 | The Queen And Concubine |  |
Act. IV.
Scœn. I.
Enter Poggio, Lollio, two Countrey-men with EulaliaEul.
Y' are welcome Friends, your prayers and good wishes
Are comforts to me, yet without danger of the Proclamation.
Pog.
Madam, the Court in all the Braverie
It boasts and borrows, cannot so rejoyce
As we in your enjoying in this plainness.
Their Bells, and Bonfires, Tilts and Tournaments,
Their Feasts and Banquets, Musicks and costly shews
(How ere unpaid for) shall not outpass our loves.
Eul.
Be you as confident, I will not wrong
A man among you: therefore pray reserve
What is your own, and warrant your own safety.
Pogg.
But how you'll live, we know not: we are now
In our old former Health: the Countrey's cur'd,
Your Practice at an end: unless you had
The common gift of most Physitians,
To make as many sick, as you make sound,
You will not find a Patient in seven years.
Eul.
But I have other Arts: sufficient skill
In works of several kinds, the Needle, Loome,
The Wheel, the Frame, the Net-Pin: and choice of
Fingers works are most familiar with me.
Lol.
And can you handle the Bobbins well, good Woman?
Make statute-Lace? you shall have my Daughter.
Pogg.
And mine, to make Tape-Purles: can you do it?
Eul.
Yes, and teach all your children works to live on.
The which, together with my own labour,
May bring sufficient for my maintenance:
Without the idle help of Begging, Borrowing,
Or any way infringing the Kings Command.
Lol.
You'l have a help beyond himself, but borrowing.
Eul.
Something I have in Book, to help their knowledge,
And by practise give them literature.
Then when these serious works and studies toil us,
VVee'l practice divers Instruments, Songs and measures,
That shall invite the Powers above to smile
On the content of which we them beguile.
Pog.
Well Mistris, ours is the voice of the whole Countrey;
All which, or what you please of it, is yours:
Take this House: make your choice of servants.
Take our children: make your own Rates for their Education.
Our Purses and our lives are free to you:
Get what you can, that's your own: will this please you?
Eul.
Yes gentle Friends, and with asmuch content
As ere I found in height of Government.
Pog.
Take your possession then: and let
Posteritie record, that without grieving
A Royal Queen once Traded for her living.
Scœn. II.
Enter Curate.Cur.
Eho, oh, io, where is my learned sister?
Eul.
Why seem you so distracted?
Cur.
Proh Sancto Jupiter!
Eul.
Alas what is the matter?
Cur.
Hei mihi Qualis erat?
Talis erat qualem nunquam vidi.
Andr.
Sure, sure, his Scholars have over-Master'd
him, and whipt him out of his wits.
Cur.
Corpus inane animæ, hold thy peace.
Eul.
Pray speak, what chance has happened?
Cur.
Non est narrandi locus: Go forth and see. Th'
Hercules furens, a formidabilis formidandus Hostis:
and quite against the Law
Of nostrum est injuriam non inferre,
Are on the point of making themselves merry,
In hanging those ill destin'd men by th' neck
That sought so late to give your neck the check.
Eul.
O let us flie to rescue them.
Andr.
Yet I hope
Your hast will bring you short to cut the Rope.
Scœn. III.
Enter Lollio, Poggio, and guard, with Fabio and Strozza.Lol.
Bring 'em away to present execution:
They have lien too long upon the Countreys charge.
We have given 'em bread and water a whole fornight.
Fab.
You dare not do't: what Law are we condemn'd by?
Pog.
Dare we not do't? that word 's an hanging matter
Here in our Civil Government: dare not do 't Sir?
VVee'l do't; and when 'tis done, wee'l argue Law with you.
Stroz.
When you have tane our lives, you'l lay the
Law to us: you cannot be so Barbarous.
Lol.
Impudent Traytors! how dare you say we
cannot? yet because we graciously are pleas'd to put
the Law out of our hands, and make you hang your
selves, Ile give you Reason: Silence on your lives.
In offering to be wiser then his Judgement,
Which was but Banishment to the good Eulalia:
Of (I do not say the Queen, but) the Kings wife
Of most happy memory.
Fab.
The good Eulalia?
Stroz.
the Kings wife?
Pog.
That was:
You shall not catch us tripping Sir,
VVe are more than your match.
Lol.
Good I do say she is, and good again
I dare pronounce her, that by dayly pain
VVorks for her dayly bread: and for bare hire,
Teacheth our children so, that we admire:
The Infants who have understanding more
Then we their Parents have, or then
Our Fore-fathers before us had.
Pog.
But brother Lollio, make not your speech so
long: what is 't to them? they'l carry none on 't to
th' 'other world: let's do what we came to do, e'en
hang 'em. Then, as I said, wee'l argle it afterwards.
Lol.
But brother Poggio, better 'tis they live
A minute two or three, then such a Speech
As I am now upon, be lost.
Enter Lodovico, Pedro, Curate, Andrea, Eulalia.
Pog.
See what y' have won by your delay! if she prevent not now
The good we meant her, I dare hang for 'm.
Cur.
In tempore venimus with a Reprieve, quod
omnium Rerum est Primum.
Eul.
Alas, what mean you neighbours? would you now
For all my labours and my Prayers for you,
Blast me with curses of expiring men?
What trespass have I done you, that for me
You put these men to death against my will?
Fab., Stroz.
We do applaud your mercy, gracious Queen.
There now, there they deserve hanging for that:
They call you Queen, against the Proclamation.
