The Laws of Candy Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (3 of 10)   By: John Fletcher (1579-1625)

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: