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  FRANCIS BEAUMONT
    Born 1584
    Died 1616

  JOHN FLETCHER
    Born 1579
    Died 1625



  _BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER_

  THE MAD LOVER
  THE LOYAL SUBJECT
  RULE A WIFE, AND HAVE A WIFE
  THE LAWS OF CANDY
  THE FALSE ONE
  THE LITTLE FRENCH LAWYER


  THE TEXT EDITED BY
  A. R. WALLER, M.A.


  CAMBRIDGE:
  at the University Press
  1906



  CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS WAREHOUSE,
  C. F. CLAY, MANAGER.
  London: FETTER LANE, E.C.
  Glasgow: 50, WELLINGTON STREET.
  Leipzig: F. A. BROCKHAUS.
  New York: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY.
  Bombay and Calcutta: MACMILLAN AND CO., LTD.

  [_All Rights reserved._]




  THE
  MAD LOVER,
  A
  TRAGI-COMEDY.


  Persons Represented in the Play.

    Astorax,       _King of_ Paphos.
    Memnon,        _the General and the Mad Lover_.
    Polydor,       _Brother to_ Memnon, _beloved of_ Calis.
    Eumenes,  }    _two eminent Souldiers._
    Polybius, }
    Chilax,        _an old merry Souldier_.
    Syphax,        _a Souldier in love with the Princess_.
    Stremon,       _a Souldier that can sing_.
    Demagoras,     _Servant to the General_.
    _Chirurgion_.
    _Fool_.
    _Page_.
    _Courtiers_.

    _WOMEN._

    Calis, _Sister to the King, and Mistris to_ Memnon.
    Cleanthe _Sister to_ Syphax.
    Lucippe, _one of the Princesses Women_.
    _Priest of_ Venus, _an old wanton_.
    _A Nun._
    Cloe, _a Camp Baggage_.


  _The Scene_ Paphos.

    The principal Actors were,

    _Richard Burbadge._
    _Robert Benfeild._
    _Nathanael Feild._
    _Henry Condel._
    _John Lowin._
    _William Eglestone._
    _Richard Sharpe._




_Actus primus. Scena prima._


        _Flourish._ _Enter_ Astorax _King of_ Paphos, _his Sister_
        Calis, _Train_, _and_ Cleanthe, Lucippe _Gentlewomen, at
        one door; at the other_ Eumenes _a Souldier_.

  _Eume._ Health to my Soveraign.

  _King._ _Eumenes_, welcome:
  Welcome to _Paphos_, Souldier, to our love,
  And that fair health ye wish us, through the Camp
  May it disperse it self, and make all happy;
  How does the General, the valiant _Memnon_,
  And how his Wars, _Eumenes_?

  _Eume._ The Gods have giv'n you (Royal Sir) a Souldier,
  Better ne're sought a danger, more approv'd
  In way of War, more master of his fortunes,
  Expert in leading 'em; in doing valiant,
  In following all his deeds to Victories,
  And holding fortune certain there.

  _King._ O Souldier,
  Thou speak'st a man indeed; a Generals General,
  A soul conceiv'd a Souldier.

  _Eumen._ Ten set Battels
  Against the strong usurper _Diocles_
  (Whom long experience had begot a Leader,
  Ambition rais'd too mighty) hath your _Memnon_
  Won, and won gloriously, distrest and shook him
  Even from the head of all his hopes to nothing:
  In three, he beat the Thunder-bolt his Brother,
  Forc'd him to wall himself up: there not safe,
  Shook him with warlike Engins like an Earthquake,
  Till like a Snail he left his shell and crawl'd
  By night and hideous darkness to destruction:
  Disarm'd for ever rising more: Twelve Castles,
  Some thought impregnable; Towns twice as many;
  Countries that like the wind knew no command
  But savage wildness, hath this General
  With loss of blood and youth, through Storms and Tempests
  Call'd to your fair obedience.

  _King._ O my Souldier
  That thou wert now within my arms; what drums               { _Drums
  Are those that beat _Eumenes_?                              { within._

  _Eumen._ His, my Soveraign;
  Himself i'th' head of conquest drawing home,
  An old man now to offer up his glories,
  And endless conquest at your shrine.

  _King._ Goe all,
  And entertain him with all Ceremonie,
  We'l keep him now a Courtier.

  _Eumen._ Sir, a strange one,
  Pray God his language bear it; by my life, Sir
  He knows no complement, nor curious casting
  Of words into fit places e're he speak 'em,
  He can say fight well fellow, and I'le thank thee:
  He that must eat, must fight; bring up the rear there,
  Or charge that wing of horse home.                        [_Flourish._

  _King._ Goe too, goe too.

        _Enter_ Memnon, _and a train of Courtiers, and Souldiers,
        two Captains_, Chilax.

  Valiant and wise are twins Sir: welcom, welcom,
  Welcom my fortunate and famous General,
  High in thy Princes favour, as in fame,
  Welcom to Peace, and _Paphos_.

