The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher In ten volumes Vol. VI

FRANCIS BEAUMONT

Born 1584 Died 1616

JOHN FLETCHER

Born 1579 Died 1625

BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER

THE QUEEN OF CORINTH BONDUCA THE KNIGHT OF THE BURNING PESTLE LOVES PILGRIMAGE THE DOUBLE MARRIAGE

THE TEXT EDITED BY A. R. WALLER, M.A.

Cambridge: at the University Press 1908

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE, C. F. CLAY, MANAGER.

London: FETTER LANE, E.C. Edinburgh: 100, PRINCES STREET.

Berlin: A. ASHER AND CO. Leipzig: F. A. BROCKHAUS. New York: G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS. Bombay and Calcutta: MACMILLAN AND CO., LTD.

[All Rights reserved]

THE Queen of Corinth,

A

TRAGI-COMEDY.

The Persons Represented in the Play.

WOMEN.

The Scene Corinth.

The Principal Actors were

[Pg 2]

Actus Primus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton.

Enter Theanor and Crates.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Leonidas, Merione, Beliza, Servants.

Enter Euphanes.

Enter Crates.

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Neanthes, Sosi[cl]es, and Eraton severally.

Enter Onos, Uncle and Tutor.

Enter Agenor, Leonidas, Theanor, Queen, Merione, Beliza, Euphanes, Crates, Ladies, Attendants with Lights.

[Pg 17]

Enter Crates, Neanthes, Eraton, Sosicles disguis'd.

Enter Merione and Servant.

[Exeunt.

Actus Secundus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Merione (as newly ravished.)

[Pg 18]

Enter Theanor, Crates, with vizards.

Enter the rest disguis'd.

Enter six disguis'd, singing and dancing to a horrid Musick, and sprinkling water on her face.

[Pg 19]

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Agenor, and Gentlemen.

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Theanor, Crates, and Erat[on], bringing Merione.

[Pg 21]

Enter Agenor, and Leonid[a]s, with two Gent.

Enter Queen, Theanor, Beliza, Euphanes, Neanthes, Attendants.

Scæna Quarta.

Enter Crates and Conon.

Enter Vintner and Drawer.

Enter Drawer.

Enter Vintner with Wine.

Enter 1 Boy.

Enter Euphanes and two Gentlemen.

Enter the 2. Boy.

Enter Onos, his Unkle and Tutor.

Actus Tertius. Scæna Prima.

Enter Theanor and Crates.

Enter Onos, Uncle, Tutor, Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton.

Nea. He looks as like a fellow that I have seen accommodate Gentlemen with Tobacco in our Theaters.

Onos. Most illustrious Prince.

Era. A pox on him, he is guelt, how he trebles!

Onos. I am a Gentleman a both sides.

Tut. He means (so't please your highness) both by Father and Mother.

Sos. Thou a Gentleman? thou an Ass.

Nea. He is nere the farther from being a Gent. I assure you.

Tut. May it please your Grace, I am another,

Nea. He is another Ass he says, I believe him.

Uncle. We be three, Heroicall Prince.

Nea. Nay then we must have the Picture of 'em, and the Word nos sumus.

Tut. That have travell'd all parts of the Globe together.

Unc. For my part, I have seen the vicissitude of fortune before.

Tut. Our Peregrination was nere so facilitated, as since we enter'd the line of your gracious favor, under whose beamy aspect, and by which infallible Mathematical compass, may we but hereafter presume to sail, our industries have reach't their desir'd termination and period; and we shall voluntarily sacrifice our lives to your resplendent eyes, both the Altars and fires of our devoted offerings.

Onos. Oh divine Tutor!

Cra. Can you hold Sir?

Era. He has spoken this very speech to some Whore in Corinth.

Nea. A plague on him for a fustian Dictionary; on my conscience this is the Ulissean Traveller that sent home his Image riding upon Elephants to the great Mogoll.

[Pg 38]

Sos. The same: his wit is so huge, nought but an Elephant could carry him.

Era. So heavy you mean.

Nea. These three, are ev'n the fin'st one fool tripartite, that was ere discovered.

Tut. I Sir, and't be seven mile off, so we may but follow you, only to countenance us in the confronts and affronts, which (according to your Highness will) we mean on all occasions to put upon the Lord Euphanes.

