The Golden Age

The Golden Age. Or The liues of Jupiter and Saturne, with the defining of the Heathen Gods. As it hath beene ſundry times acted at the Red Bull, by the Queenes Maieſties Seruants. Written by Thomas Heywood. TAM ROBUR TAM ROBOR NI-COLIS ARBOR IOVIS. 1610 N. O. ♃ London, Printed for William Barrenger, and are to be ſold at his Shop neare the great North-doore of Pauls 1611.

TO THE READER.

This Play comming accidentally to the Preſſe, and at length hauing notice thereof, I was loath (finding it mine owne) to ſee it thruſt naked into the world, to abide the fury of all weathers, without either Title for acknowledgement, or the formality of an Epiſtle for ornament. Therefore rather to keepe cuſtome, then any neceſſity, I haue fixt theſe few lines in the front of my Booke: neither to approue it, as taſtfull to euery palat, nor to diſgrace it, as able to reliſh none, onely to commit it freely to the generall cenſure of Readers, as it hath already paſt the approbation of Auditors. This is the Golden Age, the eldeſt brother of three Ages, that haue aduentured the Stage, but the onely yet, that hath beene iudged to the Preſſe. As this is receiued, ſo you ſhall find the reſt: either fearefull further to proceede, or encouraged boldly to follow.

Yours euer

T. H.

The Names of Perſons preſented in the Play.

       Homer.

Two Lords of Creet.

Veſta mother of Saturne,

Sybilla wife to Saturne.

Lycaon Sonne to Tytan.

Caliſto daughter to Lycaon.

Iupiter.

Iuno.

Melliſeus King of Epire.

Archas ſonne to Caliſto and Iupiter.

Diana.

Atlanta.

Acriſius King of Arges.

Danae daughter to Acriſius.

King Troos.

Ganimed.

A Lord of Arges.

Two Lords of Pelagia.

Foure Beldams.

Clowne.

Nurſe.

Satyrs.

Nymphs.

The Golden Age, With the liues of Iupiter and Saturne.

Actus 1. Scæna 1.

Enter old HOMER

The Gods of Greece, whoſe deities I rais’d

Out of the earth, gaue them diuinity,

The attributes of Sacrifice and Prayer

Haue giuē old Homer leaue to view the world

And make his owne preſentment. I am he

That by my pen gaue heauen to Iupiter,

Made Neptunes Trident calme, the curled waues,

Gaue Æolus Lordſhip ore the warring winds;

Created blacke hair’d Pluto King of Ghoſts,

And regent ore the Kingdomes fixt below.

By me Mars warres, and fluent Mercury

Speakes from my tongue. I plac’d diuine Apollo

Within the Sunnes bright Chariot. I made Venus

Goddeſſe of Loue, and to her winged ſonne

Gaue ſeuerall arrowes, tipt with Gold and lead.

What hath not Homer done, to make his name

Liue to eternity? I was the man

That flouriſh’d in the worlds firſt infancy:

When it was yong, and knew not how to ſpeake,

I taught it ſpeech, and vnderſtanding both

Euen in the Cradle: Oh then ſuffer me,

You that are in the worlds decrepit Age,

When it is neere his vniuerſall graue,

To ſing an old ſong; and in this Iron Age

Shew you the ſtate of the firſt golden world,

I was the Muſes Patron, learnings ſpring,

And you ſhall once more heare blinde Homer ſing.

Enter two Lords.

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

Is dead, and left behinde him two braue ſonnes,

Tytan and Saturne.

2. Tytan is the eldeſt,

And ſhould ſucceed by the true right of birth.

1. Lord. But Saturn hath the hearts of al the people,

The Kingdomes high applauſe, his mothers loue,

The leaſt of theſe are ſteppes vnto a crowne.

2. Lor. But how wil Tytan beare him in theſe troubles,

Being by nature proud and inſolent,

To ſee the yonger ſeated in his throne,

And he to whom the true right appertaines,

By birth, and law of Nations quite caſt off?

1. Lord. That either power or ſteele muſt arbitrate:

Cauſes beſt friended haue the beſt euent.

Here Saturne comes.

Enter Saturne and Veſta with other attendants.

Saturn. Behold what nature skanted me in yeares,

And time, below my brother; your applauſe,

And general loue, fully ſupplies me with:

And make me to his crowne inheritable.

I chooſe it as my right by gift of heauen,

The peoples ſuffrage, the dead Kings bequeſt,

And your election, our faire mother Queene,

Againſt all theſe what can twelue moones of time,

Preuaile with Tytan to dis-herite vs.

Veſta. The Cretan people, with ſhrill acclamations

Pronounce thee ſoueraigne ore their lands and liues,

Let Tytan ſtorme, and threaten ſtrange reuenge,

We are reſolu’d thy honour to maintaine.

1. Lord. Tytan, thy ruine ſhall attempt in vaine

Our hearts ad-here with Veſtaes our late Queene,

According to our ſoueraignes late bequeſt,

To kneele to Saturne.

Saturne. We accept your loues,

And we will ſtriue by merite to exceed you.

In iuſt requitall of theſe fauours done.

Veſta. Arme Lords, I heare the voyce

Of Tytan ſtorming at this ſtrange election.    A noiſe of tumult within

Enter Tytan, Lycaon and others.

Tytan. Deſcend proud vpſtart, trickt vp in ſtoln weeds

Deckt in vſurped ſtate, and borowed honours,

Reſigne them to their owner, that’s to me.

Saturne. Tytan keep off, I charge thee neere me not,

Leſt I thy bold preſumption ſeale with bloud.

Tytan. A Crown’s worth tugging for, & I wil ha’t

Though in purſute I dare my ominous Fate.

Licaon. Downe with the vſurper.

Veſta. Saturne here ſhall ſtand,

Immoueable; vpheld by Veſtaes hand.

Tytan. Am I not eldeſt?

Vesta. Ey but yong’ſt in braine.

Saturne the crowne hath ceas’d, and he ſhall reigne.

Tytan. Am I a baſtard, that my heritage

Is wreſted from me by a yonger birth?

Hath Veſta plaid th’adultereſſe with ſome ſtranger?

If I be eldeſt from Vranus loynes,

Your maiden Iſſue, why am I debar’d

The law of Nations? am I Veſtaes ſonne?

Why doth not Veſta then appeare a mother?

Was yonger Saturne bedded in your wombe,

Neerer your heart then I, that hee’s affected

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

What Iuſtice wils, my intereſt in the Crowne:

Or if you make me out-caſt, if my Mother

Forget the loue ſhe owes, I ſhall abandon

The duty of a ſonne. If Saturne prooue

Vnnaturall, I’le be no more a brother,

But maugre all that haue my right withſtood,

Reuenge my wrongs, & make my way through bloud.

Sat. Tytan we both acknowledge thee a brother,

And Veſtaes ſonne, which wee’le expreſſe in loue,

But ſince for many vertues growing in me

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

And all the people, with lowd ſuffrages,

Haue ſhrild their Auees high aboue the clouds,

And ſtil’d me King, we ſhould forget their loues

Not to maintaine their ſtrange election.

Aduiſe you therefore, ſince this bold aduenture

Is much aboue your ſtrength, to arme your ſelfe,

In ſearch of future honours with our loue,

For what can Tytan do againſt a people?

Veſta. Saturne aduiſeth well, liſt to his conſell.

Tytan. If my owne land proue thus vnnaturall,

I’le purchaſe forrraine aid.

1. Lord. Rather compound.

Sat. Let Tytan make demand of any thing

Sauing our Crowne, he ſhall enioy it freely.

Veſta. Tytan, your brother offers royally,

Accept his loue.

Tytan. To looſe a Crowne includes

The loſſe of all things. What ſhould I demand?

Lycaon. This grant him Saturne, ſince thy inſinuation

Hath wrought him quite out of the Cretans hearts,

That Tytans warlike iſſue may ſucceed thee.

Tytan. Lycaon well aduis’d, he during life,

Shall reigne in peace, no interruption,

Shall paſſe from Tytan to diſturbe his reigne,

So to our Gyant race thou wilt aſſure

The crowne as due by right inheritance.

Saturne. To cut off all hoſtile effuſion

Of human bloud, which by our difference

Muſt needs be ſpilt vpon the barren earth,

Wee’le ſweare to this accord.

Tytan. Conditiond thus,

That to depriue all future enmity

In our ſucceeding Iſſue, thy male children

Thou in their Cradle ſtrangle.

Saturne. Kill my ſonnes?

Tytan. Or ſweare to this, or all our warlike race,

Diſperſt in ſeuerall Kingdomes Il’e aſſemble,

To conquer thee, and from thy ambitious head,

Teare that vſurped Crowne.

Saturne. Tytan, thy friendſhip

Wee’l buy with our own bloud, all our male children,

(If we hereafter ſhall haue any borne)

Shall periſh in their births, to this we ſweare,

As we are King and Saturne.

Tytan. I the like,

As I am Tytan, and Vranus ſonne:

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

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

Scorning a ſeate here where I am diſpis’d,

To liue a ſubiect to a younger birth.

Nor bow to that which is my owne by due.

Saturne farewell, Il’e leaue thee to thy ſtate,

Whil’ſt I in forreigne Kingdomes ſearch my Fate.

Thinke on thy oath.

Saturne. Firſt ſtay with vs and feaſt,

Tytan this day ſhall be King Saturns gueſt.

Enter the Clowne and a Nurſe.

Clown. There is no dallying, you muſt come with all ſpeede,

For Madam Sibilla is growne a great woman.

Nurſ. That is without queſtion, for ſhe is now a Queene.

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

Nurſ. Is ſhe ſo neere her time?

Clown. Yes: and yet tis thought ſhee will notwithſtanding hold out, becauſe ſhe is groning.

Nurſ. Your reaſon?

Clowne. Becauſe you know the prouerbe: A grunting horſe, and a groning wife neuer deceiue their Maiſter: ſay, will you make haſte Nurſe?

Nurſ. What’s the beſt news abroad?

Clown. The beſt newes abrode is, that the Queene is likely to keepe at home: and is it not ſtrange, that halfe an houres being abroad ſhould make a woman haue a moneths minde to keepe in. But the worſt newes is, that if the King haue a young Prince, hee is tide to kill it by oath: but if his maieſty went drunke to bed, and got a gyrle, ſhe hath leaue to liue till ſhe dye, and dye when ſhe can liue no longer.

Nurſ. That couenant was the moſt vnnaturall

That euer father made: one louely boy

Hath felt the rigor of that ſtrict decree,

And if this ſecond likewiſe be a ſonne,

There is no way but death.

Clown. I can tell you more newes: the king hath ſent to the Oracle to know whether my Lady be with childe of a boy or a gyrle, and what their fortunes ſhall be: the Lord that went, is look’t for euery day to returne with his anſwere: it is ſo Goſſipt in the Queenes chamber, I can tell you. O Nurſe wee haue the braueſt king, if thou kneweſt all.

Nurſ. Why I pray thee?

Clowne. Let his 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 hath deuiſed a ſtrange engine, called a Bow and Arrow, that a man may hold in hand, and kill a wilde beaſt a great way off, and neuer come in 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 home to be bak’t and eaten: A Gentlewoman of the Court, that fed hungerly 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 an excellent Maſtiffe to be knock’t in the head, and dreſt, gaue it to the gentlewoman, of which when ſhe had well eaten, the fleſh of the Maſtiffe worried the beare in her belly, and euer ſince her guts haue left wambling. But come, come, I was ſent in haſt, the Queene muſt needs ſpeake with you.

Exeunt.

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

Saturne. You ſhall no more be lodg’d beneath the trees,

Nor chamber vnderneath the ſpreading Okes:

Behold, I haue deuis’d you formes for tooles,

To ſquare out timber, and performe the Art

Of Architecture, yet vnknowne till now.

I’le draw you formes of Cities, Townes and Towers,

For vſe and ſtrength, behold the models here.

1 Lord. Saturnes inuentions are diuine, not humane,

A God-like ſpirit hath inſpir’d his reigne.

Saturne, See here a ſecond Arte of Huſbandry,

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

Deuis’d by Saturne: here is gold refin’d

From Groſſer mettals, ſiluer, braſſe, and tinne,

With other minerals, extract from earth.

I likewiſe haue found out to make your brooks,

Rivers and ſeas by practiſe Nauigable.

Behold a forme to make your Craers and Barkes

To paſſe huge ſtreames in ſafety, dangerleſſe.

2. Lord Saturne is a God.

Saturn. The laſt, not leaſt, this vſe of Archery,

The ſtringed, bow, and nimble-fethered-ſhaft:

By this you may command the flying fowle,

And reach her from on high: this ſerues for warre,

To ſtrike and wound thy foe-man from a farre.

What meanes this acclamation?

A lowd ſhout within.

1. Lord. Tis thy people,

Deuineſt Saturne furniſht with theſe vſes,

(More then the Gods haue lent them) by thy meanes.

Proclaime to thee a laſting deity.

And would haue Saturne honoured as a God.

Saturn.

Wee’l ſtudy future profits for their vſe,

And in our freſh inuentions proue diuine.

But Gods are neuer touch’t with my ſuſpires,

Paſſions and throbs: their God-like Iſſue thriue,

Whilſt I vn-man-like muſt deſtroy my babes.

Oh my ſtrict oath to Tytan, which confounds

All my precedent honours: one ſweete babe,

My yongeſt Ops hath felt the bloudy knife,

And periſht in his ſwathing: And my Queene

Swels with another Infant in her wombe,

Ready to taſte like rigor. Is that Lord

Return’d from Delphos yet?

2 Lord.

He is.

Saturn.

Admit him: now what doth the Oracle

Speake by the Delphian Prieſt.

3. Lord.

Thus mighty Saturne.

After our Ceremonious Rites perform’d,

And Sacrifice ended with reuerence,

A murmuring thunder hurried through the Temple.

When fell a pleaſant ſhower, whoſe ſiluer drops.

