THE politician, A TRAGEDY, Presented at Salisbury Court BY HER Majesty's SERVANTS;  
WRITTEN By JAMES SHIRLEY.  
LONDON, Printed for Humphrey Moseley and are to be sold at his Shop at the PRINCE's Arms in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1655.   

To the very much Honoured WALTER MOYLE, Esq  
SIR,  
THough the severity of the times took away those dramatic recreations (whose language so much glorified the English Scene) and perhaps looking at some abuses of the common Theatres, which were not so happily purged from scurrility, and underwit, (the only entertainment of vulgar Capacities) they have outed the more noble and ingenious actions of the eminent stages; The rage yet hath not been Epidemical, there are left many lovers of this exiled Posy, who are great Masters of reason, and that dare conscientiously own this musical part of Humane learning, when it is presented without the stains of impudence and profanation.  
Among these persons, sir you deserve an honourable inscription. For my own part; this is the last which is like to salute the public view in this kind, and I have only to say, that I Congratulate my own happiness to conclude with so judicious a Patron.  
To make a doubt of your fair receiving this piece: were to dishonour your Character, and make myself undeserving. Read at your leisure, what is humbly presented to your eye and judgement, while I preserve my confidence in your virtue and good thoughts upon  
Sir, The most humble honourer of your worth JAMES SHIRLEY   

The names and small Characters of the Persons.  

KIng of Norway, easy and credulous in his nature, and passionately doting upon Queen Marpisa.  
Gotharus, the politician, active to serve his pleasures and ambition, a great favourite of the Queen.  
Turgesius, the Prince, of a gallant disposition, and honoured by the soldier.  
Duke Olaus, the king's Uncle, old, choleric and distasted with the Court-proceedings, disaffected to Gotharus, and the Queen, but resolute, and faithful to the Prince.  
Haraldus Son to Marpisa, young, of a sweet and noble disposition, whom Gotharus would form more bold, and ambitious for the greatness he had designed.  
Reginaldus, Aquinas Captains.  
Hormenus, Cortes two honest Courtiers.  
Sueno, Helga a couple of Court-Parasites.  
soldiers.  
rebels.  
Attendants.   

Marpisa the Queen, a 'proud subtle and revengeful Lady, from the widow of Count Altomarus, advanced to royal condition, by the practice of her creature and confident, Gotharus.  
Albina, wife to Gotharus a virtuous but suffering Lady, under the tyranny of an imperious, and disloyal husband.   
Scene Norway.   

THE politician.  

Act. 1.  Enter Cortes and Hormenus. Cor. 
IT was a strange and sudden marriage.  H. 
Could he not love her for the game, and so forth,  
But he must thus exalt her? no less title  
Than Queen, to satisfy her ambition?  Co. 
'Tis a brave rise!  H. 
I did not prophesy,  
When the honest Count her husband Altomarus  
Lived, she would bring us on our knees.  Co. 
I hope  
She'll love the King for't.  H. 
And in his absence,  
Gotharus the king's Minion, her old friend,  
He has done this royal service; beside, what  
Rests on accounts in her old husband's days.  
I do suspect her Son Haraldus was  
Got with more heat, and blood, than Altomarus  
Age could assure her, but he's dead.  Co. 
— Be with him;  
Although I won't make oath for her chastity,  
That boys good nature is an argument  
To me, Gotharus had no share in him:  
he's honest, of a gentle disposition,  
And on my Conscience does pray sometimes.  Enter Gotharus reading a Letter. Ho. 
No more, we have a Wolf byth' ear, what news  
From Hell? he cannot want intelligence, he has  
So many friends there— he's displeased, there is  
Some goodness in that Letter, I will pawn  
My head, that makes him angry.  Enter some with Petitions, Gotharus frowns upon 'em, they return hastily. 
How his frown  
Hath scattered 'em like leaves, they fly from him  
As nimbly, as their bodies had no more weight  
Than their Petitions; I would give an eye-tooth,  
To read but three lines.  Go. 
Curse upon his victory!  
I meant him not this safety, when I wrought  
The King to send him forth to war, but hoped  
His active spirit would have met some engine  
To have translated him to another world;  
He's now upon return. Exit.  Ho. 
Would I had but  
The harrowing of your skull; my genius gives me▪  
That Paper is some good news of the Prince,  
I would I knew it but concerned him.  Co. 
'Twas  
My wonder, the King would send his Son abroad  
To wars, the only pledge of his succession.  Ho. 
He had a Councillor, this Politician,  
That would prefer the Prince to Heaven, a place  
His Lordship has no hope to be acquainted with;  
The Prince, and his great Uncle Duke Olaus,  
Would not allow these pranks of State, nor see  
The King betrayed to a Concubine;  
Therefore it was thought fit they should be engaged  
To foreign dangers.  Enter Albina, and her waiting woman. 
'Tis Madam Albina,  
Our great man's wife.  Co. 
The King did seem to affect her,  
Before he married her to his favourite.  H. 
Dost think she's honest?  Co. 
I'll not stake my soul on't,  
But I believe she is too good for him,  
Although the King and she have private conference.  H. 
She looks as she were discontent. Exit Al.  Co. 
She has cause  
In being Gotharus' wife, some say she loved him  
Most passionately.  H. 
'Twas her destiny;  
She has him now, and if she love him still,  
'Tis not impossible she may be a Martyr,  
His proud and rugged nature will advance  
Her patience too't.  Enter Helga and Sueno. Hel. 
Avoid the Gallery.  Su. 
The King is coming, oh my Lord, your pardon:  Ho. 
Nay we must all obey.  Co. 
I ne'er liked  
This fellow.  H. 
He is one of fortunes Minions▪  
The love of the choice Ladies of the laundry,  
That's one that draws in the same team, but more  
Inclined toth' Knave; he is a kind of Pendant  
To the king's ear, an everlasting parasite:  
The King? Albina returned with him. Exit.  Enter King and Albina. K. 
Leave us.  
You're most unkind to yourself in my opinion,  
You know well who I am, and what I have  
Advanced you too; neither in virgin state  
Nor marriage, to allow your King a favour?  Al. 
Sir, let the humble duty of a subject,  
Who shall with zealous prayers solicit heaven  
For you, and your fair Queen—  K. 
Had you been wise,  
That might have been your Title, but the God  
Of love had with his Arrow so engraven  
Gotharus in your heart; you had no language  
But what concerned his praise, scarce any thought  
At liberty; I did imagine, when  
I had compassion of your sufferings,  
And gave thee a fair Bride to my Gotharus,  
You would not lose the memory of my benefit,  
But (now in state, and nature to reward it)  
Consented to return me love.  Al. 
Be pleased  
To excuse the boldness of one question.  K. 
Be free Albina.  Al. 
Do not you love my husband?  K. 
There wants no testimony, beside the rest,  
My giving thee to him, dear to my thoughts,  
Is argument I love him.  Al. 
Would you take  
Me back again? you but betrayed his faith,  
And your own gift, to tempt me to forsake him.  K. 
You are more apprehensive, if you please  
He shall possess you still, I but desire  
Sometimes a near and loving conversation,  
Though he should know't, considering how much  
I may deserve, he would be wise enough  
To love thee near the worse; he's not the first  
Lord that hath purchased offices by the free  
Surrender of his wife to the king's use,  
'Tis frequent in all commonwealths to lend  
Their playfellows to a friend.  Al. 
Oh do not think  
Gotharus can be worth your love, to be  
So most degenerate, and lost to honour;  
You have a Queen, to whom your vow is sacred,  
Be just to her, the blessing is yet warm  
Pronounced by holy Priest, stain not a passion  
To wander from that beauty, richer far  
Than Mine; let your souls meet and kiss each other,  
That while you live, the examples of chaste love  
(Most glorious in a King and Queen) we may  
Grow up in virtue by the spring of yours,  
Till our top-boughs reach heaven.  Ki. 
You are resolved than  
We must be strangers, should my life depend  
On the possession of your bosom, I  
Should languish and expire, I see.  Al. 
Good heaven  
Will not permit the King want so much goodness,  
To think the enjoying of forbidden pleasure  
Could benefit his life, rather let mine  
Ebb at some wound, and wander with my blood  
By your command ta'en from me, on my knee—  K. 
Rise, I may kiss Albina—  Go. 
Ha! Enter Gotharus.  K. 
'Thas shot  
Another flame into me, come you must—  Alb. 
What?  K. 
Be a woman, do't, or I'll complain.  Alb. 
To whom?  K. 
Thy husband.  Go. 
Horror!  K. 
Think upon't. Exit.  Al. 
What will become of miserable Albina?  
Like a poor deer pursued to a steep precipice,  
That overlooks the Sea, by some fierce hound;  
The Just of a wild King doth threaten here,  
Before me, the neglects of him I love,  
Gotharus my unkind Lord, like the waves,  
And full as deaf affright me.  Go. 
How now Madam?  
Come, can you kiss?  Alb. 
Kiss sir?  Go. 
What difference  
Between his touch and mine now? his perhaps  
Was with more heat, but mine was soft enough.  
What has he promised thee, but that's no matter,  
Thou wilt be wise enough to make thy bargain,  
I father all, only the King shall give it  
A name, he'll make it master of a Province.  Al. 
What means my Lord:  Go. 
Thou thinkst I am jealous now, not I, I knew  
Before he doted on thee, and it is  
To be presumed, having a veil to hide  
Thy blushes, (I do mean our marriage)  
Thou mayst find out some time to meet, and mingle  
Stories and limbs, it may be necessary;  
And 'cause I will be dutiful to the King,  
We will converse no more a-bed, I'll be  
Thy husband still Albina, and wear my buds  
Under my hair close like a prudent Statesman;  
But 'twere not much amiss, as I advised  
Before, and these new premises considered,  
You appear abroad with a less train, your Wardrobe  
Will make you more suspected, if it be  
Too rich; and some whole days to keep your Chamber,  
Will make the King know where to find you certain.  Al. 
Will you have patience my Lord to hear me?  Go. 
The world doth partly think thee honest too,  
That will help much, if you observe good rules  
And diet, without tedious progresses,  
And visiting of Ladies, expert in  
Night Revels, Masks, and twenty other torments  
To an estate; your Doctors must be left too,  
I won't pay a fee to have your pulse  
Felt, and your hand rolled up like wax, by one  
Whose foot-cloth must attend, while he makes legs,  
And every other morning comes to tell  
Your Ladyship a story out of Aretine,  
That can set you a longing for diseases,  
That he may cure you, and your waiting-woman,  
Whose curiosity would taste your Glister,  
Commend the operation from her stomach.  
Should you be sick, and sick to death, I would  
Not counsel you to physic; women are  
Frail things, and should a cordial miscarry,  
My conscience would be arraigned, and I  
Might be suspected for your poisoner.  
No, no, I thank you, you're in a fine course  
To ease me wife; or if you must be loose,  
I'th' spring and fall, let the King bear the charges.  
He will, if you apply yourself.  Al. 
I am wretched;  
Why do you without hearing thus condemn me?  
The Lady lives not with a purer faith  
To her loved Lord, than I have; nor shall greatness,  
Nor death itself, have power to break it.  Go. 
Come,  
These are but painted tears, leave this, have you  
Prepared your last accounts?  Al. 
They are ready sir;  
Never was Lady slaved thus like Albina,  
A stipendiary, worse, a servile steward,  
To give him an account of all my expenses.  Go. 
I'll have it so in spite of customs heart,  
While you are mine; accountless liberty  
Is ruin of whole families: now leave me, Exit Al.  
We may talk more anon, I have observed  
This privacy before, search here Gotharus,  
'Tis here from whence mutinous thoughts conspiring  
With witty melancholy, shall beget  
A strong born mischief, I'll admit she be  
Honest, I love her not, and if he tempt her  
To sin, that's paid him back in his wife's looseness;  
From whom I took my first ambition,  
And must go on, till we can sway the Kingdom,  
Though we climb to't o'er many deaths. I first  
Practise at home, my unkindness to Albina,  
If she do love me must needs break her heart.  Enter Haraldus. Ha. 
My honoured Lord.  Go. 
Most dear Haraldus welcome,  
Preciously welcome to Gotharus' heart.  Ha. 
The Queen my mother, sir, would speak with you.  Go. 
How excellently do those words become thee,  
'Tis fit Haraldus Mother be a Queen,  
thouart worth a princely fate; I will attend her.  Ha. 
I'll tell her so.  Go. 
'Tis not an office for you.  Ha. 
It is my duty sir, to wait upon  
My mother.  Go. 
Who i'th' Court is not your servant?  
You do not exercise command enough,  
You are too gentle in your fortune's sir,  
And wear your greatness, as you were not born  
To be a Prince.  Ha. 
My birth sure gave me not  
That title, I was born with the condition  
To obey, not govern.  Go. 
Do not wrong those Stars,  
Which early as you did salute the world,  
Designed this glorious fate; I did consult,  
And in the happy minute of thy birth,  
Collect what was decreed in heaven about thee.  Ha. 
Those books are 'bove my reading, but whate'er  
my stars determine of me, 'tis but late  
I heard my mother say, you are on earth,  
To whom I am most bound for what I am:  Go. 
'Tis a shrewd truth, if thou knew'st all.  Ha. 
You have  
Been more a father then a friend to us.  Go. 
Friend to thy Mother, I confess in private,  
The other follows by a consequence, aside.  
