 | The Queen And Concubine |  |
Act. II.
Scœn. I.
[Loud Musick]Enter four Lords, two Bishops, King, Prince: they sit; Eulalia in black, Crowned; a golden Wand in her hand, led between two Friers; she kneels to the King, he rejects her with his hand. Enter at the other door, a Doctor of Physick, a Midwife, two Souldiers; the King points them to the Bishops, they each deliver Papers, kiss the Bishops Books, and are dismiss'd. The Papers given to the King, He with his Finger menaces Eulalia, and sends her the Papers: she looks meekly. The Bishops take her Crown and Wand, give her a Wreath of Cypress, and a white Wand. All the Lords peruse the Papers. They shew various countenances: Some seem to applaud the King, some pity Eulalia. Musick ceases. King speaks.
King.
My Lords and loyal Peers.
Lod.
A new distinction
Between Spiritual and Temporal.
Hor.
Good Lodovico, peace.
Kin.
This is a Cause, the which, but for fair Order,
By which I am constrain'd to be a Judge,
Would rather drive me to a mourning Closet
Then to this Seat; to shew my equal grief
Against the Crime and Shame of the Delinquent.
I see y'are all amaz'd, and cannot marveil
In the great Change Honour compels me to,
Together with Religion, fairly urging
To an high point of Justice, which to utter
Draws faintness from my words, chilling my Blood
Like the departing Breath that separates Life.
For such I held her, and so many yeers
Retain'd her in the Closet of my Heart,
Its self-Companion: that till these proofs,
VVhich now like daggers by compulsive wounds
Have made their passage, she could ne'er have parted.
Lod.
Royal Hypocrisie!
King.
The Proofs you see are plain,
That she was found—Pray speak it for me.
Hor.
In Adultery.
King.
And that she sought the Life of fair Alinda
By Sword and Poyson both: and of that Cup
'Tis like my self had tasted,
For my supposed love to that wrong'd Lady.
Lod.
You have given her the Bed-right that belong'd
to your wrong'd Queen, these twelve months.
King.
Our Laws of Sicilie are so well rebated
VVith Clemencie, and Mercie, that in this Case
They cut not Life from one of Royal Blood,
Onely take off (as is on her perform'd)
All Dignities, all Titles, all Possessions,
All means to live, even to her naked hands.
And such, Eulalia, now is your condition.
Lod.
To work for her living? if she were as
young, and no honester then she for vvhose sake this
is inflicted on her, she might find something else about
her, then naked hands, to help at a living shift-
King.
Now to this Censure, for due Orders sake,
And for vvhich end this Parliament vvas call'd;
Your Voyces are requir'd: do ye all approve it?
Omn.
VVe do.
Lod.
We must.
King.
VVhat say you, Lodovico?
VVe do; Heaven knows against my heart.
Eul.
My thanks unto you all, that do obey
So vvell vvith one consent your Soveraign Lord,
And sacred Sir, thus low, as it becomes me,
Let your poor Hand-maid beg, that you incline
A patient Ear to this my last Petition:
That as you cast me off, as an offence,
You will be pleas'd to think me not offended,
But pleas'd in all I suffer: for, Heaven knows,
I am as free from any Passion
Of Anger, Hate, Repining or Distaste,
Nay, as insensible of Grief or Sorrow,
Or whatsoever Anguish of the Minde,
As I was capable, for ought I know,
Of Joy or Bliss the first hour I was born.
Never made happy till I was your Bride,
In which blest state I cannot but remain,
While you are pleas'd, and I obey your will,
Though unto Death, to Banishment or Prison.
Poverty is Blessedness, in vvhich I'll pray
For pardon of the Sins of my Accusers,
And those that have suborn'd them.
Lod.
O poor Woman!
Eul.
So in the blest continuance of your Dayes,
I shall pray Heaven to smile on all your VVayes.
King.
