University of Virginia Library

The fifth ACT

The first Scene

Enter King, and followers.
King.
Leave us. Just Heav'n to you I owe my Crown,
Exeunt.
And when you please, you may too pluck it down.
'Twas you that put this Scepter in my hand,
And to you for't alone, I debter stand.
Instead of making me a mighty King,
You might have made me, an inferiour thing.
'Twas all at your dispose, and sacred will,
And to my nothing, may reduce me still.
Do so kind Heav'n, much rather then permit,
That to my Subjects, I shoo'd e're submit.
That e're I shoo'd be subject, to their Law,
And be compell'd, of them to stand in awe.
Oh let not after ages, for to come,
With any such report, molest my Tomb.
Let not my Epitaph, be underwrit,
Here lies a King, did such a thing commit.
Here lies a King, which only had the name,
But not the power, to maintain the same.
Dishonour not your self, so much in me,
As suffer such a thing, in Historie.
But as you have ordain'd me here below,
Your Deputy, to men your will to shew:
So give me power, likewise to subdue,
Such as refuse, your pleasure for to do:
And help my arm, to make them for to feel,
What 'tis with your Anointed, so to deal.

Prince enters.
Prince.
I heard not long since from a servants hand,
How that your Majestie, did me demand.

King.
'Tis true, 'twas that you might your self prepare,
To meet the Spanish Princess, at Gomare.
The place she will strike in at, without faile,
Within these two dayes, if she have a Gale.

Prince.
To do your pleasure Sir, I'le make me fit,
And to that purpose, all things ready get.
I had no mind to't, heretofore 'tis true,
But now I see my fault, and error too:
And do thereof, repent with all my soul,
My disobedience, seems to me so foul.

King.
We Fathers, better then our Children know,
VVhat's good for them, how rough so e're we show.
Pray be not sparing, of our purse at all,
That no discredit, to us may befall.
But use such Pomp, and State, as shall be due,
Both to her Person, and likewise to you.

Prince.
There shall be nothing wanting, on my part,
Implease you Sir, to testifie my heart.
And to report, your Greatness ev'ry where,
If Art, or Cost, can make it to appear.

Exit.
King.
Unhappy Prince, for to be heir unto
My Crown, and Scepter, and to have to do
VVith such rebellious people, as he must,
VVhen I shall be returned, to my Dust.
Coo'd I but once, them to obedience bring,
How I shoo'd think my self, a happy King!

Lycas enters.
Lycas.
Implease you Sir, I'me sorry for to bring,
Such heavy tydings, to so great a King.
I 'fore I came, did with my self dispute,
Whether or no, I shoo'd presume to do't.
But when I call'd to mind, it woo'd be known,
I thought I coo'd, but make my duty shown.

King.
What? more misfortune yet? when shall I be,
Ye Gods, I faign woo'd know, from trouble free?
Am I the mark, of all your rage and scorn?
Or with such jewels, do ye Crowns adorn?
Well, out with it, for I am sure at worst,
It cannot be well worser, then the first.

Lycas.
The Cardinal just now, implease your Grace,
Was apprehended, in his own Pallace.
And carry'd by the people, thence away,
Unto the Castle, for to die men say.
In going thither, he was shrewdly hurt,
So did the vulgar sort, throw stones and dirt.

King.
The Cardinal us'd thus! good Heav'n is't true?
Then give me over, to their malice too.
Oh give me not a being, worse then Death,
For so 'twill be, when he shall lose his breath.
Here take your Crown, and Crown your self with it,
For on my head, it can no longer sit.
Next unto you, 'twas he that kept it on,
And 'twill fall off no doubt, when he is gone.
Where is the man, so able and so wise,
On all occasions, me for to advise?
Who understands, and too withall is true,
To that which he does undertake to do:
To whom may I with safety, now impart,
The dearest thought, that lodges in my heart?
Ah Heav'ns! is't possible you shoo'd forget,
Your Greatness so, as such a thing permit?
Let him, who offers incense at your Altars be
Us'd by the people, so irreverently!
Rowse up your self, and do not fall asleep,
When you shoo'd wake, your servants for to keep:
And work with me, these Rebels to subdue,
Which do not care a rush, for me nor you.

Marshal enters.
Marsh.
'Bove twenty thousand men well chosen Sir,
Which do your ease, before their lives prefer,
Are marching t'wards your Pallace with all speed,
To help your Majestie, if there be need.

King.
What man! twenty thousand men! this is news
Which likes us well, if you don't us abuse:
We are not yet, so ill belov'd we see,
Nor yet so poor, as we were thought to be,
If this be certain, which Heav'n grant it may,
And that before we strike, they may obey.

