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diff --git a/42724-8.txt b/42724-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index fc1f844..0000000 --- a/42724-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,14349 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 2 -(of 3), by Christopher Marlowe - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 2 (of 3) - -Author: Christopher Marlowe - -Editor: A. H. Bullen - -Release Date: May 16, 2013 [EBook #42724] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF CHRIST. MARLOWE, VOL 2 *** - - - - -Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Paul Marshall and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - - - - - The English Dramatists - - - CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE - - - VOLUME THE SECOND - - ~Hadymelei - thama men phormingi pamphônoisi t' en entesin aulôn.~ - PINDAR, _Olymp._ vii. - - - - - THE WORKS - - OF - - CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE - - - - EDITED BY - A. H. BULLEN, B.A. - - - IN THREE VOLUMES - - VOLUME THE SECOND - - - [Illustration] - - - LONDON - JOHN C. NIMMO - 14, KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND, W.C. - MDCCCLXXXV - - - _One hundred and twenty copies of this Edition on Laid - paper, medium 8vo, have been printed, and are numbered - consecutively as issued._ - - _No._ 47 - - - - - CONTENTS OF VOL. II. - - - PAGE - THE JEW OF MALTA 1 - - EDWARD THE SECOND 115 - - THE MASSACRE AT PARIS 235 - - THE TRAGEDY OF DIDO, QUEEN OF CARTHAGE 299 - - - - - THE JEW OF MALTA. - - - Of the _Jew of Malta_ there is no earlier edition than the 4to. of - 1633, which was published under the auspices of the well-known - dramatist Thomas Heywood. The title is:--_The Famous Tragedy of - The Rich Iew of Malta. As it was playd before the King and Queene, - in His Majesties Theatre at White-Hall, by her Majesties Servants - at the Cock-pit. Written by Christopher Marlo. London: Printed - by I. B. for Nicholas Vavasour, and are to be sold at his Shop in the - Inner-Temple, neere the Church._ 1633. No later 4to. appeared. - - - - - TO - MY WORTHY FRIEND, - MASTER THOMAS HAMMON, - OF GRAY'S INN, &c. - - -This play, composed by so worthy an author as Mr. Marlowe, and the part -of the Jew presented by so unimitable an actor as Mr. Alleyn, being in -this later age commended to the stage; as I ushered it unto the Court, -and presented it to the Cock-pit, with these prologues and epilogues -here inserted, so now being newly brought to the press, I was loth it -should be published without the ornament of an Epistle; making choice -of you unto whom to devote it; than whom (of all those gentlemen and -acquaintance, within the compass of my long knowledge) there is none -more able to tax ignorance, or attribute right to merit. Sir, you -have been pleased to grace some of mine own works with your courteous -patronage;[1] I hope this will not be the worse accepted, because -commended by me; over whom, none can claim more power or privilege than -yourself. I had no better a new-year's gift to present you with; receive -it therefore as a continuance of that inviolable obligement, by which, -he rests still engaged; who as he ever hath, shall always remain, - - Tuissimus: - THO. HEYWOOD. - - - - - THE JEW OF MALTA. - - - THE PROLOGUE SPOKEN AT COURT. - - Gracious and Great, that we so boldly dare, - ('Mongst other plays that now in fashion are) - To present this, writ many years agone, - And in that age thought second unto none, - We humbly crave your pardon: We pursue - The story of a rich and famous Jew - Who lived in Malta: you shall find him still, - In all his projects, a sound Machiavill; - And that's his character. He that hath past - So many censures, is now come at last - To have your princely ears: grace you him; then - You crown the action, and renown the pen. - - - EPILOGUE. - - It is our fear (dread sovereign) we have bin - Too tedious; neither can't be less than sin - To wrong your princely patience: If we have, - (Thus low dejected) we your pardon crave: - And if aught here offend your ear or sight, - We only act and speak what others write. - - - - - THE PROLOGUE TO THE STAGE. - - - AT THE COCK-PIT. - - We know not how our play may pass this stage, - But by the best of poets[2] in that age - The Malta Jew had being, and was made; - And he, then by the best of actors[3] played; - In Hero and Leander, one did gain - A lasting memory: in Tamburlaine, - This Jew, with others many, th' other wan - The attribute of peerless, being a man - Whom we may rank with (doing no one wrong) - Proteus for shapes, and Roscius for a tongue, - So could he speak, so vary; nor is't hate - To merit, in him[4] who doth personate - Our Jew this day; nor is it his ambition - To exceed or equal, being of condition - More modest: this is all that he intends, - (And that too, at the urgence of some friends) - To prove his best, and, if none here gainsay it, - The part he hath studied, and intends to play it. - - - - - EPILOGUE. - - In graving, with Pygmalion to contend; - Or painting, with Apelles; doubtless the end - Must be disgrace: our actor did not so, - He only aimed to go, but not out-go. - Nor think that this day any prize[5] was played; - Here were no bets at all, no wagers laid;[6] - All the ambition that his mind doth swell, - Is but to hear from you (by me), 'twas well. - - - - - _PERSONS REPRESENTED._ - - - FERNEZE, _Governor of Malta_. - SELIM CALYMATH, _Son of the Grand Seignior_. - DON LODOWICK, _the Governor's Son, in love with_ - ABIGAIL. - DON MATHIAS, _also in love with her_. - MARTIN DEL BOSCO, _Vice-Admiral of Spain_. - BARABAS, _the Jew of Malta_. - ITHAMORE, _Barabas' slave_. - - BARNARDINE,} - } _Friars_. - JACOMO, } - - PILIA-BORSA, _a Bully._ - Two Merchants. - Three Jews. - Bassoes, Knights, Officers, Reader, Messengers, Slaves, - _and_ Carpenters. - KATHARINE, _mother of_ DON MATTHIAS. - ABIGAIL, _the Jew's Daughter_. - Abbess. - Two Nuns. - BELLAMIRA, _a Courtesan_. - - MACHIAVEL, _the Prologue_. - - _Scene--Malta._ - - - - - THE JEW OF MALTA. - - _Enter_ MACHIAVEL. - - _Machiavel._ Albeit the world thinks Machiavel is dead, - Yet was his soul but flown beyond the Alps; - And now the Guise[7] is dead, is come from France, - To view this land, and frolic with his friends. - To some perhaps my name is odious, - But such as love me guard me from their tongues; - And let them know that I am Machiavel, - And weigh not men, and therefore not men's words. - Admired I am of those that hate me most. - Though some speak openly against my books, 10 - Yet they will read me, and thereby attain - To Peter's chair: and when they cast me off, - Are poisoned by my climbing followers. - I count religion but a childish toy, - And hold there is no sin but ignorance. - Birds of the air will tell of murders past! - I am ashamed to hear such fooleries. - Many will talk of title to a crown: - - - What right had Cæsar to the empery?[8] - Might first made kings, and laws were then most sure 20 - When like the Draco's[9] they were writ in blood. - Hence comes it that a strong-built citadel - Commands much more than letters can import; - Which maxim had [but[10]] Phalaris observed, - He had never bellowed, in a brazen bull, - Of great one's envy. Of the poor petty wights - Let me be envied and not pitièd! - But whither am I bound? I come not, I, - To read a lecture hear in Britainy,[11] - But to present the tragedy of a Jew, 30 - Who smiles to see how full his bags are crammed, - Which money was not got without my means. - I crave but this--grace him as he deserves, - And let him not be entertained the worse - Because he favours me. - [_Exit._ - - - - - ACT THE FIRST. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_ BARABAS _in his counting-house, - with heaps of gold before him._ - - _Bar._ So that of thus much that return was made: - And of the third part of the Persian ships, - There was the venture summed and satisfied. - As for those Sabans,[12] and the men of Uz, - That bought my Spanish oils and wines of Greece, - Here have I purst their paltry silverlings.[13] - Fie; what a trouble 'tis to count this trash. - Well fare the Arabians, who so richly pay - The things they traffic for with wedge of gold, - Whereof a man may easily in a day 10 - Tell that which may maintain him all his life. - The needy groom that never fingered groat, - - Would make a miracle of thus much coin: - But he whose steel-barred coffers are crammed full, - And [he who] all his lifetime hath been tired, - Wearying his fingers' ends with telling it, - Would in his age be loth to labour so, - And for a pound to sweat himself to death. - Give me the merchants of the Indian mines, - That trade in metal of the purest mould; 20 - The wealthy Moor, that in the eastern rocks - Without control can pick his riches up, - And in his house heap pearls like pebble stones, - Receive them free, and sell them by the weight; - Bags of fiery opals, sapphires, amethysts, - Jacinths, hard topaz, grass-green emeralds, - Beauteous rubies, sparkling diamonds, - And seld-seen costly stones of so great price, - As one of them indifferently rated, - And of a carat of this quantity, 30 - May serve in peril of calamity - To ransom great kings from captivity. - This is the ware wherein consists my wealth; - And thus methinks should men of judgment frame - Their means of traffic from the vulgar trade, - And as their wealth increaseth, so inclose - Infinite riches in a little room. - But now how stands the wind? - Into what corner peers my halcyon's[14] bill? - - - Ha! to the east? yes: see how stands the vanes? 40 - East and by south: why then I hope my ships - I sent for Egypt and the bordering isles - Are gotten up by Nilus' winding banks: - Mine argosy from Alexandria, - Loaden with spice and silks, now under sail, - Are smoothly gliding down by Candy shore - To Malta, through our Mediterranean sea. - But who comes here? How now. - - _Enter a Merchant._ - - _Merch._ Barabas, thy ships are safe, - Riding in Malta Road: and all the merchants 50 - With other merchandise are safe arrived, - And have sent me to know whether yourself - Will come and custom[15] them. - - _Bar._ The ships are safe thou say'st, and richly fraught. - - _Merch._ They are. - - _Bar._ Why then go bid them come ashore, - And bring with them their bills of entry: - I hope our credit in the custom-house - Will serve as well as I were present there. - Go send 'em threescore camels, thirty mules, 60 - - - And twenty waggons to bring up the ware. - But art thou master in a ship of mine, - And is thy credit not enough for that? - - _Merch._ The very custom barely comes to more - Than many merchants of the town are worth, - And therefore far exceeds my credit, sir. - - _Bar._ Go tell 'em the Jew of Malta sent thee, man: - Tush! who amongst 'em knows not Barabas? - - _Merch._ I go. - - _Bar._ So then, there's somewhat come. 70 - Sirrah, which of my ships art thou master of? - - _Merch._ Of the Speranza, sir. - - _Bar._ And saw'st thou not - Mine argosy at Alexandria? - Thou could'st not come from Egypt, or by Caire, - But at the entry there into the sea, - Where Nilus pays his tribute to the main, - Thou needs must sail by Alexandria. - - _Merch._ I neither saw them, nor inquired of them: - But this we heard some of our seamen say, 80 - They wondered how you durst with so much wealth - Trust such a crazèd vessel, and so far. - - _Bar._ Tush, they are wise! I know her and her strength. - But[16] go, go thou thy ways, discharge thy ship, - And bid my factor bring his loading in. [_Exit_ Merch. - And yet I wonder at this argosy. - - _Enter a second Merchant._ - - _2 Merch._ Thine argosy from Alexandria, - Know, Barabas, doth ride in Malta Road, - Laden with riches, and exceeding store - Of Persian silks, of gold, and orient pearl. 90 - - _Bar._ How chance you came not with those other ships - That sailed by Eygpt? - - _2 Merch._ Sir, we saw 'em not. - - _Bar._ Belike they coasted round by Candy shore - About their oils, or other businesses. - But 'twas ill done of you to come so far - Without the aid or conduct of their ships. - - _2 Merch._ Sir, we were wafted by a Spanish fleet, - That never left us till within a league, - That had the galleys of the Turk in chase. 100 - - _Bar._ O!--they were going up to Sicily:-- - Well, go, - And bid the merchants and my men despatch - And come ashore, and see the fraught discharged. - - _2 Merch._ I go. [_Exit._ - - _Bar._ Thus trowls our fortune in by land and sea, - And thus are we on every side enriched: - These are the blessings promised to the Jews, - And herein was old Abram's happiness: - What more may heaven do for earthly man 110 - Than thus to pour out plenty in their laps, - Ripping the bowels of the earth for them, - Making the sea[s] their servants, and the winds - To drive their substance with successful blasts? - Who hateth me but for my happiness? - Or who is honoured now but for his wealth? - Rather had I a Jew be hated thus, - Than pitied in a Christian poverty: - For I can see no fruits in all their faith, - But malice, falsehood, and excessive pride, 120 - Which methinks fits not their profession. - Haply some hapless man hath conscience. - And for his conscience lives in beggary. - They say we are a scattered nation: - I cannot tell, but we have scambled[17] up - More wealth by far than those that brag of faith. - There's Kirriah Jairim, the great Jew of Greece, - Obed in Bairseth, Nones in Portugal, - Myself in Malta, some in Italy, - Many in France, and wealthy every one; 130 - I, wealthier far than any Christian. - I must confess we come not to be kings; - That's not our fault: alas, our number's few, - And crowns come either by succession, - Or urged by force; and nothing violent, - Oft have I heard tell, can be permanent. - Give us a peaceful rule, make Christians kings, - That thirst so much for principality. - I have no charge, nor many children, - But one sole daughter, whom I hold as dear 140 - As Agamemnon did his Iphigene: - And all I have is hers. But who comes here? - - _Enter three_ Jews.[18] - - _1 Jew._ Tush, tell not me; 'twas done of policy. - - _2 Jew._ Come, therefore, let us go to Barabas, - For he can counsel best in these affairs; - And here he comes. - - _Bar._ Why, how now, countrymen! - Why flock you thus to me in multitudes? - What accident's betided to the Jews? - - _1 Jew._ A fleet of warlike galleys, Barabas, 150 - Are come from Turkey, and lie in our road: - And they this day sit in the council-house - To entertain them and their embassy. - - _Bar._ Why, let 'em come, so they come not to war; - Or let 'em war, so we be conquerors-- - Nay, let 'em combat, conquer, and kill all! - So they spare me, my daughter, and my wealth. [_Aside._ - - _1 Jew._ Were it for confirmation of a league, - They would not come in warlike manner thus. - - _2 Jew._ I fear their coming will afflict us all. 160 - - _Bar._ Fond men! what dream you of their multitudes. - What need they treat of peace that are in league? - The Turks and those of Malta are in league. - Tut, tut, there is some other matter in't. - - _1 Jew._ Why, Barabas, they come for peace or war. - - _Bar._ Haply for neither, but to pass along - Towards Venice by the Adriatic Sea; - With whom they have attempted many times, - But never could effect their stratagem. - - _3 Jew._ And very wisely said. It may be so. 170 - - _2 Jew._ But there's a meeting in the senate-house, - And all the Jews in Malta must be there. - - _Bar._ Hum; all the Jews in Malta must be there? - I, like enough, why then let every man - Provide him, and be there for fashion-sake. - If anything shall there concern our state, - Assure yourselves I'll look--unto myself. [_Aside._ - - _1 Jew._ I know you will; well, brethren, let us go. - - _2 Jew._ Let's take our leaves; farewell, good Barabas. - - _Bar._ Farewell,[19] Zaareth; farewell, Temainte. 180 - [_Exeunt Jews._ - And, Barabas, now search this secret out; - Summon thy senses, call thy wits together: - These silly men mistake the matter clean. - Long to the Turk did Malta contribute; - Which tribute, all in policy I fear, - The Turks have let increase to such a sum - As all the wealth in Malta cannot pay; - And now by that advantage thinks belike - To seize upon the town: I, that he seeks. - Howe'er the world go, I'll make sure for one, 190 - And seek in time to intercept the worst, - Warily guarding that which I ha' got. - _Ego mihimet sum semper proximus._[20] - Why, let 'em enter, let 'em take the town. - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_[21] _Governor of_ Malta, Knights, - _and_ Officers; _met by_ Bassoes - _of the_ Turk, CALYMATH. - - _Gov._ Now, Bassoes, what demand you at our hands? - - _1 Bas._ Know, Knights of Malta, that we come from Rhodes, - From Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles - That lie betwixt the Mediterranean seas. - - _Gov._ What's Cyprus, Candy, and those other Isles - To us, or Malta? What at our hands demand ye? - - _Cal._ The ten years' tribute that remains unpaid. - - _Gov._ Alas! my lord, the sum is over-great, - I hope your highness will consider us. 10 - - _Cal._ I wish, grave governor, 'twere in my power - To favour you, but 'tis my father's cause, - Wherein I may not, nay, I dare not dally. - - _Gov._ Then give us leave, great Selim Calymath. - [_Consults apart with the_ Knights. - - _Cal._ Stand all aside, and let the Knights determine, - And send to keep our galleys under sail, - For happily we shall not tarry here; - Now, governor,[22] [say,] how are you resolved? - - _Gov._ Thus: since your hard conditions are such - That you will needs have ten years' tribute past, 20 - We may have time to make collection - Amongst the inhabitants of Malta for't. - - _1 Bas._ That's more than is in our commission. - - _Cal._ What, Callipine! a little courtesy. - Let's know their time, perhaps it is not long; - And 'tis more kingly to obtain by peace - Than to enforce conditions by constraint. - What respite ask you, governor?[1] - - _Gov._ But a month. - - _Cal._ We grant a month, but see you keep your promise. - Now launch our galleys back again to sea, 30 - Where we'll attend the respite you have ta'en, - And for the money send our messenger. - Farewell, great governor[23] and brave Knights of Malta. - - _Gov._ And all good fortune wait on Calymath! - [_Exeunt_ CALYMATH _and_ Bassoes. - Go one and call those Jews of Malta hither: - Were they not summoned to appear to-day? - - _Off._ They were, my lord, and here they come. - - _Enter_ BARABAS _and three_ Jews. - - _1 Knight._ Have you determined what to say to them? - - _Gov._ Yes, give me leave:--and, Hebrews, now come near. - From the Emperor of Turkey is arrived 40 - Great Selim Calymath, his highness' son, - To levy of us ten years' tribute past, - Now then, here know that it concerneth us-- - - _Bar._ Then, good my lord, to keep your quiet still, - Your lordship shall do well to let them have it. - - _Gov._ Soft, Barabas, there's more 'longs to 't than so. - To what this ten years' tribute will amount, - That we have cast, but cannot compass it - By reason of the wars that robbed our store; - And therefore are we to request your aid. 50 - - _Bar._ Alas, my lord, we are no soldiers: - And what's our aid against so great a prince? - - _1 Knight._ Tut, Jew, we know thou art no soldier; - Thou art a merchant and a moneyed man, - And 'tis thy money, Barabas, we seek. - - _Bar._ How, my lord! my money? - - _Gov._ Thine and the rest. - For, to be short, amongst you't must be had. - - _1 Jew._ Alas, my lord, the most of us are poor. - - _Gov._ Then let the rich increase your portions. - - _Bar._ Are strangers with your tribute to be taxed? 60 - - _2 Knight._ Have strangers leave with us to get their wealth? - Then let them with us contribute. - - _Bar._ How! equally? - - _Gov._ No, Jew, like infidels. - For through our sufferance of your hateful lives, - Who stand accursèd in the sight of Heaven, - These taxes and afflictions are befallen, - And therefore thus we are determinèd. - Read there the articles of our decrees. - - _Reader. First, the tribute-money of the Turks shall all - be levied amongst the Jews, and each of them to pay one - half of his estate._ 70 - - _Bar._ How, half his estate? I hope you mean not mine. [_Aside._ - - _Gov._ Read on. - - _Reader. Secondly, he that denies to pay shall straight - become a Christian._ - - _Bar._ How! a Christian? Hum, what's here to do? [_Aside._ - - _Reader. Lastly, he that denies this shall absolutely lose - all he has._ - - _All 3 Jews._ O my lord, we will give half. - - _Bar._ O earth-mettled villains, and no Hebrews born! - And will you basely thus submit yourselves 80 - To leave your goods to their arbitrament? - - _Gov._ Why, Barabas, wilt thou be christenèd? - - _Bar._ No, governor, I will be no convertite.[24] - - _Gov._ Then pay thy half. - - _Bar._ Why, know you what you did by this device? - Half of my substance is a city's wealth. - Governor, it was not got so easily; - Nor will I part so slightly therewithal. - - _Gov._ Sir, half is the penalty of our decree, - Either pay that, or we will seize on all. - - _Bar. Corpo di Dio!_ stay! you shall have the half; 90 - Let me be used but as my brethren are. - - _Gov._ No, Jew, thou hast denied the articles, - And now it cannot be recalled. - - _Bar._ Will you then steal my goods? - Is theft the ground of your religion? - - _Gov._ No, Jew, we take particularly thine - To save the ruin of a multitude: - And better one want for the common good - Than many perish for a private man: - Yet, Barabas, we will not banish thee, 100 - But here in Malta, where thou gott'st thy wealth, - Live still; and, if thou canst, get more. - - _Bar._ Christians, what or how can I multiply? - Of naught is nothing made. - - _1 Knight._ From naught at first thou cam'st to little wealth, - From little unto more, from more to most: - If your first curse fall heavy on thy head, - And make thee poor and scorned of all the world, - 'Tis not our fault, but thy inherent sin. - - _Bar._ What, bring you scripture to confirm your wrongs? 110 - Preach me not out of my possessions. - Some Jews are wicked, as all Christians are: - But say the tribe that I descended of - Were all in general cast away for sin, - Shall I be tried by their transgression? - The man that dealeth righteously shall live: - And which of you can charge me otherwise? - - _Gov._ Out, wretched Barabas! - Sham'st thou not thus to justify thyself, - As if we knew not thy profession? 120 - If thou rely upon thy righteousness, - Be patient and thy riches will increase. - Excess of wealth is cause of covetousness: - And covetousness, O, 'tis a monstrous sin. - - _Bar._ I, but theft is worse: tush! take not from me then, - For that is theft! and if you rob me thus, - I must be forced to steal and compass more. - - _1 Knight._ Grave governor,[25] listen not to his exclaims. - Convert his mansion to a nunnery; - His house will harbour many holy nuns. 130 - - _Gov._ It shall be so. - - _Enter_ Officers. - - Now, officers, have you done? - - _Off._ I, my lord, we have seized upon the goods - And wares of Barabas, which being valued, - Amount to more than all the wealth in Malta, - And of the other we have seizèd half. - - _Gov._[26] Then we'll take order for the residue. - - _Bar._ Well then, my lord, say, are you satisfied? - You have my goods, my money, and my wealth, - My ships, my store, and all that I enjoyed; - And, having all, you can request no more; 140 - Unless your unrelenting flinty hearts - Suppress all pity in your stony breasts, - And now shall move you to bereave my life. - - _Gov._ No, Barabas, to stain our hands with blood - Is far from us and our profession. - - _Bar._ Why, I esteem the injury far less - To take the lives of miserable men - Than be the causes of their misery. - You have my wealth, the labour of my life, - The comfort of mine age, my children's hope, 150 - And therefore ne'er distinguish of the wrong. - - _Gov._ Content thee, Barabas, thou hast naught but right. - - _Bar._ Your extreme right does me exceeding wrong: - But take it to you, i' the devil's name. - - _Gov._ Come, let us in, and gather of these goods - The money for this tribute of the Turk. - - _1 Knight._ 'Tis necessary that be looked unto: - For if we break our day, we break the league, - And that will prove but simple policy. - [_Exeunt, all except_ BARABAS _and the_ Jews. - - _Bar._ I, policy! that's their profession, 160 - And not simplicity, as they suggest. - The plagues of Egypt, and the curse of Heaven, - Earth's barrenness, and all men's hatred - Inflict upon them, thou great _Primus Motor_! - And here upon my knees, striking the earth, - I ban their souls to everlasting pains - And extreme tortures of the fiery deep, - That thus have dealt with me in my distress. - - _1 Jew._ O yet be patient, gentle Barabas. - - _Bar._ O silly brethren, born to see this day; 170 - Why stand you thus unmoved with my laments? - Why weep ye not to think upon my wrongs? - Why pine not I, and die in this distress? - - _1 Jew._ Why, Barabas, as hardly can we brook - The cruel handling of ourselves in this; - Thou seest they have taken half our goods. - - _Bar._ Why did you yield to their extortion? - You were a multitude, and I but one: - And of me only have they taken all. - - _1 Jew._ Yet, brother Barabas, remember Job. 180 - - _Bar._ What tell you me of Job? I wot his wealth - Was written thus: he had seven thousand sheep, - Three thousand camels, and two hundred yoke - Of labouring oxen, and five hundred - She-asses: but for every one of those, - Had they been valued at indifferent rate, - I had at home, and in mine argosy, - And other ships that came from Egypt last, - As much as would have bought his beasts and him, - And yet have kept enough to live upon: 190 - So that not he, but I may curse the day, - Thy fatal birth-day, forlorn Barabas; - And henceforth wish for an eternal night, - That clouds of darkness may inclose my flesh, - And hide these extreme sorrows from mine eyes: - For only I have toiled to inherit here - The months of vanity and loss of time, - And painful nights, have been appointed me. - - _2 Jew._ Good Barabas, be patient. - - _Bar._ I, I; pray leave me in my patience. 200 - You that were[27] ne'er possessed of wealth, are pleased with want; - But give him liberty at least to mourn, - That in a field amidst his enemies - Doth see his soldiers slain, himself disarmed, - And knows no means of his recovery: - I, let me sorrow for this sudden chance; - 'Tis in the trouble of my spirit I speak; - Great injuries are not so soon forgot. - - - _1 Jew._ Come, let us leave him; in his ireful mood - Our words will but increase his ecstasy. 210 - - _2 Jew._ On, then; but trust me 'tis a misery - To see a man in such affliction.-- - Farewell, Barabas! - [_Exeunt._ - - _Bar._ I, fare you well. - See the simplicity of these base slaves, - Who, for the villains have no wit themselves, - Think me to be a senseless lump of clay - That will with every water wash to dirt: - No, Barabas is born to better chance, - And framed of finer mould than common men, - That measure naught but by the present time. 220 - A reaching thought will search his deepest wits, - And cast with cunning for the time to come: - For evils are apt to happen every day-- - But whither wends my beauteous Abigail? - - _Enter_ ABIGAIL, _the Jew's daughter_. - - O! what has made my lovely daughter sad? - What, woman! moan not for a little loss: - Thy father hath enough in store for thee. - - _Abig._ Nor [not?] for myself, but agèd Barabas: - Father, for thee lamenteth Abigail: - But I will learn to leave these fruitless tears, 230 - And, urged thereto with my afflictions, - With fierce exclaims run to the senate-house, - And in the senate reprehend them all, - And rend their hearts with tearing of my hair, - Till they reduce[28] the wrongs done to my father. - - _Bar._ No, Abigail, things past recovery - Are hardly cured with exclamations. - Be silent, daughter, sufferance breeds ease, - And time may yield us an occasion - Which on the sudden cannot serve the turn. 240 - Besides, my girl, think me not all so fond - As negligently to forego so much - Without provision for thyself and me. - Ten thousand portagues,[29] besides great pearls, - Rich costly jewels, and stones infinite, - Fearing the worst of this before it fell, - I closely hid. - - _Abig._ Where, father? - - _Bar._ In my house, my girl. - - _Abig._ Then shall they ne'er be seen of Barabas: 250 - For they have seized upon thy house and wares. - - _Bar._ But they will give me leave once more, I trow, - To go into my house. - - _Abig._ That may they not: - For there I left the governor placing nuns, - Displacing me; and of thy house they mean - To make a nunnery, where none but their own sect[30] - Must enter in; men generally barred. - - _Bar._ My gold! my gold! and all my wealth is gone! - You partial heavens, have I deserved this plague? - What, will you thus oppose me, luckless stars, 260 - To make me desperate in my poverty? - And knowing me impatient in distress, - Think me so mad as I will hang myself, - That I may vanish o'er the earth in air, - And leave no memory that e'er I was? - No, I will live; nor loathe I this my life: - And, since you leave me in the ocean thus - To sink or swim, and put me to my shifts, - I'll rouse my senses and awake myself. - Daughter! I have it: thou perceiv'st the plight 270 - Wherein these Christians have oppressèd me: - Be ruled by me, for in extremity - We ought to make bar of no policy. - - _Abig._ Father, whate'er it be to injure them - That have so manifestly wrongèd us, - What will not Abigail attempt? - - _Bar._ Why, so; - Then thus, thou told'st me they have turned my house - Into a nunnery, and some nuns are there? - - _Abig._ I did. - - _Bar._ Then, Abigail, there must my girl - Entreat the abbess to be entertained. 280 - - _Abig._ How, as a nun? - - _Bar._ I, daughter, for religion - Hides many mischiefs from suspicion. - - _Abig._ I, but, father, they will suspect me there. - - _Bar._ Let 'em suspect; but be thou so precise - As they may think it done of holiness. - Entreat 'em fair, and give them friendly speech, - And seem to them as if thy sins were great, - Till thou hast gotten to be entertained. - - _Abig._ Thus, father, shall I much dissemble. - - _Bar._ Tush! - As good dissemble that thou never mean'st, 290 - As first mean truth and then dissemble it,-- - A counterfeit profession is better - Than unseen[31] hypocrisy. - - _Abig._ Well, father, say [that] I be entertained, - What then shall follow? - - _Bar._ This shall follow then; - There have I hid, close underneath the plank - That runs along the upper chamber floor, - The gold and jewels which I kept for thee. - But here they come; be cunning, Abigail. - - _Abig._ Then, father, go with me. - - _Bar._ No, Abigail, in this 300 - It is not necessary I be seen: - For I will seem offended with thee for't: - Be close, my girl, for this must fetch my gold. - [_They draw back_. - _Enter_ Friar[32] JACOMO, Friar BERNARDINE, Abbess, - _and a_ Nun. - - _F. Jac._ Sisters, we now are almost at the new-made nunnery. - - _Abb._[33] The better; for we love not to be seen: - 'Tis thirty winters long since some of us - Did stray so far amongst the multitude. - - _F. Jac._ But, madam, this house - And waters[34] of this new-made nunnery - Will much delight you. 310 - - _Abb._[35] It may be so; but who comes here? - [ABIGAIL _comes forward._ - _Abig._ Grave abbess, and you, happy virgins' guide, - Pity the state of a distressèd maid. - - _Abb._ What art thou, daughter? - - _Abig._ The hopeless daughter of a hapless Jew, - The Jew of Malta, wretched Barabas; - Sometimes[36] the owner of a goodly house, - Which they have now turned to a nunnery. - - _Abb._ Well, daughter, say, what is thy suit with us? - - _Abig._ Fearing the afflictions which my father feels 320 - Proceed from sin, or want of faith in us, - I'd pass away my life in penitence, - And be a novice in your nunnery, - To make atonement for my labouring soul. - - _F. Jac._ No doubt, brother, but this proceedeth of the spirit. - - _F. Barn._ I, and of a moving spirit too, brother; but come, - Let us intreat she may be entertained. - - _Abb._ Well, daughter, we admit you for a nun. - - _Abig._ First let me as a novice learn to frame - My solitary life to your strait laws, 330 - And let me lodge where I was wont to lie, - I do not doubt, by your divine precepts - And mine own industry, but to profit much. - - _Bar._ As much, I hope, as all I hid is worth. [_Aside._ - - _Abb._ Come, daughter, follow us. - - _Bar._ Why, how now, Abigail, - What makest thou amongst these hateful Christians? - - _F. Jac._ Hinder her not, thou man of little faith, - For she has mortified herself. - - _Bar._ How! mortified? - - _F. Jac._ And is admitted to the sisterhood. - - _Bar._ Child of perdition, and thy father's shame! 340 - What wilt thou do among these hateful fiends? - I charge thee on my blessing that thou leave - These devils, and their damnèd heresy. - - _Abig._ Father, give[37] me-- [_She goes to him._ - - _Bar._ Nay, back, Abigail, - (_And think upon the jewels and the gold_, [_Whispers to her. - The board is markèd thus that covers it._) - Away, accursèd, from thy father's sight. - - _F. Jac._ Barabas, although thou art in misbelief, - And wilt not see thine own afflictions, - Yet let thy daughter be no longer blind. 350 - - _Bar._ Blind friar, I reck not thy persuasions, - (_The board is markèd thus[38] that covers it_.) - - For I had rather die than see her thus. - Wilt thou forsake me too in my distress, - Seducèd daughter? (_Go, forget not, go._[39]) - Becomes it Jews to be so credulous? - (_To-morrow early I'll be at the door._) - No, come not at me; if thou wilt be damned, - Forget me, see me not, and so be gone. - (_Farewell, remember to-morrow morning._) 360 - Out, out, thou wretch! - - [_Exeunt, on one side_ Barabas, _on the other side_ - Friars, Abbess, Nun _and_ Abigail; _as they are going out_, - - _Enter_ MATHIAS. - - _Math._ Who's this? fair Abigail, the rich Jew's daughter, - Become a nun! her father's sudden fall - Has humbled her and brought her down to this: - Tut, she were fitter for a tale of love, - Than to be tired out with orisons: - And better would she far become a bed, - Embracèd in a friendly lover's arms, - Than rise at midnight to a solemn mass. - - _Enter_ LODOWICK. - - _Lod._ Why, how now, Don Mathias! in a dump? 370 - - _Math._ Believe me, noble Lodowick, I have seen - The strangest sight, in my opinion, - That ever I beheld. - - _Lod._ What was't, I prythee? - - _Math._ A fair young maid, scarce fourteen years of age, - The sweetest flower in Cytherea's field, - Cropt from the pleasures of the fruitful earth, - And strangely metamorphos'd to a nun. - - _Lod._ But say, what was she? - - _Math._ Why, the rich Jew's daughter. - - _Lod._ What, Barabas, whose goods were lately seized? - Is she so fair? - - _Math._ And matchless beautiful; 380 - As had you seen her 'twould have moved your heart, - Though countermined with walls of brass, to love, - Or at the least to pity. - - _Lod._ And if she be so fair as you report, - 'Twere time well spent to go and visit her: - How say you, shall we? - - _Math._ I must and will, sir; there's no remedy. - - _Lod._ And so will I too, or it shall go hard. - Farewell, Mathias. - - _Math._ Farewell, Lodowick. - [_Exeunt severally._ - - - - - ACT THE SECOND. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_[40] BARABAS _with a light._ - - _Bar._ Thus,[41] like the sad presaging raven, that tolls - The sick man's passport in her hollow beak, - And in the shadow of the silent night - Doth shake contagion from her sable wings; - Vexed and tormented runs poor Barabas - With fatal curses towards these Christians - The uncertain pleasures of swift-footed time - Have ta'en their flight, and left me in despair; - And of my former riches rests no more - But bare remembrance, like a soldier's scar, 10 - That has no further comfort for his maim. - O thou, that with a fiery pillar led'st - The sons of Israel through the dismal shades, - Light Abraham's offspring; and direct the hand - Of Abigail this night; or let the day - Turn to eternal darkness after this: - No sleep can fasten on my watchful eyes, - Nor quiet enter my distempered thoughts, - Till I have answer of my Abigail. - - _Enter_ ABIGAIL _above._ - - _Abig._ Now have I happily espied a time 20 - To search the plank my father did appoint; - And here behold, unseen, where I have found - The gold, the pearls, and jewels, which he hid. - - _Bar._ Now I remember those old women's words, - Who in my wealth would tell me winter's tales,[42] - And speak of spirits and ghosts that glide by night - About the place where treasure hath been hid:[43] - And now methinks that I am one of those: - For whilst I live, here lives my soul's sole hope, - And, when I die, here shall my spirit walk. 30 - - _Abig._ Now that my father's fortune were so good - As but to be about this happy place; - 'Tis not so happy: yet when we parted last, - He said he would attend me in the morn. - Then, gentle sleep, where'er his body rests, - Give charge to Morpheus that he may dream - A golden dream, and of the sudden wake,[44] - Come and receive the treasure I have found. - - _Bar._ _Bueno para todos mi ganado no era_:[45] - As good go on as sit so sadly thus. 40 - But stay, what star shines yonder in the east?[46] - The loadstar of my life, if Abigail. - Who's there? - - _Abig._ Who's that? - - _Bar._ Peace, Abigail, 'tis I. - - _Abig._ Then, father, here receive thy happiness. - [_Throws down bags._ - - _Bar._ Hast thou't? - - _Abig._ Here, [_throws down the bags_] hast thou't? - There's more, and more, and more. - - _Bar._ O my girl, - My gold, my fortune, my felicity! - Strength to my soul, death to mine enemy! - Welcome the first beginner of my bliss! - O Abigail, Abigail, that I had thee here too! 50 - Then my desires were fully satisfied: - But I will practise thy enlargement thence: - O girl! O gold! O beauty! O my bliss! - [_Hugs his bags._ - _Abig._ Father, it draweth towards midnight now, - And 'bout this time the nuns begin to wake; - To shun suspicion, therefore, let us part. - - _Bar_. Farewell, my joy, and by my fingers take - A kiss from him that sends it from his soul. - [_Exit_ ABIGAIL _above._ - Now Phoebus ope the eyelids[47] of the day, - And for the raven wake the morning lark, 60 - That I may hover with her in the air; - Singing o'er these, as she does o'er her young. - _Hermoso[48] Piarer de les Denirch._ - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_[49] Governor, MARTIN DEL BOSCO, _and_ Knights. - - _Gov._ Now, captain, tell us whither thou art bound? - Whence is thy ship that anchors in our road? - And why thou cam'st ashore without our leave? - - _Bosc._ Governor of Malta, hither am I bound; - My ship, the Flying Dragon, is of Spain, - And so am I: Del Bosco is my name; - Vice-admiral unto the Catholic King. - - _1 Knight._ 'Tis true, my lord, therefore entreat him well. - - _Bosc._ Our fraught is Grecians, Turks, and Afric Moors. - For late upon the coast of Corsica, 10 - Because we vailed[50] not to the Turkish[51] fleet, - Their creeping galleys had us in the chase: - But suddenly the wind began to rise, - And then we luffed and tacked,[52] and fought at ease: - Some have we fired, and many have we sunk; - But one amongst the rest became our prize: - The captain's slain, the rest remain our slaves, - Of whom we would make sale in Malta here. - - _Gov._ Martin del Bosco, I have heard of thee; - Welcome to Malta, and to all of us; 20 - But to admit a sale of these thy Turks - We may not, nay, we dare not give consent - By reason of a tributary league. - - _1 Knight._ Del Bosco, as thou lov'st and honour'st us, - Persuade our governor against the Turk; - This truce we have is but in hope of gold, - And with that sum he craves might we wage war. - - _Bosc._ Will Knights of Malta be in league with Turks, - And buy it basely too for sums of gold? - My lord, remember that, to Europe's shame, 30 - The Christian Isle of Rhodes, from whence you came, - Was lately lost, and you were stated[53] here - To be at deadly enmity with Turks. - - _Gov._ Captain, we know it, but our force is small. - - _Bosc._ What is the sum that Calymath requires? - - _Gov._ A hundred thousand crowns. - - _Bosc._ My lord and king hath title to this isle, - And he means quickly to expel you hence; - Therefore be ruled by me, and keep the gold: - I'll write unto his majesty for aid, 40 - And not depart until I see you free. - - _Gov._ On this condition shall thy Turks be sold: - Go, officers, and set them straight in show. - [_Exeunt Officers._ - Bosco, thou shall be Malta's general; - We and our warlike Knights will follow thee - Against these barb'rous misbelieving Turks. - - _Bosc._ So shall you imitate those you succeed: - For when their hideous force environed Rhodes, - Small though the number was that kept the town, - They fought it out, and not a man survived 50 - To bring the hapless news to Christendom. - - _Gov._ So will we fight it out; come, let's away: - Proud daring Calymath, instead of gold, - We'll send thee bullets wrapt[54] in smoke and fire: - Claim tribute where thou wilt, we are resolved, - Honour is bought with blood and not with gold. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter[55] Officers with_ ITHAMORE _and other slaves._ - _1 Off._ This is the market-place, here let 'em stand: - Fear not their sale, for they'll be quickly bought. - - _2 Off._ Every one's price is written on his back, - And so much must they yield or not be sold. - - _1 Off._ Here comes the Jew; had not his goods been seized, - He'd given us present money for them all. - - _Enter_ BARABAS. - - _Bar._ In spite of these swine-eating Christians,-- - Unchosen nation, never circumcised, - Such[56] as (poor villains!) were ne'er thought upon - Till Titus and Vespasian conquered us,-- 10 - Am I become as wealthy as I was: - They hoped my daughter would ha' been a nun; - But she's at home, and I have bought a house - As great and fair as is the Governor's; - And there in spite of Malta will I dwell: - Having Ferneze's hand, whose heart I'll have; - I, and his son's too, or it shall go hard. - I am not of the tribe of Levi, I, - That can so soon forget an injury. - We Jews can fawn like spaniels when we please: 20 - And when we grin we bite, yet are our looks - As innocent and harmless as a lamb's. - I learned in Florence how to kiss my hand, - Heave up my shoulders when they call me dog,[57] - And duck as low as any barefoot friar; - Hoping to see them starve upon a stall, - - Or else be gathered for in our Synagogue, - That, when the offering-basin comes to me, - Even for charity I may spit into't. - Here comes Don Lodowick, the Governor's son, 30 - One that I love for his good father's sake. - - _Enter_ LODOWICK. - - _Lod._ I hear the wealthy Jew walkèd this way: - I'll seek him out, and so insinuate, - That I may have a sight of Abigail; - For Don Mathias tells me she is fair. - - _Bar._ Now will I show myself - To have more of the serpent than the dove; - That is--more knave than fool. - - _Lod._ Yond' walks the Jew; now for fair Abigail. - - _Bar._ I, I, no doubt but she's at your command. [_Aside._ 40 - - _Lod._ Barabas, thou know'st I am the Governor's son. - - _Bar._ I would you were his father too, sir; - That's all the harm I wish you.--The slave looks - Like a hog's-cheek new singed. [_Aside._ - - _Lod._ Whither walk'st thou, Barabas? - - _Bar._ No farther: 'tis a custom held with us, - That when we speak with Gentiles like to you, - We turn into the air to purge ourselves: - For unto us the promise doth belong. - - _Lod._ Well, Barabas, canst help me to a diamond? 50 - - _Bar._ O, sir, your father had my diamonds. - Yet I have one left that will serve your turn:-- - I mean my daughter: but ere he shall have her - I'll sacrifice her on a pile of wood. - I ha' the poison of the city [?] for him, - And the white leprosy. [_Aside._ - - _Lod._ What sparkle does it give without a foil? - - _Bar._ The diamond that I talk of ne'er was foiled:-- - But when he touches it, he will be foiled:-- [_Aside._ - Lord Lodowick, it sparkles bright and fair. 60 - - _Lod._ Is it square or pointed, pray let me know. - - _Bar._ Pointed it is, good sir--but not for you. [_Aside._ - - _Lod._ I like it much the better. - - _Bar._ So do I too. - - _Lod._ How shows it by night? - - _Bar._ Outshines Cynthia's rays: - You'll like it better far o' nights than days. [_Aside._ - - _Lod._ And what's the price? - - _Bar._ Your life an' if you have it. [_Aside._] O my lord, - We will not jar about the price; come to my house - And I will give't your honour--with a vengeance. [_Aside._ - - _Lod._ No, Barabas, I will deserve it first. 70 - - _Bar._ Good sir, - Your father has deserved it at my hands, - Who, of mere charity and Christian truth, - To bring me to religious purity, - And as it were in catechising sort, - To make me mindful of my mortal sins, - Against my will, and whether I would or no, - Seized all I had, and thrust me out o' doors, - And made my house a place for nuns most chaste. - - _Lod._ No doubt your soul shall reap the fruit of it. 80 - - _Bar._ I, but, my lord, the harvest is far off: - And yet I know the prayers of those nuns - And holy friars, having money for their pains, - Are wondrous;--and indeed do no man good: [_Aside._ - And seeing they are not idle, but still doing, - 'Tis likely they in time may reap some fruit, - I mean in fulness of perfection. - - _Lod._ Good Barabas, glance not at our holy nuns. - - _Bar._ No, but I do it through a burning zeal,-- - Hoping ere long to set the house afire; 90 - For though they do a while increase and multiply, - I'll have a saying to[58] that nunnery.-- [_Aside._ - As for the diamond, sir, I told you of, - Come home and there's no price shall make us part, - Even for your honourable father's sake.-- - It shall go hard but I will see your death.-- [_Aside._ - But now I must be gone to buy a slave. - - _Lod._ And, Barabas, I'll bear thee company. - - _Bar._ Come then--here's the market-place. - What's the price of this slave? Two hundred crowns! - Do the Turks weigh so much? 100 - - _1 Off._ Sir, that's his price. - - _Bar._ What, can he steal that you demand so much? - Belike he has some new trick for a purse; - And if he has, he is worth three hundred plates,[59] - - So that, being bought, the town-seal might be got - To keep him for his lifetime from the gallows: - The sessions day is critical to thieves, - And few or none 'scape but by being purged. - - _Lod._ Rat'st thou this Moor but at two hundred plates? - - _1 Off._ No more, my lord. 110 - - _Bar._ Why should this Turk be dearer than that Moor? - - _1 Off._ Because he is young and has more qualities. - - _Bar._ What, hast the philosopher's stone? and thou - hast, break my head with it, I'll forgive thee. - - _Slave._[60] No, sir; I can cut and shave. - - _Bar._ Let me see, sirrah, are you not an old shaver?[61] - - _Slave._[62] Alas, sir! I am a very youth. - - _Bar._ A youth? I'll buy you, and marry you to Lady - Vanity,[63] if you do well. - - _Slave._ I will serve you, sir. 120 - - _Bar._ Some wicked trick or other. It may be, under - colour of shaving, thou'lt cut my throat for my goods. - Tell me, hast thou thy health well? - - _Slave._ I, passing well. - - _Bar._ So much the worse; I must have one that's - sickly, and be but for sparing victuals: 'tis not a stone of - beef a day will maintain you in these chops; let me see - one that's somewhat leaner. - - _1 Off._ Here's a leaner, how like you him? - - _Bar._ Where wast thou born? 130 - - _Itha._ In Thrace; brought up in Arabia. - - _Bar._ So much the better, thou art for my turn, - An hundred crowns, I'll have him; there's the coin. - - _1 Off._ Then mark him, sir, and take him hence. - - _Bar._ I, mark him, you were best, for this is he - That by my help shall do much villainy. [_Aside._ - My lord, farewell: Come, sirrah, you are mine. - As for the diamond, it shall be yours; - I pray, sir, be no stranger at my house, - All that I have shall be at your command. 140 - - _Enter_ MATHIAS _and his_ Mother.[64] - - _Math._ What makes the Jew and Lodowick so private? - I fear me 'tis about fair Abigail. - - _Bar._ Yonder comes Don Mathias, let us stay;[65] - [_Exit_ LODOWICK. - He loves my daughter, and she holds him dear: - But I have sworn to frustrate both their hopes, - And be revenged upon the Governor. - - _Moth._ This Moor is comeliest, is he not? speak, son. - - _Math._ No, this is the better, mother; view this well. - - _Bar._ Seem not to know me here before your mother, - Lest she mistrust the match that is in hand: 150 - When you have brought her home, come to my house; - Think of me as thy father; son, farewell. - - _Math._ But wherefore talked Don Lodowick with you? - - _Bar._ Tush! man, we talked of diamonds, not of Abigail. - - _Moth._ Tell me, Mathias, is not that the Jew? - - _Bar._ As for the comment on the Maccabees, - I have it, sir, and 'tis at your command. - - _Math._ Yes, madam, and my talk with him was [but][66] - About the borrowing of a book or two. - - _Moth._ Converse not with him, he's cast off from heaven. 160 - Thou hast thy crowns, fellow; come, let's away. - - _Math._ Sirrah, Jew, remember the book. - - _Bar._ Marry will I, sir. - [_Exeunt_ MATHIAS _and his_ Mother. - _Off._ Come, I have made - A reasonable market; let's away. - [_Exeunt_ Officers _with slaves._ - _Bar._ Now let me know thy name, and therewithal - Thy birth, condition, and profession. - - _Itha._ Faith, sir, my birth is but mean: my name's - Ithamore, my profession what you please. - - _Bar._ Hast thou no trade? then listen to my words, 170 - And I will teach [thee] that shall stick by thee: - First be thou void of these affections, - Compassion, love, vain hope, and heartless fear, - Be moved at nothing, see thou pity none, - But to thyself smile when the Christians moan. - - _Itha._ O brave! master, I worship your nose[67] for this - - _Bar._ As[68] for myself, I walk abroad o' nights - And kill sick people groaning under walls: - Sometimes I go about and poison wells; - And now and then, to cherish Christian thieves, 180 - I am content to lose some of my crowns, - That I may, walking in my gallery, - See 'em go pinioned along by my door. - Being young, I studied physic, and began - To practise first upon the Italian; - There I enriched the priests with burials, - And always kept the sextons' arms in ure[69] - With digging graves and ringing dead men's knells: - And after that was I an engineer, - And in the wars 'twixt France and Germany, 190 - Under pretence of helping Charles the Fifth, - Slew friend and enemy with my stratagems. - Then after that was I an usurer, - And with extorting, cozening, forfeiting, - And tricks belonging unto brokery, - I filled the jails with bankrupts in a year, - And with young orphans planted hospitals, - And every moon made some or other mad, - And now and then one hang himself for grief, - Pinning upon his breast a long great scroll 200 - How I with interest tormented him. - But mark how I am blest for plaguing them; - I have as much coin as will buy the town. - But tell me now, how hast thou spent thy time? - - _Itha._ 'Faith, master, - In setting Christian villages on fire, - Chaining of eunuchs, binding galley-slaves. - One time I was an hostler in an inn, - And in the night time secretly would I steal - To travellers' chambers, and there cut their throats: 210 - Once at Jerusalem, where the pilgrims kneeled, - I strewed powder on the marble stones, - And therewithal their knees would rankle so - That I have laughed a-good[70] to see the cripples - Go limping home to Christendom on stilts. - - _Bar._ Why this is something: make account of me - As of thy fellow; we are villains both: - Both circumcisèd, we hate Christians both: - Be true and secret, thou shalt want no gold. - But stand aside, here comes Don Lodowick. 220 - - _Enter_ LODOWICK. - - _Lod._ O Barabas, well met; - Where is the diamond you told me of? - - _Bar._ I have it for you, sir; please you walk in with me: - What ho, Abigail![71] open the door, I say. - - _Enter_ ABIGAIL. - - _Abig._ In good time, father; here are letters come - From Ormus, and the post stays here within. - - _Bar._ Give me the letters.--Daughter, do you hear, - Entertain Lodowick the Governor's son - With all the courtesy you can afford; - Provided that you keep your maidenhead. 230 - Use him as if he were a Philistine. - Dissemble, swear, protest, vow love[72] to him, - He is not of the seed of Abraham. - I am a little busy, sir, pray pardon me. - Abigail, bid him welcome for my sake. [_Aside._ - - _Abig._ For your sake and his own he's welcome hither. - - _Bar._ Daughter, a word more; kiss him, speak him fair, - And like a cunning Jew so cast about, - That ye be both made sure[73] ere you come out. [_Aside._ - - _Abig._ O father! Don Mathias is my love. 240 - - _Bar._ I know it: yet I say, make love to him; - Do, it is requisite it should be so-- - Nay, on my life, it is my factor's hand-- - But go you in, I'll think upon the account. - [_Exeunt_ ABIGAIL _and_ LODOWICK. - The account is made, for Lodowick [he][74] dies. - My factor sends me word a merchant's fled - That owes me for a hundred tun of wine: - I weigh it thus much [_snapping his fingers_]; I have wealth enough. - For now by this has he kissed Abigail; - And she vows love to him, and he to her. 250 - As sure as heaven rained manna for the Jews, - So sure shall he and Don Mathias die: - His father was my chiefest enemy. - - _Enter_ MATHIAS. - - Whither goes Don Mathias? stay awhile. - - _Math._ Whither, but to my fair love Abigail? - - _Bar._ Thou know'st, and Heaven can witness this is true, - That I intend my daughter shall be thine. - - _Math._ I, Barabas, or else thou wrong'st me much. - - _Bar._ O, Heaven forbid I should have such a thought. - Pardon me though I weep: the Governor's son 260 - Will, whether I will or no, have Abigail: - He sends her letters, bracelets, jewels, rings. - - _Math._ Does she receive them? - - _Bar._ She? No, Mathias, no, but sends them back, - And when he comes, she locks herself up fast; - Yet through the keyhole will he talk to her, - While she runs to the window looking out, - When you should come and hale him from the door. - - _Math._ O treacherous Lodowick! - - _Bar._ Even now as I came home, he slipt me in, 270 - And I am sure he is with Abigail. - - _Math._ I'll rouse him thence. - - _Bar._ Not for all Malta, therefore sheathe your sword; - If you love me, no quarrels in my house; - But steal you in, and seem to see him not; - I'll give him such a warning ere he goes - As he shall have small hopes of Abigail. - Away, for here they come. - - _Enter_ LODOWICK _and_ ABIGAIL. - - _Math._ What, hand in hand! I cannot suffer this. - - _Bar._ Mathias, as thou lovest me, not a word. 280 - - _Math._ Well, let it pass, another time shall serve. - [_Exit._ - _Lod._ Barabas, is not that the widow's son? - - _Bar._ I, and take heed, for he hath sworn your death. - - _Lod._ My death? what, is the base-born peasant mad? - - _Bar._ No, no, but happily he stands in fear - Of that which you, I think, ne'er dream upon, - My daughter here, a paltry silly girl. - - _Lod._ Why, loves she Don Mathias? - - _Bar._ Doth she not with her smiling answer you? - - _Abig._ He has my heart; I smile against my will. [_Aside._ 290 - - _Lod._ Barabas, thou know'st I've loved thy daughter long. - - _Bar._ And so has she done you, even from a child. - - _Lod._ And now I can no longer hold my mind. - - _Bar._ Nor I the affection that I bear to you. - - _Lod._ This is thy diamond, tell me shall I have it? - - _Bar._ Win it, and wear it, it is yet unsoiled. - O! but I know your lordship would disdain - To marry with the daughter of a Jew; - And yet I'll give her many a golden cross[75] - With Christian posies round about the ring. 300 - - _Lod._ Tis not thy wealth, but her that I esteem. - Yet crave I thy consent. - - _Bar._ And mine you have, yet let me talk to her.-- - This offspring of Cain, this Jebusite, - That never tasted of the Passover, - Nor e'er shall see the land of Canaan, - Nor our Messias that is yet to come; - This gentle maggot, Lodowick, I mean, - Must be deluded: let him have thy hand, - But keep thy heart till Don Mathias comes. [_Aside._ 310 - - _Abig._ What, shall I be betrothed to Lodowick? - - _Bar._ It's no sin to deceive a Christian; - For they themselves hold it a principle, - Faith is not to be held with heretics; - But all are heretics that are not Jews; - This follows well, and therefore, daughter, fear not. [_Aside._ - I have entreated her, and she will grant. - - _Lod._ Then, gentle Abigail, plight thy faith to me. - - _Abig._ I cannot chuse, seeing my father bids.-- - Nothing but death shall part my love and me. [_Aside._ 320 - - _Lod._ Now have I that for which my soul hath longed. - - _Bar._ So have not I, but yet I hope I shall. [_Aside._ - - _Abig._ O wretched Abigail, what hast thou[76] done? - [_Aside._ - - _Lod._ Why on the sudden is your colour changed? - - _Abig._ I know not, but farewell, I must be gone. - - _Bar._ Stay her, but let her not speak one word more. - - _Lod._ Mute o' the sudden; here's a sudden change. - - _Bar._ O, muse not at it, 'tis the Hebrew's guise, - That maidens new betrothed should weep awhile: - Trouble her not; sweet Lodowick, depart: 330 - She is thy wife, and thou shalt be mine heir. - - _Lod._ O, is't the custom? then I am resolved: - But rather let the brightsome heavens be dim, - And nature's beauty choke with stifling clouds, - Than my fair Abigail should frown on me.