University of Virginia Library

Actus Quartus

Scena Prima.

Enter Shrimp playing on some instrument, a prettie way befo[OMITTED] the Countesse, Sydanen, Marian, Oswen and Amerye.
Oswen.
Madame, this sound is of some instrument,
[this] for two houres space it still hath haunted vs,
The boye[s] playes roundabout them.
now heere, now there, on eche syde round about vs,
And questionlesse, either we followe it,
Or it guydes vs, least we mistake our way.

Amerye.
It may be that this famous man of Arte,
doubting least Iohn a Kent should crosse our iourney,
and seeke reuendge for his receiu'de disgrace:
[That] he by this musique [he] dooth direct[s] our course,
more redyly to hit the way to Chester.

Countesse.
what ere it be, I would we were at Chester.
My loouely Niece I see is malcontent
So is my Maryan, but what remedye?
when thinges you see fall out so contrary?

Sydanen.
Ay poore Sydanen, let no more sweet song,
be made by Poet for Sidanen sake,
her fine trim day is turn to black cole night,
and she hath lost her sweetest looue delight.

Shrimp.
But let Sydanen cast away this care,
/to her asyde
comfort is neerer her then shees aware.

Sydanen.
what say you Cossen? did you speak to me?

Ma«[OMITTED]i»an
Not I Sydanen, I with you complayne
On fortunes spight and ouer deep disdayne

Shrimp.
But Marian with Sydanen may reioyse,
for time will let them haue their owne harts choyse.

they look[OMITTED] about
Sydanen.
Pray God amen, O Cossen did you heare,
a voyce still buzzeth comfort in mine eare.

Marian
And so in mine, but I no shape can see
Tis Iohn a Cumber mocks bothe you and me

Sydanen.
Cursse on his hart for cumber true looue so,
which else had made full end of all our woe.

Enter Sr. Gosselen, Griffin, Powesse and Euan.
Gosselen.
How say ye Lordes? now credit Iohn a Kent.
See where they are, and at the selfe same tree,
where he assurde vs all of them would be.

S. Griffin.
Sweetest Sydanen, how thy happie sight,
makes me forget all former sorrowe quyte.

Powesse.
The lyke dooth Marians presence yeeld to me,
for all greefes past assurde felicitie.

Musique Chime
Euan.
Listen my Lordes, me thinkes I heare the chyme,
A daynt[OMITTED] of musi[OMITTED]
which Iohn did promise, ere you should presume:
to venture for recouerie of the Ladyes.

Gosselen.
The very same, stay till the power therof,
haue layd the sleepie charge on bothe their eyes,
that should haue guyded them from hence to Chester.

The boy trips round about Oswen and Amery, sing[OMITTED] chyme, and they the one after the other, lay them [OMITTED] vsing very sluggish gestures, the Ladyes amazed[OMITTED] about them.
Song, to the Musique wt hin.
[OMITTED]ep sweetly: sleep sweetly, sweetly take rest,
[OMITTED]be sun«g»
[OMITTED]ll eche goe with her choyse, where she lykes best.
Ladyes cheere vp your despayring mindes, for your freendes are neere,
that will answere true looue in due kinde, then neuer more feare.

[OMITTED]rimp.
Lordes take aduauntage, for they bothe are fast,
bid Iohn a Cumber mend this cunning cast.

Gosselen.
ffeare not good Madame, for you must with me,
to end the ioyes these loouers long to see.

The chyme playes, & Gosselen wt h the Countesse goes turning out.
S. Griffin.
And fayre Sydanen I dare boldely say,
rather with me will goe, then heere to stay

The chyme agayne, and they turne out in like manner.
exeunt.
Powesse.
I not misdoubt, but Marian beares lyke mynde,
this is the way our sweet content to fynd.

The chyme agayne, and so they.
exeunt.
Shrimp
Sir Euan, follow you the way they take,
for now I must these sleepie Lordes awake.
/exit Euan.
ffye Gentlemen, what meanes this slothfulnes?
/they start vp.
you sleep securely, while the subtill foe,
hath got your charge, and bred a greater woe.

Oswen.
Lord Amerye, how fell we thus asleep?
My mother, sister, and Sidanen's gon.

Amery.
Canst thou my boy tell which way they haue tane?
or by what meanes they are thus gon from hence?

Shrimp.
when as my maister, Iohn a Cumber, sawe,
how carelessly you did respect your charge,
and lay asleep, while as Sr. Gosselen denvyle,
Prince Griffin, Powesse, and another Knight,
bare hence the Ladyes toward proud Iohn a Kent:
he sent me posting thorow the duskye ayre,
to wake ye, and to cause ye followe me,
to fetche them back ere they haue got too farre.
If then youle speed, follow me presently.

Oswen.
Thankes to thy maister, we will followe thee,
to make amends for our fond negligence.

Shrimp
And I will lead ye such a merrie walke,
as you therof[ore] shall at more leysure talke. Come Gent«l»emen.

exeu[OMITTED]t.
Enter Iohn a Kent lyke Iohn a Cumber, with him Llwellen, Chester, Moorton and Pembrook, foorth of the Castell.
Iohn.
Lordes, take your places as you are appoynted.
Though once I minded but to vse your shaddowes,
pardon me now I may imploy your persons,
because that your delight shall be the greater,
and his disgrace the more to you apparant:
that durst attempt so bolde an enterprise.
Now shall ye see if famous Iohn a Kent,
be able to auoyde disparagement.

Llwellen.
But shall Sydanen and Earle Chesters daughter,
be heere in person lykewise as we are?

Iohn.
No my good Lord, their figures shall suffise,
because you see they are disconsolate,
And, to speak trueth, beare more affection,
To Griffin of Southwales, and the Lord Powesse,
then to Earle Moorton and the Earle of Pembrooke.
+whose shaddowes when those other Lordes shall see,
so farre estraunged from their former course;
how it will quayle their hope, your selues shall iudge,
and make poore Iohn a Kent mad to beholde it.

Chester.
But long ere this I hope they are at Chester,
and bothe their guydes in safetie at my house.

[OMITTED]ohn.
I warrant ye my Lord, they'r safe enough,
from Iohn, and all the vtmoste he can doo.
See my good Lord, what I doo for your sake,
/to Mooreton.
who only may dispose of me & mine.

[OMITTED]
I knowe it Iohn, and should I not confesse,
thy kyndnes to exceed on my behalfe:
and guerdon it, I greatly were too blame.

Pemb.
The lyk say I, wherof wh[OMITTED]me[OMITTED]
my thankfulnes shall more at large assure thee.

Iohn.
Needlesse my Lordes are all these ceremonyes,
ffor as I furder you in looues affayres:
So I expect some credit by mine Arte.
Now silence Lordes, for all the sportes begin,
And see where Iohn a Kent is first come in.

Enter Iohn a Cumber lyke Iohn a Kent.
Cumber.
As he that with vnsatiate thyrst of fame,
[followes] pursues an action of some high applause,
to conquer his vsurping enemye,
and add renowne for euer to his deedes:
So Iohn a Cumber followes his intent,
to conquer, sit, and laugh at Iohn a Kent.

Llwellen
what sayes he? will he laugh him selfe to scorne?

Iohn.
My Lord, you little thinke the scope of his intent,
he dooth imagine, he hath tane my shape,
and you shall heare him speak, as he were Iohn a Cumber.
Note all his actions, and, let it suffise,
heele prooue him selfe a foole before your eyes.

Chester.
And yet imagine that he scorneth thee?

Iohn.
why that is all, ffor Gods sake, sit and see.

Cumber.
Alreadie are my shaddowes set in order,
ffor Prince Llwellen, Chester, Pembrooke, Moorton,
And see poore Ioh«n» a Kent is walking by,
he poyntes to them.
as one that cannot yeeld a reason why.

[S. Griffin.]
He poyntes to thee, and tearmes thee Iohn a Kent,

Moorton
let him heerafter brag with Iohn a Cumber:

Pemb.
when men of Arte thus striue in merriment
it needes must rayse in meaner wittes some wunder.

Iohn.
Begin your Scene, and if he be not vext,
I doubt not but he shalbe wt h the next.

Llwellen.
ffye Iohn a Kent, what iniurie is this,
/he riseth and goeth to Iohn a Cumber.
that thou hast offered to this noble man.
Sydanen, my fayre daughter, whom I looue,
wouldst thou haue [OMITTED] wedded to the Southwales Prince,
And brought'st her hither to thy maisters Castell,
from whence she was recouered to thy shame.
ffye Iohn a Kent, for this most sillie parte,
heerafter tearme thy selfe no man of Arte.

