 | The Birth of Merlin : or, The Childe hath found his Father |  |
Actus II.
Enter Clown, and his Sister great with childe.Clown.
Away, follow me no further, I am none of thy brother,
what with Childe, great with Childe, and knows not
whose the Father on't, I am asham'd to call thee Sister.
Joan.
Believe me Brother, he was a Gentleman.
Clown.
Nay, I believe that, he gives arms, and legs too, and has
made you the Herald to blaze 'em, but Joan, Joan, sister Joan,
can you tell me his name that did it: how shall we call my Cousin,
your bastard, when we have it?
Joan.
Alas, I know not the
Gentlemans name Brother, I met him in these woods, the last great
hunting, he was so kinde and proffer'd me so much, as I had not
the heart to ask him more.
Clown.
Not his name, why this
showes your Country breeding now, had you been brought up i'th'
City, you'd have got a Father first, and the childe afterwards:
hast thou no markes to know him by.
Joan.
He had most rich
Attire, a fair Hat and Feather, a gilt Sword, and most excellent
Hangers.
Clown.
Pox on his Hangers, would he had bin gelt
for his labor.
Joan.
Had you but heard him swear you would
have thought.
Clown.
I as you did, swearing and lying goes
together still, did his Oathes get you with Childe, we shall have a
roaring Boy then yfaith, well sister, I must leave you.
Joan.
Dear Brother stay, help me to finde him out, I'le ask no
further.
Clown.
'Sfoot who should I finde? who should I ask for?
Joan.
Alas I know not, he uses in these woods, and these are
witness of his oathes and promise.
Clown.
We are like to have
a hot suit on't, when our best witness's but a Knight 'athPost.
Joan.
Do but enquire this Forrest, I'le go with you, some happy
fate may guide us till we meet him.
Clown.
Meet him, and
what name shall we have for him, when we weet him? 'Sfoot thou
neither knowst him, nor canst tell what to call him, was ever man
tyr'd with such a business, to have a sister got with childe, and
know not who did it; well, you shall see him, I'le do my best for
say, will bear any witness, let them answer; Oh yes: If there be
any man that wants a name, will come in for conscience sake, and
acknowledge himself to be a Whore-Master, he shal have that laid
to his charge in an hour, he shall not be rid on in an age; if he have
Lands, he shall have an heir, if he have patience, he shall have a
wife, if he have neither Lands nor patience, he shall have a whore,
so ho boy, so ho, so, so.
Within Prince Uter.
So, ho, by, so, ho,
illo ho, illo ho.
Clown.
Har, hark sister, there's one hollows
to us, what a wicked world's this, a man cannot so soon name a
whore but a knave comes presently, and see where he is, stand close
a while, sister.
Enter Prince Uter.
Prince.
How like a voice that Eccho spake, but oh my thoughts
are lost for ever in amazement, could I but meet a man to tell her
beauties, these trees would bend their tops to kiss the air, that
from my lips should give her praises up.
Clown.
He talk's of a
woman, sister.
Joan.
This may be he, brother.
Clown.
View him well, you see he has a fair Sword, but his Hanger's
are faln.
Prince.
Here did I see her first, here view her
beauty, oh had I known her name, I had been happy.
Clown.
Sister this is he sure, he knows not thy name neither, a
couple of wise fools yfaith, to get children and know not one another.
Prince.
You weeping leaves, upon whose tender cheeks
doth stand a flood of tears at my complaint, and heard my vows
and oathes.
Clown.
Law, Law, he has been a great swearer
too, 'tis he sister.
Prince.
For having overtook her, as I have
seen a forward blood-hound, strip the swifter of the cry ready to
seize his wished hopes, upon the sudden view struck with astonishment
at his arriv'd prey, instead of seizure stands at fearful bay,
The eye fight killing Gorgon at one look,
Made everlasting stand: so fear'd my power
Whose cloud aspir'd the Sun, dissolv'd a shower:
Pigmalion, then I tasted thy sad fate, whose Ivory picture, and
my fair were one, our dotage past imagination, I saw and felt
desire.
Clown.
Pox a your fingering, did he feel sister?
Prince.
But enjoy'd now, oh fate, thou hadst thy days and nights
to feed,
Converts my pleasure to perpetuall thrall,
Imbracing thine, thou lostest breath and desire,
So I relating mine, will here expire,
For here I vow to you mournful plants
Who were the first made happy by her fame,
Never to part hence, till I know her name.
Clown.