Dare you maintain 'em in't, and now speak for 'em?
Eul.
No, I condemn their faults, and blame their lives;
But have nor Power nor will to judge the men:
You have the will; but to assume the Power,
You take the Kings Right from him: you transgresse
As much his Laws in spilling of their blood,
As they had done in mine, had they prevail'd.
Andr.
They do not intend to spill their blood,
Countrey woman, they would but strangle them:
never pierce the skin, nor make 'm an hair worse
men, if you consider rightly what they are.
Lol.
But to the point. This is the All and some:
We meant you a good turn, and for your sake
t' have hang'd 'em right or wrong. Now since you
will needs stand in your own highway of womens
wisdom, which is wilfulness
(Cur.
A most Elegant
Figure!) Let 'em and please you come to the Gallows
another day for killing you out right: who can help
it?
Cur.
Oraculously spoken: which of the Sages could have said more?
Lol.
'Tis not unknown to you, that I can speak like
a Sage, and am one of the Sages of our Precinct
here for the Laytie, though your learning lie another
way among us. I am a Sage, and will be a Sage.
Pog.
And so am I, and will be: and but that wise
woman, which is as much to say as a fool for her labour.
Cur.
Another elegant Figure.
Pog.
But that, I say,
she has gain-said it, we would; yet to shew our selves
Sages, hang 'em up for Scarcrowes, to fright all their
fellows for coming from Court to kill women in the Countrey.
O how I love a Sage! how many Sages do
you allow in your Precinct?
Lol.
Some three or four main Heads: we have now only Pedro, Poggio and my self:
But we have many Powers under us:
These now are Powers that execute our Commands.
There is as much difference between a Sage and a Power,
As between a Judge and a Hangman.
Andr.
But is not the learned Curate a Sage
amongst ye?
Lol.
No, as I said before, their learning
lies another way: we allow not our Clergie any Temporal
Offices, for reasons known unto our selves.
Andr.
Pray let me have a Sages place amongst
ye then: I long to be a Sage.
Lol.
Brother Andrea, you shall have my voice in
your Election.
Andr.
Sage Brother Lollio, I thank
you.
Cur.
But will ye now, if misericordially
This gracious Fœminine preserve your lives
Ex ore lupi, from the Gallow Tree,
Become new men indeed?
Eul.
I know they will
When they consider the most dangerous sin,
That threw them on their desperate Attempt,
And their escape from merited Punishment,
They cannot be so graceless, not to turn
To a reformed life: First know, yong men,
Your former Act 'gainst me an Innocent,
Was Perjurie by which I fell, yet flourish.
Consider there how black and fowl your Sin
Is rendred by my Chrystal innocence:
Your next Attempt against me, was blacker, Murder,
The very word sounds horror.
Stroz.
Gentle Madam,
Name it not then: but by your sacred mercy,
Acquit us of the Doom which we so justly
Have drawn upon our selves: and we will spend
To your abused goodness.
Eul.
This is serious.
Fab.
Or may the earth on which we kneel for favour,
Forc'd by the weight of our detested Sins, open.
Amb.
Quick devour us.
Eul.
So, enough:
Ile take your words.
Lod.
But now you must reveal
By whom you have been wrought to these fowl Practices.
Fab.
All, wee'l discover all, though justly then we
pay our lives to Law.
Lod.
Good neighbours, Lollio, Poggio, and Andrea,
conduct them to my House.
Cur.
My self also will to be their securer convoy go,
For fear the Rusticks may presume again
To stretch these penitent necks with halter strain.
Lod.
You shall do well: I thank your Charity.
Lol.
Well, since in these we are prevented thus,
Come more, wee'l hang 'em, or they shall hang us.
Andr.
Make me but once a Sage, and then fear nothing.
Pogg.
Thou shalt be one next Sessions, without all peradventure.
Lod.
When we have tane these mens confessions,
Ile write at large each passage to the King,
Against the good Eulalia's will or knowledge
Pedr.
Ile be your faithful Messenger, my Lord.
Lod.
Thanks my good Pedro: but remember Silence.
So deep in thought good Madam?
Eul.
Never enough in contemplation of my Happiness.
Pedr.
It is your Heavenly mind that sweetens all things.
Pogg.
VVhat's the matter man?
Doubtless and without all peradventure, more
miracles.
Lol.
The news, good neighbour.
Countr.
O neighbours Poggio and Lollio, such a news,
such a Discoverie, such a thing is come to pass,
such a business is come to light, as your hearts
never heard, your Tongues never thought, nor
your ears ever utter'd: you cannot hear it, but
it will drown you in a Sea of Admiration, never
to rise again in your right wits.
Lol.
Now am I mad till I hear it.
Pog.
Thou shalt tell me first whether it be good
or bad, or Ile not hear it.
Countr.
It is good or bad I assure you: and therefore
you may be gone.
Pog.
I mean which is it? good or bad?
Countr.
I say it is good and bad: and you may both
stay and be gone, hear it or hear it not, an't
please you.
Pog.
Nay thou art in thy Jibes now: how good or how bad is thy news?
I pray thee neighbour, I do pray thee how good or bad is it?
Countr.
Nay then it is neither good nor bad, but
both: the best and the worst that ever you
heard in your life, and the worst shall out first:
what do you think of the woman that we have
got among us?
Pog.
Who, the holy woman? that we are all so
bound to pray for? I hope no ill's betide her.
Countr.
