University of Virginia Library

[OMITTED] kinge:
Weel live soe privatly non shall see

Ange:
excepte the eye of heavens bright maiesty

kinge
even what thou wilt doe but cōmaunde & have

Ang:
let me live chaste then that is all I crave
sweet lord forbeare to robbe a siely maiden
of that wich lost not all Arabias gowld
can ere recover, kinges are sworne to right
not wronge theyre subiects, knights ought still defend
distressed ladies, not to violate
or offer iniury to any creature
and will yor grace disgrace the name of knighthood
wich till this time yow euer held right deare
In seekinge thus to wronge my chastity
firmely resolûd vnto aeternity
or can yow beinge a kinge, nay demigod
sitt in gods place to gieve the wronged right
prferringe fore falsehood, darkenes light
dare yow I say thus, in his glorious sight
whoe viweth all things, tempte myne honowrs ruin
my father onely seeketh yow to please
yor gracious selfe, o seek not then the fall
of his poore harmelesse daughter: why yor wife
showlde I consente would reave me of my life
not onely that but what I howlde more deare
then life or state, my spotlesse purity
would euer more be branded with this name
kinge Arthures Minion ô a worthy fame
and all the peerlesse deedes wich yow have donne
wilbe eclipsed when yor glasse is runne

king:
Angellica vpon my knees I crave
that neuer heretofore did stoope to any
that I may bwy this prciowse pearle of thee
she[OMITTED] awa[OMITTED] f«a[OMITTED]»
what dost thow hide that fayrest face from me
then shall the world accuse thy hardest heart
and those blest eyes wich will not see me livinge
shall wish to see my liveles body see
pulls forth his knife
behowld Angellica this fatall knife
shall instantly bereave me of my life
England adiwe, reporte when I am dead
he offers to stab himselfe, & she houlds his hands
Angellica thy gretest woe hath bredd,

Ang:
O stay yor hand my liege what do yow meane
will yow believe wee maidens, when at first
wee seeme for to refuse what wee wowld have
werte not for fashions sake, we showld even crave
before men aske, fy fy what were yow dead
to heare a mayde but say she would not wed

king:
O fayrest fayre, weare I dead indeed
this would revive me, wherefore heare me speake
thow knowst not distaunt many miles from Lincoln
there is a monastery sumptuous built
thither shalte thow repayre, where weel enioy
Our pleasurable sports without annoy

Ang:
but how may I attaine vnto that place

king:
perswade thy father that thow wilt embrace
a single life (as vestall virgins vse)
from sigght of worldly ey wich oft entiseth
the purest virgin dost thow see the plott.

[Enter Lady]
La
My Gracious soueraigne
The princesse doth expect yor Company
exit Lady

king:
tell her weel prsently attend her person
farewell Angellica till we doe meete
and take this token that wee once will greet
exit kinge

Ang
Thrise farewell to my lord, thus men may see
that kinges rule all with much facility
O fy Angellica recall thy selfe
vnto thy former liberty, darst thow,
soe soone yeld vp thy fort of Chastity
vnto thy vtter downfall«,» shall a kinge
at the first siege, have fully in his power
the Cittadell that strongly Can repugne
the greatest force and fury all his force
can lay against yt; noe recall thy mynd
but I have promisde, yet to violate
an evill vowe is better farre thēn keepe yt
well soe yt shalbe, ô but tis a kinge
to whome my word is past he can com̄aund
showld[e] I refuse, nay more can punish me
if that I violat my promise made
well then inforcte I yeld, though not inforcte
for tis in me to yeld or not to yeld
Why seinge tis—noe more see wheres my father

enter Androgeo
And:
Angellica yt ioyes my heart introth
and makes me seemingly wax yong agayne
to see thy selfe soe vertuosly disposd
would thow hadst heard what I did ioy to heare
the loving speeches of our gracious queene
how she did prayse thy bashfull modesty
thy well demeanurd affability

Ang:
I nere deserv̂d such favour of her grace
Oh why showld I her honowre thus debase

[aside]
And:
daughter I purpose by the helpe of heaven
to mach yow (if I can soe much prvayle
to that thrise worthy & renowned knight
Sir Launcelott Du Lake, might I live to see
yow thus Conioynd how happy should I bee

Ang:
Happy indeed yf happinesse yt be
to live in strife & endlesse emnity
for what is mariag but a marring age
an endles torment euer cloyd wt h care
and therefore Ile conclude & firmly howld
(now doupt wt h many women on my side)
mariage is wrettched, mariage is a hell
and fewe or non that wed, ere can doe well

Andro:
O be not soe invective gentle wench
gainst mariage sacred & most holy rites
for either thou must wed, or ells live chaste
if neither then inconstant lewdly wast

Ang:
I graunte yow that (my thrice beloved father
for I secluded from the worlds abuses
men to professe vnspotted purity
vnder yor favowre (most respected sire)

And:
How wilt thow bringe ye[t] same to passe (my Guirl)

Ang
Not farre from Lincolne, a religiouse howse
of vestall virgins doth most fittly stand
Cravinge yor blessinge thither Ile repayre
and be my voyage as my thoughts are fayre

And:
Heavens guide my childe, full well I like thy will
if vnder this prtence be hid non ill

Exeunt.
Enter tyme as Chorus
I that have bene ere since the world began
I that was[e] since this orbed balls creation
I that have seen huge kingedomes devastācons
Doe heare prsent my selfe to yor still viwve
Ould, aunciant, changinge, euer runninge time
first clad in gowld, next silver, next that brasse
And nowe in Iron, Inferiour to the rest
and yet more heard then all/ & soe ye times are now«e»
Noe marvayle then/ the times are Irō/ mē scarce demd m̄e
what cannot learnings arte effectuat
time longe since gone, & past yt now calls backe
to tell a story of a princely knight
his birth & fortunes noe lesse strange [and] then rare
wherefore imagine for a twelve months space
kinge Arthure did Angellica embrace
within the Cloyster wth vnlawfull sports
and wanton dalliance, in wich time shee had
kinge Arthures issue, sealed in her wombe
and now behould the period of her time
doth appropinquatt and yt Could not be
but her defaults the Nuns would soone espy
wherefore the kinge with gowlde alures the Abbesse
to be a mid wife to Angellica
wich was effected, & shee salph deliuered
of a sweet boy, what afterward befell
mark what ensues and yt will plainly tell

Time drawes a curtaine & discouers Angellica in her bed a sleep, the infant lyinge by her, then enters the kinge & the Abbesse whispering together the Abbesse takes the childe out of the bed & departs, the kinge alsoe after a litle viwinge of Angellica at an other doore departs, Angell: still sleepinge he being gone drawes the Curtaynes & speaks

When shee had childed this fayre goodly infant
she fell vnto a sweet and pleasinge sleepe
not once suspectinge what the kinge & Abbesse
intended to the childe whoe greatly fearinge
least her dishonour could not longe be secret
did privatly convay away the boy
leavinge her sleepinge whither twas Convayd
observe the sequel and yow shall perceave
an Aunciant sheaphard did the babe receave

Enter the Abbesse in hast wth the infant in her arms & kissinge yt she layes yt downe standing a farre of, enter an ould sheapheard whoe espyinge the babe takes yt vp greatly reioicinge, & exit, wich don, the Abbesse wth much ioy departeth, then time discouers Angell: In her bed awake, weepinge & lamentinge, wth the kinge strivinge to comfort her, wch done time[s] drawes ye curtayne speakinge as before

The Abbesse bare the childe some two miles space
With much celerity vnto a place
the wich is stiled Lincolne, then she layes
this tender infante on a turfe of grasse
adioyninge to an auncients shepheards doore
Whome men calde Dorcas, standinge there vnseen
to see what fortune would betide the babe
when on the suddaine out comes good ould Dorcas
and seeinge (as hee thought) a goodly childe
Lyinge soe neare his howse he takes yt vp
and wth the greatest hast his leggs would beare him
he runns vnto his wife & tells her, Heaven
was nowe propitious to there crazy years
in sendinge them a child whoe might releeve
& be a comnfort to them, on whose browe
Time now had gravêd the Caracter of age
Nay wich did ioy them most they fownd the babe
wrapte in a mantle of the purest silke
About whose neck were fownde such prcious iems
as made poore Dorcas farre exceed in wealth
all the Lincolnian pastors, now the Abbesse
seinge the good successe befell her charge
right ioyfully departed, in wich time
Angellica awaked from her slumber
and when shee mist her deare & tender infant
Iudge yov what depth of sorrow shee did feel
but as shee thus lamented came the kinge
and gave a salwe vnto her desperat sowle
makinge her thinke as they to fore consented
that some night trippinge fayry had bereav'd
her infant from her thus in short a time
time breefly hath declard what chaunce befell
this hopefull infant at his happy birth
be yor imaginations kinde spectators
more swifte then thought, run wth me [iudge] thinke the babe
hath fully passed sixteen years of age
the rest he shall performe vpon the stage
thus with pegasean hast away time flies
Ex:
pray lend attentive eare, milde iudginge eyes,

Enter Tom a Lincolne, Clitophon, Maldo, Rusticano with sheephooks
Tom:
ye frolick yowths of lincolne here yov see
our parents sett vs to attend theyre flocks
and basely (like to homebred Clownes) to ly
wth bagge & botle from the morne till night
vpon the downes of Lincolne, whereas wee
are rather borne to wield the branded sword
mauger the force of all that daue gainesay yt
ô let yor myndes be like be like my mounting spirit
wich prompts and tells me that I was not borne
to base designmt s, noe, a higher pitch
tis that my Genius ayms at, not like Pan
wth oaten pipe to tune a rowndelay
but wth Bellona sound the drumme & phife
Oh I am ravisht, now me thinks I heare
the armies clangor sowndinge in myne eare
What say yow lads will yow (like me) Consente
to leave this life devoyde of all Content

Clito.
Brave tom a Lincolne, wch receav'st thy name
from Lincolne where thow first tookst breath
for thee
Ile leave Ile forgett all friends, society

Maldo
My mynde concurrs wth Clitophons in this
thine absence Hell, thy prsence yelds all blisse

Rust:

As for Rusticano, I will not onely leave my father
Dorus, my mother Sisley, my sister Madge
hange em vp all I care not of a rush for them
but wich is more my prety pigsenie Iugge,
whose goodly parts are soe bomination well featurd
especially her secret hidden ones, as to open my
mowth in prayse of them were to carry water
in a rydle, nay they are soe Commonly knowne
to all men of this parish (her inward parts I mean
as I need not to open the same for in my troth
they are wide inough already Ile make noe
mention of her owtward liniam
t s, for the internallity of the externallity of any thinge, doth make yt
to be more dearly esteemed but I have lost my
selfe in the profundity of her concave privities
And to be short I Rusticano, I defy my father,
I scorne my mother, I detest my sister, &
I vtterly forsake, my fine minikin Iugge wth
whome I haue soe oft vppon wake dayes shake my
heeles at the sum̄er pole, and all to keepe thee swe«et»
tom, companable societie wherefore thou shalt trau'ell
through this wide worlde takinge my longe farewell in
this poeticall rapture;

Sheepe hooke farewell and sheepe I bid adeiwe
for Rusticano cleane forsaketh you

Tom
Most harty thankes I yeelde you valiant spirits
bee then couragious let your minds be lift
farr farr aboue this mortall bodies masse
thinke what a Chronicle of lastinge prayse
fames tongue (the sowldiers most affected badge
shall echo foorth and bowdly make resownde
whiles wee for knightwhoods prowesse shalbe Crownde
Not farre from hence a vast and open playne
now called barnesdales heath doth fitly stand
where we will live wth magnanimity
and those that passe shall yeld, stay, fight, or dy
Speake are not these Condicōns hownors sonnes

Cli: Mal:
They are, they are, oh wee will live & dy
ere wee will shrinke a foot in Chivalry

Rust:

nay that worde fight and dy can hardly be disgested
Oh how my queasy stomacke, wambles and kisses at yt, fight
or dy quoth a, noe more of that good lad if thow wilt
have Rusticano to be thy boone Companion, If I fight
yt shalbe with a good flitch of bacon, a good peece of
salte powdred beefe, a bowle of Curds and buttermilke
a good Cantell of bread and cheese. let me alone wth
them, if I doe not orecome them all, in an howres
space, then say Rusticano was neuer man ofs word «,»
but noe fight and dy good Tom, noe fight & dy/

Tam:
Then leave vs Rustican«o», all we crave
Are stoute Acheevemt s and an honored grave

Rust:

Not soe Snayles Tom rather then yt showld be sayde
that hardy Rusticano left his fellow Tom after
this fashion, I will soe scufle havinge my fathers
browne bill or wood knife, not onely with Beuis of
Sowthampton that madcap, but the Cock of
my fury beinge once vp, I would let it off with
such a rigorowse rumblinge, ratling Roar«in»g
Rowlinge noyse, as not all the guies of War«w»ick
Robin Hoolds, Adam bells, and Clem a the Cloughs
and William a Clowdeslies in the world shalbe
able to wthstand the Ambuscado, or bastinado
wherewith I wowld scarre them: leave thee! ô
impiety, neuer, neuer, let the glory of my reputac̄on
be soe mangled with the imputac̄on of the obliviosity
of good fellowship

Clito,
Peace man we heare creat thee gouernowre
of vs and of our forces Tom a Lincolne
and this shalbe the pleadge Confirmes thy right
a lawrell wreath of roses wee will frame
to adorne thy browes from whence accept this name
the Red Rose Knight

Tom
Thankes ye Couragious spirits
I take yor proffer farre above my meritts

Omnes:
Come Come away thy temples beinge Crownd
Weel make the hills and dales with echo sownd

Rust
Thus Rusticano leaves his sheep nay more
I leave my Iugge and yet noe filthy whore
Enter ould Dorcas, Pastoro, Dorus, & Titerus

Welmett good neighbours, I am Right gladde
wee are mett together soe happily, Ah neighbors
when wee were yonge lads of Lincolne, I Can assure
yo
w those were miery times, but nowe our good dayes are past and gone and all sorrowe goe wth them for me, but y
fayth we haue beene knauish wags: (yo
u knowe neighbor«s». well those tymes when twenty good eggs were sould for a peny: wheate
at sixteene penc
e a strike, rye & barley very Cheape, a good vat oxe for vowre shillings. & butter at a peny a quart I
say those tymes are past & gone, past & gone,

pastoro,

In feking neyghbour yo
u tell the trereth neighbor, but how sped or sheepe this rotten yeare,

Dorcas

My zonne Tom tells me that vowre of my vattest yewes dyed
yesterday of ye Rott: & shall I tell yo
u neighbours. I had rather by saintan haue lost fowre nobles

pastoro.

Mary neighbor Dorcas itch can assure yo
u I can not but conden«e» yo
u fort. for all yor sheepe, especially yeawes are very commodious. & by the mery mas«s»e lawe nowe I sweare. that my vnhappy
waggestring Clytophon fownd noe lesse then twoe of my suking
lambes yesterday in the Awnder, surceast at a clap.

Dor

O bamination & would yo
u thinke or repose neighbors that the sucking lambe my wife brought vppe at hand should soe
formally yeald the Crowe a pudding. I haue knowen my
wife rise full many a frosty night to giue the poore wretch
somewhat nay if a did but once bleat, there was neyther
my daughter Madge nor any of the houshold servants. but
must runne to it, otherwise shee would soe bethmack, & lay about
them wth her distaffe, as I my self haue tooke my heeles to scape
her sullen fury, my daughter neighbors dyd soe howle & wring
her hands when the lambe was dead, as had not my wife wth
great dacity conswaded her, the slender hearted wench
had fell in a zownd:

Tity:

Alacke & well away neighbor Dorus it can̄ot [be] chuse, but these

vnluckeles damnityes should boade some ill. & therefore in my
simple pinion twere not amisse, to goe to some wise woman to knowe
he screcion in this busines.,

past:

By the Roode, twere not ye worst way neighbors. & I can send as I goe
homewards. being tis in my way to aske m
r parsons conciliation— whether the almanacke dyd not nosticate this Rot of sheepe
by my kyrsen dame I haue heard my sonne Clytophon talke in the
b[o]uoke of kurnicles. of a pestlenc
e Rot but I thinke in my conscience There was never a quarter soe bominable as this.

