Little expecting such unnatural treason
From forth a kinsman’s bosom; all admir’d
But I his miserable queen.
LAPYRUS aside
Oh, sink into perdition! — Let me hear no further.
[OLD] QUEEN
I’ll tell you all, for your so late attempt
Confirms you honest, and my thoughts so keep you:
I, frighted at new wars and his false breath,
Chose rather with these babes this lingering death.
LAPYRUS
[Aside] Oh, in her words I endure a thousand deaths!
[OLD] QUEEN
The truth of this sad story hath been yours;
Now, courteous sir, may I request your name,
That in my prayers I may place the fame.
LAPYRUS
[Aside] I’ll put my death into her woeful hands.
[OLD] QUEEN
I hear you not, sir; I desire [your] name.
LAPYRUS
To add some small content to your distress,
Know that Lapyrus, whom your miseries
May rightly curse, and be revenged justly,
Lurks in this forest equally distress’d.
[OLD] QUEEN
In this forest lurks that abhorred villain?
LAPYRUS
These eyes did see him, and, faith, lady, say
If you should meet that worst of villains here,
That treacher, monster, what would you attempt?
[OLD] QUEEN
His speedy death; I should forget all mercy,
Had I but means fully to express my vengeance.
LAPYRUS
You would not, queen.
[OLD] QUEEN
No? By these infants’ tears
That weep for hunger, I would throughly do’t.
LAPYRUS
See, yonder he comes.
[OLD] QUEEN
Oh, where?
LAPYRUS
Here, take my sword.
Are you yet constant? Shame your sex and be so.
Will you do’t?
[OLD] QUEEN
I see him not.
LAPYRUS
Strike him through his guilt and treachery
And let him see the horrors of his perjur’d soul.
Are you ready?
[OLD] QUEEN
Pray, let me see him first.
[Lapyrus] pulls off his false beard and kneels.
LAPYRUS
You see him now: now do’t.
[OLD] QUEEN
Lapyrus!
Oh, fortunate revenge! Now all thy villainies
Shall be at once requited: thy country’s ruin,
The king thy uncle’s sorrows, my own miseries,
Shall at this minute all one vengeance meet.
[Aside] Alas, he doth submit, prays, and relents.
Who could wish more? None made from woman can;
Small glory ‘twere to kill a kneeling man,
When he in penitent sighs his soul commends:
Thou send’st him to the gods, thyself to th’ fiends.
But hearken to thy piteous infants’ cries,
And th’are for vengeance. Peace, then: now he dies.
Ingrateful woman, he delivered thee
From ravishment: canst thou his murtheress be?
What’s riches to thy honour? That rare treasure
Which worlds redeem not, yet ’tis lost at pleasure.
Kill him that preserv’d that? And in thy rescue
His noble rage so manfully behav’d. —
Rise, rise; he that repents is ever sav’d.
LAPYRUS
Will misery yet a longer life afford,
To see a queen so poor, not worth her word?
[OLD] QUEEN
I am better than my word; my word was death.
LAPYRUS
Man’s ne’er past grief till he be past his breath.
[OLD] QUEEN
I pardon all, Lapyrus.
LAPYRUS
Do not do’t.
[OLD] QUEEN
And only to one penance I enjoin thee
For all thy faults past: while we here remain
Within this forest, this thy task shall be,
To procure succour to my babes and me.
LAPYRUS
And if I fail, may the earth swallow me.
[OLD] QUEEN
Th’art now grown good; here could I ever dwell,
Were the old king my husband safe and well.
Exeunt.
Act I Scene 4.
OUTSIDE THE YOUNG Queen’s rooms
Enter Tymethes and Zenarchus.
ZENARCHUS
Come, come, drive away these fits; faith, I’ll have thee merry.
TYMETHES
As your son and heir at his father’s funeral.
ZENARCHUS
Thou seest my sister constantly affects thee.
TYMETHES
There were no mirth nor music else for me.
ZENARCHUS
Sir, in this castle the old king my father,
O’erworn with jealousy, keeps his beauteous wife;
I think thou never saw’st her.
TYMETHES
No, not I.
ZENARCHUS
Why, then thy judgments fresh, I’ll visit her
On purpose for the censure.
TYMETHES
I speak my affection.
ZENARCHUS
Nay, on my knowledge, she’s worth jealousy,
Though jealously be far unworthy a king.
Enter Roxano.
ROXANO
My lov’d lord?
ZENARCHUS
How cheers the queen?
They whisper.
TYMETHES
[Aside] Have I not seen this fellow before now?
He has an excellent preference for a pander;
I know not his office.
ZENARCHUS
Use those words to her.
ROXANO
They shall be us’d, my lord, and anything
That comes to using, let it come to me.
Exit.
TYMETHES
What’s he, Zenarchus?
ZENARCHUS
Who, Roxano? A fellow in great trust,
Elected by my father’s jealousy.
