 | The Royall King, and The Loyall Subject |  |
Actus secundus,
Scena secunda.
Enter the Prince, the Princesse, the Martiall, and the Lady Mary Audley.Prince.
Lord Martiall, we are much in debt to you,
For by your favour we obtain'd the prize
In the last Tourney: we acknowledge it.
Mar.
I could not love my Soveraigne Gracious Prince,
Without extent of duty to the sonne.
Princesse.
'Twas nobly ply'd on both sides, both had honour;
Yet brother to be modest in your praise,
You had the best.
Prince.
You please to grace me Sister.
Martiall, I heare you are a widdower late:
How long is't since your beauteous Countesse dy'd?
Mar.
My Lord, you make me now unsoldier-like
Forget the name of Martiall, to become
A passionate husband; her remembrance drawes
Teares from mine eyes: shee dy'd some three Moneths since,
Good Lady shee's now gone.
Princesse.
A kinde Husband
I'le warrant him: if e're I chance to bride,
Heaven grant I finde no worse.
Prince.
Have you no children by her?
Mar.
Two sweet Girles,
Now all my hopes and solace of this earth,
Whom next the zeale I owe unto my King,
I prise above the world.
Prince.
Why noble Sir,
Are they not brought up to be train'd at Court,
To attend our Sister?
Mar.
They are young and tender,
And e're I teach them fashion, I would gladly
Traine them in vertue, and to arme their youth
Against the smooth and amorous baits of Court.
As kind a Father as a Husband now:
If e're I chance to wedde, such Heaven grant me.
Prince.
Why Heaven may heare your prayer: here's one
I warrant that dreames not on a Husband.
Princesse.
Yet e're long
Shee may both dreame, and speake as much as I.
No question but she thinks as much already;
And were here voyce and her election free,
Shee would not sticke to say this man for me.
Prince.
You make the Lady blush.
Princesse.
Why to change face,
They say in modest Maides are signes of grace:
Yet many that like her hold downe the head,
Will ne're change colour when they're once in bed.
Prince.
You'le put the Lady out of countenance quite.
Princesse.
Not out of heart; for all of her complexion,
Shew in their face the fire of their affection:
And even the modest wives, this know we too,
Oft blush to speake what is no shame to doe.
Mar.
Lady, the Princesse doth but try your spirit,
And prove your cheeke, yet doe not take it ill,
Hee'le one day come will act the Husbands part.
Enter Captaine and Cocke.
Princesse.
Here enters one, I hope it be not he.
Cap.
Attend me sirrah into the presence, and if any of the
Guard repulse thee, regard him not.
Cocke.
I'le march where my Captaine leads, wer't into
the Presence of the great Termagaunt.
Cap.
My duty to the Prince, Madam your favour,
Lord Martiall, yours.
Prince.
What will the fellow doe?
Cap.
Lady, your lip.
Princesse.
My Lord, how like you this?
Shee'd blush to speake, that doth not blush to kisse.
Cocke.
Well said Mistris.
Prince.
A good bold fellow.
You are not asham'd to acknowledge me in this good
company: I have brought thee all that the warres have left
of me; were I better worth, 'twere all thine; thou canst
have no more of the Cat but his skinne, I have brought thee
home the same eyes that first saw thee, the same tongue
that first courted thee, the same hand that first contracted
thee, and the same heart that first affected thee: More I have
not, lesse I cannot: nay quickly sweet Wench, and let mee,
know what to trust to.
Lady Mary.
Were you more worth, I could not love you more,
Or lesse, affect you lesse; you have brought me home
All that I love, your selfe, and you are welcome.
I gave no faith to Money, but a Man,
And that I cannot loose possessing you:
'Tis not the robe or garment I affect,
For who would marry with a suite of cloaths?
Diamonds, though set in Lead, reteine their worth,
And leaden Knives may have a golden sheath.
My love is to the Jewell, not the Case,
And you my jewell are.
Cap.
Why god amercy Wench: come sirrah.
Exit.
Cock.
Here's a short horse soone curryed.
Princesse.
Is this your sweet-heart? I had need wish you
much joy, for I see but a little towards: Where did you take
him up by the hye-way, or did you not fall in love with him
hanging on a Gibbet?
Prince.
What is he for Heavens sake? can no man give him
his true character?
Mar.
I can my Lord, he's of a noble House,
A Bonvile, and great Heire; but being profuse,
And lavish in his nonage, spent the most
Of his knowne meanes, and hoping now at last
To raise his fortunes by the warres now ceast,
His hopes have fail'd him, yet we know him valiant
And fortunate in service. One whose minde
No fortune can deject, no favour raise
Above his vertues pitch.