-- - There comes the villain, now I'll be revenged. - - _Enter_ MATHIAS. - - _Bar._ Be quiet, Lodowick, it is enough - That I have made thee sure to Abigail. - - _Lod._ Well, let him go. [_Exit._ - - _Bar._ Well, but for me, as you went in at doors 340 - You had been stabbed, but not a word on't now; - Here must no speeches pass, nor swords be drawn. - - _Math._ Suffer me, Barabas, but to follow him. - - _Bar._ No; so shall I, if any hurt be done, - Be made an accessary of your deeds; - Revenge it on him when you meet him next. - - _Math._ For this I'll have his heart. - - _Bar._ Do so; lo here I give thee Abigail. - - _Math._ What greater gift can poor Mathias have? - Shall Lodowick rob me of so fair a love? 350 - My life is not so dear as Abigail. - - _Bar._ My heart misgives me, that, to cross your love, - He's with your mother, therefore after him. - - _Math._ What, is he gone unto my mother? - - _Bar._ Nay, if you will, stay till she comes herself. - - _Math._ I cannot stay; for if my mother come, - She'll die with grief. [_Exit._ - - _Abig._ I cannot take my leave of him for tears: - Father, why have you thus incensed them both? - - _Bar._ What's that to thee? 360 - - _Abig._ I'll make 'em friends again. - - _Bar._ You'll make 'em friends! - Are there not Jews enough in Malta, - But thou must doat upon a Christian? - - _Abig._ I will have Don Mathias, he is my love. - - _Bar._ Yes, you shall have him: go put her in. - - _Itha._ I, I'll put her in. [_Puts her in._ - - _Bar._ Now tell me, Ithamore, how lik'st thou this? - - _Itha._ Faith, master, I think by this - You purchase both their lives; is it not so? 370 - - _Bar._ True; and it shall be cunningly performed. - - _Itha._ O master, that I might have a hand in this. - - _Bar._ I, so thou shalt, 'tis thou must do the deed: - Take this, and bear it to Mathias straight, [_Gives a letter._ - And tell him that it comes from Lodowick. - - _Itha._ 'Tis poisoned, is it not? - - _Bar._ No, no, and yet it might be done that way: - It is a challenge feigned from Lodowick. - - _Itha._ Fear not; I will so set his heart afire, - That he shall verily think it comes from him. 380 - - _Bar._ I cannot choose but like thy readiness: - Yet be not rash, but do it cunningly. - - _Itha._ As I behave myself in this, employ me here-after. - - _Bar._ Away then. [_Exit._ - So, now will I go in to Lodowick, - And, like a cunning spirit, feign some lie, - Till I have set 'em both at enmity. - [_Exit._ - - - - - ACT THE THIRD. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_[77] BELLAMIRA, _a courtesan._ - - _Bell._ Since this town was besieged, my gain grows cold: - The time has been that, but for one bare night, - A hundred ducats have been freely given: - But now against my will I must be chaste; - And yet I know my beauty doth not fail. - From Venice merchants, and from Padua - Were wont to come rare-witted gentlemen, - Scholars I mean, learnèd and liberal; - And now, save Pilia-Borza, comes there none, - And he is very seldom from my house; 10 - And here he comes. - - _Enter_ PILIA-BORZA. - - _Pilia._ Hold thee, wench, there's something for thee - to spend. - - - _Bell._ 'Tis silver. I disdain it. - - _Pilia._ I, but the Jew has gold, - And I will have it, or it shall go hard. - - _Court._ Tell me, how cam'st thou by this? - - _Pilia._ 'Faith, walking the back lanes, through the - gardens, I chanced to cast mine eye up to the Jew's - counting-house, where I saw some bags of money, and in - the night I clambered up with my hooks, and, as I was - taking my choice, I heard a rumbling in the house; so I - took only this, and run my way: but here's the Jew's - man. 24 - - _Bell._ Hide the bag. - - _Enter_ ITHAMORE. - - _Pilia._ Look not towards him, let's away: zoon's, what - a looking thou keep'st; thou'lt betray 's anon. - [_Exeunt_ Courtesan _and_ PILIA-BORZA. - - _Itha_. O the sweetest face that ever I beheld! I know - she is a courtesan by her attire: now would I give a - hundred of the Jew's crowns that I had such a concubine. - Well, 31 - I have delivered the challenge in such sort, - As meet they will, and fighting die; brave sport. - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_ MATHIAS.[78] - - _Math._ This is the place, now Abigail shall see - Whether Mathias holds her dear or no. - - _Enter_ LODOWICK.[79] - - What, dares the villain write in such base terms? - [_Reading a letter._ - - _Lod._ I did it; and revenge it if thou dar'st. - [_They fight._ - _Enter_ BARABAS, _above._[80] - - _Bar._ O! bravely fought; and yet they thrust not home. - Now, Lodowick! now, Mathias! So---- [_Both fall._ - So now they have showed themselves to be tall[81] fellows. - [_Cries within._] Part 'em, part 'em. - _Bar._ I, part 'em now they are dead. Farewell, farewell. - [_Exit._ - _Enter_ Governor _and_ MATHIAS'S Mother. - - _Gov._ What sight is this?--my Lodowick[82] slain! 10 - These arms of mine shall be thy sepulchre.[83] - - _Mother._ Who is this? my son Mathias slain! - - _Gov._ O Lodowick! had'st thou perished by the Turk, - Wretched Ferneze might have 'venged thy death. - - _Mother._ Thy son slew mine, and I'll revenge his death. - - _Gov._ Look, Katherine, look!--thy son gave mine these wounds. - - _Mother._ O leave to grieve me, I am grieved enough. - - _Gov._ O! that my sighs could turn to lively breath; - And these my tears to blood, that he might live. - - _Mother._ Who made them enemies? 20 - - _Gov._ I know not, and that grieves me most of all. - - _Mother._ My son loved thine. - - _Gov._ And so did Lodowick him. - - _Mother._ Lend me that weapon that did kill my son, - And it shall murder me. - - _Gov._ Nay, madam, stay; that weapon was my son's, - And on that rather should Ferneze die. - - _Mother._ Hold, let's inquire the causers of their deaths, - That we may 'venge their blood upon their heads. - - _Gov._ Then take them up, and let them be interred 30 - Within one sacred monument of stone; - Upon which altar[84] I will offer up - My daily sacrifice of sighs and tears, - And with my prayers pierce impartial[85] heavens, - - Till they [reveal] the causers of our smarts, - Which forced their hands divide united hearts: - Come, Katherine, our losses equal are, - Then of true grief let us take equal share. - [_Exeunt with the bodies_. - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter_ ITHAMORE.[86] - - _Itha._ Why, was there ever seen such villainy, - So neatly plotted, and so well performed? - Both held in hand,[87] and flatly both beguiled? - - _Enter_ ABIGAIL. - - _Abig._ Why, how now, Ithamore, why laugh'st thou so? - - _Itha._ O mistress, ha! ha! ha! - - _Abig._ Why, what ail'st thou? - - _Itha._ O my master! - - _Abig._ Ha! - - _Itha._ O mistress! I have the bravest, gravest, secret, - subtle, bottle-nosed knave to my master, that ever gentleman had. 11 - - _Abig._ Say, knave, why rail'st upon my father thus? - - _Itha._ O, my master has the bravest policy. - - _Abig._ Wherein? - - _Itha._ Why, know you not? - - _Abig._ Why, no. - - _Itha._ Know you not of Mathia[s'] and Don Lodowick['s] disaster? - - _Abig._ No, what was it? - - _Itha._ Why, the devil invented a challenge, my master - writ it, and I carried it, first to Lodowick, and _imprimis_ - to Mathia[s]. 22 - And then they met, [and,] as the story says, - In doleful wise they ended both their days. - - _Abig._ And was my father furtherer of their deaths? - - _Itha._ Am I Ithamore? - - _Abig._ Yes. - - _Itha._ So sure did your father write, and I carry the - challenge. - - _Abig._ Well, Ithamore, let me request thee this, 30 - Go to the new-made nunnery, and inquire - For any of the Friars of St. Jaques,[88] - And say, I pray them come and speak with me. - - _Itha._ I pray, mistress, will you answer me but one - question? - - _Abig._ Well, sirrah, what is't? - - _Itha._ A very feeling one; have not the nuns fine sport - with the friars now and then? - - _Abig._ Go to, sirrah sauce, is this your question? get - ye gone. 40 - - _Itha._ I will, forsooth, mistress. [_Exit._ - - _Abig._ Hard-hearted father, unkind Barabas, - Was this the pursuit of thy policy! - To make me show them favour severally, - That by my favour they should both be slain? - Admit thou lov'dst not Lodowick for his sire,[89] - Yet Don Mathias ne'er offended thee: - But thou wert set upon extreme revenge, - Because the Prior[90] dispossessed thee once, - And could'st not 'venge it, but upon his son; 50 - Nor on his son, but by Mathias' means; - Nor on Mathias, but by murdering me. - But I perceive there is no love on earth, - Pity in Jews, or piety in Turks. - But here comes cursed Ithamore, with the friar. - - _Enter_ ITHAMORE _and_ FRIAR JACOMO. - - _F. Jac._ _Virgo, salve._ - - _Itha._ When! duck you![91] - - _Abig._ Welcome, grave friar; Ithamore begone. - [_Exit_ ITHAMORE. - Know, holy sir, I am bold to solicit thee. - - _F. Jac._ Wherein? 60 - - _Abig._ To get me be admitted for a nun. - - _F. Jac._ Why, Abigail, it is not yet long since - That I did labour thy admission, - And then thou did'st not like that holy life. - - _Abig._ Then were my thoughts so frail and unconfirmed, - And I was chained to follies of the world: - But now experience, purchasèd with grief, - Has made me see the difference of things. - My sinful soul, alas, hath paced too long - The fatal labyrinth of misbelief, 70 - Far from the sun that gives eternal life. - - _F. Jac._ Who taught thee this? - - _Abig._ The abbess of the house, - Whose zealous admonition I embrace: - O, therefore, Jacomo, let me be one, - Although unworthy, of that sisterhood. - - _F. Jac._ Abigail, I will, but see thou change no more, - For that will be most heavy to thy soul. - - _Abig._ That was my father's fault. - - _F. Jac._ Thy father's! how? 80 - - _Abig._ Nay, you shall pardon me.--O Barabas, - Though thou deservest hardly at my hands, - Yet never shall these lips bewray thy life. [_Aside._ - - _F. Jac._ Come, shall we go? - - _Abig._ My duty waits on you. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE IV. - - _Enter_[92] BARABAS, _reading a letter._ - - _Bar._ What, Abigail become a nun again! - False and unkind; what, hast thou lost thy father? - And all unknown, and unconstrained of me, - Art thou again got to the nunnery? - Now here she writes, and wills me to repent. - Repentance! _Spurca!_ what pretendeth[93] this? - I fear she knows--'tis so--of my device - In Don Mathias' and Lodovico's deaths: - If so, 'tis time that it be seen into: - For she that varies from me in belief 10 - Gives great presumption that she loves me not; - Or loving, doth dislike of something done. - But who comes here? - - _Enter_ ITHAMORE. - - O Ithamore, come near; - Come near, my love; come near, thy master's life, - My trusty servant, nay, my second self:[94] - For I have now no hope but even in thee: - And on that hope my happiness is built; - When saw'st thou Abigail? - - _Itha._ To-day. - - _Bar._ With whom? 20 - - _Itha._ A friar. - - _Bar._ A friar! false villain, he hath done the deed. - - _Itha._ How, sir? - - _Bar._ Why, made mine Abigail a nun. - - _Itha._ That's no lie, for she sent me for him. - - _Bar._ O unhappy day! - False, credulous, inconstant Abigail! - But let 'em go: and, Ithamore, from hence - Ne'er shall she grieve me more with her disgrace; - Ne'er shall she live to inherit aught of mine, 30 - Be blest of me, nor come within my gates, - But perish underneath my bitter curse, - Like Cain by Adam, for his brother's death. - - _Itha._ O master! - - _Bar._ Ithamore, entreat not for her, I am moved, - And she is hateful to my soul and me: - And 'less[95] thou yield to this that I entreat, - I cannot think but that thou hat'st my life. - - _Itha._ Who, I, master? Why, I'll run to some rock, - And throw myself headlong into the sea; 40 - Why, I'll do anything for your sweet sake. - - _Bar._ O trusty Ithamore, no servant, but my friend: - I here adopt thee for mine only heir, - All that I have is thine when I am dead, - And whilst I live use half; spend as myself; - Here take my keys, I'll give 'em thee anon: - Go buy thee garments: but thou shall not want: - Only know this, that thus thou art to do: - But first go fetch me in the pot of rice - That for our supper stands upon the fire. 50 - - _Itha._ I hold my head my master's hungry. I go, sir. [_Exit._ - - _Bar._ Thus every villain ambles after wealth, - Although he ne'er be richer than in hope: - But, husht! - - _Enter_ ITHAMORE _with the pot._ - - _Itha._ Here 'tis, master. - - _Bar._ Well said, Ithamore; what, hast thou brought - The ladle with thee too? - - _Itha._ Yes, sir, the proverb says he that eats with the - devil had need of a long spoon.[96] I have brought you a - ladle. 60 - - _Bar._ Very well, Ithamore, then now be secret; - And for thy sake, whom I so dearly love, - Now shalt thou see the death of Abigail, - That thou may'st freely live to be my heir. - - _Itha._ Why, master, will you poison her with a mess of - rice porridge? that will preserve life, make her round and - plump, and batten more than you are aware. - - _Bar._ I, but, Ithamore, seest thou this? - It is a precious powder that I bought - Of an Italian, in Ancona, once, 70 - Whose operation is to bind, infect, - And poison deeply, yet not appear - In forty hours after it is ta'en. - - _Itha._ How, master? - - _Bar._ Thus, Ithamore. - This even they use in Malta here,--'tis called - Saint Jacques' Even,--and then I say they use - To send their alms unto the nunneries: - Among the rest bear this, and set it there; - There's a dark entry where they take it in, 80 - Where they must neither see the messenger, - Nor make inquiry who hath sent it them. - - _Itha._ How so? - - _Bar._ Belike there is some ceremony in't. - There, Ithamore, must thou go place this pot![97] - Stay, let me spice it first. - - _Itha._ Pray do, and let me help you, master. Pray let - me taste first. - - _Bar._ Prythee do: what say'st thou now? - - _Itha._ Troth, master, I'm loth such a pot of pottage - should be spoiled. 90 - - _Bar._ Peace, Ithamore, 'tis better so than spared. - Assure thyself thou shalt have broth by the eye.[98] - My purse, my coffer, and myself is thine. - - _Itha._ Well, master, I go. - - _Bar._ Stay, first let me stir it, Ithamore. - As fatal be it to her as the draught - Of which great Alexander drunk and died: - And with her let it work like Borgia's wine, - Whereof his sire, the Pope, was poisoned. - In few,[99] the blood of Hydra, Lerna's bane: 100 - The juice of hebon,[100] and Cocytus' breath, - And all the poisons of the Stygian pool - Break from the fiery kingdom; and in this - Vomit your venom and invenom her - That like a fiend hath left her father thus. - - _Itha._ What a blessing has he given 't! was ever pot of - rice porridge so sauced! What shall I do with it? - - _Bar._ O, my sweet Ithamore, go set it down, - And come again so soon as thou hast done, - For I have other business for thee. 110 - - _Itha._ Here's a drench to poison a whole stable of - Flanders mares: I'll carry 't to the nuns with a powder. - - _Bar._ And the horse pestilence to boot; away. - - _Itha._ I am gone. - Pay me my wages, for my work is done. [_Exit._ - - _Bar._ I'll pay thee with a vengeance, Ithamore. [_Exit._ - - - SCENE V. - - _Enter_[101] Governor, DEL BOSCO, Knights, Basso. - - _Gov._ Welcome, great Basso;[102] how fares Calymath, - What wind thus drives you into Malta Road? - - _Bas._ The wind that bloweth all the world besides, - Desire of gold. - - _Gov._ Desire of gold, great sir? - That's to be gotten in the Western Ind: - In Malta are no golden minerals. - - _Bas._ To you of Malta thus saith Calymath: - The time you took for respite is at hand, - For the performance of your promise passed, - And for the tribute-money I am sent. 10 - - _Gov._ Basso, in brief, 'shalt have no tribute here, - Nor shall the heathens live upon our spoil: - First will we raze the city walls ourselves, - Lay waste the island, hew the temples down, - And, shipping off our goods to Sicily, - Open an entrance for the wasteful sea, - Whose billows beating the resistless banks, - Shall overflow it with their refluence. - - _Bas._ Well, Governor, since thou hast broke the league - By flat denial of the promised tribute, 20 - Talk not of razing down your city walls, - You shall not need trouble yourselves so far, - For Selim Calymath shall come himself, - And with brass bullets batter down your towers, - And turn proud Malta to a wilderness - For these intolerable wrongs of yours; - And so farewell. - - _Gov._ Farewell: - And now, ye men of Malta, look about, - And let's provide to welcome Calymath: 30 - Close your portcullis, charge your basilisks, - And as you profitably take up arms, - So now courageously encounter them; - For by this answer, broken is the league, - And naught is to be looked for now but wars, - And naught to us more welcome is than wars. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE VI. - - _Enter_[103] Friar JACOMO _and_ - Friar BARNARDINE. - - _F. Jac._ O brother, brother, all the nuns are sick, - And physic will not help them: they must die. - - _F. Barn._ The abbess sent for me to be confessed: - O, what a sad confession will there be! - - _F. Jac._ And so did fair Maria send for me: - I'll to her lodging: hereabouts she lies. [_Exit._ - - _Enter_ ABIGAIL. - - _F. Barn._ What, all dead, save only Abigail? - - _Abig._ And I shall die too, for I feel death coming. - Where is the friar that conversed with me. - - _F. Barn._ O, he is gone to see the other nuns. 10 - - _Abig._ I sent for him, but seeing you are come, - Be you my ghostly father: and first know, - That in this house I lived religiously, - Chaste, and devout, much sorrowing for my sins, - But ere I came---- - - _F. Barn._ What then? - - _Abig._ I did offend high Heaven so grievously, - As I am almost desperate for my sins: - And one offence torments me more than all. - You knew Mathias and Don Lodowick? 20 - - _F. Barn._ Yes, what of them? - - _Abig._ My father did contract me to 'em both: - First to Don Lodowick; him I never loved; - Mathias was the man that I held dear, - And for his sake did I become a nun. - - _F. Barn._ So, say how was their end? - - _Abig._ Both jealous of my love, envied each other, - And by my father's practice, which is there [_Gives a paper._ - Set down at large, the gallants were both slain. - - _F. Barn._ O monstrous villainy! 30 - - _Abig._ To work my peace, this I confess to thee; - Reveal it not, for then my father dies. - - _F. Barn._ Know that confession must not be revealed, - The canon law forbids it, and the priest - That makes it known, being degraded first, - Shall be condemned, and then sent to the fire. - - _Abig._ So I have heard; pray, therefore keep it close. - Death seizeth on my heart, ah gentle friar! - Convert my father that he may be saved, - And witness that I die a Christian. [_Dies._ 40 - - _F. Barn._ I, and a virgin too; that grieves me most: - But I must to the Jew and exclaim on him, - And make him stand in fear of me. - - _Enter_ Friar JACOMO. - - _F. Jac._ O brother, all the nuns are dead, let's bury them. - - _F. Barn._ First help to bury this, then go with me - And help me to exclaim against the Jew. - - _F. Jac._ Why, what has he done? - - _F. Barn._ A thing that makes me tremble to unfold. - - _F. Jac._ What, has he crucified a child? - - _F. Barn._ No, but a worse thing: 'twas told me in shrift, 50 - Thou know'st 'tis death an if it be revealed. - Come, let's away. - [_Exeunt._ - - - - - ACT THE FOURTH. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_[104] BARABAS and ITHAMORE. _Bells within._ - - _Bar._ There is no music to[105] a Christian's knell: - How sweet the bells ring now the nuns are dead, - That sound at other times like tinkers' pans? - I was afraid the poison had not wrought; - Or, though it wrought, it would have done no good, - For every year they swell, and yet they live; - Now all are dead, not one remains alive. - - _Itha._ That's brave, master, but think you it will not be known? - - _Bar._ How can it, if we two be secret? - - _Itha._ For my part fear you not. 10 - - _Bar._ I'd cut thy throat if I did. - - _Itha._ And reason too. - But here's a royal monastery hard by; - Good master, let me poison all the monks. - - _Bar._ Thou shalt not need, for now the nuns are dead - They'll die with grief. - - _Itha._ Do you not sorrow for your daughter's death? - - _Bar._ No, but I grieve because she lived so long. - An Hebrew born, and would become a Christian! - _Cazzo,[106] diabolo._ 20 - - _Enter the two Friars._ - - _Itha._ Look, look, master, here come two religious - caterpillars. - - _Bar._ I smelt 'em ere they came. - - _Itha._ God-a-mercy, nose; come, let's begone. - - _F. Barn._ Stay, wicked Jew, repent, I say, and stay. - - _F. Jac._ Thou hast offended, therefore must be damned. - - _Bar._ I fear they know we sent the poisoned broth. - - _Itha._ And so do I, master, therefore speak 'em fair. - - _F. Barn._ Barabas, thou hast---- - - _F. Jac._ I, that thou hast---- 30 - - _Bar._ True, I have money, what though I have? - - _F. Barn._ Thou art a---- - - _F. Jac._ I, that thou art a---- - - _Bar._ What needs all this? I know I am a Jew. - - _F. Barn._ Thy daughter---- - - _F. Jac._ I, thy daughter---- - - _Bar._ O speak not of her, then I die with grief. - - _F. Barn._ Remember that---- - - _F. Jac._ I, remember that---- 40 - - _Bar._ I must needs say that I have been a great usurer. - - _F. Barn._ Thou hast committed---- - - _Bar._ Fornication--but that - Was in another country: and besides, - The wench is dead. - - _F. Barn._ I, but, Barabas, - Remember Mathias and Don Lodowick. - - _Bar._ Why, what of them? - - _F. Barn._ I will not say that by a forged challenge they met. - - _Bar._ She has confest, and we are both undone, 50 - My bosom inmate![107] but I must dissemble.-- [_Aside._ - O holy friars, the burthen of my sins - Lie heavy on my soul; then pray you tell me. - Is't not too late now to turn Christian? - I have been zealous in the Jewish faith, - Hard-hearted to the poor, a covetous wretch, - That would for lucre's sake have sold my soul. - A hundred for a hundred I have ta'en; - And now for store of wealth may I compare - With all the Jews in Malta; but what is wealth? 60 - I am a Jew, and therefore am I lost. - Would penance serve for this my sin, - I could afford to whip myself to death-- - - _Itha._ And so could I; but penance will not serve. - - _Bar._ To fast, to pray, and wear a shirt of hair, - And on my knees creep to Jerusalem. - Cellars of wine, and sollers[108] full of wheat, - Warehouses stuft with spices and with drugs, - Whole chests of gold, in bullion, and in coin, - Besides I know not how much weight in pearl, 70 - Orient and round, have I within my house; - At Alexandria, merchandise unsold:[109] - But yesterday two ships went from this town, - Their voyage will be worth ten thousand crowns. - In Florence, Venice, Antwerp, London, Seville, - Frankfort, Lubeck, Moscow, and where not, - Have I debts owing; and in most of these, - Great sums of money lying in the banco; - All this I'll give to some religious house - So I may be baptized, and live therein. 80 - - _F. Jac._ O good Barabas, come to our house. - - _F. Barn._ O no, good Barabas, come to our house; - And, Barabas, you know---- - - _Bar._ I know that I have highly sinned. - You shall convert me, you shall have all my wealth. - - _F. Jac._ O Barabas, their laws are strict. - - _Bar._ I know they are, and I will be with you. - [_To_ F. JAC. - _F. Barn._ They wear no shirts, and they go barefoot too. - - _Bar._ Then 'tis not for me; and I am resolved - [_To_ F. BARN. - You shall confess me, and have all my goods. 90 - - _F. Jac._ Good Barabas, come to me. - - _Bar._ You see I answer him, and yet he stays; - [_To_ F. BARN. - Rid him away, and go you home with me. - - _F. Jac._ I'll be with you to-night. - - _Bar._ Come to my house at one o'clock this night. - [_To_ F. JAC. - _F. Jac._ You hear your answer, and you may be gone. - - _F. Barn._ Why, go get you away. - - _F. Jac._ I will not go for thee. - - _F. Barn._ Not! then I'll make thee go. - - _F. Jac._ How, dost call me rogue? [_They fight._ 100 - - _Itha._ Part 'em, master, part 'em. - - _Bar._ This is mere frailty, brethren, be content. - Friar Barnardine, go you with Ithamore: - You[110] know my mind, let me alone with him. - [_Aside to_ F. BARN. - _F. Jac._ Why does he go to thy house; let him begone. - - _Bar._ I'll give him something and so stop his mouth. - [_Exit_ ITHAMORE with F. BARN. - I never heard of any man but he - Maligned the order of the Jacobins: - But do you think that I believe his words? - Why, brother, you converted Abigail; 110 - And I am bound in charity to requite it, - And so I will. O Jacomo, fail not, but come. - - _F. Jac._ But, Barabas, who shall be your godfathers, - For presently you shall be shrived. - - _Bar._ Marry, the Turk[111] shall be one of my godfathers, - But not a word to any of your covent.[112] - - _F. Jac._ I warrant thee, Barabas. [_Exit._ - - _Bar._ So, now the fear is past, and I am safe: - For he that shrived her is within my house, - What if I murdered him ere Jacomo comes? 120 - Now I have such a plot for both their lives - As never Jew nor Christian knew the like; - One turned my daughter, therefore he shall die; - The other knows enough to have my life, - Therefore 'tis not requisite he should live. - But are not both these wise men to suppose - That I will leave my house, my goods, and all - To fast and be well whipt? I'll none of that. - Now Friar Barnardine I come to you, - I'll feast you, lodge you, give you fair words, 130 - And after that, I and my trusty Turk-- - No more but so: it must and shall be done. [_Exit._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_[113] BARABAS _and_ ITHAMORE. - - _Bar._ Ithamore, tell me, is the friar asleep? - - _Itha._ Yes; and I know not what the reason is, - Do what I can he will not strip himself, - Nor go to bed, but sleeps in his own clothes; - I fear me he mistrusts what we intend. - - _Bar._ No, 'tis an order which the friars use: - Yet, if he knew our meanings, could he 'scape? - - _Itha._ No, none can hear him, cry he ne'er so loud. - - _Bar._ Why true, therefore did I place him there: - The other chambers open towards the street. 10 - - _Itha._ You loiter, master, wherefore stay we thus? - O how I long to see him shake his heels. - - _Bar._ Come on, sirrah. - Off with your girdle, make a handsome noose; - [ITHAMORE _makes a noose in his girdle. They put - it round the_ Friar's _neck._ - Friar, awake! - - _F. Barn._ What, do you mean to strangle me? - - _Itha._ Yes, 'cause you use to confess. - - _Bar._ Blame not us but the proverb, confess and be - hanged; pull hard. - - _F. Barn._ What, will you have[114] my life? 20 - - _Bar._ Pull hard, I say; you would have had my goods. - - _Itha._ I, and our lives too, therefore pull amain. - [_They strangle him._ - 'Tis neatly done, sir, here's no print at all. - - _Bar._ Then it is as it should be; take him up. - - _Itha._ Nay, master, be ruled by me a little[_Stands up the body_]; - so, let him lean upon his staff; excellent! he stands as if he - were begging of bacon. - - _Bar._ Who would not think but that this friar lived? - What time o' night is't now, sweet Ithamore? - - _Itha._ Towards one. 30 - - _Bar._ Then will not Jacomo be long from hence. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter_[115] Friar JACOMO. - - _F. Jac._ This is the hour wherein I shall proceed; - O happy hour,[116] wherein I shall convert - An infidel, and bring his gold into our treasury! - But soft, is not this Barnardine? it is; - And, understanding I should come this way, - Stands here a purpose, meaning me some wrong, - And intercept my going to the Jew. - Barnardine! - Wilt thou not speak? thou think'st I see thee not; - Away, I'd wish thee, and let me go by: 10 - No, wilt thou not? nay, then, I'll force my way; - And see, a staff stands ready for the purpose: - As thou lik'st that, stop me another time. - [_Strikes him and he falls._ - - _Enter_ BARABAS _and_ ITHAMORE. - - _Bar._ Why, how now, Jacomo, what hast thou done? - - _F. Jac._ Why, stricken him that would have struck at me. - - _Bar._ Who is it? - Barnardine? now out, alas! he's slain. - - _Itha._ I, master, he's slain; look how his brains drop - out on's nose. - - _F. Jac._ Good sirs, I have done't, but nobody knows it - but you two--I may escape. 21 - - _Bar._ So might my man and I hang with you for - company. - - _Itha._ No, let us bear him to the magistrates. - - _F. Jac._ Good Barabas, let me go. - - _Bar._ No, pardon me; the law must have its course. - I must be forced to give in evidence, - That being importuned by this Barnardine - To be a Christian, I shut him out, - And there he sat: now I, to keep my word, 30 - And give my goods and substance to your house, - Was up thus early; with intent to go - Unto your friary, because you stayed. - - _Itha._ Fie upon 'em, master; will you turn Christian - when holy friars turn devils and murder one another? - - _Bar._ No, for this example I'll remain a Jew: - Heaven bless me; what! a friar a murderer? - When shall you see a Jew commit the like? - - _Itha._ Why, a Turk could ha' done no more. - - _Bar._ To-morrow is the sessions; you shall to it. 40 - Come, Ithamore, let's help to take him hence. - - _F. Jac._ Villains, I am a sacred person; touch me not. - - _Bar._ The law shall touch you, we'll but lead you, we: - 'Las I could weep at your calamity. - Take in the staff too, for that must be shown: - Law wills that each particular be known. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE IV. - - _Enter_[117] BELLAMIRA _and_ PILIA-BORSA. - - _Bell._ Pilia-Borsa, did'st thou meet with Ithamore? - - _Pilia._ I did. - - _Bell._ And didst thou deliver my letter? - - _Pilia._ I did. - - _Bell._ And what think'st thou? will he come? - - _Pilia._ I think so, but yet I cannot tell; for at the - reading of the letter he look'd like a man of another - world. - - _Bell._ Why so? - - _Pilia._ That such a base slave as he should be saluted - by such a tall man as I am, from such a beautiful dame - as you. 12 - - _Bell._ And what said he? - - _Pilia._ Not a wise word, only gave me a nod, as who - should say, "Is it even so;" and so I left him, being - driven to a non-plus at the critical aspect of my terrible - countenance. - - _Bell._ And where didst meet him? - - _Pilia._ Upon mine own freehold, within forty feet of - the gallows, conning his neck-verse,[118] I take it, looking of - a friar's execution, whom I saluted with an old hempen - proverb, _Hodie tibi, cras mihi_, and so I left him to the - mercy of the hangman: but the exercise[119] being done, - see where he comes. 24 - - _Enter_ ITHAMORE. - - _Itha._ I never knew a man take his death so patiently - as this friar; he was ready to leap off ere the halter was - about his neck; and when the hangman had put on his - hempen tippet, he made such haste to his prayers, as if - he had had another cure to serve; well, go whither he - will, I'll be none of his followers in haste: And, now I - think on't, going to the execution, a fellow met me with - a muschatoes[120] like a raven's wing, and a dagger with a - hilt like a warming-pan, and he gave me a letter from one - Madam Bellamira, saluting me in such sort as if he had - meant to make clean my boots with his lips; the effect - was, that I should come to her house. I wonder what the - reason is; it may be she sees more in me than I can find - in myself: for she writes further, that she loves me ever - since she saw me, and who would not requite such love? - Here's her house, and here she comes, and now would I - were gone; I am not worthy to look upon her. 41 - - _Pilia._ This is the gentleman you writ to. - - _Itha._ Gentleman! he flouts me; what gentry can be - in a poor Turk of tenpence?[121] I'll be gone. [_Aside._ - - _Bell._ Is't not a sweet-faced youth, Pilia? - - _Itha._ Again, "sweet youth;" [_Aside_]--did not you, sir, - bring the sweet youth a letter? - - _Pilia._ I did, sir, and from this gentlewoman, who, as - myself, and the rest of the family, stand or fall at your - service. 50 - - _Bell._ Though woman's modesty should hale me back, - I can withhold no longer; welcome, sweet love. - - _Itha._ Now am I clean, or rather foully out of the way. [_Aside._ - _Bell._ Whither so soon? - - _Itha._ I'll go steal some money from my master to make - me handsome [_Aside_]: Pray pardon me, I must go and - see a ship discharged. - - _Bell._ Canst thou be so unkind to leave me thus? - - _Pilia._ And ye did but know how she loves you, sir. - - _Itha._ Nay, I care not how much she loves me. Sweet - Bellamira, would I had my master's wealth for thy sake. - - _Pilia._ And you can have it, sir, an if you please. 62 - - _Itha._ If 'twere above ground I could and would have - it; but he hides and buries it up, as partridges do their - eggs, under the earth. - - _Pilia._ And is't not possible to find it out? - - _Itha._ By no means possible. - - _Bell._ What shall we do with this base villain then? - [_Aside to_ PILIA-BORSA. - _Pilia._ Let me alone; do you but speak him fair: - [_Aside to her._ - But [sir] you know some secrets of the Jew, 70 - Which, if they were revealed, would do him harm. - - _Itha._ I, and such as--Go to, no more. I'll make him - send me half he has, and glad he scapes so too. - [_Pen and ink._[122] - I'll write unto him; we'll have money straight. - - _Pilia._ Send for a hundred crowns at least. - - _Itha._ Ten hundred thousand crowns--_Master Barabas_. - [_Writing_. - _Pilia._ Write not so submissively, but threatening him. - - _Itha._ _Sirrah, Barabas, send me a hundred crowns._ - - _Pilia._ Put in two hundred at least. - - _Itha._ _I charge thee send me three hundred by this bearer, - and this shall be your warrant; if you do not, no more, but so._ 82 - - _Pilia._ Tell him you will confess. - - _Itha._ _Otherwise I'll confess all_--Vanish, and return in - a twinkle. - - _Pilia._ Let me alone; I'll use him in his kind. - [_Exit_ Pilia-Borsa. - _Itha._ Hang him, Jew. - - _Bell._ Now, gentle Ithamore, lie in my lap. - Where are my maids? provide a running[123] banquet; - Send to the merchant, bid him bring me silks, 90 - Shall Ithamore, my love, go in such rags? - - _Itha._ And bid the jeweller come hither too. - - _Bell._ I have no husband, sweet; I'll marry thee. - - _Itha._ Content, but we will leave this paltry land, - And sail from hence to Greece, to lovely Greece. - I'll be thy Jason, thou my golden fleece; - Where painted carpets o'er the meads are hurled, - And Bacchus' vineyards overspread the world; - Where woods and forests go in goodly green, - I'll be Adonis, thou shalt be Love's Queen. 100 - The meads, the orchards, and the primrose lanes, - Instead of sedge and reed, bear sugar-canes: - Thou in those groves, by Dis above, - Shalt live with me and be my love. - - _Bell._ Whither will I not go with gentle Ithamore? - - _Enter_ PILIA-BORSA. - - _Itha._ How now! hast thou the gold? - - _Pilia._ Yes. - - _Itha._ But came it freely? did the cow give down her - milk freely? - - _Pilia._ At reading of the letter, he stared and stamped - and turned aside. I took him by the beard,[124] and looked - upon him thus; told him he were best to send it; then - he hugged and embraced me. 113 - - _Itha._ Rather for fear than love. - - _Pilia._ Then, like a Jew, he laughed and jeered, and - told me he loved me for your sake, and said what a faithful - servant you had been. - - _Itha._ The more villain he to keep me thus; here's - goodly 'parel, is there not? - - _Pilia._ To conclude, he gave me ten crowns. 120 - - _Itha._ But ten? I'll not leave him worth a grey groat. - Give me a ream[125] of paper; we'll have a kingdom of gold - for 't. - - _Pilia._ Write for five hundred crowns. - - _Itha._ [_Writing._] _Sirrah, Jew, as you love your life - send me five hundred crowns, and give the bearer one hundred._ - Tell him I must have 't. - - _Pilia._ I warrant your worship shall have 't. - - _Itha._ And if he ask why I demand so much, tell him I - scorn to write a line under a hundred crowns. 130 - - _Pilia._ You'd make a rich poet, sir. I am gone. [_Exit._ - - _Itha._ Take thou the money; spend it for my sake. - - _Bell._ 'Tis not thy money, but thyself I weigh: - Thus Bellamira esteems of gold. [_Throws it on the floor._ - But thus of thee. [_Kisses him._ - - _Itha._ That kiss again; she runs division[126] of my lips. - What an eye she casts on me? It twinkles like a star. - - _Bell._ Come, my dear love, let's in and sleep together. - - _Itha._ O, that ten thousand nights were put in one, - that we might sleep seven years together afore we wake. - - _Bell._ Come, amorous wag, first banquet, and then sleep. 141 - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE V. - - _Enter_[127] BARABAS, _reading a letter._ - - _Bar._ "Barabas, send me three hundred crowns." - Plain Barabas: O, that wicked courtesan! - - He was not wont to call me Barabas. - "Or else I will confess:" I, there it goes: - But if I get him, _coupe de gorge_, for that. - He sent a shaggy tottered[128] staring slave, - That when he speaks draws out his grisly beard, - And winds it twice or thrice about his ear;[129] - Whose face has been a grindstone for men's swords; - His hands are hacked, some fingers cut quite off; 10 - Who, when he speaks, grunts like a hog, and looks - Like one that is employed in catzerie[130] - And crossbiting,[131]--such a rogue - As is the husband to a hundred whores: - And I by him must send three hundred crowns! - Well, my hope is, he will not stay there still; - And when he comes: O, that he were but here! - - _Enter_ PILIA-BORSA. - - _Pilia._ Jew, I must have more gold. - - _Bar._ Why, want'st thou any of thy tale? - - _Pilia._ No; but three hundred will not serve his turn. 20 - - _Bar._ Not serve his turn, sir? - - _Pilia._ No, sir; and, therefore, I must have five hundred more. - - _Bar._ I'll rather---- - - _Pilia._ O good words, sir, and send it you were best; - see, there's his letter. [_Gives letter._ - - _Bar._ Might he not as well come as send; pray bid - him come and fetch it; what he writes for you, ye shall - have straight. - - _Pilia._ I, and the rest too, or else---- 30 - - _Bar._ I must make this villain away. [_Aside._ - Please you dine with me, sir;--and you shall be most - heartily poisoned. [_Aside._ - - _Pilia._ No, God-a-mercy. Shall I have these crowns? - - _Bar._ I cannot do it, I have lost my keys. - - _Pilia._ O, if that be all, I can pick ope your locks. - - _Bar._ Or climb up to my counting-house window: - you know my meaning. - - _Pilia._ I know enough, and therefore talk not to me - of your counting-house. The gold, or know, Jew, it is in - my power to hang thee. 41 - - _Bar._ I am betrayed. [_Aside._ - 'Tis not five hundred crowns that I esteem, - I am not moved at that: this angers me, - That he who knows I love him as myself, - Should write in this imperious vein. Why, sir, - You know I have no child, and unto whom - Should I leave all but unto Ithamore? - - _Pilia._ Here's many words, but no crowns: the crowns! - - _Bar._ Commend me to him, sir, most humbly, 50 - And unto your good mistress, as unknown. - - _Pilia._ Speak, shall I have 'em, sir? - - _Bar._ Sir, here they are. - O, that I should part with so much gold! [_Aside._ - Here, take 'em, fellow, with as good a will---- - As I would see thee hang'd [_Aside_]; O, love stops my breath: - Never loved man servant as I do Ithamore. - - _Pilia._ I know it, sir. - - _Bar._ Pray, when, sir, shall I see you at my house? - - _Pilia._ Soon enough, to your cost, sir. Fare you well. 60 - [_Exit._ - _Bar._ Nay, to thine own cost, villain, if thou com'st. - Was ever Jew tormented as I am? - To have a shag-rag knave to come,-- - Three hundred crowns,--and then five hundred crowns! - Well, I must seek a means to rid 'em all, - And presently; for in his villainy - He will tell all he knows, and I shall die for it. - I have it: - I will in some disguise go see the slave, - And how the villain revels with my gold. 70 - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE VI. - - _Enter_[132] BELLAMIRA, ITHAMORE, - _and_ PILIA-BORSA. - - _Bell._. I'll pledge thee, love, and therefore drink it off. - - - _Itha._ Say'st thou me so? have at it; and do you hear? - [_Whispers._ - _Bell._ Go to, it shall be so. - - _Itha._ Of that condition I will drink it up. - Here's to thee. - - _Bell._[133] Nay, I'll have all or none. - - _Itha._ There, if thou lov'st me do not leave a drop. - - _Bell._ Love thee! fill me three glasses. - - _Itha._ Three and fifty dozen, I'll pledge thee. - - _Pilia._ Knavely spoke, and like a knight at arms. - - _Itha._ Hey, _Rivo[134] Castiliano_! a man's a man. 10 - - _Bell._ Now to the Jew. - - _Itha._ Ha! to the Jew, and send me money he were best. - - _Pilia._ What would'st thou do if he should send thee none? - - _Itha._ Do nothing; but I know what I know; he's a murderer. - - _Bell._ I had not thought he had been so brave a man. - - _Itha._ You knew Mathias and the Governor's son; he - and I killed 'em both, and yet never touched 'em. - - _Pilia._ O, bravely done. - - _Itha._ I carried the broth that poisoned the nuns; and - he and I, snickle hand too fast,[135] strangled a friar. 20 - - _Bell._ You two alone! - - _Itha._ We two, and 'twas never known, nor never shall be for me. - - _Pilia._ This shall with me unto the Governor. - [_Aside to_ BELLAMIRA. - _Bell._ And fit it should: but first let's ha' more gold. - [_Aside._ - Come, gentle Ithamore, lie in my lap. - - _Itha._ Love me little, love me long; let music rumble - Whilst I in thy incony[136] lap do tumble. - - _Enter_ BARABAS, _with a lute, disguised._ - - _Bell._ A French musician; come, let's hear your skill? - - _Bar._ Must tuna my lute for sound, _twang_, _twang_ - first. 31 - - _Itha._ Wilt drink, Frenchman? here's to thee with - a----Pox on this drunken hiccup! - - _Bar._ Gramercy, monsieur. - - _Bell._ Prythee, Pilia-Borsa, bid the fiddler give me - the posy in his hat there. - - _Pilia._ Sirrah, you must give my mistress your posy. - - _Bar._ _A votre commandment, madame._ - - _Bell._ How sweet, my Ithamore, the flowers smell. - - _Itha._ Like thy breath, sweetheart, no violet like 'em. 40 - - _Pilia._ Foh! methinks they stink like a hollyhock. - - _Bar._ So, now I am revenged upon 'em all. - The scent thereof was death; I poisoned it. [_Aside._ - - _Itha._ Play, fiddler, or I'll cut your cat's guts into - chitterlings. - - _Bar. Pardonnez moi_, be no in tune yet; so now, now all be in. - - _Itha._ Give him a crown, and fill me out more wine. - - _Pilia._ There's two crowns for thee, play. - - _Bar._ How liberally the villain gives me mine own gold. - [_Aside._ 51 - - _Pilia._ Methinks he fingers very well. - - _Bar._ So did you when you stole my gold. [_Aside._ - - _Pilia._ How swift he runs. - - _Bar._ You ran swifter when you threw my gold out of - my window. [_Aside._ - - _Bell._ Musician, hast been in Malta long? - - _Bar._ Two, three, four month, madam. - - _Itha._ Dost not know a Jew, one Barabas? - - _Bar._ Very mush; monsieur, you no be his man? 60 - - _Pilia._ His man? - - _Itha._ I scorn the peasant; tell him so. - - _Bar._ He knows it already. [_Aside._ - - _Itha._ 'Tis a strange thing of that Jew, he lives upon - pickled grasshoppers and sauced mushrooms. - - _Bar._ What a slave's this? the Governor feeds not as - I do. [_Aside._ - - _Itha._ He never put on clean shirt since he was circumcised. - - _Bar._ O rascal! I change myself twice a day. [_Aside._ 70 - - _Itha._ The hat he wears, Judas left under the elder[137] - when he hanged himself. - - _Bar._ 'Twas sent me for a present from the great Cham. [_Aside._ - - _Pilia._ A musty[138] slave he is; whither now, fiddler? - - _Bar._ _Pardonnez moi, monsieur_, me[139] be no well. [_Exit._ - - _Pilia._ Farewell, fiddler: one letter more to the Jew. - - _Bell._ Prythee, sweet love, one more, and write it sharp. - - _Itha._ No, I'll send by word of mouth now; bid him - deliver thee a thousand crowns, by the same token, that - the nuns loved rice,--that Friar Barnardine slept in his - own clothes; any of 'em will do it. 81 - - _Pilia._ Let me alone to urge it, now I know the meaning. - - _Itha._ The meaning has a meaning; come let's in: - To undo a Jew is charity, and not sin. - [_Exeunt._ - - - - - ACT THE FIFTH. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_[140] Governor, Knights, _and_ MARTIN DEL BOSCO. - - _Gov._ Now, gentlemen, betake you to your arms, - And see that Malta be well fortified; - And it behoves you to be resolute; - For Calymath, having hovered here so long, - Will win the town or die before the walls. - - _Knights._ And die he shall, for we will never yield. - - _Enter_ BELLAMIRA _and_ PILIA-BORSA. - - _Bell._ O, bring us to the Governor. - - _Gov._ Away with her; she is a courtesan. - - _Bell._ Whate'er I am, yet, Governor, hear me speak; - I bring thee news by whom thy son was slain: 10 - Mathias did it not; it was the Jew. - - _Pilia._ Who, besides the slaughter of these gentlemen, - Poisoned his own daughter and the nuns, - Strangled a friar, and I know not what - Mischief besides. - - _Gov._ Had we but proof of this---- - - _Bell._ Strong proof, my lord; his man's now at my lodging, - That was his agent; he'll confess it all. - - _Gov._ Go fetch him straight [_Exeunt_ Officers]; - I always feared that Jew. 20 - - _Enter_ Officers _with_ BARABAS _and_ ITHAMORE. - - _Bar._ I'll go alone; dogs, do not hale me thus. - - _Itha._ Nor me neither, I cannot outrun you, constable: - O my belly! - - _Bar._ One dram of powder more had made all sure; - What a damned slave was I! [_Aside._ - - _Gov._ Make fires, heat irons, let the rack be fetched. - - _Knights._ Nay, stay, my lord, 't may be he will confess? - - _Bar._ Confess! what mean you, lords, who should confess? - - _Gov._ Thou and thy Turk; 'twas you that slew my son. - - _Itha._ Guilty, my lord, I confess: your son and Mathias - were both contracted unto Abigail; [he] forged a counterfeit - challenge. 31 - - _Bar._ Who carried that challenge? - - _Itha._ I carried it, I confess; but who writ it? Marry, - even he that strangled Barnardine, poisoned the nuns, - and his own daughter. - - _Gov._ Away with him, his sight is death to me. - - _Bar._ For what, you men of Malta? hear me speak: - She is a courtesan, and he a thief, - And he my bondman. Let me have law, - For none of this can prejudice my life. 40 - - _Gov._ Once more, away with him; you shall have law. - - _Bar._ Devils, do your worst, I live in spite of you. [_Aside._ - As these have spoke, so be it to their souls!-- - I hope the poisoned flowers will work anon. [_Aside._ - [_Exeunt._ - - _Enter the_ Mother _of_ MATHIAS. - - _Mother._ Was my Mathias murdered by the Jew? - Ferneze, 'twas thy son that murdered him. - - _Gov._ Be patient, gentle madam, it was he. - He forged the daring challenge made them fight. - - _Mother._ Where is the Jew? where is that murderer? - - _Gov._ In prison till the law has past on him. 50 - - _Enter_ Officer. - - _Off._ My lord, the courtesan and her man are dead: - So is the Turk and Barabas the Jew. - - _Gov._ Dead! - - _Off._ Dead, my lord, and here they bring his body. - - _Bosco._ This sudden death of his is very strange. - - _Re-enter_ Officers _carrying_ BARABAS _as dead._ - - _Gov._ Wonder not at it, sir, the heavens are just; - Their deaths were like their lives, then think not of 'em; - Since they are dead, let them be buried. - For the Jew's body, throw that o'er the walls, - To be a prey for vultures and wild beasts. 60 - So now away, and fortify the town. - [_Exeunt all, leaving_ BARABAS _on the floor._[141] - - _Bar._ [_Rising._] What, all alone? well fare, sleepy drink. - I'll be revenged on this accursèd town; - For by my means Calymath shall enter in. - I'll help to slay their children and their wives, - To fire the churches, pull their houses down, - Take my goods too, and seize upon my lands: - I hope to see the Governor a slave, - And, rowing in a galley, whipt to death. - - _Enter_ CALYMATH, Bassoes, _and_ Turks. - - _Caly._ Whom have we here, a spy? 70 - - _Bar._ Yes, my good lord, one that can spy a place - Where you may enter, and surprise the town: - My name is Barabas: I am a Jew. - - _Caly._ Art thou that Jew whose goods we heard were sold - For tribute-money? - - _Bar._ The very same, my lord: - And since that time they have hired a slave, my man, - To accuse me of a thousand villanies: - I was imprisoned, but escaped their hands. - - _Caly._ Did'st break prison? 80 - - _Bar._ No, no; - I drank of poppy and cold mandrake juice:[142] - And being asleep, belike they thought me dead, - And threw me o'er the walls: so, or how else, - The Jew is here, and rests at your command. - - _Caly._ 'Twas bravely done: but tell me, Barabas, - Canst thou, as thou report'st, make Malta ours? - - _Bar._ Fear not, my lord, for here against the sluice,[143] - The rock is hollow, and of purpose digged, - To make a passage for the running streams 90 - And common channels of the city. - Now, whilst you give assault unto the walls, - I'll lead five hundred soldiers through the vault, - And rise with them i' the middle of the town, - Open the gates for you to enter in, - And by this means the city is your own. - - _Caly._ If this be true, I'll make thee governor. - - _Bar._ And if it be not true, then let me die. - - _Caly._ Thou'st doomed thyself. Assault it presently. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Alarms. Enter_[144] Turks, BARABAS, _&c._; - Governor _and_ Knights _prisoners._ - - _Caly._ Now vail[145] your pride, you captive Christians, - And kneel for mercy to your conquering foe: - Now where's the hope you had of haughty Spain? - - Ferneze, speak, had it not been much better - T'have[146] kept thy promise than be thus surprised? - - _Gov._ What should I say? We are captives and must yield. - - _Caly._ I, villains, you must yield, and under Turkish yokes - Shall groaning bear the burden of our ire; - And, Barabas, as erst we promised thee, - For thy desert we make thee governor; 10 - Use them at thy discretion. - - _Bar._ Thanks, my lord. - - _Gov._ O fatal day, to fall into the hand - Of such a traitor and unhallowed Jew! - What greater misery could Heaven inflict? - - _Caly._ 'Tis our command: and, Barabas, we give - To guard thy person these our Janizaries: - Intreat them well, as we have usèd thee. - And now, brave bassoes, come, we'll walk about - The ruined town, and see the wreck we made: 20 - Farewell, brave Jew; farewell, great Barabas! - [_Exeunt_ CALYMATH _and_ Bassoes. - _Bar._ May all good fortune follow Calymath. - And now, as entrance to our safety, - To prison with the Governor and these - Captains, his consorts and confederates. - - _Gov._ O villain, Heaven will be revenged on thee. [_Exeunt._ - - _Bar._ Away, no more, let him not trouble me. - Thus[147] hast thou gotten, by thy policy, - No simple place, no small authority, - I now am governor of Malta; true, 30 - But Malta hates me, and in hating me - My life's in danger, and what boots it thee, - Poor Barabas, to be the governor, - Whenas thy life shall be at their command? - No, Barabas, this must be looked into; - And since by wrong thou got'st authority, - Maintain it bravely by firm policy. - At least unprofitably lose it not: - For he that liveth in authority, - And neither gets him friends, nor fills his bags, 40 - Lives like the ass that Æsop speaketh of, - That labours with a load of bread and wine, - And leaves it off to snap on thistle tops: - But Barabas will be more circumspect. - Begin betimes; occasion's bald behind, - Slip not thine opportunity, for fear too late - Thou seek'st for much, but canst not compass it. - Within here! - - _Enter_ Governor, _with a_ Guard. - - _Gov._ My lord? - - _Bar._ I, _lord_; thus slaves will learn. 50 - Now, Governor, stand by there:--wait within. [_Exit_ Guard. - This is the reason that I sent for thee; - Thou seest thy life and Malta's happiness - Are at my arbitrement; and Barabas - At his discretion may dispose of both: - Now tell me, Governor, and plainly too, - What think'st thou shall become of it and thee? - - _Gov._ This, Barabas; since things are in thy power, - I see no reason but of Malta's wreck, - Nor hope of thee but extreme cruelty; 60 - Nor fear I death, nor will I flatter thee. - - _Bar._ Governor, good words; be not so furious. - 'Tis not thy life which can avail me aught, - Yet you do live, and live for me you shall: - And, as for Malta's ruin, think you not - 'Twere slender policy for Barabas - To dispossess himself of such a place? - For sith, as once you said, 'tis in this isle, - In Malta here, that I have got my goods, - And in this city still have had success, 70 - And now at length am grown your governor, - Yourselves shall see it shall not be forgot: - For as a friend not known, but in distress, - I'll rear up Malta, now remediless. - - _Gov._ Will Barabas recover Malta's loss? - Will Barabas be good to Christians? - - _Bar._ What wilt thou give me, Governor, to procure - A dissolution of the slavish bands - Wherein the Turk hath yoked your lands and you? - What will you give me if I render you 80 - The life of Calymath, surprise his men - And in an outhouse of the city shut - His soldiers, till I have consumed 'em all with fire? - What will you give him that procureth this? - - _Gov._ Do but bring this to pass which thou pretend'st,[148] - Deal truly with us as thou intimatest, - And I will send amongst the citizens; - And by my letters privately procure - Great sums of money for thy recompense: - Nay more, do this, and live thou governor still. 90 - - _Bar._ Nay, do thou this, Ferneze, and be free; - Governor, I enlarge thee; live with me, - Go walk about the city, see thy friends: - Tush, send not letters to 'em, go thyself, - And let me see what money thou canst make; - Here is my hand that I'll set Malta free: - And thus we cast it: To a solemn feast - I will invite young Selim Calymath, - Where be thou present only to perform - One stratagem that I'll impart to thee, 100 - Wherein no danger shall betide thy life, - And I will warrant Malta free for ever. - - _Gov._ Here is my hand, believe me, Barabas, - I will be there, and do as thou desirest; - When is the time? - - _Bar._ Governor, presently. - For Calymath, when he hath viewed the town, - Will take his leave and sail towards Ottoman. - - _Gov._ Then will I, Barabas, about this coin, - And bring it with me to thee in the evening. 110 - - _Bar._ Do so, but fail not; now farewell, Ferneze: - [_Exit_ Governor. - And thus far roundly goes the business: - Thus loving neither, will I live with both, - Making a profit of my policy; - And he from whom my most advantage comes - Shall be my friend. - This is the life we Jews are used to lead; - And reason too, for Christians do the like. - Well, now about effecting this device: - First to surprise great Selim's soldiers, 120 - And then to make provision for the feast, - That at one instant all things may be done: - My policy detests prevention: - To what event my secret purpose drives, - I know; and they shall witness with their lives. - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter_ CALYMATH _and_ Bassoes. - - _Caly._ Thus have we viewed the city, seen the sack, - And caused the ruins to be new repaired, - Which with our bombards'[149] shot and basilisk[s][150] - We rent in sunder at our entry: - And now I see the situation, - And how secure this conquered island stands - Environed with the Mediterranean sea, - Strong countermined with other petty isles; - - And,[151] toward Calabria, backed by Sicily, - (Where Syracusian Dionysius reigned,) 10 - Two lofty turrets that command the town; - I wonder how it could be conquered thus? - - _Enter a_ Messenger. - - _Mess._ From Barabas, Malta's governor. I bring - A message unto mighty Calymath; - Hearing his sovereign was bound for sea, - To sail to Turkey, to great Ottoman, - He humbly would entreat your majesty - To come and see his homely citadel, - And banquet with him ere thou leav'st the isle. - - _Caly._ To banquet with him in his citadel? 20 - I fear me, messenger, to feast my train - Within a town of war so lately pillaged, - Will be too costly and too troublesome: - Yet would I gladly visit Barabas, - For well has Barabas deserved of us. - - _Mess._ Selim, for that, thus saith the Governor, - That he hath in [his] store a pearl so big, - So precious, and withal so orient, - As, be it valued but indifferently, - The price thereof will serve to entertain 30 - Selim and all his soldiers for a month; - Therefore he humbly would entreat your highness - Not to depart till he has feasted you. - - _Caly._ I cannot feast my men in Malta walls, - Except he place his tables in the streets. - - _Mess._ Know, Selim, that there is a monastery - Which standeth as an outhouse to the town: - There will he banquet them, but thee at home, - With all thy bassoes and brave followers. - - _Caly._ Well, tell the Governor we grant his suit, 40 - We'll in this summer evening feast with him. - - _Mess._ I shall, my lord. [_Exit._ - - _Caly._ And now, bold bassoes, let us to our tents, - And meditate how we may grace us best - To solemise our Governor's great feast. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE IV. - - _Enter_[152] Governor, Knights, _and_ DEL BOSCO. - - _Gov._ In this, my countrymen, be ruled by me, - Have special care that no man sally forth - Till you shall hear a culverin discharged - By him that bears the linstock,[153] kindled thus; - Then issue out and come to rescue me, - For happily I shall be in distress, - Or you released of this servitude. - - _Knight._ Rather than thus to live as Turkish thralls - What will we not adventure? - - _Gov._ On then, begone. - - _Knight_. Farewell, grave Governor! [_Exeunt._ 11 - - - SCENE V. - - _Enter,_[154] _above,_ BARABAS, _with a hammer, very busy; - and_ Carpenters. - - _Bar._ How stand the cords? How hang these hinges? fast? - Are all the cranes and pulleys sure? - - _First Carp._[155] All fast. - - _Bar._ Leave nothing loose, all levelled to my mind. - Why now I see that you have art indeed. - There, carpenters, divide that gold amongst you: - Go swill in bowls of sack and muscadine! - Down to the cellar, taste of all my wines. - - _Carp._ We shall, my lord, and thank you. [_Exeunt._ - - _Bar._ And, if you like them, drink your fill and die: 10 - For so I live, perish may all the world. - Now Selim Calymath return me word - That thou wilt come, and I am satisfied. - Now, sirrah, what, will he come? - - _Enter_ Messenger. - - _Mess._ He will; and has commanded all his men - To come ashore, and march through Malta streets, - That thou mayest feast them in thy citadel. - - _Bar._ Then now are all things as my wish would have 'em, - There wanteth nothing but the Governor's pelf, - And see, he brings it. 20 - - _Enter_ Governor. - - Now, Governor, the sum. - - _Gov._ With free consent, a hundred thousand pounds. - - _Bar._ Pounds say'st thou, Governor? well, since it is no more, - I'll satisfy myself with that; nay, keep it still, - For if I keep not promise, trust not me. - And, Governor, now take my policy: - First, for his army, they are sent before, - Entered the monastery, and underneath - In several places are field-pieces pitched, - Bombards, whole barrels full of gunpowder, 30 - That on the sudden shall dissever it, - And batter all the stones about their ears, - Whence none can possibly escape alive: - Now as for Calymath and his consorts, - Here have I made a dainty gallery, - The floor whereof, this cable being cut, - Doth fall asunder; so that it doth sink - Into a deep pit past recovery. - Here, hold that knife, and when thou seest he comes, - And with his bassoes shall be blithely set, 40 - A warning-piece shall be shot off from the tower, - To give thee knowledge when to cut the cord - And fire the house; say, will not this be brave? - - _Gov._ O excellent! here, hold thee, Barabas, - I trust thy word, take what I promised thee. - - _Bar._ No, Governor, I'll satisfy thee first, - Thou shalt not live in doubt of anything. - Stand close, for here they come [Governor _retires_]. - Why, is not this - A kingly kind of trade to purchase towns - By treachery and sell 'em by deceit? 50 - Now tell me, worldlings, underneath the sun[156] - If greater falsehood ever has been done? - - _Enter_ CALYMATH _and_ Bassoes. - - _Caly._ Come, my companion bassoes; see, I pray, - How busy Barabas is there above - To entertain us in his gallery; - Let us salute him. Save thee, Barabas! - - _Bar._ Welcome, great Calymath! - - _Gov._ How the slave jeers at him. [_Aside._ - - _Bar._ Will 't please thee, mighty Selim Calymath, - To ascend our homely stairs? 60 - - _Caly._ I, Barabas; - Come, bassoes, attend.[157] - - _Gov._ Stay, Calymath! - For I will show thee greater courtesy - Than Barabas would have afforded thee. - - _Knight [within_]. Sound a charge there! - - [_A charge; the cable cut._ BARABAS _falls into a - caldron. Enter_ MARTIN DEL BOSCO _and_ Knights.[158] - - _Caly._ How now, what means this! - - _Bar._ Help, help me, Christians, help. - - _Gov._ See, Calymath, this was devised for thee. - - _Caly._ Treason! treason! bassoes, fly! 70 - - _Gov._ No, Selim, do not fly; - See his end first, and fly then if thou canst. - - _Bar._ O help me, Selim, help me, Christians! - Governor, why stand you all so pitiless? - - _Gov._ Should I in pity of thy plaints or thee, - Accursèd Barabas, base Jew, relent? - No, thus I'll see thy treachery repaid, - But wish thou hadst behaved thee otherwise. - - _Bar._ You will not help me, then? - - _Gov._ No, villain, no. 80 - - _Bar._ And, villains, know you cannot help me now-- - Then, Barabas, breathe forth thy latest hate,[159] - And in the fury of thy torments strive - To end thy life with resolution; - Know, Governor, 'twas I that slew thy son; - I framed the challenge that did make them meet: - Know, Calymath, I aimed thy overthrow, - And had I but escaped this stratagem, - I would have brought confusion on you all, - Damned Christians! dogs! and Turkish infidels! 90 - But now begins the extremity of heat - To pinch me with intolerable pangs: - Die life, fly soul, tongue curse thy fill, and die! [_Dies._ - - _Caly._ Tell me, you Christians, what doth this portend? - - _Gov._ This train he laid to have entrapped thy life; - Now, Selim, note the unhallowed deeds of Jews: - Thus he determined to have handled thee, - But I have rather chose to save thy life. - - _Caly._ Was this the banquet he prepared for us? - Let's hence, lest further mischief be pretended.[160] 100 - - _Gov._ Nay, Selim, stay, for since we have thee here, - We will not let thee part so suddenly; - Besides, if we should let thee go, all's one, - For with thy galleys could'st thou not get hence, - Without fresh men to rig and furnish them. - - _Caly._ Tush, Governor, take thou no care for that, - My men are all aboard. - And do attend my coming there by this. - - _Gov._ Why, heard'st thou not the trumpet sound a charge? - - _Caly._ Yes, what of that? 110 - - _Gov._ Why then the house was fired, - Blown up, and all thy soldiers massacred. - - _Caly._ O monstrous treason! - - _Gov._ A Jew's courtesy: - For he that did by treason work our fall, - By treason hath delivered thee to us: - Know, therefore, till thy father hath made good - The ruins done to Malta and to us, - Thou canst not part: for Malta shall be freed, - Or Selim ne'er return to Ottoman. 120 - - _Caly._ Nay, rather, Christians, let me go to Turkey, - In person there to mediate[161] your peace; - To keep me here will not advantage you. - - _Gov._ Content thee, Calymath, here thou must stay, - And live in Malta prisoner; for come all[162] the world - To rescue thee, so will we guard us now, - As sooner shall they drink the ocean dry - Than conquer Malta, or endanger us. - So march away, and let due praise be given - Neither to fate nor fortune, but to Heaven. - [_Exeunt._ - - - - - EDWARD THE SECOND. - - -_Edward II._ was entered in the Stationers' Books 6th July 1593. In the -Dyce Library at South Kensington there is a 4to. with a MS. title-page -(in a hand of the late seventeenth century) dated 1593. Without doubt -the date 1593 is a copyist's mistake for 1598. In the first leaf, which -is in MS., there are a few textual differences, due to the copyist's -carelessness; but the printed matter throughout (A. 3--K. 2) exhibits -the text of ed. 1598. - -In 1876 an edition of _Edward II._ in 8vo., dated 1594, was discovered -in the library at Cassel. The title is:--_The troublesome raigne and -lamentable death of Edward the second, King of England: with the -tragicall fall of proud Mortimer. As it was sundrie times publiquely -acted in the honourable citie of London, by the right honourable the -Earl of Pembroke his servants. Written by Chri. Marlow Gent. Imprinted -at London for William Jones, dwelling neare Holborne conduit at the -Signe of the Gunne, 1594._ - -The title of the 4to. of 1598 runs as follows:--_The troublesome raigne -and lamentable death of Edward the second, King of England: with the -tragicall fall of proud Mortimer: And also the life and death of Peirs -Gaueston, the great Earle of Cornewall, and mighty favorite of king -Edward the second, as it was publiquely acted by the right honorable the -Earle of Pembrooke his seruauntes. Written by Chri. Marlow Gent. -Imprinted at London by Richard Bradocke, for William Jones, dwelling -neere Holbourne conduit, at the signe of the Gunne, 1598._ - -Another edition (in 4to.) appeared in 1612, with the following -title:--_The troublesome raigne and lamentable death of Edward the -second, King of England: with the tragicall fall of proud Mortimer. And -also the life and death of Peirs Gaueston, the great Earle of Cornewall, -and mighty fauorite of King Edward the second, as it was publiquely -acted by the right honorable the Earle of Pembrooke his seruants. -Written by Christopher Marlow Gent. Printed at London for Roger Barnes, -and are to be sould at his shop in Chauncerie Lane ouer against the -Rolles, 1612._ - -The last of the old editions is dated 1622:--_The troublesome raigne and -lamentable death of Edward the second, King of England: with the -tragicall fall of proud Mortimer. And also the life and death of Peirs -Gauestone, the great Earle of Cornewall, and mighty Fauorite of King -Edward the second. As it was publikely Acted by the late Queenes -Maiesties Seruants at the Red Bull in S. Johns streete. Written by -Christopher Marlow Gent. London, Printed for Henry Bell, and are to be -sold at his Shop at the Lame-hospitall Gate, neere Smithfield, 1622._ - -The text of the 1598 4to., which is fairly free from corruptions, -differs but slightly from the texts of the two later 4tos. I have not -had an opportunity of inspecting the 8vo. of 1594; but I suspect that it -agrees very closely with the later copies. - - - _PERSONS REPRESENTED._ - - EDWARD II. - PRINCE EDWARD, _his son, afterwards_ Edward III. - GAVESTON. - OLD SPENCER. - YOUNG SPENCER. - EARL MORTIMER. - YOUNG MORTIMER. - BERKELEY. - LANCASTER. - LEICESTER. - EDMUND, _Earl of Kent._ - ARUNDEL. - WARWICK. - PEMBROKE. - ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. - BISHOP OF WINCHESTER. - BISHOP OF COVENTRY. - BEAUMONT. - TRUSSEL. - Sir JOHN HAINAULT. - LEVUNE. - BALDOCK. - MATREVIS. - GURNEY. - RICE AP HOWEL. - LIGHTBORN. - Abbot. - Lords, Messengers, Monks, James, &c., &c. - - QUEEN ISABELLA. - Niece _to_ Edward II. - Ladies. - - - - - EDWARD THE SECOND. - - - - - ACT THE FIRST. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_[163] GAVESTON, _reading a letter - from the_ King. - - _Gav. My father is deceased! Come, Gaveston, - And share the kingdom with thy dearest friend._ - Ah! words that make me surfeit with delight! - What greater bliss can hap to Gaveston - Than live and be the favourite of a king! - Sweet prince, I come; these, these thy amorous lines - Might have enforced me to have swum from France, - And, like Leander, gasped upon the sand, - So thou would'st smile, and take me in thine arms. - The sight of London to my exiled eyes 10 - Is as Elysium to a new-come soul; - Not that I love the city, or the men, - But that it harbours him I hold so dear-- - The king, upon whose bosom let me die,[164] - And with the world be still at enmity. - What need the arctic people love starlight, - To whom the sun shines both by day and night? - Farewell base stooping to the lordly peers! - My knee shall bow to none but to the king. - As for the multitude, that are but sparks, 20 - Raked up in embers of their poverty;-- - _Tanti_;[165] I'll fawn[166] first on the wind - That glanceth at my lips, and flieth away. - But how now, what are these? - - _Enter three poor_ Men. - - _Men._ Such as desire your worship's service. - - _Gav._ What canst thou do? - - _1 Man._ I can ride. - - _Gav._ But I have no horse. What art thou? - - _2 Man._ A traveller. - - _Gav._ Let me see--thou would'st do well - To wait at my trencher and tell me lies at dinner-time; 30 - And as I like your discoursing, I'll have you. - And what art thou? - - _3 Man._ A soldier, that hath served against the Scot. - - _Gav._ Why, there are hospitals for such as you; - I have no war, and therefore, sir, begone. - - _3 Man._ Farewell, and perish by a soldier's hand, - That would'st reward them with an hospital. - - _Gav._ I, I, these words of his move me as much - As if a goose would play the porcupine, - And dart her plumes,[167] thinking to pierce my breast. 40 - But yet it is no pain to speak men fair; - I'll flatter these, and make them live in hope. [_Aside._ - You know that I came lately out of France, - And yet I have not viewed my lord the king; - If I speed well, I'll entertain you all. - - _Omnes._ We thank your worship. - - _Gav._ I have some business. Leave me to myself. - - _Omnes._ We will wait here about the court. [_Exeunt._ - - _Gav._ Do; these are not men for me; - I must have wanton poets, pleasant wits, 50 - Musicians, that with touching of a string - May draw the pliant king which way I please. - Music and poetry is his delight; - Therefore I'll have Italian masks by night, - Sweet speeches, comedies, and pleasing shows; - And in the day, when he shall walk abroad, - Like silvian[168] nymphs my pages shall be clad; - My men, like satyrs grazing on the lawns, - Shall with their goat-feet dance the antic hay.[169] - Sometime a lovely boy in Dian's shape, 60 - With hair that gilds the water as it glides, - Crownets of pearl about his naked arms, - And in his sportful hands an olive-tree, - To hide those parts which men delight to see, - Shall bathe him in a spring; and there hard by, - One like Actæon peeping through the grove, - Shall by the angry goddess be transformed, - And running in the likeness of an hart - By yelping hounds pulled down, and[170] seem to die;-- - Such things as these best please his majesty. 70 - Here comes my lord[171] the king, and [here] the nobles - From the parliament. I'll stand aside. - - _Enter the_ KING, LANCASTER, OLD MORTIMER, YOUNG MORTIMER, - EDMUND, _Earl of Kent_, GUY, _Earl of Warwick, &c._ - - _Edw._ Lancaster! - - _Lan._ My lord. - - _Gav._ That Earl of Lancaster do I abhor. [_Aside._ - - _Edw._ Will you not grant me this? In spite of them - I'll have my will; and these two Mortimers, - That cross me thus, shall know I am displeased. - - _E. Mor._ If you love us, my lord, hate Gaveston. - - _Gav._ That villain Mortimer, I'll be his death! [_Aside._ - - _Y. Mor._ Mine uncle here, this earl, and I myself, 81 - Were sworn[172] to your father at his death, - That he should ne'er return into the realm: - And know, my lord, ere I will break my oath, - This sword of mine, that should offend your foes, - Shall sleep within the scabbard at thy need, - And underneath thy banners march who will, - For Mortimer will hang his armour up. - - _Gav._ _Mort dieu!_ [_Aside._ - - _Edw._ Well, Mortimer, I'll make thee rue these words. - Beseems it thee to contradict thy king? 91 - Frown'st thou thereat, aspiring Lancaster?[173] - The sword shall plane the furrows of thy brows, - And hew these knees that now are grown so stiff. - I will have Gaveston; and you shall know - What danger 'tis to stand against your king. - - _Gav._ Well done, Ned! [_Aside._ - - _Lan._ My lord, why do you thus incense your peers, - That naturally would love and honour you - But for that base and obscure Gaveston? 100 - Four earldoms have I, besides Lancaster-- - Derby, Salisbury, Lincoln, Leicester, - These will I sell, to give my soldiers pay, - Ere Gaveston shall stay within the realm; - Therefore, if he be come, expel him straight. - - _Edw._ Barons and earls, your pride hath made me mute; - But now I'll speak, and to the proof, I hope. - I do remember, in my father's days, - Lord Percy of the north, being highly moved, - Braved Moubery[174] in presence of the king; 110 - For which, had not his highness loved him well, - He should have lost his head; but with his look - The undaunted spirit of Percy was appeased, - And Moubery and he were reconciled. - Yet dare you brave the king unto his face; - Brother, revenge it, and let these their heads - Preach upon poles, for trespass of their tongues. - - _War._ O, our heads! - - _Edw._ I, yours; and therefore I would wish you grant-- - - _War._ Bridle thy anger, gentle Mortimer. 120 - - _Y. Mor._ I cannot, nor I will not; I must speak. - Cousin, our hands I hope shall fence our heads, - And strike off his that makes you threaten us. - Come, uncle, let us leave the brainsick king, - And henceforth parley with our naked swords. - - _E. Mor._ Wiltshire hath men enough to save our heads. - - _War._ All Warwickshire will love[175] him for my sake. - - _Lan._ And northward Gaveston[176] hath many friends. - Adieu, my lord; and either change your mind, - Or look to see the throne, where you should sit, 130 - To float in blood; and at thy wanton head, - The glozing head of thy base minion thrown. [_Exeunt_ Nobles. - - _Edw._ I cannot brook these haughty menaces; - Am I a king, and must be overruled? - Brother, display my ensigns in the field; - I'll bandy[177] with the barons and the earls, - And either die or live with Gaveston. - - _Gav._ I can no longer keep me from my lord. - [_Comes forward._ - - _Edw._ What, Gaveston! welcome.--Kiss not my hand-- - Embrace me, Gaveston, as I do thee. 140 - Why should'st thou kneel? know'st thou not who I am? - Thy friend, thyself, another Gaveston! - Not Hylas was more mourned of[178] Hercules, - Than thou hast been of me since thy exile. - - _Gav._ And since I went from hence, no soul in hell - Hath felt more torment than poor Gaveston. - - _Edw._ I know it.--Brother, welcome home my friend. - Now let the treacherous Mortimers conspire, - And that high-minded Earl of Lancaster: - I have my wish, in that I joy thy sight; 150 - And sooner shall the sea o'erwhelm my land, - Than bear the ship that shall transport thee hence. - I here create thee Lord High Chamberlain, - Chief Secretary to the state and me, - Earl of Cornwall, King and Lord of Man. - - _Gav._ My lord, these titles far exceed my worth. - - _Kent._ Brother, the least of these may well suffice - For one of greater birth than Gaveston. - - _Edw._ Cease, brother: for I cannot brook these words. - Thy worth, sweet friend, is far above my gifts, 160 - Therefore, to equal it, receive my heart; - If for these dignities thou be envied, - I'll give thee more; for, but to honour thee, - Is Edward pleased with kingly regiment.[179] - Fear'st thou thy person? thou shalt have a guard. - Wantest thou gold? go to my treasury. - Wouldst thou be loved and feared? receive my seal; - Save or condemn, and in our name command - Whatso thy mind affects, or fancy likes. - - _Gav._ It shall suffice me to enjoy your love, 170 - Which whiles I have, I think myself as great - As Cæsar riding in the Roman street, - With captive kings at his triumphant car. - - _Enter the_ BISHOP OF COVENTRY. - - _Edw._ Whither goes my lord of Coventry so fast? - - _Bish._ To celebrate your father's exequies. - But is that wicked Gaveston returned? - - _Edw._ I, priest, and lives to be revenged on thee, - That wert the only cause of his exile. - - _Gav._ 'Tis true; and but for reverence of these robes, - Thou should'st not plod one foot beyond this place. 180 - - _Bish._ I did no more than I was bound to do; - And, Gaveston, unless thou be reclaimed, - As then I did incense the parliament, - So will I now, and thou shalt back to France. - - _Gav._ Saving your reverence, you must pardon me. - - _Edw._ Throw off his golden mitre, rend his stole, - And in the channel[180] christen him anew. - - _Kent._ Ah, brother, lay not violent hands on him, - For he'll complain unto the see of Rome. - - _Gav._ Let him complain unto the see of hell, 190 - I'll be revenged on him for my exile. - - _Edw._ No, spare his life, but seize upon his goods: - Be thou lord bishop and receive his rents, - And make him serve thee as thy chaplain: - I give him thee--here, use him as thou wilt. - - _Gav._ He shall to prison, and there die in bolts. - - _Edw._ I, to the Tower, the Fleet, or where thou wilt. - - _Bish._ For this offence, be thou accurst of God! - - _Edw._ Who's there? Convey this priest to the Tower. - - _Bish._ True, true.[181] 200 - - _Edw._ But in the meantime, Gaveston, away, - And take possession of his house and goods. - Come, follow me, and thou shalt have my guard - To see it done, and bring thee safe again. - - _Gav._ What should a priest do with so fair a house? - A prison may best[182] beseem his holiness. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_[183] _both the_ MORTIMERS, WARWICK, _and_ LANCASTER. - - _War._ 'Tis true, the bishop is in the Tower, - And goods and body given to Gaveston. - - _Lan._ What! will they tyrannise upon the church? - Ah, wicked king! accursed Gaveston! - This ground, which is corrupted with their steps, - Shall be their timeless[184] sepulchre or mine. - - _Y. Mor._ Well, let that peevish Frenchman guard him sure; - Unless his breast be sword-proof he shall die. - - _E. Mor._ How now, why droops the Earl of Lancaster? - - _Y. Mor._ Wherefore is Guy of Warwick discontent? 10 - - _Lan._ That villain Gaveston is made an earl. - - _E. Mor._ An earl! - - _War._ I, and besides Lord Chamberlain of the realm, - And Secretary too, and Lord of Man. - - _E. Mor._ We may not, nor we will not suffer this. - - _Y. Mor._ Why post we not from hence to levy men? - - _Lan._ "My Lord of Cornwall," now at every word! - And happy is the man whom he vouchsafes, - For vailing of his bonnet, one good look. - Thus, arm in arm, the king and he doth march: 20 - Nay more, the guard upon his lordship waits; - And all the court begins to flatter him. - - _War_. Thus leaning on the shoulder of the king, - He nods and scorns, and smiles at those that pass. - - _E. Mor._ Doth no man take exceptions at the slave? - - _Lan._ All stomach[185] him, but none dare speak a word. - - _Y. Mor._ Ah, that bewrays their baseness, Lancaster. - Were all the earls and barons of my mind, - We'd[186] hale him from the bosom of the king, - And at the court-gate hang the peasant up; 30 - Who, swoln with venom of ambitious pride, - Will be the ruin of the realm and us. - - _Enter the_ ARCHBISHOP _of_ CANTERBURY _and a_ Messenger. - - _War._ Here comes my Lord of Canterbury's grace. - - _Lan._ His countenance bewrays he is displeased. - - _Archbish._ First were his sacred garments rent and torn, - Then laid they violent hands upon him; next - Himself imprisoned, and his goods asseized: - This certify the pope;--away, take horse. [_Exit_ Messenger. - - _Lan._ My lord, will you take arms against the king? - - _Archbish._ What need I? God himself is up in arms, 40 - When violence is offered to the church. - - _Y. Mor._ Then will you join with us, that be his peers, - To banish or behead that Gaveston? - - _Archbish._ What else, my lords? for it concerns me near;-- - The bishoprick of Coventry is his. - - _Enter_ QUEEN ISABELLA. - - _Y. Mor._ Madam, whither walks your majesty so fast? - - _Queen._ Unto the forest,[187] gentle Mortimer, - To live in grief and baleful discontent; - For now, my lord, the king regards me not, - But doats upon the love of Gaveston. 50 - He claps his cheek, and hangs about his neck, - Smiles in his face, and whispers in his ears; - And when I come he frowns, as who should say, - "Go whither thou wilt, seeing I have Gaveston." - - _E. Mor._ Is it not strange, that he is thus bewitched? - - _Y. Mor._ Madam, return unto the court again: - That sly inveigling Frenchman we'll exile, - Or lose our lives; and yet ere that day come - The king shall lose his crown; for we have power, - And courage too, to be revenged at full. 60 - - _Archbish._ But yet lift not your swords against the king. - - _Lan._ No; but we will lift Gaveston from hence. - - _War._ And war must be the means, or he'll stay still. - - _Queen._ Then let him stay; for rather than my lord - Shall be oppressed with civil mutinies, - I will endure a melancholy life, - And let him frolic with his minion. - - _Archbish._ My lords, to ease all this, but hear me speak:-- - We and the rest, that are his counsellors, - Will meet, and with a general consent 70 - Confirm his banishment with our hands and seals. - - _Lan._ What we confirm the king will frustrate. - - _Y. Mor._ Then may we lawfully revolt from him. - - _War._ But say, my lord, where shall this meeting be? - - _Archbish._ At the New Temple. - - _Y. Mor._ Content. - - [_Archbish._] And, in the meantime, I'll entreat you all - To cross to Lambeth, and there stay with me. - - _Lan._ Come then, let's away. - - _Y. Mor._ Madam, farewell! 80 - - _Queen_. Farewell, sweet Mortimer; and, for my sake, - Forbear to levy arms against the king. - - _Y. Mor_. I, if words will serve; if not, I must. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter[188]_ GAVESTON _and the_ EARL _of_ KENT. - - _Gav._ Edmund, the mighty prince of Lancaster, - That hath more earldoms than an ass can bear, - And both the Mortimers, two goodly men, - With Guy of Warwick, that redoubted knight, - Are gone toward Lambeth--there let them remain. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE IV. - - _Enter[189]_ NOBLES _and the_ ARCHBISHOP _of_ CANTERBURY. - - _Lan._ Here is the form of Gaveston's exile: - May it please your lordship to subscribe your name. - - _Archbish._ Give me the paper. - [_He subscribes, as the others do after him._ - - _Lan._ Quick, quick, my lord; I long to write my name. - - _War._ But I long more to see him banished hence. - - _Y. Mor._ The name of Mortimer shall fright the king, - Unless he be declined from that base peasant. - - _Enter the_ KING, GAVESTON, _and_ KENT. - - _Edw._ What, are you moved that Gaveston sits here? - It is our pleasure, and we will have it so. - - _Lan._ Your grace doth well to place him by your side, 10 - For nowhere else the new earl is so safe. - - _E. Mor._ What man of noble birth can brook this sight? - _Quam male conveniunt!_[190] - See what a scornful look the peasant casts! - - _Pem._ Can kingly lions fawn on creeping ants? - - _War._ Ignoble vassal, that like Phaeton - Aspir'st unto the guidance of the sun. - - _Y. Mor._ Their downfall is at hand, their forces down: - We will not thus be faced and over-peered. - - _Edw._ Lay hands on[191] that traitor Mortimer! 20 - - _E. Mor._ Lay hands on that traitor Gaveston! - - _Kent._ Is this the duty that you owe your king? - - _War._ We know our duties--let him know his peers. - - _Edw._ Whither will you bear him? Stay, or ye shall die. - - _E. Mor._ We are no traitors; therefore threaten not. - - _Gav._ No, threaten not, my lord, but pay them home! - Were I a king---- - - _Y. Mor._ Thou villain, wherefore talk'st thou of a king, - That hardly art a gentleman by birth? - - _Edw._ Were he a peasant, being my minion, 30 - I'll make the proudest of you stoop to him. - - _Lan._ My lord, you may not thus disparage us. - Away, I say, with hateful Gaveston. - - _E. Mor._ And with the Earl of Kent that favours him. - [Attendants _remove_ KENT _and_ GAVESTON. - - _Edw._ Nay, then, lay violent hands upon your king, - Here, Mortimer, sit thou in Edward's throne: - Warwick and Lancaster, wear you my crown: - Was ever king thus over-ruled as I? - - _Lan._ Learn then to rule us better, and the realm. - - _Y. Mor._ What we have done, our heart-blood shall maintain. 40 - - _War._ Think you that we can brook this upstart pride? - - _Edw._ Anger and wrathful fury stops my speech. - - _Archbish._ Why are you moved? be patient, my lord, - And see what we your counsellors have done. - - _Y. Mor._ My lords, now let us all be resolute, - And either have our wills or lose our lives. - - _Edw._ Meet you for this? proud overbearing peers! - Ere my sweet Gaveston shall part from me, - This isle shall fleet[192] upon the ocean, - And wander to the unfrequented Inde. 50 - - _Archbish._ You know that I am legate to the pope; - On your allegiance to the see of Rome, - Subscribe, as we have done, to his exile. - - _Y. Mor._ Curse him, if he refuse; and then may we - Depose him and elect another king. - - _Edw._ I, there it goes--but yet I will not yield: - Curse me, depose me, do the worst you can. - - _Lan._ Then linger not, my lord, but do it straight. - - _Archbish._ Remember how the bishop was abused! - Either banish him that was the cause thereof, 60 - Or I will presently discharge these lords[193] - Of duty and allegiance due to thee. - - _Edw._ It boots me not to threat--I must speak fair: [_Aside._ - The legate of the pope will be obeyed. - My lord, you shall be Chancellor of the realm; - Thou, Lancaster, High Admiral of the fleet; - Young Mortimer and his uncle shall be earls; - And you, Lord Warwick, President of the North; - And thou of Wales. If this content you not, - Make several kingdoms of this monarchy, 70 - And share it equally amongst you all, - So I may have some nook or corner left, - To frolic with my dearest Gaveston. - - _Archbish._ Nothing shall alter us--we are resolved. - - _Lan._ Come, come, subscribe. - - _Y. Mor._ Why should you love him whom the world hates so? - - _Edw._ Because he loves me more than all the world. - Ah, none but rude and savage-minded men - Would seek the ruin of my Gaveston; - You that be[194] noble born should pity him. 80 - - _War._ You that are princely born should shake him off: - For shame subscribe, and let the lown[195] depart. - - _E. Mor._ Urge him, my lord. - - _Archbish._ Are you content to banish him the realm? - - _Edw._ I see I must, and therefore am content: - Instead of ink I'll write it with my tears. [_Subscribes._ - - _Y. Mor._ The king is love-sick for his minion. - - _Edw._ 'Tis done--and now, accursed hand, fall off! - - _Lan._ Give it me--I'll have it published in the streets. - - _Y. Mor._ I'll see him presently despatched away. 90 - - _Archbish._ Now is my heart at ease. - - _War._ And so is mine. - - _Pem._ This will be good news to the common sort. - - _E. Mor._ Be it or no, he shall not linger here. - [_Exeunt_ Nobles. - - _Edw._ How fast they run to banish him I love! - They would not stir, were it to do me good. - Why should a king be subject to a priest? - Proud Rome! that hatchest such imperial grooms, - For[196] these thy superstitious taper-lights, - Wherewith thy antichristian churches blaze, - I'll fire thy crazèd buildings, and enforce 100 - The papal towers to kiss the lowly ground![197] - With slaughtered priests make[198] Tiber's channel swell, - And banks raised higher with their sepulchres! - As for the peers, that back the clergy thus, - If I be king, not one of them shall live. - - _Enter_ GAVESTON. - - _Gav._ My lord, I hear it whispered everywhere, - That I am banished, and must fly the land. - - _Edw._ 'Tis true, sweet Gaveston--O! were it false! - The legate of the Pope will have it so, - And thou must hence, or I shall be deposed. 110 - But I will reign to be revenged of them; - And therefore, sweet friend, take it patiently. - Live where thou wilt, I'll send thee gold enough; - And long thou shalt not stay, or if thou dost, - I'll come to thee; my love shall ne'er decline. - - _Gav._ Is all my hope turned to this hell of grief? - - _Edw._ Rend not my heart with thy too-piercing words: - Thou from this land, I from myself am banished. - - _Gav._ To go from hence grieves not poor Gaveston; - But to forsake you, in whose gracious looks 120 - The blessedness of Gaveston remains: - For nowhere else seeks he felicity. - - _Edw._ And only this torments my wretched soul, - That, whether I will or no, thou must depart. - Be governor of Ireland in my stead, - And there abide till fortune call thee home. - Here take my picture, and let me wear thine; - [_They exchange pictures._ - O, might I keep thee here as I do this, - Happy were I! but now most miserable! - - _Gav._ 'Tis something to be pitied of a king. 130 - - _Edw._ Thou shalt not hence--I'll hide thee, Gaveston. - - _Gav._ I shall be found, and then 'twill grieve me more. - - _Edw._ Kind words, and mutual talk makes our grief greater: - Therefore, with dumb embracement, let us part-- - Stay, Gaveston, I cannot leave thee thus. - - _Gav._ For every look, my lord[199] drops down a tear: - Seeing I must go, do not renew my sorrow. - - _Edw._ The time is little that thou hast to stay, - And therefore, give me leave to look my fill: - But come, sweet friend, I'll bear thee on thy way. 140 - - _Gav._ The peers will frown. - - _Edw._ I pass[200] not for their anger--Come, let's go; - O that we might as well return as go. - - _Enter_ KENT[201] _and_ QUEEN ISABEL. - - _Queen._ Whither goes my lord? - - _Edw._ Fawn not on me, French strumpet! get thee gone. - - _Queen._ On whom but on my husband should I fawn? - - _Gav._ On Mortimer! with whom, ungentle queen-- - I say no more--judge you the rest, my lord. - - _Queen._ In saying this, thou wrong'st me, Gaveston; - Is't not enough that thou corrupt'st my lord, 150 - And art a bawd to his affections, - But thou must call mine honour thus in question? - - _Gav._ I mean not so; your grace must pardon me. - - _Edw._ Thou art too familiar with that Mortimer, - And by thy means is Gaveston exiled; - But I would wish thee reconcile the lords, - Or thou shalt ne'er be reconciled to me. - - _Queen._ Your highness knows it lies not in my power. - - _Edw._ Away then! touch me not--Come, Gaveston. - - _Queen._ Villain! 'tis thou that robb'st me of my lord. 160 - - _Gav._ Madam, 'tis you that rob me of my lord. - - _Edw._ Speak not unto her; let her droop and pine. - - _Queen._ Wherein, my lord, have I deserved these words? - Witness the tears that Isabella sheds, - Witness this heart, that sighing for thee, breaks, - How dear my lord is to poor Isabel. - - _Edw._ And witness heaven how dear thou art to me: - There weep: for till my Gaveston be repealed, - Assure thyself thou com'st not in my sight. - [_Exeunt_ EDWARD _and_ GAVESTON. - - _Queen._ O miserable and distressèd queen! 170 - Would, when I left sweet France and was embarked, - That charming Circe[202] walking on the waves, - Had changed my shape, or at[203] the marriage-day - The cup of Hymen had been full of poison, - Or with those arms that twined about my neck - I had been stifled, and not lived to see - The king my lord thus to abandon me! - Like frantic Juno will I fill the earth - With ghastly murmur of my sighs and cries; - For never doated Jove on Ganymede 180 - So much as he on cursed Gaveston: - But that will more exasperate his wrath: - I must entreat him, I must speak him fair, - And be a means to call home Gaveston: - And yet he'll ever doat on Gaveston: - And so am I for ever miserable. - - _Enter the_ Nobles. - - _Lan._ Look where the sister of the king of France - Sits wringing of her hands, and beats her breast! - - _War._ The king, I fear, hath ill-entreated her. - - _Pem._ Hard is the heart that injuries[204] such a saint. 190 - - _Y. Mor._ I know 'tis 'long of Gavestone she weeps. - - _E. Mor._ Why, he is gone. - - _Y. Mor._ Madam, how fares your grace? - - _Queen._ Ah, Mortimer! now breaks the king's hate forth, - And he confesseth that he loves me not. - - _Y. Mor._ Cry quittance, madam, then; and love not him. - - _Queen._ No, rather will I die a thousand deaths: - And yet I love in vain--he'll ne'er love me. - - _Lan._ Fear ye not, madam; now his minion's gone, - His wanton humour will be quickly left. - - _Queen._ O never, Lancaster! I am enjoined 200 - To sue upon you all for his repeal; - This wills my lord, and this must I perform, - Or else be banished from his highness' presence. - - _Lan._ For his repeal, madam! he comes not back, - Unless the sea cast up his shipwrecked body. - - _War._ And to behold so sweet a sight as that, - There's none here but would run his horse to death. - - _Y. Mor._ But, madam, would you have us call him home? - - _Queen._ I, Mortimer, for till he be restored, - The angry king hath banished me the court; 210 - And, therefore, as thou lov'st and tender'st me, - Be thou my advocate upon the peers. - - _Y. Mor._ What! would you have me plead for Gaveston? - - _E. Mor._ Plead for him that will, I am resolved. - - _Lan._ And so am I, my lord! dissuade the queen. - - _Queen._ O Lancaster! let him dissuade the king, - For 'tis against my will he should return. - - _War._ Then speak not for him, let the peasant go. - - _Queen._ 'Tis for myself I speak, and not for him. - - _Pem._ No speaking will prevail,[205] and therefore cease. 220 - - _Y. Mor._ Fair queen, forbear to angle for the fish - Which, being caught, strikes him that takes it dead; - I mean that vile torpedo, Gaveston, - That now I hope floats on the Irish seas. - - _Queen._ Sweet Mortimer, sit down by me awhile, - And I will tell thee reasons of such weight - As thou wilt soon subscribe to his repeal. - - _Y. Mor._ It is impossible; but speak your mind. - - _Queen._ Then thus, but none shall hear it but ourselves. - [_Talks to_ Y. MOR. _apart._ - - _Lan._ My lords, albeit the queen win Mortimer, 230 - Will you be resolute, and hold with me? - - _E. Mor._ Not I, against my nephew. - - _Pem._ Fear not, the queen's words cannot alter him. - - _War._ No, do but mark how earnestly she pleads. - - _Lan._ And see how coldly his looks make denial. - - _War._ She smiles; now for my life his mind is changed. - - _Lan._ I'll rather lose his friendship, I, than grant. - - _Y. Mor._ Well, of necessity it must be so. - My lords, that I abhor base Gaveston, - I hope your honours take no question, 240 - And therefore, though I plead for his repeal, - 'Tis not for his sake, but for our avail! - Nay for the realm's behoof, and for the king's. - - _Lan._ Fie, Mortimer, dishonour not thyself! - Can this be true, 'twas good to banish him? - And is this true, to call him home again? - Such reasons make white black, and dark night day. - - _Y. Mor._ My lord of Lancaster, mark the respect.[206] - - _Lan._ In no respect can contraries be true. - - _Queen._ Yet, good my lord, here what he can allege. 250 - - _War._ All that he speaks is nothing, we are resolved. - - _Y. Mor._ Do you not wish that Gaveston were dead? - - _Pem._ I would he were. - - _Y. Mor._ Why then, my lord, give me but leave to speak - - _E. Mor._ But, nephew, do not play the sophister. - - _Y. Mor._ This which I urge is of a burning zeal - To mend the king, and do our country good, - Know you not Gaveston hath store of gold, - Which may in Ireland purchase him such friends, - As he will front the mightiest of us all? 260 - And whereas he shall live and be beloved, - 'Tis hard for us to work his overthrow. - - _War._ Mark you but that, my lord of Lancaster. - - _Y. Mor._ But were he here, detested as he is, - How easily might some base slave be suborned - To greet his lordship with a poniard, - And none so much as blame the murderer, - But rather praise him for that brave attempt, - And in the chronicle enrol his name - For purging of the realm of such a plague? 270 - - _Pem._ He saith true. - - _Lan._ I, but how chance this was not done before? - - _Y. Mor._ Because, my lords, it was not thought upon; - Nay, more, when he shall know it lies in us - To banish him, and then to call him home, - 'Twill make him vail[207] the top-flag of his pride, - And fear to offend the meanest nobleman. - - _E. Mor._ But how if he do not, nephew? - - _Y. Mor._ Then may we with some colour rise in arms? - For howsoever we have borne it out, 280 - 'Tis treason to be up against the king; - So we shall have the people of our side, - Which for his father's sake lean to the king, - But cannot brook a night-grown mushroom, - Such a one as my lord of Cornwall is, - Should bear us down of the nobility. - And when the commons and the nobles join, - 'Tis not the king can buckler Gaveston; - We'll pull him from the strongest hold he hath. - My lords, if to perform this I be slack, 290 - Think me as base a groom as Gaveston. - - _Lan._ On that condition, Lancaster will grant. - - _War._ And so will Pembroke and I. - - _E. Mor._ And I. - - _Y. Mor._ In this I count me highly gratified, - And Mortimer will rest at your command. - - _Queen._ And when this favour Isabel forgets, - Then let her live abandoned and forlorn. - But see, in happy time, my lord the king, - Having brought the Earl of Cornwall on his way, 300 - Is new returned; this news will glad him much; - Yet not so much as me; I love him more - Than he can Gaveston; would he loved me - But half so much, then were I treble-blessed! - - _Enter_ KING EDWARD, _mourning._ - - _Edw._ He's gone, and for his absence thus I mourn. - Did ever sorrow go so near my heart, - As doth the want of my sweet Gaveston! - And could my crown's revenue bring him back, - I would freely give it to his enemies, - And think I gained, having bought so dear a friend. 310 - - _Queen._ Hark! how he harps upon his minion. - - _Edw._ My heart is as an anvil unto sorrow, - Which beats upon it like the Cyclops' hammers, - And with the noise turns up my giddy brain, - And makes me frantic for my Gaveston. - Ah! had some bloodless fury rose from hell, - And with my kingly sceptre struck me dead, - When I was forced to leave my Gaveston! - - _Lan._ Diablo! what passions call you these? - - _Queen._ My gracious lord, I come to bring you news. 320 - - _Edw._ That you have parled with your Mortimer? - - _Queen._ That Gaveston, my lord, shall be repealed. - - _Edw._ Repealed! the news is too sweet to be true! - - _Queen._ But will you love me, if you find it so? - - _Edw._ If it be so, what will not Edward do? - - _Queen._ For Gaveston, but not for Isabel. - - _Edw._ For thee, fair queen, if thou lov'st Gaveston, - I'll hang a golden tongue about thy neck, - Seeing thou hast pleaded with so good success. - - _Queen._ No other jewels hang about my neck 330 - Than these, my lord; nor let me have more wealth - Than I may fetch from this rich treasury-- - O how a kiss revives poor Isabel! - - _Edw._ Once more receive my hand; and let this be - A second marriage 'twixt thyself and me. - - _Queen._ And may it prove more happy than the first! - My gentle lord, bespeak these nobles fair, - That wait attendance for a gracious look, - And on their knees salute your majesty. - - _Edw._ Courageous Lancaster, embrace thy king; 340 - And, as gross vapours perish by the sun, - Even so let hatred with thy sovereign's[208] smile. - Live thou with me as my companion. - - _Lan._ This salutation overjoys my heart. - - _Edw._ Warwick shall be my chiefest counsellor: - These silver hairs will more adorn my court - Than gaudy silks, or rich embroidery. - Chide me, sweet Warwick, if I go astray. - - _War._ Slay me, my lord, when I offend your grace. - - _Edw._ In solemn triumphs, and in public shows, 350 - Pembroke shall bear the sword before the king. - - _Pem._ And with this sword Pembroke will fight for you. - - _Edw._ But wherefore walks young Mortimer aside? - Be thou commander of our royal fleet; - Or, if that lofty office like thee not, - I make thee here Lord Marshal of the realm. - - _Y. Mor._ My lord, I'll marshal so your enemies, - As England shall be quiet, and you safe. - - _Edw._ And as for you, Lord Mortimer of Chirke, - Whose great achievements in our foreign war 360 - Deserves no common place, nor mean reward; - Be you the general of the levied troops, - That now are ready to assail the Scots. - - _E. Mor._ In this your grace hath highly honoured me, - For with my nature war doth best agree. - - _Queen._ Now is the king of England rich and strong, - Having the love of his renownéd peers. - - _Edw._ I, Isabel, ne'er was my heart so light. - Clerk of the crown, direct our warrant forth - For Gaveston to Ireland: [_Enter_ Beaumont _with warrant._] - Beaumont, fly, 370 - As fast as Iris, or Jove's Mercury. - - _Bea._ It shall be done, my gracious lord. - - _Edw._ Lord Mortimer, we leave you to your charge. - Now let us in, and feast it royally. - Against our friend the Earl of Cornwall comes, - We'll have a general tilt and tournament; - And then his marriage shall be solemnised. - For wot you not that I have made him sure[209] - Unto our cousin, the earl of Gloucester's heir? - - _Lan._ Such news we hear, my lord. 380 - - _Edw._ That day, if not for him, yet for my sake, - Who in the triumph will be challenger, - Spare for no cost; we will requite your love. - - _War._ In this, or aught your highness shall command us. - - _Edw_. Thanks, gentle Warwick: come, let's in and revel. - [_Exeunt. Manent the_ MORTIMERS. - _E. Mor._ Nephew, I must to Scotland; thou stayest here. - Leave now t'oppose thyself against the king. - Thou seest by nature he is mild and calm, - And, seeing his mind so doats on Gaveston, - Let him without controulment have his will. 390 - The mightiest kings have had their minions: - Great Alexander loved Hephestion; - The conquering Hercules[210] for his Hylas wept; - And for Patroclus stern Achilles drooped. - And not kings only, but the wisest men: - The Roman Tully loved Octavius; - Grave Socrates wild Alcibiades. - Then let his grace, whose youth is flexible, - And promiseth as much as we can wish, - Freely enjoy that vain, light-headed earl; 400 - For riper years will wean him from such toys. - - _Y. Mor._ Uncle, his wanton humour grieves not me; - But this I scorn, that one so basely born - Should by his sovereign's favour grow so pert, - And riot it with the treasure of the realm. - While soldiers mutiny for want of pay, - He wears a lord's revenue on his back,[211] - And Midas-like, he jets it in the court, - With base outlandish cullions[212] at his heels, - Whose proud fantastic liveries make such show, 410 - As if that Proteus, god of shapes, appeared. - I have not seen a dapper Jack so brisk; - He wears a short Italian hooded cloak, - Larded with pearl, and, in his Tuscan cap, - A jewel of more value than the crown. - While other[213] walk below, the king and he - From out a window laugh at such as we, - And flout our train, and jest at our attire. - Uncle, 'tis this makes me impatient. 419 - - _E. Mor._ But, nephew, now you see the king is changed. - - _Y. Mor._ Then so am I, and live to do him service: - But whilst I have a sword, a hand, a heart, - I will not yield to any such upstart. - You know my mind; come, uncle, let's away. - [_Exeunt._ - - - - - ACT THE SECOND. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_[214] YOUNG SPENCER _and_ BALDOCK. - - _Bald._ Spencer, - Seeing that our lord the Earl of Gloucester's dead, - Which of the nobles dost thou mean to serve? - - _Y. Spen._ Not Mortimer, nor any of his side; - Because the king and he are enemies. - Baldock, learn this of me, a factious lord - Shall hardly do himself good, much less us; - But he that hath the favour of a king, - May with one word advance us while we live: - The liberal Earl of Cornwall is the man 10 - On whose good fortune Spencer's hope depends. - - _Bald._ What, mean you then to be his follower? - - _Y. Spen._ No, his companion; for he loves me well, - And would have once preferred me to the king. - - _Bald._ But he is banished; there's small hope of him. - - _Y. Spen._ I, for a while; but, Baldock, mark the end. - A friend of mine told me in secresy - That he's repealed, and sent for back again; - And even now a post came from the court - With letters to our lady from the king; 20 - And as she read she smiled, which makes me think - It is about her lover Gaveston. - - _Bald._ 'Tis like enough; for since he was exiled - She neither walks abroad, nor comes in sight. - But I had thought the match had been broke off, - And that his banishment had changed her mind. - - _Y. Spen._ Our lady's first love is not wavering; - My life for thine she will have Gaveston. - - _Bald._ Then hope I by her means to be preferred, - Having read unto her since she was a child. 30 - - _Y. Spen._ Then, Baldock, you must cast the scholar off, - And learn to court it like a gentleman. - 'Tis not a black coat and a little band, - A velvet caped cloak, faced before with serge, - And smelling to a nosegay all the day, - Or holding of a napkin in your hand, - Or saying a long grace at a table's end, - Or making low legs to a nobleman, - Or looking downward with your eyelids close, - And saying, "Truly, an't may please your honour," 40 - Can get you any favour with great men; - You must be proud, bold, pleasant, resolute, - And now and then stab, as occasion serves. - - _Bald._ Spencer, thou know'st I hate such formal toys, - And use them but of mere hypocrisy. - Mine old lord while he lived was so precise, - That he would take exceptions at my buttons, - And being like pins' heads, blame me for the bigness; - Which made me curate-like in mine attire, - Though inwardly licentious enough, 50 - And apt for any kind of villainy. - I am none of these common pedants, I, - That cannot speak without _propterea quod_. - - _Y. Spen._ But one of those that saith, _quandoquidem_, - And hath a special gift to form a verb. - - _Bald._ Leave off this jesting, here my lady comes. - - _Enter the_ Lady. - - _Lady._ The grief for his exile was not so much, - As is the joy of his returning home. - This letter came from my sweet Gaveston: - What need'st thou, love, thus to excuse thyself? 60 - I know thou could'st not come and visit me: - _I will not long be from thee, though I die._ [_Reads._ - This argues the entire love of my lord; - _When I forsake thee, death seize on my heart:_ [_Reads._ - But stay[215] thee here where Gaveston shall sleep. - Now to the letter of my lord the king.-- - He wills me to repair unto the court, - And meet my Gaveston? why do I stay, - Seeing that he talks thus of my marriage-day? - Who's there? Baldock! 70 - See that my coach be ready, I must hence. - - _Bald._ It shall be done, madam. [_Exit._ - - _Lady._ And meet me at the park-pale presently. - Spencer, stay you and bear me company, - For I have joyful news to tell thee of; - My lord of Cornwall is a coming over, - And will be at the court as soon as we. - - _Spen._ I knew the king would have him home again. - - _Lady._ If all things sort out, as I hope they will, - Thy service, Spencer, shall be thought upon. 80 - - _Spen._ I humbly thank your ladyship. - - _Lady._ Come, lead the way; I long till I am there. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_[216] EDWARD, _the_ QUEEN, LANCASTER, YOUNG MORTIMER, - WARWICK, PEMBROKE, KENT, _and_ Attendants. - - _Edw._ The wind is good, I wonder why he stays; - I fear me he is wrecked upon the sea. - - _Queen._ Look, Lancaster, how passionate he is, - And still his mind runs on his minion! - - _Lan._ My lord. - - _Edw._ How now! what news? is Gaveston arrived? - - _Y. Mor._ Nothing but Gaveston! what means your grace? - You have matters of more weight to think upon; - The King of France sets foot in Normandy. - - _Edw._ A trifle! we'll expel him when we please. 10 - But tell me, Mortimer, what's thy device - Against the stately triumph we decreed? - - _Y. Mor._ A homely one, my lord, not worth the telling. - - _Edw._ Pray thee let me know it. - - _Y. Mor._ But, seeing you are so desirous, thus it is: - A lofty cedar-tree, fair flourishing, - On whose top-branches kingly eagles perch, - And by the bark a canker creeps me up, - And gets into the highest bough of all: - The motto, _Æque tandem_. 20 - - _Edw._ And what is yours, my lord of Lancaster? - - _Lan._ My lord, mine's more obscure than Mortimer's. - Pliny[217] reports there is a[218] flying fish - Which all the other fishes deadly hate, - And therefore, being pursued, it takes the air: - No sooner is it up, but there's a fowl - That seizeth it: this fish, my lord, I bear, - The motto this: _Undique mors est_. - - _Kent._[219] Proud Mortimer! ungentle Lancaster! - Is this the love you bear your sovereign? 30 - Is this the fruit your reconcilement bears? - Can you in words make show of amity, - And in your shields display your rancorous minds! - What call you this but private libelling - Against the Earl of Cornwall and my brother? - - _Queen._ Sweet husband, be content, they all love you. - - _Edw._ They love me not that hate my Gaveston. - I am that cedar, shake me not too much; - And you the eagles; soar ye ne'er so high, - I have the jesses[220] that will pull you down; 40 - And _Æque tandem_ shall that canker cry - Unto the proudest peer of Britainy. - Though thou compar'st him to a flying fish, - And threatenest death whether he rise or fall, - 'Tis not the hugest monster of the sea, - Nor foulest harpy that shall swallow him. - - _Y. Mor._ If in his absence thus he favours him, - What will he do whenas he shall be present? - - _Lan._ That shall we see; look where his lordship comes. - - _Enter_ GAVESTON. - - _Edw._ My Gaveston! 50 - Welcome to Tynemouth! welcome to thy friend! - Thy absence made me droop and pine away; - For, as the lovers of fair Danae, - When she was locked up in a brazen tower, - Desired her more, and waxed outrageous, - So did it fare[221] with me: and now thy sight - Is sweeter far than was thy parting hence - Bitter and irksome to my sobbing heart. - - _Gav._ Sweet lord and king, your speech preventeth mine, - Yet have I words left to express my joy: 60 - The shepherd nipt with biting winter's rage - Frolics not more to see the painted spring, - Than I do to behold your majesty. - - _Edw._ Will none of you salute my Gaveston? - - _Lan._ Salute him? yes; welcome, Lord Chamberlain! - - _Y. Mor._ Welcome is the good Earl of Cornwall! - - _War._ Welcome, Lord Governor of the Isle of Man! - - _Pem._ Welcome, Master Secretary! - - _Kent._ Brother, do you hear them? - - _Edw._ Still will these earls and barons use me thus. 70 - - _Gav._ My lord, I cannot brook these injuries. - - _Queen._ Aye me, poor soul, when these begin to jar. [_Aside._ - - _Edw._ Return it to their throats, I'll be thy warrant. - - _Gav._ Base, leaden earls, that glory in your birth, - Go sit at home and eat your tenants' beef; - And come not here to scoff at Gaveston, - Whose mounting thoughts did never creep so low - As to bestow a look on such as you. - - _Lan._ Yet I disdain not to do this for you. [_Draws._ - - _Edw._ Treason! treason! where's the traitor? 80 - - _Pem._ Here! here! king.[222] - - [_Edw._] Convey hence Gaveston; they'll murder him. - - _Gav._ The life of thee shall salve this foul disgrace. - - _Y. Mor._ Villain! thy life, unless I miss mine aim. - [_Offers to stab him._ - _Queen._ Ah! furious Mortimer, what hast thou done? - - _Y. Mor._ No more than I would answer, were he slain. - [_Exit_ GAVESTON _with Attendants._ - - _Edw._ Yes, more than thou canst answer, though he live; - Dear shall you both abide this riotous deed. - Out of my presence! come not near the court. - - _Y. Mor._ I'll not be barred the court for Gaveston. 90 - - _Lan._ We'll hale him by the ears unto the block. - - _Edw._ Look to your own heads; his is sure enough. - - _War._ Look to your own crown, if you back him thus. - - _Kent._ Warwick, these words do ill beseem thy years. - - _Edw._ Nay, all of them conspire to cross me thus; - But if I live, I'll tread upon their heads - That think with high looks thus to tread me down. - Come, Edmund, let's away and levy men, - 'Tis war that must abate these barons' pride. - [_Exeunt the_ KING, QUEEN, _and_ KENT. - - _War._ Let's to our castles, for the king is moved. 100 - - _Y. Mor._ Moved may he be, and perish in his wrath! - - _Lan._ Cousin, it is no dealing with him now, - He means to make us stoop by force of arms; - And therefore let us jointly here protest, - To prosecute that Gaveston to the death. - - _Y. Mor._ By heaven, the abject villain shall not live! - - _War._ I'll have his blood, or die in seeking it. - - _Pem._ The like oath Pembroke takes. - - _Lan._ And so doth Lancaster. - Now send our heralds to defy the king; - And make the people swear to put him down. 110 - - _Enter_ Messenger. - - _Y. Mor._ Letters! from whence? - - _Mess._ From Scotland, My lord. - [_Giving letters to_ MORTIMER. - - _Lan._ Why, how now, cousin, how fares all our friends? - - _Y. Mor._ My uncle's taken prisoner by the Scots. - - _Lan._ We'll have him ransomed, man; be of good cheer. - - _Y. Mor._ They rate his ransom at five thousand pound. - Who should defray the money but the king, - Seeing he is taken prisoner in his wars? - I'll to the king. - - _Lan._ Do, cousin, and I'll bear thee company. - - _War._ Meantime, my lord of Pembroke and myself 120 - Will to Newcastle here, and gather head. - - _Y. Mor._ About it then, and we will follow you. - - _Lan._ Be resolute and full of secrecy. - - _War._ I warrant you. [_Exit with_ PEMBROKE. - - _Y. Mor._ Cousin, and if he will not ransom him, - I'll thunder such a peal into his ears, - As never subject did unto his king.[223] - - _Lan._ Content, I'll bear my part--Holla! whose there? - [Guard _appears._ - _Enter_ Guard. - - _Y. Mor._ I, marry, such a guard as thus doth well. - - _Lan._ Lead on the way. 130 - - _Guard._ Whither will your lordships? - - _Y. Mor._ Whither else but to the king. - - _Guard._ His highness is disposed to be alone. - - _Lan._ Why, so he may, but we will speak to him. - - _Guard._ You may not in, my lord. - - _Y. Mor._ May we not? - - _Enter_[224] EDWARD _and_ KENT. - - _Edw._ How now! what noise is this? - Who have we there, is't you? [_Going._ - - _Y. Mor._ Nay, stay, my lord, I come to bring you news; - Mine uncle's taken prisoner by the Scots. 140 - - _Edw._ Then ransom him. - - _Lan._ 'Twas in your wars; you should ransom him. - - _Y. Mor._ And you shall ransom him, or else---- - - _Kent._ What! Mortimer, you will not threaten him? - - _Edw._ Quiet yourself, you shall have the broad seal, - To gather for him th[o]roughout the realm. - - _Lan._ Your minion Gaveston hath taught you this. - - _Y. Mor._ My lord, the family of the Mortimers - Are not so poor, but, would they sell their land, - 'Twould[225] levy men enough to anger you. 150 - We never beg, but use such prayers as these. - - _Edw._ Shall I still be haunted thus? - - _Y. Mor._ Nay, now you're here alone, I'll speak my mind. - - _Lan._ And so will I, and then, my lord, farewell. - - _Y. Mor._ The idle triumphs, masks, lascivious shows, - And prodigal gifts bestowed on Gaveston, - Have drawn thy treasury[226] dry, and made thee weak; - The murmuring commons, overstretchèd, break.