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THE 
 
 WORKS 
 
 OF 
 
 JOHN DAY 
 
 NOW FIRST COLLECTED 
 
 WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 
 
 BY 
 
 A. H. BULLEN 
 Relijhes of Rhyme 
 
 PRIVATELY PRINTED AT THE 
 
 CHISWICK PRESS 
 
 TOOKS COURT CHANCERY LANE 
 
 1881 
 
CHISWICK press:— C. WHITTINGHAM AND CO. TOOKS COURT, 
 CHANCERY LANE. 
 
TO THE REV. 
 
 J. WOODFALL EBSWORTH, M.A., F.S.A., 
 
 VICAR OF MOLASH, BV ASHFORD, 
 
 A GENIAL AND GIFTED SCHOLAR, 
 
 THIS REPRINT 
 
 OF A NEGLECTED OLD DRAMATIST 
 
 IS 
 
 By THE EDITOR 
 
 ADMIRINGLY INSCRIBED. 
 
 
 373902 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 IN this age of reprinting, when fo much pious care is being 
 fpent in preferving frelh and fweet the memories of our 
 good old Englifh writers, it is fomewhat curious that the au- 
 thor of the Parliament of Bees ^oxAdi have been left unnoticed. 
 But, perhaps, the caufes of this negledl are not far to feek. 
 Day's merits are unobtruhve : his brighteft work is of the 
 thinneft texture. It is only in moments of mofl abandoned 
 idlenefs that we can fit down to enjoy to the full the dainty 
 repartees of his Court-ladies or the pretty pertnefs of the pages. 
 At fuch times we think of Day, as of one of hi"! own Bees, 
 flitting in carelefs gaiety from flower to flower ; now flpping 
 the honeyed fweetnefs of Shakefpeare's early comedies, then 
 lighting on the fragrant exotics of Lyly, and, again, revelling 
 in the " bloflbmed bravery " of the Arcadia. He feems as one 
 born to live a life of idlenefs, a lounger in the Caftle of Indo- 
 lence, releafed from all " the heavy trouble, the bewildering 
 care " that befet our work-a-day exillence. In his befl: plays 
 there is a ftriking abfence of the robuilnefs which charafterizes 
 the work of his fellow-dramatifls. And yet an infpe£tion 
 of Henflowe's Diary ftiows that few among the knot of bufy 
 workers laboured more incefl'antly than Day. Between the 
 years 1599 ^^"^ i6p2 he was engaged in the part-authorftiip of 
 a fc qre of plays, — of which only one {The Blind Beggar of 
 Bednal Green), fixty years afterwards, found its way into print. 
 His ufual coadjutor was William Haughton, a writer whofe 
 gifts bore little refemblance to his own, if we may judge from 
 the buftling intrigue and noify fprightlinefs of Haughton's fole 
 
I extant produ(^ion, Ejiglijhmen for my Money. Strcfs of circura- 
 ftanccs obliged poor Day to abandon his vein of natural deli- 
 cacy, and addrefs himfelf intelligibly to the ears of the ground- 
 lings. For, according to the fhowing of Henflowe's doleful 
 record, he fcems to have been in a perpetual ftatc of pecuniary 
 cmbarraflment. No fads of his life have come down to us, but 
 it may be aflumcd that he followed no profcflion, depending 
 for his fubfiftence folely on the ftage and the capricious bounty 
 of patrons. We find him continually getting advances from 
 Henflowe of thepahrieil fums ; for inftance: — 
 
 " Lent unto John Daye the 4 of Jenewary 1 599, in Redy 
 money, the fome of vs., witnefs Edward Alleyn" 
 
 (where the words " in Redy money " feem fomewhat unnecef- 
 fary, and the tranfaftion hardly of fuch importance as to re- 
 quire the prefence of a witnefs) ; or, to take a ftill more trivial 
 entry: — 
 
 " 18 July 1 60 1 Lent John Daye iis." 
 
 But it is pleafant to find that the fuccefs of one of our author's 
 plays was fo great as to procure for him a bonus of ten fliillings 
 over and above the llipulated price : — 
 
 " Pd. unto John Daye, at the apoyntment of the company, 
 1601, after the playinge of the 2 pte. of Strowde, the fome of 
 xs." 
 
 Such red-letter days came feldom. Let us hope that in his 
 hour of triumph Day was not unmindful of his colleague 
 Haughton. We follow them gleefully in fancy to the Dog or 
 Triple Tun, and watch them pledging each other's fortunes in 
 copious cups of burnt fack. 
 
 At what date Day began to write for the ftage cannot be 
 afccrtained. There is no record to fhow when he left Cam- 
 bridge ; nor were the laborious compilers of the invaluable 
 Athena Cantabrigienfes able to difcover whether he graduated 
 or not. A play called the M aiden's Holydcy was entered on the 
 Stationers' Books in April, 1654, as the joint produftion of 
 Chrillopher Marlowe and John Daye. It was one of thofe de- 
 ftroyed by Warburton's cook, and is defcribcd in Warburton's 
 lift as by Marlowe alone. I Ihould be glad to claim for Day 
 
the high honour of having written in conjunftion with Mar- 
 lowe ; but it is more rcafonable to fnppofe that Day merely 
 fupplied fome additions on the revival of Marlowe's play. If 
 credit could be paid to the entry in the Stationers' Regifters we 
 fliould have our author writing for the ftage as early as 1593, 
 for in that year the greateft of Shakefpeare's predeceflbrs went, 
 with fuch deplorable fuddtnnefs, to his grave. But, fetting 
 afide this doubtful piece of evidence, we know nothing of Day's 
 career before 1599, when he appears in Henllowe's Diary as a 
 dramatift in full fvving. 
 
 The following are the names of the plays in which he was 
 concerned between 1599 and 1602, fet down in the order of 
 the entries in the Diary : — 
 
 1 . The tragedie ofMerie, written in conjurflion with Haugh- 
 ton. Mr! Collier fuggefts that this play is identical with the 
 Two Tragedies in One, publifhed in 1601 ; but how are we to 
 overlook the fad that the name of Thomas Yarrington appears 
 at full length on the title-page of the Tzvo Tragedies ? It would 
 be moft interefting to get fome particulars about this unknown 
 writer, (^is play is extremely rare and extremely curious^ No 
 aliufion to him is to be found among his contemporaries, and 
 we have no evidence to fhow that he wrote anything elfe : he 
 is a mere nominis umbra, " loft in the uncomfortable night of 
 nothing." In the Two Tragedies two feparate plots are oddly 
 pieced together ; one relating to the murder of a London mer- 
 chant by a man named Merry, and the other founded on a varia- 
 tion of the ftory of the Babes in the Wood) The writer feems 
 to have ftudied clofely the Arden of Feverjham, and not alto- 
 gether without efFeft ; for though the general treatment is bald, 
 there are to be found paffages of ftriking power. 
 
 2. The tragedie of Cox ofCollumpton, 1 599 : Haughton again 
 affifted our author. We need not be much diftreffed at the lofs 
 of thefe two domeftic tragedies, as neither Day nor Haughton 
 were fitted to deal fuccefsfully with fuch fubjedts. 
 
 3. The conquefl of Brute zoith the frji fyndeinge of the 
 Bathe, I599> Chettle received moft of the money for this 
 play, and we may therefore aflume that his fhare in its compo- 
 fition was the greater. 
 
8 
 
 4- The Etalyan t rage die of . ...» 1599- A blank was 
 left in the Diary for the full title. 
 
 5. 7Zv Spanejhe Mores TrageJie, 1599. ^" ^'^'^ occafion 
 Day was joined by Dekkcr and Haughton. Mr. Collier fuppofes 
 that this was the play publidied under the title of Lujl's Do- 
 minion, as the work of Marlowe, in 1657. But Spanifh Moors 
 were favourite characters with the old dramatilb ; and I certainly 
 can find no trace of Day's hand in Lujf's Dominion. In the ab- 
 fcnce of external evidence, we might not unreafonably place it 
 in company with that ill-ftarrcd play of Chettlc's, fliorn of half 
 its glory by the cruelty of the printer, Hoffman s Tragedy. 
 There is the fame tragic luridnefs — an iron gloom lit inter- 
 mittently by angry flafhes. 
 
 6. The Orphans Tragedy, 1599. Haughton and Chettle 
 aflifted. 
 
 7. The Seven Wife Majiers, 1599, written in conjunftion 
 with Dekker, Haughton, and Chettle. 
 
 8. The Golden Aj's and Cupid and Pfyche, 1600. Dekker and 
 Chettle were our author's coadjutors. 
 
 9. The Blind Beggar of Bednal Green, 1600. This play, for 
 which Chettle is partly refponfible, is the leaft charafteriftic 
 of our author's produftions. One fcene follows another with 
 "damnable iteration." There is a deplorable difFufenefs and 
 lack of animation. During the progrefs of the ferious part of 
 the adlion, we figh for the prefence of Tom Strowd and Swajh, 
 but foon the uncouth antics of the clumfy pair become intoler- 
 able ; nor is there much attraftion to be found in the humours 
 of the gang of cutpurfes who hold fo prominent a place. If 
 Momford and his daughter had been made the central figures, 
 the rough fun of the Norfolkfliire yeoman's fon would have 
 ferved as a fet-ofF to the pathetic fituations. In Middleton's 
 admirable comedy, A Fair S^uarrel, a Cornifh yeoman and his 
 ferving-man are moll fucccfsfully introduced : they prevent the 
 aftion of the piece from afluming too fombre a form, without 
 flaying long enough to bore us. But in the Blind Beggar the 
 ftagc is occupied almost entirely by Tom Strowd and Swafh, 
 the trio of pickpurfcs, and the deteftably vulgar villains who 
 accomplifh Momford's fall. Then there is an underplot (which 
 
leads to nothing) ftufFed with the intrigues of Gloucefter and 
 the Cardinal to win the hand of Lady Ellanor. Momford and 
 his daughter are treated in the moft fummary fafliion : they are 
 fcarcely introduced to us before they arc hurried away. Chettle, 
 it will be remembered, contributed to the "pleafant comodie 
 of Patient GrifTil," 1603, — one of the fweeteft and tcndereft of 
 old plays ; and on that account we might be difpofed to give 
 him the credit of having written the fcenes between Momford 
 and his daughter. Neverthclefs, I venture to think that they 
 fhould be afcribed to Day. The lightnefs of touch, the lack 
 of intenfity, and the eafy fluency of the rhymed lines are 
 charafleriliic of Day rather than of his robuft aflbciate. In 
 fuch a paffage as the following. Day's hand may plainly be 
 recognized : — 
 
 " Shed but one tear for him, and I for thee 
 Will weep till from the Moyfter of mine eyes 
 A little fount of Chriftall tears fhall rife 
 To bathe thine eyelids in j yet do not weep : 
 Lay all thy griefs on me, for I am young 
 And I have tears enough to weep much wrong." 
 
 The fcene in which thefe lines occur is marked by grace and 
 delicacy of treatment. There is an abfence of ftrong lines : 
 our feelings are merely ruffled, not ftirred from their depths. 
 Chettle, 1 think, would have been more ambitious. To Chettle's 
 invention I would afcribe the elaboration of the fcheme of 
 villainy between young Playnfey and Sir Robert Weftford ; as 
 alfothe bickerings of the Cardinal and Gloucefler. The open- 
 ing lines of the play no doubt belong to Day. Comparing 
 them with the addrefs of Odavio at the beginning of Humour 
 out of Breath, the dulleft ear cannot fail to be ftruck by the re- 
 femblance in the Ilrudlure of the blank verfe. In each cafe 
 there is a want of crifpnefs, of variety. Aware of his inability 
 to write muflcal blank verfe. Day wifely adopted, for the molt 
 part, rhym e and rhythmical profe. It is not fo eafy to deter- 
 mine the authorfhip of the comic portions of the play. Cer- 
 tainly the coarfenefs of the texture is very unlike what we find 
 in Day's other plays ; but as he received the honorarium of ten 
 (hillings for the Second Part of Strowd, it is only reafonable to 
 
 B 
 
lO 
 
 fuppofc that he had " cither an entire hand, or at the leafl a main 
 finger" in dcfcribing Strowd's adventures in the Blind Beggar, 
 
 10. TIv 2 pte. of Stroivde, 1600. Chettlc's afliftance was 
 exchanged for Haughton's in the compofition of this play. 
 
 11. The Conquejl of the IVeJi Indies, 160 1, written in con- 
 junftion with Wcntworth Smith and Haughton. 
 
 12. The 3 pte. of Thome Strowd, 1601. The full entry in 
 the Diiiry refpcfling the fecond part, "the fecond pte of the 
 blind beager of bednowle grene, with the end of Strowdc," 
 would have led us to hope that we had heard the laft of Tom 
 Strowd. But jull as we are congratulating ourfclvcs "nunc 
 placida compollus pace quiefcit," behold — evoked by the ap- 
 plaufeofthe groundlings — he is before us again. Devouring 
 time, for the credit of Day and the comfort of his editor, has 
 fpared only the firll: part of this tircfome trilogy. Haughton's 
 fervices were again cnlifted. 
 
 1 3 . Tl^e vi yemon of the Weajle, 1 60 1 . 
 
 14. Fryer Rujh and the prcwde Woman of Anlwerpe, 1601, 
 written in conjunftion with Haughton. 
 
 15. The Second Part of Tom Dough, 1601. No mention is 
 made of the firll part. Haughton, as ufual, aflifted. 
 
 16. The Brijld Tragedy, 1602. "This," fays Mr. Collier, 
 "was probably the play printed anonymoufly in 1608 under 
 the title of the Fair Maid of Br if olP It fhould, however, be 
 remembered that the Fair Maid is a comedy. Very little, it is 
 true, is required to turn it into a tragedy ; in faft, it would 
 feem that the author or authors flartcd with the intention of 
 compofing a tragedy, and, at the laft moment, when the cata- 
 ftrophe was at hand, determined to give a " fmooth and comical " 
 iflue to a tragical tale. Poffibly the play was intended, by varying 
 the fifth ad, to do duty for a comedy or tragedy, as in the cafe 
 of Suckling's Aglaura. Be this as it may, there is little to remind 
 us of Day in the " very tragical mirth " of the Fair Maid. 
 
 17. Merry as may be, 1602. Haughton's name does not 
 occur again in the Diary. Richard Hathway and Wentworth 
 Smith adifted our author on this occafion. 
 
 18. The BcaJ} of Bil/ingfgate, 1602. Hathway was one of 
 the contributors, but the names of the others are loft ; the Diary 
 records an advance to "Day and his felow poetes." 
 
II 
 
 19. The Black Dog of Newgate, 1602. Written in con- 
 junftion with " Mr Smythe, Mr hathwaye and the other 
 poyet." 
 
 20. Tbe Unfortunate Genera/, 1603. Hathway, Smith, and 
 " the other poyet " again contributed. Whether " the other 
 poyet " was led by natural modefty to conceal his name, or 
 whether the fpelling of the name taxed the illiterate old 
 manager's intelled: too feverely, I leave the reader to decide 
 for himfelf. 
 
 21. Tbe Second Part of the Black Dog, 1603. The authors 
 were the fame as before. 
 
 All thefe plays (and probably others) were written between 
 1599 and the ea rly part of j _6o3^wiiea-the--i>iArji-.brjeaka-aff'. 
 A barren catalogue of forgotten names, albeit a melancholy ob- 
 jeft, is not without its ufes. At firft, in our exafperation, we 
 cry out againft the malice of fate ; but as our eye refts longer 
 on the page we grow refigned ; after lillening to the "fuUen 
 Lethe rolling doom " we learn to prize more dearly what the 
 ravages of time have fpared. 
 
 Whether Day continued to produce at the fame rapid rate 
 we have no means of afcertaining. All jiis publifhed plays, 
 with the (doubtful) exception of the Parliament of Bees, w_ere 
 written before 1608. In 1602 a play called Jane Shore, by 
 Day and Chettle, was alteied for Lord Worcelter's company; 
 but, with this exception, the few other plays of Day's about 
 which we have any information belong to a later dace. There 
 was entered on the Stationers' Regifters in Auguft, 1610, "A 
 Booke called the Madde Prancks of Merry Mall of the Bankfide, 
 with her Walks in Man's Apparel and to what Purpofe." Nine 
 years later another entry chronicles " A Play called the Life 
 and Death of Guy of Warwicke, written by John Day and 
 Thomas Dekkers." Mr. Hailiwell-Phillips (vid. Di^ionary of 
 Old Plays) thinks that this may be the " Guy Earl of Warwick, 
 by B. J.," publilhed in 166 1 ; but I doubt whether either of 
 the authors, if they had tried, could have written fo execrably. 
 Dekker was again affociated with Day in the compolition ot a 
 play called the Bellman of Paris, mentioned in Sir Henry Her- 
 bert's D/^rj, July 30, 1623: — " For the Prince's playersa French 
 tragedy of the Bellman of Paris written by Thomas Dekkers 
 
12 
 
 and John Day for the Company of the Red Bull." In Septem- 
 ber of" the fame year the Diary has another entry relating to our 
 author: — " For a company of llrangcrs a new comedy Come See 
 a Wonder written by John Dayc." I have not been able to 
 difcover the names of any other plays in which Day was con- 
 cerned ; probably the plays given in our lift formed but a fmall 
 part of the wealth of his dramatic treafurc-houfe. In the in- 
 tervals of writing for the ftage he found time, too, for other 
 work. There is extant an undated letter, in which he prays 
 a patron's acceptance of a poem on the Miracles of Chrift. 
 Surely never was a patron's bounty more delicately folicited ! — 
 
 " S' It hath bene an anticnt curtome in (this great Tflc of 
 Man) the world, for men, in any fafliion acquainted, at the 
 birthe of the new yeare to new date the band of their loves, 
 and, by fome prcfent or gifte, new fealc and more ftrongly con- 
 dition them : which cuftom to continew, and to pay fom part 
 of the duty in which I ftand obliged to your worfliipp I am 
 bold to prefcnt you with this fmall Poeme contayning the Mira- 
 cles of our Blcft Saviour. And hopcing you will receyve it as 
 gratefully as I tender it willingly, 1 ccafe your trouble, 
 
 Dcfirous to be all yours 
 
 John Day."^ 
 
 Another curious relic of our author is to be found in fome 
 " Acroftic Verfes upon the name of his worthie friende Maifter 
 ThcmaS-Dmyton." In this inftance the requeft is made with 
 fomcwhat more plainnefs. Dow^on was a fuccefsful ador, who 
 had alfo written for the ftage. As for the Acroftic it is no 
 better or worfc than fuch things ufually arc : — 
 
 " T he wealthy trcafurc of America 
 
 H id in the vaines and articrs of" the carthe, 
 
 O r the rich pcarle begotten in the Tea, 
 
 M ade rounde and oriente in his naturall birthe, 
 
 A re not all valcwdc, in the eye of Arte, 
 
 S oe much (by much) as a compafljonate harte. 
 
 * Contributed, together with the acroftic, by J. F. Herbert, Efq., to the 
 [Old] Shakcfpcare Society Pa(x.'rs, i., H)-zo. 
 
13 
 
 D etermine, then, to keepe that wealthie mine, 
 O f all exchequers in the world the befte : 
 W ifdom the quoine, the ftamp upon't devine, 
 T he man that owes it beares this motto, ' Blefte.* 
 O f all my friends ('twere fhame to wrong defarte) 
 N ot one of all beares a more paffionate harte." 
 
 Thefe two fragments fhould be read in connection with a paf- 
 fage of the dedication to the Peregrinatio Scholajlica : — 
 
 " And as Jewells, io the ftones be orient, artfully cutt and 
 orderlie fett, ufe not to be underualewde for the obfcurenefs of 
 the workman but are rather a nieanes to make him better 
 knowne in the eye of Reguard ; fo I prefume that my indea- 
 vours, the fubjeft being right and the workmanlhipp anything 
 artfull, may not finde the leffe wellcome in regard I boaft not 
 that gaudie fpring of Credit & youthfull flourifh of Opinion as 
 fome other hide in the fame rancke with me. The day may 
 come when nos quoque fioruimus may be there motto as well as 
 myne : in the meane time, being becalmde in a fogg of necef- 
 fity, I am content to ly at anckor before the Hands Meliora 
 Speramus" 
 
 ' 'If the Peregrinatio Scholajlica had come down to us without 
 the dedication we fhould affuredly have concluded that it was 
 the fanciful employment of a man in the enjoyment of unin- 
 terrupted leifure ; but the foregoing extradl would plainly feem 
 to {how that it was written late in life, at a time when the 
 author had fallen behind in the race for popularity. Even at 
 this diftance of time, as we read the dedication we feel our 
 heart warm towards the old poet who, when he had outlived 
 his own reputation, could yet fpeak without bitternefs of his 
 more fortunate rivals and with graceful modefty of himfelf. 
 PofTibly the " fog of neceihty " may point to his aftual incarce- 
 ration ; when he inveighs againft the tyranny of gaolers in the 
 fecond traftate it is likely enough that he is writing from 
 aftual experience. Day feems to have pofleffed in no ordinary 
 degree the rare art of difengaging the mind from painful afTo- 
 ciations, and bathing it in a ilream of pleafurable feelings. In 
 the winter of his age, battered and broken by negledt, Ben Jonfon 
 put forth the fweeteft flower of his invention. Something ot 
 
H 
 
 the graceful fluency and arch fancy that inform the Sad Shep- 
 herd may be found here and there in Day's tra6>. The dc- 
 fcription of " Poncrias enchanted grove " in the fourth trac- 
 tate is daintily written, abounding in happy touches. We are 
 amufed by the playful extravagance as by the prattle of a child. 
 It is delightful to watch the evident relifh with which the 
 writer elaborates his conceits. 
 
 I have mentioned Ben Jonfon's name in connexion with 
 Day's ; in their lifetime they were, if not enemies, at leall 
 paElially_cllran^;cd. Notwithftanding the elaborate excufes made 
 in his defence, many Undents mull find it difficult to acquit 
 William Drumniond of ill-feeling for chronicling fo faithfully 
 the hally expreflions of fplecn that Ben Jonfon let drop, too 
 profufely, on the occafion of his memorable vifit to Hawthorn- 
 dcn. In the courfe of thofc convcrfations Day's name was 
 mentioned twice, and on each occafion in no very flattering 
 terms. Firft we are told that "Sharpham, Day, Dicker were 
 all rogues ; and that Minfliew was one;" ' and, again, that " Mark- 
 ham (who added his Englifli Arcadia) was not of the number of 
 the Faithfull, i.e. Poets, and but a bafc fellow. That fuch were 
 Day & Middleton." ^ It was in January, 1619, that Ben Jon- 
 fon paid his vifit to Drummond : twenty-one years later, in 
 ]o\\\\JTdL\}\3jxis_FancjeiTJi£M.ter, 1640, was publiflicd a wretched 
 elegy " On his loving friend M. John Day." The name Day is 
 an apt one for the purpofcs of a punflcr ;^ and no doubt Tatham 
 thought that his ingenuity was being fliown at its brightcll when 
 he was berhyming his dead friend in the following outrageous 
 
 manner : — 
 
 " Dan Phcebus now hath loft his Light 
 And kit his Rule unto the Night ; 
 
 ' Ben Jonfon's Conxierjat'toni ivit/i fVilliam Drummond (ed. David Laing), 
 p. 4. * IbiJ., p. 12. 
 
 ' In the anonymous copy of vetfes written to commemorate the burning of 
 the Cockpit by tlie 'prentices on Shrove Tuefday, 1 61 6, we read : — 
 
 "Books old and young on heaps they flung, 
 
 And burnt them in the blazes, 
 Tom Dckkcr, Haywood, Middleton, 
 
 And other wandring crayzies : 
 Poor Daye that daye not Jcajjte atvay," &c. 
 
15 
 
 And Cynthia fhe hath overcome 
 The day and dark[e]ned the Sun : 
 Whereby we now have loft our hope 
 Of gaining Day in's Horofcope," &c.' 
 
 Ohe jam fatis ! It is fomewhat hard that Ben Jonfon's fneers 
 and Tatham's abfurd elegy fhould be the only allufions to Day to 
 be found among his contemporaries. Tatham belonged to a 
 younger generation ; his elegy cannot have been written much 
 earlier than the date of its publication, 1640. As Day was 
 writing certainly in 1598 — and probably for fome years earlier 
 — he muft have been full of years, if not of honour, when he 
 pafled to the Mufes' Elyfiura. Perhaps it is well that we are 
 not able to follow him to the curtain's drop. If any records con- 
 cerning him had come down to us, it would not improbably be 
 found that he lived a life of hardfliip and died in forrow. When 
 we think of the negled and wretchednefs that clouded the clofing 
 days of our old dramatifts, we are reminded of thofe moft pathetic 
 lines of Nalhe's : — 
 
 " Short days, fharp days, long nights come on apace, 
 Ah, who fhall hide us from the winter's face ? 
 Cold doth increafe, the ficknefs doth not ceafe, 
 — And here we lie, God knows, with little eafe." 
 
 Doubtlefs long before his end came Day's name had pafTed 
 into obfcurity. Even in his early days he feems to have lived 
 in the fhade. His Addrefles to the Reader difplay a curious in- 
 difference, which, defpite the appearance of affedlation, is pro- 
 bably a faithful mirror of the poet's mind. Neither Meirs in his 
 exhauftive Wits Treafury, nor H eywood in his Hierarchie of 
 Angels have any mention of him. In our own day the fame 
 negleft has attended his memory. Charles Lamb, it is true, in 
 his invaluable Extracts frotn the Garrick Plays, felefted fome paf- 
 
 * Langbaine quotes thefe verfes, and adds : — "At this jingling rate he runs 
 on to the end after the rate of a Gentleman of Lincolns Inn, who writ a more 
 ingenious Poem upon the Tranfadlions between a Landlord and his Tenant 
 Day who privately departed from him by Night ; printed in a fingle fheet, 
 Lond. 1684." In Baker's Biographia Dramatka our author is confufcd with 
 the abfconding tenant, and in confequence is pronounced to have been " of 
 rather loofe morals ! " 
 
i6 
 
 fagcs from the Parliament of Bea, adding a few golden words 
 of praifc — words that confer an immortality ; and recently Mr. 
 E. W. Goflc, a critic remarkable no lefs for delicate infight than 
 for profound knowledge, has repeatedly called attention to our 
 author's merits. 
 
 It would be abfurd to claim for Day a place in the front rank 
 of Shakefpeare's followers ; but he certainly defcrves a little niche 
 in the Temple of Fame. He is no mocking-bird. His plays, 
 as Mr. Gofle has remarked, "tcllify to a talent fomewhat out of 
 fympathy with the main poetic current of the day." The in- 
 fluence of Lyly is plainly diilinguifhable ; but luckily the early 
 comedies of Shakefpcare were at hand to oppofe the fometimes 
 graceful but oftener tirefome euphuift. It is difficult to conceive 
 how any audience, albeit compofcd of maids-of-honour and lords- 
 in-waiting, could have fat patiently through a performance of 
 Carnpajpcs, or Mother Bombie. Doubtlcfs in adopting profe to 
 fo large an extent, Day was influenced by Lyiy's example ; but 
 Day's profe is far lefs cumberfome than Lyiy's, and moves with 
 a lighter ftep. His llylc is not disfigured by thofe tortuous 
 currents of laboured antithefis and pedantic allufion that make 
 Lyly, except in the fmallcll of dofcs, naufeous even to the 
 moll patient of readers. 
 
 Firft in the lift of our author's plays in order of publication 
 ftands the lie of Guls. Day formed his plot, as he tells us, on 
 the Arcadia of " that worthy gentleman Sir Philip Sidney ,*" 
 and often we find that he has not fcrupled to borrow the very 
 words of that delicious though occafionally tedious romance. 
 Few people would be unwilling to confefs to a feeling of dif- 
 appointment after a firft reading of the Arcadia. Nobody now 
 thinks of placing it in the fame rank with the Faery ^leene ; 
 but among his contemporaries, and in the age following, Sid- 
 ney's fame ftood at leaft as high, if not higher, than Spen- 
 fer's, Sidney has always been regarded with fomething of that 
 ftrange reverence that gathered in the Middle Ages about the 
 name of Vergil. There is more than a literary intcrcft in 
 the Arcadia ; we can never feparatc the artift's pcrfonality from 
 his work. Criticifm ftands aloof while we admire with our 
 whole hearts the cxquiflte moral feeling of the beautiful old 
 
I? 
 
 romance, the heroic gentlcncfs and ftainlefs purity that con- 
 llitute its uniquencfs, and make it a treafure more golden than 
 gold. As we open the Arcadia, all the leaden weights of 
 / worldlinefs and felfifhnefs drop from us. We are lillening in 
 / fome pleafant greenery to the carolling of birds and the piping 
 / of fhepherds : here is the holy ground of Truth, here are 
 [ chafle men and lovely maids. We feel vexed with Day for 
 having intruded on our fylvan fanftity. Compared with many 
 of Fletcher's heroines, the ladies of the He of Guh are para- 
 gons of virtue, but they are very far removed from the ideal 
 purity of the Arcadia. Defperately anxious not to "lead apes 
 in hell," the duke's daughters fomewhat overftep the bounds of 
 maidenly referve ; but their prettinefs and wit ferve as an ex- 
 cufe for their inconftancy. They are delightful creatures, revel- 
 ling in their butterfly exiftence : we have not the heart to be ■ 
 angry with them. The polifh of the Court has not rubbed ofF 
 their charming girlifhnefs : their franknefs and unafFeftednefs 
 are very refrefhing. Nor are there wanting touches of tender- 
 nefs and pathos ; as in the pity exprefl^ed for the " Sylvan com- 
 moners" (II. 2), where the delicacy of the language could hardly 
 be improved. We could wifh that_ihis ftrain of dainty mora- 
 lizing had been purfued further. VXhe clevereft fcene in the 
 play is the defcription of the match at tennis (II. 5). Not for 
 a moment is there a paufe in the rapid interchange of Ilroke 
 and counter-ftroke. Outfide of Shakefpeare's early comedies 
 it would be difficult to find among the dramatifts of the time 
 fuch another tour de force of fprightly repartee. In this perilous 
 play of tight-rope dancing Day~ takes a fpecTaT delight : his ftep 
 is always light and true. 
 
 / There is much freflinefs in the drawing of the contending 
 Muitors. They are admirable examples of Elizabethan gallants, 
 generous and mettlefome without grofsnefs, worthy rivals for 
 the favour of the duke's witty daughters. Very diverting, too, 
 is the roguilhnefs of the page, " a moft acute juvenal, volable, 
 and free of grace," who pokes his fun at everybody in turn, and 
 never fuffers us to be dull in his company ; who knows when 
 his mafter has had enough of his fooling, but always contrives 
 to get the laft word ; who, if he had been pitted with Moth, 
 
 c 
 
would have come ofF not fo badly. In the plots and counter- 
 plots of the Duke and Duchcfs, the writer needs all his taft to 
 overcome our natural repugnance. The rapturous language in 
 which their paflion (fave the mark !) finds expreflion was pro- 
 bably meant at once to draw our attention from the coarfenefs 
 of the fituations and to point more fliarply againfl: them the 
 fhafts of ridicule in the fequel. The vulgar upftart Dametas, 
 and his hypocritical ferving-man Manaffes, are tolerably life- 
 like figures. Poflibly Dametas is intended for a caricature. 
 About the Court there muit have been many who, in the lan- 
 guage of an old playwright, had " learning enough to take a 
 bribe, and witte enough to be proud." Manaffes is even more 
 plainly a caricature. His mock fcrmon (pp. 69-70) — with its 
 abundance of commonplace imagery, its empliafis and repeti- 
 tion — is a capital fkit on the long-winded difcourfcs of the 
 Puritans.* It is furprifing that the Puritans were held up to fo 
 little ridicule by the writers for the ftage. Ben Jonfon, it is 
 true, took up the cudgels and adminiftered to them a found 
 thrafliing in the perfon of Zeal-of-the-Land Bufy ; but Ben 
 Jonlon's heavy ftrokes were probably felt lefs keenly than the 
 cool and provoking bitternefs of the Dedication to Shirley's 
 Bird in the Cage, addreffed to the author oi Hijiriotnatix, then 
 undergoing imprifonment for libel. Day lays on his colours 
 thickly, and does not care to mix any light with the fliade ; 
 but there is nothing brutal in the Iketch. Manaffes is not for 
 a moment fuch a monller of deformity as Cyril Tourneur's 
 Languedoc Snuff. The charaders both of Manaffes and Da- 
 metus are quite within the lines of comedy : their rafcality 
 docs not rife to the dignity of thorough-paced villainy ; they 
 are rogues, but not mifcrcants. 
 
 But the interefl: of the lie of Guls lies chiefly in the dex- 
 terous development of the plot. The play is full of" bufinefs": 
 the livelinefs and bullle are unccafing. Few fituations could be 
 
 * A choice fpecimen of a mock Puritan fermon of later date was privately 
 printed a few years ago by the Rev. C. H. Daniel, of Worceftcr College, 
 Oxford, from a MS. in the College Library. This tra<ft, which Mr. Daniel 
 printed with his own hand, is (like other produftions from the fame gentle- 
 man's printing-prefs) of the highest r.nrity. 
 
19 
 
 conceived more ludicrous than the final fcene of gullery at 
 Adonis's chapel, where the bewildered aflors are fccn wander- 
 ing in a maze of droll entanglement, made only the more in- 
 tricate as explanation is heaped on explanation. We may be 
 fure that at the fall of the curtain the applaufe was loud and 
 hearty, and that everybody went home in a good humour. 
 
 In the following year, 1607, was publifhed The Travels of 
 the Three Englip Brothers. This play has no extraordinary 
 merits, and is evidently a hafty piece of patchwork. It is not 
 difficult to diftinguifh Day's Kind in the playful naughtinefs of 
 the conversation between the Sophy's " Neece " and Dalibra 
 (pp. 27-34). The groflhefs of the fcene between Kemp and 
 the Italian " Harlaken " (pp. 55-59) is fuggeftive of Rowley, 
 but the quicknefs and pertnefs of the Tallies point rather to 
 Day. To Day, too, muft be alllgned the fpirited fcene (pp. 
 64-75) in which the Sophy's niece avows her love for Robert 
 Sherley, and hurls defiance at his accufers. All Day's heroines 
 are genuine : all have a charming franknefs of manner and a 
 hearty deteftation of whatever is mean and contemptible ; and 
 they know how to exprefs their likes and diflikes gracefully and 
 vigoroufly. The only other place where Day's hand can be 
 dillindly recognized is in the converfation between the Gaoler 
 and Sir Thomas Sherley (pp. 75-77).^ Rowley had far more 
 terfenefs and vigour than either of his affociates, and if his 
 ftrength had been duly tempered with judgment, would have 
 done great things. Zariph, th ough fo undifguifedly a copy of 
 Shylock, is a very life-like figure. The few rough ftrokes con- 
 
 ^ Mr. Fleay on firft thoughts was inclined to diftribute the fcenes thus : — 
 "Day's fhare : Sc. 3, 11, with Niece & Maid in them. Rowley's: Prol., 
 Sc. I, 7, 9, 10, and a bit at end of 13. Wilkins' : Sc. 2 & 12, with BafTa ; 
 4, 5, 6, with Chorus, & 13, except Rowley's bit." Afterwards, guided by 
 metrical confiderations, he adopted the following arrangement: — "Rowley, 
 pofitively (?) afcertained by his peculiar fyftem of blank verfe, Prol., Sc. i, 
 7, 10, and from ' fpeak what elfe,' p. 88, to end. Wilkins, known by fhort 
 lines, efpeciaUy 4-feet lines, Sc. 2, 6, 8, 13 on to p. 88. The reft pro- 
 bably Day, but not diftinctive enough to decide on this ground only ; but 
 Sc. 3, II, 12, and 9 (including firft Jew fcene) are certainly his ; 3, 4, 5 and 
 chorufes more doubtful, but more like him than either of the others." I 
 cannot agree with Mr. Fleay in affigning the firft Jew fcene to Day ; and 
 I doubt whether Day followed up fcene 12 after the Gaoler had retired. 
 
 sy 
 
20 
 
 vcy an idea of ftrength that would be wanting in a more 
 finifhcd flcctch. There is undoubtedly too much of the " 'Erclcs 
 vein " in Rowley ; he pitches his voice in too high a key, and 
 wants often naturalnefs and freedom. The whole of the firft 
 fcene (pp. 7-14), which is undoubtedly Rowley's, moves on 
 (lilts ; the llyle is forced without being dignified. In fcene 7 
 (pp. 46-9) the grating metrical irregularities and noify vehe- 
 mence again remind us of Rowley. Elfewhcre his hand cannot 
 be traced with any certainty ; but it would be abfurd to fpeak 
 authoritatively on fuch a point. In the difpute between Robert 
 Sherley and Halybeck, on pp. 18-21, there are fome ftirring 
 paflages : in one place Robert Sherley grows favagely elo- 
 quent : — 
 
 "Thou art better goe dovvne quick vnto thy grave 
 
 Then touch him ; better abufe thy Parents, 
 
 Be thine owne murthercr, let thine owne bloud out 
 
 And feale therewith thine own damnation : 
 
 Better do all may tumble thee to hell 
 
 Than wrong him." 
 
 Thefe lines would feem to belong to Rowley, but the early 
 part of the fame fcene is aflurcdly Wilkins'. A curious con- 
 ceit is found on p. 16 : — 
 
 "They fliall have graves like thee difhonoured, 
 Vnfit for heauen or earth : this we prepare. 
 Betwixt them both week feat you in the Ayre." 
 
 In Wilkins' Miferies of Inform Marriage we come acrofs it 
 again : — 
 
 " My brothers unto fhame muft yield their blood : 
 My babes at others' ftirrups beg their food 
 Or elfe turn thieves too and be chok'd for it, 
 Die a dog's death, be perch'd upon a tree; 
 Hanged ienvixl hca-vin and earth ai jit for neither ! " 
 
 Hazlitt's Dodiley, ix. 559. 
 
 The concluding fcene, which is carefully and equably writ- 
 ten, may likcwife be fet down to Wilkins' account ; although I 
 think with Mr. Fleay that the fpcech of Fame at the end be- 
 longs to Rowley. But it is not worth while to make a minute 
 analyfis. None of the three authors is fhown at his bell; and 
 the play, as a whole, is but a flimfy produdion. 
 
21 
 
 Two of our author's plays were publifhed in 1608 — Law 
 Trickes and Humour out of Breath; the former licenfed in 
 March 1607-8 and the latter in the following April. Day's 
 charaflers bear a llrong family refemblance. Count Lurdo in 
 Lazv Trickes recalls Dametas, and Emilia exhibits the fame 
 frefhnefs and fpirit as charmed us in Violetta and Hippolita. 
 Nor are the pages a whit less verfatile than their predeceflbr 
 in the IJIe of Guls. Day's mufe does not take a wide fweep. 
 In Law Trickes we muft not look for any deep ftudies of cha- 
 racter: what we may expeft to find, and what we do find, is 
 abundance of graceful writing, wit without end, and a few 
 touches of tender pathos. The choiceft piece in the play is 
 where the Countefs chides and counfels the maids who fit sew- 
 ing by an hour-glafs. Nothing could be more exquifite than 
 the fanciful moralizing of the forfaken lady : — 
 
 " 3 Gen. Pray, madam, teach me to take out this knot 
 Of hearts ease. 
 
 Count. Hearts ease ! I have almoft forgot : 
 
 I could have wrought it well when I was young, 
 But in good fadnefTe I have had none long. 
 What's that ? 
 
 2 Gen. A branch of Rue. 
 
 Count. A common weede : 
 
 Of all herbes elfe I worke that well indeede. 
 How chance your flower is behind the glaffe ? 
 
 2 Gen, Indeede, He get it up. 
 
 Count. Indeede, alas, 
 
 I cannot chide with her ; yet tyrant care 
 At my intreate will not one figh forbeare. 
 
 2 Gen. Why figh you, madam ? 
 
 Count. Oh, I gi-eeve to fee 
 
 Youth run to catch at their owne mifery. 
 You are like Aprill or rofe buds in May, 
 You never wither till the wedding day : 
 Even fo did I, fo pretty foules will you ; 
 Youth wears mild Hearts Eafe, forrow bitter Rue." 
 
 (pp. 47-8-) 
 
 Such verfes as thefe, for their purity and fweet plaintive- 
 nefs, deferve a place in our memory. 
 
 The fudden transformation of Polymetes, the dreamy ftu- 
 dent, into the wild gallant is a little unaccountable. At his firft 
 
22 
 
 entry he puts us in mind of Charles in Fletcher's Elder Brother, 
 but he foon fufFers fevcrely in the comparifon. His complaint 
 of the decay of learning, and his comparifon of law to 
 
 "A golden chaine 
 That linkes the body of a Common-Wealth 
 Into a firme and formal] Vnion " (p. 1 1), 
 
 difplay a power of real eloquence and lofty contemplation ; fo 
 that we begin to feel quite angry with our author when this 
 high promife is brought to nothing. If Polymetes had degene- 
 rated into a vulgar profligate, the offence would have been un- 
 pardonable ; but his fantallic Angularity gives a certain piquancy 
 to his mifconduft and makes our ccnfure fall lightly. We feel 
 that he is a good fellow at heart, one who has lived much 
 among books and little among men and women. When he 
 leaves the fociety of his books and looks out into the world, he 
 is difgufted with the humdrum march of commonplace exif- 
 tence — 
 
 "The fame three hundred fixty-five 
 
 Dull days to every year alive," 
 and longs to 
 
 " Grafp this forry fcheme of things entire," 
 
 What tremendous proportions would Polymetes have afl'umed 
 in Marlowe's hands ! Day's hero is a kind of miniature Fauftus 
 or Tamburlaine. He has no ambition to attain phyfical or in- 
 tcllcftual power :_4Te is content to " let the world Aide " while 
 he gives the falhion to a company of good-fellows. Breaking 
 away from the reftraints of fociety he throws himfelf into 
 thorough-paced bohemianifm. He appoints himfelf Mailer of 
 the Revels, and is determined to find mirth in everything. 
 When his fhort-lived reign of merriment is abruptly broken off, 
 it is impoflible to refill fmiling at the quaint devices fuggefled 
 by his ready wit. The audience mull have been fairly con- 
 vulfed by the feries of myllifications in which the Duke is en- 
 tangled. Joculo's cock-and-bull llory about the Englifli poll is 
 an admirable piece of fooling, and Julio's explanation is even 
 more delightfully ludicrous. The page's perfonation of his 
 millrefs and the wit-combat that enfues are lively and well fuf- 
 
23 
 
 tained. Nor muft we pafs over Horatio's kind-hearted little 
 page, who fo dexterously " turned to mirth a fcene fo tragicall." 
 As for his mafter, Horatio, the fooner we forget him the better. 
 He is a finifter fpirit — a fubjeft for Webfter or Cyril Tourneur, 
 not for Day : his prefence clouds the brightnefs of the play. 
 We could wifh that Day had never meddled with villains at 
 all. But once Horatio rifes to real dignity of language : — 
 
 " I hate the bafe and rafcal multitude ; 
 I cannot nod, ride bare-head through the ftreet, 
 Nor wreath my body like a Cable Hat-band 
 To everie Pedler and Mechanick Townesman : 
 I hate the poore, am enuious at the rich, 
 Loue none," 
 
 Humour out of Breath is (always excepting the Parliament of 
 Bees) our author's moll charafteriftic work. In the banifhed 
 Duke's moralizing the fweet low tone of pathos has an accent of 
 its own that is quite genuine, though it rings very foftly. The 
 ladies are, of courfe, witty and pretty. We fee in them the 
 potentiality of a Rofalind or Beatrice. By ftudying the old 
 dramatifts we learn to appreciate better the omnipotence of 
 Shakefpeare. Our admiration for the Duchefs of Ma Ifi or The 
 Faithful Shepherdefs heightens our wonder of Othello or Mid- 
 fummer Night's Dream. Hazlitt once faid that a man fhould 
 throw away all his other books and keep only his Shakefpeare ; 
 and one is fometimes tempted to take the advice in earneft. 
 The witty encounter between Odavio's fons and Antonio's 
 daughters feems poliihed to the laft touch, but how poor and 
 thin it becomes when we turn to the brilliant fallies of Beatrice 
 and Benedift ! In his very limited range Day is an admirable 
 writer, but how awkward of gait and flow of fpeech are his 
 brighteft charafters when fet belide Shakefpeare's matchlefs 
 figures ! Shakefpeare fits enthroned " above the flight of ages ;" 
 nor is life fo fliort but that we may fiiid time to do honour to 
 thofe who lived in Shakespeare's England, and " learned his 
 great language, caught his clear accents." In Humour out of 
 Breath Day has followed in the mailer's fteps, not as a flavifli 
 imitator, but as an intelligent lludent. The mannerifms of 
 Shakefpeare's early work, the playful dallying with words and 
 
24 
 
 phrafcs, the delightful difFufcncfs, the elaborate antithcfis, are 
 reproduced not by laboured effort but by happy fpontaneity. 
 Here are fome dainty lines that might almoll pafs as an cxtraft 
 from Love's Labour s Loft : — 
 
 " OB. Tis good to doubt, but tis not good to feare, 
 Yet ftill to doubt will at the la ft proue feare ; 
 Doubt loue, tis good, but tis not good to feare it ; 
 Loue hurts them moft that leaft of all come neere it. 
 
 Fr. Then to doubt loue is the next way to love ? 
 
 OEl. Doubtles it is if you mildoubt not loue. 
 
 Hip. Doubt and mifdoubt, what difference is there here ? 
 
 OEl. Yes, much : when men mifdoubt tis fayd they feare. 
 
 Fr. But is it good in loue to be in doubt? 
 
 OEi. No, not in loue, doubt then is iealoufie : 
 Tis good to doubt before you be in loue ; 
 Doubt counfells how to ftiun loues mifery. 
 
 Fr. Your doubtfiill counfell counfells vs to loue." 
 
 This chafing of a word through line after line is a perilous 
 practice, and is likely, if the writer is not at his brightcft, to 
 degenerate into what Mr. Swinburne aptly calls "a villainous 
 trick of verbiage." In Humour out of Breath it muft be owned 
 .that the conceits fometimes fall rather flat. Although none of 
 his verfes are outrageoufly bad, and there is never fuch an utter 
 collapfe as we find again and again in profefTed academical 
 writers like Greene and Peele, yet the effeft is often anything 
 but fatisfadtory. 
 
 But it is better to give praife where praife is due and avoid 
 f;;ult-finding. Afpero is a fine frank fpirit, free from all taint 
 of bafenefs, one who as friend or foe would have earned the 
 rcfpeftof Faulconbridge. He fpeaks in a free, terfe language ; 
 and when he announces his intention of meeting the ufurper 
 face to face, his words found like a challenge, and ring with the 
 clafh of meeting fwords. His bluff wooing of Florimel and the 
 lady's arch raillery are in our author's happieft manner. The 
 fcene in which, with the help of the page, they cozen Hor- 
 tenfio at blindman's-bufi^ mull have given rare fcope to the 
 Children of the King's Revels for difplaying their nimblenefs. 
 At the private houfes prices were higher and audiences more 
 feledl than at the larger theatres. Day feems to have kept well 
 
25 
 
 in mind throughout the play the requirements of his hearers. 
 He has been more than ufually careful to preferve an air of 
 *' polifli and politenefs : " he has caught Lilly's grace of writing 
 without his pedantry. Altogether Humour out of Breath amply 
 juftifies its name. Conceits fhower thicker and thicker upon 
 us as we are whirled along in a round of rhymes, until we 
 find ourfelves at lall wellnigh breathlefs with mirth. 
 
 Faffing to the Parliament of Bees, we find ourfelves encoun- 
 tered by feveral difiicukies : Firft, there is a doubt about the 
 date of its publication. In Gildon's edition of Langbaine's 
 Dramatick Poets, 1699, in Giles Jacob's Poetical Regifter, 17 19, 
 and again in the Companion to the Play-houfe, 1764, mention is 
 made of a 4to. of 1607. Charles Lamb, too, in the ExtraSis 
 from the Garrick Plays, makes his quotations from " the Parlia- 
 ment of Bees: A Mafque, By John Day, Printed 1607." 
 Now, it is juft poffible that Lamb printed from the 1641 4to., 
 and merely followed tradition in affigning 1607 as the date of 
 the firft edition. Certainly there is no copy of the 1607 410. at 
 the prefent time in the Garrick colleftion. Mr. E. W. Goffe 
 afTures me that he remembers reading the Bees in a 4to. of the 
 early date, which he found after a perfonal fearch in the King's 
 Library of the Britifh Mufeum. I regret that I have not been 
 an equally fuccefsful explorer: I have found a copy of the later 
 4to. in the King's Library, but there is no trace of the earlier 
 edition. If the reader will compare the firft extradl given by 
 Lamb with the text of 1641, he will find feveral differences. 
 In one place Lamb's reading is decidedly better. For " Akron 
 boughs" (p. 43), where the MS. gives "acorne cuppes," Lamb 
 prints "acorn bowls." But I am inclined to think that this 
 is a corredlion of Lamb's — a correction which he confidered 
 fo obvious as not to require a note. The abridged Langbaine, 
 Giles Jacob, and the author of the Companion to the Play-houfe, 
 give only a bare lift of our author's plays, and it is likely enough 
 that the date of the Bees may have been confufed with that of 
 the Three Englijh Brothers ; juft as Giles Jacob confufes the two 
 plays in another particular, making Rowley and Wilkins to 
 have had a hand in the Bees, and leaving Day wholly refpon- 
 fible for the Three Englifh Brothers. But for the fad that Mr. 
 
26 
 
 GolTe has a Ilrong imprcflion of having feen the 1607 410., we 
 might reafonably fuppofe that a flip was made in the firfl 
 inllancc by Gildon, later compilers perpetuating the blunder 
 of their prcdeceflbr. 
 
 Leaving now the quelHon of the date, we are met by another 
 difficulty. I fliowed in the " note" to the Parliament of Bees 
 that whole pages of Day's Mafque are to be found almoft word 
 for word in Dekker's Wonder of a Kingdom y' and Mr. J. M. 
 Thomfon, of Edinburgh, has fince pointed out to me that 
 Charafters 4 and 5 are to be found in Samuel Rowley's Spanijh 
 Souldier, publiflied in 1634, but written much earlier. Com- 
 pare with Character 4, Sig C v — C 2 v, and F v — F 2 ; 
 and with Charafter 5, D 3 v — E. It is painful that Day fliould 
 lie under the fufpicion of decking himfelf in borrowed plumes. 
 If he really filched whole fcenes from Dekkerand Samuel Row- 
 ley, the pleafure that we get from the Parliament of Bees ■wo\x\6. 
 be fcrioufly impaired. But it is no lefs reafonable than graceful 
 to aiTume that Day adopted this means of reclaiming his anony- 
 mous contributions to various plays. In fa£l: the Parliament of 
 Bees is a dainty piece of patchwork. With the exception of 
 Charadlers i, 11, and 12, which were plainly written for the 
 occaflon, the Mafque feems to have been made up of fcenes, 
 more or lefs revifed, contributed to the Wonder of a Kingdom, 
 the Spanijh Souldier, and other plays that have either been lofl 
 or where the connection remains yet to be pointed out. This 
 view faves Day's credit without afperfing the fair fame of 
 Dekker and Samuel Rowley. Dekker did not think it necef- 
 fary to own his obligations to Day, and Day, when the occa- 
 flon offered itfclf, put his own property to his own ufe. Samuel 
 Rowley, it will be remembered, was in his grave when the 
 Spanijh Souldier was publifhcd. If Day had only a flight fhare 
 in the Wonder of a Kingdom, there is nothing ftrange in the ab- 
 fence of his name from the title-page : in fad, the ilrangenefs 
 would rather have been if Dekker had taken the trouble to make 
 a note of acknowledgment. The only dramatiil who took a 
 lofty view of the rights and duties of authorfhip was Ben Jon- 
 
 ' Compare alfo with p. 19 of my reprint a pafTage in Dekker's If thU he 
 not a good Play the Di-vi/l it in it, iii. 275 (Peaifon's Reprint), 
 
27 
 
 fon : witnefs his addrefs To the Reader prefixed to Sejanus. 
 Suckling's hit at the old poet in the SeJJion of the Poets, 
 
 " His were called Works while others were but plays," 
 
 had more point then than now. What was efteemed arrogant 
 prefumption byhis contemporaries is now confidered honourable 
 felf-refpeft. Would that his example had been followed by 
 others! Ben Jonfon kept his eye fteadily fixed on the future ; 
 but writers like Day and Dekker were more modeft'y difpofed. 
 They knew that the laurels would wither on their brow, but 
 they did not therefore repine. Though they worked, and worked 
 hard too, for a livelihood, without thought of future fame, yet 
 they had the artiiVs pride in their work. The indifference dif- 
 played in Day's AddrefTes to the Reader contrafls curioufly 
 with the painful care, as fhown by a comparifon of the MS. 
 with the printed copy, that he fpent in polilhing his Mafque. 
 Page by page, and line byline he revifed the firft draft, cancel- 
 ling fometimes, through an exceffive faftidioufnefs, pafTages that 
 the reader would willingly fee reftored. Much of the work 
 that Day did for Henflowe was no doubt done from neceflity, 
 without any thorough enjoyment ; but it was pleafure and not 
 profit that didlated the Parliament of Bees. Probably the Mafque 
 was compofed merely to gratify the author's feelings and with- 
 out any view to reprefentation on the ftage. I doubt whether 
 Day had fufhcient influence to get his Mafque reprefented at 
 Court. His dedications were addreiTed to gentlemen, who may 
 have been bountiful, but certainly were not dillinguifhed. The 
 Parliament of Bees affuredly deferved to have been adled ; for 
 a daintier fample of exquifite workmanfhip in this form of 
 writing could hardly be found. The colloquy between Are- 
 thufa and Ulania in Charafter 6 difplays a fweetnefs of fancy 
 and fluency of expreflion that almoft lift the author for a 
 moment to the fide of him who wrote the Midfummer Nighfs 
 Dream. The modulation of the verfe is flawlefs : the rhymed 
 heroics ring with a filvery chime. No heavy ornaments en- 
 cumber the light fpeed : the mufical rhymes bubble up brightly 
 without a ftain : the didlion is quaint and crifp, and moil art- 
 
28 
 
 fully artless. But hear Charles Lamb, the trueft and fubtleft of 
 all critics : — 
 
 " ' The doings, 
 The births, the wars, the wooings ' 
 
 of thefe pretty little winged creatures are with continued live- 
 lincfs portrayed throughout the whole of this curious old drama, 
 in words which Bees would talk with, could they talk ; the 
 very air feems replete with humming and buzzing melodies 
 while we read them. Surely bees were never fo be-rhymed 
 before." 
 
 r— Day nowhere appears to fuch advantages as in Charafter 6, 
 The companion pifture in Charadter 8 is not nearly fo perfcft. 
 Throughout this colloquy the readings of the printed copy are 
 a great improvement on the MS., but ftill the language is 
 ftrained. There is not the fame delightful eafe and freedom : 
 the author has not been able " to recapture the firft fine care- 
 lefs rapture." Yet the conceit is prettily purfued, and when 
 the colloquy ends we could almoft wifh that the fanciful ex- 
 travagancy had been continued longer. Charadlers 6 and 8 are 
 undoubtedly the gems of this quaint old Mafque ; and it is 
 fatisfadory that Day's title to thefe two fcenes has not been 
 called in quellion. 
 
 Hardly lefs charafteriftic are the Author's CommiJJion to his 
 Bees and the Booke to the Reader. We are quite captivated at 
 llarting by the arch tendernefs of the author's appeal. In thefe 
 two copies of verfe, admirable for their grace and compadnefs, 
 it is delightful to watch the conflift between the poet's pride 
 and modefty. Equally charming is the defcription of the folemn 
 ailembling of the Bees' Parliament in Charafter i, where we 
 cannot but admire the elaborate periods and eloquent fenten- 
 tioufncfs of the Mailer Bee's opening addrefs, and the mock 
 gravity with which the bills are preferred and fentences are 
 paffcd againft the fcveral offenders. 
 
 Charadcrs 2 and 3, dcfcribing the RufTet Bee and the Plufh 
 Bee, reflcdl much credit on Day — if they belong to him. Gia- 
 como Gentili, who is identical with the RufTet Bee, is de- 
 fcribcd by Hazlitt as " that truly ideal charadler of a magnificent 
 patron." The Plufh Bee bears forae refemblance toPolymetes; 
 
29 
 
 whom, however, he far furpafles in the extravagance of his 
 humours. Polymetes is not without fine capabilities, and wants 
 only the right twift in order to become a pattern of nobility ; 
 but the Plufh Bee has acquired the fettled habits of vicioufnefs, 
 and is completely abandoned. The one, in Ariftotelian language, 
 is aKpoTijg, but the other is aKSXaarog beyond redemption. 
 
 Characters 4 and 5, which deal with the negleft Ihown to 
 foldiers and poets, are (as I have faid) to be found in Samuel 
 Rowley's Spatiijh Souldier. Day has been at no pains to conceal 
 the fadl that thefe two charafters are excerpts. There is a 
 curious abruptnefs in the opening lines of Charafter 4, '* Is 
 Mafter Bee at leifure to fpeak Spanifh with a Bee of fervice ?" 
 Why fpeak Spanifh ? In Charadler 5, as given by the 4to, the 
 author's drift is difficult to divine. For a moment the reader 
 is at a lofs to fee why the additional lines (p. 36) preferved by 
 the MS., and required to make the fenfe complete, were can- 
 celled in the revifed copy. Ic will be obferved that Stuprata of 
 the MS. anfwers both to Iltrifte and Arethufa of the 4to. There 
 is an unpleafant fuggeftivenefs in the name " Stuprata ;" and it 
 would feem that Day had intended at firft to reprefent her as 
 won over from her lover's fide by the folicitations of the Mafter 
 Bee. So we fhould gather from the table of Arguments in the 
 MS.:— 
 
 " Stuprate by a willing force, 
 having indurde a wiiht divorce, 
 repents," &c. 
 
 The continual references (pp. 52-54) in the MS. to her 
 " fin " and " fhame " would be otherwife unintelligible. Her 
 own account, as given by the MS. (p. 36), conflifts with this 
 view ; but we could hardly expedt her to expofe her Ihame to 
 a ftranger. On a revifion of his work, Day rightly faw that the 
 leaft hint of Stuprata's infidelity would have tainted throughout 
 the clear current of the poem. He therefore determined to 
 change the unfortunate name, and to let Charafter 5 ftand un- 
 connefted with Charafters 6 and 8. Of courfe the author cannot 
 be acquitted of carelefTnefs for leaving Charafter 5 in fo un- 
 finifhed a flate ; but how great has been the gain in the two 
 later charafters ! Arethusa's abandonment of her lover is now 
 
30 
 
 nothing more than a piece of pafling petulance ; the fair fame 
 of the pretty bee is unftained, and the whole of the ugly bufi- 
 ncfs is refolvcd into a lovers' quarrel. After this happy change, 
 Chariolus, when he hears the feigned news of hismiltrefs' death, 
 can dcfcant on her " virgin modcfty :" now her " chaftity " can 
 go " attir'd in white," not in the hateful black of the MS. 
 Would that the Faithful Shepherdefs had undergone a like re- 
 vifion ! 
 
 Charadler 5 is more in our author's vein than the complaint 
 of Armiger in Charadler 4. Day is fond of lamenting the decay 
 of learning, and the fhifis to which poets arc reduced ; witnefs 
 his Peregrinatio Scholajiica and Polymetes' eloquent tirade in 
 the firft aft of Law-Trickes. If more of his plays had come 
 down it might be found that he was equally zealous for the 
 foldier's profcffion. 
 
 In Charaftcr 7 we are again introduced to the Plufh Bee. We 
 leave him ftill running his headlong courfe, fpurning the counfel 
 of his provident uncle. We are reminded of the careful Oftavio 
 and the fpcndthrift prince, his nephew, in Dekker's If this be 
 not a good Play the Divel is in it. 
 
 Only the Quackfalving Bee and the Ufuring Bee remain. In 
 more or lefs vigorous language the blood-fuckers of the time 
 were aflailed by moft of the old dramatifts ; but the quack- 
 falvers fuffered comparatively little interruption. There is much 
 gufto in the hale old man's rejeftion of the " impofterous Quack- 
 falver's" fervices : — 
 
 " I am healthfull both in body and in wits j 
 
 Coughs, rheumes, catarrhes, gouts, apopledlic fits, 
 
 The common fores of age, on me nere ran : 
 
 No GaleniJ} or Paraceljian 
 
 Shall ere read Phyfick ledture out of me : 
 
 He be no fubjedl for Anatomic," 
 
 The complacency with which he enumerates the feveral mala- 
 dies is admirable. At the end of the charafter the MS. pre- 
 ferves fome curious lines that were cancelled in the printed 
 copy, as being, no doubt, on fecond thoughts, confidered too 
 bitter. Certainly they jar harfhly with the good-humoured 
 tone of the reft of the charafter. 
 
31 
 
 With the defcription of "Obron in Progreflu," and "Obron 
 in his Star-Chamber " the Parliament of Bees is brought plea- 
 fantly to an end. The oftofyllabic verfe in which thefe two 
 fcenes are written is handled with rare delicacy. We feem to 
 hear the light beat of tiny wings as the " bees of worth " come 
 flying up to Obron's throne to prefent in the daintiell language 
 their feveral oflFerings, and to receive with fitting compliments 
 their well-merited rewards. But Obron can be flern as well as 
 gentle; and dire muft have been the confternation produced in 
 the winged commonwealth at hearing the fentence of banifli- 
 ment pronounced on the " tranfgrefling bees :" — 
 
 " Fruit, half ripe, hang rivell'd and ihrunk 
 On broken Armes torne from the trunk. 
 
 The moflie weeds half fwelter'd ferv'd 
 As beds for vermin hunger-fterv'd," 
 
 What a contrafl to the 
 
 "Garden and orchard, lawns and flowery meads " 
 
 of the firft Charafter ! Hardly poor Ovid at Tomi could figh 
 more pathetically for the politenefs of Rome than thele banifhed 
 bees for the bloflbm'd thyme. 
 
 But it is time to take leave of the " winged collonie ;" not 
 without a hope that for many a year to come the humming of 
 Day's pretty bees may found pleafantly in the reader's ear, in 
 the paufes of more ferious work, on Auguft afternoons and De- 
 cember evenings. 
 
 Note. — Two anonymous plays — The Return from Parnajfus 
 and The Maid's Metamorphofis — have been attributed to Day. 
 In Notes and ^eries. III. S, ix. 387, the late Mr. Bolton 
 Corney claimed the Return from Parnajfus for Day, adducing a 
 few (not very cogent) arguments, as follows : — " The Return 
 from Parnajfus was afted at Cambridge and publifhed at London 
 in 1606, 4to. It is anonymous; but a copy which has been 
 fubmitted to my examination bears this envoi : " To my Lovinge 
 Smallocke J : D :" Now it feems to me probable that the above 
 initials denote John Day, a dramatill of the period, and that 
 
32 
 
 he was the author of the admired play in queftion. I have to 
 produce three points of evidence as entitled to impartial con- 
 fideration : — 
 
 "I. It is certain that John Day was educated at Cambridge, 
 and it may be fairly afTumed that the ftudents in the exercife 
 of their hiftrionic faculties would make choice of one of the 
 productions of their own univerfity. 
 
 " 2. The play was printed by G. Eld for John Wright in 
 1606, and the play entitled The Travels of the Three Englijh 
 Brothers, which is the avowed production of Day, was pub- 
 lilhed by John Wright in 1607. 
 
 " 3. I have compared the envoi with the Lanfdowne MS. 
 725, and with due allowance for the difference between a 
 running hand and a formall addrefs believe them to be by the 
 fame writer. The Lanfdowne MS. alfo has J : D : 
 
 "The extenlive acquaintance with the literature of the 
 metropolis which this play exhibits might be held as adverfe 
 to my conclufions, but the objeftion muft vanifh before the 
 faft that Day often wrote in alTociation with Dekker, Chettle, 
 and others — and perhaps that circumftance may account for 
 the harfli treatment which Ben Jonfon receives and the fome- 
 what equivocal praife of the poems of Shakefpeare without 
 one word on his plays." 
 
 Arguments i and 2 have really no value at all ; and as I 
 have never feen the envoi I cannot teft the argument drawn 
 from the handwriting. But Mr. Bolton Corney might have 
 made more of his cafe. While mentioning The Travels of the 
 Three Englijh Brothers he fhould have added that Will Kemp 
 is there made one of the dramatis persona, as in the Return 
 from ParnaJJus. Again, the Return from Parnajfus deals with 
 the negledl that attends fcholars, and fhows how only roguery 
 profpers : precifely (imilar is the teaching of much of the Pere- 
 grinatio Scholajlica. In the play there is a vigorous attack on 
 Simony, fhowing how learning is no qualification for promotion 
 in the Church: fo in tract 17 of the Peregrinatio Scholajlica 
 we have an account of the entertainment received by Learning 
 from a " Cuntry Vickcr" — one who had juft "learning enough 
 to read a mariadge and buriall and, if neede be, to faye a 
 
33 
 
 homelie of a hoUidaie," and who was poflefled of " but a poore 
 vicoridge which one Mr. Symon-Monye, or more familiarlie 
 fym-monie, helpt me to." The Return from ParnaJTus was pre- 
 ceded by an earlier play (now loft), The Pilgrimage to Par- 
 najfus, a title which reminds us oi {Peregrinatio Schola/lica, or) 
 Learninges Pilgrimage. As we pafs in review the dramatifts of 
 the time, no likely candidate is fuggcfted for the authorfhip of 
 the anonymous play ; but Day's claim cannot poffibly be fup- 
 ported on the very flender evidence that has been adduced. 
 That he made fome contributions to the play is not, perhaps, 
 altogether improbable. 
 
 The Maid^s Metamorphojis (1600) has been affigned to Day 
 by no lefs an authority than Mr. E. W. GofTe. This play is 
 commonly regarded as belonging to Lyly ; but that tirefome 
 writer could never have fo completely diverted himfelf of his 
 pedantry. Moreover, the rhymed heroics in which the play is 
 written remind us more of the author of the Parliament of 
 Bees than of any other writer of the time : Lyly has nowhere 
 fhown the flighteft ability for this form of writing. The page, 
 Joculo, is as lively as his namefake in Humour out of Breath ; 
 but Lyly's attempts at repartee are among the worft on record. 
 In my forthcoming Colledlion of Inedited Old Plays, I fhall 
 examine the Maid' s Metamorphojis more clofely. 
 
Peregrinatio Scholaftica 
 
 OR 
 
 Learneinges Pillgrimage 
 
 Containeinge the ftraundge Adventurs and 
 
 various entertainements he founde 
 
 in his traveiles towards the flirine 
 
 of Latria. 
 
 Meliora Iperamus : 
 
 Compofde and devided into morall 
 Traftates 
 
 By John Daye 
 
 Sometimes ftudent of Gunvill & Caius CoUedge 
 
 In Cambridge. 
 
 [The following traft is printed from a MS. in the Britifli Mufeum, numbered 
 Sloane MS. 3150 — a fmall 4to. of 32 leaves written in a neat hand. Mr. W. R. 
 Wilfon and Mr. Jenner, of the Printed Book Department, very kindly revifed my 
 tranfcript. The orthography of the original has been followed ; but I have not 
 thought it neceflary to keep up the punctuation, the contradlions, and the indif- 
 criminate ufe of capital letters.] 
 
TO THE RIGHT WORTHIE AND WORSHIPFULL 
 M' WILLIAM AUSTIN ESQUIRE 
 
 JOHN DAIE 
 
 Wijheth his own hartes wijhes. 
 
 WoRTHiE Sir, 
 
 What Perfeus (in the prologue to his Satires) fpoke 
 of the Crowe-poets of his time (perhaps in a clowdie Ironie) 
 Venter artis magijier, may trewlie be faid (I am fure without 
 figure) of vs poeticke-pies in this adge ; who are soe preste 
 downe vnder the hande of necefTitie and batterd with the 
 arrowes of fcornfull difgrace (which like fooles bolts are fhott 
 and blunted in the very eyes of our profeffioun) that weare it 
 not for fome noble and generous fperritts that (as Hercules did 
 by Thefeus) fetch there deare friend Lerneingout of the fanges 
 of merciles Ruine, this land which hath been coMnted Jior turn 
 [fie] Mufaru wold fhortlie with Athens be fharer in the title 
 Stabulum AJinorum, and fchollers be thought gromes fcarce 
 worthie to wipe there flovenlie ffetlockes. Which flaverie to 
 prevent I (a Crowe-poet amongft the reft) flye to your worthy 
 patronadge for Ihelter, not without some hope of favourable 
 entertainement nether. The deare refpeft you beare to lerne- 
 inge (which cahot be without fome aff^ection to the profefibrs 
 of it) is foe obvious and apparant to meere ftraungers, it were 
 a fhame degreede beneath difgrace fhould not I, a neighbour (of 
 foe longe ftanding), amongft other richer and more able per- 
 formances offer my poor mite of Invention at the alter of your 
 favorable acceptance. And as Jewels, fo the ftones be orient, 
 artfully cutt and orderlie sett, vfe not be vndervalewde for the 
 
38 
 
 obfcurenefs of the workman, but are rather a meanes to make 
 him better knowne in the eye of rcguard ; fo I prefume that 
 my endeavours, the fubjedl being right and the workmanfhipp 
 anything artfull, may not finde the lefle wellcome in regard I 
 boafl not that gaudie fpring of Credit & youthful! florifh of 
 Opinion as some other fildc in the fame Rancke with me. The 
 day may come when Nos quoque Jloruimus may be there motto 
 as well as myne ; in the meane time, being becalmde in a fogg 
 of neceffity, I am content to ly at Anckor before the Hands 
 Meliora Speramus. Thus, not to prefume too much vpon your 
 patience, I coinit you and your ferious indeavours to Heauens 
 protection & my wortheles vndertaking to yours : 
 
 Defirous to ferue you in all Dutie 
 
 John Daye. 
 
The contents of the feverall 
 Tractates. 
 
 Traa 1. 
 
 1. Lerneings parentage, with purpofe of Travaile, in which 
 
 he is attended by Cronos and Alethe. 
 
 Traa 2. 
 
 2. Lerneings entertainement amongft the Cofmophili : he 
 
 receives an invitacion from Poneria, by meanes whereof 
 he loofes Tyme or Cronos. 
 
 Traa 3, 
 
 3. Poneriaes preparation to entertaine him, with chardg to 
 
 Errour for Alethes imprifonment. 
 
 Traa 4, 
 
 4. Ponerias enchanted groue and how Lerneinge became 
 
 enamorde of her entertainements & poets. 
 
 Traa 5. 
 
 5. What Mafkes and revells Ponerias feven fonns prefented 
 
 him with in there mothers caftle. 
 
 Traa 6. 
 
 6. Alethe incaftrata. Truth imprifond by Errour defcribes 
 
 Poneria and her intertainements : her 7 fonns. 
 
40 
 
 7raa 7. 
 
 7. Superbia, or Prides trew charafter. 
 
 TraB 8. 
 
 8. Invidia, or Envies trew charcftcr. 
 
 Traa 9. 
 
 9. Ira, or Wrathes charefter. 
 
 TraB 10. 
 
 10. Auaritia, or Covetoufnes his chareflcr. 
 
 TraB 1 1 . 
 
 11. Ebrietas, or Drunkennes charedt. 
 
 TraB 12. 
 
 12. Luxuria, or Lufls charedl. 
 
 TraB 13. 
 
 13. Pigritia, or Slothes chareft. 
 
 TraB 14. 
 
 14. Lerneing, about to fe his Infirmitie, is difwaded by Errour 
 
 in the borrowd habit of Alethe. 
 
 TraB 15. 
 
 15. By followcing Errour, Lerneing is caft vpon the Hand 
 
 Ncceflitas: what he faw there ; how narrowly fcapt the 
 rocke of defpaire ; came acquainted with Induftrie, 
 who brought him out of the Hand & wifht him to 
 fcekc a fervice. 
 
 TraB 16. 
 
 16. Lcrncings comcing to Superbiaes Court and Avaritiaes 
 
 City ; of the intertainement he fownde in both. 
 
41 
 
 Traa 17. 
 
 17. Lernening goes to a fubvrbe Juftice and a cuntry vicker ; 
 
 his intertainement and what it was. 
 
 T:raa 18. 
 
 18. Lerneinge, notwithftanding the helpe of Induftry, comes 
 
 to Beggars bufh : the cuntry defcribed and the inhabi- 
 taunts ; where, whilft he tooke a napp, he had a vifion. 
 
 Trail 19. 
 
 19. Lerneinge meetes Experience at Weepeing Crofle, who 
 
 in a fountaine fliowde him many llrandge marveiles : 
 by his advice he fends Induftrie in ferch of Cronos & 
 Alethe, and gives him the trew folucio of his dreame. 
 
 Tra£l 20. 
 
 20. Induftries queft of inquirie for Time : where he mift, and 
 
 at laft found him : Truth enlargd. Experience fhowes 
 him the right way to Latriaes fhrine j et hie Peregrina- 
 tionis Finis. 
 
T^he Jirjle traSlate. 
 
 PHILOSOPHOS, in which title we include Lerneinge, 
 was the laft, but withall the lovelieft, of all Cofmos 
 fonns : who feeing his father negleft him and all his brothers 
 difdaine him (for nether the world, nor anie that is trewlie in 
 love with it, care a rufhe for Lerninge) grew as careles and 
 negledlfuU of them. And haueing got Cronos (a ferving man 
 as antient as Time) to attend him, and Alethe (a page as truftie 
 as Truth himfelfe) to carry his purfe, undertooke a ferious pill- 
 grimadge towards the flirine of Latria. Longe had he not gone 
 on his jornie but he came into a contrie inhabited by a ftrange 
 generation of people who, for there inordinate love to the 
 worlde, were called Cofmophili; who underftanding that Lerne- 
 ing and Truth were comeing amongft them (tho there Em- 
 perors fonn) fet a guard of billmen at the townes ende (as wife 
 as geefe) to bar his entrance, whilft the chefe men of the 
 Parifhe (to borrow there owne phrafe) defembled themfelves 
 together to convide for his entertaynement. 
 
 T^he feconde t radiate. 
 
 And firft a Butcher, as heademan of that borough or hamlet 
 (for a mungrell corporation it was), ftands up and fweares by 
 the home and the hoofe (a poor othe yet proper enough to the 
 trade), Lerneing he weighd not the pareing of his naile, but if 
 Truth prefumd to looke into his flaughter howfe to blab how 
 manie ftinckes he dreft for growne veale, little old mutton 
 for lambe, and now and then a tidie yong whelpe for a kid, — 
 or meddled with the bellowes that blew up his lambs and 
 calves kidneys — he wold cutte his throate and hang him up by 
 
44 
 
 the heles of a gambrill. Next him a baker flood up (not in the 
 pillorie but in the pleadcing place) and he faid (he was too pre- 
 cife to fweare) that if Lerncing came amongft his accompt 
 bookcs to taxe him with falfe recknings or Truth in his bake- 
 howfe to blab how much beane flower he putt in a batch of 
 white or how many ounces his twopennie wheaten wanted of 
 waighte, he wold thruft cm both in an oven with a burneing 
 bave at there tailes and give em such a butterd bu to break- 
 fast they fhuld not* of thcs two bakeings. Next crowded 
 in a chefemonger that fmelt damnably rancke of rennets, and 
 he fwore that he wold have nothing to doe with Lerneinge 
 (his wife, beflirow her hart, lovd it to well); but if Truth 
 came in his Ihopp, looket amongft his waites or laid his hand — 
 nay, but fo much as his little finger — of his fcalcs, he wold ronn 
 the beame through his nofe, and make him mount like a feelde 
 pigeon. The draper faid. Truth and he (hould cotten well 
 enough ; if he did not informe againft his darke lights he 
 carde not a cockes heere. And much of his mind was the 
 haberdafher ; when of a fodaine up ftarts a cooke, as hott as a 
 toafte, and he fwore by his range and his ffuel forke. If Truth 
 came in his fhopp to blab that his meat was twice fod, then 
 roafted, after ftewd, then min£l and laid in a coffin (deathes 
 enough for a martir), he wold bafte him as he did his bcefe 
 till he ftuncke againe : when an old cruft, with a back bent 
 like a bowe with carieing tables and treflells to his cuftomers, 
 joind in the fame tale with him and said. If Truth knew but 
 foe much by him as he did himfelf chud hang by the cragg 
 next zeffions; and for Lerneing che could not abid un, the 
 fowle meezlie wod Imake a game playe on un & fend his 
 daughter to dance the morris & his wize zonn to cache 'n a 
 dotteriis againe che voore. 
 
 In conclufion (which was never knowne before) they all 
 agreed in one tale, that nether Lerneinge nor Truth fliuld taft 
 of there cupp, tho they ftarvd and died (as many fatherles 
 children defeated of there portiouns did, under ftalls at the dores 
 of there ovcrfeers); and for that purpofe fent for the county- 
 jailer (no fmall ffoole amongft them nether, I can tell you) to 
 ' The next word is illegible. 
 
45 
 
 knowe what rome he had in the comon jaile ; for they knew 
 Lerneinge was not able (haueing Truth in his companie) to 
 lye of the M''^ fide. He no foner hard there purpofe for the 
 imprifoneinge of Lerneing and Truthe but he puft and fweate 
 worfe then the tother cooke, and fwore, If they came where he 
 had to doe, heede laie the key under the dore and let his land 
 lord go feeke his rente ; for if Truth (as tis his nature to be 
 peepeinge into everie profeffion) fhuld blab how he raifd his 
 ffees, rackt the poore prifoners diet, made them paie feven, nay 
 ten fhillings a weeke for a bed that was fcarce worth five groates, 
 and a thowfand more conceald knaveries — he fhould (where he 
 hopt to be a knight) become a knitter of capps ; and of a legi- 
 timate gentleman in place become a contemptible jacke out of 
 office. Whereupon they concluded to fend 'em there anfwere 
 in wrighting, but there fecretary (iike a fweete page as he was) 
 being dronke was not to be founde. Whereupon up ftarts me 
 a taylor, that had himfelfe in feme refpeft by diverfe od ends 
 and parcells of good opinion, packt and fticht up together ; and 
 he lookt as bigg and furly at the matter as proud Hamon at 
 poore Mordechee, and he undertooke to give them ther anfwer 
 by word of mouth, and ftudied a fett fpeech for the fame pur- 
 pofe. But both his labour and flyblowne oratorie ware faved 
 by refon that Philofophos had turnd the ftreame of his jorny 
 another waye, which was over a fpatioufe plaine, fo curiouflie 
 pavd under foote with flowers and feeld overhead with eglan- 
 tine and halfe blowne honnyfuckles, as in all Cofmos dominions 
 (and that you may thinke a world of ground) v^as not a place 
 more fit for wanton plefure to dwell in: when, caftinge his 
 ey afide, he fpied a dwarfe mounted upon an elephant (winde- 
 ing a filver bugle) come porting full fpeede towards him. About 
 to afke his name and bufinefs, the dwarf prevented him in this 
 manner: Worthy Sir, the Ladie of yonder Caftle (and with 
 that fhow'd him a goodlie caftle on the topp of a rifeing hill, 
 naturallie fenft about with rocks of corrall and walls of dia- 
 monde that femde in fplendor to emulate, if not outfhine, the 
 fonn), the miftreffe of this caftle namde Diana, a great hun- 
 trefle and lineally defcended from the white fFairy (puiflaunt 
 Obron), knowing your worthe and heareing of your intended 
 
46 
 
 pilgrimadgc to the (brine of her princely Icinfwoman Latria, 
 thus gratioufly falutes you, and, fo fFar forth as femenine 
 modcilic will give her leave, fairelie invites you to honour the 
 memoric of her birthright with your prefence, to which the 
 enfucing morrowe is follempnely dedicate. 
 
 Philofophos, fomewhat elated with this noble and (in his 
 judgment) fomewhat amorous invitation, afkt his pages opinion 
 in the bufines (for he would do nothing without the confent of 
 Alcthe). He told him the caftle was in his judgment (by the 
 defcription) to riche and the meffage to effeminate to belong to, 
 or come from, fo religious a perfonadge and modeft a virgin as 
 Diana was : yet howfoever, being invited, it weare to uncivil 
 a part not to tender his apparance. At this reply of Alethe 
 Philofophos (caufe he would be as little chardge to the Ladie as 
 might be) apointed Chronos to attend his comeing in the next 
 Villadge and returnd for anfweare that he would be willing to 
 doe her any fervice the next morneinge. Which done, they 
 parted : the dwarfe to his lady, and they to take up their lodg- 
 ings in the next Villadge. 
 
 The third traBate, 
 
 PoNERiA or Sinn, for foe (howfoever Errour in the Ihape of a 
 dwarfe had blinded Truth and made Philofophos conceyve 
 otherwife) was this Lady called, who haveing notice of Philo- 
 fophos comeing could fcarce take any reft all night for prepar- 
 ing his entertainement ; for underftanding from her fervant 
 Errour that Alethe came in his companie, [fhe] knew if fhe 
 went in her owne and ufuall habit fhe fhould be difcovered : 
 for howfoever Poneria may feme faire and lovely in the dim ey 
 of the worlde, yet in the view of Truth fhe is moft uglie, 
 wretched and deformed. And blame her not if fhe be ; for fhe 
 is within a little as old as Adam and was the firft child that 
 Eva conceyvd by that father of fin the Serpent : an old beldam 
 7 deadly and mother of feven dcfpcrate fonns, and yet fhe beares her 
 fins. yeares paffing well to, for tho fhe be an ancient trader (allmoft 
 
47 
 
 6ooo yeares {landing) yet at a blufti (he looks as yong as a girle 
 of twentie. But, as I was faieing, fearing that Alethe (hould 
 difcover her wrinkles & putt Philofophos out of conceyt with 
 her, to work goes (he and all the conning artificers with pur- 
 pofe to make a newe creature of her. There lay artificiall teeth 
 in one box; cheekes, nofe, chin, eybrowes (at leaft (luff to make 
 em of) in another. What her hart was I knowe not ; fure I 
 am her haire was none of her owne. But now doe I fwim in 
 the (hallow puddles where every city nurfe and country wait- 
 inge woman can wade in a (ingle-foald pumpe and never wet 
 the hem. This Dipfa being (like a rotten imadge) botcht up 
 and new painted againft the feftivall femd as glorious as Diana 
 herfelfe. This done they goe about to hang this idoU, or rather 
 hide the mud wall, with cloth of arras and curious tapeftry. 
 Her upper vefture was a loofe robeof greene velvet imbroyderd 
 with all variety of flowers ; and round about it, in a border of 
 golde, the (lory of Afteon torne in peeces by his owne hownds 
 for his fawcy prefumption in lookeing into Dianaes fecret foun- 
 taine, to deter all others from the like dareing and defperate 
 undertakeinge. Her belt, quiver and buflcins weare all made 
 of cedar barke but fet of and beautified with feverall devifes. 
 And fird her quiver was thick fet with little Cupids in chaines 
 with broken bowes and leaden arrowes, in contempt of Love 
 and fcorne of his deitie. In her belt (in curious needle work) 
 was lively expreft the (lory of Penthefilea, to exprefs the worth 
 and (ingular coradge of Virginitie. Her bu(kins were enchaft 
 with corrall and buttond with diamonds, in which were lively 
 expred the amorous contentions betwixt Venus and Adonis, 
 which, in figne of hate to loue, (he femd to fpurne and fcorne 
 (as they fay) with her heeles. Uppon her head (lood a garland 
 of rofe buds and carnations halfe blowne (new pluckt out of the 
 bofome of the fpringe) which, quickend with the heat of her 
 breath, femd to fpring and growe afre(he. 
 
 Her feature beyond expre(rion amiable: for fird her hayre, 
 that hung in loofe trammells about her (houlders, like fine 
 thredds of gold, femde like a curled flame that burnes down- 
 ward, not much unlike the hot reflexion of the fonn in June 
 playing the wanton upon the fide of a hill or danceing and 
 
48 
 
 capring in the lap of a fruitful! vallye. Upon her ivory browc 
 the quccne of Beautie femd to ly naked, flitely fliadowd or 
 fcarft with a thin tinfeli or Tirean vaile. Her bright eyes 
 appeard like two chriftall fountaynes or fpringes in which all 
 the graces feemde to wafh and bathe themfelves. Her amorous 
 cheeks were like two blufliing morneings, where the fonn of 
 beautie was alvvaies arifinge. Her rofeate lipps may not un- 
 fittly be comparde to Love's alters upon which a thowfand 
 bleedinge harts were howerlie facrificed. Her ivorie teeth 
 ftoode like a double rowe of Dianaes Nimphes bathing them- 
 felves in a fweet fountaine. Her rounde longe neck may be re- 
 fembled to Cupids quiver ; and every accent that flew from her 
 mouthe a fhafte able to pierce the harte of Chaftetie itfelf. Her 
 two round breafts appeard like two Alpes of beautie coverd 
 with fnow fo pure and powerfull it might thawe the fonn of 
 lull: and afFedlion. Her pretie hands and feete, brancht out into 
 fingers and toes, were the bounds & limits of this amorous 
 continent. 
 
 Poneria, in this borrowde habitt, under the name of Diana, 
 earlie in the morning conveid herfelf into an enchanted grove 
 and left her fervant Error to entertaine Philofophos and take 
 fom order to imprifon or make away his fervant Alethe ; for 
 fhe knew, if fhe came in his fight, her bafe impofturifme would 
 be difcoverde. Scarce had fhe given Error this chardge and 
 conveyd herfelf out at back gate but Philofophus aryvde, when 
 Error flood with an enchanted cup readie to entertaine him. 
 Of which he and Alethe had no foner tafled (as that curtefie 
 they could not refufe) but they fell both in a dead flepe ; upon 
 which advantage Error prefently locks up Truth in prifon and, 
 attiring herfelf in his robes, wakes Philofophos and in Truth's 
 ftead gives him attendance. (Nor let this feeme improbable : 
 Error has pafle for Truth amongft as great fchollers as Philofo- 
 phos). Being come againe to himfelf he demaunded where 
 Diana was (for fo Errour had titled her). Anfweare was re- 
 turned that at breake of daye (after vfuall cuflome) fhe was 
 gone to hunt in the adjacente grove, where every minute fhe 
 cxpcfted his arrivall : to whome with all pofTible convenience 
 he addrcft himfelfe. 
 
49 
 
 The fourth traBate. 
 
 LoNGE had he not wanderd in this earthly parradice, for fo 
 (being led by Error) it appeard to him, but he efpied Poneria 
 (as before defcribed) leaneing her left elbowe uppon a pillow 
 of primrofes and violets which fprong out of the roote of 
 Dianaes tree (for fo Error cald it) : a goodlie plante and 
 worthie noatinge, not much unlike the defcriptioun which 
 Reverende Sibell made of it. For the rootes, which ware 
 lardge and deepe-faftend in the grounde, femde to be knotts of 
 pure golde, the barke was twifted about with fmall wrethes of 
 filver, curiouflie woven with lockes of Apolloes haire : the 
 waveing leaves fpangled and enameld with pearle, the flender 
 twigs like fo manie Hermes chareing wandes. Infteade of 
 fruite it was hung with filver tables full of golden verfes of the 
 Mufes owne makeing and dedicated to her deitie. And here a 
 little obferve the pollecie of finn or Poneria that like a coninge 
 fiftier throwes out baites fitting the difpofition of the ffifh fhe 
 angles for. To a curioufe and covetous Danee fhe baits her 
 hooke with a fhower of golde ; to an afpiring Agathocles fhe 
 throwes a clowde of honour ; to an adventurous Jafon a golden 
 ffleece ; and to learned Philofophos fchollarfhip and poetrie. 
 Noe foner was our fchollafticall pilgrim ffalne in her eye but 
 with a fomewhat more than mortall ftate, in this, or the like 
 languadge fhe falutes him: " We^ think it a favour fomwhat 
 above ufuall that we, ladie and miflrefTe of thes groves (to 
 whome Ganges, Tagus and the Americke mynes pay the tenth 
 part as tribute) voutchfafe to invite and bid you wellcome ? 
 This fpoke fhe tooke him by the hand and ledd him to the topp 
 of a rifeing hill (that like a great man feemd to ftand above and 
 overlooke the bending plaines and humble vallies) and fhewd 
 him the full plefure and beauty of her continent ; the excel- 
 lency whereof, had I as many hands as Bryareus had fingers 
 and as many pens as thofe fingers had joints, to them the in- 
 vention of Ovid, the rethoricke of Tulli and deliverie of 
 
 ' Quy. Sir. The reading of the MS. is not clear. 
 G 
 
so 
 
 Demofthcnes, I were not able to better the fclf defcribeing 
 plefures of them. In one place ftoode a grove of yong mirtles, 
 pavd with mufk rofes and lillics, and in that her white turtles 
 and tame nitingales builded and bred : upon the fide of that 
 Icand a medowe full of cowflipps and primerofes where foxes 
 and lambes, fhepe and bcares fed of the fame turfe and dranke 
 of one fountaine without ether act or thought of violence ; and 
 this grove Erour cald the " grove of union." Other groves 
 there ware of tall cedars and ftreight pines, with trees that 
 bore all kinde of fruite. 
 
 What recreations he fawe there ware (to humaine thought) 
 incredible. For firft flie brought him into a lardge plaine, 
 where he fawe (at leaft Errour perfwaded him that he fawe) 
 the winds mounted upon clowdes fhapt in the fadiion of 
 ayrey jennets run a tilt with ftarrs which, broke or fhiverd, 
 femd to fall to the ground in a thoufand little fparks and lie 
 glimmering at the rootes of brambles and other lowe Shrubbs. 
 Voluptates That done Prometheus threw up a fierworke or Ignis Fatuus, 
 Inanes. which a thoufand fayrics (there hands glovd with SalJamanders 
 fkins) bandied and toft one to another and, weary with bownd- 
 ing of it, ftuck it up burneing in the roofe of heauen ; and this 
 Errour cald a comet or blazing ftar. In contemplation of thes 
 and the like imaginarie paftimes was Philofophos fo taken as 
 Poneria (by the heJpe of Errour), ftole the hart out of Philo- 
 fophos bofome & imbreafted it in her owne. And by this 
 time the day groweing old they finifht their fports and returnd 
 homward to the Caftle, where againft there comeinge feven 
 valeant knights, all neare allied to Poneria, had prepared 
 fumptuous and coftlie revells with mafkes and dances to enter- 
 taine Philofophos. 
 
 The ff the tr a 51 ate. 
 
 NoE fooner were they entered through the great hall into a 
 fpacious gallerie but an anteraafke prefented itfelf in this man- 
 ner: Bacchus crownd with a wreath of vine branches full of 
 fwelJing grapes (haveing the proportion of a child, the face of 
 
51 
 
 an amorous maide and a paire of goates homes on his heade) 
 mounted upon a chariot was drawne with pardcs, tigers, 
 linxes and panthers. There harnefs was wrought all of vine 
 branches hung full of bunches of blewe grapes which were 
 fo conninglie & lively drawne as both the chariot and the 
 beafts femd to fland under the (hadowe of a natural! vine. His 
 attendants (as Errour informd Philofophos) were a company of 
 poets playeing upon oaten pipes, to which mufick a chorus of 
 wanton weomen that reprefented the nine Mufes came finging 
 and danceinge. 
 
 Philofophos not a little taken with this invention demaunded 
 the reafon of his attyre and the names of his attendants ; to 
 which the prefenter anfwerd that he had the figure of a child 
 becaufe men in drinke doe comonly behave themfelves like 
 children both in revealing fecrets and difcovering not onely 
 there owne thoughts but betraieing the bofomes of their beil 
 friends ; and in that fenfe old men may be faid to be bis pueri. 
 He was drawen with the face of a maide becaufe wine, moderate- 
 lie taken, makes a man cheerefull and fmothe countenanft as a 
 maide. He was pidlured with homes in his head becaufe ex- 
 ceffe of wine (efpecially if it take head once) makes a man laf- 
 civious and indomitable as a beaft, according to that old faieing 
 hinc pauper cornua fumit. Wine makes a hare think his ears 
 homes, and a coward as valeant as Hercules: and that like- 
 wife was the reafon he was drawne by fuche beafts as are trew 
 hierogliphicks of luft and fury. 
 
 Bacchus thus enterd and accompanied from every corner of 
 the gallerie came a fownd of loud mufick that ufherd in the anti- 
 mafke as followes, in the manner of a dronken dance, alludeing 
 to Bacchus in whofe honour it was prefented : Firft a coople 
 with daggers, ftabbing one at another; then a coople kilfing 
 and embraceing one another ; next a coople makeing bargaines 
 and fealeing bands one to another ; a coople fighting and weep- 
 ing in the bofomes one of another; and laft a coople drowfie 
 and nodding one over another. The dance ended it was agen 
 demanded why thofe (made drunke all with one forte of wine) 
 there poftures and behaviours fliould be fo different. Anfweare 
 was made that when vines were firft planted the fkillfull work- 
 
52 
 
 men, to make 'em the more fruitfull, waterd them with the 
 blood of lyons, foxes, goates, crocodiles, fwine and the like ; 
 and hence it comes to pafle that wine, being the life blood of 
 the vine and fucking it prime nutriment from the roote, it 
 confequently participates the trewe nature of it. For example, 
 when the lions bloode mates with a furious difpofition (as in 
 thefc two) it converts to rage, ftabbings and quarrells; and fuch 
 we call Lion-Drunk. In theise two of amorous behaviour, 
 that like hot fparrows or Barbarie pidgeons confume and melt 
 away in dalliance, the goates blood is predominante ; and fuch 
 we call Goate-Drunk. In thefe that like crafty marchaunts 
 never buy nor fell, never hire fervant and feildome chofe a 
 wife but when they have there full bowles about them, the 
 foxe blood is predominante ; and fuch we call Foxe-Drunke. 
 In thofe paffionate wine-bibbers that take in wine at there 
 mouthes and dropp it out againe at there eyes, wepe & fmile 
 &like Aprill weather raine and fhine all in one minute, bor- 
 rowe there nature from the crocodyle ; and fuch we call Maud- 
 lin-Drunke. The laft, but of all the rell the leaft worthie, 
 are thofe fnailes that cary their beds of there backs ; their 
 lethargic is fo dull and naftie, theile flepe in there bowles and 
 go to bed in the kennell, fo lafie and fottilhe as, though meate 
 lie readie cut of there trenchers theile rather ftarve then take 
 the paincs to eate it; and theise we call Swine-Dronke. 
 
 The defcription finifht the antimaflce vaniflit, which for the 
 flitenefs and imodeil cariadge (being prefented by dronkards) 
 Poneria fecmd to diilaft, and therefore with a ftately meafure 
 in which (the more to honour Philofophos) fhe herfelf was 
 pleafd to dance, the revells for that night were concluded : 
 when takeing Philofophos by the arme fhe accompanied him 
 to his Lodging under a canapie fupported by 7 of her kinfmen, 
 which (Errour whifperd) were the Seven Liberall Sciences. 
 The canapie was a figure of Calurn Stellatum or the middle 
 heaven with the courle of the plannetts from Sathurne to Sol. 
 Thefe fchollerlike recreations more and more inflamde the 
 bloode of Philofophos, cfpecially that he fhould have the Seven 
 Liberal Sciences to attend & ferve him in his lodging (for fo 
 Poneria promifcd), that he nether minded what became of 
 
53 
 
 Cronos nor his intended pilgrimadge, but tooke upp a refolu- 
 tion to live and dye in the courte of Poneria ; where wele 
 leave him and looke back a little to fee what is become of 
 Alethe or Truthe. 
 
 The Jixthe tra5late. 
 
 Who wakeing out of flepe, into which Errour had call him, 
 was become fuch a ftranger to himfelfe both in habit & me- 
 morie he began to dowte of his owne beinge ; for Errour had 
 attirde him in his own habit and fhutt him up in fuch a 
 meander and laborinth of fillogifticall fallacies he never knew 
 where he was nor fawe any eafie poffibilitie of inlardginge 
 himfelfe ; in fo much that he which till that time never knew 
 how to blulh (except at the deformitie of others) was now 
 afhamd to looke upon himfelfe, and, laboring his freedome by 
 honneft diftinftions and probable conclulions dedufted from 
 regular premiffes, he was fo wrapt and fhackled in the net and 
 fnares of erronious clenches and fophifticall follocifmes that, 
 like a fifhe in a net or a felie bird in a limebufhe, the more he 
 ftrove to enlardge himfelfe the fafter he was entangled. And 
 howfoever his body was imprifond he ftill retaind his freedome 
 of mynde & libertie of underftandeing ; and wonderinge what 
 was become of Philofophos he climbd up to a turret & looke- 
 inge through a loope-hoole of the Caftle he made difcovery as 
 followeth. The inchanted grove into which Poneria had in- 
 ticed him (fo beauteous in the defcription of Errour) apperd 
 in the eye of Truth noe better then a bare and blafted wilder- 
 nefs. Upon the barren tres (whofe boughs were rent & torne 
 by the roughe hand of Autumn) hung fruite halfe ripe, fhrunk 
 up and riveld like fcrowles of fcortcht parchment. The filver 
 ftreames that femde to glide thro the bofome of the flowrie 
 meads (out of whofe banckes cities and towers femed to rife 
 that lifted there heads into the clowdes) were ftincking pudles, 
 half emptie ; and that little water that remained, muddie and 
 fuUied, femd to crepe and hide itfelfe under the hollow bancks. 
 The beauteous flowers that femde the choife of Natures im- 
 
54 
 
 broyderie, were nothing elfe but fwelted weeds and fruitlefs 
 mofle where fnakes, toadcs, vipers and half-ftarvd crocodiles 
 made them fommer beds & winter cabbinets. The birdes 
 which fccmde fo plefing in ftiewe and muficall in voice were 
 now but a few fcreich-owles and fatall night crowes ; and 
 they, being hoarfhe and lame, fat imping their broken wings 
 upon the fare boughes of a wether beaten yeugh. 
 
 The nimphes and fairies were nowe but a companie of 
 ignorant ideots, perfueinge ayery bubles and chafeing painted 
 butterflies: the paftimes and revells with which Errour de- 
 luded and Poneria entertained Philofophos were vaine, emptie 
 and imaginarie fhadowcs ; and fhe herfelfe (for all Errours 
 falfe defcfiption) apeard in Truth's eye an uglie and deformed 
 hagg: for how beautiful foever fin apeares comeing towards a 
 man, and pleafing in the imbraceinge, he fhall find her ill favord 
 and bitter at partinge. Imagine by her defcription which 
 Truth drew out with his own hand, in this character. 
 
 Her haire (which in Errour's defcription hunge about her 
 fhoulders in trammels like threads of fine golde) was a bed of 
 poifened fnakes windeing themfelves in knotts with there 
 forked ftings downewarde ; and them fhe fed with the blood 
 of thofe feelie men whom her devilifh inchantments had be- 
 witcht. Her eyes were glazd with lightninge which blafled 
 all thofe that gafd upon her. Her face was hewen from the 
 rocky cheeke of Medufa that turnd her favorites into fenceles 
 flones ; her hands weare borrowd from Tifiphone ; her fingers 
 naild with Harpeis tallents that perfl the verie foules of 
 fuch as imbradt her : in a word her body was an infedled 
 peft houfe and every limbe about her lay fick of a mortall 
 difease. In her bofome, tho, flept Philofophos, whofe ruine 
 Alethe might well pittie, but prevent (by reafoun of her im- 
 prifonment and his lofTe of Time) flie coulde not. Then for 
 a while leave we him ; and a worde or two of Poneriaes 
 Champeons and Errours Seven Liberall Sciences, which Alethe 
 knew at firft fight to be Seven Deadlie Sins, Ponerias naturall 
 fonns, all nurft of her ovvnc teate and fo like the mother they 
 ware the worfc againe. And firft of the firfl in place and 
 oldcft in birthe, Superbia, and thus charaftered. 
 
S5 
 
 The feventh t radiate. 
 
 It is a goodlie proportionable creture, a very Saulc for come- 
 lines and ftature and higher then the whole army by the heade ; 
 naye, fo tall he reaches to heaven and pluckes the very angclls 
 into hell (Alethe fpoke it and I dare take her worde). And as 
 in the body of man the hart \z prhnu vivens fo is pride /r//w«j 
 motor in the body of fin, generall c& prime leader of the whole 
 armie ; and as a prince or a great man never comes to a mans 
 howfe but he brings his traine with him, fo Superbia never 
 comes but he brings a troope at his heeles. Therefore it be- 
 hoves a man objlare principiis, to keepe him at the pointe, not 
 let him come within the threfhold nor under the eaves of his 
 howfe, or (if he chance to get within the) ufe him as the harlott 
 did her baftard — ftrangle him in the cradle ; for if thou dandle 
 or make much of him he will be thy ruine one way or another. 
 For as the fowle that canot kill the fhelllifh in the water nor 
 upon foft grownde carryes it upp into the aire that he may 
 get his pray in the fall, fo the devil when he canot prevaile 
 againft a man upon the grownd (in his humilitie) he mounts 
 him upon the wings of pride and ambition and xhtn/ecum ad 
 penam eternam trahit — he is his owne as fure as a clubb. Nor 
 let his outward fhow of glittering oftentacion deceive you ; for 
 as in rotten wood little wormes glifter and fhine in the night 
 which are not perceivd in the day, foe tho the prowd man 
 glifters like gold, fhine[s] like a diamond in this dark and 
 gloomy night the world, yet in die quando fol Jujliciae 
 apparebit in propria colore videbitur. Further it is a caching 
 & infinuating lin & many good men have bene infefted with 
 it. The foldiour has been proud of his valour, the fcholler of 
 his lerneing, the charitable man of his allmes giveinge & the 
 ftatefman of his pollecie ; which in themfelves are good and yet 
 this pride chandges the nature of them with that pharafaicall 
 oftentacion 'Non fum Jicut ceteri hominu^ — ergo Jicut ceteri 
 demand, fays Alethe. But as we hold it wonder fit for chronicle 
 when a woman brings forth a monfter, efpecially being hcrfelf 
 
J6 
 
 of a modeft & honeft converfation, foe a greater marveile & 
 much more prodigious is it when men of pious and religious 
 education fhall turne there fpirituall gifts & graces into pride 
 and wantonnefs. But all fuch may be comparde to men that 
 growe worfe for phific, fick with health and dy while they 
 are alive ; et qui fee ?noritur non gladioftd medicamento fe interjicit 
 — he that dyes fo falls not by the fword but kills himfelf with 
 the falve the furgeon gave to cure him. And this courfe tooke 
 Philofophos who, fwolne and timpaned with prcfumption of 
 his wit and lerneinge, diverted by Errour fell into the fociety 
 or rather fervitude of Supcrbia or Pride. At which Alethe, 
 not a little grcved, threwe her ey a little further and fawe the 
 fecond champeon ; and him, for all his golden trappings and 
 imbroydered caparifons, fhc knewe to be Invidia or Envie ; and 
 him flie gave this charafter. 
 
 The eight he traBate. 
 
 And him Alethe defcribed to be a leane and meager hagg, or 
 peftilent fever of the minde, fowne and rooted in the harte of 
 man by the hand of that envious feedfman the devill, that 
 greves at another mans happines and reioyces at his miferye. 
 The devill and he are of one teame and drawe in the fame yoke ; 
 a coople of craftie merchants, partners in buieing and felling 
 fowles : for his relligion a verrie puritane, in fuch mortall hate 
 with papifts he cannot indure the name of good works. This 
 hagg is troubled with fore eyes, like him that could not fee the 
 candle till it was blowne out. His tafte is not perfeft neither, 
 for virtue ftinckes in his pallat like vice ; fweete things 
 tafte bitter, and bitter fweete. But he has a " ve " laid at his 
 dore fort : ve vobis qui dicunt bonu malum et malum bonu^ lucem 
 tenebras et tenebras lucem &c. He is condiciond like a worme 
 bread in a tree or a moath in a garment, and like the yong viper 
 will teare out the bowells of him that conceyvd him. He 
 pines away to (kin and bones, that another mans works fhould 
 be better then his owne : Caine and he livd both in an aidge 
 & were well acquainted ; good Abcll had not died as he did 
 
57 
 
 elfe. Parvulum (!) occidit Invidia et a?nicos,—(pzrci nether 
 friend nor foe ; as apears by him that bcgd of a king that he 
 might loofe one of his ovvne eys fo his fellow might loofc bothe. 
 With this hagg, though, did Errour bring Philofophos ac- 
 quainted; who envied that any mans pen fliold be praifcd or 
 anie mans labours win applaufe but his owne, tho in thcmfelves 
 never fo worthy.— In the next rancke marcht a tall champion, 
 and him Alethe knewe by the name of Ira : and on him he 
 beltowd this remarkable charredler. 
 
 The ninthe tractate. 
 
 And this is a currilh hellhound, bread in Tenarus, flewde and 
 niouthd of the right ftraine, and foreman or ring leader of the 
 devills kennell : a right Low cuntry bootehaler dangerouflie 
 cruell but withall a damnable coward, & takes his praie alwaies 
 at advantages. For as when a man would have a horfe grinde 
 in a mill, or doe fome bafe office which his noble coradge would 
 fcorne to ftoope to, had he his eyes, ether pluckes em out or at 
 leaft hudwinckes & blindes him : foe when the devill fees he 
 cann doe noe good vpon a man fo long as he has the eye of 
 grace open, fends this black Crowe, Anger, to plucke out his ey 
 or at leaft darken & blinde his vnderftandeing, and then leads 
 him, like a horfe in a mill or a dogg in a whele, toe what fins 
 and impieties he pleafe. 
 
 Anger is likevvife comparde to a fyer, that burnes and con- 
 fumes all the good graces and gifts both of the right hand and of 
 the lefte, temporall and fpirituall, of this life and the life to 
 come. It is likewife a dore or wicket by which all fins enter 
 into a manns hart and all virtues & good motions are fhutt out ; 
 for qui ad indignandu facilis, ad peccatum proclivior. It is allfo a 
 meanes by which the devill getts great footeing, if not full polTef- 
 fion of a mans harte; for, with Errours helpe, bringing but a 
 little fuell to this flame, if it be but a brand or two of fufpicion, 
 he poyfenns his friend; a fticke or twoof Jelofy, murthers his 
 wife, fervants or children. Wherevpon it is faid, and that 
 
S8 
 
 trculy, a man maie wiih Icfic danger mete a (he here that is 
 robd of her whelpe then a man that has lolt his vnderftanding 
 in the wildernefs of anger. To conclude: tho we are bownd 
 in confcience to love, and live with, all mcnn, I never read 
 of anic manner of fafetie promifed in the familiaritie of an 
 Angrie Mann. And yet Philofophos fell faft aflepe in this fier 
 and never felt his owne confufion. — The next moate that fell 
 into Alcthes eye was Avariiia, Covetoufnies or Riches. And 
 vpon him fhe fat this brand or charredler. 
 
 'T&e tenthe traBate. 
 
 And him {he likened to a purple filkworme, a golden Midas or 
 Magnificent Mamo, able enough to pleafure a poore man, if he 
 ware willinge ; and yet Alethe fhowd how he did vndoe them 
 that he did moft for : firfl; in comeinge to a man vnlawfully, by 
 being fpent vnlawfully, by being lovd vnlawfully & by being 
 kept vnlavvfullie. The hufliandman that kepes a greate heape 
 of dunge in his yarde makes not half the proffit of it that he 
 doeth which carries it out and fpredes abroade in the feilde ; 
 nor he that kepes his golde in his cheft as he that devides and 
 throwes it amongft the poore. But many a rich man is like a 
 cur in a mainger, can nether eate oates himfelf nor will fufFer 
 the poore horfe (for whome his M"" provided them) to feed 
 nether : vult habere et pabulu et ova: will not part with the 
 pareings of his nailes, not confidering how hard a thing it is to 
 inioy both prefent and future happinefle. For as a fliipp that 
 llicks fail; in the mud or quickfands is not without much difH- 
 cultie drawen fafe into the harbour ; foe that fowle that cleaves 
 to the mud and thingcs of this world will have much adoe to 
 come into the haven of eternitie. Befides Riches are res damnoj'e 
 quia faciunt err are a fide. 
 
 And if he were judgd an Idolatour that tooke but two graines 
 of frankincence from Mercuries alter, wherby his worfhip was 
 attenuate; what may be thought of fuch worldlings as pluck 
 away not only frankincence but filver Cenfor, Skreene clothe, 
 and all to offer to there golden idoll riches? Befides the man 
 
59 
 
 that has them is never the richer for them; iotnon plus fat iatur 
 cor hominis auro quern Cor\v\us aura. And as wine in the cafke 
 cannot fatisfie the thirft of a man, noe more can gold in a chert; 
 fill the defires of man. It proves itfclf : gold is corporall, a 
 mans defires fpirituall, that which is corporall cannot fill that 
 which is fpirituall, nor divitiae animu. 
 
 But grant it for yelded it coulde ; yet for all this we mufl; 
 part with them, or they from vs, ffor relinquit alienis divitias 
 fuas ; or if not fo yttjiulte, hac nolle, &cz. And notwithrtande- 
 ing we know all this (for Alethe himfelfe has fpoken it), yet 
 fooleifh man is like the fimple dove that builds where her pre- 
 deceffors laid and lofl: all, both labour and fruite. Lafl:, and fo 
 he concluded, riches he comparde to a dogg foUoweing two 
 men : noe ftranger can tell diredllie to which of the two he 
 belongs, till they part, and then he fawnes and ftaies with his M""., 
 the trew owner of him. Nether is it knowen to whome riches 
 belongs, to man or the world, till the man dies, and then the dog 
 riches fhowes who is the right owner, by fawneing vpon and 
 ftaieing with his trew Mr the world: for non funt bona hols 
 quae fecum ferre non potejl, fola mifericordia comes eft defunSio- 
 rum; thofe are not properlie calld a mans goods which he can- 
 not carry with him. But a man carys nothing out of the world 
 but his good deeds: therfore riches cannot be faid to be his but 
 the world's, to whome of neceffitie he muil be fordl to leaue 
 them. Which fin, notwithfl:andinge, to maintaine ftate and (hare 
 pleafures with Poneria, Philofophos (by the illufion of Errour) 
 hugd and imbrafl. — Next this, in the fame file, marcht Ebrietas 
 or Drunkennes; by Alethe thus charrafterd. 
 
 The eleuenthe traBate, 
 
 And this did Alethe calle the graue of reafon and ffurie of the 
 minde : and not improperlie, for it weakens healthe, ftrengthens 
 ficknes, difliempers the fences and in conclufion vtterly over- 
 throws and ruines the whole frame of man. This is calld the 
 devills porter, to let in all fins and diforders what foever. 
 
6o 
 
 Tulli faies tis impoffible for a man with a fwimmingbraine and 
 a fwclling bellye to have anie comaund over ther fence or 
 vnderftandeinge. Were that all it ware to much ; but like a 
 rageing torrent it makes a breach into a mans eftate and lets in 
 povertie, a folyour that fightes onelie for fpoile : qui amat finu 
 et pinguid non ditabitur. And laft, not leaft to be wonderd at, it 
 breeds a dearth and famine in a man. Strange that hunger 
 fhould fitt at full platters and thirft at fwelling bowles ! Yet 
 Alethe proves it, Comedent et non faturabuntur. But fupofe it 
 did batten and fat a man, makeing his flcfli prowd and full of 
 ftrcngthe : when we have done all this we haue but relevd our 
 foe, & weakend ourfeivs to ftrengthen our enemie. For what 
 greater enemy has man in the world then his owne flefh that 
 is allways in armes againft him? To conclude: let man thinke 
 of it how he will, Truth faies it is no better then a fawneing 
 DeviJl, a gilded pill, or candied poifon ; and he that delights in 
 it is not only giltie of a fin but becomes fin itfelfe. 
 
 The monftrous effedls that follow it, as Inceft, Parricide, 
 Trefonn, Murther, and the like, are to frequent & familiar 
 profesof it : and yet into this mare mortuu and ftincking puddle 
 of impietie, (to pleafe Poneria) was philofophos likewife 
 plundgd. — The next that carried the Banner in Ponerias 
 regiment was Luxvria ; and vpon his forhead Alethe fett his 
 marke or brand followeinge. 
 
 The twelfthe traSlate. 
 
 And him Alethe comparde to a fier (of the devills kindlinge) 
 and a ffurnace for his owne workeinge, and not improperlic ; 
 for as a fmithe, when he cannot bringe Iron to the fafliion of 
 his purpofe, gives it a heate in the ffier and then workes it ad 
 placitii, foe the devill, when he fees he cannot drawe a man to 
 fin, he gives him a heate in the fier of luxurie and then workes 
 him ad libitum to anie fin he pleafes. And to the end this fier 
 male be continueall, the Devill has three ^ paire of bellowes all- 
 
 ' MS. there. 
 
6i 
 
 waies goeing, to kepe in the flame, — wanton difcourfe, lafcivious 
 dalliance and wanton and gawdie attire. And firll of the firft : 
 when a howfe is a fier you fhall fee the flames and fparkes flie 
 out the cafements and windoes ; fo when the fier of luxvrie is 
 kindled in the howfe of a mans harte, you fliall perceive the 
 fparkes flie out in amorous glances at the eyes, and wantonn 
 fpeeches from the mouthe ; for colloqum illiusjicut ignis ardescit, 
 amorous difcourfes burne like fier. 
 
 The feconde paier of bellowes the devill vfeth in this fur- 
 nace is wantonn dalliance or lafcivious imbraceinge ; for if we 
 can ftrike fier out of two fliones or by rubbing two ftickes one 
 againll another, much more out of two indifferent modeft 
 bofomes. If you faie theres noe fuch danger in a kifl'e or an 
 embrace, Alethe anfweares : A candle fet vpp againft a white 
 wall doth not prefently burne it, but much fmut and fullye it. 
 The Application is eafie. — Thirde paire of bellows is wanton 
 carriadge and gawdie attire. Agen if you alledge this is not 
 comon, there be more modell Portiaes then wanton Rodapes, 
 Alethe anfweres : Tis trew ; yet as fellonns or pirates when 
 they would burne a towne, tho they cannot convenientlie fet 
 every howfe a fier at once, they think it fufiicient if they can 
 fier one, knoweing that (in time) will fier all the refl : foe tho 
 the devill cannot inflame the harte of everie woman with this 
 pride in attire at an inftant, yet if he cann infeft but one in a 
 flxeet, — pifhe, naie in a whole towne or citie — that one will in 
 time infeft & fett a fier all the refl:. And this is the devills toile 
 to cache wantons, his bird lime to catch not only woodcockes 
 but birds of a richer fether : tis likewife a baited hooke to 
 cache not onelie gudgeonns but more noble and courtlie fiflie. 
 And lafl: it is faid to be a fworde that commonly kills the 
 wearer, gladius igneus eft fpeties mulieris : the beautie of a 
 woman is a burneing fworde which the devill thrufl:s through 
 a mans hart, in vaine thoughts and wanton imaginationns. 
 Nay, this fworde a man flieathes in his owne bofome when he 
 takes delight in the devills fuggeftionn: but if he fubfcribes his 
 confent once, periit ; he makes the finn, which all this while 
 was the devills, no longer his but meerelie his owne. To con- 
 clude, he that gives a wantoun a rewarde for her proftitu[t]ion 
 
62 
 
 buies a fwordc to kill his owne foule withal) ; & fuch a fworde 
 by the fuggeftionn of Errour did Philofophos buye, at to dcare 
 a rate, walling his braine in amorous courtfhipp, his quoine in 
 gawdie prcfents & himfelfe in wanton dalliance, to inioy the 
 dainty but damnable imbraces of Poneria. — The laft, tho not 
 leaft dangerous of the feven, was Pigritia or Slothe ; and him 
 Alcthe markt as followeth. 
 
 'The thirteenthe traBate. 
 
 As Saturne is loweft & floweft of the 7 planncts foe is Slothe 
 the laft & lafieft of all Ponerias broode ; and he (like a fnaile) 
 carries his bed allvvais on his backe. The beft worke he will 
 doe a man is to vndoe him that fetts him a worke by makeinge 
 romc for the other fins to come in and dwell with him ; for in 
 a man thats bufied about anie goodnes at all the devill can have 
 no roome, quia res perfeHe occupata non eji alterius ret capax. A 
 flothefuU man is like a caftle, without a diche or a wall, into 
 which the enemy may enter and billet his forces at pleafure. 
 He is likewife comparde to a peece of barren grownde that 
 brings forth nothing but weeds and brambles ; the mother of 
 trifles and gewgawes, and ftepmother of all vertue. Alethe 
 faies he is like (if not worfe then) a dead man; for a dead man 
 cannot labour, a flothfull man (tho he can) will not : or like a 
 tree that is planted in Autum, withers and dies when it fhould 
 beare fruite, futable to this are thofe men that begin then to Hue 
 when they arc readie to dy, and will doe good on there death 
 beds when the dales are come that they fliall faie. We have no 
 plefure in them. And as grownde, tho neare fo fertile, lieing 
 vntild and vnmanurde, bring[s] forth nothing but weeds and 
 thirties; foe the hart of man (however naturallie well enough 
 compofde) except it be exercifde about good and pious duties, 
 brings forthe nothing but pride & luft & the like weeds of fin 
 and iniquitie : per agru pigri hominis tranjivi et per vineam Jiultiy 
 et ecce totum repleuerunt urtica. Sec, I went by the feeld of the 
 fluggard and the vineyard of the foole, &c. It is a wonder to 
 
63 
 
 fee what paines a man will take to dung the grownd, plow, 
 harrow, fovve and then warde and kepe it from beafts of the 
 feild & fowles of the aire, fFor a little earthlie proffitt ; and yet 
 our foules which are dei agricultura, we never fo much as 
 weede, plucke vpp thillle or bramble, wicked thought or ill 
 fuggeftionn, but let it growe to a wildernes. But marke what 
 Truth faies : Piger qui in hieme propter fingus arare noluit, men- 
 dicabit in efiate, et non dabitur, — that man that will not plowe 
 in winter {in hoc mundo) fhall begg in fommer [in feculo futuro), 
 and not get a crom of bread to llanch his hunger nor a dropp of 
 water to quench his thirft ; but take his anfwere with the idle 
 fervant, Ejicite eum in tenebras exteriores, Sec, throw him into 
 vtter darknes, where fhalbe weepeing & gnafhing of teethe. Into 
 this hellifli dungeon of flothe then did Philofophos fall and was 
 rockt fo faft a flepe in this cradle of fin and fecuritie it was impof- 
 iible of the fodaine to wake him. 
 
 At which Alethe fell into a paffionate meditation in this or the 
 like manner : Miferable Philofophos that thou knowft but one 
 part of thofe infinite inconveniences that attends this thy thrall- 
 dome and captivity to fmn. For firft, in fervinge her, thou art 
 flaue to thre vnmercifuU Tirants : to ferve a mans equall or fellow 
 is reputed a great flauery ; yet this thou doeil in ferveing thy 
 flefhe. To become flave to a mans owne fervant we accownte 
 a degree worfe : yet this ftate thou art in, ferveing the world 
 which fhould be thyne. To ferve a mans enemye we hold the 
 fuperlative of flaverie; yet him thou fervft in being flave to 
 the devill. For truth holds this for a maxime : a quo quisque 
 fuperatus ejl ejus eft fervus, every man is the flave of whome he 
 is overcome or conquerd : but in ferveing fin thou art over- 
 come and made captive to them all, — durus hie fermo, duritior 
 (sic) fervitudo. An other inconvenience is that in ferveing 
 finne thou hafl loft all fence of grace and taft of vnderftandinge : 
 for as fifh bred in the fea (tho never fo fait and unfavory) 
 thinke it notwithftandinge fweete & very pleafmge ; fo, though 
 fin be in itfelf bitter as worme wood, yet he that is bied and as 
 it were Hues in it thinks it pleafing and delicate. 
 
 Further it is a waight and burthen able to make an Atlas 
 bend in the fhould ers ; and yet, onus hoc non fentit peccator, the 
 
64 
 
 finncr fcelcs it not. See it more cleare in a fimile : As a man 
 over head and eres in the fea, though he has a thovvfand tunn 
 vppon him, fFeeles not the weight of it (for nullum elementujuo 
 loco grave, noe element is heavie in its owne place); but let 
 the fame man be of drie land and cary but a bucket of water 
 vpon his (houlder or head, he (hall prefentlie feele it : fo thou, 
 that art over head and eares in the torrent (or mare mortuii) of 
 fynn, feeleft it not, but if ever it be thy good happ to come 
 aftiore vpon the drie land of grace the leaftfin of ten thowfand 
 will way as ponderous as a mountaine. And the wages or pay 
 fhe gives her {o\\ox%, fiipendium peccati mors eft. And lall if a 
 man fhould kill thy ffather, mother, kinfman or but a dear 
 friend, thou wouldft hare or at leall refraine his focietie : fin 
 (like a bloodie hangman) has flaine thy father, mother and in 
 them the whole famelic of mankind, and canft thou notwith- 
 ftandeing all this crueltie eat, drinke, revell and flepe in the 
 bofome of fo bold, bloody and defperate an enemie ? — And by 
 this time her eyes were fo full of tears, and hart of greefc, it 
 ftopt her vtterance (for loquuntur parve cure, ftupent ingentes ; 
 flight grefes, like little children, will allwayes be pratling, when 
 trew forrow fitts filent). Wherevpon fhe conveyd her felf 
 downe againe into the dungeon to vent her forrow for Philo- 
 fophus misfortune in private. 
 
 The fourteenthe traSlate. 
 
 And by this time Phebus, haveing baited his fweating fteeds 
 in the coole weftern vallies and refreflit himfelfe in the bowre 
 and amorous bofome of Thetis, began afrefh to harnifle and 
 drive his courfers vpp the eaftcrne hills ; who breathd flames 
 from there noftrills and ftrake bright daylight out of the Azure 
 rocks with there fteclcd cawkins. And fliakeing his golden 
 trefles about his flioulders, from which a fliower of filver perle 
 (which he brought out of Thetis trefury) fell into Tellus 
 bofome, then calling his glorious ey downe vpon the world, a 
 cafment of Poneriaes chamber window ftandeing open, he dif- 
 
65 
 
 coverd Philofophos naked in her armcs : at which he could not 
 chofe but blufli to think a man indewd with Co much Lcrneing 
 fhould not have grace enough to make a blufh. At this Pliilo- 
 fophos avvakt out of his drowfie lethargic into which Errour 
 and the Allurements of Poneria had throwne him : and as there 
 is no man fo barren of grace but he fhall have a naturall in- 
 ftinct of the lothfomnes of fin after the comitting of it, foe his 
 bonus genius fhowd him a glimpfe of his foUie ; by light 
 whereof he fa we what dangers he was plundgd into by loofeing 
 Time, breakeing into Poneriaes garden and plucking thofe 
 gawdie apples Solinus tells vs of, that feme golde in the eye, 
 prove fulpher in the hand but ranck poifon in the harte. 
 Withall he fawe the frailtyes of the plefures in the inconftancye 
 of them : for as violets, rofes and lillies, and like mineons & 
 darlings of the fpringe, for all there youthe, beautie & fcente, 
 are in an inftant blafted and withered, fo thofe vnlawfull ple- 
 fures of fin vanifht in the bud, faded in pluckeinge and grcwe 
 lothfome in the very inioyeinge. 
 
 Theife good beginnings were noe foner throwne into the 
 furrowes of his Apprehenfion by his good Daemon, but ftreight 
 Errour prefented himfelfe and pickt them vpp eare they had 
 time to take any roote. And as Pothecaries vfe to painte & 
 beautifie thofe boxes with thin plate of copper or gold that 
 holde the dearell (the deadlieft) poifens, fo Errour begann to 
 dawbe and gild over thes mortall pills with golden perfwations, 
 thus : That in his opinion he had not finned at all ; or if, they 
 were but fins of youth and therfore veniall or at the moft but 
 pauca and parvula peccata, and therfore difpenfible. Nay, he 
 tooke vpp a pharafaicall oftentacion & femd to apoUogie for him 
 thus : That confidering his youthe, the companie he kept and 
 the ill dales he livd in, twas well he kept him felf fo even as he 
 did ; and that God a might was beholding to him that he find 
 not more then he did. And to give thefe perfwations the 
 deeper roote he faid it was Alethe that tolde him foe, and ther- 
 fore he might boldlie take it for a truthe. 
 
 Dureing this {^pro et con.) Poneria and the feven fonns haue- 
 ing made him loofe his Tyme, fpent his meanes and confumd 
 both body and braine in the purfuite of vaine plefures and 
 
 I 
 
66 
 
 emptie vanities, left him to himfelf ; not vnlike the tempeftous 
 windes who, haueing wrackt a fhipp on the billows of the 
 mercilcffe feaes, flic to the fhorc & fitt whittling on the curled 
 topps of trees, laughing & fmilcing at the miferable ruines. 
 When he (ftill led by Errour) continewd his iornie, leapeing 
 over great mountains and little hills, great finns and little 
 offences femed to him all alike, & that all juft nothing at all. 
 Long had they not travcild but they came into a barren defarte 
 coverd with (horte molTe and here and there a lowe flirubb & 
 blafted trunke of a fare elder & witherd yewgh. Inhabitants 
 he fawe none, but a fewe labouring annts come fweating vp a 
 craggy rocke, laden with graines of come which they had 
 gatherd in the bendeing vally ; and fitting downe of a moald- 
 hill to obferve there behaviour he difcoverd an ambufh of fubtill 
 flies (cald Cinephes) hid in the moffe on the edge of the hill 
 that iett vpon the armic of thes fclie annts, who like bloody 
 men of warr not only robd em of there fraught but ftroke there 
 fharpe ftings like fperes through there tender fydes. As he was 
 about to applie this Ilrandg kinde of tiranie to his owne vfadge 
 with Poneria and her fonns, he caft vp his eye and fpied a 
 graue matrone: how habited, Hated and attended, followes in 
 the enfueing tractate. 
 
 The Jif tent he t radiate. 
 