Dor

But methinkes neighbors the welkin waxeth dym, & it growes
[somewhat dym] towards night, I maruaile [my] our sonnes returne
not home wth theyr flockes

Enter a shepeheard in hast.,
shepeheard:

O neighbors, neghbors. we are vndone, we are vndone, all our zonns
haue shewed vs a very fayre paeyre of heeles they haue left theyr
flocks & lost themselves, & are even cleane Runne out of the
country

Dorcas.

oh: oh: oh

(he sowndes
shepe:

Helpe, helpe for the passion of god helpe: goodman dorcas is gone
away in a sownd Rubbs face, wrings nose/ stopps breath, [ho]
tweakes little finger, Runne for aquavitae, soe, soe, soe how doe
ye goffer Dorcas: how doe ye,

(He recouers.)
Dorcas

What was the reason Tom to forsake, thy old hopeles. helpeles
father, what shall I say, or how shall I excuse thy flight
to thy wofull mother: a ha, art gone, art gone, ile pursue
thee, ile followe thee, ile get some flaggy wings. & fly like
a Tom titty mouse after thee: thou shallt not serue me thus
Rustabella, saddle my pye bald mare: ile not eate a bit wench
I must haue. will haue, ought to haue, my Tom, my sonne, my
Child: I Come boy I come:

(Exit Running)
Dor:

Doe ye see this neighbours: would it not grieue & pitty a mans heart to
see a man that talkt soe Renable even now. to Run thus besides
his witts talking wthout screc̄on: yo
u may see what twoe much Tidling (in not suffering the wind to blowe on them) will doe
but Come lets in & Comfort his heauy heart, come lets goe,
lets goe on gods name

Exeunt at one doore: Enter Dor: at another.,
Dorc:

Ha tis true, tis true, a was counted the nimblest youth in all lincolne
and when I had bred him vppe wth griefe & sorrowe, he then—
forsooke me, why should he be soe wretchedly vngratefull noe more
to pitty me his aged father, but see, see, I tooke him vppe at my
doore: Nurst him, fosterd him, as [he] if he had beene mine owne
& when I had done all that could be done, he casts away himself
ah vngratious Impe, ah luckles Dorcas, wretched old man, teare
thy siluer hayres, wring thy wythered hands, for he is gone that
should be thy comfort, when age doth sum̄on thee to thy graue: can
I liue? can I breath? can I stand here & Raue: when Tom a
Lincolnes gone? sure, sure, he had some cause of absence, he was ever
kind, ever courteous, ever affable, ever mild, ever gentle, had I
comaunded, he would obay: did my wife bid goe he would Run & shall
I leaue vnsought soe good a sonne, noe, noe, soe long as my feeble
legs will beare me, soe long Ile seeke thee out, & [is ist] if I finde
thee, thric
e happy I: if not vnknowne in some strange place Ile dye.

Exit.,
Enter Redrose knight, wth a garland of Red Roses: Clitophon Maldo Rusticano wth Roses in [*h*] theire hats
Red:
we nowe are safe arriued [at] at the port
our valours barke, long wisht to anchor at
wherefore/ heroike spiritts/ shewe yor selves
like to the followers of the Red Rose knight
advance our standard, let the Rose be spread
and proue couragious. s:foote (me thinkes I soare./
Beyond the straine of com̄on knighthoods name
Honour I aime at & eternall fame
Me thinke the Heroes of the former tyme
were not of force to Cope or tugge wth me
in single opposition, Ioues sonnes stroakes
could not offend vs: did they quell huge oakes
but to our busines, let not violence,
bee deemed Captaine of our strong array
despoile not any poore men of theyr treasure
“as men doe sowe, soe shall they Reape theyr measure

Rust:

Reape quoth'st, yo
u put into my head a pretty Iest I once did, nowe you talke of Reping and thus it was, when I went wth my grandfather
on aday in haruest to reapinge there were in the field
a reapinge a great many men & woemen, but most wenches

yet nere a maide amongst them all (as I thinke there
are fewe or non heare p
rsent, nowe yt chaunced yt I beinge a well sett striplinge, as yo
w see cast my glaringe ey vpon a yonge ronsifull Virago
one of the smuggest lasses there p
rsent, & to be shorte I fell ore shoose in love wth her, and beinge greatly
enambled of her cherry cheekt countenance, I watcht
her narrowly goinge homewards, and quickly ouertakinge
of her I went ouer her, I would say I orewent her,
in wich goinge ore or oregoinge wich yo
w will«,» the bounsinge lasse did soe labour that at length she cleane
orewent mee, and gave such a Coolinge carde to my
Courage that yt droopte and held downe his head like a
tired Iade, and I was soe ashamed that propria fœminei
generis not soe worthy as the masculine, showlde after such
a maner quayle the Courage of propria quæ maribus
Nay shee would have coolde the Courage of the best
rider here, soone vnhorst him, let him have held her to yt
nere soe heard

Cl:
six Merchaunts landed with six thowsand Crownes
wee tooke for hansell at or first arivall

Rus:
I, I, we tooke em and orecom em, I was on meark that

Red:
what did they gallantly withstand the onsett

Mal:
yea truely did they with great fortitude
the batle longe stood douptfull, in the end
wee ouercame them, yonder they attend
yor will and pleasure

Red:
O vnheard of valowre

Rust:
Nay did not I say what I would doe if I were once
angred, why? I am a very rogue but euery stroke
I strooke, nay euery time I lifte vp my sword, I strok
three inches deepe in to there flesh

Clit:
I Ile be sworne for thee for thow nere soe much as
toutcht yt, Nay when wee fought thou ranst away
as fast as thy leggs Could cary thee

Red:
O I could envy at yor matchlesse worths
because I was not partener of yor stroaks
my vaynes doe daunce within mee when I heare
yor first attempts devoyde of dastard feare
heareafter Ile be on for wel'te apperes
not he deserves that equally not shares

Rus:

say yo
w soe Captaine, and by the valowre of myne arme (noe small oath I assure yo
w) Ile soe fitt yow euer heare after, that if ere I fight and yo
w will doe yt for me I pray god I may neuer more eat bagpoodinge or rusty
bacon more hangde vp in the Chimney for three years
to gether, and that I wowld not for all the wealth
much lesse for all the honesty the gripingst vserer
in the land hath rakte and scrapte to gether by bills
and bands, Nouerint vniuersi per presentes, habeas Corpus,
Capias vt legatū, non affidavits, and such other quircks
and quidities of legerdemayne, by wich these sutle
headed turners, (what ist yo
w call em) doe eat more money in a month, then the most Riotows spendthrift
can cast away, in wine, drabbs, and Tobacko in a
whole twelvemonth

[Enter Souldier]
Soul:
Captayne wee have suprized an aged man
vnwieldy and defatigat with travayle
I Come to know yor pleasure to bestowe him.

Red
Conducte him hither speedily, begone
[exit Soul:]
Oh tis myne aged father, (fellowe mates)
whose tender and paternall care of me
thath forĉte him forward many a weary steppe
onely to seeke me, litle he Coniectures
that here his travell shall have period

Mal:
When will or parents prove themselves soe kinde

Rust:

soe kynde sayst thou neuer man neuer as for my father
heele say let the vnhappy haltersacke goe, I warrant yo
u the gallowes wilbe his end one day & all this is, because I could neuer varme
my oxen as hee would haue mee, besides hee will spare a great
deale of victualls I was wont to gormundize: & yet Ile «be»
sworne. I never eate aboue foure messes of milke or cruds to a
breakefast in my life vnles I tooke a morsell of bread & Cheese
Round about the browne loafe & was that soe much trow y
e.,

Cli:
Peace, see hee comes, oh tis yor father captaine (Enter Dorcas.)


Red:
father vpon my bended knee I craue
yor blessinge and yor pardon

Dorc:
Ryse, sonne: Ryse
And wipe these teares from of thy fathers eyes
whoe ioyes to see thee, (not to see thee heere
what caused thee thus my deare & tender boy
to leaue thy parents ouercloyed wth care
thy mother sits wringing her aged hands
and sayes: sweet Tom a Lincolne tell me why
Thou hast forsaken me, when / god knowes/ I
haue wearyed mine age-benummed-lymbs
in hope to find thee wch hast lost thy life

Rust:

Chide him on gods name, gotter Dorcas, for if he had not beene, I had
nowe beene keeping my fathers sheepe in Lincolne parishe, and how
doe all our friends there, well: How does spruse Dicke, fine Harry
lofty Tom, longe George, lecherous franke, Capring Tayler, sober
will. stronge Peeter, nimble Roger, in a word: how doe all those
mad Rascales y fayth they are the brauest boyes, that ever danced
after a taber and pipe.,

Red:
Age honour'd father heauen knowes my heart
how I doe honour & Respect you (both/
nor was it (as you deeme/ ingratitude
that made me leaue you, but a loue to armes
and first shall phœbus leaue the colour'd sky
ere I renounce honour or Chiualry

Dor:
Returne deare sonne? Returne wth teare-wet-eyes
thine aged father craues it at thy hands
thou shallt noe more attend the milke white flockes
nor [the] lye vpon the downes wth bag & pipe[s]
doe what thou wilt & promise to Returne
if not this breast shall neuer Ioy but mourne

Red:
vpon my bended knees see I entreate you
to Cease yor earnest suite (most carefull syre
oh let me still obtaine what I desyre.

Dor:
Carefull doest Call me, full of cares indeed
my brest, my mind, my soule, my hart doth bleed.

Red:
My Resolution is irrevocable

Dor:
O tis dishonorable gentle boy
to spend thy tyme in spoiles & Robbery
depriuing men of that wch they obtaine
wth toyling labour, & heart piercing paine

[Red:
I ame irrevocable: Dor:]

Red:
I ame inexorable./

Dor:
Ist eene soe.
Canot these teares or sights ought mollify
thine adamantyne breast? wch would make mild
the fiercest Tigres of Hircania
and make them pitty me? is all my care
wch I haue vainely spent to foster thee
now turned to this? oh I foole that I am
“the whelpe is ever like vnto ye damme
“that whelpt it first, & soe art thou, for know
(o thou degenerate from natures kind)
thou art noe child of mine but (as I thinke/
whelpe to some Tigresse, or some Lyonesse
I found thee at my doore layd on the ground
a pray for fowles, yet see I tooke thee vppe
and wth great care haue nourisht thee to this
thus to contemne [thee] mee oh this breakes my heart
Heauens take my soule, liue wretched as thou art. Moritur

Red:
Helpe, helpe for gods sake helpe my followers
Reuiue him if it be possible, not stirre?
oh me most wretched and infortunate
whence is it that I haue deserud these woes
ye gratious heavens, let a poore youth aske
wherein he hath soe farre transgresst yor lawes
that you should heape a moles of such terrours
vpon mine (as yet) vnexperienct yeares
first that vnhappy I should be the death
of him that causeles hath preserued my life
next that I should be soe involud with crosses
as not to knowe my byrth nor parentage
whether legittimate or basely borne
what shall I say would any prsent see
blacke griefs Idæa, cast yor eyes on me

Cl:
brave captayne be not soe æffeminat
stoope not to fæmal passion, this I fynde
if sorrowes great, farre greaters valowrs mynde
how [have-] will yow have disposde those traffique men

Rust:
Com[m]e Come leader hange sorrowe, care will
kill [the] a catt as the sayinge is neuer lament man,
for hees gone and wee must goe after him.
on my troth I would my father weare dead
in his turne to ease thy sorrow, I am sure I showld
loose nothinge by yt for I am his heyre and
all the sonnes he has, well Ile keepe my selfe
out of deaths cluttches, if a play noe fayrer play

Red:
Thow liuelesse body of the mildest man
dame nature euer bred, see thus Ile honowre
thy ceremonial rites and Obsequies
three thowsand Crownes I offer to thy love
erectinge for thee a farre richer tombe
then euer Mausols was, three thowsand more
I giue for to compose of perfecte mettall
a massy bell stilde by succeedinge tymes
Great Tom a Lincolne, & the marchants heare
to see our will accomplisht, this weel doe
in memory of him that lov'd vs soe

Exeunt
Sounde: Enter Kinge Arthure, Queen Gwyniuer, Gallovine, Launcelott, Tristram with others
K
Sir Gallowine and yow approved knights
of Arthures and his famowse Cort
yor foreward sperits euery ey can witnesse
but in especcially Launcelott and my Nephew
brave Gallowine have won the diadem
that was proposed, Tristrams manly arme
was a Copartner wth yow, oh yow three
are mirrours of the world for chivalry

Gall:
yow are to partiall, in yor royall censure
my royall vncle oh yt is not glory
that gives my sword edge, here are knights surpasse
I am the weakest, but yet bleedinge scarrs
shall say Ile fight for this in bloud staynd warres

K
Nephew wee much aplaude thy modest answer
yet are inforcte sweet vertues prayse to singe
Cleare are the fountaynes, Run from such a springe

L
fame honored soueraigne yov give my acts
causelesse above the rest, to high a pitch
Sfoot all I say is this what ere betide
this sword thine vtmost perill shall abide

T
knights tongues are blunt, alwayes theyr swords cut keen
My ffawchion is my fluent Orator
he loves me dearest whoe his valowre shewes
by forcinge stroaks, & deepest wounding blowes.
All that I say yor grace I doe intreat
giue prowesse prayse & euer make yt great

K
weel suffragat thy will (right hardy knight)
for fame & honowre whetts a sowldiers sword
Oh yt Corroberats, the warriowrs arme.
Why dare we empty all our vaynes in warrs?
why are we characterd wth wounds and scarrs?
why dare we all things but for honowres name;
and vertues prize o[«*»] repetations fame

Enter messenger
Mess:
Thrise happy & thris worthy Englands kinge
I bringe thee suddayne & vnlookt for newes
there are a route of rebells newly swarmde
at Barnesdales heath wher, as thy robbe & spoyle
All weary Passengers & borderinge townes

K
Whose the Com̄aunder of this rascall Crewe

Mess:
The Redrose knight they stile him, and by some
stout Tom a Lincolne, but be he what he will
I tell yor mat s, true Charecters
of bright Nobility are stampte & sealde
ins manlike Countenance, although rakte vp
In servile basenes somewhat led amisse
by yowthfull folly

K
Didste thou euer see
or heare what order he observes and keepes

Mess:
Oh yes with admiration have I viwede
the well Composed order of his Campe
for with such mat s he beares him selfe
nay with soe good discretion governs all
as there is none coulde truly deem, but hes
descended from some princely progeny
yet all the Countrey knowes assuredly
a sheapherd was his father named Dorcas
Of happy Lincolne where he breathed first
Nay more, yf those that passe by force of armes,
Can conquer any of his Company
He doth dismisse them salphly as they Came
not wrongde in substance, body «,» goods or name

K
Weel soone Confront his fury (messenger)
and all his troope (if soe they dare withstande vs,)
rather then our poore subiects be distrest
yet fyrst thy prayses have soe much prvaylde
weel see yf that fayre means will make him yeld
if not weel force him maugre all his force
to stoope & humbly bend vnto our feet
to good for traytors, and for rebells meet
Brave Tristrā, sir Launcelott & sir Gallowine
Goe arme yor selves and mount yor fiery steeds
and ride to Barnesdale heath, where in our name
Our pardone wth our love to them proclayme
Condition̂de they in quiet sorte returne
vnto theyre former habitations
onely bringe Tom a Lyncolne salph to Court
whome I desiere to see fors good reporte

Omnes:
If he refuse by all our hopes we sweare
weel dragge him hither without dread or feare
making him lowe summissive to thy knee
and iustly pay for his disloyalty

K
If he refuse our kingly proffer doe soe

Om:
wee soe intende, farewell, stout Redrose Knight
Come pleasde, if not wee vowe thow shalte by might
Ext: om: manet k:
All tokens howlde in Lincolne was he borne

K
fownd at that sheapherds doore the Abbesse left him
That causde ould Dorcas take him for his sonne
And name him Tom a Lincolne, nay whats more
did not the nuncius playnly testify
that shyninge sparkes of high borne parentage
were lively seated in his Comely visowre
O tis thy Sonne all signes, all signes Concurre
to make a resolution of this doubte
light shewe thy selfe to truth and make yt good
that Tome a Lincolnes come of Arthurs blood

Exit
Enter Rusticano runninge hastily: Alarme

Now fy vpon yt whoe woulde live as we Robin Hoods doe
not a munit of«t» an hower but heres such slashinge
and hewinge as yt grieves my very heart, I forsooke
Lincolne mine awne Countrey, to be in daunger of
my life euery while stitch, I sweare we cannot
be accused of negligens, or sloth in our vocation, for
we are neuer idle but takinge of purses, searchinge of
packs, fightinge or Ioustinge with one another
for euen now at this p
rsent time, iijr e Carters I wold say Courtiers, iij knights of kinge Karters Rownd
stable, I would say table, these iij knights have
defide our Captaine at a mortall defray, and he
yelds to goe to them to the kings Court, if either of
them Can vnhorse or vanquish him, he had vnhorsed
one of them from his horse ere I came away, Nowe
Sir I beinge very kinde hearted, could not for pitty
see my Captaine vnhorst, as I feare me he wilbe,
hearke they be still at yt, they doe soe whote & shoot, but I doe
not love such squablinge, I will therefore, very fayrely lay me down«e»
till they Come, but s«*»e where they are Comminge, all friends«,» I hope

Enter Redrose Knight, Gall: Laun: Tris: Clit: Maldo,
Gall:
By all my hopes I can not but admire
(vnlesse im̄ortall Iove hath lente thee strength)
to see such vallour in one armed knight
soe stoutly to resist our greatest might

Laun:
I vanquisht Tarquine, at three mighty blowes
Slew that vntamed Gyant Brandevant
vanquisht a hidious dragon, thowsands more
yet neuer felt such manlike force before

Trist:
The pagan Pallamede, I thrise subdude
and made him turne a Christian, Lamorack
(the terror to his foes) that princely knight
vnhorst I often, and that worthy knight
(that fought against my trecherowes vncle (Marke,)
I wounded wth his owne impoysoned sword
soe that he dide, all this sure have I done
and (but by thee) I nêre was ouercome

Red:
What mean yow knights, twas fortune, not my force
by wich yow three, I onely did vnhorse
yow may Commend my duty to my lorde
Ile euer for him wield this branded sword

Gall:
Thow noe lesse Courteows then Coragiows yow t h
the kinge hath pardonde thee & all thy trayne
And prayes thee come along to court with vs.

Lan.
This had wee told thee free as now wee stand
had wee beene from thy strokes and Iouelike hand.

