Scene II TUE SWISSER i
Serii. Hee is, my lord.
Ariol. Hee tooke His parting sadly, did hee not?
Seru. Hee did. Exit servant.
Ariol. Alas, poore youth ! 'twas much against his mind To leaue mee soe. {[Taking tip his\ Bookes.) But theise are f reinds indeed ! 5
Heere we may see our selues depainted better Then by reflexion; theise vncase the soule. Rip vp the inward man, and there discouer The various Humours, Passions, Indigences, That do possesse vs. How are wee "abus'd 10
By this smooth flattering outside, train'd along Through the calme Pleasures of y"* world, still climing, And neuer looking downe ? O Quietnes ! Thou Peacefull Paradize! Me thinks I stand Vnshaken, on some lof tie Pyramed, 15
And with my minds Eye see the world in motion. What hurrying vp and downe, what paines, what Plots For their vncertaine ends ? How they doe swarme. To raile, Colloge, whisper, betray, and All In seuerall postures like so many Antiques, 20
Heere one a murdring, there another hanging : And the Accuser, nay the Judge, as guiltie As hee that suffers. Oh world, world ! I am aboue thee now.
Enter andrvcho.
1 8 THE SWISSER Act I
Andru. Noble Arioldus!
Happie in thy retirement.
Ariol. Worthy Aribert ! 25
Thou art (amongst a peruerse multitude) An. honest lord still. How doth this disguise Shroud thy hard banishment?
Andru. Why, well. The King Minds not such vnderlings as I present now; Besids, my haire is so o'regrowne, it hinders 30
Any suspect.
Ariol. But how dost thou keepe in?
Andru. By a free fooling, and wild Carriage, I gaine vpon his humour; hee delights To haue mee bite the World; calls mee his Bandogg; And I doe lay about mee, ther's foule Matter 35
Enough to worke on, without forcing Nature.
Ariol. To much, to much, my freind : And heere I liue Out a' the World, yett in't. How mild and gentle Lookes euery thing about mee? Ther's no feare To fall beneath this; I am now without 40
The reach of fauor or disgrace.
Andru. Tis true.
But who is borne for himselfe? Tyme spreads his wings Ouer our fates; we haue no lasting Beeing. How small a thrid is life? Why should wee prize it? 'Tis better ventur'd for our Countries safetie, 45
Then spun out longer thus.
Ariol Right, Aribert.
'Tis not this wretched poore Rag-end of Life
That I doe Cocker thus; but since wee Hue
Necessitated vnto Tyme, and Fate,
Which well w^e cannot change, lett vs Hue Happie. 50
That is the Crowne Alen toyle for. Who wo'd plod.
And breake their morning sleepes, watch at all howers,
Act any base and seruile Offices;
Cringe, fawne, and Creepe; nay, more then their good names,
Brand their black Consciences with horrid Crimes, 55
But to gett Riches, which they thinke their Happines?
The wily and smooth Orator wo'd be silent,
The Souldier fight no more, the Laborer
Sett at his ease, and bruised Mariner
By dangerous rocks ne' re crosse the foming Maine 60
But to Hue Happily : why should I toyle
For what I haue already? I enioy it.
Andru. Yett Noblenes sho'd not obscure it selfe, But show the World, that it dares stand y'' brunt Of the most threatning Danger.
Ariol. This 1 grant too, 65
When in a free Scale euerie Action s waygh'd And not by Priuate and rash Judgments censur'd To their most Enuious Ends.
Andru. Encounter with 'em.
Ariol Then I must vse their Weapon : Villanie. Noe ! I will sett and smile heere, lett the men 7°
That doe desire to rise, leame to sooth Vice And imitate Deformities; Tie beare ^^
20 THE SWISSER Act J
A full saile in this calmenes of my Life, Which no rude storme shall threaten.
Andni. But Tie push for't.
Before Tie ha' my name trod vnder foot 75
By such wild beasts, Tie wriggle hard to sting 'em. I haue bene two yeares banisht, through the mal lice Of Parasits and Rogues; and poore Eugenia, My onely daughter, (after long attempts
Vrg'd by the King against her Honor) coming 80
To find mee out, made euen account with Death.
Ariol. Alas, good Ladie!
Andru. I did thinke to visett The Court but for a tyme, yet hardned now, And confident, thus shapt, I may find out Which are my Enemies. But I forgett — 85
This discourse hindred my entents; Timentes Must try the fortune of another Battaile; O 'tis a slack skind youth ! The good lord Clephis Mett the kings anger for yee.
