University of Virginia Library

Act. 2.

Enter King, Hormenus, Cortes, Sueno.
K.
This musick doth but add to melancholly,
Ile hear no more.

Co.
He's strangely mov'd.

Ho.
I cannot think a cause,
You were wont to fool him into mirth; Where's Helga
Your dear companion? no device between you
To raise his thoughts?

Su.
I am nothing without my fellow,
Musick is best in Consort.

H.
Your buffonry is musical belike.

Co.
Your Juglers cannot do some o'their tricks
Without confederacy.

Su.
I'le try alone.
If please your Majesty there is—

K.
That for your unseasonable and saucie fooling.

strikes him.
Ho.
That was a musical box o'th'ear.

Ki.
Leave us.

Co.
'Tis nothing without a fellow, he knows
Musick is best in Consort.

Exit.
Su.
Would you had your parts?

K.
Hormenus you may stay.

Ho.
Your pleasure sir.

Ki.
Men do account thee honest.

H.
'Tis possible
I May fare the worse.

K.
And wise; canst tell the cause why I am sad?

Ho.
Not I sir.

Ki.
Nor I my self, 'tis strange I should be subject
To a dull passion, and no reason for it.

Ho.
These things are frequent.

Ki.
Sometimes ominous,
And do portend.

Ho.
If you enjoy a health,
What is in fate?

Ki.
I am King
Still, and I not?

Ho.
We are all happy in't,
And when time shall with the consent of nature,
Call you an old man from this world to heaven,
May he that shall suceed you, Prince Turgesius,
The glory of our hope, be no less fortunate.

Ki.
My Son,
I was too rash to part with him.

Ho.
We should
Have thought his stay a blessing, and did wish
You would not have expos'd such tender years
To the rough warre; but your commands met with
His duty, and our obedience.

Ki.
It is very
Strange, we of late hear no success, I hope
This sadnesse is not for his loss, he has
A kinsman with him, loves him dearly, 'tis
The Queen.
Enter Queen and Helga.
I feel my drooping thoughts fall off,
And my clouds fly before the wind, her presence
Hath an infusion to restore dead nature.
My sweet, my dear Marpisa.

Mar.
You sent for me.

Ki.
I am but the shadow of my selfe without thee.
Enter Cort. Sueno.
No wonder I was sad, my soul had plac'd
All her delight in these fair eyes, and could not
But think it selfe an exile in thy absence,
Why should we ever part, but chaine our selves
Together thus?

Su.
He's in a better humour I hope;
I do not think but his Majestie would cuffe well,
His hand carryes a princely weight.

He.
A favour.

Su.
Would you might weare such another in your eare.

Ki.
Come hither—on this side.

Su.
You were on that side before.

Ki.
wo'dst not thou lose thy life, to do a service
My Queen would smile upon?

Su.
Alas, My life
Is the least thing to be imagin'd, he
Is not a faithful subject would refuse
To kill his wife and children, after that
To hang himselfe, to do the Queen a service.

Ki.
Come hither Helga.

Hel.
Royal sir.

Ki.
What would affright thy undertaking, to deserve
The least grace from my Queen?

He.
I cannot tell,
But I've an opinion, the Devill could not;
My life is nothing sir, to obtaine her favour,
I would hazard more; I have heard talk of hell,
So farre she should command me.

Hor.
Bless me goodness!
What wretched Parasites are these? how can
The King be patient at 'em? here is flattery
So thick and grosse, it would endure a hand-saw.

Co.
His judgement's I fear stupified.

Hor.
Come hither,
Which of you can resolve, what serpent spawn'd you?

Su.
You are pleasant.

He.
My good Lord, it hurts not you,
There is necessity of some knaves, and so
Your Lordship be exempted, why should you
Trouble your selfe, and murmur at our courses?

Enter Aquinus hastily.
A.
The King.

He.
Peace.

Su.
Your businesse?

Aq.
News from the field.

