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The Works Of John Dryden, Volume 4 (of 18) by John Dryden

J >> John Dryden >> The Works Of John Dryden, Volume 4 (of 18)




_Dor._ You are mistaken, sir; I would only have you shew me a more
lawful reason why you would leave me, than I can why you should not,
and I'll not stay you; for I am not so young, but I understand the
necessities of flesh and blood, and the pressing occasions of mankind,
as well as you.

_Pala._ A very forward and understanding boy! thou art in great danger
of a page's wit, to be brisk at fourteen, and dull at twenty. But I'll
give thee no further account; I must, and will go.

_Dor._ My life on it, your mistress is not at home.

_Pala._ This imp will make me very angry.--I tell thee, young sir, she
is at home, and at home for me; and, which is more, she is a-bed for
me, and sick for me.

_Dor._ For you only?

_Pala._ Aye, for me only.

_Dor._ But how do you know she's sick a-bed?

_Pala._ She sent her husband word so.

_Dor._ And are you such a novice in love, to believe a wife's message
to her husband?

_Pala._ Why, what the devil should be her meaning else?

_Dor._ It may be, to go in masquerade, as well as you; to observe your
haunts, and keep you company without your knowledge.

_Pala._ Nay, I'll trust her for that: She loves me too well, to
disguise herself from me.

_Dor._ If I were she, I would disguise on purpose to try your wit; and
come to my servant like a riddle,--Read me, and take me.

_Pala._ I could know her in any shape: My good genius would prompt me
to find out a handsome woman: There's something that would attract me
to her without my knowledge.

_Dor._ Then you make a load-stone of your mistress?

_Pala._ Yes, and I carry steel about me, which has been so often
touched, that it never fails to point to the north pole.

_Dor._ Yet still my mind gives me, that you have met her disguised
to-night, and have not known her.

_Pala._ This is the most pragmatical conceited little fellow, he will
needs understand my business better than myself. I tell thee, once
more, thou dost not know my mistress.

_Dor._ And I tell you once more, that I know her better than you do.

_Pala._ The boy's resolved to have the last word. I find I must go
without reply. [_Exit._

_Dor._ Ah mischief, I have lost him with my fooling. Palamede,
Palamede!

_He returns. She plucks off her peruke, and puts it on again when he
knows her._

_Pala._ O heavens! is it you, madam?

_Dor._ Now, where was your good genius, that would prompt you to find
me out?

_Pala._ Why, you see I was not deceived; you yourself were my good
genius.

_Dor._ But where was the steel, that knew the load-stone? Ha?

_Pala._ The truth is, madam, the steel has lost its virtue: and,
therefore, if you please, we'll new touch it.

_Enter_ RHODOPHIL; _and_ MELANTHA _in Boys habit._ RHODOPHIL _sees_
PALAMEDE _kissing_ DORALICE'S _hand._

_Rho._ Palamede again! am I fallen into your quarters? What? Engaging
with a boy? Is all honourable?

_Pala._ O, very honourable on my side. I was just chastising this
young villain; he was running away, without paying his share of the
reckoning.

_Rho._ Then I find I was deceived in him.

_Pala._ Yes, you are deceived in him: 'tis the archest rogue, if you
did but know him.

_Mel._ Good Rhodophil, let us get off _a-la derobbee_, for fear I
should be discovered.

_Rho._ There's no retiring now; I warrant you for discovery. Now have
I the oddest thought, to entertain you before your servant's face, and
he never the wiser; it will be the prettiest juggling trick, to cheat
him when he looks upon us.

_Mel._ This is the strangest caprice in you.

_Pala._ [_to_ DORALICE.] This Rhodophil's the unluckiest fellow to me!
this is now the second time he has barred the dice when we were just
ready to have nicked him; but if ever I get the box again--

_Dor._ Do you think he will not know me? Am I like myself?

_Pala._ No more than a picture in the hangings.

_Dor._ Nay, then he can never discover me, now the wrong side of the
arras is turned towards him.

_Pala._ At least, it will be some pleasure to me, to enjoy what
freedom I can while he looks on; I will storm the out-works of
matrimony even before his face.

