 | The Heroic-Lover, or, the Infanta of Spain |  |
1
The first Act
The first Scene.
Enter Lycas and Sotus.Lycas.
Kings with their Greatness, have their troubles too,
And many times, are puzled what to do:
Shifting from place to place, to find out rest,
So are their heads, with discontent possest.
According to the Nature of the times,
Or else proceeding, from their proper crimes:
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Or else refus'd, what them belongs unto;
No man, not knowing so, to hold the scale,
As hinder King, or Subject, to bewail.
Sotus.
Good faith 'twas ever so, and so 'twill be,
So long as at the Court, dwells Flattery.
So long as private end, shall challange place
As only Favourite, unto his Grace.
How is it likely, he should see aright,
When he must see, but by anothers sight?
Lycas.
Which is the cause, so many men complain,
And that so few, do come away with gain.
Did mens requests, come to the Princes ear,
More courteous to them, sure he would appear,
Then let them sue, for that which is but just,
So many years, as now adayes men must.
Sotus.
The City's weary, and the Countrey too,
And something shortly, murmure for to do.
They will no longer, have the King abus'd,
Nor let themselves, so rigidly be us'd.
But how to do't, they are not yet agreed,
Out of the Court, such netles for to weed.
Lycas.
Pray Heaven, they may do all things for the best,
Procuring to the King, and Kingdom rest.
Shoo'd they reform things, with too strict a course,
Instead of mending, they woo'd make things worse.
It is no small a matter, to know how,
To win a King, and make a Subject bow.
Sotus.
Report sayes, that they do intend by Bill,
Unto the King, to shew his Subjects will.
How that they are, by Taxes so opprest,
They cannot live, nor in their houses rest,
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To scrue the people, by Commission large,
Gave from the Cardinal, whom they'le demand,
For satisfaction, at his Royal hand.
Lycas.
They may demand, but 'twill be but in vain,
For of his Grace, they will not him obtain.
Sotus.
If that by fair means, they can't compass it,
They will by foul, endeavour him to get.
Exeunt.
The second Scene
Enter Prince alone.Prince.
Had I my fair one, in this silent Grove,
To tell my passion, and declare my love
How short this day, woo'd unto me then seem,
And how much give, its howers to redeem.
Where at my ease, I might behold and court,
And fear no living creature, to report,
The stolen blisses, which I might receive,
If she were pleased, so to give me leave.
Tell her, how ev'ry day augments my flame,
And that 'tis she alone, can quench the same.
How much her eyes, have made a Prince a slave,
Which does rejoyce, that honour for to have.
Enter Nonantius.
Non.
The King your Father, sent me you to seek,
And tell you too, that with you he woo'd speak.
Prince.
I am not lost, except it be in love,
To tell how much, the object me do's move.
But where's his Highness? 'tis not long ago,
I left his Grace, pursuing of a Doe.
Nonant.
He is return'd implease you, and does set,
Now with his Counsel, of the Cabinet.
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Well, I come, but before I hence depart,
I must, and will, disclose to thee my heart.
Of all my Fathers Subjects, thee alone,
I have pickt out, to make my passion known.
I doubt not of thy secrecy, and zeal,
And therefore with thee, I will plainly deal.
'Tis fair Francina, lodges in my brest,
And moves me so, I cannot take my rest.
I prethee tell her, that I love her so,
And press her likewise, to believe me too;
That for her sake, I value not my Crown,
Nor yet my Fathers, nor my Subjects frown.
Nor Heaven it self, shoo'd Heaven oppose my heat,
My passion is for her, so monstrous great.
Non.
Sir, may I speak, and not your Highness move,
She merits well, but not from you such love.
You are a Prince, and heir unto a King,
Which is upon my word, no little thing.
Consider well your birth, and your degree,
And you will yield, 'tis your infirmity,
To love with passion, one so much below,
Your rank, and Greatness, as we all do know.
Prince.
Come, come, I know, this is but for to try,
How hot my flame is, and my constancy.
Thou lov'st me, and my ease, I know too well,
In this opinion, ever for to dwell.
Thought I but otherwise, by my soul I vow,
One minuit more, I woo'd not thee allow.
She is a Princess, and of better blood,
Then I my self, by how much she's more good.
'Tis not enough, to be a Princess born,
Except she vertues have, to her adorn.