Fil’d all the Altar with a roſeate dew.

In this amazement, thus the Delphian God,

Spake from the Incenſt Altar: Lord of Creete,

Thus ſay to Saturne: Sibill his faire wife,

Is great with a yong Prince of Noble hopes,

That ſhall his fathers vertues much excell,

Ceaze on his Crowne, and driue him downe to Hell.

Sat.

The Gods (if there be any boue our ſelfe)

Enuy our greatneſſe, and of one that ſeekes

To beare himſelfe boue man, makes me more wretched

Then the moſt ſlauiſh bruit. What ſhall my Sibill

Bring me a ſonne; that ſhall depoſe me then?

He ſhall not; I will croſſe the Deities,

I’le toombe th’uſurper in his Infant bloud,

I’le keepe my oath; Prince Tytan ſhall ſucceed,

Maugre the enuious Gods, the brat ſhall bleed.

1. Lor.

Way for the dowager Queene,

Enter Veſta ſad

Sat.

How fares our mother?

How i’ſt with faire Sibilla, our deere Queene?

Veſta.

Your Queenes deliuered.

Sat.

Of ſome female birth,

You Deities I begge: make me oh Heauens,

No more inhumane in the tragicke ſlaughter

Of princely Infants, fill my decreed number

With Virgins, though in them I looſe my name

And kingdome, either make her barren euer

Or elſe all generatiue power and appetite

Depriue me: leſt my purple ſinne be ſtil’d

Many degrees boue murder. What’s her birth?

Veſta.

Shee’s the ſad mother of a ſecond ſonne.

Saturn.

Be euer dumbe, let euerlaſting ſilence

Tong-tye the world, all humane voyce henceforth,

Turne to confus’d, and vndiſtinguiſht ſound,

Of barking Hounds, hoarſe beares, & howling wolues,

To ſtop all rumour that may fil the world

With Saturnes tyranies againſt his ſonnes.

Veſt.

Ah, did but Saturne ſee yon ſmiling babe,

Hee’d giue it life, and breake ten thouſand oathes

Rather then ſuffer the ſweet infant dye,

His very looke would begge a quicke reprieue

Euen of the tyrant Tytan ſaw the vnkle

With what a gracefull looke the Infant ſmiles,

Hee’d giue it life, although he purchas’d it with loſſe of a great Kingdome.

Saturn.

Then ſpare the lad: I did offend too much

To kill the firſt, tell Sibill he ſhall liue,

I’le be no more ſo monſtrous in my rigor,

Nor with the bloud of Princes buy my Crowne.

No more their Cradles ſhall be made their Tombes,

Nor their ſoft ſwathes become their winding ſheetes:

How can my ſubiects thinke Il’e ſpare their liues,

That to my owne can be ſo tyranous?

Tell Sibill he ſhall liue.

Ueſt.

Veſta will be that ioyfull meſſenger.

Saturn.

Stay, let me firſt reward the Oracle,

It told me Sibill ſhould produce a ſonne,

That ſhould his Fathers vertues much excell,

Ceaſe on my Crowne, and driue me downe to Hell.

Muſt I then giue an Infant-traitor life,

To ſting me to the heart? the brat ſhall bleed.

Ueſta.

Sweet ſonne.

1. Lord.

Deere ſoueraigne.

Saturn.

He that next replyes,

Mother or friend, by Saturnes fury dyes.

Away, fetch me his heart, brimme me a bowle

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

Life newly wakend, ſhall as newly ſleep.

Veſt.

Worſe then a bruit, for bruits preſerue their own

Worſe then the worſt of things is Saturne growne.

Saturn.

Command the childe to death.

Ueſta.

Tyrant, I will.

Tygers would ſaue whom Saturn means to kill,

Sat.

It is my ſonne whom I command to death,

A Prince that may ſucced me in my Throne,

And to poſterity reuiue my name.

Call Veſta backe, and bid her ſaue the Babe.

1. Lord.

I’le do’t my Lord.

Sat.

Yet ſtay: the lad to kill

I ſaue my oath, and keep my kingdome ſtill.

Poſt after her and charge them on their liues,

Send me the babes bloud in a cup of gold,

A preſent which I’le offer to the Gods.

Delay not, bee’t our mother, nay our wife,

Forfeits her owne to ſaue the Infants life.

1. Lord.

I ſhall informe them ſo.

Sat.

Is this a deity,

To be more wretched then the worſt on earth,

To be depriu’d, that comfort of my iſſue,

Which euen the baſeſt of my land enioy:

Il’e henceforth for my rigor hate my ſelfe,

Pleaſures deſpiſe, and ioyes abandon quite.

The pureſt bloud that runnes within my veines,

I’le dull with thicke, and troubled melancholy,

Il’e warre with comfort, be at oddes with ſolace,

And league with nothing but diſtemprature.

Henceforth my vnkem’d lockes ſhall knot in curles,

Raſor nor any edge ſhall kiſſe my cheeke,

Vntill my chin appeare a wilderneſſe,

And make me wild in knowledge to the world.

Perpetuall care ſhall cabin in my heart,

My tyranny I’le puniſh in my ſelfe,

And ſaue the Gods that labour—

Saturns diſturbance to the world ſhall be,

That planet that infuſeth melancholy.

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

Sibilla.

Is not our mother Veſta yet return’d,

That made herſelfe th’unwilling meſſenger,

To bring the king newes of his new-borne ſonne?

Nurs.

Madam, not yet.

Sibil.

Mother, of all that euer mothers were

Moſt wretched. kiſſe thy ſweet babe ere he dye,

That hath life onely lent to ſuffer death.

Sweet Lad, I would thy father ſaw thee ſmile,

Thy beauty and thy pretty Infancy,

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

Or caru’d with Iron tooles from the corſicke rocke,

Thou laugheſt to thinke thou muſt be kild in ieſt.

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

And kill thee with my kiſſes (pretty knaue)

And canſt thou laugh to ſee thy mother weepe?

Or art thou in thy cheerefull ſmiles ſo free

In ſcorne of thy rude fathers tyranny?

Nurs.

Madam, the King hath ſlaine his firſt borne ſon,

Whom had hee ſeene aliue, hee’d not haue giuen

For ten ſuch Kingdomes as he now enioyes,

The death of ſuch a faire and hopefull child,

Is full as much as Tytan can demand.

Sib.

He ſhall ſpare this ſweet babe, I’le ranſome thee

With my owne life, the knife that pierceth thee,

Will wound thy mothers ſide, and I ſhall feele

The leaſt ſharpe ſtroke from his offenſiue ſteele.

Nurs.

The mother Queen’s return’d.

Enter Veſta

How lookes ſhe Nurſe?

Let her not ſpeake, but yet a little longer

My hopes hold in ſuſpence: oh me moſt wretched,

I reade my Lords harſh anſwere in her eye,

Her very lookes tell me the boy muſt dye.

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

Which will wound deeper then King Saturnes ſword.

Veſta.

The boy muſt dye.

Sib.

Oh!

Nurs.

Looke to the Queene, ſhe faints.

Veſt.

Oh let’s not looſe the mother with her infant,

The loſſe of one’s too much.

Sibill.

Oh wher’s my childe?

Ile hide thee in my bed, my boſome, breſt,

The murderer ſhall not finde my little ſonne,

Thou ſhalt not dye, be not afraid my boy.

Go tell the King hees mine as well as his,

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

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

And euery ſecond ſonne keepe from the graue.

Enter the firſt Lord.

Veſta.

Forbeare ſir, for this place is priuiledg’d,

And onely for free women.

1. Lord.

Yet is the Kings command boue your decree,

And I muſt play th’intruder gainſt my will.

The King vpon your liues hath charged you,

To ſee that infant Lad immediatly

Receiue his death, he ſtayes for his warme bloud

To offer to the Gods. To thinke him ſlaine,

Sad partner of your ſorrowes I remaine.

Nurs.

Madam you heare the king doth threat our liues

Let’s kill him then.

Sib.

Is he inexorable?

Why ſhould not I proue as ſeuere a mother

As he a cruell father: ſince the King

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

Giue me the fatall Engine of his wrath,

Il’e play the horrid murdreſſe for this once.

I’le kiſſe thee ere I kill thee: for my life,

The Lad ſo ſmiles, I cannot hold the knife.

Ueſta.

Then giue him me, I am his Grand-mother,

And I will kill him gently: this ſad office

Belongs to me, as to the next of kin.

Sib.

For heauens ſake when you kil him, hurt him not.

Veſta.

Come little knaue, prepare your naked throat,

I haue not heart to giue thee many wounds,

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

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

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

Nurs.

You may be careleſſe of the kings command,

But it concernes me, and I loue my life

More then I do a ſucklings, giue him me,

I’le make him ſure, a ſharpe weapon lend,

I’le quickly bring the yongſter to his end.

Alacke my pretty knaue, t’were more then ſin,

With a ſharpe knife to touch thy tender ſkin.

On Madame, hee’s ſo full of Angell grace

I cannot ſtrike, he ſmiles ſo in my face.

Sib.

I’le wink & ſtrike, come once more reach him hither:

For dye he muſt, ſo Saturne hath decreed,

‘Las for a world I would not ſee him bleed.

Veſta.

Ne ſhall he do, but ſweare me ſecreſie,

The babe ſhall liue, and we be dangerleſſe,

Sib,

O bleſſe me with ſuch happineſſe.

Veſta.

Attend me.

The king of Epires daughters, two bright maids,

Owe me for many fauours the like loue,

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

To be brought vp, but not as Saturns ſonne.

Do but prouide ſome truſty meſſenger,

My honour for his ſafety.

Sib.

But by what meanes ſhall we delude the king,

Veſt.

A yong Kids heart, ſwimming in reeking bloud

Wee’l ſend the King, and with ſuch forged griefe,

And counterfet ſorrow ſhadow it,

That this impoſture neuer ſhall be found.

Sib.

Oh twice my mother you beſtow vpon me,

A double life thus to preſerue my boy.

Nurs.

Giue me the child, I’le finde a meſſenger,

Shall beare him ſafe to Melliſeus Court.

Veſta.

The bloud and heart I’le preſently prouide,

T’appeaſe the rage of Saturne.

Sib.

Firſt lets ſweare,

To keepe this ſecret from King Saturnes eare.

Veſta.

We will, and if this plot paſſe vndiſcouer’d

By like deuiſe we will ſaue all your ſonnes.

About our taskes; you ſome choyce friend to finde,

I with my feigned teares the King to blinde.

Actus ſecundi, Scoena prima.

Enter HOMER.

Homer.

WHat cannot womens wits? they wonders can

When they intend to blinde the eyes of man.

Oh lend me what old Homer wants, your eyes,

To ſee th’euent of what theſe Queenes deuiſe.

The doombe ſhew, ſound.

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

This paſt ſo currant, that the third ſonne borne,

Cal’d Neptune, was by like deuiſe preſeru’d,

And ſent to Athens, where he liu’d vnknowne,

And had in time command vpon the ſeas.

Pluto the yongeſt was ſent to Tartary,

Where he in proceſſe a ſtrange City built

And cald it Hell, his ſubiects for their rapine,

Their ſpoils and theft, are Diuels tearm’d abrode.

Thus melancholy Saturne hath ſuruiuing

Three Noble ſonnes in ſeuerall confines plac’d

And yet himſelfe thinks ſonne-leſſe: one faire daughter

Hight Iuno is his ſole delight on earth.

Thinke kinde ſpectators ſeuenteene ſommers paſt,

Till theſe be growne to yeares, and Iupiter

Found in a caue by the great Epyre King,

(where by his daughters he before was hid.)

Of him and of his fortunes we proceeed,

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

Courteous ſpectators, leſt blind Homer ſtray,

Lend me your hands to guide me on your way.

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

Lycaon.

After long warre, and tedious differences,

Betwixt King Melliſeus and our ſelfe,

What craue the Epyre Lords?

Iupiter.

This King Lycaon,

Since truce and hoſtage hath tane vp theſe broiles,

And ended them in peacefull amity,

Since all the damadge by the Epyrians done,

Is on our part aboundantly made good:

We come Lycaon to demand the like

Of thee and of thy Kingdome, and for proofe,

That all our malice is extinct and dead,

We bring thy hoſtage backe, demanding ours.

Lycaon.

Receiue him Lords, a Banquet inſtantly,

You ſhall this day braue Epyre feaſt with vs,

And to your boord your hoſtage ſhall be brought,

There to receiue him freely, meane time ſit,

And taſte the royall welcomes of our Court.

Iup.

Lycaon’s iuſt in keeping theſe conditions

So ſtrictly with a reconciled foe.

Lyc.

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

I neuer heard King Melliſeus had

A Prince of your perfections?

Iupiter.

This demand

Startles my bloud, being borne I know not where,

Yet that I am of gentry at the leaſt,

My Spirit prompts me, and my noble thoughts

Giue me approued warrant, being an infant

Two beauteous Ladyes found me in a caue,

Where from their voluntary charity,

Bees fed me with their hony, for that cauſe

The two bright Ladies cal’d me Iupiter,

And to their Father Melliſeus brought me,

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

In feats of Armes, and military proweſſe,

And as an inſtance of his deereſt loue,

Hath honor’d me with this late Embaſſy.

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

Lyca.

We are ſatiſfi’d: Princes ſit round and feaſt,

You are this day Lycaons welcom’ſt gueſt.

Iup.

This meat diſtaſts me, doth Lycaon feaſt vs

Like Caniballes? feed vs with humane fleſh?

Whence is this portent?

Lycan.

Feede Epyrians, eate,

Lycaon feaſts you with no common meate.

Iup.

But wher’s the Epyre Lord we left as hoſtage?

Lyca.

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

This is the Epyres head, and theſe his limbes,

Thinkes Melliſeus that Lycaon can

(Diſcended of the valiant Tytanoys)

Bury his hatred, and intoombe his ſpleene

Without reuenge? bloud in theſe warres was ſhed,

And for that bloud your hoſtage loſt his head.