Nay, stay Eulalia, I have yet a Business
I would have pass the general Consent
Of this Assemblie, in which your Voice is useful.
Flavello?
Exit Flavello.
Lod.
Upon my life, his Marriage with that Start-up,
That Snake this good Queen cocker'd in her Bosom,
Is not this Royal cruelty?
[Gonzago kneels to the Queen]
Eul.
You wrong your Princely Dignity:
Turn to the King your Father, kneel to him.
Gonz.
And are not you my Mother?
I must and can forget what I have been;
So must not you: your Mother was a Queen.
My present fortune claims no Title in you.
Hurt not your own, by looking down on me.
This I will do as warranted by safetie,
Not as a Mother, but Beadswoman, pray
For all that bliss on you a Mother may,
Good Sir, observe the King before his wrath.
Take hold upon you for regarding me.
[Loud Musick]
Scœn. II.
Enter Favello ushering Alinda like a Bride, two Virgins.The King descends, takes her up: the Lords rise, all amazed.
King.
Let your amazement cease, and now perceive
My Lords in general, that I your King
Am Subject to this all-deserving Lady,
And do require you not alone to hear
What I can say, but without all denial
That you approve, confirm what I will say.
I am by law no less then your consent
Divorc'd, and free from all impediment
To make my second choice in Marriage,
And therefore crave Alinda for my wife,
And that immediately we solemnize
Our Marriage, and her Coronation.
I hope none rates our will or his own life
So meanly, as to give least contradiction.
Eul.
O let me lead your voyces. Long live
Alin.
O gross Hyocrisie!
Eul.
My Lord the Prince, pray let your voyce be next;
The rest will follow. Why speak you not, my Lord?
Alin.
She would fain seem to voyce in your behalf,
But in a way that much perswades against you.
Do but your Highness note it.
Kin.
You Sir, come from that Woman.
Gonz.
She was my mother when she was your wife;
And that's so late, I cannot yet forget it.
But I fear to offend.
Eul.
O shew it in your Duty then, young Prince:
'Tis true, the Law of Nature wills a Son
To be a partner in his Mothers woe;
But Laws above that lay a strong command
On Sons to obey the Edicts of their Fathers.
A Fathers frownes are Comets threatning ruine.
Let all your thoughts be free from his offence:
The most Heaven seeks, is our obedience.
In all obey the King; think not of me:
I am no more, nay not so much to you
As is the Begger whom you may relieve,
Since of all these comforts I am depos'd.
Lod.
Faith thou hadst not mine, good woman:
I must not call thee Queen now.
Eul.
Or if you needs will think I am your mother,
Let it be onely in the charge I give you,
That since Alinda bless'd by providence
Must be invested with the Regal Crown,
You shew her that obedience befits a Queen,
And your dread Fathers Wife.
Alin.
I fear shee'l turn him
Traytor, if he give more ear to her inchantments.
King.
Ile shew him a way to give her thanks.
Gonzago?
My Royal and dread Father.
King.
Put forth that woman:
Do it without grudge, out of the Court,
I mean to seek her way. Do you refuse?
Eul.
He does not, shall not, Royal Sir.
Onely I beg that I may take my leave.
The wishes a true Subject ought to send
From the most humble heart up to the Throne
Of sacred Majesty, I equally divide
To you my King and Queen,
Professing by the Powers you present,
I part as well content with my condition,
Since it is your command, as ere I was to sit in that Promotion.
Alin.
Sir, I may not sit to be taunted and upbraided thus.
Eul.
Pardon me, mighty Lady, I am as far
From daring to do so, as from a Queen.
And whilst you love the King, and he is pleas'd,
I shall no less obey you, then I lov'd you
VVhen I sent for you to the Court, and there into
this heart received you.
Alin.
I am plainly jeer'd: hence that woman.
King.
Away with her.
Exit Eulalia with Conzago.
And let it be proclaim'd according to th' extremitie of Law our Censure be observ'd.
