Scene II THE SW/SSER

Ise. Theise Groues Are good to meet a Wench in.

As pro. That were lost And left to the taker vp. Who's that ? Antharis ? Lett vs giue ayme; heere's game. [They hide.']

Antha. \sees the bodies.] Asleepe together! — 80

What horrid sight is this? My Alcidonus! My sonne, my dearest sonne !

Aspra. {stepping forth.] Why, what's the Matter?

Antha. Help, Gentlemen, o help! Is there no Art W^ill add to Nature now ? Rub — bow the Bodies ! My sonne! My sonne! Speake, Alcidonus!

Ala. Ha! 85

Antha. There is some hope yett; chafe hard — Who hath done this?

Alci. Our selues — with poison, for wee liu'd in Incest — Against our Wills — Brother and sister, married —

Antha. But were you Married?

Alci. Yes.

Antha. Curst bee my pollicie!

Ther's no such thing; you were not Brother and Sister; 90 I did belye my selfe, and you, Heauen knowes it, Because I would not haue you Marry. Y 'are My lawfull Son, shee of another Mother! Nothing a kin !

Alci. Oh —

Antha. Help! Death seazes on him —

Aspra. Is there no life in her?

96 THE SWl^SER Act V

Ise. Shee's cold.

Ant ha. For Heauen sake, 95

Lift 'em from ground.

Aspra. 'Tis now too late, th'are dead.

Ant ha. , It is impossible. Call the Phisitions, And if in dull Earthes bony Mineralls, Or veines of flowers anci Rootes there be no help, Wee'le rip her Bowells vp, within whose warmth, 100

They may receyue fresh growth.

Ise. All will not doe.

Ant ha. Thou lyest. Strikes him.

Ise. What, are you Madd ?

Ant ha. I shalbee madd, Heer's that will make mee mad; run, run for help, I will preuent fate. Doe they thinke to take Mens Hues away in ieast ? I did not meane 105

To haue 'em dye. Why stay yee? — Alcidonus — rie goe my selfe — Runs out.

Aspra. This accident distracts him.

Ise. His Crulty deserues it.

Aspra. But 'tis pitty The innocent paire should suffer.

Ise. Lett's call Companie To beare away the Bodies. Exeunt.

[Reenter'] antharis [dragging] timentes [m]."

Antha [pointing at the bodies.] Why, heere they are; no If you haue any skill, pray, show it now.

Tim. Heere's nobodie —

Ant ha. Then th'are gon.

Tim. They were afeard of mee — and run away —

Ant ha. Why what art thou a Ghost? Art to be felt? 114

Antharis strikes Timentes.

Tim. Death, a blow — ye scoundrel 1, then haue at yee —

They close and fall downe together.

[Reenter] asprandvs, iseas.

Aspra. Heere's a Mad fray.

Ise. Lett's part 'em.

Ant ha. [to Ise.] Thanks, good Janus For this thy rescue. Exit antharis.

Aspra. When this fighter hath slept The Scoene will alter; hce'le forgett his \'alur : Oh Drinke, how strong art thou ?

Ise. Gett him to's lodging, And lett him sleepe there. I'le persue the Madman. 120

Tim. This is foule play, y faith, two vpon one. [To Aspra.] Good M^ Constable —

Aspra. Nay, you must obay His Maiesties head Officer. Come away ! Exeunt

SCiîlNA TERTIA

[An Apartment in the Palace.]

ANDRVCHO, ARIOLDVS.

Andni. I haue reduc't my Beard to the old shape. Ariol But keepe this fake one on : the king is coming.

98 THE SWISSER Act V

Andru. I doe not like the way to force a King soe. Ariol. 'Tis no in forcement : hee but sees his danger, rie stand betwixt thee and all harme.

Andru. I'le do't then. 5

Eodt ARiOLDVS; ANDRVCHO hides.

[Enter] king.

King. Poore man is then at worst, when his calme pleasures (In the vnbounded Ocœan of Desire) Seazeth his lasie thoughts : hee cannot feele The helme of Reason, but is driuen with the streame Of his affections, on some sand, or Rocke; 10

Where ere hee sees his danger hee is lost. Such is my Case. I wo'd redeeme what's past — • Who's there?

[Enter andrvcho.]

Andru. 'Tis I.

King. Andrucho, what dost thou heere? I am not now for Mirth.

Andru. No more am I, Sir.

King. What dost thou meane then ?

Andru. I must kill thee, King. 15

King. Thou darst not, Slaue.

Andru. I durst not, wert thou Noble. But since you haue left that, I haue left of My Loyalty. Prepare thy selfe to dye.

King. How haue I iniur'd thee?

Andru. Thy lust hath don't;