Ariol. Why for mee?
Andni. He stood to haue you General 1.
Ariol Indeed, 90
Hee's truly Noble, but my thoughts are fixt Within another Orbe.
[Enter] servant.
Ser. My lord, heer's Iseas Desires to haue accesse.
And r II. I will withdrawe. [Andrucho goes behind the arras.']
[Enter] iseas.
Ise. Worthyest of Lords, my Duty, which hath sought Euer to Win vpon your Noblenes, 95
Commands my presence, to preuent your knowledge : The King is coming hether.
Ariol. Sir, I thanke yee.
Ise. My seruices shall waite your lordships wishes.
Exit ISE.
[Reenter andrvcho.]
Ariol. What sho'd this meane?
Andni. Some new deuice! (Knock [zvithin.]) Agen!
[Enter servant.]
Ser. Here is Asprandus.
Ariol. Lett him haue admittance. 100
[andrvcho goes again behind the arras.]
[Enter] asprandvs.
Aspra. If my indeauors haue not laid their hopes To grow at your feet, noblest Lord, it was More through a want of meanes then will. I'me glad To fi-xe on this occasion now; the Souldiers Will haue no Generall but you; the King 105
Cannot remoue their Resolutions Neither with threats nor Promises. The Seruice, Which I haue euer vow'd you, shall hearafter Show it selfe more officious to your Goodness.
22 THE SWISSER Act I
Ariol. I thanke ye, Sir. Exit [asprandvs].
[^Reenter andrvcho.]
Andru. Were theise two fellowes heere, no
Since your Retirement?
Ariol. Neuer.
Andru. O they glide Still with the streame. Good Rogues ! Theise are shroud
simptomes Of some new alteration by their Croking; They flutter still about the Fauoritt,
Where they doe build their filthy nests, and lett him 115
Decline but ne're so little, they are gon To the next riser.
[Enter servant.]
Seru. Heer's the lord Antharis.
Andru. Hey day ! hey day ! more Rogues yett !
[Hides again behind the arras.]
[Enter] antharis.
Ant ha. My lord, That I haue euer honor' d you, my greife
For your retiring can bring silent prouffs; 120
Which I forbeare —
Andru. {within). Beleeue him not, hee lyes.
Ant ha. And that I loue you, your owne Vertues may Confirme it strongly, hauing alwayes found Such Noblenes as would invite the best
To imitation. I haue spoken for you, 125
Made the king know your worth; that worth y* euer
Did speake it selfe, lay buried in his Judgement,
Till I reuiu'd it; now it doth appeare
In its true lusture. Hee hath chose you General!,
(By my aduice) against the present foe; 130
Be noble like your selfe. I come to tell yee
So, to prepare your thoughts.
Ariol. What you haue said Of Truth in my behalf e, my lord, I thanke yee; But for the charge of Generall, 'tis a taske Fitt for an abler man.
Ant ha. None more descrues it. 135
This seruice I haue added to the many. You haue, and shall command. Exit anth.
Andru. Oh! I co'd burst!
Plotts! Plotts! this Pollititian Is caught in his owne noose. Hee moue the King ! What Villanie is this? The good wee haue ' 1 140
Must come from them, the Bad, the Prince must beare; This is fine iuggling —
Ariol. 'Tis so, Aribert.
Who treads the Maze of the Tymes Laborynth Shall find some doubtfull wayes; my hart presages A fatall Yssue : I am loth to leaue J45
The Quiet of this life.
[Enter servant.]
Sent. The King, my lord.
24 THE SWISS ER Act I
Andru. Now, I must hide indeed. E.xit andrvcho.
\Enter\ king, clephis, Attendants.
King. Cousin, I see Thy vertue, now, through all mens Eyes, and I Must chide my selfe for being blind so long, I come to rauish thee from the soft Bosome 150
Of thy blest Peace, to manage rugged Warr; I must confesse it is the Souldiers Act, Lett not that hold thee back, I wish it too. Thy Country calls for't, and the brauing foe Growes Confident, vpon our Backwardnes; 155
Thy Vertue must repell 'em. Doe not plead ' I know thou canst say much — I ha bene vnkind — Prithe forgiue mee.
Ariol. If my Breast were Stone, This Noblenes wo'd melt mee. You haue wonne More by your goodnes, then your greatest An Ter 160
Can e're distroy. Were euerie haire a life. They would be all to little to expresse A gratitude for this.
