University of Virginia Library

THE THIRD ACT.

Enter King Henry, Tudor.
Tudor.
What I have said shews all that I have done;
The Daughter by the Mother must be won.
Those, Sir, who, serving Heav'n, to Heav'n pretend,
By others mediation reach that end.

King.
That obligation, Tudor, I'le decline.
She shall be all her own that must be mine.
'Tis for her glory she her self should give
The greatest gift that I can e're receive.
If from her will I differ, can she hate
My being for her int'rest obstinate?
[Tudor offers to speak.
Go! what I told thee, Tudor, must be done:
He ne're meets Honour who does danger shun.

Tudor.
A Subject must not with his King contend.

King.
My Subject? thou art more; thou art my Friend!
Make haste! for I will only stay behind
Till I have orders for the Treaty sign'd.

[Exeunt several ways.
Enter Duke of Burgundy, and Charaloys.
Burg.
No, Son, the Treaty must not so proceed,
Lest of my help the Queen should have no need:
That envy'd pow'r which makes me useful here
Is the effect not of her Love, but fear;
Whilst things continue in their present state
I can dispose of France and England's Fate.
The greatest skill that I would wish from Heav'n,
Is in a War to keep the Scale so even
As neither Party ever may prevail
But by his help whose hand does hold the Scale.
Whilst these two mighty Kingdoms disagree
I keep in safety my own Burgundie.

Char.
Have you forgot that vow, Sir, which you made
To th'English King when France he did invade?
That vow is to your Honour still a debt.

Burg.
A States-man all but int'rest may forget,
And only ought in his own strength to trust:
'Tis not a States-man Vertue to be just.

Char.
Those words which lately you in Council said,
Have on my Breast a deep impression made.
You urg'd that Acts of justice are alone
What can preserve or must exalt a Throne.
Is your own counsel by your self despis'd?

Burg.
I then for others, not my self, advis'd.
Reason should still appoint us what to do.

Char.
You'l find that Reason has Religion too,
Which is by inter-change of justice shown,
Doing to all what to your self is done.

Burg.
You measure Reason with a crooked line.

Char.
High Reason to Religion does incline.

Burg.
I, Son, reason of Cloysters, not of State:
Pow'r seldom is Religious to that height.
Religion too not Reason is, but Faith.

Char.
I fear, Sir, if such dang'rous ways you chuse,
Instead of ruling both, you both will lose.

Burg.
A harder game then this I twice have plaid;
And though, by fortune, I was still betray'd;
Yet still to greater pow'r I reach'd at length:
Antæus-like, by falling, I got strength.
Besides, De Chastel, by much art and pain,
Has brought the Dauphin back to Court again;
Who offers, if I'le urge the Queen for War,
We equally betwixt us two shall share
All Armies and all Governments in France,
And he'l forget the death of Orleance.

Charl.
O Sir, from such an offer'd Friendship flye;
What only int'rest tyes it will untye.
And I presume though you restor'd him France
He'le ne're forget the death of Orleance.
I wish Heav'n sooner may forgive it you.

Burg.
Alas young man, if you but truly knew
What pow'rful Charms on sweet revenge do wait
You would have acted what you think you hate.

Charl.
Beware, Sir, I beseech you then in time
Lest his revenge may seem as sweet to him.

Burg.
These tender thoughts are graceful in a Son!
I have your int'rest, you, your duty shown.
I'le hear their offers, though I them refuse:
When all is offer'd I the best will chuse.

[Exeunt.
Enter Dauphin, De Chastel.
De Chast.
Sir, I believe you now no longer fear
That on vain hopes I beg'd your presence here.
The Queen, while you retir'd, had by her Arts
So rob'd you of your future Subjects hearts,
That 'twas your presence only could restore
Them to that duty which they owe to Power.
Sir, Fortune too begins to pay her debts;
For the Burgundian with your Servant treats;
And such an Ear to my discourse he lent
As makes me more then hope a good event.
And, as a proof, he lik'd what I did speak:
He vow'd he would the English Treaty break.
Nor is this all; the Countess of La Marr
(To whom your Sister grows particular)
I have entirely wrought to favour you:
She told me, and th'Intelligence is new,
That Blamount from the Queen has gain'd free leave
Your Sister shall a single audience give
To one whom Henry sent with privacy.