Come, shee's a witch: flatly and plainly said to be a witch.
Did not I tell you she was an unknown woman,
and therefore a good one, quoth you? but say I, doubtlesly;
and without all peradventure, all that she did
was but a kind of witchcraft.
Lol.
It cannot, fie, it cannot be: how is she found
so?
Countr.
I do not say shee's found a witch, but she's
accus'd for one.
Pog.
By whom is she accus'd?
Countr.
By two brave men at Arms that came from Court
VVith purpose to have kill'd her for the same.
To be short, They found her out, and naked swords they drew:
But as they thought to have thrust her through and through,
They both dead Palsie-struck fall to the ground.
And had no strength but of their Tongues to wound
The Fame she had.
Pog.
Vertue can want no Foes,
Count.
VVith that they cryed she was a witch, and swore
She also was that Queen which for a whore
The King had turn'd away.
Pog.
This is indeed the best news thou couldst bring.
Now doubtlesly and without all peradventures, 'tis
the Queen indeed: and if she be not a witch, I am
sorry I thought so, with all my heart: where be those
men? wee'l hang 'm presently.
Countr.
No, the Queen, if she be the Queen, will
not have them hurt more then they be: we were
about to execute 'em: but she would not suffer it.
Lol.
Goodness it self!
Pog.
Nay without all peradventure, if there be
goodness above ground, I said, and I say it again,
'tis in that woman.
Countr.
She would have cur'd 'em presently her
self: but could not do't, because the cruel Caitifs
know, before her gift could cure us: by the same
token I suffered an hours torment that I might
have scap'd, because I was so loath to bring out that
naughtie business betwixt me and the Millers wife.
Pog.
'Twas well you confess'd at last.
Countr.
I, and they will be glad to confess, before
they be able to stir hand or foot, I warrant: and so I
told 'm when I lodg'd 'em both lovingly together
upon straw in my Barn, too good for 'em; and so I
told 'em too, for being Traytors to her Holiness.
Lol.
But where's our Holy woman?
Pog.
Our
Queen wee'l call her now, without all peradventure.
Lol.
Coming this way to her Court-Cottage here,
but very slowly, though our two new neighbours
make the best way they can for her through the People
that press upon her so with thanks and offerings
for their new Healths: but she takes not so much for
curing of a thousand mortal People, as I have spent
in Turpentine and Tarre to keep my Flocklings
cleanly in a Spring time. Hark, she comes: this is
her Musick where ere she goes.
[Shout within.]
All.
Heaven bless our Holy woman.
Scœn. III.
Enter Lodovico, Eulalia, Andrea.Lod.
Depart good neighbours, good people all depart:
shee'l come abroad again to morrow.
Within
Heaven bless our Holy woman.
Andr.
She thanks you all good People, pray depart,
To morrow you shall have the second part:
She shall appear again unto you; pray depart,
The men in Peace, the Wives in quietness,
[All Within.]
Heaven bless our Holy woman.
Andr.
So, now the Hubbub's gone: I pray pass on.
I shall be as weary of the Cottage, as of the Court,
If this noise hold: here's thrusting and crowding
As much as there, onely here they have less Pride.
Eul.
VVas ever comfort in the Court like this?
Lod.
I never liv'd till now.
Enter three country-men more.
Andr.
Here come more of our weather-headed wise neighbours.
Pog.
Heaven bless our Holy woman.
1.
Heaven bless your Holiness.
2.
Nay then Heaven bless our Sacred Soveraign.
Eul.
This Homage fits not me.
1.
We had not liv'd but by your sacred means;
And will no longer live then be your Subjects.
Eul.
You go about to cast away your lives:
In serving or in succouring me, you fall
Into Rebellion against the King.
2.
We have no King nor Queen but you.
Heaven bless yor Majesty.
Omn.
Heaven bless your Majestie.
Andr.
That was pronounc'd bravely; O my brave new neighbours!
Eul.
Y' are Traytors All.
1.
In honouring our Soveraign?
Andr.
I, well said, hold her to it.
Eul.
How dare you call me so?
2.
VVe dare, and can prove it good and lawful.
This Province is engag'd unto you Madam,
The King made it your Joynture: and we find
No reason but you instantly possesse it.
Eul.
VVhat, and the King alive?
He's dead to you.
Lol.
Yes, yes, he's dead to you.
Andr.
VVell said again: that's a sound point, besworn
These be true Blades.
Eul.
I tremble but to hear you,
And will not live an hour amongst you more
But with this freedom, To use my fair obedience to the King.
2.
You shall obey the King then, and we'll obey your Majesty.
Eul.
O let that Title die with my late Fortune:
Remember it no more, but let me be
As one of you; nay rather, an Inferior,
Or I from this abiding must remove:
Of which I first made choice in truth for love.
3.
O Madam!
Eul.
Take heed good neighbours,
Beware how you give Dignitie or Title; therein you may transgress.
2.
No whit good Madam. Observe the Dialect of France,
And you shall find Madam given there in Courtesie,
To women of low Fortunes, unto whom
'Tis held a poore addition, though great Queens
Do grace and make it Royal.
Eul.
'Tis then the Greatness of
The Person dignifies the Titles, not it the Person.
1.
And in that, Madam, you are in your content
Above all Title's proper to great Princes:
But setting this aside, how thrive your Scholars?
Eul.
We go fairly on. [Enter 1. Girl.]
look you Sir,
Here's one that knew no letter in the Book
Within these ten days, can read hitherto,
And waits for a new lesson: proceed hither—
And at your hour Ile hear you.
