The Silver Age, Including. The loue of Iupiter to Alcmena: The birth of Hercules. and The Rape of Proserpine. Concluding, With the Arraignement of the Moone.

 Acriſius.

 

Pretus.

 

Bellerophon.

 

Perſeus.

 

Danaus.

 

Iupiter.

 

Ganimed.

 

Amphitrio.

 

Socia.

 

Euriſteus.

 

Hercules.

 

Theſeus.

 

Perithous.

 

Philoctetes.

 

Mercury,

 

Triton.

 

Pluto.  

 

Cerberus.

 

Rhadamantus

 

Aſculaphus.

 

Q. Aurea.

 

Andromeda.

 

Alcmena.

 

Iuno.

 

Iris.

 

Galantis.

 

Hyodamia.

 

Ceres.

 

Proſerpina.

 

Semele.

 

Tellus.

 

Arethuſa.

 

A Guard.

 

2.Captaines.

 

6.Centaures.

 

Seruingmen.

 

Swaines.

 

Theban Ladies.

 

The ſeven Planets.

 

Furies.

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

The Siluer Age

 

 
 

 

Actus I. Scœna I.

 

 
 

 

Enter Homer.  

 

 
 

 

Since moderne Authors, moderne things haue trac't,

 

Serching our Chronicles from end to end,
And all knowne Hiſtories haue long bene grac't,
Bootleſſe it were in them our time to ſpend
To iterate tales oftentimes told ore,
Or ſubiects handled by each common pen;
In which euen they that can but read (no more)
Can poynt before we ſpeake, how, where, and when
We haue no purpoſe: Homer old and blinde,
Of eld, by the beſt iudgements tearm'd diuine,
That in his former labours found you kinde,
Is come the ruder cenſures to refine:
And to vnlocke the Caſket long time ſhut.
Of which none but the learned keepe the key.
Where the rich Iewell (Poëſie) was put.
She that firſt ſearch't the Heauens, Earth, Ayre, and Sea.
We therefore begge, that ſince ſo many eyes,
And ſeuerall iudging wits muſt taſte our ſtile,
The learn'd will grace, the ruder not deſpiſe:
Since what we do, we for their vſe compile.
Why ſhould not Homer, bee that caught in Greece,
Vnto this iudging Nation lend like ſkill.

 

And into England bring that golden Fleece,
For which his country is renowned ſtill.
The Golden paſt, The Siluer age begins
In Iupiter, whoſe ſonne of Danae borne,
We firſt preſent, and how Acriſius ſinnes
Were puniſh't for his cruelty and ſcorne.
   We enter where we left, and ſo proceed,
   (Your fauour ſtill, for that muſt helpe at need)

 

 
 

 

Alarme. Enter with victory, K. Pretus, Bellerephon, bringing in K. Acriſius priſoner, drum and colours.

 

 
 

 

Pretus Now you that truſted to your Darreine ſtrength,
The brazen to wer that earſt incloſ'd thy childe,
Stand'ſt at our grace, a captiue, and we now
Are Arges King, where thou vſurp'ſt ſo late.

 

 
 

 

Acriſius Tis not thy power King Pretus, but our rigor
Againſt my daughter, and the Prince her ſonne,
(Thus puniſh't by the heauens) haue made thee victor.

 

 
 

 

Pretus Twas by thy valor, braue Bellerephon,
That took'ſt Acriſius priſoner hand to hand.

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon The duty of a ſeruice and a ſeruant
I haue expreſt to Pretus.

 

 
 

 

Pretus By thy valor.
We reigne ſole King of Arges, where our brother
Hath tyranniſ'd, and now theſe brazen walles,
Built to inmure a faire and innocent maide,
Shall be thine owne Iayle. Gyue his legges in Irons,
Till we determine further of his death.

 

 
 

 

Acriſius Oh Danae, when I rude and pittileſſe
Threw thee with thy yong infant, to the mercy
Of the rough billowes, in a maſtleſſe boat,
I then incur'd this vengeance. Iupiter,
Whoſe father in thoſe bleſt and happy dayes
I ſcorn'd to be, or ranke him in my line,
Hath chaſtiſ'd me for my harſh cruelty.

 

 
 

 

Pretus We are Ioues rod, and we will execute
The doome of heauen with all ſeuerity:

 

Such mercy as thy guardiant Beldams had,
(Who for the loue of Danae felt the fire)
Thou ſhalt receiue from vs. Away with him:

 

 
 

 

Acriſius is led bound, and enters Q. Aurea.

 

 
 

 

Aurea Why doth K. Pretus lead his brother bound,
And keepe a greater foe in liberty?
This, this, thou moſt vnchaſt Bellerephon,
And canſt thou bluſhleſſe gaze me in the face?
Whom thou ſo lately didſt attempt to force,
Or front the Prince thy maiſter with ſuch impudence,
Whoſe reuerent bed thou haſt practiſ'd to defile.

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon Madame, my Lord.

 

 
 

 

Aurea Heare not th'adulterers tongue,
Who though he had not power to charme mine eares,
Yet may inchaunt thine.

 

 
 

 

Pretus Beauteous Aurea,
If I can proue by witneſſe that rude practiſe,
His life and tortures Il'e commit to thee.

 

 
 

 

Aurea What greater witneſſe then Q. Aurea's teares?
Or why ſhould I hate you Bellerephon,
That (ſaue this practiſe) neuer did me wrong?

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon Oh woman, when thou art giuen vp to ſin
And ſhameleſſe luſts, what brazen impudence,
Hardens thy brow?

 

 
 

 

Aurea Shall I haue right of him?

 

 
 

 

Pretus Thou ſhalt: yet let me tell my Aurea:
This knight hath ſeru'd me from his infancy,
Beene partner of my breaſt and ſecret thoughts.
His ſword hath beene the guardian of my ſtate,
And by the vertue of his ſtrong right hand,
I am poſſeſt of Arges. I could reade thee
A Chronicle of his great ſeruices
Freſh in my thoughts, then giue me leaue to pauſe,
Ere I pronounce ſad ſentence of his death.

 

 
 

 

Aurea Grant me my L. but a few priuate words
With this diſſembling hypocrite: Il'e tell him
Such inſtance of his heynous enterpriſe,

 

Shall make him bluſh, and with efeminate teares,
Publiſh his riotous wrongs againſt your bed.

 

 
 

 

Pretus We grant you priuacy.

 

 
 

 

Aurea Neare vs Bellerophon.

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon Oh woman, woman.

 

 
 

 

Aurea We are alone, yet wilt thou grant me loue,
Put me in hope, and ſay the time may come,
And my excuſe to Pretus ſhall vnſay,
Theſe loud exclaimes, and blanch this Æthiop ſcandall,
As white as is thy natiue innocence:
Loue mee, oh loue mee, my Bellerophon
I ſigh for thee, I mourne, I die for thee,
Giue me an anſwere ſwift and peremptory;
Gaine by thy grant, life; thy deniall, death.
Wilt thou take time and limite mee ſome hope
By pointing me an houre?

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon Neuer, oh neuer.
Firſt ſhall the Sun-god in the Ocean quench,
The daies bright fire, and o're the face of heauen
Spread euerlaſting darkneſſe.

 

 
 

 

Aurea Say no more.
Dogge, deuill, euen before my huſbands face
Darſt court me, Pretus canſt thou ſuffer this?
Iniurious Traytor, think'ſt thou my chaſt innocence,
Is to bee mou'd with praiers, or brib'd by promiſes?
Hath the King hir'd thee to corrupt this bed?
Or is he of that ſlauiſh ſufferance,
Before his face to ſee nice ſtrumpeted?
Pretus, by heauen, and all the Gods I vow,
To abiure thy preſence, and confine my ſelfe
To laſting widdow-hood, vnleſſe with rigor
Thou chaſtice this falſe groome.

 

 
 

 

Pretus Bellerophon
Thou haſt preſum'd too much vpon our loue,
And made too ſlight account of our high power
In which thy life or death is circumſcrib'd.

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon My Lord, I ſhould tranſgreſſe a Subiects duty,

 

To lay the leaſt groſſe imputation
Vpon the Queene, my beauteous Souerainteſſe,
And rather then to queſtion her chaſte vertues
I laie my ſelfe ope to the ſtricteſt doome,
My ſeruice hath bene yours, ſo ſhall my life,
I yeeld it to you freely.

 

 
 

 

Pretus Aureas teares,
Contend with thy ſuppoſed innocence
And haue the vpper hand: to ſee thee die
My ſetled loue will not endure: but worſe
Then death can bee, we doome thy inſolence;
Go hence an exile, and returne no more
Vpon thy Knight-hood, but expoſe thy ſelfe
Vnto that monſtrous beaſt of Cicily,
Cal'd the Chimera, t'hath a Lyons head,
Goats belly, and a poyſonous Dragons traine.
Fight with that beaſt, whom Hoaſts cannot withſtand,
And feede, what Armies cannot ſatiſfie.
My doom's irreuocable.

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon For all my ſeruice
A faire reward, but by my innocence,
Vertues, and all my honours attributes,
That ſauadge Monſter I will feede, or foile,
Die by his iawes, or bring home honoured ſpoile.

 

 
 

 

Aurea Yet, yet, thy body meedes a better graue,
And kill not mee too, whom thy grant may ſaue.

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon A thouſand fierce Chimerae's firſt I'le feede,
Ere ſtaine mine honour with that damned deed.

 

 
 

 

Aurea Againe to tempt me, hence baſe traytor flie,
And as thy guilt's meede, by that monſter die.

 

 
 

 

Pretus Away with him, 'tis our milde ſufferance
Begets this impudence, come beauteous Aurea
Thou ſhalt bee full reuengde, I know him honourable
In this, and will performe that enterpriſe
Which in one death brings many: let vs now
Inioy our conqueſts, hee ſhall ſoone bee dead,
That with baſe ſleights ſought to corrupt our bed.

 

 
 

 

Enter Perſeus, Andromeda, and Danaus.

 

Perſeus There ſtay our ſwift and winged Pegaſus,
And on the flowers of this faire Medow graſe,
Thou that firſt flewſt out of the Gorgons bloud,
Whoſe head wee by Mineruaes aide par'd off,
And ſince haue fixt it on our Chriſtall ſheild.
This head that had the power to change to ſtone,
All that durſt gaze vpon't; and being plac't here
Retaines that power to whom it is vncaſ'd:
Hath chandge great Atlas to a Mount ſo high,
That with his ſhoulders hee ſupports the ſkie.

 

 
 

 

Danaus Perſeus, great ſonne of Ioue and Danae.
Famous for your atchieuements through the world
Mineruaes fauorite, Goddeſſe of Wiſedome,
And huſband of the ſweete Andromeda.
Whom you ſo late from the Sea-monſter freed,
After ſo many deedes of Fame and Honour,
Shall we returne to ſee our mother Danae?

 

 
 

 

Perſeus Deere brother Danaus, the renowned iſſue
Of King Pellonus that in Naples raignes,
Where beauteous Danae is created Queene,
Thither I'le beare the faire Andromeda
To ſee our Princely mother.

 

 
 

 

Andromeda Royall Perſeus,
Truely deſcended from the line of Gods,
Since by the ſlaughter of that monſtrous Whale,
You freed me from that rocke where I was fixt
To be deuoured and made the Monſters prey,
And after wonne me from a thouſand hands
By Phineus arme, that was my firſt betroathed,
Ingrate were I your fellowſhip to ſhunne,
Whom by the force of Armes you twice haue won.

 

 
 

 

Enter Bellerephon.

 

 
 

 

Perſeus Towards Naples then, but ſoft, what Knight's that

 

So paſſionately deiect? Let vs Salute him,
Whence are you gentle Knight?

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon I am of Arges.

 

 
 

 

Perſeus But your aduenture?

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon The infernall Monſter,
Cal'd the Chimera bred in Cicily.

 

 
 

 

Perſeus Thou canſt not ſtake thy life againſt ſuch oddes,
And not be generouſly deriu'd, I Perſeus
The ſonne of Ioue and Danae, offer thee
Aſſiſtance to this noble enterpriſe.

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon Are you the noble Perſeus, whom the world
Crownes with ſuch praiſe and royall hardineſſe?
Fam'd for your winged ſteed, and your Gorgons ſheild,
And for releaſe of faire Andromeda?

 

 
 

 

Perſeus Wee Perſeus are, and this Andromeda,
King Cepheus daughter, reſcued by our ſword,
The keene-edged harpe.

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon Let me do you honours
Worthy your State, and tell ſuch newes withall
As ſhall diſturbe the quiet of your thoughts,
I am of Arges where Acriſius raigned.

 

 
 

 

Perſeus Our Grand-ſire, and raignes ſtill.

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon His brother Pretus
Hath caſt him both from ſtile and kingdome too,
Nor let Bellerephon himſelfe belie,
It was by vertue of this ſtrong right arme
Which he hath thus requited, to expoſe me
Vnto this ſtrange aduenture, the full circumſtance
I ſhall relate at leaſure,

 

 
 

 

Perſeus Dares King Pretus
Depoſe Acriſius, knowing Perſeus liues?
Guide me faire Knight vnto my place of birth,
Where the great King of Arges liues captiu'd,
That I may glaze my harpe in the bloud
Of Tyrant Pretus.

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon I am ſworne by oath
To dare the rude Cycilian Monſter firſt,

 

Whom hauing ſlaine, I'le guide you to the reſcue
Of K. Acriſius.

 

 
 

 

Perſeus Thou haſt fir'd our bloud,
And ſtartled all our ſpirits Bellerephon,
Wee'l mount our Pegaſus, and through the ayre
Beare thee, vnto that fell Chimeraes den:
And in the ſlaughter of that monſtrous beaſt
Aſſiſt thy valour. Thence to Arges flye,
Where by our ſword th'vſurper next muſt dye.

 

 
 

 

Bellerophon We are proud of your aſſiſtance, and withall
Aſſur'd of Conqueſt.

 

 
 

 

Perſeus Faire Andromeda,
Danaus ſhall be your guardiant towards Arges,
Where after this atchieuement we will meet,
To giue our grand-ſire freedome. Come, lets part,
We through the ayre, you towards Darreine towre,
Where Tragicke ruine Pretus ſhall deuoure.     

 

 
 

 

Exeunt.

 

Enter K. Pretus, and Q. Aurea.

 

 
 

 

Pretus Aurea, we were too haſty in our doome,
To looſe that knight, whoſe arme protected vs,
Whoſe fame kept all our neighbour Kings in awe:
Nor was our ſtate confirm'd, but in his life.

 

 
 

 

Aurea Let Traitors periſh, and their plots decay,
And we ſtill by diuine aſſiſtance ſway.

 

 
 

 

Pretus But ſay ſome Prince ſhould plot Acriſius reſcue,
Inuade great Arges, or ſiege Darreine tower,
Then ſhould we wiſh Bellerephon againe,
To expoſe their fury, and their pride reſtraine.

 

 
 

 

Aurea To cut off all theſe feares, cut off Acriſius,
Appeare to him a brother full as mercileſſe
As he a cruell father, to his childe,
The beauteous Danae and her infant ſonne.

 

 
 

 

Pretus Onely his ruine muſt ſecure our ſtate,
And he ſhall dye to cut off future claime
Vnto this populous kingdome we enioy.
Our guard, command our captiue brother hither.
Whom we this day muſt ſentence. Oh Bellerephon!

 

Thy wrongs I halfe ſuſpect thy doome: Repent,

 

Since all thy acts proclaime thee innocent.

 

 
 

 

Acriſius brought in by the guard.

 

 
 

 

Guard Behold the King your brother.   

 

 
 

 

Pretus We thus ſentence        

 

Thy life Acriſius, thou that hadſt the heart

 

To thruſt thy childe into a maſtleſſe boate;

 

With a faire hopefull Prince, vnto the fury

 

And rage of the remorſleſſe windes and waues:

 

To doome theſe innocent Ladies to the fire,

 

That were her faultleſſe guardians; the like ſentence

 

Receiue from vs: We doome thee imminent death

 

Without delay or pauſe. Beare to the blocke

 

The tyrant, he that could not vſe his raigne

 

With clemency, we thus his rage reſtraine.

 

 
 

 

Acriſius Thou ſhew'ſt thy ſelfe in rigor pittifull,

 

And full of mercy in thy cruelty,

 

To take away that life, which to enioy

 

Were many deaths, hauing my Danae loſt

 

With her ſonne Perſeus: hauing loſt my kingdome,

 

All through the vaine feares of Prophetike ſpelles:

 

Why ſhould I wiſh a wretched life to ſaue,

 

That may reſt happy in a peacefull graue?

 

 
 

 

A flouriſh and a ſhout. Enter a gentleman.

 

 
 

 

Pretus What ſhout is that? the proiect?               

 

 
 

 

Gentlman Strange and admirable.      

 

Bellerephon and a braue ſtrange knight,

 

Both crownd in bloud in the Chimeraes ſpoyle,

 

Haue cleft the ayre on a ſwift winged ſteede,

 

And in your Court alighted; both their ſwords

 

Bath'd in the Serpents bloud, they brandiſh ſtill,

 

As if they yet ſome monſter had to kill.

 

 
 

 

Pretus Bellerephon return'd?

 

Thou haſt amaz'd vs.

 

    

 

Enter Perſeus Danaus, and Bellerophon, with Andromeda. Kill Pretus and Aurea, beat away the reſt of the guard.

 

 
 

 

Perſeus One monſter (then the rude Chimere more fell)

 

That's Pretus, Danaes ſoone muſt ſend to hell.

 

 
 

 

Pretus Treaſon. Our guard.

 

 
 

 

Perſeus Liues there a man, the tyrant Pretus dead,
Saith that the Crowne ſhall not inueſt his head?