King. O noble Cousin — Tyme is too quick with vs; wee must away. The Enemie approaches fast.
Ariol. Hee comes 165
But to his ruine. \To his Servant.] Bring out my good Sword. Is it not rustic? [To the King.] O Sir, you haue putt Fresh Power into mee; I ha' purg'd my selfe
Of all my lazie thoughts; but that I loath
To boast my Actions, I durst boldly tell yee, 170
The Enemie this day shall feele what Power
A Princes fauor can infuse into
A loyall Subiects breast.
King. Goe, and bee happie ! Exeunt [all excep clephis].
Clep. A kingdome hath sound nerues when thus they agree. Nothing doth strengthen more then Vnitie. Exit. 175
Souldiers. \within\. Arioldus ! Arioldus! Arioldus!
i^^Hi
Mi^j
':^-PÀmii^^^^^ËLM^l
'h? ^:•^^^^^??TTT:•;-^.^^J^^
ACTVS SECVNDVS
SC.ENA PRIMA
\The Presence Chamber in the Palace?^
ALCIDONVS solus.
HE name of Victorie, whose sound creates New life, and spirit to men (when betwixt hope, And feare, a desperate diffidence doth seaze 'em) Cannot be so much pleasing to my Prince, now. As thy deare name, Selina, is to mee.
Selina ! in whose Breast there dwells all ioyes That can be fancied. I bring others peace. But Warr to thee and to my selfe, Selina. I must not see her, much lesse speake to her. Without a fathers curse; yett wee are married, Firme as the holy Preist and loue could make vs. I see no Reason that the Parents hate Should bee entayl'd. But I forgett my busines; Where doe you wander, thoughts?
Enter king, panopia, selina, antharis, clephis.
lO
King. Now Alcidonus !
Thou bring'st good Omens with thee.
Aid. Such, great Sir, 15
As victorie can import. The General 1 Wo'd not loose time to write; he bad mee hast Or he should bring the newes himself e.
King. Wee long t'imbrace him, as hee is in blood Nere to vs, so no lesse in our affection 20
Then his Deserts doth claime.
Alci. Madame, the Duty I owe vnto the sister of my King, Calls my respects to you.
Pan. Thanks, Alcidonus.
[Aside to Alcidonus]. Selina was all teares till thy returne, But they were onely spent to make her growe, 25
And spring vp freshly at thy view.
Alci. [aside to Panopia\ O Madame, There is a waking Dragon heere that keepes mee From this diuine fruit. [Aside to Selina]. My most deare Selina! I dare not speake to thee.
Seli. [aside to Alcidonus]. Curst fate!
Alci. [to Antharis]. All duty Vnto my father. 30
Ant ha. [who has observed their whispering]. As you prise my fauor.
Cast no affection that way —
Alci. (aside). I shall burst then :
For my great hart is full and I must vent it.
2S THE SWISSER Act II
[Aside to Selina]. O my Selina, wo'd my thoughts had wings, That they might fly to thee, or actiue Sence, 35
That I might send 'em through myne Eyes.
Sell, [aside to Alcidonus\ Be silent; Wee'le Hue like tirtles and mourne out our loues, Not till they leaue vs, but wee leaue to bee.
Aid. [aside]. I shalbe lost if I proceede —
Kiftg. [to A kid onus]. It seemes then, The Battaile did not last long.
A lei. As they ioyn'd, 40
The Souldiers harts being full of ioy and Courage For their new Generall, could not containe. But with great Clamor cry'd out : Arioldus ! As if that name should teach their swords a way Vnto Reuenge. The noise perplext the foe; 45
For they came on, as to an Enemie, Whome losse, and feare, had weakened; and finding Such Spirit, and Vigor, would not stand the Brunt, But fled, and death did dog 'em at the heeles; Hee was so grim, and terrible, they durst not 50
Looke in his face. Some Captiues there are taken, Some ransom'd. Here's the Generall.
[Enter] arioldvs, andrvcho, asprandvs, iseas.
King. Arioldus !
Now I will call thee myne, and without Enuie, Since thou hast done enough to make her silent. Thy name hath gotten Victories, what wo'd 55
Thy Valor doe? Thou dost o'recome in Peace too,
For in a Conflict with my selfe, I And
I had the worst in loosing thee so long;
But rie recall that Truant Tyme, and pay thee
My best affections now.