1. Girl.
Yes forsooth
Mistresse.
Enter 2. Girl.
Eul.
Good Girl, well said: nay, nay, hold up your
head: so, so, 'tis very well: let's see your Samplar:
Lod.
Right in its perfect
Colours.
Eul.
Nay shee'l do well: now take
me out this Flower. Keep your work clean, and you
shall be a good Maid.
Now
where's your writing book?
3. Girl.
'Tis here forsooth.
Pray shall I have a Joyn-hand Copy next?
Eul.
No child, you must not Joyn-hand yet: you
must your letters and your minums better first. Take
heed, you may Joyn-hand too soon, and so mar all:
still youth desires to be too forward. Go take your
Lute, and let me hear you sing the last I taught you.
[Song]
Enter 4. Girls.
Scœn. IV.
Enter Doctor and Midwife.Lod.
Whither do you press? who would you
speak withall?
Doctor.
O Sir, for Charity sake give us
access unto the holy woman.
Lod.
Who are you? or
from whence?
Doct.
We are poor Pilgrims man and wife, that
are upon our way struck with sad pain and sorrow.
Andr.
Alas poor Pilgrims! here's she must do you
good.
Eul.
How divine Justice throwes my Enemies into
my hands? what are your griefes?
Doct.
My wife is struck with dumbness.
Andr.
Hold a little,
That's the greatest grief a woman can endure;
But trouble not thy self to seek for cure.
Too many a man i'th' world will change with thee
A wife that of her Language is too free,
And give good Boot.
Eul.
Pray Sir be you silent.
And where's your pain?
Doct.
Here in this hand;
Eul.
Because your Blow cannot be safely given here, you think.
O sinful wretch! thou hadst no pain till now;
Nor was she dumb till divine Providence
Now at this instant struck her. It is now
Just as thou saist: and justly are you punished
For treacherous counterfeits. Lodowick search his hand.
Lod.
His hand is wither'd, and lets fall a Knife.
Andr.
As sharp to do a mischief as ere was felt on.
Eul.
Now take off his false Beard: see if you know him,
And let the woman be unmuffled.
Lod.
O Divels!
Andr.
O the last couple that came out of Hell!
Lod.
These are the other two that damn'd themselves
In perjurie against you at your Tryal.
Andr.
How do you master Doctor, and Mistress Midwife?
Is this the Pen your Doctorship prescribes with?
This might soon write that might cure all diseases:
And are these the Labours you go to, Mistress Midnight?
VVould you bring women to bed this way?
Omn.
O damnable conspirators!
Eul.
Pray take 'm hence, their time's not come for cure yet.
Andr.
Come away Pilgrims: we'll cure 'em for you,
If your own salves can cure you: O my sweet Pilgrims.
1.
Fough, they stink of Treason damnably
2.
VVhat, shall we hang'm? drown 'em? or burn 'em?
1.
They shall taste fortie deaths, then take their own.
I, come away with 'em: they shall die fortie times without peradventure,
Eul.
You shall lose me, if you do any violence to
any of 'em: but let 'm be lodg'd with those we took
to day: Ile feed 'em all.
Andr.
They'l be a jolly company.
Eul.
Pray do as I intreat.
3.
You shall in all
command us.
1.
Ile make my Barn a spittle for your conspirators
till it be top full, and then set fire on't, and please
you.
Eul.
Do you no harm, and fear none: send your Children.
2. Omn.
Long live our Queen.
Andr.
Your
Queen? have you a mind to be hang'd?
Omn.
our
School-Mistress, we would say.
Eul.
VVe live secure in spight of Foes: and see,
Where Heaven protects, in vain is Treacherie:
VVho says out State is low, or that I fell
When I was put from Court? I did not rise
Till then, nor was advanc'd till now. I see
Heaven plants me 'bove the reach of Treachery.
Lod.
O happie, happie Saint!
Ex. Rustici with Doct. and Midwife.
Scœn. V.
Enter Flavello, alias Alphonso, with a Letter to Eulalia, Poggio and Lollio following.Lol.
I would she had a Councel: she shall have a Councel,
And we will be the Heads thereof,
Though I be put to the pains to be President my self.
Pog.
It is most requisite for her safety: her danger may be great.
Lol.
'Tis well consider'd: she shall have a Guard
too: and we will be the limbs thereof, though I be
put to the trouble of Captain on't my self.
Pog.
You will put on all Offices, yet count 'em pain
and trouble.
Lol.
Yes, and perform 'em too here in our Court of
Conscience, for here's no other profit to hinder the
Dutie: let them above do what they list; we will have
as much care of our School-Mistress, as they of their
Semiramis: I speak no Treason nor no trifles neither,
if you mark it. But she must never know this care
of ours, She'll urge the Statute of Relief against it.
Pog.
This is some Courtier sure that's with her; he
smells ill favordly.
Lol.
That made me dog him hither.
Pog.
He shall
not have her out of sight, that's certain.
Lol.
Nor
out of reach neither: a mischief's quickly done.
Eul.
No Superscription, nor any names unto it.
Most
Royal and most wronged Soveraign Mistress:
(that must needs be me.) Be happily assured
your Restauration is at hand; And by no less means
then by her Death that usurps your Dignitie:
(a plain conspiracie against Alinda in my behalf.)
All shall be determined at Nicosia, by
Your Loyal Servants. Nameless.
Eul.
