Philip Massinger
The Emperor of the East

Prologue: At court. The author hopes that those who now see this play will be able to disregard the bad reviews, which he dismisses as the "envy of some Catos of the stage."

I.i: A room in the palace. Paulinus, a kinsman to the emperor, and Cleon, a traveler and friend to Paulinus, are discussing the pleasurable attributes of Pulcheria, the protectress and sister to the emperor. Paulinus explains that many kings have sought her hand-all to no avail because she "knows her strength / To rule and govern monarchs." Loud music is played as many enter for the "emperor's morning meditation": Philanax, the captain of the guard, Timantus, Chrysapius and Gratianus, eunuchs of the emperor's chamber, Theodosius, the younger emperor, Pulcheria, Flaccilla and Arcadia, the younger sisters of the emperor, Servants and Officers. Pulcheria announces that they are soon to receive ambassadors from neighboring states. Paulinus and Cleon are left alone to remark on the authority with which she acted while the eunuchs looked on with disdain. Cleon after the ambassadors, prompting Paulinus to remember that he has "a strange virgin" to present to the princess that morning.

I.ii: Another room in the palace. The Informer enters with the Projector, the Minion of the Suburbs, and the Master of the Habit and Manners, explaining that they must conceal nothing from the protectress when they speak with her. Paulinus enters with Cleon and Athenais, the strange virgin, who carries a petition. Paulinus explains that Pulcheria will be open to her grievances, unlike her fellow countrymen. The Informer inquires of Paulinus to see if he can assure that the three men that he brought will be well received. Before Paulinus can answer, Theodosius, Pulcheria, Arcadia, Flaccilla, Patriarch, Philanax, Timantus, Chrysapius, Gratianus, and Attendants enter. Pulcheria begins to hear the grievances of the Informer, but dismisses them, as well as those of the Minion of the Suburbs and the Master of the Habit and Manners. Pulcheria says they are petty problems and banishes the three from her brother's court. Athenais then tells of brothers who have denied her the fortune she was promised at her father's death. Taken with pity, Pulcheria offers to provide a home for Athenais and holds hope that she will be able to convert her to Christianity.

II.i: A room in the palace. Philanax, Timantus, Chrysapius, and Gratianus are discussing their disapproval at the way in which Theodosius allows Pulcheria to exercise such power when Theodosius enters. They confront him with their opinions. Theodosius argues that while he does allow his sister quite a bit of power, it is not total, and he is still the emperor. At this, Pulcheria enters with a request that Theodosius look over some pictures to see if he likes either of the ladies shown in them since she is intent upon finding him a wife. Not liking either, Pulcheria offers to introduce him to one that is promising if "her birth and fortunes answer/The rarities of her body and her mind." With this, Paulinus and Cleon enter with a richly dressed Athenais. Theodosius is immediately taken with Athenais and wishes to make her his wife. Being "a new-converted Christian" herself, Athenais is ecstatic and pledges lifelong servitude to Pulcheria despite the status of empress that she will enjoy. All leave but Philanax, Gratianus, and Timantus who wonder over the suddenness of the marriage and the reasons for which Pulcheria may have for choosing Athenais.

III.i: A room in the palace. Paulinus gossips with Philanax over the most recent events including the wedding of Theodosius and Athenais, who has now been christened Eudocia.

III.ii: Another room in the palace. Eudocia once again pledges her allegiance and servitude to Pulcheria. With this Pulcheria tells Eudocia that she only wishes for her to keep a watchful eye over Theodosius, taking care that he is not so lenient with his "favours" and "bounties." Eudocia promises to try, but she does not know that it is right for the wife to instruct the husband. After Eudocia retires, Pulcheria speaks with Arcadia and Flaccilla, pondering over the ease with which she is able to "have power o'er these yet." Pulcheria is then left alone with an Attendant who quickly drafts a petition for Pulcheria. Theodosius, Paulinus, Philanax, Timantus, and Gratianus enter as the Attendant returns with the petition. Pulcheria presents the petition to Theodosius, causing Timantus and Gratianus to wonder if the petition asks "for our heads." All leave as Pulcheria is once again left alone, planning her deception of Eudocia though her "ends are honest."

