University of Virginia Library

The first Scene.

Enter Lycas and Sotus.
Lycas.
Kings with their Greatness, have their troubles too,
And many times, are puzled what to do:
Shifting from place to place, to find out rest,
So are their heads, with discontent possest.
According to the Nature of the times,
Or else proceeding, from their proper crimes:
Requiring sometimes, more then is their due,
Or else refus'd, what them belongs unto;
No man, not knowing so, to hold the scale,
As hinder King, or Subject, to bewail.

Sotus.
Good faith 'twas ever so, and so 'twill be,
So long as at the Court, dwells Flattery.
So long as private end, shall challange place
As only Favourite, unto his Grace.
How is it likely, he should see aright,
When he must see, but by anothers sight?

Lycas.
Which is the cause, so many men complain,
And that so few, do come away with gain.
Did mens requests, come to the Princes ear,
More courteous to them, sure he would appear,
Then let them sue, for that which is but just,
So many years, as now adayes men must.

Sotus.
The City's weary, and the Countrey too,
And something shortly, murmure for to do.
They will no longer, have the King abus'd,
Nor let themselves, so rigidly be us'd.
But how to do't, they are not yet agreed,
Out of the Court, such netles for to weed.

Lycas.
Pray Heaven, they may do all things for the best,
Procuring to the King, and Kingdom rest.
Shoo'd they reform things, with too strict a course,
Instead of mending, they woo'd make things worse.
It is no small a matter, to know how,
To win a King, and make a Subject bow.

Sotus.
Report sayes, that they do intend by Bill,
Unto the King, to shew his Subjects will.
How that they are, by Taxes so opprest,
They cannot live, nor in their houses rest,
For Maltuties, which have thereof the charge,
To scrue the people, by Commission large,
Gave from the Cardinal, whom they'le demand,
For satisfaction, at his Royal hand.

Lycas.
They may demand, but 'twill be but in vain,
For of his Grace, they will not him obtain.

Sotus.
If that by fair means, they can't compass it,
They will by foul, endeavour him to get.

Exeunt.