You know not the contents then, and are
bound by Oath you say not to reveal the senders of
this Letter.
Alph.
It is most true: onely thus much I tell you,
they are your noble and best chosen Friends.
Eul.
Heaven! can it be, that men in my respect
can plunge into such danger?
So Madam, this being all I had in charge,
I must crave leave (indeed I do not like this
Oportunitie, nor well the countenances of these Hobnols.
[aside]
Eul.
You are no messenger of such ill Tidings
To part so slightly: indeed you shall not.
Alph.
She's honied with the newes: I have already
Madam my Reward, and will no longer stay.
Eul.
Then I must say, you shall stay: or Ile send
A cry as loud as Treason after you.
Alph.
You'l wrong your self and Friends then.
Omn.
You wrong your self Sir, and we charge you stay.
Alph.
By the command of Peasants?
Lol.
How! you choplogical Rascal, Peasants!
Pog.
Down with him into utter darkness.
Eul.
No violence good Friends: but if you will detain him
Till I give order for his libertie,
You do the State good service.
Lol.
May it do you Service?
Pog.
The State is
finely serv'd already.
Eul.
Me most of all.
Lol.
Hell
cannot hold him faster then.
Alph.
Madam, hear me.
Lol.
Mad Asse, hold your prating till she calls you:
Mean time you are fast: 'twas time we were a Councel or a Guard.
Exeunt with Alphonso.
Eul.
I thank thee Providence, I dreamed not of such ready help.
I am struck through with wonder at this Letter:
I could not at the first but think't a Bayt
To catch my willingness to such an Act;
Or Gullerie to mock my Hopes or wishes,
In case I had such: therefore I desired
The Messengers restraint from being my Relator:
But now a strong Belief possesses me,
A noble Fury has stirr'd up some Friends
My cause is weigh'd above, whence I shall see
How well my patience over-rules my wrong,
And my Foes ruin'd with mine Honours safety.
But let my better Judgement weigh those thoughts,
I do not seek revenge, why shall I suffer it?
My causeless injuries have brought me Honour,
And 'tis her shame to hear of my mis-hap.
And if by Treachery she fall, the world
Will judge me accessarie, as I were indeed
In this foreknowledge of the foul intent,
Should I conceal it.
Then here's the trembling doubt which way to take:
Whether to rise by her Destruction,
Or sink my Friends, discovering their pretence.
Friends have no Priviledge to be treacherous:
She is my Soveraignes wife, his chief content;
Of which to rob him, were an act of horrour
Committed on himself. The question's then,
Whether it be more foul ingratitude
To unknown Friends, and for an act of Sin,
Then to be treacherous to the Prince I love?
It is resolv'd: Ile once more see the Court.
Lollio, Poggio and Countreymen return.
O my good Patrons, I must now intreat
Means for my Journey to attend the King,
On a discoverie for the present safetie
Of his fair Queen: she will be murder'd else.
Pog.
And let her go: we have shut up your newsbringer
safe enough, will keep you by your favour,
short enough from hindring such a work.
Eul.
Dear
Friends, a small matter will prevent this world of
dangers.
Lol.
Would you have us to become Traytors, to
Supply your wants against the Proclamation?
If you be well, remain so: your Industry
Can keep you here: but for a Journey, that
Which we have not for such an idle purpose.
Eul.
O hear me.
Pog.
Will you neglect your House
and Trade to meddle any more with State-matters?
Pog.
And bring our necks in danger to assist you?
Let your own counsell advise you to stay.
Exeunt.
Scœn. VI.
Enter King, Petruccio.King.
How died the Boy?
Petr.
Gonzago Sir, your Son?
King.
My Son, my Son? you urge the name of Son
To work remorse within me, when I ask
How died that Bastard Boy; no Son of mine.
Petr.
His last words that he spake to me, were these:
Go, tell the King my Father, that his frown
Hath pierc'd my heart: tell him, if all his Land
Be peopled with obedient hearts like mine,
He needs no lawes to second his displeasure,
To make a general Depopulation:
But that he may not lose so much, I pray
That in my Death his misse-plac'd anger die,
And that his wrath have double force 'gainst those
That to his Person and his Laws are Foes.
King.
Did he say so?
Petr.
And then, as if the Spirit of Prayer
Had onely been habitual in his soul,
He did implore Heaven's goodness to come down,
Lifting him hence to shine upon your Crown.
King.
This Boy yet might be mine, though Sforza
might have wrong'd me by the By.
Petr.
This done, he pray'd me leave the Roome. I
wept: In sooth I could not chuse.
Well, well, you wept, return'd, and found
him dead in 's Bed you say.
Petr.
Yes, in so sweet a Posture, as no Statuarie
With best of skill on most immaculate Marble
Could fashion him an Image purer, slighter.
King.
No more.
Petr.
I found his stretch'd-out fingers which so lately
Had clos'd his eyes, still moistned with his tears;
And on his either cheek a tear undryed,
Which shone like Stars.
King.
It seems he wept and died.
Prithee no more: I cannot though forget
My threatnings were too sharp: I must forget it.
I charge you that you leavy up our Army
Against those Rebels that we hear give succour
Unto the wretched cause of all my mischiefes,
That hated ill-liv'd woman.
Scœn. VII.
Enter Horatio.Hor.
O my dread liege?
King.
The matter? speak; how does the Queen?
Hor.
O the sweet Queen! I fear, I fear, I fear.
King.
What fearst thou? speak the worst I charge thee.
Hor.
