The Laws of Candy Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10)

The Laws of Candy A Tragi-Comedy

• Cassilanes, General of Candy.
• Antinous, Son to Cassilanes, and his Competitor.
• Fernando, a Venetian Captain, Servant to Annophel.
• Philander, Prince of Cyprus, passionately in love with Erota.
• Gonzalo, An ambitious Politick Lord of Venice.
• Gaspero, Secretary of State.
• Melitus, a Gentleman of Candy.
• Arcanes, a noble Souldier, Friend to Cassilanes.
• Decius, Friend to Antinous.
• Porphycio,
• Possenne, Senators.
• Paolo Michael, Venetian Ambassadour.
• Mochingo, an ignorant Servant to Erota.
• Gentlemen.
• Souldiers.
• Servants.

WOMEN

• Erota, a Princess, imperious, and of an overweaning Beauty.
• Annophel, Daughter to Cassilanes.
• Hyparcha, Attendant on the Princess Erota.

• Joseph Taylor.
• William Eglestone.
• Nicholas Toolie.
• Richard Sharpe.
• John Lowin.
• John Underwood.
• George Birch.
• Thomas Pollard.

Melitus

Why may not both demand it?

Gaspero

The Law denies it,
But where the Souldiers do not all consent,
The Parties in contention, are refer'd
To plead before the Senate; and from them
Upon an open audience to be judg'd
The Chief, and then to make demands.

Melitus

You ravish me
With wonder and delight.

Gaspero

Come; as we walk,
I shall more fully inform you.

[Exeunt.

Enter Cassilanes, Arcanes, Antinous, and Decius.

Enter Arcanes

Cassilanes

Way for the Senate.

Enter Porphycio, Possenne, (three Senators) Gonzalo, Gaspero, Souldiers

My good Lords I know not
What tax of arrogance I may incurr,
Should I presume, though courted by your Favours,
To take a place amongst you; I had rather
Give proof of my unfeign'd humility
By force, though mean, yet more becoming place,
Than run the hazard of a doubtful censure.

Possenne

My Lord, your wisdom is both known and try'd;
We cannot rank you in a nobler Friendship
Than your great service to the State deserves.

Porphycio

Will't please you, Sir?

Gonzalo

What's here, my Lord Porphycio?
It must not be.

Porphycio

My Lord, you are too modest.

Gonzalo

It is no season to be troublesome,
Else--but I have done: your Lordships are observ'd.

Gaspero

Is the demandant ready?

Arcanes

He is ready.

Gaspero

Produce him then.

Arcanes

Before this sacred presence,
I, by a general consent, am made
The Souldiers voice, and to your gracious Wisedoms,
Present as chief in Arms, his Countries Champion,
Cassilanes.

Decius

Most reverend Lords, you hear the lesser number
Of those who have been Guardians to this Country,
Approve this Champion; I, in all their names,
Who fought for Candy, here present before you
The mightiest man in Arms, Antinous.
Speak fellow Souldiers.

Souldiers

Antinous, Antinous.

Gaspero

Stand by all, save the two Competitors.

Possenne

My Lords, how much your Countrey owes you both,
The due reward of your desertful glories
Must to Posterity remain: but yet
Since, by our Law, one only can make claim
To the proposed honours which you both
(It seems) have truly merited, take leave
Freely to plead your rights; we shall attend ye.

Porphycio

Wherein priority of voice is granted,
Lord Cassilanes to you; for that your rare
And long experience in the Course of War,
As well doth challenge it as the best priviledge
Of Order and Civility, for that
You are your brave Opponents worthy Father.
Say, Country-men, are you content?

Souldiers

I, I.