A father my Haraldus? I confess  
I was from thy nativity inclined  
By a most strange and secret force of nature,  
Or sympathy to love thee like my own;  
And let me tell thee, though thy mother had  
Merit enough to engage my senses;  
Yet there was something more in thee considered,  
That raised my thoughts, and study to advance  
Thee to these pregnant hopes of state, methinks  
I see thee a King already.  Ha. 
Good sir, do not  
Prompt me to that ambition, I possess  
Too much already, and I could, so pleased  
My Mother, travel where I should not hear  
Of these great titles, and it comes now aptly,  
I should entreat your Lordship to assist me  
In a request to her, I know she loves you,  
And will deny you nothing; I would fain  
Visit the University for study,  
I do lose time methinks.  Go. 
Fie Haraldus,  
And leave the Court? how you forget yourself?  
Study to be King,  
I shall half repent my care,  
If you permit these dull and phlegmatic  
Thoughts to usurp, they'll stifle your whole reason,  
Catch at the Sun, divest him of his beam,  
And in your eye wear his proud rays; let day  
Be when you smile, and when your anger points,  
Shoot death in every frown: covet a shade,  
Affect a solitude, and books, and forfeit,  
So brave an expectation?  Ha. 
Of what?  Go. 
Of Norway's Crown.  Ha. 
Could there be any thought  
Within me so ambitious, with what hope  
Could it be cherished, when I have no title?  Go. 
I that have thus far studied thy fortune,  
May find a way.  Ha. 
The King—  Go. 
Is not immortal while he has Physicians.  Ha. 
What's that unsaid? The King is happy,  
And the whole Nation treasure up their hopes  
In Prince Turgesius, who with his great uncle  
Valiant Olaus.  Go. 
Are sent toth' wars, where 'twill concern 'em,  
To think of fame, and how to march to honour  
Through death.  Ha. 
I dare not hear him.  Go. 
Or if they  
Return—  Ha. 
They will be welcome to all good  
Men's hearts, and next the King, none with more joy  
Congratulate their safeties, than yourself:  
I am confident my Lord you will remember  
To see my Mother, and excuse me if  
To finish something else I had in charge,  
I take my leave, all good dwell with your Lordship.  Exit. Go. 
But that I have Marpisa's faith, I could  
Suspect him not the issue of my blood,  
He is too tame, and honest, at his years  
I was prodigiously in love with greatness;  
Or if not mine, let him inherit but  
His Mother's soul, she has pride enough, and spirit  
To catch at flames, his education  
Has been too soft, I must new form the boy  
Into more vice, and daring, strange, we must  
Study at Court, how to corrupt our Children▪  Enter Marpisa. 
The Queen!  Ma. 
My expectation to speak  
With thee Gotharus, was too painful to me;  
I fear we are all undone; dost hear the news?  
The Prince is coming back with victory,  
Our day will be o'ercast.  Go. 
These eyes will force  
A brighter from those clouds; are not you Queen?  Ma. 
But how Turgesius, and his bold uncle  
Will look upon me.  Go. 
Let 'em stare out  
Their eyeballs, be you mistress still of the  
king's heart, and let their gall spout in their stomach,  
We'll be secure.  Ma. 
Thou art my fate.  Go. 
I must confess  
I was troubled when I heard it first; seem not  
You pale at their return, but put on smiles  
To grace their triumph; now you have most need  
Of woman's art, dissemble cunningly.  Ma. 
My best Gotharus.  Go. 
They shall find stratagems in peace, more fatal  
Than all the Engines of the war; what mischief  
Will not Gotharus fly to, to assure  
The fair Marpisa's greatness, and his own,  
In being hers (an Empire 'bove the world)  
There is a heaven in either eye, that calls  
My adoration, such Promethean fire,  
As were I struck dead in my works, shouldst thou  
But dart one look upon me, it would quicken  
My cold dust, and inform it with a soul  
More daring than the first.  Ma. 
Still my resolved Gotharus.  Go. 
Let weak Statesmen think of conscience,  
I am armed against a thousand stings, and laugh at  
The tales of Hell, and other worlds, we must  
Possess our joys in this, and know no other  
But what our fancy every minute shall  
Create to please us.  Ma. 
This is harmony,  
How dull is the king's language, I could dwell  
Upon thy lips; why should not we engender  
At every sense?  Go. 
Now you put me in mind,  
The pledge of both our hopes, and blood, Haraldus,  
Is not well bred, he talks too morally,  
He must have other discipline, and be fashioned  
For our great aims upon him; a Crown never  
Became a Stoic, pray let me commend  
Some conversation to his youth.  Ma. 
He is thine. Enter Helga.  Ge. 
He shall be every way my own.  Hel. 
The King desires your presence Madam.  Ma. 
I attend, you'll follow— Exit.  Go. 
Thee to death, and triumph in  
My ruins for thy sake, a thousand forms  
Throng in my brain, that is the best, which speeds,  
Who looks at Crowns, must have no thought who bleeds. Exit.   

Act. 2.  Enter King, Hormenus, Cortes, Sueno. K. 
THis music doth but add to melancholy,  
I'll hear no more.  Co. 
He's strangely moved.  Ho. 
I cannot think a cause,  
You were wont to fool him into mirth; Where's Helga  
Your dear companion? no device between you  
To raise his thoughts?  Su. 
I am nothing without my fellow,  
Music is best in Consort.  H. 
Your buffoonery is musical belike.  Co. 
Your juggler's cannot do some o'their tricks  
Without confederacy.  Su. 
I'll try alone.  
If please your Majesty there is—  K. 
That for your unseasonable and saucy fooling. strikes him.  Ho. 
That was a musical box o'th' ear.  Ki. 
Leave us.  Co. 
'Tis nothing without a fellow, he knows  
Music is best in Consort. Exit.  Su. 
Would you had your parts?  K. 
Hormenus you may stay.  Ho. 
Your pleasure sir.  Ki. 
Men do account thee honest.  H. 
'Tis possible  
I May fare the worse.  K. 
And wise; canst tell the cause why I am sad?  Ho. 
Not I sir.  Ki. 
Nor I myself, 'tis strange I should be subject  
To a dull passion, and no reason for it.  Ho. 
These things are frequent.  Ki. 
Sometimes ominous,  
And do portend.  Ho. 
If you enjoy a health,  
What is in fate?  Ki. 
I am King  
Still, and I not?  Ho. 
We are all happy in't,  
And when time shall with the consent of nature,  
Call you an old man from this world to heaven,  
May he that shall succeed you, Prince Turgesius,  
The glory of our hope, be no less fortunate.  Ki. 
My Son,  
I was too rash to part with him.  Ho. 
We should  
Have thought his stay a blessing, and did wish  
You would not have exposed such tender years  
To the rough war; but your commands met with  
His duty, and our obedience.  Ki. 
It is very  
Strange, we of late hear no success, I hope  
This sadness is not for his loss, he has  
A kinsman with him, loves him dearly, 'tis  
The Queen. Enter Queen and Helga.  
I feel my drooping thoughts fall off,  
And my clouds fly before the wind, her presence  
Hath an infusion to restore dead nature.  
My sweet, my dear Marpisa.  Mar. 
You sent for me.  Ki. 
I am but the shadow of myself without thee.  Enter Cort. Sueno. 
No wonder I was sad, my soul had placed  
All her delight in these fair eyes, and could not  
But think itself an exile in thy absence,  
Why should we ever part, but chain ourselves  
Together thus?  Su. 
He's in a better humour I hope;  
I do not think but his Majesty would cuff well,  
His hand carries a princely weight.  He. 
A favour.  Su. 
Would you might wear such another in your ear.  Ki. 
Come hither— on this side.  Su. 
You were on that side before.  Ki. 
wouldst not thou lose thy life, to do a service  
My Queen would smile upon?  Su. 
Alas, My life  
Is the least thing to be imagined, he  
Is not a faithful subject would refuse  
To kill his wife and children, after that  
To hang himself, to do the Queen a service.  Ki. 
Come hither Helga.  Hel. 
Royal sir.  Ki. 
What would affright thy undertaking, to deserve  
The least grace from my Queen?  He. 
I cannot tell,  
But I've an opinion, the Devil could not;  
My life is nothing fir, to obtain her favour,  
I would hazard more; I have heard talk of hell,  
So far she should command me.  Hor. 
Bless me goodness!  
What wretched Parasites are these? how can  
The King be patient at 'em? here is flattery  
So thick and gross, it would endure a handsaw.  Co. 
His judgement's I fear stupefied.  Hor. 
Come hither,  
Which of you can resolve, what serpent spawned you?  Su. 
You are pleasant.  He. 
My good Lord, it hurts not you,  
There is necessity of some knaves, and so  
Your Lordship be exempted, why should you  
Trouble yourself, and murmur at our courses?  Enter Aquinus hastily. A. 
The King.  He. 
Peace.  Su. 
Your business?  Aq. 
News from the field.  Su. 
Good?  A. 
Good.  He. 
How?  Su. 
How prithee?  Aq. 
The day, the field, the safety, O the glory  
Of war is Norway's, Letters to the King—  He. 
Give 'em to me.  Su. 
Or me.  He. 
Trust not a fool with things of consequence,  
He's the king's mirth, let me present the news.  Su. 
Sir, I should know you; this is a knave,  
Would take to him all the glory of your report;  
If please you, let me present the Letters.  He. 
My Liege!  Su. 
My Sovereign!  He. 
News!  Su. 
Good news!  He. 
Excellent news!  Su. 
The Prince▪  He. 
The Prince is—  Su. 
The enemy is— o'erthrown.  He. 
They have lost the day.  Su. 
Defeated utterly.  He. 
And are all slain.  Su. 
Madam, will you hear the news?  Ki. 
Say on, what is't you would relate?  He. 
One of my creatures sir hath brought you Letters, Aquinus delivers the Letters.  
My servant sir, one strengthened to your service  
Out of my maintenance, an instrument of mine,  
So please you to consider my duty in his service.  Aq. 
Why hark you Gentlemen, I have but mocked  
Your greedy zeals, there's no such matter in  
Those Letters as you have told; we have lost all,  
And the Prince taken prisoner, will you not  
Stay for the reward, you know I'm but your Creature,  
I look for nothing but your courtly faces  
To pay my travel.  He. 
We won't appear yet— Exit.  Aq. 
How the Rats vanish.  Ki. 
Read here my best Marpisa, news that makes  
A triumph in my heart, great as the conquest  
Upon our enemies; Hormenus, Cortes,  
Our Son will prove a Soldier, was my sadness  
Omen to this good fate? or nature feared  
The ecstasy of my joy would else o'ercome me?  
They are returned victorious.  Ho. 
Thanks to heaven!  Ki. 
And some reward is due to thee; wear that  
For the king's sake.  Aq. 
You too much honour me.  Ki. 
But something in Marpisa's face, shows not  
So clear a joy as we express, forbear, Exeunt.  
Wait till we call; can this offend my Queen,  
To hear of happiness to my Son? O let  
Thy eyes look bright, there shine hath force to make  
The wreath of Laurel grow upon his temples;  
Why dost thou weep? this dew will kill the victory,  
And turn his Bay to Cypress.  Ma. 
Witness heaven,  
There's not a tear that mourns for him, his safety  
And conquest is most welcome, and he shall  
Have still my prayers, he may grow up in fame,  
And all the glorious fortunes of a Prince:  
But while my wishes fly to heaven for blessings  
Upon his head, at the same time, I must  
Remember in what miserable condition  
My stars have placed me.  Ki. 
What can make thy state  
Guilty of such a name, and so deject  
Thy nobler thoughts? am not I still the King?  
And is not fair Marpisa mine by marriage?  
Crowned here my Queen immortally.  M. 
Though I be  
By royal bounty of your love, possessed  
Of that great Title sir, I have some fears.  Ki. 
You amaze me, speak thy doubts at large.  M. 
The Prince  
(Dear to your love, and I still wish him so)  
(Dear to your people's hearts) I fear, will think  
Our marriage his dishonour, and Olaus  
Your passionate Uncle, no good friend of mine,  
When he shall see to what a height your love  
And holy vow hath raised me, most unworthy,  
Will but salute Marpisa with his scorn,  
And by his counsel, or some ways of force  
Unchain our hearts, and throw me from your bosom  
To death, or worse, to shame; oh think upon me,  
And if you have one fear that's kin to mine,  
Prevent their tyranny, and give me doom  
Of exile ere their cruelty arrive:  
I'll take my sentence kindly from your lips,  
Though it be killing.  Ki. 
Let my Son or Uncle,  
Dare but affront three in a look, I shall  
Forget the ties of nature, and discharge 'em  
Like the corruption in my blood.  M. 
I can  
Submit myself to them, and would you please  
To allow my humbleness no stain to what  
You have advanced me to, I can be their servant,  
And with as true a duty wait upon 'em—  Ki. 
Thou art all goodness, twenty Kingdoms are  
Too little for thy dowry; who attends?  Enter Horm. and Cortes. 
Thus every minute I will marry thee,  
And wear thee in my heart, vanish the thought  
Of all thy sex beside, and what can else  
Attempt our separation: thouart obscure,  
And liv'st in Court but like a masking star,  
Shut from us by the unkindness of a cloud  
When Cynthia goes to Revels: I will have  
A chariot for my Queen richer than ere  
Was shown in Roman triumph, and thou shalt  
Be drawn with Horses white as Venus' doves,  
Till heaven itself in envy of our bliss,  
Snatch thee from earth to place thee in his Orb,  
The brightest constellation.  Co. 
