University of Virginia Library

ACTUS V.

SCEN. PRIMA.

Enter Ld Stanly, Sir Will. Stanly, Servant.
Ld Stanly.
O Tyrant Honour! why dost thou impose
A Law, which that of Nature overthrows?
Heaven does my Vertue too severely try,
When to save others, my own Son must dye.

Sir W. Stanly.
For common service common Minds suffice;
Heaven tryes the Great by great Extremities.
Honour's hard Tasks are only fit for you;
Who must subdue your Foes, and Nature too.

Ld Stanly.
Brother, I know the Duty, which my Blood
To Nature, and to Honour must make good:
And in their Civil War I shall not make
A long dispute, which side I ought to take:
Nor shall my Sorrows their just Bounds exceed;
I'le grieve for Nature, but for Honour bleed.

Sir W. Stan.
The same high Thoughts you to your Son transfer;
In whose green age ripe Honour does appear:
His Courage does the Tyrant's Rage defie;
All his Fear is, lest he should tamely die:
And, when he must receive the Fatal Blow,
He would his Valour, not his Patience show.

Ld Stanly.
He must no Actor, but a Sufferer be;
And quietly submit to Heaven's decree.

Sir W. Stanly.
His generous thoughts a high attempt contrive,
Which after Death may keep his Fame alive;
For he would give the World, when he must dye,
Exemplar Courage for a Legacy.

Ld Stanly.
Alas! we can expect no great Success
From his weak Age, and from his Conduct less.

Sir W. Stanly.
He has not weakly laid his great Design,
For, when the Armies shall in Battel joyn,
The Field will drain the Quarters; and then he
Hopes, that his Sword may set the Princess free:
For the remaining Guards will be intent
On their own safety and the War's Event.

L. Stanly.
That Enterprise will need a stronger Hand,
And Head, then his, to act, and give Command.

Sir W. Stanly.
I with a Party in disguise have sent
A Leader, who his rashness may prevent.

L. Stanly.
May he succeed! but Brother, now with care
We must our bus'ness in the Field prepare.

Sir W. Stanly.
Your Army I have plac'd in such a Line,
That they with either Camp may easily joyn;
And to amuse the Tyrant, from that side,
Where Richmond lyes, strong Trenches both divide.

L. Stanly.
'Tis well design'd: For, if we should declare
By early Deeds, what our Intentions are,
Before the Fight to Heat, and Tumult grows,
We rashly should our dearest Pledges lose.

Sir W. Stan.
This is most true.

L. Stan.
When we engage, your Wing
Must to our Richmond timely Succour bring.

Sir Wil. Stan.
The Tyrant's Batteries are all pointed there.

L. Stanly.
And I will charge brave Norfolk in the Reer.

Sir Wil. Stanly.
I shall your Orders punctually obey.

L. Stan.
Our Army wants our presence; let's away.
[Ex. L. Stan.

S. W. Stan.
Where are those Arms?

Ser.
Here Sir.

S. W. Stan.
without delay
Those to my Tent, this to young Strange convey.
Delivers a Letter.
Ex. Ser.
Richmond! In happy Love thou conquer'st me,
But I in Glory will out-rival thee:
Drest in thy Shape I will thy Mistress woo;
And, whilst I court thy danger, court her too.
Strange Charm of Love! Must I my Life employ
For him, who does my Happiness destroy?
I only am unjust, Poor Strange! to thee;
For all thy Danger should belong to me:
And yet a nobler Cause cannot engage
Thy blooming Valour at thy tender Age.
He is most happy, who her Love obtains,
But he, who dyes for her, more Glory gains.
[Exit Sir W. Stan.

SCEN. II.

[The Scene is changed to the Princess Lodgings.]
Enter Charlot.
Charlot.
If my great Rival dye, why from her Grave
May not my Love a Resurrection have?
No, no! Him, whom I love I so will serve,
That what I can't enjoy, I may deserve.
For him none shall do more, nor more endure;
I'le lose my self, my Rival to secure.

