt.
Soliman. Lord Marshal, see you handle it cunningly: And, when Erastus comes, our perjur'd friend, See he be condemned by martial law; Here will I stand to see, and not be seen. Marshal. Come, fellows, see when this matter comes in question You stagger not: and, Janissaries, See that your strangling cords be ready. Soliman. Ah, that Perseda were not half so fair, Or that Soliman were not so fond, Whose death might save my poor Erastus' life.
See where he comes, whom though I dearly love, Yet must his blood be spill'd for my behoof: Such is the force of marrow-burning Marshal. Erastus, lord governor of Rhodes, I arrest you in the king's name. Erastus. What thinks Lord Brusor of this strange arrest? Hast thou entrapp'd me to this treachery? Intended, well I wot, without the leave Or licence of my lord, great Soliman. Brusor. Why then appeal to him, where thou shalt know, And be assur'd, that I betray thee not. Soliman. Yes, thou and I, and all of us betray him. [Aside. Marshal. No, no; in this case no appeal shall serve. Erastus. Why, then, to thee or unto any else I here protest by heav'ns unto you all, That never was there man more true or just, Or in his deeds more loyal and upright, Or more loving or more innocent, Than I have been to gracious Soliman, Since first I set my feet on Turkish land. Soliman. Myself would be his witness, if I durst; But bright Perseda's beauty stops my tongue. [Aside. Marshal. Why, sirs, why face to face express you not The treasons you reveal'd to Soliman? 1 Witness. That very day Erastus went from hence, He sent for me into his cabinet, And for that man that is of my profession. Erastus. I never saw them, I, until this day. 1 Witness. His cabin door fast shut, he first began Wherein when we had fully resolved him What might be done, he, spreading on the board A huge heap of our imperial coin; All this is yours, quoth he, if you consent To leave great Soliman and serve in Rhodes. Marshal. Why, that was treason—but onward with the rest.
Piston. What have we here? my master before the Marshal? [Aside. 1 Witness. We said not ay, nor durst we say him nay, Because we were already in his gallies; But seem'd content to fly with him to Rhodes: With that he purs'd the gold, and gave it us. The rest I dare not speak, it is so bad. Erastus. Heav'ns, hear you this, and drop 2 Witness. The rest and worse will I discourse in brief— Will you consent, quoth he, to fire the fleet, That lies hard by us here in Bosphorus? For be it spoke in secret here, quoth he, Rhodes must no longer bear the Turkish yoke. We said the task might easily be perform'd, But that we lack'd such drugs to mix with powder, As were not in his gallies to be got. At this he leap'd for joy, swearing and promising, That our reward should be redoubled. We came a-land, not minding to return, And as our duty and allegiance bound us, We made all known unto great Soliman; His ships were past a-kenning Belike he thought we had betray'd his treasons. Marshal. That all is true, that here you have declar'd, Both lay your hands upon the Alcoran. 1 Witness. Foul death betide me, if I swear not true! 2 Witness. And mischief light on me, if I swear false! Soliman. Mischief and death shall light upon you both. [Aside. Marshal. Erastus, thou see'st what witness hath produc'd against thee: What answer'st thou unto their accusation? Erastus. That these are Sinons, and myself poor Troy. Marshal. Now it resteth I appoint thy death; Wherein thou shalt confess, I'll favour thee, For that thou wert belov'd of Soliman: Thou shalt forthwith be bound unto that post, And strangled, as our Turkish order is. Piston. Such favour send all Turks, I pray God. [Aside. Erastus. I see this train was plotted, ere I came: What boots complaining, where's no remedy? Yet give me leave, before my life shall end, To moan Perseda, and accuse my friend. Soliman. O unjust Soliman! O wicked time! Where filthy lust must murder honest love. [Aside. Marshal. Despatch, for our time limited is past. Erastus. Alas, how can he but be short, whose tongue Is fast tied with galling sorrow? Farewell, Perseda; no more but that for her: Inconstant Soliman, no more but that for him: Unfortunate Erastus, no more but that for me: Lo, this is all; and thus I leave to speak. [Then they strangle him. Piston. Marry, sir, this is A fair warning for me to get me gone. [Exit Piston. Soliman. O, save his life, if it be possible; I will not lose him for my kingdom's worth. Ah, poor Erastus! art thou dead already? What bold presumer durst be so resolved For to bereave Erastus' life from him, Whose life to me was dearer than mine own? Was't thou? and thou?