Chester.
Thy subtill wandring in an Hermits weede,
wherby thou didst seduce my aged wife,
to let her daughter, and my loouely Niece,
suddenly starting to him, after the other hath do[OMITTED]e
walke wt h her to Saint winifrydes fayre spring
to offer vp theyr latest mayden vowes,
and thou, like to an hippocrite, their guyde.
Say foollish man, what hast thou wun heer by:
but such dishonor as will neuer dye?

Moorton.
Iohn, Iohn, call thou to minde the Antiques,
/he sudden«[OMITTED]y» t[OMITTED]
that in thy absence got into the Castell,
And ore the walles returnd vnto thy face
the only argument of thy disgrace.
Alas good Iohn, account it then no wunder,
Such is thy luck to deale wt h Iohn a Cumber.

Pemb.
well Iohn a Kent, wilt thou be rulde by me?
/he suddenly too.
leaue wales, leaue England, and be seene no more,
this monstrous blemish grauen vppon thy browe,
will be but greefe to vs thy countrey men,
Then seeing that so tardy thou wert catcht,
yeeld him the bucklers that thee ouermatcht.

Cumber.
how now? whats this? my shaddowes taught to speak,
that to my face, they should vnto my foe?

Llwellen.
Shaddowes prooue substaunce Iohn, thou art too weak,
then like a sillie fellowe, pack and goe.

Cumber.
Speak heere to Iohn a Kent, speak ye to me?

Chester.
we speak to Iohn the foole, and thou art he.

Cumber.
Spirits, Ile torture ye for this abuse.

Moorton
Torture thy selfe«************»

«***»
«************p»poynted you

Pemb.
Al[OMITTED] poore sillie soule, thou mayst appoynt,
and all thy poynting is not woorth a poynt.

Cumber.
whence am I crost? may it be Iohn a Kent,
hath ouerreachte me in myne owne deuise?
The more I striue to knowe, the further of,
I am from compassing what fayne I would.
Ile sit awhyle, and meditate heeron.

he sits down«e»
Iohn.
what? in a study? nay I must awake him,
with other thinges more angry yet must make him.

Enter Sr Gosselen denvyle, Griffin, Powesse, [Euan,] the Countesse Sydanen and Marian.
S. Gosselen.
Alas alas, why droupeth Iohn a Kent?
/to Cumber
Looke cheerely man, for see, Earle Chesters wife,
through power of thine incomparable skill,
is back returnd from deuillish Iohn a Cumber,
and no man hath the shame but he alone.

Iohn a Cumber[OMITTED] stamps about.
S. Griffin.
I knowe this sadnes is but thy conceite,
because he crost thee ere thou wast aware.
But may not this cheere vp thy minde agayne:
that thou hast brought me sweet Sydanen back?

Powesse.
And heere is Marian too, my soules delight,
who but for thee had beene Earle Pembrookes bryde.
let Iohn a Cumbers foyle then be of force,
sithe we enioy what we can most desyre:
to make thee leaue this discontented humour.

Cumber.
Sleep I? or wake I? dreame I? or doo I dote?
Looke what I poynted all these shapes to doo,
agaynst the man that I doo enuye moste:
they doo it to me, and he sits laughing by,
as if there were no Iohn a Kent but I.

Countesse.
why frollique Iohn, thy arte prooues excellent,
let not one simple foyle make thee dismay,
thou art reuendgde vnto thine owne content,
let Iohn a Cumber doo the wurst he may.

Sydanen.
And will sweet Iohn a Kent not look so sad,
Sydanen will intreat all Brittaine Poet,
to wride large volume of thy learned skill,
for bringing her where she desyre to be,
and from that Iohn a Cumber set her free.

Marian.
Look what my Cossen sayth, the lyke doo I,
and will extoll thy fame continually.

Euan.
Into the Castell then, and frollique there.
I knowe that Iohn will not stay long behinde,
since your successe dooth answere thus his mynde.

exeunt into the Castell[OMITTED]
Iohn
how say ye now my Lord, did not these shaddowes;
make him halfe thinke they were the same indeed?

[OMITTED]Llwellen
what ere they did in him, beleeue me freend,
but that I more relye vppon thine arte,
then the opinion this hath raysde in me:
I should haue sworne that that was my Sydanen.

Moorton.
In sooth my Lord, I iump with your conceite.
And trust me I was not a little moou'de,
Prince Griffins shape so led her by the hand:
but that I credit arte, more then mine eye.

