 | The Faire Maide of Bristow |  |
Chal:
Come Vallen. lets to Sir God-fries house,
I know there will be reueling to night
This is his birth day: and he welcoms all,
Fair Anabell his daughter is my loue,
There shalt thou see the Idoll of my thought,
Faire Bristows miror and my harts delight.
Val.
Frend Challener, I wonder at thy humor,
To dote so much ouer this female kind,
That charms thy sences makes thy eie sight blind.
Chal.
Thou art an enemy to women still,
I prethee what doth best agree with thee.
Val.
To see my hounds, to chase the fallow deere,
to see my fachon strike the partridge dead.
to heare my horse Careere, to drink full healths,
and not liue puling for an nounce of Beauty,
Chal.
I loue to see my hounds as well as thee,
My horse, my fachon, and healthes when time serues,
But aboue all my mistris I prefer,
She is the Fewelt that doth heate my bloud,
And therefore Vallenger, for my sake goe
and see, the gallants will be here to night,
Val.
Yfaith you bind me to a mighty task
Ile see your Lady, and your Ladies maske,
then prethee peace here will we keepe our stand.
Chal.
For by the Drum the Maskers are at hand.
Enter Sir Godfrey, Vmphrevil, his wife, his daughter, and the Maskers to daunce.
Now gentlemen, your welcome to my house,
Good maister Challener and your honest frend,
So are you all yong gallants euery one,
But we forget our selues, boddy of me,
Where be these Ladds, what shall we haue
No dauncing after dinner? Ho, vp with the tables,
If they haue dined within, and come
Yong Ladds now to your dance againe.
Here they dance and Vallenger speaks.
Val.
False tong that spoke such blasphemy before,
That I dispraised, now doth my soule adore.
Chal.
How dost thou like my loue now Vallenger.
Val.
O shees deuine and I become her thrall.
Chal.
Doth Bristow yeeld her fellow, prethee speake,
Val.
A thousand, I must hence or else my hart will break.
Exit.
Chal.
What meanes my frend in such a humor goe,
Ile know the cause before I leaue him so,
Exit Challener, and Vallenger. Here the dannce ends.
God.
Gentlemen I thank you all,
Lets in to supper tho the cheare be small,
(Exit the Maskers.
Enter vallenger and Challener.
Chal.
Uallinger thou art a traitor to thy frend.
val.
Not to my frend but alwaies to my foe.
Chal.
Why dost thou loue the saint I do adore.
val.
To anger thee I sweare to loue her more.
I loued her first, when thou didst loue disdaine.
val.
I loue her now, therefore thy loue is vaine.
Chal.
Forsweare to name her else thou art my foe.
val.
Forsweare my Anabell, hence dotard go,
Chal.
Prepare thee Uallener it is decreed.
For Anabell, or thou or I must bleed?
val.
On Sir tis welcome spare not but thrust home.
Here they fight, vallenger falls downe.
And Challener flies away, vallenger cals
For helpe, Sir Godfrey, his wife, and his
Daughters, comes forth with lights.
val.
Some Gracious Body helpe me I am slaine.
God.
Whose that which cals for help, gods pitty wife,
The Gentleman, lies bleeding heere that came
with maister Challen.
I pray Sir speake who hath hurt ye thus.
val.
The villen Chalener hath almost slaine me.
God.
Challener, why I thought you had bin friends.
What was the matter Sir may I know it?
val.
About your daughter, and while she was dancing
I praysed her gesture and her comely grace,
But Uallenger most like a liberall villaine,
Did giue her scandelus Ignoble termes,
Which I rebuked him for whereupon,
We drew our weapons, I by chaunce being downe,
The coward villaine thus hath wounded me.
God.
How say you wife, did not I say so much,
He was a Cutter and a swaggerer,
He haue my child, no, no, he aymes amisse,
Go presently make search thrughout the Citty,
Where ere you find him carrie him straight to prison,
Looke to him, come Sir, since your hurt
Was about my girle, you shall not from
my house till you are thorow whole.
I thank you sir, I am much bound to you.
God.
Come sir, my wife and my daughter shalbe
your surgeon, come helpe him in: softly knaues I say,
Exit Omnes.
Enter Harbert, sentloe, and Florence a Courtizan.
Har.
I prethee Sentloe leaue this Idell life,
That will vndoo thee if thou followes it,
Art thou so fond ouer so light a thing,
Dost thou expect her lust before my loue
Dost thou not see thy sin nor yet thy shame,
Thy reputation, honor, nor thy name.
Sent.
I prethee harbart peace content thy selfe,
she whom I loue, thou seest loues me againe,
thinks thou that I so long haue seen the worlde,
and do not know my frend now from my foe.
Har.
She whow thou thinkst wil proue thy greatest frend,
Will proue a serpent and a cockatryce:
For what is she but a common stall,
that loues thee for thy coine, not for thy name,
Such loue is beastly, rotten, blind, and lame.
Sent.
Forbeare me this, and chid me for ought else,
Har.
Leaue this, and vndertake what liks thee best,
Leaue her, and then my thoughts will be at rest,
Flo.
And why sir leaue me, for your companie,
I would thy loue were equall vnto mine,
then Sentlo should be sure he had a frend.
Har.
As thine, Ide rather hang my selfe,
Sentloe leaue England for a little space,
Goe to braue Richard in the holie Land,
the warres will teach thee to forget thy loue.
Flo.
Will sentlo leaue hir that doth loue him so,
for thy sake will I go in russet,
Rather then I will want thy companie,
I will be come as mild and duetyfull.
as euer Grissell was vnto hir lord,
and for my constancie, as Lucrce was,
and if that Sentlo will but liue with me.
Sent.
I know it sweet, when I from thee depart,
Then let my Luke warme bloud, forsake my hart,
Harbert you wrong me to abuse her thus.
Har.
Thou wrongst thy selfe, me, and all thy frends,
But if thou wilt not leaue her company
I vow my frendship to thee is cold.
Ile leaue thee to the humors of thy youth,
To one that hath nor honestie nor truth.
Sent.
What dost thou threaten me, go wher you please,
Harbart your companie contents not me,
Leaue me, ile leaue thee first,
and so farwell: come loue lets hence.
To Bristow will we go,
Who cares where Harbart be or frend or foe.
Har.
O how vnbrideled is the course of youth,
That takes his frend to be his greatest foe,
and thinks the counsell that should do him good:
Like poison, or as the herbe Draconis,
Well tho thou scorne thy frend that holds thee deare,
he will not leaue thee in extreamity,
Thou art gone to Bristow, thether will I go,
Where I will proue a frend and not a foe.
Exit.
Enter Sir godfrey, vallinger, his wife, and his daughter.
god.
