The dramatic works of Sir Aston Cokain. With prefatory memoir, introductions, and notes

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Prefatory Memoir, ....

Page ix

A Masque, .....

I

Come, ladies, rise, and let us know, Now you have seen, what you can do. Hark ! how the music doth invite All you to solemnize this night ; Then let the sounds that you do hear Order your feet unto your ear.

rise ! rise altogether,

And let us meet ; Music's divine, and well may join

Our motions rude unto a sweet.

II

The figures of the magic art We'll equal in a better part ; Judicial astrology Cannot cast such an one as we ; Add but your skill, as we desire, And we'll keep time to Phoebus' lyre ! rise ! rise altogether,

And let us meet ; Music's divine, and well may join

Our motions rude unto a sweet.

Here all the company dance what they please and while they please. Wlien they leave, the Lar, or one of the Masquers, sings this to the spectator-ladies as they go from them : —

Fourth Song.

Ladies, enough ! we dare not

Tempt you to more than this.

Now may your servants spare not

To give each of you a kiss.

If we were they, you should have them,

To recompense your pain. happy they that gave them,

And may give them again ! 'Tis late — good night ; go sleep, and may Soft slumbers crown your eyes till day !

This being sung, the Masquers, the Lar Familiaris, and the Satyr go into the arbour, which closes on them.

THE OBSTINATE LADY; A COMEDY.

The Obstinate Lady ; A new Comedy never formerly published. The scene London. Written by Sir Aston Cockayn. London, Printed by W. Godbid for Isaac Pridmore, and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Falcon, beyond the New Exchange, in the Strand. 1657. Uo.

The Obstinate Lady ; A Comedy. Written by Aston Cokain. London, Printed by William Godbid. 1658.

The first edition of The Obstinate Lady was printed in 4to in 1657, but without the knowledge or consent of the author. The year following appeared "A Chain of Poems, embellished with wit, mirth, and eloquence ; together with two most excellent comedies, viz. The Obstinate Lady and Trappolin suppos'd a Prince, written by Sir Aston Cockayn. London, printed by W[illiam] G[odbid], and are to be sold by Isaac Pridmore," at the Golden Falcon, near the New Exchange. 12mo." The author, in his " Apology to the Reader," affords this information: "These poor trifles, courteous reader, had not now become so troublesome to the world, if it had been in my power to have prevented them ; for at my going once out of London, I left them with a friend of mine, who dying, they were dispersed into divers hands. Mr. William Godbid got my Obstinate Lady, and though he found it with the last leaf torn out, wherein my conclusion to the play with the epilogue were, he procured some acquaintance of his to supply the defect at the end, and so printed it. And though that comedy be very much of it writ in number, he put it forth as if the most part of it were prose. Here you have that defect much amended, and my own conclusion and. epilogue added. I was fearful my Trappolin and other poems should have run the like misfortune, and therefore made a diligent inquiry after them, and when I had found them out, could not get them delivered without parting with some money, and promising my honest friend, Mr. W. Godbid, — after I had afforded him some small correction, — I would bestow them on him, with my consent, for the press ; for, indeed, without his assistance I should not have recovered them out of a gentleman's hands, whom I will forbear to name." Mr. W. Godbid, printer, although his "honest friend," would seem to have secured his own advantage in the transaction. However, there is not much to complain about, apart from monetary expectations, if such there were on the part of the author, inasmuch as that portion of The Obstinate Lady which Mr. Godbid's "acquaintance" had supplied consists often lines only. It is a continuation of Falorus' speech, and comes in thus, after he has said, " How you have fix'd me in a fortunate and glorious life :" —

" Madam Rosinda, I thank you. Come, my dear Lucora, let us bid our friends good night, with as short a compliment as may be, — for I'm in haste, — that so we may congratulate each other's happiness in a place more convenient. " Jaq. I'll follow you, I'll warrant you, Into the cellar. But stay — O !

I had almost forgot —

B

Thus have you seen, by patience great, You may o'ercome a lady obstinate."

Copies of the collected editions of Sir Aston Cockayne's works are very scarce, and command a high price in the book market. The rarity of the quarto edition of The Obstinate Lady forms the principal claim to its being reprinted here; while at the same time the author's clever plays of Trappolin and of Ovid's Tragedy, which follow, determined the publication of his entire dramatic works.

