University of Virginia Library

The second Act.

Enter Valdemar, and Jnguar.
Vald.
It's a strange humor that has seaz'd upon him;
whatsoever the cause be.

Inguar.
When you are
Ignorant of it, all others must be so.

Vald.
He discovers nothing to me save onely
That he is full (and that he often sayes)
Of griefe and heavinesse; and sometimes sicke.

Ing.
His sicknesse may (in time) prove dangerous,
If some fit remedy be not apply'd.

Uald.
He'll heare of none; I urg'd his Physitians,
At which he storm'd, and bad me leave him to
Himselfe; and since I dare not come in sight.

Ingar.
It's a deadly malady, that will admit
Of no cure We are best put Captaine Hubba,
Or the wise Cowsell on him: for the wit
Of the one and th' others folly may remove
More of that griefe he speaks on, than good counsell.

Enter Rey.
Vald.
Here comes the man himselfe, in his usuall
Meditation: and therefore let's away.

Exeunt ambo.
Reyn.
She is divinely faire, and in her mind
The noblest vertues keepe their residence,
As in their loveli'st habitation,
Being all in love with her, I thinke, as I am,
From my sad heart warme teares (teares of affliction)
The fire of my affection doth send up
Into my eyes, that thence distill in streames,
Which yet to me, are torrents of sweet joyes,
Ioyes, that this is for her, my griefe proceeds
From a profound feare I shall never gaine her,
Injoy that unpeer'd modell of perfection.
There is no way but one to pull the fruit
Jove would turne Goose, to taste: she's so reserv'd
To the least vicious acts; Wretch, that hope
Is not (yet) left thee: For, being nobly borne
(Though she no fit match be for us, in lieu
Of worldly substance, being in her selfe
An ample dowry for a richer Prince)
We sho'd (and gladly) sue to be her husband.
But a report goes, she will joyne with no man,
In such an obligation, which (that she
Will not at all have me) is that which striks
A blacke despaire into my soule, and will
(Vnlesse I meete some comfort) quickly kill me;
Being sicke in body, as in mind already.

Enter Hub. & Cowsell.
Hub.
See, where he stalks. Doe you but put him out
Of his sad humor; and thou sha't have—

Cow.
O Captaine,
I am affraid, for he looks sowre upon't.

Hub.
No matter: feare you nothing, but proceed;
And care not what you say, so you say something;
It's your fooles fashion, and you now must seeme one.

Cow.
But hearke, you, Captaine. How sho'd I begin?

Hub.
Say that you come from the Ladies: so I leave you.

Exit
Rey.
Sirra, what make you here?
Hub. & peeps.

Cow.
Come from the Ladies.

Rey.
Well sayd, speake that againe.

Cow.
Come from the Ladies.

Rey.
Very good, and what of them?

Cow.
Come from the Ladies.

Rey.
What, againe. Pray tell me, what did occasion
Your so kind friendly visit to the Ladies?

Cow.
I went thither (being some two myle of)
To be joviall with a new acquaintance
Of mine, my brother Radger.

Rey.
Some such wise man,
As thou art.

Cow.
He's a very honest man.

Rey.
And takes his cup soundly, I warrant.

Cowsell.
So.
Doe many honest men beside him; and
Keepe wenches too, that's more.

Rey.
And yet are honest.

Cow.
's honest and faire-condition'd gentlemen,
As live, I know severall of 'em, my selfe.

Rey.
The Ladies are well. How did they use thee? tell.

Cow.
They're all exceeding well: and us'd me kindly
For your sake; gave me a banquet, strawberries
And creame; we drunke helter-skelter too; the Ladies
Tooke your health themselves, and ask'd me how you did;
Landgartha sayd, you were a good man; and that
She lov'd you with all her heart.

Rey.
Let me imbrace
Jmbraces him.
Thee from my heart, for that good newes,

Hub.
Sweet King,
Have I found your malady?

Cow.
O kind Prince!

Aside.
Rey.
What sayest? are they not delicate fine creatures?

Cow.
Indifferent handsome, passable, and so forth—

Hub.
You 'll with a knocke be sent forth, I see that.

Rey.
I was not from thy want of wit, to expect
Any true censure. But yet, tell me truely:
Which of 'em all dost thou thinke is the fairest?