Sir I am glad you are so well recouered,
Touching my child, I promise you truly Sir,
I do not know the man in Bristo,
That I affect more then I do yourselfe,
Chal
Sir I haue found it, and I wish I may
Make satisfaction for your good regard,
And louing care that you haue had of me,
So please you Sir to know your daughters mind,
Which way her maiden thoughts are most inclind,
Enter a messenger with a letter.
Val.
From whom the Letter.
Mes.
From your father Sir,
He reads the Letter.
God.
Come hether wife, daughter a word with you,
I know that once thou didest loue Challener,
But he is fled, thou seest a swagering fellow,
Tell me my girle wilt thou be ruled by me,
And ile prouide a man fit for thy turne.
Ana.
Faith whosoeuer you shall thinke meet.
God.
Why thats wel sed my wench, ther spok an angel
Looke yonder what saist thou to yong Vallenger,
He is a man as twere compleat of waxe,
His father is an honorable knight,
A Challener, a very stock to this,
Loue him my girle, say as I say, do.
Ana
I neuer heard a father labour more,
To win his daughter that was woon before.
Wom.
Daughter what say you to your father.
God.
Why wife I know what she would say already,
She hath loued Challener. And would thinke,
Her fond in leauing him so soone to chuse another,
And thinks we would be angry,
If she loued Uallenger, tut vse thy mind
Ana.
Father, I know these words are all but iests,
God.
Well sed my girle then Uallenger is he,
What say you Ellen do you not agree.
Wom.
What liks you two, is neuer Crosse,
Mine is the care, but yours is the losse.
God
Now maister Uallenger, good news a gods name
From whence is that letter Sir may I know,
Val.
You may Sir God-Frey, this letter is from my
Father Sir, who to morrow comes to Bristoe,
And meanes to soiorne heere all the winter time.
God.
He shall be welcome, I would my house
Were thought fit for his entertainment,
But son, so may I call you now,
And if that you agree how say you Sir.
val.
Sir I wish it were to night before to morrow,
And by your daughters leaue, seale it with this kisse.
God.
Welsed harts youle neuer be yonger,
Lets in to get all things in readines.
Exit Omnes.
Enter Challener, his man and a Gentleman of Bristow.
Chal.
God maister Chambers, your welcome Sir to
London, how farr our frends at Bristo Marchanthers,
Cham.
M. Challener, all well, your frends at Bristo,
Would be glad to see you.
Chal.
Indeed I dare sweare that I haue some friendes
There, but among all, how doth yong Uallenger?
Cham.
O the man you hurt.
Chal.
Euen hee.
Cham.
Exceeding well, he is at Sir God-freys house,
And is on thursday next to be espoused,
To beutious Anabell the old knights daughter.
Ist posible?
Cham.
Tis as I tell you Sir,
But maister Challener I am in some hast,
And pleaseth you soone to come and sup with me,
Ile tell you then the matter more at larg.
Exit gentleman.
cha.
Faire Anabell married to Uallenger,
The newes doth run like yse through all my vaines,
Is Anabell married to Uallenger?
A faithles woman, trothles, and vnkind,
Won with a word of labour, lost like wind.
O I could rend my flesh, and teare my haire,
Married to Uallenger, what to my foe?
By heauen if all my wealth were in the sea,
And I left Desprate, suckerles, and bare,
It would not halfe so much haue gauld my hart,
As this same newes, this fatall deadlines.
Ia.
What cheere you maister neuer be so sad,
Tut let her go more wenches may be had.
cha.
No none like her, but I will straight from hence,
With my owne personage I will dispence?
I prethee Iaques get me a Docters weed,
For vnto Bristow will we with all speed,
There will we see the Bride-groome and the Bride,
Get straight post horses, for this night ile ride,
And presently get me a Docters tire,
Till I am at Bristow, each part is one fire.
Exit Omnes,
Enter Sentlo, and Harbert, disguised like a Seruingman.
Sent.
Did Maister Herbert then send you to me.
Blu.
How think you, he told me he set it in the letter.
Dost thou know what he hath written here.
Blunt.
Not I, nor I greatly do not care.
Sent.
Heere he desires me as ere I tendred him
That I would entertaine thee as my man.
Blunt.
You may if you wil, if you wil not you may chuse,
Sent.
I prethee what is thy name?
Blu.
Blunt.
Sent.
Blunt name? Blunt nature?
Heere my frend doth write,
Tho he be somwhat stoburne in his wordes,
Yet he is of confirmed honesty,
Well Blunt I entertaine you Sir,
How now, sweet loue, whose thut.
Enter Florence and Frog.
Flo.
Mary sweet hart tis Sir godfreys man,
That comes to bid vs to his daughters marriage.
Frog.
I Sir my name is Frog: good man Frogs son
Of Frog Hall, that am sent from my maister,
To desire you and the Gentlewoman,
To make a step to walke, or as it were to
Come, or approach, to dinner? This is all Sir.
Blunt.
Do you heare Sir, is this my mistres.
Sent.
I Blunt.
Blunt.
Is she not a Whore? she lookes like one?
Sent.
Peace Sirrha on your life.
flo.
What sausie merchant haue you got there,
Frog breake his pate?
frog.
No by my faith, hees like one would sooner break mine.
sent.
Well Frog tell thy Maister I will not faile.
flo.
Sweet hart shall I go in this gowne?
sent.
The time is to short to make another.
Blunt.
Is not that gowne good inough for a whore?
flo.
By heauen if you maintaine this Rascall slaue,
To abuse me, keep him and let me go.
Sent.
Go to, peace sirha, no more.
Blunt.
I haue done sir: Harbert, whether wilt thou?
Thy loue vnto thy friend makes thee forget
thy selfe, therefore no more.
Sent.
I prethy sweet lam content thy selfe,
This fellow was sent me from a speciall friend
Tho he be blunt yet is very honest.
flo.
I could be content to loue him well enough,
So he could afford me better words.
Blu.
Well I wil speake no more what shall offend you
Lets goe sweet hart, therefore blunt come goe you along,
Sir godfrey staies, therefore we do him wrong,
Sent.
Thou wrongest thy selfe, god send thee to amend
And wouldest do further wert not for thy friend.
Exit Omnes.
Enter Sir godfrey, Sir Eustace, Mother, and anaball.
Eust.
Sir Godfrey vmphreuile, & my honord Sister.
My bony bryde, and this fayre company,
How it glades old Eustace vallenger
To see this good ocasion of our mirth.
Had my ould true harted Sara lyued,
To haue seene the maraige of her deere son
And in soe good and worshipfull a stock,
As ould vmphrevilles: well twas a woman
Few such liue now: you ould foolish eies
Will you be watring still.
Wom.
she was a wise and vertuous gentle woman
The poore will say so.
God.
I hope my child will imitate her steps,
Eust.
Come anaball thou now must be my wife,
I know thou hast bin bred vp for a huswife,
Thy husbands a wild boy I confes.
But let him stay and keep thee companye
Or by the holy roode he roostes not heer.