If he be such,
Wee'le move the King in his behalfe, and helpe
To cherish his good parts.
Enter Chester.
Chest.
My Lord the Prince,
The King calls for you; for he dines to day
In the great Hall with great solemnity,
And his best state: Lord Martiall, you this day
Must use your place, and waite, so all the Lords.
Prince.
Come, wee'le goe see the King.
Mar.
I shall attend your Grace.
Exit.
Princesse.
And in faith Lady can you be in love with this
ragge of honour?
Lady Ma.
Madam, you know I am my Fathers heire,
My possibilities may raise his hopes
To their first height: should I despise my hand
In a torne glove, or taste a poysonous draught
Because presented in a Cup of Gold?
Vertue will last when wealth flyes, and is gone:
Let me drinke Nectar though in earth or stone.
Princesse.
But say your Father now, as many Fathers are,
proove a true worldling, and rather than bestow thee on one
dejected, dis-inherite thee? how then?
Lady Ma.
My Father is my Father, but my Husband,
He is my selfe: my resolution is
To professe constancy, and keepe mine honour;
And rather than to Queene it where I hate,
Begge where I love: I wish no better fate.
Princesse.
By my faith good counsell; if I live long enough,
It may be I may have the grace to follow it.
Exit.
Sound: enter two banquets brought forth, at one the King and the Prince in their State, at the other the Lords: the Martiall with his Staffe and Key, and other offices borne before him to waite on the King.
King.
This Anniversary doe we yeerely keepe
In memory of our late victories.
And banquet all our Peeres thus openly.
Sit Lords, those onely we appoint to waite,
Attend us for this day: and now to crowne
Our Festivall, we will begin this health.
Who's that so neare our elbow? Martiall? you?
Stand off we wish you, further.
Mar.
Me my Lord?
King.
Ey you my Lord.
Mar.
Your Highnesse will's a law,
I shall obey.
King.
You are too neare us yet: what are we King,
Or have we countermanders?
Chest.
Note you that?
Clint.
Now it begins.
Mar.
I feare some Sycophants
Have dealt ignobly with us to the King:
No matter I am arm'd with innocence,
And that dares front all danger.
King.
Lords this Health:
The King drinks, they all stand.
See it goe round, 'twas to our victory.
Mar.
With pardon, can your Highnesse that remember,
And so forget me?
King.
Thou doest prompt me well,
You are our Martiall.
Mar.
I have us'd that place.
King.
Your Staffe? support it, and resolve me this:
Which of yon Lords there seated at the bord,
Hast thou beene most in opposition with?
Or whom dost thou least favour?
Mar.
I love all:
But should you aske me who hath wrong'd me most,
Then should I point out Chester.
King.
Chester then,
Beare him that Staffe, giv't up into his hand,
Say, I commend me to him by the name
Of our High Martiall; take your place below,
And let him waite on us: what doe you pause?
Or shall we twice command?
Mar.
I'le doo't my Lord:
And by my mouth he styles you by the name
Of his High Martiall, which this Staffe of Office
Makes good to you; my place I thus resigne,
And giv't up freely as it first was mine.
You must attend the King, it is a place
Of honour Chester, and of great command,
Vse it with no lesse modesty than he
That late injoy'd it, and resignes it thee.
Chest.
I need not your instruction; the Kings bounty
Bestows it freely, and I take my place.
Mar.
And I mine here, th'allegeance that I owe him
Bids me accept it, were it yet more low.
King.
Attend us Chester, wait upon our Cup,
It is an honour due to you this day.
Chest.
I shall my Lord.
Clin.
Oh my Lord you are welcome, wee have not had
your company amongst us long.
Mar.
You ever had my heart, though the Kings service
Commanded still my person: I am eas'd
Of a great burden so the King rest pleas'd.
Aud.
I have not seene a man hath borne his disgrace with
more patience; especially to be forc't with his owne hand to
deliver up his honours to his enemy.
Bonv.
It would have troubl'd me, I should not brooke it.
King.
Command yon fellow give his golden Key
To the Lord Clinton; henceforth we debarre him
Accesse unto our Chamber, see it done.
Chest.
The King commands you to give up your Key
Vnto that Lord that neares you: henceforth Sir,
You to his person are deny'd accesse,
But when the King commands.
Mar.
Say to my Liege,
The proudest foe he hath, were he an Emperor,
Should not have forc't the least of these from me:
But I acknowledge these, and all I have,
To be sole his; my life too, which as willingly
That sees so into my debility,
That he hath care to ease me of these loads
That have opprest me long; so Sir 'tis done:
Come Lords, now let's be merry, and drinke round,
After great tempests we a calme have found.
