The Laws of Candy Part 1

The Laws of Candy.

by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher.

Persons Represented in the Play.

Ca.s.silanes, _General of_ Candy.

Antinous, _Son to_ Ca.s.silanes, _and his Compet.i.tor_.

Fernando, _a Venetian Captain, Servant to_ Annophel.

Philander, _Prince of_ Cyprus, _pa.s.sionately in love with_ Erota.

Gonzalo, _An ambitious Politick Lord of_ Venice.

Gaspero, _Secretary of State_.

Melitus, _a Gentleman of_ Candy.

Arcanes, _a n.o.ble Souldier, Friend to_ Ca.s.silanes.

Decius, _Friend to_ Antinous.

Porphycio, Possenne, _Senators_.

Paolo Michael, _Venetian Amba.s.sadour_.

Mochingo, _an ignorant Servant to_ Erota.

_Gentlemen._ _Souldiers._ _Servants._

_WOMEN_ Erota, _a Princess, imperious, and of an overweaning Beauty_.

Annophel, _Daughter to_ Ca.s.silanes.

Hyparcha, _Attendant on the Princess_ Erota.

[_The Scene_ Candy]

The princ.i.p.al Actors were,

_Joseph Taylor_.

_William Eglestone_.

_Nicholas Toolie_.

_Richard Sharpe_.

_John Lowin_.

_John Underwood_.

_George Birch_.

_Thomas Pollard_.

237]

Actus Primus

Scena 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 proud _Erota_.

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 pa.s.sionate 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 bold _Venetians_ had not dar'd to attempt So b.l.o.o.d.y an invasion.

Melitus:

Yet I wonder Why (Master Secretary) still the Senate So almost superst.i.tiously adores _Gonzalo_, the _Venetian_ Lord, considering The outrage of his Countrymen--

Gaspero:

The Senate Is wise, and therein just, for this _Gonzalo_, Upon a Ma.s.sacre performed at Sea By the Admiral of _Venice_, on a Merchant Of _Candy_, 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; 238] For _Candy_ then, and _Venice_ were at peace: Since when upon a motion in the Senate, For Conquest of our Land, 'tis known for certain, That only this _Gonzalo_ dar'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 monied _Ca.s.silanes_ the General.

Melitus:

What, without other pledges than _Ca.s.silanes_ Bare promise of payment?