 | Landgartha |  |
The fift Act.
Enter Valdemar and Jnguar.Vald.
You are happy beyond expectation
In your Embassage: for all men did conceive
(And very probably) the Queene would ayde
With th' utmost of her pow'r, Harrold in his
Designe for Denmarke. But, she noble Lady,
(Although in outward show, she have not granted
What you demand) I know (such is her vertue
And loving nature) is comming in her minde,
Now to assist your most ungracious King.
Ing.
For which in chiefe he is to you beholding;
Though he deserv'd it not, at his departure.
But now, Contrition has wipt off his guilt,
Though not the punishment, before the gods.
Nor is there any hope left us on earth,
But what we now may gaine here by your meanes.
Vald.
Had you but beene a witnesse of her griefes.
(Able to rive a heart of steele) you had
Melted (as we almost did) into teares:
Especially when she heard of th' infamous
Marryage, with Swealands daughter (told her by
A whispering flatterer:) how then she tore
Her golden hayre, and us'd such cruelty
On her faire limmes, which had well neere ended her
(Notwithstanding what we could doe to hinder't:)
Not for her husbands renogading most:
But the losse of her virginitie, and foule
Disgrace.
Ing.
We heard of all: Yet, were compell'd
By strong necessitie (perforce) to build
On her heroicke goodnesse, and your worth.
Vald.
't was well conceiv'd; and better put to tryall,
That compulsion may worke peace agen,
Ing.
Here the divine Lady comes (her selfe) unto us.
Enter Landgartha, Scania, Elsinora, Fatyma, & Marfisa in womans apparell with Swords on.
Land.
Although (Lord Inguar,) your soveraigne, and my
Unkind husband, were rather to expect
Sharpe warre and hate then any ayde from me
In his distresse: having (as farre as 't lay
In him) disgrac'd me by his flight; and as
I 'd us'd false play with others: yet, my love
To him (deepely engraven in my heart.)
Ioyn'd to my owne innocence and merit, has
(As all may see) got the upper-hand; and stopt
My once intended course of strict revenge;
Though he enjoy another wife, now the Mistris
Of what is mine by bond.
Ing.
Most gracious Queene,
I can say nothing, to excuse his guilt;
Or lessen it: but that your vertue shines
The brighter for his deepe ingratitude,
Which now's the greatest Corrosive to himselfe,
And cause of all his evils, by the losse
Of in a manner all was his before:
And that his act, has render'd both of you
Famous to all the world, in different manners:
You as the glorious mirrour of all worth,
But him (with griefe I speake it) for's offence.
Scan.
Which now (deare Madame) as it is repented,
Exacts your mercy more then punishment.
Elsin.
To prove a lasting Pyramid to all
Succeeding times, of such a noble act.
Vald.
It can yeeld you no benefit to ruine
And in their loves, they're yours.
Fat.
Much more then his
I doe beleeve.
Ing.
Madame. I can depose it.
To Fatyma.
And that they 've ever deem'd it their chiefe glory,
To have had her for their Queene; their hearts he lost,
When he lost her: nor is there ought can rayse
The minds o' th' few, that now sticke to him, but her
Strong assistance, and the try'd vallor of the
Norwegian Ladies, that before
Gave us the victory against the Swedes.
Land.
King Reyner and your selfe (Lord Inguar) have
Too many friends here, to be deni'd in what
Our pow'r may stead him, or you demand.
And I'm the more induc'd to pardon his fault,
That I acknowledge my selfe faultie too
(And which my heart has oft accus'd me for,
With no small griefe) in granting that to him
Vnder the flattering title of marryage, which I
Resolv'd ne'r to 'a' lost; and which he durst not
Seeke to have forc'd from me. But it 's now past helpe.
Scan.
There's one way yet left (Madame) to helpe all.
Land.
He then transported, by his fierce desire,
Which slav'd him: by craft (I'll give it no worse
A name) did that wrong to my modestie,
Which I (being not so deepe in passion)
Might well have hinder'd; and by yeelding to it,
Have given scope for others to condemne me.
Ing.
Which none can justly doe: For, I'm assur'd,
Madame (though you have cause not to beleeve it)
That his intents to your grace, were sincere
At first, as now they are: and therefore (deare Queene,)
You are to meete his past ill, with your goodnesse.
