 | The Life of the Dvtches of Svffolke |  |
Actus Quintus.
Enter Burgomaster, Bertie, Dutches, followed by Souldiers; other side, Palsegraue, Erbaigh, and Lords attendants.Pals.
Right welcome's Erbaigh, to the Poland king,
Nich'as Van houe, our worthy Burgomaster,
What meanes this concourse of so many men,
And what are they that you lead bound with you.
Strangers, an please your excellence my Lord.
That haue committed murder in your realme,
Slaine Wisendrop a Captaine of your band,
For which offence, our purpose is to lead them,
vnto the State-house to receiue their iudgement.
Erba.
If I mistake not, I should know that face,
Oh tis the vertuous Lady Katherine,
This M. Berty, her espoused husband,
And has your good starrs in your Pilgrimage,
Brought you amongst you Friends?
Pals.
The Lady Katherine, what the Suffolks Dutches,
My quondam Loue, haild through the streets with cords,
And for the murther of a man that liues,
Oh tis vncivill vsage, my good Lady,
Yar villaines all vnto our Soveraigntie,
How dare you thus abuse her royall birth.
Burg.
Pardon my Lord, we did not know her state.
Pals.
Her heavenly face, then which theres none more faire,
In England, or the World,
Might without other witnesse of her state,
Suffice to tell you, she was nobly borne,
This is that Dutches, mirror of this age,
Shee whom the lordly Bishops of the Realme,
Bonner, and Gardner, persecute so much,
Pardon me Madam, that I haue so long,
Suffered your excellence to stay in bonds.
Dutc.
This your acknowledgment, most mighty king,
Amazeth me, considering my distresse,
For tis a common custome in the world,
To take no notice of the miserable.
Pals.
I stand amaz'd at this strange accident,
The circumstance whereof weele heare elsewhere,
Meane time thrice welcome to the Polands king,
And much it greeues me that so great a Princes,
Should be so basely handled in my land.
Sand.
Oh helpe deere Lord, and shield vs from our foes,
We are pursued by Brunswicke, and his Captaines,
Who seeke our liues, we flie to your protection.
Pals.
Whence are you friends.
Dutch.
The truest friends we haue.
Of England mighty Prince, I know them both,
The first is Doctor Sands, a worthy man,
The other Cranwell, and my Secretary.
Enter Brunswicke, English Captaines, and Souldiers.
Bruns.
My Lord of Erbaigh, and the king of Poland,
Shield not those traytors, both to heaven and men,
From the due punishment of their offence,
Behold an Englishman, & a Commander of a good esteeme,
Has his commission signed to apprehend,
This Sands, and Cranwell, fled to you for helpe,
Then as you tender the priviledge of Princes,
Ore their subiects
Suffer this writ to haue his current heere,
As I haue done through all my territories.
Bert.
It ill beseemes the noble duke of Brunswicke,
To be a persecutor of good men.
Dutch.
Or you good Captaine, agent in this cause.
1. Cap.
Thats recreant Berty, and the Suffolks Dutches,
They likewise are included in this scroule.
Bruns.
My Lord of Poland, we demand them all,
Then yeeld them royall sir, vnto our hands.
Pals.
First will I sacrifice ten thousand liues,
Ere suffer these religious soules to dye,
My Lord of Brunswicke, you are over bould,
To make so rash an entrance in my land,
Without our speciall licence granted first.
The league betwixt vs warrants my approach.
Pals.
The League, for this time, is your priveledge,
But as you dread the Palsgraues puisance
And feare to violate our wrighten loue,
Immediately vntred your forward steps,
Forsake the soyle where you haue set your foote,
Or looke to be withstood with fire and sword,
These Lambes are fled into our foulds for ayd,
And weele defend them, say what may be sayd.
Bruns.
This disobedience drawes vpon your land,
Deserved malediction from the Church.
Pals.