Enter Princess.
Charlot, farewel: my Guards now surly grow,
And nearer wait, which Death's approch does show.

Charlot.
Madam, you must not dye; For yet we may
The Tyrant's hasty Cruelties delay.
Let us exchange our habits; In your room
I'le plant my self, and intercept your Doom.

Princess.
Ah Boy! how strange a Love dost thou express?
I'le never ruine thee by my release.

Charlot.
Madam, I charge you by the powerful Name
Of your great Lover, and your mutual Flame,
To take my Life's Oblation, and allow,
What I to you, and to your Richmond vow.
I am resolv'd, though you my Suit deny,
Not to out-live the Minute, when you dye.
And, since I this have vow'd, let me not spend
My Life in vain, which may your Life defend.
Undress you, Madam, and prepare to flye.

Princess.
Flye? Your Example bids me stay, and dye.

Charlot.
To ease the Ship in Storms, what Freight is first
Thrown over Board, the choicest, or the worst?

Princess.
This question puts a Period to our strife;
It bids me Honour save, and lose my Life.

Charlot.
Madam, you build on a mistaken ground;
Reason must Honour's darker Loves expound:
Subjects, who for their Prince themselves undo,
In the most glorious way their Duty shew:
But Princes, in whose Life the Publick lives,
Should save what Heaven for Publick safety gives.

Princess.
Who can the Brightness of thy Vertue doubt?
And when it shines so clear, would put it out?

Charlot.
Less will my Danger be, then yours, when I
Am seis'd for you; For you, when seis'd, must dye:
But, when the Murd'rers find a Stranger, they
Will pause awhile, and for new Orders stay.
Then the Field gain'd may make us both secure.

Princess.
But, Charlot, in what place can I be sure
Of safety, when my Shape I change for yours?

Charlot.
The Neighb'ring Cloister will for some few hours
(I having newly gain'd the Abbess) be
Your Refuge, till your Champion sets you free.

Princess.
Thy Kindness and thy Reasons conquer me;
And yet too much I hazard, vent'ring thee!

Charlot.
Waste not your time in scruples; Pray, be gone:
Our work must end before the Fight's begun.

[Exeunt.

SCENA III.

Enter Ld Strange, Mrs. Stanly.
Mrs. Stanly.
Nephew, your hasty Courage I must chide;
[Ld Strange holds a letter open in his hand.
This letter now must all your Actions guide.

Strange.
Delays encrease the Hazard, we would shun:
By swift Dispatch our Danger we out-run.

Mrs. Stanly.
Hasty Beginnings halt before they end.

Strange.
But does the Princess know, what we intend?

Mrs. Stanly.
Should I this Enterprise to her disclose,
She might in Honour Scruples interpose.

Strange.
Must she be sav'd against her own Consent,
Lest, knowing it, she should the means prevent?

Mrs. Stanly.
But to conceal it, is the safest way.
Think, how her Person you may best convey;
Whilst I the Abbess speedily prepare,
To take the Kingdom's Pledge into her Care.
And, pray, be watchful lest the searching Eye
Of Catesby should our Enterprise descry.
The Captain, whom my Brother sent, you must
With all the Conduct of this Bus'ness trust.

Strange.
With you the dull, and slow are only Wise;
The Phlegme of so much Caution I despise.

Mrs. Stan.
Your own distemper'd Heat does judge him Cold;
For you are more too Young, then he too Old.

[Enter Captain.
Cap.
My Lord, the Armies are engag'd; and now
You may your Ardour in your Actions shew.
Whilst Stanly's Name does in the Field afford
Originals to lengthen Fames Record,
Your growing Valour here in narrower space
May living Copies of their Glory trace.

Strange.
Captain, you have restor'd my Libertie;
And now my Freedom shall the Princess free.

Mrs. Stanly.
May thy brave Courage with success be blest;
Whilst I prepare to lodge our Royal Guest.

[Exeunt several ways.

SCEN. IV.