III.iii: Another room in the palace. Theodosius is wondering where Eudocia is when Paulinus enters with news that he had found her, but before he could bring her to him, Pulcheria whispered something in her ear, causing her to start and ask to "excuse her absence."

III.iv: Another room in the palace. Arcadia and Flaccilla lead Eudocia, who is now beginning to show signs of independence, into Pulcheria's room. Pulcheria states that what she has given she can now take away. Eudocia is confused and inquires as to why Pulcheria is unsatisfied with her. Before Pulcheria can answer, Paulinus knocks at the door wishing to speak with Eudocia. Pulcheria turns him away saying, "she's mine; the emperor hath/No interest in her." Pulcheria explains that she was let down by Eudocia who had promised to help curtail Theodosius' overly benevolent ways. As a result of this, Pulcheria has decided that Eudocia will no longer be empress. With that, Theodosius is heard from the outside ordering that the door be broken down. He enters with Paulinus, Philanax, Chrysapius, and Gratianus. Pulcheria immediately approaches Theodosius with the petition he had so hastily signed moments before which delivered his wife into the hands of Pulcheria. He states that he has learned his lesson and will never again "sign petitions at this rate." Pulcheria is pleased and tears up the petition, returning Eudocia to her brother. All leave except Paulinus, Philanax, Gratianus, and Chrysapius. They comment on the "vex'd empress' frowns" who seemed none to pleased at the way in which Pulcheria chose to teach Theodosius a lesson.

IV.i: A room in the palace. Eudocia is upset over the way in which Pulcheria has treated her as she listens to a plan Chrysapius has concocted. He offers Eudocia the chance to "clip the wings of her command" and truly take her place as empress. Eudocia is intrigued but wishes time to think on her decision. Chrysapius wonders if he has just caused his own death by attempting to usurp Pulcheria.

IV.ii: A space before the palace. Theodosius, Philanax, Timantus, Gratianus, and Huntsmen are in the forest when approached by a Countryman with an apple. He offers the "golden apple" to Theodosius who intends to give it to Eudocia.

IV.iii: A room in the palace. Eudocia informs Pulcheria that she is not welcome in her presence any longer. Pulcheria accepts this decree and leaves, but not before warning Eudocia that she is executing more power than she actually holds. Philanax enters with the apple and news that Paulinus is sickened with gout. Wishing him well, Eudocia sends a servant to his home with the apple as a gift.

IV.iv: A room in Paulinus' house. A Surgeon is attempting to examine Paulinus when Cleon enters with news that he has with him an Empiric whom wishes to try his hand at curing Paulinus' gout. Skeptical, the Surgeon questions the Empiric mercilessly until Paulinus has him thrown out as a "rascal." At this, the Servant enters with the apple. Paulinus feels better simply knowing that Eudocia has sent it. He gives the apple to Cleon, instructing that it be taken to Theodosius as a gift.

IV.v: A room in the palace. Theodosius expresses his immense gratitude for Pulcheria and her "knowledge of the art of government." Pulcheria slyly mentions that her actions are not "approved by all." Theodosius warns his sister that any remarks made against Eudocia will not be taken kindly. Before more can be said, Cleon arrives with the apple. Theodosius, slighted by the regiven of the apple, is outraged. He demands to be left alone and ponders if "a man averse to women" has cuckolded him. Timantus enters and is quickly ordered to fetch Eudocia. He returns with Eudocia, Flaccilla and Arcadia. Theodosius immediately asks Eudocia if she received the apple he sent her. She responds that she had and "it had the pleasant'st taste." Theodosius continues his questioning knowing now that she has lied. Pulcheria, Philanax, Chrysapius, Gratianus, and Guards enter. Theodosius continues with his accusations, finally producing the apple to a defeated Eudocia. At this point, Theodosius will not listen to reason and orders Philanax to kill Paulinus because he thinks Paulinus is sleeping with his wife. He states that Eudocia's punishment will be "a long life." He leaves as Arcadia, Flaccilla, and even Pulcheria promise to attempt to reason with their brother. Eudocia is left alone with Chrysapius who offers to hide her until Theodosius' temper has cooled.

V.i: A room in Paulinus' house. Philanax and Executioners prepare to murder Paulinus as he espouses his innocence along with that of Eudocia. Philanax stalls the execution as he is moved by Paulinus' words.