Of the play itself, the Biographia Dramatica says, but upon what authority is not stated, "it met with no great success." That it was ever performed appears questionable, for although not devoid of some merit, the incidents and some of the characters of the piece did not present sufficient novelty at the time to render it more than usually attractive. There is a close resemblance throughout to Massinger's Very Woman, and the "Carionil" and "Lucora" of Cockayne appear to be the reflex of the "Don John Antonio" and "Almira" of Massinger, to whom our author in his poems addresses, as his friend, some eulogistic verses on his tragi-comedy called The Emperor of the East, and others on his tragi-comedy called The Maid of Honour. These are reprinted among the several commendatory poems prefacing Gifford's edition of Massinger's plays, 4 vols. 8vo, 1805-13. The first of these was written at the instigation of Lord Mohun, Cockayne's uncle, to whom the tragi-comedy was. inscribed, and who was so pleased with a perusal of Massinger's printed works, that he not only commissioned his nephew to express his satisfaction, but to present the writer "with a token of his love and intended favour." Here is an excerpt : —

" Thou more than poet ! our Mercury, that art Apollo's messenger, and dost impart His best expressions to our ears, live long ! To purify the slighted English tongue, That both the nymphs of Tagus and of Po May not henceforth despise our language so. Nor could they do it if they e'er had seen The matchless features of the Faerie Queene — Read Jonson, Shakespeare, Beaumont, Fletcher, or Thy neat-lined pieces, skilful Massinger. Thou known, all the Castellians must confess De Vega Carpio thy foil, and bless His language can translate thee, and the fine Italian wits yield to this work of thine."

Through Sir Aston Cockayne's poems one fact was contributed to the meagre biographical history of Philip Massinger, — that he assisted Fletcher in the composition of several of his plays ; and this has been confirmed by Malone, who, when an inquiry was set on foot, succeeded in finding evidence in the archives of Dulwich College. These confirmatory documents will be found in GifFord's Life of Massinger, prefixed to his dramatic works, vol. i. p. 49.

Attention was first called to this by Sir Aston's poem addressed to Humphrey Mosley and Mr. Humphrey Robinson, the publishers of Beaumont and Fletcher's collected works in folio, thus : —

" In the large book of plays you late did print In Beaumont and in Fletcher's name, why in't Did you not justice ? — give to each his due ? For Beaumont of those many writ but few, And Massinger in other few ; the main Being sole issues of sweet Fletcher's brain. But how I came, you ask, so much to know ? Fletcher's chief bosom-friend informed me so. I' th' next impression therefore justice do, And print their old ones in one volume too ; For Beaumont's works and Fletcher's should come forth, With all the right belonging to their worth."

Again, in his letter "To my Cousin Mr. Charles Cotton," he says :

" Had Beaumont liv'd when this edition came Forth, and beheld his ever-living name Before plays that he never writ, how he Had frown'd and blush'd at such impiety ! His own renown no such addition needs, To have a fame sprung from another's deeds. And my good friend, old Philip Massinger, With Fletcher wrote in some that we see here."

The incident of Cleanthe, in the Obstinate Lady, disguising herself and following Phyginois as a page, is borrowed from Beaumont and Fletcher's very poetical play of Philaster, or Love-lies-a- Bleeding. There, Euphrasia, the daughter of Dion, assumes the name of Bellario and follows Philaster, to whom she is eventually united. Tobin has made use of the same device in his excellent comedy called the Honeymoon.

THE PROLOGUE.

Brave crown of gallants, welcome ! May this place Meet expectation ; you afford us grace. We joy that such a multitude divine Of planets in our little spheres do shine ; And that besides our horizon is stuck With lesser lights, we do esteem 't good luck. For the great favour, may each several scene Affect you more than Hebe's nectar Heaven. We can but wish 't ; for if y' are come to-day In expectation of a faultless play, Writ by learn'd Jonson, or some able pen Fam'd and approv'd of by the world, you then We disappoint. Our poet had never yet Hisses condemn, or hands commend his wit. Troth, gentlemen, we know that now-a-days Some come to take up wenches at our plays ; It is not our design* to please their sense, We wish they may go discontented hence. And many gallants hither come, we think, To sleep, and to digest their too much drink : We may please them, for we will not molest, With drums or trumpets, any of their rest. If perfum'd wantons do for eighteenpence Expect an angel, and alone go hence, We shall be glad with all our hearts, for we Had rather have their room than company ; For many an honest gentleman is gone Away for want of place, as, look ye, yon ! We guess some of you ladies hither come To meet your servants, wh' are at dice at home ; You'll be deceiv'd, and therefore will dispraise, And say, this is the worst of all the plays You ever saw ; but keep your censures, pray, Until you meet them here another day. Our poet is not confident, nor doth Distrust his work, but labours 'twixt them both. He hopes it will be lik'd, and well ; if not, 'T can be but hiss'd at worst, and soon forgot. * " It is not in our power." — 1st ed.