Lod.
Alas, how can she live one night?
King.
And now to your consent: have I it yet
For Marriage with Alinda? If you are pleas'd,
Then call us King and Queen.
Omn.
Long live the King and Queen.
Lod.
I mean Eulalia
[aside]
King.
Tis well: on to the ceremonies then. Kings were
But common men, did not their Power get fear.
Scœn. III.
Enter presently again, Lodovico, Horatio.Lod.
It is oppression, Tyrannie indeed.
Hor.
Speak lower, good my Lord.
Lod.
For fear of whom? of what?
Hor.
You would not that the King should hear
you, would you?
Lod.
Faith if he did.—
Hor.
Faith then as sure as your tongue's your own
now, your whole head would be his then.
Lod.
If it might so excuse the Queen, I car'd not.
Hor.
It will do the Queen as much good, as the
money it might be sold for in the Market; That and
the Appurtenances to it, would yield little at the
Shambles. Come my Lord, speak privately, and purposely
keep your head on your shoulders: it becomes
the place as well as 't had been made for it.
If the King have a mind to turn away his Wife, Ile
give him leave to turn mine after her, to wait upon
her, rather than to have my head bowl'd at her,
though I were sure it should kisse the Mistress.
Lod.
Oh but the ensuing danger, my Horatio!
The mischiefes that of necessary course must follow,
even to the ruine of the State, by the Kings
dotage on his second choice, draws blood from Subject
hearts: Oh that lewd Woman!
Hor.
She is a Woman of middle earth yet. But
what shall we dare to say two hours hence? Come,
think upon Law and Regal Authoritie. The Kings
Power Warrants his Acts: I know as well as you the
Queen Eulalia (Heaven bless her, I hope 'tis yet no
Treason to pray for her) is as vertuous a Lady as ever
all the Articles fram'd against her.
Lod.
The perfect Pattern of Meekness, Patience, Obedience.
Hor.
Of all that's good, or should be wish'd in VVoman.
Lod.
So obsequious a lover of her Husband, that
she gave way unto his loose affections, even to this
now-she-start-up that supplants her.
Hor.
She consider'd she grows old: she reads in
her Sons face nigh twenty years of the Kings love to
her: and gives him leave to place it now elsewhere.
Lod.
And is so far from limiting his Choice,
That she possesses it that seeks her blood.
My soul tels me the witnesses against
The Queen, are by this Concubine suborn'd.
Hor.
I will not say so.
Lod.
You cannot chuse but think so.
Hor.
My thoughts are warranted by the Proverb.
But come, make up your Face, temper your voyce
and looks with the rest of the most Honourable Assembly:
shake off this discontent, 'tis a disease by
which you'l perish else: now all the Court's in height;
you to professe distaste! Come, be a looker on at least.
Lod.
Upon a Court on Fire? O Horatio,
Bright Burning Troy gave not a dearer cause
Of willingness to those affrighted souls
She forc'd to leave her sinking in her ashes,
To flie for refuge to another Region;
Nor in their flight could they by looks reverted,
See danger in more horrible aspect,
Than upon the ruines of this Kingdom.
Hor.
Your stay, my Lord, may prevent danger.
Lod.
Yes, if it could remove the Fatal cause,
The pride, the crueltie, the Ambition
Of that wild Fury, the outragious Queen,
Consider this Horatio, and the means
To work this great effect: and I am yours,
To stay till it be done.
Hor.
Alinda's Death.
VVho's there?
[Looks about]
Lod.
Is it not necessary? no body: what d' ye fear?
Or can you find how to preserve the State
At a less rate? you know too well the King,
How apt his Nature is to fell oppression.
The burden of whose crueltie long since,
If by the vertuous Clemencie of his Wife
It had not been alay'd and mitigated,
Had been a general subversion.