 For her aidge it was reverend and full of gravitie : vpon her 
 heade grew a bunche of haire, of a ruftie iron colour, which 
 tied vp in fluttifh elfe-lockes coverd' her crooked flioulders. 
 Her eyes like two toileing anchorites femd to burie themfelves 
 aliue in hollow graves which they had digd out vnder her ftonie 
 browes, which hung like paint-howfcs to convey away the 
 (howrs of fwcat that trickled downe her cliffy forheade. Her 
 hornie chin and hawke-nofe knockt and buffeted one another ; 
 and not a tooth in her head, which were in all but two and a 
 
 * In the MS. the words " hung downe " have been ftruck out, and 
 " coverd " written above. 
 
6? 
 
 rotten ftumpe, would once ftir or looke out to part the fraie. 
 Her vpper garment was a gowne of countrie graie or wrought 
 linfie woolfie, the thred whereof (both lanum et linu) were of her 
 ownc fpinninge, and warpe and woofe of her owne weaveing. 
 Her feate was a chaire heawe out of a rock of ice : her cufheon 
 and footepace frofen fnowe, vpon which fhe fatt eateing of 
 fhorte moile for meate and fuckeing ifecles inftead of drincke. 
 Some ponds or wells of water (he had, but thofe, boorded and 
 dowble bard with leaves of ice, fhe kept like a good hufwife 
 vnder locke and key againft a dearth or fome defperate feidge. 
 Philofophos demaunded of Errour what auftere perfonadge it 
 was; who anfwerd it was Thrifte, But had Alethe bene there 
 fhe would have told him, and more trewly, that it was Necef- 
 fitas (for foe indeed was her title). Her cave was fcituate 
 betwene two cliffie rockes that femd to nod and leane one in 
 anothers bofome ; vpon the topp whereof fat an ill favord 
 creture, braydeing and twilling halters, fcowreing and fharpene- 
 ing daggers and knives, which fhe threw downe to defperate 
 and diicontented palTengers. To her would Errour haue car- 
 ried Philofophos and told him it was the next and onelie waie to 
 finifhe his pillgrimadge : and this was the rocke of Defpaire. 
 As Philofophos was takeing vp one of the halters NecefTitie 
 beckond vnto him and wifht him take her advife in the bufines; 
 and withall demaunded what occafion had brought him into 
 this defolate Ileland. He tolde her his acquaintance with 
 Poneria and want of meanes to furnifh him in his pilgrimadge. 
 NecefTitie, with a kinde of fcornfull fmile, anfwerd : She was 
 much beholdeing to Poneria ; fhe fent her many good followers 
 whofe rome fhe had rather haue then there companie. Yet 
 rather then goe to that hagg (pointeing to Defpaire) that fat to 
 intice awaie her cuftomers, he fhould be wellcome. But withall 
 fhe tolde him the times ware hard and fhe gave but fmall 
 allowance ; befides, and he were her owne fonn, he muft earne 
 his bread afore he eate it to. He anfwerd he would be willing 
 to take anie paines anfwerable to his birthe and breedinge. She 
 tolde him fhe flood nether vpon birthe nor breedinge : the 
 fonn of a captaine and a cobbler were alike wellcome to her. 
 And with that fhe led him to her workehowfe and fhowd him 
 
68 
 
 ten thowfand millions of all degrees, ages and fexes toileing 
 and fwcating at fcvcrall imployments, and Induftrie (the fore- 
 man of the fhopp) as bufic as a bee in the midft of them. For 
 her owne parte fhe was an exeellent workwoman {^optima arti- 
 fex NeceJJjtas), efpetially for invention ; for there was not that 
 curious trade or mifterie in the world but fhe had a hand in 
 the devifcing of it: and to her fkill fhe had a thowfand hands 
 and emploied them all about feverall imploicments at one and 
 the fame inllant. This done fhe fhowd him a mountaine of 
 engines, inftruments and tooles of her owne inventeinge, 
 and feverall imploiements for them all. To all theis fhe 
 fhowd him the ftudie where fhe taught Perfeus to write his 
 fatires, Errour contradifted that and faid Perfeus was a knight 
 of Rome. Manie fuch poore knights (quothe NecelTitas) come 
 to my cave in an adge and are glad of far meaner Imploiements, 
 which for modcftie I forbeare to name : manie Crow-poets 
 and poeticke pies have fincc his time bene my pupills & flill 
 wilbe. Next that ftoodc the mill where Plautus ground all 
 day to get candles to write his comedies in the night : next 
 hung the fpade with which Lewis the fixt, king of France, was 
 by necefTitie (in time of great infurreftion) taught to digg in a 
 garden and fowe carretts and cabbage. Then fhe fhovvde him 
 a rocky cliff afar of where Ovid writt his Elegies amongfl; the 
 barbarous Getes. In another place he fawe a companie of 
 gallants that had bene hurried from taverne to taverne in there 
 caroches, all dull and fweat driveing of wheele barrowes. She 
 taught Arachne her curioufe lomeworke, Dedalus to make his 
 artificiall wings, Dionifius the Siracufean tirant to teach a 
 fchoole, Diogenes to Wve. vpon carretts & flepe in a tubb, Soc- 
 rates to endure Zantippa, Photion to brave his povertie and 
 Ariflides his exile. 
 
 Haveinge fhowdc him her whole workhowfe fhe bad him 
 fett himfelf to worke where his owne will direfted him (for 
 generofus {fie) voluntas duct potefiytrahi non potefi). Wherevpon 
 he llcpt into Plautus fludie and by a little of Induftryes helpe 
 wrote ccrtaine traffatcs of philofophy both morall & naturall, 
 but for want of bountiful! patrones (which were verie fcarce in 
 that countrie) he cold fcarce ftopp the mouth of his landlady 
 
that everie minute lay beatcing and bownccing at his ftudy 
 dore for monie for one neceflarie or another ; whervpon he 
 determinde to leave her and travaille along the contrie to get 
 (if it were poffible) a better M"'*' : for tho Neceflitie be optima 
 artifex, he that ferves her long fhall finde her pejfima magiftra, 
 — a good workwoman but a very bad paie M'". In this refolue 
 (one dale when fhe was bufy about teaching a captaines wife, 
 that had tane a Tobacco fhopp, to fFrothe canns and burne 
 pipes) he tooke this advantage, intidl away Induftrie and con- 
 tinewd his purpofe to feeke him a newe fervice. 
 
 The Jixtenthe traBate. 
 
 LoNGE had they not travaild but they fpied a faire pallace, in 
 which a prince (next neighbour to Neceflitie) kept his court. 
 Philofophos was glad of this, being in good hope to finde in- 
 tertainement there ; when comeing to the outward gate he 
 fpied a furlie grome, who feing his poore habit, for Neceflitie 
 had lefte him as rich as a new-fhorne fheepe, inquird after his 
 condicion, and what buflnes had brought him thether. He 
 tolde him he was a fchoUer and a philofopher : — he told him 
 agen, and he had come in better habit there might have bene 
 fome hoope of intertainement ; or if he had bene but a nimble- 
 pated poet he might have bene fet a worke about mafkes and 
 entertaynements ; or if he could write fatires againft the time 
 or invedlives againfl: the fl:ate, throwing jeafts (as madmen and 
 fooles throw ftones) afwell againft the good as the bad, fpareing 
 nether friend nor foe, fome humerous gallants might happelie 
 haue imploide him. But being a dull and fullen philofopher — 
 tho a deepe, yet drowfie art, in ferch of which the profi^eflxjr 
 may fpend his whole adge and yet in the end give Hoc fcio quod 
 nihil fcio for his motto — there was no hoope of entertainement 
 there ; and therfore wifht him to go to the towne : he might 
 happelie finde a M'". amonglt the grave forte of Citifens. 
 
 Philofophos, blancke at this anfwere, thankt him tho for his 
 good diredlions and tooke his courfe towards the Citie. And 
 
70 
 
 noc fooncr was he come to the gates but he was faluted by a 
 brace of beagles in blew, quick-fented currs that hunt there 
 game drycfoote & will fcent a poore man at the further end of 
 the fuborbes. They nether refpedl adge nor wit but looke only 
 the habit, and fcing him weare Neceflities livery (for many 
 good fchollers are her followers) they aflct him for his pafTporte. 
 He, vnacquainted with that phrafe, haveing had better breed- 
 inge, told them that he was a fcholler &, wanteinge means, came 
 to the Citie to feeke for entertaincment. At the name of 
 fcholler they ftopt there nofcs and cried Lord have mercy vpon 
 vs ! that a fcholler fhould hauc noe more witt but to think he 
 could finde entertaincment in the City ! If he had beene a 
 merchant (Turke or Jew, it matters not) and brought rich 
 commodities, he might have bene wellcome ; or a traveller 
 that had difcoverd fome new found lande or fruitful! Hand fitt 
 for plantacion ; or if he had bene fome ingenious Italian, ex- 
 pert in devifmg new fafliions, knew the rare virtue of Venetian 
 fucus or vermilion, had rare fkiil in danceing or were but an 
 excellent fidler, fome of the City dames might happelie dance 
 after his pipe. But being a fcholler, and a poore one to, they 
 had noe vfe for him except it were once in a coronation to 
 make a fpeech for the entertaincment of a prince, a pageant at 
 the inftallment of a pretor, a fett oration, for the conltable, to 
 give the fleepie watch there chardge, or an apollogie for the 
 churchwarden to excufe the picking of the poore mans boxe ; 
 and for thefe imploiements none fo fitt as the comon chronocler. 
 Befids, fome of his profelFion had abvfd there magillrates 
 and comparde them to fcarlet lobftcrs & fcrvd 'em vpp to the 
 Mufcs table, like woodcocks, two and two in a difli ; rayld at 
 there honeft offices & made them no better than varlctts ; com- 
 parde them to blood hownds, flefh hookes, teinters, brambles ; 
 and fo prickt & pownft there windie reputacons with there 
 penns that if anic of you come vnder there douches theilc 
 pepper you & mace you with a vengeance. And therefore, as 
 you think it good flcepeinge in a whole flcin, go feeke you a 
 fervice fomwhcre clfe and come not in compafle of our precindls. 
 Findcinge this cold comfortc at Citie he chandgd his courfe 
 8c purpofd to try his fortune in the countric. 
 
71 
 
 The fevententhe traBate. 
 
 Far had he not gone, but in a parifh that fat vpon the fkirts 
 of a hem of the City he fpied a portcht howfe with the dore 
 wide ope ; a fellow with an inkhorne at his girdle and a penn 
 in his eare who fpieinge and takeinge Philofophus and his two 
 affociates for a conllable & two wranglinge neighbors ronn in to 
 give his M'' notice, who was a kinde of a Juftice in lawe ; legi- 
 timate he was not, for not thre weekes fince he fat befides the 
 culhion of his commiffion. Comeing nerer and findeing the 
 dore open and the chimny puffing and fmoakeing as he had 
 bene takeinge Tobacko, he well hoopt that hofpitallitie had 
 dwelt there and kept open howfe ; and findeing noe obftacle 
 paft through a little darke entrie into the hall, where he found 
 a graue gentleman leaneing in a windowe, and befides him an 
 antient gentlewoma who in a filver whiftle (bound in recogni- 
 fance to her wreft) whiftled her mayde to knowe if fhe had put 
 ffrefli ftrawe in the fervants fether beds and burnt the old. The 
 M" looke fpoke authoritie at the firft fight not for much ; but 
 his thombe writ gentleman, and the ring vpont feald him right 
 worfhippfull. Who prefentlie vncoverd and bad wellcome, 
 neighbour conftable : which is plaintife, which defendant? (for 
 that phrafe was as familiar in his mouth as ' What do you 
 lack ? ' in a (hopp-keepers.) Philofophos told him they were not 
 the men he tooke 'em for : he was a poore fcholler that came 
 to feeke entertainement. The Juftice was in a pickle, hereing 
 this ; when feafoneing his countenance with a more tarte 
 afpefte he bad his man file a mittimus and fende him to the 
 howfe of corredlion for a vagran and deludeing his w^^, for foe 
 he pleafde to vndertitle himfelfe. Philo told him that tho he 
 were poore he was a gentleman & came nether to begg nor 
 borrowe but to offer him his fervice. He told him for his parte 
 he had lerneinge enough to examine acaufe, and plead it when 
 he had done to, for a neade (and then fipt of a pennie pott of 
 facke that attended his pleafure in the windowe), and for a 
 warrant or a mittimus his clarke there (which he graft with 
 
72 
 
 the titles of clarke, chamberlaine & grome of the one and only 
 geldinge) wiih a little of his wives helpe could doe them afwcll, 
 if not better, than his vvorfliipp. And therfore get the out of 
 my precinfl, or by this wine (& with that he gave the cupp a 
 modeft kiffe) I (hall take the for no good comonwelthfman ; for 
 
 By there by thy mcanes two or three fcllowes were favd the laft feflions 
 
 clergie. t^ jhe great hinderance of a kinfman of mync that is grome of 
 
 Carnifex. the ladder and yeoman of the corde. 
 
 And yet this for his comfort he told him : the vicker of 
 their parifh, haueing noe more lerneinge then wolde ferve his 
 turne, might (& very likely would) entcrtaine him. And with 
 that he drew his purfe and gave him twoe pieces, not of gold 
 — noe, they were bralTe peeces. He bade him be a good huf- 
 band and careful how he fpcnt his monie : twas a hard worlde, 
 for he had grannted out but one warrante all that weeke of his 
 worfhips credit, and yt was fe defendendi to — againll a knave 
 that flaunderd his worfhip, in faieing he was a wife Jullicc to 
 eate fee-pie with his clarke : but he would make him paic 
 fwcatelie for that ffee-pie afore he had done with him. So 
 drinkeing to him in another cupp of facke he bad him pledge 
 him at the next alchoufe ; and fcnt on his man to looke out 
 for more & (as he hoopt) better cuftomers. 
 
 Philofophos, glad to be out of the reach of the fworde of 
 Juftice, prefentlie inquires for this honeft Vicker (and here by 
 the way let me tell you, this new vicker was made out of an 
 olde fFrier that had bene twice turnd at a Religion-drellers) ; 
 and him he fownde with two or thre of the bcft men in his 
 
 Ale-houfc. parrifh goeing to take in frefh water at the Barlie Jland. Who 
 (Philofophos haveing faluted him and told him his bufines) 
 tooke him into the harbour with him, and (while there vcflels 
 were a fillingc) returnd him this fliort, but nothing fwecte an- 
 fvverc : S'' you are very wellcome &, could my poore livinge 
 afford it, I would make you better wellcome. I love and hon- 
 our fchollers, haveinge fcrvd a full prentifhipp to the trade my- 
 felfe ; but, as my honeft neighbours heare knowe, I haue but a 
 poore vicoridgc which one M^ Symon-Monye, or more familiar- 
 lie fym-monie, helpt me to. And though I have noe great ftore 
 of Lerneinge lieing by me (for, as you know, omnia mea meed 
 
73 
 
 porto is the old worde amongft fchollers), yet I have enough to 
 read a mariadge & buriall, and, if neede be, to faye a homelie 
 of a hollidaie. And thats afmuch as my honeft parifhioners 
 defire, more a great deale then manie of them deferve ; for 
 thefe honneil men, know they are a companie of turbulent me- 
 chanickes, and yet fo prowd in there owne conceits I have 
 much adoe to pleafe them ; for, but for readeing one Lattin 
 worde in an homely (and that was out afore I was aware to), 
 fome of them call me papift & fhonn me as a puritan would doe 
 a crofTe, and never dronke above twice or thrice in my compa- 
 nie lince. And therfore haveing nether occafion to vfe lerne- 
 inge nor meanes to maintaine it if I had it, heares the tother 
 halfe cann & fo I take my leave of you. 
 
 The eigh tenth traBate. 
 
 Philosophos, not a little vext to be thus flighted by one of his 
 owne coate, and a man inferior to himfelfe both in invention 
 and judgment (the two feete vpon which the bodie of lerneinge 
 ftands and confilb), determinde not to ftirr a foote further in 
 ferch of a fervice. But goeing into the adiacente feilds with his 
 two affociates he efpied a goodlie fpreading hawthorne loaden 
 with faire but vnwholeforae bloffomes ; the grownde about it 
 full of rancke and fruitles weeds, as burrs, nettles, thiftles, 
 wilde holly-hocks and the like, which embleamde the lafie and 
 negligent lives of the inhabitants, whom they perceived to be 
 a mingle mangle of all forts and fexes ; that lay half naked, 
 ftrecheinge there tawny limbes vpon a fonny bancke on the 
 fouth-fide of the buflie, vpon which (like rellicques at the Beggars 
 ihrine of fome charitable fainte) hunge an infinite forte of Bufhe. 
 tooles and inftruments, as flieers, preffing irons, thimbles both 
 for men and women, axes, fawes, chifTells, fhopp bookes, ells, 
 metwands, fliittles, lafts, awles, cutting-knives, and amongft 
 the reft one penn and ink-home : by which Error cown- 
 felld Philofophos to hang vp his, afTureing him to haue the 
 companie of a fcholler, fcrivener or fchole M'. at the leaft. 
 
 K 
 
74 
 
 Philofophos was halfc willinge but Induftrie wold by noe 
 mcanes accorde to it, but pluckt him backe, faieing it was 
 Beggars Bufli, and thofe inftrumcnts belonging to feverall tradef- 
 men who out of a lafic difpofuion had left there lawful! callings 
 to live in contemptible cafe and lafy pouertie. Philofophos 
 had no will to tarrie there, and yet tirde with traveile and 
 overcome with paffion he was forft (wild he nilde he) to take 
 a napp and rcpofe himfelfe. In which he fa we a ftrange 
 and mearulous vifion. What it was and how he met with 
 greate Experience that gave him the true interpretation of it, 
 foUowes. 
 
 The ninetenthe traBate. 
 
 AwAKET from this ftrandge vifion, which much afflidled him, 
 he fpicd at the foote of the hill a grand father lookeinge into a 
 chriilall fountaine at the foote of a crofle ; whome Induftrie 
 told him to be Experience, a man that had great fkill in the 
 folution of dreames. Whome Philofophos faluted in this 
 manner : — S'' I vnderftand your name to be Experience, and by 
 mync owne readeing, know that to be the very fowle and molt 
 entire part of wifdome, without which even the moft abfolure 
 fcholler cannot attaine to anie degree of perfection. For myne 
 owne part I am a yong man and allmoft loft in the by waies 
 and bufie turneings of the worlde, & being a little ftonge by 
 ncceflitic finde my felf out of the right waie and would gladly 
 be fett in againe by your fatherlie direftionns. 
 
 Experience knew him at the firft fight, & yet defemblinge his 
 knowledge he afkt him whether he traveild. He told him, to 
 tender his fervice to Latria's fhrine, and tho by his negligence 
 he had loft Tyme yet Truthc (pointing to Error) kept him 
 companie ftill. Experience tolde him he was deceivd, for 
 (howfoever in Truth's habitt) he knewe him for Error (Pone- 
 riaes page); and with that bad him looke into the fountaine at 
 the foote of the crofle and he would himfelf confefle afmuch. 
 In this fountaine of Experience he fawe the whole progrefle of 
 his life ; his lofle of Time, negleft of Truth, Errors mifleadeing 
 
75 
 
 him, his love to fin & fervice to her feven fonns ; his comeing 
 to and parting from Necefllty, how hardly he fcapt the roclce 
 of Defpaire, and notwithftanding the beft that Induftry could 
 doe he was fordl to take a napp at Beggars Bufhe. At fight 
 of which, calling to minde his noble birth and generous educa- 
 tion, he could not chofe but fhed fome teares : at which Ex- 
 perience bad him be of a good comfort, — he was not the firft 
 man that came home by Weeping Crofle, Weeping 
 
 Haueing rinc't his eyes in the deawe of Experience he lookt ^'■°"- 
 about, thincking to chide Error for deludeing him ; but he was 
 not to be fownd. Wherevpon, being counfeld vnto 'te by Ex- 
 perience, he fent Induftrie backe to feeke out Time, and joine 
 with him in freeing Alethe imprifond in Poneria's Caftle ; and 
 continewd his requeft to Experience for the folution of his 
 dreame, the fome whereof was this. In my fleepe (quoth he) 
 methought I fell into a vafte gulfe or pitt, and in my fall cacht 
 hold upon the boughe of a goodlie fpreedeing tree loaden with 
 variety of all kinde of fruites. Lookeing vpp to the topp from 
 whence I fell, I fpied an angrie lion furiouflie Ihakeing his 
 (haggle mane : afraide of his furie I caft myne ey downewarde 
 and behold a fierier ferpent, whofe mouth femd a flameing fur- 
 nace and his eyes fparcklinge lightninge. Notdareing to venter 
 vpwards for the angrie lyon nor downwards for the fiery fer- 
 pent, I hid my felfe amongft the boughes of the tree, gatherd 
 & glutted myfelfe with the plefant fruite : when of the fodaine 
 the tree (methought) began to fhake, and lookeing downe I 
 might perceive a white mowfe and a blacke mowfe fhareinge 
 the roote of the tree ; at which I begaun to be inwardlie afraid, 
 and not dareing to looke vpward my feare dropt out of myne 
 eys in teares & fecht blood from my hart. And caftinge myne 
 eyes the fecond time vpward, the angrie Lion vanifht and in 
 his place there hung downe a white ladder with thre flares, 
 and over that, out of a glorious clowd, apeard an open hand 
 flxecht out to plucke me out of all this imminent danger; 
 at the fodaine joie of which vnexpedled fafetie I awoke. 
 And of this dreame my defire is to giue an inftant and trew 
 folution. 
 
 To whome Experience anfwerd : My fonn, the gulfe or pitt 
 
76 
 
 thou felft into was original fin, into which by our firft parents 
 tranrgreflion all mankinde were throwne ; the tree thou gotft 
 holde of rcprcfents the worlde, the leaves and fruite the vaine 
 and inconllant plefures of the fame ; the angrie Lion above, 
 heaven's vnappeafcd juftice ; the ferpent below, hells envie. 
 The hideinge thyfelf amongfl: the boughes and tailing immo- 
 deratelie of the fruite, emblcamd thy lofle of Time & tailing the 
 vaine plefures in the court of Poneria ; the white and black 
 mowfe was a hieroglyphick of dayc and night, or finne that will 
 in tyme vndermyne & ruine this tree, the body and maine fab- 
 ricke of the worlde. The inward motion that drew tearcs from 
 thine eyes and bloode from thy hart was the firil fruites of repen- 
 tance, a fignc thou wert capable of grace ; for in the opinio of 
 fomc a man fins more in not repenting a fin once comitted 
 then he did in the comitting of it : which male apere, be- 
 caufe in the inftant of the repentance the angry Lion (God's 
 juilicc) vanifht and a hand out of the clovvds (which is to 
 meane heauens providence) let downe a ladder of thre flares, 
 faith, hope and charitie ; of which if thou take fure holde by 
 the hand of repentance, for all thy lofle of Time and wandering 
 from Truth, thou maiil purchafe an afl^urance of everlailing 
 fafetie : and this in a worde is the trew folution of thy dreame : 
 At which Philofophos was not a little joyfuU, and to ilrcngthe 
 it the more Induflry haueing recoverd loll Tyme & by his 
 meanes inlardgd Truth, prefented himfelf in manner fol- 
 lowinge. 
 
 The twentithe t radiate. 
 
 Industry, being demaunded where he fought Time, anfwerd, 
 he fought him firft at Court and vnderftood that he knockt at 
 the gate as he went by, but the porters were fo bufie about 
 telling and Ihareing there Chriftmafle offerings they had no lea- 
 fure to let him in. In at the gate I got then and there flood a 
 great forte of poore men with papers in there hands, and they 
 fought for Time (to deliver there peticions) afwcll as I, but 
 could not find him. I met an old Courtiour and afkt him for 
 
77 
 
 Tyme : he told me he had him at command when he was a 
 page, but by plaieing to much at primeroe and noddy he loll 
 Time and his monie to. Mifiing him at Court I wente to feeake 
 him in the Citye, and enquird amongfl the honeft fhoppkcepers. 
 They told me they were well acquainted with Time when they 
 weare batchelours, but fince they were maried their wiues drew 
 them out to fee mafkes and revells at the Court in winter, and 
 into the feilds a ducking with there water fpaniells in fomer ; 
 and by that meanes they loft Tyme & much of there eftates to. 
 From them I went amongft the Lawyers : they gaue Time verie 
 good words and faide he kept them companie all the terme, but 
 rideing with there wiues (amongft there Clients) in the vaca- 
 tion, they loft Time in the contry, and femde verie fory fort 
 to. Next man I came to was a Juftice of peace : & his Clarke, 
 tho but a yong man was verie well acquainted with Time, and 
 had got well by his acquaintance too ; till one dale makeing a 
 warrant for a poore man that had no monie to pay fort, he loft 
 (a thing not vfuall) his labour and Time to : but he fwore 
 (and 1 dare beleve him) he would not loofe Time againe foe 
 for his owne father (and he ware liueinge). From thence 
 I went to the vniverfitie, and found Time of much refpedl 
 there. It was againft a coiiiendlment, and there was fuch 
 fcramblinge for Time as paft thought : one, readie to proceed 
 Bachelour, was put backe becaufe he wanted Time ; an other 
 to go out M'' and he wanted Time ; and manie a good fchoUer 
 that had lerneing enough was ftaid for want of a little time, 
 and fome dunces that had to much time, tho little or noe lernc 
 inge, went out. There was luch tugging for Time he thought 
 he Ihould haue bene torne apeeces amongft the feniors, and 
 therefore ftole out of their companie to a fort of frefh men that 
 had great neede of Time indeed : who, for joie they had got 
 him amongft them, fent for good chere and wine to make merrie 
 with Time ; when falling a whiffing Tobacko and drinking 
 healths they made Time fick. Whereupon they intidl him out 
 to take the aire ; and being hott fome went to fwim at frefh- 
 mans boate, fome at parradife & fome in Barnewell poole ; fome 
 to Chery hinton, other to Hogmagog hills, but a great fort to 
 Batts fFollie : when Time feeing himfelf foe much negleded, he 
 
78 
 
 in a pelting chafe left them. Hereing he was gone over the 
 downes to Babram I fet the bed foot afore and follow him. No 
 foncr was I come off the heath into the cornefeilds but I fawe 
 a little worlde of people at worke, fome moweinge, fome 
 flicaveinge, fome bindeing, fome gathcringe, fome fhockeinge, 
 fome loadeinge, fome pichinge, fome rakeinge, and a great fort 
 of poore people gleaneing after the carts, and old Time fwcateing 
 in the midft of them. Glad to finde him I told him you fent 
 for him, and fhowd the contrie fellows my coiiiiflion, whofemd 
 veric lothe to part with him ; but, as good happ was that night 
 they made an ende of harveft, intreated I wold (lay fuppcr and 
 let Time eate part of a ftuble goofe, & in the morneing he 
 fhould go along with me, vpon condition they might haue him 
 againe at feede time. I graunted there requeft, and earlie in 
 the morneinge Time and I tooke our leaues and continewd our 
 jornie to Poneriaes Caftle to enlardge Alethe ; which with fome 
 labour (by the helpe of Time) I quickly efFefted, and as you 
 comaunded haue brought him to tender his fervice. 
 
 Philofophos overioide at the fight of Alethe hung about his 
 necke and bad him wellcome, but put all the blame on Time. 
 But Experience made him confes that Tyme had much wronge, 
 in rcguard that nothing being more pretious, nothing is more 
 flited or vndervallewd ; and that Time is not to be blamde if 
 we loofe him : tis our owne fault, not his ; for tis his nature 
 always to be goeinge, tranfit enim velociter tempus et pojl tran- 
 Jivit non facile revocatur. And as the world counts him a foole 
 that oweing much and haueing but little to paye, fpends that 
 little notwithftandingidley^nd vainly; foe Experience cann in 
 noe fence thinke him wife that owes much to heaven for his 
 vaine plefures and delights, and haueing but a little time to paie 
 it in (and that the prefent, for praeteritum amijfum et futurum 
 incertum) will notwithftanding plaie the prodigall & loofe that. 
 For as a man fitting by the fea (though abundance of water 
 pafs by him) can call none of it his owne but what he takes vp 
 & imploys to his owne vfe, the like may be faid of Time. What 
 father or maiftcr that comitts much gold or treafure to his fonn 
 or fcrvant, if he fees he fpends mofl: part of it idley and loofelie, 
 will not rather take away the remainder then let him haue anie 
 
79 
 
 more ? Jic Deus cum peccatore. Then fince the time prefent is 
 only ours (and not our owne neither but frelie lent to vs), to 
 negleft or loofe it as you haue done is very dangerous, but to 
 mifpend or abufe it little lefTe than damnable. 
 
 This difcourfe of Experience made Philofophos to looke 
 more narrowlie into him felfe, where he found it faire coppied 
 word for word in his owne confcience ; and afke Experience 
 further advice whether it were not his beft courfe to goe backe 
 to his father Cofmos (or the world) to furnifh him with frefh 
 means to finifh his pilgrimadge. Experience told him by noe 
 meanes, for the world was (and not vnfitly) comparde to a 
 burninge flame of Lull, Avarice, Concupifcens. And if we 
 count him a mad man that feing a howfe of fire about his ears 
 will ftay and burne in it, rather then ronn out and haue his 
 life ; much more mad & defperate is he that being once out of 
 it will willinglie ronn into the fire againe, and neede not : be- 
 fides the world is infedlious and like leven makes all that 
 touches it of it owne nature. To which Alethe anfwerd he 
 knew that to be trew, ior Ji te dele£lat hie Mundus femp\er\ vis 
 eje immundus ; and therfore he wifht him not fo much as 
 looke backe or once thincke vpont. Next the world deceives 
 and fooles them that embrace and make moftof it: for fuppofe 
 I fee a ftranger eat in filver plate & drinke in gold in a great 
 mans houfe, fhall I for that thinke him ever the richer when he 
 goeinge out he is fufFerd to carry nether filver nor golde (that 
 was onelie lent him for vfe) out at dores with him ? Nether 
 tho the purple filk worme eat & drinke in plate and gold in (the 
 great mans houfe) the worlde, in which he is a mere ftranger. 
 When he flialbe cald home by ficknes or furffet, or pluckt out 
 at dores by Death, he ftiall carie neither filver nor gold out 
 with him, but be vncafd and ftript as naked as my naile. Then 
 if thou hoopeft for entertainement with Latria determine never 
 to liue in it nor be in loue with it, but vfe it as the fkillfuU 
 phifitian doe poifon, take fo much of it as ferves for the lawfull 
 purpofe, & ftionn the reft as thing dangeroufe and deadlie. 
 
 This advife beinge ended (and confirmd for truthes by 
 Alethe) Philofophos determind never to minde Cofmos, nor 
 make nor medle with Poneria more; but iutreated Experience 
 
8o 
 
 to direft him the nearcft way to Latriaes fhrine : who told him 
 that the waie was verie difficultc, harde to finde and much vn- 
 like that he had allready come in. For inftead of lilies and 
 rofes it grew full of briers and brambles : fhowers of dangers 
 and tempefts of fcandals wold fall on his credit & beat in the face 
 of his reputation ; befides it lay all vp hill & wold afk paine 
 and much labour. Yet haueing and makeinggood vfe of Truth 
 and Time wold be a good eafe & fome helpe to his Jornie : 
 and following fome direftions he wold prefcribe he doubted 
 not but he might attaine it. And firll as a man when he goes 
 to the Courte of a prince will call of his old rags and go as 
 handfome & comelie as he cann, fo if you hoope to ferve at the 
 fhrine of Latria, you muft throwe away your old & tatterd raggs 
 of Sin and Impietie, opera tenebrarum, & putt on a new white 
 robe & wedding garment. Alethe can direft you to a ward- 
 rope where you male fuite and fitt your felfe. Nor is this all: 
 he that wold go into the prefence chamber muft firft goe vnder 
 the outward gate ; and eare you can come at the fhrine of 
 Latria, muft pafTe by the houfe of Humility ; a poore thatcht 
 cottadge that lies in an humble valley kneeleing at the foote of 
 a high mountaine. With him you muft liue & to him leave 
 all your worldly eftate, vaine plefures, imodeft languadge, wan- 
 ton and idle thoughts : for Latriasgate is fo lowe and narrowe 
 you can carrie in nothing but your felfe. A monarch cannot 
 go in with a crowne on his head ; a poUitician with a mono- 
 polie or an office on his backe, a folyour with a fword by his 
 fide nor an ufurer thruft in with fo much as a chaine of dia- 
 monds about his necke or a poore feale ring of his thombe. 
 They that enter there muft go in naked, and happy they may 
 gett in foe to. But come into my Cell : when you haue lernt 
 this leflbn perfcft, lie bring you acquainted with Theoiogos, a 
 deepc fchoUer and one of Latriaes Chaplins ; and by his labour 
 in teaching and your induflry in practifing, 1 make no dowt of 
 your fure and friendlie entertainement. To all which Philo- 
 fophos agreed, and followd Experience in a full afTurance to 
 periode his pilgrimadge. 
 
NOTES. 
 
 PARLIAMENT OF BEES. 
 
 Page V. En hie Judicio, &c. Poffibly a mifquotation from 
 the dedication of the Fajli, i. 18-9 : 
 
 " Da mihi te placidum, dederis in carmine vires, 
 Tngenium •voltu Jiatque caditque tuo/^ 
 
 Page vi. Old Father Seton. A celebrated logician of his 
 day, whofe DialeSiica, publifhed in 1572, pafTed through 
 feveral editions. Randolph {Hey for Honejiy, ii. 5) makes 
 a complimentary alluiion to him : 
 
 " Ghe remember my Zon went to the Varfity, and I ha 
 heard him fay a fine fong : 
 
 " ' Hang Brerivood and Carter in Crakenthorp' s garter, 
 Let Kekerman too bemoan us : 
 I'le be no more beaten for greafie Jack Seaton, 
 And conning of Sanderfonus.' " 
 
 Page 3. The worthy Gentleman Mr. George Butler. Poffi- 
 bly this gentleman was a relative of Charles Butler, who wrote 
 The Feminine Monarchie or a Treatife concerning Bees, Sec, 
 publifhed in 1609 at Oxford, and reprinted with additions in 
 1623. 
 
 Page 7. Cry Tanti. Cf. Ik ofGuls, p. 8. 
 
 If then they Meawe. This odd fafhion of expreffing difap- 
 probation feems to have been very common. Cf. the Prologue 
 to the Middleton Dekker's Roaring Girl : 
 
 " Each one comes 
 And brings a play in's head with him : up he fummes 
 What he would of a Roaring Girl have writ ; 
 If that he finds not here he mnves at it." 
 L 
 
82 
 
 Page II. Areede. An uncommon word. Cf. Antony 
 M u nday's D ozvnfdl of Robert Earl of Huntingdon^ 1 60 1 , 
 
 " Now muft your honour leave thefe mourning tunes, 
 And thus by my areed you fhall provide." 
 
 Page 14. Like the fnale that bankrovvb-like, &c. A fimilar 
 paflage occurs in Dckker's Set'et! deadly Sinnes, 1606: 
 
 " Scarce was his entrance blown abroad, but the bankrupt, 
 the Fellon, and all that owed any money, and for feare of arreils 
 or lullices Warrants had like fo many Snayles kept their houfcs 
 over their heads all the day before, began now to creep out of 
 their fliels and to ftalk up anddowne the Ureets as vprightly and 
 with as proud a gate as if they meant to knock againll the Starres 
 with the crownes of their heads." — (Arber's reprint, p. 25.) 
 
 Page 18. Lovers. The ufual fpelling is " loover," i.e. 
 I'ouvert, opening in the roof. Cf. Spens. F. .^. b. 6 : 
 
 " Nor lighted was with window or with /cover. 
 But with continuall candle light." 
 
 Beikepp. Mr. Ebfworth writes me : 
 
 " 'Qccjkep is ftill ufed commonly in Yorkfhire, as well as 
 Scotland, for beehive, fo long as the hive is of woven ftraw or 
 wicker work (not a box) : Jkep is = a bafket. I have heard it 
 ufed, literally, hundreds of times. Old Englifh words linger in 
 Yorkfhire as they do in the Scottifli lowlands : indeed, the 
 whole dillrict was one, Northumbria. You have the Jl:ep in 
 Cur/or Mundi, Trin. Coll. Cam. MS., f. 30." 
 
 Page 25. Barly-brake. Not the innocent diverfion fo grace- 
 fully defcribed in the Arcadia, but (as in Braithwaite's Strappado 
 for the Devil, pp. 169, 307, Reprint) wanton fports. 
 
 Page 26. Stigmatical. Here ufed in its original meaning of 
 " branded." Pedantic old Gabriel Harvey objefled to the word 
 being applied in the extended fenfe of" ugly, misfhapen." Fid. 
 The Trimming of Thomas Najhe, 1597, "Thou rude wretch ! 
 thou wilt be fo cojmologixed if thou beeft catched here, for call- 
 ing our matters of art fir^ figmatical ; that is burnt with an hot 
 iron. Didll thou ever know any of our mailers of arts burnt 
 with any irons.''" Notwithftanding the Doctor's weighty de- 
 
83 
 
 nunciations, the word became popularized and received the ini' 
 primatur of Shakefpeare. 
 
 Grceke irq. A fanciful refemblancc to the gallows was found 
 in the Greek it. Compare John Taylor's Kickfey Winfey : or a 
 Lerry Come-Twang, 1619 : 
 
 "In this bafe fa/hion, or fuch like as this, 
 To me their fcurvy daily dealing is ; 
 As one's in ftudy, the other's deep in talk, 
 Another's in his ftudy gone to walk : 
 One's in the barber's fuds and cannot fee 
 Till chin and chaps are made a Roman T : 
 And for his making thus a gull of me 
 I wifh his cut may be the Grecian P." 
 
 Page 27, Pilcher. A term of contempt like " ftock filh '' and 
 " poor-john," Cf. B. and F.'s Love's Cure, ii. 2, " You dog- 
 fkin-fac'd rogue, pilcher, you poor-john." 
 
 Page 28. Thy paper bufinelTe. Cf. Maffinger's Great Duke 
 of Florence, in. i : 
 
 " Giov. Do not you know me ? 
 
 Cal. I tell thee, no : on forfeit of my place 
 I mull not know myfelf, much lefs my father. 
 But by petition : that petition limed too 
 With golden birds that fing to the tune of profit, 
 Or I am deaf." 
 
 Alloone, fc. begone. So in Marflon's What you Will, iii. i : 
 " Goe hence ! packe ! packe ! avant ! caper, caper ! aloun, 
 aloun ! " 
 
 Page 29. Whalebon'd-bodied rafcals. In the Guls Home 
 Book Dekker attacks this abfurd fafhion : " Did man, think you, 
 come wrangling into the world about no better matters than 
 all his life time to make privy fearches in Birchin lane for whale- 
 bone doublets or for pies in Heliogabalus' s kitchen ? " 
 
 To new vampe a whore. To vamp is to patch up. A play 
 entitled The Whore new Vamfd, was afted at the Red Bull in 
 Sept., 1639. 
 
 Blacke guard. For an explanation of this term fee GifFord'» 
 note on Jonfon, ii. 179. 
 
84 
 
 Page 30. Child's part, i.e. a chW^'s portion. Cf. The Famous 
 
 iJ}orye of Thomas Stukely, 1605 : " Not fo fick, fir, but I hope 
 
 o have a child's part by your laft will and teftament," c. 3. 
 
 The cxpreflion occurs repeatedly: Law Trickes, p. 63 ; Hcy- 
 
 wood (ed. Pearfon), ii. 29 ; Dckker, iii. 15, &c. 
 
 Purft dead pay. We Hill have the phrafe to " make dead 
 men chew tobacco." The allufions to "dead pays" are fre- 
 quent in the old dramatifts. Cf. Webfter's Appius tsf Virginia, 
 V. I : 
 
 " Sen. Moft of your captains 
 
 Are utterly unlearned. 
 
 Ad. Yes, I aflure you, 
 
 Moft of them know arithmetic fo well, 
 That in a muftcr, to prefcrve dead pays., 
 They'll make twelve ftand for twenty." 
 
 Difgeft. The older form of " digeft." It occurs in Mar- 
 lowe, &c. 
 
 Page 31. Court-cake-bread. Cf. He of Guls, p. 85 ; Maf- 
 finger's Great Duke of Florence, i. i. 
 
 Page 33. Jack drom's Intcrtainment. The origin of this pro- 
 verbial expreflion for ill-treatment is not known. John Taylor 
 the Water Poet, in his amufing Wandering to fee the Wonders of 
 the Wejl, 1649, relates how he was greeted at a certain " fifhcr 
 town" with this kind of entertainment : " That town hath in it 
 two taverns and fix ale-houfes, to every one of which I went 
 for lodging and not any one would harbour me : then I fought 
 for a conftable to help me, but no conftable was to be found ; 
 the people all wondering at me, as if I had been fome ilrange 
 bcail or monfter brought out of Africa ; at which moft uncivil 
 and barbarous ufage I began to be angry and perceiving that 
 nobody cared for my anger I difcreetly went into the houfe 
 where I firft demanded lodging; where the hoftefs being very 
 willing to give me the courteous entertainment of fack Drum, 
 commanded me very civilly to get me out of doors for there 
 was no room for me to lodge in." The old play of fack 
 Drum^s Entertainment is reprinted in Simpfon's School of 
 Shakfpere. 
 
85 
 
 Beggers bufli. Fid. Hazliti's Proverbs. 
 
 Page 34. Alexander thought, &c. Cf. Puttenham's Arte of 
 Englijh Pocjie, 1589 (ed. Arbor, p. 31): "In what price the 
 noble poems of Homer were holden with Alexander the Great, 
 inlbmuch as every night they were layd under his pillow and by 
 day were carried in the rich jewcll cofer of Darius lately before 
 vanquiflied by him in battaile " (quoted by Malone on " The 
 rich-jewel'd coffer of Darius," i Henry VI., 1. 6). Vid. Plutarch, 
 Vit. Alex. Magni, cap. viii. " Kat T^v fxh 'IXmoa rfje 
 TToXfyuik'j/c apBTrJQ i(p6Siov /cat yofii^wv cat ovofjiaCwv eXafie /J.ev 
 ^ A-piarroriXovQ ^lopQijaavTOQ, ijy etc rod vapdr]Kog icaXovaiy, £l-)(^E 
 Be del fxerh tov eyyeipihiov Keifxeytjy vtto to TrpocrKecpciXaioy, dig 
 Oyr^aiKpiroQ iaropTji^e." 
 
 Page 35. Mixe inke and coppereffe. Cf. Prol. to Volpone : 
 
 "All gall and copperas from his ink he draineth ; 
 Only a little fait remaineth." 
 
 Page 38. I defcend from Perfius, &c. The lines that follow 
 bear no refemblance to anything in Perfius. 
 
 Page 42. As we have fat at work, &c. " Prettily pilfered," 
 fays Lamb, " from the fweet pafTage in the Midfumtner Night's 
 Dream, where Helena recounts to Hermia their fchool days' 
 friendfhip : 
 
 " ' We Hermia, like two artificial gods, 
 Created with our needles both one flower. 
 Both on one fampler, fitting on one cufliion.' " 
 
 (Lamb was quoting from memory; the fecond line fhould run, 
 " Have with our needles created," &c., " needles," of courfe, 
 being pronounced as a monofyllable.) 
 
 Page 52. My Ladies foifting hound. " A fyfting cur, catel- 
 lus graveolens," Coles. Dr. Brinfley Nicholfon fuggefts that 
 the paffage in the text lends fome countenance to " the Lady[s] 
 brach," Lear, 1. 4 (where the 4tos. give " Ladie oth'e brach," 
 and the folios "the Lady Brach"). 
 
 Page 58. My Kitchin is my Doftor, &c. In an anonymous 
 traft. The Cold Teare, 1614 (reprinted in Hindley's Old Book 
 ColleSlor's Mifcellany, vol. ii.), a countryman preaches a whole- 
 fome homily to a townfman in a fimilar llrain : " Oh Sir ! riots. 
 
86 
 
 furfcits overnights and early potting it next morning ftick white 
 hairs upon young men's chins, when fparing diet holds colour : 
 your crammed capons feed you fat here in London ; but our 
 beef and bacon feeds us llrong in the country ; long fleeps and 
 paft-midnights-watchings dry up your bloods and wither your 
 cheeks : we go to bed with the lamb and rife with the lark, 
 which makes us healthful as the fpring. You are ftill fending 
 to the apothecaries and ftill crying out Fetch Mafter Doftor to 
 me : but our apothecary's Ihop is our garden full of pot-herbs ; 
 and our doftor is a clove of garlic," &c. 
 
 I ftand on ficknefs-fhore, &c. One is reminded {fi parva 
 licet, &c.) of Lucretius' noble lines, " Suave mart magno tur- 
 bantibus aequora ventis E terra alterius magnum fpeilare laborem " 
 
 (ii. 1-2.) 
 
 Dowlafle. Sc. coarfe cloth. 
 
 Chibbals. Sc. Onions. 
 
 Page 60. Sweares byer deathes head. An allufion to the 
 curious pradtice (in vogue among the whores and bawds of the 
 time) of wearing deaths' heads in rings. Cf Northward Hoe 
 (Dckker, iii. 50), "And as if I were a baud no ringpleafes me 
 but a death's head ; " Marfton's Dutch Courtezan (Works, ed. 
 Halliwell, ii. 1 18), "As for their death how can it bee bad fince 
 their wickednefTe is alwayes before their eyes and a deathes head 
 moft commonly on their middle finger." 
 
 Page 63. Strows Lavender fo ftrongly on 'em. " To lay in 
 lavender " was a common periphrafis for *' to pawn." Cf. 
 Greene's ^ipfor an Vpftart Courtier, I 592 (Hindley's reprint) : 
 " Bcfide the knave will be diligently attending and waiting at 
 dicing-houfes where we may be at play, and there he is ready to 
 lend the lofer money upon rings and chains, apparel or any other 
 good pawn ; but the poor gentleman pays fo dear for the 
 lavender it is laid up in that if it lie long at a broker's houfc he 
 fccms to buy his apparel twice." Maflinger's New Way to Pay 
 Old Debts, V. I : 
 
 " I'll have you 
 Dragged in your lavender robes to the gaol." 
 
 Page 64. Hee's burn'd himfelfe. Senfu obfcoeno. See an 
 elaborate palTage in Chapman's Revenge for Honour {?<t^x{ox\,\\\. 
 
87 
 
 113); Samuel Rowland's Letting of Humours Blood in the Head 
 Vaine, Epigr. 6 ; Jhe Majlive, by H[enry] P[arrott], G. v., &c. 
 
 Page 65. Ruffian law. Cf. Webfter's White Devil, ed. 
 Dycc, 1 87 1, p. 30, where Reed quotes appofitely from Giles 
 Fletcher's Ruffe Cvmmonwealth, 1591. 
 
 Page 74. Rivell'd, i.e. wrinkled, as in Marfton's Infatiate 
 Cotintejs (ed. Halliwell, iii. 189) : 
 
 " May they be 
 So ri-veWd with painting by that time they are thirty that it 
 May be held a work of condign merit 
 But to looke upon 'em." 
 
 (In this pafTage we ought, no doubt, to omit the word *' that " 
 after " thirty," and begin the next line with " it :" then the 
 lines will run fmoothiy.) 
 
 ILE OF GULS. 
 
 Page 3. They might ha faude the hangman a labour. Per- 
 haps a reference to the fate of the Gunpowder plot con- 
 fpirators. 
 
 Furnilh us with ftooles. The ufual price for a ftool was 
 lixpence. Cf. Guls Home Book. " By fitting on the ftage 
 you may with fmall coft purchafe the dear acquaintance 
 of the boys ; have a good ftool for fixpence," &c. Induftion 
 to Ben Jonfon's Cynthia Revels, At fome theatres the praftice 
 feems to have been objefted to, vid. Induction to Marfton's 
 Malcontent. If we may believe Francis Lenton, gallants fome- 
 times paid as much as an angel for the privilege — 
 
 " The Cockpit heretofore would ferve his wit, 
 But now upon the Fryers ftage hee'll fit ; 
 It muft be fo, though this expenfive foole 
 Should pay an angell for a paltry ftoole." 
 
 The Young Gallant's fVhirligig, 1629. 
 
 Comes hee Eaftward, &c. See Dyce's prefatory note to Web- 
 fter and Dekker's Weftward Hoe. 
 
 Page 4. Hath he not a prepared company, Cf. Hijlrio- 
 jnajlix, 1610, ii. I. ; 
 
" Gulfl:>. I, but how if they do not clap their hands? 
 
 Po/}. No matter, (o they thumpe us not. Come, come, we 
 poets have the kindeft wretches to our Ingles. 
 
 Belch. Why, whats an Ingle, man ? 
 
 Po/}. One whofe hands are hard as battle doors with clapping 
 at baldnefs." 
 
 Page 6. What fhould chaft eares do at a play ? The quef- 
 tion, it muft be confeflcd, had fome point ; although, no doubt, 
 with an Elizabethan audience the " baudry " was fhakcn off 
 like water from a fwan's back. If the following verfes from 
 Francis Lenton's Toung Gallants Whirligig, 1629, are familiar 
 to the reader, I muft apologize for quoting them : 
 
 " Your Theaters hee daily doth frequent 
 (Except the intermitted time of Lent) 
 Treafuring up within his memory 
 The amorous toyes of every Comedy 
 With deep delight ; whereas he doth appeare 
 Within God's Temple fcarcely once a yeare. 
 And that poore once more tedious to his minde 
 Then a yeares traveU to a toiling Hynd. 
 Pljyes are the nurferies of vice, the Bawd 
 That thorow the fenfes fteales our hearts abroad, 
 Tainting our eares with obfcaene Bawdery, 
 Lafcivious words & wanton Ribaulry ; 
 Charming the Cafements of our Soules, the eyes. 
 To gaze upon bewitching varieties. 
 Beholding bafe loole actions, mimick gefture 
 By a poor boy clad in a princely vefture, 
 Thefe are the only tempting baits of hell 
 Which draw more youth unto the damned cell 
 Of Furious Luft then all the DeviU could doe 
 Since he obtained his firft overthrow." 
 
 Page 6. As fit . . . as Hercules (hooe for the foote of a 
 Pygmey. There is a Latin couplet (I know not whence de- 
 rived) that fays: 
 
 " Non decet Herculeos Pygmaeo aptare Cothurnos, 
 Parvaque funt parvae Commoda vela rati." 
 
 Page 7. I lay in bed till paft three. For the hours of per- 
 formance at the theatres, fee Collier's invaluable Hijl. of Eng. 
 Dram. Lit. iii. 180 (new edition). Malone feems certainly to 
 
89 
 
 have been wrong in faying that the ufual hour was one o'clock. 
 From the Guh Home Book and Hijlriomajlrix, it is plain that 
 the performances began about three ; but the pafTage in the 
 text fhovvs that at the Black Friars the curtain rofe fomewhat 
 later — probably about four. In Guilpin's Skialetheria (Ep. 25) 
 a gallant is reprefented as fpending his time in the following 
 exemplary fafhion : 
 
 " My Lord, moft court-like lyes abed till noone. 
 Then, all high-ftomackt, rifeth to his dinner, 
 Falls ftraight to Dice before his meate be downe. 
 Or to digeft walks to fome femall finner. 
 Perhaps fore-tyrde he gets him to a play, 
 Comes home to fupper and then falls to dice, 
 There his devotion wakes till it be day. 
 And fo to bed where untill noone he lies." 
 
 My ftomacke will toule to fupper. This forcible form of 
 exprellion is not uncommon in the old dramatifts. Cf. Web- 
 fter's Appius and Virginia (iv. 2) : 
 
 " How goes the day ? 
 
 My ftomack has ftruck twelve " ; 
 
 T. Haywood's Englijh traveller (Works, iv. 13): "I know not 
 how the day goes with you, but my ftomacke hath ftruck twelve, 
 I can affure you that." 
 
 Page 15. Taylers hell. The " hell " was the hole under 
 the fhop-board, where the tailor placed the odd pieces of ftufF. 
 As might be expefted punning allufions to " hell " are very 
 common. Cf. Sir Thomas Overbury's CharaSiers (" A Taylor"): 
 " Hee difFereth altogether from God ; for with him the beft 
 peeces are ftill marked out for damnation and without hope of 
 recovery ftiall be caft into hell." Greene's ^ip for an Vpfiart 
 Courtier: " I hope there is no tailor fo precife but he can play 
 the cook and lick his own fingers : though he look up to heaven, 
 yet he can caft large fhreds of fuch rich ftufF into hell under his 
 fhop-board." 
 
 Page 16. Of the beft and laft edition. One of the many 
 hits at James's advancements. Cf. Hans Beer Pot, 1618 : 
 
 " 'Twas ftrange to fee what knighthood once would doe ; 
 Stirre great men up to lead a martial! life, 
 M 
 
go 
 
 Such as were nobly borne of greate eftates, 
 
 To gain this honour and this dignity, 
 
 So noble a mark to their pofterity. 
 
 But now alas its grown ridiculous, 
 
 Since bought with money, fold for bafeft prize, 
 
 That fome refufe it which are counted wife." 
 
 G. 3, V. 
 
 Page 17. The cafe is alterd. A proverbial expreflion, 
 from which Ben Jonfon drew the title of one of his comedies. 
 Cf Hcywood, ed. Pearfon, i. 150, ii. 130, 415, v. 115, &c. 
 
 Page 25. The Metamorphofis of A-jax. One of the many 
 allufions to Harrington's poem. 
 
 You Aggott. So Falilaff (2 Hen. If^. 1. 2) fays to his page, 
 " Thou whorefon mandrake, thou art fitter to be worn in my 
 cap than to wait at my heels. I was never manned with an 
 agate till now." The allufion is to the fmall figures cut in agate 
 for rings or brooches. 
 
 Page 30. Cuckold's Haven. See Dyce's note on Webfter's 
 l^orthward Ho, iii. 4. 
 
 Page 34. But Forrcftcrs like Images, &c. Cf. a pretty 
 paffage in the Hijiory of the tryallofCheualry, 1605 : 
 
 " How full of pleafure is this Forreft life ! 
 
 My Parlce I liken to a Common wealth 
 
 In which my Bucks and Does are Citizens : 
 
 The Hunter's Lodge the Court from whence is fent 
 
 Sentence of life or death as pleafe the King : 
 
 Only our government's a tyranny 
 
 In that we kill our fubjedls upon fport." 
 
 E. 3, V. 
 
 Page 35. Cleaue the very white. GifFord (Jonfon, v. 309) 
 fays that to " hit the white" and "hit the clout" are fynony- 
 mous terms ; but Dyce thought that " the clout or pht llood in 
 the centre of the inner circle of the butts, which circle being 
 painted zvhite was called the white" and therefore " that to hit 
 the white was a confiderable feat, but to hit or cleave the clout 
 or pin was a much greater." (Shakefpeare Gloflary.) The 
 paffage in the text feems to bear out GifFord's view. 
 
 Page 36. LolTe, i.e. lofs of fcent ; as in the Indudion to the 
 Taming of the Shretv, II. 22-4 : 
 
91 
 
 " Why, Belman is as good as he, my lord ; 
 
 He cried upon it at tlie mereft lois, 
 
 And twice to day pick'd out the dullcft fcent." 
 
 Page 38. Awake the drowfie Eccho. Cf. Arcadia, i. p. 34 
 (ed. 1605) : "The wood fecmed toconfpirc with themagainft 
 his owne citizens, difperfing theirnoife through all his quarters, 
 and euen the Nimph Eccho left to bewaile the loffe of Nar- 
 cifTus and became a hunter." 
 
 Page 40. A couple of water buckets. The fimilc in the 
 text is not an uncommon one. Cf. a vigorous paffage of 
 Gabriel Harvey's Trimming of Thomas Najhe, 1597: "Again 
 you remember the time when your fellow Lujher and you lay 
 in Cole Harbour, together, when you had but one pair of 
 breeches between you both but not one penny to blefs you 
 both, and how by courfe he wore the breeches one day & went 
 coney-catching about for viftuals whilftyou lay in bed, and the 
 next day you wore the breeches to go beg whilft he lay in bed, 
 for all the world like two buckets in one well." 
 
 Page 41. Shee carues thee at board. Several inftances are 
 coUefted in Dyce's Shakefpeare Gloffary to fhow that the word 
 carve is ufed "to defcribe fome particular form of aftion, fome 
 fign of intelligence and favour :" one inftance, that efcaped the 
 watchful eyes of Hunter, Dyce, and Mr. Grant White, may be 
 given here: 
 
 " Faunus for feates of Fencing bears the bell ; 
 for fkill in mufick on each inftrument : 
 For dancing, carwng and difcourfing well, 
 With other fundry gifts more excellent. 
 But ftriving ftill to make his credit ftronger 
 The Taylor will not truft him any longer." 
 
 T//e Mouje Trap, by H[enry] P[arrott], 
 1606. Epigram 14. 
 
 Page 49. Tho I be but a little pot, &c. Alluding to the 
 
 proverb, " A little pot is foon hot," which we find in the 
 
 Taming of the Shrew, iv. i. " Now, were not I a little pot and 
 foon hot, my very lips might freeze to my teeth." 
 
 Page 51. A month's mind, i.e. a ftrong defire ; for ex- 
 planations of the term vid. Dyce's Shakefpeare Gloflary. 
 
 Page 52, Nay fhe cannot be faid to fteale a nap. Cf. 
 
92 
 
 Arcadia, p. 138 (ed. 1605). "He looked and faw that Mopfa 
 indeed fate fwallowing of flecpe with open mouth, malcing fuch 
 a noifc withall as no body could lay the flealing of a nap to her 
 charge." 
 
 Page 56. Much in my tother hoofe. Equivalent to our flang 
 "over the left." Cf. Middleton (ed. Dycc), i. 262, iv. 145 ; 
 GifFord's Jonfon, vi. 164. 
 
 Page 59. Signeor Noe. So Humour out of Breath is dedi- 
 cated to Signeor Nobody. The following abfurd piece of fool- 
 ing is from S. Rowley's Noble Soldier, G. 4, v. : 
 
 " Enter Signeor No : whifpers with Medina. 
 Med. What are you ? Come you from the King ? 
 No. No. 
 Bal. No ? more no's ? I know him, let him enter. 
 
 Carl. Will you fmell to a fprig of Rofemary ? 
 
 No. No. 
 
 Bal. Will you be hang'd ? No. No. 
 
 B-al. This is either Signeor No, or no Signeor." 
 
 Page 62. We are in the way to Catch the old one. A kind 
 of proverbial faying, from which Middleton drew the title of 
 one of his plays. 
 
 Page 66. Wooden dagger. Commonly called a dudgeon 
 dagger, i.e. a dagger with a handle of box-wood. 
 
 Page 67. I nimde his chayne. To nijn is to fteal. Cf. 
 Hans Beer Pot, 1618, B. 2: 
 
 " Each day he walkes and pryes and lookes about 
 
 With watchful! eyes and euer in miftruft 
 
 Left that my Dame or I his trufty man 
 
 Should nimme from him or put up more than right." 
 
 "The verb »//?/," fays the 183 1 editor, "though of pure 
 Saxon derivation, from nemen to filch, has always been con- 
 fidercd as a mere flang term, and is flill in ufe among the ad- 
 mirers of the lexicon Balantionicum. Nimming Ned in the 
 Beggar's Opera, will readily occur to the reader's recolleflion." 
 
 Page 72. Creuices. More ufually written "crevifhes" 
 (Cf. Fr. ecrevifTe), our "crayfifti." 
 
93 
 
 Page 73. I cannot do withall, i.e. T cannot help it (though 
 Mifo pretends to underftand the words differently). FiJ. 
 Dyce's Shaks. Gloflary. 
 
 What is fhe for a woman. A common form of expreffion. 
 Cf. Middlcton, iii, 376: "And what, I pray, are you, fir, for 
 a coxcomb ?" 
 
 Page 81. Burbolt. An arrow blunted at the end (fome- 
 times written " bird-bolt "). 
 
 Page 84. A whiffler. One who went before in a pro- 
 ceflion ; from " whiffle," a fife or flute. 
 
 Manacher. A mifprint (in the original) for " Manchet," a 
 delicate kind of bread. 
 
 Page 88. Lady Pecunia. An allufion, no doubt, to the 
 title of Barnefield's poem, publifhed in 1598. 
 
 After the rate of feven fcore to the hundredth. Dr. Brinfley 
 Nicholfon writes me : "I have fent Mr. Furnivall for ' fcraps,' 
 N. Sh. S. TranfaSlions, this bit as fhowing that there is no 
 necefTity for tranfpofmg 'each putter oi four for one'' in Tem- 
 peji, but that this was an acknowledged (though erroneous) 
 form of phrafe." The words in the text feem to me quite 
 intelligible, and but flightly irregular ; while in the paffage of 
 the Tempeft there is a complete inverfion. 
 
 Chimnies ha fmoakt for't. On the fubjeft of chimney taxes 
 (" fmoke-pence "), s'iW. iV. and ^ 6 S. il,pp. lio-ll. The 
 words that follow in the text feem to imply that a tax was 
 raifed or propofed to be raifed on fea cole and fait. I have no 
 information on the point. 
 
 Page 91. Vnneceffary members. Stephen GofTon, in his 
 Schocle of Abufe, 1579, couples poets with " pipers, plaiers, 
 jefters " as " Caterpillers of a Commonwealth ;" but there 
 feems to be a reference to fome more recent pamphlet. 
 
 Page 97. Virginall Jackes. " The virginal jack was a 
 fmall flat piece of wood, furnifhed on the upper part with a 
 quill, affixed to it by fprings of bridle. Thefe jacks were 
 direfted by the finger-key to the Itring, which was flruck by 
 the quill, then forced paft the firing by the elaftic fpring, giving 
 it liberty to found as long as the finger refled on the key." 
 — Fairholt. " The virginals (probably fo called becaufe chiefly 
 
94 
 
 played upon by young girls) refembled in fhape the ' fquare ' 
 pianoforte of the prefent day, as the harpflchord did the 'grand.'" 
 — Chappell. 
 
 The babies good enough. Bawble is ufually fpelt " bable " 
 by our early writers. Cf. PaJ'quiPs Palinodia, 1619: 
 
 " Whilft coaches and caroaches are i'th world, 
 And women take delight to buy fond bat/es, 
 And o'er the ftones whilft ladies will be hurld 
 For which their horfcs are ftill kept i'th ftables." 
 
 Page 98. Up and downe i.e. completely. Cf. Law Trichei, 
 p. 77 ; Titus Andro7iicu5, v. 2 : 
 
 " Well mayft thou know her by thy own proportion, 
 For up and down fhe doth refemble thee." 
 
 Page loi. Brocke, a badger. Twelfth Night, ii. 5. 
 
 With a wanion. With a murrain. Cf. Pericles, ii. i : " Look 
 how thou ftirreft now ! come away, or I'll fetch thee with a 
 wanion." — The Devil is an Afs, v. 5. 
 
 What a gud yere aile you ? i.e. what a pox ail you? Cf. 
 Merry Wives, \. 4 (Fr. goujere, morbus Gallicus, from gouge, 
 " A Souldiers pug or punke, a whore that follow es the campy — 
 Cotgrave). 
 
 Frampull i.e. peevifh. Merry Wives, ii. 2. 
 
 Page 102. Pearl. A common name for a dog in Elizabethan 
 times. Vid. Sam. Rowland's Letting of Humours Blood in the 
 Head Vaine, Epigram, 33. 
 
 Page 105. Dargifon. Two or three old fongs are diredled 
 to be fung to the tune of Donkin Dargifon. Giffbrd's explana- 
 tion (Jonfon's Tale of a Tub, iv. 3) of the word does not com- 
 mend itfelf : — " In fome childifh book of knight errantry which 
 I formerly read, but cannot now call to mind, there is a dwarf 
 of that name who accompanies a lady of great beauty and vir- 
 tue through many perilous adventures as her guard and guide." 
 
 Page 107. With a wet finger, i.e. eafily. Cf. Sir Gyles 
 Coofe-cappe, C. 4, v. : "I never cood abide a maide in my 
 life, Neece, but either I draw away the maide or the maiden- 
 head with a wet finger." — Middlcton, iii. 10, &c. 
 
95 
 
 HUMOUR OUT OF BREATH. 
 
 Page 5. Summon the furly Landlord, &c. Cf. Arcadia, p. 
 34 (ed. 1605) : " But the llagge was in the end fo hotly pur- 
 fued that (leauing his flight) hce was driuen to make courage 
 of difpaire, and fo turning his head made the hounds (with 
 change of fpeech) to teftifie that he was at a bay : as if from 
 hot purfuite of their enemy they zvcre fuddenly come to a parley." 
 
 Page 6. Aurum potabile. " This was one of the medicines 
 of the ancient alchemifts. It is thus alluded to in Afhmole's 
 Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum, 1652, p. 4.22 : — 
 
 " ' And then the golden oyle called auvum potabile, 
 
 A medicine moft marvelous to preferve man's health.' " 
 
 HalUiveWs note. 
 
 Page 18. I muft play Dun. Fid. Gilford's note, Jonfon vii. 
 283. 
 
 Page 27. Stampe crabs. " Verjuice is made by ftamping 
 or pounding the crab apple." — Fairholt (Lilly, ii. 274). 
 
 Page 21. Like a paire of vpright fhoes, i.e. ftraight fhoes, 
 ftioes that will fit either foot. Cf. The Fleire, 1615 : " This 
 fellow is like your vpright Jhoe, he will ferve either foot." 
 
 Page 31. An Italian dumpe or a French brawle. A dump 
 was a flow dance; for a defcription of the intricate brawl vid. 
 Marfton and Webfler's Malcontent, iv. 2. 
 
 Page 55. Jove himfelf fits and fmiles, &c. One of the 
 many allufions to Ovid's lines, Ars. Am. 1. 633-4: 
 
 " Juppiter ex alto perjuria ridet amantum, 
 Et jubet Aeolios irrita ferre notos." 
 
 Shakefpeare, as everybody knows, has alluded to this paflage of 
 Ovid in Rom. and Jul. ii. 2. 
 
 Page 58. Span counter. A game fimilar to marbles. Fid. 
 Strutt's Sports and Pajiimes, ed. 2, p. 340. 
 
 Page 60. Haue amongfl: you blind harpers. The expref- 
 fion '* As blind as a harper " was a common one. A tradl of 
 Martin Parker's is entitled " The Poet's Blind Man's bough, 
 or Have among you my blind Harpers," 1641. 
 
96 
 
 LAW TRICKES. 
 
 Page 8. He carry coals. To " carry coals," being efteemed 
 the mod menial of employments, came to mean to fubmit to 
 any kind of indignity. Vid. Rom. and Jul. i. I, &c. &c. 
 
 Page 14. I know one man hath coffind up fix wives. Day 
 had in his mind a paflage of his favourite Perfius, " Nerio jam 
 tertia ducitur uxor," Sat. ii. 14. 
 
 Page 15. Why, foole, as men do on the land. Almoft the 
 very words of the text may be found in Pericles^ ii. I : — " Third 
 Fijh. Mailer, I marvel how the fiflies live in the fea. Firji 
 Fijh. Why as men do a-land, the great ones eat up the little 
 ones." The refemblance is much too clofe to be accidental. 
 Pericles was publifhed in 1609, and Law Trickes in 1608 ; 
 therefore Day mull have either feen the MS. of Pericles, or 
 mufl have carried away the words in his memory from the 
 playhoufe. On page 26 we are very clofely reminded of fome 
 words that occur immediately afterwards in the paflage of 
 Pericles : — 
 
 Law Trickes. "Adam. I knew one of that facultie in one 
 terme eate up a whole Towne, Church, Steeple and all. 
 Jul. 1 wonder the Bels rung not all in his belly." 
 
 The correfponding pafl^age in Pericles runs : — 
 
 " Firjl Fijh Such whales have I heard on o' the land, 
 
 who never leave gaping till they've fwallowcd the whole parifh, 
 church, fteeple, bells, and all. 
 
 Per. {ajide). A pretty moral. 
 
 Third Fijh. But, mailer, if I had been the fexton, I would 
 have been that day in the belfry. 
 
 Sec. Fijh. Why, man ? 
 
 Third Fijh. Becaufe he fhould have fwallowed me too ; and 
 when I had been in his belly, I would have kept fuch a jangling 
 of the bells, that he fhould never have left, till he call bells, 
 fteeple, church, and parifli up again." 
 
 I content myfelfwith drawing the reader's attention to thcfe 
 
97 
 
 very curious refemblances, without attempting any explanation. 
 The colloquy between the fifhermen I have come to regard 
 from long habit as Shakefpeare's ; though, of courfc, I admit 
 the prefence of a fecond hand — or even a third — in Pericles. 
 — The comparifon between men and the "finny fubjeft of the 
 fea " is very elaborately purfued in another old play, " The 
 Valiant Scot, by J. W,, Gent., 1637." We have fpace only for 
 a very brief quotation : 
 
 " Bolt. I'le tell you the myftery of that : looke, what mouthes 
 gape at land, the felfe fame gape at fea : all the land is one 
 kingdome and all the fea another. 
 
 Jef. And people in't ? 
 
 Bolt. And people in't (right worlhipful), but they all go 
 wefthod (y?, wet-fhod) : as there are good and bad here, fo 
 there are good and bad there ; gulls here, gulls there ; as great 
 men here eate up the little men, fo whales feed upon the little 
 fifhes." F. 2, V. 
 
 Page 19. The ftrange conception of the windes. An allu- 
 fion, I fuppofe, to the impregnation of mares by the wind. 
 Fid.Y&rg. Georg. iii. 270-7: 
 
 " Continuoque avidis ubi fubdita flamma medullis, 
 Vere magis, quia vere calor redit oflibus, illae, 
 Ore omnes verfae in zephyrum, ftant rupibus altis, 
 Exceptantque leves auras ; et tzc^tjine ullh 
 Conjugiis, 'vento gra-vidae (mirabile didtu) 
 Saxa per et fcopulos et depreffas convalles 
 Diffugiunt." 
 
 Page 22. Adam Bell. Vid. the ballad of Adam Bell, Clym 
 of the Clough and Wylyam of Cloudefle (in Ritfon and Percy). 
 
 Page 23. Pray God fhe fhake not downe his leaves. An 
 allufion to the ravages of the lues venerea. 
 
 Page 36. When, can you tell? A proverbial exprefTion. 
 Vid. Dyce's Shakefpeare GlofTary. 
 
 Page 38. Yellowes. Yellow was taken to be the colour of 
 jealoufy. Vid. Dyce's Shakfp. iii. 446, 
 
 Seauen fcore in the hundred. Cf. lie of Guls, p. 88. 
 
 Page 39. A wittall. A contented cuckold. Middleton 
 
 N 
 
98 
 
 has given us a capital pidure of a wittol in the Chajl Maid of 
 Chcapftde. 
 
 Page 42. Counterfeit. Portrait. A very common ufe of 
 the word. 
 
 Page 43. Mowfers. Cf. Rom. and Jul. : "You have been 
 a mouje-hunt in your time," where the commentators explain the 
 word to mean a fort of weafel or pole-cat. " It is the fame 
 fcnfe in which Caflio, in Othello, calls Bianca a fitchew, that 
 is a pole-cat." — Forby's Vocab. of E aft Anglia. 
 
 Page 52. Far fech'd and deere bought. Alluding to the 
 proverb " far fct is good for ladies." Cf Cynthia's Revels, iv. i, 
 " Marry, and this may be good for ladies; for it feems 'tis far- 
 fct by their ftay." 
 
 Page 53. Bear a braine. Remember; a very common ex- 
 preffion. Cf. Rom. and Jul. i. 3, &c. 
 
 Page 54. Have we not Hyren heere. Fid. Dyce's note on 
 this favourite exclamation of Piftol's, 2 Henry IV. ii. 4. 
 
 Page 56. Rivo, He bee finguler. Gifford's fuggellion that 
 the word rivo is " corrupted perhaps from the Spanifh rio, 
 which is figuratively ufed for a large quantity of liquor," feems 
 hardly probable ; but no other explanation has hitherto been 
 hazarded. 
 
 Page 58. Cheueril brain'd imitators. Cheveril is foft kid 
 that ftretches eafily. Cf. Rom. and Jul. ii. 4, " O, here's a wit of 
 cheveril that ftretches from an inch narrow to an ell broad." 
 
 I cannot drinke Tobacco two dales, &c. Cf the fimilar 
 lament in H[enry] P[arrott]'s Moufe Trap, Epig. 85. 
 
 " The humour of Tobacco (and the reft) 
 
 Wherein our gallants tooke their chiefe delight, 
 
 Is dayly had (mechinks) in leis requeft 
 
 And will (I leare) in time be worne out quite. 
 
 For now ech Pefant pufFes it through his nofe 
 
 As well as he that's clad in velvet hofe." 
 
 Page 59. I am vndone horfe and foot, i.e. completely. Cf. 
 Dekkcr, ii. 214, &c. 
 
 Page 61. Weftminftcr and Winchefter drinking a quart of 
 wine, &c. In Ritfon's Ancient Ballads (ed. Hazlitt, p. 366) 
 there is a piece of fooling, entitled, " Newes from the end of 
 
99 
 
 Le Prince d'Amour, 1660," that clofely refcmblcs Joculo's cock- 
 and-bull ftory. 
 
 Page 63. Child's part. l^id. note on the Bees, p. 30. 
 
 Irilh hay. " To dance the hay, ad figuram fepis choreas 
 ducere," Coles. Cf. Edward Guilpin's Skialetheia (ed. Grofart), 
 P-Si : 
 
 " His head is like a windmil's trunk fo bigge 
 Wherein ten thoufand thoughts run whirligigge, 
 Play at barley-breake and daunce Irljh hay,'''' 
 
 Marlowe (^Edward II. i. l) fpeaks of the *' antic-hay." The 
 dance was originally borrowed from the French. 
 
 Page 64. Ticktacks. A kind of backgammon. 
 
 Page 73. Wafhing beetles. Nares quotes from B. and F.'s 
 Tamer Tam!d, ii. 5 : 
 
 " Have I liv'd thus long to be knock'd o' th' head 
 With half a ivajhing-beetle." 
 
 A " beetle" (more ufually " batlet ") was a fmall bat or mallet 
 ufed in beating clothes. 
 
 Page 77. Vp and downe. l^id. note on lie of Guls, p. 98. 
 
 Page 81. Snaphaunce. A mufket of Dutch manufacture, 
 deriving its name from (he fnap-haans (" poultry ftealers ") who 
 employed it. Cf. Lilly's Mother Bombie, ii. i : " Thefe old 
 huddles have fuch ftrong purfes with lockes, when they fhut 
 them they goe off like a fnaphance." 
 
 Page 82. Out-fac'd of my felfe with a Card of ten. Nares' 
 explanation is tolerably fatisfactory: " A common phrafe which 
 we may fuppofe to have been derived from fome game (pofTibly 
 /r/w^r^), wherein the Handing boldly upon a ten was often fuc- 
 cefsful .... I conceive the force of the phrafe to have expreffed 
 originally the confidence or impudence of one who with a ten, as 
 at \)X2i'^, faced c routfaced on& who had ufually a faced card againft 
 him. "To face meant, as it ftill does, to bully, to attack by im- 
 pudence of face." 
 
 Sifley Bumtrinkets. Dekker employs this elegant appellation 
 in the Shoemakers Holiday (ed. Pearfon, i. p. 20), and in Satiro- 
 maftix (i. p. 220). It is alfo found in Brome's Jovial Crew 
 (Pearfon, iii. 388). 
 
lOO 
 
 Page 87. You that make a pijh at the black Art. So we 
 often find " to make a pufh/V.^. Twelfth Night : 
 
 " Howe'er they may have writ the ftyle of gods 
 And made a fujh at chance and fufferance." 
 
 THE TRAVAILES OF THE THREE ENGLISH 
 BROTHERS. 
 
 Page 45. Vnpartiall fates. I find "unpartiall" ufed in the 
 rare fenfe of " unkindly" in William Smith's Chloris (1597), 
 fonnet 1 1 : 
 
 " No, it was not nature's ornament. 
 
 But winged loues 'vnpartiall cruell wound." 
 
 Page 55. Enter Kempe. It is known that in 1601 Kemp, the 
 famous low comedian of his time, was travelling in Italy, and 
 there met Sir Antony Sherley. Mr. Halliwell-Phillipps, in the 
 notes to his edition of the Coventry Plays, makes a very pertinent 
 quotation from Sloane MSS., 392,fol.40l : 
 
 "160 1. September 2. Kemp, mimus quidam, qui peragra- 
 tionem quandam in Germaniam et Italiam inftituerat, per 
 multos errores et infortunia fua reverfus : multa refert de 
 Anthonio Sherley, equite aurato, quem Romae (legatum Per- 
 ficum agentcm) convenerat." 
 
 Page 56. The old play that Jdam and Eve afted. Adam 
 and Eve were the fubjeft of one of the Chefter Plays. 
 
 England's Joy. An allegorical play, defcriptive of the reign 
 of Queen Elizabeth, written by William Vennor, and afted at 
 the Swan in 1603. The plot has come down in the fhape of 
 a broadfide. Fid. Collier's Hijl. of Eng. Dram. Lib. iii. 208 
 (new edition). 
 
 Page 75. Hee had need bee hung leaft his flefh fhould 
 mould. The fame conceit occurs in Humour out of Breath, 
 p. 58. 
 
lOI 
 
 THE BLIND BEGGAR. 
 
 Page 14. His Dyet is in each man's kitchin dreft. Cf. 
 Brome's Jovial Crew, or the Merry Beggars, ii. i : 
 
 " Mer. The only Freemen of a Common-wealth ; 
 Free above Scot-free ; that obferve no Law, 
 Obey no Governour, ufe no Religion, 
 But what they draw from their own ancient cuftom. 
 Or conilitute themfelves, yet are no rebels. 
 
 Ra. Such as of all mens Meat and all mens Money 
 Take a free part ; and wherefoe're they travel 
 Have all things gratis to their hands provided." — (Pearfon, iii. 
 376.) 
 
 Page 21. High lawyer. The meaning of this cant term is 
 explained by Samuel Rowlands in Martin Marke-allhis Apologie 
 to the Behnan of Londoji, 1610: — " Not long after, when cer- 
 taine newes was blafed abroad of their captaines confufion, 
 they chofe a notable fwaggering rogue called Puffing Dicke to 
 revell over them, who plaid revell-rout with them indeede : in 
 this fquire there were no villanies left unattempted, but he was 
 ftill at the one end. He firft gave termes to robbers by the 
 high way, that fuch as robbe on horfe-backe were called high 
 lawyers, and thofe who robbed on foote he called Padders." 
 — F. 4, V. 
 
 Page 37. Frompall, peevifh, more ufually written " fram- 
 pal" or "frampold." {Merry Wives, ii. 2, &c.) 
 
 Page 39. Gall gafkins = Galiigafkins, an old name for 
 breeches. Cf. John Phillipps' Splendid Shilling, 1701 : — 
 
 " My galligajklns, that have long withftood 
 The winter's fury and encroaching frofts 
 By time fubdued (what will not Time fubdue) 
 An horrid chafm difcloPd, with orifice 
 Wide, difcontinuous," &c. 
 
 Page 57. Motion. A puppet Ihow. 
 
 Page 65. Mother. The only inftance that I can recall 
 where the word " mother " is applied to a maid, occurs in The 
 
I02 
 
 Hiftory of the Tryall of Cheva/ry, 1605 : — "There's a pretty 
 fweet fac't mother that waits on the princefTe that I have fomc 
 mind to." C. 2. Poffibly it was an Eaft Anglian ufage. 
 
 Page 71. Old excellent. Old is very commonly ufed by 
 the Elizabethan writers to emphafizc the word that follows. 
 
 Page 72. Bancks curtal. All the allufions to this famous 
 beaft have been colledled by Mr. Halliwell-Phillipps in his 
 privately-printed memoranda on Love's Labour's LoJI. 
 
 Page 110. Bate me an ace of that, qd. Bolton. A proverb. 
 " One of the name," fays Ray, " might happen to fay Bate me 
 an ace, and for the coincidence of the firll letters of the two 
 words Bate and Bolton it grew to be a proverb. We have many 
 of the like original, as e.g. Sup, Simon, &c. Stay, quoth 
 Stringer, &c." The following epigram, Secundae cogitationes 
 meliores^ from H. P[arrott]'s Majlive, has been quoted before, 
 but will bear repetition : 
 
 "A Pamphlet was of Prouerbs pend by Polton 
 Wherein he thought all forts included were : 
 ■^ Vntill one told him Bate m'an ace quoth Bolton : 
 Indeed (faid hee) that Prouerbe is not there." 
 
 (Sig. E.) 
 
 Page III. Clapdifli. A difh with a cover, which the beggar 
 clapped up and down in order to attraft the attention of the 
 charitable. 
 
 PEREGRINATIO. 
 Page 39. What Perfeus fpoke : 
 
 " Quis expedivit pfittaco fuum xaipe 
 
 Picafque docuit verba noftra conari ? 
 
 Magiftcr artis ingenique largitor 
 
 Venter, negatas artifex fequi voces. 
 
 Quod fi dolofi fpes refulfcrit nummi 
 
 Corvos poetas ct poetrias picas 
 
 Cantare credas Pcgafeium nectar." — Perf, Prol, 
 
 Page 45. To lye of the Mrs fide. The governor of a 
 prifon was allowed to let certain rooms for his own profit ; and 
 hence the phrafe " to lye of the Mrs fide " meant to enjoy the 
 
103 
 
 beft lodging in the prifon. From G. M[ynfliul]'s CharaSlers 
 of a Prifon, 1618, it appears that unfcrupulous governors fre- 
 quently abufed their privilege: "A rich farmer is efteemed 
 mort inhumane and no Chriftian to take but the houfe or tene- 
 ment over the head of a poore tenant then refident in it : but 
 thefe make it nothing to take diuers lodgings from a Common 
 Gavle which belonged for the eafc and reliefs of aiuers poore 
 prifoners to conuert them to the Maifters fide, and the benefit 
 redounding to their owne purfes, which is at the leaft 100 
 pound per annum" p. 32. 
 
 Rackt the poore prifoners diet, &c. Sir Thomas Overbury, 
 in his charafter of a Jayler^ is more fevere than Day : " He 
 dillils money out of poore mens teares, and growes fat by their 
 curfes. No man comming to the prafticall part of hell can 
 difcharge it better becaufe here he do's no thing but ftudy the 
 theoricke of it. His houfe is the pidure of hell in little and the 
 originall letters patents of his office ftands exemplified there. 
 A chamber of lowfie beds is better worth to him than the beft 
 acre of corne-land in England." 
 
 Page 44. Gambrill. " A ftick placed by butchers between 
 the flioulders of a fheep newly killed to keepe the carcafe open by 
 pinioning the four legs back." — Nares. 
 
 Che voore. Somerfetfhire dialeft (according to Dr. Johnfon) 
 for " I warn." Cf. Lear, iv. 6, 239. 
 
 Page 51. Hinc pauper cornua fumit. From Ovid's Ars 
 Am. : 
 
 J' Tunc veniunt rifus, turn pauper carnua fumltf 
 Turn dolor et curae rugaque frontis abit." 
 
 1. 239-40. 
 
 Page 52. Lion-Drunk, &c. T. Heywood, in his Philoco- 
 thonifta, 1635, enumerates the different forms of drunkennefs, 
 e.g. Ebrietas Afinina, Ebrietas Canina, Ovina^ Vulpina, Porcina: 
 " I might run through all the feverall forts of drunkards : as 
 Ebrietas Leonina, Caprina, Anferina, &c. Of fome that are like 
 Lyons, fome like Goates, others like Geefe in their height of 
 vinofity, but by the former deciphered the reft only named may 
 be apprehended," p. 6. 
 
 Page 57. Bootehaler. A cant term for a highwayman. 
 
I04 
 
 Page 64. Cawkins. More ufually fpelt "calkins," the part 
 of the horfe-fhoe turned up. 
 
 Page 69. Frothe canns. Frequent allufions are to be found 
 to this fwindling dodge, which is only too common now-a- 
 days. Cf Greene's ^ip for an Vpftart Courtier : " You Tom 
 Tapfter that tap your fmall cans to the poor and yet fill them 
 half full of froth." 
 
 Page 70. A brace of beagles in blue. Blue was the livery of 
 fheriffs' officers. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Parliament of Bees, p. ii. For * Charafiers 7, 8, and 9 ' read * CharaEIen 7, 
 9, and 10.' 
 
 P. 29, 1, 10. For 'they ivere landed' read 'they nere landed.' 
 Peregrinatio Schol : p. 63, 1. 7. For '■Jingus' read ^frigus,'' 
 
I^Hc PariiameaL isheJd; Bih and Complaincs 
 Heaidand refbrm*d^wiiufevcralirdasini5 
 Ofufiirpt Oreedorae i uiftimicd Liw 
 Tokeqjc iTieConmiOH' Wealcb of Beesm^^ 
 
thf 
 
 PARLIAMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 BEES, 
 
 With their proper Charadters. 
 
 OR 
 
 A Bee-hivefurnifht with twelve Hony- 
 combes^ as Pleafant as Profitable. 
 
 BeinganAllegoricalldefcription of the actions 
 
 of good and bad men in thefe our daier. 
 
 By I OH N Da ye. 
 Sometimes Student of Caius Colledge in Cambridge. 
 
 O V I D I V s. 
 
 -oMihi Flavus oApollo 
 
 Pocula Cafialice plena minijiret Aqucs. 
 
 LO NDON: 
 
 Printed for William Lee, and are to be fold at his fhop 
 
 in Pauls Church-yard neere Pauls Chaine. 1 641 . 
 
NOTE. 
 
 The Quarto of 1641 is the only edition extant 
 of the Parliament of Bees ; but among the Lanf- 
 downe MSS.^ there is a contemporary tranfcript, 
 differing in many particulars from the printed copy. 
 I have carefully noted all the variations, at the rifk 
 (I fear) of occafionally annoying the reader by tire- 
 fome trivialities. The MS. gives the play, or, to 
 fpeak more corre6lly, mafque, in its unrevifed ftate, 
 preferving feveral pafTages that were afterwards can- 
 celled. An Addrefs to the Impartiall Reader does 
 not occur in the Quarto ; and the Dedication in the 
 MS. is different. 
 
 One point of intereft in connexion with the 
 Parliament of Bees has not been hitherto noticed. 
 If the reader will compare Day's play with Dekker's 
 Wonder of a Kingdom, he will find that one of 
 the two writers has " conveyed " much of the 
 work of the other. Character 1 of the Parliament 
 of Bees correfponds clofely with B. 3. v. . . . C. 
 
 ^ No. 725 : " An olde Manufcript conteyning the Parliament 
 of Bees, found In a Hollow Tree In a garden at Hibla, in 
 a ftrandge Languadge,And now faithfully Tranflated into Eafie 
 Englilh Verfe by 
 
 John Daye, 
 Cantabrig. 
 Ovidius mihi flavus Apollo 
 
 Pocula Caftaliis plena miniftret aquis." 
 b 
 
11 
 
 of the Wonder of a Kingdom ; ^ Character 3 is 
 found almoft word for word in D. 2. v. ... E. v.;'* 
 Chara^ers 7,8, and 9 may be pieced together from 
 E. 4. . . . F. 3.^ Dekker's play was entered on the 
 Stationers' Regifters in May, 1631,'' and was pub- 
 lifhed in 1636. Of courfe the date of publication 
 does not necefTarily afford any proof of the date of 
 compofition. We know, for inftance, from Hen- 
 flowe's Diary, that Day's Blind Beggar of Bednal 
 Greene^ publifhed in 1659, ^^^ performed in 1600. 
 Having, therefore, no external evidence to guide 
 us, and being thrown back on the queftion of ftyle, 
 we muft confefs (however zealous we may be for 
 Day's credit) that the charadler of Jacomo Gentili, 
 correfponding to Day's Rufiet Bee, feemsto belong 
 rather to the creator of Frifcobaldo than to Day ; 
 and that the raptures of the Pluih Bee in CharaBer 3 
 remind us more of the frolic exuberance of Olde 
 Fortunatus than of Day's dainty courtlinefs. Yet 
 here and there a pafTage favours the other view ; 
 as when Dekker's Prodigal, retorting on his provi- 
 dent kinfman, exclaims — 
 
 " Goe, goe, idle droane. 
 Thou envieft bees with ftings becaufe thine is gone." 
 (iv. 264.) 
 
 ' Dekker's Dramatic Works (Pearfon, 1873), vol. iv. pp. 
 232-235. 
 
 ' Pp. 249-255. ,: 
 
 ^ Pp. 263-270. .."• 
 
 * Mr. Arbcr's Trnnfcripfs, vol." iv. p. 219. 
 
Ill 
 
 In Character 3, Day ufes a curious expreflion : — 
 
 " And if ye fpie a Bee that has a looke 
 Stigmaticall, drawne out like a blacke booke 
 Full of Greek ttc ", ^ &c. 
 
 The words italicized do not occur in the correfpond- 
 ing paflage of Dekker, — 
 
 " If you fpye any man who has a looke 
 Stigmatically drawne, like to a furies' ; " 
 
 where it certainly feems reafonable to fuppofe that 
 Dekker, not admiring (or not underftanding ?) the 
 allufion to the Greek ttc, made the alteration." 
 
 As Dekker and Day were on more than one 
 occafion collaborateurs^ it is open to a generous critic 
 to aflume that one of the two writers put his work 
 at the difpofal of the other. In thofe days of in- 
 difference (" the wife indifference of the wife ") the 
 acknowledgment of literary obligations was not a 
 matter of fuch importance as it is to-day. 
 
 ^ The italics are my own. 
 
 * One more point may be fcored in Day's favour. On 
 p. 22 (Charaiier 2) occurs the expreflion 'law-tricks^ — 
 
 'of all law-tricks not one 
 Can throw the poor out of pofleflion.' 
 
 * Law-Trickes ' is the title of one of our author's plays, the 
 word being probably coined for the occafion. In the cor- 
 refponding paflage of Dekker we read — 
 
 'No fubtile trickes of law can me beguile of this.' 
 
IV 
 
 In the prefent reprint the original fpelling has 
 been retained, but the punctuation has been revifed. 
 In the quotations from the MS. I have retained 
 both the fpelling and punduation, modernifing only 
 the contraftions. — As the text is overweighted 
 with MS. readings, I infert here the Dedication of 
 the MS. and the Addrefs to the Impartiall Reader: — 
 
To the Noble and right worthie Gentle- 
 man M'. William Auguftine Efquier 
 
 AH Earthly Happines & Heavenly 
 Beatitude. 
 
 Noble S--. 
 
 THe firft & laft bothome that ever I lancht upon 
 the ftrange, (& to me then unknowne fea) calld 
 Mare Dedicatorium, was bound for Cape Bona 
 Speranza, where your worfhip was Governour, And 
 the moft of my Lading (at that time being an un- 
 knowing venturer) were but feriae Nugae at the beft, 
 yet they returnd me more than a defired gratuitie, 
 which emboldend me to a fecond adventure, fraught 
 with a more pleafing & vendible commoditie, fFor, 
 tho I want both Art & Impudence to mountebank, 
 & apeiiK indulgence to over-hugg myne owne, yet 
 in a modeft confidence I prefume that with much 
 drofTe ye fhall fynde fome golde, and amongft many 
 pebbles, heare and there a perle, worthy to be worne 
 in the eare of your Memorie. Sed quo trahor ? I 
 lefture my Tutor & read law-cafes to my Judge, I 
 will therefore defcend from the bench to the bar, 
 hold up my guilty hand & with Ovid cry — 
 En hie Judicio Stoue Cadoue tuo. 
 Yours in all fervice 
 
 John Day, Cant. 
 
VI 
 
 To the Impartiall Reader. 
 
 REader I prethee be either fo carfull to underftand 
 me or fo curteous as not to read me, Old fFather 
 Seton told me long agoe that Inventio et Judicium 
 were the Maine grounds Logick was built upon, and 
 fure I am they are the two feete that Poetry walkes 
 upon, the ffirft of the two, I have provided fFor tho, 
 in the latter J requeft you to be afllftant to me, that 
 if my Invention chance to prove a Heteroclite, in any 
 limbe, lame, or defedive thy Judgment like a trew 
 gramarian may reftifie & fet it upright. I obferve 
 the fame method in my Characters (or if you will 
 Colloquies) as Perfeus did in his fatyres: bringing in 
 the Bees themfelves, fpeaking themfelves, By which 
 the authors invention is more lively expreft. The 
 Jngenuous Readers underftanding more eafly and 
 ffully anfweard, I hope I have not committed fo many 
 Errours as thy generofity would fynde, and yet I fere 
 more then thy curtefy will mind, to content the 
 Judicious I hold it no great miracle & therefore 
 have fome hope ont. But to pleafe all : Hie labor 
 Hoc opus eft : & I utterly defpaire ont. And fo 
 muft reft 
 
 Thine as thou ufeft me 
 
 Jo : Daye. 
 
To the worthy Gentleman 
 
 Mr, George Butler^ profeffor of the 
 Arts Liberall, And true Patron to 
 
 Neglefted Poefie, All Health and 
 Happineffe. 
 
 Worthy Sir, 
 
 I May be thought bold, if not impudent, upon fo 
 little acquaintance to make this fawcy trefpafTe 
 upon your patience ; But fame whofe office (like the 
 Nomenclators at Rome) is to take notice and pro- 
 claime the Name and vertues of every Noble Per- 
 fonage, has given you out for fo Ingenuous a pro- 
 feffor of the Arts & fo bountiful a patron of poor 
 fchollars it has imboldned me to prefent my Hive 
 of Bees to your favourable protedlion. And when 
 I remember how Lewis, the eleventh of that Name, 
 King of France tooke notice and bountifully re- 
 warded a decay'd Gardiner who prefeted him with a 
 bunch of Garrets, I doubt not of their kinde and 
 generous entertainment ; upon which affurance I reft 
 ever. Yours in all fervice devote, 
 
 John Day. 
 
The Arguments of the i 2 CharaBers 
 or Colloquies. 
 
 Prorex. Chara5ier i. Or the Mr. Bee, 
 cr'He Parliament is held, Bils and Complaints * 
 ■^ Heard and refornid, with fever all rejlraints 
 Of vjurft freedome^ injlituted Law, 
 To keepe the Common-wealth ^ Bees in awe. 
 
 Elimozinas. Char. i. Or the Hofpitable Bee. 
 cr'He Author in his Ruffet Bee 
 ■^ Characters Hofpitality ; 
 Defcribes his Hive^ and for his feafts 
 Appoints fit dayes^ and names his guefls^^ 
 
 Thrafo. Char. 3. Or the Plufh Bee. 
 
 INvention here doth Character 
 A meere vaine-glorious Reveller : 
 Who f comes his kindred., grindcs the Poore^ 
 Hunts only Ryot and his (why not). 
 
 Armiger. Char. 4. Or the field Bee. 
 CT^He Poet '' under Armiger 
 
 Shadowes afouldiers Character ; 
 His worth., the Court iours coy ncgle^^ 
 His Pen doth f par ingly Dete5f. 
 
 1 MS. A Parlamente of Bees Bills &c. 
 
 2 MS. Apoints fit dayes with feverall guefts. 
 
 3 MS. Invention. 
 
 * 4to. Courteous ; MS. Courtiours bafe Negledl. 
 
v N^ 
 
 5 
 Ri vales. Char. 5/ 
 ^T'Wo Rival! Bees doe here exprejfe 
 
 Good things groio loathforne through excejje 
 Flowers, in the Spring trod under feet. 
 In winter would be counted Jweet. 
 
 Poetafter. Char. 6.^ 
 ^Ere Invention aimes his drift. 
 At Poets wants^ and Patrons thrift 
 Servile Jcorne and Ignorant Pride 
 He flumes and jufily doth deride. 
 
 H' 
 
 Parcimonious. Char. 7.' The thrifty Bee. 
 CJ^He thrifty Bee, that hoards up waxe, 
 
 The idle Loyterer here doth taxe : 
 Who toyles not whilji his flrength dothjerve 
 May with * Cicada fing, yet flerve. — The Grajhopper. 
 
 1 Charaaer 5. MS. reads : 
 
 Stuprata, by a willing force 
 having indurde a wiflit divorce 
 repents, and to revenge would fly 
 upon the wings of Poefy. 
 
 "^ Charaaer 6 in MS. is identical w^ith CharaBer 7 of the 
 Quarto. 
 
 3 Charaaer 7. MS. reads : 
 
 Difguifd Stuprata feekes the Grove 
 to find her firll forfaken love, 
 -heares his worth blaz'd & for his fake 
 A retirde life protefts to take. 
 
Foenerator. Char. 8/ The breaking Bee. 
 TN this the Poet lineats forth 
 
 That bounty feeds defer t and worth : 
 Brands ufury\ inveighs 'gainji bribes^ 
 And Fenerators hive defcribes. 
 
 Pharmacopolis. Char. 9. The Quackfalver. 
 cr'His Colloquie is Character 
 -^ Of an impojirous ^ackfalver : 
 fVhOy to fleale pra5fife and to vent 
 His drugs y would buy a Patient. 
 
 Inamorato. Char lo?' The Paffionate Bee. 
 
 TN this the Poet fpends fome Art 
 To character a Lovers fmart : 
 fVho,for a figh his love let fall., 
 Prepares afolemne Funerall. 
 
 Obron in progrefTu. Char. 1 1 . Obron in progrefle. 
 Br on his royall progreffe makes 
 To Hybla^ where he gives and takes 
 Prefents and priviledges ; Bees 
 Of worth he crownes with offices. 
 
 ' Cbaraaer 8. MS. : 
 
 In this Invention lineats forth 
 Trevv Bounty, gives defart due worth, 
 Checkes Counterfeits, Inveys gainft bribes 
 The Hornet & his neaft defcribes. 
 
 ' Charailer 10 in MS. runs thus: 
 
 Invention labours to difcover 
 the ffceling paffion of a lover, 
 fhowing how by amorus fitts 
 a love fjck Bee may loofe his witts. 
 
 
 
7 
 
 RexacilHum. Char. 12.* The Kings bench Barre. 
 
 r\Bron in his St ar chamber fits ; 
 
 Sends out Sub-'pcenas^ high Court writSy 
 For the Jwarme of Bees ; Degradethfome^ 
 Frees others ; all Jfiare Legall doome. 
 
 The Authors Commiflion to his Bees. 
 
 /I Broad my -pretty Bees : I hope youl find 
 "^ Neither rough tempeft nor commanding winde 
 'To check your flight. Carry an humble wing; 
 Buzze boldly what I bid^ but doe not fling 
 Tour generous Patron : ^ where/here you come 
 ^ Feede you on waxe^ leave them the Honey-combe. 
 \Tet^ if you meet a tart Antagonifl 
 Or difcontented rugged Satyrifl 
 fthat fleights your Errant or his Art that pend it^ 
 Cry Tanti : Bid him kiffe his Mufe — and mend it.^ 
 If then they Meawe^ reply not you but bring 
 Their names to me ; He fend out Wafpes fhall fling 
 Their Malice to the quick : If they cap words ^ 
 TeU'em your Mafler is a twifling cord's 
 
 » CharaBer 12. MS. : 
 
 for the Matter Bee, degradeth fome, 
 all Pcena mete, or Premium. 
 
 ' MS. Any particular: where ere you come. 
 
 ' In the MS. the next four lines are omitted, and we read : 
 Bring me his name thq, for if I muft take paines 
 'Tftiall be to fFetch blood on detradions vaines. 
 
8 
 
 Shall make pride Jkip. If I muft needs take paines^ 
 
 'T/hall be to draw blood from Detractions vaines : 
 
 Tho fJievelld like Parchment Art can make em bleed; 
 
 And what I vow Apollo has decreed. 
 
 Tour whole commijfion in one line s enrowld : 
 
 Be valiantliefree, but not too bold. 
 
 lohn Day. 
 
 The Booke to the Reader. 
 
 / 
 
 'N my commijion I am chargd to greet ^ 
 And mildly kijfe the hands of all I meet ; 
 JVhich I muft doe^ or never more be feene 
 About the Fount of f acred Hippocreene. 
 -■ Smooth-fockt Thalia takes delight to dance 
 Ith' Schooles of Art ; the doore of ignorance 
 Sheefets a Crojfe on ; Detractors Jhee doth f come 
 Tet kneeles to Cenfure {^fo it be true borne'), 
 I had rather fall into a Beadles hands 
 "That reads ^ and with his reading underjlands^ 
 
 1 MS.:— 
 
 I am chardgd in my Commiffion to greete 
 my patronc Humbly: and lave ail I mete 
 with Drops of Helicon, nothing uncleane 
 can taft the deavv of facred Hipocrcene. 
 Smothc-fockt Thalia takes delight to dance 
 & fing 'ithc fcholes of Art ; dull ignorance 
 fhe flightlie fcornes, I know not where to get 
 or patron, or Prote£lion, and yet 
 I had rather fall into a fcoUers hands. 
 
 (The word "Beadles" has been flruck out, and " fcollers " 
 
 written above it.) 
 
Thenjome Plu/Ii- Midas that can read no further ^ 
 But ' Bees '? who/e penning ? Mew ! ' This man 
 
 doth murther 
 A writers credit ; and wrong d poefie 
 {Like a rich Diamond" dropt into the Sea) 
 Is by him loft for ever, ^ite through read me^ 
 Or 'mongft waft paper into P aft board knead me ; 
 Preffe me to deathy^/o — t ho your churlifh hands 
 Rob me of life — Ilefave my paper lands 
 For my next heire^ who with Poetick breath 
 May in fad Elegie record my death. 
 Iffo: I wifh my epitaph may be 
 Only three words — ' Opinion'^ murdered me' 
 
 Liber Le5lori 
 Candida. 
 
 MS. than 20 plufh gulls that can fpell no further. 
 
 MS. Jewell. 
 
 MS. Martir my limbs. 
 
 MS, Ignorance. 
 
The Parliament of Bees. 
 
 Character i.' 
 
 Prorex^ or the Mafter Bees Charader. 
 /I Varliament is held^ Bils and Complaints 
 -^ Refer d and heard^ with Jeverall reftraints 
 Of ujurpt freedome^ Inflituted law. 
 To keepe the common wealth of Bees in awe. 
 
 Speakers."^ 
 Prorex^ Aulicus^ CEconomicus., Dicafles^ Speaker. 
 
 Prorex^ 
 
 TO us, who warranted by Obrons love 
 Write ourfelfe Mr. Bee, both field & grove, 
 Garden and Orchard, lawnes & flowrie meades 
 (Where th' amorous winde plaies with the golden 
 heads 
 
 ' Charaaer i. MS. : 
 
 with apt reftraints 
 of ufurpt frcedome, Civcll lavve 
 to kepe the Anomoi in awe. 
 ^ In the MS. the Speakers are: — 
 
 Mr. Bee, General!, 
 
 Steward, Atturny, 
 
 Controwlar Baylife. 
 
 ' In the MS. the firll twelve lines of this fpeech are com- 
 preflcd into eight, thus : — 
 
 All take your feats ; we that by Obrons love 
 Wright our felfe Prorex over field & grove 
 
1 1 
 
 Of wanton Cowflips, Daifies in their prime, 
 
 Sun-loving ^ Marigolds, the blofTom'd Thyme, 
 
 The blew-veind Violets, and the Damafk rofe. 
 
 The ftatelie Lilly, miftris of all thofe) 
 
 Are allowd and given by Obrons free areede 
 
 Pafture for me and all my fwarmes to feed. 
 
 Now, that our will and foveraigne intent 
 
 May be made knowne, we call this parliament ; 
 
 And as the wife determiner of power 
 
 Proportion'd "^ time to moments, minutes, houres, 
 
 Weeks, months, years, ages ; ^ diftinguifh'd day 
 
 from night. 
 Winter from Summer, profunditie from height 
 In Sublunaries ; as in the courfe of Heaven 
 The bodies Metaphyficall runne even, 
 Zeniths and Zones have their apt ftations. 
 Planets and Starres ^ their Conftellations 
 
 gardens & orchards, Lands & flowry meads 
 where th' amorous winde plaies with the golden heads 
 of wanton cowflips, whilll: the youthful! fpring 
 lies on a bed of Rofes, wantoninge 
 with blufhing Flora, cawfd you to convent 
 in Obrons name this court of Parliament. 
 4to. Some-loving. 
 4to. Proportion. 
 
 MS. Weekes, Moneths, & Years. 
 MS. And laftlie as the two great Luminaries 
 of all the world, teare not theare Emperies 
 by quarrelling mixture, the fonn fitts in's throane 
 fupreame, unmedling, the Moon rules alone 
 in her bright orbc, fo let it be our care. 
 
I 2 
 
 With Orbes to move in, fo divinely made 
 
 Some fpherically move, Tome retrograde, 
 
 Yet all keep courfe ; fo fhall it be our care 
 
 That every Family ' have his proper Spheare. 
 
 And, to that purpofe, Aulicus be groome 
 
 Of all our lodgings,- and provide fit roome 
 
 To lay in wax & Honey, both for us 
 
 And all our houfViold : CEconomicus^ 
 
 Be you our fteward, carefully to fit 
 
 Quotidian diet, and fo order it 
 
 Each may have equall portion : And, befide 
 
 Needfull provifion, carefully provide 
 
 Store againft warre & Famine : Martio, thee 
 
 I have found valiant ; thy authority 
 
 (Being approv'd for Difcipline in armes) 
 
 Shall be to mufter up our warlike fwarmes 
 
 Of winged lances ; for, like a peacefull King 
 
 Although we we [a] re, we are loath to ufe our fting. 
 
 — Speaker, informe us what petitions 
 
 OOr Commons put lip at thefe Seflions.^ 
 
 1 MS. Collony. 
 
 2 MS. where and how far to reach, the medow bee 
 
 fhall not incroach upon the upland Bee, 
 To this end Aulicus be fteward or Grome 
 Of all our Beehives, &c. 
 
 ^ MS. are yet put up to this great feflions. 
 
A bill preferd againfi the Humble Bee. 
 Speaker. 
 
 A Bill preferd againft a publique wrong, 
 The furly Humble Bee^ who hath too long 
 Liv'd like an Out-law and will neither pay- 
 Honey nor waxe, doe fervice nor obey ; 
 But like a fellon, coucht under a weed,^ 
 Watches advantage to make boot & feed 
 Upon the top-branch bloflbmes, and by ftealth 
 Makes dangerous inroads on your common- wealth ; 
 Robs the day-labourer of his golden prize 
 And fends him weeping home with emptie thighes.^ 
 Thus, like a theefe, he flies ore hill and downe 
 And Out-law-like doth challenge as his owne 
 Your Highnes due ; nay, Pyratick* detaines' 
 The waxen fleet failing upon your plaines. 
 
 Prorex. A great abufe, which we mufl: have re- 
 drefl: 
 Before it growes to high : on too the refl:. 
 
 ^ MS. A Bill preferd againft the comon wrong 
 Of the proud Humble bee. 
 
 2 MS, He kepes no hyve, but lodgd under a weede. 
 
 ^ MS. hoarding his golden combes in hollow rockes 
 & moffy bankes, now this penurious foxe 
 foiorns mongft netles & thick tufted weale 
 and fpieing a Bee at labour, out hele fteale 
 pluck the gold ore off the poore laborors thighes, 
 & (tho new ftolne) pro-claimes it lawfull price. 
 
 4 MS. Pirate-like. 
 
 ^ MS. Your high Prerogative, & by force detaines. 
 
J4 
 
 A bill preferd againft the Wafpe. 
 Speaker. A bill preferd againft the Wafpe ; a Flie 
 "Who Merchant-like under pretence to buy- 
 Makes bold to borrow, and paies too. Pro. But 
 when ? 
 Speaker. Why ad Kalendas Graecas ; never then. 
 
 A bill againft the Hornet. 
 
 Theres the ftrange Hornet ^^ who doth ever weare 
 A fcalie armor and a double Speare 
 Coucht in his front ; rifles the Merchants packs 
 Upon the Rhode; your honey and your waxe 
 He doth by ftealth tranfport to fome ftrange ftioare," 
 Makes rich their hives and keeps your own groves 
 
 poor. 
 Prorex. I thanke your Induftrie, but we'l devife 
 A ftatute that no fuch Out-landifti flies' 
 Shall carry fuch high wing. Speaker. Yet thefe 
 
 alone ^ 
 
 A bill preferd againft the Drone. 
 
 Doe not aff^iifl us, but the lazie droane 
 Our native country Bee who, like the Snaile 
 That bankrowt-like makes his own ftiell his jayle 
 All the day long, Ith' evening plaies the thief; 
 
 ' MS. the high waie Hornet. 
 
 * MS. by him tranfported to a foreign fhore. 
 
 ' MS. and provide laws no fuch delinquent flyes. 
 
 * MS. Next thefe the fnaylc. (The words " yet thefe alone," 
 &c., being omitted.) 
 
And when the labouring Bees have tane reliefe/ 
 Be gone to reft, againft all right and lawe, 
 Adls burglary, breakes ope their houfe of ftraw, 
 And not alone makes pillage of their hives 
 But, Butcher-like, bereaves them of their lives. 
 
 Prorex. 'Gainft all thefe Out-lawes,*^ Martio, bee 
 thou 
 Lievetenant Generall ; thou knowft well how 
 To hamper fuch delinquents. Dicajles^ thee 
 We make our advocate ; ^ thy office be 
 To moderate each difference and jar 
 In this our civill CEconomicke war, 
 And let both plaintife and defendant be 
 Heard and difpatcht for confcionable fee. 
 And more, to keepe our Anomoi in awe,^ ( fine lege 
 Ourfelfe,thechiefe,^willliveunderalaw.^ ^^ viventes 
 
 Dicaji. To each defert He render lawfull weight, 
 The fcale of juftice fhall ufe no deceipt. 
 
 ' MS. —like a thefe 
 
 when the poore labouring Bees having tane reliefe. 
 
 * MS. irregulars. 
 
 ^ MS. atturny generall. 
 
 * MS. and the more legally to punifh crimes 
 
 (both with leiTe colt & toile) we apoint 4 tymes 
 to here all fuites, and fore ech Terme begin 
 will grant fubpoenas out to cite them in. 
 
 ^ MS. our felfe (tho chiefe). 
 
 ^ In the MS. two lines follow, that might well have been 
 fpared : — .. 
 
 To Ihut up all Dicaftes heare we make 
 the our law-giver, Givers ihold never take. 
 
i6 
 
 Prorex. It loofes name and nature ^ if it fhud. 
 Next VillicuSy thou that frequentft the wood, 
 Our painefull rufiet Bee, we create thee 
 Chiefe bayhfe both of fallow-field and lee." 
 Appoint each Bee his walke ; the medow-bee 
 Shall not encroach upon the upland lee, 
 But keepe his bound ; if any, with intent 
 To wrong our ftate, flye from our goverment, 
 Hoarding their hony up in rocks or trees, 
 Sell or tranfport it to our enemies ; 
 Breake downe their Garners, feife upon their ftore. 
 And in our name divide it 'mongft the poore. 
 Onely to us referve our royalties. 
 High waies and waftes ; all other fpecialties 
 We make thee ruler of.^ Vill : And lie impart, 
 To all with a free hand and faithfull heart. 
 
 Pro. Now break up Court, and each one to his 
 toyle ; 
 Thrive by your labours, — drones * live a' the fpoyle ; 
 Feare neither WaJ-pe nor Hornet ; forreyners ^ 
 Be bard from being intercommoners ; 
 And, having laboured hard from hght to light. 
 With golden thighes come finging home at night; 
 
 ' MS. 't loofes both name & nature, 
 
 ' MS. — our winged Collonie 
 
 fcilds tilld, and fallow, headland fommer Lees 
 hillockis and meeres, gardens & bloflbmd trees, 
 cch knows his walk, if any with intent, Sec. 
 
 ' MS. be thou comander ofF. 
 
 * MS. rebells. 
 
 ' MS. nor droanc ; all forcyners. 
 
17 
 
 For neither Droane, jyafpe^ Fly nor Humble-Bee 
 Shall dare to rob you of your treafury.* 
 So to your Summer harveft ; worke and thrive, 
 Bounti's the blefling of the labourers hive.~ 
 
 Eleemozynus, Charad:er 2.- 
 H of pit able Bee, 
 
 cr'He Author in his Rujfet Bee 
 ■^ Charatfers Hofpitaliiie ; 
 Dejcribes his hive^ and for his feajis 
 Appoints fit daies and names his gueJisJ^ 
 
 The 
 
 ' Thefe lines follow in the MS. : — 
 
 Yet our advice in your feild voyage take, 
 under ech gawdie leafe there lurkes a fnake 
 who in a golden fkin howfes a breath 
 fo ranke, twill fting a feelie Bee to death, 
 kill life & credit, this prowd Bufkind Aftor 
 that fmiles, and kills, we title the Detraftor: 
 beware of him, or your poore Innocent lives 
 are not fecure, abroade, nor in your Hives, 
 
 ''' Two additional lines are preferved in the MS. : — 
 
 All. That bleffing (Obron pleafd) we will deferve. 
 Mr. doe, & Inioy't, onely the loiterers flerve. 
 
 ' Chamber 2. — In the MS, the fpcakers are RufTet Bee, 
 Cordato, Fidetto. 
 
 ** MS. with feverall guefts. 
 c 
 
i8 
 
 Speakers. Eleemozynus^ Cordato. 
 
 Cordato. Your hiv's a rare one ; Rome did never 
 
 raife 
 A work of greater wonder. Eleemo. Spare your 
 
 praife. 
 Tis finifhd, and the coft ftands on no fcore ; 
 None can for want of payment at my dore 
 Curfe my foundation ; feeing the fmoake goe 
 Out of thofe lovers for whofe ftraw ^ I owe. 
 
 Cordato. Why to your hive have ye fo many 
 
 waies ? '•^ 
 
 ' MS. thatch. 
 Here follow feme lines in the MS. that are not to be found in 
 the printed copy : — 
 
 fdeto. It is a fumptuous building : pray fir what 
 
 mownts the grand fome to : R. B. : pray ner queftion that. 
 
 Cordat : Shall not the world take note what you ha done. 
 
 R. B : Noe, I lanche forth noe {hip with flag & gonn 
 To trompet & proclaime my Gallantrie 
 he that will read my Aft s of Charity 
 fliall finde 'em writ in Alhes, which the winde 
 fhall fcatter ere he fpells them, fates unkinde 
 her whele may turne, & I that build thus high 
 may by the llormes of want be driven to dye 
 in fome old Ruinous Befkepp, envy fliall not then 
 fpit poyfon at me (tas beene fo mongft men 
 why not with Bees then) pynning on my back 
 this card, he that fpent thus much now doth lack. 
 
 A fimilar paflagc occurs in the Wonder of a Kingdome (iv. 
 
 23,3)- 
 
 ■^ MS. fcvcn fcverall waies. 
 
J9 
 
 Eleemozynus. They anfwer juft the number of 
 feven dais.^ 
 Mondayes on fuch whofe fortunes are funck lowe 
 By good houfkeeping, He my almes beftow : ^ 
 On Tewfdaies, fuch^ as all their life-times wrought 
 Their countries freedome and her battailes fought : 
 On Wedenfdaies, fuch as with painfull wit 
 Have div'd for knowledge in the facred writ ;^ 
 On Thurfdayes, fuch as prov'd unfortunate 
 In Counfell and high offices of ftate : 
 On Fridayes, fuch as for their Confcience fake 
 Are kept in bonds : on Saturdaies He make 
 Feafts for poore Bees paft labour, Orphane frie 
 And widdowes ground in Mils of ufury : 
 And Sundayes for my Tenants and all Swaines 
 That labour for me on the groves and plaines.^ 
 The windowes of my hive, with blofTomes dight, 
 Are Porters to let in our comfort, light ; 
 
 ^ MS. To anfwere the juft number of the dayes. 
 
 ^ 4to. On Mondayes fuch. 
 
 MS. : Monday for fuch whofe fortunes are funck lowe 
 by good houfkeeping: Jid : many fuch Bees I know. 
 
 ' MS. Tuefday for fuch. 
 
 * MS. Wenfdaie for fuch as with Ingenuous wit 
 
 have fercht, &c. 
 
 * Here four additional lines follow in the MS. : — 
 
 Cord : Why have you built up twelve fuch fpatious roomes 
 R. B.: To fit the number of the years twelve mones. 
 In eche of which a Table fhalbe fpread 
 At them fuch as the world frowns fhalbe fed. 
 
20 
 
 In number juft three hundred fixtie five/ 
 Caufe in (o many dales the Sunne doth drive 
 His Chariot, ftucke with beames of burnifh'd 
 
 gold, 
 About the world, by Sphericall Motion rowld.. 
 For my almes fhall diurnall progrefle make 
 With the free funne in his bright Zodiacke, 
 
 Cordato. Some Bees fet all their Tenants on the 
 Rack 
 Not to feed Bellyes, but to cloathe the backe. 
 
 Eleemo. I with their adions hold no Sympathie : 
 Such eat the poore up, but the poore eat me," 
 Cor. And you'l performe all this ? Eleem. Fair 
 & upright 
 As are the ft rid vowes of an Anchorite. 
 An almes that by a Niggards hand is ferv'd 
 Is mold and gravelly bread ; the hunger-fterv'd 
 May take, but cannot eat : He deale none fuch. 
 Who with free hand ftiakes out but Crums gives 
 much. 
 Cordato. You'l have bad helps^ in this good courfe 
 of life : 
 You might doe therefore well to take a wife. 
 
 Eleemo. A wife ? When I ftiould have one hand 
 in Heaven 
 To write my happinefl'e, in leaves as even 
 
 4to. fix hundred fixtie five. MS. 665. 
 
 MS. fuch cat the poore, but the poore eat up me. 
 
 MS. helpe. 
 
21 
 
 And fmooth as Porphyry^ fhee'd by the other 
 Plucke me quite downe : vertue fcarce knowes a 
 
 mother. 
 Pardon, fweet Females ; I your fex admire. 
 But dare not fit too neare your wanton fire/ 
 Fearing your fairer beauties tempting flame 
 My found affedlions might put out of frame. 
 
 In like manner faid Alexander by the daughters of 
 Drius : 
 
 Nefcio quid latent is veneni habet caro fceminea 
 Ut prudentiores citius corrumpat. 
 Cord. Who then fhall reap the golden crop you 
 
 fow.^ 
 Tis halfe a curfe t'have wealth, and not to knowe 
 Whom to call heire. Eleemo. My heirs fiiall be the 
 
 poor : 
 Bees wanting limbs, fuch as in daies of yore 
 Fend learned Canzons, for no other meed 
 But that in them unletterd Bees might reade 
 And, reading, lay up knowledge — being alive 
 Such He maintaine ; and, being dead, my hive,^ 
 Honey and waxe I will bequeath to build 
 A fkep, where weekely meetings may be held 
 To read and heare fuch ancient morall fawes 
 As may teach ignorance the ufe of lawes. 
 
 ^ MS. If flie be bad at leaft, I that fex admire 
 but never will fit nere there wanton fier. 
 The next two lines, together with the quotation, do not occur 
 in the MS. 
 
 ^ MS. to fuch (being fick) my hive, &c. 
 
22 
 
 And thefe will be a true Inheritance, 
 
 Not to decay ; neither fword, fire, nor chance. 
 
 Thunder of love, nor mundane Cafualties 
 
 Can ruin the fucceiTion of thefe : 
 
 Mannors, Parkes, Townes, nay Kingdomes may be 
 
 fold 
 But ftill the poore ftand, like a Lords free-hold, 
 Unforfeited : of all law-tricks not one 
 Can throw the poor out of pofTeflion.^ 
 Should I loofe all my hives and waxen wealth, 
 Out of the poor mans difh I fhould drink health, 
 Comfort, and bleffings ; therefore keepe aloofe 
 And tempt no further : whilft I live my Roofe 
 Shall cover naked wretches ; when I dye 
 He dedicate it to Saint Charity. 
 
 CharaEier 3. 
 
 Thrafo or Polypragmus. The Plujli Bee. 
 
 TNvention here doth Chara^er 
 
 A meere vaineglorious Reveller^ 
 Whojcornes his equals^ grindes the Poore 
 Hunts only Ryots and his ( :). 
 
 ^ The MS. adds two lines : — 
 
 till death himfelfe comes : yet then like Hydras breed 
 as one dcceafes thre others will fiiccecd. 
 
23 
 
 Speakers. 
 Polypragmus. Servant. 
 
 Poly, The Roome fmels : foh, ftand off — Yet flay ; 
 dee hear ^ 
 O'th fawcy Sun which, mounted in our fpheare, 
 Strives to out-fhine us ? Ser. So the poor Bees hum, 
 
 Pol. Poor Bees ! potguns, Illegitimate fcum. 
 And baftard flies, taking adulterate fhape 
 From reeking dunghils ! If that meddling ape, 
 Zanying my greatnefle, dares but once prefume 
 To vie expence with me, I will confume 
 His whole hive in a month. Say, you that faw 
 His new-raifd frame, how is it built ? Ser. Of ftraw 
 Dyed in quaint colours ; here and there a rowe 
 Of Indian bents, which make a handfome fhowe. 
 
 Poly. How ! ftraw and bents, fayft ? I will have 
 one built 
 Like Pompeys Theatre ; the feeling guilt 
 And enterfeam'd with Pearle, to make it fhine 
 Like high loves palace : my defcents divine. 
 My great Hall Ile'^ have pav'd with Clouds ; which 
 
 ' done, ' ,_ / 
 
 By wondrous ikill, an Artificiall Sun 
 Shall rowle about, refleding golden beames. 
 Like Phcehus dancing on the wanton ftreames. 
 
 ^ MS, Hand further, do ye heare. 
 
 ^ 4to. 1 have. MS. He have my great Hall rooft with clouds. 
 
24 
 
 And when tis night, juft as that Sun goes downe, 
 He have the Stars draw up a filver Moon 
 In her full height of glorie. Over head 
 A roof of woods and Forrefts He have fpread ; 
 Tree's growing downwards, full of Fallow-deare, 
 When of the fudaine, liftning, you fhall heare 
 A noife of Homes and hunting, which fhall bring 
 A5ieon to Diana in the fpring. 
 Where all fhall fee her naked fkin ; and there 
 A^leons hounds fhall their owne Mafter teare, 
 As Embleme of his follie that will keepe 
 Hounds to devoure and eate him up afleepe. 
 All this He doe that men with praife may crowne 
 My fame for turning the world upfide-downe, 
 — And what plufh Bees fit at this Flefh-flies Table? 
 Ser. None but poore lame ones and the ragged 
 
 rabble. 
 Poly. My board fhall be no manger for fcabd^ 
 
 Jades 
 To lick up provender ; no Bee that trades 
 Sucks Hony there. Ser. Poore fchollers — Poly. Beg 
 
 & fterve, 
 Or fleale and hang ; what can fuch rogues'* deferve '^. ^ 
 — Gallowes and Gibbets, hang 'Em. Give me Lutes, 
 Vials and Clarions ; fuch Mufick fuites. 
 Schollers, like common Beadles, lafh the times, 
 Whip our abufe, and fetch blood of our crimes. 
 
 ' MS. fuch. 
 
 ' MS. fuch flycs. 
 
 '■* The next fix lines arc omitted in the MS. 
 
25 
 
 Let him feed hungry Schollers, fetch me whores ; 
 They are mans bhfle ; the other, Kingdomes fores 
 We gave in charge to feeke the grove for Bees 
 Conning^ in Cookerie and rare quahties ; 
 And wanton females that fell fin for gold. 
 
 Ser, Some of all forts you have. Pol. They are 
 
 ftale and old ; 
 I have feen 'em twice. Ser, We have multiplied 
 
 your ftore 
 Vnto a thoufand. Pol. More, let me have more 
 Then the Grand fignior ; and my change as rare 
 — Tall, low, and middle-fiz'd, the browne and 
 
 faire. 
 Ide give a Prince his ranfome now to taft 
 Black Cleopatra's^ cheek, only to waft 
 A richer pearl then that of Anthonyes^ 
 That fame might write up my name & race his. 
 O that my mother had been Paris whore 
 And I might live to burne down 'Troy once more,' 
 So that by that brave light I might have ran 
 At barly-brake with my fleek curtezan.^ 
 Yet talk'ft of Schollers ? fee my face no more ; 
 Let the Portculhs downe and bolt the doore.^ 
 
 * So MS.; 4to. comming. 
 
 * MS. Swart Cleopatra's. 
 ' MS. one Troy more. 
 
 * So that .... curtezan. Thefe lines are omitted in the 
 MS. 
 
 * MS. 5^/-. Your brother, Sir. P/. Charge him not fe our face 
 
 PortcuUice up the gates, hees poore & bafe. 
 
 D 
 
26 
 
 But one fuch tattered enfigne here being fpread 
 Would draw in numbers; here fhall no rogues be fed.^ 
 Charge our Mechanicke Bees to make things meet 
 To manacle bafe beggars hands & feet ; 
 And call it Polypragmus whipping poft, 
 Or th' beggars ordinary ; they fhall taft my roaft. 
 And if ye fpie a Bee that has a looke 
 Stigmaticall, drawne out like a blacke booke, 
 Full of Greeke ttc," to fuch He give large pay 
 To watch & warde for poor Bees night and day, 
 And lafh 'em foundly if they approach my gate: 
 Whipcord's my bounty, and the rogues fhall ha't. 
 The poore are but the earths dung, fit to lie 
 Cover'd in muck-heaps, not offend our eye . . 
 Thus in your bofomes Jove his bounty flings. 
 What are Gold Mynes but a rich dufl for kings 
 To fcatter with their breath, as chaffe with winde.' 
 Let me then have gold, beare a Kings minde 
 And give till my arme akes : who bravely powres 
 But into a wenches lap fuch golden fhowres,"* 
 May be loves equall, — there his ambition ends 
 In obfcure Rivalfhip ; but he that fpends^ 
 A world of wealth, makes a whole world his debtor, 
 
 MS. heare muft no rogue be fed : 4to. my rogues. 
 
 MS. full of Greeke re. 
 
 MS. which kings 
 
 fcatter with breathe as chaff is by the winde. 
 MS. who frely powrs 
 
 into his Danaes lapp fuch golden fhowers. 
 MS. but his ambition .... where he. 
 
27 
 
 And fuch a noble fpender is loves better. 
 
 That man He be, I'm Alexanders heire 
 
 To one part of his minde ; I wifh there were 
 
 Ten worlds. Ser. How, fir ! to conquer ? ^ Pol. 
 