That weele dispence withall, and to let you know,
How we doe slight those stinglesse menaces,
Heere I create this noble Gentleman,
Earle of Crozam, an Earledome vnder vs,
Religious Docter Sands, our Chapleine,
And M. Cranwell our chiefe Secretary,
So tell Lord Bonner, Gardner, and the rest.
Enter Atkinson.
Atkin.
Health and long life vnto the King of Poland,
Captaine, from Englands queene, I thus salute you,
Heere is a countermand for your Commission,
By which you are inioyned to stay the search,
After the Suffolke Dutches, and her friends.
1 Cap.
To stay the search? is our dread Soveraigne,
Altered in her Religion, or is she dead:
Atkin.
Shee's dead good sir, Queene Mary is deceas't,
And the most vertuous Lady Elizabeth,
Invested in the regall dignity,
My Soveraigne hearing, that the Lady Katherine,
The Suffolke Dutches, her allie in blood,
Did liue obscurely in these Provinces,
In want, in misery, and great distresse,
Sends to repeale both her, and all her friends,
I doe intreate her highnesse Proclamation,
May haue his currant course through every towne.
Pals.
In you deere sir the Proclamation ends,
Heere is the Dutches, here are all her friends.
Dutch.
I kindly thanke you, for your worthy paines,
Hath the director of all humane liues,
Preserv'd my Soveraigne, that heroicke Maide,
From the intangling snares of blood and death,
And chang'd her prison, to a royall Throne?
Heere on this ground, where first I heard the newes,
I render thanks vnto the gratious heavens,
Thou that send'st Balme of comfort to the wounded,
Ioy to the brused heart, opprest for truth,
Lengthen her dayes as long as heaven hath starres,
Or this faire frame foundation for a world,
Or if it be thy gratious prouidence,
For to remooue her to a happier place,
Let in her stead arise, and from her ashes come,
A Phenix may enlighten Christendome,
Oh, had I now my Children lately lost,
I should surviue as I had neere bin crost.
Enter Fox, and Children.
Fox.
That comfort Madam on my bended knee,
Your servant Fox humbly presents your grace.
Dutch.
My Peregrine, my Susan, then for care
To make a mixture with this too much Ioy,
Or I shall surfet with the raretie.
Enter Clunie.
Clu.
Iustice my Lord, Iustice, Fox hath broke my necke.
Pals.
How comes it Fox, that he exclaimes on thee?
Fox.
Marry andt please your Maiestie, twas thus,
This villanous rascall, followed to surprize my Lady,
And being afraid to venter himselfe, set on one of the
Palsegraues Captaines to doe it, whilst he climb'd
And he fell downe, and if you haue hot broake your necke,
I would you had.
Pals.
If this be true, he has bought his pleasure deere,
Sirra begon, this justice I allow,
For his derision then, deride him now.
Clu.
All things goes backward for our good,
Madam farewell, your punishment is past,
Now set your mind to punish vs at last.
Dutch.
Revenge shall be a stranger in my heart,
The tortures Ile inflict vpon my foes,
Is kindnesse, for vnkindnesse, grace for death,
For what's prosperity but a puffe of breath,
My Lord of Brunswick, pray let vs be friends.
Bru.
Withall my heart, since every heart befriends you.
Pals.
It joyes me that your sorrowes heere take end,
Wilt please you Madam, heere to stay with vs
Or goe for England, if you so resolue,
Ile see you furnish't with a noble fleete.
Dutch.
To England with full sailes, blow gentle wind,
I long to see my Soveraigne noble mayd,
Princes I humbly thanke you for these honors,
Done to your handmaide, far vnworthie them,
But time shall testifie my thankefulnesse,
Be smooth rough sea, that I may passe amaine,
To doe my duty to my Soveraigne.
Exeunt.
Enter Bonner, with officers after him, two Men, and a Woman.
1.
Downe with him, giue vs leaue to be revenged on him.
2.
For all the tyrany that he hath vs'd
Bon.
What haue I done, you should revile me thus?
3.
What hast thou done to deserue our hate?
Bon.
Defend me Officers, shall I without Law,
Be trod to death by the rude Multitude.
