 | The Mayor of Quinborough |  |
47
ACT. 4.
SCENA 1.
Enter Symon and all his Brethren, a Mace and Sword before him, meeting Vortiger, Castiza, Hengist, Roxena, Horsus, two Ladies.Sym.
Lo, I the Mayor of Quinborough by name,
With all my Brethren, saving one that's lame,
Are come as fast as fiery Mill-horse gallops
To greet thy Grace, thy Queen and her fair Trollops.
For reason of our coming do not look,
It must be done, I find it i'th' Town-book;
And yet not I my self, I cannot read,
I keep a Clark to do those jobbs for need.
And now expect a rare conceit before Thong-Castle see thee;
Reach me the thing to give the King, the other too I prithee:
Now here they be for Queen and thee, the gift all steel & leather;
But the conceit of mickle weight, and here they come together:
To shew two Loves must joyn in one, our Town presents by me
This gilded Scabberd to the Queen, this Dagger unto thee.
Vor.
Forbear your tedious and ridiculous duties,
I hate them, as I do the roots of your
Inconstant Rabble, I have felt your fits,
Sheath up your Bounties with your Iron wits.
Exit cum sociis.
Sym.
Look Sirs, is his back turn'd?
All.
It is, it is.
Sym.
Then bless the good Earl of Kent, say I,
I'le have this Dagger turn'd into a Pye,
And eaten up for anger every bit on't.
And when this pye shall be cut up by some rare cunning Pye-man,
They shall full lamentably sing, Put up thy Dagger Symon.
Ex.
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SCENA 2.
Enter Hengist, Horsus, Vortiger, Devonshire, Stafford, Castiza, Roxena, Ladies.Heng.
A welcome (mighty Lord) may appear costlier,
More full of toil and talk, shew and conceit,
But one more stor'd with thankful love and truth
I forbid all the sons of men to boast of.
Vor.
Why there's a Fabrick that implies eternity,
The building plain, but most substantial;
Methinks it looks as if it mock'd all ruine,
Saving that Master-piece of Consummation,
The end of time, which must consume even ruine,
And eat that into Cinders.
Heng.
There's no brass
Would pass your praise, my Lord, 'twould last beyond it,
And shame our durablest mettal.
Vor.
Horsus!
Hor.
My Lord!
Vor.
This is the time I have chosen; here's a full meeting,
And here will I disgrace her.
Hor.
'Twill be sharp, my Lord.
Vor.
Oh 'twill be best.
Hor.
Why here's the Earl her Father.
Vor.
I and the Lord her Uncle, that's the height of it,
Invited both on purpose, to rise sick
Full of shames surfeit.
Hor.
And that's shrewd b'er lady,
It ever sticks close to the ribs of honour;
Great men are never sound men after it,
It leaves some ache or other in their names still,
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Vor.
Mark but the least presentment of occasion,
As these times yield enough, and then mark me:
Hor.
My observance is all yours, you know't, my Lord;
What careful ways some take to abuse themselves!
But as there be Assurers of mens Goods
'Gainst storms or Pirates, which gives Adventurers Courage,
So such there must be to make up mans theft,
Or, there would be no woman Venturer left.
See, now they find their seats, what a false knot
Of Amity he tyes about her Arm,
Which rage must part? in marriage 'tis no wonder,
Knots knit with kisses oft are broke with thunder.
Musick? then I have done, I always learn
To give my betters place.
Vor.
Where's Captain Horsus?
Sit, sit, we'le have a health anon to all good services.
Hor.
They are poor in these days, th'had rather have the Carp
Then the health; he hears me not,
And most great men are deaf on that side.
Vor.
My Lord of Kent, I thank you for this welcome,
It came unthought of in the sweetest Language
That ever my soul relish'd.
Heng.
You are pleas'd, my Lord,
To raise my happiness for slight deservings,
To shew what power's in Princes; not in us
Ought worthy, 'tis in you that makes us thus.
I am chiefly sad, my Lord, your Queen's not merry.
Vor.