Give me thy hand sister, The Childe has found his Father,
this is he sure, as I am a man, had I been a woman these kinde words
would have won me, I should have had a great belly too that's
certain; well, I'le speak to him: most honest and fleshly minded
Gentleman, give me your hand sir.
Prince.
Ha, what art thou,
that thus rude and boldly, darest take notice of a wretch so much
ally'd to misery as I am?
Clown.
Nay, Sir, for our aliance, I shall
be found to be a poor brother in Law of your worships, the Gentlewoman
you spake on, is my sister, you see what a clew she
spreads, her name is Joan Go-too't, I am her elder, but she has been
at it before me: 'tis a womans fault, pox a this bashfulness, come
forward Jug, prethee speak to him.
Prince.
Have you e're seen
me Lady?
Clown.
Seen ye, ha, ha, It seems she has felt you too,
here's a yong Go-too't a coming sir, she is my sister, we all love to
Go-too't, as well as your worship, she's a Maid yet, but you may
make her a wife, when you please sir.
Prince.
I am amaz'd
with wonder: Tell me woman, what sin have you committed worthy
this?
Joan.
Do you not know me sir?
Prince.
Know thee! as I do thunder, hell, and mischief, wicth, stallion,
hag.
Clown.
I see he will marry her, he speaks so like a
husband.
Prince.
Death, I will cut their tongues out for
this blasphemy, strumpet, villain, where have you ever seen me?
Clown.
Speak for your self with a pox to ye.
Prince.
Slaves, Ile make you curse your selves for this temptation.
Joan.
Oh sir, if ever you did speak to me, it was in smoother
phrase, in fairer language.
Prince.
Lightning consume me, if I
ever saw thee, my rage o'reflowes my blood, all patience flies me.
Beats her.
Clown.
Hold I beseech you sir, I have nothing to
say to you.
Joan.
Help, help, murder, murder.
Enter Toclio, and Oswold.
Toclio.
Make haste Sir, this way the sound came, it was a wood.
See where she is, and the Prince, the price of all our
wishes.
Clown.
The Prince say ye, ha's made a poor Subject
of me I am sure.
Toclio.
Sweet Prince, noble Uter, speak,
how fare you sir?
Oswold.
Dear sir, recal your self, your
fearful absence hath won too much already on the grief of our sad
King, from whom our laboring search hath had this fair success
in meeting you.
Tolico.
His silence, and his looks argue distraction.
Clown.
Nay, he's mad sure, he will not acknowledge
my sister, nor the childe neither.
Oswold.
Let us entreat
your Grace along with us, your sight will bring new life, to the
King your Brother.
Toclio.
Will you go sir?
Prince.
Yes, any whether, guide me, all's hell I see,
Man may change air, but not his misery.
Exit Prince Toclio.
Joan.
Lend me one word with you, sir.
Clown.
Well said
sister, he has a Feather, and fair Hangers too, this may be he.
Oswold.
What would you fair one.
Clown.
Sure I have
seen you in these woods e're this?
Oswold.
Trust me never, I
never saw this place, till at this time my friend conducted me.
Joan.
The more's my sorrow then.
Oswold.
Would I
could comfort you: I am a Bachelor, but it seems you have a husband,
you have been fouly o'reshot else.
Clown.
A womans
fault, we are all subject to go to't, sir.
Enter Toclio.
Toclio.
Oswold away, the Prince will not stir a foot without you.
Oswold.
I am coming, farewel woman.
Toclio.
Prithee make
haste.
Joan.
Good sir, but one word with you e're you leave
us.
Toclio.
With me fair soul?
Clown.
Shee'l have a fling
at him too, the Childe must have a Father.
Joan.
Have you
ne'er seen me sir?
Toclio.
Seen thee, 'Sfoot I have seen many
fair faces in my time, prithee look up, and do not weep so, sure
pretty wanton, I have seen this face before.
Joan.
It is enough,
though your ne're see me more.
sinks down.
Toclio.
'Sfoot she's faln, this place is inchanted sure, look to the
woman fellow.
Exit.
Clown.
Oh she's dead! she's dead, as you are a man stay and
help, sir: Joan, Joan, sister Joan, why Joan Go too't I say, will you
cast away your self, and your childe, and me too, what do you
mean, sister?
Joan.
Oh give me pardon sir, 'twas too much joy
me, ha! Where is he?
Clown.
Who, the Gentleman? he's gone
sister.
Joan.
Oh! I am undone then, run, tell him I did but
faint for joy, dear brother haste, why dost thou stay? oh never cease,
till he give answer to thee.