1 Offic.
Keepe off my Masters,
Tis her highnesse pleasure,
3.
And whether goes he.
1. Offi.
To the Marshalsea.
All.
We will not leaue him, till we see him in.
Enter Keeper, Grindall, Cox, and Scory.
Offi.
This is the Prison, heere the Keeper comes,
And with him Master Grindall, Scory, Cox,
Such reverent men, as, Bonner, by your meanes,
These many yeeres haue suffered much distresse.
Keep.
But now they are deliver'd, and their place,
Bonner, you must an other while supply,
So saies the strict Commission I haue heere.
Grind.
Trust me, I glory not to see his fall.
Story.
Beleeue me, nor doe I.
Cox.
Though wee know, had not our Keeper bin more kind to vs.
Then you were M. Bonner, we might here,
Haue starv'd for want of meat, but heaven forgiue you,
We doe with all our hearts.
Scory.
And we will labour too, so much as in vs lies,
Vnto the Councell, you may be favorably
Dealt withall, so fare you well.
Exeunt.
Bon.
Farewell, this course inconstant fortune keepes,
While wan one laughes, an other alwayes weeps.
Exeunt.
Enter Lord Hunsdon, Admirall, and Clinton.
1.
Such measure as to others he hath met,
The same let him receiue, good M. Keeper.
2.
Remember Lollards-tower.
3.
Let his best diet be but from the basket,
Nay, bread and water, is too good for him,
His fat Shroue-tuesday sides may well endure,
A hungry Lent or two, and never hurt him.
Offic.
Heere I deliver vp my charge.
Keep.
And I receiue him,
Come M. Bonner, you must goe with me
Bon.
Stay I haue bethought me, Ile recant.
It cannot serue your turne.
3.
Recant, he hath already twice or thrice done so.
2.
Tut, he can turne with every weathercock,
Away with him.
Keep.
Come sir, will you goe.
Exeunt Omnes.
Enter Lord Hunsedon, Admirall and Clinton, with staues, Gentlemen atendants.
Admi.
Who wast that said the Dutches came through Southwark.
Huns.
Twas the Lord Clinton.
Clin.
I left her Grace now at S. Georges Church,
Accompanied with M. Richard Berty,
With Doctor Sands, Cranwell, and trustie Fox,
And diverse other Gentlemen attendants.
Admi.
Here at the Martialsea weele stay her comming,
And harke, her trumpets sounds her neere approch,
Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen, I pray you all
By that deere loue you owe her maiestie,
To be officious in the entertayne,
Of this renowned Lady Katherine.
Enter in state, the Dutches, Berty, Sands, Cranwell, and Fox.
Cry within.
Heavens preserue your grace,
Your releefe to poore Prisoners.
Dutch.
What Prison call you this?
Cran.
The kings-bench Madam, where all these prisoners,
Are detayn'd for debt.
Dutch.
If they be able to make satisfaction, & will not,
They are worthy to lye there,
But if by cruelty of Creditors,
Tis Christian charity to succour such.
Sands.
I haue heard that some lie there in policy,
And haue ingrost into their greedy hands,
The goods of divers thrifty minded men,
And though well able, yet they will not pay.
Dutch.
Great pitty that such men escape vnpunisht,
Sands.
No Madam, they are laid on beds of Downe,
Fare daintely, and never tast of want,
Except it be the want of Liberty,
And that's no want, because they haue large walkes,
As yards, and gardens, and faire bouling-allies.
With company at will to spend the time.
Dutch.
To them we wish a better Conscence,
But to the poore, and such as want indeed,
One of you giue amongst them 40. Angels,
My troubles make me sensible of theirs:
Distresse is sharpely set, and bites too sore,
To be indur'd by such as are true poore,
So forwards Gentlemen.
Fox.
Roome for the Lords.
Admi.
Thrice welcome is the noble Suffolks Dutches,
To vs, and to her royall maiestie,
In whose high favour, you are highly plac't.
Clin.
