 | The Love-sick King |  |
ACT. 4.
Enter King of Scots, Alured, Malcome, Edmond, and Captains, Drums and Colours.K.
Thus far tryumphantly with good success, my Princely friends we
have together march'd, and from the North parts quite disperst the
Danes, alone the City York holds firm again, whose buildings we will
level with the earth, unless they suddenly yeeld up the City; give
your advice most Princely Alured, on your fair quarrel all our Fates
depend.
Alu.
Your Highness has been fruitful in your love, bringing the best
that Scotland can afford, in honorable Armes to right our wrong, let's
forward then, and dare 'em to the Gates, our horses hoofs shall furrow
up their Land, and sow the fields with blood instead of corn.
1 Cap.
Spoke like the Brother of dead Etheldred, summon 'em to
the Wals. Drums beat a parly.
Har.
The meaning of this Parly.
King.
Danes yee see all hope of Conquest has forsaken you quite,
Two thousand of your stoutest Souldiers are faln already by our conquering
swords, if ye will yeeld affirm it, if not death shall in his meagre fury
through your Host, revel and catch your Jubile. Then tell us, do you
resolve to fight it out or fly.
Mal.
Or stay and have your throats cut in the fight?
Edm.
Or leap the wals, and break your necks before us?
Mal.
Resolve so quickly, and save us a labor.
Har.
Yes, with immediate speed, set ope the gates
And like a torrent on their heads wee'l fall,
The Field and Air shall be their burial.
King.
If there we fall, our fame out-lasts times date
On to the field, blest with propitious fate.
Exeunt.
Alarm, Excursions. Enter King, Alured, Malcome, Edmond, Captains.
K.
All earthly honors are thine own, fair Prince, and Heaven fights in
thy cruse, the Cities taken.
Alu.
The Danes are all expuls'd and fled for safety.
Edm.
The Danes are fled from danger, not from shame
That still pursues 'em wheresoere they fly
And on their Tombs shall live eternally.
Mal.
Let's seek the Love-sick King Canutus forth,
And in one Battel try his valors worth.
Alu.
That's our intent most noble Malcome, but we must war securely,
all their strength will now be bandied to oppose our coming, and
therefore whilst you here refresh your Army, Duke Edmond and my
self will try our friends, and in these North parts gather up new Forces to
aid us 'gainst all Danish stratagems.
King.
We like it well, assist us gracious Fate,
To seat a true Prince in his Royal State.
Exeunt.
Enter Thornton, Wife, Randolf, the Partners, Workmen, and George, with the table of the writing in golden Letters, and Grims Speech.
Part.
Y'ave stoln a wealthy marriage Mr. Thornton unwares to all
the Town, but we are glad we are so well deceived.
Thor.
Faith Gentlemen, it was not to abridge the Nuptial Feast, for
that shall have his full Solemnity, but from some private causes of my
Mistris.
And as a Servant still she shall command me.
Wife.
Not so sir, I resign that title now, my self and state are onely
by your power to be dispos'd and sway'd.
Rand.
I, well said sister: This match was richly made, with liking and
with joy to all the Country. And Brother Thornton (so Ile call you now)
I came prepar'd to give you fit surrender of the last Bargain which you
purchas'd of me.
Thor.
Your Coal-pits and your Servants Brother Randolf.
Rand.
Yes sir, and look you, this is the Orator must speak for all,
in his mouth they have put the Law and willingness they have to
serve.
Enter Grim.
Thor.
Who honest Grim?
Grim.
Yes sir, and I am the Prologue to the Play,
And for them all I have to say.
Seven hundred men in sable wise,
From forth the Coal-pits shall arise,
Not melting men made out of wax,
But such as use Spade and Pick-ax.
Who when you bid 'em use their skils
Shall make a Dale of Mauburn hils,
Then raise a Mount as high as Poles
And turn it strait to burning coals.
Thor.
This speech I think was pen'd on purpose.
Grim.
I speak deep things, some sir, of 50 fathom deep, I do it
de profoundis, and no disparagement to the Author, that which I have
spoken was in as
With hope, a half-penny, and a Lambs-skin.
Thor.