Cow.
The Lady Elsinora in my opinion,
Is th' rich Pearle amongst 'em; Landgartha to her.
Is but a meere milkemayde.

Rey.
He makes me sicke,
A dunce to wrong the worlds chiefe ornament.

Kicks, & beats him.
Cow.
Oh, oh my bum! my bum!

Exit, and enter Hubba.
Hub.
I perceive I must
Venture a beating too.

Rey.
Thou mett'st a foole
Going out that way.

Hub.
And he complaines of something
Vnder favour.

Rey.
We gave some cause for't, but
Doe now repent it. Prethee Hubba call him;
He sayd some at of the Ladies.

Hub.
I can tell
You more of 'em than he: for, I was lately too
Where they (like a companie of fine ducklings)
Wag together.

Rey.
Thy words are base.

Hub.
What wo'd
You have me say? they are all very valiant,
And made King Frolla pay for seeking (and
But in's goodwill) to domineere a little
Over 'em: he left his life and kingdomes by't.

Rey.
We therefore ought the better to love them.

Hub.
As your subjects onely, sir, but not to cast
Vnder you on a bed, couch, or cleane mat:
You know what fine Furies they are, if you vex 'em.

Rey.
We are not so unwise, as to consult
Of their dishonour.

Hub.
Nor so farre (I hope)
Mistaken to marry any of 'em.

Rey.
Why Hubba? are they not faire and vertuous,
Think'st thou?

Hub.
I doe admire, sir, you sho'd valke
So much of vertue: a thing th' arrantest Asse
Will scorne, if Money be not joyn'd to it:
And then (although he hate it, and the possessor
Of it) he will prayse 't.

Rey.
Thou 'rt now in thy old humors.

Hub.
Besides, you thinke Landgartha faire: but I say,
Th' Emperors daughter's worth a thousand of her.

Rey.
I 'de loathly beat thee Hubba: yet, I tell thee;
Were Charlemaine (the Emperors father) now
Alive, and in his Pryme of youth and glory.
Landgartha (being his Paralell in vallor?
By vertue much more) were a wife enough good
For him; were she not neere so faire as she is.
But all, all being joyn'd Hubba; I suppose
He wo'd esteeme her his chiefe earthly blessing.
I, I, and more, a Paradise on earth.

Hub.
Were she ten times better: you cannot have her.

Rey.
Thou shoot'st a suddaine feare (colder then death)
Into me; You were best give no bad reason,
For what you say.

Hub.
She has vow'd Chastity,
Unto the gods: which bond though you sho'd be
Content to forfeyt, it is sure she will not.

Rey.
The strongest poyson could not fincke me deader.
Then thy sad tongue has.

Exit.
Hub.
Flunge away in a rage:
Well; I was to blame to tell him, what I was not
Sure on: For now I truely doe conceive
There is no plaster but one, that can cure him;
And that the faire Landgartha must apply too;
No garden hearbs will doe it, any one
That has as much braine as a Wood-cocke, may now
Finde that, that knowes what his disease is. He's worse
Then horne-mad already; I 'll therefore after him,
And what betwixt lyes and true tales, I shall goe very neere
To fetch him to himselfe, and hope againe.

Exit.
Enter Inguar in the middle.
The King stretch'd on his Couch, strangely distemper'd,
And most unlike himselfe (his courage lost)
He pules and whynes most pitifully: Good heaven,
What strange disease sho'd render so devicted
Such a man? So valiant? So each way noble?
We see no outward cause, that sho'd distract him;
Sho'd it be love?

Enter Vald. to Inguar.
Vald.
Lord Inguar, I have newes
For you.

Ing.
I long to heare 'em: For your count'nance
(Showing alacrity) speaks comfort to the King.

Vald.
Did you never heare of a little blind
Boy, that wounded many a proper man?

Ing.
Has Cupid shot his Highnesse?

Vald.
No mortall man,
Nor god so deepe, 't will be proclaym'd in open
Market shortly.

Inguar.
Who should the object be?

Vald.
Who but Volsci de gente Camilla?
Th' fairest and best of women, brave, Landgartha
Hubba is sent (on paine of his best joynt)
To fetch her hither: from whence ere she part,
Her duty and th' Kings gracious affection
Consider'd, she may be glad to yeeld to his
Commands; as I hope her sister will, to my
Intreaties to serve her.

