THE PLOT OF THE PLAY, CALLED ENGLAND'S JOY.  
To be Played at the Swan this 6. of November. 1602.  
FIRST, there is induct by show and in Action, the civil wars of England from Edward the third, to the end of Queen Mary's reign, with the overthrow of Usurpation.  
2 Secondly then the entrance of England's joy by the Coronation of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth; her Throne attended with peace, Plenty, and civil Policy: A sacred Prelate standing at her right hand, betokening the Serenity of the Gospel: At her left hand justice: And at her feet War, with a Scarlet Robe of peace upon his Armour: A wreath of Bays about his temples, and a branch of Palm in his hand.  
3 Thirdly is dragged in three Furies, presenting Dissension, Famine, and Bloodshed, which are thrown down into hell.  
4 Fourthly is expressed under the person of a Tyrant, the envy of Spain, who to show his cruelty causeth his Soldiers drag in a beautiful Lady, whom they mangle and wound, tearing her garments and jewels from off her: And so leave her bloody, with her hair about her shoulders, lying upon the ground. To her come certain Gentlemen, who seeing her piteous dispoylment, turn to the Throne of England, from whence one descendeth, taketh up the Lady, wipeth her eyes, bindeth up her wounds, giveth her treasure, and bringeth forth a band of Soldiers, who attend her forth: This Lady presenteth Belgia.  
5 Fiftly, the Tryant more enraged, taketh counsel, sends forth letters, privy Spies, and secret underminers, taking their oaths, and giving them bags of treasure. These signify Lopus, and certain Jesuits, who afterward, when the Tyrant looks for an answer from them, are showed to him in a glass with halters about their necks, which makes him mad with fury.  
6 Sixtly, the Tyrant seeing all secret means to fail him, intendeth open violence and invasion by the hand of War, whereupon is set forth the battle at Sea in 88 with England's victory.  
7 Seventhly, he complotteth with the Irish rebels, wherein is laid open the base ingratitude of Tyrone, the landing there of Don john de Aguila, and their dissipation by the wisdom and valour of the Lord Mountioy.  
8 Eightly, a great triumph is made with fight of twelve Gentlemen at Barriers, and sundry rewards sent from the Throne of England, to all sorts of well deservers.  
9 Lastly, the Nine Worthies, with several Coronets, present themselves before the Throne, which are put back by certain in the habit of Angels, who set upon the Lady's head, which represents her Majesty, an Imperial Crown, garnished with the Sun, Moon and Stars; And so with Music both with voice and Instruments she is taken up into Heaven, when presently appears, a Throne of blessed Souls, and beneath under the Stage set forth with strange fireworks, divers black and damned Souls, wonderfully described in their several torments.