So honour bless me, he has found the way
To my grief strangely. Is there no delight—
Cast.
My Lord, I wish not any, nor is't needful,
I am as I was ever.
Vor.
That's not so.
Cast.
How? oh my fears!
Vor.
When she writ Maid, my Lord,
You knew her otherwise.
Devon.
To speak but truth,
I never knew her a great friend to mirth,
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Though there be many seemly and honourable
To give content to Ladies without taxing.
Vor.
My Lord of Kent, this to thy full deserts,
Which intimates thy higher flow to honour.
Heng.
Which, like a river, shall return in service
To the great Master-Fountain.
Vor:
Where's your Lord?
I miss'd him not till now; Lady, and yours?
No marvel then we were so out of the way
Of all pleasant discourse; they are the keys
Of humane Musick, sure at their Nativities
Great Nature sign'd a general Patent to them
To take up all the mirth in a whole Kingdome.
What's their employment now?
1 Lad.
May it please your Grace,
We never are so far acquainted with them,
Nothing we know but what they cannot keep,
That's even the fashion of them all, my Lord.
Vor.
It seems y'have great thought in their constancies,
And they in yours, you dare so trust each other.
2 Lad.
Hope well we do, my Lord, we have reason for it,
Because they say brown men are honestest,
But she's a fool will swear for any colour.
Vor.
They would for yours.
2 Lad.
Truth 'tis a doubtful question,
And I'd be loth to put mine to't my Lord.
Vor.
Faith dare you swear for your selves? that's a plain question.
2 Lad.
My Lord?
Vor.
You cannot deny that with honour,
And since 'tis urg'd, I'le put you to't in troth.
1 Lad.
May it please your Grace?
Vor.
'Twould please me very well,
And here's a Book, mine never goes without one,
She's an example to you all for purity;
Come swear (I have sworn you shall) that you ne're knew
The will of any man, besides your husbands.
2 Lad.
I'le swear, my Lord, as far as my remembrance.
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How? your remembrance! that were strange.
1 Lad.
Your Grace
Hearing out just excuse, will not say so.
Vor.
Well, what's your just excuse? y'are ne're without some.
1 Lad.
I am often taken with a sleep, my Lord,
The loudest thunder cannot waken me,
Not if a Cannons burthen be discharg'd
Close by my ear; the more may be my wrong,
There can be no infirmity, my Lord, more excusable in any woman.
2 Lad.
And I am so troubled with the Mother too,
I have often call'd in help, I know not whom,
Three at once have been too weak to keep me down.
Vor.
I perceive there's no fastening: well fare one then
That never deceives faiths Anchor of her hold,
Come at all seasons. Here, be thou the Star
To guide those erring women, shew the way
Which I will make them follow: why do'st start,
Draw back, and look so pale?
Cast.
My Lord?
Vor.
Come hither,
Nothing but take that Oath; thou'lt take a thousand,
A thousand! Nay a Million, or as many
As there be Angels Registers of Oaths.
Why look thee, over-fearful Chastity,
(That sinn'st in nothing but in too much niceness)
I'le begin first, and swear for thee my self,
I know thee a perfection so unstain'd,
So sure, so absolute, I will not pant on it,
But catch time greedily. By all those blessings
That blow truth into fruitfulness, and those curses
That with their barren breaths blast perjury,
Thou art as pure as Sanctities best shrine
From all mans mixture, save what's lawful mine.
Cast.
Oh Heaven forgive him, he has forsworn himself.
Vor.
Come, 'tis but going now my way:
Cast.
That's bad enough.
Vor.
I have clear'd all doubts you see.
Cast.
Good my Lord spare me.
52
How? it grows later then so, for modesties sake
Make more speed this way.
Cast.
Pardon me, my Lord,
I cannot.
Vor.
What?
Cast.
I dare not.
Vor.
Fail all confidence in thy weak kind for ever.
Devon.