—Lord Marshal, bring them hither; And at Erastus' hand let them receive The stroke of death, whom they have spoil'd of life. What, is thy hand too weak? then mine shall help To send them down to everlasting night, To wait upon thee through eternal shade; Thy soul shall not go mourning hence alone: Thus die, and thus; for thus you murther'd him. [Then he kills the two Janissaries that killed Erastus. But soft! methinks he is not satisfied: The breath doth murmur softly from his lips, And bids me kill those bloody witnesses, By whose treachery Erastus died. Lord Marshal, hale them to the tower's top, And throw them headlong down into the valley; So let their treasons with their lives have end. 1 Witness. Yourself procur'd us. 2 Witness. Is this our hire? [Then the Marshal bears them to the tower-top. Soliman. Speak not a word, lest in my wrathful fury I doom you to ten thousand direful torments! And, Brusor, see Erastus be interr'd With honour in a kingly sepulchre: Why, when, Lord Marshal? Although his age did plead for innocence, Was sooner tumbled from the fatal tower, Than are those perjur'd wicked witnesses. [Then they are both tumbled down. Why, now Erastus' ghost is satisfied: Ay, but yet the wicked judge survives, By whom Erastus was condemned to die. Brusor, as thou lov'st me, stab too the Lest he detect us unto the world, By making known our bloody practices; And then will thou and I hoist sail to Rhodes, Where thy Lucina and my Perseda lives. Brusor. I will, my lord. Lord Marshal, it is his highness' pleasure, That you commend him to Erastus' soul. [Then he kills the Marshal. Soliman. Here ends my dear Erastus' tragedy, And now begins my pleasant comedy; But if Perseda understand these news, Our scene will prove but tragicomical. Brusor. Fear not, my lord, Lucina plays her part, And wooes apace in Soliman's behalf. Soliman. Then, Brusor, come; and with some few men Let's sail to Rhodes with all convenient speed: My troubled ears are deaf'd with love's alarms. [Exeunt.
Perseda. Now, Signer Basilisco, which like you, The Turkish or our nation best? Basilisco. That which your ladyship will have me like. Lucina. I am deceiv'd, but you were circumcis'd? Basilisco. Indeed, but I was little cut in the prepuce. Perseda. What means made you to steal back to Rhodes? Basilisco. The mighty pinky-ey'd, To whom I am so long true servitor, When he espied my weeping floods of tears For your depart, he bad me follow him: I follow'd him; he with his firebrand Parted the seas, and we came over dryshod. Lucina. A matter not unlikely: but how chance[th], Your Turkish bonnet is not on your head? Basilisco. Because I now am Christian again, And that by natural means; for, as The old canon says very prettily, Nihil est tam naturale, quod eo modo colligatum est, And so forth: so I became a Turk to follow her: To follow her, am now return'd a Christian.
Piston. O lady and mistress, weep and lament, And wring your hands; for my master Is condemn'd and executed. Lucina. Be patient, sweet Perseda; the fool but jests. Perseda. Ah no; my nightly dreams foretold me this, Which, foolish woman! fondly I neglected. But say, what death died my poor Erastus? Piston. Nay, God be prais'd, his death was reasonable; He was but strangled. Perseda. But strangled? ah, double death to me: But say, wherefore was he condemn'd to die? Piston. For nothing but high treason. Perseda. What treason, or by whom was he condemn'd? Piston. 'Faith, two great knights of the post swore upon The Alcoran, that he would have fir'd the Turks' fleet. Perseda. Was Brusor by? Piston. Ay. Perseda. And Soliman? Piston. No; but I saw where he stood, To hear, and see the matter well convey'd. Perseda. Accursed Soliman! profane Alcoran! Lucina, came thy husband to this end, To lead a lamb unto the slaughter-house? Hast thou for this, in Soliman's behalf, With cunning words tempted my chastity? Thou shalt aby for both your treacheries. It must be so. Basilisco, dost thou love me? speak. Basilisco. Ay, more than I love either life or soul: What, shall I stab the emperor for thy sake? Perseda. No, but Lucina; if thou lov'st me, kill her. Basilisco. The point will mar her skin. Perseda. What, dar'st thou not? Give me the dagger then— There's a reward for all thy treasons past. [Then Perseda kills Lucina. Basilisco. Yet dare I bear her hence to do thee good. Perseda. No; let her lie, a prey to rav'ning birds; Nor shall her death alone suffice for his, Rhodes now shall be no longer Soliman's: We'll fortify our walls, and keep the town, In spite of proud, insulting Soliman. I know the lecher hopes to have my love; And first Perseda shall with this hand die, Than yield to him, and live in infamy. [Exeunt. Manet Basilisco. Basilisco. I will ruminate: Death, which the poets Feign to be pale and meagre, hath depriv'd Erastus' trunk from breathing vitality: A brave cavalier, but my approved foeman. Let me see: where is that Alcides, surnam'd Hercules, The only clubman of his time? Dead. Where is the eldest son of Priam, That Abraham-colour'd Trojan? Dead. Where is the leader of the myrmidons, That well-knit Achilles? Dead. Where is that furious Ajax, the son of Telamon, Or that fraudful squire of Ithaca, i-clipp'd Ulysses? Dead. Where is tipsy Alexander, that great cup-conqueror, Or Pompey, that brave warrior? Dead. I am myself strong, but I confess Death to be stronger: I am valiant, but mortal; I am adorn'd with nature's gifts, A giddy goddess, that now giveth, and anon taketh; I am wise, but quiddits will not answer death: To conclude in a word: to be captious, virtuous, ingenious, Are The great Turk, whose seat is Constantinople, Hath beleaguer'd Rhodes, whose chieftain is a woman. I could take the rule upon me; But the shrub is safe when the cedar shaketh. But I love Basilisco, as one I hold more worthy— My father's son, my mother's solace, my proper self. 'Faith, he can do little, that cannot speak; And he can do less, that cannot run away: Then, sith man's life is as a glass, and a filip may crack it, Mine is no more, and a bullet may pierce it; Therefore I will play least in sight. [Exit.
