 | The Chronicle Historie of Perkin Warbeck |  |
Actus Quartus
Scæna prima.
Enter Surrey, Durham, Souldiers, with Drummes and Collors.Surrey:
Are all our braving enemies shrunke backe?
Hid in the fogges of their distempered climate,
In spight of this infected ayre? Can they
Looke on the strength of Cundrestine defac't?
The glorie of Heydonball devasted? that
Of Edington cast downe? the pile of Fulden
Orethrowne? And this the strongest of their Forts
Olde Ayton Castle yeelded, and demolished?
And yet not peepe abroad? the Scots are bold,
Hardie in battayle, but it seemes the cause
They vndertake considered, appeares
Vnjoynted in the frame ont.
Dur:
Noble Surrey,
Our Royall Masters wisedome is at all times
His fortunes Harbinger; for when he drawes
His sword to threaten warre, his providence
Settles on peace, the crowning of an Empire.
(Trumpet.
Sur:
Rancke all in order, 'tis a Heralds sound,
Some message from King Iames, keepe a fixt station.
Enter March-mount, and another Herald in their Coates.
March:
From Scotlands awfull Majestie, wee come
Vnto the English Generall;
Surrey.
To me? Say on.
March:
Thus then; the wast and prodigall
Effusion of so much guiltlesse bloud,
As in two potent Armies, of necessitie
Must glut the earths drie wombe, his sweet compassion
Hath studied to prevent; for which to thee
Great Earle of Surrey, in a single fight
He offers his owne royall person; fayrely
Proposing these conditions onely, that,
If Victorie conclude our Masters right;
The Earle shall deliver for his ransome
The towne of Barwicke to him, with the Fishgarths.
If Surrey shall prevaile; the King will paie
A thousand pounds downe present for his freedome,
And silence further Armes; so speakes King Iames.
So speakes King Iames; so like a King a' speakes.
Heralds, the English Generall returnes,
A sensible Devotion from his heart,
His very soule, to this vnfellowed grace.
For let the King know (gentle Haralds) truely
How his descent from his great throne, to honor
A stranger subject with so high a title
As his Compeere in Armes, hath conquered more
Then any sword could doe: for which (my loyaltie
Respected) I will serue his vertues ever
In all humilitie: but Barwicke say
Is none of mine to part with: In affayres
“Of Princes, Subjects cannot trafficke rights
“Inherent to the Crowne. My life is mine,
That I dare freely hazard; and (with pardon
To some vnbrib'd vaine-glorie) if his Majestie
Shall taste a chaunge of fate, his libertie
Shall meete no Articles. If I fall, falling
So brauely, I referre me to his pleasure
Without condition; and for this deare favour,
Say (if not countermaunded) I will cease
Hostilitie, vnlesse provokt.
March:
This answere
Wee shall relate vnpartially.
Durh:
With favour,
Pray haue a little patience—Sir, you finde
By these gay-flourishes, how wearied travayle
Inclines to willing rest; heeres but a Prologue
However confidently vtterd, meant
For some ensuing Acts of peace: consider
The time of yeare, vnseasonablenesse of weather,
Charge, barrennesse of profite, and occasion
Presents it selfe for honorable treatie,
Which wee may make good vse of; I will backe
As sent from you, in poynt of noble gratitude
Vnto King Iames with these his Heralds; you
Shall shortlie heare from me (my Lord) for order
Of breathing or proceeding; and King Henrie
Surr:
To your wisedome Lord Bishop I referre it.
Durh:
Be it so then.
Surr:
Haralds, accept this chaine, and these few Crownes
March:
Our Dutie Noble Generall.
Dur.
In part
Of retribution for such Princely loue,
My Lord the Generall is pleasd to shew
The King your Maister, his sincerest zeale
By further treatie, by no common man;
I will my selfe returne with you.
Sur:
Y'obliege
My faithfullest affections t'ee (Lord Bishop.)
March:
All happinesse attend your Lordship.
Surr:
Come friends,
And fellow-Souldiers, wee I doubt shall meete
No enemies, but woods and hills to fight with:
Then twere as good to feede, and sleepe at home,
Wee may be free from daunger, not secure.
Exeunt omnes.
Enter Warbeck and Frion.