_Rho._ What wine have you there, Palamede?

_Pala._ Old Chios, or the rogue's damn'd that drew it.

_Rho._ Come,--to the most constant of mistresses! that, I believe, is
yours, Palamede.

_Dor._ Pray spare your seconds; for my part I am but a weak brother.

_Pala._ Now,--to the truest of turtles! that is your wife, Rhodophil,
that lies sick at home, in the bed of honour.

_Rho._ Now let us have one common health, and so have done.

_Dor._ Then, for once, I'll begin it. Here's to him that has the
fairest lady of Sicily in masquerade to night.

_Pala._ This is such an obliging health, I'll kiss thee, dear rogue,
for thy invention. [_Kisses her._

_Rho._ He, who has this lady, is a happy man, without dispute,--I'm
most concerned in this, I am sure. [_Aside._

_Pala._ Was it not well found out, Rhodophil?

_Mel._ Ay, this was _bien trouvee_ indeed.

_Dor._ [_to_ MELANTHA.] I suppose I shall do you a kindness, to
enquire if you have not been in France, sir?

_Mel._ To do you service, sir.

_Dor._ O, monsieur, _votre valet bien humble_. [_Saluting her._

_Mel._ _Votre esclave, monsieur, de tout mon coeur._
[_Returning the salute._

_Dor._ I suppose, sweet sir, you are the hope and joy of some thriving
citizen, who has pinched him self at home, to breed you abroad, where
you have learned your exercises, as it appears, most awkwardly, and
are returned, with the addition of a new-laced bosom and a clap, to
your good old father, who looks at you with his mouth, while you spout
French with your man monsieur.

_Pala._ Let me kiss thee again for that, dear rogue.

_Mel._ And you, I imagine, are my young master, whom your mother durst
not trust upon salt-water, but left you to be your own tutor at
fourteen, to be very brisk and _entreprenant_, to endeavour to be
debauched ere you have learned the knack of it, to value yourself upon
a clap before you can get it, and to make it the height of your
ambition to get a player for your mistress.

_Rho._ [_embracing_ MELANTHA.] O dear young bully thou hast tickled
him with a _repartee_, i'faith.

_Mel._ You are one of those that applaud our country plays, where
drums, and trumpets, and blood, and wounds, are wit.

_Rho._ Again, my boy? Let me kiss thee most abundantly.

_Dor._ You are an admirer of the dull French poetry, which is so thin,
that it is the very leaf-gold of wit, the very wafers and whip'd cream
of sense, for which a man opens his mouth, and gapes, to swallow
nothing: And to be an admirer of such profound dulness, one must be
endowed with a great perfection of impudence and ignorance.

_Pala._ Let me embrace thee most vehemently.

_Mel._ I'll sacrifice my life for French poetry. [_Advancing._

_Dor._ I'll die upon the spot for our country wit.

_Rho._ [_to_ MELANTHA.] Hold, hold, young Mars! Palamede, draw back
your hero.

_Pala._ 'Tis time; I shall be drawn in for a second else at the wrong
weapon.

_Mel._ O that I were a man, for thy sake!

_Dor._ You'll be a man as soon as I shall.

_Enter a Messenger to_ RHODOPHIL.

_Mess._ Sir, the king has instant business with you;
I saw the guard drawn up by your lieutenant,
Before the palace-gate, ready to march.

_Rho._ 'Tis somewhat sudden; say that I am coming. [_Exit Messenger._
Now, Palamede, what think you of this sport?
This is some sudden tumult; will you along?

_Pala._ Yes, yes, I will go; but the devil take me if ever I was less
in humour. Why the pox could they not have staid their tumult till
to-morrow? Then I had done my business, and been ready for them. Truth
is, I had a little transitory crime to have committed first; and I am
the worst man in the world at repenting, till a sin be thoroughly
done: But what shall we do with the two boys?

_Rho._ Let them take a lodging in the house, 'till the business be
over.

_Dor._ What, lie with a boy? For my part, I own it, I cannot endure to
lie with a boy.