Ha, ha, thou hit'st me there yfaith.
Grim,
I give you a taste sir, how you shall find me here, and as for
my seven hundred fellowers they are honest Tartarians, and whosoever
deals with 'em shall find them grim fellows I assure you.
Thor.
Grim thou wert always honest, and on my word thy love shall
have reward.
Baily.
Sir, all your works, both finished and intended, are pious,
holy, and religious.
Part.
And in the goodness if you still persever
You build your self a house in Heaven for ever.
Thor.
Heaven have the praise of all, and look ye Gentlemen. Reach
here, which yet hangs up insculp'd on a tileshard; but now 'tis rectifi'd
in golden Letters, with the same phrase stil, onely thus alter'd.
Here at this West-gate first, came Thornton in
Grim.
With hope, a halfpenny, and a Lambs-skin.
I remember that still sir.
Georg.
How now Grim, are you so sawcy Sirrah?
Thor.
'Tis well done Grim, I'd ha't remembred ever, go place it
ore the gate that all may view it, and witness these great blessings heaven
has sent. The reason why I urge this Register,
Is not my wealth, but to record me poor.
Go see it done.
Ex. Workmen, George
George.
For ever may it stand to your renown.
Part.
And all succeeding fame,
While this Town stands still honor Thorntons name.
Thorn.
Amidst these poor indeavors of my love, my careful Master
must not be forgot, whose Heir I am become, and for his sake, I will re-edifie
Alhallows Church, where in the peaceful bed of death he sleeps,
and build a Tomb for him cut out in Touchstone, which in our Persian
Voyage was return'd, from whence my golden Mineral arriv'd.
Grim.
In the likeness of old iron sir.
Thorn.
I, thou say'st true Grim.
Grim.
I have wondered a thousand times old Iron-fist the Smith did
not hang himself for refusing the first Tun of it, a whoreson Coxcomb.
Wife.
They say you got somewhat by it Grim.
Grim.
Alas Mistris, a few chips or so, some ten pounds worth for
a groat, I think I bought on him,
Shout,
Rand.
How now, what mean these shouts?
Grim.
I think there's some Match at Foot-bal towards, the Colliers
against the whole Country cut, and long tail.
Enter George
Thor.
What's the News good George?
George
Prince Alured and Edmond Duke of Thetford are newly
lighted, and desire to speak with the Town Magistrates.
Thor.
We shall with joy receive him as our Prince, and wish he had
as free possession of this whole Kingdom, as this Town shall give him.
Enter Alured and Edmond.
All.
See where he comes; All duty to your Highness.
Alu.
Rise Gentlemen, we have your hearts, forbear your knees,
Scepter, you have fortified your walls 'gainst all invasions
And in that circuit gloriously she stands
With kind imbraces to infold your friends.
Thor.
Our Town, our selves, our lives are all your homigers, as the
most lawful and indubitate Heir,
We fall as Subjects, you we know our own.
Alu.
My best of thanks is due to my best friends. Which is the
man amongst yee Gentlemen that bears the name of Thornton?
Thor.
Your Subject and your Servant, Royal sir.
Alu.
Let me imbrace you sir, and tell you this, your goodness speaks
you nobly: England is fam'd in this fair Town, much honored by
your vertues. Our Countries conquest by these Danish wars
As these your good deeds now have countervail'd.
Thor.
I can do nothing but my duty sir.
Alu.
'Tis worthy praise in all, and trust me Gentlemen, we have
good hope to see a happy day, and once again make England singular,
Free in her self and Princes. I came now with my best Hors-manship from
the Scotch Army, whose Royal King in Neighbor amity, is arm'd in my
just cause, has past the Tweed with prosperous forrage through Northumberland,
all Holds and Castles taken by the Danes restore themselves
to his subjection in our behalf. The City York is won, from whence
I came.
Ed.
And whilst we forrage thus, their King Canutus, doating on
the beauties of Cartesmunda Nun of Winchester,
Hee'l put no arms but Cartesmunda's on.
Thor.