 

 
 

 

All We all ſtand for the King Acriſius.

 

 
 

 

Perſeus Then by his generall ſufferage once more raigne,
Since by our hand th'vſurper here lyes ſlaine.

 

 
 

 

Acriſius Our hopeleſſe life, and new inueſted ſtate,
Strikes not ſo deepe into Acriſius ioyes,
As when he heares the name of Danaes ſonne.
Liues Danae?

 

 
 

 

Perſeus Grand-ſire, thy faire daughter liues
A potent Queene: we Perſeus are her ſonne,
This Danaus your hopefull grand-childe too:
Nor let me quite forget Andromeda,
By Perſeus ſword freed from the huge Sea-whale,
And now ingraft into your royall line.

 

 
 

 

Acriſius Diuide my ſoule amongſt you, and impart
My life, my ſtate, my kingdome, and my heart.
Oh had I Danae here, my ioyes to fill,
I truely then ſhould be immortaliſ'd.
Renowned Perſeus, Danaus inly deere,
And you bright Lady, faire Andromeda,
You are to me a ſtronger ſort of ioy
Then Darreines braſſe, which no ſiege can deſtroy.

 

 
 

 

Danaus My gran-ſires ſight doth promiſe as much bliſſe,
As can Eliſium, or thoſe pleaſant fields,
Where the bleſt ſoules inhabite.

 

 
 

 

Andromeda You are to me
As life on earth, in death eternity.

 

 
 

 

Acriſius Let none preſume our purpoſe to controwle:
For our decree is like the doome of Gods
Fixt and vnchanging: Perſeus we create
Great Arges King, crown'd with this wreath of ſtate.

 

 
 

 

Perſeus With like applauſe, and ſufferage ſhall be ſeene,
The faire Andromeda crown'd Arges Queene.

 

 
 

 

Acriſius Onely the Darreine tower I ſtill reſerue
In that to pennance me a life retir'd,
And I in that ſhall proue the Oracle.

 

Faire Danaes ſonne inſtated in my throne,
Shall thus confine me to an Arch of ſtone.
There will I liue, attended by my guard,
And leaue to thee the manadge of my Realme.
Our will is law, which none that beares vs well,
Will ſtriue by word or action to refell.

 

 
 

 

Perſeus The Gods beheſt with your reſolue agree
To increaſe in vs this growing maieſty.
Bellerephon, we make thee next our ſelfe
Of ſtate in Arges: Danaus you ſhall hence,
To cheere our mother in theſe glad reports,
And to ſucceed Pelonnus: but firſt ſtay,
Rights due to vs ere we the ſtate can ſway.

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

Actus 2. Scœna. 1.

 

 
 

 

Homer

 

    Alacke! earths ioyes are but ſhort-liu'd, and laſt
    But like a puffe of breath which (thus) is paſt.
Acriſius in his fortreſſe liues retir'd,
Kept with a ſtrong guard: Perſeus reignes ſole King,
Who in himſelfe one ſad night long deſir'd
To ſee his grand-ſire ſome gladnewes to bring,
    Whom the ſtearne warders (in the night) vnknowne,
    Seeke to keepe backe, whence all his griefe is growne.

 

 
 

 

A dumbe ſhew.

 

Enter 6 warders, “to them Perſeus, Danaus, Bellerephon and Andromeda. Perſeus takes his leaue of them to go towards the tower: the warders repulſe him, he drawes his ſword. In the tumult enter Acriſius to pacifie them, and in the hurly-burly is ſlaine by Perſeus, who laments his death. To them Bellerephon and the reſt: Perſeus makes Bellerephon King of Arges, and with Danaus and Andromeda departs.

 

 
 

 

Homer Perſeus repulſt, the ſtardy Warder ſtrikes,

 

This breeds a tumult, out their weapons flye,
Acriſius heares their clamours and their ſhrikes,
And downe deſcends this broyle to pacifie;
    Not knowing whence it growes: and in this brall,
    Acriſius by his grand-childes hand doth fall.
The Oracle's fulfil'd, hee's turn'd to ſtone,
That's to his marble graue, by Danaes ſonne;
Which in the Prince breeds ſuch lament and mone,
That longer there to reigne hee'l not be wonne:
    But firſt Bellerephon he will inueſt,
    And after makes his trauels towards the Eaſt.
Of Iupiter now deifi'd and made
Supreme of all the Gods, we next proceed:
Your ſuppoſitions now muſt lend us ayd,
That he can all things (as a God indeed.)
Our ſceane is Thebes: here faire Alcmena dwels,
Her huſband in his warfare thriues abroad,
And by his chiualry his foes expels.
He abſent, now deſcends th'Olimpicke God,
Innamored of Alcmena, and trans-ſhapes
Himſelfe into her huſband: Ganimed
He makes aſſiſtant in his amorous rapes,
Whil'ſt he preferres the earth 'fore Iunoes bed.
    Lend vs your wonted patience without ſcorne,
    To finde how Hercules was got and borne.

 

 
 

 

Enter Amphitrio with two Captaines and Socia with drum and colours: hee brings in the head of a crowned King, ſweares the Lords to the obeyſance of Thebes. They preſent him with a ſtanding bowle, which hee lockes in a Caſket, and ſending his man with a letter before to his wife, with news of his victory. He with his followers, and Blepharo the maiſter of the ſhip, marcheth after.

 

 
 

 

Homer Creon that now reignes here, the Theban King,
Alcmenaes huſband great Amphitrio made

 

His Generall, who to his Lord doth bring
His enimies head that did his land inuade.
Thinke him returning home, but ſends before
By letters to acquaint his beauteous wife
Of his ſucceſſe, himſelfe in ſight of ſhore
Muſt land this night: where many a doubtfull ſtrife
   Amongſt them growes, but Ioue himſelfe diſcends,
   Cuts off my ſpeech, and heere my Chorus ends.

 

 
 

 

Thunder and lightning. Iupiter diſcends in a cloude.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter Earth before heauen, we once more haue preferd:
Beauty that workes into the hearts of Gods:
As it hath power to mad the thoughts of men,
So euen in vs it hath attraction.
The faire Alcmena like the Sea-mans Starre
Shooting her gliſtering beauty vp to heauen,
Hath puld from thence the olimpick Iupiter
By vertue of thy raies, let Iuno ſkold,
And with her clamours fill the eares of heauen,
Let her bee like a Bachinall in rage,
And through our chriſtall pallace breath exclaimes,
With her quicke feete the galaxia weare,
And with inquiſitiue voice ſearch through the Spheares.
Shee ſhall not find vs here, or ſhould ſhe ſee vs,
Can ſhee diſtinguiſh vs being thus tranſhapt?
Where's Ganimed? we ſent him to ſuruey
Amphitrioes Pallace, where we meane to lodge

 

         

 

Enter Ganimed ſhapt like Socia.

 

 
 

 

In happy time return'd: now Socia.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Indeed that's my name, as ſure
As your's is Amphitrio.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter Three nights I haue put in one to take our fill
Of daliance with this beauteous Theban dame.
A powerfull charme is caſt or'e Phœbus eies:
Who ſleepes this night within the euxine ſea,
And till the third day ſhall forget his charge

 

To mount the golden chariot of the Sunne,
The Antipodes to vs, ſhall haue a day
Of three daies length. Now at this houre is fought
By Ioſua Duke vnto the Hebrew Nation,
(Who are indeede the Antipodes to vs)
His famous battle 'gainſt the Cananites,
And at his oriſon the Sunne ſtands ſtill,
That he may haue there ſlaughter, Ganimed
Go knocke and get vs entrance.        

 

 
 

 

Exit Iupiter.

 

 
 

 

 Ganimed Before I knocke, let mee a little determine with my ſelfe, If I be acceſſary to Iupiter in his amorous purpoſe, I am little better then a parcell guilt baud, but muſt excuſe my ſelfe thus, Ganimed is now not Ganimed, And if this imputation be put vpon mee, let it light vpon Socia, whom I am now to perſonate; but I am too long in the Prologue of  this merry play we are to act, I will knocke, and the Seruingmen ſhall enter.

 

 
 

 

1. Seruingman Who knocks ſo late?

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Hee that muſt in, open for Socia,
Who brings you newes home of the Theban warres.

 

 
 

 

2. Seruingman Socia returned.                         

 

 
 

 

Enter 3. Seruingmen.

 

 
 

 

3. Seruingman Vnhurt, vnſlaine?

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Euen as you ſee, and how, and how?

 

 
 

 

1. Seruingman Socia? let me haue an armefull of thee.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Armefuls, and handfuls too, my boyes.

 

 
 

 

2. Seruingman The news, the news, how doth my Lord Amphitrio?

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Nay, how doth my Lady Alcmena, ſome of you cary her word my Lord will be heere preſently.

 

 
 

 

1. Seruingman I'le be the meſſenger of theſe glad newes.

 

 
 

 

2. Seruingman I'le haue a hand in't too.

 

 
 

 

3. Seruingman I'le not be laſt.                          

 

 
 

 

Exeunt Seruingmen.

 

 
 

 

 Ganimed They are gone to informe their Lady, who will bee ready to intertaine a counterfeite Lord, Iupiter is preparing himſelfe to meet Alcmena, Alcmena, ſhe to encounter Iupiter, her beauty hath inchanted him, his metamorphoſis muſt beguile her: al's put to proofe, I'le into furniſh my Lord whilſt my fellow ſeruants attend their Lady: they come.

 

 
 

 

Enter at one dore Alcmena, Theſſula, 4. Seruingmen; at the other Iupiter ſhapt like Amphitrio to Ganimed.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena But are you ſure you ſpake with Socia?
And did hee tell you of Amphitrioes health?

 

 
 

 

1. Seruingman Madam, I aſſure you, wee ſpake with Socia, and my L. Amphitrio will be here inſtantly.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Vſher me in a coſtly banquet ſtraight
To entertaine my Lord, let all the windowes
Gliſter with lights like ſtarres, caſt ſweete perfumes
To breath to heauen their odoriferous aires,
And tell the Gods my huſband's ſafe return'd,
If you be ſure 'twas Socia.

 

 
 

 

2. Seruingman Madam take my life, if it be not true.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Then praiſe be to the higheſt Iupiter,
Whoſe powerfull arme gaue ſtrength vnto my Lord
To worke his ſafety through theſe dangerous warres,
Hang with our richeſt workes our chambers round,
And let the roome wherein we reſt to night,
Flow with no leſſe delight, then Iuno's bed
When in her armes ſhe claſpeth Iupiter,

 

 
 

 

Iupiter I'le fill thy bed with more delighfull ſweetes,
Then when with Mars the Ciprian Venus meetes.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena See how you ſtir for odours, lights, choiſe cates,
Spices, and wines, is not Amphitrio comming
With honour from the warres? where's your attendance?
Sweete waters, coſtly ointments, pretious bathes,
Let me haue all, for taſt, touch, ſmell, and fight,
All his fiue ſenſes wee will feaſt this night.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter 'Tis time to appeare, Alcmena:

 

 
 

 

Alcmena My deere Lord.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed It workes, it workes, now for Iuno to ſet a
Skold betweene them.

 

                                         

 

A banquet brought in.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Oh may theſe armes that guarded Thebes and vs,
Be euer thus my girdle, that in them

 

I may liue euer ſafe, welcome Amphitrio
A banquet, lights, attendance; good my Lord
Tell mee your warres diſcourſe.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter Sit faire Alcmena.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Proceede my deareſt loue.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter I as great Generall to the Theban King,
March't gainſt the Teleboans: who make head
And offer vs encounter: both our Armies
Are caſt in forme, well fronted, ſleeeu'd and wing'd
Wee throw our vowes to heauen, the Trumpets ſound,
The battels ſignall, now beginnes the incurſions,
The earth beneath our armed burdens groanes,
Shootes from each ſide reuerberat gainſt heauen,
With Arrowes and with Darts the aire growes darke
And now confuſion ruffles, Heere the ſhoutes
Of Victors ſound, there groanes of death are heard,
Slaughter on all ſides; ſtill our eminent hand
Towers in the aire a victor, whilſt the enemy
Haue their deſpoyled helmets crown'd in duſt.
Wee ſtand, they fall, yet ſtill King Ptelera
Striues to make head, and with a freſh ſupply
Takes vp the mid-field: him Amphitrio fronts
With equall armes, wee the two Generals
Fight hand to hand, but Ioue omnipotent
Gaue me his life and head, which we to morrow
Muſt giue to King Creon.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena All my oriſons
Fought on your ſide, and with their powerfull weight,
Added vnto the ponder of your ſword,
To make it heauy on the Burgonet
Of ſlaughtered Ptelera.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter I for my reward,
Had by the Subiects of that conquered King
A golden cup preſented, the choice boule
In which the ſlaughtered Tyrant vſ'd to quaffe. Socia.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed My Lord.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter The cup, ſee faire Alcmena.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed This cup Mercury ſtole out of Amphitrioes caſ-
ket, but al's one as long as it is truely deliuered.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena In this rich boule I'le onely quaffe your health,
Or vſe, when to the Gods I ſacrifice.
Is our chamber ready?

 

 
 

 

Iupiter Gladly I'de to bed,
Where I will mix with kiſſes my diſcourſe,
And tell the whole proiect.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Mirth abound,
Through all theſe golden roofes let muſicke ſound,
To charme my Lord to ſoft and downy reſt.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter Come light vs to our ſheetes.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Amphitrioes head
Shall heere be pillowed, light's then and to bed.

 

                                             

 

Exeunt with Torches.

 

 
 

 

 Ganimed Alas poore Amphitrio I pitty thee that art to be made cuckold againſt thy wiues will, ſhe is honeſt in her worſt diſhoneſty, and chaſt in the ſuperlatiue degree of inchaſtity: but I am ſet heere to keepe the gate: now to my office.

 

 
 

 

Enter Socia with a letter.

 

 
 

 

 Socia Heere's a night of nights, I thinke the Moone ſtands ſtil and all the Stars are a ſleepe, he that driues Charles wayne is taking a nap in his cart, for they are all at a ſtand, this night hath bene as long as two nights already, and I thinke 'tis now entring on the third; I am glad yet that out of this vtter darkenes I am come to ſee lights in my Ladies Pallace: there will be ſimple newes for her when I ſhall tell her my Lord is comming home.

 

 
 

 

 Ganimed 'Tis Socia and Amphitrioes man, ſent before to tell his Lady of her huſband, I muſt preuent him.

 

 
 

 

 Socia This night will neuer haue an end, he that hath hired a wench to lie with him all this night, hath time enough I thinke to take his peny worths, but I'le knocke.

 

 
 

 

Gan. I charge thee not to knock here leaſt thou be knocked.

 

 
 

 

Socia What not at my Maiſters gate.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed I charge thee once more, tell mee whoſe thou art?
whether thou goeſt, and wherefore thou commeſt?

 

 
 

 

 Socia Hither I go, I ſerue my Maiſter, and come to ſpeak with my Lady, what art thou the wiſer? nay, if thou beeſt a good fellow let me paſſe by thee.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Whom doſt thou ſerue?

 

 
 

 

Socia I ſerue my Lord Amphitrio, and am ſent in haſt to my Lady Alcmena.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Thy name?

 

 
 

 

Socia Socia

 

 
 

 

 Ganimed Baſe counterfeit take that, can you not be content to come ſneaking to one's houſe in the night, to rob it, but you muſt likewiſe rob me of my name?

 

 
 

 

Socia Thy name, why, what's thy name?

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Socia.

 

 
 

 

Socia Socia, and whom doſt thou ſerue?

 

 
 

 

Ganimed My Lord Amphitrio chiefe of the Theban Legions, 
and my Lady Alcmena, but what's that to thee?

 

 
 

 

Socia Ha, ha, That's a good ieſt, but do you heare, If you
be Socia my Lord Amphitrioes man, and my Lady Alcmenaes, 
Where doſt thou lie.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Where do I lie? why in the Porters Lodge.

 

 
 

 

Socia You are deceiu'd, you lie in your throate, there's
but one Socia belongs to this houſe, and that am I.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Lie ſlaue, and wilt out-face mee from my name?
I'le vſe you like your ſelfe a counterfeit,               

 

 
 

 

Beats him.

 

 
 

 

What art thou? ſpeake?

 

 
 

 

Socia I cannot tell.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Whom doſt thou ſerue?

 

 
 

 

Socia The time.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Thy name?

 

 
 

 

Socia Nothing.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Thy buſineſſe?

 

 
 

 

Socia To bee beaten.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed And what am I?

 

 
 

 

Socia What you will.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Am not I Socia?

 

 
 

 

Socia If you be not, I would you were ſo, to be beaten in my place.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed I knew my L. had no ſeruant of that name but me.

 

 
 

 

Socia Shall I ſpeake a few coole words, and bar buffeting.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Speake freely.

 

 
 

 

Socia You will not ſtrike.    

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Say on.

 

 
 

 

 Socia I am the party you wot off, I am Socia, you may ſtrike if you will, but in beating me (if you be Socia) I aſſure you, you ſhall but beate your ſelfe.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed The fellowes mad.

 

 
 

 

 Socia Mad, am I not newly landed? ſent hither by my Maiſter? Is not this our houſe? Do I not ſpeake? Am I not awake? Am I not newly beaten? Do I not feele it ſtill? And ſhall I doubt I am not my ſelfe? come, come, I'le in and doe my meſſage.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Sirrah, I haue indured you with much impatience,
Wilt thou make me beleeue I am not Socia?
Was not our ſhips launcht out off the Perſicke hauen?
Did I not land this night?
Haue we not won the Towne where K. Ptelera raign'd?
Haue we not orethrowne the Teleboans?
Did not my Lord Amphitrio kill the King hand to hand?