Which, if you doe not speedily: there will be
No time, nor meanes hereafter, left for you
To exercise your vallor in this cause.
Land.
When we behold our neighbors house on fire,
This you conceive; and I suppose you are
Inform'd by these that love you, that we have
As many valiant men and women, in
A readinesse, as may, if heaven be pleas'd
(For we are pleas'd in 't) reinthrone your King;
And chase those rebels that now urge his flight.
Let then my brother (the Prince Valdemar)
And you, make all the haste you can before us;
With newes of our approach. And, one thing more
I must intreat you doe for me: which is
To deliver this Letter, unto him that
Caus'd my sorrow; and left me great with child.
Which fruit of his, he shall soone looke on, young
Frideslaus.
Vald.
He sho'd 'a' stayd, to have got
Such another.
Scan.
In honesty, he could
Have done no lesse.
Ing.
Your graces Letter, I hope
Within these three houres, he shall reade at furthest.
Vald.
You'll give me leave to goe before, to provide
A lodging for you?
Scan.
Yes: for I meane to be
Your bedfellow to morrow night.
Vald.
And I shall strayne my selfe, to bid you welcome.
Ing.
The King will doe as much too, for your Highnesse.
Land.
Fy, not so soone man, that were a shame indeed,
People wo'd then say, that I went to aske it.
smilingly.
Nor does he neede me; having one (at least)
Already to keepe him warme.
Ing.
He thinkes of none,
But your Grace.
Vald.
We must be now abrupt in our
Leave taking?
Land.
Be gone Scania, fare you well. Inguar, may all
The gods be your guides.
Exeunt ambo.
Land.
And now Marfisa.
Consents, to goe for Denmarke.
Mar.
I meane to doe
Your Majestie some service there, now that
You measure my affection by your owne.
Scan.
But what, if you come to weare the Willow garland,
By the inconstancie of Captaine Hubba?
Mar.
Not (doe as the Queene did) forgive the offence.
Fat.
No lesse then 's life would satisfie your anger.
Mar.
Doe you make doubt on't?
Elsin.
I beleeve him honest.
Land.
What is your owne opinion? Marfisa.
Mar.
I still suppose the best.
Land.
Then wayte upon
My cousin Fatyma: and both of you make haste
To summon with all speede (on paine of death)
All our troops (both men and women) in Ansloy,
Saltsburge, and thereabouts. Our Sister and Aunt
Shall to the neerer quarters; whilst I prepare
Here all things requisite for our departure.
And as we once made no small haste to meete
King Reyner, when he brought us ayde against
Our foes: let's doe the same in gratitude
(And with more honour) now, in assisting of him.
Those which we leave, will keepe safe here. Away.
Fat.
The trust impos'd on us, we'll not betray.
Exeunt omnes severally.
A march.
Then enter Harrold, Eric, and Lothaire arm'd
Har.
We must make haste, Lord Lothaire, (now that by
The helpe of heaven, for which we chiefly move.
And the assistane which you Lord and ours,
The noble Emperor Lewis, true inheritor
Of his great fathers vertues did afford us,
We are ascended to what is our right,
Being thereto lifted by your manly worth too)
To make all sure, by joyning our last issue.
(Whom he once more thinkes to deceive:) For, where
Shee leads, all goes to wracke i' th' other side.
Loth.
It 's strange so stout a minde as hers, sho'd even
Yeeld love or obedience to a man that has
So basely dealt to her.
Eric.
She squares all her
Actions by the rule of goodnesse, not
Of passion; and thinkes this deede of hers,
A very gratefull offering to her gods,
Yet, we doe hope to send (before she land here)
Her husbands rancke soule, to great Belzebub.
Har.
Then let's march on with speede; and trust our cause
To him, that only gives life by his lawes.
Exeunt a march.
After the march, Enter Reyner and Hubba.
Rey.
Heare you no newes from Inguar (Hubba) yet
Hub.
Not a word: But a ship is now on entring
In at the haven; and we hope it 's his.
Rey.
No, no. We are of all the world forsaken,
But most of heaven: For, we have deserv'd it,
And our repentance now comes too too late.
Hub.