Su.
Good?

A.
Good.

He.
How?

Su.
How prethee?

Aq.
The day, the field, the safety, O the glory
Of warre is Norwaies, Letters to the King—

He.
Give 'em to me.

Su.
Or me.

He.
Trust not a fool with things of consequence,
He's the Kings mirth, let me present the news.

Su.
Sir, I should know you; this is a knave,
Would take to him all the glory of your report;
If please you, let me present the Letters.

He.
My Leige!

Su.
My Soveraigne!

He.
News!

Su.
Good news!

He.
Excellent newes!

Su.
The Prince.

He.
The Prince is—

Su.
The enemy is—o'rethrown.

He.
They have lost the day.

Su.
Defeated utterly.

He.
And are all slain.

Su.
Madam, will you hear the news?

Ki.
Say on, what is't you would relate?

He.
One of my creatures sir hath brought you Letters,
(Aquinus delivers the Letters.
My servant sir, one strengthened to your service
Out of my maintenance, an instrument of mine,
So please you to consider my duty in his service.

Aq.
Why hark you Gentlemen, I have but mock'd
Your greedy zeals, there's no such matter in
Those Letters as you have told; we have lost all,
And the Prince taken prisoner, will you not
Stay for the reward, you know I'm but your Creature,
I look for nothing but your courtly faces
To pay my travel.

He.
We wo'not appear yet—

Exit.
Aq.
How the Rats vanish.

Ki.
Read here my best Marpisa, news that makes
A triumph in my heart, great as the conquest
Upon our enemies; Hormenus, Cortes,
Our Son will prove a Souldier, was my sadnesse
Omen to this good fate? or nature fear'd
The extasie of my joy would else o'recome me?
They are return'd victorious.

Ho.
Thanks to heaven!

Ki.
And some reward is due to thee; wear that
For the Kings sake.

Aq.
You too much honour me.

Ki.
But something in Marpisa's face, shews not
So clear a joy as we express, forbear,
Exeunt.
Wait till we call; can this offend my Queen,
To hear of happinesse to my Son? O let
Thy eyes look bright, there shine hath force to make
The wreath of Laurel grow upon his temples;
Why dost thou weep? this dew will kill the victory,
And turn his Bay to Cipresse.

Ma.
Witnesse heaven,
There's not a teare that mourns for him, his safety
And conquest is most welcome, and he shall
Have still my prayers, he may grow up in fame,
And all the glorious fortunes of a Prince:
But while my wishes fly to heaven for blessings
Upon his head, at the same time, I must
Remember in what miserable condition
My stars have plac'd me.

Ki.
What can make thy state
Guilty of such a name, and so deject
Thy nobler thoughts? am not I still the King?
And is not fair Marpisa mine by marriage?
Crown'd here my Queen immortally.

M.
Though I be
By royall bounty of your love, possest
Of that great Title sir, I have some fears.

Ki.
You amaze me, speak thy doubts at large.

M.
The Prince
(Dear to your love, and I still wish him so)
(Dear to your peoples hearts) I fear, will think
Our marriage his dishonour, and Olaus
Your passionate Uncle, no good friend of mine,
When he shall see to what a height your love
And holy vow hath rais'd me, most unworthy,
Will but salute Marpisa with his scorn,
And by his counsell, or some waies of force
Unchain our hearts, and throw me from your bosome
To death, or worse, to shame; oh think upon me,
And if you have one fear that's kin to mine,
Prevent their tyrannie, and give me doom
Of exile e're their cruelty arrive:
Ile take my sentence kindly from your lips,
Though it be killing.

Ki.
Let my Son or Uncle,
Dare but affront thee in a look, I shall
Forget the ties of nature, and discharge 'em
Like the corruption in my blood.

M.
I can
Submit my selfe to them, and would you please
To allow my humblenesse no staine to what
You have advanc'd me to, I can be their servant,
And with as true a duty wait upon 'em—

Ki.
Enter Horm. and Cortes.