Sotus enters.
Sotus.
Implease you Sir, the Prince sent me in post,
To tell you, that on this Polonian Coast,
Is safe arrived with a mighty Train,
The Princess Flora, so belov'd in Spain.
Fifty sail of Ships, of a thousand Tuns,
Each carr'ing threescore Tire, of brasen Guns,
Are full of souldiers, for to help your Grace,
In case, your subjects, shoo'd not give you place.

King.
Fifty sail of Ships! and so many men!
Is news which does exceed, the first agen.
Kind Heav'n forgive me, if I did contemn,
Before I was aware, my Diadem.
It was my passion, made me to despair,
But now I see, you have of me a care.
Here, kiss our hand, come Marshal let us go,
And see what we can do, to win our foe.
If that by fair means, they will yield those Lords,
We will not notwithstanding, draw our swords.

Exeunt.

The second Scene

Enter Zorates and Selucious.
Zor.
The King I hear is, twenty thousand strong,
Besides the guard, which to him does belong:
And does intend, within an how'r or two,
To storm the City, if report sayes true.
We must forthwith, give order to unarm,
All those, which we suspect may do us harm.
Lest that a factious party, shoo'd arise,
Within the City, and so it surprize.
Whil'st that the Train-bands, issu'd forth shall be,
To hinder, and keep out, the enemy.

Selu.
Your care is good, and in it does appear,
The love unto your Countrey, you do bear.
But I do wonder, how the King shoo'd be,
So strong as you do say, so suddenly.
Since that the Country, seem'd with as much zeal,
To be transported, for the Common-weal,
As e're the City did, awhile ago,
Who now are fallen off, if it be so.

Zor.
Fallen off they are not, perhaps some few,
For want of means, despairing what to do,
Do hope hereafter, for to bear full saile,
If that the King, against us, shoo'd prevaile.
And so grow rich, who was before so poor,
By the assistance, of anothers store.
Were it not so, they woo'd not take that course,
They knowing at the worst, they can't be worse.

Selu.
The scurvy news, that I did lately hear,
Does with good reason, me possess with fear.
I hear the King of France, has sign'd a Peace,
And that the wars, 'twixt him and Spain do cease:
Which is a thing, we ought to lay to heart,
Since neither, I am sure, will take our part.
As for the King of Spain, he will be sure,
To act his part, our ruine to procure,
By reason of the match, not made long since,
Between the Princess Flora, and our Prince.
We shall do well, unto the King to send,
Propositions, if he his ear will lend:
To make a way, unto a happy peace,
And that our Arms, without a blow may cease:
For shoo'd we stay, until he has more pow'r,
We may perchance, repent we lost this how'r.
We know not what a King, incens'd may do,
Especially when he, has power too.
Wherein, wee'le humbly shew unto his Grace,
That for the Kingdoms good, he must displace,
The Lord High Admiral, and too withall,
Prohibit from the Court, the Cardinal.
How that we are so tender, of his ease,
And so unwilling, him for to displease,
That though by his own Laws, they ought to die,
They shall not suffer, that extremity.
But only out of hatred, to their crime,
Be banisht out the Kingdom, for a time.
To which, if he shoo'd please for to consent,
We ought therewith, our selves for to content.
What good wil't do us for to see them die?
'Twill but proclaim to men, our cruelty:
And set the King against us, more and more,
In doing so, then e're he was before.
The chance of war's uncertain, he may get,
The better on't, for ought that we know yet:
Which if he shoo'd, what woo'd become of us,
Him having treated, with all rigour thus?

Zor.
This fear to tell you plainly, is not just,
Nor is it safe, you any more to trust.
Your language is flegmatick, like your Age,
And speaks you Coward, and not very sage.
Shoo'd France, and Spain, and all the world conspire,
To ruine us, and frustrate our desire,
VVe will go on, and make them for to know,
They never yet encounter'd, such a foe.
After such sins, d' you think wee'le be content,
To let them live, although in banishment.
No, no, the only way to be secure,
Is now we have them, for to make them sure.
A coal but left unquench't, may fire a Town,
And wee'le dispatch them, though the King does frown.
For fear hereafter, they shoo'd come again,
And so reform the Kingdom, but in vain.
VVhat need we fear his anger? 'tis the Law,
VVe ought to apprehend, and stand in awe.
VVhich Law, so long as we do but obey,
VVe need not care, what men of us do say.
Nor fear ought forraign, or domestick force,
For Heav'n's too just, to prosper such a course.

