University of Virginia Library

ACT I.

SCENE I.

The Curtain drawn up, an Altar is discovered, Aldernald giving Alfreda to Ethelwold in Marriage, an Abbot joining their hands, with Monks attending him. Ruthin looking and smiling. After a while the Scene closes. Then enters Lord Ruthin and a Servant.
Scene the Body of the Church.
Ruth.
'Tis done, 'tis done!
Alfreda is to Ethelwold a Bride.
Now let the busie tongues of Flatterers
No more whisper her praises to the King,
But speak 'em loud, till their enchanting Ecchoes
Again reach his ear.
Now in his love, my Daughter will have no Corrivals
And when this Marriage is divulg'd
I in his favour shall have no Competitors.
Go find out the common Musick of the Town,
Place 'em in the street, near Ethelwold's Apartment
Close to the Pallace Garden wall.
Thence will their noise o're all the Court be heard.

Ser.
I shall my Lord.

Ruth.
Give 'em instructions, and let 'em be in readiness.

Ser.
Yes my Lord.

Ruth.
This credulous Aldernald will put a stop
To thy early rising greatness.
Brave thou art, but young and unexperienc'd:
Of thy Friend too confident, of thy King
Too suspitious, of Honour too jealous.
But to thee, rash amorous Ethelwold
That art ensnar'd by Beauty,
Enchanted by a face, and in Love besotted,
To thee it will give a lasting fall.
Enter Aldernald.
My Lord where is the Bridegroom and your Sister?

Alder.
I have taken my leave of 'em at present.
That Company which is coming to their Devotions
May not suspect what has been done.
I would not have the King know of their marriage
Before the Queen has perfectly recover'd her health.

Ruth.
She has not of three days felt any symptoms
Of her Feaver, she rested well last night:
I was with her this morning early.

Alder.
Holds she her last nights resolution
To venture abroad to day?

Ruth.
Yes,
This I count will be her wedding day too.
For though the Marriage-Rites have been perform'd,
The greatest Ceremony is yet to come.
Marriages begin at the Altar,
But in the bed are Consummate.

Alder.
I have not heard the like accident,
She sickn'd at the Altar?

Ruth.
Yes, at the very instant the Priest join'd their hands,
Her health was so vigorously assayl'd,
That the Ceremony was scarce finish'd
When she fell into her womens arms.

Alder.
Has not the King e're since bin much concern'd?

Ruth.
'T has been a melancholly week with him,
But her recovery will wipe away
All sad resentments from his soul.
You will not long be absent.

Alder.
I'le but dispatch an express to my Father,
To let him understand that in your presence
I have resign'd the Charge of my Sister.
I know the return of his Letters
Will be fraught with thanks to your Lordship
For your advice and friendship in this affair.

Ruth.
I wish he were here himself
To share the mirth and pleasures of the day.

Alder.
Age has render'd him unfit for Journeys.

Ruth.
My Lord I'le to Court before, you'l be there anon?

Alder.
My appearance will give a surprize
For my arrival last night was so private
It cannot yet be known to any.
I had advice too early this morning
That the Fleet is coming up the River—

Ruth.
That's very lucky, wee'l meet anon.

Alder.
My Lord your Servant.

Exeunt severally.
Enter Ethelwold and Alfreda, as from the Altar into the Body of the Church.
Ethel.
'Till now I shar'd but Heavens imperfect Bounty,
Which when it gave thy heart,
Snatch'd me from thy embrace,
Not permitting us as other Lovers
To repeat our amorous vows:
But now it gives thee to me for ever.
And hastens on the happy minute
Which I have wish'd, and languish'd for so long.
Now is our Fate entirely kind.

Alfred.
Kind indeed to me my Lord, it gives
What I never yet enjoy'd, Liberty.
No more, now your wife shall I be confin'd
To Country solitude, and life obscure.
No more be debarr'd the gaieties of Courts,
The delights of Cities, and publick Gallantries,
Which yet I never knew but by Relation.

