University of Virginia Library

Act. V.

Scœn. I.

Enter Lodovico, Eulalia.
Lod.
Fear not good Madam, trust my care and Reason.

Eul.
Good Lodovico, though I thank your care
And love to me, yet give me leave to doubt,
That as that cruel and Ambitious woman
Hath oversway'd the Judgement of the King,
She may pervert his Royal purposes
Of Peace and love, to your and my destruction.
Before you sent, would you had tane my Counsel.

Enter Pedro with Gonzago, and Letters.
Lod.
To end all doubts, see Pedro is return'd.

Pedr.
And happily: see Madam.

[Presents Gonzago to her.]
Eul.
My Gonzago;
My Prince, I should have said.

Gonz.
Thrice-gracious Mother,
I thank Petruccio, who preserv'd my life,
For nothing more, then this one minutes Bliss,
In which I find your Blessing in a kiss.

Eul.
Weep not, fair Sir.

Pedr.
The Lord Petruccio Madam
Presents you these.

[Letters. She Reads.]
Lod.
Welcome my sweet young Prince.

Gonz.
I thank you Lodovico.

Lod.
Now I see methinks a Court again.


108

Pedr.
We shall do shortly; for the King is coming,
And not in terror, but with Grace and Favour.

Lod.
'Tis happy Heavenly news.

Eul.
See here's an Inundation
Of Joys that do like waves orecome each other.
Brave, wise, and valiant Petruccio!
That couldst so happily deceive the King
By a supposed death, to save the Life
Of my sweet Boy: all that I can be sorry for,
Is this: Alinda is Frantick.

[Lod. reads]
Pedr.
Can that grieve you?

Eul.
He brings her with him: and I hope the change
Of Air, with wholsome Prayers and Physicks Art,
In which I am not ignorant, may restore her.

Lod.
Madam, the Sun shines fairly.

Scœn. II.

Enter Lollio and Poggio.
Lol.

News, news upon news!


Eul.

The Queen is
kill'd: is not that it?


Lol.

No nor the King neither, God bless him: they
are both alive, with all their Pomp and Train coming
to see our School-Mistress.


Eul.

Auspicious Providence!


Lol.

They take us in their way, for they are passing
to Nicosia, where the King means to keep his
word with the Queen, in giving her three what d'ye
calls?


Lod.

Three Boons, as the custom is.


Lol.

Boons? I Boons: I warrant she'l ask no Baubles.



109

Pog.

O Mistress, you were careful for her, that comes
I warrant but to jeere you.


Eul.
Patience would die, if 'twere not exercis'd.
But now it rests, that we prepare to entertain our Guests.
We must to welcome them make Holy day,
And give our Scholars leave to Feast and Play.
The Swaines you say are perfect in the Dance;
So are my Maids: wee'l leave it for the King.

Exeunt.

Scœn. III.

Enter King, Alinda, Horatio, Lodovico, Attendants.
King.
I cannot but applaud your mind, Alinda,
But am not much affected with the Subject
On which you purpose now to cast your Favour.

Lod.
More scorn upon my life, and rude vexation.

[aside]
Alin.
If my fair meaning Sir shall prove mistaken,
'Tis but a loving purpose lost.
(O that wretch Flavello!)

[aside]
Lod.
If she have further purpose then to raise
More sorrow by the Kings displeasure to her.

[aside]
Hor.
Let her alone, her Raign's but short we know.

[aside]
Soft Musick.
Hor.
Is this the sound of want and misery?

Alin.
Of wantonness I fear, and Luxurie.
(The villain had no purpose but to flatter.)
[aside]
O Sir, why came we hither?

Lod.
Mark the Camelion.

[aside]
King.
'Tis most sweet Musick.


110

Scœn. IV.

Enter Eulalia with three or four Girls, and work in their hands.
Eul.
Such as the rudeness of the Countrey yields Sir,
Hayl to the King and Queen, and may the thanks
Which on my knees I offer at those Feet
That beautifie and bless this humble Earth
Add many years unto your happy lives.