Inguar.
I beleeve, you 'ill finde
Your selfe mistaken in those vertuous Ladies.

Enter the foure Ladies in womans apparell with Swords on, and Hubba.
Land.
The gods defend so good, and mercifull
A Prince; I know it's but a cold that troubles
His grace.

Hub.
Not so (Madame) I can assure you;
His disease proceeds rather of heate. He burnes
Extreamely; and its thought by some, that his
Physitians cannot cure him.

Land.
I hope
They are deceiv'd that thinke so.

Vald.
Welcome to Court,
Faire Ladies; Which, till now (that you lighten it
With the divine splendor of your beauties)
Was darker than a dungeon: and but a Hell
Compar'd unto the Paradise of the Campe,
Where in the fruition of your pleasing it
Conversations, being rapt beyond our selves
With hope of future favours, we in you
Plac'd the whole summe of our felicities.

Land.
You are merrily dispos'itd seemes, sir,
Which (to be plaine) becomes you but most foulely;
The King being sicke, when all (and chiefly you)
Sho'd (and not for ceremony onely) put.
A darke face of sorrow on; and contayne
Their slippery tongues, from talking over-idlely;
Some may conceive your mirth proceeds, from being
Next heire to him in bloud.

Vald.
It rather springs
(Sweet Lady) from your comming now to cure him.

Land.
Which, with a joyfull heart, I sho'd performe
If I knew how: Pray you therefore, kind sir,
Be somewhat cleerer in what you conceive.

Vald.
'ts quickly learnt; nature will teach you Madame,
His grace will shew you too; you will not prove
Ieeringly.
Perverse.

Land.
Are you so blinde a Goate, to forget
Gives him a box, on which all draw, and Scania steps in.
Frollo so soone? to open your eyes take that.

Scan.
Pray sister hold, What doe you meane to quarell
On a surmise? I know the Lord Valdemars
Intents are noble, and much more the Kings.

Elsin.
Y'are to blame, Neece, to be so suddaine in such
A fond conceit.

Land.
Doe we come to be abus'd?
I 'll backe agen. For your part sir, you shall
Exit, and the other three follow her.
Not fayle to meete me, when and where you list.

Hub.
His grace will now run mad indeed.

Vald.
Lord Inguar,
As you love me, follow that severe Lady;
And reduce her (if ever you did ought for
A friend) to mildnesse, and this way backe; or I
Am lost for ever to the King and people:
Exit Inguar.
Captaine, goe thou too once more, for my sake.

Hub.
And as you meane to doe, forsweare my selfe
That you meant no hurt. I have already told her
A hundred lyes at least; and am now o' th' faith,
That double the number will scarce serve to quiet her;
It's such another untoward piece of flesh

Exit Hub. Ieeringly.
Vald.
She is an excellent Mistris, and has taught
Me such a Lesson, I have cause to thanke her:
For she has given me patience, and wisedome;
Honesty too I thinke. The flat truth is
She has wrought strangely with me, very strangely,
The ravishing notes of a Cycilian Cyren,
Could not so have taken my Eare (and from thence
My heart) with a most alluring kinde of
Delight, as the smart-touch of her white hand has:
It strucke into me such a love,
To her Sister I meane, that came so kindly
Betwixt us, as I doe now account my selfe,
A gainer by the blow; in hope to gaine
What I now love so much, and nobly too.
Well, they will come backe this way againe, I know;
And I must sing a very dolefull ditty,
A Palinode; or pray, where they may see me,
Being a thing I 've onely done but twice
These seven yeares: once, that I went to sea:
Secondly and lastly, before the last battle.

Exit.
Reyner is discover'd on a Couch, and a gentleman with him.
Rey.
Are th' Ladies come yet to Court?

Gent.
They are sir,
And will soone be here.

Enter Inguar & Hubba.
Rey.
Whose that?

Gent.
My Lord Inguar.

Rey.
Where have you left the Ladies?

Ing.
Comming after (Sir,)
Sad and much troubl'd for your want of health.

Enter the 4. Ladies.
Scan.
You 'll be extreamely hated, if you use
So much exception, on so little cause.