Ethel.
Thy presence from thy Fathers Palace
Had banish'd solitude and turn'd it to a Court,
Though far from any Town or City,
Yet all around came there to admire
And to adore thy heavenly form.

Alfred.
Such as pass for great ones there
Told me that I was fair and beautiful.
But men are not more apt to dissemble,
Then women to believe their flatteries,
Valuing it from their praises.
I dispis'd their little Courtships:
I had a fond opinion this face
Might not shame the Court, therefore resolv'd
That Marriage should transfer me to that Sphear.

Ethel.
O Pride! thou untaught vice in woman
That from her very nature tak'st thy being

Alfred.
When yon Lord Ethelwold appear'd
With the many Charms of Court about you,
Great in your Family and long descent,
Greater in the favour of your Prince,
I thought my Pride not much above your Glory
And therefore taught my heart submission.

Ethel.
She does confess her Pride.
Aside.
And with't Ambition too appears,
To what ills do's Love perswade, how fatal
The fury of an Amorous King will be
And the Revenge of an Ambitious Woman,
I'le trace her Ambition yet farther,
And see how far it goes beyond her Love.
Suppose a Lady to have two Lovers,
One her equal, whom with an unbyass'd
Affection she esteems:
Another, less lov'd by her, but greater much
In Titles and in Riches then his Rival;
Which ought she to make her choice?

Alfred.
It is noble to aspire, and argues a great Soul.
Therefore I think Ambition should raise
Her Love, Love not debase her Pride.

Ethel.
But to choose where most she loves
Argues the truest Love.

Alfred
But not the wisest.

Ethel.
Did any thing but Love negotiate for me
In your thoughts? Love, true Love I mean,
Sets no regard on wealth or honours.

Alfred.
Without them I might have lov'd
But not marry'd.

Ethel.
Your beauty alone, made me your Captive,
And your virtues will make the conquest
Of your eyes a lasting victory.

Alfred.
This little Prudence which the World calls Pride,
Is the best Guard and Ornament to Beauty.
Yet had it lost its triumph over Love,
If Love o're my Soul had not a greater made.

Ethel.
Aside.
Exeunt.
The King and Queen sleeping in an Arbor hand in hand. Matilda sitting on the other hand of the King awake, Alicia playing a soft Ayr on the Lute, and singing to't.
SONG.

Matt.
Alicia lay aside thy Lute
For sleep has rob'd them of the sound.

Alic.
The King asleep.

Matt.
Sure Souls are neer ally'd to harmony.
That Musick so strangely can affect them.
Mine sweetly languish'd with each dying sound
And from the pleasing trance as often wak'd,
As thy skilful fingers gave bolder touches
To the strings.

Alic.
From this relation Madam I may guess
You are inclin'd to Melancholy.
But you are a Princess and in all things happy,
And therefore rather then judge that your temper,
I may with more reason conclude it th'effect
Of my unskilful Play. For if not melancholy,
Such ill Musick was enough to make you so.

Matt.
Condemning your skill you wrong my Judgment
But why infer'd you that a Princess could not be melancholy.

Alic.
A Princess cannot except it be for Love.

Matt.
Then I am far from it.

Alic.
You are Madam.
Your youth and beauty gives you
A universal Empire over hearts:
You cannot love in vain, therefore can be
No melancholy Lover.

Matt.
Suppose I lov'd one that was dead?

Alic.
O Madam I have a better opinion of your wit
Then to think you can love any but the living.

Matt.
Suppose he be absent or in danger?

Alic.
Then I suppose he would soon be here if he knew it,
And from ill, your love is Divinity
Sufficient to defend him.

Matt.
To put an end to these Arguments,
Tell me Alicia your opinion of that Picture:
Is it not an excellent piece of Art?

Alic.
Admirably well done and rarely handsom.

Matt.
Sure too handsom for a man.

Alic.
Here's much of Gallantry in's looks.
If I may be so bold, pray Madam whose is't?