Enter Catesby, Forrest, Lieutenant and Soldiers.
Catesby.
The King has made you his great Confident;
And now your Fortune may your Hopes prevent.
When you receive the Sign, strike quick, and sure.

Forrest.
Give but the Word, and think the Deed secure.
The little Worm, call'd Conscience, wants a sting:
Hell may be feign'd; I'm certain of the King.
And, since his mind is known, what need we stay.
For tedious Orders?

Catesby.
Hold; you must obey
The Rules prescrib'd; and watchfully attend,
Till I your Orders from the Army send.
[Exit Catesby.

Leiutenant.
Good Master Captain, teach your old Cam'rade
The fine new knack to be a Captain made.
None, by your Worship's leave, could ever see.
Your bashful Valour face an Enemie.

Forrest.
My Courage by the King is known and try'd.

Lieutenant.
Kings may know more then all the World beside.
You can shew Bruises of your Tavern-Wars;
And turn the Ale-wifes Scratches into Scars.

Forrest.
Lieutenant, you will halt in your Career,
When Neck, and Heels shall feel your Officer.
Were it not for the bus'ness now in hand—

Lieutenant.
You would do much! I should not idle stand.
Go, go, complain; that I may be cashier'd;
I'd rather starve, then be thus Officer'd.

Forrest.
Stand.

[The Princess in Charlot's attire crosseth the Stage with her Handkercher before her Eyes, as if she were weeping.]
Lieutenant.
'Tis the Lady's Page.

Forrest.
Then let him pass.
Poor Rogue! he shortly will be turn'd to Grass.

Lieutenant.
Must all the Princess Family disband?

Forrest.
When the Tree falls, how can the Ivy stand?
A noise of Swords in the Princess Lodgings.
Swords in the Princess lodgings! quickly go,
And see how matters pass.

Lieutenant.
You must come too:
When danger calls, you send your Messenger.
A Pox on those, that cannot hide their fear!

[He thrusts Forrest in before him.

SCEN. V.

Enter Queen.
Queen.
Heaven! If my Child must not your mercy find,
Let me, when she departs, not stay behind!
I can endure no more: The hand of Fate
On tir'd-out Nature lays too great a Weight.

Enter Lord Strange leading Charlot in the Princess dress.
L. Strange.
Now, Madam, pray look up: trust your own Eyes:
To Charlot suppos'd to be the Princess.
Your Servants guard you, not your Enemies.
Madam, you come in a most happy hour;
To the Queen.
To rule her Fears we need a Mothers Power.

Queen.
I wonder not, that she's amaz'd; for I
Mistrust my Sense in this Delivery.
Come, Daughter, give my Eyes the Joy to see
My dearest Captive set at libertie.

Charlot.
I, Madam, who your pleasure thus obey,
[Charlot unvails.
Am not your Daughter; she's convey'd away:
And you the means of her Escape may guess,
When you behold me in my borrow'd Dress:
As mine abus'd our Friends, so her Disguise
More happily deceiv'd our Enemies.

Queen.
Her absence does my former pain repeat,
Ah! bring me to the place of her retreat.

Charlot.
You'l find her at the Cloister fix't in Prayer:
Heaven, and Religion now her Guardians are.

Strange.
Charlot I little thought, I could by thee
In this bold Rescue so transcended be.
Madam, as faithful Guards, we shall attend
To the Queen.
Your Person; and the Princess Life defend.

[Exeunt.

SCEN. VI.

The Scene is changed to Bosworth-Field.
Enter King, Lovel, Ratclife, and Souldiers.
Richmond's Standard taken by the King is carried in Triumph before him.
King.
Behold the Traitor's Standard! here we see,
Heaven gives an earnest of full Victorie.

Lovel.
You the great Brandon slew; you this have gain'd:
We owe the day, Sir, to your single hand.
No Monarch's story boasts so high a deed;
As Kings all men surpass, you Kings exceed.

Ratclife.
You all the glorious marks of Conquest wear,
And greater, then your self, this day appear.
I saw stout Cheyny fall by your strong hand;
That sturdy Oak could not your Thunder stand.