Co.
He dotes strangely.

K.
Hormenus, Cortes, I would have you all
Search your inventions to advance new joyes;
Proclaime all pleasures free, and while my fair
Queen smiles, it shall be death for any man
I'th Court to frown.

Exeunt.
Ho.
You ha' not so much love i'th Court Aquinus.

Co.
How do you like the Queen?

Aq.
Why she's not married,
He does but call her so.

Ho.
And lyes with her.

Aq.
The Prince yet knows it not.

Ho.
Hee'l meet it coming home.

Go.
Aquinus?

Enter Gotharus.
Aq.
Sir.

Go.
You brought Letters from the Camp.

Aq.
I did my Lord.

Ho.
What in the name of Policy is now hatching?
I do not like those fawning postures in him,
How kind they are.

Go.
That Souldier is thought honest.

Ho.
But if he cringe once more I shall suspect him,
That leg confirms he is corrupt already.

Go.
How does he like his fathers marriage?

Aq.
We had no fame on't there when I set forth.

Go.
'Twas strange and suddain, but we are all happy
In the good Princes health and victory;
The Duke Olaus too I hope is well.

Aq.
He was design'd at my departure,
To be here before the Army.

Go.
He will be welcome:
You shall accept the price of a new Armour,
And wherein any power of mine can serve you
I'th Court, command.

Aq.
I am your Lord-ships creature.

Exeunt.
Ho.
They are gone, I long to see the Prince;
How do you think his Highnesse will
Behave himself to his new mother Queen?
Will it be treason not to aske her blessing?

Co.
I am confident his Uncle, brave Olaus.
Enter Haraldus.
Wo'not run mad for joy of the Kings marriage?

Ho.
Let them look to't, there may be alterations.

Ha.
They talk sure of my mother and the King.

Ho.
Secure as they account themselves, the Prince
Must be receiv'd spight of Marpisa's greatnesse,
And all the tricks of her incarnate fiend
Gotharus, who both plot I fear, to raise
That Composition of their blood,
Haraldus—

Ha.
How was that?

Ho.
The strange effect
Of their luxurious appetites, though in him
Poor innocence, suspecting not their sin,
We read no such ambition.

Ha.
Oh my shame!
What have my ears receiv'd? am I a bastard?
'Tis malice that doth wound my Mothers honour;
How many bleed at once? yet now I call
To memory, Gotharus at our loving
Late conference, did much insult upon
The name of a Father, and his care of me
By some strange force of nature: ha! my fears
Shoot an Ice through me, I must know the truth
Although it kill me.

Exit.
Co.
Who was that Haraldus?

Ho.
I hope he did not hear us, again Gotharus.
And the two squirrels; more devices yet.

Enter Gotharus, Sueno, and Helga.
Su.
Let us alone my Lord, we'l quicken him.

Go.
You must use all your art to win him to't.

He.
Let us alone to make him drink, we are the credit
Of the Court for that, he's but a child alas, we'l take our time.

Enter Olaus attended with Captains.
Ol.
Hormenus.

Ho.
My good Lord Olaus, I
Joy in your safe return, how fares the Prince?

Ol.
Well, where's the King?

Ho.
Kissing his new made Queen Marpisa.

Ol.
Ha!
The King is married then.

Exit Su. & Ho.
Go.
Away, the Duke Olaus, sir—

Ol.
I am too stiffe for Complement,
My Lord, I have rid hard—

Exit.
Go.
He has met the intelligence,
And is displeas'd with the state of things at home;
This marriage stings him, let it, we must have
No trembling hearts, not fall into an ague,
Like Children at the sight of a portent:
But like a Rock when wind and waves go highest,
And the insulting billowes dash against
Her ribs, be unmov'd. The King must be saluted
With other Letters, which must counterfet
The Princes character, I was his Secretary
And know the Art, malice inspire my brain
To poyson his opinion of his Son;
Ile form it cunningly.
Ha! 'tis Haraldus.
Enter Haraldus.
He looks sad.