Cassilanes

Right grave, right gracious Fathers; how unfit
It is for me, that all my life time have
Been practis'd in the School of Bloud, and Slaughter
To bandy words now in my lifes last farewel,
Your Wisedomes will consider; were there pitcht
Another, and another field, like that
Which, not yet three days since, this Arm hath scatter'd,
Defeated, and made nothing, then the man
That had a heart to think he could but follow
(For equal me he should not) through the lanes
Of danger and amazement, might in that
That only of but following me, be happy,
Reputed worthy to be made my Rival;
For 'tis not, Lords, unknown to those about me,
(My fellow Souldiers) first, with what a confidence
I led them on to fight, went on still, and
As if I could have been a second Nature,
As well in heartening them by my example,
As by my exhortation, I gave life
To quicken courage, to inflame revenge,
To heighten resolution; in a word,
To out-doe action: It boots not to discover,
How that young man, who was not fledg'd nor skill'd
In Martial play, was even as ignorant
As childish: But I list not to disparage
His non-ability: The signal given
Of Battel, when our enemies came on,
(Directed more by fury, than by warrant
Of Policy and Stratagem) I met them,
I in the fore-front of the Armies met them;
And as if this old weather-beaten body
Had been compos'd of cannon-proof, I stood
The volleys of their shot. I, I my self
Was he that first dis-rankt their woods of Pikes:
But when we came to handy-stroaks, as often
As I lent blows, so often I gave wounds,
And every wound a death. I may be bold
To justifie a truth, this very sword
Of mine slew more than any twain besides:
And, which is not the least of all my glorie,
When he, this young man, hand to hand in fight,
Was by the General of the Venetians,
And such as were his retinue, unhors'd,
I stept between, and rescu'd him my self,
Or horses hoofs had trampled him to dirt;
And whilst he was re-mounting, I maintain'd
The combate with the gallant General,
Till having taken breath, he throng'd before me,
Renew'd the fight, and with a fatal blow,'
Stole both that honour from me, and his life
From him, whom I before my self alone,
Had more than full three quarters kill'd: a man
Well worthy only by this hand to have dy'd,
Not by a Boys weak push: I talk too much,
But 'tis a fault of age: If to bring home
Long peace, long victorie, even to your Capitol;
If to secure your Kingdom, wives, and children,
Your lives and liberties; if to renown
Your honours through the world, to fix your names,
Like Blazing stars admir'd, and fear'd by all
That have but heard of Candy, or a Cretan,
Be to deserve the approvement of my man-hood,
Then thus much have I done: what more, examine
The annals of my life; and then consider
What I have been, and am. Lords I have said.

Gonzalo

With reverence to the Senate, is it lawfull,
Without your Customes breach, to say a word?

Possenne

Say on my Lord Gonzalo.

Gonzalo

I have heard,
And with no little wonder, such high deeds
Of Chivalrie discours'd, that I confess,
I do not think the Worthies while they liv'd
All nine, deserv'd as much applause, or memorie,
As this one: But who can do ought to gain
The crown of honour from him, must be somewhat
More than a man; you tread a dangerous path,
Yet I shall hear you gladly: for believe me,
Thus much let me profess, in honours cause,
I would not to my Father, nor my King,
(My Countries Father) yield: if you transcend
What we have heard, I can but only say,
That Miracles are yet in use. I fear
I have offended.

Porphycio

You have spoken nobly.
Antinous use your priviledge.

Antinous

Princely Fathers,
E're I begin, one suit I have to make,
'Tis just, and honourable.

Porphycio Possenne

Speak, and have it.

Antinous

That you would please the souldiers might all stand
Together by their General.

Possenne

'Tis granted.
All fall to yonder side: Go on, Antinous.

Antinous

I shall be brief and plain: all what my Father
(This

Souldiers

True, true.

Antinous

It follows, that the blaze of my performance
Took light from what I saw him do: and thus
A City (though the flame be much more dreadfull)
May from a little spark be set on fire;
Of all what I have done, I shall give instance
Only in three main proofs of my desert.
First I sought out (but through how many dangers
My Lords judge ye) the chief, the great Commander,
The head of that huge body, whose proud weight
Our Land shrunk under, him I found and fought with,
Fought with, and slew. Fellows in Arms, speak you,
Is't true or not?

Souldiers

True, true.

Antinous

When he was faln,
The hearts of all our adversaries
Began to quail, till young Fernando, son
To the last Duke of Venice gather'd head,
And soon renew'd the field, by whose example
The bold Venetians doubling strength and courage
Had got the better of the day; our men
Supposing that their adversaries grew
Like Hydra's head, recoyle, and 'gan to flye:
I follow'd them; and what I said, they know;
The summe on't is; I call'd them back, new rankt them;
Led on, they follow'd, shrunk not t[i]ll the end:
Fellows in Arms is't true, or no?

