 | Edmond Ironside : or War Hath Made All Friends |  |
Act 5
Enter Edmund Ironside Alfricke [OMITTED] Vlfkettle Goodwine wt h others:/ [OMITTED]Edmund:
Vild Edricus all this proceedes from him
I saved his life and hee doth thirst for mine
vngratefull wretch, hellish incarnat divell
[for sure noe man was ever soe vnkind]
[vnto his kinge and loveinge Cuntryemen]
disloyall and vnfaithfull Sicophant
yt greeves my vexed soule to thinke on thee
Alfricke:/
Lett yt not greeve you, rather ioye to thinke
71
that sought like Iudas to betraye his Lord
into the handes of blood thirstye Daines
Vlfkettle:/
Surely my Lord you are highly favord
of god whoe sees each humaine accōn
that hee hath given you warninge wt h small losse
of the contagious minde of Edricus:/
Enter Edricus wt h his hand in a skarfe, haultinge, with him Stich
Stich:/
Mr I would not wishe you haulte
Edricus:/
Whie soe
Stich:/
Marry sir you know Alfricke is a cripple and the proverbe is
tis ill haultinge before a cripple Heele perceve yt.
72
had hee as manie birdes as Iunos birde
or could peirce milstons wt h his searchinge sight
hee (by his leave) should not my haultinge find
I haulte not in the Thigh but in the mind
All haile vnto my gracious Soveraigne
Stich:
Mr youle beraye yor self, doe you saye all haile, and yett
beare yor arme in a Scarfe thates haile indeed
Edricus:/
All haile vnto my gracious soueraigne
[Edmund:/
Iudas thie next ∥te is to kisse my Cheeke]
[and then Com̄itt mee vnto Cayphas:/]
[Edricus:/
I vnderstand not what yor highnes meanes]
Edmund:/
Oh heavens, oh impudent vngodly wretch
Edricus:/
I hope yor grace doth not exclaine on mee
Edmund:/
On thee, hence graceless wretch, grace mee noe more
is there none heere that will laye hould on him?
his sight, his breth, his fell infectious tongue
is venumer then is the Basiliskes
Edricus:/
Is this a [g[OMITTED]erdion] guerdion for my skarrs and hurtes
for all my bruses and my broken ioyntes
Is this a hier for my hardines
and valliant onsett on the enimies?
are theis my wages wc h I woone wt h blood
[blood of my self, and prowdest daine that fought]
doth Edmund thus reward his followers
that pawne theire lives for him and in his Cause
then bootlesse haue I skirmished soe longe
and sent soe many daines vnto theire graves
[In vaine haue I lift vppe my wastinge arme]
[and brandished my fawchion ore thie foes]
[In vaine this curtelax was reared aloft]
[wc h made a laine throughout thie foemens troopes]
In vaine, my launce did ou'throw and spoyle
Invaine I live to bee requited thus
[OMITTED] Stich:/
In vaine, what a vaine, vaine my Mr is in
[OMITTED] Edmund:/
Didst thou not flye vild traytor to my foe?
[OMITTED] Edricus:/
Whoe I?
«Edmun»d:/
Even thou
73
Thus forward frindes are quited wt h suspect
thus envye blastes the well deservinge wight
thus the vnskillfull blames the warrour
[thus thus Detraccōn hinders vertuous course]
fleed I my Lord Canutus can reporte
twas hee that should have fleed had succor Come
[fleed I my Lordes yor eies were witnesses]
[how farr my harte was free from Dastard flight]
But this yt is to bee a man at armes
when his desert is recompenced wt h hate
and resolucōn wrongd wt h ignorance
for shame my Lordes spurne not against the trouth
Thirst not to drinck the blood of inocentes
Edmund:/
Whie Edricus canst thou denie thie flight
74
Noe gracious Lord I must confesse I fled
forcd from Canutus not to him for aid
and that tis true, I by yor graces leave
will prove on him that dares afferm̄e a noe
Edmund:/
I sawe thee flee myself wt h theis my eyes
Vlfk:
And I my Lord am witnes to the same
Alf: [Goodw:]
And I my Lord will proue yt by yor favor
Edricus:/
I would the kinge would give mee leave [the] to speake
Stich:/
And you will prove them blind I hould my life
Edmund:/
I give the leave, speake for thyself and spare not
Edricus:/
Seeinge yor grace soe forward to the fight
vewinge the Daine to march soe [[illeg.]] bravely on
prickd forth wt h shame I as the foremost man
[(not suffringe the Daine to sett on vs]
[or to approch yor grace wt h out a blowe)]
stept forth intendinge to incounter them
and to assaile the rereward wt h my band
till you vppon the fore front held them playe
But see how good intentes are ever thwarted
ere I could gett the wind to Compasse them
yor Drum̄es reteate did Cause yor forces flee
yet fleed not I a foote vntell such tyme
as quight bereft of hope I was compeld
witnes this arme this serviceable arme
that in dispite of death did save my life
witnes theis skares wc h yf yor grace will see
theile tell my foes vnto theire face they lye.