King.
Richmond was next; I had him in my Eye;
But he was shelter'd by my Victory.
Such heaps of Bodies did obstruct my way,
That my own Conquests did my Conquest stay,
And Richmond for the safety of his Head
Ow'd less unto the Living, then the Dead.

[A Charge is sounded.
Lovel.
Hark! a fresh Charge they sound! these desp'rate men
Rally their broken Force, to break again.

Enter Souldier.
Treason, Sir, Treason! Stanly's false Brigade
Have left your Colours, and our Men invade:
Richmond in person leads them on; and all,
That have oppos'd them, either flye, or fall.

King.
Perfidious Slaves! Ratclife, without delay
These Fatal Rings to Catesby's hands convey.
I'le blast the Fruit of all their Victory:
Strange, and the Princess shall together dye.
Come; shew me Richmond: for I'le break through all
[To the Sould.
His Guards, and crush the Traytor with my fall.

[Exit King, &c.
Enter King, and Sir W. Stan. habited like Richmond at several doors.
King.
Ha! is it he? now Fortune, thou art kind!

Sir W. Stanly.
Enjoy your wish; For Richmond here you find.
Come, Sir, dispatch this work the shortest way:
Our single hands will best decide the day.

King.
Agree'd: of all my Stars I ask no more!
Thou art the only Saint, whom I implore.

[kissing his Sword. They fight.
Enter Rich. [with Souldiers.
What Vision's this, which does abuse my eye?
Richmond interposeth.
Have I a Ghost, that walks before I dye?
Who ere thou art (bold Champion) shew thy Face:
Thou dost usurp my Person, and my place.

King.
The Dragon's Teeth are sown in Bosworth Field,
Which does a Harvest of arm'd Richmonds yield!

[Sir William Stanly pulls up the Vizour of his Helmet.
Rich.
Sir William Stanly!

King.
Traytor! thy false heart
Shall taste my vengeance.

Richmond.
Hold, Sir; let my part
Be acted first: you needs must know this Face:
The Shadow to the substance must give place.

Sir W. Stan.
Great Sir, the Law of Arms proclaims my right;
My Sword began it, and must end the Fight.

Richmond.
Not a word more; or I shall look on you,
As on the worst Usurper of the two.

King.
End your contention: both employ'd shall be.

Rich.
This Sword, and Justice otherwise decree.
[They fight.
How great thy Fame had bin, hadst thou been good!
[the King fals.
Pursue the flying; but spare English Blood.

[Ex. Sould. in pursuit.
King.
Fate! art thou just? what Crime is laid on me,
But the resemblance of thy Tyranny?
Since I must lose my Throne, I only crave,
That nothing may be found beyond the Grave.

[dyes.
Rich.
Remove the Corps. Heaven, thou art just, and good!
So Tyrants rise, and so they fall in Blood.
My gallant likeness, you must now reveal
The cause of this extravagance of Zeal.

Sir W. Stan.
Great Sir, I took your shape, because I knew,
The Tyrant's Rage did chiefly aim at you.
My Loyal care made me ambitious grow
To rob you of your danger, and your Foe.

Richmond.
My Person you in Fight so well became,
That, what was like, I wish, had been the same.

Enter Oxford.
Sir, all the bus'ness of the War is done:
The Living and the Dead your Conquest own:
The yielding Foe makes useless all our Swords,
And for your Mercy only work affords.

Richmond.
My Lord, when we are Dust, our Race will know,
How much this Day I to your Conduct owe:
The Name of Vere to me, and mine shall be
As high in Honour, as in Loyaltie.
[Enter Lord Stanly.
O, my dear Friend! must I rejoyce, or grieve
In this great Triumph? does the Princess live?

Ld Stanly.
Sir, she does live; and her past dangers prove
The glorious Marks, and Trophies of her Love:
Her faithful Page has all our Zeal out-done,
And to redeem her Life, expos'd his own:
My George his high Intentions did express;
But only Charlot's Courage had Success.

