THE LOYAL SUBJECT, A TRAGI-COMEDY.

Persons Represented in the Play.

Great Duke of Moscovia. Archas, the Loyal Subject, General of the Moscovites. Theodore, Son to Archas; valorous, but impatient. Putskie alias Briskie, a Captain, Brother to Archas. Alinda alias Archas, Son to Archas. Burris, an honest Lord, the Dukes Favourite. Boroskie, a malicious seducing Councellor to the Duke. Ensign to Archas, a stout merry Souldier. Souldiers. Gentlemen. Guard. Servants.

WOMEN.

Olympia, Sister to the Duke. Honora, } Daughters of Archas. Viola, Potesca, } Servants to Olympia. Ladies, Bawd, a Court Lady.

The Scene Mosco.

The principal Actors were,

[Pg 77]

Actus primus. Scena prima.

Enter Theodor and Putskie.

The. Captain, your friend's prefer'd, the Princess has her, Who, I assure my self, will use her nobly; A pretty sweet one 'tis indeed. Put. Well bred, Sir, I do deliver that upon my credit, And of an honest stock. The. It seems so, Captain, And no doubt will do well. Put. Thanks to your care, Sir; But tell me Noble Colonel, why this habit Of discontent is put on through the Army? And why your valiant Father, our great General, The hand that taught to strike, the Love that led all; Why he, that was the Father of the War, He that begot, and bred the Souldier, Why he sits shaking of his Arms, like Autumn, His Colours folded, and his Drums cas'd up, The tongue of War for ever ty'd within us? The. It must be so: Captain you are a stranger, But of a small time here a Souldier, Yet that time shews ye a right good, and great one, Else I could tell ye hours are strangely alter'd: The young Duke has too many eyes upon him, Too many fears 'tis thought too, and to nourish those, Maintains too many Instruments. Put. Turn their hearts, Or turn their heels up, Heaven: 'Tis strange it should be:

The old Duke lov'd him dearly. The. He deserv'd it; And were he not my Father, I durst tell ye, The memorable hazards he has run through Deserv'd of this man too; highly deserv'd too; Had they been less, they had been safe Putskie, And sooner reach'd regard. Put. There you struck sure, Sir. The. Did I never tell thee of a vow he made [Pg 78]Some years before the old Duke dyed? Put. I have heard ye Speak often of that vow; but how it was, Or to what end, I never understood yet. The. I'le tell thee then: and then thou wilt find the reason: The last great Muster, ('twas before ye serv'd here, Before the last Dukes death, whose honour'd bones Now rest in peace) this young Prince had the ordering, (To Crown his Fathers hopes) of all the Army: Who (to be short) put all his power to practise; Fashion'd, and drew 'em up: but alas, so poorly, So raggedly and loosely, so unsouldier'd, The good Duke blush'd, and call'd unto my Father, Who then was General: Go, Archas, speedily, And chide the Boy, before the Souldiers find him, Stand thou between his ignorance and them,

Fashion their bodies new to thy direction; Then draw thou up, and shew the Prince his errours. My Sire obey'd, and did so; with all duty Inform'd the Prince, and read him all directions: This bred distaste, distaste grew up to anger, And anger into wild words broke out thus: Well, Archas, if I live but to command here, To be but Duke once, I shall then remember. I shall remember truly, trust me, I shall, And by my Fathers hand—the rest his eyes spoke. To which my Father answer'd (somewhat mov'd too) And with a vow he seal'd it: Royal Sir, Since for my faith and fights, your scorn and anger Only pursue me; if I live to that day, That day so long expected to reward me, By his so ever noble hand you swore by, And by the hand of Justice, never Arms more Shall rib this body in, nor sword hang here, Sir: The Conflicts I will do you service then in, Shall be repentant prayers: So they parted. The time is come; and now ye know the wonder. Put. I find a fear too, which begins to tell me, The Duke will have but poor and slight defences, [Pg 79]If his hot humour raign, and not his honour:

How stand you with him, Sir? The. A perdue Captain, Full of my Fathers danger. P[ut]. He has rais'd a young man, They say a slight young man, I know him not, For what desert? The. Believe it, a brave Gentleman, Worth the Dukes respect, a clear sweet Gentleman, And of a noble soul: Come let's retire us, And wait upon my Father, who within this hour You will find an alter'd man. Put. I am sorry for't, Sir. [Exeunt.

SCENE II.

Enter Olympia, and two Gentlewomen.