 

And did hee not ſend mee this night with a letter to certify my Lady Alcmena of all theſe newes.

 

 
 

 

 Socia I beginne to miſtruſt my ſelfe, all this is as true as if I had told it my ſelfe; but Il'e try him further: What did the Teleboans preſent my Lord with after the victory.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed With a golden cuppe in which the King himſelfe vſ'd to quaffe.

 

 
 

 

Socia Where did I put it.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed That I know not, but I put it into a caſket, ſign'd by my Lords Signet.

 

 
 

 

Socia And what's the Signet?

 

 
 

 

Ganimed The Sun riſing from the Eaſt in his Chariot,
But do you come to vndermine me you ſlaue?

 

 
 

 

 Socia I muſt go ſeeke ſome other name, I am halfe hang'd already, for my good name is loſt; once more reſolue me, if thou canſt tell me what I did alone I will reſigne thee my name: if thou bee'ſt Socia, when the battles began to ioyne, as ſoone as they beganne to ſkirmiſh, what didſt thou?

 

 
 

 

Ganimed As ſoone as they began to fight I began to runne.

 

 
 

 

Socia Whither?

 

 
 

 

Ganimed Into my Lords tent, and their hid mee vnder a bed.

 

 
 

 

 Socia I am gone, I am gone, ſomebody for charity ſake either lend mee or giue me a name, for this I haue loſt by the way, and now I looke better on he, me; or I, hee; as he hath got my name, hee hath got my ſhape, countenance, ſtature, and euerything ſo right, that he can bee no other then I my owne ſelfe; but when I thinke that I am I, the ſame I euer was, know my Maiſter, his houſe, haue ſence, feeling, and vnderſtanding, know my meſſage, my buſineſſe, why ſhould I not in to deliuer my letter to my Lady.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed That letter is deliuered by my hand.
My Lady knowes all, and expects her Lord,
And I her ſeruant Socia am ſet heere
To keepe ſuch idle raſkals from the gate,

 

Then leaue mee, and by faire meanes, or I'le ſend thee legleſſe, or armeleſſe hence.

 

 
 

 

 Socia Nay, thou haſt rob'd me of enough already, I would bee loath to looſe my name and limbes both in one night: where haue I miſcaried? where bene chang'd? Did I not leaue my ſelfe behind in the ſhip when I came away, I'le euen backe to my Maiſter and ſee if hee know mee, if hee know me, if he call me Socia, and will beare me out in't, Il'e come backe and do my meſſage, ſpight of him ſaies nay, Farewell ſelfe.                                         

 

 
 

 

Exit.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed This obſtacle, the father of more troubles
I haue put off, and kept him from diſturbance
In their adulterate paſtimes, faire Alcmena
Is great already by Amphitrio
And neere her time, and if ſhee proue by Iupiter
He by his power and God-hood will contract
Both births in one, to make her throwes the leſſe:
And at one inſtant ſhee ſhall child two iſſues,
Be got by Ioue and by Amphitrio.
The houſe by this long charm'd by Hermes rod
Are ſtirring and Ioue glutted with delights,
Ready to take his leaue, through ſatiate

 

With amourous dalliance: parting's not ſo ſweet
Betweene our louers, as when firſt they meet.

 

 
 

 

Enter Iupiter, Alcmena, and the ſeruants.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter My deereſt loue fare-well, we Generals
Cannot be abſent from our charges long:
I ſtole from th'Army to repoſe with thee,
And muſt before the Sunne mount to his Chariot,
Be there againe.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena My Lord, you come at midnight,
And you make haſte too, to be gone ere morne,
You riſe before your bed be throughly warme.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter Faireſt of our Theban Dames, accuſe me not,
I left the charge of Souldiers to report
The fortune of our battailes firſt to thee:
Which ſhould the campe know, they would lay on me
A grieuous imputation, that the beauty
Of my faire wife, can with Amphitrio more
Then can the charge of legions. As my comming
Was ſecret and conceal'd, ſo my returne,
Which ſhall be ſhort and ſudden.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena That I feare,
Better I had to keepe you beeing here.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter Nay part we muſt ſweet Lady, dry your teares.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena You'l make my minuts months, & daies ſeeme yeares.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter Your buſineſſe ere we part?

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Onely to pray
You will make haſte, not be too long away. Fare-well.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter Fare-well. Come Ganimed, 'tis done,
And faire Alcmena ſped with a yong ſonne.   

 

 
 

 

Exit.

 

Enter Amphitrio, Socia, two Captaines with attendants.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Oh Gentlemen, was euer man thus croſt?
So ſtrangely flowted by an abiect groome?
That either dreames, or's mad: one that ſpeakes nothing
Sauing impoſſibilities, and meerely
Falſe and abſurd. Thus thou art here, and there,

 

With me, at home, and at one inſtant both,
In vaine are theſe delirements, and to me
Moſt deeply incredible.

 

 
 

 

 Socia I am your owne, you may vſe me as you pleaſe: One would thinke I had loſt inough already, to looſe my name, and ſhape, and now to looſe your fauour too. Oh!

 

 
 

 

1. Captaine Fye Socia, you too much forget your ſelfe,
And 'tis beyond all ſufferance in your Lord,
To vſe no violent hand.

 

 
 

 

Socia You may ſay what you will, but a truth is a truth.

 

 
 

 

2. Captaine But this is neither true nor probable,
That this one body can deuide it ſelfe,
And be in two ſet places. Fie Socia, fie.

 

 
 

 

Socia I tell you as it is.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Slaue of all ſlaues the baſeſt: vrge me not,
Perſiſt in theſe abſurdities, and I vow
To cut thy tongue out, haue thee ſcourg'd and beaten,
Il'e haue thee flay'd.

 

 
 

 

 Socia You may ſo, you may as well take my ſkin as another take my name and phiſnomy: all goes one way.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Tell ore thy tale againe, make it more plaine.
Pray gentlemen your eares.

 

 
 

 

 Socia Then as I ſayd before, ſo I ſay ſtill: I am at home; do you heare? I am heare: do you ſee? I ſpake with my Lady at home; yet could not come in at the gate to ſee her: I deliuered her your letter, and yet haue it ſtill in my hand. Is not this plaine? do you vnderſtand me? I am neither mad nor drunke but what I ſpeake is in ſober ſadneſſe.

 

 
 

 

1. Captaine Fie Socia, fie, thou art much, too much too blame.

 

 
 

 

2.Captaine How dare you tempt your maiſters patience thus?

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Thinke not to ſcape thus: yet once more reſolue me
And faithfully: Do'ſt thou thinke it poſſible
Thou canſt be here and there? Be ſencible,
And tell me Socia.

 

 
 

 

 Socia 'Tis poſſible; nor blame I you to wonder: for it maruels me as much as any heere: Nor did I beleeue that Hee, my owne ſelfe, that is at home, till hee did conuince me with arguments, told me euery thing I did at the ſiege, remembred my arrand better then my ſelfe: Nor is water more like to water, nor milke to milke, then that He and I are to me and him: For when you ſent me home about midnight—

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio What then?

 

 
 

 

Socia I ſtood there to keepe the gate a great while before I came at it.

 

 
 

 

Captaine The fellow's mad.

 

 
 

 

Socia I am as you ſee.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio He hath been ſtrooke by ſome malevolent hand.

 

 
 

 

Socia Nay that's certaine: for I haue been ſoundly beaten.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Who beat thee.

 

 
 

 

Socia I my owne ſelfe that am at home, how oft ſhall I tell you?

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Sirrah, wee'l owe you this. Now gentlemen
You that haue beene co-partners in our warres,
Shall now co-part our welcome: we will viſite
Our beauteous wife; with whom (our buſineſſe ended)
We haue leaſure to conferre.

 

 
 

 

Enter Alcmena with her ſeruants and Mayd.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Haue you took down thoſe hangings that were plac'd
To entertaine my Lord?

 

 
 

 

1. Seruant Madame they are.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena And is our priuate bed-chamber diſ-roab'd
Of all her beauty? to looke ruinous,
Till my Lords preſence ſhall repair't againe.

 

 
 

 

2. Seruant 'Tis done as you directed.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Euery chamber,
Office and roome, ſhall in his abſence looke,

 

As if they miſt their maiſter, and beare part
With mee in my reſembled widow-hood.

 

 
 

 

3. Seruant That needs not madame: See my Lord's return'd.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena And made ſuch haſte to leaue me: I miſdoubt
Some tricke in this: It is diſtruſt or feare

 

Of my prou'd vertue: value it at beſt,
'T can be no leſſe then idle iealouſie.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio See bright Alcmena, with my ſudden greeting,
Il'e rap her ſoule to heauen, and make her ſurfet
With ioyes aboundance. Beauteous Lady ſee
Amphitrio return'd a Conquerour,
Glad to vnfold in his victorious armes
Thy nine-moneth abſent body, whoſe ripe birth
Swels with ſuch beauty in thy conſtant wombe.
How cheeres my Lady?

 

 
 

 

Alcmena So, so, wee'l do to her your kinde commends,
You may make bold to play vpon your friends.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Ha, what language call you this, that ſeemes to me
Paſt vnderſtanding? I conceiue it not,
I reioyce to ſee you wife.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Yet ſhals haue more?
You do but now, as you haue done before.
Pray flowt me ſtill, and do your ſelfe that right,
To tell that ore you told me yeſter-night.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio What yeſternight? Alcmena this your greeting
Diſtaſtes me. I but now, now, with theſe gentlemen
Landed at Thebes, and came to do my loue
To thee, before my duty to my King.
This ſtrangeneſſe much amazeth me.

 

 
 

 

Socia We haue found one Socia, but we are like to looſe an Amphitrio.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Shall I be plaine my Lord? I take it ill,
That you, whom I receiu'd late yeſter-night,
Gaue you my freeſt welcome, feaſted you,
Lodg'd you, and but this morning, two houres ſince
Tooke leaue of you with teares, that your returne
So ſudden, ſhould be furniſht with ſuch ſcorne.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Gentlemen, I feare the madneſſe of my man
Is fled into her braine, be theſe my witneſſe,
I am but newly landed: witneſſe theſe
With whom I haue not parted.

 

 
 

 

1. Captaine In this we needs muſt take our Generals part,

 

And witneſſe of his ſide.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena And bring you witneſſe to ſuggeſt your wrongs,
Againſt you two I can oppoſe all theſe.
Receiu'd I not Amphitrio yeſter-night?

 

 
 

 

1. Seruant I aſſure you my Lord remember your ſelfe, you were here yeſter-nighr.

 

 
 

 

All 'Tis moſt certaine.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Theſe villaines all are by my wife ſuborn'd,
To ſeeke to mad me. Gentlemen pray liſt,
Wee'l giue this errour ſcope: Pray at what time
Gaue you me entertainement the laſt night?

 

 
 

 

Alcmena As though you know not? Well, Il'e fit your humor,
And tell you what you better know then I.
At mid-night.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio At mid-night: Pray obſerue that Gentlemen,
At mid-night we were in diſcourſe a boord
Of my Commiſſion.

 

 
 

 

2. Captaine I remembr't well.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio What did we then at mid-night?

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Sate to banquet.

 

 
 

 

1. Seruant Where I waited.

 

 
 

 

2. Seruant So did we all.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio And I was there at banquet.

 

 
 

 

3. Seruant Your Lordſhip's merry: do you make a queſtion of that?    

 

 
 

 

Alcmena At banquet you diſcourſt the Inter-view Betweene the Theleboans and your hoaſt.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Belike then you can tell vs our ſucceſſe,
Ere we that are the firſt to bring theſe newes
Can vtter it.

 

 
 

 

Alcmena Your Lordſhip's pleaſant ſtill.
The battailes ioyn'd, cryes paſt on either ſide,
Long was the ſkirmiſh doubtfull, till the Thebans
Oppreſt the Theleboans: but the battaile
Was by the King renewed: who face to face
And hand to hand, met with Amphitrio:
You fought, and arme to arme in ſingle combat,
Troad on his head a Victor.

 

    

 

Amphitrio How came you by this?

 

    

 

Alcmena As though you told it not.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Well then, after banquet?

 

    

 

Alcmena We kiſt, embrac'd, our chamber was made ready.

 

    

 

Amphitrio And then?    

 

 
 

 

Alcmena To bed we went.

 

    

 

Amphitrio And there?    

 

 
 

 

Alcmena You ſlept in theſe my armes.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Strumpet, no more.
Madneſſe and impudence contend in thee,
Which ſhall afflict me moſt.

 

    

 

Alcmena Your iealouſie
And this impoſterous wrong, heapes on me iniuries
More then my ſex can beare: you had beſt deny
The gift you gaue me too.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Oh heauen! what gift?

 

    

 

Alcmena The golden Cup the Theleboans King
Vſ'd ſtill to quaffe in.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Indeed I had ſuch purpoſe,
But that I keepe ſafe lock't. Shew me the bowle.

 

    

 

Alcmena Theſſala, the ſtanding cup Amphitrio gaue me
Laſt night at banquet, ther's the key.

 

    

 

Theſſal. I ſhall.

 

    

 

1. Captaine My Lord, ther's much amazement in the opening of theſe ſtrange doubts, the more you ſeeke to vnfold
them, the more they puſle vs.

 

    

 

2. Captaine How came ſhe by the notice
And true recitall of the battailes fortune?

 

    

 

Amphitrio That hath this villaine told her, on my life.

 

    

 

Soc. Not I, I diſclaime it, vnleſſe it were my tother ſelfe, I haue no hand in it.           

 

 
 

 

Enter Theſſala with the cup.

 

    

 

Theſſala Madame, the bowle.

 

    

 

Alcmena Reſtor't Amphitrio,
I am not worthy to be truſted with it.

 

    

 

Amphitrio The forme, the mettal, and the grauing too.
'Tis ſomwhat ſtrange. Socia, the caſket ſtreight.

 

    

 

Socia Here ſir.

 

    

 

Amphitrio What, is my ſignet ſafe?     

 

 
 

 

Socia Vntouch't.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Then will I ſhew her ſtreight that bowle
The Theleboans gaue me. Wher's my key?

 

 
 

 

 Socia Here ſir. This is the ſtrangeſt that ere I heard, I Socia haue begot another Socia, my Lord Amphitrio hath begot another Amphitrio. Now, if this golden bowle haue begot another golden bowle, we ſhall be all twin'd and doubled.

 

   

 

Amphitrio Behold an empty caſket.

 

    

 

Alcmena This notwithſtanding you deny your gift,
Our meeting, banquet, and our ſportfull night.
Your mornings parting.

 

    

 

Amphitrio All theſe I deny
As falce, and paſt all nature, yet this goblet
Breeds in me wonder, with the true report
Of our warres proiect: But I am my ſelfe
New landed with theſe Captaines, and my men,
Deny all banquets and affaires of bed,
Which thou ſhalt deerely anſwere.

 

    

 

Alcmena Aſke your ſeruants
If I miſ-ſay in ought.

 

    

 

 1. Seruant My Lord, there is nothing ſaid by my Lady, but we are eye-witneſſes of, and will iuſtifie on our oathes.

 

    

 

Amphitrio And will you tempt me ſtill?
Socia, run to the ſhip, bring me the maiſter,
And he ſhall with theſe Captaines iuſtifie
On my behalfe, whilſt I reuenge my ſelfe
On theſe falce ſeruants, that ſupport their Lady
In her adulterous practiſe. Villaines, dogges.

 

    

 

1. Captaine Patience my Lord.   

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio beats in his men. Exit.

 

    

 

Alcmena Nay let him ſtill proceed,
That hauing kild them, I may likewiſe bleed.
His frenſie is my death, life I deſpiſe,
Theſe are the fruits of idle iealouſies.
Yonder he comes againe,          

 

 
 

 

Enter Iupiter.

 

So ſoone appeaſ'd,
And from his fury: I ſhall nere forget
This iniury, till I haue paid his debt.

 

    

 

Iupiter What ſad Alcmena? Pre'thee pardon me,
'Twas but my humour, and I now am ſorry.
Nay whither turn'ſt thou?

 

    

 

Alcmena All the wit I haue,

 

I muſt expreſſe: borne to be made a ſlaue:
I wonder you can hold your hands, not ſtrike,
If I a ſtrumpet be, and wrong your bed,
Why doth not your rude hand aſſault this head?

 

    

 

Iupiter Oh my ſweet wife, of what I did in ſport,
Condemne me not: If needs, then chide me for't.

 

    

 

Alcmena Was it becauſe I was laſt night to free
Of courteous dalliance, that you iniure me?
Was I too lauiſh of my loue? Next night
Feare not, Il'e keepe you ſhort of your delight:
Il'e learne to keepe you off, and ſeeme more coy,
You ſhall no more ſwim in exceſſe of ioy,
Looke for't hereafter.

 

    

 

Iupiter Puniſh me I pray.

 

    

 

Alcmena Giue me my dower and Il'e be gone away:
Leaue you to your harſh humors, and baſe ſtrife,
Onely the honour of a vertuous wife
Il'e beare along; my other ſubſtance keepe:
For in a widowed bed Il'e henceforth ſleepe.

 

    

 

Iupiter By this right hand, which you Amphitrio owe,
My wrongs henceforth ſhall nere afflict you ſo.
Speake, are we friends? By this ſoft kiſſe I ſweare,
No Lady liuing is to me like deare.
Theſe nuptiall brawles oft-times more loue beget:
The rauiſhing pleaſures, when laſt night we met
We will redouble. Theſe hands ſhall not part
Till we be reconcil'd.

 

    

 

Alcmena You haue my heart; nor can my anger laſt.

 

    

 

Iupiter Faire loue then ſmile.  

 

 
 

 

Enter Blepharo and Socia.

 

 
 

 

And let our lips our hearts thus reconcile.

