EPITAPH

Coffin! thougfi tfiou beést of Wood,

Thou art for our Generalls good; And Honor 'tis to tfiee enough, 90

That hee is made of the same Stuff e.

A Block cutt out in shape, for showe,

With no more Spirit then made it goe; So that it scarcly cotdd bee sed.

Whether hee were aliue or Dead. 95

A walking Ghost there was, that staid

With vs a while; but now 'tis Laid.

Andru. Pin't on. \ln a low voice] Begin your parts. Ise. [disguising his voice]. Wo'd we co'd find him ! Andru. Who do you seeke for, Gentlemen? Aspra. [disguising his voice]. Timentes ! That was late General 1.

Andru. What should hee doe? 100

Ise. Our Angers should instruct our Swords a way Vnto Reuenge, if wee could find him out.

Aspra. No fortresse can protect him ! Heap vp mountaines ! Sett Pel ion vpon Ossa, and there place him : The iustnes of our Cause wo'd fetch him downe, 105

Into the lowest depth.

Andrii. Alas, hee's low enough!

Hee's past your Angers, gentlemen; hee's dead.

Ise. How, dead ? Where is his Body ?

Andrii. [^pointing at the coflïn\. Heere.

Aspra. \\'>e'le burne it.

And with his asshes scoure our rusty blades To make 'em bright agen; then shake his dust no

Into the wind, till it outflies his feares.

Ise. What's this?

Andru. His Epitaph.

Aspra. Heere lyes a Wooden Generall indeed. Wee'le try if hee can swim; his body shall To Sea with vs; a Sharke will shatter him. liS

Ise. Or lett vs place him on some barren Rock, Naked, for Eagles to pick out his Eyes.

Andru. You are too cruell, and Humanitie Tyes vs to see ther shall no iniurie Be offred to the dead.

Aspra. [whispers to Andru.'] Yee come of too soone. 120

Andru. [whispers to As pa.] If wee proceede the apprehen-

[tion May strike him dead indeed; the Jeast is spoil'd then.

[Opens the coffin.]

52 THE SWISSER Act HI

Troth, hee lyes quietly, goodman ! Hee's dead !

he. How, 'tis impossible; lett's heaue him vp.

Aspra. Rub him, and pinch him by the nose.

Andru. Hee's cold. 125

Aspra. Sffoot, we ha' fool'd it finely! Could his feares Vsurpe his Spiritt so much ?

Andni. Your great words kil'd him.

I se. But see the stronge Power of th'Imagination, How it doth tiranize?

AndrîL Pox a' Philosophie!

Wee shalbe all hang'd for experiment. 130

Aspra. What shall wee doe?

Andni. Conuay him hence; Tie instantly To the king for Pardon for vs all. Exit.

I se. Away !

Aspra. Take vp this Body, Sirs. Wee'le sweare, and truly, That hee dyed soudainely.

I se. W^ee ha' made an Noose For our owne Necks, and then where hangs the ieast? 135

Exeunt with the Coffin.

SCiENA SECVNDA

\A Grove in a Garden^

ALCIDONVS, SELINA.

Alci. Now, my Selina, wee will score vp Summs Of our embraces, and like Prodigalls

(In a full handed Happines) wast those ioyes,

That wo'd seme other Louers many Ages,

And yett to vs it shall not be profusenes. 5

Sell. Our Parents Cruelty giues a sad Rellish To our delights, my dearest Alcidonus.

How happy were this meeting el ce ?

Aid. Wee'le stand The shock of all their anger, thus inshrin'd; And quick feares shall, like fake Orators, 10

Be dumbe and silent. What ther is of trouble, That in our high, and ellemented Loues, Causeth a trepidation, 'tis the sence Onely doth suffer, while that purer Spirit

(Which is no part of it) with Doue-like wings 15

Mounteth aboue their Mallice. W^ee were borne Th'example of their Rigor, and wee'le beare it With a strickt Patience.

Sell. But, mee thinks, 'twere better To lett 'em know the truth; the hand of Pleauen, And all the Ceremoniall Rites of loue, 20

Haue made an Vnion which they cannot seuer : 'Twill be discouer'd, and 'tis fitter wee Should do't then others.

