University of Virginia Library

Incipit Tertus.

Enter Fat Bishop.
F. Bishop.
I know my pen draws blood of the blacke house,
Ther's neuer a booke I writ but their cause bleedes,
It has lost many an ounce of reputation,
Since I came to this side, I sticke deepe in,
And leaue the Orifex gushing where I come:
But where's my aduancement all this while I haue got,
I'd haue some round peeferment, corpulent dignity
That beares some breath and compasse in the guift on't,
I am perswaded that this flesh would fit
The biggest chayre Ecclesiasticall,
If it were put to tryall, to be made Maister of an Hospitall,
Is but a kind of disease bred honour:
Or dreame of the poore almes Knights that weare badges,
There's but two lazy beggerly preferments,
In the white Kingdome, and I'ue got em both,
My merrit does begin to be crop-sicke
For want of other Titles.

Enter blacke Knight.
B. Kt.
Oh here walke his fulsome holinesse:
Now for the Maister-peece
To vndo him euerlasting, that's put home,
And make him hang in hell most seriously,
That ieasted with an halter vpon me.

F. B.
The blacke Knight? I must looke to my play then.

B. K.
I bring faire greetings to your reuerend vertues,
From Cardinall Paulus your most princely kinsman.

F. B.
Our princely kinsman sayth thou? we accept em:
Pray keep your side and distance, I am chary
Of my Episcopall person:
I know the Knights walke in this Game too well,
He may slip ouer me, and where am I then?

B. Kt.
There where thou shalt be
Shortly, if arte faile not.

Right Reuererend and noble (meaning me) our true kinsman
in affection, but alienated in blood, your vnkind disobedience
to the mother cause, prooues the onely cause of your ill fortune at
this time: My present remooue by generall election to the Papall
dignity, bad now auspiciously setled you in my Sede vacante (now
had it so) which at my next remooue, by death might proued, your
step to supremacy.

(Hah, all my bodies blood mounts to my face,
To looke vpon this letter.)

B. Kt.
The pill workes with him,
Thinke on't seriously it is not yet too late then,
Through the submisse acknowledgment
Of your disobedience,
To be brotherly receiued into the louing
Bosome of the Conclaue.

F. B.
This was the chayre of ease I euer aymed at,
Ile make a bonfire of my bookes immediatly
All, that are left against that side ile sacrifice:
Packe vp my plate and goods, and steale away
By night at Water-gate: It is but penning
An other recantation, and in venting
Two or three bitter bookes against the white house,
And then I'me at other side agen,
As firme as ere I was, as fat, and flourishing:
Blacke Knight, expect a wonder ere't belong,
Thou shalt see me one of the Blacke-house.

B. Kt.
Your holinesse is merry with the messenger,
Too happy to be true, you speake what should be,
If naturall compunction toucht you truely:
Oh you'ue drawn-blood, liue bood, the blood of honor
From your most deare primitiue mothers heart:
Your sharpe inuectiues haue beene points of speares
In her sweete tender sides, the vnkind wounds
Which the sonne giues (a sonne of reuerence specially
They rankle ten times more, then the aduersaries:
I tell you, sir, your reuerend reuolt
Did giue the feare-fullest blow to adoration
Our cause ere felt, it shooke the very statues,
The veines and ashes of the Sainted sleepers.

F. B.
For beare, or I shall melt i'the place I stand,
And let forth a fat Bishop in sad syrrop:
Suffice I am yours, when they least dreame on't,
Ambitious fodder, power and riches drawes me,
When I smell honor, that's the locke of hay,
That leads me throgh the worlds field euery way.

Ex.
B. Kt.
Here's a sweet paune to propogate beleefe on,
Like the foundation of a Chappell layd
Vpon a quagmire, I may number him now
Amongst my inferior policies, and not shame em;
But let me a little solace my designes
With the remembrance of some braue ones past,
To cherrish the futerrity of proiect,
Whose motion must be restlesse till that great worke,
Cald the possession of the world be ours:
Was it not procured a gallant fleete,
From the white Kingdome to secure our coasts,
'Gainst th'infidell Pyrats, vnder pretext
Of more necessities expedition,
Who made the Iayles flye open (without miracle)
And let the Locusts out, those dangerous flyes
Whose property's to burne Corne without touching
The Heretique Granaries, feele it to this minute;
And now they'ue got amongst the Country crops,
They sticke so fast to the converted eares,
The lowdest tempest that authority rowzes,
Will hardly shake 'm off, they haue their dennes
In Ladies Coaches, their safe groues and sennes:
Nay were they followed and found out by th'sent
Palme, oyle will make a Purseuant relent,
Whose policy was't to put a silenc't muzle,
On all the barking tong-men of the time:
Mad pictures that were dumb enough before,
Poore sufferers in that politicke restraint?
(My light spleene skips, and shakes my ribs to thinke on't,
Whilst our drift walkt vncensured, but in thought
A whifle or a whisper, would be questioned,
In the most fortunate Angle in the World,
The Court has held the City by the Hornes,
Whilst I haue milkt her: I haue got good soups too
From Countries for their liberties,
From some for their most vainly hop'd for preferments,
High offices in th'ayre, I should not liue
But for this mell acrim, this mirth Manna:
My pawne? how now, the new's.