Crocus enters.
Cro.
'Tis over all the Town, that with a Pow'r,
The Spanish Princess's landed at this how'r:
And's marching withall speed, unto the King,
Unto his Highness, succours for to bring.
The City's at their wits end, what to do,
And do desire, for to advise with you.

Selu.
What think you now? my fear was it now just?
Another time, will you my counsel trust?

Zor.
Ah Heav'ns! who woo'd have thought we e're shoo'd be,
Reduc'd, to any such perplexity?
VVho woo'd have thought, thou woo'dst have left us so,
To be thus put to't, by a forraign foe?
How many say they's landed on our shore?

Cro.
Forty thousand armed men; some say more.

Zor.
Forty thousand! a little number too.
And we must think too, what we have to do.

Exeunt.

The third Scene

Enter Bellarious.
Bell.
Symphrona turn Religious! can it be?
Ah Heav'ns! why gave ye me my liberty?
VVhy to my prayers, did ye bend your ear,
VVhen that ye knew, Symphrona woo'd not hear?
VVhen that ye knew, Symphrona's cruel mind,
VVhy to my wishes, did ye prove so kind?
VVoo'd I among the Turks, had stay'd till now,
And never to come thence, had made a vow:
I shoo'd have been more quiet in my mind,
Then now I am, to see her thus unkind.
Ah Love! is this the Joy you promis'd me?
Reward you thus, a Lovers constancy?
Is this the recompence, of all my pain?
Of all my sighs, and tears, is this the gain?
Then henceforth Lovers, warned be by me,
VVith women never more, in love to be.
But why blame I Symphrona? no, thy choice
As't makes me sad, so does it me rejoyce.
Thou'st chosen well Symphrona, and I am
Contented to be rival'd, by thy flame.
And Love, as she's resolv'd, so am I too,
Nee're with thy weapons, more to have to do.
But quietly, into some silent wood,
VVhere noise of birds, is only understood,
VVill I retire my self, to live and die,
And meditate upon Eternity;
Calling to mind, the shortness of this life,
How full it is of Evils, and of strife.
How ev'ry thing, which we court here below,
VVith so much passion, soon away does go.
Come, come, my soul, and let us search a Cell,
VVhere thee, and I, most lovingly will dwell.

Exit.

The fourth Scene

Enter Francina alone.
Fran.
How quiet are my thoughts, me thinks since I
Resolv'd to go, into a Nunnery!
Since I resolv'd, to bid this world adieu,
And with its follies, have no more to do.
The time that I have spent, to make me brave,
And nee're so much as thought, upon a Grave.
Nee're call'd to mind, this body which I fed
VVith so much care, must one day Earth re-wed.
The howers I at Cards, have play'd away,
And never thought, upon my latter day!
Nee're thought upon, the Count which I must give,
For all my actions, when I cease to live!
How I have study'd, mortals for to move,
And been with ev'ry thing, but Heav'n in love!
Kind Heav'n forgive me, and accept the vow
VVhich I intend to make, unto you now.
Madam, the business I do come about,
Symphrona enters.
VVill make you wonder, and admire no doubt.
It is a thing, so hard for to believe,
That you'le have pain, it meerly to conceive.

Sym.
Pray save me so much pain, and let me hear
That which you think, will so much stun my ear.
Yet if that one may judge, by outward show,
Your habit speaks you, to this world a foe.

Fran.
You have it Madam, I am so indeed,
And so will make it, to appear with speed.
I hate this world, and all that is in it,
And am resolv'd, it utterly to quit.
The sweet discourse, you made of Heav'n above,
Did take me so, that I'me thereof in love.
And do intend, to pass my dayes with you,
If you so Madam, please to let me do.

Sym.
With all my soul sweet Madam, I rejoyce
That you at last, have made so good a choice.
And cannot chuse, but wonder as you say,
That you shoo'd fancy, so divine a way.
You may be sure, the husband you do take,
Will use you well, and never you forsake,
As other husbands, too too often do,
To such as merit otherwise you know.
Besides for Dowry, he will give you Heav'n,
Which is the greatest gift, that can be g'ven.
Not for a moment, but for e're and e're,
Which is a term, 'mongst men you'le meet with nee're.
Come sister, let us go, and make an end,
Of that which you do tell me, you intend.
For that's the name I'le henceforth call you by,
Since you resolve, to vow Virginity.

Fran.
'Tis too much honour Madam, to be so,
Pray Heav'n in vertue, I may like you grow.