Iup.

Beare wrong that liſt, & thoſe can brooke it beſt,

I was not borne to ſuffrance: thoughts mount hye,

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

Lycaon.

Treaſon, treaſon.

Iup.

Downe with the tyrant, and that hatefull crue,

And in their murdrous breaſts your blades imbrue.

Lycaon.

Our guard.

A confuſed fray, an alarme.

Iupiter and the Epyriens beat off Lycaon and his followers.

Iup.

Lycaon’s fled, make good the pallace gates,

And to th’amazed Citie beare theſe limbs,

So baſely by the tyrant maſſacred.

Happly his ſubiects by our words prepar’d

May ſhake their bondage off, and make this warre,

The happy meanes to rid a tyrant thence.

Beare in your left hands theſe diſ-membred limbes,

And in your right your ſwords, with which make way,

Courage braue Epyres, and a glorious day,

Exeunt.

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

Iup.

Lycaon’s once more fled, we by the helpe

Of theſe his people, haue confin’d him hence,

To whom belongs this Crowne?

1. Lord.

To Iupiter.

2. Lor.

None ſhall protect our liues, but Iupiter.

All.

A Iupiter, A Iupiter.

Iup.

Nay we are farre from ſuch ambition, Lords,

Nor will we entertaine ſuch royalty.

1. Lor.

Faire Prince, whō heauen hath ſent by miracle,

To ſaue vs from the bloudyeſt tyrannies,

That ere were practis’d by a mortall prince,

We tender thee our fortunes: oh vouchſafe

To be our Lord, our Gouernour, and King,

Since all thy people ioyntly haue agreed,

None of that tyrants iſſue ſhall ſucced.

All.

A Iupiter, A Iupiter.

Iup.

We not refuſe the bounty of the Heauens

Expreſt in theſe your voyces; we accept

Your patronage, and’ gainſt Lycaons tyrannyes

Henceforth protect you: but our conqueſt yet

Is all vncertaine, ſecond vs deere ſubiects,

To aſſure our conqueſts: firſt we muſt prouide

Our ſafty, ere attempt the helme to guide.

Exeunt.

Alarme. Enter Caliſto.

Cal.

What meane theſe horrid & theſe ſhrill alarmes

That fright the peacefull Court with hoſtle cryes?

Feare and amazement hurry through each chamber;

Th’affrighted Ladies light the darkeſt roomes

With their bright beauties: whence (ô whence ye Gods)

Are all you grones, cryes, and inhumane ſownds

Of bloud and death: Licaon, where is he?

Why in this dire and ſad aſtoniſhment

Appeares not he to comfort my ſad feares,

And cheere me in this dull diſtemprature?

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

Iup.

The Iron bar’d dores, & the ſuſpected vaults,

The Barricadoed gates, and euery roome,

That boaſted of his ſtrength, is forc’d to obey

To our free entrance: nothing can withſtand

Our oppoſite fury. Come, let’s ranſacke further,

But ſtay, what ſtrange deiected beauty’s this

That on the ſodaine hath ſurpris’d my heart,

And made me ſicke with paſſion?

Caliſto.

Hence away,

When we command, who dares preſume to ſtay?

Iup.

Bright Lady.

Cal.

You afright me with your ſteele.

Iup.

Theſe weapons Lady come to grace your beautie

And theſe my armes ſhall be your ſanctuary

From all offenſiue danger: cheere your ſorrow,

Let your bright beauty ſhoote out of this cloud,

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

Are you a Queene enthron’d aboue the Elements,

Made of diuine compoſure, or of earth,

Which I can ſcarce beleeue?

Caliſt.

I am my ſelfe.

Vnciuill ſtranger, you are much to rude,

Into my priuate chamber to intrude:

Go call the King my father.

Iup.

Are you then

Lycaons daughter? (wonder without end,

That from a Fiend an Angell ſhould deſcend.)

Oh Loue, till now I neuer felt thy dart:

But now her painted eye hath pierc’d my heart.

Faire, can you loue?

Caliſto.

To be alone I can.

Iup.

Women, faire Queene, are nothing without men:

You are but cyphers, empty roomes to fill,

And till mens figures come, vncounted ſtill.

Shall I ſweet Lady, adde vnto your grace,

And but for number-ſake ſupply that place.

Cal.

You’r one too many, and of all the reſt,

That beare mens figure, we can ſpare you beſt.

What are you ſir?

Iup.

We are Pelaſge’s King,

And theſe our ſubiects.

Caliſto.

Theſe did of late belong

To King Lycaon (Oh iniurious wrong)

Iup.

Oh ſute your pitty with your Angell-beauty,

And liue Pelaſge’s Queene.

Caliſto.

Giue me a funerall garland to lament,

That beſt becomes my wretched diſcontent.

Iup.

The ſun-ſhine of my ſmiles and iocond loue,

Shall from your browes bright azure Elements,

Diſperſe all clouds: behold my crowne is yours.

My ſword, my conqueſt, I am of my ſelfe,

Nothing without your ſoft compaſſionate loue?

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

Can yeeld to men by power or oriſon,

And it is yours.

Cal.

Sir, I ſhall proue your loue.

Iup.

Pray vſe me Lady.

Cal.

You’l grant it me my Lord.

Iup.

By all my honours, and by all the ſweets

I hope for in your loues fruition,

Your wil’s your owne.

Cal.

You’l not reuoke your word?

Iup.

Bee’t to inueſt whom I did late degrade,

I’le doo’t for you, bright and diuineſt maid.

Cal.

This onely freedome to your captiue giue

That I a Nunne and profeſt maid may liue.

Iup.

More cruell then the tyrant that begat thee,

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

This ſword had purchaſt for Caliſto all.

Oh moſt vnkinde, in all this vniuerſe,

Ther’s but one iewell that I value hye,

And that (vnkinde) you will not let me buy:

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

‘Tis like a couetous man to hoord vp treaſure,

Bar’d from your owne vſe, and from others pleaſure.

Oh thinke faire creature, that you had a mother,

One that bore you, that you might beare another:

Be you as ſhe was, of an Infant glad,

Since you from her, haue all things that ſhe had.

Should all affect the ſtrict life you deſire,

The world it ſelfe ſhould end when we expire:

Poſterity is all, heauens number fill,

Which by your helpe may be increaſed ſtill,

What is it when you looſe your mayden-head,

But make your beauty liue when you be dead

In your faire iſſue?

Cal.

Tuſh, ‘tis all in vaine,

Dian I am now a ſeruant of thy traine.

Iup.

Her order is meere hereſie, her ſect

A ſchiſme, ‘mongſt maids not worthy your reſpect.

Men were got to get; you borne others to beare.

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

This flower will wither, not being cropt in time,

Age is too late, then do not looſe your prime.

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

Looſe not this mowld that may ſuch faire ones caſt,

Leaue to the world your like for face and ſtature,

That the next age may praiſe your gifts of nature.

Caliſto if you ſtill grow thus preciſe,

In your ſtrict vow, ſucceding beautie dies.

Cal.

I claime your oath, all loue with men adue,

Dianae’s Cloyſter I will next purſue.

Exit Caliſto

Iup.

And there all beauty ſhall be kept in iaile,

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

What’s that Diana?

2. Lor.

She is the daughter of an ancient King,

That ſwaid the Atticke ſcepter, who being tempted

By many ſuiters, firſt began this vow:

And leauing Court betooke her to the forreſts.

Her beauteous traine are virgins of beſt ranke,

Daughters of Kings, and Princes, all deuoted

To abandon men, and chuſe virginity.

All theſe being firſt to her ſtrict orders ſworne,

Acknowledge her their Queene and Empreſſe.

Iup.

By all my hopes Caliſtoe’s loue to gaine,

I’d wiſh my ſelfe one of Dianae’s traine.

1. Lord.

Concerning your ſtate buſineſſe.

Iupiter.

Well remembred.

Poſts of theſe newes ſhall be to Epyre ſent,

Of vs, and of our new eſtabliſhment.

Next for Caliſto, (but of that no more.)

We muſt take firme poſſeſſion of this ſtate,

Our ſword hath wonne, Licaon loſt ſo late.

Exeunt.

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

Haile beauteous Dian, Queene of ſhades,

That dwels beneath theſe ſhadowie glades,

Miſtreſſe of all thoſe beauteous maids,

That are by her allowed.

Virginitie we all profeſſe,

Abiure the worldlie vaine exceſſe,

And will to Dyan yeeld no leſſe

Then we to her haue vowed.

The Shepheards, Satirs, Nimphs, and Fawnes,

For thee will trippe it ore the lawnes.

Come to the Forreſt let vs goe,

And trip it like the barren Doe,

The Fawnes and Satirs ſtill do ſo,

And freelie thus they may do.

The Fairies daunce, and Satirs ſing,

And on the graſſe tread manie a ring,

And to their caues their ven’ſon bring,

And we will do as they do,

The Shepheards, &c.

Our food is honie from the Bees,

And mellow fruits that drop from trees,

In chace we clime the high degrees

Of euerie ſteepie mountaine,

And when the wearie day is paſt,

We at the euening hie vs faſt,

And after this our field repaſt,

We drinke the pleaſant fountaine.

The Shepheards, &c.

Diana.

Theſe ſports, our Fawnes, our Satyrs and our ſelues;

Make (faire Caliſto) for your entertaine:

Pan the great God of Shepheards, and the Nymphes

Of Meades and Fountaines, that inhabite here,

All giue you welcome, with their Rurall ſports,

Glad to behold a Princeſſe of your birth

A happy Citizen of theſe Meades and Groues.

Theſe Satyrs are our neighbours, and liue here,

With whom we haue confirm’d a friendly league

And dwell in peace. Here is no City-craft.

Here’s no Court-flattery ſimpleneſſe and ſooth

The harmeleſſe Chace, and ſtrict Virginity

Is all our practiſe. You haue read our orders,

And you haue ſworne to keepe them,

Faire Caliſto.

Speake, how eſteeme you them?

Caliſto.

With reuerence.

Great Queene, I am ſequeſtred from the world,

Euen in my ſoule hate mans ſociety,

And all their luſts, ſuggeſtions, all Court-pleaſures,

And City-curioſities are vaine,

And with my finer temper ill agree,

That now haue vow’d ſacred verginity.

Dian.

We will not of your ſorrowes make recitall

So lately ſuffred by the hand of chance:

We are from the world, & the blind Goddeſſe Fortune

We dare to do her worſt, as liuing here

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

They can looſe nothing, that for nothing care.

Cal.

Madam, deuotion drew me to your ſeruice,

And I am now your hand-maid.

Dian.

Wher’s Atlanta?

Atlanta.

Madame.

Dian.

Is there no princeſſe in our traine,

As yet vnmatch’d to be her Cabin-fellow,

And ſleepe by her?

Atlanta.

Madam, we all are cuppled

And twin’d in loue, and hardly is there any

That will be wonne to change her bed-fellow.

Dian.

You muſt be ſingle till the next arriue,

She that is next admitted of our traine,

Muſt be her bed-companion, ſo tis lotted.

Come Fawns, and Nymphs, and Satyres, girt vs rownd

Whilſt we aſcend our ſtate, and here proclaime

A generall hunting in Dianaes name.

Enter Iupiter like a Nimph, or a Virago.

Iupiter.

There I ſtrid too wide. That ſtep was too large for one that profeſſeth the ſtraight order: what a pittifull coyle  ſhall I haue to counterfeit this woman, to liſpe (forſooth) to ſimper and ſet my face like a ſweet Gentlewomans made out of ginger-bread? ſhall I venter or no? My face I feare not: for my beard being in the nonage durſt neuer yet looke a Barber in the face. And for my complexion, I haue 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 may paſſe 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 ſuch Gentlewomanlike 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 a hundred pretty ſights in a yeare, as in the Sommer when we come to flea our ſmocks, &c. I hope Diana doth not vſe to ſearch her maides before ſhe entertaines them. But howſoeuer

Be my loſſe certaine, and my profit none,

Tis for Caliſto’s loue, and I will on.

Dian.

Wee’l chaſe the Stagge, and with our Beagles ſhrill,

The neighbouring Forreſts with lowd eccho’s fill.

Iup.

Is this a heauen terreſtriall that containes

So many earthly Angels? (O amazement)

Diana with theſe beauties circled round,

Pal’d in with theſe bright pales, beares more ſtate,

Then Gods haue lent them by the power of fate.

I am deſtroyd,

Diana.

Soft, what intruder’s that?

Command her hither.

Iup.

Haile diuineſt Queene,

I come to do thee ſeruice.

Diana.

A manly Laſſe, a ſtout Virago,

Were all our traine proportion’d to thy ſize,

We need not feare mens ſubtill trecheries.

Thy birth and fortunes?

Iup.

Madam, I deriue

My birth from noble and high parentage:

Reſpect of your rare beauty, with my loue

And zeale I ſtill beare to a virgins life,

Haue drawne me to your ſeruice.

Diana.

Welcome Lady. Her largeneſſe pleaſeth mee, if ſhee haue courage proportion’d with her limbs, ſhee ſhall be Champion to all our wronged Ladies. You Atlanta, preſent her oath,

Her oath is giuen on Dianaes bow

Atlan.

Madam you muſt be true

To bright Diana and her Virgin crew.

Iup.

To bright Diana and her traine I’l ſtand.

Diana.

What can you do?

(aſide,

Iup.

More then the beſt here can.

Atlan.

You ſhall vow chaſtity:

Iup.

That’s more then I can promiſe (well proceed

Atlan.

You neuer ſhall with hated man attone,

But ly with woman or elſe ly alone.

Iup.

Make my oath ſtrong, my proteſtation deep,

For this I vowe by all the Gods to keepe.

Atlan.

With Ladies you ſhall onely ſport and play,

And in their fellowſhip ſpend night and day.

Iup.

I ſhall.

Atlan.