He dotes strangely.  K. 
Hormenus, Cortes, I would have you all  
Search your inventions to advance new joys;  
Proclaim all pleasures free, and while my fair  
Queen smiles, it shall be death for any man  
I'th' Court to frown. Exeunt.  Ho. 
You ha' not so much love i'th' Court Aquinus.  Co. 
How do you like the Queen?  Aq. 
Why she's not married,  
He does but call her so.  Ho. 
And lies with her.  Aq. 
The Prince yet knows it not.  Ho. 
he'll meet it coming home.  Go. 
Aquinus? Enter Gotharus.  Aq. 
Sir.  Go. 
You brought Letters from the Camp.  Aq. 
I did my Lord.  Ho. 
What in the name of Policy is now hatching?  
I do not like those fawning postures in him,  
How kind they are.  Go. 
That Soldier is thought honest.  Ho. 
But if he cringe once more I shall suspect him,  
That leg confirms he is corrupt already.  Go. 
How does he like his father's marriage?  Aq. 
We had no fame on't there when I set forth.  Go. 
'T was strange and sudden, but we are all happy  
In the good PRINCE's health and victory;  
The Duke Olaus too I hope is well.  Aq. 
He was designed at my departure,  
To be here before the Army.  Go. 
He will be welcome:  
You shall accept the price of a new Armour,  
And wherein any power of mine can serve you  
I'th' Court, command.  Aq. 
I am your lordship's creature. Exeunt.  Ho. 
They are gone, I long to see the Prince▪  
How do you think his Highness will  
Behave himself to his new mother Queen?  
Will it be treason not to ask her blessing?  Co. 
I am confident his Uncle, brave Olaus.  Enter Haraldus. 
Won't run mad for joy of the king's marriage?  Ho. 
Let them look to't, there may be alterations.  Ha. 
They talk sure of my mother and the King.  Ho. 
Secure as they account themselves, the Prince  
Must be received spite of Marpisa's greatness,  
And all the tricks of her incarnate fiend  
Gotharus, who both plot I fear, to raise  
That Composition of their blood,  
Haraldus—  Ha. 
How was that?  Ho. 
The strange effect  
Of their luxurious appetites, though in him  
Poor innocence, suspecting not their sin,  
We read no such ambition.  Ha. 
Oh my shame!  
What have my ears received? am I a bastard?  
'Tis malice that doth wound my Mother's honour;  
How many bleed at once? yet now I call  
To memory, Gotharus at our loving  
Late conference, did much insult upon  
The name of a Father, and his care of me  
By some strange force of nature: ha! my fears  
Shoot an Ice through me, I must know the truth  
Although it kill me. Exit.  Co. 
Who was that Haraldus?  Ho. 
I hope he did not hear us, again Gotharus.  
And the two squirrels; more devices yet.  Enter Gotharus, Sueno, and Helga. Su. 
Let us alone my Lord, we'll quicken him.  Go. 
You must use all your art to win him to't.  He. 
Let us alone to make him drink, we are the credit  
Of the Court for that, he's but a child alas, we'll take our time.  Enter Olaus attended with Captains. Ol. 
Hormenus.  Ho. 
My good Lord Olaus, I  
Joy in your safe return, how fares the Prince?  Ol. 
Well, where's the King?  Ho. 
Kissing his new made Queen Marpisa.  Ol. 
Ha!  
The King is married then. Exit Su. & Ho.  Go. 
Away, the Duke Olaus, sir—  Ol. 
I am too stiff for Compliment,  
My Lord, I have rid hard— Exit.  Go. 
He has met the intelligence,  
And is displeased with me the state of things at home;  
This marriage stings him, let it, we must have  
No trembling hearts, not fall into an ague,  
Like Children at the sight of a portent:  
But like a Rock when wind and waves go highest,  
And the insulting billows dash against  
Her ribs, be unmoved. The King must be saluted  
With other Letters, which must counterfeit  
The PRINCE's character, I was his Secretary  
And know the Art, malice inspire my brain  
To poison his opinion of his Son;  
I'll form it cunningly.  
Ha! 'tis Haraldus.  Enter Haraldus. 
He looks sad.  Ha. 
I dare not ask  
My mother, 'twere a crime, but one degree  
Beneath the sinful act that gave me life  
To question her, and yet to have this fright  
Dwell in my apprehension, without  
The knowledge of some truth, must needs distract  
My poor wits quite; 'tis he, I will take boldness  
And know the worst of him, If I be what  
I am already charactered, he can  
Resolved my shame too well.  Go. 
How is't my Lord?  Ha. 
Never so ill sir.  Go. 
Art sick?  Ha. 
Most dangerously.  Go. 
Where?  Ha. 
Here, at heart, which bleeds with such a wound,  
As none but you, can cure.  Go. 
I'll drop my soul  
Into it, show me how I may  
Be thy Physician, to restore thy blood  
I will lose all mine, speak child.  Ha. 
This very love  
Is a fresh suffering, and your readiness  
To cure my sorrow, is another wound;  
You are too kind, why are you so? what is  
Or can be thought in me fit to deserve it?  Go. 
Thou dost talk wildly; to accuse me thus  
For loving thee, could the world tempt me here,  
And court me with her glories to forsake thee,  
Thus I would dwell about thy neck, and not  
Be bought from kissing thee for all her provinces:  
There is a charm upon my soul to love thee,  
And I must do't.  Ha. 
Then I must die.  Go. 
Forbid it gentler fates.  Ha. 
If I could hear you wish  
Me dead, I should have hope to live; although  
I would not willingly deserve your anger,  
By any impious deed, you do not know  
What comfort it would be to hear you curse me.  Go. 
He's mad; Haraldus, prithee do not talk so.  Ha. 
Or if you think a curse too much to help me,  
Yet rail upon me, but do't heartily, and call me  Go. 
What?  Ha. 
villain, or Bastard, sir,  
The worst is best from you.  Go. 
Thou dost amaze me.  Ha. 
Will you not for me?  
Then for my mother's sake if you do love her,  
Or ever did esteem her worth your friendship,  
Let me entreat you draw your sword, and give me  
Something to wear in blood upon my bosom;  
Write but one letter of your name upon  
My breast, I'll call you father, by your love;  
Do something that may make me bleed a little.  Go. 
By that I dare not, thou hast named Haraldus  
A father.  Ha. 
ay but call you so, I know  
You are a stranger to my blood, although  
Indeed to me your great affection  
Appears a wonder; nor can nature show  
More in a Parent to a child; but if  
I be.  Go. 
What?  Ha. 
I shall blush sir to pronounce it,  
There's something that concerns my mother, will not  
Give it a name; yet I would be resolved,  
That I might place my duty right; If I  
Must answer to your Son, you may imagine  
I shall no more ask you a reason, why  
You have been so kind to me; and to my mother.  Go. 
Thou hast said it, thouart mine own, 'twas nature in me,  
That could not hide the actions of a Father.  Ha. 
I am your base seed then.  Go. 
Stain not thyself  
With such a name, but look upon thy mother  
Now made a Queen.  Ha. 
You made her first a strumpet,  
And it would ask the piety of her Son,  
To die upon that man that stole her honour:  
Why did you so undo us? why did you  
Betray my mother to this shame? or when  
She had consented, why should both your lust  
Curse my unsinning heart, oh I must be  
For your vice scorned, though innocent.  Go. 
None dare—  Ha. 
I should not by your virtue have been saved,  
Where shall I hide my life, I must no more  
Converse with men—  Go. 
Thou art too passionate.  Ha. 
I will entreat my mother we may go  
Into some wilderness, where we may find  
Some Creatures that are spotted like ourselves,  
And live and die there, be companion  
To the wild Panther, and the Leopard, yet  
They are too good for their converse, we are  
By ours, defiled, their spots do make them fair.  Exit. Go. 
'Tis time that Sueno and his companion,  
Dispersed these clouds; now to the King, with whom  
If the Queen's beauty keep her magic, than  
Our Engine mount, and day grows bright again.  Exeunt.  

Act. 3.  Enter King, Queen, Olaus, Reginaldus, Aguinus, Helga. K. 
UNcle, I am glad to see you.  Ol. 
I am not glad  
To see you sir.  Ki. 
Not me?  Ol. 
Consorted thus.  K. 
If Olaus be forgetful of good manners,  
I shall forget his years, and blood; be temperate.  Ol. 
There's something in your blood that will undo  
Your state and fame eternally, purge that,  
You know I never flattered you, that woman  
Will prove thy evil Genius.  Ki. 
You're too saucy.  Ol. 
Do not I know her, was she not wife  
To the Count Altomarus a weak Lord?  
But too good for her, charmed by the flattery  
And magic of her face, and tongue, to dote  
And Marry her, born of a private Family,  
Advanced thus, she grew insolent, and I fear  
By pride and liberty, and some trick she had,  
Broke her good husband's heart.  Ma. 
Sir, you much wrong me,  
And now exceed the privilege of your birth  
To injure mine.  Ol. 
We all know you can plead  
Your own defence, you have a woman's wit,  
Heaven send you equal modesty, I am plain.  Ma. 
It would be held an insolence in others,  
And saucy boldness in the sacred presence  
Thus of the King, to accuse, whom he hath pleased  
To take companion of his bed; and though  
It would become the justice of my cause  
And honour, to desire these black aspersions  
May be examined further, and the Author  
Called to make proof of such a passionate language,  
(Which will betray his accusation was  
But envy of my fortunes) I remember  
You're the king's Uncle, and 'tis possible  
You may be abused by some malicious tale  
Framed to dishonour me, and therefore I  
Beseech you humbly sir, to let this pass  
But as an act in him of honest freedom,  
Beside what else may give you privilege  
Being a Soldier, and not used to file  
His language, blunt and rugged ways of speech  
Becoming your profession.  Ol. 
Very good!  
Although we ha' not the device of tongue  
And soft phrase Madam, which you make an Idol  
At Court, and use it to disguise your heart,  
We can speak truth in our unpolished words,  
Thou art—  M. 
What am I?  Ol. 
Not the Queen.  K. 
She is  
My wife Olaus.  Ol. 
I must never kneel to her,  
Nor the good Prince your son, the hope of war,  
And Peace's darling, honour of our blood,  
And worth a better Kingdom than he's born to—  K. 
What of him?  Ol. 
Must never call her Mother.  K. 
Dare you instruct him  
Against his duty, leave us.  Ol. 
You have lost  
More honour in those minutes you were married,  
Than we have gained in months abroad, with all  
Our triumph purchased for you with our blood;  
Is this the payment, the reward for all  
Our faith? when thy young Son, whose springing valour  
And name, already makes the confines tremble,  
Returns like young Augustus crowned with victories;  
Must a stepdame first salute him,  
And tread upon his Laurel?  K. 
Leave the Court.  Ol. 
May it not prove an Hospital, 'tis i'th' way  
To change a title, lust and all the riots  
Of licence reeling in it, by th'example  
Of one should least profane it, I am still  
O laus, and your father's brother.  Aq. 
My Lord.  K. 
Take heed  
You do not talk your head off, we have Scaffolds,  
But the old man raves, come my Marpisa.  Ol. 
Then I will talk, threaten my head,  
Command that Parasite that dares do most  
In wickedness, to show himself your servant;  
Give him his engine, and his fee for hangman,  
Let him take boldness but to move one hair  
That withers on my head out of his posture,  
He shall have more hope to o'ercome the Devil  
In single duel, than to scape my fury.  Aq. 
Sir—  Ki. 
Our guard.  Ol. 
Look you, I'll bring no danger to your person,  
I love you too well; I did always use  
To speak, your father liked me near the worse.  
And now I am cool again—  
You say you are married—  Ki. 
We are.  Ol. 
Then between you, and I, and let none hear us,  
To make yourself, your Son, and Kingdom prosper,  
Be counselled to a divorce.  Ki. 
Not, not  
To save thy soul, my son's life added  
To thine, and lives of all the Army shall  
Be divorced from this world first, you are my father's  
Brother, and if you love my son, your pupil,  
So hopeful in your thoughts, teach him to come  
More humbly to us, without thought to question  
Our marriage, or I'll find a chastisement  
For his rebellious heart, we will. Exit.  Ol, 
You must not; I won't leave him yet. Exit.  Re. 
This freedom may engage his life to danger,  
He is too passionate.  Aq. 
He has said too much,  
I'll venture speaking to him. Exit.  He. 
He's alone, now to him.  Su. 
Noble sir— I have a suit to you.  Re. 
A Courtier ask a suit of a Soldier?  
You'll wear no Buff nor Iron?  Su. 
I come very impudently, and I hope to thrive  
The better for't; this Gentleman my friend,  
A man of quality, and in some grace with  
The King, hath laid a wager with me of  
Two hundred Crowns, I dare not pull a hair  
From your most reverend Beard: now if you please  
To give me leave, I'll win the Crowns, laugh at him,  
And drink your health at supper.  Re. 
A hair from my beard?  Su. 
But one hair, if shall please you.  Re. 
Come, take it.  Su. 
I have pulled three noble sir.  Re. 
'Twas more than your commission, there's one  Kicks him. 
That's another, and that will make you an upright Courtier. Strikes him.  H. 
