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 CHAPMAN'S DRAMATIC WORKS. 
 
 
 1 

 
 ^\
 
 HE COMEDIES AND TRAGE- 
 DIES OF GEORGE CHAPMAN 
 NOW FIRST COLLECTED WITH 
 ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES AND A 
 MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR IN 
 THREE VOLUMES 
 
 vol u mi; the second 
 
 LONDON 
 JOHN PEA VORK STREET COVENT GARDEN 
 
 1873 
 
 ►*/ • .-» — >
 
 Bujfy D ' Ambois : 
 
 A 
 
 TRA G ED I E : 
 
 As 
 
 it hath been often prejented 
 
 at Paules. 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed {ox William Afpley, 
 1607.
 
 I The Text of the Edition 0/164.1," much correclcd 
 " and amended by the Author before his death" 
 has been mainly followed, and the variations of 
 the original, when of any importance, have been 
 given in footnotes, ,]
 
 V 
 
 
 Prologue. 
 
 * 
 
 Ol out of confidence that none but wee 
 Are able to prefeiit this Tragedie, 
 Nor out of envie at the grace of late 
 It did receive, nor yet to derogate 
 Fro?n their deferts, 70/10 give out boldly, that 
 They move taith equall feet on the fame flat; 
 Neither for all, nor any offnch ends, 
 Wee offer it, gracious and noble friends, 
 To your review, wee, farre from emulation 
 (And charitably fudge from imitation) 
 With this worke entertaine you, a pcccc knownc 
 And filill bclcetfd in Court to be our owne, 
 To quit our claime, oubting our right or merit, 
 Would argue in us poverty offpirit 
 Which we mufil not fubferibe to : Field is gone, 
 Whofe Action firfl did give it name, and one 
 Who came the necrefl to him, is denide 
 By his gray beard iojhew the height and pride 
 
 Firfl: publifhed in the edition of 1641.
 
 Prologtie. 
 
 Of D'Ambois youth and braverie ; yet to hold 
 Our title JIM a foot, and not grow cold 
 By giving it dre, a third man with his befl 
 Of care and paines defends our inter efl; 
 As Richard he was lih'd, nor doe wee feare 
 In perfonating D'Ambois, hee'le appeare 
 To faint, or goe Icjfe, fo your free confcnt 
 As heretofore give him encouragement.
 
 Buffy UAmbois. 
 A 
 
 T R A G E D I E. 
 
 Actus primi Scena prima. 
 
 Enter Bujfy D'A mbois poore. 
 
 Ortune, not Reafon, rules the Rate of 
 things, 
 
 Reward goes backwards, Honor on his 
 head ; 
 
 Who is not poore, is monflrous ; only Need 
 Giues forme & worth to euery humane feed. 
 As Cedars beaten with continuall 1 ftormes, 
 So great men flourifh ; and doe imitate 
 Vnskilfull ftatuaries, who fuppofe 
 (In forming a Coloffus) 2 if they make him 
 Straddle enough, ftroote, and looke big, and gape, 
 
 1 As Cedars beaten with inceflant ftormes. 1607. 
 
 2 In forging a Coloffus. 1607.
 
 6 Bttjfy B'Ambois. 
 
 Their worke is goodly : fo men meerely great 3 
 (In their affected grauitie of voice, 
 Sowerneffe of countenance, maners crueltie, 
 Authoritie, wealth, and all the fpawne of Fortune) 
 Thinke they beare all the kingdomes worth before 
 
 them ; 
 Yet differ not from thofe Colofficke Statues, 
 Which with Heroique formes, without o'refpread, 
 Within are nought but- morter, flint and lead. 
 Man is a Torch borne in the winde ; a Dreame 
 But of a fhado'w, fumm'd with all his fubflance ; 
 And as great Seamen vfing their wealth 
 And fkils in Neptunes deep inuifible pathes, 
 In tall fhips richly built and ribd with braffe. 
 To put a Girdle round about the world, 
 When they haue done it (comming neere their Hauen) 
 Are glad to giue a warning peece, and call 
 A poore ftaid fifher-man, that neuer pafi 
 His Contries fight, to waft and guide them in : 
 So when we wander furtheft through the waues 
 Of Glaffie Glorie and the Gulfes of State, 
 Topt with all Titles, fpreading all our reaches, 
 As if each priuate Arme would fphere the earth ; 
 Wee muft to vertue for her guide refort, 
 Or wee fhall fhipwracke in our fafeft Port. Procumbit. 
 
 Monfieur with two Pages. 
 
 There is no fecond place in Numerous State 
 That holds more than a Cypher : In a King 
 All places are contain'd. His worde and lookes 
 Are like the flafhes and the bolts of Ioue, 
 His deedes inimitable, like the Sea 
 That flruts flill as it opes, and leaues no tracts, 
 Nor prints of Prefident for poore mens facts : 
 There's but a Thred betwixt me and a Croune : 
 
 3 fo our Tympanoufe ftatifls. 1607.
 
 Jhiffy D'Ambois. 7 
 
 I would not. wifh it cut, vnlelfe by nature ; 
 
 Yet to prepare mee for that poffible Fortune, 
 
 Tis good to get refolued fpirits about nice. 4 
 
 I followed D Ambon to this greene Retreat ; 
 
 A man of fpirit beyond the reach of feare, 
 
 Who (difcontent with his neglected worth) 
 
 Neglects the light, and loues obfeure Abodes ; 
 
 But he is yoong and haughtie, apt to take 
 
 Fire at advancement, to beare Hate and flourifh ; 
 
 In his Rife therefore fhall my bounties fhine : 
 
 None lothes the world fo much, nor loues to fcoffe it, 
 
 But gold and grace will make him furfet of it. 
 
 What, UAmbois ? 
 
 Buff. He fir. 
 
 Monf. Turn'd to Earth, aliue I 
 Vp man, the Sunne fhiries on thee. 
 
 Buff. Let it fhine. 
 I am no more to play in't, as great men are. 
 
 Monf. Think'ft thou men great in Rate, motes in 
 the funne ? 
 They fay fo that would haue thee freeze in fhades, 
 That (like the groffe Sicilian Gurmundifl) 
 Emptie their Nofes in the Cates they loue, 
 That none may eat but they. Do thou but bring 
 Light to the Banquet Fortune fets before thee 
 And thou wilt loth leane Darkeneffe like thy Death, 
 Who would beleeue thy Mettall could let floth 
 Ruft and confume it 1 If Themiflocles 
 Had liued obfeur'd thus in th' Athenian ftate, 
 Xerxes had made both him and it his flaues. 
 If braue Camillus had lurckt fo in Rome, 
 He had not hue times beene dictator there, 
 Nor foure times triumpht. If Epaminondas 
 (Who liu'd twice twentie yeeres obfeurd in Thebs) 
 Had liu'd fo flill, he had beene ft.il! vnnam'd, 
 
 4 Yet to prepare mee for that likely Fortune. 
 Tis lit 1 get refolued fpirits about mee. 1607.
 
 8 Buffy D'Jmdois. 
 
 And paid his Countrie nor himfelfe their right : 
 But putting foorth his ftrength, he refcude both 
 From imminent mine ; and like Burnifht Steele, 
 After long vfe he fhin'd ; for as the light 
 Not only ferues to fhew, but render vs 
 Mutually profitable; fo our Hues 
 In ac~ls exemplarie, not only winne 
 Our felues good Names, but doth to others giue 
 Matter for vertuous Deedes, by which wee hue. 
 
 Buff. What would you wifh me ? 5 
 
 Monf. Leaue the troubled ftreames, 
 And Hue as Thriuers doe at the Well head. 
 
 Buff. At the Well head ? Alas what fhould I doe 
 With that enchanted Glaffe '? See diuels there ? 
 Or (like a flrumpet) learne to fet my lookes 
 In an eternall Brake, or praclife iuggling, 
 To keepe my face ftill faft, my hart flill loofe ; 
 Or beare (like Dames Schoolemiftrefles their Riddles) 
 Two Tongues, and be good only for a fhift ; 
 Flatter great Lords, to put them ftill in minde 
 Why they were made Lords : or pleafe humorous 
 
 Ladies 6 
 With a good carriage, tell them idle Tales, 
 To make their Phyficke worke ; fpend a mans life 
 In fights and vifitations, that will make 
 His eies as hollow as his Miftreffe heart : 
 To doe none good, but thofe that haue no neede : 
 To gaine being forward, though you breake for hafte 
 All the Commandements ere you breake your faft 1 
 But Beleeue backewards, make your Period 
 And Creedes laft Article ; I beleeue in God : 
 And (hearing villanies preacht) t'vnfold their Art 
 Learne to commit them, Tis a great mans Part. 
 Shall I learne this there ? 
 
 Monf. No, thou needft not learne, 
 
 5 What would you wifh me doe? 1607. 
 
 6 portly Ladies. 1607.
 
 Buffy UAmbois. 9 
 
 Thou hail the Thcoric, now goc there and praclife. 
 Buff. I, in a thridbarc fuit ; when men come 
 there, 
 
 They mull haue high Naps, and goc from thence bare : 
 A man may drowne the parts of ten rich men 
 In one poore fuit ; Braue Barks, and outward Gloffe 
 AttracT: Court Loues, 7 be in parts ne're fo groffe. 
 
 Moiif. Thou fhalt haue Gloffe enough, and all 
 tilings fit 
 T'enchafe in all fhew, thy long fmothered fpirit : 
 Be rul'd by me then. The rude Scythians 
 Painted blinde Fortunes powerfull hands with wings, 
 To fhew her gifts come fwift and fuddenly, 
 Which if her Fauorite be not fwift to take, 
 He lofes them foreuer. Then be wife : 8 Exit Motif. 
 Stay but a while heere, and Fie fend to thee. 
 
 Manet Buff. 
 
 Buff. What will he fend 1 fome Crounes 1 It is to 
 fow them 
 Vpon my fpirit, and make them fpring a Croune 
 Worth Millions of the feede Crounes he will fend : 
 Like to difparking noble Husbandmen, 
 Hee'll put his Plow into me, Plow me up : 
 But his unfweating thrift is policie, 
 And learning-hating policie is ignorant 
 To fit his feed-land foyl ; a fmooth plain ground" 
 Will neuer nourifh any politicke feede ; 
 I am for honeft Actions, not for great : 
 If I may bring vp a new fafhion, 
 And rife in Court for vertue ; fpeede his plow : 
 The King hath knowne me long as well as hee, 
 Yet could my Fortune neuer fit the length 
 
 7 Attract Court eics. 1607. 
 
 8 Then be rul'd. 1607. 
 
 9 For the above five lines there is only one in the edition of 
 1607 :— 
 
 But hee's no husband heere ; A fmooth plaine ground. 

 
 IO 
 
 their vndei are. 
 
 e whe< 
 Fo: each mans a ke comes it 
 
 kes i 
 
 As \ 
 
 But only is 
 
 - 
 
 But when il ke in his - fpirit : 
 
 Mai 
 
 rife, tis fall 
 
 Il'e venture I at . men t'- low mu 
 
 As well ^s men ca .lone from the skie. 
 
 Is this wretch indu'd 
 With any merit worth a thoufan I Crounes? 
 Will my Lv e fo iB a Steward 
 
 Of his Renenue, to difpoft a fumme 
 So g th fo (mall caufe as fhewes in him ? 
 
 I mu I examine this: Is your name D'Ambois ? 
 S 
 
 Mqff. Is your name DA 
 
 Buff. Who haue wee heere 
 Seme you the Monfiei 
 
 HOW ; 
 
 Serue you the Monfieurl 
 Mqff. Sir, y'are very h( e feme the Monfieur ; 
 
 But in fueh place as giues me tha Command 
 Of all his other feruants : And becaufe 
 His Graces pleafure is. to giue your good 
 His Pane through my Command ; Me thinks you 
 
 might 
 Vie me with more refpec\. M 
 
 TabU Ches & trras. 
 
 Q e \ou men 
 Now you haue opened my dull eies, I fee you ; 
 And would I to fee the good you fpeake of : 
 
 io Use me with more good fafhion, 1607
 
 I I 
 
 I 
 
 Buff. Monfieur "icur 
 
 Maff. Pi 
 That 
 
 'I • , 
 
 Pamphlet * 
 
 •. fir, I I 
 //v,//'. b jffc leaue I 
 
 'I ' • to paffe your i . to my poore   
 
 'J o 
 
 ' '^/. 'J hough he did not fir, 
 I bo 
 
 How that 1 meeinchai ,rnrne? 
 
 .-rtV.t fir. # 
 Ma//. Why fir ; 
 
 I pray tl iue : If for no Pamphlet, 
 
 May I not know what other merit in jro 
 
 his comp to relieue you f 
 
 Buff. No merit in the world fir. 
 Ma//. That is flrar. . 
 Y'ar 
 
 it I an. 
 Maff. And haue Comma.. 
 
 iff. i, and _ v /ne without fir. 
 Ma//. I fee the man : A hundred Crounes will 
 make him 
 
 drinke healths to his Graces bountie ; 
 And fweai be more bountifull. 
 
 So ther's nine hundred Crouns, faft ; heere tall fouldier, 
 Hia gra< e hath fent you a whole hundred Crounes. 
 
 1 1 J I 1 607
 
 1 2 BiiJJ'y DAmbois. 
 
 Bicff. A hundred fir 1 naie doe his Highnes right ; 
 I know his hand is larger, and perhaps 
 I may deferae more than my outfide fhewes ; 
 I am a fcholar, as I am a fouldier, 
 And I can Poetife ; and (being well encourag'd) 
 May ling his Fame for giuing ; yours for deliuering 
 (Like a moft faithfull Steward) what he giues. 
 
 Maff. What fhall your fubiea be ? 
 
 Buff. I care not much, 
 If to his bounteous Grace I fing the praife 
 Of faire great Nofes, And to you of long ones. 12 
 What Qualities haue you fir (befide your chaine 
 And veluet Iacket) Can your worfhip dance 1 
 
 Maff. A merrie Fellow faith : It feemes my Lord 
 Will haue him for his Iefter ; And berlady 
 Such men are now no fooles, Tis a Knights place : 
 If I (to faue my Lord fome Crounes) fhould vrge him 
 T'abate his Bountie, I fhould not be heard ; 
 I would to heauen I were an errant Affe, 
 For then I fhould be fure to haue the Eares 
 Of thefe great men, where now their Iefters haue 
 
 them : 
 Tis good to pleafe him, yet He take no notice 
 Of his preferment, but in policie 
 Will ftill be graue and ferious, left he thinke 
 I feare his wodden dagger: Heere fir Ambo, 
 
 UAmb. How, Ambo fir ] 
 
 Maff. I is not your name Ambo ? 
 
 D Amb. You call'd me lately D'Amboys, has your 
 Worfhip 
 So fhort a head % 
 
 Maff. I cry thee mercy LPAmboys. 
 A thoufand Crounes I bring you from my Lord ; 
 
 12 If to his excellence I fing the praife 
 Of faire great Nofes, And to your Defert.s 
 The reuerend vertues of a faithfull Steward ; — 1607.
 
 Bttjjy D'Ambois. 13 
 
 If you be thriftie and play the good husband, you may 
 
 make 
 This a good (landing liuing, Tis a Bountie, 
 His Highnes might perhaps haue beflow'd better. 
 
 D"Amb. Goe, y'are a Rafcall ; hence, Away you 
 Rogue. 
 
 Maff. What meane you fir 1 
 
 LPAmb. Hence ; prate no more ; 
 Or by thy villans blood thou prat'ft thy laft : 
 A Barbarous Groome, grudge at his mafters Bountie : 
 But fince I know he would as much abhorre 
 His hinde fhould argue what he giues his friend, 
 Take that Sir, for your aptneffe to difpute. Exit. 
 
 Maff. Thefe Crounes are fown in blood, blood be 
 their fruit. Exit. 
 
 Hejiry, Guife, Montfurry , Elenor, Tamyra, 
 
 Bcanpre, Pero, Charlotte, 
 
 Pyra, A/inab/e. 
 
 Hcnr. Dutcheffe of Guife, your Grace is much 
 enricht, 
 In the attendance of that Englifh virgin, 
 That will initiate her Prime of youth, 
 (Difpos'd to Court conditions) vnder the hand 
 Of your preferd in(lruc~lions and Command, 
 Rather than anie in the Englifh Court, 
 Whofe Ladies are not matcht in Chriftendome, 
 For gracefull and confirm'd behauiours ; 
 More than the Court, where they are bred is equall'd. 
 
 Guif. I like not their Court forme, it is too creft- 
 falne ; 
 In all obferuance ; making Demi-gods 
 Of their great Nobles ; and of their old Queene 
 An euer-yoong, and mod immortall Goddeffe. 
 
 Mont. No queflion fhee's the rarell Queene in 
 Europe. 
 
 Guif. But what's that to her Immortality ?
 
 1 4 Bujfy UA mbois. 
 
 Henr. Affure you Cofen Guifc, fo great a Cour- 
 tier, 
 So full of majeftie and Roiall parts, 
 No Queene in Chriftendome may vaunt her felfe, 13 
 Her Court approoues it, Thats a Court indeede ; 
 Not mixt with Clowneries vs'd in common houfes ; u 
 But, as Courts fhould be th' abftracls of their king- 
 domes, 
 In all the Beautie, State, and Worth they hold ; 
 So is hers, amplie, and by her inform'd. 
 The world is not contracted in a man, 
 With more proportion and expreflion 
 Than in her Court, her Kingdome : Our French Court 
 Is a meere mirror of confufion to it : 
 The King and fubiect, Lord and euerie flaue 
 Dance a continuall Haie ; Our Roomes of State, 
 Kept like our flables ; No place more obferu'd 
 Than a rude Market place : And though our Cuftome 
 Keepe this affur'd confufion from our eyes, 15 
 Tis nere the leffe eflentiallie vnfightlie, 
 Which they would foone fee, would they change their 
 
 fonne 
 To this of ours, and then compare them both ; 
 Which we muft not affect., becaufe in Kingdomes, 
 Where the Kings change doth breede the Subiedls 
 
 terror, 
 Pure Innouation is more groffe than error. 
 
 Mont. No Queftion we (hall fee them imitate 
 (Though a farre off) the fafhions of our Courts, 
 As they haue euer Ap't vs in attire ; 
 Neuer were men fo wearie of their Skins, 
 And apt to leape out of themfelues as they ; 
 Who when they trauell to bring foorth rare men, 
 Come home deliuered of a fine French fuit : 
 
 13 boaft her felfe. 1607. 
 
 14 Rudeneffe vs'd in common houfes. 1607. 
 
 15 Keepe this affur'd deformitie from our fight. 1607.
 
 Btiffy DAmbois. 15 
 
 Their Braines lie with their Tailors, and get babies 
 For their moft compleat ifiue ; Hee's fole heire™ 
 To all the rnorall vertues, that firft greetes 
 The light with a new fafhion, which becomes them 
 Like Apes, disfigur'd with the attires of men. 
 Henr. No Queflion they much wrong their reall 
 worth, 
 In affectation of outlandifh Scumme ; 
 But they haue faults, and wee more ; They foolifh- 
 
 proud, 
 To jet in others plumes fo haughtely f 
 We proud, that they are proud of foolerie, 
 Holding our worthes more compleat for their vaunts. 
 
 Enter Monfieur, D'Ambois. 
 
 Monf. Come mine owne fweet heart I will enter 
 thee, 
 Sir, I haue brought a Gentleman to court ; 18 
 And pray, you would vouchfafe to doe him grace. 
 
 Henr. D'Ambois, I thinke. 
 
 WAmb. Thats Mill my name, my Lord, though I 
 be fomething altered in attire. 
 
 Henr. I like your alteration, and mufl tell you, 
 I haue expected th'offer of your feruice ; 
 For we (in feare fo make milde vertue proud) 
 Vfe not to feeke her out in any man. 
 
 jyAmb. Nor doth fhe vfe to feeke out any man. 
 He that will winne, muft wooe her. 19 
 
 1 6 Hee's firft borne. 1607. 
 
 17 To be the Pictures of our vanitie. 1607. 
 
 18 Sir, I haue brought this Gentleman t' attend you. 1607. 
 
 19 He that will winne, muft wooe her ; fhee's not fhameleffe, 
 1607.
 
 1 6 Buffy DAmbois. 
 
 Motif. I vrg'd her modeftie in him, my Lord, and 
 gaue her thofe Rites, that he faies fhee merits. 
 
 Hcnr. If you haue woo'd and won, then Brother 
 weare him. 
 
 Motif Th'art mine, fweet heart ; See here's the 
 Guifes Duches. The Counteffe of Mounifurreaue ; 
 Beaupres, come I'le enfeame thee ; Ladies, y'.ire too 
 many to be in Counfell : I haue heere a friend, that I 
 would gladlie enter in your Graces. 
 
 UAmb. 'Save you Ladyes. 
 
 Duck. If you enter him in our Graces, my Lord 
 me thinks by his blunt behauiour, he fliould come out 
 of himfelfe. 
 
 Tain. Has he neuer beene Courtier, my Lord \ 
 
 Motif. Neuer, my Ladie. 
 
 Bcaup. And why did the 1 ;c him inth' head 
 
 now? 
 
 DAmb. Tis leape yeere, Ladie, and therefore vcric 
 good to enter a Courtier. 
 
 Hair. Marke Ducheffe of Guise, the one is 
 
 not bafhfull. 
 
 Duch. No my Lord, he is much guilty of the bold 
 extremity. 
 
 Tarn. The man's a Courtier at fir ft fight. 
 
 DAmb. I can fing prickefong, Ladie, at firft fight; 
 and why not be a Courtier as fuddenl 
 
 Beau. Heere's a Courtier rotten before he be ripe. 
 
 D 1 Atnb. Thinke mee not impudent, Ladie, I am 
 yet no Courtier, I defire to be one, and would gladly 
 take entrance (Madam) vnder your Princely Colours. 
 
 Enter Barrifor, B'At/ou, Pyrlot. 
 
 Duch. Soft fir, you mull rife by degrees, firft being 
 the fervant of fome common Lady or Knights wife, 
 then a little higher to a Lords wife : next a little 
 higher to a Counteffe ; yet a little higher to a Ducheffe, 
 and then turne the ladder. 
 
 UAmb. Doe you alow a man then foure miflreffes,
 
 Bujfy U Ambois. 17 
 
 when the greatefl Miftreffe is alowed but three fer- 
 vants ? 
 
 Duch. Where find you that flatute fir ? 
 
 D'Amb. Why be judged by the Groome-porters. 
 
 Ducheffe. The Groome-porters ? 
 
 D'Amb. I Madam, mufl not they judge of all 
 gamings i' th' Court ? 
 
 Ducheffe. You talke like a gamefter. 
 
 Gui. Sir, know you me ? 
 
 D'Amb. My Lord? 
 
 Gui. I know not you : Whom doe you feme ? 
 
 D'Amb. Serue, my Lord? 
 
 Gui. Go to Companion ; Your Courtfhip's too 
 faucie. 
 
 D'Amb. Saucie ? Companion ? Tis the Guife, but 
 yet thofe termes might haue beene fpar'd of the Gui- 
 ferd. 
 
 Companion ? Hee's iealous by this light : are you 
 blinde of that fide Duke ? He to her againe for that. 
 Forth princely Miftreffe, for the honour of Courtfhip. 
 Another Riddle. 
 
 Gui. Ceafe your Courtfhippe, or by heauen He cut 
 your throat. 
 
 D'Amb. Cut my throat? cut a whetftone; good 
 Accius Nieuius, doe as much with your tongue as he 
 did with a Rafor ; cut my throat ? 
 
 Bar. What new-come Gallant haue wee heere, that 
 dares mate the Guife thus ? 
 
 L'An. Sfoote tis D'Ambois ; The Duke miftakes 
 him (on my life) for fome Knight of the new edition. 
 
 D'Amb. Cut my throat ? I would the King fear'd 
 thy cutting of his throat no more than I feare thy cut- 
 ting of mine. 
 
 Gui. He doe't by this hand. 
 
 D'Amb. That hand dares not doe't ; y'aue cut too 
 many 
 Throates alreadie Guife ; and Robb'd the Realme of 
 Many thoufand Soules, more precious than thine owne. 
 Come Madam, talke on ; Sfoote, can you not talke ? 
 
 B 
 
 ^
 
 /• 
 
 1 8 Bujfy DAmbois. 
 
 Talke on I fay. Another Riddle. 20 
 
 Pyr. Heere's fome flrange diftemper. 
 
 Bar. Heere's a fudden tranfmigration with LfAvi- 
 bois, out of the Knights ward, into the Duches bed. 
 
 BAtt. Sec what a Metamorphoiis a braue fuit can 
 worke. 
 
 Pyr. Slight ftep to the Guife and difcouer him. 
 
 Par. By no meanes, let the new fuit worke, wee'll 
 fee the iffue. 
 
 Gui. Leaue your Courting. 
 
 D'Awb. I will not. I fay miftreffe, and I will 
 fland vnto it, that if a woman may haue three feruants, 
 a man may haue threefcore miflreffes. 
 
 Gui. Sirha, He haue you whipt out of the Court 
 for this infolence. 
 
 D'Amb. Whiptl Such another fyllable out a th' 
 prefence, if thou dar'ft for thy Dukedome. 
 
 Gui. Remember, Poultron. 
 
 Monf. Pray thee forbeare. 
 
 Buff. Paflion of death ! Were not the King heere ; 
 he fhould flrow the Chamber like a rufh. 
 
 Monf. But leaue Courting his wife then. 
 
 Buff. I will not : He Court her in defpight of him. 
 Not Court her ! Come Madam, talke on ; Feare me 
 nothing : Well maid thou driue thy mafler from the 
 Court ; but neuer DAmbois. 
 
 Monf. His great heart will not downe, tis like the 
 Sea 
 That partly by his owne internall heat, 
 Partly the ftarr's dailie and nightly motion, 
 Their heat and light, 21 and partly of the place, 
 The diuers frames ; but chiefly by the Moone, 
 Briftled with furges, neuer will be wonne, 
 (No, not when th'hearts of all thofe powers are burfl) 
 
 20 Talke on I fay, more Courtfhip, as you louc it. 1607. 
 
 21 Ardor and light. 1697.
 
 
 BuJ/y HAmbois. 19 
 
 To make retreat into his fetled home, 
 
 Till he be croun'd with his owne quiet fome. 
 
 Henri. You haue the mate. Another. 
 
 Gui. No more. Flour ijh Jkort. 
 
 Exit Guife, after him the King, Monf. whifpering. 
 
 Bar. Why heer's the Lion, skard with the throat of 
 a dunghill Cocke ; a fellow that has nevvlie fliak'd off 
 his (hackles ; Now does he crow for that viclorie. 
 
 LAn. Tis one of the belt Iigges that euer was 
 afted. 
 
 Pyr. Whom does the Guife fuppofe him to be 
 troe? 
 
 E An. Out of doubt, fome new denizond Lord ; 
 and thinks that fuit newly drawne out a th' Mercers 
 bookes. 
 
 Bar. I haue heard of a fellow, that by a fixt ima- 
 gination looking vpon a Bulbaiting, had a vifible paire 
 of homes grew out of his forhead : and I beleeue this 
 Gallant ouerioied with the conceit of Monfieurs caft 
 fuit, imagines himfelfe to be the Monfieur. 
 
 EAu. And why not 1 as well as the Affe, ftalking 
 in the Lions cafe, beare himfelfe like a Lion, braying 
 all the huger beads out of the Forreft 1 
 
 Pyr. Peace, he lookes this way. 
 
 Bar. Marrie let him looke fir, what will you fay 
 now if the Guife be gone to fetch a blanquet for him ? 
 
 EAn. Faith I beleeue it for his honour fake. 
 
 Pyr. But, if E> ' Ambois carrie it cleane ? 
 
 Bar. True, when he curuets in the blanquet. 
 
 Pyr. I marie fir. 
 
 E An. Sfoote, fee how he dares on's. 
 
 Bar. Lord bleffe vs, let's away. 
 
 Buff. Now fir, take your full view : how does the 
 Obiecl: pleafe ye % 
 
 Bar. If you aske my opinion fir, I thinke your 
 fuit fits as well as if't had beene made for you. 

 
 20 Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 Buff. So fir, and was that the fubiec~t of your ridi- 
 culous ioilitie % 
 
 CAn. What's that to you fir ? 
 
 Buff. Sir, I haue obferu'd all your fleerings ; and 
 refolue your felues yee fhall giue a flrickt account for't. 
 
 Enter Brifac, Melynett. 
 
 Bar. O miraculous jealoufie! 22 Doe you thinke your 
 felfe 
 Such a fmgular fubiecl for laughter, that none can fall 
 
 into 
 The matter of our merriment but you ? 
 
 LAn. This iealoufie of yours fir, confeffes fome 
 clofe defect in your felfe, that wee neuer dream'd of. 
 
 Pyr. We held difcourfe of a perfum'd Affe, that 
 being difguis'd with a Lions cafe, imagin'd himfelfe a 
 Lion : I hope that toucht not you. 
 
 BuJ). So fir : Your defcants doe maruellous well 
 fit this ground, wee (hall meete where your Buffonly 
 laughters will cofl yee the beft blood in your bodies. 
 
 Bar. For lifes lake let's be gone ; hee'll kill's out- 
 right. 
 
 BuJ/. Goe at your pleafures, lie be your Ghofl to 
 haunt you, and yee fleepe an't, hang mee. 
 
 ZJAn. Goe, goe fir, Court your miflreffe. 
 
 Pyr. And be aduis'd : we lhall haue odds againfl 
 you. 
 
 Buff. Tufh, valour Hands not in number: He main- 
 taine it, that one man may beat three boies. 
 
 Brif. Nay you lhall haue no ods of him in number 
 fir ; hee's a gentleman as good as the proudeft of you, 
 and yee fhall not wrong him. 
 
 Bar. Not fir. 
 
 Mely. Not fir : Though he be not fo rich, hee's a 
 better man than the beft of you ; And I will not 
 endure it. 
 
 22 O ftrange credulitie. 1607,
 
 Jhijfy UAmbois. 21 
 
 UAn. Not you fir % 
 
 Brif. No fir, nor I. 
 
 Buff. I fhould thanke you for this kindneffe, if I 
 thought thefe perfum'd muske-Cats (being out of this 
 priuiledge) durft but once mew at vs. 
 
 Bar. Does your confident fpirit doubt that fir? 
 Follow vs and trie. 
 
 L'An. Come fir, wee'll lead you a dance. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Finis Actus primi. 
 
 Acftus fecundi Scena prima. 
 
 Henry, Guife, Montfurry, and Attendants. 
 
 Henry. r I A His defperate quarrell fprung out of their 
 
 X enuies 
 
 To D'Ambois fudden brauerie, and great fpirit : 
 
 Gui. Neither is worth their enuie. 
 
 Henr. Leffe then either 
 Will make the Gall of Enuie ouerflow ; 
 She feedes on outcaft entrailes like a Kite : 
 In which foule heape, if any ill lies hid, 
 She (licks her beake into it, (hakes it vp, 
 And hurl's it all abroad, that all may view it. 
 Corruption is her Nutriment ; but touch her 
 With any precious ointment, and you kill her : 
 When (lie findes any filth in men, (lie feafls, 
 And with her blacke throat bruits it through the 
 world ;
 
 22 Bujffy D'Ambois. 
 
 (Being found and healthfull) But if fhe but tafte 
 
 The flenderefl pittance of commended vertue, 
 
 She furfets of it, and is like a flie, 
 
 That pafles all the bodies foundeft parts, 
 
 And dwels vpon the fores ; or if her fquint eie 
 
 Haue power to finde none there, fhe forges fome : 
 
 She makes that crooked euer which is ftrait ; 
 
 Call's valour giddineffe, Iuftice Tyrannie : 
 
 A wife man may fhun her, fhe not her felfe ; 
 
 Whither foeuer fhe flies from her Harmes, 
 
 She beares her foe ftill clafpt in her owne Armes : 
 
 And therefore coufen Guife let vs auoid her. 
 
 Enter Nuncius. 
 
 What Atlas, or Olympus lifts his head 
 
 So farre pafl Couert, that with aire enough 
 
 My words may be inform'd 1 And from his height 
 
 I may be feene, and heard through all the world 1 
 
 A tale fo worthie, and fo fraught with wonder, 
 
 Sticks in my iawes, and labours with euent. 
 
 Henr. Com'ft thou from D'Ambo/s ? 
 
 Nun. From him, and the reft 
 His friends and enemies ; whofe fterne fight I faw, 
 And heard their words before, and in the fray. 
 
 Henr, Relate at large what thou haft feene and 
 heard. 
 
 Nun. I faw fierce D' Ambois, and his two braue 
 friends 
 Enter the Field, and at their heeles their foes ; 
 Which were the famous fouldiers ; Barrifor, 
 I?A?iou, and Pyrrhot, great in deedes of Armes : 
 All which arriu'd at the eueneft peece of earth 
 The field affoorded ; The three Challengers 
 Turn'd head, drew all their rapiers, and flood ranckt : 
 When face to face the three Defendants met them, 
 Alike prepar'd, and refolute alike, 
 Like bonfires of Contributorie wood : 
 Euerie mans looke fhew'd, Fed with eithers fpirit,
 
 Bujfy DAmlnns. 23 
 
 As one had beene a mirror to another, 
 
 Like formes of life and death, each tooke from other; 
 
 And fo were life and death mixt at their heights, 
 
 That you could fee no feare of death, for life; 
 
 Nor loue of life, for death : But in their browes 
 
 Pyrrhds Opinion in great letters (hone : 
 
 That life and death in all refpecls are one. 
 
 Henr. Pad there no fort of words at their encoun- 
 ter 1 
 
 Nun. As Hcflor, twixt the Hofts of Greece and 
 Troy. 
 (When Paris and the Spartane King fliould end 
 The nine yeeres warre) held vp his brafen launce 
 For fignall, that both Hofts (hould ceafe frome Armes, 
 And heare him fpeake : So Barrifor (aduis'd) 
 Aduanc'd his Naked Rapier twixt both fides, 
 Ript vp the Quarrell, and compar'd fix liues, 
 Then laid in ballance with fix idle words, 
 Otter' d remiflion and contrition too ; 
 Or elfe that he and DAmbois might conclude 
 The others dangers. DAmbois lik'd the laft ; 
 But Barrifors friends (being equally engag'd 
 In the maine Quarrell) neuer would expofe 
 His life alone, to that they all deferu'd. 
 And (for the other offer of remiflion) 
 DAmbois (that like a Lawrell put in fire, 
 Sparkl'd and fpit) did much much more than fcorne, 
 That his wrong fliould incenfe him fo like chaflfe, 
 To goe fo foone out ; and like lighted paper, 
 Approoue his fpirit at once both fire and allies : 
 So drew they lots, and in them Fates appointed, 
 That Barrifor (hould fight with firie DAmbois ; 
 Pyrhot with Melynell; with Brifac VAiwu : 
 And then like flame and Powder they commixt, 
 So fpritely, that I wifht they had beene fpirits, 
 That the n'ere (hutting wounds, they needes mufl 
 
 open, 
 Might as they open'd, (hut and neuer kill : 
 But DAmbois fword (that lightned as it flew)
 
 24 Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 Shot like a pointed Comet at the face 
 Of manly Barrifor ; and there it ftucke : 
 Thrice pluckt he at it, and thrice drew on thrufls, 
 From him, that of himfelfe was free as fire ; 
 Who thruft ftill as he pluckt, yet (pad beliefe !) 
 He with his fubtle eie, hand, bodie, fcap't ; 
 At laft the deadly bitten point tuggd'd off, 
 On fell his yet vndaunted Foe fo fiercely, 
 That (only made more horrid with his wound) 
 Great D Ambois fhrunke, and gaue a little ground ; 
 But foone return'd, redoubled in his danger, 
 And at the heart of Barrifor feal'd his anger : 
 Then, as in Arden I haue feene an Oke 
 Long fhooke with tempefts, and his loftie toppe 
 Bent to his roote, which being at length made loofe 
 (Euen groaning with his weight) he gan to Nodde 
 This way and that : as loth his curled Browes 
 (Which he had oft wrapt in the skie with ftormes) 
 Should ftoope : and yet, his radicall fiuers burft, 
 Storme-like he fell, and hid the feare-cold Earth. 
 So fell ftout Barrifor, that had floode the fhockes. 
 Of ten fet Battles in your Highneffe warre, 
 Gainft the fole fouldier of the world, Nauarre. 
 
 Gut. O pitious and horrid murther ! 
 
 Beau. Such a life 
 Me thinkes had mettall in it to furuiue 
 An age of men. 
 
 Hcnr. Such, often fooneft end. 
 Thy felt report cals on, wee long to know 
 On what euents the other haue arriu'd. 
 
 Nun. Sorrow and furie, like two oppofite fumes, 
 Met in the vpper Region of a Cloud, 
 At the report made by this worthies fall, 
 Brake from the earth, and with them rofe Reuenge, 
 Entring with frefh powers his two noble friends ; 
 And vnder that ods fell furcharg'd Brifac, 
 The friend of UAmbois, before fierce EAnou ; 
 Which UAmbois feeing, as I once did fee 
 In my yoong trauels through Armenia,
 
 2 5 
 
 IhiJJy iy Ambois. 
 
 An aqgrie Vnicorne in his full carier 
 Charge with too fwift a foot 23 a Ieweller, 
 That watcht him for the Treafure of his browe ; 
 And ere he could get flicker of a tree, 
 Naile him with his rich Antler to the Eartli : 
 So D Ambois ranne vpon reueng'd L'Anou, 
 Who eying th' eager point borne in his face, 
 And giuing backe, fell backe, and in his fall 
 His foes vncurbed fword flopt in his heart : 
 By which time all the life firings of the tw'other 
 Were cut, and both fell as their fpirits flew 
 Vpwards : and ftill hunt Honour at the view. 
 And now (of all the fix) fole U Ambois flood 
 Vntoucht, faue only with the others blood. 
 
 Hair. All flaine outright but hee 1 
 
 Nun. All flaine outright but he, 
 Who kneeling in the warme life of his friends, 
 (All freckled with the blood, his Rapier raind) 
 He kifl their pale cheekes, and bade both farewell ; 
 And fee the brauefl man the French earth beares. 
 
 Enter Monfieur, D'Amb. bare. 
 
 BufJ. Now is the time, y'are Princely vow'd my 
 friend, 
 Performe it Princely, and obtaine my pardon. 
 
 Monf. Elfe Heauen, forgiue not me : Come on 
 braue friend. 
 If euer Nature held herfelfe her owne, 
 When the great Triall of a King and fubieel 
 Met in one blood, both from one bellie fpringing : 
 Now prooue her vertue and her greatneffe One, 
 Or make the t'one the greater with the t'other, 
 (As true Kings fliould) and for your brothers loue, 
 (Which is a fpeciall fpecies of true vertue) 
 Doe that you could not doe, not being a King. 
 
 23 with too quicke an eie. 1607.
 
 16 Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 Henr. Brother I know your fuit ; thefe wilfull 
 murthers 
 Are euer pad our pardon. 
 
 Monf. Manly (laughter 
 Should neuer beare th'account of wilfull murther ; 
 It being a fpice of iuftice, where with life 
 Offending pad law, equall life is laid 
 In equall ballance, to fcourge that offence 
 By law of reputation, which to men 
 Exceedes all pofitiue law, and what that leaues 
 To true mens valours (not prefixing rights 
 Of fatisfaclion, fuited to their wrongs) 
 A free mans eminence may fupplie and take. 
 
 Henr. This would make euerie man that thinks 
 him wrongd, 
 Or is offended, or in wrong or right, 
 Lay on this violence, and all vaunt themfelues. 
 Law-menders and fuppliers though meere Butchers ; 
 Should this fact (though of iuftice) be forgiuen ? 
 
 Monf. O no, my Lord ; it would make Cowards 
 feare 
 To touch the reputations of true men, 
 When only they are left to impe the law, 
 Iuftice will foone diftinguifh murtherous mindes 
 From iuft reuengers : Had my friend beene flaine, 
 (His enemie furuiuing) he fhould die, 
 Since he had added to a murther'd fame 
 (Which was in his intent) a murthered man ; 
 And this had worthily beene wilfull murther : 
 But my friend only fau'd his fames deare life, 
 Which is aboue life, taking th'vnder value, 
 Which in the wrong it did, was forfeit to him ; 
 And in this facft only preferues a man 
 In his vprightneffe ; worthie to furuiue 
 Millions of fuch as murther men, aliue. 
 
 How. Well brother, rife, and raife your friend 
 withall 
 From death to life : and D'Ambois, let your life 
 (Refm'd by pafiing through this merited death)
 
 Buffy UAmbois. 27 
 
 Be purg'd from more fuch foule ]>ollution ; 
 Nor on your fcape, nor valour more prefumn 
 To be againe fo daring. 24 
 
 Buff. My Lord, 
 I loth as much a deede of vniufl death, 
 As law it felfe doth ; and to Tyrannife, 
 Becaufe I haue a little fpirit to dare, 
 And power to doe, as to be Tyranniz'd ; 
 This is a grace that (on my knees redoubled) 
 I craue to double this my fhort lifes gift ; 
 And fhall your royall bountie Centuple, 
 That I may fo make good what God and nature 
 Haue giuen mee for my good : fince I am free, 
 (Offending no iuft law) let no law make 
 By any wrong it does, my life her flaue : 
 When I am wrong 1 d and that law failes to right me, 
 Let me be King my felfe (as man was made) 
 And doe a iuflice that exceedes the law : 
 If my wrong paffe the power of fingle valour 
 To right and expiate ; then be you my King, 
 And doe a Right, exceeding Law and Nature : 
 Who to himfelfe is law, no law doth neede, 
 Offends no Law and is a King indeede. 
 
 Henr. Enioy what thou intreat'ft we giue but 
 ours. 
 . Bu/j. What you haue giuen, my Lord, is euer 
 yours. 
 
 Exit Rex cum Beau. 
 
 Gui. Who would" 5 haue pardon'd fuch a murther ? 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Monf. Now vanifh horrors into Court attractions, 
 
 24 To be againe fo violent. 1607. 
 
 25 Mort dieu, who would, &c. 1607.
 
 28 Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 For which let this balme make thee frefh and faire.* 6 
 And now forth with thy fervice to the Ducheffe, 
 As my long love will to Montfurries Counteffe. 
 
 Exit. 
 DAmb. To whom my love hath long been vow'd 
 in heart, 
 Although in hand for fhew I held the Ducheffe. 
 And now through bloud and vengeance, deeds of 
 
 height, 
 And hard to be atchiev'd, tis fit I make 
 Attempt of her perfection, I need feare 
 No check in his Rivality, fmce her vertues 
 Are fo renown'd, and hee of all Dames hated. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Montfur. Tamyra, Beaupre, Pero, Charlotte, Pyrha. 
 
 Mont. He will haue pardon fure. 
 
 Tarn. Twere pittie elfe: 
 For though his great fpirit fomething ouerflow, 
 All faults are ftill borne, that from greatneffe grow : 
 But fuch a hidden Courtier faw I neuer. 
 
 Beau. He was too hidden, which indeede was 
 rudenefle. 
 
 Tarn. True, for it argued his no due conceit 
 Both of the place, and greatneffe of the perfons : 
 Nor of our fex : all which (we all being ftrangers 
 To his encounter; mould haue made more maners 
 Deferue more welcome. 
 
 Mont. All this fault is found 
 Becaufe he lou'd the Dutcheffe and left you. 
 
 Tarn. Ahlas, loue giue her ioy ; I am fo farre 
 
 26 After this line the fcene thus clofes in the edition of 
 1607: — 
 
 BuJ}. How fhall I quite your loue ? 
 
 Monf. Be true to the end : 
 I haue obtain'd a Kingdome with my friend. Exit.
 
 Bujfy D'A?nbois. 29 
 
 From Enuie of her honour, that I fweare, 
 Had he encounterd me with fuch proud fleight : 
 I would haue put that proiecl face of his 
 To a more tefl, than did her Dutcheffhip. 
 
 Be. Why (by your leaue my Lord) He fpeake it 
 heere, 
 (Although fhe be my ante) fhe fcarce was modeft, 
 When fhe perceiued the Duke her husband take 
 Thofe late exceptions to her feruants Courtfhip 
 To entertaine him. 
 
 Tarn. I, and fland him ftill. 
 Letting her husband giue her feruant place : 
 Though he did manly, fhe fhould be a woman. 
 
 Enter Guife. 
 
 D'Ambois is pardond : wher's a king ? where law ? 
 
 See how it runnes, much like a turbulent fea ; 
 
 Heere high, and glorious, as it did contend 
 
 To wafh the heauens, and make the flars more pure : 
 
 And heere fo low, it leaues the mud of hell 
 
 To euery common view : come count Montfurry 
 
 We rnuft confult of this. 
 
 Tarn. Stay not, fweet Lord. 
 
 Mont. Be pleafed, He flrait returne. 
 
 Exit cum Guife. 
 
 Tamy. Would that would pleafe me. 
 Beau. He leaue you Madam to your paffions. 
 I fee, ther's change of weather in your lookes. 
 
 Exit cum fuis. 
 
 Tamy. I cannot cloake it : but ; as when a fume, 
 Hot, drie and groffe : within the wombe of earth 
 Or in her fuperficies begot : 
 When extreame cold hath flroke it to her heart, 
 The more it is compreft, the more it rageth ; 
 Exceeds his prifons ftrength that fhould containe it. 
 And then it toffeth Temples in the aire ; 
 All barres made engines, to his infolent fury :
 
 30 BuJJy D'Ambois. 
 
 So, of a fudden, my licentious fancy 
 Riots within me : not my name and houfe 
 Nor my religion to this houre obferu'd 
 Can ftand aboue it : I muft vtter that 
 That will in parting breake more firings in me, 
 Than death when life parts : and that holy man 
 That, from my cradle, counfeld for my foule : 
 I now muft make an agent for my bloud. 
 
 Enter Monftacr. 
 
 Monf. Yet, is my Miftreffe giatious % 
 
 Tamy. Yet vnanfwered % 
 
 Monf. 27 Pray thee regard thine owne good, if not 
 mine, 
 And cheere my Loue for that ; you do not know 
 What you may be by me, nor what without me ; 
 I may haue power t'aduance and pull downe any. 
 
 Tamy. Thats not my ftudy : one way I am fure 
 You (hall not pull downe me : my husbands height 
 Is crowne to all my hopes : and his retiring 
 To any meane ftate, fhalbe my afpiring : 
 Mine honour's in mine owne hands, fpite of kings. 
 
 Monf. Honour, whats that 1 your fecond maiden- 
 head : 
 And what is that ? a word : the word is gone 
 The thing remaines : the rofe is pluckt, the ftalke 
 Abides : an eafie loffe where no lack's found : 
 Beleeue it titer's as fmall lacke in the loffe, 
 As there is paine ith lofing : archers euer 
 Haue two firings to a bow : and fhall great Cupid 
 (Archer of archers both in men and women) 
 Be worfe prouided than a common archer 1 
 A husband and a friend all wife wiues haue. 
 
 Tamy. Wife wiues they are that on fuch firings 
 depend, 
 
 27 Here this Scene opens with the words — "Enter Monfieur, 
 Tamyra and Pero with a Booke" in the edition of 1641, from 
 which the fifty-nine preceding lines are entirely omitted. Ed.
 
 Buffy D Ambois. 31 
 
 With a firme husband, ioyning a lofe friend. 28 
 
 Motif. Still you ftand on your husband, fo doc all 
 The common fex of you, when yare encounterd 
 With one ye cannot fancie : all men know 
 You hue in court heere by your owne election. 
 Frquenting all our folemne fports and triumphs, 
 All the mod youthfull companie of men : 
 And wherefore doe you this 1 To pleafe your hus- 
 band? 
 Tis groffe and fulfome : if your husbands pleafure 
 Be all your ObiecT, and you aime at Honour, 
 In liuing clofe to him, get you from Court, 
 You may haue him at home ; thefe common Puttofs 
 For common women ferae : my honor 1 husband ? 
 Dames maritorious, ne're were meritorious : 
 Speake plaine and fay I do not like you Sir, 
 Y'are an illfauor'd fellow in my eie, 
 And I am anfwer'd. 
 
 Tainy. Then I pray be anfwer'd : 
 For in good faith my Lord I do not like you 
 In that fort you like. 
 
 Motif. Then haue at you heere : 
 Take (with a politique hand) this rope of Pearle; 
 And though you be not amorous : yet be wife : 
 Take me for wifdome ; he that you can loue 
 Is neere the further from you. 
 
 Tamy. Now it comes 
 So ill prepar'd, that I may take a poifon, 
 Vnder a medicine as good cheape as it : 
 I will not haue it were it worth the world. 
 
 Motif. Horror of death : could I but pleafe your 
 eie, 
 You would giue me the like, ere you would loofe me : 
 Honor and husband 1 
 
 Tamy. By this light my Lord 
 
 28 weighing a diffolutc friend. 1607.
 
 32 Buffy UAmbois. 
 
 Y'are a vile fellow : and He tell the King 
 
 Your occupation of difhonouring Ladies 
 
 And of his Court : a Lady cannot Hue 
 
 As fhe was borne ; and with that fort of pleafure 
 
 That fits her ftate : but fhe muft be defam'd 
 
 With an infamous Lords detraction : 
 
 Who would endure the Court if thefe attempts, 
 
 Of open and profeft luft muft be borne 1 
 
 Whofe there ? come on Dame, you are at your booke 
 
 When men are at your miftreffe , haue I taught you 
 
 Any fuch waiting womans qualitie ? 
 
 Monf. Farewell good husband. Exit. Mo?if. 
 
 Mont. Farewell wicked Lord. 
 
 Enter Mont. 
 
 Mont. Was not the Monfieur heere ? 
 
 Tarn. Yes, to good purpofe, 
 And your caufe is as good to feeke him too 
 Aud haunt his company. 
 
 Mont. Why whats the matter 1 
 
 Tarn. Matter of death, were I fome husbands 
 wife : 
 I cannot Hue at quiet in my chamber 
 For opportunities almoft to rapes 
 Offerd me by him. 
 
 Mont. Pray thee beare with him : 
 Thou know'ft he is a Bachelor, and a Courtier, 
 I, and a Prince : and their prerogatiues 
 Are, to their lawes, as to their pardons are 
 Their referuations, after Parliaments 
 One quits another : forme giues al their effence : 
 That Prince doth high in vertues reckoning ftand 
 That will entreat a vice, and not command : 
 So far beare with him : fhould another man 
 Truft to his priuiledge, he fhould truft to death : 
 Take comfort then (my comfort) nay triumph, 
 And crown thy felfe, thon part'ft with victory : 
 My prefence is fo only deare to thee,
 
 Bu/jy V Ambois. 33 
 
 That other mens appeare worfe than they be. 
 For this night yet, beare with my forced abfence : 
 Thou know'fl my bufineffe; and with how much weight, 
 My vow hath charged it. 
 
 Tain. True my Lord, and neuer 
 My fruitleffe loue flia.ll let your ferious honour, 
 Yet, fweet Lord, do not flay, you know my foule 
 Is fo long time without me, and I dead 
 As you are abfent 
 
 Mont. By this kitle, receiue 
 My foule for hoflage, till I fee my loue. 
 
 Tarn. The morne fliall let me fee you : 
 
 Mont. With the sunne 
 He vifit thy more comfortable beauties. 
 
 Tarn. This is my comfort, that the funne hath left 
 The whole worlds beauty ere my funne leaues me. 
 
 Mont. Tis late night now indeed : farewell my 
 light. Exit. 
 
 Tain. Farewell my light and life : But not in him. 
 In mine owne dark love and light bent to another. 
 Alas, that in the waue of our affections 
 We fhould fupplie it with a full diffembling, 
 In which each yoongeft maid is growne a mother, 
 Frailtie is fruitfull, one finne gets another : 
 Our loues like fparkles are that brighteft fhine, 
 When they goe out ; moft vice fhewes mod diuine : 
 Goe maid, to bed, lend me your booke 1 pray : 
 Not like your felfe, for forme, He this night trouble 
 None of your feruices : Make fure the doores, 
 And call your other fellowes to their reft. 
 
 Per. I will, yet I will watch to know why you 
 watch. Exit. 
 
 Tain. Now all the peacefull regents of the night, 
 Silently-gliding exhalations, 
 
 Languifhing windes, and murmuring fals of waters, 
 Sadneffe of heart, and ominous fecureneffe, 
 Enchantments, dead fleepes, all the friends of reft, 
 That euer wrought vpon the life of man, 
 Extend your vtmoft ftrengths ; and this charm'd houre
 
 
 
 34 Bitjjy UAmbois. 
 
 Fix like the Center ; make the violent wheeles 
 Of Time and Fortune (land ; and Great Exiftens 
 (The Makers treafurie) now not feeme to bee, 
 To all but my approaching friends and mee : 
 They come, alas they come, feare, feare and hope 
 Of one thing, at one inftant fight in mee : 
 I loue what mod I loath, and cannot liue 
 Vnleffe I compaffe that which holds my death : 
 For life's meere death loving one that loathes me, 29 
 And he I loue, will loth me, when he fees 
 I flie my fex, my vertue, my Renowne, 
 To runne fo madly on a man vnknowne. 30 
 See, fee a Vault is opening that was neuer 
 Knowne to my Lord and husband, nor to any 
 But him that brings the man I loue, and me ; 
 How (hall I looke on him % how fhall I liue 
 And not confume in blufhes, I will in ; 
 And caft my felfe off, as I ne're had beene. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Afccndit Frier and D'Ambois. 
 
 Frier. Come worthieft fonne, I am paft meafure 
 glad, 
 That you (whofe worth I haue approou'd fo long) 
 Should be the Obiecl of her fearefull loue ; 
 Since both your wit and fpirit can adapt 
 Their full force to fupplie her vtmoft weakeneffe : 
 You know her worths and vertues, for Report 
 Of all that know, is to a man a knowledge : 
 You know befides, that our affections ftorme, 
 
 29 For loue is hatefull without loue againe. 1607. 
 
 30 This Scene thus closes in the Edition of 1607 : — 
 See, fee the gulfe is opening, that will fwallow 
 
 Me and my fame for euer ; I will in, 
 
 And caft my felfe off, as I ne're had beene. Exit.
 
 Buffy jyAmbais. 35 
 
 Rais'd in our blood, no Reafon can reforme. 
 
 Though flic fcckc then their fatisfaction, 
 
 (Which flic mufl needes, or reft vnfatisfied) 
 
 Your iudgement will efteeme her peace thus wrought, 
 
 Nothing leffe deare, then if your fclfe had fought : 
 
 And (with another colour, which my Art 
 
 Shall teach you to lay on) your fclfe mufl fecme 
 
 The only agent, and the firft Orbe Moue, 
 
 In this our fet, and cunning world of Loue. 
 
 Buff. Giue me the colour (my mofl honour'd 
 Father) 
 And truft my cunning then to lay it on. 
 