Alci. True! If the sharpe edge Of their inueterote Mallice were but blunted, Which I will striue to doe : My fathers anger 25

Is like an Ouerflow, not to be stopt W^ithin the Banks, before its Rage be spent;

54 THE SW/SSER Act IK

That were to turne the torrent on our selues. But this extreame hate is like our affliction, Too violent to last.

Sell. Lett's make the best on't. 30

Alci. Wee will, Selina, and in our stolne sweets, Hord vp a treasure that shall ransome all Our fo repast miseries. Wee neede not Blush When our lips meet; those are the marks of guilt, And though feare borrowes 'em sometymes, *tis but 35

To show how nere that's to it : Our free Soûles Shall not pertake of either. In theise Groues Lett each day looke vpon our loues, and as The Buds spring vp, so lett our ioyes grow stronge. The better to indure the nipping Frosts 40

Of Seperation; Hymens torch well lighted Can neuer be extinguisht but with Death.

[Enter] antharis, card.

Antha. Ty mentes has abus'd mee. I ha' bene Stalking a good while heere and find no —

[Perceiving the lovers']. How?

Are you a Billing; I wilbee your Stickler 45

You too vntemper'd Vermin!

Alci. Heare mee. Sir.

Heere are a paire of the most equall Harts That euer gaue a Beeing to two Bodies; Lett 'em not bee disioyn'd, wee humbly begg it, Beg it vpon our knees. See how her teares, 50

In ouerflowing Silence, plead for her, My prayers for mee.

Ant ha. I must not heare him speake. [To his Guard.] Take him away ! — Thou disobedient Varlett ! Lay hands on him !

Alci. I will not bend my sword Against you, Sir; but if theise handle mee, 55

It shalbe stiffe to them.

Antha. Strike! Strike him downe! — Rebellious knaue!

Alci. I am not. Heere's my sword.

Your harshnes wounds mee more then can their weapons : For as two young and neighboring Mirtells leane By Naturall Simpathy, each to the other, 60

And so perticipate, no storme can rend one But it is Death to both; such is your Anger. O lett vs gently grow vp to be yours.

Antha. I am not to bee mou'd.

\Enter\ clephis.

cup. Ha! Minion!

Haue I now found your haunte?

Alci. Noble lord Clephis, 65

If you haue sence of Pitty, thinke what 'tis To part vnited Soules; for as the Mind Transcends the Body in her faculties, So the distraction's more. Bee not you cruell, too —

Clef. Beleeue mee, I doe loue thy generous Nature, 70

56 THE SWISSER Act IIT

And I could wish thy father had a Vertue

Equall to thyne, that wee might meet your wishes.

But you see what hee is. Come hether, Girle;

Wer't not Antharis sonne, I should commend thee

For such a noble choise, and as hee is 75

I doe not much mislike it.

Antha. But I doe, Sir.

Were shee a Serpent wrigling on the Earth, And cold as it, I'de rather mingle Bloods With such a one then any of thy yssue.

Clep. Thy Mai lice comes a'the same Broode, persue it. 80

Antha. Yes, and I will. \To the Gtiard.] Why stay yee? Take him hence !

Alci. I shall forgett all Rules of Goodnes — Hold!

Antha. I will not heare a word more — To his Chamber —

Aid. This is aboue the height of Cruelty.

Exit Gard with alcidonvs.

Clep. Come, wee'le away, too, Girle.

Antha. Your Lordship may 85

Hang vp that peece for a signe and 't may bring custome. Pray, lett mee see't with myne no more.

Clep. Thou worse Then wickednes can name, but y* I loath To haue myne Anger fall on such a Wretch, I now wo'd spitt thee dead; thou know'st my Blood, 90

Nobler then thine. I scorne to bragg, or Braule, They suit too well with thee

Exeunt clephis, selina.

Aji^/ia. Ha, ha, ha!

Well, I must take another course; this Busines Shall not be carried thus. Who's that I pray?

[Enter] asprandvs, iseas, servants with the Coijin.

Aspra. The Lord Tymentes.

Ant ha. How! the day is not 95

Thrice sixty minutes elder then it was, When I last saw him.