DKAMATIS PERSONS.

Polidacre, An old Lord.

Philander, His Son.

Carionil, . A young Lord ; the counterfeit Negro, and

called Tucapelo.

Falorus, . His Friend.

Lorece, . A fantastic Gallant, his Brother.

Phyginois, Called Dracuiemion.

Jaques, . An old simple Serving-man of Vandona.

Servants. Maskers.

Bosinda, . Polidacre's Wife, called Tandorix.

Lucora, . The Obstinate Lady, her Daughter.

Cleanthe, Her Sister, called Anclethe.

Vandona, . A young rich Widow.

Antiphila, A fine young Lady.

Nentis, . Lncords woman, Vandona 's Sister.

The Scene — LONDON.

A COMEDY.

Act i. — Scene l Enter Carionil and Falorus

Fal. She has outgone my belief by 't. I did not think that project would have failed : I cannot speak her !

Car. The Alpian snow is not more cold.

Fal. Her disposition is most strange.

Car. 'Twere easier far

To spurn the sultry Cyclops' anvil down, And kick it thus int' atoms in the air, Than to obtain her love : It were, my dear Falorus !

Fal. think not so, Carionil !

Car. Have I not cause 1

Fal. At last, after a constant and a brave pursuit, She may be won.

Car. Could I but hope so much,

Did all the stars' malignant influences'"" Threaten fate opposite to my happiness, I would not deem them worthy my observance, But persevere till I obtain'd, or fell.f

Fal. Conjecture still the best.

Car. 'Tis easier to advise than to perform. Had you, Falorus, been so oft dismiss'd

* " Did all the storms, malignant influences." — 1st ed. f "Felt."— Ibid.

Comfortless, scornfully sent away By her own lips — heavens ! you could not think it!

Fal. I could and would.

Car. With hope, friend 1

Fal. Yes ; with an assurance.

Car. Upon what ground would you build it 1

Fal Upon a woman's frequent dissimulation. Can you "believe, when envious clouds deprive Your eyes from the sun's beams,* that it shines not 1 In these times, young ladies for a while Do mantle their affections in dislike ! Let not an ignorance of virgins' wiles Disturb your noble breast with weak despair : Carionil, assume a confidence !

Were you inferior unto her in blood, Or any whit deform'd, after her nays You might suspect the period, but seeing "lis known, as noble blood runs through t your

veins, And that nature compos'd you in a mould As excellent as she was formed in, and With substance of as beauteous a gloss, You need not let doubts puzzle you.

Enter above Lucora and Nentis.

Car. Stay and admire with me ! Exalt your eyes To happiness !

Fal. Your mistress and her woman, my Carionil !

Car. Lucora ! She's a transcendent of epithets !

Fal. I see a lute ! Let us escape their sight, And it is likely we shall hear her sing !

Luc. Now give it me ! Is it in tune 1

Nen. Yes, madam !

Car. Forbear awhile to play upon the spheres, Ye servants to the deities ! The gods Will blame you, if your music keep the air Of her all-ravishing harmony from their ears !

* " Sunbeams." — 1st ed. f " In." — Ibid.

A SONG.

Sweet Diana ! virtuous queen !

By heaven's edict guide of night, That dost affect the meadows green, And dost in fresh-leaved woods delight ! Like to thy nymphs, suffer me To consecrate myself to thee.

II.

Thou that for lust didst transform

Either most strongly maidens charm, That men may never them divert From purity, or else make Them other harts for virgins' sake !

Car. How ! — A vot'ress to Diana 1 The heavens forbid that injury to earth ! Had the deceitful Syrens such a voice, And bodies of so rare a form, I would Ne'er come on shipboard, for fear of being drawn To drown myself by swimming after them.

Nen. I do not like her, madam.

Luc. Who ever spoke ill of Daphne 1 Fie ! Banish such impious censures from you !

Nen. Troth, madam, I should have been glad to 'a * been my Lady Apollo !

Luc. Oh, relish more of purity, Nentis ! Alas ! 'tis a frail comfort can come with a husband.

Nen. I think otherwise indeed, madam.