 Frier. Tis this, good fonne j Lord Barrifor (whom 
 you flew) 
 Did loue her dearely, and with all fit meanes 
 Hath vrg'd his acceptation, of all which 
 She keepes one letter written in his blood : 
 You mufl fay thus then, That you heard from mee 
 How much her felfe was toucht in confeience 
 With a Report (which is in truth difperft) 
 That your maine quarrell grew about her loue, 
 Lord Barrifor imagining your Courtfhip 
 Of the great Guifes Ducheffe in the Prefence, 
 Was by you made to his elected miftreffe : 
 And fo made me your meane now to refofue her, 
 Chofing (by my direction) this nights depth, 
 For the more cleere auoiding of all note, 
 Of your prefumed prefence, and with this 
 (To cleere her hands of fuch a louers blood) 
 She will fo kindely thanke and entertaine you, 
 (Me thinkes I fee how) I, and ten to one, 
 Shew you the confirmation in his blood, 
 Left you mould thinke report and me did faine, 
 That you mail fo haue circumftantiall meanes, 
 To come to the direct, which mufl be vfed : 
 For the direct is crooked ; Loue comes flying ; 
 The height of loue is ftill wonne with denying 
 D'Amb. Thankes honoured Father. 
 Frier. She mull neuer know
 
 36 Buffy D'Amb&is, 
 
 That you know anything of any loue 
 
 Suftain'd on her part : For learne this of mee ; 
 
 In any thing a woman does alone, 
 
 If (he diffemble, flie thinkes tis not done ; 
 
 If not diffemble, nor a little chide, 
 
 Giue her her wifh, (he is not fatisfi'd ; 
 
 To haue a man thinke that fhe neuer feekes, 
 
 Does her more good than to haue all fhe likes : 
 
 This frailtie flicks in them beyond their fex ; 
 
 Which to reforme, reafon is too perplex : 
 
 Vrge reafon to them, it will doe no good ; 
 
 Humour (that is the charriot of our foode 
 
 In euerie bodie) muft in them be fed, 
 
 To carrie their affections by it bred. 
 
 Stand clofe. 
 
 Enter Tamyra with a Book. 
 
 Tarn. Alas, I feare my ftrangeneffe will retire him. 
 If he goe backe, I die ; I muft preuent it, 
 And cheare his onfet with my fight at leaft, 
 And thats the moft ; though euerie flep he takes 
 Goes to my heart, He rather die than feeme 
 Not to be ftrange to that I moft efteeme. 
 
 Frier. Madam. 
 
 Tamy. Ah ! 
 
 Frier. You will pardon me, I hope, 
 That, fo beyond your expectation, 
 (And at a time for vifitants fo vnfit) 
 I (with my noble friend heere) vifit you : 
 You know that my acceffe at any time 
 Hath euer beene admitted ; and that friend 
 That my care will prefume to bring with mee, 
 Shall haue all circumftance of worth in him, 
 To merit as free welcome as my felfe. 
 
 Tamy. O father, but at this fufpicious houre 
 You know how apt beft men are to fufpecl vs, 
 In any caufe, that makes fufpicious fliadow 
 No greater than the fhadow of a haire :
 
 Jhiffy n Am hois. 37 
 
 And y'arc to blame : what though my Lord and 
 
 husband 
 Lie foorth to night ? and fince I cannot Qeepe 
 When he is abfent, I fit vp to night, 
 Though all the doores are fure, & all our feruants 
 As fure bound with their fleepes ; yet there is one 
 That wakes aboue, whofe eie no fleepe can binde : 
 He fees through doores, and darkenefle, and our 
 
 thoughts ; 
 And therefore as we fhould auoid with feare, 
 To thinke amiffe our felues before his fearch ; 
 So fhould we be as curious to fhunnc 
 All caufe that other thinke not ill of vs. 
 
 D' Amb. Madam, tis farre from that: I only 
 heard 
 By this my honour'd father, that your confeience 
 Made fome deepe fcruple with a falfe report ; 
 That Barrifors blood fhould fomething touch your 
 
 honour, 31 
 Since he imagin'd I was courting you, 
 When I was bold to change words with the Ducheffe, 
 And therefore made his quarrell, his long loue 
 And fervice, as I heare, being deepely vowed 
 To your perfections which my ready prefence 
 Prefum'd on with my father at this feafon, 
 For the more care of your fo curious honour 
 Can well refolue your Confeience, is mod falfe. 
 
 Tarn. And is it therefore that you come good 
 fir? 
 Then craue I now your pardon and my fathers, 
 And fweare your prefence does me fo much good, 
 That all I haue, it bindes to your requitall : 
 Indeede fir, tis moft true that a report 
 Is fpread, alleaging that his loue to mee 
 
 31 Was something troubled with a falfe report : 
 
 That Barrifors blood fhould fomething touch your hand. 
 
 1607. 
 
 t
 
 
 V 
 
 38 Buffy UAmbois. 
 
 Was reafon of your quarrell, and becaufe 
 You fhall not thinke I faine it for my glorie, 
 That he importun'd me for his Court fenjice, 
 lie fhew you his ovvne hand, fet downe in blood 
 To that vaine purpofe : Good Sir, then come in. 
 Father I thanke you now a thoufand fold. 
 
 Exit Tamira and D 'Amb. 
 
 Fryar. May it be worth it to you honour'd daugh- 
 ter. Defcendit Fryar. 
 
 Finis ASltis fecundi. 
 
 A6tus Tertij Scena Prima. 
 
 Enter D'Ambois, Tamyra, with a C/iaine of Pearle. 
 
 tv A i O Weet Miftreffe ceafe, your conscience is 
 D Amb. ^ . J 
 
 ^j too nice, 
 
 And bites too hotiy of the Puritane fpice. 
 
 Tarn. O My deare feruant, in thy clofe embraces, 
 
 I haue fet open all the dores of danger 
 
 To my encompaft honor, and my life : 
 
 Before I was fecure againft death and hell ; 
 
 But now am fubiect to the hartleffe feare, 
 
 Of euery fliadow, and of euery breath, 
 
 And would change firmneffe with an afpen leafe : 
 
 So confident a fpotleffe confcience is ; 
 
 So weake a guilty : O the dangerous fiege 
 
 Sin laies about vs ? and the tyranny 
 
 He exercifes when he hath expugn'd : 
 
 Like to the horror of a winters thunder, 
 
 Mixt with a gufhing ftorme, that fuffer nothing
 
 Biiffy UAmbois. 39 
 
 To flirre abroad on earth, but their own rages ; 
 Is fin, when it hath gathered head aboue vs : 
 No roofe, no fheltcr can fecure vs fo, 
 But he will drowne our cheeks in feare or woe. 
 
 D'Ambois. Sin is a coward Madam, and infults 
 But on our weakneffe, in his truefl valour : 
 And fo our ignorance tames vs, that we let 
 His fhadowes fright vs : and like empty clouds 
 In which our faulty apprehenfions forge 
 The formes of Dragons, Lions, Elephants, 
 When they hold no proportion : the (lie charmes 
 Of the witch policy makes him, like a monflcr 
 Kept onely to fliew men for Servile money: 
 That falfe hagge often paints him : in her cloth 
 Ten times more monftrous than he is in troth : 
 In three of vs, the fecret of our meeting, 
 Is onely guarded, and three friends as one 
 Haue euer beene efteem'd : as our three powers 
 That in our one foule, are, as one vnited : 
 Why mould we feare then 1 for my felfe I fweare 
 Sooner fliall torture, be the Sire to pleafure, 
 And health be gfieuous to one long time ficke, 
 Than the deare'iewell of your fame in me, 
 Be made an outcaft to your infamy ; 
 Nor (hall my value (facred to your vertues) 
 Onely giue free courfe to it, from my felfe : 
 But make it flie out of the mouths of kings 
 In golden vapours, and with awfull wings. 
 
 Tam. It refts as all kings feales were fet in thee. 
 Now let us call my Father, whom I fweare 
 I could extreamly chide, but that I feare 
 To make him fo fufpicious of my loue 
 Of which (fweet feruant) doe not let him know 
 For all the world. 
 
 DAmb. Alas ! he will not think it ? 
 
 Tam. Come then — ho \ Father, ope, and take 
 your friend. 
 
 . ifeendit Frier.
 
 40 Buffy Ty Ambois. 
 
 Frier. Now honour' d daughter, is your doubt re- 
 folu'd. 
 
 Tarn. I Father, but you went away too foone. 
 
 Fryer. Too foone ? 
 
 Tarn. Indeed you did, you fhould haue flayed ; 
 Had not your worthy friend beene of your bringing, 
 And that containes all lawes to temper me, 
 Not all the fearefull danger that befieged us, 
 Had aw'd my throat from exclamation. 
 
 Fryer. I know your ferious difpofition well. 
 Come fonne the morne comes on. 
 
 D'Amb. Now honour'd Miftreffe 
 Till farther fervice call, all bliffe fupply you. 
 
 Tamy. And you this chaine of pearle, and my love 
 onely. 
 
 Defcendit Frier and D'Amb. 
 
 Ta. It is not I, but vrgent defliny, 
 That (as great flates men for their generall end 
 In politique iuftice, make poore men offend) 
 Enforceth my offence to make it iuft : 
 What fhall weake Dames doe. when th' whole worke 
 
 of Nature 
 Hath a flrong finger in each one of vs 1 
 Needs muft that fweep away the filly cobweb 
 Of our ftill-vndone labours ; that laies ftill 
 Our powers to it : as to the line, the flone, 
 Not to the ftone, the line fhould be oppof 'd ; 
 We cannot keepe our conftant courfe in vertue : 
 What is alike at all parts ? euery day 
 Differs from other : euery houre and minute : 
 I, euery thought in our falfe clock of life, 
 Oft times inuerts the whole circumference : 
 We muft be fometimes one, fometimes another : 
 Our bodies are but thicke clouds to our foules ; 
 Through which they cannot mine when they defire : 
 When all the flarres, and euen the funne himfelfe, 
 Muft flay the vapors times that he exhales
 
 J Cliffy jy Amhou. .) i 
 
 Before he can make gooil his beanies to vs : 
 ( ) how can we, that are but motes to him, 
 V Vandring at randon in his orderd rayes, 
 Difperfe our paffions fumes, with our weake labors, 
 That are more thick & black than all earths vapors ? 
 
 Enter Mont. 
 
 Man. Good day, my loue: what vp and ready too! 
 
 Tarn. Both, (my deare Lord) not all this night 
 made I 
 My felfe vnready, or could fleepc a winke. 
 
 Mont. Ahlafle, what troubled my true loue? my 
 peace, 
 From being at peace within her better felfe ? 
 Or how could fleepe forbeare to feize thine eyes 32 
 When he might challenge them as his iufl prife ? 
 
 Tarn. I am in no powre earthly, but in yours ; 
 To what end fliould T goe to bed my Lord, 
 That wholly mill the comfort of my bed 1 
 Or how fliould fleepe pofleffe my faculties, 
 Wanting the proper clofer of mine eies ? 
 
 Mont. Then will I neuer more fleepe night from 
 thee : 
 All mine owne Bufineffe, all the Kings affaires 
 Shall take the day to ferue them : Euerie night 
 He euer dedicate to thy delight. 
 
 Tarn. Nay, good my Lord efleeme not my defires 
 Such doters on their humours, that my iudgement 
 Cannot fubdue them to your worthier pleafure : 
 A wiues pleas'd husband mufl her obiect be 
 In all her atfls, not her footh'd fantafie. 
 
 Mont. Then come my loue, Now pay thofe Rites 
 to fleepe 
 Thy faire eies owe him : (hall we now to bed ? 
 
 Tarn. O no my Lord, your holy Frier faies, 
 
 32 to feafc thy beauties. 1607.
 
 42 Buffy D' Ambois. 
 
 All couplings in the day that touch the bed, 
 Adulterous are, euen in the married ; 
 Whole graue aud worthie doctrine, well I know, 
 Your faith in him will liberally allow. 
 
 Mont. Hee's a moft learned and Religious man ; 
 Come to the Prefence then, and fee great U Ambois 
 (Fortunes proud mufhrome fhot vp in a night) 
 Stand like an Atlas vnder our Kings arme j 33 
 Which greatneffe with him Monfieur now enuies 
 As bitterly and deadly as the Guife. 
 
 Tarn. What, he that was but yefterday his maker ? 
 His raifer and preferuer 1 
 
 Mont. Euen the fame. 
 Each naturall agent workes but to this end, 
 To render that it works on, like it felfe ; 
 Which fmce the Monfieur in his act on DA mbois, 
 Cannot to his ambitious end effect, 
 But that (quite oppofite) the King hath power 
 (In his loue borne to D 1 Ambois) to conuert 
 The point of Monfieurs aime on his owne bread, 
 He turnes his outward loue to inward hate : 
 A Princes loue is like the lightnings fume, 
 Which no man can embrace, but muft confume. 
 
 -Exeunt. 
 
 Henry, D 'Ambois, Monfieur, Guife, Dutches Annabell, 
 \) Chariot, Attendants. 
 
 Henr. Speake home my Buffy, thy impartiall 
 wordes 
 Are like braue Faulcons that dare truffe a Fowle 
 Much greater than themfelues ; Flatterers are Kites 
 That checke at Sparrowes ; M thou flialt be my Eagle, 
 And beare my thunder vnderneath thy wings : 
 
 33 Stand like an Atlas vnderneath the King. 1607. 
 
 34 That checke at nothing. 1607.
 
 Bujfy D'Ambois. 43 
 
 Truths words like iewels hang in th' cares of Kings. 
 
 Buff. Would I might Hue to fee no I cues hang 
 there 
 In deede of iewels ; fycophants I meane, 
 Who vfe truth like the Diuell, his true Foe, 
 Cafi by the Angell to the pit of fcares, 
 And bound in chaines ; truth fcldome decks Kings 
 
 eares : 
 Slaue flatterie (like a Rippiers legs rowl'd vp 
 In bootes of haie ropes) with Kings foothed guts 
 Swadled and flrappl'd, now Hues only free. 
 O tis a fubtle knaue ; how like the plague 
 Vnfelt, he ftrikes into the braine of mai 
 And rageth in his entrailes when he can, 
 Worfe than the poifon of a red hair'd man. 
 
 Heiir. Flie at him and his broode, I cad thee off, 
 And once more giue thee furname of mine Eagle. 
 
 Buff. He make*you fport enough then, let me haue 
 My lucerns too (or dogges inur'd to hunt 
 Beads of mod rapine) but to put them vp, 
 And if I truffe not, let me not be truded : 
 Shew me a great man (by the peoples voice, 
 Which is the voice of God) that by his greatnede 
 Bumbads his priuate roofes, with publique riches ; 
 That affects royaltie, rifing from a clapdifh ; 
 That rules fo much more by his differing King, 
 That he makes kings of his fubordinate flaues : 
 Himfelfe and them graduate like woodmongers 
 (Piling a dacke of billets) from the earth, 
 Railing each other into deeples heights ; 
 Let him conuey this on the turning proppes 
 Of Protean Law, and (his owne counfell keeping) 
 Keepe all vpright ; let me but Hawlke at him, 
 He play the Vulture, and fo thumpe his liuer, 
 That (like a huge vnlading Argofca) 
 He fhall confeffe all, and you then may hang him. 
 
 35 into the braine of truth. 1607.
 
 44 B u fjy D" Ambois. 
 
 Shew me a Clergie man, that is in voice 
 
 A Larke of Heauen ; in heart a Mowle of earth ; 
 
 That hath good liuing, and a wicked life ; 
 
 A temperate looke, and a luxurious gut ; 
 
 Turning the rents of his fuperfluous Cures 
 
 Into your Phefants and your Partriches ; 
 
 Venting their Quinteffence as men read Hebrew : 
 
 Let me but hawlke at him, and, like the other, 
 
 He fhall confeffe all, and you then may hang him. 
 
 Shew me a Lawyer that turnes facred law 
 
 (The equall rendrer of each man his owne, 
 
 The fcourge of Rapine and Extortion, 
 
 The Sanctuarie and impregnable defence 
 
 Of retir'd learning, and befieged vertue) 36 
 
 Into a Harpye, that eates all but's owne, 
 
 Into the damned fins it punifheth ; 
 
 Into the Synagogue of theeues and Atheifts ; 
 
 Blood into gold, and iuftice into lull : 
 
 Let me but hawlke at him, as at the reft, 
 
 He mail confeffe all, and you then may hang him. 
 
 Eider Mont-Surrey, Taviira, and Pero. 
 
 Gut. Where will you finde fuch game as you would 
 
 hawlke at ? 
 fin//. He hawlke about your houfe for one of them. 
 Gut. Come, y'are a glorious Ruffin, and runne 
 proud 
 Of the Kings headlong graces ; hold your breath, 
 Or by that poifon'd vapour not the King 
 Shall backe your murtherous valour againft me. 
 Buff. I would the King would make his prefence 
 free 
 But for one bout betwixt vs : 37 By the reuerence 
 
 36 oppreffed vertue. 1607. 
 
 37 But for one charge betwixt vs. 1607.
 
 J>ujjy EfAmbois. 45 
 
 Due to the (acred fpace twixt kings and fubiecls, 
 Heere would I make thee cad that popular purple, 
 In which thy proud foule fits and braues thy foueraigne. 
 
 Moiif. Peace, peace, I pray thee peace. 
 
 Buff. Let him peace firfl that made the firfl warre. 
 
 Monf. Hee's the better man. 
 
 Buff. And therefore may doe word ? 
 
 Monf. He has more titles. 
 
 Buff. So Hydra had more heads. 
 
 Monf. Hee's greater knowne. 
 
 Buff. His greatneffe is the peoples, mine's mine 
 owne. 
 
 Monf. Hee's noblie borne. 
 
 Buff. He is not, I am noble. 
 And nobleffe in his blood hath no gradation, 
 But in his merit. 
 
 Qui. Th'art not nobly borne, 
 But baflard to the Cardinall of Ambois. 
 
 Biff. Thou liefl proud Guiferd ; let me flie (my 
 Lord.) 
 
 Hcnr. Not in my face ; (my Eagle) violence flies 
 The Sanctuaries of a Princes eies. 
 
 Biff. Still (hall we chide? and fome vpon this bit 1 ? 
 Is the Guife only great in faction ? 
 Stands he not by himfelfe 1 Prooues he th' Opinion 
 That mens foules are without them 1 Be a Duke, 
 And lead me to the field. 
 
 Guif. Come, follow me. 
 
 Henr. Stay them, flay D'Ambois ; Cofen Guife, I 
 wonder 
 Your honour'd difpoiition brookes fo ill 38 
 A man fo good, that only would vphold 
 Man in his natiire nobleffe, from whofe fall 
 All our diflentions rife ; that in himfelfe 
 (Without the outward patches of our frailtie, 
 Riches and honour) knowes he comprehends 
 
 38 Your equal] difpofition brookes fo ill. 1607.
 
 46 Buffy U Ambois. 
 
 Worth with the greatefl : Kings had neuer borne 
 
 Such boundleffe Empire ouer other men, 
 
 Had all maintain'd the fpirit and flate of U Ambois ; 
 
 Nor had the full impartiall hand of nature 
 
 That all things gaue in her originall, 
 
 Without thefe definite terms of Mine and Thine, 
 
 Beene turn'd vniuftly to the hand of Fortune : 
 
 Had all preferu'd her in her prime, like D' Ambois ; 
 
 No enuie, no difiunclion had diffolu'd, 
 
 Or pluck'd one fticke out of the golden fagot, 
 
 In which the world of Saturne bound our lifes, 811 
 
 Had all beene held together with the nerues, 
 
 The genius and th' ingenuous foule of D 'Ambois. 
 
 Let my hand therefore be the Hermean rodde 
 
 To part and reconcile, and fo conferue you, 
 
 As my combin'd embracers and fupporters. 
 
 fiujf. Tis our Kings motion, and wee fhall not 
 feeme 
 (To worft eies) womanifh, though wee change thus 
 
 foone 
 Neuer fo great grudge for his greater pleafure. 
 
 Gut. I feale to that, and fo the manly freedome 
 That you fo much profeffe, heereafter prooue not 
 A bold and glorious licence to depraue : 
 To mee his hand fhall hold the Hermean vertue 40 
 His grace affects, in which fubmiffiue figne 
 On this his facred right hand, I lay mine. 
 
 Buff. Tis well my Lord, and fo your worthie great- 
 neffe 
 Decline not to the greater mfolence, 41 
 Nor make you thinke it a Prerogatiue, 
 To racke mens freedomes with the ruder wrongs ; 
 
 39 Or pluck'd out one fticke of the golden fagot, 
 
 In which the world of Saturne was compris'd. 1607. 
 
 40 To mee his hand fhall prooue the Hermean rodde. 1607. 
 
 41 Engender not the greater mfolence. 1607. 

 
 Bujfy ])' Am bo is. 47 
 
 My hand (ftucke full of lawrell, in true fignc 
 Tis wholly dedicate to righteous peace) 
 In all fubmiffion kiffeth th'other Qde. 
 
 Hen. Thankes to ye both : and kindly I inuite jre 
 Both to a banquet where weele facrifice 
 Full cups to confirmation of yours loues ; 
 At which (faire Ladies) I entreat your prefence. 
 And hope you Madam will take one carowfe 
 For reconcilement of your Lord and feruant 
 
 Ditches. If I fhould faile my Lord, fome other 
 Lady 
 Would be found there to doe that for my feruant. 
 
 Motif. Any of thefe here I 
 
 Ditches. Nay, I know not that. 
 
 DA/nb. Think your thoughts, like my Miftrefle 
 (honour' d Lady) 
 
 Tamy. I think not on you Sir, y'are one I know 
 not. 
 
 J)' Amb. Cry you mercy Madam, 
 
 Mont/. Oh Sir, has file met you 1 
 
 Exeunt Henry, U Amb. Ladies. 
 
 Man/. What had my bounty drunke when it raif'd 
 him % 
 
 Gui. Y'ave ftucke vs vp a very worthy flag, 41 
 That takes more winde than we with all our fades. 
 
 Monf. O fo he fpreds and flouriihes. 
 
 Gui. He mull downe, 
 Vpftarts fhould neuer perch too neere a crowne. 
 
 Monf. Tis true my Lord ; and as this doting 
 hand, 
 Euen out of earth, (like funo) llruck this giant, 
 So loues great ordinance fhalbe heere implide 
 To ftrike him vnder th' jEtna of his pride : 
 To which worke lend your hands and let vs caft 
 
 42 a very proper flag. 1607.
 
 48 Buffy DAmbois. 
 
 Where we may fet fnares for his ranging greatnes : 43 
 
 I thinke it beft, amongft our greateft women : 
 
 For there is no fuch trap to catch an vpftart 
 
 As a loofe downfall ; for you know their fals 44 
 
 Are th'ends of all mens rifmg : if great men 
 
 And wife ; make fcapes to pleafe aduantage 
 
 Tis with a woman : women that woorft may 
 
 Still hold mens candles : they direct and know 
 
 All things amiffe in all men ; and their women 
 
 All things amiffe in them : through whofe charmd 
 
 mouthes 
 We may fee all the clofe fcapes of the Court : 
 When the moft royall beaft of chace the Hart 
 (Being old and cunning in his layres and haunts) 
 Can neuer be difcouered to the bow 
 The peece or hound : yet where (behind fome Queich) 
 He breaks his gall and rutteth with his hinde, 45 
 The place is markt, and by his Venery 
 He ftill is taken. Shall we then attempt 
 The chiefeft meane to that difcouery heere, 
 And court our greateft Ladies chiefeft women, 40 
 With fhews of loue, and liberall promifes % 
 Tis but our breath. If fomething giuen in hand, 
 Sharpen their hopes of more ; twilbe well venterd. 
 Gui. No doubt of that : and tis the cunningft 
 point 47 
 Of our deuif 'd inueftigation. 
 
 43 gadding greatnes. 1607. 
 
 44 and indeed their fals. 1607. 
 
 45 When the moft royall beaft of chace (being old 
 And cunning in his choice of layres and haunts) 
 Can neuer be difcouered to the bow 
 
 The peece or hound : yet where his cuftome is 
 
 To beat his vault, and he ruts with his hinde. 1607. 
 
 46 greateft women. 1607. 
 
 47 an excellent point. 1607.
 
 BuJ/y UAmbois. 49 
 
 Monf. I have broken 
 The yec to it already with the woman 
 Of your chad Lady, and conceive good hope. 
 I fhall wade thorow to foine wifhed fhorc 
 At our next meeting. 
 
 Montf. Nay, there's fmall hope there. 
 
 Guife. Take fay of her my Lord, flic comes mod 
 fitly. 
 
 Monf. Starting back \ ltt 
 
 Enter Chariot, Anablc, Pero. 
 
 Gut. Y'are engag'd indeed. 
 
 An. Nay pray my Lord forbeare. 
 
 Mont. What skittifh, feruant? 
 
 An. No my Lord I am not fo fit for your feruice : 
 
 Char. Pray pardon me now my Lord 1 my Lady 
 expects me. 
 
 Gui. He fatisfie her expectation, as far as an vnkle 
 may. 
 
 Monf. Well faid : a fpirit of Courtfhip of all hands: 
 Now mine owne Pero : haft thou remembred mee 
 For the difcouery I entreated thee to make of 
 Thy Miftreffe % fpeak boldly, and be fure of all things 
 I haue fworne to thee. 
 
 Pero. Building on that affurance (my Lord) I may 
 fpeake : and much the rather, becaufe my Lady hath 
 not trufled me with that I can tell you ; for now I 
 cannot be faid to betray her. 
 
 Monf. That's all one, fo wee reach our objects 
 foorth I befeech thee. 
 
 48 This paffage reads thus in the edition of 1607: — 
 Mot:/. I haue already broke the ice, my Lord, 
 With the mod trufled woman of your CountclTe, 
 And hope I fliall wade through to our difcouery, 
 
 Mont. Take fay of her my Lord, (he comes moil fitly 
 And we will to the other. 
 
 I)
 
 5<d -Bu/fy DAmbois. 
 
 Per. To tell you truth, my Lord, I haue made a 
 ftrange difcouery. 
 
 Monf. Excellent Pero thou reuiu'ft me : may I 
 fincke quicke to perdition, if my tongue difcouer 
 it. 
 
 Per. Tis thus then : This laft night my Lord lay 
 foorth : and I watching my Ladies fitting vp, ftole vp 
 at midnight from my pallat : and (hauing before made 
 a hole both through the wall and arras to her inmoft 
 chamber) I faw D'Ambois and herielfe reading a 
 letter. 
 
 Motif. D'Ambois ? 
 
 Per. Euen he my Lord. 
 
 Monf. Doft thou not dreame wench ? 
 
 Per. 1 fweare he is the man. 
 
 Monf. The diuell he is, and thy Lady his dam : 
 Why this was the happieft fhot % that ever flew the 
 juft plague of hypocrifie leuel'd it, Oh the infinite re- 
 gions betwixt a womans tongue and her heart : is this 
 our GoddeffevOf chaftity 1 I thought I could not be fo 
 fleighted : if fhee had not her fraught befides ; and 
 therefore plotted this with her woman, never dreaming 
 of D A mboys. Deare Pero I will aduance thee for 
 euer : but tell mee now : Gods pretious it transformes 
 me with admiration : fweet Pero, whom fhould fhe 
 truft with his conueiance 1 Or, all the doores being 
 made fure, how fhould his conueiance bee made t 
 
 Per. Nay my Lord, that amazes me : I cannot by 
 any ftudy fo much as gueffe at it. 
 
 Monf. Well, lets fauour our apprehenfions with 
 forbearing that a little : for if my heart were not hoopt 
 with adamant, the conceipt of this would haue burft 
 it : but hearke thee. Whispers. 
 
 Char. I fweare to your Grace, all that I can con- 
 jecture touching my Lady your Neece, is a ftrong 
 affection fhe beares to the Englifh Mylor.
 
 Buffy W Amboi   51 
 
 Gut. All quod you 1 tis enough I allure you, hut 
 tell me. 48 
 
 Mont. I pray thee refolue me : the Duke will 
 neuer imagine that I am bufie about's wife : hath 
 D'Ambois any priuy acceffe to her 1 
 
 An. No, my Lord, D'A/ndois neglects her (as (he 
 takes it) and is therefore fufpicious that either your 
 Lady, or the Lady Beauprc hath clofely entertaind 
 him. 
 
 Mont. Bcr lady a likely fufpition, and very neere 
 the life ; if (lie marks it ; efpecially of my wife. 
 
 Motif. Come we'l difguife all. with feeming onely 
 to haue courted ; away drie palme : fh'as a liuer as 
 hard as a bisket : a man may goe a whole voyage with 
 her, and get nothing but tempcfls from her wind- 
 pipe. 
 
 Gut. Heer's one : (I thinke) has fwallowed a por- 
 cupine, fhe cads pricks from her tongue fo. 
 
 Mont. And heer's a peacock feemes to haue de- 
 uourd one of the Alpes, (lie has fo fwelling a fpirit, 
 and is fo cold of her kindneffe. 
 
 Char. We are no windfals my Lord ; ye muft 
 gather vs with the ladder of matrimony, or we'l hang 
 till we be rotten. 
 
 Monf. Indeed that's the way to make ye right 
 openarfes. But ahlas ye haue no portions fit for fuch 
 husbands as we wifh you. 
 
 Per. Portions my Lord, yes and fuch portions as 
 your principality cannot purchafe. 
 
 Motif. What woman ? what are thofe portions 1 
 Per. Riddle my riddle my Lord. 
 Monf. I marry wench, I think thy portion is a 
 right riddle, a man (hall neuer finde it out : but lets 
 heare it. 
 
 49 This speech of Guife and the previous one of Charlotte are 
 omitted in the edition of 1 64 1. — Ed.
 
 52 Buffy D' Ambois. 
 
 Per. You fhall my Lord. 
 What's that, that being mofl rar's mofl cheape 1 
 That when you fow, you neuer reape ? 
 That when it growes moft, mofl you in it 1 
 And ftill you lofe it when you win it : 
 That when tis commoner!, tis deareft, 
 And when tis fartheft off, 'tis neereft 1 
 
 Monf. Is this your great portion % 
 
 Per. Euen this my Lord. 
 
 Monf. Beleeue me I cannot riddle it. 
 
 Per. No my Lord, tis my chaflity, which you fhall 
 neither riddle nor fiddle. 
 
 Monf. Your chaflity ? let me begin with the end 
 of it ; how is a womans chaflitie neereft a man, when 
 tis furtheft off? 
 
 Per. Why my Lord, when you cannot get it, it 
 goes toth' heart on you ; and that I thinke comes 
 mofl neere you : and I am fure it fhall bee farre 
 enough off ; and fo wee leaue you to our mercies. 
 
 Exeunt Women. 
 
 Monf. Farewell riddle. 
 
 Gui. Farewell Medlar. 
 
 Mont. Farewell winter plum. 
 
 Monf Now my Lords, what fruit of our inquifi- 
 tion ? feele you nothing budding yet ? Speake good 
 my Lord Mountfurry. 
 
 Mont. Nothing but this : D 'Ambois is negligent 
 in obferniug the Ducheffe, and therefore fhe is fufpi- 
 cious that your Neece or my wife clofely entertaines 
 him. 
 
 Monf Your wife, my Lord ? Thinke you that 
 poffible ? 
 
 Mont. Alas, I know fhe flies him like her lafl houre. 
 
 Monf Her lafl houre ? why that comes vpon her 
 the more fhe flies it : Does D Ambois fo thinke you 1 
 
 Mont Thats not worth the anfwering : Tis miracu- 
 lous to think 50 with what monfters womens imagina- 
 
 50 Tis horrible to think, 1607.
 
 Bufjy TyAmbois. 53 
 
 tions engroffe them when they are once enamourM, 
 and what wonders they will worke for their fatisfadlion. 
 They will make a flieepe valiant, a Lion fearefulL 
 
 Monf, And an Afle confident, well my Lord, 
 more will come forth fhortly, get you to the banquet. 
 
 Guife. Come my Lord, I have the blind fide of one 
 of them. Exit Guife cum Mont. 
 
 Mounf. O the vnfounded Sea of womens bloods, 
 That when tis calmed, is mod dangerous ; 
 Not any wrincle creaming in their faces, 
 When in their hearts are Scylla and Charibdis, 
 Which ftill are hid in dark and (landing foggs,' 1 
 Where neuer day fhines, nothing euer growes, 
 But weeds and poifons, that no flates-man knowes ; 
 Nor Cerberus euer faw the damned nookes 
 Hid with the vailes of womens vertuous lookes : 
 But what a cloud of fulphur have I drawne 
 Up to my bofome in this dangerous fecret ? 
 Which if my haft (with any fpark) fliould light 
 Ere UAmbois were engag'd in fome fare plot 
 I were blowne up ; He would be fure, my death. 
 Would I had never knowne it, for before 
 I fhall perfwade th' importance to Montfurry, 
 And make him with fome (ludied flratagem, 
 Train UAmbois to his wreak, his maid may tell it, 
 Or I (out of my fiery third to play 
 With the fell Tyger, up in darknefle tyed, 
 And give it fome light) make it quite break loofe. 
 I feare it afore heaven, and will not fee 
 UAmbois againe, till I have told Montfurry, 
 And fet a fnare with him to free my feares : 52 
 
 51 Which mil are hid in monitor formed cloudes. 1607. 
 
 52 In lieu of the above fifteen lines the following occur in the 
 original edition : — 
 
 I will conceale all yet, and giue more time 
 To D'Amboi-; triall, now vpon my hookf : 
 He awes my throat ; elfe like fybillas Caue 
 It fliould breath oracles ;
 
 54 Bujffy Jy Ambois. 
 
 Whose there % 
 
 Enter Maffe. 
 
 Maffe. My Lord ? 
 
 Monf. Goe call the Count Moutfurry, 
 And make the dores faft, I will fpeak with none 
 Till he come to me. 
 
 Maffe. Well my Lord. Exiturus. 
 
 Motif. Or elfe 
 Send you fome other, and fee all the dores 
 Made fafe your felfe I pray, haft, flie about it. 
 
 Maffe. You'l fpeak with none but with the Count 
 Montjurry. 
 
 Mont. With none but hee except it be the Guife. 
 
 Maffe. See even by this, there's one exception 
 more, 
 Your Grace muft be more firme in the command, 
 Or elfe fhall I as weakly execute. 
 The Guife fhall fpeak with you % 
 
 MonJ. He fhall I fay. 
 
 Maffe. And Count Mojitfurry. 
 
 Monf. I, and Count Montfurry. 
 
 Maffe. Your Grace muft pardon me. that I am 
 bold 
 To urge the cleare and full fence of your pleafure ; 
 Which when fo euer I have knowne, I hope 
 Your Grace will fay, I hit it to a haire. 
 
 Monf. You have. 
 
 Maffe. I hope fo, or I would be glad. 
 
 Monf. I pray thee get thee gone, thou art io 
 tedious 
 In the ftrickt forme of all thy fervices, 
 That I had better haue one negligent. 
 You hit my pleafure well, when UAmbois hit you, 
 Did you not, think you 1 
 
 Maffe. DAmbois ? Avhy my Lord ? 
 
 Monf I pray thee talk no more, but fhut the 
 dores. 
 Doe what I charge thee.
 
 Buffy UAmbois. 55 
 
 Alaffe. I will my Lord, and yet 
 I would be glad the wrong 1 had of D 1 Ambois 
 
 Motif. Precious ! then it is a Fate that plagues me 
 In this man's foolery, 1 may be nnirthered 
 While he (lands on protection of his folly. 
 Auant about thy charge. 
 
 Maffe. I goe my Lord. 
 I had my head broke in his faithful] fervice. 
 I had no fuit the more, nor any thanks, 
 And yet my teeth mufl ftill be hit with & Ambois. 
 D Ambois my Lord (hall know. 
 
 Monf. The devill and DAmbois. Exit Maffe. 
 
 How am I tortur'd with this trufty foole 1 
 Never was any curious in his place 
 To doe things juflly, but he was an Af(e : 
 We cannot finde one trufty that is witty, 
 And therefore beare their difproportion. 
 Grant thou great ftarre, and angell of my life, 
 A fure leafe of it but for fome few dayes, 
 That I may cleare my bofome of the Snake 
 I cherifht there, and I will then dene 
 All check to it but Natures, and her Altars 
 Shall crack with veffels crown'd with ev'ry liquor 
 Drawn from her higheft, and mod bloudy humors. 
 I feare him ftrangely, his advanced valour 
 Is like a fpirit rais'd without a circle, 53 
 Endangering him that ignorantly rais'd him, 
 And for whofe fury he hath learnt no limit. 
 
 Enter Maffe haflily. 
 
 Maffe. I cannot help it, what fhould I do more 1 
 As I was gathering a (it Guard to make 
 My paffage to the dores, and the dores fure, 
 
 53 I feare him strangely, 
 
 And may resemble his advanced valour 
 Vnto a fpirit, &c. — 1607.
 
 56 Buffy DAmbois. 
 
 The man of bloud is enter'd. 
 
 Monf. Rage of death, 
 If I had told the fecret, and he knew it, 
 Thus had I bin endanger'd : — My fweet heart ! 
 How now, what leap'ft thou at ? 
 
 Enter D 'Ambot's. 
 
 D'Amb. O royall obiedl. 
 
 Monf. Thou dream'ft awake : Obiecl. in th' emptie 
 aire ? 
 
 D'A?nb. Worthie the browes of Titan, worth his 
 chaire. 
 
 Monf. Pray thee what mean'ft thou ? 
 
 D'Amb. See you not a Croune 
 Empale the forehead of the great King Monfieur ? 
 
 Monf. O fie vpon thee. 
 
 D'Amb. Sir, that is the Subiect 
 Of all thefe your retir'd and fole difcourfes. 
 
 Monf. Wilt thou not leaue that wrongfull fuppo- 
 fition ? 
 
 D'Amb. 54, Why wrongfull 1 to fuppofe the doubtleffe 
 right 
 To the fucceffion worth the thinking on. 
 
 Monf Well, leave thefe jefts, how I am over-joyed 
 With thy wifh'd presence, and how fit thou com'ft, 
 For of mine honour I was fending for thee. 
 
 DAmb. To what end 1 
 
 Monf. Onely for thy company, 
 Which I have flill in thought, but that's no payment 
 On thy part made with perfonall appearance. 
 Thy abfence fo long fuffered oftentimes 
 Put me in fome little doubt thou do'ft not loue me 
 
 54 The ten lines which follow were added in 1641 : in the 
 original edition Monsieur at once continues : 
 
 "This ftill hath made me doubt thou doft not loue me, 
 Wilt thou doe one thing for me then fyncerelie ?" 

 
 J h iffy D 1 Ambois. 57 
 
 Wilt thou doc one thing therefore now Gncerely ? 
 
 U Amb. I anything, but killing of the King. 
 
 Monf. Still in that difcord, and ill taken note 1 ? 
 How mod unfeafonable thou played the Cucko, 
 In this thy fall of friendship? 
 
 D'Amb. Then doe not doubt, 
 That there is any act within my nerves, 
 But killing of the King that is not yours. 
 
 Monf. I will not then ; to prove which by my louc 
 Shewne to thy vertues, and by all fruits elfe 
 Already fprung from that dill flouri filing tree, 
 With whatsoever may hereafter fpring, 54 
 I charge thee vtter (euen with all the freedome 
 Both of thy noble nature and thy friendfhip) 
 The full and plaine date of me in thy thoughts. 
 
 D'Amb. What, vtter plainly what I thinke of you ? 
 
 Monf. Plaine as truth. 
 
 D'Amb. Why this fwims quite againd the dreame 
 of greatneffe : 
 Great men would rather heare their flatteries, 
 And if they be not made fooles, are not wife. 
 
 Monf. I am no fuch great foole, and therefore 
 charge thee 
 Euen from the roote of thy free heart, difplay mee. 
 
 DAmb. Since you affect in fuch ferious termes, 
 If your felfe fird will tell me what you thinke 
 As freely and as heartily of mee, 
 He be as open in my thoughts of you. 
 
 Monf. A bargaine of mine honour ; and make this, 
 That prooue wee in our full diffedlion 
 Neuer fo foule, Hue dill the founder friends. 
 
 55 D'Amb. Come, doe not doubt me and command me all 
 things. 
 
 Monf. I will not then, and now by all my loue 
 Shewne to thy vertues, and by all fruits elfe 
 Aireadie fprung from that affection, 
 I charge thee, & o — 1607.
 
 85 Buffy UAmbois. 
 
 D'Amb. What elfe Sir? come pay me home, ile 
 bide it bravely. 66 
 
 Monf. I will fweare. I thinke thee then a man, 
 That dares as much as a wilde horfe or Tyger ; 
 As headftrong and as bloodie ; and to feede 
 The rauenous wolfe of thy mofl Caniball valour, 
 (Rather than not employ it) thou would'fl turne 
 Hackfter to any whore, flaue to a lew, 
 Or Englifh vfurer, to force poffeffions, 
 And cut mens throates of morgaged eftates ; 
 Or thou would'ft tire thee like a Tinkers ftrumpet, 
 And murther market folkes, quarrell with fheepe, 
 And runne as mad as A iax ; feme a Butcher, 
 Doe any thing but killing of the King : 
 That in thy valour th'art like other naturals, 
 That haue ftrange gifts in nature, but no foule 
 Diffus'd quite through, to make them of a peece, 
 But ftoppe at humours, that are more abfurd, 
 Childifh and villanous than that hackfter, whore, 
 Slaue, cut-throat, Tinkers bitch, compar'd before : 
 And in thofe humours would'ft enuie, betray, 
 Slander, blafpheme, change each houre a religion ; 
 Doe any thing, but killing of the King ; 
 That in thy valour (which is ftill the dunghill, 
 To which hath reference all filth in thy houfe) 57 
 Th'art more ridiculous and vaine-glorious 
 Than any Mountibancke ; and impudent 
 Than any painted bawde ; which, not to footh 
 And glorifie thee like a Iupiter Hammon, 
 Thou eat'ft thy heart in vineger ; and thy gall 
 Turns all thy blood to poifon, which is caufe 
 Of that Tode-poole that Hands in thy complexion ; 
 And makes thee (with a cold nnd earthie moifture, 
 Which is the damme of putrifaclion, 
 
 56 come begin, and speake me fimply. — 1607. 
 
 57 That in that valour (which is ftill my dunghill, 
 To which I carrie all filth in thy houfe). 1607.
 
 Bnffy D'Amdois. 59 
 
 As plague to thy damn'd pride) rot as thou liu'ft ; 
 To Rudy calumnies and treacheries ; 
 To thy friends llaughters, like a Scrich-owle ling, 
 And to all mifchiefs, but to kill the King. 
 
 D 'Amb. So : Haue you faid ? 
 
 Monf. How thinkeft thou % Doe I flatter ? 
 Speake I not like a truftie friend to thee ? 
 
 DAmb. That euer any man was bleft withall ; 
 So heere's for mee. I thinke you are (at worft) 
 No diuell, fince y'are like to be no king; 
 Of which, with any friend of yours He lay 
 This poore Stilladoe heere, gainft all the ftarres, 
 I, and gainft all your treacheries, which are more ; 
 That you did neuer good, but to doe ill ; 
 But ill of all forts, free and for it felfe : 
 That (like a murthering peece, making lanes in armies 
 The firft man of a ranke, the whole ranke falling) 
 If you haue wrong'd one man, you are fo farre 
 From making him amends, that all his race, 
 Friends and affociates fall into your chace : 
 That y'are for penuries the verie prince 
 Of all intelligencers ; and your voice 
 Is like an Eafterne winde, that where it flies, 
 Knits nets of Catterpillars, with which you catch 
 The prime of all the fruits the kingdome yeeldes. 
 That your politicall head is the curft fount 
 Of all the violence, rapine, crueltie, 
 Tyrannie & Atheifme flowing through the realme. 
 That y'aue a tongue fo fcandalous, twill cut 
 A perfect Cryftall ; and a breath that will 
 Kill to that wall a fpider ; you will Left 
 With God, and your foule to the diuell tender 
 For luft ; kiffe horror, and with death engender. 
 That your foule bodie is a Lernean fenne 
 Of all the maladies breeding in all men. 
 That you are vtterlie without a foule : 
 And (for your life) the thred of that was fpunne, 
 When Clolho Qept, and let her breathing rocke 
 Fall in the durt ; and Laclufis flill drawes it,
 
 
 60 Buffy DAmbois. 
 
 Dipping her twilling fingers in a boule 
 Defil'd, and croun'd with vertues forced foule. 
 And laftly (which I muft for Gratitude 
 Euer remember) That of all my height 
 And deareft life, you are the onlie fpring, 
 Only in royall hope to kill the king. 
 
 Monf. Why now I fee thou lou'ft mee, come to 
 the banquet. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Finis A Fins tertij. 
 
 A6tus Ouarti Scena Prima. 
 
 Henry, Monfieur with a Letter, Guife, Montfwry, 
 Buffy, Elynor, Tamyra, Bemipre, Pero, Charlotte, 
 Anable, Pyrha, with foure Pages. 
 
 Henr. 
 
 LAdies, ye haue not done our banquet 
 right, 
 
 Nor lookt vpon it with thofe cheerefull raies 
 That lately turnd your breaths to flouds of gold ; 
 Your looks, me thinks, are not drawne out with 
 
 thoughts, 
 So cleere and free as heeretofore, but foule 
 As if the thicke complexions of men 
 Gouernd within them. 
 
 Buff. Tis not like my Lord 
 That men in women rule ; but contrary, 
 For as the Moone (of all things God created)
 
 Bujffy D's I mbois. < , \ 
 
 Not only is the mod appropriate image 
 
 Or glaffe to fhew them how they wax and wane, 
 
 But in her height and motion, Likewife beares 
 
 Imperial] influences that command 
 
 In all their powers, and make them wax and wane ; 
 
 So women, that (of all things made of nothing) 
 
 Are the moft perfect Idols of the Moone 5S 
 
 (Or ftill-vnweand fweet Moon-calues with white faces) 
 
 Not only are paternes of change to men : 
 
 But as the tender Moon-fhine of their beauties 
 
 Cleeres, or is cloudy, make men glad or fad, 
 
 So then they rule in men, not men in them. 
 
 Motif. But heere the Moones are chang'd (as the 
 King notes) 
 And either men rule in them, or fome power 
 Beyond their voluntary faculty : 59 
 For nothing can recouer their loft faces. 
 Montfur. None can be alwaies one : our griefes 
 and ioies 
 Hold feuerall fcepters in vs, and haue times 
 For their divided empires : 60 which griefe now, in them 
 Doth proue as proper to his diadem. 
 
 DAtnb. And grief's a naturall fickneffe of the 
 bloud, 
 That time to part asks, as his comming had ; 
 Onely Height fooles grieu'd, fuddenly are glad ; 
 A man may fay t'a dead man, be reuiu'd, 
 As well as to one forrowfull, be not grieu'd. 
 And therefore (Princely miftreffe) in all warres 
 Againft thefe bafe foes that infult on weakneffe, 
 And Mill fight houf'd, behinde the fhielde of Nature, 
 Of priviledge law, 61 treachery, or beaftly need, 
 
 58 Are the moft perfect images of the Moone. 1607. 
 
 59 Beyond their voluntary motions. 1C07. 
 
 60 For their predominance. 1607. 
 
 61 Of tyrannous law. 1607.
 
 62 Buffy jyAmbois. 
 
 Your feruant cannot helpe ; authority heere 
 Goes with corruption ; fomething like fome States, 
 That back woorft men : valure to them muft creepe 
 That (to themfelues left) would feare him afleepe. 
 
 Duches. Ye all take that for granted, that doth reft 
 Yet to be prou'd ; we all are as we were 
 As merry, and as free in thought as euer. 
 
 Gut. And why then can ye not difclofe your 
 thoughts 1 
 
 Tamy. Me thinks the man hath anfwerd for vs 
 well. 
 
 Monf The man ? why Madam d'ee not know his 
 name? 
 
 Tamy. Man is a name of honour for a King : 
 Additions take away from each chiefe thing : 
 The Schoole of Modefty, not to learne, learnes Dames: 
 They fit in high formes there, that know mens names. 
 
 Monf. Harke fweet heart, hee'rs a bar fet to your 
 valour : 
 It cannot enter heere : no, not to notice 
 Of what your name is ; your great Eagles beake 
 (Should you flie at her) had as good encounter 
 An Albion cliffe, as her more craggy liuer. 
 
 Buc. He not attempt her Sir ; her fight and name 
 (By which I only know her) doth deter me. 
 
 Henr. So do they all men elfe. 
 
 Motif. You would fay fo 
 If you knew all. 
 
 Tamy. Knew all my Lord % what meane you % 
 
 Monf. All that I know Madam. 
 
 Tamy. That you know 1 fpeake it. 
 
 Monf. No tis enough I feele it. 
 
 Henr. But me thinkes 
 Her Courtfhip is more pure than heeretofore : 
 True Courtiers mould be modeft, but not nice : 
 Bold, but not impudent : pleafure loue, not vice. 
 
 Motif. Sweet heart : come hither, what if one 
 mould make 
 Horns at Mountfurry ? would it not ftrike him iealous 

 
 BuJJy UAmbois. 63 
 
 Through all the proofes of his chafle Ladies vertues I 
 
 D'Amb. If he be wife, not. 
 
 Motif. What ? not if I fliould name the Gardener, 
 That I would have him think hath grafted him t 
 
 D'Amb. So the large licence that your greatneffe 
 ufes 
 To jefl at all men, may be taught indeed 
 To make a difference of the grounds you play on, 
 Both in the men you fcandall, and the matter. 
 
 Monf. As how 1 as how ? 
 
 D'Amb. Perhaps led with a traine, where you may 
 have 
 Your nofe made leffe, and flit, your eyes thrufl out. 62 
 
 Monf. Peace, peace, I pray thee peace. 
 Who dares doe that 1 the brother of his King ? 
 
 Buc. Were your King brother in you : all your 
 powers 
 (Stretcht in the armes of great men and their bawds) 
 Set clofe downe by you ; all your ftormie lawes 
 Spouted with Lawyers mouths ; and gufhing bloud, 
 Like to fo many Torrents : all your glories : 
 (Making you terrible, like enchaunted flames 
 Fed with bare cockefcombes : and with crooked 
 
 hammes) 
 All your prerogatiues, your fhames and tortures ; 
 All daring heauen, and opening hell about you : 
 Were I the man, ye wrong'd fo and prouok'd : 
 (Though ne're fo much beneath you) like a box tree 
 I would (out ot the roughneffe of my root) 
 Ramme hardneffe, in my lowneffe, and like death 
 Mounted on earthquakes, I would trot through all 
 
 62 Monf, Not if I nam'd the man 
 
 With whom I would make him fufpicious 
 His wife hath armd his forehead ? 
 
 Buc. So, you might 
 Haue your great nofe made leffe indeed : and (lit 
 Your eies thruft out. 1607.
 
 46 Bujjy D'Amdozs. 
 
 Honors and horrors : thorow fowle and faire, 
 
 And from your whole ftrength toffe you into the aire. 
 
 Monf. Goe, th'art a diuell ; fuch another fpirit 
 Could not be ftild, from all th' Armenian dragons. 
 
 my Loues glory : heire to all I haue : 
 That's all I can fay, and that all I fweare. 
 If thou outliue me, as I know thou mud, 
 Or elfe hath nature no proportiond end 
 
 To her great labors : fhe hath breath'd a minde 
 Into thy entrailes, of defert to fwell 63 
 Into another great Augiiftus Ccefar : 
 Organes, and faculties fitted to her greatneffe : 
 And fhould that perifh like a common fpirit, 
 Nature's a Courtier and regards no merit. 
 
 Henr. Heer's nought but whifpering with vs : like 
 a calme 
 Before a tempeft, when the filent aire 
 Laies her foft eare clofe to the earth to hearken 
 For that fhe feares fteales on to ravifh her ; 6i 
 Some fate doth ioine our eares to heare it comming. 
 Come, my braue eagle, let's to Couert flie : 
 
 1 fee Almighty ./Ether in the fmoake 
 
 Of all his clowds defcending : and the skie 
 Hid in the dimme oftents of Tragedy. 
 
 Exit Hetir. with D'A/nb. 6° Ladies. 
 
 Guif. Now ftirre the humour, and begin the 
 
 brawle. 
 Mont. The King and D'Ambois now are growen 
 
 all one. 
 Monf. Nay, they are two my Lord. 
 Mont. How's that 1 
 Monf. No more. 
 Mont. I muft haue more my Lord. 
 
 63 fhe, hath breath'd a fpirit 
 
 Into thy entrailes, of effect to fwell. 1607. 
 
 64 For that (lie feares is comming to afflict her. 1607. 

 
 Buffy DAmbois. 65 
 
 Monf. What more than two ? 
 
 Mont. How monflrous is this ? 
 
 Monj. Why ? 
 
 7I/0///. You make me Horns. 
 
 Monf. Not I, it is a worke, without my power, 
 Married mens enfignes are not made with fingers : 
 Of diuine Fabrique they are, Not mens hands ; 
 Your wife, you know, is a meere Cynthia, 
 And fhe muft fafhion homes out of her Nature. 
 
 Mont. But doth fhe 1 dare you charge her ? fpeak 
 falfe Prince. 
 
 Monf. I muft not fpeake my Lord : but if yow'le 
 vfe 
 The learning of a nobleman, and read 
 Heer's fomething to thofe points : foft you muft pawne 
 Your honour hauing read it to returne it. 
 
 Mont. Not I, I pawne mine Honour, for a paper ? 
 
 Monf. You muft not buie it vnder. 
 
 Exeunt Guife and Monfieur. 
 
 Mont. Keepe it then, 
 And keepe fire in your bofome. 
 
 Tarn. What faies he ? 
 
 Mont. You muft make good the reft. 
 
 Tarn. How fares my Lord ? 
 Takes my Loue any thing to heart he faies ? 
 
 Mont. Come y'are a. 
 
 Tarn. What my Lord. 
 
 Mont. The plague of Herod 
 Feaft in his rotten entrailes. 
 
 Tarn. Will you wreake 
 Your angers iuft caufe giuen by him, on mee ? 
 
 Mont. By him 1 
 
 Tamy. By him my Lord, I haue admir'd 
 You could all this time be at concord with him, 
 That ftill hath plaid fuch difcords on your honour. 
 
 Mont. Perhaps tis with fome proud firing of my 
 wiues.
 
 66 Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 7am. How's that, my Lord ? 
 
 Mont. Your tongue will Mill admire, 
 Till my head be the miracle of the world. 
 
 Tarn. O woe is mee. 
 w She feemes to found. 
 
 Pero. What does your Lordfhip meane ? 
 Madam, be comforted ; my Lord but tries you. 
 Madam 1 Helpe good my Lord, are you not mou'd ? 
 Doe your fet lookes print in your words, your 
 
 thoughts % 
 Sweet Lord, cleare up thofe eyes, unbend that masking 
 
 forehead, 
 Whence is it you rufh upon her with thefe Irifh warres 
 More full of found then hurt ? but it is enough, 65 
 You haue fhot home, your words are in her heart ; 
 She has not liu'd to beare a triall now. 
 
 Mont. Looke vp my loue, and by this kiffe receiue 
 My foule amongft thy fpirits for fupplie 
 To thine, chac'd with my furie. 
 
 Tarn. O my Lord, 
 I haue too long liu'd to heare this from you. 
 
