Chapter

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

CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH CLASSICS

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]

CONTENTS

PAGE

The Queen of Corinth

1

Bonduca

79

The Knight of the Burning Pestle

160

Loves Pilgrimage

232

The Double Marriage

321

THE

Queen of Corinth,

A

TRAGI-COMEDY.

The Persons Represented in the Play.

Agenor, Prince of Argos.

The anor, Son to the Qu. of Corinth, a vicious Prince.

Leonidas, The Corinthian General, Brother to Merione.

Euphanes, A noble young Gentleman, Favorite to the Qu.

Crates, Elder brother to Eupha. a malicious beautefeu.

Conon, Euph[a]nes Confident, and fellow-Traveller.

Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton, Courtiers.

Onosor Lamprias, A very foolish Traveller.

Tutorand Uncleto Onos, two foolish Knaves.

Gentlemen Servants to Agenor.

A Page to Lord Euphanes.

Marshal,

Vintner,

Drawers,

WOMEN.

Merione, A virtuous Lady, honourably solicited by Prince Agenor.

Beliza, A noble Lady, Mistriss to Euphanes.

Queenof Corinth, A wise and virtuous Widow, Mother of The anor,

The Scene Corinth.

The Principal Actors were

Richard Burbadge,

Henry Condel,

John Underwood,

Thomas Polard,

Nathan Feild,

John Lowin,

Nich. Toolie,

Tho. Holcomb.

Actus Primus. Scæna Prima.

Enter Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton.

Era.

The General is returned then?

Nean. With much honour.

Sos. And peace concluded with the Prince of Argos?

Nean. To the Queens wishes: the conditions sign'd

So far beyond her hopes, to the advantage

Of Corinth, and the good of all her Subjects;

That though Leonidas our brave General

Ever came home a fair and great example,

He never yet return'd, or with less loss

Or more deserved honour.

Era. Have you not heard

The motives to this general good?

Nean. The main one

Was admiration first in young Agenor,

(For by that name we know the Prince of Argos)

Of our Leonidas wisdom and his valour,

Which though an enemy, first in him bred wonder;

That liking, Love succeeded that, which was

Followed by a desire to be a friend

Upon what terms soever to such goodness;

They had an enterview; and that their friendship

Might with our peace be ratified,'twas concluded,

Agenor yielding up all such strong places

As he held in our territories, should receive

(With a sufficient Dower, paid by the Queen)

The fair Merion[e] for his wife.

Era. But how

Approves the Queen of this? since we well know

Nor was her Highness ignorant, that her Son

The Prince The anor made love to this Lady,

And in the noblest way.

Nean. Which she allowed of,

And I have heard from some familiar with

Her nearest secrets, she so deeply priz'd her

Being from an Infant train'd up in her service,

(Or to speak better, rather her own Creature)

She once did say, That if the Prince should steal

A Marriage without her leave, or knowledge,

With this Merione, with a little suit

She should grant both their pardons: whereas now

To shew her self for sooth a Spartan Lady,

And that'tis in her power, now it concerns

The common good, not alone to subdue

Her own affections, but command her Sons;

She has not only forc'd him with rough threats

To leave his Mistriss, but compell'd him when

Agen[or] made his entrance into Corinth

To wait upon his Rival.

Sos. Can it be

The Prince should sit down with this wrong?

Nean. I know not,

I am sure I should not.

Era. Trust me nor I,

A Mother is a name, but put in ballance

With a young We nch'tis nothing; where did you leave him?

Nean. Near Vesta's Temple, for there he dismiss'd me,

And full of troubled thoughts, calling for Crates: He went with him, but whither, or to what purpose

I am a stranger.

Enter The anorand Crates.

Era. They are come back Neanthes.

The. I like the place well.

Cra. We ll Sir? it is built

As if the Architect had been a Prophet,

And fashion'd it alone for this night's action;

The Vaults so hollow, and the Walls so strong,

As Dian there might suffer violence,

And with loud shrikes in vain call Jove to help her;

Or should he hear, his Thunder could not find

An entrance to it.