Richmond.
Heaven can my Joys no farther now improve,
Since I am blest in Conquest, and in Love.
My faithful Stanly, I shall need your care
To prosecute the Bus'ness of the War:
For I, my Lords, no longer can forbear
To see her free, whose glorious Chains I wear.

[Exeunt omnes.
The Scene is changed to the Cloister, where the Princess was retired.

SCEN. VII.

Enter Lord Strange, Charlot.
Ld Strange.
Charlot, such Faith, and Courage joyn'd in you
Deserv'd to finish what I aim'd to do.

Charlot.
My Lord, th'Event of my Design should be
Justly ascrib'd to Fortune, not to me.

Strange.
Thy modesty does but encrease thy Glory,
And leaves to future Age an useful Story.

Charlot.
What I have done deserves no memory;
I little did, because I did not dye.
And now, my Lord, it were my happiest Lot,
If I by all the World might be forgot.

Stran.
What means these words? Would you the world forsake,
When your brave Deed does it so Happy make?
Foul Crimes have made their Authours desperate:
But can the Good, and Prosperous their Lives hate?
Your Life's my Gift; Dispose not of my Due;
For, as you sav'd the Princess, I sav'd you.

Charlot.
You did defeat me in my Souls chief Aim
Of leaving Life with a reprochless Name.

Strange.
Some hidden Mystery lies folded here!
But hark! the glorious Richmond does draw neer.

[The Trumpets sound.
Charlot.
What shall I do? my shame will open lye
[to himself.
To all the World, and to a Parent's Eye.
In these Extremes what can my Honour save?
Relieve me, Heaven! or hide me in a Grave!

SCEN. VIII.

Enter Earl of Richmond, Oxford, Chandew, and Attendants.
Richmond.
To Strange.]
George, thou art now unpawn'd; thy courage shewn
In our Concern speaks thee a Stanly's Son.
My dearest Boy, rise up: thy Actions may
[To Charlot.
Dispute with mine the Glory of the Day.
'Twould make a Monarch Bankrupt to bestow
That just Reward, which to thy Faith I owe.

Chandew.
To himself.]
What do my Eyes behold? It must be she;
And her Disguise reveals her Infamie.

Richmond.
To Charlot.]
Why speak'st thou not? when all the World's become
So loud in praising thee, canst thou be dumb?

Chandew.
Must she needs chuse the most Conspicuous Place
Of the whole Earth, to blazon my Disgrace?

Richmond.
What sudden damp does on thy spirits seise?

Chandew.
To himself.]
Death of my Honour, and my Souls Disease!
Thou art a Blot upon my Name, which I
Will rase out with thy Life.

Oxford.
Sir I descry
A strange transport in my Lord Chandew too.

Richmond.
What Mysteries are these? my Lord, are you
Concern'd in that brave Youth?

Chandew.
Sir 'tis a Stray;
From my Enclosures it has broke away.—

Richmond.
My Lord, be well advis'd: if you would gain
My Credit, and our former Love maintain,
Reproch him not.

Chandew.
I cannot much delight,
To bring that Creatures shame to publick sight:
But, Sir, in equal Justice you will give
To the right Owner's hands a Fugitive.

Richmond.
You must not your displeasure thus express,
If you expect, I shall my Claim release.

Charlot
kneeling to my Ld Chandew.]
Sir, I am yours; and have deserv'd your Hate:
O, let my Death end this unkind debate!
Take me, and take my Life; for 'tis your due
First, as your Gift, and now by forfeit too.

Chandew.
Since thou hast murder'd thy whole Family
[Offering to kill Charlot.
In their best Life (their Honour) thou shalt dye.

Rich.
Hold Chandew, hold. What means this furious Heat?
In which you both your self, and me forget.
'Tis well, your merit weighs my anger down.

Chandew.
Pardon my Passion thus unruly grown:
It did my strength of Reason quite subdue.

Rich.
More, then my Pardon does belong to you.
But I am wrackt with Doubts: Rise, Boy, and free
My tortur'd Thoughts from this Perplexitie.

