The Golden Age

TheGolden Age. Or The liues of Jupiterand Saturne,with the defining of the Heathen Gods. As it hath beene ſundry timesacted at the Red Bull, by the Queenes Maieſties Seruants. Written byThomas Heywood. TAMROBUR TAM ROBOR NI-COLIS ARBOR IOVIS. 1610 N. O. ♃ London,Printed for WilliamBarrenger,and are to be ſold at his Shop neare the great North-doore ofPauls 1611.

THE READER.

Play comming accidentally to the Preſſe, and at length hauingnotice thereof, I was loath (finding it mine owne) to ſee it thruſtnaked into the world, to abide the fury of all weathers, withouteither Title for acknowledgement, or the formality of an Epiſtle forornament. Therefore rather to keepe cuſtome, then any neceſſity, Ihaue fixt theſe few lines in the front of my Booke: neither toapproue it, as taſtfull to euery palat, nor to diſgrace it, as ableto reliſh none, onely to commit it freely to the generall cenſureof Readers, as it hath already paſt the approbation of Auditors.This is the GoldenAge,the eldeſt brother of three Ages, that haue aduentured the Stage,but the onely yet, that hath beene iudged to the Preſſe. As this isreceiued, ſo you ſhall find the reſt: either fearefull further toproceede, or encouraged boldly to follow.

euer

H.

Names of Perſons preſented inthe Play.

Homer.

            

Saturne	}   two   brothers.
Tytan.

Lords of Creet.

mother of Saturne,

wife to Saturne.

Sonne to Tytan.

daughter to Lycaon.

King of Epire.

ſonne to Caliſto and Iupiter.

                    

Egeon.	}   ſonnes to Tytan.             }   brothers to Jupiter.
Enceladus.
Neptune
Pluto,

King of Arges.

daughter to Acriſius.

Troos.

Lord of Arges.

Lords of Pelagia.

Beldams.

Golden Age, Withthe liues ofIupiter andSaturne.

1. Scæna 1.

oldHOMER

Gods of Greece,whoſe deities I rais’d

of the earth, gaue them diuinity,

attributes of Sacrifice and Prayer

giuē old Homerleaue to view the world

make his owne preſentment. I am he

by my pen gaue heauen to Iupiter,

NeptunesTridentcalme, the curled waues,

ÆolusLordſhipore the warring winds;

blacke hair’d PlutoKing of Ghoſts,

regent ore the Kingdomes fixt below.

me Marswarres,and fluent Mercury

from my tongue. I plac’d diuine Apollo

the Sunnes bright Chariot. I made Venus

of Loue, and to her winged ſonne

ſeuerall arrowes, tipt with Gold and lead.

hath not Homerdone, to make his name

to eternity? I was the man

flouriſh’d in the worlds firſt infancy:

it was yong, and knew not how to ſpeake,

taught it ſpeech, and vnderſtanding both

in the Cradle: Oh then ſuffer me,

that are in the worlds decrepit Age,

it is neere his vniuerſall graue,

ſing an old ſong; and in this Iron Age

you the ſtate of the firſt golden world,

was the Muſes Patron, learnings ſpring,

you ſhall once more heare blinde Homerſing.

two Lords.

Lord.The old Vranus,ſonne of the Aire & Day

dead, and left behinde him two braue ſonnes,

and Saturne.

Tytanis the eldeſt,

ſhould ſucceed by the true right of birth.

Lord. ButSaturnhath the hearts of al the people,

Kingdomes high applauſe, his mothers loue,

leaſt of theſe are ſteppes vnto a crowne.

Lor. Buthow wil Tytanbeare him in theſe troubles,

by nature proud and inſolent,

ſee the yonger ſeated in his throne,

he to whom the true right appertaines,

birth, and law of Nations quite caſt off?

Lord. Thateither power or ſteele muſt arbitrate:

beſt friended haue the beſt euent.

Saturnecomes.

Saturneand Veſtawith other attendants.

Beholdwhat nature skanted me in yeares,

time, below my brother; your applauſe,

general loue, fully ſupplies me with:

make me to his crowne inheritable.

chooſe it as my right by gift of heauen,

peoples ſuffrage, the dead Kings bequeſt,

your election, our faire mother Queene,

all theſe what can twelue moones of time,

with Tytanto dis-herite vs.

TheCretan people, with ſhrill acclamations

thee ſoueraigne ore their lands and liues,

Tytanſtorme, and threaten ſtrange reuenge,

are reſolu’d thy honour to maintaine.

Lord. Tytan,thy ruine ſhall attempt in vaine

hearts ad-here with Veſtaesour late Queene,

to our ſoueraignes late bequeſt,

kneele to Saturne.

Weaccept your loues,

we will ſtriue by merite to exceed you.

iuſt requitall of theſe fauours done.

ArmeLords, I heare the voyce

OfTytanſtorming at this ſtrange election.    Anoiſe of tumult within

Tytan,Lycaonand others.

Deſcendproud vpſtart, trickt vp in ſtoln weeds

in vſurped ſtate, and borowed honours,

them to their owner, that’s to me.

Tytan keepoff, I charge thee neere me not,

I thy bold preſumption ſeale with bloud.

ACrown’s worth tugging for, & I wil ha’t

in purſute I dare my ominous Fate.

Downewith the vſurper.

Saturnehere ſhall ſtand,

vpheld by Veſtaeshand.

AmI not eldeſt?

Eybut yong’ſt in braine.

thecrowne hath ceas’d, and he ſhall reigne.

AmI a baſtard, that my heritage

wreſted from me by a yonger birth?

Veſtaplaid th’adultereſſe with ſome ſtranger?

I be eldeſt from Vranusloynes,

maiden Iſſue, why am I debar’d

law of Nations? am I Veſtaesſonne?

doth not Veſtathen appeare a mother?

yonger Saturnebedded in your wombe,

your heart then I, that hee’s affected

I deſpis’d? If none of theſe, then grant me,

Iuſtice wils, my intereſt in the Crowne:

if you make me out-caſt, if my Mother

the loue ſhe owes, I ſhall abandon

duty of a ſonne. If Saturneprooue

I’le be no more a brother,

maugre all that haue my right withſtood,

my wrongs, & make my way through bloud.

Tytanwe both acknowledge thee a brother,

Veſtaesſonne, which wee’le expreſſe in loue,

ſince for many vertues growing in me

haue no life in you, the Queene, the Peeres,

all the people, with lowd ſuffrages,

ſhrild their Auees high aboue the clouds,

ſtil’d me King, we ſhould forget their loues

to maintaine their ſtrange election.

you therefore, ſince this bold aduenture

much aboue your ſtrength, to arme your ſelfe,

ſearch of future honours with our loue,

what can Tytando againſt a people?

Saturneaduiſeth well, liſt to his conſell.

Ifmy owne land proue thus vnnaturall,

purchaſe forrraine aid.

Lord. Rathercompound.

LetTytanmake demand of any thing

our Crowne, he ſhall enioy it freely.

Tytan, yourbrother offers royally,

his loue.

Tolooſe a Crowne includes

loſſe of all things. What ſhould I demand?

Thisgrant him Saturne,ſince thy inſinuation

wrought him quite out of the Cretans hearts,

Tytanswarlikeiſſue may ſucceed thee.

Lycaonwell aduis’d, he during life,

reigne in peace, no interruption,

paſſe from Tytan to diſturbe his reigne,

to our Gyant race thou wilt aſſure

crowne as due by right inheritance.

Tocut off all hoſtile effuſion

human bloud, which by our difference

needs be ſpilt vpon the barren earth,

ſweare to this accord.

Conditiondthus,

to depriue all future enmity

our ſucceeding Iſſue, thy male children

in their Cradle ſtrangle.

Killmy ſonnes?

Orſweare to this, or all our warlike race,

in ſeuerall Kingdomes Il’e aſſemble,

conquer thee, and from thy ambitious head,

that vſurped Crowne.

Tytan,thy friendſhip

buy with our own bloud, all our male children,

we hereafter ſhall haue any borne)

periſh in their births, to this we ſweare,

we are King and Saturne.

Ithe like,

I am Tytan, and Vranus ſonne:

league confirm’d, all my Allyes I’le gather

forreigne clymes, in which Il’e plant my kin,

a ſeate here where I am diſpis’d,

liue a ſubiect to a younger birth.

bow to that which is my owne by due.

farewell, Il’e leaue thee to thy ſtate,

I in forreigne Kingdomes ſearch my Fate.

on thy oath.

Firſtſtay with vs and feaſt,

this day ſhall be King Saturns gueſt.

the Clowne and a Nurſe.

Thereis no dallying, you muſt come with all ſpeede,

Madam Sibilla is growne a great woman.

Thatis without queſtion, for ſhe is now a Queene.

Nay, ſhe is greater then many Queenes are: for though you may thinkeſhe is with ancient folkes: yet I can aſſure you ſhe is withchilde, you may imagine, beeing now but morning ſhee is new riſen,yet t’is thought that ere noone ſhe will bee brought a bed. Ineuer heard ſhe was commited to priſon: yet t’is look’t eueryhoure when ſhe ſhall be deliuered, and therefore Nurſe I was ſentto you in all haſte.

Isſhe ſo neere her time?

Yes:and yet tis thought ſhee will notwithſtanding hold out, becauſeſhe is groning.

Yourreaſon?

Becauſeyou know the prouerbe: A grunting horſe, and a groning wife neuerdeceiue their Maiſter: ſay, will you make haſte Nurſe?

What’sthe beſt news abroad?

Thebeſt newes abrode is, that the Queene is likely to keepe at home:and is it not ſtrange, that halfe an houres being abroad ſhouldmake a woman haue a moneths minde to keepe in. But the worſt newesis, that if the King haue a young Prince, hee is tide to kill it byoath: but if his maieſty went drunke to bed, and got a gyrle, ſhehath leaue to liue till ſhe dye, and dye when ſhe can liue nolonger.

Thatcouenant was the moſt vnnaturall

euer father made: one louely boy

felt the rigor of that ſtrict decree,

if this ſecond likewiſe be a ſonne,

is no way but death.

Ican tell you more newes: the king hath ſent to the Oracle to knowwhether my Lady be with childe of a boy or a gyrle, and what theirfortunes ſhall be: the Lord that went, is look’t for euery day toreturne with his anſwere: it is ſo Goſſipt in the Queeneschamber, I can tell you. O Nurſe wee haue the braueſt king, if thoukneweſt all.

WhyI pray thee?

Lethis vertues ſpeake for himſelfe: he hath taught his people to ſow,to plow, to reape corne, and to ſkorne Akehorns with their heeles,to bake and to brue: we that were wont to drinke nothing but water,haue the braueſt liquor at Court as paſſeth. Beſides, he hathdeuiſed a ſtrange engine, called a Bow and Arrow, that a man mayhold in hand, and kill a wilde beaſt a great way off, and neuer comein danger of his clutches. I’le tell you a ſtrange thing Nurſe,laſt time the King went a hunting, he kild a beare, brought him hometo be bak’t and eaten: A Gentlewoman of the Court, that fedhungerly vpon this pye, had ſuch a rumbling and roaring in her guts,that her Intrails were all in a mutiny, and could not be appeaſed.No phiſicke, would helpe her, what did the King but cauſed anexcellent Maſtiffe to be knock’t in the head, and dreſt, gaue itto the gentlewoman, of which when ſhe had well eaten, the fleſh ofthe Maſtiffe worried the beare in her belly, and euer ſince herguts haue left wambling. But come, come, I was ſent in haſt, theQueene muſt needs ſpeake with you.

Saturne with wedges of gold and ſiluer, models of ſhips, andbuildings, bow and arrowes, &c. His Lords with him.

Youſhall no more be lodg’d beneath the trees,

chamber vnderneath the ſpreading Okes:

I haue deuis’d you formes for tooles,

ſquare out timber, and performe the Art

Architecture, yet vnknowne till now.

draw you formes of Cities, Townes and Towers,

vſe and ſtrength, behold the models here.

Lord. Saturnesinuentions are diuine, not humane,

God-like ſpirit hath inſpir’d his reigne.

Seehere a ſecond Arte of Huſbandry,

till the earth, to plow, to ſow, to plant,

by Saturne: here is gold refin’d

Groſſer mettals, ſiluer, braſſe, and tinne,

other minerals, extract from earth.

likewiſe haue found out to make your brooks,

and ſeas by practiſe Nauigable.

a forme to make your Craers and Barkes

paſſe huge ſtreames in ſafety, dangerleſſe.

Lord Saturneis a God.

Thelaſt, not leaſt, this vſe of Archery,

ſtringed, bow, and nimble-fethered-ſhaft:

this you may command the flying fowle,

reach her from on high: this ſerues for warre,

ſtrike and wound thy foe-man from a farre.

meanes this acclamation?

lowd ſhout within.

Lord. Tisthy people,

Saturne furniſht with theſe vſes,

then the Gods haue lent them) by thy meanes.

to thee a laſting deity.

would haue Saturne honoured as a God.

ſtudy future profits for their vſe,

in our freſh inuentions proue diuine.