_Pala._ The more's my sorrow, I cannot accommodate you with a better
bed-fellow.

_Mel._ Let me die, if I enter into a pair of sheets with him that
hates the French.

_Dor._ Pish, take no care for us, but leave us in the streets; I
warrant you, as late as it is, I'll find my lodging as well as any
drunken bully of them all.

_Rho._ I'll light in mere revenge, and wreak my passion,
On all that spoil this hopeful assignation. [_Aside._

_Pala._ I'm sure we light in a good quarrel:
Rogues may pretend religion, and the laws;
But a kind mistress is the good old cause. [_Exuent._


SCENE V.

_Enter_ PALMYRA, EUBULUS, _and_ HERMOGENES.

_Palm._ You tell me wonders; that Leonidas
Is prince Theagenes, the late king's son.

_Eub._ It seems as strange to him, as now to you,
Before I had convinced him; but, besides
His great resemblance to the king his father,
The queen his mother lives, secured by me
In a religious house, to whom, each year,
I brought the news of his increasing virtues.
My last long absence from you both was caused
By wounds, which in my journey I received,
When set upon by thieves; I lost those jewels
And letters, which your dying mother left.

_Herm._ The same he means, which, since, brought to the king,
Made him first know he had a child alive:
'Twas then my care of prince Leonidas,
Caused me to say he was the usurper's son;
Till after, forced by your apparent danger,
I made the true discovery of your birth,
And once more hid my prince's.

_Enter_ LEONIDAS.

_Leon._ Hermogenes, and Eubulus, retire;
Those of our party, whom I left without,
Expect your aid and counsel. [_Exeunt_ HERM. _and_ EUB.

_Palm._ I should, Leonidas, congratulate
This happy change of your exalted fate;
But, as my joy, so you my wonder move.
Your looks have more of business than of love;
And your last words some great design did shew.

_Leon._ I frame not any to be hid from you;
You, in my love, all my designs may see.
But what have love and you designed for me?
Fortune, once more, has set the balance right;
First, equalled us in lowness; then, in height.
Both of us have so long, like gamesters, thrown,
Till fate comes round, and gives to each his own.
As fate is equal, so may love appear:
Tell me, at least, what I must hope, or fear.

_Palm._ After so many proofs, how can you call
My love in doubt? Fear nothing, and hope all.
Think what a prince, with honour, may receive,
Or I may give, without a parent's leave.

_Leon._ You give, and then restrain the grace you shew;
As ostentatious priests, when souls they woo,
Promise their heaven to all, but grant to few.
But do for me, what I have dared for you:
I did no argument from duty bring;
Duty's a name, and love's a real thing.

_Palm._ Man's love may, like wild torrents, overflow;
Woman's as deep, but in its banks must go.
My love is mine, and that I can impart;
But cannot give my person, with my heart.

_Leon._ Your love is then no gift:
For, when the person it does not convey,
'Tis to give gold, and not to give the key.

_Palm._ Then ask my father.

_Leon._ He detains my throne;
Who holds back mine, will hardly give his own.

_Palm._ What then remains?

_Leon._ That I must have recourse
To arms, and take my love and crown, by force.
Hermogenes is forming the design;
And with him all the brave and loyal join.

_Palm._ And is it thus you court Palmyra's bed?
Can she the murderer of her parent wed?
Desist from force: So much you well may give
To love, and me, to let my father live.

_Leon._ Each act of mine my love to you has shewn;
But you who tax my want of it, have none.
You bid me part with you, and let him live;
But they should nothing ask, who nothing give.

_Palm._ I give what virtue, and what duty can,
In vowing ne'er to wed another man.

_Leon._ You will be forced to be Argaleon's wife.

_Palm._ I'll keep my promise, though I lose my life.

_Leon._ Then you lose love, for which we both contend;
For life is but the means, but love's the end.
_Palm._ Our souls shall love hereafter.

_Leon._ I much fear,
That soul, which could deny the body here
To taste of love, would be a niggard there.

_Palm._ Then 'tis past hope: our cruel fate, I see,
Will make a sad divorce 'twixt you and me.
For, if you force employ, by heaven I swear,
And all blessed beings,--

_Leon._ Your rash oath forbear.