 No, to fell 
 For Alpine hils of filver ; I could well 
 Hufband that Merchandize, provided I 
 Might at one feaft draw all that treafure dry. 
 Who hoards up wealth, is bafe; who fpends it, brave : 
 Earth breeds gold, fo I tread but on my flave. 
 
 Ser. O wonderfull ! yet let all wonder pafle ; 
 Hees a great Bee, and a vain-glorious affe. 
 
 CharaEier 4. 
 
 Armiger. The field Bee. 
 ^t~lie Poet under Armiger 
 
 Shadowes a/ouldiers Character; 
 His worthy the Courtiers coy negle£f^ 
 His pen dothjparingly dete£f. 
 
 Speakers. ^ 
 Armiger. Donne. Cocadillio. Prorex. 
 Arm. Is Mafter Bee at leafure to fpeak Spanifh^ 
 
 ' So in the MS. : 4:0. How for to conquer? 
 * In the MS. the fpeakers are:— "feilde Bee, Chamber Bee, 
 M'. Bee." 
 
 ^ Lines I — 8 are not found in the MS. 
 
28 
 
 With a Bee of fervice ? Don. No. Arm. Smoaked 
 
 Pilcher vanifh ! 
 Proud Don with th' oaker face, I'de but define 
 To meet thee on a breach midft fmoak & fire; 
 And, for Tobacco, whiffing Gunpowder 
 Out of a brazen pipe, that ihould puffe lowder 
 Thenthunder roares. There, though, ilHterateDawe, 
 Thou nere couldft fpell, thou fhouldfl; reade Canon 
 
 law. 
 How the lades prance in golden trappings! — Ho! 
 Is Mafl:er Bee at leafure? Don. What to doe? 
 Arm. To heare a fouldier ^ fpeake. Don. I can- 
 not tell, 
 I am no eare picker, Aj-m. Yet you heare well, 
 Ye'ar of the Court ? Don. The M^ Bees chief 
 
 harbour. 
 Arm. Then Don^ you li'd: You are an eare- 
 
 picker. 
 Don. Well, if thou commeft to beg a fuit at 
 
 Court, 
 I fhall defcend fo low as to report 
 Thy paper bufinefie. Arm. I beg, proud Don ; 
 I fcorne to fcrible : my petition 
 Is written on my bofome in red wounds. 
 
 Don. I am no Surgeon, Sir : Alloone. Arm. 
 
 Bafe hounds ! 
 Thou god of gay aparrell, what ftrange lookes 
 Make fuit to do thee fervice ? Mercers bookes 
 
 ' MS. feild bee. 
 
29 
 
 Shew mens devotions to thee : Hell cannot holde 
 A Fiend more ftately. My acquaintance fold 
 Caufe poore ? Stood now my beaten taylor by me 
 Pleiting of my rich hofe/ my filke-man nye me 
 Drawing upon my Lord-fhips Courtly calfe 
 Payers of embroydered (lockings ; or but halfe 
 A dozen things cald creditors; had my Barber 
 Perfum'd my lowzy thatch (this nitty harbour),^ 
 — Thefe pi'd-wing'd Butterflies would know me 
 
 than. 
 But they were landed in the He of Man. 
 That fuch a thing as this, a decoy flye, 
 Should buzze about the eare of Royalty ! 
 Such whale-bon'd-bodied rafcals, that owe more 
 To Linnen-drapers, to new vampe a whore/ 
 Then all their race from their grand beldame foorth * 
 To this their raigne in cloaths were ever worth 
 — That fuch fhould tickle a commanders eare 
 With flatterie, when we muft not come neare 
 But {land (for want of clothes), tho we win townes, 
 Amongft almfbafket men ! Such filken clownes, 
 When wee with bloud deferve, fhare our reward — 
 We held fcarce fellow-mates to the blacke guard. 
 Why fhold a fouldier, being the worlds right arme, 
 
 ^ MS. Caufe I am poore, flood my male lawndrefs by me 
 
 Starching my pleited Ruffe, &c. 
 ' MS. did now my barber 
 
 perfume my breath or nit this Lowzy Harbour. 
 
 * MS. toth Draper for new vamping an old ( ). 
 
 * MS. from there great granam forth. 
 
30 
 
 Be cut ofF by the left ? Infernall charme ! 
 
 Is the world all ruffe and feather; is defart 
 
 Baftard ; doth cuftome cut of his childs part ? 
 
 No difference twixt a wilde goofe and a fwan, 
 
 A Taylor and a true borne gentleman ? 
 
 So the worlde thinkes ; but fearch the Heralds notes, 
 
 And you fhall finde much difference in their coates. 
 
 Pro. A field Bee fpeak. with me ?' Bold Armigery 
 Welcome ! thy bofome is a regifter 
 Of thy bold A6ls : vertue's ftill poore, I fee. 
 
 Armi. Poore ? rich. Pro. In fears. Arm. In 
 wealth, in honefty. 
 Since I firft read my A B C of warre 
 In nine fet fields I fay Id by that bright ftar: 
 Ere I was tronchion high I had the ftile 
 Of beardieffe Captaine ; and I all this while 
 Drild under honefty,* never purft dead pay, 
 Never made weeke the longer by a day, — 
 A fouldier dead, his paye did likewife dye ; ^ 
 And ftill I ferv'd one Generall, honefty.* 
 From his owne trencher I was daily fed 
 
 ^ MS. alke for me. 
 
 ^ MS. (marke onely ftile) of captaine •& all this while 
 I follovvd Honeftie, &c. 
 
 ' MS. his pay with him did dye. 
 
 * MS. was ftill cald captaine, mews were all my grace 
 another purft the profit of my place ; 
 whilft from his trencher I was daily fed 
 with cannon Bullets, taught to chew ftele & lead 
 nay difgeft Iron ; yet ftill to clofe the feaft 
 I fed on title, captaine was the leaft. 
 
31 
 
 With Cannon bullets, taught to chewe fteele and lead, 
 Nay, digeft Iron ; and when ere I dye 
 He have no Epitaph but honefty 
 Writ over me. Pro. I know it, thou blacke Swan. 
 I have (c&n this Bee (in his fate more then man) 
 Write in the field fuch ftories with his fting 
 That our beft leaders,^ reading ore his writino-, 
 Swore twas a new philofophie of fighting. 
 His ads were fo remarkable. In one field 
 Fought gainfl the furly wafpe (I needs muft yeeld 
 Defart his due), having bruized my filmy wing 
 And in fierce combat^ blunted my keene fting. 
 Beaten into a tuft of Rofemary, 
 This manly Bee, armd with true honefly, 
 Three times that day redeem'd me, and beftrid 
 My body with ColofTus thighs — Arm. I did,^ — 
 Pro. Whilfl all the thunder-bolts that war could 
 throw 
 At me, fell on his head.* He cannot now 
 
 Courfelt court-cake bred, but the hillory 
 proves it to dainty & to fine for me ; 
 Ime honeft ftill tho, and whener I dye 
 He ha no epitaph, &c. ; 
 
 ^ MS. captaines. 
 ' MS. and in a duell. 
 / did. I have adopted the reading of the MS. The 4to. 
 reads " he did," giving the words to Prorex. 
 
 MS. at me, fell on his head ; /'. B. then you did vowe 
 & fweare to make me captaine, then thefe bees 
 gave me aplaufes round about my knees 
 crying my worth upp, ^f^ B': fo they (hall do ftill 
 thy hive, &c. 
 
Chufe but be honeft ftill, and valiant : ftill 
 His hive with waxe and honeycombes He fill, 
 And, in reward of thy bold chivalrie, 
 Make thee commander of a Colonie, 
 Wifhing all fuch as honour Difcipline * 
 To ferve him, and make honefty their fhrine. 
 
 CharaEier 5. 
 
 Poetajier. Poeticall Bee. 
 
 Here Invention ' aymes his drift 
 At Poets wants and ■patrons thrift ; 
 Servile /come and Ignorant pride 
 Free Judgement flight ly doth deride. 
 
 Speakers. 
 
 Gnatho., IltrifiCy Poetafier. 
 
 lit. A Schollar fpeake with me ?^ Gn. He faies 
 a Poet. 
 
 ' Thefe lines do not occur in the MS., where the colloquy 
 concludes : — 
 
 F. B. I afke no more, fe your reward be dealt 
 fairely, for feare my juft revenge be felt. 
 * Here Invention, &c. MS. reads, as before : 
 Stuprata by a willing force, &c. 
 The fpcakers in the MS. are, Stuprata, Servant, Poetafier. 
 ' In the MS. the colloquy opens thus: — 
 
 Stupr. A fchoiler fpeake with me, admit him do it 
 I have bufines for him : Ser : bufmes hes a Poet 
 
33 
 
 I thinke no lefle, for his apparrell fhow it 
 
 He's of fome {landing; his cloath cloak is worne 
 
 To a fearge. Iltr. He's poore : that proves his 
 
 high things fcorn 
 Mundane fehcitie, difdaines to flatter 
 For empty ayre or like crow poets chatter 
 For great mens crums. But what's his fuite to me ? 
 
 Gn. To beg a dinner : old dame Charity, 
 Lame of all fowre limps out, and founds a Call 
 For all the rogues. lit. Out fencelefle Animall ! 
 Hearing of my retirement and the hate 
 I beare to Court attendance and high ftate, 
 He's come perhaps to write my Epitaph. 
 
 Gn. Some lowzy ballad ! I cannot choofe but 
 
 laugh 
 
 At thefe poor fquitter pulps. ///. Thou ignorant elfe, 
 
 Should he know this hee'd make thee hang thy felfe 
 
 In flrong lambicks. Gn. Whats that, hemp or flax ? 
 
 ///. A halter ftretch thee : fuch ill-tutord jacks 
 Poyfon the fame of Patrons : I fhall, I doubt me, 
 Be thought Jobs wife, I keepe fuch fcabs about me. 
 Seale up thy lips, and if you needs muft finne 
 Doo't privately : out Spaniell, bring him in. 
 
 a comon Beadle, one that ladies Crymes, 
 
 whips one abufe and feches blood oth tymes. 
 
 Yet Wellcome him ? St : Yes him Dull ignorance 
 
 Serv. with Jack droms Intertaiment, he fhall dance 
 the Jigg calld beggers bufhe. Stup : peace let thy fynn 
 perifhe at home, out Spaniell fetcli him in. 
 
 Ser : Hee's come, &c. 
 
 E 
 
34 
 
 Gn. He's come. Poet. To you my love prefents 
 this book. 
 
 lit. I am unworthy on't, except a hooke 
 Hang at each line to choake me. Stay, what name 
 Hart given thv brat ^. To the moft honoured Dame.^ 
 Com'll lying into th' world ? be thy leaves tome. 
 Rent and uf'd bafely, as thy title's borne. 
 
 Gn. Rare fport ! no marveile if this poet begs 
 For his lame verfes, they've nor feet nor legs. 
 
 Po. Nor thou humanity. ///. Go burn this paper 
 fpright. 
 
 Gn. Sir, your darke Poetry will come to light. 
 
 Poet. You are not noble thus to wound the heart,* 
 Teare and make martyrs'' of the limbs of art, 
 Before examination. Caejar taught 
 No fuch Court doftrine ;^ Alexander thought 
 Better of Homers lofty Iliades 
 And hug'd their Mr. Tho this, and fuch gald jades' 
 
 ' The MS. proceeds :— 
 
 Moft Honord dame ? difhonourd hadft thou faid 
 I would have bene thy Patrone, hugd & read: 
 honord ? away, go burn 't, out of my fight. 
 Ser. Sir, your dark Poetrie, &c. 
 
 ' MS. defart. 
 
 ' MS. and make fad martyrs. 
 
 * MS. difcipline. 
 
 * MS. and tho like this many Illiterate Jades 
 
 & fpurgalld Hacknies kick at his betters, tho, &c. 
 I (hould like to combine the readings of the 410. and MS. 
 thus : — " Tho illiterate jades 
 
 And fpurgalld Hackneys." 
 
35 
 
 Were fpurre-gald-hackneyes, kick at their betters ; 
 
 though 
 Some hide-bound worldUngs neither give nor fhow 
 Countenance to poets : yet the noble fpirit 
 Loves vertue for it owne fake, and rewards merit 
 Tho nere Co meanly habited. No* Bee 
 That frequents Hibla takes more paines then wee 
 Doe in our Canzons ; yet they live and thrive 
 Richly, when we want waxe to ftore our hive. 
 
 ///. I honour Poefie, nor diflike I thee ; 
 Onely thy fawning title troubled me. 
 I love your groves, and in your libraries, 
 Amongft quaint odes and paffionate Elegies, 
 Have read whole volumes of much injur'd dames' 
 Righted by poets. AfTume thy brighteft flames 
 And dip thy pen in wormewood-juyce for me. 
 Canft write a fatyre ? Tart authority 
 Doe call 'em Libels : ^ canft write fuch a one ? 
 
 Poet. Icanmixeinkeandcopperefle. ///. So; go on. 
 
 Poet. Dare mingle "* poyfon with 'em. lit. Do't 
 for me : 
 Thou haft the theorie.? Poet. Yes ; each line muft be 
 A corde to draw bloud. ///. Good. Poet. A ly 
 
 to dare^ 
 The ftab from him it touches. lit. Better, rare. 
 
 * So the MS. : 410. nor. 
 
 ^ MS. have read whole legends of abufed dames. 
 ^ MS. titles them libells. 
 
 * MS. and mingle. 
 
 ' MS. a cord to drawe blood, & a lye to dare. 
 
36 
 
 Poet. Such fatyres, as you call 'em, muft lance wide 
 The wounds of mens corruptions ; ope the fide 
 Of vice ; fearch deep for dead flefh and ranck coars.* 
 A Poets inke can better cure fome foars 
 Then furgeons balfum. ///. Vndertake this cure, 
 He crowne thy paines with gold. Poet. He do't, be 
 
 fure ; 
 But I muft have the parties Charafter. 
 
 ///. The Mr. Bee. Poet. That thunder doth deter 
 And fright my mufe : I will not wade in ills 
 Beyond my depth, nor dare I pluck the quils, 
 Of which I make pens, out of the Eagles claw.* 
 Know lama loyall fubje(5t. ///. Ajack-dawe. ^ 
 This bafenefte followes your profeftion : 
 You are like common beadles,'' eafily wonne 
 
 ' MS. & for coares. 
 
 ' MS. clawes. 
 
 ^ MS. for know I am ever loiall but the caufe 
 
 of your diftaft : Stu. This in my prime of youth 
 when modell love & uncorrupted Truth 
 were my companions, I engagd my hart 
 To a Bee inricht with valour and defart 
 who lovd me dearely. But our Mr. bee 
 (tis pittie great ones fhuld love flatterie) 
 wrought by a favorite, divorft our harts 
 neglefts my teares tramples on his defarts — 
 for this I hate him touch him for this & fpare not 
 lie be thy warrant : Poet : pardon me I dare not. 
 Stu[: Why heares the fliame of your profFeflion 
 You arc like comon Beadles, &c. 
 Thefc dainty lines deferve a place in the text. 
 
37 
 
 To whip poore Bees to death, fcarce worth the 
 
 ftriking, 
 But fawne with flavifh flatterie and throw liking 
 On great droanes vices ; you clap hands at thofe. 
 Which proves your vices friends^ and vertues foes ; 
 Where the true Poet indeed doth fcorne to guilde 
 A cowards tomb with glories, or to build 
 A fumptuous Pyramid of golden verfe 
 Over the ruins of an ignoble herfe. 
 His lines like his invention are borne free. 
 And both live blamelefTe to eternity : 
 He holds his reputation fo deare 
 As neither flattering hope nor fervile feare 
 Can bribe his pen to temporize with kings ; 
 The blacker are there crimes, he lowder fings.'^ 
 Goe, goe, thou dar'ft not, canft not write ; let me 
 Invoke the helpe of facred Poefie. 
 May not a woman be a Poet. Poet. Yes ; 
 And learne the art with far more eafmefle 
 Then any man can doe ; for Poefie 
 Is but a feigning, feigning is to lye, 
 And women fl:udie that art more then men, 
 
 ///. I am not fit to be a poet then ; 
 For I fhould leave off feigning and fpeak true/' 
 
 MS. vices favorites. 
 
 I have adopted the reading of the MS. In the 410. the 
 line runs : — 
 
 The blacker are his crimes, the lowder fings. 
 MS. for I fhould leave Invention to fpeake trew. 
 
38 
 
 Poet. You'l nere then make good poet. ///. Very- 
 few 
 I thinke be good. Poet. I think fo too. ///. Be 
 
 plaine. 
 How might I doe to hit the Mr. vaine ^ 
 Of Poefie ? Poet. I defcend from Perfius. 
 He taught his pupils^ to breed Poets thus : 
 To have their temples girt and fwadled up 
 With night-caps; to fteale juyce from Hebees cup 
 To fteepe their barren crownes in ; pilfer clouds 
 From off Parnajfus top ; to build them fhrowds 
 Of lawrell boughs to keepe invention green, 
 Then drink nine healths of facred Hippocreene 
 To the nine mufes. This, fayes Perjeus, 
 Will make a Poet :^ I think cheper thus, — 
 Gold, muficke, wine,* tobacco and good cheere 
 Make Poets foare aloft ^ and fing out cleare. 
 
 ///. Are you born Poets ? Poet. Yes. lit. So dy ? 
 
 Poet. Dy never,^ 
 ///. My miferie's then a Poet that lives ever ; 
 For time has lent it fuch eternity 
 And full fucceffion, it can never dye. 
 How many forts of Poets are there .'' Poet. Two ; 
 Great and fmall Poets. ///. Great and fmall ones? So; 
 
 MS. the liver vaine. 
 
 MS. he taught the Romanes. 
 
 MS. Creates a poet. 
 
 MS. Mufick quick wine. 
 
 MS. to foare high. 
 
 MS. St: dye fo. Poet, o never. 
 
39 
 
 Which doe you cal 1 the great ? the fat ones ? Poet. No ; 
 But fuch as have great heads, which emptyed forth 
 Fill all the world with wonder at their worth. 
 Proud flies, fwolne big with breath and windy praife,* 
 Yet merit brakes, and nettles ftead of bayes. 
 Such title Cods and Lobfliers of arts Sea ; 
 The fmall ones call the fhrimps" of Poefie. 
 The greater number of fpawne feathered^ Bees 
 Fly low like Kites, the other mount on trees ; * 
 Thofe peck up dunghill garbadge, thefe drink wine 
 Out of loves cup ; thofe mortall, thefe divine. 
 
 ///. Who is the beft Poet ? Poet. Emulation ; 
 The next, Neceffity ; but Detraftion 
 The worft of all. ///. Imagine I were one : 
 What fhould I get by't ? Poet. Why, opinion. 
 
 ///. I've too much of that already ; for tis known 
 That in opinion I am overthrowne. 
 Opinion is my evidence. Judge &jury; 
 Opinion has betraid me to the furie 
 Of vulgar fcandall ; partiall opinion 
 Gapes like a Sheriff^e for execution. 
 I wonderd ftill how Schollars came undone,^ 
 And now I fee tis by opinion, 
 That foe to worth, fworn Enemy to art, 
 
 * MS. proud Bees .... of windy praife. 
 
 * MS. they terme fhrimps. 
 ^ MS. fpoone fetherd. 
 
 * MS. flagg lowe like Kites, the fmaller mount on tres. 
 . ' MS. how goodnes came undone. 
 
40 
 
 Patron of ignorance, Hangman of defart. 
 Afke any man what can betray a Poet 
 To fcandall ? Bafe opinion fhall doe it. 
 He therefore be no Poet, no nor make 
 Ten mufes of your nine. My reafon take : 
 Verfes, tho freemen borne, are bought and fold 
 Like flaves ; their makers too, that merit gold, 
 Are fed with fhalls. Whence growes this flight 
 
 regard ? 
 From hence, — Opinion gives their reward/ 
 
 Chara&er 6/ 
 
 Rivales. 
 JNvention labours ^ to di/cover 
 The pretty paffions of a lover ; 
 Shewing how in amorous Jits 
 Long loft a Bee may jinde her wits. 
 
 Speakers. 
 Arethuja. Vlania. 
 Areth. 
 Ell met, faire Beauty ; pray you can you tell * 
 News o{ Meletus P VI. Such a Bee doth dwell 
 
 w 
 
 ' MS. but hence Opinion allm'ners there reward. 
 ' CharaHer 6 of the \x.o. correfponds to CoUoquie 7 of the MS. 
 ' Invention labours. Sec. MS. " Difguifd Stuprata," &c., as 
 before. In the MS. the fpeakers are fuprata, Rivalis. 
 * In the MS. thefe lines precede : — 
 S/u/>: About thefe downes I have notice he remaines 
 difguifd amidfl a throng of winged fwaines 
 
41 
 
 In my fathers hive ; but afke you as a friend ? 
 Areth. Yes ; and as one who for his good would 
 fpend 
 Living and life. VI. Yet not fo much as I. 
 
 Areth. Why! do you love him?^ VI. I'm mine 
 
 own echo, I. 
 Areth. Wherfore ? VI. I know not ; there's fome 
 fallacy. 
 
 his borrowd name Reliftus, & I am come 
 
 to fee and fhare in his fad Martirdome, 
 
 but Ime ore hard ; fay faire one can you tell, 
 
 me of one relidus. Riva. fuch a Bee dooth dwell, &c. 
 
 ^ MS. Stup : Aye me, a Rivall ? wherfore doe you love him. 
 
 Kiv : Caufe in loves fpheare theres no liar fhin's above him— 
 he is Cupid's altar, and before him lyes 
 ten thoufand bleeding harts as facrifice 
 Theres a mild Majeltie throand in his browes 
 at ech haire on his head a Cupid growes 
 whofe little fingers (curling Golden wyer) 
 make amorous nets to Intangle chaft defter 
 a payre of fonnes move in his fpherelike eyes 
 (were I loves pirate, he fhould be my price). . 
 onely his perfonne lightens all the Rome 
 for where his beautie fhines, night dares not come 
 his frowne would fchole a Tyrant to be meke, 
 Loves Chronicle is peinted on his cheke, 
 where lillies & frefhe Rofes fpread fo highe 
 as Death himfelf to fe them fade would dye. 
 
 Stup : for this you love him : Riv. for all theis I doe 
 yet tis a wonder that I Ihould do foe 
 except induc'd by fome ftrange fallacie 
 for neither upland flye nor medow Bee 
 that traffick daylye on this flowry plaine, &c. 
 F 
 
42 
 
 For not a Village fly nor medow Bee, 
 
 That traffikes daily on the neighbour plaine, 
 
 But will report how all the winged traine 
 
 Have fu'd to me for love. When we have 
 
 flowne 
 In fwarmes out to difcover fields new blowne, 
 Happy was he could finde the forwardft tree 
 And cull the choiceft blofl'omes out for me; 
 Of all their labours they allowd me fome 
 And, like my Champions, mand me out and home : 
 Yet I lovd none of them. Philon^ a Bee 
 Well fkild in verfe and amorous Poefie,^ 
 As we have fat at worke, both of one rofe. 
 Has humd fweet canzons both in verfe and profe, 
 W^hich I nere minded. Aftrofhel^ a Bee 
 (Although not fo poeticall as he) 
 Yet in his full invention quick and ripe,^ 
 In fummer Evenings on his well-tun'd pipe. 
 Upon a woodbine bloffome in the funne 
 (Our hive being cleane fwept and our daies work 
 
 done) 
 Would play me twenty feverall tunes ; yet I 
 Nor minded^ AJlrophell^ nor his melodic. 
 Then there's Aminter^ for whofe love faire Leade 
 (That pretty Bee) flies up and downe the Mead 
 With rivers in her eyes ; without defarving 
 
 * MS. well read in meter (kild in poefie. 
 MS. Yet in his quick Invention full as ripe. 
 MS. ner'e minded. 
 
 * 4to. Amniter: MS. Aminter. 
 
43 
 
 Sent me trim acorne cuppes/ of his own carving, 
 To drink May dew and Mead in. Yet "'^ none of 
 
 thefe, 
 My hive-borne play fellows and neighbour bees, 
 Could I affect, untill this ftrange Bee^ came ; 
 And him I love with fuch an ardent flame 
 Difcretion cannot quench. Areth. Now I begin ^ 
 To love him, frefh examples ufhers fin. 
 How doth he fpend his time ? Via. Labours and 
 
 toyles, 
 Extracts more honey out of barren foyles 
 Then twenty lazie droans. I have heard my father, 
 Steward of the hive, profeffe that he had rather 
 Loofe halfe the fwarme then him. \i a bee poor or 
 
 weak 
 Grow faint on's way, or by misfortune break 
 A wing or leg againft a twig ; alive 
 Or dead hee'l bring into the Mrs. Hive 
 Him and his burthen. But the other day, 
 On the next plaine there grew^ a mortall fray 
 
 ^ I have adopted the reading of the MS. The 4to. reads 
 " trim Akron boughs." 
 ^ MS. omits " yet." 
 ' MS. this ftranger. 
 
 * Now I begin, Sec. The reading of the MS. is far pre- 
 ferable : — 
 
 St. ahlas good hart 
 what paines flias tane to ftudie oer my part. 
 
 * MS. and is he valiant? Riv : Judge, the other daye 
 
 upon the plaines there grew, &c. 
 The intermediate lines do not occur in the MS. 
 
44 
 
 Betwixt the wafpes and us ; the wind grew high, 
 
 And a rough ftorme rag'd (o impetuoufly 
 
 Our bees could fcarce keep wing ; then fell fuch 
 
 raine, 
 It made our Colonic forfake the plaine 
 And fly to garrifon : yet ftill he ftood. 
 And 'gainft the whole fwarme made his party 
 
 good/ 
 And at each blow he gave, cryed out ^' his vow, 
 His vow and /Irethuja" On each bough 
 And tender bloflbme he ingraves her name 
 With his fharpe fting : to Arethujaes fame 
 He confecrates his a6tions ; all his worth 
 Is only fpent to charaAer her forth. 
 On damafke rofes and the leaves of pynes 
 I have feene him write fuch amorous moving 
 
 lines 
 In Arethufaes praife, as my poore heart 
 
 ' Here follow in the MS. fome lines not contained in the 
 4to. : — 
 
 and backt by a few ftraglcrs home he drives 
 
 the adverfe Collonie into there Hyves, 
 
 and had not our archc Corronell by Commands 
 
 fheathd up his fword, and mannacled his hands 
 
 h'ad ccazd both waxe & Hony, & fet ficr 
 
 of all there Beefkepps, forcd thus to retire 
 
 he bounds his proud ileed, & cryes this Iv'e done 
 
 in Honour of Stuprata; flic's alone 
 
 the Primum Vivens of my acflions, on ech bough 
 
 & tender rinde he Regillers his vow 
 
 made to that faire (tho falfc one) all his worth, &c. 
 
45 
 
 Has,' when I read them, envied her defart ; 
 And wept and fighd to think that he fhould be 
 To her Co conftant, yet not pitty me,^ 
 
 Areth. Oh ! Via. Wherefore figh you ? Areth. 
 Amoratho^ Oh ! 
 My marble heart melts. Via. What, figh & weep 
 you too ? 
 Areth. Yes, in meere pitty that your churlidi 
 fate 
 Should, for true love ; make you unfortunate. 
 Via. I thanke you. What this Arethufa is 
 I do not know : only my fuit is this, — 
 If you doe know this Bee, when you next meet him 
 
 ' 4to. Have : MS. has. 
 From this line on to the end of the colloquy the MS. 
 differs entirely from the printed copy : — 
 
 Stupr : what have 1 hard? Relidlus pardon me 
 for I have been by much to cruell to the. 
 Yet if as fhe reports, I finde thy hart 
 a fecond tyme Contraft : for thy defart 
 Nature fhall worke a miracle fo ftrange 
 as all the Groves fhall wonder at my change 
 And though we ner'e fe more, yet for thy fake 
 and myne owne fynne, this follempne vow I make — 
 never to love Bee more, never to flye 
 to fommer Bower ; the bloflbmd braverie 
 o'th court fhall never tempt me ; to the bare 
 & laweles commons He for foode repaire 
 where ftead of Rofe buds & blowne Eglantine 
 mongft Burrs & thirties He confume & pine 
 lie feeke him out (hees mourning in the grove) 
 & either loofe my life or wyn his love. 
 
46 
 
 (Hees labouring in that mead), in my name greet 
 
 him, 
 And tell him that I love him more, far more 
 Than Arethuja can ; nay I adore 
 His memorie To, that he fhall be my Saint; 
 And when'his tender limbs grow weak and faint, 
 He doe his labour and mine own. The fpring, 
 Being dry, grows much unfit for labouring : 
 To prevent famine and a fudaine dearth, 
 For his fake He befriend the barren earth 
 And make it fruitful with a fhower of tears, 
 In which He drowne his fcorne and mine owne feares. 
 Areth. What have I heard ? Amor at ho pardon me, 
 For I have been (by much) too cruell to thee; 
 Yet if, as fhe reports, I find thy heart 
 Bequeathd to Arethujaes weake defart. 
 Nature fhall worke a miracle fo flrange. 
 All amorous Bee's fhall wonder at my change. 
 
 CharaEier 7. 
 
 Parfimonious. The Gathering Bee. 
 
 ^He thrifty Bee ^ doth tauntingly deride 
 The -prodigally inveighing gainft his pride. 
 
 ' The Thrifty Bee, &c.— MS. reads as before — The Thriftie 
 Bee that hoards up wax, &c. 
 
47 
 
 Speakers/ 
 
 Parftmonious. Acolaftes. 
 
 Far, 
 
 THou art my kinfman ; yet, had not thy mother 
 Been conftant to thy father and none other, 
 I would have fworne fome Emperour had got thee. 
 
 Aco. Why, fo he might ; let not opinion fot thee.^ 
 
 Par. Suppofe all kingdomes in the world were bals, 
 And thou'* ftood'ft with a Racket twixt foure walls 
 To toffe ad placitum : how wouldft thou play ? 
 
 Acol. Why, as with bals, bandy 'em all away; 
 They gone, play twice as many of the fcore. 
 
 Par. A tennis Court of Kings could do no more ; 
 But (faith) what doft thou thinke that I now thinke 
 Of thy this dayes expences ? Acol. How ? in drinke, 
 Dice, drabs and muficke ? ^ why, that it was brave. 
 
 Par. No ; that thou art a proud vain-glorious 
 knave. 
 That teeming womb thy father left fo full 
 Of golden iflue, thou, like a brainlefle gull, 
 Haft viper-like eat through. Oh here's trim ftuffe, — 
 A good mans ftate in garters, rofe, and ruffe ! 
 
 AcoL How 1 one mans ftate ? that beggar's 
 wretched poor 
 That weares but one man's portion : He do more. 
 Had I my will, betwixt my knee and toe 
 
 ^ The fpeakers in the MS. are, the Thriftie Bee, the Prodigal I. 
 
 ^ MS. let not good thoughts, &c. 
 
 ^ 4to. omits "thou." 
 
 * MS. Banketts dice mufick. 
 
48 
 
 Ide hang more pearle and diamonds then grow 
 In both the Indies. Poore Fucus, muft * my hofe 
 Match your old greafie cod-piece ? Pare. Let's not 
 
 part foes : "^ 
 Ide have thee hve in compafle. Acol. Foole, ile be 
 Like Phcebus in the Zodiake ; I am he 
 That would take Phaetons fall, tho I fet fire 
 On the whole world, to be Heavens Charioter.'' 
 Par. Tha'ft fir'd to much already ; parks^ and 
 
 chafes 
 Have no part left of em, fave names of places. 
 Tha'ft burnt fo much, tha'ft not one tree to fell' 
 To make a fire to warme thee by in hell.^ 
 
 Acol. Ile warme me by thy bones then. Pari. Stay' 
 
 and hold ; 
 Want fire till then thy lufl: ^ will fl:erve with cold : 
 Tis voic'd abroad, too, that thy lands are fold. 
 Acol. They are : what then ? Par. And that the 
 
 mony went 
 Towards the ^ great laft proud entertainment. 
 
 ' 4to. mufk. 
 
 * MS. Wele not part foes. 
 ^ MS. Charioteir. 
 
 * MS. thy parks. 
 
 ' MS. thart fcarce a tre to fell. 
 
 * MS. to make the firewood when thou comell in hell. 
 ' 4to. fay. 
 
 * 4to. Want fire till then ; thy luft, &:c. (The line is omitted 
 in the MS.) 
 
 ' I have inferted the word "the." The MS. reads, towards 
 proud vefpaes lalt great entertament. 
 
49 
 
 Acol. Its a lye. Par. I thanke you. Acol. But 
 
 fuppofe it true 
 That I fpent Millions, what's all that to you ? 
 Had I for every day ith' yeare a friend, 
 For each houre in that yeare a myne to fpend, 
 Ide waft both Indies but Ide feaft them all. 
 
 Parft. And fterve thy felfe, ftil a true prodigall : 
 What ftiould thy ftewes have then ? Acol. Out, lazy 
 
 droan ; 
 Thou envieft Bees with ftings, 'caufe thine is gone. 
 Plate, lewels, treafure, all fhall flye. Parft. They fhall ; 
 And then fome dunghil give the burial. 
 
 Acol. No ile turn pickled thief Par. What's 
 
 that ? Acol. A pirate.' 
 If gold keep houfe, a Sea or land, lie hate. 
 As to feed ryot I the land did brave. 
 So, fcorning land, water fhall be my grave. 
 Meanewhile the circle I've begun, lie run, 
 (Should the Devill ftand ith' Center) like the Sun, 
 In his Meridian ; my afcent's divine. 
 The vanity of all mankinde is mine." 
 In me all prodigalls loofenes frefh fhall flow ; 
 Borrow and fpend, ne'r look back what I owe : 
 Wine, Harlots, Surfeits, rich embroidered cloaths,' 
 
 ^ I have fubflituted the " pirate " of the MS. for the Quarto's 
 "pitcate." 
 
 * MS. be myne. 
 
 ^ In the MS. two lines follow : — 
 
 ffrequent all objects, oportunities 
 Court bad occaiiouns hunt lewd companies. 
 G 
 
5° 
 
 Strange fafhions, all fins fenfual, new coynd oaths 
 Shall feed & fill me : He feaft every fence. 
 Nought fhall become me ill, but innocence. 
 
 Parci. Farewell ; I fpie a wallet at thy backe : 
 Who fpends all young, ere age comes, all (hall lack. 
 
 CharaBer 8/ 
 
 Inamoratho. 'The Pajfionate Bee. 
 
 TN this the Poet ^ fpends fame art 
 
 To chara6ler a lovers heart : 
 And^for a figh his love let fall ^ 
 Prepares afolemnefunerall. 
 
 Speakers. 
 
 Chariolus. Arethufa. 
 I 
 J Char. Oh, Arethufa^ caufe of my foules moving. 
 
 Nature, fave thee, hath no worke worth the loving ; 
 
 For, when fhe fafhion'd thee, fhee fummon'd all 
 
 The Graces and the Vertues Cardinall; 
 
 Nay, the whole fwarme of Bees came loaden home, 
 
 Each bringing thee a rich perfection ;^ 
 
 And laid them up with fuch Art in the hive 
 
 (Thy braine) as, fince that, all thy beauties thrive : 
 
 ' CharaHer 8 of the 410. anfwcrs to Colloquie 10 of the MS. 
 
 * In this the Poet, &c. — MS. Invention labours, &c., as 
 before. The fpcakers in the MS. are, Relidus, Stuprata. 
 
 ' MS. Beauteous ftuprata. 
 
 * MS. rich donation. 
 
51 
 
 For, being mixt at thy creation, 
 
 They made ' thee faire paft Art or imitation. 
 
 Areth. 'Tis he: — is not your name Chariolus^ 
 Son to our Mr. Bee ? Char. What art that thus 
 Bluntly falut'ft me ? Areth. One that has to fay 
 Somewhat to you from lovely Arethufa,^ 
 
 Cha. How doth fhe .? Ar. Well. Cha. Ill tutord 
 Bee, but well ? "^ 
 The word's too fparing for her : more than well, 
 Nay, more than excellent's an Epithite 
 Too poor for Arethuja. Aret. This is right 
 As the Bee told me. — Can fhe be better well' 
 Than with the Gods .? Cha. The Gods .? Aret. A 
 
 pafling bell 
 Proclaim'd her death, and the whole fwarme of Bees 
 Mourn'd at her Herfe in fable liveries. 
 Long fhe lay fick, yet would not fend till death 
 Knockt at lifes gate to fetch away her breath ; 
 But juft as he came in, Goe thou (quoth fhe) 
 
 ' MS. ic made. 
 
 * MS. Stup. Tis he, tis he, is not your name Relidlus 
 
 once our knight Marfhall ? 
 ' MS. from penitent Stuprata. 
 
 * MS. Rel: ill tutord youth but well 
 
 the words too fcantie for Her to excell 
 naie highlie to excell's an Epithite 
 too courfe for my Stuprata. 
 » MS. but He trye him nerer 
 
 the trewer that I finde his bread, the dearer 
 fhall my fynn coft me, can flie be better well, &c. 
 The 4to. omits " be " before " better." 
 
52 
 
 Seek out Chariolus;^ greet him from me, 
 And pray him that he would no longer fhroud 
 His faire illuftrate fplendour in a cloud ; 
 For I am gone from the worlds vanities 
 Unto the Gods (a pleafmg facrifice) : " 
 Yet there I'll wifh him well,'' and fay, Good Youth, 
 I bequeath nothing to him but my truth. 
 And even as death arrefted her, fhe cri'd, 
 Oh my Chariolus ! — fo, with a figh, fhe di'd/ 
 Cha. So, with a figh, fhe dy'd. Jr. What 
 meane you, Sir ? 
 — I have told him, like a foolifh meflenger. 
 What I fhall firft repent. Cha. Come, let us divide 
 Sorrowes and teares ; for, with a figh, fhe dy'd. 
 
 ' MS. Rel : would nether (he nor theis 
 
 acquainte me with it. Stup : fhe would not fir till death 
 Knockt at her lifes gate to fetch out her breath 
 and then fcarce haveing fence, go thou quoth fhe 
 feeke out Reliftus haunt, &c. 
 ^ MS. for I quoth fhe affrighted at my fliame 
 
 my Iniurie done to Honor and your name 
 ffoes with my fault & the world's vanities 
 go to the Gods a fmileing facrifice. 
 » MS. omits " well." 
 * MS. I bequeathe to him my once perfe6l Truth. 
 
 freed from Incombrance, that word fpoke flic cryd 
 
 pardon my fyn Reliftus, fighd and dyed. 
 
 Re/ : her fynn, her Innocence, flie was divine 
 
 & could not err, the fynne was onely myne, 
 
 & my unworthines ; & yet fince mortall, why 
 
 might fhe not fynne, afwell as figh and dye 
 
 for with a figh fhe died, &c. 
 
53 
 
 Areth, Nay then ; fhe lives. Cha. 'Tis falfe ; 
 believe it not. 
 I'll have that figh drawne on a charriot 
 (Made of the bones of lovers who have cri'd, 
 Beaten their breafts, figh'd for their loves and dy'd) * 
 Cover'd with azure-colour'd velvet, where 
 The fun of her affedlions fhall fhine cleare. 
 In carelefTe manner, 'bout the Canopie, 
 Upon the Blew (in quaint embroyderie) 
 Arethuja and Chariolus fhall ftand * 
 As newly married, joyn'd^ hand in hand. 
 The charriot fhall be drawne by milk-white Swans, 
 About whofe comely necks (as ftreight as wands), 
 In flead of reines, there fhall hang chaines of pearle* 
 As pretious ^ as her faith was. The prime girle 
 That fliall attend this charriot fhall be Truth, 
 Who, in a robe compof'd of ruin'd youth,^ 
 
 1 MS. Stup: my tryall has betraid me, fir fhe lives. 
 
 R : not 
 He rear her ftatue on a chariot 
 made of dead lovers bones, (who fickned cryed 
 pardon Reliftus, fighd for there fynns and dyed). 
 
 ' MS. Stuprata and Relidus names fhall fland. 
 
 ' MS. andjoyn'd. 
 
 In the MS two lines follow, omitted in the Quarto : — 
 if any afk how divorcd Love came tyed 
 tell em fhe wept, fighd for her fynns & dyed. 
 
 * MS. ropes of perle. 
 
 * MS. as pretious as her teares weare. 
 
 ' MS. who in a loofe robe, woven, &c. 
 
54 
 
 Shall follow weeping, hanging downe the head, 
 As who fhould fay, My fweet Companion's dead.' 
 Next fhall the Graces march,'^ clad in rich fables 
 With correfpondent hoods, 'bout which large cables' 
 Of pearle & gold, in rich embroyderie, 
 Shall hang fad motto's of my miferie.* 
 
 Areth. Oh no ; my miferie ! Cha. Next thefe 
 fhall go ^ 
 All Arethufa's vertues^ in a row : 
 Her wifdome firft, in plaine Abilliments 
 (As not affedling gawdy Ornaments);^ 
 Next them her chaftity, attir'd in white ^ 
 (VVhofe chad eye fhall her Epitaph indite) 
 Looking as if it meant to check defire 
 And quell th' afcention of the Paphian fire; 
 Next thefe, her beauty (that immortall thing), 
 Deckt in a robe that fignifies the fpring, 
 
 ' MS. as who fhould faye flie fyn'd, wept, fighd, &s dead. 
 
 * MS. next her the Graces come, &c. 
 
 ^ MS. at which in Cables. The 410. reads " tables " — 
 an evident mifprint. 
 
 * Two lines, not found in the printed copy, follow in the 
 MS.:— 
 
 about there maftes gold girdles fhalbe tied 
 the ftuds of perle fhe find, wept, fighd & dyed. 
 ' MS. Stup. fhe lives & penitent. 
 
 * MS. all my Stupratae's vertues. 
 ' MS. Gawds, nor complements. 
 
 ^ MS. next theis her chaflitie, how tyerd ? in black 
 
 and twill fhowe well, for haveing fcapd a wrack 
 to mournc, will fhow her foule conceives a pride 
 that tcarcs wafht out her fault before fVie died. 
 
55 
 
 The lovelieft feafon of the quartered yeare ; 
 
 Laft fhall her virgin modefty ^ appeare, 
 
 And that a robe, nor white nor red, fhall weare, 
 
 But equallie participating both ; 
 
 Call it a Maiden blufh, and Co the cloath 
 
 Shall be her Hieroglyphicke ; on her eye 
 
 Shall fit difcretion who, when any fpie 
 
 Would at that Cafement (like a thiefe) fteale in. 
 
 Shall, like her heart's true porters,""^ keep out finne. 
 
 Thefe fhall be all chiefe mourners ; and, becaufe 
 
 This figh kild Arethuja^ here weel pawfe ^ 
 
 And drop^ a teare, the tribute of her love. 
 
 Next this, becaufe a figh did kill my Dove 
 
 (A good conceit, I pray forget it not). 
 
 At the foure corners of this Chariot 
 
 lie have the four windes fl:atued, which fhall blow 
 
 And figh my forrowes out, above, below, 
 
 Into each quarter. Then, Sir, on the top. 
 
 Over all thefe gawdy trim things. He fet up 
 
 My Statue in jet ; my poflure this — 
 
 Catching at Arethuja^ my lofl bliffe : ^ 
 
 For over me, by Geometrick pins, 
 
 He have her hang betwixt two Cherublns, 
 
 ^ MS. perfeft modeftie. 
 
 ^ MS. her harts bell fervant. 
 
 Thefe two lines follow in the MS. : — 
 
 for fhould it enter in Imodellie 
 
 there is no cure for fyn but figh and dye. 
 
 ^ MS. a figh. MS. pawfe, praie pawfe. 
 
 * And drop . . . my Dove. Thefe two lines do not occur in the MS. 
 
 ' MS. Courting my faire Stuprata for a kifle. 
 
56 
 
 As if they had fnatcht her up from me and earth, 
 In Heaven to give her a more glorious birth ; 
 The word this ; — What fhould vertue doe on earth ? 
 This He have done ; and when tis finifh'd, all 
 That love, come to my poor fighs funerall.^ 
 Swell gall, breake heart, flow tears like a full tyde. 
 For, with a figh, faire Arethuja dy'd." 
 
 Areth. Rather then thus, your youthfull flames 
 fliould fmother : ^ 
 Forget her thought, and entertaine another. 
 
 Char. Oh, never, never ! with the Turtle dove, 
 A figh fliall beare my foule up to my love. 
 
 CharaSier 9. 
 
 Pharmacopolis. The ^ackfalving Bee. 
 
 cr'His Satyre is the Character ■* 
 -^ Of an impojierous ^uack/alver ; 
 Who, to fieale pra5fije and to vent 
 His drugs, would buy a patient. 
 
 ' MS. that love like me come to the funerall. 
 ^ MS. fince long of me Stuprata fighd & dyed. 
 ^ Rather then thus . ... to my love. Thefe four lines do not 
 occur in the MS. 
 
 * This Satyre, Sec. MS. This Colloquies the charafter, &c. 
 
 {Lawe Bee 
 Steward 
 Quackfalving bee. 
 
SI 
 
 Speakers. 
 
 Senilis. Stewart. Pharmacopolis. 
 
 Sen. 
 
 W Hat's he ? St. The party. Sen. How ? what 
 party. Sir ? 
 
 Stew. Amoft fweet rogue, an honeft Quackfalver ; ^ 
 That fues to be your houfhold Pothecary. 
 
 Sen. What fees he in my - face, that I ihould buy 
 His drugs and drenches ? My cheeke weares a 
 
 colour 
 As frefh as his, and my veines channell's fuller 
 Of crimfon bloud, than his ; my well-knit joynts 
 Are all trufT'd round, and need no Phyficall points. 
 Read the whole alphabet of all my age, 
 'Mongft fixtie letters ihalt not find one Ach : 
 My bloud's not boyl'd with fevers, nor (tho old) 
 If 't ificled with cramps, or dropfie cold : 
 I am healthfull both in body and in wits ; 
 Coughs, rheumes, catarrhes, gouts, apopledlic fits, 
 The common fores of age, on me nere ran. 
 No Galeniji^ nor Paracelftan 
 Shall ere read Phyfick ledure out of me : ^ 
 He be no fubjedt for Anatomie. 
 
 Phar. They are two good artifts, Sir. Sen. All 
 that I know : 
 
 ^ MS. a Bee of parts, an expert Quackfalver. 
 * MS. myne ? what fees, &c. 
 ^ MS. upon me. 
 
 H 
 
58 
 
 What the Creator did, they in part do : 
 A true Phyfitian's a man-maker too. 
 My kitchin is my Do6lor; and my garden, 
 My college, Mafter, chiefe AfTiftant, Waaden^ 
 And Pothecarie : When they give me pils, 
 They work fo gently, I'm not choak'd with bils : 
 Ounce, Drachma, Dram — themildeft of all thefe 
 Is a far ftronger griefe than the difeafe. 
 
 Phar. Were't not for bils, Phyfitians might go 
 make 
 Muftard. Sen. I know't ; nor bils, nor pils He 
 
 take. 
 I ftand on ficknefle fhore, and fee men toft 
 From one difeafe to another, at laft quite loft ; 
 But on that fea of furfets where they're drown'd 
 I never hoyfting faile, am ever found. 
 
 Phar. How ! ever found? were all our Gallants fo, 
 Doftors and Pothecaries might go fow 
 Dowlafle for faffron-bags, take leave of filk. 
 And eat greene chibbals and fowre butter-milk. 
 Would you know how all phyfick to confound ? 
 Why, 'tis done thus, — keep but your Gallants found. 
 Sen. 'Tis their owne faults, if they, 'fore fprings 
 or fals. 
 Emptying wine glafles fill up urinals. 
 Man was made found at firft : if he growes ill, 
 'Tis not by courfe of Nature, but free will. 
 Diftempers are not ours ; there fhould be then, 
 
 MS. my CoUedge, chiefe affiftant, mafter warden. 
 
59 
 
 Were we ourfelves, no phyfick : men to men 
 Are both difeafes caufe and the difeafe. 
 Thank Fate, I'me found and free from both of 
 thefe,^ 
 Fhar. Steward, my fiftie crownes ; Redde. St. 
 
 Not I. 
 Fhar. He give you then a gHfter. St. Me, Sir ? 
 
 Why? 
 Phar. He tell your Mafter. — Sir, tho youle take 
 none, 
 Let me give your Steward a purgation. 
 
 St. Why ! I am well. Phar. No ; you are too 
 hard bound, 
 And you muft caft me up the fiftie pound 
 I gave you in bribe-powder. St. Be patient.^ 
 Phar. Youle pradlife on me then. Sen. If this 
 be true, 
 My health I fee, is bought and fold by you. 
 A Dodlor buys me next, whofe MefTe of potions 
 Striking me full of ulcers, oyles and lotions 
 Bequeath me to a Surgeon ; laft of all 
 He gives me dyet in an Hofpitall : 
 Then comes the Scrivener, and he draws my wil; 
 Thus flaves, for gold, their Mrs. fell and kill. 
 
 ^ MS. a freman from all thefe. 
 
 * In the MS. the words "patient .... then" have been 
 erafed j and the rhyme has been rellored, thus : — 
 
 Stew: pray be content 
 for 50 more He fell you a patient 
 far better then my lord. 
 
6o 
 
 — Nay, nay ; fo got, fo keepe it ; for thy fifty 
 Take here a hundred ; wee'I not now be thriftie. 
 But of fuch artles Empiricks He beware, 
 And learne both when to fpend & when to fpare.' 
 
 CharaSier lo."^ 
 
 Fenerator^ Or the VJuring Bee, 
 
 TN which the Poet lineal s forth 
 
 T'hat bounty feeds dejert and worth : 
 Checks Counterfeits^ inveighs 'gainfi Bribes^ 
 And Foenerators nefl defcribes. 
 
 ' MS.: — 
 
 who buyes me next a do6lor, he in potions 
 drinkes me of to a furgion, who with lotions 
 Barly broath mcfhe and diets Phificall 
 prepares my bodie for an hofpitall 
 where Gammar matrone for a treble fFee 
 fweares byer deathes head fhele make afmuch of me 
 (meaning of what I have,) as ever mother 
 did of her childe, Aid thus from one another 
 like a piece at fliovell boord, by myne owne 
 haveing loft the game, I am throwne into the box 
 my grave, a howfe where I muft ever dwell 
 thus flaves for gold their mafters buy and fell 
 but of fuch Knaves & Emperickes lie beware 
 & learne, &c. 
 By reading, "into the box I am throwne," we get a rhyme of 
 fome fort; but the cadence both of this line and the preceding, 
 is unufually harfh. 
 
 '"' Charader lo. Anfwers to CoUoquie 8 of the MS. 
 In which the Poet, Sec. MS. In this Invention, &c. 
 
6i 
 
 Speakers/ 
 Dicajies. Servitor. Fenerator. Impotens. 
 
 Dicajies. 
 
 WHat rings this Bell fo lowd for ? Ser. Sutors, 
 great Bee,^ 
 Cal for difpatch of bufines. Die. Say what they be. 
 Ser. Wrackt Fen-Bees, aged, lame, and fuch as 
 gafpe 
 Under late bondage of the cruell wafpe. 
 
 Dicaji. Cheere them with hearty welcomes ; in 
 my chaire 
 Seat the Bee moft in yeares, let no one dare 
 To fend 'em fad hence, will our Janitors 
 Obferve them nobly ; for the Marriners {Marryners 
 
 Chara5ter^ 
 Are clocks of danger, that do ne'er ftand ftill. 
 But move from one unto an other ill : 
 There dyals hand ftill points to th' line of death. 
 And, tho they have winde at will, they oft loofe 
 breath.^ 
 
 ( Ruflet Bee 
 In the MS. the Speakers are < fjQj.„g(. 
 
 \, Lame Bee 
 MS. Ser: dynner Great Bee 
 
 R: B: and who this day tafts of our charitie. 
 MS. & tho but feldome windles, oft Joofe breath. 
 
62 
 
 Of all our Bees that labour in the mead 
 I love them, for they earne the deareft bread 
 That life can buy ; when th' Elements make warre 
 To ruin all, they 'are fav'd by their good Starre; — 
 And, for the Gally-flaves, oh love that Bee 
 Who fuffers onely for pure Conftancy. 
 — What fuiters that ? Fen. A very forry one. 
 Die. What makes thee forry? Fene. Pale afflic- 
 tion : 
 My hive is burnt. Die. And why to me do'ft come? 
 Fen. To beg a lOO pound. Die. Give him the 
 
 fum.^ 
 Fen. Now the Gods — Die. Nay, nay ; kneele not, 
 nor be miftooke. 
 Faces are fpeaking pidlures : thine's a booke, 
 Which, if the proofe be truly printed, fhowes 
 A page of clofe diflembling. Fen. High Heaven 
 knows — ^ 
 Die. Nay, tho thou beeft one, yet the mony's 
 thine ; 
 Which I beftow on Charity, not her fhrine. 
 If thou cheat'ft me, thou art cheated ; and haft got 
 (Beeing Licourifh) poyfon from my Gally-pot 
 In ftead of hony. Thou art not my debtor : 
 I'me ne'r the worfe, nor thou (I fear) much better. 
 Who's next? Ser. A one leg'd Bee. Die. Oh ufe 
 him well. 
 
 ' Hon: To beg fome wax and hony. R. B. Gyve him 
 feme. 
 
 * MS. Obron knows. 
 
63 
 
 Imp. Cannons defend me ! Gunpowder of Hell ! 
 
 Whom haft thou blowne up here ? Die. Doft know 
 
 him, friend ? 
 
 Ljtp. Yes, for the Idngdomes peftilence, a fiend : 
 
 A moath, takes up ^ all petticoats he meets ; 
 
 Eats Feather-beds, Boulfters, Pillows, Blanquets, 
 
 Sheets ;~ 
 And with fale bills lays Shirts and fmocks abed 
 In Linen, clofe adulterie; and, inftead (A Breakers 
 
 Chara&er^ 
 Of cloaths,^ ftrows Lavender fo ftrongly on 'em 
 The owners never more can fmell upon 'em. 
 This Bee fucks honey from the bloomes of fin : 
 Bee't nere fo ranke or foule, he crams it in. 
 Moft of the timber that his ftate repairs 
 He hew's out ot'he bones of foundred players : 
 They feed on Poets braines, he eats their breath. 
 Die. Moft ftrange conception ! — life begot in 
 
 Death."* 
 Imp. Hee's a male powl-cat ; a meere heart-bloud 
 foaker : 
 Mongft Bees the Hornet, but with men a Broaker. 
 Die. Well Charader'd : what fcath hath he done 
 
 thee ? 
 Imp. More then my legs lofi!e : in one month eat 
 three. 
 
 ^ MS. fle(he-fly, takes up, &c. 
 
 ^ MS. a moathe, eats bolfters, featherbeds & (hetes. 
 ^ MS. in clofe adulterie, and in the ftead of quilts, &c. 
 * Lines lo to 15 do not occur in the MS. 
 
64 
 
 Of my poore fry, befides my wife : this lew, 
 Though he will eat no pork, eats Bees, tis true. 
 
 Die. He told me, when I afk'd him why he 
 mournd. 
 His hive (and all he could call his) was burnd. 
 
 Imp. Hee's burn'd himfelfe (perhaps), but thats 
 no news ; 
 For he both keeps and is maintaind by th'ftews. 
 He buys their fins, and they pay him large Rents 
 For a Long-lane of lowzy Tenements,^ 
 Built up (in ftead of Morter, Straw, and Stones) 
 With poore-pawne-plaifter and fterv'd debtors bones. 
 He may be fir'd ; his rotten hives '^ are not. 
 To this Autume Woodfare, Alias Kingdomes 
 
 rot, 
 I pawnd my weapons, to buy courfe brown bread 
 To feed my fry and me. Being forfeited,^ 
 Twice fo much money as he lent I gave,* 
 To have mine armes againe : the griping flave ^ 
 Swore not to fave my foule unlefs 1 could 
 Lay downe my ftump here, my poor leg of wood, 
 And fo hop home. Die. Vnheard of villanie. 
 Ser. Is this true.''^ Fen. I dare not fay it's a lye. 
 
 ^ MS. ragged tenements. 
 
 ' MS. Ikepps. 
 
 ' MS. to feed my fry with: which, being forfeited. 
 
 * MS. twice fo much wax as the churle lent I gave. 
 
 * MS. the croambing flave. 
 
 ^ MS. & is this true. (The words are fpoken by the Ruflet 
 Bee.) 
 
65 
 
 Bic. And what faift thou to this ? Imp. Nothing, 
 but crave 
 Juftice againft this Hypocriticall Knave, 
 This three-pile-velvet rafcall, widows decayer. 
 The poore fryes beggerer and rich Bees betrayer. 
 Let him have Ruffian law for all his fins. 
 
 Die. Whats that? Imp. A loo. blowes on his 
 bare fhins. 
 
 Fen. Come home and take thine armes. Imp. lie 
 ha thy legs : 
 Juftice, great Bee ; tis a wrong'd cripple begs. 
 
 Die. And thoufhaltha't. — I told thee goods, ill got, 
 Would as ill thrive ; my gift I alter not, — 
 That's yours. But, cunning Bee, you play'd the knave, 
 To crave, not needing : this poor Bee muft have 
 His requeft too, elfe juftice loofe her chaire. 
 Goe ; take him in, and on ^ his ftiins, ftript bare. 
 In ready payment give him a lOO. ftroakes. 
 
 Imp. Hew down his ftianks, as Carpenters fell Oakes. 
 
 Die. Nor think me partiall ; for I offer thee 
 A hundred for a hundred. Imp. Juft his vfury.^ 
 
 Die. A hundred pound, or elfe a hundred blowes : 
 Give him the gold, he fliall releafe you thofe. 
 
 Fen. Take it, and rot with't. Imp. Follow thee 
 thy curfe. 
 Wud blowes might make all broakers thus dift)urfe. 
 
 ^ 4to. one. 
 
 2 MS. but Legem Talionis, ufe for Ufurie. 
 
 give him thy wax or take his loo blowes 
 the greateft wynners muft at fometimes loofe. 
 I 
 
66 
 
 CharaFier 1 1 . 
 
 Ohron in Progrejfu. Ohron in Progrejfe. 
 
 r^Bron his roy all progrejfe makes 
 
 To Hibla^ where he gives and takes 
 P re/en ts and priviledges ; Bees 
 Of worth he crownes with offices. 
 
 Speakers. 
 Ohron. Agricola. P aft oralis. Flora. Vintager} 
 
 Obron. The fefTions full : to avoid the Heat, 
 In this cool fhade each take his feate. 
 
 Agr. The winged Tenants of thefe Lawnes, 
 Deckt with bloomes and downy pawnes, 
 Like Subjeds faithfuU, juft and true, 
 Bring Obron tribute. Ob. What are you? 
 
 Agr. A poor Bee that, by Obrons will, 
 Firft invented how to till 
 The barren earth, and in it throw 
 Seedes that dye before they grow ; 
 And, beeing well read in natures booke, 
 Devi'fd Plow, Sickle, Sithe and hooke 
 To weed the thirties and ranke brakes 
 From the good Come : his voyage '^ makes 
 From Thejfalie^ my native fhrine, 
 And to great Obron ^ all Divine, 
 
 * In the 4to. l^intager (given in the MS.) is omitted from 
 the lift of Speakers. 
 
 * MS. a voyage. 
 
6; 
 
 Submit my felfe. This wreath of wheat ^ 
 
 (Ripend by Apllos heate), 
 
 My bofome fill'd with ears of corne. 
 
 To thee that wert before time borne, 
 
 I freely offer. Ob. May thy field, 
 
 Loaden with bounty, profit yeeld ; 
 
 May the root profper, and each eare. 
 
 Like a teeming female, beare : 
 
 Apr ill deluge and May frofts. 
 
 Lightnings, and Mildews fly thy Coafls ; 
 
 As thou in fervice true fhalt be 
 
 To Obrons Crowne and Royalty. 
 
 True bayUfe of our hufbandrie 
 
 Keepe thy place flill : — the next. Paft. A Bee 
 
 That's keeper of King Obrons Groves, 
 
 Sheepreeve of his flocks and Droves, 
 
 His Goats, his Kids, his Ewes and Lambes, 
 
 Steeres and Heyfers, Syres and Dams, 
 
 To expreffe homage at the full," 
 
 Greets Obron with this fleece of wooll. 
 
 Ob. May thy Ews in yeaning thrive, 
 Stocke and increafe, ftand and furvive ; 
 May the Woodfare, Coffe and rot 
 Dye or, living, hyrt thee not : 
 May the Wolfe and wilie Fox 
 Live exil'd from thy Herdes and flocks : 
 Lafl, not leaft, profper thy Grove, 
 
 ^ MS. fheafe of wheat. 
 " MS. to expreffe my Homage to the full. 
 Greete Obron, &c. 
 
68 
 
 And live thou bleft in Ohrons love, 
 As thou in fervice true fhalt bee 
 To us and our high Royalty. 
 — The next. Yint. High Steward of thy vines, 
 Tafter both of grapes and wines. 
 In thefe ripe clutters that prefent 
 Full bountie, on his knees low bent, 
 Payes Obron homage ; and in this bole, 
 Brimm'd with grape bloud, tender tole 
 Of all thy vintage. Obr. May thy grapes thrive 
 In Autumne, and the roots furvive 
 In churlifh winter ; may thy fence 
 Be proofe 'gainft wild Bores violence ; * 
 As thou in fervice true fhalt be 
 To us and our high royaltie." 
 ■ — A femall Bee : thy chara6ler } 
 Flo. Flora J Obrons Gardiner, 
 (Hufwife both of herbs and flowers, 
 To ftrew thy fhrine and trim thy bowers 
 With Violets, Rofes, Eglantine, 
 Dafl^adowne and blew Columbine) 
 Hath forth ^ the bofome of the Spring 
 Pluckt this nofe-gay, which I bring 
 From Eleufts^ mine owne fhrine, {Ita Scaliger.) 
 To thee a Monarch all divine ; 
 And, as true impofl: of my grove, 
 Prefent it to great Obrons love. 
 
 ' MS. rtand frc from, &c. 
 
 * MS. to Obron & his Soveraintic. 
 
 ' MS. from forth. 
 
69 
 
 Obr. Honey deawes refrefh thy Meads, 
 Cowflips fpring with golden heads ; 
 July-flowers^ and Carnations weare 
 Leaves double ftreakt with Maiden haire ; 
 May thy Lillies taller grow, 
 Thy Violets fuller fweetnefTe owe : 
 And, laft of all, may Phoebus love 
 To kifle thee and frequent thy Grove, 
 As thou in fervice true fhalt be 
 Unto our Crowne and Royaltie. 
 — Keep all your places : Well we know 
 Your loves, and will reward 'em too. 
 
 Agric. In figne that we thy words beleeve. 
 As well the birth-day as the eve 
 We will keep holy : Our winged Swaines 
 Neither for pleafure, nor for gaines. 
 Shall dare profane 't : fo lead away 
 To folemnize this holy day.^ 
 
 CharaEter 12. 
 
 Rexacillium. 'The high Bench bar. 
 
 r\Bron in his Star-Chamher fits ; 
 
 Sends out Subpcena's, High Court JVritSy 
 To tK Mr. Bee ; degradethfomey 
 Frees others: all Jh are legall doome.^ 
 
 ^ Qy., Gilly-flowers. 
 
 * MS. Obron : then lead awaye 
 
 to Celebrate our Hollydaye. 
 ^ MS. All Poena mete or premium. 
 
70 
 
 Speakers. 
 
 Obron^ Fairies^ Mr. Bee, Prorex., Vejpa, Hornet , 
 Humble Bee, Fuctis or Droane. 
 
 Ohron. 
 
 NOw fummon in our Mr. Bee 
 With all his fwarme, and tell him wee 
 Command our homage. Fai. He is come. 
 — Roome for great Prorex there, make roome.' 
 
 Obr. What meanes this flacknefTe ? Pro. Royall 
 Sir, 
 My care^ made me a loyterer, 
 To bring in thefe tranfgrefTing Bees 
 Who by deceits and fallacies, 
 Cloath'd with a fmooth and faire intent, 
 Have wrong'd me in my government. 
 
 Obr. The manner how ? Pro. Thefe wicked 
 three, 
 The Wafp, the Droane and Humble Bee, 
 Confpir'd like Traytors ; ^ firft, the Wafp 
 Sought in his covetous paw to grafp 
 All he could finger ; made the Sea 
 Not onely his monopolie, 
 
 But with his wing'd fwarmes fcowr'd the plaines. 
 Robbed and flew our wearie Swaines 
 
 ' MS. Olron. Our Mr. Bee, F^yrey : Great Sir hecs come 
 
 roome for the Prorex there, make roome. 
 ■■' MS. My Zeale. 
 ' MS. Grew to a fadtion. 
 
71 
 
 Comming from work. The Humble Bee ^ 
 (A flye as tyrannous as hee) "^ 
 By a ftrange, yet legall, ftealth 
 Non-fuited Bees of all their wealth.^ 
 The Drone, a Bee more mercilefle, 
 Our needy commons fo opprefTe * 
 By hoording up and poyfoning th'earth/ 
 Once in three yeares hee'd make a dearth 
 
 ^ Some additional lines occur in the MS. : — 
 
 Oi>r: where's Martio 
 our Generall. Mr. B. Confederate too 
 fFor gainft his tenure of comifGon 
 the Coward flood a looker on, 
 and not alone betraid there lives 
 but fold there hony wax and hives 
 and after all the maffacre 
 yielded himfelf there prifoner 
 in pollicie : The Humbell Bee, &c. 
 ^ MS. as treacherous & falfe as he. 
 ^ The MS. again fupplies fome additional lines : — 
 Ingroces Hony waxe and flrawe 
 & paies fort all with trickes in lawe 
 if any pleader taxe his wronge 
 he gives him fees to hold his tongue 
 or if law's fentence needs muft pafle 
 to ufe the writ ne Noceas. 
 
 Obron : dicaftes care fhould hunt fuch out. 
 Fayry: Ahlas his tongue has got the Gowt. 
 Mr. Bee. The droane a Bee, &c. 
 * MS. much opprefTe. 
 ^ MS. by hoarding and tranfporting more 
 
 to ftrangers then would feed our pore. 
 and being quefliond they Induce 
 a league or Treatie for excufe. 
 
72 
 
 (A needleffe one), tranfporting more 
 
 To ftrangers than would feed our poore. 
 
 At quarter day, if any lacks 
 
 His rent, he ceaze both honey and wax,^ 
 
 Throwing him out to beg and fterve ; 
 
 For which — Obr. As they, your felfe deferve 
 
 Due punifhment. For fervants fins 
 
 We commit their Mafters : Juftice wins 
 
 More honour, and fhines more compleat 
 
 In vertue, by fupprefTmg great 
 
 Than hanging poore ones."^ Yet, becaufe 
 
 You have beene zealous in our Lawes. 
 
 Your fault we pardon : for Delinquents 
 
 We have legall punifhments. 
 
 YeJ-pa that pillag'd fea and land, 
 
 EngrofTing all into his hand,^ 
 
 From all we banifh : dead or alive 
 
 Never fhall Vejpa come in Hive ; 
 
 But like a Pyrat and a Theefe 
 
 Steale and pilfer his releefe.* 
 
 ' MS. he ceazes hive & waxe. 
 
 "" MS. fFor fubjefls fynns 
 
 we count there kings, and iullice wins 
 
 more honour & fhines more compleat 
 
 in punifhing of one thats great 
 
 than 20 fmall ones. 
 ' MS. You Vcfpa that by fea and land 
 
 made boote of all came to your hand. 
 * The MS. proceeds : — 
 
 Your Hyves the Antientft in our grove 
 and once fat hyeft in our love 
 
73 
 
 Thou haft fed ryots, lufts and rapes. 
 
 And drawne vice in fuch horrid fhapes 
 
 As very Horfe-flyes, had they knowne 'em, 
 
 For credits caufe yet would not owne 'em.' 
 
 Th'aft made thy Hive a Brothell, adled fin 
 
 Gainft Nature and the royaltie of kin ; 
 
 So bafe as, but thy felfe, none could invent : 
 
 They are all thine owne, and thou their prefident. 
 
 For which, as thou thy fame haft loft. 
 
 So be thine Armes and Titles" croft 
 
 From forth the roll of Heraldrie 
 
 That blazons our true Gentrie/ 
 
 Live ever exil'd. — Fucus^ you 
 
 That engroft our Hony deaw, 
 
 Bought wax and honey up by th'great 
 
 (Tranfporting it as flaves doe wheat) — 
 
 Your Hive (with hony hid in trees 
 
 And hollow banks) our poore lame Bees 
 
 & well we thought you placd too, but fince you 
 (if Information can fpeake trew) 
 have patronizd unnaturall rapes, &c. 
 MS. for natures fake wood never owne 'em. 
 MS. Thy hives a Brothell, howfeing fynne 
 againft the royaltie of Kynne, 
 none but thy ielf could them Invent 
 thart bothe the fynne & prefident. 
 MS. thy name & Titles. 
 
 MS. trew Nobillitie. The MS, continues: — 
 Race Nimrods Caftle make all Even 
 and ftrive to get a haven in heaven, 
 ToUatur inquam, Fucus you, &c. 
 K 
 
74 
 
 Shall (hare ; and, even as Vefpa, fo, 
 
 Unpatroniz'd, live banifht too. 
 
 Laft, you that by your furly hum 
 
 Would needs ufurp a Praetors roome ; 
 
 (Your chamlet gowne, your purple hood, 
 
 And ftately phrafe fcarce underftood 
 
 Or knowne from this our Mr. Bee, 
 
 Made th'ignorant think that you were hee, 
 
 And pay you reverence) : for your hate 
 
 To th' poore, and envie to our State, 
 
 We here degrade, and let you fall 
 
 To th' dunghill, your originall. 
 
 From Nettles, Hemlocks, Docks and weeds 
 
 (On which your Pefant-linage^ feeds) 
 
 Suck your diet : to be fhort, 
 
 Ne're fee our face* nor haunt our Court. 
 
 Pro. And whither muft thefe flyes be fent ? 
 
 Obr. To everlafting banifhment. 
 Underneath two hanging rocks Chara^l. 
 
 (Where babbling Eccho fits and mocks Gehennae. 
 Poore Travellers) there lyes a grove 
 With whom the Sun's fo out of love 
 He never fmiles on^t (pale Defpaire 
 Cals it his monarchall chaire). 
 Fruit, halfe ripe, hang rivell'd and fhrunk 
 On broken Armes torne from the trunk : 
 
 ' MS. pefaunt-kindred. 
 ^ MS. nere fee us more. 
 
IS 
 
 The moorifh pooles ftand emptie, left 
 
 By water, ftolne by cunning theft^ 
 
 To hollow banks, driven out by Snakes,^ 
 
 Adders and Newts, that man thefe lakes :^ 
 
 The moflie weeds, halfe fwelter'd, ferv'd 
 
 As beds for vermin hunger-fterv'd : 
 
 The woods are Yew-trees, rent and broke 
 
 By whirle-winds ; here and there an Oake 
 
 Halfe cleft with thunder : — to this grove 
 
 We banifh them. All. Some mercie, Jove.'' 
 
 Obr. You fhould have cry'd fo in your youth. 
 When Chronos and his Daughter Truth Tempus. 
 Sojourn'd amongft you, when you fpent 
 Whole yeares in ryotous merriment ; 
 Thrufting poore Bees out of their hives, 
 Ceazing both honey, wax and lives : 
 You fhould have call'd for mercie when 
 You impal'd common blofTomes, when, 
 In ftead of giving poore Bees food. 
 You eat their flefh and drunk their blood. 
 
 All. Be this our warning. Obr. 'Tis too late : 
 Fairies,^ thruft them to their fate. — 
 Now Prorex^ our chiefe Mr. Bee 
 And Vice-Roy, thus we leflbn thee: 
 
 MS. crept away by theft. 
 
 MS. frighted by fnakes. 
 
 MS. that haunt thofe lakes. 
 
 MS. wafp : droane : A. B :) mercy & love. 
 
 For "Fairies," the MS. gives the abfurd reading " Chronos." 
 
76 
 
 Thy preterit errours we forgive, 
 
 Provided you hereafter live 
 
 In compafle : take againe your Crowne, 
 
 But make your fubjeds fo your owne 
 
 As you for them may anfwer. Pro. Sir, 
 
 (For this high favour you confer) 
 
 True loyaltie (upon my knee) 
 
 I promife both for them and mee. 
 
 Obr. Rife in our love then ; and, that you 
 What you have promif 'd may purfue, 
 Chafte Latria I beftow 
 On you in Marriage ; fheele teach you how 
 To be your felfe : faire truth and time 
 Be a watch and conftant chime 
 To all your aftions. Now adew, 
 Prorex fhall againe renew 
 His potent raigne : the mafTie world. 
 Which in Glittering Orbes is hurld ' 
 About the poles, be Lord of; wee 
 Onely referve our Royaltie. 
 — Field-muficke ? Obron muft away :" 
 For us our Gentle Fayries ftay. 
 In the Mountaines and the rocks 
 Wee'l hunt the Gray and little Foxe, 
 Who deftroy our Lambes at feed 
 And fpoyle the Neafts where Turtles breed. 
 If Vejpa^ Fucus or proud Error 
 Fright thy Bees and be a terror 
 
 ' MS. that on Gyreing fphcares is hurld. 
 ' MS. Live Happie: Obron, &c. 
 
11 
 
 To thy Groves, 'tis Obrons will. 
 
 As Out-lawes, you them feize and kill. 
 
 — Apollo and the Mufes dance : 
 
 Art has banifh'd ignorance, 
 
 And chaf'd all flies of Rape and ftealth 
 
 From forth our winged Common- Wealth. 
 
 I N I s. 
 
CHISWICK PRESS :— C. WHITTINGHAM AND CO., TOOKS COURT, 
 CHANCERY LANE. 
 
NOTE. 
 
 THE He of GulSj printed In 1606 (no doubt 
 from a Play-houfe tranfcript, without the 
 author's fupervifion) has come down to us in an 
 unfatisfadory ftate : the arrangement of the fpeakers* 
 names towards the end of the play is particularly 
 perplexing. A few corrections were made in the 
 1633 edition, but the more difficult pafTages were 
 left untouched. — In 1831 a reprint, carefully edited 
 but not very attradlve in form, was publifhed in 
 the Old Engli/h Drama feries. 
 
 An allufion to our author's play occurs in Dek- 
 ker's Guls Horne-booke, 1609, — ' -^ ^^^^ ^^i' boldly 
 and defperately alongft the fhore of the He of Guls; 
 and in defiance of thofe terrible block-houfes, their 
 loggerheads, make a true difcovery of their wild, 
 yet habitable country ' ; and again in Dekker's 
 Whore of Babylon^ 1 607 — ' Your Ordinary is your 
 Ifle of Gulls, your fhip of fooles, your hofpitall of 
 incurable madmen.' 
 
 Poflibly Nafhe's Ifle of Dogs^ which brought its 
 poor author into difficulties, may have fuggefted 
 Day's attradive title. At leaft Day feems to 
 have anticipated that fome of the audience would 
 come prepared for a fatire on political perfonages — 
 ' Why doth he call his play the He of Gulls ? it 
 
begets much expedlation ' (p. 4). Nor is it quite 
 fanciful to fuppofe that the 'Prologue's' anfwer 
 glances at the notorious fatirift — * Not out of any 
 dogged difpofition, nor that it figures anie certaine 
 ftate or priuate gouernment: farre be that fuppo- 
 fition from the thought of any indifferent Auditor.' 
 Nafhe died not later than 1600, but his fame fur- 
 vived him long. To an Elizabethan audience the 
 moft diftant allufion to a popular favourite would 
 be intelligible. 
 
 My beft thanks are due to Dr. Brinfley Nicholfon 
 and the Rev. F. G. Fleay for kindly placing their 
 notes on the He of Guls at my difpofal. One 
 emendation of Mr. Fleay 's reached me too late to 
 be inferted in the text. On p. 23 he fuggefts that 
 for the unintelligible * like a flothfulnefs ' we fhould 
 read ' life a flothfulnefs ' (cf ' life a fpleene,' p. 97), 
 a form of half-oath in which Marfton frequently 
 indulges. 
 
THE 
 ILE OF GVLS. 
 
 As it hath been often playd in the blacke 
 
 Fryars, by the Children of 
 
 the Reuels. 
 
 Written by lohn Day. 
 
 Imprinted at London , and are to bee 
 
 fold by lohn Hodgets in Paules Church* 
 
 yard. 1606, 
 
The lie of Gulls, 
 
 Enter Jeuerally 3 Gentlemen as to fee a -play. 
 I. 
 
 HOw now gallants ? what ifl ? what ift ? 
 2. "The He of Gulls. 
 3. The He of Gulls ! what fhould that be ? 
 2. A play by the name : but come, fhals quarter 
 
 our felues ? 
 1. If fome had had the wit to doe fo in time 
 they might ha faude the hangman a labour. But 
 come boy, furnifh us with ftooles. 
 
 Enter Prologue. 
 
 Prol. Pardon me, fir; my office is to fpeake a 
 Prologue, not to prouide you ftooles. 
 
 1. And you were the Epilogue to, fir — 
 
 2. Fie, be not inciuill : doft heare youth, prethe 
 whats he that difcouerd your new found Land, the 
 He of Gulls ? what is hee } 
 
 Prol. A meere ftranger, fir. 
 
 3. A ftranger ! the better welcome : comes hee 
 Eaft-ward, Weft-ward or North-ward hoe ? 
 
 Prol. None of the three waies, I aflure you. 
 
1 . Prethe where is he ? 
 
 Prol. Not on his knees in a corner to Apollo 
 praying that his play may hold in a good hand at 
 PafTadge, nor on the ftage amongft gallants pre- 
 paring a befpoke Plaudite ; but clofe in his ftudie 
 writing hard to get him a handfome fuite againft 
 Sommer. 
 
 2. And where fits his friends? hath he not a 
 prepard company of gallants to aplaud his iefts 
 and grace out his play ? 
 
 Prol. None, I proteft : Doe Poets ufe to befpeake 
 their Auditory ? 
 
 1. The beft in grace doe ; and, but for that, 
 fome that I know had neuer had their grace in 
 Poetry till this day. 
 
 Prol. Then muft our Author looke for a cer- 
 taine difgrace, for he is altogether unfurnifht of 
 fuch a friendly audience. 
 
 I. Then he muft lay his tryall upon God and 
 good wits. But why doth he call his play The He 
 of Gulls ? it begets much expedlation. 
 
 Prol. Not out of any dogged difpofition, nor 
 that it figures anie certaine ftate or priuate gouern- 
 ment : farre be that fuppofition from the thought 
 of any indifferent Auditor: and the argument beeing 
 a little fpring or Riuolet drawne fro the full ftreame^ 
 of the right worthy Gentleman Sir Phillip Sydneys 
 
 ' The 4tos. read : a little firing or Rivolet, drawne fro the 
 full ftrcinc, &c. 
 
Cs 
 
 well knowne Archadea confirmes it : onely a Duke, I 
 to make tryall of certaine experiments, retires with 
 his retinue into a Namelefle defart. Now as well 
 for fafhion fake as that all thofe which haue to doe 
 in that defart are guld in the reach of their hopes, 
 therefore hee calls it (and as hee prefumes not im- / 
 properlie) 'The He of Gulls. 
 
 I. Out a queftion he hath promifed thee fome 
 fee, thou pleadeft fo hard for him ; but, and hee be 
 a right Poet, hee will neuer performe it. But what 
 method obferues hee in his play? ist any thing :; 
 Criticall ? Are Lawyers fees and Cittizens wiues j 
 laid open in it ? I loue to heare vice anotomizd & ; \ 
 abufe let blood in the maifter vaine : is there any ! ^ 
 great mans life charadred int ? 
 
 Prol. None I proteft, fir : only in the perfon of 
 Dametas he exprefies to the life the monftrous and 
 deformed fhape of vice, as well to beget a lothing 
 of abufe as that his villaine may giue the greater 
 lufter to the vertuous difpofitions of true-borne gen- 
 tilitie. 
 
 1 . All thats nothing to mee : and there be not ! | 
 Wormewood water and Copperes int He not like it, | 
 fhould Apollo write it and Rojius himfelfe ad: it, 
 
 2. Fie upon thee, thou art too Criticall : is there 
 any good baudry int, lefts of an ell deepe and a 
 fathome broad, good cuckolding ? may a couple of 
 young fetters up learne to doe well int ? Giue me a 
 fceane of venery that will make a mans fpirrits 
 ftand on theyr typ-toes and die his bloode in a deepe 
 
fcarlet, like your Quids Ars Amandi : there flowes 
 the true Spring-head of Poetry and the verie Chrif- 
 tall fount of Parnaflus. 
 
 Prol. Chaft eares would neuer endure it, fir. 
 
 2. Chaft eares ! now deafenes light uppon em, 
 what fhould chaft eares doe at a play ? 
 
 3. Tis ftrange now, I am of neither a both your 
 opinions : I like neither rayling nor baudry : no, 
 giue mee a ftately pend hiftorie, as thus : The rugged 
 windes with rude and ragged ruffes^ i^c. 
 
 1. Fie upont, meere Fuftian ! I had rather heare 
 two good baudie iefts then a whole play of fuch 
 teare-cat thunderclaps. 
 
 Prol. Alas, Gentlemen, how ift pofsible to con- 
 tent you ? you, will haue rayling and inuedliues, 
 which our Author neither dares nor affeds : you, 
 baudy and fcurrill iefts, which neither becomes his 
 modeftie to write nor the eare of a generous Auditory 
 to heare : you, muft ha fwelling comparifons and 
 bumbaft Epithites, which are as fit for the body of 
 /a Comedie as Hercules fhooe for the foote of a 
 / Pygmey : yet all thefe we muft haue, and all in one 
 play, or tis alreadie condemnd to the hell of eternall 
 difgrace. 
 
 I. Looke toot, if there be not gall int it ftiall 
 not pafie. 
 
 1. If it be not baudie tis impofsible to pafle. 
 
 3. If it be both Criticall and baudy, if it be not 
 high written, both your Poet, and the houfe to, 
 loofe a friend of me. 
 
Prol. Nay, I befeech you, fir, if you be his friend 
 ftand fo to him ftill, for he hath too many enemies 
 already in whofe iudgements he and his labours 
 ftand excommunicate, as though unworthy to pre- 
 fent themfelues in this aflembly. 
 
 1. Enemies! nay, sfoote, then theres fome hope 
 in's play, for Enuie neuer workes but againft defert 
 and merrit If hee be enuied theres fome worth 
 in him, and He fee out his play for that onely, 
 
 2. Faith, and He fee an ad or two out, but I tell 
 you afore hand I cannot fee it out. 
 
 3. Not fee it out? your reafon? 
 
 2. Fore God, I lay in bed till paft three a clock, 
 flept out my dinner and my ftomacke will toule to 
 fupper afore fiue : therefore you muft pardon 
 me. 
 
 Prol. Either fee it all or none, for tis growne into 
 a cuftome at playes if anyone rife (efpecially of any 
 faftiionable fort) about what ferious bufines foeuer, 
 the reft thinking it in difiike of the play, tho he 
 neuer thinks it, cry * Mew ! by Jefus, vilde ! ' and 
 leaue the poore hartlefle children to fpeake their 
 Epilogue to the emptie feates. 
 
 3. Why ! dooft thinke thy audience like a flock of 
 ftieepe, that one cannot leape ouer a hedge but all 
 the reft will follow.'' they ha more of reafon in 
 them then fo. 
 
 2. Well, He fit out the play, and be but to auoyd 
 that ftieepifh imputation ; but fee it be baudy, or by 
 this light I and all my friends will hifle. 
 
8 
 
 Prol. You fhould not deale gentleman-like with 
 us els. 
 
 Prologue. 
 
 The miferie that waites upon the pen 
 Of the beft Writers, iudge it, gentlemen : 
 Let them exprefTe the very foule of wit, 
 And want Opinions voice to countnance it, 
 Tis like the idle buzzing of a flie — 
 Heard not regarded : wretched Poetrie ! 
 If a write mirth, tis Rybaldry and meane, 
 Scornd of chart eares ; l^ he compofe a Sceane 
 Of high writ Poefie fitting a true ftage, 
 Tis counted fuftian ; If poetick rage 
 Strike at abufe or ope the vaine of finne, 
 He is ftraight inform'd againft for libelling. 
 Neither quick mirth, inuedtiue nor high ftate 
 Can content all, fuch is the boundlefle hate 
 Of a confufed Audience : Then we, 
 That fcarcely know the rules of Poefie, ) 
 Cannot fcape check ; Yet this our comfort is. 
 The wife will fmile to heare th' impartial! hifs. 
 We neither bragge nor tremble, faint nor intreat : 
 Our merrits nothing, yet our hopes are great. 
 Yet this our Author bad me boldly fpeake : 
 His play fhall pafle, let Enuie fwell and breake; 
 Detracflion he fcornes, honours the beft : 
 Tanti for hate, thus low to all the reft. 
 
 Exit. 
 
A^fus ■primi Jcena prima. 
 
 ' Enter BaftliuSy Gynetia^ Hipolita^ Violetta^ Lord 
 attendants. 
 
 Bajil. Welcom gallants, welcom honord bloods : 
 the reafon that we haue uncloth'd us of our princely 
 gouernment in Arcadia and haue to doe with this 
 priuate retirement heere in this defart He, you fhall 
 find in that fhedule : onely thus much for publique 
 fatisfadion. Tis not ftrange to you that the choifeft 
 treafure Nature indow'd us with is mynde up in 
 the vaines of my two daughters : howe much their 
 quiet and the fmothe ftreame of our gouernment in 
 Arcadia was troubled by the impetuous concourfe 
 of unruly futers, is familiar with your knowledge : 
 this to auoide, I haue for my Image there in my 
 abfence appointed my brother and undertooke this 
 priuate retirement. 
 
 Gy. Why, my lord ! are you fo couetous of your 
 daughters beauties that their perfedlions fhall be a 
 meanes to hinder their preferment ? 
 
 Bafil. Rather to further it, faire Queene : they 
 are the onely pearles of our age and to fee them 
 well fet in honourable and wel-befitting marriage is 
 our wifhes happines. 
 
 To which effed: we haue fent a generall challenge 
 To all the youthfull bloods of AfFrica, 
 That whofoeuer (borne of princely flem) 
 Dares foote the bofome of this defart He 
 (The ftage where He performe this louers prize) 
 
 B 
 
 -^ 
 
lO 
 
 And by his wit and adtiue pollicie 
 
 Wooe, win, intice or any way defeate 
 
 Me of my charge, my daughters of their harts. 
 
 Shall with their loues weare my imperiall crowne, 
 
 Wreathe of their conqueft 
 
 Hip. A prize, a prize ! rare worke for Fencers. 
 
 Viol. What coward would not venter a crackt 
 crowne for fuch a bootie ? 
 
 Bafil. To that intent our Hand is fend in 
 By fea and Land, and at each corner built 
 A Caftle for defence, which like great men 
 Doe ouer-looke Archadea ; ouer which 
 We haue appointed Captaines. More to define 
 Is more then we are willing to difcouer. 
 
 Hip. Well then, fifter, I fee we muft to hap- 
 hazard for hufbands. 
 
 Viol. God fend me one with a good face, and I 
 care not. 
 
 Hip. Loue, and be thy will, fend mee one with a 
 fayre table in his forhead, like Time. 
 
 Viol. Nay, and his face be good, let mee alone 
 to tricke his forehead : a country-gentlewoman 
 taught me how. But, father, I wonder how you 
 dare undertake fuch a peremptory challenge againft 
 all comers, confidering you haue beene fo long 
 troubled with an Ague. 
 
 Baft I. An ague ! what ague ? 
 
 Hip. Why your quotedian Damelas, the Court 
 furfet, hee that dwells in your eye like a difeafe in 
 your blood. 
 
II 
 
 yiol. And the Prefence were not exceeding empty- 
 ftomackt it would neuer difgeft fuch Almes-bafket- 
 fcraps, the very fall & garbidge of gentry : fie upon 
 him, he becomes the great chamber worfe then a 
 Gentleman-ufher with wry legges. 
 
 Hip. He is the moft mifhapen fute of gentility 
 that eiier the Court wore. 
 
 Viol. Had hee not beene of my fathers owne 
 making I fhould ha condemnd his taylor for an 
 exceeding botcher. 
 
 Bafil. If you retaine the loue of children or the 
 dutie of fubiedls expreffe it in your obedience : we 
 know Dametas loues us. 
 
 Viol. As Captaines and Courtiers do old wid- 
 dowes, for profit and preferment. 
 
 Baftl. In figne whereof we make him — 
 
 Hip. Nay you haue beftowed too much of the 
 making of him up already. 
 
 Viol. The very making of him up has ftood you 
 in more then the whole outfides worth. 
 
 Bajil. In my free thoughts you wrong him : 
 therefore, to exprefTe our loue and to giue the world 
 publique note of his loyaltie, we create him your 
 Gardian. 
 
 Viol. How, father ^ my Gardian ? 
 
 Bafil. I, mynion, yours. 
 
 Viol. Doe you heare, father : bid him befpeake 
 fpedlacles, for my fingers haue vowd to haue a blind 
 match with his eyes. 
 
 Baftl. Well-faid, Haggart : He make your proud 
 
12 
 
 hart ftoope to the lure of obedience. But come : 
 by this time our challenge is publifht, and our gal- 
 lants wits fweating in the fielde of Inuention, and it 
 behoues us not to reft unexercifed. 
 >/ So to our lodge : in the meane time be it knowne 
 Our breath has power to raife or caft men downe. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene II.] 
 
 Enter two Captaines. 
 I Cap. 
 
 ^y Ow Captaine Obferuation, Times bawde, thou 
 ^ that haft kept the Ages doore whilft up-ftart 
 bafenes crept into the bedde of greatnefle, what dooft 
 thou thinke of this change .'' 
 
 2 Cap. That it pleafd the Duke, and becomes 
 not fubiecfls to examine his adtions. 
 
 1 Cap. Thats no part of my meaning ; yet would 
 I gladly be better inftrufted why the Duke broke 
 up his Court in Archadea and remoued it into this 
 Hand. 
 
 2 Cap. I am not Secretarie to his thoughts, but 
 the generall rumour is that out of the freenes of 
 his fpirit hee hath fent a challenge to all his neigh- 
 bor Princes, that whofoeuer (within a twelue month) 
 can defeate him of his daughters fhall with theyr 
 loues inioy his dukedome, the garland propofde for 
 the vi(5lors. 
 
 I Cap. Your words throw fence into mee ; and 
 
13 
 
 thats the caufe the Hand is fo furely guarded with 
 watch-towers ouer which ourfelues and other Cap- 
 taines haue the charge. 
 
 2 Cap. And to the end that not afFedtion but 
 defart may prooue vi6lor are the two Ladies (o 
 narrowly obferud ; the one neuer out a the eye of 
 her Father, the other continually in the lodge of 
 DametaSy the Dukes chiefe direftor. 
 
 I Cap. If inquifitiuenefTe be not too bolde a 
 gueft, what doe you think of Dametas ? 
 
 1 Cap. As of a little hillock made great with 
 others ruines. 
 
 1 Cap. Your comparifon holds, for by report his 
 auarice has unmade many to make him up. 
 
 2 Cap. How did he iirft ftumble on the Princes 
 fauour .f* 
 
 1 Cap. As fome doe upon offices, by fortune and 
 flatterie ; or, as truth faies, the Prince hauing one 
 day loft his way wandring in the woods found this 
 DametaSy affedied his difcourfe, tooke him along to 
 the Court and, like great men in loue with their 
 owne dooings, countenan6t his defeats ; gaue him 
 offices, titles, and all the additions that goe to the 
 making up of a man worfhipfull. 
 
 2 Cap. I cannot but commend the Duke for 
 rayfing him, nor yet praife him that he proportions 
 not his carriage aunfwerable to his fortunes. 
 
 I Cap. Your thoughts and mine are twynnes in 
 that; but I heare the warning bell: fome ftrangers 
 are ariued. 
 
2 Cap. Lets to our office then, and condufl them 
 to DametaSy whofe cuftome is to fpet & hem whilft 
 his fcribe Maior takes theyr Examinations. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene III.] 
 
 Enter Dametas and Manajfes. 
 
 Dame. 
 
 Jl/pinaJfeSy how dooft hke my play at Tennys ? 
 •^ '-'- ManaJ. You play well, Sir ; but you loofe 
 ftill. 
 
 'Dame. Pollicie, Manajfes^ poUicie ; for when any 
 man upbraides me with my gettings at Court I 
 may fweare trulie I haue loft more then I haue got 
 byte. 
 
 ManaJ. By the Tennis court, I thinke, you 
 haue. 
 
 Dam. If by any Court tis enough to faue mine 
 oath. But what doe our fpruce-witted gallants fay 
 of my bounty .'' 
 
 Ma. Faith fir, according to the proportion of it, 
 little or nothing : they fay tis a banckrout, and 
 dares not ftiew his head. 
 
 Dame. Then let em leaue iefting at me : though 
 it pleafe the Duke, for fome fewe good parts that 
 he fees in me, to make me his familiar, I fcorne to 
 be publique or euery Courtiers companion : but 
 who comes heere ? 
 
15 
 
 Enter the two Captaines^ with Aminter ^ luliOj two 
 Princes attyred^ one like a poore Jouldior^ the other 
 like a poorejc holler. 
 
 The Captaines of the watch-towers : what newes 
 with you ? 
 
 I Cap. A couple of peticioners, ant like your 
 worfhip. 
 
 Dam. Had I beft take theyr peticions, Manajfes? 
 
 Ma. O in any cafe, though you neuer perufe 
 em : tis the onelie courfe in requeft. 
 
 Dam. Fellowes, deliuer your peticions to my 
 fcribe Maior: and doft heare, put em up Manajfes; 
 they may be wrongs to us. 
 
 Manaf. And they be I hope they be not the firft 
 wrongs I haue put up for your worfhip. 
 
 put up their papers. 
 
 I Cap. That fellowes pocket is like a Taylers 
 hell ; it eates up part of euery mans due : tis an 
 Executioner, and makes away more innocent peti- 
 tions in one yeere then a red-headed hangman cuts 
 ropes in an age. 
 
 Dam. Now what are you, firra ? 
 
 Amin. A poore fouldier, ant like your worfhip. 
 
 Da. Poore fouldiers doe not like my worfhip ; 
 they are bad members. 
 
 Manaf. Then if they had a woman to their 
 ludge they fhould be fure to be cut off, for they 
 cannot endure badde members in a Common-wealth. 
 
 Dam. What are you .? 
 
^' 
 
 i6 
 
 luHo. A poore fcholler, ant like your worfhip. 
 
 Dam. Poore fchollers doe not like our worfhip 
 neither ; they raile againft rich Cormorants, they 
 are bad members to. 
 
 ManaJ. Cut them off both, fir; and make the 
 Land an Eunuch. 
 
 T)ani. He take order with em, I warrant thee ; 
 and I may haue my will, He ha neither poore 
 fcholler nor foldior about the Court. 
 
 I Ca-p. The next way to make it the He of 
 fooles. 
 
 Dam. Whats he talkes of fooles there ? why, how 
 now, fir ! knowe you to whom you fpeake ? 
 
 1 Cap. Cry your worfhip mercy : I had forgot 
 your authoritie. 
 
 Dam. But I remember well enough, I warrant 
 you. I commaund you, in my name and the Dukes, 
 to attend your gard ; and you regard mee no more 
 then a carelefTe Lawyer doth an undone clyant : but 
 He informe ; the Duke fhall know ont ; pack.^ 
 
 2 Cap. Commaund your flaues, fir: we are gentle- 
 men. 
 
 Dam. Why ; fo, I hope, are wee, fir ; and of the 
 beft and laft edition, of the Dukes owne making. 
 
 I Cap. Cry your authoritie mercy : will you dif- 
 charge us of thefe paffengers '^. 
 
 Dam. You are difchargd : about your bufines. 
 
 4^s. tlie Duke fhall know, out, pack. 
 
 IP 
 
17 
 
 I Cap. Bad fate, that wrong fhould fet his foote 
 on right, 
 And true borne Eagles ftoope to this bafe kyte. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Dam. What an excellent trade it is to be an 
 officer maker. He haue more officers, and one fhall 
 be to keepe fchollers and fouldiers out of the Court; 
 for they dare not come in the great Chamber al- 
 readie for want of good clothes. But, gods me, 
 Manaffes; goe tell the Duke I muft fpeake with him. 
 
 ManaJ. Prefently, fir: He go fetch the head to 
 giue the foote a pofTet. And my maifter had wit 
 to his villanie he would make an excellent difli for 
 the hangman. Exit. 
 
 Amin. Right worfliipfull. 
 
 Dam. I, fir, I knowe my place is worfhipfull. I 
 tell thee knaue I could hang thee by my pattent if 
 it were granted once. He tell thee how it runnes : 
 It allowes me 24 knaues, 6 Knights, 10 fooles 13 
 fellons, and 1 4 traytors by the yeere ; take em 
 howe, why, when and where I pleafe. 
 
 lulio. I doe not thinke the Duke will euer grant 
 it. 
 
 Dam. Why not grant it? why fiiould you thinke 
 he wil not grant it .^ Such another word & He fend 
 you to Limbo inftantlie. 
 
 Amin. We thanke you, good Dametas. 
 
 dijcouer themjelues 
 
 lulio. I hope youle take reafonable baile for our 
 forth comming. 
 
 c 
 
i8 
 
 Am. The cafe is alrerd with you fince you came 
 out of Archadea. 
 
 Dam. My honorable friends, lulio and Aminter I 
 my felfe and the beft abilitie of my power Hes at 
 your feruice. 
 
 Amin. You fee how confidentlie wee prefume 
 upon your Letters promife in furthering us to at- 
 taine the louers prize. 
 
 Dam. The Dukes daughters are your owne, and 
 in a word thus fhall you attaine em. Some 3 daies 
 hence I will appoint a hunting, to which I will in- 
 vite the Duke & both his daughters : in this hunt 
 will I upon fome fuddaine occafion deuide the 
 traine, and hauing fingled out the two Does I hope 
 you haue wit enough to ftrike. 
 
 Amin. To ftrike ? how meane you ? 
 
 Dametas. As headfmen doe ; of with their 
 maiden-heads ! or, if the Duke offer refiftance, of 
 with his crowne too. 
 
 lulio. That were violence & cleane oppofite to 
 the intent of the challenge. 
 
 Dam. Come, ye are fhallow : too't vi et armis, 
 too't. He be your fecond : thinke of the crowne : 
 ha my Letters trauaild for you, my wit wrought for 
 you, and my inuention fweat for you to poffeffe you 
 of your loues and feate you in the Dukedome, & 
 come you now with *tis violence and againft the 
 intent of the challenge ' ? I am aftiamed to heare 
 you. 
 
 lulio. Nay, Dametas^ and your refolution be fo 
 
19 
 
 forward, ours fhal ouertake you : wee doubted leaft 
 the preferments your Lord hath heapt upon you 
 had fmotherd your affeftion to us ward. 
 
 Amin. That was the father that begot the doubt 
 in us : you will appoint the hunt. 
 
 Dam. Seuer the Duke, deuide the traine, and 
 then — 
 
 lul. Wee ha your meaning. 
 
 Dam. Put it in execution then ; but firft enter- 
 taine fome new difguife, as at our next meeting He 
 informe you. Adiew ! I fhall thinke long till 1 fee 
 you agen. Exit. 
 
 Amin. As a Lawyer doth for his clyant, for a 
 fecond fee. Heeres no ludas ! 
 
 lulio. Yes, and a damnd one to; for hee would 
 betray and fell his maifter. 
 
 Amin. Tis common in fuch bafe-fellowes, fuch 
 Court-fpyders that weaue their webbes of flatterie 
 in the eares of greatneffe ; if they can once entangle 
 them in their quaint trecherie they poyfen em ftraight. 
 
 lulio. They are like unneceflarie wormes who 
 the fon of greatnes creates of the groffe and flimie 
 multitude : as foone as they recouer ftrength they 
 eate into the credite of true borne gentrie, under- 
 mine and worke out the true nobilitie to inroote & 
 eftablifh themfelues. 
 
 Am. And in the end, like Efops ftaru'd fnake, 
 hauing lapt the fweet milk of greatnes, made them- 
 felues ftrong in authoritie and friendes, they turne 
 their flings of enuie into their preferuers bofome, 
 
20 
 
 lul. The example liues in this DametaSj who, 
 notwithftanding the Duke hath raifd him to that 
 height that he lookes equall with himfelfe, yet for 
 the bafe hope of incertaine gouernment hee offers him 
 to fale : but let his treafon liue to the laft minute. 
 
 Amin. For my part lie make that ufe of him 
 that Phifitions do of poyfon ; ufe as much of him 
 as ferues for mine honeft intent & caft downe the 
 reft as unfit for any neceffary imployment. 
 
 lulio. Let our carriage in this attempt put on 
 no (how of violence either to the Duke or his 
 daughters. 
 
 Amin. And let our difcourfe goe fo fmoothly 
 apparrelled that it moue not the patience of the 
 moft tender eare. 
 
 lulio. About it then : though his intent be bafe, 
 Our enterprife fhall weare a noble face. Exeunt, 
 
 [Scene IV.] 
 
 Enter Lifander like an Amazon. 
 
 Lijan. 
 
 ARchadea, thou heauen within whofe fpheare 
 The ftarre that guides my motion is fixt, 
 I court thy gracious bofome with a kiffe 
 For this admittance. In thine amorous armes 
 Faire Violetta^ fayrer then the flower 
 That chriftned her and grac't her with that name. 
 Doe play the wanton : 
 Onely her P'ather Ijke a couetous Churle, 
 
21 
 
 Owner of that unvalewed Diamond, 
 
 Hath made this defart He th' unwilling cheft 
 
 In which he locks her. But the fayre aduantage 
 
 Of this large challenge and my ftarres to friend, 
 
 Ayded by this difguife I fhall break ope 
 
 His yron Cafket and inlarge my hope. 
 
 Enter Dametas and ManaJJes. 
 
 Manaf. This way fhe went, fir ; this way. 
 
 Dam. But I fay, this way : I would thou fhould 
 know we olde Courtiers can hunt a Cony and put 
 her to the fqueake & make her cry out like a young 
 married wife of the firft night. 
 
 Manaf. For more helpe, as fome of them haue 
 done : 
 But there fhe is. 
 
 Dam. He upon her prefently : dooft heare me, '4 
 firra ; thou vefi^al of infirmitie, woman ; and by \ 
 thy out-fide little better then one of the wicked : 
 come hether, and fliow thy felfe before us, fhow 
 thy felfe before Dametas. 
 
 Li/an. Dametas ! Lijander then diflemble. 
 For hee's the man muft worke thy ent[e]rance. 
 
 Dam. What art thou } fpeake. 
 
 Lifan. My mother is the Queene of Amazons ; 
 My felfe a virgin married unto Armes 
 And bold atchieuements, who haue pac'd the world 
 In queft of fayre Antiope^ my fifter; 
 
 ' The 4tos. read ' Antiofte' : I have adopted the corredion 
 of the Editor of 1831. 
 
22 
 
 And, turning homeward, the inconftant windes 
 And wrathfull Neptune caft me on this fhore. 
 
 Dame. And whats your bufines now you are 
 landed. 
 
 Lijan. My bufines is priuate with the Duke. 
 
 T>am. The Duke is bufie and fhall fpeake with 
 no body. 
 
 LiJan. I befeech you fir. 
 
 Dam. Tis no befeeching matter I afTure you, 
 
 Manaf. No, neuer befeech for the matter ; for 
 except you could befeech with the tongue of Angels 
 tis to no purpofe with him. 
 
 Li/an. Tis ftrange; I haue heard thy maifter is 
 a very good man where he takes. 
 
 ManaJ. True, where he takes he is; but hee takes 
 nothing of you, and therefore looke for no kindnefle 
 from him. 
 
 Lifan. Good; and dooft thou take after thy 
 maifter .'' 
 
 Ma. No, madam, I take commonly afore my 
 maifter ; for where he takes he takes all and leaues 
 nothing for me to take. 
 
 Lifan. Oh, I feele your meaning. 
 
 Ma. Let my Maifter haue fome feeling of yours 
 and heele prefer your fute. 
 
 Lifa. Tis not the Dukes pleafure Peticioners 
 fhould buy theyr accefle. 
 
 Ma. Als one : tis my maifters pleafure and ufuall 
 fafhion. 
 
 Li/an. And I muft mantaine the faftiion : Wor- 
 
23 
 
 fhipfull Dametas, my late (hipwrack, as you fee, 
 hath made a defeate both of my friends and trea- 
 fure: notwithftanding, Fortune hath referu'd me 
 one leweU which, if I might requeft your worfhippe 
 in loue to accept and be a meanes to worke my 
 admittance to the Duke, I fhould become a true 
 detter to your loue. 
 
 Dame. Well, Madam, tho I hate nothing more 
 then a man that takes brybes, yet preft by your 
 importunitie and that you tender it in loue, leaft I 
 might feeme too nice to withftand a Ladies fauour. 
 He weare it for your fake ; and if the Duke be not 
 too bufily imployd worke your accefle. 
 
 Lijan. So dooing you fhall performe the office of 
 a dere-bought friend. E.xit Dametas. 
 
 ManaJ. How quickly the tyde s turnde ! but doe 
 you heare Madam? tho I take neither afore nor 
 after my Maifter, yet take my counfell & doe not 
 truft my maifter. Jf you haue a fute to the Duke 
 keepe it to yourfelfe ; for if you truft my maifter 
 with it heele prefer it for you but heele begt for 
 himfelfe. 
 
 LiJan. Thats plaine coofnage. 
 Ma. Fie, no tis cunning in him : marry twould 
 bee though little better then coofnage in a country 
 gentleman : but he returnes. 
 
 Enter Dametas agen. 
 Dam. Madam, I haue beene earneft, very earneft 
 with the Duke for your admittance. 
 
24 
 
 Lifan. And haue you wrought it ? 
 
 Dam. I haue : marry you muft thinke I beftowd 
 much labor int. 
 
 Lifan. Tmay be you did. 
 
 Da. Tmay be you did ! & looke a fcance Hke a 
 Pothecaries wife pounding Colliquintida ! haue my 
 braines fweat for this ? 
 
 Lifan, Why the lewell is right, Dametas ; had I 
 but an Afle that would fweat me fuch pearle. 
 
 Dame. An Afle and fweat fuch pearle ! He bar 
 her admittance : heere, take your lewell : the Duke 
 will allow no admittance, & I will keepe you 
 backe. 
 
 Lifan. Keepe mee backe ! thou couldft doe no 
 more and I were a poore mans peticioner. 
 
 Dame. And He doe fo much beeing a rich pe- 
 ticioner. 
 
 Lifan. You cannot, fir. You Court fpaniell, 
 you unneceflarie muflirump that in one night 
 art fprung out of the roote of greatnes, I haue 
 bought my admittance and He hate in dfpetto del 
 fato. 
 
 Da. I muft admit her : thefe Ladies are fo in- 
 ward with our tricks theres no good to be done 
 uppon them : well, Madam, your admittance is 
 open ; will ye follow ? 
 
 Lijan. With all my hart, fir. He be the blind 
 man and poore peticioner, and thou fhalt play the 
 Court fpaniell with the filuer bell & lead me into 
 the Prefence. 
 
25 
 
 Dam. Court fpaniell ! mum; He bofome what I 
 thinke : 
 Old Gibs not blind ; I fee altho I winke. Exeunt. 
 Finis AEIus primi. 
 
 [Act II, Scene i.] 
 
 Enter Demetrius y a Prince, attyred like a woodman ; 
 with him his Page. 
 
 Deme. 
 
 BOy, how dooft like me in this attyre ? 
 Page. As the audience doe a bad play, fcuruely. 
 
 Deme. Is it not ftrange a prince fhould be thus 
 metamorphofed ? 
 
 Page. Not fo ftrange as the metamorphofis of 
 A-jax,^ and like your grace. 
 
 Dem. Grace ! you Aggot, haft not forgot that yet? 
 
 Page. No, and yet tis a wonder I ha not, grace 
 beeing fo feldome vfde, Ime fure they fay none at 
 fome Ordenaries, for at fitting down they cannot 
 intend it for hunger, and at rifing up they are either 
 drunke or haue fuch mind a dice they neuer remem- 
 bert, my Lord, then. Deme. No more Lord, firra. 
 
 Page. Indeede there are many already ; but is 
 not this ftrange that rich men ft^ould forfake their 
 titles ? maifter, then. 
 
 Deme. Your will, fir? 
 
 Page. You haue left many Countries behind you 
 
 ' 410s. Aiax. 
 D 
 
26 
 
 in feeking your friend Lijander and yet you cannot 
 find him, Dem. True fir. 
 
 Fage. I ha feene much golde lying vppon Lom- 
 bards ftalls and could neuer finger penny of it. 
 
 Deme. Very well. 
 
 Page. Nay, twas not well, fir. 
 
 Dem. What conclude you then ? 
 
 Page. That you were beft fit downe and fee 
 what you ha got by your iourney. 
 
 Deme. I haue feene a face as beautifull as heauen. 
 
 Page. Thats nothing : a prifoner fees the face of 
 heauen itfelfe when hee lookes but out of the prifon 
 gate. He ftand toote a man were as good be hangd, 
 fo a meet a handfome hangman & a ftrong rope, as 
 be in loue. Deme, Your reafon for that ? 
 
 Page. Mary, this, fir : hanging is end of all trou- 
 ble & loue the beginning. Nay further I think a 
 Lover ^ cannot be fau'd, for hee is of all religions. 
 
 Dem. Your proofe for that. 
 
 Page. This : hee thinks with the Atheift theres 
 no God but his Miftris ; with the Infidel no heauen 
 but her fmiles ; with the Papift no purgatory but her 
 frownes ; & with the Familie of Loue hold it law- 
 full to lie with her though fiie be another mans wife. 
 
 Dem. So, fir ; what followes .'' 
 
 Page. Seruingmen, fir : the Maifter goes in be- 
 fore his wife & the feruingman followes his maifter. 
 
 ' Ed. 1606 'Lord': a printed note at the end amufingly 
 correfts one mifprint by another — ' In B. the laft page, for Lord, 
 read loue cannot be faued.' 
 
47 
 
 Deme. Syrra, forbeare ; I muft meditate. 
 Page. As the Vfurer before he parts with mony, 
 meditate vppon the afliirance. 
 
 Enter Lifander priuately and ouer-heares them. 
 
 Li/an. If Violettaes prefence ha not quencht 
 The memory of all things but herfelfe 
 I fhould be more famihar with that face. 
 
 Jhroud £ff objerue. 
 
 Dem. I haue left my country to feeke out my 
 friend. 
 
 Lijan. And I my country and my friend for loue. 
 
 Dem. And in the fearch of him haue loft my- 
 felfe 
 In the ftrange Region of a womans eye. 1^ 
 
 LiJan. In loue and in Archadea ! 
 
 Dem. As much as heauen tranfcends the humble 
 earth 
 So towres her praife ; her face differs as farre 
 From others as a glo-worme from a ftarre : 
 She is a princeffe that my foule affeds. 
 
 Page. And rich. Dem. Halfe heyre unto this 
 Dukedome. 
 
 Page. And fhee were whole heyre to the foure 
 morrall Vertues twere nothing : when fhall I fee the 
 time that men will loue for vertue, or a rich heyre 
 marry a poore wench without a portion ; neuer, I 
 thinke. 
 
 Dem. Had not my friend Lifander — 
 
 Lifan. What of me ? 
 
28 
 
 Dem, Left me in Thrace — 
 
 Lijan. We had neuer met in loue ; 
 His fiUibles betray him: I arreft you. 
 
 Dem. At whofe fute ? Page. Not at his Taylers 
 in any cafe ; for theres no greater ftitch to a younger 
 brothers confcience then to pay for a fute of apparrell 
 when tis worne out. 
 
 Dem. Lijander or his ghoft ! 
 
 Li/an. Demetrius ! 
 Or fome illufiue tenant in his fhape. 
 
 Detn. Vnkind, why didft thou leaue my company ^ 
 
 Lifan. For that which made the amorous Gods 
 leaue heauen — 
 For loue ; but why is Demetrius thus difguifd ^. 
 
 Page. For that which would make a lackanapes 
 a monkey and he could get it, a tayle. Deme. 
 Peace, rogue. 
 
 LiJan. Why, wagge, is thy maifter in loue ? 
 
 Page. Faith, fir, he hath entred his aftion in 
 Cupids court & meanes to proceede in the fute, it 
 fhou'd feeme. 
 
 Deme. Why didft not take my counfell in thy 
 choice ? 
 
 Li/an. Becaufe I feard a chiding : for doubting 
 thine honourable thoughts would not haue con- 
 fented to my effeminate attempts, I ftole this fecret 
 courfe and manner of difguife as beft helping to 
 acceffe, which it hath begot : now what acceffe will 
 bring forth I commit to unborne Induftry. 
 
 Deme. It cannot but be profperuus : onely the 
 
29 
 
 ftriA obferuance of our loues hinders the paflage of 
 our hopes. 
 
 Li/an. Indeed thats not the leaft hhiderance : yet 
 the Duke himfelfe, and my quaint difguife, hath 
 remoued it out of my way ; who not onely takes 
 me for a woman but hath allowd mee for my loues 
 companion. 
 
 Dem. Fortune deales kindly with thee: I am as 
 farre from accefle to my loue as when I was in 
 Thrace. 
 
 Li/an. Dametas is the oyfter-fhell that holds thy 
 pearle : our wits muft fifh for him. 
 
 Dem. Will the Codshead byte? 
 
 Lijan. Like an old Vfurer at a young heyres in- 
 heritance, and I ha't ready hookt for him : and 
 heere he comes : my plot is to preferre thee to his 
 feruice. 
 
 Enter Dametas. 
 
 Dem. Prethe doe, and He ferue him in his right 
 kind. 
 
 Li/an. Dametas^ my loue is yours. 
 
 Dame. Which, madam, I am as proud of — 
 
 ManaJ. As a malecontent of a change or an old 
 Lady of a new fafhion, 
 
 LiJ. To be roLid, I haue a fute to you in the be- 
 halfe of this woodman. 
 
 Da. To me, fweet bloflbm; tho I be fomwhat 
 ftridl in mine office I cannot be ftony to Ladies, 
 Fellow, is thy petition drawne ? 
 
30 
 
 Dem. Peticion? 
 
 ManaJ. Your onely way to mooue a fute by ; 
 'Humbly complayning to your good worfhip/ O 
 tis moft pathetick ! and indeed without money can 
 doe iuft nothing with authoritie. 
 
 Dam. Come hether, ftriphng : whofe fonne wert 
 thou ? 
 
 Dem. I am not fo wife a child as you take me for: 
 I neuer knewe my father. 
 
 Dame. Didft not know thy father ? 
 
 ManaJ. A common fault ; his betters forget them- 
 felues whe they grow rich : then blame not him to 
 forget his father. 
 
 Dam. What was his name } 
 
 Dem. If I may giue credite to my mother they 
 cald him Menalchas., who on his deathbed made 
 mee his heyre with this charge to feeke your wor- 
 fhips feruice, & gaue me this gold as a remembrance 
 to purchafe your fauour. 
 
 Dam. Gold } hem ! ' 
 
 Ma. Now doth my Maifter long more to finger 
 that gold then a young girle married to an old man 
 dooth to runne her hufband afhore at Cuckolds 
 hauen. 
 
 Dame. Well, I could doe for this fatherlefle 
 youth. 
 
 Ma. As many Executors and Ouerfeers haue 
 
 ' Gold? hem! — The reading of the 1633 410. : tlie earlier 
 edition reads ' Gold him' ? Mr. Fleay fuggefts ' Gold ! Him ! 
 i.e. to him^ 
 
31 
 
 doone ; cheate him of his portion and then turne ^■ 
 him out of doores a begging. 
 
 Dam. But, for I haue the gardian-fhip of the 
 Prince, I dare do nothing without the confent of the 
 Duke. 
 
 Li/afj. Come, come, fir ; your worfhip fhall not 
 refufe him. 
 
 Dam. Well then, I wo not; but tis for your 
 fake, I afTure you. 
 
 Man. Meaning the gold. 
 
 Dam. What fhall I call thy name.? 
 
 Dem. Dorus, ant like your worfhip. 
 
 Da. Ah, good Dorus, be an honeft youth, Dorus ; 
 reuerence your Maifter and loue yourfelfe ; be fure 
 to get vnder me and you fhall loofe nothing in my 
 feruice. Madam, the Duke and Dutches expedl you 
 at the hunt & await your comming at Dianaes oake. 
 
 Lifan. He attend them prefently : be a good fer- 
 uaunt, Dorus. 
 
 Dame. Twill be his owne another day. Madam. 
 
 Lifan. In the meane time let it be yours to lead 
 the way. 
 
 Dametas. My feruice doth attend you. 
 
 Ma. As the Purfeuant doth the prifoner, for a 
 double fee. Exit. 
 
 Dem. Welcome flaue to a flave, a fayre prefage — 
 The hope of loue fweetens loues vaffalage. Exit. 
 
32 
 
 [Scene II.] 
 
 Enter Aminter and lulio, at tyred like Satyres. 
 Amin. 
 
 NOw, & Dametas be the mettle he was ftampt 
 for, a right villaine — 
 
 lulio. And he be not, hang him ! 
 
 Am. Nay, he deferues hanging to if he bee ; but 
 will you truft him ? 
 
 /;//. Yes, as farre as I fee him ; and hee that 
 trufts him further my truft is he will be deceiud. 
 
 Amin. Indeede he that will proue falfe to his 
 maker wil be true to no man. 
 
 lul. Yes, for the prefent time, like a bawde, to 
 him that giues moft. 
 
 Amin. Thats not for loue. 
 
 lul. Yes, of the mony : he that lookes for other 
 loue in this age — This is the place his Letter fpeakes 
 of; and here he comes himfelfe. 
 
 Enter Dametas^ like a Hunt/man. 
 
 Dam. Why, fo ; lo, now is the web of my hopes 
 vpon the loombe of perfection : ftand in this queach 
 of bufties,^ Aminter and lulio. 
 See and fee not ; all mum : you know your que : 
 The games your owne if you can hunt it true. 
 
 ' The 4tos. read 'and in this quech of lalhes': the emenda- 
 tion is due to the Editor of I 83 I. Mr. Fleay very plaufibly 
 luggefts ' larches.' 
 
33 
 
 Enter the Duke, Baftlius. 
 
 Baftl. Dametas, were thine eares euer at a more 
 muficall banquet? How the hounds mouthes, like 
 bells, are tuned one vnder another, like a floth- 
 fulnes ? ^ the fpeed of the cry out-ran my fence of 
 hearing. 
 
 Dam, CrofTe ouer the forreft to Dianas oake, my 
 Hedge ; & there your grace, advantagde by the 
 height of the ground, fhall not onelie at pleafure 
 heare but be eye-witnes to their muficall conten- 
 tion. 
 
 Bas. Thanks, good Dametas ; be thy diredlions 
 our wiues conuoy. Exit. 
 
 Enter Gynetia, Violetta and Hippolita. 
 
 Gyn. Where is his highnes, Dametas ? 
 
 Dam. At Adonis bower. Madam, where he ex- 
 pefts your prefence to fee the flefhing of a couple 
 of Spartane hounds in the wafting blood of the 
 fpent Deare. 
 
 Gyne. Thankes, good Dametas, mine eyes would 
 not be good friends with my feete fhould they not 
 bring em to that kingly fport. 
 
 Dame. Sweet Ladies, to faue you the expence of 
 much breath which muft be laid out in the purchafe 
 of the game, I haue prouided you this ftand from 
 
 ^ There is fome corruption here, but I have no fatisfaftory 
 emendation to fuggeft, 
 
 £ 
 
34 
 
 whence vour eyes may be commaunders of the 
 fport, fuch fport as you little dreame of. 
 
 Viol. We are your loues detters, kind Dametas. 
 As I loue vertue I pittie thefe poore beaftes, 
 Thefe Syluane comoners, to fee what tafkes 
 Our couetous Forrefters impofe vpon them ; 
 Who not content with import of their breath 
 (Poore harts) purfue them fmiling to their death. 
 
 Dame. Twas the end of their creation. Madam. 
 
 Hip. So was the end of ours to Hue in peace 
 And not to tyrannife on harmeleffe beaftes ; 
 But Forrefters, like Images, fet forth 
 The tyrannic of greatnefl'e without pittie : 
 As they the Deare, fo couetous wealth purfues 
 The trembling ftate of their inferiors ; 
 And, to clafpe vp the volume of their finnes. 
 They drinke theyr blood and clothe them with their 
 
 fkinnes. 
 Then ceafe to prefTe poore beafts with tyrannic : 
 You loue your Hues; thinke they are loth to die. 
 
 Dam. You are too tender-hearted to be a good 
 huntfwoman, lady. 
 
 Viol. And fome of you too hard-harted; but 
 leauing this difcourfe of hunting, haue all our gal- 
 lantry of Lacedemon and Greece fpent the vigor of 
 their wits that not one dares venter .'' 
 
 Hip. For our loues, fifter ^ you may fee the pro- 
 perer women the worfe luck. 
 
 Dam. Tufti, you ftiall haue futers; feare not, 
 madam. 
 
35 
 
 Hip. No, at any hand fifter; for with a feare it 
 comes. 
 
 Viol, Then He feare of purpofe, becaufe I would 
 haue em come. 
 
 Dam. And they doe not they are notable cowards. 
 
 Hip. Then let em keepe away ftill, for I haue 
 vowed my maidenhead fhall neuer doe homage to 
 the bed of a coward. 
 
 Dame. Sweet Ladies, will you beguile a minute 
 or two with this difcourfe till I ftep up to the top 
 of the hill and make difcouerie of the game ? 
 
 Viol. Let your returne be fpeedy, good Dametas. 
 
 Dam. He put on wings and flie. Exit. 
 
 Viol. Out of the Court ; and the whole Country 
 fhall haue a good riddance. 
 
 Amin. So hee hath put em faire to the Hand ; lets 
 iflue and furprife them. 
 
 lulio. Be refolute and fuddaine. 
 
 Aminter and lulio ijfue out and beare them away. 
 Viol. Murther ! treafon ! refkue ! helpe ! 
 
 Enter., firji Dametas and then the Duke. 
 
 Dam. Yes, much refkewe, much helpe, much 
 Dametas ! why, fo ; this ieft was drawn home clofe 
 to the head, it cannot chufe but cleaue the very 
 white of our hopes, the Dukes wit : to thy tackle, 
 good wit; fome fuddaine fea roome or our ftratagem 
 is run aground. 
 
 Bajil. Tell me, Dametas, was not the Deare a 
 
36 
 
 prodigal 1 ? did he not fpend his breath freely 
 amongft vs? 
 
 Dam. And his blood too, my liege : but did you 
 obferue how the hounds, like politicians, nofd out 
 the game ? 
 
 Ba. True; & comming to the lofTe, Melampus 
 — but where are our daughters ? 
 
 Da. Did you obferue that, my liege ? that Me- 
 lampus is a true hound : as euery horn cheerd or 
 holloa, yet he kept time too/ 
 
 Ba. Certaine, Dame/as : but where are our daugh- 
 ters man ? 
 
 Da. Bufie, my Lord, vnder a brake bufh, difput- 
 ing of the vertue of fweet water and ground luie. 
 
 Cry within^ ' treajon ! murder ! rejkew ! helpe ' / 
 
 Ba. What cry of treafons that, Dameias, 
 
 * The reading of the 4tos. is quite unintelligible : — ' Did you 
 obferue that my liege, that Melampus as a true hound is ever 
 horcc cheerd or hollow, yet he kept time to.' I have emended 
 the paffagc to the beft of my ability: the Editor of 183 1 leaves it 
 as he found it. Day had in his mind a paflage of the Arcadia, 
 Book I : — ' Their crie being compofcd of fo well forted mouthes 
 that any man would perceive therein fome kind of proportion, 
 but the Ikilfull woodmen did find a muficke. Then delight and 
 variety of opinion drew the horfemen fundry wayes ; yet cheering 
 (heir houndes with voyce a?id home kept Jlill {tis it were) together.* 
 Ed. 1605, p. 34. (Mr. Fleay would mend my emendation as 
 follows: — 'Did you oblerve that (my liege), that Melampus is 
 a true hound as ever horn cheerd or hollo yet kept time to.') 
 
37 
 
 Pray God no danger fets vpon my daughters : 
 Seeke out our wife, He haft vnto their refkue 
 
 Da. And my fword vnemployd ? alleageance 
 fayes nay to that, my Liege. I am for the aduen- 
 ture myfelfe, (if they bee furprifd I am a mad man) ; 
 your grace fhall heare more (if not, I am more 
 forrie ; your grace fhal heare more to) : make peace 
 with your thoughts till my returne, and doubt not 
 their recouery. 
 
 Enter the Duches with her daughters Demetrius 
 Lijander i^c. 
 
 Gyn. Speake, where's the Duke ? 
 
 Baft. Heere, my Genitia. 
 What meane thefe weapons; are our daughters 
 fafe? 
 
 Viol. As a thiefe in a mill, father ; we thanke our 
 redeemers. 
 
 Dam. The more my griefe: were you furprifd 
 then, madam ? 
 
 Hip. Yes fayth, Dametas. 
 
 Da. And how, fweet Ladies, and how were you 
 refkewed ? 
 
 Gyne. Beeing furprifd, this gallant Amafon 
 Preft to their refkew : had you feene what worth 
 She and this woodman fpent in our defence. 
 Wonder would ha bereft you of all fence : 
 She raifde her fword with fuch a manly grace 
 As, had not her mild fexe contrould my thoughts, 
 I could haue falne in loue with her high worth. 
 
38 
 
 Li/an. You ouer price vs, madam ; not our 
 defert 
 But the weake fpirrits of our oppofites 
 Gaue lufter to the dimnes of our worth. 
 
 Bafil. It pleafe your modefty to leflbn it. 
 But it fhall ftill Hue great in our regard : 
 What woodmans that ? 
 
 Dame. My follower, my Jiege. 
 
 Bafil. What ere he be he hath deferu'd our loue : 
 Fellow, be neere vs, and for this defert 
 Performd againft thofe Traytors to our blood, 
 Vnder thy maifter we giue thee an attendant 
 To garde the life and fafetie of our daughter 
 
 Hip. Thanke you, good father : who euer loofe 
 bv the bargaine I ha got me a feruant by the match : 
 Wot ferue me fellow? 
 