Dauph.
His Love for her will fatal be to me,
Unless th'effects of it I soon prevent.

De Chast.
I therefore have obtain'd La Marrs consent
That you, conceal'd, shall in that room remain
Where she this messenger will entertain.
By that concealment you may clearly know
The roots of their designs, and how they grow.

Dauph.
Heav'n for my Mother's faults makes me amends
In sending me a Friend who gets me Friends.
I fear'd my Sisters pride, my Mothers hate,
The English Kings great Love, and greater Fate,
Helpt by the subtle head of Burgundy,
Might by a fatal Marriage ruine me.
But this permission thou for me hast got
May teach me both to know and break the Plot.
When does this Love-Embassadour appear?

De Chast.
They every moment, Sir, expect him here.

Dauph.
Then it is fit I instantly repair
To that concealment promis'd by La Marr.

[Exeunt.
Enter Queen, and Great Constable.
Queen.
Yes, I have seen the Dauphin, but methought
Though he has humbler gestures with him brought,
Shaping his looks to what he gently said,
Yet old resentments clearly he betray'd.
But yet, perhaps, those Charms which Courts attend
May to some mildness his fierce nature bend.
I will apply all that is taught by Art
Or wiser Nature to reclaim his heart.
'Tis fit you know, e're you begin to Treat,
The King of Englands passion is so great
For my un marry'd Daughter, that I hear
He'l quit all he does claim, to marry her.
That this is true the Duke does undertake;
And you great use may of that passion make.

Const.
Madam! 'tis strange, for she was then as fair
When offer'd to him to prevent a War.

Queen.
He that by rules can judge a Lover's heart,
Has brought into the world an unknown Art.
But, having heard me, you must now be gone:
Should the Duke know we two had been alone
(You having both tane solemn leave of me)
It might in him create a jealousie.

[Exeunt.
Enter Princess Katherine, and King Henry Incognito.
King.
Madam, when first my King from Tudor heard
That you your person to the Queen referr'd,
He sent me hither humbly to desire
You'd to your eyes be just and to his fire;
And would believe this right to both is due,
That he his Fate should only learn from you.
He'l but from you receive his destiny,
Whether you'l make him live, or have him dye.

Prin. Kath.
That answer, which by Tudor you have known,
Is, Sir, my final resolution.
Nothing can e're perswade me to forsake
Results which duty and my reason make.

King.
Let him not be a double Sacrifice;
You kill'd him with your Words, and with your Eyes.
Heav'n meant that Beauty, Natures greatest force,
Having exceeding pow'r, should have remorse.
Valour, and it, the world should so enjoy
As both might overcome, but not destroy.

Prin. Kath.
He who in Fight has all the French o're-thrown
Cannot be kill'd by words spoke but by one.

King.
Yet he who has in France a Conqu'ring pow'r
With joy does own you as his Conquerour.
And that you may not doubt that this is true
He is in person come to tell it you!
The King takes off his Disguise.
I was Loves Heretick till you I saw,
In that which Tudor said, and Art did draw;
Now, like an Heretick, I treated am
By Love, who has condemn'd me to the flame.
Your Picture to resist I wanted skill;
T'oppose th'Original I want the will:
Believe what of my self is told by me.

Prin. Kath.
The King of England! sure it cannot be!

King.
Madam! by doubting adde not to his pain;
You cannot but know him in whom you reign.

Prin. Kath.
Since he 'twixt France and all her safety stands,
How dares he trust his person in her hands?

King.
He who adores you, and dares tell you so,
What is there after which he dare not do?