Gods are neuer touch’t with my ſuſpires,

and throbs: their God-like Iſſue thriue,

I vn-man-like muſt deſtroy my babes.

my ſtrict oath to Tytan, which confounds

my precedent honours: one ſweete babe,

yongeſt Ops hath felt the bloudy knife,

periſht in his ſwathing: And my Queene

with another Infant in her wombe,

to taſte like rigor. Is that Lord

from Delphos yet?

Lord.

is.

him: now what doth the Oracle

by the Delphian Prieſt.

Lord.

mighty Saturne.

our Ceremonious Rites perform’d,

Sacrifice ended with reuerence,

murmuring thunder hurried through the Temple.

fell a pleaſant ſhower, whoſe ſiluer drops.

all the Altar with a roſeate dew.

this amazement, thus the Delphian God,

from the Incenſt Altar: Lord of Creete,

ſay to Saturne: Sibill his faire wife,

great with a yong Prince of Noble hopes,

ſhall his fathers vertues much excell,

on his Crowne, and driue him downe to Hell.

Gods (if there be any boue our ſelfe)

our greatneſſe, and of one that ſeekes

beare himſelfe boue man, makes me more wretched

the moſt ſlauiſh bruit. What ſhall my Sibill

me a ſonne; that ſhall depoſe me then?

ſhall not; I will croſſe the Deities,

toombe th’uſurper in his Infant bloud,

keepe my oath; Prince Tytan ſhall ſucceed,

the enuious Gods, the brat ſhall bleed.

Lor.

for the dowager Queene,

Veſta ſad

fares our mother?

i’ſt with faire Sibilla, our deere Queene?

Queenes deliuered.

ſome female birth,

Deities I begge: make me oh Heauens,

more inhumane in the tragicke ſlaughter

princely Infants, fill my decreed number

Virgins, though in them I looſe my name

kingdome, either make her barren euer

elſe all generatiue power and appetite

me: leſt my purple ſinne be ſtil’d

degrees boue murder. What’s her birth?

the ſad mother of a ſecond ſonne.

euer dumbe, let euerlaſting ſilence

the world, all humane voyce henceforth,

to confus’d, and vndiſtinguiſht ſound,

barking Hounds, hoarſe beares, & howling wolues,

ſtop all rumour that may fil the world

Saturnes tyranies againſt his ſonnes.

did but Saturne ſee yon ſmiling babe,

giue it life, and breake ten thouſand oathes

then ſuffer the ſweet infant dye,

very looke would begge a quicke reprieue

of the tyrant Tytan ſaw the vnkle

what a gracefull looke the Infant ſmiles,

giue it life, although he purchas’d it with loſſe of a greatKingdome.

ſpare the lad: I did offend too much

kill the firſt, tell Sibill he ſhall liue,

be no more ſo monſtrous in my rigor,

with the bloud of Princes buy my Crowne.

more their Cradles ſhall be made their Tombes,

their ſoft ſwathes become their winding ſheetes:

can my ſubiects thinke Il’e ſpare their liues,

to my owne can be ſo tyranous?

Sibill he ſhall liue.

will be that ioyfull meſſenger.

let me firſt reward the Oracle,

told me Sibill ſhould produce a ſonne,

ſhould his Fathers vertues much excell,

on my Crowne, and driue me downe to Hell.

I then giue an Infant-traitor life,

ſting me to the heart? the brat ſhall bleed.

ſonne.

Lord.

ſoueraigne.

that next replyes,

or friend, by Saturnes fury dyes.

fetch me his heart, brimme me a bowle

his warme bloud. Tytan, my vow I’le keep,

newly wakend, ſhall as newly ſleep.

then a bruit, for bruits preſerue their own

then the worſt of things is Saturne growne.

the childe to death.

I will.

would ſaue whom Saturn means to kill,

is my ſonne whom I command to death,

Prince that may ſucced me in my Throne,

to poſterity reuiue my name.

Veſta backe, and bid her ſaue the Babe.

Lord.

do’t my Lord.

ſtay: the lad to kill

ſaue my oath, and keep my kingdome ſtill.

after her and charge them on their liues,

me the babes bloud in a cup of gold,

preſent which I’le offer to the Gods.

not, bee’t our mother, nay our wife,

her owne to ſaue the Infants life.

Lord.

ſhall informe them ſo.

this a deity,

be more wretched then the worſt on earth,

be depriu’d, that comfort of my iſſue,

euen the baſeſt of my land enioy:

henceforth for my rigor hate my ſelfe,

deſpiſe, and ioyes abandon quite.

pureſt bloud that runnes within my veines,

dull with thicke, and troubled melancholy,

warre with comfort, be at oddes with ſolace,

league with nothing but diſtemprature.

my vnkem’d lockes ſhall knot in curles,

nor any edge ſhall kiſſe my cheeke,

my chin appeare a wilderneſſe,

make me wild in knowledge to the world.

care ſhall cabin in my heart,

tyranny I’le puniſh in my ſelfe,

ſaue the Gods that labour—

diſturbance to the world ſhall be,

planet that infuſeth melancholy.

Sibilla lying in child-bed, with her child lying by her, and herNurſe, &c.

not our mother Veſta yet return’d,

made herſelfe th’unwilling meſſenger,

bring the king newes of his new-borne ſonne?

not yet.

of all that euer mothers were

wretched. kiſſe thy ſweet babe ere he dye,

hath life onely lent to ſuffer death.

Lad, I would thy father ſaw thee ſmile,

beauty and thy pretty Infancy,

molifie his heart wer’t hew’d from flint,

caru’d with Iron tooles from the corſicke rocke,

laugheſt to thinke thou muſt be kild in ieſt.

if thou needs muſt dye, I’le be thy murdreſſe,

kill thee with my kiſſes (pretty knaue)

canſt thou laugh to ſee thy mother weepe?

art thou in thy cheerefull ſmiles ſo free

ſcorne of thy rude fathers tyranny?

the King hath ſlaine his firſt borne ſon,

had hee ſeene aliue, hee’d not haue giuen

ten ſuch Kingdomes as he now enioyes,

death of ſuch a faire and hopefull child,

full as much as Tytan can demand.

ſhall ſpare this ſweet babe, I’le ranſome thee

my owne life, the knife that pierceth thee,

wound thy mothers ſide, and I ſhall feele

leaſt ſharpe ſtroke from his offenſiue ſteele.

mother Queen’s return’d.

Veſta

lookes ſhe Nurſe?

her not ſpeake, but yet a little longer

hopes hold in ſuſpence: oh me moſt wretched,

reade my Lords harſh anſwere in her eye,

very lookes tell me the boy muſt dye.

muſt he? muſt he? kill me with that word,

will wound deeper then King Saturnes ſword.

boy muſt dye.

to the Queene, ſhe faints.

let’s not looſe the mother with her infant,

loſſe of one’s too much.

wher’s my childe?

hide thee in my bed, my boſome, breſt,

murderer ſhall not finde my little ſonne,

ſhalt not dye, be not afraid my boy.

tell the King hees mine as well as his,

I’le not kill my part: one he hath ſlaine,

which I had like intereſt: this I’le ſaue,

euery ſecond ſonne keepe from the graue.

the firſt Lord.

ſir, for this place is priuiledg’d,

onely for free women.

Lord.

is the Kings command boue your decree,

I muſt play th’intruder gainſt my will.

King vpon your liues hath charged you,

ſee that infant Lad immediatly

his death, he ſtayes for his warme bloud

offer to the Gods. To thinke him ſlaine,

partner of your ſorrowes I remaine.

you heare the king doth threat our liues

kill him then.

he inexorable?

ſhould not I proue as ſeuere a mother

he a cruell father: ſince the King

doom’d him, I the Queene will doo’t my ſelfe,

me the fatall Engine of his wrath,

play the horrid murdreſſe for this once.

kiſſe thee ere I kill thee: for my life,

Lad ſo ſmiles, I cannot hold the knife.

giue him me, I am his Grand-mother,

I will kill him gently: this ſad office

to me, as to the next of kin.

heauens ſake when you kil him, hurt him not.

little knaue, prepare your naked throat,

haue not heart to giue thee many wounds,

kindneſſe is to take thy life at once. (Now.)

my pretty Grand-child, ſmil’ſt thou ſtill?

haue luſt to kiſſe, but haue no heart to kill.

may be careleſſe of the kings command,

it concernes me, and I loue my life

then I do a ſucklings, giue him me,

make him ſure, a ſharpe weapon lend,

quickly bring the yongſter to his end.

my pretty knaue, t’were more then ſin,

a ſharpe knife to touch thy tender ſkin.

Madame, hee’s ſo full of Angell grace

cannot ſtrike, he ſmiles ſo in my face.

wink & ſtrike, come once more reach him hither:

dye he muſt, ſo Saturne hath decreed,

for a world I would not ſee him bleed.

ſhall he do, but ſweare me ſecreſie,

babe ſhall liue, and we be dangerleſſe,

bleſſe me with ſuch happineſſe.

me.

king of Epires daughters, two bright maids,

me for many fauours the like loue,

I dare truſt, to them I’le ſend this babe

be brought vp, but not as Saturns ſonne.

but prouide ſome truſty meſſenger,

honour for his ſafety.

by what meanes ſhall we delude the king,

yong Kids heart, ſwimming in reeking bloud

ſend the King, and with ſuch forged griefe,

counterfet ſorrow ſhadow it,

this impoſture neuer ſhall be found.

twice my mother you beſtow vpon me,

double life thus to preſerue my boy.

me the child, I’le finde a meſſenger,

beare him ſafe to Melliſeus Court.

bloud and heart I’le preſently prouide,

the rage of Saturne.

lets ſweare,

keepe this ſecret from King Saturnes eare.

will, and if this plot paſſe vndiſcouer’d

like deuiſe we will ſaue all your ſonnes.

our taskes; you ſome choyce friend to finde,

with my feigned teares the King to blinde.

ſecundi, Scoena prima.

HOMER.

cannot womens wits? they wonders can

they intend to blinde the eyes of man.

lend me what old Homer wants, your eyes,

ſee th’euent of what theſe Queenes deuiſe.

doombe ſhew, ſound.

the Nurſe and Clowne, ſhee ſweares him to ſecreſie, and to himdeliuers the child and a letter to the daughters of King Melliſeus:they part. Enter at one doore Saturne melancholy, with his Lords: atthe other Veſta, & the Nurſe who with counterfeit paſſionpreſent the King a bleeding heart vpon a kniues point, and a bowleof bloud. The King departs one way in great ſorrow, the Ladies theother way in great ioy.

paſt ſo currant, that the third ſonne borne,

Neptune, was by like deuiſe preſeru’d,

ſent to Athens, where he liu’d vnknowne,

had in time command vpon the ſeas.

the yongeſt was ſent to Tartary,

he in proceſſe a ſtrange City built

cald it Hell, his ſubiects for their rapine,

ſpoils and theft, are Diuels tearm’d abrode.

melancholy Saturne hath ſuruiuing

Noble ſonnes in ſeuerall confines plac’d

yet himſelfe thinks ſonne-leſſe: one faire daughter

Iuno is his ſole delight on earth.

kinde ſpectators ſeuenteene ſommers paſt,

theſe be growne to yeares, and Iupiter

in a caue by the great Epyre King,

by his daughters he before was hid.)

him and of his fortunes we proceeed,

iournie’s long, and I my eye-ſight want.

ſpectators, leſt blind Homer ſtray,

me your hands to guide me on your way.

Lycaon with his Lords, Iupiter with other Lords of Epyre.

long warre, and tedious differences,

King Melliſeus and our ſelfe,

craue the Epyre Lords?

King Lycaon,

truce and hoſtage hath tane vp theſe broiles,

ended them in peacefull amity,

all the damadge by the Epyrians done,

on our part aboundantly made good:

come Lycaon to demand the like

thee and of thy Kingdome, and for proofe,

all our malice is extinct and dead,

bring thy hoſtage backe, demanding ours.

him Lords, a Banquet inſtantly,

ſhall this day braue Epyre feaſt with vs,

to your boord your hoſtage ſhall be brought,

to receiue him freely, meane time ſit,

taſte the royall welcomes of our Court.

iuſt in keeping theſe conditions

ſtrictly with a reconciled foe.

faire prince, tell me whence you are deriu’d,

neuer heard King Melliſeus had

Prince of your perfections?

demand

my bloud, being borne I know not where,

that I am of gentry at the leaſt,

Spiritprompts me, and my noble thoughts

me approued warrant, being an infant

beauteous Ladyes found me in a caue,

from their voluntary charity,

fed me with their hony, for that cauſe

two bright Ladies cal’d me Iupiter,

to their Father Melliſeus brought me,

Foſter-father, who hath train’d my youth,

feats of Armes, and military proweſſe,

as an inſtance of his deereſt loue,

honor’d me with this late Embaſſy.

banquet brought in, with the limbes of a Man in the ſeruice.

are ſatiſfi’d: Princes ſit round and feaſt,

are this day Lycaons welcom’ſt gueſt.

meat diſtaſts me, doth Lycaon feaſt vs

Caniballes? feed vs with humane fleſh?

is this portent?