Red:
you had beleeue mee, ô most gracious prince
is it not enough to pardon my reuolt
but also send thy gallantst knights for mee,
well were the world to oppose thee thou shouldst know
And they should feele, Ide make them humbly bow
wee doe dismisse you ancient fellow mates
the heauens will soe and wee yeld to fates.
take all the got and giue the poore
and helping heauen will encrease yor store

Cl: Maldo.
well tis noe boote to striue wee bid adieu
weele euer after to our king proue true.

exit Cli. and Maldo.
Rusti:

you shall not bee soe shift of mee thats flat, for I dare not for both my eares goe home
againe for my mother will scould like a butter whore, besides I know my father will soe
belambskinne my sides w
th a good crabtree cudgell yt I shall neuer enioy faire day after [,] it, therefore either let mee, wherefore either let mee [*] in
good fayth Ile presently goe hang my selfe

Red:
Defend it heauens, are you pleased lords for to accept him in yor company
Ile giue my word his mirth will much delight you.

Om:
with all our hearts a merry freind they say
may well be termed a charret in the way.

Rust:

How, a charret o I should make a braue one to carry our ladies of the court but
hearke yo
u mee how must I and my master carry our selues in the court I pray you shew vs lest wee bee accounted for nouices or (as at the vniuersity) they should take vs
for freshmen.

Trist:

Shall I instruct thee.

Rus:

I for gods sake.

Tris:

why then sir if yo
u wouldst seeme one of the gallantst courters you must court yor lady at the first sight w
th a congy

Rust:

what doth they loue congers? haue they such desire of fish?

Trist:

Oh yo
u mistake mee a congy is a kisse or a smacke.

Rust:

I cry you mercy sir I cannot hit yo
r court tearmes and what must I doe after I haue kist her.

Trist:

why then yo
u must vse yor best complements.

Rust.

how must wee soe soone put in vre our implements.

Trist«*»

you are still wide for complementising is to speake the best phrase yo
u can and vse the prettiest gestures yo
u haue.

Rust:

Troth I can[not] neyther breake iests nor vse phrases for I neuer tasted any
since I came from Lincolne.

Trist:

I see you are no thing intelligent.

Rust.

Nay if I should bee negligent in these things I promise you I were much too blam«e»

oh how I wish to bee at court to congifie yo
r ladies, to complement yor gentlewomen, and to vse my best iests w
th them both, but how shall I doe for phraises is there at court any egges and butter to make them? and may not
I vse gesta Romanorū I thinke those are yo
r ancientst iests yt are.

Trist:«*»
Beshrow mee but heele much delight the king
h'ath wearied mee allready wth his chat
come lets away to horse braue RedRose knight
weele see king Arthurs court ere wee see night.

Exeunt.
Rust:
Perhaps it may seeme strange to some are here
blunt Rusticano should in court appeare
but now and then some asses clad in gold
appeare in court [I] lesse prudent farre then bold.

Ex.
Alaram. they crie within (king Arthur) then enter the king with a speare [with a speare] in his Rest as from the tilt, lords./
K:
Tis tyme to leaue the lists./ not one appeares,
fifty choice knights this speare hath sent to th'earth
a trumpet sounds a farre of.
whence is that trumpet?

Enter Androgeo
And:
May it please yor grace
from farre appeare iiij comely knights in view
with gallant carriage riding ore the plaine
by this they are all enterd to the lists.

K:
Prepare our courser, Guimiuer shall see
what for her beauty shall atcheeued bee.

Ex.
Enter Gallowine Lancellot & Tristram in hast.
Alaram.
Gall:
oh see with what agility, hee makes
his braue curvetting courser for to mounte,
looke, now hee makes him bend his knee toth'queene,
and now braue Arthur and the sprightfull youth
doe cope together with like violence
as when the waues and winds doe Rush together.

Lan:
& see, they sitte both irremoueable
who would not honor thee braue Redrose knight?

Trist:
And now behold againe they choose new staues,
& cannot stirre each other,

A showte within./

harke the voice
of the rude headed multitude doe shoute,
and echoes doe proclaime their fame
yet neither hath the best nor conquests name.

Gall:
oh see their speares are sheeuered and they meete
like lyons in the shocke their horses feete
doe seeme to shake the earth, looke how they tugge,
And grapple each with other.

Lan:
See the knight
doth plucke the king froms saddle by sterne might
harke, harke, againe they echoe foorth his fame.

A shout wt hin
T.
The noyse soe shrill it seemes to moue earths frame
And here they come. [OMITTED]
Toe Englands quondam kings, wee are borne free
from servile bondage & base slauery
further hee doth cōmaund in his name
to send him tribute wch if thou deniest
hee will orerunne thy land wth hostile armes
& foresee to it then preuent such harmes

K.
Hee shall not need (Embassador/ weele rouse him
before hee thinke ont or expect our presence

Red:
Shall I retourne an answere./

K.
Doe bold spirit

Red«:»
Embassador returne vnto thy lord
tell him king Arthur hath such knights will daunt
the proudest hee that caused him to reuolt
looke to yor townes, & see them strongly guarded
for such an armie shall arriue in france
sent from this Iland for to fright rebellion
as that false Leues shall tremble at the name
of conquering Arthur; for yor strongest forts
best guarded holds weele batter to the ground
when hartles Lewes yor king for dead shall sound

K.
Begon thou hast thy message

Ex. Em:
Red.
oh my liege
(not ought detracting from these knights renowne)
create me generall of yor leuied Army
and Ile so startle base rebellious fRANCE
as shall thy fame and honor much aduaunce.

K.
Seeing the stubborne Saxons still rebell
soe that wee cannot leaue our Realme wt h safety
thy wishes second our desires; & wee
will cause great forces leuied speedily
bee yt yor chardge Se r Gallowine

Gall
It shall «*»
looke to thy selfe (proud fRaunce) thou now shalt fall

Ex.
K.
Tristram Du-lionesse doe thou the like
& thou heroike Lancellot

Ambo.
so wee goe
prepare thy selfe (false france) wee see thy woe.

Exeunt
Q:
Is this yor page

Red
he is ant please yor grace

Q:
he seemes to be a miery fellow is a not

Red
he is renowned Queene

Q:
Ile soone trie that, hearke yow fellow, Canst not heare,
come hither,

Rust:
Now had I forgott all this while that I had bene in Court
to put in vse that wich sir Trimtram, what call yov him
did teach me, what a scurvy forgetfull asse am I, I a
Courtier I a dogstoord sireuerens of the Company, well
nūquā sera est ad bonos mores via, the way to good maners
is neuer to late & therefore Ile goe, (a pox ont, I am
a very rogue if I have [«*»] not forgott the word sir Tr.
tould me) Oh congity Ile een goe try my skill on
yander lady wich calls me

[he runs and kisseth the queen]
Q
why how now sirrha

Kin:
ha ha ha what hast thou don sirha, darste kisse my
wife before my face & not aske my leave first ha

Rust:
I Cry yow hartily mercy sir ist yor wife, Ile besworne
I did yt ingrauntly

Red:
be ware sirha yts the queen yow may perchaunce loose
yor head for this

Q:
I like him well sweet Red rose suffer him a litle

Rust:
It is the queen in troth I am the gladder onte, for
now when I goe to Lincolne what a grace will yt be
for me to say I kist the queens worship, pray pardon
my Consumptuous dacity (fayre lady queen (was not this
good complementac̄on«),» in daringe to prostulat or touch
the mellow stincture, I wowld say tincture of yor
mellow dai«n*y» red lips

Q
why sirha whoe gave yow licence to kiss me

Russ:
troth & yowle knowe the troth, the verity & sincerity of the
matter, myne owne mother witt, together with sir Trimt:
wise teachinge me to Curtesy ladies, made me soe bould as I was

[en: Gall:
King[Red]:
Noe more here is sir Gallowine—soe soone returnde
have yow accomplisht what yow had in charge

Gall:
with all Celerity, and heare they stande
full thirty thowsand a most royall bande

K:
Wee thanke yow Nephew, see the rest returnde
enter sir Trist: & Laun:
what power have yow levied

Ambo
Thowsands stronge
to trifle thus they thinke yt ouer longe
[OMITTED]

«S»[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
«R» [OMITTED]
[OMITTED]
[OMITTED] «d»ry
[OMITTED] «*»ueld
I call thee where so ere thou art brave knight
thy vallowre onely hath subdude our might
where art thow Englands leader

[enter Redrose k:
Red:
Here I am, whoe art thow calst me

D:An:
I am Aniows duke

Red:
And I am hee thow seekest

Du: An:
welcome thow art

Red:
thowlt fynde other wyse ere we to parte

Alarū they fight; Red: kills duke An: Enter Duke of Guise to his rescue he beats him in and exit [enter kinge of fraunce
Kf:
O god the day is lost, and by the hand
only of him, whome noe man can wthstand
twise hath he beat me from my barbed steed
and nowe he ranges (like some chafed bore)
vnto the midst of our battalions
theres noe man can or dare abide his blowes
would he were here, the Redrose knight I call
whoe by his strength slayes & discomfits all

Alarū. enter Gallowine
Gall:
Whoe calls the Red rose knight

k:f:
tis I the kinge of nowe vnhappy fraunce
art thow the knight I faine would meet with

Gall:
noe but yet will trie
wich best can weeld his weapon thee or I

Alarū they fight Gallowine beats him in, Enter Duke of Gwise they fight, Enter duke Guise Gall: takes him prisoner Exeunt,: enter Rusticano with a Clubb ins hands
Rus:

O what a pietifull stirrs yonder, I thinke I have kild (doth
noe body heare me) let me see, I have kilde and knocte downe
at least forty and all mandfully behinde there backs, Oh what gallant
lies will I tell when I goe home againe as how I haue kilde
three at a blow, and thirty fightinge against onely one, I
valeantly put them all to flight with nere a weapon in my
hande with a thowsande more lies, but why doe I talke soe
perhaps some man will see me wandring from my Company
and soe knock out my braines, O lord I yeld, what a feare
full rogue am I, to be soe fearefull of a dead body
masse a was some noble man I warrant well Ile take
him vp, and tell my m
r I have kilde him

[he offers to take him vp, then enter one of the ffrench peers & takes him prisoner, he cries out, then enter Launcelott & rescues him and taks him prisoner, then enter other peers and fight with sir Launcelott, he is like to be slayne: Alarum: enter sir Tristrā: he fighteth with them they two take all the peers prisoners and Exeunt: Alarum Enter kinge of ffraunce & Red: they fight Red rose knight takes him prisoner Exeunt: Enter
Rust:

Peers call yo
wthem I neuer saw such pears in all my life, they are not like our pears in England, for I can eat twentie
of them together, and I thinke on my troth one of these ffrench Pears will eat
twenty of me, I can put a hundred of our pears in my two pockets, whereas
one of these ffrench pears are as bigge as my selfe: Nay wich is the greatest
marvayle: nay wich is a greater matter: on of these pears was like
to kill me: whereas I have eaten forty of our pears in the sum̄er time,
and have bene neuer a whit the worse: but see the peers are fallen
and here comes our noble generall, with all our enimies vanquisht

A floorish enter Red: and all his hoast, leadinge the ffrench kinge and all his prisoners
Red:
first thanks to heaven, nexte vnto yor power
By whome wee victors are this happy hower
Disloyall to thy soueraigne nowe thou seest
the iust rewarde of hated piury
yet weel not triumph ouer misery
Thow arte the cause producinge these effects
many a thowsande now a pray to death
hadst thow bene Loyall had enioyde theyr breath

K f:
With horrowre I Confesse yt, penitence
somewhat though litle lesson the offence

Red
yt doth in deed and Arthure yow shall see
(repentaunce had) will pardon willingly

Rust:
Doe ye heare mr will you graunt me on request for
all the service I have done yow in these warrs

Red
speake one wee giue yt freely

Rust:

Why sir I would haue some forty of those french pears to send for
tokens to our friends in England, they will wonder to see such great ones

Trist:

Thow mistakest thy selfe man«;» these pears are lords

Rust:

I wowld I were one two, soe I might be a lord, but doe yow
heare sir Trimtram as brave as they be were they in wooster
shire they wowld quickly be layde hands one, for there they love
pears out of all cesse & measure

Red
Well Countrey men and hardy followers
whoe soe amongst ȳo by his mighty hand
hath conquered any worthy of this land
his ransomes freely at his owne dispose
he merits best that Conquers Countreys foes
french kinge & pears of fraunce, yow all must hence
Captiue to Arthure happy Englands prince
Away to sea, England when once wee meete
thy browes wt h most viclorious Palmes weel greete
Come fellow sowldiers

Omnes
when the ffrench rebell
Thus lett the brittaines theyre prowde fury quell

[Exeunt om:
Enter Time as Chorus
Time
Time is not lost when time in time, returnes,
Tyme yet intreats yow stay some longer time
to see what powerfull Acts brave Arthurs sonne
shall yeat accomplish: wherefore let yor thoughts
safely Conducte him backe, on Englands shore
wth all the trophies of his victories
yt both shall feed yor eares and please yor eyes

[exit Time]
A florish Enter Red: Gallo: Laun: Trist: wth theyre Captives
Red:
Hayle Englande thus I resalute thy browe
(as ioyfull of our salph reviwe of thee
with lawrell branches signe of victory
nowe welcome Countreymen: nay welcome all
Grieve not yow frenchmen at yor soddayne fall
Arthure is milde & yow must yeld to fates
yow penitent he will restore yor states

K.f.
let Heaven witness of our penitence
and harty sorrowe for our great offence

Red
then tis sufficient: how now messenger

[Enter Messenger]
Mess:
His Royall maiesty brave generall
attended wth a royall trowpe of horse
Comes to congratulate yor salph returne
and see they enter

Sounde Enter kinge Arthure, Queen Gwiniuer: Androgeo: Lords
K:
Rise famowse yowth that makste myne honowre rise
higher then fames imblazonde tongue can rayse yt
thy prsent salfa returne with victory
returns to Arthures Court all royalty

Q:
My prayers now have had a ioyfull ende
Welcome to Englands Court our dearest friend

Rust:
And shall I have nere a welcome home, nowe looke on
me and yow will, I am Rusticano that once stole a kisse
of yow, for wich I prsent yow with two of the greatest pears
yow euer sawe or tasted in all yor life

Qu:
where are they good fellowe

Rus:
these french outlandish fruite

Q
dost meane these lords wich are captives

Rust:
I those Captious lords

Qu.
Goe to, got to, thow art a miery fellow

Ru:
Nay yf yf yow had seen me lay about me in fraunce
yow would haue sworne I had bene a mad fellow

Red:
Madam I humbly Crave yor princely hand

Qu:
with all our heart (renoned brittaine)

Red
Great kinge behould the gouernowre
vnder yor mats of now Conquered ffraunce
see heare the duke of Guise thus Captive led
see heare the pears of ffraunce thus Conquered

Ru:
And see heer Rusticano Conqueroure

K: A:
most Loyall subiects Arthure thanks yow all
for worthy service done yor kinge and Countrey
and know that Arthure neuer will forgett
the rare Acheevemts wich yow have performde
devide the spoyles amonge you and returne
vnto yor wives wich much yor absence mourne

L
Thy subiects promise for thy love, great lord
to fight for thee wth hand, wth hart, with sword

K: A:
but now to thee prayse worthy generall
what can I yeld thee equall to thy merits
arte: will engrave thy name in Annales pende
vntill æternity shall have an ende

Red
Cease mighty prince oh stop yor theame of prayse
of such a worthy subect, let me crave one boon
for all my service

Kin: A:
speake and have

R
tis not for wealth the misers sacred god
nor for ambition lofty myndes doe ayme at
Nor yet for lands (the rusticks demy god
neither for livinge of some statefallen men
(as courtiers vse doe sue, beg or crave
the sōme is this: I knowe I have some father
but whoe, or where is that know I not:
him will I seeke: in seekinge whome thy [arme] name
this arme shall sownd foorth and proclayme thy fame

K
Tis bootles to disswade thy firm resolve
Cowld I recall my words thow showldst not goe
but kinges most neuer violat theyr promise
neither will I adewe brave Tom a Lincolne
Let fortune euer lacky by thy side
auspicious vertue euer be thy guide

Ga:L:T:
wee vowe to follow thee where ere thy starrs
shall s«a»lfe conducte thee, neuer will we three
parte from thine euer blessed Company

Red:
I Can but thanke yow all, now mighty lord
thus humbly on my knees I take my leave
lament not for our absence wee must hence
Nature bids goe, yor kindenes stay (great prince)
by Gods asistans wee will safe returne:
nexte famowse princes, & my soueraign queene
I leve yor grace, whose grace my ioy hath bene
Captives of ffraunce we bid yow all farewell
more should I speake, myne eyes with tears would swell

Rust:

Nowe must I take my leave to, farewell good m
rkinge Karter, & mr s queen Miniver, and all yo
w french pears, if I could take yow wth me yo
w should come alonge thats flatte, for yow know travellers have good stommacks, and would be gladde of a peare to quench there thirst sometimes
I could whine for very anger to thinke I must leave such good
company: o lo lo lo lord, I must lea. le le leave my fellowe
Courtiers theres noe remnant

G: L: T:
Thy lovinge subiects euer pray thy grace
may euer flourish, till we reviwe this place

K f:
Th[e]y rare acheevemt s fortune still attende
and bringe thy wishes to an happy end

Red:
Aboord Companions launch vnto the deepe
Heaven thine happy state, blesse, saue, & keepe

[Exit Red & his Company
King A:
see they are gone Come lett vs in to sporte
fraunce shall knowe, Arthure keepes a princely Corte

[Exeunt omnes
Enter time
Time Can not longe be absent, least yow stray
and now should loose the Brittaines by the way
to whome milde Neptune & the powers of sea
six years together proved gently Calme
In wich theyre navigation, they fore past
Many a monarchs Court & potentate
Coastinge ore Spaine and frutefull Italy
Europ & TurKey, wth great Affrica
In wich stands auncient Carthage; Barbary
Numidia, Mauritania, wich is parted
In Tyngitania, that hath one the west
The Curled Ocian, on the north the straights
of stowte Morocco sowth—Getulia
Cæsariensis—Mauritania hath
the sea Sardoū leaninge to the North
the mountayn Libia bendinge to the sowth
ye all the spacious orbe he and his mates
had well nigh Coasted, Countreys, kingedomes, states
all, ye all, yet neuer coulde he heare
the least suspition of his longe sought sire
but left behinde him still a glorious fame
of the rownd table and of Arthures name
Nowe at the end of six years Navigation
they have descride a very famowse lande
where how they spedde yow prsently shall heare
yf yow but lende them an atentive eare

EXIt
Enter Red: Gall: Laun: Trist: a mariner, & Rusticano
Red
vpon what shore are we arived speake
what Countrey[.] doe we tread one?