Souldiers

True, true.

Antinous

Lastly, to finish all, there was but one,
The only great exploit; which was to take
Fernando prisoner, and that hand to hand
In single fight I did: my self without
The help of any arm, save the arm of Heaven.
Speak Souldiers, is it true, or no?

Souldiers

Antinous, Antinous.

Antinous

Behold my prisoner, Fathers.

Fernando

This one man
Ruin'd our Army, and hath glorifi'd
Crete in her robes of mightiness and conquest.

Possenne

We need not use long circumstance of words,
Antinous thou art conquerer: the Senate,
The souldiers, and thy valour have pronounc'd it.

All

Antinous, Antinous.

Porphycio

Make thy demand.

Cassilanes

Please ye (my Lords) give leave
That I may part.

Possenne

No Cassilane, the Court
Should therein be dishonour'd, do not imagin
We prize your presence at so slight a rate.
Demand, Antinous.

Antinous

Thus (my Lords) to witness
How far I am from arrogance, or thinking
I am more valiant, though more favour'd
Than my most matchless father, my demand is,
That for a lasting memorie of his name,
His deeds, his real, nay his royal worth,
You set up in your Capitol in Brass
My Fathers Statue, there to stand for ever
A Monument and Trophy of his victories,
With this Inscription to succeeding ages,
Great Cassilanes, Patron of Candy's Peace,
Perpetual Triumpher.

Porphycio Possenne

It is granted. What more?

Antinous

No more.

Cassilanes

How Boy?

Gonzalo

Thou art immortal,
Both for thy Son-like pietie, and beauties
Of an unconquer'd minde.

Antinous

My Prisoner, Lords,
To your more sacred wisedoms I surrender:
Fit you his ransom; half whereof I give
For largess to the Souldiers: the other half
To the erection of this monument.

Cassilanes

Ambitious villain.

Gonzalo

Thou art all un-imitable.
My Lords, to work a certain peace for Candy
With Venice, use Fernando like a Prince;
His ransom I'le disburse what e're it be:
Yet you may stay him with you, till conditions
Of amitie shall be concluded on:
Are ye content?

Porphycio

We are, and ever rest
Both friends and debters to your nobleness.

Gonzalo

Souldiers attend me in the Market-place,
Fie thither send your largess.

Souldiers

Antinous, Antinous.

[Exeunt.

Cassilanes

I have a sute too, Lords.

Porphycio Possenne

Propose it, 'tis yours, if fit and just.

Cassilanes

Let not my services,
My being forty years a drudge, a pack-horse
To you, and to the State, be branded now
With Ignominy ne're to be forgotten:
Rear me no Monument, unless you mean
To have me fam'd a Coward, and be stamp'd so.

Possenne

We understand you not.

Cassilanes

Proud boy, thou dost,
And Tyrant-like insult'st upon my shame.

Antinous

Sir, Heaven can tell, and my integrity,
What I did, was but only to inforce
The Senates gratitude. I now acknowledge it.

Cassilanes

Observe it Fathers, how this haughty boy
Grows cunning in his envy of mine honours:
He knows no mention can of me be made,
But that it ever likewise must be told,
How I by him was master'd; and for surety
That all succeeding times may so report it,
He would have my dishonour, and his Triumphs
Ingrav'd in Brass: hence, hence proceeds the falshood
Of his insinuating piety.
Thou art no child of mine: thee and thy bloud,
Here in the Capitol, before the Senate,
I utterly renounce: So thrift and fate
Confirm me; henceforth never see my face,
Be, as thou art, a villain to thy Father.
Lords I must crave your leaves: come, come Arcanes.

[Ex.

Gonzalo

Here's a strange high-born spirit.

Possenne

'Tis but heat
Of suddain present rage; I dare assure Antinous of his favour.

Antinous

I not doubt it,
He is both a good man, and a good Father.
I shall attend your Lordships.

Possenne

Do Antinous.

Gonzalo

Yes: feast thy Triumphs
With applause and pleasures.

Porphycio Possenne

Lead on.

[Exeunt. Flor. Cornets.

Antinous

I utterly renounce--'Twas so?
Was't not, my Decius?