 Mont. Twas from my troubled blood, and not from 
 mee : 
 I know not how I fare ; a fudden night 
 Flowes through my entrailes, and a headlong Chaos 
 Murmurs within mee, which I muft digeft ; 
 And not drowne her in my confufions, 
 That was my hues ioy, being belt inform'd : 
 Sweet, you muft needes forgiue me, that my loue 
 (Like to a fire difdaining his fuppreffion) 
 Rag'd being difcourag'd ; my whole heart is wounded 
 When any leaft thought in you is but touch' t, 
 And fhall be till I know your former merits : 
 Your name and memorie altogether craue 
 In juft obliuion their eternall graue ; 
 
 65 Sweete Lord, cleere vp thofe eies, for fhame of Nobleffe : 
 Mercilcffe creature ; but it is enough. 1607.
 
 Bujjy D Am dais. 67 
 
 And then you muft heare from me, ther's no meanc 
 
 In any paffion I fli.ill In le for you : 
 
 Loue is a rafor cleanfing being well vs'd, 
 
 But fetcheth blood flill being the leafl abus'd : 
 
 To tell you briefly all ; The man that left mcc 
 
 When you appear'd, did turne me worfe than woman, 
 
 And flab'd me to the heart thus, with his fingers. 
 
 Tamy. O happie woman ! Comes my flaine from 
 him? 
 It is my beautie, and that innocence prooues, 
 That flew C/ijwuera, refcu'd Prfeus 
 From all the fauage beads in Peleon ; 
 And rais'd the chafle Athenian prince from Hell : 
 All fuffering with me ; they for women s lufts, 
 I for a mans ; that the Kgean ftable 
 Of his foule finne would emptie in my lappe ; 
 How his guilt fhunn'd me ? facred innocence 
 That where thou fear'ft, are dreadfull ; and his fare 
 Turn'd in flight from thee, that had thee in chace : 
 Come, bring me to him : I will tell the ferpent 
 Euen to his venom'd teeth (from whofe curft feed 00 
 A pitcht field darts vp twixt my Lord and mee) 
 That his throat lies, and he fhall curfe his fingers, 
 For being fo gouern'd by his filthie foule. 
 
 Mont. I know not, if himfelfe will vaunt t'haue 
 beene 
 The princely author of the flauifh finne, 
 Or any other ; he would haue refolu'd mee, 
 Had you not come ; not by his word, but writing, 
 Would I haue fworne to giue it him againe, 
 And pawn'd mine honour to him for a paper. 
 
 Tarn. See how he flies me flill : Tis a foule heart 
 That feares his owne hand : Good my Lord make 
 
 hafle 
 To fee the dangerous paper : Papers hold 
 Oft-times the formes, and copies of our foules, 
 And (though the world defpife them) are the prizes 
 
 66 Euen to his teeth (whence, in mine honors foile. 1607.
 
 68 Bujfjy UAmbois. 
 
 Of all our honors, make your honour then 
 A hoftage for it, and with it conferre 67 
 My neerefl woman heere, in all fhe knowes ; 
 Who (if the funne or Cerberus could haue feene 
 Anie flaine in mee) might as much as they : 
 And Pero, heere I charge thee by my loue, 
 And all proofes of it, (which I might call bounties) 
 By all that thou haft feene feeme good in mee, 
 And all the ill which thou fhouldft fpit from thee, 
 By pity of the wound, this touch hath giuen mee, 
 Not as thy Miftreffe now, but a poore woman 
 (To death giuen ouer :) rid me of my paines, 
 Powre on thy powder : cleere thy breaft of me : 
 My Lord is only heere : heere fpeake thy worft, 
 Thy beft will doe me mifchiefe ; If thou fpar'ft mee, 
 Neuer fhine good thought on thy memorie : 
 Refolue my Lord, and leaue me defperate. 
 
 Pero. My Lord 1 My Lord hath plaid a prodigals 
 part, 
 To breake his Stocke for nothing ; and an infolent, 
 To cut a Gordian when he could not loofe it : 
 What violence is this, to put true fire 
 To a falfe traine ? To blow vp long crown'd peace 
 With fudden outrage 1 and beleeue a man 
 Sworne to the fhame of women, gainft a woman, 
 Borne to their honours : but I will to him. 
 
 Tam. No, I will write (for I fhall neuer more 
 Meet with the fugitiue) where I will defie him, 
 Were he ten times the brother of my king. 
 To him my Lord, and ile to curfing him. Exeunt. 
 
 E?iter D 'Ambois and Frier. 
 
 UAmb. I am fufpitious my moft honour'd Father, 
 By fome of Monfieurs cunning paffages, 
 
 67 Be not nice 
 
 For any trifle, ieweld with your honour, 
 
 To pawne your honor ; and with it conferre, &c. 1607.
 
 BiiJJy DAmbois. 69 
 
 That his Rill ranging and contentious nofcthrils, 
 
 To fcent the haunts of mifchiefc, have fo us'd 
 
 The vicious vertue of his bufie fence, 
 
 That he trails hotly of him, and will rowze him, 
 
 Driving him all enrag'd, and foming on us, 
 
 And therefore have entreated your deepe fkill, 
 
 In the command of good aeriall fpirits, 
 
 To affume thefe Magick rites, and call up one 
 
 To know if any haue reveal'd unto him 
 
 Any thing touching my deare Love and me. 
 
 Frier. Good fonne you have amaz'd me but to 
 make 
 The leafl doubt of it, it concernes fo neerely 
 The faith and reverence of my name and order. 
 Yet will I juftifie upon my foule 
 All I have done, if any fpirit i' th earth or aire 
 Can give you the refolve, doe not defpaire. 
 
 Mufick : Tamira enters with Pero and her maid, 
 
 \r 
 
 bearing a letter. 
 
 Tarn. Away, deliuer it : O may my lines 
 
 Exit Pero. 
 (Fild with the poifon of a womans hate 
 When he mall open them) fhrinke vp his eies 
 With torturous darkeneffe, fuch as (lands in hell, 
 Stucke full of inward horrors, neuer lighted ; 
 With which are all things to be fear'd, affrighted ; 
 Father ? 
 
 Afccndit Buf/y with Como/et. 
 
 UAmb. How is it with my honour'd miftreffe ? 
 
 Tarn. O feruant help, and faue me from the gripes 
 Of fhame and infamie. Our love is knowne, 
 Your Monfieur hath a paper where is writ 
 Some fecret tokens that decipher it.
 
 
 yo Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 D'Amb. What cold dull Northern brain, what 
 foole but he 68 
 Durfl take into his Epimethean bread 
 A box of fuch plagues as the danger yeeldes, 
 Incurd in this difcouerie 1 He had better 
 Ventur'd his bread in the confuming reach 
 Of the hot furfets cad out of the cloudes, 
 Or doode the bullets that (to wreake the skie) 
 The Cyclops ramme in Ioucs artillerie. 
 
 Frier. Wee foone will take the darkeneffe from his 
 face 
 That did that deede of darkeneffe ; wee will know 
 What now the Monfieur and your husband doe ; 
 What is contain'd within the fecret paper 
 Offerd by Monfieur, and your loues euents : 
 To which ends (honour' d daughter) at your motion, 
 I haue put on thefe exorcifmg Rites, 
 And, by my power of learned holineffe 
 Vouchfaft me from aboue, I will command 
 Our refolution of a raifed fpirit. 
 
 Tamy. Good father raife him in fome beauteous 
 forme, 
 That with lead terror I may brooke his fight. 
 
 Com. Stand fure together then, what ere ye fee, 
 And dirre not, as ye tender all our liues. 
 
 He puts on his robes. 
 
 Occidentalium legionum fpiritualiwn impcrator (mag- 
 nus ille Behemoth) veni, veni, comitatus cum Afaroth 
 locotenente itiuiclo. Adiuro te per ftygis infcrutabilia 
 arcana, per ipfos irremeabiles anfraclus auerni : adeflo 6 
 Behemoth, tit cui peruia futit Magnatum fcrinia ; veni, 
 per Noclis &* tcnebrarum abdita prqfundiffima ; per 
 labentia fydera; per ipfos motus Iiorarum furtiuos, 
 Hecaiefq ; altum fdentium : Apparc in forma fpiritali, 
 luce?ite fplendida 6° amabili. Thunder. Afcendit. 
 
 68 D'Amb. What infenfate ftockc, 
 
 Or rude inanimate vapour without falhion, 
 
 Dura &c. 1607.
 
 Bujfly UAmbois. -j x 
 
 BeJi. What would the holy Frier 1 
 
 Frier. I would fee 
 What now the Monfieur and Moimtfioric doc ; 
 And fee the fecret paper that the Monfieur 
 Offer'd to Count Montfurry^ longing much 
 To know on what euents the fecret loues 
 Of thefe two honor'd perfons fhall arriue. 
 
 Beh. Why calledft thou me to this accurfed light 1 
 To thefe light purpofes 1 I am Emperor 
 Of that infcrutable darkeneffe, where are hid 
 All deepefl truths, and fecrets neuer feene, 
 All which I know, and command Legions 
 Of knowing fpirits that can doe more than thefe. 
 Any of this my guard that circle mee 
 In thefe blew fires, and out of whofe dim fumes 
 Vaft murmurs vfe to breake, and from their foundes 
 Articulat voices ; can doe ten parts more 
 Than open fuch Height truths, as you require. 
 
 Frier. From the laft nights black depth, I cald vp 
 one 
 Of the inferior ableft minifters, 
 And he could not refolue me ; fend one then 
 Out of thine owne command, to fetch the paper 
 That Monfieur hath to fhew to Count Montfurry. 
 
 Beh. I will : Cartophylax : thou that properly 
 Haft in thy power all papers fo inferibde : 
 Glide through all barres to it, and fetch that paper. 
 
 Car. I will. a torch rcmoucs. 
 
 Frier. Till he returnes (great prince of darkneffe) 
 Tell me, if Monfieur and the Count Montfurry 
 Are yet encounterd. 
 
 Beh. Both them and the Guife 
 Are now together. 
 
 Com. Shew vs all their perfons, 
 And reprefent the place, with all their aclions. 
 
 Beh. The fpirit will ftrait returne : and then lie 
 fhew thee : 
 See he is come ; why broughtft thou not the paper 1
 
 72 Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 Cart. He hath preuented me, and got a fpirit 
 Raifd by another, great in our command 
 To take the guard of it before I came. 
 
 Beh. This is your flackneffe, not t'inuoke our 
 powers 
 When firft your acts fet foorth to their effects ; 
 Yet fhall you fee it, and themfelues : behold 
 They come heere & the Earle now holds the paper. 
 
 v Enter Monf. Gui. Mont, with a paper. 
 
 UAmb. May we not heare them 1 
 Monf. No, be ftill and fee. 
 UAmb. I will go fetch the paper. 
 Frier. Do not ftir : 
 Ther's too much diftance and too many lockes 
 Twixt you & them : how neere fo e're they feeme) 
 For any man to interrupt their fecrets. 
 
 Tarn. O honord fpirit : flie into the fancie 
 Of my offended Lord : and do not let him 
 Beleeue what there the wicked man hath written. 
 
 Pre. Perfwafion hath already enterd him 
 Beyond reflection ; peace till their departure. 
 
 Monf. There is a glaffe of inke where you 
 may fee 
 How to make ready black fac'd Tragedy : 
 You now difcerne, I hope through all her paintings, 
 Her gafping wrinkles, and fames fepulchres. 
 
 Gui. Thinke you he faines my Lord 1 what hold 
 you now ? 
 Doe we maligne your wife : or honour you ? 
 
 Monf What ftricken dumbe 1 nay fie, Lord be not 
 danted : 
 Your cafe is common : were it ne're fo rare 
 Beare it as rarely : now to laugh were manly : 
 A woorthy man fhould imitate the weather 
 That fings in tempefts : and being cleere is filent. 
 Gui. Goe home my Lord, and force your wife to 
 write
 
 Buffy D Ambois. 73 
 
 Such louing lines to D'Ambois as fhe vfdc 
 When (he defir'd his prefence. 
 
 Monf. Doe my Lord, 
 And make her name her conceald meffenger : 
 That clofe and moil inennerable Pander 
 That paffeth all our iludies to exquire : 
 By whom conuay the letter to her loue : 
 And fo you fhall be fure to haue him come 
 Within the thirfly reach of your reuenge ; 
 Before which, lodge an ambufh in her chamber 
 Behind the arras of your flouted men 
 All clofe and foundly armd : and let them (hare 
 A fpirit amongfl them, that would ferue a thoufand. 
 
 Enter Pero with a Letter. 
 
 Gui. Yet flay a little : fee fhe fends for you. 
 
 Monf. Poore, louing lady, fhe'le make all good yet, 
 Thinke you not fo my Lord? 
 
 Exit Mont, and Jlabs Pero. 
 
 Gui. Ahlas poore foule. 
 
 Mo7if. That was cruelly done y'faith. 
 
 Per. T'was nobly done. 
 And I forgiue his Lordfhip from my foule. 
 
 Monf. Then much good doo't thee Pero : hafl a 
 letter 1 
 
 Per. I hope it rather be a bitter volume 
 Of worthy curfes for your periury. 
 
 Gui. To you my Lord. ' 
 
 Monf. To me 1 now out vpon her. 
 
 Gui. Let me fee my Lord. 
 
 Monf. You fhall prefently : how fares my Pero ? 
 
 Enter fervant. 
 
 Who's there 1 take in this maid, fh'as caught a clap : 
 And fetch my furgeon to her ; come my Lord, 
 We'l now perufe our letter. Exeunt Monj. Guise. 
 
 Per. Furies rife Lead her out. 
 
 Out of the blacke lines, and torment his foule.
 
 74 Buffy DAmbois. 
 
 Tarn. Hath my Lord flaine my woman 1 
 
 Beh. No, fhe Hues. 
 
 Com. What (hall become of vs % 
 
 Beh. All I can fay 
 Being cald thus late, is briefe, and darkly this : 
 If UAmbois miflreffe, flay not her white hand 
 In his forfl bloud he fhall remaine vntoucht : 
 So father, (hall your felfe, but by your felfe : 
 To make this Augurie plainer : when the voice 
 Of D 'Ambois fhall inuoke me I will rife 
 Shining in greater light : and fhew him all 
 That will betide ye all ; meane time be wife, 
 And curb his valour, with your policies 69 
 
 Defcendit cumfuis. 
 
 Buc. Will he appeare to me, when I inuoke him 1 
 
 Frier. He will : be fure. 
 
 Btiff. It mud be fhortly then : 
 For his darke words haue tied my thoughts on knots 
 Till he diffolue, and free them. 
 
 Tarn. In meane time 
 Deare feruant, till your powerfull voice reuoke him, 
 Be fure to vfe the policy he aduif'd : 
 Left fury in your too quicke knowledge taken 
 Of our abufe, and your defence of me 
 Accufe me more than any enemy : 
 And Father, you mufl on my Lord impofe 
 Your holieft charges, and the churches power 
 To temper his hot fpirit and difperfe 
 The cruelty and the bloud, I know his hand 
 Will fliowre vpon our heads, if you put not 
 Your finger to the florme, and hold it vp, 
 As my deare feruant heere mufl do with Monfieur. 
 
 Buf. He footh his plots : and flrow my hate with 
 fmiles 
 Till all at once the clofe mines of my heart 
 Rife at full date, and rufh into his bloud : 
 
 69 And let him curb his rage, with policy. 1607.
 
 Buffy HAmbois. 75 
 
 He bind his arme in filkc, and rub his flcfh, 
 
 To make the vaine fwell, that his foule may gufh 
 
 Into fome kennell, where it longs to lie, 
 
 And policy fhalbe flanckt with policy. 
 
 Yet fliall the feeling center where wee meet 
 
 Grone with the wait of my approaching feet : 
 
 He make th'infpired threfhals of his Court 
 
 Sweat with the weather of my horrid Reps 
 
 Before I enter : yet will I appeare 
 
 Like calme fecurity, before a mine ; 
 
 A politician, muft like lightening melt 
 
 The very marrow, and not taint the skin : 
 
 His waies muft not be feene : the fuperficies 
 
 Of the greene center muft not tafte his feet : 
 
 When hell is plowd vp with his wounding tracts : 
 
 And all his haruefl reap't by hellifh facts. Exeunt. 
 
 Finis Alius Quarti. 
 
 A6lus Quinti Scena Prima 
 
 Montfurry bare, vnbract, pulling Taniyra in by the 
 haire, Frier. One bearing light, a JlandiJJi and 
 paper, which jets a Table. 
 
 Tarn. f~\ Help me Father. 
 
 V_y Frier. Impious Earle forbeare. 
 Take violent hand from her, or by mine order 
 The King fliall force thee. 
 
 Montf. Tis not violent ; come you not willingly ? 
 
 Tamy. Yes good my Lord. 
 
 Frier. My Lord remember that your foule muft 
 feeke 
 Her peace, as well as your reuengefull bloud : 
 You euer, to this houre haue prou'd your felfe 
 A noble, zealous, and obedient fonne, 
 T'our holy mother : be not an apoftate : 
 Your wiues offence femes not, (were it the woorll 
 You can imagine, without greater proofes)
 
 J 6 Bujfy UAmbois. 
 
 To feuer your eternall bonds, and harts ; 
 Much leffe to touch her with a bloudy hand : 
 Nor is it manly (much leffe husbandly) 
 To expiate any frailty in your wife, 
 With churlifh ftrokes, or beaftly ods of ftrength : 
 The ftony birth of clowds, will touch no lawrell : 
 Nor any fleeper ; your wife is your lawrell : 
 And fweeteft fleeper ; do not touch her then 
 Be not more rude than the wild feed of vapor, 
 To her that is more gentle than that rude ; 
 In whom kind nature fufferd one offence 
 But to fet of, her other excellence. 
 
 Mont. Good father leaue vs : interrupt to more 
 The courfe I muft run for mine honour fake. 
 Relie on my loue to her, which her fault 
 Cannot extinguifh ; will fhe but difclofe 
 Who was the fecret minifter of her loue, 70 
 And through what maze he feru'd it, we are friends. 
 
 Frier. It is a damn'd worke to purfue thofe fecrets, 
 That would ope more fmne, and prooue fprings of 
 
 flaughter ; 
 Nor is't a path for Chriftian feete to tread ; 71 
 But out of all way to the health of foules, 
 A fmne impoffible to be forgiuen : 
 Which he that dares commit ; 
 
 Mont. Good father ceafe : your terrors 
 Tempt not a man diftracled ; I am apt 
 To outrages that I fhall euer rue : 
 I will not paffe the verge that boundes a Chriftian, 
 Nor breake the limits of a man nor husband. 
 
 Frier. Then God infpire you both with thoughts 
 and deedes 
 Worthie his high refpecl, and your owne foules. 
 
 Tamy. Father. Frier. I warrant thee my deareft 
 daughter 
 
 70 hatefull minifter. 1607. 
 
 71 for Chriftian feete to touch. 1607.
 
 Bnjfy D'Ambois. 77 
 
 He will not touch thee, think'fl thou him a Pagan ; 
 His honor and his foule lies for thy fafety. Exit. 
 
 Mont. Who fhall remooue the mountain from my 
 breft 
 Stand the opening furnace of my thoughts, 71 
 And fet fit outcries for a foule in hell ? 
 
 Mont, turnes a key. 
 
 For now it nothing fits my woes to fpeake, 
 
 But thunder, or to take into my throat 
 
 The trumpe of Heauen; with whofe determinate blafts 
 
 The windes fhall burft, and the devouring feas 
 
 Be drunke vp in his foundes ; that my hot woes 
 
 (Vented enough) I might conuert to vapour, 
 
 Afcending from my infamie vnfeene ; 
 
 Shorten the world, preuenting the laft breath 
 
 That kils the liuing, and regenerates death. 
 
 Tamy. My Lord, my fault (as you may cenfure it 
 With too ftrong arguments) is paft your pardon : 
 But how the circumftances may excufe mee 
 Heaven knowes, and your more temperate minde 
 
 heereafter 
 May let my penitent miferies make you know. 
 
 Mont. Heereafter 1 Tis a fuppos'd infinite, 
 That from this point will rife eternally : 
 Fame growes in going ; in the fcapes of vertue 
 Excufes damne her : They be fires in Cities 
 Enrag'd with thofe windes that leffe lights extinguifii 
 Come Syren, fing, and dafh againft my rockes 
 Thy ruffin Gallic, rig'd with quench for luft : 73 
 Sing, and put all the nets into thy voice, 
 With which thou drew'ft into thy flrumpets lappe 
 The fpawne of Venus ; and in which ye dane'd ; 
 
 72 Mont. Who fhall remooue the mountaine from my 
 
 heart, 
 Ope the feuentimes-heat furnace of my thoughts. 1607. 
 
 73 Thy ruffin Gallic, laden for thy luft. 1607.
 
 78 Buffy UAmdois. 
 
 That, in thy laps fleede, I may digge his toombe, 
 
 And quit his manhoode with a womans Height, 
 
 Who neuer is deceiu'd in her deceit. 
 
 Sing, (that is, write) and then take from mine eies 
 
 The mifts that hide the moll infcrutable Pandar 
 
 That euer lapt vp an adulterous vomit : 
 
 That I may fee the diuell, and furuiue 
 
 To be a diuell, and then learne to wiue : 
 
 That I may hang him, and then cut him downe, 
 
 Then cut him vp, and with my foules beams fearch 
 
 The crankes and cauernes of his braine, and ftudie 
 
 The errant wilderneffe of a womans face ; 
 
 Where men cannot get out, for all the Comets 
 
 That haue beene lighted at it ; though they know 
 
 That Adders lie a funning in their fmiles, 
 
 That Bafilisks drinke their poifon from their eies, 
 
 And no way there to coaft out to their hearts ; 
 
 Yet ftill they wander there, and are not ftai'd 
 
 Till they be fetter'd, nor fecure before 
 
 All cares devoure them ; nor in humane Contort 74 
 
 Till they embrace within their wiues two breafts 
 
 All Pelion and Cythseron with their beafts. 
 
 Why write you not ? 
 
 Tarn. O good my Lord forbeare 
 In wreake of great faults, 75 to engender greater, 
 And make my loues corruption generate murther. 
 
 Mont. It followes needefully as childe and parent; 
 The chaine-fhot of thy luft is yet aloft, 
 And it muft murther ; tis thine owne deare twinne : 
 No man can adde height to a womans fmne. 
 Vice neuer doth her iuft hate fo prouoke, 
 As when fhe rageth vnder vertues cloake. 
 Write : For it muft be ; by this ruthleffe fteele 
 By this impartiall torture, and the death 
 Thy tyrannies haue inuented in my entrailes, 
 
 74 All cares diftract them ; nor in human ftate. 1607. 
 
 75 In wreake of great fins. 1607.
 
 BuJJy D'Ambois. 79 
 
 To quicken life in dying, and hold vp 
 The fpirits in fainting, teaching to preferue 
 Torments in afhes, that will euer laft. 
 Speake : Will you write % 
 
 Tarn. Sweete Lord enioine my finne 
 Some other penance than what makes it worfe : 
 Hide in fome gloomie dungeon my loth'd face, 
 And let condemned murtherers let me downe 
 (Stopping their nofes) my abhorred foode. 
 Hang me in chaines, and let me eat thefe armes 
 That haue offended : Binde me face to face 
 To fome dead woman, taken from the Cart 
 Of Execution, till death and time 
 In graines of duft diffolue me ; He endure : 
 Or any torture that your wraths inuention 
 Can fright all pittie from the world withall : 
 But to betray a friend with fhew of friendfhip, 
 That is too common, for the rare reuenge 
 Your rage affedleth ; heere then are my breads, 
 Laft night your pillowes ; heere my wretched armes, 
 As late the wifhed confines of your life : 
 Now breake them as you pleafe, and all the boundes 
 Of manhoode, nobleffe, and religion. 
 
 Mont. Where all thefe haue beene broken, they 
 are kept, 
 In doing their iuflice there with any fhew 
 Of the like cruell cruelty : Thine armes haue loft 
 Their priuiledge in luft, and in their torture 
 Thus they muft pay it. Stabs her. 
 
 Tarn. O Lord. 
 
 Mont. Till thou writ' a 
 He write in wounds (my wrongs fit characters) 
 Thy right of fufferance. Write. 
 
 Tarn. O kill me, kill me : 
 Deare husband be not crueller than death : 
 You haue beheld fome Gorgon : Feele, 6 feele 
 How you are turn'd to (lone ; with my heart blood 
 Diffolue your felfe againe, or you will grow 
 Into the image of all Tyrannic
 
 80 Buffy TfAmbois. 
 
 Mont. As thou art of adulterie, I will ftill 
 Prooue thee my parallel, 76 being mofl a monfler : 
 Thus I expreffe thee yet. Stabs her againe. 
 
 Tarn. And yet I Hue. 
 
 Mont. I, for thy monftrous idoll is not done yet : 
 This toole hath wrought enough : now Torture vfe 
 
 Ent. fervants. 
 
 This other engine on th'habituate powers 
 Of her thrice damn'd and whorifh fortitude. 
 Vfe the moft madding paines in her that euer 
 Thy venoms fok'd through, making moft of death ; 
 That fhe may weigh her wrongs with them, and then 
 Stand vengeance on thy fteepeft rocke, a vidtor. 
 
 Tamy. O who is turn'd into my Lord and husband? 
 Husband 1 My Lord 1 None but my Lord and hus- 
 band ? 
 Heauen, I aske thee remiflion of my finnes, 
 Not of my paines : husband, 6 helpe me husband. 
 
 Afcendit Frier with a f word drawne. 
 
 Frier. What rape of honour and religion ? 
 O wracke of nature. Falls and dies. 
 
 Tarn. Poore man : 6 my father, 
 Father ? looke vp ; 6 let me downe my Lord, 
 And I will write. 
 
 Mont. Author of prodigies ! 
 What new flame breakes out of the firmament, 
 That turnes vp counfels neuer knowne before % 
 Now is it true, earth mooues, and heauen Hands ftill ; 
 Euen Heauen it felfe muft fee and fuffer ill : 
 The too huge bias of the world hath fwai'd 
 Her backe-part vpwards, and with that fhe braues 
 This Hemifphere, that long her mouth hath mockt : 
 
 76 Prooue thee my like in ill. 1607. 

 
 Buffy DAmbois. Si 
 
 The grauitie of her religious face, 
 
 (Now growne too waighty with her facriledgc 
 
 And here difcernd fophiflicate enough) 
 
 Turnes to th' Antipodes : and all the formes 
 
 That her illufions haue impreft in her, 
 
 Hauc eaten through her backe : and now all fee, 
 
 How flic is riueted with hypocrifie : 
 
 Was this the way ? was he the nieanc betwixt yon 1 
 
 Tarn. He was, he was, kind worthy man" he- 
 was. 
 
 Mout. Write, write a word or two. 
 
 Tamy. I will, I will. 
 He write, but with my bloud that he may fee, 
 Thefe lines come from my wounds and not from me. 
 
 Writes. 
 
 Mont. Well might he die for thought : me thinkes 
 the frame 
 And fhaken ioints of the whole world fhould crack 
 To fee her parts fo difproportionate ; 
 And that his generall beauty cannot ftand 
 Without thefe Raines in the particular man. 
 Why wander I fo farre ? heere heere was fhe 
 That was a whole world without fpot to me: 
 Though now a world of fpots ; oh what a lightning 
 Is mans delight in^women ? what a bubble, 
 He builds his ftate, fame, life on, when he marries? 
 Since ail earths pleafures are fo fhort and fmall, 
 The way t'nioy it, is t'abiure it all : 
 Enough : I muft be meflenger my felfe, 
 Difguif d like this ftrange creature : in, He after, 
 To fee what guilty light giues this caue eies, 
 And to the world fing new impieties. Exeunt. 
 
 He puts the Frier in the vault and follows, She raps 
 
 herfelf in the Arras. 
 
 77 kind innocent man. 1607.
 
 82 Buffy UAmbois. 
 
 Enter Monficur and Guije. 
 
 Monf. Now fhall we fee, that nature hath no end 
 In her great workes, refponfiue to their worths, 
 That fhe that makes fo many eies, and foules, 
 To fee and forefee, is ftarke blinde herfelfe : 
 And as illiterate men fay Latine praiers 
 By roote of heart, and daily iteration ; 78 
 Not knowing what they fay : So nature laies 
 A deale 79 of ftuffe together, and by vfe, 
 Or by the meere neceffitie of matter, 
 Ends fuch a worke, fils it, or leaues it emptie, 
 Of ftrength, or vertue, error or cleere truth ; 
 Not knowing what fhe does ; but vfually 
 Giues that which fhe calls merit 80 to a man, 
 And beliefe muft arriue him on huge riches, 
 Honour, and happinefle, that effects his mine ; 
 Even as in fhips of warr~ whofe lafts of powder 
 Are laid (men think) to make them laft, and guards, 
 When a diforder'd fparke that powder taking, 
 Blowes vp with fudden violence and horror 
 Ships that kept emptie, had fail'd long with terror. 
 
 Gui. He that obferues, but like a worldly man, 
 That which doth oft fucceede, and by th'euents 
 Values the worth of things ; will thinke it true, 
 That nature workes at randome, iuft with you : 
 But with as much proportion 81 me may make 
 
 78 The paffage continues thus in the edition of 1607 : — 
 In whofe hot zeale, a man would thinke they knew 
 What they ranne fo away with, and were fure 
 
 To haue rewards proportion'd to their labours ; 
 Yet may implore their owne confufions 
 For any thing they know, which oftentimes 
 It fals out they incurre : So nature laies, &c. 
 
 79 A maffe of ftuffe. 1607. 
 
 80 which wee call merit. 1607. 
 
 81 with as much decorum. 1607.
 
 Buffy D'Ambois. 83 
 
 A thing that from the feetc vp to the throat • 
 Hath all the wondrous fabrike man fhoukl haue, 
 And leaue it headleffe for a perfedl man, 
 As giuc a full man valour, vertue, learning, 
 Without an end more excellent than thofe, 
 On whom fhe no fuch worthie part beflowes. 
 
 Monf. Yet (hall you fee it here, here will be 
 one 
 Yoong, learned, valiant, vertuous, and full mand ; 
 One on whom Nature fpent fo rich a hand, 
 That, with an ominous eie, fhe wept to fee 
 So much confum'd her vertuous treafurie. 
 Yet, as the windes fing through a hollow tree, 
 And (fince it lets them paffe through) let's it (land 
 But a tree folid (fince it giues no way 
 To their wilde rage) they rend vp by the roote : 
 So this whole man 
 
 (That will not wind with euery crooked way- 
 Trod by the fervile world) (hall reele and fall 
 Before the frantick pufs of blinde born chance, 83 
 That pipes through emptie men, and makes them 
 
 dance : 
 Not fo the Sea raues on the Lybian fandes, 
 Tumbling her billowes in each others necke : 
 Not fo the furges of the euxine Sea 
 (Neere to the froftie Pole, where free Bootes 
 From thofe darke-deepe waues turns his radiant 
 
 Teame) 
 Swell being enrag'd, euen from their inmofl drop, 
 As Fortune fwings about the reftlefle (late 
 Of vertue, now throwne into all mens hate. 
 
 82 an abfolute man. 1607. 
 
 83 So this full creature now (hall reele and fall, 
 
 Before the franticke pufs of purblinde chance. 1607.
 
 - 
 
 *>4 Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 Enter Montfurry difguis'd with the murtherers. 
 
 Away my Lord, you are perfectly difguis'd, 
 Leave us to lodge your ambufh. 
 
 Mont/. Speed me vengeance. Exit. 
 
 Monf. Refolve my Matters, you mail meet with 
 one 
 Will try what proofes your privy coats are made on : 
 When he is entred, and you heare us ftamp, 
 Approach, and make all fure. 
 
 Murth. We will my Lord. Exeunt. 
 
 D'Ambois with two Pages with Tapers. 
 
 D'Amb. Sit vp to night, and watch, lie fpeake with 
 none 
 But the old frier, who bring to me. 
 Pa. We will Sir. Exeunt. 
 
 D'Amb. What violent heat is this ? me thinks the 
 fire 
 Of twenty liues doth on a fudden flafh 
 Through all my faculties : the aire goes high 
 In this clofe chamber, and the frighted earth 
 
 Thunder. 
 
 Trembles, and fhrinkes beneath me : the whole houfe 
 Nods with his fhaken burthen ; bleffe me, heauen. 
 
 Enter Vmb. Frier. 
 
 Vmb. Note what I want, my fonne, and be fore- 
 warnd : 
 
 there are bloudy deeds paft and to come, 
 
 1 cannot flay : a fate doth rauifh me : 
 
 He meet thee in the chamber of thy loue. Exit. 
 
 TJ'Amb. What difmall change is heere ? the good 
 old Frier 
 Is murtherd ; being made knowne to ferue my loue ; 
 And now his reftleffe fpirit wouid fore-warne me
 
 Bujfy jyAmbois. 85 
 
 Of fomc plot dangerous, and imminent. 
 
 Note what he wants? he wants his upper weed, 
 
 He wants his life, and body ; which of thefe 
 
 Should be the want he meanes, and may fupplie me 
 
 With any fit forewarning 1 this ftrange vifion, 
 
 (Together with the darke prediction 
 
 Vf'd by the Prince of darkneffe that was raifd 
 
 By this embodied fhadowe) flir my thoughts 
 
 With reminifcion of the Spirits promife ; 
 
 Who told me, that by any inuocation 
 
 I fhould haue power to raife him ; though it wanted 
 
 The powerfull words, and decent rites of art ; 
 
 Neuer had my fet braine fuch need of fpirit, 
 
 T'inftrucl and cheere it ; now then, I will claime, 
 
 Performance of his free and gentle vow, 
 
 T'appeare in greater light ; and make more plain, 
 
 His rugged oracle : I long to know 
 
 How my deare mifireffe fares ; and be informd 
 
 What hand flie now holds on the troubled bloud 
 
 Of her incenfed Lord : me thought the Spirit, 
 
 (When he had vtterd his perplext prefage) 
 
 Threw his chang'd countenance headlong into 
 
 clowdes ; 
 His forehead bent, as it would hide his face ; 
 He knockt his chin againft his darkned bread, 
 And flruck a churlifh filence through his powrs ; 
 Terror of darkneffe : O thou King of flames, 
 That with thy Mufique-footed horfe doft ftrike 
 The cleere light out of chryftall, on darke earth ; 
 And hurlft inflrufliue fire about the world : 
 Wake, wake, the drowfie and enchanted night ; 
 That fleepes with dead eies in this heauy riddle : 
 Or thou great Prince of fhades where neuer funne 
 Stickes his far-darted beames : whofe eies are made, 
 To fhine in darkneffe : w and fee euer beft 
 
 84 To feu in darkneffe. 1607.
 
 
 86 Buffy UAmbois. 
 
 Where men are blinded : 85 open now the heart 
 Of thy abafhed oracle : that for feare, 
 Of fome ill it includes, would faine lie hid, 
 And rife thou with it in thy greater light. 
 
 Thunders. Surgit Spiritus cum fuis. 
 
 Sp. Thus to obferue my vow of apparition, 
 In greater light, and explicate thy f ate : 
 I come ; and tell thee that if thou obay 
 The fummons that thy miftreffe next wil fend thee, 
 Her hand fhalbe thy death. 
 
 jyAmb. When will me fend ? 
 
 Sp. Soone as I fet againe, where late I rofe. 
 
 D'Amb. Is the old Frier flaine ? 
 
 Sp. No, and yet Hues not. 
 
 D'Amb. Died he a naturall death ? 
 
 Sp. He did. 
 
 D'Amb. Who then, 
 Will my deare miftreffe fend? 
 
 Sp. I muft not tell thee. 
 
 D'Amb. Who lets thee % 
 
 Sp. Fate. 
 
 D'Amb. Who are fates minifters ? 
 
 Sp. The Guife and Monfieur. 
 
 D'Amb. A fit paire of fheeres 
 To cut the threds of kings, and kingly fpirits, 
 And conforts fit to found forth harmony, 
 Set to the fals of kingdomes : fhall the hand 
 Of my kinde Miftreffe kill me 1 Thunders. 
 
 Sp. If thou yeeld, 
 To her next fummons, y'are faire warnd : farewell. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 DA mb. I muft fare well, how euer : though I die 
 My death commenting with his augurie ; 
 
 85 Where fenfe is blinded. 1607.
 
 Bujfy UAmbois. Sy 
 
 Should not my powers obay, when fhe commands 
 
 My motion mud be rebell to my will : 
 
 My will : to life, If when I haue obaid, 
 
 Her hand fhould fo reward me : they mufl arme it, 
 
 Binde me or force it : or I lay my life 
 
 She rather would conuert it many times 
 
 On her owne bofome, euen to many deaths : 
 
 But were there danger of fuch violence, 
 
 I know tis far from her intent to fend : 
 
 And who fhe fhould fend is as far from thought 
 
 Since he is dead, whofe only meane fhe vfde. 
 
 Knocks. 
 
 Whofe there 1 looke to the dore : and let him in, 
 Though politicke Monfieur, or the violent Guife. 
 
 Enter Montfurry like the Frier, with a letter written 
 
 in bloud. 
 
 Mont. Haile to my worthy fonne. 
 
 DAmb. O lying Spirit ! 
 To fay the Frier was dead ; He now beleeve 
 Nothing of all his forg'd predictions. 
 My kinde and honour'd Father, well reviv'd, 
 I have beene frighted with your death, and mine, 
 And told my Miftreffe hand fhould be my death 
 If I obeyed this fummons. 
 
 Montf. I beleev'd your love had bin much clearer, 
 then to give 
 Any fuch doubt a thought, for fhe is cleare, 
 And having freed her husbands jealoufie, 
 (Of which her much abus'd hand here is wit- 
 
 neffe) 
 She prayes for urgent caufe your inftant prefence. 
 
 DAmb. Why then your prince of fpirits may be 
 call'd 
 The prince of lyers.
 
 88 Buffy DAmbois. 
 
 Mont/. Holy writ fo calls him. 86 
 
 D'Amb. What % writ in bloud ? 
 
 Mont. I, tis the inke of louers. 
 
 D'Amb. tis a facred witneffe of her loue. 
 So much elixer of her bloud as this 
 Dropt in the lighteft Hame, would make her firme 
 As heat to fire : and like to all the fignes, 
 Commands the life confinde in all my vaines ; 
 O how it multiplies my bloud with fpirit, 
 And makes me apt t'encounter death and hell : 
 But, come kinde Father; you fetch me to heauen, 
 And to that end your holy weed was giuen. Exeunt. 
 
 Thunder. Intrat Vmbra Frier and dif covers 
 Tamyra. 
 
 Frier. Up with thefe ftupid thoughts, ftill loved 
 daughter, 
 And ftrike away this heartleffe trance of anguifh. 
 Be like the Sunne, and labour in eclipfes, 
 Look to the end of woes : oh can you fit 
 Muftering the horrors of your fervants flaughter 
 Before your contemplation, and not ftudy 37 
 
 86 The four fpeeches that precede are limited in the original 
 to two, which run as follows : — 
 
 D'Amb. O lying Spirit : welcome loued father 
 How fares my deareft miftreffe ? 
 
 Mont. Well, as euer 
 Being well as euer thought on by her Lord : 
 Whereof (he fends this witneffe in her hand 
 And praies, for vrgent caufe, your fpeedieft prefence. 
 
 87 The above fix lines were amplified from the following four 
 which (land thus in the original edition : — 
 
 Reuiue thofe ftupid thoughts, and fit not thus, 
 Gathering the horrors of your feruants flaughter, 
 (So vrg'd by your hand, and fo imminent) 
 Into an idle fancie ; but deuife
 
 Bujffy D' A mbois. 
 
 How to preuent it 1 watch when he fliall life, 
 And with a fudden outcrie of his murther, 
 Blow his retreat before he be reuenged. 
 
 Tamyra. O father, haue my dumbe woes wak'd 
 your death 1 
 When will our humane griefes be at their height ? 
 Man is a tree, that hath no toppe in cares ; 
 No roote in comforts ; all his power to line 
 Is giuen to no end, but t' haue power to grieue. 
 
 Frier. It is the mifery of our creation. Your true 
 friend, 
 Led by your husband, fhadowed in my weed, 
 Now enters the dark vault. 
 
 Tamyr. But my dearefl Father, 
 Why will not you appeare to him your felfe, 
 And fee that none of thefe deceits annoy him. 
 
 Frier. My power is limited, alas I cannot, 
 All that I can doe — See the Cave opens. 88 Exit. 
 
 D'A mbois at the Gulfe. 
 
 Tarn. Away, (my loue) away, thou wilt be mur- 
 ther'd. 
 
 Enter Monficur and Guife aboue. 
 
 D'Amb. Murther'd ? I know not what that Hebrew 
 
 meanes : 
 That word had ne're beene nam'd had all beene 
 
 D' A mbois. 
 Murther'd 1 By heauen he is my murtherer 
 
 88 Inftead of the three preceding fpeeches, the Friar's 
 fliailow thus fpeaks in the original : — 
 
 Vmb. Tis the iuft curfe of our abus'd creation, 
 Which wee inufl fuffer heere, ami (cape heereafter : 
 
 He hath the great mind that fubmits to all, 
 ITe fees ineuitable ; he the fmall 
 That carps at earth, and her foundation fliaker, 
 And rather than himfclfe, will mend hi> mafci
 
 
 90 Bujfy D'Amdois. 
 
 That fhewes me not a murtherer ; what fuch bugge 
 Abhorreth not the very fleepe of UAmbois 1 
 Murther'd 1 who dares giue all the roorae I fee 
 To D Ambois reach 1 or looke with any oddes 
 His fight ith' face, vpon whofe hand fits death ; 
 Whofe fword hath wings, and euerie feather pierceth ? 
 If I fcape Monfieurs Pothecarie Shops, 
 Foutir, for Guifes Shambles, 'twas ill plotted 
 They fhould have mall'd me here, 
 When I was rifing, I am up and ready. 
 Let in my politique vifitants, let them in, 
 Though entring like fo many mouing armours, 
 Fate is more ftrong than arms, and flie than treafon, 
 And I at all parts buckl'd in my Fate : 
 
 Monf. Guife. Why enter not the coward villains % 
 
 JOrAmb. Dare they not come 1 
 
 Enter nmrtherers with Frier at the other dore. 
 
 Tarn. They come. 
 
 Murth. i. Come all at once. 
 
 Frier. Backe coward murtherers, backe. 
 
 Omn. Defend vs heauen. Exeunt all but the fir/l. 
 
 i. Come ye not on 1 
 
 jyAmb. No, flaue, nor goeft thou off. 
 Stand you fo firme ? Will it not enter heere ? 
 You haue a face yet : fo in thy lifes flame 
 I burne the firft rites to my miftreffe fame. 
 
 Frier. Breath thee braue fonne againft the other 
 charge. 
 
 LrAmb. O is it true then that my fenfe firft told 
 mee ? 
 Is my kinde father dead ? 
 
 Tain. He is my loue. 
 Twas the Earle my husband in his weede that brought 
 thee. 
 
 Buff. That was a fpeeding Height, and well refern- 
 bled. 
 Where is that angrie Earle my Lord t Come forth
 
 Bujfy DAmbois. 91 
 
 And fhew your ownc face in your ownc affaire ; 
 
 Take not into your noble veines the blood 
 
 Of thele bafe villans, nor the light reports 
 
 Of bliiler'd tongues, for cleere ami weightie truth : 
 
 But me againft the world, in pure defence 
 
 Of your rare Ladie, to whofe fpotleffe name 
 
 I ftand hecre as a buhvarke, and proiect 
 
 A life to her renowne, that euer yet 
 
 Hath beene vntainted cucn in enuies eie, 
 
 And where it would protect a fanctuarie. 
 
 Braue Earle come forth, and keepe your fcandall in : 
 
 Tis not our fault if you enforce the fpot. 
 
 Nor the wreake yours if you performe it not. 
 
 Enter Mont, with all the Murtherers. 
 
 Jlfont. Cowards, a fiend or fpirit beat ye off"? 
 They are your owne faint fpirits that haue forg'd 
 The fearefull fhadowes that your eies deluded : 
 The fiend was in you ; caft him out then thus. 
 
 UAmbois hath Montfurry downe. 
 
 Jam. Fauour (my Lord) my loue, 6 fauour him. 
 
 Pistolls Jlwt within. 
 
 ZXAmb. I will not touch him : Take your life, my 
 Lord, 
 And be appeas'd : O then the coward fates 
 Haue maim'd themfelues, and euer loft their honour. 
 
 Vmb. What haue ye done flaues? irreligious Lord? 
 
 Buff. Forbeare them, father ; tis enough for me 
 That Guife and Monfieur, death and deftinie 
 Come behinde D'Ambois : is my bodie then 
 But penetrable flefh 1 And muft my minde 
 Follow my blood 1 Can my diuine part adde 
 No aide to th'earthly in extremitie ? 
 Then thefe diuines are but for forme, not fact : 
 Man is of two fweet Courtly friends compact ; 
 A miflrefle and a feruant : let my death 
 Define life nothing but a Courtiers breath.
 
 92 Buffy UAmbois. 
 
 Nothing is made of nought, of all things made, 
 Their abftracT being a dream but of a flia'de. 
 He not eomplaine to earth yet, but to heauen, 
 And (like a man) looke vp wards euen in death. 
 And if Vcfpafian thought in majeflie 
 An Emperour might die {landing, why not 1 1 
 Nay without help, in which I will exceed him ; 
 For he died fplinted with his chamber Groomes. 
 
 She offers to help him. 
 
 Proppe me, true fword, as thou haft euer done : 
 The equall thought I beare of life and death, 
 Shall make me faint on no fide ; I am vp 
 Heere like a Roman Statue ; I will ftand 
 Till death hath made me marble : 6 my fame 
 Liue in defpight of murther ; take thy wings 
 And hafte thee where the gray-eyd raorne perfumes, 
 Her Rofie chariot with Sabasan fpices, 
 Flie, where the euening from th'Iberean vales, 
 Takes on her fwarthy moulders, Heccate 
 Cround with a groue of oakes : flie where men feele 
 The curning axeltree : and thofe that fuffer 
 Beneath the chariot of the Snowy Beare : 
 And tell them all that D'Ambois now is hailing 
 To the eternall dwellers ; that a thunder 
 Of all their fighes together (for their frailties 
 Beheld in me) may quit my worthleffe fall 
 With a fit volley for my funerall. 
 Vmb. Forgiue thy murtherers. 
 BuJ/. I forgiue them all : 
 And you my Lord, their fautor ; for true figne 
 Of which vnfain'd remiffion, take my fword ; 
 Take it, and only giue it motion, 
 And it fhall finde the way to viclorie 
 By his owne brightneffe, and th'inherent valour 
 My fight hath flill'd into't, with charmes of fpirit. 
 Now let me pray you, that my weighty bloud 
 Laid in one skale of your impertiall fplene, 
 May fway the forfeit of my worthy loue
 
 Buffy D'Ambois. 93 
 
 Waid in the other : and be reconcilde 
 With all forgiueneffe to your matchleffe wife. 
 
 Tarn. Forgiue thou me dearc feruant, and this hand 
 That lead thy life to this vnworthy ^m\, 
 Forgiue it, for the blond with which tis ftaind, 
 In which I writ the fummons of thy death : 
 The forced fummons, by this bleeding wound, 
 By this heere in my bofome : and by this 
 That makes me hold vp both my hands embrewd 
 For thy deare pardon. 
 
 Buf. O, my heart is broken 
 Fate, nor thefe murtherers, Monfieur, nor the Guife. 
 Haue any glorie in my death, but this : 
 This killing fpeclacle : this prodigie : 
 My funne is turnd to blood in whofe red beams 
 Pindus and Offa (hid in drifts of fnow 
 Laid on my heart and liuer; from their vains) 
 Melt like two hungrie torrents : eating rockes 
 Into the Ocean of all humane life, 
 And make it bitter, only with my bloud ; 
 O fraile condition offtrength, valour; vertue, 
 In me (life warning fire vpon the top 
 Of fome fleepe Beacon, on a deeper hill) 
 Made to expreffe it : like a falling ftarre 
 Silently glanc't, that like a thunderbolt, 
 Lookt to haue flucke and fliooke the firmament. 
 
 Moritur. 
 
 Frier. My terrors are ftrook inward, and no more 
 My pennance will allow they fhall enforce 
 Earthly afflictions but vpon my felfe :" 
 Farewell braue reliques of a compleat man : 
 Looke vp and fee thy fpirit made a ftar, 
 loine flames with Hercules : and when thou fetfl 
 Thy radiant forhead in the firmament, 
 
 89 The above three lines arc omitted in the edition of 1641.
 
 94 Buffy UAmbois. 
 
 Make the vaft chryftall, cracke with thy receit, 9 " 
 Spread to a world of fire ; and th'aged skie, 
 Chere with new fparkes of old humanity. 
 
 Son of the earth, whom my vnrefted foule, 
 Rues t'haue begotten in the faith of heauen ; 
 (Since thy reuengefull Spirit hath reiec~led 
 The charitie it commands, and the remiffion 
 To ferue and worfhip, the blind rage of bloud) 91 
 Affay to gratulate and pacifie, 
 The foule fled from this worthy by performing 
 The Chriftian reconcilement he befought 
 Betwixt thee and thy Lady, let her wounds 
 Manlefly digd in her, be eafd and cur'd 
 With blame of thine owne teares : or be affur'd 
 Neuer to reft free from my haunt and horror. 
 
 Mont. See how (he merits this : (till fitting by 
 And mourning his fall, more than her owne fault. 
 
 Vmb. Remoue, deare daughter, and content thy 
 husband : 
 So piety wils thee, and thy feruants peace. 
 
 Tamy. O wretched piety, that art fo diflracl 
 In thine owne conftancy ; and in thy right 
 Muft be vnrighteous : if I right my friend 
 I wrong my husband ; if his wrong I fhunne, 
 The duty of my friend I leaue vndone ; 
 111 plays on both fides ; heere and there, it rifeth ; 
 No place : no good fo good, but ill comprifeth ; 
 My foule more fcruple breeds, than my bloud, finne, 
 Vertue impofeth more than any ftepdame : 92 
 O had I neuer married but for forme, 
 Neuer vowd faith but purpofd to deceiue : 
 Neuer made confcience of any finne, 
 But clok't it priuately and made it common : 
 Nor neuer honord beene, in blood, or mind, 
 
 90 Make the vaft continent cracke. 1607. 
 
 91 The above three lines are omitted in the edition of 1641, 
 
 92 The above two lines are not in the edition of 1641.
 
 Buffy DAmbois. 95 
 
 I tappy had T beene then, as others are 
 
 Of the like licence ; I had then beene honnnl : 
 
 Liu'd without enuy : ( uflome had benumbd 
 
 All fenfe of fcruple, and all note of frailty : 
 
 My fame had beene vntoucht, my heart vnhroken : 
 
 But (fhunning all) I ftrike on .ill offen< . 
 
 husband ? deare friend ? O my confeience ? 
 Monf. Come let's away, my fenfes are not proofe 
 
 Againfl thofe plaints. Exeunt Guife, Monf. D'A mbois 
 
 is bortic off. 
 
 Mont. I muft not yeeld to pity nor to loue 
 So feruile and fo traiterous : ceafe my bloud 
 To wraftle with my honour, fame and iudgement : 
 Away, forfake my houfe, forbeare complaints 
 Where thou hall bred them : heere all things full, 
 Of their owne fhame and forrow, leaue my houfe. 
 
 Tatn. Sweet Lord forgiue me, and I will be gone, 
 And till thefe wounds, that neuer balme lhall clofe 
 Till death hath enterd at them (fo I loue them 
 (Being opened by your hands) by death be cur'd 
 
 1 neuer more will grieue you with my fight : 
 Neuer endure that any roofe flia.ll part 
 
 Mine eies and heauen : but to the open deferts 
 (Like to hunted Tygres) I will flie : 
 Eating my heart, fhunning the fleps of men, 
 And looke on no fide till I be arriu'd. 
 
 Mont. I do forgiue thee, and vpon my knees 
 With hands (held vp to heauen) wifh that mine honor 
 Would fuffer reconcilement to my loue : 
 But fince it will not, honor, neuer ferue 
 My Loue with flourifhing obiecl. till it fterue : 
 And as this Taper, though it vpwards looke, 
 Downwards mull needs confume, fo let our loue ; 
 As hauing loft his hony, the fweet tafte 
 Runs into fauor, and will needs retaine 
 A fpice of his firft parents, till (like life) 
 It fees and dies ; fo let our loue : and lafl.lv. 
 As when the flame is fufferd to looke vp 
 It keepes his lufler : but, being thus turnd downe
 
 g6 Buffy LfAmbois. 
 
 (His naturall courfe of vfefull light inuerted) 
 His owne ftuffe puts it out : fo let our loue, 
 Now turne from me, as heere I turne from thee, 
 And may both points of heauens ftrait axeltree 
 Conioine in one, before thy felfe and me. 
 
 Exeunt feveratty. 
 
 Finis Aclus Quinti & vltimi. 
 
 Epilogue. 
 
 JJ7'Ith many hands you have feene D'Ambois 
 
 " * flaine, 
 
 Yet by your grace he may revive agabie, 
 
 And every day grow Jlronger in his skill 
 
 To pleafe, as we prefume he is in will. 
 
 The bejl defer -ving Aclors of the time 
 
 Had their af cents ; and by degrees did clime 
 
 To their full height, a place to fludie due 
 
 To make hint tread in their path lies in you ; 
 
 Heile not forget his Makers ; but flill prove 
 
 His thankfulneffe as you encreafe your love. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 THE 
 
 REVENCxE 
 
 OF 
 
 BuJJy D" Ambois. 
 
 A 
 
 T R A G E D I E. 
 
 As it hath beene often prejented at the 
 priuatc Play-houfc in the White-Fryers. 
 
 Written 
 By George Chapman, Gentleman. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed by T. S. and are to be folde by Iohn Helme, 
 
 at his Shop in S. Dunflones Church-yard, 
 
 in Flcdjlrcct. i 6 i 3.
 
 
 TOTHERIGHT 
 
 VERTVOVS, AND 
 
 truely Noble Knight, S r 
 
 Thomas Howard, &c. 
 
 o/r, 
 
 ^AAA^K?I nce VVorkes of this krnde 
 "^r ^*~*1 sr haue beene lately eftee- 
 
 med worthy the Patro- 
 nage of fome of our wor- 
 Ip, thiefr. Nobles, I haue made 
 
 ^v^v'v^ no ^ ou ^ t to P rej ^ erre tn * s 
 of mine to your vndoubted Vertue, and ex- 
 ceeding true NobleiTe: as contayning mat- 
 ter no lefle deferuing your reading, and ex- 
 citation to Heroycall life, then any fiich 
 late Dedication. Nor haue the greateft Prin- 
 ces of Italie,andother Countries, conceiued 
 it any leaft diminution to their grcatneiTe,
 
 The Epistle 
 
 to haue their Names wing'd withthefeTra- 
 gicke Plumes, and difperft by way of Pa- 
 tronage, through the moft Noble Notices 
 of Europe. 
 