 Dent. In the beft I can: 
 In hart your fellow, though in fhow your man. 
 
 Hip. lie try your dutious feruice ; I command 
 Your knee to kifle the ground, your lip my hand. 
 
 Deme. Pardon me, Madam 
 
 Hippol. Heres hote love ! no doubt 
 I may commaund my man and — goe without. 
 
 Baftl. Truce to this ayrie warre; thefe paper 
 bullets 
 Better become a ClofTet then a Parke : 
 The Forreft mufick is to heare the hounds 
 Rend the thin ayre and with a luftie cry 
 Awake the drowfie Eccho, and confound 
 Their perfed language in a mingled found. 
 
39 
 
 Then to the Court ; our Forrefl: fport beeing done, 
 A fecond chace of louelier fport's begunne. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Dem. If fortune croiTe not what our hopes purfue 
 
 Our feares haue met theyrdeaths, our loues they r due. 
 
 Exit. 
 Dame. Croft in my hopes ! the Ladies reflcewed 
 and the Princes, like crauens, beate out of the game- 
 place ! my inuention muft turne trauailer for more 
 ftratagems : what & I fhould difcouer their plot to 
 the Duke ? attach them for tray tors and begge their 
 lands for my labour? Though they be my friends 
 twere a pretty parcell of pollicie. 
 / All things are lawfull that doe profit bring : 
 A wife mans bow goes with a two fold ftring. 
 
 [Scene III.] 
 
 Enter Lijander and Demetrius. 
 Lijan. 
 
 Did euer two princes meete fuch ftrange changes 
 in their loues ? Now we haue wrought our 
 admittance and in a manner got em into our poflef- 
 fions, our hopes, like falfe fires hauing brought vs 
 within ken, vanifh and leaue vs out of all comfort. '^""' '■<^ 
 
 Dem. That the Duke fhould doate vpon thee for ^^' 
 a woman makes for our purpofe, but that the dutches 
 fhould be enamourd on thee for a man is prepoftrous. 
 
 Li/an. Whether my valer fhowne in the refkue 
 of the Ladyes, or the ardent glances her daughters 
 
40 
 
 beauty fteales from mine eyes giue her thoughts in- 
 couragement, I know not ; but her hopes ft and con- 
 fident I am a man, & for that caufe am I bard 
 from accefle. 
 
 Dem. I way thy combrances by mine owne ; for 
 tho by the Dukes allowance I am her priuiledged 
 attendant, yet fuch is the deuiliftines o{ Dametas that 
 I cannot ioy fo much accefte as to confer with her. 
 
 Page. I can compare my lord and his friend to 
 nothing in the world fo fitly as to a couple of water 
 buckets ; for whilft hope winds the one vp difpaire 
 plunges the other downe, whilft I, likej. Harlakene 
 in an Italian comedy, ftand making faces at both 
 their follies. 
 
 Lijan. Well, fince the fhape of our proceeding 
 growes fo monftrous, lets caft our inuentions in a 
 new mold ; and hauing fo firme a foundation as this 
 difguife to build vpon, lets draw the modall and 
 raife the whole frame of our attempts anew. 
 
 Dem. Indeede, louers ftiould be conditioned like 
 tyrants, who hauing the ayme of a crowne in their 
 eye once, runne violently ouer all lets that intervent 
 their courfe ; and fo muft we. 
 
 LiJan. And fo will wee : my refolutions already 
 bent, & if I ftioote not the next leuell I take, Loue, I 
 befeech thee breake thy bow about mine eares and 
 ftrike the homes in my forehead for married men 
 to hang their caps on. 
 
 Dem. I haue met a meanes fit for my purpofe 
 already: Mop/a., Dametas onely daughter, is ouer- 
 
41 
 
 fhooes in loue with me ; & to her He faine extreame 
 ardor of affedlion, and make her the fhadowe under 
 which He court the true fubftance of my deuine 
 Hippolita. 
 
 Li/an. About it, then : He fweat my inuention 
 to death but He ouertake thee ; but heere comes 
 one of my Burres: I muft beare his importunitie 
 for no reafonable deniall will brufh him of 
 
 Enter the Duke. 
 
 Baftl. Zelmane ! Li/an. My Liedge ! 
 
 Bajil. My thoughts come like a faile afore the 
 wind, fwolne big with newes ; and thine eares, the 
 midwife, muft deliuer me of this burthen : my 
 Dutches is fick, hartficke for thee, Zelmane. 
 
 Li/an. For mee? why, my Lord, I am no Rofa 
 Jolis nor Aqua mirabilis to recouer ficke folkes. 
 
 Bafil. Shall I be fhort with thee ? My Ladle's in 
 loue with thee. 
 
 Li/an. "With mee, my Lord? 
 
 Baftl. With thee, my Lady: her amorous glances 
 are her accufers, her very lookes write Sonnets in 
 thy comendations ; fhee carues thee at board and 
 cannot fleepe for dreaming on thee in bedde ; fhee's 
 turnd funn-rifer, haunts priuate walkes & like a 
 difgraft Courtier ftudies the Art of melancholy. 
 
 Lifan. Now alas, good Lady ! 
 
 Bajil. Nay, neuer pitty her, fhe deferues none : 
 rather lets bend our indeuers to intangle her more. 
 To fee the kindnes of Fortune ! who fearing we 
 
 F 
 
42 
 
 fhould be acquainted with follitude in this our 1 2 
 month retirement hath begot a domefticall merri- 
 ment and made our own thoughts adlors int: and 
 as bad a Poet as I am He ha one fceanc int of mine 
 owne inuention. 
 
 Lijan. Dametas will ftorme at that, for he cannot 
 indure Poetrie fhould be countnanft : but how ift, 
 my Liege? 
 
 Bafil. Tis ready plotted already; and that the 
 Dutches may not find thee vnprouided when fhe 
 comes to court thee, — 
 
 Li/an. Court me ! court a woman, my Liedge ! 
 
 Baftl. Why, thats the very happinefTe of the ieft : 
 but in any cafe confefle thy felfe a man. 
 
 Li/an. A man, my liedge ! I ha no colour fort. 
 
 Baftl. Tufh, He furnifh thee: fay thou art fome 
 Prince, no matter who, & haft to do with this dif- 
 guife of purpofe to court my daughter Violetta. 
 
 Li. Is this fceane of your owne inuenting, my 
 liege ? 
 
 Ba. Mine owne, yfaith ; and, to confirmt the 
 rather, ufe more oft & priuate conference with my 
 daughter ; interchange difcourfe and amorous dal- 
 liance : oh twill fet my Dutches afFedtions a fire to 
 thinke her riuald by her daughter, and giue vs 
 fmooth paflage to our loue. 
 
 Li. How occafion plaies the wanton with me. 
 Well, my liedge, do but you worke my admittance 
 to your daughter & He beftow al the art I am 
 woorth in courting her : and fee, as if Fortune had 
 
43 
 
 a hand in our Comedy, fhe hath entred the Dutches 
 iuft at her q^ue : fhadowe yourfelfe in your Arke & 
 leaue me to giue her entertainement. 
 
 Bafil. Forget not to perfonate fome Prince in any 
 cafe. 
 
 Li/an. He warrant you, He play the Prince with 
 much art. 
 
 Enter the Dutches. 
 
 Dutches. This way he went; on this fweet violet bed 
 Still dwells the print of his enamourd tread : 
 The depreft flowers haue ftrengthened their fweete 
 By {lealing amorous kifl"es from his feete. 
 
 Bafil. Abfolure Poet! P(?«^/<5^<? was a ballad maker 
 to her. 
 
 Dutc. Oh do not flie my prefence ; gentle wanton, 
 flay 
 What, haue I found you ? faith you run away : 
 He tye a chaine about your waft for this, 
 And make you buy your freedome with a kifle 
 
 Li/an. Fie, madam, this curteiie is more then 
 needes. 
 
 Dut. Be not fo coy ; let not a louing Dame 
 Find thee lefl^e kind then fencelefte elements. 
 Thou neuer walkft but the enamourd ayre. 
 Like an officious louer, beares thy traine ; 
 Whilft the coole wind doth with his veluet wing 
 Fanne the thinne ayre vpon thy fweatie cheeke, 
 Stealing fweet kifles from thy filken lip. 
 
 Lijan. Shield this vaine breath, beate at fome 
 ladies eare. 
 
44 
 
 Dui. But you are none, you are not ; come, you 
 are not : 
 Your valor, lookes and gefture fhew you are not. 
 Your manly brow and your commaunding eye, 
 Where war and fortune dwell in maieftie, 
 Your priuate walkes and varied paHlons, 
 Your glances to my daughter fure you are not ; 
 And my firme loue is confident you are not 
 
 Ba. There's a louer of a right temper : fheele 
 outface the name of her fexe inftantly. 
 
 LiJ. Well, madam, fith your obferuation hath 
 difcouered mee, vpon promife of your fecrefie I 
 confefTe my felfe a man. 
 
 Bafil. Good, excellent ! how truly ihe takes my 
 direftions. 
 
 Dut. I knew my iudgement could not be deceiud. 
 Nor durft proud loue haue done me fo much wrong 
 To caft my thoughts vnto a womans eye. 
 
 Baftl. Loue durft not ! good, good, excellent ; 
 what next ! 
 
 Lifan. But, madam, now I am knowne to you, 
 what further requeft you ? 
 
 Dut. Exchange of lookes, and freedome of thy 
 bed; 
 Thy prefence, thy embracements, thy kind loue 
 For which my amorous thoughts haue long line 
 ficke. 
 
 Bafil. Thanke you, good wife : nay, & a Dutches 
 long to giue her hufbands the horning, let it neuer 
 greeue butchers to doe homage at Cuckolds hauen. 
 
45 
 
 Li/an. Well, madam, to giue content to your 
 affeftions (and in a ftrong hope you will mediate 
 my fute to your daughter) fort out but fit time and 
 opportunitie (and maifter your defires). 
 
 Baji. And he were a man now I might be rarely 
 tupt. 
 
 Dut. Giue me thy hand then : with this amorous 
 kifle 
 I feale thee mine. Li/. And I confirmt with this. 
 
 Bafil. Rare, rare, rare ! fhe's his, feald and de- 
 liuerd in the prefence of her hufband. 
 
 Dut. Now, leaft my hufband ihould fufped our 
 loue — 
 
 Ba. Now what fhadow for that now } 
 ^ Dut. Heare a good ieft : perfwade him th'art a 
 "Woman. 
 
 Lif. Thats not to doe now, madam ; for he as 
 confidently belieues and ardently courts me for a 
 woman as you for a man. 
 
 Dut. Good, excellent: maintaine that humor ftill ; 
 Seeme coy, looke nice and, as we weomen vfe, 
 Be mild and proud, imbrace and yet refufe. 
 
 Bafil. Excellent vertues in a woman. 
 
 Dut. I prethe doe ; twill be a fceane of mirth 
 For me to quote his pafTions and his fmiles. 
 His amorous hauiour and how his eye 
 Will beget ftrange varietie of lookes 
 And fhoote em into thine; but the cheefe fports this 
 To fee an old man with a young man kifie. 
 
 Exit Dut. 
 
46 
 
 Baft. To fee an old Dutches a young Lady kifie! 
 Now the plot packs the fceanes all comicall : 
 I cannot fpeake for laughter, to fee thefe women, 
 That would be counted wonders for their wit, 
 Lay plots to gull themfelues: filly conceit. 
 
 LtJ. To take me for a man ! 
 
 Baft. And arme herfelfe 
 To laugh at me ! make iefts and fcoffes at me ! 
 But footh her humor ; the reuenge fheede throw 
 Vpon my head fhall fall on her owne brow. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Lif. Vpon you both : fo, fo, fo ! how greedily 
 their inuentions like bugles followes the fent of 
 their own gullery : yet thefe are no fooles, God 
 forbid, not they ! 
 
 But to the drift : mirth in my warme blood fits. 
 Laughing at this diuifion of their wits. 
 
 [Scene IV.] 
 
 Enter Violetta and Hippolita. 
 
 Hip. 
 
 WOtte beleeue me, fifter, I neuer eate a cherry 
 but it puts me in mind of a hufband : it 
 ^^ -^ kin*es my lippes with fuch harmlefle prettines. 
 
 yH. Now in good deede lo I loue em a life to : 
 I thinke I fhall neuer ha my belly full on em. 
 Hip. Of what ; not of hufbands, Violetta ? 
 Vio. No of cherries, Hippolita ; but take heede 
 of em, they be a verie filling meate and dangerous 
 
47 
 
 things for vs maides. I can tell you wee may furfet 
 after em prefently. 
 
 Hip. Surfet after what ? a hufband ? 
 
 Vio. I, and after cherries to, Hippolita. 
 
 Hip. I warrant you, fifler : an old lady in Lace- 
 demon taught mee a preferuatiue againft that. 
 
 Vio. For the loue of cherries, what ? 
 
 Hip. Marry, this it was : ftil, fayd fhe, betwixt 
 euery cherry, faid fhee, be fure to cracke a ftone, 
 faid fhee. 
 
 Viol. Then let me alone : He cracke a couple of 
 ftones betwixt eurie cherry rather then furfet on em. 
 
 Hip. You muft take heede you cracke not too 
 many to, for you may furfet of the ftone as well as 
 of the cherry. 
 
 Vi. Nay, & they be fuch dangerous things, I 
 haue done with em. 
 
 Hip. So haue I to for this time : but, fifter, is it 
 not a ftrange kind of feruile libertie that we Hue in 
 heere in Archadea ? 
 
 Vil. For all the world as Engliftimen keepe their 
 fellons & Italians their wiues ; we neuer ftirre 
 abroad without our laylors. 
 
 Hip. And for what caufe forfooth ? onely to 
 keepe vs fro mariage. 
 
 Vil. Sure tis eyther fome high content or extreame 
 difcommoditie that our father debarrs vs of it. 
 
 Hip. By this ftone, methinks I long like a woman 
 with child till I know the difference betwixt a maid 
 and a wife. 
 
48 
 
 P'iol. Well, god a mercyofall curfenfoules: I was 
 neere the knowledge ont laft night, I can tell you. 
 
 Hip. O that I had beene with thee, I might ha 
 beene To to : for loue of marriage, how ? 
 
 Vio. Why thus : as I lay flumbering in my bed. 
 No creature with me but my maydenhead — 
 
 Hip. Is that a creature ? 
 
 Viol. Some maintaine it is 
 Got in the eye, conceiued in a kifTe ; 
 Others, whofe fpeech feeme neere akin to truth, 
 Say tis a pafTion bred ith heate of youth ; 
 Some callt a figh, and fome an amorous grone ; 
 All differ in the definition : 
 But, in the allowd opinion of moft, 
 Tis neuer truly had till it be loft. — 
 But lying thus alone, as maydes doe ufe, 
 Methought I dreampt, as maydes can hardly chufe, 
 And in my dreame me thought twas too much wrong 
 A prettie maid fhould lie alone fo long : 
 With that a gallant comes, gallants can doe 
 Much with young maydes — 
 
 Hip. And with old women to. 
 
 Vio. He courted me once and agen and thrice 
 (Tis vertue to fay nay, to be too nice 
 Agrees not with my humor ; yet fome fay 
 We maydes wifh things to which we aunfwere nay) ; 
 Breefely me thought he ftood fo long a wooing 
 I rather could a wifht he had beene dooing 
 Some other bufines ; yet at laft we greed — 
 Twere ftrange if earneft futers ftiould not fpeede. 
 
49 
 
 Hip. In what agreed you. 
 
 Viol. In our wedding ring, 
 Time, place and houre ; indeede in euerything. 
 The day appointed, and each thing in frame, 
 I thought each howre an age vntill it came : 
 Well, come it is ; the morning once in fight, 
 I thought it tenne times longer till twas night : 
 At dinner time me thought I fweld with pride 
 To be drunke to by name of Miftris bride : 
 Muficke fpake loude, no delicates were fcant 
 Yet ftill me thought another thing did want ; 
 For, fure, thought I, theres fomething in a man 
 That wiues loue well, hope brides may wifh it than. 
 Long lookt for comes at laft : to bed we goe — 
 
 Hip. Would I had dreampt; I might ha done fo to. 
 
 Viol. My bed mate turnd, and as he would ha 
 fpoke ; 
 I fweat with feare, and in that feare I woke : 
 But, feeing my kind bed fellow was gone. 
 Lord how it chaft me that I wakt fo foone : 
 One minute dreaming longer I had tride 
 The difference twixt a virgin and a bride. 
 
 Hip. O twould ha vext a faint ; my blood would 
 burne 
 To be fo neere and miffe fo good a turne. 
 
 Vio. And fo did mine to, I warrant you : nay, 
 tho I be but a little pot, I fhall be as foone hote as 
 another. 
 
 Hip. You fhould not be my fifter elfe. 
 
 Vio. Nor my mothers daughter neither. Hip, 
 
 G 
 
5° 
 
 And in good earneft we are not fatherd much amis. 
 Viol. Are you auifd of that ?. and y faith tell me 
 what thinke you of your feruant Dorus. 
 
 Hip. As of a fweet Almond in a rugged fhell, 
 the fun in a clowde or a welthy diamond in a rock ; 
 indeede, cleane contrary to the world, he weares the 
 worft fide outward & is much better then he feemes : 
 but what thinke you of your manly Amazon ? 
 
 Vio. Nay, the fport is I know not vvhat to thinke: 
 ^ Zelmanes humor would afford proietfl for a pretty 
 Court comedie : my father courts her for a woman, 
 and as I feare fhee is; my mother doates vppon 
 her for a man, and as I wifh he were, and that with 
 fuch an ardor of affeftion that I could finde in my 
 hart to turne my mother out of the companie and 
 play the louers part my felfe. 
 
 Hip. How euer, man or woman, the reft holds 
 currant in one. 
 
 Fio. I knowe not what knaulfh motion hath to 
 doe with my thought, but my mind tells me that 
 your feruant Dorus & my Amazon are other then 
 they feem ; and heere he comes. 
 
 Enter fir Jl Lijander^ then Mi/Oj Mopfa^ Demetrius. 
 
 Mi/o. Why how now, madam Ladies ? gadding ! 
 is this the obedience to your fathers charge ! 
 
 Li/an. Pardon Miftris Mi/o, twas my dooing 
 and the Dukes. 
 
 Mi/o. But the Dutches will like neither the 
 
51 
 
 Dukes doings nor yours neither in this cafe, I can 
 tell you. The Duke ftaies your comming & yet 
 the Dutches is very defirous ont : my hufband is in 
 the next Arbor to man you. For you, Lady, my 
 prefence be your priuiledge. 
 
 Li. Mifo fhould be either a hangman or a Herald, 
 for fliee neuer comes amongfl; vs but fhe quarters 
 our company and armes. 
 
 De. Excellent beautie, & therefore more excellent 
 becaufe fetuate in fo faire a creature ! Mopf. You 
 are a merry man, Dorus, but all this cannot make 
 me thinke you loue me: how fay you, mother? 
 doth he ? 
 
 Mi. Mary let him chofe, daughter ; when I was 
 as thou art — 
 
 Hip. You were as fhe is ; but faith, madam 
 Mop/a^ I perceiue my feruant Dorus beares a months 
 minde to you : be not fo ftraight laced to him. 
 Mop. Straight lac'd ! fgod mend me, I am not lac'd 
 at all ; am I Dorus ? no, in foth, I goe wide ope 
 wenfdays ! I neuer lace myfelfe but on fondaies, & 
 that for feare I fhould burft with eating of plum 
 porridge. Hip. I meane let fall fome comfortable 
 lookes on your futer. 
 
 Mop. Sgod mend mee. He let fall or take vp any 
 thing I haue, to doe him good. Hip. Why thats 
 kindly faid : & Dorus your loue is verie ambitious 
 to climbe fo hie as the beautifull Mop/a ? 
 
 Mop. O are you avifd of that ? I wold make a 
 horfe breake his bridle to heare how the youth of 
 
52 
 
 the village will commend me : oh the prettie little 
 pincking eyes of Mop/a^ faies one ; oh the fine flat 
 lippes of Mop/ay faies another ; and then doe I 
 bridle my head like a malt-horfe, thus; fet mine 
 armes a kembo thus, wrethe my necke and my 
 bodie thus, winke with one eye thus, & fpread my 
 peacocks tayle as broad as the proudeft minx of 
 em all. 
 
 Hip. Thefe extraordinary graces muft not want 
 admiration: but where's your mother? Mifo. Speake 
 foftly in the Lobby there for waking my Ladies 
 foifting hound. Mop. Godfme my mothers dealing 
 of a nap. 
 
 Hip. Nay fhe cannot be faid to (teale a nap for 
 the noife fhe makes herfelfe would difcouer her 
 theft: but, DoruSj fith your fortunes are poore you 
 fhould ftudie to enoble your deferts and beget 
 effedls worthy to court and win your Ladies ac- 
 ceptance. 
 
 Dem. Lafl*e madam I chufe no better moderater 
 then your felfe betwixt me and my vnworthy fer- 
 uices — Suppofe your felfe, tho but a Cucko compard 
 with this fweet (inging Nitingale, fhould be fued to 
 by a prince like me, I meane like me in loue, for 
 loue in princes & pefants admits coparifon ; fup- 
 pofe Demetrius fhould in like defguife court you, as I 
 doe Mop/a ; figh for you, as I doe for Mopfa ; 
 kneele to you thus as 1 doe to Mopfa; lay downe 
 his life to you ; as I doe to Mopfa ; prefer your 
 good before his owne, as I protefl to do Mopfaes ; 
 
53 
 
 fuppofe he fhould fhow you the known marke of 
 his necke to afllire you he were Demetrius as I do 
 this to Mop/a to witnes I am Ton of Menalchas : 
 could your difdaine fland out hke Mop/aes ? 
 , Hip. What a kenes neceflity fets vpon the edge 
 of inuention ! truft me, Mopfa^ your feruant fpeakes 
 wel, & if he can proue himfelfe the man he fpeakes 
 of (and my wifhes wel hope), Demetrius ; you haue 
 no reafon to thinke fcorne of him. Mop. Why 
 what fhould I do, madam ? my mother tells me I 
 muft not fay as I think. 
 
 Hip. I am no counfeller ; but, fhold Demetrius in 
 like difguife court me, thus would I embrace him, 
 thus feale my affedlions with a kiffe & thus argue: 
 think not, Demetrius^ that the clowds of bafenes 
 could fo muffle thee but that the fun of valor fhind 
 thro them long fince & in regard of thy feruiceable 
 dutie in concealing, and vnpreuented policy in thus 
 making known thy loue, fort but out fit oportunity 
 & in defpight of all gardians ftridl obferuance, go 
 where thou wilt, the worth of Demetrius fhall draw 
 Hippolita : this would I vow and this will I per- 
 forme. 
 
 De. And, were I Demetrius & you Hippolita^ I 
 would deciue Dametas, outreach Mi/o., forfweare 
 Mop/a & forfake Archadea to fhare the fortunes of 
 diuine Hippolita. Mop. And what fhould I doe 
 then .? 
 
 Dem. I do but fpeake in the perfon of Deme- 
 trius^ & vnder Hippolita\_es~\ fhadow, what I intend 
 
54 
 
 to the rare and neuer enough wondred at Mopfa^ 
 the black fwan of beauty & madg-howlet of ad- 
 miration. 
 
 Mop. Do not you flout me, Dorus ! & you do 
 not, prouide a prieft and lie marry you, and my 
 father and mother fhal neuer know ont. 
 
 De. Manajfes is the man. Mop. And He be the 
 woman, who fo euer fay nay toote : little dreames 
 my mother of what we haue done. 
 
 De. Tmay be fhe did for fhe figh'd and grond 
 much in her fleepe. 
 
 Mop. Tis wel fhe was fo quiet, for fhe eate peafe 
 poridge to breakfafl, & theyle make me break wind 
 in my fleepe like a horfe : and fee, as the deuil wil 
 hate, fhe wakes, and heere comes my father : no 
 words and ye loue me. 
 
 Enter Dametas. 
 
 Dam. Why god a mercy Dorus this dilligence 
 becomes the feruant of Dametas and He prefer thee 
 fort. 
 
 Hip. You were not worfe then the dcuil els, for 
 they fay hee helps his feruants : then you may doe 
 little & you cannot helpe yours 
 
 Da. Will you break your lefts againfl: the barres 
 of yon chamber windowe, & cleere the greene : the 
 duke is comming to bowles, & I would not for halfe 
 mine office you fhold be a rub in the way of his 
 patience. Daughter and Wife condudl her to the 
 
55 
 
 Lodge. Exit} And, Dorus, make you hafte about 
 your bufinefle. 
 
 Demet. I warrant you, Sir : be my hopes rightly 
 plaft, 
 You will condemne me for my too much hafte. 
 Exeunt. ^ 
 
 Damet. Why fo, this tis to be in authoritie. In- 
 feriour perfons, I and the Princes themfelues flie 
 from my prefence like the chirping Birdes from the 
 fight of the Faulcon : my verie breath, like a mighty 
 wind, blowes away inferiour Officers (the Court 
 rubbifh) out of my way, and giues me a fmooth 
 pafTage : I am the morning ftarre, I am feldome 
 feene but about the rifing of the Sunne ; indeede I 
 am neuer out of the Dukes eye, and heere he comes. 
 
 [Scene 5.] 
 Enter Duke., Dutchejfe, Lijander^ Violet. 
 
 Duke. 
 
 DOth our match hold ? 
 Dutch. Yes, whofe part will you take ? 
 Duk. Zelmanes. 
 
 Dutch. Soft, that match is ftill to make. 
 
 Viol. Lets caft a choice, the neereft two take one. 
 Lif. My choice is caft ; helpe fweet occafion. 
 
 ^ Thefe diredlions fhould of courfe be tranfpofed. 
 
56 
 
 Viol. Come, heerc's agood. 
 Lif. Well, betterd. 
 
 Dutch. Beftofall. 
 
 Lif. The Duke and I. 
 
 Duk. The weakeft goe to the wall. 
 
 Viol. lie lead. 
 Lif. He follow. 
 
 Viol. We haue both one mind. 
 
 Lif. In what ? 
 
 Viol. In leauing the old folke behinde. 
 
 Duk. Well iefted, daughter; and you lead not faire, 
 The hindmoft hound though old may catch the hare. 
 Dutch. Your laft Boule come ? 
 Viol. By the faith a me well led. 
 
 Lif. Would I might lead you. 
 Viol. Whither? 
 
 Lif. To my bed. 
 
 Viol. I am fure you would not. 
 Lif. By this aire I would. 
 
 Viol. I hope you would not hurt me and you 
 
 fhould. 
 Lif. Ide loue you, fweet. 
 
 Viol. Soure, fo I heard you fay. 
 
 Lif. Accept it then. 
 
 Viol. Of what acquaintance, pray? 
 
 Lif. Of loues and mine. 
 
 Duke. Daughter, your bowle winnes one. 
 
 Viol. None, ofmy Maidenhead, Father; I am gone: 
 
 The Amafon hath wonne one. 
 Lif. Yield to that. 
 
S7 
 
 Viol. The caft I doe. 
 
 Lif. Yourfelfe ? 
 
 Viol. Nay fcrape out that. 
 
 Dutch. Whofe is it yet.'' 
 
 Li/. The Dukes : play fmooth and fine; 
 
 The fmalleft helpe that is will make you mine. 
 
 Viol. Me yours.'' 
 
 Lif. Your mine, for, tho the caft I loofe, 
 
 I ha wonne your loue. 
 
 Viol. Much in my tother hoofe. 
 
 Dutch. Come, the laft marke; this caft's worth 
 all the reft. 
 
 Viol. The leader as the follower. 
 
 Lif. Badd's the beft. 
 
 I winne her for ten crownes ; and there they be. 
 
 Viol. I take your lay. 
 
 Lif A match twixt you and me. 
 
 Dutch. He be your halfe. 
 
 Duk. That were vnkindly done. 
 
 Viol. Pardon me mother He beare all or none. 
 
 Lif I ha wonne you, Madam. 
 
 Viol. Me.? 
 
 Lif. I meane your bet. 
 
 Viol. Then take your winnings: lie not die in 
 debt. 
 
 Lif Madam, beleeue me ; I am as I proteft a 
 Prince, my name Lifander. 
 
 Viol. Looke to the Dukes ftanding, Madam. 
 
 Dutch. So I will I warrant you, and to your 
 falling. 
 
 H 
 
58 
 
 LiJ. Thus clouded as you fee for your loue : my 
 foule fpeakes in my tongue: I appointed this match 
 at bowles a purpofe to acquaint you with it. 
 
 Viol. Barre ftealing, Feather; yet, and all hit right, 
 Heer's one would fteale a piece of flefh to night. 
 
 LiJ. Deere Madam. 
 
 Viol. No more words ; I haue perceiued as much 
 in your eie as you can expreffe with your tongue ; 
 and, as farre as my mothers ieloufie would giue me 
 leaue, anfwered it with kind lookes : your bias 
 (lands wrong, mother. 
 
 Dutch. Why, it ftands towards Zelmane. 
 
 Viol. Hath it flood fo long ? 
 
 Dutch. All the game thro. 
 
 Viol. Then all your game's bold wrong : 
 Furnifh you with necefTaries befitting an efcape, & 
 my wil fhal be as ready to take wing as yours : put 
 in a caft now, mother, or the game is gone indeede. 
 
 Dutch. Whofe is the throw.? 
 
 Viol. Ours, till the laft bowle came; 
 But that hath wont'em cleere, both caft and game. 
 
 LiJ. Our winnings, come ; a kiffe, and bate the 
 reft. 
 
 Dutch. Why, doe you kifle in earneft or in ieft.? 
 
 Viol. In earneft, in good trueth. 
 
 Duk. Troth, kindly fed : 
 
 Take heed you kifte not out your maidenhead. 
 
 Viol. In ieaft ? 
 
 Duk. In earneft. 
 
 Viol. Tis the faftiion 
 
59 
 
 Much in requeft among our Nation, 
 
 Duk. To kifle away their maidenheads ? 
 
 Viol. Now and then ; 
 
 And being gone to kifle it back agen. 
 For louers indentures are nea're fairely drawne 
 Vntill the maidenhead be left in pawne 
 As earneft of the match ; fo mothers fed, 
 And fo will daughters do when Mams be dead. 
 
 Duke. What, pawne their maidenheads ? 
 
 Viol. Yes, and loofe 'em too. 
 
 Duke.^ And youle maintaine that fafhion ? 
 
 Viol. Signeor, Noe. Muficke of Bels i^c. 
 
 Duk. Lay by this homebred mirth and prepare 
 your eares to entertaine ftrangers. 
 
 Viol. Strangers ? why, Father, Strangers are as 
 welcome to mee as mine owne Countrymen, if 
 they bring good manners & ciuill humanitie in their 
 companies ; otherwife they are like foule weather, 
 come afore they be fent for. 
 
 Enter DametaSy ManaJfeSy lulio., Aminter. 
 
 Viol. Dametas ! nay then we fhall haue newes 
 enough ; for he neuer comes into the prefence but 
 he brings a whole facke full of lyes, — of newes I 
 fhould fay. 
 
 Duke. Welcome, Dametas ; what officious fellow 
 is that ? 
 
 Dam. A pure wel wilier of your Maiefties, and 
 a follower of mine. 
 
 ^ The 4tos. give this line to the Dutchefe. 
 
6o 
 
 Viol. O tis Manajfes: and he could make Armes 
 afwel as he mars Legges, he would grow in great 
 requeft for Heraldrie. What's your newes ? 
 
 ManaJ. Thefe Lacedemoyiians^ Subiedes to your 
 Maieftie, hauing a MefTadge to deliuer to your 
 Maiefties inftruments of hearing, commonly eclipt 
 eares — 
 
 Viol. How ? Hath any one heere dipt eares ? 
 
 ManaJ. Sweete Femenine, clip off the taile of 
 thy difcourfe with the fifTars of attention. As I fay, 
 thefe Lacedemonians haue chofen me their tongue. 
 
 Viol. Of a long tongue thou fpeakft verie little. 
 
 Mana. That proues me no woman, for they 
 fpeake ouer much. 
 
 Duk. What greuances opprefles them ? briefly 
 fpeake. 
 
 Ami. Marchandife (my Ledge), through the 
 auarice of purchafing Officers, is rackt with fuch 
 vnmercifull Impoft that the very name of Traf- 
 fique growes odious euen to the profeflbr. 
 
 lulio. Townes fo opprefl: for want of wonted and 
 naturall libertie, as that the natiue Inhabitants feeme 
 Slaues & the Forrayners free Denizens, 
 
 Amin. Offices fo bought and fould that, before 
 the purchafer can be fayd to be placed in his Office, 
 he is againe by his couetous Patrone difplac't. 
 
 lulio. Common Riots, Rapes and wilfull Homi- 
 cide in great mens followers not onely not punirtied, 
 but in a manner countenaunced and aplauded. 
 
 Amin. Indeede, fince your Maieftie left the Land, 
 
6i 
 
 the whole bodie of the Commonwealth runnes 
 cleane againft the by as of true and priftine gouerne- 
 ment. 
 
 lulio. And your honorable Brother, like a Shippe 
 tofte vpon the violent billowes of this Infurredlion, 
 by vs intreates your Maiefties Letters of fpeedy re- 
 formation, for feare the whole kingdome fuiFer in- 
 euitable fhipwracke. 
 
 Duk. Which, after fhort deliberation with our 
 Counfell, your felfe fhall returne. DametaSy rewarde 
 their trauayles with 200 Crownes : in the meane time 
 let 'em tafte the beft entertainement of our Court. 
 Proud Rebels they fhall fee that a Dukes frowne 
 Can at his pleafure turne Rebellion downe : 
 See them rewarded. 
 
 Dam} Manajfes fee the fellowes entertaind : I 
 muft attende of the Duke. 
 
 Man. Boy, fee the fellowes entertaind : I muft 
 waite of my lord. 
 
 Boy. Fellowes, be as merrie as you may : I muft 
 follow my M. 
 
 Ami. So, heere's Peticioners attendance right : 
 good words and ftiort commons. But tis not their 
 entertainement wee come for : I made a ftmple fhift 
 to get entertainement into the Court. 
 
 lulio. Well, Cupid pray for our liues ; for, and 
 we were gone, I know not where thou wouldft haue 
 two fuch ftatefmen againe. 
 
 ^ 4tos. Juri. 
 
62 
 
 y^mi. His Commonwealth could not ftand with- 
 out vs ; and that his Mother knowes well enough ; 
 and he fends no better fuccefTe then we had at our 
 hunting hee loofes a friend of mee. 
 
 lull. T'will not finke in my thought yet but that 
 olde muftie flaue Dametas playde the flaue with vs. 
 
 Ami. Would I could proue it once : but fince 
 we are againe admitted our Realme, fhall wee be 
 idle ? fomewhat weele doe though theyle giue vs 
 but fmall thankes for our labour. 
 
 luli. The Duke fhall not fay his Daughters are 
 fo ill beloued but weele change a thruft or two with 
 his intent for 'em. 
 
 Ami. T'would put the poore Wenches out of 
 conceit with themfelues and there fhould not be 
 fome contending for 'em. 
 
 luli. We are in the way to catch the old one, 
 and then our ayme deceiues not. 
 
 Ami. We are I faith : Inuention could not weaue 
 A quainter webbe Sufpition to deceaue. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 [Act III. Scene i.] 
 
 Enter Li/ander and Demetrius. 
 
 Deme. 
 
 COme,^ 
 PafTe off this groueling imitation ; 
 A Louers thoughts muft be ambitious 
 
 * Hitherto this paflage has been printed as profe. 
 
63 
 
 And, like the Eagle fcorning the bace ayre 
 Where Kites and Crowes lie flagging, mount the 
 
 cleare 
 Skie of Inuention, & ouerpeere 
 Al hindrances : The Ladyes themfelues are willing. 
 
 LiJ. Ready to embark vpo the next tide, occafion 
 what fo euer. 
 
 Demet. Let me alone to worke it then : But 
 heere comes my boy. 
 
 Enter Page. 
 
 Boy. T'were more for your credite, Sir, and you 
 could fay your man ; but men and warr were worne 
 out of fafhion both in a Somer. 
 
 Lif. I am of thy beliefe in that, Boy. 
 
 Boy. Would my Lord were fo to, Sir. 
 
 Dem. Suppofe I were Sir : what then ? 
 
 Boy. I fhould (as many vpftartes haue done) 
 prooue rich ; for I beleeue you would make mee 
 your heire. 
 
 Demet. Is that part of your beliefe. 
 
 Boy. A principall poynt. Sir. 
 
 Demet. Renounce it then for, I beleeue you'le 
 neuer be faud by't. 
 
 Boy. I am fure I cannot loofe by't. I beleeue 
 further that many Knights and fome Laydyes were 
 neuer of Gods making. 
 
 Lifa. Of whofe then, wagge ? 
 
 Boy. He tell you : the Minters quoine Gold, 
 
64 
 
 Gold makes Heralds, Heralds make Knights, and 
 Knights ftampe Ladies. 
 
 Dem. And what doe Ladies ? 
 
 Boy. They Hue not idlie neither : they make 
 fome Knights and marre manie Gentlemen. 
 
 Li/a. Laydyes are good worke women too, then. 
 
 Boy. Farre better then anie Taylor : they'le 
 make you an ende of a fuite, efpecially a Court 
 fuite, when all the Taylors in a Countrey know 
 not how to fet a ftitch in't. 
 
 Dem. I am of the beliefe you are a Knaue, Sir. 
 
 Boy. I had no fayth fhould I fay you were not. 
 
 Li/a. Well, what ? a Knaue } 
 
 Boy. In a Knaues beliefe. Sir. 
 
 Dem. Becaufe in yours ^. 
 
 Boy. Do you fay't and He fwere't, my Lord. 
 
 Dem. No more, Boy; I am wearie of your ieftes. 
 
 Boy. That confirmes em to be good, Sir. 
 
 Dem. Your reafon for that. Sir ? 
 
 Boy. Becaufe trauellers and louers are foone 
 wearie of goodnes. 
 
 Dem. Goodlie ones in deed : but, leauing this 
 highway of circumftance, I fent you for Mana/fes. 
 
 Boy. The learned Scribe attendes you. 
 
 Enter Mana/fes. 
 
 Dem. Will you fall off. Sir } 
 Boy. Like an apple at Michaelmas, without 
 fhaking. Exit. 
 
65 
 
 L,ija. Welcome, Manajfes : I haue prefent em- 
 ployment for thee in which I muft borrow — 
 
 Man. Pardon mee, madame ; I learned of my 
 luord to lende nothing without fecuritie and pawnes. 
 
 Li/a. Tis not monie (ManaJ/es), but counfell and 
 furtherance that we define. 
 
 Man. Good counfell is worth good monie, 
 Madame. 
 
 Ltyh. Thou fhalt be well confidered ; there's 
 twentie Crownes in earneft. 
 
 Man. Nay, Madame, this hand's like a fellow; — 
 it takes euerie thing in ieft: if you be in earneft let 
 me feele it heere. So, Ladie, now betwixt earneft 
 and icft, if your Will be readie drawne, before your 
 friend deliuer't ^ as your deed and put me in truft 
 to execute it. 
 
 Lifa. Tak't: in a word, this honeft Shepheard 
 and thy Lordes daughter Madame Mop/a are man 
 and wife. 
 
 Man. Man and woman perhaps but not man and 
 wife, for though moft women haue a wil to be 
 Ladies like my Lordes wife yet euerie Ladie haue 
 not witte to be a wife, as my Lordes Daughter. 
 But what good can I doe in this.'' 
 
 Li/. O verie much ; for, though they be man and 
 wife by oath and proteftation,the chiefieft ceremonie 
 of all, namelie Mariadge, is yet vnperformed and 
 hearing that you haue tane orders — 
 
 ^ 4tos. deliver'd. 
 I 
 
66 
 
 Mafj. That I haue: I haue tane order of the 
 making away of a hundred Maidenheads in my 
 time and not fo few but I am in the minde of you 
 now : thefe two Beagles, Dorus and Mop/a, haue[ing] 
 run themfelues breathlefle in the chafe of loue, you 
 would ha me couple' m vp in the leafes of Matrimonie. 
 
 Lt/a. You are in the right. 
 
 ManaJ. And you in the wrong: He keepe your 
 ieaft but in any cafe take backe againe your earned : 
 lie not purchafe my Lx)rds difpleafure with your gold. 
 
 Ltfa. Thy Lord fhall neuer know't. 
 
 Man. O fir, though my M. hath but bad eyes, 
 he hath exceeding long cares ; and though a For- 
 rayner may play with a Citizens wooden Dagger 
 I would not wifh any to ieft with a Courtiers fteeld 
 Sword : tis feldome drawne but it drawes blood. 
 
 hija. Tufh man, be not fo timerous ; my credit 
 fhall countenance thee: bee not an Afie, make vfe 
 of thy time ; thy Maifters feruice is no heritage, the 
 world knowes he gettes vnder the Duke ; thou art 
 a foole and thou wilt loofe vnder him. There's a 
 hundred Crownes for thee; tufh man, thy betters 
 will ftraine curtfey with aleagence for a bribe. 
 
 Man. Madam, could you to euery one of thefe 
 Crownes giue me a Kingdome — 
 
 Li/an. What then ? 
 
 Man. I fhould ha more ground then halfe the 
 Kinges in Chriftendom : here's my hand, He do't : 
 my M. is my M. & I loue him, but my gold's my 
 God and I honor it. He do't : the time and place ? 
 
67 
 
 Lija. Soone in the euening at Adonis Chapell. 
 Art refolute ? 
 
 Ma. As your Adamant : thinke you t'was feare 
 made me keepe out? no t'was hope of thefe flatter- 
 ing fweete Hpt drabs. I feare to marrie my Lad yes 
 daughter ! no, nor to go to bed with her neither. 
 Why, I haue counterfaited his hand and feale. Hee 
 has been content with mee to come nearer to him at 
 his entertainement of the laft EmbafTadour, when he 
 was heat with drinking of healthes. As I led him 
 to his Chamber I nimde his Chayne and drew his 
 Purfe, and next morning perfwaded him he loft it 
 in the great Chamber at the Reuels. He puts mee 
 in truft with his whole eftate : he buyes Maners, I 
 purchafe Farmes ; he buildes houfes, I plucke downe 
 Churches ; he gets of the Duke, I of the Commons ; 
 he beggers the Court, I begger the whole Countrey. 
 
 LiJ. Thefe are notable knauifti courfes: What 
 breeding haft had.^ 
 
 Man. Verie good breeding, Sir. My great Grand- 
 father was a Ratcatcher ; my Grandfier a Hangman ; 
 my Father a Promooter ; and my felfe an Informer. 
 
 LiJa. Thou wert a Knaue by inheritaunce. 
 
 Man. And by education too: but Bawdie Infor- 
 mations growing ftale, I gaue vp my cloake to a 
 Broker and crept into credite for a Gowne, and of 
 ManaJJes a penurious Informer, I turned Coppie 
 and became Manajfes a moft precife & illiterate 
 expofttor. 
 
 Dem. Were you a Reader then.'' 
 
68 
 
 Man. And a Writer too, BuUie: I fet fome of my 
 Parifhioners Wines fuch Coppies as their Hufbands 
 mightcafttheircappesatitbut could neuer come neare. 
 
 Li/. But, and you vfde fuch a high and eleuate 
 ftile, your auditories low and humble vnderftandings 
 fhould neuer crall ouer't. 
 
 Man. Tufh, I could fafhion the bodie of my dif- 
 courfe fit to the eares of my auditorie: for to caft 
 Eloquence amongft a companie of Stindlards is all 
 one as if a man fhould fcatter Pearls amongft the 
 hoggifh animals ecliped Swine; no, I had paraphraf- 
 ticall admonitions of all fortes, — Some againft couet- 
 ous Landlords, and that I would fquirt amongft 
 beggerlie Tennants ; Some againft Vfurer, and that 
 I would throw in at Prifon Grates amongft Prodi- 
 gall Banqroutes; Some againft the pride of the 
 Court, and that honies the eare of the Citizen ; 
 Some againft the fraude of the Citie, and thats 
 Cake and Cheefe to the Countrie; Some againft 
 Proteftants, and that plumpes the lafie Catholicke ; 
 againft Papift and Proteftant, and that fattens the 
 rancke witted Puritand ; againft Papift, Puritand and 
 Proteftant, and that tickles the eare of the luxurious 
 Atheift. 
 
 Li/a. Why, you neuer light vpon anie Atheiftes, 
 doe you ? 
 
 Man. Oh, verie manie. 
 
 Li/an. In the Countrie perhaps, and the out fkirtes 
 of the citie. 
 
 Man. In the verie boofome of the Citie ; and, by 
 
69 
 
 your leeue, heere and there one in the Court too. 
 But wee fitt'em all; for, indeede, wee wandering 
 Lightes haue (as other tradefmen haue) Commodites 
 of all fortes and prifes. 
 
 LiJ. How doe they come by them ? 
 
 Man. As manie doe by Offices ; fteale Into them 
 ere the Duke be aware of 'em. Some buy' em at 
 Bookefellers ftalles but the beft they befpeake of 
 Poets. 
 
 Lija. Mee thinkes Poets of all men fhould not 
 edifie: they are fo enuious. 
 
 Man. One to another, to no bodie elfe : a proud 
 Poet is for all the world like a Puncke in requeft, 
 couetous of manie Cliantes when fhe hath more then 
 fhe can handfomely play off. You fhall haue feme 
 Poet (^ApolloesY'iz'SiV efpecially) write you a comicall 
 Paftorall Tragicall Muficall hiftorie in profe will 
 make the auditors eyes runne a water like fo many 
 waterfpouts. I had one of them myfelfe ; and your 
 eares be in cafe, He giue you a tafte on't : his argu- 
 ment was fet out of the Poem called The loft fheepe; 
 and thus it is. 
 
 Lif. Pre' thee, be briefe. 
 
 Man. Nay peace, and it were in place where, you 
 might wake the beft men in the parifh, for com- 
 monlie they fleepe the beginning becaufe they loue 
 not diuifion ; but to the loft ftieepe. Beloud, you 
 muft imagine this Sheepe was a Sheepe, a loft Sheepe, 
 a Sheepe out a the way : but my deare flocke and 
 louing Sheepe, whom hke a careful! Shepheard I 
 
70 
 
 haue gathered togeather with the whiftle or pipe, as 
 it were, of mine eloquence into this fold of peaceful! 
 Communitie. Doe not you ftray, doe not you flie 
 out, doe not you wander, doe not you loofe your 
 felues ; but like kinde Sheepe and valiant Rams — 
 I fpeake to you in the better part and head of my 
 
 flocke ; As, I fay, you (hall fee the valiant Rammes 
 
 turne all their homes together and appofe themfelues 
 againft the Woolfe, the hungrie Woolfe, the gredie 
 Woolfe, the Lams-deuouring Woolfe, the Woolfe 
 of all Woolfes, to defende their Eawes and young 
 ones : Durft you lay all your heades together and 
 with the homes of 'your' Manhood defende your 
 families, your owne wiues and your neighbours 
 children.— Was not this ftinging geere? 
 
 LiJ. A good Sheepifh admonition. 
 
 Man. The fitter for my Audience: while you 
 Hue haue a care to fitte your Audience. 
 
 Lif. Thou fpeak'ft like a Chriftian: prethee, 
 what Religion art of.'' 
 
 Man. How manie fouer I make ufe of, He 
 anfwere with Piauano Orllotto, the Italian : I pro- 
 fefle the Dukes onely. 
 
 Bemet. What's his reafon for that } 
 
 Man. A very found reafon: for, fayes hee, I 
 came Raw into the world and I would notwillinglie 
 go rofted out : fo clofe vp the ftomacke of your 
 difcourfe with that dry anfwere, and euery man 
 about his bufmeffe. 
 
 LiJ. You'le be mindfull of to morrow-night. 
 
7' 
 
 Man. As your Lawyer of the Tearme or your 
 Landlord of the Quarter day. \_Exit Man. 
 
 Dem. Why, fo : the mettle I muft forge my plot 
 on lies a warming in the furnace of my braine, and 
 I muft fafhion it Inftantly for feareit burft [with] the 
 heat. Giue my conceit way ; for heere comes one 
 muft helpe to proportion it. \_Exit Lifan. 
 
 Enter Dametas. 
 
 Damet. How now, Dorus ? ^ what winde hath 
 blowne vp this ftorme of melancholic ? thy coun- 
 tenance was not wont to be thus cloudie. Whence 
 proceedes this fodaine alteration ? 
 
 Dem. From mine owne hard fortune, my Lord ; 
 that my ill - ftard natiuitie ftiould continue thus 
 oppofite. 
 
 Dam. Art croft in a fute at Court, or what's the 
 matter ? fpeake. 
 
 Dem. He acquaint your Honor : I hope no other 
 eares ouerheares us. Vnder Dianaes Oke I founde 
 an infcription vpon a ftone which told me that 
 wealth Arifiomones fometimes brought into Archadea 
 had there vnder hid a maflie fumme of treafure. 
 
 Dam. Vnder Dianaes Oke ? Dorus, ftiall haue 
 my daughter Mop/a ; no more word on't and thou 
 loueft me, Dorus : fmother thy golden hops a day 
 
 * 4tos. Demetrius. Dr. Nicholfon fuggefts that the copy 
 on which the printer or tranlcriber worked had merely the 
 initial D. Much of the confufion in the names that occurs 
 in the laft fcene of Aft V. may be explained on this hypothefis. 
 
72 
 
 or two, thou (halt haue Mop/a (but He haue all the 
 Gold, then marie my daughter to fome great man, 
 though he be poore : tis the fafhion, He be Noblie 
 allied what ere it coft me) fhalt be my fonne in law, 
 Dorus : haue an eye to the Princefle, fall clofe to 
 my daughter Mo-pja. 
 
 Court her and fpare not ; now begins the fport: 
 Kifle her, doe kifle her, thou fhalt pay fweetly for't: 
 I can gull you, know what faire words can doe; 
 I'me an old Knaue and a young Courtier too. \_Exit. 
 Dem. So, — fo ; how violently he deuowers his 
 bane and fteales himfelfe into the order of Gullerie : 
 mee thinkes I fee how betwixt hope and feare he 
 fweates in his pradife, and like a foolifh dreamer 
 cartes how to lay out his wealth before it comes in. 
 So much for him : Now to my Ladie Beautie his 
 wife; and, as the Diuell would ha'te, heere fhe comes. 
 
 Enter Mifo. 
 
 Mifo. Dorus, how now, Dorus? What time a 
 day is't with you ? 
 
 Dor. What time a day fo'ert be with mee tis 
 fleeping time with my Lord, Fam fure of that. 
 
 Mifo. Sleeping time, Dorus ! what doft thou 
 meane by that ? 
 
 Dor. Nay nothing, he is troubled with a kind of 
 maladie cald Injure^fio carnis. 
 
 Mifo. How, a difh of Creuices? nay and that be 
 the worft, good enough : I am glad a falles to Fifh, 
 for he was giuen to Flefh a late too, too bad. 
 
73 
 
 Dorus. MafTe, I thought as much, for I faw him 
 go a angling. 
 
 Mj/o. I hold my Ladifhip, to fome (trumpet. 
 
 Dor. Life a ielofie, I thmke you are a Witch ; 
 twas fo indeede. 
 
 Mi/o. Nay, I thought as much : hee was wont to 
 kifle mee, and doe all kindnes a man could doe, till 
 he came to the Court ; and nowe hee will not lie with 
 mee forfooth ; and why ? tis the Court fafhion. He 
 will not loue mee, and why ^ tis the Court fafhion ; I 
 muft not come neere him at his downe lying nor his 
 vprifing, etc. And this be the Court fafhion would 
 I were an honeft woman of the Countrie againe, be 
 Courtiers who lift. I, I DoruSj I tell thee in teares, 
 hee hath not done by mee as a Hufband fhould 
 doe. 
 
 Dorus. Tis nothing to mee ; I cannot do withall, 
 Madam : would I could. 
 
 Mis. Yes, marie mayft thou, Dorus ; thou mayft, 
 and fhalt doe withal too, and thou wilt : but, as thou 
 lookeft to enioy my daughter Mop/a, aquaint mee 
 with the olde Foxes ftarting hole. 
 
 Dor. Thats paft my cunning ; the olde Foxe 
 has more holes than one to hide's head in : But not 
 to goe long about the bufh with you — 
 
 Mty. No, good Dorus : I do not loue a man 
 fhould go long about my bufh. What is fhe for a 
 woman ? 
 
 Dor. I know not what fhee is for a woman : 
 marie, I feare fhe's litle better then a Whore for 
 
 K 
 
74 
 
 your Hufband; harke in your eares, fhee's Manajfes 
 wife. 
 
 Mijo. Manajfes vi'xit ! marie, fire Maifter gunner ! 
 a Puritane turnd Puncke ! Gods my precious, He 
 flit her nofe, as I am a Ladie, will I : is fliee the 
 partie you wot on ? 
 
 Dor, Yes fayth, Madam, fliee is the Mare the 
 man rid on. 
 
 MiJ. He fpoile their fport: fadle my Mule there ; 
 haue an eye to the princefTe : flialt ha my daughter 
 and be but to fpite him withal : faith, Fox, ile ha 
 you out of your hole or ile fire you out. 
 
 Dor. Nay that will doe no good ; but for your 
 owne good. Madam, take heed you doe not fcold, 
 
 MiJo. Why ! may not a Lady fcold, Dorus ? 
 
 Dor. Scold ? O in no cafe : twill marre a Ladies 
 beautie cleane, and make her looke as hard fauoured 
 as any ordinarie woman. 
 
 MiJ. God a mercie for that, Dorus: lie not loofe 
 my beautie for twentie on'em: faddle my Mule, 
 bring me my chopping knife : lie geld the lecherous 
 Goate, and mince his Trull as fmall as herbs to the 
 pot. This is not fcolding, Dorus y is't '^. 
 
 Dor. No, this is tollerable. 
 
 MiJ. Nay then I care not : faddle my Mule, I fay : 
 let her pray God her feeling be good, for as I am a 
 Ladie lie not leaue her an eie to fee withal ; and yet 
 I will not fcold neither. Exit. 
 
 Dor. Oh take heed of that at any hand. So, fo, 
 fo ; now it begins to quicken, me thinkes : I fee 
 
1^ 
 
 alreadie how fhe runs atilt at the Wenches eies, cals 
 the maid Baud, the woman Whore, and her hu{^ / / 
 band Lecher ; and when all comes to all, like an \ ( 
 Irifh Wolfe fhe barkes at her owne (hadowe. But 
 commltthig her and her AfTe to their wildgoofe 
 chafe, now to my fweet hart Mop/a for fhes all the 
 blockes left^ in my eie to ftumble on ; and God blefle 
 my wits, for the foole haunts me. 
 
 Enter Mop/a. 
 
 MopJ. Dorus^ wheres my father, Dorus ? 
 
 Dor. Your Father, Oh my deare Mofja ? 
 
 Mop. Nay now, you flout me. 
 
 Dor. Flout you ! oh the faire heauens ; but this 
 tis for a man to call away himfelfe in violence of 
 paflion and extremitie of fighs on a piece of beautie 
 that cares not for him ; but it is the tricks on you 
 all. 
 
 Mop. Trickes? no, as god mend me, and I fhould 
 not haue a hufband till I got him with tricks, I 
 fhould lead apes in hells: but faith, tell me, dofl 
 thou loue me, Dorus ? 
 
 Dor. Doe I loue you, quoth ye ? It cuts my very 
 heart firings: doe I loue you? why tis the onely 
 marke my Indeuors fhoot at. 
 
 Mop. If thou dofl not hit the marke then thou'rt 
 a very bungler; but where is my Father? 
 
 Dor. Why, I haue fent him and your mother out 
 
 ^ 4tos. laft. 
 
76 
 
 of the way of purpofe, and appointed ManaJJes to 
 meet vs this euening at Adonis Chappell in the 
 Amajons apparell to marrie vs : I thinke this are 
 fignes I loue you. 
 
 Mo-p. I, but you ieaft; I doubt you will not 
 marrie me. 
 
 T>or. Will you meete me there } 
 
 Mop. As I am a Virgin I will. 
 
 Dor, And come with an intent to marrie me.^ 
 
 Mop. As I hope to be a wife, I will. 
 
 Dor. You mull take heed you keepe our purpofe 
 clofe. 
 
 Mop. As I did the lofle of my Maydenhead. 
 
 Dor. Why, haue you loft it then ? 
 
 Mop. Many a deere day agoeyet I told Nobody on't 
 but my Mother and our Horfekeeper, and they fay 
 I am nere the worfe mayd for that and I can keepe 
 my owne counfell as I hope I fhal; but will you 
 meete me foone 
 
 Dor. luft in the mid-way as Tilters doe. 
 
 Mop. lie goe afore and ftay but doe not deceiue 
 me ; and you doe He fhew my Fathers Horfekeeper 
 all, as God mend me. 
 
 Dor. So tria Jequntur tria now I am rid of a 
 triumuirie of fooles and by there abfence haue won 
 a free accefTe to an efcape. 
 If my Lifanders hope proue like to this 
 This night fhall Crowne vs Monarches of our blifte. 
 
 Exit. 
 
11 
 
 [Act IV. Scene i.] 
 
 Enter Duke and Li/ander. 
 
 Duke. 
 
 NO more of thefe delayes fweet Madam your 
 loue hath broken day oft with my expedlance ; 
 I dare giue it truft no longer. 
 
 Lija. I confefle it my Liege and like a fpent 
 Deare not able to maintaine longer flight I caft my- 
 felfe downe breathlefTe at your loues mercie ; yet I 
 befeech your Maieftie let not your eager defire prac- 
 tife any prefent violence vpon my yielding chaftitie; 
 twas onely pofTeffion of my loue you had in chace 
 which with conuenent time & place purchafed, I 
 put your grace in full pofTeffion of. 
 
 Duk. Although thy Breath be neuer but Muficall 
 yet it neuer taught the firing of true happines till 
 now ; and, to approue thy heart fets hand to thy 
 word, appoint the time. 
 
 Li/a. Then this prefent euening (and yet my 
 Virgin blood and afhamd to confent to the betraying 
 of my modeftie) meete mee at Adonis bower, where 
 lie make tender of fubdued chaflitie to your high Ma- 
 ieflie, as my firfl and mofl viftorious conquerour. 
 
 Duke. By my Imperiall Globe and hope of thofe 
 loyes thy prefence fhall bring to inrich me with, 
 lie meete thee and make thee Queene ouer the mofl 
 fubmifTe Captiue that euer loue tooke prifbner. 
 
 LiJa. If you deceiue me — 
 
78 
 
 Duke. Not except warme life 
 Deceiue my veins* of their innatiue heate. 
 Then haft, flow time, exchange thy leaden feete 
 For Hermes wings till I my faire hopes meete; 
 But, lockt once in the armes of my delight, 
 Cloth all the world in an eternall night ; 
 And fteed of morning, when the funne fliould rife. 
 They fliall fee two in my Zelmanes eies. Exit. 
 
 Li/a. So farewell, thought I:^ I haue prepar'd 
 you a Zelmane 
 Anfwerable to your expedation. 
 Then triumph in thy will, and let thy thoughts 
 Proclaime a Jubilee : my teeming hopes 
 Are now deliuered of a gratious birth 
 Which I haue Chriftened ' opportunitie ' ; 
 Vnto whofe flirine, in honour of this day. 
 My thoughts fliall hold a monthly facrifice. 
 Loue graunt Demetrius meete the like fuccefle, 
 Our paines are crowned with double happinefl'e. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 [Scene II.] 
 
 Enter lulio and Aminter. 
 
 lulio. 
 
 ONely our difguifes hold firme, but all other 
 attempts meete vntimely deathes euen in their 
 cradles, 
 
 ' 4tos. voice. 
 
 ' Quy. 'So, farewell. — Well thought: I, I have prepared you' 
 &c. The 1831 cd. reads: — ' So farewell thought. Aye, I have 
 prepared ' &c. 
 
79 
 
 Amin. What and wee fhould acquaint the Ladies 
 with our intents ? 
 
 lulio. T'would argue a kind of cowardife in our 
 wits, that ha fuch fufpedlles admittance to there 
 prefence as this difguife hath purchafed vs, we 
 fhould not haue that abilitie of inuenture to en- 
 tangle 'em in their owne fecuritie. 
 
 Amin. Well, howfoeuer, we muft not dwell long 
 determining ; for the libertie of ftay with Dametas, 
 who out of his couetous difpofition in detaining our 
 reward allowed vs the eldeft day of our licent abode 
 at Court, is run out. 
 
 luli. Tis very true; and for my part He rather 
 go home with a priuate repulfe then, managing any 
 unlikely attempt, become fufferer vnder a publicke 
 difgrace. 
 
 Ami. Thats my verie thought : yet, that our 
 fecond ariuall bee not altogether empty of imploi- 
 ment, lets pradife fomething vpon Dametas ; and 
 aquaint the world with his coward bafenes, in which 
 he not only detracts from his mafters bountie but 
 (looke how) as Conduit head or mafter fpring that 
 is poifoned, doth his bell to enfed: the whole bodie 
 of the court with the leprofie of his couetoufneffe. 
 
 lull. Theres no adion of his begetting can be 
 faid to be truely honourable. 
 
 Ami. How can they, when there Father's a mun- 
 grell. The Duke, out of his honourable bountie, 
 commaunded him to reward our trauailes with 200 
 crownes; and now after two moneths attendance 
 
8o 
 
 and enforft delayes. In which time an ordenarie pe- 
 titioner might haue fpent the valew of the reward, 
 he packes vs ofFwith 50 crownes, his excufe being 
 that his mafter hath forgot vs and what he doth is 
 of his owne bountie ; as if the Moone (hould brag 
 fhe gaue the world light when all the lufter fhe hath 
 comes from the heat of the Sunne. 
 
 luli. Should his villanies be fufFered to profper, 
 they would grow to fuch height as the Dukes au- 
 thoritie fhould haue much trouble to prune them, 
 
 Ami. To preuent which, his maieftie fhall haue 
 priuate note of it, knew we in whofe truft to conduct 
 it. 
 
 lull. Tis an Office verie few dare vndertake : he 
 is fo riueted to the Dukes good opinion. 
 
 Aini. Lyes there no iarre twixt none of the No- 
 bilitie and him : what fay you Zelmane ? 
 
 lul. The gallant Amafon ! you could not ha caft 
 your choyce fitter, for her honourable minde main- 
 taines deadly feud againft his bace proceedings ; and 
 heere fhe comes, attended by Dametas feruant : lets 
 waite on oportunitie. 
 
 Enter Lifander and Demetrius. 
 
 De. Lifander ! 
 
 Lif. Demetrius! 
 s, lulo. Lifander and Demetrius ! fland clofe ; of 
 _, my life we are come to the birth of fome notable 
 knauery. 
 
 Ami. How blowes the wind of our hopes ? 
 
8i 
 
 Li/and. Fayr to the point of our expedation : I 
 haue made away the Duke and the Dutch. 
 
 Dem. How made away them ? poyfond them ? 
 
 Lij. With a confeftion of loue, which I haue fo 
 tempred with fair promices as theyr minds are in 
 loues heauen already ; Videlicet ^ in Adonis bower, 
 wher this euening I haue giuen em my word to 
 meet em : but I haue fo caft it that Manaffes fhall 
 meete em in my fteede. 
 
 Dem. Twil be a rare fcean of myrth, to hear 
 what coftly difcours theile beftow vpon the foole in 
 thy outiide. 
 
 lulio. Do you heare that ? 
 
 Amin.^ Yes, thanke loue and my eares ; but lift 
 the conclufion. 
 
 Lija. I haue cleard the way to Violetta ; but 
 what haft thou tane with thy burbolts, Dametas^ 
 Myfo^ and amorous Mop/a? 
 
 Demet. Shot em away at three feuerall markes, 
 yet fo conueyd it that in the end they ftiall all meet 
 at Adonis chappell. 
 
 Lijan. This proied: cannot but bring forth fome 
 notable deceipt. 
 
 lulio. My hopes ftiould want of theyr will and 
 it do not. 
 
 Li/and. Now we haue made a fmooth paflage to 
 our efcape, how fhall conuey our loues out of the 
 Hand ? 
 
 1 1606. 4to. Ilipo. 
 L 
 
82 
 
 Dem. I haue determined of that, fir; and better 
 to efFe(5t, my boy this time has caft fuch a bait of 
 knauery to the two Captaines Kalader and Philinax 
 as we may pafle without fufpition. 
 
 Lifa. But how for tranfportation ? 
 
 De. I am furnifht of that to : you remember the 
 two Lacedemon intelligencers? 
 
 Amin.^ Now, what of vs ? 
 
 lulio. Hold my life we fhall be put in this fcean 
 of gullery. 
 
 Lifa'.'' Oh in any cafe, 
 
 Dem. For the loue of Cupid do: iniquitis paft, 
 lets take our entrance and pafle ouer the ftage, like 
 mutes to furnifh out a fhowe. 
 
 Li/an. And fee; occafion like a kind wench pre- 
 fents em in the very infliant. — My honeft friende, 
 welcome: haue you not your difpatch with a letter 
 to Lacedemon? 
 
 Amt. Madam, we haue ; and flay onely to take 
 our leaues of your Ladifhip, and know what feruice 
 your honor will command. 
 
 Li/an. You haue my thankes ; for the truth is I 
 muft commit bufinefl^e of much import vnto your 
 truft ; and, to preuent much circumftances, take my 
 word: you are not ignorant of the kings general! 
 challenge. 
 
 lulio. About his daughters ? 
 
 ' 1606. 4to. Ilipo. 
 
 '* For Lifa. and Dem. wc fliould probably read Amin. and 
 Julio. 
 
83 
 
 LiJ. You vnderftand me: with thefe few crowns 
 receiue my mind, which is to conuey the 2 lad es, 
 whome we in thefe difguifes haue woon, to Lacede- 
 mon. 
 
 Amt. Were we but confirmd of your eftates — 
 
 LiJ. Wele giue your fufficient affurance of that ; 
 and the princefTes themfelues (hall confirme it. 
 
 lulio. We craue no better, madam ; but fhall we 
 not ha your honors company ? 
 
 Lija. No: hauing brought them abord weele 
 make returne to the Duke, to let him vnderftand 
 we ftole not our prizes but woon them manfully at 
 the point of wit. 
 
 Amt. A noble refolution. 
 
 lulio. His foile wil appeare the more palpable, 
 and your conqueft the more applaufable : where fhall 
 we receiue the Ladies ? 
 
 Dem. Be that our care ; but on your Hues be heed- 
 ful of their ^ fafeties. 
 
 Amt. More then of our own, my lord. 
 
 Dem. Inough ; whilft you attend, weele to the 
 Duke and play all guls or none. 
 
 lulio. All Guls, indeed, fince you had follies 
 whip ! 
 No guls to all guls, fooles loue fellowfhip. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 * 1606 4to. Your. 
 
84 
 
 [Scene 3. J 
 Enter Mifo and Mop/a. 
 
 Mifo. 
 
 LOoke well to mine Afle ther: lord, how I fweat 
 with anger ! This fames the houfe fure ; and 
 now, like a wife Lady, let me count my hurts and 
 fee how I fhalbe reuenged: it fhalbe fo, ile haue em 
 both carted and ManafTes fhal go afore like awhif- 
 ler, and make way with his horns. Where be thefe 
 whores ? open the dore ! where be thefe panders ? 
 
 that I were not a lady, I could fcold like a butter 
 whore. Ent. wife. 
 
 \JVife.'\ Whofe there, a gods name ? lord for his 
 mercy, is the woman mad 1 Mifo. Yes, I thanke 
 ye fort, horn mad : wheres your companion, wheres 
 the old leacherous goat my hufband. ? open the door, 
 
 1 fay. 
 
 IVife. lefus for thy mercie fake ! madam, what 
 do you want } 
 
 Mifo. What do I want ? the chiefe implement a 
 woman (hold haue : I want that as a woman cannot 
 he without ; I mean my hufband I want. IVife. 
 Your hufband ? I fawe him not as I am an honefl 
 woman. 
 
 Mi. Not as you are an honefl, fo I think ; but 
 as you are an arrant whore you did. You muft 
 haue your Creuifhes, with a pox ! cannot Citty 
 Maunchet and frefh cod ferue your turne but you 
 
85 
 
 muft haue Court cake bread and Creuiflies, with a 
 vengeance ? but come ; giue me my hufband, or ile 
 haue him out of the flefh on thee : and yet I will 
 not fcold neither. 
 
 PFife. Pray, Madam, ha patience: what (hould 
 your hufband do here ? 
 
 Mif. That which he fhould do at home with his 
 wife, and he were worth his eares. tVife Lady, I 
 proteft I do not know him. 
 
 Mifo. Not know him ! thou lieft in euery vaine, 
 ith hart thou lyeft: thou knoweft him, and as Adam 
 knew Eue thou knoweft him: hee hath bene as in- 
 ward with thee as euer he was with me, he hath ; 
 by his own confeftion he hath ; & thou denieft it, 
 thou lieft in thy throat, like a Puritanicall whore as 
 thou art. O that I were a butter whore for an 
 houre, I might fcold a little 
 
 W^ife. Madam, they are no honeft men that bring 
 thefe tales to thee. 
 
 Mif. Men bring tales to me ! I defie thee, in 
 thy guts I defie thee : men bring tales to me ! thou 
 takeft me to be one of thine own church, doft ? 
 They are no honeft men that bring tales to thee 
 and ha wiues of their own ; and my huft^ands one 
 of them : go thy waies now 
 
 Wife. I befeech you, madam, do but heare me. 
 
 Mif. Hear thee ! I haue heard too much of thee, 
 too too much, too much : wheres my huft^and ? 
 bring forth my huftjand : ile teach him to put 
 a difference betwixt loan and my ladie, I hold him 
 
86 
 
 ten pounds out, (and yet I will not fcold neither) : 
 and I had bin an old hag, paft teaming, as his whore 
 is a puritan, it had bid fomwhat ; but being a 
 woman of Gods making and a ladie of his own, and 
 wearing mine own haire — which is much in a ladie 
 of my {landing, I can tel you — to ufe me thus ! Flefli 
 and blood canot induert : let me come in, open the 
 dore, let me come in : O that I were anie vile thing 
 in the world but a ladie, that I might fcold a little. 
 
 Exeunt 
 
 [Scene 4.] 
 
 Enter Kal under and Philanax ; Demet. boy.^ 
 
 Boy. 
 
 SO, fo, fo ; take your places, for this^ fame bald 
 pated oke is the ftage where ye fhall fee the 
 part of a doting foole performd by an old man and 
 young wench. 
 
 Kal.^ Who ?* worfhipfull Dametas ? 
 
 Boy.^ The fame man. 
 
 Phil.^ Hath he no fellow aders in his moft 
 lamentable commicall, hiftoricall, tragicall, muficall 
 paftoriall } 
 
 Boy. None that require any mouthing but his 
 Arte and himfelfe: marry, then he has Signer Mat- 
 tocke a very fharpe fatyricall humorift, and Mounfer 
 
 ' /'. e. Demetrius' boy. * 1606 410 the. 
 
 ' The fpcaker's name is omitted in the firll 4to. 
 * 1606 4to. Do. 
 
87 
 
 le fpade ; but he goes fome what more bluntly to 
 his bufineiTe, yet heele ferue for mutes, and as good 
 as the beft to furnifh out the ftage. 
 
 Kal. But dares Dorus, being but Dametas feruant, 
 fo abufe his mad maifter thus grofely ? 
 
 Boy. O Lord, Sir, their ha ben feruing men haue 
 done their maifters farre greater abufe, yet had their 
 wiues conceald it their eares fhould neuer haue bin 
 aquainted with it. 
 
 Phi. Is that a fafhion in requeft ? 
 
 Boy. Altogither, He afTure you ; but obedience 
 Gentlemen : the fean beginnes. 
 
 Enter Dametas ^ with mattocke and fpade. 
 
 Kal. Pray God it be good ; he ftaies fo long : 
 Ridiculous enough and good enough. 
 
 Dame. So, ftand AfTe, ftand gentle AfTe. 
 
 Ka. What countreman is his Afle, he fpeakes fo 
 familiarly to him ? 
 
 Boy. Ath Citty breede : marrie, he pucks vp his 
 lyuing ath burs and nettles that grow about the 
 Court gate. 
 
 Dam. Be in readines, good mattocke ; play thy 
 part, fweet fpade. Let me fee : Dianaes oke ? I 
 held Dianaes oke diuine. True pure gold : honeft 
 Dorus ! fortunate Dametas ! ^ 
 
 Ka. An excellent comedyan : what life he puts in 
 his part ! 
 
 Da. So, by thy leaue, ftone ; by thy patience, 
 
 * 4tos. Demetrius. 
 
88 
 
 honeft ftonc; the very grauell fauours of treafure: 
 this fames the bed chamber of my Lady Pecunia; 
 and fee, fee, fome of her golden haires — more, more 
 more yet — diuine tree, pure gold, honeft Dorus, 
 fortunate Dametas ! ^ foftly, foftly, not too faft: let 
 me not deuoure my content too greedily, leaft like 
 a cormorant I take a furfet ont. 
 
 Phil. Oh take heed of that, maifter, in anie cafe. 
 
 Da. Pure mettle, excellent gold! but let me fee 
 nowe — I fhall by computation haue fome three 
 millions of them ; I, fome three or foure millions : 
 how fhall I employ em to make the moft profit of em ? 
 
 KaL That would be knowne indeed. 
 yj Da. He put out one million to vfe, after the rate 
 of feuen fcore to the hundreth, and yet I wont : 
 no, fie, for then you wil ha my humor brought ath 
 ftage for a vferer; to preuent which^ fcandalous re- 
 port ile put it into my fcribe-maiors hand, and he 
 fhall deale for mee. 
 
 Kal. Theres is a fimple cloake to couer his 
 villany. 
 
 Phil. Tis a very fhort one, and pafTmg flite to 
 hide his knauerie. 
 
 Boy. It cannot chofe but be feene through. 
 
 Dam. An other milion ile lay to beftow in OfHces: 
 I wil haue welth or ile rake it out ath kennels elfe : 
 chimnies ha fmoakt for't^ alreadye, and now ile 
 deale vpon fea-cole and fait. Now, now, now it 
 
 ' 4tos. Demetrius. '^ 4105. with. ' 4tos. for. 
 
89 
 
 comes : fweet gold, honeft Dorus, fortunate 
 Dametas ! ^ deuine gold ! how, how fhal I adore 
 thee ? O let me do the homage of my knees : now, 
 nowe for the tongue of a Poet ; tho I hate poetrie 
 worfe then any of the feauen deadly finnes I could 
 wiQi my felfe a Poet for fome houre, to write a 
 poem in the praife of my diuine miftris. And fee 
 the verie bed wherein her diuinitie is lodged : 
 happy, thrice happy hoy ! ^ happie Dametas ! now, 
 like an oreioid louer, let mee open the fheets of my 
 heauenlie miftris with reuerence, fo, with humble 
 reuerence ; and like a blufhing louer that puts out 
 the light ere he prefumes to touch the bed of his 
 loue, fo let me darken the candles of my bodie, 
 mine eies, and firft bleffe my hands with touching ; 
 next enrich my ears with hearing, and laftlie make 
 happie my eies with feeing ; and let them convey 
 the ioy down into the bofome of my thoughts by 
 degrees, foftly, by degrees. 
 
 Fhi. Did you euer fee AfTe make fuch a cere- . y 
 monious preparation ? 
 
 Dam. Be not offended, fweet miftris, that I pre- 
 fume to touch 
 
 Fhtl. A fooles head of your owne. 
 
 Kal. Has a bin at any coft of al this inuocate for 
 a coxcomb and a bel ? 
 
 Fhil. Beftirow my judgment but he deferves it. 
 
 ^ 4tos, Demetrius. 
 
 * 1606 4to. happy, happy, thrice /^&j.- 1633 410. happy happy 
 thrice happy Dametas. 
 
 M 
 
90 
 
 Boy. And his defert were neere fo much he 
 could but beare away the bel ; and fo, you faie, he 
 doth. 
 
 Da. A coxcombe and a bel ! oh indignity ! 
 damnable oke, vile and euil accurft Dorus, vnfor- 
 tunate Dametas ! Diana I tel thee thou art no honeft 
 goddes to vfe a Gentleman thus. What's here ; a 
 writing ? your helpe, good fpedlacles ; lend me 
 your helpe, good fpedlacles; fome comfortable 
 newes, good fpeftacles: — 
 JVho hath his h&e hath well his labours plajl ; 
 Earth'- thou didji feeke and ftore of earth thou haft. 
 He that vaine hopes pur/ues for hue of pelfe., 
 Shall looje his wits and likely finde him/elf e. 
 Then thinke thy paines rewarded well : 
 Thou brought ft the foole, beare backe the bell. 
 Of other matters, what enfues, 
 Adonis bower fliall tell the newes. 
 Villanous poetry ! I am made a flat foole by poetry. 
 But though I can do em no further difgrace, my 
 fatall curfe, a wronged gentlemans fatall curfe dwell 
 euer vpon them. Diana heere me, and let my 
 words finde gratious acceptance.' 
 
 Kal. Hide your heads, the terrible curfe comes 
 like a fton vpon you. 
 
 Da. Rancor, fpite, mallice, hate and all difaflers, 
 Strengthen my faith againft all poetafters : 
 
 ' While Dametas is declaiming the ' boy ' flips out: there is 
 no ftage diredlion. 
 
91 
 
 May their intents, tho pure as chriftall glafles, 
 
 Be counted falts and capital! trefpafles : 
 
 O may their hues and labourd induftrie, 
 
 Though worthy of Apolloes plaudite/ 
 
 The cleereft thought in loyalty exceUing, 
 
 Be by fome Dor prefented for libelling. 
 
 When they haue writ a fceene in which their brains 
 
 Haue dropt there deereft fweetes, and their fwoln 
 
 vains 
 Emptied their Cundits of their pureft fpirit ; 
 As they ftand gaping to recieue their merrit, 
 Inftead of plaudites, their chiefeft bliffes, 
 Let their defarts be crowned with mewes and hifles. 
 Behinde each poft and at the gallery corners 
 Sit empty guls, flight fooles and falfe informers : 
 Let fome flye Foxe, out of difcreations embers, 
 Terme them the lands vnnecefTary members : 
 And like the deere, when they haue fpent their breath 
 To make kings fport, let them be torne to death 
 Euen by their friends : — twould fet my thoughts a 
 
 twanging, 
 Might I but fee one of them go to hanging. 
 
 I Capt. A paffing ftrange curfe, and no queftion ./ 
 he has traueld far for fome of the rimes. i Cap. 
 He muft trauaile further that finds any reafon int. 
 I Capt. No matter for reafon theirs rime enough, 
 and that be good. 2 Cap. Some of it is no better 
 then it fhould be, or my iudgement deceiues me. 
 
 ^ 1606 4to. plaudit be. 
 
92 
 
 1 Capt. Sure he had fome reafon to make this 
 rime, and a man could pick it out. 
 
 2 Cap. Rather then ile be counted inquifitiue 
 mine eares fhal content themfelues with the rimes 
 onely, and leaue the reafon to the fcanning of poets, 
 whom it more neerly concerns. 
 
 1 Cap. But where's the wag that inuited vs to 
 this banquet of mirth ? (hrunke in the wetting ? 
 
 2 Cap. Tware a rare ieft now if, whilft the boy 
 kept vs heere in expedlation of Dametas gullery, 
 his M. had made an efcape with the duks daughter. 
 
 1 Cap. That or fome knauery elfe, vpon my life. 
 I had the boy in fhrowd fufpifion at the firft. 
 
 2 Cap. And this his fuddaine and ftolne depar- 
 ture confirmes it currant. 
 
 2 Cap. Then we are fped, for in fufpifions face 
 I fee fome futtle ftratagem in chafe. 
 
 Enter Mifo and Manajes wife. 
 
 Wife. Will your lordfhip beleeue me now ? nay, 
 and I fait, your worfhip may fwert, tho I haue but 
 a (poore, as to fay) hole of mine own, I hope the 
 fpirits haue more denomination ouer me then to 
 make it a common flaughter houfe of carnallity 
 where euery iacke may command flefh for his mony. 
 
 Mifo. No more words, fweet woman, I confefle I 
 was in the wronge : there is not the hole the Foxe 
 hides his head in ; and therefore for the loue of 
 womanhood conceale mine errors; for, howfoeuer I 
 conplaind, tis thy forhed aks, thy temples ha the 
 
93 
 
 terrible blow, as the[y] fay : thy hufband Is a bad 
 man. JVife. My hufband ? 
 
 Mifo. I, I, good woman, thy hufband : he is, as 
 I fay, a flefhly member, and I fear he hath ouercome 
 the foolifh thing my daughter. 
 
 PFife. Your daughter ! ile flit her nofe, by this 
 light, and fhe wer ten ladies : twas not for nothing 
 my hufband faid he fhould meete her this euening 
 at Adonis chappell; but, and I come to them,^ god- 
 fpeed ont ile tel them ont foundly. 
 
 Mifo. I, do good woman, tel em ont & fpare not; 
 but in any cafe do not fcold. Wife. Why, may not 
 a gentlewoman fcold in a good cafe ? Mifo. I know 
 not what a gentlewoman do in a good cafe, but a 
 lady muft not in any cafe. 
 
 fVife. Tho I may not fcold I may tel em roundly 
 ont I hope. 
 
 Mifo. That you may do : lawe — 
 
 JVife. And ile not be mealely mouthd, I warrant 
 em : wil you beare me company to the chappell, 
 maddam .? 
 
 Mijo. Withall my hart, miftris : what Dorus hath 
 giuen me ile giue my friend : no foole to company. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 AEius quintijfcena prima. 
 Enter the duke^ at adonis bower. 
 
 FArewell bright funne, thou lightner of all eies ; 
 Thou falft to giue a brighter beame to rife : 
 
 ^ 4tos. the. 
 
94 
 
 Each tree and fhrub were tramels of thy haire, 
 But thefe are wiers for none but kings to weare ; 
 And my rude tonge, ftrluing to blaze her forth. 
 Like a bad artfeman doth difgrace her worth. 
 But heeres the place : vpon this chriftall ftreame, 
 Where Citherea did vnyoake her teame 
 Of filuer doues, to interchange a kiffe 
 With young Adonis^ fhall I meete my blifTe : 
 The gentle minits, crownd with chriftall flowers, 
 Loofing there youthes are growne vp perfedl 
 
 howers 
 To haften my delight : the bafhfull moone, 
 That fiiTce her dalliance with Endimion, 
 Durft neuer walke by day, is vnder faile, 
 In fteede of fheetes has fpred her filuer vaile : 
 Each gliding brooke and euery bufhy tree, 
 Being tipt with filuer, were her liuery ; 
 And the dim night to grace our amorous wars 
 Hath ftuck nine fpheares full of immortall ftars : 
 In fted of pearles, the way on which fhe treads 
 Is flirawd with Chriftall deu and filuer beades. 
 
 Enter Dut. 
 She comes ; her feete makes muficke with the 
 
 ground, 
 And the chaft ayre is rauiflit with the found : 
 My foule flyes forth to meete her. — Hell ! my wife ! 
 Her prefence, like a murtherer, driues the life 
 Out of my pleafurs breaft ; her ielous eie 
 Enuyes the heauens of my felicity. 
 
 Dut. Zelmane, or my huft)and ; life, or hate ? 
 
95 
 
 Duke. What makes old Autum out a bed fo late ? 
 That fnow fhould goe a woeing to the funne, 
 When one warme kifle works her confufion ! 
 
 Dut. I haue the ieft : fufpition, that keepes 
 Court in my hufbands thoughts, feeing my loue 
 Eleft this walke, hath brought him after him. 
 
 Duke. She dogs her fure; and fhe, to fhake her off. 
 Hath taine fome other walke : He place mine eare 
 In diftance of her will. Dut. Could I but heare 
 The innocent deliuery of his breath 
 Twold be a fecond iubile of mirth. 
 
 Du.^ Heere comes my loue. 
 
 Enter Manajfes^ like Lijander. 
 
 Due. Your loue ? Alafle, poor Duke, 
 Your forward hopes will meete a barren fpring : 
 My funne appears. 
 
 Du. Fie, your loue fpeakes to loude. 
 Your funnes eclipft, you dote^ vpon a cloude. 
 
 Dut. See how his armes, like precious phenix 
 wings, 
 Spred to embrace me. 
 
 Du. Now the cuckoo fings. 
 
 Thofe amorous armes do make a golden fpace 
 To hug a Duke. 
 
 Dut. But ile fill vp the place. 
 
 Du. Thofe fingers tipt with curious porphery, 
 
 ^ The 4tos. make Dametas the fpeaker ; the miftake occurs 
 feveral times further on. ^ 1606 410. your date. 
 
96 
 
 Staining Pigmalions matchlefs imagery, 
 Like amorous twins all of one mother nurft, 
 Contend in curtifie who fhould touch me firft. 
 
 Dut. Should touch me firft : their ftrife is vnder- 
 tooke 
 To twine a young bay not a ftooping^ oake. 
 
 Du. Young bay ! ftale jeft, that a dry faplefle 
 rinde 
 Should hold young thoughts and a licentious minde. 
 Were fhe - but gone now — 
 
 Dut. Were the Duke away. 
 
 My hopes had got the better of the day. 
 
 Man. This is Adonis chappell. I wonder they 
 come not. Tho I beare a little learning about me 
 and a few good clothes, I wold not wifham to make 
 Balams affe a me ; for though many fooles take no 
 felicity but in wearing good clothes (tho they be 
 none of their own) I haue a further reach in me. 
 
 Du. I could ban my ftars, 
 
 Dut. I curfe my fate. 
 
 Du. That crofTe me thus. 
 
 Dut. Make me unfortunate. 
 
 Du. Alas good lady how her prety feet 
 Labour to finde me. 
 
 Dut. That my hopes fhould meet 
 
 Such black euents. 
 
 Du. O would the friendly night 
 
 Darken herfelfe. 
 
 Ed. 1606, farre ftooping. * 4105. he. 
 
97 
 
 Dut. Would the Moone lofe her light. 
 
 That in the bofome of fome foggy cloud 
 I might embrace my loue. 
 
 Duke. But night is purblind 
 To make a Duke a flave. 
 
 Dut. To make a Dutches 
 Wraftle with amorous paflions. 
 
 Duk. Life a fpleene ! 
 
 Could my rough breath, like a tempeftuous wind. 
 Blow out heauens candles, leaue the world ftarke 
 
 blind ; 
 That it might either haue no eies to fee 
 Or vfe thofe eies it hath to pleafure me. 
 
 Dut. Or vfe thofe eies it hath to pleafure me. 
 
 Man. Who woulde ha thought the cold had been 
 fo good a mufition ! howe it plaies vpon my chappes, t/0'^'^^^ 
 
 and maketh my teeth fkippe vp and downe my 
 mouth like a company of virginall lackes ; but I 
 finde fmall muficke in it. And Mopfa fhould come 
 now I could doe her little good ; yet, and fhe were 
 here, fhe and I would haue a bout ^ at cob-nut or at 
 cheri-pit or fomewhat to keep ourfelues from idle- 
 nes : tho fhe be but a foole the babies good enough 
 to make fport with all in the darke. And that very 
 word hath ftarted her. Ent. Mop. 
 
 Mop. Whofe there ? Manafles .? 
 
 Man. Yes; Mopfa.? 
 
 ^ 4tos. about. 
 
 N 
 
98 
 
 Mop. Plain Mop. I might be madam Mop/a in 
 your mouth, good man : & whers Dorus ? 
 
 Man. Why, becaufe he wil not be faide to make 
 too much haft to a bad bargaine, he is not come 
 yet. 
 
 Mop. Not come ! apefcod on him ! Butalsone; 
 I thought at firft he would make but a foole on 
 me. 
 
 Man. Would you haue him mend Gods work- 
 manftiip ? 
 
 Mop. But chofe ^ him ! fince he hath buld me 
 with an vrchin, ile goe fetch Raph our horfe keeper: 
 let him that got the calfe keep the cow, in a knaues 
 name, and he wil. Ha you your booke heere ? 
 
 Man. No matter, wench ; I can dote wel enough 
 without booke. 
 
 Mop. Nay, and ye can dote wel enough your- 
 felfe, I care for neither of them both; but indeed I 
 loue to haue a thing wel done, for, faies my mother, 
 a thinge once wel done is twice done : and I am in 
 her mind for that, vp and downe. 
 
 Dut. Whofe with my Lord ? the Duke ! it can- 
 not be, 
 Mine eie would not concede fuch trechery. 
 
 Duk. Tis not the Dutches fure ; no, it is amarous 
 loue 
 That feeing Zelmane paflionate for loue 
 
 ^ 1633 4to. chufe. Dr. Nicholfon would read * Bots chufe 
 him ;' but Quy. ' Pox choke him ! ' 
 
99 
 
 Defcends to comfort her. loue, if there be ^ 
 A powerful Phebus God of poetry, 
 In deare remembrance of faire Daphnes rape 
 To win my loue lend me fome ftranger fliape, 
 Such as yourfelues haue worne, that when your fame 
 Is fung by poets they maie cote my name. 
 
 Dut. Sure tis my daughter. 
 
 Duk. Daughter ! how her eie 
 Cuts out new formes, new fhapes of iealoufie. 
 
 Dut. As fure as death tis fhe ; for fee, they ftand 
 Like amarous twins, intwifted hand in hand, 
 Breaft againft bread, and that no ioy be miffing 
 To their ^ difcourfe their lips keepe time with 
 
 kiffing. 
 He not indur't : impatience, grow ftrong 
 And tho a prince tel him he doth thee wrong. 
 
 Duk. Do preethe, do ; this fweetens al the reft. 
 But here would be the elixar of the ieft, 
 If, whilft we kept each other at a baie, 
 A third fhould come and beare the hare away. 
 
 Enter Dametas. 
 
 Dam. Villanous poetrie, vnchriftianlike poetry ! 
 I am cozend of my golde by poetrie, robd of my 
 charge by poetrie, made an apparent foole by 
 poetrie. Vilanous Oke, accurft Dorus, vnfortunate 
 Dametas ! Whofe there } my daughter and with 
 
 * Quy. Jove if thou be, 
 
 Or powerful Phebus, &c. 
 2 4tos. heare. 
 
100 
 
 Zelmane, a welwiller to Dorus, a fauorite to poetrie, 
 and therefore enemie to Dametas ? Come hither. 
 Mop fa ; a thy fathers blefling, come not neare her. 
 What? Mopfa? 
 
 Mop. Yes ; whofe there ? Dorus ? 
 
 T)am. Confufion a Dorus ! I am thy miferablc 
 father : didft not fee Hippolita ? 
 
 Mop, No, by my troth, not I. Did ye not fee 
 Dorus ? 
 
 Dam. Poxe of Dorus ! I am vndone, madam,' 
 and thou telft mee not of Hippolita. 
 
 Mo. Pox a HippoHta ! I am a dumbe woman 
 and you can tel me newes of Dorus. 
 
 Da. I had rather fee ten Dorufes hangd then lofe 
 Hippolita. 
 
 Mo. I had rather fee ten fathers damd then lofe 
 my fweet Dorus. 
 
 Da. I Ihal run mad, and I find not Hippolita. 
 
 Mop. I fhall run franticke, and I find not Dorus. 
 
 Dut. Whats heere } I fhall run mad for Hippolita? 
 
 Duke. And I fhall run franticke and I find not 
 Dorus ? I hold my life we haue fome comedy in 
 hand : we fhall haue a full fceane, for heere comes 
 more adors. 
 
 Enter Mifo " and Manajfes wife. 
 
 Wife. Affures I am a finner to God, madam, 
 that fames he. 
 
 ' Qyy- I am an undone man. 
 * 1606 4to. Mopfo. 
 
lOI 
 
 Mijo. What, with a brace of wenches ? I faith, 
 olde brocke, haue I tane you in the maner? is this 
 the fruits of your lying alone ? is this your court 
 cuftome with a wanion ? Lend mee thy knife : tho 
 I had neither houfe nor land to giue em, ile beftow 
 a whores marke betwixt you. — And yet I will not 
 fcold neither. 
 
 Mop. What a gud yere aile you mother ? are 
 you frampull, know you not your owne daughter } 
 
 Mtfo. Mop/a? O infuiferable wrong ! make thine 
 own natural child thy bawd ! 
 
 Duke. Heeres an excellent patterne for wiues to 
 learne to fcold by. 
 
 Mifo. What, miftres Amafon, ha you fuch a 
 cocking fpirit honeft Women cannot keepe their 
 hufbands at home for you ? Tis not for nothing 
 now, I fee, that the Dutches lookes yellow on you ; 
 but ile teare that painted whores face of yours (by 
 this light) : and yet I wil not fcold neither. 
 
 Man. Madam! 
 
 MiJo. lie mad you with a vengeance. 
 
 [The Duke and Dutches ftep both forth and 
 rejiraine her.'] 
 
 Dut. Touch not the prince. 
 
 Duke. On your alleagance, forbeare ; what 
 meanes this outrage ? cannot our priuate walks be 
 priuiledged from your wilde contentions? 
 
 Dut. How fares the prince ? 
 
 Duk. How cheares my good Zelmane ? 
 
 Man. Zelmane ! no, Gods my iudge, my liege. 
 
I02 
 
 I am ManafTes, miferable Manafles : your hufbandcs 
 fcribe maior, madam 
 
 Dut. Manafles? 
 
 Duk. A foole ! 
 
 Mi/. My man ! 
 
 J^Ftfe. And my deere head : alas, fweet loue, what 
 makeft thou heer ? 
 
 Man. Mary, worke for the hangman, and the 
 Duke be not more mercifull. 
 
 Duke. Theres fome deceit in this : Dametas, 
 wheres Hippolita ? 
 
 Dam. I I theres fom knauery in this : Mifo,* 
 whers Hippohta ? 
 
 MiJ. Doubtles theres fome villany in this : 
 Mopfa, ^hers Hippohta ? 
 
 Mop. Thers no plaine deahng in this : Manafl'es, 
 wheres Dorus ? 
 
 Dut."^ Anfwere diredlly, wheres Hippolita ? 
 
 Dam. Alas madam, I knowe not. Whilft I 
 almofl melted myfelfe with digging of gold in 
 Dianaes oke I left her in my wiues charge. 
 
 Wife And whilft I ran to Manafles, thinking to 
 take my hufl)and & his wife in the manner, I left 
 Hippolita in my daughters chamber. 
 
 Mops? And whilit I came to Adonis chappel, 
 to be tofl: in my mariage blankets with Dorus, I left 
 my little dog Pearl plucking dazies. 
 
 Duke. Who fent you to Dianaes oke to dig gold ? 
 
 ' 4tos. Mopfa. ' 4tos. Gry. ^ 4tos. Man. 
 
I03 
 
 Dut. Who fent you to take your hufband in 
 Manafles houfe ? 
 
 IVife Dor us. 
 
 Duke Who fent you to Adonis chappell ? 
 
 Mop. Dor us. 
 
 Duke And who turnd you into this fhape ? 
 
 Man. They that I feare haue made guls of vs 
 all, Zelmane and Dorus. 
 
 Duke We are all fimply guide; and fee where 
 the Sunne, fcarce halfe ready, fkippes from his 
 Eaftern bed fmiling at our gullery. 
 
 Enter Lifander and Demetrius. 
 
 Dem. Come, wheres this lufty wit-maifter ? 
 
 Lija. The keeper of this loue-lottery ? 
 
 Dem. This gallant luventus of fourfcore that, 
 like my Lady of the Lake, difplaies againft al 
 commers ? 
 
 Li/an. May a couple of plaine witted princes 
 haue a fight of your prizes ? 
 
 Dem. Where be thefe Ladies ? ha your wits had 
 fuch a ikirmifhing that the two maides haue loft 
 their heads in the conflidl? 
 
 Duke.^ Heads and bodyes to, my Lorde, and all 
 at one fhot ; and, which is worfe, our wits are fo 
 fcattred with the terrible blow that, to be plaine, 
 we are fcarce our owne men againe. 
 
 Dem. Then you have had fome knocking. 
 
 ' 4tos. Dut. 
 
I04 
 
 Man. So it appeares by the ftorie, my Lord. 
 
 Lijan. How fay you, my lady ? what Oule fings 
 out of that luy bufh ? 
 
 Dem. Was your witt knighted in this laft acftion ? 
 
 Man. I am not fuch a foole : 1 loue my lord: I 
 am no knight, I am ManafTes they made a plaine 
 foole. 
 
 Dem. The onely were ; for the guarded ^ foole 
 is out of requeft. But faith, my Hedge, how did 
 vour oppofites behaue themfelues ? did they win the 
 Wenches faire at the point ? 
 
 Du. At the very pufh of inuention ; and went off 
 cleere, vntoucht. 
 
 Lija. And could you draw no blood of their wits ? 
 
 Du. Not a drop. 
 \x Lifa. Nor Dametas* neither nor Manafles? 
 « Du. Neither, to our owne difgrace be it fpoken : 
 the carriage of their ftratagem deferues applaufe, 
 and I hold it a credit to reft captiue to fuch valiant 
 conquerors. 
 
 Li/an. Why, fo be ; I like a man that wil confefle 
 his error. 
 
 De. It merrits comifferation, madam and my liege, 
 not to detraft from our worth : your eare, we two 
 are the parties you wot on. 
 
 Du. Were you the men ? 
 
 Lifan. No, he was the man : mary, I was the 
 woman in the moone that made you walk al this laft 
 
 ^ 4tos. gaurded. ^ i6o6 4105. Demetrius. 
 
I05 
 
 night like the man in the mift. I could fay fomewhat 
 to you to, madam : as for Dametas ^ & his man let 
 them ftand like fooles as they are 
 Du, Can it be pofTible ? 
 T>e. No, no, we are guls. Innocent fots ; 
 *But lante tanta, the girles are ours, 
 We haue won em away to dargifon.' 
 hifa. Come, we haue won the conqueft and thats 
 fufficient. 
 
 De. You are a Manafles,^ tis not fufficient. Aha ! 
 not Hercules for lole, loue for Danae, Apollo for 
 Daphene, Pan for Sirne(!),nay the whole pack of their 
 piperly godheads could a difchargd a ftratagem with 
 more fpirit of al merit : 
 
 ' An ambling nag and a down a down. 
 We haue borne her away to dargifon.' 
 
 Enter lulio and Aminter.^ 
 
 Li/an. Twas the moft rareft,diuineft Metaphificall 
 piece of inuention. 
 
 Dem. What fay you my liege ^ 
 
 Du. I giue your defarts their full merrit : you 
 haue gotten equality. 
 
 lulio. All the wenches gave you. 
 
 ^ 1606, 4to. Demetrius. 
 
 2 Quy. Many-affes. (Cf. Fletcher's Elder Brother, III. 5. 
 * Thou of the tribe of Many-ajfes, coxcomb.') The words have 
 no propriety in Demetrius' mouth ; and are no doubt mifplaced. 
 
 ' Hippolitti, ed. i6o6. 
 
 O 
 
io6 
 
 De. Alas what fpirits vnder the moone could 
 hrue detaind her but know that 
 
 ' Her cherry red lip, a downe a downe.' 
 
 Aynin. Truft me but you haue deferued high 
 commendation, 
 
 lulio. Your merrit ftood of the vpper ftaire of 
 admiration. 
 
 Dem. Why, thou haft a pretty relifh of wit now : 
 thou canft fee the broad ey of my defart at a little 
 hole of demonftration. 
 
 lulio. Your defart faue me free, you haue done 
 a moft (to vfe your own phrafe) Metaphyficall piece 
 of feruice ; but you had fome helpe int queftionles. 
 
 Amin. I do not thinke but the ladies had fome 
 hand int. 
 
 T>e. A finger I confefle, a finger ; by the hope of 
 preferuance ^ a very litle finger, luli. I thought as 
 much by the making of the ieft. Amint. I cannot 
 detradl from the ladies worth, for I know em for 
 excellent work women. T>em. Work women fit 
 to make tailors men. 
 
 Amint. I, by my faith do I. Nay your beft tailors 
 are arrant botchers to em : you fhal haue a lady 
 make an end of a fute, a court fute efpecially, 
 when all the tailors in a countery know not how to 
 fet a ftich int. Dem."^ Some ordinary fute perhaps. 
 
 Amin. Your beft court fuits that are, are finiftit 
 by ladies. I haue known a fuit my felfe lien a 
 
 * 4tos, Perfeucrance. ^ 4tos. Dorus. 
 
107 
 
 making and marring 3, 4 and fiue yeare together, 
 and then a lady hath defpacht it in a month with a 
 wet finger : fuch a finger might the ladies haue in 
 your plot. 
 
 De. Neuer a wet ^ finger, by this fi.m. 
 
 luli. Then fhe helpt you with one dry ieft or 
 other : but, and we may be fo bold, faith where are 
 the ladies ? 
 
 De. Sure enough, I warrant you. Some fooles 
 now would haue kept em heare, and haue beene 
 guld on em againe and laught at age[n] ; but to 
 preuent all danger we haue fhipt em home for Lace- 
 demon. 
 
 lulio. To Lacedemon ? Your funne of wit fhines 
 but dimly in that methinkes : to whofe charge haue 
 you trufted em ^ 
 
 Li/an. To them we durft : nay, you muft thinke 
 wee are no fooles. 
 
 luli. Fooles ^ nay deepe wit and pollicy forbid. 
 
 De. We had no fooner their furprifall, but we 
 had difguife ready, a fhip ready, a couple of lufty 
 friends ready — the Lacedemons intelligencers. 
 
 luli. Durft you truft fuch pretious iewels in fuch 
 rufty cafkets ? Da. Durft .? our health, our Hues. 
 Why, they were my tenants : nay you muft thinke 
 we fifted them ; we are no fooles in that neither. 
 
 Amin. If in any thing your wits deferue the bable 
 tis in that. 
 
 ' 4tos. wet a finger. 
 
io8 
 
 luii. None but fooles would haue commited fuch 
 ineftimable peeces ^ to a couple of ftrangers. 
 
 Amin. And in a fhip to. 
 
 ///. And vnder faile to. 
 
 Dut. And vnfurnifht of friends to. 
 
 T)uke. And without fhipping to follow em in. 
 
 lu. You were no fooles in anything but that; 
 & in that, not to flatter, you exprefTe the true fhape 
 of folly and merely merrit the name of fools. 
 Dem. What will you fay now when thefe fellowes 
 furrender vs our loues ? 
 
 Amt. Weele defcharge you and fet their names 
 down for gulls in your ftead. 
 
 Dem. You know the prouerbe ' when the ikie 
 fals we fhal haue larks.' 
 
 Li/an. And when you can bring proofe that we 
 are cozend of our Wenches weele be the woodcocks. 
 
 lulio. Why then we haue once fpringed a couple 
 of woodcockes. 
 
 Enter Violetta and Hippolita. 
 
 Amt. Doe you know thefe } Who are fooles now ? 
 
 Deme. Violetta ! 
 
 Lijan. My Hippolita ! 
 
 Dem. What a ftrange change is heere 
 
 Hipp. Yes faith, gallants, you haue very ftrange 
 carding, and you knew all ; but I hope youle offer 
 vp your cards and yield the fet loft. 
 
 ' 4tos. peeres. 
 
I09 
 
 Dej7i. Guls ! 
 
 Li/an. And abufd ! ile loofe my life before I loofe 
 my honor, 
 
 Dem. Honor and life, before I loofe my loue. 
 
 Draw. 
 
 Duke. Nay, gentlemen, we bar all violence : the 
 liberty of our challenge was to all alike equally free, 
 and fince thefe by faire play haue won em it ftands 
 with our honor to fee them peacefully pofTeft of em. 
 Then furely take em ; for, though you weare the 
 breeches, giue vs leaue to ftand a little. 
 
 Hippo Why, father, ift not time that we were 
 fped? 
 Tis a great charge to keepe a maidenhead : 
 Loofe it we muft, and to preuent il courfe 
 Better to giue then haue it ftolne perforce. 
 — If you be pleafd let enuy do her worft. 
 Spit out her poyfon or containt and burft : 
 Welcome to all, to all a kind god night. 
 They trewly Hue that Hue in fcorne of fpight. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
NOTE. 
 
 " Humour out of Breath " was entered on the 
 Stationers' Company's regifters in April, 1608, and 
 printed in the fame year. A careful reprint, limited 
 to fifty copies, was iflued in 1 860, by Mr. Halliwell. 
 
 The text of " Humour out of Breath" feems to 
 be unufually free from corruptions. Remembering 
 how cruelly his " He of Guls" had fuifered at the 
 printer's hands, he no doubt refolved, in the quaint 
 words of an old author, that — 
 
 " Whatfoere I put to printing next 
 
 He watch him fo hee fhall not mar the text." 
 
 Pofllbly Day took the title of his play from a 
 line in the "Comedy of Errors" (ad: iv. fc. i, 
 
 1- 57) :- 
 " Fie, now you run this humour out of breath." 
 
Humour out of breath. 
 
 A Comedie 
 Diuers times latelie aded, 
 
 By the Children 
 Of 
 
 'The Kings Reuells. 
 
 Written by lohn Day. 
 
 Printed at Londen for lohn Helmes^ and are to be fold 
 
 at his (hop in Saint Dunftons Church-yard 
 
 in Fleet-ftreet. 1608. 
 
To Signior No-body. 
 
 WOrthlefTe ftr^ I prefent you with thefe my vn- 
 ■perfe^l labours^ knowing that what defeat 
 in me or negle^ in the Printer hath left vnper- 
 fe5l^ iudgement in you will winke at^ if not thinke 
 abjolute. Being to turne a poore friendlejfe childe 
 into the worlds yetfufficiently featurd too, had it been 
 all of one mans getting^ (woe to the iniquitie of 'Time 
 the whilejl) my defire is to preferre him to your fer- 
 uice : in which, as he /hall be fur e to get nothings fo 
 likewife my hope is^ he fhall not loofe much ; for your 
 bountie neither makes Jiraungers hue yoUy nor your 
 followers enuie you. Tou are a Patrone wort hie the 
 Sijler-hood^ I meane the poore halfe dozen, for the 
 Three Elders they climbe aboue my element : the 
 Sunne, the Moone, and the feuen Stars being fcarce 
 worthy thejuruey of their workings. I protefi I had 
 rather befiow my paynes on your good worfhip for a 
 brace of Angells certaine, then ft and to the bountie of 
 a Better-mans Purfe-bearer, or a very good womans 
 Gentleman-vfher: my reafon is I cannot attend: your 
 Bis dat, qui cito Jiands Jo like a Load-ftone ouer your 
 great e gate., that I fear e twill drawe all the Iron- 
 pated Muje-mongers about the towne in a fhort time 
 
to your patronage. For mine owne fart I had rather 
 bee yours volens, then be driuen nolens : Jo till I 
 meete you next at your great Cajile in Fifh-ftreet, He 
 neither tajle of your bountie^ nor be drunke to your 
 health. 
 
 One 
 of your firfi followers^ 
 lohn Daye. 
 
HUMOUR OUT OF BREATH. 
 
 ACTVS I. 
 
 SCENA I. 
 
 Enter 05lauio Duke of Venice^ Hippolito and Francifco 
 
 his fonnes^ Florimell his daughter : Hortenjjo 
 
 and others attendants. 
 
 O^fauio. 
 
 SOnnes, hopefull buddes of fruitfull Italy, 
 Hauing banifht war, which hke a prodigall 
 Kept waftfull reuells with our fubiedls bloud : 
 Since proude Anthonio our arch-enemy- 
 Is in his iourney towards thVnderworld, 
 Or houers in the fhade of banifhment ; 
 Let vs in peace fmile at our victory, 
 And euery breft pafTe his opinion 
 What paftime beft becomes a conqueror. 
 
 Fran. What fport but conqueft for a conqueror ? 
 Then with our wounds vndreft, our fteeds ftill armd, 
 Branded with fteele, ere we wipe of the bloud 
 Of conquerd foes, lets with our fhriller bugles 
 Summon the furly Landlord of the forreft, 
 
The Kingly Lyon, to a bloudy parle ; 
 Combat the Hart, the Leopard or the Bore, 
 In fingle and aduenturous hardyment : 
 The fpirit of mirth in manly adlion refts, 
 Hauing queld men, lets now go conquer beads. 
 
 05i. Manly refolu'd ; Hippolitoes aduise ? 
 
 Hip. Rather like fouldiers, and 05lauioes fonnes. 
 Lets throw a generall challenge through the world. 
 For a proud turney, at the which our felues 
 Conforted with a hundred of our knights. 
 Accoutred like fo many gods of warre, 
 Will keepe the lifts gainft all aduenturers ; 
 Which like the funs light figurd in a ftar 
 Should be a briefe epitome of war. 
 
 0£f. Noble and royall ; your opinion, daughter ? 
 
 Flo. Faith, I ftiall anger fouldiers : I woulde 
 poure 
 Spirit of life, Aurum Potabile^ 
 Into the iawes of chap-falne fchollerfhip, 
 That haue, fince amorous Ouid was exild, 
 Lyen in a fbwne. Y' aue many holds for war, 
 I would once view a garrifon for witte : 
 Twere heauenly fport to fee a traine of fchollers 
 Like old traind foldiers fkirmifti in the fchooles, 
 Trauerfe their Ergoes and difcharge their lefts 
 Like peales of fmall-ftiot; were this motion granted 
 My felfe would be free woman of their hall. 
 And fit as fifter at their feftiuall. 
 
 O^. Haue we not Padua ? 
 
 Flo. Yes, but the com maunders 
 
7 
 
 Deale with our graduates, as the generall 
 
 Doth with his fouldier — giues him place for fauoure, 
 
 Not for deferuing ; looke intoo't your felfe : 
 
 You haue courts for tennis, and me thinkes t'were 
 
 meet 
 Learning fhould not ftand balling in the ftreet 
 For want of houferoome : oh tis much vnfit 
 Courtiers fhould be all pleafure and fmall wit. 
 
 05i. All that you fpeake is but what we command. 
 
 Flo. But Officers, father, cannot vnderftand 
 Their lords at firft : wert not a gallant fight, 
 To fee wits army royall come from fight. 
 Some crownd with gold, others with wreath of bayes? 
 And whilft they hold their folemn holydaies, 
 Mufick fhould like a louer court the fkies, 
 And from the world wreft ringing plaudities. 
 
 Hi'p. My filler would make a rare beggar. 
 
 Fra. True, fiiee's parcell poet, parcel! fidler al- 
 ready ; and they commonly fing three parts in one. 
 
 051. Wrong neither art nor muficke, they are 
 twins 
 Borne and begot in heate : your thought of both ? 
 
 Flo. I thinke, my lord, that mufick is diuine, 
 Whofe facred ftraines haue power to combine 
 The foule and body ; and it reafon beares. 
 For it is faid that the celeftiall fpheres 
 Dance to Apolloes lyre, whofe fprightly fires 
 Haue tamd rude beafts, and charmd mens wild 
 
 defires : 
 The author was immortall ; the firft ftrings 
 
8 
 
 Made by a king, therefore an art for kings : 
 
 The world's a body, euery liberall art 
 
 A needfull member, mufick the foule and hart. 
 
 O^. Well for hir fex hath Florimell difcourft 
 Of heauenly muficke, and fince all conclude 
 It is an art diuine, we were too rude 
 Should we reie6t it ; mufick ! I take great pride 
 To heare foft mufick and thy fhrill voice chide. 
 
 Flo. To pleafe your grace, though 1 want voice 
 and fkill, 
 He fhew my felfe obedient to your will. \Sing. 
 
 Fra. This would haue done rare at a fchoUers 
 window. 
 How do you hke it, father ? 
 
 O^. Highly, my boies; I rellifh all delight, 
 For when the fiery fpirit of hot youth 
 Kept houfe within me, I was all delight : 
 Then could I take my loue, no loue more fayre. 
 By the fmooth hand, and gazing in loues ayre 
 Tell her her beauty beautifide the fkie. 
 And that the funne flole luftre from her eye. 
 
 Fra. I do admire to heare my princely father 
 Thus merrilie difcourfe of trifling loue, 
 
 O^. Nay more, my boyes, when I was at your 
 yeares, 
 I went a pilgrimage through Italic, 
 To find the fhrine of fome loue-hallowed faynt; 
 Deuote to beauty, I would pray for loue ; 
 Defiring beauty, I would fue for loue ; 
 Admiring beauty, I would ferue for loue : 
 
Pray, fue, and ferue, till beauty graunted loue. 
 If fhe denyd me, I would fweare fhe graunted ; 
 If fhe did fweare that fhe could neuer loue me, 
 Then would I fweare fhe could not chufe but loue me : 
 Let her fweare nere fo much, ftill haue I fworne, 
 Till fhe had faid I fhould not be forfworne. 
 
 Flo. I, marry, brothers, here was cunning loue ! 
 Learne like good fchollers, heele make you wife in 
 
 loue : 
 He was a man in loue ; were you fuch men, 
 Then were you men indeed, but boyes till then. 
 
 Fr. To pleafe my father, ile in quefl of beauty. 
 And neuer make returne till I haue found 
 A loue fo faire, fo rich, fo honorable. 
 As fits the honor of OSfauioes fonnes. 
 
 Hip. The like (you pleafd) vowes young Hippolito. 
 
 oil. Doe, boyes, and I will teach you how to 
 chufe them. 
 Ele6l not mongft whole troupes of courtly dames. 
 For amongfl many, fome muft needs be ill : 
 The feld feene Phoenix euer fits alone, 
 Joue courted Danae when fhe was alone : 
 Alone, my boyes, that is the only way. 
 Ladies yeeld that alone, they els fay nay. 
 
 Flo. An expert fouldier ; how fhall they choofe 
 them, father ? 
 
 O^. If her bright eye dim not the Diamond, 
 Say, it is bright, but brighter iems delight you ; 
 If that her breath do not perfume the ayre, 
 Say, it is fweet, but fweeter fweets content you. 
 
 B 
 
lO 
 
 If that her cheeke compared to the lilly, 
 
 Make not the hlly black with whiter whitenefTe ; 
 
 Say it is lilly white, but black to white. 
 
 When yourchoife white muft haue fuch high exceeds. 
 
 Flo. Father, you do exceed things poffible ; 
 Faith, fay how many ladyes haue you feene 
 Much fayrer then my felfe, in all your trauayle ? 
 
 O^. Should the Crow teach me, then no Lady 
 fayrer ; 
 If iudgement tell me, then a many fayrer : 
 Thou art myne owne, I muft thinke well of thee, 
 Yet, Florimella^ many doe excell thee. 
 
 Flo. Should the Crow teache, I am not all Crow 
 black; 
 Though iudgement,* I not all perfeftion black ; 
 Though you haue feen ladyes that dim the day, 
 Yet will I think my felfe as fayre as they. 
 
 Obi. Doe, Florimella^ and ile one day get 
 A hufband for thee, that fhall thinke thee fayre. 
 
 Flo. And tyme ifaith ; that prety fport would be; 
 Wiue it for them, you fhall not hufband me. 
 
 O^. Yet you will take my counfell in your 
 choife ? 
 
 Flo. Yes, if I had not yeares ynough to choofe : 
 Would you diredl me as you doe your fonnes .'' 
 With, ' Daughter, take a man with fuch a nofe. 
 With fuch an eye, with fuch a colour beard. 
 Thus big, thus tall, with all his teeth afore ; 
 
 ' Quy. Should iudgement, I not all perfeftion lack. 
 
1 1 
 
 Thus lipt, thus legd, thus handfome, thus appar- 
 
 relld.' 
 Were not this pittlful ? o pittifull : 
 Now by the foule of foule-commaunding loue, 
 I will not ftoope to fuch obedience : 
 I muft be bid to blufh when I am kift, 
 Bid my loue welcome, and ' I thank you, fir 1' 
 With * no, indeed, I know not what loue is, 
 I neuer heard fo much of loue before, 
 I pray take heede, nay, fie you goe too far !' 
 With fuch a rabble of prefcriptions, 
 As neuer mayd of a conceiuing fpirit 
 Will follow them ; yet, brothers, goe you on. 
 Take you good counfell, Florimell will none. [Exit. 
 
 051. I, daughter, are you fo experiencd ? 
 An elder woman might haue fpoken lefle. 
 Yet by your leaue, mynion, ile watch you fo. 
 Your ' I ' fhall ftill be gouernd by my ^ no.' 
 But come, my fonnes, take patterne of great loue^ 
 Early ith' morning fuit your felues for loue. 
 
 \Exeunt, 
 
 [Scene 2.] 
 
 Enter Anthonio Duke of Mantua^ Hermia and Lucida 
 
 his daughters ; they with angels^ and he with a net. 
 
 Anthonio. 
 
 GO, daughters, with your angels to the brooke. 
 And fee if any filuer-coated filh 
 Will nibble at your worme-emboweld hooks : 
 Deceiue the watry fubieds, yet the name 
 
12 
 
 Of foule deceit, me thinks, (hould fray them from 
 
 you. 
 Alack, alack, I cannot blame the world. 
 That in the world there is fo much deceipt ; 
 When this poore fimple trade muft vfe deceipt. 
 But with what confcience can I make this net. 
 Within whofe mefhes all are caught that come? 
 They coufen one at once, this coufens many, 
 I will vndoo't, it fhall not coufen any. 
 But, daughters, go pra6life that little finne, 
 He mend this great fault ere the fault begin. 
 O, coufening fortune, how haft thou deceiu'd me ! 
 Turning me out a doores to banifhment, 
 And made another Lord of Mantua, 
 1 that was lord now flaue to mifery. 
 
 Her. Take comfort yet, deare father. 
 
 A}2t. Comfort .'* no : 
 
 My breft's turnd prifon, my proude iaylor, woe. 
 Locks out all comfort : whers your valiant brother ? 
 
 Her. All difcontent, hke to a wounded lyon 
 He forrages the woods, daring proude fortune 
 At her beft weapon ; he accounts this fmart 
 As a flight hurt, but far off from the hart. 
 
 Anth. How holds his humour ? 
 
 Luc. The fame fafhion ftill : 
 
 But fomwhat fadder-colourd, death may end 
 But neuer change him ; fee our words haue raifd 
 him. [Enter AJpero. 
 
 Anth. Fitly applide, for a walks like a ghoft. 
 Why, how now, fonne .'' 
 
13 
 
 4fp' Peace. 
 
 Her. Brother. 
 
 4fp- Good now, peace, 
 
 Wake me not, as you loue me. 
 
 Luc. What a fleepe ? 
 
 ^fp. I, in a moft fweet fleepe, blifters o' your 
 tongues for waking me. 
 
 Anth. Thou forgetteft thy felfe. 
 
 Afp. I fhould not be a courtier els ; mee thought 
 I was at a ftrange wedding. 
 
 Anth. Prithee, what wedding ? 
 
 A/p. Of a young lawyer and old Madam Con- 
 fcience. 
 
 Anth. I fcarce beleeue that. 
 
 Afp. Nor I neither, becaufe it was a dreame ; but 
 mee thought the yong man doted on the old woman 
 exceedingly. 
 
 Anth. That was miraculous ! Did they live to- 
 gether ? 
 
 Afp. In the country they did, and agreed pafling 
 well all the long vacation ; and but for two things, 
 he would haue carried her vp to the terme with him. 
 
 Ant. What things were thofe ^. 
 
 Afp. One was, becaufe her gowne was of the old 
 fafhion ; the other was, caufe he would not haue 
 her by when he took fees. 
 
 Ant. His reafon for that .'' 
 
 A/p. For feare if a bribe had bin offered, fhe 
 being by, he fhold haue had the bad confcience to 
 take it. 
 
•4 
 
 Anth. His wife and he liued together. 
 
 AJp. Confcience and the Lawyer, as loulngly as 
 men and their wiues do, one flefh, but neither medle 
 nor make one with another. 
 
 Ant. Man and wife part, thats ftrange! 
 
 AJp. O lord, fir, profit can part the fiaule and the 
 body, and why not man and wife ; now you have 
 had my dreame, father, let me vnderftand yours. 
 
 Anth. How can he dreame that neuer fleeps, my 
 fonne ? 
 
 AJp. O, beft of all : why, your whole world doth 
 nothing but dreame : your machiauell he dreames 
 of ftate, depofing kings, grounding new monarchies : 
 the louer hee dreames of kifles, amorous embraces: 
 the newe-married wife dreames, that rid of her young 
 hufband fhe hugs her old loue, and likes her dreame 
 well ynough too : the country gentlewoman dreams 
 that when her firft hufband's dead, fhe marries a 
 knight, and the name of Lady flicks fo in her mind 
 that fhees neuer at hearts- eafe till fhe get her huf- 
 band dub'd ; the captaine, he dreames of oppreffing 
 the fouldiers, deuifing flratages to keep his dreame ; 
 and that dreame wakes in the pate of 05iauio your 
 arch-enemy, who is not content to hurle vs into the 
 whirlepoole of banifhment, but binds waights at our 
 heeles, leaden pouerty, to finke vs to the very depth 
 that we fhould neuer rife againe. 
 
 Her. Then fince all dreame, let vs dreame of 
 reuenge. 
 
 AJp. I, marry, fifler, that were a dreame worth 
 
15 
 
 dreaming, and ile fleepe out my braines but ile com- 
 pafle it. 
 
 Anth. Pretty content; we kill our foes in dreames. 
 
 Afp. Vds foot, ile doe it waking then. 
 
 Anth. A/pero ! 
 
 Afp. At counfell table — 
 
 Anth. Heare me. 
 
 u4fp. In his Dutches armes ! twere bafe to go 
 difguifd ; 
 No, my reuenge fhall weare an open brow ; 
 I will not play the coward, kill him firft 
 And fend my challenge after ; ile make knowne 
 My name, and caufe of comming, if I thought 
 Griefe like a painter had fo fpoyl'd my vifage 
 He could not know me, on my bread ide write 
 * How ere I am disfigured through woe, 
 I am the thing was made for A/pero.' 
 Speake not, I am as conftant as the Center ; 
 Some fortune, good or bad, doth beckon me. 
 And I will run ; bitter reuenge tafts fweete : 
 If nere on earth, farewell, in heauen weele meete. 
 Attendance, firra ; your low Commedie 
 Craues but few Adlors, weele breake company. 
 
 Anth. As many blefTmgs as the fea hath fands 
 
 \^Exit. 
 Attend thee in thine honorable iourney : cum Puero 
 Come, pretty maides, we haue not wrought to day. 
 Or fifh, or faft, our neede muft needs obey. [Exeunt. 
 
N' 
 
 i6 
 
 [Scene 3.] 
 
 Enter HippolitOj Francijco^ Florimelly and Page 
 
 meeting them. 
 
 Francijco. 
 
 Ow, firra, what haue you been about? 
 Page. About my liuing, fir. 
 
 Hip. Whats that ? feeding ? 
 
 Pa. No, fir, looking into the vnderofficers about 
 the court. 
 
 Hip. Canft get any liuing out of them ? 
 
 Pa. I, fir, my betters get good linings out of 
 officers, and why not I ? but to be plaine, 1 haue 
 / bin feeking your good Lordfhip. 
 
 1/ Fr. But your boyfhip hath fo fought vs, that wee 
 
 haue found you. 
 
 Page. Will you fell your findings, my lord ^ 
 
 Hip. They are fcarce worth giuing. 
 
 Flo. Yes, a boxe to keepe them in, for feare you 
 loofe them againe. 
 
 Pa. And I were a man as I am no woman, id'e 
 pepper your box for that ieaft. 
 
 Flo. You ieaft. 
 
 Pa. In earneft law I would, madam, 
 
 Fr. Well, fir, no more, here comes our royall 
 father. 
 
 Enter O^auio^ Hortenfio., Flamineo^ etc. 
 
 051. How now, my boyes ? prouided for your 
 iourney ? 
 
17 
 
 Beauty condu6t you : what, attyrd like fhepheards ? 
 I thought t'haue feene you mounted on your 
 
 fteeds, 
 Whofe fiery ftomackes from their noftrills breath 
 The fmoke of courage, and whofe wanton mouthes 
 Do proudely play vpon their yron bits : 
 And you, in ftead of thefe poore weeds, in robes 
 Richer then that which Ariadne wroughte, 
 Or Cythareas aery-mouing veftment. 
 Thus fhould you feeme Hke louers fuited thus, 
 Y'oude draw faire Ladies harts into their eies. 
 And ftrike the world dead with aflonifhment. 
 
 Fr. Father, fuch coft doth pafle your fons 
 reuenues. 
 We take example from immortall loue. 
 Who, like a fhepheard, would repaire to loue. 
 
 0£i. And, gentle loue conduct you both, my 
 fonnes ; 
 Daughter, go bring them onward in their way. 
 Were not we cald back by important bufines. 
 We would not leaue you thus : — Hortenjio, 
 Is my difguife prepard ? for I vnknowne 
 Will fee how they behaue themfelues in loue. 
 
 Hort. Tis done, my lord. 
 
 O^. Once more, my boyes, adieu : 
 He fends you forth that meanes to follow you. 
 
 [^Exit. 
 
 Flo. Now, brothers, you muft amongft thefe 
 wenches; Faith, for a wager which fhall get the 
 faireft ? 
 
i8 
 
 Fr, He gage a lOO. crownes mine proucs the 
 fa ire ft. 
 
 Hip. A match, ile venter twice fo much of mine. 
 
 Flo. And ile lay gainft you both, that both your 
 loues, get them when you can, where you can, or 
 how you can, fhall not be able to compare with me 
 in beauty. 
 
 Fran. That wager ile take, for tis furely won. 
 
 Hip. Las, thou art but a ftar to beauties fun. 
 
 Flo. Star me no ftars, go you and ftare for loue ; 
 lie ftay at home, and with my homely beauty 
 Purchafe a loue, ftiall thinke my looks as faire. 
 As thofe faire loues that you fhall fetch fo far; 
 But take your courfe, fate fend you both faire lucke. 
 
 Fr. How if 't be fowle ? 
 
 Flo. Nay, ift be forked, you muft beare it off with 
 head and fhoulders. 
 
 Fr. Oh ftale, that ieaft runs oth' lees. 
 
 Flo. You muft confider tis drawne out of the 
 bottome of my witte. 
 
