6. Excerpt from Arviragus and Philicia, by Lodowick Carlell (1639)

[The emphasis in this passage on a daughter reluctant to enter into a marriage contract without her father's consent, in conjunction with the exchange of a bracelet for a ring as love-tokens, would connect this play to Cymbeline even were it not for the fact that each play has characters named Arviragus and Guiderius, which may illustrate the way that Shakespeare's plays began influencing other playwrights even in minor elements.

Furthermore, although attitudes regarding marriage were in flux between the first decade of the 1600s when Cymbeline was written and the second half of the 1630s when Arviragus and Philicia was evidently composed, performed, and published, this excerpt also illustrates, at greater length, a debate regarding the limitations of filial obedience in matters of marriage.]

Act 2

Enter Arviragus and Philicia

ARVIRAGUS
Madam, you still prevent{anticipate; arrive before} me and your own appointed times, yet 'tis but like your other gracious favors, in every act causing addition to that love which I believed complete; but here, and in celestial bodies, my love and admiration rise higher as I increase in knowledge of your excellence and love to me.

PHILICIA
My love to you? Fortune, my dearest servant, hath yet been wanting in an occasion wherein I might express what I would do for you.

ARVIRAGUS
Take heed! You do complain too soon: th'occasion is too near, and fierce necessity compels me with an abruptness bordering on incivility to beg an answer to that suit I scarce had moved when we were interrupted by your father's coming; to think you did not understand me were but to call in question th'intelligence our truly loving souls have held so long.

PHILICIA
'Tis true, I did. 'Twas a contract that you meant, I'll name it plainly for you; I dare as boldly speak my thoughts to you as I dare think them. Let ceremonious lovers that with strange hyperbolical expressions seek to endear each other be more in heart than in their tongues; mine neither shall come short nor yet exceed what my soul feels. I love thee, noble Arviragus, equal with myself but yet less than mine honor, which by a private contract needs must suffer.

ARVIRAGUS
Dear mistress, be not offended that with a soul as free I speak my thoughts. Did I believe this your refusal grew not from an opinion that ere long your father's liking might be won to crown your wishes, I should not know which way to find a cure for the deep wound that you have given me, nor shall I for mine own sake wish to live after this hour when I shall let you know the cause that makes me press this grant{favor} if ye shall then refuse it.

PHILICIA
Although I fear to bid you, name it.

ARVIRAGUS
What you perhaps may have suspected in part, be pleased to know for certain: there's no time nor place where I can count myself secure. Danger, and of all kinds, circles me round; both force and policy are set on work. Your brother's malice hath prevailed, poisoned your father's soul with foul ingratitude, within whose smiles I read certain destruction, which by the gods I am commanded to prevent by flight, lest I should force them be unjust or tempt them by a miracle to save my life. This minute that I kneel and beg your license to depart, 'tis not unlike I may be pierced through with a bullet, for there are spies upon me, nor shall their execution need if you deny th' blessing of your plighted faith: that curse will strike me dead.

PHILICIA
Rise, rise, Arviragus.

ARVIRAGUS
Not till you grant my suit.

PHILICIA
How can I without breach of duty?

ARVIRAGUS
How can I live then, removed from you in person and wanting the great assurance of your love?

[PHILICIA]
Can you suspect my faith?

ARVIRAGUS
If I did so suspect your faith, I should not thus beg th'engagement of it, but I may doubt your love equals not mine since you deny me to make me blest by an assurance.

PHILICIA
The love you injure thus is made apparent most in this refusal: let such whose loves are tottering and unstable, who have not virtue and perfection for their grounds, seek aids and ceremonial bands to hold them firm; mine is a love as fixed as are thy virtues, which does admit no possibility of change.

ARVIRAGUS
But if your father shall dispose your person to another, what then becomes of all this glorious boast of love and constancy? Think not to say you ever will be mine in soul: the gods that joined that and the body as well allow self-murder as these to have a separation after marriage.

PHILICIA
I could not pardon this so low a thought but that th'injury does more reflect upon yourself than me since you profess you love her that you yet believe so worthless. But to th' purpose: my soul tells me your stay is dangerous. The gods and nature both command we should not marry 'gainst our parents' will, yet that does not approve{prove} that we of force{necessarily} must marry whom they please. Though both show disobedience, yet the last hath many excuses, one that the parents dare not but accept of: devotion to the service of the gods. But if this prove my fate, I would not for a world lose the glory of my sufferings were I contracted yours: to die, rather than marry any other? An honest milkmaid would with joy perform as much for a rude shepherd; but to stand free from any other band than that of love, which is so often and so easily broke by vicious souls, and yet continue constant were an act worthy the daughter of a king and mistress to the noble Arviragus.

ARVIRAGUS
Upon my knee I thank ye more for this refusal than had you granted. Ye have rectified my soul, letting me see the beauties of your own; nor had assurance suited with my doubtful fortune. Since not your husband, yet as your servant, grant some favor--not that by it I may remember you, but as a charm to shield me from all dangers.

PHILICIA
Then we must part. Here, take this bracelet; give me that ring. I'll seal my letters with it. This, and our usual character shall only be of faith betwixt us. But in what country do ye mean to live until these storms blow over?

ARVIRAGUS
There's nothing can allay these storms but my heart blood.

PHILICIA
I dare not think upon my misery; it will o'erwhelm me with a sorrow not to be borne. Ye do not tell me where you mean to remain or how I shall send to ye.

ARVIRAGUS
May I not be pardoned now? Ye shall have notice quickly where I am.

PHILICIA
What country?

ARVIRAGUS
That's it I would conceal.

PHILICIA
How, conceal from me?

ARVIRAGUS

Takes out a letter

'Twas well I did prepare for this, my dearest mistress; it now draws towards morning, and young Guiderius with a friend or two waits with my horse without the ports. 'Tis not consideration of my danger so much as theirs, leaves me the use of memory to tell me what I have to do, for I forever could remain here. Be pleased when I am gone to read this paper; that will inform you all that I intend.

PHILICIA
May I not know it now?

ARVIRAGUS
Build{rely} on your servant; faith, 'tis not fit ye should. O dearest mistress, can I live and leave you thus, since from our infancy we have grown up together?

PHILICIA
Shall we ever meet again?

ARVIRAGUS
I hope we shall.

PHILICIA
It was but faintly spoke; there was no faith in't. Oh, my sad heart!

ARVIRAGUS
Am I a man, a soldier, yet play the woman thus? Not to be touched at such a parting were to be more insensible than a rock or tigers that yet pity their own distress. Drop faster, ye beloved tears, like those shed for our crimes. This shame to manhood is my height of glory.

PHILICIA
Oh, cruel farewell! We shall never meet again.