[227] - - _Lan._ Look for rebellion, look to be deposed; - Thy garrisons are beaten out of France, 160 - And, lame and poor, lie groaning at the gates. - The wild Oneyl, with swarms of Irish kerns,[228] - Lives uncontrolled within the English pale. - Unto the walls of York the Scots make[229] road, - And unresisted drive[230] away rich spoils. - - _Y. Mor._ The haughty Dane commands the narrow seas,[231] - While in the harbour ride thy ships unrigged. - - _Lan._ What foreign prince sends thee ambassadors? - - _Y. Mor._ Who loves thee, but a sort of flatterers? - - _Lan._ Thy gentle queen, sole sister to Valois, 170 - Complains that thou hast left her all forlorn. - - _Y. Mor._ Thy court is naked, being bereft of those - That make a king seem glorious to the world; - I mean the peers, whom thou should'st dearly love: - Libels are cast again[232] thee in the street: - Ballads and rhymes made of thy overthrow. - - _Lan._ The Northern borderers seeing their houses burnt, - Their wives and children slain, run up and down, - Cursing the name of thee and Gaveston. - - _Y. Mor._ When wert thou in the field with banner spread, 180 - But once? and then thy soldiers marched like players, - With garish robes, not armour; and thyself, - Bedaubed with gold, rode laughing at the rest, - Nodding and shaking of thy spangled crest, - Where women's favours hung like labels down. - - _Lan._ And thereof came it, that the fleering[233] Scots, - To England's high disgrace, have made this jig; - _Maids_[234] _of England, sore may you mourn, - For your lemans you have lost at Bannocksbourn, - With a heave and a ho._ 190 - _What weeneth the King of England, - So soon to have won Scotland? - With a rombelow?_[235] - - _Y. Mor._ Wigmore[236] shall fly, to set my uncle free. - - _Lan._ And when 'tis gone, our swords shall purchase more. - If ye be moved, revenge it if you can; - Look next to see us with our ensigns spread. - [_Exeunt_ Nobles. - - _Edw._ My swelling heart for very anger breaks! - How oft have I been baited by these peers, - And dare not be revenged, for their power is great! 200 - Yet, shall the crowing of these cockerels - Affright a lion? Edward, unfold thy paws, - And let their lives' blood slake thy fury's hunger. - If I be cruel and grow tyrannous, - Now let them thank themselves, and rue too late. - - _Kent._ My lord, I see your love to Gaveston - Will be the ruin of the realm and you, - For now the wrathful nobles threaten wars, - And therefore, brother, banish him for ever. - - _Edw._ Art thou an enemy to my Gaveston? 210 - - _Kent._ I, and it grieves me that I favoured him. - - _Edw._ Traitor, begone! whine thou with Mortimer. - - _Kent._ So will I, rather than with Gaveston. - - _Edw._ Out of my sight, and trouble me no more! - - _Kent._ No marvel though thou scorn thy noble peers, - When I thy brother am rejected thus. [_Exit._ - - _Edw._ Away! - Poor Gaveston, that has no friend but me, - Do what they can, we'll live in Tynemouth here, - And, so I walk with him about the walls, 220 - What care I though the Earls begirt us round-- - Here cometh she that's cause of all these jars. - - _Enter the_ QUEEN, _with_ King's Niece, _two_ Ladies, - GAVESTON, BALDOCK, _and_ YOUNG SPENCER. - - _Queen._ My lord, 'tis thought the Earls are up in arms. - - _Edw._ I, and 'tis likewise thought you favour 'em.[237] - - _Queen._ Thus do you still suspect me without cause? - - _Lady._ Sweet uncle! speak more kindly to the queen. - - _Gav._ My lord, dissemble with her, speak her fair. - - _Edw._ Pardon me, sweet, I forgot myself. - - _Queen._ Your pardon is quickly got of Isabel. - - _Edw._ The younger Mortimer is grown so brave, 230 - That to my face he threatens civil wars. - - _Gav._ Why do you not commit him to the Tower? - - _Edw._ I dare not, for the people love him well. - - _Gav._ Why then we'll have him privily made away. - - _Edw._ Would Lancaster and he had both caroused - A bowl of poison to each other's health! - But let them go, and tell me what are these. - - _Lady._ Two of my father's servants whilst he liv'd,-- - May't please your grace to entertain them now. - - _Edw._ Tell me, where wast thou born? what is thine arms? 240 - - _Bald._ My name is Baldock, and my gentry - I fetch from Oxford, not from heraldry. - - _Edw._ The fitter art thou, Baldock, for my turn. - Wait on me, and I'll see thou shall not want. - - _Bald._ I humbly thank your majesty. - - _Edw._ Knowest thou him, Gaveston? - - _Gav._ I, my lord; - His name is Spencer, he is well allied; - For my sake, let him wait upon your grace; - Scarce shall you find a man of more desert. - - _Edw._ Then, Spencer, wait upon me, for his sake 250 - I'll grace thee with a higher style ere long. - - _Y. Spen._ No greater titles happen unto me, - Than to be favoured of your majesty. - - _Edw._ Cousin, this day shall be your marriage feast. - And, Gaveston, think that I love thee well, - To wed thee to our niece, the only heir - Unto the Earl of Gloucester late deceased. - - _Gav._ I know, my lord, many will stomach me, - But I respect neither their love nor hate. - - _Edw._ The headstrong barons shall not limit me; 260 - He that I list to favour shall be great. - Come, let's away; and when the marriage ends, - Have at the rebels, and their 'complices! - [_Exeunt omnes._ - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter_[238] LANCASTER, YOUNG MORTIMER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, - _and_ KENT. - - _Kent._ My lords, of love to this our native land - I come to join with you and leave the king; - And in your quarrel and the realm's behoof - Will be the first that shall adventure life. - - _Lan._ I fear me, you are sent of policy, - To undermine us with a show of love. - - _War._ He is your brother, therefore have we cause - To cast[239] the worst, and doubt of your revolt. - - _Kent._ Mine honour shall be hostage of my truth: - If that will not suffice, farewell, my lords. 10 - - _Y. Mor._ Stay, Edmund; never was Plantagenet - False of his word, and therefore trust we thee. - - _Pem._ But what's the reason you should leave him now? - - _Kent._ I have informed the Earl of Lancaster. - - _Lan._ And it sufficeth. Now, my lords, know this, - That Gaveston is secretly arrived, - And here in Tynemouth frolics with the king. - Let us with these our followers scale the walls, - And suddenly surprise them unawares. - - _Y. Mor._ I'll give the onset. - - _War._ And I'll follow thee. 20 - - _Y. Mor._ This tottered[240] ensign of my ancestors, - Which swept the desert shore of that dead[241] sea - Whereof we got the name of Mortimer, - Will I advance upon this castle['s] walls. - Drums, strike alarum, raise them from their sport, - And ring aloud the knell of Gaveston! - - _Lan._ None be so hardy as [to] touch the king; - But neither spare you Gaveston nor his friends. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE IV. - - _Enter_[242] _the_ KING _and_ YOUNG SPENCER. - - _Edw._ O tell me, Spencer, where is Gaveston? - - _Spen._ I fear me, he is slain, my gracious lord. - - _Edw._ No, here he comes; now let them spoil and kill. - - _Enter_ QUEEN, King's Niece, GAVESTON, _and_ Nobles. - - Fly, fly, my lords, the earls have got the hold; - Take shipping and away to Scarborough; - Spencer and I will post away by land. - - _Gav._ O stay, my lord, they will not injure you. - - _Edw._ I will not trust them; Gaveston, away! - - _Gav._ Farewell, my lord. - - _Edw._ Lady, farewell. - - _Lady._ Farewell, sweet uncle, till we meet again. 10 - - _Edw._ Farewell, sweet Gaveston; and farewell, niece. - - _Queen._ No farewell to poor Isabel thy queen? - - _Edw._ Yes, yes, for Mortimer, your lover's sake. - [_Exeunt all but_ ISABEL. - - _Queen._ Heaven can witness I love none but you: - From my embracements thus he breaks away. - O that mine arms could close this isle about, - That I might pull him to me where I would! - Or that these tears, that drizzle from mine eyes, - Had power to mollify his stony heart, - That when I had him we might never part. 20 - - _Enter the_ Barons. _Alarums._ - - _Lan._ I wonder how he scaped! - - _Y. Mor._ Who's this, the queen? - - _Queen._ I, Mortimer, the miserable queen, - Whose pining heart her inward sighs have blasted, - And body with continual mourning wasted: - These hands are tired with haling of my lord - From Gaveston, from wicked Gaveston, - And all in vain; for, when I speak him fair, - He turns away, and smiles upon his minion. - - _Y. Mor._ Cease to lament, and tell us where's the king? - - _Queen._ What would you with the king? is't him you seek? 30 - - _Lan._ No, madam, but that cursèd Gaveston. - Far be it from the thought of Lancaster - To offer violence to his sovereign. - We would but rid the realm of Gaveston: - Tell us where he remains, and he shall die. - - _Queen._ He's gone by water unto Scarborough; - Pursue him quickly, and he cannot scape; - The king hath left him, and his train is small. - - _War._ Foreslow[243] no time, sweet Lancaster, let's march. - - _Y. Mor._ How comes it that the king and he is parted? 40 - - _Queen._ That thus[244] your army, going several ways, - Might be of lesser force: and with the power - That he intendeth presently to raise, - Be easily suppressed; therefore[245] be gone. - - _Y. Mor._ Here in the river rides a Flemish hoy; - Let's all aboard, and follow him amain. - - _Lan._ The wind that bears him hence will fill our sails: - Come, come aboard, 'tis but an hour's sailing. - - _Y. Mor._ Madam, stay you within this castle here. - - _Queen._ No, Mortimer, I'll to my lord the king. 50 - - _Y. Mor._ Nay, rather sail with us to Scarborough. - - _Queen._ You know the king is so suspicious, - As if he hear I have but talked with you, - Mine honour will be called in question; - And therefore, gentle Mortimer, be gone. - - _Y. Mor._ Madam, I cannot stay to answer you, - But think of Mortimer as he deserves. - [_Exeunt_ Barons. - - _Queen._ So well hast thou deserved, sweet Mortimer, - As Isabel could live with thee for ever. - In vain I look for love at Edward's hand, 60 - Whose eyes are fixed on none but Gaveston: - Yet once more I'll importune him with prayer, - If he be strange and not regard my words, - My son and I will over into France, - And to the king my brother there complain, - How Gaveston hath robbed me of his love: - But yet I hope my sorrows will have end, - And Gaveston this blessèd day be slain. - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE V. - - _Enter_[246] GAVESTON, _pursued._ - - _Gav._ Yet, lusty lords, I have escaped your hands, - Your threats, your larums, and your hot pursuits; - And though divorcèd from King Edward's eyes, - Yet liveth Pierce of Gaveston unsurprised, - Breathing, in hope (malgrado[247] all your beards, - That muster rebels thus against your king), - To see[248] his royal sovereign once again. - - _Enter the_ Nobles. - - _War._ Upon him, soldiers, take away his weapons. - - _Y. Mor._ Thou proud disturber of thy country's peace, - Corrupter of thy king; cause of these broils, 10 - Base flatterer, yield! and were it not for shame, - Shame and dishonour to a soldier's name, - Upon my weapons point here should'st thou fall, - And welter in thy gore. - - _Lan._ Monster of men! - That, like the Greekish strumpet, trained to arms - And bloody wars so many valiant knights, - Look for no other fortune, wretch, than death! - King Edward is not here to buckler thee. - - _War._ Lancaster, why talk'st thou to the slave? - - Go, soldiers, take him hence, for by my sword 20 - His head shall off: Gaveston, short warning - Shall serve thy turn. It is our country's cause, - That here severely we will execute - Upon thy person: hang him at a bough. - - _Gav._ My lords!-- - - _War._ Soldiers, have him away;-- - But for thou wert the favourite of a king, - Thou shalt have so much honour at our hands[249]-- - - _Gav._ I thank you all, my lords: then I perceive, - That heading is one, and hanging is the other, - And death is all. - - _Enter_ Earl of ARUNDEL. - - _Lan._ How now, my lord of Arundel? 30 - - _Arun._ My lords, King Edward greets you all by me. - - _War._ Arundel, say your message. - - _Arun._ His majesty, - Hearing that you had taken Gaveston, - Intreateth you by me, but that he may - See him before he dies; for why, he says, - And sends you word, he knows that die he shall; - And if you gratify his grace so far, - He will be mindful of the courtesy. - - _War._ How now? - - _Gav._ Renownèd Edward, how thy name - Revives poor Gaveston! - - _War._ No, it needeth not; 40 - Arundel, we will gratify the king - In other matters; he must pardon us in this. - Soldiers, away with him! - - _Gav._ Why, my lord of Warwick, - Will not these delays beget my hopes?[250] - I know it, lords, it is this life you aim at, - Yet grant King Edward this. - - _Y. Mor._ Shalt thou appoint - What we shall grant? Soldiers, away with him: - Thus we'll gratify the king, - We'll send his head by thee; let him bestow - His tears on that, for that is all he gets 50 - Of Gaveston, or else his senseless trunk. - - _Lan._ Not so, my lords, lest he bestow more cost - In burying him than he hath ever earned. - - _Arun._ My lords, it is his Majesty's request. - And in the honour of a king he swears, - He will but talk with him, and send him back. - - _War._ When? can you tell?[251] Arundel, no; we wot. - He that the care of his[252] realm remits, - And drives his nobles to these exigents - For Gaveston, will, if he seize[253] him once, 60 - Violate any promise to possess him. - - _Arun._ Then if you will not trust his grace in keep, - My lords, I will be pledge for his return. - - _Y. Mor._ 'Tis[254] honourable in thee to offer this; - But for we know thou art a noble gentleman, - We will not wrong thee so, to make away - A true man for a thief. - - _Gav._ How mean'st thou, Mortimer? that is over-base. - - _Y. Mor._ Away, base groom, robber of king's renown, - Question with thy companions and mates. 70 - - _Pem._ My Lord Mortimer, and you, my lords, each one, - To gratify the king's request therein. - Touching the sending of this Gaveston, - Because his majesty so earnestly - Desires to see the man before his death, - I will upon mine honour undertake - To carry him, and bring him back again; - Provided this, that you my lord of Arundel - Will join with me. - - _War._ Pembroke, what wilt thou do? - Cause yet more bloodshed? is it not enough 80 - That we have taken him, but must we now - Leave him on "had I wist,"[255] and let him go? - - _Pem._ My lords, I will not over-woo your honours, - But if you dare trust Pembroke with the prisoner, - Upon mine oath, I will return him back. - - _Arun._ My lord of Lancaster, what say you in this? - - _Lan._ Why, I say, let him go on Pembroke's word. - - _Pem._ And you, Lord Mortimer? - - _Y. Mor._ How say you, my lord of Warwick? - - _War._ Nay, do your pleasures, I know how 'twill prove. - - _Pem._ Then give him me. - - _Gav._ Sweet sovereign, yet I come 90 - To see thee ere I die. - - _War._ Yet not perhaps, - If Warwick's wit and policy prevail. [_Aside._ - - _Y. Mor._ My lord of Pembroke, we deliver him you; - Return him on your honour. Sound, away! - [_Exeunt all but_ PEMBROKE, ARUNDEL,[256] - GAVESTON, _and_ PEMBROKE'S men. - - _Pem._ My lord [of Arundel], you shall go with me. - My house is not far hence; out of the way - A little, but our men shall go along. - We that have pretty wenches to our wives, - Sir, must not come so near to baulk their lips. - - _Arun._ 'Tis very kindly spoke, my lord of Pembroke; 100 - Your honour hath an adamant of power - To draw a prince. - - _Pem._ So, my lord. Come hither, James - I do commit this Gaveston to thee, - Be thou this night his keeper, in the morning - We will discharge thee of thy charge: be gone. - - _Gav._ Unhappy Gaveston, whither goest thou now? - [_Exit with_ JAMES _and_ PEMBROKE'S men. - - _Horse-boy._ My lord, we'll quickly be at Cobham. - [_Exeunt._ - - - - - ACT THE THIRD. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter[257]_ GAVESTON _mourning_, JAMES, _and the_ - EARL of PEMBROKE'S men. - - _Gav._ O treacherous Warwick! thus to wrong thy friend. - - _James._ I see it is your life these arms pursue. - - _Gav._ Weaponless must I fall, and die in bands? - O! must this day be period of my life? - Centre of all my bliss! An ye be men, - Speed to the king. - - _Enter_ WARWICK _and his company._ - - _War._ My lord of Pembroke's men, - Strive you no longer--I will have that Gaveston. - - _James._ Your lordship does dishonour to yourself, - And wrong our lord, your honourable friend. - - _War._ No, James, it is my country's cause I follow. 10 - Go, take the villain; soldiers, come away. - We'll make quick work. Commend me to your master, - - - My friend, and tell him that I watched it well. - Come, let thy shadow[258] parley with King Edward. - - _Gav._ Treacherous earl, shall I not see the king? - - _War._ The king of Heaven perhaps, no other king. Away! - [_Exeunt_ WARWICK _and his_ Men _with_ GAVESTON. - _James._ Come, fellows, it booted not for us to strive, - We will in haste go certify our lord. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_[259] KING EDWARD _and_ YOUNG SPENCER, BALDOCK, - _and_ Nobles _of the king's side, with drums and fifes_. - - _Edw._ I long to hear an answer from the barons - Touching my friend, my dearest Gaveston. - Ah! Spencer, not the riches of my realm - Can ransom him! ah, he is marked to die! - I know the malice of the younger Mortimer, - Warwick I know is rough, and Lancaster - Inexorable, and I shall never see - My lovely Pierce of Gaveston again! - The barons overbear me with their pride. - - _Y. Spen._ Were I King Edward, England's sovereign, 10 - Son to the lovely Eleanor of Spain, - Great Edward Longshanks' issue, would I bear - These braves,[260] this rage, and suffer uncontrolled - These barons thus to beard me in my land, - In mine own realm? My lord, pardon my speech, - Did you retain your father's magnanimity, - Did you regard the honour of your name, - You would not suffer thus your majesty - Be counterbuft of your nobility. - Strike off their heads, and let them preach on poles! 20 - No doubt, such lessons they will teach the rest, - As by their preachments they will profit much, - And learn obedience to their lawful king. - - _Edw._ Yea, gentle Spencer, we have been too mild, - Too kind to them; but now have drawn our sword, - And if they send me not my Gaveston, - We'll steel it on their crest, and poll their tops. - - _Bald._ This haught[261] resolve becomes your majesty - Not to be tied to their affection, - As though your highness were a schoolboy still, 30 - And must be awed and governed like a child. - - _Enter_ HUGH SPENCER, _father to the_ YOUNG SPENCER, - _with his truncheon and_ Soldiers. - - _O. Spen._ Long live my sovereign, the noble Edward-- - In peace triumphant, fortunate in wars! - - _Edw._ Welcome, old man, com'st thou in Edward's aid? - Then tell thy[262] prince of whence, and what thou art. - - _O. Spen._ Lo, with a band of bowmen and of pikes, - Brown bills and targeteers, four hundred strong, - Sworn to defend King Edward's royal right, - I come in person to your majesty, - Spencer, the father of Hugh Spencer there, 40 - Bound to your highness everlastingly, - For favour done, in him, unto us all. - - _Edw._ Thy father, Spencer? - - _Y. Spen._ True, an it like your grace, - That pours, in lieu of all your goodness shown, - His life, my lord, before your princely feet. - - _Edw._ Welcome ten thousand times, old man, again. - Spencer, this love, this kindness to thy king, - Argues thy noble mind and disposition. - Spencer, I here create thee Earl of Wiltshire, - And daily will enrich thee with our favour, 50 - That, as the sunshine, shall reflect o'er thee. - Beside, the more to manifest our love, - Because we hear Lord Bruce doth sell his land, - And that the Mortimers are in hand withal, - Thou shalt have crowns of us t'outbid the barons - And, Spencer, spare them not, lay it on. - Soldiers, a largess, and thrice welcome all! - - _Y. Spen._ My lord, here comes[263] the queen. - - _Enter the_ QUEEN _and her_ Son, _and_ LEVUNE, - _a Frenchman._ - - _Edw._ Madam, what news? - - _Queen._ News of dishonour, lord, and discontent. - Our friend Levune, faithful and full of trust, 60 - Informeth us, by letters and by words, - That Lord Valois our brother, King of France, - Because your highness hath been slack in homage, - Hath seizèd Normandy into his hands. - These be the letters, this the messenger. - - _Edw._ Welcome, Levune. Tush, Sib, if this be all, - Valois and I will soon be friends again.-- - But to my Gaveston; shall I never see, - Never behold thee now?[264]--Madam, in this matter, - We will employ you and your little son; 70 - You shall go parley with the King of France. - Boy, see you bear you bravely to the king. - And do your message with a majesty. - - _Prince._ Commit not to my youth things of more weight - Than fits a prince so young as I to bear, - And fear not, lord and father, heaven's great beams - On Atlas' shoulder shall not lie more safe, - Than shall your charge committed to my trust. - - _Queen._ Ah, boy! this towardness makes thy mother fear - Thou art not marked to many days on earth. 80 - - _Edw._ Madam, we will that you with speed be shipped, - And this our son; Levune shall follow you - With all the haste we can despatch him hence. - Chuse of our lords to bear you company; - And go in peace, leave us in wars at home. - - _Queen._ Unnatural wars, where subjects brave their king; - God end them once! My lord, I take my leave, - To make my preparation for France. [_Exit with_ Prince. - - _Enter_ ARUNDEL. - - _Edw._ What, Lord Arundel, dost thou come alone? - - _Arun._ Yea, my good lord, for Gaveston is dead. 90 - - _Edw._ Ah, traitors! have they put my friend to death? - Tell me, Arundel, died he ere thou cam'st, - Or didst thou see my friend to take his death? - - _Arun._ Neither, my lord; for as he was surprised, - Begirt with weapons and with enemies round, - I did your highness' message to them all; - Demanding him of them, entreating rather, - And said, upon the honour of my name, - That I would undertake to carry him - Unto your highness, and to bring him back. 100 - - _Edw._ And tell me, would the rebels deny me that? - - _Y. Spen._ Proud recreants! - - _Edw._ Yea, Spencer, traitors all. - - _Arun._ I found them at the first inexorable; - The Earl of Warwick would not bide the hearing, - Mortimer hardly, Pembroke and Lancaster - Spake least: and when they flatly had denied, - Refusing to receive my pledge for him, - The Earl of Pembroke mildly thus bespake; - "My lord, because our sovereign sends for him, - And promiseth he shall be safe returned, 110 - I will this undertake, to have him hence, - And see him re-delivered to your hands." - - _Edw._ Well, and how fortunes [it] that he came not? - - _Y. Spen._ Some treason, or some villany, was the cause. - - _Arun._ The Earl of Warwick seized him on his way; - For being delivered unto Pembroke's men, - Their lord rode home thinking his prisoner safe; - But ere he came, Warwick in ambush lay, - And bare him to his death; and in a trench - Strake off his head, and marched unto the camp. 120 - - _Y. Spen._ A bloody part, flatly 'gainst law of arms. - - _Edw._ O shall I speak, or shall I sigh and die! - - _Y. Spen._ My lord, refer your vengeance to the sword - Upon these barons; hearten up your men; - Let them not unrevenged murder your friends! - Advance your standard, Edward, in the field, - And march to fire them from their starting holes. - [EDWARD _kneels_. - - _Edw._ By earth, the common mother of us all, - By heaven, and all the moving orbs thereof, - By this right hand, and by my father's sword, 130 - And all the honours 'longing to my crown, - I will have heads, and lives for him, as many - As I have manors, castles, towns, and towers! [_Rises._ - Treacherous Warwick! traitorous Mortimer! - If I be England's king, in lakes of gore - Your headless trunks, your bodies will I trail, - That you may drink your fill, and quaff in blood, - And stain my royal standard with the same, - That so my bloody colours may suggest - Remembrance of revenge immortally 140 - On your accursèd traitorous progeny, - You villains, that have slain my Gaveston! - And in his place of honour and of trust, - Spencer, sweet Spencer, I adopt thee here: - And merely of our love we do create thee - Earl of Gloucester, and Lord Chamberlain, - Despite of times, despite of enemies. - - _Y. Spen._ My Lord, here is[265] a messenger from the barons - Desires access unto your majesty. - - _Edw._ Admit him near. 150 - - _Enter the_ Herald _from the_ Barons, - _with his coat of arms._ - - _Her._ Long live King Edward, England's lawful lord! - - _Edw._ So wish not they, I wis, that sent thee hither. - Thou com'st from Mortimer and his complices, - A ranker rout[266] of rebels never was. - Well, say thy message. - - _Her._ The barons up in arms, by me salute - Your highness with long life and happiness; - And bid me say, as plainer to your grace, - That if without effusion of blood - You will this grief have ease and remedy, 160 - That from your princely person you remove - This Spencer, as a putrefying branch, - That deads the royal vine, whose golden leaves[267] - Empale your princely head, your diadem, - Whose brightness such pernicious upstarts dim, - Say they; and lovingly advise your grace, - To cherish virtue and nobility, - And have old servitors in high esteem, - And shake off smooth dissembling flatterers: - This granted, they, their honours, and their lives, 170 - Are to your highness vowed and consecrate. - - _Y. Spen._ Ah, traitors! will they still display their pride? - - _Edw._ Away, tarry no answer, but be gone! - Rebels, will they appoint their sovereign - His sports, his pleasures, and his company? - Yet, ere thou go, see how I do divorce [_Embraces_ SPENCER. - Spencer from me.--Now get thee to thy lords, - And tell them I will come to chastise them - For murdering Gaveston; hie thee, get thee gone! - Edward with fire and sword follows at thy heels. 180 - My lord[s], perceive you how these rebels swell? - Soldiers, good hearts, defend your sovereign's right, - For now, even now, we march to make them stoop. - Away! - [_Exeunt. Alarums, excursions, a great fight, and a retreat._ - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter the_ KING, OLD SPENCER, YOUNG SPENCER, - _and the_ Noblemen _of the_ KING'S _side_. - - _Edw._ Why do we sound retreat? upon them, lords! - This day I shall pour vengeance with my sword - On those proud rebels that are up in arms, - And do confront and countermand their king. - - _Y. Spen._ I doubt it not, my lord, right will prevail. - - _O. Spen._ 'Tis not amiss, my liege, for either part - To breathe awhile; our men, with sweat and dust - All choked well near, begin to faint for heat; - And this retire refresheth horse and man. - - _Y. Spen._ Here come the rebels. 10 - - _Enter_ YOUNG MORTIMER, LANCASTER, WARWICK, PEMBROKE, _&c_. - - _E. Mor._ Look, Lancaster, yonder is Edward - Among his flatterers. - - _Lan._ And there let him be - Till he pay dearly for their company. - - _War._ And shall, or Warwick's sword shall smite in vain. - - _Edw._ What, rebels, do you shrink and sound retreat? - - _Y. Mor._ No, Edward, no, thy flatterers faint and fly. - - _Lan._ They'd best betimes forsake thee, and their trains,[268] - For they'll betray thee, traitors as they are. - - _Y. Spen._ Traitor on thy face, rebellious Lancaster! - - _Pem._ Away, base upstart, bravest thou nobles thus? 20 - - _O. Spen._ A noble attempt, and honourable deed, - Is[269] it not, trow ye, to assemble aid, - And levy arms against your lawful king! - - _Edw._ For which ere long their heads shall satisfy, - To appease the wrath of their offended king. - - _Y. Mor._ Then, Edward, thou wilt fight it to the last, - And rather bathe thy sword in subjects' blood, - Than banish that pernicious company? - - _Edw._ I, traitors all, rather than thus be braved, - Make England's civil towns huge heaps of stones, 30 - And ploughs to go about our palace-gates. - - _War._ A desperate and unnatural resolution! - Alarum!--to the fight! - St. George for England, and the barons' right. - - _Edw._ St. George for England, and King Edward's right. - [_Alarums. Exeunt._ - - _Re-enter_ EDWARD _and his followers, with the_ - Barons _and_ KENT, _captives._ - - _Edw._ Now, lusty lords, now, not by chance of war, - But justice of the quarrel and the cause, - Vailed is your pride; methinks you hang the heads, - But we'll advance them, traitors; now 'tis time - To be avenged on you for all your braves, 40 - And for the murder of my dearest friend, - To whom right well you knew our soul was knit, - Good Pierce of Gaveston, my sweet favourite: - Ah, rebels! recreants! you made him away. - - _Kent._ Brother, in regard of thee, and of thy land, - Did they remove that flatterer from thy throne. - - _Edw._ So, sir, you have spoke; away, avoid our presence. - [_Exit_ KENT. - Accursèd wretches, was't in regard of us, - When we had sent our messenger to request - He might be spared to come to speak with us, 50 - And Pembroke undertook for his return, - That thou, proud Warwick, watched the prisoner, - Poor Pierce, and headed him 'gainst law of arms; - For which thy head shall overlook the rest, - As much as thou in rage outwent'st the rest. - - _War._ Tyrant, I scorn thy threats and menaces, - It is but temporal that thou canst inflict. - - _Lan._ The worst is death, and better die to live - Than live in infamy under such a king. - - _Edw._ Away with them, my lord of Winchester! 60 - These lusty leaders, Warwick and Lancaster, - I charge you roundly--off with both their heads! - Away! - - _War._ Farewell, vain world! - - _Lan._ Sweet Mortimer, farewell. - - _Y. Mor._ England, unkind to thy nobility, - Groan for this grief, behold how thou art maimed! - - _Edw._ Go, take that haughty Mortimer to the Tower, - There see him safe bestowed; and for the rest, - Do speedy execution on them all. - Begone! 70 - - _Y. Mor._ What, Mortimer! can ragged stony walls - Immure thy virtue that aspires to heaven? - No, Edward, England's scourge, it may not be, - Mortimer's hope surmounts his fortune far. - [_The captive_ Barons _are led off._ - - _Edw._. Sound drums and trumpets! March with me, my friends, - Edward this day hath crowned him king anew. - [_Exeunt all except_ YOUNG SPENCER, LEVUNE, _and_ BALDOCK. - - _Y. Spen._ Levune, the trust that we repose in thee, - Begets the quiet of King Edward's land. - Therefore begone in haste, and with advice - Bestow that pleasure on the lords of France, 80 - That, therewith all enchanted, like the guard - That suffered Jove to pass in showers of gold - To Danae, all aid may be denied - To Isabel, the queen, that now in France - Makes friends, to cross the seas with her young son, - And step into his father's regiment.[270] - - _Levune._ That's it these barons and the subtle queen - Long levelled[271] at. - - _Bal._ Yea, but, Levune, thou seest - These barons lay their heads on blocks together; - What they intend, the hangman frustrates clean. 90 - - _Levune._ Have you no doubt, my lords, I'll clap[272] so close - Among the lords of France with England's gold, - That Isabel shall make her plaints in vain, - And France shall be obdurate with her tears. - - _Y. Spen._ Then make for France, amain--Levune, away! - Proclaim King Edward's wars and victories. - [_Exeunt omnes._ - - - - - ACT THE FOURTH. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_[273] KENT. - - _Kent._ Fair blows the wind for France; blow gentle gale, - Till Edmund be arrived for England's good! - Nature, yield to my country's cause in this. - A brother? no, a butcher of thy friends! - Proud Edward, dost thou banish me thy presence? - But I'll to France, and cheer the wrongèd queen, - And certify what Edward's looseness is. - Unnatural king! to slaughter noblemen - And cherish flatterers! Mortimer, I stay - Thy sweet escape; stand gracious, gloomy night, 10 - To his device. - - _Enter_ YOUNG MORTIMER, _disguised._ - - _Y. Mor._ Holla! who walketh there? - Is't you, my lord? - - _Kent._ Mortimer, 'tis I; - But hath thy portion wrought so happily? - - _Y. Mor._ It hath, my lord; the warders all asleep, - I thank them, gave me leave to pass in peace. - But hath your grace got shipping unto France? - - _Kent._ Fear it not. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_[274] _the_ QUEEN _and her_ Son. - - _Queen._ Ah, boy! our friends do fail us all in France: - The lords are cruel, and the king unkind; - What shall we do?[275] - - _Prince._ Madam, return to England, - And please my father well, and then a fig - For all my uncle's friendship here in France. - I warrant you, I'll win his highness quickly; - He loves me better than a thousand Spencers. - - _Queen._ Ah, boy, thou art deceived, at least in this, - To think that we can yet be tuned together; - No, no, we jar too far. Unkind Valois! 10 - Unhappy Isabel! when France rejects, - Whither, oh! whither dost thou bend thy steps? - - _Enter_ SIR JOHN _of_ Hainault. - - _Sir J._ Madam, what cheer? - - _Queen._ Ah! good Sir John of Hainault, - Never so cheerless, nor so far distrest. - - _Sir J._ I hear, sweet lady, of the king's unkindness; - But droop not, madam; noble minds contemn - - Despair: will your grace with me to Hainault, - And there stay time's advantage with your son? - How say you, my lord, will you go with your friends, - And shake off all our fortunes equally? 20 - - _Prince._ So pleaseth[276] the queen, my mother, me it likes: - The king of England, nor the court of France, - Shall have me from my gracious mother's side, - Till I be strong enough to break a staff; - And then have at the proudest Spencer's head. - - _Sir J._ Well said, my lord. - - _Queen._ O, my sweet heart, how do I moan thy wrongs, - Yet triumph in the hope of thee, my joy! - Ah, sweet Sir John! even to the utmost verge - Of Europe, or[277] the shore of Tanais, 30 - We will with thee to Hainault--so we will:-- - The marquis is a noble gentleman; - His grace, I dare presume, will welcome me. - But who are these? - - _Enter_ KENT _and_ YOUNG MORTIMER. - - _Kent._ Madam, long may you live, - Much happier than your friends in England do! - - _Queen._ Lord Edmund and Lord Mortimer alive! - Welcome to France! the news was here, my lord, - That you were dead, or very near your death. - - _Y. Mor._ Lady, the last was truest of the twain: - But Mortimer, reserved for better hap, 40 - Hath shaken off the thraldom of the Tower, - And lives t' advance your standard, good my lord. - - _Prince._ How mean you? and the king, my father, lives! - No, my Lord Mortimer, not I, I trow. - - _Queen._ Not, son; why not? I would it were no worse. - But, gentle lords, friendless we are in France. - - _Y. Mor._ Monsieur le Grand, a noble friend of yours, - Told us, at our arrival, all the news; - How hard the nobles, how unkind the king - Hath showed himself; but, madam, right makes room 50 - Where weapons want; and, though so many friends - Are made away, as Warwick, Lancaster, - And others of our party[278] and faction; - Yet have we friends, assure your grace, in England - Would cast up caps, and clap their hands for joy, - To see us there, appointed[279] for our foes. - - _Kent._ Would all were well, and Edward well reclaimed, - For England's honour, peace, and quietness. - - _Y. Mor._ But by the sword, my lord, 't must be deserved;[280] - The king will ne'er forsake his flatterers. 60 - - _Sir J._ My lords of England, sith th' ungentle king - Of France refuseth to give aid of arms - To this distressèd queen his sister here, - Go you with her to Hainault; doubt ye not, - We will find comfort, money, men and friends - Ere long, to bid the English king a base.[281] - How say, young prince? what think you of the match? - - _Prince._ I think King Edward will outrun us all. - - _Queen._ Nay, son, not so; and you must not discourage - Your friends, that are so forward in your aid. 70 - - _Kent._ Sir John of Hainault, pardon us, I pray; - These comforts that you give our woful queen - Bind us in kindness all at your command. - - _Queen._ Yea, gentle brother; and the God of heaven - Prosper your happy motion, good Sir John. - - _Y. Mor._ This noble gentleman, forward in arms, - Was born, I see, to be our anchor-hold. - Sir John of Hainault, be it thy renown, - That England's queen, and nobles in distress, - Have been by thee restored and comforted. 80 - - _Sir. J._ Madam, along, and you my lord[s], with me, - That England's peers may Hainault's welcome see. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter_[282] _the_ KING, ARUNDEL,[283] _the two_ SPENCERS, - _with others._ - - _Edw._ Thus after many threats of wrathful war, - Triumpheth England's Edward with his friends; - And triumph, Edward, with his friends uncontrolled! - My lord of Gloucester, do you hear the news? - - _Y. Spen._ What news, my lord? - - _Edw._ Why, man, they say there is great execution - Done through the realm; my lord of Arundel, - You have the note, have you not? - - _Arun._[284] From the lieutenant of the Tower, my lord. - - _Edw._ I pray let us see it. What have we there? 10 - Read it, Spencer. [SPENCER _reads their names._ - Why so; they barked apace a month[285] ago: - Now, on my life, they'll neither bark nor bite. - Now, sirs, the news from France? Gloucester, I trow, - The lords of France love England's gold so well, - As Isabella[286] gets no aid from thence. - What now remains; have you proclaimed, my lord, - Reward for them can bring in Mortimer? - - _Y. Spen._ My lord, we have; and if he be in England, - 'A will be had ere long, I doubt it not. 20 - - _Edw._ If, dost thou say? Spencer, as true as death, - He is in England's ground; our portmasters - Are not so careless of their king's command. - - _Enter a_ Messenger. - - How now, what news with thee? from whence come these? - - _Mes._ Letters, my lord, and tidings forth of France, - To you, my lord of Gloucester, from Levune. - - _Edw._ Read. [SPENCER _reads the letter._] - - "_My duty to your honour premised, &c., I have, according to - instructions in that behalf, dealt with the King of France his lords, - and effected, that the queen, all discontented and discomforted, is - gone. Whither, if you ask, with Sir John of Hainault, brother to the - marquis, into Flanders: with them are gone Lord Edmund, and the - Lord Mortimer, having in their company divers of your nation, and - others; and, as constant report goeth, they intend to give King Edward - battle in England, sooner than he can look for them: this is - all the news of import._ - _Your honour's in all service,_ LEVUNE." 36 - - _Edw._ Ah, villains! hath that Mortimer escaped? - With him is Edmund gone associate? - And will Sir John of Hainault lead the round? - Welcome, a God's name, madam, and your son; 40 - England shall welcome you and all your rout. - Gallop apace[287] bright Phoebus, through the sky, - And dusky night, in rusty iron car, - Between you both shorten the time, I pray, - That I may see that most desirèd day, - When we may meet those traitors in the field. - Ah, nothing grieves me, but my little boy - Is thus misled to countenance their ills. - Come, friends, to Bristow, there to make us strong; - And, winds, as equal be to bring them in, 50 - As you injurious were to bear them forth! - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE IV. - - _Enter_[288] _the_ QUEEN, _her_ Son, KENT, MORTIMER, - _and_ SIR JOHN HAINAULT. - - _Queen._ Now, lords, our loving friends and countrymen, - Welcome to England all, with prosperous winds; - Our kindest friends in Belgia have we left, - To cope with friends at home; a heavy case - When force to force is knit, and sword and glaive - In civil broils make kin and countrymen - Slaughter themselves in others, and their sides - With their own weapons gored! But what's the help? - Misgoverned kings are cause of all this wreck; - And, Edward, thou art one among them all, 10 - Whose looseness hath betrayed thy land to spoil, - Who made the channel[289] overflow with blood - Of thine own people; patron shouldst thou be, - But thou---- - - _Y. Mor._ Nay, madam, if you be a warrior, - You must not grow so passionate in speeches. - Lords, - Sith that we are by sufferance of heaven - Arrived, and armèd in this prince's right, - Here for our country's cause swear we to him 20 - All homage, fealty, and forwardness; - And for the open wrongs and injuries - Edward hath done to us, his queen and land, - We come in arms to wreak it with the sword; - That England's queen in peace may repossess - Her dignities and honours: and withal - We may remove these flatterers from the king, - That havoc England's wealth and treasury. - - _Sir. J._ Sound trumpets, my lord, and forward let us march. - Edward will think we come to flatter him. 30 - - _Kent._ I would he never had been flattered more! - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE V. - - _Enter_[290] _the_ KING, BALDOCK, _and_ YOUNG SPENCER, - _flying about the stage._ - - _Y. Spen._ Fly, fly, my lord! the queen is over-strong; - Her friends do multiply, and yours do fail. - Shape we our course to Ireland, there to breathe. - - _Edw._ What! was I born to fly and run away, - And leave the Mortimers conquerors behind? - Give me my horse, and let's re'nforce our troops: - And in this bed of honour die with fame. - - _Bald._ O no, my lord, this princely resolution - Fits not the time; away, we are pursued. [_Exeunt._ - - _Enter_ KENT _alone, with his sword and target._ - - _Kent._ This way he fled, but I am come too late. 10 - Edward, alas! my heart relents for thee. - Proud traitor, Mortimer, why dost thou chase - Thy lawful king, thy sovereign, with thy sword? - Vild wretch! and why hast thou, of all unkind, - Borne arms against thy brother and thy king? - Rain showers of vengeance on my cursèd head, - Thou God, to whom in justice it belongs - To punish this unnatural revolt! - Edward, this Mortimer aims at thy life! - O fly him, then! but, Edmund, calm this rage, 20 - Dissemble, or thou diest; for Mortimer - And Isabel do kiss, while they conspire: - And yet she bears a face of love forsooth. - Fie on that love that hatcheth death and hate! - Edmund, away; Bristow to Longshanks' blood - Is false; be not found single for suspect: - Proud Mortimer pries near unto thy walks. - - _Enter the_ QUEEN, MORTIMER, _the_ Young Prince, - _and_ SIR JOHN OF HAINAULT. - - _Queen._ Successful[291] battle gives the God of kings - To them that fight in right, and fear his wrath. - Since then successfully we have prevailed, 30 - Thankèd be heaven's great architect, and you. - Ere farther we proceed, my noble lords, - We here create our well-belovèd son, - Of love and care unto his royal person, - Lord Warden of the realm, and sith the fates - Have made his father so infortunate, - Deal you, my lords, in this, my loving lords, - As to your wisdoms fittest seems in all. - - _Kent._ Madam, without offence, if I may ask, - How will you deal with Edward in his fall? 40 - - _Prince._ Tell me, good uncle, what Edward do you mean? - - _Kent._ Nephew, your father: I dare not call him king. - - _Mor._ My lord of Kent, what needs these questions? - 'Tis not in her controlment, nor in ours, - But as the realm and parliament shall please, - So shall your brother be disposèd of.-- - I like not this relenting mood in Edmund. - Madam, 'tis good to look to him betimes. [_Aside to the_ QUEEN. - - _Queen._ My lord, the Mayor of Bristow knows our mind. - - _Y. Mor._ Yea, madam, and they scape not easily 50 - That fled the field. - - _Queen._ Baldock is with the king. - A goodly chancellor, is he not, my lord? - - _Sir J._ So are the Spencers, the father and the son. - - _Kent._[292] This Edward is the ruin of the realm. - - _Enter_ RICE AP HOWELL, _and the_ MAYOR OF BRISTOW, - _with_ OLD SPENCER _prisoner._ - - _Rice._ God save queen Isabel, and her princely son! - Madam, the mayor and citizens of Bristow, - In sign of love and duty to this presence, - Present by me this traitor to the state, - Spencer, the father to that wanton Spencer, - That, like the lawless Catiline of Rome, 60 - Revelled in England's wealth and treasury. - - _Queen._ We thank you all. - - _Y. Mor._ Your loving care in this - Deserveth princely favours and rewards. - But where's the king and the other Spencer fled? - - _Rice._ Spencer the son, created Earl of Gloucester, - Is with that smooth-tongued scholar Baldock gone, - And shipped but late for Ireland with the king. - - _Y. Mor._ Some whirlwind fetch them back or sink them all! - [_Aside._ - They shall be started thence, I doubt it not. - - _Prince._ Shall I not see the king my father yet? 70 - - _Kent._ Unhappy 's Edward, chased from England's bounds. - [_Aside._ - _Sir. J._ Madam, what resteth, why stand you in a muse? - - _Queen._ I rue my lord's ill-fortune; but alas! - Care of my country called me to this war. - - _Y. Mor._ Madam, have done with care and sad complaint; - Your King hath wronged your country and himself, - And we must seek to right it as we may. - Meanwhile, have hence this rebel to the block. - - _O. Spen._ Rebel is he that fights against the prince; - So fought not they that fought in Edward's right. 80 - - _Y. Mor._ Take him away, he prates; you, Rice ap Howell, - Shall do good service to her majesty, - Being of countenance in your country here, - To follow these rebellious runagates. - We in meanwhile, madam, must take advice, - How Baldock, Spencer, and their complices, - May in their fall be followed to their end. - [_Exeunt Omnes._ - - - SCENE VI. - - _Enter_[293] _the_ Abbot, Monks, EDWARD, YOUNG SPENCER, - _and_ BALDOCK. - - _Abbot._ Have you no doubt, my lord; have you no fear; - As silent and as careful we will be, - To keep your royal person safe with us, - Free from suspect, and fell invasion - Of such as have your majesty in chase, - Yourself, and those your chosen company, - As danger of this stormy time requires. - - _Edw._ Father, thy face should harbour no deceit. - O! hadst thou ever been a king, thy heart, - Pierced deeply with [a] sense of my distress, 10 - Could not but take compassion of my state. - Stately and proud, in riches and in train, - Whilom I was, powerful, and full of pomp: - But what is he whom rule and empery - Have not in life or death made miserable? - Come, Spencer; come, Baldock, come, sit down by me; - Make trial now of that[294] philosophy, - That in our famous nurseries of arts - Thou suck'dst from Plato and from Aristotle. - Father, this life contemplative is heaven. 20 - O that I might this life in quiet lead! - But we, alas! are chased; and you, my friends, - Your lives and my dishonour they pursue. - Yet, gentle monks, for treasure, gold nor fee, - Do you betray us and our company. - - _Monk._ Your grace may sit secure, if none but we - Do wot of your abode. - - _Y. Spen._ Not one alive, but shrewdly I suspect - A gloomy fellow in a mead below. - 'A gave a long look after us, my lord, 30 - And all the land I know is up in arms, - Arms that pursue our lives with deadly hate. - - _Bald._ We were embarked for Ireland, wretched we! - With awkward winds and sore[295] tempests driven - To fall on shore, and here to pine in fear - Of Mortimer and his confederates. - - _Edw._ Mortimer! who talks of Mortimer? - Who wounds me with the name of Mortimer, - That bloody man? Good father, on thy lap - Lay I this head, laden with mickle care. 40 - O might I never ope[296] these eyes again! - Never again lift up this drooping head! - O never more lift up this dying heart! - - _Y. Spen._ Look up, my lord.--Baldock, this drowsiness - Betides no good; here even we are betrayed. - - _Enter, with Welsh hooks_, RICE AP HOWELL, _a_ Mower, - _and the_ EARL OF LEICESTER. - - _Mow._ Upon my life, these be the men ye seek. - - _Rice._ Fellow, enough.--My lord, I pray be short, - A fair commission warrants what we do. - - _Leices._ The queen's commission, urged by Mortimer; - What cannot gallant Mortimer with the queen? 50 - Alas! see where he sits, and hopes unseen - To escape their hands that seek to reave his life. - Too true it is, _Quem_[297] _dies vidit veniens superbum, - Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem._ - But, Leicester, leave to grow so passionate. - Spencer and Baldock, by no other names. - I [do] arrest you of high treason here. - Stand not on titles, but obey th' arrest; - 'Tis in the name of Isabel the queen. - My lord, why droop you thus? 60 - - _Edw._ O day the last of all my bliss on earth! - Centre of all misfortune! O my stars, - Why do you lour unkindly on a king? - Come[s] Leicester, then in Isabella's name - To take my life, my company from me? - Here, man, rip up this panting breast of mine, - And take my heart in rescue of my friends! - - _Rice._ Away with them! - - _Y. Spen._ It may become thee yet - To let us take our farewell of his grace. - - _Abbot._ My heart with pity earns[298] to see this sight, 70 - A king to bear these words and proud commands. - - _Edw._ Spencer, ah, sweet Spencer, thus then must we part? - - _Y. Spen._ We must, my lord, so will the angry heavens. - - _Edw._ Nay, so will hell and cruel Mortimer; - The gentle heavens have not to do in this. - - _Bald._ My lord, it is in vain to grieve or storm. - Here humbly of your grace we take our leaves; - Our lots are cast; I fear me, so is thine. - - _Edw._ In heaven we may, in earth ne'er shall we meet: - And, Leicester, say, what shall become of us? 80 - - _Leices._ Your majesty must go to Killingworth. - - _Edw._ Must! it is somewhat hard, when kings must go. - - _Leices._ Here is a litter ready for your grace, - That waits your pleasure, and the day grows old. - - _Rice._ As good be gone, as stay and be benighted. - - _Edw._ A litter hast thou? lay me in a hearse, - And to the gates of hell convey me hence; - Let Pluto's bells ring out my fatal knell, - And hags howl for my death at Charon's shore, - For friend hath Edward none, but these and these:[299] 90 - And these must die under a tyrant's sword. - - _Rice._ My lord, be going; care not for these, - For we shall see them shorter by the heads. - - _Edw._ Well, that shall be, shall be: part we must! - Sweet Spencer, gentle Baldock, part we must! - Hence feignèd weeds! unfeignèd are my woes; - [_Casts off his disguise._ - Father, farewell! Leicester, thou stay'st for me, - And go I must. Life, farewell, with my friends. - [_Exeunt_ EDWARD _and_ LEICESTER. - _Y. Spen._ O! is he gone? is noble Edward gone? - Parted from hence? never to see us more? 100 - Rent, sphere of heaven! and, fire, forsake thy orb! - Earth, melt to air! gone is my sovereign, - Gone, gone, alas! never to make return. - - _Bald._ Spencer, I see our souls are fleeting hence; - We are deprived the sunshine of our life: - Make for a new life, man; throw up thy eyes, - And heart and hands to heaven's immortal throne; - Pay nature's debt with cheerful countenance; - Reduce we all our lessons unto this, - To die, sweet Spencer, therefore live we all; 110 - Spencer, all live to die, and rise to fall. - - _Rice._[300] Come, come, keep these preachments till you - come to the place appointed. You, and such as you are, - have made wise work in England; will your lordships away? - - _Mow._ Your Lordship, I trust, will remember me? - - _Rice._ Remember thee? Fellow, what else? Follow me to the town. - [_Exeunt._ - - - - - ACT THE FIFTH. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_[301] _the_ KING, LEICESTER, - _the_ BISHOP OF WINCHESTER, _and_ TRUSSEL. - - _Leices._ Be patient, good my lord, cease to lament, - Imagine Killingworth Castle were your court, - And that you lay for pleasure here a space, - Not of compulsion or necessity. - - _Edw._ Leicester, if gentle words might comfort me, - Thy speeches long ago had eased my sorrows; - For kind and loving hast thou always been. - The griefs of private men are soon allayed, - But not of kings. The forest deer, being struck, - Runs to an herb[302] that closeth up the wounds; 10 - But, when the imperial lion's flesh is gored, - He rends and tears it with his wrathful paw, - [And] highly scorning that the lowly earth - Should drink his blood, mounts up to the air. - And so it fares with me, whose dauntless mind - The ambitious Mortimer would seek to curb, - And that unnatural queen, false Isabel, - That thus hath pent and mewed me in a prison; - For such outrageous passions cloy my soul, - As with the wings of rancour and disdain, 20 - Full oft[en] am I soaring up to heaven, - To plain me to the gods against them both. - But when I call to mind I am a king, - Methinks I should revenge me of my wrongs, - That Mortimer and Isabel have done. - But what are kings, when regiment[303] is gone, - But perfect shadows in a sunshine day? - My nobles rule, I bear the name of king; - I wear the crown, but am controlled by them, - By Mortimer, and my unconstant queen, 30 - Who spots my nuptial bed with infamy; - Whilst I am lodged within this cave of care, - Where sorrow at my elbow still attends, - To company my heart with sad laments, - That bleeds within me for this strange exchange. - But tell me, must I now resign my crown, - To make usurping Mortimer a king? - - _Winch._ Your grace mistakes, it is for England's good, - And princely Edward's right we crave the crown. - - _Edw._ No, 'tis for Mortimer, not Edward's head; 40 - For he's a lamb, encompassèd by wolves, - Which in a moment will abridge his life. - But if proud Mortimer do wear this crown, - Heaven turn it to a blaze of quenchless fire![304] - Or like the snaky wreath of Tisiphon, - Engirt the temples of his hateful head; - So shall not England's vine[305] be perished, - But Edward's name survives,[306] though Edward dies. - - _Leices._ My lord, why waste you thus the time away? - They stay your answer; will you yield your crown? 50 - - _Edw._ Ah, Leicester, weigh how hardly I can brook - To lose my crown and kingdom without cause; - To give ambitious Mortimer my right, - That like a mountain overwhelms my bliss, - In which extreme my mind here murdered is. - But what the heavens appoint, I must obey! - Here, take my crown; the life of Edward too; - [_Taking off the crown._ - Two kings in England cannot reign at once. - But stay awhile, let me be[307] king till night, - That I may gaze upon this glittering crown; 60 - So shall my eyes receive their last content, - My head, the latest honour due to it, - And jointly both yield up their wishèd right. - Continue ever thou celestial sun; - Let never silent night possess this clime: - Stand still you watches of the element; - All times and seasons, rest you at a stay, - That Edward may be still fair England's king! - But day's bright beam doth vanish fast away, - And needs I must resign my wishèd crown. 70 - Inhuman creatures! nursed with tiger's milk! - Why gape you for your sovereign's overthrow! - My diadem I mean, and guiltless life. - See, monsters, see, I'll wear my crown again! - [_He puts on the crown._ - What, fear you not the fury of your king? - But, hapless Edward, thou art fondly led, - They pass not for thy frowns as late they did, - But seek to make a new-elected king! - Which fills my mind with strange despairing thoughts, - Which thoughts are martyrèd with endless torments, 80 - And in this torment comfort find I none, - But that I feel the crown upon my head, - And therefore let me wear it yet awhile. - - _Trus_. My lord, the parliament must have present news, - And therefore say will you resign or no? - [_The_ KING _rageth._ - _Edw_. I'll not resign, but whilst I live[308] [be king]. - Traitors, be gone! and join you with Mortimer! - Elect, conspire, install, do what you will:-- - Their blood and yours shall seal these treacheries! - - _Winch._ This answer we'll return, and so farewell. 90 - - _Leices._ Call them again, my lord, and speak them fair; - For if they go, the prince shall lose his right. - - _Edw._ Call thou them back, I have no power to speak. - - _Leices._ My lord, the king is willing to resign. - - _Winch._ If he be not, let him choose. - - _Edw._ O would I might! but heavens and earth conspire - To make me miserable! Here receive my crown; - Receive it? no, these innocent hands of mine - Shall not be guilty of so foul a crime. - He of you all that most desires my blood, 100 - And will be called the murderer of a king, - Take it. What, are you moved? pity you me? - Then send for unrelenting Mortimer, - And Isabel, whose eyes, being turned to steel, - Will sooner sparkle fire than shed a tear. - Yet stay, for rather than I'll look on them, - Here, here! [_He gives them the crown._ - Now, sweet God of heaven, - Make me despise this transitory pomp, - And sit for aye enthronizèd in heaven! - Come, death, and with thy fingers close my eyes, 110 - Or if I live, let me forget myself.[309] - - _Winch._ My lord. - - _Edw._ Call me not lord; away--out of my sight: - Ah, pardon me: grief makes me lunatic! - Let not that Mortimer protect my son; - More safety there is in a tiger's jaws, - Than his embracements--bear this to the queen, - Wet with my tears, and dried again with sighs; - [_Gives a handkerchief._ - If with the sight thereof she be not moved, - Return it back and dip it in my blood. 120 - Commend me to my son, and bid him rule - Better than I. Yet how have I transgressed, - Unless it be with too much clemency? - - _Trus._ And thus most humbly do we take our leave. - [_Exeunt_ BISHOP _and_ TRUSSEL. - - _Edw._ Farewell; I know the next news that they bring - Will be my death; and welcome shall it be; - To wretched men, death is felicity. - - _Enter_ BERKELEY, _who gives a paper to_ LEICESTER. - - _Leices._ Another post! what news brings he? - - _Edw._ Such news as I expect--come, Berkeley, come, - And tell thy message to my naked breast. 130 - - _Berk._ My lord, think not a thought so villainous - Can harbour in a man of noble birth. - To do your highness service and devoir, - And save you from your foes, Berkeley would die. - - _Leices._ My lord, the council of[310] the queen commands - That I resign my charge. - - _Edw._ And who must keep me now? Must you, my lord? - - _Berk._ I, my most gracious lord--so 'tis decreed. - - _Edw._ [_taking the paper._] By Mortimer, whose name is - written here! - Well may I rent his name that rends my heart! 