But brother, heres an Itallian docter thats com-
mended to vs by especiall friends,
Whom we must intertaine with good regard.
Ho, whose with in there?
Enter vallenger, Challiner like a Docter, Sentlo, Anabell, Florence.
val.
Doo you call Sir?
Eu.
Fy, Fie, Ned you trifle out the time.
val.
Sir I was welcoming this gentleman,
This Gentelwoman, and this docter,
Being strangers here in Bristow.
god.
Signeor Iulio I vnderstand your called sir.
Doct.
That is my name Sir.
God.
Right reuerent Docter your most welcom hether,
My house, or what else, is at your command.
Eust.
The like say I sir, be bould thereof
Doct.
Most honored knights whatsoeuer lies in mee,
Commaund my best indeuer.
Eust.
Com mistresse Florance you must knowe
That your come to Bristow.
And must now help to grace our Bride,
Flo.
With all my hart Sir Eustace at her seruice
va.
Sir, maister Sentloe is the man I chuse,
To intertaine the bryde, he giues me leaue
To welcome Mistres Florance.
god.
Come brother you and Ile confer wt M. Docter.
Flo.
What on your wedding day and change,
va.
The Bee that Sucks the bitter Hemlock flouers,
When that he comes to tast the Uiolet
Doth count his former food as trash and weedes
Thou art the Uiolet the bitter Hemlock shee,
I blind before, but now mine eyes doth see.
Doct.
I ouerhard thee, thou base Uallenger.
That such an angell should indure the euell,
To linke herselfe to that insatiat deuill
god.
Come we discourse to long, wee shall haue
Time enough for conference.
va.
What will you bee so Coy,
Flo.
Y faith you men are so deceytfull,
That shees a foole will credit what you say,
Eust.
Why Ned what meanest thou
va.
Sir but one word with Master Docter, I com,
Well I will Compasse thee whatsoeuer befal.
Exit all but vallenger, and The Docter.
Sent.
Well since the bride doth giue me leaue.
Ile bee so bould as to haue a Dance.
Exit.
va.
Docter, a word.
Doct.
With me Sir, I with thee.
va.
Men of thy sort are sworne to secresie,
But further me and keepe my counsell.
In that which I shall here impart to thee,
And Ile giue thee a Hundred pounds in gould.
god.
Sir heres my hand, whatsoeuer lies in me,
You shall comand my hart and secresie,
It is enough then Docter thus much know,
Tho happely it may seeme straung to thee.
So far as now I must reueale to thee,
But think tis loue, blind loue that leads me on,
That conquers Gods, and much more mortall men.
doct.
Delay not sin but speake your mind at full.
va.
Then thus in Briefe Anabel is my wife,
But florence is the Mistris of my hart,
I leue her Docter, Dost thou conseaue me now,
doct.
How would you I should help you in her loue,
Why now thou commest vnto the very maine.
va.
Thou knowest her sweet hart Sentlo, hees the let.
doct.
And what way would you haue him remoued.
va.
Why poysoned man, a little dram will doote.
doct.
Poysoned Sir, alas you know tis death.
va.
I if it be knowne but that shall neuer be,
Speake honest Doctor wilt thou doote for me,
doct.
Sir for your sake although it touch me neere,
Heers my hand ile doote.
va.
Tut Docter neuer feare.
Gold will salue all, and that thou shalt not want.
doct.
Sir Ile strech mine art to do you good,
Tho ventring so it cost my dearest bloud,
val.
thankes gentle Docter goe to florence straite,
With in this houre Ile in the garden waite,
there bring her alone, Sentloe is sure,
And as for Anabal her thoughtes be pure,
Sentloe once dead, Docter thou knowest my mind,
Faith anabell she staies not long be hinde,
Good Docter faile not, I must now to dinner,
Exit.
doct.
Now heauen forgiue thee thy pernitious sinnes
I poison Sentloe, now the lord forfend.
that such a thought should enter in my brest,
Blessed be the time I tooke a Docters shape,
For by this meanes Sentloe his death shall scape,
False Uallenger shall be deceiu'd by me,
And that deceit is lawfull kind and iust,
That doth preuent his murder and his lust,
And tho I haue faire Anabels loue lost,
Yet Uallenger shall in this sute be crost.
Enter Frog and douse.
Frog.
Come douse. Now we haue time and place as
They say, I prethee vse me with no delay,
But still say, do not say you will not haue me,
Now because I am none of your burgers,
But Douce as I am hastie yet I am not the hastiest,
And though I am resty, Yet I am not lowsie,
And of one that cannot talke much,
So I loue to speake little, for as that
Worthy Philosopher Hector ses, the words
Of the wise do offend the foolish, so
Douce in few words and in tedious talke,
Tell me when is this day.
Douce.
What day Frog.
Frog.
What day Frog? dost thou aske what day,
why Douce this day of wedlock Douce,
This day of going together Douce,
This day of wearing out sheetes and
Throwing downe blanckets Douce.
Douce.
Ifaith Frog you know I haue little,
And for your owne part your as poore as Iob,
Frog.
But not so scabed I thank God Douse,
Well, I see you regard not the wisdome
But the wealth, not the man: but the mony,
O Dowse, Dowse, much hast thou to answere for.
Dous.
Besids I think you do not loue me.
Not loue thee, why I cannot dresse my maisters
Horses for thinking of thee: I cannot dream for
Sleeping of thee: but for a certainty,
I loue thee indeed, when I goe to bed
And pluck of my shooes, there you may smell
Loue out of me: and then I sigh and then I pause,
And say that Dowce is the onely cause.
Dous.
Well Frog, I haue but iested all this while
Yfaith Frog hadest thou bin ruled by me,
Thou hadest not bin Froging out of the well
So long: but Frog twas thy fault.
frog.
The more is to come Dowce, then you will
Haue me, we shall to this geere?
Dowce.
I sweet hart, name you the time,
The sooner the better.
frog.
So say I dowse, for as the old saying is,
He that hath a good dinner, knowes better the way
To supper: but dowse, we will be married a sunday,
And that we will be spoken to be liberall,
Weele giue ten grotes to the poore: with this
Prouisso, that if we neede it, weele haue
our ten groats agin.
dous.
I but afterwards will you not proue vnkind?
frog.
How dowse vnkind?
When tinkers leaue to drinke good ale,
And Souldiers of their weapons faile,
When pedlers go without there pack,
And water is more deare then sack,
When Shomakers drinke that is small,
And Lawiers haue no tongues at all,
When Fencers leaue of giuing knocks,
And youngmen hate faire Maidens smocks,
When drunkerds scorne a copar nose,
And Botchers nere mende lowsie hose,
then Frog shall proue vnkind to Dowse,
and so sweet hart lets goe and wed,
and after to dinner and then to bed.
Exit.
Enter the docter and his man.
doct.
Go Sirrha at the back doore,
Bring mistris Anabel, make hast away.
Ia.
