THE FALSE ONE A Tragedy by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher Edited by Arnold Glover PERSONS REPRESENTED IN THE PLAY. Julius Cæsar, _Emperour of_ Rome. Ptolomy, _King of_ Ægypt. Achoreus, _an honest Counsellor, Priest of_ Isis. Photinus, _a Politician, minion to_ Ptolomy. Achillas, _Captain of the Guard to_ Ptolomy. Septimius, _a revolted Roman Villain._ Labienus, _a Roman Souldier, and_ Nuncio. Apollodorus, _Guardian to_ Cleopatra. Antonie, ) Dolabella, ) Cæsars _Captains._ Sceva, _a free Speaker, also Captain to_ Cæsar. _Guard._ _Three lame Souldiers._ _Servants._ _WOMEN._ Cleopatra, _Queen of_ Ægypt. Cæsar's _Mistris._ Arsino, Cleopatra's _Sister._ Eros, Cleopatra's _waiting Woman._ _The Scene_ Ægypt. The principal Actors were, _John Lowin._ _John Underwood._ _Robert Benfield._ _Richard Sharpe._ _Joseph Taylor._ _Nicholas Toolie._ _John Rice._ _George Birch._ _ACTUS PRIMUS. SCENA PRIMA._ _Enter_ Achillas, _and_ Achoreus. [_Ach._] I love the King, nor do dispute his power, (For that is not confin'd, nor to be censur'd By me, that am his Subject) yet allow me The liberty of a Man, that still would be A friend to Justice, to demand the motives That did induce young _Ptolomy_, or _Photinus_, (To whose directions he gives up himself, And I hope wisely) to commit his Sister, The Princess _Cleopatra_ (if I said The Queen) _Achillas_ 'twere (I hope) no treason, She being by her Fathers Testament (Whose memory I bow to) left Co-heir In all he stood possest of. _Achil._ 'Tis confest (My good _Achoreus_) that in these Eastern Kingdoms Women are not exempted from the Sceptre, But claim a priviledge, equal to the Male; But how much such divisions have ta'en from The Majesty of _Egypt_, and what factions Have sprung from those partitions, to the ruine Of the poor Subject, (doubtful which to follow,) We have too many, and too sad examples, Therefore the wise _Photinus_, to prevent The Murthers, and the Massacres, that attend On disunited Government, and to shew The King without a Partner, in full splendour, Thought it convenient the fair _Cleopatra_, (An attribute not frequent to the Climate) Should be committed in safe Custody, In which she is attended like her Birth, Until her Beauty, or her royal Dowre, Hath found her out a Husband. _Ach._ How this may Stand with the rules of policy, I know not; Most sure I am, it holds no correspondence With the Rites of _Ægypt_, or the Laws of Nature; But grant that _Cleopatra_ can sit down With this disgrace (though insupportable) Can you imagine, that _Romes_ glorious Senate (To whose charge, by the will of the dead King This government was deliver'd) or great _Pompey_, (That is appointed _Cleopatra_'s Guardian As well as _Ptolomies_) will e're approve Of this rash counsel, their consent not sought for, That should authorize it?