Go forward noble Princes, your work's good, and to incourage
it, ten thousand pounds Ile lend your grace to leavy Souldiers, which
if you never pay, Ile never aske, and for my own imployment to your
aid, Ile lend (if you will honor me so far) all the full strength Newcastle
can afford, I have seven hundred men that call me Master.
Grim.
Besides Grim the chief Controler sir.
Thor.
Very true sir, and these Ile four times double,
And three months shall their charge be mine alone,
To back your Right and seat you in your Throne.
Alu.
Your bounty and your love exceeds all means of president and
recompence.
Tis but my duty still, which Ile not slack, go Grim and muster
my seven hundred Colliers, to them ile add two thousand more of our
Newcastle strength, and thou shalt be an Officer to conduct 'em.
Grim.
For a Corporal or so, let me alone with my Squadron, I dare
undertake with my seven hundred Colliers in six days, under ground, to
march to London, they shall dig their way themselves too.
Rand.
And know 'tis two hundred miles.
Grim.
That's nothing, Ile march forty miles a day with 'em at pleasure,
there is no Pioneer to be compared to a Collier in his Coal-pit, if youle
have a dozen Cities as we go, undermin'd and blown up, give but every
man a bushel of Apples to his Breakfast, and you shall hear the wind
roar and shake the ground like an Earthquake.
Thor.
Well sir, wee'l try their valors; go George, get Armor ready,
and Grim, get thou a Drum and Marshal 'em.
Grim.
If you wo'd rake hell and Phlegitan, Acaron and Barrathrum,
all those Low Countries cannot yeeld you such a company. Tara, ra, ra, ra,
ra, O brave Master, now for a company of conquering Colliers. Come
George.
Exit.
Thor.
Now would it please my Leige so far to grace his humble
Subjects and their new built Town to take a homely Banquet, we sho'd
think 'twere royal Neighborhood to heat our buildings.
Alu.
We cannot be unkind, though to your hurt, we will dispense
with our great hast so long, and then from Banquets unto Battels fly;
Which Heaven (we hope) will guide successfully.
Exeunt.
Enter Harold, Huldrick, Osrick, Captains, and Lords of Denmark.
Hul.
Go let our Drums and Trumpets spight of fear, thunder aloud i'th
Air, and tell Canutus, his Captains do attend to speak with him he promis'd
to come down.
Har.
Yes down toth'earth.
Hul.
And in the shameful ruins he prepares with lust, and murder, bury
up his name, he's known by nothing but a large defame, the City
York for want of aid is lost, and still the foe pursues, if thus we stand to
sooth him in this sin, our conquest dies.
And we in blood must end our victories, 'sfoot sound and call him.
Enter Hoffman.
Hof.
Give your attendance Lords, the King is coming.
A flourish, and Drums and Trumpets.
Hul.
'Tis time he sho'd, he has been absent long
And done his honor, fame, and Country wrong,
Har.
It startled him at first, but when with mildness he did appoint
this general meeting to us, to what good purpose it inclines I know
not:
Osr.
I hope the best, see here he comes, my Lord.
Florish. Enter Canutus leading Cartesmunda, richly attired and deckt with Jewels, Hofman, and Gentlemen attending.
Can.
Where are our Vassals, attend your charge, and our delight,
with all your best of care and diligence, or by those stars whose influence
made me great; you dye in Torments all, let not the Sun extort from
her bright Rayes, to give him lustre (or if inamor'd as we know he is)
unless the Alpes have frozen up his Flames.
No, not for all his glory or arched seat.
Omnes.
All health and honor to the great Canutus.
Can.
Rise in our favor, vail thy face my love, we must not have thee
seen too much by slaves.
Cap.
Content, attend the King and his fair love.
Osr.
Long may she be the Mistriss of his youth:
Capt.
And give him heaven on earth.
Har.
And hell to boot: S'death shall we flatter thus?
Can:
So, now you crouch and fawn like daunted Curs that dare not
look the Lion in the face; Come Cartesmunda mount Canutus
Throne.
Let me unvail thy face, and tell me now, which of you all that
thus have tax'd my lightness, cu'd (if possest of such a Jem as this) less
value it then I: What think'st thou Osrick?
Osr.
I have not seen the like.
Can.