Stich:/
Oh horrible skarres, skares like blaseinge stares,
well counterfeyted Master
Edmund:/
yf this bee trew I was to Credulous
Edricus:
If yt bee true my Lord? assure yor self
your grace was misinformd if otherwise
and that my man can veryfie
Stich:/
Take heed what ye saye Mr I can veryfie n[OMITTED] thinge [OMITTED]
marry I can veryly anie thinge. yf youle saye soe [OMITTED]
Ile sweare [soe] to yt, [tth] that tis falce I[OMITTED]meane [OMITTED]
Edmu:
Then Edricus twas I that wronged thee[OMITTED] [OMITTED]
75
burye vnkines in oblivion [OMITTED]
and nere remember or suspition [OMITTED]
Edricus
Twas not yor highnes but some fawninge mate[OMITTED]
that put mistrust in to yor graces head
hopeinge by my dowfall to raise himself
but heavens defend the wronged innocent
Edmund:/
Lett this suffice thou hast confirmd or love
and Edricus wee mind to honnor thee
wt h publique notice of thie Loyaltie
Edricus:
See, See what witt and will can bringe aboute
Canutus paies mee for my villaie
and Edmund loves mee for my trecherye
Stich:/
Give a man luck and cast him over the gallous
exeunt omnes [OMITTED]
Enter Canutus readinge of letter wt h him [OMITTED] Southampton Arch: of Canterburye [OMITTED] Egina Vskataulf & Swetho: wt h souldiers [OMITTED]
76
My lorde my harte is firmly bond to you
and I am prest to doe you anye seruyce
But Edmund is growne strange to me of late
and I am not familliar wt h his thougtes
when I haue onc regaind oppinion
I will not fayle to bee your faithfull agent
In meane tyme make yee stronge to hould him playe
for hee is cominge wt h a mightie power.
Bireladye this goes hard, theis newes are naught
is Edmund now growne wary, then I doute
I nere shall see the daye I longe haue sought
But I must beare a semblance of good newes
least theis perceave our hopes to faulter
and that would cleane discorage all theire hartes
for all presume on Edrics pollecy:
South:
Son̄e ist good newes
Canutus:
My Lord exceedinge good
Egina:
Give me the Letter
Canutus:
Not for all the world
I dare not trust myself wt h readeinge yt
least I orecloyd wt h ioye should playe the blabe
Lett this suffice I now am Confident
[vppon sure grounded confirmacōns]
that Edmund is my owne, hee writtes to mee
that hee is cominge wt h a mightie host
but (saith hee) bee not you discomfited
for were they millions, half should fight for you
and turne their weapons vppon Ironside
South:
Tis strange the prince should bee soe Credulous
The Drum̄e soundes a far off
[OMITTED] Canutus.
Yon Drum̄e doth tell vs Edmund Ironside
[OMITTED] vnwittinge of his overthrough at hand
[OMITTED] comes gallantly attended on by troopes
[OMITTED] of horse and footemen to his funerall
[OMITTED]Oh that thou knewst thy dyeinge daye soe nigh
[OMITTED]hat thou mightest make the fitt to goe to god
[OMITTED]n faith yt greeves at the very harte
77
[OMITTED] Enter Edmund, Emma, Arch: Yorke [OMITTED] Edricus, Alfricke, Goodwine Ayleward [OMITTED] Vlfkettle, Leofricke, and Turkillus
[OMITTED] Edmund:
Behold where Canute: comes marchinge bravely on
[OMITTED] me thinkes yon sight would make a sickeman sound
[OMITTED] They march a longe the stage [OMITTED] one an other
«E»dmund:
Canutus
Canutus:
Edmund
Edmund:
The ground thou standst vppon is Ironsides
Canutus:
The ground I stand on Edmund is myne owne
fallen to mee not svccessively indeed
but by forfeyture as Coppie hold
rentrunn and wantinge reperacōns
falls to the Lord, Even soe thie ffathers Land
for want of Trybute payeinge longe sence Due
I Cease vppon as Lord to thee and that
78
But for thou shalt perceave that Edmund cann
temper the vnrvlye stomach of his rage
and moderate his lustie youthfull bloode
wc h springes through every vayne to flye at thee
Not half theis wordes wt hout controleinge strokes
should from thie lipes have vomited theire spleene
[Oh how my harte beates muchadoe I have]
[to make yt quiet tell I answer thee]
[Art thou the Lord of me and of my Land]
vncivell Canutus knowest thou to whome thou speakest?