140 - [_Tears it._ - This poor revenge has something eased my mind. - So may his limbs be torn, as is this paper! - Hear me, immortal Jove, and grant it too! - - _Berk._ Your grace must hence with me to Berkeley straight. - - _Edw._ Whither you will, all places are alike, - And every earth is fit for burial. - - _Leices._ Favour him, my lord, as much as lieth in you. - - _Berk._ Even so betide my soul as I use him. - - _Edw._ Mine enemy hath pitied my estate, - And that's the cause that I am now removed. 150 - - _Berk._ And thinks your grace that Berkeley will be cruel? - - _Edw._ I know not; but of this am I assured, - That death ends all, and I can die but once. - Leicester, farewell! - - _Leices._ Not yet, my lord; I'll bear you on your way. - [_Exeunt omnes._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_[311] MORTIMER _and_ QUEEN ISABEL. - - _Y. Mor._ Fair Isabel, now have we our desire, - The proud corrupters of the light-brained king - Have done their homage to the lofty gallows, - And he himself lies in captivity. - Be ruled by me, and we will rule the realm. - In any case take heed of childish fear, - For now we hold an old wolf[312] by the ears, - That, if he slip, will seize upon us both, - And gripe the sorer, being grip'd himself. - Think therefore, madam, that [it] imports us[313] much 10 - To erect your son with all the speed we may, - And that I be protector over him; - For our behoof, 'twill[314] bear the greater sway - Whenas a king's name shall be under writ. - - _Queen._ Sweet Mortimer, the life of Isabel, - Be thou persuaded that I love thee well, - And therefore, so the prince my son be safe, - Whom I esteem as dear as these mine eyes, - Conclude against his father what thou wilt, - And I myself will willingly subscribe. 20 - - _Y. Mor._ First would I hear news he were deposed, - And then let me alone to handle him. - - _Enter_ Messenger. - - Letters! from whence? - - _Mess._ From Killingworth, my lord. - - _Queen._ How fares my lord the king? - - _Mess._ In health, madam, but full of pensiveness. - - _Queen._ Alas, poor soul, would I could ease his grief! - - _Enter_ WINCHESTER[315] _with the Crown._ - - Thanks, gentle Winchester. [_To the Messenger._] Sirrah, be gone. - [_Exit Messenger._ - _Winch._ The king hath willingly resigned his crown. - - _Queen._ O happy news! send for the prince, my son. - - _Winch._ Further, or this letter[316] was sealed, - Lord Berkeley came, 30 - So that he now is gone from Killingworth; - And we have heard that Edmund laid a plot - To set his brother free; no more but so. - The Lord of Berkeley is so [as?] pitiful - As Leicester that had charge of him before. - - _Queen._ Then let some other be his guardian. - - _Y. Mor._ Let me alone, here is the privy seal. - [_Exit_ WINCHESTER. - Who's there?--call hither Gurney and Matrevis. - To dash the heavy-headed Edmund's drift, - Berkeley shall be discharged, the king removed, 40 - And none but we shall know where he lieth.[317] - - _Queen._ But, Mortimer, as long as he survives, - What safety rests for us, or for my son? - - _Y. Mor._ Speak, shall he presently be despatched and die? - - _Queen._ I would he were, so 'twere not by my means. - - _Enter_ MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY. - - _Y. Mor._ Enough.-- - Matrevis, write a letter presently - Unto the Lord of Berkeley from ourself - That he resign the king to thee and Gurney; - And when 'tis done, we will subscribe our name. 50 - - _Mat._ It shall be done, my lord. - - _Y. Mor._ Gurney. - - _Gur._ My lord. - - _Y. Mor._ As thou intend'st to rise by Mortimer, - Who now makes Fortune's wheel turn as he please, - Seek all the means thou canst to make him droop, - And neither give him kind word nor good look. - - _Gur._ I warrant you, my lord. - - _Y. Mor._ And this above the rest: because we hear - That Edmund casts to work his liberty, - Remove him still from place to place by night, - Till at the last he come to Killingworth, 60 - And then from thence to Berkeley back again? - And by the way, to make him fret the more, - Speak curstly to him; and in any case - Let no man comfort him if he chance to weep, - But amplify his grief with bitter words. - - _Mat._ Fear not, my lord, we'll do as you command. - - _Y. Mor._ So now away; post thitherwards amain. - - _Queen._ Whither goes this letter? to my lord the king? - Commend me humbly to his majesty, - And tell him that I labour all in vain 70 - To ease his grief, and work his liberty; - And bear him this as witness of my love. [_Gives a ring._ - - _Mat._ I will, madam. - [_Exeunt_ MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY; _manent_ ISABEL _and_ MORTIMER. - - _Enter the_ Young Prince, _and the_ EARL OF KENT - _talking with him_. - - _Y. Mor._ Finely dissembled? Do so still, sweet queen. - Here comes the young prince with the Earl of Kent. - - _Queen._ Something he whispers in his childish ears. - - _Y. Mor._ If he have such access unto the prince, - Our plots and stratagems will soon be dashed. - - _Queen._ Use Edmund friendly as if all were well. - - _Y. Mor._ How fares my honourable lord of Kent? 80 - - _Kent._ In health, sweet Mortimer: how fares your grace? - - _Queen._ Well, if my lord your brother were enlarged. - - _Kent._ I hear of late he hath deposed himself. - - _Queen._ The more my grief. - - _Y. Mor._ And mine. - - _Kent._ Ah, they do dissemble? [_Aside._ - - _Queen._ Sweet son, come hither, I must talk with thee. - - _Y. Mor._ You being his uncle, and the next of blood, - Do look to be protector o'er the prince. - - _Kent._ Not I, my lord; who should protect the son, 90 - But she that gave him life? I mean the queen. - - _Prince._ Mother, persuade me not to wear the crown: - Let him be king--I am too young to reign. - - _Queen._ But be content, seeing 'tis[318] his highness' pleasure. - - _Prince._ Let me but see him first, and then I will. - - _Kent._ I, do, sweet nephew. - - _Queen._ Brother, you know it is impossible. - - _Prince._ Why, is he dead? - - _Queen._ No, God forbid. - - _Kent._ I would those words proceeded from your heart. 100 - - _Y. Mor._ Inconstant Edmund, dost thou favour him, - That wast a cause of his imprisonment? - - _Kent._ The more cause have I now to make amends. - - _Y. Mor._ I tell thee, 'tis not meet that one so false - Should come about the person of a prince. - My lord, he hath betrayed the king his brother, - And therefore trust him not. - - _Prince._ But he repents, and sorrows for it now. - - _Queen._ Come, son, and go with this gentle lord and me. - - _Prince._ With you I will, but not with Mortimer. 110 - - _Y. Mor._ Why, youngling, 'sdain'st thou so of Mortimer? - Then I will carry thee by force away. - - _Prince._ Help, uncle Kent, Mortimer will wrong me. - - _Queen._ Brother Edmund, strive not; we are his friends; - Isabel is nearer than the Earl of Kent. - - _Kent._ Sister, Edward is my charge, redeem him. - - _Queen._ Edward is my son, and I will keep him. - - _Kent._ Mortimer shall know that he hath wrongèd me!-- - Hence will I haste to Killingworth Castle, - And rescue aged Edward from his foes, 120 - To be revenged on Mortimer and thee. - [_Aside. Exeunt omnes._ - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter_[319] MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY _with the_ KING. - - _Mat._ My lord, be not pensive, we are your friends; - Men are ordained to live in misery, - Therefore come,--dalliance dangereth our lives. - - _Edw._ Friends, whither must unhappy Edward go? - Will hateful Mortimer appoint no rest? - Must I be vexèd like the nightly bird, - Whose sight is loathsome to all wingèd fowls? - When will the fury of his mind assuage? - When will his heart be satisfied with blood? - If mine will serve, unbowel straight this breast, 10 - And give my heart to Isabel and him; - It is the chiefest mark they level at. - - _Gur._ Not so, my liege, the queen hath given this charge - To keep your grace in safety; - Your passions make your dolours to increase. - - _Edw._ This usage makes my misery to increase. - But can my air[320] of life continue long - When all my senses are annoyed with stench? - Within a dungeon England's king is kept, - Where I am starved for want of sustenance. 20 - My daily diet is heart-breaking sobs, - That almost rent the closet of my heart; - Thus lives old[321] Edward not relieved by any, - And so must die, though pitièd by many. - O, water, gentle friends, to cool my thirst, - And clear my body from foul excrements! - - _Mat._ Here's channel water, as your charge is given; - Sit down, for we'll be barbers to your grace. - - _Edw._ Traitors, away! what, will you murder me, - Or choke your sovereign with puddle water? 30 - - _Gur._ No; - But wash your face, and shave away your beard, - Lest you be known and so be rescued. - - _Mat._ Why strive you thus? your labour is in vain? - - _Edw._ The wren may strive against the lion's strength, - But all in vain: so vainly do I strive - To seek for mercy at a tyrant's hand. - [_They wash him with puddle water, and shave his beard away._ - Immortal powers! that knows the painful cares - That waits upon my poor distressèd soul! - O level all your looks upon these daring men, 40 - That wrongs their liege and sovereign, England's king. - O Gaveston, 'tis for thee that I am wronged, - For me, both thou and both the Spencers died! - And for your sakes a thousand wrongs I'll take. - The Spencers' ghosts, wherever they remain, - Wish well to mine; then tush, for them I'll die. - - _Mat._ 'Twixt theirs and yours shall be no enmity. - Come, come away; now put the torches out, - We'll enter in by darkness to Killingworth. - - _Enter_ KENT. - - _Gur._ How now, who comes there? 50 - - _Mat._ Guard the king sure: it is the Earl of Kent. - - _Enter_ Soldiers. - - _Edw._ O gentle brother, help to rescue me! - - _Mat._ Keep them asunder; thrust in the king. - - _Kent._ Soldiers, let me but talk to him one word. - - _Gur._ Lay hands upon the earl for his assault. - - _Kent._ Lay down your weapons, traitors, yield the king. - - _Mat._ Edmund, yield thou thyself, or thou shalt die. - - _Kent._ Base villains, wherefore do you gripe me thus! - - _Gur._ Bind him and so convey him to the court. - - _Kent._ Where is the court but here? here is the king; 60 - And I will visit him; why stay you me? - - _Mat._ The court is where Lord Mortimer remains; - Thither shall your honour go; and so farewell. - [_Exeunt_ MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY, _with the_ KING. - KENT _and the_ Soldiers _remain_. - - _Kent._ O miserable is that commonweal, - Where lords keep courts, and kings are locked in prison? - - _Sol._ Wherefore stay we? on, sirs, to the court. - - _Kent._ I, lead me whither you will, even to my death, - Seeing that my brother cannot be released. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE IV. - - _Enter_[322] YOUNG MORTIMER. - - _Y. Mor._ The king must die, or Mortimer goes down. - The commons now begin to pity him. - Yet he that is the cause of Edward's death, - Is sure to pay for it when his son's of age; - And therefore will I do it cunningly. - This letter, written by a friend of ours, - Contains his death, yet bids them save his life. [_Reads._ - _Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est - Fear not to kill the king 'tis good he die._ - But read it thus, and that's another sense: 10 - _Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est - Kill not the king 'tis good to fear the worst._ - Unpointed as it is, thus shall it go, - That, being dead, if it chance to be found, - Matrevis and the rest may bear the blame, - And we be quit that caused it to be done. - Within this room is locked the messenger, - That shall convey it, and perform the rest: - And by a secret token that he bears, - Shall he be murdered when the deed is done.-- 20 - Lightborn, come forth! - - _Enter_ LIGHTBORN. - - Art thou so resolute as thou wast? - - _Light._ What else, my lord? and far more resolute. - - _Y. Mor._ And hast thou cast how to accomplish it? - - _Light._ I, I, and none shall know which way he died. - - _Y. Mor._ But at his looks, Lightborn, thou wilt relent. - - _Light._ Relent! ha, ha! I use much to relent. - - _Y. Mor._ Well, do it bravely, and be secret. - - _Light._ You shall not need to give instructions; - 'Tis not the first time I have killed a man. 30 - I learned in Naples how to poison flowers; - To strangle with a lawn thrust through[323] the throat; - To pierce the windpipe with the needle's point; - Or whilst one is asleep, to take a quill - And blow a little powder in his ears: - Or open his mouth and pour quicksilver down. - And yet I have a braver way than these. - - _Y. Mor._ What's that? - - _Light._ Nay, you shall pardon me; none shall know my tricks. - - _Y. Mor._ I care not how it is, so it be not spied. 40 - Deliver this to Gurney and Matrevis. - At every ten mile end thou hast a horse. - Take this, away, and never see me more. - - _Light._ No! - - _Y. Mor._ No; - Unless thou bring me news of Edward's death. - - _Light._ That will I quickly do; farewell, my lord. [_Exit._ - - _Y. Mor._ The prince I rule, the queen do I command, - And with a lowly congé to the ground, - The proudest lords salute me as I pass: 50 - I seal, I cancel, I do what I will: - Feared am I more than loved--let me be feared; - And when I frown, make all the court look pale. - I view the prince with Aristarchus' eyes, - Whose looks were as a breeching to a boy. - They thrust upon me the protectorship, - And sue to me for that that I desire. - While at the council-table, grave enough, - And not unlike a bashful puritan, - First I complain of imbecility, 60 - Saying it is _onus quam gravissimum;_ - Till being interrupted by my friends, - _Suscepi_ that _provinciam_ as they term it; - And to conclude, I am Protector now. - Now is all sure, the queen and Mortimer - Shall rule the realm, the king; and none rules us. - Mine enemies will I plague, my friends advance; - And what I list command who dare control? - _Major sum quam cui possit fortuna nocere._[324] - And that this be the coronation-day, 70 - It pleaseth me, and Isabel the queen. - [_Trumpets within._ - The trumpets sound, I must go take my place. - - _Enter_[325] _the_ YOUNG KING, ARCHBISHOP,[326] CHAMPION, - Nobles, QUEEN. - - _Archbishop._ Long live King Edward, by the grace of God, - King of England, and Lord of Ireland! - - _Cham._ If any Christian, Heathen, Turk, or Jew, - Dare but affirm that Edward's not true king, - And will avouch his saying with the sword, - I am the champion that will combat with him. - - _Y. Mor._ None comes, sound trumpets. - - _King._ Champion, here's to thee. [_Gives a purse._ - - _Queen._ Lord Mortimer, now take him to your charge. 80 - - _Enter_ Soldiers, _with the_ EARL OF KENT _prisoner_. - - _Y. Mor._ What traitor have we there with blades and bills? - - _Sol._ Edmund, the Earl of Kent. - - _King._ What hath he done? - - _Sol._ 'A would have taken the king away perforce, - As we were bringing him to Killingworth. - - _Y. Mor._ Did you attempt his rescue, Edmund? speak. - - _Kent._ Mortimer, I did; he is our king, - And thou compell'st this prince to wear the crown. - - _Y. Mor._ Strike off his head, he shall have martial law. - - _Kent._ Strike off my head! base traitor, I defy thee. - - _King._ My lord, he is my uncle, and shall live. 90 - - _Y. Mor._ My lord, he is your enemy, and shall die. - - _Kent._ Stay, villains! - - _King._ Sweet mother, if I cannot pardon him, - Entreat my Lord Protector for his life. - - _Queen._ Son, be content; I dare not speak a word. - - _King._ Nor I, and yet methinks I should command; - But, seeing I cannot, I'll entreat for him,-- - My lord, if you will let my uncle live, - I will requite it when I come to age. - - _Y. Mor._ Tis for your highness' good, and for the realm's.-- 100 - How often shall I bid you bear him hence? - - _Kent._ Art thou king? must I die at thy command? - - _Y. Mor._ At our command! once more away with him. - - _Kent._ Let me but stay and speak; I will not go. - Either my brother or my son is king, - And none of both them thirst for Edmund's blood. - And therefore, soldiers, whither will you hale me? - [_They hale_ KENT _away, and carry him to be beheaded_. - _King._ What safety may I look for at his hands, - If that my uncle shall be murdered thus? - - _Queen._ Fear not, sweet boy, I'll guard thee from thy foes; 110 - Had Edmund lived, he would have sought thy death. - Come, son, we'll ride a hunting in the park. - - _King._ And shall my uncle Edmund ride with us? - - _Queen._ He is a traitor; think not on him; come. - [_Exeunt omnes._ - - - SCENE V. - - _Enter_[327] MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY. - - _Mat._ Gurney, I wonder the king dies not, - Being in a vault up to the knees in water, - To which the channels of the castle run, - From whence a damp continually ariseth, - That were enough to poison any man, - Much more a king brought up so tenderly. - - _Gur._ And so do I, Matrevis: yesternight - I opened but the door to throw him meat, - And I was almost stifled with the savour. - - _Mat._ He hath a body able to endure 10 - More than we can inflict: and therefore now - Let us assail his mind another while. - - _Gur._ Send for him out thence, and I will anger him. - - _Mat._ But stay, who's this? - - _Enter_ LIGHTBORN. - - _Light._ My Lord Protector greets you. - - _Gur._ What's here? I know not how to construe it. - - _Mat._ Gurney, it was left unpointed for the nonce; - _Edwardum occidere nolite timere,_ - That's his meaning. - - _Light._ Know ye this token? I must have the king. - - _Mat._ I, stay awhile, thou shalt have answer straight. 20 - This villain's sent to make away the king. [_Aside._ - - _Gur._ I thought as much. [_Aside._ - - _Mat._ And when the murder's done, - See how he must be handled for his labour. - _Pereat iste!_ Let him have the king. [_Aside._ - What else? here is the keys, this is the lake,[328] - Do as you are commanded by my lord. - - _Light._ I know what I must do; get you away. - Yet be not far off, I shall need your help; - See that in the next room I have a fire, - And get me a spit, and let it be red-hot. 30 - - _Mat._ Very well. - - _Gur._ Need you anything besides? - - _Light._ What else? A table and a feather-bed. - - _Gur._ That's all? - - _Light._ I, I; so, when I call you, bring - It in. - - _Mat._ Fear not thou that. - - _Gur._ Here's a light, - To go into the dungeon. - [_Gives light, and exit with_ MATREVIS. - _Light_. So[329] now - Must I about this gear;[330] ne'er was there any - So finely handled as this king shall be. - Foh, here's a place indeed, with all my heart! - - _Edw_. Who's there? what light is that? wherefore com'st thou? - - _Light._ To comfort you, and bring you joyful news. 40 - - _Edw._ Small comfort finds poor Edward in thy looks. - Villain, I know thou com'st to murder me. - - _Light._ To murder you, my most gracious lord! - Far is it from my heart to do you harm. - The queen sent me to see how you were used, - For she relents at this your misery: - And what eyes can refrain from shedding tears, - To see a king in this most piteous state? - - _Edw._ Weep'st thou already? list awhile to me. - And then thy heart, were it as Gurney's is, 50 - Or as Matrevis', hewn from the Caucasus, - Yet will it melt, ere I have done my tale. - This dungeon where they keep me is the sink - Wherein the filth of all the castle falls. - - _Light._ O villains! - - _Edw._ And there in mire and puddle have I stood - This ten days' space; and, lest that I should sleep, - One plays continually upon a drum. - They give me bread and water, being a king; - So that, for want of sleep and sustenance, 60 - My mind's distempered, and my body's numbed, - And whether I have limbs or no I know not. - O, would my blood dropped out from every vein, - As doth this water from my tattered[331] robes. - Tell Isabel, the queen, I looked not thus, - When for her sake I ran at tilt in France, - And there unhorsed the Duke of Cleremont. - - _Light._ O speak no more, my lord! this breaks my heart. - Lie on this bed,[332] and rest yourself awhile. - - _Edw._ These looks of thine can harbour nought but death: 70 - I see my tragedy written in thy brows. - Yet stay; awhile forbear thy bloody hand, - And let me see the stroke before it comes, - That[333] even then when I shall lose my life, - My mind may be more steadfast on my God. - - _Light._ What means your highness to mistrust me thus? - - _Edw._ What mean'st thou to dissemble with me thus? - - _Light._ These hands were never stained with innocent blood, - Nor shall they now be tainted with a king's. 79 - - _Edw._ Forgive my thought[334] for having such a thought. - One jewel have I left, receive thou this. [_Giving jewel._ - Still fear I, and I know not what's the cause, - But every joint shakes as I give it thee. - O, if thou harbour'st murder in thy heart, - Let this gift change thy mind, and save thy soul! - Know that I am a king: O! at that name - I feel a hell of grief; where is my crown? - Gone, gone; and do I remain alive?[335] - - _Light._ You're overwatched, my lord; lie down and rest. - - _Edw._ But that grief keeps me waking, I should sleep, 90 - For not these ten days have these eyes' lids[336] closed. - Now as I speak they fall, and yet with fear - Open again. O wherefore sitt'st thou here? - - _Light._ If you mistrust me, I'll begone, my lord. - - _Edw._ No, no, for if thou mean'st to murder me, - Thou wilt return again, and therefore stay. [_Sleeps._ - - _Light._ He sleeps. - - _Edw._ [_awakes_.] O let me not die yet;[337] stay, - O stay a while! - - _Light._ How now, my lord? - - _Edw._ Something still buzzeth in mine ears, 100 - And tells me if I sleep I never wake; - This fear is that which makes me tremble thus. - And therefore tell me, wherefore art thou come. - - _Light._ To rid thee of thy life; Matrevis, come. - - _Enter_ MATREVIS _and_ GURNEY. - - _Edw._ I am too weak and feeble to resist: - Assist me, sweet God, and receive my soul. - - _Light._ Run for the table. - - _Edw._ O spare me, or despatch me in a trice. - - _Light._ So, lay the table down, and stamp on it, - But not too hard, lest that you bruise his body. 110 - [KING EDWARD _is murdered._ - - _Mat._ I fear me that this cry will raise the town, - And therefore, let us take horse and away. - - _Light._ Tell me, sirs, was it not bravely done? - - _Gur._ Excellent well: take this for thy reward. - [GURNEY _stabs_ LIGHTBORN. - Come, let us cast the body in the moat, - And bear the king's to Mortimer our lord: - Away! - [_Exeunt with the bodies._ - - - SCENE VI. - - _Enter_[338] MORTIMER _and_ MATREVIS. - - _Y. Mor._ Is't done, Matrevis, and the murderer dead? - - _Mat._ I, my good lord; I would it were undone. - - _Y. Mor._ Matrevis, if thou now[339] growest penitent - I'll be thy ghostly father; therefore chuse, - Whether thou wilt be secret in this, - Or else die by the hand of Mortimer. - - _Mat._ Gurney, my lord, is fled, and will, I fear, - Betray us both, therefore let me fly. - - _Y. Mor._ Fly to the savages. - - _Mat._ I humbly thank your honour. 10 - - _Y. Mor._ As for myself, I stand as Jove's huge tree; - And others are but shrubs compared to me. - All tremble at my name, and I fear none; - Let's see who dare impeach me for his death. - - _Enter the_ QUEEN. - - _Queen._ Ah, Mortimer, the king my son hath news - His father's dead, and we have murdered him. - - _Y. Mor._ What if he have? the king is yet a child. - - _Queen._ I,[340] but he tears his hair, and wrings his hands, - And vows to be revenged upon us both. - Into the council-chamber he is gone, 20 - To crave the aid and succour of his peers. - Aye me! see where he comes, and they with him; - Now, Mortimer, begins our tragedy. - - _Enter the_ KING, _with the_ Lords. - - _First[341] Lord._ Fear not, my lord, know that you are a king. - - _King._ Villain! - - _Y. Mor._ Ho,[342] now, my lord! - - _King._ Think not that I am frighted with thy words! - My father's murdered through thy treachery; - And thou shalt die, and on his mournful hearse - Thy hateful and accursèd head shall lie, - To witness to the world, that by thy means 30 - His kingly body was too soon interred. - - _Queen._ Weep not, sweet son! - - _King._ Forbid me not to weep, he was my father; - And, had you loved him half so well as I, - You could not bear his death thus patiently. - But you, I fear, conspired with Mortimer. - - _First[343] Lord._ Why speak you not unto my lord the king? - - _Y. Mor._ Because I think scorn to be accused. - Who is the man dares say I murdered him? - - _King._ Traitor! in me my loving father speaks, 40 - And plainly saith, 'twas thou that murder'dst him. - - _Y. Mor._ But has your grace no other proof than this? - - _King._ Yes, if this be the hand of Mortimer. - - _Y. Mor._ False Gurney hath betrayed me and himself. [_Aside._ - - _Queen._ I feared as much; murder cannot be hid. [_Aside._ - - _Y. Mor._ It is my hand; what gather you by this? - - _King._ That thither thou didst send a murderer. - - _Y. Mor._ What murderer? Bring forth the man I sent. - - _King._ I, Mortimer, thou knowest that he is slain; - And so shalt thou be too. Why stays he here? 50 - Bring him unto a hurdle, drag him forth, - Hang him, I say, and set his quarters up, - But bring his head back presently to me. - - _Queen._ For my sake, sweet son, pity Mortimer. - - _Y. Mor._ Madam, entreat not, I will rather die, - Than sue for life unto a paltry boy. - - _King._ Hence with the traitor! with the murderer! - - _Y. Mor._ Base Fortune, now I see, that in thy wheel - There is a point, to which when men aspire, - They tumble headlong down: that point I touched, 60 - And, seeing there was no place to mount up higher, - Why should I grieve at my declining fall? - Farewell, fair queen; weep not for Mortimer, - That scorns the world, and, as a traveller, - Goes to discover countries yet unknown. - - _King._ What! suffer you the traitor to delay? - [MORTIMER _is taken away._ - _Queen._ As thou receivedst thy life from me, - Spill not the blood of gentle Mortimer. - - _King._ This argues that you spilt my father's blood, - Else would you not entreat for Mortimer. 70 - - _Queen._ I spill his blood? no.[344] - - _King._ I, madam, you; for so the rumour runs. - - _Queen._ That rumour is untrue; for loving thee, - Is this report raised on poor Isabel. - - _King._ I do not think her so unnatural. - - _Second[345] Lord._ My lord, I fear me it will prove too true. - - _King._ Mother, you are suspected for his death, - And therefore we commit you to the Tower - Till farther trial may be made thereof; - If you be guilty, though I be your son, 80 - Think not to find me slack or pitiful. - - _Queen._ Nay, to my death, for too long have I lived, - Whenas my son thinks to abridge my days. - - _King._ Away with her, her words enforce these tears, - And I shall pity her if she speak again. - - _Queen._ Shall I not mourn for my beloved lord, - And with the rest accompany him to his[346] grave? - - _Second[2] Lord._ Thus, madam, 'tis the king's will you shall - hence. - - _Queen._ He hath forgotten me; stay, I am his mother. - - _Second[347] Lord._ That boots not; therefore, gentle madam, go. - - _Queen._ Then come, sweet death, and rid me of this grief. 90 - [_Exit._ - - _Re-enter a_ Lord, _with the head of_ MORTIMER. - - _Lord._ My lord, here is the head of Mortimer. - - _King._ Go fetch my father's hearse, where it shall lie; - And bring my funeral robes. Accursèd head, - Could I have ruled thee then, as I do now, - Thou had'st not hatched this monstrous treachery. - Here comes the hearse; help me to mourn, my lords. - Sweet father, here unto thy murdered ghost - I offer up this wicked traitor's head; - And let these tears, distilling from mine eyes, - Be witness of my grief and innocency. 100 - [_Exeunt._ - - - - - THE MASSACRE AT PARIS. - - -Of _The Massacre at Paris_ there is only one early edition, an undated -8vo. (printed _circ._ 1596?) The title is:-- - -_The Massacre at Paris: With the death of the Duke of Guise. As it was -plaide by the right honourable the Lord high Admirall his Seruants. -Written by Christopher Marlowe. At London Printed by E. A. for Edward -White, dwelling neere the little North doore of S. Paules Church at the -signe of the Gun._ - - - - - _PERSONS REPRESENTED._ - - CHARLES THE NINTH, _king of France._ - DUKE OF ANJOU, _his Brother, afterwards_ KING HENRY - THE THIRD. - KING OF NAVARRE. - PRINCE OF CONDÉ, _his Cousin._ - - DUKE OF GUISE, } - CARDINAL OF LORRAINE,} _Brothers._ - DUKE DUMAINE, } - - Son to the DUKE OF GUISE, _a Boy._ - THE LORD HIGH ADMIRAL. - DUKE JOYEUX. - EPERNOUN. - PLESHÈ. - BARTUS. - TWO LORDS OF POLAND. - GONZAGO. - RETES. - MOUNTSORRELL. - MUGEROUN. - LOREINE, _a Preacher._ - SEROUNE. - RAMUS. - TALÆUS. - Friar. - Surgeon. - English Agent. - Apothecary. - Cutpurse. - Captain of the Guard, Protestants, Schoolmasters, Soldiers, - Murderers, Attendants, &c. - CATHERINE, the Queen-Mother of France. - MARGARET, _her Daughter, wife to the_ KING OF NAVARRE. - THE OLD QUEEN OF NAVARRE. - DUCHESS OF GUISE. - Wife to SEROUNE. - Maid to the DUCHESS OF GUISE. - - - - - THE MASSACRE AT PARIS. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_ CHARLES,[348] _the French king_; CATHERINE, - _the Queen-Mother; the_ KING OF NAVARRE; MARGARET, - _Queen of Navarre; the_ PRINCE OF CONDÉ; - _the_ LORD HIGH ADMIRAL; _the_ OLD QUEEN OF NAVARRE; - _with others_. - - _Char._ Prince of Navarre, my honourable brother, - Prince Condé, and my good Lord Admiral, - I wish this union and religious league, - Knit in these hands, thus joined in nuptial rites, - May not dissolve till death dissolve our lives; - And that the native sparks of princely love, - That kindled first this motion in our hearts, - May still be fuelled in our progeny. - - _Nav._ The many favours which your grace hath shown, - From time to time, but specially in this, 10 - Shall bind me ever to your highness' will, - In what Queen-Mother or your grace commands. - - _Cath._ Thanks, son Navarre. You see we love you well, - That link you in marriage with our daughter here; - And, as you know, our difference in religion - Might be a means to cross you in your love,-- - - _Char._ Well, madam, let that rest.-- - And now, my lords, the marriage rites performed, - We think it good to go and cònsummate - The rest with hearing of a holy mass.-- 20 - Sister, I think yourself will bear us company. - - _Mar._ I will, my good lord. - - _Char._ The rest that will not go, my lords, may stay.-- - Come, mother, - Let us go to honour this solemnity. - - _Cath._ Which I'll dissolve with blood and cruelty. [_Aside._ - [_Exeunt all except the_ KING OF NAVARRE, CONDÉ, - _and the_ ADMIRAL. - - _Nav._ Prince Condé, and my good Lord Admiral, - Now Guise may storm, but do us little hurt, - Having the king, Queen-Mother on our sides, - To stop the malice of his envious heart, 30 - That seeks to murder all the Protestants. - Have you not heard of late how he decreed - (If that the king had given consent thereto) - That all the Protestants that are in Paris - Should have been murderèd the other night? - - _Adm._ My lord, I marvel that th' aspiring Guise - Dares once adventure, without the king's consent, - To meddle or attempt such dangerous things. - - _Con._ My lord, you need not marvel at the Guise, - For what he doth, the Pope will ratify, 40 - In murder, mischief, or in tyranny. - - _Nav._ But he that sits and rules above the clouds - Doth hear and see the prayers of the just, - And will revenge the blood of innocents, - That Guise hath slain by treason of his heart, - And brought by murder to their timeless[349] ends. - - _Adm._ My lord, but did you mark the Cardinal, - The Guise's brother, and the Duke Dumaine, - How they did storm at these your nuptial rites, - Because the house of Bourbon now comes in, 50 - And joins your lineage to the crown of France? - - _Nav._ And that's the cause that Guise so frowns at us, - And beats his brains to catch us in his trap, - Which he hath pitched within his deadly toil. - Come, my lords, let's go to the church, and pray - That God may still defend the right of France, - And make his Gospel flourish in this land. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_ GUISE.[350] - - _Guise._ If ever Hymen lour'd at marriage rites, - And had his altars decked with dusky lights; - If ever sun stained heaven with bloody clouds, - And made it look with terror on the world; - If ever day were turned to ugly night, - And night made semblance of the hue of hell; - This day, this hour, this fatal night, - Shall fully show the fury of them all.-- - Apothecary! - - _Enter_ Apothecary. - - _Apoth._ My lord? 10 - - _Guise._ Now shall I prove, and guerdon to the full, - The love thou bear'st unto the house of Guise. - Where are those perfumed gloves which [late] I sent - To be poisoned? hast thou done them? speak; - Will every savour breed a pang of death? - - _Apoth._ See where they be, my good lord; and he that smells - But to them, dies. - - _Guise._ Then thou remainest resolute? - - _Apoth._ I am, my lord, in what your grace commands, - Till death. - - _Guise._ Thanks, my good friend: I will requite thy love. - Go, then, present them to the Queen Navarre; 20 - For she is that huge blemish in our eye, - That makes these upstart heresies in France: - Be gone, my friend, present them to her straight. - [_Exit_ Apothecary. - Soldier! - - _Enter a_ Soldier. - - _Sold._ My lord? - - _Guise._ Now come thou forth and play thy tragic part: - Stand in some window,[351] opening near the street, - And when thou see'st the Admiral ride by, - Discharge thy musket, and perform his death; - And then I'll guerdon thee with store of crowns. 30 - - _Sold._ I will, my lord. [_Exit._ - - _Guise._ Now, Guise, begin those deep-engendered thoughts - To burst abroad those never-dying flames - Which cannot be extinguished but by blood. - Oft have I levelled, and at last have learn'd - That peril is the cheapest way to happiness, - And resolution honour's fairest aim. - What glory is there in a common good, - That hangs for every peasant to achieve? - That like I best that flies beyond my reach. 40 - Set me to scale the high Pyramides, - And thereon set the diadem of France; - I'll either rend it with my nails to naught, - Or mount the top with my aspiring wings, - Although my downfall be the deepest hell. - For this I wake, when others think I sleep; - For this I wait, that scorn attendance else; - For this, my quenchless thirst, whereon I build, - Hath often pleaded kindred to the king; - For this, this head, this heart, this hand, and sword, 50 - Contrives, imagines, and fully executes, - Matters of import aimèd at by many, - Yet understood by none; - For this, hath heaven engendered me of earth; - For this, this earth sustains my body's weight, - And with this weight I'll counterpoise a crown, - Or with seditions weary all the world; - For this, from Spain the stately Catholics - Send Indian gold to coin me French ecues;[352] - For this, have I a largess from the Pope, 60 - A pension, and a dispensation too; - And by that privilege to work upon, - My policy hath fram'd religion. - Religion! _O Diabole!_ - Fie, I am asham'd, however that I seem, - To think a word of such a simple sound, - Of so great matter should be made the ground! - The gentle king, whose pleasure uncontroll'd - Weakeneth his body, and will waste his realm, - If I repair not what he ruinates,[353]-- 70 - Him, as a child, I daily win with words, - So that for proof he barely bears the name; - I execute, and he sustains the blame. - The Mother-Queen works wonders for my sake, - And in my love entombs the hope of France, - Rifling the bowels of her treasury, - To supply my wants and necessity. - Paris hath full five hundred colleges, - As monasteries, priories, abbeys, and halls, - Wherein are thirty thousand able men, 80 - Besides a thousand sturdy student Catholics: - And more,--of my knowledge, in one cloister keep[354] - Five hundred fat Franciscan friars and priests: - All this, and more, if more may be comprised, - To bring the will of our desires to end. - Then, Guise, - Since thou hast all the cards within thy hands, - To shuffle or cut, take this as surest thing, - That, right or wrong, thou deal thyself a king.-- - I, but, Navarre,[355]--'tis but a nook of France, 90 - Sufficient yet for such a petty king, - That, with a rabblement of his heretics, - Blinds Europe's eyes, and troubleth our estate. - Him will we--[_Pointing to his sword_] but first let's follow - those in France - That hinder our possession to the crown. - As Cæsar to his soldiers, so say I,-- - Those that hate me will I learn to loathe. - Give me a look, that, when I bend the brows, - Pale death may walk in furrows of my face; - A hand, that with a grasp may gripe the world; 100 - An ear to hear what my detractors say; - A royal seat, a sceptre, and a crown; - That those which do behold, they[356] may become - As men that stand and gaze against the sun. - The plot is laid, and things shall come to pass - Where resolution strives for victory. - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter the_ KING OF NAVARRE,[357] QUEEN MARGARET, - _the_ OLD QUEEN OF NAVARRE, _the_ PRINCE OF CONDÉ, - _and the_ ADMIRAL; _they are met by the_ Apothecary - _with the gloves, which he gives to the_ OLD QUEEN. - - _Apoth._ Madam, - I beseech your grace to accept this simple gift. - - _Old Q. of Nav._ Thanks, my good friend. Hold, take - thou this reward. [_Gives a purse._ - - _Apoth._ I humbly thank your majesty. [_Exit._ - - _Old Q. of Nav._ Methinks the gloves have a very strong perfume, - The scent whereof doth make my head to ache. - - _Nav._ Doth not your grace know the man that gave them you? - - _Old Q. of Nav._ Not well; but do remember such a man. - - _Adm._ Your grace was ill-advised to take them, then, - Considering of these dangerous times. 10 - - _Old Q. of Nav._ Help, son Navarre! I am poisoned! - - _Mar._ The heavens forbid your highness such mishap! - - _Nav._ The late suspicion of the Duke of Guise - Might well have moved your highness to beware - How you did meddle with such dangerous gifts. - - _Mar._ Too late it is, my lord, if that be true, - To blame her highness; but I hope it be - Only some natural passion makes her sick. - - _Old Q. of Nav._ O no, sweet Margaret! the fatal poison - Works within my head; my brain-pan breaks; 20 - My heart doth faint; I die! [_Dies._ - - _Nav._ My mother poisoned here before my face! - O gracious God, what times are these! - O grant, sweet God, my days may end with hers, - That I with her may die and live again! - - _Mar._ Let not this heavy chance, my dearest lord - (For whose effects my soul is massacrèd), - Infect thy gracious breast with fresh supply - To aggravate our sudden misery. - - _Adm._ Come, my lords, let us bear her body hence, 30 - And see it honoured with just solemnity. - [_As they are going out, the_ Soldier _dischargeth his - musket at the_ ADMIRAL. - _Con._ What, are you hurt, my Lord High Admiral? - - _Adm._ I, my good lord, shot through the arm. - - _Nav._ We[358] are betrayed! Come, my lords, - And let us go tell the king of this. - - _Adm._ These are - The cursèd Guisians, that do seek our death. - O fatal was this marriage to us all! - [_Exeunt, bearing out the body of the_ OLD QUEEN OF NAVARRE. - - - SCENE IV. - - _Enter_[359] KING CHARLES, CATHERINE _the Queen-Mother_, - GUISE, ANJOU, _and_ DUMAINE. - - _Cath._ My noble son, and princely Duke of Guise, - Now have we got the fatal, straggling deer - Within the compass of a deadly toil, - And, as we late decreed, we may perform. - - _Char._ Madam, it will be noted through the world - An action bloody and tyrannical; - Chiefly, since under safety of our word - They justly challenge their protection: - Besides, my heart relents that noblemen, - Only corrupted in religion, 10 - Ladies of honour, knights, and gentlemen, - Should, for their conscience, taste such ruthless ends. - - _Anj._ Though gentle minds should pity others' pain, - Yet will the wisest note their proper griefs, - And rather seek to scourge their enemies - Than be themselves base subjects to the whip. - - _Guise._ Methinks my Lord Anjou hath well advised - Your highness to consider of the thing, - And rather choose to seek your country's good - Than pity or relieve these upstart heretics. 20 - - _Cath._ I hope these reasons may serve my princely son - To have some care for fear of enemies. - - _Char._ Well, madam, I refer it to your majesty, - And to my nephew here, the Duke of Guise: - What you determine, I will ratify. - - _Cat._ Thanks to my princely son.--Then tell me,Guise, - What order will you set down for the massacre? - - _Guise._ Thus, madam. They - That shall be actors in this massacre, - Shall wear white crosses on their burgonets, 30 - And tie white linen scarfs about their arms: - He that wants these, and is suspect[360] of heresy, - Shall die, be he king or emperor. Then I'll have - A peal of ordnance shot from the tower, at which - They all shall issue out, and set[361] the streets; - And then, - The watch-word being given, a bell shall ring, - Which when they hear, they shall begin to kill, - And never cease until that bell shall cease; - Then breathe a while. 40 - - _Enter the_ ADMIRAL'S Serving-Man. - - _Char._ How now, fellow! what news? - - _Serv.-M._ An it please your grace, the Lord High Admiral, - Riding the streets, was traitorously shot; - And most humbly[362] entreats your majesty - To visit him, sick in his bed. - - _Char._ Messenger, tell him I will see him straight. - [_Exit_ Serv.-M. - What shall we do now with the Admiral? - - _Cath._ Your majesty were best go visit him, - And make a show as if all were well. - - _Char._ Content; I will go visit the Admiral. 50 - - _Guise._ And I will go take order for his death. - [_Exeunt_.[363] - - - SCENE V. - - _The_[364] ADMIRAL _discovered in bed. - Enter_ KING CHARLES. - - _Char._ How fares it with my Lord High Admiral? - Hath he been hurt with villain's in the street? - I vow and swear, as I am king of France, - To find and to repay the man with death, - With death delayed and torments never us'd, - That durst presume, for hope of any gain, - To hurt the nobleman their[365] sovereign loves. - - _Adm._ Ah, my good lord, these are the Guisians, - That seek to massacre our guiltless lives! - - _Char._ Assure yourself, my good Lord Admiral, 10 - I deeply sorrow for your treacherous wrong; - And that I am not more secure myself - Than I am careful you should be preserv'd.-- - Cousin, take twenty of our strongest guard, - And, under your direction, see they keep - All treacherous violence from our noble friend; - Repaying all attempts with present death - Upon the cursèd breakers of our peace.-- - And so be patient, good Lord Admiral, - And every hour I will visit you. 20 - - _Adm._ I humbly thank your royal majesty. - [_Exit_ CHARLES. _The bed is drawn in._ - - - SCENE VI. - - _Enter_[366] GUISE, ANJOU, DUMAINE, GONZAGO, RETES, - MOUNTSORRELL, _and_ Soldiers, _to the massacre_. - - _Guise._ Anjou, Dumaine, Gonzago, Retes, swear, - By the argent crosses in your burgonets, - To kill all that you suspect of heresy. - - _Dum._ I swear by this, to be unmerciful. - - _Anj._ I am disguis'd, and none knows who I am, - And therefore mean to murder all I meet. - - _Gon._ And so will I. - - _Retes._ And I. - - _Guise._ Away, then! break into the Admiral's house. - - _Retes._ I, let the Admiral be first despatch'd. - - _Guise._ The Admiral, 10 - Chief standard-bearer to the Lutherans, - Shall in the entrance[367] of this massacre - Be murder'd in his bed. - Gonzago, conduct them thither; and then - Beset his house, that not a man may live. - - _Anj._ That charge is mine.--Switzers, keep you the streets; - And at each corner shall the king's guard stand. - - _Gon._ Come, sirs, follow me. - [_Exit_ GONZAGO _with others_. - _Anj._ Cousin, the captain of the Admiral's guard, - Plac'd by my brother, will betray his lord. 20 - Now, Guise, shall Catholics flourish once again; - The head being off, the members cannot stand. - - _Retes._ But look, my lord, there's some in the Admiral's house. - - GONZAGO _and others enter the_ ADMIRAL'S - _house; the_ ADMIRAL _discovered in bed_. - - _Anj._ In lucky time: come, let us keep this lane, - And slay his servants that shall issue out. - - _Gon._ Where is the Admiral? - - _Adm._ O let me pray before I die! - - _Gon._ Then pray unto our Lady; kiss this cross. [_Stabs him._ - - _Adm._ O God, forgive my sins! [_Dies._ - - _Guise._ Gonzago, what, is he dead? - - _Gon._ I, my lord. 30 - - _Guise._ Then throw him down.[368] - [_The body of the_ ADMIRAL _is thrown down._ - _Anj._ Now, cousin, view him well: - It maybe 'tis some other, and he escap'd. - - _Guise._ Cousin, 'tis he; I know him by his look: - See where my soldier shot him through the arm; - He miss'd him near, but we have struck him now.-- - Ah, base Chatillon and degenerate, - Chief Standard-bearer to the Lutherans, - Thus, in despite of thy religion, - The Duke of Guise stamps on thy lifeless bulk! - - _Anj._ Away with him! cut off his head and hands, 40 - And send them for a present to the Pope;[369] - And, when this just revenge is finishèd, - Unto Mount Falcon[370] will we drag his corse; - - And he, that living hated so the Cross, - Shall, being dead, be hanged thereon in chains. - - _Guise._ Anjou, Gonzago, Retes, if that you three - Will be as resolute as I and Dumaine, - There shall not a Huguenot breathe in France. - - _Anj._ I swear by this cross, we'll not be partial, - But slay as many as we can come near. 50 - - _Guise._ Mountsorrell, go shoot the ordnance off, - That they, which have already set the street, - May know their watchword; then toll the bell, - And so let's forward to the massacre. - - _Mount._ I will, my lord. [_Exit._ - - _Guise._ And now, my lords, let's closely to our business. - - _Anj._ Anjou will follow thee. - - _Dum._ And so will Dumaine. - [_The ordnance being shot off, the bell tolls_. - _Guise._ Come, then, let's away. - [_Exeunt_. - - - SCENE VII. - - _Enter_[371] GUISE _and the rest with their swords drawn, - chasing the Protestants._ - - _Guise._ _Tuez, tuez, tuez!_ - Let none escape! murder the Huguenots! - - _Anj._ Kill them! kill them! [_Exeunt._ - - _Enter_ LOREINE _running_; GUISE _and the rest - pursuing him._ - - _Guise._ Loreine, Loreine! follow Loreine!--Sirrah, - Are you a preacher of these heresies? - - _Lor._ I am a preacher of the word of God; - And thou a traitor to thy soul and him. - - _Guise._ "Dearly belovèd brother,"--thus 'tis written. - [_Stabs_ LOREINE, _who dies_. - - _Anj._ Stay, my lord, let me begin the psalm. - - _Guise._ Come, drag him away, and throw him in a ditch. 10 - [_Exeunt with the body._ - - - SCENE VIII. - - _Enter_[372] MOUNTSORRELL, _and knocks at_ - SEROUNE'S _door._ - - _Seroune's Wife_ [_within_]. Who is that which knocks there? - - _Mount._ Mountsorrell, from the Duke of Guise. - - _Seroune's Wife_ [_within_]. Husband, come down; here's - one would speak with you - From the Duke of Guise. - - _Enter_ SEROUNE _from the house._ - - _Ser._ To speak with me, from such a man as he? - - _Mount._ I, I, for this, Seroune; and thou shalt ha't. - [_Showing his dagger._ - - _Ser._ O, let me pray, before I take my death! - - _Mount._ Despatch, then, quickly. - - _Ser._ O Christ, my Saviour! - - _Mount._ Christ, villain! - Why, darest thou presume to call on Christ, 10 - Without the intercession of some saint? - - _Sanctus_[373] _Jacobus_, he's[374] my saint; pray to him. - - _Ser._ O let me pray unto my God! - - _Mount._ Then take this with you. - [_Stabs_ SEROUNE, _who dies; and then exit._ - - - SCENE IX. - - _Enter_ RAMUS, _in his study._ - - _Ramus._ What fearful cries come from the river Seine,[375] - That fright poor Ramus sitting at his book! - I fear the Guisians have pass'd the bridge, - And mean once more to menace me. - - _Enter_ TALÆUS. - - _Tal._ Fly, Ramus, fly, if thou wilt save thy life! - - _Ramus._ Tell me, Talæus, wherefore should I fly? - - _Tal._ The Guisians are - Hard at thy door, and mean to murder us: - Hark, hark, they come! I'll leap out at the window. - - _Ramus_. Sweet Talæus, stay. 10 - - _Enter_ GONZAGO _and_ RETES. - - _Gon._ Who goes there? - - _Retes._ 'Tis Talæus, Ramus' bedfellow. - - _Gon._ What art thou? - - _Tal._ I am, as Ramus is, a Christian. - - _Retes._ O, let him go; he is a Catholic. [_Exit_ TALÆUS. - - _Gon._ Come, Ramus, more gold, or thou shall have the stab. - - _Ramus._ Alas, I am a scholar! how should I have gold? - All that I have is but my stipend from the king, - Which is no sooner receiv'd but it is spent. - - _Enter_ GUISE, ANJOU, DUMAINE, - MOUNTSORRELL, _and_ Soldiers. - - _Anj._ Who have you there? - - _Retes._ 'Tis Ramus, the king's Professor of Logic. 20 - - _Guise._ Stab him. - - _Ramus._ O, good my lord, - Wherein hath Ramus been so offensious? - - _Guise._ Marry, sir, in having a smack in all, - And yet didst never sound anything to the depth. - Was it not thou that scoff'dst[376] the _Organon_, - And said it was a heap of vanities? - He that will be a flat dichotomist, - And seen in nothing but epitomes, - Is in your judgment thought a learnèd man; - And he, forsooth, must go and preach in Germany, 30 - Excepting against doctors' axioms,[377] - And _ipse dixi_ with this quiddity, - _Argumentum testimonii est inartificiale._[378] - To contradict which, I say, Ramus shall die: - How answer you that? your _nego argumentum_ - Cannot serve, sirrah.--Kill him. - - _Ramus._ O, good my lord, let me but speak a word! - - _Anj._ Well, say on. - - _Ramus._ Not for my life do I desire this pause; - But in my latter hour to purge myself, 40 - In that I know the things that I have wrote, - Which, as I hear, one Scheckius[379] takes it ill, - Because my places,[380] being but three, contain all his. - I knew the _Organon_ to be confus'd, - And I reduc'd it into better form: - And this for Aristotle will I say, - That he that despiseth him can ne'er - Be good in logic or philosophy; - And that's because the blockish Sorbonnists[381] - Attribute as much unto their [own] works 50 - As to the service of the eternal God. - - _Guise._ Why suffer you that peasant to declaim? - Stab[382] him, I say, and send him to his friends in hell. - - _Anj._ Ne'er was there collier's[383] son so full of pride. - [_Stabs_ RAMUS, _who dies_. - - _Guise._ My Lord of Anjou, there are a hundred Protestants - Which we have chased into the river Seine,[384] - That swim about, and so preserve their lives: - How may we do? I fear me they will live. - - _Dum._ Go place some men upon the bridge, - With bows and darts, to shoot at them they see, 60 - And sink them in the river as they swim. - - _Guise._ 'Tis well advis'd, Dumaine; go see it straight be done. - [_Exit_ DUMAINE. - And in the meantime, my lord, could we devise - To get those pedants from the King Navarre, - That are tutors to him and the Prince of Condé-- - - _Anj._ For that, let me alone: cousin, stay you here, - And when you see me in, then follow hard.[385] - - ANJOU _knocketh at the door: and enter the_ KING OF - NAVARRE _and the_ PRINCE OF CONDÉ,[386] _with their - two_ Schoolmasters. - - How now, my lords! how fare you? - - _Nav._ My lord, they say - That all the Protestants are massacred. - - _Anj._ I, so they are; but yet, what remedy? 70 - I have done what I could to stay this broil. - - _Nav._ But yet, my lord, the report doth run - That you were one that made this massacre. - - _Anj._ Who, I? you are deceiv'd; I rose but now. - [GUISE _and the others come forward_[387] - _from the back of the stage._ - _Guise._ Murder the Huguenots! take those pedants hence! - - _Nav._ Thou traitor, Guise, lay off thy bloody hands! - - _Con._ Come, let us go tell the king. - [_Exit with the_ KING OF NAVARRE. - - _Guise._ Come, sirs, - I'll whip you to death with my poniard's point. - [_Stabs the_ Schoolmasters, _who die_. - - _Anj._ Away with them both! - [_Exeunt_ ANJOU _and_ Soldiers _with the bodies_. - - _Guise._ And now, sirs, for this night let our fury stay. - Yet will we not that the massacre shall end: 81 - Gonzago, post you to Orleans, - Retes to Dieppe, Mountsorrell unto Rouen, - And spare not one that you suspect of heresy. - And now stay - That bell, that to the devil's matins rings. - Now every man put off his burgonet, - And so convey him closely to his bed. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE X. - - _Enter_[388] ANJOU, _with two_ Lords of Poland. - - _Anj._ My lords of Poland, I must needs confess, - The offer of your Prince Elector's far - Beyond the reach of my deserts; - For Poland is, as I have been inform'd, - A martial people, worthy such a king - As hath sufficient counsel in himself - To lighten doubts, and frustrate subtle foes; - And such a king, whom practice long hath taught - To please himself with manage of the wars, - The greatest wars within our Christian bounds,-- 10 - I mean our wars against the Muscovites, - And, on the other side, against the Turk, - Rich princes both, and mighty emperors. - Yet, by my brother Charles, our King of France, - And by his grace's council, it is thought - That, if I undertake to wear the crown - Of Poland, it may prejudice their hope - Of my inheritance to the crown of France; - For, if th' Almighty take my brother hence, - By due descent the regal seat is mine. 20 - With Poland, therefore, must I covenant thus,-- - That if, by death of Charles, the diadem - Of France be cast on me, then, with your leaves, - I may retire me to my native home. - If your commission serve to warrant this, - I thankfully shall undertake the charge - Of you and yours, and carefully maintain - The wealth and safety of your kingdom's right. - - _First Lord._ All this, and more, your highness shall command, - For Poland's crown and kingly diadem. 30 - - _Anj._ Then, come, my lords, let's go. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE XI. - - _Enter_[389] _two_ Men, _with the_ ADMIRAL'S _body_. - - _First Man._ Now, sirrah, what shall we do with the Admiral? - - _Sec. Man._ Why, let us burn him for an heretic. - - _First Man._ O no! his body will infect the fire, and - the fire the air, and so we shall be poisoned with him. - - _Sec. Man._ What shall we do, then? - - _First Man._ Let's throw him into the river. - - _Sec. Man._ O, 'twill corrupt the water, and the water - the fish, and the[390] fish ourselves when we eat them! - - _First Man._ Then throw him into a ditch. 10 - - _Sec. Man._ No, no. To decide all doubts, be ruled by me: - let's hang him here upon this tree. - - _First Man._ Agreed. - [_They hang up the body on a tree, and then exeunt._ - - _Enter_ GUISE, CATHERINE _the Queen-Mother, - and the_ CARDINAL OF LORRAINE, _with_ Attendants. - - _Guise._ Now, madam, how like you our lusty Admiral? - - _Cath._ Believe me, Guise, he becomes the place so well - As I could long ere this have wish'd him there. - But come, - Let's walk aside; the air's not very sweet. - - _Guise._ No, by my faith, madam.-- - - Sirs, take him away, and throw him in some ditch. 20 - [_The_ Attendants _bear off the_ ADMIRAL'S _body_. - And now, madam, as I understand, - There are a hundred Huguenots and more, - Which in the woods do hold their synagogue, - And daily meet about this time of day; - And thither will I, to put them to the sword. - - _Cath._ Do so, sweet Guise; let us delay no time; - For, if these stragglers gather head again, - And disperse themselves throught the realm of France, - It will be hard for us to work their deaths. - Be gone; delay no time, sweet Guise. - - _Guise._ Madam, 30 - I go as whirlwinds rage before a storm. [_Exit._ - - _Cath._ My Lord of Lorraine, have you marked of late, - How Charles our son begins for to lament - For the late night's work which my Lord of Guise - Did make in Paris among the Huguenots? - - _Card._ Madam, I have heard him solemnly vow, - With the rebellious King of Navarre, - To revenge their deaths upon us all. - - _Cath._ I, but, my lord, let me alone for that; - For Catherine must have her will in France. 40 - As I do live, so surely shall he die, - And Henry then shall wear the diadem; - And, if he grudge or cross his mother's will, - I'll disinherit him and all the rest; - For I'll rule France, but they shall wear the crown, - And, if they storm, I then may pull them down. - Come, my lord, let us go. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE XII. - - _Enter_[391] _five or six_ Protestants, _with books, - and kneel together. Then enter_ GUISE _and others_. - - _Guise._ Down with the Huguenots! murder them! - - _First Pro._ O Monsieur de Guise, hear me but speak! - - _Guise._ No, villain; that tongue of thine, - That hath blasphem'd the holy Church of Rome, - Shall drive no plaints into the Guise's ears, - To make the justice of my heart relent.-- - _Tuez, tuez, tuez!_ let none escape. [_They kill the_ Protestants. - So drag them away. - [_Exeunt with the bodies._ - - - SCENE XIII. - - _Enter_[392] KING CHARLES, _supported by the_ - KING OF NAVARRE _and_ EPERNOUN; - CATHERINE _the Queen-Mother, the_ - CARDINAL OF LORRAINE, PLESHÉ,[393] - _and_ Attendants. - - _Char._ O, let me stay, and rest me here awhile! - A griping pain hath seiz'd upon my heart; - A sudden pang, the messenger of death. - - _Cath._ O, say not so! thou kill'st thy mother's heart. - - _Char._ I must say so; pain forceth me complain. - - _Nav._ Comfort yourself, my lord, and have no doubt - But God will sure restore you to your health. - - _Char._ O no, my loving brother of Navarre! - I have deserved a scourge, I must confess; - Yet is their[394] patience of another sort 10 - Than to misdo the welfare of their king: - God grant my nearest friends may prove no worse! - O, hold me up, my sight begins to fail, - My sinews shrink, my brains turn upside down; - My heart doth break: I faint and die. [_Dies._ - - _Cath._ Art thou dead, sweet son? speak to thy mother! - O no, his soul is fled from out his breast, - And he nor hears nor sees us what we do! - My lords, what resteth there now to be done, - But that we presently despatch ambassadors 20 - To Poland, to call Henry back again, - To wear his brother's crown and dignity? - Epernoun, go see it presently be done, - And bid him come without delay to us. - - _Eper._ Madam, I will. [_Exit._ - - _Cath._ And now, - My lords, after these funerals be done, - We will, with all the speed we can, provide - For Henry's coronation from Polony. - Come, let us take his body hence. 