The Plays of Philip Massinger, Vol. IMassinger, Philip
General
The Plays of Philip Massinger, Vol. I
Massinger, Philip
English drama -- 17th century
_Rob._ No, minion; though that were too much.
How can you
Answer the setting on your desperate bravo
To murder him?
_Cam._ With your leave, I must not kneel, sir,
While I reply to this: but thus rise up
In my defence, and tell you, as a man,
(Since, when you are unjust, the deity,
Which you may challenge as a king, parts from you,)
'Twas never read in holy writ, or moral,
That subjects on their loyalty were obliged
To love their sovereign's vices: your grace, sir,
To such an undeserver is no virtue.
_Ful._ What think you now, sir?
_Cam._ Say you should love wine,
You being the king, and, 'cause I am your subject,
Must I be ever drunk? Tyrants, not kings,
By violence, from humble vassals force
The liberty of their souls. I could not love him;
And to compel affection, as I take it,
Is not found in your prerogative.
_Rob._ Excellent virgin!
How I admire her confidence! [_Aside._
_Cam._ He complains
Of wrong done him: but be no more a king,
Unless you do me right. Burn your decrees,
And of your laws and statutes make a fire
To thaw the frozen numbness of delinquents,
If he escape unpunish'd. Do your edicts
Call it death in any man that breaks into
Another's house to rob him, though of trifles;
And shall Fulgentio, your Fulgentio, live,
Who hath committed more than sacrilege,
In the pollution of my clear fame
By his malicious slanders?
_Rob._ Have you done this?
Answer truly, on your life.
_Ful._ In the heat of blood,
Some such thing I reported.
_Rob._ Out of my sight!
For I vow, if by true penitence thou win not
This injured lady to sue out thy pardon,
Thy grave is digg'd already.
_Ful._ By my own folly
I have made a fair hand of 't. [_Aside, and Exit._
_Rob._ You shall know, lady,
While I wear a crown, Justice shall use her sword
To cut offenders off, though nearest to us.
_Cam._ Ay, now you show whose deputy you are:
If now I bathe your feet with tears, it cannot
Be censured superstition.
_Rob._ You must rise;
Rise in our favour and protection ever.
[_Kisses her._
_Cam._ Happy are subjects, when the prince is still
Guided by justice, not his passionate will.
[_Exeunt._
ACT V. SCENE I.
_The same. A Room in_ CAMIOLA'_s House_.
_Enter_ CAMIOLA _and_ SYLLI.
_Cam._ You see how tender I am of the quiet
And peace of your affection, and what great ones
I put off in your favour.
_Syl._ You do wisely,
Exceeding wisely; and, when I have said,
I thank you for 't, be happy.
_Cam._ And good reason,
In having such a blessing.
_Syl._ When you have it;
But the bait is not yet ready.
_Enter_ CLARINDA _hastily_.
_Cam._ What news with thee, now?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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