Enter blacke Knights pawne.
B. Kt. p.
Expect none very pleasing
That comes (sir) of my bringing, I'me so sad.

B. Kt.
Thy conscience is so tender hooft a late,
Euery nayle prickes it.

B. Kt. p.
This may pricke yours too,
If there be any quicke flesh in a yard on't.

B. Kt.
Mine, mischiefe must finde a deepe nayle and a driuer,
Beyond the strength of any Matchauile:
The politicke Kingdomes fatten to reach mine,
Prithy compunction needle pricke a little,
Vnbind this sore wound.

B. Kt. p.
Sir, your plots discouered.

B. Kt.
Which of the twenty thousand, nine hundreth
Threescore and fiue, canst tell?

B. Kt. p.
Blesse vs, so many?
How does poore Country-men haue but one plot
To Keepe a Cow on, yet in law for that,
You cannot 'em all sure by their names (Sir.)

B. Kt.
Yes, were the number trebled: thou hast seene
A Globe stand on the table in my Closet.

B. Kt. p.
A thing (sir) drawne with Countries and hard words.

B. Kt.
True, with lines drawne
Some Tropecall, some oblique.

B. Kt. p.
I scarse can read, I was brought vp in blindnesse.

B. Kt.
Iust such a thing (if ere my scull be open'd)
Will my braines looke like.

B. Kt. p.
Like a Globe of Countries.

B. Kt.
I and some Maister politician,
That has sharpe state eyes will go neere to picke out
The plots and euery climate where they fastned,
And will puzle em too.

B. Kt. p.
I'me of your minde for that (sir.)

B. Kt.
Th'le find em too full vpon some countries,
The'd need vse spectacles; but I turne to you now,
What plot is that discouered?

B. Kt. p.
Your last bruite sir,
Begot 'twixt the blacke Bishop and your selfe,
Your ante-dated letters 'bout the Iesuite.

B. Kt.
Discouered, how?

B. Kt. p.
The white Knights policy has out stript yours it seemes:
Ioyned with th'assistant Councell of this Duke:
The white Bishops pawne vndertooke the iourney,
Who as they say, discharged it like a flight,
I made him for the businesse fit and light.

B. Kt.
'Tis but a bawdy pawne out of the way a little,
There's enough of them in all parts.

Enter both Houses.
B. B.
You haue heard all then.

B. Kt.
The wonders past with me, but some
Shall downe for't.

W. Ki.
Set free that vertuous pawne from all her wrongs,
Let her be brought with honour to the face,
Of her malicious Aduersary.

B. Kt.
Good.

VV. Ki.
Noble chast Knight, a title of that Cander,
The greatest Prince on earth without impeachment:
May haue the dignity of his worth comprized in,
This fayre deliuering act vertue will register,
In that white booke of the defence of Virgins,
Where the cleare fame all preseruing Knights,
Are to eternall memory consecrated;
And wee embrace as partner of that honour,
This worthy Duke, the counsell of the act,
Whom wee shall euer place in our respect.

W. D.
Most blessed of Kings, thron'd in all royall graces,
Euery good deed sends backe it's owne rewards,
Into the bosome of the enterprizer;
But you to expresse your selfe as well to be
King of munificency, as integrety
Addes glory to the gift.

VV. Ki.
Thy deserts clayme it,
Zeale and fidellity appeare, thou beauty
Of truth and innocence, best ornament
Of patience, thou that mad'st thy sufferings glorious

B. Kt.
Ile take no knowledge on't, what makes she here?
How dares you pawne vnpennanc't, with a cheeke
Fresh as her false-hood yet, where castigation
Has left no pale print of her visiting anguish,
Appeare in this assembly, let me alone,
Sinne must be bold, that's all the grace 'tis bound too.