Soliman. The gates are shut; which proves that Rhodes revolts, And that Perseda is not Soliman's. Ah, Brusor! see where thy Lucina lies, Butcher'd despitefully without the walls. Brusor. Soliman. Nay, gentle Brusor, stay thy tears a while, Lest with thy woes thou spoil my comedy, And all too soon be turn'd to tragedies. Go, Brusor, bear her to thy private tent, Where we at leisure will lament her death, And with our For yet Perseda lives for Soliman.— Drum, sound a parley.—Were it not for her I would sack the town, ere I would sound a parley. [The drum sounds a parley. Perseda comes upon the walls in man's apparel. Basilisco and Piston [also] upon the walls. Perseda. At whose entreaty is this parley sounded? Soliman. At our entreaty; therefore yield the town. Perseda. Why, what art thou, that boldly bidd'st me yield? Soliman. Great Soliman, lord of all the world. Perseda. Thou art not lord of all: Rhodes is not thine. Soliman. It was and shall be, maugre who says no. Perseda. I, that say no, will never see it thine. Soliman. Why, what art thou, that dar'st resist my force? Perseda. A gentleman and thy mortal enemy, And one that dares thee to the single combat. Soliman. First tell me, doth Perseda live or no? Perseda. She lives to see the wreck of Soliman. Soliman. Then I will combat thee, whate'er thou art. Perseda. And in Erastus' name I'll combat thee; And here I promise thee on my Christian faith, Then will I yield Perseda to thy hands, That, if thy strength shall overmatch my right, To use as to thy liking it shall seem best. But ere I come to enter single fight, First let my tongue utter my heart's despite; And thus my tale begins: Thou wicked tyrant! Thou murderer! accursed homicide! For whom hell gapes, and all the ugly fiends Do wait for to receive thee in their jaws! Ah, perjur'd and inhumane Soliman! How could thy heart harbour a wicked thought Against the spotless life of poor Erastus? Was he not true? would thou hadst been as just! Was he not valiant? would thou hadst been as virtuous! Was he not loyal? would thou hadst been as loving? Ah, wicked tyrant! in that one man's death Thou hast betray'd the flower of Christendom. Died he, because his worth obscured thine? In slaught'ring him thy virtues are defam'd: Didst thou misdo him in hope to win Perseda? Ah, foolish man! therein thou art deceiv'd: For though she live, yet will she ne'er live thine; Which to approve I'll come to combat thee. Soliman. Injurious, foul-mouth'd knight, my wrathful arm Shall chastise and rebuke these injuries. [Then Perseda comes down to Soliman, [with] Basilisco and Piston. Piston. Ay, but hear you, are you so foolish to fight with him? Basilisco. Ay, sirrah; why not, as long as I stand by? Soliman. I'll not defend Erastus' innocence, But thee in maintaining Perseda's beauty. [Then they fight. Soliman kills Perseda. Perseda. Ay, now I lay Perseda at thy feet; But with thy hand first wounded to the death: Now shall the world report that Soliman Slew Erastus in hope to win Perseda, And murder'd her for loving of her husband. Soliman. What, my Perseda! all that have I done: Yet kiss me, gentle love, before thou die. Perseda. A kiss I grant thee, though I hate thee deadly. Soliman. I lov'd thee dearly, and accept thy kiss. Why didst thou love Erastus more than me? Or why didst thou not give Soliman a kiss Ere this unhappy time? Then hadst thou liv'd. Basilisco. Ah! let me kiss thee too, before I die. Soliman. Nay, die thou shalt for thy presumption, For kissing her whom I do hold so dear. Piston. I will not kiss her, sir; but give me leave To weep over her; for, while she liv'd, She lov'd me dearly, and I loved her. Soliman. If thou didst love her, villain, as thou sayest, Then wait on her thorough eternal night. [Then Soliman kills Piston. Ah, Perseda! how shall I mourn for thee? Fair-springing rose, ill-pluck'd before thy time! Ah, heav'ns! that hitherto have smil'd on me, Why do you unkindly low'r on Soliman? The loss of half my realms, nay, crown's decay, Could not have prick'd so near unto my heart, As doth the loss of my Perseda's life. And with her life I likewise lose my love; And with her love my heart's felicity: Ev'n for Erastus' death the heav'ns have plagued me; Ah, no, the heav'ns did never more accurse me, Than when they made me butcher of my love. Yet justly how can I condemn myself, When Brusor lives that was the cause of all?