Alin.
We have e'en seen enough: 'twas all I fear'd,
To find her knee-deep in Hypocrisie.

Eul.
Seem not to turn away, most gracious Madam,
Before I shew for which I hop'd you came,
The manner how I get a competence to live.

[Shews her works, and makes a brave description of Pieces: As Sale-work, Day-work, Night-work, wrought Night-caps, Coyfs, Stomachers.]
Alin.
Your work you say, though't be o'th' newest Frame,
I fear your Play is still at the old Game.
Both wayes bring money: is't not so forsooth?

King.
Enough, Alinda.

Lod.
Too much, to tread upon Affliction.

[aside]
King,
What say you Lodovico?

Lod.
I say Sir, the distresses of that Lady merit a
Kings Pity, and not such scorn
As I see cast upon her: but the best are women.

King.
No more.

Eul.
May it please your Highness sit, and note the Play
By which we gain when we lay work away.

111

The Song I taught you last.

Song.
Alin.
These wenches will be a good help to you at wassel-tide.

Eul.
We have varietie for all the Seasons,
Of such poor entertainments, mighty Queen,
To shew our much contentment in their welcome.

Lod.
Goodness speaks in her.

Alin.
There's for your Song () No, stay, I may transgress
The Law.

(Lod.
O Devil!

Hor.
Let her jeer on.)

[aside]
King.
Not if you give it for her pains, Alinda.

Alin.
Nay since you warrant it, let's pay and go.
Though I have heard such pains disputed Begging.

Lod.
As all Arts are, by the Rewards they find.

Eul.
Nay I beseech your Majesties.

Alin.
What's the Feat now?

[Musick, Dance.]
Alin.
Sir, are you pleas'd to prosecute your journey?
Or do these Beauties and delights enchant you?

King.
Ha? no, come, let's away.

Eul.
Oh let me yet entreat your Highness stay.

Alin.
Not a stroke more I thank you: we have heard
And seen enough: so much, as I must tell you
I cannot but commend your Parents Wisdom,
Who having Calculated your Nativitie,
By which they had the foresight of your fall,
Prevented thus the Planets by their care,
By teaching you to live by Hand and Foot.

Lod.
Did ever Daughter of a King thus suffer?
Or has she Pride to smile on Injuries?

Alind.
Sir, you forget Nicosia.

[Eulalia whispers her.]
Alin.
Plots against me?

King.
How's that?

Alin.
She dreams of Treason intended against me.


112

Hor.
No Divination against her own good, I hope.

[aside]
Eul.
Mighty Sir, hear me: not to implore your Bountie;
No not your thanks, nor Popular Applause;
But for I am your Subject and your servant,
Bound by your Allegiance as well to prevent
All Ills might pass against you, as to do none.
I could not think it but strict dutie in me
To hasten this discoverie.

Lod.
Treason, and a Letter?
We have never a false Brother amongst us, have we?

Hor.
If ever you held your peace, peace now.

King.
It bears a face of Horror.

Alin.
Cunning and Gipsie Tricks: will you to Nicosia?

Kin.
What we meant there, we may do here as well.
The Treason's there intended: look ye my Lords!
How careless is this woman of her safetie.

Alin.
You Sir are careless: for if there be danger,
VVhere can I fear it but in this place onely?
The world holds not an Enemy of mine,
But this enchantress you maintain against me.

King.
Your motion and your own love drew us hither.

Alin.
I would fain love her, and certainly I should,
But that she still begets fresh cause of Hatred.
She has some Devillish Plot in hand this Instant:
This shew is but the straw that hides the Pit.

Lod.
No enemy but she? to let her know she lies,
Even unto Prophanation against that Lady,
Ile speak.

Hor.
I hope you will not.

Lod.
The King shall see his error.

Hor.
Will you?

Lod.
She her crueltie.

Hor.
Will you, will you?

Lod.
The world Eulalia's Pietie.

Hor.
Will you? will you?

King.
What says Lodovico?


113

Lod.
Most mighty Sir, we here confess and say.