Onos. He shall not want gibing nor jeering, I warrant him, if he do, I'l forswear wit.

Nea. It has forsworn thee, I'l swear, it is the ancient enemy to thy house.

The. Well, be it so; I here receive ye; for my followers a great way off.

Nea. Seven miles, my Lord, no further.

Onos. By what time, Sir, (by this measure) may I come to follow him in his Chamber?

Nea. Why when his Chamber, Sir, is seven miles long.

Enter Euphanes, Conon, Page, Gent. Attendants.

Enter Queen and Ladies.

Enter Theanor.

Enter Crates.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Agenor, Leonidas, Merione, Beliza. A sad Song.

A lighter Song.

Enter Euphanes and Servant.

Enter Agenor, Leonidas, Merione.

Actus Quartus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Crates, Uncle, Tutor, and Onos.

Enter Neanthes and Page.

[Exit Crates and Neant.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Queen, Euphanes, Conon, Lords.

[Pg 56]

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Theanor, Agenor, Leonidas above.

Enter Euphanes and Conon.

[Pg 57]

Enter below Theanor, Agenor, Leonidas, and Soldiers.

Enter Conon.

Enter (at one door) Queen, Theanor, Crates, Conon, Lords, Soldiers, (at another) Euphanes (with two swords) Agenor, Leonidas, Soldiers: Euphanes presents Leonidas on his knees to the Queen: Agenor bare-headed, makes shew of sorrow to the Queen, she stamps, and seems to be angry at the first. Euphanes perswades her, [layes] their swords at her feet, she [kisses him,] gives them their swords again, they kiss her hand and embrace, the Soldiers lift up Euphanes, and shout: Theanor and Crates discovered, Conon whispers with Crates, Euphanes with Agenor, and Leonidas observes it, who seem to promise something, Euphanes directs his Page somewhat.

[Exeunt all but Theanor and Crates.

Enter Conon and Page.

Enter Euphanes, Agenor, Leonidas, Page.

Actus Quintus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Crates, Euphanes, Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton.

Enter Theanor.

[Pg 66]

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Euphanes, Agenor, Leonidas, Conon.

Enter Page.

Enter Queen, Ladies, Attendants.

Enter Agenor, Leonidas with Theanor, [M]erione like Beliza, Conon, Crates, Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton, Guard.

[Pg 70]

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Onos, Uncle, and Tutor.

Scæna Quarta.

Enter Euphanes and Marshal.

Enter Leonidas with Merione (in white) Euphanes with Beliza (in black) Queen, Agenor, Conon, Marshal, with Thea[n]or, Crates, Sosicles, Eraton, Lords, Ladies, Guard.

Clerk reads.

[Pg 73]

Lycurgus the nineteenth against Rapes: It is provided: and pu[b]lickly enacted and confirmed, That any man of what degree soever, offering violence to the chastity of a Virgin, shall (Ipso facto) be lyable to her accusation, and according to the said Law be censured; Ever provided, that it shall [b]e in the choice of the said Virgin so abused, either to compell the Offender to marry her without a Dowry, if so she will be satisfied, or demanding his head for the offence, to have that accordingly performed.

Age. With what a Masculine constancy the grave Lady hath heard them both!

Enter Flamyn and Executioner.

Here endeth the Queen of Corinth.

[Pg 79]

BONDUCA,

A

TRAGEDY.

The Persons Represented in the Play.

WOMEN.

The Scene Britain.

The Principal Actors were

[Pg 80]

Actus Primus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Bonduca, Daughters, Hengo, Nennius, Soldiers.

Enter Caratach.

Car. Then ye must kill, Sir, the next valiant Romane that calls ye knave.

Hen. And must I kill but one?

Car. An hundred, boy, I hope.

Hen. I hope five hundred.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Junius and Petillius, two Roman Captains.

Enter Corporal Judas, and four Soldiers.

Enter Swetonius, Demetrius, Decius, Drum, Colours.

Actus Secundus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Penyus, Regulus, Macer, Drusius.

Enter Curius.

[Drum softly within; then enter [Soldiers with Drum and Colours.

Enter Drusius and Regulus.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Junius, Petillius and a Herald observing Junius.

Song, by Junius, and Petillius, after him in mockage.