I fear she has a Moonflaw in her brains:
She chides and fights that none can look upon her.
Her Fathers Ghost, is in her I think: here she comes.
Alin.
Where's this King? this King of Clouts,
Petr.
Fearful effect of Pride!
Alin.
This shadow of a King, that stands set up
As in a Press among the Raggs and Vizors
King.
What means my love?
Alin.
Your love? where is your love?
Where is the preparation that you promis'd
Of strength to tear in pieces that vile Witch
That lives my souls vexation? your love?
You are a load of torment: your delays
To my desires are Hellish cruelties.
Are these your Promises?
[Horatio holds up his hands.]
King.
I have given order with all speed I could.
Alin.
You could cut off an old man in a Prison,
That could make no resistance, and you could
Vex a poor Boy to death, that could but cry
In his defence; that you could do; but this
That has so much shew of fear or hardness,
As a few Peasants to maintain a Strumpet
Against your Dignitie, is too much to do
For a poor coward King.
Petr.
What a tyrannous Ambition
Has the Devil puff'd up this Bladder with!
King.
I fear her wits are craz'd indeed. Alinda,
Hear me gentle love.
Alin.
O my torment!
Hor.
As I am true to the Crown, I know not what
to say to this: she's falling mad sure.
Alin.
No, no, you dare not do't: your Army may
Perhaps i'th' dangerous Action break a shin,
Or get a bloody nose: it now appears
My Father (as 'twas voyc'd) was all your valour.
Y' have never a Mars or Cuckold-making General
Now left: and for your self, you 'r past it.
Hor.
His 'tother wife would not have us'd him thus.
Quiet Cuckoldrie is better then scolding chastitie all the world over.
King.
I see distraction in her face.
Did all your brave Commanders die in Sforza?
Petr.
By the Kings favour Madam (not to stir
The dust of your dead Father) he has Souldiers
That know to lead and execute no less
Then did victorious Sforza.
Alin.
Sirrah! you have stirr'd more then his dust;
you have mov'd his blood in me, unto a Justice that
claims they trayterous head.
Petr.
My head? and Trayterous? I do appeal unto
the King.
Alin.
A King? a Cobweb.
Hor.
And she the Spider in't I fear.
My Loyaltie knowes not how to look upon her.
Alin.
If thou beest King, thou yet art but that King
That ows me love and life, and so my subject.
King.
Indeed Alinda!—
Alin.
Yes indeed Gonzago,
Life by inheritance: for my valiant Father
Whose life thou tookst, gave thine, and so 'tis mine.
And for your love, you dare not wrest it from me;
Therefore deny not now my just demand,
In that proud Traytors head.
Hor.
She's mad beyond all cure.
King.
Examine his offence, my dear Alinda.
Alin.
Is't not enough Alinda doth command it?
Are these the Articles you gave me grant of?
Is this the nothing that you would deny me?
King.
Sweet, weigh but his offence.
Alin.
His Head is my offence: and give me that
Now, without pause, or by the strength of Hercules
Ile take thee by the Horns, and writhe thine own off.
King.
Go from her sight Petruccio; levie up our Forces,
And let the Boy Gonzago be embowell'd,
And sent as a forerunner of our Furie
Petr.
'Tis done, my liege.
[Exit Petruccio.]
Alin.
Was ever woman barr'd her will, as I am?
Hor.
Here's a fine woman spoil'd now, by humoring
her at first, and cherishing her Pride.
Alin.
Sure you have but mock'd me all this while:
I am no wife, no Queen, but silly Subject.
King.
'Tis a disease in her that must be sooth'd:
Sweet, thou shalt have his Head.
Alin.
O, shall I so?
King.
Go in, it shall be brought thee.
Alin.
Mark what I say to bind you to your word:
Do it, or Ile not love you: I can change
Love into hate, hate into love most sweetly:
Let that man live to morrow, Ile love him,
And do fine feats with him, such as your tother wife
And Sforza did; but make much better sport on't.
They were an old dry couple.
Hor.
Take this, take all.
Alin.
I leave all to your Kingly consideration:
You know your charge: look to't, and so I leave you.
Exit.
King.
What wild Affections do in women raign!
But this a Passion past all President.
O 'tis meer Madness, mix'd with Divellish cunning,
To hurl me upon more and endless mischiefes:
It has awak'd me to the sight of those
My fury (sprung from Dotage) hath already
Laid in my Path, grim Spectacles of horror,
The blood of Sforza, and that tender Boy:
O let me think no further, yet stay there:
To plunge at first into too deep a Sense
Of soul-afflicting terrours, drowns the Reason,
And stupifies the Conscience, which delivers
Us over to an insensibilitie
Of our misdeeds, and of our selves: just Heaven!
Afford me light to see I am misled:
But let it not as lightning blast mine eyes,
For ever coming back to know my way.
Hor.
How fares your Majesty?
Kin.
O Horatio!
shee's lost, shee's lost, Horatio.
Hor.
I would my wife were with her then:
And so would any good Subject say, I think.
King.
What dost thou think?
Hor.
Marry I think (and so would any good Subject
think, I think) as your Majestie thinks.
King.
What dost thou think of Loyaltie now?
Hor.
Truly I think there's now not any warrantable
Loyaltie left but in Petruccio and my self.
The Queen is now out of my Catalogue, and my
Creed too.
Scœn. VIII.
[A shout within]
crying, Kill him, kill him: for
Sforza, Sforza: kill him for the blood of Sforza,
Sforza, &c.