Hor.
We? you hear not me say any thing; do you?

King.
What will you say?

Lod.
That Letter was not ours.

Hor.
That's well.

King.
We easily believe it.

Lod.
Nor any day or place as yet set down
Among our selves, for fact against the Queen.
I mean Alinda.

Hor.
Nor fact intended was there, of death or danger?

Lod.
'Twas wish'd at least by us.

Hor.
Lord, Lord,
Lord mumb.

King.
Our Guard.

[Enter Guard]
Lod.
King she's the General grudge of all thy Kingdom.

Hor.
You do not hear me say so.

King.
Their grudge incites my love: take e'm away.
Come my wrong'd Alinda: This place shall serve,
And this Assembly, to make a Kings word good.
Make your Demands: three things I promise you.
Ask what you will, even to my dearest blood.

Alin.
Your Highness will excuse me, if I urge you
To bind it with an Oath?

King.
Give me a Book.
VVhat I have promis'd to my lawful Queen,
I will perform; ask freely.

Eul.
Great Queen, vouchsafe to take an Admonition,
My last and truest Testimonie of Love.
The rest were shadows to it.

Alin.
Well, pray let's hear it.

Eul.
Let your Demands be for the common good.
Not for your own respects: selflove may hurt you:
Beware Ambition, Envie, and Revenge.

King.
The Oracle could not pronounce more wisely.


114

Alin.
Is this your love? 'tis fear of my just Vengeance.
Therefore hear my demands, my King and Husband.
First I demand the lives of these conspirators
Lodovico and Horatio.

Omn.
Bloody.

Alin.
Next that your Son, much of the Mothers Nature,
By Act of Parliament be disinherited.

Omn.
O fearful.

Alin.
Last, that this woman have her eyes put out,
And be for ever banish'd your Dominions.

Omn.
Crueltie and Ingratitude past all Example

King.
Was this your Charitie? you have now declar'd it fully:
And I of both have made sufficient Tryal.
Come here Eulalia, take now thy wonted Seat and keep it ever.
Thy povertie and patience have restor'd thee
By the just Providentce: while her Excesse and Pride
Casts her before thee, to receive that Doom
She had devis'd 'gainst thy immortal Goodness.
Into perpetual Exile; hence, away with her.

Alind.
Remember your Oath, my Lord.

King.

My Oath was to perform what I had promis'd
unto my lawful Queen: that's my Eulalia.
And let good Lodowick and Horatio be restor'd.


Exeunt King and Attendants Alinda entransed carried out.

Scœn. V.

Enter Curate.
Cur.
Oh! proh! proh Nef as! O
Ile have no hand in blood of any man.


115

Eul.
More exclaimations? what distracts you now?

Cur.
Coram Senatu res acta est: sub Judice lis est.
Ocurvæ in Terris animæ: the Rusticks
Have tane again the Law into their hands.
And will you tender clemencie non justante
A Courtiet hang, his sweet Face nec invante.

Eul.
VVhat is his Name?

Cur.
His Name is hight Alphonso
That Treason brought in Pectore & Skonso

Eul.
VVho are the heads of the Judicious Faction?

Cur.
Andrea, Lollio, Poggio, the Drudges
Have got the Peoples voice to be their Judges.

Lod.
Dare they do this?

Cur.
Yes Judges they will be,
And kill, they say, the Snake of Treachery.

Eul.
I hope we may come yet to stay their Sentence.
Pray bring us to the place: where if we can,
Let us avert their Judgement from this man.

Exeunt.

Scœn. VI.

Enter Andrea, Poggio, Lollio, a Typst aff before them.
Andr.
And can these turmoiles never have an end?
Unless we load our heads and shoulders thus
Our bodies eke with Justice Capa Pe.
And Pepper all our brains with Policie.

Pog.
'Twas time to have a care: I, and a piteous care.

Lol.
A pious care you mean.

Pog.
Well pious then:
You'l shew your own wit, whose clothes soever you wear
(So do the wits of the time) but as I said,

116

'Tis time we have a care, for though our Queen,
Our School Mistress I would say, be mercifully, idleful
It is fit that we be prejudicious in the State.