But he and all the rest attend upon her,
I think would turn her pander for reward,
For ’tis not watch nor ward keeps woman chaste
If honour’s watch in her mind be not plac’d.
TYMETHES
Right oracle. What gain hath jealousy?
Fruitful suspicion, sighs, ridiculous groans:
Hunger and lust will break through flesh and stones,
And like a whirlwind blows ope castle doors,
Italian padlocks, [ ].
ZENARCHUS
What mad lords are your jealous people then,
That lock their wives from all men but their men?
Make them their keepers to prevent some greater,
So oft it happens to the poor’s relief
Keepers eat venison when their lords eat beef.
Enter Young Queen with a book in her hand.
See, see, she comes.
TYMETHES
[Aside] Honour of beauty! There man’s wishes rise:
Grace and perfection lighten from her eyes;
Amazement is shot through me.
ZENARCHUS
’Tis Tymethes, lady, son to the banish’d king.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Is this he?
ZENARCHUS
It is, sweet lady.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
[Aside] I never knew the force of a desire
Until this minute struck within my blood;
I fear one look was destin’d to undo me.
ZENARCHUS
Why, Tymethes? Friend?
TYMETHES
Ha?
ZENARCHUS
[YOUNG] QUEEN
[Aside] He makes towards us. — Y’are Prince Tymethes, so I understand.
TYMETHES
The same unfortunate, most gracious lady,
Supremest of your sex in all perfections.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Sir, y’are forgetful: this is no place for courtship,
Nor we a subject for’t; return to your friend.
TYMETHES
[Aside] All hopes kill’d in their blossom.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
[Aside] Too cruelly, in faith, I put him by. —
Enter Roxano with wine.
Wine for our son Zenarchus? ’Twas done kindly.
You son, and our best visitant.
ZENARCHUS
Duty binds me.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Begin to me, Zenarchus, I’ll have’t so.
TYMETHES
[Aside] Why, then there’s hope she’ll take occasion
To drink to me; she hath no means t’ avoid it.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
[Aside] I’ll prevent all loose thoughts, drink to myself.
My mind walks yonder, but suspect walks here.
Drinks and gives Roxano the cup.
TYMETHES
[Aside] The devil’s on that side and engrosses all:
Smiles, favours, common courtesies, none can fall
But he has a snatch at them. Not drink to me?
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Make you yon stranger drink.
Roxano offers it him.
TYMETHES
Pox of’t, not I.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
[Aside] I speak strange words against my fantasy.
ZENARCHUS
Prithee, Tymethes, drink.
TYMETHES
I am not dry.
ZENARCHUS
I think so too: dry and so young, ‘twere strange.
Come, prithee drink to the queen, my mother.
TYMETHES
You shall rule me: unto that beauteous majesty.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Thanks, noble sir. [Aside] I must be wary;
My mind’s dangerous. — I’ll pledge you anon, sir.
Gives Roxano the cup [and Roxano exits with wine].
TYMETHES
[Aside] Heart! How contempt ill fortune does pursue!
Not drink nor pledge; what was she born to do?
I’ll stay no longer, lest I get that flame
Which nothing but cold death can quench or tame. —
Zenarchus, come.
Exit.
ZENARCHUS
I go; music of mind to the queen.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
To you no less.
ZENARCHUS
And all that you can wish or I express.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Thanks to our son.
Exit [Zenarchus].
Th’ other took leave in silence, but left me
To speak enough both for myself and thee.
Tymethes? That’s his name. Poor heart, take heed:
Look well into th’ event ere thou proceed.
Love, yet be wise! Impossible: none can.
If e’er the wise man claim one foolish hour
’Tis when he loves: he’s then in folly’s power.
I need not fear the servants that o’erwatch me:
Their faiths lie in my coffers, in effect,
More true to me than to my lord’s suspect.
The fears and dangers that most threaten me
Live in the party that I must enjoy,
And that’s Tymethes. Men are apt to boast;
He may in full cups blaze and vaunt himself
Unto some meaner mistress, make my shame
The politic engine to beat down her name,
And from thence force a way to the king’s ears.
Strange fate: where my love keeps, there keep my fears.
Enter tyrant [Armatrites].
[ARMATRITES]
[Aside] Alone? Why, where’s her guard? Suffer her alone?
Her thoughts may work; their powers are not her own.
Women have of themselves no entire sway;
Like dial needles they wave every way,
And must be throughly taught to be kept right
And point to none but to their lord’s delight.
Enter Roxano and guard.
Time to convey and plot? Leave her alone!
Why, villains! [To Young Queen] Kiss me, my perfection;
This night we’ll banquet in these blissful arms.
[She kisses him.]
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Your nights are music and your words are charms.
[ARMATRITES]
Kiss me again, fair Tethys!
Walks off with her, and the guard follows.