 Fr. O ftiallow wit, at the bottome fo foone. 
 
 Flo. Deepe ynough to lay you in the mire. 
 
 Page. Or els tis ftiallow indeede, for they are 
 foundred already ; but I muft play dun, and draw 
 them all out o'th mire. 
 Whats a clock, my lord ^. 
 
 Flo. Which of them doft aflce ? thou feeft they 
 are two. 
 
 Pag. What two are they, madam? 
 
 Flo. Why two fooles. 
 
19 
 
 Fr. Is it not paft two ? doth it not come fome- 
 what neere three, fifter ? 
 
 Page. Shew perryall and tak't; but come, my 
 lord, you haue ftood fooling long ynough, will you 
 about your bufines in good earneft ? 
 
 Fra. Indeed we will. 
 
 Flo. And they are deeds you muft truft too, for 
 women will refpedl your words but flitely without 
 deeds. 
 
 Page. Why are women called Angells, but becaufe 
 they delight in good deeds ; and loue heauen, but 
 that it will not be won without them ? 
 
 Fr. They fhall haue deeds. 
 
 Flo. Brother, and good deeds too : 
 They are tongues that men muft fpeake with when 
 they wo. 
 
 Hip. That tongue weel pradife ; fifter, to loue 
 we leaue you. [Exeunt brothers. 
 
 Flo. Louers, take heede leaft cunning loue de- 
 ceiue you. [Exit with Page. 
 
 Finis a5ius primi. 
 
 ACTVS SECVNDVS. 
 
 Enter O^auio difguifed, Hortenfwy Flamineo. 
 
 O^favio. 
 
 NO more ; thus futed ile attend my fonnes. 
 Impute it not to any ruftian vaine. 
 But to a fathers wakefull prouidence. 
 
V 
 
 20 
 
 Louers like bees are priuiledgd to taft 
 
 All buds of beauty ; fhould they light ' 
 
 Vpon fome worthies weed ile hinder it : 
 
 The eies of youth will now and then dwell there 
 
 Whereas they fhould not glance ; this doubt I feare. 
 
 Fla. And well aduifd, my liege ; fhould they in- 
 cline 
 To loue not fitting their eftates and births, 
 You with your prefent counfell may preuent them. 
 
 05f. Thats my intent ; and further, in my abfence 
 I leaue my land and daughter to thy charge. 
 The girle is wanton ; if fhe gad abroad 
 Reftraine her, bound her in hir chamber dore ; 
 My word's thy warrant, let her know fo much : 
 P'arewell, at home I leaue my feare with thee. 
 And follow doubt abroad. 
 
 Hor. lie carefull be. [Exeunt. 
 
 0£i. Now to my bufines ; I haue a ftrange habit, 
 and I muft cut out an humour futable to it, and 
 humours are pickt fo neere the bone, a man can 
 fcarce get humour ynough to giue a flea his break- 
 faft : but I am a ftale ruffian, my habit Is braue, and 
 fo fhall my humor be, and here comes one to giue 
 me earneft of it. 
 
 Enter Afpero and his boy. 
 
 AJp. Send him a letter that I come to kill him. 
 
 ' Mr. Halliwcll-Phillips rellorcd the mcafure by reading 
 * (hould thcv chance to light.' 
 
21 
 
 Boy. Twere great valor, but little pollicy, my 
 Lord. 
 
 ^■p. How long haue you bin a matchiauilian, 
 boy ? 
 
 Boy. Euer fince I pradlifd to play the knaue, my 
 lord. 
 
 Jfp. Then policy and knauery are fomewhat a kin. 
 
 Boy. As neere as penury and gentry; a degree 
 and half remou'de, no more. 
 
 Afp. How came in the kindred twixt gentry and 
 penury ? 
 
 O^. Shall I tell you, fir ? 
 
 Afp. Firft, tell me what thou art } 
 
 O^. Lyme and haire ; playfter of Parisy kneaded 
 together with rye dowe and goats miike ; I am of a 
 hot conftitution, wonnot freeze. 
 
 j4fp. Thy profefTion. 
 
 O^. A foole or a knaue, choofe you which. 
 
 Boy. Then thou art fit for any gentlemans com- 
 pany. 
 
 05f. True, boye, for your fweete foole and your 
 fine knaue are like a paire of vpright fhooes, that 
 gentlemen weare fo lon<^ -.ow of one foote, then of 
 another, till they leaue them neuer a good foale. 
 
 AJp. That makes your foole and your knaue haue 
 fuch bad foales ; but what dofl: thou feeke ? 
 
 O^. Mine owne vndoing, fir, — feruice. 
 
 Afp. Indeed feruice is like the common law, it 
 vndoes any one that foUowes it long. Canft de- 
 fcribe feruice .'' 
 
22 
 
 051. Yes, tis a vacant place, fild vp with a com- 
 pleate knaue, a mifcrable pandar, or an abfolute 
 beggar. 
 
 AJp. Your opinion, boy ? 
 
 Boy. I fay a feruingman is an Antecedent, 
 
 051. Becaufe he fits before a Cloakebag ? 
 
 Boy. He is hkewife a nominatiue Cafe, and goes 
 before his miftrifl*e. 
 
 051. Thats when the verbe he goes before, his 
 miftrifTe, and he can agree togither. 
 
 Boy. If not, he turnes Accufatiue and folio wes 
 his mafter. 
 
 Af-p. Woot follow me, fellow? 
 
 05i. To a tauerne, and thou woot pay for my 
 ordenary. 
 
 AJp. My bufinefle is more ferious, thou doft not 
 know me. 
 
 051. Nor my felfe neither, fo long as I haue main- 
 tenance. 
 
 AJf. Didft neuer heare of the wars betwixt Venice 
 and Mantua ? 
 
 051, I cut fome few of the Mantuans throates. 
 
 AJ-p. And wert not a knaue for't .'' 
 
 05f. No, I was a Venetian commander, a great 
 man. The reafon of this queftion } 
 
 AJp. Doft know the Duke of Venice ? 
 
 05t. I am his right hand. 
 
 Afp. Woot do me a meffage to him ? 
 
 05i. Whatis't.? 
 
 Afp. Tell him I hate him ; my name's AJpero ; 
 
23 
 
 has banifht my father, vfurps his dukedome, and I 
 come to be reuengd. 
 
 051. Anthonioes fonne ? vesfoot, haft any gold ? 
 
 AJ-p. Thy reafon ? 
 
 051. Shalt be reuengd. Giue me money, ile be 
 thy fnaile and fcore out a filuer path to his con- 
 fufion. 
 
 AJp. No, my reuenge fhall be like my fathers 
 wrongs, in aperto : lend me any honeft aide. 
 
 051. Pax of honefty, it goes a begging vpon 
 crutches ; and can get reliefe out of few but fchollers. 
 I fhall not kill him ? 
 
 A/p. Ide be thy death firft. 
 
 05f. Yet, you fay you hate him. 
 
 Afp. Equall with my fhame. 
 
 05f. Make him chew a bullet then. 
 
 A/p. No, though my ftate with pouerty be tainted, 
 Mine ads and honor fhall Hue ftill acquainted. 
 
 05f. True moulded honor : I admire the temper 
 Of thy mild patience ; that not all the wrongs 
 I layd vpon thee can enforce thy fpleene 
 To fowle requitall : had thy comming tane 
 Any bafe leuell, it had coft thy life ; 
 But beeing free, and full of honour, liue ; 
 Thy vertues teach me honor ; freely goe, 
 A fecret friends worfe then an open foe. — 
 You are too honeft for my attendance; farewell, 
 fir. [Exit. 
 
 Afp. And thou too knauifh for my employment. 
 But here comes more company. 
 
24 
 
 Enter Florimell and Page. 
 
 Flo. Boy, let your attendance waite further of; 
 Vnder this fhade I meane to take a fleepe. 
 
 Pa. And may you, madam, like a fouldier 
 fleepe. 
 
 Flo. How, boy, in alarums ? 
 
 Pag. No, ladye, but in armes, and you had neede 
 of them too ; for fee the enemy comes downe. Shall 
 I found a par lee ? 
 
 Flo. Peace, wag. 
 
 Pa. Peace ! O coward, offer peace and but two 
 to two of them. 
 
 Flo. Boy, dofl; know what gentleman it is.^" 
 
 Pa. Gentle madam, no ; but he is a man. 
 
 Flo. Beleeue me, boy, he is a proper man. 
 
 Pa. Man is a proper name to a man, and fo he 
 may be a proper man. 
 
 Flo. I loue him, hees a very proper man. 
 
 Pa. She loues him for his properties, and indeede 
 many women loue men only to make properties of 
 them. 
 
 Flo. Pray, gentleman, if no more, tell me where 
 you were born. 
 
 y^Jp. Faire virgine, if fo much, no where, fome 
 where, any where, where you would haue me. 
 
 Flo. Faith, I would haue it. 
 
 Jfp. Marry, and you fliall haue it, ladie. 
 
 Flo. What fliall I haue, flr ? 
 
 4fp. Why, a kiffe. 
 
25 
 
 Flo. Nothing els: we courtiers count them trifles, 
 not woorth taking. 
 
 Afp. Why then, beftow one of mee ; ile take it 
 moft thankfully. 
 
 Flo. I wil not ftand with you for a trifle, fir , 
 pray where were you borne } 
 
 AJ-p. In Italy, but neuer yet in Venice. 
 
 Flo. You may in Venice ; gentle fir, adieu. 
 
 \_Exit. 
 
 Afp. Gentle lady, thrice as much to you. 
 
 Pa. Farewell, fweet heart. \_Exit. 
 
 Boy. God a mercy, bagpudding. 
 
 Afp. * You may in Venice ; gentle fir, adieu.' 
 This begets wonder. 
 
 Boy. Yare not wife then ; what do you take her 
 for.? 
 
 Afp. Some great woman. 
 
 Boy. Some woman great with child. Be ruld ; 
 fliees a pynk. Board her. 
 
 Afp. But how ? the meanes ? 
 
 Boy. Make but a fliotte of flattery at hir broad 
 fide, and flieele fl:rike faile prefently. 
 
 Afp. Flattery.? 
 
 Boy. I, flattery ; women are like fidlers ; fpeake 
 them faire theile play of any inflirument. 
 
 Afp. I, that they can play of. 
 
 Boy. Shees a botcher cannot play a little of all. 
 
 Afp. And to common that wil play too much of 
 any ; but come, ile vfe meanes to get her. 
 
 Boy. Nay, you mufl: firfl: haue meanes to giue her. 
 
 D 
 
26 
 
 AJp. Why, in the courfe of fchollerfhip the geni- 
 tiue cafe goes before the datiue. 
 
 Boy. The grammarians are fooles that plac'de 
 them fo ; for in Rerum Natura the datiue goes 
 before the genetiue ; you muft alwayes giue before 
 you can get; louers are fooles, and fooles muft be 
 liberall. 
 
 AJp. Will not women refpe(5t a man for his good 
 parts ? 
 
 Boy. Yes, fome few ; but all for his good guiftes. 
 A gentleman with his good guifts fit at the vpper 
 end of the table on a chayre and a cuftiion, when a 
 fcholler with his good partes will be gladde of a 
 ioynd ftoole in the Lobby with the chambermaids. 
 
 Afp. I will haue good guifts and fhew my felfe 
 liberall to, though I beg for't. 
 
 Boy. I thinke that will be the end ; for penury 
 has tane a leafe of your pocket to keep Court in 
 this ChriftmafTe. 
 
 A/p. Well, how fo ere, fhee's faire and courteous. 
 And courteous faire is a faire guift in ladies : 
 She may bee well difcended ; if fhee be, 
 Shee's fit for loue, and why not then for me. 
 
 [^Exit. 
 
 Boy. And you be not fitted in Venice tis ftraunge, 
 for tis counted the beft flefh-fhambles in Italic : but 
 heer's no notable coward, that hauing fuffered wrong 
 by a man, feeks to right himfelfe of a woman. 
 
 [_Exit. 
 
L' 
 
 27 
 
 [Scene 2.] 
 
 Enter Hippolito Francifco, like fhepheards^ 
 OElauio in difguife. 
 
 05i. 
 
 Ooke you, fir, I am like an Irifh beggar, and an 
 ' Englifli bur, will fticke clofe where I finde a 
 good nap ; I mufl and will dwell with you. 
 
 Fr. What canft do ? 
 
 05i. Still Aquauita, ftampe Crabs, and make 
 muftard; I can do as much as all the men you 
 keepe. 
 
 Fra. Prithee, what ? 
 
 051. Why vndo you, and twenty could do no 
 more. But bufines ; come, my wits grow rufty for 
 imployment. 
 
 Fr. Canft keepe counfell .'' 
 
 O^. My mother was a midwife. 
 
 Hip. Haft any ikill in loue? 
 
 051. I am one of Cupids agents ; haue Ouids Ars 
 Amandi ad vngues ; know caujam., and can apply 
 remedium, and minifter effe£fum to a haire. But 
 why do you afke .? haue you trauerft an adion in 
 loues fpirituall court ? 
 
 Fra. Not to diftemble, we haue. 
 
 O^. And without diftembling, youle neuer come 
 out of it; but tell me true, are you in loue already ? 
 or haue you but defire to bee in loue } 
 
 Fra. Indeed I am in loue to be in loue. 
 
28 
 
 Hip. And I defire to Hue in fond define, 
 And yet I doubt to touch blind fancies fier. 
 
 OtJ. Tis good to doubt, but tis not good to feare, 
 Yet ftill to doubt will at the laft proue feare ; 
 Doubt loue, tis good, but tis not good to feare it, 
 Loue hurts them moft, that leaft of all come neere it. 
 
 Fr. Then to doubt loue is the next way to loue. 
 
 05f. Doubtles it is, if you mifdoubt not loue. 
 
 Hip. Doubt and mifdoubt, what difference is 
 there here ? 
 
 O^. Yes, much : when men mifdoubt, tis fayd 
 they feare. 
 
 Fra. But is it good in loue to be in doubt ? 
 
 OSl. No, not in loue, doubt then is iealoufie : 
 Tis good to doubt before you be in loue ; 
 Doubt counfells how to fhun loues mifery, 
 
 Fra. Your doubtfull counfell counfells vs to 
 loue. 
 
 031. To equall loue, I like experience fpeake. 
 
 Hip. Experiencd louer, you haue fpoken well. 
 
 O^. Experience-wanting louers, truth I tell ; 
 Yong wits be wife, in loue liue conftant ftill. 
 You need nor doubt good hap, nor mifdoubt ill. 
 
 Enter Lucida and Hermenia with angles 
 And fee, your difcourfe has coniured vp beauty in 
 the likeneffe of two countrimaides, but you fhall 
 not come in the circles of their armes, if I can 
 keepe you out. 
 
 Fra. Thefe are too meane for loue ; brother, lets 
 leaue them. 
 
29 
 
 051. What, fpeechles? will you make dumbe 
 virgins of them ? 
 
 Hip. Oh, we are formes of a great father. 
 
 OB. So is the fun of heauen, yet hee fmiles on 
 the bramble as well as the Lilly ; kifles the cheeke 
 of a beggar as louingly as a gentlewoman, and tis 
 good to imitate him, tis good. 
 
 Her. Say, filler, had we not fine fport to day ? 
 
 Luc. We had, if death may be accounted play. 
 
 Her. Why, tis accounted pleafure to kill fifh. 
 
 Luc. A pleafure nothing pleafant to the fifh. 
 
 Her. Yet filhes were created to be kild. 
 
 Luc. Cruell creation then, to haue Hues fpild. 
 
 Her. Their bodies being food, maintaine our 
 breath. 
 
 Luc. What bodies then haue we, to liue by 
 death ? 
 
 Her. Come, come, you vainely argue ; it is good. 
 
 Luc. What, is it good to kill ? oh God, oh God. 
 
 Her. If it be fin, then you your felf 's a finner. 
 
 Luc, I thank proud fortune fort, my woes be- 
 ginner. 
 
 OB. Foot, are yee not afliamd to ftand by like 
 idle ciphers, and fuch places of account voyde ? and 
 they had bin rich offices, and you poore courtiers, 
 you would haue bin in them in halfe the time. 
 
 Fra. Though againft ftomack. — 
 
 OB. Nothing againft ftomack, and you loue me. 
 
 Hi-p. Faire maids, if fo you be, you are well met. 
 
 Her. Shepheards, or be what els you are, well met. 
 
3° 
 
 Fra. Tis well, if that well met we be to you. 
 Luc. If not to vs, you are vnto your felues. 
 Hip. We did not meet, you faw vs come togither. 
 Her. What ere we faw, you met ere you came 
 
 hither. 
 Fr. We did, we met in kindred, we are brothers. 
 Luc. So, fhepheards, we did meet, for we are 
 
 fifters. 
 Hip. Then, fifters, let vs brothers hufbands be. 
 Her. So, brothers, without our leaues, you well 
 
 may be. 
 Fr. Say, we defire to hufband it with you. 
 Luc. Know we defire no hufbands fuch as you. 
 Hip. A fhepheard is an honeft trade of life. 
 Her. Yet honeft fhepheard has with honeft trade 
 
 fome ftrife. 
 Hip. He feldome fweares but by his honefty. 
 Her. So honeft men do too afwell as he. 
 Fr. But will you truft a fhepheard when he 
 
 vowes ? 
 Luc. No, neuer ; if his oath be that he loues. 
 Hip. Yet if I fweare, that needs muft be mine oath. 
 Her. Sweare not, for we are mift^eleeuers both. 
 Fr. Let vs perfwade you to beleeue we loue you. 
 Luc. Firft, we intreat you giue vs time to proue 
 
 you. 
 Hip. Take time, meane time weele praife yee to 
 
 our powers. 
 Her. Oh time, fometime fhepheards haue idle 
 
 howers. 
 
31 
 
 Fra. He fay thy cheek no naturall beauty lacks. 
 
 Luc. Good, if it had bin fpoke behind our backs. 
 
 Hip. He fay this is the heauen of heauenly graces. 
 
 Her. O heauen, how they can flatters to our 
 faces. [^Exeunt. 
 
 Fr. Brother, the lafl: is fayrefl in my eie. 
 
 Hip. I, but the firfl:, brother, is firfl: in beauty. 
 
 Fr. Firfl in your choice, but not in beauty, fir. 
 
 0£l. Come yee fo neere as choice : then tis time 
 for mee to flop, for feare the mufick run too far out 
 of tune. How now, gallants, in dumps ? 
 
 Fr. No, but in loue. 
 
 05i. Thats a dumpe, loues nothing but an Italian 
 dumpe or a French brawle. 
 
 Hip. Me thinkes tis fweeter muficke. 
 
 051. And twere in tune, I confefTe it ; but you 
 take your parts too low, you are treble courtiers, 
 and will neuer agree with thefe country mynnikins ; 
 the mufickes too bafe, neuer meddle in't. 
 
 Fra. Peace, doatard, peace ; thy fight of loue is 
 done. 
 Thou canfl: not fee the glory of loues funne : 
 Spent age with frofl:y clowds thy fight doth dim, 
 That thou art blind to fee, and apt to fin. 
 
 05i. Is it accounted fin to fpeak the truth } 
 
 Hip. And worfe, when age fpits poyfon againfl 
 
 youth. 
 051. They do not fit your callings ; let them go. 
 Fr. Yet they are faire. We loue ; thou art 
 loues foe. 
 
32 
 
 O^. I am your friend, and wifh you from this 
 
 loue. 
 Hip. Canft thou heaue hills ? then thou my 
 thoughts maift moue, 
 But neuer els. 
 
 O^, Neuer ? 
 
 Fr. No, neuer. 
 
 0£i. Stay. 
 
 Hip. We are bound for loue. 
 OB. Hate. 
 
 Fra. Hinder not our way. 
 
 \_Exeunt brothers. 
 
 Ob. I, boyes; will Eagles Eglets turne to baf- 
 
 tards .f* 
 
 Then muft I change my vaine, and once more proue, 
 
 To teach you how to hate afwell as loue. \Exit. 
 
 Finis ABus Secundi. 
 
 ACTVS TERTIVS. 
 
 Enter Page and Florimell. 
 Fa. 
 
 SWeet hony candy madam, if it be no forfeit to 
 tell tales out of Cupids free fchoole, tell what 
 proficient your louer AJpero proues ? 
 
 Flo. Now, fo loue helpe me loe, a pafling weake 
 one and verye vnready. 
 
 Pag. The better, for women would haue their 
 louers vnreadye to choofe. 
 
33 
 
 Flo. How ready you are to play the knaue ! But 
 to Afpero. 
 
 Pa. I do not thinke but thers good mufick in 
 him ; your tongue harps fo much vpon his name. 
 
 Flo. I fhall neuer forget him. 
 
 Pa. I faith, lady, then I know what I know. 
 
 Flo. What do you know, I pray ? 
 
 Pa. Marry, that if you neuer forget him, you 
 fhall euer remember him. Was he neuer in your 
 chamber ? 
 
 Flo. Yes, but he fhewed himfelfe the ftrangeft 
 foole. And by my troth, loe, I am forry for't too. I 
 had as good an appetite to maintaine difcourfe. — But 
 here a comes. If euer I choofe a man by the fulnefle 
 of his calfe, or a cock by the crowing — Looke, and 
 the bafhfull foole do not blufh already. 
 
 Pa. You may do well to kifTe him, and make 
 him bold, madam. 
 
 Pa. Boy, go know what ftrange gentleman that is? 
 
 4fp. Slid, what a ftrange lady's this ? Madam, 
 though I feeme a ftranger to you, I lay with one 
 laft night that's well acquainted with you. 
 
 Flo. Acquainted with me ? 
 
 Afp. And knowes you, and loues you, and you 
 loue him, and haue beftowed kind fauours of him to. 
 
 Flo. I beftow fauors ! what fauours ? 
 
 Afp, Though twere but a trifle, he tooke it as 
 kindly as fome would haue done a kifte. 
 
 Flo. Lord, what a while this ieft has bin a brood- 
 ing ! and it proues but addle, too, now it is hatched 
 
 E 
 
34 
 
 Afp. Tis a pig of your owne fow, madam ; and 
 I hope your wit will beftow the nurfing of it. 
 
 Flo. So it had need, I thinke; tis like to haue 
 but a drie nurfe of yours. 
 
 Fa. O, drie ieaft ! all the wit in your head will 
 fcarce make fippits in't. What ! aground, and fuch 
 a faire landing place ? get afhore, or be rankt 
 amongft fooles for euer. 
 
 Flo. And faith, ift not pitty fuch a proper man 
 (hould keepe company with a foole ? 
 
 Afp. I keepe company with none but you, lady. 
 
 Flo. You keepe mine againft my will. 
 
 Afp. So do I the fooles, I proteft ; but take away 
 yours, ile foone fhift away the fooles. 
 
 Fag. I haue not feene a foole fo handfomely 
 fhifted in Venice. 
 
 AJp. But come, fhall the foole and you bee 
 friends } 
 
 Flo. The foole and I ? y' are too familiar. 
 
 Afp. Why, I hope a foole may be a ladies familiar 
 at all times. 
 
 Flo. Come, y^ are too faucy. 
 
 AJp. Indeed, tis a fooles part of lone to be in the 
 fauce afore my lady ; otherwife, I am neither foole 
 nor faucy. 
 
 Flo. Not, proude fir ? 
 
 AJp. Not, coy lady ; come, why fhould your 
 tongue make fo many falfe fiers that neuer come from 
 your heart \ you loue me, I know you loue me ; 
 your fpirit, your looke, your countenance bewrayes it. 
 
35 
 
 Flo. You ieaft. 
 
 AJp. In eameft you do, and you fhall know't in 
 earnefl too ; lend me this iewell. 
 
 Flo. Iewell ? away, you fharking companion. 
 
 4fp. How ? 
 
 Flo. Wandring ftrauagant, that like a droane flies 
 humming from one land to another. 
 
 Pa. Slight, and thou haft any wit, now fhew her 
 thy fting. 
 
 Flo. And lightft vpon euery dayry maid and 
 kitchen-wench. 
 
 Afp, And now and then on a ladies lip, as 
 
 Flo. You did of mine, you would fay ; and I am 
 hart fory you can fay it ; and when by your buzzing 
 flattery you haue fuckt the fmalleft fauour from 
 them, you prefently make wing for another. 
 
 AJp. Marry, buz. 
 
 Flo. Double the zard, and take the whole mean- 
 ing for your labour. 
 
 Pa. The buzzards wit's not fo bald yet, I tro. 
 
 Afp. A word in your eare, madam ; the buzzard 
 will anger you. 
 
 Flo. With ftaying, you do. 
 
 4fp. With going, I ftiall. 
 
 Flo. Away. 
 
 Afp. I, away ; neuer intreat, tis too late : if you 
 fend after me, I wil not come back ; if you write to 
 me, I will not anfwer ; drowne your eyes in teares, 
 I will not wipe them ; breake your heart with 
 fighes, I will not pitty you : neuer looke, fignes 
 
36 
 
 cannot moue me ; if you fpeake, tis too late ; if 
 you intreate, tis booties; if you hang vpon me, tis 
 needlefTe ; I offred loue, and you fcornd it ; my 
 abfence will be your death, and I am proud ont'. 
 
 \_ExiL 
 
 Flo. Is he gon, boy ? 
 
 Pa. Yes faith, madam. 
 
 Flo. Cleane out of fight ? 
 
 Pag. And out of mind to, or els you haue not 
 the mind of a true woman. 
 
 Flo. Thou readft a falfe comment, boy ; call him 
 againe ; yet doe not, my heart fhall breake ere it 
 bend. 
 
 Pa. Or els it holdes not the true temper of 
 womanhood ; but faith, tell me, madam, do you 
 loue him ? 
 
 Flo. As a Welchman doth toafted cheefe ; I can- 
 not dine without him; hee's my pillow, I cannot 
 deep quietly without him; my reft, I cannot Hue 
 without him. 
 
 Pa. O that he knew it, lady. 
 
 Flo. He does ; he would neuer haue left me els. 
 He does. 
 
 Pa. You calld him foole, but me thinks he 
 prooues a phyfitian, has found the difeafe of your 
 liuer by the complexion of your lookes ; but fee, he 
 returnes. 
 
 Enter Afpero meditating. 
 
 Flo. And now, me thinks, I loath him more then 
 I lou' d him ; goe run for Hortenfio my guardian. 
 
37 
 
 bid him come armd ; ther's intent of treafon, tell 
 him. 
 
 Pa. My lady cannot choofe but dance well, fhees 
 fo full of prety changes. \_Exit. 
 
 Flo. I wonder you dare come in my fight, con- 
 fidering the wrong you did me. 
 
 Afp. I came I confefTe, but with no intent to fee 
 you I proteft, and that fball be manifefted by the 
 fhortnes of my ftay. 
 
 Flo. Tis too long and twere fhorter then tis : — 
 will he not court me .? not ? nor fpeak to me neither ? 
 nay neuer aik pardon, tis to late, we fhall ha' you 
 come to my window one of thefe mornings with 
 muficke ; but doe not, my patience is to much out 
 of tune ; out of my fight I hate thee worfe than I 
 loath painting ; I hate thee, out of my fight. 
 
 Afp. Inough ; will you be a quiet woman yet ? 
 will you, fpeake afore my refolue take fl;rength ? 
 will you, do but fay you are forry, I aflce no mends 
 but a kifie, kindly, come : fhall I hat'e } 
 
 Flo. He kifi'e a toad firft. 
 
 Afp. You will remember this another time ; a 
 toade ! you will : I know thou lou'ft me, and I fee 
 the pride of thy humour ; I doe, and thou fiialt 
 know I doe ; halfe an hower hence wee fhall haue 
 you weeping on your knees, with ' O my Afpero, 
 would I had died when I reieded thee,' but doe, 
 weepe till I pitty thee ; a tooad ! He make thee 
 creepe on thy knees for a kiffe. 
 
 Flo. You will ? 
 
38 
 
 AJp. Thy bare knees ; I will, — and goe without 
 it to. 
 
 Flo. Out humourd ? O, I would fell my part of 
 immortahty. 
 
 AJp. But to touch my hand, thou wouldft, I know 
 thou woldft. 
 
 Flo. O how fpleene fwells mee ! Helpe, Hor- 
 tenfio ; creepe a my knees? Hortenfio. 
 
 Enter Hortenfio with his man AJftftance. 
 
 Hort. How fares my beautious charge ? weeping, 
 lady ? 
 The law fhall fetch red water from his veynes 
 That hath drawne bloud of your eies ; is this the 
 tray tor ? 
 
 A/p. Traytor ! in thy difloyall throte thou lieft. 
 
 Pa. O monftrous, a wifhes you choakt, my 
 lord. 
 
 Hort. How ? choakt } 
 
 Pa. I, choakt ; for a wifhes the traytor in your 
 throate ; and hee's a very fmall traytor that is not 
 able to choake a wifer man then your lordihip. 
 
 Hort. Downe with him. 
 
 Pa. I, downe with him, if he ftick in your throat, 
 and fpare not. 
 
 Flo. Do not kill him ; though hee deferues death, 
 yet doe not kill him, onely difweapon him ; fo. 
 
 Hor. But, madam. 
 
 Flo. I will not heare him; keepe him ; but keepe 
 him fafe on your Hues ; if he get away or mifcarry 
 
39 
 
 in prlfon, as I am heire of Venice, He haue your 
 heads for't. [Tbey bind him. 
 
 Hort. I warrant ^ you, madam, if yrons will hold 
 him. 
 
 Flo. Fie, fie, with a cord? Here, bind him with 
 my fcarfe, that wil hold ; and yet ftand away, He 
 doo't my felfe ; I cannot truft him with you, leaft 
 you fhould let him fometime fcape free : befides, 
 you cannot vfe him according to the quality of his 
 offence, and becaufe He glory in his bondage my 
 chamber fhall bee his prifon ; let him haue neither 
 light, meat, nor drinke, but what I prouide him 
 my felfe. 
 
 Hort. Your will's a law, we obey it, madam. 
 
 ^fp. She knowes me fure ; well, though my ioyes 
 be thrall, 
 My comforts this, a fpeedy death ends all. 
 
 \_Exit with Hort. and AJs. 
 
 Flo. Oh, you are not gone, then. 
 
 Page. Heer's a newe kinde of courting, neuer 
 feene before, I thinke. 
 
 Flo. He would anger me. 
 
 Pa. Nay, you take a courfe to anger him firft, I 
 thinke. 
 
 Flo. Should I haue let him go (as I could no 
 other way detaine him in modefty), and he had fet 
 his loue on fome other, t'would haue fretted my 
 hart ftrings a funder. 
 
 ^ 4to. warne. 
 
40 
 
 Pa. Why did you fet him fo light, then ? 
 
 Flo. Not for any hate, but in pride of my humour. 
 
 Page. Why did you commaund him clofe pri- 
 foner to your chamber ? 
 
 Flo. That I may feede mine eie with the fight of 
 him, and be fure no other beauty can rob me of his 
 company : I will ha't all, I will not loofe an ynch of 
 him. And in this I but imitate our Italian dames, 
 who caufe their friends to clap their iealous hufbands 
 in prifon, that if they haue occafion to vfe them 
 within fortle weekes and a day, they may furely 
 know where to find them. [Exit. 
 
 Pa. If I had any knauery in mee, as I am all 
 honefliy, I could make a notable fceane of mirth 
 betwixt thefe two amorifts. 
 
 [Scene 2.] 
 Enter Antonio with a net. 
 Anth. 
 Arly forrow, art got vp fo foone ? 
 
 E 
 
 What, ere the fun afcendeth in the Eaft ? 
 O what an early waker art thou growne ! 
 But ceafe difcourfe, and clofe vnto thy worke ; 
 Vnder this drooping mirtle will I fit. 
 And worke a while vpon my corded net ; 
 And as I worke, record my forrowes paft, 
 Afking old Time, how long my woes fhall laft : 
 And firft, — but ftay, alas ! what do I fee ? 
 Moift gum, like teares,drop from this mournfull tree. 
 
41 
 
 And fee, it flicks like birdlyme ; twill not part ; 
 Sorrow is euen fuch birdlyme at my hart. 
 Alas, poore tree, doft thou want company ? 
 Thou doft, I fee't, and I will weepe with thee ; 
 Thy forrowes make thee dumb, and fo fhall mine. 
 It fhall be tongueles, and fo feeme like thine ; 
 Thus will I reft my head vnto thy barke, 
 Whilft my fighes tell my forrowes; harke, tree, 
 harke. 
 
 Enter Hippolito and Francifco. 
 
 Fr. Fie, fie, how heauy is light loue in me ! 
 
 Hip. How flow runs fwift defire ! 
 
 Fr. This leaden ayre, 
 This pondrous feather, merry melancholy. 
 
 Hip, This paflion which but in pallion 
 Hath not his perfedl ftiape. 
 
 Fr. And ftiapelefte^ loue 
 Hath in his watch of loue oreflept himfelfe. 
 
 Hip. Then, fleepy wakers, let ^ thefe graue ; lets 
 wander, 
 And waite th'afcenfion of beauties wonder : 
 But ftay, a man ftriuing twixt life and death ! 
 
 Fr. Nay, then tis fo, my heauenly loue's gone by. 
 And ftruck him dead with her loue-darting eye. 
 
 Hip. If fpeech-bereauing loue will let thee fpeake. 
 Then, fpeechles man, fpeake with the tongue of loue. 
 And tell me, if thou faw'ft not Cynthia 
 Seeking Endimion in thefe flowry dales. 
 
 ^ Quy. fleeplefs. ^ Quy. leave this grove. 
 F 
 
42 
 
 ylnth. Dales for Endimion and faire Cynthia fit. 
 But neuer heauenly goddefTe bleft this groue ; 
 Thefe woods are confecrate to griefe, not loue. 
 
 Fr. Out, Atheift, thou prophan'ft loues deity; 
 For, falfe-reporter, I in them haue feene 
 A loue that makes a Negro of Loues Queene : 
 One that when as the funne keeps holliday, 
 Hir beauty clads him in his beft array. 
 
 Anth. Now truly, (hepheard, none fuch foiourn 
 here; 
 Pleafe you furuey the Cell, go in and fee ; 
 I'me hearft, and none but forrowe lies with me. 
 
 Enter Lucida. 
 
 Fra. Call you this forrowes caue ? 
 
 Enter O^auio and whijper with Antonio. 
 
 Hip. Rather a Cell, 
 
 Where pleafure growes, and none but angels dwell. 
 
 Fra. To what compare fhall I compare thee to ? 
 Vncomparable beauties Paragon ! 
 
 Hip. I will compare her beauty to the funne, 
 For her bright luftre giues the morning light. 
 
 Fr. He fay fhe is like Cynthia when day's done, 
 Or lady to the miftriffe of the night. 
 
 Hip. O fpeake but to me, and I fhall be bleft. 
 
 Fr. One fmile would lay my iarring thoughts at 
 reft. 
 
 Enter Hermia. 
 
 Her. How now, faire fifter ? you are hard befet. 
 
43 
 
 Hip. Nymph. 
 Fr. GoddefTe. 
 
 Hip. Saynt, once more, y'are both well met. 
 
 Fra. O fhe is faire. 
 Hip. She fairer. 
 
 Fra. Both more faire 
 
 Then rocks of pearle, or the chaft euening ayre. 
 Hip. Say, fweet, intend you not to fifh to day ? 
 Her. No, fhepheards, now fifh do not bite but 
 
 play. 
 Fr. What time, fweet loue, keepe fifhes when 
 
 they bite ? 
 Luc. Early ith' morning, or els late at night. 
 Hip. Come, will you talke with me till time of 
 
 fifhing ? 
 Her. My father, fir, will chide if I be miffing. 
 O^. The match is made, th'are euen vpon going. 
 Ant. What fhould we do } 
 
 051. Why, as poore parents and dutifuU feruants 
 
 fhould doe, run amongft the bufhes and catch flies. 
 
 Ant. Stay, forward daughters, whether are yee 
 
 going ? 
 Her. Father, I thinke thefe fhepheards come a 
 
 wooing. 
 Ant. A wooing, daughters? nere imagine fo : 
 What man's fo mad to marry griefe and woe ? 
 Fra. Why, where liues fad griefe ? heer's all 
 
 fpeaking ioy. 
 Hip. O, I would hue and die with fuch annoy. 
 Ant. But they are poore, and pouerty is defpifde. 
 
44 
 
 Hip. No, they are faire, beauty is highly prizde. 
 O^. Twill be a match, they are beating the price 
 already. 
 
 Ant. They once were faire, forrow from that hath 
 changd. them ; 
 They once knew wealth, but chance hath much 
 eftrangd them. 
 Fra. Haue they bin faire ? what fayrer then they 
 are? 
 Why tis not pofTible, this heauenly faire 
 Hath only in it felfe beauties exceed, 
 O then rich, fayre, and onely felues exceed, 
 
 Ant. Come, daughters, and come, fhepheards, if 
 you pleafe, 
 lie leade you to the lodge of little eafe. 
 Where I will feaft you with what cheere I may, 
 Griefe fhall turne mirth, and keepe high holliday. 
 
 [Exit cumfiliabus. 
 
 The brothers going out^ O£fauio fiaies them. 
 
 051. A word with you ; you meane to marry 
 thefe wenches ? 
 
 Amho. We doe. 
 
 051. And are going to contract your felues ? 
 
 Ambo. We are. 
 
 Hip. And what fay you to this? 
 
 0£i. God fpeede you : I would haue you marry 
 on Saint Lukes day. 
 
 Fr. Why? 
 
 06i. Becaufe I would offer at your wedding. 
 
45 
 
 Fr. Come, th'art all enuy, feed vpon thy hate. 
 This day our queft of loue fhall terminate. 
 
 \_Exeunt ; manet 05lauio. 
 
 0£l. Not if I liue ; this maladie of loue 
 Is grown fo ftrong, it will not be driuen out. 
 To fee the folly of a doating father ! 
 What toyle I had to fafhion them to loue. 
 And how tis doubled to misfafhion them. 
 They fhall not wed, yet how fhall I preuent it ? 
 Fearing th'euent, I haue forethought a meanes. 
 And here it lies ; fwaggering becomes not age ; 
 Now like the Fox, ile goe a pilgrimage. 
 Frollick, my boyes, 1 come to mar your fport ; 
 Your country muficke muft not play at Court. 
 But firft, ile write back to Hortenfio 
 For apprehenfion of yong AJpero : 
 They haue not yet dynde, ile bid my felfe their 
 
 gueft : 
 Religion beg ? a fafhion in requeft. \Exit. 
 
 [Scene 3.] 
 Enter Afpero and his boy. 
 
 AJ-pero. 
 
 ARt fure (he hates me, boy ? 
 Boy. More then hir death. I haue bin in hir 
 bofome, fir ; and this day fhe intends your execution. 
 AJp. My execution ! the reafon of hir hate ? 
 
46 
 
 Boy. Hir humour ; nothing but a kind of ftrange 
 crofle humor in that you reieded hir loue. 
 
 Afp. Thats not capital 1. 
 
 Boy. Not to crofle a great ones humour ? no 
 treafon more : great perfonages humours are puri- 
 tanes ; thei'l as Hue indure the diuel as foon as a 
 crofle ; and can away with him better. 
 
 A/p. I will fubmit, afke pardon on my knee. 
 
 Boy. Is your proud humour come downe ifaith ; 
 your high humor that would not flioop an ynch of 
 the knees ? ile help't vp againe, and't be but to vp- 
 hold the ieafl:. I mufl: bring her as low ere I haue 
 done. O bafe, I woulde rather lay my necke vnder 
 the Axe of her hate, then my fporte vnder the feete 
 of hir humor ; but be counfelld, ile teach you to 
 preuent both ; and perchance, make her vpfl:art 
 humour fl:oope gallant, too. 
 
 Afp. lie hold thee my befl: iewell, and thou 
 doft. 
 
 Boy. And pawne me as poore lords do their 
 iewells, too, will you not? receiue me, you fhall 
 counterfet your felfe dead. 
 
 4fp. The life of that ieafl; ? 
 
 Boy. It may be, flie diflembles all this while ; 
 loues you, and puts on this fliew of hate of purpofe 
 to humble you : flie may, and 1 beleeue 
 
 Jfp. What? 
 
 Boy. That mofl; intelligencers are knaues, and 
 fome women difl^emblers ; being thought dead (as 
 let me alone to buz that into the credulous eare of 
 
47 
 
 the Court) if fhe haue any fparkes of loue, theil 
 kindle and flame bright through the cinders of her 
 hart. 
 
 4fp. If not ? 
 
 Boy. If not, twill be a meanes for your efcape : 
 lie fay you requefted, at your death, to be buried at 
 your natiue citty ; and what Courtier, if a Chriftian, 
 can deny that? 
 
 Afp. I am all thine, my humour's thy patient. 
 
 Boy. And if I do not kill it, I am not worthy to 
 be your phyfitian. [Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene 4.] 
 Enter Florimell and hir Page. 
 
 Pa. 
 
 I Mary, lady ; why, now you credit your fex ? a 
 womans honor or humour {hould be like a fliip 
 vnder faile ; fplit her keele ere flie vaile. 
 
 \_Enter Boy. 
 Flo. He fplit my heart, ere my humor {Irike faile. 
 Here comes his Page. How now, boy ? how doth 
 vour mafter? 
 
 Boy. Well, madam, he. 
 Flo. Well? 
 Boy. Very well. 
 Flo. Where is he? 
 
 Boy. Where none of your proude fex will euer 
 come, I thinke : in heauen. 
 Flo. Is he dead ? 
 
48 
 
 Boy. See madam ; and feeing blufh ; and blufh- 
 ing fhame, that your vngentle humor fhould be the 
 death of fo good and generous a fpirit. 
 
 [Di/couer A/pero lying on a Tahle^Jeeming dead. 
 
 Flo. My J/pero dead ! 
 
 Boy. See, madam, what a mutation. 
 
 Flo. I fee too much ; and curfe myproude humour 
 that was the caufe of it. Afpero^ kinde foule ; proud 
 fullen Florimell ; difdainefull humor, that in one 
 minute haft eternally vndone me : I would not 
 kiffe the liuing fubftance, that being dead, doate on 
 thy pidure. O I lou'd thee euer with my foule. O 
 let me kiffe this fhrowd of beauty. I would not 
 accept thee liuing ; that being dead, on my knees 
 adore thee ; could kiffes recouer thee, I would dwell 
 on thy lips , kneele till my knees grew to the 
 ground, deere, gentle AJpero. 
 She that procurde thy death, will die with thee ; 
 And craue no heauen, but ftill to lie with thee. 
 
 [AJpero Ji arts vp. 
 
 AJp. I take you at your word, lady. 
 Nay, neuer recant, I haue witnes on't now ; is your 
 proude humor come downe ? could you not haue 
 faid fo at firft, and fau'd me a labour of dying ? 
 
 Flo. Liues AJpero ? 
 
 AJp. Liue quotha ? sfoot, what man would bee 
 fo mad to lye in his colde graue alone, and may lie 
 in a warme bed with fuch a beautifull wife as this 
 will be ? haue I tane your humour napping 
 y faith ? 
 
49 
 
 Flo. Am I ore reacht ? 
 
 AJp. In your humour, Madam, nothing els ; and 
 I am as proude on't. 
 
 Flo. Do not flowt me ; and you doe, I fhall grow 
 into my humour againe. 
 
 AJp In ieaft ? 
 
 Flo. In earneft I fhall, and then I know what I 
 know. 
 
 AJp. You may ; but and you do, I fhall die 
 againe. 
 
 Flo. In ieafl ? 
 
 AJp. Nay, in earneft, madam, and then . 
 
 Flo. No more ; thou haft driuen mee cleane out 
 of conceite with my humor. I loue thee, I confefTe 
 it : fhalt be my hufband, ile Hue with thee ; thou 
 art my life, and ile die with thee. 
 What more I meane is coated in my looke. 
 If thou acceptft it, fweare. 
 
 AJp. I kiffe the booke. 
 
 Flo. Boy, run to the mafter of my Gundelo, and 
 will him attend me after fupper at the garden 
 ftaires; I meane to take the euening ayre, tell 
 him. 
 
 Fa. It fhall be done, madam. \Exit. 
 
 Flo. Nay, if I fay the word, it fhall be done, 
 AJpero. 
 
 Boy. Look to your felfe, my lord ; I lay my life, 
 my lady means to fteale you away to night, 
 
 AJp. Away ? ile call Hortenjio^ ile not be accefTary 
 to your fellony, madam. 
 
50 
 
 Enter Hortenfto^ and his man AJfiftance^ with a letter. 
 
 Flo. The foole comes without calling. 
 
 Afs. You fhall know him by thefe fignes. 
 
 Hort. Good figure, very good figure ; for as the 
 houfe is found out by the figne, fo muft this traytor 
 be fented out by the token ; vp with the firft figne, 
 good AJfiftance. 
 
 Afs. A proper man without a beard. 
 
 Hor. How, a proper man without a beard ? we 
 fhall fcarce finde that figne in all Venice : for the 
 propernefle of a man Hues altogether in the fafhion 
 of his beard ; good AJJiJiance, the next. 
 
 A/s. Faire fpoken and well conditioned. 
 
 Hort, More ftraunge : you fhall haue many 
 proper men fayre fpoken, but not one amongfl 
 twenty well condicioned : but foft ; this fhould be 
 the houfe, by the figne ; I muft pick it out of him 
 by wit. 
 
 Flo. As good fay fleale, my lord ; what mary- 
 bone of witte is your iudgement going to pick 
 now ? 
 
 Hort. I mufir, like a wife iuflice of peace, picke 
 treafon out of this fellow. 
 
 Flo. Treafon ^, 
 
 Hort. I, treafon, madam; know you this hand? 
 
 Flo. My roiall fathers. 
 
 Hor. Then, whilft you and your fathers letters 
 talke togither, let me examine this fellow : are you 
 a proper man without a beard ? 
 
51 
 
 Afp. My propernes, fir, contents me : for my 
 beard, indeed that was bitten the Jaft great froft, 
 and fo were a number of Juftices of peace befides. 
 
 Hort. Tis rumourd about the court that your 
 name is Afpero. 
 
 yljp. I am call'd Afpero. 
 
 Hor. Sonne to the duke of Mantua that was ? 
 
 Afp. The duke of Mantuaes fonne that is. 
 
 Hort. Then the duke of Mantua has a traytor to 
 his fonne ; lay hands of him, and to clofe prifon 
 with him. 
 
 Flo. Can he be clofer then in my cuftody .'' 
 
 Hort. I do not thinke fo, madam ; but your 
 father has impofde the truft vpon me. 
 
 Flo. And dare not you truft mee ? 
 
 Hor. With my head, if you were my wife; but 
 not with my profit, if you were my mother : will 
 you along, fir ? 
 
 Afp. With all my heart, fir ; fee what your hu- 
 mour's come to now : go, my lord } as willingly as 
 a flaue from the gallies : for as I fiiall haue a 
 ftronger prifon, fo I fiiall bee fure of a kinder and a 
 wifer iaylor. 
 
 Flo. Do you obferue how he flowts you, my 
 Lord .'* That I had bin his keeper but one night 
 longer : but keepe him clofe, if he efcape (though 
 againft thy will) as I am a mayd, — • 
 
 Hort. A maide againft your will. 
 
 Flo. — fiialt pay as deere for't as thou didft for 
 thy office. 
 
52 
 
 Hort. If he fcape, hang me. 
 
 [^Exit Hort. and As. with AJpero. 
 Flo. I fhall wifh thee hangd, if he do not : trea- 
 fon I I may thanke my peeuifh humor fort. 
 
 Enter Page. 
 
 Page. Madam, the Gundelo is ready. 
 
 Flo. Thou bringft phyficke when the patient's 
 dead, boy : our ieaft's turnd earneft. 
 
 Pa. Is a dead in earneft ? 
 
 Flo. As good, or rather worfe; hee's buried 
 quick. 
 
 Pa. O madam, many a good thing has bin buried 
 quick and furuiu'd againe; I would bee buried 
 quicke my felfe, and 1 might choofe my graue. 
 
 Flo. Hee's buried in clofe prifon, boy ; hee's 
 knowne for the duke of Mantuaes fonne, and by 
 my fathers letter attached for a tray tor. 
 
 Pa. Good gentleman, and I be not forrie for 
 him : who is his keeper ? 
 
 Flo. The teftie afl'e Hortenfw. 
 
 Pa. Vdsfoot, lets enlarge him. 
 
 Flo. Not poffible, boy. 
 
 Pa. Not poflible ? tis: weele coufen his keeper. 
 
 Flo. We cannot. 
 
 Pa. Cannot ! we can : your father made a lord 
 of him ; but be rul'd by me, his daughter fhall 
 make a foole of him. You are not the firft woman 
 has made a foole of a wifer lord then he is. 
 
 Flo. Shall he be coufend .'' 
 
53 
 
 Pa. As palpably as at the lotterie. My brains 
 are in labour of the ftratagem alreadie. [_Exeunt. 
 
 Finis A^us 'Tertii. 
 
 ACTVS QVARTVS. 
 
 Enter Anthonio^ Franci/co^ Hippolito^ Hermia 
 Lucida^ and O^auio difguijd. 
 
 Anthonio. 
 
 SOns of Odauio, if your princely thoughts 
 Can ftoope to fuch meane beauty, from this 
 hand 
 Receiue your wiues; but fhould the duke your 
 father — 
 Fr. Feare not, old man, he was the meanes that 
 breath'd this fpirit into vs. 
 
 Hip. Wood vs to this courfe. 
 But ihould he proue Apoftata, denie 
 Loue which he firft enforcd vs to profes. 
 So firme are our infeparate affedlions. 
 To winne our loues weed loofe the names of fonnes. 
 051. Your father thanks you; but, hot-fprighted 
 youthes. 
 Take counfell from experience, ere yee tie 
 The gordian knot which none but heauen can loofe. 
 Craue his confent : when an imperiall hand 
 Shakes a weake fhed, the building cannot ftand. 
 Fr. Not ftand ? it fhall : not loue himfelfe can 
 ruine 
 
And ours. 
 
 54 
 
 The ground-worke of our loue. 
 
 O/?. Not loue ! 
 
 Ilip. Not loue ! 
 
 Should a fpeak thunder ; then go boldly on. 
 Our loue admits no reparation. 
 
 0£f. Then to mine office : in the fighte of 
 heauen 
 Your loue is chaft. 
 
 TT- ' ■ As innocence white foule. 
 
 Htp.) 
 
 0£l. And yours. 
 
 Herm. 
 
 Lucid. 
 
 05i. Then lend me all your hands, 
 
 Whilft thus a fathers tongue forbids the bands. 
 
 [Difcouers himfeife. 
 Forgetfull boyes ! but moft audacious traytor, 
 That durft in thought confent to wrong thy prince, 
 Out of my fight ; no land that calls me lord 
 Shall beare a waight fo hatefuU as thy felfe : 
 Liue euer banifhd. If (three daies expirde) 
 Thou or thefe luftfull ftrumpets — 
 
 Hip. Father ! 
 
 O^. Boyes, 
 
 If you be mine, fhow^t in obedience : 
 If (three daies part) you liue within my dukedome, 
 Thee as a flaue ile doome vnto the gallies, 
 And thefe thy brats as common proftitutes 
 Shall drie their luftfull veynes in the Burdello. 
 Come, boyes, to Court ; he that firft gaue you liues, 
 
55 
 
 Will to your births prouide you equall wiues. 
 Fr. They haue our loues. 
 Hip. Our oathes. 
 
 Fr. Our hearts and hands. 
 
 O^. Tut, louers othes, like toyes writ down in 
 fands, 
 Are foone blowne ore ; contrads are common wiles 
 T'intangle fooies ; loue himfelfe fits and fmiles 
 At louers periuries. Bawd, ftrumpets hence. 
 My bofome's chargde, giue way to violence : 
 Come, doe not mind them. 
 
 \_Exeunt Anth. and his daughters. 
 Fran. How ? not minde them, father ? 
 When in your court you courted vs to loue, 
 You red another ledure : women then 
 Were angells. 
 
 0£l. True, but that was before angells 
 
 Had power to make them diuells ; they were then 
 Fiends to themfelues, and angells vnto men. 
 When vpon Po thou find'ft a cole-black fwan, 
 Th'aft found a woman conftant to a man. 
 Fr. And not afore .'' 
 OEl. Neuer afore. 
 
 Hip. Your tongue 
 
 Vnfpeaks your former fpeech. 
 
 O^. It doth ; new theames 
 
 Muft haue new change of Rhetorique ; all ftreames 
 Flow not alike one way ; when I fpake like a louer, 
 It was to breake you from your fouldiers humour ; 
 Hauing made you louers, I, like enuy, fpeak 
 
56 
 
 To make you hate loue ; Art ftill (Iriues to breakc 
 Bad to make better. 
 
 Brothers. You haue your wifh. 
 
 O^. Then onward to the court. 
 
 Make vs[e] of loue as fchoole-boyes do of fport. 
 
 \_Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene 2.] 
 Enter Florimell and her Page. 
 
 Florimell. 
 
 CAll out the iaylor, boy, — yet doe not; haft 
 got a beard like Hortenjio ? 
 
 Page. Yes, madam, I haue got his hayre ; if I 
 coulde come as eafily by his wit. 
 
 Flo. Wouldft rob him of his wit ? 
 
 Pa. If I fhold, he could not hang me for't : tis 
 not worth thirteen pence halfe penny. But what 
 fhall I with it ? 
 
 Flo. Put it on, boy. 
 
 Pa. That fhall I, madam. O forward age, I am 
 a man already : how do you like me, lady ? 
 
 Flo. Very ill, and my plot worfe. 
 
 Pa. Then leaue't of. l^ you be grounded in the 
 plot, you will but marre the comedy. 
 
 Flo. I purpofde, thou, in the habit of Hortenjio^ 
 fhouldft vnder pretence of remouing Afpero to a 
 new prifon, haue freed him out of the old one. 
 
 Pa. Tut, I can tell you a trick worth two of 
 that ; madam, your eare, take fome care in the 
 managing, and let me alone to prepare it. \Exeunt. 
 
SI 
 
 [Scene 3.] 
 Enter A/pro and his Boy, 
 
 Boy. 
 
 VDsfoot, breake prifon, my lorde, tis but fwim- 
 ming the riuer. 
 
 AJp. Breake prifon ? twere both di (honour to my 
 name, and treafon to my loue ; what benefit wer't 
 for me to free my body, and leaue my heart in 
 bondage ? ile die, ere ile harbour a difloyall thought. 
 
 Pa. It beares no relhfh of difloyaltie : being in 
 prifon you Hue as far from loue as hberty : being 
 abroad you may by letters, or a thoufand meanes, 
 purchafe hir company, and compafle your content. 
 
 A/p. Shalt be my lawyer, boy, and counfell me. 
 
 Boy. lie looke for my Fee, then. 
 
 Afp. If thy Counfell profpers. 
 
 Boy. Thats an exception Lawyers neuer refped: ; 
 but come, my lord, leape ; as we haue rifen togither, 
 weele fall togither. 
 
 Enter Hort.y Florimell and Page. 
 
 Afp. Blame me not, loue. 
 
 Boy. Vdsfoot, your iaylor, my lord. 
 
 Afp. Am I preuented ? 
 
 Boy. Yes faith, there had bin a counfellors fee 
 caft away now. 
 
 Hort. You haue heard his vfage, lady, feene his 
 lodging, and if it pleafe you, you both may and 
 fhall confer with him. 
 
 H 
 
58 
 
 Flo. Prithee call him. 
 
 Boy. My lord, your keeper hath brought a lady 
 or two to fee you. 
 
 y{fp. To fee me? why, am I turnd monfter.'' 
 doth he take money to fhew me .'' what doth a take 
 a peece, troe ? 
 
 Flo. Why, how now, gallant, not gone yet ? 
 
 ji/p. Not, I thanke you, lady, and yet I was 
 neer't. 
 
 Hort. How do you, man ^. 
 
 AJp. Mufty for want of ayring. 
 
 Flo. Weele haue you hangd out i'the frefh ayre 
 one of thefe mornings. 
 
 AJp. Youd be glad to take me in, then. 
 
 Flo. Yes, when you had hangd abroad a little : 
 but my lorde Hortenfio (for I think I muft be your 
 Lady when all's done), what fport ? I would be 
 merry a purpofe to make him mad ; the room's 
 priuate and fit for any exercife. 
 
 Pa. Vdsfoot, to her ; can a woman offer fairer 
 fort.? 
 
 Hort. Why, fhall we go to fpan-counter, madam ? 
 
 Ta. To fpan-counter ! beft aflc her and fheele 
 go to Coits. 
 
 Flo. No, I loue fome ftirring exercife ; my body's 
 condiciond like the fun, it would neuer be out of 
 motion. 
 
 llor. I hau't, yfaith ; when I was ftudent in Padua, 
 we vfde a moft ingenious paftime. 
 
 Flo. The name, my lord ? 
 
59 
 
 Hort. I cannot giue it a name equall to the 
 merit. Tis vulgarly calld Blindmans buffe. 
 
 Pa. Blind mans buffe ? ha, ha, ha ! 
 
 Hort. Do you laugh at it ? 
 
 Flo. At the happines of your wit, my lord, that 
 you fhoulde hit vpon that fport, which of all other 
 I delight in. 
 
 Hor. Will you heare an Apology I made in the 
 commendation of it } 
 
 Flo. Weele haue the thing it felfe firft ; and as 
 we like that, weel heare your apologie after : who 
 fhall be hud-winckt firft ? 
 
 Pa. Who but the author ? 
 
 Hort. I, I, none fhall be blind but I; helpe of 
 with my gown, boy. 
 
 Pa. What fhall we haue to blind him ? 
 
 Flo. My fcarfe. Take my fcarfe, my lord. 
 
 Pa. There's a fimple fauour for you. 
 
 Hort. And moft fit, for indeed nothing blinds 
 louers fooner then Ladies fauours. But who fhall 
 blind me.'' 
 
 Flo. Mary, that will I, my lord ; let me alone to 
 blind you. 
 
 Hort. Good againe; for who fhould Wind men 
 but beautious women ? Come, fweet madam. 
 
 Flo. But how if you take me } as I know that 
 will be your ayme. 
 
 Hort. If I take you prifoner, madam, you muft 
 either bee hudwinckt your felfe, or giue your con- 
 queror a kiffe for your ranfome. 
 
6o 
 
 Flo. An eafie ranfome : ile not be prifoner long, 
 if a kifle will enlarge me. 
 
 Pa. Lord, what fcambling fhift has he made for 
 a kifle, and cannot get it neither ; a little higher, 
 fo, fo, fo; are you blind, my lord ? 
 
 Hort. As a purblind Poet : haue amongft you, 
 blind harpers. 
 
 Flo. Me thinks he looks for all the world like 
 God Cupid. 
 
 Pa. Take heed of his dart, madam, he comes 
 vpon you. 
 
 Flo. He cannot come to faft. O I am taken 
 prifoner. 
 
 Hort. Your ranfome's but a kifle. 
 
 Flo. Is that your law of armes } 
 
 Hort. Yes, madam ; but ile take it on your lips. 
 
 Flo. My lips, like faithfuU treafurers, fhall fee it 
 difcharged. 
 
 Hort. And here are my honefl: receiuers to take 
 it. [The Page puts his pantofle to his lips ; 
 
 he kijfes it. 
 
 Flo. Am I freed now .'' 
 
 Hort. As if you had feru'd feauen yeare for't : 
 fweete kifl"e, rare lippe! 
 
 Pa. Has fhe not a fweet breath, my lord .'' 
 
 Hort. As perfume. 
 
 Pa. And a foft lip ? 
 
 Hort. And fmooth as veluet ; I could fcarce dif- 
 cerne it from veluet : ide pawne my office for the 
 fellow on't, madam. 
 
 Pa. Here. 
 
6i 
 
 Flo. Here, Afpero^ on with this beard and gowne : 
 I thinke hee followes me by the fent. His hat, fo : 
 a narrow mifTe y faith, my Lord ! 
 
 Hort. Gone, madam ? 
 
 Flo. Euen vpon going. One of you counterfet 
 my voice. There, I deceiud you, my lord. 
 
 Hort. Haue you deceiu'd me, madam ? 
 
 Flo. Not yet, but I will and you look not the 
 better too't. Bufie him till you thinke we are 
 out of the court, and then foUowe vs : you fhall 
 find vs at the fouth port. Now or neuer, my Lord. 
 
 Hort. Why then twill neuer be, Lady. 
 
 Boy. Here. 
 
 Hor. Where ? 
 
 Boy. Here. 
 
 Hort. Scapt againe } 
 
 Pa. Shee's fcapt indeed, my lord ; you may caft 
 your cap after her, for I fee you can do no other 
 good vpon hir. 
 
 Hort. What, haue I catchd you ? 
 
 Pa. KifTe her and let her goe. 
 
 Hort. Kings truce till I breath a little. 
 
 Pa. And you had neede fo, for I thinke you are 
 almoft out of breath ; if you be not, you fhall be, 
 and thats as good ; but breathe and fpare not. 
 
 Enter AfperOy like HortenfiOy Florimelly and AJJiJiance^ 
 on the vpper Jlage. 
 
 AJp. Did you euer conuerfe with a more ftraunger 
 diflblute, madam ? 
 
62 
 
 Flo. Peremptory iacke ! iaylor, as you refpecft 
 your office, lay fpeciall watch that none of what 
 degree foeuer haue accefTe to him. 
 
 J/p. Without me ? 
 
 A/s. Or your fignet. 
 
 Afp. Signet mee no fignets ; your goldfmiths 
 fhop is like your Swans neaft, has a whole brood of 
 fignets, and all of a feather ; and amongft many 
 one may be like another. Let none enter vpon the 
 ftage where Afpero playes the madman,^ without 
 Hortenfio. 
 
 AJs. Is he mad, my lord ? 
 
 AJp. As the Lord that gaue all to his followers, 
 and beg'd more for himfelfe. 
 
 Flo. If he call for me, tell him I fcorne him. 
 
 AJp. If he counterfet my voice (as mad fel- 
 lowes will counterfet great mens hands, and their 
 tongues too) rate him for't, threaten him with the 
 whip. 
 
 Flo. But come not at him. 
 
 AJp. If he call for meate, promife him faire. 
 
 Flo. But giue him none. 
 
 AJs. If for light? 
 
 Flo. He may fire the houfe, let him haue none. 
 
 AJp. If he chafe, laugh. 
 
 Flo. If he rayle, fing. 
 
 AJp. If he fpeake fayre, flowt him. 
 
 Flo. Do anything to vexe him. 
 
 ' 4to. madam. 
 
63 
 
 yifp. But nothing to content him ; you heare my 
 charge ; as you refpedt your office, regard it. 
 
 jijs. I warrant ^ you, my Lord, let mee alone, and 
 we knew not how to abufe a prifoner, we were not 
 worthy to be a iaylor. [Exeunt. 
 
 ^hey renew Blind mansBuffe on the Lower Jiage. 
 
 Pa. Are you in breath, my lord ? 
 
 Hort. As a bruers horfe, and as long winded ; 
 looke to your felfe, madam, I come vpon you. 
 
 Boy. I am ready for you, fir ; O for a bul-rufh 
 to run a tilt at's nofe. 
 
 Pa. A fay re mi fie yfaitli. 
 
 Hort. He mend it next courfe, you fhall fee. 
 
 Pa. In the corner of the left hand ; vdsfoot, ware 
 fhins, my lord. 
 
 Hort. Madam. 
 
 Boy. Here. 
 
 Hort. Where .'' \^he boy throw es him downe. 
 
 Helpe me vp, madam. 
 
 Boy. O ftrange ! cannot you get vp without 
 helpe ? there's my gloue, but come no neerer, as 
 you loue me. 
 
 Hort. I do loue you, madam. 
 
 Boy. Oh ! blind loue. 
 
 Hort. True, madam ; your beauty has made me 
 blind. 
 
 Pa. Indeed, loues fonnes like fpaniells are all 
 borne blind. 
 
 1 4to. warne. 
 
64 
 
 Hort. But they will fee. 
 
 Boy. Not till they be nyne daies old, my Lord. 
 
 Hort. But will you giue mee the fingers that hold 
 this gloue, madam ? 
 
 Boy. And the whole body to pleafure you, my 
 Lord ; but let me go a little. 
 
 Hort. I will not loofe you yet, Lady. 
 
 Boy. But you fhall, my Lord ; hiii, then keepe 
 me ftill. [He faftens the gloue to a -pojl. 
 
 Pa. Faith, let go, my lord, for fhe growes fullen, 
 and you had as goode talke to a poft, and as good 
 anfwer twould make you. [Exeunt. 
 
 Hort. Nay, but deere madam, doe but anfwer 
 me; may I prefume, vppon my knees I beg it, but 
 to take a fauour from your fweet lips, fhall I ? las, I 
 am not the firft man that loue has blinded. May 
 I prefume ? I would be loth to offend your milde 
 patience fo much as with an unreuerend touch : 
 fpeake ; if I fhall reape the haruefl of my honeft 
 defires, make me bleft in propofing the time when ; 
 what, not a word ? are you difpleafed ? or fhall I 
 take your filence for a confent ? fhall I ? fpeake ; 
 or if modefty locke in your fyllables, feale my af- 
 furance with a kiffe : not ? neither ? fhall I haue 
 neither your word nor your bond ? nay, then I muft 
 make bold with modefty ; by this kiffe, madam. 
 O my hard fortune, haue I made fuit to a poafl: all 
 this while ? what block but I would haue bin fo 
 fenceleffe ? my excufe is, 'twas but to make my lady 
 fport : and, madam ! how ? lady, madam, boy ! 
 
65 
 
 madam, A/pero! But whift, I haiie the conceite, 
 'twas excellent in my Lady, and I applaud it; fup- 
 pofe my lady and hir prifoner had an intent of 
 priuate bufines in the next roome, was it not better 
 in her to blinde me, then I fhould, as gentlemen 
 vihers (cafes fo {landing), haue blinded my felfe ? 
 againe, I applaud her, and adore my ftarres that 
 made me rather a blind then a feeing dore-keeper : 
 fhall I interrupt them ? no : madam ! they haue not 
 done yet, fure they haue not. What haue we here, 
 a bafe violl ? though I cannot tickle the mynnikyn 
 within, ile (though it be fomewhat bafe) giue them 
 a fong without, and the name of the Ditty fhall be 
 
 The Gentleman Vjhers Voluntaries 
 
 {Heftngs.) 
 
 Peace^ peace^ peace^ make no noyje^ 
 
 Plea/ure and fear e lie Jleeping. 
 
 End^ end, end your idle toyes^ 
 
 lealous eies will be peeping. 
 Kijfe^ kijje and part, though not for hate., for pittie ; 
 Ha done., ha done, ha done, for I ha done my dittie. 
 
 And if you haue not done now, too, let me be 
 as bafe as my fiddle, if I rowze you not : madam, 
 for fhame, what doe you meane to make of me ? 
 How ? sfoote, what haue you made of me already ? 
 all gone ? lay lor? 
 
 Enter JJJiJiance aboue. 
 
 Afs. How now, who calls ? 
 I 
 
66 
 
 Hort. Why, faucie knaue, tis I. 
 
 jifs. You ; what you ? 
 
 Flort. A fingle V ; 1 came hi double, but I 
 thanke them, they are gone out, and left me here a 
 fingle. 
 
 Jfs. Foole, and fo I leaue you. 
 
 Hort. Knaue, I am Hortenjio ; I charge thee let 
 me out. 
 
 y^Js. Foole, you lye ; you are Afpero, and I haue 
 charge to keepe you in. 
 
 Hort. PVom whom .'' 
 
 Afs. From my lord Hortenfto. 
 
 Hort. Sfoot, knaue, I tell thee I am hee ; and 
 thou wilt not beleeue me, truft thine eies, come in 
 and fee. 
 
 AJs. 'Twill not ferue your turne. I like a whole 
 fkinne better then a pinkt one : content your felfe 
 to night, and in the morning iie tell you more. 
 
 Hort. Where's my Lady ? fend her hither. 
 
 AJs. Shee's bufie with my lord Hortenfto; but if 
 you haue any vfe for a woman, ile fend you one of 
 the laundrefTes: fiire you well, fir, bee content, you 
 fhall want nothing of anything you haue. 
 
 Hort. Hortenfio gone out 1 and my Ladie bufie 
 with Hortenfio ? I am guild, palpably guild : whilft 
 I like a blocke ftood courting the poft, Afpero is in 
 my apparrell efcapde. Villains! traytors! open the 
 doore, the duke's abufd, his daughter's fled : I pro- 
 claime yce all traytors that hinder me in the purfuit. 
 
 Afs. O for a reafonable audience to applaud this 
 
67 
 
 fceane of merryment : ile goe call my lady and my 
 Lord Hor ten/to. [Exif. 
 
 Hort. Blindmans bufFe? I haue bufFt it fairely, 
 and mine owne gullery grieues me not half fo much 
 as the Dukes difpleafure. laylor ! not a word ? 
 lay lor, there's no way to pleafe a knaue but fayre 
 words, and gold : honeft kinde iaylor, here's gold 
 for thee : doe but take pittie vpon me, a miferable 
 cony-catchd Courtier. Not ? neither fayre nor 
 foule ? thou art a degree worfe then a woman ; what 
 fhall I do ? I can compare my fortune, and my vn- 
 fortunate felfe, to nothing fo fitlie as my bafe here; 
 wee fuffer euery foole to play vpon vs for their 
 pleafure ; and indeede 'twas the intent of our Crea- 
 tor that made fiddles and feruitors to nothing but 
 to be playd vpon, and playd vpon wee fhall bee, till 
 our heart ftrings crack, and then they either caft vs 
 afide or hang vs vp, as worthy no other imploy- 
 ment. Well, if I can worke my meanes of efcape, 
 fo : if not, I muft lie by it. [^Exit. 
 
 Finis A5ius ^arti. 
 
 ACTVS OyiNTVS. 
 
 Enter 05fauio^ FrancifcOj Hippolito^ Flamineo, i^c. 
 
 MY daughter fled ! and with Hortenfio ? 
 It beares no formall fhape of likely hood ; 
 Hir eagle fpirit foard to proud a pitch. 
 To feize fo bafe a prey ; let priuy fearche 
 
68 
 
 Look through the citties bofome till they find her : 
 For gone fhe is not. 
 
 Fr. Has not Anthonies fonne 
 
 Sent them by fome bafe pradlfe to their death ? 
 
 051. His breafts too full of honor. Trufty luliol 
 
 Enter lulio. 
 
 What waighty bufinefle drawes thee from thy 
 charge ? 
 
 lul. Came not the caufe afore me ? the proud 
 Mantuans 
 Bafely reuolt, depofde me from the feate 
 And chayre of Regentfhip, fending in queft 
 Of proude Anthonio their late-banifht duke ; 
 Him if they find or A/pero his fonne, 
 
 [Enter AJfift. 
 Theile reinftall him in the regiment. 
 
 O^. Him let them feeke in the vaft fhades of 
 death. As for his fonne — 
 
 AJs. Hee's fure ynough, my Lord ; he was a 
 mad knaue when he came in, but I thinke I haue 
 made a tame foole of him by this time : for a has 
 neither had bread nor water thefe foure and forty 
 houres. 
 
 051. More villain thou. 
 
 AJs. My lord, Hortenfio was the villain ; he left 
 fuch command with mee ; hee's the wheele that 
 turnes about, and I, a Country lack, muft ftrike 
 when I am commanded. 
 
 051. Although my foe, hee's honorably tempred. 
 
69 
 
 Yet armd againft my life : goe call him forth. 
 
 Guard in my fafety with a ring of fteele. 
 
 And marke how proudly heele demeane reuenge. 
 
 Enter AJJiJiance^ and Hortenfio bareheaded with 
 his crowd. 
 
 AJs, Goblins, fpirits, furies, faeryes ! the prifon 
 is haunted ! 
 
 05i. With a knaue, is't not ? 
 
 AJs. Yes, and an olde foole, my Lorde, in the 
 likenefTe of Hortenfio. 
 
 OSi. Villain, where's Afpero ? 
 
 AJs. I know not, my lord : I let him in and my 
 lady to laugh at him ; and, it feemes, he confented 
 to treafon, and let him out in his apparrell. 
 
 Hor. They confented togither to coufen me : for 
 taking delight (as my betters may doe) in a foolifh 
 paftime called Blindmans buiFe, they ftole away my 
 gowne, efcapt the prifon, and left mee in fooles 
 paradice, where what fong I haue playd my violl 
 can witnefTe. They made me a little better then a 
 bawd, my Lord. 
 
 Fr. In adl. 
 
 Hort. Not meerly in adl : Jed cogitatione^ et id 
 Jatis efi vt inquit Suetonius. 
 
 O/?. Is hee efcapt, and Florimell with him ? 
 HortenJiOy thy head fhall anfwer it. 
 
 Hort. I pray let my tongue be my heads atturney, 
 and pleade my excufe. 
 
 O^. Vrge no excufe. Away with him to prifon. 
 
70 
 
 AJs. It fhall be done, my Lord. 
 
 O^. Nay, you, fir, too, fhall tafte of the fame 
 fauce ; away with both. 
 
 Flamineo. Come, my Tonnes, 
 Lets leauy prefent armes gaynft Mantua. 
 Being fcarce come home, we mufl abroad againe ; 
 The Common good's a carefull princes payne. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene 2.] 
 
 Enter Anthonio, Lucida, Hermiuj and Lords. 
 
 Anthonio. 
 
 YOu that in all my banifht pilgrimage 
 Would neuer alienate your naturall loues. 
 But in defire to fee me reinfialld 
 Haue thruft out proude O£lauioes fubflitute. 
 And feated me in antient dignity, 
 I am yours, and ready at your beft difpofe. 
 
 Lord. Yourowne, my liege; we like inferiour lights 
 Take life from your reflexion, for like ftars 
 Vnto the funne, are Counfellours to Kings : 
 He feeds their orbes with fier, and their fhine 
 Contend to make his glory more diuine. 
 And fuch are we to great Anthonio. 
 
 Anth. The veynes and arteries of Anthonio 
 Through which the bloud of greatnefTe flows in vs; 
 Our life, and caufe efficient of our ftate. 
 And thefe our prety partners in exile. 
 
 Lord. We ha yet performd but the leafl part of 
 duetie, 
 
7* 
 
 Your reinftalment : it refts, that with our bloud 
 We keepe out innouafiue violence. 
 
 Ant. You new-create me, and breath fecond life 
 Into my dying bofome ; knew my fonne 
 Of this vnlookt-for fortune ; but ill fate 
 Has playd the tray tor, and giuen vp his life 
 To coward treafon. {A /hout within.^ 
 
 Enter Afpero and Florimell with their Pages. 
 
 AJ-p. Vdsfoot, what offence haue I committed 
 againft the ftate, that thefe yro n- handed /)/<?/^d'/^«j'fo 
 applaud me for ? 
 
 Flo. Tis a figne they loue you. 
 
 AJf. I had rather they fhould hate me ; it makes 
 mee fufpedl my bofome ; for they loue none but 
 the mafters of fadlions, treafons, and innouafions. 
 
 Flo. Then you doe not loue the commons. 
 
 AJ-p. Yes, as wife men doe their flattering wiues, 
 only for fhow : the popular voyce is like a crie of 
 bauling hounds ; and they get the foote of a fantaf- 
 ticke and popular-afFeding ftatefman, they neuer 
 leaue him, till they haue chac'd him into difgrace, 
 and then, like hounds, are at a lofle, and with their 
 lofTe — See, I haue found my father. Safety attend 
 you. 
 
 Anth. Welcome, thou hope of Mantua and of vs. 
 We now are honors new-beginners, boy. 
 And may we better thriue then heretofore. 
 
 Afp. Neuer doubt it, father ; I haue attradiue 
 ftuiFe that will draw cuftomers. 
 
72 
 
 ylnth. What Lady's that ? 
 
 Flo. One that has playd the part of a conftable, 
 — brought you home a Runaway. 
 
 j^l/p. A friend of mine, father, but daughter to 
 your arch-enemy. 
 
 Anth. O£lauioes daughter ? 
 
 y(fp. Yes faith ; you are out with the father, and 
 lie fee if I can fall in with the daughter. 
 
 Flo. And am I not a good child to leaue my 
 fathers loue at fixe and feauen, and hazard my honor 
 vpon your fonnes naked promife, and your hopefull 
 acceptance ? 
 
 Jfp. She has followed me through much danger. 
 
 Anth. The bt^tter welcome ; I loue her for't. 
 
 Afp. Like her and you pleafe, id'e haue no body 
 loue her but my felfe. 
 
 Anth. And, lady, though your father be our foe, 
 The vertuous loue betwixt our fonne and you 
 May nerethelefle retaine his fimpathie. 
 
 F^lo. Shall nerethelefle retaine his fimpathy ; 
 Anthonio^ know 1 am loues refolute, 
 Confirmd and grounded in affedlion : 
 I lou'd your fonne, not for he was a Prince, 
 But one no better then his prefent fortunes ; 
 He loue him ftill, fince firft I lou'd him fo. 
 Let father, friends, and all the world fay no. 
 
 AJp. There's mettle, father ; how can wee choofe 
 but get cocking children, when father and mother 
 too are both of the game? 
 
73 
 
 Enter Mejfenger. 
 
 Mefs. To armes, my lord ; O^auio comes in 
 armes, 
 To giue a proud aflault vnto the Citty. 
 
 yl/p. Proud his aflault, as proud be our refift, 
 Vye fliot for fliot, and flake downe life for life ; 
 Our breft's as bold as theirs, our bloud as deepe. 
 All that wee'l loofe, or this our gettings keepe. 
 
 Her. Come, brother, talke not of deuouring war : 
 Say, mefl^enger, comes not Odlauioes fonnes ? 
 
 Mefs, They do, as proudly as the morning Sunne 
 Beating the azurd pauement of the heauen. 
 
 Her. Then feare not, father, my After and my 
 felfe 
 Will be your champions, and defend the Citty. 
 Flo. Why, ladies, haue you fuch large intereft in 
 
 our brothers ? 
 Fr. Princefle, we haue. Within there : reach 
 our fhields ; 
 When beauty fights, the God of battaile yeelds. 
 
 \_Exeunt. J 
 
 Enter Francifco^ HippolitOj Flamineo^ lulio. 
 
 Enter Anthonio^ Afpero, Florimelly two Pages^ Lords 
 and Mejfenger aboue. 
 
 Flo. They offer parlee, let me anfwer them. 
 Brothers, how now ? who made you fouldiers ? 
 Faith een my father, as he made you louers ? 
 
 K 
 
74 
 
 What, hath he chang'd your (hepheards hooks to 
 
 fwords ? 
 Of Amoradoes made you armed knights ? 
 
 feld-feene metamorphofis ! I haue knowne 
 Souldiers turne louers, but for amorous louers 
 To re-afllime their valour, tis a change 
 Like winter-thunder, and a thing as ftrange. 
 
 Fr. Our fifter prifoner ? 
 
 Hip. Tell me, Florimell, 
 Doft thou liue there enforc'd, or of free-will ? 
 
 Flo. Freewill, brothers, mine owne freewill ; all 
 free in Mantua ; here's freewill yfaith, fpeake, am 
 
 1 not a free-woman ? 
 
 Pa. As if you had feru'd for't ; any man may 
 fet vp under hir copy without a protedlion. 
 
 Fr. I, wag, are you there too ? 
 
 Pa. Yes, faith, my lord; my lady has had my 
 attendaunce to a hayre. 
 
 Flo. You he, boy. 
 
 Pa. If not mine, fome bodies els : there's one has 
 done . 
 
 AJp. What haue I done, firra ? 
 
 Pa. Nay nothing, but what my lady was very 
 well content with. 
 
 Fr. Why, fifter, ftiame you not to fet your loue 
 On one that is our fathers enemie. 
 
 Flo. Shame? not a whit. But come, your 
 wenches, brothers; 
 I make no queftion, I haue won my wager, — 
 Are they as faire as I ? 
 
IS 
 
 Hip. Leaue that to trial I. 
 Afpero^ make furrender of our fifter. 
 
 A/p. And haue her in quiet poflefTion ? what do 
 you thinke me ? 
 
 Fr. "We thinke thee a proud villain, and our foe. 
 
 Flo. By heauen, th'are villains all that thinke 
 him fo. 
 
 Hip. Why, doe you loue him ? 
 
 Flo. I fhould curfe my felfe 
 
 If I fhould hate him. 
 
 Fr. Bring the ladders forth ; 
 
 Brauely aflault to feparate their liues. 
 
 [yff they arejcaling the wallsy the Ladies 
 come forth. 
 
 Her. Stand, proud Francijco. 
 
 Fa. Stand ! O excellent word in a woman. 
 
 Luc. Hold, Hippolito. 
 
 Pa. Hold I vp with that word, and tis as good 
 as the other. 
 
 Fr. What nymphe or goddefle in my Hermiaes 
 fhape. 
 Stands to debar my entrance to the towne .^ 
 
 Pa. Madam, I wonder they enter not. 
 
 Flo. Why, boy, it feemes they dare not. 
 
 Pa. O cowards, and haue two fuch fayre breaches 
 already. 
 
 Fr. Immortall Pallas, that art more diuine. 
 In my loues beautie, than thou cloth'ft thee in ; 
 Withdrawe thy felfe, and giue our fury limits. 
 
 Her. I will ; but firft, Francijco^ take my fhielde. 
 
76 
 
 Luc. And mine, as challenge to a fingle combat. 
 
 Her. Read the conditions, and returne your 
 anfwers. 
 
 Flo. Well done, yfaith, wenches. O that the olde 
 gray-beard, my father, were here ! ide haue a bout 
 with him, as I am honourable. 
 
 Fr. "Whats here ? 
 A fhepheard wooing of a countrymaide. 
 As fhe fits angling by a riuers fide ; 
 By them an aged man making a net ? 
 The Motto : Sic ! this emblems morrall is 
 The former loue I had with Lucida, 
 And this hope tells me that's faire Lucida. 
 
 Hip. Brother, my fhield the like prefents to me. 
 But holds far more familiar reference ; 
 Here doth the amorous fhepheard kifle the nymph; 
 Which fhe with a chafl blufh confents vnto : 
 And fee, a gloomy man, clad like a pilgrim, 
 Comes in, and feperates their fweete delights : 
 The Motto, Sic J I, fo my father came, 
 And banifht me from beautious Hermia ; 
 And this, hope tells me, is faire Hermia. 
 
 Fr. The more I looke, the more me thinkes tis 
 
 fhe. 
 Hip. The more I think, the more I find tis fhe. 
 Fr. What fhould I thinke, to proue it is not fhe ? 
 Flo. Looke, thinke, find, proue, do what you can, 
 Thefe are the wenches that you courted than : 
 Then, hony bees, lay by your fmarting flings. 
 And buz fweet loue into your ladies eares ; 
 
11 
 
 Tell them of kifTes, and fuch prety things ; 
 Thefe drumming dub adubs loues pleafure feares. 
 
 Fr. O heauen, oh fortune, and moft happie 
 ftars ; 
 Do I find loue, where I expedled wars ? 
 
 Hip. I that but now was all for war and death. 
 Am made all loue ; wars humour's out of breath. 
 
 Enter OSiauiOy lulio, and others. 
 
 0£l. How, my fonnes loue the daughters of my 
 foe ? it cannot be. 
 
 lul. Then queftion them your felfe. 
 
 Otl. Why, how now, fonnes ? is this your worth 
 in armes ? 
 
 Fr. Why, are we not in armes, father ? 
 
 Hip. Yes, and in fuch armes as no Coward but 
 woulde venture life to march in. 
 
 05i. Then, boies, you loue the daughters of 
 Anthonio ? 
 
 Fr. We lik'd them firft. 
 
 Hip. We keepe that liking ftill. 
 
 ok. And you will loue them ? 
 
 Flo. Father, infaith they will. 
 
 O^. I, runaway, are you there.'' whome has 
 your Ladyfhip got to your hufband? 
 
 Flo. One that I ftumbled on at Blindman bufFe ; 
 a proper man, a man euery ynch of him : and you 
 
 would fay fo and you knewe but afmuch as I 
 
 meane to know ere I haue done with him. 
 
 051. Is he not fonne vnto Anthonio ? 
 
78 
 
 Afp. Great duke, I am, and proftrate on my 
 knee, 
 I beg a peace, which if your fpleene deny, 
 I proudlie ftand where erft I mildly kneel'd, 
 And caft downe bold defiance from theis walls. 
 051. No more : your loues make my proud hart 
 afham'd ; 
 Your confort's fweet, and ile not be a meane 
 To make it iar : what my fonnes like fhall ftand. 
 By my confent allowed and perfeded ; 
 All hate is banifht, and reuenge Res dead. 
 
 Afp. Then, ftead of fpeares, let Hymens torches 
 flame 
 With hallowed incence ; and the God of fpright, 
 Swell vp your vaines with amorous delight : 
 And fo fhut vp our fingle comedy. 
 With Plautus phrafe : Si placet, plaudite. 
 
 \Exeunt omnes. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
L A VV-TRICKES 
 
 O R, 
 
 WHO VVOVLD HAVE 
 THOVGHr IT. 
 
 As it hath bene diuers times A<fled by the Chil- 
 dren of the Reuele. 
 
 Written by John HJay. 
 
 LO ND O V^ 
 
 Printed for Richard More,and are to be folde at his Shop 
 
 in S.Dunftanes Church-yard in Fleete- 
 
 ftreete. 1608. 
 
"The Booke to the Reader. 
 
 HOnefi Reader^ by thy patience, this is the firft 
 time of our meeting, & it may be the laft : 
 that's as we fhal agree at parting. Woot buy me? 
 the ftationer thankes thee : Wot reade mee ? doe, 
 but picke no more out of me than he that writ put 
 into mee ; nor knowe me not better then he that 
 made me. Such Mechanicke gods this hil of Per- 
 najfus harbors: we have a ftrange fe6le of vpftart 
 Phijiognomers growne vp amongft vs of late, that 
 will afTume out of the depth of their knowings to 
 calculate a man's intent by the colour of his com- 
 plexion ; nay — which is miraculous — by the cha- 
 radler of his reporte. And tis wonderfull to confider: 
 Cannot an honeft man fpeake to a knave, but his 
 language mufl needes be fcand ? a gallant to a 
 Countrieman, but his intent muft be to rob ^. Mufl: 
 a cuckold of confequent neceffitie dwell at the 
 Harts-horne, and a Mufitian at the Cat & the 
 fiddle ? fl;range interpretations ! I fay no more ; 
 but, if the Cobler wold look no further then the 
 fhoe-latchet, we fliould not have fo many corrupt 
 tranflations : for mine owne part 1 reuerence all 
 modefl: aduertifements, and fubmit myfelfe to any 
 iudicious cenfurer, protefl:ing I neuer held any 
 irregular courfe, but my Inke hath beene alwaies 
 fimple, without the iuice of worm-wood, and my 
 pen fmooth, without teeth ; and fo it fhall continue. 
 Farwell. 
 Thine or any mans for a tefliar. 
 
 tVho would have thought it. 
 

 The 
 
 Shames of the 
 
 
 A(£tors. 
 
 Ferne-ze, Duke of Genoa. 
 Polymetes His Sonne. 
 Lurdo An olde Count, 
 Horatio A yong Count. 
 Horatioe's Page. 
 lulio A noble youthfull Gallan 
 Angela A Noble Counfellor. 
 Adam Seruant to Polymetes. 
 loculo Page to Emilia. 
 
 Emilia 
 
 Countejfe 
 
 Win. 
 
 Daughter to the Duke. 
 
 Lurdos Wife. 
 
 Seruant to Count Lurdo. 
 
 I 
 
 2 
 
 . 
 
 Gentlewomen. 
 
 3 
 
 
 
Law-tricks, 
 
 OR 
 Who would have thought it. 
 
 JCrUS PRIMUS. 
 
 Enter Count Horatio Jolus. 
 Horatio. 
 
 Divine invention, O how I could hug 
 And Hke an amorous Lover court thy beauty. 
 That crownft me King of pleafures ! Were my 
 
 braine 
 Fordg'd out of vulgar metall without fier 
 And fprightly motion, my big-fwolne hopes 
 Had bene ftill-borne ; but when deiedled mindes 
 Out-flept the golden pleafures of the night. 
 My ferious meditations haue outwatch'd 
 The glorious tapers that attend the Moone. 
 I turnd my thoughts into a thoufand fhapes, 
 Moulded the fafhion of ten thoufand plots, 
 Lik'd and diflik'd fo many, that my brayne 
 (The mother of Invention) grew barrayne, 
 
Almoft paft bearing : ftill my laboring thoughts 
 
 Conceiu'd a yet more ftrange and quaint Idea^ 
 
 Gave it proportion, and I brought it forth, 
 
 And that bleft infant of Inuention 
 
 Beyond all hope hath my contentment woon ; 
 
 And that's Loues heauen : I loue a face more faire 
 
 Then Cintheas hue that feems aboue compare. 
 
 But hell ! her hufband with a jealous eye 
 
 Vfhers her fteps, oh wedded flauery ! 
 
 This tender rofe, whom artles marriage 
 
 Hath grafted on a nettle (tefty age), 
 
 Haue I ungrafted ; made himfelf vntie 
 
 The knot of wedlock, thanks fweete induftrie : 
 
 Enter Count Lurdo^ meditating. 
 - — And here a comes; that which moft heaps my fame. 
 His wit's well fpoken of. 
 
 Lu. This wit's a fprightly thing. 
 
 Ho. For fuch as haue't. 
 
 Lu. It not alone doth bring 
 
 Publique applaufe, but knowledge i' the law ; 
 Teacheth to fpeake in diftance. 
 
 Ho. How the daw 
 
 Scoures ore his ruftie phrafes ! — honord Count, 
 How growes your plot. 
 
 L.U. My thriuing fortunes mount 
 
 Aboue fuppofe, euen to my harts content : 
 We are diuorc'd. 
 
 Ho. My hopes are prevalent. 
 
 Lu. You know the caufe on't : two fufficient men 
 
Swore her a harlot, and the partiall Bench, 
 Infpirde by my good Angels (Angels wings 
 Sweepe a cleare paflage to the feat of Kings) 
 Seald our diuorce. 
 
 Ho. But doth her brother fwallow 
 
 This grofTe abufe ? 
 
 Lu. Abufe ? away, away ! 
 
 They know me rich, Horatio, — chinke, chinke ! 
 Whilft this holds out, my caufe fhal never fincke. 
 
 Enter Duke Ferneze and Angela. 
 
 Ho. See where a comes! his fad complexion 
 weares 
 Griefs mourning liuery ; he is clothde in teares. 
 
 Ang. Whence fprings this forrow ? 
 
 Fer. For my fifters fhame ; 
 
 My fifter, oh my fifter, whofe repute 
 Hung like a lewell on her fexes forehead — 
 
 Ang. And what of her ? 
 
 Fer. She is — o no, fhe was 
 
 Pure as the diamond, cleere as chriftall glaffe, 
 But now (O hell ! ) her credit is more foule 
 Than fpeckled fcandall or black murders foule. 
 
 Ang. I cannot thinke it. 
 
 Lu. But I know't too true : 
 
 She was my wife, and by her meanes my head 
 Was fayrely tupt ; and you will buy a Lanthorne, 
 Befpeake my fconce ; tis ready hornd and all. 
 
 Ho. Not yet, but He take order that it fliall. 
 
 Fer. And are yee parted ? 
 
8 
 
 Lu. What a queftion's that ! 
 
 Shall I wear crackt rings, Diamonds with a flaw ? 
 lie carry coles and you will, — no homes ; I know 
 the law. 
 
 Ang. Is this your griefe ? 
 
 Fer. This is inough to make 
 
 Patience turne ruffin : fhe that was the paterne 
 To whofe proportion all our courtly dames 
 Cut out their adions, fhe to fall ! a figne — 
 
 Lu. More will fall fhortly. 
 
 Fer. Her fhame — 
 
 Lu. Growes here; whoeuer broacht the wyne. 
 The butt ftands here ; my forehead bears the figne. 
 
 Ho. It merrits none, the fhame's nor yours nor 
 his. 
 That foot's eeuen made that neuer treads amiffe ; 
 Beauty came firfl from Heauen, Prometheus 
 Stole it to make proud women beauteous : 
 Now ftolne goods thriue not ; women ftole from 
 
 men. 
 Then blame not them to feeke their owne agen. 
 Kings haue for this bene felons, and tis proov'd 
 He neuer was diuine that neuer loou'd. 
 
 Lu. I finde no law for this. 
 
 Ho. Cuftome you proue ; 
 
 And what's more Auncient than to pilfer loue ? 
 
 Lu. A quillet well applide. 
 
 Ho. Then bury griefe; 
 
 Yf this be fellonie, my felf 's a theife. 
 
 Lu. A nimble witte, juft of the length of mine ! 
 
But come, my Leidge, forget it ; Co will I ; 
 Our infant griefs muft be old men and die. 
 
 Fer. Not whilft her fault furuiues. — What newes 
 with thee ? 
 
 Enter Horatio's Page. 
 
 Pa. I bring your honor comfortable newes ; 
 Your fonne's return'd from Pifa. 
 
 Fer. A comes ill, 
 
 And yet I hope his bleft arriue will kill 
 This monfter griefe. 
 
 Hor. He is a toward Prince. 
 
 Fer. Toward inough, and yet moft ftrangely 
 wean'd 
 And wedded from this world's focietie. 
 
 Lu. A parlous youth, fharpe and fatyricall ; 
 Would a but fpend fome ftudy in the Law, 
 A would proue a paffing fubtle Barrifter. 
 
 Hor. Ha's a quick wit. 
 
 Lu. And a fpeakes Latin, too, 
 
 Truely ; and fo few Lawyers vfe to doe. 
 
 Enter Prince Polymetes with a Booke. 
 
 Poly. Health to this honour'd prefence! — pafling 
 good! 
 
 Ang. Welcome, fweet Prince. 
 
 Poly. Thanks : — fuperpafling good ! 
 
 But, honord father, fee how he proceedes : 
 Learning was firft made pilot to the world, 
 And in the chaire of contemplation, 
 
 B 
 
lO 
 
 Many degrees aboue the turning cloudes, 
 Held In his hand the nine-leaPd marble booke 
 Drawne full of filuer lines and golden Stars. 
 
 Fer. But, Sonne — 
 
 Poly. But, father, it was learnings place 
 
 Till emptie outfides, fhadowes daub'd with golde, 
 Pluckt him downe headlong ; then a loft his wits 
 And euer fince liues Zany to the world, 
 Turnes Pageant-Poet, toyler to the prefle. 
 Makes himfelfe cheape, detefted, hift and ftale 
 To euerie bubble and dull Groome 
 Who, for his out-fides gawdie, will prefume 
 To make poore wit a hackney to his pride 
 And with blunt rowled leftes fpur-gall his fide 
 Till his foule bleede. O, I am more then mad 
 To fee meere ftiadowes cenfure and controule 
 The fubftance, worthier both in fence and foule. 
 
 Fer. Fie, PolymeteSy though the robe of learning 
 Sit comely on a Prince, yet weane thy thoughts 
 From this ftrid contemplation, and embrace 
 Publique aflemblies, knightly exercife. 
 
 Poly. How's that? to fweare and giue the fud- 
 den ftab. 
 Sell Lands to purchafe faftiions ? O tis bafe 
 Bought gentrie fiiould true-borne worth difgrace ! 
 
 ying. Pradife to hunt. 
 
 Poly. No, fome that ufe that fport 
 
 Giu't ore, being fcarce one haire the better for 't. 
 
 Fer. Then pradlife Reuels. 
 
 Poly. Reuels ? fprightly play ! 
 
II 
 
 Yet euerie yeare Tome reuell all away. 
 
 Lu. All thefe are triuiall : Prince, be a Lawyer. 
 
 Foly. Of all Land-monfters fome that beare that 
 name 
 Might well be fparde, whofe vultur Auarice 
 Deuoures men liuing : they of all the reft 
 Deale moft with Angells & yet proue leaft bleft. 
 
 Lu. Wrong not the Law. 
 
 Poly. I cannot, tis diuine ; 
 
 And ile compare It to a golden chaine 
 That linkes the body of a Co mm on- Wealth 
 Into a firme and formall Vnion. 
 It holds the fword with an impartiall hand, 
 Curbs in the raines of an vnruly land ; 
 Tis twin'd to luftice, and with holy zeale 
 Rightly determines the poor mans appeale : 
 And thofe that are lawes true adminifters 
 Are fathers to the wrongM, heauen's lufticers. 
 
 Lu. Fore God tis true, right properties of the 
 Law. 
 
 Poly.'^ But, vnder fauour and with due refpedl 
 Of that vnualued perle and the profefTors, 
 Your felfe and fuch lacke-Latin Aduocates 
 Infe6t the heart and doe their beft to change 
 The true intent of fandtimonious law ; 
 Turne Churchyards Champions,^ 
 
 ' The 4to. gives this fpeech to Lurdo. 
 
 2 For this fpelling of ' Champains,' cf. Marlowe's Tamburlaine 
 the Great, Pt. I, A. 2, s. 2, 1. 40 ; Pt. i, A. 1. s. i, 1. 32, &c. 
 
12 
 
 And make the ground growne rancke with Grand- 
 fires flefh 
 Beare corne to feed the Sonne. 
 
 Fer. Will this be fufFer'd? 
 
 — But, Polymetes, in thy ftay at Pifa 
 When heardft thou of thy Sifter ? 
 
 Poly. Much to late ; 
 
 The reafon, with your patience, ile relate. 
 Beautious Emilia (whom I neuer faw 
 But in the Rhetorique of difcourfiue tongues) 
 In Sandla Monta, neighbour to Sardinia, — 
 Where filuer Arno in her Chriftall bofome 
 Courts the frefh bancks with many an amorous 
 
 kifle,— 
 My Sifter (as the countrie cuftom claim'd) 
 With all the choyceft virgins of the Land 
 Met at the Temple, half a league remote 
 From all refort of people, which was deck'd 
 With all the Reliques and the choiceft lemmes 
 MarcelliSy Pifa or Ligorne could yeeld. 
 
 Fer. What follow'd this rich preparation ? 
 
 Poly. Whilft they fecurely tend their Orizons, 
 Three armed Gallies of the faithlefle Turkes 
 At this aduantage fet their men on ftiore, 
 Enterd the Temple and prophande their fhrines, 
 On the high Altar facrifiz'd the Priefts, 
 Difray'd the Temple of the golden robes, 
 Murder'd the matrons, rauiftied the Maides, 
 And dragging them by the diftieueld haire 
 Did with their rauifti'd bodies fill their boates : 
 
13 
 
 Amongft the reft Emilia^ whom report 
 Cald by no name but onely beautifull, 
 Was rauifh'd, flaine or taken prifoner. 
 
 Fer. O PolymeteSy thy difcourfe confounds ; 
 Thou healft old hurts yet giu'ft deeper wounds. 
 But words are ayre : fee our arm'd Gallies man'd, 
 And in them place as many of our Knights 
 As lou'd Emilia and their Soueraignes health. 
 He unto Pi/a ; and till our return, 
 Becaufe our widowed Duke-dome (hall not mourne, 
 Be thou her minion, and pofTefTe her chaire ; 
 Fill that with honour, 'twill fill thee with care. 
 Vrge no denialls : Genowaes adew, 
 Wee leaue old greefes and goe in fearch of new. 
 
 \_Exeunt : Manent Lurdo and Horatio. 
 
 Lu. Better and better ; now my hopes are fit : 
 The Duke thus gone, what tongue fo bold dares 
 
 fay 
 I wrong'd my wife } 
 
 Hor. That dares Horatioes. 
 
 Lu. Thou art my felf, we both haue but one 
 bofome. 
 One tongue, one foule ; two bodies & one heart. 
 
 Hor. I know't, my Lord. 
 
 Lu. Tis true, but let that pafle ; 
 
 We two are one. 
 
 Hor. I know your honour's wife. 
 
 Lu. And I know thee 
 For no fmall foole : 'twas fimple pollicie, 
 And not without fome Counfel of the lawe 
 
H 
 
 That, notwithftanding my wiues neere allyance 
 Vnto the Duke, I purchac'd a diuorce. 
 
 Hor. What was the caufe ? 
 
 Lu. I tell thee, the mod wrong 
 
 Was this : my Auarice thought fhe liu'd too long. 
 I know one man hath coffind up fix wiues 
 Since (he was mine, and, by the pooreft, purft 
 A brace of thoufand pounds : ftill good in Law ! 
 Men muft be rich, by thrift our treafures rife. 
 Give me the man's knaue rich, take you poor wife. 
 But clofe, cock-fure ; ile feed me fat with fport. 
 Gull all, fool all, why ^ I haue Law-tricks for't. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Hor. How luftice Slender glories in the plot 
 Which, to deceiue him, my full braine begot ! 
 But to his wife, true virtue though difgrac'd, 
 Shee's now halfe woo'd becaufe fhee's thought vn- 
 
 chaft. 
 Her fexes credit or difcredit thriues 
 In th' outward fhape and fafhion of their Hues, 
 And, be a woman's vertues nere fo ftrong. 
 Her honour's weighed upon difcourfes tongue ; 
 Be her fame fuUied, were her thoughts as bright 
 As Innocence, the world would count her light : 
 For though mongft women moft are beautious. 
 They that pleafe time are counted vertuous. 
 And in this hope ile to the CountefTe goe : 
 Shee's counted light, Loue grant I find her fo. 
 
 \_Exii. 
 
15 
 
 [Scene 2.] 
 Enter Emilia and loculo. 
 
 loc. 
 
 WElcome to Genoa, Madam : and to make a 
 fhort cut of our long trauell, faith tell mee, 
 how doe you feele your felfe fince you came afhore ? 
 
 Em. Feele my felfe ? Why, with my hands : 
 What an idle queftion's that ! 
 
 loc. Then pray bee you better occupied in your 
 anfwere. — But, Madam, doe you remember what 
 a multitude of fifhes we faw at Sea ? and I doe 
 wonder how they can all liue by one another. 
 
 Em. Why, foole, as men do on the Land ; the 
 great ones eate vp the little ones. — But, loculo^ I 
 am great, paffing great, and readie to lye downe. 
 
 loc. Doe Madam, and He ftand by and doe my 
 good will to deliuer you. 
 
 Em. Mans death, of what ? 
 
 loc. Why, of your Maiden-head, Madam, & if 
 you pleafe ; or rather of the huge birth of knauerie 
 y' are in trauell of. 
 
 Em. And in footh, loculo, at this time I ftand in 
 fome need of a wittie Mid-wif : but may I truft 
 thee? 
 
 loc. Aboue the girdle-ftead and below the knee, 
 Madam, without any danger. Why, Madam, you 
 know at our firft meeting in the Turkes Gallies, 
 
i6 
 
 where we were both prifoners and in a manner 
 ftrangers, I refted faithful ; when we counterfeited 
 ourfelues lunaticke to efcape their furie, I proued 
 not falfe ; when we were caft naked afhore, I ftood 
 firme to you and neuer fince left your companye. 
 Now, hauing had thefe tryals of me abroade, neuer 
 miftruft my fecrecie at home. 
 
 Em. I will credit thee : and now receiue this 
 embrion of knauery, briefly as I deliuer it. I vn- 
 derftand, fince our priuate arriuall here at Genoa, 
 that the Duke my father, hearing of my furprifal 
 from Monte fanSfa, attended with a hundred Knights 
 is gone to feeke a needle in a bottle of Hay. 
 
 loc. Or rather to catch a quicke Eele by the — 
 
 Em. Teeth ; as I haue done you, fir. 
 
 loc. Nay, and you breake ieftes a my teeth once, 
 I haue done with you. 
 
 Em. If the breaking of the jeft kept your teeth 
 whole twas well broken. — But to the purpofe : as 
 well to trie what mettle our Genowaies wits are 
 made of, as alfo to put my Brothers humour to the 
 teft, I intend to dance a prettie change with my 
 name (for by nothing elfe, I am fure, they can 
 knowe me, being in my infancie carried to my 
 Aunts at Pifd) : then infteed of Emilia call me 
 Triftella. 
 
 loc. Agreed : — but what man i'th mift is this ? 
 
 Em. I know not ; yet lets walke and take occa- 
 fion to confer with them. 
 
^7 
 
 Enter Polymetes readings and lulio taking Tobacco. 
 
 loc. Yet keep without eye-fhot fo long as you can. 
 
 Poly. O moft diuine! 
 
 lul. Tobacco ? the beft in Europe, 'tcoft mee 
 ten Crovvnes an ounce, by this vapor. 
 
 Poly. Art not afham'd ? 
 
 lul. Of your foppifh humor ? yes, by this Ele- 
 ment, villanoufly afham'd ; pox on't, leaue it : you 
 are a fcholler, goe but to antiquitie, reade the 
 Chronicles ; you may find fbme of your Anceftors 
 chronicled for winning a wenches fauour, for loofing 
 their armour, but few for wit and SchoUerfhip : 
 Souldiers & Schollers could neuer fet their horfes 
 together, efpecially in this kicking age. — But who 
 comes heere } one fhe-Satyre or other to pitch vp 
 her Tent, caft downe her gauntlet and proclaime 
 thee coward for not ftabbing her when fhe gaue 
 thee the moft plaine, apparant and open lye. 
 
 Em. loculoy we are fallen into their eyes. 
 
 loc. Theile hardly fee their way then, for we are 
 fhrew'd moats; but al's one, ile giue occafion of 
 quarrel!, anfwert as you can. \iuftles lulio. 
 
 lul. Your reafon. Sir? 
 
 loc. To make thee recoile or with the Souldier 
 to fall off: if't your countrie manners to corriue a 
 leader being vpon or before prefent feruice, as I 
 am ? 
 
 lul. Pardon me, fir, I did not fee your charge. 
 — Would I had neuer feene her, for her eye 
 H ath fet my thoughts in a fl:range mutenie. 
 
 c 
 
i8 
 
 Poly. What ! in loue, lulio ? 
 
 lul. No, Prince, loue's in me ; 
 
 I like a flaue indure loues tyrannic. 
 
 loc. Madam, your Brother, 
 
 Poly. Slaue to all flaues be he that fnares his eye 
 In a weake Syrens Cob-web flatterie. 
 
 ////. God faue, faire fweete ! 
 
 Em. Amen, — from fuch as you. 
 
 lul. You had faid/or fuch, had your tongue gone 
 true. 
 
 Em. Why then, belike, I lye. 
 
 lul. I would you did 
 
 — Within my Curtens. 
 
 Em. Marry, loue forbid ! 
 
 lul. Nay, loue is willing, for he cries lets goe ! 
 
 Em. Then loue hath two tunges, for he tels me no : 
 So pray let's part. 
 
 lul. What, and our lips not meete ? 
 
 Em. Now fie vpon't, like Broom-men in the 
 ftreet ? 
 Y 'are a young wooer, or elfe much to rude. 
 To fhew this kindnefle fore a multitude : 
 But, by the blufh that colours ore your face. 
 You would fcarce doo't in a more priuate place. 
 
 Poly. This fame ftrange thing i'th likenes of a 
 woman 
 Taftes of much wit : though I not loue her fex 
 He arme my thoughts to cracke a ieft with her. 
 — What ! graueld, lulio. 
 
 Em. No, but run a Land : 
 
'9 
 
 Is your wits fliipping any better mand ? 
 
 Poly. Yes ; will you board it ? 
 
 Em. No, I dare not venter. 
 
 Poly. Make but a fhot in ieft, and you may 
 enter. 
 
 Em. You are a Scholler? 
 
 Poly. I haue k^no. fome Schooles. 
 
 Em. You came not ore in the laft fleet of 
 Fooles ? 
 
 Poly. You tooke my room vp. 
 
 Em. I pray tak't agen; 
 
 Weele haue no women fooles faile amongft men. 
 
 Poly. Your wit's much currifh. 
 
 Em. Why, 't bites not you. 
 
 It feedes on fooles flefh ; fo, wifemen, adieu. 
 
 lul. Pleafe you accept the curtfie of the towne. 
 
 Em. I need not, I haue curtfies of mine owne : 
 Ther's one for you. 
 
 Poly. How chance your wit's fo free } 
 
 Em. Onely to out-goe ladifh company. 
 
 lul. Here are none fuch. 
 
 loc. Take heed ; for, if you tire, 
 
 Sheele keepe her pace and leaue you in the mire. 
 
 Poly. A womans feature, but a SchoUers tongue 
 In quick difcourfe ! Philofophers nere wondred 
 More at the ftrange conception of the windes 
 Then I admire how fhe attain 'd this wit. 
 Did not true learning make the foule diuine, 
 She hath fpoke enough to make me conuertine. 
 
 lul. My loues are found, & wait but your reply : 
 
20 
 
 A fliort llu'd accent — either no or I ? 
 
 Ein. I am not too feueare, nor yet (o kinde 
 To fall for euerie idle puff of winde. 
 But, farwell ; ile take counfell of my pillow : 
 Pittie frefh youth (hould wither in greene willowe ! 
 lul. Appoint the place, fweete ; ile not mifle 
 
 mine houre. 
 Em. At the three fooles. 
 Jul. He meete. 
 
 Em. And make vp foure. 
 
 Poly. Sweet wordes, kinde lookes ? what, and a 
 parting kifle ? 
 Words, lookes and lips crie all ' the wench is his.' 
 I am pofTeft ; deuill loue perfuades my minde 
 That, if to him, to me fhee'le proue more kinde. 
 
 [^Exeunt Emil. ^ loc. 
 — What's lulio made of? hadft thou foule or fence, 
 Thou wouldft not prentife thy affedions 
 Nor tie thy fortunes to a ftrangers loue. 
 
 lul. A little liking, my Lord ; a jerk, a trick or 
 fo, but no pure loue, I proteft. But be impartiall, 
 caft of the furd-gowne of hate and fpeake out of 
 the naked Doublet and hofe of iudgement : is fhe 
 not worthy to be beloued ^ Nay, might not (he and 
 I liue parting well together ? 
 
 Poly. Yes, if to liue in bondage be no hell, 
 I thinke you two might doe exceeding well. 
 
 lul. Well, my Lord, becaufe ile bee no example 
 of felfe-will, ile break off our meeting at the Three 
 Fooles and fend for her to Court, where ile put al 
 
21 
 
 my loue into one quart of Maligo & your melan- 
 cholly humor into another ; and he that hath done 
 laft, fhall for penance giue her a kick a the lips: — 
 and a pipe of Tobacco be my witnefTe that's all the 
 loue I beare her. 
 
 Poly, Well, lulio. 
 How ere you iuggle, if you doe agree, 
 You muft be pleaf'd to weare the keepers fee. 
 
 \Exeunt. 
 
 ACTUS SECUNDUS. 
 
 Enter Count Lurdo and Adam. 
 Adam. 
 
 Sir, I doe not loue to double with a woma if my 
 friend, much lefTe with you, my moft vpright & 
 ftraight Count : my Yong Lord (as I told you) is 
 turnd abfolute prodigall. 
 
 Lu. How prodigall ? 
 
 Adam. Marry, thus prodigall : to frequent ordin- 
 aries is his ordinarie pra6life ; rubs out whole weekes 
 together in bowling Allyes ; baudies away his 
 pocket full of French-Crownes in a morning, and 
 counts it a prettie fport to procure heate. 
 
 Lu. Thou telft me wonders : he that but laft day 
 Was neuer feene to walke without a booke. 
 Writ againft pleafure, and make bitter jefts 
 Of honeft recreation — turn'd diflblute! 
 
22 
 
 I fee no reafon for 't : the law and I 
 
 (I tell you plainely, Adam) thinke you lye. 
 
 Adam. Thinke as you will, Sir, theres not a 
 tricke vfde in the towne that deferues damnation, 
 but hee defires to deale in 't. Tis pitty a was 
 not made a tradefman, he loues to follow his occu- 
 pation a life ; and that which makes him doubt,^ 
 moft, he is in loue with the Indian punck Tobacco. 
 
 Lu. Punke ! how the foole that doth not know it 
 Slaunders a leafe, nick-names a ftranger herb. 
 
 Adam. No herb a grace, I hope, Sir. 
 
 Lu. Nor good thrift neither. 
 
 Yet there's one dunce, a kind of plodding Poet, 
 Sweares twas not in the firft creation 
 Becaufe he finds no ballad argument 
 To proue old Adam a Tobacconifte, 
 
 Adam. I thinke none a' the name loue's it. I 
 haue heard olde Adam was an honeft man and a 
 good Gardiner, lou'd Lettice well, Sallets and Cab- 
 bage reafonable well, yet no Tobacco. Again, 
 Adam Bell a fubftantial out-law & pafTing good 
 Archer, yet no Tobacconift. Further, Diogenes 
 (whofe propper name might be Adam^ for ought I 
 know) lou'd Garrets well, Leeke porredge parting 
 well, yet no Tobacco. To conclude, my great 
 Grandfathers Grandfathers father and myfelfe — 
 all Gardners — yet could not abide this Chimney- 
 fweeper, Tobacco. 
 
 ' Quy. " do't ? " 
 
23 
 
 Lu. They did not ? take me with you; what's the 
 caufe ? 
 They were al plaine folks and did not know the 
 lawes. 
 
 Adam. They were plaine indeede, and thereof 
 grew the prouerbe * plaine dealing is a lewell.' 
 
 Lu. But he that vfeth it fhall die a begger. 
 
 Adam. That addition was made by fome Lawyer 
 or Poet ; to auoid which, they cannot induce plaine- 
 dealing fhould haue a hand in any of their adlions. 
 
 Lu. Touch no mans fundio ; there are ierks & 
 tricks : 
 Spurne not the law, for, if you doe, it kicks. 
 
 Adam. So will a fpur-gald lade, fir. — But, to all 
 thefe mifdemeanours, a maintaines a priuate puncke, 
 one Trijiella^ that hee had in way of reuerfion from 
 lulio ! a twindger, a meere Horfleach, one that will 
 fuck out the braines of his treafurie and make a 
 meere fkin of his wealth. I, out of my Loue, re- 
 prehended his Error, and he in a furie kick't me out 
 of dores, and difcharged me of his feruice. 
 
 Lu. I like not this, tis neither right nor ftreight ; 
 Done with no law-trick nor no good conceite. 
 — But here a comes. 
 
 Enter Polim. & Emilia. 
 
 Adam. With Autumne in his bofome. Pray 
 God fhe (hake not downe his leaues and leaue him 
 to make the Duke his father a bald reckoning. 
 
24 
 
 Lu. Peace, and obferue. 
 
 Em. Though I be a ftranger to you, 
 
 Yet am I well acquainted with your humor. 
 A Lady cannot Hue about the Court 
 Without the enuie of your Epigrams: 
 If fhe be pleafant, fhe is counted light ; 
 If ruddy, painted ; if her ruffes be thicke, 
 They afke much poaking. 
 
 Poly. Truft me, loue hath kild 
 
 That worme-wood humor. Bring th' authoritie 
 Of one true tongue to proue my poefie 
 Euer wrong'd woman — 
 
 Em. And you'l doo't agen. 
 
 Lu. — That's a good wench ! 
 
 Em. I pray, who ought that pen 
 
 That in a Hammering lambick vaine 
 Glanc'd at Emiliaes loofe and gaudie traine ; 
 And broke broad iefts vpon her narrow heele, 
 Poak't her Rebatoes and furuaid her fteele ; 
 Tide her fring'd garters, bought her words by 
 weight .'' 
 
 Lu. — Still good in law, and an vpright con- 
 ceit ! 
 
 Em. Doe not you know that man ? 
 
 Poly. Suppofe I doe. 
 
 Em. You did but flout them, and youle flout me 
 too. 
 You wondred not Cornelia, being fo faire, 
 Would be beholding to her Laundrefle haire ^ 
 Poly. I know not this. 
 
 ••^ 
 
25 
 
 Em. True, nor that Florymell 
 
 Became a Pages habit pafTing well ; 
 Vfde fingle Rapier, tooke the roufe and fwore 
 Of all land Beafts fhe could not brooke the Bore ? 
 Nor that Count Lurdo^ comming to a fray, 
 Brought not the worth of one poore haire away ? 
 
 Poly. More then his owne. 
 
 Lu. — That left comes neere to me, 
 
 Tis out-growne now, a wants authoritie. 
 
 Em. Nor that Melina, whom your Mufe re- 
 nownes. 
 Wore out as many fuiters as new gownes ; 
 And the fame day that fhe was marryed, 
 Vpon her fingers wore her maiden-head 
 In liken es of a Dyamond ? 
 
 Poly. Indeede twas fed 
 
 That for [a] Ring Melina fold her head. 
 
 Em. But y'are all Quids. 
 
 Lu. — They are bawdie mates, 
 
 Touch Lauyers, too ; indeed, abufe all ftates. 
 
 Em. Poets are wanton, and no doubt inioy 
 Their faire CorynnaeSj though perhaps lefle coy. 
 
 Poly. Suppofe fome doe ? 
 
 Em. Each one in this agrees to fcandall vs. 
 
 Lu. — And talke of Lawyers fees. 
 
 Poly. Graunt me but loue, & with my vtmoll 
 power 
 I will defend your fexes ftainlefle honour, 
 And, with my pen dipt in the iuice of gall, 
 Be his foules terror that hereafter fhall 
 
26 
 
 Caft ynke at honours garments or afpire 
 To name your fex with an vnhallowed fire. 
 Em, I take your word. 
 
 Enter lulio. 
 
 Poly. Then feale it with a kifTe. 
 
 Lu. That kifTe, my Lord, deferues an Epigram. 
 
 Poly. Sit downe, good Vncle. 
 
 Lu. An unbidden gueft 
 
 Should bring a ftoole along. 
 
 Poly. A womans ieft, 
 
 lul. You meane a lye, for women vfe to lye. 
 
 Em. But not, like Schollers, by authoritie. 
 
 lul. Yet they may produce lying authoritie, and 
 fo cannot Poets. 
 
 Lu. Nor Lawyers neither. 
 
 Em. Are you a Lawyer ? 
 
 lul. Ifaith, Madam, he hath fit on the fkirts of 
 law any time this thirtie yeares. 
 
 Adam. Then he fiiould bee a good Trencher- 
 man by his profefiion. 
 
 Lu. Your reafon, Adam ? 
 
 Adam. I knew one of that facultie in one terme 
 eate vp a hole Towne, Church, Steeple and all. 
 
 lul. I wonder the Bels rung not all in his belly. 
 
 Adam. No, fir ; he folde them to buy his wife a 
 Taffety Gowne, and himfelfe a Veluet lacket. 
 
 Poly. What a prow'd lacke was that ? But I 
 wonder at Lawyers for one thing : Many of them 
 vfe to take their fees afore-hand. 
 
27 
 
 Em. For a two-folde pollicy : one is, they were 
 commonly greedie; the other for feare if their 
 Clyents follow their Counfeil long, they will not be 
 worth a fee. 
 
 Lu. Tis well faid, Lady : You doe well to ieft 
 with an olde man. 
 
 Adam. A faies true ; for if you fhold ieft too 
 much with a young man it might proue earneft, & 
 fo the fruites of your ieafts make you both afham'd 
 on't. 
 
 Foly. Well faid, Adam; but, leauing at a full 
 ieft, Vncle, what earneft bufinefs brought you 
 hither ? 
 
 Lu. Your honours fudden Metamorphofis, 
 Tolde by your truftie Seruant and confirmd 
 By publique rumor. 
 
 Foly. Why, what faies Goody Fame and my 
 truftie Seruant ? 
 
 Lu. This is the worft, my Lord; that you ex- 
 pend 
 Your treafure on that Ladies maintenance. 
 
 Foly. Sfoot, fay I doe, what has the worme-eaten 
 bawd Fame, or ere a pander-like foole elfe to doe 
 with it ? Giue her maintenance ? why, ftie is of 
 my nere affinitie ! ftiould I fee my ftiee affinitie goe 
 in tatters } I allow my Seruant rags & I were worfe 
 than a lew if I ftiould allow my ftiee aftinitie to goe 
 naked. 
 
 Lu. Law takes your part ; and if your purfle 
 grow ftiort. 
 
28 
 
 Rather then fpend the publique treafurie, 
 
 He lend your Grace a brace of thoufand pounds — 
 
 Prouided this, that, as our Bookmen write, 
 
 I haue fecuritie. 
 
 Em. A Lawyer right ! 
 
 Poly. Securitie ! Leafes and old rents, Caftles and 
 Towne-fhips, able men, good fecuritie : Townes 
 are no Starters, theile hold out winde and weather. 
 
 Lu. I craue no more : let me haue pawnes and 
 vfe. 
 
 Em. How ? Lords turne Vfurers ? thofe that 
 fhould punnifh brokeage, deale vppon pawnes ? 
 If it were once his owne, 
 Hee'de lend him mony on his Duke-domes crowne. 
 
 Foly. But faith, Vncle, tell me, what think you 
 of this Lady? would fhe not make a prettie peart 
 Dutches ? 
 
 Lu. Shee's faire, nor do I difcommend your 
 choife ; 
 I wifh her yours, a priuate friend or fo. 
 I know mad lerks and know that Lawe allowes 
 Princes their priuate pleafures ; and my felfe 
 Will doe my beft to gaine your honours loue. 
 I will not abfolutely fay there are, 
 But there may be (if fo your honour pleafe) 
 Sellers and Vaults, which from your priuate Garden 
 May vnder ground lead to your bed-chamber ; 
 Whither, I will not name my felfe, but fome clofe 
 
 friend 
 May unfufpedled bring your beautious Lady. 
 
29 
 
 Em. Lord, what a broaking Aduocate is this ! 
 He was fome Squiers Scriuenor, and hath fcrapt 
 Gentihtie out of Atturneys fees. 
 His baftard adions proue him fuch a one, 
 For true worth fcornes to turne Cameiion. 
 
 Poly. Madam, my Vncle out of tender loue, 
 Better to fhun all fcandalous fufpeft 
 That might attend on our vnfuiting loues 
 Will lodge you at his houfe, whither at times — 
 
 Em. Your Grace may haue accefTe. 
 
 Lu. Tis fo indeede. 
 
 Em. Is there a backe way ? 
 
 Lu. And a priuate doore, 
 
 A fecret vault and twentie odde tricks more. 
 
 Em. A Stoue ? 
 
 Lu. And Arbors with fweete violet Beds, 
 
 That haue bin preft to death with maiden-heads ; 
 Where you may fport and breath, and take a 
 roufe. 
 
 Em. Perdy, this Lawyer keepes a bawdie houfe ! 
 I fhall be ready to deceiue you all. 
 — My Lord, your Law-plot's moft iudiciall. 
 
 Enter the Countejfe. 
 
 But who comes heere ? fome one of your caft 
 clyents. 
 
 luL Gods me, the CountefTe ! 
 
 Lu. Mum, I cannot ftay ; 
 
 There's a Clowd rifing driues my Sun away. 
 
30 
 
 Em. Is this your wife ? 
 
 Lu. Madam, tis fhe that was. 
 
 Em. That was and is not? how comes that to 
 pafle; 
 
 Count. I cannot tell; God and his confcience 
 knows. 
 
 Lu. And the world fees ColofTus on my browes, 
 Hercules Fillers; here's non vltra writ. 
 
 lul. Not in brafle Charadlers .'' 
 
 Foly. No, home's more fit. 
 
 Lu. Hath not the Lawe diuorc'd and made a 
 bar 
 Twixt our affedlions ? wert not thou content 
 To take a pention ? 
 
 Count. Which you ftill detaine. 
 
 Lu. Good wit ! Law-trickes and firme ! You 
 may complaine. 
 
 Count. Complaine I do, I kneele before the 
 throane 
 And fue for luftice, but can purchafe none : 
 Complaine I doe : Coufen — 
 
 Foly. Away ! 
 
 Count. O, as you are a Prince and you a virgin — 
 
 Em. I was one long fince : 
 This is no place for paffion, drie your eyes. 
 
 Count. Griefe nailes me to the ground, I cannot 
 rife : 
 He grow immodeft, juftice is exild, 
 And fo fhall duetie; patience turne wild — 
 
 Poly. Come leaue the Bedlam, 
 
31 
 
 Enter Horatio afide. 
 
 Lu. Doe, for wit and Law knowe fhee's a foole. 
 
 Em. — A couple, quoth lack-daw. [^Exeunt, 
 
 Hor. Madam ! 
 
 Count. Who calles ? 
 
 Hor. Madam ! 
 
 Count. Horatio ? 
 
 Hor. In paflion. Lady? 
 
 Count. Difcontent or fo. 
 
 Hor. Be not, be counfaild : do not let difpaire. 
 Like the ranke cancker bred by fultrie aire, 
 Eate this young Rofe of beautie in the bud; 
 But in the Aprill Sunne of youthfull blood 
 Let the fweet bloflbm ripen, thriue and grow 
 To thofe full ioyes which none but Louers know. 
 
 Count. The man talkes idely : tell me I am 
 faire, 
 Louely and young! 
 
 Hor. You are, by loue you are : 
 
 Not faire ? you are ! Leanders paramour, 
 Compar'd with you, was a fwarth Blackamour; 
 Your haire is fofter than the Colchean Fleece, 
 Your well lim'd feature natures maifter peece ; 
 Your eyes t[w]oo Dyamonds, fet in purer molde 
 Then rocks of currall or the Indian gold ; 
 In thy fmooth chin there is an luorie pit 
 Where blufhing Venus and young Cupid fit 
 Feathering of golden fhafts, the wounding heads 
 Made of thy amber-trefles fineft threds. 
 
32 
 
 Count. You will not buy me fure, you praife me 
 
 fo. 
 Hor. Yet, faire, ile bid faire for you ere I goe. 
 Count. He that bids faire for me deceiues his 
 
 eye. 
 Hor. By heauen a doth not. 
 
 Enter Horatios Page. 
 
 Count. Wilfull periurie ! 
 
 What meanes all this ? 
 
 Hor. This my difcourfe intends : 
 
 Were hufbands Saints fome wiues would haue clofe 
 friends 
 
 Count. Some bad, perhaps, but — 
 
 Hor. Hufbands but for't, true : woot ? prethee, 
 woot thou ? 
 
 Count. What? 
 
 Hor. Vd's Hartlings, doe ? 
 
 Count. Doe what? 
 
 Hor. Loue-tricks quickly ; woo't thou prethee ? 
 
 Count. No, I prize my credit. 
 
 Hor. Credit? life a man. 
 What talks of credit ? art not knowne a ftrumpet ? 
 
