The Argument INTRODUCING TO THE FOLLOWING SCENES. SICILY had been a long time tormented with civil wars, and the crown was still in dispute, till Aldebrand getting the upper hand in a set battle, established himself in the throne, and gave a period to all those troubles in show only; for the old factions were set on foot again shortly after, and the houses of the Floretties and the Cleonaxes strove now as much who should be most powerful with the king, as before who should make him. In conclusion, the favour of Aldebrand inclining to the Cleonaxes, and by degrees resting wholly upon them, the Floretties took arms, but, in a set field, lost all the father and the son being both taken prisoners, the one was banished, and the other condemned suddenly to lose his head. Thus far the author drew the curtain; the rest of the plot is wrapped up in the following scenes. DRAMATIS PERSONE. ALDEBRAND, King of Sicily. CLEONAX, senior, Treasurer. CLEONAX, junior, his Son. BELLAMINO, favourite of pleasure, and Cousin to CLEONAX. DOCODISAPIO, one that pretends to be a great Statesman. Signor MULTICARNI, the Poet. PETRUCHIO, Servant to FLORELIO. Ambassador from Spain. Actors, &c. AMASIA, Queen to ALDEBRAND. FRANCELIA, Daughter to CLARIMONT. Keeper. SCENE-SICILY. THE SAD ONE. A TRAGEDY. ACT I. SCENE I. Enter OLD CLARIMONT in prison, in his night-gown, his Servant following him. Old Cla. Condemn'd unheard! just heav'ns, it cannot be ! Why, tyranny itself could do no more; The pale ghosts of Tiberius and Nero Would blush to see an act so foul and horrid, So full of black ingratitude as this. 'Twas I that set the crown upon his head; And bid him live king of his enemies, And does he thus requite me? now I see, Who by the compass of his merit sails, May guide his fraught of hopes in seasons fair And calm; but when storms come, All his good deeds, with his good days must perish : Oh, my unhappy stars! Serv. My lord, let not a fruitless passion Make you to die less man than you have liv'd. Old Cla. Who art thou? Serv. I was lately one, my lord, Of the vast crowd that waited on your fortunes, [Beats his breast. |