Scene I THE SW/SSER
he. Faith, Andrucho, I ha no mind to be whipt yett
Andru. There's a freedome That's giuen to fooles and Madmen, and they may Speake truth without exception : do'st thou not Perticipate of one of those?
he. Ye, Mongrill, 30
Because the King and Generall giue you leaue To snarle before them you will snap at mee, now.
Andni. Come, come, the world's compos'd of nothing elce, But fooles and Madmen; search the volume of it, Turne most mens Actions ouer, and who finds 'em 35
Free from that Antique Character, deserues To bee inrol'd himself e. Ha, ha, he!
he. Why dost thou laugh?
Andru. At the strange Changes, Sirha, In the World's Measure. Fortunes wheele runs round. Now vp, now downe; now like a curst wife, readie 40
To strike her husband, and then presently. Humbles her selfe to 's man. We put a glosse On our Deformities, like a painted baud, And are not what wee seeme; all are disguiz'd. And each man rather represents what's fitt 45
He should bee, then what Really hee is. Take the seuere and sterne Judge from the Bench, And he'le lay by his grauitie with his gowne ; The faire and mistique Modestie that dwells In female out side, is but borrowed forme ; 50
8 THE SWISSER Act I
And which of vs can find a breast that's noble But by that splendor from its slaues ? 'tis hard To know a knight from a begger, or a Bankrupt From a Rich marchant.
Ise. How can this be helpt?
Andni. Is there no way to vncase the Hypocrite? 55
Why euery Nation's knowne by's clothes — I am A Switzer.
Ise. But how honest —
Andru. True! that wo'd be knowne, But 'tis impossible, man is not made Of Christall, to be lookt through ; therefore who trusts Vpon this worlds vncertaineties, must needs 60
Be fooles, or Madmen ; and who do's not soe ? Why should you take exceptions then? but stay — The King and Generall —
\Enter\ king, timentes, antharis, clephis, asprandvs, Gard.
King. Lett the scatter'd troopes Be putt in order, and our gards redoubled. Beaten thus basely! shall the warlike Lombards, 65
That haue not onely aw'd proud Italye, But all the Neighboring World, now turne their backs To the Raueneans, a contemned People?
\To Aspyandiis\. See that the Scouts vpon the least aproach Bring vs intelligence. \Exit asprandvs].
[J(? T intent es\ What aduantage gain'd they 70
That you were broken thus?
Tim. {speak es f ear e full y). The battailes ioyning — Our wings aduanct —
Andru. And flew away.
Tim. But being — Opprest with multitudes —
Andru. Of Feares.
Tim. Retir'd — In this disorder —
Andru. Hee's not yett recouer'd. \To the King]. My lord the King ! the Enemie ! the Enemie ! 75
King. Where? how farr of?
Andru. Heere, by the Generalls speach, Heere at our backs ; how could his feares be fresh elce ?
King. Barke not, good Bandog, 'tis not tyme to bite now; Wee are more serious.
Tijfi. \to Andrucho\ Sira, Tie musle yee.
Andru. Get naked Truth a coate, doe! Had I come 80 With the smooth tougne of oyly flattery, And prais'd his lordships valor; how hee stood The shock of the feirce foe, till Numbers, rather Then Noblenes did gett the day ; or laid The imputation on the Starrs that were not 85
Propitious, I should perhapps haue gain'd The next Command. Vice is vnconfident ; Her face must be dawb'd ore. \To Timentes] My lord, you are Valiant —
King. Take this foole-hardy fellow hence.
Anth. \to Andrucho\. Away —
10 THE SWISSER - Act I
You are to sawcy - —
Andru. For a Courtier. 90
But a good honest plaine blunt Souldier May speake his mind. This peece of Rottennes (Scarce sound at Hart) is now the cheifest Pile The king doth build on ; we are like to thriue well !
{Antharis wins fer s with y^ king).
O how the serpents wriggles into's breast ! 95
So so, spitt out thy venome there ! How finely Are those that listen vnto flatterie, Tickled to their distruction?
Ise. Peace, good waspe —
Andru. Not while I haue a stinge.
Ise. Sfoot, I wonder How thou darest speake so boldly; if such words :'.oo
Should scape my tougne, I sho'd be made to swollow 'em, Spight a' my teeth.
Andru. I think so too; for may The Asse be so familiar with his master, As the neat Greyhound ?
Ise. You will still be pinching.
Andru. Yes! for heere's game enough —
Anth. [to the King]. 'Tis Chance, my leige, 105
In warr beares cheifest sway; lett him againe Venture abroad : new howers begett new fortunes.
King. It shall be so ! Timentes, thou shalt trie Once more what fate will doe, and on her wings Build our vncertaine hopes. The Virgins shall no
Besprinckle 'em with teares, and the graue Matrons,
With prayers, and sighs, shall heaue 'em vp, vntill
They houer ouer thee; while the sad edge
Of their eternall Destinie shall turne
Vpon our foes. Be not discouraged, 115
Thou hast our fauor still.
Tim. Then arm'd with that,
I Will proceed as boldly through danger
As that great Macedonian, when his fortune
Bred an oppinion in him, that hee was *
Descended from the Gods. 'Tis not Men, now, 120
Or Numbers that I value; wo'd there were
Some Powers aboue Men to incounter with,
That I might make my Valor speake my fortune,
More then my fortune, that. The Souldiers bloods
Burne with Reuenge, and I am all a flame; 125
Myne Eyes shall now dart lightning, and my tougne
Speake thunder to 'em : what this Arme shall doe!
Fames trumpett shall put Enuies spight to silence.
Me thinkes I feele the Body sturr, and call
For some braue head to lead them on.
Antha. Well spoken. 130
Andru. I wo'd it were as well done. Who wo'd thinke
This fellow were not Valiant? Heer's the Signe
Of Hercules, but some poore female Spirit
Inhabitts it. O how the Man wo'd walke
Without a soule, if hee should vent his Valor 135
In action, not in words !
12 THE SWISSER Act I
Tim. Lett vs aduance To meet this proud foe. Now their Ruine falls Heauy, and greiuous, when it comes in midst Of all their Triumphs : And the Parcœ shall Wonder what Power doth antidate, what they 140
Wo'd lengthen out.
Andru. Oh! they are dead alreadie!
I se. Wee shall not neede to fight.
King. All my best wishes Shall goe along with thee.
Clep. [to the King\ You are my Soueraigne ! And lett not wild Opinion sway your Judgement. I speake as if I ment to loose a life 145
To giue you Beeing. I co'd neuer sooth ! And Councell crosse to Princes oft rebounds, And strikes those men that aym'd it; y'had a father That cherisht Vertue —
King. Whether tends this bouldnes?
Clep. To tell yee, that you haue distroid the strength, 150 And saftie of your Kingdome; buried aliue Those that knew how to act, more then to speake; Banisht the Prime of your Nobillitie; Through Discontents made 'em retire, and rais'd Such as dare onely fight in words. How can 155
Your Armies thriue? The Souldiers are growne hartles, And where there is a Spirit, 'tis vented out In such strange murmurings as might corrupt The best obedience. This I am bound to tell yee.