Powesse.
[will ye beleeue me? but that Iohn is by,]
[And dooth all this to plague yon Iohn a Kent:]
[these semblaunces would make me much misdeeme.]
[Pardon me Iohn, for looue is full of feare,]
[and such illusions neither please eye not eare.]

Chester.
Then well fare me that differ from you all.
should I haue tooke that shaddowe for my Countesse?
or else the other for my daughter Marian?
Nay, what he did already so resolues me,
that I am dreadlesse now of Iohn a Kent.

Iohn.
I thanke ye good my Lord, so holde ye still,
for Iohn's no Iohn I see without good skill.
Ther's one fit more of merriment behinde,
that ift hit right, will serue him in his kinde.

Enter Turnop «& ***» his trayne w[OMITTED]
Turnop.

A pause maisters, a pause, we are not come only t[OMITTED]
to doo somewhat else besyde, for we are of the Ent[OMITTED]
nick nock Iohn a Kent, if the honest Gentleman [OMITTED]
woord.

Thomas

As good as his woord? why looke ye yonder where he standes [OMITTED]
honors woorship, euen as he sayd he would. he noddes hi[OMITTED] head at [OMITTED]
as one would say, Maisters, fall to your busines, or doo that ye come fo[OMITTED]

Hugh.

Good Lord looke how Iohn a Kent sits in a browne study as it were, who«s»
begin now? come lets knowe that.

Turnop.

who shall begin? what a question is that? let mayde Marian haue the f[OMITTED]
flurt at him, to set an edge on our stomacks, and let me alone in faith[OMITTED]
to ierke it after her.

Spurling.

Now by my troth well aduisde good neighbour Turnop, Ile turne her to him[OMITTED]
if he were a farre better man then is, too him, too him, touch him roundly.

Boy.

what? think ye I am afrayde of him? infaith Sir no. Precise Iohn, or rather
peeuish peeld paltrie Iohn, doost thou remember how many iniuries
from time to time thou hast doone me? first in sending thy deuilles to[OMITTED]
tell lyes and tales of me, then making my dame to cudgell me, and lastly
to pinche me black and blewe when I neuer offended thee, for which
I defye thee to thy face, and dare thee to meete me in any place.

Turnop.

Heare ye Sir? you Sir, as one would say, good man you Sir, because
breuitie is best in such a queazie action, it is concluded or conditioned
among vs that haue some authoritie in this case, that because our
Morris lacks a foole, and we knowe none fitter for it then you M
r. Iohn heeres a coat spick and span new, it neuer came on any mans back since
it was made, therfore for your further credit, we will giue you hanse[OMITTED]
of it, and where we took ye for a wise man before, we are contented
to account of ye as our foole for euer heerafter.

Hugh.

In witnesse wherof, we the youthes of the parishe, put it on ye with
put it on him.
our owne handes. Nay, neuer striue or wunder, for thus we are appoynted
by great Iohn a Cumber.

Turnop.

At it now Thomas lustily, and let vs ierk it ouer the greene, seeing
we haue got such a goodly foole as M
r. Iohn a Kent.

exeunt dauncing[OMITTED]
Chester.
why this will make poore Iohn a Kent stark mad,
and questionlesse heele nere more shewe his face,
to be reprooued with this deep disgrace

Iohn
Lordes, sit ye still, Ile come agayne anon,
I am prettily reuengde on Cumbring Iohn.

exit.
Enter Shrimpe leading Oswen and Amery about the tree.
Oswen.
were euer men thus led about a Tree?
still circkling it, and neuer getting thence?
My braynes doo ake, and I am growen so faynt,
that I must needes lye downe on meere constraynt.

/he lyes do[OMITTED]
Amery.
This villayne boy is out of doubt some spirit,
still he cryes follow, but we get no further,
then in a ring to daunce about this tree.
In all my life I neuer was so wearie.
follow that list, for I can goe no longer.

/he lyes down [OMITTED]
Shrimp.
There lye and rest ye, for I think your walke,
hath not beene altogether to your ease.
Now I must hence, I heare my maisters call,
it standes vppon the push of opening all.

exit boy.
Oswen.
Lord Amery, is not yon my father?
the Prince Llwellen, Moorton and Earle Pembrook?

Amery
Tis they indeed, O let vs call to them,
to trye if they can get vs from this tree.
Help Prince of wales, ah help vs Earle of Chester,
Or else thy sonne and I are lyke to perishe.