Olym. Is't not a handsome Wench? 2 Wom. She is well enough, Madam: I have seen a better face, and a straighter body, And yet she is a pretty Gentlewoman. Olym. What thinkst thou Petesca? Pet. Alas, Madam, I have no skill, she has a black eye, Which is of the least too, and the dullest water: And when her mouth was made, for certain Madam, Nature intended her a right good stomach. Olym. She has a good hand. 2 Wom. 'Tis good enough to hold fast, And strong enough to strangle the neck of a Lute. Olym. What think ye of her colour? Pet. If it be her own 'Tis good black blood: right weather-proof I warrant it. 2 Wom. What a strange pace she has got! Olym. That's but her breeding. Pet. And what a manly body! me thinks she looks As though she would pitch the Bar, or go to Buffets. 2 Wom. Yet her behaviour's utterly against it, For me thinks she is too bashful. Olym. Is that hurtful? [Pg 80]2 Wom. Even equal to too bold: either of 'em, Madam, May do her injury when time shall serve her. Olym. You discourse learnedly, call in the wench. [Ex. Gent.

What envious fools are you? Is the rule general, That Women can speak handsomly of none, But those they are bred withal? Pet. Scarce well of those, Madam, If they believe they may out-shine 'em any way: Our natures are like Oyl, compound us with any thing, Yet still we strive to swim o' th' top: Suppose there were here now, Now in this Court of Mosco, a stranger Princess, Of bloud and beauty equal to your excellence, As many eyes and services stuck on her; What would you think? Olym. I would think she might deserve it. Pet. Your Grace shall give me leave not to believe ye; I know you are a Woman, and so humour'd: I'le tell ye Madam, I could then get more Gowns on ye, More Caps and Feathers, more Scarfs, and more Silk-stockings With rocking you asleep with nightly railings Upon that Woman, than if I had nine lives I could wear out: by this hand ye'would scratch her eyes out. Olym. Thou art deceiv'd fool; Now let your own eye mock ye.

Enter Gentlewoman and Alinda.

Come hither Girl: hang me and she be not a handsom one. Pet. I fear it will prove indeed so. Olym. Did you ever serve yet In any place of worth? Alin. No, Royal Lady. Pet. Hold up your head; fie. Olym. Let her alone, stand from her. Alin. It shall be now, Of all the blessings my poor youth has pray'd for, The greatest and the happiest to serve you; And might my promise carry but that credit To be believ'd, because I am yet a stranger, Excellent Lady, when I fall from duty, [Pg 81]From all the service that my life can lend me, May everlasting misery then find me. Olym. What think ye now? I do believe, and thank ye; And sure I shall not be so far forgetful, To see that honest faith die unrewarded: What must I call your name? Alin. Alinda, Madam. Olym. Can ye sing? Alin. A little, when my grief will give me leave, Lady. Olym. What grief canst thou have Wench? Thou art not in love? Alin. If I be Madam, 'tis only with your goodness; For yet I never saw that man I sighed for. Olym. Of what years are you? Alin. My Mother oft has told me, That very day and hour this land was blest

With your most happy birth, I first saluted This worlds fair light: Nature was then so busie, And all the Graces to adorn your goodness, I stole into the world poor and neglected. Olym. Something there was, when I first look'd upon thee, Made me both like and love thee: now I know it; And you shall find that knowledge shall not hurt you: I hope ye are a Maid? Alin. I hope so too, Madam; I am sure for any man: and were I otherwise, Of all the services my hopes could point at, I durst not touch at yours.

Flourish. Enter Duke, Burris, and Gent.

Pet. The great Duke, Madam. Duk. Good morrow, Sister. Olym. A good day to your highness. Duk. I am come to pray you use no more perswasions For this old stubborn man: nay to command ye: His sail is swell'd too full: he is grown too insolent, Too self-affected, proud: those poor slight services He has done my Father, and my self, has blown him To such a pitch, he flyes to stoop our favours. Olym. I am sorry Sir: I ever thought those services Both great and noble. [Pg 82] Bur. However, may it please ye But to consider 'em a true hearts Servants, Done out of faith to you, and not self-fame: Do but consider royal Sir, the dangers; When you have slept secure, the mid-night tempests, That as he marcht sung through his aged locks; When you have fed at full, the wants and famins; The fires of Heaven, when you have found all temperate, Death with his thousand doors— Duk. I have consider'd; No more: and that I will have, shall be. Olym. For the best, I hope all still. Duk. What handsom wench is that there? Olym. My Servant, Sir. Duk. Prethee observe her Burris,

Is she not wondrous handsom? speak thy freedom. Bur. She appears no less to me Sir. Duk. Of whence is she? Ol. Her Father I am told is a good Gentleman, But far off dwelling: her desire to serve me Brought her to th' Court, and here her friends have left her. Du. She may find better friends: Ye are welcom fair one, I have not seen a sweeter: By your Ladies leave: Nay stand up sweet, we'll have no superstition: You have got a Servant; you may use him kindly, And he may honour ye: [Ex. Duke and Burris. Good morrow Sister. Ol. Good morrow to your Grace. How the wench blushes! How like an A[n]gel now she looks! 1 Wom. At first jump Jump into the Dukes arms? we must look to you, Indeed we must, the next jump we are journeymen. Pet. I see the ruine of our hopes already, Would she were at home again, milking her Fathers Cows. 1 Wom. I fear she'l milk all the great Courtiers first. Olym. This has not made ye proud? Al. No certain, Madam. Olym. It was the Duke that kist ye. [Pg 83] Al. 'Twas your Brother, And therefore nothing can be meant but honour. Ol. But say he love ye?