Warb:
Frion, ô Frion! all my hopes of glorie
Are at a stand! the Scottish King growes dull,
Frostie and wayward, since this Spanish Agent
Hath mixt Discourses with him; they are private,
I am not cald to counsaile now; confusion
On all his craftie shrugges; I feele the fabricke
Of my designes are tottering.
Frion.
Henries pollicies
Stirre with too many engins.
Warb:
Let his mines,
Shapt in the bowells of the earth, blow vp
Workes raisd for my defence, yet can they never
Tosse into ayre the freedome of my birth,
Or disavow my bloud, Plantaginetts!
I am my Fathers sonne still; but ô Frion,
When I bring into count with my Disasters,
My Wifes compartnership, my Kates, my lifes;
Then, then, my frailtie feeles an earth-quake; mischiefe
Damb Henries plotts, I will be Englands King,
Or let my Aunt of Burgundie report
Frion.
You grow too wilde in passion, if you will
Appeare a Prince indeede, confine your will
To moderation.
Warb:
What a saucie rudenesse
Prompts this distrust? If, if I will appeare?
Appeare, a Prince? Death throttle such deceites
Even in their birth of vtterance; cursed cozenage
Of trust? Y'ee make me mad, twere best (it seemes)
That I should turne Imposter to my selfe,
Be mine owne counterfeite, belie the truth
Of my deare mothers wombe, the sacred bed
Of a Prince murthered, and a living baffeld!
Frion.
Nay, if you haue no eares to heare, I haue
No breath to spend in vaine.
Warb.
Sir, sir, take heede!
Golde, and the promise of promotion, rarely
Fayle in temptation.
Frion.
Why to me this?
Warb.
Nothing
Speake what you will; wee are not suncke so low
But your advise, may peece againe the heart
Which many cares haue broken: you were wont
In all extremities to talke of comfort:
Haue yee' none left now? Ile not interrupt yee'.
Good, beare with my distractions! if King Iames
Denie vs dwelling here, next whither must I?
I preethee' be not angrie.
Frion.
Sir, I tolde yee'
Of Letters come from Ireland, how the Cornish
Stomacke their last defeate, and humblie sue
That with such forces, as you could partake,
You would in person land in Cornwall, where
Thousands will entertaine your title gladly.
Warb:
Let me embrace thee, hugge thee! th'ast reviud
My comforts, if my cosen King will fayle,
Our cause will never, welcome my tride friends.
Enter Major, Heron, Astley, Sketon.
You keepe your braines awake in our defence:
Frion, advise with them of these affaires,
What else concernes vs here, be quicke and warie.
Ex: Warbeck.
Astl:
Ah sweet young Prince? Secretarie, my fellow Counsellers
and I, haue consulted, and jumpe all in one opinion directly,
that if this Scotch garboyles doe not fadge to our mindes,
wee will pell mell runne amongst the Cornish Chaughes presently,
and in a trice.
Sket:
'Tis but going to Sea, and leaping ashore, cut tenne or
twelue thousand vnnecessary throats, fire seaven or eight townes,
take halfe a dozen Cities, get into the Market place, crowne him
Richard the Fovrth, and the businesse is finisht.
Major.
I graunt yee', quoth I, so farre forth as men may doe,
no more then men may doe; for it is good to consider, when
consideration may be to the purpose, otherwise still you shall
pardon me: Little sayd is soone amended.
Frion.
Then you conclude the Cornish Action surest?
Heron.
Wee doe so. And doubt not but to thriue abundantly:
Ho (my Masters) had wee knowne of the Commotion when
wee set sayle out of Ireland, the Land had beene ours ere this
time.
Sket:
Pish, pish, 'tis but forbearing being an Earle or a Duke
a moneth or two longer; I say, and say it agen, if the worke goe
not on apace, let me never see new fashion more, I warrant yee',
I warrant yee', wee will haue it so, and so it shall be.
Ast:
This is but a cold phlegmaticke Countrie, not stirring enough
for men of spirit, giue mee the heart of England for my
money.
Ske:
A man may batten there in a weeke onely with hot loaues
and butter, and a lustie cup of Muscadine and Sugar at breakfast,
though he make never a meale all the moneth after.
Major.