 Howfbeuerthereforein theScasnicall pre- 
 fentation, it might meete with fome malig- 
 ners, yet confidering, euen therein, it pair, 
 with approbation of more worthy iudge- 
 ments; the Ballance of their fide (efpeci- 
 ally being held by your impartiall hand) I 
 hope will to no graine abide the out-weigh- 
 ing. And for the autenticall truth of eyther 
 perfon or action, who (worth the respect- 
 ing) will expect it in a Poeme, whofe fub- 
 iect is not truth, but things like truth ? P oore 
 enuious foules they are that cauill at truths 
 want in thefe naturall fictions: materiall in- 
 struction, elegant an d fen ten tious excitation 
 toVertue, and deflection from her contrary; 
 being the foule, lims, and limits of an auten- 
 ticall Tragedie. But whatfoeuer merit of 
 your full countenance and fauour fuffers 
 defect in this, I mail foone fupply with 
 fome other of more generall account : 
 wherein your right vertuous Name made
 
 Dedicatorie. 
 
 famous and preferued to pofteritie, your 
 future comfort and honour in your prefent 
 acceptation, and loue of all vertuous and 
 diuine expreffion ; may be fo much pail 
 others of your Rancke encreaft, as they are 
 fhortofyourIudiciallIngenuitie,intheirdue 
 eftimation. 
 
 For, howfoeuer thofe Ignoble and fowre- 
 brow'd Worldlings are carelefle of what- 
 foeuer future, or prefent opinion fpreads of 
 them ; yet (with the moft. diuine Philo- 
 fopher, if Scripture did not confirme it) I 
 make it matter of my Faith; that we truely 
 retaine an intellectuall feeling of Good or 
 Bad after this life; proportionably anfwera- 
 ble to the loue or neglect we beare here to 
 all Vertue, and truely-humane Inftruction: 
 Inwhofe fauour and honour I wifh you moft 
 eminent ; And reft euer. 
 
 Your true Vertices 
 moft true obferuer, 
 Geo. Chap wan.
 
 The A£tors names. 
 
 HEnry, the King. 
 Monfieur, his Brother. 
 Guife. D. 
 Renel, a Marqueffe. 
 Mont fureau, an Earle. 
 Baligny, Lord Lieutenant. 
 Clermont, D" Ambois. 
 Maillard. \ 
 Challon. |- Captaines 
 Aumal. J 
 Efpcrnone. 
 
 Soiffone. 
 Perricot. 
 The Guard. 
 Souldiers. 
 Seruanfs. 
 
 f A^. 
 
 Monfieur. 
 The ghofl of-j (??/;>. 
 
 j Card. Guife. 
 [ Shattilion. 
 
 Countefie of Cambray. 
 Tamyra, wife to Mont fureau. 
 Charlotte, wife to Baligny. 
 Rioua, a Seruant.
 
 KiJdz? 
 
 ZD CcJ'CEJ^jL?" t? "CtXA-^viTTD"'^ 
 
 THE REVENGE 
 
 OF 
 
 Bujfy LP Ambois . 
 
 A 
 
 T R A G E D I E. 
 
 A£his primi Selena prima. 
 
 Enter Baligny, Rend. 
 
 Balig)iy. 
 ^&&&&£0 what will this declining Kingdome 
 = %. turne 
 ^ Swindging in euery licenfe, as in this 
 |> Stupide permiffion of braue D' Ambois 
 r> Murdier ? 
 0<P^ " ""^ Murther made paralell with Law ? 
 
 Murther vs'd 
 To ferue the Kingdome, giuen by fute to men 
 For their advancement? fuffered fcarcrow-like 
 To fright adulterie I what will policie 
 At length bring vnder his capacitie 1
 
 1 04 The Reuenge of BuJJy HA mbois. 
 
 Rene. All things : for as when the high births of 
 
 Kings 
 Deliuerances, and Coronations, 
 We celebrate with all the Cities Bels 
 (Iangling together in vntun'd confufion :) 
 All order'd Clockes are tyed vp : fo when Glory, 
 Flatterie, and fmooth applaufes of things ill, 
 Vphold th'inordinate fwindge of downe-right power, 
 Iuftice, and truth, that tell the bounded vfe, 
 Vertuous, and well diftinguifht formes of Time, 
 Are gag'd and tongue-tide, but wee haue obferu'd 
 Rule in more regular motion : things mofl lawfull 
 Were once mod royall, Kings fought common good 
 Mens manly liberties, though ne'er fo meane, 
 And had their owne fwindge fo : more free, and more, 
 But when pride enter'd them, and Rule by power, 
 All browes that fmil'd beneath them, frown'd ; hearts 
 
 grieu'd, 
 By imitation ; vertue quite was vanifht, 
 And all men ftudi'd felfe-loue, fraud, and vice, 
 Then no man could be good but he was punifht : 
 Tyrants being ftill more fearefull of the good 
 Then of the bad ; their fubiecls vertues euer 
 Manag'd with curbs, and dangers, and efleem'd 
 As fhadowes, and detractions to their owne. 
 
 Bal. Now all is peace, no danger : now what 
 
 followes ? 
 Idleneffe ruils vs ; fince no vertuous labour 
 Ends ought rewarded : Eafe, Securitie 
 Now all the Palme weares, wee made warre before 
 So to preuent warre, men with giuing gifts 
 More then receiuing, made our Countrey ftrong ; 
 Our matchleffe race of Souldiers then would fpend 
 In publike warres, not priuate brawles, their fpirits ; 
 In daring Enemies, arm'd with meaneft armes ; 
 Not courting ftrumpets, and confuming birth-rights 
 In Apifhneffe, and enuy of attire. 
 No labour then was harfh, no way fo deepe, 
 No rocke fo fleepe, but if a Bird could fcale it,
 
 llic Reuenge of ]hi[/y H Aml>ois. 105 
 
 Vp would our youth flic to. A Foe in armes 
 Stirr'd vp a much more lufl of his encounter, 
 Then of a Miflreffe neuer fo be-painted : 
 Ambition then, was onely fcaling walles ; 
 And ouer-topping turrets : Fame was wealth ; 
 Beft parts, beft deedes, were beft Nobilitie ; 
 Honour with worth ; and wealth well got or none. 
 Countries we wonne with as few men as Countries. 
 Vertue fubdu'd all. 
 
 Ren. Iufl : and then our Nobles 
 Lou'd vertue fo, they prais'd and vs'd it to ; 
 Had rather doe, then fay ; their owne deedes hearing 
 By others glorified, then be fo barraine, 
 That their parts onely flood in praifing others. 
 
 Bal. Who could not doe, yet prais'd, and enui'd 
 not ; 
 Ciuile behauiour flourifht ; Bountie flow'd, 
 Auarice to vpland Boores, flaues hang-men banifht. 
 
 Ren. Tis now quite otherwife ; but to note the 
 caufe 
 Of all thefe foule digreffions, and reuolts 
 From our firfl natures, this tis in a word : 
 Since good Arts faile, crafts and deceits are vs'd : 
 Men ignorant are idle ; idle men 
 Mofl practife what they mofi may doe with eafe, 
 Fafhion, and fauour ; all their fludies ayming 
 At getting money, which no wife man euer 
 Fed his deflres with. 
 
 Bal. Yet now none are wife 
 That thinke not heauens true foolifh, weigh'd with that. 
 Well thou mofl worthy to be greatefl Guife, 
 Make with thy greatneffe a new world arife. 
 Such depreft Nobles (followers of his) 
 As you, my felfe, my Lord will flnde a time 
 When to reuenge your wrongs. 
 
 Ren. I make no doubt : 
 In meane time, I could wifh, the wrong were righted 
 Of your flaine Brother in law, braue Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 Bal. That one accident was made my charge.
 
 106 The Reuenge of BtiJJy D'Amdozs. 
 
 My Brother Buffy's Sifter (now my wife) 
 
 By no mite would confent to fatisfie 
 
 My loue of her, with marriage, till I vow'd, 
 
 To vfe my vtmoft to reuenge my Brother : 
 
 But Clermont D'Ambois (Buffy's fecond Brother) 
 
 Had (fince) his apparition, and excitement, 
 
 To fuffer none but his hand in his wreake, 
 
 Which hee hath vow'd, and fo will needes acquite 
 
 Me of my vow, made to my wife, his Sifter, 
 
 And vndertake himfelfe Buffy's reuenge ; 
 
 Yet loathing any way to giue it act, 
 
 But in the nobleft and moil manly courfe. 
 
 (If th'Earle dares take it) he refolues to fend 
 
 A Challenge to him, and my felfe muft beare it, 
 
 To which deliuerie I can vfe no meanes ; 
 
 He is fo barricado'd in his houfe, 
 
 And arm'd with guard ftill. 
 
 Ren. That meanes lay on mee, 
 Which I can ftrangely make. My laft lands fale, 
 By his great fuite, ftands now on price with him, 
 And hee (as you know) paffing couetous, 
 (With that blinde greedineffe that followes gaine) 
 Will caft no danger, where her fweete feete tread. 
 Befides, you know, his Lady by his fuite, 
 (Wooing as frefhly, as when firft loue fhot 
 His faultleffe arrowes from her rofie eyes) 
 Now hues with him againe, and fliee, I know, 
 Will ioyne with all helps, in her friends reuenge. 
 
 Bal No doubt (my Lord) and therefore let me 
 pray you 
 To vfe all fpeede ; for fo on needels points 
 My wifes heart ftands with hafte of the reuenge : 
 Being (as you know) full of her brothers fire, 
 That (hee imagines I neglect my vow ; 
 Keepes off her kinde embraces, and ftill askes ; 
 When, when, will this reuenge come ? when perform'd 
 Will this dull vow be ? And I vow to Heauen 
 So fternely, and fo pad her fexe fne vrges 
 My vowes performance ; that I almoft feare
 
 The Reuenge of Bujfy UAmbois. 107 
 
 To fee her, when I hauc a while becne abfent, 
 
 Not fhowing her before I fpeake, the blond 
 
 She fo much thirds for, freckling hands and fa< e. 
 
 Ren. Get you the Challenge writ, and looke from 
 me, 
 To heare your paflage clcar'd no long time after. 
 
 Exit Ren. 
 
 Bal. All reflitution to your worthieft Lordfhip, 
 Whofe errand I muft carrie to the King, 
 As hauing fworne my feruice in the fearch 
 Of all fuch Malecontents, and their defignes, 
 By feeming one affected with their faction, 
 And difcontented humours gainft the ftate : 
 Nor doth my brother Clermont fcape my counfaile 
 Giuen to the King, about his Guifean greatnefle, 
 Which (as I fpice it) hath poffefl the King 
 (Knowing his daring fpirit) of much danger : 
 Charg'd in it to his perfon : though my confeience 
 Dare fweare him cleare of any power to be 
 Infected with the lead difhoneftie : 
 Yet that finceritie, wee Politicians 
 Muft fay, growes out of enuie, fmce it cannot 
 Afpire to policies greatneffe : and the more 
 We worke on all refpects of kinde, and vertue, 
 The more our feruice to the King feemes great, 
 In fparing no good that feemes bad to him : 
 And the more bad, we make the moft of good, 
 The more our policie fearcheth ; and our feruice 
 Is wonder'd at for wifedome and fincereneffe. 
 Tis eafie to make good fufpected ftill, 
 Where good, and God, are made but cloakes for ill. 
 See Monfieur taking now his leaue for Brabant, 
 
 Enter Henry, Monfieur, Guife, Cler., Ef per none, 
 Foiflon. Monfieur taking leaue of the King. 
 
 The Guife, & his deare Minion, Clermont D'Ambois, 
 Whifpering together, not of ftate affaires
 
 108 The Renenge of Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 I durft lay wagers, (though the Guife be now 
 In chiefe heate of his faction) but of fome thing, 
 Sauouring of that which all men elfe defpife, 
 How to be truely noble, truely wife. 
 
 Monf. See how hee hangs upon the eare of Guife, 
 Like to his Iewell. 
 
 Efper. Hee's now whifp'ring in 
 Some doctrine of ftabilitie, and freedome, 
 Contempt of outward greatneffe, and the guifes 
 That vulgar great ones make their pride and zeale, 
 Being onely feruile traines, and fumptuous houfes, 
 High places, offices. 
 
 Motif. Contempt of thefe 
 Does he read to the Guife 1 Tis paffing needfull, 
 And hee, I thinke, makes (how t' affect his doctrine. 
 
 Efp. Commends, admires it. 
 
 Monf. And purfues another, 
 Tis fine hypocrifie, and cheape, and vulgar, 
 Knowne for a couert praclife, yet beleeu'd 
 (By thofe abus'd foules, that they teach and gouerne) 
 No more then Wiues adulteries, by their Husbands, 
 They bearing it with fo vnmou'd afpects, 
 Hot comming from it ; as twere not all, 
 Or made by cuftome nothing. This fame D'Ambois 
 Hath gotten fuch opinion of his vertues, 
 (Holding all learning but an Art to Hue well,) 
 And fhowing hee hath learn'd it, in his life, 
 Being thereby flrong in his perfwading others ; 
 That this ambitious Guife, embracing him, 
 'Is thought t'mbrace his vertues. 
 
 Efp. Yet in fome 
 His vertues are held falfe for th'others vices : 
 For tis more cunning held, and much more common, 
 To fufpect truth then falfhood : and of both, 
 Truth ftill fares worfe ; as hardly being beleeu'd, 
 As tis vnvfuall, and rarely knowne. 
 
 Monf. Tie part engendring vertue. Men affirme 
 Though this fame Clermont hath a D'Ambois fpirit, 
 And breathes his brothers valour ; yet his temper
 
 The Reuenge of Buff y UAmbois. 109 
 
 Is fo much pad his, that you cannot moue him : 
 
 He try that temper in him. Come, you two 
 
 1 >euoure each other with your vertues zeale, 
 
 And leaue for other friends, no fragment of yee : 
 
 I wonder Guife, you will thus rauilh him 
 
 Out of my bofome, that firfl gaue the life 
 
 His manhood breathes, fpirit, and meanes and luder. 
 
 What doe men thinke of me, I pray thee Clermont? 
 
 Once giue me leaue (for tryall of that loue 
 
 That from thy brother Buffy thou inherit'fl) 
 
 T'vnclafpe thy bofome. Cler. As how fir % 
 
 Motif. Be a true glaffe to mee, in which I may 
 Behold what thoughts the many headed-bead, 
 And thou thy felfe breathes out concerning me, 
 My ends, and new vpftarted date in Brabant, 
 For which I now am bound, my higher aymes, 
 Imagin'd here in France : fpeake man, and let 
 Thy words be borne as naked as thy thoughts : 
 O were braue Buffy liuing ! Cler. Liuing my Lord ! 
 
 Monf. Tis true, thou art his brother, but durd thou 
 Haue brau'd the Guife : mauger his prefence, courted 
 His wedded Lady ; emptied euen the dregs 
 Of his word thoughts of mee, euen to my teeth ; 
 Difcern'd not me his rifing foueraigne 
 From any common groome: but let me heare 
 My groffed faults, as groffe-full as they were. 
 Durd thou doe this 1 
 
 Cler. I cannot tell : A man 
 Does neuer know the goodneffe of his domacke 
 Till hee fees meate before him. Were I dar'd, 
 Perhaps as he was, I durd doe like him. 
 
 Monf. Dare then to poure out here thy freed foulc, 
 Of what I am. Cler. Tis dale, he tolde you it. 
 
 Motif. He onely iefted, fpake of fplene and enuie 
 Thy foule more leam'd, is more ingenuous, 
 Searching, iudiciall ; let me then from thee 
 Heare what I am. 
 
 Cler. What but the fole fupport, 
 And mod expectant hope of all our France,
 
 1 10 The Rettetige of Buffy UAmdois. 
 
 The toward victor of the whole low Countryes ? 
 
 Monf. Tufh, thou wilt fing Encomions of my praife. 
 Is this like D'Ambois? I muft vexe the.Guife, 
 Or neuer looke to heare free truth ; tell me, 
 For Buffy Hues not : hee durft anger mee, 
 Yet for my loue, would not haue fear'd to anger 
 The King himfelfe. Thou vnderftand'ft me, dofl 
 not? 
 
 Clcr. I fhall my Lord, with ftudie. 
 
 Monj. Dofl vnderftand thy felfe ? I pray thee tell 
 me, 
 Dofl neuer fearch thy thoughts, what my defigne 
 Might be to entertaine thee and thy brother ? 
 What turne I meant to ferue with you 1 
 
 Cler. Euen what you pleafe to thinke. 
 
 Monf. But what thinkft thou 1 
 Had I no end in't think'ft ? Cler. I thinke you had. 
 
 Monf. When I tooke in fuch two as you two were, 
 A ragged couple of decaid Commanders, 
 When a French-crowne would plentifully ferue 
 To buy you both to any thing i'th' earth. 
 
 Cler. So it would you : 
 
 Monf. Nay bought you both out-right, 
 You and your Trunkes : I feare me, I offend thee. 
 
 Cler. No not a iot. 
 
 Monf. The moft renowmed Souldier 
 Epaminondas (as good Authors fay) 
 Had no more fuites then backes, but you two fhar'd 
 But one fuite twixt you both, when both your fludies 
 Were not what meate to dine with ; if your Partridge, 
 Your Snipe, your Wood-cocke, Larke, or your red 
 
 Hering, 
 But where to begge it, whether at my houfe, 
 Or at the Guifes (for you know you were 
 Ambitious beggars,) or at fome Cookes-fhop, 
 T'eternize the Cookes trufl, and fcore it vp. 
 Dofl not offend thee ? Cler. No fir. Pray pro- 
 ceede. 
 
 Monf. As for thy Gentry, I dare boldly take
 
 The Reucngc of Buffy JJA ynbois. i i i 
 
 Thy honourable othe : and yet fome fay 
 Thou and thy mod renowmed noble brother, 
 Came to the Court firfl in a Keele of Sea-coale ; 
 Dofl not offend thee \ Ckr, Neuer doubt it, fir. 
 
 Mons. Why doe I loue thee then 1 why haue 1 
 rak'd thee 
 Out of the dung-hill ? caff my caff Ward-robe on thee 1 
 Brought thee to Court to, as I did thy Brother ? 
 Made yee my fawcy bon companions ? 
 Taught yee to call our greateff Noble men 
 By the corruption of their names ; lack, Tom ? 
 Haue I blowne both for nothing to this bubble ? 
 Though thou art learn'd ; thafl no enchanting wit, 
 Or were thy wit good, am I therefore bound 
 To keepe thee for my Table 1 
 
 Clcr. Well Sir, 'twere 
 A good Knights place. Many a proud dubb'd Gal- 
 lant 
 Seekes out a poore Knights liuing from fuch Emrods. 
 Or what vfe elfe mould I defigne thee to ? 
 Perhaps you'll anfwere me, to be my Pander. 
 
 Clcr. Perhaps I fhall. 
 
 Mo///. Or did the (lie Guife put thee 
 Into my bofome, t'vndermine my proiecTs ? 
 I feare thee not ; for though I be not fure 
 I haue thy heart, I know thy braine-pan yet 
 To be as emptie a dull piece of wainfcot 
 As euer arm'd the fcalpe of any Courtier ; 
 A fellow onely that conliffs of finewes ; 
 Meere Swiffer, apt for any execution. 
 
 Cler. But killing of the King. 
 
 Mon. Right : now I fee 
 Thou vnderftand'ff thy felfe. 
 
 Clcr. I, and you better. 
 You are a Kings fonne borne. Mo///. Right. 
 
 Clcr. And a Kings brother. Mon/. True. 
 
 Clcr. And might not any foole haue beene fo too, 
 As well as you 1 Mon/. A poxe vpon you. 
 
 Clcr. You did no Princely deedes
 
 1 1 2 The Reuenge of Bufjy UAmbois. 
 
 Ere you're borne (I take it) to deferue it ; 
 Nor did you any fince that I haue heard ; 
 Nor will doe euer any, as all thinke. 
 
 Monf. The Diuell take him. He no more of him. 
 
 Guife. Nay : ftay my Lofd, and heare him anfwere 
 you. 
 
 Monf. No more I fweare. Farewell. Ex. Monf. 
 
 Guife. No more : III fortune. Efper. Soiff. 
 
 I would haue giuen a million to haue heard 
 His fcoffes retorted : and the infolence 
 Of his high birth and greatneffe (which were neuer 
 Effects of his deferts, but of his fortune) 
 Made fhow to his dull eyes, beneath the worth 
 That men afpire to by their knowing vertues, 
 Without which Greatneffe is a fhade, a bubble. 
 
 Cler. But what one great man dreames of that, 
 but you % 
 All take their births and birth-rights left to them 
 (Acquir'd by others) for their owne worths purchafe, 
 When many a foole in both, is great as they : 
 And who would thinke they could winne with their 
 
 worths 
 Wealthy pofleffions, when wonne to their hands, 
 They neyther can iudge iuftly of their value, 
 Nor know their vfe ; and therefore they are puft 
 With fuch proud tumours as this Monfieur is : 
 Enabled onely by the goods they haue, 
 To fcorne all goodneffe : none great, fill their fortunes, 
 But as thofe men that make their houfes greater, 
 Their houfholds being lefle, fo Fortune raifes 
 Huge heapes of out-fide in thefe mightie men, 
 And giues them nothing in them. 
 
 Guife. True as truth : 
 And therefore they had rather drowne their fubftance 
 In fuperfluities of brickes and ftones ; 
 (Like Syfifihus, aduancing of them euer, 
 And euer pulling downe) then lay the coft 
 Of any fluttifh corner, on a man, 
 Built with Gods finger, and enflil'd his Temple.
 
 The Reuenge of J hi fly D'Aw hois. 1 13 
 
 /.',//. Tis nobly (aid, my Lord. 
 
 Guise. I would haue thefe things 
 Brought vpon Stages, to let mightie Mifers 
 See all their graue and ferious miferies, plaid, 
 As once they were in Athens, and olde Rome. 
 
 Cler. Nay, we muft now haue nothing brought on 
 Stages, 
 But puppetry, and pide ridiculous Antickes : 
 Men thither come, to laugh, and feede fool-fat, 
 Checke at all goodneffe there, as being prophan'd : 
 When wherefoeucr goodneffe comes, fliee makes 
 The place flill facred : though with other feete 
 Neuer fo much tis fcandal'd, and polluted. 
 Let me learne anything that fits a man, 
 In any Stables fhowne, as well as Stages. 
 
 Bal. Why % is not all the world efleem'd a Stage ? 
 
 C/tr. Yes : and right worthily : and Stages too 
 Haue a refpecT due to them : if but onely, 
 For what the good Greeke Moralifts fayes of them ; 
 Is a man proud of greatneffe, or of riches ? 
 Giue me an expert A6lor ; lie fhew all, 
 That can within his greateft glory fall. 
 Is a man fraid with pouertie and lowneffe 1 
 Giue me an Adlor, lie fhew euery eye 
 What hee laments fo, and fo much doth flye, 
 The bed and worft of both : if but for this then, 
 To make the proudefl out-fide that moil fwels, 
 With things without him, and aboue his worth, 
 See how fmall caufe hee has to be fo blowne vp ; 
 And the mod poore man, to be grieu'd with poore- 
 
 neffe, 
 Both being fo eafily borne by expert A<51ors. 
 The Stage and Aclors are not fo contemptfull, 
 As euery innouating Puritane, 
 And ignorant fweater out of zealous enuie, 
 Would haue the world imagine. And befides, 
 That all things haue beene likened to the mirth, 
 Vs'd vpon Stages, and for Stages fitted. 
 The fplenatiue Philofopher that euer 
 
 11
 
 1 14 The Reuenge of BuJ/y D'Ambois, 
 
 Laught at them all, were worthy the enflaging : 
 All obiecfts, were they ne'er fo full of teares, 
 He fo conceited, that he could diftill thence 
 Matter that ftill fed his ridiculous humour. 
 Heard he a Lawyer, neuer fo vehement pleading, 
 Hee flood and laught. Heard hee a Tradef-man 
 
 fwearing 
 Neuer fo thriftily (felling of his wares ;) 
 He flood and laught. Heard hee an holy brother, 
 For hollow oftentation at his prayers 
 Ne'er fo impetuoufly ; hee flood and laught. 
 Saw hee a great man neuer fo infulting, 
 Seuerely infhc~ling, grauely giuing lawes, 
 Not for their good, but his ; hee flood and laught. 
 Saw hee a youthfull widow 
 Neuer fo weeping, wringing of her hands, 
 For her loft Lord, ftill the Philofopher laught : 
 Now whether hee fuppos'd all thefe prefentments, 
 Were onely maskeries, and wore falfe faces : 
 Or elfe were fimply vaine, I take no care, 
 But ftill hee laught, how graue foere they were. 
 
 Guife. And might right well (my Clermont) and 
 for this 
 Vertuous digreffion, we will thanke the fcoffes 
 Of vicious Monfieur, But now for the maine point 
 Of your late refolution for reuenge 
 Of your flaine friend. 
 
 Cler. I haue here my Challenge, 
 Which I will pray my Brother Baligny 
 To beare the murtherous Earle. 
 
 Bal. I haue prepar'd 
 Meanes for acceffe to him, through all his Guard. 
 
 Guife. About it then, my worthy Baligny, 
 And bring vs the fucceffe. Bal. 1 will my Lord. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Tamyra Jola. 
 
 Tamy. Reuenge, that euer red fitt'ft in the eyes
 
 The Reuenge of Bujfy IJA mbois. 1 1 5 
 
 Of iniur'd Ladies, till we crownc thy browea 
 
 With bloudy Lawrell ; and recciue from thee 
 
 Iuftice for all our humors iniurie, 
 
 Whofe wings none flye, that Wrath or Tyrannie 
 
 Haue ruthleffe made, and bloudy. Enter here, 
 
 Enter, O enter : and, though length of time 
 
 Neuer lets any fcape thy conflant iuftice, 
 
 Yet now preuent that length. Flye, flye, and here 
 
 Fixe thy lleele foot-fleps : Here, O here, where flill 
 
 Earth (mou'd with pittie) yeelded and embrac'd 
 
 My Loues faire figure, drawn e in his deare bloud, 
 
 And mark'd the place, to fhow thee where was done 
 
 The crueH'fl murther that ere fled the Sunne. 
 
 O Earth ! why keep'ft thou not as well his fpirit, 
 
 To giue his forme life 1 No, that was not earthly : 
 
 That (rarefying the thinne and yeelding ayre) 
 
 Flew fparkling vp into the Sphere of fire, 
 
 Whence endlefle flames it fheds in my defire : 
 
 Here be my daily pallet, here all nights 
 
 That can be wrefted from thy riuals armes ; 
 
 (O my deare Bully) I will lye, and kiffe 
 
 Spirit into thy bloud, or breathe out mine 
 
 In fighes, and kiffes, and fad tunes to thine. She fings. 
 
 Enter Mont fur. 
 
 Mont. Still on this hant 1 Still (hall adulterous 
 bloud 
 Affect thy fpirits ? Thinke, for fhame, but this, 
 This bloud that Cockatrice-like thus thou brood'ft 
 To dry is to breede any quench to thine. 
 And therefore now (if onely for thy luft 
 A little couer'd with a vaile of fhame) 
 Looke out for frefh life, rather then witchdike, 
 Learne to kiffe horror, and with death engender. 
 Strange croffe in nature, pureft virgine fhame 
 Lies in the bloud, as luft lyes ; and together 
 Many times mixe too : and in none more fhamefull 
 Then in the fhamefac't. Who can then diflinguifh
 
 1 1 6 The Reuenge of BuJJy UAmbois. 
 
 Twixt their affections ; or tell when hee meetes 
 
 With one not common 1 Yet, as worthiefl Poets 
 
 Shunne common and plebeian formes of fpeech, 
 
 Euery illiberall and affected phrafe 
 
 To clothe their matter : and together tye 
 
 Matter and forme, with Art and decencie. 
 
 So worthieft women mould fhunne vulgar guifes, 
 
 And though they cannot but flye out for change, 
 
 Yet modeftie, the matter of their hues, 
 
 Be it adulterate, mould be painted true 
 
 With modeft out-parts ; what they mould doe ftill 
 
 Grac'd with good (how, though deedes be ne'er fo ill. 
 
 Tamy. That is fo farre from all yee feeke of vs, 
 That (though your felues be common as the ayre) 
 We mufl not take the ayre, wee muft not fit 
 Our actions to our owne aftectons : 
 But as Geometricians (you ftill fay) 
 Teach that no lines, nor fuperficies, 
 Doe moue themfelues, but ftill accompanie 
 The motions of their bodies ; fo poore wiues 
 Mufl. not purfue, nor haue their owne affections, 
 But to their husbands earnefls, and their iefls, 
 To their auftenties of lookes, and laughters, 
 (Though ne'er fo foolifh and iniurious) 
 Like Parafites and flaues, fit their difpofures. 
 
 Mont. I vfde thee as my foule, to moue and rule 
 
 me. 
 Tamy. So faid you, when you woo'd. So Souldiers 
 tortur'd 
 With tedious fieges of fome wel-wall'd Towne, 
 Propound conditions of moft large contents, 
 Freedome of Lawes, all former gouernment ; 
 But hauing once fet foote within the Wals, 
 And got the reynes of power into their hands, 
 Then doe they tyrannize at their owne rude fwindges, 
 Seaze all their goods, their liberties, and Hues, 
 And make aduantage, and their lulls, their lawes. 
 
 Monf. But loue me, and performe a Wifes part yet, 
 (With all my loue before) I fweare forgiuenefie.
 
 The Rcucnge of Buff y T? Am hois, i i 7 
 
 lamy. Forgiueneffe ! that grace you fliould feeke 
 of mce : 
 Thefe tortur'd fingers and thefe flab'd -through armes 
 
 Keepe that law in their wounds, yet, vnobferu'd, 
 And euer fhall. Monf. Remember their deferts. 
 Tarn. Thofe with faire warnings might haue beene 
 
 reform'd, 
 Not thefe vnmanly rages. You haue heard 
 The fiction of the North winde and the Sunne, 
 Both working on a Traueller, and contending 
 Which had mod power to take his cloake from him : 
 Which when the Winde attempted, hec roar'd out 
 Outragious blafts at him to force it off, 
 That wrapt it clofer on. When the calme Sunne 
 (The Winde once leauing) charg'd him with flill 
 
 beames, 
 Quiet, and feruent, and therein was conftant, 
 Which made him caft off both his cloake and coate : 
 Like whom fhould men doe. If yee wifh your Wiues 
 Should leaue diflik'd things, feeke it not with rage ; 
 For that enrages : what yee giue, yee haue : 
 But vfe calme warnings, and kinde manly meanes, 
 And that in Wiues mod proflitute will winne 
 Not onely fure amends ; but make vs Wiues 
 Better then thofe that ne'er led faultie hues. 
 
 Enter a Souldier. 
 
 Sould. My Lord. 
 
 Monf. How now ; would any fpeake with me? 
 Sou/. I, Sir. 
 
 Monf. Feruerfe, and traiterous mifcreant : 
 Where are your other fellowes of my Guard 1 
 Haue I not told you, I will fpeake with none, 
 But Lord Renel 1 Sould. And tis hee that ftayes 
 you. 
 
 Monf. O, is it he ? Tis well : attend him in. 
 I muft be vigilant : the Furies haunt mce. 
 Doe you heare dame ?
 
 1 1 8 The Reuenge of Bujffy D'Ambois. 
 
 Enter Rend, with the Souldier. 
 
 Ren. Be true now, for your Ladies iniur'd lake, 
 Whofe bountie you haue fo much caufe to honour : 
 For her refpedl is chiefe in this defigne, 
 And therefore ferue it, call out of the way 
 All your confederate fellowes of his Guard, 
 Till Monfieur Baligny be enter'd here. 
 
 Sould. Vpon your honour, my Lord fliall be free 
 From any hurt you fay. 
 
 Ren. Free as my felfe. Watch then, and cleare 
 his entrie. 
 
 Ren. I will not faile, my Lord. Exit Souldier. 
 
 Ren. God faue your Lordfhip. 
 
 Monf. My nobleft Lord Renel I paft all men wel- 
 come. 
 Wife, welcome his Lordfhip. Cfculatur. 
 
 Ren. I much ioy in your returne here. 
 
 Tamy. You doe more then I. 
 
 Monf. Shee's paffionate flill, to thinke we euer 
 parted, 
 By my too fterne iniurious Ieloufie. 
 
 Ren. Tis well your Lordfhip will confeffe your 
 errour 
 In fo good time yet. Enter Baligny with a Challenge. 
 
 Monf. Death ! Who haue wee here 1 
 Ho ! Guard ! Villaines ! Bal. Why exclaime you 
 fo. 
 Monf. Negligent Trayters ! Murther, murther, 
 
 murther. 
 Bal. Ye'are mad. Had mine entent beene fo, 
 like yours, 
 It had beene done ere this. 
 
 Ren. Sir, your intent, 
 And action too, was rude to enter thus. 
 
 Bal. Y'are a decaid Lord to tell me of rudeneffe, 
 As much decaid in manners as in meanes.
 
 The Reuenge of BuJ/y DAmbois. 1 1 9 
 
 Ren. You talkc of manners, that thus rudely 
 thru ft 
 Vpon a man that's bufie with his Wife. 
 
 Bal. And kept your Lordfhip then the dore. JSt n. 
 
 The dore ? 
 Mont. Sweet Lord forbeare. Show, fhow your 
 purpcfe fir. 
 To moue fuch bold feete into others roofes. 
 
 Bal. This is my purpofe fir, from Clermont D'Am 
 bois 
 I bring this Challenge. 
 
 Mon. Challenge ! He touch none. Bal. He leaue 
 
 it here then. 
 Ren. Thou (halt leaue thy life firft. Mont. Mur- 
 
 ther, murther ! 
 Ren. Retire my Lord ; get off. 
 Hold, or thy death fhall hold thee. Hence my Lord. 
 Bal. There lye the Chalenge. They all fight and 
 Bal. driucs in Mont. Exit Mont. 
 Ren. Was not this well handled 1 
 Bal. Nobly my Lord. All thankes. Exit Bal. 
 Tamy. He make him reade it. Exit Tamy. 
 
 Ren. This was a Height well maskt. O what is 
 man, 
 Vnleffe he be a Politician ! Exit. 
 
 Finis Adas pritni.
 
 120 The Reucnge of Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 A6lus fecundi Scaena prima. 
 
 Henry, Baligny. 
 
 Hen. (~~*" Ome Baligny, we now are priuate : Say, 
 
 \__/What feruice bring'ft thou 1 make it fhort ; 
 the Guife 
 (Whofe friend thou feem'fl) is now in Court, and 
 
 neare, 
 And may obferue vs. 
 
 Bal. This fir, then in fhort. 
 The faction of the Guife (with which my policie, 
 For feruice to your Highneffe feemes to ioyne) 
 Growes ripe, and muft be gather'd into hold ; 
 Of which my Brother Clermont being a part 
 Exceeding capitall, deferues to haue 
 A capitall eye on him. And (as you may 
 With beft aduantage, and your fpeedieft charge,) 
 Command his apprehenfion : which (becaufe 
 The Court, you know, is ftrong in his defence) 
 Wee muft aske Country fwindge and open fields. 
 And therefore I haue wrought him to goe downe 
 To Cambray with me (of which Gouernment 
 Your Highneffe bountie made mee your Lieutenant) 
 Where when I haue him, I will leaue my houfe, 
 And faine fome feruice out about the confines, 
 When in the meane time, if you pleafe to giue 
 Command to my Lieutenant, by your Letters, 
 To traine him to fome mufter, where he may
 
 The Reuenge of Buffy HAm 
 
 i :i 
 
 (Much to his honour) fee for him, your forces 
 Put into Battaile ; when hee comes, hee m 
 With fome clofe (Iratageme be apprehended: 
 
 For otherwife your whole powers there will faile 
 To worke his apprehenfion : air. I with that 
 My hand needes neuer be difcern'd therein. 
 
 Hen. Thankes honeft Baligny. 
 
 Bal. Your Highneffe knowes 
 I will be honeft ; and betray for you 
 Brother and Father : for, I know (my Lord) 
 Treacherie for Kings is trueft Loyaltie ; 
 Nor is to beare the name of Treacherie, 
 But graue, deepe Policie. All acts that feeme 
 111 in particular refpects, are good 
 As they refpe<fl your vniuerfall Rule. 
 As in the maine fway of the vniuerfe 
 The fupreame Reclors generall decrees, 
 To guard the mightie Globes of Earth and Heauen, 
 Since they make good that guard to preferuation 
 Of both thofe in their order and firfl end, 
 No mans particular (as hee thinkes) wrong 
 Mud hold him wrong'd : no, not though all mens 
 
 reafons, 
 All Law, all confeience, concludes it wrong. 
 Nor is comparifon a flatterer 
 To liken you here to the King of kings ; 
 Nor any mans particular offence 
 Againfl the worlds fway ; to offence at yours 
 In any fubiecl ; who as little may 
 Grudge at their particular wrong ; if fo it feeme 
 For th'vniucriall right of your eftate 
 As (being a Subiect of the Worlds whole fway 
 As well as yours ; and being a righteous man 
 To whom Heauen promifes defence, and blefling, 
 Brought to decay, d if- race, and cmite defenceleffe) 
 Hee may complame of Heauen for wrong to him. 
 
 Hen. Tis true : the Simile at all parts holds, 
 As all good Subiects hold, that loue our fauour. 
 Bal. Which is our Heauen here ; and a miferie
 
 122 The Re?ienge of Buff y D'Ambois. 
 
 Incomparable, and mod truely Hellifli 
 
 To Hue depriu'd of our Kings grace and countenance, 
 
 Without which beft conditions are moil curfed : 
 
 Life of that nature, howfoeuer fhort, 
 
 Is a moft lingering, and tedious life ; 
 
 Or rather no life, but a languifhing, 
 
 And an abufe of life. 
 
 Hen. Tis *vell conceited. 
 
 Bal. I thought it not amiffe to yeeld your High- 
 neffe 
 A reafon of my fpeeches ; left perhaps 
 You might conceiue I fiatter'd : which (I know) 
 Of all ils vnder heauen you moft abhorre. 
 
 Hen. Still thou art right, my vertuous Baligny, 
 For which I thanke and loue thee. Thy aduife 
 He not forget : Hafte to thy Gouernment, 
 And carry D'Ambois with thee. So farewell. Exit. 
 
 Bal. Your Maieftie fare euer like it felfe. 
 
 Enter Guife. 
 
 Guife. My fure Friend Baligny ! 
 
 Bal. Nobleft of Princes ! 
 
 Guife. How ftands the State of Cambray 1 
 
 Bal. Strong, my Lord, 
 And fit for feruice : for whofe readineffe 
 Your creature Clermont D'Ambois, and my felfe 
 Ride fhortly downe. 
 
 Guife. That Clennont is my loue ; 
 France neuer bred a nobler Gentleman 
 For all parts : he exceedes his Brother Buffy. 
 
 Bal. I, my Lord 1 
 
 Guife, Farre : becaufe (befides his valour) 
 Hee hath the crowne of man, and all his parts, 
 Which Learning is ; and that fo true and vertuous, 
 That it giues power to doe, as well as fay 
 What euer fits a moft accomplifht man ; 
 Which Buffy, for his valours feafon, lackt ; 
 And fo was rapt with outrage oftentimes
 
 The Reuenge of Buffy U Am bens, i 23 
 
 Beyond Decorum ; where this abfolutc Clermont, 
 Though (onely for his natural] zeale to right) 
 Hee will be fiery, when hee ltes it croft ; 
 And in defence of it ; yet when he lifts 
 Hee can containe that fire, as hid in Embers. 
 
 J3al. No queflion, hee's a true, learn'd, Gentleman. 
 
 Guife. He is as true as Tides, or any Starre 
 Is in his motion : And for his rare learning, 
 Hee is not (as all elfe are that feeke knowledge) 
 Of tafte fo much deprau'd, that they had rather 
 Delight, and fatisfie themfelues to drinke 
 Of the ftreame troubled, wandring ne'er fo farre 
 From the cleare fount, then of the fount it felfc. 
 In all ; Romes Brutus is reuiu'd in him, 
 Whom hee of induflry doth imitate. 
 Or rather, as great Troys Euphorbus was 
 After Pithagoras ; fo is Brutus, Clermont. 
 And (were not Brutus a Confpirator) 
 
 Bal. Confpirator, my Lord % Doth that empaire 
 him? 
 Caefar beganne to tyrannize ; and when vertue, 
 Nor the religion of the Gods could feme 
 To curbe the infolence of his proud Lawes, 
 Brutus would be the Gods iuft inftrument. 
 What faid the Princeffe (fweet Antigone) 
 In the graue Greeke Tragedian, when the queflion 
 Twixt her and Creon is, for lawes of Kings ? 
 Which when he vrges, fhee replies on him ; 
 Though his Lawes were a Kings, they were not Gods ; 
 Nor would fhee value Creons written Lawes 
 With Gods vnwrit Edicts : fince they laft not 
 This day and the next, but euery day and euer ; 
 Where Kings Lawes alter euery day and houre, 
 And in that change imply a bounded power. 
 
 Guife. Well, let vs leaue thefe vaine difputings 
 what 
 Is to be done, and fall to doing fomething. 
 When are you for your Gouernment in Cambray ? 
 J>a/. When you command, my Lord.
 
 124 1 he Revenge of Bu/Jy D y Ambois. 
 
 Guife. Nay, that's not fit 
 Continue your defignements with the King, 
 With all your feruice ; onely if I fend 
 Refpect me as your friend, and loue my Clermont. 
 
 Bal. Your Highneffe knowes my vowes. 
 
 Gulje. I, tis enough. Exit Guife. Manet Bal. 
 
 Bal. Thus muft wee play on both fides, and thus 
 harten 
 In any ill thofe men whofe good wee hate. 
 Kings may doe what they lift : and for Kings, 
 
 Subietfls, 
 Eyther exempt from cenfure or exception : Kvayavov 
 For, as no mans worth can be iuftly iudg'd 8e ttuvtos, 
 But when he fliines in fome authoritie ; &c. 
 
 So no authoritie fhould fuffer cenfure Impoffibkejl 
 
 But by a man of more authoritie. ru cognofcere 
 
 Great veffels into leffe are emptied neuer, wentem ac vo- 
 There's a redoundance paft their continent '%£?££» 
 
 euer - giftratibits appa- 
 
 Thefe virtuofiaxe the pooreft creatures; ret. 
 
 For looke how Spinners weaue out of themfelues 
 
 Webs, whofe ftrange matter none before can fee; Sopho. Antig 
 
 So thefe, out of an vnfeene good in vertue, 
 
 Make arguments of right, and comfort, in her, 
 
 That clothe them like the poore web of a Spinner. 
 
 Enter Clermont. 
 
 Cler. Now, to my Challenge. What's the place, 
 the weapon ? 
 
 Bal. Soft fir : let rfift your Challenge be receiued. 
 Hee would not touch, nor fee it. 
 
 Cler. Poffible ! 
 How did you then ? 
 
 Bal. Left it, in his defpight. 
 But when hee faw rnee enter fo expeclleffe, 
 To heare his bafe exclaimes of murther, murther, 
 Mad mee thinke Nobleffe loft, in him quicke buried. 
 
 Cler. They are the breathing Sepulchres of 
 Nobleffe :
 
 The Revenge of Buffy U Anibois. i 25 
 
 No trulicr noble men, then Lions pictures 
 
 Hung vp for fignes, are Lions. Who knowes not, q„ m 
 
 That Lyons the more foft kept, arc more feruile 1 degunt, 
 
 I looke how Lyons clofe kept, fed by hand, J 
 Lofe quite th'innatiue fire of fpirit and greatneffe E P 1 "- 
 That Lyons free breathe, forraging for prey ; 
 And grow fo groffe, that maftifes, curs, and mungrils 
 Haue fpirit to cow them : So our foft French Nobles 
 Chain'd vp in cafe and numbd fecuritie, 
 Their fpirits fhrunke vp like their couetous fifts, 
 And neucr opened but Domitian-likc, 
 And all his bafe, obfequious minions 
 When they were catching, though it were but 1' . 
 Befotted with their pezzants loue of gaine. 
 Rufting at home, and on each other preyi 
 Are for their greatneffe but the greater flaues, 
 And none is noble but who fcrapes and faues. 
 
 Bal. Tis bafe, tis bafe ; and yet they thinke them 
 high. 
 
 Cler. So Children mounted on their hobby-horfe, 
 Thinke they are riding, when with wanton toile 
 They beare what fhould beare them. A man may well 
 Compare them to thofe foolifh great-fpleen'd Caramels, 
 That to their high heads, beg'd of loue homes higher; 
 Whofe moft vncomely, and ridiculous pride 
 When hee had fatisfied, they could not vfe, 
 But where they went vpright before, they ftoopt, 
 And bore their heads much lower for their homes. Simil. 
 
 As thefe high men doe, low in all true grace, 
 Their height being priuiledge to all things bafe. 
 And as the foolifh Poet that ftill writ 
 All his mofl felfe-lou'd verfe in paper royall, 
 Of Partchment rul'd with Lead, fmooth'd with the 
 
 Pumice, 
 Bound richly vp, and fining with Crimfon firings ; 
 Neuer fo blefl as when hee writ and read 
 The Ape-lou'd iffue of his braine ; and neucr 
 But ioying in himfelfe ; admiring euer : 
 Vet in his workes behold him, and hee fhow'd
 
 126 The Revenge of Buff y DAmbois. 
 
 Like to a ditcher. So thefe painted men, 
 
 All fet on out-fide, looke vpon within, 
 
 And not a pezzants entrailes you mail finde 
 
 More foule and mezel'd, nor more fleru'd of minde. 
 
 Bal That makes their bodies fat. I faine would 
 know 
 How many millions of our other Nobles 
 Would make one Guife. There is a true tenth Worthy, 
 Who (did not one a£t onely blemifh him.) 
 
 Cler. One aft 1 what one 1 
 
 Bal One, that (though yeeres paR done) 
 Stickes by him Hill, and will diftaine him euer. 
 
 Cler. Good Heauen ! wherein 1 what one ac~l can 
 you name 
 Suppos'd his Maine, that He not proue his lufter 1 
 
 Bal. To fatisfie you, twas the Maffacre. 
 
 Cler. The Maffacre? I thought twas fome fuch 
 blemifh. 
 
 Bal. O it was hainous. 
 
 Cler. To a brutifh fenfe, 
 But not a manly reafon. Wee fo tender 
 The vile part in vs, that the part diuine 
 We fee in hell, and fhrinke not. Who was firff 
 Head of that Maffacre 1 
 
 Bal. The Guife. 
 
 Cler. Tis nothing fo. 
 Who was in fault for all the flaughters made 
 In Ilion, and about it ? Were the Greekes ? 
 Was it not Paris rauifhing the Queene 
 Of Lacaedemon ? Breach of fhame and faith ? 
 And all the lawes of Hofpitalitie 1 
 This is the Beaftly flaughter made of men, 
 When Truth is ouer-throwne, his Lawes corrupted ; 
 When foules are fmother'd in the flatter'd fieih, 
 Slaine bodies are no more then Oxen flaine. 
 
 Bal. Differ not men from Oxen 1 
 
 Cler. Who fayes fo % 
 But fee wherein ; In the vnderftanding rules 
 Of their opinions, Hues, and aclions ;
 
 TJie Revenge of Buffy D'Ambois. i 27 
 
 In their communities of faith and reafon. 
 Was not the Wolfe that nourifht Romulus 
 More humane then the men that did expofe him ? 
 
 />'<//. That makes againfl you. 
 
 Clcr. Not fir, if you note 
 That by that deede, the actions difference make 
 Twixt men and beafts, and not their names nor 
 
 formes. 
 Had faith, nor fhame, all hofpitable rights 
 Beene broke by Troy, Greece had not made that 
 
 daughter. 
 Had that beene fau'd (fayes a Philofopher) 
 The Iliads and Odyffes had beene loft, 
 Had Faith and true Religion beene prefer'd, 
 Religious Guife had neuer maffacerd, 
 
 Bal. Well fir, I cannot when I mecte with you 
 But thus digreffe a little, for my learning, 
 From any other bufineffe I entend. 
 But now the voyage, we refolu'd for Cambray, 
 I told the Guife beginnes ; and wee muft hafte. 
 And till the Lord Rend hath found fome meane 
 (Confpiring with the Counteffe) to make fure 
 Your fworne wreake on her Husband (though this 
 
 fail'd) 
 In my fo braue Command, wee'll fpend the time, 
 Sometimes in training out in Skirmifhes, 
 And Battailes, all our Troopes and Companies ; 
 And fometimes breathe your braue Scotch running 
 
 horfe, 
 That great Guife gaue you, that all th'horfe in France 
 Farre ouer-runnes at euery race and hunting 
 Both of die Hare antl Deere. You fhall be honor'd 
 Like the great Guife himfelfe, aboue the King. 
 And (can you but appeafe your great-fpleen'd Sifter, 
 For our delaid wreake of your Brothers (laughter) 
 At all parts you'll be welcom'd to your wonder. 
 
 Cler. lie fee my Lord the Guife againe before 
 Wee take our iourney. 
 
 Bal. O fir, by all meanes,
 
 128 The Revenge of Buff y UAmbois. 
 
 You cannot be too carefull of his loue, 
 That euer takes occafion to be railing 
 Your virtues, paft the reaches of this age, 
 And rankes you with the befl of th'ancient Romanes. 
 Cler. That praife at no part moues mee, but the 
 
 worth 
 Of all hee can giue others fpher'd in him. 
 Bal. Hee yet is thought to entertaine ftrange 
 
 aymes. 
 Cler. He may be well ; yet not as you thinke 
 
 ftrange. 
 His ftrange Aymes are to croffe the common Cuf- 
 
 tome 
 Of Seruile Nobles ; in which hee's fo rauifht, 
 That quite the Earth he leaues, and vp hee leapes, 
 On Atlas moulders, and from thence lookes downe, 
 Viewing how farre off other high ones creepe : 
 Rich, poore of reafon, wander ; All pale looking, 
 And trembling but to thinke of their fure deaths, 
 Their hues fo bafe are, and fo rancke their breaths. 
 Which I teach Guife to heighten, and make fweet 
 With lifes deare odors, a good minde and name ; 
 For which, hee onely loues me, and deferues 
 My loue and life, which through all deaths I vow : 
 Refoluing this (what euer change can be) 
 Thou haft created, thou haft ruinde mee. Exit. 
 
 Finis Jcltcs fecund?,.
 
 T/ie Reuenge of Bujfy D 1 Ambois. 120 
 
 Actus tcrtij Sccena prima. 
 
 A march of Captaines ouer the Stage. 
 
 Maillard, Chalon, An ma 11 following with Souldicrs. 
 
 Mail. '"T'^Hefe Troopes and companies come in 
 
 J_ with wings : 
 
 So many men, fo arm'd, fo gallant Horfe, 
 I thinke no other Gouernment in France 
 So foone could bring together. With fuch men 
 Me thinkes a man might paffe th'infulting Pillars 
 Of Bacchus and Alcides. 
 
 Clial. I much wonder 
 Our Lord Lieutenant brought his brother downe 
 To feafl and honour him, and yet now leaues him 
 At fuch an inftance. 
 
 Mail. Twas the Kings command : 
 For whom he mufl leaue Brother, Wife, friend, all 
 things. 
 
 Aum. The confines of his Gouernment, whofe 
 view 
 Is the pretext of his Command, hath neede 
 Of no fuch fodaine expedition. 
 
 Mail. Wee muft not argue that. The Kings Com- 
 mand 
 Is neede and right enough : and that he femes, 
 (As all true Subiecls fhould) without difputing.
 
 130 The Reuenge of Buff y D'Ambois. 
 
 Chal. But knowes not hee of your Command to 
 take 
 His Brother Clermont % 
 
 Mail. No : the Kings will is 
 Expreffely to conceale his apprehenfion 
 From my Lord Gouernour. Obferu'd yee not 1 
 Againe perufe the Letters. Both you are 
 Made my affiftants, and haue right and truft 
 In all the waightie fecrets like my felfe. 
 
 Aum. Tis ftrange a man that had, through his life 
 paft, 
 So fure a foote in vertue and true knowledge, 
 As Clermont DAmbois, mould be now found 
 
 tripping, 
 And taken vp thus, fo to make his fall 
 More fteepe and head-long. 
 
 Mai/. It is Vertues fortune, 
 To keepe her low, and m her proper place, 
 Height hath no roome for her : But as a man 
 That hath a fruitfull wife, and euery yeere 
 A childe by her, hath euery yeere a month, 
 To breathe himfelfe : where hee that gets no childe 
 Hath not a nights reft (if he will doe well.) 
 So, let one marry this fame barraine Vertue, 
 She neuer lets him reft : where fruitfull vice 
 Spares her rich drudge, giues him in labour breath ; 
 Feedes him with bane, and makes him fat with death. 
 
 Chal. I fee that good hues neuer can fecure 
 Men from bad liuers. Word men will haue beft 
 As ill as they, or heauen to hell they'll wreft. 
 
 Aum. There was a merit for this, in the fault 
 That Bufly made, for which he (doing pennance) 
 Proues that thefe foule adulterous guilts will runne 
 Through the whole bloud, which not the cleare can 
 fhunne. 
 
 Mail. He therefore take heede of the baftarding 
 Whole innocent races ; tis a fearefull thing. 
 And as I am true Batcheler, I fweare, 
 To touch no woman (to the coupling ends)
 
 The Rcitaige of Bujfy DAmbois. 1 3 1 
 
 Vnlcffe it be mine ovvne wife or my friends. 
 I may make bold with him. 
 
 Aum. Tis fafe and common. 
 The more your friend dares truft, the more deceiue 
 
 him. 
 And as through dewie vapors the Sunnes forme 
 Makes the gay Rainebow, girdle to a ftorme, 
 So in hearts hollow, Friendlhip (euen the Sunne 
 To all good growing in focietie) 
 Makes his fo glorious and diuine name hold 
 Collours for all the ill that can be told. 
 
 Mail. Harke, our laft Troopes are come. 
 
 Trumpets within. 
 
 Chal. Harke, our laft foote. Drums beatc. 
 
 Mail. Come, let vs put all quickly into battaile, 
 And fend for Clermont, in whofe honour, all 
 This martiall preparation wee pretend. 
 
 Chal. Wee muft bethinke vs, ere wee apprehend 
 him, 
 (Befides our maine ftrength) of fome ftratageme 
 To make good our feuere Command on him ; 
 As well to faue blood, as to make him fure : 
 For if hee come on his Scotch horfe, all France 
 Put at the heeles of him, will fade to take him. 
 
 Mail. What thinke you if wee fhould dilguife a 
 brace 
 Of our beft Souldiers in faire Lackies coates, 
 And fend them for him, running by his fide, 
 Till they haue brought him in fome ambufcado 
 We clofe may lodge for him : and fodainely 
 Lay fure hand on him, plucking him from horfe. 
 Aum. It muft be fure and ftrong hand : lor if 
 once 
 Hee feeles the touch of fuch a ftratageme, 
 Tis not the choifeft brace of all our Bands 
 Can manacle, or quench his fiery hands. 
 
 Mail When they haue feaz'd him, the ambufh 
 fhal make in.
 
 132 The Retienge of Btiffy D'dmbois, 
 
 Aicm. Doe as you pleafe; his blameleffe fpirit 
 deferues 
 (I dare engage my life) of all this, nothing. 
 
 dial. Why mould all this flirre be then ? 
 
 Awn. Who knowes not 
 The bumbaft politie thrufts into his Gyant, 
 To make his wifedome feeme of fize as huge, 
 And all for Height encounter of a made, 
 So hee be toucht, hee would haue hainous made ? 
 
 Mail. It may be once fo ; but fo euer, neuer ; 
 Ambition is abroad, on foote, on horfe ; 
 Fadtion chokes euery corner, ftreete, the Court, 
 Whofe faction tis you know : and who is held 
 The fautors right hand : how high his aymes reach, 
 Nought but a Crowne can meafure. This muft fall 
 Pad fhadowes waights ; and is moft capitall. 
 