ROXANO
My lady is scarce perfect in her thoughts,
Howe’er she fram’d a smile upon the tyrant.
I have some skill in faces, and yet they never were more deceitful; a man can scarce know a bawd from a midwife by the face, an hypocritical Puritan from a devout Christian if you go by the face. Well, all’s not straight in my lady. She hath certain crooked cogitations, if a man had the liberty to search ’em. If aught point at my advice or performance, she may fortunately disclose it. She knows my mettle and what it yields to an ounce; she cannot be deceiv’d in’t. Here’s service and secrecy, and no lady can with more, beside a monkey. She is assur’d of our faculties; there’s none of us that stand her smock sentinels but would venter a joint to do her any pleasurable service, and I think that’s as much as any woman desires.
Enter [Young] Queen sad.
Mass, here she comes. ’Tis some strange physic I know by the working.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
[Aside] It cannot be kept down with any argument:
’Tis of aspiring force; sparks fly not downward.
No more this receiv’d fancy of Tymethes;
I threaten it with my lord’s jealousy.
Yet still it rises against all objections.
I see my dangers, in what fears I dwell;
There’s but a plank on which I run to hell.
Yet were’t thrice narrower I should venture on;
None dares do more for sin than woman can.
Misery of love! Roxano? I am observ’d. —
What news, Roxano?
ROXANO
None that’s good, madam.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
No? Which is the bad?
ROXANO
The worst of all is, madam, you are sad.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Indeed, I am not merry.
ROXANO
Would I knew the means would make you so,
I would turn myself into any shape or office
To be the author of it, sweet lady.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Troth, I have that hope of thee; I think thou wouldst.
ROXANO
Think it? ‘Sfoot, you might swear safely in that action
And never hurt your oath: I ne’er fail’d yet.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
‘Twere sin to injure thee; I know thou didst not.
ROXANO
Nay, I know I did not.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
But, my trusty servant,
This plot requires art, secrecy and wit,
Yet out of all can hardly work one safety.
ROXANO
Not one? That’s strange. I would ‘twere put to me;
I’ll make it arrive safe, whate’er it be.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Thou couldst not, my Roxano. Why, admit I love; now I come to thee.
ROXANO
Admit you love? Why, all’s safe [enough] yet.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Ay, but a stranger.
ROXANO
Nay, now we are all spoil’d, lady; I may look for my brains in my boots. Now
you have put home to me indeed, madam. A stranger? There’s a hundred deaths in the very name, besides vantage.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
I said I should affright thee.
ROXANO
Faith, no fool can fright me, madam, commonly call’d a stranger.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Hast thou the will? Or dar’st thou do me good?
ROXANO
Do thee good, sweet lady? As far as I am able, ne’er doubt it. Let me but cast about for [safety], and I’ll do anything, madam.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Ay, ay, our safeties, which are mere impossibles;
Love forgets all things but its proper objects.
ROXANO
What is he, and his name?
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Tymethes, in a most unlucky minute,
Led hither by our son-in-law, Zenarchus.
ROXANO
Hum; is that the most fortunate, spider-catching, smock-wrapp’d gentleman?
[YOUNG] QUEEN
Yet if he know me.
ROXANO
What then?
[YOUNG] QUEEN
I am undone.
ROXANO
And is it possible a man should lie with a woman and yet not know her? And yet ’tis possible too; thank my invention, follow that game still.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
He must not know me, [that] I love no further,
Although for not enjoying him I die:
My lord’s pale jealousy does so o’erlook me
That if Tymethes know what he enjoys,
It may make way unto my lord’s mistrust;
Then since in my desire such horrors move,
I’ll die no other than the death of love.
She swoons and Roxano holds her in his arms.
ROXANO
Lady, madam, do you hear? Have you leisure to swoon now, when I have taken such pains i’ th’ business, to take order for your safety, set all things right? Why, madam!
[YOUNG] QUEEN
What says the man?
ROXANO
Why, he says like a gentleman, every inch of him, and will perform the office of a gentleman: bring you together, put you together, and leave you together; what gentleman can do more?
[YOUNG] QUEEN
And all this safely?
ROXANO
And all this safely? Ay, by this hand will I, or else would I might never do anything to purpose, if he have but the first part of a young gentleman in him. ’Tis granted, madam; I have crotchets in my brain that you shall see him and enjoy him, and he not know where he is nor who he is.
[YOUNG] QUEEN
How? Shall he not know me?
ROXANO
Why, ’tis the least part of my meaning he should, lady. Do you think you could possibly be safe and he know you? Why, some of your young gallants are of the vainglorious and preposterous humour, that if they lay with their own sisters you should hear them prate of’t; this is too usual, there’s no wonder in’t. What I have said I will swear to perform: you shall enjoy him ere night and he not know you next morning.
Complete Dramatic Works of Thomas Dekker Page 192