Clown.
He: which he? what do
you call him tro?
Joan.
Unnatural brother, shew me the path he
took, why dost thou dally? speak, oh, which way went he?
Clown.
This way, that way, through the bushes there.
Joan.
Were it through fire, the Journey's easie, winged with
sweet desire.
Exit.
Clown.
Hey day, there's some hope of this yet, Ile follow her
for kindreds sake, if she miss of her purpose now, she'l challenge all
she findes I see, for if ever we meet with a two leg'd creature in
the whole Kingdom, the Childe shall have a Father that's
certain.
Exit.
Loud Musick. Enter two with the Sword and Mace, Cador, Edwin, two Bishops, Aurelius, Ostorius leading Artesia Crown'd, Constancia, Modestia, Octa, Proximus a Magician, Donobert, Gloster, Oswold, Toclio, all pass over the Stage. Manet Donobert, Gloster, Edwin, Cador.
Dono.
Come Gloster, I do not like this hasty Marriage.
Gloster.
She was quickly wooed and won, not six days since arrived
an enemy to sue for Peace, and now crown'd Queen of
Brittain, this is strange.
Dono.
Her brother too made as quick
speed in coming, leaving his Saxons, and his starved Troops, to take
the advantage whilst 'twas offer'd, fore heaven I fear the King's
too credulous, our Army is discharg'd too.
Gloster.
Yes, and
our General commanded home, Son Edwin have you seen him
since?
Edwin.
He's come to Court, but will not view the presence,
nor speak unto the King, he's so discontent at this so strange
aliance with the Saxon, as nothing can perswade his patience.
Cador.
You know his humor will indure no check, no if the
King oppose it, all crosses feeds both his spleen, and his impatience,
those affections are in him like powder, apt to inflame with every
little spark, and blow up all his reason.
Gloster.
Edol of Chester is a noble Soldier.
Dono.
So is he by the Rood, ever most faithful to the King and
Kingdom, how e're his passions guide him.
Cador.
See where he comes, my Lord.
Omnes.
Welcome
to Court, brave Earl.
Edol.
Do not deceive me by your flatteries:
Is not the Saxon here? the League confirm'd? the Marriage
ratifi'd? the Court divided with Pagan Infidels? the least
part Christians, at least in their Commands? Oh the gods! it is a
thought that takes away my sleep, and dulls my senses so I scarcely
know you: Prepare my horses, Ile away to Chester.
Capt.
What shall we do with our Companies, my Lord?
Edol.
Keep them at home to increase Cuckolds, and get some
Cases for your Captainships, smooth up your brows, the wars has
spoil'd your faces, and few will now regard you.
Dono.
Preserve your patience, Sir.
Edol.
Preserve your Honors, Lords, your Countries Safety,
your Lives, and Lands from strangers: what black devil could so
bewitch the King, so to discharge a Royal Army in the height of
conquest? nay, even already made victorious, to give such credit
to an enemy, a starved foe, a stragling fugitive, beaten beneath
our feet, so love dejected, so servile, and so base, as hope of life
had won them all, to leave the Land for ever?
Dono.
It was the Kings will.
Edol.
It was your want of wisdom,
that should have laid before his tender youth, the dangers
of a State, where forain Powers bandy for Soveraignty with Lawful
Kings, who being setled once, to assure themselves, will never
fail to seek the blood and life of all competitors.
Dono.
Your words sound well my Lord, and point at safety, both
for the Realm and us, but why did you within whose power it lay,
as General, with full Commission to dispose the war, lend ear to
parly with the weakned foe?
Edol.
Oh the good Gods!
Cador.
And on that parly came this Embassie.
Edol.
You will hear me.
Edwin.
Your letters did declare it
to the King, both of the Peace, and all Conditions brought by this
Saxon Lady, whose fond love has thus bewitched him.
Edol.
I will curse you all as black as hell, unless you hear me,
your gross mistake would make wisdom her self run madding
through the streets, and quarrel with her shadow, death! why
kill'd ye not that woman?
Dono., Glost.
Oh my Lord.
Edol.
The great devil take me quick, had I been by, and all the
had married her on these conditions.
Cador.
It is not reason
that directs you thus.
Edol.
Then have I none, for all
I have directs me, never was man so palpably abus'd, so basely
marted, bought and sold to scorn, my Honor, Fame, and hopeful
Victories, the loss of Time, Expences, Blood and Fortunes, all
vanisht into nothing.
