THE EMPEROR OF THE EAST. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, AND MY ESPECIAL GOOD LORD, JOHN LORD MOHUN, BARON OF OKEHAMPTON, ETC. MY GOOD LORD,-Let my presumption in styling you so, (having never deserved it in my service,) from the clemency of your noble disposition, find pardon. The reverence due to the name of Mohun, long since honoured in three earls of Somerset, and eight barons of Munster, may challenge from all pens a deserved celebration. And the rather in respect those titles were not purchased, but conferred, and continued in your ancestors, for many virtuous, noble, and still living actions; nor ever forfeited or tainted, but when the iniquity of those times laboured the depression of approved goodness, and in wicked policy held it fit that loyalty and faith, in taking part with the true prince, should be degraded and mulcted. But this admitting no further dilation in this place, may your lordship please, and with all possible brevity, to understand the reasons why I am, in humble thankfulness, ambitious to shelter this poem under the wings of your honourable protection. My worthy friend, Mr. ASTON COCKAYNE, your nephew, to my extraordinary content, delivered to me that your lordship, at your vacant hours, sometimes vouchsafed to peruse such trifles of mine as have passed the press, and not alone warranted them in your gentle suffrage, but disdained not to bestow a remembrance of your love, and intended favour to me. I profess to the world, I was exalted with the bounty, and with good assurance, it being so rare in this age to meet with one noble name, that, in fear to be censured of levity and weakness, dares express itself a friend or patron to contemned poetry. Having, therefore, no means else left me to witness the obligation in which I stand most willingly bound to your lordship, I offer this Tragi-comedy to your gracious acceptance, no way despairing, but that with a clear aspect you will deign to receive it, (it being an induction to my future endeavours,) and that in the list of those, that to your merit truly admire you, you may descend to number Your lordship's faithful honourer, PHILIP MASSINGER. But that imperious custom warrants it, 'Tis his hard fate. And though he will not sue, He hath done his best; and, though he cannot glory With the most till you confirm it: since we know PROLOGUE AT COURT. As ever, sir, you lent a gracious ear To oppress'd innocence, now vouchsafe to hear A short petition. At your feet, in me, The poet kneels, and to your majesty Appeals for justice. What we now present, When first conceived, in his vote and intent, Was sacred to your pleasure; in each part With his best of fancy, judgment, language, art, Fashion'd and form'd so, as might well, and may Deserve a welcome, and no vulgar way. He durst not, sir, at such a solemn feast, SCENE I.-A Room in the Palace. Enter PAULINUS and CLEON. ACT I. Of the Gracchi, grave Cornelia, Rome still boasts of, Paul. In your six years' travel, friend, no doubt, Hath made the court a kind of academy, you have met with Many and rare adventures, and observed For the future service of your prince and country, Cle. Sir, I have made of it The best use in my power, and hope my gleanings The miracle of miracles in our age At home behind me; every where abroad, Fame, with a true though prodigal voice, deliver'd To the amazement, nay, astonishment rather, In all the states and kingdoms that I pass'd through, Paul. She, indeed, is A perfect phoenix, and disdains a rival. Her infant years, as you know, promised much, And with all possible brevity; though the subject The nurse of learning, Athens, shew'd the world) Her true historian. Cle. In this you shall do me A special favour. Paul. Since Arcadius' death, Our late great master, the protection of In which true honour is both learn'd and practised: In which her sisters, as probationers, hear Cle. You amaze me. Paul. I shall, ere I conclude; for here the wonder Begins, not ends. Her soul is so immense, And her strong faculties so apprehensive, To search into the depth of deep designs, And of all natures, that the burthen, which To many men were insupportable, To her is but a gentle exercise, Made, by the frequent use, familiar to her. Cle. With your good favour, let me interrupt you. Being, as she is, in every part so perfect, Methinks that all kings of our eastern world Should become rivals for her. Paul. So they have; But to no purpose. She, that knows her strength Dares not presume to taint her. Venus' son With which encounter'd, his shafts fly in splinters; Cle. You have given her An admirable character. Paul. She deserves it: Enter, after a strain of solemn music, PHILANAX, Let those corrupted ministers of the court, [sir; [Exeunt all but PAULINUS and CLEON. Paul. Did you note The majesty she appears in? Cle. Yes, my good lord; I was ravish'd with it. Paul. And then, with what speed She orders her dispatches, not one daring Cle. Yet there were some, That, in their sullen looks, rather confess'd Paul. Eunuchs of the emperor's chamber, that The globe and awful sceptre should give place Cle. From whence are the ambassadors Paul. They are Employ'd by divers princes, who desire A second, his fair sister: to instruct you [Exeunt. I never found one man compell'd to come, Infor. No! it may be, you are The first example. Men of qualities, As I have deliver'd you to the protectress, Who knows how to advance them, cannot conceive A fitter place to have their virtues publish'd, Than in open court. Could you hope that the princess, Knowing your precious merits, will reward them In a private corner? No; you know not yet How you may be exalted. Min. To the gallows. Infor. Fie! Nor yet depress'd to the gallies; in your names Infor. Conceal nothing from her Of your good parts, 'twill be the better for you; Bound to obey her :-you have my instructions; Enter PAULINUS, CLEON, and ATHENAIS, with a petition. Oppressed innocence shall find protection Paul. Forget them, Athen. They have robb'd me Of all means to prefer my just complaint, A suitor's swelling tears by the glowing beams Cle. Cheer her up; she faints, sir. Cruel beyond expression, and the judges Athen. Pray you, do not feed me I died without the trouble. Paul. She is bound to it By the surest chain, her natural inclination |