Conſort with them at boord and bed,

And ſweare no man ſhall haue your maiden-head.

Iup.

By all the powers both earthly and diuine,

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

Diana.

Now you’re ours, you’r welcome, kiſſe our hand,

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

And if with our election your’s agree.

Caliſto here your bed-fellow ſhall be.

Iup.

You Gods your will eternize me to your choice,

Madam I ſeale both with my ſoule and voyce

Diana.

Then hand each other and acquaint your ſelfe

And now let vs proceed in the purſuite,

Of our determin’d paſtimes, dedicate

To the entertainement of theſe beuteous maides.

Satyres and fawnes ring out your pleaſing quire,

This done, our Bugles ſhall to heauen aſpire.

Exeunt.

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

Diana.

Follow, purſue, the Stag hath tooke the Mountaine,

Come let vs climbe the ſteepe clifts after him,

Let through the aire your nimble iauelinges ſing.

And our free ſpoyles home with the euening bring.

All.

Follow, follow, follow.

Winde hornes, enter the Satyrs as in the chaſe.

Sat.

The nimble Ladies haue out-ſtript vs quite,

Vnleſſe we ſpeede we ſhall not ſee him fall.

Wee are too ſlow in purſuite of our game;

Let’s after tho; ſince they out-ſtrip our eyes,

Runne by their noates, that from their Bugles riſe.

Winde hornes. Enter Iupiter, and Caliſto.

Cal.

Haſt gentle Lady, we ſhall looſe our traine,

And miſſe Dianae’s paſtime in the chaſe,

Hie then to ſtaine our Iauelings guilded points

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

Will you keepe pace with mee?

Iup.

I am tir’d already.

Nor haue I yet bene to theſe paſtimes breath’d,

Sweet ſhall wee here repoſe our ſelues a little?

Cal.

And looſe the honour to be firſt at fall?

Iup.

Feare not, you ſhall come time enough to fall.

Either you muſt be ſo vnkind to mee,

As leaue me to theſe deſerts ſolitary,

Or ſtay till I haue reſt, for I am breathles

And cannot hold it out, behold a place

Remote, an Arbor ſeated naturally,

Trim’d by the hand of nature for a bower,

Skreen’d by the ſhadowy leaues from the Suns eye.

Sweet will you ſit, or on the verdure lye?

Cal.

Rather then leaue you, I will looſe the ſport

Iup.

I’le finde you paſtime, feare not, Oh my Angell,

Whether wilt thou tranſport me, grant me meaſure.

Of ioy, be free, I ſurfet on this pleaſure.

Cal.

Come ſhal’s lye downe a little.

Iup.

South I will.

I thirſt in ſeas and cannot quaffe my fill,

Behold before mee a rich Table ſpread.

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

We be alone, the Ladyes farre in chace,

And may I dye an Eunuch by my vowe,

If bright Caliſto you eſcape me now.

Sweet bed-fellow your hand, what haue I felt,

Vnleſſe blancht ſnow, of ſubſtance not to melt?

Cal.

You gripe too hard.

Iup.

Good ſooth I ſhall not reſt

Vntill my head be pillowed on thy breaſt.

Cal.

Leane on me then.

Iup.

So ſhall I wrong mine eyes,

To leaue your face to looke vpon the ſkyes.

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

Cal.

How?

Iup.

So a woman with a woman may.

Cal.

I do not like this kiſſing.

Iup.

Sweet ſit ſtill,

Lend me thy lippes, that I may taſte my fill.

Cal.

You kiſſe too wantonly.

Iup.

Thy boſome lend

And by thy ſoft paps let my hand deſcend.

Cal.

Nay fye what meane you?

Iup.

Pre’the let me toy,

I would the Gods would ſhape thee to a boy,

Or me into a man.

Cal.

A man, how then?

Iup.

My ſweet lye ſtill, for we are farre from men,

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

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

I’le meaſure for the wager of a fall,

Who hath the greateſt great, or ſmalleſt ſmall.

Cal.

You are too wanton, and your hand too free.

Iup.

You need not bluſh to let a woman ſee.

Cal.

My bareneſſe I haue hid from ſight of ſkyes,

Therefore may barre it any Ladyes eyes.

Iup.

Me thinks you ſhould be fat, pray let me feele,

Cal.

Oh God you tickle me.

Iup.

Lend me your hand,

And freely taſte me, note how I will ſtand,

I am not tickliſh.

Cal.

Lord how you wooe,

Iup.

We maids may wiſh much, but can nothing do.

Cal.

I am weary of this toying.

Iup.

Oh but I

In this Eliſium could both liue and dye.

I can forbeare no longer, though my rape

Be puniſht with my head, ſhe ſhall not ſcape.

Say ſweet I were a man.

Cal.

Thus would I riſe,

And fill the Dales and mountaines with my cryes.

A man! (Oh heauen) to gaine Eliſiums bliſſe,

I’de not be ſayd that I a man ſhould kiſſe.

Come, lets go wound the Stagge.

Iup.

Stay ere you goe,

Here ſtands one ready that muſt ſtrike a doe.

And thou art ſhee, I am Pelagius King,

That thus haue ſingled thee, mine thou ſhalt be.

Cal.

Gods, Angels, men, help all a maid to free.

Iup.

Maugre them all th’art mine.

Cal.

To do me right,

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

Iup.

Not they, nor all Dianae’s Angell-traine,

He caries her away in his armes.

Were they in ſight, this prize away ſhould gaine.

Exit,

Act. 3. Scoene 1.

Enter Homer.

Hom.

Yong Iupiter doth force this beauteous maid,

And after would haue made her his bright Queene.

But diſcontent ſhe in the Forreſt ſtaid,

Loath of Diana’s virgins to be ſeene.

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

She neuer will returne to Court againe.

Eight moones are fild & wain’d when ſhe grows great

And yong Ioues iſſue in her wombe doth ſpring.

This day Diana doth her Nimphs intreat,

Vnto a ſolemne bathing, where they bring

Deflowr’d Caliſto, note how ſhe would hide

That which time found, and great Diana ſpide.

A dumbe ſhew. Enter Diana and all her Nimphs to bathe them: ſhee makes them ſuruey the place. They vnlace themſelues, and vnloſe their buſkins: only Caliſto refuſeth to make her ready. Diana ſends Atlanta to her, who perforce vnlacing her, finds her great belly, and ſhewes it to Diana, who turnes her out of her ſociety, and leaues her. Caliſto likewiſe in great ſorrow forſakes the place.

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

And in a caue ſhe childs a valiant ſonne,

Cal’d Archas, who doth noble deeds purſue,

And by Ioues gift Pelagia’s ſeate hath wonne,

Which after by his worth, and glorious fame,

He hath tranſ-ſtil’d Archadia by his name.

But we returne to Tytan, who by ſpyes

Hath learn’d, that Saturne hath kept ſonnes aliue.

He now aſſembles all his ſtrange allyes,

And for the crowne of Creet intends to ſtriue.

Of their ſucceſſe, and fortunes we proceed,

Where Tytans ſonnes by youthfull Ioue muſt bleed.

Enter Tytan, Lycaon, Enceladus, Aegeon in Armes, drum, colours, and attendants,

Tytan.

Now are we ſtrong, our giant Iſſue growne,

Our ſonnes in ſeuerall kingdomes we haue planted,

From whence they haue deriu’d vs braue ſupplyes,

From Sicily, and from th’ Aegean ſea,

That of our ſonne Aegeon beares the name.

We haue aſſembled infinites of men,

To auenge vs on proud Saturnes periury.

Lycaon.

What I haue ſaid to Tytan, Il’e make good,

Tis rumor’d Melliſeus Foſter-child

He that expulſt me from Pelagia’s Crowne.

And in my high tribunall ſits enthron’d,

Is Saturnes ſonne, and ſtiled Iupiter,

(Beſides my daughter by his luſt deflowred)

On vs the poore diſtreſſed Tytanoyes

He hath committed many out-rages.

Aege.

All which wee’l puniſh on K. Saturnes head,

I that haue made th’ Aegean confines ſhake,

And with my powerfull voyce affrighted Heauen:

From whoſe enraged eyes the darkned ſkyes

Haue borrowed luſtre, and Promethian fire,

Will fright from Creet the proud Saturnian troope,

And thouſand hack’t and mangled ſouldiers bring

To intombe the glories of the Cretan King.

Encel.

That muſt be left to great Enceladus,

The pride and glory of the Tytans hoaſt.

I that haue curb’d the billowes with a frowne,

And with a ſmile haue made the Ocean calme,

Spurn’d downe huge mountains with my armed foot,

And with my ſhoulders lift the vallies high,

Wil in the wrinkles of my ſtormy brow,

Bury the glories of the Cretan King,

And on his ſlaughtered bulke braine all his ſonnes.

Aegeon.

And what ſhall I do then?

Encel.

Do thou ſtand ſtill,

Whil’ſt I the foes of Tytan paſh and kill.

Am I not eldeſt from great Tytans loynes,

The Saturniſts hereditarie ſcurdge?

Leaue all theſe deeds of horror to my hand,

I like a Trophy ore their ſpoyles will ſtand.

Lica.

Why breath we then?

Encel

Come arme your ſinowy limbes,

With rage and fury fright pale pitty hence,

And drowne him in the ſweate your bodies ſtill.

With hoſtile induſtry toſſe flaming brands

About your fleecy lockes, to threat their Cities

With death and deſolation, let your ſteele

Gliſtring againſt the ſunne, daze their bright eyes,

That with the dread of our aſtoniſhment

They may be ſunke in Lethe, and their graue

May be the darke vawlt, cal’d obliuions Caue,

Titan.

Are our Embaſſadors to Saturne gone,

To let him know whence this our warre proceedes?

Lica,

Your meſſage hath by this ſtartled th’vſurper,

Encel.

Set on them, waſte their confines as we march,

And let them taſt the rage of ſword and fire,

Th’Alarm’s giuen, and hath by this arriu’d

Euen at the wals of Creet, the cittadell

Where the Cathedrall Saturne is enthron’d.

Tytan.

Warlicke Aegeon and Enceladus,

Noble Lycaon lend vs your aſſiſtance

To forradge as we march, plant deſolation

Through all this fertile ſoile, be this your cry;

Reuendge on Saturne for his periury.

Exit.

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

Sat.

None ſpeake, let no harſh voyce preſume to iarr

In our diſtreſſed care, I am all ſad,

All horrour and afrightment, ſince the ſlaughter

And tragick murder of my firſt borne Ops,

Continued in the vnnaturall maſſacre

Of three yong Princes: not a day hath left me

Without diſtaſt, no night but double darkned

With terrour and confuſed melancholy:

No houre but hath had care and diſcontent

Proportion’d to his minutes not an inſtant:

Without remorſe and anguiſh. Oh you crownes,

Why are you made, and mettald out of cares?

I am ouergrowne with ſorrow, circumuailed

With multiplicity of diſtempratures,

And Saturne is a King of nothing elſe,

But woes, vexations, ſorrowes, and laments.

To adde to theſe the threatnings of red war,

As if the murther of my Princely babes

Were not enough to plague an vſurpation,

But they muſt adde the rage of ſword and fire,

To affright my people: theſe are miſeries,

Able to be compriſed in no dimenſion.

Iuno.

My father ſhall not macerate himſelfe,

Ile dare to interrupt his paſſions,

Although I buy it deerely with his hate.

My Lord you are a King of a great people,

Your power ſufficient to repulſe a foe

Greater then Tytan. Though my brothers birthes

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

To be the hopefull comfort of your age.

Sat.

My deareſt Iuno, beautifull remainder

Of Saturnes royall iſſue, but for thee

I had ere this with theſe my fingers torne

A graue out of the rockes, to haue entomb’d

The wretched carkaſſe of a caitife King:

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

Of all the triumphes and the ſpoyles I winne.

Speake, what’s the proiect of their inuaſion?

1. Lord.

That the King of Creet,

Hath not (according to his vowes and oathes)

Slaine his male iſſue.

Sat.

Haue I not their blouds

Already quaft to angry Nemeſis?

Haue not theſe ruthleſſe and remorſleſſe eyes,

(Vn-father-like) beheld their panting hearts

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

Nay child-leſſe too, ſaue Iuno whom I loue:

And dare they then? Come, our continued ſorrow

Shall into ſcarlet indignation turne,

And my ſonnes bloud ſhall crowne their guilty heads

With purple vengeance. Valiant Lords, ſet on,

And meet them to their laſt deſtruction.

1. Lord.

March forward.

Sat.

Stay, becauſe wee’l ground our warres

On iuſtice: Faire Sibilla, on thy life,

I charge thee tell me, and diſſemble not,

By all the hopes in Saturne thou haſt ſtor’d,

Our nuptiall pleaſures, and affaires of loue,

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

Reſolue me truly. Haſt thou ſonnes aliue?

Sibilla kneeles.

Theſe teares, and that deiection on thy knee,

Accompanied with dumbneſſe, argue guilt.

Ariſe and ſpeake.

Sib.

Let Saturne know, I am a Woman then,

And more, I am a Mother: would you haue me

A monſter, to exceed in cruelty

The ſauadgeſt of Sauadges? Beares, Tygers, Wolues,

All feed their yong: would Saturne haue his Queene

More fierce then theſe? Thinke you Sibilla dare

Murder her yong, whom cruell beaſts would ſpare?

Let me be held a mother, not a murdreſſe:

For Saturne, thou haſt liuing three braue ſonnes.

But where? rather then to reueale to thee,

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

Here ceaſe my life, for them thou ſhalt not kill.

Sat.

Amazement, warre, the threatning Oracle,

All muſter ſtrange perplexions ‘bout my braine,

And robbe me of the true ability

Of my direct conceiuements. Doubt, and warre.

Tytans inuaſion, and my ielouſie;

Make me vnfit for anſwere.

1. Lord.

Royall Saturne,

‘Twas pitty in the Queene ſo to preſerue them.

