University of Virginia Library

Actus secundus.

Scena Prima.

Enter at one doore Iohn a Kent, hermit lyke, as before, at anoth«e» enter the Countesse, Sydanen and Marian
Iohn.
Promise is kept, the Laydes are come foorth,
the ambush readie that shall soone surprize them.
See Madame; I am readie to attend ye.

Countesse.
Gramercyes father, lead thou on the way,
and giue good councell to my sweet young Cossen.

Iohn.
Madame I warrant ye sheele take none bad.

Sydanen & h[OMITTED] conferre.
Marian.
Or good or bad, she taketh all from me.
Madame, would you vouchsafe me so much fauour:
as she, so I would gladly talke wt h him.

Cou[OMITTED]tesse.
Let them alone, ye shall haue time enough.

Sydan«en».
Nay forward father, let me heare the rest.

Iohn.
Then Madame, to omit all ambages,
I knowe it, for mine Arte assureth me,
you are contracted to the South wales Prince:
and wronging him, you wrong your selfe much more.

Sydanen.
ffor Gods sake softly, least the Countesse heare.
True hast thou sayd, but by my fathers graunt,
The Earle of Moorton must Sydanen wed.

Iohn.
Thats as Sydanen will, as I suppose

Sydanen
will I, or nill I, all is one to him,
he is a Prince, and he hath promisde it.

Iohn.
you are a Princesse, and haue promisde no.

Sydanen.
Earle Moorton with my father is in fauour,
and hath his woord, that I shalbe his wife.

Iohn.
But hath he yours?

Sydanen.
Neuer in all my Life.

Iohn.
I knowe not Lady how the world is chaungde.
when I was young they wooed the daughter first,
and then the father, when they had her graunt,
which could they get, why so, if not, why then,
her woord was woorth the meeting where and when.

Countesse
why how now daughter? why drawe you so neere?

Marian.
She talkes too long, and somewhat would I heare.

Countesse.
Byde you with me, till she haue made an end

Marian.
Pray God this talke to our desyre may tend.

Iohn.
But would you goe with him, if he were heere?

Sydanen
would I desyre to be accounted chaste?
reuerenst for virtue, as for natrall giftes?
wou«[OMITTED]d» I aske strength for these my feeble limbes,
if some fierce Tiger had me in pursuite?
would I shun feare? would I require content?
or wishe the endlesse happines of heauen?
If these I would, then that as much I would.
for what is fame, health, ioy, or ought to me,
except with him that giues them all to me?

Iohn.
Madame enough, is Marian of your minde?

Sydanen.
yea father. She to Powesse, I to Prince Griffin writ,
but when no answere either could receiue,
resoluedly thus we set downe our rest.
To morrowe when the nuptiall feast is past,
And that the Bridegroomes doo expect their Brydes:
A strong confection bothe we haue preparde,
of deadly Aconite wt h them to drinke.
Besydes, a letter drawen, to shewe the cause,
why so reuendgefully we sought their deathes,
and so despairingly lost our owne liues.
This made vs bothe holde thee in such regarde,
when thou foretoldste of daungers to ensue.

Iohn.
This resolution dooth renowne ye bothe,
but your fayre starres affoordes ye better fortune.
And for my woordes may yeeld but dallying hope,
see what is doone in twinckling of an eye.
/winde his horn[OMITTED]
Enter denvyle, Griff. Powesse, [Euan,] and trayne
Those Lordes for whom you twayne would loose your liues,
Come boldly heere [come] to challendge their faire wiues.
Madame dismay not, heere no harme is meant,
Bothe they and you, welcome to Iohn a Kent.

he puts of his disguyse.
Countesse.
vilde Sorcerer, hast thou betrayde vs thus?
hydyng thy treason with so good pretence?
Prince Griffin, and Lord Powesse, be assurde,
If otherwise then nobly you intreate,
My princely Cossen, and my noble childe;
it will be wreakte on your presuming heades.

Iohn.
you wrong them Madame, if you misconceite,
that you or they shall be vnnobly vsde.
you are brought hither to no other end,
but that their hauiour [shall] you might all cōmend.
Aske but the Laydes, if they will departe,
Ile bring ye where I had ye, yea, wt h all my hart.

Countesse.
Then goe sweete Cossen, daughter, let vs hence,
for feare wursse happen on this foule offence.

S. Griffin.
The wurst is past, let happen now what shall,
Ile keep Sidanen, or loose life and all.

Sydanen.
And if Sydanen willingly departe,
from her prince Griffin, ioy nere haue her hart.