Aud.
This Lord is of an unwonted constancy,
He entertaines his disgraces as merrily as a man dyes that is
tickled to death.
King.
Cannot all this stirre his impatience up?
I'le search his breast but I will finde his gaule:
Command him give his Staffe of Councell up,
We will bestow it elsewhere where we please.
Chest.
The King would have you to forbeare the Councel,
And to give up your Staffe.
Mar.
I shall turne man,
Kings cannot force to beare more than we can.
Chest.
Sir, are you moov'd?
Mar.
Those that are wronged may speake:
My Lord, I let you know my innocence,
And that my true and unstain'd Loyalty
Deserves not this disgrace: none ever bore
Like eminence with me that hath discharg'd it
With better zeale and conscience: for my service
Let my wounds witnesse, I have some to shew;
That had I not my body interpos'd,
Had beene your skarres: all my deserved honours
You have bestow'd upon my enemies,
Ey such as have whole skinnes,—
And never bled but for their ease and health.
You might with as much Iustice take my life,
As seaze my honours: howsoe're my Lord
Give me free leave to speake but as I finde,
I ever have beene true, you now unkind.
King.
Will you contest?
What have you Sir that is not held from us?
Or what can your owne vertue purchase you
And your revenewes ours? where should they end
But where they first began? have we not power
To give our owne? or must we aske your counsell,
To grace where you appoint? neede we a Guardian,
Or arme you at the place?
Mar.
Oh my dread King,
It sorrows me that you misprize my love,
And with more freedome I could part with life
Than with your Grace: my offices alas,
They were my troubles, but to want your favours,
That onely thus afflicts my loyall thoughts,
And makes me bold to tearme your Grace unkind.
King.
Sir, we command you to abandon Court,
And take it as a favour that we now
Not qnestion of your life; without reply
Leave us.
Mar.
I'le leave the Court as I would leave my burden,
But from your Highnesse in this kind to part,
Is as my body should forsake my heart.
Exit.
King.
Shall we not be our selfe, or shall we brooke
Competitors in reigne? act what we doe
By other mens appointment? he being gone,
We are unrival'd; wee'le be sole, or none.
Prince.
The Martiall's gone in discontent my Liege.
King.
Pleas'd, or not pleas'd, if we be Englands King,
And mightiest in the Spheare in which we moove,
Wee'le shine alone, this Phaeton cast downe,
Wee'le state us now midst of our best affected:
Our new created Martiall first lead on,
Whose Loyalty we now must build upon.
Exit.
Enter Captaine and Clowne.
Cap.
Sir, now attend me, I'le to the Ordinary,
And see if any of my ancient friends will take note of me.
Where's the good man? within?
Clown.
There's none dwels here; you may speak with the
Enter the Host.
Clown.
Captaine, Captaine, I have descri'd an Host.
Cap.
An Host? where? which way march they?
Clown.
Mine Host of the house, see where he marches.
Cap.
Here take my cloake, what is't not Dinner-time?
Are there no gallants come yet?
Host.
Why Sir, doe you meane to dine here to day?
Cap.
Here doe I meane to cranch, to munch, to eate,
To feed, and be fat my fine Cullapolis.
Host.
You must pardon me Sir, my house intertaines none
but Gentlemen; if you will stand at gate, when Dinner's
done, I'le helpe you to some fragments.
Cap.
Sirrah, if your house be free for Gentlemen, it is fit
for me; thou seest I keepe my man, I've Crownes to spend
with him that's bravest here: I'le keepe my roome in spight
of Silkes and Sattins.
Host.
I would I were well rid of this ragge-muffin.
Enter two Gentlemen.
1. Gent.
How goes the day?
2. Gent.
It cannot yet be old, because I see no more gallants come.
1. Gent.
Mine Host, what's here?
Host.
A Tatterdemalean, that stayes to sit at the Ordinary
to day.
2. Gent.
Doest know him?
Host.
I did when he was flush, and had the Crownes; but
since he grew poore, he is worne quite out of my remembrance.
He is a decay'd Captaine, and his name is Bonvile.
1. Gent.
I would he would leave this place, and ranke himselfe
with his companions.
Enter two more.
2. Gent.
Morrow Gentlemen.
3. Gent.
The morning's past, 'tis mid-day at the least.
4. Gent.
What is the roome so empty?
Host.
And please your Worships,
Here's more by one than it can well receive.