Your ſtrictneſſe ſlew them, they are dead in you,

And in the pitty of your Queene ſuruiue.

Sat.

Diuine aſſiſtance plunge me from theſe troubles,

Mortality here failes me, I am wrapt

In millions of confuſions.

Enter a Lord.

2. Lord.

Arme, great Saturne,

Thy Cities burne: a generall maſſacre

Threatens thy people. The bigge Tytanoys

Plow vp thy Land with their inuaſiue ſteele.

A huge vn-numbred army is at hand,

To ſet vpon thy Campe.

Sat.

All my diſturbances

Conuert to rage, and make my ſpleene as high

As is their topleſſe fury, to incounter

With equall force and vengeance. Go Sibilla,

Conuey my beauteous Iuno to the place

Of our beſt ſtrength, whil’ſt we contend in Armes

For this rich Cretan wreath: the battel done,

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

Perhaps our loue may with this breach diſpence,

But firſt to Armes, to beate th’intruders hence.

Exeūt.

Alarme.

Enter Tytan, Lycaon, Enceladus, Egeon.

Tyt.

Saturne giues backe, and ‘gins to leaue the field.

Lica.

Purſue him then vnto that place of ſtrength,

Which the proud Cretans hold impregnable.

Encel.

This Gigomantichia be eternis’d

For our affright and terror: If they flye,

Toſſe rockkes, and toppes of Mountaines after them

To ſtumble them, or elſe entombe them quicke.

Aegeon.

They haue already got into the towne,

And barricadoed’ gainſt vs their Iron gates.

What meanes then ſhall we finde to ſtartle them?

Ence.

What, but to ſpurn down their offenciue mures?

To ſhake in two their Adamantine gates,

Their marble columnes by the ground ſylls teare,

And kicke their ruin’d walles as high as heauen?

Tyt.

Purſue them to their gates, and ‘bout their Citie

Plant a ſtrong ſiege. Now Saturne all my ſuffrances

Shall on thy head fall heauy, wee’l not ſpare

Old man or babe. The Tytans all things dare.

Exeunt.

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

Sat.

The heauens haue for our barbarous cruelty

Done in the murther of our firſt borne Ops,

Powr’d on our head this vengeance. Where, oh where

Shall we finde reſcue?

Sib.

Patience royall Saturne.

Sat.

Bid Woolues be milde, and Tygers pittiful,

Command the Libian Lions abſtinence,

Teach me to mollifie the Corſicke rocke,

Or make the Mount Chymera paſſable.

What Monarch wrapt in my confuſions,

Can tell what patience meanes?

Iuno.

Oh royall Father!

Sat.

Oh either teach me reſcue from theſe troubles,

Or bid me euerlaſtingly, ey euer

Sinke in deſpaire and horror,

Syb.

Oh my Lord,

You haue from your owne loines iſſue reſerued, that may redeeme all theſe calamities.

Saturne.

Iſſue from vs?

Syb.

From Saturne and Sybilla.

That royall Prince King of Pelagia,

And famous Melliſeus foſter-child,

Whom all the world ſtiles by the noble name

Of Iupiter, hee is King Saturnes ſonne.

Satu.

Thou haſt Sybilla kept that ſonne aliue

That onely can redeeme mee from this thraldome,

Oh how ſhall we acquaint yong Iupiter,

With this his fathers hard ſucceſſe in Armes.

Syb.

My care did euer theſe euents foreſee.

And I haue ſent to your ſuruiuing ſonne,

To come vnto your reſcue; Then great Saturne,

In your wiues pitty ſeeme to applaude the heauens,

That make me their relentfull miniſter,

In the repairing of your downe caſt-ſtate.

Satu.

If royall Iupiter be Saturnes ſonne,

We ſhall be either reſcued or reueng’d,

And now I ſhall not dread thoſe Tytanois,

That threaten fire and ſteele.

Syb.

Truſt your Sybilla.

Satu.

Thou art my anchor, and the onely columne

That ſupports Saturnes glory, Oh my Iupiter,

On thee the baſis of my hopes I erect,

And in thy life King Saturnes fame ſuruiues.

Are meſſengers diſpatch’d to ſignifie

My ſonne of our diſtreſſe.

Sib.

As farre as Epire.

Where as we vnderſtand, Ioue now remaines,

Satu.

Then Tytan, and the proud Enceladus,

Hyperion and Aegeon with the reſt,

Of all the earth-bread race we wey you not,

Threaten your worſt, let all your eyes ſparke fire.

Your flaming noſthrils like Auernus ſmoake,

Your tongues ſpeak thunder, & your armed hands

Fling Triſulke lightning: Be you Gods aboue,

Or come you with infernall hatred arm’d,

We dread you not: we haue a ſonne ſuruiues,

Shall calme your tempeſts: beautious Iuno comfort,

And cheare Sybilla, if he vndertake

Our reſcue, we from danger are ſecure,

Wee in his valour all our liues aſſure.

Exeunt:

A flouriſh. Enter Iupiter and Melliſeus with attendants

Mell.

Faire Prince, for leſſe by your deſertes and honour.

You cannot be: your fortunes and your birth

Are both vnknowne to me: my two faire daughters

As a ſwath’d infant brought you to my Court,

But whence, or of what parents you proceed

I am meerely ignorant.

Iup.

Then am I nothing,

And till I know whence my deſcent hath bene,

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

And no eſſentiall ſubſtance of a man.

Enter Caliſto purſu’d by her yong ſonne Archas.

Cal.

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

And by my ſonne, that ſeemes to threate my life,

Iup.

Stay that bold lad.

Cal.

What’s he? falſe Iupiter?

Iup.

Caliſto, or I much deceiue my ſelfe.

Cal.

Oh thou moſt falſe, moſt treacherous, and vnkind,

Behold Caliſto by her ſonne purſu’d,

Indeed thy ſonne: this little ſauadge youth

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

And ſince his birth partakes their cruelty.

Archas his name: ſince I Diana left,

And from her chaſt traine was diuorc’t, this youth

I childed in a caue remote and ſilent.

His nurture was amongſt the ſauadges.

This day I by miſfortune mou’d his ſpleene,

And he purſu’d me with reuenge and fury,

And had I not forſooke the ſhades and forreſts,

And fled for reſcue to theſe walled Townes,

He had ſlaine me in his fury: ſaue me then,

Let not the ſonne the mother ſacrifice

Before the fathers eye.

Iup.

Archas my ſonne, my yong ſon Archas, Iupiters firſt borne

Oh let me hugge thee, and a thouſand times

Embrace thee in myne armes. Lycaons grand-child

Caliſto’s ſonne; Oh will you beauteous Lady

Forſake the forreſts and yet liue with vs?

Cal.

No thou falſe man, for thy periurious luſts

I haue abandoned humaine ſubtelties:

There take thy ſonne, and vſe him like a Prince,

Being ſonne vnto a Princeſſe. Teach him Arts,

And honoured armes. For me: I haue abiur’d

All peopled Citties, and betooke my ſelfe

To ſolitary deſerts. Ioue adue.

Thou prouing falſe, no mortall can be true

Exit.

Arc.

Since ſhe will needs be gone, be pleaſed then,

Weari’d with beaſts, I long to liue ‘mongſt men.

Iup.

Yet ſtay Caliſto, why wilt thou out-runne

Thy Iupiter? Shee gone, welcome my ſonne.

My deere ſonne Archas, whom if fortune ſmile,

I will create Lord of a greater ſtile.

Enter the Clowne with letters.

Clowne.

Saue you ſir, is your name K. Melliſeus

Melli.

We are Melliſeus, and the Epire King,

Clowne.

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

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

Iup.

Sirra, here’s one cal’d Iupiter.

Clowne.

Ey Iupiter, that’s he that I would ſpeake with. Here’s another letter to you, but ere you reade it, pray let me aske you one queſtion.

Iup.

What’s that?

Clowne.

Whether you, be a wiſe child or no?

Iup.

Your reaſon?

Clowne.

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

Iup.

Newes of a father! neuer could ſuch tydings

Haue glutted me with gladneſſe.

They reade.

Clowne

For mine owne part, though I know not what belongs to the getting of children, yet I know how to father a child, & becauſe I would be loath to haue this Pariſh troubled with you, I bring you newes where you 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 Conſtable to Conſtable, till you come to the place where you were begot. Reade further & tell me more.

Melli.

Is Iupiter then mighty Saturns ſonne?

Iup.

Am I the ſonne of Saturne, King of Creet?

My father baffled by the Tytanoys?

May all my toward hopes die in my birth,

Nor let me euer worthily inherite

The name of royalty, if by my valour

I proue me not diſcended royally,

Clowne.

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

Iup.

Should I haue wiſht a father through the world,

It had bene Saturne, or a royall mother,

It had bene faire Sybilla, Queene of Creet.

Great Epires King, peruſe theſe tragicke lines,

And in thy wonted bounty grant ſupplies

To free my noble father.

Mel.

Iupiter, as I am Melliſeus Epyres King,

Thou ſhalt haue free aſſiſtance.

Iup.

Come then, Arme,

Aſſemble all the powers that we can leauy.

Archas, we make thee of Pelagia King,

As King Lycaons Gran-childe, and the ſonne

Of faire Caliſto. Let that Clime henceforth

Be cal’d Arcadia, and vſurpe thy name.

Go then and preſſe th’Arcadians to the reſcue

Of royall Saturne, this great King and I

Will lead th’Epyrians. Faile me not to meet,

To redeeme Saturne, and to reſcue Creet.

Exeūt. Manet Clown.

Clown.

I 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 had I 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, then I 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, the meſſenger is be-reau’d of any thing that belongs to his meſſage.

Alarme. Enter Tytan, Lycaon, Enceladus, with Saturne, Iuno, and Sibilla priſoners.

Tyt.

Downe trecherous Lord, and be our foot-pace now

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

With which the people Auee’d thee to heauen?

Encel.

‘Tis ſunke into the deep Abyſme of hell.

Teare from his head the golden wreath of Creet.

Tread on his captiue bulke, and with thy weight

Great Tytan, ſinke him to the infernall ſhades,

So low, that with his trunke, his memory

May be extinct in Lethe.

Sat.

More then tyrannous

To triumph or’e the weake, and to oppreſſe

The low deiected. Let your cruelty

Be the ſad period of my wretchedneſſe:

Onely preſerue my louely Iuno’s life,

And giue Sibilla freedome,

Encel.

By theſe Gods.

We neither feare nor value, but contend

To equall in our actions: both ſhall dye.

There ſhall no proud Saturnian liue, to braue

The meaneſt of the high-borne Tytanoyes.

Lyca.

Raze from the earth their hatefull memory,

And let the bloud of Tytan ſway the earth.

Speake, are the ports and confines ſtrongly arm’d

‘Gainſt all inuaſions?

Tytan.

Who dares damadge vs?

Let all the paſſages be open left,

Vnguarded let our ports and hauens lye.

All danger we deſpiſe, miſchance or dread

We hold in baſe contempt.

Encel.

Conqueſt is ours.

Maugre diuine, or baſe terreſtriall powers.

Alarme.

Enter Aegeon.

Aege.

Arme royall Titan, Arme Enceladus,

A pale of brandiſht ſteele hath girt thy land.

From the earths Cauernes breake infernall fires,

To make thy villages and hamlets burne.

Tempeſtuous ruin in the ſhape of warre

Clowds all thy populous kingdome, At my heeles

Confuſion dogges me, and the voyce of death

Still thunders in mine eares.

Tyt.

Iſt poſſible? Beare Saturne firſt to priſon

Wee’l after parly them.

Ence.

Come Angels arm’d, or Diuels clad in flames,

Our fury ſhall repell them. Come they girt

With power celeſtiall, or infernall rage,

Wee’l ſtand their fierce oppoſure. Royall Titan,

Aegeon and Hyperion, d’on your armes,

Brauely aduance your ſtrong orbicular ſhields,

And in your right hands brandiſh your bright ſteele.

Drowne your affrightments in th’amazed ſounds

Of martiall thunder (Diapaſon’d deep)

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

Their ſtrengthles force, and ſtownd them low as hell,

A Floriſh. Enter marching K. Melliſeus, Iupiter, Archas, Drumme and ſouldiers.

Tit.

Whence are you that intrude vpon our confines?

Or what portend you in theſe hoſtile ſounds

Of clamorous warre?

Iup.

Tytans deſtruction,

With all the ruin of his giant race.

Tit.

By what pretence or claime?

Iup.

In right of Saturne:

Whom againſt law the Tytans haue depos’d.

Tit.

What art thou ſpeak’ſt it?

Iup.

I am Iupiter.

King Saturnes ſonne, immediate heire to Creet.

Encel.

There pauſe, that word diſturbs all thy claime,

And proues that Tytan ſeates him in his owne.

Tyt.

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

His oath is broken, and we are iuſtly ſeiz’d

Of Creta’s Crowne by his late forfeiture.

Aege.

Thy tongue hath ſpoke thy owne deſtruction,

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

And he is come to offer vp that life

Which hath ſo long beene forfeit.

Iup.

Tyrants no:

The heauens preſeru’d me for a further vſe,

To plague your Off-ſpring that afflict the earth,

And with your threatnings ſpurne againſt the Gods.

Lyca.

Now ſhalt thou pay me for Caliſto’s wrong,

Exiling me, and for diſhonouring her.

Iup.

Are you there Caniball? Man-eating woolfe?

Lycaon, thou art much beholding to me,

I woman’d firſt Caliſto, and made thee

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

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

No more Pelagia now, ſince thy exile.

Tyt.

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

Know thou waſt doom’d before thy birth to dye,

Thy claime diſabled, and in ſauing thee

Thy father hath made forfeit of his Crowne.

Iup.

Know Tytan I was borne free, as my father,

Nor had he power to take that life away

That the Gods freely gaue me. Tyrants ſee,

Here is that life you by Indenture claime,

Seize it, and take it: but before I fall,

Death and deſtruction ſhall confound you all.