 

    

 

Blepharo Thou tel'ſt me wonders.

 

    

 

 Socia I aſſure you there are two Socia's, and for ought I can heare, there are two Amphitrio's: we were in hope to haue two golden bowles. Now if your ſhip can get two maiſters, you wil be ſimply furniſh't to ſea. But ſee my Lord and my Lady are friends; let vs be partakers of their reconcilement.

 

 
 

 

Blepharo Haile to the generall: you ſent to me my Lord.

 

    

 

Iupiter True Blepharo:
But things are well made euen, and we attoned,
Your chiefeſt buſineſſe is to feaſt with vs.
Attend vs Socia. Faire Alcmena now
We are both one, combin'd by oath and vow.     

 

 
 

 

Exeunt.

 

    

 

Socia Ther's muſicke in this: If they feaſt Il'e feaſt with them, and make my belly amends for all the blowes receiu'd
vpon my backe.

 

 
 

 

Enter Ganimed.

 

    

 

 Ganimed Iupiter and Alcmena are entred at the backe gate, whil'ſt Amphitrio is beating his ſeruants out at the foregate. Als in vp-rore: I do but watch to ſee him out in the ſtreet, to ſhut the gates againſt him. But yonder is Socia, I'le paſſe by him without ſpeaking.

 

    

 

Socia I ſhould haue ſeene your face when I haue look't my
ſelfe in a glaſſe, your ſweet phiſnomy, ſhould be of my ac-
quaintance: I will not paſſe him without Conge.

 

                                        

 

They paſſe with many ſtrange Conges.

 

Enter Amphitrio, beating before him his ſeruants, the two Captaines, they meet with Ganimed.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio Villaines, dogges, diuels.

 

    

 

1. Captaine Noble Generall.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Theſe wrongs are too indigne. Socia return'd?
Where's Blepharo?

 

    

 

Ganimed I haue ſought him a boord; but he is in the Citty to
ſee ſome of his friends, and will not returne till dinner.
Now for a tricke to ſhut the gates vpon him.     Exit.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Patience, if thou haſt any power on earth,
Infuſe it here, or I theſe hypocrites,
Theſe baſe ſuggeſters of their Ladies wrongs,
Shall to the death purſue.

 

    

 

2. Captaine Finde for their puniſhment
Some more deliberate ſeaſon: ſleepe vpon't,
And by an order more direct and plaine

 

Void of this ſtrange confuſion, cenſure them.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Sir, you aduiſe well, I will qualify
This heate of rage: now I haue beate them forth
Let's in and ſee my wife, Socia ſtolne hence
And the gates ſhut, let's knocke.      

 

 
 

 

Knockes, enter Ganimed aboue.

 

 
 

 

Ganimed What Ruffin's that that knocks? you thinke belike
the nailes of our dores are as ſawcy as your ſelfe, that they
neede beating.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Socia I am thy Lord Amphitrio.

 

    

 

Ganimed You are a fooles head of your owne, are you not?

 

    

 

Amphitrio Ruffin and foole.           

 

    

 

Ganimed Take coxcombe and aſſe along, if you bee not ſatiſfied.
    

 

Amphitrio Do you condemne me now, pray Gentlemen
Do me but right, haue I iuſt cauſe to rage?
Can you that haue perſwaded mee to peace
Brooke this? oh for ſome battering engine heere
To race my Pallace walles, or ſome iron Ramme
To plant againſt theſe gates,

 

    

 

Ganimed Sirrah, I'le make you eate theſe words, ſtay but
till I come downe, I'le ſend you thence with a vengeance, I
am now comming, looke to't, I'le tickle you with your
counterfeit companions there.                           

 

 
 

 

Exit.

 

    

 

1. Captaine This is too much, 'tis not to be indured.

 

    

 

Amphitrio I wiſh of heauen to haue no longer life then
once more to behold him, hee ſhall pay for all the reſt.

 

    

 

2. Captaine He promiſt to come downe.

 

 
 

 

Enter Socia and Blepharo.

 

    

 

1. Captaine And I thinke hee will, for harke, I heare the gates open.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Forbeare a little, note the villaines humor.

 

    

 

 Socia Al's quiet within, I'le go helpe to fetch my Lords ſtuffe from ſhip, but ſee, hee's out of the gates before vs, which way came hee?

 

    

 

Blepharo Hee hath made haſt.

 

    

 

Socia I thinke he hath crept through the key-hole.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Nay, I'le be patient feare not, note my humor: Socia.

 

 
 

 

Socia My Lord.

 

    

 

 Amphitrio My honeſt Blepharo I'le talke with you anone, my faithfull ſeruant, who paſt this houſe to you, that you haue power to keepe the Maiſter out? tell me, what know you by your faire Miſtreſſe, that you call your Lord coxcombe and aſſe, (nay I am patient ſtill) Amphitrioes name is heere forgot, foole, ruffin are nothing, them I pardon, now you are downe, when do you beate me head-long from the gate, and theſe my counterfeit companions hence.

 

    

 

Socia Who I, I, is your Lordſhip as wiſe as God might haue made you, I

 

    

 

Amphitrio You ſee we are here ſtill, when doe you ſtrike, what? not: Then I'le beginne with you.

 

    

 

Blepharo Amphitrio.

 

    

 

Socia My Lord's mad, helpe Gentlemen.

 

    

 

Blepharo If you be Gentlemen and loue Amphitrio,
Or if you know me to be Blepharo
Your Maiſter that tranſported you by ſea
Giue not this madneſſe ſcope, vpon my credit
Socia is guiltleſſe of this falce ſurmiſe.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Is Blepharo turn'd mad too.

 

    

 

Blepharo Generall no,
It pitties me that left you late ſo milde
And in ſuch peacefull conference with your wiſe
So ſuddenly to finde you lunaticke,
Pray helpe to bind him Gentlemen.

 

    

 

Amphitrio So, ſo, am I abuſ'd or no, ſpeake fellow ſouldiers.

 

    

 

1. Cap. Inſufferable, and yet forbeare your rage,
Breath, breath, vpon't and find ſome other leaſure
Theſe errors to determine.       

 

 
 

 

Enter Iupiter, Alcmena, Ganimed before, all the ſeruants running fearefully.

 

 

Amphitrio Well, I will.
                  

 

Socia Yonder's my brother, my ſame ſelfe.

 

    

 

Blepharo Two Socia's, two Amphitrioes.

 

    

 

1. Captaine Coniuring, witch-craft.

 

    

 

Iupiter Friends and my fellow ſouldiers, you haue dealt
Vnfriendly with mee, to beſiedge my houſe

 

With theſe exclaimes, to bring Impoſters hither.
Is there no law in Thebes? will Creon ſuffer me
For all my ſeruice, to be iniur'd thus?

 

    

 

Amphitrio Bee'ſt thou infernall hagge, or fiend incarnate, I coniure thee.

 

    

 

Iupiter Friends, I appeale to you:
When haue you knowne me mad? when rage and raue?
Shall my humanity and mildneſſe thus
Be recompenſt? to be out-brau'd, out-fac'd
By ſome deluding Fairy? To haue my ſeruants
Beat from my gates? my Generall houſe diſturb'd,
My wife full growne, and groaning, ready now
To inuoke Lucina, to be check't and ſcorn'd?
Examine all my deeds, Amphitrioes mildneſſe
Had neuer reference to this Iuglers rage.

 

    

 

1. Captaine Sure this is the Generall, he was euer a milde Gentleman: Il'e follow him.

 

    

 

2. Captaine There can be but one Amphitrio, and this appeares to be he by his noble carriage.

 

    

 

Blepharo This is that Amphitrio I conducted by ſea:

 

    

 

1. Seruant My Lord was neuer mad-man. This ſhall be my maiſter.

 

    

 

All And mine.

 

    

 

Alcmena This is my huſband.

 

    

 

Socia Il'e euen make bold to go with the beſt.

 

    

 

Ganimed Soft ſir, the true Socia muſt goe with the true Amphitrio.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Oh thou omnipotent thunder! ſtrike Amphitrio,
And free me from this labyrinth.

 

    

 

Iupiter Gentlemen,
My houſe is free to you; onely debar'd
Theſe Counterfets: Theſe gates that them exclude,
Stand open to you: Enter, and taſte our bounty,
Attend vs. 'Laſſe poore Amphitrio,
I muſt confeſſe I do thee too much wrong,
To keep thee in theſe maze of doubts ſo long;
Which here ſhall end: For Iuno I eſpy,

 

Who all our amorous paſtimes ſees from hye:
As ſhe deſcends, ſo muſt I mount the ſpheares
To ſtop her, leſt ſhe thunder in our eares.

 

                                     

 

Exeunt all but Amphitrio and Socia.

 

    

 

Amphitrio What art thou?

 

    

 

Socia Nay, what art thou?

 

    

 

Amphitrio I am not my ſelfe.

 

    

 

Socia You would not beleeue me when I ſayd I was not my ſelfe: why ſhould I beleeue you?

 

    

 

Amphitrio Art thou Socia?

 

   

 

 Socia That's more then I can reſolue you: for the world is growne ſo dangerous, a man dares ſcarce make bold with his owne name; but I am he was sent with a letter to my Lady.

 

 
 

 

Amphitrio And I am he that ſent thee with that letter,
Yet dare not ſay I am Amphitrio;
My wife, houſe, friends, my ſeruants all deny me.

 

    

 

Socia You, haue reaſon to loue me the better, ſince none 
ſtickes to you but I.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Let all yon ſtarry ſtructure from his baſſes
Shrinke to the earth, that the whole face of heauen
Falling vpon forlorne Amphitrio,
May like a marble monumentall ſtone,
Lye on me in my graue Eternall ſleepe
Caſt a nocturnall filme before theſe eyes,
That they may nere more gaze vpon yon heauens,
That haue beheld my ſhame: or ſleepe or death
Command me ſhut theſe opticke windowes in:
My braine is coffin'd in a bed of lead,
'Tis cold and heauy; be my pillow Socia:
For I muſt ſleepe.

 

    

 

Socia And ſo muſt I, pray make no noyſe, for waking me or my maiſter.                      

 

 
 

 

They ſleepe.

 

Iuno and Iris deſcend from the heauens.

 

    

 

Iuno Iris away, I haue found th'adulterer now:
Since Mercury faire Ioe's keeper ſlew,
The hundred-eyed Argus, I haue none

 

To dogge and watch him when he leaues the heauens.
No ſooner did I miſſe him, but I ſought
Heauen, ſea, and earth: I brib'd the ſunne by day,
And ſtarres by night; but all their iealous eyes
He with thicke miſts hath blinded, and ſo ſcap't.
Iris my Raine-bow threw her circle round,
If he had beene on earth, to haue claſp't him in,
And kept him in the circle of her armes
Till ſhe had cal'd for Iuno: But her ſearch
He ſoone deluded in his ſlye trans-ſhapes.
And till I ſaw here two Amphitrioes,
I had not once ſuſpected him in Thebes.
Roab'd all in wrath, and clad in ſcarlet fury,
I come to be aueng'd vpon that ſtrumpet
That durſt preſume to adulterate Iunoes bed.
Pull me from heauen (faire Iris) a blacke cloud,
From which Il'e faſhion me a beldams ſhape,
And ſuch a powerfull charme Il'e caſt on her,
As that her baſtard-brats ſhall nere be borne;
But make her wombe their Tombes. Iris away.

 

    

 

Iris I flye Madame.                             

 

 
 

 

Exit Iris.

 

    

 

Iuno No, theſe are mortals, and not them I ſeeke.
I feare me if he heare of me in Thebes,
He (with his Minion) ſtreight will mount the heauens.
But let him ſeat him on the loftieſt ſpire
Heauen hath: or place me in the loweſt of hell,
Il'e reach him with my clamours.

 

    

 

Socia Hey-ho, now am I dream'd of a ſcold.

 

      

 

Enter Iris with a habit.

 

    

 

Iuno But Iris is return'd: Rage, feaſt thy fill,
Till I the mother ſley, the baſtards kill.               

 

 
 

 

Exit Iuno.

 

Thunder and lightning. All the ſeruants run out of the houſe affrighted, the two Captains and Blepharo, Amphitrio and ſocia amazedly awake: Iupiter appeares in his glory vnder a Raine-bow, to whom they all kneele.

 

    

 

Iupiter The Thunderer, Thunderers, and the Lord of feare,

 

Bids thee not feare at all Amphitrio.
Ioue, that againſt the Theleboanſ gaue thee
The palme of Conqueſt, and hath crown'd thy browes
With a victorious wreath, commands thy peace
With faire Alcmena, she that neuer boſom'd
Mortall, ſaue thee; The errours of thy ſeruants
Forbeare to puniſh, as forgot by vs,
And finde vs to thy prayers propicious.
Thy wife full growne, inuokes Lucinaes ayd:
Send in to cheare her in her painefull throwes.
Hers, and thy Oriſons wee'l beare to heauen;
And they in all your greateſt doubts and feares,
Shall haue acceſſe to our immortall eares.

 

    

 

Amphitrio Ioue is our patron, and his power our awe,
His maieſty our wonder: will, our law.

 

    

 

Iupiter Our Act thus ends, we would haue all things euen,
Smile you on earth whilſt we reioyce in heauen.

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

Actus 3.

 

 
 

 

Enter Homer one way, Iuno another.

 

 
 

 

Homer Behold where Iuno comes, and with a ſpell
Shuts vp the wombe by which Ioues ſonne muſt paſſe:
For whilſt ſhee Croſſe-leg'd ſits (as old wiues tell,
And with clutch't hands) there is no way alas
For faire Alcmena's childing. All thoſe wiues
That heare her painfull throwes, are in diſpaire:
Yet in her wombe the Ioue-bred Iſſue ſtriues:
Three dayes are paſt, her paines ſtill greater are.
But note a womans wit, though Iuno ſmile.
A Beldams braine the Goddeſſe ſhall beguile.

 

 
 

 

Iuno Ha, ha! Now Ioue with thy omnipotence,
Make (if thou canſt) way for thy baſtards birth,
Whoſe paſſage I thus binde, and in this knot
Which till their deaths, ſhall neuer be diſſolu'd,

 

I haue power to ſtrangle all the charmes of hell.
Nor powers of heauen ſhall ſtreight me, till the deaths
Of yon adultereſſe and her mechall brats.
Laugh Gods and men, ſea, earth, and ayre make ioy,
That Iuno thus Alcmena can deſtroy.

 

 
 

 

Enter the Midwife, Galantis with two or three other aged women.

 

 
 

 

Galantis Haue you obſeru'd her to ſit croſſe-leg'd euer
ſince my Lady began her trauell? I ſuſpect witch-craft, Il'e
haue a tricke to rouze her.

 

 
 

 

Midwife No doubt but did ſhe open her knees and fingers,
my Lady ſhould haue ſafe deliuery.

 

 
 

 

Galantis Truſt to my wit, Il'e in & find a meanes to ſtartle her.

 

 
 

 

Beldame Note how the Beldame ſmiles, and in her clutcheſ
Strangles my Ladies birth: ſome friend remoue her.

 

 
 

 

Iuno Ha, ha, he, their teares my griefes recure,
Thus I reuenge me of their deeds impure.

 

 
 

 

Enter Galantis merry.

 

    

 

Galantis Now Ioue be praiſ'd, and Ladies dry your teares,
And gentle Madame come reioyce with vs.

 

    

 

Iuno Why, what's the matter?

 

    

 

Galantis I cannot hold my ioy: thankes faire Lucina
Goddeſſe of child-birth, Ioue and all be praiſ'd,
Alcmena is deliuered, brought to bed
Of a fine chopping boy.                                   

 

 
 

 

Iuno riſeth.

 

    

 

Iuno Is my ſpell faild? how could I curſe and teare?

 

    

 

Midwife The witch is rouz'd, in and ſee what newes.

 

    

 

 Galantis Stay ſtay, Il'e go ſee what cofort's within: for when I came out I left my poore Lady in midſt of all her torment.

 

    

 

Iuno What edge of ſteele, or Adamantine chaine,
Hath forc'd in two the vertue of my charme?
Which Gods and diuels gaue vnite conſent
To be infract? Oh powerfull Iupiter!
I feare thy hand's in this.

 

 
 

 

Enter Galantis extreamely laughing.

 

    

 

Beldame How the witch ſtormes!

 

    

 

Iuno What meanes the wretch to hold her ſides & laugh,
And ſtill to point at me? How now Galantis?

 

    

 

Galantis That's my name indeed: (hold heart, hold) you are a
witch, are you? you ſat croſſe-leg'd, did you? my Lady could
not bee brought to bed, could ſhe? And now Gallantis hath 
gul'd you, hath ſhe?     

 

 
 

 

Iuno The morrall.

 

    

 

 Galantis Il'e tell thee; I ſuſpecting thy trechery to my Lady, brought in counterfet newes ſhe was brought to bed, which you (gooddy witch) no ſooner heard, but roſe vp; & no ſooner you had caſt your armes abroad, but my Lady was deliuered of two goodly boyes, one like my Lord Amphitrio, but the other the braueſt chopping lad— laugh the beldam out of her ſkin, & then returne to comfort my Lady.   

 

 
 

 

Exeunt

 

    

 

Iuno Oh that we ſhould be ſubiect to the Fates!
And though being Gods, yet by their power be croſt.
Galantis, Il'e be firſt reueng'd on thee
For this deriſion, and tranſ-forme thy ſhape
To ſome fowle monſter, that ſhall beare thy name.
And are the baſtards borne? They haue paſt the wombe,
They ſhall not paſſe the cradle. 

 

 
 

 

Iris Ho.            

 

 
 

 

Enter Iris.

 

    

 

Iris Madame.