30 - [_The body of_ KING CHARLES _is borne out; and_ - _exeunt all except the_ KING OF NAVARRE _and_ PLESHÉ. - - _Nav._ And now, Pleshé,[395] whilst that these broils do last, - My opportunity may serve it fit - To steal from France, and hie me to my home, - For there's no safety in this realm for me: - And now that Henry is call'd from Poland, - It is my due, by just succession; - And therefore, as speedily as I can perform, - I'll muster up an army secretly, - For fear that Guise, join'd with the king of Spain, - Might seek[396] to cross me in mine enterprise. 40 - But God, that always doth defend the right, - Will show his mercy, and preserve us still. - - _Pleshé._ The virtues of our true religion - Cannot but march, with many graces more, - Whose army shall discomfort all your foes, - And, at the length, in Pampelonia[397] crown - (In spite of Spain, and all the popish power, - That holds it from your highness wrongfully) - Your majesty her rightful lord and sovereign. - - _Nav._ Truth, Pleshé; and God so prosper me in all, 50 - As I intend to labour for the truth, - And true profession of his holy word! - Come, Pleshé, let's away whilst time doth serve. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE XIV. - - _Trumpets sound within, and a cry of "Vive le Roi" - two or three times. Enter_[398] ANJOU - _crowned as King Henry the Third_; CATHERINE - _the Queen Mother, the_ CARDINAL OF LORRAINE, - GUISE, EPERNOUN, MUGEROUN, - _the_ Cutpurse, _and others_. - - _All. Vive le Roi, Vive le Roi! [A flourish of trumpets._ - - _Cath._ Welcome from Poland, Henry, once again! - Welcome to France, thy father's royal seat! - Here hast thou a country void of fears, - A warlike people to maintain thy right, - A watchful senate for ordaining laws, - A loving mother to preserve thy state, - And all things that a king may wish besides; - All this, and more, hath Henry with his crown. - - _Card._ And long may Henry enjoy all this, and more! 10 - - _All._ _Vive le Roi, Vive le Roi!_ - [_A flourish of trumpets._ - _Henry._ Thanks to you all. The guider of all crowns - Grant that our deeds may well deserve your loves! - And so they shall if fortune speed my will, - And yield your thoughts to height of my deserts. - What say our minions? think they Henry's heart - Will not both harbour love and majesty? - Put off that fear, they are already join'd: - No person, place, or time, or circumstance, - Shall slack my love's affection from his bent: 20 - As now you are, so shall you still persist, - Removeless from the favours of your king. - - _Mug._ We know that noble minds change not their thoughts - For wearing of a crown, in that your grace - Hath worn the Poland diadem before - You were invested in the crown of France. - - _Henry._ I tell thee, Mugeroun, we will be friends, - And fellows too, whatever storms arise. - - _Mug._ Then[399] may it please your majesty to give me leave - To punish those that do profane this holy feast. 30 - - _Henry._ How mean'st thou that? - [MUGEROUN _cuts off the_ Cutpurse's _ear, - for cutting the gold buttons off his cloak_. - _Cutp._ O Lord, mine ear! - - _Mug._ Come, sir, give me my buttons, and here's your ear. - - _Guise._ Sirrah, take him away. - - _Henry._ Hands off, good fellow; I will be his bail - For this offence.--Go, sirrah, work no more - Till this our coronation day be past.-- - And now, - Our solemn rites of coronation done, - What now remains but for a while to feast, 40 - And spend some days in barriers, tourney, tilt, - And like disports, such as do fit the court? - Let's go, my lords; our dinner stays for us. - [_Exeunt all except_ CATHERINE _the Queen Mother - and the_ CARDINAL OF LORRAINE. - - _Cath._ My Lord Cardinal of Lorraine, tell me, - How likes your grace my son's pleasantness? - His mind, you see, runs on his minions, - And all his heaven is to delight himself; - And, whilst he sleeps securely thus in ease, - Thy brother Guise and we may now provide - To plant ourselves with such authority 50 - As not a man may live without our leaves. - Then shall the Catholic faith of Rome - Flourish in France, and none deny the same. - - _Card._ Madam, as in secrecy I was told, - My brother Guise hath gather'd a power of men, - Which are,[400] he saith, to kill the Puritans; - But 'tis the house of Bourbon that he means. - Now, madam, must you insinuate with the king, - And tell him that 'tis for his country's good, - And common profit of religion. 60 - - _Cath._ Tush, man, let me alone with him, - To work the way to bring this thing to pass; - And, if he do deny what I do say, - I'll despatch him with his brother presently, - And then shall Monsieur wear the diadem. - Tush, all shall die unless I have my will; - For, while she lives, Catherine will be queen. - Come, my lord,[401] let us go seek the Guise, - And then determine of this enterprise. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE XV. - - _Enter_[402] _the_ DUCHESS OF GUISE _and her_ Maid. - - _Duch. of G._ Go fetch me pen and ink,-- - - _Maid._ I will, madam. - - _Duch._ That I may write unto my dearest lord. [_Exit_ Maid. - Sweet Mugeroun,[403] 'tis he that hath my heart, - And Guise usurps it 'cause I am his wife. - Fain would I find some means to speak with him, - But cannot, and therefore am enforced to write, - That he may come and meet me in some place, - Where we may one enjoy the other's sight. - - _Re-enter the_ Maid, _with pen, ink, and paper_. - - So, set it down, and leave me to myself. - [_Exit_ Maid. _The_ DUCHESS _writes_. - O, would to God, this quill that here doth write 10 - Had late been pluck'd from out fair Cupid's wing, - That it might print these lines within his heart! - - _Enter_ GUISE. - - _Guise._ What, all alone, my love? and writing too? - I prithee, say to whom thou writ'st. - - _Duch._ To such - A one, my Lord, as, when she reads my lines, - Will laugh, I fear me, at their good array. - - _Guise._ I pray thee, let me see. - - _Duch._ O no, my lord; a woman only must - Partake the secrets of my heart. - - _Guise._ But, madam, I must see. [_Seizes the paper._ 20 - - Are these your secrets that no man must know! - - _Duch._ O, pardon me, my lord! - - _Guise_. Thou trothless and unjust! what lines are these? - Am I grown old, or is thy lust grown young? - Or hath my love been so obscured in thee, - That others need to comment on my text? - Is all my love forgot, which held thee dear, - I, dearer than the apple of mine eye? - Is Guise's glory but a cloudy mist, - In sight and judgment of thy lustful eye? 30 - _Mort Dieu!_ were[404] not the fruit within thy womb, - Of whose increase I set some longing hope, - This wrathful hand should strike thee to the heart. - Hence, strumpet! hide thy head for shame; - And fly my presence if thou look to live! - [_Exit_ DUCHESS. - O wicked sex, perjùrèd and unjust! - Now do I see that from the very first - Her eyes and looks sow'd seeds of perjury. - But villain, he, to whom these lines should go, - Shall buy her love even with his dearest blood. 40 - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE XVI. - - _Enter_[405] _the_ KING OF NAVARRE, PLESHÉ, BARTUS, - _and train, with drums and trumpets_. - - _Nav._ My lords, sith in a quarrel just and right - We undertake to manage these our wars - Against the proud disturbers of the faith - (I mean the Guise, the Pope, and king of Spain, - Who set themselves to tread us under foot, - And rent our true religion from this land; - But for you know our quarrel is no more - But to defend[406] their strange inventions, - Which they will put us to with sword and fire), - We must with resolute minds resolve to fight, 10 - In honour of our God, and country's good. - Spain is the council-chamber of the Pope, - Spain is the place where he makes peace and war; - And Guise for Spain hath now incensed the king - To send his power to meet us in the field. - - _Bar._ Then in this bloody brunt they may behold - The sole endeavour of your princely care, - To plant the true succession of the faith, - In spite of Spain and all his heresies. - - _Nav._ The power of vengeance now encamps itself 20 - Upon the haughty mountains of my breast; - Plays with her gory colours of revenge, - Whom I respect as leaves of boasting green, - That change their colour when the winter comes, - When I shall vaunt as victor in revenge. - - _Enter a_ Messenger. - - How now, sirrah! what news? - - _Mes._ My lord, as by our scouts we understand, - A mighty army comes from France with speed; - Which are already mustered in the land, - And mean to meet your highness in the field. 30 - - _Nav._ In God's name, let them come! - This is the Guise that hath incensed the king - To levy arms, and make these civil broils. - But canst thou tell who is their general? - - _Mes._ Not yet, my lord, for thereon do they stay; - But, as report doth go, the Duke of Joyeux - Hath made great suit unto the king therefore. - - _Nav._ It will not countervail his pains, I hope. - I would the Guise in his stead might have come! - But he doth lurk within his drowsy couch, 40 - And makes his footstool on security: - So he be safe, he cares not what becomes - Of king or country; no, not for them both. - But come, my lords, let us away with speed, - And place ourselves in order for the fight. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE XVII. - - _Enter_[407] KING HENRY, GUISE, EPERNOUN, _and_ JOYEUX. - - _Henry._ My sweet Joyeux, I make thee general - Of all my army, now in readiness - To march 'gainst the rebellious King Navarre; - At thy request I am content thou go, - Although my love to thee can hardly suffer['t], - Regarding still the danger of thy life. - - _Joyeux._ Thanks to your majesty: and so, I take my leave.-- - Farewell to my Lord of Guise, and Epernoun. - - _Guise._ Health and hearty farewell to my Lord Joyeux. - [_Exit_ JOYEUX. - - _Henry._ So kindly, cousin of Guise, you and your wife - Do both salute our lovely minions. 11 - Remember you the letter, gentle sir, - Which your wife writ - To my dear minion, and her chosen friend? [_Makes horns at_ GUISE. - - _Guise._ How now, my Lord! faith, this is more than need. - Am I thus to be jested at and scorn'd? - 'Tis more than kingly or emperious: - And, sure, if all the proudest kings - In Christendom should bear me such derision, - They should know how I scorn'd them and their mocks. 20 - I love your minions! dote on them yourself; - I know none else but holds them in disgrace; - And here, by all the saints in heaven, I swear, - That villain for whom I bear this deep disgrace, - Even for your words that have incens'd me so, - Shall buy that strumpet's favour with his blood! - Whether he have dishonour'd me or no, - _Par la mort de Dieu_[408] _il mourra!_ [_Exit._ - - _Henry._ Believe me, this jest bites sore. - - _Eper._ My lord, 'twere good to make them friends, 30 - For his oaths are seldom spent in vain. - - _Enter_ MUGEROUN. - - _Henry._ How now, Mugeroun! mett'st thou not the Guise at the door? - - _Mug._ Not I, my lord; what if I had? - - _Henry._ Marry, if thou hadst, thou mightst have had the stab, - For he hath solemnly sworn thy death. - - _Mug._ I may be stabb'd, and live till he be dead: - But wherefore bears he me such deadly hate? - - _Henry._ Because his wife bears thee such kindly love. - - _Mug._ If that be all, the next time that I meet her, - I'll make her shake off love with her heels. 40 - But which way is he gone? I'll go take[409] a walk - On purpose from the court to meet with him. [_Exit._ - - _Henry._ I like not this. Come, Epernoun, - Let us go seek the duke, and make them friends. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE XVIII. - - _Alarums within, and a cry_--"_The_ DUKE JOYEUX _is slain_." - - _Enter_[410] _the_ KING OF NAVARRE, BARTUS, _and train_. - - _Nav._ The duke is slain, and all his power dispers'd, - And we are graced with wreaths of victory. - Thus God, we see, doth ever guide the right, - To make his glory great upon the earth. - - _Bar._ The terror of this happy victory, - I hope, will make the king surcease his hate, - And either never manage army more, - Or else employ them in some better cause. - - _Nav._ How many noblemen have lost their lives - In prosecution of these cruel arms, 10 - Is ruth, and almost death, to call to mind. - But God we know will always put them down - That lift themselves against the perfect truth; - Which I'll maintain so long as life doth last, - - And with the Queen of England join my force - To beat the papal monarch from our lands, - And keep those relics from our countries' coasts. - Come, my lords; now that this storm is over-past, - Let us away with triumph to our tents. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE XIX. - - _Enter_[411] _a_ Soldier. - - _Sold._ Sir, to you, sir, that dares make the duke a - cuckold, and use a counterfeit key to his privy-chamber-door; - and although you take out nothing but your own, - yet you put in that which displeaseth him, and so forestall - his market, and set up your standing where you should - not; and whereas he is your landlord, you will take upon - you to be his, and till the ground that he himself should - occupy, which is his own free land; if it be not too free--there's - the question; and though I come not to take - possession (as I would I might!), yet I mean to keep you - out; which I will, if this gear hold. 11 - - _Enter_ MUGEROUN. - - What, are ye come so soon? have at ye, sir! - [_Shoots at_ MUGEROUN _and kills him_.[412] - - _Enter_ GUISE _and_ Attendants. - - _Guise_ [_Giving a purse_]. Hold thee, tall soldier, - take thee this, and fly. [_Exit_ Soldier. - Lie there, the king's delight, and Guise's scorn! - Revenge it, Henry, as thou list or dare; - I did it only in despite of thee. - [Attendants _bear off_ MUGEROUN'S _body_. - - _Enter_ KING HENRY _and_ EPERNOUN. - - _Henry._ My Lord of Guise, we understand - That you have gatherèd a power of men: - What your intent is yet we cannot learn, - But we presume it is not for our good. 20 - - _Guise._ Why, I am no traitor to the crown of France; - What I have done, 'tis for the Gospel's sake. - - _Eper._ Nay, for the Pope's sake, and thine own benefit. - What peer in France but thou, aspiring Guise, - Durst be in arms without the king's consent? - I challenge thee for treason in the cause. - - _Guise._ Ah, base Epernoun! were not his highness here, - Thou shouldst perceive the Duke of Guise is mov'd. - - _Henry._ Be patient, Guise, and threat not Epernoun, - Lest thou perceive the king of France be mov'd. 30 - - _Guise._ Why, I'm a prince of the Valois line, - Therefore an enemy to the Bourbonites; - I am a juror in the holy league, - And therefore hated of the Protestants: - What should I do but stand upon my guard? - And, being able, I'll keep an host in pay. - - _Eper._ Thou able to maintain an host in pay, - That liv'st by foreign exhibition![413] - The Pope and King of Spain are thy good friends; - Else all France knows how poor a duke thou art. 40 - - _Henry._ I, those are they that feed him with their gold, - To countermand our will, and check our friends. - - _Guise._ My lord, to speak more plainly, thus it is. - Being animated by religious zeal, - I mean to muster all the power I can, - To overthrow those factious[414] Puritans: - And know, my lord, the Pope will sell his triple crown, - I, and the Catholic Philip, king of Spain, - Ere I shall want, will cause his Indians - To rip the golden bowels of America. 50 - Navarre, that cloaks them underneath his wings, - Shall feel the house of Lorraine is his foe. - Your highness needs not fear mine army's force; - 'Tis for your safety, and your enemies' wreck. - - _Henry._ Guise, wear our crown, and be thou king of France, - And, as dictator, make or war or peace, - Whilst I cry _placet_, like a senator! - I cannot brook thy haughty insolence: - Dismiss thy camp, or else by our edict - Be thou proclaim'd a traitor throughout France. 60 - - _Guise._ The choice is hard; I must dissemble.-- [_Aside._ - My lord, in token of my true humility, - And simple meaning to your majesty, - I kiss your grace's hand, and take my leave, - Intending to dislodge my camp with speed. - - _Henry._ Then farewell, Guise; the king and thou are friends. - [_Exit_ GUISE. - _Eper._ But trust him not, my lord; for, had your highness - Seen with what a pomp he enter'd Paris, - And how the citizens with gifts and shows - Did entertain him, 70 - And promisèd to be at his command-- - Nay, they fear'd not to speak it in the streets, - That the Guise durst stand in arms against the king, - For not effecting of his holiness' will. - - _Henry._ Did they of Paris entertain him so? - Then means he present treason to our state. - Well, let me alone.--Who's within there? - - _Enter an_ Attendant, _with pen and ink_. - - Make a discharge of all my council straight, - And I'll subscribe my name, and seal it straight.-- - [Attendant _writes_. - My head shall be my council; they are false; 80 - And, Epernoun, I will be rul'd by thee. - - _Eper._ My lord, - I think, for safety of your royal person, - It would be good the Guise were made away, - And so to quite[415] your grace of all suspect. - - _Henry._ First let us set our hand and seal to this, - And then I'll tell thee what I mean to do.-- [_Writes._ - So; convey this to the council presently. - [_Exit_ Attendant. - And, Epernoun, though I seem mild and calm, - Think not but I am tragical within. 90 - I'll secretly convey me unto Blois; - For, now that Paris takes the Guise's part, - Here is no staying for the king of France, - Unless he mean to be betray'd and die: - But, as I live, so sure the Guise shall die. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE XX. - - _Enter_[416] _the_ KING OF NAVARRE, - _reading a letter, and_ BARTUS. - - _Nav._ My lord, I am advertisèd from France - That the Guise hath taken arms against the king, - And that Paris is revolted from his grace. - - _Bar._ Then hath your grace fit opportunity - To show your love unto the king of France, - Offering him aid against his enemies, - Which cannot but be thankfully receiv'd. - - _Nav._ Bartus, it shall be so: post, then, to France, - And there salute his highness in our name; - Assure him all the aid we can provide 10 - Against the Guisians and their complices. - Bartus, be gone: commend me to his grace, - And tell him, ere it be long, I'll visit him. - - _Bar._ I will, my lord. [_Exit._ - - _Nav._ Pleshè! - - _Enter_ PLESHÈ. - - _Pleshè._ My lord? - - _Nav._ Pleshè, go muster up our men with speed, - And let them march away to France amain, - For we must aid the king against the Guise. - Begone, I say; 'tis time that we were there. 20 - - _Pleshè._ I go, my lord. [_Exit._ - - _Nav._ That wicked Guise, I fear me much, will be - The ruin of that famous realm of France; - For his aspiring thoughts aim at the crown, - And[417] takes his vantage on religion, - To plant the Pope and Popelings in the realm, - And bind it wholly to the see of Rome. - But, if that God do prosper mine attempts, - And send us safely to arrive in France, - We'll beat him back, and drive him to his death, 30 - That basely seeks the ruin of his realm. - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE XXI. - - _Enter_[418] _the_ Captain of the Guard, _and - three_ Murderers. - - _Cap._ Come on, sirs. What, are you resolutely bent, - Hating the life and honour of the Guise? - What, will you not fear, when you see him come? - - _First Murd._ Fear him, said you? tush, were he here, - we would kill him presently. - - _Sec. Murd._ O that his heart were leaping in my hand! - - _Third Murd._ But when will he come, that we may murder him? - - _Cap._ Well, then, I see you are resolute. - - _First Murd._ Let us alone; I warrant you. - - _Cap._ Then, sirs, take your standings within this chamber; 10 - For anon the Guise will come. - - _All three Murderers._ You will give us our money? - - _Cap._ I, I, fear not: stand close: so; be resolute. - [_Exeunt_ Murderers. - Now falls the star whose influence governs France, - Whose light was deadly to the Protestants: - Now must he fall, and perish in his height. - - _Enter_ KING HENRY _and_ EPERNOUN. - - _Henry._ Now, captain of my guard, are these murderers ready? - - _Cap._ They be, my good lord. - - _Henry._ But are they resolute, and armed to kill, - Hating the life and honour of the Guise? 20 - - _Cap._ I warrant ye, my lord. [_Exit._ - - _Henry._ Then come, proud Guise, and here disgorge thy breast, - Surcharged with surfeit of ambitious thoughts; - Breathe out that life wherein my death was hid, - And end thy endless treasons with thy death. [_Knocking within._ - - _Guise_ [_within_]. _Holà, varlet, hé!_--Epernoun, - where is the king? - - _Eper._ Mounted[419] his royal cabinet. - - _Guise_ [_within_]. I prithee, tell him that the Guise is here. - - _Eper._ An please your grace, the Duke of Guise doth crave - Access unto your highness. - - _Henry._ Let him come in.-- 30 - Come, Guise, and see thy traitorous guile outreach'd, - And perish in the pit thou mad'st for me. - - _Enter_ GUISE. - - _Guise._ Good morrow to your majesty. - - _Henry._ Good morrow to my loving cousin of Guise: - How fares it this morning with your excellence? - - _Guise._ I heard your majesty was scarcely pleased, - That in the court I bear so great a train. - - _Henry._ They were to blame that said I was displeased; - And you, good cousin, to imagine it. - 'Twere hard with me, if I should doubt my kin, 40 - Or be suspicious of my dearest friends, - Cousin, assure you I am resolute, - Whatsoever any whisper in mine ears, - Not to suspect disloyalty in thee: - And so, sweet coz, farewell. [_Exit with_ EPERNOUN. - - _Guise._ So; - Now sues the king for favour to the Guise, - And all his minions stoop when I command: - Why, this 'tis to have an army in the field. - Now, by the holy sacrament, I swear, 50 - As ancient Romans o'er their captive lords, - So will I triumph o'er this wanton king; - And he shall follow my proud chariot's wheels. - Now do I but begin to look about, - And all my former time was spent in vain. - Hold, sword, - For in thee is the Duke of Guise's hope. - - _Re-enter_ Third Murderer. - - Villain, why dost thou look so ghastly? speak. - - _Third Murd._ O, pardon me, my Lord of Guise! - - _Guise._ Pardon thee! why, what hast thou done? 60 - - _Third Murd._ O my lord, I am one of them that is set - to murder you! - - _Guise._ To murder me, villain! - - _Third Murd._ I, my lord: the rest have ta'en their - standings in the next room; therefore, good my lord, go not forth. - - _Guise._ Yet Cæsar shall go forth. - Let mean conceits and baser men fear death: - Tut, they are peasants; I am Duke of Guise; - And princes with their looks engender fear. 70 - - _First Murd._ [_within_] Stand close; he is coming; I - know him by his voice. - - _Guise._ As pale as ashes![420] nay, then, it is time - To look about. - - _Enter_ First _and_ Second Murderers. - - _First and Sec. Murderers._ Down with him, down with him! - [_They stab_ GUISE. - _Guise._ O, I have my death's wound! give me leave to speak. - - _Sec. Murd._ Then pray to God, and ask forgiveness of the king. - - _Guise._ Trouble me not; I ne'er offended him, - Nor will I ask forgiveness of the king. - O, that I have not power to stay my life, - Nor immortality to be revenged! 80 - To die by peasants, what a grief is this! - Ah, Sixtus, be reveng'd upon the king! - Philip and Parma, I am slain for you! - Pope, excommunicate, Philip, depose - The wicked branch of curs'd Valois his line! - _Vive la messe!_ perish Huguenots! - Thus Cæsar did go forth, and thus he died. [_Dies._ - - _Enter the_ Captain of the Guard. - - _Cap._ What, have you done? - Then stay a while, and I'll go call the king. - But see, where he comes. 90 - - _Enter_ KING HENRY, EPERNOUN, _and_ Attendants. - - My lord, see, where the Guise is slain. - - _Henry._ Ah, this sweet sight is physic to my soul! - Go fetch his son for to behold his death.-- - [_Exit an_ Attendant. - Surcharg'd with guilt of thousand massacres, - Monsieur of Lorraine, sink away to hell! - And, in remembrance of those bloody broils, - To which thou didst allure me, being alive, - And here, in presence of you all, I swear, - I ne'er was king of France until this hour. - This is the traitor that hath spent my gold 100 - In making foreign wars and civil broils. - Did he not draw a sort[421] of English priests - From Douay to the seminary at Rheims, - To hatch forth treason 'gainst their natural queen? - Did he not cause the king of Spain's huge fleet - To threaten England, and to menace me? - Did he not injure Monsieur that's deceas'd? - Hath he not made me, in the Pope's defence, - To spend the treasure, that should strength my land, - In civil broils between Navarre and me? 110 - Tush, to be short, he meant to make me monk, - Or else to murder me, and so be king. - Let Christian princes, that shall hear of this - (As all the world shall know our Guise is dead), - Rest satisfied with this, that here I swear, - Ne'er was there king of France so yoked as I. - - _Eper._ My lord, here is his son. - - _Enter_ GUISE'S Son. - - _Henry._ Boy, look where your father lies. - - _G.'s Son._ My father slain! who hath done this deed? - - _Henry._ Sirrah, 'twas I that slew him; and will slay 120 - Thee too, an thou prove such a traitor. - - _G.'s Son._ Art thou king, and hast done this bloody deed? - I'll be reveng'd. [_Offers to throw his dagger._ - - _Henry._ Away to prison with him! I'll clip his wings - Or e'er he pass my hands. Away with him! - [_Some of the_ Attendants _bear off_ GUISE'S Son. - But what availeth that this traitor's dead, - When Duke Dumaine, his brother, is alive, - And that young cardinal that is grown so proud? - Go to the governor of Orleans, - And will[422] him, in my name, to kill the duke. 130 - [_To the_ Captain of the Guard. - Get you away, and strangle the cardinal. - [_To the_ Murderers. - - [_Exeunt_ Captain of the Guard _and_ Murderers. - These two will make one entire Duke of Guise, - Especially with our old mother's help. - - _Eper._ My lord, see, where she comes, as if she droop'd - To hear these news. - - _Henry._ And let her droop; my heart is light enough. - - _Enter_ CATHERINE _the Queen Mother._ - - Mother, how like you this device of mine? - I slew the Guise, because I would be king. - - _Cath._ King! why, so thou wert before: - Pray God thou be a king now this is done! 140 - - _Henry._ Nay, he was king, and countermanded me: - But now I will be king, and rule myself, - And make the Guisians stoop that are alive. - - _Cath._ I cannot speak for grief.--When thou wast born, - I would that I had murdered thee, my son! - My son? thou art a changeling, not my son: - I curse thee, and exclaim thee miscreant, - Traitor to God and to the realm of France! - - _Henry._ Cry out, exclaim, howl till thy throat be hoarse! - The Guise is slain, and I rejoice therefore: 150 - And now will I to arms.--Come, Epernoun, - And let her grieve her heart out, if she will. - [_Exit with_ EPERNOUN. - _Cath._. Away! leave me alone to meditate. - [_Exeunt_ Attendants. - Sweet Guise, would he had died, so thou wert here! - To whom shall I bewray my secrets now, - Or who will help to build religion? - The Protestants will glory and insult; - Wicked Navarre will get the crown of France; - The Popedom cannot stand; all goes to wreck; - And all for thee, my Guise! What may I do? 160 - But sorrow seize upon my toiling soul! - For, since the Guise is dead, I will not live. [_Exit._ - - - SCENE XXII. - - _Enter_[423] _two_ Murderers, _dragging in the_ CARDINAL. - - _Card._ Murder me not; I am a cardinal. - - _First Murd._ Wert thou the Pope thou might'st not scape from us. - - _Card._ What, will you file your hands with churchmen's blood? - - _Sec. Murd._ Shed your blood! O Lord, no! for we - intend to strangle you. - - _Card._ Then there is no remedy, but I must die? - - _First Murd._ No remedy; therefore prepare yourself. - - _Card._ Yet lives my brother Duke Dumaine, and many mo, - To revenge our deaths upon that cursèd king; - Upon whose heart may all the Furies gripe, 10 - And with their paws drench his black soul in hell! - - _First Murd._ Yours, my Lord Cardinal, you should have said.-- - [_They strangle him._ - So, pluck amain: - He is hard-hearted; therefore pull with violence. - Come, take him away. - [_Exeunt with the body._ - - - SCENE XXIII. - - _Enter_[424] DUMAINE, _reading a letter; with others._ - - _Dum._ My noble brother murder'd by the king! - O, what may I do for to revenge thy death? - The king's alone, it cannot satisfy. - Sweet Duke of Guise, our prop to lean upon, - Now thou art dead, here is no stay for us. - I am thy brother, and I'll revenge thy death, - And root Valois his line from forth of France; - And beat proud Bourbon to his native home, - That basely seeks to join with such a king, - Whose murderous thoughts will be his overthrow. 10 - He will'd the governor of Orleans, in his name, - That I with speed should have been put to death; - But that's prevented, for to end his life, - And[425] all those traitors to the Church of Rome - That durst attempt to murder noble Guise. - - _Enter_ Friar. - - _Fri._ My lord, I come to bring you news that your - brother the Cardinal of Lorraine, by the king's consent, - is lately strangled unto death. - - _Dum._ My brother Cardinal slain, and I alive! - O words of power to kill a thousand men!-- 20 - Come, let us away, and levy men; - 'Tis war that must assuage this tyrant's pride. - - _Fri._ My lord, hear me but speak. - I am a friar of the order of the Jacobins, - That for my conscience' sake will kill the king. - - _Dum._ But what doth move thee, above the rest, to do the deed? - - _Fri._ O my lord, I have been a great sinner in my days! - and the deed is meritorious. - - _Dum._ But how wilt thou get opportunity? 30 - - _Fri._ Tush, my lord, let me alone for that. - - _Dum._ Friar, come with me; - We will go talk more of this within. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE XXIV. - - _Drums and Trumpets. Enter_[426] KING HENRY, - _the_ KING OF NAVARRE, EPERNOUN, - BARTUS, PLESHÈ, Soldiers, _and_ Attendants. - - _Henry._ Brother of Navarre, I sorrow much - That ever I was prov'd your enemy, - And that the sweet and princely mind you bear - Was ever troubled with injurious wars. - I vow, as I am lawful king of France, - To recompense your reconcilèd love, - With all the honours and affections - That ever I vouchsaf'd my dearest friends. - - _Nav._ It is enough if that Navarre may be - Esteemèd faithful to the king of France, 10 - Whose service he may still command till death. - - _Henry._ Thanks to my kingly brother of Navarre. - Then here we'll lie before Lutetia-walls,[427] - Girting this strumpet city with our siege, - Till, surfeiting with our afflicting arms, - She cast her hateful stomach to the earth. - - _Enter a_ Messenger. - - _Mes._ An it please your majesty, here is a friar of the - order of the Jacobins, sent from the President of Paris, - that craves access unto your grace. - - _Henry._ Let him come in. [_Exit_ Mess. 20 - - _Enter_ Friar, _with a letter._ - - _Eper._ I like not this friar's look: - 'Twere not amiss, my lord, if he were search'd. - - _Henry._ Sweet Epernoun, our friars are holy men. - And will not offer violence to their king - For all the wealth and treasure of the world.-- - Friar, thou dost acknowledge me thy king? - - _Fri._ I, my good lord, and will die therein. - - _Henry._ Then come thou near, and tell what news thou bring'st. - - _Fri._ My lord, - The President of Paris greets your grace, 30 - And sends his duty by these speedy lines, - Humbly craving your gracious reply. [_Gives letter._ - - _Henry._ I'll read them, friar, and then I'll answer thee. - - _Fri._ _Sancte Jacobe_,[428] now have mercy upon me! - - [_Stabs the king with a knife, as he reads the - letter; and then the king gets the knife, and kills him._ - - _Eper._ O my lord, let him live a while! - - _Henry._ No, let the villain die, and feel in hell - Just torments for his treachery. - - _Nav._ What, is your highness hurt? - - _Henry._ Yes, Navarre; but not to death, I hope. - - _Nav._ God shield your grace from such a sudden death!-- 40 - Go call a surgeon hither straight. [_Exit an_ Attendant. - - _Henry._ What irreligious pagans' parts be these, - Of such as hold them of the holy church! - Take hence that damnèd villain from my sight. - [Attendants _carry out the_ Friar's _body._ - _Eper._ Ah, had your highness let him live, - We might have punish'd him to his deserts! - - _Henry._ Sweet Epernoun, all rebels under heaven - Shall take example by his[429] punishment, - How they bear arms against their sovereign.-- - Go call the English agent hither straight: 50 - [_Exit an_ Attendant. - I'll send my sister England news of this, - And give her warning of her treacherous foes. - - _Enter a_ Surgeon. - - _Nav._ Pleaseth your grace to let the surgeon search your wound? - - _Henry._ The wound, I warrant ye, is deep, my lord.-- - Search, surgeon, and resolve me what thou see'st. - [_The_ Surgeon _searches the wound._ - - _Enter the_ English Agent. - - Agent for England, send thy mistress word - What this detested Jacobin hath done. - Tell her, for all this, that I hope to live; - Which if I do, the papal monarch goes - To wreck, and antichristian kingdom falls: 60 - These bloody hands shall tear his triple crown, - And fire accursèd Rome about his ears; - I'll fire his crazèd buildings, and enforce - The papal towers to kiss the lowly[430] earth. - Navarre, give me thy hand: I here do swear - To ruinate that wicked Church of Rome, - That hatcheth up such bloody practices; - And here protest eternal love to thee, - And to the Queen of England specially, - Whom God hath bless'd for hating papistry. 70 - - _Nav._ These words revive my thoughts, and comfort me, - To see your highness in this virtuous mind. - - _Henry._ Tell me, surgeon, shall I live? - - _Surg._ Alas, my lord, the wound is dangerous, - For you are stricken with a poison'd knife! - - _Henry._ A poison'd knife! what, shall the French king die, - Wounded and poison'd both at once? - - _Eper._ O, that - That damnèd villain were alive again, 79 - That we might torture him with some new-found death! - - _Bar._ He died a death too good: - The devil of hell torture his wicked soul! - - _Henry._ Ah, curse him not, sith he is dead!-- - O, the fatal poison works within my breast!-- - Tell me, surgeon, and flatter not--may I live? - - _Surg._ Alas, my lord, your highness cannot live! - - _Nav._ Surgeon, why say'st thou so? the king may live. - - _Henry._ O no, Navarre! thou must be king of France. - - _Nav._ Long may you live, and still be king of France! - - _Eper._ Or else, die Epernoun! 90 - - _Henry._ Sweet Epernoun, thy king must die.--My lords, - Fight in the quarrel of this valiant prince, - For he's your lawful king, and my next heir; - Valois's line ends in my tragedy. - Now let the house of Bourbon wear the crown; - And may it ne'er end in blood as mine hath done!-- - Weep not, sweet Navarre, but revenge my death.-- - Ah, Epernoun, is this thy love to me? - Henry, thy king, wipes off these childish tears, - And bids thee whet thy sword on Sixtus' bones, 100 - That it may keenly slice the Catholics. - He loves me not [the most[431]] that sheds most tears, - But he that makes most lavish of his blood. - Fire Paris, where these treacherous rebels lurk.-- - I die, Navarre: come bear me to my sepulchre. - Salute the Queen of England in my name, - And tell her Henry dies her faithful friend. [_Dies._ - - _Nav._ Come, lords, take up the body of the king, - That we may see it honourably interr'd: - And then I vow so[432] to revenge his death, 110 - As Rome, and all these popish prelates there, - Shall curse the time that e'er Navarre was king, - And ruled in France by Henry's fatal death. - [_They march out, with the body of_ KING HENRY - _lying on four men's shoulders, with a dead_ - _march, drawing weapons on the ground._ - - - - - THE TRAGEDY - OF - DIDO, QUEEN OF CARTHAGE. - - - - -_Dido_ was published in 1594, with the following title:-- - -_The Tragedie of Dido Queene of Carthage: Played by the Children of her -Maiesties Chappell. Written by Christopher Marlowe, and Thomas Nash, -Gent._ - - - _Actors._ - - _Jupiter._ _Ascanius._ - _Ganimed._ _Dido._ - _Venus._ _Anna._ - _Cupid._ _Achates._ - _Juno._ _Ilioneus._ - _Mercurie, or_ _Iarbas._ - _Hermes._ _Cloanthes._ - _Æneas._ _Sergestus._ - -_At London, Printed, by the Widdowe Orwin, for Thomas Woodcocke, and are -to be sold at his shop, in Paules Churchyeard, at the signe of the -blacke Beare._ 1594. 4_to._ - -A copy of this edition is in the Bodleian Library; and I am indebted to -my friend Mr. C. H. Firth for kindly comparing Dyce's text with the text -of the Bodleian copy. - - - _PERSONS REPRESENTED._ - - JUPITER. - GANYMEDE. - HERMES. - CUPID. - - JUNO. - VENUS. - - ÆNEAS. - ASCANIUS, his son. - ACHATES. - ILIONEUS. - CLOANTHUS. - SERGESTUS. - Other Trojans. - IARBAS. - Carthaginian Lords. - - DIDO. - ANNA, her sister. - Nurse. - - - - - THE TRAGEDY OF - DIDO, QUEEN OF CARTHAGE. - - - - - ACT I. - - - SCENE I. - - _Here the curtains draw: there is discovered_ JUPITER - _dandling_ GANYMEDE _upon his knee, and_ - HERMES _lying asleep._ - - _Jup._ Come, gentle Ganymede, and play with me; - I love thee well, say Juno what she will. - - _Gan._ I am much better for your worthless love, - That will not shield me from her shrewish blows! - To-day, whenas I filled into your cups, - And held the cloth of pleasance whiles you drank, - She reached me such a rap for that I spilled, - As made the blood run down about mine ears. - - _Jup._ What? dares she strike the darling of my thoughts? - By Saturn's soul, and this earth-threatening hair,[433] 10 - That, shaken thrice, makes nature's buildings quake, - I vow, if she but once frown on thee more, - To hang her, meteor-like, 'twixt heaven and earth, - And bind her, hand and foot, with golden cords, - As once I did for harming Hercules! - - _Gan._ Might I but see that pretty sport a-foot, - O, how would I with Helen's brother laugh, - And bring the gods to wonder at the game! - Sweet Jupiter, if e'er I pleased thine eye, - Or seemèd fair, wall'd-in with eagle's wings,[434] 20 - Grace my immortal beauty with this boon, - And I will spend my time in thy bright arms. - - _Jup._ What is't, sweet wag, I should deny thy youth? - Whose face reflects such pleasure to mine eyes, - As I, exhaled with thy fire-darting beams, - Have oft driven back the horses of the Night, - Whenas they would have haled thee from my sight. - Sit on my knee, and call for thy content, - Control proud Fate, and cut the thread of Time: - Why, are not all the gods at thy command, 30 - And heaven and earth the bounds of thy delight? - Vulcan[435] shall dance to make thee laughing-sport, - And my nine daughters sing when thou art sad; - From Juno's bird I'll pluck her spotted pride, - To make thee fans wherewith to cool thy face; - And Venus' swans shall shed their silver down, - To sweeten out the slumbers of thy bed; - Hermes no more shall show the world his wings, - If that thy fancy in his feathers dwell, - But, as this one, I'll tear them all from him, 40 - [_Plucks a feather from_ HERMES' _wings_. - Do thou but say, "their colour pleaseth me." - Hold here, my little love; these linked gems, [_Gives jewels._ - My Juno ware upon her marriage-day, - Put thou about thy neck, my own sweet heart, - And trick thy arms and shoulders with my theft. - - _Gan._ I would have a jewel for mine ear, - And a fine brooch to put in[to] my hat, - And then I'll hug with you an hundred times. - - _Jup._ And shall have, Ganymede, if thou wilt be my love. - - _Enter_ VENUS. - - _Ven._ I, this is it: you can sit toying there, 50 - And playing with that female wanton boy, - Whiles my Æneas wanders on the seas, - And rests a prey to every billow's pride. - Juno, false Juno, in her chariot's pomp, - Drawn through the heavens by steeds of Boreas' brood, - Made Hebe to direct her airy wheels; - Into the windy country of the clouds; - Where, finding Æolus entrenched with storms, - And guarded with a thousand grisly ghosts, - She humbly did beseech him for our bane, 60 - And charged him drown my son with all his train. - Then gan the winds break ope their brazen doors, - And all Æolia to be up in arms; - Poor Troy must now be sacked upon the sea, - And Neptune's waves be envious men of war; - Epeus' horse, to Ætna's hill transform'd, - Preparèd stands to wreck their wooden walls; - And Æolus, like Agamemnon, sounds - The surges, his fierce soldiers, to the spoil: - See how the night, Ulysses-like, comes forth, 70 - And intercepts the day, as Dolon erst! - Ay me! the stars supprised,[436] like Rhesus' steeds, - Are drawn by darkness forth Astræus' tents.[437] - What shall I do to save thee, my sweet boy? - Whenas the waves do threat our crystal world, - And Proteus, raising hills of floods on high, - Intends, ere long, to sport him in the sky.[438] - False Jupiter, reward'st thou virtue so? - What, is not piety exempt from woe? - Then die, Æneas, in thine innocence, 80 - Since that religion hath no recompense. - - _Jup._ Content thee, Cytherea, in thy care, - - Since thy Æneas' wandering fate is firm,[439] - Whose weary limbs shall shortly make repose - In those fair walls I promised him of yore. - But, first, in blood must his good fortune bud, - Before he be the lord of Turnus' town, - Or force her smile that hitherto hath frowned: - Three winters shall he with the Rutiles war, - And, in the end, subdue them with his sword; 90 - And full three summers likewise shall he waste - In managing those fierce barbarian minds; - Which once performed, poor Troy, so long suppressed, - From forth her ashes shall advance her head, - And flourish once again, that erst was dead. - But bright Ascanius, beauty's better work, - Who with the sun divides one radiant shape, - Shall build his throne amidst those starry towers - That earth-born Atlas, groaning, underprops: - No bounds, but heaven, shall bound his empery, 100 - Whose azured gates, enchasèd with his name, - Shall make the Morning haste her grey uprise, - To feed her eyes with his engraven fame. - Thus, in stout Hector's race, three hundred years[440] - The Roman sceptre royal shall remain, - Till that a princess-priest,[441] conceived by Mars, - Shall yield to dignity a double birth, - Who will eternish[442] Troy in their attempts. - - _Ven._ How may I credit these thy flattering terms, - When yet both sea and sands beset their ships, 110 - And Phoebus, as in Stygian pools, refrains - To taint his tresses in the Tyrrhene main? - - _Jup._ I will take order for that presently.-- - Hermes, awake! and haste to Neptune's realm, - Whereas the wind-god, warring now with fate, - Besiege[s] th' offspring of our kindly loins: - Charge him from me to turn his stormy powers, - And fetter them in Vulcan's sturdy brass, - That durst thus proudly wrong our kinsman's peace. [_Exit_ HERMES. - Venus, farewell: thy son shall be our care.-- 120 - Come, Ganymede, we must about this gear.[443] - [_Exeunt_ JUPITER _and_ GANYMEDE. - - _Ven._[444] Disquiet seas, lay down your swelling looks, - And court Æneas with your calmy cheer, - Whose beauteous burden well might make you proud, - Had not the heavens, conceiv'd with hell-born clouds, - Veil'd his resplendent glory from your view: - For my sake, pity him, Oceanus, - That erst-while issu'd from thy watery loins, - And had my being from thy bubbling froth. - Triton, I know, hath filled his trump with Troy, 130 - And therefore will take pity on his toil, - And call both Thetis and Cymothoe[445] - To succour him in this extremity. - - _Enter_ ÆNEAS, ASCANIUS, - ACHATES, _and others._ - - What do I see? my son now come on shore? - Venus, how art thou compassed with content, - The while thine eyes attract their sought-for joys! - Great Jupiter, still honoured mayst thou be - For this so friendly aid in time of need! - Here in this bush disguisèd will I stand, - Whiles my Æneas spends himself in plaints, 140 - And heaven and earth with his unrest acquaints. - - _Æn._ You sons of care, companions of my course, - Priam's misfortune follows us[2] by sea, - And Helen's rape doth haunt us[446] at our heels. - How many dangers have we overpass'd! - Both barking Scylla,[447] and the sounding rocks, - The Cyclops' shelves, and grim Ceraunia's seat, - Have you o'ergone, and yet remain alive. - Pluck up your hearts, since Fate still rests our friend, - And changing heavens may those good days return, 150 - Which Pergama did vaunt in all her pride. - - _Ach._ Brave prince of Troy, thou only art our god, - That by thy virtues free'st us from annoy, - And makes our hopes survive to coming[448] joys: - Do thou but smile, and cloudy heaven will clear, - Whose night and day descendeth from thy brows. - Though we be now in extreme misery, - And rest the map of weather-beaten woe,[449] - Yet shall the agèd sun shed forth his hair,[450] - To make us live unto our former heat, 160 - And every beast the forest doth send forth - Bequeath her young ones to our scanted food. - - _Asc._ Father, I faint; good father, give me meat. - - _Æn._ Alas! sweet boy, thou must be still a while, - Till we have fire to dress the meat we killed! - Gentle Achates, reach the tinder-box, - That we may make a fire to warm us with, - And roast our new-found victuals on this shore. - - _Ven._ See, what strange arts necessity finds out! - How near, my sweet Æneas, art thou driven! [_Aside._ - - _Æn._ Hold; take this candle, and go light a fire; 171 - You shall have leaves and windfall boughs enow, - Near to these woods, to roast your meat withal.-- - Ascanius, go and dry thy drenchèd limbs, - Whiles I with my Achates rove abroad, - To know what coast the wind hath driven us on, - Or whether men or beasts inhabit it. - [_Exeunt_ ASCANIUS _and others._ - - _Ach._ The air is pleasant, and the soil most fit - For cities and society's supports; - Yet much I marvel that I cannot find 180 - No steps of men imprinted in the earth. - - _Ven._ Now is the time for me to play my part.-- [_Aside._ - Ho, young men! saw you, as you came,[451] - Any of all my sisters wandering here, - Having a quiver girded to her side, - And clothèd in a spotted leopard's skin? - - _Æn._ I neither saw nor heard of any such. - But what may I, fair virgin, call your name, - Whose looks set forth no mortal form to view, - Nor speech bewrays aught human in thy birth? 190 - Thou art a goddess that delud'st our eyes, - And shrouds thy beauty in this borrow'd shape; - But whether thou the Sun's bright sister be, - Or one of chaste Diana's fellow-nymphs, - Live happy in the height of all content, - And lighten our extremes with this one boon, - As to instruct us under what good heaven - We breathe as now, and what this world is called - On which by tempests' fury we are cast: - Tell us, O, tell us, that are ignorant! 200 - And this right hand shall make thy altars crack - With mountain-heaps of milk-white sacrifice. - - _Ven._ Such honour, stranger, do I not affect: - It is the use for Tyrian[452] maids to wear - Their bow and quiver in this modest sort, - And suit themselves in purple for the nonce, - That they may trip more lightly o'er the lawnds,[453] - And overtake the tuskèd boar in chase. - But for the land whereof thou dost inquire, - It is the Punic kingdom, rich and strong, 210 - Adjoining on Agenor's stately town, - The kingly seat of Southern Libya, - Whereas Sidonian Dido rules as queen. - But what are you that ask of me these things? - Whence may you come, or whither will you go? - - _Æn._ Of Troy am I, Æneas is my name; - Who, driven by war from forth my native world, - Put sails to sea to seek out Italy; - And my divine descent from sceptred Jove: - With twice twelve Phrygian ships I plough'd the deep, 220 - And made that way my mother Venus led; - But of them all scarce seven do anchor safe, - And they so wrecked and weltered by the waves, - As every tide tilts 'twixt their oaken sides; - And all of them, unburdened of their load, - Are ballassèd with billows' watery weight. - But hapless I, God wot, poor and unknown, - Do trace these Libyan deserts, all despised, - Exiled forth Europe and wide Asia both, - And have not any coverture but heaven. 230 - - _Ven._ Fortune hath favour'd thee, whate'er thou be, - In sending thee unto this courteous coast. - A' God's name, on! and haste thee to the court, - Where Dido will receive ye with her smiles; - And for thy ships, which thou supposest lost, - Not one of them hath perish'd in the storm, - But are arrivèd safe, not far from hence: - And so I leave thee to thy fortune's lot, - Wishing good luck unto thy wandering steps. [_Exit._ - - _Æn._ Achates, 'tis my mother that is fled; 240 - I know her by the movings of her feet.-- - Stay, gentle Venus, fly not from thy son! - Too cruel, why wilt thou forsake me thus, - Or in these shades[454] deceiv'st mine eyes so oft? - Why talk we not together hand in hand, - And tell our griefs in more familiar terms? - But thou art gone, and leav'st me here alone, - To dull the air with my discoursive moan. - [_Exuent._ - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_[455] IARBUS, _followed by_ ILIONEUS, - CLOANTHUS,[456] SERGESTUS, _and others_. - - _Ili._ Follow, ye Trojans, follow this brave lord, - And plain to him the sum of your distress. - - _Iar._ Why, what are you, or wherefore do you sue? - - _Ili._ Wretches[457] of Troy, envied of the winds, - That crave such favour at your honour's feet - As poor distressèd misery may plead: - Save, save, O, save our ships from cruel fire, - That do complain the wounds of thousand waves, - And spare our lives, whom every spite pursues! - We come not, we, to wrong your Libyan gods, 10 - Or steal your household Lares from their shrines; - Our hands are not prepared to lawless spoil. - Nor armèd to offend in any kind; - Such force is far from our unweapon'd thoughts - Whose fading weal, of victory forsook, - Forbids all hope to harbour near our hearts. - - _Iar._ But tell me, Trojans, Trojans if you be, - Unto what fruitful quarters were ye bound, - Before that Boreas buckled with[458] your sails? - - _Clo._ There is a place, Hesperia termed by us, 20 - An ancient empire, famousèd for arms, - And fertile in fair Ceres' furrowed wealth, - Which now we call Italia, of his name - That in such peace long time did rule the same. - Thither made we; - When, suddenly, gloomy Orion rose, - And led our ships into the shallow sands, - Whereas the southern wind with brackish breath - Dispersed them all amongst the wreckful rocks: - From thence a few of us escaped to land; 30 - The rest, we fear, are folded in the floods. - - _Iar._ Brave men-at-arms, abandon fruitless fears, - Since Carthage knows to entertain distress. - - _Serg._ I, but the barbarous sort do threat our ships, - And will not let us lodge upon the sands; - In multitudes they swarm unto the shore, - And from the first earth interdict our feet. - - _Iar._ Myself will see they shall not trouble ye: - Your men and you shall banquet in our court, - And every Trojan be as welcome here 40 - As Jupiter to silly Baucis'[459] house. - Come in with me; I'll bring ye to my queen, - Who shall confirm my words with further deeds. - - _Serg._ Thanks, gentle lord, for such unlook'd-for grace: - Might we but once more see Æneas' face, - Then would we hope to quite such friendly turns, - As shall[460] surpass the wonder of our speech. - [_Exeunt._ - - - - - ACT II. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_[461] ÆNEAS, ACHATES, ASCANIUS, _and others_. - - _Æn._ Where am I now? these should be Carthage-walls. - - _Ach._ Why stands my sweet Æneas thus amaz'd? - - _Æn._ O my Achates, Theban Niobe, - Who for her sons' death wept out life and breath, - And, dry with grief, was turned into a stone, - Had not such passions in her head as I! - Methinks, - That town there should be Troy, yon Ida's hill, - There Xanthus' stream, because here's Priamus; - And when I know it is not, then I die. 10 - - _Ach._ And in this humour is Achates too; - I cannot choose but fall upon my knees, - And kiss his hand. O, where is Hecuba? - Here she was wont to sit; but, saving air, - Is nothing here; and what is this but stone?[462] - - _Æn._ O, yet this stone doth make Æneas weep! - And would my prayers (as Pygmalion's did) - Could give it life, that under his condùct - We might sail back to Troy, and be revenged - On these hard-hearted Grecians which rejoice 20 - That nothing now is left of Priamus! - O, Priamus is left, and this is he! - Come, come aboard; pursue the hateful Greeks. - - _Ach._ What means Æneas? - - _Æn._ Achates, though mine eyes say this is stone, - Yet thinks my mind that this is Priamus; - And when my grievèd heart sighs and says no, - Then would it leap out to give Priam life.-- - O, were I not at all, so thou mightst be;-- - Achates, see, King Priam wags his hand! 30 - He is alive; Troy is not overcome! - - _Ach._ Thy mind, Æneas, that would have it so, - Deludes thy eye-sight; Priamus is dead. - - _Æn._ Ah, Troy is sack'd, and Priamus is dead! - And why should poor Æneas be alive? - - _Asc._ Sweet father, leave to weep; this is not he, - For, were it Priam, he would smile on me. - - _Ach._ Æneas, see, here come the citizens: - Leave to lament, lest they laugh at our fears.[463] - - _Enter_ CLOANTHUS, SERGESTUS, ILIONEUS, _and others_. - - _Æn._ Lords of this town, or whatsoever style 40 - Belongs unto your name, vouchsafe of ruth - To tell us who inhabits this fair town, - What kind of people, and who governs them; - For we are strangers driven on this shore, - And scarcely know within what clime we are. - - _Ili._ I hear Æneas' voice, but see him not,[464] - For none of these can be our general. - - _Ach._ Like Ilioneus speaks this nobleman, - But Ilioneus goes not in such robes. - - _Serg._ You are Achates, or I [am] deceiv'd. 50 - - _Ach._ Æneas, see, Sergestus, or his ghost! - - _Ili._ He names[465] Æneas; let us kiss his feet. - - _Clo._ It is our captain; see, Ascanius! - - _Serg._ Live long Æneas and Ascanius! - - _Æn._ Achates, speak, for I am overjoyed. - - _Ach._ O Ilioneus, art thou yet alive? - - _Ili._ Blest be the time I see Achates' face! - - _Clo._ Why turns Æneas from his trusty friends? - - _Æn._ Sergestus, Ilioneus, and the rest, - Your sight amazed me. O, what destinies 60 - Have brought my sweet companions in such plight? - O, tell me, for I long to be resolved! - - _Ili._ Lovely Æneas, these are Carthage-walls; - And here Queen Dido wears th' imperial crown, - Who for Troy's sake hath entertained us all, - And clad us in these wealthy robes we wear. - Oft hath she asked us under whom we served; - And, when we told her, she would weep for grief, - Thinking the sea had swallowed up thy ships; - And, now she sees thee, how will she rejoice! 70 - - _Serg._ See, where her servitors pass through the hall,[466] - Bearing a banquet: Dido is not far. - - _Ili._ Look, where she comes; Æneas, view[467] her well. - - _Æn._ Well may I view her; but she sees not me. - - _Enter_ DIDO, ANNA, IARBAS, _and train_. - - _Dido._ What stranger art thou, that dost eye me thus? - - _Æn._ Sometime I was a Trojan, mighty queen; - But Troy is not:--what shall I say I am? - - _Ili._ Renowmèd Dido, 'tis our general, - Warlike Æneas. - - _Dido._ Warlike Æneas, and in these base robes! 80 - Go fetch the garment which Sichæus ware.-- - - [_Exit an_ Attendant, _who brings in the garment, - which_ ÆNEAS _puts on_. - - Brave prince, welcome to Carthage and to me, - Both happy that Æneas is our guest. - Sit in this chair, and banquet with a queen: - Æneas is Æneas, were he clad - In weeds as bad as ever Irus ware. - - _Æn._ This is no seat for one that's comfortless: - May it please your grace to let Æneas wait; - For though my birth be great, my fortune's mean, - Too mean to be companion to a queen. 90 - - _Dido._ Thy fortune may be greater than thy birth: - Sit down, Æneas, sit in Dido's place; - And, if this be thy son, as I suppose, - Here let him sit.--Be merry, lovely child. - - _Æn._ This place beseems me not; O, pardon me! - - _Dido._ I'll have it so; Æneas, be content. - - _Asc._ Madam, you shall be my mother. - - _Dido._ And so I will, sweet child.--Be merry, man: - Here's to thy better fortune and good stars. [_Drinks._ - - _Æn._ In all humility, I thank your grace. 100 - - _Dido._ Remember who thou art; speak like thyself: - Humility belongs to common grooms. - - _Æn._ And who so miserable as Æneas is? - - _Dido._ Lies it in Dido's hands to make thee blest? - Then be assur'd thou art not miserable. - - _Æn._ O Priamus, O Troy, O Hecuba! - - _Dido._ May I entreat thee to discourse at large, - And truly too, how Troy was overcome? - For many tales go of that city's fall, - And scarcely do agree upon one point: 110 - Some say Antenor did betray the town; - Others report 'twas Sinon's perjury; - But all in this, that Troy is overcome, - And Priam dead; yet how, we hear no news. - - _Æn._ A woful tale bids Dido to unfold, - Whose memory, like pale Death's stony mace, - Beats forth my senses from this troubled soul, - And makes Æneas sink at Dido's feet. - - _Dido._ What, faints Æneas to remember Troy, - In whose defence he fought so valiantly? 