W. Kt.
What's this?

W. Ki.
I'me' wonder strocke.

W. Q. p.
Assist me goodnesse,
I shall to prison againe.

B. Kt.
At least I'ue maz'd em,
Scattered by admiration of her innocence,
(As the fir'd ships put in, seuered the Fleete
In eighty eight) Ile on with't, impudence
Is mischiefes patrimony, is his Iustice
Iniured reuerence no sharplier righted,
I euer held that Maiesty impartiall,
That like vnequall, Heauen lookes on the manners,
Not on the shapes they shrowde in.

W. Ki.
This blacke Knight
Will neuer take any answere, 'tis a victory
To make him vnderstand, he does amisse,
When he knowes in his owne cleare vnderstanding,
That he does nothing else, shew him the testimony
Confirmed by good men, how that foule attempter,
Got but this morning to the place from whence
He dated his forged lines six daies past.

B. Kt.
Why may not the corruption sleep in this,
By some connivence, as you haue walkt in ours,
By too rash confidence.

W. D.
Ile vndertake
That Knight shall teach the diuell how to lye.

W. Kt.
If sinne were halfe so wise as impudent,
She'de neere seeke farther for an aduocate.

En. B. Q. p.
B. Q. p.
Now to act treachery with an angels tong,
Since all ours come out, ile bring him in strongly agen.
Where is his iniur'd chastity? this goodnesse
Whose worth no transitory prize can equall,
This rocke of constant, and invinceable vertue,
That made sinnes tempest weary of his fury.

B. Q.
What is my pawne destracted?

B. Kt.
I thinke rather
Ther's some notable Maister-prize of rogary,
This drumme strikes vp for.

B. Q. p.
Let me fall with reuerence,
Before this blessed Altar.

B. Q.
This is madnesse.

B. Kt.
Marke the end, I stand for rogary still,
I will not change my side.

B. Q. p.
I shall be tax'd I know,
I care not what the blacke house thinkes of me.

B. Q.
What say you now?

B. Kt.
I will not be vnlayed yet.

B. Q. p.
How euer sensure flies, I honor sanctity,
That is my obiect I intend no other,
I saw this glorious, and most valiant vertue,
Fight the most noblest combat with the diuell.

B. Q.
If both the Bishops had been there for seconds
T'ad beene a compleate Diuell.

W. Ki.
Then thou heardst the violence intended?

B. Q. p.
Tis a truth, I ioy to iustifie I was an agent
On vertues part, and rays'd that confused noyse,
That started his attempt and gaue her liberty.

W. Q. p.
Oh 'tis a righteous story she has told (Sir)
My life and fame stands mutually engage,
Both to the truth and goodnesse of this pawne.

W. Ki.
Does it appeare to you, yet cleare as the Sun.

B. Kt.
Lasse I beleeued it long before 'twas done.

B. Ki.
Degenerate.

B. Q.
Base.

B. B.
Perfidious.

B. D.
Traytrous pawne.

B. Q. p.
What are you all besides your selues?

B. Kt.
But I remember that pawne.

B. Q. p.
May a fearefull barrennesse,
Blast both my hopes and pleasures, if I brought not
Her ruine in my pitty, a new trap
For her more sure confusion.

B. Kt.
Haue I not won now,
Did not I say 'twas craft, and machiuation?
I smell conspiracie all the way it went,
Although the messe were couered I'me so vs'd to't.

B. Ki.
That queene would I faine finger.

B. Kt.
You are too hasty (sir)
If shee were tooke the Game would be ours quickly,
My aymes, at that white Knight, t'entrap him first,
The Duke will follow too.

B. B.
Would that Bishop were in my Diocesse,
I'de soone change his whitenesse.

B. Kt.
(Sir) I could whip you vp a pawne imediatly,
I know where my game stands.

B. Ki.
Do't suddainly,
Aduantage least must not be lost in this play.

B. Kt.
Pawne, thou art ours.

W. Kt.
He's taken by default,
By wilfull negligence, gard the sacred persons,
Looke well to the white Bishop, for that pawne
Gaue guard to the queene, and him in the third place.

B. Kt.
See what sure peece you locke your confidence in,
I made this pawne heere by corruption ours,
As soone as honour by creation yours,
The whitenesse vpon him is but the leaprosly
His vpper garment being taken off, he appeares blacke vnder.
Of pure dissemulation: view him now,
His heart and his intents are of our colour.

