University of Virginia Library

Scena 1.

Enter Codigune, Gloster, and Cornwall with Souldiours vp in Armes.
Codig.
Now friends and fellow Souldiours in iust Arms,
Prepare your selues against the haughty foe,
Who, as wee heare, marches not farre from hence
What we haue done, by force weele make it good,
Or seale our bold attempts, with death and bloud.

Glost.
King, keepe your owne; maugre all opposition,
If he come hither to demaund your right,
And with his rebell troopes disturbe the peace
Of what both gods and men haue made your own,
Maintain the quarrell with your awfull power,
Be it right or wrong; behaue your selfe like Ioue,
And strike with thunder his base insolence:
Discourse not what is done, nor how, nor when.
Onely Kings wils are Lawes for other men.

Enter a Messenger.
Codig.
What tidings brings this sweating Messenger?

Messen.
My Lord, Prince Caradoc, returnd from Brittaine,
Is with his Army marching hitherwards.

Cod.
He comes vnto his death. Now, Codigune,
Banish al timorous thoughts: think what thou art;
A King. That word is able to infuse
Boldnesse, as infinite, as that we call
The worlds first mouer. Why, the name of King
Were able to create a man of stone,
With more then animall courage, to inspire
Dulnesse, with nerued resolution.
Then, Codigune, like Atlas, on thy backe,
Support thy Kingdomes Arch, vntill it cracke.
March forward.

Exeunt.