Mar:
fayry lande,
they say noe men inhabit heare, if soe
nought can wee looke for but deiected woe/

Rust:

woe (quotha), if there can be greater woe then wee
suffer, I much marvayle, for Ile besworne I am almost fanished
for want of some victualls, I have eat nothinge these fowre«r»
dayes, and now my gutts keepe such a squablinge in my belly
as I feare they will fall in a mutinie amonge them selves
and soe run out of my mowth: O lorde now can I not but
remember, the many gawnes of poridge I have eaten
at my fathers in Lincolne, the good worts & Cabages we
were wonte to have vpon Tewsedayes & [Thudaes]
thorsdayes at supper, the good martlemas beife and bacon
as yellowe as the gowlden noble, wee were vsed to have
vpon sondayes & holly dayes: ah Mother Sisley, mother
sisly, thow wast wont to sweare I was sicke, If I went
but thrise [of«*»] a dinner to the poredge pott, alas, alas,
that euer I left thee to dy a dogges death

Tri:
[L] Let come what will weel stand thus opposite
To ominous fates, and fortunes greatest spight
Can wee but fill vs

Gall:
how can wee doe ill
If yow cælestiall powers will aide vs still

Red:
But Mariner how can yt be that men
rule not this lande: can there be woemen then

Mar:
They can and thus yt was, not many years are past
since that a famowse and renowned prince
raignde ore this kingedome (Calde the fayry knight«)»
whoe waginge warre against a neighbor kinge
eight years together left the fayry lande
be refte of men, now the faerian dames.
longing for that wich woemen most desire
there nightly sport and wished dallians
sent for theyre howsebands backe: whoe thus returne
theyre wives an answer: bid them be Content
and wee will see them at this warrs event
there wives impatient at this sterne reply
vowde that theyre howsebands at returne showlde dy
and beinge come home victors, as they greed
each in theyre beds did make there howsebands bleed
Onely the kinges bright daughter in a boate
did put her father in the seas to float
and euer since hath Cælia bene queene
as instantly to all yt shalbe seene

enter 2 Ladies wth bowes & arrows in theyr hands and quiuers or thwart theyre backs
Red
O irreligious acte: see where they Come

i L
Our royall queene Com̄aunds yow in her name
(like base in truders as yow are) relurne
vnto yor tottered shipps what madnes Causde yow
to enter thus our confines: nere was seene
a man appere vpon this goodly greene
these many yeares together: hence away
fly to yor ships theres danger in delay

Red:
fayre Lady to yor queen returne vs thus
tell her that Brittish men: & traveloures
desiere some succour from her: whoe denies
either weel slay them or our honowre dies
returne with speedy answer

i Lady
wee desire
Our queene may yeld to thys yow doe requier

[Exe:
La:
if she refuse, by heaven weel with stand
her & her forces, had she Xerxes bande

Tris:
May Tristrams arme, ner̂e more wield branded sword
but weel glutt hunger ere we goe aboorde

Red:
have any of yow seene the queen

Mar:
I have they are soe huge a fæmal multitude
as that without amazemt non can tell
each beares a bendinge bow, & percinge shafte
with each a quiuer ouer thwart theyre backs
thus goe they still like fayre Dianas trayne
Chasinge the stagge, but see they turne againe

Gall
in fayth thy are gallant wenches

i La:
save yow lords
The queen of fayeries sends yow answer thus
either yow must returne, or with our shafts
weel quickly pearce yor bosomes (tied fast
vnto some senceles oake: or Come with vs
to Cælia fayry queene: to bide her doome
one of these to (choose either) must be done

Red:
Resolved we goe: that ere we dy wee sweare
Our prcious lives, weel rate, & prize full deare

Rus:

Nowe whats best for me to doe, if I stay heare then shall not I be shott
to death by yonder fayries: If I goe yander then shall I not die
heare for want of victualls: but on both sides heres nothing but death
to be expected, Is yt not a pittifull case m
r s, that such a hopefull yonge man as my selfe, showld be cast away at these years
I thinke yt the best way to p
rvent daunger & these tripping fayeryes even to knock out my owne braynes: Nay
birlady for a body might be accessary of his owne death
but I marvayle what this queene of fayries is: perhaps yts
shee that putteth money in mens shoos in the night time
if yt be she I hope sheel pardone me for my mothers sake
whoe would neuer goe to bed a nights, but shee would have
the howse cleane swepte: the ashes cleane rakte vp
in the Chimney harth: a boowle of water and a cleane
towell layde vpon the bench: vnder the skreem & all
this shee sayde, was for the queene of fayries & her green«e»
Coat Company: and euery morninge continually she
would finde money in the bowle, in wich the water
was in: One night above the rest: I listned about
twelve a clocke at night: to see if I could here thē
and me thoughts I hard the sweetest bells ringe I
heard in my life: but see I have taulked soe longe
of them that I had almost forgott my selfe: well
ingens Telum necessitas: I must goe perforce for
hunger Constraines me: and if I dy yt is some
Comnfort to dy with Company: solamen miseris socios
habuisse dolores: wherefore Ile euen after them
as fast as I can

[Exit]
Sounde: enter Cælia the fayry queene with ladies attending her: having bowes and arrows in there hands: & quivers &c
1 La:
I assure yow madam [I]eie nere saw
more goodly featurde or demenurde knights
they stile themselves knights of kinge Arthures Cort
the Brittaine Monarch: whose prayes fame reports
theyre resolution and theyre mynds soe rare
as that in my conceyt yts past compare

Qu:
what sondry passions doe aflict mynde
are they soe resolute & yet soe kinde

1 La:
They are, now lett yor ey«e»s be yor ow«ne» iudges
see where they are

enter Red & his Company
Q
O im̄ortall gods
asside
what have yov placte all yor rarest guifts
here in one princely yowth: ore are yor selves
Come downe assuminge this our ftraylest nature
to make me be enamord of yor persons
but peace noe more: hayle Curteous Champions

Red
Thanks Amazonian: we are come to try .
whether yowle sucker our extremity
if I: thus lowe we bend: if noe by might
bowldly wee[l] will confront yor greatest might

Gall:
Armde with vndaunted spirits thus we stand
In bowld defians of yor maiden band

La:
And thus resolv̂d weel cloy o[r]r appetite
with yor relentles flesh by valowre myght

Tr:
And if lyke Caniballs yow thirst for bloud
Wee rate or s deare to bwy yt wer[t]not good

Ru:

Now must I say somethinge to fright them the more, nay
if yo
w medle wth vs we will hew yow smaller then hearbs in the potte, we are perills fellowes I can tell yo
w if we be angred, and Ile be sworne I had neuer a better stomack
in all my life,: then I haue now, but I faith tis
to eate &[c] not to fight,/ Aside

yet be no more then barbarous, O see
and seeing, pitty our calamity.

Q.
I cannot cast mine eies from off his sight,
Asyde
they yeeld me such vnspeakeable delights;
braue Christians; you mistake vs, take repose
for ever in our land, as frinds, not foes
be Iovial Ioyfull frolik what Content
these place can yeld ye take with all assent
Ladies prpare a sumptuous banquett goe
Exe: la:
weel turne to mirth yor misconceaved woe

Ru:

O there spake an Angell: my very bowells lepte wthin me at
that sweet word, p
rpare a banquett observe the words: not deferre nor delay tell some other time, but p
rpare, make ready wth all speede not a clownicall dinner. of poodinge & bacon
not a rusticall supper of parsenipes & Carets, but a banquette
p
rpare a banquett, not onely soe but a sumptuous, a Costly a daynty delicat banquett: p
rpare a sumptuous banquett«?» Oh how I could still meditate one these words: methinks I
have fild my belly wth the conceyt of soe admirable wordes
p
rpare a sumptuous banquett:

Red:
Wee all are silent for wee cannot give
yor kindenes thanks sufficient while we live

Qu:
How sweet is euery accent of his speech
Composde and grac'te wth liuely Rhetoricke
Come prethy sit downe by me: Come yor hand
In fayth I will not sitt if yow doe stande

Red:
It ill befitts me Madam

Q
fayth yow shall
Poore Cælia he hath wonne thine hart and all
asyde
I burne I burne sweet modesty repell
those scorching flames wthin me worse then Hell
Why art disconsolate, be frolick man
mirth fitts the tyme

Red
Bright princesse soe I am

Ru:

And I am horrible an hungry: I thinke in my Consciens I
could eat more puddinge then euer steeven Hide did: but
noe more, heare comes the banquett: I can forbe«a»re no longer
the banquett is brought in musicke: Rusticano takes a whore
dish of sweet meats, and throws into his mouth by handfulls

Red:

How now sirha be more manerly

Que:

Let the fellow alone sweet knight for hees hungry

Ru:

troth and soe I am queen of fayries: and hunger cares not for complen
t s: soe yt may have inough to fills panch withall: I remember a
true verse since I went to schoole: fames malū quo non alius
velocius vllū: the meaninge of the verse is this: that hunger
is euill and that theres nothinge more swifte quick & nimble, y
t yt is evill I have had a prety triall these two or three dayes
and that yt is quick or nimble yo
w see yt by experiens, for my hande was first in the dish

La:

thow dost abuse the verse man yts fama not fames

Ru:

but I say yts fames not fama, yowle graunt me yts spoken
of fames yf yt be not of fama will yow not

La:

I will

Ru:

Well then: theres somethinge more swift then fame ergo yts
not spoken of fame

La:

I deny yo
r prcedent

Ru:

Precedent; yow must say antecedent, as wee schollers doe

La:

They doe but verbally differ

Ru:

Sic probo, theres somethinge more swifte then fame, thus I prove
yt; a woomans tongue is more swifte then fame, but a
woomans tongue is something ergo thers something
more swifte then fame: what can yo
w denye if the maior: why all men howld yt to be the swiftest thinge
In the world, And I am sure ont twill ly faster then euer fame
did

L

I gr«a»unt yo
w the best Concedo, concedo/

Ru:

Yo
w can not choose for the maior is impugnable, vnlesse (with the Collier yo
w showld deny my Conclusion

Q.
Sit downe, sit downe see iollity attends
thy selfe sweete brittayne, and thy lovely friends
Drinke, Come Carowse full healths about the boord
Thus I begin let musick lowde be sownde
whilst to this brittayne knight I drinke profound

Red:
Thus, I receave yt, gieving yt agayne
to yow bright lady

1 Lady
I can not refrayne
Our Queen imposde yt, and I thus retort, this to the next

Gall:
I thanke yow madam forte,
I thus accepte yt, and (for tis a rownde
the lady nexte yow wth this Cup Ile wound

Ru:
wowld yt were come to me my mouth waterse at yt

2 Lady:
Thus Ile retort yt heare brave knight to yow

L:
I kindely take yt for tis my due
but here yt shall not rest rownde yt must goe
Lady yowle pleadge me,

3 Lady:
How can I say noe
yow are the last, and soe with yow yt ends

Tr:
Madam with me truly«,» Ile make amends
vnder yor favoure drinkinge to yor grace

Q
Good knight yor offered kindenes I embrace

Ru:

Embrace say yo
w I would I could once embrace the cup with my hands: heres nothinge but tossinge of whole ones
but still the cup passes ore Poore Rusticanos nose: Nay
Ile besworne they doe not leave as much as a snuffe

Q:

Well honest friend thes health I drink to thee

Ru:

Wich to requite I vowe to tosse of three (he drinketh iij
e s theyre lawe, I thought I showld neuer quench my thirst, but
one cannot doe a good thinge to ofte: and therefore Ile saye yt
once more: ô tis admirable good liquor: ô that all the water
in the sea were such, then twere good travelinge by water
but Ile goe aske the queen of fayry one thinge: Are not yow
that queen of fayries wich the ould songe speaks of in this maner
the queene her name was mob, wich through a wall of brasse
and through the centers of the earth: shee could most swiftly passe
if yow be I marvayle when wee shall see and yo
r green Coat Company dauncinge on midsomers eeve: on my troth if we
might see yo
w at lincolne, weed have for yow a cuppe of the best ale could be gotten for love or money

Q
sweet knight«s» fall to yow see yor entertayne

Omnes
thanks beloved queene

Q
Ladies present there eares
wth love straynde Harmony most like the sphears

[Ladies]
A songe
Come fayre Ceres, Lovely Venus
Come be prsent at our feasts
Come God Bachus, Come Sylenus
Entertayne these princely guests
with mirthfull haes
with rowndelayes
with ravisht kisses [Comely]
Comely graces
With sweet desiers, with Cupids fires
with armes enfowldinge hearts embraces
Brave Brittaynes Cheare, ye are welcome heare
Our virgins treasures open to yow
The caske vnlocke, the lids a smocke
such sweet, sweet theffe can nere vndo yow
Bachus Let not wine be wantinge
Ceres takake not plenty hence
Cupid with thine arrowes vaunting
strike vs for our great offence
Too too longe, ŵ have done the wronge
our maiden heads perplex vs sore
forgive vs this, weel Clip, weel kisse
and neuer thus offende thee more
Brave &c
Venus pardone oer offences
Venus wee are onely thine
our eyes, our ears, our hearts our sences
still adore thy sacred shrine
Rich pearles not vsde: or much abusde
men say our mayden heads are soe
then ere they rust, yow knights we trust
will Cleare our pearles before we goe
Brave Brittaines cheer &c
But why doe wee delay the time thus
deeds are better farr then words
If we offend because wee rime thus
wound vs wth yor pleasing swords
I meane those darts, wich wounde maids hearts
yet neuer can orcome them quite
away wth blowes, keepe them for foes
our onely fightings in the night
Brave Brittaynes Cheare, yare welcome heare
Our virgins treasures open to yow
The Caske vnlock, the lids a smocke
Such sweet sweet thefte can nere vndo yow

Q:
subdude, subdude poore Captive as I am
Asyde
by this renowned gallant Brittish man
venus if wee adore thee shew yt now
make his heart bende as thou hast made myne bow
How please our sports

Red:
how can they ought displease
musicks to griefe a solace, to payne eas

Gall:
why what man breaths there (if sence speaks him man)
but would be ravisht with these lofty straynes
these Cyrens risinge fallinge warblinge notes
these oh I can not finde an epithite
for to expresse Cælestiall musicks hight

Ru:

yow know noe more what yo
w talke one, then this pott doth let me hau«e» a can of Nappy ale, & tom piper of Lincolne and I wil stand to yt
tis better then all yo
r louts ar barne doores what soeuer

Red:

My man hath washt away his witts in beere

Ru:

I marvayle yow
l offer to talke soe with a good fellow, yow thinke I am dronke, but by this good beare/ he drinks/ I am æs sober as as as
yo
r greatest puritan in Banbury, nor doe not thinke Ile take this abuse at yo
r hands, by this beare /he drinks/ I will not put yt vp, Tapster bring in the other haulfe dozen, here, yo
w thinke I can not stand, but doe not I stande as well as the best heare
/He falls/ sa ho when will this rascally Tapster come, why boy I say
so ho Chamberlaine. I am a very rogue but a litle thing, would
make me—He falls a sleepe

Qu:
soe nowe hees fast, Ladies goe fetch some lights
to guide these knights vnto theyre wisht for rest
I knowe theyre weary limbes are ouer toylde
softe beds shall eas them, soe good night to all
this night ile bed with thee what ere befall—Asyde


Red:
the like we wish to yow and all yor trayne

Q:
nought but thy love can eas myne Ætna payne—Asyde


Exeunt omnes
Rusticano
talkes in his sleepe.

