Complete Dramatic Works of Thomas Dekker
Page 197
[ARMATRITES]
And still thou let’st him run?
MAZERES
I let him play, my lord.
[ARMATRITES]
Ha, ha, ha!
MAZERES
I watch’d still near till her arms clasp’d him.
[ARMATRITES]
And there thou let’st him rest?
MAZERES
There he was caught, my lord.
[ARMATRITES]
So art thou here;
Drag him to execution: he shall die
With tortures ‘bove the thought of tyranny.
[Exeunt Armatrites, Sextorio with Mazeres.]
ZENARCHUS
No words are able to express my gladness;
’Tis such a high-born rapture that the soul
Partakes it only.
Enter Amphridote and [Lodovicus].
AMPHRIDOTE
My Lord Mazeres led
Unto his death?
LODOVICUS
It proves too true, dear princess.
[Exit Lodovicus.]
AMPHRIDOTE
[Aside] Curs’d be the mouth that doom’d him, and forever
Blasted the hand that parts him from his life!
Was there none fit to practice tyranny on
But whom our heart elected? Misery of love!
I must not live to think on’t!
ZENARCHUS
[Aside] Here’s my sister;
I could not bring that news will please her better. —
My news brings that command over your passions:
You must be merry.
AMPHRIDOTE
Have you warrant for’t, brother?
ZENARCHUS
Yes, strong enough, i’faith. Hear me: Mazeres
By this time is at his everlasting home,
Where’er his body lies. I struck the stroke;
I wrought a bitter pill that quickly chok’d him.
AMPHRIDOTE
[Aside] Oh, me, my soul will out! — Some wine there, ho!
ZENARCHUS
Wine for our sister, for the news is worth it!
Enter Lodovicus with wine.
AMPHRIDOTE
[Aside] It will prove dear to both. — So, give it me; now leave us.
Exit [Lodovicus].
ZENARCHUS
Revenge ne’er brought forth a more happy issue
Than I think mine to be.
She poisons the wine.
AMPHRIDOTE
[Aside] I’m setting forth, Mazeres. — Here, Zenarchus.
ZENARCHUS
Thou art not like this hour, jovial.
AMPHRIDOTE
I shall be after this.
ZENARCHUS
That does’t if any;
Wine doth both help defects and causeth many.
Here’s to the deed, faith, of our last revenge.
[They drink.]
AMPHRIDOTE
Dying men prophesy; faith, ’tis our last end.
Now I must tell you, brother, that I hate you
In that you have betray’d my lov’d Mazeres.
ZENARCHUS
What’s this?
AMPHRIDOTE
His deed was loyal, his discovery just;
He brought to light a monster and his lust.
ZENARCHUS
Nay, if you grow
So strumpet-like in your behaviour to me,
I’ll quickly cool that insolence.
AMPHRIDOTE
Peace, peace:
There is a champion fights for me unseen;
I need not fear thy threats.
ZENARCHUS
Indeed, no harlot
But has her champion, besides bawd and varlet —
Oh!
AMPHRIDOTE
Why, law you now, such gear will ne’er thrive with you.
ZENARCHUS
I’m sick of thy society, poison to mine eyes!
AMPHRIDOTE
’Tis lower in thy breast the poison lies.
ZENARCHUS
How?
AMPHRIDOTE
’Tis for Mazeres.
ZENARCHUS
Oh, you virtuous powers,
What a right strumpet! Poison under love?
AMPHRIDOTE
That man can ne’er be safe that divides love.
She dies.
ZENARCHUS
Nor she be honest can so soon impart.
Oh, ‘ware that woman that can shift her heart!
Dies.
Act V Scene 2.
THE SAME
Thunder and lightning. A blazing star appears. Enter tyrant [Armatrites].
[ARMATRITES]
Ha? Thunder? And thou, marrow-melting blast,
Quick-winged lighting? And thou, blazing star,
I like not thy prodigious, bearded fire;
Thy beams are fatal. Ha? Behold the influence
Of all their malice in my children’s ruins!
Their states malignant powers have envy’d,
And for some hath struck with their envies, died.
’Tis ominous! Within there!
Enter [Sextorio] and [Lodovicus].
LODOVICUS
Here, my lord.
[ARMATRITES]
Convey those bodies awhile from my sight.
[SEXTORIO]
Both dead, my lord.
[ARMATRITES]
Yes, and we safe; our death we need less fear.
[Sextorio and Lodovicus carry off the bodies of Zenarchus and Amphridote.]
Usurpers’ issue oft proves dangerous:
We depose others, and they poison us;
I have found it on records. ’Tis better thus.
Enter the old King, Lapyrus, Fidelio, Amorpho, all disguised like pilgrims. [They stand aside.]
LAPYRUS
My lord, this castle is but slightly guarded.
KING
’Tis as I hop’d and wish’d. Now bless us, heaven,
What horrid and inhuman spectacle
Is yonder that presents itself to sight?
FIDELIO
It seems three quarters of a man hung up.
KING
What tyranny hath been exercis’d of late?
I dare not venture on.
