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The Tragedy of Locrine (Third Folio, 1664)
2021Sound the alarum. Enter Locrine, Assaracus, and a
2022souldier at one door, Guendoline, Thrasimacus,
2023at an other, Locrine and his follow-
2024ers driven back.
2025Then let Locrine and Estrild enter again in a maze.
2028And we are left to be a laughing stock,
2029Scoft at by those that are our enemies,
2034 Like to grim Mars, when covered with his targe
2035He fought with Diomedes in the field,
2040Ne're shall we view the fair Concordia,
2041Unlesse as captives we be thither brought.
2042Shall Locrine then be taken prisoner,
2044Shall Guendoline captivate my love?
2049But O you judges of the ninefold Stix,
2052You gods, commanders of the heavenly spheers,
2055Forget O gods, this foul condemned fault:
2060Work now his death that hateth still his life.
2061Farewell fair Estrild, beauties paragon,
2062Fram'd in the front of forlorn miseries,
2065Thither I go before with hastened pace.
2066Farewell vain world, and thy inticing snares.
2068 And welcome death, the end of mortal smart,
2069 Welcome to Locrine's over-burthened heart.
2070Thrusts himself through with his sword.
2072Stream forth you tears from forth my watry eyes,
2073Help me to mourn for warlike Locrine's death,
2074Pour down your tears you watry regions,
2075For mighty Locrine is bereft of life.
2077What else are all things, that this globe contains,
2080That all our life is but a Tragedie.
2083Since martial Locrine is bereft of life,
2084Shall Estrild live then after Locrine's death?
2085 Shall love of life bar her from Locrine's sword?
2086O no, this sword that hath bereft his life,
2088Strengthen these hands O mighty Jupiter,
2089That I may end my wofull miserie,
2090Locrine I come, Locrine I follow thee.Kills her self.
2091Sound the alarme. Enter Sabren.
2095My mother murthred by a mortal wound?
2096What Thracian dog, what barbarous Mirmidon,
2099Would not bemone this mournfull Tragedie?
2100Locrine, the map of magnanimitie,
2104All heavenly grace and vertue was inshrind,
2105Both massacred are dead within this cave,
2106And with them dies fair Pallas and sweet love.
2107Here lies a sword, and Sabren hath a heart,
2110That they that live and view our Tragedy,
2111 May mourn our case with mournfull plaudities.
2112Let her offer to kill her self.
2113Ay me, my virgins hands are too too weak,
2114To penetrate the bullwarke of my brest,
2115My fingers us'd to tune the amorous Lute,
2116Are not of force to hold this steely glain,
2117So I am left to waile my parents death,
2118Not able for to work my proper death.
2119Ah Locrine, honour'd for thy noblenesse.
2121Ill may they fare that wrought your mortal ends.
2122Enter Guendoline, Thrasimachus, Madan,
2123and the Souldiers.
2125Find the proud strumpet, Humber's concubine,
2129Find me young Sabren, Locrine's only joy,
2130That I may glut my mind with lukewarme bloud,
2133Crying, revenge my over-hastened death,
2134My brother's exile, and mine own divorce,
2136All mercy from mine adamantive brests.
2139 Enjoy this light; see where he murdred lies:
2140By lucklesse lot and froward frowning fate,
2141And by him lies his lovely paramour
2144Clasping each other in their feebled armes,
2145With loving zeal, as if for company
2146Their uncontented corps were yet content
2147To passe foul Stix in Charon's ferry-boat.
2150Violently by cutting off her life?
2152That every hour she might have died a death
2154And every hour revive to die again,
2157And every day for want of food doth die,
2158And every night doth live again to die.
2160Mournfully weeping for their lucklesse death.
2165No humane strength, no work can work my weal,
2166Care in my heart so tyrant like doth deal.
2167You Driades and lightfoot Satiri,
2168You gracious Fairies which at evening tide,
2171You savage bears in Caves and darkned Denns,
2172Come wail with me the martial Locrine's death.
2173Come mourn with me, for beateous Estrilds death.
2174Ah loving parents little do you know,
2177Lives Sabren yet to expiate my wrath?
2178Fortune I thank thee for this curtesie,
2180If Sabren die not a reproachfull death.
2181Sa. Hard hearted death, that when the wretched call.
2184Uncalled comes, and sheers our life in twain:
2185When will that hour, that blessed hour draw nigh,
2187Sweet Atropos cut off my fatal thred.
2188What art thou death, shall not poor Sabren die?
2189Guendoline taking her by the chin, shall say thus.
2192And not a common death shall Sabren die,
2199No traitor, no, the gods will venge these wrongs,
2202Bring wretched Sabren to her latest home.
2204Mean to abridge my former destinies,
2205And that which Locrine's sword could not perform,
2207She drowneth her self.
2208Guen. One michief follows anothers neck,
2211And for because this River was the place
2212Where little Sabren resolutely died,
2216 To whom we owe our country, lives and goods,
2218Close by his aged father Brutus bones,
2222Without the honour due unto the dead,
2224Retire brave followers unto Troynovant,
2225Where we will celebrate these exequies,
2226And place young Locrine in his father's Tombe.
2227Exeunt omnes.
2229Of Usurpation and ambitious pride,
2230And they that for their private amours dare
2231Turmoile our land, and set their broils abroach,
2233And as a woman was the onely cause
2235So let us pray for that renowned maid,
2236That eight and thirty years the Scepter sway'd
2237In quiet peace and sweet felicitie,
2240FINIS.