I doe beseech you sir, not to yeeld to
Such weake, unmanly diffidence.
Rey.
We wrong'd
Thee (Hubba) too; and now thy loyaltie
And kindnesse wounds our soule deeper, then if thou hadst
Prov'd false, all turnes to my confusion.
Hub.
It was your passion and not you, strucke me, sir.
Rey.
Would I were quickly dead, or never borne,
To see the evils which I have occasion'd,
And must needs feele, if I but live a while.
Hub.
Your noble Queene Landgartha, will I doubt not
(If i'th' meane time sir, you doe what lyes in you,
With patience) soone rid you of those feares;
And State you as before; and in her love too.
Rey.
I ne'r shall see that Halcyon day againe,
The contrary; and caus'd me send to move
Her goodnesse. She is too magnanimous
Ever to looke at such a wretch as I am,
That deceiv'd her once so foulely.
Hub.
You'll finde
Your selfe deceiv'd, I hope sir, in that ere long.
Rey.
Had I but faithfull prov'd to her, as she
Deserv'd (thou know'st it Hubba,) I might then
'a' playd at stoole-ball with young children, or
Have wasted time more idlely, if I'd listed;
And have my estate multiply'd to many
Kingdomes. Now, thou seest, we are not worth one
Province, Stricke me heaven.
Enter Valdemar and Inguar.
Vald.
Honest Captaine, I
Am glad to meete you alive.
Hub.
Your Highnesse poore servant.
Ing.
The King walkes strangely sad.
Hub.
He's not himselfe: and therefore, whatsoever
Newes you bring; y' had neede use your accustomed
Discretion in the relating of it.
Rey.
You are both as welcome hither, as my
Distraction will give me leave to bid you.
Vald.
I never knew you (sir) too much exalted
At flatt'ring Fortunes smiles, or when you Conquer'd:
And (now she frownes) you still ought to preserve
A valiant indifferencie.
Rey.
Healthy men
Know how t' afford good counsell unto others,
Whose forces being too weake, to beare the blowes
Of their diseases, yeeld and languish under
The waight that 's insupportable.
Jng.
The weaker
Their minds are, the more they yeeld; beyond
Necessitie: and thereby become chiefe Actors
In their owne Tragedies.
Rey.
I know you speake this,
To prepare my minde, for the bad newes you bring.
Your vertue will now most consist, in not
Being over joy'd, when you read this Letter,
Written and sent by her, that sayes she loves you.
Rey.
Let me see't. I know the hand, it's hers,
O let me, let me kisse it, kisse it still,
Kisses the Letter.
And not presume to looke what it contaynes,
To plague my guiltie conscience.
Vald.
reade and be rul'd.
Reyner
opens and Reads.
If this my second duty, may prove as happy in the recovery of thy
kingdomes, as my first was against a Tyrant; yet honouring thee
with the victory: J shall account my travell well bestow'd. Make head
bravely (as wisedome permits) against the enemie: for I am comming
with all speed, to let him know, that Landgartha (being thy Queene
and only lawfull Wife) is a warrior: and will prove so to his prejudice,
and thy advantage: having from her heart (notwithstanding thy
unkindnesse) absolv'd thee of all the wrongs thou did'st her.
Landgartha.
Rey.
A gracious language! O you gods defend me,
From turning altogether foole at this. For, my
Frayle vessell is not able to contayne,
The forcible excesse of this sweet comfort.
My soule results so strangely, mounts, mounts up,
That I have much adoe, to keepe from dancing:
My nimble spirit elevats my body,
And my very life (I thinke) will now with joy
Forsake me, fly away.
Vald.
Be not in extreames,
So like a meere franticke Pray recall your wits,
Before she comes, you may loose all; your selfe, and us.
Rey.
Excuse me, worthy Cousin, you feele not
The force of my impulsion. Yet, I confesse
I'm (but as others are) a poore weake man;
Subject to many changes 'gainst my will.
Ing.
Collect your selfe, were't but in obedience
Enter scout.
To your wise and noble Queene. What newes with you?
Scout.
That Harrold and his brother Eric, with
A mighty pow'r of Danes and Germans, march
Ing.
Which we must decline, till our best souldier
Come: and then we are for 'em.