Edwin
This rage is vain my Lord, what
the King does, nor they, nor you can help.
Edol.
My Sword
must fail me then.
Cador.
'Gainst whom will you expose it?
Edol.
What's that to you, 'gainst all the devils in hell to guard
my country.
Edwin.
These are airy words.
Edol.
Sir, you tread too hard upon my patience.
Edwin.
I speak the duty of a Subjects faith, and say agen had
your been here in presence,
What the King did, you had not dar'd to cross it,
Edol.
I will trample on his Life and Soul that says it.
Cador.
My Lord.
Edwin.
Come, come.
Edol.
Now before
heaven.
Cador.
Dear sir.
Edol.
Not dare? thou liest beneath
thy lungs.
Gloster.
No more son Edwin.
Edwin.
I have done sir, I take my leave.
Edol.
But thou
shall not, you shall take no leave of me Sir.
Dono.
For wisdoms sake my Lord.
Edol.
Sir, I'le leave him,
and you, and all of you, the Court and King, and let my Sword,
and friends, shuffle for Edols safety: stay you here, and hug the Saxons,
till they cut your throats, or bring the Land to servile slavery,
such yokes of baseness, Chester must not suffer,
For in this League, all our whole Kingdom bleeds,
which Ile prevent, or perish.
Glost.
See how his rage transports him!
Exit Edol. Capt.
Cador.
These passions set apart, a braver soldier breathes not
i'th'world this day.
Dono.
I wish his own worth do not court
his ruine.
True vertue still directs the noble way.
Loud Musick. Enter Aurelius, Artesia, Ostorius, Octa, Proximus, Toclio, Oswold, Hermit.
Aurel.
Why is the Court so dull? me thinks each room, and
mirth and triumphs, to show our high content. Oswold fill wine, must
we begin the Revels? be it so then, reach me the cup: Ile now begin
a Health to our lov'd Queen, the bright Artesia, the Royal Saxon
King, our warlike brother, go and command all the whole Court
to pledge it, fill to the Hermit there; most reverent Anselme, wee'l
do thee Honor first, to pledge my Queen.
Her.
I drink no healths great King, and if I did, I would be loath
to part with health, to those that have no power to give it back
agen.
Aurel.
Mistake not, it is the argument of Love and
Duty to our Queen and us.
Artes.
But he ows none it seems.
Her.
I do to vertue Madam, temperate minds covets that
health to drink, which nature gives in every spring to man, he that
doth hold
Bestows no cost, but to repair what's ill,
Yet if your healths or heat of Wine, fair Princes,
Could this old frame, or these cras'd limbes restore,
Or keep out death, or sickness, then fill more,
I'le make fresh way for appetite, if no,
On such a prodigal who would wealth bestow?
Ostorius.
He speaks not like a guest to grace a wedding.
Enter Toclio.
Artes.
No sir, but like an envious imposter.
Octa.
A Christian
slave, a Cinick.
Ostor.
What vertue could decline your Kingly
spirit, to such respect of him whose magick spells met with
your vanquisht Troops, and turn'd your Arms to that necessity of
fight, which the dispair of any hope to stand but by his charms, had
been defeated in a bloody conquest?
Octa.
'Twas magick, hell-bred
magick did it sir, and that's a course my Lord, which we esteem
in all our Saxon Wars, unto the last and lowest ebbe of servile
treachery.
Aurel.
Sure you are deceiv'd, it was the hand of
heaven, that in his vertue gave us victory, is there a power in man
that can strike fear thorough a general camp, or create spirits, in
recreant bosoms above present sense?
Ostor.
To blind the sense
there may with apparition of well arm'd troops within themselves
are air, form'd into humane shapes, and such that day were by that
Sorcerer rais'd to cross our fortunes.
Aurel.
There is a law
be shown by instances alike, e're I believe it.
Ostor.
'Tis
easily perform'd, believe me sir, propose your own desires, and
give but way to what our Magick here shall straight perform, and
then let his or our deserts be censur'd.
Aurel.
We could not
wish a greater happiness, then what this satisfaction brings with it,
let him proceed, fair brother.
Ostor.
He shall sir, come learned
Proximus, this task be thine, let thy great charms confound the opinion
this Christian by his spells hath falsly won.
Prox.
Great King, propound your wishes then, what persons, of
what State, what numbers, or how arm'd, please your own thoughts,
they shall appear before you.
Aurel.
Strange art! what thinkst
thou reverent Hermit?
Her.
