University of Virginia Library

The third Scene

Enter King, Cardinal, Admiral, Marshall and Controuler, in Counsel.
King.
'Tis time my Lords, the Prince shoo'd have a wife,
To be a stay, and comfort, to his life.
His age, and Ours, do it require with speed,
The Kingdom of our issue, having need.
Wherefore your Counsels, we shall gladly take
To help us, our election for to make.

Card.
Sir, like a Father, you do kindly deal,
Both with the Prince, and with the Common-weal.
There is no man, but must confess the care,
Your Grace does take, since all men it must share.

Admiral.
Your goodness likewise, equally commend,
Since our advice, to ask you condescend.

King.
Then freely deal with us, and also plain,
If 'twill not proper be, to match with Spain?

Control.
Sir, since that I, may freely speak my heart,
I think it not convenient, for my part.
My reason is, that now the King of Spain,
Is scarce in case, his Kingdom to maintain.
How then will he, be able for to lend,
Succours if need shoo'd be, to help a friend.
I rather think, the Danish Princess shoo'd
More sitter be, if that your Highness woo'd,
Be pleased to accept it at his hand,
Which by Embassador, he does demand.
Besides the wealth that Kingdoms does possess,
With plenty so of all things, in excess,
To be ally'd, unto that Crown woo'd be,
More advantagious, to your Majestie.
He being near, unto you seated so,
He woo'd no doubt, offend you more being foe.
And if your friend, he's proper to defend,
And at an howers warning, succours send.
But I am weak, and simple, and may err,
Wherefore it to your judgements, I referr.

Marsh.
My Lord says true, that Spain in such a case,
Can by no means, aid or assist your Grace.
But that which makes me, chiefly of his mind,
Is that your Highness, will not Pistols find,
Which make without dispute, the strongest hold,
For you can nothing do, without you've gold.
And if that you have store, your Highness may
Prevent a foe, your Kingdom to inveigh,
And with it keep, your Subjects too in awe,
If they shoo'd chance, to grumble at your Law:
As for to match, into the Danish Land,
I know not how, it will with honour stand,
They having broke, their word with you, you know.
You promising to aide, not long ago.
Wherein they plainly shew'd, their love and zeal,
Both to your Highness, and to your Common-weal.
I rather think, the Swedish Princess might,
In this your choice, pretend the greatest right;
For as she's rich, so by the Laws o' the Land,
She like a Prince, has power to command.
Which is a thing, not common ev'ry where,
That women to a Scepter, shoo'd be heir.
In taking her, into the Princes bed,
A Crown, and Scepter, you will likewise wed.

Admir.
Sir I do think, and likewise will maintain,
That 'tis most proper, for to match with Spain.
'Tis true, the reasons that my Lords do give,
Are very strong, if Spain shoo'd alwayes live
In war, and never hope to have a peace,
Which f'rought we know, to morrow next may cease.
We ought, in weighty matters of the State,
Wink at the present, and the future waite:
Except in case, your Majestie shoo'd be,
Urg'd to embrace, by some necessity:
Which as I know, there is none yet so great,
As off this match, your Majesty to beat.
The King of Denmark, all men know full well,
So tim'rous is, that hee'd not stick to sell,
The dearest friend he has, himself to free,
From the oppression, of an enemy.
Nor woo'd his friendship, were it firm and good,
So useful be, as t'other to your blood.
As for the Swedish Princess, who takes her,
Must look to wed, into a world of stir.
Except he'le worship, or at least permit,
That they the Gods, shoo'd serve as they think fit.

Car.
These Lords, dread Sir, the business so have scand,
And argu'd to and fro, we have in hand,
That they have left, not much for me to say,
Therein unto your Majesty this day.
Yet, what more I know, I'le be bold to speak,
Since my advice, it pleases you to seek.
As I conceive, the matter in debate,
Is to find out, th'advantage of the State.
Now Sir, the question that will hence arise,
Is which of these, you chiefly ought to prise.
A mighty Monarch, in another sphere,
Or else a Prince, less powerful that's near.
As't has been said, the King of Spain 'tis true,
Is at this present, very hard put to.
Yet is he not, as men do think so poor,
But that he can, afford you Pistols store.
Which is as much, as if he men did lend,
Were you compel'd, your Kingdom to defend.
As for the King of Denmarks amity,
So much as 'tother, 'twill not useful be.
My reason is, that as he has less pow'r,
So is he false, and changing ev'ry hour.
The Swedish Princess, as my Lord well said,
Is most improper, for the Prince to wed,
By reason of his Faith, and her belief,
Which doubtless daily, 'twixt them will cause strife.
Besides the private fears, that will arise,
That your Grace their Errours, shoo'd favourize.
Thus all things layd together, sure with Spain,
It is most fit to match, their loves to gain.

King.
We have with great attention, heard you all,
One word unto the ground, not letting fall,
Wherein we see, we are not in one thing,
More happy, then in you, in being King.
To whom we are obliged very much,
Your love, and counsel, unto us are such.
And 'tis resolv'd: but whom shall we ordain,
Our Lord Ambassador to go to Spain?
To let his Greatness, for to understand,
That we that Princess, for our Prince demand.

Car.
My Lord Controuler, please your Grace would be.
Extreamly fit, to tell't his Majestie.

King.
Then you, our Lord Ambassador we chuse,
Commanding you, your power for to use,
In our behalf, to compass this affair,
And for that journey, quickly to prepare.
As for your full instructions, they are these,
How that his Highness, woo'd vouchsafe and please,
To honour us, to match into our Race,
That we may be, ally'd unto his Grace.
And thereupon, give him to understand,
That we the Princess Flora do demand,
In marriage with the Prince, our eldest son,
Who will be King, when we are dead and gon.
Thereto be careful likewise, for to add,
That with his Highness, we shoo'd be most glad,
To make 'gainst all, if he'le so please to do,
A league offensive, and defensive too.
As for the marriage summ, you shoo'd demand,
We think it better, to his pleasure stand.
He like himself, if he inclines to hear,
Without all doubt, will honourably appear.
Yet if in case, you shoo'd be urg'd the summ,
Five hundred thousand pounds, woo'd us become.
Our Admiral, will order take you shall,
For one of our best Ships, not stay at all.

Controul.
Since me your Majesty, has chosen out,
Of all, the most unworthy without doubt,
To serve your Highness, in this great affair,
I will with diligence, my self prepare;
And do what in me lyes, for to discharge,
The trust your Grace does put, in me so large.
Within this two dayes, I will put to Sea,
If that the wind, shall favourable be.