Ha, ha.  Su. 
Sir, I beseech you—  Re. 
Beg modestly hereafter, take within your bounds,  
You have small beard to play upon. 'tis fit  
My fist should make an answer to your wit.  Su. 
I have it to a hair, the choleric Duke again?  
I am gone. Exeunt. Ent. Ol. & Aqui.  Aq. 
Sir, you have been too blame.  Ol. 
How dare you talk to me sir?  Aq. 
'Tis my duty, and I must tell you,  
Y'ave built too much upon him as a kinsman,  
And have forgot the King.  Ol. 
Take that for your impudence. Exit.  Strikes him with his Cane. Aq. 
I have it, and I thank you.  Enter King, reading of Letters, Queen. H. 
They are gone sir, but have left Prints of their fury,  
The angry Duke has broke Aquinus' head,  
For speaking dutifully on your behalf;  
tother mute man of war stroke Sueno sir.  Su. 
I hear his language humming in my head still.  K. 
Aquinus? strike so near our presence?  Su. 
Nay these Soldiers will strike a man, if he do not  
Carry himself to a hair's breadth, I know that.  K. 
They shall repent this impudence, look up  
My dear Marpisa, there's no tempest shall  
Approach to hurt thee, they have raised a storm  
To their own ruins.  Enter a Soldier. So. 
Sir, if you'll bring me  
Toth' King. you shall do an office worth your labour,  
I have Letters will be welcome.  He. 
You must give  
Me leave sir to present 'em from the Prince:  
Most excellent, sir, my Sovereign.  Su. 
Letters? If you have a chain of gold—  He. 
Go hang thyself. Soldier gives Helga the Letters, & Exit.  He. 
I am most fortunate to present you sir  
With Letters from the Prince, and if your Majesty  
Knew with what zeal I tender these.  K. 
Ha!  He. 
He frowns, where's the Soldade? you'll go my half.  Ki. 
Who brought these Letters? where's the messenger  Ho. 
He was here but now, he's vanished.  Ki. 
Vanish thee too, and creep into the earth.  H. 
I shall sir.  Ki. 
The impudence of Children, read Marpisa,  
More Letters from the proud ambitious boy,  
He dares to give us precepts, and writes here,  
We have too much forgot ourself and honour,  
In making thee our Queen, puts on his grace  
A discontent, and says, the triumph he  
Expected, the reward of his young merit,  
Will be ungloried in our sudden match,  
And weak election.  M. 
This was my fear.  Ki. 
He threatens us, if we proceed with his  
Command and power i'th' Army; raise new Forces  
To oppose 'em, and proclaim 'em Rebels, traitors—  M. 
Sir, I beseech you for the general good,  
Temper your rage, these are but words of passion,  
The Prince will soon be sorry for't, suspect not  
His duty, rather than disgrace your Son,  
Divide me from your heart, the people love him.  Ki. 
I'll hate him for't, Gotharus; where's Gotharus,  Exit. M. 
This Letter tastes of his invention,  
He's active, it concerns us both. Albina.  Enter Albina. 
Nay, you may forward Madam.  A. 
I beseech  
Your pardon, I did hope to have found my Lord  
Gotharus here.  M. 
The King asked for him,  
And is but new retired, who I presume  
If he had known of your approach, would not  
Have gone so soon.  Al. 
I have no business Madam  
With the King.  M. 
Come do not disguise it thus,  
I am covetous to know your suit;  
But I am confident he will deny  
You nothing, and your husband is of my  
Opinion lately.  Al. 
By your goodness Madam,  
Let me not suffer in your thoughts, I see  
There is some poison thrown upon my innocence,  
And 'tis not well done of my Lord Gotharus,  
To render me to your suspicion  
So unhappy, 'tis too much he has withdrawn  
His own heart, he will show no seeds of charity,  
To make all others scorn me.  M. 
If he do,  
You can return it, but take heed your ways  
Be straight to your revenge, let not my fame  
And honour be concerned with the least wound.  Al. 
I understand not what you mean.  M. 
I cannot  
Be patient, to hear the King commend  
Your lip.  Al 
I am betrayed.  M. 
My phrase is modest,  
Do not you love the King?  Al. 
Yes, with the duty—  M. 
Of one that wants no cunning to dissemble  
Her pride, and loose desires.  Al. 
You are the Queen.  M. 
What then?  Al. 
I should else tell you, 'tis ill done  
To oppress one that groans beneath the weight▪  
Of grief already, and I durst take boldness  
To say, you were unjust.  M. 
So, so.  A. 
I can  
Contain no longer, take from my sad heart  
What hitherto I have concealed, (in that  
You may call me dissembler of my sorrows)  
I am weary of my life, and fear not what  
Your power and rage can execute; would you  
Had no more guilt upon your blood, than I  
Have sin in my accounts that way, My Lord  
Gotharus would not be so unkind to me.  M. 
What's that you said so impudently Albina?  Al. 
What I did think should have consumed me here  
In silence, but your injuries are mighty,  
And though I do expect to have my name  
In your black Register designed for death,  
To which my husband will I know consent;  
I cannot thus provoked, but speak what wounds me.  
Yet here again I shut the Casket up,  
Never to let this secret forth, to spread  
So wide a shame hereafter.  M. 
Thou hast waked  
A lioness.  Al. 
Death cannot more undo me,  
And since I live an exile from my husband,  
I will not doubt but you may soon prevail,  
To give my weary soul a full discharge  
Some way or other; and i'th' minute when  
It takes her flight to an eternal dwelling,  
I will forgive you both, and pray for you,  
But let not your revenge be to long idle,  
lest the unmeasured pile of my affections  
Weigh me to death before your anger comes,  
And so you lose the triumph of your envies.  M. 
You sha'not be forgotten, fear it not,  
And but that something nearer doth concern us,  
You should soon find a punishment. The King. Ex.  Enter King, Gotharus, with a Letter. Ki. 
He struck Aquinus, Helga saw him bleed.  Go. 
These are strange insolences, one go for Aquinus.  
Did Olaus bring these Letters?  Ki. 
No, some spirit,  
For he soon vanished.  
I have given my son  
To the most violent men under the Planets,  
These Soldiers.  Go. 
And they'll cling to him like Ivy,  
Embrace him even to death.  Ki. 
Like Breeze to Cattle  
In summer, they'll not let him feed.  Go. 
But make  
Him fling, unquiet.  Ki. 
Most repineful, spleeny.  Go. 
Ready to break the twist of his Allegiance.  Ki. 
Which they fret every day—  Go. 
These put upon his young blood discontents.  Ki. 
Dangerous—  Go. 
Extremely dangerous.  Ki. 
Swell him up  
With the alluring shapes of rule, and Empire—  Go. 
And speak his strength with a proud Emphasis;  
Yours, with a faint cold-hearted voice; was ever  
Such peremptory lines writ to a father?  Ki. 
Thy counsel, while the dangers yet aloof.  Go. 
Aloof? take heed, hills in a piece of landscape  
May seem to stand a hundred leagues, yet measure,  
There's but an inch in distance; oh ambition  
Is a most cunning, infinite dissembler,  
But quick i'th' execution.  Ki. 
Thy counsel.  Go. 
He that aspires hath no Religion,  
He knows no kindred.  K. 
I ask for thy advice.  Go. 
Have you not seen a great Oak cleft asunder,  
With a small wedge cut from the very heart  
Of the same tree?  Ki. 
It frights me to apply it;  
Oh my misfortune, this is torment, not  
A cure. Enter Aquinus  Go. 
Aquinus, Speak him gently sir,  
And leave me to encourage him in a service  
Worth his attempt, and needful to your safety.  
Noble Aquinus, our good King has sense  
Of the affront you suffered from his Uncle,  
And as he is informed, for speaking but  
The duty of a subject.  Aq. 
This is true sir,  
I wear his bloody favour still, I never  
Took any blow so long on trust.  Ki. 
I know thy spirit's daring, and it shall become  
My justice to reward thy suffering;  
A storm now hovers o'er my Kingdom,  
When the air is clear, and our sky fair again,  
Expect, nay challenge, we shall recompense  
What thou hast suffered for us, with a bounty  
Worth all thy merits, i'th' mean time apply  
thyself to my Gotharus, and be counselled. Exit.  A. 
My duty.  Go. 
Thou'st no alliance to my blood;  
Yet if thou think'st I do not flatter thee,  
I feel a friendly touch of thy dishonour,  
The blow, 'twas not well done of Duke Olaus.  Aq. 
You great men think you may do what you please,  
And if you've a mind to pound us in a mortar  
We must obey.  Go. 
That law is none of natures,  
And this distinction of birth and royalty  
Is not so firm a proof, but there are men  
Have swords to pierce it through, and make the hearts  
Of those that take this privilege from their blood,  
Repent they were injurious.  Aq. 
My sword  
Was quiet when he beat me.  Go. 
He did not, could not beat thee.  A. 
'Twas worse, he cudgeled me, I feel it yet,  
Nor durst I strike again.  Go. 
It could not be  
A tameness in thy spirit, but quick thought  
That 'twas Olaus, not, that in thy heart  
There was no will to be revenged, for he  
Is false to nature, loves his injury,  
But that there was no safety to return  
Thy anger on his person.  Aq. 
You're i'th' right,  
That frighted me.  Go. 
For he is not revenged,  
That kills his enemy and destroys himself,  
For doing his own justice, therefore men  
That are not slaves, but free, these we receive  
Born, and bred Gentlemen in fair employments,  
That have, and dare bid high again for honour,  
When they are wronged by men 'bove them in title,  
As they are thought worthy a personal wound,  
In that are raised and leveled with the injurer;  
And he that shall provoke me with his weapon,  
By making me his enemy, makes me equal,  
And on those terms I kill him: But there is  
Another caution to wise men, who ought  
To cast and make themselves secure, that when  
They have returned full payment for their sufferings  
In fame, they may be safe without a guard.  Aq. 
That sir is the prudence.  Go. 
Yet I can direct thee  
To be revenged with safety unto this,  
What if I add therein, thou shalt do service  
That will oblige the commonwealth, that groans  
With fear of innovation, and make  
The King thy friend by one expense of courage;  
And having named the king thus, it must make  
Thy thoughts secure from future loss, and in  
The present act no danger.  A. 
Sir, be clear,  
Make good what you have promised,  
And see if I be frighted, I have helped  
Many give up the ghost.  Go. 
Olaus used  
Thee basely, how much would the Kingdom suffer  
If he were dead and laid into his Tomb,  
Perhaps a year sooner than nature meant,  
To make his bones fit.  Aq. 
I dare kill him sir,  
If I were sure the King would pardon me,  
That in my own revenge, and any other  
Whom he calls enemy without exception,  
To this I am bound in conscience; sir, there needs  
No conjuration for this, nor art  
To heighten me, let me but hear the King  
Will have it, and secure me.  Go. 
Thou deserv'st him,  
And mayst a statue, for our great deliverer,  
Yet, now I have thought better on't, we may  
Save trouble in Olaus' Tragedy,  
And kill him through another.  Aq. 
Whom?  Go. 
One that  
Sits heavier on the king's heart, and dwells in't  
Such a disease, as if no resolute hand  
Cure him.  Aq. 
I'll be his Chirurgeon.  Go. 
When I name him,  
One that has had no will to advance thee  
To thy deserts in wars, for all thy former  
And thy late services, rewarded with  
A dull command of Captain, but incensed  
By Olaus now who rules his heart, less hope  
To be repaired in fortune.  Al. 
Let him be the Prince.  Go. 
'Tis he.  A. 
It honours my attempt;  
And while his father holds him disobedient,  
I think him less than subject.  Go. 
Disobedient? look there. Shows a Letter.  Aq. 
This is the PRINCE's hand.  Go. 
But read his heart.  Aq. 
Impious! above the reach  
Of common faith.  
I am satisfied, he must not live; the way:  
They would not trust me with his cup to poison it,  
Show me the way— the King and Queen.  Go. 
Let's study. Enter King and Queen.  Q. 
You have a faithful servant in Gotharus.  K. 
Upon his wisdom we depend.  Go. 
I have it,  
He shall die like a Soldier, thus— Whispers.  Qu. 
Their malice  
Doth only aim at me, and if you please  
To give me up a sacrifice to their fury.  K. 
Not for a thousand Sons, my life and honours  
Must sit with thine Marpisa.  Aq. 
Sir, 'tis done.  Go. 
This act shall make thee great, the King and Queen  
Look cheerful royal sir, and think of honour  
To crown the merit of this Captain, let  
No trouble shake a thought, he will deserve  
Your bosom sir.  K. 
He shall possess it; how my Gotharus?  Go. 
Pray leave it to me, it is not ripe yet for your knowledge sir.  K. 
We'll trust thee, come Marpisa.  Go. 
Dearest Madam! come Aquinus.  Aq. 
I attend your Lordship. Exeunt.  Enter Haraldus, Sueno, Helga, at a banquet. Su. 
My Lord, you honour us.  Hel. 
If we knew how to express our duties.  Ha. 
No more ceremony,  
Your loves engage me, if some discontents  
Make me not seem unpleasant; yet I must  
Confess I was more prompted to th'acceptance,  
In hope to cure a melancholy.  H. 
With your pardon,  
It does too much usurp on your sweet nature,  
But if your Lordship please, there is a way  
To banish all those thoughts.  Ha. 