AMORPHO
Fear not, my lord; our habits give us safety.
LAPYRUS
Behold, the tyrant maketh toward us.
[ARMATRITES]
Holy and reverent pilgrims, welcome.
KING
Bold strangers, by the tempest beaten in.
[ARMATRITES]
Most welcome still;
We are but stewards for such guests as you.
What we possess is yours, to your wants due;
We are only rich for your necessities.
KING
A generous, free, [and] charitable mind
Keeps in thy bosom to poor pilgrims kind.
[ARMATRITES]
’Tis time of day to dine, my friends. [Sextorio]?
Enter [Sextorio].
[SEXTORIO]
My lord?
[ARMATRITES]
Our food.
[SEXTORIO]
’Tis ready for your highness.
[Loud] music. A banquet brought in, and by it a small table for the [Young] Queen. [Exit Sextorio.]
[ARMATRITES]
Sit, pray sit, religious men right welcome
To our cates. Grave sir, I have observ’d
You waste the virtue of your serious eye
Too much on such a worthless object as that is.
A traitor when he liv’d call’d that his flesh;
Let hang. Here’s to you; we are the oldest here.
[Drinks.]
Round let it go; feed, if you like your cheer.
Enter [Sextorio].
[SEXTORIO]
My lord.
[ARMATRITES]
How now?
[SEXTORIO]
Ready, my
lord.
[ARMATRITES]
Sit merry.
Exit [with Sextorio].
KING
Where’er I look, these limbs are in mine eyes.
LAPYRUS
Some wretch on whom he wrought his tyranny.
FIDELIO
Hard was his fate to light into his mercy.
AMORPHO
Peace, he comes.
Soft music. Enter the tyrant [Armatrites] with the [Young] Queen, her hair loose; she makes a curtsey to the table. [Sextorio] brings in the flesh with a skull all bloody; they all wonder. [Exit Sextorio.]
[ARMATRITES]
I perceive strangers more desire to see
An object than the fare before them set;
But since your eyes are serious suitors grown,
I will discourse: what’s seen shall now be known.
KING
Your bounty every way conquers poor strangers.
[ARMATRITES]
Yon creature whom your eyes so often visit
Held mighty sway over our powers and thoughts;
Indeed, we were all hers —
Besides her graces there were all perfections,
Unless she speaks, no music — till her wishes
Brought forth a monster, a detested issue
Poisoning the thoughts I held of her.
The old King sends forth [Fidelio].
She did from her own ardour undergo
Adulterous baseness with my professed foe;
Her lust strangely betray’d, I ready to surprise them,
Set on fire by the abuse, I found his life
Cunningly shifted by her own dear hand
And far enough convey’d from my revenge:
Unnaturally the first abus’d my heart,
And then prevented my revenge by art.
Yet there I left not: though his trunk were cold,
My wrath was flaming, and I exercis’d
New vengeance on his carcass, and gave charge
The body should be quarter’d and hung up; ’twas done.
This as a penance I enjoin’d her to,
To taste no other sustenance, no, nor dares
Till her love’s body be consum’d in hers.
KING
The sin was great, so is the penance grievous.
[ARMATRITES]
Our vow is sign’d.
KING
And was he Lydian born?
[ARMATRITES]
He was no less son to mine enemy,
A banish’d king; Tymethes was his name.
KING
[Aside] Oh me, my son Tymethes!
LAPYRUS
[Aside to King] Passion may spoil us. — Sir, we oft have heard
Of that old king his father, and that justly
This kingdom was by right due to his sway.
[ARMATRITES]
It was, I think it was, till we, call’d in,
By policy and force deceiv’d his confidence,
Show’d him a trick of war and turn’d him out.
KING
[Aside] Sin’s boast is worse than sin!
Enter Fidelio.
FIDELIO
All’s sure; the guards are seiz’d on.
LAPYRUS
Good.
FIDELIO
The passage strongly guarded.
[ARMATRITES]
Holy sir, what’s he?
LAPYRUS
Our brother, a poor pilgrim, that gives notice
Of a religious father that attends
To bear us company in our pilgrimage.
[ARMATRITES]
Oh ho, ’tis good, ’tis very good.
KING
Alas, poor lady;
It makes me weep to see what food she eats.
I know your mercy will remit this penance.
[ARMATRITES]
Never, our vow’s irrevocable, never!
The lecher must be swallowed rib by rib;
His flesh is sweet, it melts, it goes down merrily.
They discover themselves.
Ha? What are these?
LAPYRUS
Speranza!
[ARMATRITES]
Ha?
KING
Villain, this minute [loses] thee, thou tyrant.
[ARMATRITES]
Pilgrims wear arms? The old king? And Lapyrus?
Betray’d? Confounded? Oh, I must die forsworn!
Break, vow! Bleed, whore! There is my jealousy flown!
He kills his Queen.
Oh, happy man, ’tis more revenge to me
Than all your aims; I have kill’d my jealousy.
I have nothing now to care for more than hell;
‘T had been if you had struck me ere she fell.
I had left her to your lust, the thought is bitterness,
But she first fall’n. Ha, ha, ha!