And now that Peerless Princesse being depos'd,
Whose vertue made her famous, and us happy;
And he re-married to this shame of women,
Whose vileness breeds her envie and our mischief,
What can we look for but destruction?
Hor.
I dare me thinks a little hear you now,
(The Court being surfeited too with wine and noise)
And could almost talk to the point it self,
To your own ear.
(Looks about him at every word.]
'Tis fit somewhat were done:
I cannot say what: but if the wronged Queen
Be not restor'd, we shew ingratitude,
How much, I may not say: enough to damn us.
Lod.
I, now you speak.
Hor.
And though I will not speak it: if the Strumpet:
Be not conveniently and speedily destroy'd,
Though death dance with us in the enterprize,
We shall seem born more for our selves than Countrey.
Lod.
Brave noble resolution!
Hor.
Nay more, now I will speak.
Lod.
This way, good Horatio.
That way, or any way; If Poyson, Sword,
Policy or Strength may do it—
Lod.
Speak lower, good Horatio: see the Mignion.
[Enter Flavello and divers Petitioners]
Hor.
What for him? my Ladies Game-keeper,
that understands nothing but Monkeyes, Parrots,
short-nos'd Dogs and Starlings; Master of her Majesties
Foisting-hounds.
Lod.
So, he hears you.
Hor.
Let him; he has no Soul to understand, nor
Language to answer a Man: he knows how to dyet,
disple and perfume the small Cattle he has charge of;
for which rare Art, and catching Spiders for principal
Pug, he is rais'd prime man in his great Mistresses
favour.
Lod.
How the Petitioners flock to him!
Hor.
Swarm rather, for they are Bees in his head;
Oh! he engrosses all the Suits, and commends them
to the White Hand, whose disposing will make the
whole Kingdom black in Mourning, if Fate by us prevent
not. See how he carries it! We might talk what
we would, for him. His well-ordered head is so taken
up with Particular Affaires, he mindes no General
talk.
Pursue we our Design as all were Spies:
You and the Common Good have won me.
Lod.
O I embrace you.
Exeunt.
Scœn. V.
Enter Andrea with a Box.Andr.
Oh—Oh—and Oh-ho—O and alas! O and
alack for O—O—O—that ever a true Neapolitan born,
O Queen—O me—what wilt thou do? O—O—what
shall I do? O—thou maist work and starve; O—and I
may beg and live: O—but from thee I cannot live:
O—I cannot, nor I wonnot, so I wonnot.
[Enter Jago and Rugio.]
Jag.
See, here's poore Andrea mourning as well as we,
And all the rest of the poor Queens cast-awayes.
Rug.
But I can tell him comfort.
Andr.
Oh—I
will hear no comfort.
Rug.
Yes, and be glad on't too.
Andr.
Is my Queen Countrey-woman call'd back
again?
Rug.
No, but the Queen Alinda has enquired for
thee, to entertain thee into her service, whilst we
and all the rest of our late Queens servants are turn'd
out o'th'Court, and now at this high dinner time too.
Andr.
She would eat me, would she not?
Jag.
That would make it a Feast indeed.
Andr.
But Ile not trust her on a fasting-night:
Fools are meat then.
Rug.
Well said Andrea, witty in thy sorrow:
I know thou wilt back again for a new Mistresse.
Andr.
No, no, take you your course, and serve her if you please,
I have play'd the Fool too long, to play the Knave now.
Ile after my old Mistresse.
Rug.
Thou maist not serve her: that will be
brought within compass of Relief, and then thou
maist be hang'd for her.
Andr.
If I be hang'd for doing good, pray let it
not grieve you: and as I am an Innocent, Ile never
grieve for you though you be hang'd never so justly.
Both.
We thank you good Andrea.
Andr.
Take you your swinge, let me take mine I pray.
[Flourish]
Hark, the King drinks now to his new Queen.
Andr.
So, having turn'd his old Wife out of door,
A man may drink and frolique with his who—
VVould have thought it? did you think to catch me?