VV. Ki.
Most dangerous Hypocrite.

W. D.
One made against vs.

W. Q.
This truth of his complection.

VV. Ki.
Has my goodnesse,
Clemency, loue, and fauour gracious rays'd thee
From a condition next to popular labour,
Tooke thee from all the dubitable hazards
Of Fortune? her most vnsecure aduentures?
And grafted thee into a branch of honour,
And dost thou fall from the top bough by the rottennesse
Of thy alone corruption, like a fruite
That's ouer-ripned by the beames of fauour,
Let thy owne weight reward thee. I haue forgot thee,
Integrity of life is so deare to me,
Where I finde falshood, or a crying trespasse,
Be it in any whom our grace shines most on,
I'de teare em from my heart.

VV. B.
Spoke like Heauens substitute.

W. K.
You haue him, we can spare him, and his shame
Will make the rest looke better to their Game.

B. Kt.
The more cunning we must vse then.

B. Kt.
Wee shall match you,
(Play how you can) perhaps, and make you too.

F. B.
Is there so much amazement spent on him
That's but halfe blacke, there might be hope of that man;
But how will this house wonder, if I stand forth
And shew a whole one, instantly discouer
One that's all blacke, where there's no hope at all.

VV. Kt.
Ile say, thy heart then iustifies thy bookes,
I long for that discouery.

F. B.
Looke no farther then,
Beare witnesse all the house I am the man,
And turne my selfe into the blacke house freely,
I am of this side now.

W. Kt.
Monster neere match him.

B. Kt.
This is your noble worke Knight.

B. Kt.
Now Ile halter him.

F. B.
Next newes you heare, expect my bookes against you,
Printed at Doway, Bruxells, or Spolleta.

VV. Ki.
See his goods seaz'd on.

F. B.
Lasse, they were all conueyed
Last night by water-gate, to a Taylors house:
A friend of the Blacke house.

W. Ki.
A prepared Hypocrite.

W. D.
Premeditated turne-coate.

Exeunt.
F. B.
Yes, rayle on,
Ile reach you in my writings when I'me gone.

B. Kt.
Flatter him a while with honors till we put him
Vpon some dangerous seruice, and then burne him.

B. Ki.
This came vnlookt for.

B. D.
How wee ioy to see you.

F. B.
Now Ile discouer all the white house to you.

B. D.
Indeed that will both reconcile and prayse you.

W. Kt. p.
I rest vpon you knight for my aduancement now,

B. K.
Oh for the staffe, the strong staffe that will hold,
And the red hat fit for the guilty mazure,
Into the empty bagge, know the first way,
Pawnes that are lost, are euer out of play.

W. K. p.
How's this?

B. Kt.
No replication, you know me,
No doubt e're long you'le haue more company,
The bagge is big enough t'wil hold vs all.

Ex.
W. Q. p.
I sue to thee, prethee be one of vs,
Let my loue winne thee, thou hast don truth this day,
And yesterday my honor noble seruice.
The best Pawne of our house, could trasend it not.

B Q. p.
My pitty stand with zeale especially,
When I foresaw your marriage, then I amounted.

W. Q. p.
How? marriage?

B. Q. p
That contaminating Art,
Would haue spoyld all your fortunes, a rape God blesse vs.

W. Q. p.
Thou talkest of marriage.

B. Q. p.
Yes, yes, you do marry,
I saw the man.

W. Q. p.
The man.

B. Q. p.
An absolute handsome Gentleman, a compleat one,
You'de say so when you see him, heire to three red hats,
Besides his generall hopes in the blacke house.

W. Q. p.
Sure thou art mistaken, for this man
I haue promist single life to all my affections.

B. Q p.
Promise you what you will, or I, or all's one,
There's fate rules vs, and ouer rules vs all me thinkes.

W. Q. p.
How came you to see or know this mistery.

B. Q. p.
A Magicall glasse I bought of an Egyptian,
Whose stone retaines that speculatiue vertue,
Presented the man to me, your name brings him
As often as I vse it, and me thinkes
I neuer haue enough person and postures:
Are all so pleasing.

W. Q. p.
This is wondrous strange,
The faculties of soule are still the same,
I cannot feele one motion tend that way.

B. Q. p.
We doe not alwayes seeke, the faith wee liue by,
Nor euer see our growth, yet both worke vpward.

W. Q. p.
It was well applied, but may I see him too.

B Q. p.
Surely you may, without all doubt or feare,
Obseruing the right vse as I was taught it,
Not looking backe, nor questioning the specter.

W. Q. p.
That's no hard obseruation, trust it
With me, is't possible, I long to see this man.

B. Q. p.
Pray follow me then,
And Ile ease you instantly.

Exeunt.
Enter blacke Iesting Pawne.
B. I. p.
I would so faine take one of these white pawnes now.
I'de make him do all vnder drudgery,
Feede him with ashes, milke, cromb'd with Goates cheese;
And all the white meates can be deuised for him,
So make him my white Iennet when I prance it,
After the blacke knights litter.