 

    

 

Iuno Fly into Affricke, from the mountaines there
Chuſe me two venemous ſerpents, of the blood
That Perſeus dropt out of the Gorgons head
When on his winged horſe, with that new ſpoyle
He croſt the Affricke climate: thou ſhalt know them
By their fell poyſon, and their fierce aſpect. When Iris?

 

    

 

Iris I am gone.

 

    

 

Iuno Haſte Iris, flye with expeditions wings,
Theſe brats ſhall dye by their inuenomed ſtings.

 

 
 

 

Homer The iealous Goddeſſe in the Chamber throwes
The poyſonous ſerpents, who ſoone wound and kill
Yong Ipectetes, whom Amphitrio owes.
But Hercules, whom Ioue with power doth fill,

 

You firſt ſhall in his infant-cradle ſee,
Ere growne a man, famous for chiualrie.

 

 
 

 

The Nurſes bring yong Hercules in his Cradle, and leaue him. Enter Iuno and Iris with two ſnakes, put them to the childe and depart: Hercules ſtrangles them: to them Amphitrio, admiring the accident.

 

 
 

 

Homer He that could in his cradle ſerpents kill,
 Will (being growne) the world with wonders fill.
Imagine him full growne, and nobly train'd
By King Euriſteus, the bold youth proclaimes
Paſtimes of exerciſe, where he hath gain'd
Chiefe praiſe and palme in theſe Olimpicke games.
    Them we muſt next, as his firſt grace preſent
    With Iuno, to his fame maleuolent:

 

 
 

 

Enter, after great ſhouts and flouriſhes, Iuno and King Euriſteus.

 

 
 

 

Iuno Harke, harke Euriſteus, how the yelling throats
Of the rude rabble, deifie his praiſe:
Their lofty clamours, and their ſhrill applauſes
Strike 'gainſt the cleare and azure floores of heauen,
And thence againſt the earth reuerberate,
That Iuno can nor reſt aboue nor here,
But ſtill his honours clangor ſtrikes mine eare.

 

    

 

Euriſteus Patience celeſtiall Goddeſſe, as I wiſh
Your powerfull aidance when I need it moſt,
So for your ſake I will impoſe him dangers,
Such and ſo great, that without Ioues owne hand,
He ſhall not haue the power to ſcatter them.

 

    

 

Iuno If neither tyrants, monſters, ſauages,
Giants nor hell-hounds, can the baſtard quell;
Let him be paſht, ſtab'd, ſtrangled, poiſoned,     

 

 
 

 

ſhouts within.

 

 
 

 

Or murdered ſleeping. Harke Euriſteus ſtill    

 

How their wide throates his high applauſes ſhrill.

 

 
 

 

Euriſteus Th'earth ſhall not breed a monſter, nor the heauens
Threaten a danger ſhall not taſke his life.

 

    

 

Iuno Thou chim'ſt me ſpheare-like muſicke, I haue rouz'd
A monſtrous Lyon, that doth range theſe woods:
My deere Euriſteus, make him tugge with him.         

 

 
 

 

ſhouts.

 

 
 

 

Still doth his praiſe make the heauen reſound;
Farewell Euriſteus, Il'e not ſee him crown'd.    

 

 
 

 

Exit Iuno.

 

Enter the Kings of Greece to Euriſteus with Garlands, Hercules, Theſeus, Perithous, Philoctetes, with others from the games of Olimpus.

 

 
 

 

    

 

1. King Theſe honoured paſtimes on Olimpus mount,
Begun by thee the Theban Hercules,
Shall laſt beyond all time and memory.
Thou art vnpeer'd, all Greece reſounds thy praiſe,
And crowne thy worth with theſe greene wreaths of Baies.

 

    

 

Hercules More deere to me then the beſt golden Arch
That ere crown'd Monarkes brow, we haue begun
In paſtimes, wee'le proceed to acts more dreadfull,
To expreſſe our power and hardiment:
Though by your ſufferage, we haue beſt deſeru'd;
Yet merit we not all, theſe Grecian Princes,
Although degree'd below vs, did excell,
Though not as beſt, receiue as thoſe did well.
Theſeus, Perithous, Philoctetes, take
Your valours meeds, your praiſes lowd did ſound,
Then each one take from Hercules a crowne.

 

    

 

Theſeus Braue Theban youth, no leſſe then Ioues owne ſon,
Giue Theſeus leaue both to admire and loue thee:
Lets henceforth haue one ſoule.

 

    

 

Hercules Theſeus commands the heart of Hercules,
And all my deeds, next Ioue omnipotent,
Il'e conſecrate to thee and to thy loue.

 

    

 

Perithous Though all vnworthy to be ſtil'd the friend
Of great Alcides, giue Perithous leaue
To do thee honour, and admire thy worth.

 

 
 

 

Philoctetes That Philoctetes begges of Hercules.
Thy curteſie equals thy actiue power:
And then in both art chiefe and patterneleſſe.

 

    

 

Hercules We prize you as the deereſt gemmes of Greece,
And all the honours of Alcmenaes ſonne
You ſhall partake, whil'ſt theſe braue Argiue Kings,
That rang vs plaudits for the Olimpike games,
Shall clap our triumphes 'gainſt the dreadful'ſt monſters
Heauen can ſend downe, or deepe Auerno belch forth.
As for the earth-bred monſters, we haue power
Infuſ'd by Ioue, to calme their inſolence.
Nor will we ceaſe, till we haue purchaſ'd vs
The name of Tyrant-tamer through the world.

 

    

 

Euriſteus It glads Euriſteus to be made ſo happy
As to be Tutor to this noble youth.
Thou haſt (witneſſe Olimpus) prou'd thy ſelfe
The ſwifteſt, actiu'ſt, ableſt, ſtrongeſt, conning'ſt
In ſhaft or dart; which when thy ſtep-dame Iuno
Shall vnderſtand how much thou do'ſt excell,
As 'twill pleaſe Ioue, it will content her well.

 

    

 

Hercules May we renowne Euriſteus by our fame,
As we ſhall ſtriue to pleaſe that heauenly dame.

 

    

 

Euriſteus Set on then Princes to the further honours
Of this bold Theban: may he ſtill proceed
To crowne great Greece with many a noble deed.

 

                                    

 

Enter a Heardſman wounded.

 

    

 

Theſeus Stay Lords: what meanes this Tragicke ſpectacle?

 

    

 

Herdſman If Greece, that whilome was eſteem'd the ſpring
Of valor, and the well of chiualry,
Can yeeld an army of reſolued ſpirits,
Muſter them all againſt one dreadfull beaſt,
That keeps the forreſts and the woods in awe:
Commands the Cleonean continent,
Vnpeoples townes; And if not interdicted,
In time will make all Greece a wilderneſſe.

 

    

 

Hercules Heareſman, thou haſt expreſt a monſtrous beaſt,
Worthy the taſke of Ioue-borne Hercules.

 

What is the ſauadge? ſpeake.

 

    

 

Herdſman Whether ſome God,
With Greece offended, ſends him as a murreine,
To ſtrike our heards; or as a worſer plague,
Your people to deſtroy: But a fierce Lyon
Liues in the neighbour forreſt, preying there
On man and beaſt, not ſatiſfied with both.
Ten Heardſmen of my traine at once he ſlew,
And me thus wounded; yet his maw vnſtaunch't,
He ſtill the thicke Nemean groues doth ſtray,
As if the world were not ſufficient pray.

 

    

 

Euriſteus This Lyon were a taſke worthy Ioues ſonne,
Oh free vs from this feare great Hercules.

 

    

 

Hercules If he be den'd, Il'e rouze the monſtrous beaſt;
If ſeeking prey, Il'e chace him through the groues,
And hauing ouer-run the fugitiue,
Dare him to ſingle warre: It fits Ioues ſonne
Wraſtle with Lyons, and to tugge with Beares,
Grapple with Dragons, and incounter Whales.
Be he (as Ioues owne ſhield) invulnerable,
Or be his breaſt hoop't in with ribbes of braſſe,
Be his teeth raſer'd, and his tallons keepe,
Sending at euery blow, fire from his bones,
Yet I ere night will caſe me in his ſkin.
This is a ſport———
Aboue th'Olimpiads; we will hunt to day
Yon fierce Nemean terror, as a game
Becomming Hercules. Winde hornes, away:
For now a generall hunting we proclaime,
Follow vs Princes, you that loue the game.               

 

 
 

 

Exeunt.

 

Windhornes. Enter Iuno and Iris aboue in a cloud.

 

 
 

 

Iuno Yon cheerefull noyſe of hunting tels mine eare
Hee's in the Chace: Redouble Ire on Ire,
And teare the baſtard Theban limbe from limbe.
Where art thou Iris? tell me from the cloud,

 

Where I haue plac'd thee to behold the Chace.

 

    

 

Iris (aloft) Great Hercules
Purſues him through the medowes, mountaines, rockes.

 

    

 

Iuno And flyes the ſauadge? will he not turne head,
Knowing his ſkin (ſaue by Ioues Thunderbolt)
Not to be pierc'd? baſe trembling coward beaſt.

 

    

 

Iris Now doth the Lyon turne 'gainſt Hercules
With violent fury: 'laſſe poore Hercules.

 

    

 

Iuno Gramercy Iris, I will crowne thy brow
With a new caſe of ſtarres, for theſe good newes.    

 

 
 

 

ſhouts within.

 

 
 

 

Iris Oh! well done Hercules.          
He ſhakes him from his ſhoulders like a feather.
And hurles the Lyon flat: The beaſt againe
Leaps to his throat; Alcides grapples with him.
The Lyon now: Now Hercules againe.
And now the beaſt; me thinkes the combat's euen.

 

 
 

 

Iuno Not yet deſtroyd?                            

 

 
 

 

ſhouts within.

 

 

Iris Well, wraſtled Hercules:           

 

He gaue the monſtrous Lyon ſuch a fall,
As if a mountaine ſhould ore-whelme withall.
Aboue him ſtill: he chokes him with his gripes,
And with his ponderous buffets ſtownds the beaſt.

 

    

 

Iuno Thus is my ſorrow, and his fame increaſt.

 

    

 

Iris Now he hath ſtrangled him.

 

    

 

Iuno Iris diſcend.
But though this faile, Il'e other dangers ſtore,
My Lyon ſlaine, I will prouide a Boare.

 

 
 

 

Enter to them at one doore, Euriſteus, and the Kings of Greece: at the other Hercules, with the Lyons head and skinne, Theſeus, Perithous, Philoctetes.

 

 
 

 

Hercules Thus Hercules begins his Iouiall taskes:
The horrid beaſt I haue torne out of his skin,
And the Nemean terror naked lyes,
Deſpoyl'd of his inuinced coat of Armes.

 

    

 

Iuno This head (O wer't the head of Hercules)

 

Doth grace Alcides ſhoulders, and me thinkes,
Deck'd in theſe ſpoyles, thou dar'ſt the God of Armes.

 

    

 

Hercules To you great Iuno, doth Alcmena's ſonne
His high laborious valour dedicate.
You might haue heard the Lyon roare to heauen;
Euen to the high tribunall in the Shpeares,
Where you ſit crown'd in ſtarres. We fac'd the beaſt,
And when he fixt his tallons in our fleſh,
We catch't the monſter in our manly gripes,
And made him thrice breake hold. Long did we tugge
For eminence; but when we prou'd his skin
To be wound-free, not to be pierc'd with ſteele,
We tooke the ſauadge monſter by the throat,
And with our ſinowy puiſſance ſtrangled him.

 

    

 

Euriſteus Alcides honours Thebes, and fames whole Greece.

 

    

 

Hercules There ſhall not breath a monſter here vnawed,
We ſhall the world affoord a wonderment,
Vnparalel'd by Theban Hercules.
This Lyons caſe ſhall on our ſhoulders hang,
Wee'l arme our body with th'vnvulner'd skin;
And with this maſſy Club all monſters dare:
And theſe ſhall like a bloudy meteor ſhew
More dreadfull then Orions flaming lockes,
T'affright the Gyants that oppreſſe the earth.

 

    

 

Euriſteus Let Hercules meane time abide with vs,
Till King Euriſteus new atchieuements finde,
Worthy his valour.

 

    

 

Theſeus Honour me great Prince,
To grace my friend Perithous, and his ayd,
To be at their high ſpowſals.

 

    

 

Perithous Hypodamia
Shall in this ſuit aſſiſt Perithous,
With vs the Lapithes, the Centaurs meete,
Thoſe whom Ixion got vpon a cloud.
They liue amongſt the groues of Theſſaly,
And in their double ſhapes will grace our feaſt.

 

    

 

Hercules Perithous, we will meet the Centaurs there,

 

And quaffe with them to Hypodamia's health.
But wherefore ſtands bright Iuno diſcontent?

 

    

 

Iuno Oh blame me not, an vncoth ſauadge Boare
Deuaſts the fertill plaines of Theſſaly:
And when the people come to implore our ayd,
Their liues no mortall that dare vndertake
To combat him; The rough Nemean Lyon
Was milde to this: he plowes the forreſts vp,
His ſnowy foame he ſcatters ore the hils,
And in his courſe or-turnes the Dordan okes:
Oh let him dye by mighty Hercules.

 

    

 

Hercules Eternall Goddeſſe, were his ſharpned teeth
More dreadfull then the phangs of Cerberus,
Or were his briſtled-hide Ioues Thunder proofe,
Were his head braſſe, or his breaſt doubly plated
With 'beſt Vulcanian armour Lemnos yeelds;
Yet ſhall his braines rattle beneath my Club.
The Eremanthian forreſt where he den's,
Shall quake with terrour when we beat the beaſt:
And when we caſt his backe againſt the earth,
The ground ſhall groane and reele with as much terror
As when the Gyant Typhon ſhakes the earth.

 

    

 

Iuno Oh may'ſt thou liue the Theban Conquerour.
(Dye by the fury of that ſauadge ſwine,
And with thy carkaſſe glut his rauenous maw.)

 

    

 

Hercules Perithous, I will bring thee to thy Bridals
This huge wilde ſwine, to feaſt the Centaurs with.
Diana's wrath ſhall be Alcides diſh,
Which hee'l preſent to Hypodamia.
Theſeus and Philoctetes, you conſort
Perithous, and aſſiſt the Lapythes
In theſe high preparations: We will take
The Eremanthian forreſt in our way.
Let's part, and ſacred Goddeſſe wiſh vs well
In our atchieuements.

 

    

 

Iuno To be damn'd in hell.                          

 

 
 

 

Exeunt.

 

Enter Ceres and Proſerpine attired like the Moone, with a company of Swaines, and country Wenches: They ſing.

 

 

Song With faire Ceres Queene of graine

 

 The reaped fields we rome, rome, rome,

 

 Each Countrey Peaſant, Nimph and Swaine
Sing their harueſt home, home, home;

 

 Whilſt the Queene of plenty hallowes  

 

 Growing fields as well as fallowes.

Eccho double all our Layes,
Make the Champians ſound, ſound, ſound
To the Queene of harveſt praiſe,
That ſowes and reapes our ground, ground, ground.
Ceres Queene of plenty hallowes,
Growing fields as well as fallowes.

 

 
 

 

Ceres As we are Ceres, Queene of all fertility,
The earthes ſiſter, Aunt to higeſt Iupiter,
And mother to this beauteous childe the Moone,
So will we bleſſe your harueſts, crowne your fields
With plenty and increaſe: your bearded cares
Shall make their golden ſtalkes of wheat to bend
Below their laden riches: with full ſickles
You ſhall receiue the vſury of their ſeeds.
Your fallowes and your gleabes our ſelfe will till
Frow euery furrow that your plow-ſhares raze
Vpon the plenteous earth, our ſiſters breaſt,
You ſhall caſt vp aboundance for your gratitude
To Ceres and the chaſte Proſerpina.

 

 
 

 

Proſerpine Whil'ſt with theſe ſwaines my mother merry-makes,
And from their hands eates cakes of neweſt wheate,
The firſtlings of their vowed ſacrifice,
Leaue me behinde to make me various garlands
Of all the choyceſt flowers theſe medowes yeeld,
To decke my browes, and keep my face from ſcorches

 

Of Phœbus raies.

 

    

 

Ceres That done returne to vs,
Vnto our Temple, where wee'l feaſt theſe ſwaines.

 

    

 

Proſerpine No ſooner ſhall faire Flora crowne my temples,
But I your offerings will participate.

 

    

 

Ceres Now that the heauens and earth are both appeaſ'd,
And the huge Giants that aſſaulted Ioue,
Are ſlaughtered by the hand of Iupiter;
We haue leaſure to attend our harmeleſſe ſwaines:
Set on then to our Rurall ceremonies.            

 

 
 

 

Exeunt ſinging.

 

 
Tempeſts hence, hence winds and hailes,
Tares, cockle, rotten ſhowers, ſhowers, ſhowers,
Our ſong ſhall keep time with our flailes,
When Ceres ſings, none lowers, lowers, lowers.

 

 She it is whoſe God-hood hallowes
Growing fields as well as fallowes.

 

 
 

 

Proſerpine Oh! may theſe medowes euer barren be,
That yeeld of flowers no more variety.
Here neither is the white nor ſanguine Roſe,
The Straw-berry flower, the Paunce nor Violet:
Me thinkes I haue too poore a medow choſe,
Going to begge, I am with a begger met
That wants as much as I: I ſhould do ill
To take from them that need. Here grow no more,
Then ſerue thine owne deſpoyled breaſt to ſtill,
The meades I rob, ſhall yeeld me greater ſtore.
Thy flowers thou canſt not ſpare, thy boſome lend,
On which to reſt whil'ſt Phœbus doth tranſcend.

 

                                               

 

She lyes downe.

 

Thunder. Enter Pluto, his Chariot drawne in by Diuels.