Charlot.
O Sir; if I must here my Sins confess,
This Posture most becomes my Guiltiness:
And I this low submission doubly owe
In presence of my Prince, and Father too.

Rich.
My Lord, are you his Father?

Chandew.
Sir, that Name
Turns my whole Life to Sorrow, and to Shame.

Rich.
Rather to Glory, and to Happiness;
A better Son cannot a Parent bless.

Oxford.
Sir, I perceive, where all our Errour lyes;
Charlot, suppos'd his Son, his Daughter is.

Rich.
I am opprest with Wonder! Charlot, rise:
Whilst thy disputed Sex deludes our eyes,
Thou dost to me a Guardian Angel seem,
Which did the Princess sacred Life redeem.

SCEN. IX.

Enter Queen, Princess, and Attendants.
Rich.
Madam, at last Propitious Heaven affords
Success to the Endeavour of our Swords.
We at your Royal Feet our Persons lay,
And all the mighty Trophies of the Day.

Princess.
Sir, these Submissions must not come from you:
No Homage from a Conqu'rer can be due.
Your Laurel should in Justice be a Crown,
For all by double Conquest is your own.

Rich.
How gloriously your Servants you reward!

Princess.
No, Sir; from that I am by Duty bar'd:
A Parent's leave must first the Gift allow,
Ere I the merited Reward bestow.

Richmond.
To the Queen.]
Sway'd by my Love to her, whom you love best,
I have unduly my Respects addrest;
This Madam, for her sake, you'l not reprove:
All Laws of Ceremony yield to Love.

Queen.
What you oblige me in, needs no Excuse:
And, Sir, I were unjust, should I refuse
My vote to such a Publick Happiness.
May all the Powers above this Union bless!

Richmond
to the Queen.]
I must with humble adoration kiss
The Hand, which does confer so high a bliss.
To the Prin.]
Now, Madam, what say you?

Princess.
I must obey.

Rich.
Succeeding Times shall magnify this Day,
Whose Fruitful Joys shall flow to distant Age,
And rescue Nations from Rebellious Rage.
But, Madam, in this Publick Jubilee
Charlot's Concerns must not neglected be:
This Fav'rite to us both does newly find
A Noble Father in my greatest Friend;
And (what is yet more strange) that Fathers Eye
Does here a Daughter, not a Son descry.

Princess.
I'm lost in wonder: but what ere he be,
No Sex can equal his great Loyaltie.
Now Charlot, ease my Mind, which longs to know
The secret Cause, whence all these Wonders flow.

Charlot.
Can any thing, but Love, such Wonders do,
As have disguis'd the Soul, and Body too?
Madam, I drunk my Poyson when my Eye
Did first his Image, whom you love, descry.
I was too young to weigh, how far above
The level of my Birth I rais'd my love.
My wounded Heart in Bretany first bled;
And, when our Exile thence to Paris fled,
Leaving my Home, my Parents, and my Shape,
To follow him I made a bold Escape:
And to his Service I soon gain'd access,
Helpt by Industrious Love, and this feign'd dress.

Princess.
Charlot, no History shall ever show
So brave a Rival, and so kind a Foe.
Pity, and Envy both attend thy Fate;
Thou art more Generous, I more Fortunate.

Richmond.
Ah, gentle Charlot! in a high degree
Thou hast at once oblig'd, and punish'd me:
The Torment of great minds I undergo,
Paying so little, where so much I owe.

Strange.
Sir, I want Merit; but your Goodness may
For Service yet to come advance my pay:
Grant me your Favour in my great design
Of off'ring my Devotions at this Shrine.
I long have known her, and with envious Eyes
Have seen above my own her Vertue rise:
But, Madam, now a double change we find;
[To Charlot.
For your Sex alter'd has transform'd my Mind:
My Jealousie grows Love; and what before
With Envy I beheld, I now adore.

Richmond.
Thy Passion makes me happy; and I know,
Your Father's Judgement will this choice allow.
Her Fortune, as her Birth, shall equal you:
Who marries her, marries our Favour too.
Chandew, I hope, that in this happy Bride,
Your scrup'lous Honour now is satisfi'd.