I warrant you Sir.
Exit.
Well Vallenger if all things fall out right:
You shall haue little cause to thanke
The Docter, but heere he comes.
val,
How now Docter, what will Florence come,
Doct.
She will be heere Sir, presently, and see
You can no sooner speake but she is come.
Enter Florence and Blunt.
Flo.
Go Sirrha, do you tend at doore,
Let none come in vnles I call to you.
Blu.
I will, straight fetch Sentloe, to this match,
Are you there Docter, yfaith ile be euen with you.
Exit Blunt.
va.
Sweet mistris welcome.
Flo.
vallenger now by this light,
Thou art the welcomest man in Christendome.
va.
Thanks gentle mistris, but how if Sentlo come.
Flo.
Hang him I neuer lou'd him in my life,
Only I gull the Rascall for his money.
Doct.
The more villaine vallenger
To leaue his true wife for a common stall.
flo.
Now by this hand, I wonder vallenger,
What delight thou takest in such a wife,
But that she is somwhat wise, and modest,
By this light she is a very block to me.
va.
hang her, I care not for her, our fathers made the match
Enter anabell.
Now with a diuill what whirle wind blew you hether?
How now minks, what make you heere.
Ana.
I hard my Uallenger was all alone,
If I offend thee loue, ile straight begone,
yet I had rather stay and if you please.
flo.
Uallenger, what makes your minion heere,
What are you ieallious huswife with a pox?
Ana.
I pray you gentlwoman be not offended,
Please you my husband and all shall be mended.
Va.
Gosip get home, or I shall set you packing.
flo.
I haue a trick and if it fall out right,
Shall moue her patience ere she part from hence.
Ana.
thou art to me, as bodie to the soule,
My life is death without thy companie.
flo.
By my troth heere is an excellent rebato.
Would I had such a one.
va.
Likes it thee mistris?
Heere take it, a worse will serue your turne.
Ana.
Withall my hart, heere mistris take it,
at home I haue a better, please you to goe
With me ile giue it you.
Flo.
Heeres a wonderfull good fashiond gown,
Ide ride my horse twenty milles for such another.
va.
Huswife, vncase, a worse will serue your turne.
ana.
All that I haue sweet Uallenger is thine,
and what is thine, thou boldly maist bestow,
Giue all I haue, onely reserue thy selfe.
and gentlewoman pitty my estate,
think that I am a woman as your selfe,
Had you a husband that you loued so deere,
Would it not grieue you? Yes I know it will,
But yet I pray, for My sake vse him kind,
I am sure heele deserue it at your hands,
va.
Goe, get you hence, or else ile send you packing.
Ana.
I will sweet loue, and where so ere thou art,
God send thee neuer a lesse louing hart.
Exit.
Enter Sentloe and Blunt.
Sent.
vallenger, your a villaine to vse me thus.
va.
Sentlo, the villaine I throw back againe,
And will maintaine mine honor with my sword,
Draw vallenger, one of our deaths is nigh.
Here they drawe, Blunt and the Docter comes betweene them.
Blunt.
Go too, put vp vallenger, or ile make you.
va.
Well sentlo another time shall serue for vs.
Exit vallenger and the Docter.
flo.
I prethee gentle loue be patient.
Sent.
Out ye Whore come not in my sight,
For if thou dost by heauen ile martir thee.
Exit Sentlo.
Flo.
Caulest thou me whore, now by this light
Ile haue thee murdred, and if gold can do it.
Blunt.
Gold can do much, but deuill can do more,
Heere is a true paterne, of a common whore.
Mistris what meanes my maister to part in such a rage.
flo.
Forsooth the Gentleman is Iellious,
But I would quickly rid him of that Feuer,
And if thou wouldest Blunt but consent with me.
What is it Mistris, it shall goe hard
Shall make me slack in what may profit you,
Although you still thought that I loued you not.
flo.
Now Blunt I see it, and will report thy loue,
And for asigne heere take this purse of gold,
And now but marke the issue of my purpose.
Thou Seest that Sentloes coine: begins to wear,
And Uallenger is euen now on the spur,
And for my sake will empty all his treasure,
And what I haue I will impart to thee,
But murder Sentlo, then is Florence free.
Blunt.
Mistris if this should be done,
a crash of your office were not cast away.
flo.
Feare not Blunt we will not stick for that.
Blunt.
Then heeres my hand, before the sun go downe,
Ile do the deede Sentlo shall shortly die.
flo.
The deed being done come presently to me,
And we will frollick in his tragedy.
Exit florence.
Blu.
O Sentlo, wert not for thy friend,
How many dangers hadest thou fallen into,
The mischiefe now abroach I did foretell,
For by my meanes thy life in safety dwelles.
Exit sentloe.
The drunken mirth.
Enter sir Godfrey, Eustice, and the docter, Anabel in her wastcote.
God.
O my deere daughter how could he vse thee thus?
eust.
My son rob thee of thy faire Ornaments.
God.
And for a strumpets loue, O God, O God.
eust.
Split soule a sunder, that thy sons so vild.
God.
Giue me my child (Sir Eustice) as she is,
eust
Giue me my son, that I may punish him,
For wronging this faire flower thy worthy child.
God.
Alack good knight, I make my mone to thee,
And thou in true loue canst but pitty me.
Eust.
Alas good knight, my griefs so iumps with thine,
That as I weepe for thee, so pitty mine.
Enter the Mother.
Mo.
Where is my child, where is my Anabell?
God.
Heer wife, let vs hold hands, and in three parts,
Lets sing around, and so weep out our harts.
Mo.
How could the wretch (deare soule) abuse thee so.
ana.
Call him not wretch, he is wretched but by me.
In mee consists the cause of all this wo,
Faire Florence is the mistris of his hart,
To her I am but as a Counterfit,
Rather I am an ethyop, soule, deform'd
And therefore hated of my Uallenger.
Doct.
O Beautious maid, blemish not thy name,
Thou art Heauenly bright, and she as black as hell.
God.
Should any but my Anabell say so,
Tho age hath set his foote vpon my back,
I would maintaine thy Beauty,
Sweare thou wert faire,
Nay more then that, defend it with my sword.
eust.
Sir God-frey, so would I, by heauen I would,
I, wert against that fugetiue my son,
Fugetiue in forsaking of his wife
To lead the race of an intemprat life.
Mo.
Heere me but one word, gentle maister Docter,
The Lord be with the vertuous Challener where ere he
Be, Sir he should haue had my child,
And I repent me twenty hundred times,
So my goodman forsooth would needs
Make vp the match with this same vnthrift,
And now you see how he doth vse my child, alas.
Doct.
This is some comfort in this depth of wo,
Thy vertue is preferd before thy foe,
Why then tell them boldly who thou art,
No be still the Docter, hold thy course begun,
There is more a foote, then will in hast be done.
eust.
Brother, it shall be so, he shall not haue
A graue roome of my Land.