Rug.
Not I Andrea.
Andr.
Catch me if you can: when it shall be
Treason to say there is an honest woman, Ile say my
Countrey-woman was justly condemn'd of Adultery:
and till then, I know what to say: Catch me if ye
can.
[Flourish]
Rug.
There again: now the Queen drinks.
Andr.
Poore woman, at what River?
Rug.
I mean
the Queen Alinda.
Andr.
O the new thing at home here; I will
not call her Queen, not I: my Countrey-woman is
my Queen.
Jag.
Why is not she thy Countrey-woman?
Andr.
She was when she was Sforza's Daughter:
But she has turn'd a Father out of him.
Rug.
As here come some to turn us out o'th' Court.
Scœn. V.
Enter Horatio, Flavello, Guard, two or three Gentlemen.Flav.
Away with them: out of the gates, away.
Hor.
See, here are more of them: more of that
hated womans Retinue: away with all.
Rug.
Beseech you, good my Lord: I hope we are
true men.
Hor.
As I am true to the Crown, not one of you
pesters the Court a minute longer: go, you are trash
and trumpery: and Ile sweep the Court of all of ye:
follow your Mistresse: go.
The Fool my Lord shall stay: the Queen
ask'd for him.
Exeunt Omn. præter Andrea.
Hor.
Yes yes, the Fool my Lord, shall stay.
Andr.
The Fool my Lord will not stay.
Hor.
Will not? how dar'st thou say so? ha,
Fool, ha?
[Seize and rifle his Pack.]
Andr.
The Fool dare say more than the wisest
Lord dares do amongst ye: you will not take my
own proper goods from me, will ye?
Hor.
See what he caries: I heard of Plate and
Jewels lost to day.
Flav.
Let's see, Sir, I will see.
[Opens the Box: Coxcomb, Bable, Bells, and Coat.]
Hor.
Heyday, here's stuff indeed!
Andr.
Your VVardrope cannot matcht it: pray
give me all again; or if you will be the Kings and
Queens Takers with that extremitie to force my
goods from me, then present this to his Highness,
and this to Hers; and tell them, 'tis all the poor discarded
Fool could spare them.
Flav.
No Sir, you shall take them with you, and a
whip for advantage, unless you'l stay and serve the
Queen.
Andr.
No Sir, to you with an excusee moy,
If you be your Queens Fool-taker, you may
In Countrey, Court and City quickly find
Fools upon Fools that I shall leave behind.
New Lords (you know the Proverb) make new Laws,
New Lawyers of an old make a new cause.
New workmen are delighted with new Tooles,
And her new Majesty must have new Fools.
New fools she wants, not having you about her,
VVhile the old Fool makes shift to live without her.
Fla.
Let the Fool go my Lord, 'tis but a Fool the less,
For he'll get wit by it, to wish himself here again.
Andr.
If I get but enough to keep me from Court,
Flav.
Farewell Fool, take your Trinkets
with you.
Andr.
Farewell fine Lords, adieu old
Courtier.
Hor.
The Court unclouded of this Factious crew,
VVill shine on us that to the Crown are true.
Exeunt.
Scœn. VI.
Enter Sforza and Keeper, as in Prison.Sfor.
VVas ever man so hurried into thraldom,
And lock'd up in the ignorance of the cause,
Stronger and darker than his Prison walls?
But I must not be Sepulchr'd alive,
And therefore Keeper, though thy office be
More Devillish than thy visage, yet thy heart
May be humane: let me then conjure thee
To vent the secret forth but in a whisper;
Or shouldst thou utter't in a Tempests voyce,
As loud as are my injuries, thou art safe:
I can be here no carry-Tale: I am fast
In thine own custody, thou seest:
I pray thee tell me, what's laid unto my charge?
Keep.
All I can say, 'Tis the Kings pleasure, and you must obey.
Sfor.