The fifth Scene

Enter King, and followers.
King.
Retire, Ah Heav'ns you know how 'gainst my will,
Exeunt.
I go about, my Subjects blood to spill.
With what remorse, this sword of mine I draw,
To make my people, to obey my Law.
Woo'd they woo'd see their folly, and let go
Those Lords which I demand, without a blow.
Or woo'd you'd be so kind, as tell me how,
My honour I might save, and fight not now.
For what can I, by such a battle get,
Although I conquer, but a sad regret!

Marshal enters.
Marsh.
A hundred thousand men, implease your Grace,
Are marching out the Town a mighty pace;
With an intent the Spanish force to meet,
And home again, them back again to beat.
As many too behind, are said to be,
Provided well, to charge your Majestie,
In case you shoo'd Sir, with your Royal force,
Go forward, for to interrupt their course.
My opinion, the best way you can take,
Is with them, an agreement for to make:
And condescend, to that they stand upon,
If to no easier terms, they can't be won:
For all the common people, with one heart,
Resolve with goods, and lives, to take their part.
I've divers reasons, which do me perswade,
'T advise your Majestie, as I have said.
But that which chiefly moves me, I protest,
Is that the Prince, will fight amongst the rest.
Now as the chance of war's, not sure at all,
So may it be his fortune, for to fall.
Which if he shoo'd, I'me sure that you woo'd give,
Those Lords, and Kingdom too, to make him live.
Besides the Princess, whom you tender so,
If that she shoo'd be taken, by the foe,
You are not certain, how they'le use her Sir,
Which may hereafter, cause an endless stir
Between your Highness, and the King of Spain,
Treating so ill, his daughter and her Train.
Shoo'd you o'recome, which is the most you can
Expect, or look for, at the hands of man:
D'you think a stranger, having taken foot,
Will home return, without some other boot?
No, no, believe me, he will make you sight,
Before hee'le go, for that which is your Right;
The French likewise Sir, having nought to do,
Will lose no time, you may be sure on't too:
But will make hay, whil'st that the Sun shall shine,
Pretending to your party, to encline:
But when they're in, the way to get them out,
Will be no easie matter too, no doubt.
In story we may read, some such event,
When King, and Subject, have had discontent:
Whereas if you your peoples, love coo'd gain
You need not care a fig, for France nor Spain.
There's nee're a stroke struck yet, one word may now,
Do that which one day, you may not know how.

King.
What sayes the Traytor? take him hence to dwell,
With those infernal fire-brands of Hell.
What mak'st thou me? a Coward? or a King?
Thou foul-mouth'd-fellow, to utter such a thing.
Doest think thou Traytor, that we bear this sword,
To cut off those, that do obey our word?
No, no, thou worst of men, wee'le make thee know,
Those Rebels too, what duty they do owe:
And not so eas'ly yield, unto their lust,
Those men that to our Crown, have prov'd so just.
That Prince's not fit, a Scepter for to hold,
That will be by his Subjects, so controul'd:
And since that Heav'n, has put it in our hand,
Wee'le sway it to the terrour, of the Land.
Wee'le sway it to the terrour, of all those,
That do appear, to be our Kingdoms foes:
Whereof with reason, we suspect you one,
VVherefore secure him, till our pleasure's known.
Carried to prison.
The greatest treason, commonly comes in
Maskt with advice, upon our souls to win
The easier acceptation, and so trappans
Our very reason, into our enemies hands.

Sotus enters.
Sotus.
The Prince implease you Sir, sent me in haste,
To tell you that more time, he will not waste,
But without fail, will through the foe make way,
To kiss your Royal hands, this very day.
The Cavilry, together with the foot,
Are in a fighting posture, ready put.

King.
Heav'n prosper his advance, wee're ready too,
And will endeavour likewise, to cut throw,
And clear his passage, to our Royal Place;
VVherefore my Lords, let's more then go apace.

Exeunt.

The sixth Scene

Enter Zorates and Selucious.
Selu.
But what if the King o'recomes, and gets the day,
VVhat will become of us? we cannot run away.
The Sea-ports ev'ry where are so secur'd,
VVe cannot hope t'escape, be you assur'd.
Nor in the City, can we shelter have,
For ev'ry man himself will strive to save;
And rather then their lives, and fortunes loose,
Be ready for us, for to make a noose.

Zor.
Still fears, and doubts, 'tis ominous I swear,
And does presage our ruine I do fear.
Success in ought attempt, is only when,
VVe march on boldly, and nee're look back agen.
The Gods are just, and will reward our care,
Much better then you think for, never fear.
Besides, do not the Prophets of our Age,
Tell us, we shall prevail against their rage?
They know the mind of Heav'n, to which we must,
And ought in reason too, for to give trust.