W. p.
You'd looke then,
Iust like the Diuell striding ouer a night mare,
Made of a Millers daughter.

B. p.
A pox on you, were you so nigh, I'me taken
Like a Blacke-bird in the great snow, this white
Pawne grinning ouer me.

W. p.
And now because I will not foule my clothes
Euer hereafter? for white quickly soyles you know.

B. p.
I prethe get thee gone,
Then I shall smut thee.

W. Q. p.
Ile put that to venture, now I haue
Snapt thee, thou shalt do all the durty drugery,
That slauery was euer put too.

B. p.
I shall cousen you,
You may chance come and finde your worke vndone,
For I'me too proud to labour, ile starue first,
I tell you that before hand.

W. p.
I will fit you then with a blacke
Whip, that shall not be behind hand.

B. p.
Pish, I haue beene vsed to whipping,
I haue whipt my selfe three miles out of Towne
In a morning, I can fast a fortnight, and
Make all your meate stinke, and lye vpon your hands.

W. p.
To preuent that, your foode shall be
Blacke berries, and vpon gaudie dayes a pickled
Spider cut out like Anchouis: I'me not to
Learne a monthes ordinary, come sir, will you firke.

En. a second blacke pawne.
2. B p.
Soft, soft you, you haue no such
Bargaine on't, if you looke well about you.

W. p.
I'me snapt too, a blacke
Pawne in the breech of me:
Wee three looke like a bird spit, a white Chick
Betweene two russet Wood-cockes.

B. p.
I'me glad of this.

W. p.
But you shall haue small cause, for ile firke you.

2. B. p.
And ile firke you agen.

W. p.
And Ile firke you againe.

B. p.
Mas here will be old firking, I shall
Haue the worst on't, for I can firke no body,
Wee draw together now for all the world,
Like three flies with one straw throgh their buttocks.

Enter blacke Q. p. and White Q. p.
B. Q. p.
This is the roome he did appeare to me in,
And looke you, this the Magicall glasse, that shew'd him.

W. Q. p.
I finde no motion yet, what should I
Thinke on't? a suddaine feare inuades me,
A faint trembling vnder this omen
As oft felt the panting of a Turtle,
Vnder a stroaking hand.

B. Q. p.
That boads good lucke still,
Signe you shall chang state speedily: for that trembling
Is alwayes the first symptome of a bride,
For any vaine feares that may accompany
His apparitian, by my truth to friendship
I quite you of the least, neuer was obiect
More gracefully presented, the very ayre
Conspires to doe him honor, and treats
Sweete vocall sinne as if a bride-groome enters:
Which argues the blest harmony of your loues.

W. p.
And will the vsing of my name produce him,

B. p.
Nay of yours only, els the wonder halted,
To cleare you of that doubt: ile put the difference
In practise, the first thing I do, and make
His inuocation in the name of others.

W. Q. p.
That will satisfie me much.

B. Q. p.
It shall be done.
What see you nothing yet?

W. Q. p.
Not any part: Pray try another.

B. Q p.
You shall haue your will;
What see you yet?

W. Q. p.
There's nothing shewes at all.

B. Q. p.
My truth reflects the clearer.
Then now fix and blesse your fayre eye,
With your owne for euer.
Harke how the ayre inchanted with your prayses,
And his approach this words to sweet notes rayses.

En. b. B p. in rich attire like an Aparitian, & stands before the glasse then Exit.
W. Q. p.
Oh let him stay a while, a little longer.

B. Q. p.
That's a good hearing.

W. Q. p.
If he be mine, why shold he part so soone?

B. Q. p.
Why, this is but the shadow of yours:
How do you?

VV. Q. p.
Oh, I did ill to giue consent to see it,
What certainty is in our bloods our states?
What we still write is blotted out by fates:
Our wills are like a cause that is Law-tost,
What one Court orders, is by another crost.

B. Q. p.
I find no fit place for this passion heere,
Tis meerely an intruder, he is a Gentleman,
Most wishfully composed, honor growes on him,
And wealth pil'd vp for him, has youth enough too,
And yet in the sobriety of his Countenance,
Graue as a Tetrach, which is gracious
Ith' eye of modest pleasure, where's the emptinesse,
What can you more request.

W. Q. p.
I doe not know
What answere yet to make, it doth require,
A meeting 'twixt my feare and my desire.

B. Q. p.
Shee's caught, and which is strong, by her most wronger.