_Palm._ I never--

_Leon._ Hold once more. But yet, as he,
Who 'scapes a dangerous leap, looks back to see;
So I desire, now I am past my fear,
To know what was that oath you meant to swear.

_Palm._ I meant, that if you hazarded your life,
Or sought my father's, ne'er to be your wife.

_Leon._ See now, Palmyra, how unkind you prove!
Could you, with so much ease, forswear my love?

_Palm._ You force me with your ruinous design.

_Leon._ Your father's life is more your care, than mine.

_Palm._ You wrong me: 'Tis not, though it ought to be;
You are my care, heaven knows, as well as he.

_Leon._ If now the execution I delay,
My honour, and my subjects, I betray.
All is prepared for the just enterprise;
And the whole city will to-morrow rise.
The leaders of the party are within,
And Eubulus has sworn that he will bring,
To head their arms, the person of their king.

_Palm._ In telling this, you may be guilty too;
I therefore must discover what I know:
What honour bids you do, nature bids me prevent;
But kill me first, and then pursue your black intent.

_Leon._ Palmyra, no; you shall not heed to die;
Yet I'll not trust so strict a piety.
Within there!

_Enter_ EUBULUS.

Eubulus, a guard prepare;
Here, I commit this prisoner to your care.
[_Kisses_ PALMYRA'S _hand, then gives it to_ EUBULUS.

_Palm._ Leonidas, I never thought these bands
Could e'er be given me by a lover's hands.

_Leon._ Palmyra, thus your judge himself arraigns; [_Kneeling._
He, who imposed these bands, still wears your chains:
When you to love or duty false must be,
Or to your father guilty, or to me,
These chains, alone, remain to set you free.
[_Noise of swords clashing._

_Poly._ [_within._]
Secure these, first: then search the inner room.

_Leon._ From whence do these tumultuous clamours come?

_Enter_ HERMOGENES, _hastily._

_Herm._ We are betrayed; and there remains alone
This comfort, that your person is not known.

_Enter the King,_ ARGALEON, RHODOPHIL, PALAMEDE, _Guards; some like
citizens, as prisoners._

_Poly._ What mean these midnight consultations here,
Where I like an unsummoned guest appear?

_Leon._ Sir--

_Arga._ There needs no excuse; 'tis understood;
You were all watching for your prince's good.

_Poly._ My reverend city friends, you are well met!
On what great work were your grave wisdoms set?
Which of my actions were you scanning here?
What French invasion have you found to fear?

_Leon._ They are my friends; and come, sir, with intent,
To take their leaves, before my banishment.

_Poly._ Your exile in both sexes friends can find:
I see the ladies, like the men, are kind. [_Seeing_ PALMYRA.

_Palm._ Alas, I came but-- [_Kneeling._

_Poly._ Add not to your crime
A lie: I'll hear you speak some other time.
How? Eubulus! nor time, nor thy disguise,
Can keep thee undiscovered from my eyes.
A guard there! seize them all.

_Rho._ Yield, sir; what use of valour can be shewn?

_Pala._ One, and unarmed, against a multitude!

_Leon._ Oh for a sword! [_He reaches at one of the Guards' halberds,
and is seized behind._
I wonnot lose my breath
In fruitless prayers; but beg a speedy death.

_Palm._ O spare Leonidas, and punish me!

_Poly._ Mean girl, thou want'st an advocate for thee.
Now the mysterious knot will be untied;
Whether the young king lives, or where he died:
To-morrow's dawn shall the dark riddle clear,
Crown all my joys, and dissipate my fear. [_Exeunt._


ACT V. SCENE I.

PALAMEDE, STRATO. PALAMEDE _with a letter in his hand._

_Pala._ This evening, sayest thou? will they both be here?

_Stra._ Yes, sir, both my old master, and your mistress's father. The
old gentlemen ride hard this journey; they say, it shall be the last
time they will see the town; and both of them are so pleased with this
marriage, which they have concluded for you, that I am afraid they
will live some years longer to trouble you, with the joy of it.