Ariol. Great Sir, the Peace 60
I bring you by this Victorie, is not More full of safety then I am of Sorrow That I haue done no more. If I had paid you (That which I owe) my life, I had dyed happie. There had bene then a Memorie afforded 65
Vnto my actions, and some happely Might haue lett fall a Pitty; but to liue Where I can n'ere requite such noble fauors, It is a Misery too mighty for mee.
[Kneeling]. O lett mee fall and grow heere, till I rise 70 Worthy of your acceptance.
King. Cousin, you wrong Your merritt much. Sister, here is a Jewell That I would haue you value.
Pan. His owne worth Is a sufficient Plea, it makes a Way For my respects to follow.
Ariol Noble Madame, 75
Your Vertues rather I should imitate, Beeing a rare Example, and I will; Knowing ther are no way es to doe you seruice, But those whose Ends are good.
30 THE SWISSER ' Act II
King. Now, I seas, And you, Asprandus, are turn'd gallant Souldiers; 80
But my tall Switzer heere, my honest Banddog, Hee can deale blowes aswell as words. Tie loose him, And hee shall fly at all; has an old tooth. That will bite shroudly.
Andrii. 'Tis growne blunt a late, Sir.
King. Why, how comes that to passe?
Andru. 'Tis out a' fashion. ^ 85
King. What?
Andru. To speake Truth. 'Tis not to be indur'd. A Courtier hates it as hee hates short hose. Or a small high crown'd hatt. A Cittison (As if 'twere Poison) breakes when it appeares, For it discouers much. Ther's many a Lady, 90
That dares not looke vpon the Light, but they Haue coulor for't. Alas ! should naked Truth Appeare before them ? Fye ! The onely way To haue Truth scene is through a glasse.
King. What glasse?
Andru. An Artificial 1 Glasse, where euery man, 95
Shall in his owne true Humor be presented. The Courtier at his Cringe and smile; the Statist With an erect looke, and high language, neuer Minding inferiour things; the Judge with's — Ha! Frighting the trembring Prisoner; the Crittick 100
Shaking his emptie Noddle; and the Gallant,
With some quaint oath in's mouth, smoaking his nostrills; And soe of all —
King. How can this glasse be made?
A7tdru. Th'ingredients are somewhat hard to come by. Stay ! lett mee see — An ownce of Honestie, 105
Cleare, Pure, well vitreated; with a dram or two Of Libertie, when the Signe is in Libra; With a few Braines — But whos' ? A Lawers ? noe They are too turbulent. A Poets ? they
Were fittest, but they are poore, and soone corrupted : no
Money do's much with 'em. A Diuines? Vmh — There is noe President for't, besids preferment Stands y' the way. A plaine blunt Swobbers wo'd, If hee had Witt enough. But — we want a Skull To make this Composition.
King. I beleeue thee. 115
Andru. Such as did Hue when the Tymes durst be lookt into And then spoke Truth, and dyed in't.
Clep. A shroud fellow!
Hee shoots at all, and beats about the marke still.
King. I loue Andrucho —
Andru. I doe thanke your Maiestie.
King. To heare thee talke, man.
Andru. Wo'd it had bene otherwise. 120
King. Prithe, barke still, good Dog.
Andru. Atwhome?
King. At any bodie.
32 THE SWISSER Act II
Andni. I cannot much condamne the Tymes : alas ! Why, euery one must Hue. Heere are two gentlemen
^Pointing at Iseas and Aspandus\ That can obserue who rises, and who falls; Which should be flatter'd most, I pray, the faller? 125
Ther's an necessitie they must doe one, Can a poore Courtier Hue elce? Alas, noe. Why, I my selfe, a graue man, play the Buff one. To make you merry heere; is't not because I find a sweetnes in't? Wee all must Hue. 130
And ther's a whelp {points at Alcidonns\ wo'd haue a Marybone, And the old dog do's keepe him from't; tis pittie; Sure, hee wo'd find much pleasure in't. \To Ant/iaris] My lord, I am but knowne to you from the teeth outward.
Antha. Yes, I doe know a knauish tougne y' your head. 135
Andru. Ah! you are bitten, I ha' found it out now; rie lay a Plaister on't. Cannot I talke Of soothing and base actions, but you must Apply 'em all to your selfe? If I had said, You had abus'd the King, ransackt the Country, 140
And for your priuate ends hated all those That (for their loue to Good) crost your Désignes; Or told yee, that you wrong the Princes honor, In making your Crimes, his; his Vertues, yours : This wo'd ha' bitt indeed.
Antha. I'le breake thy Pate, M5
Thou bawling Curr —