King.
What terrible, what hideous noise is this?
[Within.]
Kill him for Sforza, Sforza; kill him, kill him.
Hor.
My Loyaltie defend me! I know not what to make on't.
[Enter a Captain distractedly, Sforza Disguised.]
King.
What art thou? speak: hadst thou the voice of Hell,
Denouncing all the Furies in't, I dare yet hear thee; speak.
Capt.
O mighty Sir, Petruccio.
King.
What of Petruccio?
Capt.
O Petruccio! I tremble but to speak him.
King.
Shall I then with the Prophetique Spirit of a King
Speaks of Petruccio? he is turn'd Traytor,
Upon the discontent Alinda gave him
Now in her Fury: is't not so?
Hor.
'Tis so, 'tis so: ne'er ask him for the matter:
I thought so, just, just as your Majestie thought it;
And find withall, that now you have not left
A Loyal heart but in Horatio's bosome,
Now that Petruccio fails: I fear'd 'twould come
To that: nay knew't: O hang him, hang him,
False hearted villain! he was never right,
And so I always told your Majesty.
[Shout.]
King.
The cry comes neerer still: what does he mean,
To bring my Army on to Massacre
Me in my House?
Capt.
Dread Sir, vouchsafe attention:
Petruccio is Loyal: 'tis his Loyaltie,
And most sincere obedience to your will,
That brings him to the ruine of his life,
Unless your aweful Presence make prevention.
King.
Is then his Loyaltie become his danger?
Capt.
As thus great Sir, in the late Execution
Of Death-doom'd Sforza, which the Souldier
(Not looking on your Justice, but the Feud
That was betwixt Petruccio and him)
Resents as if it were Petruccio's Act,
Not yours, that cut him off: and still, as madly
Bewitch'd with Sforza's love, as ignorant
Of the desert of brave Petruccio,
They all turn head upon him: and as if
'Twere in his power to new create him to them,
They cry to him for Sforza, Sforza; or if not,
Petruccio's life must answer Sforza's blood.
King.
Left you him in that distress?
Capt.
He did prevail
With much entreatie, by some private reasons,
Upon their fury for an hours respite:
Guiltless Petruccio from a timeless Grave.
King.
Thou art a Souldier, art not?
Capt.
And have commanded in your Highnesse Wars.
King.
Me thinks I should remember, but Ile trust thee.
Hor.
I hope you'll be advis'd, though, how you run
Into this wild-fire of Rebellion.
King.
My Fortune is more desperate then his:
I am beset and circled in with mischiefes.
Way-laid with heaps of dangers every where:
Yet I will on: Kings were not made to fear.
Ile fetch him off, and the more readily,
For my misprision of his Loyaltie.
Could I think that man false?
Hor.
No Sir, nor I:
By all meanes fetch him off: that Loyal General
Is tenfold worth the whole Rebellious Army:
Save him, and hang them all.
Enter Petruccio with a Rabble of Souldiers, and two Captains, crying, Come, come, away with him, away with him.
Petr.
Have you no Faith, nor due obedience
Unto the King? this outrage is 'gainst him,
In me he suffers.
1. Capt.
We obey the King,
And 'tis his Justice that we cut your throat,
For doing such outrage in the death of our brave General,
That had you lives more then false drops of blood,
They were not all sufficient satisfaction for his losse.
2. Capt.
Your limited hour draws on apace: Prepare.
Enter a Servant.
Petr.
He's come within that hour, that shall relieve me.
Where is he? is he come?
Serv.
You are betray'd:
Petr.
Then Faith is fled from man: is Sforza fled?
Why should I wish to live, now Honour's dead?
Now take your bloody course, and in my fall,
Martyr the man that sav'd your General.
1. Capt.
Sav'd him? how sav'd?
Petr.
Sforza lives.
All.
How's that? how's that? that, that again.
Petr.
As I now live, I set him free from Prison,
Trusting unto his Honour to secure me,
In which I did abuse the Kings Authoritie
To th' forfeit of my life.
Sold.
This sounds: this sounds.
1. Capt.
But does this sound well from a Souldiers mouth?
2. Capt.
He is not now worthy of death, before
He be well whipt for lying.
[Within]
The King, the King, the King!
1. Capt.
He could never come in a better time, to
see how bravely we will do justice for him.
King.
How comes this Fury rais'd amongst ye Souldiers?
Have you forgot my Laws and Person too?
1. Capt.
We honour both thus low: now give us leave
To look like men, and give your Highness welcome
To see a General of your Election
Die with a lie in's mouth: your Souldier here,
None of the good Queens old ones.
King.
Dare you both judge and execute this man?
2. Capt.
We dare to kill the Hangman of our General,
And think it fits our Office best: though you
Have Law enough to wave our care and pain,
And hang him up your self: for he affirms
That he let Sforza live 'gainst your command;
And that's the lie we treat of.
Ile give you all your Pardons, and him Honour,
To make that true.
Sfor.
Your Kingly word is taken.
[Discovers himself.]
Noble Petruccio, thou art disengag'd:
And if the temper of the Kings high Anger
Blow still above his Justice, let it crush
This cloud that holds a shower of innocent blood,
Willing to fall and calm his violent fury.
All.
Our General lives: a Sforza, Sforza.
King.
Sforza!
Petr.
You have outdone me in Nobilitie.
King.
