[446] [This piece was first printed (very incorrectly) from Lansdowne MS., 807, in Baldwin's "Old English Drama," 1824-5, 2 vols. 12o.] [447] Mr Robert Goughe appears from the MS. to have acted the part of the Tyrant in this play. [John Gough, author of the "Strange Discovery," 1640, and, according to Bliss, editor of the "Academy of Compliments," 1640, is not known to have written so early as 1611.] DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.[448] THE USURPING TYRANT. GOVIANUS, _the deposed King_. ANSELMUS, _his Brother_. VOTARIUS, _the friend of Anselmus_. HELVETIUS, } MEMPHONIUS, } _Nobles_. SOPHONIRUS, } BELLARIUS, _the lover of Leonella_. THE LADY, _the Daughter of Helvetius_. THE WIFE OF VOTARIUS. LEONELLA, _her Woman_. _Nobles, Soldiers, and Attendants._ FOOTNOTES: [448] [Not in the MS.] THE SECOND MAIDEN'S TRAGEDY. ACT I, SCENE I. _Enter the new usurping_ TYRANT; _the nobles of his_ _faction_, MEMPHONIUS, SOPHONIRUS, HELVETIUS, _with others, the right heir_ GOVIANUS, _deposed_. TYR. Thus high, my lords, your powers and constant loves Have fix'd our glories like unmoved stars, That know not what it is to fall or err. We're now the kingdom's love: and he, that was Flatter'd awhile so, stands before us now Readier for doom than dignity. GOV. So much Can the adulterate friendship of mankind, False Fortune's sister, bring to pass in kings, And lay usurpers sunning in their glories, Like adders in warm beams. TYR. There was but one, In whom my heart took pleasure amongst women; One in the whole creation, and in her You dar'd to be my rival! Was't not bold? Now we are king, she'll leave the lower path And find the way to us. Helvetius! It is thy daughter. Happier than a king-- And far above him, for she kneels to thee Whom we have kneel'd to--richer in one smile That came from her, than she in all thy blessings; If thou be'st proud, thou art to be forgiven. 'Tis no deadly sin in thee; while she lives, High lust is not more natural to youth Than that to thee; be not afraid to die in't. 'Tis but the sign of joy; there is no gladness, But has a pride it lives by; that's the oil That feeds it into flames. Let her be sent for, And honourably attended, as beseems Her that we make our queen. My lords Memphonius And Sophonirus, take into your care The royal business of my heart; conduct her With a respect equal with that to us-- If more, it shall be pardon'd; so still err. You honour us, but ourself honours her. MEM. Strange fortune! does he make his queen of her? [_Exit_ MEMPH.