Vald.
Lead us from hence,
To guard, your works; and doe not now forget
(Your wish'd ayde being so neere you) your old vallor;
And judgement to command.
Rey.
I hope we shall not.
Exeunt.
A march. Enter Harrold, Eric, Lothaire, and one or two more with Battle-axes.
Har.
Our foes have fortifi'd themselves so strongly,
With Waggons, Carts, huge tymber, and deepe trenches:
As 'tis impossible almost to force 'em.
Eric.
Which if you doe not, you 'll finde it a worse taske.
To quayle Landgartha; whose fleet's now at sea;
Nay hard on landing.
Loth.
Th' present attempt will not
Perchance, prove so dangerous, as to th' eye
It seemes; if we valiantly ingage
Our selves in th' onset.
Har.
Let us boldly on then;
And to conclude what hitherto, we have
So prosperously atchiev'd. I will beginne:
And die, rather then loose what I have wonne.
Exeunt.
Allarums, A while after which is begun, enter Reyner and Valdemar with Battle-axes.
Rey.
All's lost beyond recoverie, they are broke
Vpon us in, and fight like hungry Lyons,
Tearing our men to peeces, that now leave,
In foule disorder.
Vald.
Doe you (whil'st I charge up,
To give some stop unto their furie) rally
And hearten yours, the best you may. For, if
We can hold out, but one full houre: the noble
Has almost landed all her forces) will be
With us, to mend all agen.
Rey.
She shall never meet me flying.
Exeunt. allarums.
Enter Landgartha, Scania, Elsinora, Fatyma, and Marfisa; The foure Ladies, like Amazons. Marfisa with her Gowne tuck'd to th' midleg, spurs, &c. As in the first of the third Act; Battle-axes withall.
Land.
You heare this Musicke, Ladies, and perceive
What need our friends have of our swift assistance.
We are not therefore now, to insist upon
Here the Allarums sound as a farre off.
A tedious consultation; or on words
By me deliver'd, to encourage those
Whose worths I know already. Doe you Aunt
(Assisted by Fatyma and Marfisa)
Lead halfe our Armie: and wheele round about
(With speed and silence) to charge strongly home,
Upon our enemies backes. My sister and I
Will to our Husbands, that are hardly prest;
Their men all routed, and a number slaine.
Farewell, I hope that we shall meete againe.
Exeunt severally allarums.
Allarums. Then enter Reyner at one doore, and Harold at the other.
Rey.
Stand Traytor!
Har.
Thou usurper, I will stand;
And could afford you other glorious titles:
But that I meane not (having met you) to
Waste time in words, untill your foolish sweet-heart
(Whom you wo'd still deceive) come to your rescue.
But now, I hope you never shall enjoy her,
You know how.
Rey.
You shall know somewhat from me, howsoever.
Land.
Is it you? I were not beholding, to
Have done this for you now. Goe, look to your selfe & people.
Exit Land.
Rey.
Deare heaven, where am I? or, is this a dream?
Reyner rises as she beats in Harrold.
It was Landgartha sure. O no, it was not,
That glory and great miracle of the world,
Could not afford such grace to me, the meere
Fall'n dregs of villanie. But yet, 't was she,
The figure of her heavenly face, was once
(And still is) so imprinted in my soule,
As 't is impossible I sho'd forget her,
Therefore you gods, heape all those mountaynes on me,
Which the impious Gyants lifted against you,
Or sincke me downe into the very Center,
That I may ne'r behold her any more,
That is so like you, both in shape and goodnesse.
For, both I have contemn'd, and my most base
Ingratitude, never appear'd at full;
Till now. O Iove, pownd pownd me with thy thunder,
For, my confusion is the worst of torments.
Enter Scania and Valdemar.
Scan.
The King 's in danger; and we had need make haste
To disingage him.
Vald.
That's done (I hope) already.
Rey.
Welcome deare Sister, I am asham'd to looke
You in the face.
Scan.
We heard (sir) you were in danger.
Rey.
I was: But now may (when I list) goe take
A nap. Wo'd the infernall dogs would teare
My limbs to callops: or adde some worse torment
Unto my minds affliction.
Scan.
