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The Laws of Candy Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10) By: John Fletcher (1579-1625) |
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A Tragi Comedy
The works of Beaumont and Fletcher, edited by A.R. Walker Persons Represented in the Play.
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. [ The Scene Candy] The principal Actors were,
Joseph Taylor .
William Eglestone .
Nicholas Toolie .
Richard Sharpe .
John Lowin .
John Underwood .
George Birch .
Thomas Pollard . 237]
Actus Primus
Scena Prima [Enter Gaspero , and Melitus ] Melitus: Sir, you're the very friend I wish'd to meet with,
I have a large discourse invites your ear
To be an Auditor. Gaspero: And what concerns it? Melitus: The sadly thriving progress of the loves
Between my Lord, the Prince, and that great Lady,
Whose insolence, and never yet match'd Pride,
Can by no Character be well exprest,
But in her only name, the proud Erota . Gaspero: Alas, Melitus , I should guess the best
Success your Prince could find from her, to be
As harsh as the event doth prove: but now
'Tis not a time to pity passionate griefs,
When a whole Kingdom in a manner lyes
Upon its Death Bed bleeding. Melitus: Who can tell
Whether or no these plagues at once
Hang over this unhappy Land for her sake
That is a Monster in it? Gaspero: Here's the misery
Of having a Child our Prince; else I presume
The bold Venetians had not dar'd to attempt
So bloody an invasion. Melitus: Yet I wonder
Why (Master Secretary) still the Senate
So almost superstitiously adores
Gonzalo , the Venetian Lord, considering
The outrage of his Countrymen Gaspero: The Senate
Is wise, and therein just, for this Gonzalo ,
Upon a Massacre performed at Sea
By the Admiral of Venice , on a Merchant
Of Candy , when the cause was to be heard
Before the Senate there, in open Court
Professed, that the cruelty the Admiral
Had shewed, deserved not only fine, but death;
238] For Candy then, and Venice were at peace:
Since when upon a motion in the Senate,
For Conquest of our Land, 'tis known for certain,
That only this Gonzalo dar'd to oppose it,
His reason was, because it too much savour'd
Of lawless and unjust ambition.
The Wars were scarce begun, but he (in fear
Of quarrels 'gainst his life) fled from his Country,
And hither came, where (to confirm his truth)
I know, ( Melitus ,) he out of his own store,
Hath monied Cassilanes the General. Melitus: What, without other pledges than Cassilanes
Bare promise of payment? Gaspero: No, it may be
He has some [pe]tty Lordship to retire to;
But thus he hath done; now 'tis fit, Melitus ,
The Senate should be thankful, otherwise
They should annihilate one of those Laws
For which this Kingdome is throughout the World
Unfollowed and admired. Melitus: What Laws are those, Sir?
Let me so much importune you. Gaspero: You shall,
And they be worth your knowledge: briefly thus:
Who e'r he be that can detect apparently
Another of ingratitude, for any
Received Benefit, the Plaintiff may
Require the Offenders life; unless he please
Freely and willingly to grant remission... Continue reading book >>
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