Lol.
Ju-dicious Brother.

Pog.
Jew in your face.
Trip me again?

Andr.
Agree upon't, Brother Sages of the Bench.
My Brother Poggio here said very well
And learnedly and as I would have said my self?
(If you will take his meaning) to wit that as
Our Shool Mistris doats upon
Clemencie, it is fit that we run mad upon crueltie
So meeting her in the midst, we shall jump into the Sadle of Justice.

Pog.
I do say so, without all peradventure
For if the Candle of her mercy be not put out,
VVe shall shortly, see more honest men then Knaves among us.

Lol.
More Knaves you mean Brother.

Pog.
I mean no more Knaves then your self, Brother.

Andr.
Agree again, Sage brothers of the Bench: and let no private
Itch grow to a publike Scab.

Lol.
Then the point:
Do not I understand the purpose of our meeting
Here in our pettie Parliament, if I may so call it?
Is it not for a Reformation, to pull down
The Queens mercy, and set up our Justice?
For the prevention of a superabundance of Treason
Dayly practiced against her?

Andr.

Most true. And is it fit therefore that you
brabble among your selves, and leave all worse then
you found it?


Lol.

No, we will make such a Reformation, that
Treason shall not dare to peep over the Hedge of
her Dominion, but we will take it by the nose and
punish it indignely: most indignely will we punish
it?



117

Pog.

All this I grant: but before we sit and bustle
on the Bench, because it is, and that without all peradventure,
the strst time that ever we play'd so wise
a part, is it not fit to take advice among our selves,
how to deform our selves in our office.


Lol.

De did you say? in in you should say.


Pog.

In
with your Horns: how now?


Andr.

Nay Brothers
o'th Bench.


Pog.

Does he think to control me? because he has
been a Sexton, and a little more book learned then a
Lay man with an Amen forsooth?


Andr.

Nay Brothers:
this wil control the business.


Pog.

Or because he has been in many a mans grave
before him, does he think no man so deep in grave
matters as himself?


Lol.

Well, I forbear.


Pog.

Shall he bid me In, In? as if I were not his
inferior?


Lol.

I forbear still.


Pog.

I will shew my self his inferior I, and a
greater man then he; and to prove my self a great
man, let him hang one, I will save two.


Lol.

Still
forbear.


Andr.
Pray Brothers yet agree: and remember we use no mercy

Pog.
Let him that uses any mercy lack mercy, for my part.

Lol.
Then let us sit, and fall to the Business.

Pog.
Sit and fall: was that so wisely spoken of a book-learned man now?

Lol.
Still I forbear Passion becomes not Judges,
Now bring in the offender, the new and last offender.

And.
Pray thinke on your speeches.

[Exit Typstaff.]
Lol.

I have made speeches that I hope shall make
Traytors.


And.

How?


Lol.

Asham'd to wear their
own heads on their shoulders.


Andr.

A Traytors
head is not his own head: 'tis forfeited by Law to


118

the King; 'tis the Kings head.


Pog.

I say a Traytors head is his own Head: and a
good Subjects head is the Kings Head.


Lol.

I say that's Treason: and the head thou
wearest is not thine own then, if thou beest a good
Subject.


Pog.
Wilt thou tell me that?

Andr.
Passion becomes not Judges, Brothers o'th the Bench.
The offender comes,
Now they are hot, he shall be sure to smoak for it.

Scœn. VII.

Enter Alphonso and Guard.
Alph.
Whither do you hale me? you Pease-porridge Peasants:
Is this a place for me to come to Tryal in?
If I had broke the Law, as I have not
I am a Peer, and do appeal unto
The Kings high Seat of Justice, publikely.

Lol.
And will not our low stool of Justice, privily
Serve for a Traytor? ha.

Alph.
Your selves are Traytors,
In succouring 'gainst the Law, a dissolute woman
Whom I command you, in the Kings high name,
To yield into my hands.