Do you barke Sentences, Hell-hound?
Keep.
My Lord, y'are off your Command, and under mine,
You much mistake your self and me.
Sfor.
'Tis true.
Keep.
Lions may rage in toyles: but whilst they do,
They more enthral themselves: will you sit down,
And promise on your Honour not to force
My counsels from me? Ile deal fairly with you,
(My meaning is, to give him never a word)
I will not lift a finger up against thee,
As I am a Souldier: now prithee tell me,
VVhat say they is my crime? [shakes his head]
nay speak it freely.
I can give it hearing:
[shruggs, &c.]
Or tell me first if thou wilt, how fares the Queen?
VVhat? art thou dumb to that too? Answer me,
Is my Antagonist Petruccio
Repeal'd to Court yet? thence may spring my mischief.
VVhy dost not speak? this is dogged silence,
In scorn of me, to mock my misery.
I may not wrong the Honour of a Souldier
In my Revenge, or I would thrattle thee.
[he makes leggs.]
You're very civil, Hell take your courtesie.
Keep.
I pitie him: but must not dare to shew it.
It adds to some mens misery, not to know it.
Exit.
Sfor.
It is decreed of me, that I must suffer
This Barbarous crueltie; and Ile bravely bear it:
I ha' not force these double walls to part,
Or mollifie the Jaylors harder heart.
May spirit then assist me to despise
And bear my scorn above my injuries.
Scœn. VII.
Enter Petruccio and Guard.Petr.
Revenge has cast her self into my hands,
Strangling the Life of Sforza in these Lines:
His Head is in this grasp, but where is Honour?
Must that forsake this Brest? must the pure heat
Of heavenly Honour, yeeld unto the scorch
Of Hell-bred base Revenge? it must not, cannot:
For as the Sun puts out all baser Fires,
Besides, he is below my Anger now;
And has no Life but forfeited to Law,
Or the Kings Fury, I'll not question which;
Nor was it justlie, he gave me th'Affront,
In being made Lord General, when I stood for't.
But the Kings selfe, in his Election,
He wrong'd not me no more then I did him,
When th' Honour was transfer'd from him to me.
That's answer'd cleerly, I acquit thee, Sforza.
But now my Loyaltie, how shall I discharge
That special Duty I am here commanded,
(Stand back I say) to see the Execution,
And bring the Head of Sforza to the King?
What an addition here is of Advancement?
To make me first a General, then a Hangman:
I'll do him better Service: Loyal Horatio
Would think himself now damn'd, to leave a tittle
Of the Kings powerful pleasure unfulfil'd.
Call the Keeper.
Keep.
Here my Lord.
[Enter Keeper]
Petr.
I am to see and speak with Sforza.
Keep.
Then I doubt not but your Honour has brought VVarrant.
Petr.
My Honour be your VVarrant: will not that serve?
Keep.
I will not lose the Kings Grace for all the
Honours in the Kingdom.
Petr.
Do'st know me, or my place?
Keep.
Yes, I both know and honour you, as far as
my own place gives me leave: but in this I must crave
pardon; you may not see him my Lord, by a less VVarrant
then the Kings own Signet, and that fetches him
out, and it please you.
Petr.
But have you been so strict to all men else?
Has no man chang'd a vvord vvith him?
Keep.
Not since
Not even the Prince himself, who much desir'd it.
I look'd as black on him, as upon you now.
I am no white Prison-Keeper, I, to venture
Mine own Neck for a Prisoner's, at a price,
And give condemn'd men leave to run away:
No, I am the black Jaylor, I, and 'tis thought,
Lineally descended from Cerberus.
Petr.
I must commend thy Care; see, there's the Signet.
Keep.
I'll fetch the Prisoner.
May it please you to come forth, my Lord?
Ent. Sforza.
Sfor.
Have I then liv'd to hear Mans voice again?
Keep.