Land.
If he accost me any more, with his
Base jeering countenance, and whorish language;
My sword shall (for such kindnesse) kisse his middriffe.

Fat.
Pray pacifie your minde, you need not stand
At so much distance.

Rey.
Are not they come yet?

Hub.
They now are here, by much adoe.

Rey.
Good Inguar,
Intreat 'em to approach.

Inguar.
Madame, the King
Desires you wo'd be pleas'd to draw neerer.

Rey.
You honour me, sweet Ladies, in this visit:
Which, beyond expression adds comfort
Vnto a wretched sickely man. Chayres there,
Pray you sit downe; y' are all exceeding welcome.

Land.
Our duty charg'd us (sir,) to obey your summons;
Yet, our affection to your grac's welfare,
And to that depends of it (the generall good
Of the republicke) were the chiefe motives
To our journey.

Scan.
And being able (sir,) to stead you
In loving wishes onely, we must expect
(With griefe to see his weaknesse, whose good health
We most desire) your highnesse royall pleasure.

Rey.
Thankes worthy Ladies. We must also pay
You in good wishes; being otherwise
Too indigent to cancell what we are
Ingag'd to you for many wayes.
We have beene still opprest since your departure
From us (whose vertuous presence, was all
The comfort we had) with a heavy sadnesse,
Nourish'd by griefe; nor doe we ever hope
To see the Sunne againe, but at a window.

Land.
The gods defend you (sir,) from giving way
To such despayre.

Enter Vald.
Vald.
I follow after (like
A Theefe) aloofe, to see what good successe
The King has in his love suite; and to venter
For my particular, as he makes his voyage.

Scan.
Your Majestie must never entertayne
Darke melancholy thoughts, but quite cashire 'em.

Vald.
Her voyce founds sweeter, then the celestiall spheres,
In their harmonious motion. I am more
Then ravish'd when I heare it; and thinke I shall
Fall sicke too, or runne franticke, ere 't belong.

Fat.
I heard no meane Physitian often say, Sir,
That Musicke and mirth were good for sickely men.

Rey.
Bid the Boy sing the Song we made of Love.

[Boy.]
Song.
Love's farre more pow'rfull than a King,
And wiser then must Statesmen are:
For it commands him, and doth spring
In them strange thoughts; in both much care
(Beside th' affaires o' th' Common-wealth)
To crouch and to obey. Nay more
It makes 'em loose all joy and health,
And not be the men they were before;
Vntill wise love, all pow'rfull love,
The gracious Physitian prove.

Land.
This is a very loving song,
Your grace made: but the contents of it, not
To be apply'd to you sir, that may command
(If pow'r and person can compell) the best
And fairest Lady i' th' world to be yours,
In a noble way; and otherwise your vertue forbids it.

Rey.
It does indeed forbid us what is vicious.
And seeing we doe not hope for life, we must
Crave your kinde pardon now, to heare us tell
Th' occasion of our sicknesse, briefly thus:
You are the onely cause on't.

Land.
How? I my liege?
My knowledge sayes not so.

Rey.
Your beautie, vallor,
And all the perfections (parted to others,
But) in you conjoyn'd, protest it: and I
For one can sweare it. But, being spell'd
By a severely-awing rigor from your brow
(Yet sweet withall, though killing) and being told
Of a sad purposely have, never to marry;
We now are fall'n thus low, beneath the Genter
Of deepe despaire and sorrow: and desire,
You will say something, eyther to hasten our deed,
Or to recall it by a loving sentence.

Land.
I must take some time then to deliberate
Aside.

Rey.
Being yours, in that you may command us.

She goes aside & the Ladies with her.
Land.
We expected no such entertaynment.

Elsin.
My minde foretold me still of some disaster.

Scan.
Notwithstanding your resolution,
Not to marry: you have not vow'd against
Obedience to a man, in that friendly
Yoake of Wedlocke. The Kings sound affection
Is not then to be rejected, if you ever
Take any.

Land.
If I doe, he shall be the man.

Fatyma.
You must not study now long for some answer.

Elsin.
He's desperatly ill: and if you sho'd
Give him a flat deniall, we might be
All seazed on heere at Court, and some villanie
Committed on us; being to defend our selves,
Too few by many.