Lol., Pog., Andr.
You shall be hang'd first.

Alph.
By whose Authority?

Lol.
By the said womans Sir.
She is our Queen and her Authority is in our hands.

Alph.
That speaks you Traytors: and the King has Law against you and her.

Lol.
When you are hang'd he has: to the next able
Tree with him, and hang him presently.

Alph.
Villains: you dare not so say.


119

Omn.
We do all say Hang him with one accord:

Gua.
If one cord will not do't another shall:
So come away Sir.

Lol.
Stay: hear a speech first.

Alph.
You dare not use me thus: dare you take Justice on ye?

Lol.
Yes Sir, we can spie
Great faults in Noble Coats, with half an eye.
What though we nod? does Treason therefore think
Justice is adle brain'd? or though she wink
In us (as thus) that she's a sleep? or say
She take a nap, d' ye think shee'l sleep for ay?
No, she but dreams a while, to circumvent,
Your vains hopes, with sharper punishment.
For if she be but jogg'd, no Mastife takes
Swifter or surer vengeance when she wakes.

Pog.
I, hang him, hang him.

Andr.
Is he not hang'd yet?

Pog.
Without all peradventure the Hangman means to hang for him.

Guard.
Come Sir along, never hang backward, for up you must.

Lol.
Stay him, my speeches will be lost else.

Pog.

Your long speeches will loose our purpose
again, without all peradventure.


Alph.
Must I be mock'd out of my life? and have
My death by hanging made a sport to Peasants,
In this blind hole oth' Kingdom?

Andr.

Why thou choplogicall Fellow, dost thou
not think, there are as good men hang'd, and as
good sport made of it too, in the bli[illeg.] holes of
the Kingdom, as in the very eye or open mouth of
it? ha!


Pog.
Away with him without peradventure

Alph.
I am a Courtier, and servant to the King.

Lot.
Come all the Court in all your costly Braveries.

120

And Treason in your Breech, we'll hang you for your Knaveries,
On tree in Hempen twine nay if you come
In open Arms, up shall you all and some.
For though for Tournament your Fames do flie
Run all at Tilt on us, wee'l draw your dry.

Andr.
Tell us you are a Courtier? we find here
Faults to correct, which you perceive not there.
So, now a way with him, I have spoke my best.

Pog.
And without all peradventure well said Judge Andrea:
How long must we say away with him? ha!

Alph.
You hobnayl'd Rascals: can you think that you
Are fit to spie or corrects faults at Court?

Lol.
Stay, a short speech for that, and turn him off.
Your shoes at Court are all too fine and thin:
To tread out snuffes and sparks of kindling Sin,
Which let alone the Rushes may take fire.
Then flame, then burn up higher still, and higher:
You warm you at such fire, 'tis we walk through't
The hobnayl'd Common wealth must tread it out.

Andr.
So, now away with him. Hang him first, d' ye hear
He has the bast clothes, that will encourage
The Hangman the better to turn the rest after him.

Enter Eulalia, Lodovico.
Eul.
Whither away with him?

Pog.
So, now you see what's become of your fine speeches.

Eul.
Will ye, 'gainst all my Counsels and requests
Persist to pull destruction by taking others lives upon your own?
And seem to carry it as in care for me?

Pog.
No, 'tis in care of our selves, because we know
Not to breed our Children honestly without you.


121

Eul.
Have I not often councell'd and entreated
You would forbear?

Lol.
Your councels and entreats
We are bound to disobey by Proclamation:
For we must grant you nothing.

Andr.
VVell found out.

Pog.

And therefore if you say, Hang not this man
We are bound to hang him: we will shew our selves
the Kings Subjects not yours.


Lod.
If you can answer't to the King, 'tis well;
His Majesty is here at hand.

Eul.
Go leave him unto me.

Andr.
The King at hand? 'tis time for us to look about us.

Lol.
Must not we be hang'd now?

Pog.
It will be so, without all peradventure.

Eul.

Release your Prisoner, set him free, and go
send the rest of the confederats.