The. I give up my self

Wholly to thy direction, worthiest Crates;

And yet the desperate cure that we must practice

Is in it self so foul, and full of danger,

That I stand doubtful whether'twere more manly

To dye not seeking help, or that help being

So deadly, to pursue it.

Cra. To those reasons

I have already urg'd, I will add these.

For but consider Sir—

Era. It is of weight

What e'r it be, that with such vehement action,

Of Eye, Hand, Foot, nay all his bodies motion,

Crates incites the Prince to.

Nean. Then observe,

With what variety of passions he

Receives his reasons; now he's pale, and shakes

For fear or anger; now his natural red

Comes back again, and with a pleasing smile

He seems to entertain it;'tis resolv'd on

Be it what'twill: to his ends may it prosper

Though the State sink for't.

Cra. Now you are a Prince

Fit to rule others, and in shaking off

The Bonds in which your Mother fetters you

Discharge your debt to nature, she's your guide,

Follow her boldly, Sir.

The. I am confirm'd,

Fall what may fall.

Cra. Yet still disguise your malice

In your humility.

The. I am instructed.

Cra. Though in you[r] heart there rage a thousand tempests,

All calmness in your looks.

The. I shall remember.

Cra. And at no hand, though these are us'd as agents

Acquaint them with your purpose till the instant

That we employ them;'tis not fit they have

Time to consider, when'tis done, reward

Or fear will keep them silent: yet you may

Grace them as you pass by,'twill make them surer,

And greedier to deserve you.

The. I'll move only

As you would have me: Good-day Gentlem[e]n;

Nay, spare this ceremonious form of duty

To him that brings love to you, equal love,

And is in nothing happier, than in knowing

It is return'd by you; we are as one.

Sos. I am o'r-joy'd, I know not

How to reply: but—

Era. Hang all buts; my Lord,

For this your bounteous favour—

Nean. Let me speak,

If to feed Vultures here, after the halter

Has done his part, or if there be a Hell

To take a swinge or two there, may deserve this.

Sos. We are ready.

Era. Try us any way.

Nean. Put us to it.

The. What jewels I have in you!

Cra. Have these souls,

That for a good look, and a few kind words

Part with their Essence?

The. Since you will compell me

To put that to the tryal, which I doubt not,

Crates, may be, suddainly will instruct you

How, and in what to shew your loves; obey him

As you would bind me to you.

Cra.'Tis well-grounded;

Leave me to rear the building.

Nean. We will do.

Cra. I know it.

Era. Any thing you'll put us to. [ Exeunt.

Scæna Secunda.

Enter Leonidas, Merione, Beliza, Servants.

Leo. Sister, I reap the harvest of my labours

In your preferment, be you worthy of it,

And with an open bosom entertain

A greater fortune than my love durst hope for;

Be wise, and welcome it: play not the coy

And foolish wanton, with the offered bounties

Of him that is a Prince. I was woo'd for you,

And won Merione: then if you dare

Believe the object that took me was worthy,

Or trust my judgement, in me think you were

Courted, sued to, and conquer'd.

Mer. Noble Brother,

I have, and still esteem you as a Father,

And will as far obey you; my heart speaks it:

And yet without your anger, give me leave

To say, That in the choice of that on which

All my lifes joyes or sorrows have dependance,

It had been fit e'r you had made a full

And absolute grant of me to any other,

I should have us'd mine own eyes, or at least

Made you to understand, whether it were

Within my power to make a second gift

Of my poor self.

Leo. I know what'tis you point at,

The Prince The anor's love; let not that cheat you;

His vows were but meer Courtship; all his service

But practice how to entrap a credulous Lady:

Or grant it serious, yet you must remember

He's not to love, but where the Queen his Mother

Must give allowance, which to you is barr'd up:

And therefore study to forget that ever

You cherisht such a hope.

Mer. I would I could.

Leo. But brave Agenor, who is come in person

To celebrate this Marriage, for your love

Forgives the forfeit of ten thousand lives,

That must have fall'n under the sword of War

Had not this peace been made; which general good

Both Countreys owe to his affection to you:

O happy Sister, ask this noble Lady

Your bosome friend (since I fail in my credit)

What palme Agenor's name, above all Princes

That Greece is proud of, carries, and with lustre.