 Chal. No queftion ; for fince hee is come to Cam- 
 bray 
 The malecontent, decaid Marqueffe Renel, 
 Is come, and new arriu'd ; and make partaker 
 Of all the entertaining Showes and Feafts 
 That welcom'd Clermont to the braue Virago 
 His manly Sifter. Such wee are efteem'd 
 As are our conforts. Marqueffe malecontent 
 Comes where hee knowes his vaine hath fafeft vent. 
 
 Mail. Let him come at his will, and goe as free, 
 Let vs ply Clermont, our whole charge is hee. Exit. 
 
 Enter a Gentleman VJJier before Clermont: Renel, 
 Charlotte, with two women attendants, with others : 
 Showes hauifig pajl within. 
 
 Char. This for your Lordfhips welcome into Cam- 
 bray. 
 
 Ren. Nobleft of Ladies, tis beyond all power 
 (Were my eftate at firft full) in my meanes 
 To quit or merit. 
 
 Cler. You come fomething latter 
 From Court my Lord then I : And fince newes there
 
 The Reuenge of Buffy DAmbois. 1 33 
 
 Is euery clay encreafing with th'affaires, 
 
 Muft I not aske now, what the ncwcs is there ? 
 
 Where the Court lyes ? what flirre % change 1 what 
 
 auife 
 From England, Italic. 
 
 Rin. You mufl doe fo, 
 If you'll be cald a Gentleman well quallified, 
 And weare your time and wits in thofe difcourfes. 
 
 Clcr. The Locrian Princes therefore were brauc 
 Rubers ; 
 For whofoeuer there came new from Countrie, 
 And in the Citie askt, what newes ? was punifht : 
 Since commonly fuch braines are moft delighted 
 With innouations, Goffips tales, and mifchiefes : 
 But as of Lyons it is faid and Eagles, 
 That when they goe, they draw their feeres and tal- 
 
 lons 
 Clofe vp, to fhunne rebating of their fharpneffe : 
 So our wits fharpneffe, which wee fliould employ 
 In nobleft knowledge, wee fhould neuer wafte 
 In vile and vulgar admirations. 
 
 Ren. Tis right : but who, faue onely you, performes 
 it, 
 And your great brother 1 Madame, where is he 1 
 
 Char. Gone a day fince, into the Countries con- 
 fines, 
 To fee their ftrength, and readineffe for feruice. 
 
 Ren. Tis well : his fauour with the King hath made 
 him 
 Moft worthily great, and hue right royally. 
 
 Clcr. I : Would hee would not doe fo. Honour 
 neuer 
 Should be efleem'd with wife men, as the price 
 And value of their virtuous Seruices, 
 But as their figne or Badge : for that bewrayes 
 More glory in the outward grace of goodneffe, 
 Then in the good it felfe ; anrl then tis faid : 
 Who more ioy takes, that men his good ad nance, 
 Then in the good it felfe, does it by chance.
 
 1 34 The Reucnge of BuJ/y UAmbois. 
 
 Char. My brother fpeakes all principle ; what 
 man 
 Is mou'd with your foule % or hath'fuch a thought 
 In any rate of goodneffe % 
 
 Cler. Tis their fault. 
 We haue examples of it, cleare and many. 
 Demetrius Phalerius, an Orator, 
 And (which not oft meete) a Philofopher, 
 So great in Athens grew, that he erected 
 Three hundred Statues of him ; of all which, 
 No ruft, nor length of time corrupted one ; 
 But in his life time, all were ouerthrowne. 
 And Demades (that pad Demofthenes 
 For all extemporall Orations) 
 Erected many Statues, which (he liuing) 
 Were broke, and melted into Chamber-pots. 
 Many fuch ends haue fallen on fuch proud honours, 
 No more becaufe the men on whom they fell 
 Grew infolent and left their vertues ftate ; 
 Then for their hugeneffe, that procur'd their hate : 
 And therefore little pompe in men mod great, 
 Makes mightily and ftrongly to the guard 
 Of what they winne by chance, or iuft reward. 
 Great and immodeft braueries againe, 
 Like Statues, much too high made for their bafes, 
 Are ouerturn'd as foone, as giuen their places. 
 
 Enter a Mefjenger with a Letter. 
 
 Meffen. Here is a Letter fir deliuer'd mee, 
 Now at the fore-gate by a Gentleman. 
 
 Cler. What Gentleman 1 
 
 Mejj. Hee would not tell his name ; 
 Hee faid, hee had not time enough to tell it, 
 And fay the little reft hee had to fay. 
 
 Cler. That was a merry faying ; he tooke meafure 
 Of his deare time like a moft thriftie husband. 
 
 Char. What newes 1 
 
 Cler. Strange ones, and fit for a Nouation ;
 
 The Revenge of Jhiffy D'Ambois. 1 3 5 
 
 Waightie, vnhcanl of, mifchieuous enough. 
 
 Ren. Heauen fhidd : what are they ? 
 
 Cler. Read them, good my Lord. 
 
 Ren. You are betraid into this Countrie. Mon- 
 flrous ! 
 
 Char. How's that ? 
 
 Cler. Read on. 
 
 Ren. Maillard, you brothers Lieutenant, that yef- 
 terday inuited you to fee his Muflers ; hath Letters 
 and ftrickt Charge from the King to apprehend you. 
 
 Char. To apprehend him 1 
 
 Ren. Your Brother abfents himfelfe of purpofe. 
 
 Cler. That's a found one. 
 
 Char. That's a lye. 
 
 Ren. Get on your Scotch horfe, and retire to your 
 ftrength ; you know where it is, and there it expects 
 you : Beleeue this as your befl friend had fworne it. 
 Fare-well if you will. Anonymos. What's that ? 
 
 Cler. Without a name. 
 
 Chart. And all his notice too, without all truth. 
 
 Cler. So I conceiue it Sifter : ile not wrong 
 My well knowne Brother for Anonymos, 
 
 Charl. Some foole hath put this tricke on you, yet 
 more 
 T'vncouer your defect of fpirit and valour. 
 Firfl fhowne in lingring my deare Brothers wreake. 
 See what it is to giue the enuious World 
 Aduantage to diminifli eminent "irtue. 
 Send him a Challenge 1 Take a noble courfe 
 To wreake a murther, done fo like a villaine 1 
 
 Cler. Shall we reuenge a villanie with villanie 1 
 
 Char. Is it not equal 1 1 
 
 Cler. Shall wee equall be 
 With villaines 1 
 Is that your reafon ? 
 
 Char. Cowardife euermore 
 Flyes to the fhield of Reafon. 
 
 Cler. Nought that is
 
 1 36 The Renenge o/Buffy D'Amdozs. 
 
 Approu'd by Reafon, can be Cowardife. 
 
 Chart. Difpute when you fhould fight. Wrong 
 wreakleffe fleeping, 
 Makes men dye honorleffe : One borne, another 
 Leapes on our fhoulders. 
 
 Cler. Wee mufl wreake our wrongs 
 So, as wee take not more. 
 
 Char. One wreakt in time 
 Preuents all other. Then (nines vertue moft 
 When time is found for facts ; and found, not loft. 
 
 Cler. No time occurres to Kings, much lefle to 
 Vertue ; 
 Nor can we call it Vertue that proceedes 
 From vicious Fury. I repent that euer 
 (By any inftigation in th' appearance 
 My Brothers fpirit made, as I imagin'd) 
 That e'er I yeelded to reuenge his murther. 
 All worthy men fhould euer bring their bloud 
 To beare all ill, not to be wreakt with good : 
 Doe ill for no ill : Neuer priuate caufe 
 Should take on it the part of publike Lawes. 
 
 Char. A D'Ambois beare in wrong fo tame a 
 fpirit ! 
 
 Ren. Madame, be fure there will be time enough 
 For all the vengeance your great fpirit can wifh. 
 The courfe yet taken is allow'd by all, 
 Which being noble, and refus'd by th'Earle, 
 Now makes him worthy of your worft aduantage : 
 And I haue caft a proiect with the Counteffe 
 To watch a time when all his warieft Guards 
 Shall not exempt him. Therefore giue him breath ; 
 Sure Death delaid is a redoubled Death. 
 
 Cler. Good Sifter trouble not your felfe with this : 
 Take other Ladyes care ; practife your face. 
 There's the chafte Matron, Madame Perigot, 
 Dwels not farre hence, He ride and fend her to you, 
 Shee did Hue by retailing mayden-heads 
 In her minoritie : but now fhee deales 
 In whole-fale altogether for the Court.
 
 The Rc7ienge of Bnjfy DA mbois. 1 3 7 
 
 I tell you, fhee's the onely fafhion -monger, 
 For your complexion, pouching of your hairc, 
 Shadowes, Rebatoes, Wires, Tyres, and fuch trickes, 
 That Cambray, or I thinke, the Court affords : 
 She fhall attend you Sifter, and with thefe 
 Womanly pradlifes emply your fpirit ; 
 This other fuites you not, nor fits the fafliion. 
 Though fhee be deare, lay't on, fpare for no coft, 
 Ladies in thefe haue all their bounties loft. 
 
 Ren. Madame, you fee, his fpirit will not checke 
 At any fingle danger ; when it (lands 
 Thus merrily firme againft an hoft of men, 
 Threaten'd to be armes for his furprife. 
 
 Char. That's a meere Bugge-beare, an impoffible 
 mocke. 
 If hee, and him I bound by nuptiall faith 
 Had not beene dull and drofile in performing 
 Wreake of the deare bloud of my matchleffe Brother, 
 What Prince ? what King? which of the defperat'ft 
 
 Buffings, 
 Outlawes in Acden, durft haue tempted thus 
 One of our bloud and name, be't true or falfe. 
 
 Clcr. This is not caus'd by that : twill be as fure 
 As yet it is not, though this fhould be true. 
 
 Char. True % tis paft thought falfe. 
 
 Clcr. I fuppofe the worft, 
 Which farre I am from thinking ; and defpife 
 The Armie now in battaile that fhould act it. 
 
 Clcr. I would not let my bloud vp to that thought, 
 But it fhould coft the deareft bloud in France. 
 
 Clcr. Sweet Sifter, \ofculatur\ farre be both off as 
 the faa 
 Of my fain'd apprehenfion. 
 
 Char. I Would once 
 Strip off my fhame with my attire, and trie 
 If a poore woman, votift of reuenge 
 Would not performe, it with a prefident 
 To all you bungling foggy-fpirited men ; 
 But for our birth-rights honour, doe not mention
 
 1 38 The Reuenge of Bujfjy UAmbois. 
 
 One fyllable of any word may goe 
 To the begetting of an act fo tender, 
 And full of fulphure as this Letters truth : 
 It comprehends fo blacke a circumftance 
 Not to be nam'd ; that but to forme one thought; 
 It is or can be fo ; would make me mad : 
 Come my Lord, you and I will fight this dreame 
 Out at the Cheffe. 
 
 Ren. Mofl gladly, worthieft Ladie. 
 
 Exit Char, and Ren. 
 
 Enter a Meffenger. 
 
 Meff. Sir, my Lord Gouernours Lieutenant prayes 
 Acceffe to you. 
 
 Cler. Himfelfe alone ? 
 
 Meff. Alone, fir. 
 
 Cler.. Attend him in. [Exit Me/f.] Now comes 
 this plot to tryall, 
 I fhall defcerne (if it be true as rare) 
 Some fparkes will flye from his diffembling eyes. 
 He found his depth. 
 
 Enter Matllard with the Meffenger. 
 
 Mai//. Honour, and all things noble. 
 
 C/er. As much to you good Captaine. What's 
 th' affaire. 
 
 Mai/. Sir, the poore honour we can adde to all 
 Your ftudyed welcome to this martiall place, 
 In prefentation of what ftrength confifts 
 My Lord your Brothers Gouernment is readie. 
 I haue made all his Troopes and Companies 
 Aduance, and put themfelues randg^ in Battailia, 
 That you may fee, both how well arm'd they are ; 
 How ftrong is euery Troope and Companie ; 
 How ready, and how well prepar'd for feruice, 
 
 C/er. And muft they take mee ? 
 
 Mai/. Take you, fir % O Heauen !
 
 The Reuenge of Bujfy UAmbois. 139 
 
 Mcfl. Beleeuc it fir, his count'nance chang'd in 
 turning. 
 
 Mail. What doe you meane fir ? 
 
 Clcr. If you haue charg'd them, 
 You being charg'd your felfe, to apprehend mee, 
 Turne not your face : throw not your lookes about fo. 
 
 Mail. Pardon me fir. You amaze me to conceiue 
 From whence our wils to honour you, fhould turne 
 To fuch difhonour of my Lord your Brother. 
 Dare I, without him, vndertake your taking ? 
 
 Clcr. Why not ? by your direct charge from the 
 King? 
 
 Mail. By my charge from the King? would he fo 
 much 
 Difgrace my Lord, his owne Lieutenant here, 
 To giue me his Command without his forfaite? 
 
 Cler. Acls that are done by Kings, are not askt 
 why. 
 He not difpute the cafe, but I will fearch you. 
 
 Mail. Search mee ? for what % 
 
 Clcr. For Letters. 
 
 Mail. I befeech you, 
 Doe not admit one thought of fuch a fhame 
 To a Commander. 
 
 Cler. Goe to : I muft doo't. 
 Stand and be fearcht ; you know mee. 
 
 Mail. You forget 
 What tis to be a Captaine, and your felfe. 
 
 Cler. Stand, or I vow to heauen, He make you 
 lie 
 Neuer to rife more. 
 
 Mail. If a man be mad 
 Reafon muft beare him. 
 
 Clcr. So coy to be fearcht ? 
 
 Mail. Sdeath fir, vfe a Captaine like a Carrier. 
 
 Clcr. Come, be not furious ; when I haue done 
 You fhall make fuch a Carrier of me 
 If t be your pleafure : you're my friend I know, 
 And fo am bold with you.
 
 140 The Reuenge of Buff y D'Ambois. 
 
 Mail. You'll nothing finde 
 Where nothing is. 
 
 Cler. Sweare you haue nothing. 
 
 Mail. Nothing you feeke, I fweare, I befeech you, 
 Know I defir'd this out of great affection, 
 To th'end my Lord may know out of your witneffe, 
 His Forces are not in fo bad eftate 
 As hee efteem'd them lately in your hearing : 
 For which he would not truft me with the Confines ; 
 But went himfelfe to witneffe their eftate. 
 
 Cler. I heard him make that reafon, and am forie 
 I had no thought of it before I made 
 Thus bold with you ; fince tis fuch Ruberb to you. 
 He therefore fearch no more. If you are charg'd 
 (By Letters from the King, or otherwife) 
 To apprehend me ; neuer fpice it more 
 With forc'd tearmes of your loue, but fay : I yeeld ; 
 Holde ; take my fword ; here ; I forgiue thee freely ; 
 Take ; doe thine office. 
 
 Mail. Sfoote, you make m'a hang-man : 
 By all my faith to you, there's no fuch thing. 
 
 Cler. Your faith to mee % 
 
 Mail. My faith to God : All's one, 
 Who hath no faith to men, to God hath none. 
 
 Cler. In that fenfe I accept your othe, and thanke 
 you. 
 I gaue my word to goe, and I will goe. Exit Cler. 
 
 Mail. He watch you whither. Exit Mail. 
 
 Meff. If hee goes, hee proues 
 How vaine are mens fore knowledges of things, 
 When heauen ftrikes blinde their powers of note and 
 
 vfe ; 
 And makes their way to ruine feeme more right, 
 Then that which fafetie opens to their fight. 
 Caffandra's prophecie had no more profit 
 With Troyes blinde Citizens, when fhee fore-tolde 
 Troy es ruine : which fucceeding, made her vfe 
 This facred Inclamation ; God (faid thee) 
 Wou Id haue me vtter things vncredited :
 
 The Reuenge of Bufjy DAmbois. 141 
 
 For which now they approue what I prefag'd ; 
 They count me wife, that faid before I rag'd. 
 
 Enter Challon with two Souldiers. 
 
 Chal. Come Souldiers : you are downe wards fit 
 for lackies ; 
 Giue me your Pieces, and take you thefe Coatcs, 
 To make you compleate foot men : in whofe formes 
 You mufl be compleate Souldiers : you two onely 
 Stand for our Annie. 
 
 1. That were much. 
 Chal. Tis true, 
 
 You two mufl doe, or enter, what our Armie 
 Is now in field for. 
 
 2. I fee then our guerdon 
 
 Mufl be the deede it felfe, twill be fuch honour. 
 Chal. What fight Souldiers moft for? 
 
 1 . Honour onely. 
 
 dial. Yet here are crownes befide. 
 Atnbo. We thanke you Captaine. 
 
 2. Now fir, how fhow wee 1 
 Chal. As you fhould at all parts. 
 
 Goe now to Clermont D'Ambois, and inform e him, 
 Two Battailes are fet ready in his honour, 
 And ftay his prefence onely for their fignall, 
 When they (hall ioyne : and that t'attend him hither, 
 Like one wee fo much honour, wee haue fent him 
 
 1 Vs two in perfon. 
 
 Chal. Well fir, fay it fo. 
 And hauing brought him to the field, when I 
 Fall in with him, faluting, get you both 
 Of one fide of his horfe, and plucke him downe, 
 And I with th'ambufh laid, will fecond you. 
 
 1 Nay, we fhall lay on hands of too much flrength 
 To ncede your fecondings. 
 
 2 I hope, we fhall. 
 
 Two are enough to encounter Hercules.
 
 142 The Reuenge of Bujfy LfAnibois. 
 
 Chal. Tis well faid worthy Souldiers : hall, and 
 hall him. 
 
 Enter Clermont, Maillard dofe following him. 
 
 Cler. My Scotch horfe to their Armie. 
 
 Mail. Pleafe you fir 1 
 
 Cler. Sdeath you're paffing diligent. 
 
 Mail. Of my foule 
 Tis onely in my loue to honour you 
 With what would grace the King : but fince I fee 
 You Hill fuflaine a iealous eye on mee, 
 He goe before. 
 
 Cler. Tis well ; He come ; my hand. 
 
 Mail. Your hand fir 1 Come, your word, your 
 choife be vs'd. Exit. 
 
 Clermo?it folus. 
 
 Cler. I had an auerfation to this voyage, 
 When firfl my Brother mou'd it ; and haue found 
 That natiue power in me was neuer vaine ; 
 Yet now neglected it, I wonder much 
 At my inconftancie in thefe decrees, 
 I euery houre fet downe to guide my life. 
 When Homer made Achilles paffionate, 
 Wrathfull, reuengefull, and infatiate 
 In his affections ; what man will denie, 
 He did compofe it all of induflrie, 
 To let men fee, that men of mod renowne, 
 Strong'ft, noblefl, faireft, if they fet not downe 
 Decrees within them, for difpofing thefe, 
 Of Iudgement, Refolution, Vprightneffe, 
 And certaine knowledge, of their vfe and ends 
 Mifhap and miferie no leffe extends 
 To their defiruotion ; with all that they pris'd, 
 Then to the poorefl, and the mod defpis'd.
 
 The Reuenge of Bujfy H Ambois. 143 
 Enter Rend. 
 
 Ren. Why, how now friend ? retir'd ? take beetle 
 you proue not 
 Difmaid with this ftrange fortune : all obferue you. 
 Your gouernment's as much markt as the Kings. 
 What faid a friend to Pompey ? 
 
 Cler. What ? 
 
 Ren. The people 
 Will neuer know, vnleffe in death thou trie, 
 That thou know'fl how to beare aduerfitie. 
 
 Cler. I fhall approue how vile I value feare 
 Of death at all times : but to be too rafh, 
 Without both will and care to fhunne the word, 
 (It being in power to doe, well and with cheere) 
 Is ftupid negligence, and worfe then feare. 
 
 Ren. Suppofe this true now. 
 
 Cler. No, I cannot doo't. 
 My filler truely faid ; there hung a taile 
 Of circumftance fo blacke on that fuppofure, 
 That to fuftaine it thus, abhorr'd our mettall. 
 And I can fhunne it too, in fpight of all : 
 Not going to field : and there too, being fo mounted 
 As I will, fince I goe. 
 
 Ren. You will then goe 1 
 
 Cler. I am engag'd both in my word, and hand ; 
 But this is it, that makes me thus retir'd, 
 To call my felfe t'account, how this affaire 
 Is to be manag'd if the worft fhould chance : 
 With which I note, how dangerous it is, 
 For any man to preafe beyond the place, 
 To which his birth, or meanes, or knowledge tics 
 
 him, 
 For my part, though of noble birth my birth-right 
 Had little left it, and I know tis better 
 To Hue with little ; and to keepe within 
 A mans owne firength flill, and in mans true end, 
 Then runne a mixt courfe. Good and bad hold neuci 
 Any thing common : you can neuer finde
 
 144 The Reuenge of Buffy UAmbois. 
 
 Things outward care, but you neglect your minde. 
 
 God hath the whole world perfect made and free ; 
 
 His parts to th'vfe of th'all ; men then that are 
 
 Parts of that all, muft as the generall fway 
 
 Of that importeth, willingly obay 
 
 In euery thing without their power to change. 
 
 Hee that vnpleas'd to hold his place, will range, 
 
 Can in no other be contain'd that's fit, 
 
 And fo refilling th'AU, is crufht with it. 
 
 But he that knowing how diuine a Frame 
 
 The whole world is : and of it all, can name 
 
 (Without felfe-flatterie) no part fo diuine, 
 
 As hee himfelfe ; and therefore will confine 
 
 Freely, his whole powers, in his proper part, 
 
 Goes on moft God-like. Hee that ftriues i'inuert 
 
 The Vniuerfals courfe with his poore way, 
 
 Not onely duft-like fhivers with the fway, 
 
 But croffing God in his great worke ; all earth 
 
 Beares not fo curfed, and fo damn'd a birth. 
 
 Ren. Goe, on ; He take no care what comes of 
 you ; 
 Heauen will not fee it ill, how ere it fhow : 
 But the pretext to fee thefe Battailes rang'd 
 Is much your honour. 
 
 Cler. As the world efteemes it. 
 But to decide that ; you make me remember 
 An accident of high and noble note, 
 And fits the fubiedl of my late difcourfe, 
 Of holding on our free and proper way. 
 I ouer-tooke, comming from Italie, 
 In Germanie, a great and famous Earle 
 Of England ; the moft goodly fafhion'd man 
 I euer faw : from head to foote in forme 
 Rare, and moft abfolute ; hee had a face 
 Like one of the moft ancient honour'd Romanes, 
 From whence his nobleft Familie was deriu'd ; 
 He was befide of fpirit paffing great, 
 Valiant, and learn'd, and liberall as the Sunne, 
 Spoke and writ fweetly, or of learned fubiecl.s,
 
 Tke Rcuenge of Bujjy D ' Ambois. 145 
 
 Or of the difcipline of publike weales ; 
 
 And t'was the Earle of Oxford : and being offer'd 
 
 At that time, by Duke Calfimere, the view 
 
 Of his right royall Annie then in field ; 
 
 Refus'd it, and no foote was mou'd, to flirre 
 
 Out of his owne free fore-determin'd courfe : 
 
 I wondring at it, askt for it his reafon, 
 
 It being an offer fo much for his honour. 
 
 Hee, all acknowledging, faid, t'was not fit 
 
 To take thofe honours that one cannot quit. 
 
 Ren. Twas anfwer'd like the man you haue def- 
 crib'd. 
 
 C/cr. And yet he cafl it onely in the way, 
 To flay and ferue the world. Nor did it fit 
 His owne true eflimate how much it waigh'd, 
 For hee defpis'd it ; and eflcem'd it freer 
 To keepe his owne way ftraight, and fwore that hee 
 Had rather make away his whole eftate 
 In things that croft the vulgar, then he would 
 Be frozen vp, ftiffc, like a fir Iohn Smith 
 (His Countrey-man) in common Nobles fafhions; 
 Affecting, as the end of Nobleffe were 
 Thofe feruile obferuations. 
 
 Ren. It was ftrange. 
 
 Cler. O tis a vexing fight to fee a man 
 Out of his way, ftalke, proud as hee were in ; 
 Out of his way to be officious, 
 Obferuant, wary, ferious, and graue, 
 Fearefull, and paffionate, infulting, raging, 
 Labour with iron Flailes, to threfh downe feathers 
 Flitting in ayre. 
 
 Ren. What one confiders this, 
 Of all that are thus out \ or once endeuours, 
 Erring to enter, on mans Right-hand path 1 
 
 Clcr. Thefe are too graue for braue wits : giue them 
 toyes, 
 Labour beflow'd on thefe is harfli and thriftleffe. 
 If you would Con full be (fayes one) of Rome, 
 You mull be watching, ftarting out of fleepes ; 
 
 K
 
 146 The Renenge of Buff y UAmbois. 
 
 Euery way whisking j gloryfying Plebeians, 
 Rifling Patricians hands, Rot at their dores ; 
 Speake and doe bafely ; euery day bellow 
 Gifts and obferuance vpon one or other : 
 And what's th'euent of all ? Twelue Rods before thee, 
 Three or foure times fit for the whole Tribunal 1. 
 Exhibite Circean Games ; make publike feafts, 
 And for thefe idle outward things (fayes he) 
 Would'ft thou lay on fuch coft, toile, fpend thy fpirits. 
 And to be voide of perturbation 
 For conftancie : fleepe when thou would'ft haue fleepe, 
 Wake when thou would'ft wake, feare nought, vexe for 
 
 nought, 
 No paines wilt thou beftow % no coft 1 no thought ? 
 Ren. What fhould I fay 1 as good confort with 
 
 you, 
 As with an Angell : I could heare you euer. 
 
 Cler. Well ; in, my Lord, and fpend time with my 
 
 Sifter; 
 And keepe her from the Field with all endeauour ; 
 The Souldiers loue her fo ; and fhee fo madly 
 Would take my apprehenfion, if it chance, 
 That bloud would flow in riuers. 
 
 Ren. Heauen forbid ; 
 And all with houour your arriuall fpeede. Exit. 
 
 Enter Mejjcngcr with two Souldiers like Lackies. 
 
 Mej/. Here are two Lackies fir, haue meffage to 
 
 you. 
 Cler. What is your meffage 1 and from whom, my 
 
 friends ? 
 1 From the Lieutenant Colonell, and the Cap- 
 taines, 
 Who fent vs to informe you, that the Battailes 
 Stand ready rang'd, expecting but your pretence, 
 To be 'their honor'd fignall when to ioyne, 
 Ane we are charg'd to runne by, and attend you. 
 Cler. I come. I pray you fee my running horfe
 
 The Reucnge of.Buffy D 1 Ambois. 147 
 
 Brought to the backe-gate to mee. 
 
 McfJ. Inftantly. Exit Meff. 
 
 Cler. Chance what can chance mee ; well or ill is 
 equall 
 In my acceptance, fince I ioy in neyther ; 
 But goe with fway of all the world together. 
 In all fuccefles, Fortune and the day 
 To mee alike are ; I am fixt, be fliee 
 Neuer fo fickle ; and will there repofe, 
 Farrc pafl the reach of any Dye the throwes. 
 
 Ex. cum Pedi//. 
 
 Finis Aclus tertij. 
 
 A6lus quarti Scaena prima. 
 
 Alarum within : Excurfions ouer thee Stage. 
 
 The Lackics running, Maillard following them. 
 
 Mail."\ 7"Illaines, not hold him when ye had him 
 V downe. 
 
 1 Who can hold lightning I Sdeath a man as well 
 Might catch a Canon Bullet in his mouth, 
 And fpit it in your hands, as take and hold him. 
 
 Mail. Purfue ; enclofe him ; ftand, or fall on him,
 
 148 The Reuenge of BiiJJy D'Ambois. 
 
 And yee may take him. Sdeath, they make him guards. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Alarum Jlill, and enter Chalon. 
 
 Chal. Stand Cowards, ftand, flrike, fend your bul- 
 lets at him. 
 
 1 Wee came to entertaine him fir, for honour. 
 
 2 Did ye not fay fo % Chal. Slaues, hee is a 
 traitor ; 
 
 Command the horfe troopes to ouer-runne the traitor. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Showts within. Alarum Jlill, and Chambers JJwt off. 
 Then enter Aumall. 
 
 Aum. What fpirit breathes thus, in this more then 
 man, 
 Turnes flefh to ayre poffeft, and in a ftorme, 
 Teares men about the field like Autumne leaues? 
 He turnd wilde lightning in the Lackies hands, 
 Who, though their fodaine violent twitch vnhorft him, 
 Yet when he bore himfelfe, their faucie fingers 
 Flew as too hot off, as hee had beene fire. 
 The ambufh then made in, through all whofe force, 
 Hee draue as if a fierce and fire-giuen Canon 
 Had fpit his iron vomit out amongft them. 
 The Battailes then, in two halfe-moones enclos'd him, 
 In which he fhew'd, as if he were the light, 
 And they but earth, who wondring what hee was ; 
 Shruncke their fteele homes, and gaue him glorious 
 
 paffe : 
 And as a great (hot from a towne befieg'd, 
 At foes before it, flyes forth blacke and roring, 
 But they too farre, and that with waight oppreft, 
 (As if difdaining earth) doth onely grafe, 
 Strike earth, and vp againe into the ayre ; 
 Againe finkes to it, and againe doth rife, 
 And keepes fuch ftrength that when it foftlieft moues,
 
 The Reuenge of Buff y UAmbois. 149 
 
 It piece-meale (hiuers any let it proues : 
 
 So flew braue Clermont forth, till breath forfooke him, 
 
 His fpirits conuulfions made him bound againe, 
 
 Tail all their reaches ; till all motion fpent, 
 
 His fixt eyes cafl a blaze of fuch difdaine. 
 
 All flood and flar'd, and vntouch'd let him lie, 
 
 As fomething facred fallen out of the skic. 
 
 A cry within. 
 
 now fome rude hand hath laid hold on him ! 
 
 Enter Maillard, Chalon leading Clermont, Captaines 
 and Souldicrs following. 
 
 See, prifoner led, with his bands honour' d more, 
 Then all the freedome he enioy'd before. 
 
 Mail. At length wee haue you fir. 
 
 Cler. You haue much ioy too, 
 
 1 made you fport yet, but I pray you tell mee, 
 Are not you periur'd \ 
 
 Mail. No : I fwore for the King. 
 
 Cler. Yet periurie I hope is periurie. 
 
 Mail. But thus forfwearing is not periurie 
 You are no Politician : not a fault, 
 How foule foeuer, done for priuate ends, 
 Is fault in vs fworne to the publike good : 
 Wee neuer can be of the damned crew, 
 Wee may impolitique our felues (as t'were) 
 Into the Kingdomes body politique, 
 Whereof indeede we'are members : you miffe terme's. 
 
 Cler. The things are yet the fame. 
 
 Mail. Tis nothing fo : the propertie is alter'd : 
 Y'are no Lawyer. Or fay that othe and othe 
 Are flill the fame in number, yet their fpecies 
 Differ extreamely, as for flat example, 
 When politique widowes trye men for their turne, 
 Before they wed them, they are harlots then, 
 But when they wed them, they are honeft women : 
 So, priuate men, when they forfweare, betray, 
 Are periur'd treachers, but being publique once,
 
 1 50 The Reuenge of Bujfy UAmbois. 
 
 That is, fworne, married to the publique good. 
 
 Cler. Are married women publique 1 
 
 Mail. Publique good ; 
 For marriage makes them, being the publique good r 
 And could not be without them. So I fay 
 Men publique, that is, being fworne or married 
 To the good publique, being one body made 
 With the Realmes body politique, are no more 
 Priuate, nor can be periur'd, though forfworne, 
 More then a widow married, for the act 
 Of generation is for that an harlot, 
 Becaufe for that fhee was fo, being vnmarried : 
 An argument a paribus. Chal. Tis a fhrow'd one. 
 
 Cler. Who hath no faith to men, to God hath 
 none : 
 Retaine you that Sir ? who faid fo ? Mail. Twas I. 
 
 Cler. Thy owne tongue damne thine infidelitie. 
 But Captaines all you know me nobly borne, 
 Vfe yee t'affault fuch men as I with Lackyes. 
 
 Chal. They are no Lackyes fir, but Souldiers, 
 Difguis'd in Lackyes coates. 
 
 1 Sir, wee haue feene the enemie. 
 
 Cler. Auant yee Rafcols, hence. 
 
 Mail. Now leaue your coates. 
 
 Cler. Let me not fee them more. 
 
 Aam. I grieue that vertue hues fo vndiftinguifht 
 From vice in any ill, and though the crowne 
 Of Soueraigne Law ; fhee fhould be yet her foot-ftoole, 
 Subiedl to cenfure, all the fhame and paine 
 Of all her rigor. 
 
 Cler. Yet falfe policie 
 Would couer all, being like offenders hid, 
 That (after notice taken where they hide) 
 The more they crouch and ftirre, the more are fpide. 
 
 Aum. I wonder how this chanc'd you. 
 
 Cler. Some informer, 
 Bloud -hound to mifchiefe, vfher to the Hangman, 
 Thirftie of honour for fome huge ftate act, 
 Perceiuing me great with the worthy Guife :
 
 The Reuenge of Bujj'y D'Ambois. 1 5 1 
 
 And he (I know not why) held dangerous, 
 Made me the defperate organe of his danger, 
 Onely with that poore colour : tis the common 
 And more then whore-like tricke of treacherie, 
 
 And vermine bred to rapine, and to ruine : 
 For which this fault is ftill to be accus'd, 
 Since good ac~ls faile, crafts and deceits are vs'd. 
 If it be other neuer pittie mee. 
 
 Aum. Sir, we are glad, beleeue it, and haue hope 
 The King will fo conceit it. 
 
 Cler. At his pleafure. 
 In meane time, what's your will Lord Lieutenant ? 
 
 Mail. To leaue your owne horle, and to mount the 
 trumpets. 
 
 Cler. It fhall be done : this heauily preuents 
 My purpos'd recreation in thefe parts ; 
 Which now I thinke on : let mee begge you fir, 
 To lend me fome one Captaine of your Troopes, 
 To beare the meffage of my hapleffe feruice, 
 And miferie, to my moft noble miftreffe, 
 Counteffe of Cambray : to whofe houfe this night 
 I promift my repaire, and know moft truely, 
 With all the ceremonies of her fauour. 
 She fure expects mee. Mail. Thinke you now on 
 that? 
 
 Cler. On that, fir 1 I, and that fo worthily, 
 That if the King, in fpight of your great feruice, 
 Would fend me inftant promife of enlargement, 
 Condition I would fet this meffage by, 
 I would not take it, but had rather die. 
 
 Aum. Your meffage fhall be done fir : I my felfe 
 Will be for you a meffenger of ill. 
 
 Cler. I thanke you fir, and doubt not yet to liue 
 To quite your kindneffe. 
 
 Aum. Meane fpace vfe your fpirit 
 And knowledge for the chearfull patience 
 Of this fo flrange and fodaine confequence. 
 
 Cler. Good fir, beleeue that no perticular torture 
 Can force me from my glad obedience
 
 152 The Revenge of Buff y DAmbois. 
 
 To any thing the high and generall caufe, 
 
 To match with his whole Fabricke, hath ordainde, 
 
 And know yee all (though farre from all your aymes, 
 
 Yet worth them all, and all mens endleffe ftudies) 
 
 That in this one thing, all the difcipline 
 
 Of manners, and of manhood is contain'd ; 
 
 A man to ioyne himfelfe with th'Vniuerfe, 
 
 In his maine fway, and make (in all things fit) 
 
 One with that all, and goe on, round as it ; 
 
 Not plucking from the whole his wretched part, 
 
 And into ftraites, or into nought reuert, 
 
 Wifhing the compleate Vniuerfe might be 
 
 Subiedt to fuch a ragge of it as hee : 
 
 But to confider great neceffitie 
 
 All things as well refracl, as voluntarie 
 
 Reduceth to the prime celeftiall caufe, 
 
 Which he that yeelds to with a mans applaufe, 
 
 And cheeke, by cheeke, goes ; croffing it, no breath, 
 
 But like Gods Image, followes to the death, 
 
 That man is truely wife, and euery thing, 
 
 (Each caufe, and euery part diftinguifhing) 
 
 In Nature, with enough Art vnderftands, 
 
 And that full glory merits at all hands, 
 
 That doth the whole world at all parts adorne, 
 
 And appertaines to one celeftiall borne. 
 
 Exeunt omnes. 
 
 Enter Batigny, Renel. 
 
 Bat. So foule a fcandall neuer man fuftain'd, 
 Which caus'd by'th King, is rude and tyrannous : 
 Giue me a place, and my Lieutenant make 
 The filler of it. 
 
 Ren. I fhould neuer looke 
 For better of him ; neuer truft a man, 
 For any Iuftice, that is rapt with pleafure : 
 To order armes well, that makes fmockes his enfignes, 
 And his whole Gouernments fayles : you heard of 
 late,
 
 The Reitenge of Ihiffy HAmbois. 153 
 
 Ilec had the foure and twenty wayes of Venerie 
 Done all before him. 
 
 Bal Twas abhorr'd and beaftly. 
 
 Ren. Tis more then natures mightie hand can 
 doe 
 To make one humane and a Letcher too. 
 Looke how a Wolfe doth like a Dogge appeare, 
 So, like a friend is an Adulterer, 
 Voluptuaries, and thefe belly-gods ; 
 No more true men are, then fo many Toads. 
 A good man happy, is a common good ; 
 Vile men aduane'd hue of the common bloud. 
 
 Bal. Giue and then take like children. 
 
 Ren. Bounties are 
 As foone repented as they happen rare. 
 
 Bal. What ihould Kings doe, and men of eminent 
 places ; 
 But as they gather, fow gifts to the Graces ? 
 And where they haue giuen, rather giue againe, 
 (Being giuen for vertue) then like Babes and fooles, 
 Take and repent Gifts ; why are wealth and power ? 
 
 Ren. Power and wealth moue to tyranny, not 
 bountie ; 
 The Merchant for his wealth is fwolne in minde, 
 When yet the chiefe Lord of it is the Winde. 
 
 Bal. That may fo chance to our State-Merchants 
 too : 
 Something performed, that hath not farre to goe. 
 
 Ren. That's the maine point, my Lord ; infill on 
 that 
 
 Bal. But doth this fire rage further ? hath it taken 
 The tender tynder of my wifes fere bloud 1 
 Is fhee fo paffionate 1 
 
 Ren. So wilde, fo mad, 
 Shee cannot hue, and this vnwreakt fuftaine. 
 The woes are bloudy that in women raigne. 
 The Sicile gulfe keepes feare in leffe degree ; 
 There is no Tyger, not more tame then fhee. 
 
 JhiI. There is no looking home then ?
 
 1 54 The Retienge of Bujfy WAmbois. 
 
 Rett. Home 1 Medea 
 With all her hearbs, charmes, thunders, lightnings, 
 Made not her prefence, and blacke hants more dread- 
 full. 
 Bal. Come, to the King, if he reforme not all, 
 Marke the euent, none ftand where that muft fall. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Countejfe, Eioua, and an VJJier. 
 
 VJJu Madame, a Captaine come from Clermont 
 D'Ambois 
 Defires acceffe to you. 
 
 Count. And not himfelfe? Vfi. No, Madame. 
 
 Count. That's not well. Attend him in. Exit. VJh. 
 The laft houre of his promife now runne out 
 And he breake 1 fome brack's in the frame of nature 
 That forceth his breach. 
 
 Enter VJJier and Aumal. 
 
 Aum. Saue your Ladifliip. 
 
 Coun. All welcome. Come you from my worthy 
 feruant 1 
 
 Aum. I, Madame, and conferre fuch newes from 
 him. 
 
 Coun. Such newes ? what newes 1 
 
 Aum. Newes that I with fome other had the 
 charge of. 
 
 Coun. O what charge 1 what newes ? 
 
 Aum. Your Ladifliip muft vfe fome patience 
 Or elfe I cannot doe him that defrre, 
 He vrg'd with fuch affe<ftion to your Graces. 
 
 Coun. Doe it ; for heauens loue doe it, if you ferue 
 His kinde defires, I will haue patience. 
 Is hee in health 1 Aum. He is. 
 
 Count. Why, that's the ground 
 Of all the good eftate wee hold in earth ; 
 All our ill built vpon that, is no more
 
 The Reuenge of Bujfjy DAmbois. 155 
 
 Then wee may beare, and mould; expreffe it all. 
 
 Aum. Madame, tis onely this ; his libertie. 
 
 Conn. His libertie ! Without that health is nothing. 
 Why Hue I, but to aske in doubt of that, 
 Is that bereft him 1 Aum. You'll againe preuent me. 
 
 Conn. No more, I fweare, I muft heare, and to- 
 gether 
 Come all my miferie. He hold though I burft. 
 
 Aum. Then madame, thus it fares ; he was enuited 
 By way of honour to him, to take view 
 Of all the Powers his brother Baligny 
 Hath in his gouernment ; which rang'd in battailes, 
 Mailiard, Lieutenant to the Gouernour, 
 Hauing receiu'd ftrickt Letters from the King, 
 To traine him to the mufters, and betray him, 
 To their fupprife, which, with Chalon in chiefe, 
 And other Captaines (all the field put hard 
 By his incredible valour for his fcape) 
 They haplefly and guiltlefiy perform'd, 
 And to Baftile hee's now led prifoner. 
 
 Coufit. What change is here 1 how are my hopes 
 preuented 1 
 O my moft faithfull feruant ; thou betraid 1 
 Will Kings make treafon lawfull 1 Is Societie 
 (To keepe which onely Kings were firft ordain'd) 
 Leffe broke in breaking faith twixt friend and friend, 
 Then twixt the King and SubiecT. 1 let them feare, 
 Kings Prefidents in licence lacke no danger. 
 Kings are compar'd to Gods, and fhould be like them, 
 Full in all right, in nought fuperfluous ; 
 Nor nothing draining paft right, for their right : 
 Raigne iuftly, and raigne fafely. Policie 
 Is but a Guard corrupted, and a way 
 Yenter'd in Defarts, without guide or path. 
 Kings punifh Subiecls errors with their owne. 
 Kings are like Archers, and their Subiec~ls, fliafts : 
 For as when Archers let their arrowes flye, 
 They call to them, and bid them flye or fall, 
 As if twere in the free power of the fliaft
 
 1 56 TJw Reuenge of Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 To flye or fall, when onely tis the ftrength, 
 Straight mooting, compaffe giuen it by the Archer, 
 That makes it hit or miffe ; and doing eyther, 
 Hee's to be prais'd or blam'd, and not the (haft : 
 So Kings to Subie£ls crying, doe, doe not this ; 
 Mud to them by their owne examples ftrength, 
 The ftraightneffe of their acls, and equall compaffe, 
 Giue Subiecls power t'obey them in the like ; 
 Not fhoote them forth with faultie ayme and ftrength, 
 And lay the fault in them for flying amiffe, 
 
 Aum. But for your feruant, I dare fweare him 
 
 guiltleffe. 
 Count. Hee would not for his Kingdome traitor 
 be ; 
 His Lawes are not fo true to him, as he. 
 O knew I how to free him, by way forc'd 
 Through all their armie, I would flye, and doe it : 
 And had I, of my courage and refolue, 
 But tenne fuch more, they fhould not all retaine him ; 
 But I will neuer die, before I giue 
 Maillard an hundred flafhes with a fword, 
 Chalon an hundred breaches with a Piftoll. 
 They could not all haue taken Clermont D'Ambois, 
 Without their treacherie ; he had bought his bands 
 
 out 
 With their flaue blouds : but he was credulous ; 
 Hee would beleeue, fince he would be beleeu'd ; 
 Your nobleft natures are moft credulous. 
 Who giues no truft, all truft is apt to breake ; 
 Hate like hell mouth, who thinke not what they 
 fpeake. 
 Aum. Well, Madame, I muft tender my attend- 
 ance 
 On him againe. Will't pleafe you to returne 
 No feruice to him by me ? 
 
 Count. Fetch me ftraight 
 My little Cabinet. [Exit And/.] Tis little tell him, 
 And much too little for his matchleffe loue : 
 But as in him the worths of many men
 
 The Revenge of Bujfy DAmbois. 1 57 
 
 Are clofc contracted ; [Intr. And/.] fo in this arc 
 
 I ewe Is 
 Worth many Cabinets. Here, with this (good fir) 
 Commend my kindeil feruice to my feruant, 
 Thanke him, with all my comforts ; and, in them 
 With all my life for them : all fent from him 
 In his remembrance of nice, and true loue : 
 And looke you tell him, tell him how I lye 
 
 She knecles downe at his j 
 Proflrate at feet of his accurft misfortune, 
 Pouring my teares out, which (hall euer fall, 
 Till I haue pour'd for him out eyes and all. 
 
 Aum. O Madame, this will kill him : comfort you 
 With full affurance of his quicke acquitall ; 
 Be not fo paflionate : rife, ceafe your teares. 
 
 Court. Then muft my life ceafe. Teares are all the 
 vent 
 My life hath to fcape death : Teares pleafe me better, 
 Then all lifes comforts, being the naturall feede 
 Of heartie forrow. As a tree fruit beares, Hee raifes 
 So doth an vndiffembled forrow, teares. her, andleadcs 
 
 her out. Kxe. 
 
 VJJi. This might haue beene before, and fau'd 
 
 much charge. Exit. 
 
 Enter Henry, Guife, Baligny, Efp. Soiffon. 
 Pericot with pen, ineke, and paper. 
 
 Guife. Now fir, I hope you're much abus'd Eyes 
 fee 
 In my word for my Clermont, what a villaine 
 Hee was that whifper'd in your iealous eare 
 His owne blacke treafon in fuggefting Clermonts : 
 Colour'd with nothing but being great with mee, 
 Signe then this writ for his deliuerie, 
 Your hand was neuer vrg'd with worthier boldneffe : 
 Come, pray fir, figne it : why fhould Kings be praid 
 To a6ls of Iuftice ? tis a reuerence 
 Makes them defpis'd, and fhowes they fticke and tyre
 
 1 58 The Reuenge of Btijfly UAmbois. 
 
 In what their free powers fhould be hot as fire. 
 
 Hen. Well, take your will fir, He haue mine ere 
 long. Aiccrfus. 
 
 But wherein is this Clermont fuch a rare one ? 
 
 'Guife. In his mod gentle, and vnwearied minde, 
 Rightly to vertue fram'd; in very nature ; 
 In his mod firme inexorable fpirit, 
 To be remou'd from any thing hee chufeth 
 For worthineffe ; or beare the left perfwafion 
 To what is bafe, or fitteth not his obie6l ; 
 In his contempt of riches and of greatneffe ; 
 In eftimation of th'Idolatrous vulgar ; t 
 
 His fcorne of all things feruile and ignoble, 
 Though they could gaine him neuer fuch aduance- 
 
 ment ; 
 His liberall kinde of fpeaking what is truth, 
 In fpight of temporifing ; the great rifing, 
 and learning of his foule, fo much the more 
 Againft ill fortune, as fhee fet her felfe 
 Sharpe againft him, or would prefent mod hard, 
 To fhunne the malice of her deadlieft charge ; 
 His deteftation of his fpeciall friends, 
 When he perceiu'd their tyrannous will to doe, 
 Or their abiec~lion bafely to fuftaine 
 Any iniuftice that they could reuenge ; 
 The flexibilitie of his moft anger, 
 Euen in the maine careere and fury of it, 
 Wnen any obiect of defertfull pittie 
 Offers it felfe to him ; his fweet difpofure 
 As much abhorring to behold, as doe 
 Any vnnaturall and bloudy adtion ; 
 His iuft contempt of Iefters, Parafites, 
 Seruile obferuers, and polluted tongues : 
 In fhort, this Senecall man is found in him, 
 Hee may with heauens immortall powers compare, 
 To whom the day and fortune equall are, 
 Come faire or foule, what euer chance can fall, 
 Fixt in himfelfe, hee ftill is one to all.
 
 The Reuenge of Buffy UAmbois. 159 
 
 Hen. Showes he to others thus ? Omncs. To all 
 that know him. 
 
 Hen. And apprehend I this man for a traitor % 
 
 Guife. Thefe are your Macheuilian Villaines, 
 Your baftard Teucers, that their mifchiefes done, 
 Runne to your fhield for fhelter : Caucuffes, 
 That cut their too large murtherous theueries, 
 To their dens length ftill : woe be to that ftate 
 Where treacherie guards, and ruine makes men great. 
 
 Hen. Goe, take my Letters for him, and releafe him. 
 
 Om. Thankes to your Highneffe, euer hue your 
 Highneffe. Exeu?it. 
 
 Bal. Better a man were buried quicke, then hue 
 A propertie for ftate, and fpoile, to thriue. Exit. 
 
 Enter Clermont, Mail. Chal. with Souldicrs. 
 
 Mail. Wee ioy you take a chance fo ill, fo well. 
 
 Cler. Who euer faw me differ in acceptance 
 Of eyther fortune ? 
 
 Chal. What, loue bad, like good ? 
 How mould one learne that 1 
 
 Cler. To loue nothing outward, 
 Or not within our owne powers to command ; 
 And fo being fure of euery thing we loue, 
 Who cares to lofe the reft : if any man 
 Would neyther Hue nor dye in his free choife, 
 But as hee fees neceflitie will haue it, 
 (Which if hee would refill, he ftriues in vaine) 
 What can come neere him, that hee doth not well, 
 And if in worfl euents, his will be done ; 
 How can the beft be better ? all is one. 
 
 Mail. Me thinkes tis prettie. 
 
 Cler. Put no difference 
 If you haue this, or not this ; but as children 
 Playing at coites, euer regard their game, 
 And care not for their coites ; fo let a man 
 The things themfelues that touch him not efteeme, 
 But his free power in well difpofing them.
 
 160 The Reuenge of Buff y UAmbois. 
 
 Chal. Prettie from toyes. 
 
 Clcr. Me thinkes thi<= double difticke 
 Seemes prettily too, to flay fuperfluous longings : 
 Not to haue want, what riches doth exceede % 
 Not to be fubiect, what fuperiour thing ? 
 He that to nought afpires, doth nothing neede ; 
 Who breakes no Law is fubiect to no King. 
 
 Mail. This goes to mine eare well I promife you. 
 
 Chal. O, but tis pafiing hard to flay one thus. 
 
 Cler. Tis fo ; rancke cuflome raps men fo beyond 
 it, 
 And as tis hard, fo well mens dores to barre 
 To keepe the cat out, and th'adulterer ; 
 So tis as hard to curbe affections fo, 
 Wee let in nought to make them ouer-flow. 
 And as of Homers verfes, many Critickes 
 On thofe fland, of which times old moth hath eaten, 
 The firft or lafl feete, and the perfect parts, 
 of his vnmatched Poeme fmke beneath, 
 With vpright gafping, and floath dull as death : 
 So the vnprofttable things of life, 
 And thofe we cannot compaffe, we affect ; 
 All that doth profit, and wee haue, neglect, 
 Like couetous, and bafely getting men, 
 That gathering much, vfe neuer what they keepe ; 
 But for the leafl they loofe, extreamely vveepe, 
 
 Mail. This prettie talking and our horfes walking 
 Downe this fleepe hill, fpends time with eqaall profit. 
 
 Cler. Tis well beflow'd on ye, meate and men 
 ficke 
 Agree like this, and you : and yet euen this 
 Is th'end of all skill, power, wealth, all that is. 
 
 Chal. I long to heare fir, how your Miflreffe 
 takes this. 
 
 Enter Aumal with a Cabinet. 
 
 Mail. Wee foone fhall know it : fee Aumall 
 return' d.
 
 The Rcucnge of Biiffy jy Ambois. 1 6 1 
 
 Aum. Eafe to your bands fir. 
 
 Clcr. Welcome worthy friend. 
 
 dial. How tooke his noblefl Miflrefle your fad 
 meffage ? 
 
 Au?n. As great rich men take fodaine pouertie. 
 I neuer witneis'd a more noble loue, 
 Nor a more ruthfull forrow : [ well wiftit 
 Some other had beene mafter of my meffage. 
 
 Mail. Y'are happy fir, in all things, but this one, 
 Of your vnhappy apprehenfion. 
 
 Clcr. This is to mee, compar'd with her much 
 mone, 
 As one teare is to her whole paffion. 
 
 Aum. Sir, fhee commends her kindefl feruice to you, 
 And this rich Cabinet. 
 
 dial. O happy man. 
 This may enough hold to redeeme your bands. 
 
 der. Thefe clouds I doubt not, will be foone 
 blowne ouer. 
 
 Enter Baligny with his dif charge : Renel, and others. 
 
 Aum. Your hope is iuft and happy, fee fir both 
 In both the looks of thefe. 
 
 Bal. Here's a difcharge 
 For this your prifoner, my good Lord Lieutenant. 
 
 Mail. Alas, fir, I vfurpe that ftile enforc't, 
 And hope you know it was not my afpiring. 
 
 Bal. Well fir, my wrong afpir'd pad all mens 
 hopes. 
 
 Mail. I forrow for it fir. 
 
 Ren. You fee fir there 
 Your prifoners difcharge autenticall. 
 
 Mail. It is fir, and I yeeld it him with gladneffe. 
 
 Bal. Brother, I brought you downe to much good 
 purpofe. 
 
 dcr. Repeate not that fir : the amends makes all : 
 
 Ren. I ioy in it, my beft and worthieft friend, 
 O y'haue a princely fautor of the Guife. 
 
 L
 
 1 6 1 The Renenge of Bufjy DA mbais. 
 
 Bal. I thinke I did my part to. 
 
 Ren. Well, fir; all 
 Is in the iffue well : and (worthier! Friend) 
 Here's from your friend the Guife ; here from the 
 
 Counteffe, 
 Your Brothers Miftreffe, the contents whereof 
 I know, and muft prepare you now to pleafe 
 Th'vnrefted fpirit of your flaughtered brother, 
 If it be true, as you imagin'd once, 
 His apparition fhow'd it ; the complot 
 Is now laid fure betwixt vs ; therefore hafte 
 Both to your great friend (who hath fome vfe 
 
 waightie 
 For your repaire to him) and to the Counteffe, 
 Whofe fatisfaclion is no leffe important. 
 
 Ckr. I fee all, and will hafte as it importeth. 
 And good friend, fince I muft delay a little 
 My wifht attendance on my nobleft Miftreffe, 
 Excufe me to her, with returne of this, 
 And endleffe proteftation of myieruice; 
 And now become as glad a meffenger, 
 As you were late a wofull. 
 
 Aum. Happy change, 
 I euer will falute thee with my feruice. Exit. 
 
 Bal. Yet more newes Brother; the late iefting 
 Monfieur 
 Makes now your Brothers dying prophefie equall 
 At all parts, being dead as he prefag'd. 
 
 Ren. Heauen fhield the Guife from feconding that 
 truth, 
 With what he likewife prophefied on him. 
 
 Clcr. It hath enough, twas grac'd with truth in 
 one, 
 To'th other falfhood and confufion. 
 Leade to'th Court fir. 
 
 Bal. You He leade no more, 
 It was to ominous and foule before. Exeunt. 
 
 Finis Aclus quartz.
 
 The Reuengc of Bulfy UAmbois. 1 63 
 
 A<5tus quinti Scacna prima 
 
 Afcendit Vmbra Buffi. 
 
