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The False One: A Tragedy

Автор John Fletcher

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Дата написания1970-01-01

Язык книгиen

Возрастное ограничение0+

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зарубежная драматургия зарубежная классика зарубежная старинная литература пьесы и драматургия

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Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher The False One: A Tragedy

Edited by Arnold Glover

Persons Represented in the Play

Julius Cæsar, Emperour of Rome.

Ptolomy, King of Ægypt.

Achoreus, an honest Counsellor, Priest of Isis.

Photinus, a Politician, minion to Ptolomy.

Achillas, Captain of the Guard to Ptolomy.

Septimius, a revolted Roman Villain.

Labienus, a Roman Souldier, and Nuncio.

Apollodorus, Guardian to Cleopatra.

Sceva, a free Speaker, also Captain to Cæsar.

Guard.

Three lame Souldiers.

Servants.

WOMEN

Cleopatra, Queen of Ægypt. Cæsar's Mistris.

Arsino, Cleopatra's Sister.

Eros, Cleopatra's waiting Woman.

The Scene Ægypt.

The principal Actors were,

John Lowin.

John Underwood.

Robert Benfield.

Richard Sharpe.

Joseph Taylor.

Nicholas Toolie.

John Rice.

George Birch.

Actus Primus. Scena Prima

Enter Achillas, and Achoreus

[Ach.] I love the King, nor do dispute his power, (For that is not confin'd, nor to be censur'd By me, that am his Subject) yet allow me The liberty of a Man, that still would be A friend to Justice, to demand the motives That did induce young Ptolomy, or Photinus, (To whose directions he gives up himself, And I hope wisely) to commit his Sister, The Princess Cleopatra (if I said The Queen) Achillas 'twere (I hope) no treason, She being by her Fathers Testament (Whose memory I bow to) left Co-heir In all he stood possest of. Achil. 'Tis confest (My good Achoreus) that in these Eastern Kingdoms Women are not exempted from the Sceptre, But claim a priviledge, equal to the Male; But how much such divisions have ta'en from The Majesty of Egypt, and what factions Have sprung from those partitions, to the ruine Of the poor Subject, (doubtful which to follow,) We have too many, and too sad examples, Therefore the wise Photinus, to prevent The Murthers, and the Massacres, that attend On disunited Government, and to shew The King without a Partner, in full splendour, Thought it convenient the fair Cleopatra, (An attribute not frequent to the Climate) Should be committed in safe Custody, In which she is attended like her Birth, Until her Beauty, or her royal Dowre, Hath found her out a Husband. Ach. How this may Stand with the rules of policy, I know not; Most sure I am, it holds no correspondence With the Rites of Ægypt, or the Laws of Nature; But grant that Cleopatra can sit down With this disgrace (though insupportable) Can you imagine, that Romes glorious Senate (To whose charge, by the will of the dead King This government was deliver'd) or great Pompey, (That is appointed Cleopatra's Guardian As well as Ptolomies) will e're approve Of this rash counsel, their consent not sought for, That should authorize it? Achil. The Civil war In which the Roman Empire is embarqu'd On a rough Sea of danger, does exact Their whole care to preserve themselves, and gives them No vacant time to think of what we do, Which hardly can concern them. Ach. What's your opinion Of the success? I have heard, in multitudes Of Souldiers, and all glorious pomp of war, Pompey is much superiour. Achil. I could give you A Catalogue of all the several Nations From whence he drew his powers: but that were tedious. They have rich arms, are ten to one in number, Which makes them think the day already won; And Pompey being master of the Sea, Such plenty of all delicates are brought in, As if the place on which they are entrench'd, Were not a Camp of Souldiers, but Rome, In which Lucullus and Apicius joyn'd, To make a publique Feast: they at Dirachium Fought with success; but knew not to make use of Fortunes fair offer: so much I have heard Cæsar himself confess. Ach. Where are they now? Achil. In Thessalie, near the Pharsalian plains Where Cæsar with a handfull of his Men Hems in the greater number: his whole troops Exceed not twenty thousand, but old Souldiers Flesh'd in the spoils of Germany and France, Inur'd to his Command, and only know To fight and overcome; And though that Famine Raigns in his Camp, compelling them to tast Bread made of roots, forbid the use of man, (Which they with scorn threw into Pompeys Camp As in derision of his Delicates) Or corn not yet half ripe, and that a Banquet: They still besiege him, being ambitious only To come to blows, and let their swords determine Who hath the better Cause.

Enter Septi[m]ius

Ach. May Victory Attend on't, where it is. Achil. We every hour Expect to hear the issue. Sep. Save my good Lords; By Isis and Osiris, whom you worship; And the four hundred gods and goddesses Ador'd in Rome, I am your honours servant. Ach. Truth needs, Septimius, no oaths. Achil. You are cruel, If you deny him swearing, you take from him Three full parts of his language. Sep. Your Honour's bitter, Confound me, where I love I cannot say it, But I must swear't: yet such is my ill fortune, Nor vows, nor protestations win belief, I think, and (I can find no other reason) Because I am a Roman. Ach. No Septimius, To be a Roman were an honour to you, Did not your manners, and your life take from it, And cry aloud, that from Rome you bring nothing But Roman Vices, which you would plant here, But no seed of her vertues. Sep. With your reverence I am too old to learn. Ach. Any thing honest, That I believe, without an oath. Sep. I fear Your Lordship has slept ill to night, and that Invites this sad discourse: 'twill make you old Before your time:—O these vertuous Morals, And old religious principles, that fool us! I have brought you a new Song, will make you laugh, Though you were at your prayers. A[c]h. What is the subject? Be free Septimius. Sep. 'Tis a Catalogue Of all the Gamesters of the Court and City, Which Lord lyes with that Lady, and what Gallant Sports with that Merchants wife; and does relate Who sells her honour for a Diamond, Who, for a tissew robe: whose husband's jealous, And who so kind, that, to share with his wife, Will make the match himself: Harmless conceits, Though fools say they are dangerous: I sang it The last night at my Lord Photinus table. Ach. How? as a Fidler? Sep. No Sir, as a Guest, A welcom guest too: and it was approv'd of By a dozen of his friends, though they were touch'd in't: For look you, 'tis a kind of merriment, When we have laid by foolish modesty (As not a man of fashion will wear it) To talk what we have done; at least to hear it; If meerily set down, it fires the blood, And heightens Crest-faln appetite. Ach. New doctrine! Achil. Was't of your own composing? Sep. No, I bought it Of a skulking Scribler for two Ptolomies: But the hints were mine own; the wretch was fearfull: But I have damn'd my self, should it be question'd, That I will own it. Ach. And be punished for it: Take heed: for you may so long exercise Your scurrilous wit against authority, The Kingdoms Counsels; and make profane Jests, (Which to you (being an atheist) is nothing) Against Religion, that your great maintainers (Unless they would be thought Co-partners with you) Will leave you to the Law: and then, Septimius, Remember there are whips. Sep. For whore's I grant you, When they are out of date, till then are safe too, Or all the Gallants of the Court are Eunuchs, And for mine own defence I'le only add this, I'le be admitted for a wanton tale To some most private Cabinets, when your Priest-hood (Though laden with the mysteries of your goddess) Shall wait without unnoted: so I leave you To your pious thoughts. [Exit. Achil. 'Tis a strange impudence, This fellow does put on. Ach. The wonder great, He is accepted of. Achil. Vices, for him, Make as free way as vertues doe for others. 'Tis the times fault: yet Great ones still have grace'd To make them sport, or rub them o're with flattery, Observers of all kinds.

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