a good fellowes a good fellow in any place in England puh hang vp all those base roges w
c h will not bee drunke in good companie troth queene mob I can eate no more at this tyme
is this a softest bed yo
u can affoord strangers and trauelers by my fayth my bones ake with hardnes of my lodging must wee to sea so soone w
t h a vengeance wee shall neuer haue done till wee bee either famished starued or drowned o lord blesse vs Iesus I thinke the
worlds at an end looke how the waues tosse and tumble wee are all cast away all cast
away help help help hold hold hold some one to the sterne of the shippe looke to the tackling
of the ship all my freinds in Lincolne farewell now now now oh oh oh
hee riseth
am I not dead let mee see o god I was neuer in such a pittifull dreame since my
name was Rusticano meethinkes all wee knights of the round table bee drowned at a
clap, but softe where am I trow, and where all my companie what is it night or doe
I still dreame, now cannot I tell whether I am still in a dreame or being drowned

in the bottome of the sea I am in another darke world god I grace I am not in purgatory
it is soe darke what doe I feele (hee takes vp the pot)
sure it is the soule
of some poore man in purgatorie that had not money to giue the popes worship to free
him out of purgatory but stay it feeles like a pot perhaps tis a pot of S
t francis to carry soules ot purgatory o (now I know tis the pot wch I dranke in lately, well I am now
come to my selfe, I will goe seeke my m
r and the rest of my fellow knights god grant I and the ladies bee faste tuckt together, Ile make and they bee thats flatte

Enter 2 saylers

But twoe of our saylers come, what is theyr busines, trowe not to goe
to sea so soone I hope, for I haue not well disgested my late Rumbeling
yet, well Ile heare what they say:

first say

O Rustcano good morowe, good day Rusticano

[first] Rust:

Good day why? it not day yet

1. say:

Not wth this world, but it is wth thee, for thou has lately beene in an
other world, in an other hemispheare, in an other region, our generall
the Red Rose knight hath sent vs to knowe how thou doost. for knowing
of thy late typsines. he feares some evill should betyde thee,

Rust:

How typsines? Ile proue, (that I will/ him to be noe good fellowe, (noe
honest man that nowe & [will] then will not be kadumbeld wth his
friend & because I Canot proue wth sownd reason therefore Ile
sing it most hyperbolically & thus Ile begin

A songe:

1 say:

Gramery honest Rusticano, thou doest make a good apology for thy late
intoxicated humor, & doest well excuse thy late ouersight./

Rust:

Doe I soe indeed. then blame me not for that heereafter, wch I can giue a
lawfull reason of, good fellowships: good fellowships Ile stand to it
come lets in, lets in,

Exeunt,
Enter Cælia the fayrie Queene in her night attyre
Cæ:
Murders. blacke mother, rapines midwife
Lusts infernall temptresse, guyde to fowlest sinne
fountaine of all enormous actions. night
horrid: infernall, derne, & ominous night
Run not, o Run not wth thy swarfy steeds
To fast a course: but driue light farre from hence
what ist[s] that hates the light but blacke offence
and I abhorre it, goying now to tempt
chastest Hyppolitus to hell bread lust
To thoughts most impious actions most vniust
bright Cynthia thou doest maske thy watry face
blushing to viewe me lust-polluted Queene
thy handmaides glittering starres doe rowle themselves
invelopt in some fog or vaporous cloud.
& blushing at my thoughts themselves thus shrowd
yet I must one, thus gods & men wt h stood
my minds one fire, lusts heate inflames my bloud
faire Cytherea neuer could thou proue
such easeles heate, when thou didst Adon love
Dido thy thoughts were neuer soe inflamed
vpon Anchises sonne Æneas named
Torquine thy lust was great, compared to mine
but small: yet of the rest we neerest Combyne
what Can I say: my thoughts, my soule, my mind
doe yeeld to will, & reasons powers [but] blind.—shee goes to ye Red & awaks him,

how fares my knight

Red:
Tell me what art thou called:
weele shewe thee what it is thus to disturbe vs—he pulls his sword from the boulst«er»,


Cæ:
My lord awake yor spirits tis a woman
(that prickt wth kindnes/ comes to see & feele
yor sweetest welcome not relenteless steele
tis Cælia,

Red:
fayrest fayrie Queene forgiue
my sleepefull aunsweare twas, (o doe beleeue
in troth [it] twas. in my not well wakened minde

Cæ:
In faith ile credit thee then proue now kinde
I knowe thy spirits now are raised from sleepe

Red:
They are faire madame,

Cæ:
O then let me creepe
vnto thine armes, come, come, you dreame not now.

Red:
To this [bend] bright heauen shall bend before I bow
I knowe not whether senceles sleepe hath bounde
my sences still, or ame I in a sounde
I knowe tis one of eyther Cælias chast
pure & harmeles, but thou (lewd & wast.
comest in her name, or some enchantique spell
thus to delude, me wch I know not well

Cæ:
In faith tis Cælia that doth thus attend
at thy behest. o giue my sor«r»owes end
I ame a Queene, grant my request in this

Red:
What ist[s] bright lady:

Cæ:
nothing but a kisse

Red:
If that be all then take it.

He kisseth her:
Cæ:
Troth I sweare;
Ile neuer dy indebted thus Ile Cleare
my self of all odde reckonings: whats behind;—shee kisseth him
Taste afore hand. if ought heere please yor minde

Red:
O you are to lasciuious: Phryna like
youle enter in my bed

Cæ:
will you not strike, [if]
if I offend you fayth yor weapons dull
or you a Coward, Chuse you wch: o foole
Thou woest Hyppolitus whose thoughts are mild
intacted Chast: but thine, thine are defiled
They must haue vent, or natures frame will breake
Canst loue me knight Come I prethee speake
Thy thigh me thinkes [*i]is soft, thy lips are rede.
and soe are mine, let them enioyed one bede.
I needs must enter

Red:
If you enter heere
Like chast Xenocrates. ile Chast appeare
wthout all mocōn

Cæ:
Ile like Phryna then
sweare tis a blocke I lye wth not a man

Red:
Adventure if you dare

Cæ:
now by this kisse.
Ile hazard should I loose bright heavens blisse

Red:
The effect doth followe, where the cause is first
and if it doe not nowe ile be accurst
The cause [is] was kissing: what the effect shall be
leap in the bed & you fayre Queene shall see

Cæ:
I ame vnready yet most ready to: shee leps into ye bed:

Red:
fye: we haue spoke to much let something doe

Cæ:
I ame vndone, yet nothing haue we done

Red:
I trust we shall by rising of the sunne

Cæ:
knights tongues are swift theyr weapons very slowe

Red:
you lye to open, gard yor self belowe

Cæ:
I little feare yor forces:

Red:
wth my dart
Ile pearce yor target framed [wth] by finest art

Cæ:
but drawe the curtaines: for should [here] those heere see
our simple skill ashamed we should bee

Enter Rusticano

Heeres a coyle wth all my hart, I ame an arrant Rogue, but all the british knights
(except my self/, are close in bed wth the ladyes: heere two men and one lady
heere 3 men: 12 lasses: heere one & one by eache, in so much that theyr beds
make more noise, then any foure creeking wheeles, of any dunkart in
Lincolne: they exclude me for a wrangler: I can get noe Roome amongst
them

I warrant you we [th]shall haue many lusty british ladds got to night, o what
braue spirits haue those wenches, Ile warrant yo
u one of them will tyre 4 of our best knights: hay, ho, I wonder what [kim] kyn this Rascally sleepe
is to hunger, I Canot beleeue but tis his sonne, [it«*»] it makes a man gape &
yawne soe, but see, I haue talked soe long, tis fayre day all abroad, and
Goffer Phæbus is mounting his cart to goe to his worke, byre lady hee is a
very early husband, nay there is never a whistling Carter in oxford shire
shall driue soe farre in a whole day as he will doe in ane howre, for his
horses [doe] as farre surpasse theirs: as butter milke doth whay: or chalke
cheese: well by this tyme some be quite tyred: and Ile goe creepe [in som]
into some warme place, it will neuer grieue an hungry man to cloy his
appetite, to take an other mans leavings: Ieiunus stomachus raro vulgaria
temnit: & by my fayth, I haue stomake, to any of the ladyes, but suppose that
all the knights should be tyred wth theyr long iourneys, the wenches should
all set upon me: sfut then I were cleane vndone, howsoever Ile venture
for faint heart never vsed fayre lady/ Exit /

Enter time
fortune yow see (Spectators guide the steps
of this her darelinge shilde the Red rose knight
yow see what favour the faerian dames
yelded to him & all his Company
whoe did abhorre all mens society
yet see meer straungers wuld soe much prvayle,
there woemanish fury force & strength[t] to quaile
& now imagine havinge stayed long space
wthin this frutefull soyle, [to thinke vpon] his thoughts are m«o»ovde
to thinke vpon his Sire whome he loved
when prsently (he comes wth full intent
thence to departe) vnto his blest Content
sweet & delightfull Cælia (whoe soe grievd
to heare his resoluc̄on as poore heart
Didoe was nere soe loath to let departe
her stout Æneas). as she discontente
at his departure yet she did Consent
vpon his promise gainde to make returne
heare yow may see how deeply she doth mourne

Enter Red: & his followers, to them the fayry queen, & her Ladyes, they two whisper, she weeps, at length he kisseth her and with great griefe they departe, the like doe his followers & the ladies and exeunt, they beinge gone Cælia sownds the Ladies recouer her

The Redrose knight departinge as yow sawe
wth teare swolne eyes, tooke ship & hoyst vp sayles
but Cælias griefe was such as vanquisht sence
and all his power not of force to stand
in opposition to griefes dreadfull band
but yet by care, her sences were revievd
yet still shee grievd as of her ioy deprivde
the Red rose knight of whome I now must tell
how he obtainde his wish & what befell
him in the famowse Court of prester Iohn
within whose Corts yor thoughts must now suppose him
I trust yow will sit pleasde, my reasons this
They that nere loose time, can neuer doe amisse

Exit time
Enter Præster Iohn 2 lords before him & 2 after him with swords drawne, after them the Red and his followers
P I:
Welcome renowned knights of Arthures Court
(one of the worthies of these happy tynes
fames trumpe hath soe [e]imbl«ec»onde forth the prays
of that thrise worthy monarch & his peers
as wee esteeme most blest our adged years
to live vntill this time in wich we see
knights of his table full of Chivalry
Welcome thrise welcome

Red
thanks great Præster Iohn
thy clemency wee see to travellors
especially to Brittish shewes thy mynde
is truly noble affable and kinde
wee now are farre from Brittayne & our shipps
voyd of provision weather beaten ly
at Anchor in thy haven succoure then
our men & shipps if thou lovest Brittish men

P
that gracious god wich we like yow adore
(if yow want succour) neuer aid me more
Commaunde what ere ye need

Om̄es
thanks mighty lord
th[e]y love weel second wth both heart & sword

P
Yet tell me knights doth any knowe thats heare
the Red rose knight whose power hath noe peer
his fame hath ofte redownded in our Court
O honowre sownds each where his good report

Gal:
Great Monarch here he is, whose warlike hand
neuer as yet could any knight wthstand

P
is this the man

Red
I am great potentate
recall the worthlesse prayse yow spake of late

P
first shall great Iove recall the day thats past
first shall the center in this Circle earth
be turnde to nothinge as yt was at firste
O heavens are yow soe propitious
vnto my silver hayres, as let mee see
what I most wisht for this fælicity

Ru:

Nay I am one of the company as well as the rest, if yo
w have heard tidings of his prowesse yo
w must needs heare of myne, for he & I haue bene in one an others c
ompany, this many a day

P

If thart good friend weel affoord thee the better welcome

Ru:

O lord sir I thanke yo
w wthall my heart, if I chaunce to see yo
w yn kinge Karters Court, Ile requite yor kyndenes

La:
Let not yor highnes be offended at him
hees but our Captaines iester or his foole

Ru:

How yo
r captaines foole, yow are yor captaines asse, thers nere a pulake in the world shall gieve me such words, let me come to him, yo
r captains foole: Ile make him eat his words: O that a knight showld be so abusd
by «a»—I will not put yt vp thats flatte: yo
r captaines foole?

Red:
peace sirha what mean yow

P
Come hees miery man
now by our Crowne we can not but affecte him
yet tell vs knights what is the end yow aime
In this yor iowrney, at nought ells but fame

Red
Truely great prince that was a motive to vs
our mynds are thirstinge after brave attempts
Strivinge to mount them selves above the sky
for haughty feats of armes and Chivalry
yet theres an other ende, wch my attempts
wowld fayne attayne, for neuer Cowlde I tell
my lynage or descent, O easles hell

Mess:
The queene and princesse, mighty liege attend
here for to see those englishmen, and pray
yow will admitte them

P
willingly

Mess:
make way roome for the queen & princesse

Red
Mighty liege
Cannot yor queen approach but[o] shee must crave
first licens of yor grace

P
yea she must crave.
humbly & with submission: Loe they Come

Enter Q & princesse
Qu
Helth to yor highnes

Ang:
ioy vnto yor grace

P
welcome sweete Bellamy, welcome guirle
doe honowre & gieve entertaine to those.
great Brittaines Champions and black envies foes

Q. Bell:
Our hand we yeld yow to congratulat
yor former welcome

Om:
thanks beloved queene

P
Anglittora sweet wench, thy entertayne
ought be more lowly in an other vayne

Om:
yor hande fayre Lady

P
Come her mellow years
ara apte to kisse to her she neuer fears

Ru:

Ile make clean my mowth, for if euery one have a smacke
at her, Ile make one thats flatt, I would they would
begin once, my mowth waters vengeausly at her

An
Deare knight thy feature soe delights myne eys
that harte & hande & all thow dost surprise

Asyde they kisse her
Om
yor mats Com̄aunde we thus fulfull
and Ile be one or ells ile misse my will

Ru: kisseth her
Ang:
how nowe ye base pesant

Ru:

ifaith I am noe pheysant, but if I were, yt showld be on this Condition
that I showld be the Cocke & yo
w the hen, & then wee should well agree together

Red:
Oh whither art transported,: oh my thoughts:
Asyde
till nowe ye neuer knewe what trulove meant
was yt some mellow downe, what lips? what paps?
where cupid sits invitinge passengers
I breathde my sovle (when that our lips did Ioyne)
into her breast, & there me thoughts inshrind
her eyes like to the Adamant constraynd
my sowle to lodge wth hers, Love, torment, payne

Ang:
Howe sweetly did he clappe my palme in his
Asyde
how fervently he gripte yt: peace he spies
the great imodesty of these fonde eyes

Red:
The glaunces that she casts they wowld Captive
the purest mortall that remaynes alive
Ile Answer them in Language like her owne
although I Conquer I am ouer throwne

Ang:
How greedily he looks: and still on me
hees caught I know, O blest congruity

Pre:
frolicke brave knights, Come, come, lets in to feast
you shall have ntertaynmente of the best

Om:
Weel follow:

A hoars sownd wthin
Red
softe: whence is that dismall roare
fore heaven neuer was I yet soe scarde
tis some infernall monster: Cerberus
did neuer howle soe at the Thebans stroaks

Pr:
This strikes our heart wth horrowe & amazemt
hearke and Ile tell ye, distant hence a mile
an horrid monster makes his dearne aboad
a fiery dragon treple tonged, huge,
deformed, fearfull, vast, and terrible
his belly like a tunne more h[e]arde then brasse
impenetrable clawes like serpents teeth
his tayle surpasseth iijee Cloth ells in length
In that Consists the greatest of his strength
sulpherous poyson (like to misty foggs
Comes from his hellish nostrills wich infecte
wth noysome sent the Confines of the ayre
were yt not for him wee showld surpasse in wealth
The Indian Monarch for he keeps a tree
of purest gowld, was once posest«e» by mee

Red:
Did neuer any mortall try his strength

P:
Too many worthy knights and all haue fell
by this fierce monster sent frō lowest hell.

Red:
why, heres a coopemate for mee by the gods
nay by the brittaine borne
wc h I esteeme more deare then dearest breath,
Ile coape this monster happen life or death,

P:
Come come you shall not,

Red:
By thy name great Arthur,
wch I esteeme most sacred, by my hopes
and by the St. I from my heart adore
Ile rouse thee fiend or neuer see thee more.

Q:
Thy resoluc̄on,s rash.

Red:
Thus firme Ile stand
wth heart most strong, sword sure, and dauntles hand.

Brit:
Had not our captaine spoken first, wee sweare
our lifes to hazardize to rid thy feare.

p:
what generous spiritts beare braue bryttaines men
heere vs a little, why tis only fame
yor spiritts ayme at/ even a breath is gone
sooner then life fraile reputation

Red:
O me twill [re]mount vs vppe
aboue the reach of dull obliuion
and wth high pitcht wings our name to all,
succeeding ages sings.
where is this fury.

P:
Daughter all this while
you haue not vsed yor much perswasiue stile
set on him wench.

Red:
helpe mee sweete Cupid now
(Aside.
A woman conquers mee if euer I bow

Ang:
with bashfull modestie a virgin sues
to thee most haughty champion, o forbeare
to cast away thy life to all most deare
yet more then dearest vnto wretched mee
(Aside
earths paragon for magnanimity «*»

Red:
Madam impose yor knight the greatest taske
yor heart can thinke of, were it like Hercules
to pash the boare wch thousands could not quell.
or force blacke fiends dance anticke-like through hell.
were it to conquer Alexander [great] like
all the vast territories of the world.
were it to coape the Olympicke thunderer
soe that myne honor I could harmles saue
I would effect all, or els dig my graue.
oh tis against mine honor what I vow
not to atcheeue but yet com̄aund mee now
faire princes to desist, Ile doe't wth shame
and blackest obloquie vnto my name.

Ang:
His words like to some Necromanticke spells
haue charmed my tonge with silence, and my heart
In his firme passion seemes to act a part
«I no» thing can withhold him gracious lord

Red:
Our reputations credit is our word.

