University of Virginia Library

[SCENA I.]

Enter King, Lord Lovel, Sir William Catesby, Sir Richard Ratclife, with Guards and Attendants.
King.
The World must now confess, that Monarchs are
Of him, who rules above, the cheifest care:
For Richmond, whom in vain so long I sought,
Whom I with half my Realm had gladly bought,
Is (past retreat) brought home to my own door:
Heaven could not give me, nor I covet more!
Fond Boy! what madness with such fatal speed
Under my Justice hastens thee to bleed?
I owe thy Frenzy to my kinder Stars,
Who thus conclude my dangers, and my wars.

L. Lovel.
The Powers above are now ambitious grown
To bribe your Favour, and preserve your Throne;
They give you Richmond; and in giving him
They from the power of chance your Crown redeem:
Should the world joyn this Kingdom to devour,
It would not weaken, but declare your power.

Catesby.
Tumultuous, and Unarm'd their Forces are,
And fit to make a riot, not a war:
The Crown tempts Richmond, like a silly Fly,
Which dazled with the flame does in it dy.
As Justice here below, so Heaven does blind
Their eyes, whose execution is design'd.

King.
I both his rashness and his weakness know;
But those, who now are weak, may stronger grow;
I therefore have such preparations made,
As form an Army fitter to invade
Whole Kingdoms, then to quell a giddy Rout
Of half-starv'd Fugitives, newly thrust out
From Forreign Lands: Poor Worms! they shall not long
Attend their Fate. Treason though ne're so young,
And weak, should not be dally'd with, but must,
When first it buds, and in the shell be crush't.

Ratclife.
Great Sir, these Fugitives will soon afford
More bus'ness for your Heads-man, then your Sword:
But 'tis not now their number, nor their armes,
That they confide in; they have other charms,
Which draw into their Circle, and bewitch
All those, whom either discontent, or Itch
Of novelty makes apt to be undone;
The Lady El'sabeth's weak right they own
To ground their Treason on: they boldly frame
All Orders, Warrants, Summons in her Name.
And thus the easie Welch (a Nation soon
Stirr'd up, and then again as soon laid down)
Caught with this Quail-pipe to their Camp resort,
And with Provisions the lean Troops support.

Catesby.
Young Richmond does himself her Champion own,
And brags, his bus'ness is to place the Crown
On that young Lady's head, at least to dy
In the attempt.

King.
O rare Knight-Errantry!
By these degrees he would himself prefer
First to espouse her Quarrel, and then Her.
But this bold Youth shall feel, that he is more
Out-match't in Wit, and Policy, then Powe:
She shall be crown'd, and marry'd; but by thee,
Young Fool! nor crown'd, nor marry'd shall she be;
For when she wears a Crown, thoul't want a Head;
Thou in thy Grave, she in her Marriage-Bed
At the same time shall lye.

Catesby.
Sir, will you give
Me leave to ask how your pretentions thrive,
And what impression they have made upon
That Lady's heart? She cannot be all Stone,
And still make answer with a sullen No,
When so much Power, and Eloquence shall woo.

King.
Something tow'rds Conquest in the Siege is done,
For in the Queen I have the out-works won;
But the main Fort is such a stubborn Rock,
As does all Parlies, and all Stormings mock.

L. Lovel.
The Mother gain'd is more then half the day;
A Daughter's duty must not disobey,
And the two greatest Powers at once withstand
Both of a Mother, and a King's Command.

Catesby.
This present juncture of affairs requires
A speedy answer to your just desires:
You must those strict Formalities lay by,
Which custom pays to Virgin Modesty;
For now the publick safety does perswade
To court her like a Widow, not a Maid.

King.
I know, how much depends on this dispatch;
The Peace of Nations rests upon our match:
I, and the Kingdom can no longer stay;
And if she will not love, she must obey.

Enter Lord Stanly.