V.ii: A room in the palace. Pulcheria, Flaccilla, and Arcadia inquire of Timantus, Gratianus, and Chrysapius as to Theodosius' condition. It is stated that he paces his bedchamber and can be heard calling out for Eudocia. Chrysapius presents Pulcheria with a petition to better the condition just as Theodosius enters. Pulcheria, Chrysapius, and Gratianus plead with him to accept that Eudocia and Paulinus are innocent of infidelity. Theodosius hopes this is true, but has his doubts. At this, Chrysapius gives him the petition to look over.

V.iii: Another room in the palace. Disgraced, Eudocia, now dressed in rags, cleans the room and sings a depressing dirge. Theodosius, disguised as a friar, enters, offering to hear the confessions of Eudocia. Eudocia confesses that she did not eat the apple, but sent it to an ailing Paulinus. With this, Theodosius throws off his disguise and calls in all that were waiting beyond the chamber. Pulcheria, Arcadia, Flaccilla, Philanax, Chrysapius, and Timantus enter. Theodosius expresses great remorse and regret at having already killed Paulinus. Asking for pardon, Philanax brings in Paulinus to the delight of everyone in the room. Arcadia and Flaccilla ask that their brother work quickly on getting them married so that they may "taste the pleasure of't."

Epilogue: The author hopes that the audience was able to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of Theodosius and not condemn him for them.

Paulinus, a kinsman to the emperor, serves as companion to Theodosius. He brings Eudocia's case-she has been denied monies and properties bequeathed to her-- to the attention of Pulcheria. He suffers from gout and takes to bed where he is treated by a surgeon. Eudocia sends him an apple in hopes that it will help his ailment. Theodosius mistakenly believes that Paulinus and Eudocia have had an affair and orders Paulinus to be killed. At the end of the play, Paulinus returns alive having been spared by Philanax.

Philanax, captain of the guard, is ordered to execute Paulinus for his supposed indiscretions. He chooses to spare Paulinus after listening to him proclaim his innocence.

Timantus, Chrysapius, and Gratianus, eunuchs of the emperor's chamber, serve as servants to Theodosius. They are at first suspicious of Pulcheria and her motives but change their minds when they realize she is only attempting to protect her brother. Chrysapius becomes a conspirator with Pulcheria as they scheme to curb Theodosius' generosity. Pulcheria tricks him into signing his own wife into slavery.

Cleon, a traveler friend of Paulinus, discusses the power and beauty of Pulcheria with Paulinus at the beginning of the play. He delivers the apple to Theodosius, prompting the cycle of mistrust.

Patriarch, Informer, Projector, Master of the Habits and Manners, and Minion of the Suburbs all approach Theodosius with grievances, but are dismissed by Pulcheria for being petty and unimportant.

Countryman, approaches Theodosius in the forest as he is hunting to give him an apple as a gift.

Surgeon, treats Paulinus for his gout and dismisses the Empiric for being a "rascal."

Empiric, attempts to treat Paulinus for his gout with faulty remedies. He is sent away by the surgeon and Paulinus.

Pulcheria, the protectress and sister to the emperor, wields most of the power in her brother's palace. She arranges the marriage between Eudocia and Theodosius yet changes her mind about the attributes of Eudocia when she fails to put restraints on Theodosius' eagerness to sign petitions. She plays a trick on her brother wherein he inadvertently signs over his wife to Pulcheria. Further, she angers Eudocia who in turn banishes Pulcheria from her sight. Yet when Theodosius turns on Eudocia, Pulcheria defends Eudocia.

Athenais, a strange virgin, renamed Eudocia when she becomes empress. Her brothers have denied her the money and lands that she was promised in her father's will. She is brought to Pulcheria to state her case by Paulinus. She is married to Theodosius but is quickly shunned by him when it is believed she has cheated on him. After confessing her lies to a disguised Theodosius, she is forgiven.

Arcadia and Flaccilla, the younger sisters of the emperor, act as champions of Eudocia's cause and sometimes her confidants. At the end, they wish to be married-to whom seems of little consequence.

Officers, Suitors, Attendants, Guards, Huntsman, Executioners, Servants.