God.
He spends no goods of mine vpon his trull.
eust.
Cut off all maintenance, that is the way
To make him see his sin.
ana.
O say not so, deere father heele repent,
And I shall haue a husband of new birth.
god.
Girle, thou art to foolish, so are we to long,
Sufferance in this may grow to further wrong.
Doct.
To further wrong indeed, for Vallenger
Hath hired me to poyson Anabell.
eust.
What his true harted wife?
Doct.
Delay is worse to danger, credit me,
And by that plot Sentlo must likewise die.
god.
Blessed be the houre that euer yu camst to bristo.
eust.
A Docter of more honesty there liues not.
god.
Were he our son a thousand times,
We must not let him be a murderer.
ana.
Good Father let it suffice you know it,
And may preuent it, follow it then no further.
Doct.
O thou that rules the lotery of life,
Why should a bad man haue a vertuous wife,
Or a bad wife, haue a husband that is good,
Dost thou delight in contraryeties,
When we are maistred by a greater will,
Come good old man, come myrror of true wiues,
O let my hart with your harts simpathise,
although I am no kinsman to lament,
In your distres my griefe as deeply spent.
God.
Docter, brother, whats to be done.
eust.
Gods me we must go apprehend him strait.
god.
There is no dallying in a matter of such wait,
And therefore let vs not be slack in this.
eust,
No, no, brother with your men,
Beset you Sentloes house he may be there,
I and my men, will post another way,
No place shall be vnsought,
But we will haue him.
Exit the two old men.
Ana.
Good mother stay them
This their iourney forth,
May breed some mischiefe,
Therefore call them back againe.
Mo.
Thou art to foolish girle, let them go,
thou seeks his loue, that is thy mortall foe.
Doct.
O thou art framd of constancie thy selfe,
Challener what a iewell didest thou losse,
By shoing it vnto thy faithles friend,
and how like drosse doth he account of it,
Come vertuous maiden wipe those crystiall eies,
thou weepes for loue of him which loue defies,
Lets in to counsell what may best relieue,
Where teares and sorrow giues men cause to grieue.
Exit Omnes.
Enter vallenger.
va
What spightfull fortune Uallenger is this,
and to my father all my plots reuealed,
Who flat denies me succor or reliefe,
I dare not I be seene within the citty,
For then there is no way but straight to prison,
Ile call to mistris Florence I know that she is kind,
to her ile show my griefe and my sick mind,
Ho, mistris Florence.
Enter Florence.
Flo.
Whose there, sweet Uallenger ist thee,
Why dost thou looke so sad, how faires my deare?
Va.
Yfaith neuer worse, but all my hopes in thee.
Flo.
What is it sweet I will not do for thee?
Va.
My Father and my wife knowes all my drift,
And all inraged, threatens to be reuengd,
And will not let me haue no maintenance,
But sweares to plague me for my wickednes.
Flo.
Is the wind in that doore,
What would you haue me do?
va.
To let me liue with thee a little space,
Untill I haue obtained my Fathers grace,
Then what I haue sweet mistris shall be thine.
flo.
And what shall I do, beg the while,
No Uallenger your deceaued in me,
think you that ile be priuy to your plotes,
to bring my selfe in danger of the Law,
Go to your wife and cherish her at home,
I do not like these wanton humors I.
va.
I hope sweet Florence that you do but iest.
flo.
Be shrow my hart then, do not take it so,
Pray leaue my house, least your father come.
va.
Giue me house-roome Florence but to night,
Not an houre, shall I haue my reputation
Touched for thee, if you linger heere,
Ile send for the Officers to discharg my selfe.
Val.
It is euen thus, well what remedy:
Lie in the fields wretch, there dispaire and die.
Flo.
Pray God that Sentloe be not murdred now,
Then all my hopes are lost.
Enter Blunt.
Flo.
How now Blunt what newes?
Blu.
Sentlo hath drunk his last, the deed is done.
Flo.
Then are we vndone Blunt?
Blu.
Why, wherefore.
Flo.
The poore deiected Vallenger was heere,
As dry as dust not left a single doyt,
His father vowes to follow law of him,
Well, would that Sentlo were aliue againe.
Blu.
Tis done, and therefore now there is no help.
Flo.
Yes Blunt, thers help, but marke a womans wit,
Vallenger is but new gone out of doores,
Go follow him, and mark where he lies downe,
And if thou seest he is inclinde to sleepe,
Lay Sentloes murdred body hard by him,
Pluck out his sword, and all be bloudy it,
And then cry murder as if he dyd the deed,
About it Blunt, do not the same neglect,
And then we two are free from all suspect.
Flo.
Feare not this shalbe done effectually.
flo.
Then farewell, come to me when tis done,
Meane while ile home, and stur not out of doore.
Exit.
Blu.
The diuell take thee for a filthy whore,
Thou art apt enough in murder, and in lust,
But like a stone in any thing is honest,
That dead men should reuiue, it would seeme strang,
Now after Vallenger I mean to goe,
To see in what place he doth himselfe bestow.
Exit.
Enter Sentlo very drousie.
Sent.
I wonder that I am so dull and heauy,
My feete doth stumble, as I go along,
Mine eies hangs downe, as if I had not slept
This twenty daies, pray god it be for good.
Still more and more: well, I must needs lie downe,
And make my pillow of the grasse and ground.
He lies downe and falles a sleepe, Enter Vallenger.
va.
How yrkesome is the day vnto my eies,
My cheeks do blush for to behold the skies,
Methinks the heauens doth frowne vpon my sin,
And to repentance bids my hart begin,
the earth do burne my feete with scorching fire,
Because that all as hot was my desire,
So heauen and earth, my practise doth confound,
Yet must I be beholding to the ground,
My griefe is heer, sleep doth follow sorrow,
heere rest thy wretched carkas till to morrow.
Here he lies downe to sleepe. Enter Blunt.
Blu.
This way he went, and here he is laid to sleepe,
And Sentlo by him, this is excellent:
For once be a littell lauish of thy blood.
Heere he stabs his arme, and blodies Sentloes face, and pluckes out vallingers sword and blodies it, and laies it by him.
Blo.
The Potion I gaue sentloe to drink,
Doth make him seeme to all as he were dead,
And yet his time is not come to wake:
Now will I raise the wach. Murder, murder.
Exit.
Vallinger startes vp.
val.
What noise is that affrites mine eares
With murder, I laid me downe to sleepe,
Whats here: My sword drawne out and blody
And heres a gentleman new murdred,
Some villaine surely that hath don this deed,
Hath laid this murdred body here by me,
So by that meanes himselfe might be thought free.
If it be so, why then most hapie I,
that hates to liue, and hath such meanes to dy.
Enter the Constable and officers.
Con.
Se heres the murdred body, and here the murdrer,
I chardge you in the kings name
Deliuer vp your weapons: And goe along with vs
With all my hart, see ther my weapons are,
And cary me wheresoere you please
Exit with vallinger.