Ha.
I dare not aske
My mother, 'twere a crime, but one degree
Beneath the sinfull act that gave me life
To question her, and yet to have this fright
Dwell in my apprehension, without
The knowledge of some truth, must needs distract
My poor wits quite; 'tis he, I will take boldnesse
And know the worst of him, If I be what
I am already charactred, he can
Resolve my shame too well.

Go.
How is't my Lord?

Ha.
Never so ill sir.

Go.
Art sick?

Ha.
Most dangerously.

Go.
Where?

Ha.
Here, at heart, which bleeds with such a wound,
As none but you, can cure.

Go.
Ile drop my soul
Into it, shew me how I may
Be thy Physitian, to restore thy blood
I will lose all mine, speak child.

Ha.
This very love
Is a fresh suffering, and your readinesse
To cure my sorrow, is another wound;
You are too kind, why are you so? what is
Or can be thought in me fit to deserve it?

Go.
Thou dost talk wildly; to accuse me thus
For loving thee, could the world tempt me here,
And court me with her glories to forsake thee,
Thus I would dwell about thy neck, and not
Be bought from kissing thee for all her provinces:
There is a charme upon my soul to love thee,
And I must do't.

Ha.
Then I must dye.

Go.
Forbid it gentler fates.

Ha.
If I could hear you wish
Me dead, I should have hope to live; although
I would not willingly deserve your anger,
By any impious deed, you do not know
What comfort it would be to heare you curse me.

Go.
He's mad; Haraldus, prethee do not talk so.

Ha.
Or if you think a curse too much to help me,
Yet rail upon me, but do't heartily, and call me

Go.
What?

Ha.
Vilaine, or Bastard, sir,
The worst is best from you.

Go.
Thou dost amaze me.

Ha.
Will you not for me?
Then for my mothers sake if you do love her,
Or ever did esteem her worth your friendship,
Let me entreat you draw your sword, and give me
Something to wear in blood upon my bosome;
Write but one letter of your name upon
My brest, Ile call you father, by your love;
Do something that may make me bleed a little.

Go.
By that I dare not, thou hast nam'd Haraldus
A father.

Ha.
I but call you so, I know
You are a stranger to my blood, although
Indeed to me your great affection
Appears a wonder; nor can nature shew
More in a Parent to a child; but if
I be.

Go.
What?

Ha.
I shall blush sir to pronounce it,
There's something that concerns my mother, will not
Give it a name; yet I would be resolv'd,
That I might place my duty right; If I
Must answer to your Sonne, you may imagine
I shall no more aske you a reason, why
You have been so kind to me; and to my mother.

Go.
Thou hast said it, th'art mine own, 'twas nature in me,
That could not hide the actions of a Father.

Ha.
I am your base seed then.

Go.
Stain not thy self
With such a name, but look upon thy mother
Now made a Queene.

Ha.
You made her first a strumpet,
And it would aske the piety of her Sonne,
To dye upon that man that stole her honour:
Why did you so undo us? why did you
Betray my mother to this shame? or when
She had consented, why should both your lust
Curse my unsinning heart, oh I must be
For your vice scorn'd, though innocent.

Go.
None dare—

Ha.
I should not by your vertue have been sav'd,
Where shall I hide my life, I must no more
Converse with men—

Go.
Thou art too passionate.

Ha.
I will entreat my mother we may go
Into some wildernesse, where we may find
Some Creatures that are spotted like our selves,
And live and dye there, be companion
To the wild Panther, and the Leopard, yet
They are too good for their converse, we are
By ours, defil'd, their spots do make them fair.

Exit.
Go.
'Tis time that Sueno and his companion,
Dispers'd these clouds; now to the King, with whom
If the Queens beauty keep her magick, then
Our Engines mount, and day grows bright agen.

Exeunt.