KING
Die, cruel, murtherous tyrant!
They all discharge at him.
[ARMATRITES]
So laugh away this breath;
My lust was ne’er more pleasing than my death.
Dies.
LAPYRUS
As full possess’d as ever, and as rich
In subjects’ hearts and voices, we present thee
The complete sway of this usurped kingdom.
KING
I am so borne betwixt the violent streams
Of joy and passion, I forget my state;
To all our thanks and favours, and what more
We are in debt to all your free consent
We will discharge in happy government.
Enter the Old Queen disguised, a boy with her.
[OLD] QUEEN
The peacefull’st reign that ever prince enjoy’d.
KING
Already a petition? Suitors begin betimes.
We are scarce warm in our good fortune yet. What are you?
[OLD] QUEEN
Unworthiest of all the joys this hour brings forth.
She discovers.
KING
Our dearest queen?
[OLD] QUEEN
Your poor, distressed queen.
KING
Oh, let me light upon that constant breast
And kiss thee till my soul melt on thy lips.
Our joys were perfect stood Tymethes there.
We are old; this kingdom wants a hopeful heir.
[OLD] QUEEN
Your joys are perfect though he stand not there,
And your wish blest: [behold], a hopeful heir.
Stand not amaz’d; ’tis Manophes.
KING
How just the gods are, who in their due time
Return what they took from us.
[OLD] QUEEN
Happy hour!
Heaven hath not taken all our happiness,
For though your elder met ill fate, good heaven
Hath thus preserv’d your younger for your heir.
KING
Prepare those limbs for honourable burial,
And noble nephew, all your ill is lost
In your late newborn goodness, which we’ll reward.
No storm of fate so fierce but time destroys,
And beats back misery with a peal of joys.
Exeunt omnes.
FINIS
The Prose
An old print of Poultry Compter, a small prison that stood in Cheapside in the City of London. Debt would plague Dekker’s life for many years and in 1612, he was imprisoned in Poultry Compter.
Selected Pamphlets
As well as a prolific playwright, Dekker produced many pamphlets during his literary career. Of particular note are the texts now regarded as The Plague Pamphlets. The bubonic plague first struck England in 1348 and caused devastation across Europe and parts of Asia. It is estimated that The Black Death killed between 30% and 60% of Europe’s population and had profound effects on the social and economic order. There were frequent outbreaks of the plague in England
over the next three hundred and fifty years, including a 1603 episode in London and the surrounding countryside, which claimed tens of thousands of lives. In the summer 1603, the authorities attempted to limit the spread of the disease by closing the theatres, which meant that playwrights were deprived of their source of income and had to find other means of making money.
Dekker opted to write pamphlets to support himself and in 1603 The Wonderfull Yeare was printed. In the pamphlet, he takes account of the year which included the death of Elizabeth I, the ascension of James I and the outbreak of the plague. The work is a mixture of poetry, elaborate prose and reportage. Dekker laments the loss of the Queen, lavishes great praise on the new King and then focuses on the ravages of the plague as it causes fear, terror and panic in the population. It is a deeply sardonic piece of writing and Dekker criticises the city officials for their harsh laws, while lambasting the wealthy for their inhuman and thoughtless treatment of the poor.
In Newes from Graves-end: sent to no-body, printed in 1604, Dekker attacks the wealthy ‘runaways’ that deserted the city for their own safety and left people starving and dying. He suggests in A rod for run-awaies that instead of the actual policy of banning vagabonds from entering the city that these rich runaways should be forced to financially support those left behind before they are permitted to flee.
Other pamphlets are journalistic in form and present vivid pictures of Jacobean London. The Guls Horne-Booke (1609) describes the life of city gallants, including an invaluable account of behaviour in the London theatres. London Look Back (1630) explores the time of 1625, the year of King James's death, while Wars, Wars, Wars (1628) famously describes the European political turmoil. In Dekker His Dreame (1620), Dekker turns his experiences in prison to profitable account. The pamphlet is a long poem that describes the playwright’s despairing confinement.
Dekker’s numerous pamphlets paint a intriguing and detailed picture of London life during a time of great change and ordeals. He manages to imbue his work with great humour while also strongly condemning the handling of the plague by governing officials and the horrific treatment of the poor by the wealthy. Though the pamphlets reveal signs of hasty and careless composition, the best of them are highly entertaining and almost all of them offer precise depictions of everyday life in the Jacobean period.
Woodcut from title page of ‘Dekker His Dreame’ (1620), featuring the only known representation of the playwright drawn during his life
CONTENTS
THE WONDERFULL YEARE
NEWES FROM GRAUES-END SENT TO NOBODY
NEWES FROM HELL; BROUGHT BY THE DIUELLS CARRIER.
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINNES OF LONDON
FOURE BIRDS OF NOAHS ARKE
THE GULS HORNE-BOOKE
LANTHORNE AND CANDLE-LIGHT. OR, THE BELL-MANS SECOND NIGHTS-WALKE
WORKE FOR ARMOROURS: OR, THE PEACE IS BROKEN.