Powesse.
I hope my Marian is of selfe same minde,

Marian.
Else were thy looue requited too vnkinde.
Now mother, would you were at home agayne,
we bothe are where we wisht our selues full fayne.

Countesse.
Then questionlesse, this hapte by your consent,
And well I wot, these noble Gentlemen,
Are honored in your hartes before the other,
Sith your endeuours then so happy prooue.
Neuer let me be hinderer of true looue.

Iohn.
Madame, now speake ye lyke a loouing mother,
And lyke Sydanens honorable Aunte.
Oppose this question, and be iudge your selfe,
Say you were troth plight where you lyked best,
could ye infaith so great a wrong digest:[?]
As but for me had happened to these Ladyes?
In to the Castell then, and frollique there
And what should haue beene doone, to these sweetes sorrowe,
shall to their ioy be finishte heere to morrowe.

Gosselen.
Come Madame, fauour me to be your guyde,
you shall finde all thinges heere to your content.
And though my Lorde the Earle holde off aloofe,
and may dislyke what we doo for his honor:
Be you but pleasde, weele neuer seeke no other,
for though we w[OMITTED] the father yet we haue the m[OMITTED]

Sydanen.
Let it be so good Aunte, and I shall praye,
ffor this good walke, you may liue many a day.

Iohn.
These speeches are in vayne, I pray ye be gon,
and entertayne them, as this kindnes merits.
Leaue me awhyle, to gratulate your feast,
with some rare merriment, or pleasing iest.
will ye be gon? yee doo the Ladyes wrong,
heere in the ayre to chat wt h them so long.

S. Griffin.
Come sweet Sydanen I will be thy guyde,
Moorton shall looke him now another Bryde.

Powesse.
And so shall Pembrooke, now I am possest
Of Marian, whom I euer looued best

exeunt—manet Iohn.
Iohn.
Heer's looue and looue, Good Lord, was nere the lyke,
but must these ioyes so quickly be concluded?
Must the first Scene make absolute a play?
no crosse? no chaunge? what? no varietie?
One brunt is past, alas, whats that in looue?
where firme affection is moste truely knit,
the looue is sweetest, that moste tryes the wit.
And by my troth, to sporte my selfe awhyle,
The disappoynted Brydegroomes, these possesst,
the fathers, freendes, and other more besyde,
that may be vsde to furnishe vp conceite,
Ile set on woorke in such an amourous warre,
as they shall wunder whence ensues this iarre.
O that I had some other lyke my selfe,
to driue me to sound pollicyes indeed.
Thers one in Scotland, tearmed Iohn a Cumber,
that ouerreachte the deuill by his skill,
had Moorton brought him to haue sped his looue,
I would haue tryde which should the maister prooue.
But since my selfe must pastime wt h my selfe,
Ile anger them, bee't but to please my selfe.
Sirra Shrimpe.

Enter Shrimp a boy.
Shrimp.
Anon Sir, what is your will wt h me?

Iohn.
Thus Sirra. To Chester get ye gon,
/round in his eare
They are yet asleep, that shall be wakte anon.

Shrimp.
I goe sir.

exeunt seuerally.
Enter Turnop, Hugh, Tom Tabrer, [will the boy,] and Spurling wt h their Consort
Tom.

Nay either let it be as M
r. Turnop will haue, or by my troth, faire and f[OMITTED] I will goe no further, either let vs haue credit or no credit

Hugh.

You haue sayd as much as be sayd neighbour Thomas, and that not «***»
learnedly, but loouingly withall. Maister Turnop, the Lordes we[OMITTED]
pontiffically pleased with your roration yesterday, that the Ladyes p[OMITTED]
morrow remayneth altogether at your dispositation.

Turnop.

why then thus my muse hath magestically, or minstricallically written «**»
in prayse of fayre Sydanen, and she beeing appoynted to be maryed this «**y»
she ought to haue the maydenhead of my muse, before she loose the benef«**»
abselutidico, as much to say in welsh or english, as her rose mary braunche.

Spurling.

But has will learnd it perfectly? I tell you, she is a Lady of some [OMITTED]
scression, and lookes that the song of Sydanen should be well performd[OMITTED]

Turnop.