 Count. You doe me wrong. 
 
 Hor. Damnation ! What a gloffe 
 
 This gilded copper, Diamond of glafle. 
 What ftrange fhew it makes ! ile giue you a 
 
 colorus : 
 Your face was nere worfe painted then ile paint 
 Your Wain-fcot credit: you are a priuate bit 
 
33 
 
 Kept for fome great made ' Dives. Red hot fcandall 
 Sucke the natiue colour of your foule 
 As it hath fcorch'd thy credit ! fhriueld Bawd, 
 Spunge, Lemon- pill, and more irreliftiable 
 Then ore-dride Stock-fiih, fie I 
 
 Count. Vpon thy fhame. 
 
 Hor. Thy hufband, O thy hufbands bow-leg'd 
 fame! 
 Death, I (hall hate thee. 
 
 Count. O, for honour, doe. 
 
 Hor. Sweare thou art my ftrumpet. 
 
 Count. He indure that, to. 
 
 Hor. Shalt not deny't, hart, canft not. 
 
 Count. Yes, I can. 
 
 Hor. Doo't for thy life — thy foule — baffe cur- 
 tezan. \Exit. 
 
 Count. Farwell ; if friendfhip be at fuch a rate, 
 Before ile purchaft, ile Hue ftill in hate. 
 
 Fa. Hart, a new fafhion! 
 A Lady poore, beautiful! and chaft ? cleane 
 From the bias of Cuftome. To be poore, painted, 
 and proud is as comon in Genoa as felt and feather 
 in the fortunate Hand ; but chaft, and poore, as 
 finguler and rare as Confcience with the Anabaptift. 
 
 Count. Come hether. Boy ; didft neuer owe me 
 feruice r 
 
 Fa. Yes, Madam, more then euer I paid you 
 honeftly ; and, were a not my Maifter — 
 
 ^ Query, great man's diet ? 
 E 
 
34 
 
 Co««/. Thy Maifter? Who? 
 
 Pa. HoratiOy — he that puts chaftetie to the quick 
 & honor to the ftab. But ile fhew him the nature 
 of a right French-man; deny him homage, forfweare 
 allegiance and come behinde hand in cafh keeping, 
 and with his owne purfle maintaine you againft 
 him. 
 
 Count. Thy purpofe, brieflie. 
 
 Pa. In balde fentences, your noted wronges are 
 pittied. 
 
 Count. Pittyed ? by whome ? 
 
 Pa. By me ; lodgings prepar'd and dyet, which 
 I humbly tender your honor as firft payment of the 
 ancient debt my feruice owes you. 
 
 Count. But is the lodging priuate ? 
 
 Pa. At mine owne mothers ; and, though I fay't, 
 fhe keepes an honeft houfe, though my father bee a 
 Citizen. 
 
 Count. Of what profeffion ? 
 
 Pa. Neither foole nor Phifitian, but an ingenious 
 Pothecarie. 
 
 Count. And what refort ? 
 
 Pa. Verie ciuil and moft quiet refort, — patients : 
 the houfe is fet round with patients twice or thrice 
 a day, and (becaufe theile be fure not to want drinke) 
 euerie one brings his owne water in an Vrinall with 
 him. 
 
 Count. Doth a vfe phificke too? that's beyond 
 his warrant. 
 
 Pa. O Lord, Madam, better men then hee 
 
35 
 
 ftraine curtefie with their warrants in this age ; be- 
 fides, you being muficall fhall meet much content, 
 for my mother lodges three or foure Knights & 
 Ladies Daughters that pradtife muficke and needle- 
 work, and wil no doubt be exceeding proud of your 
 company : wilt pleafe you walke ? 
 
 Count. Thou art the Star by whom my fate is 
 led; 
 My fhame's fo publique ide faine hide my head. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 ACTUS TERTIUS. 
 
 Enter Count Lurdo and Winifrede. . 
 Lurdo. 
 
 CUrrant in Law ! &. how encountred you ? 
 Win, He tell you, my good Lord ; I thank 
 my bringing vp I can talke, I vfe not to haue my 
 tongue to feeke when it fhould pleafure any man, 
 efpecially my good Lord, I tolde her what a 
 credit it was to haue a man of great credit &, that 
 which is more, a fkilfull Lawyer that can ftand out 
 in her cafe at a dead lift, and one that, if need were, 
 could make a crazy a6lion found : I put her in 
 minde what it was to haue fuch a one to her fweet 
 heart. 
 
 Lu. Thou fpeakft but right, for fo I am indeede. 
 
 Win. You are, I vrg'd it ; and fhe confeft to me 
 that the verie firft night fhee faw you fhe dream't 
 
36 
 
 on you and wifht you in her bed, and her bed in the 
 niidfl: of the Riuer. 
 
 Lu. How ! ith the Riuer ? 
 
 JVin. Yes, fo, footh. 
 
 Lu. In the middle of the tide ? 
 
 IVin. Yes, in her dreame. 
 
 Lu. Good ; but flie doth loue me ? 
 
 JVin. Beleeue it, my Lord, fhe doth. Marrie, 
 you muft thinke I drew her and drew her, and 
 wrought her and wrought her, till I made her as 
 plyant and tradlable as wax, marrie, with all fhe is 
 as conftant as Lucretia and will not for a thoufand 
 pounds, till Ihe hath the law of her fide. 
 
 Lu. I found her meaning: firft ile gull my 
 nephew. 
 
 Win. Her intent right ; fhe intends to make a 
 Gull of the Prince (and an abfolute Goofe of you). 
 
 Lu. Still good in Law : ile fetch him ore of all, 
 Get all, purfTe all, and be poffeft of all. 
 And then conclude the match, marrie at leaft : ' 
 — When ? can you tell ? lie vfe her as a hand 
 To picke the Princes coffers, and (for reward) 
 To prifon marrie her, for tricks can doo't : 
 The worlds fquint-eyd 
 And dares not prie into our aftions. 
 Here lyes her walke : my Lute ! — Win, fhe fhall fee 
 Youthe's leaden footed in refpeft of me. 
 
 [^Play and daunce. 
 
 1 Query, marrie : a ieaft ! 
 
37 
 
 Enter Emilia. 
 
 Em. Win, prethee giue the Fidler a teftar and 
 fend him packing. What a fcraping the roague 
 keepes ! doe's a thinke the Count keeps a Tauerne 
 or a Bawdie-houfe ? — My Good Lord ? befeech 
 your honour pardon me. 
 
 Lu. No harme, fweet Loue ; how doft thou like 
 this Caper ? 
 
 Em. Pafling well, my Lord : will you neuer 
 leaue thefe coltifh tricks? But, to the matter: I 
 fent you my refolution by your Maid, haue you 
 receiu'd it ? 
 
 Lu. I haue, and it holds currant : 
 Then tender me poffeffion. 
 
 Em. Of what .? 
 
 Lu. Of thy chaft loue. 
 
 Em. Not too much haft for that ; 
 
 You haue a wife ? 
 
 Lu. I had one. 
 
 Em. And ftill haue. 
 
 Lu. Thy loue fhall quickly wed her to her graue : 
 I nere did loue her. 
 
 Em. When ftie was a maide 
 
 You fwore you did : how foon poor youth's betraid 
 To helpleffe ruine ! doe you loue me ^ 
 
 Lu. I faith. 
 
 Em. For how long ^ 
 
 Lu. Till death. 
 
 Em. O deadly lye ! 
 
38 
 
 He tell you juft how long : loue's bred i'th blood 
 
 Profpers as long as beauties in the bud; 
 
 When beautie withers, luftfull loue growes colde 
 
 And, ere it be halfe ripe, tis rotten old. 
 
 If you haue me you muft not put on yellowes : 
 
 He haue my felfe, my feruant and my fellowes. 
 
 My loue, my Hking, and a fecond me — 
 
 I loue to rellifh fweet varietie. 
 
 Your old wife mou'd you, I fhall vex you more ; 
 
 Take Coach with Gallants euen afore your dore ; 
 
 Take Rings, giue bracelets wouen of my haire, 
 
 Which — to fpight you — my Seruants arme fhall weare; 
 
 He in your prefence fit vppon his knee, 
 
 Exchanging kifies ; if you fpeake to me. 
 
 He pout in fcorn, crie ^ mew ' and looke afide. 
 
 At which if you but frowne ile roundly chide. 
 
 I am not as I feeme; difiembling wit 
 
 Is my beft meanes. 
 
 Lu. Square to my humour fit. 
 
 Em. I was a Beggar borne. 
 
 Lu. And fo was I. 
 
 Em. Traded in luft and gainefuU brothelrie. 
 
 Lu. The fitter for my turne : I was a man 
 Borne to no hopes but a few fhreds of witt ; 
 A Grammer Scholler, then a Scriuenor 
 Dealing for priuate vfe twixt man and man, 
 And by clofe broakeage fet them at Debate, 
 Incenft them vnto Law ; which to maintaine 
 I lent them money vpon Lands and Plate 
 After the rate of feauen fcore in the hundred. 
 
39 
 
 Then did I learne to counterfeit mens hands, 
 Noble-mens armes ; interline Euidences, 
 Make falfe Conueyances, yet with a trick, 
 Clofe and cock-fure, I cony-catch'd the world, 
 Hauing fcrap'd prettie wealth, I fell in League 
 With my firft wife, and (though I fay't my felfe) 
 She had good dooings ; her backe commings in 
 And priuate goings out rais'd me aloft : 
 I followed cafes of the law abroad 
 And fhe was merrie with her friends at home. 
 
 Em. Did you nere take her kiffing ? 
 
 Lu. Twentie times. 
 
 Em. Were you not lealious ? 
 
 Lu. Neuer, nothing lefle. 
 
 Em. Yet faw her kifle with Strangers ? 
 
 Lu. KifTe and play. 
 
 Em. And were you a Cuckold ? 
 
 Lu. Cuckold, by this light. 
 
 Em. What ! a wittall ? 
 
 Lu. And a Wittall too. 
 
 Em. And knew't? 
 
 Lu. And knew't. 
 
 Em. And fufFerd it. 
 
 Lu. I did. 
 
 It went attirde in golde ; a golden Creft 
 Is a braue fafhion and accounted beft. 
 
 Enter Wenefride. 
 
 Win. Madam ! My Lord ! Lu. What newes ? 
 Win. The Prince. 
 
40 
 
 Z.«. The Prince? ^/«. And lulio. Z,«. Which way? 
 
 Em. Where ? Lu. From thence ? 
 
 fVin. That way, the vault, from thence — the 
 priuate dore. As I ftood Centinell at the further 
 end of the Vault, they, being vnacquainted with the 
 turnings, came groping and feeling, as commonly 
 men wil do, efpecially in a ftrange place ; and as I 
 am true fmner, had I not fpyed the Diamod on his 
 finger (twinne to this a my confcience) they had 
 beene vpon me in the dark ere I had beene aware 
 of them. 
 
 Lu. The Prince ! Win. And lulio. E7n. Quick, 
 away. Lu. What plot ? 
 
 Em. Behind the Arras; fcape behind the Arras. 
 
 Lu. Behind the Arras ? 
 
 Em. Clofe, cockefure, be wife : 
 
 They onely thriue that beft can temporize. 
 
 Enter Polymetes and lulio. 
 
 Poly. A rare vault, by this light ! and neuer de- 
 uif'd without the aduice of a Grand lurie of Bawdes. 
 — A word with your lips, Tris. 
 
 Win. As God mend me, Prince, you fmell bawdie. 
 
 Poly. Since I came into thy company, Win. And 
 how ift, Tris ? fore God a prettie lodging. 
 
 lul. And verie faire hangings. 
 
 Poly. Paffing good workmanfhip. What ftorie is 
 this, Tris ? 
 
 Etn. Why, my Lord, the Poeticall fidion of Fen us 
 kilTmg Adonis in the violet bed. 
 
41 
 
 lul. Fore God tis true ; and marke where the 
 Cuckoldy knaue Vulcan ftands fneaking behinde the 
 brake bufh to watch a'm. 
 
 Poly. A prettie conceit : lulio, dooft fee Vulcan 
 with the horning parenthefis in his forehead ? I hit 
 indire6lly vpon the leaft pap at three pafTes, for a 
 hundred Crownes. 
 
 lul. Not, for a hundred. 
 
 Poly. 1ft a match ? 
 
 lul. Tis done ; where will you take your ftand ? 
 
 Poly. Here, anywhere : hart ! has the Arras an 
 ague, it trembles fo ! 
 
 Em. No, Vulcans fearefull. 
 
 Poly. And with a feare it comes : haue at the. 
 Cuckold. 
 
 Lu. Oh ! 
 
 Poly. Harke, the Arras is in labour. 
 
 lul. Mas, I heard fomething groane. 
 
 Poly. He be the Mid-wife and helpe to deliuer it. 
 
 Em. Sweet Prince ! 
 
 Poly. Harke, Wench, I fmell Bores greafe. 
 
 Em. Will you but heare me ? 
 
 Poly. No excufe ! — what tricke ? — 
 
 [She whifpers to him. 
 How ? but a Pidlure ? ile trie that prefently, 
 
 Em. If you loue me, diffigure it not : I efteeme 
 it onely for the liuely workmanfhip. 
 
 Poly. Then let me haue a fight on't. 
 
 Em. Vpon condition youle neither deface it with 
 weapon nor foile it with your breath. 
 
 F 
 
42 
 
 Poly. On my Virginities maiden-head wee will 
 not difcouer Lurdo behind the Arras. 
 
 lul. Hart a the Devill, your Vncle ! 
 
 Poly. O forbeare ; — fore God, parting good work- 
 man indeede. 
 
 Em. Mark but the glance of his eye. 
 
 lul. The hanging of his nether lip. 
 
 Pol. The blufh of his cheeke. 
 
 Win. The curie of his haire. 
 
 Em. The pit of a chin. 
 
 lul. What a fmooth hand a hath. 
 
 Poly. Long fingers like a Lady. 
 
 IVin. Not fo much but a feale Ring. 
 
 Poly. Armes and all, viz a tame Gudgeon. 
 
 Em. And the foole fwallowes it rarely, & you 
 marke him. 
 
 Poly. Is the numbe Affe infenfible of Scoffes ? 
 He touch him neerer yet. — Mine eye deceiues me 
 And this be not Count Lurdoes counterfeit. 
 
 lul. You may foone know that, my Lord. 
 
 Poly. As how ^ 
 
 lul. If it be his, a hath the Gowte in his left 
 foote. 
 
 Poly. The verie fame, his fhoe is cut and all, — 
 Farwell Tris ; and yet ile ftartle him a little better 
 afore we leaue him. — Fore-God, tis so like him I 
 doubt wether it be the fhadow or his fubftance. 
 
 Jul. A blocke. Em. A fhadow. Win. A meere 
 fenceleffe ftone. 
 
 Poly. Then tis a counterfeit.'' 
 
43 
 
 Em. An abfolute counterfeit : What doe you 
 meane ? 
 
 Poly. Marrie many Counterfeits walke in the 
 likenefTe of good mony, and fo may this doe ; which 
 to preuent ile naile him to a poaft, for feare a pafle 
 currant on your lips in my abfence and fo deceiue me. 
 
 Em. Ile fweare a fhall not -.—Gentle Prince be 
 fhort, 
 Length kills the heart of the mofte feeling fport. 
 
 Poly. Well, Maiden, I am content : this ieft fhall 
 repriue your head for this once, but beware the next 
 encounter. — Come, Ariadnes clew, will you unwinde 
 and light vs through this vault of darkenefle ; and 
 theres your Naulum. 
 
 Win. Thanke you, my Lord : and your bufinefle 
 ftand this way at midnight, ile let you in by this 
 token. When you come againe, bring the Lady a 
 Diamond or fome prettie & foolifh ftone, for I ca tell 
 you thefe fame paultrie ftones are in high requeft 
 amongft Ladies, efpeciaily fuch old mowfers as I haue 
 beene in my time: And, as I fay, when you come 
 be not afham'd to knock, and, if I come not, knocke 
 luftely, and again ; and neuer giue ouer knocking till 
 you heare my 'hem '. Did you neuer know Wins 
 'hem ' ? 
 
 Poly. Neuer. 
 
 Jul. Why, haft thou a priuate ' hem ' ? 
 
 Win. Haue I ? I faith, fir, I : Few Gallants ith 
 the town, that are of any ftanding at all, but are 
 acquainted with my ' hem '. But come clofe, my 
 
44 
 
 Lord, clofe ; & be fure the next time you come you 
 doe not forget to knock luftily. 
 
 [Exeunfj manent Lurdo and Emilia. 
 
 Em. My Lord. 
 
 Lu. My Loue, my life, oh thou art made 
 
 Out of the foule of wit, and thy conceits 
 Of the beft fafhion. 
 
 Em. Did you tafte the ieft ? 
 
 Lu. Diuinely, oh diuinely ! tart and quick, 
 Pleafing, yet not tedious : I was wrapt. 
 
 Em. In a knaues ikin. 
 
 Lu. My fences were entranc'd. 
 
 Emil. — Into a fooles Paradice. 
 
 Lu. O my fweet Phoenix, out of thy afhes — 
 
 Em. Is your loue {o hot you meane to burne me ? 
 
 Lu. Oh ! it honeyed me ; 
 And then their numnefle ! — didft thou neuer reade 
 Of any Lawyer came to be a Duke ? 
 
 Em. Neuer, but I haue heard of a Cuckold that 
 was an Vfurper. 
 
 Lu. Why, fuch a one would I be. 
 
 Em. What ! a Cuckold ? 
 
 Lu. Yes, and an Vfurper too. 
 
 Em. So you are, for you Lawyers vfurpe more 
 Crowns then halfe a Countrie. 
 
 Lu. VlifTes, Tully — Lawyers, but no Dukes. 
 
 Em. Menelaus and Vulcan were Cuckolds, but no 
 Lawyers. 
 
 Lu. Fore mee tis true, but now I doe remember 
 Nought to that purpofe. 
 
45 
 
 Em. The moft luftfull Goates 
 
 Weare guilded homes and goe in Veluet Coates. 
 
 Enter Win. 
 
 Lu. What newes, Win ? 
 
 Win. Faith, ordinarie houfhold newes : Yonders 
 a wel-faced Gentleman craues a may change a word 
 with you. 
 
 Lu. His name ? 
 
 Win. Horatio : 
 
 Lu. Leaue vs to confer : [Exeunt Ambo. 
 
 A truftie friends the foules high Trealurer. 
 
 Enter Horatio. 
 
 In dumps, Horatio ? What ! my fecond felfe 
 Clowded with paffion ? 
 
 Hor. O my honor'd Lord, 
 
 Our foules and our afFedtions are made 
 All of one fafhion : know,i the flighteft wrong 
 That fears the reputation of my friend 
 Stabs daggers to my heart. 
 
 Lu. I know it true, 
 
 And I can proou't ; our loues are twinnes. 
 But, to the wrong : dares any idle tongue 
 Barke at our greatnes .'' 
 
 Hor. Yes. 
 
 Lu. Their names ? 
 
 Hor. Your wife. 
 
 Lu. My wife ! the manner ? 
 
 ^ 4to. now. 
 
46 
 
 Hor. Mongft her luftfull Mates 
 
 She fhames not to giue out that by your greatnefle, 
 Knowledge, credit, and friends in higheft place. 
 You haue diuorc'd her without due defert. 
 
 Lu. We muft demurre of this; ile haue a tricke 
 By way of Habeas Corpus to remoue 
 This talking GofTip. Come, Horatio, 
 Some projedl : how ? what courfe for her remoue ? 
 
 Hor. I cannot counfell : but, fore-god my Lord, 
 My lodgings mightily annoy'd with rats 
 That eate my papers and deface my books 
 — How fhould I rid them ? 
 
 Lu. Eafily, poifon them. 
 
 And well remembred ! this, the Rat, my wife. 
 That eates and teares the leaues of my repute. 
 Shall taft like fpeeding Phificke. — In thine eare : 
 Canft temper poifon ? 
 
 Hor. Yes. 
 
 Lu. And kill a Rat? 
 
 Hor. That fhe fhall neuer fwell on't. 
 
 Lu. Mum for that : 
 
 This fhe Rat is a Deuill ! 
 
 Hor. A Limbe of Sathan ! 
 
 Lu. Enuy ! 
 
 Hor. Deftrudlion ! 
 
 Lu. Mallice ! 
 
 Hor. Ratsbane doo't ? 
 
 Lu. Ere my difgrace get age, rare tricks and I 
 Will foole the world : woo't doo't ? 
 
 Hor. The Rat fhall die. {Exeunt generally. 
 
47 
 
 [Scene 2.] 
 
 Enter Count ejfe ,■ three or foure young Gentlewomen 
 /owing by an houre-glajfe. 
 
 Count. 
 
 Quick, prettie Damfels ; tliat your tafk were 
 done ! 
 The fore-noones eldeft minutes almoft runne. 
 
 1 Gen. Then the glafle runs to faft. 
 
 Count. I think not (o : 
 
 Hadft thou my cares thoudft think it ran too flow. 
 
 2 Gen. I haue my taflce forfooth. 
 
 Count. So haue not I, 
 
 Yet with thefe fands my forrowes run away. 
 I turne them with the glafle ; the glafTe is run, 
 Yet my hudge mafl"e of cares is fcarfe begun. 
 — Here's a fault ; Httle one : what worke make you ? 
 
 I Gen. True fl;itch forfooth. 
 
 Count. Then fee you worke it true. 
 
 3 Gen. Pray madam, teach me to takeout this knot 
 Of hearts eafe. 
 
 Count. Hearts eafe ! I haue almofl: forgot : 
 
 I could haue wrought it well when I was young, 
 But in good fadnefle I haue had none long. 
 What's that ? 
 
 1 Gen. A branch of Rue. 
 
 Count. A common weede : 
 
 Of all herbes elfe I worke that well indeede. 
 How chance your flower is behind the glafl'e ? 
 
48 
 
 2 Gen. Indeede He get it up. 
 
 Count. Indeede, alas, 
 
 I cannot chide with her, yet tyrant care 
 At my intreate will not one figh^ forbeare. 
 
 2 Gen. Why figh you, madam ? 
 
 Count. Oh, I greeue to fee 
 
 Youth run to catch at their owne mifery. 
 You are like April 1 or rofe buds in May, 
 You neuer wither till the wedding day : 
 Euen fo did I, fo pretty foules will you ; 
 Youth wears mild Hearts Eafe, forrow bitter Rue. 
 
 2 Gen. Be not fo fad, good Madam ; do but fmile : 
 Weele haue a fong fad forrow to beguile. 
 
 Cantant. Enter Horatio. 
 
 Hor. Saue you, faire Ladies ; madam, my bufinefle 
 Leads me to you. [Ex. c<eter<e. 
 
 Count. If in your ancient fuite, 
 
 My eares are deafned and my vtterance mute. 
 
 Hor. Your eare, — be wood ; what fhould beget 
 this Coynes ? 
 Were I a ftranger, or fome Citty Gull, 
 I would comend thee ; but I know the worlde. 
 Lodging is coftly, maintenance afkes charge ; 
 Thou art diuorc'd, and haft no other helpe 
 But thy bare comings in : accept my Loue, 
 I will allow thee twenty pounds a quarter 
 To buy thee Pinnes. 
 
 ' 4to. fight. 
 
49 
 
 Count. Leaue this ymodeft fuite, 
 
 Or by my honour — 
 
 Hor. Come, thefe words, of courfe, 
 
 * My fame, myne honor and my dear refpedt,' 
 Are but like Ignes Fatui^ to delude 
 Greene and vnfeafon'd wits; prythee be kinde : 
 A guilded flip carryes as faire a fliow 
 As perfed gold ; guilt honor may do fo. 
 
 Count. But put your flip to triall, the flight gold 
 Is foone rubd of. 
 
 Hor. Come, thy difl:in6lions folde. 
 
 Let not thy Aprill bewty, like a Rofe, 
 Fade in the bud and ripened pleafures lofe. 
 My fword thy honour, thy eilate my purfe, 
 Shall man and fl:rengthen. 
 
 Count. I detefl: that courfe. 
 
 Hor. Your huflDand hath a fweete heart. 
 
 Count. For his ill 
 
 Shall I turne traytor & myne owne fame kill ? 
 
 Hor. Tis dead already ; euery idle tongue 
 Stabs it to death. 
 
 Count. I haue the greater wrong. 
 
 Hor. Thou wrongft thy felfe, & fpurnfl: thy 
 proper good. 
 Am I not youthful 1 .'* fee, my wanton blood 
 Daunceth within my vaines and, blufliing, Courts 
 Thy generous bewty to more amorous fports. 
 You ihall not choofe — 
 
 Count. Hands of! 
 
 Hor. I loue thee deere. 
 
50 
 
 Count. I hate thee deadly. 
 Hor. Doft thou ? 
 
 Count. Shall I fweare ? 
 
 Hor. No, ile beleeue thee, Phoenix of thy fex : 
 I glorie in thy vertues and reueale 
 What, by my oath, I promifd to conceale. 
 Your iealious hufband vrgde me to this tryall. 
 Pawning his oath, vpon your ftrid denyall. 
 All baftard lealofie fhould be exilde 
 And antient loue entirely reconfilde. 
 I touchd your heart, and, now 1 finde it true, 
 Ile giue you notice ile impoifon you. 
 Count. Thou fpeak'ft all comfort. 
 Hor. I was made of hope, 
 
 And rich performance waits vpon my words. 
 
 Count. Father of my faire fortunes, whofe rich 
 loue 
 Begets this reuniting couenant, 
 When comes this long expected fealing day ? 
 Hor. To-morrow, the houre eight. 
 Count. Certaine ^ 
 
 Hor. As life. 
 
 Count. Then follow mee to feaft : 
 Thy newes, Horatio, is the Welcomft Gueft. 
 
 \^Exit. 
 Hor. Swell heart, hold bofom, yield not to relent : 
 And yet her beautie, — colourable trafh ! 
 Her vertues — vengeance Hypocriticall ! 
 I loue her : furie, poifon, Hidraes gall ! 
 Impatience man me, blacke damnation 
 
51 
 
 Vfher my pradice, poyfon play thy part 
 
 And doe my lateft greetings to her heart ! 
 
 We all muft downe, yet here the difference lyes : 
 
 Many for fins, fhe for her vertue dyes. \_Exit. 
 
 ACTUS QUARTUS. 
 
 Enter PolymeteSy luliOy Horatio^ Emilia ^ Page. 
 Polymetes. 
 
 TRiftella. Em. My Lord. 
 Poly. Good wine needs no bufli, nor a good 
 face painting ; thou art fauour of thy felfe, and 
 what thou doft is not vnder a colour. 
 
 Em. I know no other paynter but one, and her 
 name is modeftie, and (hefometimes throwes a blufh 
 into my face to make my pale cheeks red ; but els 
 you fhall neuer take mee for an Aldermans poaft. 
 Poly. Why an Aldermans poeft ? 
 Em, Marke but where great poafts are newly 
 painted, you fhal! fee much egrefTe & regreffe in and 
 out ; & where you fee a face newly okered tis a figne 
 ther's great traffique & much ftirring to and fro. 
 Poly. Come, fit, fit — nay, neerer, neerer, neerer 
 
 yet. 
 Em. Then I fiiall fit vpon your fkirts. 
 Poly. lulio and Horatio, what fhal's haue to 
 fupper ^. 
 I am now in the fpending vayne. 
 
52 
 
 Em. Then God for mee ! What make I (o 
 neare ? 
 
 Poly. Good adion, you fhall not remooue, — I 
 learnt that phrafe of myne vncle. Boy, know what 
 Adam hath befpoken for our palates : 
 Were there a banquett to be had 
 More rare and deere then that Vitellius made, 
 It fhould be feru'd in ; but, Horatio, 
 What fhall we eate that's coftly and that's rare ? 
 
 Hor. A rofted Phoenix were excellent good for 
 that Lady. 
 
 Em. And why for that Ladye ? 
 
 Hor. Fare fech'd and deere bought, is good for 
 you know who. 
 
 Em. For Ladyes ? Hor. I, for Ladyes. 
 
 Em. Then the moft cheape ftuffe and next to 
 hand, is good for you know who. 
 
 Hor. For knaues ? Em. I, for knaues. 
 
 Enter the Page and Adam. 
 
 lu. Adam, what haue you ready ? 
 
 Adam. Sir, you may haue a Calues head. 
 
 Em. Here's a Gentleman hath one in his hat 
 already ; no more Calues head, I pray thee. 
 
 Poly. Haft any Pheafants or Partridges ? 
 
 Adam. No, but if your Lord-fhipe will haue a 
 difh of Woodcocks — 
 
 Em. No, for God-fake, they are the ftaleft meate 
 with me of any ; for I neuer fit to meate with thefe 
 
53 
 
 gallants, but there's Woodcocks cleane through the 
 table. 
 
 Adam. Then, vnlefle you will haue a Dottrell or 
 a Gull — 
 
 Em. A Gull ? Why, which of thefe Gent, woot 
 thou ferue in ? — do you not heare how Adam, flouts 
 you. 
 
 Adam. I meane a Sea-gull bakt. 
 
 Em. I, in any cafe lets haue that : I haue fed my 
 wit on many a Land-Gull, once let mee banquet my 
 felfe of a Sea-gull. Some Sea Captain, I lay my 
 life, that has a defire to fup with mee ; but fuch as 
 thou haft, I prithee be briefe. 
 
 Foly. Lay the table in the with-drawing roome. 
 
 Adam. I will. Sir ; Your honor can haue no 
 Larks He aflure you. 
 
 Poly. And why ? 
 
 Adam. Two Citizens fonnes and a Poet bought 
 vp all ith towne, flung away the bodies onely to 
 haue a pye made of the braines. 
 
 Enter Duke Ferneze dijguif'd. 
 
 Em. A figne either they lackd braines or elfe 
 they did it becaufe they would beare a braine. 
 Fer. Twas tolde me that the young Lord Poly- 
 metes 
 Was entred here. 
 
 Poly. He that fo tolde thee, fellow, tolde thee 
 
 true. 
 Fer. I cry your Lordfliip mercy, let this letter 
 
54 
 
 Supply th' vnwilling office of my tongue, 
 And be the fad reporter of my newes. 
 
 Poly. What ominous news can Polimetes daunt ? 
 Have we not Hyren heere ? 
 
 Per. Ouid^ not all thy Metamorphofis 
 Can (hew fuch tranfformation : oh my God 
 It is not poffible ! is this my fonne ? 
 A has miftooke himfeife, my life a has : 
 For the feauen liberall fciences a reades 
 The feauen blacke deadly finnes. 
 Muft you needes, fonne, turne ouer thefe linnen 
 
 leaues 
 Hauing fuch ftore of paper ? 
 This is miraculous. 
 
 Poly. Newes, newes, my hearts, will make your 
 iocund foules 
 Daunce in your bofomes ! now which ioyfull tongue 
 Amongft you all cries firft God faue the Duke ! 
 God faue Duke Polymetes ! 
 
 lu. The newes is not fo happy. 
 
 Poly. Tufh, looke here, 
 
 Per. My Lord, I'me forry for your heauinefle. 
 
 Poly. Thou fhouldft haue faid fo to a Porter 
 that's heauy loaden. 
 
 But come, fit, fit in councell ; let's deuize 
 How to fpend all this countlefie mafl'e of wealth 
 My father hath bequeath'd mee at his death. 
 Quite from the popular and vulgar garbe. 
 We will be od in all things, and retaine 
 No common humor in our large expence. 
 
55 
 
 Fer. An honorable minde : and were your 
 father 
 A Hue to note thefe hopefull parts in you, 
 How would it moue him and furprize his heart ? 
 But now, my lord, my meflage being done 
 I muft returne. — I'me glad I haue found you, 
 fonne. 
 
 Poly. For thy good newes take that along with 
 thee. \_Exii Duke. 
 
 Look here, Tris, would not thefe make notable 
 ftatefme ? Methinks ftate fteals vpo me. 
 
 Em. And I haue knowne fome fteale ftate. 
 
 Poly. Then they came neuer truely by it as I doe; 
 but pergite porro : methinkes I could make an in- 
 different careles Duke. 
 
 lu. And I could make a notable Courtier; me- 
 thinks I am begging alreadie. 
 
 Poly. O myne Vncle would make an Excellent 
 Court fpaniell. He would fent out offices & con- 
 ceald lands a hundred mile of; and a were my 
 cafheere but twentie yeares, I durft change liuings 
 with him. 
 
 Em. But what imployment for Horatio f 
 
 Poly. O, he would make a good grumbling furly 
 politician : thou ilialt be my politician. 
 
 Hor. I fhall neuer be lou'd. 
 
 lu. Not lou'd ? Your reafon ? 
 
 Hor. I hate the bafe and rafcall multitude, 
 I cannot nod, ride bare-head through the ftreetes. 
 Nor wreath my body like a Cable Hat-band 
 
56 
 
 To euerie Pedler and Mechanick Townef-man : 
 I hate the poore, am enuious at the rich, 
 Loue none. 
 
 Poly. Yes, women. 
 
 Hor. Faith, after a fort : 
 
 I loue a good fmooth face. 
 
 Em. Then you loue mine. 
 
 Hor. And fortie more. 
 
 Poly. I mufe you do not marrie. 
 
 Hor. I would to-night, vpon condition 
 That I might burie her to-morrow. God Boy.' 
 
 Poly. Fill him fome wine. 
 
 Hor. I cannot drinke : god boy. 
 
 Poly. It is not poyfon'd. 
 
 Hor. Hum, I cannot tell : 
 
 — The CountefTe drunke and dide. 
 
 Poly. Come, come. 
 
 Hor. Farewell. 
 
 [_Exit. 
 
 Poly. Still in the bogs of Melancholly ! pax on't, 
 tis ftaler then Tobacco : not fo much but the fing- 
 ing Cobler is growne melancholly and corre(5tes ihoes 
 in humour, fie on't ! Come, fit ; we muft talke 
 about many matters. Rivo^ He bee finguler : my 
 Royall expence fiiall run fuch a circular courfe that 
 the Rafcall fpawne of Imitators fiiall fplit their 
 wooden braines and finke their wealth in the Gulfe 
 
 Sc. Good-bye. 
 
S7 
 
 of prodigalitie, and yet, like a bad Archers fhaft, 
 fall fixefcore fhort of their ayme : my expence fhall 
 be royall and peculiar. 
 
 Em. He fafhion you a courfe. Poly. Diuinely ! 
 come. 
 
 Em. Diuinely, indeede : ferue God, Hue honeftly, 
 rellilh not Atheifme. 
 
 Poly. That's cleane out of the fafhion indeede. 
 lul. Then good. 
 
 Poly. Becaufe out of the fafhion ; fet downe that, 
 Adam. 
 
 Adam. Tis done. lul. I hau't, my Lord, I 
 haue't yfaith. 
 
 Poly. Nay, quickly, how ? lul. Weele keepe no 
 Pages. 
 
 Poly. Excellent, that's cleane out of the fafhion ; 
 for Pages, that's good, that flands, downe with it, 
 Adam. 
 
 Adam. Tis done, fir. lul. Weele vfe no great 
 Horfes. 
 
 Poly. How fhall we ride then .'' 
 
 lul} On Mules and ihee AfTes. 
 
 Em. Downe with that, Adam. 
 
 Poly. But, for my traine, for a Page ^ with Pages — 
 
 Em. Maintaine a hundred Gallants at your heeles ; 
 Liue in the Countrie, entertaine agen 
 Into the Court long-banifh'd hofpitalitie, 
 Who, fince the firfl great hofe with Codpeices 
 
 ^ 4to. Hor. ^ Qny* ^or an [equijpage ? 
 
 H 
 
58 
 
 Grevve out of fafhion, neere durfl fhew his head. 
 
 Poly. Another, fet it downe. He fpend after 
 fortie pound a day, ile fee which of my cheuerill 
 braind immitators dares follow my fafhion. Sblood, 
 I cannot drinke Tobacco two daies, but the third 
 the Churchwardens & fidesmen are at it in the Ale 
 houfe in fermon time : I cannot weare a fute halfe 
 a day, but the Tailors lournyman creepes into't ; 
 I cannot keepe a block priuate, but euery Citizens 
 fonne thrufts his head into it : I cannot keepe a 
 wench, but euery Grand-Iurors fonne in the Countre 
 imitates me. I care not if I make it petty treafon 
 for any man to kifTe vnder ten pound a Kifle. 
 
 Adam. Oh, my Lord, twil neuer pafTe ith the 
 Lower-houfe ; they will not loofe their Hbertie of 
 kifling. 
 
 lul.^ Then keepe a leafh of Wenches. 
 
 Poly. As common as cracking of nuts ; not a 
 feruing man but doth as much. 
 
 lul. Fore-God, I hau't, peculiar, I haue't. 
 
 Poly. What ift lulio .? 
 
 lul. Your honour fhall keepe no wenches at all. 
 
 Em. No wenches? W^hat fhall become of me, then.'' 
 
 Poly. I muft be round with you, Tris ; you muft 
 pack. Many women, they fay, are common ; and 
 ile entertaine nothing that fauours of Communitie — 
 I wil not diuulge. 
 
 Em. Nay, but hark you, my Lord ; though you 
 
 ' 4to. Ilor. 
 
59 
 
 maintaine me, you do not lye with me, and I thlnke 
 that's the newer fafhion. 
 
 Poly. Fore-god, the neweft of all ; for there's not 
 a gallant maintaines his wench, but a will lye with 
 her. Downe with that, Adam. 
 
 Adam. Tis done. 
 
 Enter loculo the Page. 
 
 loc. My Lord, my Lord, the Duke your father 
 with a great traine is comming. 
 
 Poly. From heauen or hell .'' 
 
 loc. That's more then I knowe, but by the faith 
 of a Page or the worde of a Gent., which you will, 
 hee is arm'd and in great ftate entred the Cittie. 
 
 III. Zounds, wheres the flaue that brought the 
 falfe report of his death ^. 
 
 Poly. But art fure tis my father ? 
 
 loc. Or elfe your Mother did you the more 
 wrong. 
 Shift for yourfelues, for he is come. 
 
 Poly. My father aliue and come home ! hart a 
 me what fhift? come home & finde the Court turnd 
 Ale-houfe, Dicing-houfe, Dauncing fchoole ! I am 
 vndone horfe and foote. 
 
 Em. Some Rofa foils or Aqua mirabilis ho ! for 
 our generall coward's in a fwoune. 
 
 Poly. I know you are a hot fhot in a feather-bed, 
 Tris; but that will not ferue turne now. Therefore 
 fall off, the enemie is too ftrong, deede, Tris : euerie 
 Lambe to his fold and Cony to her Borough, for 
 
6o 
 
 the old Foxe is abroad. No ? wilt not bee ? Why, 
 then God a mercyes braine. — Cedant arma togae : 
 my gowne and bookes, boy : fome fudden deuife to 
 keep him back halfe an noure, and win my good 
 opinion for euer. 
 
 loc. And I doe not, let mee die of the baftinadoe. 
 
 \Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene 2.] 
 
 Enter Duke Ferneze ; Angela and other Nobles 
 attendants. 
 
 Duke. 
 
 LOrds, make a ftand. I wonder that our Sonne 
 Glads not our wifht arriuall with his prefence. 
 Ang. No doubt, my Lord, his honourable eare 
 Is not acquainted with your fudden landing. 
 
 Duke. We take it fo ; and whilft our felfe in 
 perfon 
 Enquire the caufe, attend vs in the Hall. 
 Little thinkes he his father is fo neere. 
 But vnexpedled ile goe ftartle him 
 And put his wit vnto the prefent tryall. 
 
 Enter loculo. 
 
 Page,^ where's the Prince. 
 
 loc. My moft honor 'd Lord, 
 
 ' 4to. Paf!^. Where's the Prince ? 
 
6i 
 
 In priuate conference with an Englifh poaft. 
 
 Duke. An Englifh poaft ? 
 
 loc. An EngHfti poft, my Lord. The efFeft of 
 his letters I know not, but I heard him begin a moft 
 ftrange difcourfe. 
 
 Duke. Of what I prithee. 
 
 loc. Pleafe your honor take a turne or two, I 
 fhall relate : (quickly, my Lord) — hee reports there 
 fell fuch an inundation of waters in the moneth of 
 July, about the third of dog-daies, that the Owers 
 and Scullers that vfe to worke in the Thames, rowd 
 ouer houfes and landed their faires in the middle 
 He of Paules. 
 
 Duke. Iftpoffible? 
 
 loc. Very eafely poflible — (sfoot quickly) — and 
 more, the fifhermen that rid betweene Douer and 
 Calis tooke red fpurlin and fhe Mackerell in the 
 midft of the Exchange ; which made mutton fo 
 cheepe and ftale that it is thought the better halfe 
 of the townefmen will run home mad about it. 
 
 Duke. It cannot be. loc. Not be ? Why, look 
 you, fir — 
 
 Duke. Nay. 
 
 loc. But heare the conclufion. luft on Saint 
 Lukes day, coming fhalbe a twelue-month, Weft- 
 minfter & Winchefter, drinking a quart of wine to- 
 gether on Salifbury-plaine, fell into hard words and 
 ftrange termes. There was * thou knaue' and *I 
 knaue ' and fuch foule words as if two young Bar- 
 rifters had bene breathing their wits for a wager 
 
62 
 
 (sfoot, make an ende): now It was thought Weft- 
 mlnfter ftood moft vpon his termes, yet in the end 
 Winchefter got one of his beft termes from him, 
 fpight on his teeth ; which fb vext Weftminfter 
 that it grew to a deadly fevvd, which was fo hottly 
 purfude that the taking vp of the matter coft many 
 broken heads. 
 
 Duke. How ! 
 
 loc. So, fir, (sfoot not done yet?) — and had not 
 Charing -cro fie, a tall bow legd Gent., taken vp the 
 matter, tis thought Wefi:minfi:er ftones would haue 
 bin too hot for fome of them. And in parting the 
 rfay Charing-crofi"e got fuch a boxe o' the eare that 
 hee will carry it to his deathfday : fome fay a got a 
 wry neck by parting the fray, — marry, Wincheflier 
 fayes flatly a got a creeck in his neck with looking 
 wefi:ward for Termers. 
 
 Duke. Thou fiiouldft haue tolde mee, — 
 
 loc. Of the Englifii poaft:.'' Why, look you, my 
 Lord, the poafl: comming in poafl:-hafl: to fiiew his 
 duty to the Prince fl:umbled at a pofl: that lay in his 
 way and broke his finiflier flianck ; and fo I break 
 of my difcourfe and bid your honor welcome home. 
 
 \_Exit. 
 
 Duke. What a fl:range tale is here .'' of flouds and 
 hills. 
 Of Charing-crofi*e, Termes and I know not what } 
 And, when I look'd for the conclufion 
 A breaks of all and leaues me in a Cloud : 
 
63 
 
 Enter lulio. 
 
 There is fome trick in't. Honord lulio ! 
 
 lu. Health to my Soueraigne ! 
 
 Duke, How fares our Sonne ? 
 
 Haue your inducements drawn him from his 
 humour ? 
 
 lu. Faith, my Lord, I haue done a childes part, 
 and almoft fpent a childes part to draw him to 
 fociety ; but tis labor loft. 
 
 Duke. What is his bufineffe with the Englifh 
 poaft ? 
 
 lu. The Englifh poaft, my Lord ? your Grace is 
 merry. 
 
 Duke. His boy informd mee a held conference 
 Bout ferious matters with an Englifti poaft. 
 
 lu. Alas, my Lord, the boy is lunatique. 
 
 Duke. How, lunatique ! and afore God me 
 thought 
 A tolde a mad difcourfe ; but the occafion ? 
 
 lu. I tell you, my Lord. Coming abruptly, as 
 your honor or any elfe may do, to the Princes 
 chamber about fome ordinarie feruice, a found him 
 in his ftudy and a company of botlnof'd Deuils 
 dauncing the Irifti hay about him, which on the 
 fudden fo ftartled the poore boy as a cleane loft his 
 wittes and euer fince talkes thus idle, as your Ex- 
 celence hath heard him. 
 
 Duke. But tell mee, doth my fonne conuerfe with 
 Deuils ? 
 
 lu. As familiarly as you and I : they are his only 
 
 u^ 
 
64 
 
 company keepers. When a hath bene duld at his 
 ftudy, I haue knowne a Deuill and hee play at Tick- 
 tacks for phillips by the whole day together. 
 
 Duke. Tis pafTing ftrange ; but may wee without 
 danger 
 Go neere his ftudy ? 
 
 lu. At your honors pleafure. 
 
 Dijcouer Polymetes in his ftudy. 
 
 hi. See where a fits, be Patient and obferue. 
 
 Poly. Preuented ftill .'' now by Medujaes fnakes 
 And black Erinnis euer burning lampe, 
 If all the fkill in pyromantique rules, 
 Deep Eromancy, or the pretious foule 
 Of Geomantique fpells and Charadlers 
 Grauen in the furfafe of our mother earth, 
 Can worke this ftrange atcheiuement — 
 
 Ang. How his braine fweates in purfuite of 
 learning ! 
 
 Duke. Oh attend. 
 
 Poly. The firft houfe is vulgariz'd the Horofcop 
 or Angle of the Orient, and his Afcendant betoken- 
 eth beginning of life, Marchandife, marriage and — 
 
 Duke. Lets breake him off. 
 
 lul. So pleafe your excellence. 
 
 Poly. The fecond and third houfe : the third 
 Houfe is cadent from the Angle of the Orient and 
 Afcendant to the Angle Septentrionall, fignifying 
 Fathers, Sifters and Daughters abfent and loft, 
 Daughters and fathers loft. Here then I finde my 
 
65 
 
 demaund : The Maid loft, my Sifter. Thus then 
 I proportion my figure ; there I place my witneftes 
 and heere my ludge, and thus proceede to the Inuo- 
 cation. 
 
 lul. Renowned Prince, Prince Polymetes ! 
 Zoundes, Prince ! 
 
 Poly. Difcourteous lulio, giue my ftuddie leaue. 
 
 lul. Hart, not a iot : the Duke your father ! 
 
 Poly. He make my father ioyfull by my toile : 
 Had not thy folly interrupted me 
 My hopes ere this had met their period. 
 
 Ang. Your princely father ! 
 
 Poly. O torment me not 
 
 With his remembrance. 
 
 lul. Sblood, hee's fafe returnd. 
 
 Poly. O would a were, then (hould not Genoaes 
 Crowne 
 For want of ftrong fupportance be preft downe. 
 Ift not enough that, like a harmelefs Prince, 
 Spending my houres in Contemplation, 
 I let you holde the raines of Gouerment, 
 Vnfit for me. My father hath a deepe 
 And fearching iudgement that can brufti and fweepe 
 Such idle-brayn'd and antique Parafites 
 Forth of his prefence. 'Pray, your abfence. 
 
 Duke. I can but fmile to fee how, Protheus-like, 
 They turne the ftiape of their difcourfe & proied. 
 Thinking to leade me in an idle maze 
 After their folly. Well, He temporize 
 And note the ifliie. — Come, my Lords, let 's in : 
 
 I 
 
66 
 
 His humour 's grounded, and, like fubtle fier, 
 The more fuppreft it mounts fo much the hier. 
 
 l^Exeunt. 
 
 III. Why, fo ; this ieft came fmoothly of and was 
 
 not foild in the working. 
 
 f Poly. That boy is worth his waight in pearle. 
 
 Didft marke what a tale of a Cock and a Bull he 
 
 I tolde my father whilft I made thee and the reft 
 
 away by a bill of Conueyance at his back ? 
 
 lul. And I did fimple knights feruice in per- 
 fwading the Duke the boy was lunatique. 
 
 Poly. Twas admirable ; doth not this ieft deferuc 
 to be chronicled ? 
 
 lu. No, by my troth ; yet I muft needs fay fome 
 as bad haue bin : for howfoeuer our praftife paffe 
 currant with your father for the prefent, our vil- 
 lanyes muft needs break forth, they are fo notorious 
 and publique. 
 
 Poly. No matter, let 'am. Haue we not brayns ? 
 brayns, and they be well mincde, are fauce for any 
 meate. Let mine vncle turne Turxe and break 
 forth, let the whole towne turne cuckold and blow 
 their homes in our difgrace, I haue braines : let the 
 Sunne and the feauen Starres be oppof'd, I haue 
 brayns for that too. My prefent wit ftiall giue 'am 
 all the lye in their throates, and mayntayne it at 
 pockett dagger and piftoll when I haue done. 
 
 Enter Horatio's page. 
 III. A mourner, boy ? What folemne funerall 
 
67 
 
 Hath hung that fable liuery on thy back ? 
 
 Page. Her death, my Lord, that hath cut out the 
 like 
 For both your honors : — the CountefTe is deceaft. 
 
 Poly. Then will my vncle be a heauy mourner. 
 But how ? the manner of her death ? 
 
 Page. He tell your honor that hereafter and giue 
 you the ground of an admirable ieaft. 
 
 Poly. And we play not true moals and worke it 
 out of the ground, let me dye of the Greene-ficknefs. 
 
 lu. The ground then comes ? 
 
 Page. No, He tell you that in priuate : the life of 
 a ieft thriues in the firft reuealing, — it concernes the 
 manner of your avnts death and a law-trick of your 
 vncle. 
 
 Poly. Come to the folempe rites, and weepe at 
 Ieaft: 
 Thofe being ended wele receiue your ieft. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene 3.] 
 
 Solemnpe Mujique^ to a funerall Jong the Herfe borne 
 ouer the ft age ; Duke^ Lurdo, Polymetes, Angela^ 
 luliOy Horatio and mourners ^c. \_Exeunt. 
 
 Manet Horatio. 
 
 Hor. 
 
 WHat is a Man ? hart a the Deuill, meere fools. 
 His rich inuention, Machiuilian plots — 
 Idle, illufiue, antick phantafies. 
 
68 
 
 Apelles grapes ! I had as full a brayne. 
 Fertile inuention and as forward hopes 
 As man could father or his wit bring forth : 
 Yet in a minute, in [a] bubles age, 
 The venomd fury of a bitter fpleene 
 Confounded all ; forgetfuU that I was 
 Women are moulded out of bafhfulnefle 
 And muft be drawne to kindnefle by degrees. 
 All this I knew. 
 
 Enter Count Lurdo. 
 
 Lur. Neither the Law nor I 
 
 Know any reafon why Horatio — 
 But, mum, Law-tricks! as clofely as I can 
 Mine eare fliall drinke his meditation. 
 
 Hor. Had fhe furuiu'd. Time — 
 
 Lur. Might haue found vs out : 
 
 Good, firme in Law, I am a foole to doubt 
 His conftant fecrecie. 
 
 Hor. But, now fhee's dead — 
 
 Lur. The deepeft wit could not haue bettered 
 Our fmooth conueyance ; but vpright and ftreight : 
 Vnknowne, vnfeene, ile worke vpon conceit. [Exit. 
 
 Hor. Had fhe bene liuing, golden promifes, 
 The fmoothe Atturneys to a Louers tongue. 
 Might haue in time folicited my fuite : 
 Guiftes might haue pleaded, mournefull Elegies 
 Told her my pafTions. Had fhe bene compofde 
 Of fleele or flint, nay made of womens hearts 
 (The mofl obdurate mettle). Time and Art — 
 
69 
 
 But flie isMead, oh hell ! and in her tombe 
 My hopes are buried. 
 
 Enter Count Lurdo againe. 
 
 Lur. My conceited braine 
 
 Hath an odde crotchet call'd me backe againe. 
 
 Hor. To all thefe bad misfortunes ihould the 
 Count 
 Vfe any trickes ! 
 
 Lur. Ha .? a talkes of trickes, 
 
 Of Count and tricks, for trickes and Count aretwinns. 
 
 Hor. Yet I regard not. 
 
 Lur. I am right and ftreight. 
 
 Hor. Say a complaine. 
 
 Lur. Suppofe he tell the Duke 
 
 He gaue the poifon ? 
 
 Hor. He contriu'd her death, 
 
 And cannot wrong me. 
 
 Lur. Fie, I fear him not : 
 
 He doth but father what my braine begot. [Exit. 
 
 Hor. This comfort yet, which many want,I haue, — 
 To follow my faire fortunes to the graue. [Exit. 
 
 ACTUS QUINTUS. 
 
 Enter Horatioes Page with a Theeues Lanthorne. 
 Page. 
 
 OH, fhall I enter ? ha, fball I venter ? 
 Shield me Apollo, the groud is fo hollow 
 That, euerie ftep I treade vpon it, 
 
70 
 
 Methinkes it fings a dead mans Sonnet. 
 
 Fates, oh fates, be honeft Drabs, 
 
 Feare giues me ten thoufand ftabs. 
 
 I dare not further, tis wilfull murther. 
 
 Thus late to treade the cloyfter vaults ; 
 
 For, though i'me fmall, I haue great mens faults. 
 
 Then gentle Fates, take fome remorfe, 
 
 I watch an honeft, kinde, quick courfe : 
 
 Graunt that no Hobgoblins fright me, 
 
 No hungrie deuils rife vp and bite me ; 
 
 No Vrchins, Elues or drunkards Ghoafts 
 
 Shoue me againft walles or poftes; 
 
 graunt I may no black thing touch. 
 Though many men loue to meete fuch. 
 But heere's the tombe, my hopes fuffizing ; 
 
 1 watch a daintie Duckes vprifing. 
 
 Her cheekes now are chilly as is the pale lilly, 
 But, when her eye vnclofes, theile looke like two faire 
 Rofes. 
 
 Enter Horatio with a light. 
 
 A light ? my maifter, or fome fpright ! 
 Yet what neede Deuils haue candle-light. 
 — Tis he : all hid, ile not be feene. 
 For once this tombe fhall be my fcreene. 
 
 [//<? hides himjelfe. 
 Hor, I cannot reft : my guilt keepes ope mine 
 eyes, 
 My paftion rips my bofome, and my blood 
 Is turn'd to poyfoned water, and fo fwels 
 
71 
 
 That my vext foule endures a thoufand hels. 
 If I chance fl umber, then I dreame of Serpents, 
 Toades, altogether ; and fuch venomous euils 
 As hale me from my fleepe like forked Deuils. 
 Midnight, thou Ethiope, EmprefTe of blackefoules. 
 Thou generall Bawde to the whole world, I falute 
 
 thee, 
 Wifhing thy poifon dropt vpon my brain 
 For my fo rude, fo rafh, fo heedeles murther. 
 In the ambition & the height of luft. 
 Not giuing my blood libertie to coole, 
 To poifon fuch a beautie ! O black Fate ! 
 Thus many kilP too foone, repent too late. — 
 Soft, ftay, this fames the chilly monument 
 That huggs her bodie in his marble armes. 
 Thou gentle foule of my deceafed loue, 
 O wert but pofTible to inioy thy voice. 
 Thy fweet Harmonious voice, I fhould be bleft 
 But Eene to dally with thy filables. 
 O tombe — 
 
 Pa. No tombe, but Cifterne fild with teares. 
 
 Hor. O heart — 
 
 Pa. No heart, but finke of greefe & feares. 
 
 Hor. CountefTe, foule fhaddow, fhadow fpeak 
 again. 
 
 Pa. Speake agen. 
 
 Hor. What fhould I fpeake ? my hate or thy huge 
 
 wrongs } 
 
 1 4to. killd. 
 
72 
 
 Pa. Hudge wrongs. 
 
 Hor. Hudge wrongs indeede! but charitable foule 
 What ranfome fhall I pay thee for thy hfe ? 
 
 Pa. Thy life. 
 
 Hor. My life ? 
 
 Pa. I, I hfe. 
 
 Hor. Difcourteous ayre, 
 My blood is frozen with difpaire. 
 
 Pa. Difpaire. 
 
 Hor. Pardon, forgiue me ; fhall I goe .'' 
 
 Pa. I, goe. 
 
 Hor. But fhall your hate purfuc me, I or no ^. 
 
 Pa. No. 
 
 Hor. Adieu, my greefe ; and ile go fleepe. 
 
 Pa. Pray God my tongue can my hearts coufel 
 keep. 
 — Ha, are you vanifht.^ let me fee; a may be 
 fallen a fleepe againfl fome pillar, for ile be fworn 
 a talk'd verie idely : Abiit., decejfit^ euafity erupt. 
 I would fain know that Wag that can put me down 
 for a womans Ghoafl extempore, efpecially if it were 
 to be performde vnder a tombe cloath. But heere 
 lay the defperate venter, had fhe chaunc'd to haue 
 rifen and fpoke before hir qu, as about this time fhe 
 muft rife or my fleepie drinke plaies the drowfie 
 companion with her. 
 
 Enter Horatio againe. 
 
 — Hart a me, my maifter againe ! What crofTe points 
 are thefe ! I fee I mufl betake me to my late refuge. 
 
73 
 
 Hor. It was no Ghoaft : fubtile opinion, 
 Working in mans decayed faculties, 
 Cuts out and fhapes illufiue fantafies ; 
 And our weak apprehenfions, like wax, 
 Receiue the forme and prefently conuey 
 Vnto our dull immagination. 
 And hereupon we ground a thoufand lyes ; 
 As that we fee Deuils ratling their chaines, 
 Goaftes of dead men, varietie of fpirits. 
 When our owne guiltie confcience is the hell 
 And our black thoughts the Cauerns where they dwel. 
 Yet fure this was her fhadow, for I heare 
 Her laft words found ftill dauncing in mine eare. 
 Then, gentle foule, if thou beeft yet vnthronde, 
 Anfwere one queftion and no more. 
 
 Pa. No more. 
 
 Hor. May my hearts true repentance fatiffie 
 My wilfull murther ^ your replie ^ 
 
 Pa. I. 
 
 Hor. Thanks, thoufand thanks, and fo farewell. 
 
 Pa. Farewell. 
 
 Hor. The bane of murder is difpaire & hell. 
 
 [_Exit. 
 
 Pa. Was euer poore little knaue put to his laft 
 trumps as I am ? what fhall I do now .? my heart 
 goes pit a pat in my belly like a paire of wafhing 
 beetles : fhould a returne again now, as my hand to 
 a Lobfter pye a will, all the fat were in the fier. 
 But harke ! tis one o clock, and iuft about this I ^ 
 
 minute llie fhould^lay the wagtaile and ftur. 
 
74 
 
 Count. What trance was this ? where am I ? 
 Pa. Oh, fhe fpeaks : Fates be good girles and* 
 keepe my Maifter away and let his man haue a Uttle 
 fport with his miftrefle. 
 
 Count. What place is this ? am I in heauen or no ? 
 
 Pa. No. 
 
 Count. What voice is that ? is this place earth ? 
 
 Pa. Earth. 
 
 Count. Earth ! how came I hither ? do I liue 
 
 again ? 
 Pa. Liue again. 
 Count. What voice is that? a woman or fome 
 
 youth ? 
 Pa. Youth. 
 Count. My feares will murther me ; my powers 
 
 are frighted. 
 Pa. Ahlas, poore ftirring ghoft, art ouer 
 
 fprighted ? 
 Count. Boy ! 
 Pa. Meftrefle. 
 
 Count. Tell mee. 
 
 Pa. All, and more anon. 
 
 The fleepy drink hath plaid the honeft man. 
 
 Count. What fleepy drinke ? how came I in this 
 
 tombe .'' 
 Pa. He tell you that in a more priuate roome. 
 Away ! He tell you a fl:range[r] wonder 
 
 ^ 4to. Fates and be good girles keepe. Poflibly we fhould 
 read ' Fates, and ye be good girles, keepe,' &c. 
 
IS 
 
 Then winter lightening or Chriftmas thunder : 
 
 Then to my father's trip and go, 
 
 Nimble preuention out runs woe. \Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Ferneze^ the Duke^ Count Lurdo^ Angela^ 
 Horatio^ and Adam ; and others atendants. 
 
 'Duke. No more of mourning, brother : we haue 
 laid 
 Our timelefTe forrowes in a quiet graue. 
 When men interre their comfort, let them weepe ; 
 Not when their crying charme is laide to fleepe. 
 
 Lur. Great Duke, mine eyes are not thus great 
 with teares 
 For our griefes funerall, but that her fhame 
 And future fcandall will out liue her name. 
 
 Duke. Come, let mirth kill it : and to your dif- 
 courfe. 
 Is our fonne growne vnto that height of riot 
 Your fpeeches intimate ? 
 
 Lur. Your highnefs knowes 
 
 I know the law : if I haue wrongd the Prince 
 I ftand in compas of a praemonire. 
 And he, by writte of ad quod dampnum, may 
 Sue his recouery : I know the law. 
 
 Duke. Nay, his owne letterpartly graunts as much. 
 But note his fubtle reafon : here a writes 
 That of fet purpofe a laid by himfelfe 
 And plaid the parte of a wilde prodigall, 
 Onely to put your loue vnto the teft ; 
 
76 
 
 On which aduantage, to ingrofe^ his wealth. 
 You did indeare him to fociety 
 Of carelefle wantons and hght Curtezans, 
 Made fecret vaults and cellers vnder ground. 
 
 Lur. Non tenet in bocardoy I demurre ; 
 Do but fend out your Iterum Summoneas 
 Or capias vt legatum to attach 
 And bring him viua voce, tongue to tongue. 
 And vi ^ armis He reuenge this wrong. 
 
 Duke. Leaue that to triall : here a iiirther writes 
 That by his fkill and pradize in black Art 
 He hath found out, and by much toile redeemd, 
 My daughter from the Turkifh feruitude. 
 
 Lur. Redeemde your daughter 1 an apparent 
 error, 
 Which you by way of melius inquirendum 
 May foone difcufe. He ranfome home your 
 
 daughter ! 
 As fure as I made cellers vnder ground 
 Or playd his pandar. 
 
 Duke. How fo ere it proue, 
 I meane to try the utmoft of his wit 
 To fee how quaintly he can beare himfelfe : 
 But who comes here } 
 
 Enter Emilia* 
 
 Ad. Marry, my good Lord, this is the greene 
 bur that ftuck fo clofe to the young Princes fleeue, 
 
 • 4to. igrefe. 
 
11 
 
 — the flioemakers cutting knife that fitted his boots 
 to the prodigalls laft. 
 
 Lur. If I be Compos mentis^ this is fhee 
 Muft play your daughters part : my Lord, beware, 
 Worke clofe, cock fure ; I fe the gin, the fnare. 
 
 Em. Moft reuerend father. 
 
 Lur. Father ! now it fits. 
 
 Ware an olde Fox : Duke, I haue braynes, I haue 
 wits. 
 
 Buke. Immodeft, impudent and fhameles girle, 
 Is't not enough thou haft mifled my fonne, 
 And wrong his reputation ? 
 
 Em. How wrongd him, father ? I muft needs fay 
 I haue playd Will with the wifpe with my brother, 
 and haue led him vp and downe the maze of good 
 fellowftiip till I haue made his wit and his wealth 
 both turne fick ; but for any other wrong I appeale 
 to himfelfe, my vncle honeft lulio (where is a ? ) 
 and all the reft of this good Audience : therefore 
 pray, good father — 
 
 Duke. Out of my fight, thou art no childe of 
 myne. 
 
 Em. Y'are the more beholding to fome of your 
 neighbours. Tut ma, looke on me well : here's your 
 nowne nofe and thick kifting lip, vp and downe ; 
 and my mother were liuing ftie would neuer bufle 
 you more till you confeft I were your daughter. 
 
 Duke. What an audacious naughty pack is this ! 
 Haue her before a luftice, Adam. 
 
 Em. Do, with all my heart, good father, fend 
 
78 
 
 mee to a luftice ; for a pretty woman with a fmooth 
 tongue and an Angel's voice can do much with 
 luftice in this golden age. But thus much afore I 
 go : if luftice will not prouide me a better father, 
 He haue you, or He giue the beadle of the ward a 
 fee to cry ' a new father, a new ! ' as they do oyfters 
 at Callis. [Exit. 
 
 Duke. Brother, are you acquainted with this 
 woman? 
 
 Lur. I muft needs fay that at my nephews fuite 
 I gaue her a months lodging and her diet ; 
 But Nuda veritate., in bare truth. 
 And bona fide ^ without circumftance, 
 Splendente Sole, the bright Sun nere faw 
 A wench more capable of wit and law : 
 And, how foere ftie is with bewty grac'd, 
 I dare engage myne honor fhe is chaft. 
 
 Duke. I giue your words good credit, yet tis rare 
 To finde a woman wanton, chaft and fayre ; 
 But now unto my fonne, whofe powerful! art 
 Striues to ungive his fitters feruitude. 
 
 \_Poly metes in his Jludy. 
 
 Poly. Thanks, Heate, thou haft infphearde my 
 hope 
 In a golde circle : O were my father here. 
 This fight would of his age bate twenty yeare. 
 
 Duke. What fight, my fonne ? 
 
 Poly. Lend mee your watry eye 
 
 That fwims in paflion for my fifters lofte. 
 And in this black profpedliue let it read 
 
79 
 
 A pleafing ledure. 
 
 Duke. I conceiue two fhapes, 
 
 A ciuill marchant and a bewteous mayd : 
 Their pace is fpeedy, and my flower eye 
 Cannot keepe way with their celerity. 
 
 Poly. That maid's my After, whome on magique 
 wing 
 To this fayre prefence my rich Art fliall bring. 
 Prepare to meete them, for this minutes age 
 Sends [Ends ?] with my charme their airy pilgrimage. 
 
 Enter lulio like a Marchant^ and loculo like a Lady. 
 
 lu. Where are we now ? how ftrangely were we 
 borne 
 Vpon the pinions of the fleeting ayre ! 
 And where difmounted } unto what great Prince, 
 Chriftian or Pagan, longs this manfion \ 
 
 he. Are we in any fociable place. 
 Or in the Cell of fome Magitian 
 Who by his flcill in hellifli exorcifmes 
 Made vs his thrall ? 
 
 Duke. I can forbear no longer : 
 
 Welcome, thrice wellcome ! 
 
 lu. 
 
 
 
 
 Welcome? 
 
 
 lo. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Whence } 
 
 lu. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 To whome ? 
 
 Duke. 
 
 To 
 
 mee. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ang. 
 
 
 
 To 
 
 vs. 
 
 
 
 Duke. 
 
 
 
 
 Thy 
 
 father. 
 
 
 Lur. 
 
 
 
 
 
 And 
 
 thy friendes. 
 
8o 
 
 lo. Do not beguile vs : O, Demetrio, 
 We are betraid ! fee the Magitian 
 That by his cunning and ftrong working charmes 
 Brought us vnknowne ! 
 
 Duke. Into thy fathers armes. 
 
 Welcome, Emilia ! with this luory chayne 
 I fpheere my hopes, and in thy bofome rayne 
 Thefe teares of comfort. Then embrace thy friends ; 
 Thy Brothers Arte all further difference ends. 
 
 lo. Your Citty ? 
 
 Duke. Genoa. 
 
 lo. And your reuerend name ? 
 
 Duke. Ferneze. 
 
 lo. Father ! 
 
 Lur. Yes, the verie fame ; 
 
 I doe remember, when fhe went to nurfe. 
 What a curft vixen twas, but now fhee's growne. 
 
 lo. Not paft all goodnefs yet, I hope, fir. But 
 yfaith, Brother, waft thou that brought vs from 
 Turky a cock-horfe ? and your Genoan hacknye be 
 lb quick pac'd, you ftiall haue more of our Cuftome. 
 
 Duke. Lay by difcourfe : What Gentleman is 
 that 
 Comes vninuited to our feaft of ioy ? 
 
 lo. Pray welcome him, father : hee's a Genoan 
 marchant that with much fuite ranfom'd mee from 
 the Turke. 
 
 Duke. My hopes redeemer, welcome; but pro- 
 ceede 
 Vnto the doubtful fortunes of my childe. 
 
8i 
 
 Twas tolde me flie was ftolne from MontaJan5la. 
 lu. You heipe my memorie : thence fhe was 
 
 ftolne 
 And for her beauty chofen Concubine 
 To the lafciuious Turke, but by much fute, 
 And mediation ^ of fome fpeciall friends, 
 I bought her freedome with a thoufand markes. 
 
 Duke. Which weele repay with ample intereft. 
 Once more weele bid you welcome, and — to fet 
 A fmoother glofte vpon our merryment — 
 There's a quicke Wench, that onely hues by wit. 
 Who, vnderftanding I had loft my Daughter, 
 Borrow'd thy habit and Vfurpes thy name. 
 One call her in : — now Daughter make thee fit 
 To combat and difmount her adtiue Wit. 
 
 [Exit Adam. 
 Lur. A parlous Girle ; her wits a meere Sna- 
 
 phaunce. 
 Goes with a fire locke ; fhe ftrikes fire from ftones : 
 Shee knowes the Law, too, — a meere murthering 
 
 peace. 
 Fight lowe, locke clofe, fhee fpeakes meere lightning, 
 
 Neece. 
 
 Enter Adam with Emilia. 
 
 Em. How now. Father, haue you put on your 
 Confidering Cap and bethought you ? or fhall I pro- 
 ceede and trauerfe my writ of errors ? 
 
 ^ 4to. meditation. 
 L 
 
82 
 
 Lur. Ha, writ of errors? Law-trickes, words of 
 Art, Demurrs and quillets. 
 
 Em. All not worth a pinne : Will you bethinke 
 you, father ? 
 
 Duke. I haue bethought me, and to let thee fee 
 The true proportion of thy impudence. 
 Behold my Daughter whom thou perfonat'ft. 
 
 Em. How ? your Daughter. 
 
 lo. Yes, Minkes, his Daughter. 
 
 Lur. My neece, and I will make it good. 
 
 Em. Prethe, yfaith : haue ye any more of thefe 
 trickes ? I may be out-fac'd of my felfe with a Carde 
 often ; but yfaith, Vncle, the beft Knaue ith bunch, 
 nor all the law in your Budget, cannot doo't ; & as 
 for you, Sifley bumtrinkets, ile haue a bout with 
 you at the fingle Stackado. 
 Are you a Woman } 
 
 lo. No. 
 
 Em. What then ? 
 
 lo. A Maide. 
 
 lu. If his tongue falter, all our plots bewraide. 
 
 Em. If a true maide, lend a true maide your 
 hand. 
 
 lo. Both hand and heart. 
 
 Em. The like of me commaund. 
 
 Now I coniure you by the loue 
 You beare Dianaes filent Groue, 
 By Cupids bowe and golden arrow, 
 Venus Doue and chirping Sparrow ; 
 By all thofe Vowes the liftning windes 
 
83 
 
 Heare when Maides vnclafpe their mindes ; 
 
 By thofe fweete oathes men vfe in bed 
 
 Befeeging of a Maiden-head ; 
 
 I doe coniure you fore thefe Lords 
 
 To anfwere truely to my words. 
 
 lo. By thefe and more, by all the fcapes 
 Of amorous loue and Phcebus rapes. 
 By Louers fweet and fecret meetings, 
 Hand-embracings and lip-greetings 
 
 I promife you before thefe Lords 
 To anfwere truely to your words. 
 
 Km. Where were you borne ? 
 
 lo. In Genoa. 
 
 Em. Your name ? 
 
 lo. Emilia. 
 
 Em. Lye not. 
 
 lo. Twere open fhame 
 
 To lye before fb many. 
 
 Em. In what art 
 
 Were you inftrudled.'' 
 
 lo. — That's not in my part.^ 
 
 Foly. — Say mufique. 
 
 Em. Quickly. 
 
 lo. I was taught to fing 
 
 Vnto the Lute, and court each amorous ftring 
 With a foft finger. 
 
 Em. Good ; how many fprings 
 
 Liu'd you in Monta Santa ? 
 
 * Spoken rjjtde to Polymetes and lulio. 
 
84 
 
 lo. — Zoundes, this ftings. 
 
 Em. How many ? 
 
 luL — Nine. 
 
 Foly. — Zoundes, ten. 
 
 lo. — Ten fops. 
 
 Em. Nay, quicke. 
 
 lo. Twixt nine and ten. 
 
 Duke. Right anfweare. 
 
 lul. — r the nick. 
 
 Em. Your age ? 
 
 lo, —What .? 
 
 lu. — Any thing. 
 
 Em. Come, fie, you linger. 
 
 lo, I am iuft as old — 
 
 Em. As what ? 
 
 lo. My little finger. 
 
 Em. You dally. 
 
 lu. — Sixteene. 
 
 Po/y. — Eighteene. 
 
 lo. — Eighteene fooles. 
 
 "Duke. Nay, and you prompt, weele hifle you 
 
 forth the fchooles. 
 Em. Come, your reply ; nay, quick, your certen 
 
 age.? 
 Id. I am iuft as old as — true Emiliaes page. 
 Duke. A page ^. 
 An. Difguifde ? 
 
 Adam. Wrapt in a womans fmocke } 
 
 lo. Ime in a wood. 
 Em. And I can fpring a cock. 
 
85 
 
 lu. Woodcock of our fide. 
 
 Em. And you bill fo faire, 
 
 Make a cleere glade, He fingle forth a paire. 
 
 Poly. Fie, her wit fcaldes. 
 
 Lur. We fhall haue change of weather. 
 
 lul. Cocks of one hen, come, prince, lets hold 
 together. 
 
 Em. I thought we ihould finde a Counterfeit of 
 you. 
 
 lo. Then naile me to your lips with a kifle, and 
 make me currant paiement. 
 
 Duke. What, young Orlando ? how does Charing 
 CrofTe ? 
 Is Weftminfler yet friendes with Winchefter ? 
 
 Poly. — Zoundes, lulio, now. 
 
 lo. Alas, my Lord, it was a meere deuice 
 To— 
 
 lul. Make your Highnefs merry ; when I heard 
 You were return'd without your wifh'd Aduen- 
 ture — 
 
 Duke. O, Maifter Merchant, you aduenturd well 
 To cheate yourfelfe thus of a thoufand markes. 
 
 Em. How now, my Lord ? 
 
 Lur. Nay, but ile fee your breft ; mine eyes de- 
 fire 
 No lower obje6t. 
 
 Em. Go to, reade your errors. 
 
 Lur. I cannot now returne non eft inuenta : 
 Brother, embrace your childe, your fecond heire , 
 I found firme witnes in her bofome bare. 
 
86 
 
 Duke. Art thou Emilia ? 
 
 Em. Emelia your Daughter, once a TurkifK 
 prifoner. 
 
 Duke. Receiue a ioyfull blefling, rife and fay 
 What wit or power freed thee. 
 
 Em. Deere father, the manner both of my en- 
 larging and capturing ile relate when more con- 
 uenient time and place fhall incite me ; but vpon 
 this occafion pray giue me leaue to put my brother 
 befide his melachoiy. 
 
 Duke. I prethee do fo. 
 
 Em. — Why, how now, Student, grand Magitian, 
 Puritane ? Come, you neuer plaide the Wag, 
 You know not Winefrldes hem, nor the Counts 
 Vault ? 
 
 Duke. Amort y man ? What can Polymetes daunt ? 
 Hath a not Hyren heere ? 
 
 Poly. Zoundes, all will out : braines — 
 
 Duke. Now for a hundred dozen of Larkes to 
 make a pie of the braines. 
 
 Poly. Well, done it was and out it muft. 
 
 Duke. Why, how now, Polymetes ? in a dumpe .? 
 Wheres your Venetian Marchant and your Sifter ? 
 
 Poly. Who ? Emilia ? Why, looke you heere, 
 father : doe you thinke I knew her not ? afke the 
 Boy and lulio. Do you thinke I would haue main- 
 taind her as I did, but onely for affinities fake ? 
 What faide I at firft, Nuncle? did I notvrge affini- 
 ties ? and you would fee me hang'd, fay and I did 
 not vrge affinitie ? 
 
87 
 
 Em. And yet you pleaded hard for a nights 
 lodging. 
 
 Poly. Onely to try thy honefty ; afke my Vncle 
 elfe. 
 
 Enter Horatioes Page and whifper with Polimetes. 
 
 Em. Hee's a fweet womanift, 
 
 Lur. No more a that, neece ; y'are a wag. 
 
 Em. Well faid, old Water Ratt. 
 But that my brother Coniurer fhould faile 
 In the black Art — 
 
 Lur. In the black Pudding : pifh ! 
 
 Of all arts elfe onely the law is firme. 
 
 Em. And yet that danceth changes euery Terme. 
 
 Poly. Well, ieft on. Gallants : and Vncle, you that 
 make a pifh at the black Art, my books to the peece 
 of Arras where Venus and Adonis flood kifling and 
 the cuckoldy pandar Vulcan watch'd them, and all 
 your bywaies to boot, — I raife vp my Aunt, your 
 late wife, in the fame proportion, habit and gefture 
 fhe vfually wore in her life time. 
 
 T)uke. Do that. He fweare there's vertue in thy 
 Art. 
 
 Poly. And if I do not, fay Philofophie is foolery, 
 Logique legerdemaine, and Coniuring meere coni- 
 catching — as indeed it is. 
 And now, by vertue of this wand. 
 Each in his circle keepe his ftand ; 
 Now Belioll and Afiaroth^ 
 Sole commanders of the North, 
 
88 
 
 By Hecates head, Erinnis fn akes, 
 
 Stix and all infernall Lakes, 
 
 I charge you kneele to Projerpne^ 
 
 And by her licence all deuine 
 
 DifmifTe the CountefTe from thofe fhades 
 
 Where pleafure fprings and neuer fades : 
 
 Fejiina^ cito^ citius come 
 
 Free Tenant of Elizium. 
 
 Enter Countejfe^ /he writes a little^ throwes downe 
 the paper and departes. 
 
 Duke. The Count looks pale. 
 
 Ang. Why ftarts Horatio ? 
 
 lu. What writte the fhadow ? 
 
 Poly. That thefe lynes will fhow : 
 
 Horatio J baje Horatio poyjond me ; 
 I was your fijier., right mine iniurie. 
 
 Duke. Horatio ? 
 
 Lur. Yes, Horatio poifond her; 
 
 Reuenge it, Duke ; be a true Ivfticer. 
 
 Duke. Reueng 't I will : degenerous homicide, 
 What reafon led thee to fo damn'd a deed ? 
 
 Hor. I lou'd her, wood her ; my hot loue denide 
 Changde into hate : I poifon'd her, (he dyde. 
 
 Duke. Sounds this like truth ? 
 
 Hor. And if you think I lye, 
 
 A{ke Lurdo : his damb'd tongue will anfwere * I.' 
 
 Duke. Had he a hand in 't ? 
 
 Lur. No, 1 will demurre. 
 
 Adam. Reuenge it, Duke ; be a true lufticer. 
 
89 
 
 Lur. He gaue the poifon. 
 
 Hor. And you laide the plot. 
 
 Ad. Knit vp two villaines in one riding knot. 
 
 Poly. What quillets now ? 
 
 lu. At non plus ? 
 
 Em. Senceles, mute ? 
 
 Silence cries guiltie, a lets fall the fuite. 
 
 Lur. Hor. Our fentence : guiltie. 
 
 Duke. Then be this your doome : 
 
 You fhall be clof 'de aliue in her dead tombe. 
 
 Ang. Vrge a reprieue. 
 
 Lur. Our punifliment defer. 
 
 Duke. No, we muft be an vpright lufticer. — 
 To the execution ! 
 
 Hor. Doe ; the world fhal proue 
 
 My heart's as bolde to die as twas to loue. 
 
 Lur. Birlady, fo is not mine ; ide giue my goods 
 For a good habeas Corpus to remoue me 
 Into another Countrie. 
 
 Duke. Leaue demurrs : 
 
 Clofe them into that graue, that dead mans Inne. 
 Pitie true vertue fliould be lodg'd with finne ! 
 
 Hor. Make roome, deare Madam, law this leaue 
 doth giue 
 To die by thee with whome I could not liue. 
 
 Lur. And, wronged CountefTe, though I hated 
 thee, 
 I come to take my lateft fleepe with thee. 
 
 M 
 
90 
 
 Countejfe in the Tombe. 
 
 Count. Kind, thou art welcome, and fhalt euer 
 haue 
 My armes thy winding fheete, my breft thy graue. 
 
 Buke. Sifter! 
 
 Toly. Aunt ! 
 
 Em. Madam ! 
 
 Lur. My much wronged wife ! 
 
 Count. luftice, great Duke! giue me my huft)ands 
 life, 
 Both his and his ; if your demaund be ' Why,' 
 See, fhe furuiues for whofe death they fhould die. 
 
 Duke. AHue? 
 
 Lur. Vnblemifht ? 
 
 Hor. Sblood, I gaue her poifon. 
 
 Fa. I could tell your honour a tale in your eare 
 to the contrarie. I muft needes fay your wil was 
 good, but my father being your drug-feller, inftead 
 of a deadly poifon gaue you a fleepie potion. Doe 
 you remember the Eccho at the tomb t though I 
 plaid the knaue with you, I did like an honeft man 
 with her. 
 
 Lur. Thou didft, indeede, and ile requite thee 
 well. 
 
 Poly. How now, Vncle ? what think you of 
 Schollerftiip now ? 
 
 Lur. As of the law, good as it may be vfd: 
 But to my Wife. 
 
 Duke, Brother, ile fpeake your part 
 
91 
 
 Receiue her, loue, and lodge her in your heart. 
 
 Lur. No5fe dieq. 
 
 Hor. What fhall I doe then ? 
 
 Duke. luftice fhall merce thee, and by our com- 
 maund 
 We banifli thee the Court though not our Land. 
 Your courfe is vertuous, let your honour growe 
 Till age hath cloathM you in a robe of fnow. 
 — Laftly, thy merrit is not triuiall 
 That turnd to mirth a Sceane fo tragicall. 
 
 Eplogus. 
 Who would haue thought fuch ftrange euents fhould 
 
 fall 
 Into a courfe fo fmooth and comicall ? 
 Who would haue thought fuch treachery could reft 
 In fuch a fmoothe and vertuous-feeming breft ? 
 Who would haue thought a bud of this young 
 
 growth 
 Should out of prefent wit ore-reach vs both ? 
 And, to conclude, who would haue thought the eare 
 Of your milde patience would fo gently beare 
 With thefe our weake deferts ? which, if they pleafe 
 
 you ought, 
 Tis lefle then we defire, more then we thought. 
 
 Finis. 
 
ik' 
 
NOTE. 
 
 Several pamphlets were publifhed in the firft few 
 years of the feventeenth century to gratify the public 
 curiofity concerning the adventures of the Sherley_ 
 Brothers.— Of thefe accounts the moft entertaining 
 is the narrative of William Parry, who accompanied r, S^^^ '^ 
 Sir Anthony Sherley to Kazveen and thence (with Oi> ^'^^ 
 letters of commendation from the "Sophy") into 
 Ruffia. Parry returned to England in the autumn 
 (jf 1600 with difpatches from Sir Anthony, and in 
 the year following publifhed " A new and large 
 difcourfe of the Travels of Sir Anthony Sherley, 
 Knight, by Sea and over Land to, the Pe r (i an Em - 
 pire," &c^__Six years later Anthony Nixon, a prac- 
 tifed pamphleteer, gave the world a very highly- 
 coloured account of the remarkable brothers. From 
 Nixon's tract Day and his coadjutors drew the 
 materials for their hafty,Qll-conftru6led^lay. 
 
 It is truly amazing to compare the ftatements of 
 Nixon, ftill further exaggerated by the playwrights, 
 with the a6lual fads as given by the modern biogra- 
 pher^ of the Sherleys from original documents in the 
 
 ' " The Sherley Brothers, an hiftorical memoir of the 
 lives of Sir Thomas Sherley, Sir Anthony Sherley and Sir 
 Robert Sherley, knights. By one of the fame houfe [Evelyn 
 Philip Shirley, Efq.]. Printed for the Roxburghe Club, 1848." 
 
 b 
 
II 
 
 Record Office. This is the way in which Nixon 
 concludes his account of Mr. Robert Sherley : — 
 
 " It is reported that Ma. Robert Sherley, fince his marriage 
 with the King's coufin Germaine hath had iffiie by her two 
 children, both chrillcned in that Countrey in the Chrillian 
 faith, the King himfelfe being a witnefle to one of them in 
 Baptifme. He labours the King very much to chriftianifme, 
 to which (it is faid) he lends fuch attentive eare that hedoubteth 
 not, but by Gods affiftance and his good perfwafions he may 
 in time bee brought to become a Chrillian. 
 
 "To ftrengthen which hope Robert Sherley hath already 
 erefted there a church, called after his own name, in which he 
 hath Divine feruice as duely read as here it is on this fide of 
 the fcas. Hee hath alfo obtained of the King a number of 
 young infants of that country to be brought up in a houfc 
 appointed for that purpofe, that altogether eftrangcd & kept 
 from hearing or fpeaking their owne Language, may in time 
 learne our Englifh fpeech and come at length to Chriftian 
 knowledge, being brought up & educated among Chrillians,"&c. 
 (K. 4. V.) 
 
 So, too, ends the play. Now read Mr. Robert 
 Sherley 's own words extracted from a letter addreffed 
 to Sir Anthony, which was intercepted by order of 
 Sir Robert Cecil and is now preferved in the Record 
 Office :— 
 
 " Deere Brother, 
 " I am foe bcfide my felf w*'' the travailes and wants I am in 
 and the little hope I have of yo'' retorne or of anie man from 
 yow, that I am almoft dillraftcd from the thought of aniehelpe 
 for my deliury out of this Contrey, I doe not altogether blame 
 yow becaufe I knowe yow have likwyfe fuffcred difcomodytie 
 in thofe parts yow live in, thoughe they cannot be compared 
 unto myne, confythering I live amongilc turkes, infidells and 
 cncmyes to the Chriftian name for bclceve me in all 
 
Ill 
 
 his aftions he publiflieth to the world the hatred he bears to the 
 name of Chrillians, for evy dale he maketh flaves of the poore 
 Armenyans, w'^'' are daile brought like fhcepe into cuy fiikett, 
 burnynge and pulling downe all churches to the great infamie 
 of all the Chriftians that live heare, w*^'' doth fhevve great difpit- 
 fullnefs, for although the turke is a great enemy yet doth he 
 toUerate them & let them live freely in his contrey. As for 
 my felfe I cannot denie but he giveth me Iliil the fame meanes 
 he was wont : but God knowes yt is in fuch a Scurvie fafhion 
 that I cannot poffible meynteine my felf w*** yt, and it is ef^y 
 yeare da mal in peggio. Deere brother I knowe yo"" fpiritt could 
 neii have indured that w*^** I have don, becawfe I want the like 
 fpirite. But I haue ftrived by infinite patience to wyn tyme, 
 the w"^** I have obfi^ved is a leiTon given from yo'' felf becaufe 
 tyme geveth leave to evry aftion, only to me and to my affliccons 
 neyther time nor patience can amend my fortune, I would long 
 fmce have foUicited my frends in England for my deliiiry but 
 that I knowe yow have extolled the Kings name and my ufadge 
 hesere even unto the fkies, and my deereft love towards you hath 
 eu'' ben fuch that I would rather chofe to die coupped up in my 
 mifferies then make a contrarie report," &c. (pp. 56-57). 
 
 Nixon ftated what fads were known to him, and 
 then drew on his imagination ; but the playwrig hts 
 dehberately di ftorted the truth. We learn from 
 Nixon that Sir Thomas Sherley, when imprifoned 
 at Conftantinople, was befriended by a kind-hearted 
 Jewifh merchant. No doubt it would have been a 
 hazardous experiment to bring on the ftage a 
 charitable Jew; but it is really too bad that we 
 fhould be afBi6led, in the perfon of Zariph, with a 
 travefty of Shylock. 
 
 The true ftor'y^of the Sherley Brothers, told by 
 " one of the fame houfe," is of fingular intereft. 
 
IV 
 
 Obliged by his father's improvidence to feek his 
 own fortune, Si r Ant hony, colleding a few adven- 
 turous fpirits and taking with him his brother 
 Robert, made his way, under circumftances of extra- 
 ordinary difficultV yinto Perfia. R umour gave out 
 that he had gone with the objedl of inducing the 
 Sophy to join with the princes of Chriftendom in a 
 crufade againft the Turks. But the following letter 
 (a model of incifive writing and fhrewd calculation) 
 from Sir Robert Cecil to Mr. Lello, the Englifh 
 agent at Conftantinople, fhows that Sir Anthony's 
 fchemes, albeit vague and ill-defined, were of a 
 more pradical charader than was popularly" fup- 
 pofed. The letter is dated October 17th, 1600 : — 
 
 " Firft you muft know that he went out of this Countrey 
 without any manner of allowance from her Ma^, nether was 
 fhe ever, iince his departure, confenting to any purpofe or 
 proicd of his, onely upon his arryvall in Perfia he vvrott many 
 Ires to his fath"" and frcends what wonders were done by him 
 there, infinuating that that Princes amity might be of great ufe 
 to the Queen and that himfelf was of fo great credytt with him, 
 as he could undertake to fettle great security and commodity to 
 our merchants ; Her Ma'^' conlidering firft of the ftate of thofe 
 Contries and the way for trafficqu w'*' is propounded, to paffe 
 through Mofcovy, dyd not onely thinck the matter in it fclf 
 altogether inconvenient, but dyd alfo forfee how dangerous it 
 might have ben to her Merchants trade with the Grand Sig' yf 
 any fuch fond praftife fhould have ben fett on fote. And 
 therefore fhe dyd prefently caufe all his frcnds here to reproove 
 him for his folly and vanity, notwithftanding, before fuch word 
 could come unto him he hath taken upon him to be an Ambaf- 
 fad"" to all the Princes ofJEurope, to u nite themfelves in a League 
 with the Perfian, for w^"" purpofe he cam thorough Mufcovy 
 
and a Perfian Embafladour joined w*'' him, where he was long 
 detayned, from thence he came by fca to Embdcn and tooke the 
 audacity to write to the Qucene for leave to come to her, 
 alluring her that after he had ben with the Emper"' he would 
 bring her from the Perfian a Grant of all Previledges and 
 Immunities for her fubjeds yf they would trade there, and to 
 that cnde defired liberty to come unto her. Hereupon her 
 Ma'^ hath incrcafed her former difpleafure towards him fo farr, 
 in refpeft of this prefumption as by no meanes fhe will fufFer 
 him to come into the kingdome : but wholly rejected any fucR 
 offer : fo as you may plainely anfwer yf you find any fufpition 
 conceaved or any finifter pradifes, becaufe a Subjefl of her owne 
 is joined in CommifTion w*** ye Plian, that her Ma^ could not 
 fhew more refpecft to any Prince in the world in fuch a cafe 
 then fhe hath done to him, to whom fhe accompts herfelf 
 beholding for his iuft ufadge of her fubieds : He is with the 
 Emperor now, and from thence goeth to the K. of Spayne, the 
 Fr. King and the Pope, as he geveth out. The proieft is to 
 convaye from China ye commodilylsjthrough Perfla to Aftracan, 
 over Mare Cafpium, wherein yf it be confidered how long a 
 way it muft pafs through Mufcovy, w'^'' mult make it chardge- 
 able, conlidering y*^ it Ihalbe at all tymes in his power to hinder 
 it, there is no man of any fenfe that would imagine (yf it were 
 true that the goods of China could palfe fuch a long way 
 thorow Mufcovy) that there Ihould be any great Coiinodity had 
 by it" (pp. 30-31). 
 
 Several times he petitioned to be allowed to return 
 to England, but his prayers were unheeded. His 
 whole life was pafTed in devifing fchemes of one 
 kind or another : he pafTed from court to courtj^nd. 
 finally became a pen fione r of the King of Spain. 
 
 The youngeft brother, Robert, after fpending 
 feveral years among the Perfians, engaged (as it is 
 fuppofed) in improving their artillery, induced the 
 
VI 
 
 Sophy to fend him as ambafTador into Europe on a 
 mifTion fimilar to Sir Anthony's. Accompanied by 
 his wife, a P erfian ladiL^ coufin-german of the 
 Sophy, he came to England, and was entertained 
 handfomely at Hampton Court, where a fuite of 
 rooms was given up to his ufe, and a liberal allow- 
 ance made for his expenfes ; but he failed to per- 
 fuade the King and his advifers of the feafibility of 
 his plans. At Madrid, in 1619, he met his brother, 
 Sir Anthony. It is fad to think that after fo many 
 years of feparation the brothers fhould meet only to 
 part in anger. But fo it was : the melancholy facft 
 is ftated in a letter of Mr. Cottington's, the Englifh 
 Refident at Madrid : — 
 
 " The poor man (Sir Anthony) comes fometimes to my 
 houfe and is as full of vanity as ever he was, making himfclf 
 believe that he fliall one day be a great Prince, when for the 
 prefent he wants fhoes to wear, the two brothers are much 
 fallen out and both by word and writing do all the harm they 
 can in defaming each other, but I mull needs confefs that the 
 AmbafTador is the difcrecter of the two " (p. 87). 
 
 Sir Robert (for he had been knighted by the 
 Sophy) after a few years again vifired Spain ; on 
 which occafion he fell into a difpute with the Perfian 
 official who accompanied him. Unable to fettle 
 their differences amicably, they returned to Perfia, 
 each to lay his complaint before the Sophy ; but 
 fhortly after his return, before a hearing could be 
 given, (Sir Robert, worn out by anxiety and dif- 
 appointment, died] His death happened in ij2^ 
 
Vll 
 
 Eight years afterwards Sir Anthony was ftill living 
 at Madrid, and then he drops out of fight. 
 
 Sir Thomas Sherley's adventures were not fo 
 remarkable as thofe of his brothers. His chief ex- 
 ploit confifted in conducing a bu ccaneering exp e- 
 dition injhe Archi pelago. Having rnade a delcent on 
 the Idand of Jeo[zea], he met with a ftout refiftance, 
 and, the crews deferting him, was taken prifoner. 
 His captors took him to Negropont, and thence 
 to ConJiautinaple. The attack had been entirely 
 unprovoked, and Sir Thomas had only the lameft 
 excufes to offer in his defence. Acting under in- 
 ftrudions from Sir Robert Cecil, the Englifh agent 
 was at no pains to extricate him from his uncom- 
 fortable pofition ; and for nearly four years, from 
 January, 1602, to December, 1605, he was kept a 
 clofe prifoner. After his releafe he returned to 
 England, where he lived in obfcurity till his death, 
 whenever that may have happened. 
 
 I ffiould not omit to add that in 1 61 '] w as pub- 
 lifhed '* Sir Anthony Sherley, His Relation of his 
 Travels into Perfia, ^&c. Penned by S'" Antony 
 Sherley, and recommended to his brother S' Robert 
 Sherley, being now in profecution of the like 
 Honourable Imployment," &c. A duller book was 
 never written : vapid moralizing is delivered with 
 an air of ftilted gravity that may amufe the 
 reader for half a page, but bores him terribly 
 afterwards. 
 
 Fuller, in his account of the Worthies of Suflex, 
 
VIU 
 
 has the following notice of the " Travailes of the 
 Three Englifh Brothers : " — 
 
 " As to the gencrall performance of thefe three brethren, I 
 know the Affidavit of a Poet carrieth but a fmall credit at the 
 court of Hijlory, and the Comedy made of them is but & friendly 
 foe to their Memory, as fufpefted more accommodated to 
 pleafe the prefent fpeflators then inform pofterity. However 
 as the belief of Mitio (when an Inventory of his adopted Sons 
 mifdemenours was brought unto him) embraced a middle and 
 moderate way, nee omnia credere nee nihil, neither to believe all 
 things nor nothing of what was told him : fo in the lijl of their 
 Atchevements we may fafely pitch on the fame proportion, and 
 when abatement is made iox poeticall embellijhments theremainder 
 will fpeak them worthies in their generations," 
 
 Again and again the text of the " Travailes of 
 the Three Englifh Brothers " exhibits the grofleft 
 corruptions ; although much of the harflinefs (fo 
 noticeable in many places) both of expreflion and 
 verfification is, no doubt, due to Rowley's vigorous 
 but unpolifhed ftyle. 
 
THE 
 
 TRA V AILES 
 
 of 
 The three English Brothers 
 
 Sir Thomas 1 
 
 Sir Anthony V Shirley. 
 
 M"". Robert } 
 
 ^s it is now play d by her 
 Maiesties Seruants. 
 
 Printed at London for John Wright^ and are to bee fold at 
 his fhoppe neere Chrift-Church gate, 
 1607. 
 
To honours fauourites, and the 
 intire friends to thefamilie 
 of the Sherleys, 
 health. 
 
 It! is a cujlome amongji friends (and Jure a friendly 
 cujiome) if the obftacles of Fortune^ the impedi- 
 ments of Nature^ the barre of time^ the dijlance of 
 place do hinder^ nay if death itfelfe doth make that 
 long federation amongfi friends, the fJiadow or ptiure 
 of a friend is kept as a denoted ceremonie : In that 
 kinde to all well willers to thoje worthie Jubie^s 
 {of our worthlejfe Pennes) wee dedicate this Idea and 
 Jhape of honor. Being vnable to prefent the Jubfiances, 
 wee haue epitomized their large volume in a compendious 
 abjlra^iy which we wifh all to perufe, and yet none 
 but friends J becaufe wee wiJJi that all fhould be friends 
 to defer t, and wee our Jelues fhould haue afafe harbor 
 and vmbrage for our well willing yet weake labours : 
 If wee haue not lim'd to the life the true portrait 
 of their defer ts {our wills being fealed with our en- 
 deauourSy and peizd by an able cenfurer') we goe {with 
 the Prouerbe) to a willing execution, Leniter ex 
 merito quicquid patiare ferendum eft. 
 
 In our beft indeuours, 
 
 Ccelo beat Muja. Yours, 
 
 John Day. 
 William Rowley. 
 George Wilkins. 
 
Prologue attired like fame. 
 
 The tranquil filence of a propitious houre 
 Charme your attentions in a gentle fpell, 
 Whilft our endeuors get a vocall tongue 
 To fill the pleafing roundure of your eares. 
 Our Sceane is mantled in the ro^^e of truth. 
 Yet muft we craue (by law of poefie) 
 To giue our hiftory an ornament; 
 But equalling this definition, thus : 
 Who giues a foule unto his Cook to drefTe 
 Likewife expefts to haue a foule againe ; 
 Though in the Cookes laborious workmanfhip 
 Much may be deminifht, fom-what added, 
 (The lofTe of fethers and the gaine of fauce). 
 Yet in the back furrender of this difh 
 It is, and may be truelie cald, the fame. 
 Such are our a6ls : fhould our tedious Mufe 
 Pace Jiie perticulers of our trauellers, 
 Fiue daies would breake the limmits of our Sceanes 
 But to exprefTe the fhaddowes : therefore we 
 (Leauing the fethers and fome needeleffe ftufFe) 
 Prefent you with the faireft of our feaft, 
 Clothing our- ti-uliL within an argument 
 Fitting the flage and your attention, 
 
Yet not fo hid but that flie may appeare 
 To be her felfe, even truth. N qw your afifts 
 To hel^e^the entrance of our hiftory. 
 Firft fee a father parting with Kis lonnes ; 
 Then, in a moment, on the full failes of thought 
 We will deuide them many hundred leagues : 
 Our Sceane lies fpeechlefle, adiue but yet dumbej 
 ^ill your exprefling thoughts giue it a tongue. / 
 
 Enter Sir 'Thomas his three Jonnes^ Sir Thomas^ Sir 
 
 Anthony^ Maifter Robert^ Sir Thomas goes 
 
 back with his Father^ the other 
 
 take their leaues. 
 
 Imagin now the gentle breath of heauen 
 Hath on the liquid high-way of the wanes 
 Coriuaid him many thoufand leagues from vs : 
 Thinke you haue feene him faile by many lands, 
 Andliow at laft, arriu'd m Pd'r/?^, 
 Within the confines of the great Sophey, 
 Thinke you haue heard his curteous falute 
 Speake in a peale of fhot, the like till now 
 Nere heard at Cajhin, which townes gouernor 
 Doth kindelie entertaine our Enghfh knight. 
 With him exped him firft, the reft obferue : 
 If forrein ftrangers be to him fo kinde, 
 We hope his natiue Country we ftiall finde 
 More curteous : to your iuft cenfures then 
 We offer up their trauells and our pen, \_Exit. 
 
Enter gouernor of Cajhin^ Sir Anthonie, 
 Robert and others. 
 
 Gou. Sir, yet your entertaine hath beene but 
 weake, 
 But now aflure ye 't fhalbe ftrengthened. 
 A Princes Abfence cloathes his publique weale 
 In mourning garments : now our widdo-hood 
 In a conquering returne fhalbe made good. 
 This day my royall maifter, the Perfian Sophey^ 
 (Accompanied with a glorious tribute 
 Which fortie thoufand Turkijh hues haue paide) 
 Is hitherwards in march, to whom I haue 
 Deliuered your arriual here in Perfta^ 
 Your ftate, your habit, your faire demeanor 
 (And fo well as my weake oratory could recite) 
 Spoke of thofe worths I haue obferu'd in you. 
 
 Sir Anth. Sir, nothing I fear fo much 
 Leaft that the merrit you haue layd on mee 
 Should not go euen with your report. 
 
 Gou. It will ; 
 
 Yet (if I may) He thus farre counfell yee : 
 It is the Sophyes high will and pleafure 
 That you be feated here in the market place 
 To view the manner of his vidories : 
 Which would you greete with your high tongues of 
 
 warre 
 Whofe thunder nere was heard in Perfta 
 Till you gaue voice to them at Cajbin firft, 
 
8 
 
 In what his kingdome beft can furnifh yee 
 
 It is his pleafure and commaunde you want not. 
 
 Sir Anth. It was my purpofe fo to falute him. 
 Brother, pray yee fee our diredlions falter not, 
 See all in order as we did determine. 
 
 Roh. I fhall, fir. [Exit Rober. 
 
 Sir Anth. With fuch a traine as many Cafualties 
 (A trauellers mifhaps) haue left with me : 
 He greete his highneffe in the beft I may. 
 
 Enter from warres with drums and Cullers Sophy ^ 
 Cu/fian^ Hallibecky Calimath with foul diers. The 
 Sophy giues Sir Anthony his hand as he offers to 
 Jioope to his foot e. 
 
 Soph. Chriftian or howfoeuer, curteous thou 
 feemeft. 
 We bid thee welcome in vnufed phrafe. 
 No gentle ftranger greets our continent 
 But our armes fold him in a foft embrace. 
 Yet muft his gratulation firft be payd 
 Vpon our foote : you ftoope but to our hand, 
 This for your followers : welcome, welcome ! 
 
 [Robert and the refi'kijfe his foote. 
 Our gouernor of Cafhin^ fee thefe ftrangers plac'd. 
 Be it your care and charge : fince they haue met 
 Their welcome firft in weather beaten fteele 
 Weele ftiow the manner of our Perfian warres, 
 Our mufique and our conquefts. Deuide yee; 
 The one halfe are Perftans^ the reft are Turkes : 
 
Strike ! a conqueror that ftill retanes his name, 
 To tell his conquefts is not pride but fame. 
 
 [yf Bat tell prefented ; Excurfion^ the one halfe 
 
 driue out the other ; then enter with heads 
 
 on their /words. 
 Thefe are our vidlories, to fee thofe tongues 
 That lately threw defiance in our teeth 
 Quite put to filence in the caues of Earth : 
 Then are we fure our enemie is dead 
 When from the body we diuide the head. 
 How likes the Chriftian of our Perjtan warres ? 
 
 Sir Anth. As themfelues deferue, renowned Sophy: 
 Your Wars are manly, flout and honourable. 
 Your Armes haue no imployment for a coward : 
 Who dares not charge his courage in the field 
 In hardy ftrokes 'gainft his oppofed foe. 
 May be your Subjed:, not your Souldier. 
 Your Grace in this hath done mee too much honour, 
 Which would you licence mee but in part to pay 
 With fight of fuch warres as Chriftians vfe, 
 So farre as my fmall retinue will ferue. 
 He fhadow forth my Countries hardiment : 
 Thinke it a pifture which may feeme as great 
 As the fubftantiall felfe when layd vnto it 
 The compafle of the hand would couer it. 
 Your fauour and tis done, fo that your eyes 
 Will deigne to grace our feeming viftories. 
 
 Soph. You haue preuented vs in proffering it. 
 We had requefted elfe : our felfe will fit 
 And fo iuftly cenfure of your flate in field 
 
lO 
 
 That if yours beft deferue then ours fhall yeeld. 
 
 [Exeunt S. Anthonie^ Robert and the reft. 
 What powers do wrap mee in amazement thus ? 
 Mee thinks this Chriftian's more then mortall 
 Sure he conceales himfelfe : within my thoughts 
 Neuer was man fo deepely regiftred. 
 But God or Chriftian, or what ere he bee, 
 I wifh to be no other but as hee. 
 
 Halli. The Sophy dotes vpon this fellow already. 
 Call. Moft deuoutly ; we fhall haue his ftatue 
 
 ereded. in our Temple fhortly. 
 Halli. He nere pray againe if it be. 
 Call. Hearke, they come : weele note how the 
 
 Sophy will grace them. 
 Halli. It (hall not pleafe me be it nere fo good. 
 \A Chriftian hattell ftiowne betweene the two 
 Brothers; Robert driuen out, then enter 
 S. Anthonie and the reft with the other part 
 pri/oners. 
 \_Sop.'] Next Mortus Ally, and thofe Deities 
 To whom we Perfians pay deuotion, 
 We do adore thee : your warres are royal), 
 So ioyn'd with muficke that euen death itfelfe 
 Would feeme a dreame : your inftruments diflblue 
 A body into fpirit but to heare 
 Their cheereful Clamours ; and thofe your Engins 
 (We cannot giue their proper Chara<5ter) 
 Thofe lowd tongues that fpit their fpleene in fire. 
 Drowning the groanes of your then dying friends 
 And with the fmoake hiding the gafpe of life 
 
1 1 
 
 That you nere thinke of ought but vidory 
 
 Till all be won or loft, — we cannot praife 
 
 It well. But what meanes thofe in bondaore Co ? 
 
 D 
 
 Sir Ant. Thefe are our prifoners. 
 
 Soph. Why do they Hue ? 
 
 Sir Ant. In this I fhow the nature of our warres: 
 It is our clemencie in vidlorie 
 To fhed no bloud vpon a yeelding foe. 
 Sometimes we buy our friendes life with our foes ; 
 .Sometimes for Gold, and that hardens valour 
 When he that wins the honour gets the fpoile ; 
 Sometimes for torment we giue weary life ; 
 Our foes are fuch that they had rather die 
 Then to haue life in our Captivity. 
 
 Sop. We neuer heard of honour vntill now, 
 
 «S'/ryf«/. Yet haue we engins of more force then thefe. 
 When our ore-heated blouds would maftacre : 
 We can lay Citties leuell with the pauement, 
 Bandee vp Towers and turrets in the ayre 
 And on the Seas ore-whelme an Argofie. 
 Thefe are thofe Warriors. [Chambers go off. 
 
 Halli. Mahomet ! it thunders. 
 
 Sop. Sure this is a God. 
 
 Halli. Sure 'tis a Diuell, and Ime tormented to 
 fee him grac'd thus. 
 
 Sop. Firft teach me how to call thee ere I fpeake ; 
 I more and more doubt thy mortallity. 
 Thofe tongues do imitate the voice of heauen 
 When the Gods fpeake in thunder : your honours 
 And your qualities of warre [are] more then humane. 
 
12 
 
 If thou haft God-head, and difguif'd art come 
 To teach vs vnknowne rudiments of war, 
 Tell vs thy precepts and vvee'll adore thee. 
 
 Sir Ant. O let your Princely thoughts defcend 
 fo low 
 As my being's worth, think mee as I am: 
 No ftranger are the deedes I fhow to you 
 Then yours to mee. My Countrie's farre remote, 
 An Hand, but a handfull to the world, 
 Yet fruitful! as the meades of paradife; 
 Defenc'd with ftreames fuch as from Eden runne ; 
 Each port and entrance kept with fuch a Gard 
 As thofe you laft heard fpeake: there lines a Princefle 
 Royall as your felfe, whofe fubjedl I am 
 As thefe are to you. 
 
 Halli. As we .? comparifons ? 
 
 Sir Ant. So long as warre attempted our decay, 
 So ill repayd, we fo by heauen preferu'd, 
 That war no more dares look vpon our land. 
 All Princes league with vs, which caufeth vs 
 That wont to write our honours downe in bloud, 
 Cold and vnadiue. To feeke for imployment 
 Hither am I come, renowned Perfian : 
 My force and power is yours, fay but the word. 
 So againft Chriftians I may draw no fword. 
 
 Sop. With armes of love and adoration 
 I entertaine thee, worthy Chriftian, 
 And thinke me happyer in thy embrace 
 Then if the God of Battells fought for mee. 
 Thou fhalt be Generall againft the Turkes. 
 
^3 
 
 Call. Hee'll make him his heyre next. 
 
 Halli. He loofe my head firft. 
 
 Sop. A campe of equall fpirits to thy felfe 
 Would turne all Turkey into Perfta. 
 Let mee feaft vppon thy tongue I delight to heare 
 thee fpeake. 
 
 Halli. He interrupt yee. Ye Per/tan Gods, look on : 
 The Sophy will prophane your Deities, 
 And make an Idoll of a fugitive. 
 My Liege ! 
 
 Sop. You defcribe wonders. 
 
 Halli. He mindes me not. — My Liege ! 
 
 Sop. You trouble vs. 
 
 — And what's the difference twixt vs and you ? 
 
 Sir Ant. None but the greateft (mighty Perfian) : 
 All that makes vp this earthly Edifice 
 By which we are cald men is all alike ; 
 Each may be the others Anotomie ; 
 Our Nerves, our Arteries, our pipes of hfe. 
 The motiues of our fenfes all doe mooue 
 As of one Axeltree : our fhapes alike 
 One worke-man made vs all and all offend 
 That maker, all taft of interdided finne ; 
 Onely Art in a peculiar change 
 Each country fhapes as (he beft can pleafe^ them. 
 But that^s not all : our inward offices 
 Are moft at iar, would they were not (great Prince) ; 
 — Your fauour here if I out-ftrippe my boundes; — 
 
 • Quy. piece ? 
 
We liue and die, fuffer calamities, 
 Are vnderlings to ficknefTe, fire, famine, fword ; 
 We all are punifht by the fame hand and rod, 
 Our finnes are all alike ; why not our God ? 
 
 Enter Mejfenger. 
 
 Mejf. My Liege. 
 
 Sop. What makes thefe flaues fo bold to trouble 
 mee ? 
 Well, fir, now your fweating meflage. 
 
 MeJJ". The Turkes haue gathered power. 
 
 Sop. So haue we. 
 
 MeJf. Thofe that retired from your laft vi6lory 
 haue mett frefh fupply, and all turne head vpon 
 your confines. 
 
 Sop. So haue we frefh fupply ; 
 Wee'U meete halfe way. Welcome againe, braue 
 
 Englifiiman : 
 Our befl: employment in this warre is thine. 
 For thy fake I do loue all Chriftians ; 
 Wee giue thee liberty of Confcience ; 
 Walke in our hand, thou haft pofl'eft our heart. 
 Away for warres ; we muft cut fliort our feafts, 
 Leaft that our foes proue our vnwelcome guefts. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 Enter the great 'Turkey with followers and a Bajha. 
 
 Turk. Stand, ftand ! our fury fwells fo high 
 We cannot march a foote ere it breake forth. 
 Oh thou inconftant fate whofe deadly wings 
 
15 
 
 Lifts thee like Faulcons vp to fall on Kings, <^ 
 On greater then on kings, for it ftrikes vs 
 To whom kings kneele, our potent power 
 Whom Judgement holds to bee inuinfible ; 
 Be ^ but a handfull of our enemies. 
 The Sophy and his troupes, are forc'd to flie. 
 Not daring to refift, fearing to die, 
 
 Bajf. Yet let the Sunne of Ottaman take ftrength. 
 Call vp his forces and ioyne war againe. Soft march 
 
 'Turk, Joyne warre againe we may, to fhow our 
 will, 
 But proue like thofe refift to their own ill. 
 Hearke, Bajfa^ how their voice of comming on 
 Speakes like the tongue of heauen, threatening - 
 Deftrudion to mankind when it pleafe. 
 
 Bajf. Yet let your bloud ^^ 
 
 Be like the Ocean troubled with the wind, ^^ 
 Rife till it dim the ftars ; fuch your high mind. 
 
 Turk. It fhall, it fhall ; we will hold calme no 
 longer : 
 Swell fea of fury till thefe Perjians^ ^ 
 
 Standing like trees vppon our circling bankes '^ 
 Be ouer-flowne : Men, wrath and bloud, 
 Meete like Earth, Fire and Ayre thats not withftood. 
 
 Enter the Sophy, Sir Anthony Sherley, Cujhan Hali- 
 heck^ AT. Robert Sherley^ Callymath in armes. 
 
 Sop. We thus confront thee. 
 ^ Quy. By but a handfull . . . we're forced to flie. 
 
^-d 
 
 L 
 
 / 
 
 i6 
 
 Turk. We thus anfwer thee. 
 
 Sop. Know, thou that calft thyfelfe a God on 
 Earth 
 wouldft haue nations ftoope to thee as men to 
 heauen, 
 
 I We are thus arm'd, I, and for this defence, 
 iTwixt God and Man to proue a difference. 
 
 Turk. Know, thou whofe power is but a wart to 
 mine, 
 If Earth haue good from Heauen, Hell power by 
 
 f nners, 
 If death be due to men as bliffe to Angells, 
 This Sunne at Chriftians weft fhall not fet true 
 Before thy life meete death, hell haue her due. 
 Sir Ant. Indure him not, Great Emperor. 
 Sof. Patience : 
 
 Know thou againe in this iuft warre I'me knit 
 With Chriftians and with fubiefts whofe warlike 
 
 armes 
 Like fteele rebates not, but like fire fhall flie 
 To burne thee downe whofe Prid's aboue the fkie. 
 Turk. Thy Chriftians I contemne like to their 
 
 God. 
 Sir Ant. Oh ! 
 [Turk.] They fhall haue graues like thee dif- '^ 
 honoured, 
 Vnfit for heauen or earth : this we prepare. 
 Betwixt them both weele feat you in the Ayre. 
 
 Sir Ant. Turke, Infidell thou thattalkft of Angells, 
 The Chroniclers of Heauen who in their regefter 
 
17 
 
 Record thee lining as a foule for hell ; 
 By Him that died for me, my paines fhal! fwet 
 Thefe poers to open but I will pay this debt ; 
 He vex them with my fword, and being pangd 
 With earthly torments fend them to be damn'd. 
 
 Turk, Wilt, Chriftian? Sir An t. Iflhuelwill, 
 As fure as day doth progrefs toward night : 
 In death of Pagans all Chrifts fonnes delight 
 And I am one of them. 
 
 Turk. Alarum then ! 
 
 Sir Ant. To fight with deuills loth'd of vertuous 
 men. 
 [Alarum^ retreat ; then enter Sir Anthonie with 
 his brother Robert^ hauing taken the Bajfa 
 prijoner. 
 
 Sir Ant. Our Patron the great Sophy hath the 
 worft. 
 Yet I haue taken this BaJfa from the Turkes. 
 Stir not, thou fon of Ifmael^ or thou dieft : 
 Young Robin and my brother, tho as yet 
 Th' art but a nouice in this fchoole of death 
 And fcarfly red in martiall difcipline : 
 As thou haft a great fpirit or wouldft fhewe 
 That thou art fprung from aged Sherlies loynes, 
 Approue it now, keepe this prifoner for me, 
 Loofe rather life then leaue him ; if he fcape 
 Tis not by cowardife but by mifhap. 
 
 Rob. And if I do not. 
 From all our Anceftors moft worthy rowle 
 Be my name blotted, and from heauen my foule. 
 
X 
 
 i8 
 
 Ant. I thanke thee by my troth : ile to the 
 
 battaile 
 To faue the So-phy preft with muhitudes 
 And refcue him or die, fure without doubt : 
 Our Hues are lighted tapers that muft out. \Exit. 
 Rob. Come, 'Turke^ I am made your Jailor & in 
 
 thefe chaines 
 To which thou art bond-man who dares fetch thee 
 
 out? 
 I could haue wifht myfelfe in thick of danger 
 •When men drop downe for graues like raine from 
 
 heauen, 
 
 But that my brother councelled otherwife, 
 Who is my fchoole-maifter in thefe deffeignes. 
 He fwelles for honor like a Chriftian 
 Againft Chriftes foes, leauing mee heere 
 To keepe thee prifoner, purchafe of his fword ; 
 And come thy Father, thats the deuill, I'urke^ 
 To be thy refcue, tho he fight in fire, 
 Rather then loofe thee, by the king of ftarres, 
 lie part with life, make this a pile of fcarres. 
 
 Enter Haly. 
 
 Hal. Refigne thy prifoner, youthful! Englifhman ; 
 His life; thy vidlory is due to vs, 
 By the cuflom of our nation. 
 
 Rob. Is it fo, my Lord ? 
 
 Hal. It is : 
 Let it fuffice thee that I fay it is. 
 Tis grace enough that thou haft made him Captiue: 
 
19 
 
 His head fhal be the honour of our fword ; 
 And thus I ceafe on it. 
 
 Rob. You may, my Lord. 
 
 Hal. Thou fhalt haue fouldiers pay, good words 
 for deeds ; 
 Not haue the honor to prefent his head : 
 That Trophes due to Cufhan Halybeck. 
 
 Rob. Then Cufhan Halybeck muft haue this 
 prifoner ? 
 
 Hal. I muft, I will ; who dare deny him me ? 
 
 Rob. Not I, a Sherley dare not deny a Perfian. 
 
 Haly. Bajfa. BaJJ. What fayft thou, Halybeck ? 
 
 Hal. Seefl thou this blade ? 
 
 Bajf. I do, but feare it not : 
 
 Cuftom of tirany betwixt our nations 
 Hath made mee not fo much amaf 'd of thee 
 As by a ftranger that did Conquer mee. 
 
 Hal. This fteele fhal glafe itfelf within thy bloud 
 And blunt his keene edge with thy Turkijh bones ; 
 This point fhall tilt itfelfe within thy fcull 
 And beare it as birds fly twixt vs and heauen ; 
 And as thy blood fhall ftreame along this blade 
 He laugh and fay, *For this our foes were made.* 
 
 Rob. Will the great Halie be fo tyrannous .'' 
 
 Hal. What bootes it thee to afke, or fit to know ? 
 
 Rob. He was my prifoner ; I had charge of him. 
 
 Hal. But now my prifoner, whoere conquered him, 
 Whofe life fhall pay his ranfome and his graue 
 Shall be i' the breft of Fowles as fits a flaue. 
 
 Rob. Twere good I fee 't not then. 
 
20 
 
 Hal. Ha ! Rob. So. Hal. How ! 
 
 Rob. Thus : 'twere good I fee 't not then. 
 Thefe hands were made his keeper by my brother, 
 Whofe fword fubdude him, gaue him prifoner 
 To mee. 
 
 Hal. To thee ? 
 
 Rob. To mee, Perfiany to mee. 
 
 Hal. Thus Eagles wings fhake off a buzzing FHe, 
 Pray, Turke, let thy heart figh & thine eyes weepe 
 That thus they goe to their eternall fleepe. 
 -^ Rob. Thou art better goe downe quick vnto thy 
 
 graue 
 Then touch him ; better abufe thy Parents, 
 Be thine owne murtherer, let thine owne bloud out 
 And feale therewith thine own damnation : 
 Better do all may tumble thee to hell 
 Then wrong him. 
 
 Hal. How, Chriftian ? 
 
 Rob. Thus, Pagan : hee's my Prifoner, 
 And heres the key that locks him in thefe chaines : 
 Refcue, releafe or hurt him if thou dareft. 
 
 Hal. Dare? 
 
 Rob. Dare : 
 
 Stare out thine eye-balls, I outdare thee to 't ; 
 Or let thy hand wrong but a haire on's head, 
 This hand meates out thy graue where thou doeft 
 tread. 
 
 Hal. Your will fhalbe our maifter : weele obey 
 you. Sir. 
 
 Rob. Your fwords not tilted then within his fcull ? 
 
21 
 
 Hal. Our nations cuftome fhalbe awd by you. 
 Rob. Nor borne as birds do flie twixt vs and 
 
 heauen ? 
 Hal. We will become your flaues and kneele to 
 
 you. 
 Rob. Hee's not your prifoner then, whoeuer 
 
 conquered him? 
 Hal. Weele be your dogs and fawne, and curfe 
 
 our fate : 
 When vpftarts nobles braue wretched's the ftate. 
 Rob. But 'tis more woe in realmes when mans 
 
 defarts 
 Are fpurnd or ftolne then worne in cowards hearts. 
 Hal. YetjEnglifh Chriftian, this be fure He keepe : 
 The Sunn's heates waking when 'tis thought afleepe. 
 
 Aflourijh : Enter the Sophie^ Sir Anthonie and 
 Calimath. 
 
 Sop. Thy valour hath commanded vs the day : 
 Braue Englifhman, we thanke thee, & by a peace 
 
 concluded, 
 BaJJa^ we ranfomlefle returne thee to thy maifter : 
 His valour that fubdued thee weele reward 
 With fauour and with bounty. And now to counfell ; 
 Where weele determine of your motion 
 Made of a league twixt vs and Chriftendome. 
 
 Hal. A league with Chriftendome ! 
 
 Cal. He hath aduifd him too't : ha patience, 
 brother. 
 
22 
 
 Sop. V the eye of heauen we fweare, without 
 offence 
 Weele heare what inftaiices you can produce 
 How fuch a league may be aduantage to vs. 
 Sit, fit, to heare and fpeake as free ; 
 Without controule 'tis we giue hbertie. 
 Concerning then our peace with Chriftian Princes ? 
 
 Sir Ant. To ioyne with them, great Emperor, you 
 fhall be 
 A Captaine for the higheft, and in your warre 
 Have Angels hands to guard and fight for you. 
 Religious men fhall weare their bended knees 
 Euen to the bone, in ceafelefTe prayers for you ; 
 To whofe continuall kneelings, teares and fighes 
 Heauen's eares be neuer fhut but do receiue 
 Their foules devotion ; makes the clouds to cleere. 
 And thus difpatcheth each peticioner : 
 ' Who fights for vs I'le be their comforter.' 
 White headed age then with their hearts like youth 
 Goe boldly to the field ; Infants at fuck 
 Crie as they thought it long ere they were men ; 
 Then Chriflian Princes ioyne their hands with yours 
 And fweep their feuerall nations to a heape 
 With one defire to number out their men. 
 Knowing who fight for heauen each fouldier's ten, 
 And euery hand is free in fhedding bloud 
 Since tis to wafh the euill from the good. 
 
 Sop. What honour may this warre accrue to us ? 
 
 Sir Ant. Honour to your namejbiifTe to your foule. 
 
 Hall. Difhonour vnto both, my foueraigne. 
 
23 
 
 Shall you whofe empire for thefe thoufand yeares 
 
 Haue giuen their adoration to the funne, 
 
 The filuer moone and thofe her cowntlefle eyes 
 
 That like fo many feruants wait on her, 
 
 Forfake thofe lights perpetually abide 
 
 And kneele to one that liu'd a man and died ? 
 
 Cal. Or fhall our facred Soueraigne forget 
 Yon meanes by which his Anceftors did rife 
 And had the name of Perjian Emperors ? 
 
 Hall. What can this Englifli Chriftian fay that 
 they receiue 
 Of gift, of comfort, riches or of life 
 Vnto the deity that he adores, 
 That we enioy not from that glorious Lampe ? 
 
 Sir Ant. Enough to make a Pagan, if a man 
 Of vnderftanding foule, turne Chriftian. 
 
 Hall. Our God giues vs this light by which we fee. 
 
 Sir Ant. And our God made that light by which 
 you fee : 
 Then who can this deny, if not a Turke, 
 The maker is ftill better then his worke "i 
 
 Sop. What fruit, what food, what good to men 
 doth flow 
 But by our Gods created and doth growe ? 
 
 Sir Ant. I grant the Sunne a vegetatiue foule 
 Giues to all fruites of the earth, hearbes,plants and trees ; 
 And yet but as a feruant fwayed by him 
 Made Men like Angels and controuleth fin. 
 
 Hall. Our King of day and our fayre Queene of 
 nights 
 
24 
 
 Walke ouer vs with their perpetual! lights. 
 To fee wee fhould not want and to defend vs : 
 Her raine with deawes doth all our fruites adorne 
 Which in his rife are offered to his throne : 
 He warmes, fhe waters ; and to them as due 
 Our knees we giue, all other Gods efchew. 
 
 Sir Ant. Then all your hues are but to meete a 
 death 
 That keepes you dying and yet neuer dead ; 
 And he that fpeakes in thunder, and whofe brow 
 Is now contra6l to here his name denyed, 
 Hath vengeance in his hand to ftrike you downe ; 
 Yet with a fmile he doth wipe of his frowne, 
 And fpares in hope : yet he ftores vp his doome 
 That plagues heaptvp fall waightieft when they come. 
 You then, that fcourge my Sauiour with your wordes, 
 My fword hath no afllftance for; nor this arme 
 A growing ftrength to beare in your defence. 
 Great Emperor, for your fauors here's a friend 
 Should do you manly feruice in your warres 
 Did not fo iuft a caufe compell mee hence : 
 Now back I goe vpholden in this good, 
 In my Gods caufe I ha fhed fome pagans bloud. 
 
 Sop. Stay, worthy Englifhman & worthy 
 Chriftian ; 
 We cannot loofe a mowld of fo much worth. 
 What is the end thy fute would haue of vs ? 
 
 Sir Ant. That you by Ambafly make league with 
 Chriftendom 
 1/ And all the neighboring Princes bordering here, 
 
25 
 
 And craue their general ayd againft the Turke, 
 Whofe grants no doubt of: fo fhall your Grace 
 Enlarge your Empire lyuing, and being gon 
 Be called the Champion for the holieft one. 
 Thefe armes fhall do you credite, and if I 
 Mifcarry then tis happy fo to die. 
 
 Sop. Thy counfell we accept and do applaud it. 
 Aduife vs then, ye friends of Perfta^ 
 Who's fitteft in our power to vndertake 
 A bufinefle of fo great import as this. 
 
 Call. Who better then the Councellor, my Lord, 
 Being both a Chriftian and a Souldier, 
 Whom if men enuied could not but commend .? 
 And him we'll ^ now preferre as you aduife, 
 And grace him forth fuch an Ambaflador 
 As neuer went fro Perjian Emperor. 
 