Prin. Kath.
To what a streight, Sir, have you brought me too?
I must be false to France, or false to you.

The Dauphin discovers himself.
Dauph.
I will enlarge you though you wicked grow
In calling that a streight which was not so:
For she who doubts if evil she should act
Does, in that very doubt, a guilt contract.
No wonder now that France is faln so low
The Daughter of it treating thus our Foe.

Prin. Kath.
Brother! I nothing of his coming knew;
His being here surpriz'd me more then you.

Dauph.
Sister, when he reveal'd himself, your eyes
Shew'd greater signs of liking then surprize:
And, to convince me clearly of your crime,
You doubted if you should discover him.

King.
I shall want patience to attend this storm!

Prin. Kath.
The only fault you should in me reform
Is that I doubted whether I should do
As it became the Sister, Sir, of you.
But to the King Heav'n will this truth averr,
I ne're would have reveal'd his being here.
My Father's vertue to the world is known;
Who to my falshood would not owe his Throne.
If acts of Treachery he does not hate,
What he now suffers he deserves from Fate.
Since, by fair War, France now assaulted is,
Let her sink lower, or by Vertue rise.
To abject deeds I'le never condescend,
Nor make the means unworthy of the end.

King.
Vertue a higher pitch did never rise;
It has a lustre which out-shines her Eyes.
Madam, in saying what you pleas'd to say,
You broke that silence my respects did pay.
And now, Sir, something I shall let you see
To make you grant you injur'd her, and me.

Dauph.
Have you a Pass-port then for coming here?

King.
This is my Pass-port to go ev'ry where!
Pointing to his Sword.
Who e're a Pass-port such as this can show
Will find all places safe, or make 'em so.
And, Sir, it is by this that you must swear
Not to reveal what you discover'd here:
This must be sworn, and sworn without a pause.

Dauph.
You should subdue me e're you give me Laws.
Yet, I will swear; but 'tis that to this chance
I owe the pow'r to pay my debts to France.
Debts, which so weighty were as I did bow
More under them then France does under you.
Those debts which by a cruel Mother's sway
Till now I to my Birth could never pay.
Fortune! and Sister! here I pardon you,
For all you did and all that you would do!
Since through her Blindness, and your Treachery,
My self I single in condition see
To make our France such a revenge receive
As all her Swords in Battel could not give.
I only grieve one false to France and me
Should of that justice th'only witness be:
But yet that cause of grief should dis-appear
Since seeing of your death will punish her.

King.
Oh could I justly think my self so blest
That what relates to me could touch her breast,
Though I should perish in this present strife,
My death would be more happy then my life.
But since no service I have paid her yet
Can make me hope a happiness so great,
I'le strive to merit that which you but fear,
By now revenging what you said to her!—
But yet, we should not fight she being by.—

Dauph.
That is the reason why you here must dye.

[Draws his Sword.]
King.
Then, Madam, you'l forgive me, if I now
[King draws.
Defend that life which does belong to you.—

Prin. Kath.
Oh Heavens! whom shall I call? perhaps I may
Saving my Brothers life the King betray.
[Exit, and enters again with La Marr.
You broke your trust. Think on the Kings high worth.

La Marr.
Blamount's without and stays to lead him forth!

King closes with him and dis-armes him.
Prin. Kath.
Go open strait the Garden Gallery,
Keep for the Kings escape the passage free.—
First for my Brother in the Lobby stay.—

La Marr.
When he is gone I'le shut it with this key.

[Exit La Marr.
Prin. Kath.
My Brother is dis-arm'd! what shall I do?

King.
Your life, young Prince, is at my mercy now.

Prin. Kath.
Sir, for my Brothers life let me implore;
Nature speaks now as Honour did before!