Decius

Pish, you know, my Lord,
Old men are cholerick.

Antinous

And lastly parted
With, never henceforth see my face: O me,
How have I lost a Father? Such a Father!
Such

Decius

Fie, how unbecoming
This shews upon your day of fame!

Antinous

O mischief!
I must no more come near him; that I know,
And am assur'd on't.

Decius

Say you do not?

Antinous

True:
Put case I do not: what is Candy then
To lost Antinous? Malta, I resolve
To end my dayes in thee.

Decius

How's that?

Antinous

I'le trie
All humble means of being reconcil'd,
Which if deny'd, then I may justly say,
This day has prov'd my worst: Decius, my worst.

[Exeunt.

Mochingo

Mighty Magnifico, my Mistris bid me tell you,
If you have ought with her, you must look lower,
And yield it in Petition.

Gonzalo

Here is for thee a Ducket.

Mochingo

You say well Sir, take your own course.

Gonzalo

I will not grace you
(Lady) so much as take you by the hand;
But when I shall vouchsafe to touch your lip,
It shall be through your Court a holy-day
Proclaimed for so high favour.

Erota

This is some
Great mans Jester: Sirrah, begon, here is
No place to fool in.

Gonzalo

Where are the fools you talk of?
I do keep two.

Erota

No question of it: for
In your self you do maintain an hundred.

Gonzalo

And besides them I keep a noble train,
Statists, and men of aclion: my purse is large and deep,
Beyond the reach of riot to draw drie:
Fortune did vie with Nature, to bestow
(When I was born) her bountie equally:
'Tis not amiss you turn your eyes from me;
For should you stand and gaze me in the face,
You perish would, like Semele by Jove:
In Venice at this instant there do lye
No less than threescore Ladies in their graves,
And in their Beds five hundred for my love.

Mochingo

You lie more than they; yet it becomes him bravel[y];
Would I could walk and talk so! I'le endeavour it.

Erota

Sir, do you know me?

Gonzalo

Yes, you were sister to the late Prince of Candy,
Aunt to this young one: and I in Venice,
Am born a Lord; equall to you in fortunes,
In shape; I'le say no more, but view.

Mochingo

There needs no more be said, were I a woman--
O he does rarely: in shape; I'le say no more,
But view: who could say more, who better?
Man is no man, nor woman woman is,
Unless they have a pride like one of these.
How poor the Prince of Cyprus shews to him!
How poor another Lady unto her!
Carriage and State makes us seem demi-gods,
Humility, like beasts, worms of the Earth.

Antinous

Royal Lady, I kiss your hand.

Erota

Sir, I know you not.

Annophel

O my noble Brother, welcom from the wars.

Antinous

Dear Sister.

Annophel

Where is my Father, that you come without him?
We have news of your success: he has his health I hope?

Antinous

Yes Sister, he has his health, but is not well.

Annophel

How not well? what Riddles do yo[u] utter?

Antinous

I'le tell you more in private.

Gonzalo

Noble Sir,
I cannot be unmindfull of your merit,
Since I last heard it: you are a hopefull youth,
And (indeed) the Soul of Candy.
I must speak my thoughts.

Annophel

The Prince of Cyprus Brother, good Decius.

Antinous

I am his Servant.

Philander

You are the Patron of your Countrie, Sir,
So your unimitable deeds proclaim you,
It is no language of my own, but all mens.

Gonzalo

Your Enemies must needs acknowledge it:
Then do not think it flatterie in your friends,
For if they had a heart, they could not want a tongue.

Erota

Is this your Brother Annophil?

Annophel

Yes Madam.

Erota

Your name's Antinous?

Antinous

I am (Lady) that most unfortunate man.

Erota

How unfortunate? are you not the Souldier,
The Captain of those Captains, that did bring
Conquest and Victory home along with you?

Antinous

I had some share in't; but was the least
Of the least worthy.

Gonzalo

O Sir, in your modesty you'ld make
A double Conquest: I was an ear-witness
When this young man spoke lesser than he acted,
And had the Souldiers voice to help him out:
But that the Law compell'd him for his honour,
To inforce him make a claim for his reward,
I well perceive he would have stood the man
That he does now, buried his worth in silence.