 

 
 

 

Pluto What hurly-burly hath beene late in heauen
Againſt our brother loue omnipotent?
The Gyants haue made warre: great Briareus,

 

Whoſe hundred hands, a hundred ſwords at once
Haue brandiſh't againſt heauen, is topſie turn'd,
And tumbled headlong from th'Olimpicke Towers.
But big-limb'd Typhon, that aſſaulted moſt,
And hurl'd huge mountaines 'gainſt heauens chriſtall gates
To ſhatter them, wraſtled with Ioue himſelfe:
Whoſe heeles tript vp, kick't 'gainſt the firmament;
And falling on his backe, ſpread thouſand acres
Of the affrighted earth, aſtoniſh't Iupiter,
Leſt he ſhould riſe to make new vp-rores there,
On his right hand the mount Pelorus hurle:
Vpon his left ſpacious Pachinne lyes,
And on his legges, the land of Liliby:
His head the ponderous mountaine Ætna crownes,
From which the Gyant breathes infernall fires:
And ſtruggling to be freed from all theſe weights,
Makes (as he moues) huge earth-quakes that ſhake th'earth
And make our kingdomes tremble. Frighted thence,
We haue made aſcent to take a free ſuruey
Whether the worlds foundations be ſtill firme;
Leſt being cranied, through theſe concaue cliffes,
The Sunne and ſtarres may ſhine, to lighten hell.
Al's ſound, we haue ſtrooke th'earths baſſes with our mace,
And found the Center firme: Our Iron Chariot
That from his ſhod wheeles ruſty darkneſſe flings,
Hath with our weight, prou'd mountaines, dales and rocks,
And found them no where hollow; All being well,
Wee'l cleaue the earth, and ſinke againe to hell.

 

    

 

Proſerpine Ceres, oh helpe me father Iupiter,
Yon vgly ſhape affrights me.

 

    

 

Pluto Ha, what's the matter?

 

Who breath'd that well-turn'd ſhrike, ſweet ſhape, bright beauty, Pluto's heart was neuer ſoft till now.

 

Faire mortall.

 

    

 

Proſerpine Hence foule fiend.

 

    

 

Pluto By Lethe, Styx, Cocytus, Acheron,
And all the terrors our blacke Region yeelds,

 

I ſee and loue, and at one inſtant both.
Kiſſe me.

 

    

 

Proſerpine Out on thee Hell-hound.

 

    

 

Pluto What are you, beauteous Goddeſſe?

 

    

 

Proſerpine Nothing. Oh!
Helpe mother, father, Ceres, Iupiter.

 

    

 

Pluto Be what thou canſt, thou now art Pluto's rape,
And ſhalt with me to Orcus.

 

    

 

Proſerpine Clawes off Diuell.

 

    

 

Pluto Fetch from my ſiſter Night a cloud of darkneſſe
To roabe me in, in that Il'e hide this beauty
From Gods and mortals, till I ſinke to hell.
Nay, you ſhall mount my Chariot.

 

    

 

Proſerpine Ceres, Ioue.

 

    

 

Pluto Ceres nor Ioue, nor all the Gods aboue
Shall rob me this rich purchaſe. Yoake my ſtallions
That from their noſtrils breath infernall fumes:
And when they gallop through theſe vpper worlds,
With fogges choake Phœbus, chace the ſtarres from heauen,
And while my Ebon Chariot ore the rocks,
Clatters his Iron wheeles, make a noyſe more hideous
Then Panompheus thunder.

 

    

 

Proſerpine Helpe heauen, helpe earth.

 

    

 

Pluto Cleaue earth, and when I ſtampe vpon thy breaſt
Sinke me, my braſſe-ſhod wagon, and my ſelfe,
My Coach-ſteeds, and their traces altogether
Ore head and eares in Styx.

 

    

 

Proſerpine You Gods, you men.

 

    

 

Pluto Eternall darkneſſe claſpe me where I dwell
Sauing theſe eyes, wee'l haue no light in hell.               

 

 
 

 

Exit.

 

Enter Ceres.

 

    

 

Ceres Where is my faire and louely Proſerpine?
The feaſt is done, and ſhe not yet return'd:
Speake Ioues faire daughter, whither art thou ſtraid?
I haue ſought the medowes, gleabes, and new-reap't fields,
Yet cannot finde my childe. Her ſcattered flowers,
And garland halfe made vp, I haue light vpon,

 

But her I cannot ſpy. Behold the trace
Of ſome ſtrange wagon, that hath ſcortch't the fields,
And ſing'd the graſſe: theſe routes the ſunne nere ſear'd.
Where art thou loue? where art thou Proſerpine?
Hath not thy father Ioue ſnatch't thee to heauen
Vpon his Eagle? I will ſearch the ſpheares
But I will finde thee out: ſwift Mercury,
Ioues ſonne, and Mayas; ſpeake, ſpeake from the clouds,
And tell me if my daughter be aboue.

 

 
 

 

Mercury flies from aboue.

 

    

 

Mercury Thy clamours (Ceres) haue aſcent through heauen;
Which when I heard, as ſwift as lightning
I ſearch't the regionſ of the vpper world,
And euery place aboue the firmament.
I haue paſt the planets, ſoar'd quite through the ſpheares;
I haue croſt the Articke and Antarkicke poles.
Hot Cancer, and cold Arctos I haue ſearch't,
Paſt th'Hyperboreans, and the Solſticies,
The Tropiques, Zones, Signes, Zeniths, Circles, Lines,
Yet no where can I finde faire Proſerpine.         

 

 
 

 

Exit Mercury.

 

    

 

Ceres If not in heauen, Il'e next inquire the earth,
And to the place where old Oceanus
Layes his hoare head in Amphitrites lap:
Il'e trauell till I finde my girle.
Aſſiſt me gracious Neptune in my ſearch;
And Tryton, thou that on thy ſhelly Trumpet,
Summons the Sea-gods, anſwer from the depth,
If thou haſt ſeene or heard of Proſerpine.               

 

 
 

 

Exeunt.

 

Enter Tryton with his Trumpe, as from the ſea.

 

 
 

 

Tryton On Neptunes Sea-horſe with my concaue Trumpe,
Through all th'Abyſſe, I haue ſhril'd thy daughters loſſe.
The channels cloath'd in waters, the low citties,
In which the water-Nymphes, and Sea-gods dwell,
I haue peruſ'd; ſought through whole woods and forreſts
Of leaueleſſe Corrall planted in the deepes,
Toſt vp the beds of Pearle, rouz'd vp huge Whales,

 

And ſterne Sea-monſters from their rocky dennes.
Thoſe bottomes, bottomleſſe ſhallowes and ſhelues:
And all thoſe currents where th'earths ſprings breake in,
Thoſe plaines where Neptune feeds his Porpoſes,
Sea-morſes, Seales, and all his cattell elſe.
Through all our ebbes and tides my Trump hath blaz'd her,
Yet can no cauerne ſhew me Proſerpine.            

 

 
 

 

Exit Tryton.

 

    

 

Ceres If heauen nor ſea, then ſearch thy boſome earth,
Faire ſiſter Earth, for theſe beauteous fields
Spread ore thy breaſt; for all theſe fertill croppes,
With which my plenty hath inrich't thy boſome,
For all thoſe rich and pleaſant wreathes of graine
With which ſo oft thy Temples I haue crown'd:
For all the yearely liueries and freſh robes
Vpon thy ſommer beauty I beſtow,
Shew me my childe.

 

                                         

 

Earth riſeth from vnder the ſtage.

 

    

 

Earth Not in reuenge faire Ceres
That your remorſleſſe plowes haue rak't my breaſt,
Nor that your Iron-tooth'd harrowes print my face
So full of wrinkles, that you digge my ſides
For marle and ſoyle, and make me bleed my ſprings
Through all my open'd veines, to weaken me;
Do I conceale your daughter: I haue ſpread
My armes from ſea to ſea, look't ore my mountaines,
Examin'd all my paſtures, groues, and plaines,
Marſhes and wowlds, my woods and Champian fields,
My dennes and caues; and yet from foot to head
I haue no place on which the Moone doth tread. Earth ſinkes.

 

    

 

Ceres Then Earth thou haſt loſt her: and for Proſerpine
Il'e ſtrike thee with a laſting barrenneſſe.
No more ſhall plenty crowne thy fertill browes,
Il'e breake thy plowes, thy Oxen murren-ſtrike:
With Idle agues Il'e conſume thy ſwaines,
Sow tares and cockles in thy lands of wheat,
Whoſe ſpykes the weed and cooch-graſſe ſhall out-grow,
And choke it in the blade. The rotten ſhowers

 

Shall drowne thy ſeed, which the hote ſunne ſhall parch,
Or mill-dewes rot; and what remaines ſhall be
A prey to rauenous birds. Oh Proſerpine!
You Gods that dwell aboue, and you below,
Both of the woods and gardens, riuers, brookes,
Fountaines and wels, ſome one among you all
Shew me her ſelfe or graue, to you I call.

 

 
 

 

The riuer Arethuſa riſeth from the ſtage.

 

    

 

Arethuſa That can the riuer Arethuſa do,
My ſtreames you know faire Goddeſſe, iſſue forth
From Tartary, by the Tenarian Iſles:
My head's in Hell, where Stygian Pluto reignes,
There did I ſee the louely Proſerpine,
Whom Pluto hath rap't hence; behold her girdle,
Which by the way dropt from her beauteous waſte,
And ſcattered in my ſtreames. Faire Queene adue,
Crowne you my banks with flowers, as I tell true.  

 

Exit Arethusa

 

 
 

 

Ceres Hath that infernall monſter ſtolne my childe?
Il'e mount the ſpheares, and there ſolicite Ioue,
To inuade the Stygian kingdomes, to redeeme
My rauiſh't daughter. If the Gods deny
That grace to Ceres, Il'e inuoke the helpe
Of ſome bold mortall: noble Hercules,
Who with his Club ſhall rouze th'infernall King,
Dragge out the furies with their ſnaky lockes,
Strangle hels Iudges in their ſcarlet robes,
And bring a double terrour to the damn'd.
Of Gods and Men I will inuoke the aides
To free my childe from thoſe infernall ſhades.

 

 
 

 

Enter Hercules, Theſeus, Perithous, Philoctetes, Hypodamia, the Centaurs, Neſſus, Euritus, Chiron, Cillarus, Antimachus, Hippaſus. At a banquet.

 

 
 

 

Hercules To grace thy feaſt faire Hypodamia,
The Eremanthian forreſt we haue rob'd
Of that huge Boare: you Centaurs doubly ſhap't,

 

Feed with Alcides on that monſtrous ſwine,
That hath deuour'd ſo many Swaynes and Heards.

 

    

 

Theſeus Take Theſeus welcome for Perithous ſake,
And ſit with vs faire Princes, take your place
Next you Alcides; then the Centaurs round.

 

    

 

Antimæc. Now by Ixion, that our grand-ſire was,
That dar'd to kiſſe the mighty thunderes wife,
And did not feare to cuckold Iupiter,
Thou doſt the Centaur's honour.

 

    

 

Neſſus Let's quaffe the brides health in the bloud of grapes,
Wine begets mirth, and mirth becomes a bridall.

 

    

 

Perithous Fill then for Neſſus and Antimachus,
Let Euritus and Chiron pledge it round.

 

    

 

Euriſteus Fill to vs all, euen till theſe empty bowles
Turne vp their bottomes 'gainſt the face of heauen.

 

    

 

Chiron Off ſhall all this to Hipodamia's health,
The beauteous bride: wil't pledge it Hercules?

 

    

 

Hercules Yes, were it deeper then the golden cup
Ioue quaffes in from the hand of Ganimed.
Silanthus, Hippaſus, and Cillarus,
To the faire Princeſſe of the Lapythes.

 

    

 

Antimachus Shee's faire indeed, I loue her: wine and loue
Adde fire to fire. To Philoctetes this.

 

    

 

Philoctetes 'Tis welcome Hippaſus. Here Cillarus.

 

    

 

Cillarus Faire Hypodamia's of the Centaurs brood,
Great Biſtus daughter, neere ally'd to vs,
Il'e take her health.

 

    

 

Perithous Gramercy Cillarus:
Il'e do the like to faire Philonome,
Thy ſweet She-Centaur.

 

    

 

Cillarus Double this to her.

 

    

 

Hypodamia Crowne all your healths with mirth, let ioyes abound
And to Philonome let this go round.

 

    

 

Antimachus Cramercies, 'laſſe my braine begins to ſwim,
I haue an appetite to kiſſe the bride,
I and I will.

 

    

 

Theſeus What meanes Antimachus?

 

 
 

 

Antimachus Kiſſe Hypodamia, I and———

 

    

 

Theſeus That's too much,
And more then any of the Centaurs dare.

 

    

 

Cillarus Why? who ſhould hinder him?

 

    

 

Theſeus That Theſeus will.

 

    

 

Antimachus Ha, ha, haue I from the fierce Lyon torne her whelp?
Brought from the forreſts ſhe-Beares in my armes?
And dandled them like infants? plaid with them,
And ſhall I not then dare to kiſſe the bride?

 

    

 

Hercules Audacious Centaur, do but touch her skirt,
Prophane that garment Hymen hath put on;
Or with thy hideous ſhape once neere her cheeke,
Il'e lay ſo huge a ponder on thy skull,
As if the baſſes of the heauen ſhould ſhrinke,
And whelme ore thee the marble firmament.

 

    

 

Antimachus That will I try.

 

    

 

A confuſed fray with ſtooles, cups & bowles, the Centaurs are beaten.

 

 
 

 

Cillarus Aſſiſt Antimachus.       

 

    

 

Perithous Reſcue for Hypodamia.    

 

    

 

Chiron Downe with the Lapythes.    

 

    

 

Neſſus Downe with Hercules.

 

    

 

Hercules You cloud-bred race, Alcides here will ſtand
To plague you all with his high Iouiall hand.

 

 
 

 

Alarme. Enter Iuno, with all the Centaurs.

 

 
 

 

Iuno And ſhrinkes Ixions race? durſt he aſpire
To our celeſtiall bed? though for his boldneſſe
He now be tortured with the wheele in hell?
And dare not you withſtand baſe Hercules?
Currage braue Hyppo-Centaurs, let the baſtard
Be hew'd and mangled with our conquering arme.
Renue the fight, make the Theſſalian fields
Thunder beneath your hoofes, whilſt they imprint
Vpon the earth, deepe ſemi-circled moones.
Let all your arm'd race gallop from the hils,
To inmure the faint deiected Lapithes.
Tis Iuno, whom your tortur'd grand-ſire lou'd,

 

Bids you to Armes: lift vp your weapons hye
And in their fall may great Alcides dye.  

 

    

 

Antimachus Our grand-ſires wheeles cracke all that Centaurs bones,
That flyes when Iuno giues incouragement.
Chirus, Latreus, Neſſus, Euritus,
And all our race firſt tumbled in the clouds
That crown'd the mountaine toppes of Theſſaly,
Make head againe, follow Antimachus,
Whoſe braine through heated with the fumes of wine
Burnes with the loue of Hypodamia.
Theſeus, Perithous, and Alcides, all
Shall in this fury by the Centaurs fall.

 

 
 

 

Alarme. Enter to them Hercules, Theſeus, Perithous, and Philoctetes.

 

 
 

 

Hercules Behold the luſt-burn'd and wine-heated monſters
Once more make head; wee'l paſh them with our club.
This Centaure-match, it ſhall in ages,
And times to come, renowne great Hercules.
Vpon them, when we parlee with our foes:
Tongues peace: for we breake ſilence with our blowes.

 

 
 

 

Alarme. They fight, the Centaurs are all diſperſt and ſlaine.

 

Enter with victory, Hercules, Theſeus, Perithous, Philoctetes, Hypodamia, and others.

 

 
 

 

Hercules Let Theſſaly reſound Alcides praiſe,
And all the two-ſhap't Centaurs that ſuruiue,
Quake when they heare the name of Hercules.
Were theſe Theſſalian monſters bred at firſt
By Saturne and Philiris, as ſome ſay,
When in equinall ſhape ſhe was deflour'd?
Or when Ixion, ſnatcht to heauen by Ioue,
And feaſted in the hye Olimpicke hall,
He ſought to ſtrumpet Iuno? The heauens Queene
Tranſform'd a cloud to her celeſtiall ſhape,
Of which he got the Centaurs. Be they bred

 

Of earth or vapour, their hote fiery braines
Are now diſpurpled by Alcides Club,
And in their deaths renowne the Lapythes.

 

    

 

Theſeus Ioues ſonne was borne a terrour to the world,
To awe the tyrants that oppreſſe and ſway.

 

    

 

Perithous But moſt indebt to thee Perithous is,
That haſt reſtor'd a virgin and a bride,
Pure and vntouch't to ſleep in theſe my armes.

 

    

 

Hypodamia My tongue ſhall ſound the praiſe of Hercules.
My heart imbrace his loue.

 

    

 

Hercules Oh had bright Iuno
My louing ſtep-dame, ſeated in the clouds,
Beheld me paſh the Centaurs with my club,
It would haue fild her with celeſtiall ioyes;
Knowing that all my deeds of fame and honour
I conſecrate to her and Iupiter.
Of theſe proud Centaurs Neſſus is eſcapt,
The reſt all ſtrew the fields of Theſſaly.            

 

 
 

 

Enter Ceres.

 

 
 

 

Ceres Reſerues the noble Theban all his valour
For th'ingrate Iuno, and hath ſtor'd no deed
Of honour for deiected Ceres here?
Ceres forlorne, forſaken and deſpis'd,
Whom neither obdure heauen, relentleſſe ſea,
Nor the rude earth will pitty.

 

    

 

Hercules Queene of plenty,
Lye it within the ſtrength of mortall arme,
The power of man, or worke of demi-god,
I am thy Champion.