Al. That he may with safety: A Princes love extends to all his subjects. Ol. But say in more particular? Al. Pray fear not: For vertues sake deliver me from doubts, Lady: 'Tis not the name of King, nor all his promises, His glories, and his greatness stuck about me, Can make me prove a Traitor to your service: You are my Mistris, and my noble Master, Your vertues my ambition, and your favour The end of all my love, and all my fortune: And when I fail in that faith— Ol. I believe thee, Come wipe your eyes; I do: take you example— Pets. I would her eyes were out. 1 Wom. If the wind stand in this door, We shall have but cold custome: some trick or other, And speedily. Pet. Let me alone to think on't. Ol. Come, be you near me still. Al. With all my duty. [Exeunt.

SCENA III.

Enter Archas, Theodor, Putskie, Ancient, and Souldiers, carrying his armour piece-meale, his Colours wound up, and his Drums in Cases.

Theod. This is the heaviest march we e're trod Captain. Puts. This was not wont to be: these honour'd pieces The fierie god of war himself would smile at, Buckl'd upon that body, were not wont thus, Like Reliques to be offer'd to long rust, And heavy-ey'd oblivion brood upon 'em. Arch. There set 'em down: and glorious war farewel; Thou child of honour and ambitious thoughts, Begot in bloud, and nurs'd with Kingdomes ruines; [Pg 84]Thou golden danger, courted by thy followers Through fires and famins, for one title from thee— Prodigal man-kind spending all his fortunes; A long farewel I give thee: Noble Arms, You ribs for mighty minds, you Iron houses, Made to defie the thunder-claps of Fortune, Rust and consuming time must now dwell with ye: And thou good Sword that knewst the way to conquest, Upon whose fatal edge despair and death dwelt, That when I shook thee thus, fore-shew'd destruction, Sleep now from bloud, and grace my Monument: Farewel my Eagle; when thou flew'st, whole Armies Have stoopt below thee: At Passage I have seen thee, Ruffle the Tartars, as they fled thy furie;

And bang 'em up together, as a Tassel, Upon the streach, a flock of fearfull Pigeons. I yet remember when the Volga curl'd, The aged Volga, when he heav'd his head up, And rais'd his waters high, to see the ruins; The ruines our Swords made, the bloudy ruins, Then flew this Bird of honour bravely, Gentlemen; But these must be forgotten: so must these too, And all that tend to Arms, by me for ever. Take 'em you holy men; my Vow take with 'em, Never to wear 'em more: Trophies I give 'em, And sacred Rites of war to adorn the Temple: There let 'em hang, to tell the world their master Is now Devotions Souldier, fit for prayer. Why do ye hang your heads? why look you sad friends? I am not dying yet. Theod. Ye are indeed to us Sir. Puts. Dead to our fortunes, General. Arch. You'l find a better, A greater, and a stronger man to lead ye, And to a stronger fortune: I am old, friends, Time, and the wars together make me stoop, Gentle[men], Stoop to my grave: my mind unfurnish'd too, Emptie and weak as I am: my poor body, Able for nothing now but contemplation,

And that will be a task too to a Souldier: [Pg 85]Yet had they but encourag'd me, or thought well Of what I have done, I think I should have ventur'd For one knock more, I should have made a shift yet To have broke one staff more handsomly, and have died Like a good fellow, and an honest Souldier, In the head of ye all, with my Sword in my hand, And so have made an end of all with credit. Theod. Well, there will come an hour, when all these injuries, These secure slights— Ar. Ha! no more of that sirrah, Not one word more of that I charge ye. Theod. I must speak Sir. And may that tongue forget to sound your service, That's dumb to your abuses. Ar. Understand fool, That voluntary I sit down. Theod. You are forced, Sir, Forced for your safety: I too well remember The time and cause, and I may live to curse 'em: You made this Vow, and whose unnobleness, Indeed forgetfulness of good— Ar. No more, As thou art mine no more. The. Whose doubts and envies— But the Devil will have his due. Puts. Good gentle Colonel. The. And though disgraces, and contempt of Honour

Reign now, the Wheel must turn again. Ar. Peace Sirrah, Your tongue's too saucy: do you stare upon me? Down with that heart, down suddenly, down with it, Down with that disobedience; tye that tongue up. Theod. Tongue? Ar. Do not provoke me to forget my Vow, Sirrah. And draw that fatal Sword again in anger. Puts. For Heavens sake, Colonel. Ar. Do not let me doubt Whose Son thou art, because thou canst not suffer: Do not play with mine anger; if thou dost, By all the Loyalty my heart holds— [Pg 86]Theod. I have done, Sir, Pray pardon me. Ar. I pray be worthy of it: Beshrew your heart, you have vext me. The. I am sorry, Sir. Ar. Go to, no more of this: be true and honest, I know ye are man enough, mould it to just ends, And let not my disgraces, then I am miserable, When I have nothing left me but thy angers.

