Philaster Part 8

_Meg_. Alas! good minded Prince, you know not these things?

I am loth to reveal 'em. Keep this fault As you would keep your health from the hot air Of the corrupted people, or by heaven, I will not fall alone: what I have known, Shall be as publick as a print: all tongues Shall speak it as they do the language they Are born in, as free and commonly; I'le set it Like a prodigious star for all to gaze at, And so high and glowing, that other Kingdoms far and Forreign Shall read it there, nay travel with it, till they find No tongue to make it more, nor no more people; And then behold the fall of your fair Princess.

_King_. Has she a boy?

_Cle_. So please your Grace I have seen a boy wait On her, a fair boy.

_King_. Go get you to your quarter: For this time I'le study to forget you.

_Meg_. Do you study to forget me, and I'le study To forget you.

[_Ex_. King, Meg. _and_ Guard.

_Cle_. Why here's a Male spirit for _Hercules_, if ever there be nine worthies of women, this wench shall ride astride, and be their Captain.

_Di_. Sure she hath a garrison of Devils in her tongue, she uttereth such b.a.l.l.s of wild-fire. She has so netled the King, that all the Doctors in the Country will scarce cure him. That boy was a strange found out antidote to cure her infection: that boy, that Princess boy: that brave, chast, vertuous Ladies boy: and a fair boy, a well spoken boy: All these considered, can make nothing else--but there I leave you Gentlemen.

_Thra_. Nay we'l go wander with you.

[_Exeunt_.

_Actus Tertius. Scena Prima_.

_Enter _Cle. Di. _and _Thra.

_Cle_. Nay doubtless 'tis true.

_Di_. I, and 'tis the G.o.ds That rais'd this Punishment to scourge the King With his own issue: Is it not a shame For us, that should write n.o.ble in the land; For us, that should be freemen, to behold A man, that is the bravery of his age, _Philaster_, prest down from his Royal right, By this regardless King; and only look, And see the Scepter ready to be cast Into the hands of that lascivious Lady, That lives in l.u.s.t with a smooth boy, now to be Married to yon strange Prince, who, but that people Please to let him be a Prince, is born a slave, In that which should be his most n.o.ble part, His mind?

_Thra_. That man that would not stir with you, To aid _Philaster_, let the G.o.ds forget, That such a Creature walks upon the earth.

_Cle_. _Philaster_ is too backward in't himself; The Gentry do await it, and the people Against their nature are all bent for him, And like a field of standing Corn, that's mov'd With a stiff gale, their heads bow all one way.

_Di_. The only cause that draws _Philaster_ back From this attempt, is the fair Princess love, Which he admires and we can now confute.

_Thra_. Perhaps he'l not believe it.

_Di_. Why Gentlemen, 'tis without question so.

_Cle_. I 'tis past speech, she lives dishonestly.

But how shall we, if he be curious, work Upon his faith?

_Thra_. We all are satisfied within our selves.

_Di_. Since it is true, and tends to his own good, I'le make this new report to be my knowledge, I'le say I know it, nay, I'le swear I saw it.

_Cle_. It will be best.

_Thra_. 'Twill move him.

[ _Enter_ Philaster.

_Di_. Here he comes. Good morrow to your honour, We have spent some time in seeking you.

_Phi_. My worthy friends, You that can keep your memories to know Your friend in miseries, and cannot frown On men disgrac'd for vertue: A good day Attend you all. What service may I do worthy your acceptation?

_Di_. My good Lord, We come to urge that vertue which we know Lives in your breast, forth, rise, and make a head, The n.o.bles, and the people are all dull'd With this usurping King: and not a man That ever heard the word, or knew such a thing As vertue, but will second your attempts.

_Phi_. How honourable is this love in you To me that have deserv'd none? Know my friends (You that were born to shame your poor _Philaster_, With too much courtesie) I could afford To melt my self in thanks; but my designs Are not yet ripe, suffice it, that ere long I shall imploy your loves: but yet the time is short of what I would.

_Di_. The time is fuller Sir, than you expect; That which hereafter will not perhaps be reach'd By violence, may now be caught; As for the King, You know the people have long hated him; But now the Princess, whom they lov'd.

_Phi_. Why, what of her?

_Di_. Is loath'd as much as he.

_Phi_. By what strange means?

_Di_. She's known a Wh.o.r.e.

_Phi_. Thou lyest.

_Di_. My Lord--

_Phi_. Thou lyest,

[_Offers to draw and is held_.

And thou shalt feel it; I had thought thy mind Had been of honour; thus to rob a Lady Of her good name, is an infectious sin, Not to be pardon'd; be it false as h.e.l.l, 'Twill never be redeem'd, if it be sown Amongst the people, fruitful to increase All evil they shall hear. Let me alone, That I may cut off falshood, whilst it springs.

Set hills on hills betwixt me and the man That utters this, and I will scale them all, And from the utmost top fall on his neck, Like Thunder from a Cloud.

_Di_. This is most strange; Sure he does love her.

_Phi_. I do love fair truth: She is my Mistress, and who injures her, Draws vengeance from me Sirs, let go my arms.

_Thra_. Nay, good my Lord be patient.

_Cle_. Sir, remember this is your honour'd friend, That comes to do his service, and will shew you Why he utter'd this.

_Phi_. I ask you pardon Sir, My zeal to truth made me unmannerly: Should I have heard dishonour spoke of you, Behind your back untruly, I had been As much distemper'd, and enrag'd as now.

_Di_. But this my Lord is truth.

_Phi_. O say not so, good Sir forbear to say so, 'Tis the truth that all womenkind is false; Urge it no more, it is impossible; Why should you think the Princess light?

_Di_. Why, she was taken at it.