P:
well sith it needes must bee Aurora's light
Shall bring thee thither magnanimious knight.
meane while weele feast thee as our court affords.
come let vs in to sport attend vs lords.

Ex. manet Ang.
Ang:
Since gallant knight my praiers cannot mooue thee
my death shall show it if thou diest I loue thee.

Ex.
Rusticano pulles Sr. Lancelot backe
Rust.
A word with you Sr Lance lout.

Lan:
what dost thou call mee Lancelout.

Rust.
is not yor name so?

Lanc:
Thou know'st my name I am sure tis Lancelot.

Rust.

howsoeuer I am afraid it will fall to yor lot to bee the lout, but leauing
this I pray you what doe yo
u call this fine lord that vseth vs soe kindly«,»,

Lan:

His name is great Prester Iohn.

Rust:

Great priest Sir̄ Iohn call yee him, hee is not soe great a priest as our
sir Iohn a Lincolne neither hath his nose soe many rubies on, althoughe
indeed hee hath more on's apparell, hee hath gay clothes indeed, but our
m
r parson goes in a threed bare [clo] coate wth long skirts, a pen and an inkorne, hanging by his side, a payre of spectacles, hanging about his necke
very deuoutly: but as for this priest sr Iohn I promise you I neuer sawe th«e»
like,

Lance

Thou art mistaken man his name is the great prester Iohn the
lord of this land & not priest sr Iohn as thou tearmest him.

Rust:

well prester Iohn or priest sr Iohn alls one for that, I dare lay a wager
w
th you, though he hath more gay Cloathes, then our mr parson, yet he is n«ot» an honester man

Lance

yo
r reason Rusticano

Rust:

why ile tell yo
u my reason: hee is the quietest plainest fellowe in christendome wth his parishioners, heele neuer goe to lawe w
t h them as many of yor rangling fellowes will doe, about tyethes or fat pigges or the Ale, nay
Ile be sworne I haue knowen a priest goe to lawe wth his parishioners for
the least things they had, as eggs & chicknes, & piggeons, nay even of very
cruds he must haue a bowle sent him, but as I tould yo
u or mr parson is an other gest fellowe, heele drinke 2 or 3 ciuill potts wth his neighbor
vpon a sunday or holiday after eusom: he reeds an homily once a quarter
he preacheth once a tweluemoneth: & then he will not like yo
r royling prechors speake against our good meetings, our dancing on sundayes, our may-games,
our som̄er poles & the like, nay heele praise, our neighbourlike

feastings & meetings: and he himself will [goe«*»] Come & tast a Cuppe of my
lords ale, & eate a Cheasecake or twoe, & soe goes away very soberly
one time indeed [very] aboue the rest, he was very fiery, exclaiming against
the corruptions of the tyme, & that wherein he did particularize was
of the Childrens ill breeding wch did breake his glasse windowes & sr [re]
reuerenc
e against his walls, shroud matters I Can tell you they would move any mans patienc
e very much

Lance.

But after what maner did he leade his life

Rust

He was very painefull & laborious, he would carry mucke into the field
in winter, he would make hey very well in sommer, nay Ile be sworne I
my self haue seene him ride in a wayne amongst a Company of litle
Children: wth a pikeforke one his necke hee is soe lowly: [but af]

Lance:

Come come thou hast held me in a tale heere: while wee loose all the good
cheere wthin.

Rust:

say yo
u so. I would you had told me soe sooner, & then I had been briefer but howsoever it is better to Come to the later end of a feast then the
beginning of a fray: & therefore Ile leaue yo
u & run my way

Ex:
Lance.

Well ile followe yo
u for this once.

Stout Tom a Lincolne whatsoere befall
thy dauntles force the like will suffer all

Exit./
Enter Cælia. her hayre hanging carelesly wth her babe [hanging care] in her armes, & 2 ladyes &c.
1 Lady
Right gracious Queene returne againe to Cort
abide not thus vpon this stony Rocke
both day & night expecting his returne
whoe nougte respects you whilest you thus doe mourne o

2 la:
o let [vs] not vs depriued be of yor sight
wch is our blisse, our solace & delight

Cæ:
Alas. you Canot feele the griefe I doe
you little knowe what panges: what tortures throbs
Dolours, vexac̄ons: strike my fainting breast
for losse of him: was natures rarest Iewell
and yet to me, (poore me/ he proues most cruell
wherefore Ile neuer, neuer make returne
but one this Rocke Ile lye, and ever mourne

1 La:
sweet princes if yor resolution's such
yet [su] Cease yor teares, wipe dry yor blubbered eyes
o breake not furth into those shrikes & cryes

2 La:
Doubtles hee will returne: if not you haue
his perfect picture in yor armes & hart
This lad must needes extenuate yor smart
he seemes soe like his father o Content
yor self wth sight of him, cease to lament

Cæ:
Bid Phæbus cease to shine, bid fiercest tygres
Cease to be sauage,: bid stout lyons cease
to roare when hunger gnawes them bid the wolfe
cease to be ravenowes, bid Lawyers Cease
to take theyre fees, bid all men live[inge] in pease
rather then bid me sorrowes Clowds dy'pell
by pleasures sunshine o yow then doe well

2 La:
Madam if griefe will Cause him backe repayre
well [yow] might yow greave then,

Cæ
O yow are made of stone, [th]
that Can not weepe & grieve & Cry & moane
but heare me ladyes let ther euer burne
great fire vpon this high & steep downe Cliffe
that if mild neptune steere his Course this way
yt may invite him hither ladies see
what wee Com̄aund furthwth effected bee

1 La:
we goe great princess heaven graunt yow ease
& may yor sighs & sobs & sorrows sease

Exe: La:
Cæ
O would this rock were framde of Diamond
(then like a load stone would yt force his ships
if ere the windes did drive him hither wards
to anker here where I expecte him thus
& were he once enfowlded in these armes
not life nor death not all the world showld gaine him
my rose my knight whose absens is my payne
what did I wish I had him in these armes
see here a model of him, prty infant
why smiles my boy theres rather cause of grief
thy dad hath lefte vs childe, troth he smiles still
alasse thy mynd & thoughts are voyde of ill
the Ladies are returnde

La:
Right wofull queene
the fires wee have made full farre are seen

Cæ
thanks ladies thanks our Child we here Comit
vnto yor tender care each day lets see yt
twill eas vs somewhat, hence griefs at eas
when tis most solitary, then twil cease
leave vs we pray

La
This our hopes shalbe
Heaven at length will ease yor misery

Exeunt: Cæ: at one dore, La: at another Enter Red: Gall: L: T: Rus:
Red [g]
Goodmorrow friends the Chearfull lark hath rowsde
and wakte vs from our slumber see the morne
is newly risen & Auroras blush
doth tell vs that her lover now begins
for to amount his great Eburnean Carre
And one the mountayne tops he red appers
the Corts not vp Come exclude all fears
wee must goe cope the Dragon

Gall
this earth shall passe away
before Ile leave or sturre from thee this day

L
if La: now his friends for sake o then
nere wer I«e» worthy for to live mongst men

T
shall Tr: budge one foot, noe showldst thow dy
wich heaven defend weel follow in stantly

Red
Away yov should not

Om:
truely but we will
we loved thee euer and we love thee still

Red
well since yov will Celestiall spirits save
our mountinge sowles earth is o[r]r bodies grave
fare well good rusticano back[«r»] returne
if this attempt doe slay vs neuer mourne
Great Præster Iohn I know will tender thee
and for our sakes affecte thee hartily

Ru

O lord I could euen weep out my heart at this discourtesy offered me (fare
well good Rus:) would any man in the world thinke I would bid thee
farewell wch have followed thee throughout all Countereys as I have
done, whoe left his sheepe in Lincolne to follow thee, Rust: whoe
left his fine minikin iug to follow thee, Rusticano who wente
wth thee from barnesedale heath to kinge Karters Cort, Ru: whoe

went into ffraunce wth thee Ru: who fought there when he
Could not choose, Ru: who returnde home wth a more willing mynd
then euer he went, Ru: whoe travelde ouer all the world wth thee
Rust: whoe (exempli gratia went with thee to spayne, Ru: who
went with thee into Italy, Ru: who went wth the into Asia, Affrica
Europ, Holland, Polland, denmark, Swethland, O that I could
number them, whoe went into euery place wth thee, Ru: whoe
came to the queene of fayries wth thee, Ru: whoe was
drunke there for company with thee, Ru: whoe mischieft &
metagrabolizde fower ladyes Collosodiums in one night: Ru: who
came now to priest sir Iohns Court wth thee, and whoe will
goe wth thee in spight of all gaynsay yt, Rusticano returne
quotha I could ene spoyle this goodly Countenance wth weping
at yo
r vnkindenes:

Red:
Come we have stayed to longe, yow saving powers
hover, o hover wth yor wings of safety
this day & euer ouer our harmelesse heads
this monster heere is set men to destroy
o [doe,] let [y]our swords then roote him cleane away

Om:
Thy orizons are heard. heauen prosper thee
And vs in this blacke infortunity./

—Exeunt om̄nes
sown̄d. Enter P: Iohn. Queene/ Ang: lords & the rest./
P:
did the«y» soe secretly departe away
none knowing but thy self

1. L:
They did great Lord
when thus say they Comend vs to his grace
and if the Chance of fight proues ominous
vnto our (ever yet succesffull acts
as that we perish by the monsters gripes
yet let his grace soe thinke those knights are dead.
whome for his sake not all the world should dread

P:
Prosper o prosper them celestiall graces
and let them proue as happy as heroike
protect them from the piercing dragons sting
then hymnes & psalmes wee in theire praise will sing

Q:
Inough my lord noe doubt the powers diuine
will heare yor earnest prayer ioyned wth mine

Ang:
And Can Ang be silent then
o noe giue eare protector of all men
thou doest respect the heart, o then view mine
saue helpe and succour at this helples tyme
if euer thou hadst pitty o then saue
my lord, my husband from a timeles graue.

Enter Rust. amazedly Running & looking one the king.
p: I:
Speake Rust: kill my heart wth griefe
I knowe the rose of Brittaines withered
and one them all this Hidra now is fed

Ang:
Heigh ho. ye heauens take my soule hees gone
whose all it was. & onelie his alone.—shee sounds


p:
Looke to the princes

q:
Speake Anglitera
it is thy mother that intreats thee speake
sweet daughter drawe thy sences backe againe—shee recouers

s[h]ee, shee recouers ouerprest wth paine

Ang.
despightfull fortune couldst thou be soe crosse
or why: (if needs thou must be ominous
wouldst thou not tell me: [i]that I might haue died
wth natures paragon & valours pride.
thou squint-eyed minion (ile /wingd wth revenge/
beg leaue [wh«o»] of Ioue, to mount beyond the starrs
venus & thee Ile hale from yor bright carres
for [he] shee & thee[e] eye both in one Conspire
to robbe me of the Iewell I desyre
weare you enamored of him? yes tis soe
fury and hell bread fiends. they laugh & toy
& dandle him, to make their sport & ploy
what can you suffer this supreamest powers
looke how they point at me. & laugh & smile
& Can I then be patient all this while./
ye powers of horrour you I invocate
aide & reveng me/ what is it to late
whose helpe shall I implore patience guide
the serne of Reason for I nowe Run wide.

p:
what sudden passion's this: send seeke for helpe
where or whoe ever: Bellamy like care
ti[i]s ill wth vs. if that shee evill fare./

Q:
In what we may wee will our former [iy] ioy
is turned to sorrowe griefe and great annoy—

Exit Q: & her la: wth ye prince./
P
Speake man that all this w[«t»]hile amazed stands
what hath befallen our champions

Rust:

Amazed: say ye: I ihinke I had good cause to bee amazed, yet would
haue skarred. the stowtest he that is present out of his witts
[a]for doe ye see sir, wee were noe sooner out of the cityes viewe &
alltogeathe serious in talke of the successe of the battell, but we
heard such a roare, as if heaven and earth would haue come
togeather, now sr I began to Runne very slowly: not to see wch way
the Roare Came, but very fairely away, as fast as ever my legs
could Carry me, but that Sr Lance: a vengeanc
e take him, he is ever my enemy: Caught fast hould on my arme, and very discourteously
would not let me goe, well we went forward alittle
further, but we hard such an other yell as if all the bulls in y«e»
world had beene togeather they could not make such a noise, when I
hard it by the force of my arme I put valour to flight: I meane
I broke from sr lanc: [f«*»ll] in spite of his teeth. & then all the rest
did sett vpon me & forct me to stay, & soe at length to make a shart tale
of it, wee Came to the goulden tree, but I had scarce had my viewe of
it/ but there ariseth one a suddaine out of a darke Caue, a lord me
thinkes hee is still at my heeles, there Comes me out I say this wild dragon
whoe when he stood vpon his feet was as bigge as a mountaine, &
when he sawe vs he bellowed furth such a hoarse sownd, as stroake most
valiant me vnto the ground, they say gold Can doe all things. yet if all
the trees in the world were all pure gold & mine if I should haue
stayed. Could not haue let me from Running away: nay I beate sir Lanc
e. threwe downe sr Trist: tosst sr Gall: like a tenis ball, & the Red [rose]
had he not beene my m
r had dipt his finger in the same sauce, but for pitty sake I spared him, & soe Came Running away in that furious amazement
yo
u sawe me/

[P:] I
But were the knights slaine by the monsters fange

Rust:
Nay that you may goe aske them & youle knowe for me/

P:
yet there is hope, o thou that canst do all
preserve and saue those knights frō luckles fall.
A shout wthin
whence is that shout, (enter Messenger)


Messen:
Renowned prester Iohn [«w»]
wee stood vpon yor pallace battlements.
and many a thousand on their houses top
to view the combat wc h the Red Rose knight
had wt h the dragon.

p:
Come declare the fight
The shoute foreshewes its good,

Mes:
Then thus it was
The monster hauing spied the Red Rose knight
wt h flaggy wings displaied bout flings his taile
roaring forth such a dismall yell or crie,
as if great heauens frame had crackt in sunder
wt h great confusion, and the earth dissolued
and roring thus hee strikes his scaly tayle.
full at the head of him, who wt h his sword
pruents the stroake, and strikes his asunder
oh now who would haue seene true rage indeed
herein the abstract, might haue cast their eies
vpon the irefull direfull drāgons fumes.
wc h came as from a furnace, belching out
such cries and sounds as stroke him in a sound.
I meane the Red Rose knight whom each man thought
his latest blow hee had most dearley bought
for now the dragon held him in his phangs.
griping and gnawing, tossing him halfdead.
at last hee puls the hellmet frō his head
and saued his life, hauing receaued fresh aire
but what good could it [doe] prooue thoughe hee reuiued
his danger now was greater then before
his flesh most greeuously hee rent and tore
yet neuer dying memory releeued
this gallant knight who thus long had beene greeued
for thinking on his dagger out he pulles[,] it,
& fast (thats in his clawes) Renowned King
hee reeued it to the hilt ithe right side wing
wc h place of all the rest was farre most weake
the monster feeling all his strength abated
seekes thence to flye aloft, the Red Rose knight
perceauing his intent wth dauntles force
soe plies his strokes (that fel as thicke as hayle)
that hee the dragons fury soone doth quaile
and now life's vanisht when on bended knee
hee thanks the giuer of all victory.

p:
O neuer heard of combat this doth grace
his king and countrey, blessed bee the tyme
that did conduct him to this now blest clime
for hee hath made vs happie messenger
thy newes hath solac't our late mornefull heart
for wc h our bounty giues thee this reward
“good newes wt h kind acceptance still are heard
(begon when please thee.

Mess..
Heauens blesse the king
O may I euer such like tydings bring.

P:
wee wish thou mayst, lord how long they stay
meethinke it best to meete them on the way.