Here's a storm
Able to make all of our name inhumid,
And raise them from their sleeps of peace and fame
To set the honours of their blouds right here
Hundred years after; a perpetual motion
Has their true glory been from seed to seed,
And cannot be choakt now with a poor grain
Of dust and earth, her Uncle and my self
Wild in this tempest, as ever robb'd mans peace,
Will undertake upon lifes deprivation
She shall accept this oath.
Vor.
You do but call me then
Into a world of more despair and horrour;
Yet since so wilfully you stand engag'd
In high scorn to be touch'd, with expedition
Perfect your undertakings with your fames,
Or by the Issues of abus'd belief
I'le take the forfeit of Lives, Lands, and Honours,
And make one ruine serve our joys and yours.
Cast.
Why here's a height of miseries never reach'd yet,
I lose my self and others.
Devon.
You may see
How much we lay in Ballance with your goodness,
And had we more, it went; for we presume
You cannot be religious and so vile.
Cast.
As to forswear my self, 'tis truth, great Sir,
The honour of your Bed hath been abus'd.
Vor.
Oh beyond patience!
Cast.
But give me hearing, Sir,
'Twas far from my consent, I was surpriz'd
By Villaines, and so raught.
53
Hear you that, Sirs?
Oh cunning texture to inclose Adultery!
Mark but what subtile veil her sin puts on,
Religion brings her to confession first,
Then steps in Art to sanctifie that lust.
'Tis likely you could be surpriz'd.
Cast.
My Lord!
Vor.
I'le hear no more, our Guard, seize on those Lords:
Devon.
We cannot perish now too fast, make speed
To swift destruction; he breathes most accurst
That lives so long to see his name dye first.
Hor.
Here's no dear villany!
Heng.
Let him intreat, Sir,
That falls in saddest grief for this event,
Which ill begins the fortune of this Building, my Lord.
Rox.
What if he should cause me to swear too, Captain?
You know I am as far to seek in honesty
As the worst here can be; I should be sham'd too.
Hor:
Why, fool, they swear by that we worship not,
So you may swear your heart out, and ne're hurt your self.
Rox.
That was well thought on, I had quite lost my self else.
Vor.
You shall prevail in noble suits, my Lord,
But this does shame the speaker.
Hor.
I'le step in now,
Though it shall be to no purpose; good my Lord,
Think on your noble and most hopeful Issue
Lord Vortimer, the Prince.
Vor.
A Bastard, Sir,
I would his life were in my fury now.
Cast.
That injury stirs my Soul to speak the truth
Of his conception; here I take the Book, my Lord:
By all the glorified rewards of Virtue
And prepared punishments for consents in sin,
A Queens hard sorrow ne're supplyed a Kingdom
With Issue more legitimate then Vortimer.
Vor.
This takes not out the stain of present shame,
Continuance crowns desert, she ne're can go
For perfect honest that's not always so.
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Th'hast justified her somewhat.
Hor.
To small purpose.
Vor.
Among so many women not one here
Dare swear a simple Chastity! here's an Age
To propagate vertue in: since I have begun,
I'le shame you all together, and so leave you.
My Lord of Kent!
Heng.
Your Highness?
Vor.
That's your Daughter?
Heng.
Yes my good Lord.
Vor.
Though I am your Guest to day,
And should be less austere to you or yours,
In this case pardon me, I may not spare her.
Heng.
Then her own goodness friend her; she comes my Lord.
Vor.
The tender reputation of a Maid
Makes your honour, or else nothing can;
The oath you take is not for truth to man,
But to your own white soul, a mighty Task;
What dare you do in this?
Rox.
My Lord, as much
As Chastity can put a woman to,
I ask no favour; and t'approve the purity
Of what my habit and my time professeth,
As likewise to requite all courteous censure,
Here I take oath I am as free from man
As truth from falshood, or sanctity from stain.
Vor.
Oh thou treasure that ravishes the possessor!
I know not where to speed so well again,
I'le keep thee while I have thee; here's a Fountain
To spring forth Princes, and the seeds of Kingdoms.
Away with that infection of black honour, and those her leprous pledges,
Here will we store succession with true peace,
Exeunt all but Horsus.