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Which is we know full well, the nobler earth.
Non.
Without all doubt it is, but you may have,
A Princess both wayes, and your honour save
Prince.
Think'st thou that I, can any honour loose,
A handsom, vertuous Lady, for to choose?
No, no, I cannot, do what I command,
And I will to the other hazard stand.
Non.
Since that your Highness, is resolv'd to love,
Make choice of one, that's fitter it to move.
To tell my own, alas I am too weak,
How can I then, anothers passion speak?
Prince.
I will not trust another, only thou
Of all the world, this business best can'st do.
Non.
Then I will do my utmost, though I die,
Since doing so, I serve your Majestie.
Exeunt.
The third Scene
Enter King, Cardinal, Admiral, Marshall and Controuler, in Counsel.King.
'Tis time my Lords, the Prince shoo'd have a wife,
To be a stay, and comfort, to his life.
His age, and Ours, do it require with speed,
The Kingdom of our issue, having need.
Wherefore your Counsels, we shall gladly take
To help us, our election for to make.
Card.
Sir, like a Father, you do kindly deal,
Both with the Prince, and with the Common-weal.
There is no man, but must confess the care,
Your Grace does take, since all men it must share.
Admiral.
Your goodness likewise, equally commend,
Since our advice, to ask you condescend.
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Then freely deal with us, and also plain,
If 'twill not proper be, to match with Spain?
Control.
Sir, since that I, may freely speak my heart,
I think it not convenient, for my part.
My reason is, that now the King of Spain,
Is scarce in case, his Kingdom to maintain.
How then will he, be able for to lend,
Succours if need shoo'd be, to help a friend.
I rather think, the Danish Princess shoo'd
More sitter be, if that your Highness woo'd,
Be pleased to accept it at his hand,
Which by Embassador, he does demand.
Besides the wealth that Kingdoms does possess,
With plenty so of all things, in excess,
To be ally'd, unto that Crown woo'd be,
More advantagious, to your Majestie.
He being near, unto you seated so,
He woo'd no doubt, offend you more being foe.
And if your friend, he's proper to defend,
And at an howers warning, succours send.
But I am weak, and simple, and may err,
Wherefore it to your judgements, I referr.
Marsh.
My Lord says true, that Spain in such a case,
Can by no means, aid or assist your Grace.
But that which makes me, chiefly of his mind,
Is that your Highness, will not Pistols find,
Which make without dispute, the strongest hold,
For you can nothing do, without you've gold.
And if that you have store, your Highness may
Prevent a foe, your Kingdom to inveigh,
And with it keep, your Subjects too in awe,
If they shoo'd chance, to grumble at your Law:
7
I know not how, it will with honour stand,
They having broke, their word with you, you know.
You promising to aide, not long ago.
Wherein they plainly shew'd, their love and zeal,
Both to your Highness, and to your Common-weal.
I rather think, the Swedish Princess might,
In this your choice, pretend the greatest right;
For as she's rich, so by the Laws o' the Land,
She like a Prince, has power to command.
Which is a thing, not common ev'ry where,
That women to a Scepter, shoo'd be heir.
In taking her, into the Princes bed,
A Crown, and Scepter, you will likewise wed.
Admir.
Sir I do think, and likewise will maintain,
That 'tis most proper, for to match with Spain.
'Tis true, the reasons that my Lords do give,
Are very strong, if Spain shoo'd alwayes live
In war, and never hope to have a peace,
Which f'rought we know, to morrow next may cease.
We ought, in weighty matters of the State,
Wink at the present, and the future waite:
Except in case, your Majestie shoo'd be,
Urg'd to embrace, by some necessity:
Which as I know, there is none yet so great,
As off this match, your Majesty to beat.
The King of Denmark, all men know full well,
So tim'rous is, that hee'd not stick to sell,
The dearest friend he has, himself to free,
From the oppression, of an enemy.
Nor woo'd his friendship, were it firm and good,
So useful be, as t'other to your blood.
8
Must look to wed, into a world of stir.
Except he'le worship, or at least permit,
That they the Gods, shoo'd serve as they think fit.
Car.
These Lords, dread Sir, the business so have scand,
And argu'd to and fro, we have in hand,
That they have left, not much for me to say,
Therein unto your Majesty this day.
