University of Virginia Library

The fifth Scene

Enter King, and followers.
King.
Retire, Ah Heav'ns you know how 'gainst my will,
Exeunt.
I go about, my Subjects blood to spill.
With what remorse, this sword of mine I draw,
To make my people, to obey my Law.
Woo'd they woo'd see their folly, and let go
Those Lords which I demand, without a blow.
Or woo'd you'd be so kind, as tell me how,
My honour I might save, and fight not now.
For what can I, by such a battle get,
Although I conquer, but a sad regret!

Marshal enters.
Marsh.
A hundred thousand men, implease your Grace,
Are marching out the Town a mighty pace;
With an intent the Spanish force to meet,
And home again, them back again to beat.
As many too behind, are said to be,
Provided well, to charge your Majestie,
In case you shoo'd Sir, with your Royal force,
Go forward, for to interrupt their course.
My opinion, the best way you can take,
Is with them, an agreement for to make:
And condescend, to that they stand upon,
If to no easier terms, they can't be won:
For all the common people, with one heart,
Resolve with goods, and lives, to take their part.
I've divers reasons, which do me perswade,
'T advise your Majestie, as I have said.
But that which chiefly moves me, I protest,
Is that the Prince, will fight amongst the rest.
Now as the chance of war's, not sure at all,
So may it be his fortune, for to fall.
Which if he shoo'd, I'me sure that you woo'd give,
Those Lords, and Kingdom too, to make him live.
Besides the Princess, whom you tender so,
If that she shoo'd be taken, by the foe,
You are not certain, how they'le use her Sir,
Which may hereafter, cause an endless stir
Between your Highness, and the King of Spain,
Treating so ill, his daughter and her Train.
Shoo'd you o'recome, which is the most you can
Expect, or look for, at the hands of man:
D'you think a stranger, having taken foot,
Will home return, without some other boot?
No, no, believe me, he will make you sight,
Before hee'le go, for that which is your Right;
The French likewise Sir, having nought to do,
Will lose no time, you may be sure on't too:
But will make hay, whil'st that the Sun shall shine,
Pretending to your party, to encline:
But when they're in, the way to get them out,
Will be no easie matter too, no doubt.
In story we may read, some such event,
When King, and Subject, have had discontent:
Whereas if you your peoples, love coo'd gain
You need not care a fig, for France nor Spain.
There's nee're a stroke struck yet, one word may now,
Do that which one day, you may not know how.

King.
What sayes the Traytor? take him hence to dwell,
With those infernal fire-brands of Hell.
What mak'st thou me? a Coward? or a King?
Thou foul-mouth'd-fellow, to utter such a thing.
Doest think thou Traytor, that we bear this sword,
To cut off those, that do obey our word?
No, no, thou worst of men, wee'le make thee know,
Those Rebels too, what duty they do owe:
And not so eas'ly yield, unto their lust,
Those men that to our Crown, have prov'd so just.
That Prince's not fit, a Scepter for to hold,
That will be by his Subjects, so controul'd:
And since that Heav'n, has put it in our hand,
Wee'le sway it to the terrour, of the Land.
Wee'le sway it to the terrour, of all those,
That do appear, to be our Kingdoms foes:
Whereof with reason, we suspect you one,
VVherefore secure him, till our pleasure's known.
Carried to prison.
The greatest treason, commonly comes in
Maskt with advice, upon our souls to win
The easier acceptation, and so trappans
Our very reason, into our enemies hands.

Sotus enters.
Sotus.
The Prince implease you Sir, sent me in haste,
To tell you that more time, he will not waste,
But without fail, will through the foe make way,
To kiss your Royal hands, this very day.
The Cavilry, together with the foot,
Are in a fighting posture, ready put.

King.
Heav'n prosper his advance, wee're ready too,
And will endeavour likewise, to cut throw,
And clear his passage, to our Royal Place;
VVherefore my Lords, let's more then go apace.

Exeunt.