Matt.
'Tis no secret,
'Tis Aldernalds the young Admiral,
That has done such glorious things at Sea.

Alic.
Fame speaks his praises loud.

Matt.
The King my Brother gave it me, and with it
This Relation of his last great action.
That in the late Engagement
He gave such remarks of's valour,
That the old Admiral by wounds disabled,
Whilst yet he had life gave him his sword,
Who took it with a resolution
To stand in's place a Conqueror or dye.

Alic.
It was a noble resolve.

Matt.
Then sayling in the midst of his Enemies,
Grapl'd with their insulting Admiral,
Himself the first man that boarded him;
Made way to that proud Commander,
And in the crowd of his opposers
Reach'd his heart, and soon clear'd all the Decks.

Alic.
He bravely then Reveng'd his Admirals fall.

Matt.
And now Commander of his Enemies ship,
With the dead Admiral lying at his foot,
The great Flag up and all the gaudy Streamers
Wavering in the air, in triumph sayl'd
From the midst of them to his disheartn'd Fleet,
Who took such courage at that sight,
Each Captain strove which first shou'd wonders do:
And fighting by that brave example,
Destroy'd their foes, and ruin'd their whole Fleet.
For this brave service the King confirm'd him Admiral,
And think he's still indebted to his valour.

Alic.
O how I cou'd love so brave a man!

Matt.
Thou love him Alicia.

Alic.
Oh Madam, are you jealous? then I perceive
You love him.

Matt.
I love him? I have never seen him.
Follow me Alicia to the next walk.

Exit. Mat. cum Ali.
Queen.
Ha! he sleeps still.

Enter Ruthin.
Ruth.
The King asleep.

Queen.
Yes Sir.

Ruth.
How was his humor this morning,
Show'd he any signs of mirth?

Queen.
Not extraordinary.

Ruth.
Was he kind to thee?

Queen.
Yes Sir.

Ruth.
But was he fond of thee?
Was he glad to see thy health restor'd?

Queen.
He exprest so much in words.
But from his looks I guess'd
He had some trouble in his mind,
Which by his kind expressions he endeavour'd
To conceal from me.
I believe the Princess observ'd it too,
For after some discourse past betwixt us
She commanded a Lady to fetch a Lute,
To play and sing to't to relieve his mind,
Which she did till the sweetness of the Musick
Depriv'd him of the pleasure of hearing it.

Ruth.
He begins to wake
Retire to the Princess in the next walk
Till I have had discourse with him
Concerning business of State—

Exit Queen.
King.
Ha! she's gone.

Ruth.
The Queen and Princess, Sir, are in the next walk

King.
Alfreda's gone.

Ruth.
Alfreda still revels in his thoughts.

King.
O Ruthin! in my Dream I saw a cloud descend
Beautiful as if it had pass'd the blushes
Of the setting Sun, adorn'd with streaks of red,
And little sprays of light, as if some beam
Had been untwisted into Golden threads
And through his airy Fleece had shot
Their trembling lustres.
Admiring it, and fixt in wonder I thought
I saw it open, and like Curtains draw.
Divided thus, O what did I not see?
I beheld Heaven in it's glory. I saw
A Woman with blushes more beautiful
And eyes more radiant, an Army of Cupids
Flew brandishing their Darts above her head,
As if she came to conquer all mankind
With love. My heart told me this could be none
But Alfreda, I call'd her to my embrace,
And stretching out my arms to receive her,
(My eyes which till then never descended
From the bright glories of her Face) espy'd
About her waste a Serpent in Folds,
Which hissing snatch'd her from me.
The clouds, and all this Scene of Beauty vanish'd.
With the surprize I started, then wak'd:
My Dreams conspire with fame t'exalt her Beauty.
Though my Imaginations err, why should that?
She is still the favourite of Report
And Opinions Idol.

Ruth.
A Glow-worm in the Country is thought as luminous
As a Star, she is a beauty though homely, where
No one is fairer than her self.