3. Gent.
What Tatter's that that walkes there?
4. Gent.
If he will not leave the roome, kicke him downe
staires.
There's ne're a silken outside in this company
That dares present a foot to doe that office:
I'le tosse that heele a yard above his head
That offers but a spurne.
1. Gent.
Can we not be private?
Cap.
I am a man like you perhaps well bred,
Nor want I coyne, for harke, my pockets chinke:
I keepe my man to attend me more perhaps,
Than some can doe that goe in costlier Silke.
Are you so fearefull of a ragged suite?
They were first paid for e're they were put on;
A man may question whether yours were so.
Who kicks first, ha, come; have you minde to game?
I'le cast, or set at thus much; will you card
A rest for this? no? then let's to dinner:
Come serve in meate.
1. Gent.
Mine Host, prithee put this fellow out of the room,
And let him not drop his shooe-clouts here.
2. Gent.
Sfoot dost thou meane we shall goe louzie out of
the house?
3. Gent.
If he will not goe out by faire meanes,
Send for a Constable.
4. Gent.
And send him to Bridewell Ordinary; whipping
cheere is best for him.
Host.
Nay pray sir leave my house, you see the Gentlemen
will not endure your company.
Cap.
Mine Host, thou knewst me in my flourishing prime:
I was the first brought custome to thine house,
Most of my meanes I spent here to enrich thee;
And to set thee up, I've cast downe my selfe.
Host.
I remember sir some such matter, but you see the
times change. Nay, will you leave the Gentlemen?
Cap.
The Lease of this house hadst thou not from me?
Did I not give thee both the Fyne and Rent?
Host.
I must needs say you were bountifull when you had
it, but in troth sir, if you will not be gone, I shall be forc't to
turne you out by the head and shoulders.
And is not all this worth the trusting for an Ordinary?
Host.
Nay if you prate, I shall use you somewhat extraordinary.
Gent.
Downe with the Rogue.
Cap.
Since you hate calmes, and wil move stormy weather,
Now Host and guest shall all downe staires together.
Clown.
Ah well done Master, tickle them noble Captaine.
Cap.
Come Cock, I have tooke some of their stomacks
away from them before Dinner.
Enter the Martiall with his two men, and his two Daughters.
Mar.
We are at peace now, and in threatned death
We doe enjoy new life: my onely comforts,
The image of my late deceased wife,
Now have I time to surfeit on your sight,
Which Court-imployments have debarr'd me long.
Oh Fortune, thou didst threaten misery,
And thou hast paid me comfort; neede we ought
That we should seeke the suffrage of the Court?
Are we not rich? are we not well revenew'd?
Are not the Countrey-pleasures farre more sweete
Than the Court-cares? Instead of balling suiters
Our eares receive the musicke of the Hound;
For mounting pride and lofty ambition,
We in the Ayre behold the Falcons Tower,
And in that Morall mock those that aspire.
Oh my good King, instead of threat and wrong,
Thou hast brought me rest which I have wisht so long.
Isabella.
Sir we have long beene Orphans in the Countrey,
Whilst you still followed your affaires at Court;
We heard we had a Father by our Guardian,
But scarce till now could we enjoy your sight.
Katherine.
Nor let it seeme offencive to your love,
That we in your retirement should take pride,
The King in this pursues our greater happinesse,
And quickens most where he would most destroy.
Mar.
You are mine owne sweet girles, & in your vertues
I place my sole blisse; you are all my honours,
What are you not? Let the King take my lands,
And my possession, and but leave me you,
He leaves me rich; more would I not desire,
And lesse he cannot grant.
Enter a servant.
Serv.
One from the King
Attends your honour, and his urgency
Craves quicke dispatch.
Mar.
Ladies withdraw a little,
I long to know what mischiefe's now afoot;
Wee'le front it be it death, ey and march towards it.
A Chaire, admit the Herald, let him in;
We are arm'd 'gainst what can come, our breast is true,
And that's one Maxim, what is forc't, is wrong,
We can both keepe our heart and guide our tongue.
Enter the servant ushering in Chester.
Chest.
Sir, the King greets you, and commands you effect
His will in this; you know the Character.
Mar.
My good Lord Martiall you are welcome hither,
These Lines I kisse because they came from him.
Chest.
You'le like the letter better than the style:
Ha, change your face? is your blood moov'd to the tyde,
Or ebbes it to your heart?
Mar.
Thou hast two Daughters,
He reads.
Faire by report her whom thou lov'st best
Send to the Court: it is thy Kings behest,
Doe this on thy allegeance.
Chest.
Sir your Answer?
Mar.