120 - Look up, and speak. - - _Æn._ Then speak Æneas, with Achilles' tongue: - And, Dido, and you Carthaginian peers, - Hear me; but yet with Myrmidons' harsh ears, - Daily inured to broils and massacres, - Lest you be mov'd too much with my sad tale. - The Grecian soldiers, tir'd with ten years' war, - Began to cry, "Let us unto our ships, - Troy is invincible, why stay we here?" - With whose outcries Atrides being appalled 130 - Summon'd the captains to his princely tent; - Who, looking on the scars we Trojans gave, - Seeing the number of their men decreas'd, - And the remainder weak and out of heart, - Gave up their voices to dislodge the camp, - And so in troops all marched to Tenedos;[468] - Where when they came, Ulysses on the sand - Assayed with honey words to turn them back; - And, as he spoke, to further his intent, - The winds did drive huge billows to the shore, 140 - And heaven was darkened with tempestuous clouds; - Then he alleg'd the gods would have them stay, - And prophesied Troy should be overcome: - And therewithal he call'd false Sinon forth, - A man compact of craft and perjury, - Whose ticing tongue was made of Hermes' pipe, - To force an hundred watchful eyes to sleep; - And him, Epeus having made the horse, - With sacrificing wreaths upon his head, - Ulysses sent to our unhappy town; 150 - Who, grovelling in the mire of Xanthus' banks, - His hands bound at his back, and both his eyes - Turned up to heaven, as one resolved to die, - Our Phrygian shepherd[s] haled within the gates, - And brought unto the court of Priamus; - To whom he used action so pitiful, - Looks so remorseful, vows so forcible, - As therewithal the old man overcome, - Kissed him, embraced him, and unloosed his bands; - And then--O Dido, pardon me! 160 - - _Dido._ Nay, leave not here; resolve me of the rest. - - _Æn._ O, th' enchanting words of that base slave - Made him to think Epeus' pine-tree horse - A sacrifice t' appease Minerva's wrath! - The rather, for that one Laocoon, - Breaking a spear upon his hollow breast, - Was with two wingèd serpents stung to death. - Whereat aghast, we were commanded straight - With reverence to draw it into Troy: - In which unhappy work was I employed; 170 - These hands did help to hale it to the gates, - Through which it could not enter, 'twas so huge,-- - O, had it never enter'd, Troy had stood! - But Priamus, impatient of delay, - Enforced a wide breach in that rampired wall - Which thousand battering-rams could never pierce, - And so came in this fatal instrument: - At whose accursèd feet, as overjoyed, - We banqueted, till, overcome with wine, - Some surfeited, and others soundly slept. 180 - Which Sinon viewing, caus'd the Greekish spies - To haste to Tenedos, and tell the camp: - Then he unlocked the horse; and suddenly, - From out his entrails, Neoptolemus, - Setting his spear upon the ground, leapt forth, - And, after him, a thousand Grecians more, - In whose stern faces shined the quenchless[469] fire - That after burnt the pride of Asia. - By this, the camp was come unto the walls, - And through the breach did march into the streets, 190 - Where, meeting with the rest; "Kill, kill!" they cried. - Frighted with this confusèd noise, I rose, - And, looking from a turret, might behold - Young infants swimming in their parents' blood, - Headless carcases pilèd up in heaps, - Virgins half-dead, dragged by their golden hair, - And with main force flung on a ring[470] of pikes, - Old men with swords thrust through their agèd sides, - Kneeling for mercy to a Greekish lad, 200 - Who with steel pole-axes dash'd out their brains. - Then buckled I mine armour, drew my sword, - And thinking to go down, came Hector's ghost,[471] - With ashy visage, blueish sulphur eyes, - His arms torn from his shoulders, and his breast - Furrowed with wounds, and, that which made me weep, - Thongs at his heels, by which Achilles' horse - Drew him in triumph through the Greekish camp, - Burst from the earth, crying "Æneas, fly! - Troy is a-fire, the Grecians have the town!" 210 - - _Dido._ O Hector, who weeps not to hear thy name? - - _Æn._ Yet flung I forth, and, desperate of my life, - Ran in the thickest throngs, and with this sword - Sent many of their savage ghosts to hell. - At last came Pyrrhus, fell and full of ire, - His harness[472] dropping blood, and on his spear - The mangled head of Priam's youngest son; - And, after him, his band of Myrmidons, - With balls of wild-fire in their murdering paws, - Which made the funeral flame that burnt fair Troy; 220 - All which hemmed me about, crying, "This is he!" - - _Dido._ Ah, how could poor Æneas scape their hands? - - _Æn._ My mother Venus, jealous of my health, - Convey'd me from their crookèd nets and bands; - So I escaped the furious Pyrrhus' wrath: - Who then ran to the palace of the king, - And at Jove's altar finding Priamus, - About whose withered neck hung Hecuba, - Folding his hand in hers, and jointly both - Beating their breasts, and falling on the ground, - He, with his falchion's point raised up at once, 230 - And with Megæra's eyes, star'd in their face, - Threatening a thousand deaths at every glance: - To whom the agèd king thus, trembling, spoke; - "Achilles' son, remember what I was, - Father of fifty sons, but they are slain; - Lord of my fortune, but my fortune's turned: - King of this city, but my Troy is fired; - And now am neither father, lord, or king: - Yet who so wretched but desires to live? - O, let me live, great Neoptolemus!" 240 - Not moved at all, but smiling at his tears, - This butcher, whilst his hands were yet held up, - Treading upon his breast, struck off his hands. - - _Dido._ O, end, Æneas! I can hear no more. - - _Æn._ At which the frantic queen leaped on his face, - And in his eyelids hanging by the nails, - A little while prolonged her husband's life. - At last, the soldiers pull'd her by the heels, - And swung her howling in the empty air, - Which sent an echo to the wounded king: 250 - Whereat he lifted up his bed-rid limbs, - And would have grappled with Achilles' son, - Forgetting both his want of strength and hands; - Which he disdaining, whisk'd his sword about, - And with the wind thereof the king fell down;[473] - Then from the navel to the throat at once - He ripp'd old Priam; at whose latter gasp - Jove's marble statue gan to bend the brow, - As loathing Pyrrhus for this wicked act. - Yet he, undaunted, took his father's flag, 260 - And dipped it in the old king's chill-cold blood, - And then in triumph ran into the streets, - Through which he could not pass for slaughter'd men; - So, leaning on his sword, he stood stone-still, - Viewing the fire wherewith rich Ilion burnt. - By this, I got my father on my back, - This young boy in mine arms, and by the hand - Led fair Creusa, my belovèd wife; - When thou, Achates, with thy sword mad'st way, - And we were round environed with the Greeks: 270 - O, there I lost my wife! and, had not we - Fought manfully, I had not told this tale. - Yet manhood would not serve; of force we fled; - And, as we went unto our ships, thou know'st - We saw Cassandra sprawling in the streets, - Whom Ajax ravished in Diana's fane,[474] - Her cheeks swollen with sighs, her hair all rent; - Whom I took up to bear unto our ships; - But suddenly the Grecians followed us, - And I, alas, was forced to let her lie! 280 - Then got we to our ships, and, being aboard, - Polyxena cried out, "Æneas, stay! - The Greeks pursue me; stay, and take me in!" - Moved with her voice, I leap'd into the sea, - Thinking to bear her on my back aboard, - For all our ships were launched into the deep, - And, as I swom, she, standing on the shore, - Was by the cruel Myrmidons surprised, - And, after that, by[475] Pyrrhus sacrificed. - - _Dido._ I die with melting ruth; Æneas, leave.[476] 290 - - _Anna._ O, what became of agèd Hecuba? - - _Iar._ How got Æneas to the fleet again? - - _Dido._ But how scaped Helen, she that caus'd this war? - - _Æn._ Achates, speak; sorrow hath tir'd me quite. - - _Ach._ What happen'd to the queen we cannot show; - We hear they led her captive into Greece: - As for Æneas, he swom quickly back; - And Helena betrayed Deiphobus, - Her lover, after Alexander died, - And so was reconciled to Menelaus. 300 - - _Dido._ O, had that ticing strumpet ne'er been born!-- - Trojan, thy ruthful tale hath made me sad: - Come, let us think upon some pleasing sport, - To rid me from these melancholy thoughts. - [_Exeunt all except_ ASCANIUS, _whom_ VENUS, _entering with_ CUPID - _at another door, takes by the sleeve as he is going off_. - - _Ven._ Fair child, stay thou with Dido's waiting-maid: - I'll give thee sugar-almonds, sweet conserves, - A silver girdle, and a golden purse, - And this young prince shall be thy playfellow. - - _Asc._ Are you Queen Dido's son? - - _Cup._ I; and my mother gave me this fine bow. 310 - - _Asc._ Shall I have such a quiver and a bow? - - _Ven._ Such bow, such quiver, and such golden shafts, - Will Dido give to sweet Ascanius. - For Dido's sake I take thee in my arms, - And stick these spangled feathers in thy hat: - Eat comfits in mine arms, and I will sing. [_Sings._ - Now is he fast asleep; and in his grove,[477] - Amongst green brakes, I'll lay Ascanius, - And strew him with sweet-smelling violets, - Blushing roses, purple hyacinth: 320 - These milk-white doves shall be his centronels,[478] - Who, if that any seek to do him hurt, - Will quickly fly to Cytherea's[479] fist. - Now, Cupid, turn thee to Ascanius' shape, - And go to Dido, who, instead of him, - Will set thee on her lap, and play with thee: - Then touch her white breast with this arrow-head, - That she may dote upon Æneas' love, - And by that means repair his broken ships, - Victual his soldiers, give him wealthy gifts, 330 - And he, at last, depart to Italy, - Or else in Carthage make his kingly throne. - - _Cup._ I will, fair mother; and so play my part - As every touch shall wound Queen Dido's heart. [_Exit._ - - _Ven._ Sleep, my sweet nephew,[480] in these cooling shades, - Free from the murmur of these running streams, - The cry of beasts, the rattling of the winds, - Or whisking of these leaves: all shall be still, - And nothing interrupt thy quiet sleep, - Till I return, and take thee hence again. 340 - [_Exit._ - - - - - ACT III. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_[481] CUPID _as_ ASCANIUS. - - _Cup._ Now, Cupid, cause the Carthaginian queen - To be enamour'd of thy brother's looks: - Convey this golden arrow in thy sleeve, - Lest she imagine thou art Venus' son; - And when she strokes thee softly on the head, - Then shall I touch her breast and conquer her. - - _Enter_ DIDO, ANNA, _and_ IARBAS. - - _Iar._ How long, fair Dido, shall I pine for thee? - 'Tis not enough that thou dost grant me love, - But that I may enjoy what I desire: - That love is childish which consists in words. 10 - - _Dido._ Iarbas, know, that thou, of all my wooers,-- - And yet have I had many mightier kings,-- - Hast had the greatest favours I could give. - I fear me, Dido hath been counted light - In being too familiar with Iarbas; - Albeit the gods do know, no wanton thought - Had ever residence in Dido's breast. - - _Iar._ But Dido is the favour I request. - - _Dido._ Fear not, Iarbas; Dido may be thine. - - _Anna._ Look, sister, how Æneas' little son 20 - Plays with your garments and embraceth you. - - _Cup._ No, Dido will not take me in her arms; - I shall not be her son, she loves me not. - - _Dido._ Weep not, sweet boy; thou shalt be Dido's son: - Sit in my lap, and let me hear thee sing. [CUPID _sings_. - No more, my child; now talk another while, - And tell me where learn'dst thou this pretty song. - - _Cup._ My cousin Helen taught it me in Troy. - - _Dido._ How lovely is Ascanius when he smiles! - - _Cup._ Will Dido let me hang about her neck? 30 - - _Dido._ I, wag; and give thee leave to kiss her too. - - _Cup._ What will you give me now? I'll have this fan. - - _Dido._ Take it, Ascanius, for thy father's sake. - - _Iar._ Come, Dido, leave Ascanius; let us walk. - - _Dido._ Go thou away; Ascanius shall stay. - - _Iar._ Ungentle queen, is this thy love to me? - - _Dido._ O, stay, Iarbas, and I'll go with thee! - - _Cup._ An if my mother go, I'll follow her. - - _Dido._ Why stay'st thou here? thou art no love of mine. - - _Iar._ Iarbas, die, seeing she abandons thee! 40 - - _Dido._ No; live, Iarbas: What hast thou deserved, - That I should say thou art no love of mine? - Something thou hast deserved.--Away, I say! - Depart from Carthage; come not in my sight. - - _Iar._ Am I not king of rich Gætulia? - - _Dido._ Iarbas, pardon me, and stay a while. - - _Cup._ Mother, look here. - - _Dido._ What tell'st thou me of rich Gætulia? - Am not I queen of Libya? then depart. - - _Iar._ I go to feed the humour of my love, 50 - Yet not from Carthage for a thousand worlds. - - _Dido._ Iarbas! - - _Iar._ Doth Dido call me back? - - _Dido._ No; but I charge thee never look on me. - - _Iar._ Then pull out both mine eyes, or let me die. [_Exit._ - - _Anna._ Wherefore doth Dido bid Iarbas go? - - _Dido._ Because his loathsome sight offends mine eye, - And in my thoughts is shrined another love. - O Anna, didst thou know how sweet love were, - Full soon wouldst thou abjure this single life! - - _Anna._ Poor soul, I know too well the sour of love: 60 - O, that Iarbas could but fancy me! [_Aside._ - - _Dido._ Is not Æneas fair and beautiful? - - _Anna._ Yes; and Iarbas foul and favourless. - - _Dido._ Is he not eloquent in all his speech? - - _Anna._ Yes; and Iarbas rude and rustical. - - _Dido._ Name not Iarbas: but, sweet Anna, say, - Is not Æneas worthy Dido's love? - - _Anna._ O sister, were you empress of the world, - Æneas well deserves to be your love! - So lovely is he, that, where'er he goes, 70 - The people swarm to gaze him in the face. - - _Dido._ But tell them, none shall gaze on him but I, - Lest their gross eye-beams taint my lover's cheeks. - Anna, good sister Anna, go for him, - Lest with these sweet thoughts I melt clean away. - - _Anna._ Then, sister, you'll abjure Iarbas' love? - - _Dido._ Yet must I hear that loathsome name again? - Run for Æneas, or I'll fly to him. [_Exit_ ANNA. - - _Cup._ You shall not hurt my father when he comes. - - _Dido._ No; for thy sake I'll love thy father well.-- 80 - O dull-conceited Dido, that till now - Didst never think Æneas beautiful! - But now, for quittance of this oversight, - I'll make me bracelets of his golden hair; - His glistering eyes shall be my looking-glass; - His lips an altar, where I'll offer up[482] - As many kisses as the sea hath sands; - Instead of music I will hear him speak; - His looks shall be my only library; - And thou, Æneas, Dido's treasury, 90 - In whose fair bosom I will lock more wealth - Than twenty thousand Indias can afford. - O, here he comes! Love, love, give Dido leave - To be more modest than her thoughts admit, - Lest I be made a wonder to the world. - - _Enter_ ÆNEAS, ACHATES, SERGESTUS, ILIONEUS, _and_ CLOANTHUS. - - Achates, how doth Carthage please your lord? - - _Ach._ That will Æneas show your majesty. - - _Dido._ Æneas, art thou there? - - _Æn._ I understand your highness sent for me. - - _Dido._ No; but, now thou art here, tell me, in sooth, 100 - In what might Dido highly pleasure thee. - - _Æn._ So much have I receiv'd at Dido's hands, - As, without blushing, I can ask no more: - Yet, queen of Afric, are my ships unrigg'd, - My sails all rent in sunder with the wind, - My oars broken, and my tackling lost, - Yea, all my navy split with rocks and shelves; - Nor stern nor anchor have our maimèd fleet; - Our masts the furious winds struck overboard: - Which piteous wants if Dido will supply, 110 - We will account her author of our lives. - - _Dido._ Æneas, I'll repair thy Trojan ships, - Conditionally that thou wilt stay with me, - And let Achates sail to Italy: - I'll give thee tackling made of rivelled[483] gold, - Wound on the barks of odoriferous trees;[484] - Oars of massy ivory, full of holes, - Through which the water shall delight to play; - Thy anchors shall be hewed from crystal rocks, - Which, if thou lose, shall shine above the waves; 120 - The masts, whereon thy swelling sails shall hang, - Hollow pyramides of silver plate; - The sails of folded lawn, where shall be wrought - The wars of Troy,--but not Troy's overthrow; - For ballace,[485] empty Dido's treasury: - Take what ye will, but leave Æneas here. - Achates, thou shalt be so seemly[486] clad, - As sea-born nymphs shall swarm about thy ships, - And wanton mermaids court thee with sweet songs, - Flinging in favours of more sovereign worth 130 - Than Thetis hangs about Apollo's neck, - So that Æneas may but stay with me. - - _Æn._ Wherefore would Dido have Æneas stay? - - _Dido._ To war against my bordering enemies. - Æneas, think not Dido is in love; - For, if that any man could conquer me, - I had been wedded ere Æneas came: - See, where the pictures of my suitors hang; - And are not these as fair as fair may be? - - _Ach._ I saw this man at Troy, ere Troy was sack'd. 140 - - _Æn._[487] I this in Greece, when Paris stole fair Helen. - - _Ili._ This man and I were at Olympia's[488] games, - - _Serg._ I know this face; he is a Persian born: - I travell'd with him to Ætolia. - - _Cloan._ And I in Athens with this gentleman, - Unless I be deceived, disputed once. - - _Dido._ But speak, Æneas; know you none of these? - - _Æn._ No, madam; but it seems that these are kings. - - _Dido._ All these, and others which I never saw, - Have been most urgent suitors for my love; 150 - Some came in person, others sent their legates, - Yet none obtained me: I am free from all; - And yet, God knows, entangled unto one. - This was an orator, and thought by words - To compass me: but yet he was deceiv'd: - And this a Spartan courtier, vain and wild; - But his fantastic humours pleased not me: - This was Alcion, a musician; - But, play'd he ne'er so sweet, I let him go: - This was the wealthy king of Thessaly; 160 - But I had gold enough, and cast him off: - This, Meleager's son, a warlike prince; - But weapons gree not with my tender years: - The rest are such as all the world well knows: - Yet now[489] I swear, by heaven and him I love, - I was as far from love as they from hate. - - _Æn._ O, happy shall he be whom Dido loves! - - _Dido._ Then never say that thou art miserable, - Because, it may be, thou shalt be my love, - Yet boast not of it, for I love thee not,-- 170 - And yet I hate thee not.--O, if I speak, - I shall betray myself! [_Aside._]--Æneas, come:[490] - We too will go a-hunting in the woods; - But not so much for thee,--thou art but one,-- - As for Achates and his followers. [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_[491] JUNO _to_ ASCANIUS, _who lies asleep_. - - _Juno._ Here lies my hate, Æneas' cursèd brat, - The boy wherein false Destiny delights, - The heir of Fury,[492] the favourite of the Fates,[493] - That ugly imp that shall outwear my wrath, - And wrong my deity with high disgrace. - But I will take another order now, - And raze th' eternal register of Time: - Troy shall no more call him her second hope, - Nor Venus triumph in his tender youth; - For here, in spite of Heaven, I'll murder him, 10 - And feed infection with his let-out[494] life. - Say, Paris, now shall Venus have the ball? - Say, vengeance, now shall her Ascanius die? - O no! God wot, I cannot watch my time, - Nor quit good turns with double fee down told: - Tut, I am simple, without mind[495] to hurt, - And have no gall at all to grieve my foes! - But lustful Jove and his adulterous child - Shall find it written on confusion's front, - That only Juno rules in Rhamnus town.[496] 20 - - _Enter_ VENUS. - - _Ven._ What should this mean? my doves are back return'd - Who warn me of such danger prest[497] at hand - To harm my sweet Ascanius' lovely life.-- - Juno, my mortal foe, what make you here? - Avaunt, old witch! and trouble not my wits. - - _Juno._ Fie, Venus, that such causeless words of wrath - Should e'er defile so fair a mouth as thine! - Are not we both sprung of celestial race, - And banquet, as two sisters, with the gods? - Why is it, then, displeasure should disjoin 30 - Whom kindred and acquaintance co-unites? - - _Ven._ Out, hateful hag! thou wouldst have slain my son, - Had not my doves discovered thy intent: - But I will tear thy eyes fro forth thy head, - And feast the birds with their blood-shotten balls, - If thou but lay thy fingers on my boy. - - _Juno._ Is this, then, all the thanks that I shall have - For saving him from snakes' and serpents' stings, - That would have killed him, sleeping, as he lay? - What, though I was offended with thy son, 40 - And wrought him mickle woe on sea and land, - When, for the hate of Trojan Ganymede,[498] - That was advancèd by my Hebe's shame, - And Paris' judgment of the heavenly ball, - I mustered all the winds unto his wreck, - And urg'd each element to his annoy? - Yet now I do repent me of his ruth, - And wish that I had never wrong'd him so. - Bootless, I saw, it was to war with fate - That hath so many unresisted[499] friends: 50 - Wherefore I changed[500] my counsel with the time, - And planted love where envy erst had sprung. - - _Ven._ Sister of Jove, if that thy love be such - As these thy protestations do paint forth, - We two, as friends, one fortune will divide: - Cupid shall lay his arrows in thy lap, - And to a sceptre change his golden shafts; - Fancy[501] and modesty shall live as mates, - And thy fair peacocks by my pigeons perch: - Love, my Æneas, and desire is thine; 60 - The day, the night, my swans, my sweets, are thine. - - _Juno._ More than melodious are these words to me, - That overcloy my soul with their content. - Venus, sweet Venus, how may I deserve - Such amorous favours at thy beauteous hand? - But, that thou mayst more easily perceive - How highly I do prize this amity, - Hark to a motion of eternal league, - Which I will make in quittance of thy love. - Thy son, thou know'st, with Dido now remains, 70 - And feeds his eyes with favours of her court; - She, likewise, in admiring spends her time, - And cannot talk nor think of aught but him: - Why should not they, then, join in marriage, - And bring forth mighty kings to Carthage-town, - Whom casualty of sea hath made such friends? - And, Venus, let there be a match confirm'd - Betwixt these two, whose loves are so alike; - And both our deities, conjoin'd in one, - Shall chain felicity unto their throne. 80 - - _Ven._ Well could I like this reconcilement's means; - But much I fear my son will ne'er consent, - Whose armèd soul, already on the sea, - Darts forth her light [un]to Lavinia's shore. - - _Juno._ Fair queen of love, I will divorce these doubts, - And find my way to weary such fond thoughts. - This day they both a-hunting forth will ride - Into the[502] woods adjoining to these walls; - When, in the midst of all their gamesome sports, - I'll make the clouds dissolve their watery works, 90 - And drench Silvanus' dwellings with their showers; - Then in one cave the queen and he shall meet, - And interchangeably discourse their thoughts, - Whose short conclusion will seal up their hearts - Unto the purpose which we now propound. - - _Ven._ Sister, I see you savour of my wiles: - Be it as you will have [it] for this once. - Meantime Ascanius shall be my charge; - Whom I will bear to Ida in mine arms, - And couch him in Adonis' purple down. 100 - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter_[503] DIDO, ÆNEAS, ANNA, IARBAS, ACHATES, CUPID - _as_ ASCANIUS, _and_ Followers. - - _Dido._ Æneas, think not but I honour thee, - That thus in person go with thee to hunt: - My princely robes, thou see'st, are laid aside, - Whose glittering pomp Diana's shroud[504] supplies; - All fellows now, disposed alike to sport; - The woods are wide, and we have store of game. - Fair Trojan, hold my golden bow a while, - Until I gird my quiver to my side.-- - Lords, go before; we two must talk alone. - - _Iar._ Ungentle, can she wrong Iarbas so? 10 - - I'll die before a stranger have that grace. - "We two will talk alone"--what words be these! [_Aside._ - - _Dido._ What makes Iarbas here of all the rest? - We could have gone without your company. - - _Æn._ But love and duty led him on perhaps - To press beyond acceptance to your sight. - - _Iar._ Why! man of Troy, do I offend thine eyes? - Or art thou grieved thy betters press so nigh? - - _Dido._ How now, Gætulian! are you grown so brave, - To challenge us with your comparisons? 20 - Peasant, go seek companions like thyself, - And meddle not with any that I love.-- - Æneas, be not moved at what he says; - For otherwhile he will be out of joint. - - _Iar._ Women may wrong by privilege of love; - But, should that man of men, Dido except, - Have taunted me in these opprobrious terms, - I would have either drunk his dying blood, - Or else I would have given my life in gage. 29 - - _Dido._ Huntsmen, why pitch you not your toils apace, - And rouse the light-foot deer from forth their lair? - - _Anna._ Sister, see, see Ascanius in his pomp, - Bearing his hunt-spear bravely in his hand! - - _Dido._ Yea, little son, are you so forward now? - - _Cup._ I, mother; I shall one day be a man, - And better able unto other arms; - Meantime these wanton weapons serve my war, - Which I will break betwixt a lion's jaws. - - _Dido._ What? dar'st thou look a lion in the face? - - _Cup._ I; and outface him too, do what he can. 40 - - _Anna._ How like his father speaketh he in all! - - _Æn._ And mought I live to see him sack rich Thebes, - And load his spear with Grecian princes' heads, - Then would I wish me with Anchises' tomb, - And dead to honour that hath brought me up. - - _Iar._ And might I live to see thee shipp'd away, - And hoist aloft on Neptune's hideous hills, - Then would I wish me in fair Dido's arms, - And dead to scorn that hath pursu'd me so. [_Aside._ - - _Æn._ Stout friend Achates, dost thou know this wood? 50 - - _Ach._ As I remember, here you shot the deer - That saved your famish'd soldiers' lives from death, - When first you set your foot upon the shore; - And here we met fair Venus, virgin-like, - Bearing her bow and quiver at her back. - - _Æn._ O, how these irksome labours now delight, - And overjoy my thoughts with their escape! - Who would not undergo all kind of toil, - To be well stor'd with such a winter's tale? - - _Dido._ Æneas, leave these dumps, and let's away. 60 - Some to the mountains, some unto the soil,[505] - You to the valleys,--thou unto the house. - [_Exeunt all except_ IARBAS. - - _Iar._ I, this it is which wounds me to the death, - To see a Phrygian, far-fet[506] o'er the sea, - Preferr'd before a man of majesty. - O love! O hate! O cruel women's hearts, - That imitate the moon in every change, - And, like the planets, ever love to range! - What shall I do, thus wrongèd with disdain? - Revenge me on Æneas or on her? 70 - On her! fond man, that were to war 'gainst heaven, - And with one shaft provoke ten thousand darts. - This Trojan's end will be thy envy's aim, - Whose blood will reconcile thee to content, - And make love drunken with thy sweet desire. - But Dido, that now holdeth him so dear, - Will die with very tidings of his death: - But time will discontinue her content, - And mould her mind unto new fancy's shapes, - O God of heaven, turn the hand of Fate 80 - Unto that happy day of my delight! - And then--what then? Iarbas shall but love: - So doth he now, though not with equal gain; - That resteth in the rival of thy pain, - Who ne'er will cease to soar till he be slain. - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE IV. - - _The storm. Enter_ ÆNEAS _and_ DIDO - _in the cave, at several times_. - - _Dido._ Æneas! - - _Æn._ Dido! - - _Dido._ Tell me, dear love, how found you out this cave? - - _Æn._ By chance, sweet queen, as Mars and Venus met. - - _Dido._ Why, that was in a net, where we are loose; - And yet I am not free,--O, would I were! - - _Æn._ Why, what is it that Dido may desire - And not obtain, be it in human power? - - _Dido._ The thing that I will die before I ask, - And yet desire to have before I die. 10 - - _Æn_. It is not aught Æneas may achieve? - - _Dido._ Æneas! no; although his eyes do pierce. - - _Æn._ What, hath Iarbas anger'd her in aught? - And will she be avengèd on his life? - - _Dido._ Not anger'd me, except in angering thee. - - _Æn._ Who, then, of all so cruel may he be - That should detain thy eye in his defects? - - _Dido._ The man that I do eye where'er I am; - Whose amorous face, like Pæan, sparkles fire, - Whenas he butts his beams on Flora's bed. 20 - Prometheus hath put on Cupid's shape, - And I must perish in his burning arms: - Æneas, O Æneas, quench these flames! - - _Æn._ What ails my queen? is she faln sick of late? - - _Dido._ Not sick, my love; but sick I must conceal - The torment that it boots me not reveal: - And yet I'll speak,--and yet I'll hold my peace. - Do shame her worst, I will disclose my grief: - Æneas, thou art he--what did I say? - Something it was that now I have forgot. 30 - - _Æn._ What means fair Dido by this doubtful speech? - - _Dido._ Nay, nothing; but Æneas loves me not. - - _Æn._ Æneas' thoughts dare not ascend so high - As Dido's heart, which monarchs might not scale. - - _Dido._ It was because I saw no king like thee, - Whose golden crown might balance my content; - But now that I have found what to affect, - I follow one that loveth fame 'fore[507] me, - And rather had seem fair [in] Sirens' eyes, - Than to the Carthage queen that dies for him. 40 - - _Æn._ If that your majesty can look so low - As my despisèd worths that shun all praise, - With this my hand I give to you my heart, - And vow, by all the gods of hospitality, - By heaven and earth, and my fair brother's bow, - By Paphos, Capys,[508] and the purple sea - From whence my radiant mother did ascend,[509] - And by this sword that sav'd me from the Greeks, - Never to leave these new-uprearèd walls, - Whiles Dido lives and rules in Juno's town,-- 50 - Never to like or love any but her! - - _Dido._ What more than Delian music do I hear, - That calls my soul from forth his living seat - To move unto the measures of delight? - Kind clouds, that sent forth such a courteous storm - As made disdain to fly to fancy's lap! - Stout love, in mine arms make thy Italy, - Whose crown and kingdom rests at thy command: - Sichæus, not Æneas, be thou call'd; - The king of Carthage, not Anchises' son. 60 - Hold, take these jewels at thy lover's hand, [_Giving jewels, &c._ - These golden bracelets, and this wedding-ring, - Wherewith my husband woo'd me yet a maid, - And be thou king of Libya by my gift. - [_Exeunt to the cave._ - - - - - ACT IV. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_[510] ACHATES, CUPID _as_ ASCANIUS, IARBAS, - _and_ ANNA. - - _Ach._ Did ever men see such a sudden storm - Or day so clear so suddenly o'ercast? - - _Iar._ I think some fell enchantress dwelleth here, - That can call them[511] forth whenas she please, - And dive into black tempest's treasury, - Whenas she means to mask the world with clouds. - - _Anna._ In all my life I never knew the like; - It hailed, it snowed, it lightened all at once. - - _Ach._ I think, it was the devil's revelling night, - There was such hurly-burly in the heavens: 10 - Doubtless Apollo's axle-tree is crack'd, - Or agèd Atlas' shoulder out of joint, - The motion was so over-violent. - - _Iar._ In all this coil, where have ye left the queen? - - _Asc._ Nay, where's my warlike father, can you tell? - - _Anna._ Behold, where both of them come forth the cave. - - _Iar._ Come forth the cave! can heaven endure this sight? - Iarbas, curse that unrevenging Jove, - Whose flinty darts slept in Typhoeus'[512] den, - Whiles these adulterers surfeited with sin. 20 - Nature, why mad'st me not some poisonous beast, - That with the sharpness of my edgèd sting - I might have staked them both unto the earth, - Whilst they were sporting in this darksome cave! [_Aside._ - - _Enter, from the cave_, ÆNEAS _and_ DIDO. - - _Æn._ The air is clear, and southern winds are whist.[513] - Come, Dido, let us hasten to the town, - Since gloomy Æolus doth cease to frown. - - _Dido._ Achates and Ascanius, well met. - - _Æn._ Fair Anna, how escap'd you from the shower? - - _Anna._ As others did, by running to the wood. 30 - - _Dido._ But where were you, Iarbas, all this while? - - _Iar._ Not with Æneas in the ugly cave. - - _Dido._ I see, Æneas sticketh in your mind; - But I will soon put by that stumbling-block, - And quell those hopes that thus employ your cares.[514] - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE II. - - _Enter_[515] IARBAS _to sacrifice_. - - _Iar._ Come, servants, come; bring forth the sacrifice, - That I may pacify that gloomy Jove, - Whose empty altars have enlarg'd our ills.-- - [Servants _bring in the sacrifice, and then exeunt_. - Eternal Jove, great master of the clouds, - Father of gladness and all frolic thoughts, - That with thy gloomy[516] hand corrects the heaven, - When airy creatures war amongst themselves; - Hear, hear, O, hear Iarbas' plaining prayers, - Whose hideous echoes make the welkin howl, - And all the woods Eliza[517] to resound! 10 - The woman that thou willed us entertain, - Where, straying in our borders up and down, - She crav'd a hide of ground to build a town, - With whom we did divide both laws and land, - And all the fruits that plenty else sends forth, - Scorning our loves and royal marriage-rites, - Yields up her beauty to a stranger's bed; - Who, having wrought her shame, is straightway fled: - Now, if thou be'st a pitying god of power, - On whom ruth and compassion ever waits, 20 - Redress these wrongs, and warn him to his ships, - That now afflicts me with his flattering eyes. - - _Enter_ ANNA. - - _Anna._ How now, Iarbas! at your prayers so hard? - - _Iar._ I, Anna: is there aught you would with me? - - _Anna._ Nay, no such weighty business of import - But may be slacked until another time: - Yet, if you would partake with me the cause - Of this devotion that detaineth you, - I would be thankful for such courtesy. - - _Iar._ Anna, against this Trojan do I pray, 30 - Who seeks to rob me of thy sister's love, - And dive into her heart by colour'd looks. - - _Anna._ Alas, poor king, that labours so in vain - For her that so delighteth in thy pain! - Be rul'd by me, and seek some other love, - Whose yielding heart may yield thee more relief. - - _Iar._ Mine eye is fixed where fancy cannot start: - O, leave me, leave me to my silent thoughts, - That register the numbers of my ruth, - And I will either move the thoughtless flint, 40 - Or drop out both mine eyes in drizzling tears, - Before my sorrow's tide have any stint! - - _Anna._ I will not leave Iarbas, whom I love, - In this delight of dying pensiveness. - Away with Dido! Anna be thy song; - Anna, that doth admire thee more than heaven. - - _Iar._ I may nor will list to such loathsome change. - That intercepts the course of my desire-- - Servants, come fetch these empty vessels here; - For I will fly from these alluring eyes, 50 - That do pursue my peace where'er it goes. - [_Exit._--Servants _re-enter, and carry out the vessels, &c._ - - _Anna._ Iarbas, stay, loving Iarbas, stay! - For I have honey to present thee with. - Hard-hearted, wilt not deign to hear me speak? - I'll follow thee with outcries ne'ertheless, - And strew thy walks with my dishevell'd hair. - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE III. - - _Enter_ ÆNEAS.[518] - - _Æn._ Carthage, my friendly host, adieu! - Since Destiny doth call me from thy[519] shore: - Hermes this night, descending in a dream, - Hath summoned me to fruitful Italy; - Jove wills it so; my mother wills it so: - Let my Phoenissa grant, and then I go. - Grant she or no, Æneas must away; - Whose golden fortunes, clogg'd with courtly ease, - Cannot ascend to fame's immortal house, - Or banquet in bright Honour's burnished hall, 10 - Till he hath furrowed Neptune's glassy fields, - And cut a passage through his topless[520] hills.-- - Achates, come forth! Sergestus, Ilioneus, - Cloanthus, haste away! Æneas calls. - - _Enter_ ACHATES, CLOANTHUS, SERGESTUS, _and_ ILIONEUS. - - _Ach._ What wills our lord, or wherefore did he call? - - _Æn._ The dreams, brave mates, that did beset my bed, - When sleep but newly had embrac'd the night, - Commands me leave these unrenowmèd realms,[521] - Whereas nobility abhors to stay, - And none but base Æneas will abide. 20 - Aboard, aboard! since Fates do bid aboard, - And slice the sea with sable-colour'd ships, - On whom the nimble winds may all day wait, - And follow them, as footmen, through the deep. - Yet Dido casts her eyes, like anchors, out, - To stay my fleet from loosing forth the bay: - "Come back, come back," I hear her cry a-far, - "And let me link thy[522] body to my lips, - That, tied together by the striving tongues, - We may, as one, sail into Italy." 30 - - _Ach._ Banish that ticing dame from forth your mouth, - And follow your fore-seeing stars in all: - This is no life for men-at-arms to live, - Where dalliance doth consume a soldier's strength, - And wanton motions of alluring eyes - Effeminate our minds, inur'd to war. - - _Ili._ Why, let us build a city of our own, - And not stand lingering here for amorous looks. - - Will Dido raise old Priam forth his grave, - And build the town again the Greeks did burn? 40 - No, no; she cares not how we sink or swim, - So she may have Æneas in her arms. - - _Clo._ To Italy, sweet friends, to Italy! - We will not stay a minute longer here. - - _Æn._ Trojans, aboard, and I will follow you. - [_Exeunt all except_ ÆNEAS. - I fain would go, yet beauty calls me back: - To leave her so, and not once say farewell, - Were to transgress against all laws of love. - But, if I use such ceremonious thanks - As parting friends accustom on the shore, 50 - Her silver arms will coll[523] me round about, - And tears of pearl cry, "Stay, Æneas, stay!" - Each word she says will then contain a crown, - And every speech be ended with a kiss: - I may not dure this female drudgery: - To sea, Æneas! find out Italy! - [_Exit._ - - - SCENE IV. - - _Enter_[524] DIDO _and_ ANNA. - - _Dido._ O Anna, run unto the water-side! - They say Æneas' men are going aboard; - It may be, he will steal away with them: - Stay not to answer me; run, Anna, run! [_Exit_ ANNA. - O foolish Trojans, that would steal from hence, - And not let Dido understand their drift! - I would have given Achates store of gold, - And Ilioneus gum and Libyan spice; - The common soldiers rich embroider'd coats, - And silver whistles to control the winds, 10 - Which Circe[525] sent Sichæus when he lived: - Unworthy are they of a queen's reward. - See where they come: how might I do to chide? - - _Re-enter_ ANNA, _with_ ÆNEAS, ACHATES, - CLOANTHUS, ILIONEUS, SERGESTUS, - _and_ Carthaginian Lords. - - _Anna._ 'Twas time to run; Æneas had been gone; - The sails were hoising up, and he aboard. - - _Dido._ Is this thy love to me? - - _Æn._ O princely Dido, give me leave to speak! - I went to take my farewell of Achates. - - _Dido._ How haps Achates bid me not farewell? - - _Ach._ Because I feared your grace would keep me here. 20 - - _Dido._ To rid thee of that doubt, aboard again: - I charge thee put to sea, and stay not here. - - _Ach._ Then let Æneas go aboard with us. - - _Dido._ Get you aboard; Æneas means to stay. - - _Æn._ The sea is rough, the winds blow to the shore. - - _Dido._ O false Æneas! now the sea is rough; - But, when you were aboard, 'twas calm enough: - Thou and Achates meant to sail away. - - _Æn._ Hath not the Carthage queen mine only son? - Thinks Dido I will go and leave him here? 30 - - _Dido._ Æneas, pardon me; for I forgot - That young Ascanius lay with me this night; - Love made me jealous: but, to make amends, - Wear the imperial crown of Libya, - [_Giving him her crown and sceptre._ - Sway thou the Punic sceptre in my stead, - And punish me, Æneas, for this crime. - - _Æn._ This kiss shall be fair Dido's punishment. - - _Dido._ O, how a crown becomes Æneas' head! - Stay here, Æneas, and command as king. - - _Æn._ How vain am I to wear this diadem, 40 - And bear this golden sceptre in my hand! - A burgonet of steel, and not a crown, - A sword, and not a sceptre, fits Æneas. - - _Dido._ O, keep them still, and let me gaze my fill! - Now looks Æneas like immortal Jove: - O, where is Ganymede, to hold his cup, - And Mercury, to fly for what he calls? - Ten thousand Cupids hover in the air, - And fan it in Æneas' lovely face! - O, that the clouds were here wherein thou fled'st,[526] 50 - That thou and I unseen might sport ourselves! - Heaven,[527] envious of our joys, is waxen pale; - And when we whisper, then the stars fall down, - To be partakers of our honey talk. - - _Æn._ O Dido, patroness of all our lives, - When I leave thee, death be my punishment! - Swell, raging seas! frown, wayward Destinies! - Blow, winds! threaten, ye rocks and sandy shelves! - This is the harbour that Æneas seeks: - Let's see what tempests can annoy me now. 60 - - _Dido._ Not all the world can take thee from mine arms. - Æneas may command as many Moors - As in the sea are little water-drops: - And now, to make experience of my love,-- - Fair sister Anna, lead my lover forth, - And, seated on my jennet, let him ride, - As Dido's husband, through the Punic streets; - And will[528] my guard, with Mauritanian darts - To wait upon him as their sovereign lord. - - _Anna._ What if the citizens repine thereat? 70 - - _Dido._ Those that dislike what Dido gives in charge, - Command my guard to slay for their offence. - Shall vulgar peasants storm at what I do? - The ground is mine that gives them sustenance, - The air wherein they breathe, the water, fire, - All that they have, their lands, their goods, their lives! - And I, the goddess of all these, command - Æneas ride as Carthaginian king. - - _Ach._ Æneas, for his parentage, deserves - As large a kingdom as is Libya. 80 - - _Æn._ I, and, unless the Destinies be false, - I shall be planted in as rich a land. - - _Dido._ Speak of no other land; this land is thine; - Dido is thine, henceforth I'll thee lord.-- - Do as I bid thee, sister; lead the way; - And from a turret I'll behold my love. - - _Æn._ Then here in me shall flourish Priam's race; - And thou and I, Achates, for revenge - For Troy, for Priam, for his fifty sons, - Our kinsmen's lives[529] and thousand guiltless souls, 90 - Will lead an host against the hateful Greeks, - And fire proud Lacedæmon o'er their heads. - [_Exeunt all except_ DIDO _and_ Carthaginian Lords. - - _Dido._ Speaks not Æneas like a conqueror? - O blessèd tempests that did drive him in! - O happy sand that made him run aground! - Henceforth you shall be [of] our Carthage gods. - I, but it may be, he will leave my love, - And seek a foreign land called Italy: - O, that I had a charm to keep the winds - Within the closure of a golden ball; 100 - Or that the Tyrrhene sea were in mine arms, - That he might suffer shipwreck on my breast, - As oft as he attempts to hoist up sail! - I must prevent him; wishing will not serve.-- - Go bid my nurse take young Ascanius, - And bear him in the country to her house; - Æneas will not go without his son; - Yet, lest he should, for I am full of fear, - Bring me his oars, his tackling, and his sails. [_Exit_ First Lord. - What if I sink his ships? O, he will frown! 110 - Better he frown than I should die for grief. - I cannot see him frown; it may not be: - Armies of foes resolv'd to win this town, - Or impious traitors vow'd to have my life, - Affright me not; only Æneas' frown - Is that which terrifies poor Dido's heart; - Not bloody spears, appearing in the air, - Presage the downfall of my empery, - Nor blazing comets threaten Dido's death; - It is Æneas' frown that ends my days. 120 - If he forsake me not, I never die; - For in his looks I see eternity, - And he'll make me immortal[530] with a kiss. - - _Re-enter_ First Lord, _with_ Attendants - _carrying tackling_, &c. - - _First Lord._ Your nurse is gone with young Ascanius: - And here's Æneas' tackling, oars, and sails. - - _Dido._ Are these the sails that, in despite of me, - Pack'd[531] with the winds to bear Æneas hence? - I'll hang ye in the chamber where I lie; - Drive, if you can, my house to Italy: - I'll set the casement open, that the winds 130 - May enter in, and once again conspire - Against the life of me, poor Carthage queen: - But, though ye[532] go, he stays in Carthage still; - And let rich Carthage fleet[533] upon the seas, - So I may have Æneas in mine arms. - Is this the wood that grew in Carthage plains, - And would be toiling in the watery billows, - To rob their mistress of her Trojan guest? - O cursèd tree, hadst thou but wit or sense, - To measure how I prize Æneas' love, 140 - Thou wouldst have leapt from out the sailors' hands, - And told me that Æneas meant to go! - And yet I blame thee not; thou art but wood. - The water, which our poets term a nymph,[534] - Why did it suffer thee to touch her breast, - And shrunk not back, knowing my love was there? - The water is an element, no nymph. - Why should I blame Æneas for his flight? - O Dido, blame not him, but break his oars! - These were the instruments that launched him forth. 150 - There's not so much as this base tackling too, - But dares to heap up sorrow to my heart: - Was it not you that hoisèd up these sails? - Why burst you not, and they fell in the seas? - For this will Dido tie ye full of knots, - And shear ye all asunder with her hands: - Now serve to chastise shipboys for their faults; - Ye shall no more offend the Carthage queen. - Now, let him hang my favours on his masts, - And see if those will serve instead of sails; 160 - For tackling, let him take the chains of gold, - Which I bestow'd upon his followers; - Instead of oars, let him use his hands, - And swim to Italy. I'll keep these sure.-- - Come, bear them in. - [_Exeunt._ - - - SCENE V. - - _Enter_[535] Nurse, _with_ CUPID _as_ ASCANIUS. - - _Nurse._ My Lord Ascanius, you must go with me. - - _Cup._ Whither must I go? I'll stay with my mother. - - _Nurse._ No, thou shall go with me unto my house. - I have an orchard that hath store of plums, - Brown almonds, services, ripe figs, and dates, - Dewberries, apples, yellow oranges; - A garden where are bee-hives full of honey, - Musk-roses, and a thousand sort of flowers; - And in the midst doth run a silver stream, - Where thou shalt see the red-gill'd fishes leap, 10 - White swans, and many lovely water-fowls. - Now speak, Ascanius, will you go or no? - - _Cup._ Come, come, I'll go. How far hence is your house? - - _Nurse._ But hereby, child; we shall get thither straight. - - _Cup._ Nurse, I am weary; will you carry me? - - _Nurse._ I, so you'll dwell with me, and call me mother. - - _Cup._ So you'll love me, I care not if I do. - - _Nurse._ That I might live to see this boy a man! - How prettily he laughs! Go, ye wag!_[536]_ - You'll be a twigger[537] when you come to age.-- 20 - Say Dido what she will, I am not old; - I'll be no more a widow; I am young; - I'll have a husband, or else a lover. - - _Cup._ A husband, and no teeth! - - _Nurse._ O, what mean I to have such foolish thoughts? - Foolish is love, a toy.--O sacred love! - If there be any heaven in earth, 'tis love, - Especially in women of your years.-- - Blush, blush for shame! why shouldst thou think of love? - A grave, and not a lover, fits thy age.-- 30 - A grave! why, I may live a hundred years; - Fourscore is but a girl's age: love is sweet.-- - My veins are withered, and my sinews dry: - Why do I think of love, now I should die? - - _Cup._ Come, nurse. - - _Nurse._ Well, if he come a-wooing, he shall speed: - O, how unwise was I to say him nay! - [_Exeunt._ - - - - - ACT V. - - - SCENE I. - - _Enter_ ÆNEAS,[538] _with a paper in his hand, - drawing the platform[539] of the city_; ACHATES, - SERGESTUS, CLOANTHUS, _and_ ILIONEUS. - - _Æn._ Triumph, my mates! our travels are at end: - Here will Æneas build a statelier Troy - Than that which grim Atrides overthrew. - Carthage shall vaunt her petty walls no more; - For I will grace them with a fairer frame, - And clad her in a crystal livery, - Wherein the day may evermore delight; - From golden India Ganges will I fetch, - Whose wealthy streams may wait upon her towers, - And triple-wise entrench her round about; 10 - The sun from Egypt shall rich odours bring, - Wherewith his burning beams (like labouring bees - That load their thighs with Hybla's honey-spoils)[540] - Shall here unburden their exhalèd sweets, - And plant our pleasant suburbs with their[541] fumes. - - _Ach._ What length or breadth shall this brave town contain? - - _Æn._ Not past four thousand paces at the most. - - _Ili._ But what shall it be call'd? Troy, as before? - - _Æn._ That have I not determin'd with myself. - - _Clo._ Let it be term'd Ænea, by your name. 20 - - _Serg._ Rather Ascania, by your little son. - - _Æn._ Nay, I will have it callèd Anchisæon, - Of my old father's name. - - _Enter_ HERMES _with_ ASCANIUS. - - _Her._ Æneas, stay; Jove's herald bids thee stay. - - _Æn._ Whom do I see? Jove's wingèd messenger! - Welcome to Carthage new-erected town. - - _Her._ Why, cousin, stand you building cities here, - And beautifying the empire of this queen, - While Italy is clean out of thy mind? - Too-too forgetful of thine own affairs, 30 - Why wilt thou so betray thy son's good hap? - The king of gods sent me from highest heaven, - To sound this angry message in thine ears: - Vain man, what monarchy expect'st thou here? - Or with what thought sleep'st thou in Libya shore? - If that all glory hath forsaken thee, - And thou despise the praise of such attempts, - Yet think upon Ascanius' prophecy, - And young Iulus' more than thousand years, - Whom I have brought from Ida, where he slept, 40 - And bore young Cupid unto Cyprus' isle. - - _Æn._ This was my mother that beguil'd the queen. - And made me take my brother for my son: - No marvel, Dido, though thou be in love, - That daily dandlest Cupid in thy arms.-- - Welcome, sweet child: where hast thou been this long? - - _Asc._ Eating sweet comfits with Queen Dido's maid, - Who ever since hath lull'd me in her arms. - - _Æn._ Sergestus, bear him hence unto our ships, - Lest Dido, spying him, keep him for a pledge. 50 - [_Exit_ SERGESTUS _with_ ASCANIUS. - _Her._ Spend'st thou thy time about this little boy, - And giv'st not ear unto the charge I bring? - I tell thee, thou must straight to Italy, - Or else abide the wrath of frowning Jove. [_Exit._ - - _Æn._ How should I put into the raging deep. - Who have no sails nor tackling for my ships? - What? would the gods have me, Deucalion-like, - Float up and down where'er the billows drive? - Though she repair'd my fleet and gave me ships, - Yet hath she ta'en away my oars and masts, 60 - And left me neither sail nor stern[542] aboard. - - _Enter_ IARBAS. - - _Iar._ How now, Æneas! sad! what means these dumps? - - _Æn._ Iarbas, I am clean besides myself; - Jove hath heaped on me such a desperate charge, - Which neither art nor reason may achieve, - Nor I devise by what means to contrive. - - _Iar._ As how, I pray? may I entreat you tell? - - _Æn._ With speed he bids me sail to Italy, - Whenas I want both rigging for my fleet, - And also furniture for these my men. 70 - - _Iar._ If that be all, then cheer thy drooping looks, - For I will furnish thee with such supplies, - Let some of those thy followers go with me, - And they shall have what thing soe'er thou need'st. - - _Æn._ Thanks, good Iarbas, for thy friendly aid: - Achates and the rest shall wait on thee, - Whilst I rest thankful for this courtesy. - [_Exeunt all except_ ÆNEAS. - Now will I haste unto Lavinian shore, - And raise a new foundation to old Troy. - Witness the gods, and witness heaven and earth, 80 - How loath I am to leave these Libyan bounds, - But that eternal Jupiter commands! - - _Enter_ DIDO. - - _Dido._ I fear I saw Æneas' little son - Led by Achates[543] to the Trojan fleet. - If it be so, his father means to fly:-- - But here he is; now, Dido, try thy wit.-- [_Aside._ - Æneas, wherefore go thy men abroad? - Why are thy ships new-rigged? or to what end, - Launched from the haven, lie they in the road? - Pardon me, though I ask; love makes me ask. 90 - - _Æn._ O, pardon me, if I resolve thee why! - Æneas will not feign with his dear love. - I must from hence: this day, swift Mercury, - When I was laying a platform[544] for these walls, - Sent from his father Jove, appear'd to me, - And in his name rebuk'd me bitterly - For lingering here, neglecting Italy. - - _Dido._ But yet Æneas will not leave his love. - - _Æn._ I am commanded by immortal Jove - To leave this town and pass to Italy; 100 - And therefore must of force. - - _Dido._ These words proceed not from Æneas' heart. - - _Æn._ Not from my heart, for I can hardly go; - And yet I may not stay. Dido, farewell. - - _Dido._ Farewell! is this the 'mends for Dido's love? - Do Trojans use to quit[545] their lovers thus? - Fare well may Dido, so Æneas stay; - I die, if my Æneas say farewell. - - _Æn._ Then let me go, and never say farewell: - Let me go; farewell:[546] I must from hence. 110 - - _Dido._ These words are poison to poor Dido's soul: - O, speak like my Æneas, like my love! - - Why look'st thou toward the sea? the time hath been - When Dido's beauty chain'd[547] thine eyes to her. - Am I less fair than when thou saw'st me first? - O, then, Æneas, 'tis for grief of thee! - Say thou wilt stay in Carthage with thy[548] queen, - And Dido's beauty will return again. - Æneas, say, how can'st thou take thy leave? - Wilt thou kiss Dido? O, thy lips have sworn 120 - To stay with Dido! canst thou take her hand? - Thy hand and mine have plighted mutual faith; - Therefore, unkind Æneas, must thou say, - "Then let me go, and never say farewell?" - - _Æn._ O queen of Carthage, wert thou ugly-black, - Æneas could not choose but hold thee dear! - Yet must he not gainsay the gods' behest. - - _Dido._ The gods! what gods be those that seek my death? - Wherein have I offended Jupiter, - That he should take Æneas from mine arms? 130 - O no! the gods weigh not what lovers do: - It is Æneas calls Æneas hence; - And woful Dido, by these blubber'd[549] cheeks, - By this right hand, and by our spousal rites, - Desires Æneas to remain with her; - _Si_[550] _bene quid de te merui, fuit aut tibi quidquam_ - - _Dulce meum, miserere domus labentis, et istam, - Oro, si quis adhuc[551] precibus locus, exue mentem._ - - _Æn. Desine_[552] _meque tuis incendere teque querelis; - Italiam non sponte sequor._ 140 - - _Dido._ Hast thou forgot how many neighbour kings - Were up in arms, for making thee my love? - How Carthage did rebel, Iarbas storm, - And all the world calls me a second Helen, - For being entangled by a stranger's looks? - So thou wouldst prove as true as Paris did, - Would, as fair Troy was, Carthage might be sack'd, - And I be called a second Helena! - Had I a son by thee, the grief were less, - That I might see Æneas in his face: 150 - Now if thou go'st, what canst thou leave behind, - But rather will augment than ease my woe? - - _Æn._ In vain, my love, thou spend'st thy fainting breath: - If words might move me, I were overcome. - - _Dido._ And wilt thou not be mov'd with Dido's words? - Thy[553] mother was no goddess, perjured man, - Nor Dardanus the author of thy stock; - But thou art sprung from Scythian Caucasus, - And tigers of Hyrcania gave thee suck.-- - Ah, foolish Dido, to forbear this long!-- 160 - Wast thou not wrecked upon this Libyan shore, - And cam'st to Dido like a fisher swain? - Repaired not I thy ships, made thee a king, - And all thy needy followers noblemen? - O serpent, that came creeping from the shore, - And I for pity harbour'd in my bosom, - Wilt thou now slay me with thy venomed sting, - And hiss at Dido for preserving thee? - Go, go, and spare not; seek out Italy: - I hope that that which love forbids me do, 170 - The rocks and sea-gulfs will perform at large, - And thou shalt perish in the billows' ways - To whom poor Dido doth bequeath revenge: - I, traitor! and the waves shall cast thee up, - Where thou and false Achates first set foot; - Which if it chance, I'll give ye burial, - And weep upon your lifeless carcasses, - Though thou nor he will pity me a whit. - Why starest thou in my face? If thou wilt stay, - Leap in mine arms; mine arms are open wide; 180 - If not, turn from me, and I'll turn from thee; - For though thou hast the heart to say farewell, - I have not power to stay thee. [_Exit_ ÆNEAS. - Is he gone? - I, but he'll come again; he cannot go; - He loves me too-too well to serve me so: - Yet he that in my sight would not relent, - Will, being absent, be obdurate[554] still. - By this, is he got to the water-side; - - - And, see, the sailors take him by the hand; - But he shrinks back; and now remembering me, 190 - Returns amain: welcome, welcome, my love! - But where's Æneas? ah, he's gone, he's gone! - - _Enter_ ANNA. - - _Anna._ What means my sister, thus to rave and cry? - - _Dido._ O Anna, my Æneas is abroad, - And, leaving me, will sail to Italy! - Once didst thou go, and he came back again: - Now bring him back, and thou shalt be a queen, - And I will live a private life with him. - - _Anna._ Wicked Æneas! - - _Dido._ Call him not wicked, sister: speak him fair, 200 - And look upon him with a mermaid's eye; - Tell him, I never vow'd at Aulis' gulf - The desolation of his native Troy, - Nor sent a thousand ships unto the walls, - Nor ever violated faith to him; - Request him gently, Anna, to return: - I crave but this,--he stay a tide or two, - That I may learn to bear it patiently; - If he depart thus suddenly, I die. - Run, Anna, run; stay not to answer me. 210 - - _Anna._ I go, fair sister: heavens grant good success! [_Exit._ - - _Enter_ Nurse. - - _Nurse._ O Dido, your little son Ascanius - Is gone! he lay with me last night, - And in the morning he was stoln from me: - I think, some fairies have beguilèd me. - - _Dido._ O cursèd hag and false dissembling wretch, - That slay'st me with thy harsh and hellish tale! - Thou for some petty gift hast let him go, - And I am thus deluded of my boy.