King.
In this her picture brought me by the Earl
I discover something excellent,
But nothing to admiration.
The Queens Beauty much excells.

Ruth.
When she shin'd in a firmament alone
Her beauty was thus magnifi'd by Fame,
But in the Court-Sphear it appears not
Of so extraordinary a magnitude.
Alfreda too, plac'd in the throng of Beauties,
And look'd on by Court-eyes,
Wou'd not appear so great a wonder.

Enter Queen, Matilda, Alicia, Oswold at another Door.
Oswo.
Aldernald, the young Admiral is arriv'd.

King.
Admit him.

Mat.
Aldernald arriv'd?

Oswo.
Yes Madam.

Enter Aldernald.
King.
Come thou man of honour and of valour:
Thou early aspirer to fame and virtue:
Come near, let my armes receive thee,
As a blessing sent from heaven.

Alder.
I wish I merited the bounty of your expressions.

King.
Thou art the wonder of young men.
Your honours spread with the wide Ocean,
And your virtues first make you man.
Matilda, here turn thine eyes,
This is the man,
Whose glorious deeds of late have been
The subject of our discourse and fame:
This is that brave young warriour,
I often told thee of with praise and wonder.

Matt.
Fame is the Mistress of his Soul,
Whom he does Court with so much gallantry,
He fills the world with admiration.

Queen.
He is the glory of the young, & wonder of the old.

Ald.
My little services are paid with too great acknowledgments,
And I must blush my merits are no more.

Ruth.
Yes, you shall have cause to blush anon
These smiles shall vanish like winter-Sun
Aside.
And thy Laurels soon wither on thy brow.

King.
Madam your health makes this a happy day.
It shall be dedicate to mirth and pleasure,
And your presence will much encrease our joy.

To Alder.
Enter Oswold and Durzo.
Oswo.
Look you Sir, there's your Admiral.

Dur.
Why here's a place a man can't find the way
In or out with both his eyes open. I can walk
All about my Frigot in my sleep,
Fore and aft, upper Deck and lower Deck.
And return to my Cabin without waking.

Alder.
Durzo here!

Dur.
Admiral our Fleet is come into the River,
We want your further Orders. Our men
Are all for coming ashoar, they leap
Over board as if their ships were on fire.

Alder.
Be uncover'd, you are in the presence of the King.

King.
Who is this?

Alder.
The valiant Durzo:
One that shar'd with me the hazards
And the glories of the last great fight.

Dur.
Heaven bless the King say I.

Alder.
A stout Souldier tho a blunt Courtier,
He was born in a ship, and never was
Five miles on shoar in his life;
He scarce knows any thing of Land affairs
Beyond a Sea-port Town or Haven.

King.
I like him well, he looks
As if fighting was his business.

Alder.
He is yet but Commander of a small ship
But hopes his merits may advance him.

King.
I'le think to do it so that he shall own
To hold part of our favours from our bounty.

Oswo.
Come Captain, now wee'l have you to the Wardrobe.

Dur.
What place is that? do they fight or drink there?

Oswo.
'Tis one of his Majesties Store-houses,
You must be new rigg'd Captain,
The Ladies won't like the smell of pitch and tar.

Dur.
Not like it, which of 'em won't like it?
Come Captain, follow me

Exeunt Osw. & Dur.
Alder.
So great a beauty have I never seen.

Looking at Matilda.
King.
Thy looks Matilda are not chearful.

Mat.
Mine is but a Copy of that Melancholy
Which of late like a Cloud hung on your brow.

King.
That Cloud is now dispers'd. Come my Queen, my Friend,
This day restores peace to my mind.

Mat.
But here engenders war.

Exeunt.
Alic.
Her unsteady looks
And the quick changes of her Countenance,
Betray some alteration in her mind;
And when she turn'd away she sigh'd.
If from Love it does proceed,
Shee'l soon the secrets of her heart Reveal:
Lovers but seldom can their flames conceal.

Exit.