King.
I to your pleasure ever will submit.—
'Tis to your blood you owe my sparing it.—
Your life I give you at the Princess word;
And, for her sake, I here restore your Sword.
But, Sir, remember y'are oblig'd by me
No more t'invade your Sisters privacy;
Nor practise to obstruct that passions way
Which is a debt so due as I must pay.
These not observing my revenge shall prove
As strong to you as she shall find my love.
But if in both your courtesie be shown,
What here has past shall vanish as unknown.

Dauph.
Your Fortune, Sir, is great o're France and me;
Great is your promise too of secresie.
But if I can my self with silence please,
You may thank that, and not your Menaces.

[Exit Dauphin.
Prin. Kath.
I'le follow him t'observe which way he takes,
Whilst, for the King, she th'other passage makes.
Sir, you should stay a while; I'le straight return!

[Exit.
King.
Oh Heavens! why have I given her cause to mourn?
Blamount, whose conduct did me hither bring
Will surely with a Friend, and with a King,
His promise keep; which was to see me out.
I cannot his unblemish'd honour doubt.
But I will stay to speak with her though all
The World were to be bury'd in my fall.
[Enter Princess:
Madam, Can you the cause in me forgive
Which gave you terrours here and make you grieve?
When you he injures not, much more then me,
Your presence will his Sanctuary be.

Prin. Kath.
I will forgive you, Sir, all terrours here,
If by your quick return you'l end my fear.
To all your longer stay Alarms will give;
My Brother's Nature is Vindicative:
I fear from his revenge all that is ill,
Here, where he wants no pow'r to act his will.

King.
A greater ruine, Madam, I fore-see
Then he, though in this place, can cast on me;
If I from hence should to my Camp remove
Before I know how you receive my love.

Prin. Kath.
The first day, Sir, you'l think it were unfit
I should do more then only know of it.
Nor have you any reason to despair
When for your safety I express my care.

King.
Vertue may make you be my safeties friend;
But to what's dearer to me I pretend.
My safety lies not in my going hence
But in that blessing you may here dispence.
I would not safety without that enjoy;
And with it, nought my safety can destroy.

Prin. Kath.
I will say any thing you'l have me say
Rather then keep you here in ruines way.
But yet, that what I speak may not appear
To be the dictates only of my fear,
If you were gone I'le to my self confess
Such vertue and respect you did express,
That what I thought an Age had not the power
To act in me, you acted in one hour.
Now, Sir, you should retire, and give a Maid
The ease to blush alone for what she said.

King.
Madam, I go: but go so charm'd from hence,
Both by your eyes, and vertues influence,
That 'tis impossible for me to know
To which I most of Adoration owe.
But if the humblest duty, highest fire,
Which man ere shew'd, or love did e're inspire,
Can be oblations fitting to be paid,
You'l ne're need blush for what you now have said.

Enter La Marr.
La Marr.
Sir, Blamount stays for you. This is your way!

Prin. Kath.
She is your Guide, take heed Sir of delay!
[Exeunt La Marr, King
Who can or Love or Reasons Pow'r express?
One oft does more then th'other, often less.
Reason makes me a Subjects passion flye;
Love o're a King gains such a Victory
As makes him venture life, and, what is far
More great, his growing Glories of the War,
That he his passion only might relate
And from my lips might hear his doubtful Fate.
Sure, to return some love for love so great,
Is not to give a gift but pay a debt.

[Exeunt.
Enter Dauphin, and de Chastel.
Dauph.
Oh Friend, if I had kill'd him in that fight,
My Glory I had rais'd to such a height
That, maugre all my Mothers arts and hate,
I had restor'd, and I had rul'd the State.
All their successes had with him been dead;
For he's his Armies Soul as well as head.
Why did my Stars so fair a hope afford
(Leaving, O France! thy Fortune to my Sword)
Yet not to kill or perish by my Foe;
But both my Life and Sword I to him owe?

De Chast.
Your mind, Sir, is too great to feel despair
For one ill chance in Duel, or in War.