In signe whereof her princely Maiestie,
Restores you to your ancient Siegnories,
Intitles you, as due to you by title,
Barronesse of Willowby, and Earsbie,
Dutches Dowager of Suffolke,
Her highnesse neerest and most deerest subiect.
Hunsd.
Your goods, and lands extracted violently,
Her Maiestie restores to you againe,
Heere's the true inventory of them all,
As they were ceis'd into the Bishops hands.
Admi.
And that you may build on her Princely loue,
It is her pleasure, M. Richard Berty,
The husband of your troubles and your cares,
Should be chiefe Secretary to the State,
Till higher titles doe advance his worth.
Bert.
An honor my good Lord Admirall,
That I esteeme, and yet desire it not,
O be it not offensiue to her Grace,
That I haue leaue to leade a private life,
Adm.
Enioy your minds contentment with your mind.
Hun.
You, Doctor Sands, her highnesse, and the Clergie,
Doe consecrate Archbishop of Yorke.
Sands.
An honor far exceeding my desert.
Clint.
Master Cranwell Gentleman vsher to her grace,
Her highnesse will retayne in selfe same place,
To attend her Maiestie.
Cranw.
Withall my heart, I humblie tender a true subiects
Yet might it please her royall Maiestie,
Since I haue serv'd my Lady in distresse,
Indur'd so many troubles for her sake
That I may liue, and dye in serving her.
Clint.
A vertuous inclination, hold it still,
It will renowne thee more then to be great.
Dutch.
My Lord of Hunsdon, Clinton, Effingam,
I humbly thanke her Maiestie, and you,
Oh may I liue to expresse a loving heart,
By some good action pleasing to you all.
Enter Prisoner with a Boxe.
Pri.
Madam be good vnto a company of poore Prisoners.
Dutch.
What other Prison Cranwell call you this.
Cranw.
This is the Prison of the Marshalsea,
Chiefely pretended for her Highnesse household,
But there are divers other prisoners.
Enter Goseling.
Dutch.
Tis charity to helpe distressed men,
Of what estate so ere, cause they be men,
I leaue their faults respect vnto the Law,
Giue them as much as the'ther Prisones,
But what is he that with a downecast looke,
Giues signes of discontentment.
Gos.
Madam I am a Prisoner heere,
But ioy to see your Grace at liberty.
Dutch.
That face and voyce, I oft haue seene and heard,
Did not you sometime make abode in Lee.
Gos.
Madam I did, and those that knew mee cald mee Goseling.
Then I am sure, you knew one Mistris White,
This is the man that helpt me to escape,
When we were neere beset with Bonners traynes.
Cranw.
It is my kinseman Madam, now I know him,
What cause hath brought thee to this hard distresse.
Gos.
The cause even now aleaged.
Dutch.
Hath Bonner bin so cruell to my friend,
Before mine eyelids weare the seale of sleepe,
If heaven be pleas'd I will release thee Goseling.
And pay thy charges to the vtmost farthing,
Oh my deere friend, it never shall be said
I was vngratefull, where I was befriended,
And now his troubles make me call to mind,
The faithfull dealing of my servant Fox,
See Lords, a man whom I dismist my service,
More through selfe-will, then any iust offence,
Yet hath he quitted that disgrace so well,
That I admire the strangenesse of his art,
For Bonner vs'd him as a speciall meanes,
To seeke my life, which oftentimes he sav'd,
Paying my great vnkindnesse, with kind loue,
Many such servants may this land afford,
That vse their wits to such good purposes,
Heere as a part of thy deserv'd reward,
I freely giue thee a hundred pounds a yeere,
And when I dye my land shall make it good.
Fox.
And when Fox failes you, let him dye in a ditch.
Dutch.
Gramercies gentle servant, now my Lords,
Lets bend our pace towards famous London-Bridge,
How pleasing is the prospect of the City,
Now I haue bin fiue yeares a stranger heere,
Thorow the same to White-hall to her grace,
That I may see my loving Soveraignes face.
FJNJS.
| The Life of the Dvtches of Svffolke | |