2 lo:
You need not mighty prince for here they come

A flourish enter the people wth palmes in their hands crying the Red Rose Knight; hee himselfe after him all bloudy: bearing in one hand his sword wth the Dragons head on the points, in the other the sprig of gold his 3 followers.
Red:
Health to thy maiestie I here present
my loue and seruice, first the dragons head
and in the same here stands the 3 fierce tongues
wc h oft did vomite vp sulph«u»reous flames
here is a sprigge wc h maugre all the force
the now tam'd monster had I lopped of
from that bright tree of gold the monster kept
and here as due I render to yor grace
the spoiles I won onely my loue embrace.

p:
Thankes worthy brittaine after tymes shal see
insculpt [thy] in brasse thy magnanimity./
thy self shall stand in marble pillar framed
and these thy acts in order shalbe named
A stranger knight vpon our shore dyd land
and slewe a three tongued dragon by his hand
heere is the head and heere the golden tree
this to succeeding tymes this knowen shall be

Red:
Cease mighty p: I: farre let there be
such thoughts remoued from yor maiesty

Enter Ang: runing wth her hayre about her eares

yo
u would needes let him goe like hard hearted men as you were, alas poore rose, doest weepe at theire vnkindnes, to thinke that they would send thee
(a stranger/ to be devoured of such a strang monster, thou mayest weepe well
enough, come dry thine eyes, dry thine eyes, I fayth thou art worth them
all, nay better then all of them: yet see the spite [of«*»it,] ont, hee's lost, hee's dead
not all the world Can recover him, nay where there thousand worlds they
were not of value to recall him, all to little, all to little, hee was more deare
to me then dearest life, o gods what had Ang. deserved that yo
u should proue to me soe yrefull, as hauing in the world one only I held most pretious
that to take from me, would it not moue to spleene patienc
e it self, you Cānot pitty: wherefore then doe I iust like to women«:» weepe, whyne, & cry
noe patienc
e I scorne thee, thou art fit for none but fooles, [s«a»ys] bearials such as women are, noe,

Ile drag. Tysyphone by her curled locks
And mount the Car of pale fac'd Hecate
pulling the fatall sisters from theyr wheele
ile wrest the neck of cruell Atropos
because shee broke the [fatall] vitall threed of's life
wch Clotho would traduce for many yeares

oh what a braue minded wench was the Carthaginian dydo, what a couragious
heart had shee, & is Æneas shipt & gone, come he«e»rt prepare thy self to
mone, (shee pulls forth her knife/ ile mone as shee did, grieue as shee did
lament as shee did: come pretty engine thou wilt soone transport me to fayre
Elizium, where my louer sits,

crowned wth roses, & wt h vernant bayes
dect wth all blisse, & wth eternall dayes.

dost Call me, lo: I come, but I pray thee entreate churlish Charon to giue me passage
freely soe, soe dost Call againe, I hast sweet Brittaine, I hast, good night to all
the world«,» (shee stabbs at her self but misseth by falling/

p:
Looke to my daughter there: o what disastre
hath caused this mischiefe: see shee hath slaine her self
heere lyes the knife that dyd it, o tis true

Red:
Not soe my lord the heavens are more mild
to faire Ang. yor princely Child
the knife hath mist her,

P:
O eternall thankes

Red:
And I the same retribute, (had shee dyed Aside
this life would soone haue followed: royall princes,
how ist, how fares yor grace

Ang:
O very well
now I ame hither come wth me to dwell/
shee recouers
how sweet this place is

Red:
O recall yor sences
see heeres yor father wth his Royal traine
whoe greatly feared that you had beene slaine./

Ang:
Nere tell me soe man, o wilt thou delude me
twas for thy sake alone[s] I slewe my self
to meet thee heere in louers happines
and wilt thou now forsake me, canst thou be
soe farre ingratefull vnto loving me
before thou wast mild affable and kind
beare, o beare not now soe hard a mind

Red:
Good madame thinke vpon yor pristine state
yor loue to me will Cause yor fathers hate—
the hell bred fury wth our stroakes is stownd
and weltring in his gore, dead one the grownd
recall yor self

—Shee recouers her [self] sencs.
Ang:
O praised be yor power

P:
for what deere daughter

Ang:
for recouery
of my lost sences father pardon me
my frenzy did offend yor maiesty

P
Pardon thee child for what, alas poore soule
I praise the sacred deity for this
in that I haue regaind my late lost blisse
goe Lord & tell the queene of this glad newes
meane while sweet princesse comfort to mine age
ioy to my heart and pleasure to my soule
I heare com̄itte vnto thy skilfull hand
this haughty knight who by his hardines
hath slaine Chymœra to our great content
proue Æsculapius [to a] and recure his wounds.
whose name the land of P: I: shall sound.

Ang:
Leaue it to mee my lord my skill shall shew
how soone Ile salue his sore, how ist braue knight
why is yor colour chang'd

Red«:»
Madam I bleed
And 'gin to faint through too much losse of blood
my wound is deepe and doth require yor arte
tis deepe indeed I feele it at my heart

asyde
Ang:
Dread lord wee must entreate yor maiesty
a litle to forbeare the knight's not well.

P«:»
Perhaps his hardy trauell had this day
by night doth thus perplexe him weele away

Ex: P I and all his lord«s», manet Red Rose and Ang.)
Ang:
How fare you sir Ile warrant you ne're feare

Red:
Lady my wound is dangerous I sweare.
my heart is pierc'd what hope can I expect
vnles yor grace alone doth mee protect

Ang:
Tis but yor mind my lord Ile pawne my word
my selfe will salue it,

Red:
you much ioy affoords

Ang:
Lets know the depth of it

Red:
Oh those starrelike eies
wc h once decaied all earthly beauty dies
those blazing comets they haue made the wounds
and you haue pawned yor word to make mee sound
I claime yor promise come youle keepe yor word,
salue what you soared and pleasaunt healthe afford

Ang:
[Ah] are you soe craftie 'faith Ile not recall
my vow once made take heart, take hand, take all.
All I com̄itte vnto thee I call mine

Red:
I all and more then all I thus resigne
(he kisseth her)
Sweete heauens rauish not my vitall spirits
wt h surfet on this earthly paradise
Anglitora when I proue false to thee
Ioue's tri-sulkt Thunder strike mee suddenly.

Ang:
When I a Cressida to Troylus proue
let gods, men, diuells hate my faythles loue,
I would all maydens here would learne of mee
not to delay their louers constancie
not to denie what honest loue doth craue
but if yor minds concurre loue let them haue
“True loue's impatient of delay that's true
bee kind to men if men proue kind to you
Do not disdaine wt h (I cannot loue)
the contrary you know and men oft proue
if men affect you and you them the like
if freinds do not consent the match vp strike
yet first entreate them to consent thereto
see if they will, if not wed, bed, and [doe] wooe
ought man to sell his child as beasts are sold
oh loue is neuer priz'd wt h coine or gold
by wealth or goods or substance oh not soe
their fault's the greater that soe vse to doe

Red
Inowgh sweet princesse come let's now approue
how to combine our firme-vnited loue.

Ang:
why, lets depart whilst thus nocturnall silence
hath husht vp all in secret cynthias light
may safe conduct vs to yor ships this night.

Red:
I see you loue mee deare Anglitora
to follow mee a stranger and forsake
yor parents friends and countrey for my sake
yet first Ile see perhaps the king will giue
yor selfe as wife to mee

Ang:
Not whilst wee liue.

Red:
Haue not I freed him and his land from thrall

Ang:
I know you haue and made him rich wt hall.

Red:
How [he] can hee then denie mee?

Ang:
Oh hee vow'd
first in the [y]earths vast busome to bee shrowd
before that hymen ever should conioyne
in nuptiall knot a strangers hand and mine
but one of my alliaunce must me wed
and first descend into my virgin bed
This is his will

Red:
But Ile thy bed ascend
thou louest & tenderst me thy dearest friend

Ang:
Witnes bright heavens [h«*»]

Red:
Ang: shall see,
how soone her wishes shall accomplisht be«:»
sr lanc: Trist: & sr Gallowine
Rowse from yor slumbers, c«o»me lets hoise vppe sayles
the wind blowes mee«rily» and nothing fayles
Arise I say

Om:
Enter his followers as from theyr bedds
wee come for to attend
yor will and pleasure

Red:
Hast I pray you hast
& let our ships be in a redines
weele strike into the deepe & launch from shore
neuer to see this famous Iland more
make speed & back returne Ang:
Exeūt follo:
prepare whats needefull, for our swift departure
Ile bring thee to a[«*»]nation shall adore
and serue thee fitting to thy great estate
hast & away the night growes very late

Ang:
I goe I, goe this is my comfort still
tis true loue forced me not my froward will

Exit
Enter Rusticano wth one hose of the other one, wthout any brichis
Rust:

Hoyda, what a coyle & sturre is heere, what a poxe ayle yo
u trowe, can not a man sleepe in quiet for yo
u. heere's«,» a rising & running, & rowling and Rumbeling, that a man can̄ot take the least nap in the world, for yo
r talking of ships and oares, and in a readines, and I Can̄ot tell what, I
thinke yor wits Run a wooll gathering. how now, what meanes this
one hose of, neuer a band, noe brichis, I would I might be flayed. if yo
r bawling did not almost affright me out of my fiue sences, yo
u may see how I started vppe, nay my very tayle roared for feare when I rose./
I thought verily some howse had bene one fire & now I see
they are one fire to be goinge: but I warrant yo
w the water will soone Coole theyre heat, well Ile goe in and make
my selfe ready preparde, but yt shalbe for an other
nap

Exit
Red:
Prowe gentle Trident Neptune, let thy Calme
be most auspicious to our happy voyage
o let thy billows smooth as Ise Conducte vs
let thy three forked mase steeere these our ships
wth safest waftage to our longe wisht haven
to Englande happy England wich I lefte
In hope to finde my father, but since fates
have thus ordainde yt I will bakce returne
to grace thy front wth all those victories
I have acheevd wth vallours hardines
all that I crave of the for all my service
is to congratulat my gentle spouse
& thou Alcestes sonne Hypodeles
kinge of the wynds pen Close thy rough facte storms
wthin theyr craygy Cavarnes, that our passage
may as our mynds are gently Calme remayne
till we arive one brittish shore againe

Enter Ang:
Ang
deare knight make hast the night wth sable winge
whirles forward & I feare me swifter day
will stop our iourney prthee hast away
are not yor s followers yet returnde

Red:
not yet
Oh I dare pawne my life Anglitora
the slougard Rusticanoes still asleep
Ile call him, Rusticano, ho Rusticano

he speaks wthin
Ru:

why doe ye call me at this time of night, what avengeans ayle
yo
v trowe«:» I know my vather will not goe to plow these two howrs yet, pray let me alone

Ang:

He thinks he is at home wth his father

Red:

I soe a does, peace alitle, rise sluggard, rise for
shame away to ship

Rus:

will yo
w nere ha done wth a murren to ye, I say yt is not tyme to goe to field with the sheep these iije howres
yet

Red:

What a grooms this sirrha rise wth speed, or weel
leave thee still in this lande

Ru:

yfayth if I were neare yo
v Ide throw a bedstafe at yo
r heade, talke not to me of lande: a man cannot see to fallow the lande at this time of night

Red:

This will not doe Ile trie an other means ho Ru:
the paps hot hears a great messe of milke stayes the eating«e»
if yo
u will not come quickly yor fellow will eat yt from yow

Ru:

O for gods sake looke toot a litle, Ile make me ready. as
soone as euer I can «*» I Come, I Come

Red:

I marry sir I thought this would get him vp, if any
thinge could, credit me Ang: hees as tall a trencher

man as any in all Europ, peace hear he Comes in hast
now Rusticano

Ru:

A poyson take yo
w mr are yow there, are these yor tricks yo
w have more then are good I see:

Red,
Come sirrha leave these triflings hence away
are all our Company at hande

Enter Company
Om:
we are

Red
Come sweet Ang: like fortunes share

Ang:
wth all my heart sweet rose, great land adewe
I feare me my departure thow wilt rue
parents forgiue me, parents fare ye well
love proves to some a heaven to some hell

(xeunt
Red
Come fayrest princesse

Enter Prester Iohn and his queene in theyre night habiliments
Q:
How fares my lord, what maks yow thus to rise
before the Chearfull larke, what are yow well
are yow in health my liege, I pray yov tell
I ran to follow yow, somethings amisse
hath ought disturbde yor rest, doth ought perplex ye

P
yt doth sweet ((Bellamy) introth yt doth
I dreamde the fearfullst & heart masinge dreme
as that the thought oft was so hidious
yt did awake my senses, since wich tnye
by noe means Could I entertayne this slumber
such terrour did yt strike vnto my sowle
the very thought oft doth still amaze me
me thought I stood vpon a Craggy rocke
invironde wth the oceans raginge waves
from whence I did behold a g«o»odly ship
gallauntly rigd & mande, & as I gazde
vpon that obiecte, who there should I see
vpon the hatches but Anglittora
in folded in the armes of Arthures knight
when callinge to her straight me thoughts she smylde
& bid me neuer more expect my Chylde
addinge more ouer that the Redrose knight
& she, were copte in Hymeneall league
wich when I sawe, (o lord) such pangs such griefe, [to]
together mixt wth rage did wound my soule
as that (stroak dead wth anguish) thence I fell
into the sea rough boreas maks to swell
and strouglinge there some litle space at laste
death wonne the victory, lifes strength was past

Q:
heavens protecte yor sacred mats
from such blacke fatall Infortunity

P
did yov not heare me sheuer nor start, nor shrinke

Q
most fearfully my lord, o'

P:
Oh Bellamy
the gods defend vs from such mysery
weele looke more Carefull to or daughters steps
“yovths soone will tread awry vnless there stande
“discretions proppe to guide it by the hand
but yet my soule can neuer entertaine
an Ethiops scandall or base thought of him
that tare the dragon peecemeale limme from limme

Enter a lo:
Lo:
My liedge

P:
Speake why dost weepe why doth thine eies
pruent thy tongue, what infelicities
haue now betide vs?

Lo:
Oh my lord yor daughter

P:
why what of her speake briefely

Lo:
Oh shees gone
gone wt h the Red Rose Knight some 3 houres since
shipt hence away and now th'aue cut the seas
past past'recalling

prest:
Oh ingratefull Child
Runne, fly pursue and follow them returne not
till they returne raise all the coast and countrey
seeke euery monarches court to find them out
o thankles child, o ingratefull brittaine
did I for this bestow such fauors on thee
did I for this giue thee such entertaine
did I for this honor the britaines soe
to robbe, depriue mee of my life, my ioy
degenerate brittaines brutish now indeed
wherein had I deserued this at yor hands
or how had p: I: proued soe ingrate
that you should plague him thus o gentle girle
I trust thou tenderst more thy parents age
I know thou hast more pittie in thy brest
then to foresake vs craz'd and worne wt h [age] yeares
sweete wench retourne see how thy mother mournes
at thy disloyall flight, let teares constraine
thine adamantine heart to some remorse
if not our time-spent yeares o thinke what pangs
and carefull throwes thy mother bare for thee
then leaue her not in such vile miserie

Q:
Mild Neptune force her hither backe againe
Th«ou» so«nn»e of Cælum wafte her backe againe
Trump-sounding Triton bring her backe againe
yee Dryades conduct her backe[«*»] againe
Sterne Æolus o whirle her backe againe
Earth, water, ayre, fire, all yee all
bring, send, wafte and compell her to returne
for whom in passion thus wee sighe and mourne

Enter Lo:
Lo:
wee cannot heare of them the siluer streames
runne smooth and glasse-like and the dolphins play
on the seas billowes:

p:
Oh blacke dismall day
And can Anglitora proue so vngrate
vnto her carefull parents loue farewell
hate thee Ile entertaine yee gods geeue eare
Deformed mishapen vgly sterne abortiue
let their ingratefull issue dastard, brat
if euer they haue any proue most hideous
affright the mother at his luckeles birth
and let him liue to proue vnto her soule
as kind as euer shee hath beene to mee
nay let him liue to bee her vtter ruine
heauen I pray you heare a little more
let that disloyall knight yt rap't her hence
dye by the hands of his now loued trull
then shall our torments bee reuenged at full

2 Lo:
Oh cease thes direfull execrac̄ons lord
yor spirits swaied by rage mad phrenzyes child

p:
No, could I but inuent more horrid curses
could I but belch out direr imprecacōns
Ide vp wt h all.

1 Lo:
my liedge twere very well
to rid your stomacke of them they resemble
“and likest are vnto an orbicke ball
“wc h first [thr]strikes him that [that] threw it against the wall.

p:
No more I chardge you come (sweet Bellamy)
accurse thy daughters blacke impiety/

Q:

looke ye doe ye see this one my princes word it is as good to bring vppe a calfe
as a daughter, that will neuer for sake the dame, this doth a daughter, why all
y
e world can witnes how dearelie I tender'd her, how care full I was of her I would no
t soe much as suff«er» the wind to blowe on her, yet doth shee most vnnaturally, leaue her ever care full mother, what an vnkind woman am I
to accuse my pretty girle thus, noe twas that purblind boy that [top o]hop
on my thumbe, Cupid I meane, twas he that stole away my Childs heart
& when that was onc
e gone shee must needs followe, ho la, looke, heers Hecate heeres proserpine, ye false hearte«*» trull, could yo
u bee soe obdurate, soe unpassionate, to bereaue me of my gentle daughter, it ioyes me it
that I haue met wth yo
u, Ile tugge, Ile dragge, Ile grapple wth yo
u for all yor magicke spells and blacke incantations, wast you mr s Cinthia, wch made my daughter run [o]away wth a base Brittaine
fugitiue, noe forged excuse shall saue yo
u from my fury: thus thus Ile auenge my self.

shee drawes one of the ladyes by the haire of the head along the stage/
p:
Sweet Q: why are thy thoughts distemperd thus
that pleasing voice was wont to yeeld more comfort

Q:

A cole blacke crowe this morne peep'd in my face. & an hideous
runey crosst the way before me, the derne skritchowll beate
at my casem
t windowe, wth such horrid amazemt, & amazing terror, as all the world may knowe they bore me some ominous
will, & see like to so«m»e skilfull prognosticatrs they foretold these
maleuolent aspects. & ill pertending prodigyes, they haue more
wit then all yo
u haue, [here] haue, after you most leardied astrologers haue after yo
u.