_Pala._ But this is such an unreasonable thing, to impose upon me to
be married to-morrow; 'tis hurrying a man to execution, without giving
him time to say his prayers.

_Stra._ Yet, if I might advise you, sir, you should not delay it; for
your younger brother comes up with them, and is got already into their
favours. He has gained much upon my old master, by finding fault with
innkeepers' bills, and by starving us, and our horses, to shew his
frugality; and he is very well with your mistress's father, by giving
him recipes for the spleen, gout and scurvy, and other infirmities of
old age.

_Pala._ I'll rout him, and his country education: Pox on him, I
remember him before I travelled, he had nothing in him but mere
jockey; used to talk loud, and make matches, and was all for the crack
of the field: Sense and wit were as much banished from his discourse,
as they are when the court goes out of town to a horse race. Go now
and provide your master's lodgings.

_Stra._ I go, sir. [_Exit._

_Pala._ It vexes me to the heart, to leave all my designs with
Doralice unfinished; to have flown her so often to a mark, and still
to be bobbed at retrieve: If I had once enjoyed her, though I could
not have satisfied my stomach with the feast, at least I should have
relished my mouth a little; but now--

_Enter_ PHILOTIS.

_Phil._ Oh, sir, you are happily met; I was coming to find you.

_Pala._ From your lady. I hope.

_Phil._ Partly from her; but more especially from myself: She has just
now received a letter from her father, with an absolute command to
dispose herself to marry you to-morrow.

_Pala._ And she takes it to the death?

_Phil._ Quite contrary: The letter could never have come in a more
lucky minute; for it found her in an ill-humour with a rival of yours,
that shall be nameless, about the pronunciation of a French word.

_Pala._ Count Rhodophil? never disguise it, I know the amour: But I
hope you took the occasion to strike in for me?

_Phil._ It was my good fortune to do you some small service in it; for
your sake I discommended him all over,--clothes, person, humour,
behaviour, every thing; and, to sum up all, told her, it was
impossible to find a married man that was otherwise; for they were all
so mortified at home with their wives' ill humours, that they could
never recover themselves to be company abroad.

_Pala._ Most divinely urged!

_Phil._ Then I took occasion to commend your good qualities; as the
sweetness of your humour, the comeliness of your person, your good
mein, your valour; but, above all, your liberality.

_Pala._ I vow to Gad I had like to have forgot that good quality in
myself, if thou hadst not remembered me of it: Here are five pieces
for thee.

_Phil._ Lord, you have the softest hand, sir, it would do a woman good
to touch it: Count Rhodophil's is not half so soft; for I remember I
felt it once, when he gave me ten pieces for my new-years-gift.

_Pala._ O, I understand you, madam; you shall find my hand as soft
again as Count Rhodophil's: There are twenty pieces for you. The
former was but a retaining fee; now I hope you'll plead for me.

_Phil._ Your own merits speak enough. Be sure only to ply her with
French words, and I'll warrant you'll do your business. Here are a
list of her phrases for this day: Use them to her upon all occasions
and foil her at her own weapon; for she's like one of the old Amazons,
she'll never marry, except it be the man who has first conquered her.

_Pala._ I'll be sure to follow your advice: But you'll forget to
further my design.

_Phil._ What, do you think I'll be ungrateful?--But however, if you
distrust my memory, put some token on my finger to remember it by:
That diamond there would do admirably.

_Pala._ There 'tis; and I ask your pardon heartily for calling your
memory into question: I assure you I'll trust it another time, without
putting you to the trouble of another token.

_Enter_ PALMYRA _and_ ARTEMIS.

_Art._ Madam, this way the prisoners are to pass; Here you may see
Leonidas.

_Palm._ Then here I'll stay, and follow him to death.

_Enter_ MELANTHA, _hastily._

_Mel._ O, here's her highness! Now is my time to introduce myself, and
to make my court to her, in my new French phrases. Stay, let me read
my catalogue--_Suite_, _figure_, _chagrin_, _naivete_, and _let me
die_, for the parenthesis of all.