— Come, Brusor, help to lift her body up: Is she not fair? Brusor. Ev'n in the hour of death. Soliman. Was she not constant? Brusor. As firm as are the poles whereon heav'n lies. Soliman. Was she not chaste? Brusor. As is Pandora's or Diana's thoughts. Soliman. Then tell me, his treasons set aside, What was Erastus in thy opinion? Brusor. Fair-spoken, wise, courteous, and liberal; Kind even to his foes, gentle, and affable; And, all in all, his deeds heroical. Soliman. Ah! was he so? how durst thou then, ungracious councillor, First cause me murder such a worthy man, And after tempt so virtuous a woman? Be this therefore the last that e'er thou speak. Janissaries, take him straight unto the block; Off with his head, and suffer him not to speak. [Exit Brusor. And now, Perseda, here I lay me down, And on thy beauty still contemplate, Until mine eyes shall surfeit by my gazing. But stay, let me see what paper is this. [Then he takes up a paper, and reads in it as followeth— What, am I poison'd? Then, Janissaries, Let me see Rhodes recover'd ere I die. Soldiers, assault the town on ev'ry side; Spoil all, kill all; let none escape your fury. [Sound an alarm to the fight. Say, Captain, is Rhodes recovered again? Captain. It is, my lord, and stoops to Soliman. Soliman. Yet that allays the fury of my pain, Before I die, for doubtless die I must. Ay, fates, injurious fates have so decreed: For now I feel the poison 'gins to work, And I am weak, ev'n to the very death; Yet something more contentedly I die, For that my death was wrought by her device Who, living, was my joy, whose death my woe. Ah, Janissaries! now dies your emperor, Before his age hath seen his mellow'd years; And, if you ever lov'd your emperor, Affright me not with sorrows and laments: And, when my soul from body shall depart, Trouble me not; but let me pass in peace, And in your silence let your love be shown. My last request, for I command no more, Is that my body with Perseda's be Interr'd, where my Erastus lies entomb'd, And let one epitaph contain us all. Ah! now I feel the paper told me true; The poison is dispers'd through ev'ry vein, And boils, like Ætna, in my frying guts. Forgive me, dear Erastus, my unkindness; I have reveng'd thy death with many deaths: And, sweet Perseda, fly not Soliman, When as my gliding ghost shall follow thee With eager mood thorough eternal night. And now pale death sits on my panting soul, And with revenging ire doth tyrannise, This day shall be the period of my bliss. [Then Soliman dies, and they carry him forth with silence. Exeunt omnes.
Fortune. I gave Erastus woe and misery Amidst his greatest joy and jollity. Love. But I that have power in earth and heav'n above, Stang them both with never-failing love. Death. But I bereft them both of love and life. Love. Of life, but not of love; for ev'n in death Their souls are knit, though bodies be disjoin'd: Thou didst but wound their flesh, their minds are free, Their bodies buried, yet they honour me. Death. Hence, foolish Fortune! and thou, wanton Love! Fortune. I give world's happiness and woe's increase. Love. By joining persons, I increase the world. Death. By wasting all I conquer all the world: And now, to end our difference at last, In this last act note but the deeds of Death. Where is Erastus now, but in my triumph? Where are the murtherers, but in my triumph? Where's judge and witness, but in my triumph? Where's false Lucina, but in my triumph? Where's fair Perseda, but in my triumph? Where's Basilisco, but in my triumph? Where's faithful Piston, but in my triumph? Where's valiant Brusor, but in my triumph? And where's great Soliman, but in my triumph? Their loves and fortune ended with their lives, And they must wait upon the car of death. Pack, Love and Fortune! play in comedies: For powerful Death best fitteth tragedies. Love. I go, yet Love shall never yield to Death. Death. But Fortune shall; for when I waste the world, Then times' and kingdoms' fortunes shall decay. Fortune. Meantime will Fortune govern, as she may. [Exit Fortune. Death. Ay, now will Death, in his most haughty pride, Fetch his imperial car from deepest hell, And ride in triumph through the wicked world; Sparing none but sacred Cynthia's friend, Whom death did fear, before her life began: For holy fates have grav'n it in their tables, That Death shall die, if he attempt her end, Whose life is heav'n's delight, and Cynthia's friend. [Exit. FOOTNOTES: |
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