I would call him doctor  
That could assure me that.  Su. 
I am of his  
Opinion sir, and know the best receipt  
I'th' world for sadness.  Ha. 
Prithee what?  Su. 
Good wine.  Ha. 
I have heard 'em talk so, If I thought there were  
That operation—  He. 
Try sir.  Su. 
My humble duty— 'tis excellent wine!  Ha. 
Helga.  He. 
Your Lordship's servant.  Ha. 
'Tis pleasant. Drinks.  Su. 
It has spirit, will you please  
Another trial, that prepares more sweetness,  
Health to the Queen.  Ha. 
I thank you.  He. 
With your pardon, fill to me,  
Your grace should have it last.  Ha. 
She is my mother.  Su. 
She is our royal mistress, heaven preserve her;  
Does not your Lordship feel more inclination  Har. drinks 
To mirth, there is no spell 'gainst sorrow, like  
Two or three cups of wine.  He. 
Nothing believe't,  
Will make your soul so active, take it liberally.  Ha. 
I dare not trust my brain.  Su. 
You never tried.  He. 
You'll never know the pleasure then of drinking  
I have drunk myself into an Emperor.  Su. 
In thy own thoughts.  He. 
Why is't not rare, that wine  
Taken to the extent, should so delightfully  
Possess the imagination, I have had my Queens  
And Concubines—  Ha. 
Fine fancies.  He. 
The king's health,  
Give me't in greater volume, these are acorns  
Sueno to thee, I'm sprightly but to look out.  Su. 
What rare things will the flowing virtue raise,  
If but, the sight exalt you? to your grace,  
The king's health.  Ha. 
Let it come, I'll trespass once.  He. 
That smile became you sir.  Ha. 
This Cup doth warm me, Drinks.  
Methinks I could be merry.  Su. 
Will your grace have any music?  Ha. 
Any thing.  He. 
Strike lustily. Music.  Ha. 
I have begun no health yet Gentlemen.  Su. 
Now you must honour us.  Ha. 
Health to the Prince.  He. 
That is your title sir,  
As you are Son to a Queen,  Ha. 
My father was no King, father? I'll drown  
The memory of that name. Drinks.  He. 
The Prince Turgesius' health.  Su. 
He's not far off  
By the Court Computation— happiness now  
To Prince Haraldus mistress.  He. 
With devotion.  Ha. 
Alas, I am too young to have a mistress.  He. 
Sir, you must crown it.  Ha. 
These are compliments  At Court, where none must want a drinking mistress. Su. 
Methinks loud music should attend these Healths—  Ha. 
So, shall we dance? Drinks.  He. 
We want Ladies.  Ha. 
I am as light, thou shalt go for a Lady.  Su. 
Shall I? Dance.  
Is not this better, than to sigh away  
Our spirits now?  Ha. 
I'm hot.  He. 
A cup of wine is the most natural cooler.  Ha. 
You are my physician's Gentlemen.  Su. 
Make it a health to my Lord Gotharus. Drinks:  
I'll pledge it as heartily as he were my father.  Ha. 
Whose father? Throws wine in Sueno's face.  Su. 
Mine, I said.  Ha. 
Cry mercy.  Su. 
Nay, 'tis but so much wine lost, fill't again.  Ha. 
I'll drink no more.  He. 
What think you of a song? Song.  Su. 
A catch, to't boys'.  Ha. 
Shall we to bed Gentlemen?  
I did not sleep last night.  He. 
If your Grace  
Desire to sleep, there's nothing to prepare it  
Like tother cup.  Ha. 
A health to both your Mistresses. Drinks  Su. 
You do us grace.  He. 
There's hope of his conversion▪  Ha. 
I am nos well, what wheels are in my brains?  
Philosophy affirms the earth moves not,  
'Tis here methinks confuted, Gentlemen,  
You must be fain to lead me to some couch,  
Where I may take a nap, and then I'll thank you,  
I'll come again tomorrow.  Su. 
Every day  
For a twelvemonth.  He. 
That will make you a good fellow. Exit.  Enter Prince Turgesius, Reginaldus, Soldiers marching, Olaus meets, they salute and whisper. P. 
You tell me wonders.  Ol. 
'Tis all truth, we must  
Stand on our guard, 'tis well we are provided.  P. 
Is it not some device to make us fear,  
That at our entertainment we may find  
Our joys more spacious.  Ol. 
There is some device in't.  P. 
It is not possible a father should  
Be so unkind to his own blood and honour.  Ol. 
My life was threatened.  P. 
Who durst threaten it?  Ol. 
The King your father.  P. 
Oh say not so good sir.  Ol. 
And if you please him not with your behaviour,  
Your head may be soon humbled to the axe,  
And sent a token of his love, to your stepdame  
The Queen, I trifle not.  Pr. 
For what sins  
Hath angry heaven decreed to punish Norway,  
And lay the Scene of wrath in her own bowels?  
I did suspect when none came forth to meet  
Our victory, to have heard of some misfortune,  
Some prodigies engendering: down with all  
Our pride of war, the Garlands we bring home  
Will but adorn us for the sacrifice;  
And while our hairs are decked with flowers and ribbons,  
We shall but march more gloriously to death.  
Are all good women dead within the Kingdom,  
There could be found none worth my father's love,  
But one whose fame and honour is suspected?  Ol. 
Wouldst they were but suspected.  P. 
Marpisa?  Ol. 
Her preferment was no doubt  
Gotharus' act, for which 'tis whispered,  
She pays him fair conditions, while they both  
Case up the king's eyes, or confine him to  
Look through such cunning optics as they please.  P. 
I'll have his heart.  Ol. 
But how will you come by't?  
He's safe in the king's bosom, who keeps warm  
A serpent, till he find a time to gnaw  
Out his preserver.  P. 
We had died with honour  
By the enemy's sword, something might have been read  
In such a fall, as might have left no shame  
Upon our story, since 'tis chance of war,  
Not want of valour, gives the victory;  
This shipwracks all, and eats into the soul  
Of all our fame, it withers all the deeds  
Is owing to our name.  Entter Cortes. Co. 
Health to the Prince,  Ol. 
Cortes, welcome, what news?  Co. 
These Letters will inform his highness.  Ol. 
Sent, from the King Cortes? has he thought upon't?  
Are we considerable at last, and shall  
The Lady gewgaw, that is parched upon  
His throne, be counselled not to take too much  
Upon her? will Gotharus give us leave  
To be acquainted with the King again? ha!  Co. 
These Letters came sir from Aquinus.  Ol. 
How?  
I hope he mentions not the broken pate  
I gave him, and complains on't to the Prince,  
I may be apt to make him an amends  
With such another.  Pr. 
Sir.  Ol. 
What's the matter?  P. 
Read, I am planet-struck, cursed Gotharus!  
What would the traitor have?  Ol. 
'Tis here, I take it, he would have you sent  
Yonder, and has took order with Aquinus  
For your conveyance hence, at both their charges;  
But now you know the plot, you wo' not trust  
Your life as he directs.  P. 
Not trust Aquinus?  Ol. 
You are desperate, hark you, I do suspect him,  
And I ha' cause, I broke his head at Court  
For his impertinent counsel, when I was  
In passion with the King, you sha'not trust him,  
This may be cunning to revenge himself,  
I know he has a spirit, come you sha' not  
Be cheated of your life, while I have one  
To counsel you.  P. 
Uncle, I am unmoved,  
He is a Soldier, to that name and honour  
I'll trust a PRINCE's life, he dares not be  
A traitor.  Ol. 
I have read that one Prince was  
So credulous, and scaped, but Alexander,  
Though he were great, was not so wise a Gentleman,  
As heaven in that occasion might have made him,  
The valiant confidence in his doctor, might  
Ha' gnawn his bowels up, and where had been  
My gallant Macedonian? come you shall  
Consider on't.  P. 
I am resolved already,  
March to the City, every thought doth more  
Confirm me, passion will not let you see,  
Good Uncle with your pardon, the true worth  
And inside of Aquinus, he is faithful,  
Should I miscarry, 'tis my single life,  
And 'tis obedience to give up our breath,  
When fathers shall conspire their Children's death  Exeunt.  

Act. 4.  Enter King, Gotharus. Go. 
YOu may surrender up your Crown, 'twill show  
Brave on Turgesius' Temples, whose ambition  
Expects it.  Ki. 
Nay Gotharus—  Go. 
Has my care  
Cast to prevent your shame, how to preserve  
The glories you possess, by cutting off  
A Canker that would eat into your trunk,  
And hinder your fair growth, and do you make  
A scruple to be cured?  Ki. 
I did but mention,  
And nature may excuse, he is my son.  Go. 
The more your danger, when he dares be impious,  
The forfeit of his duty in this bold  
And hostile manner to affright your subjects,  
And threaten you with articles, is already  
The killing of your honour, and a treason  
Nature abhors, a guilt heaven trembles at,  
And you are bound in care of your own province,  
To show your justice, and not be partial  
To your own blood; but let your Kingdom suffer,  
Her heart be torn by civil Wars; 'tis none  
Of mine, and let him in the blood of many  
Fathers, be made a King, your King; and you  
That now command, be taught obedience,  
Creep to your child, exchange your palace for  
A prison, and be humbled till you think  
Death a preferment, I have but a life—  Ki. 
Which I will cherish, be not passionate,  
And I consent to all thou hast contained;  
Thou art my friend.  Go. 
I would be sir, your honest Chirurgeon,  
And when you have a Gangrene in your limb,  
Not flatter you to death, but tell you plainly  
If you would live, the part so poisoned must be  
Cut from your body.  Ki. 
And I won't shake  
With horror of the wound, but meet my safety  
And thank my best preserver; but art sure  
Aquinus will be resolute?  Go. 
Suspect not,  
He is my Creature.  Enter Hormenus. Ho. 
The Prince your Son—  Ki. 
Is a bold Traitor.  
And they are Rebels join with him.  Go. 
What of the Prince Hormenus?  Ho. 
He is very near the City with his Army.  Ki. 
Are the walls fortified?  Ho. 
They are?  Ki. 
We won't trust him, nor the Ruffian  
Olaus, that Incendiary.  Go. 
The Queen. Enter Marpisa.  Qu. 
O sir.  Ki. 
There are more wounds in those sad accents,  
Than their rebellion can give my Kingdom.  Q. 
My boy, my child, Haraldus.  Ki. 
What of him?  Qu. 
Is sick, is dying sir.  Go. 
Forbid it heavens, he was in health—  Qu. 
But if I mean to see him  
Alive, they say I must make haste,  
The comforts of my life expire with him. Exit.  Go. 
The Devils up in arms, and fates conspire  
Against us.  Ki. 
mischiefs tumble like waves upon us.  Ho. 
Sir, It will be necessary  
You lend your person to direct, what shall  
Be further done i'th' City, Aquinus hath  
Charge of the Gate and Walls, that offer  
The first view to the Enemy.  Ki. 
He is trusty, and  
A daring Soldier; what at stand Gotharus?  Go. 
I was thinking of the Queen sir, and Haraldus,  
And grieve for the sweet child.  Ki. 
Some fever, would my  
Son were in his state, but soon we shall  
Conclude his destiny, if Aquinus prosper;  
But to the walls.  Go. 
I attend, my very soul  
Is in a sweat, Hormenus.  Ho. 
I wait on you. Exeunt:  Enter Prince Turgesius, Olaus, Cortes, Reginaldus, Soldiers. Pr. 
The Gates are shut against us Soldiers.  Ol. 
Let our Engines  
Tear 'em, and batter down the walls.  Pr. 
Good Uncle,  
Your counsel I obeyed i'th' wars abroad,  
We did there fight for honour, and might use  
All the most horrid forms of death to fright  
Our enemies, and cut our way to victory:  
But give me leave to tell you sir, at home  
Our conquest will be loss, and every wound  
We give our Country, is a crimson tear  
From our own heart, they are a viperous brood  
Gnaw through the bowels of their parent, I  
Will rather die without a monument,  
Then have it bear my name, to have defaced  
One heap of stones.  Enter Gotharus on the walls, Ho. Aqui. Cor. 
Gotharus on the walls?  Ol. 
Hormonus and Aquinus? now a speech,  
And 'twere at Gallows would become him better.  Go. 
Thus from my master, to the Prince of Norway,  
We did expect, and had prepared to meet  
Your victory with triumphs, and with Garlands  
Due to your fate and valours, entertained you▪  
Nor has your Army sacrificed so many  
Warm drops of blood, as we have shot up prayers  
That you might prosper, and return the pledge  
Of all our hope and glory. But when pride  
Of your own fames, and conquest in a war,  
Hath poisoned the obedience of a Son,  
And tempted you to advance your sword, new bathed  
In enemy's blood 'gainst your country's bosom;  
Thus we receive you, and declare your piety,  
And faith lost to your Country, and your Father.  Pr. 
My Lord, all this concerns not me, we have  
But done our duties, and return to lay  
The Trophies at his feet, whose justice did  
Make us victorious more than our own valour,  
And now without all titles but his son,  
I dare hell's accusation, to blast  
My humble thoughts.  Go. 
Sir, give us leave to fear,  
Not your own nature, calm as the soft air,  
When no rude wind conspires a mutiny—  Ol. 
Leave Rhetoric, and toth' point, why do not  
The Gates spread to receive us? and your joys  
Shoot up in acclamations? I would have  
Thy house give good example to the City▪  
And make us the first-born fire.  Go. 