I am all wonder: now this man appears
The Mansion and habitual Seat of Honour;
Of which he seems so full, there cannot be
An Angle in his breast to lodge so base
An Inmate as disloyaltie: if so,
How was Eulalia false? or how Gonzago,
That tender Boy, the fruit of lawless lust?
There I am lost again: Great Power, that knowest
The subtletie of hearts, shew me some light
Through these Cymmerian mists of doubts and fears,
In which I am perplex'd even to distraction:
Shew me, shew me yet the face of glorious Truth; where I may read
If I have err'd, which way I was misled.
Hor.
Enters.
O my dread Lord!
King.
Thy news?
Hor.
O my sweet Soveraign!
King.
Art thou
distracted too?
Hor.
No Sir: The Queen, the Queen, the Queen's distracted,
And I am like to be, and you, and any man
That loves the King, unless some Conjurer
Be found to lay the Devil: I mean Sforza.
Sforza Sir (would you think?) that monstruous Traytor
Sforza walks in the Court without a Head;
Kneeling and praying him to give her Pardon;
Told him indeed 'twas she that sought his Head,
And that she thought, that being now a Queen,
She might by her Prerogative take Heads,
Whose and as many as she listed: but
She promis'd she would send it him again,
Or else Petruccio's first: or if he would forgive her
This time, shee'ld do so no more.
He seem'd he would not hear her: then she beat
Her self against the walls and floor, and flies
To free her self by th' windows: calls for Poison,
Knife, Rope, or any thing, whereby to follow
Her most abused Father. What to make on't,
As I am true to th' Crown, I must refer
Onely unto your Majestie.
King.
O 'tis fearful!
Petr.
My Lord, you saw not th' Apparition, did you?
Hor.
Not I: I saw him not: nor has the Devil
Power in a Traytors shadow to appear
Unto a Loyal Subject. Hah! my Loyaltie
And Truth unto the Crown defend me!
See the very foresaid Devil at my Elbowe,
Head and all now: avoid, attempt me not Satan,
I do conjure thee by all the vertues of a Loyal Courtier.
Sfor.
They are all too weak to charm a Devil Sir;
But me they may, your Friend.
Hor.
I defie thee Bubsebel.
Petr.
What do you see, my Lord?
Hor.
Look there, the Apparition, there it is;
As like the Traytor Sforza when he liv'd,
As Devil can be like a Devil—oh!
Petr.
Fear not: he lives, and Loyal to the King.
Hor.
Does the King say so?
Give me your hand my Lord,
The king will say so, if this be flesh and blood.
Hor.
I, if thou beest flesh and blood: but how to
believe that I know not, when my touch makes me
sweat out a whole showre of pure Loyaltie.
King.
No more, Horatio: I find that my credulitie
Has been wrought on unto my much abuse,
And Sforza now appears an honest man.
Hor.
Who ever thought otherwise? or how
Could he in nature appear less then Loyal?
O my right noble Lord, I weep thy welcome.
King.
Back Souldiers, to your dutie: learn of me
Hereafter how to judge with equitie.
Sould.
Long live the King.
Exeunt Capt. and Souldiers.
King.
Now in the midst of my soul-frighting objects,
I cannot but applaud your mutual Friendship.
Hor.
Yes, and how equally I affect them both.
King.
O that mischance propitiously might be
A light to reconcile my thoughts and me.
Sfor.
May you be pleas'd Sir then to let the cause
In which your injur'd Queen, your Son and I,
And truth it self have suffered, be review'd?
The mischievous creature that was drunk, now's mad
With brain-confounding strong Ambition:
She whom your ill-plac'd love Grac'd as a wife,
Whom now I am not fond of to call Daughter,
It seems is past Examination.
Hor.
Mad, mad, most irrecoverably mad.
Sfor.
But let those Hell-bred witnesses be call'd,
And re-examined.
Hor.
They are not to be found.
King.
No? where is Flavello?
Petr.
Not seen in Court these ten dayes.
Hor.
Let me out-squeeze that Court-Sponge.
Of all this Practice, let me yet be guiltie.
Scœn. IX.
Post-Horn. Enter Pedro. Letters.King.
From whence art thou?
Pedr.
Your Province of Palermo
Thus low submits in dutie to your Highness,
The Service and the lives of whose Inhabitants
So truely are subjected to your Power,
That needless is the Preparation
Which with much grief we hear you make against us,
By hostile Force to root up a Rebellion
Bred meerly out of Rumour.
King.
Peace, no more:
I find the Province Loyal.
Hor.
VVho made doubt on't?
Ile undertake to find more Toads in Ireland,
Then Rebels in Palermo, were the Queen
(Queen did I call her?) that disloyal woman
And that slie Traytor Lodovico out on't.
King.
See Sforza, see Petruccio, what Lodovico
That trustie and true-hearted Lord has wrote me:
He has ended all my doubts, good man.
Hor.
Ah, ah! does not your grace come to me now?
I thought I would put your Highness to't for once,
To try what you would say: when Lodovico
Does not prove trustie, then let me be trus'd.
Petr.
'Tis a most happy Information.
King.
I, do you note the Passages?
Sfor.
'Tis indeed worthy a Kings regard: you see your way.
King.
Yes, yes, I know now what to do,
And mean to put it presently in Act.
This I foresaw would prove an hour of comfort.
The Stars themselves ne'er saw events more plainly.
King.
How full of April-changes in our life?
Now a fit showre of sad distilling Rain,
And by and by the Sun breaks forth again.
Exeunt Omnes.
| The Queen And Concubine | |