 Vmb. "\ J P from the Chaos of etemall night, 
 
 V (To which the whole digeftion of the 
 world 
 Is now returning) once more I afcend, 
 And bide the cold dampe of this piercing ayre, 
 To vrge the iuftice, whofe almightie word 
 Meafures the bloudy acts of impious men, 
 With equall pennance, who in th'acl it felfe 
 Includes th'infiiclion, which like chained (hot 
 Batter together Hill ; though (as the thunder 
 Seemes, by mens duller hearing then their fight, 
 To breake a great time after lightning forth, 
 Yet both at one time teare the labouring cloud,) 
 So men thinke pennance of their ils is flow, 
 Though th'ill and pennance ftill together goe. 
 Reforme yee ignorant men, your manleffe liues 
 Whofe lawes yee thinke are nothing but your lufts 
 When leauing but for fuppofition fake, 
 The body of felicitie (Religion) 
 Set in the midft of Chriftcndome, and her head 
 Cleft to her bofome ; one halfe one way fwaying 
 Another th'other : all the Chriftian world 
 And all her lawes, whofe obferuation, 
 Stands vpon faith, aboue the power of reafon :
 
 164 The Reuenge of Buffy D'Ambois. 
 
 Leauing (I fay) all thefe, this might fuffice, 
 To fray yee from your vicious fwindge in ill, 
 And fet you more on fire to doe more good : 
 That fince the world (as which of you denies) 
 Stands by proportion, all may thence conclude, 
 That all the ioynts and nerues fuftaining nature, 
 As well may breake, and yet the world abide, 
 As any one good vnrewarded die, 
 Or any one ill fcape his penaltie. 
 
 The Ghqfl Jlands dofe. 
 
 Enter Guife, Clermont. 
 
 Gui. Thus (friend) thou feed how all good men 
 would thriue, 
 Did not the good thou prompt'ft me with preuent, 
 The iealous ill purfuing them in others. 
 But now thy dangers are difpatcht, note mine : 
 Haft thou not heard of that admired voyce, 
 That at the Barricadoes fpake to mee, 
 (No perfon feene) Let's leade (my Lord) to Reimes ? 
 
 Cler. Nor could you learne the perfon 1 
 
 Guife. By no meanes. 
 
 Cler. Twas but your fancie then a waking dreame : 
 For as in fleepe, which bindes both th'outward fenfes, 
 And the fenfe common to ; th'imagining power 
 (Stird vp by formes hid in the memories ftore, 
 Or by the vapours of o'er-flowing humours 
 In bodies full and foule ; and mixt with fpirits,) 
 Faines many ftrange, miraculous images, 
 In which act, it fo painfully applyes 
 It felfe to thofe formes, that the common fenfe 
 It actuates with his motion ; and thereby 
 Thofe fictions true feeme, and haue reall act : 
 So, in the ftrength of our conceits, awake, 
 The caufe alike, doth of like fictions make. 
 
 Guife. Be what it will, twas a prefage of fome- 
 thing 
 Waightie and fecret, which th'aduertifements
 
 The Reuenge of Buff y D , A}iibois. 165 
 
 I haue receiu'd from all parts, both without, 
 
 And in this Kingdome, as from Rome and Spaine 
 
 Soccaine and Sauoye, giues me caufe to thinke, 
 
 All writing that our plots Cataflrophe, 
 
 For propagation of the Catholique caufe, 
 
 Will bloudy proue, diffoluing all our counfailes : 
 
 Cler. Retyre then from them all. 
 
 Guife. I muft not doe fo. 
 The Arch-Bifhop of Lyons tels me plaine 
 I fhall be faid then to abandon France 
 In fo important an occafion : 
 And that mine enemies (their profit making 
 Of my faint abfence) foone would let that fall, 
 That all my paines did to this height exhale. 
 
 Cler. Let all fall that would rife vnlawfully : 
 Make not your forward fpirit in vertues right, 
 A property for vice, by thrufting on 
 Further then all your powers can fetch you off. 
 It is enough, your will is infinite 
 To all things vertuous and religious, 
 Which within limits kept, may without danger 
 Let vertue fome good from your Graces gather, 
 Auarice of all is euer nothings father. 
 
 Vmb. Danger (the fpurre of all great mindes) is 
 euer 
 The curbe to your tame fpirits ; you refpect not 
 (With all your holinefle of life and learning) 
 More then the prefent, like illiterate vulgars, 
 Your minde (you fay) kept in your flefhes bounds, 
 Showes that mans will muft rul'd be by his power : 
 When (by true doctrine) you are taught to liue 
 Rather without the body, then within ; 
 And rather to your God flill then your felfe : 
 To liue to him, is to doe all things fitting 
 His Image, in which, like himfelfe we liue ; 
 To be his Image, is to doe thofe things, 
 That make vs deathleffe, which by death is onely ; 
 Doing thofe deedes that fit etemitie, 
 And thofe deedes are the perfecting that Iuflice,
 
 1 66 The Reuenge of BuJ/y IfAmbois. 
 
 That makes the world laft, which proportion is 
 
 Of punifhment and wreake for euery wrong, 
 
 As well as for right a reward as ftrong : 
 
 Away then, vfe the meanes thou haft to right 
 
 The wrong I fuffer'd. What corrupted Law 
 
 Leaues vnperform'd in Kings, doe thou fupply, 
 
 And be aboue them all in dignitie. Exit. 
 
 Guife. Why ftand'fl thou ftill thus, and applyeft 
 thine eares, 
 And eyes to nothing 1 
 
 Cler. Saw you nothing here % 
 
 Guife. Thou dream'ft, awake now ; what was here 
 to fee ? 
 
 Cler. My Brothers fpirit, vrging his reuenge. 
 
 Guife. Thy Brothers fpirit ! pray thee mocke me 
 not. 
 
 Cler. No, by my loue and feruice. 
 
 Guife. Would he rife, 
 And not be thundring threates againft the Guife % 
 
 Cler. You make amends for enmitie to him, 
 With tenne parts more loue, and defert of inee ; 
 And as you make your hate to him, no let 
 Of any loue to mee ; no more beares hee 
 (Since you to me fupply it) hate to you. 
 Which reafon and which Iuftice is perform'd 
 In Spirits tenne parts more then flefhy men. 
 To whofe fore-fights our acts and thoughts lie open : 
 And therefore hnce hee faw the treacherie 
 Late practis'd by my brother Baligny, 
 Hee would not honor his hand with the iuftice 
 (As hee efteemes it) of his blouds reuenge, 
 To which my Sifter needes would haue him fworne, 
 Before the would confent to marry him. 
 
 Guife. O Baligny, who would beleeue there were 
 A man, that (onely fmce his lookes are rais'd 
 Vpwards, and haue but facred heauen in fight) 
 Could beare a minde fo more then diuellifh 1 
 As for the painted glory of the countenance, 
 Flitting in Kings, doth good for nought efteeme,
 
 TJie Reuenge of BuJJy D 1 Ambois. 167 
 
 And the more ill hee does, the better feeme. 
 
 Cler. Wee eafily may beleeue it, fince we fee 
 In this worlds praclife few men better be. 
 Iuflice to hue doth nought but Iuftice neede, 
 But Policie muft ftill on mifchiefe feede. 
 Vntruth for all his ends, truths name doth fue in ; 
 None fafely liue, but thofe that ftudy ruine. 
 A good man happy, is a common good ; 
 111 men aduanc'd liue of the common bloud. 
 
 Guife. But this thy brothers fpirit ftartles mee, 
 Thefe fpirits feld or neuer hanting men, 
 But fome mifhap enfues. 
 
 Clcr. Enfue what can : 
 Tyrants may kill, but neuer hurt a man ; 
 All to his good makes, fpight of death and hell. 
 
 Enter A u mall 
 
 Aum, All the defert of good, renowne your High- 
 neffe. 
 
 Guife. Welcome Aumall. 
 
 Clcr. My good friend, friendly welcome. 
 How tooke my nobleft miftrefle the chang'd newes % 
 
 Aum. It came too late fir, for thofe louelieft eyes 
 (Through which a foule look't fo diuinely louing, 
 Teares nothing vttering her diftrefle enough) 
 She wept quite out, and like two falling Starres 
 Their deareft fights quite vanifht with her teares. 
 
 Cler. All good forbid it. 
 
 Guife. What euents are thefe 1 
 
 Cler. All muft be borne my Lord ; and yet this 
 chance 
 Would willingly enforce a man to caft off 
 All power to beare with comfort, fmce hee fees 
 In this, our comforts made our miferies. 
 
 Guife. How ftrangely thou art lou'd of both the 
 fexes ; 
 Yet thou lou'ft neyther, but the good of both. 
 
 Cler. In loue of women, my affection firft
 
 1 68 The Revenge of Btiffy DAmbois. 
 
 Takes fire out of the fraile parts of my bloud ; 
 Which till I haue enioy'd, is paffionate, 
 Like other louers : but fruition paft, 
 I then loue out of iudgement ; the defert 
 Of her I loue, ftill flicking in my heart, 
 Though the defire, and the delight be gone, 
 Which muft chance ftill, fince the comparifon 
 Made vpon tryall twixt what reafon loues, 
 And what affection, makes in mee the beft 
 Euer preferd ; what moft loue, valuing left. 
 
 Guife. Thy loue being iudgement then, and of the 
 minde, 
 Marry thy worthieft miftreffe now being blinde. 
 
 Cler. If there were loue in mariage fo I would ; 
 But I denie that any man doth loue, 
 Affecting wiues, maides, widowes, any women : 
 For neither Flyes loue milke, although they drowne 
 In greedy fearch thereof ; nor doth the Bee 
 Loue honey, though the labour of her life 
 Is fpent in gathering it ; nor thofe that fat 
 Or beafts, or fowles, doe any thing therein 
 For any loue : for as when onely nature 
 Moues men to meate, as farre as her power rules, 
 Shee doth it with a temperate appetite, 
 The too much men deuoure, abhorring nature ; 
 And in our moft health, is our moft difeafe : 
 So, when humanitie rules men and women. 
 Tis for focietie confinde in reafon. 
 But what excites the beds defire in bloud, 
 By no meanes iuftly can be conftrued loue ; 
 For when loue kindles any knowing fpirit, 
 It ends in vertue and effects diuine ; 
 And is in friendfhip chafte, and mafculine. 
 
 Guije. Thou (halt my Miftreffe be; me thinkesmy 
 bloud 
 Is taken vp to all loue with thy vertues. 
 And howfoeuer other men defpife 
 Thefe Paradoxes ftrange, and too precife, 
 Since they hold on the right way of our reafon,
 
 The Reuenge of Buffy UAmbois. 169 
 
 I could attend them euer. Come, away ; 
 Performe thy brothers thus importun'd wreake ; 
 And I will fee what great affaires the King 
 Hath to employ my counfell, which he feemes 
 Much to defire, and more and more efteemes. Exit. 
 
 Enter Henry, Baliqny, with fixe of the guard. 
 
 Hen. Saw you his fawcie forcing of my hand 
 To D'Ambois freedome 1 
 
 Bal. Saw, and through mine eyes 
 Let fire into my heart, that burn'd to beare 
 An infolence fo Giantly auftere. 
 
 Hen. The more Kings beare at Subiecls hands, the 
 more 
 Their lingring Iuftice gathers ; that refembles 
 The waightie, and the goodly-bodied Eagle, 
 Who (being on earth) before her fhady wings 
 Can raife her into ayre, a mightie way 
 Clofe by the ground fhe runnes ; but being aloft, 
 All fliee commands, fhe flyes at ; and the more 
 Death in her Seres beares, the more time fhee ftayes 
 Her thundry ftoope from that on which fhee preyes. 
 
 Bal. You muft be then more fecret in the waight 
 Of thefe your fhadie counfels, who will elfe 
 Beare (where fuch fparkes flye as the Guife and D'Am- 
 bois) 
 Pouder about them. Counfels (as your entrailes) 
 Should be vnpierfl and found kept ; for not thofe, 
 Whom you difcouer, you neglect ; but ope 
 A ruinous paffage to your owne beft hope. 
 
 Hen. Wee haue Spies fet on vs, as we on others ; 
 And therefore they that ferue vs muft excufe vs, 
 If what wee moft hold in our hearts, take winde, 
 Deceit hath eyes that fee into the minde. 
 But this plot fhall be quicker then their twinckling, 
 On whofe lids Fate, with her dead waight fhall lie, 
 And Confidence that lightens ere fhe die. 
 Friends of my Guard, as yee gaue othe to be
 
 1 70 The Reuenge of Bujjy DAmbois. 
 
 True to your Soueraigne, keepe it manfully : 
 Your eyes haue witneft oft th 'Ambition 
 That neuer made acceffe to me in Guife 
 But Treafon euer fparkled in his eyes : 
 Which if you free vs of, our fafetie iliall 
 You not our Subiects, but our Patrons call. 
 
 Omjies. Our duties binde vs, hee is now but 
 dead. 
 
 Hoi. Wee truft in it, and thanke ye. Baligny, 
 Goe lodge their ambufh, and thou God that art 
 Fautor of Princes, thunder from the skies, 
 Beneath his hill of pride this Gyant Guife. Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Tamyra with a Letter, Charlotte in mans 
 
 attire. 
 
 Tarn. I fee y'are Seruant, fir, to my deare fifter, 
 The Lady of her lou'd Baligny. 
 
 Char. Madame I am bound to her vertuous 
 bounties, 
 For that life which I offer in her vertuous feruice, 
 To the reuenge of her renowned brother. 
 
 Tam. She writes to mee as much, and much 
 defires, 
 That you may be the man, whofe fpirit fhee knowes 
 Will cut fhort off thefe long and dull delayes, 
 Hitherto bribing the eternall Iuftice : 
 Which I beleeue, fmce her vnmatched fpirit 
 Can iudge of fpirits, that haue her fulphure in them ; 
 But I muft tell you, that I make no doubt, 
 Her liuing brother will reuenge her dead, 
 On whom the dead impos'd the taske, and hee, 
 I know, will come t' effect it inflantly. 
 
 Char. They are but words in him ; beleeue them 
 not. 
 
 Tam. See ; this is the vault, where he muft enter : 
 Where now I thinke hee is.
 
 The Reuengc of Buff y D'Ambois. i7i 
 
 Enter Rcnel at the vault, with the Countcffc being 
 
 blinde. 
 
 Ren. God faue you Lady. 
 What Gentleman is this, with whom you truft 
 The deadly waightie fecret of this houre % 
 
 Tarn. One that your felfe will fay, I well may truft 
 
 Ren. Then come vp Madame. 
 
 He helps the Counteffe vp. 
 See here honour'd Lady, 
 A Countefle that in loues mifliap doth equall 
 At all parts your wrong'd felfe ; and is the miflrefle 
 Of your flaine feruants brother ; in whofe loue 
 For his late treachrous apprehenfion, 
 She wept her faire eyes from her Iuory browes, 
 And would haue wept her foule out, had not I 
 Promift to bring her to this mortall quarrie, 
 That by her loft eyes for her feruants loue, 
 She might coniure him from this fterne attempt, 
 In which, (by a mod ominous dreame fhee had) 
 Shee knowes his death fixt, and that neuer more 
 Out of this place the Sunne fhall fee him liue. 
 
 Char. I am prouided then to take his place, 
 And vndertaking on me. 
 
 Ren. You fir, why? 
 
 Char. Since I am charg'd fo by my miflreffe, 
 His mournfull filler. 
 
 Tarn. See her Letter fir. Hee reades. 
 
 Good Madame, I rue your fate, more then mine, 
 And know not how to order thefe affaires, 
 They ftand on fuch occurrents. 
 
 Ren. This indeede, 
 I know to be your Lady miflreffe hand, 
 And know befides, his brother will, and mufl 
 Indure no hand in this reuenge but his. 
 
 Enter Vmbr. Buf/y. 
 
 Vmb. Away, difpute no more ; get vp, and fee,
 
 172 The Reiienge of Bujjy D'Anzbois. 
 
 Clermont mull auchthor this iufl Tragedie. 
 
 Conn. Who's that % Ren. The fpirit of Bufly. 
 
 Tarn. O my feruant ! let vs embrace. 
 
 Vmb. Forbeare. The ayre, in which 
 My figures likneffe is impreft, will blaft, 
 Let my reuenge for all loues fatisfie, 
 In which (dame) feare not, Clermont (hall not dye : 
 No word difpute more, vp, and fee th'euent. 
 
 Exeunt Ladyes. 
 Make the Guard fure Renel 5 and then the doores 
 Command to make faft, when the Earle is in. 
 
 Exit Ren. 
 The blacke foft-footed houre is now on wing, 
 Which for my iuft wreake, Ghofts fhall celebrate, 
 With dances dire, and of infernall ftate. Exit. 
 
 Enter Guife. 
 
 Guife. Who fayes that death is naturall, when 
 " nature 
 Is with the onely thought of it, difmaid ? 
 I haue had Lotteries fet vp for my death, 
 And I haue drawne beneath my trencher one, 
 Knit in my hand-kerchiefe another lot, 
 The word being ; Y'are a dead man if you enter, 
 And thefe words, this imperfe£l bloud and flefh, 
 Shrincke at in fpight of me ; their folidfl part 
 Melting like fnow within mee, with colde fire : 
 I hate my felfe, that feeking to rule Kings, 
 I cannot curbe my flaue. Would any fpirit 
 Free, manly, Princely, wifh to hue to be 
 Commanded by this maffe of flauerie, 
 Since Reafon, Judgement, Refolution, 
 And fcorne of what we feare, will yeeld to feare 1 
 While this fame fincke of fenfualitie fwels, 
 Who would hue finking in it 1 and not fpring 
 Vp to the Starres, and leaue this carrion here, 
 For Wolfes, and Vultures, and for Dogges to teare ? 
 O Clermont D'Ambois, wert thou here to chide
 
 The Rcucnge of Bujfy DAmbois. 173 
 
 This foftneffe from my flefh, farre as my reafon, 
 Farre as my refolution, not to flirre 
 One foote out of the way, for death and hell. 
 Let my falfe man by falfhood perifh here, 
 There's no way elfe to fet my true man cleere. 
 
 Enter Mejjcngcr. 
 
 Meff. The King defires your Grace to come to 
 Council! 
 
 Gutfe. I come. It cannot be : hee will not dare 
 To touch me with a treacherie fo prophane. 
 Would Clermont now were here, to try how hee 
 Would lay about him, if this plot fhould be : 
 Here would be toffing foules into the skie. 
 Who euer knew bloud fau'd by treacherie ? 
 Well, I mufl on, and will ; what fhould I feare ? 
 Not againfl two, Alcides? againft two 
 And Hercules to friend, the Guife will goe. 
 
 He takes vp the Arras, and the Guard enters vpon him : 
 
 hee drawes. 
 
 Guife. Holde murtherers. They Jlrikc him downe. 
 So then, this is confidence ( The king comes 
 
 In greatnes, not in goodnes : wher< in fight with Ef. 
 is the king ? ( Soif. 6- others. 
 
 Let him appeare to iuftifie his deede. 
 In fpight of my betrai'd wounds ; ere my foule 
 Take her flight through them, and my tongue hath 
 
 flrength 
 To vrge his tyrannic 
 
 Hen. See fir, I am come 
 To iuftifie it before men, and God, 
 Who knowes with what wounds in my heart for woe 
 Of your fo wounded faith, I made thefe wounds, 
 Forc't to it by an infolence of force 
 To flirre a ftone, nor as a rocke oppos'd 
 To all the billowes of the churlifh fea,
 
 1 74 The Reuenge of Bnffy D'Amdozs. 
 
 More beate, and eaten with them, then was I 
 With your ambitious mad Idolatrie ; 
 And this bloud I fhed, is to faue the bloud 
 Of many thoufands. 
 
 Guife. That's your white pretext, 
 But you will finde one drop of bloud fhed lawleffe, 
 Will be the fountaine to a purple fea : 
 The prefent luft, and fhift made for Kings Hues 
 Againft the pure forme, and iuft power of Law, 
 Will thriue like fhifters purchafes ; there hangs 
 A black e Starre in the skies, to which the Sunne 
 Giues yet no light, will raine a poyfon'd fhower 
 Into your entrailes, that will make you feele 
 How little fafetie lies in treacherous fteele. 
 
 Hen. Well fir, He beare it ; y'haue a Brother to, 
 Burfts with like threates, the skarlet Cardinall : 
 Seeke, and lay hands on him ; and take this hence, 
 Their blouds, for all you, on my confcience. Exit. 
 
 Guife. So fir, your full fvvindge take ; mine, death 
 hath curb'd. 
 Clermont, farewell : O didft thou fee but this : 
 But it is better, fee by this the Ice 
 Broke to thine owne bloud, which thou wilt defpife, 
 When thou hear'ft mine fhed. Is there no friend here 
 Will beare my loue to him 1 A u/u. I will, my Lord. 
 
 Guife. Thankes with my laft breath : recommend 
 me then 
 To the moft worthy of the race of men. 
 
 Dyes. Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Montf. and Tamyra. 
 
 Mont. Who haue you let into my houfe % Tarn. I, 
 none. 
 
 Mont. Tis falfe, I fauour the rancke bloud of foes 
 In euery corner. 
 
 Tarn. That you may doe well, 
 It is the bloud you lately fhed, you fmell. 
 
 Mont. Sdeath the vault opes. The guife opens.
 
 The Revenge of BufJTy UAmbois. 1 75 
 
 Tarn. What vault ? hold your fword. Clermont 
 
 afcctnls. 
 Cler. No, let him vfe it. Mont. Treafon, mur- 
 
 ther, murther. 
 Cler. Exclaime not ; tis is in vainc, and bafe in 
 you, 
 Being one, to onely one. Mont. O bloudy flrumpet ! 
 C/cr. With what bloud charge you her ] it may be 
 mine 
 As well as yours ; there fliall not any elfe 
 Enter or touch you : I conferre no guards, 
 Nor imitate the murtherous courfe you tooke ; 
 But fingle here, will haue my former challenge, 
 Now anfwer'd fingle, not a minute more 
 My brothers bloud fliall flay for his reuenge, 
 If I can acT it ; if not, mine fliall adde 
 A double conqueft to you, that alone 
 Put it to fortune now, and vfe no ods. 
 Storme not, nor beate your felfe thus gainft the dores, 
 Like to a fauage vermine in a trap : 
 All dores are fure made, and you cannot fcape, 
 But by your valour. Mont. No, no, come and kill 
 mee. 
 Cler. If you will die fo like a beafl, you fhall, 
 But when the fpirit of a man may faue you, 
 Doe not fo fhame man, and a Noble man. 
 
 Mont. I doe not fliow this bafeneffe, that I feare 
 thee, 
 But to preuent and fhame thy victory, 
 Which of one bafe is bafe, and fo He die. Cler. Here 
 then. 
 Mou. Stay, hold, one thought hath harden'd me, 
 
 He flarts vp. 
 And fince I muft afford thee viclorie, 
 It fhall be great and braue, if one requeft 
 Thou wilt admit mee. Cler. What's that 1 
 
 Mont. Giue me leaue 
 To fetch and vfe the fword thy Brother gaue mee 
 When he was brauely giuing vp his life.
 
 176 The Revenge of Bujjy D'Ambois. 
 
 Cler. No, lie not fight againft my brothers fword, 
 Not that I feare it, but fince tis a tricke, 
 For you to lhow your backe. 
 
 Mo?it. By all truth, no : 
 Take but my honourable othe, I will not. 
 
 Cler. Your honourable othe, plaine truth no place 
 has 
 Where othes are honourable. 
 
 Tarn. Truft not his othe. 
 Hee will lie like a Lapwing, when fhee flyes 
 Farre from her fought neft, ftill here tis fhee cryes. 
 
 Mont. Out on thee damme of Diuels, I will quite 
 Difgrace thy braues conqueft, die, not fight. 
 
 Lyes downe. 
 
 Tarn. Out on my fortune to wed fuch an abiedt. 
 Now is the peoples voyce, the voyce of God ; 
 Hee that to wound a woman vants fo much, 
 (As hee did mee) a man dares neuer touch. 
 
 Cler. Reuenge your wounds now madame, I refigne 
 him 
 Vp to your full will, fince hee will not fight. 
 Firft you fhall torture him (as hee did you, 
 And Iuftice wils) and then pay I my vow. 
 Here, take this Ponyard. 
 
 Mont. Sinke Earth, open Heauen, 
 And let fall vengeance. 
 
 Tam. Come fir, good fir hold him. 
 
 Mont. O fhame of women, whither art thou fled ! 
 
 Cler. Why (good my Lord) is it a greater fhame 
 For her then you % come, I will be the bands 
 You vs'd to her, prophaning her faire hands. 
 
 Mont. No fir, He fight now, and the terror be 
 Of all you Champions to fuch as fhee. 
 I did but thus farre dally : now obferue, 
 O all you aking fore-heads that haue rob'd, 
 Your hands of weapons, and your hearts of valour, 
 Ioyne in mee all your rages, and rebutters, 
 And into duft ram this fame race of Furies, 
 In this one relicke of the Ambois gall, 
 In his one purple foule flied, drowne it all. Fight.
 
 The Reucnge of BuJJy UAmbois. i 7 7 
 
 Mont. Now giue me breath a while. Clcr. Re- 
 ceiue it freely. 
 
 Mont. What thinke y'a this now? 
 
 Clcr. It is very noble. 
 Had it beene free (at leaft) and of your felfe, 
 And thus wee fee (where valour mod doth vant) 
 What tis to make a coward valiant 
 
 Mont. Now I mail grace your conqueft. 
 
 Clcr. That you fhall. Mont. If you obtaine it. 
 
 Clcr. True fir, tis in fortune. 
 
 Mont. If you were not a D'Ambois, I would fcarce 
 Change Hues with you, I feele fo great a change 
 In my tall fpirits breath'd, I thinke, with the breath 
 A D'Ambois breathes here, and neceffitie 
 (With whofe point now prickt on, and fo, vvhofe helpe 
 My hands may challenge, that doth all men conquer, 
 If fliee except not you, of all men onely) 
 May change the cafe here. 
 
 Clcr. True as you are chang'd, 
 Her power in me vrg'd, makes y'another man, 
 Then yet you euer were. Mont. Well, I muft on. 
 
 Clcr. Your Lordfhip mufl by all meanes. Mot/. 
 Then at all. Fights, and D'Ambois hurts him. 
 
 Charlotte abouc. 
 
 Char. Death of my father : what a fhame is this, 
 Sticke in his hands thus 1 Ren. Gentle fir forbeare. 
 
 Coun. Is he not flaine yet ? She gets dovme. 
 
 Ren. No Madame, but hurt in diuers parts of him. 
 
 Mont. Y'haue giuen it me, 
 And yet I feele life for another vennie, 
 
 Enter Charlotte. 
 
 Clcr. What would you fir ? 
 
 Char. I would performe this CombaL 
 
 Clcr. Againft which of vs ? 
 
 Char. I care not much if twere 
 
 M
 
 187 The Retienge of Bujfy D'Ambois. 
 
 Agalnft thy felfe : thy lifter would haue fham'd, 
 To haue thy Brothers wreake with any man 
 (In fingle combat) fticke fo in her fingers. 
 Cler. My Sifter 1 know you her ? 
 
 Cam. I fir, fhee fent him 
 With this kinde Letter, to performe the wreake 
 Of my deare Seruant. 
 
 Cler. Now alas good fir, 
 Thinke you you could doe more ? 
 
 Char. Alas 1 I doe, 
 And wer't not, I, frefh, found, fhould charge a man 
 Weary, and wounded, I would long ere this, 
 Haue prou'd what I prefume on. 
 
 Cler. Y'haue a minde 
 Like to my Sifter, but haue patience now, 
 If next charge fpeede not, He refigne to you, 
 
 Mont. Pray thee let him decide it. 
 
 Cler. No, my Lord, 
 I am the man in fate, and fince fo brauely 
 Your Lordfhip ftands mee, fcape but one more 
 
 charge, 
 And on my life, He fet your life at large. 
 
 Mont. Said like a D'Ambois, and if now I die, 
 Sit ioy and all good on thy viclorie. 
 
 Fights, and fals downe. 
 
 Mon. Farewell, I hartily forgiue [ Hee giues His 
 thee. Wife, <! hand to Cler. 
 
 And thee, let penitence fpend thy reft ( and his wife. 
 of life. 
 
 Cler. Noble and Chriftian. 
 
 Tarn. O it breakes my heart. 
 
 Cler. And fhould, for all faults found in him be- 
 fore, 
 Thefe words, this end, makes full amends and more. 
 Reft worthy foule, and with it the deare fpirit 
 Of my lou'd Brother, reft in endleffe peace : 
 Soft lie thy bones Heauen be your foules abode, 
 And to your afhes be the earth no lode.
 
 The Reuenge of Buffy UA))ibois. 179 
 
 Mufiche, and the Ghojl of Buffy enters, leading the 
 Ghqft of the Guife ; A/ouJieur, Cardinal/ Guife, 
 and Shatti/ion, they dance about the dead body, and 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Cler. How flrange is this 1 the Guife amongft thefe 
 fpirits, 
 And his great Brother Cardinall, both yet liuing, 
 And that the reft with them, with ioy thus celebrate 
 This our reuenge 1 This certainely prefages 
 Some inftant death both to the Guife and Cardinall. 
 That the Shattilians Ghoft to mould thus ioyne 
 In celebration of this iuft reuenge, 
 With Guife, that bore a chiefe ftroke in his death, 
 It feemes that now he doth approue the act, 
 And thefe true fhadowes of the Guife and Cardinall, 
 Fore-running thus their bodies, may approue 
 That all things to be done, as here wee liue, 
 Are done before all times in th'other life. 
 That Spirits fhould rife in thefe times yet are fables ; 
 Though learnedft men hold that our fenfiue fpirits 
 A little time abide about the graues 
 Of their deceafed bodies ; and can take 
 In colde condenc't ayre, the fame formes they had, 
 When they were fhut vp in this bodies fhade. 
 
 Enter A urn all. 
 
 Awn. O Sir, the Guife is flaine. Cler. Auert it 
 
 Heauen. 
 Aum. Sent for to Councill, by the King, an am- 
 bufh 
 (Lodg'd for the purpofe) rufht on him, and tooke 
 His Princely life ; who fent (in dying then) 
 His loue to you, as to the befl of men. 
 
 Cler. The worft, and moft accurft of things creep- 
 ing 
 On earths fad bofoine. Let me pray yee all
 
 180 The Reuenge ofBuJJy D'Ambois. 
 
 A little to forbeare, and let me vfe 
 Freely mine owne minde in lamenting him. 
 lie call yee flraight againe. 
 
 Aum. We will forbeare, and leaue you free fir. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Cler. Shall I Hue, and hee 
 Dead, that alone gaue meanes of life to me 1 
 There's no difputing with the acts of Kings, 
 Reuenge is impious on their facred perfons : 
 And could I play the worldling (no man louing 
 Longer then gaine is reapt, or grace from him) 
 I fhould furuiue, and fhall be wondred at, 
 (Though in mine owne hands being) I end with him : 
 But Friendfhip is the Sement of two mindes, 
 As of one man the foule and body is, 
 Of which one cannot feuer, but the other 
 Suffers a needfull feparation. Defcend Ren. 
 
 6° Coun. 
 
 Ren. I feare your fern ant, Madame : let's defcend. 
 
 Cler. Since I could skill of man, I neuer liu'd 
 To pleafe men worldly, and fhall I in death, 
 Refpect their pleafures, making fuch a iarre 
 Betwixt my death and life, when death fhould make 
 The confort fweeteft ; th'end being proofe and crown e 
 To all the skill and worth wee truely owne ? 
 Guife, O my Lord, how fhall I caft from me 
 The bands and couerts hindring me from thee ? 
 The garment or the couer of the minde, 
 The humane foule is ; of the foule, the fpirit 
 The proper robe is ; of the fpirit, the bloud ; 
 And of the bloud, the body is the flirowd. 
 With that mufl I beginne then to vnclothe, 
 And come at th'other. Now then as a fhip, 
 Touching at flrange, and farre remoued fhores ; 
 Her men a more goe, for their feuerall ends, 
 Frefh water, victuals, precious flones, and pearle, 
 All yet intentiue when (the mafler cals, 
 The Ship to put off ready) to leaue all 
 Their greedieft labours, left, they there be left,
 
 The Reuenge of Bujfy HAvibois. 1 8 1 
 
 To theeues, or beads, or be the Countries flaues : 
 
 So, now my mailer cals, my Qiip, my venture 
 
 All in one bottome put, all quite put off, 
 
 Gone vnder faile, and I left negligent, 
 
 To all the horrors of the vicious time, 
 
 The farre remou'd fhores to all vertuous aime \ ; 
 
 None fauouring goodneffe ; none but he refpecling 
 
 Pietie or man-hood. Shall 1 here furuiue, 
 
 Not caft me after him into the fea, 
 
 Rather then here hue, readie euery houre 
 
 To feede theeues, beads, and be the flaue of power ? 
 
 I come my Lord, Clermont thy creature comes. 
 
 Hee kUs himfelfe. 
 
 Enter Autnal, Tamyra, Charlotte* 
 
 Aum. What 1 lye and languifh, Clermont ? Curfed 
 man 
 To leaue him here thus : hec hath flaine himfelfe. 
 
 Tarn. Mifery on mifery ! me wretched I >ame 
 Of all that breath, all heauen turnc all his eyes, 
 In harty enuie, thus on one poore dame. 
 
 Char. Well done my Brother : I did loue thee 
 euer, 
 But now adore thee : lofTe of fuch a friend 
 None mould furuiue, of fuch a Brother ; 
 With my falfe husband hue, and both thefe flaine : 
 Ere I returne to him, He turne to earth. 
 
 Enter Raid leading the Counteffc. 
 
 Ren. Horror of humane eyes, O Clermont D'Am- 
 bois ! 
 Madame, wee (laid too long, your feruant's flaine. 
 
 Ceun. It muft be fo, he liu'd but in the Guife, 
 As I in him. O follow life mine eyes. 
 
 Tarn. Hide, hide thy fnakie head, to Cloiflers flie, 
 In pennance pine, too eafie tis to die. 
 
 c'/ir. It is. In Cloiflers then let's all furuiue.
 
 1 8 2 The Rcuenge of Buffy DAmbois. 
 
 Madame, fince wrath nor griefe can helpe thefe for- 
 tunes, 
 Let vs forfake the world, in which they raigne, 
 And for their wifht amends to God complaine. 
 
 Count. Tis fit and onely needfull : leade me on, 
 In heauens courfe comfort feeke, in earth is none. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Henry, Ejpernone, SoiJ/one, and others. 
 
 Hen. Wee came indeede too late, which much I 
 rue, 
 And would haue kept this Clermont as my crowne. 
 Take in the dead, and make this fatall roome 
 (The houfe fhut vp) the famous D'Ambois Tombe. 
 
 Exeunt 
 
 FINIS.
 
 CONSPIRACIE, 
 
 And 
 
 T R A G E D I E 
 
 OF 
 
 Charles Duke of Byron, 
 
 Marfhall of France. 
 
 Acled lately in two playes, at the 
 Black-Friers. 
 
 Written by George Chapman. 
 
 Printed by G. Eld for Thomas Tkorppc, and are to be fold at 
 the Tygers head in Paules Church-yard. 
 
 1608.
 
 [A few corrections, chiefly clerical, of the Edition of 
 1625, have been, for the most part silently, adopted in 
 the following reprint]
 
 To my Honorable and Conftant 
 
 friend, Sir Tho : Walfi?igha>n, Knight : and to my 
 much lotted from his birth, the right toward and worthy 
 Gentleman his fonne Thomas Walfingha/n, Efquire. 
 
 IR, though I know, you euer flood 
 
 little affected to thefe vnprofitable 
 
 (VftS^^wK riles of Dedication j (which difpofi- 
 
 a'H^HSf^ll^L t ' on m ^ ou ' natn mac ^ e me hcthcrto 
 "^p^^^^l^ difpence with your right in my other 
 impreflions) yet, leafl the world may 
 repute it a neglect in me, of fo ancient 
 and worthy a friend ; (hauing heard your approbation 
 of thefe in their prefentment) I could not but prefcribe 
 them with your name ; And that my affection may 
 extend to your Pofteritie, I haue entitled to it, herein, 
 your hope and comfort in your generous fonne ; whom 
 I doubt not, that mod reuerene'd Mother of Manly 
 Sciences ; to whofe inftruction your vertuous care com- 
 mits him ; will fo profitably initiate in her learned 
 labours, that they will make him florifh in his riper life, 
 ouer the idle hues of our ignorant Gentlemen ; and 
 enable him to fupply the Honorable places, of your 
 name ; extending your yeares, and his right noble 
 Mothers (in the true comforts of his vertues) to the 
 fight of much, and moil happy Progenie ; which moil 
 affectionately wifhing-; and diuiding thefe poore dif- 
 memberd Poems betwixt you, I defire to Hue flill in 
 your gracefull loues ; and euer 
 
 The mojl affured at your commandements 
 George Chapman.
 
 Prologus . 
 
 WHen the vnciuill, cinill warres of France, 
 Had pour d vpon the countries beaten brefl, 
 Her batter d Citties ; prejl her vnder hils 
 Of flaughterd carcqfes ; fet her in the mouthes 
 Of murtherous breaches, and made pale Defpaire, 
 Leaue her to Ruiney through them all, Byron 
 Slept to her refcue ; tooke her by the hand : 
 Pluckt Iter from vnder her vmiatural prejfe, 
 And fet her fhhiing in the height of peace. 
 And now neiv clenfd, from dufl, fro?n fweat, and bloud, 
 And dignified with title of a Duke ; 
 As when in wealthy Autumne, his bright flarre 
 ( WafJit in the lofty Ocean) thence arifeth ; 
 Illuflrates heauen, and all his other fires 
 Out-fJiines and darkens : fo admird Byron, 
 All France, exempted from comparifon. 
 He toucht heauen with his lance ; nor yet was toucht 
 With hellifli treacherie : his countries loue, 
 He yet thirfls : not the f aire fliades of himfelfe : 
 Of which empoifoned Spring ; when pollicie drinkes, 
 He burfls in growing great ; and rifing, finckes : 
 WJiich now behold in our Confpirator, 
 And fee in his reuoll, how honors flood 
 Ebbes into ayre, when men are Great, not Good.
 
 
 %^*3ff »Kb$§W* ^S^fe^ %«^ 
 
 BYRON'S CONSPIRACIE. 
 
 ACTVS i. SCAENA i. 
 
 Enter Sauoy, Rone as, Rochette, Breton. 
 
 Sau. T Would not for halfe Sauoy, but haue bound 
 France to fome fauour, by my perfonall 
 prefence 
 More than your felfe, (my Lord Ambaffadour) 
 Could haue obtaind ; for all Ambaffadours 
 (You know) haue chiefly thefe inftructions ; 
 To note the State and chiefe fway of the Court, 
 To which they are employde ; to penetrate 
 The heart, and marrow of the Kings defignes, 
 And to obferue the countenances and fpirites, 
 Of fuch as are impatient of reft ; 
 And wring beneath, fome priuate difcontent : 
 But, pad all thefe, there are a number more 
 Of thefe State Critifcifmes : That our perfonall view 
 May profitably make, which cannot fall 
 Within the powres of our inflruclion, 
 To make you comprehend ; I will doe more 
 W ith my meere fhadow, than you with your perfons.
 
 1 88 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 All you can fay againft my comming heere, 
 Is that, which I confeffe, may for the time, 
 Breede ftrange affections in my brother Spaine ; 
 But when I fhall haue time to make my Cannans, 
 The long-tong'd Heraulds of my hidden drifts, 
 Our reconcilement will be made with triumphs. 
 
 Ron. If not, your Highnefle hath fmall caufe to 
 care, 
 Hauing fuch worthy reafon to complaine 
 Of Spaines colde friendship, and his lingring fuccours, 
 Who onely entertaines your griefes with hope, 
 To make your medcine defperate. 
 
 Roch. My Lord knowes 
 The Spanifh gloffe too well ; his forme, fluffe, lading, 
 And the moft dangerous conditions, 
 He layes on them with whome he is in league, 
 Th'iniuftice in the moft vnequall dowre, 
 Giuen with th' Infanta, whome my Lord efpoufde, 
 Compar'd with that her elder fifter had, 
 May tell him how much Spaines loue weighs to him, 
 When of fo many Globes and Scepters held 
 By the great King, he onely would beftow 
 A portion but of fix fcore thoufand Crownes 
 In yeerely penfion, with his highneffe wife, 
 When the Infanta wedded by the Archduke 
 Had the Franch County, and lowe Prouinces. 1 
 
 Bret. We mould not fet thefe paffages of Splene 
 Twixt Spaine and Sauoy, to the weaker part, 
 More good by fuffrance growes, than deedes of heart, 
 The nearer Princes are, the further off 
 In rites of friendfhip ; my aduice had neuer 
 Confented to this voyage of my Lord, 
 In which he doth endaunger Spaines whole loffe, 
 For hope of fome poore fragment heere in France. 
 
 Sau. My hope in France you know not, though 
 my counfel, 
 
 I The edition of 1625 reads : — 
 
 "Had the French Bounty, and low Prouinces."
 
 Byrons Co7ifpiracie. 189 
 
 And for my loffe of Spainc, it is agreedc, 
 
 That I fhould Height it, oft-times Princes rules 
 
 Are like the Chymicall Philofophers ; 
 
 Leaue me then to mine owne proieclion, 2 
 
 In this our thriftie Alchymie of ftate, 
 
 Yet helpe me thus farre, you that haue beene heere 
 
 Our Lord Ambaffadour ; and, in fhort informe mee, 
 
 What Spirites here are fit for our defignes. 
 
 Ron. The new-created Duke Byron is fit, 
 Were there no other reafon for your prefence, 
 To make it worthie ; for he is a man 
 Of matchlefie valour, and was euer happy 
 In all encounters, which were Hill made good, 
 With an vnwearyed fence of any toyle, 
 Hauing continued fourteene dayes together 
 Vpon his horfe : his blood is not voluptuous, 
 Nor much inclinde to women ; his deiires 
 Are higher than his Rate, and his deferts 
 Not much fhort of the mofl he can defire, 
 If they be weigh'd with what France feeles by them : 
 He is pall meafure glorious : And that humour 
 Is fit to feede his Spirites, whome it poffeffeth 
 With faith in any errour, chiefly where 
 Men blowe it vp, with praife of his perfections, 
 The tafte whereof in him fo foothes his pallate, 
 And takes vp all his appetite, that oft times 
 He will refufe his meate, and companie 
 To feaft alone with their moft ftrong conceit ; 
 Ambition alfo, cheeke by cheeke doth march 
 With that exceffe of glory, both fullain'd 
 With an vnlimited fancie, That the King, 
 Nor France it felfe, without him can fubfift. 
 
 Sau. He is the man (my Lord) I come to winne ; 
 And that fupreame intention of my prefence 
 Saw neuer light till now, which yet I feare, 
 The politick King, fufpecling, is the caufe 
 That he hath fent him fo farre from my reach, 
 
 2 The Edition of 1625 reads -'protection."
 
 190 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 And made him chiefe in the Commiflion, 
 Of his ambaffage to my brother Arch-duke, 
 With whome he is now ; and (as I am tolde) 
 So entertaind and fitted in his humour, 
 That ere I part, I hope he will returne 
 Prepar'd, and made the more fit for the phificke 
 That I intend to minifter. 
 
 Ron. My Lord, 
 There is another difcontented Spirite 
 Now heere in Court, that for his braine, and aptnes 
 To any courfe that may recouer him 
 In his declined and litigious ftate, 
 Will feme Byron, as he were made for him, 
 In giuing vent to his ambitious vaine, 
 And that is, De Laffin. 
 
 Sau. You tell me true, 
 And him I thinke you haue prepar'd for me. 
 
 Ron. I haue my Lord, and doubt not he will 
 prooue, 
 Of the yet taintleffe fortrefle of Byron, 
 A quicke Expugner, and a ftrong Abider. 
 
 Sau. Perhappes the battry will be brought before 
 him, 
 In this ambaffage, for I am affur'd 
 They fet high price of him, and are informde 
 Of all the paffages, and means for mines 
 That may be thought on, to his taking in : 
 
 Enter Henry and Laffin. 
 
 The King comes, and Laffin : the Kings afpect 
 Folded in cloudes. 
 
 Hen. I will not haue my traine, 
 Made a retreite for Bankroutes, nor my Court, 
 A hyue for Droanes : prowde Beggars, and true 
 
 Thieues, 
 That with a forced truth they fweare to me, 
 Robbe my poore fubiects, (hall giue vp their Arts, 
 And hencefoorth learne to hue by their defarts ;
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 191 
 
 Though I am growne, by right of Birth and Armes 
 Into a greater kingdome, I will fpreade 
 With no more (hade, then may admit that kingdome 
 Her proper, naturall, and woonted fniites, 
 Nauarre (hall be Nauarrc, and France flill France. : 
 If one may be the better for the other 
 By mutuall rites, fo, neither fliall be worfe. 
 Thou arte in lawe, in quarrells, and in debt, 
 Which thou wouldfl quit with countenance ; Borrow- 
 ing 
 With thee is purchafe, and thou feekfl by me 
 (In my fupportance) now our olde warres ceafe 
 To wage worfe battells, with the armes of Peace. 
 
 Laf. Peace mufl not make men Cowards, nor 
 keepe calme 
 Her purfie regiment with mens fmootherd breaths ; 
 I mufl confeffe my fortunes are declinde, 
 But neither my deferuings, nor my minde : 
 I feeeke but to fuflaine the right I found, 
 When I was rich, in keeping what is left, 
 And making good my honour as at beft, 
 Though it be hard ; mans right to euerything 
 Wanes with his wealth, wealth is his furefl King ; 
 Yet Tuflice fhould be flill indifferent. 
 The ouerplus of Kings, in all their might, 
 Is but to peece out the defects of right : 
 And this I fue for, nor fliall frownes and taunts 
 (The common Scarre-crowes of all poore mens fuites) 
 Nor mif-conftruc~lion that doth colour flill 
 Licentiary Iuftice, punifhing good for ill, 
 Keepe my free throate from knocking at the Skie, 
 If thunder chid mee for my equitie. 
 
 Hen. Thy equity, is to be euer banifht 
 From Court, and all focietie of nobleffe, 
 Amongfl whome thou throwft balls of all diffention ; 
 Thou arte at peace with nothing but with warre, 
 Hafl no heart but to hurt, and eatfl thy heart, 
 If it but thinke of doing any good :
 
 192 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 Thou witchefl with thy fmiles, fuckft bloud with 
 
 praifes, 
 Mock'fl al humanitie ; fociety poifonft, 
 Coofinft with vertue ; with religion 
 Betrayfl, and maffacrefl ; fo vile thy felfe, 
 That thou fufpectft perfection in others : 
 A man muft thinke of all the villanies 
 He knowes in all men, to defcipher thee, 
 That art the centre to impietie : 
 Away, and tempt me not. 
 
 La/. But you tempt me, 
 To what, thou Sunne to iudge, and make him fee. 
 
 Exit. 
 Sau. Now by my deareft Marquifate of Saluffes, 
 Your Maieftie hath with the greateft life 
 Defcrib'd a wicked man ; or rather thruft 
 Your arme downe through him to his very feete, 
 And pluckt his infide out, that euer yet, 
 My eares did witneffe ; or turnd eares to Eies ; 
 And thofe ftrange Characters, writ in his face, 
 Which at firft fight, were hard for me to reade, 
 The Doctrine of your fpeech, hath made fo plaine, 
 That I run through them like my naturall language : 
 Nor do I like that mans Afpecl, me thinkes, 
 Of all lookes where the Beames of Starres haue caru'd 
 Their powrefull influences ; And (O rare) 
 What an heroicke, more than royall Spirite 
 Bewraide you in your firft fpeech, that defies 
 Protection of vile droanes, that eate the honny 
 Sweat from laborious vertue, and denies 
 To giue thofe of Nanarre, though bred with you, 
 The benefites and dignities of France. 
 When little Riuers by their greedy currants, 
 (Farre farre extended from their mother fprings) 
 Drinke vp the forraine brookes ftill as they runne, 
 And force their greatneffe, when they come to Sea, 
 And iuftle with the Ocean for a roome, 
 O how he roares, and takes them in his mouth, 
 Digefting them fo to his proper ftreames,
 
 Dyrons Confpiracie. 
 
 'That they are no more feene, hee nothing raifde 
 Alioue his vfuall bounds, yet they deuour'd, 
 That of themfelues were pleafant, goodly flouds. 
 
 Hen. I would doe bell for both, yet fliall not be 
 fecure, 
 Till in fome abfolute heires my Crowne be fetled, 
 There is fo little now betwixt Afpirers 
 And their great obiedft in my onely felfe, 
 That all the flrength they gather vnder me, 
 Tempts combat with mine owne : I therefore make 
 Meanes for fome iffue by my marriage, 
 Which with the great Dukes neece is now concluded, 
 And fhe is comming ; I haue truft in heauen 
 I am not yet fo olde, but I may fpring, 
 And then I hope all traytors hopes will fade. 
 
 Sau. Elfe may their whole eftates flie, rooted vp 
 To Ignominie and Obliuion : 
 
 And (being your neighbor feruant, and poore kinfman) 
 I wifh your mighty Race might multiply, 
 Euen to the Period of all Emperie. 
 
 Hen. Thankes to my princely cozen, this your 
 loue 
 And honour fhewne me in your perfonall prefence, 
 I wifh to welcome to your full content : 
 The peace I now make with your brother Archduke, 
 By Duke Byron our Lord Ambaffadour, 
 I wifh may happily extend to you, 
 And that at his returne we may conclude it. 
 
 Sau. It fhall be to my heart the happieft day 
 Of all my life, and that life all employd, 
 To celebrate the honour of that day. Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Roifeau. 
 
 Roif. The wondrous honor done our Duke Byron 
 In his Ambaffage heere, in th' Archdukes Court, 
 I feare will taint his loyaltie to our King, 
 I will obferue how they obferue his humour.
 
 194 ' Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 And glorifie his valure : and how he 
 
 Accepts and Hands attractiue to their ends, 
 
 That fo I may not feeme an idle fpot 
 
 In traine of this ambaffage, but returne 
 
 Able to giue our King fome note of all, 
 
 Worth my attendance ; And fee, heere's the man, 
 
 Who (though a French man, and in Orleance borne 
 
 Seruing the Arch-duke) I doe moft fufpect, 
 
 Is fet to be the tempter of our Duke ; 
 
 He goe where I may fee, although not heare. 
 
 Ejiter Pkote, with two other fpreading a Carpet. 
 
 Pic. Spreade heere this hiftorie of Cateline, 
 That Earth may feeme to bring forth Roman Spirites, 
 Euen to his Geniall feete ; and her darke breaft 
 Be made the cleare Glaffe of his fhining Graces, 
 Weele make his feete fo tender, they fhall gall 
 In all paths but to Empire ; and therein 
 He make the fweete Steppes of his State beginne. 
 
 Lowde Mufique, and enter Byron. 
 
 Byr. What place is this? what ayre? what region? 
 In which a man may heare the harmony 
 Of all things moouing ? Hymen marries heere, 
 Their ends and vfes, and makes me his Temple. 
 Hath any man beene bleffed, and yet liu'd ? 
 The bloud turnes in my veines, I ftand on change, 
 And fhall diffolue in changing ; tis fo full 
 Of pleafure not to be containde in flefh : 
 To feare a violent Good, abufeth Goodnes, 
 Tis Immortality to die afpiring, 
 As if a man were taken quick to heauen ; 
 What will not holde Perfection, let it burft ; 
 What force hath any Cannon, not being chargde, 
 Or being not difchargde ? To haue ftuffe and forme, 
 And to lie idle, fearefull, and vnus'd, 
 Nor forme, nor ftuffe fhewes ; happy Semele 
 
 .
 
 Byrons Conjpiracic. [95 
 
 That died compreft with Glorie: Happineffe 
 
 J)cnics romparifon, of leffe, or more, 
 
 And not at moll, is nothing : like the fhaft 
 
 Shot at the Sunne, by angry Hercules, 
 
 And into fhiuers by the thunder broken 
 
 Will I be if I burfl : And in my heart 
 
 This (hall be written : yet twas high and right. 
 
 Muficke againe. 
 
 Heere tool they follow all my fteppes with Mufique, 
 As if my feete were numerous, and trode founds 
 Out of the Center, with Apollocs vertue, 
 That out of euery thing his ech-part toucht, 
 Strooke muficall accents : wherefoe're I goe, 
 They hide the earth from me with couerings rich, 
 To make me thinke that I am heere in heauen. 
 
 Enter Picote in hajle. 
 
 Pic. This way, your Highneffe. 
 
 Byr. Come they? 
 
 Pic. I my Lord. Exeunt. 
 
 Enter the other Commiffioncrs of France, Belieurc, 
 Brulart, Aumall, Orcnge. 
 
 Bel. My Lord d 1 Aumall, I am exceeding forie, 
 That your owne obftinacie to hold out, 
 Your mortall enmitie againft the King, 
 When Duke du Maine, and all the faction yeelded, 
 Should force his wrath to vfe the rites of treafon, 
 Vpon the members of your fenceleffe Statue, 
 Your Name and Houfe, when he had loft your perfon, 
 Your loue and duety. 
 
 Bru. That which men enforce 
 By their ownc wilfulnefle ; they muft endure 
 With willing patience, and without complaint. 
 
 UAu?n. 1 vfe not much impatience nor complaint. 
 Though it offend me much, to haue my name
 
 196 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 So blotted with addition of a Traitor. 
 And my whole memory, (with fuch defpite, 
 Markt and begun to be fo rooted out.) 
 
 Bru. It was defpite that held you out fo long, 
 Whofe penance in the King was needfull iuftice. 
 
 Bel. Come let vs feeke our Duke, and take our 
 leaues 
 Of th' Archdukes grace. Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Byron and Pycote. 
 
 Byr. Here may we fafely breathe ? 
 
 By. No doubt (my Lord) no ftranger knowes this 
 way ; 
 Onely the Arch-duke, and your friend Count Mansfield, 
 Perhaps may make their generall fcapes to you, 
 To vtter fome part of their priuate loues, 
 Ere your departure. 
 
 Byr. Then, I well perceiue 
 To what th' intention of his highneffe tends ; 
 For whofe, and others here, mod worthy Lords, 
 I will become (with all my worth) their feruant, 
 In any office, but dilloyaltie ; 
 But that hath euer fhowd fo fovvle a monfter 
 To all my Anceftors, and my former life, 
 That now to entertaine it ; I muft wholy 
 Giue vp my habite, in his contrary, 
 And ftriue to growe out of priuation. 
 