Yet, what more I know, I'le be bold to speak,
Since my advice, it pleases you to seek.
As I conceive, the matter in debate,
Is to find out, th'advantage of the State.
Now Sir, the question that will hence arise,
Is which of these, you chiefly ought to prise.
A mighty Monarch, in another sphere,
Or else a Prince, less powerful that's near.
As't has been said, the King of Spain 'tis true,
Is at this present, very hard put to.
Yet is he not, as men do think so poor,
But that he can, afford you Pistols store.
Which is as much, as if he men did lend,
Were you compel'd, your Kingdom to defend.
As for the King of Denmarks amity,
So much as 'tother, 'twill not useful be.
My reason is, that as he has less pow'r,
So is he false, and changing ev'ry hour.
The Swedish Princess, as my Lord well said,
Is most improper, for the Prince to wed,
By reason of his Faith, and her belief,
Which doubtless daily, 'twixt them will cause strife.
Besides the private fears, that will arise,
That your Grace their Errours, shoo'd favourize.
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It is most fit to match, their loves to gain.
King.
We have with great attention, heard you all,
One word unto the ground, not letting fall,
Wherein we see, we are not in one thing,
More happy, then in you, in being King.
To whom we are obliged very much,
Your love, and counsel, unto us are such.
And 'tis resolv'd: but whom shall we ordain,
Our Lord Ambassador to go to Spain?
To let his Greatness, for to understand,
That we that Princess, for our Prince demand.
Car.
My Lord Controuler, please your Grace would be.
Extreamly fit, to tell't his Majestie.
King.
Then you, our Lord Ambassador we chuse,
Commanding you, your power for to use,
In our behalf, to compass this affair,
And for that journey, quickly to prepare.
As for your full instructions, they are these,
How that his Highness, woo'd vouchsafe and please,
To honour us, to match into our Race,
That we may be, ally'd unto his Grace.
And thereupon, give him to understand,
That we the Princess Flora do demand,
In marriage with the Prince, our eldest son,
Who will be King, when we are dead and gon.
Thereto be careful likewise, for to add,
That with his Highness, we shoo'd be most glad,
To make 'gainst all, if he'le so please to do,
A league offensive, and defensive too.
As for the marriage summ, you shoo'd demand,
We think it better, to his pleasure stand.
10
Without all doubt, will honourably appear.
Yet if in case, you shoo'd be urg'd the summ,
Five hundred thousand pounds, woo'd us become.
Our Admiral, will order take you shall,
For one of our best Ships, not stay at all.
Controul.
Since me your Majesty, has chosen out,
Of all, the most unworthy without doubt,
To serve your Highness, in this great affair,
I will with diligence, my self prepare;
And do what in me lyes, for to discharge,
The trust your Grace does put, in me so large.
Within this two dayes, I will put to Sea,
If that the wind, shall favourable be.
The fourth Scene
Enter Symphrona and Francina.Sym.
No news dear Madam, of my Lords return?
But half so much as I, did he but burn,
No doubt but quickly, he woo'd come away,
And make more hast, loves tribute for to pay.
Out of his memory, am I then cast,
'Cause in my bosom, him I've kept so chast?
Must I rewarded be, with such neglect,
Because I've had for him, so much respect?
'Tis more then cruel, if it must be so,
But I'le not him condemn, until I know.
Fran.
I wonder at his stay, and 'tis most strange,
But I am sure, his love will never change.
You are, sweet Madam, plac't too near his heart;
With his consent, from thence to e're depart.
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As often haps, to cause him to delay:
Which troubles him, no doubt as much as you,
To which he fears, to make you privy too.
Sym.
What chance can there be, I'de not sooner hear,
Then so at all, to hear not from my Dear?
I may imagine, that which is not true,
In such a case, as often Lovers do,
A thousand things, present to our belief,
Which entertain'd, abuse, and mock our grief.
Were it not better, to hear the truth at large,
Then with so many doubts, our minds to charge?
Fran.
It is not by your favour, alwayes meet,
To hear the truth, of what we may regreet:
Especially for us, who by our sex,
Are weak, and apt, at little things to vex.
Sym.
Term you that little, which I term my all?
You will not do so, when in love you fall.
Exeunt.
| The Heroic-Lover, or, the Infanta of Spain | |