You neede not
Afflict your selfe so much, for ought we see:
For, now the wheele is turn'd to your advantage;
My Sister is friends with you too, sir.
Rey.
She sav'd
Receive the last (and mortall) blow. But then,
Gave me so sad a looke, O loving Sister,
That life which is her gift, if I must keepe
In her displeasure, is much worse then death.
Scan.
Sir, if you will be rul'd by me, you must not
Expresse too much, those vehement affections:
For, she's acquainted but too well already,
With your sad passion, and the continuance of it.
Rey.
Seeing you (deare Lady,) in love and wisedome,
Esteeme that my best course: I shall be dumbe
As night, calme as the calm'st evening after
A stormy day. Scania, let's follow, where she went then.
Exeunt.
Enter Harrold and Eric.
Har.
After our losse and watching these two nights,
I cannot brother (the toyle of our journey,
Lying so heavy too, on my tyr'd body)
But sleepe a little, though it be dangerous.
Eric.
My neede's no lesse; a little sleepe will serve.
Har.
Let's take it here then, the place being solitary.
They sleepe, and a sweet solemne Musicke of Recorders is heard, then enter an Angel.
Ang.
Heaven has decreed, another day
Shall gaine what you have lost. Your way
Take both (as you were forc'd before)
Unto the pious Emperor.
One of you shall be King: whose seed
Shall be so too, untill 't all bleed.
Then (when that issue is extinct)
Norway and Denmarkes whole precinct
Shall be rul'd by Landgartha's line,
And Reyners. Her the pow'rs divine
Will (for her Morall vertues) turne
A Christian, ere she come to th' Urne:
What I have sayd shall come about.
Exit Ang. then Eric stirs and wakes Har.
Eric.
Sir, you sleepe exceeding soundly: Pray wake.
Har.
I now am fresh enough; Come, let's be gone.
Eric.
Dream't you nothing, while you slept?
Har.
No, did you?
Eric.
Me thought I heard a most heavenly Musicke;
And that an Angel did appeare: and wish'd us,
Betake our selves againe to th' Emperor,
That what, we lost, another day sho'd purchase;
And that the faire Landgartha (as the reward
Of her Morall vertues) would be made Christian,
Before she di'd.
Har.
Though we afford no credit
Vnto such dreames: Yet, we must steere our course
That way; there being (after so great a losse)
No comfort left, where our foes are so strong.
Eric.
Heaven will in time (I hope) revenge our wrong.
Exeunt.
Enter Cowsell and Radgee.
Cow.
Come brother Radgee, it is now concluded,
We shall never part agen.
Rad.
O deare brother,
I never had a good day on't (much lesse
A good night) since (being barr'd the comfort of your
Sweet conversation) you parted from me.
Cow.
Nay brother, i can howle the same sad Madrigall
Too: For looke you brother, we were all so frighted
By those fat-foggy Germans (who men say
Are nothing but flesh and belly:) that we durst
Allow no time for mirth and drinking.
Rad.
Very
Strange that brother. For, they say themselves are
Exceeding good fellowes.
Cow.
Iust of that seize.
Rad.
I'll tell you more what I heard spoken of 'em,
Brother, the 're sowre: and never worth the trusting,
Be drunke, or at least halfe drunke.
Cow.
That's as true,
Brother, as that you and I drunke halfe a score
Flaggons yesternight a peece. The North winde
Is not so bitter in a morning, till he
Has tooke a buttrum, or his Wine.
Rad.
And then,
Makes as good Musicke, as a Bag-pipe when it's
Full blow'n. What doe you thinke of the Swedes? brother.
Cow.
They are not (yet) altogether so good drinkers,
As th' Germans are: but well fall'n to 't of late.
Which makes me suppose, brother, they'll be beaten
Out too. For besides, the King will no more kisse
The Queene Vraca, as 't is spoken: But sticke
To 's owne old Camrade, being indeed the fairer.
Rad.
Yet, in my opinion brother: his Grace
Being marry'd to both, sho'd doe exceeding well,
To keepe both still: Sleepe betwixt both 'a' nights:
And imbrace both by turnes. What say you brother?
Cow.