Epyrians, eate,

feaſts you with no common meate.

wher’s the Epyre Lord we left as hoſtage?

him here, hee’s at the table with you,

is the Epyres head, and theſe his limbes,

Melliſeus that Lycaon can

of the valiant Tytanoys)

his hatred, and intoombe his ſpleene

reuenge? bloud in theſe warres was ſhed,

for that bloud your hoſtage loſt his head.

wrong that liſt, & thoſe can brooke it beſt,

was not borne to ſuffrance: thoughts mount hye,

King hath wrong’d me, and a King ſhall dye.

treaſon.

with the tyrant, and that hatefull crue,

in their murdrous breaſts your blades imbrue.

guard.

confuſed fray, an alarme.

and the Epyriens beat off Lycaon and his followers.

fled, make good the pallace gates,

to th’amazed Citie beare theſe limbs,

baſely by the tyrant maſſacred.

his ſubiects by our words prepar’d

ſhake their bondage off, and make this warre,

happy meanes to rid a tyrant thence.

in your left hands theſe diſ-membred limbes,

in your right your ſwords, with which make way,

braue Epyres, and a glorious day,

Lycaon makes head againe, and is beat off by Iupiter and theEpirians, Iupiter ceazeth the roome of Lycaon.

once more fled, we by the helpe

theſe his people, haue confin’d him hence,

whom belongs this Crowne?

Lord.

Iupiter.

Lor.

ſhall protect our liues, but Iupiter.

Iupiter, A Iupiter.

we are farre from ſuch ambition, Lords,

will we entertaine ſuch royalty.

Lor.

Prince, whō heauen hath ſent by miracle,

ſaue vs from the bloudyeſt tyrannies,

ere were practis’d by a mortall prince,

tender thee our fortunes: oh vouchſafe

be our Lord, our Gouernour, and King,

all thy people ioyntly haue agreed,

of that tyrants iſſue ſhall ſucced.

Iupiter, A Iupiter.

not refuſe the bounty of the Heauens

in theſe your voyces; we accept

patronage, and’ gainſt Lycaons tyrannyes

protect you: but our conqueſt yet

all vncertaine, ſecond vs deere ſubiects,

aſſure our conqueſts: firſt we muſt prouide

ſafty, ere attempt the helme to guide.

Enter Caliſto.

meane theſe horrid & theſe ſhrill alarmes

fright the peacefull Court with hoſtle cryes?

and amazement hurry through each chamber;

Ladies light the darkeſt roomes

their bright beauties: whence (ô whence ye Gods)

all you grones, cryes, and inhumane ſownds

bloud and death: Licaon, where is he?

in this dire and ſad aſtoniſhment

not he to comfort my ſad feares,

cheere me in this dull diſtemprature?

in a hurrie with weapons drawne, Iupiter and his ſouldiers.

Iron bar’d dores, & the ſuſpected vaults,

Barricadoed gates, and euery roome,

boaſted of his ſtrength, is forc’d to obey

our free entrance: nothing can withſtand

oppoſite fury. Come, let’s ranſacke further,

ſtay, what ſtrange deiected beauty’s this

on the ſodaine hath ſurpris’d my heart,

made me ſicke with paſſion?

away,

we command, who dares preſume to ſtay?

Lady.

afright me with your ſteele.

weapons Lady come to grace your beautie

theſe my armes ſhall be your ſanctuary

all offenſiue danger: cheere your ſorrow,

your bright beauty ſhoote out of this cloud,

ſearch my heart, as it hath daz’d my eyes.

you a Queene enthron’d aboue the Elements,

of diuine compoſure, or of earth,

I can ſcarce beleeue?

am my ſelfe.

ſtranger, you are much to rude,

my priuate chamber to intrude:

call the King my father.

you then

daughter? (wonder without end,

from a Fiend an Angell ſhould deſcend.)

Loue, till now I neuer felt thy dart:

now her painted eye hath pierc’d my heart.

can you loue?

be alone I can.

faire Queene, are nothing without men:

are but cyphers, empty roomes to fill,

till mens figures come, vncounted ſtill.

I ſweet Lady, adde vnto your grace,

but for number-ſake ſupply that place.

one too many, and of all the reſt,

beare mens figure, we can ſpare you beſt.

are you ſir?

are Pelaſge’s King,

theſe our ſubiects.

did of late belong

King Lycaon (Oh iniurious wrong)

ſute your pitty with your Angell-beauty,

liue Pelaſge’s Queene.

me a funerall garland to lament,

beſt becomes my wretched diſcontent.

ſun-ſhine of my ſmiles and iocond loue,

from your browes bright azure Elements,

all clouds: behold my crowne is yours.

ſword, my conqueſt, I am of my ſelfe,

without your ſoft compaſſionate loue?

proofe, aske what the heauen, earth, aire, or ſea

yeeld to men by power or oriſon,

it is yours.

I ſhall proue your loue.

vſe me Lady.

grant it me my Lord.

all my honours, and by all the ſweets

hope for in your loues fruition,

wil’s your owne.

not reuoke your word?

to inueſt whom I did late degrade,

doo’t for you, bright and diuineſt maid.

onely freedome to your captiue giue

I a Nunne and profeſt maid may liue.

cruell then the tyrant that begat thee,

thou ask’t loue, gold, ſeruice, Empiry,

ſword had purchaſt for Caliſto all.

moſt vnkinde, in all this vniuerſe,

but one iewell that I value hye,

that (vnkinde) you will not let me buy:

liue a maid, what iſt? ‘tis to liue nothing:

like a couetous man to hoord vp treaſure,

from your owne vſe, and from others pleaſure.

thinke faire creature, that you had a mother,

that bore you, that you might beare another:

you as ſhe was, of an Infant glad,

you from her, haue all things that ſhe had.

all affect the ſtrict life you deſire,

world it ſelfe ſhould end when we expire:

is all, heauens number fill,

by your helpe may be increaſed ſtill,

is it when you looſe your mayden-head,

make your beauty liue when you be dead

your faire iſſue?

‘tis all in vaine,

I am now a ſeruant of thy traine.

order is meere hereſie, her ſect

ſchiſme, ‘mongſt maids not worthy your reſpect.

were got to get; you borne others to beare.

not the world ſo much: (nay ſweet your eare)

flower will wither, not being cropt in time,

is too late, then do not looſe your prime.

whil’ſt you may, before your youth be paſt.

not this mowld that may ſuch faire ones caſt,

to the world your like for face and ſtature,

the next age may praiſe your gifts of nature.

if you ſtill grow thus preciſe,

your ſtrict vow, ſucceding beautie dies.

claime your oath, all loue with men adue,

Cloyſter I will next purſue.

Caliſto

there all beauty ſhall be kept in iaile,

with my ſword: Ey with my life I’d baile:

that Diana?

Lor.

is the daughter of an ancient King,

ſwaid the Atticke ſcepter, who being tempted

many ſuiters, firſt began this vow:

leauing Court betooke her to the forreſts.

beauteous traine are virgins of beſt ranke,

of Kings, and Princes, all deuoted

abandon men, and chuſe virginity.

theſe being firſt to her ſtrict orders ſworne,

her their Queene and Empreſſe.

all my hopes Caliſtoe’s loue to gaine,

wiſh my ſelfe one of Dianae’s traine.

Lord.

your ſtate buſineſſe.

remembred.

of theſe newes ſhall be to Epyre ſent,

vs, and of our new eſtabliſhment.

for Caliſto, (but of that no more.)

muſt take firme poſſeſſion of this ſtate,

ſword hath wonne, Licaon loſt ſo late.

with muſicke (before Diana) ſixe Satires, after them all theirNimphs, garlands on their heads, and iauelings in their hands, theirBowes and Quiuers: the Satyrs ſing.

beauteous Dian, Queene of ſhades,

dwels beneath theſe ſhadowie glades,

of all thoſe beauteous maids,

are by her allowed.

we all profeſſe,

the worldlie vaine exceſſe,

will to Dyan yeeld no leſſe

we to her haue vowed.

Shepheards, Satirs, Nimphs, and Fawnes,

thee will trippe it ore the lawnes.

to the Forreſt let vs goe,

trip it like the barren Doe,

Fawnes and Satirs ſtill do ſo,

freelie thus they may do.

Fairies daunce, and Satirs ſing,

on the graſſe tread manie a ring,

to their caues their ven’ſon bring,

we will do as they do,

Shepheards, &c.

food is honie from the Bees,

mellow fruits that drop from trees,

chace we clime the high degrees

euerie ſteepie mountaine,

when the wearie day is paſt,

at the euening hie vs faſt,

after this our field repaſt,

drinke the pleaſant fountaine.

Shepheards, &c.

ſports, our Fawnes, our Satyrs and our ſelues;

(faire Caliſto) for your entertaine:

the great God of Shepheards, and the Nymphes

Meades and Fountaines, that inhabite here,

giue you welcome, with their Rurall ſports,

to behold a Princeſſe of your birth

happy Citizen of theſe Meades and Groues.

Satyrs are our neighbours, and liue here,

whom we haue confirm’d a friendly league

dwell in peace. Here is no City-craft.

no Court-flattery ſimpleneſſe and ſooth

harmeleſſe Chace, and ſtrict Virginity

all our practiſe. You haue read our orders,

you haue ſworne to keepe them,

Caliſto.

how eſteeme you them?

reuerence.

Queene, I am ſequeſtred from the world,

in my ſoule hate mans ſociety,

all their luſts, ſuggeſtions, all Court-pleaſures,

City-curioſities are vaine,

with my finer temper ill agree,

now haue vow’d ſacred verginity.

will not of your ſorrowes make recitall

lately ſuffred by the hand of chance:

are from the world, & the blind Goddeſſe Fortune

dare to do her worſt, as liuing here

of her reach: Vs, ſhe of force muſt ſpare,

can looſe nothing, that for nothing care.

deuotion drew me to your ſeruice,

I am now your hand-maid.

Atlanta?

there no princeſſe in our traine,

yet vnmatch’d to be her Cabin-fellow,

ſleepe by her?

we all are cuppled

twin’d in loue, and hardly is there any

will be wonne to change her bed-fellow.

muſt be ſingle till the next arriue,

that is next admitted of our traine,

be her bed-companion, ſo tis lotted.

Fawns, and Nymphs, and Satyres, girt vs rownd

we aſcend our ſtate, and here proclaime

generall hunting in Dianaes name.

Iupiter like a Nimph, or a Virago.

I ſtrid too wide. That ſtep was too large for one that profeſſeththe ſtraight order: what a pittifull coyle  ſhall I haueto counterfeit this woman, to liſpe (forſooth) to ſimper and ſetmy face like a ſweet Gentlewomans made out of ginger-bread? ſhall Iventer or no? My face I feare not: for my beard being in the nonagedurſt neuer yet looke a Barber in the face. And for my complexion, Ihaue knowne as browne Laſſes as my ſelfe haue gone for currant.And for my ſtature, I am not yet of that Giant ſize, but I maypaſſe for a bona Roba, a Ronnceual a Virago, or a good manly Laſſe.If they ſhould put me to ſpinne, or to ſow, or any ſuchGentlewomanlike exerciſe, how ſhould I excuſe my bringing vp?Tuſh, the hazzard is nothing, compared with the value of the gaine.Could I manadge this buſineſſe with Art, I ſhould come to ahundred pretty ſights in a yeare, as in the Sommer when we come toflea our ſmocks, &c. I hope Diana doth not vſe to ſearch hermaides before ſhe entertaines them. But howſoeuer

my loſſe certaine, and my profit none,

for Caliſto’s loue, and I will on.

chaſe the Stagge, and with our Beagles ſhrill,

neighbouring Forreſts with lowd eccho’s fill.

this a heauen terreſtriall that containes

many earthly Angels? (O amazement)

with theſe beauties circled round,

in with theſe bright pales, beares more ſtate,

Gods haue lent them by the power of fate.

am deſtroyd,

what intruder’s that?

her hither.

diuineſt Queene,

come to do thee ſeruice.

manly Laſſe, a ſtout Virago,

all our traine proportion’d to thy ſize,

need not feare mens ſubtill trecheries.

birth and fortunes?

I deriue

birth from noble and high parentage:

of your rare beauty, with my loue

zeale I ſtill beare to a virgins life,

drawne me to your ſeruice.

Lady. Her largeneſſe pleaſeth mee, if ſhee haue courageproportion’d with her limbs, ſhee ſhall be Champion to all ourwronged Ladies. You Atlanta, preſent her oath,

oath is giuen on Dianaes bow

you muſt be true

bright Diana and her Virgin crew.

bright Diana and her traine I’l ſtand.

can you do?

then the beſt here can.

ſhall vow chaſtity:

more then I can promiſe (well proceed

neuer ſhall with hated man attone,

ly with woman or elſe ly alone.

my oath ſtrong, my proteſtation deep,

this I vowe by all the Gods to keepe.

Ladies you ſhall onely ſport and play,

in their fellowſhip ſpend night and day.

ſhall.

with them at boord and bed,

ſweare no man ſhall haue your maiden-head.

all the powers both earthly and diuine,

ere I looſ’t, a woman ſhall haue mine.

you’reours, you’r welcome, kiſſe our hand,

promiſe well, wee like you, and will grace you.

if with our election your’s agree.

here your bed-fellow ſhall be.

