A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 141

LUCE. Do not reject me, father.

FRANC. But for the fault that she must answer for, or shame she should endure in court, behold her yet an untouched virgin. Cushion, come forth; here, Signior Shallow, take your child unto you, make much of it, it may prove as wise as the father. [_He flings the cushion at him._

MATHO. None, my lord.

KING. Surely there may; speak, man: I'll give thee double fees.

MATHO. It cannot be, my liege; the statute is plain.

FRANK. This is more strange than t'other: ah, Luce! wert thou so subtle to deceive thyself and me? Well, take thy fortune, 'tis thine own choice.

FRANC. Sir, we can force no bounty from you, and therefore must rest content with what your pleasure is.

_Enter_ EUPHUES, ALPHONSO.

ALPH. Yonder he is, my lord; that's he in the parson's habit; he is thus disguised about the business I told you of. Lysandro, see your n.o.ble father.

EUPH. Welcome, my long-lost son, from all the storms Of frowning fortune that thou hast endur'd, Into thy father's arms.

LUCE. Is my Francisco n.o.ble?

FRANK. Lord Euphues' son! I am amaz'd.

EUPH. I hear, Lysandro, that you are married.

FRANC. Yes, my lord; this is my bride, the daughter and heir of this rich gentleman. 'Twas only she that, when my state was nothing, my poor self and parentage unknown, vouchsafed to know me--nay, grace me with her love, her constant love.

EUPH. Such merit must not be forgot, my son.

Daughter, much joy attend upon your choice.

FRANC. Now wants but your consent.

FRANK. Which with a willing heart I do bestow.

Pardon me, worthy son, I have so long Been hard to you: 'twas ignorance Of what you were, and care I took for her.

FRANC. Your care needs no apology.

EUPH. But now, Lysandro, I must make thee sad Upon thy wedding-day, and let thee know There is no pure and uncompounded joy Lent to mortality: in depth of woe Thou mett'st the knowledge of thy parentage; Thy elder brother Philocles must die: And in his tragedy our name and house Had sunk for ever, had not gracious heaven Sent, as a comfort to my childless age, Thy long-lost self, supporter of the name.

FRANC. But can there be no means to save his life?

EUPH. Alas! there's none--the king has taken an oath Never to pardon him; but since, they say, His majesty repents, and fain would save him.

FRANC. Then am I wretched: like a man long blind, That comes at last to see the wish'd-for sun, But finds it in eclipse: such is my case, To meet in this dark woe my dearest friends.

EUPH. Had you not heard this news before, Lysandro?

FRANC. Yes, sir, and did lament As for a worthy stranger, but ne'er knew My sorrow stood engag'd by such a tie As brotherhood. Where may we see him, sir?

EUPH. This morning he's arraigned. Put off That habit you are in, and go along with me; Leave your friends here awhile.

FRANC. Farewell, father; dear Luce, till soon[437] farewell: Nought but so sad a chance could make me cloudy now. [_Exeunt._

FRANK. Well, Luce, thy choice has proved better than we expected; but this cloud of grief has dimmed our mirth, but will, I hope, blow over.

Heaven grant it may! And, Signior Shallow, though you have missed what my love meant you once, pray be my guest.

SHAL. I thank you, sir; I'll not be strange. [_Exeunt._

_The Court._--_Enter_ KING, NICANOR.

KING. Nicanor, I would find some privy place, Where I might stand unseen, unknown of any, To hear th' arraignment of young Philocles.

NIC. The judges are now entering: please you, sir, Here to ascend: you may both hear and see.

KING. Well, I'll go up; And, like a jealous husband, hear and see That that will strike me dead. Am I a king, And cannot pardon such a small offence?

I cannot do't, nor am I Caesar now.

l.u.s.t has uncrown'd me, and my rash-ta'en oath Has reft me of a king's prerogative.

Come, come, Nicanor, help me to ascend, And see that fault that I want pow'r to mend. [_They ascend._

_Enter three_ JUDGES, VIRRO, POLYMETES, EUPHUES, FRANCISCO, LEUCOTHOe, CLERIMONT, ROSCIO.

1ST JUDGE. Bring forth the prisoner: where are the witnesses?

POL. Here, my lords. I am the wronged party, and the fact my man here, besides the officers that took them, can justify.

2D JUDGE. That's enough.

_Enter_ PHILOCLES, _with a guard_.

1ST JUDGE. Philocles, stand to the bar, and answer to such crimes, As shall be here objected 'gainst thy life.

Read the indictment.

PHIL. Spare that labour; I do confess the fact that I am charg'd with, And speak as much as my accusers can-- As much as all the witnesses can prove.

'Twas I that stole away the daughter and heir Of Lord Polymetes, which were't to do again, Rather than lose her, I again would venture.

This was the fact: your sentence, honour'd fathers.

CLER. 'Tis brave and resolute.

1ST JUDGE. A heavy sentence, n.o.ble Philocles; And such a one as I could wish myself Off from this place some other might deliver.

You must die for it: death is your sentence.

PHIL. Which I embrace with willingness. Now, my lord, Is your hate glutted yet, or is my life [_To_ POLYMETES.

Too poor a sacrifice to appease the rancour Of your inveterate malice? If it be too,[438]

Invent some scandal, that may after blot My reputation. Father, dry your tears, [_To_ EUPHUES.

Weep not for me; my death shall leave no stain Upon your blood, nor blot on your fair name.

The honour'd ashes of my ancestors May still rest quiet in their tear-wet urns For any fact of mine. I might have liv'd, If heaven had not prevented it, and found Death for some foul dishonourable act.

Brother, farewell; no sooner have I found [_To_ FRANCISCO.

But I must leave thy wish'd-for company.