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

Excerpt

Actus PrimusScena 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 proudErota.

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 boldVenetianshad not dar'd to attempt
So bloody an invasion.

Melitus

Yet I wonder
Why (Master Secretary) still the Senate
So almost superstitiously adores
Gonzalo, theVenetianLord, considering
The outrage of his Countrymen--

Gaspero

The Senate
Is wise, and therein just, for thisGonzalo,
Upon a Massacre performed at Sea
By the Admiral ofVenice, on a Merchant
OfCandy, 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;
ForCandythen, andVenicewere at peace:
Since when upon a motion in the Senate,
For Conquest of our Land, 'tis known for certain,
That only thisGonzalodar'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 moniedCassilanesthe General.

Melitus

What, without other pledges thanCassilanes
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.

Melitus

By which strict Law, the Senate is in danger,
Should they neglectGonzalo?

Gaspero

Right, the Law
Permits a like equality to Aliens,
As to a home-bred Patriot.

Melitus

Pray Sir, the other?

Gaspero

Know,Melitus,
The elderCretansflourished many years,
In War, in Peace unparallel'd, and they
(To spur heroic Spirits on to Vertue)
Enacted that what man so ere he were,
Did noblest in the field against his enemy,
So by the general voice approv'd, and known,
Might at his home-return, make his demand
For satisfaction, and reward....