Erota

Sir, I hearken not to him, but look on you,
And find more in you than he can relate:
You shall attend on me.

Antinous

Madam, your pardon.

Erota

Deny it not Sir, for it is more honour
Than you have gotten i'th' field: for know you shall,
Upon Erota's asking, serve Erota.

Antinous

I may want answers, Lady,
But never want a will to do you service.
I came here to my Sister, to take leave,
Having enjoyn'd my self to banishment,
For some cause that hereafter you may hear,
And wish with me I had not the occasion.

Annophel

There shall be no occasion to divide us:
Dear Madam for my sake use your power,
Even for the service that he ought to owe,
Must, and does owe to you, his friends, and country.

Erota

Upon your Loyalty to the state and me,
I do command you Sir, not depart Candy:
Am I not your Princess?

Antinous

You are a great Lady.

Erota

Then shew your self a Servant and a Subject.

Antinous

I am your vassal.

Mochingo

You are a Coward; I that dare not fight,
Scorn to be vassail to any Prince in Europe:
Great is my heart with pride, which I'le encrease
When they are gone, with practise on my Vassals.

Attendants

The noble Cassilane is come to see you Madam.

Decius

There's comfort in those words, Antinous:
For here's the place, and persons that have power,
To reconcile you to his love again.

Antinous

That were a fortunate meeting.

Cassilanes

Greatness still wait you Lady.

Erota

Good Cassilane, we do maintain our greatness,
Through your valour.

Cassilanes

My prayers pull daily blessings on thy head,
My un-offending child, my Annophel.
Good Prince, worthy Gonzalo! ha? art thou here
Before me? in every action art thou ambitious?
My duty (Lady) first offered here,
And love to thee (my child) though he out-strip me;
Thus in the wars he got the start on me,
By being forward, but performing less;
All the endeavours of my life are lost,
And thrown upon that evil of mine own
Cursed begetting, whom I shame to father.
O that the heat thou rob'dst me of, had burnt
Within my Entrails, and begot a feaver,
Or some worse sickness, for thou art a disease
Sharper than any Physick gives a name to.

Annophel

Why do you say so?

Cassilanes

O Annophil; there is good cause my girle:
He has plaid the thief with me, and filch'd away
The richest jewel of my life, my honour,
Wearing it publickly with that applause,
As if he justly did inherit it.

Antinous

Would I had in my Infancy been laid
Within my grave, covered with your blessings rather
Than grown up to a man, to meet your curses.

Cassilanes

O that thou hadst.
Then I had been the Father of a child,
Dearer than thou wert ever unto me,
When hope perswaded me I had begot
Another self in thee: Out of mine eyes,
As far as I have thrown thee from my heart,
That I may live and dye forgetting thee.

Erota

How has he deserv'd this untam'd anger,
That when he might have ask't for his reward
Some honour for himself, or mass of pelf,
He only did request to have erected
Your Statue in the Capitol, with Titles
Ingrav'd upon't, The Patron of his Countrey?

Cassilanes

That, that's the poison in the gilded cup,
The Serpent in the flowers, that stings my honour,
And leaves me dead in fame: Gods do a justice,
And rip his bosom up, that men may see,
Seeing, believe the subtle practises
Written within his heart: But I am heated,
And do forget this presence, and my self.
Your pardon, Lady.

Erota

You should not ask, 'less you knew how to give.
For my sake Cassilane, cast out of your thoughts
All ill conceptions of your worthy son,
That (questionless) has ignorantly offended,
Declared in his penitence.

Cassilanes

Bid me dye, Lady, for your sake I'le do it;
But that you'l say is nothing, for a man
That has out-liv'd his honour: But command me
In any thing save that, and Cassilane
Shall ever be your servant. Come Annophel,
(My joy in this world) thou shalt live with me,
(Retired in some solitarie nook,)
The comfort of my age; my dayes are short,
And ought to be well spent: and I desire
No other witness of them but thy self,
And good Arcanes.

Annophel

I shall obey you Sir.

Gonzalo

Noble Sir:
If you taste any want of worldly means,
Let not that discontent you: know me your friend,
That hath, and can supply you.

Cassilanes

Sir, I am too much bound to you already,
And 'tis not of my cares the least, to give you
Fair satisfaction.