Surely, when I bore office, I found by experience,
that to be much troublesome, was to be much wise and busie;
I haue observed, how filching and bragging, has beene the best
service in these last warres, and therefore conclude peremptorily
on the Designe in England; If things and things may fall out; as
who can tell what or how; but the end will shew it.
Frion.
Resolv'd like men of judgement, here to linger
And hast him on to this; on this depends,
Fame in successe, or glorie in our ends.
Exeunt omnes.
Enter King Iames, Durham, and Hialas on either side.
Hialas.
France, Spaine and Germanie combine a League
Of amitie with England; nothing wants
For setling peace through Christendome, but loue
Betweene the British Monarchs, Iames, and Henrie.
Dur:
The English Merchants (Sir,) haue beene receiu'd
With generall procession into Antwerpe;
The Emperour confirmes the Combination.
Hialas.
The King of Spaine, resolues a marriage
For Katherine his Daughter, with Prince Arthur.
Dur.
Fraunce court's this holy contract.
Hial.
What can hinder a quietnesse in England?
Durh:
But your suffrage
To such a sillie creature (mightie Sir?)
As is but in effect an apparition,
A shaddow, a meere trifle?
Hial.
To this vnion
The good of both the Church and Common-wealth
Invite ee'—
Dur.
To this vnitie, a mysterie
Of providence poynts out a greater blessing
For both these Nations, then our humane reason
Can search into; King Henrie hath a Daughter
The Princess, Margaret; I neede not vrge,
What honor, what felicitie can followe
On such affinitie twixt two Christian Kings,
In leagu'd by tyes of bloud; but sure I am,
If you Sir ratifie the peace propos'd,
I dare both motion, and effect this marriage
For weale of both the Kingdomes.
K: Ia.
Darst thou Lord Bishop?
Dur.
Put it to tryall royall Iames, by sending
Some noble personage to the English Court
By way of Embassie.
Hial.
Part of the businesse,
K. Ia.
Well; what Heaven
Hath poynted out to be, must be; you two
Are Ministers (I hope) of blessed fate.
But herein onely I will stand acquitted,
No bloud of Innocents shall buy my peace.
For Warbecke as you nicke him, came to me
Commended by the States of Christendome.
A Prince, though in distresse; his fayre demeanor,
Louely behaviour, vnappalled spirit,
Spoke him not base in bloud, how ever clouded.
The bruite beasts haue both rockes and caues to flie to,
And men the Altars of the Church; to vs
He came for refuge, “Kings come neere in nature
“Vnto the Gods in being toucht with pittie.
Yet (noble friends) his mixture with our bloud,
Even with our owne, shall no way interrupt
A generall peace; onely I will dismisse him
From my protection, throughout my Dominions
In safetie, but not ever, to returne.
Hialas.
You are a just King.
Durh.
Wise, and herein happie.
K. Ia.
Nor will wee dallie in affayres of weight:
Huntley (Lord Bishop) shall with you to England
Embassador from vs; wee will throw downe
Our weapons; peace on all sides now, repayre
Vnto our Counsayle, wee will soone be with you.
Hial.
Delay shall question no dispatch,
Heaven crowne it.
Exeunt Durham and Hialas.
K: Ia:
A league with Ferdinand? a marriage
With English Margaret? a free release
From restitution for the late affronts?
Cessation from hostilitie? and all
For Warbeck not delivered, but dismist?
Wee could not wish it better, Daliell—
Dal:
Here Sir.
Enter Daliell.
K: Ia:
Are Huntley and his Daughter sent for?
Dal:
Sent for, and come (my Lord.)
Say to the English Prince,
Wee want his companie.
Dal:
He is at hand Sir.
Enter Warbeck, Katherine, Iane, Frion, Heron, Sketon, Major, Astley.
K. Ia.
Cosen, our bountie, favours, gentlenesse,
Our benefits, the hazard of our person,
Our peoples liues, our Land hath evidenc't,
How much wee haue engag'd on your behalfe:
How triviall, and how dangerous our hopes
Appeare, how fruitlesse our attempts in warre,
How windie rather smokie your assurance
Of partie shewes, wee might in vaine repeate!
But now obedience to the Mother Church,
A Fathers care vpon his Countryes weale,
The dignitie of State directs our wisedome,
To seale an oath of peace through Christendome:
To which wee are sworne alreadie; 'tis you
Must onely seeke new fortunes in the world,
And finde an harbour elsewhere: as I promisd
On your arrivall, you haue met no vsage
Deserues repentance in your being here:
But yet I must liue Master of mine owne.
