VIRGIN

MARTIR,

A

TRAGEDIE,

AS IT HATH BIN DIVERS

times publickely Acted with great

Applause,
By the Jeruants of his Maiefties Reuels.

Written ( Phillip Messenger and

by 1 Thomas Deker.

LONDON,
Printed by B. A. for Thomas

Tones. 1622.

[The three later Editions of 1631, 1651, and 1661, have been collated with the first, and have fupplied some important corrections of the text.

A

The Actors names.

Ioclefian,

}Emperours of Rome.
Maximinus,
A King of Pontus.
A King of Epire.
A King of Macedon,
Sapritius, Governour of Cæfaria.
Theophilus, a zealous persecutor of the Christians.
Sempronius, Captain of Sapritius Guards.
Antoninus, fonne to Sapritius.
Macrinus, friend to Antoninus.
Harpax, an euill spirit, following Theophilus in the

shape of a Secretary.
Artemia, daughter to Dioclefian.
Caliste,
Christeta.

Daughters to Theophilus.
Dorothea, The Virgin-Martyr.
Angelo, a good spirit, seruing Dorothea in the habit of

a Page.
A Brittish-Slave.
Hercius, a Whoremaster, Seruants to Dorothea.
Spungius, a Drunkard.
A Priest to lupiter.
Officers and Executioners.

}

B

THE

Virgin

Martir.

Actus primus. Scene 1.

Enter Theophilus, Harpax.
Theoph. Ome to Cæfarea to night?
Harpax. Most true Sir.

Theophilus. The Emperour in person?
Harpax. Do I live ?
Theo. 'Tis wondrous strange the marches of great

Princes,
Like to the motions of prodigious Meteors,
Are step by step observ'd; and loud tongu'd Fame
The harbinger to prepare their entertainment :
And were it possible so great an army,
Though cover'd with the night, could be so near ;
The Governour cannot be so unfriended
Among the many that attend his person,
But by some secret means, he should have notice
Of Cafars purpose in this ; then excuse me
If I appear incredulous.