What? But to concurre with you? and for many
Good, and convincing reasons. 's for example:
The King being kept so warme on both sides, by
Two such delicate cre'tures, 't were impossible
He sho'd catch cold; I, or perchance be troubl'd
With Coughs, Scyaticas, or other bone-ach;
And to have Swealand and Norway at command,
Were a matter of no small importance,
You conceive me, brother.
Cow.
Few wise men better,
In part. But, stand aside: themselves are comming.
Florish.
Enter Reyner, Landgartha, Valdemar, Vraca, Scania, Inguar, Elsinora, Fatyma, Hubba and Marfisa; the Norwegian Ladies in womans apparell, with Swords on; Marfisa with her Gown untuck'd and sword on.
Ing.
You will not (gracious Madame) thus deceive
People: whose whole hopes, comfort, safetie (nay all
We can for the present, or hereafter call ours)
Are but benefits deriv'd from the fountaine
Of your warme bountie; at whose goodnesse yet,
We most rejoyce. Doe not then (deare Empresse,) strike
Sorrow to our lately bleeding hearts; that still
Pant (and not slowly) by our former feares;
And the sore stripes we tooke: Which, but for you,
For ever were incurable; and now
By your forsaking of us, will fester worse
Then before.
Land.
That you neede not feare, Lord Inguar.
For, I shall ne'r be wanting in my care,
And love unto this Nation. Leaving here
The best halfe of our Army, now behinde us;
To prevent all future mischiefes.
Jng.
Our dishonour
In your departure, we shall ne'r recover.
Rey.
My offence (which now 's my worst affliction,
With what it does occasion) all may see,
Tooke origen and issue, more of humane
Frayltie, and foolish pride: then want of love
To you; or of desert in you, to merit
A better and more pow'rfull man then I am;
Th' worlds onely Monarch, if there were but one,
For which, I (without your mercie to restore me
Once more unto your heart, as to my kingdomes)
Must spend my dayes (which shall not then be many)
Like to a sickely beast without a soule.
Land.
My heart shall still receive you: But, on my word,
Th' rest of my body you shall not enjoy, sir,
I now am gaunt you see,
All though you must not have a feeling of it;
And if I doe play false, my belly will show't
Questionlesse: For, I am fruitfull if
I sho'd be touch'd.
Vald.
Although but weakely, Madame.
It may be so.
Scan.
The Kings grace now pleads mercie,
Love, and repentance: and seeing there's no feare
He sho'd offend you any more, we all are
Sutors for him; and will become his sureties.
Land.
I love him still I doe confesse: because
I gave him that, no other ever had
(Or shall have) from me; and mercie I have show'n
In my assistance. But, the wrong he did me
As I was his wife, being irreparable:
I will in Iustice punish, in not paying
To him (unfaithfull) the duties of a wife.
For, having often prov'd the way of falshood,
He may walke in't agen; and as before,
Without all kinde of scruple or remorse.
Sca.
We'll all be bound, he shall no more leape o'r
The hedge: for, if he sho'd: We that doe now goe
Ioyntly for him, wo'd then prove worse then varlets,
To torment him.
Elsin.
Come, leave your anger, and
Be rul'd by those that love you.
Vrac.
I shall yeeld
Up willingly my clayme to you, that best
Deserve him.
Land.
Your clayme is nothing: and your
Possession is but meere intrusion
On what's anothers due, if she were pleas'd
To challenge it; I ll say no more, because you are
A woman.
Vrac.
I thought what I did was well done;
And therefore in my minde at least am free,
Being often told the lawfulnesse, by all.
Land.
By those that measur'd the length of their conclusions,
By the crooked line of your affections.
But as I kill'd your father (that had rather
Then th' worth of your great dowry, have made me
His second wife) I could with farre more ease
(As all the world can witnesse) be reveng'd
Him for my husband, that despis'd me as
His honest Mate; and wo'd 'a' lov'd me for
By-blowes. Therefore, enjoy him still: for, I suppose
You are a Hen, that must be trod.
Vrac.
That's more then you know; or I hope shall finde,
Rey.
She shall ne'r enjoy me; nor has not
Of a long time I'll sweare, if that will serve.
Land.
It shall not (sir) beleeve it. Yet, ne'r feare
You shall be arm'd i' th' front by me; which is
A wrong this other lady cannot doe you,
If she wo'd.