 

    

 

Ceres From heauen, earth and ſea,
Then Ceres muſt appeale to Hercules.
Know then I am rob'd of beauteous Proſerpine,
Tartarian Dis hath rap't my daughter hence;
Which when I heard, I skal'd the thundered throne,
And made my plaints to him, who anſwered me,
His power was onely circumſcrib'd in heauen,
And Pluto was as abſolute in hell
As he in heauen ; nor would he muſter Gods

 

Againſt the fiends, ore which his brother reign'd.
Next made I ſuit to haue Neptune call his waters,
And with his billowes drowne the lower world:
Who anſwered, the firme channell bounds his waues,
Nor is there paſſage betweene ſea and hell,
The earth beneath her center cannot ſinke,
Nor haue I hope from thence; onely great Hercules

 

    

 

Hercules Will vndertake what neither Iupiter,
Neptune, nor all the Gods dare make their taſke:
The Stygian Pluto ſhall reſtore the moone,
Or feele the maſſe of this my ponderous club.
Comfort faire Queene, Il'e paſſe the poole of Styx,
And if leane Charon waſtage ſhall deny,
The Ferry-man Il'e buffet in his barge.
Three-throated Cerberus that keepes hell-gates,
Shall (when we come to knocke) not dare to howle:
The ghoſts already dead, and doom'd, ſhall feare
To dye againe at ſight of Hercules.
Sterne Mynos, Æachus, and Rhadamant,
Shall from the dreadfull ſeſſions kept in hell,
Be rouz'd by vs: wee'l quake them at that barre
Where all ſoules ſtand for ſentence: the three ſiſters
Shall crowch to vs. Ceres, wee'l ranſacke hell,
And Pluto from th'infernall vaults expell.

 

    

 

Theſeus Theſeus in this will ayd great Hercules.

 

    

 

Perithous And ſo Perithous ſhall.

 

    

 

Hercules Comfort Queene Ceres,
Whom neither Harpyes, Boares or Buls can tame,
The darke Cimerians muſt next ſound his fame.
Adue bright Hypodamia lately freed
From the adulterous Centaurs: Our renowne
That yet 'tweene heauen and earth doth onely ſhine,
Hell ſhall next blaze for beauteous Proſerpine.

 

 
 

 

Homer Ere Hercules the Stygianpooles inuade
A taſke which none but he durſt vndertake,

 

Without both earthy and immortall ayde,
We Ioue preſent; who once more doth forſake
    Heauen, for a mortall beauty; one more rare
    Earth yeelded not then Semele the faire.
Whilſt Iuno, Hercules with hate purſues,
Neglecting Ioue, he from the ſpheares eſpyes
This bright Cadmeian, and the groues doth chuſe
To court her in: How, and in what diſguiſe
    You next ſhall ſee, they meet firſt in the Chace,
   Where they diſcourſe, acquaint, kiſſe, and imbrace.

 

 
 

 

Dumbe Shew. Enter Somele like a huntreſſe, with her traine, Iupiter like a wood-man in greene: he woes her, and winnes her.

 

What cannot Ioue, infuſ'd with power diuine?
He woes and winnes, enioyes the beauteous dame;
The iealous Iuno ſpyes their loue in fine,
Leaues off her enuy to Alcides fame,
   And 'gainſt this beauteous Lady armes her ſpleene,
    Quite to deſtroy the bright Cadmeian Queene.
Your fauours ſtill: ſome here no doubt will wonder,
To ſee the Thunderers loue periſh by thunder.

 

 
 

 

Enter Iuno and Iris.

 

 
 

 

Iuno Haſt thou found him Iris?

 

   

 

Iris Madame I haue.

 

    

 

Iuno Where?

 

    

 

Iris In the houſe of Cadmus, courting there
The faireſt of the race, yong Semele.

 

    

 

Iuno What am I better to be Queene of heauen,
To be the ſiſter and the wife of Ioue,
When euery ſtrumpet braues my Deity?
Whilſt I am buſied to lay traps and traines
For proud Alcmena's baſtard, he takes time
For his adulterous rapes. Europa liues
Sainted in earth, Caliſto ſhines a ſtarre,

 

Iuſt in mine eye, by name of Leſſer Beare,
Io in Ægypt is ador'd a Goddeſſe:
And of my ſeruant Argus (ſlaine by Mercury)
There liues no note; ſaue that his hundred eyes
I haue tranſported to my peacockes traine.
Thus fall the friends of Iuno, whilſt his ſtrumpets
Front me on earth, or braue mine eye in heauen:
But Semele ſhall pay for't. In what ſhape
Saw'ſt thou him court that ſtrumpet?

 

    

 

Iris Like a wood-man.

 

    

 

Iuno I met him on the mountaine Erecine,
And tooke him for the yong Hyppolitus.
Iris I hau't; 'tis plotted in my braine,
To haue the ſtrumpet by her louer ſlaine.
Of her nurſe Beroe Il'e aſſume the ſhape,
And by that meanes auenge me on this rape.            

 

 
 

 

Exeunt.

 

Enter Semele with her ſeruants and attendants.

 

 
 

 

Semele Oh Iupiter! thy loue makes me immortall,
The high Cadmeian is my grace,
To that great God exalted, and my iſſue,
When it takes life, ſhall be the ſeed of Gods;
And I ſhall now be ranck't in equipage
With Danae, Io, Lada, and the reſt,
That in his amours pleaſ'd the thunderer beſt.
Me-thinkes ſince his imbraces fil'd my wombe,
There is no earth in me, I am all diuine:
Ther's in me nothing mortall, ſaue this ſhape,
Whoſe beauty hath cal'd Ioue himſelfe from heauen,
The reſt all pure, corruptleſſe and refin'd,
That hath daz'd men, and made th'immortall blinde.
Leaue vs, oh you vnworthy to attend
Or wait vpon Cadmeian Semele:
Hebe ſhall be my hand-mayd, and my wine
The hand of Ioues owne cup-bearer ſhall fill,
Il'e begge of him the Troian Ganimed

 

To be my page; and when I pleaſe to ride,
Borrow his Eagle through the ayre to glide.
Go call me hither my Nurſe Beroe,
Whom I will make free-partner in my ioyes.

 

 
 

 

Enter Iuno in the ſhape of old Beroe.

 

    

 

Seruant Beroe attends your grace.

 

    

 

Semele Oh my deere nurſe! liues there on earth a Princeſſe
Equally lou'd and grac'd by Ioue himſelfe?

 

    

 

Iuno Out on thee ſtrumpet, I could teare thoſe eyes,
Whoſe beauty drew my huſband from the skyes.

 

    

 

Semele Am I not happy Beroe?

 

    

 

Iuno Were you ſure
'Twere Ioue himſelfe this gladneſſe did procure.
Madame, there many fowle impoſters be,
That blinde the world with their inchaſtity:
And in the name of Gods, being ſcarce good men,
Iuggle with Ladyes, and corrupt their honors.
Thinke you you ſtripling that goes clad in greene,
Is Iupiter?

 

    

 

Semele I know him for heauens King,
Whoſe iſſue in my wombe I feele to ſpring.

 

    

 

Iuno I thinke it not; but Lady this I know,
That Gods are ſo laſciuious growne of late,
That men contend their luſts to imitate.

 

    

 

Semele Not Iupiter.

 

    

 

Iuno Things truly reconcile,
You'l iumpe with me: how haue you beene the while,
Since you were breeding, now well, ſometimes ill,
Subject to euery imperfection ſtill,
Apt to all chances other women be.
When were you lou'd of the high Deity,
That hath the guift of ſtrength, power, health, and ioy,
The leaſt of theſe could not your ſtate annoy.

 

    

 

Semele Thou putſt me in miſtruſt, and halfe perſwad'ſt me
He is no more then mortall whom I loue.
How ſhall I proue him nurſe?

 

    

 

Iuno Il'e tell you madame; When you ſee him next,

 

Seeme with ſome ſtrange and vncoth paſſion vext,
And beg of him a boone, which till he grant,
Sweare he no more your fauours ſhall inchant.

 

    

 

Semele Beroe, what boone?

 

    

 

Iuno To hugge you in that ſtate
In which faire Iuno he imbrac'd ſo late.
To deſcend armed with celeſtiall fire,
And in that maieſty glut his deſire.
His right hand arm'd with lightning, on his head
Heauens maſſy crowne; and ſo to mount your bed.
So are you ſure he is a God indeed,
Obtaine this boone, and fairely may you ſpeed.

 

    

 

Semele Thou haſt fir'd me Beroe.

 

    

 

Iuno Thou ſhalt be on flame,
So great, the Ocean ſhall not quench the ſame.

 

    

 

Semele Beroe away, my chamber ready make,
Toſſe downe on downe: for we this night muſt tumble
Within the armes of mighty Iupiter.
Of whom Il'e begge th'immortall ſweets of loue,
Such as from Ioue Imperiall Iuno taſtes.
Begone without reply, my loue's at hand.

 

    

 

Iuno Thy death's vpon thy boone: this Iuno cheares,
That my reuenge ſhall mount aboue the ſpheares. 

 

 
 

 

Exit Iuno.

 

    

 

Semele I will not ſmile on him, lend him a looke,
As the leaſt grace, till he giue free aſcent
To fill me with celeſtiall wonderment.

 

      

 

Enter Iupiter like a wood-man.

 

    

 

Iupiter Oh thou that mak'ſt earth heauen, & turn'ſt th'imortal
Into this ſhape terreſtriall, thou bright iſſue
Of old Ægenor, and the Cadmeian line,
For whom, theſe ſtony buildings we preferre
Before our Chriſtall ſtructures: that mak'ſt Ioue
Abandon on the high counſels of the Gods
To treat with thee of loues faire blandiſhments:
Diuineſt of thy race, faire Semele
Fold in thy armes Olimpicke Iupiter.

 

    

 

Semele Iupiter!

 

 
 

 

Iupiter That Iupiter that with a powerfull nod
Shakes the heauens arches, ore the vniuerſe
Spreads dread & awe; and when we arme our ſelfe
With maieſty, make th'earths foundation tremble,
And all mortality flye like a ſmoake
Before our preſence vaniſh't and conſum'd.

 

    

 

Semele Did Semele behold ſuch Maieſty,
She could beleeue this were the thunderers voyce,
Thou hee?

 

    

 

Iupiter What meanes this ſtrangeneſſe Semele?
Haue I preferd thy beauty before hers
Whoſe ſtate fils heauen, whoſe food's Ambroſia,
Vpon whoſe cup the louely Hebe waits
When ſhe quaffes Nectar? whoſe bright Chariot
Is drawn with painted peacocks through the clouds
And am I thus receiu'd?

 

    

 

Semele Thou bed with Iuno?
Baſe groome, thou art no better then thou ſeem'ſt,
And thy impoſtures haue deceiued a Princeſſe
Greater then ere deſcended from thy line.
Hence from my ſight thou earth, that haſt profan'd
The dreadfull thunderers name: what ſee I in thee
More then a man, to proue thy ſelfe a God?
Thou deifi'd? thy preſence groome is poore,
Thy 'hauiour ſleight, thy courtſhip triuiall,
Thou haſt not a good face, what's in thee worth
The fauour and the grace of Semele?
A God? alaſſe! thou art ſcarce a proper man.

 

    

 

Iupiter Ha, fails my ſhape, is he that awes the Gods,
Now valued leſſe then man? why Semele
Proue me and what I can: wouldſt thou haue gold?
Il'e raine a richer ſhower in thy boſome
Then ere I powr'd on Danae.

 

    

 

Semele Gold! what's that?
Which euery mortall Prince can giue his loue.

 

    

 

Iupiter Wouldſt thou increaſe thy beauty or thy ſtrength?

 

    

 

Semele I am nor fowle nor ſicke.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter Wouldſt thou haue God-hood?
I will tranſlate this beauty to the ſpheares,
Where thou ſhalt ſhine the brighteſt ſtarre in heauen:
Il'e lift thy body from this terrene droſſe,
And on two eagles, ſwift as Pegaſus,
Wee'l take our daily progreſſe through the clouds.
Il'e ſhew thee all the planets in their ranke,
The monſtrous ſignes, the Lyon, Ramme and Bull,
The blake-ſcald Scorpion, and the Cancers clawes.
Aſke what thou wilt to proue my Deity,
And take it as thine owne faire Semele.

 

    

 

Semele Grant me one boone, leſſe then the leaſt of theſe,
My armes ſhall ſpread thus wide to imbrace my loue,
In my warme boſome I will gloue thy hand,
And ſeale a thouſand kiſſes on thy lippes.
My fingers Il'e intangle in theſe curles,
And ſcarſe my Iuory arme about thy necke;
And lay my ſelfe as proſtate to thy loue,
As th'earth her graſſe-greene apron ſpreads for raine.
Speake, ſhall I aſke? or haue you power to grant?

 

    

 

Iupiter By dreadfull Styx, an oath I cannot change,
But aſke and haue.

 

    

 

Semele Then bed with me to night,
Arm'd with the ſelfe-ſame God-hood, ſtate and power
You Iuno meet.

 

    

 

Iupiter Blacke day, accurſed houre,
Thou haſt ask't too much, thy weake mortality
Cannot indure the ſcorthing fires of heauen.

 

    

 

Semele Either you cannot doo't, as wanting might,
Or loath you are to breed me ſuch delight.
Is this your loue?

 

    

 

Iupiter Thy death is in thy boone:
But 'tis thy fate, ſhe can it not recall,
Nor I vnſweare: the infant in her wombe
Not yet full growne and ripe, torments me moſt:
For in this raſh demand they both are loſt.

 

    

 

Semele Il'e ſtand it at all dangers, and prepare

 

For this nights ſport.

 

    

 

Iupiter Aboue my thunders are,
Thither I muſt, and beeing arm'd, deſcend
To giue this beauty (in her raſhneſſe) end.

 

    

 

Semele Remember by this kiſſe you keep your oath.

 

    

 

Iupiter Neuer did Ioue to heauen aſcend ſo loath;
Expect me this ſad night.

 

    

 

Semele With double ioy.
Celeſtiall ſweets ſhall ſurfet me, and cloy
My appetite; the Gods are loath to impart
Their pleaſures to vs mortals. Dance my hart,
And ſwim in free delights, my pleaſures crowne,
This Iouiall night ſhall Semele renowne.            

 

 
 

 

Exit Semele.

 

Iuno and Iris plac'd in a cloud aboue.

 

    

 

Iuno Come Iris, ore the loftieſt pinnacles
Of this high pallace, let vs mount our ſelues,
To ſee this noble paſtime: Is't not braue?

 

    

 

Iris Hath her ſuit tooke effect? 'laſſe Semele!

 

    

 

Iuno Hang, burne her witch, be all ſuch ſtrumpets fir'd
With no leſſe heat then wanton Semele.
Oh 'twill be gallant ſport, wil't not Iris?
To ſee theſe golden roofes daunce in the aire.
Theſe pinnacles ſhall pricke the floores of heauen,
Theſe ſpires confuſed, tumble in the clouds;
And all flye vp and ſhatter at the approach
Of his great God-hood. Oh 'twould pleaſe me Iris
To ſee this wanton with her baſtard, blowne
And hang'd vpon the high hornes of the moone.
The howre drawes on, we may from hence eſpy
Th'adultreſſe ſprall, the pallace vpwards fly.

 

 
 

 

Enter two maids of Semeles chamber.

 

    

 

1. Maide Queſtionleſſe my Lady lookes for ſome great Gueſts, that ſhe makes all this preparation.

 

    

 

2. Maide 'Tis not like ſhe expects them at ſupper, becauſe ſhe herſelfe is preparing to bed.

 

    

 

1. Maide Did you note how ſhe made vs tumble & toſſe the bed before the making of it would pleaſe her?

 

 
 

 

2. Maide There hath beene tumbling and toſſing on that bed hath pleaſ'd her better; you know the youth in greene, he hath made my Lady looke red ere now.

 

    

 

1. Maide You know ſhee is naturally pale; hee did but wraſtle with her to get her a colour.

 

    

 

2. Maide They youth in greene hath giuen her a medicine for the greene ſickneſſe, I warrant her: I am deceiued, if (when they meet) it go not two to one of her ſide.

 

    

 

1. Maide Why do you thinke her with childe.

 

    

 

2. Maide Tis paſt thinking, I dare ſweare. But let's attend my lady.               

 

 
 

 

Enter Semele drawne out in her bed.

 

    

 

Semele Away, we will haue none partake our pleaſures,
Or be eye-witneſſe of theſe prodigall ſweets
Which we this night ſhall in aboundance taſte.
This is the houre ſhall deifie my earth,
And make this droſſe immortall: thankes my Beroe,
That thou haſt made me begge my happineſſe,
Shew'd me the way to immortallity,
And taught me how to emulate the Gods.
Deſcen'd great Ioue in thy full maieſty,
And crowne my pleaſures: here behold me ſpred,
To taſte the ſweets of thy immortall bed.

 

 
 

 

Thunder, lightnings, Iupiter deſcends in his maieſty, his Thunderbolt burning.

 

    

 

Iupiter Thus wrapt in ſtormes, and black tempeſtuous clouds,
Lightning and ſhowers, we ſit vpon the roofes
And trembling Tarraſſes of this high houſe
That is not able to containe our power.
Yet come we not with theſe ſharpe thunders arm'd,
With which the ſturdy giants we ore-threw,
When we the mighty Typhon ſunke beneath
Foure populous kingdomes: theſe are not ſo fiery,
The Cyclopes that vs'd to forge our bolts,
Haue qualifi'd their feruour, yet their violence
Is 'boue the ſtrength of mortals. Beauteous Semele,
In ſteed of thee I ſhall imbrace thy ſmoakes,

 

And claſpe a fumy vapour left in place     

 

Of thy bright beauty, Stormy tempeſts ceaſe,  
The more I frowne, the more their breathes increaſe.  