And of pure Virgins grace the poor increase.
Hor.
Ha ha, he's well provided now, here struck my fortunes.
With what an impudent confidence she swore honest,
Having th'advantage of the Oath! Precious Whore.
Methinks I should not hear from fortune next
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A night so idly, but to make a Lord
With ease methinks and play: the Earl of Kent
Is calm and smooth, like a deep dangerous water;
He has some secret way, I know his bloud,
The grave's not greedier, nor Hells Lord more proud.
Something will hap; for this astonishing choice
Strikes pale the Kingdom, at which I rejoyce.
Exit.
Dumb show.
Enter Lupus, Germanus, Devonshire, and Stafford, leading Vortimer, and Crown him: Vortiger comes to them in passion, they neglect him. Enter Roxena in fury expressing discontent, then they lead out Vortimer; Roxena gives two Villains gold to murther him, they swear performance and go with her: Vortiger offers to run on his sword, Horsus prevents him, and perswades him; the Lords bring in Vortimer dead; Vortiger mourns and submits to them, they swear him, and Crown him. Then Enters Hengist with Saxons, Vortiger draws, threatens expulsion, and then sends a Parley, which Hengist seems to grant by laying down his weapons, so all depart severally.
Enter Raynulphus.
Ray.
Of Pagan bloud a Queen being chose,
Roxena hight, the Britains rose
For Vortimer, and crown'd him King,
But she soon poyson'd that sweet Spring.
Then unto Rule they did restore
Vortiger, and him they swore
Against the Saxons; they (constrain'd)
Begg'd Peace, Treaty, and obtain'd;
And now in numbers equally
Upon the Plain neer Salisbury,
A peaceful meeting they decreen
Like men of love, no Weapon seen.
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Full of guil, corrupts his word,
As the sequel too well proves;
On that your eyes, on us your loves.
Exit.
Enter Hengist with Saxons.
Heng.
If we let slip this opportuneful hour,
Take leave of fortune, certainty, or thought
Of ever fixing; we are loose at root,
And the least storm may rend us from the bosom
Of this Lands hopes for ever. But, dear Saxons,
Fasten we now, and our unshaken firmness
Will endure after Ages.
Sax.
We are resolv'd, my Lord.
Heng.
Observe you not how Vortiger the King,
Base in submission, threatned our expulsion,
His arm held up against us? Is it not time
To make our best prevention? what should check me?
He has perfected that great work in our Daughter,
And made her Queen, she can ascend no higher,
Therefore be quick, dispatch; here, every man
Receive into the service of his Vengeance
An instrument of Steel, which will unseen
Lurk like a snake under the innocent shade
Of a spred Summer-leaf, there fly you on,
Take heart, the Commons love us, those remov'd
That are the nerves, our greatness stands improv'd.
Sax.
Give us the word, my Lord, and we are perfect.
Heng.
That's true, the word, I lose my self. Nemp your Sexes.
It shall be that.
Sax.
Enough Sir, then we strike.
Heng.
But the King's mine, take heed you touch him not.
Sax.
We shall not be at leasure, never fear it,
We shall have work enough of our own, my Lord.
Enter Vortiger and British Lords.
Heng.
Calm looks but stormy souls possess you all.
Vor.
We see you keep your words in all points firm.
Heng.
No longer may we boast of so much breath
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In the preserving of it, when 'tis made.
Vor.
Y'are in a vertuous way, my Lord of Kent,
And since both sides are met like Sons of peace,
All other arms laid by in signs of favour
If our conditions be embrac'd.
Heng.
They are:
Vor.
We'le use no other but these only here.
Heng.
Nempe your Sexes:
Brit.
Treason, treason!
Heng.
Follow it to the heart, my trusty Saxons,
It is your liberty, your wealth and honour. Soft, you are mine, my Lord.
Vor.
Take me not basely, when all sence & strength
Lies bound up in amazement at this treachery.
What Devil hath breath'd this everlasting part
Of falshood into thee?