Here's the Lord Marshal, and chief General
Of the Kings Forces, come to speak with you.
Sfor.
Those Titles once were mine, but now I must
Attend his pleasure that is Master of them.
Petr.
All leave the Room, but be at hand.
Guard.
VVe shall.
Exeunt Keeper and Guard.
Scœn. VIII.
Sfor.My first object from my long obscurity,
The man that hates me most of all the world?
It is: his news cannot be good. not good?
The better: 'tis best to know the worst; he cannot deceive me.
Petr.
My Lord, I do presume I am unwelcom,
Because you are possess'd I never lov'd you:
Sfor.
The Court yields me such Complement; this has
No ampler Comforts in't. But y'are deceiv'd,
For you are welcom, sowre captious Lord, y'are welcom.
I have been here these two and twenty dayes,
And never heard the voice of Man till now:
Meat I have found, and Lodging; but for Language,
In what part of the world I am, I know not.
Proceed; I value your words well, you see,
That give you six for one; why do you not speak?
I have been us'd to talk with men that love me not,
And more with Enemies, I dare besworn,
Then Friends: come, speak, I pray, what is't you come for?
Petr.
Alas! I pity him: his too too much vexation
Has over-tam'd him.
Sfor.
Will you not speak and tell me?
Petr.
Pray let me ask you first; Have you been kept
So strictly from the Speech of all men?
Sfor.
E'er since I was committed, and from the knowledge
Of vvhy I vvas committed too; nay, he that keeps me,
'Till now he call'd me forth, never spake a vvord:
If I ask'd him, what News? here he vvas vvith me:
Or when he heard from Cuurt? then there again:
Or, why I vvas committed? still the same answer.
So that I could inform my self of nothing.
Come, if thou bee'st an honest Enemy,
Tell me something:
As thou dost wish my throat cut, tell me something.
Petr.
You seem to take no notice of the cause of
your commitment.
Sfor.
Further than this I cannot: 'Twas the Kings pleasure to command it.
Treason was cry'd; a Guard: away with him:
But for what cause, unless it were for drawing
My sword upon (O that Rebellions Girle!)
(VVhich I tell you I was doubtful of) and so Sir,
Let me ask you, is she still about the Queen?
My daughter Sir, I mean.
Petr.
Yes, much about the Queen.
Sfor.
And the Queen loves her?
Petr.
As dearly as her self.
Sfor.
Nay if you be a Souldier, now speak truely.
Petr.
The Queen and shee's all one.
Sfor.
Then there's some hope,
The King yet keepes fair quarter with her.
VVomen are quickly jealous.
Petr.
He knows nothing,
I'm confident, of all these great proceedings.
Poor man! I pity him: but Ile put him to it.
VVill you now answer me as y' are a Souldier
To some few Articles?
Sfor.
You have engag'd me.
Petr.
'T were shame he should die ignorant of at least
The Accusations are laid against him.
Sfor.
Come Sir, your Articles?
Petr.
You are accus'd
Of an intended Treason 'gainst the King.
Sfor.
Who's my Accuser?
Petr.
Even the King himself.
Sfor.
Umh, umh, umh: he should not be my Judge then.
It is some Devillish dream of his, or else
That Policie that Princes purchase Hell by,
With strong assurance without all exception;
That is, when Souldiers men of best desert
Have merited more then they have means to give,
To cut their lives by whom they onely live.
Petr.
You flie now from the question: y' are engag'd by the Honour of a Souldier
Unto that Accusation: guiltie or not guiltie?
Sfor.
I am not guiltie, as I am a Souldier;
And in that Oath I would not be forsworn,
As perish'd by my Sword to save his One.
Petr.
In that I am satisfied: now to the next,
If you will hear it; you shall promise me
To answer without passion I or no.
Sfor.
I will do what I can.
Petr.
You're next accus'd
Of fowl Adulterie with the Queen Eulalia.
Sfor.