 

 
 

 

Thunder and lightning.

 

    

 

Semele What terror's this? oh thou immortall ſpeake!
My eyes are for thy maieſty too weake.

 

As he toucheth the bed it fires, and all flyes vp, Iu-
piter from thence takes an abortiue infant.

 

    

 

Iupiter Receiue thy boone, now take thy free deſire
In thunder, tempeſt, ſmoake, and heauenly fire.

 

    

 

Iuno Ha, ha, ha.
Faire Semele's conſum'd, 'twas acted well:
Come, next wee'l follow Hercules to hell.

 

 
 

 

Iupiter taking vp the Infant, ſpeakes as he aſcends in his cloud.

 

    

 

Iupiter For Semele (thus ſlaine) the heauens ſhall mourne
In pitchy clouds, the earth in barrenneſſe;
The Ocean (for her ſlaughter) ſhall weepe brine,
And hell reſound her loſſe. Faire Semele
Nothing but aſhes now; yet this remainder,
That cannot dye, being borne of heauenly ſeed,
I will conſerue till his full time of birth:
His name Il'e Bachus call, and being growne,
Stile him, The God of Grapes; his Bachenals
Shall be renown'd at feaſts, when their light braines
Swim in the fumes of wine. This all that's left
Of Semele, vnto the heauens Il'e beare,
Whoſe death this Motto to all mortals lends:
He by the Gods dyes, that 'boue man contends.

 

 
 

 

Homer Let none the ſecrets of the Gods inquire,
Leſt they (like her) be ſtrooke with heauenly fire.
But we againe to Hercules returne,
Now on his iourney to the vaults below,
Where diſcontented Proſerpine doth mourne,
There's made to cheere her an infernall ſhow.

 

Hels Iudges, Fates and Furies ſummond beene
To giue free welcome to the Stygian Queene.

 

 
 

 

A dumbe ſhew of Pluto and all his Diuels, preſenting ſeuerall gifts and ſhewes to cheere, but ſhe continues in her diſcontent.

 

All this and more (the beauteous Queene to cheare)
Pluto deuis'd, but ſtill her griefe remaines:
No food ſhe taſtes within the gloomy ſpheare,
Saue of a ripe Pomegranat ſome few graines.
    The next thing we preſent (ſit faire and well)
    You ſhall behold a Holy-day in hell.

 

 
 

 

Enter Theſeus, Perithous, and Philoctetes armed.

 

    

 

Theſeus Saw you not Hercules?

 

    

 

Perithous Noble Theſeus no.
I left him in the forreſt, chacing there
Dianaes Hart, and ſtriuing to out-run
The ſwift-foot beaſt.

 

    

 

Theſeus His actiue nimbleneſſe
Out-flies the winged bird, out-ſtrips the ſteed,
Catcheth the hare, & the ſwift grey-hound tires
Out-paceth the wilde Leopard, and exceeds
Beaſts of moſt actiue chace.

 

    

 

Philoctetes We haue arriu'd
At Tenaros; this is the mouth of hell,
Which by my counſell, wee'l not ſeeke to enter
Till Hercules approach.

 

    

 

Theſeus Not enter Philoctetes?
Our ſpirits may compare with Hercules.
Though he exceed our ſtrength, I with my ſword
Will beat againſt blacke Tartaras Ebon gates,
And dare the triple-headed dogge to armes,
Hels tri-ſhap't porter.

 

    

 

Philoctetes Not by my perſwaſion.

 

    

 

Perithous Perithous will aſſiſt his noble friend,
And in this worke preuent great Hercules.

 

Let's rouze the hell-hound, call him from his lodge,
And (maugre Cerberus) enter hels-mouth,
And thence redeeme the rauiſh't Proſerpine.

 

    

 

Theſeus Had Orpheus power by muſicke of his harpe,
To charme the curre, pierce Orcus, Pluto pleaſe,
And at his hands begge faire Euridice:
And ſhall not we as much dare with our ſwords,
As he with fingring of his golden ſtrings.
Come, let our ioynt aſſiſtance rouze the fiend,
Thunder againſt the ruſty gates of hell,
And make the Stygian kingdomes quake with feare.

 

 
 

 

They beate againſt the gates. Enter Cerberus.

 

    

 

Cerberus What mortall wretch, that feares to dye aboue
Hath trauel'd thus farre to enquire out death?

 

    

 

Theſeus We that haue blaz'd the world with deeds of praiſe
Muſt fill the Stygian Empire with our fame;
Then rouze thee thou three-throted curre, and taſte
The ſtrength of Theſeus.

 

    

 

Cerberus Theſe my three empty throats you three ſhall gorge,
And when my nailes haue torne you limbe from limbe,
Il'e ſit and feaſt my hunger with your fleſh.
Theſe phangs ſhall gnaw vpon your cruded bones,
And with your bloods Il'e ſmeare my triple chaps,
Your number fits my heads, and your three bodies
Shall all my three-throars ſet a worke at once.
Il' worry you; and hauing made you bleed,
Firſt ſucke your iuice, then on your entrails feed.

 

 
 

 

Perithous fights with Cerberus, and is ſlaine.

 

    

 

Theſeus Hold bloudy frend, and ſpare my noble friend,
The honour of the worthy Lapythes
Lyes breathleſſe here before the gates of hell:
Ceaſe monſter, ceaſe to prey vpon his body,
And feed on Theſeus here.                      

 

 
 

 

Theſeus is wounded.

 

    

 

Cerberus Il'e eate you all.                           

 

 
 

 

Enter Hercules.

 

    

 

Hercules Stay and forbeare your vp-roare, till our club
Stickle amongſt you: whil'ſt we in the chace
Haue catch't the ſwift and golden headed ſtagge;

 

Theſe valiant Greekes haue ſunke themſelues beneath
The vpper world, as low as Erebus.
Whom ſee we? Theſeus wounded, yong Perithous
Torne by the rauenous phangs of Cerberus.
My griefe conuert to rage, and ſterne reuenge.
Come, guard thee well infernall Caniball,
At euery ſtroke that lights vpon thy skull,
Il'e make thee thinke the weight of all the world
And the earths huge maſſe ſhall crowne thee.

 

    

 

Cerberus Welcome mortall,

 

Thou com'ſt to mend my breake-faſt, thou wilt yeeld me many a fat bit.

 

    

 

Hercules Il'e make thee eate my club,
And ſwallow this fell maſtiffe downe thy panch.
At euery weighty cuffe Il'e make thee howle,
And ſet all hell in vp-roare: when thou roareſt,
Thy barking groanes ſhall make the braſen Towers
Where ghoſts are tortur'd, eccho with thy ſound.
Plutoes blacke guard at euery deadly yell,
Shall frighted run through all the nookes of hell.

 

 
 

 

Hercules beats Cerberus, and binds him in chaines.

 

    

 

Hercules Keep thou this rauenous hell-hound gyu'd & bound,
Hels bowels I muſt pierce, and rouze blacke Dis,
Breake (with my fiſts) theſe Adamantine gates,
The Iron percullis teare, and with my club
Worke my free paſſage (maugre all the fiends)
Through theſe infernals. Lo, I ſinke my ſelfe
In Charons barge, Il'e ferry burning Styx,
Ranſacke the pallace where grim Pluto reignes,
Mount his tribunall, made of ſable Iet,
Deſpight his blacke guard, ſtownd him in his chaire,
And from his arme ſnatch beauteous Proſerpine.
Ghoſts, Furies, Fiends ſhall all before vs flye,
Or once more periſh, and ſo doubly dye.

 

 
 

 

Hercules ſinkes himſelfe: Flaſhes of fire; the Diuels appeare at euery corner of the ſtage with ſeuerall fire-workes. The Iudgesof hell, eand the three ſiſters run ouer the ſtage, Hercules after them: fire-workes all ouer the houſe. Enter Hercules.

 

 
 

 

Hercules Hence rauenous vulture, thou no more ſhalt tire
On poore Prometheus, Dunae ſpare your rubs,
Stand ſtill thou rowling ſtone of Siſiphus,
Feed Tantalus with apples, glut thy panch,
And with the ſhrinking waues quench thy hote thirſt.
Thy bones Ixion, ſhall no more be broke
Vpon the torturing wheele: the Eagles beake
Shall Titius ſpare at ſight of Hercules,
And all the horrid tortures of the damn'd
Shall at the wauing of our club diſſolue.

 

 
 

 

Enter Pluto with a club of fire, a burning crowne, Proſerpine, the Iudges, the Fates, and a guard of Diuels, all with burning weapons.

 

    

 

Pluto Wer't thou Imperiall Ioue, that ſwaies the heauens,
And in the ſtarry ſtructure dwel'ſt aboue,
Thou canſt not reuell here: my flaming Crowne
Shall ſcortch thy damn'd ſoule with infernall fires.
My vaſſaile Furies with their wiery ſtrings.
Shall laſh thee hence, and with my Ebon club
Il'e ding thee to the loweſt Barathrum.

 

    

 

Hercules Firſt ſhall this engine arm'd with ſpikes of ſteele,
That fore the gates of hell ſtrooke flat thy cutte.
Fall with no leſſe power on thy burning ſconce,
Then ſhould great Ioue the maſſy center hurle,
And turne the worlds huge frame vpon thy head.

 

    

 

Pluto Vpon him Diuels.

 

    

 

Hercules Ayd me powers Diuine,
From theſe blacke fiends to reſcue Proſerpine.

 

Hercules fels Pluto, beats off the Diuils with
all their fire-workes, reſcues Proſerpine.

 

Now are we King of Orcus, Achercu,
Cocytus, Styx, and fiery Phlegeton.

 

    

 

Proſerpine Long liue Alcides, crown'd with Godlike honours,

 

For reſcuing me out of the armes of Dis,
The vnder-world, and fiery iawes of hell.

 

    

 

All the ghoſts Long liue eterniz'd noble Hercules,
That hath diſſolu'd our torments.

 

    

 

Rhadamunt Hercules, attend th'vnchanging doome of Rhadamunt,
And if the Gods be ſubiect to the Fares,
Needs muſt thou (noble Greeke) obey their doome,
Lo, in their name, and in the awfull voyce
Of vs the reuerend Iudges, to whoſe doome
Thou once muſt ſtand: I charge thee ſtir not hence,
Till we haue cenſur'd thee and Proſerpine.
Is not the power of Ioue confin'd aboue?
And are not we as abſolute in ſtate
Here in the vaults below? To alter this
The heauens muſt faile, the ſunne melt in his heat,
The elements diſſolue, Chaos againe
Confuſe the triple Maſſe, all turne to nothing:
Now there is order: Gods there are, and Diuels:
Theſe reward vertue; the other puniſh vice.
Alter this courſe you mingle bad with good,
Murder with pitty, hate with clemency.
Ther's for the beſt no merit, for the offender
No iuſt infliction.

 

    

 

Hercules Rhadamant ſpeakes well.

 

    

 

Pluto To whom will Hercules commit this buſineſſe?

 

    

 

Hercules I will appeal to Ioue, and to the Planets,
Whoſe powers, though bownded, yet infuſe their might
In euery mortall.

 

    

 

Æacus Them the Fates ſhall ſummon,
Of whom this beauteous mayd, the Moone, is one,
The loweſt of the ſeuen: you reuerend ſiſters,
Who all things that are paſt be, and to come,
Keepe regiſtred in braſſe, aſſemble there.

 

    

 

Hercules Be Ceres pleaſ'd, Alcides is content:
Nor can ſhe ſtand to bearer Iuſtices.
Then to the Gods and Planets.

 

 
 

 

Sownd. Enter Saturne, Iupiter, Iuno, Mars, Phœbus, Venus, and Mercury: they take their place as they are in bright. Ceres.

 

 
 

 

Saturne I know this place, why haue you ſummon'd Saturne
To hell, where he hath beene to arraigne the Moone?
Theſe vncoth cauernes better ſuit my ſadneſſe
Then my high ſpheare aboue, whence to all mortals
I ſhoot my thicke and troubled melancholy.
Say, what's the buſineſſe? ſay.

 

    

 

Iupiter Ceres, thy preſence
Tels me thy ſuit is 'bout thy daughters ape.

 

    

 

Ceres Is ſhe not thine? and canſt thou ſuffer her
To be intoomb'd in hell before her time?

 

    

 

Iuno Cannot hell ſwallow your ambitious baſtard?
But (maugre all theſe monſters) liues he ſtill?

 

    

 

Phœbus I ſaw grim Pluto in my daily progreſſe
Hurry her in his chariot ore the earth.

 

    

 

Venus What could he leſſe do if he lou'd the Lady?

 

    

 

Mars Venus is all for loue.

 

    

 

Mercury And Mars for warre,
Sometimes he runnes a tile at Venus lippes,
You haue many amorous bickerings.

 

    

 

Mars Well ſpoke Mercury.

 

    

 

Saturne Come we hither
To trifle, or to cenſure? what would Pluto?

 

    

 

Pluto Keepe whom I haue.

 

    

 

Ceres Canſt ſuffer't Iupiter?

 

    

 

Hercules I won her from the ſcenes of Stygian Pluto,
And being mine, reſtore her to her mother.

 

    

 

Ceres And ſhall not Ceres keepe her? ſpeake great Ioue

 

    

 

Iupiter Thy cenſure Rhadamant.

 

    

 

Rhadamunt The Fates by whom your powers are all conſcrib'd
Pronounce this doome: If ſince her firſt arriue
She hath taſted any food, ſhe muſt of force
Be euerlaſtingly confin'd to hell.

 

    

 

Pluto Aſculaphus, thou didſt attend my Queene,
Hath ſhe yet taſted of our Stygian fruits

 

That we may keepe her still?

 

    

 

Asculaphus I saw her in her mouth chaw the moist graines of a Pomegranate.

 

    

 

Ceres Curst Asculaphus,
Il'e adde vnto thy vglinesse, and make thee
A monster, of all monsters most abhor'd.

 

    

 

Pluto Your censures, oh you Gods, is she not Pluto'?
Giue your free censures vp.

 

   

 

All She must be Pluto's.

 

    

 

Ceres The Gods are partiall all.

 

    

 

Pluto Welcome my Queene.

 

    

 

Hercules What can Alcides more for Ceres loue,
Then ransacke hell, and rescue Proserpine?
Needs must our further conquests here take end,
When Gods and Fates against our force contend.

 

    

 

Ceres Iustice, oh iustice, thou Omnipotent.
Rob not thy Ceres of her beauteous childe,
Either restore my daughter to the earth,
Or banish me to hell.

 

    

 

Saturne Ceres you are fond,
Th'earth cannot want your plenty: your fertility
Will worse become hell scortched barrennesse.
Let's breake this Sessions vp, I am dull.

 

    

 

Iupiter You Gods aboue
And powers below, attend the Thunderers voyce,
And to our moderation lend an eare
Of reuerence. Ceres, the Fates haue doom'd her
The Bride of Pluto; nor is she disparaged
To be the sister of Olimpicke Ioue.
The rape that you call force, we title Loue:
Nor is he lesse degree'd, saue in his lot,
To vs that sway the heauens. So much for Pluto.
Now beauteous Ceres we returne to you,
Such is your care to fill the earth with plenty,
To cherish all these fruits, from which the mortals
Ostend their gratitude to vs the Gods
In sacrifice and offrings, that we now

 

Thus by our dread power, mittigate the strictnesse
Of the Fates doome: we haue not (oh you Gods)
Purpose to do our Stygian brother wrong,
Nor rob the heauens the Planet of the Moone,
By whom the seas are sway'd: Be she confin'd
Below the earth, where be the ebbes and tides?
Where is her power infus'd in hearbes and plants?
In trees for buildings? simples phisicall?
Or minerall mines? Therefore indifferent Ioue
Thus arbitrates: the yeare we part in twelue,
Cal'd Moneths of the Moone: twelue times a yeare
She in full splendor shall supply her orbe,
And shine in heauen: twelue times fill Pluto's armes
Below in hell. When Ceres on the earth
Shall want her brightnesse, Pluto shall enioy it,
When heauen containes her, she shall light the earth
From her bright spheare aboue. Parted so euen,
We neither fauour hell, nor gloze with heauen.

 

    

 

Pluto Pluto is pleas'd.

 

    

 

Ceres Ceres at length agreed.

 

    

 

Proſerpine Ioue is all iustice, and hath well decreed.

 

    

 

Iupiter Say all the planets thus?

 

    

 

All We do.

 

    

 

Iupiter Our Sessions we dissolue then. Hercules,
We limit you to dragge hence Cerberus,
To the vpper world, and leaue thee to the vniuerse
Where thou shalt finish all thy Iouiall taskes;
Proceed and thriue. You that to earth belong,
Ascend to your mortality with honors,
The Gods to heauen: Pluto and his keepe hell,
The Moone in both by euen attonement dwell.

 

 
 

 

Exeunt three wayes Ceres, The seus, Philoctetes, and Hercules dragging Cerberus one way: Pluto, hels Iudges, the Fates and Furies downe to hell: Iupiter, the Gods and Planets ascend to heauen.

 

 
 

 

Enter Homer.

 

Our full Sceane's wane, the Moones arraignment ends,
Ioue and his mount, Pluto with his descends.
Poore Homer's left blinde, and hath lost his way,
And knowes not if he wander or go right,
Unlesse your fauours their cleare beames display.
But if you daine to guide me through this night,
The acts of Hercules I shall pursue,
And bring him to the thrice-raz'd wals of Troy:
His labours and his death Il'e shew to you.
But if what's past your riper iudgements cloy,
Here I haue done: if ill, too much: if well,
Pray with your hands guide H o m e r out of hell.

 

FINIS.