Selu.
Were not our cause, much better then their skill,
For all their Art, I shoo'd be fearfull still.
Their knowledge is not certain, so to be,
Nor trusted too, as infallibility.
They oft'ner miss, then hit the mark I know,
How e're the vulgar sort, they cozen so.

Crocus enters.
Cro.
The King is victor, and the City flies
To him for mercy, with exceeding cryes.
There's nought discours'd, but Presents for the King,
And how they may, contentment to him bring.
How that they may, procure his wonted grace,
And like loyal Subjects, look him in the face.

Zor.
Then we are lost, and by the people too,
We shall be left, which is our double wo.
They that to a multitude, will trust,
Are worse then mad, although the cause be just.
Just, or unjust, to them it is all one,
Success having pow'r, to make it so alone.

Selu.
'Tis true it has, amongst the vulgar sort,
But with the best, it has but mean report.
Men that have reason, for to judge aright,
In ought success, take not so much delight,
So to abuse their judgement, as conclude,
The cause is just, cause conquest is refus'd.
Well, be't how 'twill, how ever I have been
Drawn in by you my Lord, thus overseen,
I ever thought, the course that we did take,
Woo'd one day make your head, and mine to ake.

Cro.
What? no reward for this so happy news?
aside.
I've known the time, my pains not so to loose.

Zor.
I ever thought, your fear woo'd us undo,
Wherefore my Lord, farewell, farewell, adieu.

Offers to go.
Enter the Maior of the City, with his Common-Council, and Officers.
Maior.
Stay Traytors, stay, and leave your heads behind,
To pacifie, an 'appease, his Graces mind.
We had not thus resisted, had not you,
With your perswasions, urg'd us thereunto.
You've drawn us in, and we will draw you out,
And leave you to his mercy, without doubt.

Exeunt.
Enter King, with his Life-Guard.
King.
Break down the City Gates, and likewise then
Bring us the heads, of those rebellious men.
My Lords that are restrain'd, at freedom set,
With fire, and sword, make way to all that let.

Sotus enters.
Sotus.
Implease you Sir, now at your Palace Gate,
The City with those Traytors, now do wait,
With halters 'bout their necks, to testifie,
Their true compunction, to your Majestie.

King.
This forc't repentance, never can be good,
'Tis as unwholsom, as water in the blood.
Where is the man, to save himself will not
Counterfeit a grief, so to be forgot?
That is a baite, Rebellion layes to catch
An easie faith, a greater harm to watch.
VVe will not so be cosen'd, they must die,
Not our will so much, as our necessity.
My Lord you're welcome, to us once agen,
Cardinal and Admiral enters.
VVhom never more, we ever thought t'have seen.
Such was the fury, of this peoples rage,
VVhich nothing but a Crown, coo'd them asswage.
Or your dear lives, which are to us so dear,
Rather then lose, our Crown wee'd never wear.

Card.
Sir such expressions, we do not deserve,
But from our duty, we will never swerve.
Restraint, nay life it self, is too too low,
A pledge of that allegiance, we do owe.
Our being here, woo'd but a burthen be
To us, wer't not to serve, your Majestie.

Enter Prince, and Princess Flora, with the Spanish Train, and the rest of the Officers of the Army.
King.
There comes th'Infanta whom we long'd to see,
And did expect, with such impatiency.
VVelcome fair Flora, welcome to our Land,
VVe, and all our Subjects, are at your Command.
No wonder at our conquest, since your eyes,
Have pow'r alone, to kill and sacrifice.

Princess.
VVrong not the valour, of these Heroes so,
As that this Conquest, ought to me does owe
Nor yet the justness, of your cause Great Sir,
Which now has ended, all this coyle and stir.
Though cause thereof, I shoo'd be glad to be,
Withall my soul, to serve your Majestie:
All my ambition is, implease your Grace,
In your favour, to have a servants place:
And to your Laws, so like a Subject live,
That to your people, I may pattern give.

King.
You are not only fair, but humble too,
But such humility, becomes not you.
It does become you better, ev'ry way
Sweet Madam, to command, then to obey.
Which like a Princess, freer then in Spain,
You in our Kingdom, shall command and raign.
But what can we, unto these Grandees say,
For all the pains, that they have took this day!
And to these Beauties, which have left Spain sad,
And full of tears, and sighs, to make us glad:
But bid them welcome, to our Royl Court,
And study how, to make their time seem short!