Herald reads. It is the Generals command, that all sick, persons old and unable, retire within the Trenches; he that fears his liberty, to leave the Field: Fools, Boys, and Lovers must not come near the Regiments, for fear of their infections; especially those Cowards they call Lovers.

Jun. Ha?

Petill. Read on.

Herald. If any common Soldier love an enemy, he's whip'd and made a slave: If any Captain, cast, with loss of honors, flung out o'th' Army, and made unable ever after to bear the name of a Soldier.

Enter Demetrius.

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Judas and his four companions (halters about their necks) Bonduca, her Daughters, Nennius following.

Enter Hengo.

[Pg 107]

Enter second Daughter, and a Servant.

Enter a Guide.

Scæna Quarta.

Enter Swetonius, Petillius, Demetris, Decius, Macer.

Enter Judas and his company.

Actus Tertius. Scæna Prima.

Enter a Messenger.

Enter in solemnity the Druids singing, the second Daughter strewing Flowers: then Bonduca, Nennius, and others.

[A smoak from the Altar.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Junius, Curius, Decius.

Enter Swetonius, Petillius, and Demetrius, Macer.

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Caratach and Nennius.

[Drums within at one place afar off.

[Drums in another place afar off.

Scæna Quarta.

Enter Junius, Curius, and Decius.

[Alarms, Drums and Trumpets in several [places afar off, as at a main Battell.

Scæna Quinta.

Enter Drusus and Penyus above.

Enter the two Daughters, with Junius, Curius, Decius, and Souldiers.

[Exeunt Junius, Curius, Decius.

[Pg 122]

Enter Swetonius, Petillius, Demetrius, Macer.

Enter Junius, Decius, Curius.

Enter Bonduca, Caratach, Daughters, Nennius.

Enter Swetonius, Soldiers, and Captains.

Enter Bonduca, Daughters, and Britains.

Enter Caratach and Hengo.

[Loud shout within.

Enter Petillius, Junius, Decius.

Enter Swetonius, Demetrius, Soldiers, Drum and Colours.

Actus Quartus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Petillius, Junius, Decius, Demetrius singing.

[Short flourish.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Caratach and Hengo.

Enter Judas and his people to the door.

Enter Judas, &c.

Enter two Soldiers running.

Enter Caratach with a head.

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Penyus, Drusus, and Regulus.

Enter Petillius.

[Exeunt Drusius and Regulus.

[Kills himself.

[Noise within.

Enter Drusus and Regulus with Souldiers.

[Exeunt with a dead march.

Scæna Quarta.

Enter Swetonius, Junius, Decius, Demetrius, Curius, and Souldiers: Bonduca, two Daughters, and Nennius, above. Drum and Colours.

Enter Petillius.

Enter Decius.

Enter Nennius.

Enter one with Swords, and a great Cup.

Enter Decius.

Actus Quintus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Caratach upon a rock, and Hengo by him, sleeping.

[A soft dead march within.

Enter Drusus, Regulus, and Soldiers, with Penyus's Herse, Drums and Colours.

[Exeunt. A dead march.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Petillius.

[Pg 147]

Enter Junius.

Enter Decius, Demetrius, Curius.

Enter Macer.

[A sad noise within.

Enter Swetonius, Drusus, Regulus, Petillius.

[Exeunt all but Petillius.

[Pg 152]

Scæna Tertia.

Enter Macer and Judas, with meat and a bottle.

Enter Caratach.

Enter Junius, Decius, Petillius, Guide.

Enter Caratach, and Hengo on the Rock.

Enter Macer and Judas.

[Judas shoots Hengo.

[Caratach kills Judas with a stone from the rock.

Enter Petillius and Junius on the rock.

Enter Swetonius, and all the Roman Captains.

[Pg 160]

The Knight of the Burning Pestle.

To the Readers of this COMEDY.

Gentlemen, the World is so nice in these our times, that for Apparel, there is no fashion, For Musick, which is a rare Art, (though now slighted) No Instrument; For Diet, none but the French Kickshoes that are delicate; and for Plaies, no invention but that which now runneth an invective way, touching some particular persons, or else it is contemned before it is throughly understood. This is all that I have to say, That the Author had no intent to wrong any one in this Comedy, but as a merry passage, here and there interlaced it with delight, which he hopes will please all, and be hurtful to none.