Encel.

Deſtruction is our vaſſaile, and attends

Vpon the threatning of our ſtormy browes.

We trifle howers. Arme all your fronts with horror,

Your hearts with fury, and your hands with death.

Thunder meet thunder, tempeſts ſtormes defie,

Saturne and all his iſſue this day dye.

Alarme. The battels ioine, Tytan is ſlaine, and his party repulſd. Enter Aegeon.

Aege.

Wher’s now the high and proud Enceladus,

To ſtop the fury of the Aduerſe foe,

Or ſtay the baſe flight of our daſtard troupes?

Tytan is ſlaine, Hyperion ſtrowes the earth,

And thouſands by the hand of Iupiter

Are ſent into blacke darkneſſe. All that ſtand

Sink in the weight of his high Iouiall hand.

To ſhun whoſe rage, Aegeon thou muſt flye.

Creet with our hoped conqueſts all adiew.

We muſt propoſe new queſts, ſince Saturnes ſonne

Hath by his puiſſance all our campe ore-runne.

Exit

Alarme. Enter Enceladus leading his Army. Iupiter leading his. They make a ſtand.

Ence.

None ſtir, be all your armes cramp’t & diſeas’d

Your ſwords vn-vſefull, may your ſteely glaues

Command your hands, and not your ſinewes them,

Till I by ſingle valor haue ſubdu’d

This murderer of my father.

Iup.

Here he ſtands,

That muſt for death haue honour at thy hands.

None interrupt vs, ſingly wee’l contend,

And’twixt vs two giue theſe rude factions end.

Encel.

Two royall armies then on both ſides ſtand,

To view this ſtrange and dreadfull Monomachy.

Thy fall, Saturnian, addes to my renowne:

For by thy death I gaine the Cretan Crowne.

Iup.

Death is thy due, I finde it in thy ſtarres,

Whil’ſt our high name giues period to theſe warres.

Alarm. 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].

Sat.

Neuer was Saturne deifi’d till now,

Nor found that perfectneſſe the Gods enioy.

Heauen can aſſure no greater happineſſe

Then I attaine in ſight of Iupiter,

Sib.

Oh my deare ſon, borne with my painful throws,

And with the hazard of my life preſeru’d,

How well haſt thou acquitted all my trauels,

In this thy laſt and famous victory?

Iup.

This tels me, that you royall King of Creet

My father is: and that renowned Queene

My mother: all which proues by circumſtance,

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

Onely you beauteous Lady ſtands apart,

I know not how to ſtile.

Satu.

‘Tis Iuno, and thy ſiſter.

Iup.

Oh my ſtarſ!

You ſeeke to make immortall, Iupiter.

Iuno.

Iuno is onely happy in the fortunes,

Of her renowned brother.

Iup.

Royall Saturne,

If euer I deſeru’d well as a victor,

Or if my warlike deedes, yet bleeding new,

And perfect both in eyes and memory

May pleade for me: Oh if I may obtaine,

As one that merits, or intreate of you,

As one that owes; being titled now your ſonne,

Let me eſpouſe faire Iuno: and bright Lady

Let me exchange the name of ſiſter with you

And ſtile you by a neerer name of wife.

Oh be my ſpouſe faire Iuno:

Iuno.

‘Tis a name,

I priſe ’boue ſiſter, if theſe grace the ſame.

Satu.

What is it I’l deny my Iupiter?

Shee is thy owne. I’l royaliſe thy nuptials

With all the ſolemne triumphes Creet can yeeld.

Melli.

Epyre ſhall adde to theſe ſolemnities,

And with a bounteous hand ſupport theſe triumphs

Archas.

So all Archadia ſhall.

Satu.

Then to our Pallace

Paſſe on in ſtate, let all raryeties

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

To contemplate theſe ioyes, and to deuiſe,

How with beſt ſtate this night to ſolemnize.

They all march of and leaue Saturne alone.

Satu.

Saturne at length is happy by his ſonne,

Whoſe matchleſſe and vnriual’d dignities

Are without peere on earth, Oh ioy, ioy? corſiue

Worſe then the throwes of child-birth, or the tortures

Of blacke Cimmerian darkeneſſe. Saturne, now

Bethinke thee of the Delphiun Oracle:

He ſhall his fathers vertue firſt excell,

Seiſe Creet, and after driue him downe to hell.

The firſt is paſt: my vertues are exceeded:

The laſt I will preuent, by force or treaſon.

I’l worke his ruine ‘ere he grow too hygh.

His ſtarres haue caſt it, and the boy ſhall dy.

More ſonnes I haue, more crownes I cannot winne,

The Gods ſay he muſt dy, and tis no ſinne.

Actus. 4. Scoena. 1.

Enter Homer.

Homer.

O blind ambition and deſire of raine,

What horri’d miſchiefe wilt not thou deuiſe?

The appetite of rule, and thirſt of raigne

Beſots the fooliſh, and corrupts the wiſe.

Behold a King ſuſpicious of his ſonne,

Purſues his innocent life, and without cauſe.

Oh blind ambition what haſt thou not done

Againſt religion, zeale and natures lawes?

But men are borne their owne fates to purſue,

Gods will be Gods, and Saturne finds it true.

A dumbe ſhew. Enter Iupiter, Iuno, Melliſeus, Archas, as to reuels. To them Saturne, drawes his ſword to kill Iupiter, who onely defends himſelfe, but beeing hotly purſu’d, drawes his ſword, beates away Saturne, ſeiſeth his crowne, and ſweares all the Lords of Creet to his obeyſance, ſo Exit.

Saturne againſt his ſonne his force extended,

And would haue ſlaine him by his tyrannous hand,

Whilſt Iupiter alone his life defended.

But when no prayers his fury could withſtand,

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

And as the Oracle before had told

Vſurpt the Crowne, the Lords kneele at his feete,

And Saturnes fortunes are to exile ſold.

But leauing him, of Danae that bright laſſe,

How amorous Ioue firſt wrought her to his power,

How ſhee was cloſed in a fort of braſſe,

And how he ſkal’d it in a golden ſhowre,

Of theſe we next muſt ſpeake, curtious and wiſe,

Help with your hands, for Homer wants his eyes.

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

Iup.

Our vnkind father double tyrannous,

To proſecute the vertues of his ſonne,

Hath ſought his owne Fate, and by his ingratitude

Left to our head th’Imperiall wreath of Creet:

Which gladly we receiue. Neptune from Athens,

And Pluto from the lower Tartarie

Both welcome to the Cretan Iupiter.

Thoſe Starres that gouern’d our natiuity,

And ſtript our fortunes from the hand of death,

Shall guard vs and maintaine vs.

Nept.

Noble Saturne,

Famous in all things, and degenerate onely,

In that inhumaine practiſe ’gainſt his ſonnes,

Is fled vs, whom we came to viſite freely,

And filiall duties to expreſſe. Great Athens

The nurſe and foſtreſſe of my infancy,

I haue inſtructed in the ſea-mans craft.

And taught them truely how to ſaile by ſtarres

Beſides the vnruly Iennet I haue tam’d

And train’d him to the ſaddle for my practiſe.

The horſe to mee is ſoly conſecrate.

Pluto.

I from the bounds of lower Tartarie

Haue trauel’d to the fertile plaines of Creet.

Nor am I leſſe in luſtre of my ſame,

Then Neptune, or renowned Iupiter.

Thoſe barren Kingdomes I haue richt with ſpoiles,

And not a people trafficks in thoſe worlds,

For wealth or treaſure, but we cuſtome them,

And they inrich our coffers: our arm’d guards

Prey on their Camels, and their laden Mules,

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

And ſince we haue miſt of Saturne lately fled,

It glads me yet, I freely may ſuruey

The honours of my brother Iupiter.

Nep.

And beauteous Iuno, Empreſſe of all hearts

Whom Neptune thus embraceth.

Pluto.

So doth Pluto.

Iun.

All diuine honours crowne the royal temples

Of my two famous brothers.

Iup.

King Melliſeus welcome them to Creet.

Archas do you the like.

Melli.

Princes your hands.

Archas.

You are my royall vnckles.

Iup.

Nay hand him Lords, he is your kinſman too.

Archas my ſonne, of faire Caliſto borne,

I hope faire Iuno it offends not you,

It was before your time.

Iuno.

Shee was a ſtrumpet.

Iup.

Shee ſhall be a Starre.

And all the Qeenes and beautious maides on earth

That are renown’d for high perfections,

We’l woe and winne, wee were borne to ſway and rule.

Nor ſhall the name of wife be curbe to vs.

Or ſnaffle in our pleaſures. Beauteous Io,

And faire Europa, haue by our tranſhapes,

And guiles of loue already bene deflour’d,

Nor liues ſhee that is worthy our deſires,

But we can charme with court-ſhip. Royal brothers

what newes of note is rumor’d in thoſe Realmes,

Through which you made your trauels?

Nep.

Haue you heard

Of great Acriſius, the braue Arges King,

And of his daughter Danae.

Iup.

His renowne,

And her faire beauty oft hath peirc’t our eares.

Nor can we be at peace, till we behold

That face fame hath ſo blazd on. What of her?

Nept.

Of her incloſure in the Darreine Tower,

Guirt with a triple Mure of ſhining braſſe.

Haue you not heard?

Iup.

But we deſire it highly.

What marble wall, or Adamantine gate,

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

Loue cannot ſcale? or beauty not breake through?

Diſcourſe the nouell Neptune.

Nept.

Thus it was.

The Queene of Arges going great, the King

Sends (as the cuſtome is) to th’Oracle,

To know what fortunes ſhall betide the babe.

Anſwer’s return’d by Phoebus and his Prieſts:

The Queene ſhall childe a daughter beautifull,

Who when ſhe growes to yeares, ſhall then bring forth

A valiant Princely boy, yet ſuch a one

That ſhall the King his grandſire turne to ſtone.

Danae is borne, and as ſhe growes to ripeneſſe,

So grew her fathers feare: and to preuent

His ominous fate pronounc’d by th’Oracle,

He mowlds this brazen Tower, impregnable

Both for the ſeat and guard: yet beautifull

As is the gorgeous palace of the Sunne.

Iup.

Ill doth Acriſius to contend and warre

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

Or raine downe millions in a golden ſhower.

I long to be the father of that babe,

Begot on Danae, that ſhall proue ſo braue,

And turne the dotard to his marble graue.

Tis caſt already: Fate be thou my guide,

Whil’ſt for this amorous iourney I prouide.

Mel.

But is the Lady there immur’d, and clos’d

From all ſociety and ſight of man?

Nept.

So full of iealous feares is King Acriſius,

That, ſaue himſelfe, no man muſt neere the Fort.

Only a guard of Beldams paſt their luſts,

Vnſenſible of loue, or amorous pitty,

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

Are guard vnto this bright impriſoned dame.

Plut.

Too pittileſſe, and too obdur’s the King,

To cloyſter beauty from the ſight of man.

But this concernes not vs.

Iup.

That fort I’le ſcale,

Though in attempting it be death to faile.

Brothers and Princes, all our Courts rarities

Lye open to your royal’ſt entertainment

Yet pardon me, ſince vrgence cals me hence

To an inforced abſence. Nay Queene Iuno

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

Feaſt with theſe Princes till our free returne.

Attendance Lords, we muſt deſcend in gold.

Or you impriſoned beauty ne’r behold.

Exit.

Enter foure old Beldams, with other women.

1. Beld.

Heer’s a coyle to keep fire and tow a ſunder. I wonder the King ſhould ſhut his daughter vp ſo cloſe: for any thing I ſee, ſhe hath no minde to a man.

2. Beld.

Content your ſelfe, you ſpeake according to your age and appetite. We that are full fed may praiſe faſt. We that in our heate of youth haue drunke our bellyfuls, may deride thoſe that in the heate of their blouds 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 nuts leaues 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 we examine our ſelues, wee haue euen at theſe yeares, qualmes, and rhumes, and deuiſes comes ouer our ſtomakes, when we but look on a proper man.

1. Beld.

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

2. Bel.

And haue we not reaſon, conſidering the penalty?

1. Bel.

If any ſtand centinel in her quarters, we ſhall keep quarter here no longer. If the Princeſſe miſcarry we ſhall make gunpowder, and they ſay an old woman is better for that then Saltpeter.

The ‘larme bell rings.

3. Beld.

The larme bell rings,

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

4. Beld.

Then clap cloſe to the gate and let him in.

Enter Acriſius.

Acri.

Ladies well done: I like this prouidence

And carefull watch ore Danae: let me finde you

Faithleſſe, you dye, be faithfull and you liue

Eterniz’d in our loue. Go call her hither,

Be that your charge: the reſt keep watchfull eye

On your perculliſt entrance, which forbids

All men, ſaue vs, free paſſage to this place.

See! Danae is deſcended. Faire daughter

Enter Danae.

How do you brook this palace?

Dan.

Like a priſon:

What is it elſe? you giue me golden fetters,

As if their value could my bondage leſſen.

Acri.

The architectur’s ſumptuous, and the building

Of coſt inualuable, ſo rich a ſtructure

For beauty, or for ſtate, the world affoords not.

Is not thy attendance princely, like a Queenes?

Are not all theſe thy vaſſails to attend?

Are not thy chambers faire, and richly hung?

The walkes within this barricadoed mure

Full of delight and pleaſure for thy taſte

And curious palate, all the chiefeſt cates

Are from the furtheſt verges of the earth

Fetch’t to content thee. What diſtaſtes thee then?

Dan.

That which alone is better then all theſe,

My liberty. Why am I cloyſter’d thus,

And kept a priſoner from the ſight of man?

What hath my innocence and infancy

Deſeru’d to be immur’d in brazen walls?

Can you accuſe my faith, or modeſty?

Hath any looſe demeanour in my carriage

Bred this diſtruſt? hath my eye plaid the rioter?