_Pala._ [_Aside._] Do, persecute her; and I'll persecute thee as fast
in thy own dialect.

_Mel._ Madam, the princess! let me die, but this is a most horrid
spectacle, to see a person, who makes so grand a figure in the court,
without the _suite_ of a princess, and entertaining your _chagrin_ all
alone:--_Naivete_ should have been there, but the disobedient word
would not come in. [_Aside._

_Palm._ What is she, Artemis?

_Art._ An impertinent lady, madam; very ambitious of being known to
your highness.

_Pala._ [_To_ MELANTHA.] Let me die, madam, if I have not waited you
here these two long hours, without so much as the _suite_ of a single
servant to attend me; entertaining myself with my own _chagrin_ till I
had the honour of seeing your ladyship, who are a person that makes so
considerable a figure in the court.

_Mel._ Truce with your _douceurs_, good servant; you see I am
addressing to the princess; pray do not _embarrass_ me--_Embarrass_
me! what a delicious French word do you make me lose upon you too!
[_To the Princess._] Your highness, madam, will please to pardon the
_beveue_ which I made, in not sooner finding you out to be a princess:
But let me die if this _eclaircissement_, which is made this day of
your quality, does not ravish me; and give me leave to tell you--

_Pala._ But first give me leave to tell you, madam, that I have so
great a _tendre_ for your person, and such a _penchant_ to do you
service, that--

_Mel._ What, must I still be troubled with your _sottises_? (There's
another word lost, that I meant for the princess, with a mischief to
you!) But your highness, madam--

_Pala._ But your ladyship, madam--

_Enter_ LEONIDAS, _guarded and led over the stage._

_Mel._ Out upon him, how he looks, madam! now he's found no prince, he
is the strangest figure of a man; how could I make that _coup
d'etourdi_ to think him one?

_Palm._ Away, impertinent!--my dear Leonidas!

_Leon._ My dear Palmyra!

_Palm._ Death shall never part us; my destiny is yours.
[_He is led off, she follows._

_Mel._ Impertinent! Oh I am the most unfortunate person this day
breathing: That the princess should thus _rompre en visiere_, without
occasion. Let me die, but I'll follow her to death, till I make my
peace.

_Pala._ [_Holding her._] And let me die, but I'll follow you to the
infernals, till you pity me.

_Mel._ [_Turning towards him angrily._] Ay, 'tis long of you that this
_malheur_ is fallen upon me; your impertinence has put me out of the
good graces of the princess, and all that, which has ruined me, and
all that, and, therefore, let me die, but I'll be revenged, and all
that.

Pala. _Facon, facon,_ you must and shall love me, and all that; for my
old man is coming up, and all that; and I am _desespere au dernier_,
and will not be disinherited, and all that.

_Mel._ How durst you interrupt me so _mal apropos_, when you knew I
was addressing to the princess?

_Pala._ But why would you address yourself so much _a contretemps_
then?

_Mel._ Ah, _mal peste!_

_Pala._ Ah, _j'enrage!_

Phil. _Radoucissez vous, de grace, madame; vous etes bien en colere
pour peu de chose. Vous n'entendez pas la raillerie gallante._

Mel. _Ad autres, ad autres_: He mocks himself of me,[1] he abuses me:
Ah me unfortunate! [_Cries._

_Phil._ You mistake him, madam, he does but accommodate his phrase to
your refined language. _Ah qu'il est un cavalier accompli!_ Pursue
your point, sir-- [_To him._

Pala. _Ah qu'il fait beau dans ces boccages;_ [Singing.] _Ah que le
ciet donne un beau jour!_ There I was with you, with a _minuet._

_Mel._ Let me die now, but this singing is fine, and extremely French
in him: [_Laughs._] But then, that he should use my own words, as it
were in contempt of me, I cannot bear it. [_Crying._

Pala. _Ces beaux sejours, ces doux ramages_-- [Singing.

Mel. _Ces beaux sejours, ces doux ramages._ [Singing after him.] _Ces
beaux sejours nous invitent a l'amour!_ Let me die, but he sings _en
cavalier_, and so humours the cadence! [_Laughing._

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