Exeunt Guard Alphonso kneeles.
Alph.
I was not bound till now
I have no power to move or stir a limb:
O sacred Queen, use mercy, in adjudging me,
To present death, to quit me of the torment.
That rages all upon me, all within me.
The sight of you has shot more paines into me
Then I have drops of blood: O let me die.

Eul.
I cannot give thee death: nor will my prayers
Be prevalent for thy cure poor sinful man!
Till rhou layst ope the cause of thy disease;
(Thy hainous sin) by fair and free confession.

Alph.
I hope no cure, and therefore ask no life.
But the Kings Justice to afford me death,
That is no less deserved then desir'd;
For I confess, This my Device was but
To make my way to you, t' have murder'd you.
Enter two Lieutenants, Doctor and Midwife.
Wrought thereunto by Alinda's Instigation.

122

More I confess; The Evidence against you,
Whereby you were despos'd, was false.
And all these witnesses which now do bring
Addition to my torment, did I hire
Both for their perjury past, and for their late
Attempt upon your life, with the Queens money.

Eul.
Do you confess it?

Omn.
Heaven Pardon our misdeed: it is most true.

Eul.
Heaven grant you all your cures.

Omn.
All blessings on the Queen.

Eul.
All was confess'd before by Fabio and Strozzo.
And you do well to seem so penitent:
I do forgive you: and will plead your pardon unto the King.

Alph.

Your sacred mercy Madam, shall save a life
then, to be spent in Praises and Prayers for your
Grace.


Eul.
Go, and pray for grace to mend your lives.
[Exeunt offenders.]
So, let's now to the King.

Lod.
Now look you about you: cast your Coats, and instantly
Hast to the Curat, hee's preparing sports,
In speech and Dance, to entertain the King:
Go and assist him: that must be the way
To gain your Pardons.

Andr.
Come them, let's away,
No longer Brothers of the Bench wee'l be,
But of the Revels for his Majesty.

Scœn. VIII.

[Recorders.]
Enter King, Horatio, Sforza, Petruccio.
King.
These troubles over: let us, now
Surveigh this part of my Possession.

123

I never saw before. I could contemplate
This late neglected peece of my Estate,
To be the happiest: sure it is no less,
To those that think on earth there's happiness,
The Air disperseth pleasure and the Earth
Of fresh delight to every step gives birth.
Here plentie grows, and above it content,
Ore spreads the Face of all the Continent.
Eulalia, thou art happy, and didst rise,
Not fall from Court into this Paradise.
Nor can it move my admiration much,
Thy vertue wrought the change, and made it such.

Sfor.
My Lord, the King is sad, what shall we do?

Hor.
I am as sad as he, and should be dead,
If he were dead: and therefore no fit member
To make Him merry, I: try your vein with him,
Tell him your Daughters dying; that may cheer him.

Sfor.
Are you so tart Court Blain-worm?

King.
Yet can I smile in midst of grief to think
How the Court malice hath been wav'd and punished,
By Rustical simplicitie.

Petr.
The Sun
Appears again in the Kings smiles: observe.

Hor.
I thank your Majestie, that sweet smile reviv'd me,

King.
Who smil'd?

Hor.
not I, I'm sure did you: or you?

There could be no such thing: who dares be merry,
when the King's sad?


Shalmes
Petr.

Yes, here are some now coming, I hear 'm,
that are merry in hope to make the King so.



124

Scœn. IX.

Enter Curat richly rob'd, and Crown'd with Bays, playing on a Fiddle, many School Boys with Skarfes and Nosegays, &c. then follow Gonzago, dress'd and Crown'd as Queen of the Girles, following her: at last Eulalia supported by Lodovico and Andrea: Alphanso, Strozzo, Fabio. D. Midwife. The former being all pass'd over the Stage: they kneel to the King.
King.
O my Eulalia!

Eul.
Still the most humble Handmaid
To your high Majestie.

King.
Thy words are sweet:
Yet to my guiltie sense they are no less
Then thunder bolts; fram'd of the wrongs I shot
Against the Heavenly Region of thy mind.
And 'tis but Justice that the repercussion
Do strike me dead.