Heng.
Let it suffice,
I have you, and will hold you Prisoner,
As fast as death holds your best props in silence:
We know the hard conditions of our peace,
Slavery or diminution, which we hate
With a joynt loathing: may all perish thus
That seek to subjugate or lessen us.
Vor.
Oh the strange nooks of guil or subtilty,
When man so cunningly lyes hid from man!
Who could expect such treason from thy breast,
Such thunder from thy voice? or takest thou pride
To imitate the fair uncertainty
Of a bright day, that teemes a sudden storm,
When the world least expects one? but of all
I'le ne're trust fair skie in a man again,
There's the deceitful weather; will you heap
More guilt upon you, by detaining me,
Like a Cup taken after a sore surfeit
Even in contempt of health and heaven together?
What seek you?
Heng.
Ransom for your Liberty
As I shall like of, or you ne're obtain it.
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Here's a most headlong dangerous ambition,
Sow you the seeds of your aspiring hopes
In bloud and treason, and must I pay for them?
Heng.
Have not I rais'd you to this height of pride?
A work of my own merie, since you enforce it.
Vor.
There's even the general thanks of all Aspirers,
When they have a l a Kingdom can impart,
They write above it still their own desert.
Heng.
I have writ mine true, my Lord.
Vor.
That's all their sayings.
Have not I rais'd thy daughter to a Queen?
Heng.
You have the harmony of your pleasure for it,
You Crown your own desires, what's that to me?
Vor.
And what will Crown yours, Sir?
Heng.
Faith things of reason,
I demand Kent.
Vor.
Why y'have the Earldom of it.
Heng.
The Kingdom of't I mean, without controul,
In full possession.
Vor.
This is strange in you.
Heng.
It seems y'are not acquainted with my bloud
To call this strange.
Vor.
Never was King of Kent
But who was general King.
Heng.
I'le be the first then,
Every thing has beginning.
Vor.
No less Title?
Heng.
Not if you hope for liberty, my Lord.
So dear a happiness would not be wrong'd with slighting.
Vor.
Very well, take it, I resign it.
Heng.
Why I thank your Grace.
Vor.
Is your great thirst yet satisfied?
Heng.
Faith, my Lord,
There's yet behind a pair of teeming Sisters,
Norfolk and Suffolk, and I have done with you.
Vor.
Y'have got a dangerous thirst of late, my Lord,
How e're you came by it.
Heng.
It behoves me then
59
Vor.
Them too?
Heng.
There will nothing be abated, I assure you.
Vor.
You have me at advantage, he whom fate
Does captivate must yield to all; take them.
Heng.
And you your liberty and peace, my Lord,
With our best love and wishes. Here's an hour
Begins us Saxons in wealth, fame, and power.
Exit cum suis.
Vor.
Are these the noblest fruits and fairest requitals
From works of our own raising?
Methinks the murther of Constantius
Speaks to me in the voice of it, and the wrongs
Of our late Queen, slipp'd both into one Organ.
Enter Horsus.
Ambition, hell, my own undoing, lust,
And all the brood of Plagues conspire against me.
I have not a friend left me.
Hor.
My Lord, he dyes
That says it but your self, were't that Thief-King
That has so boldly stoln his honours from you,
A treason that wrings tears from honest Man-hood.
Vor.
So rich am I now in thy love and pity
I feel no loss at all; but we must part,
My Queen and I to Cambria.
Hor.
My Lord, and I not nam'd,
That have vow'd lasting service to my lives extreamest minute?
Vor.
Is my sick fate blest with so pure a friend?
Hor.
My Lord, no space of Earth, nor breadth of Sea
Shall divide me from you.
Vor.
Oh faithful treasure!
All my lost happiness is made up in thee.
Exit.
Hor.
I'le follow you through the world, to cuckold you,
That's my way now; every one has his Toy
While he lives here; some men delight in Building,
A trick of Babel, which will ne're be left;
Some in consuming what was rais'd with toiling,
Hengist in getting honour, I in spoiling.
Exit.
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