How ever, what is necessarie for you
At your departure, I am well content
You be accommodated with; provided
Delay proue not my enemie.
Warb.
It shall not
(Most glorious Prince.) the fame of my Designes,
Soares higher, then report of ease and sloath
Can ayme at; I acknowledge all your favours
Boundlesse, and singular, am onely wretched
In words as well as meanes, to thanke the grace
That flow'd so liberallie. Two Empires firmely
You're Lord of, Scotland, and Duke Richards heart.
My claime to mine inheritance shall sooner
And witnesse Edvvards bloud in me, I am
More loath to part, with such a great example
Of vertue, then all other meere respects.
But Sir my last suite is, you will not force
From me what you haue given, this chast Ladie,
Resolv'd on all extremes.
Kath:
I am your wife,
No humane power, can or shall divorce
My faith from dutie.
Warb:
Such another treasure
The earth is Banckrout of.
K: Ia:
I gaue her (Cosen)
And must avowe the guift: will adde withall
A furniture becomming her high birth
And vnsuspected constancie; provide
For your attendance—wee will part good friends.
Exit King and Daliell.
Warb:
The Tudor hath beene cunning in his plotts:
His Fox of Durham would not fayle at last.
But what? our cause and courage are our owne:
Be men (my friends) and let our Cosen King,
See how wee followe fate as willingly
As malice followes vs. Y'are all resolv'd
For the West parts of England?
Omnes.
Cornwall, Cornwall.
Frion.
The Inhabitants expect you daily.
Warb:
Chearefully
Draw all our shippes out of the harbour (friends)
Our time of slay doth seeme too long, wee must
Prevent Intelligence; about it suddenly.
Omnes.
A Prince, a Prince, a Prince.
Exeunt Counsellors.
Warb:
Dearest; admit not into thy pure thoughts
The least of scruples, which may charge their softnesse
With burden of distrust. Should I proue wanting
To noblest courage now, here were the tryall:
But I am perfect (sweete) I feare no change,
More then thy being partner in my sufferance.
Kath:
My fortunes (Sir) haue armd me to encounter
What chance so ere they meete with.—Iane 'tis fit
Iane.
Never till death, will I forsake my Mistresse,
Nor then, in wishing to dye with ee' gladly.
Kath:
Alas good soule.
Frion.
Sir, to your Aunt of Burgundie
I will relate your present vndertakings;
From her expect on all occasions, welcome.
You cannot finde me idle in your services.
Warb:
Goe, Frion, goe! wisemen knowe how to soothe
Adversitie, not serue it: thou hast wayted
Too long on expectation; “never yet
“Was any Nation read of, so besotted
“In reason, as to adore the setting Sunne.
Flie to the Arch-Dukes Court; say to the Dutchesse,
Her Nephewe, with fayre Katherine, his wife,
Are on their expectation to beginne
The raysing of an Empire. If they fayle,
Yet the report will never: farewell Frion.
Exit Frion.
This man Kate ha's beene true, though now of late,
I feare too much familiar with the Foxe.
Enter Huntley and Daliell.
Hunt:
I come to take my leaue, you neede not doubt
My interest in this sometime-childe of mine.
Shees all yours now (good Sir) oh poore lost creature!
Heaven guard thee with much patience, if thou canst
Forget thy title to olde Huntleyes familie;
As much of peace will settle in thy minde
As thou canst wish to taste, (but in thy graue,)
Accept my teares yet, (preethee) they are tokens
Of charitie, as true as of affection.
Kath:
This is the cruelst farewell!
Hunt:
Loue (young Gentleman)
This modell of my griefes; shee calls you husband;
Then be not jealous of a parting kisse,
It is a Fathers not a Lovers offring;
Take it, my last,—I am too much a childe.
So I should grow to foolish,—goodnes guide thee.
Exit Hunt.
Kath:
Most miserable Daughter!—haue you ought
To adde (Sir) to our sorrowes?
Daliell.
I resolue
(Fayre Ladie) with your leaue, to waite on all
Your fortunes in my person, if your Lord
Vouchsafe me entertainement.