Dauph.
To be o'recome would be the greatest curse
If to out-live that Fate were not a worse.
The first, perhaps, was Fortunes fault alone;
But, Friend, the last too clearly is my own.

De Chast.
If of that stain your heart has such a sense
Let's wash it off in's blood, e're he go hence.

Dauph.
Should the first act of life which he did give
Meanly the Giver of his life deprive?
Because blind Fortune guilty is to me
Shall I, to my own self, more guilty be?
No, my De Chastel; though he be my Foe,
Yet he hath still most gen'rously been so;
And by no Acts of mine he ne're shall dye
Unless by such as rais'd him up so high.

De Chast.
Let me then, single, your revenge pursue.

Dauph.
Who to a Crime consents does act it too.
If it were fit, the act it self I'de do:
And what's unfit, shall not be done by you.

De Chast.
I hope, Sir, then the Treaty I begun
Will put you in so high a posture soon
That the disgrace, which but a few now sees,
Shall in the Eyes of crowds of Witnesses
Be so wash'd off as shall your sorrow cure.

Dauph.
Thy hope's uncertain, my disgrace is sure.
But what of good is meant for me by Fate
Thou ought'st to hasten or 'twill come too late.

[Exeunt.
Enter Warwick, and Tudor Disguis'd.
Warw.
Blamount desir'd us to expect him here.

Tudor.
The King did never shew us how to fear,
Else we should tremble now at Blamount's stay.

Warw.
Would Love had led the King a safer way.
Kings, in whose chances Nations fall or rise,
Hazard too much in private Gallantries;
The odds against them checks their luck and skill.

Tudor.
'Tis true, but Loves great Gamesters reckon still
(Whilst boldly they the stake that's fairest chuse)
What they may win, and not what they may lose.

Enter Blamount.
Blam.
The King hath sent for you. I'le bring you straight
Where he is safe out of the reach of Fate.
You must to horse. I'le tell you what has past.

Tudor.
You free us from a pain too great to last.

[Exeunt.
Enter Princess Katherine, and Princess Anne.
Prin. Kath.
My fear did then my reason overthrow;
I could scarce think, much less know what to do.

Prin. An.
Why did you not by positive commands
Restrain at least the King of England's hands?

Prin. Kath.
Should I so much my Brothers safety prize
As to procure it by mean remedies?
Ah! since 'twas only Love brought Henry here,
Should I have made his Love his Murderer?
The Dauphin to the King injurious was:
Heaven would not let those wrongs unpunish'd pass.

Prin. An.
His wrongs more then your own your anger move.

Prin. Kath.
That's what I owe my Vertue, not his Love.

Prin. An.
I doubt the Dauphin some rash thing will do.

Prin. Kath.
La Marr was to attend our interview;
Who did, corrupted by De Chastel, bring
The Dauphin to observe me with the King.
I from the terrour of their Fight did flye
And met her, who, to salve her Treachery,
(Having a full command of all the keys)
Dispos'd their passage forth by sev'ral ways.
Blamount with all the Friends that he could get
I have engag'd to second his Retreat.
I hope my care in that will happy prove.

Prin. An.
Where there is so much care there is some love.

Prin. Kath.
I know not whether it be love or no,
But such great things he did both say and do
That I, dear friend, insensibly am led
To think that may be true which now you sed.
Who can, when such a Victor will advance,
Resist that vertue which does conquer France?

Prin. An.
The proof he lately gave you of his flame,
Madam, is such as is above a name.
All trodden ways in Love he does despise
As things below his passion and your Eyes.

Prin. Kath.
Condemn not then my being in some pain
Till I assurance of his safety gain:
Which blessing that I may the sooner know
This proof of Friendship mine does beg of you,
That we dividedly our selves concern
Which of us first the welcom news shall learn.

Prin. An.
I'le still obey what-ever you command,
And, what I hear, you straight shall understand.

Prin. Kath.
May Heaven so guide the King that I may hear
He is beyond the prospect of my fear!

[Exeunt.