Con.
Goe to prison with him presently,
the rest bring in this murdred body.
Blo.
God saue you sir, I here it rumored,
a gentleman is slaine.
Con.
I sir a proper man, and here he lies.
Blo.
O noble sentloe dost ly soe lowe,
Breake hart assonder that thy frend is slaine.
Con.
Sir, do you knowe the gentleman.
Blo.
Yes sir, he was my louing friend,
And we at oxford fellow Pupels were,
Then good sir let me in kindnesse craue,
That as I allwaies lou'd him in his life,
so I may haue his body at his death.
That I may giue him Cristian burial,
Con.
With all my hart, weel leaue him with you sir,
and I am sory ser for your heauines.
Blo.
So this goes well, once
Ile be blont again.
Exit constable.
For now the times drawes on of his awake.
Sentloe rises.
Exit.
Sent.
I neuer slept more soundly in my life,
But stay, how comes my hands soe blody,
So is my face, me thinkes, stay heres my man.
Enter blunt amased.
Why how now blont why stares thou so vpon me,
Blo.
are you aliue sir.
Sent.
Didst thou set any body to kill me.
Blo.
Not I sir but wicked Florance did,
Sentloe behould thou Harbert and thy friend,
That thus hath wayted on thee like thy man,
To saue thee from a thousand miseries,
Sent.
I am a masd, and knowe not what to say
O my deare Harbart: O my louing frend.
Harb.
Leaue of imbracments till some other time,
The king is com to Bristow, newly landed,
Come as we goe along Ile tell thee all,
Things wonderfull that yet thou dreamst not off.
Exit.
Enter king Richard, Leicester, and Richmond.
King.
All haile thou blessed bosome of my peace,
Richard findes instance of his home returne,
Bristow, thou hapie rode where first I land,
Doth welcome me now from the holy land.
Send word to London of our safe ariuall,
While we awhile in Bristow heere repose vs.
god.
Fame with her brasen trump hath born this tidings hether.
Eust.
And Bristow with their Cittizens expresse,
Their gladnes by their tryumphe, at your safetie.
Kin.
And we with you will put these triumphs on,
But for this vnlucky accident,
Which makes old Eustice and Vmphreuil sad
Which grieues me for the noble gentlemen.
god.
By blessed Saint Paule my liedg I cannot brook it
to see my child, my aire, my Anabell,
this heere: what a wretch was this?
Now by saint Charity if I were iudge,
a halter were the least should hamper him.
eust.
Tho nature wrassels with my staied reason,
yet iustice with impartiall wings directs,
My thoughts from pitty, and my words for right,
My liedg to make an entrance to your fame,
Regard Vmphreviles wrong, punish my son,
I cannot lose him better then by law,
Nor is he lost that doth example giue,
Of sweet amends to such as leudly liue.
King.
Uertue commends thy course, and patience his,
In both I pitty, what you both desire,
If iustice could be glased with pitties wings,
Call for the prisoner, let vs crowne the time,
With iustice, for these honorable men.
Ana.
Haue mercy Richard, mercy in a king,
Is like the peereles Diamond set in gold,
he out of enuy and of fury speaks,
I out of loue and passion plead for him.
King.
What pleasing aduocate hath pitty rais'd,
To plead the prisoners cause, himselfe not there.
Ana.
One that doth beare the greatest griefe of all,
The haples wife of wofull Vallenger.
King.
Why thou art wrong'd, therfore shouldest claime,
Reueng for thee, and iustice for thy husband.
Ana.
Reuedg for me my Lord, nay that cannot be,
vnles a strang deuission may be had,
For I that am as neerely knit to Vallenger
as bodie to the soule, cannot suppose
an iniury, But think his losse,
To be my miserie and chiefest crosse.
God.
Hath he not sought thy bloud thou foolish girle?
Ana.
He sought no more then I can freely giue,
and sacrefise to death so he may liue.
Mo.
Did he not keepe a harlot to despight thee.
ana.
And if he mend that fault he soone may right me.
He gaue thy ornaments to deck his trull.
Ana.
And my consent did ratefie his guift.
Mo.
Well he hates thee.
Ana.
To try my patience, all that he did or gaue,
Or did contriue conserneth me,
his act was my allowance.
Now since my selfe, accuse not, but excuse.
Since she that was supposed to be wronged,
Doth right that wrong, be iust and set him free,
For I protest I know no iniury.
God.
She knowes no iniurie, my Lord she lies,
King.
Sir God-frey since your daughter doth
Remit his fault, methinks you should forgiue him,
god.
Forgiue him, no not I the wretch shall neuer bost,
That he hath braued old God-frey in a iust
And honest cause. Ile touch him I,
I and tuch him to the quick,
No lesse then for his neck verse will I touch him,
Docter stand foorth and to my prince and peeres,
Say what thou know'st of Sentloes bloudy death
Cha.
Then this I vow before your Maiesty,
That Uallenger corrupted me by gold,
to poison Anabel, and Sentloe to.
Ana.
Intents are nothing till they come to acts.
god.
and mistris is not Sentloe dead in act.
Har.
Sentloe is dead, my maisters bloudy death,
should quicken iustice in your maiesty.
King.
thou shalt haue iustice to thy owne content.
Cha.
O how I grieue to see her brinish tears,
Water the Crimson roses of her cheeks.
Har.
Had not my wit preuented this before,
Nor you nor she, had neuer sorrowed more.
Eust.
Yon come my son: what said I? No my shame:
O let his bloud my liedge redeeme the same.
King.
Yong Uallenger thou art heere,
Accused for Anabell,
And murdering Sentloe that is dead,
Speak, art thou guilty. I or noe.
va.
Guilty in both my Lord, and heere for both
Ready to pay the penallty of my life,
Tho in my soule and conscience I am cleere,
Of Sentloes death, yet welcome happie lot,
That so shall rid my life of that foule spot.
ana.
Alas poore soule, how griefe and his disgrace,
Doth make him desprate, behold his face.
From thence speaks truth, as from an Orackle,
That he is innocent, tho his words accuse him.
king.
Well Uallenger atend thy sentence.
Har.
Pronounce not sentence yet, right royall king.
king.
What lawfull stay canst thou impart to vs.
Har.
A stay to straighten iustice and the truth,
My conscience charged with this hainous crime,
Makes me confesse tho to my harts true griefe,
That by thinticements of lewd Florence and her guifts,
I should haue murdred Sentlo, my deere maister,
I therefore think that through her wickednes
She is the cause of all these villainies.
king.
Post officers, and fetch her to our presence.
va.
A weake delay to hinder my strong faith.
God.
I euer thought that Harlot would be one.
See how that bold face ieats it like a bride.
Enter florence.
flo.
Health to the king, good fortune to the peeres.
Moth.
A boulder quean ther liude not this many years.