Good heaven knows,  
How willingly I would sacrifice myself,  
To do a grateful service to the Prince:  
And I could wish my Lord, you were less passionate,  
And not inflame his highness' gentle spirit  
To these attempts.  Pr. 
I am ignorant Gotharus  
Of what you mean, where is the King my father?  Aq. 
Where a sad father is, to know his Son  
Bring arms against his life.  Pr. 
How now Aquinus,  Ol. 
Dare you be saucy?  
O that Gentleman  
Is angry, his head aches with the remembrance of  
My Truncheon.  Aq. 
'Twas a valiant act,  
And did become the greatness of Olaus,  
Who by the privilege of his birth, may do  
A wrong and boast it.  Ol. 
Shall these Grooms affront us?  Pr. 
Have you commission to be thus insolent,  
They do not know us?  Go. 
Yes, and in our hearts  
Bleed, that our fears of your unjust demand,  
Compel us to this separation.  Pr. 
Demands? is it injustice for a Son  
To ask his father's blessing? by thy duty  
Gotharus, I command thee, tell my father  
His Son desires access, let me but speak with him.  Go. 
I have not in your absence sir neglected,  
What did become my service to your highness,  
To take his anger off.  Pr. 
What Riddles this?  Go. 
But let me with a pardon tell your Grace,  
The Letters that you sent, were not so dutiful,  
You were to blame, to chide and Article  
So with a King and Father; yet I said,  
And pawned my Conscience 'twas no act of yours,  
I mean entire, but wrought and formed by some  
Rash spirits, to corrupt you with ambition,  
Feeding your youth with thought of hasty empire  
To serve their ends, whose counsel all this while  
Did starve that sweetness in you we all hoped for.  Ol. 
Devices! more devices!  Pr. 
I am amazed,  
And if the King will not vouchsafe me conference,  
I shall accuse thy cunning to have poisoned  
My Father's good opinion. Enter King.  Go. 
Innocence  
May thus be stained, pray let your justice clear me.  Ki. 
What would our Son?  Pr. 
Thus pay his filial duty.  K. 
'Tis but counterfeit, if you bring no thought  
To force our blessing in this rude manner, how  
Dare you approach? dismiss your soldiers.  Ol. 
Not the meanest knapsack,  
That were a way to bring us to the mercy  
Of wolves indeed, Gotharus grinds his teeth  
Already at us.  Ki. 
We shall talk with you sir  
Hereafter, I command thee by thy duty  
Thou ow'st a father and a King, dismiss  
Your Troops.  Pr. 
I will.  Ola. 
You shall not, that were fine,  
So we may run our heads into their noose,  
You give away your safety.  Pr. 
I will not  
Dispute my power, let my entreat prevail  
For their dismissal.  Ol. 
You may dismiss  
Your head and mine, and be laughed at, these men  
Are honest, and dare fight for us.  Pr. 
I know  
Their loves, and will rewait; dear, dear Uncle.  Go. 
How he prepares his Tragedy Aquinus,  
Let not thy hand shake.  Aqu. 
I am resolute.  Go. 
And I, for thy reward, 'tis done, the soldiers  
Disperse already.  Ol. 
If any mischief follow this,  
Thank your credulity.  Pr. 
May I now hope for access?  Ki. 
Descend Gotharus and Aquinus  
To meet the Prince, while he contains within  
The piety of a Son, we shall embrace him.  Pr. 
When I degenerate, let me be accursed  
By heaven and you.  Ol. 
Are you not pale to think on't.  Pr. 
It puzzles me to think my father guilty.  Ol. 
I do not like things yet.  As the Prince is going forth, a Pistol is discharged within, he falls. Pr. 
O I am shot, I am murdered.  Ol. 
inhuman Traitor, villain.  Olaus wounds Aquinus. Go. 
So, so, his friend has saved my execution,  
'Tis not safe for me to stay, they are both sped rarely. Exit.  Ol. 
O my dear Cousin, treason, treason.  Ki. 
Where?  Ol. 
In thy own bosom, thou hast killed thy Son,  
Convey his body, guard it safe, and this  
Perfidious trunk I'll have it punished  
Past death, and scatter his torn flesh about  
The world to affright mankind, thou art  
A murderer, no blood of mine▪  Go. 
'Tis done,  
And all the guilt dies with Aquinus, fall'n  
By Olaus' sword most happily, who but  
Prevented mine, this act concludes all fear.  Ki. 
He was my son, I must needs drop a tear.  Exeunt. Haraldus discovered sick, Queen, Doctors. Qu. 
It is not possible, he●●●●ch a favour  
By excess of wine? he was all temperance.  Do. 
He had a soft and tender constitution,  
Apt to be inflamed, they that are most abstemious,  
Feel the disorder with more violence.  Qu. 
Where, who assisted him in this misfortune?  
He had some company.  Do. 
He was invited  
He says by Sueno, and Helga, to a banquet,  
Where in their mirth, they careless of his health,  
Suffered him drink too much.  Qu. 
They poisoned him,  
Go apprehend the murderers of my child,  
If he recover not, their death shall wait  
Upon Haraldus; but pray you tell me Gentlemen,  
Is there no hope of life, have you not art  
Enough to cure a favour?  Do. 
We find Madam,  
His disease more malignant by some thought  
Or apprehensions of grief.  Qu. 
What grief?  
You're all impostors, and are Ignorant  
But how to kill.  Ha. 
Is not my mother come?  Qu. 
Yes my dear son, and here shall weep myself  
Till I turn Niobe, unless thou givest me  
Some hope of thy own life.  Ha. 
I would say something  
Were you alone.  Qu. 
Leave us; now my Haraldus,  
How is it with my child?  Hal. 
I know you love me,  
Yet I must tell you truth, I cannot live,  
And let this comfort you, death will not come  
Unwelcome to your son, I do not die  
Against my will, and having my desires,  
You have less cause to mourn.  Qu. 
What is't has made  
The thought of life unpleasant, which does court  
Thy dwelling here with all delights that nature  
And art can study for thee, rich in all things  
Thy wish can be ambitious of, yet all  
These treasures nothing to thy mother's love,  
Which to enjoy thee would defer a while  
Her thought of going to heaven.  Ha. 
Oh take heed mother, heaven  
Has a spacious ear and power to punish,  
Your too much love with my eternal absence,  
I beg your prayers and blessing.  Qu. 
thouart dejected,  
Have but a will and live.  Ha. 
'Tis in vain mother.  Qu. 
Sink with a fever into earth?  
Look up, thou shalt not die.  Ha. 
I have a wound within  
You do not see, more killing than all favours.  Qu. 
A wound? where? who has murdered thee?  Ha. 
Gotharus—  Qu. 
Ha! furies persecute him.  Ha▪ 
Oh pray for him!  
'Tis my duty, though he gave me death,  
He is my father.  Qu. 
How? thy father?  Ha. 
He told me so, and with that breath destroyed me,  
I felt it strike upon my spirits; mother,  
Would I had ne'er been born!  Qu. 
Believe him not.  Ha. 
Oh do not add another sin to what  
Is done already, death is charitable  
To quit me from the scorn of all the world.  Qu. 
By all my hopes Gotharus has abused thee,  
Thou art the lawful burden of my womb,  
Thy father, Altomarus.  Ha. 
Ha?  Qu. 
Before whose spirit long since taken up,  
To meet with Saints and Troops Angelical,  
I dare again repeat thou art his Son.  Ha. 
Ten thousand blessings now reward my mother!  
Speak it again, and I may live, a stream  
Of pious joy runs through me, to my soul  
Y'ave stroke a harmony next that in heaven;  
Can you without a blush, call me your Child,  
And son of Altomarus? all that's holy  
Dwell in your blood for ever, speak it once,  
But once again.  Qu. 
Were it my latest breath,  
Thou art his and mine.  
Enough, my tears do flow  
To give you thanks for't; I would you could resolve me  
But one truth more, why did my Lord Gotharus  
Call me the issue of his blood?  Qu, 
Alas, he thinks thou art—  Ha. 
What are those words? I am undone  
Again.  Qu. 
Ha?  Ha. 
'Tis too late to call 'em back, he thinks I am his son—  Qu. 
I have confessed too much, and tremble with  
The imagination, forgive me child,  
And heaven, if there be mercy to a crime  
So black, as I must now to quit thy fears,  
Say I have been guilty off, we have been sinful,  
And I was not unwilling to oblige  
His active brain for thy advancement, by  
Abusing his belief thou were't his own,  
But thou hast no such stain, thy birth is innocent,  
Or may I perish ever, 'tis a strange  
Confession to a child, but it may drop  
A balsam to thy wound; live my Haraldus,  
If not for this, to see my penitence,  
And with what tears I'll wash away my sin.  Ha. 
I am no bastard then.  Qu. 
Thou art not.  Ha. 
But I am not found while you are lost,  
No time can restore you,  
My spirits faint.  Qu. 
Will nothing comfort thee?  Ha. 
My duty to the King.  Qu. 
He's here. Enter King.  Ki. 
How is't Haraldus?  
Death sits in's face.  Ha. 
Give me you blessing, and within my heart  
I'll pray you may have many, my soul flies  
'Bove this vain world, good Mother close mine eyes  Qu. 
Never died so much sweetness in his years.  Ki. 
Be comforted, I have lost my son too,  
The Prince is slain, how now.  Enter officers with Helga. Qu. 
Justice upon the murderer of my son,  
This villain Helga, and his companion  
Sueno, have killed him, where's the other?  Offi. 
Fled Madam,  
But Helga does confess he made him drunk.  He. 
But not dead drunk, I do beseech you Madam.  Ki. 
Look here what your base surfeit has destroyed.  He. 
'Twas Sueno as well as I, my Lord Gotharus  
Gave us commission for what we did.  Qu. 
Again Gotharus, sure he plotted this.  Ki. 
Hang him up straight.  He. 
I left no drink behind me,  
If I must die let me have equal justice,  
And let one of your guard drink me to death sir;  
Or if you please to let me live till  
Sueno is taken, we will drink and reel  
Out of the world together.  Ki. 
Hence, and hang him. Exeunt.  Enter Hormonus. Ho. 
Sir, you must make provision against  
New danger, discontent is broke into  
A wild rebellion, and many of your subjects  
Gather in tumults, and give out they will  
Revenge the PRINCE's death.  Ki. 
This I did fear,  
Where's Gotharus? O my fright, my conscience,  
Has furies in't, where's Gotharus?—  Ho. 
Not in the Court.  Ki. 
I tremble with confusions. Exit.  Qu. 
I am resolved, my joys are all expired,  
Nor can ambition more concern me now,  
Gotharus has undone me in the death  
Of my loved Son, his fate is next, while I  
Move resolute I'll command his destiny. Exit.  Enter Gotharus. Ho. 
How are we lost, the Prince Turgesius' death  
Is of no use, since 'tis unprofitable  
To the great hope we stored up in Haraldus,  
It was a cursed plot directed me  
To raise his spirit, by those giddy engines  
That have undone him, their souls reel to hell for't  
How will Marpisa weep herself into  
The obscure shades, and leave me here to grow  
A statue with the wonder of our fate.  Enter Albina. Al. 
Sir.  Go. 
Do not trouble me.  Al. 
Although  
I am not partner of your joys or comfort,  
Yet let your cruelty be so mindful of me  
I may divide your sorrows.  Go. 
Would thy sufferings  
Could ease me of the weight, I would  
Empty my heart of all that's ill, to sink thee,  
And bury thee alive, thy sight is hateful,  
Ask me not why, but in obedience  
Fly hence into some wilderness. The Queen.  Enter Queen. Exit Alb. Go. 
Great Queen, did any sorrow lade my bosom,  
But what does almost melt it for Haraldus,  
Your presence would revive me, but it seems  
Our hopes and joys in him grew up so mighty,  
Heaven became jealous, we should undervalue  
The bliss of th'other world, and build in him  
A richer Paradise.  Qu. 
I have mourned already  
A mother's part, and fearing thy excess  
Of grief, present myself to comfort thee,  
Tears will not call him back, and 'twill become us  
Since we two are the world unto ourselves,  
(Nothing without the circle of our arm's  
Precious and welcome) to take heed our grief  
Make us not over soon, like him that dead,  
And our blood useless.  Go. 
Were you present Madam,  
When your Son died?  Qu. 
I was.  Go. 
And did you weep;  
And wish him live, and would not heaven at  
Your wish, return his wandering Ghost again?  
Your voice should make another out of atoms;  
I do adore the harmony, and from  
One pleasant look, draw in more blessings  
Than death knows how to kill.  Ma. 
He is recovered from his passion.  Go. 
What's this? ha?  Qu. 
Where?  Go. 
Here, like a sudden winter  
Struck on my heart, I am not well o'th' sudden, ha?  Qu. 
My Lord, make use of this, 'tis Cordial,  Gives him a box of poison. 
I am often subject to these passions,  
And dare not walk without this Ivory box  
To prevent danger, they are pleasant,  
'Tis a most happy opportunity.  Go. 
Let me present my thanks to my preserver,  Enter Albina. 
And kiss your hand.  Qu. 
Our lips will meet more lovingly.  Al. 
My heart will break.  Qu. 
Your Lady, we are betrayed,  
She see us kiss, and I shall hate her for't.  Go. 
Does this offend your virtue?  Alb. 