Gods your will eternize me to your choice,

I ſeale both with my ſoule and voyce

hand each other and acquaint your ſelfe

now let vs proceed in the purſuite,

our determin’d paſtimes, dedicate

the entertainement of theſe beuteous maides.

and fawnes ring out your pleaſing quire,

done, our Bugles ſhall to heauen aſpire.

winded, a great noiſe of hunting, Enter Diana, all her Nimphes inthe chaſe, Iupiter pulling Caliſto back.

purſue, the Stag hath tooke the Mountaine,

let vs climbe the ſteepe clifts after him,

through the aire your nimble iauelinges ſing.

our free ſpoyles home with the euening bring.

follow, follow.

hornes, enter the Satyrs as in the chaſe.

nimble Ladies haue out-ſtript vs quite,

we ſpeede we ſhall not ſee him fall.

are too ſlow in purſuite of our game;

after tho; ſince they out-ſtrip our eyes,

by their noates, that from their Bugles riſe.

hornes. Enter Iupiter, and Caliſto.

gentle Lady, we ſhall looſe our traine,

miſſe Dianae’spaſtime in the chaſe,

then to ſtaine our Iauelings guilded points

bloud of yon ſwift Stag, ſo hot purſu’de.

you keepe pace with mee?

am tir’d already.

haue I yet bene to theſe paſtimes breath’d,

ſhall wee here repoſe our ſelues a little?

looſe the honour to be firſt at fall?

not, you ſhall come time enough to fall.

you muſt be ſo vnkind to mee,

leaue me to theſe deſerts ſolitary,

ſtay till I haue reſt, for I am breathles

cannot hold it out, behold a place

an Arbor ſeated naturally,

by the hand of nature for a bower,

by the ſhadowy leaues from the Suns eye.

will you ſit, or on the verdure lye?

then leaue you, I will looſe the ſport

finde you paſtime, feare not, Oh my Angell,

wilt thou tranſport me, grant me meaſure.

ioy, be free, I ſurfet on this pleaſure.

ſhal’s lye downe a little.

I will.

thirſt in ſeas and cannot quaffe my fill,

before mee a rich Table ſpread.

yet poore I am forc’d to ſtarue for bread:

be alone, the Ladyes farre in chace,

may I dye an Eunuch by my vowe,

bright Caliſto you eſcape me now.

bed-fellow your hand, what haue I felt,

blancht ſnow, of ſubſtance not to melt?

gripe too hard.

ſooth I ſhall not reſt

my head be pillowed on thy breaſt.

on me then.

ſhall I wrong mine eyes,

leaue your face to looke vpon the ſkyes.

how I loue the, come let’s kiſſe and play.

a woman with a woman may.

do not like this kiſſing.

ſit ſtill,

me thy lippes, that I may taſte my fill.

kiſſe too wantonly.

boſome lend

by thy ſoft paps let my hand deſcend.

fye what meane you?

let me toy,

would the Gods would ſhape thee to a boy,

me into a man.

man, how then?

ſweet lye ſtill, for we are farre from men,

downe againe. Your foot I oft haue prais’d,

and your legge: (nay let your ſkirt be rais’d)

meaſure for the wager of a fall,

hath the greateſt great, or ſmalleſt ſmall.

are too wanton, and your hand too free.

need not bluſh to let a woman ſee.

bareneſſe I haue hid from ſight of ſkyes,

may barre it any Ladyes eyes.

thinks you ſhould be fat, pray let me feele,

God you tickle me.

me your hand,

freely taſte me, note how I will ſtand,

am not tickliſh.

how you wooe,

maids may wiſh much, but can nothing do.

am weary of this toying.

but I

this Eliſium could both liue and dye.

can forbeare no longer, though my rape

puniſht with my head, ſhe ſhall not ſcape.

ſweet I were a man.

would I riſe,

fill the Dales and mountaines with my cryes.

man! (Oh heauen) to gaine Eliſiums bliſſe,

not be ſayd that I a man ſhould kiſſe.

lets go wound the Stagge.

ere you goe,

ſtands one ready that muſt ſtrike a doe.

thou art ſhee, I am Pelagius King,

thus haue ſingled thee, mine thou ſhalt be.

Angels, men, help all a maid to free.

them all th’art mine.

do me right,

fingers, feet, nailes, teeth, and all to fight.

they, nor all Dianae’s Angell-traine,

caries her away in his armes.

they in ſight, this prize away ſhould gaine.

3. Scoene 1.

Homer.

Iupiter doth force this beauteous maid,

after would haue made her his bright Queene.

diſcontent ſhe in the Forreſt ſtaid,

of Diana’s virgins to be ſeene.

did ſhe write, oft ſend, but all in vaine,

neuer will returne to Court againe.

moones are fild & wain’d when ſhe grows great

yong Ioues iſſue in her wombe doth ſpring.

day Diana doth her Nimphs intreat,

a ſolemne bathing, where they bring

Caliſto, note how ſhe would hide

which time found, and great Diana ſpide.

dumbe ſhew. Enter Diana and all her Nimphs to bathe them: ſheemakes them ſuruey the place. They vnlace themſelues, and vnloſetheir buſkins: only Caliſto refuſeth to make her ready. Dianaſends Atlanta to her, who perforce vnlacing her, finds her greatbelly, and ſhewes it to Diana, who turnes her out of her ſociety,and leaues her. Caliſto likewiſe in great ſorrow forſakes theplace.

crime thus found, ſhee’s baniſht from their crew,

in a caue ſhe childs a valiant ſonne,

Archas, who doth noble deeds purſue,

by Ioues gift Pelagia’s ſeate hath wonne,

after by his worth, and glorious fame,

hath tranſ-ſtil’d Archadia by his name.

we returne to Tytan, who by ſpyes

learn’d, that Saturne hath kept ſonnes aliue.

now aſſembles all his ſtrange allyes,

for the crowne of Creet intends to ſtriue.

their ſucceſſe, and fortunes we proceed,

Tytans ſonnes by youthfull Ioue muſt bleed.

Tytan, Lycaon, Enceladus, Aegeon in Armes, drum, colours, andattendants,

are we ſtrong, our giant Iſſue growne,

ſonnes in ſeuerall kingdomes we haue planted,

whence they haue deriu’d vs braue ſupplyes,

Sicily, and from th’ Aegean ſea,

of our ſonne Aegeon beares the name.

haue aſſembled infinites of men,

auenge vs on proud Saturnes periury.

I haue ſaid to Tytan, Il’e make good,

rumor’d Melliſeus Foſter-child

that expulſt me from Pelagia’s Crowne.

in my high tribunall ſits enthron’d,

Saturnes ſonne, and ſtiled Iupiter,

my daughter by his luſt deflowred)

vs the poore diſtreſſed Tytanoyes

hath committed many out-rages.

which wee’l puniſh on K. Saturnes head,

that haue made th’ Aegean confines ſhake,

with my powerfull voyce affrighted Heauen:

whoſe enraged eyes the darkned ſkyes

borrowed luſtre, and Promethian fire,

fright from Creet the proud Saturnian troope,

thouſand hack’t and mangled ſouldiers bring

intombe the glories of the Cretan King.

muſt be left to great Enceladus,

pride and glory of the Tytans hoaſt.

that haue curb’d the billowes with a frowne,

with a ſmile haue made the Ocean calme,

downe huge mountains with my armed foot,

with my ſhoulders lift the vallies high,

in the wrinkles of my ſtormy brow,

the glories of the Cretan King,

on his ſlaughtered bulke braine all his ſonnes.

what ſhall I do then?

thou ſtand ſtill,

I the foes of Tytan paſh and kill.

I not eldeſt from great Tytans loynes,

Saturniſts hereditarie ſcurdge?

all theſe deeds of horror to my hand,

like a Trophy ore their ſpoyles will ſtand.

breath we then?

arme your ſinowy limbes,

rage and fury fright pale pitty hence,

drowne him in the ſweate your bodies ſtill.

hoſtile induſtry toſſe flaming brands

your fleecy lockes, to threat their Cities

death and deſolation, let your ſteele

againſt the ſunne, daze their bright eyes,

with the dread of our aſtoniſhment

may be ſunke in Lethe, and their graue

be the darke vawlt, cal’d obliuionsCaue,

our Embaſſadors to Saturne gone,

let him know whence this our warre proceedes?

meſſage hath by this ſtartled th’vſurper,

on them, waſte their confines as we march,

let them taſt the rage of ſword and fire,

giuen, and hath by this arriu’d

at the wals of Creet, the cittadell

the Cathedrall Saturne is enthron’d.

Aegeon and Enceladus,

Lycaon lend vs your aſſiſtance

forradge as we march, plant deſolation

all this fertile ſoile, be this your cry;

on Saturne for his periury.

Saturne with haire and beard ouergrowne, Sibilla, Iuno, his Lords,drum, colours and ſouldiers.

ſpeake, let no harſh voyce preſume to iarr

our diſtreſſed care, I am all ſad,

horrourand afrightment, ſince the ſlaughter

tragick murder of my firſt borne Ops,

in the vnnaturallmaſſacre

three yong Princes: not a day hath left me

diſtaſt, no night but double darkned

terrour and confuſed melancholy:

houre but hath had care and diſcontent

to his minutes not an inſtant:

remorſe and anguiſh. Oh you crownes,

are you made, and mettald out of cares?

am ouergrowne with ſorrow, circumuailed

multiplicity of diſtempratures,

Saturne is a King of nothing elſe,

woes, vexations, ſorrowes, and laments.

adde to theſe the threatnings of red war,

if the murther of my Princely babes

not enough to plague an vſurpation,

they muſt adde the rage of ſword and fire,

affright my people: theſe are miſeries,

to be compriſed in no dimenſion.

father ſhall not macerate himſelfe,

dare to interrupt his paſſions,

I buy it deerely with his hate.

Lord you are a King of a great people,

power ſufficient to repulſe a foe

then Tytan. Though my brothers birthes

crown’d in bloud, yet am I ſtill reſeru’d

be the hopefull comfort of your age.

deareſt Iuno, beautifull remainder

Saturnes royall iſſue, but for thee

had ere this with theſe my fingers torne

graue out of the rockes, to haue entomb’d

wretched carkaſſe of a caitife King:

I will liue, be’t but to make thee Queene

all the triumphes and the ſpoyles I winne.

what’s the proiect of their inuaſion?

Lord.

the King of Creet,

not (according to his vowes and oathes)

his male iſſue.

I not their blouds

quaft to angry Nemeſis?

not theſe ruthleſſe and remorſleſſe eyes,

beheld their panting hearts

in bowles of bloud? Am I not ſonne-leſſe?

child-leſſe too, ſaue Iuno whom I loue:

dare they then? Come, our continued ſorrow

into ſcarlet indignation turne,

my ſonnes bloud ſhall crowne their guilty heads

purple vengeance. Valiant Lords, ſet on,

meet them to their laſt deſtruction.

Lord.

forward.

becauſe wee’l ground our warres

iuſtice: Faire Sibilla, on thy life,

charge thee tell me, and diſſemble not,

all the hopes in Saturne thou haſt ſtor’d,

nuptiall pleaſures, and affaires of loue,

thou eſteem’ſt our grace, or vengeance fear’ſt,

me truly. Haſt thou ſonnes aliue?

kneeles.

teares, and that deiection on thy knee,

with dumbneſſe, argue guilt.

and ſpeake.

Saturne know, I am a Woman then,

more, I am a Mother: would you haue me

monſter, to exceed in cruelty

ſauadgeſt of Sauadges? Beares, Tygers, Wolues,

feed their yong: would Saturne haue his Queene

fierce then theſe? Thinke you Sibilla dare

her yong, whom cruell beaſts would ſpare?

me be held a mother, not a murdreſſe:

Saturne, thou haſt liuing three braue ſonnes.

where? rather then to reueale to thee,

thou may’ſt ſend, their guiltleſſe bloud to ſpill,

ceaſe my life, for them thou ſhalt not kill.

warre, the threatning Oracle,

muſter ſtrange perplexions ‘bout my braine,

robbe me of the true ability

my direct conceiuements. Doubt, and warre.

inuaſion, and my ielouſie;

me vnfit for anſwere.

Lord.

Saturne,

pitty in the Queene ſo to preſerue them.

ſtrictneſſe ſlew them, they are dead in you,

in the pitty of your Queene ſuruiue.

aſſiſtance plunge me from theſe troubles,

here failes me, I am wrapt

millions of confuſions.

a Lord.

Lord.

great Saturne,

Cities burne: a generall maſſacre

thy people. The bigge Tytanoys

vp thy Land with their inuaſiue ſteele.

huge vn-numbred army is at hand,

ſet vpon thy Campe.

my diſturbances

to rage, and make my ſpleene as high

is their topleſſe fury, to incounter

equall force and vengeance. Go Sibilla,

my beauteous Iuno to the place

our beſt ſtrength, whil’ſt we contend in Armes

this rich Cretan wreath: the battel done,

they confin’d, wee’l treat of theſe affaires.

our loue may with this breach diſpence,

firſt to Armes, to beate th’intruders hence.

Tytan, Lycaon, Enceladus, Egeon.

giues backe, and ‘gins to leaue the field.

him then vnto that place of ſtrength,

the proud Cretans hold impregnable.

Gigomantichia be eternis’d

our affright and terror: If they flye,

rockkes, and toppes of Mountaines after them

ſtumble them, or elſe entombe them quicke.

haue already got into the towne,

barricadoed’ gainſt vs their Iron gates.

meanes then ſhall we finde to ſtartle them?

but to ſpurn down their offenciue mures?