The PROLOGUE.

Where the Bee can suck no Honey, she leaves her sting behind; and where the Bear cannot find Origanum to heal his grief, he blasteth all other leaves with his breath. We fear it is like to fare so with us; that seeing you cannot draw from our labours sweet content, you leave behind you a sower mis-like, and with open reproach blame our good meaning, because you cannot reap the wonted mirth. Our intent was at this time to move inward delight, not outward lightness; and to breed (if it might be) soft smiling, not loud laughing: knowing it (to the wise) to be a great pleasure, to hear Counsel mixed with Wit, as to the foolish to have sport mingled with rudeness. They were banished the Theater of Athens, and from Rome hissed, that brought Parasites on t[h]e Stage with apish actions, or Fools with uncivil habits, or Courtezans with immodest words. We have endeavoured to be as far from unseemly speeches, to make your ears glow, as we hope you will be free from unkind reports, or mistaking the Authors intention (who never aimed at any one particular in this Play,) to make our

cheeks blush. And thus I leave it, and thee to thine own censure, to like, or dislike. Vale.

[Pg 161]

The Actors Names.

Enter Prologue.

Enter Citizen.

Cit. Hold your peace good-man boy.

Pro. What do you mean Sir?

Cit. That you have no good meaning: These seven years there hath been Plays at this House, I have observed it, you have still girds at Citizens; and now you call your Play The London Merchant. Down with your Title, Boy, down with your Title.

Pro. Are you a member of the noble City?

Cit. I am.

Pro. And a Free-man?

Cit. Yea, and a Grocer.

Pro. So Grocer, then by your swe[e]t favour, we intend no abuse to the City.

Wife below, Ralph below.

Actus Primus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Merchant and Jasper his Man.

Enter Luce.

Enter Merchant, and Master Humphrey.

Enter Luce.

Wife. There's a kind Gentleman, I warrant you, when will you do as much for me George?

Wife. By my faith and troth George, and as I am virtuous, it is e'n the kindest young man that ever trode on shooe-leather: well, go thy waies, if thou hast her not, 'tis not thy fault 'ifaith.

Cit. I prethee Mouse be patient, a shall have her, or I'll make some of 'em smoak for't.

Wife. Thats my good lamb George, fie, this stinking Tobacco kills men, would there were none in England: now I pray Gentlemen, what good does this stinking Tobacco do you? nothing; I warrant you make chimneys a your faces: Oh Husband, Husband, now, now there's Ralph, there's Ralph.

Enter Ralph, like a Groc[e]r in's shop, with two Prentices, reading Palmerin of England.

Cit. Peace fool, let Ralph alone, hark you Ralph; do not strain your self too much at the first, peace, begin Ralph.

Ralph. Then Palmerin and Trineus snatching their Lances from their Dwarfs, and clasping their Helmets, gallopt amain after the Giant, and Palmerin having gotten a sight of him, came posting amain, saying, Stay traiterous thief, for thou maist not so carry away her, that is worth the greatest Lord in the World, and with these words gave him a blow on the Shoulder, that he struck him besides his Elephant; and Trineus coming to the Knight that had Agricola behind him, set him soon besides his horse, with his neck broken in the fall, so that the Princess getting out of the throng, between joy and grief[Pg 173] said: All happy Knight, the mirror of all such as follow Arms, now may I be well assured of the love thou bearest me, I wonder why the Kings do not raise an Army of fourteen or fifteen hundred thousand men, as big as the Army that the Prince of Portigo brought against Rocicler, and destroy these Giants, they do much hurt to wandring Damsels, that go in quest of their Knights.

Wife. Faith Husband, and Ralph says true, for they say the King of Portugal cannot sit at his meat, but the Giants and the Ettins will come and snatch it from him.

Cit. Hold thy tongue; on Ralph.

Ralph. And certainly those Knights are much to be commended, who neglecting their possessions, wander with a Squire and a Dwarfe through the Desarts, to relieve poor Ladies.

Wife. I by my faith are they Ralph, let 'em say what they will, they are indeed: our Knights neglect their possessions well enough, but they do not the rest.

Ralph. There are no such courteous, and fair well-spoken Knights in this age, they will call one the Son of a whore, that Palmerin of England, would have called fair Sir; and one that Rosicler would have called Right beaut[eous] Damsel, they will call Damn'd bitch.

