The Laws of Candy | Page 5

take Fernando prisoner, and that hand to hand In single fight I
did: my self without The help of any arm, save the arm of Heaven.
Speak Souldiers, is it true, or no? 248]
Souldiers:
Antinous, Antinous.
Antinous:
Behold my prisoner, Fathers.
Fernando:
This one man Ruin'd our Army, and hath glorifi'd Crete in her robes of
mightiness and conquest.
Possenne:
We need not use long circumstance of words, Antinous thou art
conquerer: the Senate, The souldiers, and thy valour have pronounc'd it.
All:
Antinous, Antinous.
Porphycio:
Make thy demand.
Cassilanes:
Please ye (my Lords) give leave That I may part.

Possenne:
No Cassilane, the Court Should therein be dishonour'd, do not imagin
We prize your presence at so slight a rate. Demand, Antinous.
Antinous:
Thus (my Lords) to witness How far I am from arrogance, or thinking I
am more valiant, though more favour'd Than my most matchless father,
my demand is, That for a lasting memorie of his name, His deeds, his
real, nay his royal worth, You set up in your Capitol in Brass My
Fathers Statue, there to stand for ever A Monument and Trophy of his
victories, With this Inscription to succeeding ages, Great Cassilanes,
Patron of Candy's Peace, Perpetual Triumpher.
Porphycio Possenne:
It is granted. What more?
Antinous:
No more.
Cassilanes:
How Boy?
Gonzalo:
Thou art immortal, Both for thy Son-like pietie, and beauties Of an
unconquer'd minde.
Antinous:
My Prisoner, Lords, To your more sacred wisedoms I surrender: Fit
you his ransom; half whereof I give For largess to the Souldiers: the
other half To the erection of this monument.
Cassilanes:

Ambitious villain. 249]
Gonzalo:
Thou art all un-imitable. My Lords, to work a certain peace for Candy
With Venice, use Fernando like a Prince; His ransom I'le disburse what
e're it be: Yet you may stay him with you, till conditions Of amitie shall
be concluded on: Are ye content?
Porphycio:
We are, and ever rest Both friends and debters to your nobleness.
Gonzalo:
Souldiers attend me in the Market-place, Fie thither send your largess.
Souldiers:
Antinous, Antinous.
[Exeunt.
Cassilanes:
I have a sute too, Lords.
Porphycio Possenne:
Propose it, 'tis yours, if fit and just.
Cassilanes:
Let not my services, My being forty years a drudge, a pack-horse To
you, and to the State, be branded now With Ignominy ne're to be
forgotten: Rear me no Monument, unless you mean To have me fam'd a
Coward, and be stamp'd so.
Possenne:

We understand you not.
Cassilanes:
Proud boy, thou dost, And Tyrant-like insult'st upon my shame.
Antinous:
Sir, Heaven can tell, and my integrity, What I did, was but only to
inforce The Senates gratitude. I now acknowledge it.
Cassilanes:
Observe it Fathers, how this haughty boy Grows cunning in his envy of
mine honours: He knows no mention can of me be made, But that it
ever likewise must be told, How I by him was master'd; and for surety
That all succeeding times may so report it, He would have my
dishonour, and his Triumphs Ingrav'd in Brass: hence, hence proceeds
the falshood Of his insinuating piety. Thou art no child of mine: thee
and thy bloud, Here in the Capitol, before the Senate, I utterly renounce:
So thrift and fate Confirm me; henceforth never see my face, Be, as
thou art, a villain to thy Father. 250] Lords I must crave your leaves:
come, come Arcanes.
[Ex.
Gonzalo:
Here's a strange high-born spirit.
Possenne:
'Tis but heat Of suddain present rage; I dare assure Antinous of his
favour.
Antinous:
I not doubt it, He is both a good man, and a good Father. I shall attend
your Lordships.

Possenne:
Do Antinous.
Gonzalo:
Yes: feast thy Triumphs With applause and pleasures.
Porphycio Possenne:
Lead on.
[Exeunt. Flor. Cornets.
Antinous:
I utterly renounce--'Twas so? Was't not, my Decius?
Decius:
Pish, you know, my Lord, Old men are cholerick.
Antinous:
And lastly parted With, never henceforth see my face: O me, How have
I lost a Father? Such a Father! Such a one Decius! I am miserable,
Beyond expression.
Decius:
Fie, how unbecoming This shews upon your day of fame!
Antinous:
O mischief! I must no more come near him; that I know, And am
assur'd on't.
Decius:

Say you do not?
Antinous:
True: Put case I do not: what is Candy then To lost Antinous? Malta, I
resolve To end my dayes in thee.
Decius:
How's that?
Antinous:
I'le trie All humble means of being reconcil'd, Which if deny'd, then I
may justly say, This day has prov'd my worst: Decius, my worst.
[Exeunt.

251] Actus Secundus

Scena Prima
[Enter Gonzalo, and Gaspero]
Gaspero:
Now to what you have heard; as no man can Better than I, give you her
Character; For I have been both nurs'd, and train'd up to Her petulant