 Hall. Yet were it requifite, my noble Lord, 
 Some man of worth were ioynd along with him : 
 'Twould giue more countenance to his deffeignes. 
 
 Call. Good ; thats the way to choke him. 
 
 Hall. So fhall your bufinefle fooneft take effed. 
 The caufe be heard, he had in chiefe refpedl. 
 
 Sop. Thy counfaile we accept, and order thee 
 As the fitft friend to beare him companie. 
 Late Sherley knight, now Lord AmbafTador, 
 Chi[e]fe in commiffion with Duke Halibeck 
 To make a League twixt vs and Chriftendome 
 For furtherance of iharpe warre againft the Turke, 
 
 ^ 4to. will. 
 D 
 
26 
 
 He fend thee forth as rich as euer went 
 
 The proudeft Troian to a Grecians tent. 
 
 Call thy beft eloquence into thy tongue 
 
 That ['t] may preuaile with Princes : if thou fpeed, 
 
 The Chriftians' bee the honour while Turk.es bleed. 
 
 Sir Ant. My vtterance is too fhort for fitting 
 thanks. 
 
 Sop. And to approue wee'll not forget thee abfent, 
 Call here the brother of the AmbafTador. 
 
 '\Enter Robert, 
 Thy place of Generall given thee in our warres 
 From thee wee thus take of and here beftow. 
 
 Hall, Hart, how thefe honours make me hate 
 thefe Chriftians. 
 
 Call. Poyfon findes time to burft, and fo fhal 
 ours. 
 
 Sof. Though yong I haue feene thee valiant ; ftill 
 deferue 
 And ftill be honoured : then this charge forget not. 
 That in thy battells thou preferue no foe 
 Vnto our Nation, or for loue or wealth. 
 So proue vidlorious while within our eye 
 Thy felfe art gracious, ftayres to feat thee high. 
 
 JR-oh. If to fpend bloud may make me honourable 
 I will be thrifty, yet a prodigal. 
 
 Hall. Enough : 
 Your plots ftiall be to try his fteps at home, 
 Let me alone to fincke his hopes abroad. 
 So let vs part, at parting only this ; 
 Vnto my deareft Miftrifte giue this iewell : 
 
27 
 
 Say that to leaue her here I go from hence 
 Like one thats banifht and for no offence. 
 
 Call. He find fit time to tell your griefs to her. 
 
 Sir Ant. That in my bufineffe I will faithfull bee 
 I leaue my brother as a pledge for mee. 
 
 Sop. You ftraight fhall be difpatcht to leauy 
 forces : 
 You as befits be furnifht on your way. 
 But firfl: in full cups weele euery other greet 
 That at next meeting we may profperous meete. 
 
 \_Exeunt. 
 
 Enter the Sophies Neece and her Maide. 
 
 Neece. Dalibra. Dal. Madam. 
 
 Neece. Give me thy bofom : what doft thou 
 thinke of the two Englifh brothers ? 
 
 Dal. I thinke, Madam, if they be as pleafant in 
 taft as they are fayre to the eye, they are a difh 
 worth eating. 
 
 Neece. A Caniball, Dalibra ? Wouldfl: eate men ? 
 
 Dal. Why not, Madam ? fine men cannot choofe 
 but bee fine meate. 
 
 Neece. I, but they are a filling meat. 
 
 Dal. Why, fo are moft of your fweet meats ; but 
 if a woman haue a true appetite to them they'le 
 venter that. 
 
 Neece. Ide not be free of that company of Ven- 
 turers. 
 
 Dal. What, tho their voyages bee fomewhat 
 dangerous ? they are but ihort : thei'le finifh one of 
 
28 
 
 their voyages in forty weekes, and within a month 
 after hoift faile and too 't againe for another. 
 
 Neece. You fayle cleane from the Compafle, Da- 
 libra : I onely queftiond you about the Chriftians 
 habites and behauiors, 
 
 Dal. Thats like their conditions, very ciuill and 
 comely. 
 
 Neece. I, but they are ftrangers, Dalibra. 
 
 Dal. Strangers ? I fee no ftrangenefle in them : 
 they fpeake as well or, rather, better then our owne 
 countrymen ; and I make no queftion can do as wel 
 if it came once to execution. 
 
 Neece. There valour fhowen in the late ouer- 
 throwe of the Turkes feales that for currant. 
 
 Dal. And yet there are fome about the Sophy 
 your vncle that looke with a fullen brow vpon them. 
 
 Neece. I hold them the more worthy for that : 
 For enuie & malHce are alwaies ftabbing at the 
 bofome of worth, when folly and cowardife walke 
 vp and downe in reguardles fecurity ; and heere 
 comes one of them. 
 
 Enter Calymath. 
 
 Cal. Health to your Ladyfhip ! 
 
 Neece. In wine or beere, my Lord .? 
 
 Cal. In a full bofome of loue, Madame. 
 
 Neece. I pledge no loue healthes, my Lord. But 
 from whence ift ? If I like the party my maide 
 fhall take it for me. 
 
29 
 
 Cal. From my great brother, warlike Halibecky 
 That makes your loue the marke of all his hopes. 
 
 Neece. Ime fory for him ; has mift his marke 
 then. But how did the two Englijh brothers beare 
 themfelues in the battell ? 
 
 Cal. Indeede they tooke fome ftragling runna- 
 gates, 
 Poore heartlefle fnakes that fcarce had ftrength to 
 
 crawle : 
 But had you feene the valiant Prince my brother — 
 
 Neece. Do anything worth note, I fhould com- 
 mend him fort. 
 Nor is the elder of the Englijh Sherlies 
 Imployd in AmbafTage to Chriftendome. 
 
 Cal. Onely for guide vnto my warlike brother, 
 But neither priuie to the bufinefle 
 Nor party ioyn'd in the commiffion. 
 
 Neece. Then fames a lier. 
 
 Cal. Madame, my brother doth commend him- 
 felfe. 
 
 Neece. He could do little and he cold not 
 comend himfelf : but who comes here ? 
 
 Enter Robert Sherley. 
 
 Dal. The younger brother of the SherleySy 
 madam. 
 
 Neece. Now by my hopes a goodly perfonage, 
 Compof'd of fuch a rich perfection 
 As valour feemes his feruant. — Ought with vs ? 
 
30 
 
 Rob. As feruants to thefe Lords, fubieds to kings, 
 Loue mixt with duety worthelefTe Sherley brings 
 To your high excellence. 
 
 Neece. From whence and whome ? 
 
 Rob. Worthy imployment hauing cald my 
 brother, 
 Your worthlefTe feruant to the Chriftian ftates, 
 Me has he made his trembling mefTenger 
 To bring his deare commends vnto your grace. 
 
 Neece. Which with no comon fauour we receiue, 
 
 [Kijfe her hand. 
 Our hand for his tri'd feruice and your owne : 
 Our loue in faire requitall fhalbe (howne. 
 
 Cat. Death to a Chriftian. 
 
 Neece. Neerer yet, more neerer. 
 
 Sher. I cannot. 
 
 Neece. Why ? 
 
 Sher. Your beauty fliines to cleere : 
 
 Let cloud-borne Eagles towre about your feate. 
 Suffice it me I profper by the heate. 
 
 Neece. The glorious Sunne of Perjia fhall enfufe 
 His ftrength of heate into thy generous veines 
 And make thee like himfelfe : in the meane time 
 Looke high ; finde feete, weele fet thee fteps to 
 clime. 
 
 Rob. I am high enough ; the Sherlies humble 
 ayme 
 Is not high Maiefty but honour'd Fame. 
 
 Neece. And that you both haue won, and with 
 the lofle 
 
31 
 
 Of your bed blouds do your high deeds ingrofle 
 In times large volume; where to Englands Fame 
 Ranckt with beft Warriers ftands brave Sherleys 
 
 name. 
 Methinkes your Country fhould growe great with 
 
 pride 
 To fee fuch branches fpring out of her fides ; 
 Your aged Father fhould grow young againe 
 To heare his fonnes liue in the friendly pen 
 Of kinde Antiquity : all Perfta fings 
 The Engli/h Brothers are Coe-mates for Kinges. 
 
 Rob. You overprize vs, madame, and report 
 Striuing to right vs doth our worthes much wronge. 
 Las ! we are men but meanely quallefi'd 
 To the rich worthies of our Engli/h foile ; 
 And fhould they heare what prodigall report 
 Giues out of vs, they would condemne vs for't ; 
 And though thefe parts would fweare vs innocent 
 Our Countrymen would count vs infolent, 
 For tis the nature of our Engli/h coaft 
 What ere we do for honour not to boaft. 
 
 Neece. You do your Country credite. 
 
 Rob. Honor'd princes, 
 
 The mighty Sophey your renowned vnckle 
 Expedls my feruice. \_Exit. 
 
 Neece. Fare thee well, good Sherlei : 
 
 Were thy religion — Wherefore flaies your honor ? 
 
 Cal. My brother — 
 
 Neece. Is imploy'd : pray begon. 
 
 Our thoughts are priuate and would talke alone. 
 
32 
 
 Cal. Slighted ! tis well, what I intend ile keepe ; 
 Revenge may flumber but fhall neuer fleepe. \_Exit. 
 
 Neece. But he is a Chriftian & his ftate to meane 
 To keepe euen wing with us : then die the thoughts 
 Of idle hope, be thy felf compleat ; 
 Great in defcent, be in thy thoughts as great. 
 
 Dal. What ? dreaming, madame ? 
 
 Neece. Yes, and my dreame was of the wander- 
 ing knight, Mneas. 
 
 Dal. O the true TCroian. 
 
 Neece. Yet hee playd falfe play with the kinde 
 hearted Queene of Carthage. 
 
 Dal. And what did you dreame of them ? 
 
 Neece. A very profEtable dreame, which tells me 
 that as ftrangers are amorous fo in the end they 
 proue dangerous, and like the induftrious Bee having 
 fuckt the luyce of forraine gardens they make wing 
 to their owne homes and there make merry with the 
 fraught of there aduentures. 
 
 Dal. Trobledwith the feare of fufpition, madame? 
 
 Enter Calimath. 
 
 Neece. Tis a difeafe very incident to our fex. But 
 who comes heere ? my old maladie ? 
 
 Cal. Madam, the Sophy your renowned vnckle 
 Expe6ts your company. 
 
 Neece. It may be fo. 
 
 Cal. Prefently, madam. 
 
 Neece. And that may be to. 
 
33 
 
 Cal. What to my mefTage ? 
 Neece. Why, you may begonne. 
 
 Cal. This is no anfwere. 
 
 Neece. Why, then looke for none. 
 
 Cal. I hope for better. 
 
 Neece. This is all you get ; 
 
 I cannot come, excufe me by your wit. 
 Cal. Cannot, nor will not. 
 
 Enter Robert S her ley. 
 
 Rob. Honorable princes. 
 
 The mighty Sophey craues your company. 
 
 Neece. Inftantly, S her ley. — My huge honor'd 
 Lord 
 If your all-lauded brother Halybeck 
 Would ought of loue with us, giue it our maide. 
 She knowes our minde, and you may fooner haft — 
 When Emperours call we cannot flie to faft. [Exeunt. 
 
 Cal. Then, madam 
 
 Dal. Nay, good my Lord, if you would ought 
 with me deliuert to my boy I muft obferue my Ladie. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Boy. If you would any thing with mee tell it to 
 the poaft : I muft go play againe at fhittle-cocke. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Cal. Life a difgrace! deluded to my teeth ! 
 Liues my great brother in fo meane refpedt ? 
 By Mortus Aly and our Perjian Gods 
 The Sophy ftiall haue note on't ; if he pawfe 
 To take reuenge, no more, — ile put the caufe 
 
To fteeles arbitrament : Reuenge and Death 
 Like flaues ^ attend the fword of Calymath. 
 
 Enter Chorus. 
 
 Time that vpon his wreftlefTe wings Conueies 
 Howers, daies and yeares ; we muft intreat you 
 
 think 
 By this hath borne our worthy Trauailor 
 Toward Chriftendom as far as RufTia : 
 In his affayres with him's gon Halibeck 
 Who feemes with friendly fteps to tread with him, 
 But in his heart lurkes^enuy like -a Snake, 
 Who hurts them fleeping whom he feares awake. 
 rOur Storie then fo large we cannot giue N 
 
 \V11 things in ads, we fhould intreat them liue) 
 By apprehenfion in your iudging eyes 
 Onely for taft : before their AmbafTy 
 Had time of hearing with the Emperor, 
 Great Haly trayteroufly fuggefts againft him 
 Of his low birth, bafe manners and defeats ; 
 Which being faftned in their credulous eares. 
 How he was welcome by this ihow appeares. 
 
 Enter in Jiate the Emperor of RuJJia^with three or 
 foure hordes to him^ Sir Anthonie and Haly. S. 
 Anthony offering to kiffe his hand is dijgracd and 
 
 4to. like flander. The very obvious corrcftion is made 
 by Dyce, in a MS. note to his copy preferved in the 'D)ce 
 Colledion ' at South Kcnfington. 
 
35 
 
 Haly accepted^ the Emperor dijpofing theyraffayres 
 to the Counjell^ Exeunt. 
 
 Onely Sir Anthony at the going out of the reji fpeakes. 
 
 Sir Ant. Stay and refolue, you Councellors of 
 State, 
 What caufe, negledls or what ofFence of ours 
 Makes this difgrace weare fuch a publicke habit ? 
 
 Hal. Sherley, thy felfe, that art a Fugitue, 
 A Chriftian fpy, a Pirate and a Theefe. 
 
 Sir Ant. O Halibeck, 
 Whom my great Maifter^ made Coe-mate with mee — 
 
 Hal. As candles lighted to burne out themfelues. 
 He gaue thee grace as parent to difgrace : 
 His wifdome there held thee vnfit for life 
 Yet fent thee hither neere thy Chriftian floore 
 That falling there thy ftiame might bee the more. 
 
 Sir Ant. O treafon, when thou bearft the higheft 
 wing 
 Thy tongue feemes oyly with a venomous fting. 
 I ftand not, Lords, to purge his euidence 
 Nor to accufe his flander : thefe blufheleiTe papers 
 Which his Imperyall Maifter made to me 
 Or quit me or condemne mee : if I looke red, 
 Tis my hearts die with anger not with dread. 
 
 Lor. Your letters weele aduife on ; in the meane 
 time 
 We take you to our charge as prifoner : 
 
 ' 4to. Mai. 
 
36 
 
 If faire we finde your caufe and without ruft 
 Such fhall your fentence be, vpright and iuft. 
 
 j4nt. How ere come death tis innocence delight ; 
 Tho the world fpot her yet her face is white. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Lord. Thus by your information haue we done 
 Our luftice on that ftranger gentleman: 
 Your Princely felfe we do intreate to feaft 
 Till leafure can conclude your bufinefle. 
 
 Hal. Which in our maifters name we thanke you 
 for.— 
 Now droopes the Chriftians honour nere to rife, 
 And in his fall enuy hath wafht her eies. [Exeunt, 
 
 Enter Chorus. 
 
 Cho. Sir Anthony S her ley was imprifoned, 
 And Cufhan Halybeck in royall fort 
 Had intertainement with the Rujfian ; 
 During which time his counfell with aduice 
 Had read his letter by the Per/tan fent, 
 Sufpedled (by the commendation giuen 
 Of his approued worth in war and peace, 
 And his authority affeign'd to them) 
 That all fugeftions from the others tongue 
 Were enuies bolts that fpares not whom to wrong. 
 Yet, to make ftrong their cenfure, they ftraight fent 
 For the Englifh agent and for Englifh marchants, 
 Where after queftion of his life and birth 
 They found him fprung from honourable ftock. 
 And that his countrie hopes in time to come 
 
37 
 
 To fee him great, though enuied of feme. 
 
 They fo refolued their Maifter. — How he left the 
 
 Court ^ i<^^^s 
 
 To pleafe your eyes wee in this (hew report. 'T'^ <" <^^ 
 
 [J /hew. 
 Thus grac'd by the Mujcouian Emperor 
 Enuy grew ftill more ranke in Halys heart ; 
 Yetj both difpatcht on their diffeignes in hand, 
 Time now makes {hort their way, and they at Rome 
 In ftate are brought before his holinejffe: 
 Where what fucceeded for the former grudge 
 Giue you vs leaue to ihew, take leaue to iudge. 
 
 \_A/hew. 
 
 Enter the Pope and his Cardinals. \ 
 
 Pope. With greateft pompe, magnificence and 
 ftate. 
 To the adoration of all dazeled eyes, 
 We do intend the AmbafTadors once come 
 Shall haue a hearing, feafting and then welcome. 
 Difcend, O brother-hood of Cardinals, 
 And all the holy orders that attend vs. 
 And let your dihgence approoue your care 
 To bring them to our prefence in Peters chaire. 
 
 All. Your HolineiTe fhall haue your will obayd. 
 
 Pope. If to the aduancement of Gods Church and 
 Saints 
 The tennor of their Ambaflage appeares, 
 They fhall haue all our furtherance, prayers and 
 teares. 
 
38 
 
 Sir Ant. Peace to the Father of our Mother 
 Church, 
 The ftayre of mens faluations and the key 
 That bindes or loofeth our tranfgreflions. 
 Pope. The vertue of your EmbafTy ? go on. 
 Sir Ant. Thefe papers be the precepts taught my 
 tongue, 
 The force of whofe infcription runneth thus: 
 That Chriftian Princes would lend leuell ftrength 
 To curbe the infulting pride of Paganifme ; 
 And you, the mouth of heauen, aduertife them 
 To ioyne their bodies to an able arme 
 That, as aboue's fterne vengeance for heauens foes. 
 So men (heauens friends) fhould feeke their ouer- 
 throws. 
 Fope. Afcend, my fonne ; the furtherance of this 
 right 
 Commands our confcience, is our foule's delight. 
 Sir Ant. Downe for thy pride and for the wrong 
 thou didft me ! 
 This place admits not thine vnhallowed feete. 
 And heart being treafon's, fondlie climbe vnto it. 
 Hal. Euen ftep by ftep, whereas this bufines 
 tends. 
 My place admits me and my feete afcends. 
 
 Sir Ant. But Phaeton for climing had a fall. 
 And fo fhalt thou damnation prooue withall. 
 
 Pope. Refraine therefore, and whatere you are. 
 If you were Kings as but Kings minifters 
 Thinking by priuiledge of your affaires 
 
39 
 
 Your outrage hath a freedome, you are decerned: 
 For» as vncheckt the winds command the feas, 
 The beft fhall fhake, our might'mefTe difpleafd. 
 
 Sir Ant. Pardon, Dread Father, that my heate of 
 blood 
 Tooke from me the remembrance of the place 
 Wherein all knees fhould ftoope, no hand offend, 
 And this repentance for remiilion plead ; 
 RafhnefTe doth make the obedient be deceiued. 
 Nor waft fo much my wrongs in RuJJia^ 
 Wherein his flander made me prifoner. 
 Remember me to take reuenge on him. 
 As that his Pagan feete fhould dare to clime 
 Where none but Chriflians knees fhould, and ^ then 
 
 mine 
 Much lefTe admit him haue the vpper way 
 From men whofe foules feare them whom we obay. 
 
 Pope. Chriftian, thy name ; that in this regifter 
 To honor thee we may remember it. 
 
 Sir Ant. Sherlye, a Chriftian and a Gentleman, 
 A Pilgrim Souldier and an Englifhman. 
 
 Pope. For all thefe ftiles we loue and honor thee. 
 And in thy affaires will fo effedlually 
 Deale for thee in our name to Chriflian Princes, 
 They fhall fo honor thee that thou fhalt back 
 With powers fo ftrong whofe fight makes Turky fhake. 
 
 Sir Ant. Heauen fhall gaine foules thereby. Re- 
 ligion glory. 
 
 ^ The text feems hopeleflly corrupt. 
 
40 
 
 Pope. Firft to Saint Angela thus hand in hand, 
 Then counfell, to make Chriftian Turkifh land. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Cho. Our Traueller here's feafted, banquets done. 
 And he with letters is difpatcht from Rome 
 Vnto the States of Venice ; Juppofe him there 
 Where we will leaue him, and intreate your thoughts 
 To think their eyes tranfported and they fee 
 Sir 'Thomas Sherleys following miferie. 
 From England by defire to fee his brother, 
 With fome few fhips, well-mand & well prouided, 
 Suppofe him now at fea, where with crofle windes 
 (Vnequall to his merits and his hopes) 
 He long remaind : at laft in Italy 
 In the great Duke of Florence Court he is arriu'd, 
 Feafted and honoured. From thence, being fur- 
 
 nifht 
 With all things fitting for a profperous voyage, 
 He is come vnto the Straights of Gibralter ; 
 Then to Legorne^ then to the Duke of Tujcan^ 
 Where diuers Merchants did corrupt his men 
 Againft his courfe, and made them mutinous; 
 Which to appeafe they put to Sea againe. 
 And being in fight of the Ifle of Siftly 
 Two of his fhips forfooke him, and he with one 
 Is come to leo in the Turkes dominion. 
 This latter warning me fro fpeech doth breake ; 
 
 [// Chamber Jhot of. 
 
Suppofe him landed heere himfelfe to fpeake. 
 
 \Exit. 
 
 Enter Sir Thomas Sherley with Jailers and followers. 
 
 Sir Tho.^ Welcome a fliore, a fhore, welcome a 
 ^ / %1-e; ^ / ^ >^ / . 
 Forget the pad a^uentur^s, thinke that the Seas 
 Plaj^'d '^ith vs b^ut as great men do a land ; 
 Hurld vs now vp, th~en downe ; liad roome to tofTe, 
 And fed their pleafures though to others lofle. 
 Beleeue that all misfortunes are like thirft 
 That makes your drinke tafte fweeter when it comes : 
 For me, as you are, fo am I a little pile 
 Of earth, flim'd earth, and haue no greater ftile^^ — ^ 
 Then you haue, but a man ; and if your blood 
 Haue the fame heate as mine, weele neuer back 
 Vnto our mother countrie but our ftreame 
 Shall loofe his vitall way or be a theame 
 Vnto our fanguine brothers how to raife 
 F(xans of Triumphes in our vertues praife ; 
 Or els, euen here, this be our fatall lot, 
 Weele dye vnknowne, fo buried and forgot. 
 
 Cap. While we haue life euen gainft this rockie 
 
 towne 
 Weele finde vs graues in ftones or beate it downe. 
 Say. You are our Generall, and with you weele 
 
 ftand: 
 Who feare not fea-ftormes (hrinke not being a land. 
 Sir I'ho. I thanke you all ; be but your adions 
 
 thus, 
 
 F 
 
 "-^ 
 
 s 
 
42 
 
 Men fhall not fright vs nor this lofty towne, 
 Built vpon ftony hills to out-face the cloudes. 
 Be able to amaze vs, but the men 
 That keepe thofe walls fhall perifh though^ not then. 
 Then, Maifter Gunner, inftead of another parlee 
 Go let a peice of Ordenance fummon them. 
 
 Say. I goe. \_Exit. 
 
 Sir Tho. The reft make good this ground, while 
 that myfelfe 
 At their walls fide will queftion them to yeeld : 
 
 [A Chamber Plot of. 
 Mercy weele offer, which if they deny. 
 In the fame houre they do refift they die. 
 This tongue proclaimes to them we are hether come 
 With Souldiars hands that bring deftru6lion 
 To them and their fenc'd towne, if they hold out. 
 Our felfe will take their Anfwer : ift be prowd 
 The fpoile is yours, the earths for them a fhroud. 
 Arme then, as I do. 
 
 Ca-p. Tis for hope of wealth. 
 
 Sayl. And Pagans glories to inrich vs with. 
 
 Sir Tho.'^ At my returne weele fight to purchafe 
 gould. 
 Or tak't with eafe, which hope makes cowards bould. 
 
 \_Exit. 
 
 ^ Again the text is corrupt: ' Jhrink not then,' or fomething 
 of the kind, would be intelligible, but the repetition of' then' 
 in the following line is fufpicious. 
 
 2 4to. Jntko. 
 
43 
 
 Cap. But whofe too venterous, generalls fhould 
 In fteed of gold may meete his ouerthrow : [know, 
 For tell mee, faylors and my fellow mates, 
 What gaine may be expe6led, from this towne 
 That we fhould venter for ? nay, what from him 
 We terme our generall of worth or rule 
 More then we him enabled in our felues ? 
 
 Sayl Why fpeakes the Captain thus? 
 
 Cap. That mifchifes fhould be fhund ere they['re] 
 begun, 
 And we our felues voide danger ere vndun : 
 For what, be thinke yourfelues, in all our voyage 
 What profperous howre hath giuen incouragement 
 To make our hopes looke cheerefull ? what haue 
 
 wee had 
 But ficknefTe, fea-ftormes and contrarious windes ? 
 And what can we expedl here being landed. 
 Should but the hardy enemy come and defcend. 
 But wretched flauery and at laft our end? 
 
 Sayl. But how can we preuent it, being here 
 And to performe this voyage bound with him ? 
 
 Cap. Why, leaue him here and take our fel ves to fea 
 And euery man be Captaine of himfelfe ; 
 Where what pillage we can make our pray 
 Twill be our owne, and we to none obay. 
 
 Seru. Degenerous man, 
 So big of boane and yet fo bafe of minde 
 To counfell againft him fo good to thee : ' 
 
 * 4to. fo good then. 
 
44 
 
 What tho our fortune with vngentle hand 
 Hath croft his enterprife and aftions, 
 Canft thou to him whofe bounty gaue thee meanes, 
 Preferment, grace, beyond thy merits worth, 
 Poyfon thy felfe and make thy tongue a fting 
 Againft his life that giues thy fortunes wing ? 
 Cap. Whats done is paft ; times were, fortunes 
 to come ; 
 And to repay fomtimes to fpeake ' is dum. 
 Then fpeake, my hearts ; if that my motion pleafe, 
 Hoyft failes, my maifters, and againe to feas. 
 Sayl. A Captain, a Captain ! 
 Gunner. S[t]ay ; whether fly you, feeble mates, 
 in ftreames 
 "When I am come to haue you bring reliefe 
 Vnto our general thats oppreft by th' Turkes ? 
 All. To fea, to fea ! 
 Gunner. To fea ? for what? 
 And leaue our generall in diftrefle a land ? 
 The Turkes^ that at my fummons gaue their othes 
 To hold an howers parlie, breake their word. 
 Come valiently vpon him ; fouldierlike 
 He hath refifted till his faftned hike 
 Was bladleflb in his hand : nothing now reftes 
 But prefent refcue or a prefent death. 
 
 Cap.^ Death vnto him that feekes it ; we will fly 
 
 ' We fhould get a glimmer of fenfe by reading * fometimes, 
 too, fpcach is dum.' 
 2 4to. Seru. 
 
45 
 
 For certaine fauegard : wife fecurity 
 
 Seekes fhelter ere the ftorm can trouble. 
 
 To fea, my mates, then ! Inne you muft with vs ; 
 
 Denyall ferues not, nor refiftance neither ; 
 
 They are beft in healthe can fet them to the weather. 
 
 And fo to fea ! [^Exeunt. 
 
 All. To fea ! to fea ! 
 
 Seru. Bafe villaines Fates, 
 
 Vnpartiall fates to fpin their hues this length 
 Who leaue their Maifter and fhould be his ftrength. 
 
 Enter Sir 'Thomas Sherky. 
 
 Sir Tho. Friends, fouldiers, faylors ! 
 A refcue or I am taken prifoner ! 
 
 Seru. Booteles you call, Sir; their vnconftant faith 
 Is fled from you. [A noife within. 
 
 Sir Tho. Ha ! 
 
 Seru. Harke, they way anchor, get your fhips to 
 fea 
 And leaue you to mens tirany a land. 
 They in one knot are knit, and onely I 
 Stay here, as you, how ere to hue or die. 
 
 Sir Tho. I thanke thee ; lefTe I cannot giue thee. 
 Fate doe thy worft ; my courage takes no flight, 
 But heere keepes court though my crofl"e defl:ines 
 fight. 
 
 Enter four e Turkes. 
 
 1 Turke. Follow, follow, follow ! 
 
 2 Turke. A Chriftian, a Chriftian ! 
 
46 
 
 Sir T/w. Though weaponlefle I am left, with 
 
 thef^ ile fight. 
 Seru. In what I may ile fhew my beft of might. 
 [Heere they fight ; Sir T'homas being weaponle/fe 
 defends himjelfe with ft ones ; at laji being 
 oppreft with multitudes his Jeruant flees 
 and he is taken. 
 Turk, So beare him prifoner to Conftantinople 
 To be examined of the Emperor. 
 
 Sir Tho. Euen where you will, if to my ouerthrow ; 
 My mind is high, he my head nere fo lowe. 
 
 \Exeunt, 
 
 Enter Jeruant againe. 
 
 Seru. I will not leaue you, Maifter, fince I haue 
 fcapt 
 From their furprifall, but with my beft indeauor 
 Will ftriue to fee what fhall become of you. 
 If worfe then I could wifti ile forrow for't ; 
 If in my meanes to helpe ile comfort it. [Exit. 
 
 Alarum ; enter Robert and other Perflans with 
 Victories. 
 
 \ Rob. My thank.es to heauen that ouerlookt this 
 
 day. 
 And thus hath ayded with an hoft deuine 
 The feeble remnants of vs thy herralds 
 That ftial proclaime thy name throughout the world 
 And weare this badge of courage on our brefts 
 Joynd with a motto calling on thy name : 
 
47 
 
 This fhall redouble Valour when it faints, 
 This faies our bloud can be no better fhed 
 Then in that blouds behalfe that died this red. 
 Lets now recount our Vi6lorie to day : 
 What prifoners haue we taken ? 
 
 Per. Betweene thirty and forty of their chiefe 
 comanders. 
 
 Rob. Betweene thirty and forty of their chiefe 
 comanders ! 
 We are now here the Perjian fubftitute \^ 
 
 And cannot vfe our Chriftian clemencie 
 To fpare a life. Off with all their heads ! 
 Speake, do yee renounce your Prophet Mahomet ? 
 Bowe to the Deitie that we adore 
 Or die in the refufall, 
 
 1 or 2, T'urkes. For Mahomet we dye. 
 
 Per. Joyne Mortus Aly then with Mahomet, 
 That (lew your Prophets Hamer and VJman 
 And on a fnowie Cammell went to heauen. 
 And yet you fhall finde grace in Perfia. 
 
 Turks. For Mahomet, none but Mahomet. 
 
 Rob. To death with them, the reft fhall follow. 
 
 Enter a Chriftian in Turkes habit as a Prijoner. 
 
 Off with his head too : weele have no ranfome 
 But conuerfion.^ 
 
 ^ It is not eafy to fay whether we fliould read the words * For 
 Mahomet .... conuerfion' as verfe or profe. I have followed 
 the arrangement of the4to. ; but pofTibly the author (Rowley ?) 
 wrote — 
 
48 
 
 Chriji. I haue fomewhat to deliuer ere I dye. 
 
 Rob. Bee thou a conuertite weele here thee, not 
 els. 
 
 Chriji. Then I muft be filent : He choofe to dye 
 Before the faith I do profefle deny. 
 
 Rob. Off with his head then. 
 
 Chriji. Stay, I am not as I feeme. 
 
 Rob. Thou feem'ft a Turke. 
 
 Chrifi. Yet am a Chriftian. 
 
 Rob. The more thy crime : 
 Gainft Chriftians thou haft been a foe to day ; 
 How comes it elfe thou art our prifoner ? 
 
 Chriji. If I be blamefull found then let me dye : 
 Firft perufe this. \Shewes his arme. 
 
 Rob. I am prijoner in Conftantinople ; vfe your 
 beji releije. 
 
 heauens ! 
 
 Although the newes be bitter in it felfe, 
 
 1 cannot but applaude this happy knowledge. 
 Ten thoufand heads now (hal not buy this head. 
 Thou art my beft friends equall for this deede. 
 Oh that the fortune of ten doubtfull daies 
 Were to begin their pale encountering clofe, 
 
 So that my brother ftood in armor here 
 To ioyne with me. 
 
 Turks. For Mahomet, none but Mahomet ! 
 
 Rob. To death with them, 
 
 The reil fhall follow. — OfF with his head too: 
 Wcele hauc no ranfom but conuerfion. 
 
49 
 
 But can yee helpe my vnderftanding with any fur- 
 ther notice ? 
 
 Chrijl. Not any ; letters had I none, but fhort 
 Commendes whilft his hand writ downe this brief 
 
 tenor, 
 So ftraight is his conuerfe with Chriftians. 
 For him and you this haue I vndertooke ; 
 Firft I was forft your moft vnwilling foe, 
 So to become your willing prifoner. 
 
 Roh. I thanke yee, and I ihall remember yee. 
 How many of their commanders are yet Ruing ? 
 
 Per/tan. Thirtie, my Lord. >/■'' 
 
 Rob. Still let them Hue : 
 Thofe thirtie Hues fhall buy my brother's life 
 And I fhaH thinke them happilie beftow'd. 
 He fend an embaffie to offer it ; 
 But pray ye bee fparing in your fpeech, 
 For if by anie halfe intelligence 
 He bee knowne my brother hees fure to die. 
 So heauen hath aided me thrife gainft thefe Turkes 
 That they would hate the man that loueth me. 
 And to my name they adde S her ley the great ; 
 Though my humillitie (I vow by heauen) 
 Doth not aifedl that ouerdignitie : 
 But if they do refufe this proferd guift 
 Sherley fhall wifh to bee no other great 
 Then to be great in their great ouerthrowe. 
 If that he die within their Captiues thrall, 
 Ten thoufand Turkes fhal mourne his funeral. 
 
 [^Exeunt. 
 
/ 
 
 50 
 
 Enter Turkey BaJJaes Attendants. 
 
 Turk. Thus like the Sunne in his Meridian pride, 
 Attended by a regiment of ftarres, 
 Stand we triumphant mongft our petty kings. 
 Vpon the higheft promont of either globe 
 That heaues his forhead neareft to the cloudes 
 Fix we our foote ; and with our Egles wings 
 Canopy ore three quarters of the world, 
 And yet we write Non vltra. The proud Sophey, 
 The Perfian beggar that by ftarts inuades vs. 
 Our potent Armie, like fo many wolues 
 Let loofe into a flock of fencelefle fheepe, 
 Shall bait and werrie home into there folds, 
 Whilft Fate and Conqueft our high ftate vpholds. 
 
 Bajfa. Yet, mighty and magnificent, your powers 
 In this late conflid againft Perfta 
 Haue met much lofTe. 
 
 Turk. Bafe and degenerate coward. 
 
 Are not wee Hamath^ the fole god of earth, 
 King of all Kings, prouoft of Parradice, 
 Soldan and Emperour of Babilon^ 
 Of Catheriay Aegipt^ Anthioche ; 
 Lord of the pretious ftones of India ; 
 A Champion and defendor of the gods ; 
 Prince and conduftor from the withered tree 
 To the greene bofome of Achaia mount ; 
 The ioye and comfort of great Mahomet, 
 And laft protedor of the Sepulcher 
 Of Juries god and crucified king. 
 
5' 
 
 And dares the Perjian compaire with vs ? 
 — What and from whome ? 
 
 Enter Mejfenger. 
 
 Mejf. The Chriftian generall, 
 
 Sherley the great ^ fends you this mild falute 
 In this his late yet bleeding ouerthrowe, 
 Where men like graffe ftept to the ftreete ^ of death, 
 20 moft choife and valerous commanders u 
 
 He has giuen life to; and in faire exchange 
 Tenders them for the life and liberty 
 Of an imprifoned EngliQi Gentleman. 
 
 Turk. Twenty for one ! What is the Chriftians 
 name ? 
 
 Mef. I know not that. 
 
 'Turk. How fhall we know to free him .'' 
 
 Me/. His ftature and proportion 
 Is giuen me by prefcription fo diredly 
 As from a thoufand I can point him out. 
 
 Turk. Condudl him in, and bring the prifoner 
 forth ; 
 He is fure fome Prince or elfe a man of worth, 
 That in exchange of him the Generall 
 Proffers fo largely. — Now is this the man ? 
 
 Enter with Sir Thomas Shirley in bands. 
 
 Me/. The fame, great Emperor. 
 
 Turk. Then, Chriftian, 
 
 Q^y. lloopt to the ftroke. 
 
52 
 
 For by no other title can we call thee, 
 Acquaint vs with thy parentage and name : 
 For from the Chriftian generall Sherley the great 
 We haue meanes that labour thy deliuery. 
 
 Sir Tho. Great Emperor, I am a man whofe birth 
 V V And meane attempts were neuer regiftred 
 
 Amongft the Englifh worthies. If great Shirley 
 Hath ought propofed for my deliuery 
 Twas in a generall zeale for Chriftendome, 
 Not any priuate notice of my worth. 
 
 'Turk. DifTemble not; for, fubtill Englifhman, 
 We rather iudge, nay abfolutely know, 
 Thou either art allyed to him by birth. 
 Or fome great Prince ; which till thou doft confefTe 
 Thy torments fhall be more, thy freedome lefTe. 
 As for our Captaines, let them liue or die, 
 The Chriftian fliall in flauifti irons lie. 
 Begon with that, and back with him to prifon ; 
 Double his irons and take back halfe his diet. 
 Strengthen our powers, and brauely to the field : 
 Our breafts with Iron, our fpirits with fire are fteeld. 
 
 \^Exeunt. 
 
 layl. Come, Sir, had not you better confefle and 
 be hangd then be ftaru'd to death and hangd after. 
 
 Sir Tho. Sir, Ime arm'd with patience : tyrants 
 hate 
 Is bounded within limits : they may will, 
 But their's a God that preuent their ill: 
 That power I ground on : heres my greateft crofle, 
 A brother's loue turnes to a brother's lofle. 
 
53 
 
 My Iourney['s] towards heauen ; fate fent me hither. 
 You, like kind guides, fend mee the next way 
 thither. 
 layi. I will fend you the neereft way; but, becaufe 
 you fhall not be hungry, He diet you with puddle 
 water and bran : You will be the lighter to take 
 your iourney. [Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Sir Anthony Sherley, a Gentleman, and his 
 feruants giue him letters. 
 
 Sir Ant. That into England, that to Perfia. — 
 And now, deare friend, what tidings at S. Marke ? 
 
 Gent. Like to mens mindes, diftrad and. variable. 
 You haue heard your brother's bloudy ouerthrow 
 Giuen to the Turkes ? 
 
 Sir Ant. It came to me laft night. 
 
 What newes from England ? 
 
 Gent. Nothing of import : 
 
 The yongft and greateft growes vp here at hand. 
 
 Sir Ant. Ought that concerneth me ? 
 
 Gent. About the iewell : 
 
 It fils the towne with admiration 
 That which great Princes for the worth denie 
 You, but a Lord Ambaffador, fhould buye. 
 
 Sir Ant. Twas for the Sophie, and I wonder much 
 He fends not in the cafh. 
 
 Gent. The lew expedls it. 
 
 Sir Ant. And here he comes. — God morrow, 
 honeft Zariph. 
 
54 
 
 Enter Zariph the lewe. 
 
 Zar. The Hebrew God and fanftified King 
 Blefle them that caft kind greeting at the lew. 
 
 Sir Ant. I owe thee mony, Zariph. 
 
 Zariph. Thats the caufe 
 
 Of your kind fpeech: a Chriftian fpaniell clawes 
 And fauns for gaine. left on, deride the lew : 
 You may, vext Zariph will not ieft with you. , 
 
 Now by my foule 'twould my fprits much refrefh y^y^ 
 To taft a banket all of Chriftians flefh. 
 
 Sir Ant, I muft intreat thee of forbearance, 
 Zariph . 
 
 Zar. No, not an houre : 
 You had my Jewell I muft haue your Gold. 
 
 Gent. Let me intreat thee, Zariph^ for my fake 
 That haue ftood friend to all thy brethren. 
 
 Zar. You haue indeed ; for, but this other faft. 
 You fold my brother Zacharie like a horfe, 
 His wife and children at a common outcrie. 
 
 Gen. That was the Law. 
 
 Zar. And I defire no more ; 
 
 And that I fhall haue : the the lew be poore 
 He fhall haue lawe for money. 
 
 Sir Ant. Nay, but, Zariph^ 
 
 I am, like thee, a ftranger in the Citty : 
 Strangers to ftrangers ihould be pittifull. 
 
 Zar. If we be curft we learn't of Chriftians, 
 Who like to fwine crafh one anothers bones. 
 
 Sir Ant. Is it a finne in them ? 'tis finne in you. 
 
55 
 
 Zar. But they are Chriftians; Zaripb is a lew, 
 A crucifying Hang-man trayn'd in finne, 
 One that would hang his brother for his fkinne. 
 Sir Ant. But till to-morrow. 
 Zar. Well, you fhall not fay 
 
 But that a lew will beare with you a day : 
 Yet tak't not for a kindnefle, but difgrace, 
 To fhew that Chriftians are then Turkes more 
 
 bafe; 
 Theile not forbeare a minute. — There's my hand ; 
 To morrow night {hall ferue to cleare your band. 
 Sir Ant. I thanke thee, and inuite thee to a 
 
 banket. 
 Zar. No bankets, yet I thanke you with my 
 heart, — 
 And vow to play the lew ; why , tis my part. 
 
 \Exit. 
 
 Enter Jeruant. 
 
 Ser. Sir, heres an Englijhman defires acceffe to 
 
 you. 
 Sir Ant. An Englijhman ? whats his name .'' 
 Ser. He calls himfelf Kempe. 
 
 Enter Kempe. 
 
 Sir Ant. Kemp ! bid him come in. Welcom e, 
 h oneft TVm j ~" 
 
 And how doth all thy fellowes in England ? 
 
 Kemp. Why, like good fellows, when they haue 
 no money Hue vpon credit. 
 
 AH 
 
56 
 
 Sir Ant. And what good new Plays haue you ? 
 
 Kemp. Many idle toyes, but the old play that 
 Adam and Eue afted in bare adion vnder the figge 
 tree drawes mofl of the Gentlemen. 
 
 Sir Ant. lefting Will. 
 
 Kemp. Tn good earneft it doth, fir. 
 
 Sir Ant. I partly credit thee, but what Playe of 
 note haue you .'' 
 
 Kemp. Many of name, fome of note, .-efpecially 
 one ; the name was called Englands loy. \ Marry he 
 waT no Poet that wrote it ! he drew more Connies 
 in a purfe-nette than euer were taken at any draught 
 about London. ^ 
 
 Enter Seruant. 
 
 Ser. Sir, heres an Italian Harlaken come to offer 
 a play to your Lord-fhip. 
 
 Sir Ant. We willingly accept it. Heark, Kempe; 
 Becaufe I like thy iefture and thy mirth 
 Let me requeft thee play a part with them. 
 
 Kemp. I am fomewhat hard of ftudy, and like 
 your honor ; but if they will inuent any extemporall 
 merriment ile put out the fmall facke of witte I ha' 
 left, in venture with them. 
 
 Sir Ant. They fhall not deny't : Signior Har- 
 laken he is content : I pray thee queftion him — 
 
 [W hi/per. 
 
 Kemp. Now, Signior, how many are you in 
 companie ? 
 
SI 
 
 Harl. None but my wife and my felfe, fir. 
 
 Kemp. Your wife! Why, hearke you, wil your 
 wife do tricks in publique ? 
 
 Harl. My wife can play. 
 
 Kemp. The honeft woman, I make no queftion ; 
 but how if we caft a whores part or a courtifan } 
 
 Harl. Oh my wife is excellent at that ; (he's 
 pradifed it euer fince I married her ; 'tis her only 
 pra6tife. 
 
 Kemp. But, by your leaue, and fhe were my wife, 
 I had rather keepe her out of pradlife a greate 
 deale. 
 
 Sir Ant. Yet, fince 'tis the cuftome of the countrie, 
 Prithe make one ; conclude vpon the projed : 
 We neither looke for Schollerfhip nor Arte 
 But harmlefi:e mirth, for that's thy vfuall part. 
 
 \_Exit. 
 
 Kemp. You fiiall finde me no turne-coate. But 
 the proieft ; come, and then to cafting of the parts. 
 
 Harl. Marry, fir, firft we will haue an old 
 Pantaloune. 
 
 Kemp. Some iealous Coxcombe. 
 
 Harl. Right, and that part will I play. 
 
 Kemp. The iealous Cox-combe ? 
 
 Harl. I ha plaid that part euer fince — 
 
 Kemp. Your wife plaid the Curtizan. 
 
 Harl, True, and a great while afore; then I 
 mufl: haue a peafant to my man, and he muft keepe 
 my wife. 
 
 Kemp. Your man, and a peafant, keepe your 
 
 H 
 
S8 
 
 wife ? I haue knowne a Gentleman keepe a peafants 
 wife, but tis not vfuall for a peafant to keepe his 
 maifters wife. 
 
 Harl. Oh 'tis common in our countrey. 
 
 Kemp. And ile maintaine the cuftome of the 
 coiitry. [Pffi^^ ^o kijfe his wife. 
 
 Harl. What do you meane, fir ? 
 
 Kemp. Why, to rehearfe my part on your wiues 
 lips : we are fellowes, and amongft friends and 
 fellowes, you knowe, all things are common. 
 
 Harl. But fhee fhall bee no common thing, if I 
 can keepe her feuerall. — Then, fir, we muft haue an 
 A morado that mufi: make me Cornuto. 
 "^ Kemp. Oh for loue fake let me play that part. 
 
 Harl. No, yee muft play my mans part, and 
 keepe my wife. 
 
 Kemp. Right ; and who fo fit to make a man a 
 Cuckold as hee that keepes his wife. 
 
 Harl. You fiiall not play that part. 
 
 Kemp. What fay you to my boy } 
 
 Harl. I, he may play it and you will. 
 
 Kemp. But he cannot make you iealous enough. 
 
 Harl. Tufh, I warrant you, I can be iealous for 
 nothing. 
 
 Kemp. You fiiould not be a true Italian elfe. 
 
 Harl. Then we muft have a Magnifico that 
 muft take vp the matter betwixt me and my 
 wife. 
 
 Kemp. Any thing of yours, but Ile take vp nothing 
 of your wives. 
 
59 
 
 Harl. I wifh not you fhould : but come, now am 
 I your Maifter. 
 
 Kemp. Right, and I your feruant. 
 
 HarL Lead the way then. 
 
 Kemp. No, I ha more manners then fo : in our 
 Countrie 'tis the cuftome of the Maifter to go In — 
 before his wife and the man to follow the maifter. 
 
 Harl. In — 
 
 Kemp. To his miftrefle. 
 
 Harl. Yee are in the right — 
 
 Kemp. Way to Cuck-holds-hauen : Saint Luke 
 bee your fpeede. [Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Zariph a Tewe. 
 lew. A hundreth thoufand Duckats ! fweete re- 
 membrance. ' / 
 He read it againe ; a hundreth thoufand Duckats ! 
 Sweeter ftill : who owes it ? a Chr^ftian, 
 Canaans brood. Honnie to my ioyfuU foule : 
 If this fummrfaile (my bond vnfatisfied) 
 Hee's in the lewes mercy ; mercy ! ha, ha ! 
 The Lice of Mgipt ftiall deuoure them all 
 Ere I ftiew mercy to a Chriftian. 
 Vnhallowed brats, feed of the bond-woman, 
 Swine deuourers, vncircumcifed flaues 
 That fcorne our Hebrew fanftimonious writte, 
 Defpife our lawes, prophane our finagogues. 
 Old Moi/es ceremonies, to whom was left 
 The marble Decalogue twice regiftred 
 By high lehouahs felfe. Lawleife wretches ! 
 
6o 
 
 One I fhall gripe, breake he but his minute. 
 Heauen grant he may want money to defray : 
 Oh how He then inibrace my happinefle. 
 Sweet gold, fweete lewell ! but the fweeteft part 
 Of a lewes feaft is a Chriftians heart. 
 — Whofe there ? a friend, a friend : good newes, 
 good newes ? 
 
 Enter Halliheck. 
 
 Hal. Zariph^_ the beft ; the Chriftian is thine 
 owne. 
 He fell him to thee at an eafie rate ; 
 It fhall but coft thy paines, ioynd with a heart 
 Relentlefle as a Flint, that with more ftrokes 
 Reuerberates his anger with more fire : 
 I know it's thine, Ime fure 'tis my defire. 
 
 lew. It is, it is ; fweeten my longing hopes : 
 For charitie giue me the happy meanes. 
 
 Hal. He fhould difcharge thy bond to-night ? 
 
 Jew. He fhould, but I hope he cannot. 
 
 Hal. He cannot : 
 The money he expedled from the Sophy 
 My felfe haue intercepted by the way ; 
 Tis (to him vnknowne) giuen to my hands, 
 And ere this fhall ayde him — 
 
 lew. He fhall dye with Core^ 
 As poore and loathfome as was leprous lob ; 
 Sink downe with Dathan to hells dark abiffe : 
 A Chriftians torture is a lewes bliffe. 
 For further execution, fay, fay. 
 
Hal. Sit at his banquet with a fmiling cheeke ; 
 Let him riinne out his prodigall expence 
 To the full length : the beggar has a hand 
 As free to fpread his coine as the fwolne clouds 
 Throwne their watrie pillage, which from the fea 
 The miftic Pirats fetch. Then ceaze on him, 
 Deferre not, this night; vengeance in height of 
 
 mirth 
 Galles deepeft, like a fall from heauen to earth. 
 
 lew. O that thou wert one of the promif'd feed 
 To fleepe with blefled Abraham when thou dieft. 
 For this good newes. Here fhalbe Canniballs 
 That fhall be ready to teare him peece-meale 
 And deuoure him raw ; throw him in the wombe 
 Of vnpittied mifery, the prifon ; 
 There let him ftarue and rotte, his dungeon crie 
 To Zariphs eares ihall be fweete harmonie. 
 
 Hal. It is enough; determine, follow it. 
 My felfe will prefently back to Perftay 
 And by the way I will inuent fuch tales 
 As fhall remooue the Sophies further loue. 
 Ere any ftranger fhall with me walke euen, 
 He hate him, were his vertues writ in heauen. 
 
 \_Muftque. 
 The Mufique fays the banquet is at hand. 
 
 Enter Sir Anthony ^ Jome Venetians., others with a 
 banquet. 
 
 Sir Ant. Let vs abridge the office of our breath 
 To giue to each of you a feuerall welcome ; 
 
62 
 
 I doe befeech ye take it all at once 
 
 Yee are all wellcome: now, I pray yee, fit. 
 
 lew. Weele not ftriue for firft. 
 
 Hal. 'Tis more vfd then fit. 
 
 lew. O this fweete Mufique is heauens rethorique ! 
 The Arte was firft reueald to 'Tuball Cain, 
 Good Hebrew ; 'tis now forgot, 'tis growne ftale ; 
 New-fangled ages makes olde vertues faile. 
 
 Sir Ant. So much the Hebrew writ doth teftifie, 
 Yet there are different to that opinion : 
 The Grecians doe allow Pithagoras, 
 The 'Thracians glue it to their Orpheus 
 As firft inuentors of the harmonie. 
 
 lew. All errors; Tuball, "Tuball, Hebrew Tuball \ 
 
 Sir Ant. But howfoeuer, weele hold no difpute ; 
 Our attention is tyed to other fports. 
 
 Enter Prologue. 
 
 Pro. Our ad is fhort, your liking is our gaynes; 
 So we offend not, we are pay'd our paines. 
 
 lew. No more of this, w£ele haue a lewes iigge. 
 To your bufineffe, delay not. 
 
 Enter Seriants and take hold on Sir Anthony. 
 
 Sir Ant. What meanes this violence ? 
 lew. Weele not ftand vpon Intergatories ; away 
 with him. 
 
 Sir Ant. Jew — 
 
 lew. Chriftian ; away with him. 
 
 Sir Ant. Heare me — • 
 
63 
 
 lew. In prifon ; He liften to laugh at thee. 
 
 Sir Ant. Be mercifull — 
 
 lew. Mercifull, ha, ha ! 
 
 Sir Ant. No, not to mee, I fcorne to aflce it of thee, 
 But to thine owne black foule be mercifull. 
 Inhumane Dogge, that in midft of curtefie 
 Doft yoke me in a Serpents arme, true feed 
 Of that kifTe killing ludas^ can thy blacke foule 
 Haue hope of pitty, being pittilefle ? 
 
 lew. Pray for thy felfe, I am faued already. 
 
 Sir Ant. Halibeck^ does not your eye difcouer a 
 treacherous heart in this ? 
 
 Hal. Ha, ha ! Sir Ant. Doft laugh at mee .? 
 
 CittiJ. Sir, be comforted : Venice fhall not fee 
 your fortunes long oppreft for a greater matter then 
 this. 
 
 Sir Ant. I am not mou'd, fir ; 
 It hath not emptied the leaft pipe of bloud 
 That are within my cheekes : onely this is all 
 That wrappes myfenfes in aftonifhment; 
 In all my trauailes I nere faw hell till now : 
 Tis here true portrait, fet in open view 
 In an enuious knaue and a bloudy Jew. 
 
 \Exeunt with him. 
 
 lew. There rot and ftarue, ftarue and rot. O 
 my delight ! 
 I fhall dreame of this happlnefie to night. \_Exit. 
 
 Hal, To Perfta now ; while S her ley here finks 
 lowe. 
 There Halleheck aboue his height fiiall grow. \Exit. 
 
/^ 
 
 64 
 
 Enter Sophy ^ Calimath^ Attendants. 
 
 Sop. No more ; by Mortus Alt we are mou'd. 
 Dares that proud Shirly whom our powerful 1 heate 
 Drew from the Earth, refind and made vp great ; 
 Dares he prefume to contradidt our Will 
 And faue a man whom we command him kill ? 
 He would not, nay he durft not; he brues his death, 
 Rides in a cloud of our offended breath. 
 
 Cal. He knowes it. 
 
 Sop. And he feares it. 
 
 Cal. All' your felfe. 
 
 I fpeake not to difparadge Sherlies worth 
 Nor to diuorce him from your gratious fauour, 
 But to maintaine the cuftome of our warres 
 Which moft contemptuoufly he has broke downe 
 In giuing life to thirty prifoners 
 And talking with the Turke by meflengers. 
 
 Sop. Send to the Turke and faue our prifoners 
 Hues ! 
 
 Cal. With proffer to returne them ranfomlefle. 
 
 Sop. By Mortus Ali and our Per/tan Gods, 
 For euery man he fau'd He haue a ioynt, 
 And for conuerfing with the Turke, his head — 
 
 Cal. Befides, your gratious Neece — 
 
 Sop. Ha ? what of her ? 
 
 Dares the proud Chriftian thinke vpon our Neece ? 
 
 Cal. And looke and loue her. 
 
 ' Qy. calm. 
 
65 
 
 Sop. How ? 
 
 Cal. And flie on him. 
 
 Sop. To faue the body we muft loofe a lim: 
 Sherley fhall ofF. 
 
 C^/. And time. 
 
 Sop. One call our Neece. 
 
 Alter our Cuftomes, fteale our fubieds bofomes, 
 And like a cunning Adder twine himfelfe 
 About ourNeeces heart ! Shee once his owne, 
 Hee's Lord of vs and of the Perfian Crowne. 
 
 Enter Neece^ Dalibra, Attendants. 
 
 Neece. What craues the mighty Sophy ? 
 
 Sop. Loofe your traine, 
 
 And to the purpofe. When and what commends 
 Came to your hands from our new generall, 
 Sherley the Great ? 
 
 Neece. That he is great in name 
 
 Springs not from ought in vs, but his own fame ; 
 But for what reafon doth your greatnes make 
 This priuie fearch in my concealed thoughts 
 Touching the Englifh Generall ? 
 
 Sop. Thy bofome 
 
 Harbours a Tray tor : Doft thou not loue young 
 Sherley ? 
 
 Neece. I do not hate him ; fhould I anfwer fo, 
 Againft my tongue my confcience would fay ' no.' 
 
 Sop. Why, then you loue him ? 
 
 Neece. Should I not fay ' I,' 
 
66 
 
 My honourd * thoughts would giue my tongue the 
 lie. 
 Cal. She has confeft. 
 
 Neece. That I loue him : trew. 
 
 Cal. And Englifh Sherley — 
 Neece. If he had his dewe 
 
 You fhould all loue him ; he has fpent a Tea 
 Of Englifh bloud to honor Perfia. 
 
 Sop. And through that bloudy fea his treacherous 
 head 
 — ^ Shall make a purple voyage to the fhade 
 "Where treafon liues appareld in red flames. 
 
 Neece. For me ? becaufe your Neece does honour 
 
 him } 
 Sop. For thee ; becaufe thy Neece doth doate on 
 him .'' 
 ForgetfuU of thy Fortunes and high birth, 
 More beftiall in thine Appetite then beafts. 
 The Princely LionefTe difdaines to mate 
 But with a Lyon ; Time and Experience fhowes 
 That Eagles fcorne to build or bill with Crowes. 
 Neece. What meanes all this? 
 Sop. That with thy loue to Sherlie 
 
 Thou bui'ft our hate. 
 
 Neece. Berlady, a hard bargaine, 
 
 -^ But Marchant venturers cannot alwayes win. 
 
 You forft my thought to loue him, and like a Tutor 
 ^ / Firft taught my tongue to call him honourable ; 
 
 ' Qy. honell. 
 
67 
 
 Your breath commanded knees to bow to him. 
 
 Tongue to adore, and beauty to attend him : 
 
 And is affedlion turn'd Apoftata ? 
 
 But I haue found your humour ; you grow iealous 
 
 Leaft I fhould rob you of your Mynion : 
 
 In faith you need not. 
 
 Sop, Our inkindled rage 
 
 Is growne too ftrong to be blowne out with leafts. 
 Thou loueft. 
 
 Neece. The very ground he goes vpon ; 
 
 But why ? becaufe it beares my bodies want ? 
 By loue and by a Virgins modeft thought 
 (Which hke a Lawrell Gyrland decks my brows) 
 I loue not Sherley ; neuer harbord thought 
 That told me he was louely, at leaft equal 1 
 To maintaine wing with vs. 
 
 Sop. Come, you diflemble. 
 
 Neece. 1 iou'd him to pleafe you ; to humour you 
 Gaue him kind language ; if I praif'd his worth 
 'Twas not my tongue but yours: if 'twere a lie 
 It came from thefe, they author'd it, not I. 
 Yet ile recant it too ; call him vnciuill, 
 Ill-fauour'd, treacherous, difobedient ; 
 And, to appeafe the tempeft of your wrath, -^ 
 Sweare him a coward worfe then Calimath. 
 
 I Lord. Ile not endure. 
 
 Col. Vnequaird excellence. 
 
 She doth difgrace vs all to honour him. 
 
 Neece. You all difgrace yourfelues to enuy him 
 Whofe worth has beene an honour to you all. 
 
68 
 
 Enter Robert S her ley. 
 
 Rob. Conqueft and peace attend you. 
 
 Sop. A ftrong guard 
 
 Rob. What meanes the Sophy ? here are none — 
 
 But traitors. 
 
 Sop. Ignoble Sherley., trecherous Chriftian, 
 How durft thou gainft the cuftome of our kingdome 
 Referue thofe prifoners hues ? 
 
 Rob. Dread Maiefty, 
 
 Not proud contempt but Chriftian charity 
 The Pilote of mine adtions. 
 
 Sop. But we know 
 
 You come not empty of excufe, proud Sherley. 
 Haue we breth'd life into thy fickly fortunes, 
 And like the lowe and meane bred Saraber, 
 Hauing alloud thee feat-roome at our foote, 
 Darfl: thou prefume to clime vp to our Crowne ? 
 Prefumptuous, know our breath can fhake thee 
 downe. 
 
 Rob. Looke through my bofome ; if you finde one 
 thought 
 Bafely condicion'd or ambitious — 
 
 Sop. Th' art all ambition, and haft drawne the loue 
 Out of our fubiedls brefts, who, to defeate 
 Vs of our due, title thee Sherley the great ^ 
 
 Rob. Great was there error that informd you fo : 
 My thoughts are like my fortunes meane and lowe. 
 If the high fauours you haue throwne on me, 
 By my deare induftry I haue increaft. 
 
69 
 
 Adds honour to your owne, for fauing of my 
 
 prifoners 
 Let but a brothers loue plead my excufe. 
 
 Sop. Ambitious, hke your owne, 
 Are his proceedings : tis brought to vs by letter 
 How much he has abufd himfelfe and vs 
 In his imployments. 
 
 Rob. Deareft excellence. 
 
 Let not his want of duety fal on me, 
 Nor mine returne to him. 
 
 Cal. Yet, for his loue 
 
 You do confefle you faue thefe prifoners ? 
 
 Rob. True, for a brothers loue, but not for his. 
 I haue an elder brother, fo euery way compleat 
 With vertuous qualleties that euen his foes 
 Cannot but fpeake him well, Defire of fame. 
 That in all ages has beene Sherleys aime, 
 Drewe him from home : mifchances, that like haile 
 Fall on bolde mindes, did him fo hard affaile 
 That by the I'urke he was furprifd and taken : 
 " By many ftrokes the tailed okes are fhaken. 
 To ranfome him, not to Infringe your right, 
 I freed thefe prifoners, manly taine in fight. 
 
 Cal. And was not that ambition.'' 
 
 Rob. If to faue 
 
 A worthy brother from a worthlefle graue 
 Be held ambitious, I haue in a finne 
 Waded fo deepe that I muft perifh in. 
 
 Neece. Perifh? May twenty cowardes firft. 
 
 [Exit Neece. 
 
70 
 
 Sop. Away with her to prifon : fuppofe, as you 
 inferre, 
 To ranfome him you fau'd your prifoners Hues, 
 For whofe fake do you loue our Neece ? 
 
 Rob. Yon fire 
 
 That hghtens all the world knows my defire 
 Durft neuer looke (o high. 
 
 Sop. Come ; you, that durft 
 
 Breake our Lands cuftome for a brothers fake, 
 Durft for your owne fake doate vpon our Neece. 
 But fee what credit your ambition beares : 
 Go, mount thofe prifoners heads on thirty fpeares. 
 
 Rob. Firft be my bloud there ranfome, ere the 
 Turke 
 Should haue that proud aduantage to report 
 A Chriftian and a true borne Engli/h foldier 
 Promif'd, and had not power to performe. 
 
 Sop. Then learne to promife nothing but your 
 owne. 
 
 Rob. Nor did I, mighty Prince : with my one 
 hands 
 I tooke thofe Captiue Turkes ; with my dear bloud 
 1 bought them of proud danger. This being knowne 
 In giueing them I gaue nought but my owne. 
 
 Cal. Come, y'are too peremptory. 
 
 Rob. I am indeede : 
 
 Before mine honour let my man's heart bleede. 
 Were it mine equall did me halfe this wrong. 
 He ftiould finde ftiarper vengeance then my tongue. 
 
 Ca/. You can produce no probable excufe. 
 
71 
 
 Roh. Your eares will here no reafon, Calimath. 
 Thou haft a brother, Perfian ; (o haue I — 
 A prifoner brother : to redeeme his life, 
 That all this while lies on the edge of death, 
 I fau'd thefe prifoners : wert to do againe, 
 Againe ide venture. Haue yee fhapes of men 
 And want there fpirits ? We in all are three 
 Sonnes of one Father, branches of one tree : 
 Should a rough hand but violently teare 
 One fcion^ from a tree, the reft muft beare 
 Share in the hurt ; the fmalleft wound that draines 
 Bloud from our brefts empties our fathers veines. 
 
 Sop. Haft thou another brother ? 
 
 Rol^. We in all are three : 
 
 The youngft and meaneft fpirit fpeakes in me. 
 Yet, ere the Turke ftiould thinke I had not power 
 To back my word, O be this Inftant howre 
 My lateft minut : with your warlike fword 
 Strike off my head, — lifes cheaper then my worde. 
 
 Sop. Be maifter of thy wifti ; but firft wee here 
 take off 
 Thy offices and titles, and beftow them 
 Vpon this worthy gentleman, charging thee 
 By that firft moouer whom thou calft thy god, 
 The bleft Meffias, and the Sacrament 
 Which Chriftians hold fo ceremonious. 
 Thy Father's bleffing and thy brother's loue 
 And the lone progreffe which thy foule muft go, 
 
 ' 4to. fiens. 
 
72 
 
 Whether thou euer leueldft at our Crowne 
 Or an vnlawfull contradt with our ISleece ? 
 
 Rob. Neuer ; for had I harbord fuch intent 
 Nothing cold make me bafely to repent : 
 But I had neuer : Any life nor death 
 Can make a Chriftian falfefie his breath. 
 
 Sop. Withdrawe the Chriftian and produce our 
 Neece, 
 
 Enter an officer with a counterfit head like Sherleys. 
 
 And — officer, tis well. 
 
 Enter Neece. 
 
 Will you fpeake yet ? yet can ambition reade 
 Your hatefull pradlife. 
 
 Neece. Had young Sherleys head — 
 
 Sop. A traytors head whofe proud ambitious 
 tongue 
 Did at his death bafely confeffe his wrong. 
 Do you afmuch, and take our princely pardon ; 
 Speake, did you loue that Chriftian or no ? 
 
 Neece. I neuer lou'd him liuing, but being dead 
 Thus ile embrace, thus kifle his louely head. 
 Alas, good S her ley ^ did thy warlike hand 
 For this defend the Sophey^ guard his land ? 
 Didft thou for this forfake thy countrie, friends 
 And weeping father ? — thats a kinde amends. 
 
 Cal. Speake ; did you loue him ? 
 
 Neece. No ; for if I had, 
 
 I fhould haue growne impatient, wilde and mad ; 
 
73 
 
 Waftit of this bloud with teares, and — 
 
 Sop. Take her hence : 
 
 She dies, but fhee acknowledge her offence. 
 
 Neece. Stay ; fince I muft, I will ; I did offend 
 Caufe vndeferued I wrought braue Sherleis ende. 
 I did offend, for careles I flood by 
 And let true valour amongfl cowards die. 
 
 Cal. Cowards ! 
 
 Neece. I, cowards! his worth recorded flands 
 Vpon yon file of flars : he has the hands 
 Of all the holly Angels to approue 
 What bloud has fpent in queft of Chriflian loue. 
 I fpeake not like a flrumpet, that being fild 
 With fpirit of lufl, her owne abufe to gild, 
 Slanders her friend : till now I neuer lou'd him. 
 And now by yonder Sunne I dote on him. 
 I neuer heard him vowe, protefl or fpeake 
 Word that might his approou'd alleageance breake. 
 Oh you have done a deed blacker then night, 
 A murther that would murthers foule affright : 
 Your very foes will fay, when this is knowne. 
 In cutting off his head you haue fcard your owne. 
 Were I his brother, country-man, or flaue 
 Ide kill his murtherer, or digge my graue 
 Vnder the Sophies feete : oh you have wone 
 The Ire of heauen and hate of Chriflendome. 
 
 Sop. If he be innocent. 
 
 Neece. By heauen he is. 
 
 Sop. Then we confeffe our fpleene ha's done 
 amifle. 
 
 K 
 
74 
 
 Neece. Redeeme it then, and in his winding fheete 
 Let his diffeuered head and body meete : 
 Returne them me, let me the credit haue, 
 And lay his mangled body in a graue. 
 
 Sop. Take it with our beft loue and furtherance, 
 And hauing ioynde his body to the head 
 His winding fheete be thy chaft mariage bed. 
 
 Enter Shereley. 
 
 Neece. Then Hues yong Sherley. 
 
 Sop. Yea, and ftill ihall ftand 
 
 Lou'd of the Sophy y honor'd in his land : 
 All ftiles and offices we late took off 
 We back reftore. And now to Callymath ; 
 Thus farre on your report we haue proceeded 
 And had we found them either culpable. 
 Their heads had paide for it, but being cleare 
 We heere reftore them to their former ftate, 
 Renew them with our loue, thee with our hate. 
 
 Rob. For this deare fauour, as for all the reft, 
 Low-minded Sherley counts him highly bleft. 
 
 Enter Mejfenger. 
 
 Sop. Your fweating newes ? 
 
 Mejf. To the great General! : 
 
 To your demand thus fends the haughty Turke, 
 That were your thirty prifoners petty Kings 
 He would not free the Englifti Gentleman. 
 
 Sop. Would not.'* lead on, weele talke with him 
 in fteele. 
 
IS 
 
 What he denies to heare weele force him feele. 
 Will not returne them ? then will we head our 
 
 fpeeres 
 With Vizeroyes fculs, and ore his crauin eares 
 Batter his Caftles like a fhowre of Haile. 
 On to the field ! heauen and our right preuaile. 
 Cal. Hell on our wrongs ! give him hisNeece in 
 
 mariage ! \_Exeunt. Manet Cally. 
 
 Firft like an AfTe load me with ornaments 
 To fee how Ide become his golden trapps, 
 And the fame minute fnatch them off again ! 
 Oh, I am vext : damnation and black hell 
 Author my actions ; in my paffions dwell 
 Commotiue thoughts; enuie and hate 
 Striue in my breaft like twinnes infeperate ; 
 My fpleenes in trauell, and till they be borne 
 My fwolne heart labours and my breaft is torne : 
 To eafe which torment, and to free my breath. 
 He be deliuerd: my kind Midwiues death. \_Exit. 
 
 Enter lay lor with a Paper in his hand. y / 
 
 lay. According to this my warrant heere I muft 
 this morning fetch my prifoner to ayring. Hee 
 had need bee hung leaft his flefh ftiould mould, for 
 I am fure his clothes are muftie already. Wee 
 Turkes are to thefe Chriftians for all the world like 
 Vfurers to young heyres ; make picking meate of 
 their carcafes euen to the very bones, and then 
 leaue them to the hang-man, for theil none of them ; 
 and not like Englifhmen to their Oxen, the neerer 
 
76 
 
 fatte the neerer fed vpon. Well, hether he muft 
 come ; and yet, I think, fcarcely too unlefs he be 
 carried, for I am fure, let mee fee, thefe fiue or fix 
 moneths at leaft he has had nothing but the hard 
 boords for his bed, drie bread for his foode and 
 miferable water for his drinke : and wee 'Turkes 
 thinke that it is too good for thefe Chriftians too ; 
 for why fhould we do any better to them fince 
 they do little better one to another ? But where 
 are you here ? ha ! 
 
 Enter Sir Thomas. 
 
 Sir Tho. What would thy tongue vnlefs to haue 
 Thy tyrannies, writ here, fright thine owne foule ? 
 Or art thou come to adde vnto my bones, 
 Hauing no fence of fuffering in my flefh ? 
 Speake out thy worft ; our fpirits not affraide 
 At what can come ; though in our lookes difmaide. 
 
 lay. All this. Sir, is to be left to the difcretion 
 of the higher powers ; I ha nothing to doe with 
 it : onely, fir, I haue a warrant here, to make two 
 knots to tye your ancles in, all the teeth in your 
 head cannot tel how to vndoo them ; and heere 
 they are ready, fir. 
 
 Sir Tho. How, flaue ? 
 
 lay. Nay, come, refill not, but remember wee 
 haue cold irons, a good cudgell and a flirong arme : 
 put in your bearers. 
 
 Sir Tho. Blind Fortune, when thou looked 
 afkance on me 
 
11 
 
 Thou art without confcience in thy plaguing them 
 [then?]. 
 
 lay. Come, come ; your legges are fhrunke as 
 
 you had bin at your leachery lately : we fhall ha' 
 
 them flip their collars anon. Go, you may fay your 
 
 prayers now : you fliall ha' more company prefently. 
 
 \Exit layler leauing Sir 'Thomas in the Jiocks. 
 
 Sir Tho. What folly wert in me to figh at this. 
 Or chide my fortune being comon that flie brings 
 Full hands to fooles & knaues, griefe euen to kings. 
 Or what auailes it mee to raile at them 
 That fled from me, whofe faiths I built vpon ? 
 Since tis as ripe^ in trufl: to find fome flaues 
 As honefl: men to die and haue due graues ; 
 Or that my flefli is flirunk and my bloud pal'd ; 
 Since I haue this to make my courage bold. 
 Man haue but done a part of what Death fliould ! 
 Or why fliould my captiuity afflidl me ? 
 Good mindes know this ; — imprifonment's no 
 
 fliame 
 Vnlefle the caufe be foule which blots the name. 
 Then all the griefes in my remembrance bee 
 Is that my Fathers eyes fhould weepe for mee 
 And my misfortune : for mine owne mifliapps 
 Are to my minde as are heauens thunder-claps 
 Who cleares the ayre of fowle infedlion ; 
 And in my thoughts do onely publifli this — 
 AfBidion 's due to man as life and fin is. 
 
 ^ Dyce, in a MS. note, fuggefts that we fhould read 'rife.' 
 
78 
 
 Enter the great Turke with a Bajfa ; lay lour and 
 attendants, 
 
 I (T- Turk. Speake : 
 
 Where is this Captiue Englifh Chriftian ? 
 
 Baff. Heere, as appointed by our Emperor. 
 
 Turk. Say, Chriftian ; yetjefolue vs thy defcent 
 And promife of the ranfome that's affign'd thee, 
 Or^ tortures fhall inforce it from thy tongue. 
 With the funnes light this day we haue thee grac'd 
 Which till this houre we haue exempt from thee ; 
 Which grace of ours vnlefTe thou do confefTe, 
 Thy tortures fhall be more, thy freedome lefle. 
 
 Sir Tho. That I enioy yon benefit of heauen, 
 The life and folace of each liuing creature. 
 Here to refrefh mine eyes, I do confefTe, — 
 By you kept from mee, by yon bountie giuen me : 
 And 'tis"^ fome comfort to my miferie 
 That funne fhines on my Father lookes on mee. 
 But to refolue your grace to pay a ranfome 
 And know not how to make my promife good, 
 I had rather you fhould take, I yeeld, my bloud. 
 
 Turk. Why think'ft thou, Chriftian, our beleefs 
 fo flight. 
 Great Sherley for thy ranfome would fend backe 
 Thirty of cheefeft note in our refpeft, 
 And thou of obfcure parentage and birth ? 
 
 ' 4to. our. ^ 4to. this. 
 
79 
 
 Thou haft wak't our anger: put him on the rack, 
 Where foure and twenty howers he fhall remahie. 
 Vpon your hues I charge it quickly done, 
 Our felfe will fee the execution. 
 
 Sir Tho. 'Tis but the fartheft way about to death 
 To giue men lingring tortures, when a fmall prick 
 Is mans conclufion : but how fo ere, my Lord, 
 I ha' patience to accept what you afford. 
 The dungion ; this, now that ; if back againe 
 Vnto your lothfome prifon after rack, 
 True conftancie's my fore-front, and my back. 
 
 T^urk. Weele try your patience, Chriftian: hoift 
 him vp. 
 
 Sir Tho. Oh, oh. 
 
 I^urk. Now where's your haughty courage durft 
 withftand vs. 
 And Roman fpirit that forfwore to yield ? 
 
 Sir 'Tho. Here, Emperor, here, euen in thefe out- 
 ftretched veines 
 Liues my amafelefle vitals, heres an vndaunted heart 
 That neuer yeelds by Turkifh tyranny : 
 I am the fame through all that made me man, 
 Scorne Pagans threats to die a Chriftian. 
 
 Turk. Wrinch him againe. 
 
 Sir Tho. Oh, oh. 
 
 Turk. Yet wilt thou tell thy bloud and parentage 
 And yeeld vnto the ranfome we have aflignd thee } 
 
 Sir Tho. No, Emperor, no ; 
 Euen in this hell of paine I anfwer neuer : 
 I once denied thee, and my tongue's no Her. 
 
8o 
 
 Turk. We ftand amazed at thy conftancy. 
 Yet anfwer vs : wilt thou forfake thy faith, 
 Become as we are, and to Mahomet, 
 Our holy prophet, and his Alcoran 
 Giue thy deuotion ? and by our kings we fweare 
 We will accept thee in the place of kings. 
 
 Sir Tho. Firft fhall the Sunne melt from his reft- 
 lefle feat 
 Ere that our name fhall turne Apoftata ; 
 Thy kingdomes be vnpeopled, and thy nations 
 Become as free for beafts as now for men. 
 Thy felfe (as fometimes were thy Anceftors) 
 Fed in a cage and dragd at conquerors heeles. 
 
 Turk. Prefumptious Chriftian ! 
 
 Sir Tho. And thy bad hfe meet fuch a hatefull 
 death 
 Even foules fhall loath thy body, men thy breath. 
 
 Turk. Thy flrength of faith hath bred a wonder 
 in vs. 
 One take him downe and bear him back to prifon: 
 We yet refolue not how to deale with him. 
 
 Sir Tho. Euen where you will ; to torture back 
 againe : 
 Our comforts this, — hell flores for you like paine. 
 
 [Exit Tho. 
 
 Enter Mejfenger. 
 
 Turk. The hafty newes ^ 
 
 Mejfen. The Engli/Ji agent craues accefTe to you, 
 
 Turk. Admit him. 
 
8i 
 
 Enter Agent. 
 
 Agent. From my dread Maifter, Englands royall 
 king, 
 By thefe his letters faire commends to you. 
 
 'T'urk. Wegreetehimwithlikeloue: his letters craue 
 A prifoner thats cald Sherley^ we fhould haue. 
 
 Agent. An Englijli knight, whom his misfortunes 
 caft 
 Vpon your T'urki/Ji fhore. 
 
 'Turk. We haue as yet had notice of no fuch. 
 
 Agent. By name perhaps, dreade Emperor ; yet 
 in this place 
 By your commandement he Hues prifoner ; 
 And brother to that Sherley calde the great. 
 
 Turk. Ha ! 
 
 Agent. Which in the Perjian warres is generall. 
 
 Turk. Had I known t\\2it.,hY MahoiJiet he had di'd. 
 
 Agent. His miferies haue fpoke vnto our king, 
 loynd with his worth ; and he hath fent for him. 
 
 Turk. Weele not deny your Mr his requeft : 
 Yet how to know we do not fend him back 
 His fubjedl, but a prefent giuen from vs. 
 Whom we efteeme of an vnualu'd worth. 
 One bring him forth. Receiue him, Englijli Agent : 
 
 Enter one with Sir Thomas. 
 To thee, 
 
 As to thy Maifters hand, we thus prefent him : 
 Bid him accept him as our thoughts did hold 
 A lem could not be bought from vs with gold. 
 
 L 
 
82 
 
 His pafTe fhall be for Florence, then for Englandy 
 Leaft he in Perfia fhould imbrace his brother 
 And proue a plague to vs as great as the other. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Enter Maijier Robert Sherley and a Hermit with him. 
 
 ^.o Rob. Graue father, for the reuerence of your eye, 
 
 ^ And luftice of the caufe for which you come — 
 Being to aduance the glory of our God, 
 Wherein no foule fhould have negledlfull thoughts — 
 I haue laine by perticuler affaires 
 To giue a hearing to your buyfines. 
 
 Her. Go on, my fonne ; to Him being dutifull 
 Vertue will make thy name more honorable. 
 My felfe from farre haue on thefe aged feete, 
 Whofe knees do buckle and hauefcarce there ftrength 
 To beare me further then a graues in length, 
 With eafie paces but a fwift defire 
 Inquird thee out ; that hearing thee a Chriftian 
 So gracious with this Perfian Emperor, — 
 A minde fo noble in thy adlions, 
 A bodie fortunate in his defleignes — 
 Thou mights as well beflowe thy paines and bloud 
 To aduance religion as for heathens good. 
 
 Rob. Heauen knowes, 
 Knew I the meanes, I were His willing feruant. 
 
 Her. If, like thy tongue, thy intention haue a care, 
 Clime vp to heauen by this aicending ftaire : 
 Intreat thy Emperor thou muft raife a Church 
 To facrifice thy praiers vnto that name 
 
83 
 
 To whome all names fliould kneele: when if his 
 
 Prieftes, 
 Himfelfe, his Counfell, any heathen breath 
 Should contradi6l the high authority 
 Of thy deuoted zeale, fpare not to fay 
 Then God's His feruant whom thy thoughts obey ; 
 And win, as by perfwafion kings are won, 
 Or els confute them by religion. 
 
 Rob. Alas, fir, my vngrowne experience 
 To argue a difference of that heigth 
 Betwixt their god and ours is fo farre vnfit, 
 I rather fhall abufe then honour it. 
 
 Her. Why, why, my fonne ? doeft thou forget to 
 know 
 Our God's the fpring whence eloquence doth flowe, 
 And can infufe into thee, wert thou dumbe. 
 Words thunderlike, a contradiftlefle tongue ? 
 That when thou fpeak'ft for the honour of that name 
 Made earth to hange betwixt yon heauenly frame 
 Borne on no axeltree, angels do fit 
 About thine eares and breath into thy wit : 
 And if thou fiiouldeft in fuch a quarrell die 
 Martirs lookes on thee with a ioyfull eye. 
 
 Rob. Yee haue giuen vnto my life another foule, 
 And neuer, reuerend father, could you haue come 
 In time thats fitter wherein I may proue 
 My duty to the Higheft, to Chrifl:ians loue. 
 This prefent day I haue an Infant borne 
 Who, tho defcended from the Emperors Neece, 
 A Pagan, ile baptife in Chrifl;ian faith ; 
 
84 
 
 Confute their Ignorance, heauen affifting me, 
 That mine one foule this comfort may pertake, 
 Sherley in Perfia did the firft Chriftian make ; 
 Then raife a temple for our further good, 
 Or in the faire aduenture fpend my bloud. 
 
 Her. In all neceffities ile further thee. 
 And if by my aduice thou dyeft ile die with thee. 
 
 Rob. And fo to die your life were new begun. 
 Old age ^ to die with him a made God's fonne. 
 
 Enter Sophey, Halibeck and Calimath. 
 
 Sop. Haly^ go on ; and of your great affaires 
 Deliuer vs euery feuerall circumftance. 
 
 Haly. From thence I left, dread foueraigne, thus 
 enfues : 
 That Sherley whom you ioynd with mee in embafley, 
 Hauing our footing once on Chriftian ground, 
 Became fo proude, fo wilde, fo prodigall 
 All eyes contemne[d] him ; only fome fewe 
 That gaue his rifing lookes, but for the dew 
 Your Grace beftowd on him in Princes courts : 
 His fellowfhip was fooles, his adlions fports 
 For wife- mens tables. I often did aduife him 
 That fuch behauiours no way did befit 
 The glory of his place, nor would you fuffer it 
 When his returne gaue place for banijfhment. 
 When firft in Rujfia, he abuf'd your greatnefle. 
 For which the iuft State did imprifon him ; 
 
 ' Qj. Good end to die with him you made &c. 
 
85 
 
 Yet for the honor of the Caufe in hand 
 
 Ere long he was releaft. We come to Rome, 
 
 Where, I but ftriuing to afcend as chiefe, 
 
 Being in perfon there your facred felfe, 
 
 His hand firft ftruck me, while his tongue did chime 
 
 * No Pagans muft afcend where Chriftians climbe.' 
 
 Sop. Durft he fay fo ? 
 
 Hal. He did, my Lord: 
 Yet paft we thence to Venice^ where, as before, 
 He kept his flood of riot and abufe ; 
 For which hees there kept prifoner : and the State 
 Return'd me back, nothing determin'd of. 
 
 Cal. Now may my foueraigne evidently fee 
 Their fubtle glofings haue this inward kind, 
 Theil wound your heart though feeme to pleafe your 
 mind. 
 
 Sop. By day, if this be true, no Chriftian Hues 
 Within the compafle where our word may kill. 
 Speake : 
 How canft thou anfwer this appeale of theirs ? 
 
 Rob. O let the Emperor but defift a while 
 From the remembrance of a tale he heard ; 
 Or elfe but thinke great men may face a lie 
 Till truth appeare and giue their che[e]cke a die. 
 Thefe letters in your eyes firft fpeak for me, 
 Whilft in their eares a ftory He vnfold 
 Shall make their heads fhake and their hearts [turn] 
 
 cold. 
 The firft from Rujfia^ where this enuious man 
 Accuf'd my brother as a Fugitiue, 
 
86 
 
 A theefe, a Pyrat, and a Chriftian fpie ; 
 
 For which he was imprifon'd, till euidently 
 
 The State had knowledge of his innocence ; 
 
 Then him releaft, fent that intelligence. 
 
 At Rome I not deny my brother ftruck him 
 
 For pride, fo iuft the Father of that feat 
 
 In his behalfe doth in his letter fpeak. 
 
 Now let your eyes but looke what Venice writes : 
 
 That this man by fuggeftions wrought the State 
 
 Againft my brothers labours; with-held the treafure 
 
 Your Princely felfe fent to difcharge the lew 
 
 For the rich lewell that my brother bought : 
 
 And all the benefit to Chriftendom 
 
 And to your honor is by him vndon. 
 
 Sop. Treafons vnheard of! fuch fhall the reuenge 
 bee : 
 His filence and his lookes approues his guilt. 
 Great Sherley^ at thy cenfure there he ftands ; 
 To doome him death may equall his offence: 
 Vnto thy brothers life he ftretch his finne ; 
 Be his alike, we freely giue thee him. 
 
 Rob. Then here's my iuflice for fo vile a crime : 
 Since that it reatcht vnto my brother's life 
 And blemifh of his honour and his worth, 
 And hindered that ordain'd for Chriftian glory ; 
 He fhall confefle vnto your facred felfe 
 All treafons in thofe letters mentioned 
 To be his plots and adtions gainft my brother; 
 And tell the world to fhut vp fcandalls tongue, 
 All that thou didft from rootes of enuy fprung 
 
87 
 
 And no defert of his : they fatisfied, 
 
 For all confpiracy, all enuies finne 
 
 We thus will loue thee, learne but to loue him. 
 
 Sop. Thou art to mercifull. 
 
 Cal. In this as mercifull as honourable. 
 
 Hal. Thy clemency doth make mee fee my felfe 
 To haue beene a villaine to that gentleman 
 Defer ues fo well of all men, beft of mee. 
 Great Emperor, not a letter that is there, 
 If euery charadter were doubled twice. 
 But the attempts are mine againft his life. 
 Death I haue deferu'd : then much I owe to thee 
 That might haue tane my life, and fet mee free. 
 
 Sop. Stay there, Sir: 
 Sherley ha's pardoned the offence to him, 
 Not the tranfgreffions thou haft done to vs. 
 We fent thee forth as our Ambaffador, 
 To deale for vs as we ourfelfe were there. 
 Which dignity of ours thy tongue profan'd ; 
 For which we do adiudge thee loofe thy tongue. 
 We made thy hand, like ours, to ftrike or fpare, 
 Which powre and grace of ours thou didft abufe ; 
 For which thou ftialt go handleffe to thy graue : 
 And that thy head, that made the reft offend. 
 Shall off. All. Mercy, dread Emperor. 
 
 Sop. Who talkes of mercy tafts our wrath with 
 him ; 
 And you that are a kin to him in bloud, 
 Whofe eyes being brothers ftiould taft griefe alike. 
 We charge you fee the execution. 
 
88 
 
 Cal. Dread Emperor. Sop. Speak not, we are 
 refolued. 
 
 Hal. And I to dye : 
 Ambition ftill lies loweft, feeking to flie. [^Exit. 
 
 Sop. His honours and pofTefTions now are thine : 
 If yet vnfatisfied thy griefes remaine 
 Aike yet, to pleafe thy felfe it fhall be granted. 
 
 Rob. I fear to be too bold. 
 
 Sop. Afke and obtaine. 
 
 Rob. My child may be baptifd in Chriftian 
 faith 
 And know the fame God that the father hath. 
 
 Sop. Baptize thy Child, our felfe will ayd in it, 
 Our felfe will anfwer for't : a God father, 
 In our owne armes weele beare it to the place 
 Where it fhall receiue the compleat Ceremonie. 
 Speake, what elfe thou wouldft have granted thee. 
 
 Rob. You are too lauifh of your high fauors. 
 I would entreat I might ere6t a Church 
 Wherein all Chriftians that do hither come 
 May peaceablie heare their owne Religion. 
 
 Sop. Tis graunted, eredt a ftately Temple : 
 It fhall take name from thee. Great Sherleys Church : 
 FinlQi thy fute, what ere it be. 
 
 Rob. You are too^proHTgalT, I too prefuming ; 
 Yet fith your felfe doth thus authorize me, 
 I will not hide my heart. Your further leaue : 
 I would by your permiflion raife a houfe 
 Where Chriftian children from their cradles 
 Should know no other Education, 
 
89 
 
 Manners, language nor Religion 
 
 Then what by Chriftians is deliuer'd them. 
 
 Sop. Week afke no Councel to confirme that grant, 
 'Tis obtain'd, fpeake al. 
 
 Rob. Your fauour, loue and good eftimation, 
 And my fute is ended. 
 
 Sop. In the beft embrace of our endeared loue 
 We do inclofe thee: Sherley fhall approue 
 Our fauours are no cowards, to giue back, 
 They (hal abide til death ; thou fhalt not lack 
 Our loues plenitude, our deareft nephew. 
 Now for the Temple, where our royall hand 
 Shall make thy Child firft Chriftian in our land. 
 
 \Exeunt. 
 
 A Jhow of the Chriftning. 
 
 Enter Fame. J 
 
 Fame. Thus farre hath Fame with her proclaym- 
 ing trumpe 
 Sounded the trauailes of our Englifh brothers : 
 Vnhappy they (and haples in our Sceanes) 
 That in the period of fo many yeares 
 Their ^ deftinies mutable commandrefTe 
 Hath never fuffer'd their regreeting eyes 
 To kifle each other at an enteruiew. 
 But would your ^apprehenfions helpe poore art, / 
 Into three parts deuidingltTiis our ftage, / 
 
 They all at once fhall take their leaues of youJ 
 
 ^ Qto, that. 
 
 M 
 
•'^^' 
 
 C>h 
 
 ?.U-t 
 
 Thinke th is En^lgyid ^ this Sjaine^ this Perfi a : 
 Your fauours then, to your oKeruant eyes 
 Weele fhewe their fort unes prefe nt qualhties. 
 
 Enter three Jeuerall waies the three Brothers ; Robert 
 with the fiate of Perfia as before ; Sir Anthonie 
 with the King of Spaine and others^ where hee re- 
 ceiues the Order of Saint lago^ and other Ojficers ; 
 Sir Thomas in England, with his Father and others. 
 Fame giues to each a profpe^ive glaffe, they feme to 
 fee one another and offer to embrace, at which Fame 
 parts them^ and fo : Exeunt. 
 
 Manet Fame. 
 
 To thofe that neede farther defcription 
 /Wee heipe their vnderftandings with a tongue : 
 Sir Anthonie Sherleie we haue left in Spaine, 
 Knight of Saint lago, one of the counfell 
 Of his highnefle warres againft the infidells, 
 Captaine of th' Armado with other honors : 
 The eldeft in England is ; to few vnknowne 
 His worth, his merrit, and his Offices : 
 The laft in Perfia, as you haue feene. 
 This is the vtmoft of intelligence: 
 If we fhould profecute beyond our knowledge. 
 Some that fill vp this round circumference 
 (And happeHe better knowe their ftates then wee) 
 Might iuftly call the authors trauellers, 
 And giue the acflors too the fouldiers fpite. 
 Then here we leaue them : now the reft to you : — 
 
91 
 
 Since they haue fafely paft fo many perrills 
 (For what through danger pafles is the beft), 
 Since they in all places haue found fauorites, 
 We make no doubt of you : 'twere too hard doome 
 To let them want your Hking heere at home. ) 
 
 FINIS. 
 
h 
 
NOTE. 
 
 We learn from Henflowe's Diary that the Blind 
 Beggar was written (in conjundlion with Chettle) 
 in 1600. It feems to have had confiderable fuc- 
 cefs; for later in the year Haughton joined with 
 Day in producing a "fecond part," which the fame 
 authors (in 1601) followed up with The 1 pie of 
 Thome Strowd. ^ i' J 
 
 The play does not follow the old ballad at all 
 
 clofely 
 
THE 
 
 BLIND - BEGGAR 
 
 OF 
 
 BEDNAL-GREEN, 
 
 WITH 
 
 The merry humor of Tom Strowd the Norfolk 
 Yeoman, as it was divers times publickly adted 
 by the Princes Servants. 
 
 Written by John Day. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed for R. Pollard^ and Tho. Brings and are to be fold at 
 
 the Ben lohnfons Head, behind the Exchange, and the George 
 
 in Fleetjireet, near Saint Dunjlans Church. 1659. 
 
Dramatis Personae. 
 
 King Henry the fixth. 
 
 Duke of Glojter, Protestor. 
 
 Momford the Blind-beggar. 
 
 Bedford^ a Noble-man. 
 
 Bewford, Lord Cardinal. 
 
 Sir Robert JVeJlfordy Brother and private enemy to 
 
 Momford. 
 Captain Westford^ true Friend to Momford, 
 Sir Walter Playnfey^ a Lover of Ellanor. 
 Young Playnjeyy Troth-plight Hulband of Befs 
 
 Momford. 
 
 Old Strowd^ a Norfolk Yeoman. 
 
 Tom Strowdy his Son. 
 
 Swajh his Man, and Clown. 
 
 Canbee \ ^ r^u ^ 
 TT ji J \ two Cheats. 
 Hadland ] 
 
 Snip their Boy. 
 
 Ellanor^ old Playnjey s Ward. 
 
 Bejs the Blind-beggars Daughter. 
 
 Kate Sir Roberts Daughter. 
 
 Switzer^ Vitler, Landerefs, Armorer, Carter, Soul- 
 
 diers, Officers, and Attendants. 
 
 Scene Bednal Green. 
 
The Blind-Beggar of Bed- 
 nail-Green. 
 
 Ad I. 
 
 Enter Bedford, Sir Robert Weftford, Captain 
 Weftford and Souldiers. 
 
 Bed. 
 
 YOu Peers of England that with awful dread 
 [Drum. 
 Have pac'd on the green Garments of fair France^ 
 Here ceafe a while, and give the French-men reft 
 That they may know whofe Soveraignty is beft, 
 Either the Dolphins or our Royal Lords 
 But what avails our Conquefts far from home 
 When civil Discords ftir uncivil arms. 
 In the Kings Chamber, London^ nay, his Court? 
 See, Lords ; what is written there. 
 By bleft St. Peter^ Glofter is to blame. 
 And Winchefter hath neither grace nor fhame. 
 Sir Rob. Yes, my Lord ; he is Lord Cardinals 
 grace. 
 
Bed. Lord Cardinal ! marry, fie, he was proud 
 before ; 
 But now his Hat exalts his proud heart more : 
 But when I come among them He make them 
 
 know 
 The benefit of peace. Fall out for women ! 
 Wrangle at a word ! the one's Protedtor 
 Of a facred prince, the other made a Prince 
 
 [Drum afar off. 
 Amongft the Prelates, though Bewford bafely born. 
 He write to them : 
 
 If with regardlefs eyes our lines they read, 
 We'll over and cut off their factious head. 
 
 Sir Rob. About old Playnfeys fon what fays your 
 
 Excellency ? 
 Bed. Sir Walters fon ^ marry, Sir Rob. Weftford — 
 
 \March afar off. 
 This Drum, I think, marcheth from Amiens: 
 It fhould be he, I fent him for the Prifoners. 
 
 Enter young Plainfey with Drum and Souldiers ; 
 and a Switzar. 
 
 T. Playn. Health to your Excellence ! moft 
 gracious Regent, 
 Playnfey^ long Prifoner in Amiens, 
 Releaft by Momfords bounty and your care, 
 Requefts, before thefe Prifoners be difmift, 
 This Switzar may be fearcht ; for late laft night 
 I heard a Gentleman tell him in Dutch 
 
If he would bear a letter to a Lord, 
 
 With whom Veleires had intelligence. 
 
 He fhould receive in hand ten Crowns in gold 
 
 And 30 more when 'twas deliver'd him. 
 
 Bed. Who was it promif 'd you fo large reward ? 
 
 Switz. On frolick yonker 
 Dat is de Scryven — Ick Doeniit for-ftow — 
 De fecretarie to Van Here Velieres. 
 
 Bed. He was the Secretary to the Governour ? 
 
 Switz. Yaw, yaw, mine Here. 
 
 Bed. Who were they fent unto .'' 
 
 Switz. To Van Heren Montford dat is de grave 
 van Callis ant van Guynes. Dat is deen fcript deen 
 Letters what you fee then. 
 
 Bed. To Momford ! What fhould Veleires y^nte. 
 to Momford ! \Read. 
 
 Sir Rob. Playnfey, is this the plot for Momfords 
 fall? 
 
 T. Playn. It is; and be aflured that down he 
 fhall. 
 
 Sir Rob. O let me hugg thee ! thou haft won 
 my heart. 
 
 T. Playn. Forbear, left the ftiarp eye of Jealoufie 
 See by this fuddaine Joy our Injury. 
 
 Sir Rob. When it breaks forth wee'l feem to 
 weep for grief. 
 
 Bed. Lords take your places, and M'. Playnfey 
 take your feat, 
 For in this bufineffyour defert is great. — 
 See here's a Letter fent from Amiens unto Momford. 
 
Omnes. How ? unto Momford ? 
 
 Bed. Yes ; and, if this fpeak right, 
 
 Momford betray'd Guynes on Friday night, 
 And means tomorrow, ere the Sun be fet, 
 To yield up Callis to the enemy. 
 
 Cap. West. High Heaven forfend it ! gracious 
 General, 
 I think there breaths not a more noble Spirit 
 In an Souldiers breaft, than noble Momfords. 
 
 T. Playn. I'le gage my life Lord Momford will 
 be loyal. 
 
 Bed. We would be loath to find him otherwife : 
 
 [Enter Momford. 
 But here he comes himfelf, his eyes bewray 
 Sorrow, as clowds fore-fhew a ftormy day. 
 
 Momf. Better fuccefs betide my Noble Lords, 
 Than hath befaln the miferable Momford. 
 
 Bed. What hath befaln thee ? 
 
 Momf Guynes^ Guynes is betray'd. 
 
 Bed. And when muft Callis be furrendered ^ 
 
 Momf. Never, while Momford hath the charge 
 of it. 
 
 Bed. Yes, if thou have the charge of it, this 
 night 
 It muft be yielded unto falfe Veleires. 
 Here's a large promife of ten thoufand Marks, 
 Your prife' for Fridays work in yielding Guynes. 
 Know you this hand ? Oh that on filver hairs, 
 
 ' 4to. praife. 
 
After much honour won in flowring Youth, 
 Should fit fo huge a fhame, as on thine doth. 
 
 Momf. My Lord ! Lords all ! this is confpiracy. 
 
 Bed. True, confpiracy in thee ; for there he ftands 
 That fhould have brought that letter to thy hands, 
 
 Momf. This fellow fled from Hance Bramart the 
 Traitor, 
 The Walloon Captain that betray'd the Lanthorn, 
 And fo by confequence the Fort of Guynes. 
 
 Bed. Momford, no more; his free confeflion 
 Hath purchafed his pardon : fellow, flay 
 Amongfl our Englifh, and expe6l good pay. 
 
 Switz. Thank hab mine Here, lets Jacob gilt 
 habben 
 And Ick full fight wid ten hunderd towfand Divels. 
 
 [^Exit Switz. 
 
 Momf. Shall fuch a one touch Momfords reputa- 
 tion ^ 
 
 Bed. Thefe Letters and the accidents fucceeding 
 Condemn thee, and thou know'fl by Law of Arms 
 Thou merit'fl death with more than common 
 
 torture : 
 But thy exceeding vallour, often tride. 
 Sets open Mercies gate, whofe gentle hand, 
 Leads thee from death, but leaves thee banifhed 
 From England and the Realms and Provinces 
 Under protedion of the Englifh King. 
 Only thy Lands and Goods thou fhalt enjoy 
 And, wherefoere, from them be ftill maintain'd. 
 
 Momf. My gracious Lord ! 
 
8 
 
 Bed. Thou find'ft but too much grace. 
 
 Momf. Hear me but fpeak. 
 Bed. No more ; we muft away 
 
 To win by force the Town thou didft betray. 
 
 \_Exeunt. 
 Momf. O miferable ! miferable man ! \_Falls. 
 
 Cap. Wejl. Why do you faint ? why fall you on 
 
 the ground ? 
 Sir Rob. Cofen arife. 
 
 Manet Momford, Sir Rob., Y. I'laynfey, 
 and Cap. Weftford. 
 
 T. Playn. Father ! you are my father ; 
 The Lady Elizabeth^ your noble Daughter, 
 Is my affied wife : for her fake rife. 
 And stop this tide of woe that drowns your eyes. 
 
 Momf. Oh miferable ! miferable Man ! 
 Difhonours abjeft, bafe reproaches fcorn, 
 Why was mine age to this difafter born ^. 
 
 Cap. Wefi. Comfort yourfelf, let not condemn'd 
 defpair 
 Add to your forrow more than common care. 
 If you be juft, as I fuppofe you be, 
 Know Innocence ends not in mifery : 
 Kings have had falls, great Souldiers overthrown; 
 No riches in this earth is a mans own : 
 He ftrives, he toyls, with many pains he takes it, 
 In an age gets it, in one hour forfakes it. 
 
Enter Luce the Launderejfe ^ and 3 others. 
 
 Vttler. Hee's yonder yet ; hee's disgrac'd and 
 can do us no more good, therefore let every man 
 afk his own. Follow me, Sirs ; He fpeak to the 
 purpofe and ftand too't. 
 
 Luce. Nay, Sutler, by your leave I'll ftand to 
 the beft man in the Army and have my due before 
 the proudeft of ye : if I do not, fay Luce the Laun- 
 drefs is your Shee-affe to bear for others. I'll ven- 
 ture upon him, let him take it as he will. 
 
 [Enter Souldier. 
 
 All. Do Luce ; wee'l be ruled by thee. 
 
 Luce. My Lord, my noble Lord, I am forry for 
 your weak eftate : I hope for all this to fee you up 
 again. Here's 4 poor Creatures of us : amongft 
 the reft I am. Luce your poor Landrefs that have 
 wafht you and trimm'd you and ftarch't you, and 
 as I have done for you I have done my part with 
 all your company : heres my Bill, I pray fee me 
 croft. 
 
 Momf. What do I owe thee, woman ? 
 
 Luce. Nine pound, nine ftiillings and nine pence, 
 my Lord. 
 
 Momf. There's 10 pound for thee. 
 
 Luce. O good Noble man ! that ever, that ever 
 I ftiould fee thee thus down, adown ! 
 
 Vitler. Your poor Vitler, Sir, where your Lord- 
 fliips men went o' th' ticket. 
 
 Armor. Your Armorer, an't pleafe your Honor. 
 
 B 
 
lO 
 
 Carter. Your Carter, Sir, for carriages. 
 
 Momf. What owe I thee ? 
 
 Vitler. Some 7 marks, an't Hke ye. 
 
 Momf. What thee ? Armor. Twelve pound, 
 
 Momf. What thee ? Carter, About fome 20 
 
 nobles. 
 
 Momf. There's 30 pound amongft ye, all I 
 have: 
 The Treafurer owes me fome two thoufand Marks. 
 
 All 4. God bleffe ye, Sir, and fend it ye. 
 
 [Exeunt Luce and the refi. 
 
 Momf. Wherefore ftayeft thou my Friend ? Oh 
 I know thee now ! 
 Thou art not impudent, thou canft not begg : 
 Thou art a Souldier, and thy wound-plow'd 
 
 face 
 Hath every furrow fill'd with falling tears 
 That arms and honour fhould be thus difdain'd. 
 I have no gold to give thee but this chain : 
 I pray thee take it, friend ; thou griev'ft at me, 
 And I am griev'd thy want and wounds to fee. 
 
 Sould. My filent prayer my hearts love fhall 
 exprefs : 
 Heaven fuccour you, as you help my diftrefs. 
 
 Momf. Brother Sir Robert., if you do not fcorn 
 Momford's difgraced name, and M'. Playnfey 
 — Son I fhould call ye if all vows be kept — 
 Will you vouchfafe to tarry here awhile 
 Till I go down unto the Treafurers tent ? 
 It may be he will pay me all my due. 
 
II 
 
 T. Playn. Father, I'll wait for you, and weep for 
 woe 
 That I have liv'd to fee your overthrow. 
 
 Sir Rob. Well I'll ftay too, or bear ye company : 
 For your diftrefs doth make my woes abound. 
 Momf. Come Cofen, Captain Weftford, walk 
 
 with me. 
 Capt. Weji. To do you good I'd go though't be 
 to death. 
 
 \Exeunt. Manet Sir Robert, and Young 
 Playnfey. 
 Sir Rob. Ha, ha, ha ! Gill, Gill, Gill ! I have 
 been ready to burft. 
 Son, pray thee tell me how thou laid'ft this plot ? 
 T. Playn. Marry, Sir Robert, thus: When I 
 perceived 
 Your great defire for Momf or d' s overthrow, 
 I got intelligence at Amiens 
 How one Beaumart, a captain in Guynes Fort, 
 Offered to fell it to the Governor. 
 Having this light, about a two months fince 
 I wilfully was taken Prifoner, 
 Born into Amiens, where I was confirm 'd 
 And knew the very time of taking Guynes. 
 On Thurfday evening I attir'd myfelf 
 Like Veleires Secretary, Lanclot ; 
 Came to the Prifon where the Switzer lay — 
 For I had liberty to walk the Town, 
 Had all my Ramfome ready fent by Momfordy 
 And only tarried for our Englijh Drum 
 
12 
 
 That fhould exchange French Prifoners for the Eng- 
 
 lifh— 
 The Switzar being one that ftay'd with us. 
 
 Sir Rob. So, I underftand ye ; but in the end 
 How dealt ye with the Szvitzar for the Letter ? 
 T. Playn. I brought it home in fecret, gave him 
 charge 
 To give it Momford with all able fpeed, 
 Promifing 30 Crowns befides thofe ten 
 I gave him firft of noble Momfords bounty : 
 He took me for Veleires Secretarie : 
 But now you fee the end, Momford' s difgrac'd 
 And I am unfufpeded in this cafe. 
 
 Sir Rob. Excellent good ! I hugg thee, gentle 
 
 Flaynfey, 
 T. Playn. But tell me, pray : How. goes all in 
 
 England ? 
 Sir Rob. Marry I'll tell thee. Gill : thy Father's 
 Ward, 
 The Lady Ellenor^ fhall be his Wife. 
 
 T. Playn. The Duke of Glojier will not fuffer 
 
 that. 
 Sir Rob. Tut, tut, it's all but talk, it's all but 
 lyes : 
 So does the Cardinal make fhow of Love, 
 But tittle tittle tattle, all's but talk. 
 He (hall have Lady Ellenor no doubt : 
 Say fhe die childlefs — there is land for you ; 
 You marry with my daughter, fhee's my heir — 
 Still Mr. Playnjey there is land for you ; 
 
13 
 
 I'll turn out Momford's daughter forth of doors, 
 Seife all her goods and lands by a device — 
 Still Mr, Playnfey there is land for you. 
 
 T. Playn. But how, I pray ? What colour have 
 
 you for it ? 
 Sir Rob. Marry, Son, thus : About a twelve- 
 month fince 
 Momford in truft made me a Deed of Gift 
 Of all he had, excepting certain land 
 Morgag'd unto a Norfolk man, one Strowd of 
 
 Harlingy 
 Now, Sir, I am acquainted with an odd confort. 
 One Canbee that doth ferue the Cardinal. 
 
 T. Playn. Oh he can cheat, take purfes, forge 
 
 mens hands. 
 Sir Rob. The fame, the fame : he rac'd out that 
 Exception 
 And put in other matter to my liking : — 
 So I'll defeat old Strowd, turn out Beje Momford; 
 All fhall be mine, and after mine all thine. 
 T. Playn. No more ; Momford returns. 
 
 Enter Momford and Captain Wefiford. 
 
 Momf. Captain, ye fee 
 
 That men dejedted muft bear injury : 
 He knowes I am exil'd and cannot ftay, 
 And yet he drives me to a longer day. 
 
 Capt. Wefi. There is a hundred pound, — ye fhall 
 not chufe. 
 
Sir Rob. I faith my noble Cozen, I and Playnjey 
 Are without money ; but fend into England, 
 Ye fhall not want for 20 thoufand pound. 
 
 Momf. Brother Sir Robert^ I put truft in you : 
 This Ring fhall come within a day or two. 
 
 Sir Rob. I cannot fpeak for grief! 
 
 Momf. No more can I. 
 
 This wind, ere the fun fet, will let you fee 
 London, that nere muft be beheld of me. 
 Commend me to my Daughter, love her Playnjey : 
 Part filent, let your fighs ferve for reply. 
 
 [They embrace. 
 Captain, think on Strowds mortgage, and farewell. 
 
 \Exeunt., manet Momf. 
 They (hall fee London, they fhall fee my Child, 
 But Momford muft not, for he is exil'd. 
 I am exil'd ; yet I will England fee. 
 And live in England 'fpight of infamy. 
 In fome difguife I'll live ; perhaps I'll turn 
 Beggar, for a Beggars life is beft, 
 His Dyet is in each mans kitchin dreft. 
 But firft I'll, like an aged Souldier, 
 Carry mine own Ring to Sir Robert Wefiford: 
 They fay 'tis good to try Friends ; him I'll try. 
 Though I believe he love me fteadfaftly. 
 
 \Ex. Momf. 
 
15 
 
 [Scene II.] 
 Enter old Playnfey and Lady Ellenor. 
 
 Lady. Sir Walter Playnfey — 
 
 Old Playn. Lady Ellenor, 
 
 You are too ftrong in this opinion : 
 I yield you are my wardfhip, and that defire 
 To your Revenews more than true hearts love 
 Enforc'd me beg your wardfhip of the king. 
 
 Lady. I do believe you, Sir, for did you look 
 Into my ftate with an indifferent eye, 
 Or love me half fo well so you make fhew, 
 You would — 
 
 Old Playn. Come, come, I know what you would 
 fay : 
 You think I am your Foe, becaufe I keep you 
 From private conference with the Duke of Gloster 
 And his proud Uncle the Lord Cardinal, 
 That divers times have practis'd fundry plots 
 To fteal you from my houfe. 
 
 Lady. Your love's but feigned 
 
 Becaufe you fay you love me for my living. 
 
 Old Playn. I fay my firft love took firft life from 
 thence. 
 But fince, more dear familiarity 
 Hath brought forth perfeift and true fhapen love. 
 I love you. Lady, and you are mine own, 
 Mine in poffeffion, and I do intend 
 To make you mine by lawfull marriage : 
 
i6 
 
 Then blame me not if, being all my joy 
 And the high-prized Jewel of my heart, 
 I over-look you with a wary eye, 
 Left Glojler or the Baftard Cardinal 
 Should with their fwelling Proteftations 
 Cheat my fair meaning of thy hopefull love. 
 
 \K.nock. Enter ajervant. 
 
 Serv, Sir, here's a Servant from the Duke of 
 Glojler 
 Hath brought you Letters. 
 
 Old Playn. How ? Letters to me } 
 
 No, thou miftak'ft ; they come to Ellenor. 
 
 Glojl. My Lord and Mafter greets Sir Walter 
 Playnjey. 
 
 Old Playn. I do accept his honourable love 
 With more than mean or ordinary care. \Reads. 
 He doth intreat me to come and fpeak with him 
 About fome certain Letters come from France^ 
 Touching the prefent fortunes of my Son 
 Lately tane Prifoner by the bloodie French. 
 He fhall command far more than he intreats. 
 
 \Knocks. 
 How now } whofe that which knocks ? 
 
 [Enter Serv. 
 
 Serv. One of the Cardinals men. 
 
 Old Playn. Bid him to come in. 
 
 Enter the Cardinal difgui/ed^ with Letters. 
 
 Card. Sir Walter Playnjey^ 
 From my Lord Cardinals grace of Winchejler 
 
17 
 
 I greet thee well, and charge thee without ftay 
 To come and anfwer fuch objedtions 
 As may by him be laid unto thy charge. 
 
 Gloft. Oh you fliould be his Sumner by your 
 
 meflage. 
 Card. And if I do not take my marks amifs 
 Thou fhouldeft be Glojiers Skuilion. 
 
 Glofi. How, ye groom ! 
 
 I am as good a man and better born 
 Than up-ftart Bewford the bafe Cardinal. 
 
 Card. Sirrah, were not thou in prefence of this 
 Lady, 
 Whofe love my Lord doth prize above his life, 
 I'd fcorn to take thefe braves at Glojiers hands, 
 Much lefs at thine. — Madam, know I am Bew- 
 ford 
 And for your love do undergo this fcorn. 
 
 Lady. Then for my love let all thefe quarrels 
 ceafe. 
 For fear Sir Walter do difcover you. 
 
 Gloji. Hadft thou been fervant to the meaneft 
 man 
 That breathes in England, being legitimate, 
 I would have born with thee ; but thou to brave 
 
 me, 
 Whofe Mafter I efteem as bafely on 
 As on thy words, I cannot put it up. 
 — For, Madam, know that howfoere difguif'd 
 My name is Glojler^ who holds fcorn — 
 
 Lady. No more ; 
 
 c 
 
i8 
 
 If ever I had intereft in your love 
 
 Shew it in filence : thats the Cardinal 
 
 Who comes difguif'd, arm'd with fome bafe refolve 
 
 To get me hence by forein violence. 
 
 Gloji. Is't poflible that his difguife fhould meet 
 So juft with mine ? Lady. 'Tis true : he told 
 me ail. 
 
 Gloji. Wo'd we were well rid of his company. 
 
 Lady. Do you but fend away Sir Walter Flaynjey., 
 Let me alone to pack the Cardinal. 
 
 Both. What do you fay, Sir Walter ? 
 
 Old Playn. There is fome hidden fecret in this 
 mefTage 
 Which Flaynjey founds not, but I'll go to them 
 both. 
 
 Gloft. But, Sir, I hope you'l go to Glojler firft. 
 
 Card. And why to Glojier firft .? 
 
 Gloji. 'Caufe hee's the better man. 
 
 Card. He lyes that fayes it. 
 
 GloJl. Were the Cardinal, 
 
 Bewford\\\vc\.{^{, apparell'd in thy cloaths [Draws. 
 I'd crofs his pate for giving me the lye. 
 
 Old Playn. Keep the Kings peace, Sir. 
 
 Glq/l. Sir Walter, fo I will : 
 
 Yet the worft boy that feeds on Glofters beef 
 Holds it high fcorn to pocket up the lye 
 At ere a Sumners hand that follows Bewford. 
 
 Card. Thou durft not fpeak this in another place. 
 
 GloJl. Yes, here or anywhere, to Bewford' s face, 
 Even to his teeth, and I would thou wert he. 
 
19 
 
 Card. Shall I be brav'd ! Oh I could tear my 
 flefh^ 
 And eat his heart for this difparagement. 
 I fear he knows me and to work my fhame 
 He braves me thus before my Mrs. face : 
 But Bewfordy with a fhower of patience 
 Lay the rough wind of thy diftemper'd thoughts ; 
 For my vext Soul hath tane a folemn oath 
 Nere to kifs comfort till I be reveng'd. 
 
 Old Playn. Nay, Gentlemen, howfoever private 
 brawls 
 Have fet your Lords and Mailers at debate. 
 Let my intreats fo much prevail with you 
 As in my houfe to ufe no violence : 
 And fb I pray reft pleas'd, for ere I deep 
 I do intend to vifit both my Lords. 
 Will't pleafe you to walk along for company .'' 
 
 Card. I would, but I muft ftay an hour or two 
 About fome other bufinefs in the Town. 
 
 Gloji. About my Love you mean, but, Cardinal, 
 Heres one will do that bufinefs to your hand. 
 
 Old Playn. Why, then, farewell to you both. 
 
 [_Exit old Playn. 
 
 Both. Adue, Sir Walter Playnjey. 
 
 Lady. A word with you, my good Lord 
 Cardinal : 
 Your Brothers man feems very quarrelfome 
 And, fhould you both ftay, there might grow fome 
 
 jars ; 
 Which to prevent, I would intreat your grace 
 
20 
 
 To walk before into the Spittle fields, 
 
 Whilft with good words I fend away this fellow : 
 
 Which done, I'll chufe my opportunity 
 
 And, in the abfence of Sir Walter Playnfey, 
 
 Get out and meet you at the Orchard-gate; 
 
 And there conclude about fome ftratageme 
 
 To make you Mafter of your own defires. 
 
 Card. Enough, fweet Lady : — Sirra Horfe- 
 Courfer, 
 I'll courfe you one day for you JadifK tricks. 
 
 Glofi:. Jades a fit Title for an Afle like thee. 
 That canft not kick, but bear all injury. 
 
 [Manet Glo. & Elle. 
 Come, Madam, now let's go ; the Cardinals mad 
 To lofe thee thus. Then banifh hence all fear ; 
 Glofter is on thy fide. [Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene III.] 
 Enter Canbee and Hadland, and Cardinal. 
 
 Can. Sirrah Jack. Had. What fayefl: thou, 
 Franck ? 
 
 Can. How you bafe Rogue, nere an (M.) under 
 your Gi[r]dle ? have I preferr'd thee to my good 
 Lord Cardinal here, and am I no better than your 
 homefpun Franck? 
 
 Had. Canbee, let me nere take purfe again and I 
 think not but thou and this 'Tom Tawny coat here gulls 
 me, make me your cheat, your gull, your Strowd, 
 your Norfolk Dumpling, whom when you have 
 
21 
 
 cheated him of his fattiti-fuite left naked abed to the 
 mercy of his hoftefs. 
 
 Can. And I damb thee not for thy unbelief, call 
 Canhee Coward ! think'ft thou I wo'd have loft this 
 Evenings work but for my Noble, my Princely 
 Lord Cardinal ? No. 
 
 Had. That's fome reafon indeed ; but. Prince 
 and Cardinal if thou be, Jack-Hadland fwears by 
 the bawl'd Crown of King Carnifax the meeting 
 thy greatnefs this Evening has dampnified our 
 receipts at leaft fix purfes. 
 
 Card. Be what you will be both ; only be refo- 
 lute 
 In any quarrel againft Glofiers men. 
 And on mine honour I'll reward ye well. 
 
 Can. My Lord, and ye were able to give him 
 as much Land as would lie between Winchefier and 
 Walftngham, he wo'd be your prigger, your prancer, 
 your high-lawyer, your — 
 
 Had. Your nipper, your foyft, your rogue, your 
 cheat, your pander, your any vild thing that may 
 be. Sblud the worft that any man can fay of me is 
 that I am a tall Theef, and the beft that any man 
 can fay of thee is that thou art a bafe Rogue and a 
 Cheater. 
 
 Can. I'll jerk ye for this, ye flave. 
 
 Card. Nay, Sirs, be Friends ; hold ye, here's 
 gold : 
 Do but afsift me againft Glofiers hfe 
 And I'll reward you better. 
 
22 
 
 Had. Cardinal, wert thou Cardinal King of the 
 Infernals, wert thou Prince of Grim-tarter-tarmagant 
 and Erebus^ I wo'd not fhed one drop of the worft 
 Dogs blood my Duke of Glofier keeps, for thy 
 miter, thy million, thy metropolis : fhall I betray 
 his life that fav'd me from the death of a Dog? 
 No, Yet, for my honeft friend Franck Canbees 
 fake, I am content to ftand by and give aym at this 
 time. 
 
 Enter Glofter and Ellenor. 
 
 See where he comes : two of ye are enough to 
 deal with one : I'll not meddle with him. 
 
 Card. Let's fet upon him all and kill the flave. 
 
 Gloft. Haft thou betray 'd me Coward } Bewford 
 know 
 Though I am over-matcht I am not kill'd. 
 
 Enter old Playnfey, young Playnfey, Captain Weft 
 and Officers. 
 
 Old Flay n. Keep the Kings peace; for ftiame, 
 
 my Lords. 
 Card. Come, Canbee, follow me; Flaynjey^ be 
 fure 
 I'll fit upon your fkirts for parting us. 
 
 Gloft. Bewford, Thou maift befriend him with 
 thy power : 
 Had he not been, thou hadft not breath'd this 
 aire. 
 
23 
 
 Card. Gloster thou wrongft me, with-hold'ft St. 
 John/es : 
 Look too't, for fear when I get enteric 
 I pull not down the Caftle ore thine ears. 
 
 Glofi. Cardinal, to fpite thee I'll keep Ellenor ; 
 And wed her in St. Johnjes^ make her my Dutches. 
 
 Card. Thou wilt abufe her with lafcivious luft, 
 As once thou didft the Earl of Flanders wife, 
 And make her wretched, hoping in thy love. 
 
 Glofi. Oh ! Your holinefs would have her turn a 
 nun 
 Your cloyfter-lemmon — but (he minds thee not. 
 Fellow, what ere thou art that tak'ft my part. 
 There's 20 Crowns, go prove an honeft man. 
 
 Card. There's 40 for thee, Canbee ; kill that 
 flave 
 As ever thou intend'ft my Love to have. 
 
 Can. I will take my time, my Lord. 
 
 Had. Canbee^ come not near me, thou knoweft 
 my antient order they die that dare me ; but if 
 thou dare meet me, heark in thine ear, difturb not 
 thefe honourable perfonages. 
 
 Can. Be brief, appoint the place of meeting, 
 [ubito^Jubito. 
 
 Had. At our old Hoftifes, mad rogue, to make 
 merry, lay a frefh plot to meet the Norfolk gull, 
 and be blithe. 
 
 Can. Agreed ; and I meet thee not, bafte my 
 good name & chronicle Canbee for a Coward. 
 My Lord, I will have a limbe of that Rogue. 
 
24 
 
 Card. I shall be mindfull of thee Canbee if thou 
 kill him ; 
 Base Slave ! had not he been Glojier had dyed. 
 Gloji. I am sorry, Gentlemen, for Momfords 
 fall, 
 And for our brother the Lord Regents anger : 
 Let him pull down the pride of Winchejler, 
 And Glofter eafily will be appeas'd. 
 
 Card. Humphry nor Bedford, nor thy felf hath 
 power 
 To make Lord Bewford ftoop ; doft thou forget 
 I am a Prince and a Plantaginet ? 
 
 GloJl. Baftards were never Princes in their ftate. 
 Card. I am a Prince eleded by the Pope. 
 Gloji. I'll make ye gladly flye to your Elecflor. 
 Card. Firft will I fee thy death, Witlefs Pro- 
 tedlor. [Draw again. 
 
 Old Playn. Keep the Kings peace, my Lords. 
 Card. Look to't, I'll rowfe you and your 
 minions 
 Out of St. Johnjes ere a week be fpent. 
 Can. Sir, we'll rowfe ye, we — 
 
 \_Ex. Card, and Canbee. 
 GloJl. Would never greater care came near my 
 heart : 
 Could I have made my will in my Loves fight, 
 This evening had been Bewfords lateft night. 
 But, to the purpose now : Sir Walter Playnfey^ 
 Take no exceptions, as you love our favour, 
 That Lady Ellenor's escap'd away. 
 
25 
 
 Old Playn. Is fhe efcap'd away, my Lord ? 
 Gloji. She is : nay ftorm not, 
 For, if you do, your anger is in vain. 
 I'll anfwer any Duty for her wardfhip, 
 So reft your lelf content : if you reft quiet. 
 And will confirm your ward to be my wife, 
 I'll fend ye within fix daies fix thoufand pound. 
 Being more than you can get by courfe of law. 
 Old Playn. I ; but, my Lord, her fudden taking 
 
 hence — 
 Gloji. Nay, nay, ftand not on tearmes, take this 
 or chufe ; 
 Send word ye love us, or our Loves refufe. — 
 Come, Captain Weftford, bring us to St. Johnfes. 
 
 lEx. Gloft. &' Cap. Weft. 
 T. Playn. Here's a good world when ev'ry Duke 
 is King ; 
 Thus I fee power can mafter anything. 
 
 Old Playn, I, fon ; elfe durft not you and old 
 Sir Robert^ 
 Being but new come from the dejedled Father, 
 Ofi^er fuch open wrong to Momfords Daughter. 
 
 T. Playn. Father, I'll anfwer that upon the way, 
 Pleafe ye to walk but to Sir Robert Westford. 
 
 Enter Momford like ajoldier. 
 
 Momf. Save ye. Gentlemen : pray can ye tell 
 me 
 Whether Sir Robert Weftford ly in London 
 Or at his Summer-houfe ? 
 
 D 
 
26 
 
 Old Playn. He lyes at Stepny, fellow ; 
 Follow us, we'll bring thee thither prefently. 
 
 [£x. Playnfey. 
 
 Momf. That's Playnfey and his fon, TU follow 
 them 
 And try my brother Wejlford ere I need. 
 Already have I took a little Cottage 
 On Bednall-Green^ pretending myfelf blind. 
 Thither perhaps my gentle Child will come, 
 For fhe is full of charitable alms ; 
 But howfoere now I fhall furely fee her 
 Bringing my own feal as a MefTenger. 
 I'll follow after kind Sir Walter Playnfey 
 And his Heroick fon, my Daughters joy. 
 
 [Ex. Momf. 
 
 A61 II. Scene I. 
 
 Enter Sir Robert, Kate his Daughter y Befs Mom- 
 ford, and Swafh. 
 
 Kate. 
 
 FAther you wrong me and my Cofen Momford. 
 I marry Playnfey^ troth plight unto her ! 
 Oh it's an impious match ! I'll rather have, 
 Than fuch a marriage-bed, a difmal grave. 
 
 Sir Rob. Ufe no more words, no tittle tattle 
 talk: 
 The prieft is fent for, Playnfey is a comming ; 
 He fhall have you, and you fhall have his land. 
 Kate. But for my Cofen Bejs — 
 
27 
 
 Sir Rob. Your Cofen-Beggar, Child unto a 
 Traytor : 
 Go to, no more : Come, heark a word with me. 
 
 Enter Old Strowd and Swafh. 
 
 Old Str. Ha, this is excellent ! ftript of his 
 Cloaths, 
 His fhirt ftoln from his back : why this exceeds. 
 This is a toy to mock an Ape withal. 
 
 Swajh. Nay barlady, Sir, this toy has mock'd as 
 well-favour'd a Youth as your own Son. 
 
 Old Str. Hold ye : there's ten pound, go fetch 
 him new cloaths. 
 
 SwaJh. Nay Sir, he wants no cloaths ; for he hath 
 a Cloak laid on with gold lace, and an imbroidered 
 Jerkin ; and thus he is marching hither like the fore- 
 man of a Morris. 
 
 Old Str. Not for 20I. : gold lace imbroidered ! 
 I'll fee how he is fuited by and by. 
 