Wife. I'll be sworn will they Ralph, they have called me so an hundred times about a scurvy pipe of Tobacco.

Ralph. But what brave spirit could be content to sit in his shop with a flapet of Wood, and a blew Apron before him selling Methridatam and Dragons water to visited houses, that might pursue feats of Arms, and through his noble atchievements, procure such a famous History to be written [of his] Heroick prowesse.

Cit. Well said Ralph, some more of those words Ralph.

Wife. They go finely by my troth.

Ralph. Why should [not I] then pursue this course, both for the credit of my self and our company, for amongst all the worthy Books of Atchievements, I do not call to mind, that I yet read of a Grocer Errant. I will be the said Knight: Have you heard of any that hath wandred unfurnished of his Squire and Dwarfe? my elder Prentice T[i]m shall be my trusty Squire, and little George my Dwarfe, hence my blew Apron, yet in remembrance of my former Trade, upon my shield shall[Pg 174] be pourtraid a Burning Pestle, and I will be call'd the Knight of the burning Pestle.

Wife. Nay, I dare swear thou wilt not forget thy old Trade, thou wert ever meek.

Ralph. Tim.

Tim. Anon.

Ralph. My beloved Squire, and George my Dwarfe, I charge you that from henceforth you never call me by any other name, but the Right courteous and valiant Knight of the Burning Pestle, and that you never call any Female by the name of a Woman or Wench, but fair Lady, if she have her desires; if not, distressed Damsel; that you call all Forrests and Heaths, Desarts, and all Horses Palfries.

Wife. This is very fine: faith do the Gentlemen like Ralph, think you Husband?

Cit. I, I warrant thee, the Players would give all the shooes in their shop for him.

Ralph. My beloved Squire Tim, stand out, admit this were a Desart, and over it a Knight Errant pricking, and I should bid you enquire of his intents, what would you say?

Tim. Sir, my Master sent me to know whither you are riding?

Ralph. No, thus; fair Sir, the Right courteous, and valiant Knight of the Burning Pestle, commanded me to enquire upon what adventure you are bound, whether to relieve some distressed Damsel, or otherwise.

Cit. Whorson blockhead cannot remember.

Wife. I'faith, and Ralph told him on't before: all the Gentlemen heard him, did he not Gentlemen, did not Ralph tell him on't?

George. Right courteous and valiant Knight of the Burning Pestle, here is a distressed Damsel, to have a halfepenny worth of Pepper.

Wife. That's a good boy, see, the little boy can hit it, by my troth it's a fine child.

Ralph. Relieve her with all courteous language, now shut up shop, no more my Prentice, but my trusty Squire and Dwarfe, I must bespeak my Shield, and arming Pestle.

Cit. Go thy ways Ralph, as I am a true man, thou art the best on 'em all.

Wife. Ralph, Ralph.

[Pg 175]

Ralph. What say you Mistriss?

Wife. I prethee come again quickly, sweet Ralph.

Ralph. By and by. [Exit Ralph.

Enter Jasper and his Mother, Mistriss Merry-thought.

Mist. Mer. Give thee my blessing? no, I'll never give thee my blessing, I'll see thee hang'd first; it shall ne'r be said I gave thee my blessing: thou art thy Fathers own Son, of the [right] bloud of the Merry-thoughts; I may curse the time that e'r I knew thy Father, he hath spent all his own, and mine too, and when I tell him of it, he laughs and dances, and sings and cries; A merry heart lives long-a. And thou art a wast-thrift, and art run away from thy Master, that lov'd thee well, and art come to me, and I have laid up a little for my younger Son Michael, and thou thinkst to bezle that, but thou shalt never be able to do it, Come hither Michael, come Michael, down on thy knees, thou shalt have my blessing.

Enter Michael.

Mich. I pray you Mother pray to God to bless me.

Mist. Mer. God bless thee: but Jasper shall never have my blessing, he shall be hang'd first, shall he not Michael? how saist thou?

Wife. Ungracious child I warrant him, harke how he chops Logick with his Mother: thou hadst best tell her she lies, do, tell her she lies.

Cit. If he were my son, I would hang him up by the heels, and flea him, and salt him, whorson halter-sack.