Isc. True! But now, hee's dead.

Ant ha. By what strange meanes?

Aspra. All his Hues faculties Were mastered by a soudaine fright.

Ant ha. Is't possible?

Hee was my kinsman, and I stroue to sett him 100

In the Worlds Eye, but his feares made a Blemish, Which blinded all his Vertues. I confesse That my El lection was not good, but fixt once, My loue's as Constant as my Hate. Tie pay My last Rites to him heere; sett downe y* Body. 105

[Kneels and opens the coifing

[Enter] andrvcho.

Andru. I ha bene at the Court and ther's no admittance; The king's in priuate, and the publicke Mouth Giues out hee is in Loue. What Captiue's that Hee had from Arioldus?

Ise. I ne' re saw her.

58 THE SWISSER Act HI

Aspra. What's to bee done then?

Andru. Hang our selues for preuention; no

For 'twill come out.

Aspra. Then thy great Beard and Bulke Will grace the Gallowes well.

Andru. I shall take it Heauily; But you two litle Pigmies will make light on't.

he. S foot, 'tis no Jeasting matter.

Andru. But it is A Jeasting matter was the Cause ont.

Ant ha. [to the body of Tim.'] Well ! 115

rie doe thee this last Right, since thou art gon. That who soeuer caus'd this, with their Bloods Shall Laue thy funerall Pile.

Andru. [aside to the others]. Ther's Comfort yett.

I se. [aside\ Lett's shift our selues away.

Tim. My lord Antharis —

Andru. Pox a' your small pipe, are you squeaking?

Ant ha. Gentlemen! 120

Am I to bee abus'd? [To Andru.'] This is your Plott, Sir Liberall a' the Tougne, — • I'le clip ye shorter.

TiMENTES rises out of / Coffin.

Andru. [pointing at Tim.] Aske him, I pray. Tim. Where are they? Are they gon?

Ant ha. Who?

Ti7n. Heer's the Gentlemen that sau'd mee. Andru. [to Ant ha.] Law yee now.

Tim. I must confesse my life and safety onely 125

Depends on them.

Andru. \to Antha?[ What thinke yee?

Tim. A swarme of Villaines Seaz'd on mee in the streets; some cry'd « Lett's burne him », Some « Hang him ! », and some « Drowne him ! » ; nay they

had mee Vp in their Armes to do't. Alas, I lay

In a Cold sweat; they pincht and tumbled mee; 130

But stirr I durst not, no, not breath[e]; I hop't now Of nothing but the easiest way to dye, Vntill I heard your voice.

Andru. [aside']. Wee were fine fooles, To thinke him dead !

Tim. Andrucho spoke to 'em.

Andru. Wee did our best, Sir.

Ant ha. But what Rogues were theise? 135

Andru. Some of the cast troopes. Wee had much a'doe!

Tim. I know you had. My good f reinds !

Ant ha. This is strange :

Send search out after 'em.

Tim. O by no meanes, Lett 'em alone, ther's danger to recall 'em.

Andru. There is indeed.

, Antha. Well, I must hence.

Tim.- rie wi' yee. 140

Exeunt antharis timentes.

6o THE SWISSER Act III

Andrti. Pack vp your trumperie; if wee had gott a Pardon For killing this Hue foole, what had wee bene?

Aspra. Why little better.

Ise. But is't possible Wee should be cousen'd thus?

Aspra. Sfoot, I thinke We wanted all our sences.

Andru. 'Tis but Justice, 145

Wee thought to fright him, and hee frightned vs. rie leaue of fooling now; it is high tyme To bee more serious.

Aspra. O how graue a the Soudaine? Exeunt.

SC^NA TERTIA

[A Roojfi in the King 's FalaceA^

KING, EVRINIA.

King. I lou'd a faire one once, whose fate to her Was (as her Cruelty to mee) too violent : Shee gon, thy likenes doth reuiue the Loue, But lett her Cruelty dye with her, Eurinia.

F^iin. I shall be cruell to my selfe, great king, if I obay you.

King. Dry those fountaines vp And lett the warme drops help to heat thy blood, Which yett is all an Ice.