The False One: A Tragedy

The False One: A Tragedy
John Fletcher

Francis Beaumont

Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher

The False One: A Tragedy

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.

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,