Hah!
Petr.
Guiltie or no?
Sfor.
No Sir, nor dares there be
Such a suggestion in the heart of Hell.
And were he there, that thought, or could but dream
Of such a Scandal, I'ld squeeze it out on's Brains.
Petr.
Then I must hold you to your promise Sir.
[Enter Guard.]
Sfor.
A wrestling towards; away west, away.
Nay then I am betray'd.
Petr.
Forbear I pray.
[Guard retire]
Sfor.
He comes but to insult and to torment me.
Petr.
My Lord you much forget, is not this Passion?
Sfor.
Passion of heart! he hopes not for Salvation
That hears with patience but the repetition
Of such a Blasphemie. I must not die,
Until the world be vindicated from
The redamnation such an error threatens.
Petr.
You see I could oppress you; but all forbear the roome.
Exit Guard.
Sfor.
Do you come to mad me?
Petr.
If you will be calm, Ile tell you what I come for.
Sfor.
As setled as a Rock beneath a mountain
Here will I sit, and hear thy loudest malice.
Petr.
If this man be not innocent, vertue lives not.
Sfor.
Now tell me what you come for; and be sure
You ask no more abominable questions,
VVhilst calmly I clear these, thus: By the Honour
And faith of a true Souldier, I am clear
(Which knows my Innocencie) I do not urge
To save my life from the Kings violent Fury,
Nor any way to close with thee in Friendship,
Now that my fortune is at worst. So, speak:
'Tis long a coming: I begin to think
It is some good, you are so loath to utter 't.
Petr.
It is, if you can apprehend it so.
My Lord, I take you for my friend, and come
To make my moan to you; insomuch as now
I do conceive you Noble, Vertuous, Honest.
Sfor.
Foh! this is worse than all the rest, this stinks
Of the Court-putrefaction, Flatterie, grossly.
But on I prithee: talk is such a noveltie,
I will hear any thing.
Petr.
I could not see your vertue, when it shin'd
Thorow the radiant favours of the King:
It dazled me with envie then: but now,
Like the red Sun through cold and mystie vapours,
I can behold it at the full.
Sfor.
So, so: umh, whu: so much for my vertues:
What's your business now?
Petr.
I say I come to make my moan to you,
Groaning beneath a weightie Injury
The King has thrown upon me.
Sfor.
Has denyed him
Something I warrant, that he would have begg'd;
The making of a Knight, or some such foolerie:
What was't?
Petr.
In putting a base office on me.
Sfor.
Is the great Marshals and chief Generals Office, become so base?
Petr.
No Sir, the Hangmans Office. Read that—
I am commanded there, and warranted
VVith present speed to bring your Head to him.
A prayer or two, by his great leave and yours,
And you shall have it instantly.
Petr.
My Lord, you shall not undervalue't so:
That Honour which has won me to you, shall
Work better for your preservation.
I have much more to tell you, and strong Reasons
Why you should live: of the Queens infinite wrongs
And yours, wrought by your Daughters cruel Ambition.
Sfor.
This is a nobleness beyond Example:
Sure now you are honest.
Petr.
There you see my strength:
If now for truth and Honours cause I strain
A point of Loyaltie, you will engage
Your Honour to secure me?
Sfor.
I hold my Honour equal to the best,
And prize it still so far above my life,
That to save Kingdoms Ile not forfeit it.
Here in the sight of Heaven I do engage it,
For your securitie.
Petr.
I ask no better. Keeper!
[Enter Keeper.]
Keep.
My Lord.
Petr.
Dismiss that Guard, and
give us way.
Keep.
I shall.
Petr.
Now come my Lord, vertue may be cast by;
But never overcome by Tyrannie.
Sfor.
VVars Sword, Laws Axe, or Tyrannies fell Knife,
May overcome my Person, not my life.
For that is yours Petruccio.
Exeunt Ambo.
| The Queen And Concubine | |