This harte skornes all subieccōn
and this head lookes 'ore the world, theis feete
were made to tread ore kinges, Canutus over thee
Nay storme not Canutus, learne how to mix thie speech
wt h more beseemeinge tearmes, and gouern thou
thie surly tearmes wt h reason not wt h rage
I saye I am a kinge, soe arte not thou
therefore I am thie better, I saye more
I have a kingdome, this I stand vppon
is mine, Thou standst vppon my ground
I saye this Land is mine, Canutus yt is mine:
Canutus:
By vsurpacōn thine, by Conquest mine
whoe knowes not conquest is inheritage
Edmund:
Soe rape and theft is true possessio
yf malifactors goe vnpunnished
Canutus:
It seems indeed possession is of force
for by possession you wt h hould my Crowne
Edmund:
Nay [Swaine and] you and Swaine yor griple minded Dad [OMITTED]
by treason not by force of valliant armes [OMITTED]
against all iustice, Lawe and equitie [OMITTED]
did first intrude yor selves, and then extrude [OMITTED]
or woefull subiectes from theire native home [OMITTED]
and that I Come to proue and there fore thus:
he drawe«t»
Canutus:/
Then to confute thie forged argument [OMITTED]
thus argue I, my sword is Resons proofe
Hee Dr[OMITTED]
Edmund:
That is of force to put backe reasons proofe [OMITTED]
wc h proues you like yor sword vnreasonable [OMITTED]
79
Edricus:
Edmund is stronge, Canute is weake in p«o»
Edmund gracious in the peoples eies [OMITTED]
Canutus is not soe, what had I best to doe [OMITTED]
[faine would I haue Canutus wine and hee is wea[OMITTED]]
[I would haue Edmund loose and hee is stronge [OMITTED]]
oh gracious starrs in spire my nimble witt [OMITTED]
wt h some device, and as I ever have [OMITTED]
I will imploye yt to some villanie [OMITTED]
soft, lett mee see, oh it is exelent [OMITTED]
[fountaine of witt, the springe of pollecye [OMITTED]]
[the flower of treason, and of villanie [OMITTED]]
how much vndecent is yt that this cappe [OMITTED]
this homely Cape, should overload this Crowe [OMITTED]
when thou deservest a Crowne of beaten gold [OMITTED]
[but to the matter soe yt needes must fadge]
[for can I bringe them to a single fight]
hosoever hath the better yett shall I
be gracious in his eie, as whoe should saye
I was the Causer of his victory
80
into the bosome of opinion
and beestemed my cuntries buckler
well Ile about it. meaninge noe mā good
but that my speech may sheed kinge Edmunds blood
The Armies make towards one an other when Edricus standinge betwene sayeth
Edricus:
Renowned Edmond first I speake to thee
lett theis my woordes proceedinge from true zeale
begg at thy eares a little audience
And worthie Canutus sheath vp thy slaughtringe sword
tell I have spoke my mind that all may see
my wordes proceede from perfect pietie
Edmond:/
Edricus bee breefe
Canutus:
Goe toe Ile staye a little, but be not tedious
Alfricke:/
When the fox preaches then beware the geese
Edricus:
What strive you for Imperious Ironside?
Renowned Canutus what doe you levell at?