You're merciless,  
You shall be a less▪ Tyrant sir to kill me,  
Injurious Queen!  Qu. 
Shall I be here affronted?  
I shall not think Gotharus worth my love,  
To let her breath forth my dishonour, which  
Her passion hath already dared to publish,  
Nor wanted she before an impudence  
To throw this poison in my face.  Go. 
I'll tame her. Exit.  Alb. 
I won't curse you Madam, but you are  
The Cruelest of all woman kind,  
I am prepared to meet your tyrannies.  Enter Gotharus with a Pistol, at the other door, a servant. Ser. 
My Lord,  
We are undone, the common people are  
In arms, and violently assault our house,  
Threatening your Lordship with a thousand deaths,  
For the good Prince, whose murder they exclaim  
Contrived by you.  Go. 
The friends of hell will show more mercy to me,  
Where shall I hide me?  Qu. 
Alas they'll kill me too.  Se. 
There's no staying, they have broke the wall of the first Court,  
Down at some window sir.  Albina takes up the Pistol. Go. 
Help me, O help me, I'm me lost.  
Within —Down with the doors,  
This way, this way. Enter Rebels.  Al. 
He that first moves this way  
Comes on his death, I can dispatch but one,  
And take your choice.  1. 
Alas good Madam, we do not come to trouble you  
You have sorrow enough, we would talk  
With my Lord your pagan husband.  2. 
ay, ay, where is he?  3. 
That Traitor.  4. 
Murderer of our Prince.  Al. 
You're not well informed,  
Aquinus killed the Prince.  2. 
But by my Lord's correction  
We know his heart, and do mean to eat it.  
Therefore let him appear, knock down the Lady  
You with the long bill.  Al. 
How dare you run the hazard of your lives  
And fortunes, thus like outlaws, without authority  
To break into our houses, when you have done,  
What fury leads you to 't, you will buy too dear  
Repentance at the Gallows.  2. 
Hang the Gallows, and give us my Lord your husband.  Enter Servant. Ser. 
He's escaped Madam, now they may search.  Enter more Rebels. Al. 
But where's the Queen, she must not be betrayed.  1. 
This way, this way, he got out of a window,  
And leapt a wall, follow, follow.  
Within —Follow, follow, follow.  Al. 
O my poor Gotharus.  Enter Queen. Al. 
Madam, you are secure, though you pursued  
My death, I wish you safety,  Qu. 
I have been  
Too cruel, but my fate compelled me to't. Exit.  Al. 
I am become the extremest of all miseries.  
Oh my unhappy Lord. Exit.  Enter Sueno. Su. 
Helga is hanged, what will become of me?  
I think I were best turn Rebel, there's no hope  
To walk without a guard, and that I shall not  
Want to the Gallows, heathen Halberdiers  
Are used to have a care, and do rejoice  
To see men have good ends.  Enter Gotharus. Go. 
I am pursued.  Su. 
My Lord Gotharus? worse and worse, oh for a mist before his eyes.  Go. 
You sha'not betray me sir.  Su. 
Hold my Lord, I am your servant, honest Sueno.  Go. 
Sueno, off with that case, it may secure me,  
Quickly, or—  Su. 
Oh my Lord, you shall command my skin,  
Alas poor Gentleman, I'm glad I have it  
To do your Lordship service.  Go. 
Nay, your beard too?  Su. 
Yes, yes, any thing:  
Alas my good Lord, how comes this?  Go. 
Leave your untimely prating, help,  
You'll not betray me.  Su. 
I'll first be hanged.  
Within— Follow, follow.  Go. 
Hell stop their throats; so, so, now thy reward  Su. 
It was my duty, troth sir I will have nothing.  Go. 
Yes, take that, and that, for killing of Haraldus. Wounds him.  
Now I'm sure you will not prate.  Su. 
O murder.  
Within— Follow, follow.  Go. 
I cannot scape, oh help invention.  He bloodies himself with Sueno's blood, and falls down as dead. Enter Rebels. 1. 
This way they say he went, what's he?  2. 
One of our company I think,  3. 
Who killed him?  4. 
I know not.  2. 
Let's away, if we can find that Traitor,  
He shall pay for all▪  4. 
Oh that I had him here, I'd teach him—  2. 
This way, this way.  Su. 
Oh.  3. 
Stay, There's one groans.  Su. 
Oh—  2. 
Nay 'twas hereabouts, another dead?  4. 
He has good clothes, Gotharus? the very cur.  3. 
'Tis Gotharus, I have seen the dog.  2. 
'Tis he, 'tis he.  Su. 
Oh. Exit Gotha.  2. 
Now 'tis not he, if thou canst speak my friend—  Su. 
Gotharus murdered me, and shifted clothes,  
He cannot be far off, oh.  1. 
That's he that lies dead yonder, O that he were  
Alive again, that we might kill him one after another.  3. 
He's gone:  2. 
The Devil he is, follow, follow.  3. 
This way, he cannot scape us, farewell friend,  
I'll do thee a courtesy.  
Follow, follow. Exit.  Enter Olaus, Prince, Aquinus. Ol. 
So, so, in this disguise you may toth' Army,  
Who though they seem to scatter, are to meet  
By my directions, honest Aquinus, you  
You wait on the Prince, but sir— Whispers.  Cor. 
Were you not wounded?  Aq. 
I prepared a privy Coat, for that I knew Gotharus  
Would have been too busy with my flesh else,  
But he thinks I'm slain by the Duke, and hugs  
His fortune in't.  Pr. 
You'll follow.  Ol. 
And bring you news, perhaps the Rabble are  
In hot pursuit after the Politician,  
He cannot scape them, they'll tear him like  
So many hungry Mastiffs. Exit.  Pr. 
I could wish they had him.  Ol. 
Lose no time, Cortes stay you with me,  
Not that I think my house will want your guard.  Cor. 
Command me sir.  Ol. 
was ever such a practice by a father,  
To take away his son's life?  Pr. 
I would hope he may not be so guilty, yet I know not  
How his false terrors multiplied by the Art  
Of this Gotharus may prevail upon him,  
And win consent.  Ol. 
Aquinus has been faithful,  
And deceived all their treasons, but the Prince  
Is still thought dead, this empty Coffin shall  
Confirm the people in his funeral,  
To keep their thoughts revengeful,  
Within .Follow, follow—  
Till we are possessed of him that plotted all.  Cor. 
The cry draws this way,  
They are excellent Bloodhounds.  Enter Gotharus. Go. 
As you are men, defend me from the rage  
Of the devouring multitude; I have  
Deserved your anger, and a death, but let not  
My limbs inhumanely be torn by them,  
O save me.  
Within .Follow, fol—  Ol. 
Blessed occasion.  Go. 
I am forced to take your house, and now implore  
Your mercy, but to rescue me from them,  
And be your own revenger, yet my life  
Is worth your preservation for a time,  
Do it, and I'll reward you with a story  
You'll not repent to know.  Ol. 
You cannot be safe here,  
Their rage is high, and every door  
Must be left open to their violence,  
Unless you will obscure you in this Coffin,  
Prepared for the sweet Prince that's murdered,  
And but expects his body which is now embalming.  Go. 
That, O you're charitable.  
Within .Follow, fol—  Go. 
Their noise is Thunder to my soul,  He goes into the Coffin. 
So, so.  Enter Rebels. Ola. 
How now Gentlemen, what means this Tumult,  
Do you know that I possess this dwelling?  Reb. 
Yes my Lord,  
But we were told my Lord Gotharus entered,  
And we beseech you give him to our justice,  
He is the common enemy, and we know he killed the Prince.  Ol. 
You may search if you please,  
He can presume of small protection here,  
But I much thank you for your loyalties,  
And service to the Prince, whose bloodless ruins  
Are there, and do but wait when it will please  
His father to reverse a cruel sentence,  
That keeps him from a burial with his Ancestors,  
We are forbid to do him rights of funeral.  1. 
How, not bury him?  2. 
Forbid to bury our good Prince? we'll bury him,  
And see what Priest dare not assist us.  3. 
Not bury him? we'll do't, and carry his body in triumph  
Through the City, and see him laid i'th' great Tombs  1. 
Not bury our Prince? that were a jest indeed.  Cor. 
'Tis their love and duty.  2. 
We'll pull the Church down, but we'll have our will.  3. 
Dear Prince, how sweet he smells.  1. 
Come Countrymen march, and see who dares  
Take his body from us.  Cor. 
You cannot help.  Ol. 
They'll bury him alive.  Cor. 
He's in a fright.  Ol. 
So may all Traitors thrive. Exeunt.   

Act. 5.  Enter King and Queen. Ki. 
OH I am lost, and my soul bleeds to think  
By my own dotage upon thee.  Qu. 
I was cursed  
When I first saw thee, poor wind-shaken King!  
I have lost my Son.  Ki. 
Thy honour impious woman,  
Of more price than a Son, or thy own life,  
I had a son too, whom my rashness sent  
To another world, my poor Turgesius,  
What sorcery of thy tongue and eyes betrayed me?  Qu. 
I would I had been a Basilisk, to have shot  
A death to thy dissembling heart, when I  
Gave myself up thy Queen; I was secure,  
Till thou with the temptation of greatness  
And flattery, didst poison my sweet peace,  
And shall thy base fears leave me now a prey  
To Rebels?  Ki. 
I had been happy to have left  
Thee sooner, but be gone, get to some wilderness  
Peopled with Serpents, and engender with  
Some Dragon like thyself.  Qu. 
Ha, ha.  Ki. 
Dost laugh thou prodigy? thou shame of woman?  Qu. 
Yes, and despise thee dotard, vex till thy soul  
Break from thy rotten flesh, I will be merry  
At thy last groan.  Ki. 
O my poor boy! my son!  
His wound is printed here, that false Gotharus,  
Your wanton Goat I fear, practised with thee  
His death.  Qu. 
'Twas thy own act and timorous heart, in hope  
To be secure, I glory in the mention  
Thou murderer of thy son.  Enter Hormenus. Ho. 
Oh sir, if ever, stand upon your guard,  
The Army which you thought scattered and broke,  
Is grown into a great and threatning body,  
Lead by the Duke Olaus your loved Uncle,  
Is marching hither, all your subjects fly to him.  Exit. Qu. 
Ha, ha.  Ki. 
Curse on thy spleen, is this a time for laughter,  
When horror should afflict thy guilty soul?  
Hence mischief.  Qu. 
Not to obey thee, (shadow of a King)  
Am I content to leave thee, and but I won't  
Prevent thy greater sorrow and vexation,  
Now I would kill thee coward.  K. 
Treason, treason.  Qu. 
ay, ay, Who comes to your rescue?  Ki. 
Are all fled?  Qu. 
slave's do it naturally.  Ki. 
Canst thou hope to scape?  Qu. 
I am mistress of my fate, and do not fear  
Their inundation, their Army coming,  
It does prepare my triumph, they shall give  
Me liberty, and punish thee to live.  Ki. 
Undone, forsaken, miserable King!  Exeunt severally. Enter Prince, Olaus, Cortes, Aquinus, Soldiers. Pr. 
Worthy Aquinus, I must honour thee,  
Thou hast preserved us all, thy service will  
Deserve a greater monument than thanks.  Aq. 
Thank the Duke, for breaking o' my pate.  Ol. 
I know 'twas well bestowed, but we have now  
Proof of thy honest heart.  Aq. 
But what with your highness' favour, do you mean  
To do with your father?  Pr. 
Pay my duty to him,  
He may be sensible of his cruelty,  
And not repent to see me live.  Ol. 
But with your favour, something else must be  
Considered, there's a thing he calls his Queen,  
A limb of Lucifer, she must be roasted  
For the Army's satisfaction.  Aq. 
They'll ne'er digest her,  
The king's hounds may be kept hungry  
Enough perhaps, and make a feast upon her.  Pr. 
I wonder how the rabble will bestow  
The Coffin.  Ol. 
Why, they'll bury him alive  
I hope.  Pr. 
Did they suppose my body there?  Ol. 
I'm sorry, he will fare so much the better,  
I would the Queen were there to comfort him,  
Oh they would smell, and sweat together rarely.  Aq. 
He dare as soon be damned as make a noise,  
Or stir, or cough.  Ol. 
If he should sneeze.  Cor. 
'Tis his best course to go into the ground  
With silence.  Pr. 
March on, stay, what Trumpets that?  Enter Rebels with a Trumpet before the Coffin marching. Ol. 
They are no enemies, I know the Coffin.  Aq. 
What rusty Regiment ha' we here?  Ol. 
They are going to bury him, he's not yet discovered;  
Oh do not hinder 'em, 'tis a work of charity:  
Yet now I do consider better on't,  
You may do well to show yourself, that may  
Be a means to waken the good Gentleman,  
And make some sport before the rascal smell,  
And yet he's in my nostril, he has perfumed  
His box already.  Om. Reb. 
'Tis he, 'tis he, the Prince alive! heigh.  They see the Prince throw down the Coffin, and run to kneel and embrace him. Aq. 
What would he give but for a knife to cut  
His own throat now?  Om. Rebel. 
Our noble Prince alive?  Pr. 
That owes himself to all your loves.  Aq. 
What? what trinkets ha' you there?  Reb. 
The Duke Olaus told us 'twas the PRINCE's body,  
Which we resolved to bury with magnificence.  Aq. 
So it appears.  Ol. 