 By. My Lord, to weare your loyall habite ftill, 
 When it is out of fafhion ; and hath done 
 Seruice enough ; were rufticke miferie : 
 The habite of a feruile loyaltie, 
 Is reckond now amongft priuations, 
 With blindneffe, dumbnefle, deafneffe, fcilence, death, 
 All which are neither natures by themielues 
 Nor fubftances, but mere decayes of forme, 
 And abfolute deceffions of nature, 
 And fo, 'tis nothing, what fhall you then loofe 1 
 Your highneffe hath a habite in perfection,
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 And in defert of higheft dignities, 
 
 Which carue your felfe, and be your owne rewarder ; 
 
 No true powre doth admit priuation, 
 
 Aduerfe to him ; or fuffers any fellow 
 
 [oynde in his fubieel ; you, fuperiors ; 
 
 It is the nature of things abfolu: 
 
 One to deftroy another ; be your Highneffe, 
 
 Like thofe fteepe hils that will admit no clowds, 
 
 No dews, nor left fumes bound about their brows ; 
 
 Becaufe their tops pierce into pureft ayre, 
 
 Expert of humor ; or like ayre it felfe 
 
 That quickly ch ; and receiues the funne 
 
 Soone as he rifeth ; euery where difperfing 
 
 His royall fplendor ; girds it in his I 
 
 And makes it felfe the body of the light ; 
 
 Hot, Alining, fwift, light, and afpiring things, 
 
 Are of immortall, and celeftiall nature; 
 
 Colde, darke, dull, heauie of infernal 1 fortunes, 
 
 And neuer airae at any happineffe : 
 
 Your excellencie knowes ; that fimple loyaltie, 
 
 Faith, loue, finceritie, are but words, no things ; 
 
 Meerely deuifde for forme ; and as the Legate, 
 
 Sent from his Holinefle, to frame a peace 
 
 Twixt Spaine and Sauoy ; labour'd feruently, 
 
 (For common ends, not for the Dukes perticular) 
 
 To haue him figne it ; he againe endeuours 
 
 (Not for the Legates paines, but his owne pleafure) 
 
 To gratifie him ; and being at laft encountred ; 
 
 Where the flood Tefyn enters into Po, 
 
 They made a kinde contention, which of them 
 
 Should enter th' others boate ; one thrufl the other : 
 
 One legge was ouer, and another in : 
 
 And with a fierie courtefie, at lall 
 
 Sauoy leapes out, into the Legates amies, 
 
 And here ends all his loue, and th' others labour ; 
 
 So fliall thefe termes, and impofitions 
 
 Expreft before, hold nothing in themfelues 
 
 Really good ; but floriflies of forme : 
 
 And further then they make to priuate ends
 
 198 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 None wife, or free, their propper vfe intends. 
 
 Byr. O 'tis a dangerous, and a dreadfull thing 
 To fteale prey from a Lyon ; or to hide 
 A head diflruftfull, in his opened iawes ; 
 To truft our bloud in others veines ; and hang 
 Twixt heauen and earth, in vapors of their breaths . 
 To leaue a fure pace on continuate earth, 
 And force a gate in iumps, from towre to towre, 
 As they doe that afpire, from height to height ; 
 The bounds of loyaltie are made of glaffe, 
 Soone broke, but can in no date be repaird ; 
 And as the Duke DAuviall, (now here in Court) 
 Flying his countrey ; had his Statue torne 
 Peece-meale with horfes ; all his goods confifcate, 
 His Armes of honor, kickt about the ftreetes, 
 His goodly houfe at Annet rac'd to th' earth. 
 And (for a ftrange reproche of his foule treafon) 
 His trees about it, cut off by their wafles ; 
 So, when men file the naturall clime of truth, 
 And turne them-felues loofe, out of all the bounds 
 Of Iuftice, and the ftraight-way to their ends ; 
 Forfaking all the fure force in themfelues 
 To feeke, without them, that which is not theirs, 
 The formes of all their comforts are diftracted ; 
 The riches of their freedomes forfaited ; 
 Their humaine nobleffe fhamd ; the Manfions 
 Of their colde fpirits, eaten downe with Cares ; 
 And all their ornaments of wit, and valure, 
 Learning, and iudgement, cut from all their fruites. 
 
 Alb. O, here were now the richeft prize in Europe, 
 Were he but taken in affection, 
 Would we might growe together, and be twins 
 Of eithers fortune ; or that, ftill embrac't 
 I were, but Ring to fuch a pretious ftone : 
 
 Byr. Your highnefle honors, and high bountie 
 fhowne me, 
 Haue wonne from me my voluntary powre ; 
 And I muft now mooue by your eminent will ; 
 To what particular obiects ; if T know
 
 Byrons Confpiracn . 199 
 
 By this man's interceffion, he fhalrfbring : 
 My vtmoft anfwere, and performe ietwixt vs, 
 Reciprocall, and full intelligence. • 
 
 Albcr. Euen for your owne defcnied roiall good, 
 Tis ioyfully accepted, vfe the loues 
 And worthy admirations of your friends, 
 That beget vowes of all things you can wifh, 
 And be what I wifh : danger faies, no more. Exit. 
 
 Enter Mansfield at another dorc. Exit Picote. 
 
 Man/. Your highneffe makes the light of this 
 Court ftoope, 
 With your fo neere departure, I was forc't 
 To tender to your excellence, in briefe, 
 This priuate wifh, in taking of my leaue ; 
 That in fome army Roiall, old Count Mansfield, 
 Might be commanded by your matchles valor, 
 To the fupreameft point of victorie : 
 Who vowes for that renown e all praier, and feruice : 
 No more, leaft I may wrong you. Exit Manf. 
 
 Byr. Thanke your Lordfhip. 
 
 Enter U Aumall and Oreng. 
 
 HAu. All maiestie be added to your highneffe, 
 Of which, I would not wifh your breft to beare 
 More modeft apprehenfion : then may tread, 
 The high gate of your fpirit ; and be knowne 
 To be a fit Bound for your Boundleffe valor. 
 
 Or. So Oreng wifheth, and to the defarts 
 Of your great actions, their moft roiall Crowne. 
 
 Enter Picotc. 
 
 Pic. Away my Lord, the Lords enquire for you. 
 
 / .// Bir. 
 Mane/ Oreng. D'Aum, Roifean.
 
 200 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 Ore. Would we might winne his valor to our part. 
 
 U An. Tis well prepar'd in his entreaty here ; 
 With all ftates higheft obferuations : 
 And to their forme, and words, are added gifts, 
 He was prefented with two goodly horfes, 
 One of which two, was the braue Beaft Padrana : 
 With plate of gold, and a much prized iewell ; 
 Girdle and hangers, fet with wealthy ftones : 
 All which were vallewed, at ten thoufand crownes ; 
 The other Lords had fuites of tapiftry, 
 And chaines of gold, and euery gentleman 
 A paire of Spanifh Gloues, and Rapire blades : 
 And here ends their entreaty ; which I hope 
 Is the beginning of more good to vs, 
 Then twenty thoufand times their giftes to them. 
 
 Enter Alber : Byr : Beli. Man/. Roifeau : with others. 
 
 Albcr. My Lord, I grieue that all the fetting forth, 
 Of our beft welcome, made you more retired : 
 Your chamber hath beene more lou'd then our honors; 
 And therefore we are glad your time of parting 
 Is come to fet you in the ayre you loue : 
 Commend my feruice to his Maiefty, 
 And tell him that this daie of peace with him 
 Is held, as holie. All your paines my Lords 
 I fhal be alwaies glad to gratifie 
 With any loue and honour, your owne hearts 
 Shall do me grace to wifh expreft to you. 
 
 Roif. Here hath beene ftrange demeaneure, which 
 fhall flie, 
 To the great author of this Ambaffy. 
 
 FINIS Aclus i.
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 201 
 
 ACT 2. SCE. 1. 
 
 Sauoy, Laffin, Roncas, Rocheitc, Breton. 
 
 Sauoy. Admit no entry, I will fpeake with none, 
 Good fignior de LaMn, your worth flia.ll finile, 
 That I will make a iewell for my cabinet, 
 Of that the King (in furfet of his (lore) 
 Hath caft out, as the (weepings of his hall ; 
 I told him, hauing threatned you away, 
 That I did wonder, this fmall time of peace, 
 Could make him cad his armor fo fecurely 
 In fuch as you, and as twere fet the head 
 Of one fo great in counfailes, on his foote, 
 And pitch him from him with fuch guardlike flrength. 
 
 Laffi. He may perhaps finde he hath pitcht away, 
 The Axeltree that kept him on his wheeles. 
 
 Sau. I told him fo, I fweare, in other termes 
 And not with too much note of our clofe loues 
 Leaft fo he might haue fmokt our practifes. 
 
 Laffi. To chufe his time, and fpit his poifon on me, 
 Through th' eares, and eies of flrangers. 
 
 San. So I told him 
 And more then that, which now I will not tell you : 
 It refts now then, Noble and worthy friend. 
 That to our friendfhip, we draw Duke Byron, 
 To whofe attraction there is no fuch chaine, 
 As you can fordge, and (hake out of your braine. 
 
 Laffi, I haue deuifde the fafhion and the weight ; 
 To valures hard to draw, we vfe retreates ;
 
 202 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 And, to pull fhaftes home, (with a good bow-arme) 
 We thruft hard from vs ; fince he came from Flanders 
 He heard how I was threatned with the King, 
 And hath beene much inquifitiue to know 
 The truth of all, and feekes to fpeake with me ; 
 The meanes he vfde, I anfwered doubtfully ; 
 And with an intimation that I fhund him, 
 Which will (I know) put more fpur to his charge ; 
 And if his haughty ftomacke be preparde, 
 With will to any ac~t : for the afpiring 
 Of his ambitious aimes, I make no doubt 
 But I fhall worke him to your highneffe wifh. 
 
 Sau. But vndertake it, and I reft affur'd : 
 You are reported to haue skill in Magick, 
 And the euents of things, at which they reach 
 That are in nature apt to ouerreach : 
 Whom the whole circle of the prefent time, 
 In prefent pleafures, fortunes, knowledges, 
 Cannot containe : thofe men (as broken loofe 
 From humaine limmits) in all violent ends 
 Would faine afpire the faculties of fiends, 
 And in fuch ayre breathe his vnbounded fpirits, 
 Which therefore well will fit fuch coniurations, 
 Attempt him then by flying ; clofe with him, 
 And bring him home to vs, and take my dukedome. 
 
 Laf. My beft in that, and all things, vowes your 
 feruice. 
 
 Sau. Thankes to my deare friend ; and the French 
 Vliffes. Exit Sattoy. 
 
 Enter Byron. 
 
 Byr. Here is the man ; my honord friend, Laffiti ? 
 Alone, and heauy countinanc't ? on what termes 
 Stood th' infultation of the King vpon you 1 
 
 Laffi. Why do you aske ? 
 
 Byr. Since I would know the truth. 
 
 Laf. And when you know it ; what 1 
 
 Byr. He iudge betwixt you,
 
 Byrons Con/piracie. 203 
 
 And (as I may) make cucn th' exceffe of cither. 
 
 Laf. Ahlas my Lord, not all your loyaltie, 
 Which is in you, more then hereditary, 
 Nor all your valine (which is more then humane) 
 Can do the feruice you may hope on me 
 In founding my difpleafde integrity ; 
 Stand for the King, as much in policie 
 As you haue flird for him in deedes of armes, 
 And make your felfe his glorie, and your countries 
 Till you bee fuckt as drie, and wrought as leane, 
 As my fleade carcafe : you (hall neuer clofe 
 With me, as you imagine. 
 
 Byr. You much wrong me, 
 To thinke me an intelligencing inflrument. :i 
 
 Laff. I know not how your fo affected zeale, 
 To be reputed a true harted fubiect, 
 May stretch or turne you ; I am defperate ; 
 If I offend you, I am in your powre : 
 I care not how I tempt your conquering furie, 
 I am predeftin'd to too Safe an end, 
 To haue the honor of your wrath deftroy me ; 
 And be a worthy obieel for your fword : 
 I lay my hand, and head too at your feete, 
 As I haue euer, here I hold it flill, 
 End me directly, doe not goe about. 
 
 Byr. How ftrange is this 1 the fhame of his dif- 
 grace 
 Hath made him lunatique. 
 
 Laff. Since the King hath wrong'd me 
 He thinkes He hurt my felfe ; no, no, my Lord : 
 I know that all the Kings in Chriftendome, 
 (If they fhould ioyne in my reuenge) would proue 
 Weake foes to him, Rill hailing you to friend : 
 If you were gone (I care not if you tell him) 
 I might be tempted then to right my felfe. Exit. 
 
 3 The edition of 1608 reads "an intelligencing /
 
 204 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 Byr. He has a will to me, and dares not mew it, 
 His Hate decai'd, and he difgrac'd ; diflracls him. 
 
 Red it Lajffin. 
 
 Laff. Change not my words my Lord, I onely faid 
 I might be tempted then to right my felfe : 
 Temptation to treafon, is no treafon ; 
 And that word (tempted) was conditionall too, 
 If you were gone, I pray informe the truth. Exitur. 
 
 Byr. Stay iniur'd man, and know I am your friend, 
 Farre from thefe bafe, and mercenarie reaches, 
 I am I fweare to you. 
 
 Laff. You may be fo ; 
 And yet youle giue me leaue to be Laffin, 
 A poore and expuate humor of the Court : 
 But what good bloud came out with me ; what veines 
 And finews of the Triumphs, now it makes ; 
 I lift not vante ; yet will I now confeffe, 
 And dare affume it ; I haue powre to adde 
 To all his greatneffe ; and make yet more fixt 
 His bould fecuritie ; Tell him this my Lord ; 
 And this (if all the fpirits of earth and aire, 
 Be able to enforce) I can make good : 
 If knowledge of the fure euents of things, 
 Euen from the rife of fubiedls into Kings : 
 And falles of Kings to fubiecls, hold a powre 
 Of ftrength to worke it ; I can make it good ; 
 And tell him this to ; if in mideft of winter 
 To make black Groues grow greene ; to ftill the thun- 
 der ; 
 And caft out able fiafhes from mine eies, 
 To beate the lightning back into the skies, 
 Proue powre to do it, I can make it good ; 
 And tell him this too ; if to lift the Sea 
 Vp to the Starres, when all the Windes are ftill ; 
 And keepe it calme, when they are moft enrag'd : 
 To make earths dried palms, fweate humorous fprings 
 To make fixt rocks walke ; and loofe fhadowes (land,
 
 Byrons Con/piratic. 205 
 
 To make the dead fpeake : midnight fee the Sunne, 
 Mid-daie turne mid-night; to diffolue all lawea 
 Of nature, and of order, argue powre 
 Able to worke all, I can make all good. 
 And all this tell the King. 
 
 Byr. Tis more then flrange, 
 To fee you (land thus at the rapiers point 
 With one fo kinde, and fure a friend as I. 
 
 Laff. Who cannot friend himfelfe. is foe to any, 
 And to be fear'd of all, and that is it, 
 Makes me fo fkornd, but make me what you can ; 
 Neuer fo wicked, and fo full of fiends, 
 1 neuer yet, was traitor to my friends : 
 The lawes of friendfhip I haue euer held, 
 As my religion ; and for other lawes ; 
 He is a foole that keepes them with more care, 
 Then they keepe him, fafe, rich, and populare : 
 For riches, and for populare refpecls 
 Take them amongft yee Minions, but for fafety, 
 You (hall not finde the leall flaw in my armes, 
 To pierce or taint me ; what will great men be, 
 To pleafe the King, and beare authoritie. Exit. 
 
 Byr. How fit a fort were this to hanfell fortune 1 
 And I will winne it though I loofe my felfe, 
 Though he prooue harder then Egiptian Marble, 
 lie make him malliable, as th' Ophyr gold ; 
 I am put off from this dull fhore of Ead, 
 Into induflrious, and high-going Seas ; 
 Where, like Pelides in Scamanders flood, 
 Vp to the cares in furges, I will fight, 
 And pluck French I/ion vnderneath the waues : 
 If to be higheft (lill, be to be bell, 
 All workes to that end are the worthiefl : 
 Truth is a golden Ball, call in our way, 
 To make vs ilript by falfehood : And as Spaine 
 When the bote fcuffles of Barbarian armes, 
 Smotherd the life of Don Sebq/han, 
 To guild the leaden rumor of his death 
 Gaue for a fla '• body (held for his)
 
 206 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 A hundred thoufand crownes ; caufd all the flate 
 Of fuperftitious Portugall to mourn e 
 And celebrate his folemne funerals ; 
 The Moores to conqueft, thankfull feafts preferre, 
 And all made with the carcaffe of a Sivitzcr : 
 So in the Giantlike, and politique warres 
 Of barbarous greatneffe, raging ftill in peace, 
 Showes to afpire iuft obiecls ; are laide on 
 With coft, with labour, and with forme enough, 
 Which onely makes our beft acts brooke the light, 
 And their ends had, we thinke we haue their right, 
 So worft workes are made good, with good fucceffe, 
 And fo for Kings, pay fubiects carcafes. Exit. 
 
 Enter Henry, Roifeau. 
 
 Hen. Was he fo courted 1 
 
 Roif. As a Cittie Dame, 
 Brought by her iealous husband, to the Court, 
 Some elder Courtiers entertaining him, 
 While others match, a fauour from his wife : 
 One flarts from this doore ; from that nooke another, 
 With gifts, and iunkets, and with printed phrafe, 
 Steale her employment, fhifting place by place 
 Still as her husband comes : fo Duke Byron 
 Was woode, and worfhipt in the Arch-dukes Court, 
 And as th' affiftants that your Maieftie, 
 Ioinde in Commiffion with him, or my felfe, 
 Or any other doubted eye appear'd, 
 He euer vanifht : and as fuch a dame, 
 As we compar'd with him before, being won 
 To breake faith to her husband, loofe her fame, 
 Staine both their progenies, and comming frefh 
 From vnderneath the burthen of her fhame, 
 Vifits her husband with as chafte a browe, 
 As temperate, and confirm'd behauiour, 
 As the came quitted from confeffion. 
 So from his fcapes, would he prefent a prefence, 
 The praclife of his flate adulterie,
 
 Byrons Conjpiracic. 207 
 
 And guilt that fhould a graccfull bofome dricke, 
 Drownde in the fet lake, of a hopeleffe cheeke. 
 Hen. It may be hee diflembled, or fuppofe, 
 
 He be a little tainted : men whom vertue 
 
 Formes with the ftuffe of fortune, great, and gratious, 
 
 Mud needs pertake with fortune in her humor 
 
 Of inftabilitie : and are like to (hafts 
 
 Growne crookt with (landing, which to reclifie, 
 
 Mull twice as much be bowd another way, 
 
 He that hath borne wounds for his worthy parts, 
 
 Muft for his word be borne with : we mull fit 
 
 Our gouernment to men, as men to it : 
 
 In old time, they that hunted fauadge beads, 
 
 Are faid to clothe themfelues in fauage skinnes, 
 
 They that were Fowlers when they went on fowling, 
 
 Wore garments made with wings refembling Fowles : 
 
 To Buls, we mud not (hew our felues in red, 
 
 Nor to the warlike Elephant in white, 
 
 In all things gouern'd, their infirmities 
 
 Mud not be dird, nor wrought on ; Duke Byron 
 
 Flowes with adud, and melancholy choller, 
 
 And melancholy fpirits are venemous : 
 
 Not to be touch t, but as they may be cur'de : 
 
 I therefore meane to make him change the ayre, 
 
 And fend him further from thofe Spanifh vapors. 
 
 That dill beare fighting fulphure in their breds, 
 
 To breath a while in temperate Englifh ayre, 
 
 Where lips are fpie'd with free and loyall counfailes, 
 
 Where policies are not ruinous, but fauing ; 
 
 Wifdome is fimple, valure righteous, 
 
 Humaine, and hating facts of brutifh forces, 
 
 And whofe graue natures, fcorne the fcoffes of France, 
 
 The empty complements of Italy, 
 
 The any-way encroaching pride of Spai)ic, 
 
 And loue men moded, harty, iud and plaine. 
 
 Sauoy, whifpering with Lafjln. 
 
 Sau. He found him for Byron • and what I finde,
 
 820 Byrons Coufpiracie. 
 
 In the Kings depth ; ile draw vp, and informe, 
 In excitations to the Dukes reuolt, 
 When next I meete with him. 
 
 Laff. It muft be done 
 With praifing of the Duke ; from whom the King 
 Will take to giue himfelfe ; which tolde the Duke, 
 Will take his heart vp into all ambition. 
 
 Sau. I know it (politick friend :) and tis my pur- 
 pofe, Exit Laf. 
 
 Your Maieftie hath mift a royall fight, 
 The Duke Byron, on his braue beaft Pajlrana, 
 Who fits him like a full-faild Argofea, 
 Danc'd with a lofty billow, and as fnug 
 Plyes to his bearer, both their motions mixt ; 
 And being confidered in their fite together, 
 They do the beft prefent the ftate of man, 
 In his firft royaltie ruling ; and of beafts 
 In their firft loyaltie feruing ; one commanding, 
 And no way being mou'd ; the other feruing, 
 And no way being compeld : of all the fights 
 That euer my eyes witneft ; and they make 
 A doctrinall and witty Hierogliphick, 
 Of a bleft kingdome : to expreffe and teach, 
 Kings to command as they could ferue, and fubiects 
 To ferue as if they had powre to command. 
 
 Hen- You are a good old horfeman I perceiue, . 
 And ftill out all the vfe of that good part : 
 Your wit is of the true Pierean fpring, 
 That can make any thing, of any thing. 
 
 Sau. So braue a fubiedt as the Duke, no king 
 Seated on earth, can vante of but your Highneffe, 
 So valiant, loyall, and fo great in feruice. 
 
 Hen. No queftion he fets valour in his height, 
 And hath done feruice to an equall pitche, 
 Fortune attending him with fit euents, 
 To all his ventrous and well-laid attempts. 
 
 Sau. Fortune to him was luno, to Ale ides, 
 For when, or where did fhe but open way, 
 To any act of his 1 what (lone tooke he
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 209 
 
 With her help, or without his ownc loft, blond 1 
 
 What fort won he by her 1 ? or was not forc't ? 
 
 What victory but gainft ods 1 on what Commander 
 
 Sleepy or negligent, did he euer charge ? 
 
 What Summer euer made fhe faire to him ? 
 
 What winter, not of one continued ftorme 1 
 
 Fortune is fo farre from his Creditreffe, 
 
 That fhe owes him much : for in him, her lookes 
 
 Are louely, modeft, and magnanimous, 
 
 Conftant, victorious ; and in his Achieuments, 
 
 Her cheekes are drawne out with a vertuous redneffe, 
 
 Out of his eager fpirit to viclorie, 
 
 And chad contention to conuince with honor; 
 
 And (I haue heard) his fpirits haue flowd fo high, 
 
 In all his conflicts againft any odds, 
 
 That (in his charge) his lips haue bled with feruor : 
 
 How feru'd he at your famous fiege of Dreux 1 
 
 Where the enemie (affur'd of victory) 
 
 Drew out a bodie of foure thoufand horfe, 
 
 And twice fixe thoufand foote, and like a Crefcent, 
 
 Stood for the fignall, you : (that fhow.'d your felfe 
 
 A found old fouldier) thinking it not fit 
 
 To giue your enemy the ods, and honour 
 
 Of the firft ftroke, commanded de la Guichc> 
 
 To let flie all his cannons, that did pierce 
 
 The aduerfe thickeft fquadrons, and had fhot 
 
 Nine volleies ere the foe had once giuen fire : 
 
 Your troope was charg'd, and when your dukes old 
 
 father, ' 
 Met with th' affailants, and their Groue of Reiters 
 Repulft fo fiercely, made them turne their beards 
 And rallie vp themfelues behind their troopes ; 
 Frefh forces feeing your troopes a little feuerd, 
 From that part firft. affaulted, gaue it charge, 
 Which then, this duke made good, feconds his father, 
 Beates through and through the enemies greater! 
 
 ftrength, 
 And breakes the reft like Billowes gainft a rock 
 And there die heart of that huge battaile broke. 
 
 o
 
 210 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 Hen. The heart but now came on, in that ftrong 
 body, 
 Of twice two thousand horfe, lead by Du Maine 
 Which (if I would be glorious) I could fay 
 I firft encountered. 
 
 Son. How did he take in, 
 Beaune in view of that inuincible army 
 Lead by the Lord great Conflable of Caflile ? 
 Autun, and Niiis : in Burgundy chart away, 
 Vicount Tduannes troopes before Dijon, 
 And puts himfelfe in, and there that was won. 
 
 Hen. If you would onely giue me leaue my Lord, 
 I would do right to him, yet muft not giue. 
 
 Sau. A league from Fountaine Francois, when you 
 fent him, 
 To make difcouerie of the Caftile army, 
 When he defcern'd twas it (with wondrous wifdome 
 Joinde to his fpirit) he feem'd to make retreate, 
 But when they preft him, and the Barron of Lux, 
 Set on their charge fo hotely, that his horfe, 
 Was flaine, and he moft dangerously engag'd, 
 Then turnd your braue duke head, and (with fuch 
 
 eafe 
 As doth an Eccho beate backe violent founds, 
 With their owne forces) he, (as if a wall 
 Start fodainely before them) pafht them all 
 Flat, as the earth, and there was that field won. 
 
 Hen. Y'are all the field wide. 
 
 Sau. O, I aske you pardon, 
 The ftrength of that field yet laie in his backe, 
 Vpon the foes part ; and what is to come, 
 Of this your Marfhal, now your worthie Duke 
 Is much beyond the reft : for now he fees 
 A fort of horfe troopes, iffue from the woods, 
 In number nere twelue hundred : and retyring 
 To tell you that the entire armie follow'd, 
 Before he could relate it, he was forc't 
 To turne head, and receiue the maine aflaulte 
 Of fiue horfe troopes : onely with twenty horfe :
 
 Byrons Confpiracic. 2 1 1 
 
 The firil he met, he tumbled to the earth, 
 
 And brake through all, not daunted with two wounds, 
 
 One on his head, another on his breft, 
 
 The bloud of which, drownd all the field in doubte : 
 
 Your maiefly hirnfelfe was then engag'd, 
 
 Your powre not yet arriu'd, and vp you brought 
 
 The little ftrength you had : a cloud of foes, 
 
 Ready to burft in ftonnes about your eares : 
 
 Three fquadrons rufht againfl you, and the firft, 
 
 You tooke fo fiercely, that you beate their thoughts 
 
 Out of their bofoms, from the vrged fight : 
 
 The fecond, all amazed you ouerthrew, 
 
 The third difperft, with fiue and twenty horfe 
 
 Left of the fourefcore that perfude the chafe : 
 
 And this braue conquefl, now your Marfhall feconds 
 
 Againfl two fquadrons, but with fifty horfe, 
 
 One after other he defeates them both, 
 
 And made them runne, like men whofe heeles were 
 
 tript, 
 And pitch their heads, in their great generally lap : 
 And him he fets on, as he had beene fhot 
 Out of a Cannon : beates him into route, 
 And as a little brooke being ouerrunne 
 With a black torrent ; that beares all things downe, 
 His furie ouertakes, his fomy back, 
 Loded with Cattaile, and with flackes of Corne, 
 And makes the miferable Plowman moume ; 
 So was du Maine furchardgd, and fo Byron 
 Flow'd ouer all his forces ; euery drop 
 Of his loft bloud, bought with a worthy man ; 
 And, onely with a hundred Gentlemen 
 He wonne the place, from fifteene hundred horfe. 
 
 Hcu. He won the place ? 
 
 Sau. On my word, fo tis fayd 
 
 Hen. Fie you haue beene extreamely mifinform'd 
 
 Sau. I onely tell your highneffe what I heard, 
 I was not there ; and though I haue beene rude. 
 With wonder of his vallor, and prefum'd, 
 To keepe his merit in his full carire,
 
 212 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 Not hearing you, when yours made fuch a thunder ; 
 Pardon my fault, fince twas t'extoll your feruant ; 
 But, is it not moft true, that twixt yee both, 
 So few achieu'd, the conqueft of fo many 1 
 
 Hen. It is a truth, muft make me euer thankfull, 
 But not performd by him, was not I there ? 
 Commanded him, and in the maine affault, 
 Made him but fecond ? 
 
 San. Hee's the capitall fouldier, 
 That Hues this day in holy Chriftendome, 
 Except your highneffe, alwaies except Plato. 
 
 Hen. We muft not giue to one, to take from 
 many, 
 For (not to praife our countrimen) here feru'd, 
 The Generall My Lord Norris, fent from England : 
 As great a captaine as the world affords : 
 One fit to leade, and fight for Chriftendome ; 
 Of more experience ; and of ftronger braine ; 
 As valiant for abiding ; In Command, 
 On any fodaine ; vpon any ground 
 And in the forme of all occafions 
 As ready, and as profitably, dauntles ; 
 And heare was then another ; Collonell Williams, 
 A worthy Captaine ; and more like the Duke, 
 Becaufe he was leffe temperate then the Generall ; 
 And being familliar with the man you praife, 
 (Becaufe he knew him haughty and incapable, 
 Of all comparifon) would compare with him, 
 And hold his fwelling valour to the marke, 
 Iuftice had fet in him, and not his will : 
 And as in open veffells filld with water, 
 And on mens fhoulders borne, they put treene 
 
 cuppes, 
 To keepe the wild and flippery element, 
 From wafhing ouer : follow all his Swayes 
 And tickle aptnes to exceed his bounds, 
 And at the brym containe him : fo this Knight, 
 Swum in Byron, and held him, but to right.
 
 Byrons Conjpiracie. 213 
 
 I Jut lcauc thcfe hot comparifons, hcc's mine ownc, 
 And then what I poffeffe, lie more be knowne. 
 Sau. All this (hall to the duke, I fifht for this. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 FINIS. Aclus Seamdi. 
 
 ACTVS 3. SCjENA 1. 
 
 Enter La Fin, Byron following vnfeene. 
 
 Laff. A fained paffion in his hearing now, 
 (Which he thinkes I perceaue not) making confeience, 
 Of the reuolt that he hath vrdgd to me, 
 (Which now he meanes to profecute) would found, 
 How deepe he ftands affec~led with that fcruple. 
 As when the Moone hath comforted the Night, 
 And fet the world in filuer of her light, 
 The Planets, Aflerifms, and whole ftate of Heauen, 
 In beames of gold defcending ; all the windes, 
 Bound vp in caues, chargd not to driue abrode, 
 Their cloudy heads ; an vniuerfall peace, 
 Proclaimd in filence of the quiet earth. 
 Soone as her hot and dry fumes are let loofe, 
 Stormes and cloudes mixing ; fodainely put out 
 The eyes of all thofe glories : The creation, 
 Turnd into Chaos, and we then defire, 
 For all our ioye of life, the death of fleepe ; 
 So when the glories of our liues, mens loues, 
 Cleere confeiences, our fames, and loyalties, 
 That did vs worthy comfort, are eclipfd, 
 Griefe and difgrace inuade vs ; and for all, 
 Our night of life betides, our Miferie 1 rai
 
 214 Byrons Conjpiracie. 
 
 Darke earth would ope and hide vs in our graues. 
 Byr. How ftrange is this 1 
 Laff. What ? did your highneffe heare 1 
 Byr. Both heard and wonderd, that your wit and 
 fpirit, 
 And proffit in experience of the fiaueries, 
 Impol'd on vs ; in thofe mere politique tennes, 
 Of loue, fame, loyalty, can be carried vp, 
 To fuch a height of ignorant confcience ; 
 Of cowerdife, and diffolution, 
 In all the free-borne powers of royall man. 
 You that haue made way through all the guards, 
 Of Jeloufe State ; and feen on both your fides, 
 The pikes points chardging heauen to let you paffe, 
 Will you, (in flying with a fcrupulous wing, 
 Aboue thofe pikes to heauen-ward) fall on them ? 
 This is like men, that (fpirited with wine,) 
 Paffe dangerous places fafe ; and die for feare, 
 With onely thought of them, being fimply fober ; 
 We muft (in paffing to our wifhed ends, 
 Through things calld good and bad) be like the ayre, 
 That euenly interpofd betwixt the feas, 
 And the oppofed Element of fire ; 
 At either toucheth, but partakes with neither ; 
 Is neither hot, nor cold, but with a Height 
 And harmelefs temper mixt of both th'extreames. 
 Laff. Tis fhrode. 
 
 Byr. There is no truth of any good 
 To be defcernd on earth : and by conuerfion, 
 Nought therefore fimply bad : But as the ftuffe, 
 Prepar'd for Arras pictures, is no Picture, 
 Till it be formd, and man hath caft the beames, 
 Of his imaginoufe fancie through it, 
 In forming antient Kings and conquerors, 
 As he conceiues they look't, and were attirde, 
 Though they were nothing fo : fo all things here, 
 Haue all their price fet downe, from men's concepts, 
 Which make all terms and actions, good, or bad, 
 And are but pliant, and wel-coloured threads,
 
 Byrons Conjpiracic. 2 ' 5 
 
 Put into fained images of truth : 
 To which, to yeeld, and kneele, as truth pure kings, 
 That puld vsdownc with clcere truth of their Gofpell, 
 Were Superftition to be hifl to hell. 
 
 Laff. Beleeue it, this is reafon. 
 
 Byr. T'is the faith, 
 Of reafon and of wifdome. 
 
 Laff. You perfwade, 
 As if you could create : what man can fhunne, 
 The ferches, and compreffions of your graces. 
 
 Byr. We muft haue thefe lures when we hawke for 
 friends, 
 And wind about them like a fubtle Riuer, 
 That (feeming onely to runne on his courfe) 
 Doth ferch yet, as he runnes ; and flill finds out, 
 The eafiefl parts of entry on the fhore ; 
 Gliding fo flyly by, as fcarce it toucht, 
 Yet flill eates forne thing in it : fo muft thofe, 
 That haue large fields, and currants to difpofe. 
 Come, let vs ioyne our flreames, we mufl runne far, 
 And haue but little time : The Duke of Sauoy, 
 Is fhortly to be gone, and I mufl needes, 
 Make you well knowne to him. 
 
 Laff But hath your highnes, 
 Some enterprife of value ioynd with him 1 
 
 Byr. With him and greater perfons. 
 
 Laffi. I will creepe 
 Vpon my bofome in your Princely feruice, 
 Vouch-fafe to make me knowne. I heare there hues 
 
 not, 
 So kind, fo bountyfull, and wife a Prince, 
 But in your owne excepted excellence. 
 
 Byr. He (hall both know, and loue you : are you 
 mine 1 ? 
 
 Laff. I take the honor of it, on my knee, 
 And hope to quite it with your Maiefly. Exit. 
 
 Enter Sauoy. Roncas, Rochet Brcto?i. 
 
 Sai/. La Fin, is in the right ; and will obtaine .
 
 216 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 He draweth with his weight ; and like a plummet 
 That fwaies a dore, with falling off, pulls after. 
 
 Ron. Thus will Laffin be brought a Stranger to 
 you, 
 By him he leads ; he conquers that is conquerd, 
 Thats fought, as hard to whine, that fues to be wonne. 
 
 Sau. But is my Painter warnd to take his picture, 
 When he fhall fee me, and prefent Laffin ? 
 
 Rock. He is (my Lord) and (as your highneffe 
 willd) 
 All we will preffe about him, and admire, 
 The royale promife of his rare afpecl, 
 As if he heard not. 
 
 Sau. Twill enflame him, 
 Such trickes the Arch-duke vfd t'extoll his greatnes, 
 Which complements though plaine men hold abfurd, 
 And a meere remedy for defire of Greatneffe, 
 Yet great men vfe them ; as their Rate Potatoes, 
 High Coollifes, and potions to excite 
 The luft of their ambition : and this Duke ; 
 You know is noted in his naturall garb 
 Extreamely glorious ; who will therefore bring 
 An appetite expecting fuch a baite ; 
 He comes, go inftantly, and fetch the Painter. 
 
 Enter Byron, La Fin. 
 
 Byr. All honor to your highneffe, 
 
 Sau. Tis mod true. 
 All honours flow to me, in you their Ocean ; 
 As welcome worthyeft Duke, as if my marquifate, 
 Were circl'dwith you in thefe amorous armes. 
 
 Byr. I forrow Sir I could not bring it with me, 
 That I might fo fupply the fruitleffe complement, 
 Of onely vifiting your excellence, 
 With which the King now fends me t'entertaine you ; 
 Which notwithstanding doth confer this good, 
 That it hath giuen me fome fmall time to (hew, 
 My gratitude for the many fecret bounties
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 2 1 7 
 
 I haue (by this your Lord Ambaffador) 
 
 Felt from your hcighncffe ; and in fliort, t'affurc you, 
 That all my moll deferts arc at your feruice. 
 
 Sau. Had the king fciit mc by you halfe his king- 
 dome, 
 It were not halfe fo welcom ; 
 
 Byr. For defect, 
 Of whatfoeuer in my felfe, (my Lord,) 
 I here commend to your moft Princely Seruice 
 This honord friend of mine ; 
 
 Sau. Your name I pray you Sir. 
 
 Laff. Laffin, my Lord. 
 
 Sau. Laffin ? Is this the man, 
 That you fo recommended to my loue 1 
 
 Ron. The fame my Lord, 
 
 Sau. Y'are next my Lord the Duke, 
 The moil defird of all men. O my Lord, 
 The King and I, haue had a mighty conflict, 
 About your conflicts, and your matchles worth, 
 In military vertues ; which I put 
 In Ballance with the continent of France, 
 In all the peace and fafty it enioyes. 
 And made euen weight with all he could put in 
 Of all mens elfe ; and of his owne deferts. 
 
 Byr. Of all mens elfe ? would he weigh other 
 mens, 
 With my deferuings 1 
 
 Sau. I vpon my life, 
 The Englifh Generall. the Mylor' Norris, 
 That feru'd amongft you here, he paralleld 
 With you, at all parts, and in fome preferd him, 
 And Collonell Williams (a Welch Collonell) 
 He made a man, that at your moft containd you : 
 Which the Welch Herrald of their praife, the Cucko, 
 Would fcarce haue put, in his monology, 
 In iefl, and faid with reuerence to his merits, 
 
 Byr. With reuerence % Reuerence fkomes him : by 
 the fpoyle, 
 Of all her Merits in me, he fhall rue it ;
 
 21 8 Byrons Con/piracie. 
 
 Did euer Cartian Gulffe play fuch a part 1 
 Had Curtius beene fo vfed, if he had brook't, 
 That rauenous whirlepoole, pourd his folide fpirits.. 
 Through earth difiolued finews, ftept her veines, 
 And rofe with faued Rome, vpon his backe, 
 As I fwum pooles of fire, and Gullfs of braffe, 
 To faue my country ? thruft this venturous arme, 
 Beneath her mines ; tooke her on my necke, 
 And fet her fafe on her appeafed fhore 1 
 And opes the king, a fouler bog then this, 
 In his fo rotten bofome, to deuoure 
 Him that deuourd, what elfe had fwallowed him 
 In a detraction, fo with fpight embrewed, 
 And drowne fuch good in fuch ingratitude 1 
 My fpirrit as yet, but ftooping to his reft, 
 Shines hotly in him, as the Sunne in clowds, 
 Purpled, and made proud with a peacefull Euen : 
 But when I throughly fet to him ; his cheekes, 
 Will (like thofe clouds) forgoe their collour quite, 
 And his whole blaze, fmoke into endles night, 
 
 San, Nay nay, we muft haue no fuch gall rny 
 Lord, 
 O'reflow our friendly liuers : my relation, 
 Onely deliuers my inflamed zeale 
 To your religious merits ; which me thinkes, 
 Should make your highnes canoniz'd, a Saint. 
 
 Byr. What had his armes beene, without my 
 arme, 
 That with his motion, made the whole field moue 1 
 And this held vp, we flill had victory. 
 When ouer charg'd with number, his few friends, 
 Retir'd amazed, I fet them on affurd, 
 And what rude ruine feal'd on I confirmed ; 
 When I left leading, all his army reeld, 
 One fell on other foule, and as the Cyclop 
 That hauing loft his eye, ftrooke euery way, 
 His blowes directed to no certaine fcope ; 
 Or as the foule departed from the body, 
 The body wants coherence in his parts,
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 219 
 
 Can not confift, but feucr, and diffolue ; 
 So I remou'd once, all his armies fliooke, 
 Panted, and fainted, and were euer Hying, 
 Like wandring pulfes fperft through bodies dying. 
 
 Sou. It cannot be denied, tis all fo true, 
 That what feemes arrogance, is defert in you. 
 
 Byr. What monftrous humors feed a Princes 
 blood, 
 Being bad to good men, and to bad men good 1 
 
 Sail, Well let thefe contradictions paffe (my lord,) 
 Till they be reconcil'd, or put in forme, 
 By power giuen to your will, and you prefent, 
 The fafhion of a prefect gouernment ; 
 In meane fpace but a word, we haue fmall time, 
 To fpend in priuate, which I wifli may be 
 With all aduantage taken ; Lord Lafjiu. 
 
 Ron. Ift not a face of excellent prefentment, 
 Though not fo amoroufe with pure white, and red, 
 Yet is the whole proportion fingular. 
 
 Roch. That euer I beheld. 
 
 Bret. It hath good lines, 
 And tracts drawne through it : the purfle, rare, 
 
 Ron. I heard the famous and right learned Earle, 
 And Archbifhop of Lyons, Pierce Pinac, 
 Who was reported to haue wondroufe Iudgment 
 In mens euents, and natures, by their lookes : 
 (Npon his death bed, vifited by this duke) 
 He told his lifter, when his grace was gon, 
 That he had neuer yet obferud a face, 
 Of worfe prefage then this ; and I will fweare, 
 That yfomething feene in Phifiognomy) 
 I do not find in all the rules it giues 
 One flendrefl. blemifh tending to mifhap, 
 But (on the oppofite part) as we may fee, 
 On trees late bloffomd, when all frolls are pafl, 
 How they are taken, and what will be fruit : 
 So on this tree of Scepters, I difcerne 
 How it is loaden with apparances.
 
 220 By rons Confpiracie. 
 
 Rules anfwering Rules ; and glances, crown cl with 
 glances ; 
 
 Hefnatches away the piclure. 
 
 Byr. What, does he take my picture ? 
 
 Sau. I my Lord. 
 
 Byr. Your Highneffe will excufe me ; I will giue 
 you 
 My likeneffe put in Statue, not in picture ; 
 And by a Statuary of mine owne, 
 That can in Braffe expreffe the witte of man, 
 And in his forme, make all men fee his vertues : 
 Others that with much ftrictneffe imitate, 
 The fome-thing (looping carriage of my neck, 
 The voluble, and milde radiance of mine eyes, 
 Neuer obferue my Mafculine afpect, 
 And Lyon-like inftinct, it (haddoweth : 
 Which Enuie cannot fay, is flatterie : 
 And I will haue my Image promifl you, 
 Cut in fuch matter, as (hall euer laft ; 
 Where it mail Hand, fixt with eternall rootes, 
 And with a mod unmooued grauitie ; 
 For I will haue the famous mountaine Oros, 
 That lookes out of the Dutchy where I gouerne, 
 (Into your highneffe Dukedome) firft made yours, 
 And then with fuch inimitable art 
 Expreft and handled ; chieflie from the place 
 Where moft confpicuoufly, he fhewes his face, 
 That though it keepe the true forme of that hill 
 In all his longitudes, and latitudes, 
 His height, his diftances, and full proportion, 
 Yet fhall it cleerely beare my counterfaite, 
 Both in my face and all my lineaments : 
 And euery man (hall fay, this is Byron. 
 Within my left hand, I will hold a Cittie, 
 Which is the Cittie Amiens ; at whofe fiedge 
 I feru'd fo memorably : from my right, 
 He powre an endleffe flood, into a Sea 
 Raging beneath me ; which (hall intimate 
 My ceafeleffe fervice, drunke vp by the King
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 221 
 
 As th* Ocean drinkes vp riucrs, and makes all 
 Beare his proude title ; Iuory, Brajjc, and Goidde, 
 That theeues may purchafe ; and be bought and 
 
 fould, 
 Shall not be vfde about me ; lading worth 
 Shall onely fet the Duke of Byron forth. 
 
 Sau. that your ftatuary could expreffe you, 
 With any ncreneffe to your owne inftructions ; 
 That ftatue would I prife pad all the iewells 
 Within my cabinet of Beatrice, 
 The memorie of my Grandame Portugall ; 
 Mofl roiall Duke : we can not longe endure- 
 To be thus priuate, let vs then conclude, 
 With this great refolution : that your wifedome, 
 Will not forget to caft a pleafing vaile, 
 Ouer your anger ; that may hide each glance, 
 Of any notice taken of your wrong, 
 And fhew your felf the more obfequious. 
 Tis but the virtue of a little patience, 
 There are fo oft attempts made gainft his perfon, 
 That fometimes they may fpeede, for they are plants 
 That fpring the more for cutting, and at laft 
 Will caft their wifhed fhadow : marke ere long, 
 
 Enter Nemours Soiffon. 
 
 See who comes here my Lord, as now no more, 
 Now muft we turne ouer ftreame another way ; 
 My Lord, I hembly thanke his maiefty, 
 That he would grace my idle time fpent here 
 With entertainment of your princely perfon; 
 Which, worthely, he keepes for his owne bofome. 
 My Lord, the duke Nemours % and Count Soiffon % 
 Your honours haue beene bountifully done me 
 In often vifitation : let me pray you, 
 To fee fome iewells now, and helpe my choice : 
 In making vp a prefent for the King. 
 
 Nan. "Your highnefle (hall much grace vs.
 
 222 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 Sau. I cam doubtfull 
 That I haue much incenfl the Duke Byron, 
 With praifing the Kings worthineffe in armes 
 So much pafl. all men. 
 
 Soif. He deferues it, highly. 
 
 Exit, manet Byr : Laffin. 
 Byr. What wrongs are thefe, laid on me by the 
 King, 
 To equall others worths in warre, with mine ; 
 Endure this, and be turnd into his Moile 
 To beare his fumptures ; honord friend be true, 
 And we will turne thefe torrents, hence. 
 
 En. the King. Exit Laffi. 
 
 Enter Henry, Efpe, Vitry, Janin. 
 
 Hen. Why fuffer you that ill aboding vermine, 
 To breede fo neere your bofome 1 bee affurde, 
 His hants are omenous, not the throtes of Rauens, 
 Spent on infected houfes, howles of dogs, 
 When no found ftirres, at midnight ; apparitions, 
 And ftrokes of fpirits, clad in black mens fhapes : 
 Or ougly womens : the aduerfe decrees 
 Of conftellations, nor fecuritie, 
 In vicious peace, are furer fatall vfhers 
 Of femall mifchiefes, and mortallities, 
 Then this prodigious feend is, where he fawnes : 
 Lafiend, and not Laffin, he fhould be cald. 
 
 Byr. Be what he will, men in themfelues entire, 
 March fafe with naked feete, on coles of fire : 
 I build not outward, nor depend on proppes, 
 Nor chufe my confort by the common eare : 
 Nor by the Moone-fhine, in the grace of Kings : 
 So rare are true deferuers, lou'd or knowne, 
 That men lou'd vulgarely, are euer none : 
 Nor men grac't feruilely, for being fpots 
 In Princes traines, though borne euen with their 
 
 crownes ; 
 The Stalion powre hath fuch a beefome taile,
 
 Jlyrons Conjpircu 223 
 
 That it fwecpcs all from iuflicc, and fuch filtli 
 He beares out in it, that men mere exempt 
 Are merely cleerell : men will ihortly buie 
 Friends from the prifon or the pillorie, 
 Rather then honors markets. I fearc none, 
 But foule Ingratitude, and Detraction, 
 In all the brood of villanie. 
 Hoi. No % not treafon % 
 Be circumfpeel, for to a credulous eye, 
 He comes inuifible, vail'd with flatterie, 
 And flaterers looke like friends, as Woolucs, like 
 
 Dogges. 
 And as a glorious Poeme fronted well 
 With many a goodly Herrald of his praife, 
 So farre from hate of praifes to his face, 
 That he praies men to praife him, and they ride 
 Before, with trumpets in their mouthes, proclayming 
 Life to the holie furie of his lines : 
 All drawne, as if with one eye he had leerd, 
 On his lou'd hand, and led it by a rule ; 
 That his plumes onely Imp the Mufes wings, 
 He fleepes with them, his head is napt with bales, 
 His lips breake out with Neclar, his tunde feete 
 Are of the great laft, the perpetuall motion, 
 And he puft wirh their empty breath beleeues 
 Full merit, eaf'd, thofe paflions of winde, 
 Which yet feme, but to praife, and cannot merit, 
 And fo his furie in their ayre expires : 
 So de Laffin, and fuch corrupted Herralds, 
 Hirde to encorage, and to glorifie 
 May force what breath they will into their cheekes 
 Fitter to blow vp bladders, then full men : 
 Yet may puff men to, with perfwafions 
 That they are Gods in worth ; and may rife Kings 
 With treading on their noifes ; yet the worthieft, 
 From onely his owne worth receiues his fpirit 
 And right is worthy bound to any merit ; 
 Which right, fliall you haue euer ; leaue him then. 
 He followes none but markt, and wretched men ;
 
 224 Byrons Conjpiracie. 
 
 And now for England you fliall goe my lord, 
 Our Lord Ambaffador to that matchleffe Queene ; 
 You neuer had a voiage of fuch pleafure 
 Honor, and worthy obiedls : Titer's a Queene 
 Where nature keepes her ftate, and ftate her Court, 
 Wifdome her ftudie, Conntinence her fort, 
 Where Magnanimity, Humanitie : 
 Firmneffe in counfaile and integritie : 
 Grace to her poreft fubiecls : Maieftie 
 To awe the greateft, haue refpects diuine, 
 And in her each part, all the vertues mine. 
 
 Exit Hen. 6° Sau. manct Byron. 
 Byr. Inioy your will a while, I may haue mine. 
 Wherefore (before I part to this ambaffage) 
 He be refolu'd by a Magician 
 That dwells hereby, to whome ile goe difguifde, 
 And fhew him my births figure, fet before 
 By one of his profeffion, of the which 
 Ile craue his iudgement, fayning I am fent 
 From fome great perfonage, whofe natiuitie, 
 He wifheth fhould be cenfurd by his skill. 
 But on go my plots, be it good or ill. Exit. 
 
 Enter La Brofje. 
 
 This houre by all rules of Aftrologie, 
 
 Is dangerous to my.perfon, if not deadly. 
 
 How haples is our knowledge to fore-tel 
 
 And not be able to preuent a mifchiefe, 
 
 O the ftrange difference twixt vs and the ftars : 
 
 They worke with inclynations ftronge and fatall 
 
 And nothing know ; and we know all their working 
 
 And nought can do, or nothing can preuent 1 
 
 Rude ignorance is beaftly, knowledge wretched, 
 
 The heauenly powers enuy what they Enioyne : 
 
 We are commanded t'imitate there natures, 
 
 In making all our ends eternitie : 
 
 And in that imitation we are plagued, 
 
 And worfe then they efleemd, that haue no foules,
 
 Byrons Coufpiracic. 225 
 
 But in their noftrils, and like beads expire ; 
 As they do that are ignorant of arts, 
 By drowning their eternall parts in fence, 
 And fenfuall affectations : while wee hue 
 Our good parts take away, the more they giue. 
 
 Byron folus difguifed like a Carrier of Idlers. 
 
 Byr. The forts that fauorites hold in Princes 
 hearts, 
 In common fubiecls loues ; and their owne ftrcngths 
 Arc not fo fure, and vnexpugnable, 
 But that the more they are prefum'd vpon, 
 The more they faile ; dayly and hourely proofe, 
 Tels vs profperity is at higheft degree 
 The fount and handle of calamitie : 
 Like duft before a whirle-winde thofe men flic, 
 That proftrate on the grounds of fortune lye : 
 And being great (like trees that broailell fproote) 
 Their owne top-heauy ftate grubs vp their roote. 
 Thefe apprehenfions ftartle all my powers, 
 And arme them with fufpition gainfl them-felues, 
 In my late proiecls ; I haue cafl my felfe 
 Into the armes of others ; and will fee 
 If they will let me fall ; or toffe me vp 
 Into th' affected compaffe of a throne. 
 God faue you fir. 
 
 Labrol). Y' are welcome friend ; what would you % 
 
 Byr. I would entreate you, for fome crownes I 
 bring, 
 To giue your iudgement of this figure caft, 
 To know by his natiuitie there feene ; 
 What fort of end the perfon fhall endure, 
 Who fent me to you, and whofe birth it is. 
 
 Labroff. He herein do my befl, in your defire ; 
 The man is raifd out of a good defcent, 
 And nothing oulder then your felfe I thinke ; 
 Is it not you 1 
 
 Byr. I will not tell you that : 
 
 !•
 
 226 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 But tell me on what end he fhall arriue. 
 
 Labrof], My fonne, I fee, that he whofe end is 
 call 
 In this fet figure, is of noble parts, 
 And by his militarie valure raifde, 
 To princely honours ; and may be a king, 
 But that I fee a Caput Algol here, 
 That hinders it I feare. 
 
 Byr. A Caput Algol ? 
 What's that I pray 1 
 
 Labrojf. Forbeare to aske me, fonne, 
 You bid me fpeake, what feare bids me conceale. 
 
 Byr. You haue no caufe to feare, and therefore 
 fpeake. 
 
 Labroj). Youle rather wifh you had beene ignorant, 
 Then be inftrudted in a thing fo ill. 
 
 Byr. Ignorance is an idle falue for ill, 
 And therefore do not vrge me to enforce, 
 What I would freely know ; for by the skill 
 Showne in thy aged hayres, ile lay thy braine 
 Here fcattered at my feete, and feeke in that, 
 What fafely thou muft vtter with thy tongue, 
 If thou deny it. 
 
 Labroff. Will you not allow me 
 To hold my peace 1 what leffe can I defire 1 
 If not, be pleafd with my conftrained fpeech. 
 
 Byr. Was euer man yet punifht for expreffing 
 What he was chargde 1 be free, and fpeake the worft. 
 
 Labroj). Then briefly this ; the man hath lately 
 done 
 An action that will make him loofe his head. 
 
 Byr. Curft be thy throte & foule, Rauen, Schriech- 
 owle, hag. 
 
 Labroj). O hold, for heauens fake hold. 
 
 Byr. Hold on, I will, 
 Vault, and contractor of all horrid founds, 
 Trumpet of all the miferies in hell, 
 Of my confufions ; of the fhamefull end 
 Of all my feruices ; witch, fiend, accurll
 
 Byrons Confpivacie. iiy 
 
 For cucr be the poifon of thy tongue, 
 And let the black fume of thy venom'd breath, 
 Infect the ayre, fhrinke heauen, put out the ftarrcs, 
 And raine fo fell and blew a plague on earth, 
 That all the world may falter with my fall. 
 
 Labroff. Pitty my age, my Lord. 
 
 Byr. Out prodigie, 
 Remedy of pitty, mine of flint, 
 Whence with my nailes and feete, ile digge enough, 
 Horror, and fauage cruelty, to build 
 Temples to Maffacre : dam of deuils take thee, 
 Hadft. thou no better end to crowne my parts. 
 The Buls of Colchos, nor his triple neck, 
 That howles out Earthquakes : the moft mortal 1 
 
 vapors, 
 That euer ftifled and ftrooke dead the fowles, 
 That flew at neuer fuch a fightly pitch, 
 Could not haue burnt my bloud fo. 
 
 Labroff. I told truth, 
 And could haue flatterd you. 
 
 Byr. O that thou hadft ; 
 Would I had giuen thee twenty thoufand crownes 
 That thou hadft flatterd me : there's no ioy on earth, 
 Neuer fo rationall, fo pure, and holy, 
 But is a Iefter, Parafite, a Whore, 
 In the moft worthy parts, with which they pleafe, 
 A drunkenneffe of foule, and a difeafe. 
 
 Labroff. I knew you not. 
 