wee daylie to appease yor mortall warrs
offer or slaughtred bodies to the sword
yet neither of you haue the vpper hande
[to daye hee that was foyld to morrow foyles]
[Hee that even now did faintly sound retreate]
[renewes againe the fight wt h doble force]
[thus in quadryes hanges the victory]
[and waveringe fortune frownes and smiles on both]
Canutus is not to bee overcome
because his Brother Swaine doth succor him
and Edmond likewise is invinceable
for force and vallour hewes him through his foes
what then is thend, of this yor enles grudge
none other but when all yor men bee slaine
81
[OMITTED] and hee that then is kinge shall rule noe men̄
[OMITTED] [nor governe nations, for consumeinge warr]
[OMITTED] [will quite devoure this solatary Ile]
[OMITTED] [not leaveinge anie over whome to rule]
[[OMITTED]r to resist forraine invacōns]
[OMITTED] [yf love of kingedomes bee the cause of this]
[OMITTED] [supprese the boyleinge of yor haughtie mindes]
[OMITTED] [you haue approved yor souldiers forwardnesse]
[OMITTED] Then now at last shake handes and ioyne in league
[OMITTED] agree like noble kinges and ∥te the Land
[OMITTED] have now compassion of this little Ile
[OMITTED] whose soyle is manurd wt h Carkasses
[OMITTED] and made a sea wt h bloode of inocentes
[OMITTED] But yf yor emulacōn bee soe greate
[OMITTED] that either skornes to have competitors
[OMITTED] [and Brooke not equalls in yor d [OMITTED] g dignities]
[OMITTED] fight then alone that would bee kinges alone
lett not all perish for the wills of Twoe
but Lett yor swordes decid whose tytles best
Edmond:
Edricke thou hitst the marke I levell at
thy Counsell cominge from a zelous harte
fittes in all poyntes our expectacōn
82
to prove even hand in single fight
wc h of vs Twoe shall weare the Diadem
Canutus:
Edmund Reporte shall never whett her tongue
vppon Canutus to eternize thee
I skorne to staine my reputacōn
wt h abiect tytles of pale Cowardice
to make the famous in opinions mouth
I heere accept thie challenge and his speech
glad of so fitt a tyme to bee revengd
for all those foule dishonnors thou hast done
[and glad for spareinge of that guiltles bloode]
[wc h in or quarrells this daye had bine shed]
Oh had this daye bine but a yeare agoe
manie a tall man had bine now alive
manie a salt teare had bine now vnshed
by fathers for theire son̄es vnhappie Deathes
by mothers for theire Childrens wretched endes
and widdowes for their husbandes tyneles want
But I am glad this longe expected hower
at laste is Come
Egina:/
My Lord you shall not fight
Canutus:/
My Lady but I will, will you fight for me?
give her my sword and sheild:/ [OMITTED]
Edm: and Emma talkes togeither, Edm: turnes a[OMITTED]
Emma:/
Yet heare mee good my Lord [OMITTED]
will you on whome the state doth sole depend [OMITTED]
or welfare, all the Realmes, yor frindes and kinsfolke [OMITTED]
hazard the lose of all vppon the Chaunce [OMITTED]
of fickell fortune, sence the better mā [OMITTED]
is soner killd by over hardinesse [OMITTED]
then an advised cowarde good my Lord [OMITTED]
yt is vndecent you should fight wt h him [OMITTED]
beinge noe kinge nor haveinge ought to loos«e»
Edmond:/
Madam his life is even to him as deere [OMITTED]
as mine to mee, besides hee is a prince [OMITTED]
of noble blood and high resolved spritt [OMITTED]
83
and Iustice on my side I would not feare [OMITTED]
[nay could not wt h my honnor but accept [OMITTED]]
[the speech of Edricke and in single fight [OMITTED]]
[approve my tytle lawfull good a right [OMITTED]]
Then madam be content and you shall see [OMITTED]
the god in whome I trust will svccor mee [OMITTED]
[were hee Golias, I the little kinge [OMITTED]]
[I would not feare, him on his knees to bringe [OMITTED]]
[But hee hath rather Cause to doute of mee [OMITTED]]
[I beinge bigge, and far more stronge then hee [OMITTED]]
Egina talkes wt h Canutus, Canutus turnes away[OMITTED]
Canutus:/
I had rather fight wt h him then skould wt h you
Egina:/
I cannot speake but straight you saye I skould
Canutus:/
Then sweetinge you must learne yor tongue to hould [OMITTED]
nay now youle blubber 'goe too take this kisse [OMITTED]
and pray for mee, whie staye you Ironside [OMITTED]
84
Beecause I thinke thou art not fitt to Dye
but rather with Egina fitt to crye
My Lordes I do Comaund you for yor lives
none bee soe hardy as to svccor me
or to approch vs eare the fight bee done
but yf I dye to make my sepulcher
even in the place where as I tooke my death
settinge my Crowne vppon Canutus head
and doe to him as to yor soueraigne
Canutus:
Even soe brave followers I will you doe
to Edmond heere, yf Edmund Conquer mee
sound Drum̄s and Trumpittes wt h yor warlike noyes
either begine my ioye, or end my ioyes
The Trumpittes sound the Armies doe Compasse the Twoe kinges in the middest, they fight
Canutus:
Staye: hould thie hand I prethee breth a while
Edmond:
Not tell thou yealdst or dies.