  _Mem._ Thank your Grace,
  And would to God my dull tongue had that sweetness
  To thank you as I should; but pardon me,
  My sword and I speak roughly Sir: your battels
  I dare well say, I have fought well; for I bring ye
  That lazie end you wish for Peace, so fully,
  That no more name of war is: who now thinks
  Sooner or safer these might have been ended,
  Begin 'em if he dare again; I'le thank him.
  Souldier and Souldiers Mate these twenty five years,
  At length your General, (as one whose merit
  Durst look upon no less,) I have waded through
  Dangers would damp these soft souls, but to hear of.
  The maidenheads of thousand lives hang here Sir,
  Since which time Prince, I know no Court but Marshal,
  No oylie language, but the shock of Arms,
  No dalliance but with death; No lofty measures
  But weary and sad marches, cold and hunger,
  Larums at midnight Valours self would shake at,
  Yet I ne're shrunk: Balls of consuming Wildfire,
  That lickt men up like lightning, have I laught at,
  And tost 'em back again like childrens trifles.
  Upon the edges of my Enemies swords
  I have marcht like whirle-winds, fury at this hand waiting,
  Death at my right; Fortune my forlorn hope,
  When I have grapled with destruction,
  And tug'd with pale fac'd Ruine, Night and Mischief,
  Frighted to see a new day break in bloud;
  And every where I conquer'd; and for you Sir,
  Mothers have wanted wombs to make me famous,
  And blown ambition, dangers; Those that griev'd ye,
  I have taken order for i'th' earth: those fools
  That shall hereafter--

  _King._ No more wars my Souldier:             { _K. takes_ Mem. _aside
  We must now treat of peace Sir.               { and talks with him_.

  _Clean._ How he talks,
  How gloriously.

  _Cal._ A goodly timber'd fellow,
  Valiant no doubt.

  _Cle._ If valour dwell in vaunting;
  In what a phrase he speaks, as if his actions
  Could be set off in nothing but a noise;
  Sure h'as a drum in's mouth.

  _Cal._ I wonder wenches
  How he would speak to us.

  _Clean._ Nothing but Larum,
  Tell us whose throat he cut, shew us his sword,
  And bless it for sure biting.

  _Lucippe._ And 't like your Grace,
  I do not think he knows us what we are,
  Or to what end; for I have heard his followers
  Affirm he never saw a woman that exceeded
  A Sutlers wife yet, or in execution
  Old bedrid Beldames without teeth or tongues,
  That would not flie his furie? how he looks.

  _Clea._ This way devoutly.

  _Cal._ Sure his Lordship's viewing
  Our Fortifications.

  _Lucip._ If he mount at me,
  I may chance choak his Battery.

  _Cal._ Still his eye
  Keeps quarter this way: _Venus_ grant his valour
  Be not in love.

  _Clean._ If he be, presently
  Expect a Herald and a Trumpet with ye
  To bid ye render; we two Perdu's pay for't else.

  _King._ I'le leave ye to my sister, and these Ladies
  To make your welcom fuller: my good souldier
  We must now turn your sternness into Courtship;
  When ye have done there, to your fair repose Sir:         [_Flourish._
  I know you need it _Memnon_; welcom Gentlemen.           [_Exit_ King.

  _Luci._ Now he begins to march: Madam the Van's yours,
  Keep your ground sure; 'tis for your spurrs.

  _Mem._ O _Venus_.                             {
                                                { _He kneels amaz'd,
  _Cal._ How he stares on me.                   { and forgets to speak._

  _Clean._ Knight him Madam, knight him,
  He will grow toth' ground else.

  _Eumenes._ Speak Sir, 'tis the Princess.

  _1 Cap._ Ye shame your self, speak to her.

  _Cal._ Rise and speak Sir.
  Ye are welcome to the Court, to me, to all Sir.

  _Lucip._ Is he not deaf?

  _Cal._ The Gentleman's not well.

  _Eumen._ Fie noble General.

  _Lucip._ Give him fresh air, his colour goes, how do ye?
  The Princess will be glad Sir.

  _Mem._ Peace, and hear me.

  _Clean._ Command a silence there.

  _Mem._ I love thee Lady.

  _Cal._ I thank your Lordship heartily: proceed Sir.

  _Lucip._ Lord how it stuck in's stomach like a surfeit.

  _Clean._ It breaks apace now from him, God be thanked,
  What a fine spoken man he is.

  _Lucip._ A choice one, of singular variety in carriage.

  _Clean._ Yes and I warrant you he knows his distance.

  _Mem._ With all my heart I love thee.

  _Cal._ A hearty Gentleman,
  And I were e'en an arrant beast, my Lord,
  But I lov'd you again.

  _Mem._ Good Lady kiss me.

  _Clean._ I marry, _Mars_, there thou cam'st close up to her.