Nor ever shall, what Nature had in store was given to her,
And can one crown'd with such a heavenly weight,
Live and forgo this Center of delight.
Hul.
Let not these vain Affections (Royal Lord) sway you from
reason thus.
Can.
Ha! What is he?
Hul.
Do you not know me sir? the time has been, when in thy Battels
Huldrick has been seen knee deep in blood, cutting his way by
force, careless of life to free thy Royal person, and does your Mightiness
not know me now? Then hear the news I bring to comfort you:
The Danes once stil'd by Names of Conquerors, are now subdued and
slain. The King of Scots banded together with the English forces, have late
defacing all, thy conquer'd Cities burn;
And in their falls, the flames do rise so high,
They seem to light the Tapers of the skie.
And since Fames Trump which oft hath summon'd thee, is not so potent
as to draw thee forth, thy honor bids me dare thee to the Field, if thy
high spirit be not extinct by Lust: Let's arm our selves for
shame.
Can.
Traytor, thou hast deserved death ere thou dyest; and this thy
proud presume shall break thy neck, for chafing our high blood; O
love thou art unjust, I feel assaults far sharper in my breast, then all the
English Forces, 'gainst this wall; now love and honor, with their opposite
powers
Plead for my Love, my Honor, Fame, and Life;
With this mans words, my passions strongly move,
He for my honor speaks. Honor, but Love
I am thy Martyr now, and must go on,
For what is Honor but Addition,
Got in our pride of youth; yet stay Canutus, think of thy wonted
Fame, go on and conquer. Give me my horse, and I will quickly quell
'um.
Cartes.
What will Canutus do?
Can.
O Cartesmunda, with that heavenly voyce, already I am
chang'd, stern War remains; Kiss me, and kiss me dead, my best of
Loves.
Osr.
Hee's chang'd agen.
Hul.
This Strumpets eye, does sure bewitch him with her Sorcery;
Ile not indure this shame.
Enter a Post.
Post.
Where is my Lord?
Can.
Where thou shalt not be long: What wouldst thou Villain?
Post.
Arm mighty Prince, we have descried at hand, the Horse and
Ensigns of the English Army, troop'd with their Leaders like the gods
of War, who in bright steel, the fields do stoutly bear.
Can.
And there seek that which thou vile Dog shalt have; Comest
thou to fright my Love?
Kills him.
Hul.
Do not expose a mighty Nation, thus naked, to the Tyranny of
Lust, Canutus.
Can.
Traytor.
As thou art great, be just, Let not a Strumpets love, work all
our Ruines; the Enemie's at hand, and from thy side; Ile force this painted
Whore.
Car.
Help me Canutus.
Hul.
What, can you cry?
Can.
Wer't thou Joves Mynion, slave, thou thus had'st dy'd
Canutus runs at him, catches her up in his arms, and runs upon his sword.
Hul.
Ile meet it thus,
And dying so my end is glorious.
Car.
Oh I am slain!
Hul.
I have my happy wish then, Welcome death,
I dyed (Canutus) to preserve thy breath.
Dyes.
Can.
Sink down to hell; What has my rashness done?
O Cartesmunda, stay thy fainting breath,
Thou still shalt live with me in spight of death:
Car.
My Fate is come, great King, my vestal Vow, that broken, with
my wish is faln upon me.
And from your hand my death is justly given.
Such was my former wish, farewel Canutus.
And with my fall may thy great Fame arise,
Poor Cartesmunda; thus untimely dyes.
Dyes.
Can.
May all the world dye with thee; now I see
The heavens envy an earthly Diety.
Har.
Brave Huldrick that durst dye for Countries good,
And for our freedom spent thy life and blood.
Canut.
Ha, sit you weeping there; or has Amazement turn'd you
into stone,
To see my Love thus fall by mine own hand:
Our Self will instantly be in the Field, and scourge the English pride and
Inhabitants. Sound up our Drum, and call our Troops together, and
arm with speed, Ile to the Field, and fight; Farewel dear Love, whom
I of life bereft, for which unwilling Act, O pardon me:
Then gold inclose thee till the day of Doom.
Exeunt.
| The Love-sick King | |