Edm: drives: Canutus about
Canutus:
Staye Edm:
tis not for I feare thie fortitud
That thus I crave thee stay, but that I wante
the vse of breth to prosecute the fight
Edmond:/
Then breath awhile, I giv the leave torest
Edrcus:/
I feeare Canutus wilbee ouercome
then shall I wish my tongue the Cause thereof
had bine cutt out when yt begane to speake
for I desire to Drinke kinge Edmundes blood
because hee ever sought to doe mee good
[OMITTED]South:
Egina bee content I warrant you I
[OMITTED] Canutus will doe well inough
«E»gina:/
I feare him much
«E»dmond
What are yee reddy
[OMITTED]Canutus:
I to bee thie death
they fight againe Edm: driues Canutus backe about the Stage
[OMITTED]anutus:
Stay Edmond staye
[OMITTED] Canutus yealdes to thee
[OMITTED]icus:
what will he bace'ly yeald the divell fore fend
85
Take wc h of theis thou wilt my hand or sword
[OMITTED] my hand bringes frendshipe ferme immoveable
[OMITTED] my sword bringes enmitie irrivocable
[OMITTED]mond:
Brave Canutus in yealdinge thou hast wone
[OMITTED] that wc h thie sword could never doe
[OMITTED] thy tongue hath brought to passe by gentle speech
[OMITTED] Canutus take my hand, heere lyes my sword
[OMITTED] Emond is thine, his thine, himself and all
[OMITTED] now lett vs strive whoe shall demerrit best
[OMITTED] by mutuall kindnes whoe shall be termd afrind
[OMITTED]anutus:/
How plesant are theis speeches to my eares
[OMITTED] Æolian musicke to my daunceinge harte
[OMITTED] Ambrosian dainties to my starved mawe
[sweete passinge Nectar to my thirstie throate]
[rare Culleasses to my sicke glvtted mide]
[Refreshinge oyntmentes to my wearied Limbes]
and heavenly phisicke to my earth sicke soule
wc h erst was surfited wt h woe and warr
86
Lett mee imbrace the warr begotten frinde
They imbr«a»
god graunte as broth«[OMITTED]r»s wee may longe embrace [OMITTED]
and sweete Egina for thie husbandes sake [OMITTED]
in signe of Love this kisse from Edmond take:
Edm: kisses Eg[OMITTED]
But Lordes whie stand you still greeve you to see
Canutus and your kinge soe well agree
Alfricke:/
The inward sollace wc h or hartes conseave
to see peace growe where foule debate was sowne
to see sweete concord springe from Discordes wombe
to see warr bringe forth love and amitye
to see Two mortall foes prove faithfull frindes
and Mars drincke milke in stead of purple blood
doth force or tongues or hartes Cheife orrators
to shewe wt h silence ioye vnspeake able
yet Lordes behold even as you doe imbrace
soe in dumbe shewes wee all vnite or hartes
the Lordes imbrace
Turkillus:
Remember Leofricke or Childrens losse
Leofricke:
Turkillus I doe and must serve the tyme
and waite vppon occasion for revenge
a daye of mirth begines a woefull yeare
as suddaine stormes doe follow sunne shine Cleare
Edmond:/
Nowe noble Lords lett vs like frindes Consult
vppon particōn of this noble Ile
yor self shall Choose wc h ∥te you thinke is best
the East or west, the Right hand or the left
my Courte is yor s my Counsellers are yours
my frindes yor frindes, thie foe my Enimie
my people yor s my treasure and my self
all are yor owne, for you shall all com̄aund
Canutus:
Thankes noble brother and my second self
in all thy artes thou dost excell thie self
foule shame on them that are thie enimies [OMITTED]
87
Edricus:/
Bloode, Death and vengance light on both of[OMITTED]
Edmond./
Goe vnto or Costes and feast vs there [OMITTED]
and there conclude an ever lastinge pea[OMITTED]
Sound Drum̄es and Trumpittes heere endes «w»
thus hand in hand and harte in harte «w»
Edricus:/
And I for one tis meete yt should bee «s»
thus wise men can desemble what they th[OMITTED]
and till occac̄on fittes them sleepeinge win[OMITTED]
But I have sworne and I will keepe my vo[OMITTED]
by heaven Ile bee revengd on both of you [OMITTED]
They goe hande in hand out off th[OMITTED] [OMITTED] Edricus leadeinge the Drum̄e [OMITTED]
Finis
| Edmond Ironside : or War Hath Made All Friends | |