Or hath my tongue beene lauiſh? haue my fauours

Vn-virginlike to any beene profuſe,

That it ſhould breed in you ſuch ielouſie,

Or bring me to this durance?

Acri.

None of theſe.

I loue my Danae. But when I record

The Oracle, it breeds ſuch feare in me,

That makes this thy reteinement.

Danae.

The Oracle?

Wherein vnto the leaſt of all the Gods

Hath Danae beene vnthankfull, or profane,

To bondage me that am a princeſſe free,

And votareſſe to euery deity?

Acri.

Il’e tell thee Lady. The vnchanging mouth

Of Phoebus, hath this Oracle pronoun’ſt,

That Danae ſhall in time childe ſuch a ſonne

That ſhall Acriſius change into a ſtone.

Danae.

See your vaine feares. What leſſe could Phoebus ſay?

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

To turne you into ſtone; that’s to prepare

Your monument, and marble ſepulcher.

The meaning is, that I a ſonne ſhall haue,

That when you dye ſhall beare you to your graue.

Are you not mortall? would you euer liue?

Your father dy’d, and to his Monument

You like a mourner did attend his herſe.

What you did to your father, let my ſonne

Performe to you, prepare your ſepulcher.

Or ſhall a ſtranger beare you to your tombe,

When from your owne bloud you may ſtore a Prince

To do thoſe ſacred rights: or ſhall vaine feares

Cloiſter my beauty, and conſume my yeares?

Acri.

Our feares are certaine, and our doome as fix’t

As the decrees of Gods. Thy durance here

Is with limit endleſſe. Go attend her

Exit Danae.

Vnto her chamber, there to liue an Ankreſſe

And changeleſſe virgin, to the period

Of her laſt hower. And you, to whom this charge

Solely belongs, baniſh all womaniſh pitty:

Be deafe vnto her prayers, blinde to her teares,

Obdure to her relenting paſſions.

Should ſhe (as heauen and th’Oracle forbid)

By your corrupting looſe that precious Gemme

We haue ſuch care to keepe and locke ſafe vp:

Your liues are doom’d. Be faithfull we deſire,

And keepe your bodies from the threatned fire.

Exit.

1, Beld.

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

2. Beld.

What do we talking of things? there muſt be no medling with things in this place, come let vs ſet our watch, and take our lodgings before the Princeſſe chamber,

Exit.

Enter Iupiter like a Pedler, the Clowne his man, with packs at their backes.

Iup.

Sirrah, now I haue ſworne you to ſecrecy attend your charge.

Clo.

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

Iup.

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

Clowne.

If your pretious ſtones were ſet in that Iewell it would be braue wearing.

Iup.

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

Clow.

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

Iup.

No more K. Iupiter but goodman Pedler, remember that

Clow.

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

Iup,

Loue and my hopes doe make my loade ſeeme light,

This wealth I will vnburthen in the purchaſe

Of yon rich beauty. Prethee ring the bell,

Clow.

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

He rings the bell,

Iup.

I care not if I take thy counſell.

Enter the 4 Beldams.

1. Beld.

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

2. Beld.

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

Iup.

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

3. Beld.

Thou ſeem’ſt a ſtranger to aske ſuch a queſtion,

For where is not the tower of Darreine knowne?

Clow.

It may be cal’d the tower of Barren for ought I ſee, for heere is none but are paſt children.

4. Beld.

This is the rich and famous Darreine Tower,

Where King Acriſius hath inclos’d his daughter,

The beautious Danae, famous through the world

For all perfections.

Iup.

Oh then ‘tis here; I here I muſt vnload.

Comming through Creet, the great King Iupiter

Intreated me to call here at this Tower,

And to deliuer you ſome ſpeciall Iewels,

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

Renown’d through all the earth. Downe with your packe,

For here muſt wee vnload.

1. Beld.

Iewels to vs?

2. Beld.

And from Iupiter?

Iup.

Now gold proue thy true vertue. Thou canſt all things and therefore this.

3. Beld.

Comes he with preſents, and ſhall he vnpacke at the gate? nay come into the Porters lodge good Pedlers.

Clowne,

That Lady hath ſome manners, ſhee hath bene well brought vp I warrant her.

4. Beld.

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

Iup.

You ſhall be well paid for your curteſy,

Here’s firſt for you, for you, for you, for you.

1. Beld.

Rare!

2. Beld.

Admirable!

3. Beld.

The beſt that e’re I ſaw!

4. Beld.

I’l run and ſhew mine to my Lady.

1. Beld.

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

Iup.

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

1. Bel.

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

Clowne.

Haue we quoth he? We haue things about vs, wee haue not ſhewed yet, and that euery one muſt not ſee, would make thoſe few teeth in your head to water, I would haue you thinke, I haue ware too as well as my Mayſter.

Enter in ſtate Danae with the Beldams, looking vpon three ſeuerall iewels.

1. Bel.

Yonder’s my Lady. Nay neuer bee abaſht Pedler,

There’s a face will become thy iewels, as well as any face in

Creet or Arges either. Now your token.

Iup.

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

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

Nature thou haſt to make one compleate creature

Cheated euen all mortality. This face

Hath rob’d the morning of her bluſh, the lilly

Of her blanch’t whitnes, and like theft committed

Vpon my ſoule: ſhee is all admiration.

But in her eyes I ne’re ſaw perfect luſtre.

There is no treaſure vpon earth but yonder.

Shee iſ! (oh I ſhall looſe my ſelfe)

Clowne.

Nay Sir, take heed you be not ſmelt out.

Iupi.

I am my ſelfe againe.

Dan.

Did hee beſtow theſe freely? Dana’s guard

Are much indebted to King Iupiter.

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

And wearing. They are wondrous beautifull,

Where’s the man that brought them?

1. Beld.

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

Iup.

This iewell Madam did King Iupiter

Command me to leaue heere for Danae.

Are you ſo ſti’ld?

Danae.

If ſent to Danae,

‘Tis due to me. And would the King of Creet,

Knew with what gratitude we take his gift.

Iup.

Madame he ſhall. Sirrah ſet ope your pack,

And what the Ladies like let them take freely.

Dan.

Much haue I heard of his renowne in armes,

His generouſneſſe, his vertues, and his fulneſſe

Of all that Nature can bequeath to man.

His bounty I now taſt, and I could wiſh,

Your eare were his, that I might let him know

What intereſt he hath in me to command,

Iup.

His eare is myne, let me command you then.

Behold I am the Cretan, Iupiter,

That rate your beauty aboue all theſe gems.

What cannot loue, what dares not loue attempt?

Deſpight Acriſius and his armed guards,

Hether my loue hath brought me to receiue

Or life or death from you, onely from you.

Dan.

We are amaz’d, and the large difference

Betwixt your name and habite, breeds in vs

Feare and diſtruſt. Yet if I cenſure freely

I needes muſt thinke that face and perſonage

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

To venture and to dare to court a Queene

I cannot ſtile leſſe then to be a Kings.

Say that we grant you to be Iupiter,

What thence inferre you?

Iup.

To loue Iupiter.

Dan.

So far as Iupiter loues Dana’s honour,

So farre will Danae loue Iupiter.

2. Beld.

We waight well vpon my Lady.

Iup.

Madam you haue not ſeene a cleere ſtone,

For coulour or for quickneſſe.

(ſweete your eare.

Dan.

Beware your ruine, if yon Beldams heare.

Iup.

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

Clowne.

Not all at theſe yeares. I ſpy his knauery. Now would he haue mee keepe them buſied, whilſt he courts the Lady.

3, Beld.

Doth my Lady want nothing?

Shee lookes backe

Clown.

As for example, heer’s a ſiluer bodkin, this is to remoue dandriffe, and digge about the roots of your ſiluer-hair’d furre. This is a tooth-picker, but you hauing no teeth, heere is for you a corrall to rub your gums. This is cald a Maske.

1. Beld.

Gramarcy for this, this is good to hide my wrinckles, I neuer ſee of theſe afore.

Clown.

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

Iup.

As I am ſonne of Saturne, you haue wrong

To be coop’t vp within a priſon ſtrong.

Your father like a miſer cloyſters you,

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

And therefore keepes you in this brazen Tower.

What are you better to be beautifull,

When no mans eye can come to cenſure it?

What are ſweet cates vntaſted? gorgeous clothes

Vnworne? or beauty not beheld? yon Beldams

With all the furrowes in their wrinkled fronts

May claime with you like worth; ey and compare.

For eye to cenſure you none can, none dare.

Dan.

All this is true.

Iup.

Oh thinke you I would lye

(With any ſaue Danae.) Let me buy

This iewell, your bright loue, though rated higher

Then Gods can giue, or men in prayers deſire.

Dan.

You couet that, which ſaue the Prince of Creet

None dares.

Iup.

That ſhewes how much I loue you (ſweet)

I come this beauty, this rare face to ſaue,

And to redeeme it from this brazen graue.

Oh do not from mans eye this beauty ſkreene,

Theſe rare perfections, which no earthly Queene

Enioyes ſaue you: ‘twas made to be admir’d.

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

With Iupiter, this priſon to inuade,

And bring it forth to that for which ‘twas made.

Loue Iupiter, whoſe loue with yours ſhall meet,

And hauing borne you hence, make at your feet

Kings lay their crownes, & mighty Emperours kneele:

Oh had you but a touch of what I feele,

You would both loue and pitty.

Dan.

Both I do.

But all things hinder, yet were Danae free,

She could affect the Cretan.

Iup.

Now by thee

(For what I moſt affect, by that I ſweare)

I from this priſon will bright Danae beare,

And in thy chamber will this night faſt ſeale

This couenant made.

Dan.

Which Danae muſt repeale.

Iup.

You ſhall not, by this kiſſe.

1. Beld.

Tis good to haue an eye.

(She lookes backe.)

Clown.

Your noſe hath not had theſe ſpectacles on yet.

Dan.

Oh Iupiter.

Iup.

Oh Danae.

Dan.

I muſt hence:

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

Iup.

Expect me for I come.

Dan.

Yon is my doore,

Dare not to enter there. I will to reſt.

Attendance.

Iup.

Come I will.

Dan.

You had not beſt.

Exit Danae.

2. Beld.

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

Clown.

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

Iup.

This caſtle ſtands remote, no lodging neere,

Spare vs but any corner here below,

Bee’t but the Inner porch, or the leaſt ſtaire-caſe,

And we’l begone as early as you pleaſe.

2. Beld.

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

1. Beld.

He court a princeſſe? hee lookes not with the face. Well pedlers, for this night take a nap upon ſome bench or other, and in the morning be 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 our princeſſe.

Iup.

Gold and reward, thou art mighty, and haſt power

O’re aged, yong, the fooliſh, and the wiſe,

The chaſte, and wanton, fowle, and beautifull:

Thou art a God on earth, and canſt all things.

Clown.

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

Iup.

Sleep thou, for I muſt wake for Danae.

Hence cloud of baſeneſſe, thou haſt done inough

To bleare you Beldams. When I next appeare

Hee puts off his diſguiſe.

To you bright Goddeſſe, I will ſhine in gold,

Deck’t in the high Imperiall robes of Creet,

And on my head the wreath of Maieſty:

For Ornament is a preuailing thing,

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

Exit.

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

Dan.

Command our Eunuch’s with their pleaſing’ſt tunes

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

The God of dreames hath with his downy fanne

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

1. Bel.

Hey-ho, Sleepe may enter in at my mouth, if he be no bigger then a two-peny-loafe.

Dan.

Then to your chambers, & let wakeleſſe ſlūbers

Charme you in depth of ſilence and repoſe.

All.

Good night to thee faire Danae.

Dan.

Let muſick through this brazen fortreſſe ſound

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

Enter Iupiter crown’d with his Imperiall Robes.

Iup.

Silence that now hath empire through the world

Expreſſe thy power and Princedome. Charming ſleepe

Deaths yonger brother, ſhew thy ſelfe as ſtill-leſſe

As death himſelfe. None ſeeme this night to liue,

Saue Ioue and Danae. But that Goddeſſe wonne

Giue them new life breath’d with the morning ſunne,

Yon is the doore, that in forbidding me

She bad me enter. Womens tongues and hearts

Haue different tunes: for where they moſt deſire,

Their hearts cry on. when their tongues bid retire.

Al’s whiſt, I heare the ſnorting Beldams breathe

Soundneſſe of ſleepe, none wakes ſaue Loue and we

You bright impriſoned beauty to ſet free.

Oh thou more beauteous in thy nakedneſſe

Then ornament can adde to—

How ſweetly doth ſhe breath? how well become

Imaginary deadneſſe? But Il’e wake her

Vnto new life. This purchaſe I muſt win,

Heauens gates ſtand ope, and Iupiter will in.

Danae?

He lyes vpon her bed.

Dan.

Who’s that?

Iup.

‘Tis I, K. Iupiter.

Dan.

What meane you Prince? how dare you enter here?

Knowing if I but call, your life is doom’d,

And all Creetes treaſure cannot guard your perſon.

Iup.

You tell me now how much I rate your beauty,

Which to attaine, I caſt my life behinde me,

As lou’d much leſſe then you.

Dan.

Il’e loue you too,

Would you but leaue me.

Iup.

Repentance I’d not buy

At that high rate, ten thouſand times to dye.

You are mine owne, ſo all the Fates haue ſed.

And by their guidance come I to your bed.

The night, the time, the place, and all conſpire

To make me happy in my long deſire.

Acriſius eyes are charm’d in golden ſleepe,

Thoſe Beldams that were plac’t your bed to keepe,

All drown’d in Lethe (ſaue your downy bed,

White ſhetes, and pillow where you reſt your head)

None heares or ſees; and what can they deuiſe,

When they (heauen knowes) haue neither eares nor eyes.

Dan.

Beſhrow you ſir, that for your amorous pleaſure

Could thus ſort all things, perſon, place and leaſure.

Exclaime I could, and a loude vproare keepe,

But that you ſay the Crones are all a ſleepe:

And to what purpoſe ſhould I raiſe ſuch feare,

My voyce being ſoft, they faſt, and cannot heare?