-- - Away with her to prison presently, 220 - - _Enter_ Attendants. - - Trait'ress too kenned[555] and cursèd sorceress! - - _Nurse._ I know not what you mean by treason, I; - I am as true as any one of yours. - - _Dido._ Away with her! suffer her not to speak. - [_Exit_ Nurse _with_ Attendants. - My sister comes: I like not her sad looks. - - _Re-enter_ ANNA. - - _Anna._ Before I came, Æneas was aboard, - And, spying me, hoist up the sails amain; - But I cried out, "Æneas, false Æneas, stay!" - Then gan he wag his hand, which, yet held up, - Made me suppose he would have heard me speak; 230 - Then gan they drive into the ocean: - Which when I view'd, I cried, "Æneas, stay! - Dido, fair Dido wills Æneas stay!" - Yet he, whose heart['s] of adamant or flint, - My tears nor plaints could mollify a whit. - Then carelessly I rent my hair for grief: - Which seen to all, though he beheld me not, - They gan to move him to redress my ruth, - And stay a while to hear what I could say; - But he, clapp'd under hatches, sail'd away. 240 - - _Dido._ O Anna, Anna, I will follow him! - - _Anna._ How can you go, when he hath all your fleet? - - _Dido._ I'll frame me wings of wax, like Icarus, - And, o'er his ships, will soar unto the sun, - That they may melt, and I fall in his arms; - Or else I'll make a prayer unto the waves, - That I may swim to him, like Triton's niece. - O Anna, [Anna,[556]] fetch Arion's[557] harp, - That I may tice a dolphin to the shore, - And ride upon his back unto my love! 250 - Look, sister, look! lovely Æneas' ships! - See, see, the billows heave him[558] up to heaven, - And now down falls the keels into the deep! - O sister, sister, take away the rocks! - They'll break his ships. O Proteus, Neptune, Jove, - Save, save, Æneas, Dido's liefest[559] love! - Now is he come on shore, safe without hurt: - But, see, Achates wills him put to sea, - And all the sailors merry-make for joy; - But he, remembering me, shrinks back again: 260 - See, where he comes! welcome, welcome, my love! - - _Anna._ Ah, sister, leave these idle fantasies! - Sweet sister, cease; remember who you are. - - _Dido._ Dido I am, unless I be deceiv'd: - And must I rave thus for a runagate? - Must I make ships for him to sail away? - Nothing can bear me to him but a ship, - And he hath all my[560] fleet.--What shall I do, - But die in fury of this oversight? - I; I must be the murderer of myself: 270 - No, but I am not; yet I will be straight.-- [_Aside._ - Anna, be glad; now have I found a mean - To rid me from these thoughts of lunacy: - Not far from hence - There is a woman famousèd for arts, - Daughter[561] unto the nymphs Hesperides, - Who will'd me sacrifice his ticing relics: - Go, Anna, bid my servants bring me fire. [_Exit_ ANNA. - - _Enter_ IARBAS. - - _Iar._ How long will Dido mourn a stranger's flight - That hath dishonoured her and Carthage both? 280 - How long shall I with grief consume my days, - And reap no guerdon for my truest love? - - _Enter_ Attendants _with wood and torches_. - - _Dido._ Iarbas, talk not of Æneas; let him go: - Lay to thy hands, and help me make a fire, - That shall consume all that this stranger left; - For I intend a private sacrifice, - To cure my mind, that melts for unkind love. - - _Iar._ But afterwards, will Dido grant me love? - - _Dido._ I, I, Iarbas; after this is done, - None in the world shall have my love but thou. 290 - [_They make a fire._ - So leave me now; let none approach this place. - [_Exeunt_ IARBAS _and_ Attendants. - Now, Dido, with these relics burn thyself, - And make Æneas famous through the world - For perjury and slaughter of a queen. - Here lie[562] the sword that in the darksome cave - He drew, and swore by, to be true to me: - Thou shall burn first; thy crime is worse than his. - Here lie the garment which I cloth'd him in - When first he came on shore; perish thou too. - These letters, lines, and perjur'd papers, all 300 - Shall burn to cinders in this precious flame. - And now, ye gods, that guide the starry frame, - And order all things at your high dispose, - Grant, though the traitors land in Italy, - They may be still tormented with unrest; - And from mine ashes let a conqueror rise, - That may revenge this treason to a queen - By ploughing up his countries with the sword! - Betwixt this land and that be never league; - _Litora_[563] _litoribus contraria, fluctibus undas 310 - Imprecor, arma armis; pugnent ipsique nepotes!_[564] - - Live, false Æneas; truest Dido dies; - _Sic,_[565] _sic iuvat ire sub umbras_. - [_Throws herself into the flames._ - - _Re-enter_ ANNA. - - _Anna._ O, help, Iarbas! Dido in these flames - Hath burnt herself! ay me, unhappy me! - - _Re-enter_ IARBAS, _running_. - - _Iar._ Cursèd Iarbas, die to expiate - The grief that tires[566] upon thine inward soul!-- - Dido, I come to thee.--Ay me, Æneas! [_Stabs himself and dies._ - - _Anna._ What can my tears or cries prevail[567] me now - Dido is dead! 320 - Iarbas slain, Iarbas my dear love! - O sweet Iarbas, Anna's sole delight! - What fatal destiny envies me thus, - To see my sweet Iarbas slay himself? - But Anna now shall honour thee in death, - And mix her blood with thine; this shall I do, - That gods and men may pity this my death, - And rue our ends, senseless of life or breath: - Now, sweet Iarbas, stay! I come to thee. - [_Stabs herself, and dies._ - - =END OF VOL II.= - - - - - FOOTNOTES FOR: "THE JEW OF MALTA" - -[1] Heywood dedicated to Thomas Hammon the _Second Part_ of the _Fair -Maid of the West_ (1631), and the _First Part_ of _The Iron Age_ (1632). - -[2] "Marlo." Marginal note in the old copy. - -[3] "Allin." Marginal note in the old copy. In the (old) Shakespeare -Society's publications there is a memoir by J. P. Collier of the -celebrated actor, the founder of Dulwich College, Edward Alleyn. - -[4] "Perkins." Marginal note in the old copy. Richard Perkins was an -actor of great ability. At the end of the _White Devil_ Webster speaks -of the "well-approved industry of my friend Master Perkins," and adds -that "the worth of his action did crown both the beginning and end." He -took the part of Capt. Goodlack in Heywood's _Fair Maid of the West_, of -Sir John Belfare in Shirley's _Wedding_, of Hanno in Nabbes' _Hannibal -and Scipio_, and of Fitzwater in Davenport's _King John and Matilda_. -From Wright's _Historia Histrionica_ we learn that he died "some years -before the Restoration." - -[5] "A metaphor borrowed from the fencing-school, prizes being played -for certain degrees in the schools where the Art of Defence was -taught,--degrees, it appears, of Master, Provost, and Scholar."--Dyce's -_Shakespeare Glossary_. - -[6] A friend of Alleyn's backed him for a wager to excel George Peele in -acting any part that had been sustained by Knell or Bentley. See Dyce's -_Greene and Peele_ (ed. 1861, pp. 330, 331). In the _Introduction_ to -the _Knight of the Burning Pestle_ the Citizen says that his prentice -Ralph "should have played Jeronimo with a shoemaker for a wager." - -[7] The Duc de Guise, who organised the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. He -was assassinated in 1588. - -[8] This is Dyce's correction for "empire." - -[9] Old ed. "the Drancus." - -[10] As a word is required to complete the verse, I have followed -Cunningham in inserting "but." - -[11] All the editions give "Britain." For the sake of the metre I read -"Britainy"--a form found in _Edward II._, ii. 2, l. 42. - -[12] Old ed. "Samintes," for which the modern editors give "Samnites." -Between the "Samnites" and the "men of Uz" there can be no possible -connection. My emendation suits the context. We have Saba for Sabæa in -_Faustus_, xii. 25, &c. - -[13] Old ed. "silverbings." Dyce observes that the word "silverling" -occurs in _Isaiah_ (vii. 23):--"A thousand vines at a thousand -silverlings." - -[14] It was a common belief that a stuffed halcyon (_i.e._, kingfisher), -suspended by the bill, showed from what quarter the wind blew. -Shakespeare alludes to the superstition in _Lear_, ii. 2,-- - - "Renege, affirm, and turn their _halcyon beaks_ - With every gale and vary of their master." - -Sir Thomas Browne, who discusses the subject in _Vulgar Errors_ (iii. -10), says that "the eldest custom of hanging up these birds was founded -upon a tradition that they would renew their feathers every year as -though they were alive." - -[15] Pay the duty on them. - -[16] Old ed. "By" (which might perhaps be defended, as meaning -"good-bye." Cf. Shirley's _Constant Maid_, i. 1,--"_Buoy_, Close, -_buoy_, honest Close: we are blanks, blanks.") - -[17] A recognised form of "scrambled." Cf. _Henry V._ i. 1:-- - - "But that the _scambling_ and unquiet time - Did push it out of farther question." - -[18] The scene is shifted to the Exchange. - -[19] Old ed. "_Iew._ Doe so; Farewell, Zaareth," &c. Dyce is doubtless -right in considering that "doe so" is a stage direction (= _Exeunt -Merchants_), which has crept into the text. - -[20] A misquotation from Terence's _Andria_, iv. 1. 12, "Proximus sum -egomet mihi." - -[21] Scene: the Senate-house. - -[22] Old ed. "governours." - -[23] Old ed. "governours." - -[24] Convert. The word occurs in _As You Like It_, _King John_, &c. - -[25] Old ed. "governours." - -[26] In the 4to. this line is given to the Officer. - -[27] Probably we should read--"You, ne'er possessed," etc. - -[28] Dyce proposed "redress." - -[29] Portuguese gold coins. - -[30] Steevens (on _2 Henry IV._ ii. 4, l. 42) quotes several passages -where "sect" is used for "sex." - -[31] The passage is no doubt corrupt. Cunningham reads "unforeseen," and -explains the meaning to be "a steady consistent piece of acting is -better than having to put on the hypocrite at a moment's warning." - -[32] Old ed. "Enter three Fryars and two Nuns." - -[33] Old ed. "1 Nun." - -[34] Can this word be right? Qu. "cloisters"? - -[35] Old ed. "_Nun._" - -[36] _I.e._, sometime. - -[37] Dyce reads "forgive," perhaps rightly. - -[38] Here the old ed. gives "+" (to indicate the notch in the plank -under which the treasure was concealed). - -[39] I have added the second "go" for the sake of the metre. - -[40] Scene: before Barabas' house. - -[41] Collier notices that ll. 1, 2, are found (with slight variation) in -Guilpin's _Skialetheia_, 1598. Cf. Peele's _David and Bethsabe_:-- - - "Like as the fatal raven, that in his voice - Carries the dreadful summons of our death." - -[42] Cf. _Dido_, iii. 3:-- - - "Who would not undergo all kind of toil - To be well stored with such a _winter's tale_." - -The words "in my _wealth_" have little meaning; I suspect that we should -read "in my _youth_." - -[43] Cf. _Hamlet_, i. 1:-- - - "Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life - Extorted treasure in the womb of earth, - For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death, - Speak of it." - -[44] Old ed. "walke." - -[45] Old ed. "Birn para todos, my ganada no er." I have adopted Dyce's -reading. - -[46] Dyce thinks that Shakespeare recollected this passage when he -wrote:-- - - "But soft! what light through yonder window breaks? - It is the East and Juliet is the sun." - -[47] Cf. _Job_ xli. 18:--"By his neesings a light doth shine, and his -eyes are like the _eyelids of the morning_." So Sophocles in the -_Antigone_ speaks of the sun as ~hameras blepharon~. The reader -will remember the line in _Lycidas_:-- - - "Under the opening _eyelids of the morn_." - -[48] "Perhaps what is meant here is an exclamation on the beautiful -appearance of money, Hermoso parecer de los dinos, but it is -questionable whether this would be good Spanish."--_Collier._ Dyce gives -"Hermoso Placer." - -[49] Scene: the Senate-house. - -[50] _I.e._, did not lower our sails. Cf. _1 Tamburlaine_, i. 2, l. 193. - -[51] Old ed. "Spanish." - -[52] Old ed. "left and tooke." The correction was made by Dyce. - -[53] Established. - -[54] Cf. _King John_, i. 2:-- - - "And now instead of _bullets wrapt in fire_." - -[55] Scene: the market-place. - -[56] The modern editors give "Poor villains, such as," &c.; but the -reading of the 4to. is quite intelligible. - -[57] Cf. Shylock's "Still have I borne it with a patient shrug." - -[58] Dyce quotes from Barnabe Barnes' _Divils Charter_, 1607, "For I -must _have a saying to_ those bottels." - -[59] Pieces of silver. Cf. _Ant. and Cleo._:-- - - "Realms and islands were - As _plates_ dropt from his pocket." - -[60] Old ed. "_Itha._" - -[61] A cant word still in use. - -[62] Old ed. "_Ith._" - -[63] An allegorical character in the old moralities. Cf. _1 Henry IV._ -ii. 4:--"That reverend _vice_, that grey _iniquity_, that _vanity_ in -years." In the _Devil is an Ass_, "Lady Vanity" is coupled with -"Iniquity." - -[64] Old ed. "Mater." - -[65] Stop our conversation. - -[66] I have followed Dyce's suggestion in adding this word. - -[67] An important part in Barabas' get-up was his large nose. In William -Rowley's _Search for Money_, 1609, there is an allusion to the -"artificial Jew of Malta's nose." - -[68] In _Titus Andronicus_ Aaron gives a somewhat similar catalogue of -villainies. - -[69] Use. - -[70] Heartily. - -[71] The scene shifts to the front of Barabas' house. - -[72] Dyce's correction for the old copy's "vow to love him." - -[73] Affianced. "Accordailles, the betrothing or _making sure_ of a man -and woman together."--_Cotgrave._ - -[74] The word "he" was inserted by Cunningham for the sake of the metre. - -[75] A piece of money marked on one side with a cross. - -[76] Old ed. "thee." - -[77] Bellamira displays herself on a balcony. Cf. a stage-direction in -Brome's _Covent Garden Weeded_:--"Enter Dorcas above on a Bellconie. -Gabriel gazes at her. Dorcas is habited like a curtizan of Venice." - -[78] Scene: a street. - -[79] Old ed.-- - - "_Enter Lodow. reading._ - - "_Math._ What dares the villain," &c. The challenge was "feign'd - from Lodowick." - -[80] On the upper-stage, a raised platform. - -[81] Bold. - -[82] Here and elsewhere, for the sake of the metre, Dyce prints -"Lodovico." Perhaps he is right, for the name may have been contracted -into "Lod." or "Lodo." in the MS. from which the play was printed. - -[83] Dyce compares _3 Henry VI._ ii. 5:-- - - "_These arms of mine_ shall be thy winding sheet; - My heart, sweet boy, _shall be thy supulchre_." - -[84] Cf. _Two Gentlemen of Verona_, iii. 2:-- - - "Say that upon the altar of her beauty - You sacrifice your tears." - -[85] "Impartial" is occasionally used by old writers in the sense of -"unkindly." Cf. Prologue to Peele's _Arraignment of Paris_:-- - - "Th' _unpartial_ daughters of Necessity - Bin aiders in her suit." - -So in William Smith's _Chloris_(Sonnet 11):-- - - "No, it was not Nature's ornament - But wingèd love's _unpartial_ cruel wound." - -[86] Scene: a room in Barabas' house. - -[87] "Kept in expectation, having their hopes flattered."--_Dyce._ - -[88] Old ed. "Jaynes." - -[89] Dyce's correction: old ed. "sinne." - -[90] So the old ed. Cunningham boldly reads "Governor," which is -certainly the word we should have expected. - -[91] Dyce and the other editors give "When duck you?" I take "when" to -be an abrupt exclamation denoting impatience, in which sense the word is -often found (see Dyce's _Shakespeare Glossary_). - -[92] Scene: a room in Barabas' house. - -[93] _I.e._ portendeth. - -[94] Old ed. "life." - -[95] Old ed. "least." - -[96] A very old proverb; it is found in Chaucer's _Squieres Tale_, John -Heywood's _Proverbs, Comedy of Errors_, &c. - -[97] Old ed. "plot." - -[98] _I.e._ in abundance. Dyce compares Beaumont and Fletcher's _Knight -of the Burning Pestle_, ii. 2:-- "Here's money and gold _by th' eye_, my -boy." - -[99] Briefly. - -[100] The juice of ebony (variously written "hebon" or "hebenon") was -thought to be a strong poison. Cf. _Hamlet_, i. 5:-- - - "Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole - With juice of cursed _hebenon_ in a vial." - -[101] Scene: the Senate-house. - -[102] Old ed. "Bashaws." (I have kept the spelling "Basso" throughout.) - -[103] Scene: a room in the convent.--The stage direction in the 4to. is - - "_Enter two Friars and Abigail._" - -[104] Scene: a street. - -[105] _I.e._ compared to. - -[106] A vulgar Italian oath. (Old ed. "_Catho diabola._") - -[107] Old ed. "inmates." - -[108] Upper rooms; lofts. The word is still used in some parts of the -country. - -[109] Dyce reads "untold." - -[110] This line and the next are given to Ithamore in the old copy. - -[111] Ithamore. - -[112] The old form (preserved in "Covent Garden") of "convent." - -[113] Scene: a room in Barabas' house. In the 4to. this scene is a -continuation of the former. - -[114] Old ed. "save." Perhaps we should read:-- "What will you? save my -life!" - -[115] Scene: the front of Barabas' house. - -[116] I am tempted to arrange the verse thus:-- - - "O happy hour, - Wherein I shall convert an infidel, - And bring his gold into our treasury!" - -[117] Scene: a balcony of Bellamira's house. - -[118] The verse read by criminals to entitle them to "benefit of -clergy." The first words of the 51st Psalm were commonly chosen. - -[119] Sermon. Cf. _Richard III._ iii. 2:-- - - "I thank thee, good Sir John, with all my heart; - I am in debt for your last _exercise_." - -[120] _I.e._, a pair of mustachios. - -[121] The contemptuous expression "Turk of tenpence" is found in -Dekker's _Satiromastix_, &c. - -[122] In old ed. these words are printed as part of the text. I have -followed Dyce in printing them as a stage-direction. - -[123] So the old ed.--Dyce and Cunningham read "cunning;" but the -expression "running banquet" (akin to our "hasty meal") occurs in _Henry -VIII._ i. 4, l. 13. - -[124] So modern editors. Old ed. "steed." - -[125] Dyce observes that "realm" was often written "ream." Marlowe was -not much addicted to quibbling. - -[126] A musical term. - -[127] Scene: a room in Barabas' house. - -[128] "Tottered" and "tattered" are used indifferently by old writers. - -[129] Cf. a somewhat similar description of a ruffian in _Arden of -Feversham_:-- - - "A lean-faced writhen knave, - Hawk-nosed and very hollow-eyed, - With mighty furrows in his stormy brows; - Long hair down his shoulders curled; - His chin was bare, but on his upper lip - A mutchado which he _wound about his ear_." - -[130] A word formed from "catso." - -[131] Swindling. - -[132] Scene: the balcony of Bellamira's house. - -[133] Old ed. _Pil._ - -[134] The origin of this boisterous exclamation is uncertain. Gifford -suggested that it was corrupted from the Spanish _rio_, which is -figuratively used for "a large quantity of liquor." Dyce quotes from the -anonymous comedy, _Look about you_:-- - - "And _Ryvo_ will he cry and _Castile_ too." - -[135] A corrupt passage. "Snickle" is a North-country word for "noose." -Cunningham proposed "snickle _hard and fast_." - -[136] Old ed. "_incoomy._" The word "incony" (which is found in _Love's -Labour's Lost_, &c.) means "delicate, dainty." It has been doubtfully -derived from the North-country "canny" or "conny" (in the sense of -pretty), the prefix "in" having an intensive force. - -[137] Dyce quotes from Sir John Mandeville:--"And fast by is zit the -tree of Eldre that Judas henge him self upon for despeyt that he hadde -when he solde and betrayed our Lorde."--_Voiage and Travell_, &c., p. -112, ed. 1725. "That Judas hanged himself," says Sir Thomas Browne, -"much more that he perished thereby, we shall not raise a doubt. -Although Jansenius, discoursing the point, produceth the testimony of -Theophylact and Euthymius that he died not by the gallows but under a -cart-wheel; and Baronius also delivereth, this was the opinion of the -Greeks and derived as high as Papias one of the disciples of John. -Although, also, how hardly the expression of Matthew is reconcileable -unto that of Peter, and that he plainly hanged himself, with that, that -falling headlong he burst asunder in the midst--with many other the -learned Grotius plainly doth acknowledge."--_Vulgar Errors_, vii. 11. - -[138] Old ed. "masty." Dyce "nasty." - -[139] Old ed. "we." - -[140] Scene: the Senate-house. - -[141] We are to suppose that Barabas' body had been thrown "o'er the -walls," according to the Governor's order. The scene is now changed from -the Senate-house to the outside of the city. - -[142] A herb of powerful soporific qualities. Shakespeare couples it -with "poppy" in _Othello_:-- - - "Not poppy nor _mandragora_, - Nor all the powerful syrups of the world, - Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep - Which thou ow'dst yesterday." - -[143] Old ed. "truce." The correction is Collier's. Dyce reads "trench." - -[144] Scene: a square in the city. - -[145] Lower. - -[146] Old ed. "to kept." - -[147] The scene shifts to the Governor's house. - -[148] _I.e._ "intend'st." - -[149] Large cannons. - -[150] See vol. 1, p. 67, note 2. - -[151] Old ed.-- - - "And toward Calabria back'd by Sicily, - Two lofty Turrets that command the Towne. - _When_ Siracusian Dionisius reign'd; - I wonder how it could be conquer'd thus." - -The correction was made by the editor of 1826. - -[152] Scene: a street. - -[153] The stick that held the gunner's match. - -[154] Scene: the hall of the Governor's house. Barabas is in the -gallery. - -[155] Old ed. "Serv." - -[156] Old ed. "summe." - -[157] Dyce reads "ascend." - -[158] The stage-direction in old ed. is "A charge, the cable cut. A -caldron discovered." In Scene 4 the Governor had directed the Knights -and Del Bosco to issue out at the discharge of the culverin. - -[159] Cunningham's correction for the old eds. "fate." - -[160] Intended. - -[161] Old ed. "meditate." - -[162] Old ed. "call." - - - - - FOOTNOTES FOR: "EDWARD THE SECOND" - -[163] Scene: a street in London. - -[164] So 4tos.--Dyce gives "lie;" but "die" may perhaps be interpreted -as "swoon." - -[165] Cf. Day's _Parliament of Bees_:-- - - "Yet if you meet a tart antagonist, - Or discontented rugged satirist, - That slights your errant or his art that penned it, - Cry _Tanti!_" - -So in the Prologue to Day's _Isle of Gulls_:-- - - "Detraction he scorns, honours the best: - _Tanti_ for hate, thus low for all the rest." - -[166] So Dyce.--4tos. "fanne." - -[167] Mr. Tancock quotes from Pliny's _Natural History_:--"Hystrici -longiores aculei et cum intendit cutem missiles. Ora urgentium figit -canum et paulo longius jaculatur." - -[168] So the 4tos.--Dyce reads "sylvan." - -[169] The name of a rustic dance. - -[170] So the 4tos.--Dyce reads "shall." - -[171] The 4tos. read, "My lord, here comes the king and the nobles." -Dyce gives, "Here comes my lord the king and the nobles." Mr. Fleay -arranges the passage thus:-- - - "Here comes my lord - The king and th' nobles from the parliament. - I'll stand aside." - -[172] Equivalent to a dissyllable. - -[173] Cf. _3 Henry VI._ v. 6, "_aspiring_ blood of Lancaster." - -[174] I have kept the form found in ed. 1598, as a trisyllable is here -required. - -[175] Dyce's correction "leave" seems unnecessary. Warwick is speaking -ironically. - -[176] Dyce altered "Gaveston" to "Lancaster;" but the language is -ironical. - -[177] Fight, contend. The word is borrowed from the game of tennis. - -[178] Ed. 1598, "mourned _for_ Hercules." Eds. 1612, 1622, "mourned _for -of_ Hercules"--and so Dyce. - -[179] Rule. Cf. _1 Tamburlaine_, i. 1, l. 119. - -[180] Kennel, gutter. Cf._Jew of Malta_, v. 1, l. 91. - -[181] Dyce proposed to read "Prut prut!" others suppose that the bishop -is playing on the word "convey," which was a cant term for "steal." Cf. -_Richard II._ iv. 1, l. 113:-- - - "_Bol._ Go, some of you, convey him to the Tower. - _King._ O good! convey! conveyers are you all." - -[182] So eds. 1612, 1622.--Ed. 1598 omits "best." - -[183] Scene: Westminster. - -[184] Untimely. - -[185] Are angry at him. We have the word again later in the play-- - - "I know, my lord, many will _stomach_ me." - -[186] Old eds. "Weele." - -[187] It is not absolutely necessary to suppose that there is an -allusion to any particular forest. What the queen means is that she is -seeking solitude. - -[188] Scene: a street. - -[189] Scene: the New Temple (cf. ll. 74-5 of scene ii.). At the entrance -of the king we are to suppose a change of scene. - -[190] "Was the poet thinking of Ovid, 'Non bene conveniunt,' &c. Met. -ii. 846?"--_Dyce_. - -[191] Perhaps we should read "upon": but "traitor" may be pronounced as -a trisyllable by inserting a vowel sound before the first _r_. - -[192] Float. - -[193] So ed. 1612.--Ed. 1598 "lord." - -[194] So ed. 1598.--Ed. 1612 "are." - -[195] Loon, worthless fellow. - -[196] So ed. 1598.--Dyce prints "with," and neglects--contrary to his -custom--to record the reading of the earlier copies. - -[197] This line and the preceding occur with slight alteration in the -_Massacre of Paris_:-- - - "I'll fire his crazèd buildings and incense - The papal towers to kiss the holy [sic] earth." - -[198] 4tos. "may." - -[199] So the old copies.--Dyce reads "My _love_ drops down a tear." - -[200] Care. - -[201] "The entrance of Kent seems to have been marked here by -mistake."--_Dyce_. - -[202] 4tos. "Circes." - -[203] So ed. 1598.--Ed. 1612 "that." - -[204] So ed. 1598.--Dyce (who retains the verb "injury" in _1 -Tamburlaine_, I, i.) prints silently "injures." - -[205] Avail. - -[206] Regard, consideration, Cf. _Hamlet_-- - - "There's the _respect_ - That makes calamity of so long life." - -[207] Lower. - -[208] So ed. 1612.--ed. 1598 "soueraigne." - -[209] Affianced him. - -[210] Eds. 1598, 1612, "Hector." Ed. 1622 "The conquering _Hector did_ -for Hilas weepe." - -[211] Cf. _2 Henry VI._ i. 3:-- - - "She bears a _duke's revenue on her back_." - -[212] Worthless fellows. - -[213] So ed. 1598.--Later eds. "others." - -[214] Scene: a hall in Gloucester's mansion. - -[215] So ed. 1612.--Omitted in ed. 1598. - -[216] Scene: before Tynemouth Castle. - -[217] Reed refers to Pliny's _Nat. Hist_., ix. 19; but Pliny merely says -that the exocoetus would leap on to a rocky ledge in warm weather and -there bask in the sun. It is curious that Dyce, who was such an -enthusiast for Athenæus, did not refer his readers to the account of the -exocoetus quoted from Clearchus in _Deipnos._ viii. 5. According to -this authority the fish, when basking on the ledge, has to be constantly -on his guard against king-fishers and the like, and when he sees them -afar, flies leaping and gasping until he dives under the water. Perhaps -Marlowe had in his mind some embellished account that he had found in -Gesner or Bellonius. - -[218] So ed. 1612.--Omitted in ed. 1598. - -[219] Old eds. "_Edw._" (a misprint for "_Edm._"--the prefix in the -4tos. to Kent's speeches.) - -[220] Old eds. "gresses" (for "gesses.")--"Jesses" were the straps round -a hawk's legs, with rings (called "varvels,") to which the falconer's -leash was attached. - -[221] So ed. 1622.--Eds. 1598, 1612, "sure." - -[222] Old eds. read:-- - - "_Pem._ Here, here, king: convey hence Gaveston, - thaile murder him." - -I have followed Dyce in giving the line "Convey hence Gaveston, &c.," to -the king; but I do not agree with him in regarding "king" as a prefix -(for in the old copies "_Edw._" is always the prefix to the king's -speeches.) - -[223] The reader cannot fail to be reminded of Hotspur:-- - - "But I will find him when he lies asleep, - And in his ear I'll holla 'Mortimer!'" - -[224] The scene shifts to the interior of Tynemouth Castle. - -[225] So ed. 1612.--Ed. 1598 "would." - -[226] So ed. 1612.--Ed. 1598 "thy _treasure_ drie and made _the_ weake." - -[227] So modern editors.--Old eds. "hath." - -[228] Light-armed foot soldiers, poor and undisciplined.--Compare a -passage in the _Contention of York and Lancaster_:-- - - "The wild Onele, my lord, is up in arms, - With troops of Irish kernes that uncontroll'd - Doth plant themselves within the English pale." - -[229] Old eds. "made."--"Road,"="Inroad." - -[230] old eds. "Drave." - -[231] Cf. _3 Henry VI_. i. 1:--"Stern Faulconbridge _commands the narrow -seas_." - -[232] Against. - -[233] Jeering. - -[234] This jig (ballad) is taken with slight alteration from Fabyan's -"Chronicle," ii. 169 (ed. 1559).--"The battle of Bannockburn," says Mr. -Fleay, "was fought in 1314, yet is here alluded to in a scene which is -made up from narratives of events which occurred between 1309 and 1311. -This is a striking instance of Marlowe's carelessness in such matters." - -[235] "Common burdens to songs; see Skelton's _Works_, ii. 110, ed. -Dyce."--_Dyce._ - -[236] "Ralph de Wigmore, who came into England with the Conqueror, -obtained the Castle of Wigmore, Co. Hereford, and the Roger Mortimer of -this play was summoned to Parliament as 'de Wigmore.'"--_Cunningham._ - -[237] Old eds. "him." - -[238] Scene: the neighbourhood of Tynemouth. - -[239] Surmise. - -[240] Tattered. - -[241] "In all Latin deeds the Mortimers are called 'de Mortuo mari.'" -_Cunningham._ - -[242] Scene: the interior of Tynemouth Castle. - -[243] Delay. The word occurs in _3 Henry VI._ ii. 3, l. 56; _Arden of -Feversham, &c._ - -[244] Old eds. "this." - -[245] So ed. 1622.--Eds. 1598, 1612, "_and_ therefore." - -[246] "There is such uncertainty about the location of this scene that I -can only mark it--an open country."--_Dyce._ - -[247] The Italian form of "maugre." - -[248] So ed. 1612.--Ed. 1598 "these." - -[249] A line, as Dyce remarks, in which Warwick says that Gaveston shall -be _beheaded_, has dropped out. - -[250] The passage is corrupt: I have followed the reading of the old -eds. Dyce gives-- - - "Will _now_ these _short_ delays beget my hopes?" - -[251] "When? can you tell?"--a sort of proverbial expression. See Dyce's -_Shakespeare Glossary_. - -[252] So Dyce.--Ed. 1598 omits "his." Eds. 1612, 1622, read:-- "He that -_hath_ the care of Realme-remits." ("Care" must be pronounced as a -dissyllable.) - -[253] Cunningham reads "sees." - -[254] Old eds. "It is." - -[255] "The exclamation of those who repent what they have rashly -done."--_Dyce._ - -[256] Here and throughout iii. II, the 4tos give "Mat" and "Matreuis" -for "Arundel." The mistake arose, as Dyce pointed out, by the parts of -Arundel and Matrevis having been taken by the same actor. - -[257] Scene: the open country (near Warwick?). - -[258] The meaning is surely "ghost, spirit," not, as Mr. Fleay -interprets, "representative, plenipotentiary." - -[259] Scene: neighbourhood of Borrowbridge. - -[260] Braggard challenges. - -[261] Fr. haut. - -[262] Old eds "the." - -[263] So ed. 1612.--Ed. 1598 "come." - -[264] Cunningham and Mr. Fleay silently print "more." - -[265] Ed. 1598 "heres is."--Ed. 1612, 1622, "heres." - -[266] So ed. 1622.--Eds. 1598, 1612, "roote." - -[267] So ed. 1612.--Ed. 1598 "leave." - -[268] Schemes. - -[269] So ed. 1612.--Ed. 1589 "It is." - -[270] Rule. - -[271] Old eds. "leuied." - -[272] Old eds. "claps close." - -[273] Scene: London, near the Tower. - -[274] Scene: Paris. - -[275] So eds. 1598, 1622.--Ed. 1612 "goe." - -[276] Mr. Fleay reads "please," supposing that the letters _th_ are -repeated from the next word. - -[277] Dyce's correction "on" seems to be quite unnecessary. - -[278] Dyce needlessly reads "part." - -[279] Equipped to meet our foes. - -[280] Earned. - -[281] An allusion to the game of _Prisoner's Base_. To "bid a base" is -for a player to run into the centre and challenge one of the opposite -party to pursue. - -[282] Scene: the royal palace, London. - -[283] Old eds. "_Matr._" and "_Matreuis._"--The elder Spencer is a _muta -persona_. Mr. Fleay, who ousts him altogether from this scene, observes -"There is no hint of Old Spencer being on the stage after the third -act,"--strangely forgetting that he is introduced in the fifth scene of -the present act. - -[284] Old eds. "_Matr._" - -[285] So ed. 1598.--Eds. 1612, 1622, "not long ago." - -[286] Old eds. "Isabell." - -[287] Cf. _Romeo and Juliet_, iii. 2:--"Gallop apace you fiery-footed -steeds," &c. - -[288] Scene: the neighbourhood of Harwich. - -[289] Kennel. - -[290] Scene: the neighbourhood of Bristol. - -[291] So ed. 1622.--Eds. 1598, 1612, "successfulls." - -[292] As in l. 21 Kent determined to "dissemble," I have not changed the -prefix of the old eds. Dyce gives the words to _Y. Mor._ Mr. Fleay -prints-- - - "_Kent._ This, Edward, is the ruin, &c. - [_To the Prince._" - -[293] Scene: the Abbey of Neath, Glamorganshire. - -[294] So ed. 1598.--Omitted in ed. 1612. (Ed. 1622 "thy.") - -[295] So eds. 1598, 1612.--Ed. 1622 "_with_ sore" (and so Dyce.) - -[296] So eds. 1612, 1622.--Ed. 1598 "open." - -[297] Seneca _Thyestes_, 613. - -[298] Old form of "yearns." - -[299] So old eds. The repetition of "and these" in the next line is -certainly suspicious. Dyce proposed - - "For friends hath _hapless_ Edward none but these, - And these must die," &c. - -Mr. Fleay's suggestion that "these and these" are "the 'hags' and -'Spencer and Baldock,'" seems very questionable. - -[300] Mr. Fleay prints this speech as verse: - - "Come, come, keep these preachments till you come - To th' place appointed. You, and such as you are, - Have made wise work in England; will you away." - -The lines hobble badly. - -[301] Scene: Kenilworth Castle. - -[302] Dittany. Cf. Virgil _Aen._ xii. 411-15:-- - - "Hic Venus, indigno nati concussa dolore, - _Dictamnum_ genitrix Cretaea carpit ab Ida, - Puberibus caulem foliis et flore comantum - Purpureo: _non illa feris incognita capris - Gramina cum tergo volucres hausere sagittæ_." - -Elizabethan poets are fond of alluding to the virtues of this herb. Cf. -(one of many instances) Peele's _Arraignment of Paris_, iii. 1:-- - - "And whither wends yon thriveless swain? like to the stricken deer, - Seeks he _dictamnum_ for his wound within our forest here." - -[303] Rule. - -[304] An allusion (as Steevens observed) to Creusa's crown in Euripides' -_Medea_. - -[305] Old eds. "vines." - -[306] Ed. 1622 "survive" (and so Dyce). - -[307] So eds. 1612, 1622.--Omitted in ed. 1598. - -[308] Ed. 1612 "_not_ whilst I live." - -[309] In old eds. after this line the entrance of Berkeley is marked. I -have followed Dyce in giving the words "My lord" to Winchester, and in -placing Berkeley's entrance after line 127. - -[310] Eds. 1612, 1622, "and." - -[311] Scene: the royal palace, London. - -[312] An allusion to the Greek proverb, - ~ton lykon tôn ôtôn echô~. - -[313] So eds. 1612, 1622.--Ed. 1598 "as." - -[314] So eds. 1612, 1622.--Ed. 1598 "will." - -[315] The entrance and exit of Winchester are not marked in the old eds. -I have followed Dyce. - -[316] Dyce proposed to omit the word "letter." - -[317] Mr. Fleay reads:-- - - "And where he lieth none but we shall know." - -[318] Ed. 1598 "it."--Eds. 1612, 1622, "it is." - -[319] Scene: precincts of Kenilworth Castle. - -[320] Aura vitæ. - -[321] Edward II. was only forty-three when he was murdered. Stow often -speaks of Edward II. as the "old king." Malone on _Richard II._ i. 1 -("Old John of Gaunt, time-honoured Lancaster"), remarks:--"Our -ancestors, in their estimate of old age, appear to have reckoned -somewhat differently from us, and to have considered men as old whom we -should esteem middle-aged. With them every man that had passed fifty -seems to have been accounted an old man.... I believe this is made to -arise from its being customary to enter into life in former times at an -earlier period than we do now. Those who were married at fifteen had at -fifty been masters of a house and family for thirty-five years." - -[322] Scene: the Royal Palace, London. - -[323] So ed. 1598.--Eds. 1612, 1622, "down." - -[324] Ovid _Metam._ vi. 195. - -[325] The scene shifts to Westminster. - -[326] Old eds. "Bishop." - -[327] Scene: Berkeley Castle. - -[328] _I.e._, the dungeon full of mire and puddle. But perhaps we should -read "lock." - -[329] A curtain is drawn and the king is discovered in the dungeon. - -[330] Business. - -[331] So eds. 1598, 1612.--Ed. 1622 "tottered." - -[332] The feather-bed mentioned in l. 32. "It was no doubt thrust upon -the stage from the wing after the exit of Gurney and Matrevis."--_Dyce._ - -[333] Old eds. "That _and_ even." - -[334] Mr. Fleay would read "fau't" (_i.e._ fault), comparing _Richard -III._ ii. 1, 104:--"His _fault_ was thought." - -[335] So ed. 1598.--Omitted in eds. 1612, 1622. - -[336] So eds. 1598, 1612, ("eies-lids").--Ed. 1622 "eye lids." - -[337] Eds. 1598, 1612, "O let me not die, yet stay, O stay a while." Ed. -1622 "O let me not die yet! O stay a while" (and so Dyce). Mr. Fleay -prints:-- - - "Oh! - Let me not die yet; stay, oh stay a while." - -[338] Scene: the royal palace, London. - -[339] So ed. 1598.--Omitted in eds. 1612, 1622. - -[340] The old eds. repeat "I." - -[341] The prefix in the old eds. is "_Lords._" - -[342] So ed. 1598.--Eds. 1612, 1622, "_How now_, my Lord?" (which is -perhaps the right reading). - -[343] Old eds. "_Lords._" - -[344] Omitted in eds. 1612, 1622. - -[345] Old eds. "_Lords._" - -[346] So ed. 1598.--Eds. 1612, 1622, "the." - -[347] Old eds. "_Lords._" - - - - - FOOTNOTES FOR: "THE MASSACRE AT PARIS" - -[348] In the old copy there is no division into scenes. Scene: an -apartment in the Louvre. - -[349] Untimely. - -[350] Scene: an apartment in a house near the Louvre. - -[351] "About noone, when he [the Admiral] was in returning home from the -Counsell, with a greate companie of noblemen and gentlemen, beholde a -harquebuzier out of a window of a house neere adjoyning shot the Admiral -with two bullets of lead through both the arms.... The name of him that -shot was very diligently kept secret. Some, saye it was Manrevet, which -in the third Civill War traitorously slew his Captaine, Monsieur de -Mony, a most valiant and noble gentleman, and straightway fled into the -enemie's campe. Some say it was Bondot, one of the archers of the king's -guard."--_The Three Partes of Commentaries containing the whole and -perfect discourse of the Civill Wars of France, &c._ 1574 (Book x.). - -[352] Crowns. - -[353] This word occurs in _3 Henry VI._, v. 1, and _Titus Andronicus_, -v. 3; also in Shakespeare's _Sonnets_ and _Rape of Lucrece_. - -[354] Dwell. (In this sense the word "keep" is still used at Cambridge.) - -[355] Old ed. "Nauarre, Nauarre." - -[356] So old ed.--Dyce reads, "That those which do behold them." - -[357] Scene: a street. - -[358] Cunningham arranges ll. 34-5 thus: - - "We are betrayed! come, my lords, and let us - Go tell the king of this." - -[359] Scene: an apartment in the Louvre. - -[360] So Dyce.--Old ed. "suspected." - -[361] Beset. - -[362] Old ed. "humble." - -[363] Not marked in old ed. - -[364] Old ed. "Enter the Admirall in his bed," a stage-direction meaning -that a bed containing the Admiral should be thrust upon the stage. Cf. a -stage-direction in Heywood's _Golden Age_;--"_Enter the foure old -Beldams, drawing out Danae's bed, she in it._" - -[365] Dyce reads "his." - -[366] Scene: a street. - -[367] Commencement. Dyce quotes from Heywood's _Four Prentises of -London_:-- - - "Take them to guard: this _entrance_ to our warres - Is full of spirit, and begets much hope." - -[368] From the upper stage. - -[369] "Then a certain Italian of Gonzague's band cut off the Admiral's -head, and sent it, preserved with spices, to Rome to the Pope and the -Cardinal of Lorraine. Others cut off his hands."--_Three Parts of -Commentaries_, &c., Book x. p. 14. - -[370] "So the old ed.; and so indeed our early authors usually wrote the -name: - - 'O, may they once as high as Haman mount, - And from _Mount Faulcon_ give a sad account,' &c. - -Sylvester's _Du Bartas's._"--_Dyce._ - -[371] Scene: a street. - -[372] Scene: the entrance to Seroune's house. - -[373] Old ed. "Sancta." - -[374] Old ed. "he was." - -[375] Old ed. "Rene." - -[376] Old ed. "scoftes." - -[377] Old ed. "actions." - -[378] I have adopted Mitford's emendation. The reading of the old ed. is -"Argumentum testimonis est in arte fetialis." - -[379] Old ed. "Shekins." - -[380] Grounds of proof,--in the scholastic sense of ~topoi~, or -loci. "Itaque licet definire, _locum esse argumenti sedem_."--Cicero, -_Top._ ii. 3. - -[381] Old ed. "thorbonest." - -[382] " ... tandemque P. Ramum diu quaesitum vicariorum coryphaeus unus -offendit, eique veniam frustra deprecanti vulnus in brachio infligit, et -plurimis aliis ictibus postea confoditur.... E fenestra spiritum trahens -praecipitatur in aream, pedibusque fune devinctis per urbis sordes -devolvitur et capite a chirurgo quodam truncato cadaver in ... Sequanam -flumen misere projicitur."--Theophilus Banosius' _Vita Rami_, prefixed -to _Commentarii de Religione Christiana_ (Francofurti, 1577). - -[383] "'Carbonarius pater probri loco illi [sc. Ramo] objectus est.' -_Rami Vita per Freigium_."--_Dyce._ - -[384] Old ed. "Rene." - -[385] The scene shifts to the King of Navarre's quarters in the Louvre. - -[386] The young Prince of Condé, cousin to the King of Navarre. - -[387] The stage-direction in old ed. is "Enter Guise." - -[388] Scene: a room in the Louvre. - -[389] Scene: near Paris. - -[390] Old ed. "_by_ the." - -[391] Scene: a wood near Paris. - -[392] Scene: a room in the Castle of Vincennes. - -[393] Du-Plessis Mornay. - -[394] Old ed. "there," which Dyce silently retains. The correction was -made by Cunningham, who explains the passage thus:--"There are persons -(you yourself and my Protestant subjects, for instance) from whom I have -deserved a scourge, but their feelings would never lead them to poison -their king; God grant that my dearest relations may prove to have been -no worse than those who ought to be my enemies," &c.--"Scourge" must -surely be the scourge of God. Navarre had said, "God will sure restore -you:" to which the king answers, "I have deserved a scourge" from God. -Before l. 10 a line or more referring to the massacre of the Protestants -must have dropped out. - -[395] Old ed. "Nauarre." - -[396] Old ed. "seeme." - -[397] Pampeluna. - -[398] Scene: a hall in the Louvre. - -[399] I should prefer to read:-- - - "Then may it please - Your majesty to give me leave to punish - Those that do [dare] profane this holy feast." - -[400] Old ed. "as." - -[401] Old ed. "lords." - -[402] Scene: a room in the Duke of Guise's house. - -[403] "The gallant of the Duchess was not Mugeroun (Maugiron), but -Saint-Mégrin, another of the King's 'Mignons.' See Anquetil.--_Hist. de -France_, t. v. 345, ed. 1817."-- _Dyce._ - -[404] Old ed. "wert." - -[405] "I must leave the location of this scene to the reader. I should -have marked it--La Rochelle, but that the Messenger presently informs -the King that 'a mighty army comes _from France_.'"--_Dyce._ - -[406] Hinder. - -[407] Scene: an apartment in the Louvre. - -[408] Old ed. "mor du." - -[409] Old ed. "make." - -[410] Scene: near Coutras. - -[411] Scene: outside the Louvre.--In his _Hist. of Eng. Dram. Poetry_, -iii. 134 (old ed.), Collier printed a portion (given below) of this -scene from a fragment of a MS. copy. It will be seen that the printed -text was much mutilated. - - "_Enter a Souldier with a muskett._ - - _Souldier._ Now, sir, to you that dares make a duke a cuckolde, and use -a counterfeyt key to his privye chamber: though you take out none but -your owne treasure, yett you put in that displeases him, and fill up his -rome that he shold occupye. Herein, sir, you forestalle the markett, and -sett up your standinge where you shold not. But you will saye you leave -him rome enoghe besides: that's no answere; he's to have the choyce of -his owne freeland; yf it be not too free, there's the questione. Nowe, -for where he is your landlorde, you take upon you to be his, and will -needs enter by defaulte: what though you were once in possession, yett -comminge upon you once unawares, he frayde you out againe; therefore -your entrye is mere intrusione: this is against the law, sir: and though -I come not to keepe possessione (as I wolde I might!), yet I come to -keepe you out, sir. - - _Enter_ MINION. - -You are wellcome, sir: have at you! [_He kills him._ - - _Minion._ Trayterouse Guise, ah, thou hast morthered me! - - _Enter_ GUISE. - - _Guise._ Hold the[e], tall soldier! take the[e] this, and flye. - [Exit Soldier_. -Thus fall, imperfett exhalatione, Which our great sonn of -France cold not effecte; A fyery meteor in the fermament: Lye there, the -kinge's delyght and Guise's scorne! Revenge it, Henry, yf thou list or -darst: I did it onely in dispight of thee. Fondlie hast thou incenste -the Guise's sowle, That of it selfe was hote enough to worke Thy just -degestione with extreamest shame. The armye I have gatherd now shall -ayme, More at thie end then exterpatione; And when thou thinkst I have -forgotten this, And that thou most reposest in my faythe, Than will I -wake thee from thy folishe dreame, And lett thee see thie selfe my -prysoner. - [_Exeunt._" - -[412] "Mugeroun (Maugiron) fell in a duel: Anquetil, _Hist. de France_, -t. v. 344, ed. 1817: but Saint-Mégrin, the gallant of the Duchess of -Guise, _was_ assassinated. 'Ils dressèrentu ne embuscade à la porte du -Louvre. Comme Saint-Mégrin, en sortoit la nuit, des assassins apostés se -jetèrent sur lui, et l'étendirent sur le pavé, percé de trente-cinq -coups. Il vécut cependant jusqu au lendemain.' Anquetil, _Ibid._ p. -347."--_Dyce._ - -[413] Pension, maintenance. - -[414] Collier's correction for the old copy's "sexious." - -[415] Quit, free. - -[416] It cannot be determined where this scene takes place. - -[417] Dyce reads "'A takes" (_i.e._ "He takes"); but the omission of a -personal pronoun, where the sense is plain, occurs not unfrequently. - -[418] Scene: a room in the royal palace at Blois. - -[419] Cf. _2 Tamburlaine_ iv. 3:--"Mounted his shining chariot" (for -"mounted _in_"). - -[420] Dyce conjectures that Guise must have seen himself in a mirror as -he uttered these words. - -[421] Set. - -[422] Order. - -[423] Scene: the interior of a prison at Blois. - -[424] Scene: a room in Dumaine's house, at Paris. - -[425] Old ed. "_His life_ and all," &c. - -[426] Scene: Saint-Cloud. - -[427] Old ed. "Lucrecia walles." - -[428] Old ed. "Jacobus." - -[429] Old ed. "their." - -[430] Dyce's correction for "_incense_ ... to kiss the _holy_ earth." He -compares _Edward II._ (I. 4, ll. 100, 101):-- - - "I'll fire thy crazed buildings, and _enforce_ - The papal towers to kiss the _lowly_ ground." - -[431] The bracketed words were inserted by Dyce. - -[432] Dyce's correction for the old copy's "for." - - - - - FOOTNOTES FOR: "THE TRAGEDY OF DIDO, QUEEN OF CARTHAGE" - -[433] Old ed. "aire." - -[434] "This expression is well illustrated by Titian's[?] picture (in -the National Gallery) of the rape of Ganymede.--In Shakespeare's _Love's -Labour's Lost_, act v. sc. 2, we have,-- - - 'A lady _wall'd-about_ with diamonds!'"--_Dyce._ - -[435] This speech is undoubtedly by Marlow, but it is curious that -Nashe, in _Summer's Last Will and Testament_ speaks of the amusement -caused among the gods by the sight of Vulcan's dancing:--"To make the -gods merry the celestial clown Vulcan tuned his polt foot to the -measures of Apollo's lute, and danced a limping galliard in Jove's -starry hall." (Hazlitt's _Dodsley_, viii. 91). In both passages there is -perhaps an allusion to the lines in the first book of the _Iliad_ -(599-600), describing how "unquenchable laughter rose among the blessed -gods when they saw Hephæstus limping through the hall." - -[436] Surprised. - -[437] The stars were the children of Astræus and Eos. See Hesiod, -_Theogony_, ll. 381-2. - -[438] These rhyming lines are suggestive of Nashe. - -[439] "Parce metu, Cytherea; manént immota tuorum - Fata tibi." Virg. _Æn._ i. 257-8. - -[440] "Hic jam ter centumt totos regnabitur annos - Gente sub Hectorea." Virg. _Æn._ i. 272-3. - -[441] "Donec regina sacerdos - Marte gravis geminam partu dabit Ilia prolem." - irg. _Æn._ i. 273. - -[442] Probably a misspelling of "eternise." - -[443] Business. - -[444] The scene shifts to a wood near the sea-shore. - -[445] Old ed. "Cimodoæ."--Cf. Virgil, _Æn._ i. 144. - -[446] Old ed. "thee." - -[447] "Vos et Scyllaeam rabiem penitusque sonantes - Accestis scopulos, vos et Cyclopia saxa - Experti: revocate animos, maestumque timorem Mittite." - --Virgil, _Æn._ i. 200-203. - -[448] Old ed. "cunning." - -[449] Cf. _Titus Andronicus_, iii. 2 (a great part of which I attribute -to Marlowe):-- - - "Thou _map of woe_ that thus dost talk in signs" (l. 12). - -[450] Old ed. "aire." - -[451] From this point to the end of the scene Marlowe follows Virgil -very closely.--Cf. Æn. i. 321-410. - -[452] Old ed. "Turen." - -[453] Greene (in _Orlando Furioso_) uses the same form:-- - - "Thou see'st that Mador and Angelica - Are still so secret in their private walks, - As that they trace the shady _lawnds._" - -[454] "Quid natum totiens, crudelis tu quoque, falsis - Ludis imaginibus." - Virg. _Æn_. i. 407-8. - -[455] Scene: Carthage. - -[456] Old ed. "Cloanthes." - -[457] For what follows cf. Virg. _Æn._ i. 524-78. - -[458] The expression "buckle with" occurs twice in _1 Henry VI._, and -once in _3 Henry VI._: nowhere in Shakespeare's undoubted plays. - -[459] Old ed. "Vausis." - -[460] Dyce proposes "all" for "shall." Retaining "shall" the sense is -"we would hope to reunite your kindness in such a way as shall," &c. - -[461] Scene: Juno's temple at Carthage. - -[462] Virgil represents the tale of Troy depicted on a fresco in Juno's -temple. - -[463] Perhaps a misprint for "tears." - -[464] Æneas is not shrouded in a cloud, as the reader (remembering -Virgil) might at first suppose. Ilioneus fails to recognise Æneas in his -mean apparel. - -[465] Old ed. "meanes." - -[466] We must suppose that the scene changes to Dido's palace. - -[467] Old ed. "viewd." - -[468] "An odd mistake on the part of the poet; similar to that which is -attributed to the Duke of Newcastle in Smollet's _Humphry Clinker_ (vol. -i. 236, ed. 1783), where his grace is made to talk about 'thirty -thousand French _marching_ from Acadia to Cape Breton.' (The following -passage of Sir J. Harington's _Orlando Furioso_ will hardly be thought -sufficient to vindicate our author from the imputation of a blunder in -geography: - - 'Now had they lost the sight of Holland shore, - And _marcht_ with gentle gale in comely ranke,' &c. - B. x. st. 16.)"--_Dyce_. - -The passage of Harington seems to amply vindicate Marlowe. - -[469] This epithet alone would show that the passage is Marlowe's.--Cf. -_Edward II._ v. i. l. 44, - - "Heaven turn it to a blaze of _quenchless fire_!" - -[470] We have had the expression "ring of pikes" in _2 Tamburlaine_, -iii. 2. l. 99. - -[471] Mr. Symonds has an excellent criticism on this passage in -_Shakespeare's Predecessors_, 664-5. He contrasts Virgil's reserve with -Marlowe's exaggeration; and remarks that "even Shakespeare, had he dealt -with Hector's as he did with Hamlet's father's ghost, would have sought -to intensify the terror of the apparition at the expense of artistic -beauty." - -[472] Armour. - -[473] Old ed. "wound." The emendation was suggested by Collier. -Shakespeare certainly glanced at this passage when he wrote:-- - - "Unequal match'd - Pyrrhus and Priam drives, in rage strikes wide; - But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword - The unnerved father falls." - -Very slight heightening was required to give a burlesque turn to this -speech of Æneas. - -[474] Old ed. "Fawne." - -[475] Old ed. "And after by that." - -[476] Cease speaking. - -[477] We must suppose that Venus had borne the sleeping Ascanius to -Cyprus.--Cf. Virg. _Æn_. i. 680-1:-- - - "Hunc ego sopitum somno super alta Cythera - Aut super Idalium sacrata sede recondam." - -[478] Sentinels. The form "centronel" (or "sentronel") occurs in the -_Tryal of Chevalry_ (1605), i. 3:--"Lieutenant, discharge Nod, and let -Cricket stand Sentronell till I come." - -[479] Old ed. "Citheida's." - -[480] Grandson (Lat. _nepos_). - -[481] Scene: a room in Dido's palace. - -[482] The same form of expression occurs in the _Jew of Malta_, iii. ll. -32, 33:-- - - "Upon which _altar I will offer up_ - My daily sacrifice of sighs and tears." - -[483] "_I.e._ (I suppose) twisted."--_Dyce_. - -[484] "The blank verse, falling in couplets, seems to cry aloud for -rhymes."--_Symonds_. - -[485] Ballast. - -[486] I have adopted Dyce's emendation. The old ed. gives "meanly." -(Collier suggested "newly.") - -[487] Dyce gives this line to Sergestus, arguing that the prefix _Æn._ -is "proved to be wrong by the next speech of Dido." But we may suppose -that Dido is there calling Æneas' attention to another set of pictures -on the opposite side of the stage. - -[488] Old ed. "Olympus." - -[489] Old ed. "how." - -[490] Old ed. "speak" (repeated from the line above). - -[491] Scene: a grove. - -[492] "Heir of Fury" is certainly a strange expression, but I dare not -adopt Cunningham's emendation, "heir of Troy." - -[493] Old ed. "face." - -[494] Old ed. "left out." - -[495] Old ed. "made."--The correction is _Dyce's_. - -[496] See vol. i. p. 35, note 4. - -[497] Ready. - -[498] A Virgilian passage. Cf. _Æn._ i. 26-8:-- - - "Manet alta mente repostum - Judicium, Paridis, spretæque injuria formæ, - Et genus invisum, et rapti Ganimedis honores." - -[499] Irresistible. - -[500] Old ed. "change." - -[501] Love. - -[502] Old ed. "these." - -[503] Scene: a wood near Carthage. - -[504] Old ed. "shrowdes." - -[505] A deer or other animal was said to "take _soil_" when it fled from -its pursuers to the water. Dyce quotes from Cotgrave:--"_Souil de -sanglier_. The soile of a wild Boare; the slough or mire wherein he hath -wallowed." - -[506] Far-fetched. There was a common proverb "_far-fet_ and dear-bought -is good for ladies."--Old ed. "_far fet to_ the sea." - -[507] Old ed. "for." - -[508] The father of Anchises. - -[509] Old ed. "descend" (which Dyce and Cunningham strangely retain). - -[510] Scene: before the cave. - -[511] The line is unrhythmical and corrupt. Qy. "That can _call forth -the winds_"? - -[512] Old ed. "Tiphous." - -[513] Still, hushed. - -[514] Old ed. "eares." - -[515] Scene: a room in Iarbas' house. - -[516] The epithet "gloomy," here and in l. _2_, contrasts oddly with -"_Father of gladness and all frolic thoughts_." - -[517] Elissa (Dido). - -[518] Scene: a room in Dido's palace. - -[519] Old ed. "the." - -[520] Cf. Faustus, scene xiv.--"And burnt the _topless_ towers of -Ilium." - -[521] Old ed. "beames,"--a mistake, as Dyce observed, for "reames" (a -common form of "realms)." - -[522] Old ed. "my." - -[523] "Coll" = cling round the neck. - -[524] Scene: a room in Dido's palace. - -[525] Old ed. "Circes." - -[526] It is related in the fifth book of the Iliad how Aphrodite -shrouded Æneas in a cloud when he was hard-pressed by Diomed.--Old ed. -"fleest." - -[527] Old ed. "Heavens." - -[528] Desire, order. - -[529] Old ed. "loues." - -[530] Cf. _Faustus_.-- - - "Sweet Helen, make me _immortal with a kiss_." - -[531] Intrigued. - -[532] Old ed. "he." - -[533] Float. - -[534] Lat. _lympha_ is the same word as _Nympha_. - -[535] Scene: the open country near Carthage. - -[536] The reader will be reminded of Juliet's Nurse. - -[537] Wencher. - -[538] Scene; a room in Dido's palace. - -[539] Plan. - -[540] Old ed. "honeys spoyles." - -[541] Old ed. "her." In the _Athenæum_ for 10th May 1884, Dr. Karl Elze -makes the plausible emendation, "And _scent_ our pleasant suburbs with -_perfumes_." - -[542] Rudder. Cf. 1 _Henry VI._ i. 1:-- - - "The king from Eltham I intend to send, - And sit at chiefest _stern_ of public weal." - -[543] At l. 50 the stage-direction was "Exit _Sergestus_ with Ascanius." - -[544] Plan. - -[545] Requite. - -[546] A word which it is not easy to supply has been omitted. Dyce's -"farewell [none]" and Cunninghan's "Let me go _is_ farewell" are equally -unsatisfactory. - -[547] Old ed. "chaunged." - -[548] Old ed. "my" - -[549] Cf. 1 _Tamburlaine_, v. 1. l. 21. - -[550] Virgil, _Æn._ iv. 317. - -[551] Old ed. "ad hæc." - -[552] Virgil, _Æn_. iv. 360. - -[553] Cf. Virgil, _Æn_. iv. 365-7:-- - - "Nec tibi diva parens, generis nec Dardanus auctor, - Perfide; sed duris genuit te cautibus horrens - Caucasus, Hycanæque admorunt ubera tigres." - -[554] Old ed. "abdurate." - -[555] Old ed. "keend." If "kenned" is the right reading, we must suppose -the meaning to be "too clearly perceived." - -[556] I have repeated "Anna" for the sake of the metre. Cf. l. 241. - -[557] Old ed. "Orions." - -[558] Dyce's correction "'em" seems unnecessary. - -[559] Dearest. Cf. _2 Henry VI._ iii. 1:-- - - "And with your best endeavours have stirred up - My _liefest_ liege to be mine enemy." - -[560] Old ed. "thy." - -[561] "Daughter" is nonsense. Should we read "Guardian to" (or "unto")? -Cf. Virg., _Æn._ iv. 484:-- - - "Hesperidum templi _custos_." - -[562] Here and in l. 298 Dyce needlessly reads "lies." - -[563] Virg., _Æn._ iv. 628. - -[564] The best editions of Virgil read "_ipsique nepotesque_." - -[565] Virg., _Æn_. iv. 660. - -[566] Preys. - -[567] Avail. - - [** Transcriber Note: - -- all occurrences of the [oe] ligature have been replaced - with simple "oe". - -- Greek text is surrounded by tildes, i.e. ~Greek text~ **] - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. -2 (of 3), by Christopher Marlowe - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORKS OF CHRIST. 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