 SwaJh. I'll tell him fo ; but pray, Mr., let me be 
 at the wedding feaft. 
 
 Old Str. And there you'll be hoyting and kiffing 
 the Wenches you. 
 
 SwaJh. Not I indeed, Mafter : I never ufe to kifs 
 any, not I. 
 
 Old Str. You know what complaints was made of 
 you the laft wedding you were at. 
 
 SwaJh. I thank ye, Mafter : ye made me ftand in 
 a white fheet for ye. 
 
28 
 
 Old Sir. How ! for me, knave ? go to, thou 
 lyeft : thou fhalt not be there for that lye. 
 
 Swajh. Pray, let me go : there will be all the 
 Youth of our Parifh there, good Mafter. 
 
 Old Str. Well, Sir, go your way ; but let me hear 
 no ill of ye, you were beft. 
 
 Swa/h. I warrant ye, Mafter : thank ye, Sir ; 
 Hey for our Town Green now ifaith. 
 
 Old Str. Go, get ye gone, I fear we fhall fall out. 
 I wonder what Sir Robert does intend. \^Exit. 
 
 Sir Robert. Look to 't ; pine, pule, weep, fob, it 
 (hall be fo : 
 Thou ftialt be Playnjeys wife who ere fayes no. 
 
 Old Str. Sir Robert., fince your Cofen is refuf'd 
 By M'. Gilbert Playnfey, if fhe pleafe 
 And you agree 
 
 Your Cofen Elizabeth fhall have Tom Strowd. 
 You know he is my Heir, — no Clown, no Swad, 
 But held in Norfolk for a Lufty Lad. 
 
 Sir Rob. Let her take whom fhe will, all's one to 
 me. 
 
 Old Str. How fay you, Lady ? 
 
 Befs. For Flaynjefs fake 
 The name of marriage I have fworn to hate. 
 
 Enter old Playnfey and his Son ; Momford follows 
 
 the in. 
 
 Sir Rob. Good morrow, good Sir JValt er Tiwd. Son 
 Playnfey : 
 
29 
 
 I truft, Sir Walter y Gill hath let you know 
 
 My purpofe for this marriage with my Daughter ? 
 
 Old Playn. He tells me he is fo refolv'd Sir 
 Robert ; 
 And in his own power now confifts his choyce, 
 But be aflur'd, the fearching eye of Heaven 
 Sees every thought of man : take heed you two 
 Anfwer not for each ill deed and wrong ye do. 
 
 Sir Rob. Tut, tut, Sir Walter, God and we for 
 that. 
 Speak Mr. Playnfey, let Bejs Momford hear 
 How you refolve unto my Daughter Katherine. 
 
 7 . Playn. I come to marry her. 
 
 Kate. Think upon your Vow — 
 
 See this fad Lady ! when you went to France, 
 You fwore at your return to marry her. 
 
 T. Playn. Fair, be content ; my mind therein is 
 chang'd : 
 Her father is difgraced and exil'd 
 And therefore Playnjeys fon doth fcorn his Child. 
 
 BeJs. Do fcorn me, leave me, every way abafe me : 
 Death will receive me though you all refufe me. 
 
 Sir Rob. Nay, good Sir IValter^ be not difcontent ; 
 Son Playnjey, Daughter Katherine let's confer. 
 
 Old Str. How fay you. Madam ; will Sir Robert 
 Weftford 
 Defeat me of the Land I have at Mortgage, — 
 Take away all your Jewels and your plate ? 
 
 BeJs. He fayes he will. 
 
 Old Str. Well, let him, and he dare ; 
 
3° 
 
 And if he wrong you, Lady, come to me. 
 
 Momf. Wondrous amazement ! what doth Mom- 
 ford fee ? 
 Where he moft trufted, moft impiety. 
 
 Sir Rob. The Chaplain ftayes : in Heavens name 
 let us in ; 
 They fhall be maried in Befs Momfords fight. 
 
 Kate. Father, your malice to my Cofen Momford, 
 This deed of Playnjey (whom you call my Hufband, 
 Whom I fhall never love, never abide) 
 Makes me to Death and Shame become a Bride : 
 But Shame will quickly from my red cheeks flye. 
 And Death will paint them with his afhy dye. 
 Sir Rob. Come, come, leave pratling : Playnjey, 
 
 comfort Kate. 
 T. Playn. Fair Love, be frolick ; talk no more 
 of death and care : 
 We'll fport, for I am young and thou art fair. 
 Farewell, forfaken Turtle, take thy flight 
 To fome more abjedl mate whilft Kate and I joys 
 adore. 
 Kate. High Heaven forgive me; Father, have 
 remorce, 
 Let me not thus be hal'd to death perforce. 
 
 \_Ex. both. 
 Old Playn. Sir Robert Weftford, I miflike this 
 
 match. 
 Old Str. 'Tis more than Injury, but Lady grieve 
 
 not you. 
 Bejs, No, Sir, I am patient. 
 
31 
 
 Sir Rob. I pray you go in, Sir Walter. 
 
 Old Playn. Yes I'll go in, 
 But Heaven can tell I hate this forced fin. 
 
 \_Ex. old Playn. 
 
 Sir Rob. What will you do, Mr. Strowd ? 
 
 Old Str. I fcarcely know : 
 Your moods and thefe affairs do fall out fo. 
 
 Sir Rob. Well, at your pleafure : — go, Hufwife, 
 get you in. 
 
 Bejs. I will do what you will ; yet, ere I go, 
 Somewhat on this old man I will beftow. 
 Thou feem'ft a maymed Souldier, wo is me ! 
 I have a little Gold, — good Father take it; 
 And here's a Dyamond, do not forfake it : 
 My Father was a Souldier, maym'd like thee, — 
 Thou in thy limbs, he by vil'd infamy. 
 
 Old Str. Bith mafs I like her ; fliee's a Momford 
 right, 
 Of noble blood and the true Norfolk breed. 
 — Hold thee, good fellow : there's one 40 pence 
 From a poor Yeomans purfe, old Strowd o^ Harling. 
 
 Mom/. I thank you, Sir; I have more than I de- 
 ferve. 
 
 Sir Rob. I, Sir, and more than you fhall bear from 
 hence : 
 Come, Minx, what lewell did you give this Rogue 
 
 Momf. I am a Souldier, Sir: the name of Rogue 
 111 fits a man of your refpedl to give 
 To a poor Gentleman, though in diftrefs. 
 
 Sir Rob, A Gentleman ! and why a Gentleman 
 
32 
 
 Because a Souldier ? Come, you defper-view, 
 Deliver me the Jewell or I'll hang thee : 
 To morrow is the Sefsions, Fll make fhort 
 And fhave your Gentry fhorter by the neck. 
 A Gentleman ! come, come, give me the lewel : 
 What makes your Gentry fpeaking at my Gate ? 
 
 Momf. I came from Momford banifh'd in Brit any : 
 He prays ye by this token you would fend 
 A thoufand Marks to help him in his need. 
 
 Sir Rob. Where do you lye, Sir ? 
 
 Momf. I lay laft night with a Blind- Beggar 
 That hath a little Houfe on Bednall-Green. 
 
 Sir Rob. He came but yefterday, — I heard of 
 him: 
 Beggars keep lodging ! well I'll hamper him. 
 — I know this token, and will keep the fame ; 
 But have no looo Marks to maintain Rebels. 
 
 Momf. Bafe upftart Knight, deliver Momf or ds 
 Seal, [Draws. 
 
 Or by the honour of a Souldiers name 
 I'll flice thy heart out. 
 
 Sir Rob. Help me, Mr. Strowdl 
 
 Old Str. What, help ye to do wrong ? 
 Nay, by the rood : though Momford was exil'd 
 'Twas told me he fhould have his Lands Goods. 
 
 Sir Rob, There, take them ; but, do you hear 
 me Sirrah, 
 Take heed I catch you not at the Blind- Beggars. 
 
 Momf. If I fhould lye there, though you be a 
 lustice 
 
33 
 
 I truft to find Friends in my juft defence. 
 
 Old Sir. Hold thee, good fellow, there's the 
 t'other noble : 
 Bith mafs I like thee, th' art a tough old Lad. 
 
 Momf. I thank you, Sir; Lady, I'll take my 
 leave. 
 
 Bejs, Commend me to my Father, good old man. 
 
 Momf. I will, and tell him of Sir Roberts wrong. 
 
 Sir Rob. Do, fellow : fay I fcorn his treachery 
 And hope his end will be in mifery. 
 
 Momf. I'll tell him what you fay. \_Exit Momf. 
 
 Befs. Father, farewell. 
 
 Sir Rob. Nay, 'twere beft ye packe. 
 Beggar with beggar, for ye fhall away. 
 Ha, Hufwife ! are you giving Diamonds, 
 Do you forget your Jewels are all mine ? 
 Did not old Wefiford pay for this attire .'' 
 But off with it, go in ; or either drudge 
 Amongft my Servants to maintain your State, 
 Or pack, ftay not an hour. 
 
 BeJs. You fhall not need 
 
 To bid me pack, for I'll begon indeed. {Exit Befs. 
 
 Sir Rob. To fteal and hang, or ftarve and beg ; 
 choofe which. 
 
 Old Str. Sir Robert by the you do her 
 
 wrong. 
 
 Sir Rob. What's that to you, look to your own 
 affairs. 
 Strowd^ Strowd^ you look to have the land at 
 Farnam^ 
 
 £ 
 
34 
 
 I, and fhall, and fhall — 
 
 Old Str. And will ; do you your worft. 
 
 Sir Rob. Y'are too fawcy, Strowd. 
 
 Old Str. Too fawcy, moody knight ! 
 Thou durft not thus in fcorn to old Strowd prate 
 But, cock on thine own hill, thus near thy Gate. 
 
 Sir Rob. I'll meet thee where thou dar'ft and when 
 thou dar'ft. 
 
 Old Str. I'll fay th' art a tall man and thou doft. 
 
 Sir Rob. Appoint the place 
 
 Old Str. There is a new mown field 
 
 Lying by Eaftward of a little fhed 
 That ftands on Bednall-Green. 
 
 Sir Rob. I know it : that's the fhed the Souldier 
 lay in : 
 The Clofe is compaf 'd with a quick-fet, is't not ? 
 
 Old Str. The fame. 
 
 Sir Rob. I like it, what's the hour ^ 
 
 Old Str. Twixt one and two. 
 
 Sir Rob. Hold the, Strowd : there's my hand, 
 I'll meet thee and I'll make thee know me too. 
 
 Old Str. No more, I'll meet thee, elfe call me 
 Jew. \_^Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene II.] 
 
 Enter Tom Strowd and Swafti his many Gallant. 
 
 T. Str. London lick penny call ^ ye it, — t'as lick'd 
 me with a witnefs : I was fet ore for a reckoning 
 
 ' 4to. can. 
 
35 
 
 of 40 fhilHngs, and as fair a Sattin fuite t'other night 
 as a man {hall lightly fee in a Summers day. But 
 if ere it be my fortune to meet with that ill fac'd 
 Gypsie that ftole it, I'll teach him his leripoop for 
 ftealing whilft he hath a day to live again, fo woll I. 
 Nay nothing griev'd me Swajh but that the flave 
 perfwaded me to lye naked for fear of the Fleas ; 
 which when I had done he ftole me away as fair a 
 fhirt of my Mothers own fpinning as a man fhall 
 need to pull o're his ears : and, Sirrah, in the 
 morning, when mine Hoftis came up to call me, I 
 was as naked as your Norfolk-DurwpYm ; as I am a 
 chriftian man I blufh'd out of all — 
 
 Swajh. Nay, Mafter, I told you at firft you ftiould 
 find a fower fellow of that Gypfie. I lik'd him not, 
 he had fuch a crabtree-fac'd countenance of his own : 
 but come, my old Mafter fent me for you; you 
 muft along to the wedding to — 
 
 T. Str. Why, so I fay now — it would make a 
 Horfe break his Bridle to fee the humours of thefe 
 fellows : I know no more how to pleafe him than 
 I know how to build up P^^^/j-fteeple, fo do not I ; 
 but come Swajh^ I'll to him, the 
 
 Enter Canby, Hadland and Snip. 
 
 Can. Tufti, man, 'tis he : I know him as well as 
 the Beggar knows his difti, — 'tis he that I fetch'd 
 over for the fattin fuite, and left him in pawn for 
 the reckoning : he has a fair Cloak on's back ; and 
 we could get that we were made men. 
 
36 
 
 Had. Be rul'd by me, 'tis our own : do thou 
 take the wall of him, if he take exceptions I'll 
 draw ; if he draws, his Cloak falls down. 
 
 Snip. And all fallings are mine, Sir ; let me alone, 
 
 I know my Cue : Strowd, thou hadft as good have 
 
 met the Hangman, for thy upper Garment's mine. 
 
 [Can by takes the Wall and jujfels Strowd. 
 
 Y. Str. What is the matter with you ? fo feather- 
 ey'd ye cannot let us pafTe in the Kings high 
 way ? 
 
 Can. You muft learn to know your Duty, and 
 give your betters the wall. 
 
 Y. Str. My betters the wall ! on what acquain- 
 tance .'' ye fhall be fet up and ye fay the word : I'll 
 wafh mine hands and wait on you. 
 
 Had. What, do you prate .'' nay, then, have at 
 you, Sir. 
 
 Y. Str. And have at you too then e'faith. 
 
 \r hey fight. 
 
 Can. Hold, as you are a Gentleman, hold. 
 
 Y. Str. Hold me no holds, I'll have another bout 
 with ye or I'll make your fconce and the poft ring 
 noon together : and, firrah Gypfie, you fhall fare 
 the worfe for one of your Coats fake that rob'd me 
 of a fattin fuite tother night, — and well remembred, 
 where's my Cloak Swa/Ii ? 
 
 SwaJJi. Your Cloaks a good Cloak : — take the 
 wall of my Mafter, ye flave you ^. 
 
 Y. Str. I think the fellow be mad, — where's my 
 Cloak, man } 
 
37 
 
 SwaJJi. Your Cloak's a good Cloak and a fair 
 Cloak : — quarrel with my Mr, ye fcabs you ? 
 
 T. Str. I think the fellow's from pall : — I afk 
 thee where my Cloak is. 
 
 Can. Let not a man pafs unfearch'd : the Gentle- 
 man fhall not lofe the worth of a mite in my 
 company . 
 
 Had. I hope, Sir, you will not fufpedl my Boy 
 nor me ? 
 
 T. Sir. Sufped me no fufpedls : I am fure my 
 Cloak cannot go without hands ; and I'll have it 
 again, or I'll bang it out of the coxcombs of fome 
 of them. 
 
 Can. Sir, your mifliape lyes as near my heart as 
 it had been mine own ; and 'caufe I fee you a refolute 
 tall Gentleman, and in refped that I was the occa- 
 fion of this falling out, my Cloak (fimpl though it 
 be) coft me 40 French Crowns — take it, it is at 
 your fervice. 
 
 T. Str. Forty French Crowns, Forty French 
 Pins ! What doft thou tell me of thy Cloak ? I 
 fcorn to wear ere a mans Cloak under the Element 
 but mine own. But I'll tell thee what: and it were 
 not for thy fake, whom I think an honeft kind 
 fellow and fo forth, I'de hang this Bacon-fac'd ' flave 
 orethwart his fhanks : he fhould remember ftealing 
 a Cloak to Dooms day, fo fhould he. 
 
 Had. Why, Sir, I hope you know no harm by 
 
 ^ 4to. Bacon-fan'd. 
 
38 
 
 me : were it in place where, I'de fay he lyed in his 
 Throat that but touch'd the very hem of my repu- 
 tation with reproach. 
 
 T. Str. Wol't fay I lye ? thou hadft as good eat 
 a load of logs, wert thou. I fay no harm by thee, 
 and yet I fay that I have feen an honefter face than 
 thine hang'd : What fayeft thou to it now .? And 
 thou beeft aggrieved mend thyfelf how thou canft, 
 or how thou dareft : doft fee now ? — Naye, Swajh^ 
 yonders my father ; fay nothing of my Cloak, 
 Swajh. 
 
 Enter old Strowd. 
 
 O. Str. Well, if I live, I'll meet Sir Robert 
 Weftfordi 
 But firft I'll fee if I can find my Son, — 
 And here he is : if't poffible my Lands 
 
 \A Jerkin or Jacket for Strowd. 
 Should maintain this Attire.'' You Prodigal, 
 Where have you got this trafh, unto whofe Books 
 Are you indebted for it .? Pardon me. Gentlemen, 
 For being fo fawcy in your Company ; 
 'Tis not for a poor Country Yeomans fon 
 To flaunt it out thus. 
 
 Can. Sir, you may fay your pleafure ['t]is your 
 Son ; but thus much I'll aflure you — though if he be 
 your Son, the chiefeft Gallants in the Land are 
 enamour'd with his good parts and valour. 
 
 O. Str. Nay, Gentlemen, thus much I'll fay for 
 him, — 
 
39 
 
 Hee's a right Norfolk-m^n mettle, all fteel : 
 
 But I'll not have him ufe his bravery. 
 
 The time has been whenas a Norfolk yeoman, 
 
 That might difpend 500 marks a year, 
 
 Would wear fuch cloath as this fheeps ruflets 
 
 gray: 
 And, for my Son fhall be no Prefident 
 To break thofe orders, come — off with this trafh. 
 Your bought Gentility that fits on thee 
 Like Peacock's feathers cock't upon a Raven. 
 Let true born Gentlemen were Gentries robes, 
 And Yeomen Country-feeming Liveries. 
 
 T. Str. You'd have the Calf with the white face, 
 I think ; I am fure yonders old Simjons fon of Show- 
 dam Thorp that wears his great gall gaflcins o' the 
 Swafh-fafhion, with 8 or 10 gold laces of a fide, and 
 yet — without boaft be it fpoken — you are more in 
 the Kings Books than he, and pay more fcot and 
 lot a fair deal, fo ye do. 
 
 O. Str. He is a defperate Caft-away like thee. 
 And wrongs his fathers credit and his own, 
 The sons difcent's no better than the father's. 
 Why fhould their cloaths be richer ^. I am as proud 
 And think myfelf as gallant in this gray, 
 (Having my Table furnifh't with good Beef, 
 Norfolk temes bread & Country home bred drink) 
 As he that goeth in ratling Taffity. 
 Let Gentlemen go gallant, what care I ; 
 I was a Yeoman born, and fo I'll dye. 
 Then if thou beefl: my fon, be of my mind. 
 
40 
 
 Waft lefle in rags and fpend more In thine Houfe ; 
 Or if thou haft no Houfe to fpend it in — 
 
 Swajh. Go to a Bawdy-houfe, Mr, 
 
 O. Str. How, knave ? to a Bawdy-houfe ? no, 
 firrah, no : 
 Give it maim'd Souldiers and poor helplefs Widows. 
 Off with this trafh, on with this feemly weed. 
 Be not Strowds fhadow but be Strowd indeed. 
 
 T. Str. Come hither, Swafh, there is no remedy. 
 I muft give the old man good words and fpeak him 
 fair ; for and if he fhould die to-morrow next (as 
 God forbid but he fhould) he might defeat me of 
 all his Land. 
 
 SwaJh. You fay true, Mafter : come, on with 
 this Jerkin : fo, now, young Mafter, you look like 
 your felf and like my Mafters fon. 
 
 O. Str. Son, what are thefe that keep you 
 company? 
 
 Y. Str. A couple of honeft proper Gentlemen 
 they feem to be; but all's one to you: I muft keep 
 company with none but a fort of Momes and Hoy- 
 dons that know not chalk from cheefe, and can talk 
 of nothing but how they fell a fcore of Cow-hides at 
 Lynmartey and what price Peafe and Barley bears at 
 ^hetford market. 
 
 O. Str. Then ftill confort thee with thefe gentle- 
 men : 
 I like the carriage of them pafling well. 
 
 T. Str. I, a murren on em they have carried 
 away my Cloak amongft 'em. 
 
41 
 
 O. Str. But let that pafs. 
 
 Swajh. I, Sir, 'tis paft & gon too. 
 
 O. Str. And come along with me to Mile end to 
 my Lodging : I muft talk a couple of cold words 
 with Sir Robert Weftford. 
 Go, Swa/hy afore and faddle my bay Nag, 
 Perhaps I'll ride a mile or two tonight. — 
 Kind Gentlemen, I am somewhat troublefom 
 To prefs thus rudely into your company ; 
 Come, Gentlemen, I'll gratulate your Loves 
 And your kind favours ufed unto my Son. 
 
 [Ex. Strowd. 
 
 Cau. And we live wee'l make him fpend your 
 living : come Jack, lets' go ; where's Sni'p ? 
 
 Had. O, Sir, at my fweet Bofs the Brokers : neer 
 fear it, there's a fure Dandeno ; fhe cuts it out in 
 Hofe and Jerkins, fhe is an honeft dealer, your 
 privy taker and your fure concealer. 
 
 Cau. Let's to't, and turn again to meet this Gull : 
 
 Wee'll fleece him and his Bags were they nere fo 
 
 full. [Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene III.] 
 
 Be/s. O haplefs, haplefs, miferable wretch ! 
 To loofe my wealth and all my father's lands 
 Did never move me ; but to fee my Uncle 
 Cheat me of all my Jewels, and in fpight 
 Even to my face marry my troth-plight hufband 
 To his own Daughter, and to fee young Playnfey 
 Embrace another in my promis'd bed, 
 
 F 
 
42 
 
 And I thruft out upon the wedding day — 
 Oh this it is that drives me full of woe 
 Into this fad & folitary Green ! 
 Here to do violence unto myfelf. 
 
 Momf. My Daughter in difpair? then play thy 
 part ; 
 Prevent her ills that did procure her fmart. 
 — Alas where am I ? how fhall I return 
 Unto my homely Cabbin ? where's my boy ? 
 I prethee do not leave me, gentle wag ; 
 Take pity of my miferable ftate. 
 
 Befs. Who talks of pity ? now alas, good man ! 
 What, are you blind ? 
 
 Momf. Yes blind and like to die 
 
 (Not for my own but for thy mifery). 
 
 Bejs. Father, be comforted ; I am but poor, 
 Yet time has been — \,fig^^^' 
 
 Momf. Oh do not figh, Girl ; 
 
 Grief hath fo tyranniz'd upon my heart 
 That, if you mourn, my tears will bear a part. 
 
 Befs. You are the man I look for. 
 
 Momf. I am indeed : 
 
 — And yet thou know'ft me not ; alas, the while 
 That blind deceit fhould clear ey'd love beguile ! — 
 Whence fpring thy forrows ? from fome private 
 wrong .f* 
 
 Befs. Am I afleep or do I know his tongue ? 
 Art thou blind, fayeft thou .? let me fee thy face, 
 Oh let me kifs it too, and with my tears 
 Wafh off thofe blemifhes which cruel time 
 
43 
 
 Have furrow'd in thy cheeks ! O, could thou fee, 
 
 rde fhow thine eyes whom thou doft reprefent. 
 
 I call'd thee father, — I, thou fhah be my father ; 
 
 Nor fcorn my proffer : were my father here 
 
 Hee'd tell thee that his Daughter held him dear ; 
 
 But in his abfence, Father, thou art he. 
 
 Shed but one tear for him, and I for thee 
 
 Will weep till from the Moyfter of mine eyes 
 
 A little font of Christall tears fhall rife 
 
 To bathe thine eye lids in ; yet do not weep : 
 
 Lay all thy griefs on me, for I am young 
 
 And I have tears enough to weep much wrong. 
 
 Momf. Wilt thou remain with me.f* — (I dare not 
 fpeak 
 For fear my tongue fhould my heart's counfel 
 break), 
 
 Befs, rie dwell. Tie tend thee, I'le do any thing 
 To do thee good, becaufe within thy looks 
 I fee the prefence of my reverend Father. 
 
 Momf. Haft loft thy Father, then ? 
 
 Befs. Father, I have : 
 
 Lift to my words and I will tell thee how. 
 
 Momf. Firft lead me to my Cottage ; there relate 
 From the beginning all thy down-caft ftate. 
 
 \Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene IV.] 
 
 Enter Sir Robert Weftford, and Captain Wefiford. 
 Sir Rob. I tell thee, Captain Wefiford., I have 
 done 
 
44 
 
 No more than I can anfwer — I, and will. 
 
 Cap. Weft. Nay, Cofen Weft f or d, mif-conceit me 
 not, 
 Or, if thou do, all's one : I fay again, 
 You fhew'd a cruell part, and, wo'd the Maid 
 Be rul'd by me, your Betters fhould decide it. 
 
 Sir Rob. Decide a pin's end : do you take her 
 part? 
 Each one, you faw, did feek to get their own : 
 Why fhould not I then? fhall I undergo 
 Publick difpleafure for a pawltry Girl ? 
 She comes not in myne ears. 
 
 Cap. Weft. The more unkind 
 
 And cruel you : but wherefore fhould you many 
 Young Playnfey to your Child, confidering 
 He was the troth-plight hufband to your kinf- 
 
 woman. 
 The much-wrong'd Daughter of the down-trod 
 Momford ? 
 
 Sir Rob. Alas for her ! does fhe complain to you ? 
 Why, and fhe want a Hufband, you are a Batcheler, 
 You may do well to take her. 
 
 Cap. Weft. You had done better 
 
 Had not your avarice broke the contrad 
 Twixt her and Playnfey. 
 
 Sir Rob. Well, Sir, I will anfwer what I have 
 done. 
 
 Cap. Weft. Not one word more, Sir. 
 
45 
 
 Enter old Strowd,_>'0«;7^ Strowd, and Swafh. 
 
 O. Str. I, marry, Sir, why this is fomewhat like; 
 Now art thou like thyfelf : — but ftand afide ; 
 Whofe that ? Sir Robert ? hee's as good's his 
 
 word : 
 — The Captain with him ? Ah, he promis't me 
 To meet me fingle. 
 
 Sir Rob. Pacific yourfelf, 
 
 What I have done Tie ftand to ; pray forbear, 
 I'll talk a word or two with Mafter Strowd : 
 — What's here? his fon? how, and his man too? ha. 
 That's more than promife. 
 
 O. Str. Now,' Sir Robert Weftford, 
 
 You are an early rifer. 
 
 Sir Rob. My laft nights promife 
 
 Waken'd me afore my hour : fend hence your fon. 
 
 O. Str. 'Tis good, I like you well : fend hence 
 your kinfman. 
 Yet 'tis no matter ; I have a device 
 Shall rid them all. — God fave you. Captain Weft- 
 ford: 
 Thanks for your friendly company laft night. 
 
 Ca'p. Weft. I take your greetings kindly, Mr. 
 Strowd, 
 And with the tongue of love return it back 
 With double intreft : pray, is not this your fon ? 
 
 O. Str. I cannot tell : his Mother tells me fo. 
 
 • Quy. How ! 
 
46 
 
 Cap. Weft. I fhall defire your more acquaintance. 
 Sir. 
 
 Y. Str. I thank you, Sir ; I am eafier to be ac- 
 quainted withall than to borrow money on, I thank 
 my father ; but and it pleafe you to drink a Cup of 
 beer or ale, and you'le but walk ore the Green to 
 the red lattice yonder I'le beftow it on you. 
 
 Cap. Weft. Thanks, Mr. Strowd ; pray walk to 
 my Chamber : 
 I am defirous to impart my love 
 Unto your kind acceptance. 
 
 O. Str. Sir, I thank you for him : 
 
 Pleafe you to walk to Mile-end with my Son 
 And this good fellow : I'le but talk a word 
 In fecret here with Sir Robert Weftford 
 About Lord Momfords Lands, and follow ye. 
 
 Cap. Weft. At your good pleafure : wilt pleafe 
 you walk, Mr. Strowd. 
 
 Y. Str. Pray, lead the way, I'le follow you. — 
 Come hither, Swafti : and it had pleaf'd my 
 Father, I might a had as gallant apparell as he or 
 another man ; but all's one, a dog has his day and 
 I (hall have mine too one day when the old man's 
 dead, — I'le make all flye then e' faith. [Exeunt. 
 
 O. Str. So, they are gone ; and now, Sir Robert 
 Weftford, 
 Think of your laft nights quarrel. 
 
 Sir Rob. Tut, tut, nee'r prate. 
 
 O. Str. Thus I revenge my wrong, Thus I defend 
 The truth and reputation of my caufe. 
 
47 
 
 Sir Rob. O I am flain ! [They fight., and Sir 
 
 Rob. falls. 
 
 O. Str. Then Heaven receive thy Soul 
 
 And pardon me; thy Confcience can tell 
 I never wiflit unto thy Soul but well. \_Ex. Strowd. 
 
 Enter Momford. 
 
 Momf. What pitious groan calls Momford from 
 his Cell? 
 Whofe this? my Brother Wefiford? What, and 
 
 flain! 
 Heaven thou art juft ; he that laft day for Gold 
 Did fell my Daughter is himfelf now fold 
 Into the hands of Death. Momford diffemble : 
 Daughter come forth, and look about this Clofe ; 
 I heard one groan. [Enter Be/s. 
 
 Bejs. And here's a bloody Coarfe. 
 
 Momf. Look if thou knowft it. 
 
 Befs. Oh 'tis my Uncle Wefiford; 
 
 He that laft day with his commanding breath 
 Chid me out of his doors, now breathlefs lies 
 Intreating me to give his mangled body 
 A homely entertainment in our Cell. 
 Heaven, thou art juft, and dreadfull is thy judge- 
 ment. 
 
 Momf. Glory not in his fall, but rather grieve 
 That in his end thou canft not him relieve : 
 Let's bear him in, and, if we can, by Art 
 Upon thy Foe we'll work a friendly part ! 
 
+8 
 
 For have he but the fmalleft fign of breath. 
 We'll recall life and refcue him from Death. 
 But howfoe're, the Body ftayes with me 
 Till Juftice points him out that murder 'd thee. 
 
 [Exeunt with the body. 
 
 [Scene V.] 
 
 Enter Old Strowd, Toung Strowd and Swafh. 
 
 O. Str. Saddle my horfe there, Swafh ; run : — 
 Where's my Son .^ 
 
 T. Str. At hand, quoth Pick-purfe, — What's 
 the matter with you trow .'* 
 
 O. Str. Good Son, leave prating : — Swajh where's 
 my horfe ? I am undone : go poft to Chenfordy run 
 to Mr. Glafscock, give him my Seal-ring, defire 
 him fend me (Where's my horfe I fay) the loo 
 pound he owes me : — Where's Captain Wejiford F 
 (take heed he hear me not) ; Lord how my heart 
 pants in my bofome, — I have flain a man. 
 
 SwaJh. Slain a man ! oh, oh, oh, oh ! 
 
 T. Str. Peace Swajh^ do not cry fo. 
 
 SwaJh. No, I do not cry ; I do but rore. 
 
 O. Str. I had not the power to keep it longer, 
 Nor to take my horfe till I confeft it. 
 
 Enter Captain Weftford and Officers. 
 
 Cap. Weft. Lay hold on him, and Mr. Strowd 
 once more 
 Confefs thy guilt. 
 
49 
 
 O. Sir. Why, Sir? I not deny 
 
 Sir Robert Wejiford^ doing me much wrong, 
 Is by me flain. 
 
 Capt. Weft. And you for this offence 
 Shall be conducted fafely unto Prifon 
 Till matters may be better thought upon : 
 Mean time your own confeflion is my warrant. 
 
 T. Str. My father kill a man ! — here's ajeft to mock 
 an Ape withall ! what fhall become of me now ? — 
 Swajh^ hie thee to Chenford for the lOO pound, and 
 foon towards evening Il'e meet thee at Ilford for 
 fear of bafe knaves : — I know not whom a man may 
 truft when ones own Father does deceive 'em thus. 
 
 \_Ex. SwaJJi, 
 
 O. Str. Well, Gentlemen, I do obey the Law 
 And yield my body Prifoner to the King. — 
 Son, work what means ye can for my repreeve 
 Till we may fue for pardon. So adue, my Son : 
 Heaven give thee grace fuch desperate brails to 
 fhun. [Exeunt. 
 
 T. Str. Get a reprieval, call you it ! I know no 
 more how to go about it than I know how to build 
 P««/j-fteeple, fo I do not ; but I'le go feek out a 
 Gentleman, one Franck Canby that ferved the Car- 
 dinall, and try what he can do in it : it's an old 
 faying in our country it's better to have a friend at 
 Court, than a peny in the purfe : it fhall go hard 
 but rie fave my father from hanging, that's certain. 
 
 \_Exit. Muftck. 
 
50 
 
 A5t 111. Scene 1. 
 Enter Momford, with Sir Rob. and Befs. 
 
 Sir Rob. 
 
 GOod Father, gentle Maiden, fet me down ; 
 My wound, I fear, will frefhly bleed again : 
 I prethee let thy Daughter make a bed, — 
 I fear, my Death-bed : Good now, fend her in. 
 
 Momf. Daughter, I pray go in and make the bed; 
 If we need help Tie call you, — pray you begone. 
 
 Befs. It doth torment him to behold my fight : 
 Well, Heaven forgive him and reftore his health. 
 He did me more than wrong, and if I fee 
 He be at point of death. Fie let him know 
 That I am Momford s Childe he wronged fo. 
 
 [Exit Befs. 
 Sir Rob. Father, lend me thy hand : now, in 
 Heaven's eye. 
 Swear to be fecret till thou fee me dead 
 Or of this wound by the recovered : 
 Know firft I am a knight, my name is IVefifordy 
 My wife was filler to the Baron Momford: 
 
 [Ready for a Hangman s will.^ 
 That Momford left his Daughter to my truft. 
 Which Daughter I have this day turned forth 
 To feek her living, and from her have kept 
 
 ' Here, as elfewhere, the llage-diredlion is mifplaced : it is 
 not worth while to make any alteration. 
 
5i 
 
 Above ten thoufand Marks, befides the Lands 
 Mortgag'd unto one Strowd^ a Norfolk Yeoman ! 
 That Strowdj on my abufe done to the Lady, 
 Challeng'd the field, — we fought, and here I fell; 
 He fcap't, I hope, — Heaven grant he may do well. 
 
 Momf. 'Tis well, Sir, that you are fo penitent. 
 
 Sir Rob. Oh, Father, I had need to rend my 
 heart 
 In funder with true forrows hourly fighes; 
 For I have done a deed more impious 
 Than ever entred into the heart of man : 
 If ever thou didft hear o{ Momjord's name. 
 His honour, bounty and magnificence. 
 If ever thou didft hear his late defame. 
 His accufation, exile, indigence — 
 Then know that I am he Momford lov'd well. 
 Yet I am he by whom old Momford fell. 
 
 Momf Alas, Sir ! how ? 
 
 Sir Rob. I coveted his Land, 
 
 And practis'd with Sir Walter Playnfeys Son, 
 An irreligious carelefs Gentleman, 
 Yet one that will make fhow, fwear and proteft 
 His courfe of life is equal to the beft : 
 — O there are many fuch, old man, there be 
 Too many in this Land like him and me ; — 
 We laid this plot, he ftiould go into France ; 
 He did, and ferv'd on horfe at Amiens 
 Where he was wilfuUy ta'n Prifoner, 
 And by his Keepers Daughter underftood 
 The French {hould by a trecherous plot win Guynes^ 
 
52 
 
 Wherein Lord Momford held a Garrifon. 
 
 Momf. Who were confenting to the French in 
 this ? 
 
 Sir Rob. A fi^allown Captain called Haute 
 Bewmart, 
 
 Momf. Did Momford know of it ? 
 
 Sir Rob. No, old man, never ; 
 
 But Playnfey counterfeited certain Letters, 
 Subfcribing them with Lord Villiers his name. 
 In gratulation for betraying Guynes : 
 Thefe Letters were delivered to a Poft, 
 The Poft furpriz'd, examin'd where he had them ; 
 He anfwered from Villiers his Secretary, 
 For in his habit Playnfey was difguis'd. 
 
 Momf. Oh Heaven ! 
 
 Sir Rob. Good father, wherefore doft thou (igh ? 
 
 Momf. For grief men's hearts ftiould harbour 
 fuch deceits. 
 
 Sir Rob. I faint, good father ; if thou can relieve 
 me. 
 Call for thy Daughter, ftretch me on a bed: 
 Bear witnefs I repent now : help and eafe me. 
 And till I dye conceal my treachery. 
 
 Momf Be fure I will; and yet I hope you'll 
 live 
 And reconcile the banifh't Lord yourfelf. 
 For 'twas an unjuft fad, indeed it was. 
 Come, Daughter, help to lead in this Gentleman: 
 Wee'll fhow him all the favour that we can. 
 
 [Enter Be/s. 
 
52 
 
 Befs. Father, he fownes. 
 
 Momf. Come, quickly help him in ! 
 
 I hope he will recover, but, if not, 
 Heaven grant his fins may wholly be forgot. 
 
 [Exeunt, 
 
 [Scene II.] 
 Enter Canbee dijguijed. 
 
 Can. This damb'd perpetual Rogue Swajh has 
 kept me here in little eafe of the bare ground, 
 hungry, cold and comfortlefs, ever fince two hours 
 afore day. I am hungry for the hundred pound he 
 brings, cold at my heart for fear he come without 
 it, and comfortlefs left, if he have it, he comes with 
 company : — but Iwpus in fabula here he comes : 
 What! and alone.'' I, excellent! the iool.['s] myne 
 own then. [Enter SwaJh. 
 
 Swa/h. I difcover none, the danger is paft : I 
 think I may with fafety put up an honeft weapon : 
 thou terror to all Theeves, fleep there. — My young 
 Mafter promifed to meet me ; he ftayes fomewhat 
 long, but he knows Swa/h is able to ftand under 
 the ftrokes of a dozen falfe flaves, — oh that I could 
 meet with a Theef now to try my valour. 
 
 Can. Stand, firrah, and deliver. 
 
 Swa/h. Oh Lord, Theeves, theeves ! oh, oh I 
 
 Can. Peace, Villain, or Tie cut out thy Tongue 
 and make a rafher of the coals on't : deliver the 
 mony. 
 
54 
 
 Swajh. Yes, good M', Theef, with all my heart ; 
 there 'tis, I am glad I had it for you. 
 
 Can. So am I too, Sir : come, hold up, I muft 
 now bind you hand and foot for running after me. 
 
 Sivajh. I pray you do bind me hard, do good 
 Mr. Theef, harder yet Sir. 
 
 Can. So now farewell, your mony goes with me. 
 Sir. 
 
 Swaflo. Farewell, kind Mr. Theef. [Exit Canb.] 
 O pox choke ' him for a flave. Theeves, theeves, 
 theeves ! help, help, help ! 
 
 Enter Hadland and Snip with Strowd's sword. 
 
 Had. Sirrah Snip be fure you run away with 
 Straw d's fword. 
 
 Snip, I warrant you. Sir : let me alone for run- 
 ning. 
 
 SwaJh. Theeves, theeves ! help, help ! 
 
 Snip. How .'' theeves ? Tie go and raife the town. 
 Sir, — theeves, theeves ! 
 
 [Ex. Snip. Enter Tom Strowd. 
 
 T. Str. How ? Theeves ? — Where's Snip run 
 with my fword ? who's that cries * Theeves ? ' 
 Swajli ! how now, man, come ftand to it. 
 
 SwaJh. Yes, Sir, I am bound to it. 
 
 Y. Str. Why ' what's the matter, SwaJJo ? how 
 cam'ft thou thus? Ha! 
 
 ' Cf. He of Gull, p. 98. 
 
55 
 
 Swajh, I am rob'd, Mafter. 
 
 -T. Str. How, rob'd ? I hope not fo, man. 
 
 Swa/Ji. Yes, faith, there was fix Theeves fet upon 
 me : I very manfully killed feven of the fix, and the 
 reft carried away the money ; but I fhall have it 
 again, that's the beft on 't. 
 
 T. Str. How doft thou know thou (halt ha 't 
 again, Swa/fi? 
 
 SwaJh. Why, he has left me his bond here to 
 bring it again. 
 
 T. Str. There's a bond with a Halter's name ; — 
 Swa/Jij is all the mony gone ^ 
 
 SwaJh. Every peny, Mafter. 
 
 T. Str. What ill fortune is that, SwaJh ? What 
 fhall we do now, trow ? 
 
 Enter Snip and Canby. 
 
 Snip. Theeves, theeves ! Come, good Mr. Canby ^ 
 make haft — this way, this way ! 
 
 Can. Theeves ? where Boy ? I am almoft out of 
 breath with running. What ! Mr. Strowd and 
 SwaJh ? how comes this ? 
 
 T. Str. Why, SwaJh is rob'd, man. 
 
 Can. How, rob'd? 
 
 T. Str. Yes, faith, but I may thank Snip there 
 that run away with my fword. 
 
 Snip. Alas, Sir, I was fo amazed I knew not what 
 I did, nor whither I ran till I met with Mr. Canbee 
 here! 
 
56 
 
 Can. Rob'd! I would I had been with thee, 
 Swa/Ji. 
 
 Swajh. I, honeft Mr. Canbee, and you had been 
 with me I had fcaped well enough then. 
 
 Can. Well, Mr. Strowd^ as I was pafTing through 
 Allgate this morning I faw the Shreeves and Con- 
 ftables fet towards to Newgate to fetch your father : 
 the Carpenter in a Cart carried the Jebbet to Bed- 
 nall-Green. Only love to meet you made me ne- 
 gle(5l the principal business. Here's the Protedlor's 
 Reprieve : I have done the part of a Gentleman : 
 here's Humphry Glojier^ good Noble man, he loved 
 your Father well; let not your delay dafh all. I 
 was two hours by the clock on my bare knees to 
 the Protedor ; prayed the equity of the quarrel : 
 and could JVeJifords body a been found the Pardon 
 had been fealed. But hafte away with the Repreeve, 
 take horfe at Langton ; and make fpeed, or your 
 father will be hanged. 
 
 T. Str. How, take my horfe, quoth ye } Yes, 
 the Cat would lick her ears and fhe had 'em : why, 
 I was rob'd too laft night myfelf at Langton. 
 
 Can. Were you rob'd, Mr. Strowd? 
 
 T. Str. Yes, faith, they make a matter of nothing 
 to rob SwaJh and I nowadayes. I have not a 
 horfe to caft at a dog, man, not I. 
 
 Can. A pox of all ill fortunes ; hold, Sir, there's 
 five (hillings left — take it ; and make haft for fear 
 you come too late. 
 
 T. Str. Troth, Mr. Canbee, and ye gave me all 
 
^1 
 
 that ere ye had I can but thank you; and your 
 horfe were a horfe of gold he fhall be forth-comming 
 again. Come, Swafli^ let us go. [Exit Tom Stro : 
 
 Swajh. Mr. Canbee, no more but fo for this kind- 
 nefs: farewell Mr. Hadland, farewell Snip ; pray 
 let's fee ye all at the Gallows, till when I bequeath 
 this halter amongft ye, in token of my love ; and 
 fo adue. \_Exit SwaJh. 
 
 Snip. Farewell, Swa/hy and be hang'd. 
 
 Had. CanbeCy art thou mad to give him thy horfe 
 and five fhillings to fave his father from hanging .? 
 
 Can. No, you Friday-fac't-frying-pan, it was to 
 fave us all from whipping or a worfe fhame ; for 
 let your Roguefhip underftand that this reprieve is 
 counterfeit and made by me, your ordinary pafport 
 maker, that fhould have loft an ear at Salisbury and 
 another at Northampton. The truth is we muft 
 leave London^ for if the Protedlor gets us under his 
 protedlion we fhall ail go Weftward for this war- 
 rant. 
 
 Had. Let's turn Gypfies again then, and go about 
 a fortune telling ; 'tis in good requeft again now. 
 
 Can. That's the fmooth foot-path up Holborny — 
 [K]no[w], Jack J there's an odde fellow fnuffels i' the 
 nofe that fhows a motion about BiJJwps-gate : we'le 
 wheel about by Ratliffzxid get to his lodging; fee 
 fhews for a fortnight, till Strowd's nine dales wonder 
 of hanging be paft, to let us ufe his motion ; which 
 done, the boy fhall turne girle, thou — as I have 
 done already — wafh off that Gypfie-colour and be 
 
 H 
 
58 
 
 door-keeper with the boy; my felf with a half 
 vizzard will defcribe, and thus we'le live like young 
 Emperors. 
 
 Had. Canbee, I'le chronicle thee for this conceit. 
 Snip^ thou (halt have good purchafe of the Wenches 
 in the throng. 
 
 Snip. And if I fnip not off their Purfes then call 
 me crack. [Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene 2.] 
 
 Enter Glofter, Sir Walter Playnfey and his Son^ 
 Captain Weftford. Enter Old Strowd to the 
 Gallows^ with the Hangman^ and Officers. 
 
 Glost. Strowd, I am forry for this heavy fight, 
 And by the dread command of my liege Lord 
 I come to witnefs twixt the world and you 
 What ftate you dye in, how you will difpofe 
 Your lands, your goods and debts now forfeited : 
 Thefe he reftores thee, yet whilft thou haft life. 
 To give unto your fon, your friends or wife. 
 
 O. Str. I humbly thank his royal Majefty, 
 Wifhing long happinefs to him and you: 
 But, with your favour, my good Lord Protedtor, 
 I ftill deny I am a Murtherer. 
 I kill'd Sir Robert IV eft ford in fair fight. 
 Our quarrel rifing from an open wrong 
 He offer'd to his neece the Lady Momford. 
 
 Glost. All that was certified his Majefty. 
 But prithee hear me, Strowd: Death's fleftilefs hand 
 
59 
 
 Clafping the wretched pahns of endlefs woe, 
 Hath made a circle, and thy foul's the Center; 
 From which by neither power, prayers or tears, 
 If thou dye defperate fhe can be freed. 
 
 O. Str. My Lord, I do befeech ye pardon me : 
 The world believes that I have murder'd Wejlford^ 
 Or fince abus'd his body being dead. 
 And fhaming at my favage guiltinefs 
 Have hurl'd it in fome well not to be found: 
 Is this the matter that I fhould confefs ? 
 
 Glojl. It is, good Strowd : in that make clear 
 thy Soul. 
 
 O. Str. He whofe pure blood turns fcarlet fins to 
 fnow, 
 Forgive me all my thoughts and Weft ford's death: 
 But if I ever wrong'd him, being dead, 
 Or mov'd him from the place whereon he fell, 
 Not far off from this place where I muft fall, 
 I afk Heaven's anger on me for his grace : 
 And I can fay no more concerning that. 
 
 Glost. Enough; what fayeft thou about Afo;;?/(?r^'j 
 lands ? 
 
 O. Str. I fay, feeing the king of his good 
 grace. 
 Hath given me all my lands, my debts, my goods, 
 I give loo marks and all the deeds 
 Unto the Lady Elizabeth his Daughter 
 And Captain IVeftford, in whom I put all truft : 
 Be carefull that the Lady be not wrong'd. 
 
 Cap. Weft. I warrant you, Mr. Strowd. 
 
6o 
 
 Glofi. How mean'ft thou to difpofe of all thine 
 
 own ? 
 O. Str. I have a will drawn at my houfe in 
 Harling^ 
 And I confirm that for my Teftament. 
 
 Gloji. Are you pleas'd that will fhall be per- 
 
 form'd ? 
 O. Str. Heaven's will be done : 
 But I would fain have feen mine unkind Son. 
 GloJl. Tarry a little, Executioner. 
 
 Enter 'Tom Strowd and Swajh. 
 
 T. Str. Hold, hold, hold ! let him alone, you 
 crofs-legg'd hartichoak ; touch him and thou dare. 
 
 Swajh. Hold, Hangman, and thou be'ft a man, 
 hold for the kings advantage. 
 
 Gloft. What are thefe, trow ? 
 
 Y. Str. Two, Sir, that come not without their 
 cards, I hope. Father, you have a fimple fellow to 
 your Son, you fee : come, who's the fhreeve here '^. 
 haw ! 
 
 O. Playn. I do fupply his place. 
 
 T. Str. Do ye fo ^ then here's a Mittimus to re- 
 preeve my father back again to the Gaol, or a re- 
 preeval — What do you call it? it's my Lord Cardi- 
 nal's, and my Lord Protedors own hands and feals, 
 I aflure you. Sir. 
 
 Glost. Proud Winchejiers and mine, that's ftrange : 
 let's fee it. 
 
6i 
 
 Swajh. It is not fo ftrange as true, Sir : there it is. 
 
 Glost. Is this your fon, Strowd ? 
 
 O. Str. I, my gracious Lord. 
 
 T. Str. 'Tis the more fhame for my Mother, 
 elfe. 
 
 Gloji. Where had you this repreeve ? 
 
 T. Str. Of an honeft Gentleman, Sir, one that 
 can do any reafonable matter with my Lord Pro- 
 testor. 
 
 SwaJh. I, truly, Sir, he is one, as honeft a Gentle- 
 man as Canbee. 
 
 GloJl. It may be To, for I know one, Franck Canbee; 
 He ferv'd fometimes Bewford the Cardinal, — 
 The commoneft cofening knave in all this Land. 
 
 SwaJh. I, I, that's he. Sir, that's he. 
 
 T. Str. As God mend me 'tis the very fame man ; 
 but all's one for that, he has plaid the kind Gentle- 
 man with me, and as God fave, and SwaJh had not 
 been rob'd this morning of lOO pound, I had paid 
 him well for his pains too. Sir. 
 
 Gloji. Strowd, turn yourfelf to Heaven — thefe 
 hopes are vain : 
 And, young Strowd, as you hope to have our favour 
 After your Father's death, I charge you feek 
 That Canbee forth that forg'd you this repreeve, 
 
 T. Str. How, after my Father s death ! I hope it 
 is not come to that now, after all this charge ! 
 
 O. Str. Sirrah, you ever chufe you fuch fure 
 Mates, — 
 My Lord Protedlor pray be good to him. 
 
62 
 
 T. Str. Nay, pray you, my Lord, be good to my 
 father and turn him 'ore the Ladder. 
 
 Swajh, Is this my Lord Eredor ? 
 
 Y. Str. How's that ! my Lord Protedlor ! And 
 you be my Lord Prote6lor I pray do but fet your 
 hand to this Bill, and as God fave and ere ye come 
 into Norfolk I'le do you twenty times as good a 
 turn as the hanging of my father comes to, pray you 
 my Lord. 
 
 Swafli. Do, my good Lord Ere6tor, and Swajli 
 and his Buckler fhall be at your fervice. 
 
 O. Str. Peace, peace your idle prate ; Heaven's 
 peace 
 Muft be my comfort in adverfity. 
 
 T. Str. Swafli^ what fhall become of me now, I 
 nere dare go down into Norfolk again : every clown 
 will brave me and bid me go to London and be 
 hang'd as my father was. 
 
 Swafh. I, and they'll bid Swafh fwing in an Halter 
 as his old Maftcr did. 
 
 Enter old Mom ford led in by Befs Momford, 
 
 Momf. Some good man bring me to an Officer : 
 It may be a blind wretch may fave a fubjedl. 
 
 SwaJJi. Mafter, here's a blind man come to fee 
 your father hang'd. 
 
 T. Str. How! a blind man fee him hang'd? that 
 were ftrange, indeed, Swafh. 
 
 O. Playn. What would that aged man, and that 
 fair Maid ? 
 
63 
 
 Swafh. I hope fhe comes to beg my old Mafter 
 from the Gallows. 
 
 I. Sir. No, SwaJJi : She fhould have come in her 
 Smock, and then — 
 
 Swajh. It may be it is not clean, Mafter. 
 
 Momf. I heard the people murmur near my houfe, 
 A little Cottage yonder on the Green, 
 That there was come an antient man to die 
 For killing of a knight laft afternoon : 
 If it be fo, the knight lives and no doubt 
 Will be recovered of his dangerous wounds. 
 
 Glofi. Where is he, father ? 
 
 Momf. Yonder in my Cottage. 
 
 Swa/Ji. Oh brave ! Mafter, he fayes the knight's 
 in his Codpiece. 
 
 T. Str. No, in his cottage, man ; thou miftakeft. 
 
 Momf. He nam'd himfelf but now, and fent us 
 forth 
 To know the truth ; and he comes after us, 
 As well as his green wounds will give him leave. 
 
 T. Str. I, marry, Swa/h ! here's a good old man 
 and a goodly Mother brings news for the nonce. 
 I wo'd not for all the Bullocks in Norfolk th'ad fain 
 out that my father had fain off. 
 
 GIoJ^. Let Strowd come down : I hope Sir 
 Robert lives, 
 And, if he do, believe me I'le reprove 
 This over rafli proceedings for Strowd' s death, 
 
 O. Playn. May it pleafe your grace, 'twas Sef- 
 fions the laft day : 
 
64 
 
 Strowd granted he had kill'd him ; Judgment paft, 
 And my Son's wife, the Daughter to Sir Robert^ 
 Haften'd (with tears) the execution. 
 
 Enter Sir Robert Weftford. 
 
 Swa/h. Yonder he comes, Mafter : come, you had 
 like to made a fine piece of work here : Are you a 
 knight and can fight no better ? 
 
 Sir Rob. Health to my gracious Lord the Duke 
 
 of Glojier ! 
 Glojl. I am glad, Sir Robert Weftford^ of your 
 health : 
 How do you feel your wounds ? 
 
 Sir Rob. May it pleafe your grace, I hope they 
 will do well : 
 This good old man and this fair-comming Maid 
 Next under Heaven preferv'd me from death. 
 Gloji. Be thankfull to them, then ; and hear ye, 
 young Strowd, 
 Confider this poor man and that fair Maid. 
 
 Y. Str. Confider her ! I confider her well enough. 
 Sirrah Swafh, methinks it is the prettieft Mother that 
 ere man's eyes look't on. 
 
 Gloji. Sir Walter Playnfey, take Strowd to your 
 houfe : 
 His pardon fhall be fent you ere you dine. 
 So upon Sureties let him be difcharg'd. 
 — But hear you, young Strowd, fee you find out 
 Canbee, 
 
65 
 
 Or at my hands never exped: a favour. 
 
 T. Str. Yes, my Lord, I'le find him or it fhall go 
 hard. Vefdinefs, Swajh^ I am mightily in love with 
 yonder Mother : and I ha not a fwelling burning 
 feavour in every member wo'd I might nere ftir. 
 Yonders Mr, Playnjey has all the talk with her, and 
 yet hee's no Batchelar. 
 
 Swajh. Cannot you go and take her away from 
 him ? I co'd do it myfelf, Mafter. 
 
 T. Str. He go to 'em. Tie try. — Goddeen to you, 
 Sir. 
 
 Swa/h. Pifh you are nobody, Mafter : let me 
 alone, 1 have a device to get him away, and then do 
 you feafe upon the Wench : follow me, Mafter. 
 
 T. Str. O brave Swa/Ii, e'faith. 
 
 Enter a Mejfenger. 
 
 Gloft. Now, Sir, your news .'' 
 
 Mejf. The haughty Cardinal, 
 
 Taking advantage of your being from home. 
 Hath with a crue of his Confederates 
 Befet St. Johnfes^ and with all his force 
 Aflayls to wrong the Lady Ellenor 
 And fteai her forth the Caftle. 
 
 Glofi, If't pofTible 
 
 That this proud Prieft dares offer violence 
 Unto my troth-plight Ellenor ? 
 
 Mejf. 'Tis too true, my Lord. 
 
 Gloft. Where is he now ? 
 I 
 
66 
 
 Mejf. Rid to the Court, my Lord. 
 
 Glojl. And thither Glofter doth intend to fly 
 As fwift as quickeft fpeed will give him leave. 
 
 \Ex. GloJ. 
 
 O. Str. Come, Sir, you'll feek thefe Cozeners; 
 No doubt thofe copes-mates had my lOo pound : 
 And, do you hear, take your companion with you, 
 Go and feek them, 
 
 Or for your own part never fee my face. 
 But as for you that truft to every flave, 
 Wafliing my goods, nay jefting out my life 
 By falfe repreeves and fuch bafe pradlifes. 
 Walk, pack, fink, fwim, pine, perifh, look not on 
 
 me 
 Till you have found thofe that have cony-catch't 
 you. 
 
 T. Str. Heark hither, Swajh^ and it had not been 
 for a blemifh to the name of the Stroivds^ wo'd that 
 we had made an end of this brawling at the Gallows, 
 and then thou fhould'fl: a feen whether I wo'd a kept 
 fuch a coyl for a little pawltry lofs or no. I warrant 
 thee he ha not the honefty to caft thee a Noble 
 towards the healing of thy crack't Crown, yet every 
 one fayes he gave that ill-fac't knave the Hangman 
 five or fix pound. 
 
 Swajh. I, that was to buy him a better face, Mr. 
 But give him good words, you know the old man is 
 kind enough. 
 
 T. Str. I, as any Corflen creature, hee's won with 
 a Apple and loft again with a nut ; but come, SwaJh, 
 
67 
 
 we'll go feek out thofe Cony-catchers; and ere I 
 
 catch them, Tie make them pay foundly all for their 
 
 roguery. \_Exeunt young Strowd and Swafli. 
 
 O. Playn. Sir Robert^ will you fhake hands with 
 
 Mr. Strowd. 
 Sir Rob. Well he may have my hand, but not 
 my heart. 
 Strowd, thou didft wound me, yet thou didft it well. 
 No more ; Fie think on't till my dying day : 
 rie fit upon your fkirts before, I will. 
 Capt. Weft. Oh, Uncle, have patience. 
 Sir Rob. You are an Agent for the Child of 
 Momford : 
 I pray you. Sir JValter Playnjey^ make good Bonds 
 That Strowd abufe me not : look to't, I pray. 
 
 O. Playn. I warrant you, Sir Robert^ Tie be fure 
 Of fuch fecurity as you fhall like. 
 
 O. Str. Come, Captain Weftford., you Ihall have 
 the deeds 
 Concerning Momford' s lands paft unto you. 
 
 Cap. Weft. I had rather, Sir, you kept them in 
 
 your hand. 
 O. Str. Well, as you pleafe ; yet walk with us, I 
 pray : 
 You brought me to the Gallows, bring me back. 
 Father, farewell ; farewell, good gentle maid ; 
 Y\^ reft your Debtor till fome other time. 
 But 'twas Sir Robert's kindnefs to reveal his name, 
 Elfe, Hangman, you had had this homefpun fuit ; 
 But, Heaven be thank't, I keep it for my Son, 
 
68 
 
 I hope to drive him from his filken humour. 
 
 Cap. JVeJi. Come, good Mr. Strowd., will you go .'' 
 O. Str. Gallows, farewell ; Strowd's heart is blithe 
 and bold 
 Having escap'd thy danger being thus old. 
 
 [Exeunt old Strowd, Cap. Weftford and old 
 Playnfey, 
 Sir Rob. A plague of this blind flave and that 
 bafe drab, 
 Elfe hadft thou hang'd ere I had been difcover'd : 
 And on my tongue a mifchief, that reveal'd 
 Our purpofe in the plot of Momford's fall. 
 But I ha't now, I am refolv'd : — hear you, Son 
 
 Flaynjeyy 
 I pray you give that Maid a mark in gold ; 
 And, Father, I muft crave a word with thee. 
 
 Y. Playn. Fair Maid, befides his offer take this 
 
 Gold. 
 Befs. I pray you pardon me ; for all the world 
 I would not do my foul that injury. 
 
 T. Playn. Divine immortal!, all my Souls de- 
 
 Befs. Salute me not with fuch vain Epithite : 
 I am wretched, mortal, miferable, poor, 
 But howfoever bafe I'le be no whore. 
 
 T. Playn. Wilt thou be then my wife, for fhe is 
 dead. 
 
 Befs. It's much unlike 
 A Gentleman of your worth will vouchfafe 
 A Beggars Daughter to your Bridal bed. 
 
69 
 
 T. Playn. By Heaven I will if thou wilt grant 
 me love. 
 
 Befs. rie anfwer you another time, kind Sir. 
 My father hath no Nurfe, no Wife, no Childe, 
 No fervant but myfelf ; and he is blind. 
 
 T. Playn. Heark in thine ear, one word. 
 
 Sir Rob. I, I, I ; 
 I do remember fuch a tale I told thee. 
 Come hither, good fon Playnfey, thou fhalt hear it : 
 Laft night at my firft dreffing I was lunatick, 
 Mad that I was hurt more than of the hurt, 
 And in my ravening fit told this old fool 
 That thou and I did pradlife Momford's fall : 
 Now this old Afle, believing I faid true, 
 Comes with my * Confcience', bids me advife 
 And goes about to make a matter on't. 
 Ha, ha, old fool, go, go, go to thy prayers : 
 Thou hadft need of eyes to keep thyDaughterhoneft, 
 I guefs thy cottage be a brothell houfe : 
 Talk'ft thou of MomforcTs fall and of my madnefs ! 
 
 Momf. I do befeech ye hear me, for Heaven's 
 fake. 
 
 Sir Rob. Tut, tut, do not tell me of Heaven or 
 Hell: 
 Prate not. Tie fend the now and then a peny. 
 But if thou tittle tattle tales of me 
 rie clap thee by the heels and whip thy Daughter, 
 Turn thee to the wide world and let thee ftarve. 
 Come, come, fon Playnjey^ let the knave alone 
 Keep's tongue and keep his friend, elfe he gets none. 
 
70 
 
 Bejs. My Father, Sir, had pity of your wounds. 
 
 Sir Rob. Peace, Hufwife ; I have paid him for 
 his pain. 
 Come, Son, away ; and, old man, hold your tongue : 
 Remember this old law, ' As men are friended 
 So either right or wrong their futes are ended.' 
 
 [Ex. Sir Rob. and Y. Play. 
 
 Momf. O miferable age ! 
 
 Befs. O wretched youth ! 
 
 Momf. O times corrupt by men for want of truth ! 
 
 Befs. What ailes my Father.'' 
 
 Momf Why exclaimes my Daughter } 
 
 Befs. Playnfey the perjur'd, he that did deride 
 me, 
 He that did marry Weflford's only Daughter, 
 Courts me again to be his Concubine. 
 
 Momf. Does he then know thee.^ 
 
 Befs. He makes fhow he doth not. 
 
 Momf. O do not truft him. Girl : Wefiford and 
 he 
 Are all compos'd of guile and fubtilty. 
 Alas that this fair world, by fin deform'd, 
 Should bear upon her bofome fuch a fhape 
 As Wefiford is ! Laft night, expeding death, 
 Terror dwelt on his heart, which forc'd him tell 
 With tears and lamentations his falfe fadts : 
 No fooner had he any hope of health 
 But he confpir'd the faultlefs death of Strowdy 
 And would not have come forth, had not we been, 
 But till the man had dy'd kept clofe within. 
 
71 
 
 Now he denies a deed as clear as day, 
 Threatens poor want ; and low-trod poverty 
 Muft not refift men in authority. 
 Come lead me in ; I would my daies were done. 
 Since vice layes baits which vertue cannot fhun. 
 
 [ExeunL Mufick. 
 
 Ad IV. Scene i. 
 r. Str. 
 
 HOw's this? fhall I fee all Norwitch in the 
 corner of a little Chamber ? I had as lieve 
 thou hadft told me Charing crqfs flood in Cheapjide^ 
 and all one. 
 
 Swa/h. And you will not believe me you fhall 
 fee it yourfelf : 'tis in this houfe, 'tis called a motion : 
 there's firft the Mafter of the motion, then the 
 Mafter's Mate, the Mate's Confort, the Confort's 
 Cabin-fellow, the Cabin-fellow's Hangby, the 
 Hangby's Man, the Man's Boy, the Boy's Page, 
 the Page's Wench ; and all thefe live upon the 
 motion. 
 
 T. Str. This is old excellent yfaith ; come ! and 
 I had but one crofs in the world to blefs me with 
 I'de fee it : go you afore, Swajh^ and fhew me 
 thither. 
 
 Enter Snip like a Wench dreft up. 
 
 Swap. Do you fee yon Wench, Mafter ? fhe is 
 Door-keeper : I have given her earneft to enter her 
 
72 
 
 foberly and pafs through her quarters at my plea- 
 fure. 
 
 T. Str. Is this fhe ? how now, pretty Mother ? 
 what Gamballs haft a ? canft thou defcribe em ? (^n 
 ye? 
 
 Snip. Not I, Sir : the Mafter of the Motion can, 
 Sir. 
 
 T. Str. Go call him out then. — What's he.'' is 
 he aftiam'd to shew his face, trow ? or is it the fafhion, 
 trow ye ^ — what Gamballs have ye here now ? ha ! 
 
 Enter Canbee and Hadland difguijed. 
 
 Can. Why this is Strowd that I fetch'd over 
 with the counterfeit Repreeve ; but 'tis no matter, 
 wee'll out-face him. — Gentlemen, the firft conceit 
 you are to fee is tumbling. 
 
 T. Str. Stumbling ? what ! ftumbling ? I think 
 the fellow be ftraught. 
 
 Had. Sir, he means Tumbling and feats of 
 Adlivity. 
 
 T. Str. Why, man, that's as ftale as Bancks cur- 
 tal. There were a fort of Tumblers at Windham 
 fair laft week, and they have made that fo ftale in 
 Norfolk and Suffolk that every wench is turn'd 
 Tumbler : And ye ha no better matters ye lofe my 
 cuftome I can tell ye. Sirs. 
 
 Can. You ftiall likewife fee the famous City of 
 Norwitch^ and the ftabbing of Julius Caejar in the 
 French Capitol by a fort of Dutch Me/apotamians. 
 
73 
 
 T. Str. How ? the French Capitol ! nay, I re- 
 member Tullys Offices fayes the Capitol that Caejar 
 was ftab'd in was Rome. 
 
 Can. Impute the grofs miftake to the fault of the 
 Author : — You fhall likewife fee the amorous Con- 
 ceits and Love fongs betwixt Captain Pod of Py- 
 corner and Mrs. Rump of Ram-alley^ never defcribed 
 before. 
 
 Swajh. Good Mafter, let's fee Mrs. Rumf of 
 Ram-alley. 
 
 T. Str. How ? Captain Pod and Mrs. Rump ? I 
 think this fnuffling flave flouts us : then y'faith let's 
 fee the fawing of the Devil with a wooden faw. 
 
 Can. Or, if it pleafe, you fhall fee a ftately corn- 
 bate betwixt Tamberlayn the Great and the Duke 
 of Guy/o the lefs, perform'd on the Olympick Hills 
 in France. 
 
 T. Str. France? — Thou speakeft all French to 
 me : but off with this fnuffling French Mafk and 
 fpeak in your Engli/h voyce, or, as God fa me, I'll 
 beat thy noflrils as flat as a pancake or a barly 
 froyes. 
 
 Had. Alas, Sir, the Gentleman has got a mif- 
 chance lately and broke his Brow — that makes him 
 wear a Vifard. 
 
 r. Str. Doft tell me on his Brow? What car'd I 
 and he had broke his Neck ! — I'll have it off: What ! 
 are you the Mafter of the Motion ? I am glad I 
 know it : SwaJJi^ look thee, here's Canby that 
 cofen'd me with the falfe Repreeve. 
 
74 
 
 Swn/Ji. And here's the flave Snip that ran away 
 with your Sword, in a Wenches Petticoat : we'll 
 fpoyle your motion, now we have ye. 
 
 Had. I befeech you, good Matter Swajh. 
 
 Swajli. What, Gypfie ! are you turn'd Jugler ? 
 I'll tickle you. 
 
 Can. Heark ye, Mr. Strowd. 
 
 Had. Mr. Swajhy as you ever came of a wo- 
 man — 
 
 SwaJh. Let me never come off a woman while I 
 live again if I do not terrifie you: I'll motion you, 
 I'll murther your Tamberlayn and his Coatch-horfes, 
 I'll ftab your Caejar., I'll ravifh your Rump^ I'll 
 pepper your Pod^ I'll powder your Motion : your 
 Norwitch fhall down ; I am fire and I'll confume 
 your Motion in a twinkling. \_Exit with Snip. 
 
 T. Str. Do, Swajh ; and let me alone with thefe 
 till thou come again. 
 
 Had. Mr. Stro. for mine own part I proteft unto 
 you I love you as dear as the heart in my bofom, 
 and proteft unto you it went to the very foul of me 
 to hear how that flave Canbee^ like a Gypfy, cofen'd 
 you of a fattin fuit. 
 
 T. Str. How ? how's this } was he the Gypfie 
 that cosen'd me of my fuit ^ 
 
 Can. Jacky y'are a Gypfie : believe him not, Mr. 
 Strowd; he has been prov'd perjur'd, the flave 
 will fight with his own father for a Jack of Beer 
 and kill a fucking Infant for a pint of Wine and 
 where he fayes I cofen'd you of your fuit 'twas his 
 
7S 
 
 damn'd counfell that Swajh was rob'd yefterday of 
 the lool. 
 
 Had. Mr. Strowd, by this hollow tooth that fhall 
 tear that flaves Nofe like a piece of Swines flefh, 
 *twas he that rob'd him and counterfeited the Re- 
 preeve : indeed I muft confefs I had my fhare : 
 fome I have fpent, the reft is here; take it, Mr. 
 Strowdy and think of honeft Jack Hadland as he 
 deferves. 
 
 Can. I muft give him fome to : — Mr. Strowdy 
 there's 20I. towards your lofles, becaufe I would 
 not have my reputation come in queftion afore the 
 Protedlor, nor feem to ftain my Lord Cardinal's 
 cloath : there fliould be an old Harry Angel amongft 
 it, lend it me to fwear by a little. 
 
 T. Str. Not one of them and there were a hun- 
 dred of 'em. 
 
 Can. Let me be torn into mammocks with wilde 
 Bears if I make not a gallemaufry of thy heart and 
 keep thy Skull for my quaffing bowl, you bafe 
 cheating Slave. 
 
 T. Str. Here's the old Proverb right, * When 
 falfe Theeves fall out true men come to their own.' 
 But fay I fhould take this 40I. in part of payment, 
 what fecurity ftiall I have to get the reft.? for my 
 Father has vow'd nere to take me for his Son till I 
 get his mony again or fee you at the Gallows. 
 
 Can. Are you fain out with your Father? fall 
 in with us, helter (kelter ; you fhall fare no worfe 
 than we do. 
 
76 
 
 T. Str. Man, what wouldft thou have me to turn 
 Conycatcher ? 
 
 Can. Oh Sir, your only braveft life that can 
 be. 
 
 T. Sir. I think it were not amifs, for Ij]]ha {qqw 
 Wheat and Barley grow amongft cockell and dar- 
 nell, and many an honeft man keep Knaves com- 
 pany. — How now, SwaJJi I What haft thou done. 
 
 Enter Swafh and Snip. 
 
 Swajh. I have confounded their Motion, be- 
 leaguer'd their Caftle, batter'd down the Walls and 
 taken 'Tamberlayn the blood Prifoner in a purfuite, 
 to the utter undoing of all Motion-Mongers and 
 Puppit-players. 
 
 T. Str. 'Tis well done, SwaJh ; but wotts thou 
 what, man ? I am turn'd Cony-catcher fince thou 
 went ft. 
 
 Swafh. Cony-catcher? the Devill you are? 
 
 T. Str. Yes y'faith, Swafh ; and if thou would't 
 do one thing for me now, I'll teach thee to cony- 
 catch too when I come into Nor/oik. 
 
 SwaJh. On that condition, Mafter, I'll do what- 
 ere it be. 
 
 Y. Str. Do but go thy ways to Mile-end-Grecn 
 to my fathers lodging at the 3 Colts, & do but 
 tell him I cannot find thefe fellows yet, but as foon 
 as I do meet with them tell him he ftiall hear from 
 me. 
 
11 
 
 Swajh. Yes, Sir ; I'll go tell him you are with 
 'em, but you bid me fay you could not find 'em. 
 
 T. Str. By no means, SwaJh ; — then thou marr'ft 
 all : tell him I cannot find 'em, make a lye for me 
 now; I'll make two for thee another time. 
 
 SwaJh. Well on this condition. You'll teach me 
 to cony, I am content to lye for you. \Ex. SwaJh. 
 
 T. Str. Do fo ; — now, Sirs, what courfe will you 
 take that I may come by the reft of my mony ? 
 
 Can. Tuih, we have lool. tricks : when we want 
 cafh one amongft us undertakes the name and habit 
 of fome fwafhing Italian or French Noble-man at 
 leaft, the reft in Liveries attending ; then we come 
 and fojourn at fome honeft Gentlemans houfe till 
 we have eat him out of houfe and home in diet and 
 wore his credit out at elbows with taking up com- 
 modities at his Merchants in hope to have all his 
 mony at a day, before which day we give him the 
 flip and, to efcape purfute, attire ourfelves like Gyp- 
 fies. Pedlars, Tinkers or fuch like difguifes: how 
 like you this ? 
 
 Y. Str. This is old excellent y'faith : well, I fee 
 I might a kept company with honeft men all the 
 dales a my life ere I fliould a learn'd. half this 
 Knavery. But heark my Mafters ; yonder's the 
 Blind-Beggar of Bednall-Green has the prettieft 
 Mother to his Daughter as a man need to lay his 
 leg over. Now if all the wit in your heads can 
 but get her to be my wife I ftio'd think my mony, 
 every penny, better beftowed than other. 
 
78 
 
 Can. You fhall have her. Sir. 
 
 T. Str. Shall? why, well faid : come, then, my 
 mad Viragoes, I have fpent many a gray groat of 
 honeft fwaggerers and tear-Plackets in my daies 
 that I never drunk for, and now I'll turn fwaggerer 
 myfelf I'll keep you company and't be but to 
 keep you honeft, — true men I cannot, for there's 
 nere a finger on your hands but is as bad as a lime 
 twig. I'll do my good will ; and I can bring ye to 
 any goodnefs then fay * God a mercy, honeft Tom 
 Strowd of Harling.' 
 
 Can. Thou ftialt be our chief Captain amongft 
 us. 
 
 T. Str. How ? your Captain ? — I'll make all fplit 
 then ; come, my hearts. [^Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene II.] 
 
 Befs. Father, dear father, fuccour me from 
 fhame : 
 Young Mr. Playnfey is entered our houfe, 
 Hath ftiut the fore-door up, detains the keyes 
 And fwears to kill me if I do not yield 
 To his abhorrid and intemperate luft. 
 Help me, good father, o're the Garden pale 
 That I may call for fuccour on the Green. 
 
 Momf. No, Daughter; fit thee down, fit down 
 by me — 
 I call you Daughter, being your own defire : 
 If you be nobly born, as you report. 
 
79 
 
 Why fhould you, to escape your own diftrefs, 
 Leave me poor man alone and comfortlefs ? 
 Befs, He comes ! 
 
 Enter T. Playn. 
 
 Momf. Let him ; fit down, fit down, I fay. 
 
 Bejs. O how fliall I escape reproach this day ! 
 
 Momf. Peace ; heaven may give my byzon'd 
 eyes their light, 
 Stretching thefe crooked limbs ftrait and upright. 
 
 T. Playn. Art thou fled hither ? thinkeft thou 
 his weak flrength 
 Can free thee ? Come ! Why fhould this frofty ice 
 Clafp his cold arms about thy flowring fpring? 
 Nay, ftrive not. Bayard; if ye do, by Heaven 
 I'll draw my rapier and with one thruft 
 Send thee to Charon as a Paflenger. 
 
 Momf. Oh, I am feeble, pray ye hurt me not : 
 If it be true, as I have heard it told. 
 You married lately with Sir Robert's Daughter ? 
 
 T. Playn. Father, I hate her and fhe fcorneth 
 me : 
 She pules, fhe fighs, fhe pines, fhe leaves her meat. 
 She flies my Bridal-bed, fhe bans, fhe raves 
 That ere her father forc'd her to be mine. 
 
 Befs. Good Sir, comfort her. 
 
 T. Playn. Comfort thou mc and I will comfort 
 her. 
 
 Befs. I will not yield confent to fuch a fin : 
 I fcorn to be a Princes Concubine. 
 
8o 
 
 T. Playn. Wilt thou then be my wife ? . 
 
 Befs. No, I have fworn 
 
 To dye as pure a Maid as I was born. 
 
 Momf. How can fhe be your Wife ? 
 
 T. Playn. My wife will die. 
 
 Momf. Tarry that time. 
 
 T. Playn. All lingering I defie. 
 
 Old man, I'll make thee happy by thy grant ; 
 Fair Maid, thou (halt be bleft in thy confent : 
 Deny me and I'll turn a Terens^ 
 Murder thy Father, then cut out thy tongue. 
 Deform thy beauty with the hand of wrath, 
 Laftly make fpoil of thy Virginity, 
 Then leave thee wretched; where, if now thou yield, 
 'Gainft all reproach and wrong I'll be thy fhield. 
 
 Bejs. Help me, good Father ! 
 
 T. Playn. Bid a fere dry'd Reed 
 
 Oppofe his faplefs ftrength 'gainft a green Oak ! 
 See me ; I am all youth, all love, all beauty, 
 Thou beautious, lovely, youthful : 'tis thy duty 
 To love thy like, which duty if thou fhun, 
 My hate thy beautious youth fhall overturn. 
 
 Momf. Good Sir, ftand but afide a little while : 
 I do remember, fince myfelf was young. 
 The ftrong effefts of luft: both fhe and I 
 Muft yield to your defire. 
 
 Befs. I'll rather dye. 
 
 Momf. Nay, fay not fo ; liften to me, my Child. 
 
 Y. Playn. I, marry, father ; if thou canft per- 
 fwade her 
 
8i 
 
 I'll make thee rich and one day mary her. 
 
 Momf. Fear nothing, Child, but ufe him gently, 
 And I will fit his hot luft prefently. 
 
 T. Playn. Come, what refolve you ? either yield 
 
 or dye. 
 Momf. Sir, I commit my Daughter to your 
 hands, 
 But I befeech you woo her with fair words ; 
 She may without compuifion yield at laft. 
 I'll in and weep, for what can I do more ? 
 You're rich and ftrong, and I am week and poor. 
 T. Playn. Hold, Father, take that Gold to com- 
 fort thee. 
 Momf. For mony few men now (hun infamy. 
 Befs. Oh me ! do you forfake me ! 
 Momf I, a while I do ; 
 
 — But Playn/ey^ I'll anon be even with you. 
 
 \_Ex. Momf. 
 T. Playn. Now, prettie Virgin, how are you re- 
 
 folv'd ? 
 Befs. I yield, yet though I yield I bend my knees, 
 And ere my fpotlefs Virgin fhape I leefe 
 Let me relate ' the many miferies — 
 
 T. Playn. Come do not (lain thy lilly cheeks 
 with tears 
 Nor fafhion to thyfelf a form of dread: 
 Thou talk'ft of lofs of fhape, — a fair Lafs bears 
 A fhape as goodly in loft Maiden-head 
 
 ' 4to. delate. 
 
 L 
 
82 
 
 And far more lovely : then with fmiling grace 
 They boldly look upon a Lovers face. 
 Try once, then be afiur'd thoul't not refufe 
 Hadft thou a thoufand Maiden-heads to lofe. 
 
 Befs. Impious temptation ! I defie thee, Playnfey^ 
 Setting my weak ftrength to refift thy luft : 
 OfFwith thy poyfonous hands,help, help me Heaven ! 
 
 Enter Momford like a Serving-man. 
 
 Momf. But a poor earthly man, guided by 
 Heaven, 
 Will keep thee from this deed, hatefull as Hell : 
 Playnjey^ forbear as thou refpeds thy life. 
 
 T. Playn. Thou Autum-fhaken leaf, thou bare 
 Anatomic, 
 Thou wither'd Elder-pith, thou fhape of death 
 Sent by that blind exorcift to difturb 
 The pleafures that Young Flaynjeys heart afFe<5ls ; 
 Vaniih, I know thou art but lither Ayr, 
 Thy hand fell lightly on me like thin fmoak 
 That is difperc'ft amongft the fpreading clowds. 
 Momf. What ! mak'ft thou me a Ghoft ? Come, 
 take thy weapons ; 
 Thou fhalt foon try I am both flefh and bone. 
 r. Flayn. Hold, Villain, hold ! 
 
 \Fight ; Playnfey is down. 
 Momf. No, Boy ; I am a Man, 
 
 Uncle to that wrong'd Maid, the Blind-man's 
 brother 
 
83 
 
 Who quaking fits within, mourning his Child, 
 Ar't not afliam'd ? no, thou art impudent ; 
 Wejlford and you are flefti't with villanies : 
 — Think on your plot about the banifh'd Momfordy 
 If you'll repent it I will ufe you well ; 
 Make means that Momford may be proved clear 
 (As you know beft his harmlefs innocence), 
 And on a Souldiers word I do proteft 
 Momford {)cva\]. make your peace and fue your pardon. 
 T, Playn. What doft thou mean? what's this 
 
 thou talk'ft to me? 
 Momf. I talk of treafon, rapine, flander, wrong. 
 Go, get thee to Sir Robert, hee's hard by — 
 I faw him walking up along the Green. 
 Stand not to talk : if thou accept my offer 
 I'll be a faithful fervant in this bufinefs, 
 Preferve your credits and confer with you ; 
 If not, refolve on this — I'll to the King 
 And there accufe you of this hay nous wrong, 
 T. Playn. Wilt thou ftay here until I fetch Sir 
 
 Robert ? [_Ex. PI. 
 
 Momf. I will : Go, Maid, help the old man to 
 
 bed. 
 He's fhrowdly frighted by this violence. 
 
 Be/s. What reverend man art thou, or Angel 
 
 rather. 
 That fpeak'ft thefe wonders of my banifh'd father ? 
 Momf Go, honourable Maiden, Momford's 
 
 Heir, 
 A little help the old weak blinded man 
 
84 
 
 That weeping fits within, trembling for dread 
 Left Playnfey had thy chaft youth injured : 
 Help him and then I'll tell thee many wonders. 
 
 Befs. To hear but one word of my father's weal 
 I'll undergo all work, all pain, all toyl. \^Ex. Befs. 
 Momf. Poor Girl ! how glad (he is to hear the 
 voyce 
 Of Momford's honour ! with what nimble fpeed 
 She hyes to help a fhadow ! there's no beggar, 
 No poor blind man that wants her comforting. 
 I wonder what fhe'U think when fhe fhall find 
 Only a ftaff, a fcrip, a gown, a bonnet 
 And nere a body to make ufe of them ! 
 — She comes, and is amazed as fhe comes. 
 
 [Enier Befs. 
 Befs. Where is the blind man I befeech you, 
 Sir? 
 Alone I find his garments in his Chair ; 
 Do not amaze me — tell me where he is, 
 Momf. He is within, fair Maid. 
 Befs. Aged man, 
 
 I (hould give credit to your milk-white hairs : 
 Tell me, O tell me, why within a Chair 
 The cafe is left ; are you a Conjuror.'' 
 "Where is the blind man that I call'd my father ? 
 
 Momf. I am no Conjuror; ftay but here a while 
 And I will bring the blind-man to thy fight : 
 Stay here, look on this clowdy Element, 
 And I'll produce him to your heart's content. 
 
 [£.v. Momf. 
 
^5 
 
 Befs. Alas ! where am I ! fure this Beggars Cell 
 Is a bafe Cottage to betray my honor ! 
 I took him at the firft to be a Comforter, 
 But now I fee he is expert in fhapes : 
 But why fhould I difpraife him ? he did free 
 My body from vild Playnfeys luxury : 
 Methinks he has been all my Joy to me, 
 Why fhould there now arife this difference ? 
 
 Enter Momford like a Beggar. 
 
 Momf. Daughter where are you ? 
 
 Be/s. Pray where is your brother ? 
 
 Momf. I have no Brother, no kin but one 
 
 Daughter. 
 Befs. Hee's an Inchanter fure, his waies I'll fhun. 
 Momf. Daughter, where are you ? I conjure you, 
 Child, 
 By the true honor of old Momford' s name. 
 By Momford' s faith that was by fraud exil'd 
 You would not let his honor die in fhame. 
 
 Be/s. Help me, ye powers that give all Mortals 
 power, 
 To fcape this heavy and too troublous hour ! 
 Spirit avoid me ! or if thou be no fpirit 
 Surely it is a damn'd Magicion : 
 Fly me, thou alter'ft fhapes, I do not love thee. 
 Momf. Thou dofl ; fee here the Gold thou 
 fent'ft thy father. 
 When I, even I myfelf, brought thefe fair Arms 
 
86 
 
 To wicked Wejiford's Gate. 
 
 Poor Child, be not amaz'd ; I am thy father 
 
 Momfordy by trayterous practice banirtied. 
 
 Befs. Ah me, that I have liv'd fo long un- 
 known ! 
 I ftill had fuch a hope. 
 
 Mom. Fair Child, forbear : 
 
 I know Sir Robert Weftford and this Playn/ey, 
 Or one of them at leaft, will come forthwith ; 
 Say you the blind man is in his bed fick, 
 And call me Uncle. Come, be comforted ; 
 Our fun of honour, in defpight of guile, 
 Shall brightly fhine in England's Hemifphere : 
 We have been clowded long, but mauger hate 
 Truth will advance defert to honour's ftate. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 [Scene III.] 
 
 Enter Sir Robert Weftford, Y. Playnfey, Canbee, 
 Hadland and Tom Strowd. 
 
 T. Playn. Dare you truft Strowd in this fame 
 ftratagem ? 
 
 Can. Tufti, fear him not; fince his father hath 
 given him over he hath given o're all honefty and 
 lives upon the fpoyl. Come, ye mad Rogues, 
 here's three of us and here's 30I. : each man take 
 his fhare and, with his fhare, his charge : We are 
 
8/ 
 
 all for this mony to cut the throat of the Blind- 
 beggar, his Brother and his Daughter. 
 
 T. Sir. How ? cut their Throats ? — I'll fee ye 
 hang'd firft. 
 
 Can. Jack, thou and I will keep quarter at this 
 end of the Green and waylay the old fpruce Serving 
 man : he fhall be our ihare, and, Tom Strowd^ thou 
 fhalt ly at this corner for the wench, for this way 
 fhe comes unto the Conduit-head for water : fhe 
 falls to thee. 
 
 Had. And fall thou to her and ye can but agree 
 of price. 
 
 T. Str. Nay, let me alone for falling upon the 
 Wench, I warrant ye. 
 
 Can. Mr. Playnfey and Sir Robert^ do you keep 
 about the old Mans Cottage, and when you fee his 
 Daughter gone knock out his brains with his 
 Crutches. — Thus have you heard your feveral 
 charges: Every man to his Court of Guard, and 
 keep fair quarter. 
 
 Sir Rob. Plotted with good difcretion : Son 
 Playnfey, 
 I like it well that you and I go walk 
 Near to this Cottage, for it much concerns us 
 To fee this Beggar dead, upon whofe breath 
 Proud flander fits to blemifh our good names 
 And blaft our honeft reputations. — 
 Shake hands, and part in hope when next we meet 
 Their deaths fhall lay all danger at our feet. 
 
 {Ex. Sir Rob. ^ Can. & Had. 
 
88 
 
 T. Playn. Pray heaven it may : — A word, good 
 Mr. Strowd: 
 Although you had in charge to kill the Maid, 
 I do intreat you ufe fome fpecial care 
 In your attempt, and in the ftead of death 
 Tell her I love her dearly, and that love 
 Enforc'd this fhift : for though the Wench be 
 
 poor 
 Yet in the glafs of my afFedion 
 She feems right wealthy, fair and vertuous. 
 Commend me to her, Strowd ; and fince my wife 
 Has given her lateft farewell to the world 
 Tell her I do intend to marry her. \_Ready Swa/h. 
 Meantime convey her to my farm at Rederiff^ 
 And there's lo Angels more for thy reward : 
 But be as trufty to me as the thought 
 That fleeps within thy bofome ; fo adue ! 
 I truft the richeft of my hopes with you. 
 
 \Ex. Playn. 
 
 T. Str. Do fo; and I do not deceive you let me 
 dye like a Dog on a Pitch-fork. — This is excellent ! 
 hire me to fteal away the Wench I am in love 
 withall myfelf ! This comes juft in the nick, yfaith ; 
 I defire no more but to meet her. Whofe yonder .? 
 Swajh ! how now, whither away fo faft, Swajhy 
 ha.'' ,\_Enter SwaJh. 
 
 Swa/h. What ! my young Mafter ? why I am 
 going to the three Colts to faddle your Father's 
 Gelding : We both ride into Norfolk this after- 
 noon. 
 
89 
 
 T. Str. Better and better ftill, thou com'ft as fit 
 for the purpofe as a Pudding for a Fryers mouth, 
 fo dofl thou. I do but ftay here to talk 3 or 4 cold 
 words in hugger-mugger with the Blind-beggars 
 Daughter and I'll ride down into Norfolk with 
 you: — And, as God we'd ha't, yonder comes the 
 Mother. 
 
 Enter Befs Momford. 
 
 Befs. Oh what content attends this Country 
 life! 
 Here proud Ambition's emulating eye 
 Playes not the find-fault : our thatch'd (hed is 
 
 built 
 Without the reach of Treafon's bloody Gripe. 
 
 Swajh. To her, Mafter : 'tis an old faying in our 
 Country, ' Long Standers are but fhort Doers,' — 
 Wenches cannot away with them. 
 
 T. Str. Mafs, SwaJh ! I think thou fayft true, 
 I'll to her. — How now, pretty Mother, whither are 
 you going fo faft ? 
 
 Befs. Alas, good Sir, I am a poor man's Child ; 
 My Father is the Beggar of this Green 
 That lives upon good peoples charities. 
 I am agoing with this earthen Pitcher 
 To fetch clean water from the Conduit-head: 
 We eat the herbs that grow on the Spring's brinck, 
 And cont the Conduit-water wholfom drink. 
 
 T. Str. Nay, you drink water, you are no hoftefs 
 for me. 
 
 M 
 
90 
 
 Swap. You are no hoftefs for me ! — fie, fie, I am 
 afhamed of you. 
 
 T. Str. Why, what fhould I fay to her? 
 
 SwaJ]i. What ? — You fhould have praif'd her 
 little foot, 
 Her handfome fhooe belonging to 't, 
 And then a come to her round knee 
 And then, Mafter, to her belly. 
 
 T. Str. I, marry, Swa/h ; and I were there once 
 I'de do well enough ; but pray thee let me alone, 
 I'll talk to her well enough, I warrant thee. This 
 is to the purpofe: — Wench, you know Young Mr. 
 Playnfey ? 
 
 Befs. I do remember I have (^^.n the man, 
 He loves my Father well. — Why names he Playn- 
 fey J 
 I hope he'll do me no more injury. 
 
 Swajh. Fie, fie, what have you to do with Playn- 
 fey ? Come to your own bufinefs, as thus you muft 
 come upon her : — 
 
 Oh Lady bright 
 Pity this Knight 
 That in this plight 
 
 Is thus tormented ; 
 If you be willing 
 To be billing 
 I dare hold a fhilling 
 
 You fhall be contented. 
 
 T. Str. I, marry, Swajh^ this is excellent yfaith ! 
 
91 
 
 could'ft not thou a taught me this ? but all's one, 
 Swafh ; I'll win her without thefe Ballads, I warrant 
 you. — Well, Wench, to come to the point : there's 
 Young Flaynfey loves you well, and he has hired 
 me to watch for thee here and carry thee to his 
 Farm houfe at Rederiff, where if he find thee foon 
 at night thou art like to lofe thy Maiden-head afore 
 morning. 
 
 Befs. Unhappy wretch ! that Flaynfey fure was 
 born 
 To make our Houfe and Family a fcorn. 
 
 Swajh. Shee begins to yield, Mafter ; give her 
 not o're, to her again Mafter. 
 
 T. Str. I warrant thee, SwaJh, now I am in ; let 
 me alone. — Well, Wench, this is the plain Englijh 
 on't: And thou loveft me no worfe than I love 
 thee, inftead of carrying thee to his Farm-houfe at 
 RederifF, I'll ha thee to the Church and mary thee, 
 and of a poor Beggars Daughter I'll make thee a 
 wealthy Norfolk Yeoman's wife. What fayeft thou 
 to it now ? fen ye ? 
 
 Befs. Alas, my Father is a poor Blind-man 
 And I am all the comfort that he has ; 
 I am his eyes to fee, his feet to go 
 And hands to drefs him ; I being gone hee's left 
 Eyelefs, handlefs, footlefs, comfortlefs. 
 Yet, if you love me as you make a fhow, 
 Come to our Cottage ; though our ftate be poor 
 We live content, and that's a good man's ftore. 
 
 T. Str. Lay thee, Swafh : I muft go into her Cot- 
 
92 
 
 houfe, fhe fays. Well, Wench, and thou wot not 
 go with me thou art ne're like to fee thy Father 
 nor his Shed more ; for Mr. Playnfey and Sir Robert 
 Wejlford has hired a couple of falfe knaves to cut 
 thy father's throat ; therefore and thou canft love 
 me, fay and hold. Go thou with Swajh and raife 
 the Town, and I'll go back and fave thy Father's 
 hfe, I warrant thee. 
 
 Bejs. I'll go with ye, love ye, I'll do anything fo 
 thou wilt fave my aged Father's life. 
 
 T. Sir. Let me be hang'd like a Dog and I do 
 not. Swajhj go you with her and raife the Town. 
 I'll but crofs o're the Summer lay by the Broom 
 field o're Goodman Dawfon's Clofe and be with you 
 prefently : — Whither art thou going ? thou doft not 
 hear me.^ 
 
 SwaJh. Yes, yes, I muft go by the Broom-field, 
 I hear you, Sir : come, Wench, come. 
 
 T. Str. Nay, fince you are fo forward, hold ; 
 take you the Pitcher, I'll go with her myfelf — I 
 wod not for anything but I had turn'd Cony- 
 catcher. Here had been a black day with fome- 
 body, elfe ! — Come, Wench, dry thine eyes, never 
 cry for the matter : the worft is paft, thou fhalt fee 
 the cafe altered, I warrant thee ; I'll fave thy Father's 
 life, fear not. 
 
 Swa/Ji. Oh, oh, oh ! I carry the Pitcher ! there 
 let it lye, I'll after them. [Exeunt. 
 
93 
 
 Enter Momford driving in Canbee and Hadland. 
 
 Can. I am hurt. 
 
 Had. Hold ! and thou com'ft of the noble blood 
 of the Trojans, hold ! 
 
 Momf. Nay, do not think, you defperate Caft- 
 aways, 
 Though time hath hid (clad ?) me with the rynd of 
 
 Age 
 And hung his fnowy livery of my face, 
 Though I am old, that I want ftrength to fight. 
 If you be men whofe fortunes has been fhak'd 
 By the rough arm of want, or fervitors 
 That have confum'd your living in the wars, 
 I have a poor blind Brother on this Green 
 Who, by the Alms of charitable men 
 And with the wealth I brought him out of France, 
 Hath ftore of Gold, and had you fhown your wants 
 To him or me — 
 
 Can. I fcorn to make my ftate known to e're a 
 prowling Beggar on ye all : We know your Brother 
 has Gold, and 'tis that we come for. 
 
 Had. And we'll ha't or dye for 't. \^hey fight . 
 
 Both. Murther, help, help. 
 
 Enter Sir Robert Weftford and young Playnfey. 
 
 Sir Rob. What murder ? where's the Murderers? 
 T. Playn. Sir Robert^ draw ; it is my friend that's 
 wrong'd. 
 
94 
 
 Momf. Nay, I befeech your worfhip hold your 
 hands : 
 Though I be old I am fufficient 
 To anfwer two far better men than thefe. 
 
 Can. Sir Robert, as you are a knight, lay hold 
 upon one who was not content to rob us in the 
 king's high-way but would likewife have taken 
 away our lives. 
 
 T. Playn. Upon my Soul you do the fellow 
 
 wrong. 
 Sir Rob. Nay, nay, Son Rlaynjey, never take his 
 part. 
 How fhould the Beggar here of Bednall-Green 
 Get fo much wealth as the world thinks he hath, 
 And keep his minion at the Beggar's houfe. 
 But by fuch praftices .'' Yield up thy weapons 
 Or fet upon him all : I'll anfwer it. 
 
 Momf. Well, well, Sir Robert Wefiford^ time has 
 been 
 The Blind-man and his Daughter did deferve 
 More friendfhip at your hands ; and Mr. Playnfey 
 I could repeat — but let old matters reft. 
 
 [They beat Momf. 
 Sir Rob. What ! do ye brave us ? Set upon the 
 
 flave. 
 T. Playn. What ! is he gone } how did he fcape 
 
 our hands ? 
 Can. I know not ; I had a full blow at his left 
 leg, I had thought I had cut it off. 
 
 [Enter Tom Strowd. 
 
95 
 
 Tom Str. Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, Canbeel Pray 
 Heaven keep the old man from killing ere I come, 
 and I care not. 
 
 Can. What! Tom Strowd? Well met, where's 
 the Wench ? is fhe fafe ? 
 
 T. Sir. Safe ! Doft thou make a queftion on't ? 
 I warrant fhe is fafe enough for telling any more 
 tales; I am no Bunglar about a Wench. But where's 
 the Blind-beggar and his Brother ? 
 
 Can. The Beggar is a Devil, and his Brother his 
 familiar. Here's old Madge has bit off loo and 50 
 Legs and Arms in her daies, and yet fhe could not 
 fo much as draw blood of him ; hee's Mu fleet-proof 
 or he had dyed for 't elfe. 
 
 T. Playn. She is at Rederiff then, there I fent 
 Strowd : 
 We'll end this taflc and then I'll vifit her. 
 But here's the Cottage, pull the Villain out, 
 
 [They knock. 
 Hee's both a Fellon and a Murderer. 
 
 Enter Momford like a Beggar. 
 
 Momf. What means this outrage at a Blind-man's 
 door ? 
 Are Englijhmen become fo inhumane 
 That Beggars cannot fcape their violence. 
 
 Sir Rob. Leave this diflembling, and fend forth 
 thy Brother, 
 For he hath robb'd thefe honeft Gentlemen : 
 
96 
 
 We follow'd him and faw him enter here ; 
 Therefore difpatch, and either fend him out 
 Or elfe wee'll lock the Doors upon you both 
 And fire the rotten Cottage o're your ears. 
 
 Momf. Indeed, I muft confefs I have a Brother, 
 An ancient Serving-man maym'd in the wars 
 Under Lord Momford's colours. 
 
 Y. Playn. For naming Mow/or^/ run him through 
 the heart. 
 
 T. Str. Touch him he that dares; as God fa' me 
 I'll be his Prieft that toucheth but a hair of 
 him. 
 
 Can. Strowdy I hope you do but jeft with us. 
 
 T. Str. Jeft me no jefts : fhall ne're be faid 
 Tom Strowd of Harling ftood by and faw a Blind- 
 man murthered. Therefore courage, old Father, 
 fet thy back to mine and cover thy head with thy 
 Crutches : I'll take up my lodging on God's dear 
 ground ere thou fhalt take any harm, for the pretty 
 Mother thy Daughter's fake. 
 
 Enter old Playnfey, old Strowdy and Captain 
 Weftford, Sill. Clark. 
 
 O. Playn. How now ? What quarrels have we 
 
 here ? 
 Sir Robert Weftford^ it ill befeems a man of your 
 
 eftate 
 To have a hand in fuch unlawfull riots. 
 Are you there, Son ? have you fo foon forgot 
 
97 
 
 The timelefs death of your deceafed wife 
 To follow fuch unfeemly pradlifes ? 
 
 O. Str. Ha, feft me fo ? doft take the blind man's 
 
 part ? 
 Th' art a Strowd right, a Norfolk Yeoman right 
 To take part with the weakeft. Well done, my 
 
 Boy! 
 I do forgive all matters that ere paft 
 For joy to fee thy heart fo well inclin'd. 
 
 T. Str. Why, I thank you. Father, and I forgive 
 you too with all my heart. 
 
 Sir Rob. Sir Walter Playnfey, you are mifin- 
 
 form'd ; 
 We come with no intent of injury : 
 Thefe Gentlemen were ftrangers unto us 
 We found fore hurt and rob'd by a falfe Theef 
 And Brother to this Beggar, whom we faw 
 Enter into his houfe. 
 
 O. Playn. What fay 'ft thou, Father ? 
 Know'ft thou of fuch a practife by thy Brother ? 
 Or to thy knowledge is he in the houfe ? 
 
 Momf. Sir Walter Playnfey j that I take's your 
 
 name, 
 So help me Heaven as I am ignorant 
 From any fuch lewd pradlife of my Brother's ; 
 But, fince your worfhip's here, I'll call him forth 
 In perfon, to make anfwer for himfelf ; 
 Defiring you to pardon me awhile. 
 For what with forrows and with cares down preft 
 My fightlefs eyes had need to take their reft. [^Exit. 
 
98 
 
 O. Playn. Send us thy Brother and be thou dif- 
 charg'd : 
 But Mr. Strowd^ what can you fay to this? 
 
 Y, Str, Faith Sir, 'tis a common faying in our 
 Country, *You fhall know by the Market-folks 
 how the Market goes;' and none knows their 
 knavery better than I that was one of their com- 
 pany. — Father, do you fee thofe two fellows there ? 
 
 O. Str, I, fon ; what of them ? 
 
 T. Str. Why, thefe were they that cofen'd me of 
 my fattin fute and with the falfe Repreeve that had 
 like to a hang'd you and rob'd Swajh of the icol. 
 too. 
 
 O. Str. What ? thefe Gentlemen ? 
 
 T. Str. Gentlemen ! as God mend me, a Couple 
 of as arrant Cony- catchers as e're pift. 
 
 O. Str. Is't poffible. Son ? 
 
 T. Str. Pu(h, you are a fool, Father ; you know 
 nothing, I have paid for my learning ; and falling 
 into their company in hope to get fome fatisfadlion 
 for all my lofTes, it was my chance to be by when 
 Sir Robert Wejiford and Mr. Playnfey there gave 
 them 30I. to murder the Blind-beggar, his Brother 
 and his Daughter : but by my means the Beggar 
 and his Daughter are alive, but what's become of 
 his Brother I know not. This, as I am Tom Strowd 
 of Harling and a true-hearted Norfolk-imny I'll 
 juftifie againft one, two, three or the whole pack of 
 'em — when, where, or how they dare — for the very 
 ears and guts of 'em all. 
 
99 
 
 Can. Strowdy y'are a Nit, a Slave and a Peflant. 
 
 T. Str. How ? a Feflant ? I fcorn to foyl my 
 hands about thee ; but, and I had thee alone with 
 a tough Aflien Gibbet in my hand, and I did not 
 dry bang ye all one after another I'de eat no meat 
 but Muftard : fen ye ? 
 
 O. Playn. Strowdy have a care you fpeak nought 
 but truth. 
 
 O. Sir. And fpeak the truth. Boy, as thou art my 
 Son. 
 
 T. Str. And I do not I'll give you leave to call 
 me Cut, fen ye.^* 
 
 O. Playn. Sir Robert Wejiford, this concerns you 
 near ; 
 And, Son, it touches your reputation, too ^ 
 
 T. Playn. But it fhall touch his life that authors 
 it. 
 Strowdy you are a villain and for [an] old grudge 
 Betwixt your Father and Sir Robert Weftford 
 Forg'd this furmife, as both thefe Gentlemen 
 Are ready on their oaths to juftifie. 
 
 Enter Momford like a Serving-man, 
 
 Can. No more; here comes the Slave that rob'd 
 us. 
 
 T. Str. Rob'd ye ! of what I trow ? of your 
 good conditions } 
 
 Had. This is he that hack't my Thygh hke a 
 leg of Beef. 
 
lOO 
 
 r. Sir. Thou lyeft like a Theef. 
 
 O. Playn. Are you the Blind-man's Brother ? 
 
 Momf. Sir, I am. 
 
 O. Playn. You are accus'd here of a Robbery : 
 What can you anfwer in your own defence ? 
 
 Momf. Sir Walter Playnfey., and good Captain 
 JVeJiford, 
 Firft, as I look for comfort from above, 
 I never nurs'd a thought to that intent : 
 Indeed thefe Gentlemen, Strangers to me. 
 Did draw upon me, and (as I fuppofe) 
 By the provokement of Sir Robert Weftford 
 And Mr. Playnjey^ fought to take my life. 
 
 O. Playn. What reafon fhould they have for that? 
 
 Momf. Your worfhip fhall perceive: Sir Robert 
 Wefiford, 
 Wounded by Strowd and defperate of life, 
 Confeft unto my Brother, the Blind-man, 
 That by the means of him and Mr. Playnjey 
 They counterfeited thefe Letters that wrought 
 Momford's banifhment: befides all this. 
 My Sword fhall juftifie that firft by bribes 
 And then by forcive means he would have forc'd 
 My Neece unto his luft. All this is true. 
 And this I'll juftifie upon their bodies 
 In the open lifts. 
 
 T. Playn. Thou dar'ft not for thy life ! 
 
 Momf. Playnjey^ I dare. 
 And wo'd my Soveraign Liege give me but leave 
 This Sun ftiould fee thy Treafons punifhed. 
 
lOI 
 
 Sir Rob. Wert thou a Gentleman, as thou art a 
 Slave, 
 I'de make thee eat thy words or dig thy Grave. 
 
 T. Str. Eat a Pudding's end ! the old man fhall 
 take no wrong, Sir. 
 
 Cap. Weft. Sir Robert Weftford^ your Gentility 
 Shall not tread down the truth : long has my Soul 
 Thirfted for this occafion, for when I faw 
 You falfifie your faith, wedding your Daughter 
 Unto Playnfey's Son 
 That was the Troth-plight Hufband to Bejs Mom- 
 
 fordy 
 I thought as much as this poor man now fpeaks, 
 And will in fingle combate prove as much. 
 He of you both that thinks himfelf moft touch'd 
 Take up my Gage. 
 
 2". Playn. Weftfordy I'll anfwer thee. 
 
 Can. And I'll maintain Sir Robert JVeftford's 
 caufe. 
 
 Momf. Take up my Glove then. 
 
 Sir Rob. Give me it, I'll maintain it myfelf. 
 
 Had. This fhall juftifie that Strowd 
 And that bafe Villain were agreed to murder us. 
 
 T. Str. I, is the wind i' that door ? I'll take up 
 thy glove, but — and I bang not thy Coxcomb, hang 
 me la! 
 
 O. Playn. I hope this challeng'd combate will 
 decide the truth. 
 
 Ca-p. Weft. Which, Heaven aflifling and the 
 King well pleaf'd. 
 
102 
 
 Shall be perform'd this prefent atternoon, 
 
 I'll to the King, 
 
 And never raife my Knee from the cold earth 
 
 Till I obtain by privilege of fight 
 
 A black revenge for worthy Momford's fall. 
 
 {Ex. Cap. Weft. 
 
 T. Playn. And thither. Weft ford, will I follow 
 thee, 
 Or born upon the wings of my juft caufe 
 Arive before thee. [Exit T. Playn. 
 
 Sir Rob. Each man take his way : 
 St. George and Conqueft guide our fwords this day. 
 \Exeunt^ manent the Strowds. 
 
 O. Str. Courage, my boy, if thou prevail in fight 
 I'll fwear Lord Momford hath not had his right. 
 
 T. Str. Courage fa' ye ? as God mend me I re- 
 fpedt them no more than I do a flap with a Fox 
 tayl : and I do not beat 'em as ye flio'd cuyle a fide 
 of dry'd Stock-fifh, I'll be bound to go to Rome 
 with a Morter a my head. 
 
 O. Str. Why, well faid, my Son ; let's away. 
 
 T. Str. But heark ye, Father, you muft know I 
 am to go amongft the Court-nowles ; you muft 
 needs let me have good ftore of mony with me ; 
 let not the name of Strowds be difgrac'd, I pray. 
 Father. 
 
 O. Str. Tufh, Boy, fear not; I'll carry 500I. 
 with me, and that fliall fly ere thou want. 
 
 T. Str. And I'll bring fome of my own too, or it 
 fliall go hard. [Exeunt. Mufick. Cornet. 
 
103 
 
 Aa V. 
 
 Sound Trumpet. Enter King Harry the 6thy 
 Glofter, Cardinal, Lady EUanor, and Lords 
 attending. 
 
 King. Uncle of Glofter and Lord Cardinal, 
 Since all our Court has put on fmooth-fac'd mirth 
 Only to grace your Honor'd Mariage, 
 Embrace each other in the arms of Love ; 
 And, as you joyn your hands, fo let your hearts 
 Knit your affedtions in a friendly league. 
 
 Gloft. Glofter fpeaks firft, yet fpeaks he not in 
 fear 
 As begging Bewford's friendship, but in love 
 Both to his King and to fair England's good. 
 Yet ere I fet my hand to this new League, 
 Bewford^ if any undifgefted wrong 
 Lyes in thy fwelling bofome, freely fpeak 't. 
 And Glofter will as freely anfwer it ; 
 But if thy Confcience be as clear from foyl 
 Of hatefull treachery as Glofters is. 
 Give me thy hand and with thy hand thy heart. 
 Which Glofter will as charily regard 
 As the beft blood that's chamber'd in his breaft. 
 
 Card. On that Condition Bewford gives his hand, 
 And from his heart wipes off all forepaff'd wrongs. 
 
 King. Witnefs this League, Lords ; and now, 
 Ant EUanor^ 
 Heaven give you joy both of our Uncles love 
 
104 
 
 And of this new born peace. 
 
 Now Uncle Glojier I defire to know 
 
 The caufe of Momford's treafon and his fall 
 
 Which he hath lately undergone in France. 
 
 Glojl. His fall, my Liege, was great, but his 
 offence 
 Little or none ; for by Velleires his means 
 (Who as a Prifoner now attends your Grace) 
 I have found out fince Momford's banifhment 
 That all his accufations were falfe. 
 
 King. Yet GuyneSy in which Lord Momford had 
 a charge. 
 Was yielded up by Treafon. 
 
 Gloft. True, my Liege: 
 
 I have known Momford in my Brothers days 
 Put in great truft, yet never heard 
 That he was found difloyal in his charge. 
 
 King. And, Uncle Glojier^ we have always had 
 His honor'd age in reverent efteem. 
 We hear he had a Daughter : where lives fhe ? 
 
 GloJl. Thruft out of all by one old Wefiford's 
 means. 
 
 King. Methinks 'tis hard the Child fhould not 
 enjoy 
 The riches that the painfull Father left. 
 Good Uncle Glojier^ let it be your care 
 To fee old Momford's Daughter have her right. — 
 But what grave man is that ^. [Enter old PL 
 
 Glofi. Sir Walter Playnfey^ 
 
 The bofom friend unto exiled Momford. 
 
I05 
 
 King. Sir Walter Playnfey, by our Uncles leave 
 I pray ftand up : methinks thofe reverent hairs 
 Deferve a fofter pillar than the ground. 
 I pray ftand up and boldly fpeak your mind. 
 
 O. Playn. My Soveraign Liege, your Subje6l 
 comes in love 
 To let you know that divers Gentlemen, 
 On what prefumption they themfelves beft know, 
 Have underta'en to prove in open field 
 That the Lxjrd Momford, who late fell in France^ 
 Was treacheroufly accus'd. 
 
 Glofi. Why, 'twas your Son 
 
 That firft produc'd his accufation. 
 
 O. Playn. Your Grace will give me leave to clear 
 myfelf, 
 For I was neither privy to that fa(5b 
 Nor fpeak in his excufe : he is my Son, 
 But if in malice he hath wrong'd Lord Momford 
 Let him have juftice and the Law take place. 
 
 King. Are they refolv'd to try it out in fight? 
 
 O. Playn. They are, my Liege, and only wait 
 your pleafure. 
 
 King. Even what our Uncle Glofier will fet down 
 We do affent to. 
 
 Gloft. Herald, fetch them in : 
 
 See them at all points arm'd. 
 
io6 
 
 Enter with Drum Sir Robert V^o.^.^ young Playn., 
 Canbee and Hadland ; y^t the other Door old 
 Momf., Cap. Weft., Tom Strowd, and old 
 Strowd and Befs. 
 
 Glojl. Who is the PlaintifF? 
 
 Momf. I, niy gracious Lord. 
 
 Glojl. Reach him the Book, and thereon take 
 thine Oath 
 That thou art neither drawn by bribes nor hate 
 To undertake this Combat. — 'Tis enough ; 
 Speak truth and nought but truth, fo help thee 
 Heaven. 
 
 Momf. Pleafeth your Grace, this in a word is all: 
 Sir Robert IVeJiford and Mr. Playnfey there confeft 
 To a Blind-man, in hearing of that Maid, 
 That Playnfey and himfelf did counterfeit 
 The Letters that wrought Momfords baniftiment. 
 
 GloJl. Give him the Book ; now anfwer on thine 
 oath 
 In thy defence. 
 
 Sir Rob. Then firft, my Liege, tis falfe ; 
 
 Next, hee's a Felon and by force of arms 
 OfFer'd to rob thefe honest Gentlemen 
 In the high way. 
 
 T. Strowd. Then I can hold my tongue no 
 longer : it's an arrant lye, my Lord ; that's the 
 plain Englifh on't, for I was by when Sir Robert 
 IVeJiford and Mr. Playn/ey gave them 30I. to mur- 
 der the Blind-beggar, his Brother and his Daughter: 
 
lOJ 
 
 and, if I had not been, they had been kill'd too, fo 
 had they. 
 
 King. Fellows what do you fay to this? 
 
 Can. My Liege, I cannot talk ; grant me the 
 Combate and my Sword fhall prove I am a Souldier, 
 and my tongue nere knew the art of fcolding, 
 
 Gloji. Give him his will, alarum to the fight. 
 - King. Stay, for me thinks there is fome difference 
 Both in their years and their conditions ; 
 And, for we highly prize our Subjed's lives, 
 Good Uncle Glojler^ let them choofe their weapons : 
 It may be a means to fave their lives. 
 
 Gloji. And hearten others in purfute of know- 
 ledge. 
 Herauld, bring forth all forts of weapons : 
 Tis the King's pleasure that every man 
 Make choice of thofe weapons he hath pradlis'd 
 
 most. 
 Sir Robert y chufe your weapon firft. 
 
 Sir Rob. Thanks to my Liege : the common 
 fight of thefe fame ferving men is fword and dagger, 
 therefore I'll chufe the fword and target they are 
 unfkilfull in : I take the fword and target for my 
 defence. 
 
 Momf. And, my Liege, becaufe Sir Rob. Wefi- 
 ford fhall not think I'll take any advantage, I'll 
 anfwer him at his own weapons. 
 
 King. 'Tis well; on to the next. 
 
 T. Playn. Come, Captain Wejlford^ you have 
 been in Spain 
 
io8 
 
 And well are practis'd in the defperate fight 
 Of fingle Rapier. 
 
 Cap. Weft, Playnfey^ I am pleafed. 
 
 King. So are not we, 
 The fingle Rapier is too defperate ; 
 And therefore choofe fome other weapon, 
 Or we will have no Combat fought this day. 
 
 T. Playn. Backfword then, and't pleafe your 
 Grace. 
 
 King. So we are pleas'd. 
 
 Can. Sirrah Jack^ methinks Sword and Buck- 
 ler's a fafe fight ? 
 
 Had. I'll choofe no other, and I had a thoufand 
 lives. 
 
 T^om Stro. I do ; take your bars of Iron and your 
 Barndoors : and I do not bang 'em together like 
 a couple of Cur-dogs I'll nere be feen again. 
 
 King. Sirrah, thou fellow. 
 
 T. Stro. Anon. 
 
 King. What weapons wilt thou ufe ? 
 
 T*. Stro. Weapon me no weapons ; I can play at 
 wafters as well as another man, but all's one for 
 that : give me but an afhen Gibbet in my hand, 
 and I do not dry-bang them both I'll be bound to 
 eat hay with a horfe, fo will I. 
 
 King. An afhen-gibbet ! what doft thou mean by 
 that? 
 
 T. Stro. What do I mean by it, quoth ye .? I 
 think you be fib to one of the London Cockneys that 
 aflc't whether Haycocks were better meat broyl'd or 
 
109 
 
 rofted. An afhen plant, a good Cudgell ; what 
 fho'd I ca it ? 
 
 King. If there be fuch a weapon in the Court let 
 one go fetch it him. 
 
 T. Stro. Nay, I'll make a page of my own age 
 and fet it myfelf. Swajh^ bring out my bieft beggar 
 there. 
 
 Enter Swafh with an aJhen-Gibbet. 
 
 Swajh. Yes, Sir, here's your bleft Beggar, Mafter, 
 
 T". Stro. Look ye, Sirs, this is en it : and I do not 
 cudgell 'em both with it I'll give you leave to ftick 
 me up at the Court-gate for a Pifling-poft, fo will I. 
 
 King. But two to one is oddes, rather fight fingle. 
 
 2". Stro. No, they know me well enough ; I have 
 cudgelled them both afore now. 
 
 King. Well, if thou dare oppofe them both, have 
 thy defire. 
 Alarum to the fight ! 
 
 [Alarum. I^hey fight, and Momford's 
 fide wins. 
 
 King. Fellow, doft hear ? 
 
 'T. Stro. Anon. 
 
 King, What fliould I call thy Country and thy 
 name? 
 
 2". Stro. Sen ye .? 
 
 Gloft. The King wo'd know thy Country and 
 thy name. 
 
 Tl Stro. My name ? I am not afliam'd of my 
 name : I am on Tom Strowd of Harling ; I'll play a 
 
I lO 
 
 gole at Camp-ball or wrafTel a fall of the hip or the 
 hill turn with ere a Courtnoll of ye all for 20 
 quarters of Malt, and match me height for height. 
 
 King. A lufty fellow ! Truft — 
 We have too few fuch Subjeds in our Land. 
 Where's the Blind-beggar and his brother ? 
 
 T. Stro. Where the Blind-beggar is, I know not; 
 but here's the pretty Mother his Daughter. And 
 thou beeft a kind fpringall, fpeak a good word for 
 me to my father that I may have her ; and as God 
 mend me, and ere thou com'll; into Norfolk, 111 give 
 thee as good a Difh of Dumplings as ere thou 
 layd'ft thy lips too, fo will I ; {^.n ye ? 
 
 Old Stro. How, mary with a Beggar ? mix the 
 blood of Strowds with a tatter ? either caft her off 
 or I will caft off thee. 
 
 'T. Stro. Now we fhall have a coyl with ye ; and 
 ye were not my father I'd knock your pate, fo wo'd I. 
 
 Old Stro. How's that ? do and thou dare. 
 
 Momf. Strowd, though fhe be Daughter to a 
 poor Bhnd-man that long hath liv'd on good men's 
 charity, do not difdain her : Be her birth as it may, 
 the portion I'll give with her deferves as good a 
 Huft)and as your Son.^ 
 
 2". Stro. Bate me an ace of that, qd. Bolton; yet 
 would I had her as naked as my nayl. 
 
 Old Stro. As good a portion as my Son, proud 
 Beggar } 
 
 ' Perhaps this fpecch Ihould be ranged as verfe. 
 
1 1 1 
 
 Tis not your Clapdifh and your patch'd Gown 
 Can do't. 
 
 Momf. However poor, good Sir, difgrace me not. 
 
 Old Stro. 'Tis my difgrace to be outworded by a 
 Beggar. 
 But, and thou be'ft fuch a well monied man 
 As thou doft brag, dar'ft drop old Angels with me, 
 And he that out drops other takes up all ? 
 
 Momf. That were ambition in a beggar, Sir. 
 
 Cap. Weft. 'Twere credit for thee and thou 
 couldft out-drop him. 
 
 Momf. So pleafe my Liege to give me leave, I'll 
 venture 
 That fmall Eftate I have. 
 
 King. We are content: 
 
 Mongft cares 'tis fit to mix fome merriment. 
 
 Momf. Come hither, Daughter; are you ready 
 Mafter? 
 
 7". Stro. To him, Father; never lofe a hog 
 
 for a halfp'worth of tar. Come, old fellow, bring 
 thy white Bears to the ftake, and thy yellow gingle 
 boys to the Bull-ring — Father, wherefore do you 
 hang an arfe fo } they are all our own, and there 
 were a combfeck full on 'em. 
 
 Momf. I thus begin. 
 
 Old Stro. And thus I anfwer thee. 
 
 Momf, Thus I reply. 
 
 Old Stro. And thus do I joyn iffue. 
 
 2". Stro. I had rather joyn iffue with the Mother 
 a great deal had I. 
 
I 12 
 
 Old Stro. Some more mony, Swajh. 
 
 Swajh. Here, Mafter; we'll out-drop the Beg- 
 gar, we'll make Gilt fweat elfe. 
 
 Old Stro. Haft thou any mony about thee, Tom ? 
 
 T. Stro. An hundred angels and a better peny, 
 Pigs of your own Sow, Father. 
 
 Momf. There's 20 more. 
 
 Old Stro. More yet! the Rafcal will difgrace me; 
 more yet ! 
 
 T. Stro. And yet too ; — you think beggar ha' 
 no lice, father. 
 
 Gloji. Why, how now, Strowd? begins it to be 
 low water with ye ? 
 
 Old Stro. I am e'en run a ground, have drop't 
 till I can drop no more. 
 
 T. Stro. You muft e'en burn of the fpit, for I 
 have no more oyl of Angels to baft you, father. 
 
 Old Stro. Nor thou, Swajh ? 
 
 Swa/h. Only a broken three farthings that I kept 
 in a corner to buy my wench pins with. 
 
 Momf. All this is mine then ? 
 
 Old Stro. I not deny 't, tis true ; 
 That was our match and fo, good Gold, adue. 
 
 T. Stro. I have brought my hogs to a fair 
 Market ; muft I lofe the Mother and all my Gold 
 too? 
 
 Old Stro. Yes, faith, all's gone, Tom. 
 
 T. Stro. This is your foolery. Father; and I 
 had don't we fho'd have had fuch a fcolding with 
 you. 
 
Momf. Then, Strowd, where thou before didft 
 fcorn my Daughter 
 Now I do fcorn thy Son, not mov'd through hate — 
 For Strowd I hold thee a moft honeft man, 
 For right thou didft unto Lord Momford's 
 
 Daughter — 
 And fince thy Son did fave my poor Girls life 
 And refcued mine with hazard to his own 
 This Gold, which by our bargain is all mine, 
 I freely give him towards his mariage. 
 
 King. Truft me a gallant Beggar ! 
 
 Y. Stro. Beggar ! — He might be a King for his 
 bounty, for he gives away all. 
 
 Swa/Ii. I know the reafon of that ; he can beg 
 more. And Begging be fo good an occupation wo'd 
 I had been bound Apprentice to 't feven years ago: 
 there was fomewhat to be got by it then, 'tis out of 
 requeft now. 
 
 T. Stro. This is old excellent : here, carry 't to 
 my chamber, Swa/Ii., and lock the door faft I charge 
 thee. 
 
 Swa/h. And I meet no falfe knaves by the way : 
 Canbee and Hadland^ here had been a fimple boon 
 for you now. \_Exit. 
 
 Momf. And now, my Lord, fince Momford is 
 prov'd clear 
 And his Accufers have confeft their guilt, 
 I freely give my Daughter to the man 
 Who for the love of Momford (lov'd of all) 
 Will take her to his wife. 
 
114 
 
 Cap. Wefi. For MomfortT s fake, whofe honor'd 
 deeds 
 Are writ up with the blood of the proud French^ 
 Were fhe the meaneft and deformd'ft Creature 
 That treads upon the bofome of the earth, 
 Wejlford wo'd take, love, live and marry her. 
 
 Momf. Nay then I fee that virtue fhall find 
 friends : take her, good Captain, and for Momford's 
 fake ufe the Maid kindly. 
 
 T. Stro. Why, farewell 40 pence ! I ha fight 
 fair and caught a frog. Well, Mother, though I 
 am no Gentleman I co'd ha brought you to more 
 Land than a fcore on 'em ; thou fhould'ft have had 
 40 as fair milch kine to your payl as a man fho'd 
 need to fee in a Summers day, 4 yoak of Oxen and 
 three team of Cart-horfes : befides thou fhouldft 
 have had thine ambling nag and thy fide faddle 
 to ha rid on, a little eafier than to be jaunted 
 up and down London Streets in a lethern wheel- 
 barrow : and then of the other fide there's the old 
 woman my Mother, flie would have made thee a 
 vild-good Hufwife could have taught thee how to a 
 made butters and flap-jacks, fritters pancakes, I and 
 the rareft fools, all the Ladies in the Land know 
 not how to turn their hands to 'em. But 111 take 
 my leave on thee with an oh * good night Landlady 
 the Moon is up.' 
 
 Momford di/covers him/elf. 
 Cap. W. Gl. Card. Momford ! 
 
115 
 
 King. Bold Momford living and proved Loyal ! 
 Thy Love like a rich Jewel we will wear 
 Next to our heart ; upon thofe Gentlemen 
 That have maintain'd and proved faithfuU 
 We do confer a lOO Crowns a piece. 
 
 Momf. Your Grace in this does Momford double 
 right ; 
 And, noble Country-men, while we do live 
 Your Love and Valour muft not be forgotten. 
 
 Old Playn. How is 't you will we deal with your 
 Accufers ? 
 
 King. That we refer unto our Uncle Glojier 
 Who better knows thofe paflages than we. 
 
 Gloji, Since 'tis your will my Liege then thus 't 
 must be 
 For you, T. Playn/ey and Sir Robert Wejiford., 
 Receive a legal Tryal : Canbee and Hadland^ 
 We for a Prefident will have you fent 
 Out of the Land to datelefs banifhment. 
 
 Can. Thanks, your good Honor, and we'll do you 
 more good by cheating your enemies abroad than 
 ever we did hurt by cofening honeft fubjeds at 
 home. 
 
 King. Good Uncle G/(?/?<?^, we commend your care 
 For throwing out fuch rank weeds forth our Land 
 Whofe weaken'd body hath been fick too long, 
 Wanting thofe helps that fhould have made it 
 
 ftrong; 
 'Mongft whom, Lord Momford y you are not the 
 leaft 
 
ii6 
 
 (Pray Heaven you be the laft) whom this wilde 
 
 bead 
 Ambitious treafon fought to ruinate : 
 But in requital of your more than wrong 
 We make you here our Lord High-Treafurer ; 
 And, Captain Wejiford^ make you General 
 Of all our forces mufter'd up 'gainft France. 
 Thus, our difjointed Kingdom being made ftrong, 
 Each Member feated in his proper feat. 
 Let's in to praife his name whofe powerful! hand 
 Proteds the fafety of our peaceful! Land. 
 
 JOHN BAY. 
 
 Finis. 
 

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