Eul.
No Passion mighty Sir,

Hor.
O my sweet Queen! but I am thunder struck

Andr.
Old Lad, art there? still sick oth' Kings disease.

[aside]
Eul.
If I may presume of any favour, vouchsafe a glance on these.

Alphonso, Stro., Fab., Doctor and Mid.
Besech your Highness.

Enter Curat Gonzago in his hand veil'd three or four Lasses.
Cur.
Thus have you seen great King in best array,
Nostri Discipuli have made Holy-day,
Whilst I their Pædagogue or pettie King
Present in hand this little Royal Thing,

125

Yclep'd their Queen or Mistriss: certe fallor
For that's the Royal School Mistress as we call her.
And this her under Usher: vey'ld is she,
Dreading the Power of shinning Majesty.
Might dazle her Dancing: for nunc est saltandum,
And here are Lads and Lasses that at Random
Have left their works, as we the School & Templum,
To follow us; 'tis Regis ad Exemplum.
The youth's are muffled for their better graces,
Though you may like their feet, youl'd blame their Faces
But Ile not trouble you with long Oration,
Because I had but short precogitation.

[Dance]
Hor.
His Highness thanks you: and hath here dispos'd
An hundred Duccats in this Purse inclos'd;
Drink it amongst ye to the Kings well faring,
And see there be no falling out ith' sharing
So make your Exit.

Cur.
Non simus ingrati
Rex & Regina semper sint Beati.

Exeunt Curat and Lasses.
Eul.
Stay you a while.
Manent Fabio Strozzo Alphonso Doctor and Midwife; they all kneel.
You know my Story, Sir, and who have been
My strong abusers, and by me converted,
Therefore let me Petition: Royal King
You have by these discovered the abuse
That led you into error: and that light,
Which makes discovery of their black misdeeds,
Will shew you to a Throne of greater mercy
Then you can give.

King.
I must confess I need it
Bee't as thou wilt Eulalia.

Eul.
Go then, and thank the King.

All.
Long live the King and Queen.

[Exeunt offenders.]
Lod.
Here's goodness now.

Hor.
I would the Devil had, 'm that thought ill of her.


126

Andr.

And, good King Pardon me, and my pure
brother Judges, and Sages of the Dorpe here, that
would have hang'd those Manufactors.


King.
'Tis quickly granted.

Andr.
And Ile as quickly make them run mad with Joy.

Eul.
My next suit is, (for now I'm set a begging,
You'l Pardon your Alinda.

King.
She is not mine;
Should she recover, as Heavens will be done.

Eul.
Recover? fear not, Sir, this Traunse hast drown'd
Her Frenzie, and shee'l live a sober life.

King.
I shall forgive her,
But she must no more, in her recovery:
Be consort or acquaintance unto me:
But where's Posteritie now? O my Boy!

Eul.
Sir you have had but homely entertainment
Yet in my humble dwelling: now Ile shew you
(Since you appear so tender and so good
A Father) the sweet comfort of a Son;
Pray fetch the Prince.

King.
You cannot raise from death.

Exit Lodovico.
Eul.
Can you forgive Pttrucio that deceiv'd you
In his faign'd death, to save a real life:

King.
Forgive? he won me in preserving Sforza,
Let me but see my Son, Ile honour him.

Enter Lodovico with Gonzrgo.
Hor.
See the most Princely vertue that survives.

King.
lives my Gonzago?

Gonz.
If you my Royal Father be not displeas'd
With me, or my good mother, I shall live.

Hor.
And long live my sweet Prince.

King.
Let not my joy confound me! where's Petruccio?


127

Lod.
Sforza and he are bringing the entrauns'd Alinda
(Your fair Queen to your presence.)

King.
She is no Queen of mine.

Hor.
No, hang her, hang her. This, this is the Queen.
A very Queen of harts: a better Title
Crowns not the best of women in our days.

King.
Good Lodovico, may the merited Fame of thy fidelitie,
While there are Kings on Earth, Shew them to gratifie
All trustie servants: love him Gonzago.