Let him go on sir.
Aurel.
Wilt thou behold his cunning?
Her.
Right gladly sir, it will be my joy to tell,
That I was here to laugh at him and hell.
Aurel.
I like thy confidence.
Artes.
His sawcy impudence,
proceed to'th'trial.
Prox.
Speak your desires my Lord, and
be it place't in any angle underneath the Moon, the center of the
Earth, the Sea, the Air, the region of the fire, nay hell it self, and
I'le present it.
Aurel.
Wee'l have no fight so fearful, onely
this, if all thy art can reach it, show me here the two great Champions
of the Trojan War, Achilles and brave Hector, our great Ancestor,
both in their warlike habits, Armor, Shields, and Weapons
then in use for fight.
Prox.
'Tis done, my Lord, command a
halt and silence, as each man will respect his life or danger. Armel,
Plesgeth.
Enter Spirit.
Quid vis?
Prox.
Attend me.
Aurel.
The Apparition comes, on our displeasure let all keep
place and silence.
Within Drums beat Marches.
Enter Proximus bringing in Hector attir'd and arm'd after the Trojan manner, with Target, Sword, and Battel-ax, a Trumpet before him, and a Spirit in flame colours with a Torch; at the other door Achilles with his Spear and Falchon, a Trumpet and a Spirit in black before him; Trumpets sound alarm, and they manage their weapons to begin the Fight: and after some Charges, the Hermit steps between them, at which seeming, amaz'd the spirits, and tremble.
Thunder within.
Prox.
What means this stay, bright Armel, Plesgeth? why fear you
or darkness circles you for ever
Arm.
We dare not.
Prox.
Ha!
Plesgeth.
Our charms are all dissolv'd, Armel away,
'Tis worse then hell to us, whilest here we stay.
Exit all.
Her.
What! at a Non-plus sir? command them back for shame.
Prox.
What power o're-aws my Spells! return you Hell-hounds:
Armel, Plesgeth, double damnation seize you, by all the Infernal
powers, the prince of devils is in this Hermits habit, what else
could force my Spirits quake or tremble thus?
Her.
Weak argument to hide your want of skill: does the devil
fear the devil, or war with hell? they have not been acquainted
long it seems. Know mis-believing Pagan, even that Power
He onely can controul both hell and thee.
Prox.
Disgrace and mischief, Ile enforce new charms, new spells,
and spirits rais'd from the low Abyss of hells unbottom'd depths.
Aurel.
We have enough sir, give o're your charms, wee'l finde
some other time to praise your Art. I dare not but acknowledge
that heavenly Power my heart stands witness to: be not dismaid
my Lords, at this disaster, nor thou my fairest Queen: we'l change
the Scene to some more pleasing sports. Lead to your Chamber,
Our joy's too fixed here to suffer loss.
Toclio.
Which I shall adde to sir, with news I bring: The Prince
your Brother, lives.
Aurel.
Ha!
Toclio.
And comes
to grace this high and heaven-knit Marriage.
Aurel.
Why dost thou flatter me, to make me think such happiness
attends me?
Enter Prince Uter and Oswold.
Toclio.
His presence speaks my truth, sir.
Dono.
Force me,
'tis he: look Gloster.
Glost.
A blessing beyond hope, sir.
Aurel.
Ha! tis he: welcome my second Comfort. Artesia, Dearest
Love, it is my Brother, my Princely Brother, all my Kingdoms
hope, oh give him welcome, as thou lov'st my health.
Artes.
You have so free a welcome sir, from me, as this your
presence has such power I swear o're me a stranger, that I must
forget my Countrey, Name, and Friends, and count this place my
Joy and Birth right.
Prince.
'Tis she! 'tis she I swear! oh
ye good gods, 'tis she! that face within those woods where first I
all society of men: how came she to this place, brother Aurelius?
Speak that Angels name, her heaven-blest name, oh speak it quickly
Sir.
Aurel.
It is Artesia, the Royal Saxon Princess.
Prince.
A woman, and no Deity: no feigned shape, to mock the
reason of admiring sense, on whom a hope as low as mine may live,
love, and enjoy, dear Brother, may it not?
Aurel.
She is all
the Good, or Vertue thou canst name, my Wife, my Queen.
Prince.
Ha! your wife!
Artes.
Which you shall finde sir,
if that time and fortune may make my love but worthy of your
tryal.
Prince.
Oh!
Aurel.
What troubles you, dear Brother?
Why with so strange and fixt an eye dost thou behold my
Joys?