I pray Sir deale with men in misery
Like one that may himselfe be miserable:
Insult not too much upon men distrest,
Play not too much upon my wretchednesse;
The noble minds still will not when they can.
Chest.
I cannot stay for answer, pray be briefe.
Mar.
You are more welcome than your message sir,
And yet that's welcome comming from my King;
Pray Sir forbeare me, 'tis the Kings command,
Receive him nobly.
Chest.
I shall waite your pleasure.
Mar.
Malice, revenge, displeasure envy, hate,
I had thought that you had onely dwelt at Court,
And that the Countrey had beene cleere and free:
But from Kings wraths no place I finde is safe
My fairest daughter? had the King commanded
One of my hands, I had sent it willingly;
But her! yet Kings must not be dallied with,
Somewhat I must resolve to breed of force
Treason or to my blood, or to my King,
False Father or false Subject I must proove,
Be true to him I serve or her I love,
Somewhat I must: my Daughters, call them in:
Enter one ushering the Ladies.
Leave them and us.
Ladies I must be blunt, the King's displeas'd,
And hearing of two children whom I love,
My patience and my loyalty to try,
Commands that she whom I love best must dye.
Isab.
Dye? 'las that's nothing; must not all men so?
And doth not Heaven crowne martyr'd innocence?
I was affraid my Lord the King had sent
To have strumpetted the fairest of your blood:
An innocent death my Lord is crowne of rest,
Then let me dye as her whom you love best.
Kath.
If but to dye, prove that you love me then;
Death were most welcome to confirme your love.
Alas my Sister, she hath not the heart
To looke upon a rough Tormenter face:
I am bold and constant, and my courage great;
As token of your love then point out me.
Mar.
Alas my girle for greater ills prepare,
Death would end yours and somewhat ease my sorrows:
What I must speake, containes Heavens greatest curse,
Search all the world, you can finde nought so ill.
Speak't at once.
Mar.
Her whom I best affect,
The King intends to strumpet.
Kath.
Blesse me Heaven!
Mar.
Should he,
Kath.
By all my joyes I'le sooner dye
Then suffer it.
Isab.
And so by Heaven will I.
Mar.
Now you are mine indeed, who would forgoe
One of these jemmes so fine, and valued so?
But passion give me leave, the King commands,
I must obey. The fairest he sent for;
None of my daughters have beene seene at Court,
Nor hath the ambitious Chester view'd them yet:
My eldest then shall goe, come hither girle;
I send thee, (Heaven knowes) whether to thy death
Or to thine honour; though he envie me,
Yet in himselfe the King is honourable,
And will not stretch his malice to my child.
The worst I feare, and yet the best I hope.
I charge thee then even by a fathers name,
If the King daine to take thee to his bed
By name of Queene, if thou perceiv'st thy selfe
To be with child, conceale it even from him;
Next, when thou find'st him affable and free,
Finde out some talke about thy Sister here,
As thus; thy Father sent thee but in jest,
Thy Sister's fairest, and I love her best.
Isab.
It may incense the King.
Mar.
What I intend
Is to my selfe, inquire no further of it.
Isab.
I shal performe your will, and thus resolv'd
To be a Martyr e're a Concubine.
But if the King afford me further favour,
In my close bosome your last words I'le place.
Mar.
Sister and Sister part, be you not seene,
Bid her farewell, a Martyr or a Queene.
That force should part Sister and Sister thus,
And that the Child and Father of one heart,
Cōmands and powerfull threats should thus divide.
But Chester stayes, within there?
Enter servant.
Serv.
My Lord?
Mar.
Have you receiv'd Earle Chester honourably?
Serv.
The noblest welcome that the house could yeeld
He hath had my Lord, nothing was held too deere:
He much extolls your bounty.
Mar.
Vsher him in, we are now ready for him.
Serv.
I shall my Lord.
Enter Chester.
Chest.
Sir, I have stay'd your leasure, now your Answer?
Mar.
That I obey, the fairest of my girles
I send the King.
Chest.
I easily can beleeve
That this the fairest is, her like in Court
Lives not; she is a Present for a King.
Mar.
Say to the King I give her but conditionally,
That if he like not this fairest of the two,
Vnstain'd he will his gift send backe againe.
Chest.
I shall, come Lady.
Mar.
My Lord, I doe not load you with commends
And duties which I could doe, to the King:
I know your love your memory may faile you,
And you them all may scatter by the way.
Doe thou a Fathers duty thus in teares,
And send me how thou speed'st to free these feares.
Exeunt.
| The Royall King, and The Loyall Subject | |