Exit./
P:
Be gracious to her ye celestiall spirits
Robbe her not of her intellectuall powers
o charme my sencs in a lasting sleepe
let m«y» mortality be made im̄ortall
by bearing more then ever mortall did
ding downe my soule lower then hells abysse
Rather then i«n»e feele those miseryes
I ame decrepit & old crazed & stiff
why put you then the hugest massy lode
vpon the most vnable to sustaine it
old age is weakest, if plagues needes must fall
my youth Could best haue borne & suffred all
oh lay a Chaos of confusion on me
ells shall I deeme yor iudgemts most iniust
let dust returne from whence [t] it Came to dust—Entr Lo:


Lo:
My liege I bring you sole sad newes the queene
distract & senceles ran orethwart the meades
decking her head wth cockle, fearne-locke tares
that growe dispersed one the Campion plaine
mixt teares wth smiles shee ecchoes furth this note
as burthen to her swanlike mourne full song
my daughter sweet Ang: is gone
and to a swift-hed torrent comes at last
wherein shee casts her self. oh not her self
her garments bare her one the siluer streame
meane while shee senceles of her misery
sate warbling furth the pleasantst notes shee could
ere helpe could succur her shee layed her head
vpon the riuers bosome sanke & dyed

P
O let the bases & foundation sinke
of this terrestriall tripartited globe
that everlastinge silence may orewhelme
my wofull self in deepest barathrum
why are soe incensd ye sacred powers
to heape yor ponderous iudgemt s on my head
a[h] poore old man ye see vnapt to beare
o strike me wth yor thunder, let not yre
be two secure thus f«or»cing me to feele
and see such fatall vile disastrous acts
will yee not pitty see ile d«o»e it my self
Behold ye frowning heauens I disdaine
to breath one minute longer in [di]such payne,—
he stabbs himself then staggers & speaks
Mount, mount, my soule, & meet thy glorious consort
hovering in the ayre, & [«b»]looke the eternall essence
spreads it self to imbrace thee, looke it stayes
fly, fly my spiritt see, see, heere I haue giuen thee
free passage from thy fleshes loathsome [dange«r»] dungeon
why stayest thou, sword thy manumission's bought
thy freedomes purchast wth my dearest blood
close eyes, stoppe eares, tongue cleaue vnto thy Roofe
cease, cease, you weake supporters: proppe me not
let all the powers of decoying nature
be frozen senceles, stupid stiffe, benumbd
Strong heart resist not powerfull facultyes
giue way to meagre, [grim] leane & grim«*»-fac'd death
let it of sence, of mocōn cleane bereaue me
frailty adue, adue, thus, thus I leaue thee.—Moritur./


1 Lo:
Great Ioue protect our king o see my lords
his soule hath closed her opticke windowes vppe
and left the bodyes mansion

2 Lo:
o ye gods
how are ye angry wth vs, in his fall
this kingdome state is ruind & vs all

1 Lo.
Come, come in mournefull sort lets beare him hence
for neuer region lost a better prince

2 Lo:
Lets goe, lets goe, accursed be the hower
we entertaind the Brittaines fatall power

A dead march: they beare the king over the stage mourning, Enter 2 ladyes of fayeria wth Cælia's child in their armes.
1 lady:
I much admire how we can misse her grace
Shee ever makes abode about this place

2 lady
Pray heavens that noe harme attend her highnes
or that [OMITTED] doe not in some franticke minde./
Caste her selfe headlonge downe this stony rocke
where shee hath sate for lorne at least i2 moones

j La:
shee hath indeed, Oh how are wee accurst
that Can not dare [bu]to come, but once each day
vnto her prsens, oh twould grieve mans sowle
to see a princesse that tofore was wise
soe farre mistake her selfe, her Court to fly
leavinge vs wretched in her misery
Enter Cælia pale & wan
And s[h]ee shee Comes, good morrow to yor grace

2
Health to yor excellens

i La:
ioy vnto yor heart

Cæ:
Wee thanke yow lovinge subiects, what our Childe
God blesse my boye Come I must kisse thy lips
Ladies I see yor Care, the Childe fares well
Looks iolly prty knave thy sweet ffac'te sight
brings to my mynde thy dad, (the Redrose knight)
but Ladies nowe Ile tell yow what I sawe
this night that paste, I gazde vpon this rocke
& spide his shippe wavinge his Anchoradge
Top and Top Gallaunt hetherward amayne
the Crosse was fixte vpon the stately banner
wch made mee knowe yt was the redrose knight
the Crosse he bears yow knowe, but see Crosse fortune
she steers his Course wth greatest violence
from hence amayne, then did I shout, & Cry
flamde all the beacons, filde each place wth fire
exclaimde, & prayde, & wisht, & roarde, yet all
Could not, o Could not hither them recall
wich when I sawe lord how I wept & cride
and mournde, & sorrowed to be thus denide
but hence & featch some meat, for nowe I sweare
neuer, or euer more will I stay heare

both La:
Oh ioy intollerable

1 La:
In troth tis time
to see yor pallace for yow looke like slime
the basest of all earth, yor cheekes waxe pale
yor face most leane.

Cæ:
then am I bad for sale

i La:
yor grace is merry

Cæ:
yea and iocund too
Ioyfull, and iouiall, lightsome, void of woe.
hence fetch cates, meane while my boy and I
will sit and laugh vpon the grasse here by

Om:
weele goe with ioyfull hearts the gods bee praised
that's sorrowes siedge at length by ioy is raised

Ex: La:
Cæ:
what are they gone? alas they litle knew
how my lords absence still this heart doth rue
and euer shall, since that hee came soe neare
and would not [loue] see his Cælia loues him deare
full deare indeed, and that the end shall proue
how deare I was endear'd vnto his loue
here see here, this lr̄e haue I writte
vnto my lord; my self will carry it
shee pulles a lr̄e out of her bosome
for clos'd wt hin a seare cloth: and kept sure
from tincture of the water: 'bout this necke
fast will I tye it, this done will I throw
my self into the Ocean: twas my vowe
& Ile obserue it, softe Ile read it o're
(least I should out) this one tyme more
she reads the [lre]letter
“vnto the mirrour of all courtesy
“the Red Rose knight bright starre of chivalry
“poore Cælia wishes all the loue shee can
“vnto thee constant, faithfull, loyall man.
“since yor departure hence: I looked still
“yor [m](once made promise) when you would fulfill
“for as you know once did you promise mee
“backe to returne in hast right speedily
“these limbes ne're touch't bed since hence you went
“but day and night yea all in greefe I spent
“in cold, in heate, vpon a Rocke I sate:
“expecting thee: that dost poore Cælia hate
“from yesterday, thy happie ship past by.
“wch I then ey'd then did I showte, call, crie,
“implore and threaten, yea great fires light
“could not invite thee hither (noble knight)
“wc h seeing, then thy wretched Cælia knew
“thou wast (I dare not say false or vntrue)
“yet most ingratefull: and this caused mee write
“this instant to thee who wa'st my delight
“I am the bearer o let Neptune guide
“this mournefull body to thy princely side
“dead or aliue I pray, o mayst thou bee
“as blest as I am full of misery
“if either yet infortunate thine owne
“poore Cælia fayrie Queene and thine alone
“Soe tis as I would haue it, hearke yee gods
since tis yor will thus to afflict a Queene
that might haue beene more happie had you pleas'd
o heare my latest praier protect my lord
from all ensuing perills, let his dayes
be lengthned to his comfort, and yor praise
And let this wretched trunke (o all I craue)
rest in his bosome ere it lies in graue.
if hee but shed a teare or two or'e mee
thats all I beg for all my misery
and let his offspring here whome I com̄end
into yor hands (poore orphants onely freind/
let him I say as magnanimious proue
as euer was his father whome I loue
Adieu sweete boy this is the latest kisse
thy mother e're shall giue thee, troth hee weepes
Alas (poore soule) I will not leaue thee soe
hard hearted Cælia o recall thy vow
see how thy babe intreats thee wt h his teares
(tis all the language that an [h] infant hath
whereby hee tells his mother of his wrongs)
o weepe not soe sweete babe mine armes shall lull
thy tender body till thou art asleepe
let me go looke thy dad, hee weepeth still
“in slaying of my selfe my babe I kill
but see I trifle, come one kisse and parte
alas his teares doe strike me to the heart
but I must hast, lye there my pretty boy
my ladies as I trust will nurse my ioy.
Adieu vaine worldly pompe ladies farewell
Adieu bright-shining towres the worldlings ioy
Adieu yee goodly pallaces my boy
thy mother takes her last adieu of thee
o may'st thou proue more happy farre then mee
And last to thee great Brittaines greatest praise
thy freind doth wish eternity of dayes
Life I despise thee welcome long-wisht death
thou art my comfort, farewell soone-lost breath
gods take my spirit Neptune on thy brest
safely conduct mee to him I loue best.

shee casts her selfe from the rocke.
Enter 2 ladies wt h vittailes running.
1 La:
O s[h]ee shee threw her self hence from the rocke
into the bosome of oceanus: [acc«ur»sed]
Accursed as wee are wee all must hence
giuing her scope vnto this blacke offence

2 La:
had wee obserued her words wee might foresee
this fatall acte, and wofull misery.
shee did not say to court shee would returne
but that shee would not any longer mourne

i La:
Heauens receaue her teares cannot recall her
wherefore let's cease to weepe, the child Ile take
and in great care instruct it for her sake

2 La:
The grauest matrons shall lament her fall
in sable weedes at her blacke funerall
wch weele now solemnise, I lets goe
Eternall woe to them that caused this woe.

Ex: Ladies.
Enter tyme
Time heere might end a truelie tragigke play
but that the RedRose knight calls tyme away
sowre mixt wth sweet is good. but onlie sweet
will sooner cly then when they both doe meet
heere for to leaue you were to dip our pen
more deepe in wormewood then in mel, & then
tyme might displease, wch rather then heele doe
our subiect now shall runne noe more of woe
onlie Ile shewe you how faire Cælia came
vnto our English champion valours fame
yor thoughts must once more helpe vs thinke you see
the Redrose knight wthin his ship at sea
where one the lofty hatches he espyes
faire Cælia, see't presented to yor eyes

Enter the Red Rose knight & his followers: Ang: to them a mariner bearing in a dead body: the Red Rose knight vieweth her seriously: knowes her for Cæ: he makes great tokens of sorrowe, & all weepe, sr Gallowyne espyes a string about her necke, when pulling it out, the Red: reedes it & maks great lamentation: they beare out the body & Exeunt./

Thus sayling one the sea the Red Rose knight
sees a dead [knight] truncke, tosst by the ocean waues
Richly attyred and the mr calls
to hale it vppe wch as soone effected
as [s]hee requir'd it when wth serious eye
he quickly calls to mind faire Cælia
& knew her liuelie phisiognomy
her comely lineament s & then his heart
proued him as guilty of her present death
thus grieuing good sr Gallowyne espyes
the string to wch the lr̄e fast was tyed
pulling it furth the Red Rose knight doeth see
contained therein her loyall constancy
wch greatly did assault he manlike breast
& made it stoope to passion voyed of Rest
Time now must turne his scene to [Englands] Brittaines bownds
whether full shortlie shall our knights arriue
now passeth he the Cost of much fame'd france
but leauing him; to Arthur weele returne
whoe in his absence many famous acts
& dreadfull warrs against the Saxons waged
& hee theire ragefull fury much asswaged
yet never, quite extinguishd what befell
by yor attentiue silence he shall tell

Ex:—
Sownd: Enter k: Arthur, Q: Gwiniver, Androgeo: sr lamorake, sr palamed«e» &c«*»
k: Arth:
welcome braue knights at yor appointed time
to repossesse yor seats of Pentecost
wch is the tyme all knights that doe belong «:»
vnto our table[«s»] ought to hast wth speed
weele feast, most Royally for this we knowe
The world shall never such a table showe

Q:
my L: yor maiesty are[«*»] welcome home
vnto yor loving Gwiniver, yor warres
& well fought battailes, wch yor grace hath wag'd
not only gainst the Saxons & the french
but wth the lofty Romanes whoe excell
in feats of armes as historyes can tell
yor victoryes I say against them all
hath beene the cause we never could enioye
twin'd in those ar«m»es nor for a twelue moneth space
in modest sort each other loues embrace.

K: Ar:
The end shall pay for all (sweete Gwiniuer)
yet trust mee lords, it glads yor soueraignes soule
to thinke wt h what vnequall hardiment
wee put to flight the Romane generall
thou Lamoracke didst coope the Romane leader
three times together: nor could hee wt hstand
the euerponderous blowes of that high-hand
his nephew pallomede thrice ouerthrew
all fought right gallant weele giue each his due.

Lam:
yor highnes pleaseth for to speake our praise
yet are wee most vnworthy of such fame. It is yor honor merits valours name

k:
noe more of that. Androgeo honour'd earle
how welcome art thou to thy soueraign's cort
to Camelot thrice welcome hast thou viewed
as tis thine vse the seats of all our knights

And:
I haue ant please yor highnes excellence

k:
how many seats of fifty are there voyed

And:
But foure of them renowned liege

k:
wch are they

And:
sr Trist: Lance. & sr Gall:
and he thats farre degreed aboue them all
the Red Rose knight o should he chaunce to fall
by some malevolent planet in his trauell
the forme would totter wch is now infract
the french rebell by other nations back'd

k:
O now thou rubst a long since grieuous skarre
and being chaf't you make it vexe the more
the Redrose knight? forgieve me memory
hence dull oblivion of his Chivalry
didst neuer heare or any of yow all
what Countreys he hath Coasted

Pall:
yes great lord
Pallomides hath heard in fraunce & Spayne
how he yor spotles honour did mayntaine
nay in yor name vnhoarst all durst wthstand
yor name or fame wthin the Sophies land
of Royall Persia

K Ar:
O lords twas a knight
blest in successe, succesfull, in attempts
attemptinge nothinge but he did acheeve
atchievinge nothinge but wth blazde renowne
renowninge honour, honouringe his name
nam'd neuer but with prayes & endless fame
his acts are such a Chaos that I wante
Some smoothd tonge Cicero wch might Compose
& frame them wth some methodizinge stile
for loe I ende begininge all this while

Enter Poast
Po:
my liege

K
Some news of him most gratious heavens

Po:
The redrose knight with gallant pomps at hande
wth all his troupe returnde, not one man lost
though often as I know he hath bene Crost
He came disguised wth his Company
Cause non showld certify yor maiesty
onely remaynes in Cort me sends before
to see yf yowle admitte them

K
Oh ye gods are yow soe happyly propitious
to least deservinge Arthure: welcome him?
yes if our Court kept here at winchester
Can gieve them entertayne: admitte them lords,

Enter Rus: disguised like the Red: Ang: Gall, L: Tr: following him the kinge runs & embraceth him
K
O blessed hower, O thrise happy time
Brave Tom A Lincolne, welcome to our Clime

Rus:
I am as glad to see yor worships grace
as for to see a Cup of ale before my face

Q:
thus doth the queene: although my lords in viwe
not hand but mouth affoord

Rus:
Ile take yt of yow
& for the same, I tell yow queene againe
I kist yow once before this nowe maks twayne

Good lord doe not yo
w knowe me: why twas I gave yow the smacke ore the lips a great while agoe, lord how forgetfull yo
w are? my names

Rus: the travelour: & how doe yo
w mr kinge karter, & mr s queene Miniver

K

how darst delude vs thus: whers thy m
r speake

Ru:

O lord sir: straunge fortune hath befalne him in his adventurs: he is
metamorphosed into a poast: & yet Ile tell yo
w stranger newes then y«t» this poast quatenus poast, did yo
w heare speake fore any of vs knigh«t.» of the rownd table, that yo
w are newly returned into England,

Nay? wich is a marvayle of all Mervayles: this poast hath maried
one of the p
rtiest lasses in the world: & yow know tis a simple wench will lie wth a poast

Kinge:

Either thow speakst Ænigmaes or delirem
t s, Come prthee resolve vs be our Œdipus

Ru:

I know not what yo
r Edibus is, but whereas I sayde or mr was turned into a poast, tis trewe & this poaste y
t brought yow news of o
r returne is he: I pray yow did not he speake to yow, before we sawe yo
w: I sayde moreouer that this poast had maried one of the p
rtiest lasses in the versall worlde: how say yow by this lady is it not a p
rtty peece of flesh? have I satisfied yow now trowe?

K.
Is this our royall knight?

He descouers him selfe
Red
Great lord I am,
And cravinge pardone of yor maiesty, (they kneele)

for this our Com̄ick iest: on bended knee
wee humble thus our selves: in all or. search
I Could not fynde a father, onely see
my seconde selfe, Ioynde nearest vnto mee
if all my weake deserts, doe merit grace
graunte me one small request

K:
yes werte to place
in state, & rayse thee to our regall [s«ta»] throne
what ere thow dost demaunde yt is thine owne

Red
the like I beg of yow great soueraignesse

Q
Our ears are open to what ere yt be
& will accept yt

Red:
O felicity
how highly hast thow raysde me? first I Crave
I this great princesse to my wiefe may have
next that yor highnes wth yor noble queene
will entertayne her as yt best[st] beseeme
the sole inheretrix of that great lande
wich Prester Iohn now rules & that yor hand
will royally Combine our soles in one
makinge of two a perfect vnion

K Q
what are yow pleasde [high] great Princesse

Ang:
were I not
yow neuer showld have tyde this Gordian knott

K:
knights yow are welcome all, our Court shall shew
Kinge Arthures bownty neuer flowde till nowe
wele first prpare for Nuptialls then for sports
next shall yow tell what hapte yow in kings Courts

Red
Nowe let vs see how yow kinde Countreymen
Congratulate our salph returne againe
if yow speake welcome, seal yt wth the cryes
if yor aplauses & shrill plaudities

[Exeunt om:
Enter Kinge and Andr: leadinge Ang: then enter queen and a lady ledinge Red: knights of the rownde table and other followinge

A songe: