THE MARRIED BEAU: A COMEDY. BY JOHN Wife tempted: she pleads religion. Lover. Our happy love may have a secret Church Under the Church, as Faith's was under Paul's, Where we may carry on our sweet devotion; And the Cathedral marriage keep its state, And all its decency and ceremonies. THE CHALLENGE FOR BEAUTY: TRAGI COMEDY. BY T. HEYWOOD, 1636. Appeal for Innocence against a false accusation. Helena. Both have sworn: And, Princes, as you hope to crown your heads Depraved in foreign climes, scorn'd every where, THYESTES: A TRAGEDY. BY JOHN CROWNE, 1681. Atreus, having recovered his Wife, and Kingdom, from his brother Thyestes, who had usurped both, and sent him into banishment, describes his offending Queen. Atreus (solus). still she lives : 'Tis true, in heavy sorrow: so she ought, If she offended as I fear she has. Her hardships, though, she owes to her own choice. For what is it to me? I never sleep: But for her bed she uses the hard floor. My table is spread for her; I never eat : And she'll take nothing but what feeds her grief. Philisthenes, the son of Thyestes, at a stolen interview with Antigone, the daughter of Atreus, is surprised by the King's Spies; upon which misfortune Antigone swooning, is found by Peneus. ANTIGONE. PENEUS, an ancient retainer to the Court of Mycena. Peneus. Ha! what is she that sleeps in open air? But what conducts to melancholy thoughts; This maid has brought it to her lure so tame. Antigone (waking from her swoon). Oh my Philis thenes ! Peneus. She wakes to moan; Aye, that's the proper language of this place! Beauteous Antigone, thou know'st me well; May find some counsel that may do thee good. Antigone. O good old man! how long have you been here? Peneus. I came but now. Antigone. O did you see this way Poor young Philisthenes? you know him well. Peneus. Thy uncle's son, Thyestes' eldest son Antigone. The same, the same Peneus. No; all the Gods forbid I should meet him so near thy father's Court. Antigone. Love to wretched me. Our warring fathers never ventured more Here but a minute past the dear youth lay, And now he's seized! O miserable me―(Tears her hair.) The descendants of Tantalus. Peneus. Why dost thou rend that beauteous orna ment? In what has it offended? hold thy hands. Antigone. O father, go and plead for the poor youth; No one dares speak to the fierce King but you— Peneus. And no one near speaks more in vain than I; He spurns me from his presence like a dog. Antigone. Oh, then Peneus. She faints, she swoons, I frighten'd her, Oh I spake indiscretely. Daughter, child, Antigone, I'll go, indeed I'll go. Antigone. There is no help for me in heav'n or earth. Peneus. There is, there is; despair not, sorrowful maid, All will be well. I'm going to the King, And will with pow'rful reasons bind his hands; And something in me says I shall prevail. Antigone. I'll be disposed of, father, as you please, Peneus. Then come, dear daughter, lean upon my arm, Which old and weak is stronger yet than thine; Thy youth hath known more sorrow than my age. I never hear of grief, but when I'm here ; But one day's diet here of sighs and tears Returns me elder home by many years. Atreus, to entrap his brother Thyestes; who has lived a concealed life, lurking in woods, to elude his vengeance; sends Philisthenes and old Peneus to him with offers of reconciliation, and an invitation to Court, to be present at the nuptials of Antigone with Philisthenes. THYESTES. PHILISTHENES. PENEUS. Thy. Welcome to my arms, My hope, my comfort! Time has roll'd about Several months since I have seen thy face, Phil. Strange things indeed to chase you to this sad Dismal abode; nay, and to age, I think : I see that winter thrusting itself forth Long, long before its time, in silver hairs. Thy. My fault, my son; I would be great and high; Snow lies in summer on some mountain tops. Ah, Son! I'm sorry for thy noble youth, Phil. Sir, I was born, when you were innocent; And all the ill you have contracted since, You have wrought out by painful penitence; Thyestes is won from his retirement by the joint representations of Philisthenes and Peneus, of the apparent good faith, and returning kindness of his brother; and visits Mycena :— his confidence; his returning misgivings. THYESTES. PHILISTHENES. PENEUS. Thy. O wondrous pleasure to a banish'd man, I feel my loved long look'd-for native soil! And oh my weary eyes, that all the day Had from some mountain travell'd toward this place, Of that great palace where I had my birth. |