University of Virginia Library

Scena VI.

Enter to them Groome of the Chamber.
Groo.
Silence through all the Court, the King would rest.

Desp.
Let him Eternally.

Mal.
The time growes nigh.
You three to th' task of Blood: the rest to Fancy.

(Ex. Passions.
Groo.
I doubt this earnest talk portends no good,
The businesse hath been hot.—

Enter form the Bedchamber Prudentius Crown'd, and Intellectus Agens.
Pru.
We would be private.
(Ex. Groome.
Liveby the Relator is most creditable.

Int.
A right ingenuous man.

Pru.
And you have sent him
To take advantage of the changing State,
With Caveat to reserve his heart for Us.

Int.
The Pinch and my best thoughts did so instruct me.

Pru.
Tis well, I dearely thank your sharp observance,
Suspecting Treason by their startled brows;
And then your art of finding out, and now
Your Providence for our Restablishment. But O,
O this ungrateful Rout, whom I have taught
Both how to Feare and Love, and what to Loath,
Wherefore to Greive and Joy, and in what place
To rouse their anger and audacity
By Rule and Circumstance, and with such Sweetnesse
As might befit a Wooer more then King.
Have I these Vipers bred within my Brest
With greater Care and Pangs then can a Mother
The Childe within her womb? have I broke sleep
Toss'd after slumbers, early rose, and spent
The day from Sun to Sun in painful Counsel;
Sent Birds about their Coasts, sent Eyes and Tongues
Abroad the world, to watch and guard, and work,
And keep all safe, and make them great, for This
For This Reward? Ask Heaven and Earth, if I
Have not with utmost care procur'd them Bread,
Cloth, Health, Peace, Manners, and Religion!
For Prudence is the womb and Forg of all
This mortal blisse. What ere I took from Them
Was for their use; like Vapour now exhal'd,
And soon return'd in Showers to fat their Land.
Oft have I bore them under both these wings,
One under each, when they inclin'd to Fury,
Would push each other down a Precipice,
Not steep like th' Alpes, but steep on either side,
There on a narrow ridg, an edg, a Thrid,
(Such is the meane, so plac'd betwixt two Gulfes)
I bore them in their Strife. For this and more
They have not pay'd (what's cheaper?) Single Duty.
Nothing but Grudgings, Whispers, Evil words:
These are their Thankes.

Int.
The greater glory yours:
What Crown like This to govern out of almes!

Pru.
But now they seek the Crown; my life they seek.

Int.
They'l beg hereafter that you'l take the Rule,
Which now they wrest out of your hands.

Pru.
Perhaps.

Int.
Meane while your life is safe.

Pru.
And while 'tis safe,
Though they forget their Duty, I'le not leave
A Fathers care, but will be still a King
In love, though not in power.

Int.
This is a signe
Of future greatnesse. Then cast off this Crown
As but the sheddings of renewing State,
Now to be burnished. Leave it on your Pillow:
For that they seek. But it return'd shall be
With double service both of Heart and Knee.

Pru.
Be Thou my Prophet.

Int.
Ware; the Caitiffes come.