ſhake in two their Adamantine gates,

marble columnes by the ground ſylls teare,

kicke their ruin’d walles as high as heauen?

them to their gates, and ‘bout their Citie

a ſtrong ſiege. Now Saturne all my ſuffrances

on thy head fall heauy, wee’l not ſpare

man or babe. The Tytans all things dare.

Enter Saturne, Sibilla, Iuno, with other Lords of Creet.

heauens haue for our barbarous cruelty

in the murther of our firſt borne Ops,

on our head this vengeance. Where, oh where

we finde reſcue?

royall Saturne.

Woolues be milde, and Tygers pittiful,

the Libian Lions abſtinence,

me to mollifie the Corſicke rocke,

make the Mount Chymera paſſable.

Monarch wrapt in my confuſions,

tell what patience meanes?

royall Father!

either teach me reſcue from theſe troubles,

bid me euerlaſtingly, ey euer

in deſpaire and horror,

my Lord,

haue from your owne loines iſſue reſerued, that may redeeme alltheſe calamities.

from vs?

Saturne and Sybilla.

royall Prince King of Pelagia,

famous Melliſeus foſter-child,

all the world ſtiles by the noble name

Iupiter, hee is King Saturnes ſonne.

haſt Sybilla kept that ſonne aliue

onely can redeeme mee from this thraldome,

how ſhall we acquaint yong Iupiter,

this his fathers hard ſucceſſe in Armes.

care did euer theſe euents foreſee.

I haue ſent to your ſuruiuing ſonne,

come vnto your reſcue; Then great Saturne,

your wiues pitty ſeeme to applaude the heauens,

make me their relentfull miniſter,

the repairing of your downe caſt-ſtate.

royall Iupiter be Saturnes ſonne,

ſhall be either reſcued or reueng’d,

now I ſhall not dread thoſe Tytanois,

threaten fire and ſteele.

your Sybilla.

art my anchor, and the onely columne

ſupports Saturnes glory, Oh my Iupiter,

thee the baſis of my hopes I erect,

in thy life King Saturnes fame ſuruiues.

meſſengers diſpatch’d to ſignifie

ſonne of our diſtreſſe.

farre as Epire.

as we vnderſtand, Ioue now remaines,

Tytan, and the proud Enceladus,

and Aegeon with the reſt,

all the earth-bread race we wey you not,

your worſt, let all your eyes ſparke fire.

flaming noſthrils like Auernus ſmoake,

tongues ſpeak thunder, & your armed hands

Triſulke lightning: Be you Gods aboue,

come you with infernall hatred arm’d,

dread you not: we haue a ſonne ſuruiues,

calme your tempeſts: beautious Iuno comfort,

cheare Sybilla, if he vndertake

reſcue, we from danger are ſecure,

in his valour all our liues aſſure.

flouriſh. Enter Iupiter and Melliſeus with attendants

Prince, for leſſe by your deſertes and honour.

cannot be: your fortunes and your birth

both vnknowne to me: my two faire daughters

a ſwath’d infant brought you to my Court,

whence, or of what parents you proceed

am meerely ignorant.

am I nothing,

till I know whence my deſcent hath bene,

from what houſe deriu’d, I am but aire,

no eſſentiall ſubſtance of a man.

Caliſto purſu’d by her yong ſonne Archas.

help, for heauen ſake help, I am purſu’d,

by my ſonne, that ſeemes to threate my life,

that bold lad.

he? falſe Iupiter?

or I much deceiue my ſelfe.

thou moſt falſe, moſt treacherous, and vnkind,

Caliſto by her ſonne purſu’d,

thy ſonne: this little ſauadge youth

liued’ mongſt Tygers, Lyons, Wolues, and Beares,

ſince his birth partakes their cruelty.

his name: ſince I Diana left,

from her chaſt traine was diuorc’t, this youth

childed in a caue remote and ſilent.

nurture was amongſt the ſauadges.

day I by miſfortune mou’d his ſpleene,

he purſu’d me with reuenge and fury,

had I not forſooke the ſhades and forreſts,

fled for reſcue to theſe walled Townes,

had ſlaine me in his fury: ſaue me then,

not the ſonne the mother ſacrifice

the fathers eye.

my ſonne, my yong ſon Archas, Iupiters firſt borne

let me hugge thee, and a thouſand times

thee in myne armes. Lycaons grand-child

ſonne; Oh will you beauteous Lady

the forreſts and yet liue with vs?

thou falſe man, for thy periurious luſts

haue abandoned humaine ſubtelties:

take thy ſonne, and vſe him like a Prince,

ſonne vnto a Princeſſe. Teach him Arts,

honoured armes. For me: I haue abiur’d

peopled Citties, and betooke my ſelfe

ſolitary deſerts.Ioue adue.

prouing falſe, no mortall can be true

ſhe will needs be gone, be pleaſed then,

with beaſts, I long to liue ‘mongſt men.

ſtay Caliſto, why wilt thou out-runne

Iupiter? Shee gone, welcome my ſonne.

deere ſonne Archas, whom if fortune ſmile,

will create Lord of a greater ſtile.

the Clowne with letters.

you ſir, is your name K. Melliſeus

are Melliſeus, and the Epire King,

this letter is to you, but is there not one in your

cal’d (let me ſee) haue you here neuer a gibbit-maker?

here’s one cal’d Iupiter.

Iupiter, that’s he that I would ſpeake with. Here’s anotherletter to you, but ere you reade it, pray let me aske you onequeſtion.

that?

you, be a wiſe child or no?

reaſon?

I would know whether you know your own  father, but if youdo not, hoping you are in good health, as your father ſcarce was, atthe making hereof, Theſe are to certify you.

of a father! neuer could ſuch tydings

glutted me with gladneſſe.

reade.

mine owne part, though I know not what belongs to the getting ofchildren, yet I know how to father a child, & becauſe I would beloath to haue this Pariſh troubled with you, I bring you newes whereyou were borne. I was the man that laid you at this mans dore, &if you will not go home quietly, you ſhall be ſent from Conſtableto Conſtable, till you come to the place where you were begot. Readefurther & tell me more.

Iupiter then mighty Saturns ſonne?

I the ſonne of Saturne, King of Creet?

father baffled by the Tytanoys?

all my toward hopes die in my birth,

let me euer worthily inherite

name of royalty, if by my valour

proue me not diſcended royally,

was the man that tooke paines with you, ‘twas I that brought you inthe hand-basket.

I haue wiſht a father through the world,

had bene Saturne, or a royall mother,

had bene faire Sybilla, Queene of Creet.

Epires King, peruſe theſe tragicke lines,

in thy wonted bounty grant ſupplies

free my noble father.

as I am Melliſeus Epyres King,

ſhalt haue free aſſiſtance.

then, Arme,

all the powers that we can leauy.

we make thee of Pelagia King,

King Lycaons Gran-childe, and the ſonne

faire Caliſto. Let that Clime henceforth

cal’d Arcadia, and vſurpe thy name.

then and preſſe th’Arcadians to the reſcue

royall Saturne, this great King and I

lead th’Epyrians. Faile me not to meet,

redeeme Saturne, and to reſcue Creet.

Manet Clown.

haue no mind to this buffeting: Il’e walke after faire and ſoftly,in hope that all the buffeting may be done before I come. Whether hadI better go home by land, or by ſea? If I go by land, and miſ-carry,then I go the way of all fleſh. If I go by ſea and miſ-carry, thenI go the way of all fiſh: I am not yet reſolu’d. But howſoeuer,I haue done my meſſage ſo cleanly, that they cannot ſay, themeſſenger is be-reau’d of any thing that belongs to his meſſage.

Enter Tytan, Lycaon, Enceladus, with Saturne, Iuno, and Sibillapriſoners.

trecherous Lord, and be our foot-pace now

aſcend our high tribunall. Wher’s that God-head

which the people Auee’d thee to heauen?

ſunke into the deep Abyſme of hell.

from his head the golden wreath of Creet.

on his captiue bulke, and with thy weight

Tytan, ſinke him to the infernall ſhades,

low, that with his trunke, his memory

be extinct in Lethe.

then tyrannous

triumph or’e the weake, and to oppreſſe

low deiected. Let your cruelty

the ſad period of my wretchedneſſe:

preſerue my louely Iuno’s life,

giue Sibilla freedome,

theſe Gods.

neither feare nor value, but contend

equall in our actions: both ſhall dye.

ſhall no proud Saturnian liue, to braue

meaneſt of the high-borne Tytanoyes.

from the earth their hatefull memory,

let the bloud of Tytan ſway the earth.

are the ports and confines ſtrongly arm’d

all inuaſions?

dares damadge vs?

all the paſſages be open left,

let our ports and hauens lye.

danger we deſpiſe, miſchance or dread

hold in baſe contempt.

is ours.

diuine, or baſe terreſtriall powers.

Aegeon.

royall Titan, Arme Enceladus,

pale of brandiſht ſteele hath girt thy land.

the earths Cauernes breake infernall fires,

make thy villages and hamlets burne.

ruin in the ſhape of warre

all thy populous kingdome, At my heeles

dogges me, and the voyce of death

thunders in mine eares.

poſſible? Beare Saturne firſt to priſon

after parly them.

Angels arm’d, or Diuels clad in flames,

fury ſhall repell them. Come they girt

power celeſtiall, or infernall rage,

ſtand their fierce oppoſure. Royall Titan,

and Hyperion, d’on your armes,

aduance your ſtrong orbicular ſhields,

in your right hands brandiſh your bright ſteele.

your affrightments in th’amazed ſounds

martiall thunder (Diapaſon’d deep)

ſtand them, be they Gods; (if men,) expell

ſtrengthles force, and ſtownd them low as hell,

Floriſh. Enter marching K. Melliſeus, Iupiter, Archas, Drumme andſouldiers.

are you that intrude vpon our confines?

what portend you in theſe hoſtile ſounds

clamorous warre?

deſtruction,

all the ruin of his giant race.

what pretence or claime?

right of Saturne:

againſt law the Tytans haue depos’d.

art thou ſpeak’ſt it?

am Iupiter.

Saturnes ſonne, immediate heire to Creet.

pauſe, that word diſturbs all thy claime,

proues that Tytan ſeates him in his owne.

Saturne (as thou ſay’ſt) hath ſonnes aliue,

oath is broken, and we are iuſtly ſeiz’d

Creta’s Crowne by his late forfeiture.

tongue hath ſpoke thy owne deſtruction,

whom K. Saturne ſpar’d, our ſwords muſt kill,

he is come to offer vp that life

hath ſo long beene forfeit.

no:

heauens preſeru’d me for a further vſe,

plague your Off-ſpring that afflict the earth,

with your threatnings ſpurne againſt the Gods.

ſhalt thou pay me for Caliſto’s wrong,

me, and for diſhonouring her.

you there Caniball? Man-eating woolfe?

thou art much beholding to me,

woman’d firſt Caliſto, and made thee

grand-father. Doſt not thanke me for’t?

heer’s the Boy, this is Archadia’s King.

more Pelagia now, ſince thy exile.

thee that ſtil’ſt thy ſelfe K. Saturnes ſonne:

thou waſt doom’d before thy birth to dye,

claime diſabled, and in ſauing thee

father hath made forfeit of his Crowne.

Tytan I was borne free, as my father,

had he power to take that life away

the Gods freely gaue me. Tyrants ſee,

is that life you by Indenture claime,

it, and take it: but before I fall,

and deſtruction ſhall confound you all.

is our vaſſaile, and attends

the threatning of our ſtormy browes.

trifle howers. Arme all your fronts with horror,

hearts with fury, and your hands with death.

meet thunder, tempeſts ſtormes defie,

and all his iſſue this day dye.

The battels ioine, Tytan is ſlaine, and his party repulſd. EnterAegeon.

now the high and proud Enceladus,

ſtop the fury of the Aduerſe foe,

ſtay the baſe flight of our daſtard troupes?

is ſlaine, Hyperion ſtrowes the earth,

thouſands by the hand of Iupiter

ſent into blacke darkneſſe. All that ſtand

in the weight of his high Iouiall hand.

ſhun whoſe rage, Aegeon thou muſt flye.

with our hoped conqueſts all adiew.

muſt propoſe new queſts, ſince Saturnes ſonne

by his puiſſance all our campe ore-runne.

Enter Enceladus leading his Army. Iupiter leading his. They make aſtand.

ſtir, be all your armes cramp’t & diſeas’d

ſwords vn-vſefull, may your ſteely glaues

your hands, and not your ſinewes them,

I by ſingle valor haue ſubdu’d

murderer of my father.

he ſtands,

muſt for death haue honour at thy hands.

interrupt vs, ſingly wee’l contend,

vs two giue theſe rude factions end.

royall armies then on both ſides ſtand,

view this ſtrange and dreadfull Monomachy.

fall, Saturnian, addes to my renowne:

by thy death I gaine the Cretan Crowne.

is thy due, I finde it in thy ſtarres,

our high name giues period to theſe warres.