Warb:
Wee will be bosome friends, (most noble Daliell)
For I accept this tender of your loue
Beyond abilitie of thankes to speake it.
Cleere thy drownd eyes (my fayrest) time and industrie
Will shew vs better dayes, or end the worst.
Exeunt omnes.
Enter Oxford and Dawbney.
Oxf:
No newes from Scotland yet (my Lord!)
Daw:
Not any
But what King Henrie knowes himselfe; I thought
Our Armies should haue marcht that way, his minde
It seemes, is altered.
Oxf:
Victorie attends
His Standard every where.
Dawb:
Wise Princes (Oxford)
Fight not alone with forces. Providence
Directs and tutors strength; else Elephants,
And barbed Horses might as well prevaile,
As the most subtile stratagems of warre.
Oxf:
The Scottish King shew'd more then common braverie,
In proffer of a Combatt hand to hand
With Surrey!
Dawb:
And but shew'd it; Northern blouds
Are gallant being fir'd, but the cold climate
Without good store of fuell, quickly freeseth
The glowing flames.
Oxf:
Surrey vpon my life
Would not haue shrunke an hayres breadth.
Dawb:
May a' forfeite
The honor of an English name, and nature,
Who would not haue embrac't it with a greedinesse,
As violent as hunger runnes to foode.
'Twas an addition, any worthie Spirit
Would covet next to immortalitie,
Aboue all joyes of life: wee all mist shares
In that great opportunitie.
Oxf:
The King: see a' comes smiling!
Dawb:
O the game runnes smooth
On his side then beleeue it, Cards well shuffeld
And dealt with cunning, bring some gamester thrift,
But others must rise loosers.
K: H:
The trayne takes?
Vrsw:
Most prosperously.
K. H.
I knew it should not misse.
He fondly angles who will hurle his bayte
Into the water, 'cause the Fish at first
Playes round about the line, and dares not bite.
Lords, wee may reigne your King yet, Dawbney, Oxford,
Vrwicke, must Perkin weare the Crowne?
Dawb:
A Slaue.
Oxf:
A Vagabond.
Vrsw:
A Glow-worme.
K: H:
Now if Frion,
His practisd politician weare a brayne
Of proofe, King Perkin will in progresse ride
Through all his large Dominions; let vs meete him,
And tender homage; Ha Sirs? Liegmen ought
To pay their fealtie.
Dawb:
Would the Rascall were
With all his rabble, within twentie miles
Of London.
K: H:
Farther off is neere enough
To lodge him in his home; Ile wager odds
Surrey and all his men are either idle,
Or hasting backe, they haue not worke (I doubt)
To keepe them busie.
Dawb:
'Tis a strange conceite Sir.
K: H:
Such voluntarie favours as our people
In dutie ayde vs with, wee never scatter'd
On Cobweb Parasites, or lavish't out
In ryot, or a needlesse hospitalitie:
No vndeserving favourite doth boast
His issues from our treasury; our charge
Flowes through all Europe, prooving vs but steward
Of every contribution, which provides
Against the creeping Cankar of Disturbance.
Is it not rare then, in this toyle of State
Wherein wee are imbarkt, with breach of sleepe,
Cares, and the noyse of trouble, that our mercy.
Murmure and threaten innovation,
Whisper our government tyrannicall,
Denie vs what is ours, nay, spurne their liues
Of which they are but owners by our guift.
It must not be.
Oxf:
It must not, should not.
K: H:
So then. To whom?
Enter a Post.
Post.
This packett to your sacred Majestie.
K: H:
Sirra attend without.
Oxf:
Newes from the North, vpon my life.
Daw.
Wise Henry
Devines aforehand of events: with him
Attempts and execution are one act.
K: H:
Vrswicke thine eare; Frion is caught, the man
Of cunning is out-reacht: wee must be safe:
Should reverend Morton our Arch-bishop moue
To a translation higher yet, I tell thee,
My Durham ownes a brayne deserues that See.
Hees nimble in his industrie, and mounting:
Thou hear'st me?
Vrsw:
And conceiue your Highnesse fitly:
K. H.
Dawbney, and Oxford; since our Armie stands
Entire, it were a weakenesse to admit
The rust of lazinesse to eate amongst them:
Set forward toward Salisburie; the playnes
Are most commodious for their exercise.