Iup.

They are deafe in reſt, then gentle ſweetly further,

If you ſhould call, I thus your voyce would murther,

And ſtrangle with my kiſſes.

Dan.

Kiſſes, tuſh.

I’le ſinke into my ſheetes, for I ſhall bluſh.

I’le diue into my bed.

Iup.

And I behind?

No: wer’t the Ocean, ſuch a gemme to find,

I would diue after.

Iupiter puts out the lights and makes vnready.

Dan.

Good my Lord forbeare

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

If you will needs, for modeſties chaſt law,

Before you come to bed, the curtaines draw,

But do not come, you ſhall not by this light,

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

Oh God, how hoarſe am I, and cannot? fie

Danae thus naked and a man ſo nye.

Pray leaue me ſir: he makes vnready ſtill,

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

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

Clowne.

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

Exit.

Enter Iupiter and Danae in her night-gowne.

Danae.

Alaſſe my Lord I neuer lou’d till now,

And will you leaue me?

Iup.

Beauteous Queene I muſt,

But thus condition’d; to returne againe,

With a ſtrong army to redeeme you hence,

In ſpight of Arges, and Acriſius,

That doom’s you to this bondage.

Danae.

Then fare-well,

No ſooner meete but part? Remember me:

For you great Prince I neuer ſhall forget!

I feare you haue left too ſure a token with me

Of your remembrance.

Iup.

Danae, be’t a ſonne,

It ſhall be ours when we haue Arges wonne.

Danae.

But ſhould you faile?

Iup.

I ſooner ſhould forget

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

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

Ready t’vnlocke the gate, faire Queene adue.

Dan.

All men proue falſe, if Ioue be found vntrue.

Iup.

My man?

(Exit.

Clown.

My Lord.

Iup.

Some cloud to couer mee, throw or’e my ſhoulders

Some ſhadow for this ſtate, the Crones are vp,

And waite t’vnpriſon vs, nay quickly fellow.

Clow.

Here My Lord, caſt your old cloake about you.

Enter the foure Beldams in haſt.

1. Beld.

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

Iup.

King Iupiter ſhall know your gratitude, Farewell.

2. Beld.

Nay, when I ſay fare-well, fare-well.

Clow.

Farewell good Miniuers.

Exeunt diuers ways.

Actus. 5. Scaen. 1.

Enter Homer.

Hom.

Faire Danae doth his richeſt Iewell weare.

That ſonne of whom the Oracle foretold

Which coſt both mother and the grand-ſire deare

Whoſe fortunes further leaſure ſhall vnfold:

Thinke Iupiter return’d to Creet in haſt,

To leuy armes for Danaes free releaſe,

(But hindred) till the time be fully paſt,

For Saturne once more will diſturbe his peace.

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

The exil’d Saturne by King Troos is aided,

Troos that gaue Troy her name, and there raigned King,

Creet by the helpe of Ganimed’s inuaded,

Euen at that time when Ioue ſhould ſuccors bring

To reſcue Danae, and that warlike power,

Muſt now his natiue Teritories guard,

Which ſhould haue brought her from the brazen tower,

(For to that end his forces were prepar’d)

We grow now towards our port and wiſhed bay,

Gentles your loue, and Homer cannot ſtray.

Enter Neptune and Pluto.

Nep.

Whence are theſe warlike preparations,

Made by the King our brother.

Plu.

‘Tis giuen out,

To conquer Arges. But my ſiſter Iuno

Suſpects ſome amorous purpoſe in the King?

Nep.

And blame her not, the faire Europaes rape,

Brought from Aegenor, and the Cadmian rape,

Io the daughter of old Inachus,

Deflour’d by him; the louely Semele,

Faire Laeda daughter to King Tyndarus

With many more, may breed a iuſt ſuſpect,

Nor hath hee ſpar’d faire Ceres Queene of Graine,

Who bare to him the bright Proſerpina.

Such ſcapes may breed iuſt feares, & what knowes ſhee

But theſe are to ſurpriſe faire Danae.

Sound. Enter Iupiter, Archas, with drum & ſouldiers.

Iup.

Arme royall brothers, Creet’s too ſmall an Ile,

To comprehend our greatneſſe, we muſt adde

Arges and Greece to our Dominions.

And all the petty Kingdomes of the earth,

Shall pay their homage vnto Saturnes ſonne,

This day wee’l take a muſter of our forces,

And forward make for Arges.

Archas.

All Archadia

Aſſemble to this purpoſe.

Iup.

Then ſet on.

The Eagle in our enſigne wee’l diſplay,

Ioue and his fortunes guide vs in our way.

Enter King Melliſeus.

Melli.

Whether intends the King this warlike march?

Iup.

For Arges and Acriſius.

Melli.

Rather guard,

Your natiue confines, ſee vpon your Coaſt,

Saturne with thirty thouſand Troians landed

And in his aid King Troos and Ganimed.

Iup.

In neuer worſe time could the Tyrant come

Then now, to breake my faith with Danae.

Oh beauteous loue, I feare Acriſius ire

Will with ſeuereſt cenſure chaſtice thee,

And thou wilt deeme me faithleſſe and vnkinde

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

Come valiant Lords, wee’l firſt our owne defend

Ere againſt forreine climes our arme extend.

Sownd. Enter with drum and colours, King Troos, Saturne, Ganimed, with other Lords and attendants.

Sat.

Degenerate boyes, baſe baſtards, not my ſonnes,

Behold the death we threatned in your Cradles

We come to giue you now. See here King Troos

In pitty of depoſed Saturnes wrongs,

Is come in perſon to chaſtice your pride,

And be the heauens relentleſſe Iuſticer.

Iup.

Not againſt Saturne as a Father, we,

But as a murderer, lift our oppoſite hands.

Nature and heauen giues vs this priuiledge,

To guard our liues gainſt tyrants and inuaders,

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

Then take not from vs, what you cannot giue.

Tro.

Where hath not Saturns fame abrode bene ſpred

For many vſes he hath giuen to man;

As Nauigation, Tillage, Archery,

Weapons and gold? yet you for all theſe vſes

Depriue him of his kingdome.

Plut.

We but ſaue

Our Innocent bodies from th’abortiue graue,

Nept.

We are his ſonnes, let Saturne be content

To let vs keepe what Heauen and Nature lent.

Gani.

Thoſe filiall duties you ſo much forget

We come to teach you. Royall Kings to armes,

Giue Ganimed the onſet of this battell,

That being a ſonne knowes how to lecture them,

And chaſtice their tranſgreſſions.

Sat.

Ganimed,

It ſhall be ſo, powre out your ſpleene and rage

On our proud Iſſue. Let the thirſty ſoyle

Of barren Creet quaffe their degenerate blouds,

And ſurfeit in their ſinnes. All Saturnes hopes

And fortunes are ingag’d vpon this day.

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

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

Alarme. The battels ioyne, the Troians are repul’ſt. Enter Troos and Saturne.

Tro.

Our Troians are repul’ſt, wher’s Ganimed?

Sat.

Amid’ſt the throng of weapons, acting wonders.

Twice did I call alowd to haue him flye,

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

Troos.

Let’s make vp to his reſcue.

Sat.

Tuſh, tis vaine.

To ſeeke to ſaue him we ſhall looſe our ſelues.

The day is loſt, and Ganimed loſt too

Without diuine aſſiſtance. Hye my Lord

Vnto your ſhippes, no ſafety liues a land,

Euen to the Oceans margent we are purſu’d,

Then ſaue your ſelfe by ſea.

Troos.

Creet thou haſt wonne

My thirty thouſand Souldiers, and my Sonne.

Come, let’s to ſea.

Exit.

Sat.

To ſea muſt Saturne too,

To whom all good ſtarres are ſtill oppoſite.

My Crowne I firſt bought with my infants bloud,

Not long enioy’d, till Tytan wreſted it;

Re-purchaſt, and re-loſt by Iupiter.

Theſe horrid miſchiefes that haue crown’d our brows,

Haue bred in vs ſuch ſtrange diſtemprature,

That we are growne deiected and forlorne.

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

Our eyes halfe buried in our quechy plots.

Conſumptions and cold agues haue deuour’d

And eate vp all our fleſh, leauing behinde

Nought ſaue the Image of deſpaire and death:

And Saturne ſhall to after ages be

That ſtarre, that ſhall infuſe dull melancholy.

To Italy I’le flye, and there abide,

Till diuine powers my place aboue prouide.

Exit.

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

Iup.

Yeeld noble Troian, ther’s not in the field

One of thy Nation lifts a hand ſaue thee.

Gani.

Why that’s my honour, when alone I ſtand

Gainſt thee and all the forces of thy land.

Iup.

I loue thy valour, and would woo thy friendſhip,

Go freely where thou wilt, and ranſomleſſe.

Gan.

Why that’s no gift: I am no priſoner,

And therefore owe no ranſome, hauing breath,

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

Iup.

I wiſh thee nobly Troian, and ſince fauour

Cannot attaine thy love, I’le try concluſions,

And ſee if I can purchaſe it with blowes.

Gan.

Now ſpeak’ſt thou like the nobleſt of my foes.

Iup.

Stand all a-part, and Princes girt vs round.

Gan.

I loue him beſt, whoſe ſtrokes can lowdeſt ſound.

Alarme, they fight, and looſing their weapons embrace.

Iup.

I haue thee, and will keep thee.

Gan.

Not as priſoner.

Iup.

A priſoner to my loue, elſe thou art free,

My boſome friend, for ſo I honour thee.

Gan.

I am conquer’d both by Armes and Courteſie.

Nept.

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

And Iupiter remaines ſole conquerour.

Plu.

Peace with her golden wings houers ore Creet,

Frighting hence diſcord, and remorſleſſe warre:

Will Iupiter make vp for Arges now?

Mell.

Winter drawes on, the ſea’s vn-nauigable,

To tranſport an Army. There attends without

A Lord of Arges.

Iup.

Bring him to our preſence.

Enter Arges.

How ſtands it with the beauteous Danae?

Arg. L.

As one diſtreſt by Fate, and miſerable.

Of K. Acriſius, and his Fort of braſſe,

Danaes incloſure, and her Beldam guard,

Who but hath heard? yet through theſe braſen walles

Loue hath broke in, and made the maide a mother

Of a faire ſonne, which when Acriſius heard,

Her female guard vnto the fier hee doomes,

His daughter, and the infant prince her ſonne,

He puts into a maſtles boat to ſea,

To proue the rigor of the ſtormy waues.

Iup.

Acriſius, Arges, and the world ſhall know

Ioue hath beene wrong’d in this: her further fortunes

Canſt thou relate?

Arges L.

I can. As farre as Naples

The friendly winds her maſtleſſe boat tranſports,

There ſuccourd by a curteous Fiſher-man

Shee’s firſt releeu’d, and after that preſented

To King Pelonnus, who at this time reignes:

Who rauiſht with her beauty, crownes her Queene,

And deckes her with th’Imperiall robeſ’ of ſtate.

Iup.

What we haue ſcanted is ſupply’d by fate.

Here then ceaſe Armes, and now court amorous peace

With ſolemne triumphes, and deere Ganimed,

Be henceforth cal’d The friend of Iupiter.

And if the Fates hereafter crowne our browes

With diuine honours, as we hope they ſhall,

Wee’l ſtyle thee by the name of Cup-bearer,

To fill vs heauenly Nectar, as faire Hebe

Shall do the like to Iuno our bright Queene.

Here end the pride of our mortality.

Opinion, that makes Gods, muſt ſtyle vs higher.

The next you ſee vs, we in ſtate muſt ſhine,

Eternized with honours more diuine.

Exeunt omnes.

Enter Homer.

Homer.

Of Danae Perſeus was that night be got,

Perſeus that fought with the Gorgonian ſhield,

Whoſe fortunes to purſue Time ſuffers not.

For that, we haue prepar’d an ampler field.

Likewiſe how Ioue with faire Alcmena lay:

Of Hercules, and of his famous deeds:

How Pluto did faire Proſerpine betray:

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

Yet to keepe promiſe, ere we further wade,

The ground of ancient Poems you ſhall ſee:

And how theſe (firſt borne mortall) Gods were made,

By vertue of diuineſt Poeſie.

The Fates, to whom the Heathen yeeld all power,

Whoſe doomes are writ in marble, to endure,

Haue ſummon’d Saturnes three ſonnes to their Tower,

To them the three Dominions to aſſure

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

Let none decide but ſuch as vnderſtand.

Sound a dumbe ſhew. Enter the three fatall ſiſters, with a rocke, a threed, and a paire of ſheeres; bringing in a Gloabe, in which they put three lots. Iupiter drawes heauen: at which Iris deſcends and preſents him with his Eagle, Crowne and Scepter, and his thunder-bolt. Iupiter firſt aſcends vpon the Eagle, and after him Ganimed.

To Iupiter doth high Olimpus fall.

Who thunder and the triſulke lightning beares

Dreaded of all the reſt in generall:

He on a Princely Eagle mounts the Spheares,

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

Neptune is made the Lord of all the Seas,

His Mace a Trident, and his habite blew.

Hee can make Tempeſts, or the waues appeaſe,

And vnto him the Sea-men are ſtill true.

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

And for the winds, theſe brothers that ſtill warre,

Should not diſturbe his Empire, the three Fates

Bring them to Aeolus, chain’d as they are,

To be inclos’d in caues with brazen gates.

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

Pluto’s made Emperour of the Ghoſts below.

Where with his black guard he in darknes raignes,

Commanding hell, where Styx and Lethe flow,

And murderers are hang’d vp in burning chaines.

But leauing theſe: to your iudiciall ſpirits

I muſt appeale, and to your wonted grace,

To know from you, what ey-leſſe Homer merits,

Whom you haue power to baniſh from this place,

But if you ſend me hence vncheckt with feare,

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

FINIS.