Goodman Spurling, though you be spurblinde, and therby are fauoured for
the grosse errours cōmitted in your vocation; yet I pray ye, cōmit your
selfe to your musique, as for the song, let it passe vppon my preroga-[OMITTED]
striue, w
t h this addition, He mihi quod domino, non licet ire tuo

Tom.
when then tune all, for it drawes toward day; and if we wake not the
Brydes, why then it is woorth nothing.
To add one good morrowe more to your bed sydes,

they play, the boy sings the welsh song.
Turnop.
Timothie Turnop bids, Good morrow bothe the Brydes.
Now to the Brydegroomes, and then my harts looke for a largesse

Enter Shrimpe the boy
Shrimpe.
why now is Shrimpe in the height of his brauery,
that he may execute some parte of his maisters knauery.
Sound foorth your musique to the Brydegroomes sorrowe,
for I will sing them but a sower good morrowe.

a Song of the Brydes losse.
They play, and the boy singes, wheart the Bridegroomes come foorth in their nightgownes and kerchers on their heades, to them Oswen[OMITTED] Amery making them selues ready.
Moorton
what song is this, to flout me to my face?
is fayre Sydanen gon, and left me in disgrace?

Pemb.
Peazants, what meane ye to delude vs so?
Is Marian and Sydanen gon, say yea, or no?

Shrimpe.
Are ye so hot? chafe ye so suddenly?
Nay pause awhyle, Ile fetche ye company.

exit
Turnop.
why my Lordes, doo ye aske vs if the Ladyes be gon or no?
If they be not in theyr beddes it is more then we knowe.
«[OMITTED]illa»yne thou lyest, thou sungst a song of sorrowe.

[OMITTED]urnop.
my Lord you lye, we playd ye but a good morrowe.
And seeing for our good willes, ye doo vs this wrong:
Lets to the Brydes, to haue mony for our song.

Heere enter Amery & Oswen vnbraste.
Oswen
How now my Lordes, what sudden noyse is this?

Pemb.
Is fayre Sydanen and my Sister fled?

[Powesse.]
These wretches that so sung, doo now deny it.

Turnop.
Lets talke a woord or two awhyle, I pray ye be quiet.
did ye not yesternight disturb your head,
wt h winum vinum ere ye went to bed?
That makes ye in your sleep to rise and walke,
or at the least, thus idiot lyke to talke?

Enter the Earle of Chester in his night gowne, and Shrimpe following aloofe of, some seruaunts wt h him.
Chester.
Can their departure be to all vnknowen?
Villaynes why speake ye not? did no one see them?

[i. Seruaunt.]
[Not any one my Lord that we can heare of.]
[Belyke they went foorth at the garden gate,]
[we found it open, therfore we suspect it.]

Oswen.
My Lord and father, are you vp so soone?
where is my Sister? where is fayre Sydanen?

Chester.
+Nay, wher's thy mother boy, aske that withall,
for she, thy Sister, and my loouely Niece,
this night are gon, and no one can tell whether.
As I lay slumbring, well neere halfe awake,
vnder my windowe did I heare a voyce,
saying, rise Chester, for this wedding day,
is disappointed now another way.

Moorton.
And in a Song, the lyke was tolde to vs,
by these base slaues, that now deny the same.
But yet my Lord, I hope it is not so?

Chester.
That they are gon my Lordes, tis true, I knowe.
But camse these newes from you? why speake ye not?

Hugh.
Thomas, you are the auncient'st man, I pray ye make answer for vs all.

Thomas

My Lord, I hope it is not vnknowen to your woorships ho[OMITTED]r; that
I haue liu'de a poore professer of musique in this parish this forty yeeres,
and no man could euer burden me w
t h the valewe of two pence, that ye should now lay three wenches at once to my charge, I will not say:
how much it greeues me, but betweene God & your conscience be it.

Turnop.

Nay but heare ye my Lord, doo ye as it were seeme in good soun«d» sadnes,
to tell vs for a certaintie that the Brydes are gon? an«d» that we, as

it were should haue some occasion to knowe therof?

Chester.
So say these Lordes, they lay it to your charge.

Turnop.
why then my Lordes bothe great and small,
knowe that ye wrong not one, but all
which way so ere they haue betooke them,
If they be gon, you may goe looke them.
And if they be not to be found,
«y»ou haue lost your wiues Ile holde ye a pound.

Chester.
Away then villaynes, rayse vp all my men,
bid them take horsse, and poste foorth euery way.
By some foule treason are they led from hence,
My wife else would not wt h this faulte dispence.
Away I say, and trouble vs no longer,

exeunt clownes & seruaunts.
Shrimp.
why now this geere dooth cotten in right kinde,
these newes I wot will please my maisters mynde.

exit boy.
Enter Llwellen, his trayne, and Iohn a Cumber a loofe of.
Moorton
But heere comes one whom this concernes so neere,
that he will searche the depth of this bolde wrong.
Princely Llwellen, and my noble freend,
hither thou cōmest by loyall promise bound,
to sollemnise thy daughters nuptiall rightes
But fayre Sydanen and Earle Chesters daughter[s],
are with the aged Countesse parted hence,
whether or how, as yet we cannot learne.