Our selfe will take a Muster of them there:
And or disband them with reward, or else
Dispose as best concernes vs.
Dawb:
Salisburie?
Sir, all is peace at Salisburie.
K: H:
Deare friend—
The change must be our owne; we would a little
Pertake the pleasure with our Subjects ease.
Shall I entreat your Loues?
Oxf:
command our Liues.
K: H:
Y'are men know how to doe, not to forethinke:
My Bishop is a jewell try'd, and perfect;
A jewell (Lords) the Post who brought these Letters,
Must speed another to the Mayor of Exceter.
Vrswicke dismisse him not.
Vrs:
He waites your pleasure.
K: H:
Perkin a King? a King?
Vrs:
My gracious Lord.
Thoughts, busied in the spheare of Royaltie,
Fixe not on creeping wormes, without their stings;
Meere excrements of earth. The vse of time
Is thriving safetie, and a wise prevention
Of ills expected. W'are resolv'd for Salisburie.
Exe: omnes.
A generall shout within.
Enter Warbeck, Daliell, Katherine, and Iane.
Warb:
After so many stormes as winde and Seas,
Haue threatned to our weather-beaten Shippes,
At last (sweet fayrest) wee are safe arriv'd
On our deare mother earth, ingratefull onely
To heaven and vs, in yeelding sustenance
To slie Vsurpers of our throne and right.
These generall acclamations, are an Omen
Of happie processe to their welcome Lord:
They flocke in troopes, and from all parts with wings
Of dutie flie, to lay their hearts before vs.
Vnequal'd patterne of a matchlesse wife,
How fares my dearest yet?
Kath:
Confirm'd in health:
By which I may the better vndergoe
The roughest face of change; but I shall learne
Patience to hope, since silence courts affliction
For comforts, to this truely noble Gentleman;
Rare vnexampled patterne of a friend?
And my beloved Iane, the willing follower
Of all misfortunes.
Dal:
Ladie, I returne
But barren cropps, of early protestations,
Frost-bitten in the spring of fruitlesse hopes.
Iane,
I waite but as the shaddow to the bodie,
For Madam without you let me be nothing.
Warb:
None talke of sadnesse, wee are on the way
Which leades to Victorie: keepe cowards thoughts
With desperate sullennesse! the Lyon faints not
Lockt in a grate, but loose, disdaines all force
Which barres his prey; and wee are Lyon-hearted,
Or else no King of beasts. Harke how they shout.
(Another shout.
Marches on brauely, cannot quake at daunger.
Enter Sketon.
Sket.
Saue King Richard the fourth, saue thee King of hearts?
the Cornish blades are men of mettall, haue proclaimed through
Bodnam and the whole Countie, my sweete Prince Monarch of
England, foure thousand tall yeomen, with bow and sword alreadie
vow to liue and dye at the foote of King Richard.
Enter Astley.
Astley.
The Mayor our fellow Counseller, is servant for an
Emperour. Exceter is appointed for the Rend-a-vous, and nothing
wants to victory but courage, and resolution. Nigillatum
& datum decimo Septembris, Anno Regui Regis primo & cetera;
confirmatum est. Al's cocke sure.
Warb:
To Exceter, to Exceter, march on.
Commend vs to our people; wee in person
Will lend them double spirits, tell them so.
She: & Astl:
King Richard, King Richard.
Warb.
A thousand blessings guard our lawfull Armes!
A thousand horrors peirce our enemies soules!
Pale feare vnedge their weapons sharpest poynts,
And when they draw their arrowes to the head,
Numnesse shall strike their sinewes; such advantage
Hath Majestie in its pursuite of Iustice,
That on the proppers vp, of truths olde throne,
It both enlightens counsell, and giues heart
To execution: whiles the throates of traytors
Lye bare before our mercie. O Divinitie
Of royall birth? how it strikes dumbe the tongues
Whose prodigallitie of breath is brib'd
By traynes to greatnesse? Princes are but men,
Distinguisht in the finenesse of their frailtie.
Yet not so grosse in beautie of the minde,
For there's a fire more sacred, purifies
The drosse of mixture. Herein stands the odds
“Subjects are men, on earth Kings men and gods.
Exeunt omnes.
| The Chronicle Historie of Perkin Warbeck | |