Artes.
You are not well, sir.
Prince.
Yes, yes,
oh you immortal powers, why has poor man so many entrances for
sorrow to creep in at, when our sense is much too weak to hold his
happiness? Oh say I was born deaf: and let your silence confirm
in me the knowing my defect, at least be charitable to conceal my
sin, for hearing is no less in me, dear Brother.
Aurel.
No more, I see thou art a Rival in the Joys of my high
Bliss. Come my Artesia,
Great Good must have as great Ill opposite.
Prince.
Stay, hear but a word; yet now I think on't,
This is your Wedding-night, and were it mine,
I should be angry with least loss of time.
Artes.
Envy speaks no such words, has no such looks.
Prince.
Sweet rest unto you both.
Aurel.
Lights to our Nuptial
Chamber.
Artes.
Could you speak so, I would not fear
how much my grief did grow.
Aurel.
Lights to our Chamber,
on, on, set on.
Exeunt. Manet Prince.
Prince.
Could you speak so, I would not fear how much my griefs
did grow. Those were her very words, sure I am waking, she
wrung me by the hand, and spake them to me with a most passionate
affection, perhaps she loves, and now repents her choice, in
marriage with my brother; oh fond man, how darest thou trust
thy Traitors thoughts, thus to betray thy self? 'twas but a waking
dream wherein thou madest thy wishes speak, not her, in which
thy foolish hopes strives to prolong
With health lov'd toys, which for a time delay,
But do not cure the fit: be then a man,
Meet that destruction which thou canst not flie
From, not to live, make it thy best to die,
And call her now, whom thou didst hope to wed,
Thy brothers wife, thou art too ne're a kin,
And such an act above all name's a sin
Not to be blotted out, heaven pardon me,
She's banisht from my bosom now for ever,
To lowest ebbes, men justly hope a flood,
When vice grows barren, all desires are good.
Enter Waiting Gentlewoman with a Jewel.
Gent.
The noble Prince, I take it sir.
Prince.
You speak me
what I should be, Lady.
Gent.
Know by that name sir, Queen
Artesia greets you.
Prince.
Alas good vertue, how is she mistaken.
Gent.
Commending her affection in this Jewel, sir.
Prince.
She binds my service to her: ha! a Jewel 'tis a fair one
trust me, and methinks it much resembles something I have seen
with her.
Gen.
It is an artificial crab, Sir.
Prince.
A creature
that goes backward.
Gent.
True, from the way it looks.
Prince.
There is no moral in it aludes to her self?
Gent.
'Tis your construction gives you that sir, she's a woman.
Prince.
And like this, may use her legs, and eyes two several ways.
Gent.
Just like the Sea-crab, which on the Mussel prayes,
whilst he bills at a stone.
Prince.
Pretty in troth, prithee
tell me, art thou honest?
Gent.
I hope I seem no other, sir.
Prince.
And those that seem so, are sometimes bad enough.
Gent.
If they will accuse themselves for want of witness, let them,
I am not so foolish.
Prince.
I see th'art wise, come speak
me truly, what is the greatest sin?
Gent.
That which man never acted, what has been done
Is as the least, common to all as one.
Prince.
Dost think thy Lady is of thy opinion?
Gent.
She's a bad Scholar else, I have brought her up, and she
dares owe me still.
Prince.
I, 'tis a fault in greatness, they
dare owe many e're they pay one, but darest thou expose thy scholar
to my examining?
Gent.
Yes in good troth sir, and pray
Prince.
Thou know'st the hardest.
Gent.
As far as a woman
may, sir.
Prince.
I commend thy plainness, when wilt thou
bring me to thy Lady?
Gent.
Next opportunity I attend
you, sir.
Prince.
Thanks, take this, and commend me to her.
Gent.
Think of your Sea-crab sir, I pray.
Exit.
Prince.
Oh by any means, Lady, what should all this tend to?
if it be Love or Lust that thus incites her, the sin is horrid and incestuous;
if to betray my life, what hopes she by it? Yes, it may
be a practice 'twixt themselves, to expel the Brittains and ensure
the State through our destructions, all this may be valid with a
deeper reach in villany, then all my thoughts can guess at, however
Lust hath given Life to Envy in her minde,
I may prevent the danger; so men wise
By the same step by which they fell, may rise.
Vices are Vertues, if so thought and seen,
And Trees with foulest roots, branch soonest green.
Exit.
| The Birth of Merlin : or, The Childe hath found his Father | |