'Tis better as it is.  2. Reb. 
There's something in't, my shoulder is still sensible,  
Let's search, stand off—  Ol. 
Now do you sent him Gentlemen? he would forgive  
The hangman to dispatch him out o'th' way;  
Now will these mastiffs use him like a Cat,  
Most dreadful Rogues at an execution:  
Now, now.  1. Reb. 
'Tis a man, ha Gotharus, the thing we whet our teeth for.  Om. Reb. 
Out with the traitor, and with the murderer, heigh, drag him.  Ol. 
I told you.  1 Reb. 
Hold, know your duty fellow renagades,  
We do beseech thee high and mighty Prince,  
Let us dispose of what we brought, this traitor  
He was given us by the Duke, fortune has  
Thrown him into our teeth.  Ol. 
And they'll devour him.  Om. 
We beseech your highness.  Ol. 
I do acknowledge it, good sir grant their boon,  
And try the Cannibals.  2. 
I'll have an arm.  3. 
I'll have a leg, I am a Shoemaker,  
His shinbone may be useful.  4. 
I want a sign, give me his head.  Pr. 
Stay, let's first see him, is he not stifled?  3. 
I had rather my wife were speechless.  Ol. 
The Coffin sir was never close.  Pr. 
He does not stir.  1. 
We'll make him stir, hang him, he's but asleep.  2. 
He's dead, hum.  Ol. 
Dead? Then the Devil is not so wise as I took him.  Pr. 
He's dead, and has prevented all their fury.  Aq. 
He was not smothered, the Coffin had air enough.  Ol. 
He might ha' lived to give these Gentlemen some content.  1 Reb. 
Oh let us tear his limbs.  Pr. 
Let none use any violence to his body,  
I fear he has met reward above your punishment.  2. 
Let me have but his clothes.  3. 
He is a tailor.  2. 
Only to cut out a suit for a Traitor by 'em,  
Or any man, my conscience would wish hanged.  4. 
Let me have a button for a relic—  Pr. 
No more.  Ol. 
There is some mystery in his death.  Enter King. 
The King? obscure a little nephew—  Ki. 
To whom now must I kneel? where is the King?  
For I am nothing, and deserve to be so,  
Unto you Uncle must I bow, and give  
My Crown, pray take it, with it give me leave  
To tell you, what it brings the hapless wearer,  
Beside the outside glory: for I am  
Read in the miserable fate of Kings.  
You think it glorious to command, but are  
More subject than the poorest pays you duty,  
And must obey your fears, your want of sleep,  
Rebellion from your Vassals, wounds even from  
Their very tongues, whose quietness you sweat for,  
For whose dear health you waste, and fright your  
Strength to paleness, and your blood into a frost.  
You are not certain of a friend or servant,  
To build your faith upon, your life is but  
Your subjects murmur, & your death their sacrifice;  
When looking past yourself, to make them blessed  
In your succession, which a wife must bring you;  
You may give up your liberty for a smile  
As I ha' done, and in your bosom cherish  
More danger than a war or famine brings,  
Or if you have a son— my spirits fail me  
At naming of a son.  Pr. 
Oh my dear father.  Ki. 
Ha! do not fright me in my tears, which should  
Be rather blood, for yielding to thy death,  
I have let fall my penitence, though I was  
Counselled by him whose truth I now suspect,  
In the amaze and puzzle of my state—  Pr. 
Dear sir, Let not one thought afflict you more,  
I am preserved to be your humble son still,  
Although Gotharus had contrived my ruin,  
'Twas counterplotted by this honest Captain.  Ki. 
I know not what to credit, art Turgesius?  Pr. 
And do account your blessing, and forgiveness  
(If I have erred) above the whole world's Empire▪  
The Army sir is yours.  Ol. 
Upon conditions—  Pr. 
Good sir— and all safety meant your person▪  Ol. 
Right, but for your gipsy Queen, that Cockatrice.  Ki. 
She's lost.  Ol. 
The Devil find her.  Ki. 
She's false.  Ol. 
That Gentleman  
Jack in a Box, if he could speak,  
Would clear that point.  Ki. 
Forgive me gentle boy.  Pr. 
Dear sir no more.  Aq. 
Best dismiss these Gentlemen.  Ol. 
The PRINCE's bounty, now you may go home;  
And d''ee hear, be drunk tonight, the cause requires it.  R. 
We'll show ourselves good subjects.  Om. 
Heaven bless the King and Prince, and the good Duke. Exeunt.  Ki. 
My comforts are too mighty, let me pour  
More blessings on my boy.  Pr. 
Sir, I am blessed▪  
If I stand fair in your opinion.  Ki. 
And welcome▪ good Olaus.  Ol. 
You're deceived,  
I am a Ruffian, and my head must off  
To please the Monkey Madam that bewitched you,  
For being too honest to you.  Ki. 
We are friends.  Ol. 
Upon condition that you will—  Ki. 
What?  Ol. 
Now have I forgot what I would have,  
Oh that my Lady Circe that transformed you,  
May be sent— whether? I ha' forgot again,  
To the Devil, any whether, far enough:  
A curse upon her, she troubles me both when  
I think on her, and when I forget her.  Enter Albina. Ki. 
Gotharus' wife, the sorrowful Albina.  Al. 
If pity dwell within your royal bosom,  
Let me be heard; I come to find a husband,  
I'll not believe what the hard hearted rebels  
Told me, that he is dead, (they loved him not▪  
And wish it so) for you would not permit  
His murder here. You gave me, sir, to him  
In holy marriage, I'll not say, what sorrow  
My poor heart since hath been acquainted with,  
But give him now to me, and I'll account  
No blessing like that bounty; where, oh where  
Is my poor Lord? none tell me? are you all  
Silent, or deaf as Rocks? yet they sometimes  
Do with their hollow murmurs, answer men.  
This does increase my fears, none speak to me?  
I ask my Lord from you sir, you once loved him,  
He had your bosom, who hath torn him thence?  
Why do you shake your head? and turn away?  
Can you resolve me sir? the Prince alive?  
Whose death they would revenge upon Gotharus.  
O let me kiss your hand, a joy to see  
You safe, doth interrupt my grief, I may  
Hope now my Lord is safe too, I like not  
That melancholy gesture; why do you make  
So dark your face, and hide your eyes, as they  
Would show an interest in sorrow with me.  
Where is my Lord? can you or any tell me  
Where I may find the comfort of mine eyes,  
My husband; or but tell me that he lives,  
And I will pray for you— then he is dead  
Indeed I fear.  Pr. 
Poor Lady.  Aq. 
Madam be comforted.  Al. 
Why that's well said, I thank you gentle sir,  
You bid me be comforted, blessing on you,  
Show me now reason for it, tell me something  
I may believe.  Aq. 
Madam, your husband's dead.  Al. 
And did you bid me sir be comforted  
For that? oh you were cruel▪ dead? who murdered him?  
For though he loved not me in life, I must  
Revenge his death.  Pr. 
Alas you cannot.  Al. 
No?  
Will not heaven hear me think you? for I'll pray  
That horror may pursue the guilty head  
Of his black murderer, you do not know  
How fierce and fatal is a widow's curse;  
Who killed him? say.  Aq. 
We know not.  Al. 
You're unjust.  Pr. 
Pursue not sorrow with such inquisition  
Lady.  Al. 
Not I? who hath more interest?  Ki. 
The knowledge of what circumstance deprived him  
Of life, will not avail to his return;  
Or if it would, none here know more, than that  
He was brought hither dead in that enclosure.  Al. 
Where?  Aq. 
In that Coffin Lady.  Al. 
Was it charity  
Made this provision for him? oh my Lord  
Now may I kiss thy withered lip, discharge  
Upon thy bosom a poor widow's tears;  
There's something tempts my heart to show more duty,  
And wait on thee to death, in whose pale dress  
Thou dost invite me to be reconciled.  Ki. 
Remove that Coffin.  Al. 
You're uncharitable;  
Is't not enough that he is robbed of life  
Among you, but you'll rob me of his body?  
Poor remnant of my Lord; I have not had  
Indeed so many kisses a great while,  
Pray do not envy me, for sure I sha'not  
Die of this surfeit, he thought not I was  
So near to attend him in his last and long  
Progress, that built this funeral tenement  
Without a room for me; the sad Albina  
Must sleep by her dead Lord, I feel death coming,  
And as it did suspect, I durst not look  
On his grim visage, he has drawn a curtain  
Of mist before my eyes.  Ki. 
Look to the Lady.  Pr. 
Look to Albina, our Physicians,  
There is not so much virtue more i'th' Kingdom:  
If she survive this passion, she is worth  
A Prince, and I will court her as my blessing.  
Say, is there hope?  Phy. 
There is.  Pr. 
Above your lives preserve her.  Phy. 
With our best art and care.  Exit with Albina. Ol. 
She has almost made me woman too; but  
Come to other business.  Enter Queen. Aq. 
Is not this the Queen?  Ol. 
The Queen of hell, give her no hearing, but  
Shoot, shoot her presently without more repentance,  
There is a lecherous Devil in her eye,  
Give him more fire, his hell's not hot enough,  
Now shoot.  Pr. 
Be temperate good sir.  Qu. 
Nay let his choleric highness be obeyed.  Aq. 
She is shot-free.  Qu. 
The Prince alive? where is Gotharus?  Ol. 
Your friend that was.  Qu. 
It is confessed.  Ol. 
Your Stallion.  Qu. 
He has more titles sure.  Ol. 
Let but some strangle her in her own hair.  Qu. 
The office will become a noble hangman.  Ol. 
Whore—  Qu. 
I'll not spend my breath upon thee,  
I have more use on't, does Gotharus live?  Aq. 
You may conjecture Madam, if you turn  
Your eyes upon that object.  Qu. 
It has wrought then.  Ki. 
What has wrought?  Qu. 
His Physic sir,  
For the state Megrim.  
A wholesome poison, which in his poor fears,  
And fainting when the Rebels first pursued him,  
It was my happiness to minister  
In my poor boy's revenge, killed by his practice.  Pr. 
Poisoned.  Ol. 
She is turned Doctor.  Qu. 
He becomes  
Death's pale complexion, and now I'm prepared  Pr. 
For what?  Qu. 
To die.  Ol. 
Prepared to be damned, a seven years killing  
Will be too little.  Qu. 
I pity your poor rage,  
I sha'not stay so long, nor shall you have  
The honour sir to kill me.  Ol. 
No, let me try.  Qu. 
Ha, ha.  Ol. 
Dost thou laugh hellcat?  Qu. 
Yes, and scorn all your furies, I was not  
So improvident, to give Gotharus all  
My cordial, you may trust the operation,  
Here's some to spare, if any have a mind  
To taste, and be assured, will you my Lord?  
'Twill purge your choler rarely.  Ol. 
I'll not be your patient I thank you.  Qu. 
This box was ever my companion,  
Since I grew wicked with that Politician,  
To prevent shameful death, nor am I coy  
To pleasure a friend in't.  Ol. 
devil's charity.  Qu. 
It works with method, and doth kill discreetly  
Without a noise, your Mercury is a rude  
And troublesome destroyer to this medicine;  
I feel it gently seize upon my vitals,  
'Tis now the time to steal into my heart.  Ki. 
Hast thou no thought of heaven?  Qu. 
Yes, I do think  
Sometimes, but have not heart enough to pray;  
Some vapour now rises twixt me and heaven,  
I cannot see't, lust and ambition ruined me:  
If greatness were a privilege i'th' other  
World, it were a happiness to die a Queen,  
I find my conscience too late, 'tis bloody,  
And full of stains, oh I have been so wicked,  
'Twere almost impudence to ask a pardon,  
Yet for your own sakes pity me; survive  
All happy, and if you can, forgive, forgive.  Moritur. Ki. 
Those accents yet may be repentance.  Pr. 
She's dead.  Ki. 
Some take their bodies hence.  Pr. 
Let them have burial.  Ki. 
'Tis in thee Turgesius  
To dispose all, to whom I give my Crown;  
Salute him King by my example.  Pr. 
Stay,  
Upon your duty stay, will you be traitors,  
Consent your lawful King should be deposed?  
Sir, do not wound your Son, and lay so great  
A stain upon his hopeful, his green honour,  
I now enjoy good men's opinions,  
This change will make 'em think I did conspire,  
And force your resignation, were it still  
By justice and yourself, it shall not touch  
My brow, till death translate you to a Kingdom  
More glorious, and you leave me to succeed,  
Bettered by your example in the practice  
Of a king's power and duty.  Ki. 
This obedience  
Will with excess of comfort kill thy father,  
And hasten that command thou wouldst decline.  Pr. 
Receive this Captain, and reward his faith  
To you and me.  Ki. 
Be Captain of our guard.  
And my good Uncle, to your ear I leave  
The Soldiers, let the largesse speak our bounty  
And your love.  Ol. 
ay, this sounds well fellow Soldiers,  
Trust me beside your pay for the king's bounty.  
Within Sol. Heaven preserve  
The King and Prince.  Ol. 
Not a short prayer for me?  Om. Sol. 
Heaven bless the Duke, heaven bless the Duke.  Ol. 
Why so, money will do much.  Ki. 
A bright day shines upon us, come my son,  
Too long a stranger to the Court, it now  
Shall bid thee welcome, I do feel my years  
Slide off, and joy drown sorrow in my tears.  Exeunt omnes.  
FINIS.