Luc. Be all such thoughts remote from my breast ! My resolution shall be never t to marry ! [Exeunt

Car. Now you have heard her thoughts, Falorus.

Fal. That she disguises not her love, you mean %

Car. True ; and I am most miserable.

Fal. My happy friend you will be.

* " To h' been."— 1st ed.

f " Shall never stand to marry." — Ibid.

'Tis an ignorant, common custom among young ones to do so.

Car. But she's a fixed star, and cannot move.

Fal. Fixed in your heart, 'tis likely ; But otherwise, I doubt, nor do you.

Car. Y'ave stirred a feeble belief within me, friend, That the excellent Lucora may be won, And I will nourish it unto some heighth.

Fal. A necessary that none must want which do Desire fruition of those whom they woo !

Enter Jaques.

Car. 0, honest Jaques !

Jaq. My lady presents her service to your lordship.

Car. She is in health, I hope?

Jaq. Yery well. And I am glad to see your honour so, though I say it.

Car. She is not towards another husband yet %

Jaq. No, certainly.

Car. Methinks her fortunes should give her a various choice. You are elsewhere employed, I perceive. Remember my best respects unto your lady.

[Exit Jaques.

Y'ave heard of my cousin Yandona, Falorus 1

Fal. But very little.

Car. She's the most fantastic piece of womankind I e'er chang'd breath with ; but a young one, wealthy, and truly not unhandsome.

Fal. Lorece does intend to make love to her.

Car. Your brother, my Falorus 1

Fal. Yes ; so he told me.

Car. May he obtain her if you wish'd 1

Fal. Her estate would make the match a good one.

Enter Cleanthe.

Is this the boy you so commended to me 1

Car. 'Tis he ; and think you him worthy the praise

I gave him 1

Cle. He'll come and wait upon you at night, my

lord.

Car. 'Tis well, Anclethe !

Fal. You spoke him not unto his merits.

Car. You are beholden to my friend, Anclethe !

Enter a Page.*

Fal. Your lord's in health 1

Page. And desires to speak with your lordship.

Fal. Where may I find him 1

Page. He'll be at his lodgings these two hours.

Fal. I'll wait upon him presently. I am his servant ! [Exit Page.

Carionil, I must take my leave !

Car. The gods go with you ! He may be my fatherin-law, but will not if he can prevent it. Adieu, friend ! [Exit Falorus.

0, my Anclethe ! thou canst not guess the world of torments I nourish here. I cannot number them myself; and, because I cannot, I fear the gods will not.

Cle. What can you ail, my lord %

Car. Canst thou imagine me free from misery %

Cle. Indeed I did !

Car. No, there's a lady — she's above all ladies, And, were she pitiful, I would swear, a goddess — That does deny me happiness !

As thou hast me, Idalian archer, so On her use thy eternal stringed bow ; Draw to the head thy shaft, and let it fly ! For love, but love, there is no remedy.

[Exit Carionil.

Cle. Wretched Cleanthe ! to what a multitude Of woeful sighs my destinies have drawn me ! Could all the tears that I abundantly have wept But find that recompense I dare not look for, they were showers to be belov'd, like those That deck the spring with bravery. Carionil, For whom I languish in disguise, it seems Hath settled his affections on a lady Does not return his love. May she continue Obstinate ever ! But I must blame her judgment : * Called, in the first edition, Tandorix.

Who can behold a man, with all the art Of nature, fram'd to curiosity, And hear the world report his virtues equal Unto his form, and not admire and love him 1

Enter Lorece.

Lor. Now, my young sweet face ! what pretty foolish whimsies trouble thy pate that thou lookest so composedly 1

Cle. Sir, I am as I use to be.

Lor. Then you use to be scurvy 1 Use the tavern once or twice a day. You must not be so maidenly !

Cle. It best becomes me.

Lor. Canst thou swear 1

Cle. The gods forbid !

Lor. Canst thou sing 1

Cle. Not worth your hearing, sir.

Lor. Say'st thou so 1 Then I will some things worth thine !

Of six-shillings beer I care not to hear — A barrel's not worth a carrot.

I, as others, think that there is no drink Like unto sack, white wine, and claret !

II.

Diana's a fool, and me shall not rule

To live a bachelor ever ; For I mean not to tarry in her livery, but marry,

And quickly, believe me, or never !

in.

And I and my wife will lead such a life, As she shall think well befell her ;

For throughout the year, we'll tipple March beer, And seldom be out of the cellar.