They combat with iauelings firſt, after with ſwords and targets.Iupiter kils Enceladus, and enters with victory, Iupiter, Saturne,Sibilla, Iuno, Melliſeus, Archas, with the Lords of Crete].

was Saturne deifi’d till now,

found that perfectneſſe the Gods enioy.

can aſſure no greater happineſſe

I attaine in ſight of Iupiter,

my deare ſon, borne with my painful throws,

with the hazard of my life preſeru’d,

well haſt thou acquitted all my trauels,

this thy laſt and famous victory?

tels me, that you royall King of Creet

father is: and that renowned Queene

mother: all which proues by circumſtance,

‘tis but duty, that by me’s atchieu’d.

you beauteous Lady ſtands apart,

know not how to ſtile.

Iuno, and thy ſiſter.

my ſtarſ!

ſeeke to make immortall, Iupiter.

is onely happy in the fortunes,

her renowned brother.

Saturne,

euer I deſeru’d well as a victor,

if my warlike deedes, yet bleeding new,

perfect both in eyes and memory

pleade for me: Oh if I may obtaine,

one that merits, or intreate of you,

one that owes; being titled now your ſonne,

me eſpouſe faire Iuno: and bright Lady

me exchange the name of ſiſter with you

ſtile you by a neerer name of wife.

be my ſpouſe faire Iuno:

a name,

priſe ’boue ſiſter, if theſe grace the ſame.

is it I’l deny my Iupiter?

is thy owne. I’l royaliſe thy nuptials

all the ſolemne triumphes Creet can yeeld.

ſhall adde to theſe ſolemnities,

with a bounteous hand ſupport theſe triumphs

all Archadia ſhall.

to our Pallace

on in ſtate, let all raryeties

downe from heauen a lardges, that theſe bridals may exceede mortallpompe. March, March, and leaue mee

contemplate theſe ioyes, and to deuiſe,

with beſt ſtate this night to ſolemnize.

all march of and leaue Saturne alone.

at length is happy by his ſonne,

matchleſſe and vnriual’d dignities

without peere on earth, Oh ioy, ioy? corſiue

then the throwes of child-birth, or the tortures

blacke Cimmerian darkeneſſe. Saturne, now

thee of the Delphiun Oracle:

ſhall his fathers vertue firſt excell,

Creet, and after driue him downe to hell.

firſt is paſt: my vertues are exceeded:

laſt I will preuent, by force or treaſon.

worke his ruine ‘ere he grow too hygh.

ſtarres haue caſt it, and the boy ſhall dy.

ſonnes I haue, more crownes I cannot winne,

Gods ſay he muſt dy, and tis no ſinne.

4. Scoena. 1.

Homer.

blind ambition and deſire of raine,

horri’d miſchiefe wilt not thou deuiſe?

appetite of rule, and thirſt of raigne

the fooliſh, and corrupts the wiſe.

a King ſuſpicious of his ſonne,

his innocent life, and without cauſe.

blind ambition what haſt thou not done

religion, zeale and natures lawes?

men are borne their owne fates to purſue,

will be Gods, and Saturne finds it true.

dumbe ſhew. Enter Iupiter, Iuno, Melliſeus, Archas, as to reuels.To them Saturne, drawes his ſword to kill Iupiter, who onely defendshimſelfe, but beeing hotly purſu’d, drawes his ſword, beatesaway Saturne, ſeiſeth his crowne, and ſweares all the Lords ofCreet to his obeyſance, ſo Exit.

againſt his ſonne his force extended,

would haue ſlaine him by his tyrannous hand,

Iupiter alone his life defended.

when no prayers his fury could withſtand,

vs’d his force, his father droue from Creet,

as the Oracle before had told

the Crowne, the Lords kneele at his feete,

Saturnes fortunes are to exile ſold.

leauing him, of Danae that bright laſſe,

amorous Ioue firſt wrought her to his power,

ſhee was cloſed in a fort of braſſe,

how he ſkal’d it in a golden ſhowre,

theſe we next muſt ſpeake, curtious and wiſe,

with your hands, for Homer wants his eyes.

flouriſh. Enter Iupiter, Iuno, the Lords of Creet, Melliſeus,Archas, Neptune, and Pluto.

vnkind father double tyrannous,

proſecute the vertues of his ſonne,

ſought his owne Fate, and by his ingratitude

to our head th’Imperiall wreath of Creet:

gladly we receiue. Neptune from Athens,

Pluto from the lower Tartarie

welcome to the Cretan Iupiter.

Starres that gouern’d our natiuity,

ſtript our fortunes from the hand of death,

guard vs and maintaine vs.

Saturne,

in all things, and degenerate onely,

that inhumaine practiſe ’gainſt his ſonnes,

fled vs, whom we came to viſite freely,

filiall duties to expreſſe. Great Athens

nurſe and foſtreſſe ofmy infancy,

haue inſtructed in the ſea-mans craft.

taught them truely how to ſaile by ſtarres

the vnruly Iennet I haue tam’d

train’d him to the ſaddle for my practiſe.

horſe to mee is ſoly conſecrate.

from the bounds of lower Tartarie

trauel’d to the fertile plaines of Creet.

am I leſſe in luſtre of my ſame,

Neptune, or renowned Iupiter.

barren Kingdomes I haue richt with ſpoiles,

not a people trafficks in thoſe worlds,

wealth or treaſure, but we cuſtome them,

they inrich our coffers: our arm’d guards

on their Camels, and their laden Mules,

Pluto’s through the world renown’d & fear’d.

ſince we haue miſt of Saturne lately fled,

glads me yet, I freely may ſuruey

honours of my brother Iupiter.

beauteous Iuno, Empreſſe of all hearts

Neptune thus embraceth.

doth Pluto.

diuine honours crowne the royal temples

my two famous brothers.

Melliſeus welcome them to Creet.

do you the like.

your hands.

are my royall vnckles.

hand him Lords, he is your kinſman too.

my ſonne, of faire Caliſto borne,

hope faire Iuno it offends not you,

was before your time.

was a ſtrumpet.

ſhall be a Starre.

all the Qeenes and beautious maides on earth

are renown’d for high perfections,

woe and winne, wee were borne to ſway and rule.

ſhall the name of wife be curbe to vs.

ſnaffle in our pleaſures. Beauteous Io,

faire Europa, haue by ourtranſhapes,

guiles of loue already bene deflour’d,

liues ſhee that is worthy our deſires,

we can charme with court-ſhip. Royal brothers

newes of note is rumor’d in thoſe Realmes,

which you made your trauels?

you heard

great Acriſius, the braue Arges King,

of his daughter Danae.

renowne,

her faire beauty oft hath peirc’t our eares.

can we be at peace, till we behold

face fame hath ſo blazd on. What of her?

her incloſure in the Darreine Tower,

with a triple Mure of ſhining braſſe.

you not heard?

we deſire it highly.

marble wall, or Adamantine gate,

Fort of ſteele, or Caſtle forg’d from braſſe,

cannot ſcale? or beauty not breake through?

the nouell Neptune.

it was.

Queene of Arges going great, the King

(as the cuſtome is) to th’Oracle,

know what fortunes ſhall betide the babe.

return’d by Phoebus and his Prieſts:

Queene ſhall childe a daughter beautifull,

when ſhe growes to yeares, ſhall then bring forth

valiant Princely boy, yet ſuch a one

ſhall the King his grandſire turne to ſtone.

is borne, and as ſhe growes to ripeneſſe,

grew her fathers feare: and to preuent

ominous fate pronounc’d by th’Oracle,

mowlds this brazen Tower, impregnable

for the ſeat and guard: yet beautifull

is the gorgeous palace of the Sunne.

doth Acriſius to contend and warre

th’unchanging Fates, Il’e ſcale that Tower:

raine downe millions in a golden ſhower.

long to be the father of that babe,

on Danae, that ſhall proue ſo braue,

turne the dotard to his marble graue.

caſt already: Fate be thou my guide,

for this amorous iourney I prouide.

is the Lady there immur’d, and clos’d

all ſociety and ſight of man?

full of iealous feares is King Acriſius,

ſaue himſelfe, no man muſt neere the Fort.

a guard of Beldams paſt their luſts,

of loue, or amorous pitty,

by bribes hir’d, partly curb’d with threats,

guard vnto this bright impriſoned dame.

pittileſſe, and too obdur’s the King,

cloyſter beauty from the ſight of man.

this concernes not vs.

fort I’le ſcale,

in attempting it be death to faile.

and Princes, all our Courts rarities

open to your royal’ſt entertainment

pardon me, ſince vrgence cals me hence

an inforced abſence. Nay Queene Iuno

muſt be pleas’d, the cauſe imports vs highly.

with theſe Princes till our free returne.

Lords, we muſt deſcend in gold.

you impriſoned beauty ne’r behold.

foure old Beldams, with other women.

Beld.

a coyle to keep fire and tow a ſunder. I wonder the King ſhouldſhut his daughter vp ſo cloſe: for any thing I ſee, ſhe hath nominde to a man.

Beld.

your ſelfe, you ſpeake according to your age and appetite. We thatare full fed may praiſe faſt. We that in our heate of youth hauedrunke our bellyfuls, may deride thoſe that in the heate of theirblouds are athirſt. I meaſure her by what I was, not by what I am.Appetite to loue neuer failes an old woman, till cracking of nutsleaues her. When Danae hath no more teeth in her head then you and I,Il’e truſt a man in her company, and ſcarce then: for if weexamine our ſelues, wee haue euen at theſe yeares, qualmes, andrhumes, and deuiſes comes ouer our ſtomakes, when we but look on aproper man.

Beld.

no queſtion, I know it by my ſelfe, and whil’ſt I ſtandcentinell, I’le watch her for that I warrant her.

Bel.

haue we not reaſon, conſidering the penalty?

Bel.

any ſtand centinel in her quarters, we ſhall keep quarter here nolonger. If the Princeſſe miſcarry we ſhall make gunpowder, andthey ſay an old woman is better for that then Saltpeter.

‘larme bell rings.

Beld.

larme bell rings,

ſhould be K. Acriſius by the ſound of the clapper.

Beld.

clap cloſe to the gate and let him in.

Acriſius.

well done: I like this prouidence

carefull watch ore Danae: let me finde you

you dye, be faithfull and you liue

in our loue. Go call her hither,

that your charge: the reſt keep watchfull eye

your perculliſt entrance, which forbids

men, ſaue vs, free paſſage to this place.

Danae is deſcended. Faire daughter

Danae.

do you brook this palace?

a priſon:

is it elſe? you giue me golden fetters,

if their value could my bondage leſſen.

architectur’s ſumptuous, and the building

coſt inualuable, ſo rich a ſtructure

beauty, or for ſtate, the world affoords not.

not thy attendance princely, like a Queenes?

not all theſe thy vaſſails to attend?

not thy chambers faire, and richly hung?

walkes within this barricadoed mure

of delight and pleaſure for thy taſte

curious palate, all the chiefeſt cates

from the furtheſt verges of the earth

to content thee. What diſtaſtesthee then?

which alone is better then all theſe,

liberty. Why am I cloyſter’d thus,

kept a priſoner from the ſight of man?

hath my innocence and infancy

to be immur’d in brazen walls?

you accuſe my faith, or modeſty?

any looſe demeanour in my carriage

this diſtruſt? hath my eye plaid the rioter?

hath my tongue beene lauiſh? haue my fauours

to any beene profuſe,

it ſhould breed in you ſuch ielouſie,

bring me to this durance?

of theſe.

loue my Danae. But when I record

Oracle, it breeds ſuch feare in me,

makes this thy reteinement.

Oracle?

vnto the leaſt of all the Gods

Danae beene vnthankfull, or profane,

bondage me that am a princeſſe free,

votareſſe to euery deity?

tell thee Lady. The vnchanging mouth

Phoebus, hath this Oracle pronoun’ſt,

Danae ſhall in time childe ſuch a ſonne

ſhall Acriſius change into a ſtone.

your vaine feares. What leſſe could Phoebus ſay?

what hath Danae’s fate deſeru’d in this?

turne you into ſtone; that’s to prepare

monument, and marble ſepulcher.

meaning is, that I a ſonne ſhall haue,

when you dye ſhall beare you to your graue.

you not mortall? would you euer liue?

father dy’d, and to his Monument

like a mourner did attend his herſe.

you did to your father, let my ſonne

to you, prepare your ſepulcher.

ſhall a ſtranger beare you to your tombe,

from your owne bloud you may ſtore a Prince

do thoſe ſacred rights: or ſhall vaine feares

my beauty, and conſume my yeares?

feares are certaine, and our doome as fix’t

the decrees of Gods. Thy durance here

with limit endleſſe. Go attend her

Danae.

her chamber, there to liue an Ankreſſe

changeleſſe virgin, to the period

her laſt hower. And you, to whom this charge

belongs, baniſh all womaniſh pitty:

deafe vnto her prayers, blinde to her teares,

to her relenting paſſions.

ſhe (as heauen and th’Oracle forbid)

your corrupting looſe that precious Gemme

haue ſuch care to keepe and locke ſafe vp:

liues are doom’d. Be faithfull we deſire,

keepe your bodies from the threatned fire.

Beld.

be as chary of your Highneſſe life, As we of Dana’s honour. Nowif ſhee bee a right woman, ſhee will haue a minde onely to looſethat, which her father hath ſuch care to keepe. There is a thingthat commonly ſtickes vnder a womans ſtomacke.