Bel. Indeed Fame gives him out for excellent;

And friend, I doubt not but when you shall see him [ Ent. a Ser.

He'll so appear to you. Art sure'tis he?

Ser. As I live Madam—

Bel. Virtue enable me to contain my joy.

'Tis my Euphanes.

Ser. Yes.

Bel. And he's in health?

Ser. Most certainly Madam.

Bel. I'll see him instantly.

So prethee tell him. [ Exit Ser.

Mer. I yield my self too weak

In argument to oppose you: you may lead me

Whither you please.

Leo.'Tis answer'd like my Sister;

And if in him you find not ample cause

To pray for me, and daily on your knees,

Conclude I have no judgement.

Mer. May it prove so:

Friend, shall we have your company?

Bel. Two hours hence

I will not fail you.

Leo. At your pleasure Madam. [ Ex. Leo.and Mer.

Enter Euphanes.

Bel. Could I in one word speak a thousand welcomes

(And hearty ones) you have'em: Fie, my hand,

We stand at no such distance, by my life

The parting kiss you took before your travel

Is yet a Virgin on my lips, preserv'd

With as much care as I would do my fame

To entertain your wish'd return.

Euph. Best Lady,

That I do honour you, and with as much reason

As ever man did virtue; that I love you,

Yet look upon you with that reverence

As Holy men behold the Sun, the Stars,

The Temples, and their gods, they all can witness;

And that you have deserv'd this duty from me;

The life, and means of life, for which I owe you,

Commands me to profess it, since my fortune

Affords no other payment.

Bel. I had thought,

That for the trifling courtesies, as I call them,

(Though you give them another name) you had

Made ample satisfaction in th'acceptance,

And therefore did presume you had brought home

Some other Language.

Euph. No one I have learn'd

Yields words sufficient to express your goodness;

Nor can I ever choose another theme

And not be thought unthankful.

Bel. Pray you no more

As you respect me.

Euph. That charm is too powerful

For me to disobey it:'Tis your pleasure,

And not my boldness Madam.

Bel. Good Euphanes,

Believe I am not one of those weak Ladies,

That (barren of all inward worth) are proud

Of what they cannot truly call their own,

The ir birth or fortune, which are things without them:

Nor in this will I imitate the world,

Whose greater part of men think when they give

They purchase bondmen, not make worthy friends:

By all that's good I swear, I never thought

My great estate was an Addition to me,

Or that your wants took from you.

Euph. The re are few

So truly understanding or themselves

Or what they do possess.

Be[l]. Good Euphanes,

Where benefits

Are ill conferr'd, as to unworthy men,

That turn them to bad uses, the bestower

For wanting judgement how, and on whom to place them,

Is partly guilty: but when we do favours

To such as make them grounds on which they build

The ir noble actions, there we improve our fortunes

To the most fair advantage. If I speak

Too much, though I confess I speak well,

Prethee remember'tis a womans weakness,

And then thou wilt forgive it.

Euph. You speak nothing

But what would well become the wisest man:

And that by you deliver'd is so pleasing

That I could hear you ever.

Bel. Fly not from

Your word, for I arrest it: and will now

Express my self a little more, and prove

That whereas you profess your self my debtor,

That I am yours.

Euph. Your Ladyship then must use

Some Sophistry I ne'r heard of.

Bel. By plain reasons,

For look you, had you never sunk beneath

Your wants, or if those wants had found supply

From Crates, your unkind and covetous brother,

Or any other man, I then had miss'd

A subject upon which I worthily

Might exercise my bounty: whereas now

By having happy opportunity

To furnish you before, and in your travels,

With all conveniencies that you thought useful,

That Gold which would have rusted in my Coffers

Being thus imploy'd, has rendred me a partner

In all your glorious actions. And whereas

Had you not been, I should have dy'd a thing

Scarce known, or soon forgotten: there's no Trophy

In which Euphanes for his worth is mentioned,

But there you have been careful to remember,

That all the good you did came from Beliza.