Gonzalo

You may imagine I do speak to that end,
But trust me, 'tis to make you bolder with me.

Cassilanes

Sir, I thank you, and may make trial of you,
Mean time my service.

Annophel

Brother be comforted; so long as I continue
Within my Fathers love, you cannot long
Stand out an Exile: I must goe live with him,
And I will prove so good an Orator
In your behalf, that you again shall gain him,
Or I will stir in him another anger,
And be lost with you.

Antinous

Better I were neglected: for he is hasty,
And through the Choler that abounds in him,
(Which for the time divides from him his judgement)
He may cast you off, and with you his life;
For grief will straight surprize him, and that way
Must be his death: the sword has try'd too often,
And all the deadly Instruments of war
Have aim'd at his great heart, but ne're could touch it:
Yet not a limb about him wants a scar.

Cassilanes

Madam my duty--

Erota

Will you be gone?

Cassilanes

I must, Lady, but I shall be ready,
When you are pleas'd command me, for your service.
Excellent Prince--To all my heartie love,
And a good Farewel.

Mochingo

Thanks honest Cassilane.

Cassilanes

Come Annophel.

Gonzalo

Shall I not wait upon you Sir?

Cassilanes

From hence you shall not stir a foot:
Loving Gonzalo, it must be all my study
To requite you.

Gonzalo

If I may be so fortunate to deserve
The name of friend from you, I have enough.

Cassilanes

You are so, and you have made your self so.

Gonzalo

I will then preserve it.

Erota

Antinous you are my servant, are you not?

Antinous

It hath pleased you so to grace me.

Erota

Why are you then dejected? you will say,
You have lost a father; but you have found a Mistris
Doubles that loss: be master of your spirit;
You have a cause for it, which is my favour.

Gonzalo

And mine.

Erota

Will no man ease me of this fool?

Gonzalo

Your fellow.

Erota

Antinous wait upon us.

Antinous

I shall Madam.

Gonzalo

Nay but Ladie, Ladie.

Erota

Sir, you are rude: and if you be the Master
Of such means as you do talk of, you should
Learn good manners.

Gonzalo

O Lady, you can find a fault in me,
But not perceive it in your self: you must, shall hear me:
I love you for your pride, 'tis the best vertue
In you.

Erota

I could hang this fellow now: by whom
Are you supported, that you dare do this?
Have you not example here in a Prince
Transcending you in all things, yet bears himself
As doth become a man had seen my beautie?
Back to your Country, and your Curtizans,
Where you may be admired for your wealth,
Which being consum'd, may be a means to gain you
The opinion of some wit. Here's nothing
To be got but scorn, and loss of time.

Gonzalo

Which are things I delight in.

Gonzalo

She is vext to the soul.

Mochingo

Let her be vext, 'tis fit she should be so:
Give me thy hand Gonzalo, thou art in our favour,
For we do love to cherish lofty spirits,
Such as percusse the Earth, and bound
With an erected countenance to the clouds.

Gonzalo

'S-foot, what thing is this?

Mochingo

I do love fire-works, because they mount:
An Exhalation I profess to adore,
Beyond a fixed star, 'tis more illustrious,
As every thing rais'd out of smoak is so:
Their vertue is in action: what do you think of me?

Gonzalo

Troth Sir,
You are beyond my ghess, I know you not.

Mochingo

Do you know your self?

Gonzalo

Yes Sir.

Mochingo

Why you and I are one: I am proud, and
Very proud too, that I must tell you; I saw
It did become you, cousin Gonzalo, prethee
Let it be so.

Gonzalo

Let it be so good cousin.

Mochingo

I am no great ones fool.

Gonzalo

I hope so, for alliance sake.

Mochingo

Yet I do serve the Mighty, Monstrous, and Magnanimous
Invincible Erota.

Gonzalo

O good cousin, now I have you: I'le meet you in your Coat.

Mochingo

Coat? I have my horse-mans coat I must confess
Lin'd through with Velvet, and a Scarlet out-side;
If you'll meet me in't, I'le send for't;
And cousin you shall see me with much comfort,
For it is both a new one, and a right one,
It did not come collateral.

Gonzalo

Adieu good cousin; at this present I have some business.

Mochingo

Farewel, excellent cousin.