My pearcing iudgment, through the brittle glasse,
Of that fraile beauty, doth deserne her loosenes,
Lady stand forth.
Flo.
I entertaine that name most royall king,
And boldly come heere to cleere my selfe,
Of any thing that shall be laid against me.
King.
You are heere acused as accessarie,
Unto Sentloes death, speake are you guilty I or no.
Flo.
Doth this disgraced son of that proud man,
Charg me with these surmises before the king.
Va.
Thou hast not murdred him, but my renowne,
His death, this hand my death of fame doth wound.
Cha.
Thus lust makes yongmens missery her law.
Flo.
Who then dares tuch my reputation?
Eust.
Looke there on thy accuser, that is he.
Flo.
This corish lumpe of flesh, this shaghaird slaue,
Eust.
Aplie thy speech proud woman to the place,
Speake reuerently in presence of the King.
King.
Lady we stand not vpon words,
But one the proffe, and estimate of right,
Sirrha, stand forth: and freely speake the truth.
Har.
The wretch my Lord that neuer did offend,
Fears not to die, I charge thee Florence
Of my maisters death: Moreouer, I charg thee
That with this purse of massie gold
Thou didst bribe me,
To murder Sentloe, Sentlo that is dead.
flo.
I bribe thee, with what false-hood dost thou vrge me.
Har.
Let Uallenger be asked what purse this is,
Looke on it Ladies, marke it, for you know it.
Ana.
This purse was mine.
va.
This purse I gaue to Florence.
King.
Then with this purse, we boldly may conclude
that she did bribe Blunt to murder Sentloe.
Looke on her face my Lord, her couller changeth,
flo.
Am I discride, shall yonder corish slaue,
By blabing tongue bring me to infamy,
No tho I assure my death, ile further his.
God.
Your answere Florence, what debate you there?
flo.
My answere shall be resolute and true,
Worthy the vallor of a womans mind,
To bad for thee, thou lumpe of infamy.
Eust.
Nothing but badnes is from bad deriued.
flo.
Most mighty king, I freely do confes,
That cursed Blunt consented to murder Sentloe,
This is the truth of all, liue I or die.
Har.
Lewd is her life my Lord, and lose her toong.
king.
Well take them aside,
In Florence I obserue her impudence,
In Uallenger dispaire, in Blunt remorce,
In these three last front terror,
Call them agen, attend your sentence all,
First Uallenger, thou soughtest to poison Anabell thy wife,
Since by aparent proffe Sentlo is slaine,
Our sentence is respectiue for thy good,
A noble death: the losse of thy lewd head,
Blunt, and this honest Florence,
Both for committing and concealing murder,
Must one the gallowes die, this is our sentence.
Har.
No act is proued in me right royall king.
King
Her words approue thy act, thy act her will.
Har.
My faults is in consealment, not attempt.
flo.
His fault is murder, hang vs all my Lord.
Eust.
Harbart for all your kindnes to my son,
Ile see you shortly caper in a cord.
flo.
See then you hang vs closely, then my Lord
To kis in death, as we haue kist in life.
Ana.
Bost not thy shame, nor shame thou womanhood,
Alack good god, how holy is she growen,
she loues the flesh, yet dares not make it knowne.
va.
I do imbrace the law, as pleased to die,
Father forgiue the follies of my youth,
Umphrevill, let me beare to heauen
Upon the wings of my vnfained repentance,
My sorrow heere indented in my tears,
And thou indued wonder of thy sexe,
Forgiue the wrongs that I haue done to thee,
That I may go with peace vnto my death.
king.
Away with them,
To morrow see execution be performd,
Ana.
O mercy Richard, show some mercy,
Will Uallenger in silence losse his son,
And harder then the Penerian rockes,
Neuer be perst,
Although the Father will not, Richmond plead:
And if that Richmond dare not, Liestor speak,
O see the time fleets hence with Swolloes wings,
Time runs: O Gratious king be mercifull.
king.
Lady I cannot breake the limites of the law,
A wilfull murder must be paid with death,
Yet bring me a man that willingly will yeeld
Sufferance of death, to saue yong Uallenger,
And he shall liue, else hope no further grace:
Atend our further pleasurs at the court.
ana.
This is some comfort, happie Anabell,
Now show thy ready and thy womans wit.
Chal.
How shall he liue in one will die for him,
Well Uallenger, it thou haue such a friend:
Thou art happie, but I mean to see the end.
Exit Challener.
Sent.
Thus like a frier I haue disguised my selfe,
To see my deere friend, that hath saued my life,
And that same strumpet that
Would haue caused my death.
A harlots loue, is like a chimney smoke,
Quiuering in the aire betweene two blasts of winde,
Borne heere and there by either of the same,
And properly to none of both inclind,
Hate, and dispaire, is painted in their eies,
Deceit, and treason, in their bossome lies:
Their promises, are made of brittle glasse,
Ground like a phillip, to the finest dust,
Their thoughts like streaming riuers swiftly passe,
Their words are oyle, and yet they geather rust,
True are they neuer found, but in vntruth:
Constant in nought, but in vnconstancie:
Deuouring cankars of mans liberty,
But stay: I am at the prison gate,
Where are you keeper, let me speake with you?
keep.
Who knocks there?
Sent.
A fryer come to confesse your prisoners.
Keep.
Stay ile bring them to you presently.
Enter Vallenger, Florence, and Blunt, and the keeper.
Sent.
Health to this place: sir, let me speake with you.
Do you not sorrow inward at your hart,
For your loose life you haue so wanton spent.
Val.
Yes: from my hart Sir, and do thinke it long,
That this vild life of mine doth breath so long.
Do not dispaire, although your death be nie,
Heauen looke vpon you with a Gracious eie.
flo.
Now gentlewoman: let me speake with you,
Now good fellow, what wouldst thou haue with me?
Sent.
To confes truly your offences past.
flo.
Well: shall I confes one thing truly to thee,
Sent.
One thing, and euery thing.
flo.
Why then I confes truely that before
This time neuer confest any thing truely,
But in briefe father ile tell thee,
All that I couseaned, I defrauded:
Those I haue slandered, I haue defamed,
Whom I hated, I loued not:
And this hath bin the manner of my life.
Sent.
Are you not sorry for that you haue done.
flo.
No by my troth, nere a whit at all.
Sent.
I hope your mind will chang before you die.
flo.
Perhaps you know so much: trust me, not I.
Sent.
God turn your hart: frend let me speak with you,
The time draws neere of execution,
What is it meete I goe along with you?
Har.
I gentle Sentloe, and thy selfe shall see,
The deference twixt lust, and chastity
Enter a messenger.
Mes.
You must bring the prisoners away,
the king and peeres are already set.
keep.
Say we make all the speed we may.
flo.
Come noble harts, lets fearles march away,
A little hanging will dispatch vs all.
