THE PROPHETESS.
Reading edition
A TRAGICAL HISTORY.
Persons Represented in the Play.
Charinus, Emperour of Rome.
Cosroe, King of Persia.
Diocles, of a private Souldier elected Co-Emperour.
Maximinian, Nephew to Diocles, and Emperour by his donation.
Volutius Aper, Murtherer of Numerianus, the late Emperour.
Niger, a noble Souldier, Servant to the Emperour.
Camurius, a Captain, and Creature of Aper's.
Persian Lords.
Senators.
Souldiers.
Guard.
Suitors.
Ambassadors.
Lictors.
Flamen.
Attendants.
Shepherd.
Countrymen.
Geta, a Jester, Servant to Diocles, a merry Knave.
WOMEN.
Aurelia, Sister to Charinus.
Cassana, Sister to Cosroe, a Captive, waiting on Aurelia.
Delphia, a Prophetess.
Drusilla, Niece to Delphia, in love with Diocles.
The Scene Rome.
The principal Actors were,
John Lowin.
Robert Benfield.
John Shanke.
Richard Sharpe.
Joseph Taylor.
Nicholas Toolie.
George Birch.
Thomas Holcombe.
Actus Primus. Scena Prima.
Enter Charinus, Aurelia, Niger.
Cha. You buz into my head strange likelihoods, And fill me full of doubts; but what proofs, Niger, What certainties, that my most noble Brother Came to his end by murther? Tell me that, Assure me by some circumstance. Niger. I will, Sir, And as I tell you truth, so the gods prosper me, I have often nam'd this Aper. Char. True, ye have done; And in mysterious senses I have heard ye Break out o'th' sudden, and abruptly. Niger. True, Sir; Fear of your unbelief, and the times giddiness Made me I durst not then go farther. So your Grace please, Out of your wonted goodness, to give credit, I shall unfold the wonder. Aur. Do it boldly; You shall have both our hearty loves, and hearings. Niger. This Aper then, this too much honour'd Villain, (For he deserves no mention of a good man) Great Sir, give ear; this most ungrateful, spightful, Above the memory of mankind, mischievous, With his own bloody hands. Char. Take heed. Nig. I am in, Sir; And if I make not good my story. Aur. Forward; I see a truth would break out; be not fearful. Nig. I say this Aper, and his damn'd Ambition, Cut off your Brothers hopes, his life, and fortunes; The honour'd Numerianus fell by him, Fell basely, most untimely, and most treacherously: For in his Litter, as he bore him company, Most privately and cunningly he kill'd him; Yet still he fills the faithful Souldiers ears With stories of his weakness, of his life, That he dare not venture to appear in open, And shew his warlike face among the Souldiers; The tenderness and weakness of his eyes Being not able to endure the Sun yet. Slave that he is, he gives out this infirmity (Because he would dispatch his honour too) To arise from wantonness, and love of women, And thus he juggles still. Aur. O most pernicious, Most bloody, and most base! Alas, dear Brother, Art thou accus'd, and after death thy memory Loaden with shames and lies? Those pious tears Thou daily shower'st upon my Fathers monument, (When in the Persian Expedition He fell unfortunately by a stroke of Thunder) Made thy defame and sins? those wept out eyes, The fair examples of a noble nature, Those holy drops of Love, turn'd by depravers (Malicious poyson'd tongues) to thy abuses? We must not suffer this. Char. It shows a truth now; And sure this Aper is not right nor honest, He will not [now] come near me. Nig. No, he dare not; He has an inmate here, that's call'd a conscience, Bids him keep off. Char. My Brother honour'd him, Made him first Captain of his Guard, his next friend; Then to my Mother (to assure him nearer) He made him Husband. Nig. And withal ambitious; For when he trod so nigh, his false feet itch'd, Sir, To step into the State. Aur. If ye believe, Brother, Aper a bloody Knave (as 'tis apparent) Let's leave disputing, and do something noble. Char. Sister, be rul'd, I am not yet so powerful To meet him in the field; he has under him The Flower of all the Empire, and the strength, The Britain, and the German Cohorts; pray ye be patient, Niger, how stands the Souldier to him? Nig. In fear more, Sir, Than love or honour; he has lost their fair affections, By his most covetous and greedy griping: Are ye desirous to do something on him, That all the World may know ye lov'd your Brother? And do it safely too without an Army? Char. Most willingly. Nig. Then send out a Proscription, Send suddenly; And to that man that executes it (I mean, that brings his head) add a fair payment, No common Summ; then ye shall see I fear not, Even from his own Camp, from those men that follow him, Follow, and flatter him, we shall find one, And if he miss, one hundred that will venture it. Aur. For his reward, it shall be so, dear Brother, So far I'll honour him that kills the Villain; For so far runs my love to my dead Brother, Let him be what he will, base, old, or crooked, He shall have me; nay, which is more, I'll love him. I will not be deny'd. Char. You shall not, Sister; But ye shall know, my love shall go along too; See a Proscription drawn; and for his recompence, My Sister, and half Partner in the Empire; And I will keep my word. Aur. Now ye do bravely. Nig. And though it cost my life, I'll see it publish'd. Char. Away then for the business. Nig. I am gone, Sir; You shall have all dispatch'd to night. Char. Be prosperous. Aur. And let the Villain fall. Nig. Fear nothing, Madam. [Exeunt.