Chester.
Oswen my Sonne? and young Lord Amery?
shaddowes they be not, for tis they indeed.
Tell me, ah tell me, wherfore lye ye heere?
They« e[OMITTED]» them
where are the Ladyes that you had in charge?

Llwellen+
Ah speak young Lordes, my hart dooth dread some ill,
ye looke so gastly, and so full of feare.

Oswen
Lend vs your ayde to rayse vs on our feete,
that we may get from this accurssed tr[OMITTED]


«****»ll h«e[OMITTED]oste» vnhappy newes.
/they help th[OMITTED]
«N»o ill to my Sidanen, then I care not,

[OMITTED]
Be Marian well, be what it may besyde.

[OMITTED]
where is the villayne boy, that thus misled vs?
Boy was he not, but questionlesse some fiend,
that hath tormented vs, as nere was lyke.

[OMITTED]ellen.+
Aske for no boyes aske for no fiends or furyes,
But tell me quickly, where is my Sydanen?
liuing or dead, or how she is bereft ye?

Oswen.
Breefely to answere all of ye together,
Nor of my mother, Marian or Sydanen.
lyes it in vs to tell ye whats become,
other then this, as it was tolde to vs,
That Griffin, Powesse and Sr. Gosselen denvyle,
reskewed them from vs, how or when we knowe not,
so sayd a deuill or boy sent to vs from Iohn a Cumber.

Enter Iohn a Cumber pulling of his foole coat, lyke Kent still.
Cumber
ffrom me young Lordes? alas you were deceiu'd,
as you likewise, and all haue beene together.
Looke not so straunge Lordes, deeme not me Iohn a Kent,
that in his sted haue beene so much misusde,
scorned by you, then flouted by the Ladyes,
last made a foole heere in a morris daunce,
and all preparde gaynst him, turnd on my selfe
In breefe then to abridge all further wunder,
yonder is Iohn a Kent, [I] heere Iohn a Cumber.

Iohn a Kent in his owne habit, denvyle, Griffin, Powesse, Euan, Countesse, Sydanen, Marian and Shrimp on the walles.
Iohn.
Now Iohn within, may speak to Iohn without,
And Lordes to you that frumped him so finely.
Once you were heere, and shut vs out of doore,
you had these Ladyes, but ye could not keep them.
where are those twayne that daunc'st about the Tree?
Look on your Minstrell heere Sirs, this was he.
/to Shrimp[OMITTED]
But as for you Iohn, that vsurpte my shape,
And promisde you would meet me on the greene,
O you were busyed too much with your play,
but you knowe best who went the foole away.
That I am quit with thee thou wilt confesse?

Cumber.
I doo Iohn, for twere shame to yeeld thee lesse,
but I may liue to meet with ye heerafter.
I pray thee Iohn, shall we haue one cast more?

Iohn
So thoul't deale wyser then thou didst before.
Promise me one thing Lordes, and you shall see,
Ile offer him more oddes, then he dare me.

Llwellen
Lets heare it Iohn, and as we like, weele answere.

Iohn.
It is so reasonable, you cannot deny me.
ffayne would ye that your daughters were combinde,
in sacred wedlock with those noble Lordes.
Promise me that it shall be doone this day,
without more dallying, Ile deliuer them,
/the Ladyes
to Iohn a Cumber, so he will bestowe,
his very deepest skill to make it sure.
But if he fayle, and be my luck to speed,
to ceasse contention, and confesse him foyld,
[And] As I will doo the lyke, if he preuayle.

Llwellen+
I am agreed, what sayes my Lord of Chester?

Chester.
The motion is so good, that I consent.

Cumber.
Lordes and fayre Laydes, you likewise agree,
to take your fortune how so ere it be?

O«mn»es.
we doo.

Iohn.
Then, not so churl-like, as when you were Lordes,
Of this our Castell, to allow no fauour,
«b»ut euen to hunger starue vs at the doore,
«[OMITTED]nter» all freely, and toake parte with vs,
[OMITTED]d cheere, for some of you haue need.
Then************* ***»
And aft[OMITTED]rward ere night we meane to try[OMITTED]
who shall haue conquest, either he or I.

Cumber.
Brauely resolu'de Iohn, I must needes cōm«[OMITTED]d t»h[OMITTED]
thoul't haue the wurst if fortune but befr[OMITTED]d m«e».