Vrac.
I'll leave that now for you, that have
The abler bodie.
Land.
And you the frayler minde.
But if you chop words with me thus, or insult:
I may (for a farwell) cracke your birds necke,
Before we part.
Vrac.
I must not stand so neere
You then.
She steps behind Reyner, and holds him betwixt Langartha and her selfe. Steps from betwixt them.
Rey.
Nor I prove any safeguard for you.
But sho'd take part with her, whom I love best;
And has best right unto me.
Urac.
That you say
To flatter her, and for meere feare. But if
I had you in private, I know what you
Wo'd sing; and play too, if I sho'd but yeeld.
Land. runs at her, and Elsinora steps in.
Elsin.
What doe you meane?
Land.
That I will ne'r have him,
That is resolv'd.
Elsin.
Your resolution
(I must say) in that, is worse then madnesse.
Land.
I'll not quarrell with you, Aunt. Yet, doe admire
A Lady of your know'n modestie, should be
So farre mistaken, and in such a cause.
Elsin.
It's you that are mistaken: I confesse
I was at first an opposit in your love
Yeeld (then) your virgin Forte unto his Hignesse:
I now wo'd have you take what wives doe use;
And let me still live chaste, that doe professe it.
Scan.
My Aunt sayes more (to me I am sure she did:)
All ought to live according their vocation.
And not preposterously prove aliens to it.
Nor will it serve to say he tore the bond,
Now that he's sorry for't: For, still the generall good
Must be preferr'd to all particular
Merit; or that devotion that may
By foolish zeale, prove a too great offence.
Land.
I must heare more opinions, ere I part
From my strong purpose: therefore sir, adieu.
Be mercifull in chiefe, unto your subjects;
To allure their hearts, by love: that being the tye
That will hold strongest; never can be broken,
Vnlesse by fooles, or mad men. For, that partie
That sho'd tend any mischiefe, 'gainst a good Prince:
Were first to kill all his subjects, being the Kings friends;
Or perish himselfe, by his fatall and bad
Purpose. Be just and vertuous, and you neede not
Feare poyson, poynards, or conspiracie.
To end: Norway shall be preserv'd for your young sonne;
And as for me (though yours:) I'll end my life,
An honest widdow, or forsaken wife.
Exit with Elsinora, Fatyma, & Marfisa
Vald.
I must take leave too.
Rey.
Farewell, worthiest Cousin.
Scan.
You know the way to Norway, Sir, and if
I might advise so wise a King to follow
Us thither, and not slowly: that honourable
Obligation would so bind your Queene
(Being seconded by us your friends, and reason)
That I beleeve what now she does denie,
She wo'd then grant; especially, when she
Perceives you constant in your vow'd affection:
For this perchance she do's to tempt and try you.
Nay, I am sure she do's; and that she will be
In the meane time, I shall not fayle to prove,
Your grace's faithfull, loving advocate.
Rey.
In you the anchor of my trust lyes only fix'd,
Deare sister. I must follow your advise.
kisses her.
Exit Scania & Valdemar.
Rad.
O brother, brother: must we part at last?
They imbrace, Exeunt Cow. & Radgee.
Cow.
No, no: get afore; I'll steale along with you.
Rey.
Inguar, Did'st thinke our hopes sho'd end in this?
Ing.
It may prove better; and I hope it will sir.
Rey.
Accursed Fate of man, of foolish man,
That cannot prize a Iewell while he has it,
Till it be lost, and then his griefe is vaine,
Vaine and unprofitable, when no hope
Is left to finde it, which I feare 's my case;
Our miserie the mirror's made, by which
We onely see our faults, our dangerous wounds.
Which likely then can never be recur'd:
Being Gangreene filthy sores, that doe Corrode
So farre into the very soule of man,
That they hale to sad desperation.
To which point I'm almost arriv'd, the Gemme
I lost, being so rich, as all earths Potentates
A richer could not boast. Which if I finde not
(Strucke with my dyre misfortune) my owne hand
Shall send my spirit to the Stygian strand.
Exit with Ing. & Hub.
Vrac.
And seeing I've walk'd astray, I will from hence:
By future good to expiate my offence.
Exit in the middle.
FINIS.
| Landgartha | |