  _Cal._ Kiss you at first my Lord? 'tis no fair fashion,
  Our lips are like Rose buds, blown with mens breaths,
  They lose both sap and savour; there's my hand Sir.

  _Eumen._ Fie, fie, my Lord, this is too rude.

  _Mem._ Unhand me,
  Consume me if I hurt her; good sweet Lady
  Let me but look upon thee.

  _Cal._ Doe.

  _Mem._ Yet--

  _Cal._ Well Sir,
  Take your full view.

  _Lucip._ Bless your eyes Sir.

  _Cal._ Mercy,
  Is this the man they talkt of for a Souldier,
  So absolute and Excellent: O the Gods,
  If I were given to that vanitie
  Of making sport with men for ignorance,
  What a most precious subject had I purchas'd!
  Speak for him Gentlemen: some one that knows,
  What the man ails; and can speak sense.

  _Clean._ Sure Madam,
  This fellow has been a rare Hare finder.
  See how his eyes are set.

  _Cal._ Some one goe with me,
  I'le send him something for his head, poor Gentleman,
  He's troubled with the staggers.

  _Lucip._ Keep him dark,
  He will run March mad else, the fumes of Battels
  Ascend into his brains.

  _Clean._ Clap to his feet
  An old Drum head, to draw the thunder downward.

  _Cal._ Look to him Gentlemen: farewel, Lord I am sorry
  We cannot kiss at this time, but believe it
  We'l find an hour for all: God keep my Children,
  From being such sweet Souldiers; Softly wenches,
  Lest we disturb his dream.               [_Exeunt_ Calis _and_ Ladies.

  _Eumen._ Why this is Monstrous.

  _1 Capt._ A strange forgetfulness, yet still he holds it.

  _2 Capt._ Though he ne're saw a woman of great fashion
  Before this day, yet methinks 'tis possible
  He might imagine what they are, and what
  Belongs unto 'em: meer report of others.

  _Eumen._ Pish, his head had other whimsies in't: my Lord,
  Death I think y'are struck dumb; my good Lord General.

  _1 Capt._ Sir.

  _Mem._ That I do love ye Madam; and so love ye
  An't like your grace.

  _2 Capt._ He has been studying this speech.

  _Eumen._ Who do ye speak to Sir?

  _Mem._ Why where's the Lady,
  The woman, the fair woman?

  _1 Capt._ Who?

  _Mem._ The Princess,
  Give me the Princess.

  _Eumen._ Give ye counsel rather
  To use her like a Princess: Fy my Lord,
  How have you born your self, how nakedl[y]
  Laid your soul open, and your ignorance
  To be a sport to all. Report and honour
  Drew her to doe you favours, and you bluntly,
  Without considering what, or who she was,
  Neither collecting reason, nor distinction.

  _Mem._ Why, what did I my Masters?

  _Eumen._ All that shews
  A man unhandsom, undigested dough.

  _Mem._ Did not I kneel unto her?

  _Eumen._ Dumb and sensless,
  As though ye had been cut out for your fathers tomb,
  Or stuck a land-mark; when she spoke unto you,
  Being the excellence of all our Island,
  Ye star'd upon her, as ye had seen a monster.

  _Me[m]._ Was I so foolish? I confess _Eumenes_,
  I never saw before so brave an outside,
  But did I kneel so long?

  _Eumen._ Till they laught at ye,
  And when you spoke I am asham'd to tell ye
  What 'twas my Lord; how far from order;
  Bless me, is't possible the wild noise of war
  And what she only teaches should possess ye?
  Knowledge to treat with her, and full discretion
  Being at flood still in ye: and in peace,
  And manly conversation smooth and civil,
  Where gracefulness and glory twyn together,
  Thrust your self out an exile?
  Do you know Sir, what state she carries?
  What great obedience waits at her beck continually?

  _Mem._ She ne're commanded
  A hundred thousand men, as I have done,
  Nor ne're won battel; Say I would have kist her.

  _Eumen._ There was a dainty offer too, a rare one.

  _Mem._ Why, she is a woman, is she not?

  _Eumen._ She is so.

  _Mem._ Why, very well; what was she made for then?
  Is she not young, and handsom, bred to breed?
  Do not men kiss fair women? if they doe,
  If lips be not unlawfull ware; Why a Princess
  Is got the same way that we get a begger
  Or I am cozen'd; and the self-same way
  She must be handled e're she get another,
  That's rudeness is it not?

  _2 Capt._ To her 'tis held so, & rudeness in that high degree--

  _Mem._ 'Tis reason,
  But I will be more punctual; pray what thought she?

  _Eum._ Her thoughts were merciful, but she laught at ye,
  Pitying the poorness of your complement,
  And so she left ye. Good Sir shape your self
  To understand the place, and noble persons
  You live with now.

  _1 Capt._ Let not those great deserts
  The King hath laid up of