Llwellen.
why then my freend, thy tydings are too true,

/to Iohn a Cumber.
Pemb
vnhappy man, is this my welcome hither?

[Powesse]
My Lord, can he say any thing of their departure?
Speak gentle freend, and ease our doubtfull mindes.

Cumber.
Ease them I cannot, but disease them more,
They are where you shall neuer see them more.

Moorton.
how meanste thou freend? dally not I beseeche thee.

Cumber.
Prince Griffin of Southwales hath got Sydanen,
Lord Powesse hath your daughter Marian.
And at Sr. Gosselen dēuyles Castell, not farre hence,
Before your Countesse, who went with them thither:
this day their mariage must be consumate.

Chester.
what sayst thou? hath my Countesse wrongd me so?
and is this tretcherie by her consent?

Cumber.
No my good Lord, Knowe ye one Iohn a Kent?
A man whom all this Brittishe Isle admyres:
for his rare knowledge in the deepest artes?
By pollicye he traynd them from this place,
they simply thinking no such hidden guyle,
but at Saint winifrides fayre hallowed spring,
to pay last tribute of their mayden vowes,
went with the Countesse, and that subtill guyde,
So eache of you may now goe looke his Bryde.

Llwellen.
Let vs to horsse, and gather able troupes,
that may engirt the Castell round about.
Proud Griffin, Powesse, and the rest shall knowe,
I will not pocket this iniurious wrong,
which I will rate at price of their best blood,
And his that hath so ouerreachte vs all.

Cumber.
ffye my good Lord, nay now ye growe too hot.
talke ye of horsse, of men and multitudes?
when rayse the very powerfulst strength ye can,
yet all's too weak to deale with that one man?
Had ye a freend could equall him in Arte,
controll his cunning, which he boasts so on:
then were there hope of their recouerie,
what else ye doo, will help but slenderly.

Moorton.
Ile poste to Scotland for braue Iohn a Cumber,
the only man renownde for magick skill.
Oft haue I heard, he once beguylde the deuill,
and in his Arte could neuer finde his matche.
Come he with me, I dare say, Iohn a Kent,
And all the rest shall this foule fact repent.

Cumber.
were he heere now my Lord, it would doo well.
But if he come when euery thing is doone
No credit by the matter can be wun.

Chester.
My Lord, goe you and fetche that famous man,
The Prince and I will foorthwith to the Castell,
where calling them to parle on the walles,
wee'le promise that they shall enioy the Ladyes
with our consent, if but a sennight space
they will adiorne the day of mariage,
sound reasons wee'le alleadge to vrge them to it.
then you returnd with him that neuer faylde,
you haue your wishe, and Iohn in cunning quaylde.

Pemb.
Be it so. My Lord, Ile beare ye company,
not doubting but to speed successefully.

Cumber.
Ile saue my Lord that labour. Heers Iohn a Cumber,
entiste to England by the wundrous fame,
that euery where is spread of Iohn a Kent,
And seeing occasion falleth out so well,
I may doo seruice to my Lord heerby:
I make him my protectour in this case.
what he hath doone for many dayes together,
by Arte I knowe, as you haue seene some proofe.
Ile make no bragges, but we two Iohns together,
will tug for maistrie, therfore came I hither.

Moorton.
The welcomste man that euer came to me,
all embrace him
And this kinde looue will Moorton well requite
ffor Gods sake let vs loose no time in vayne,
tis broad day light, sweet Iohn bestirre thee now.
for nere thy help could come in greater need.

Cumber.
All you to horsse. Ile meet ye on the way.
My Lord, some of those merry lads gaue you good morrowe,
cōmaund to followe ye, I must imploy them.
So get ye gon, and leaue me to my selfe.

Chester
we goe Iohn. Come Gentlemen, away.

Exeunt, ma«n»
Cumber
Now Iohn a Kent, much haue I heard of thee
enuying th[OMITTED] fame do«***************»


[OMITTED] what «a»rt thou dooing? very seriously,
look in his glasse.
plotting downes pastimes to delight the Ladyes.
Then haue amongst ye, you Sir haue begun,
My turne is next before your sportes be doone.

exit.