Beld.

do we talking of things? there muſt be no medling with things inthis place, come let vs ſet our watch, and take our lodgings beforethe Princeſſe chamber,

Iupiter like a Pedler, the Clowne his man, with packs at theirbackes.

now I haue ſworne you to ſecrecy attend your charge.

me to the mouth, and till you giue fire I’l not of.

know’ſt I haue ſtuft my packe with rich iewels, to purchaſe oneiewell worth all theſe.

your pretious ſtones were ſet in that Iewell it would be brauewearing.

we get entrance, ſooth me vp in all things: & if I haue recourſeto the Princeſſe, if at any time thou ſeeſt me whiſper to her,find ſome tricke or other to blinde the Beldams eyes.

that hath the beſt eyes of them all, I haue a trick to make her noſeſtand in her light.

more K. Iupiter but goodman Pedler, remember that

haue my memorandums about mee. As I can beare a packe, ſo I canbeare a braine, & now I talke of a packe, though I know not ofthe death of any of your freinds, I am ſorry for your heauineſſe.

and my hopes doe make my loade ſeeme light,

wealth I will vnburthen in the purchaſe

yonrich beauty. Prethee ring the bell,

do you take the rope in your hand for lucke ſake. The morall is,becauſe you ſhall ring all-in.

rings the bell,

care not if I take thy counſell.

the 4 Beldams.

Beld.

the gate, to the gate, and know who ‘tis ere you open.

Beld.

learn’t that in my youth, ſtill to know who knockt before I wouldopen.

you gentle Matrons: may a man be ſo bold as aske what he may callthis rich and ſtately Tower?

Beld.

ſeem’ſt a ſtranger to aske ſuch a queſtion,

where is not the tower of Darreine knowne?

may be cal’d the tower of Barren for ought I ſee, for heere isnone but are paſt children.

Beld.

is the rich and famous Darreine Tower,

King Acriſius hath inclos’d his daughter,

beautious Danae, famous through the world

all perfections.

then ‘tis here; I here I muſt vnload.

through Creet, the great King Iupiter

me to call here at this Tower,

to deliuer you ſome ſpeciall Iewels,

high pris’d worth, for he would haue his bounty

through all the earth. Downe with your packe,

here muſt wee vnload.

Beld.

to vs?

Beld.

from Iupiter?

gold proue thy true vertue. Thou canſt all things and thereforethis.

Beld.

he withpreſents, and ſhall he vnpacke at the gate? nay come into thePorters lodge good Pedlers.

Lady hath ſome manners, ſhee hath bene well brought vp I warranther.

Beld.

I can tell thee pedler, thou haſt that curteſy that neuer any manyet found but the King Acriſius.

ſhall be well paid for your curteſy,

firſt for you, for you, foryou, for you.

Beld.

Beld.

Beld.

beſt that e’re I ſaw!

Beld.

run and ſhew mine to my Lady.

Beld.

the gate for feare the King come, and if he ring clap the Pedlersinto ſome of yonold rotten corners. And hath K. Iupiter bene at all this coſt? hee’sa courteous Prince, & bountifull. Keepe you the pedler cōpany,my Lady ſhall ſee mine too.

you the Princeſſe Danae? I haue tokens from Iupiter to her too.

Bel.

runne, you that haue the beſt legges, and tell my Lady. But haue youany more of the ſame?

we quoth he? We haue things about vs, wee haue not ſhewed yet, andthat euery one muſt not ſee, would make thoſe few teeth in yourhead to water, I would haue you thinke, I haue ware too as well as myMayſter.

in ſtate Danae with the Beldams, looking vpon three ſeueralliewels.

Bel.

my Lady. Nay neuer bee abaſht Pedler,

a face will become thy iewels, as well as any face in

or Arges either. Now your token.

haue loſt it. Tis my heart, beauty of Angels,

art o’re matcht, earth may contend with heauen,

thou haſt to make one compleate creature

euen all mortality. This face

rob’d the morning of her bluſh, the lilly

her blanch’t whitnes, and like theft committed

my ſoule: ſhee is all admiration.

in her eyes I ne’re ſaw perfect luſtre.

is no treaſure vpon earth but yonder.

iſ! (oh I ſhall looſe my ſelfe)

Sir, take heed you be not ſmelt out.

am my ſelfe againe.

hee beſtow theſe freely? Dana’s guard

much indebted to King Iupiter.

he haue ſtore wee’l buy ſome for our vſe,

wearing. They are wondrous beautifull,

the man that brought them?

Beld.

forſooth Lady, hold vp your head and bluſh not, my Lady will nothurt thee, I warrant thee.

iewell Madam did King Iupiter

me to leaue heere for Danae.

you ſo ſti’ld?

ſent to Danae,

due to me. And would the King of Creet,

with what gratitude we take his gift.

he ſhall. Sirrah ſet ope your pack,

what the Ladies like let them take freely.

haue I heard of his renowne in armes,

generouſneſſe, his vertues, and his fulneſſe

all that Nature can bequeath to man.

bounty I now taſt, and I could wiſh,

eare were his, that I might let him know

intereſt he hath in me to command,

eare is myne, let me command you then.

I am the Cretan, Iupiter,

rate your beauty aboue all theſe gems.

cannot loue, what dares not loue attempt?

Acriſius and his armed guards,

my loue hath brought me to receiue

life or death from you, onely from you.

are amaz’d, and the large difference

your name and habite, breeds in vs

and diſtruſt. Yet if I cenſure freely

needes muſt thinke that face and perſonage

ne’re deriu’d from baſeneſſe. And the ſpirit

venture and to dare to court a Queene

cannot ſtile leſſe then to be a Kings.

that we grant you to be Iupiter,

thence inferre you?

loue Iupiter.

far as Iupiter loues Dana’s honour,

farre will Danae loue Iupiter.

Beld.

waight well vpon my Lady.

you haue not ſeene a cleere ſtone,

coulour or for quickneſſe.

your eare.

your ruine, if yonBeldams heare.

ſhew all your wares, and let thoſe Ladies beſt pleaſe themſelues.

all at theſe yeares. I ſpy his knauery. Now would he haue mee keepethem buſied, whilſt he courts the Lady.

Beld.

my Lady want nothing?

lookes backe

for example, heer’s a ſiluerbodkin, this is to remoue dandriffe, and digge about the roots ofyour ſiluer-hair’d furre. This is a tooth-picker, but you hauingno teeth, heere is for you a corrall to rub your gums. This is cald aMaske.

Beld.

for this, this is good to hide my wrinckles, I neuer ſee of theſeafore.

you haue one wrinckle more behinde. You that are dim ey’d put thispittifull ſpectacle vpon your noſe.

I am ſonne of Saturne, you haue wrong

be coop’t vp within a priſon ſtrong.

father like a miſer cloyſters you,

to ſaue coſt: hee’s loth to pay your dower,

therefore keepes you in this brazen Tower.

are you better to be beautifull,

no mans eye can come to cenſure it?

are ſweet cates vntaſted? gorgeous clothes

or beauty not beheld? yon Beldams

all the furrowes in their wrinkled fronts

claime with you like worth; ey and compare.

eye to cenſure you none can, none dare.

this is true.

thinke you I would lye

any ſaue Danae.) Let me buy

iewell, your bright loue, though rated higher

Gods can giue, or men in prayers deſire.

couet that, which ſaue the Prince of Creet

dares.

ſhewes how much I loue you (ſweet)

come this beauty, this rare face to ſaue,

to redeeme it from this brazen graue.

do not from mans eye this beauty ſkreene,

rare perfections, which no earthly Queene

ſaue you: ‘twas made to be admir’d.

Gods, the Fates, and all things haue conſpir’d

Iupiter, this priſon to inuade,

bring it forth to that for which ‘twas made.

Iupiter, whoſe loue with yours ſhall meet,

hauing borne you hence, make at your feet

lay their crownes, & mighty Emperours kneele:

had you but a touch of what I feele,

would both loue and pitty.

I do.

all things hinder, yet were Danae free,

could affect the Cretan.

by thee

what I moſt affect, by that I ſweare)

from this priſon will bright Danae beare,

in thy chamber will this night faſt ſeale

couenant made.

Danae muſt repeale.

ſhall not, by this kiſſe.

Beld.

good to haue an eye.

lookes backe.)

noſe hath not had theſe ſpectacles on yet.

Iupiter.

Danae.

muſt hence:

if I ſtay, I yeeld: Il’e hence, no more.

me for I come.

is my doore,

not to enter there. I will to reſt.

I will.

had not beſt.

Danae.

Beld.

Lady calls. Wee haue trifled the night till bedtime. Some attend thePrinceſſe: others ſee the Pedlers pack’t out of the gate.

you thruſt vs out to ſeeke our lodging at Midnight. We haue paidfor our lodging, a man would thinke, we might haue laine cheaper inany Inne in Arges?

caſtle ſtands remote, no lodging neere,

vs but any corner here below,

but the Inner porch, or the leaſt ſtaire-caſe,

we’l begone as early as you pleaſe.

Beld.

all things, we haue no reaſon to deny that.  What need wefeare? alas they are but Pedlars, and the greateſt Prince thatbreathes would be aduis’d ere he durſt preſume to court theprinceſſe Danae.

Beld.

court a princeſſe? hee lookes not with the face. Well pedlers, forthis night take a nap upon ſome bench or other, and in the morningbe ready to take thy yard in thy hand to meaſure me ſome ſtuffe,and ſo to be gone before day. Well, good-night, we muſt attend ourprinceſſe.

and reward, thou art mighty, and haſt power

aged, yong, the fooliſh, and the wiſe,

chaſte, and wanton, fowle, and beautifull:

art a God on earth, and canſt all things.

all things, by your leaue. All the gold in Creete cannot get one ofyou old Crones with childe. But ſhall we go ſleepe?

thou, for I muſt wake for Danae.

cloud of baſeneſſe, thou haſt done inough

bleare you Beldams. When I next appeare

puts off his diſguiſe.

you bright Goddeſſe, I will ſhine in gold,

in the high Imperiall robes of Creet,

on my head the wreath of Maieſty:

Ornament is a preuailing thing,

you bright Queene I’le now court like a King.

the foure old Beldams, drawing out Dana’s bed: ſhe in it. Theyplace foure tapers at the foure corners.

our Eunuch’s with their pleaſing’ſt tunes

charme our eyes to reſt. Leaue vs all, leaue vs.

God of dreames hath with his downy fanne

or’e our eye-lids, and ſits heauy on them.

Bel.

Sleepe may enter in at my mouth, if he be no bigger then atwo-peny-loafe.

to your chambers, & let wakeleſſe ſlūbers

you in depth of ſilence and repoſe.

night to thee faire Danae.

muſick through this brazen fortreſſe ſound

all our hearts in depth of ſleepe be drown’d.

Iupiter crown’d with his Imperiall Robes.

that now hath empire through the world

thy power and Princedome. Charming ſleepe

yonger brother, ſhew thy ſelfe as ſtill-leſſe

death himſelfe. None ſeeme this night to liue,

Ioue and Danae. But that Goddeſſe wonne

them new life breath’d with the morning ſunne,

is the doore, that in forbidding me

bad me enter. Womens tongues and hearts

different tunes: for where they moſt deſire,

hearts cry on. when their tongues bid retire.

whiſt, I heare the ſnorting Beldams breathe

of ſleepe, none wakes ſaue Loue and we

bright impriſoned beauty to ſet free.

thou more beauteous in thy nakedneſſe

ornament can adde to—

ſweetly doth ſhe breath? how well become

deadneſſe? But Il’e wake her

new life. This purchaſe I muſt win,

gates ſtand ope, and Iupiter will in.

lyes vpon her bed.

that?

I, K. Iupiter.

meane you Prince? how dare you enter here?

if I but call, your life is doom’d,

all Creetes treaſure cannot guard your perſon.

tell me now how much I rate your beauty,

to attaine, I caſt my life behinde me,

lou’d much leſſe then you.

loue you too,

you but leaue me.

I’d not buy

that high rate, ten thouſand times to dye.

are mine owne, ſo all the Fates haue ſed.

by their guidance come I to your bed.

night, the time, the place, and all conſpire

make me happy in my long deſire.

eyes are charm’d in golden ſleepe,

Beldams that were plac’t your bed to keepe,

drown’d in Lethe (ſaue your downy bed,

ſhetes, and pillow where you reſt your head)

heares or ſees; and what can they deuiſe,

they (heauen knowes) haue neither eares nor eyes.

you ſir, that for your amorous pleaſure

thus ſort all things, perſon, place and leaſure.

I could, and a loude vproare keepe,

that you ſay the Crones are all a ſleepe:

to what purpoſe ſhould I raiſe ſuch feare,

voyce being ſoft, they faſt, and cannot heare?

are deafe in reſt, then gentle ſweetly further,

you ſhould call, I thus your voyce would murther,

ſtrangle with my kiſſes.

tuſh.

ſinke into my ſheetes, for I ſhall bluſh.

diue into my bed.

I behind?

wer’t the Ocean, ſuch a gemme to find,

would diue after.

puts out the lights and makes vnready.

my Lord forbeare

do you meane? (oh heauen) is no man neere,

you will needs, for modeſties chaſt law,

you come to bed, the curtaines draw,

do not come, you ſhall not by this light,

you but offer’t, I ſhall cry out right.