Exit Omnes,
Enter the king, Richmond, Liester Sir
king.
Sir Godfrey, and Sir Eustice vallenger,
Your Siluer haires shoulde teach you patience.
god.
My ledge, God be my record I do not repine,
Alack good knight, thou weeps in vaine,
But now there is no helpe.
Eust.
I, I, my Soueraine iustice on my son,
He hath deserued death, and let him haue it.
king.
Sir godfrey, hath your daughter yet
Found out a man will die for Uallenger,
Such was our promise in regard of her,
And since our word is past, we graunt it him.
god.
No, no, my Soueraine, I haue hard,
A man vrged by nessesity to lead his frend,
Or to redeeme his person with his owne,
But to find one will die for a frend,
This age we liue in doth not now aford.
Enter the officers with the prisoners.
king.
Dispose yong Uallenger the first to death,
That done, send hence the other to their sentence domd
va.
Ere I asend this stage where I must act,
The latest period of this life of mine,
First let me do my deuty to my prince.
Next vnto you, to much by me offended,
Now step, by step, as I assend this place,
Mount thou my soule into the throwne of grace,
If my offence might be forgiuen on earth,
I would aske pardon of my dread king.
That must forgiue me,
But my hatefull life
Hath so be bloted and besmered my fault,
That when I come to ask the last forgiuenes,
They will not list my sute,
Nor yet regard it.
Enter at one doore, Anabell disguised like a man, and at another Challener.
Ana.
Stay: heere is one will die for vallenger.
Chal.
Nay heere is one will die for Vallenger.
God.
Be blind mine eies, O vertuous Challener.
Come to redeeme his enemy from death.
val.
O Challener, by the deep wrongs that I haue done to thee,
O hide thy face, thy lookes are far more keene,
Then is the axe, must strike the fatall stroke:
For thee sweet youth, thou canst aledge no reason
Why thou shouldst die for me,
Be iust O king.
No torment worse, then fruitles lingering.
King.
Dispatch them executioner: dispatch.
ana.
Stay executioner: do me iustice king,
thy word is past that vallenger shall liue,
If any one will loose his life for him,
And that will I: ile dy for vallenger,
Chal.
Nay heere is one, that for the loue he beares,
to Anabell, but not to him, will die for vallenger.
ana.
My plea was entred first, my claime must stand.
Cha.
Tell me but what thou art, rash yongman,
that dares enter into this place before me:
humannity doth teach thee thou euer shouldst
how rude then and vnmannerly art thou,
To forget this common courtesie,
that parents teach their children euery houre,
Ana.
Sir, in humanity I must confesse,
So much as you aledge but not in death.
the graue is as the publick theater,
the roome being taken vp, by them first enter,
the second sort must sit but as they come.
Besids you say you die for anabell,
She nere deserued death: therfore giue your plea
to him that hath true title for the same.
God.
Thats not by thee fond girle,
Kneele Eustice, kneele, do not acept
Against her folly, do not good my ledge.
King.
Why you amaze me, whats the matter?
God.
Why my ledge, this is my child, my anabell?
Came in this disguyse,
to saue his life, that was the spoile of hers,
Now aforegod girle thou art much to blame.
What is that other?
God.
My Lord, this is vertuous Challener,
Come to redeeme his enemy from death.
King.
a conflickt of exceeding consequence,
and much renownes that worthy gentleman,
tho let me tell you we are much displeasd,
that anabell should baffel thus our lawes,
We asked a man, and she a woman to delude vs.
therefore we are content her husband haue his life,
But she shall lay her head vpon the block,
and she shall haue no executioner,
But vallenger him selfe, shall strike it off:
this is our sentence, and we will not chang.
Ana.
pray god thou dost not king, for I accept it.
Shall saue thy life and make an end of mine.
val.
To strike the stroke, to murder Anabell,
First let my soule sinck to the pit of hell.
Cha.
A man the executioner of his wife,
Is so vnhumaine that a mortall eie
Would euen be bloudshed to behold the same,
Therefore dread king let me die for both,
But to defend so scandelus an act:
And as for thee, I hate thee Uallenger,
And could be well content withall my hart,
To be thy deathes man, for thou hatest me,
Besids, yet Ualenger consider this,
Hauing a wife so faire as Anabell,
Beloued of me thy foe, and so intierly,
That I do offer vp my life for hers,
Should mercy pardon now what law doth threaten,
Thou must immagin if that we too liue,
I still should go about to murder thee,
To inioy thy wife, whom I so much do loue,
therefore beg of the king that onely I may die,
to saue her honor, and thy infamie.
Blu.
Hark you huswife, do you heare all this:
Doth not your hart melt at this amis.
Flo.
Melt Blunt yes, and doth weepe brinish tears,
to see what fames them, and doth me confound,
Heere is a glasse for such as liues by lust,
See what tis to be honest, what tis to be iust,
Blu.
Why this is wel: now Soueraine hear me speak,
If he that is supposed slaine doth liue,
Then friendly may we reconsile these iars,
king.
Our law doeth light on none, but guilty crimes:
And that it punisheth as iustice willes.
Blu.
Why then vouchsafe all in this princely presence,
He in a Docters shape, hath saued the life
Of my frend Sentloe, and of Anabell,
I in like sort haue saued Uallenger,
And Sentloe which by me should haue bin slaine,
I saued him by an honest policie.
And now aliue present him to your sight,
To make a pleasing end of these sad sightes.
Heere Sentloe putteth off his whod and kneeles downe.
This breaths new life into my hated hart.
Val.
Sweet beautious lettes, the rauser of my smart,
Forget in me, what I haue done amisse,
And seale my pardon with one balmy kisse
My soule repents her lewd impyetie.
Ana.
My blouds deere solace, and my best content,
My onely deere esteemed Vallenger,
Not all the world being turned into pleasure,
Could giue my soule such sweet contented treasure,
Thou art more deere, more pleasing to my mind,
then at the first: before thou prouest vnkind,
tis insident for yong men to offend,
And wiues must stay their leasures to amend.
Chal.
This kind contryssion of yong vallenger,
More ioyes my hart, then rest to trauelers,
Liue long together, and may neuer fate,
this new ioynd league of marriage seperate.
Har.
The like say I, to thee that now hath tryed,
A friends firme faith, that nothing can deuide.
Sent.
the which I will indeuer to deserue,
And not so much as once in thought to swerue.
Since all things sorteth to this happines,
And pining care, is turned to ioyfull mirth,
I will be partner in your meryment,
Away with that same tradgike monument,
For that same Florence there, because we see,
she sorrowes somthing for her follies past,
Let her be had among the Conuertines.
And as her faults shall vanish or else stay,
Let her be vsed accordingly. Away with her,
Glad parents, and glad frends,
In Bristow here a while our selues will stay,
And spend some sportfull houres to crowne your ioy
After so many troubles, and tyerd annoy.
Exit Omnes.
FJNIS.
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