Flourish. Enter Duke, Burris, Boroskie, Attend. and Gent.

Puts. And't please ye, Sir, the Duke. Duk. Now, what's all this? The meaning of this ceremonious Emblem? Ar. Your Grace should first remember— Boros. There's his Nature. Duk. I do, and shall remember still that injury, That at the Muster, where it pleas'd your Greatness To laugh at my poor Souldiership, to scorn it; And more to make me seem ridiculous, Took from my hands my charge. Bur. O think not so, Sir. Duk. And in my Fathers sight. Ar. Heaven be my witness, I did no more, (and that with modesty, With Love and Faith to you) than was my warrant, And from your Father seal'd: nor durst that rudeness, And impudence of scorn fall from my 'haviour, I ever yet knew duty. Du. We shall teach ye, I well remember too, upon some words I told ye, Then at that time, some angry words ye answer'd, If ever I were Duke, you were no Souldier. You have kept your word, and so it shall be to you, From henceforth I dismiss you; take your ease, Sir. Ar. I humbly thank your Grace; this wasted Body, Beaten and bruis'd with Arms, dry'd up with troubles, Is good for nothing else but quiet, now Sir,

And holy Prayers; in which, when I forget [Pg 87]To thank Heaven for all your bounteous favours, May that be deaf, and my Petitions perish. Boros. What a smooth humble Cloak he has cas'd his pride in! And how he has pull'd his Claws in! there's no trusting— Bur. Speak for the best. Bor. Believe I shall do ever. Du. To make ye understand, we feel not yet Such dearth of Valour, and Experience, Such a declining Age of doing Spirits, That all should be confin'd within your excellence, And you, or none be honour'd, take Boroskie, The place he has commanded, lead the Souldier; A little time will bring thee to his honour, Which has been nothing but the Worlds opinion, The Souldiers fondness, and a little fortune, Which I believe his Sword had the least share in. Theod. O that I durst but answer now. Puts. Good Colonel. Theod. My heart will break else: Royal Sir, I know not What you esteem mens lives, whose hourly labours, And loss of Blood, consumptions in your service, Whose Bodies are acquainted with more miseries, And all to keep you safe, than Dogs or Slaves are.

His Sword the least share gain'd? Du. You will not fight with me? Theod. No Sir, I dare not, You are my Prince, but I dare speak to ye, And dare speak truth, which none of their ambitions That be informers to you, dare once think of; Yet truth will now but anger ye; I am sorry for't, And so I take my leave. [Exit. Du. Ev'n when you please, Sir. Ar. Sirrah, see me no more. Du. And so may you too: You have a house i'th' Country, keep you there, Sir, And when you have rul'd your self, teach your Son manners, For this time I forgive him. Ar. Heaven forgive all; And to your Grace a happy and long Rule here. And you Lord General, may your fights be prosperous. [Pg 88]In all your Course may Fame and Fortune court you. Fight for your Country, and your Princes safety; Boldly, and bravely face your Enemy, And when you strike, strike with that killing Vertue, As if a general Plague had seiz'd before ye; Danger, and doubt, and labour cast behind ye; And then come home an old and noble Story. Bur. A little comfort, Sir. Du. As little as may be: Farewel, you know your limit. [Ex. Duke, &c.

Bur. Alas, brave Gentleman. Ar. I do, and will observe it suddenly, My Grave; I, that's my limit; 'tis no new thing, Nor that can make me start, or tremble at it, To buckle with that old grim Souldier now: I have seen him in his sowrest shapes, and dreadfull'st; I, and I thank my honesty, have stood him: That audit's cast; farewel my honest Souldiers, Give me your hands; farewel, farewel good Ancient, A stout man, and a true, thou art come in sorrow. Blessings upon your Swords, may they ne'r fail ye; You do but change a man; your fortune's constant; That by your ancient Valours is ty'd fast still; Be valiant still, and good: and when ye fight next, When flame and fury make but one face of horrour, When the great rest of all your honour's up, When you would think a Spell to shake the enemy, Remember me, my Prayers shall be with ye: So once again farewel. Puts. Let's wait upon ye. Ar. No, no, it must not be; I have now left me A single Fortune to my self, no more, Which needs no train, nor complement; good Captain, You are an honest and a sober Gentleman, And one I think has lov'd me.