God, how hoarſe am I, and cannot? fie

thus naked and a man ſo nye.

leaue me ſir: he makes vnready ſtill,

I’le euen winke, and then do what you will.

bed is drawne in, and enter the Clowne new wak’t.

would I were out of this tower of Braſſe, & from all theſebrazen fac’t Beldams: if we ſhould fall aſleepe, and the Kingcome and take vs napping, where were we? My Lord ſtaies long, &the night growes ſhort, the thing you wot of hath coſt him a ſimpleſort of Iewels. But if after all this coſt, the thing you wot ofwould not do: If the pedler ſhould ſhew himſelfe  apidler, he hath brought his hog’s to a faire market. Fye vpon it,what a ſnorting forward and backeward theſe Beldams keep? But letthem ſleepe on, ſome in the houſe I am ſure are awake, andſtirring too, or I miſſe my aime. Well, here muſt I ſit andwaite the good howre, till the gate be open, and ſuffer my eyes todo that, which I am ſure my cloake neuer will, that is, to take nap.

Iupiter and Danae in her night-gowne.

my Lord I neuer lou’d till now,

will you leaue me?

Queene I muſt,

thus condition’d; to returne againe,

a ſtrong army to redeeme you hence,

ſpight of Arges, and Acriſius,

doom’s you to this bondage.

fare-well,

ſooner meete but part? Remember me:

you great Prince I neuer ſhall forget!

feare you haue left too ſure a token with me

your remembrance.

be’t a ſonne,

ſhall be ours when we haue Arges wonne.

ſhould you faile?

ſooner ſhould forget

name, my ſtate, then faile to pay this debt,

day-ſtarre’ gins t’appeare, the Beldams ſtir,

t’vnlocke the gate, faire Queene adue.

men proue falſe, if Ioue be found vntrue.

man?

Lord.

cloud to couer mee, throw or’e my ſhoulders

ſhadow for this ſtate, the Crones are vp,

waite t’vnpriſon vs, nay quickly fellow.

My Lord, caſt your old cloake about you.

the foure Beldams in haſt.

Beld.

be theſe Pedlers? nay quickly, for heauen ſake: the gate is open,nay when? fare-well my honeſt friends,  and do our humbleduties to the great King Iupiter.

Iupiter ſhall know your gratitude, Farewell.

Beld.

when I ſay fare-well, fare-well.

good Miniuers.

diuers ways.

5. Scaen. 1.

Homer.

Danae doth his richeſt Iewell weare.

ſonne of whom the Oracle foretold

coſt both mother and the grand-ſire deare

fortunes further leaſure ſhall vnfold:

Iupiter return’d to Creet in haſt,

leuy armes for Danaes free releaſe,

hindred) till the time be fully paſt,

Saturne once more will diſturbe his peace.

dumbe ſhew. Enter King Troos and Ganimed with attendents, To him,Saturne makes ſuite for aide, ſhewes the King his models, hisinuentions, his ſeuerall mettals, at the ſtrangneſſe of whichKing Troos is moued, cals for drum, and collors, and marches withSaturne.

exil’d Saturne by King Troos is aided,

that gaue Troy her name, and there raigned King,

by the helpe of Ganimed’s inuaded,

at that time when Ioue ſhould ſuccors bring

reſcue Danae, and that warlike power,

now his natiue Teritories guard,

ſhould haue brought her from the brazen tower,

to that end his forces were prepar’d)

grow now towards our port and wiſhed bay,

your loue, and Homer cannot ſtray.

Neptune and Pluto.

are theſe warlike preparations,

by the King our brother.

giuen out,

conquer Arges. But my ſiſter Iuno

ſome amorous purpoſe in the King?

blame her not, the faire Europaes rape,

from Aegenor, and the Cadmian rape,

the daughter of old Inachus,

by him; the louely Semele,

Laeda daughter to King Tyndarus

many more, may breed a iuſt ſuſpect,

hath hee ſpar’d faire Ceres Queene of Graine,

bare to him the bright Proſerpina.

ſcapes may breed iuſt feares, & what knowes ſhee

theſe are to ſurpriſe faire Danae.

Enter Iupiter, Archas, with drum & ſouldiers.

royall brothers, Creet’s too ſmall an Ile,

comprehend our greatneſſe, we muſt adde

and Greece to our Dominions.

all the petty Kingdomes of the earth,

pay their homage vnto Saturnes ſonne,

day wee’l take a muſter of our forces,

forward make for Arges.

Archadia

to this purpoſe.

ſet on.

Eagle in our enſigne wee’l diſplay,

and his fortunes guide vs in our way.

King Melliſeus.

intends the King this warlike march?

Arges and Acriſius.

guard,

natiue confines, ſee vpon your Coaſt,

with thirty thouſand Troians landed

in his aid King Troos and Ganimed.

neuer worſe time could the Tyrant come

now, to breake my faith with Danae.

beauteous loue, I feare Acriſius ire

with ſeuereſt cenſure chaſtice thee,

thou wilt deeme me faithleſſe and vnkinde

promiſe-breach, (but what we muſt we muſt)

valiant Lords, wee’l firſt our owne defend

againſt forreine climes our arme extend.

Enter with drum and colours, King Troos, Saturne, Ganimed, with otherLords and attendants.

boyes, baſe baſtards, not my ſonnes,

the death we threatned in your Cradles

come to giue you now. See here King Troos

pitty of depoſed Saturnes wrongs,

come in perſon to chaſtice your pride,

be the heauens relentleſſe Iuſticer.

againſt Saturne as a Father, we,

as a murderer, lift our oppoſite hands.

and heauen giues vs this priuiledge,

guard our liues gainſt tyrants and inuaders,

claime we, as we’re men, we would but liue:

take not from vs, what you cannot giue.

hath not Saturns fame abrode bene ſpred

many vſes he hath giuen to man;

Nauigation, Tillage, Archery,

and gold? yet you for all theſe vſes

him of his kingdome.

but ſaue

Innocent bodies from th’abortiue graue,

are his ſonnes, let Saturne be content

let vs keepe what Heauen and Nature lent.

filiall duties you ſo much forget

come to teach you. Royall Kings to armes,

Ganimed the onſet of this battell,

being a ſonne knowes how to lecture them,

chaſtice their tranſgreſſions.

ſhall be ſo, powre out your ſpleene and rage

our proud Iſſue. Let the thirſty ſoyle

barren Creet quaffe their degenerate blouds,

ſurfeit in their ſinnes. All Saturnes hopes

fortunes are ingag’d vpon this day.

is our laſt, and all, bee’t our endeuour

win’t for ay, or elſe to looſe it euer.

The battels ioyne, the Troians are repul’ſt. Enter Troos andSaturne.

Troians are repul’ſt, wher’s Ganimed?

the throng of weapons, acting wonders.

did I call alowd to haue him flye,

twice he ſwore he had vow’d this day to dye.

make vp to his reſcue.

tis vaine.

ſeeke to ſaue him we ſhall looſe our ſelues.

day is loſt, and Ganimed loſt too

diuine aſſiſtance. Hye my Lord

your ſhippes, no ſafety liues a land,

to the Oceans margent we are purſu’d,

ſaue your ſelfe by ſea.

thou haſt wonne

thirty thouſand Souldiers, and my Sonne.

let’s to ſea.

ſea muſt Saturne too,

whom all good ſtarres are ſtill oppoſite.

Crowne I firſt bought with my infants bloud,

long enioy’d, till Tytan wreſted it;

and re-loſt by Iupiter.

horrid miſchiefes that haue crown’d our brows,

bred in vs ſuch ſtrange diſtemprature,

we are growne deiected and forlorne.

bloud is chang’d to Inke, our haires to quils,

eyes halfe buried in our quechy plots.

and cold agues haue deuour’d

eate vp all our fleſh, leauing behinde

ſaue the Image of deſpaire and death:

Saturne ſhall to after ages be

ſtarre, that ſhall infuſe dull melancholy.

Italy I’le flye, and there abide,

diuine powers my place aboue prouide.

Enter Ganimed’ compaſt in with ſoldiers, to them Iupiter,Neptune, Pluto, Archas Melliſeus.

noble Troian, ther’s not in the field

of thy Nation lifts a hand ſaue thee.

that’s my honour, when alone I ſtand

thee and all the forces of thy land.

loue thy valour, and would woo thy friendſhip,

freely where thou wilt, and ranſomleſſe.

that’s no gift: I am no priſoner,

therefore owe no ranſome, hauing breath,

I haue vow’d to yeeld to none ſaue death.

wiſh thee nobly Troian, and ſince fauour

attaine thy love, I’le try concluſions,

ſee if I can purchaſe it with blowes.

ſpeak’ſt thou like the nobleſt of my foes.

all a-part, and Princes girt vs round.

loue him beſt, whoſe ſtrokes can lowdeſt ſound.

they fight, and looſing their weapons embrace.

haue thee, and will keep thee.

as priſoner.

priſoner to my loue, elſe thou art free,

boſome friend, for ſo I honour thee.

am conquer’d both by Armes and Courteſie.

day is ours, Troos and K. Saturn’s fled,

Iupiter remaines ſole conquerour.

with her golden wings houers ore Creet,

hence diſcord, and remorſleſſe warre:

Iupiter make vp for Arges now?

drawes on, the ſea’s vn-nauigable,

tranſport an Army. There attends without

Lord of Arges.

him to our preſence.

Arges.

ſtands it with the beauteous Danae?

L.

one diſtreſt by Fate, and miſerable.

K. Acriſius, and his Fort of braſſe,

incloſure, and her Beldam guard,

but hath heard? yet through theſe braſen walles

hath broke in, and made the maide a mother

a faire ſonne, which when Acriſius heard,

female guard vnto the fier hee doomes,

daughter, and the infant prince her ſonne,

puts into a maſtles boat to ſea,

proue the rigor of the ſtormy waues.

Arges, and the world ſhall know

hath beene wrong’d in this: her further fortunes

thou relate?

L.

can. As farre as Naples

friendly winds her maſtleſſe boat tranſports,

ſuccourd by a curteous Fiſher-man

firſt releeu’d, and after that preſented

King Pelonnus, who at this time reignes:

rauiſht with her beauty, crownes her Queene,

deckes her with th’Imperiall robeſ’ of ſtate.

we haue ſcanted is ſupply’d by fate.

then ceaſe Armes, and now court amorous peace

ſolemne triumphes, and deere Ganimed,

henceforth cal’d The friend of Iupiter.

if the Fates hereafter crowne our browes

diuine honours, as we hope they ſhall,

ſtyle thee by the name of Cup-bearer,

fill vs heauenly Nectar, as faire Hebe

do the like to Iuno our bright Queene.

end the pride of our mortality.

that makes Gods, muſt ſtyle vs higher.

next you ſee vs, we in ſtate muſt ſhine,

with honours more diuine.

omnes.

Homer.

Danae Perſeus was that night be got,

that fought with the Gorgonian ſhield,

fortunes to purſue Time ſuffers not.

that, we haue prepar’d an ampler field.

how Ioue with faire Alcmena lay:

Hercules, and of his famous deeds:

Pluto did faire Proſerpine betray:

theſe my Muſe (now trauel’d) next proceedes.

to keepe promiſe, ere we further wade,

ground of ancient Poems you ſhall ſee:

how theſe (firſt borne mortall) Gods were made,

vertue of diuineſt Poeſie.

Fates, to whom the Heathen yeeld all power,

doomes are writ in marble, to endure,

ſummon’d Saturnes three ſonnes to their Tower,

them the three Dominions to aſſure

Heauen, of Sea, of Hell. How theſe are ſcand,

none decide but ſuch as vnderſtand.

a dumbe ſhew. Enter the three fatall ſiſters, with a rocke, athreed, and a paire of ſheeres; bringing in a Gloabe, in which theyput three lots. Iupiter drawes heauen: at which Iris deſcends andpreſents him with his Eagle, Crowne and Scepter, and histhunder-bolt. Iupiter firſt aſcends vpon the Eagle, and after himGanimed.

Iupiter doth high Olimpus fall.

thunder and the triſulke lightning beares

of all the reſt in generall:

on a Princely Eagle mounts the Spheares,

Neptune drawes the Sea, is mounted vpon a ſea-horſe; a Roabe andTrident, with a crowne are giuen him by the Fates

is made the Lord of all the Seas,

Mace a Trident, and his habite blew.

can make Tempeſts, or the waues appeaſe,

vnto him the Sea-men are ſtill true.

Thunder and Tempeſt. Enter at 4 ſeuerall corners the 4 winds:Neptune riſeth diſturb’d: the Fates bring the 4 winds in achaine, & preſent them to Aeolus, as their King.

for the winds, theſe brothers that ſtill warre,

not diſturbe his Empire, the three Fates

them to Aeolus, chain’d as they are,

be inclos’d in caues with brazen gates.

Pluto drawes hell: the Fates put vpon him a burning Roabe, andpreſent him with a Mace, and burning crowne.

made Emperour of the Ghoſts below.

with his black guard he in darknes raignes,

hell, where Styx and Lethe flow,

murderers are hang’d vp in burning chaines.

leauing theſe: to your iudiciall ſpirits

muſt appeale, and to your wonted grace,

know from you, what ey-leſſe Homer merits,

you haue power to baniſh from this place,

if you ſend me hence vncheckt with feare,

more I’l dare vpon this Stage t’appeare.