Scan.
They shall take our lives,
Ere we'll endure to be defil'd.

Fatyma.
And with
The losse of some of theirs.

Rey.
Have you consider'd
Yet, of the doome y'are to pronounce?

Elsinora.
All stand
Warily on their guard.

Land.
Your poore subjects (sir)
Must rather expect (in duty) your commands.

Rey.
Nay sweet Lady. Doe not increase my torment,
By adding affliction to misery,
With a complement: but something say, that
May appertaine to th' matter, to rid me
Quickely of my paine.

Land.
It's sure; I have not
(Although I ever meant it) bound my selfe,
Unto a single life.

Rey.
Then dearest Lady,
Consider who I am; and what I now am,
Lodg'd thus: for though I clayme you not as by desert,
Or dutie: Yet, being your Prince, you owe me
Some regard; and all, I e'r must glory in,
Shall be to make you Queene of what is ours.

Land.
May it please you, Sir.

Rey.
Pray you sit and speake:
Or I must rise, if weakenesse will permit.

She sits, and the rest stand.
Land.

Rey.
I was sure
(Noblest and best of Ladies:) That your words
(Being such as now they are) could not but worke
A cure upon me. See, I can stand up:
Nay, goe; I'll throw my Cap off too. Some of you
Give me a Hat; I will walke with you forth
Into the Gallery, and tell you there,
I have consider'd so much what you are,
Though not to your full value this being
Impossible: that if you thinke me not
Unworthy (as indeed I am for you)
We shall soone be Man and Wife. To morrow
I'll wayte on you further, into the Garden.

Hub.
And there (in one of the little bawdy houses)
Aside,
Seale the Covenant, if it be receiv'd;
Though he were sure to die in an houre after.

Elsin.
I see she does affect him in good earnest.
Aside.
But wisedome bids be silent; This poore kingdome
Being already torne too much, by tyrannie and troubles.
Things past our helpe, with patience must be borne,
Untill a fit time.

Rey.
Lady Elsinora,
Me thinkes you doe not signe our loving motion,
With a friendly countenance.

Elsin.
I hope, great Sir,
You will be pleasd to entertayne farre better thoughts
Of your humblest hand-mayd.

Rey.
I hope we shall.

Land.
In licensing our departure, for some small time
(Dayes five or sixe, and for a private Cause:)
You will for ever bind us (sir) to your commands;
And to returne with all convenient speed,
To obey your Highnesse pleasure in all points.

Rey.
That ask'd agen, would throw me on my Couch;
Never to rise.

Vald.
Madame, I sho'd make bold
To stop your journey, though the King were pleas'd
To grant his licence: for you (I must say
Somewhat roughly) saluted my left eare
With your right hand, as these can witnesse for me.

Land.
For which, you are resolv'd to challenge me:
But not to be your wife; I gave you no
Such promise.

Vald.
I must have satisfaction.

Land.
You may declare what that is, when you list.

Vald.
Nay, you shall know it now; and thus it sounds:
That you perswade this Lady, to become
Takes Scan. by the hand.
My second. For, love has strucke me too, so sore
A cuffe (caus'd by her beautie, and what else
Is good in her, in my opinion
Superlatively:) that I shall ne'r be rid
O' th' paine on't: unlesse you that are like to be
My Cossen, advance me higher, to the honour
To be your brother. We shall then be kind friends.

Land.
She is not my warde; and may take whom she fancies;
I may my selfe repent, to be perswaded.

Rey.
Speake Ladie, doe you like the man? He is
As good a Gentleman as We are: Say,
Will you have him?

Scan.
You make me blush (sir,) to aske
Me such a question.

Vald.
Nay then, it's granted.

Scan.
I will not grant at first; nor shall you say
Hereafter I deceiv'd you.

Fat.
You deceive
Your selfe. Well Madame, I perceive we two
To Elsin.
Must matelesse home to prove the Vestals.

Ing.
Not, sweet Lady, if you'll daigne to grace me, with
The title husband.

Fat.
For your good will, sir,
I thanke you: but will heare of no more coupling.

Ing.
I yet must love you still.

Rey.
Then let's from hence,
To entertayne heavens happy influence.

Exeunt.