Chandew.
Not only satisfi'd, but much encreast;
Where I unhappy was, I now am blest.

Charlot.
How much must I to such Indulgence owe,
As on the Guilty does Reward bestow?
But, Sir, no Power can former Vows release,
Which bar me from this proffer'd happiness.
Ambitious Flames will ever upwards tend;
They may their Object lose, but ne're descend.
Mine still shall rise, and in a Cloister chuse
The lasting Love of an Immortal Spouse.

Strange.
Ah! leave us not: Heaven wants you less, then we.

Princess.
Vertue will leave that Land, which loseth thee.

Charlot.
All Vertue stays, when you are left behind.
Madam, in vain you urge my setled Mind.

SCEN. X.

Enter L. Stanly.
L. Stanly.
The Field does want you, Sir; The Souldiers call
With loud Impatience for their General.
In this days Booty they the Crown have found;
And all cry out, that Richmond must be crown'd.

Richmond.
My Lord, they should their duty better know;
For common Hands must not the Crown bestow.

L. Stanly.
High swelling Torrents you as soon may swage,
As stop the Current of their Loyal Rage.

Princess.
Come, Sir, these Mutineers I long to see;
For I must joyn in the Conspiracie.

Richmond.
He, Madam, who to you has rais'd his aim,
To more, then Crowns, and Scepters lays a Claim.

[Enter Sir William Stanly bringing the Crown, with Officers and Souldiers in a Military Pomp.]
Sir W. Stanly.
Behold the noblest Spoil of Bosworth Field!
This is the Fruit which now your Laurels yield.

Richmond.
To this great Trophy, Madam, you are born,
Which by a Royal Beauty must be worn.

Princess.
The Crown is yours, because in Battel found;
And, Sir, as Conquerour you must be crown'd.

Richmond.
By right of Conquest it belongs to you;
For you did first the Conquerour subdue.

Sir W. Stanly.
Madam, pray order my obedient hand,
Which waits to place it by your high Command.

Princess.
Come Sir; you must submit to this great Weight,
[The Princess, and Sir William Stanly put the Crown on the Earl of Richmond's Head.
The People cry, Long live King Henry the 7.
Impos'd by us and by the Hand of Fate.

King Henry 7th.
Since Madam I must yield to wear the Crown,
By this Submission I your Title owne.
I wear it, as a publick Mark to shew
My Power to these, my Fealty to you.

Sir W. Stanly.
To the Princess.]
Richard is slain, Richmond is crown'd: and now
I have perform'd the chiefest of my Vow.
I shall hereafter only Glory woo,
And all that Glory place in serving you.

Princess.
That your great Merit recompens'd may be,
I give you all, that's undispos'd of me:
This seems a Gift, but it does substance want;
All was convey'd by a preceding Grant.

Sir W. Stanly.
Madam, did not the fulness of your Joys
The weight of my afflictions counterpoise,
I should in all the Triumphs, which adorn
Our shining Conquest, be condemn'd to mourn.
My misery with others Joy begins,
Losing as much, as mighty Richmond wins.

Princess.
In Honour nobly gain'd the Generous mind
Does all the Charms of Love, and Empire find.

K. Hen. 7th.
Were I not safe both in my self, and Her,
Stanly, thy dang'rous merit I should fear;
Yet such a Rival no distrust can move,
Who did usurp my danger, not my Love.

Princess.
His Sister's merits too must be confest,
Whose Faith shin'd out, when I was most distrest.

[Enter Priour with his Companions.
Priour.
The Church with Hymns answers the Peoples voice:
Both Heaven and Earth at your success rejoice.
I have a Blessing from the Clergy brought,
Who pray'd with no less ardour than you fought.

K. Hen. 7.
We scarce have subject left for farther Prayer;
Our Wishes by our Joys exhausted are.
Nor will Heaven's Bounty in our Persons end;
On all our Race these Blessings shall descend.