Hor.
Love him? my Loyaltie preserv'd,
I shall not desire the Princes love my self
If he not giv't to faithful Lodovico,
My true yoak fellow in State and Commonwealth.

[Recorders.]
Enter Sforza and Petruccio, bringing Alinda in a Chayre, veyl'd.
King.
But here's the man Gonzago, whom thou owest,
A love of equal value to thy life.

Petr.
I cannot Sir, in dutie nevertheless
But fall before your mercy, which I pray for,
That durst assume the hardness to control:
Your Majestie Command.

Hor.
There is a Loyaltie after my own heart now.

Here a new Song, Ealalia unvailes Alinda.
Eul.
Bless'd Heauen! she lives and wakes I hope in health.

Sfor.
If she awake to vertue, she is welcome,
Into the the world again: but if she rise
With an Ambitious Throught of what she was
Or meet the light with a presumptuous look:
That renders her in thought but worthy of it:
By this bless'd presence I will yet take leave.

128

To sink her under earth immediatly.

Eul.
Patience good Sforza, see what she will do.

Alin.
Where have I been? or how am I brought hither?
Or where I am I know not: but that shall not.
[Musick ceased.]
Be unto me a wonder: for I know
Were it reveil'd, it could not be so strange:
A storie as my self was to the world.
How have I, wandred in the way of Error!
Till I was worn into an Airie vapour.
Then wrap'd into a cloud: and thence distill'd,
Into the earth to find a new creation.
'Tis found: and I am found in better state,
Then I was in, before I lost my Dutie.
For in this second Birth: I find a knowledge
How to preserve it: Therefore if an Heart
Dissolved in its Tears may move your Pity
My noble Father, (if I may say Father,)
Whose blessing and forgiveness I entreat,
Let not your frown destroy my future hopes.

Sfor.
What a rich sound were this now, were it reall!

Eul.
As you may think I honour vertue Sforza,
I do believe 'tis really unfaigned.

Sfor.
It is Heavens goodness to your Grace then Madam.
The more to vindicate your iniur'd vertue.
And manifest your merits to the world,
Thou art mine own again Alinda.

Eul.
Nore her further.

Alin.
My suit is next to you King, Queen, and Prince,
Whose love, whose Pietie, whose Innocence,
I have too much abus'd: that to appeal,

129

My trespasses at large by due confession.
I should appear but more impertinent to each eye and ear.
My suit is therefore (though you not forget
I ever was) you will be pleas'd to think,
There is not an Alinda in the world.
So give me leave to leave it: and in this,
I beg my Fathers Aid, to be remov'd
Back to my countrey Naples; and in that,
Into the Magdalene Nunnerie at Lucera,
To spend this life in Tears for my amiss,
And holy Prayers for eternal Bliss.

[veiles her self.]
Sfor.
So thou art mine for ever.

King.
She has anticipated my great purpose,
For on the reconcilement of this difference,
I vow'd my after life unto the Monasterie
Of holy Augustinians at Solanto.

Omn.
O mighty Sir!

King.
'Tis not to be gainsaid.
So hast we to Nicosia, where (my Son)
In lieu of former wrongs, Ile yield thee up my Crown and Kingdom.
Your vertuous mother (whom may you for ever
Honour for her pietie) with these true
Statesmen, will enable you to govern well.

Hor.
Who makes a doubt of that?

King.
And let your studie, Sir, be ever watchful
To cherish vertue, as to punish vice.
And see that you considerative be
Of Sforza, in the wrongs he felt by me.
His was the greatest losse.

Sfor.
Sir, I have won:
My wrongs are drown'd in her conversion.

King.
Good Sforza, see her plac'd as she desires,

130

In that Religious order. I have now
Plighted my Troth to Heaven, and so has she.

Omn.
O may (Sir) such Wedlock ne'er broken be.

King.
Now with such melting silence as sweet Souls
From Bodies part to Immortalitie,
May we for better life divided be.

Exeunt Omnes.