 Byr. Peace, dog of Pluto, peace, 
 Thou knewft my end to come, not me here prefent : 
 Pox of your halting humane knowledges ; 
 
 death ! how farre off haft thou kild 1 how foone 
 A man may know too much, though neuer nothing ? 
 Spight of the Starres, and all Aftrologie, 
 
 1 will not loofe my head : or if I do, 
 
 A hundred thoufand heads fhall off before. 
 I am a nobler fubftance then the Starres, 
 And fhall the baler ouer-rule the better ? 
 Or are they better, fince they are the bigger?
 
 228 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 1 haue a will, and faculties of choife, 
 
 To do, or not to do : and reafon why, 
 
 I doe, or not doe this : the ftarres haue none, 
 
 They know not why they fhine, more then this Taper, 
 
 Nor how they worke, nor what : ile change my courfe, 
 
 He peece-meale pull, the frame of all my thoughts, 
 
 And caft my will into another mould : 
 
 And where are all your Caput Algols then 1 
 
 Your Plannets all, being vnderneath the earth, 
 
 At my natiuitie : what can they doe 1 
 
 Malignant in afpects ? in bloudy houfes 1 
 
 Wilde fire confume them ; one poore cup of wine, 
 
 More then I vfe, that my weake braine will beare, 
 
 Shall make them drunke and reele out of their fpheres, 
 
 For any certaine act they can enforce. 
 
 O that mine armes were wings, that I might fiie, 
 
 And pluck out of their hearts, my deftinie ! 
 
 Ile weare thofe golden Spurres vpon my heeles, 
 
 And kick at fate ; be free all worthy fpirits, 
 
 And ftretch your felues, for greatneffe and for height : 
 
 Vntruffe your flaueries, you haue height enough, 
 
 Beneath this fteepe heauen to vfe all your reaches, 
 
 'Tis too farre off, to let you, or refpecl: you. 
 
 Giue me a ipirit that on this lifes rough fea, 
 
 Loues t'haue his failes fild with a luftie winde, 
 
 Euen till his fayle-yerds tremble ; his Mails crack, 
 
 And, his rapt fhip runne on her fide fo lowe 
 
 That fhe drinkes water, and her keele plowes ayre : 
 
 There is no danger to a man, that knowes 
 
 What life and death is : there's not any law, 
 
 Exceeds his knowledge ; neither is it lawfull 
 
 That he fhould ftoope to any other law. 
 
 He goes before them, and commands them all, 
 
 That to him-felfe is a law rationall. Exit.
 
 l>yrons Confpiracie. 229 
 
 ACTVS 4. SC7ENA. T 
 
 Enter DAumont, with Crequi. 
 
 The Duke of Byron is return'd from England, 
 And (as they fay) was Princely entertainde, 
 Schoold by the matchlelTe Queene there, who I heare 
 Spake moil diuinely ; and would gladly heare, 
 Her fpeech reported. 
 
 Cre. I can feme your turne, 
 As one that fpeakes from others, not from her, 
 And thus it is reported at his parting : 
 
 THVS Monfieur Du Byron you haue beheld, 
 Our Court proportion'd to our little kingdome, 
 In euery entertainment ; yet our minde, 
 To do you all the rites of your repaire, 
 Is as vnbounded as the ample ayre. 
 What idle paines haue you beflowd to fee 
 A poore old woman ? who in nothing lines 
 More, then in true affections, borne your king ; 
 And in the perfect knowledge fhe hath learn'd, 
 Of his good knights, and feruants of your fort. 
 We thanke him that he keepes the memory 
 Of vs and all our kindnefle ; but muft fay, 
 That it is onely kept ; and not laid out 
 To fuch affectionate profit as we wifh ; 
 Being fo much fet on fire with his deferts, 
 That they confume vs ; not to be reftorde 
 By your presentment of him ; but his perfon :
 
 230 Byrons Cojifpiracie. 
 
 And we had thought, that he whofe vertues flye 
 
 So beyond wonder, and the reach of thought, 
 
 Should check at eight houres faile, and his high fpirit 
 
 That floopes to feare, leffe then the Poles of heauen ; 
 
 Should doubt an vnder billow of the Sea, 
 
 And (being a Sea) be fparing of his ftreames : 
 
 And I mufi blame all you that may aduife him ; 
 
 That (hauing helpt him through all martiall dangers) 
 
 You let him flick, at the kinde rites of peace, 
 
 Confidering all the forces I haue fent, 
 
 To fet his martiall feas vp in firme walls, 
 
 On both his fides for him to paffe at pleafure ; 
 
 Did plainly open him a guarded way 
 
 And led in Nature to this friendly more, 
 
 But here is nothing worth his perfonall fight, 
 
 Here are no walled Citties ; for that Chriflall 
 
 Sheds with his light, his hardneffe, and his height 
 
 About our thankfull perfon, and our Realme ; 
 
 Whofe onely ayde, we euer yet defirde ; 
 
 And now I fee, the helpe we fent to him, 
 
 Which fhould haue fvvum to him in our owne bloud, 
 
 Had it beene needfull ; (our affections 
 
 Being more giuen to his good, then he himfelfe) 
 
 Ends in the acluall right it did his flate, 
 
 And ours is fleighted ; all our worth is made, 
 
 The common-flock, and banck ; from whence are 
 
 feru'd 
 All mens occafions ; yet (thankes to heauen) 
 Their gratitudes are drawne drye ; not our bounties. 
 And you fhall tell your King, that he neglefls 
 Ould friends for new ; and fets his foothed Eafe 
 Aboue his honor ; Marfhals policie 
 In ranck before his iuflice ; and his profit 
 Before his royalty : his humanitie gone, 
 To make me no repaiment of mine owne. 
 
 HAu. What anfwered the Duke ? 
 
 Cre. In this fort. 
 Your highneffe fweete fpeech hath no fharper end, 
 Then he would wifh his life : if he neglected,
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 231 
 
 The lead grace you haue nam'd ; but to his with, 
 
 Much powre is wanting : the grecne rootcs of warre, 
 
 Not yet fo clofe cut vp, but he may dafh 
 
 Againft their relickes to his vtter ruine, 
 
 Without more neere eyes, fixt vpon his feete, 
 
 Then thofe that looke out of his countries foyle, 
 
 And this may well excufe his perfonall prefence, 
 
 Which yet he oft hath long'd to fet by yours : 
 
 That he might imitate the Maieftie, 
 
 Which fo long peace hath practifde, and made full, 
 
 In your admir'd apparance ; to illuflrate 
 
 And redlifie his habite in rude warre. 
 
 And his will to be here, mufl needs be great, 
 
 Since heauen hath thron'd fo true a royaltie here, 
 
 That he thinkes no king abfolutely crowndc, 
 
 Whofe temples haue not flood beneath this skie, 
 
 And whofe height is not hardned with thefe ftarres, 
 
 Whofe influences for this altitude, 
 
 Diflild, and wrought in with this temperate ayre, 
 
 And this diuifion of the Element 
 
 Haue with your raigne, brought forth more worthy 
 
 fpirits, 
 For counfaile, valour, height of wit, and art, 
 Then any other region of the earth : 
 Or were brought forth to all your anceflors, 
 And as a cunning Orator, referues 
 His fairefl fimilies, beft-adorning figures, 
 Chiefe matter, and mod mouing arguments 
 For his conclufion ; and doth then fupply 
 His ground-ftreames layd before, glides oner them, 
 Makes his full depth feene through ; and fo takes vp, 
 His audience in applaufes pad the clowds. 
 So in your gouernment, conclufiue nature, 
 (Willing to end her Excellence in earth 
 When your foote fhall be fet vpon the rtarrcs) 
 Showes all her Soueraigne Beauties, Ornaments, 
 Vertues, and Raptures ; ouertakes her workes 
 In former Empires, makes them but your foyles, 
 Swels to her full Sea, and againc doth drowne
 
 232 Byrons Cortfpiracie. 
 
 The world, in admiration of your crowne. 
 
 UAu. He did her (at all parts) confeffed right. 
 
 Cre. She tooke it yet, but as a part of Court-fhip, 
 And fayd, he was the fubtle Orator, 
 To whom he did too glorioufly refemble, 
 Nature in her, and in her gouernment, 
 He faid, he was no Orator, but a Souldier, 
 More then this ayre, in which you breath hath made 
 
 me, 
 My (ludious loue, of your rare gouernment, 
 And fimple truth, which is mofl eloquent, 
 Your Empire is fo amply abfolute, 
 That euen your Theaters mow more comely rule, 
 True nobleffe, royaltie, and happineffe 
 Then others courts : you make all (late before 
 Vtterly obfolete ; all to come, twice fod. 
 And therefore doth my royall Soueraigne wifli 
 Your yeers may proue, as vitall, as your virtues, 
 That ((landing on his Turrets this way turn'd, 
 Ordring and fixing his affaires by yours) 
 He may at lafl, on firme grounds, paffe your Seas, 
 And fee that Maiden-fea of Maieflie, 
 In whofe challe armes, fo many kingdomes lye. 
 
 D Ate. When came fhe to her touch of his ambi- 
 tion? 
 
 Cre. In this fpeech following, which I thus remem- 
 ber. 
 If I hold any merit worth his prefence, 
 Or any part of that, your Courtfhip giues me, 
 My fubiects haue beflowed it ; fome in counfailc, 
 In action fome, and in obedience all ; 
 For none knowes, with fuch proofe as you my Lord, 
 How much a fubiect may renowne his Prince, 
 And how much Princes of their fubiecls hold ; 
 In all the feruices that euer fubiecl. 
 Did for his Soueraigne 5 he that bed deferu'd 
 Muft (in comparifon) except, Byron ; 
 And to winne this prize cleere ; without the maimes 
 Commonly giuen men by ambition,
 
 Byrons Con/piracn. 233 
 
 When all their parts lye open to his view, 
 Showes continence, pad their other excellence : 
 But for a fubiedft to aftecfl a kingdome, 
 Is like the Cammell, that of lout begd homes, 
 And fuch mad-hungrie men, as well may eate, 
 Hote coles of fire, to feede their naturall heate ; 
 For, to afpire to competence with your King 
 What fubiecl is fo grofe, and Gyantly 1 
 He hauing now a Daulphine borne to him, 
 Whofe birth, ten dayes before, was dreadfully 
 Vfherd with Earth-quakes, in mod parts of Europe, 
 And that giues all men, caufe enough to feare 
 All thought of competition with him. 
 Commend vs good my Lord, and tell our Brother 
 How much we ioy, in that his royall iffue, 
 And in what prayers, we raife our heart to heauen, 
 That in more terror to his foes, and wonder 
 He may drinke Earthquakes, and deuoure the thun- 
 der : 
 So we admire your valure, and your vertues, 
 And euer will contend, to winne their honor. 
 Then fpake fhe to Crequie, and Prince D'Aiurgnc, 
 And gaue all gracious farewels ; when Byron 
 Was thus encountred by a Councellor 
 Of great and eminent name, and matchleffe merit : 
 I thinke (my Lord) your princely Daulphin bcares 
 Arion on his Cradle, through your kingdome, 
 In the fweete Mufique ioy ftrikes from his birth. 
 He anfwerd ; and good right ; the caufe commands it 
 But (faid the other) had we a fift JAnry, 
 To claime his ould right : and one man to friend, 
 Whom you well know my Lord, that for his friend fhip 
 Were promift the Vice-royaltie of France, 
 We would not doubt of conqueft, in defpight 
 Of all thofe windy Earth-quakes. He replyed ; 
 Treafon was neuer guide to Englifh conquefts, 
 And therefore that doubt fhall not fright our Daul- 
 
 phine ; 
 Nor would I be the friend to fuch a foe,
 
 234 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 For all the royalties in Chriflendome. 
 
 Fix there your foote (fayd he) I onely giue 
 
 Falfe fire, and would be lothe to fhoote you off" : 
 
 He that winnes Empire with the loffe of faith, 
 
 Out-buies it ; and will banck-route ; you haue layde 
 
 A braue foundation, by the hand of virtue : 
 
 Put not the roofe to fortune : foolifh ftatuaries, 
 
 That vnder little Saints fuppofe, great bafes 
 
 Make leffe, to fence, the Saints ; and fo where fortune, 
 
 Aduanceth uile mindes, to ftates great and noble, 
 
 She much the more expofeth them to fhame, 
 
 Not able to make good, and fill their bafes, 
 
 With a conformed ftruclure ; I haue found, 
 
 (Thankes to the bleffer of my fearche) that counfailes, 
 
 Held to the lyne of Iuftice ; ftill produce, 
 
 The fureft ftates, and greateft, being fure, 
 
 Without which fit affurance, in the greateft, 
 
 As you may fee a mighty promontorie 
 
 More digd and vnder-eaten, then may warrant, 
 
 A fafe fupportance, to his hanging browes, 
 
 All paffengers auoide him, fhunne all ground 
 
 That lyes within his fliadow, and beare ftill 
 
 A flying eye vpon him, fo great men 
 
 Corrupted in their grounds and building out 
 
 Too fwelling fronts for their foundations ; 
 
 When moft they fhould be propt, are moft forfaken. 
 
 And men will rather thrufl into the ftormes 
 
 Of better grounded States, then take a fhelter 
 
 Beneath their ruinous, and fearefull weight ; 
 
 Yet they, fo ouerfee, their faultie bafes, 
 
 That they remaine fecurer in conceipt : 
 
 And that fecuritie, doth worfe prefage 
 
 Their nere diftruclions, then their eaten grounds ; 
 
 And therefore heauen it felfe is made to vs 
 
 A perfect Hierogliphick to expreffe, 
 
 The Idleneffe of fuch fecuritie, 
 
 And the graue labour, of a wife diflrufl, 
 
 In both forts of the all-enclyning ftarres ; 
 
 Where all men note this difference in their fhyning,
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 235 
 
 As plaine as they diflinguifh either hand ; 
 The fixt ftarres wauer, and the erring, Hand. 
 
 D Aum. How took hue this fo worthy admonition? 
 
 Cre. Grauely applied (laid he) and like the man, 
 Whome all the world faies, ouerrules the ftarres ; 
 Which are diuine bookes to vs ; and are read 
 By vnderflanders onely, the true obiecls, 
 And chief companions of the trued men ; 
 And (though I need it not) I thanke your counfaile, 
 That neuer yet was idle, But fpherelike, 
 Still mooues about, and is the continent 
 To this bleft He. 
 
 ACT 5. SCEN. 1. 
 
 Enter Byron, DAuergne, Baffin. 
 
 Byr. The Circle of this ambafiie is clofde, 
 For which I long haue long'd, for mine owne ends ; 
 To fee my faithfull. and leaue courtly friends, 
 To whom I came (me thought) with fuch a fpirit, 
 As you haue feene, a lufty courfer fhowe, 
 That hath beene longe time at his manger tied ; 
 High fed, alone, and when (his headftall broken) 
 Hee runnes his prifon, like a trumpet neighs, 
 Cuts ayre, in high curuets, and fhakes his head : 
 (With wanton ftopings, twixt his forelegs) mocking 
 The heauy center ; fpreds his tlying creft, 
 Like to an Enfigne hedge, and ditches leaping, 
 Till in the frefh meate, at his naturall foode 
 He fees free fellowes, and hath met them free : 
 And now (good friend) I would be fain inform'd,
 
 236 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 What our right Princely Lord, the Duke of Sauoy 
 Hath thought on, to employ my comming home. 
 
 Laf. To try the Kings truft in you, and withall, 
 How hot he trailes on our confpiracie : 
 He firft would haue you, begge the gouernment, 
 Of the important Citadell of Bourg : 
 Or to place in it, any you fhall name : 
 Which wilbe wondrous fit, to march before, 
 His other purpofes ; and is a fort 
 Hee rates, in loue, aboue his patrimonie ; 
 To make which fortreffe worthie of your fuite : 
 He vowes (if you obtaine it) to beftowe 
 His third faire daughter, on your excellence, 
 And hopes the King will not deny it you. 
 
 Byr. Denie it me 1 deny me fuch a fuite ? 
 Who will he grant, if he deny it me. 
 
 Laf. He'le find fome politique fhift to do't, I 
 feare. 
 
 Bir. What fhift 1 or what euafion can he finde, 
 What one patch is there in all policies fhop, 
 (That botcher vp of Kingdomes) that can mend 
 The brack betwixt vs, anyway denying. 
 
 D'An. Thats at your peril : 
 
 Byr. Come, he dares not do't. 
 
 UAu. Dares not ? prefume not fo ; you know 
 (good duke) 
 That all things hee thinkes fit to do, he dares. 
 
 Byr. By heauen I wonder at you, I will aske it, 
 As fternely, and fecure of all repulfe 
 As th' antient Perfians did when they implorde, 
 Their idoll fire to grant them any boone ; 
 With which they would defcend into a flood, 
 And threaten there to quench it, if they faild, 
 Of that they ask't it : 
 
 Lajfi. Said like pour Kings King ; 
 Cold hath no acl in depth, nor are fuites wrought 
 (Of any high price) that are coldly fought : 
 lie haft, and with your courage, comfort Sauoy. 
 
 Exit Laffiu.
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 237 
 
 D'Au. I am your friend (my Lord) and will de- 
 feruc 
 That name, with following any courfe you take ; 
 Yet (for your owne fake) I could wilh your fpirit 
 Would let you fpare all broade termes of the King, 
 ( )r, on my life you will at lall repent it : 
 
 Byr. What can he doe ? 
 
 D'Aum. All that you can not feare. 
 
 Byr. You feare too much, be by, when next 1 fee 
 him, 
 And fee how I will vrge him in this fuite, 
 He comes, marke you, that thinke 
 He will not grant it. 
 
 Enter Henry, Efpe. Soiff. Ianin. 
 
 I am become a fuiter to your highneffe. 
 
 Hen. For what, my Lord, tis like you fhall ob- 
 taine. 
 
 Bya. I do not much doubt that ; my feruices, 
 I hope haue more ftrength in your good conceit 
 Then to receiue repulfe, in fuch requefts. 
 
 Hen. What is it ? 
 
 Byr. That you would bellow on one whom I fhall 
 name, 
 The keeping of the Citadell of Bourg, 
 
 Hen. Excufe me fir, I mufl not grant you that. 
 
 Byr. Not grant me that ? 
 
 Hen. It is not fit I fhould ; 
 You are my gouernor in Burgundy, 
 And Prouince gouernors, that command in chiefe, 
 Ought not to haue the charge of fortrefles ; 
 Befides, it is the chiefe key of my kingdome, 
 That opens towards Italie, and muft therefore, 
 Be giuen to one that hath imediatly 
 Dependance on vs. 
 
 Byr. Thefe are wondrous reafons, 
 Is not a man depending on his merits 
 As fit to haue the charge of fuch a key
 
 238 Byrons Confpiraae. 
 
 As one that meerely hangs vppon your humors 1 
 
 Hen : Do not enforce your merits fo your felf ; 
 It takes away their lufter, and reward. 
 
 Byr : But you will grant my fuite 1 
 
 Hen : I fvveare I cannot, 
 Keeping the credit of my braino and place. 
 
 Byr. Will you deny me then ? 
 
 Hen : I am inforcft ; 
 I haue no power, more then your felfe in things 
 That are beyond my reafon. 
 
 Byr. Then my felfe 1 
 That's a ftrange Height in your comparifon ; 
 Am I become th' example of fuch men 
 As haue left power ? Such a diminitiue 1 
 I was comparatiue in the better fort ; 
 And fuch a King as you, would fay I cannot, 
 Do fuch ; or fuch a thing ; were I as great 
 In power as he ; euen that indefinite he, 
 Expreft me full : This Moone is ftrangely chang'd. 
 
 Hen. How can I helpe it ? would you haue a King 
 That hath a white beard'; haue fo greene a braine 1 
 
 Byr : A plague of braine ; what doth this touch 
 your braine ? 
 You muft giue me more reafon or I fweare 
 
 Hen : Sweare ; what doe you fweare ? 
 
 Byr : I Sweare you wrong me, 
 And deale not like a King, to ieft, and Height, 
 A man that you fhould curioufly reward ; 
 Tell me of your gray beard ? it is not gray 
 With care to recompence me, who eaf'd your care. 
 
 Hen : You haue beene recompenc't, from head to 
 foote. 
 
 Byr : With a diftrufted dukedome % Take your 
 dukedome 
 Beftow'd on me againe ; It was not giuen 
 For any loue, but feare, and force of fhame. 
 
 Hen : Yet twas your honor ; which if you refpec~l 
 not, 
 Why feeke you this Addition 1
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 239 
 
 Byron : Since this honour, 
 Would fhew you lou'd me to, in trufling me, 
 Without which loue, and trull ; honor is fharne ; 
 A very Pageant, and a propertie : 
 Honor, with all his Adiuncls, I deferue, 
 And you quit my deferts, with your gray beard. 
 
 Hen : Since you expoftulate the matter fo ; 
 I tell you plaine ; Another reafon is 
 Why I am mou'd to make you this denial! 
 That I fufpeel you to haue had intelligence 
 With my vowd enimies. 
 
 Byr : Miferie of vertue, 
 111 is made good, with worfe 1 This reafon poures 
 Poyfon, for Balme, into the wound you made ; 
 You make me madde, and rob me of my foule, 
 To take away my try'd loue, and my Truth ; 
 Which of my labors, which of all my woundes, 
 Which ouerthrow, which Battayle wonne for you, 
 Breedes this fufpition 1 Can the blood of faith, 
 (Loft in all thefe to finde it proofe, and ftrength) 
 Beget difloyalty 1 all my raine is falne, 
 Into the horfe-fayre ; fpringing pooles and myre ; 
 And not in thankfull grounds, or fields of fruite ; 
 Fall then before vs, O thou flaming Chriflall, 
 That art the vncorrupted Regifler 
 Of all mens merits : And remonftrate heere, 
 The fights, the dangers, the affrights and horrors, 
 Whence I haue refcu'd this vnthankefull King : 
 And fhew (commixt with them) the ioyes, the glories 
 Of his (late then : Then his kind thoughts of me : 
 Then my deferuings : Now my infamie : 
 But I will be mine owne King, I will fee, 
 That all your Chronicles be fild with me, 
 That none but I, and my renowned Syre 
 Be faid to winne the memorable fieldes 
 Of Argues and Dccpc : and none but we of all 
 Kept you from dying there, in an Hofpitall ; 
 None but my felfe, that wonne the day at Dreux : 
 A day of holy name, and needes, no night :
 
 240 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 Nor none but I at Fowitaine Francois burft, 
 
 The heart firings of the leaguers ; I alone, 
 
 Tooke Amiens in thefe armes, and held her faft, 
 
 In fpight of all the Pitchy fires fhe caft, 
 
 And clowds of bullets pourd vpon my bred, 
 
 Till fhe fhowd yours ; and tooke her naturall forme, 
 
 Onely my felfe (married to victory) 
 
 Did people Artois, Douay, Picardie, 
 
 Bethnne, and Saint Patch, Bapaume, and Courcelles, 
 
 With her triumphant iffue ; 
 
 Hen. Ha ha ha, Exit, 
 
 Byron drawing and is held by UAu. 
 
 D'Au. O hold my Lord; for my fake, mighty 
 Spirrit. Exit 
 
 Enter Byron Dan following vnfeene. 
 
 Byr. Refpect, Reuenge, flaughter, repaie for 
 laughter, 
 What's graue in Earth, what awfull ? what abhord ? 
 If my rage be ridiculoufe 1 I will make it, 
 The law and rule of all things ferious. 
 So long as idle and rediculous King 4 
 Are fuffered, foothed and wreft all right, to fafty 
 So long is mifchiefe gathering maffacres, 
 For their curft kingdomes ; which I will preuent, 
 Laughter ? He fright it from him, farre as he, 
 Hath caft irreuocable fhame ; which euer, 
 Being found is loft and loft returneth neuer ; 
 Should Kings caft of their bounties, with their dan- 
 gers? 
 He that can warme at fires, where vertue burnes, 
 Hunt pleafure through her torments ; nothing feele, 
 Of all his fubiecls fuffer ; but (long hid) 
 In wants, and miferies, and hauing paft 
 Through all the graueft fhapes, of worth and honor, 
 (For all Hcroiqtie fafhions to be learned, 
 By thofe hard leffons) fhew an antique vizard^ 
 Who would not wifh him rather hewd to nothing, 
 
 4 So long as fuch as lie. 1608.
 
 Byrons Coyijpiracie. 241 
 
 Then left fo monflrous 1 flight my feruices? 
 Drowne the dead noifes of my fword, in laughter ? 
 My blowes, as but the paffages of fhadowes, 
 Ouer the higheft and mod barraine hills, 
 And vfe me, like, no man ; but as he tooke me 
 Into a defart, gafht with all my wounds, 
 Suftaind for him, and buried me in flies ; 
 Forth vengeance then, and open wounds in him 
 Shall let in Spaine, and Sauoy. 
 
 Offers to draw and D'Au: againe holds him. 
 
 JD'Au. O my Lord, 
 This is to large a licence giuen your furie ; 
 Giue time to it, what reafon, fodainely, 
 Can not extend, refpite doth oft fupplie. 
 
 Byr. While refpite holds reuenge, the wrong re- 
 doubles, 
 And fo the fhame of fufferance, it torments me, 
 To thinke what I endure, at his fhrunke hands, 
 That scornes the guift, of one pore fort to me : 
 That haue fubdu'd for him ; O iniurie, 
 Forts, Citties, Countries, I, and yet my furie. Exeunt. 
 
 Hen. Byron % 
 
 UAu. My Lord 1 the King calls. 
 
 Hen. Turne I pray, 
 How now ? from whence flow thefe diftracTed faces 1 
 From what attempt returne they 1 as difclayming, 
 Their late Hcroique bearer ? what, a piftoll % 
 Why, good my Lord, can mirth make you fo wrathfull? 
 
 Byr. Mirth 1 twas mockerie, a contempt ; a fcan- 
 dall 
 To my renowne for euer : a repulfe 
 As miferably cold, as Stygian water, 
 That from fincere earth iffues, and doth breake 
 The ftrongeft veffells, not to be containde, 
 But in the tough hoofe of a pacient Affe. 
 
 Hen. My Lord, your iudgement is not competent, 
 In this diffention, I may fay of you ; 
 As Fame faies of the antient Eleans, 
 That, in th' Olimpian contentions, 
 
 Q
 
 242 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 They euer were the iufleft Arbitrators, 
 
 If none of them contended, nor were parties ; 
 
 Thofe that will moderate difputations well, 
 
 Muft not themfelues affect the coronet ; 
 
 For as the ayre, containd within our eares : 
 
 If it be not in quiet ; nor refrains, 
 
 Troubling our hearing, with offenfive founds ; 
 
 But our affected inftrument of hearing, 
 
 Repleat with noife, and fingings in it felfe, 
 
 It faithfully receiues no other voices ; 
 
 So, of all iudgements, if within themfelues 
 
 They fuffer fpleene, and are tumultuous ; 
 
 They can not equall differences without them ; 
 
 And this winde, that doth fing fo in your eares, 
 
 I know, is no difeafe bred in your felfe, 
 
 But whifperd in by others ; who in fwelling 
 
 Your vaines with emptie hope of much, yet able, 
 
 To performe nothing ; are like fhallow flreames, 
 
 That make themfelues fo many heauens ; to fight ; 
 
 Since you may fee in them, the moone, and Starres, 
 
 The blew fpace of the ayre ; as farre from vs, 
 
 (To our weake fences) in thofe fhallow flreames 
 
 As if they were as deepe, as heauen is high ; 
 
 Yet with your middle finger onely, found them, 
 
 And you fhall pierce them to the very earth ; 
 
 And therefore leaue them, and be true to me 
 
 Or yow'le be left by all ; or be like one 
 
 That in cold nights will needes haue all the fire, 
 
 And there is held by others, and embrac't 
 
 Onely to burne him : your fire wil be inward, 
 
 Which not another deluge can put out : 
 
 Byron kneeles while the King goes on . 
 O innocence the facred amulet, 
 Gainft all the poifons of infirmitie : 
 Of all misfortune, iniurie, and death, 
 That makes a man, in tune ftill in himfelfe ; 
 Free from the hell to be his owne accufer, 
 Euer in quiet, endles ioy enioying ; 
 No flrife, nor no fedition in his powres :
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 243 
 
 No motion in his will, againft his rcafon, 
 
 No thought gainfl thought, nor (as twere in the 
 
 confines 
 Of wifhing and repenting) doth poffeffe 
 Onely a wayward, and tirmultuofe peace, 
 But (all parts in him, friendly and fecure, 
 Fruitefull of all befl thinges in all worft feafons) 
 He can with euery wifh, be in their plenty, 
 When, the infectious guilt of one foule crime, 
 Deftroyes the free content of all our time. 
 
 Byr. Tis all acknowlegd, and, (though all to late) 
 Heere the fhort madneffe of my anger ends : 
 If euer I did good I lockt it fafe 
 In you, th' impregnable defence of goodneffe : 
 If ill, I preffe it with my penitent knees 
 To that vnfounded depth, whence naught returneth. 
 
 Hen. Tis mufique to mine eares : rife then for 
 euer, 
 Quit of what guilt foeuer, till this houre, 
 And nothing toucht in honnor or in fpirit, 
 Rife without flattery, rife by abfolute merit. 
 
 Enter Efp : to the King, Byron : &c. 
 
 Enter Sauoy with three Ladies. 
 
 Efp. Sir if it pleafe you to bee taught any Court- 
 flrip take you to your (land : Sauoy is at it widi three 
 Miftreffes at once, he loues each of them bell, yet all 
 differently. 
 
 Hen. For the time he hath beene heere, he hath 
 talkt a Volume greater than the Turkes Alcaron ; 
 fland vp clofe ; his lips go dill. 
 
 Sau. Excufe me, excufe me ; The King has ye all. 
 
 1. True Sir, in honorable fubieclion. 
 
 2. To the which we are bound, by our loyallty. 
 Sau. Nay your excufe, your excufe, intend me for 
 
 affection : you are all bearers of his fauours ; and 
 deny him not your oppofition by night.
 
 244 By r cms Confpiracie. 
 
 3. You fay rightly in that ; for therein we oppofe 
 vs to his command. 
 
 1. In the which he neuer yet preft vs. 
 
 2. Such is the benediction of our peace. 
 
 Sau. You take me ftill in fiat mifconftruction, and 
 conceiue not by me. 
 
 1. Therein we are ftrong in our owne purpofes; 
 for it were fomething fcandalous for vs to conceiue by 
 you. 
 
 2. Though there might be queftion made of your 
 fruitfulnes, yet drie weather in harueft dooes no 
 harme. 
 
 Hen. They will talke him into Sauoy ; he begin- 
 nes to hunt downe. 
 
 Sau. As the King is, and hath beene, a moft ad- 
 mired, and moft vnmatchable fouldier, fo hath 
 he beene, and is, a fole excellent, and vnparalelld 
 Courtier. 
 
 Hen. Pouvre Amy Metcie. 
 
 1. Your highnes does the King but right fir. 
 
 2. And heauen fhall bleffe you for that iuftice, 
 With plentiful ftore of want in Ladies affections. 
 
 Sau. You are cruell, und will not vouchfafe me 
 audience to any conclufion. 
 
 1. Befeech your grace conclude, that we may pre- 
 fent our curtfies to you, and giue you the adiew. 
 
 Sau. It is faide, the King will bring an army into 
 Sauoy. 
 
 2. Truely we are not of his counfaile of warre. 
 Sau. Nay but vouchfafe me. 
 
 3. Vouchfafe him, vouchfafe him, elfe there is no 
 play in't. 
 
 1. Well I vouchfafe your Grace. 
 
 Sau. Let the King bring an army into Sauoy, and 
 He finde him fport for fortie yeares. 
 
 Hen. Would I were fure of that, I fhould then 
 haue a long age, and a merry. 
 
 1. I thinke your Grace woukle play with his army 
 at Balloone.
 
 By r oils Confpiracic. 245 
 
 2. My faith, and that's a martial] recreation. 
 
 3. It is next to impious courting. 
 
 Sau. I am not hee that can fet my Squadrons 
 ouer-night, by midnight leape my horfe, curry feaueo 
 miles, and by three, leape my miftris ; returnc to mine 
 armie againe, and direcl as I were infatigable, I am no 
 fuch tough fouldier. 
 
 1. Your difparitie is beleeu'd fir. 
 
 2 And tis a peece of virtue to tell true. 
 
 3. Gods me, the King, 
 
 Sau. Well, I haue faid nothing that may offend. 
 
 1. Tis hop't fo. 
 
 2 . If there be any mercie in laughter. 
 Sau. He take my leaue. 
 
 After the tedious flay my loue hath made, 
 
 (Moft worthy to command our earthly zeale) 
 
 I come for pardon, and to take my leaue ; 
 
 Affirming though I reape no other good, 
 
 By this my voiage ; but t'haue feene a Prince 
 
 Of greatnes, in all grace fo paft report ; 
 
 I nothing fhould repent me, and to fhew 
 
 Some token of my gratitude, I haue fent, 
 
 Into your treafury, the greatefl Iewells, 
 
 In all my Cabinet of Beatrice, 
 
 And of my late deceafed wife, th'Infanta, 
 
 Which are two Bafons, and their Ewrs of chri flail, 
 
 Neuer yet valued for their workmanfhip, 
 
 Nor the exceding riches of their matter. 
 
 And to your liable (worthy Duke of Byron) 
 
 I haue fent in two of my fayreft horfes. 
 
 Byr. Sent me your horfes ? vpon what defert 1 
 I entertaine no prefents, but for merits ; 
 Which I am farre from at your highnes hands ; 
 As being of all men to you the mod flrangcr, 
 There is as ample bounty in refilling ; 
 As in bellowing, and with this I quit you. 
 
 Sau. Then haue I loll nought but my poore good 
 will.
 
 246 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 Hen. Well cofine, I with all thankes, welcome 
 that; 
 And the rich arguments with which you proue it, 
 Wifhing I could, to your wifh welcome you ; 
 Draw, for your marquifate, the articles ; 
 Agreed on in our compofition, 
 And it is yours ; but where you haue propof'd, 
 (In your aduices) my defigne for Millane, 
 I will haue no warre with the King of Spaine, 
 Vnleffe his hopes proue weary of our peace ; 
 And (Princely cofme) it is farre from me, 
 To thinke your wifedome, needeful of my counfaile, 
 Yet loue, oft-times muft offer things vnneedeful ; 
 And therefore I would counfaile you to hold 
 All good termes, with his Maieflie of Spaine : 
 If any troubles mould be flirr'd betwixt you, 
 I would not ftirre therein, but to appeafe them ; 
 I haue too much care of my royal word, 
 To breake a Peace fo iuft and confequent, 
 Without force of precedent iniurie : 
 Endles defires are worthies of iuft Princes, 
 And onely proper to the fwinge of tyrants. 
 
 Sau. At al partes fpoke like the mofl chriflian 
 king, 
 I take my humblefl leaue r and pray your Highnes, 
 To holde me as your feruant, and poore kinfman, 
 Who wifheth no fupreamer happines 
 Than to be yours : To you (right worthy Princes) 
 I wifh for all your fauours powr'd on me 
 The loue of al thefe Ladies mutually, 
 And (fo they pleafe their Lordes) that they may pleale 
 Themfelues by all meanes. And be you affurde 
 (Mod louely Princeffes) as of your hues, 
 You cannot be true women, if true wiues. Exit. 
 
 Hen. Is this he Efpernon, that you would needes 
 Perfwade vs courted fo abfurdly. 
 
 Efp. This is euen he fir, howfoeuer he hath fludied 
 his Parting Courtfhip.
 
 Byrons Confpiracie. 247 
 
 Hen. In what one point feemde hoe fo ridiculous 
 as you would prefent him % 
 
 Efp. Behold me fir, I befeech you behold me, 
 I appeare to you as the great Duke of Sauoy with thefe 
 
 three Ladies. 
 
 Hen. Well fir, we graunt your refemblance. 
 
 Efp. He ftole a carriage fir, from Count <PA uuergne 
 heere. 
 
 D'Auer. From me fir? 
 
 Efp. Excufe me fir, from you I affure you : heere 
 fir, he lies at the Lady Antoinette, iuft thus, for the 
 worlde, in the true poflure of Count d'Auuergne. 
 
 U Auer. Y'are exceeding delightfome. 
 
 Hen. Why is not that wel 1 it came in with the 
 organ hofe. 
 
 Efp. Organ hofe 1 a pox ant ; let it pipe it felfe 
 into contempt ; hee hath ftolne it moil fellonioufly, 
 and it graces him like a difeafe. 
 
 Hen. I thinke he ftole it from D'Avuergne indeed. 
 
 Efp. Well, would he had robd him of all his other 
 difeafes, 
 He were then the founded lord in France. 
 
 UAu. As I am fir, I (hall ftand all weathers with 
 you. 
 
 Ejp. But fir, he hath praifd you aboue th' inuention 
 of Rimers. 
 
 Hen. Wherein 1 or how ? 
 
 Efp. He tooke vpon him to defcribe your victories 
 in warre, and where he fhould haue fayd, you were 
 the mod abfolute fouldier in Chriflendome, (no Affe 
 could haue mifl it) hee deliuerd you for as pretty a 
 fellow of your hands, as any was in France. 
 
 Hen. Marry God dild him. 
 
 Efp. A pox on him. 
 
 Hen. Well, (to be ferious) you know him well 
 To be a gallant Courtier : his great wit 
 Can turne him into any forme he lifts, 
 More fit to be auoyded, then deluded.
 
 248 Byrons Confpiracie. 
 
 For my Lord Duke of Byron here, well knowes, 
 That it infecleth, where it doth affect : 
 And where it feemes to counfaile, it confpires. 
 With him go all our faults, and from vs flie, 
 (With all his counfaile) all confpiracie, 
 
 Finis A flits Quinti, 
 & vltimi.
 
 THE 
 
 T R A G ED I E 
 
 OF CHARLES 
 
 Duke of Byron. 
 
 By George Chapman.
 
 The TRAGEDIE OF 
 
 Charles Duke of Byron. 
 
 ACTVS, i. SCENA, i. 
 
 Enter Hairy, Vidame, Uef cures, Efpernon, lauin. 
 
 Hen. T) Yron fallne in fo tratrous a relaps, 
 
 J3 A^dg 6 ^ for our ingratitude : what offices, 
 Titles of honor, and what admiration, 
 Could France afford him that it pourd not 
 on? 
 When he was fcarce arriu'd at forty yeares, 
 He ranne through all chiefe dignities of France. 
 At fourteene yeares of age he was made Colonell 
 To all the Suiffes feruing then in Flanders ; 
 Soone after he was marfhall of the campe, 
 And fhortly after, marfhall Gencrall : 
 He was receiued high Admirall of France 
 In that our Parlament we held at Tours ; 
 Marfhall of France in that we held at Fan's.
 
 252 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 And at the Siege of Amiens he acknowledged, 
 None his Superiour but our felfe, the King ; 
 Though I had there, the Princes of the blood 
 I made him my Lieutennant Generall, 
 Declard him Ioyntly the prime Peere of France, 
 And raifd his Barony into a Duchy, 
 
 Iani. And yet (my Lord) all this could not allay 
 The fatall thirft of his ambition, 
 For fome haue heard him fay he would not die, 
 Till on the wings of valour he had reacht 
 One degree higher ; and had feene his head, 
 Set on the royal Quarter of a crowne ; 
 Yea at fo vnbeleeu'd a pitch he aymd, 
 That he hath faid his heart would ftill complaine, 
 Till he afpird the flyle of Soueraigne. 
 And from what ground my Lord rife all the leuyes 
 Now made in Italy ? from whence mould fpring 
 The warlike humor of the Count Fuentes ? 
 The reflles (lirrings of the Duke of Sauoye ? 
 The difcontent the Spaniard entertaind, 
 With fuch a threatning fury, when he heard 
 The preiudiciall conditions, 
 Propof'd him, in the treaty held at Veruins ? 
 And many other braueries, this way ayming, 
 But from fome hope of inward ayd from hence 1 
 And that, all this deredlly aymes at you, 
 Your highnes hath by one intelligence, 
 Good caufe to thinke ; which is your late aduice, 
 That the Sea army, now prepard at Naples, 
 Hath an intended Enterprife on Proaence ? 
 Although the cunning Spaniard giues it out, 
 That all is for Algier. 
 
 Hen. I muft beleeue, 
 That without treafon bred in our owne brefls, 
 Spaines affayres are not in fo good eftate, 
 To ayme at any action againft France : 
 And if Byron mould be their inftrument, 
 His altred difpofition could not growe, 
 So far wide in an inftant ; nor refigne,
 
 By r 0715 Tragcdie. 253 
 
 His valurc to thefe lawlcs refolutions 
 
 Vpon the fodaine ; nor without fome charms, 
 
 Of forreigne hopes and flatteries fung to him : 
 
 But far it flyes my thoughts, that fuch a fpirrit, 
 
 So actiue, valiant, and vigilant ; 
 
 Can fee it felfe tranfformed with fuch wild furies. 
 
 And like a dreame it fhewes to my conceipts, 
 
 That he who by himfelfe hath wonne fuch honor : 
 
 And he to whome his father left fo much, 
 
 He that ftill dayly reapes fo much from me, 
 
 And knowes he may encreafe it to more proofe 
 
 From me, then any other forreigne King ; 
 
 Should quite againft the dreame of all religion 
 
 Honor, and reafon, take a courfe fo foule, 
 
 And neither keepe his Oth, nor faue his Soule. 
 
 Can the poore keeping of a Citadell 
 
 Which I denyed, to be at his difpofure, 
 
 Make him forgoe the whole ftrength of his honours 1 
 
 It is impoflible, though the violence, 
 
 Of his hot fpirit made him make attempt 
 
 Vpon our perfon for denying him ; 
 
 Yet well I found his loyall iudgement feru'd, 
 
 To keepe it from effect : befides being offer'd, 
 
 Two hundred thoufand crownes in yearely pention. 
 
 And to be Generall of all the forces 
 
 The Spaniards had in France ; they found him ftill, 
 
 As an vnmatcht Achilles in the warres, 
 
 So a mofl wife Vlijfes to their words, 
 
 Stopping his eares at their enchanted founds ; 
 
 And plaine he tould them that although his blood 
 
 (Being mou'd) by Nature, were a very fire 
 
 And boyld in apprehenfion of a wrong ; 
 
 Yet fhould his mind hold fuch a fcepter there, 
 
 As would containe it from all act and thought 
 
 Of treachery or ingratitude to his Prince. 
 
 Yet do I long, me thinkes, to fee La Fin, 
 
 Who hath his heart in keeping ; fince his flate, 
 
 (Growne to decay and he to difcontent) 
 
 Comes neere the ambitious plight of Duke Byron.
 
 254 By roiis Tragedie. 
 
 My Lord Vidame, when does your Lordfhip thinke, 
 Your vnckle of La Fin will be arriu'd. 
 
 Fid. I thinke (my Lord) he now is neere ariuing 
 For his particular iourny and deuotion, 
 Voud to the holy Lady of Loretto, 
 Was long fince paft and he vpon returne. 
 
 Hen. In him, as in a chriftall that is charm'd, 
 I mail defcerne by whome and what defignes, 
 My rule is threatened : and that facred power 
 That hath enabled this defenfiue arme, 
 (When I enioyd but an vnequall Nooke, 
 Of that I now poffeffe) to front a King 
 Farre my Superiour : And from twelue fet battailes, 
 March home a victor : ten of them obtaind, 
 Without my perfonall feruice ; will not fee 
 A traitrous fubiect foile me, and fo end 
 What his hand hath with fuch fucceffe begunne. 
 
 Enter a Ladie, and a Narfe bringing the Daidphine. 
 
 Efp. See the young Daulphin brought to cheere 
 your highnes. 
 
 Hen. My royall blefling, and the King of heauen, 
 Make thee an aged and a happie King : 
 Helpe Nurfe to put my fword into his hand ; 
 Hold Boy, by this ; and with it may thy arme 
 Cut from thy tree of rule, all traitrous branches, 
 That flriue to fliadow and eclips thy glories ; 
 Haue thy old fathers angell for thy guide, 
 Redoubled be his fpirit in thy breft ; 
 Who when this State ranne like a turbulent fea, 
 In ciuill hates and bloudy enmity, 
 Their wrathes and enuies, like fo many windes, 
 Setled and burft : and like the Halcions birth, 
 Be thine to bring a calme vpon the fhore, 
 In which the eyes of warre may euer fleepe, 
 As ouermatcht with former maffacres, 
 When guilty, made Nobleffe, feed on Nobleffe ; 
 All the fweete plentie of the realme exhaufted ;
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 255 
 
 When the nak't merchant, was purfude for fpoile, 
 When the pore Pezants, frighted needieft theeues 
 With their pale leanencl'fe ; nothing left on them 
 But meager carcafes fuftaind with ayre, 
 Wandring like Ghofts affrighted from their graues, 
 When with the often and inceflant founds 
 The very beads knew the alarum bell, 
 And (hearing it) ranne bellowing to their home : 
 From which vnchriftian broiles and homicides, 
 Let the religious fword of juftice free 
 Thee and thy kingdomes gouern'd after me. 
 heauen ! or if th' vnfettled bloud of France, 
 With eafe, and welth, renew her ciuill furies : 
 Let all my powers be emptied in my Sonne 
 To curb, and end them all, as I haue done. 
 Let him by vertue, quite out of from fortune, 
 Her fetherd moulders, and her winged fliooes, 
 And thruft from her light feete, her turning ftone ; 
 That flie may euer tarry by his throne. 
 And of his worth, let after ages fay, 
 (He fighting for the land ; and bringing home 
 Iud conquefts, loden with his enimies fpoiles) 
 His father pad all France in martiall deeds, 
 But he, his father twenty times exceedes. 
 
 Enter the Duke of Byron, U Avuergne 
 and Laffin. 
 
 Byr. My deare friends D'Auuergne, and Laffin, 
 We neede no coniurations to conceale : 
 Our clofe intendments, to aduance our dates 
 Euen with our merits ; which are now neglected ; 
 Since Britaine is redue'd, and breathleffe warre 
 Hath fheath'd his fword, and wrapt his Enfignes vp ; 
 The King hath now no more vfe of my valure, 
 And therefore I fhall now no more enioy 
 The credite that my feruice held with him ; 
 My feruice that hath driuen through all extreames,
 
 256 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 Through tempefts, droughts, and through the deepefl 
 
 floods ; 
 Winters of fhot : and ouer rockes fo high 
 That birds could fcarce afpire their ridgy toppes ; 
 The world is quite inuerted : vertue throwne 
 At Vices feete : and fenfuall peace confounds, 
 Valure and cowardife : Fame, and Infamy ; 
 The rude and terrible age is tumd againe : 
 When the thicke ayre hid heauen, and all the 
 
 ftarres, 
 Were drown'd in humor, tough, and hard to peirfe, 
 When the red Sunne held not his fixed place ; 
 Kept not his certaine courfe, his rife and fet 
 Nor yet diftinguifht with his definite boundes ; 
 Nor in his firme conuerfions, were difcernd 
 The fruitfull diftances of time and place, 
 In the well varyed feafons of the yeare ; 
 When th' incompofd incurfions of floods 
 Wafted and eat the earth ; and all things fhewed 
 Wilde and difordred : nought was worfe then now ; 
 Wee muft reforme and haue a new creation 
 Of State and gouernment ; and on our Chaos 
 Will I fit brooding vp another world. 
 I who through all the dangers that can fiege 
 The life of man, haue forcft my glorious way 
 To the repayring of my countries ruines, 
 Will mine it againe, to re-aduance it ; 
 Romaine Camy/lus, fafte the State of Rome 
 With farre leffe merite, then Byron hath France ; 
 And how fhort of this is my recompence. 
 The King (hall know, I will haue better price 
 Set on my feruices ; in fpight of whome 
 I will proclaime and ring my difcontents 
 Into the far'theft eare of all the world. 
 
 Laff. How great a fpirit he breaths 1 how learnd ? 
 
 how wife 1 
 But (worthy Prince) you muft giue temperate ayre, 
 To your vnmatcht, and more then humaine winde; 
 Elfe will our plots be froft-bit, in the flowre.
 
 Byrons Tragedic. 257 
 
 D'Au : Betwixt our felues we may giue liberall 
 vent 
 To all our fiery and difpleaf'd impreffions ; 
 Which nature could not entertaine with life, 
 Without fome exhalation ; A wrongd thought 
 Will break e a rib of fteele. 
 
 Byr. My Princely friend, 
 Enough of thefe eruptions ; our graue Councellor 
 Well knowes that great affaires will not be forg'd 
 But vpon Anuills that are linde with wooll ; 
 We mull afcend to our intentions top, 
 Like Clouds that be not feene till they be vp. 
 
 Laff. O, you do too much rauifh ; and my foule 
 Offer to Mufique in your numerous breath ; 
 Sententious, and fo high, it wakens death ; 
 It is for thefe parts, that the Spanilh King 
 Hath fworne to winne them to his fide 
 At any price or perrill ; That great Saitoy, 
 Offers his princely daughter, and a dowry, 
 Amounting to fiue hundred thoufand crownes ; 
 With full tranfport of all the Soueraigne rights 
 Belonging to the State of Burgundy ; 
 Which marriage will be made the onely Cyment 
 T'effecl. and flrengthen all our fecret Treaties ; 
 Inftrucl me therefore (my affured Prince) 
 Now I am going to refolue the King 
 Of his fulpitions, how I ihall behaue me. 
 
 Byr: Go my moil trufled friend, with happy feete : 
 Make me a found man with him : Go to Court 
 But with a little traine : and be prepar'd 
 To heere, at firfl, tearmes of contempt and choller, 
 Which you may eafily calme, and turne to grace. 
 If you befeech his highneffe to beleeue 
 That your whole drift and courfe for Italy, 
 (Where he hath heard you were) was onely made 
 Out of your long-well-knowne deuotion 
 To our right holy Lady of Lorretto, 
 As vou haue told fome of vour friends in Court ; 
 And that in pafiing Mylan and Thurin, 
 
 R
 
 258 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 They charg'd you to propound my marriage 
 With the third daughter of the Duke of Sauoy ; 
 Which you haue done, and I reiecled it, 
 Refolu'd to build vpon his royall care 
 For my beflowing, which he lately vowd. 
 
 Laff O, you direct, as if the God of light 
 Sat in each nooke of you ; and pointed out 
 The path of Empire ; Charming all the dangers 
 On both fides arm'd, with his harmonious finger. 
 
 Byr. Befides let me intreat you to difmiffe, 
 All that haue made the voyage with your Lordfhip, 
 But fpecially the Curate : And to locke 
 Your papers in fome place of doubtleffe fafety ; 
 Or facrifize them to the God of fire ; 
 Confidering worthily that in your handes 
 I put my fortunes, honour, and my life. 
 
 Laff. Therein the bounty that your Grace hath 
 fhowne me, 
 I prize pad life, and all thinges that are mine ; 
 And will vndoubtedly preferue, and tender 
 The merit of it, as my hope of heauen. 
 
 Byr. I make no queftion ; farewell worthy friend. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Henry, Chancellor, Laffin, UEfcures, Lanin, 
 Henry hauing many papers in his hand. 
 
 Hen. Are thefe proofes of that purely Catholike 
 zeale 
 That made him wifh no other glorious title, 
 Then to be calld the fcourge of Huguenots 1 
 
 Chan. No queftion fir, he was of no religion ; 
 But (vpon falfe groundes, by fome Courtiers laid) 
 Hath oft bene heard to mocke and ieft at all. 
 
 Hen. Are not his treafons haynous % 
 
 All. Moft abhord. 
 
 Chan. All is confirmd that you haue heard before 1 , 
 And amplified with many horrors more.
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 259 
 
 Hen. Good De Laffin ; you were our golden 
 plummet, 
 To found this gulphe of all ingratitude ; 
 In which you haue with excellent defert 
 Of loyalty and pollicie, expreft 
 Your name in action ; and with fuch apparence 
 Haue prou'd the parts of his ingratefull treafons, 
 That I muft credit, more then I defir'd. 
 
 Laff. I mud confeffe my Lord, my voyages 
 Made to the Duke of Sauoy and to Mylan ; 
 Were with indeauour, that the warres returnd, 
 Might breed fome trouble to your Maieftie ; 
 And profit thofe by whome they were procur'd ; 
 But fince, in their defignes, your facred perfon 
 Was not excepted (which I fince haue feene) 
 It fo abhord me, that I was refolu'd 
 To giue you full intelligence thereof; 
 And rather chuf d to fayle in promifes, 
 Made to the feruant, then infringe my fealty 
 Sworne to my royall Soueraigne and Maifter. 
 
 Hen. I am extreamely difcontent to fee, 
 This moft vnnaturall confpiracie ; 
 And would not haue the marfhall of Byron, 
 The firft example of my forced Iuftice ; 
 Nor that his death mould be the worthy caufe, 
 That my calme raigne, (which hetherto hath held 
 A cleare and cheerefull fkie aboue the heads 
 Of my deare fubiedls) mould fo fodainely 
 Be ouercaft with clowdes of fire, and thunder; 
 Yet on fubmiffion, I vow ftil his pardon. 
 
 Ian. And ftill our humble counfayles, (for his 
 feruice) 
 Would fo refolue you, if he will imploy 
 His honourd valure as effectually, 
 To fortifie the State, againft your foes ; 
 As he hath practil'd bad intendments with them. 
 
 Hen. That vow fhall (land ; and we will now ad- 
 drefle, 
 Some meflengers to call him home to Court :
 
 260 Byrons Tr age die. 
 
 Without the flendred intimation, 
 Of any ill we know ; we will reftraine 
 (Withall forgiuenes, if he will confefie; 
 His headlong courfe to ruine ; and his taile, 
 From the fweete poyfon of his friendlike foes : 
 Treafon hath blijlerd hee/es, diJJwneJl Things 
 Haue bitter Riuers, though delicious Springs ; 
 Defcures hafle you vnto him, and informe, 
 That hauing heard by fure intelligence, 
 Of the great leuies made in Italie, 
 Of Arms and foldiers ; I am refolute, 
 Vpon my frontiers to maintaine an Army ; 
 The charge whereof I will impofe on him ; 
 And to that end, exprefly haue commanded, 
 De Vic, our Lord Ambaffador in Suiffe, 
 To demand leuie of fix thoufand men : 
 Appointing them to march where Duke Byron 
 Shall haue directions ; wherein I haue follow'd 
 The counfaile of my Conftable his Goflip ; 
 Whofe lik't aduice, I made him know by letters, 
 Wifhing to heare his owne ; from his owne mouth, 
 And by all meanes coniure, his fpeediefl prefence ; 
 Do this with vtmofl haft. 
 
 Defc. I will my Lord. Exit Defc. 
 
 Hen. My good Lord Chancellor, of many Peeces, 
 More then is here, of his confpiracies 
 Prefented to vs, by our friend, La*Hn ; 
 You onely, fhall referue thefe feauen and twenty, 
 Which are not thofe that mufl conclude againft him ; 
 But mention only him : fince I am loth, 
 To haue the reft of the confpirators knowne 
 
 Chan. My Lord, my purpofe is to guard all thefe 
 So fafely from the fight of any other : 
 That in my doublet I will haue them fow'd ; 
 Without difcouering them to mine owne eies, 
 Till neede, or opportunitie requires. 
 
 Hen. You fhall do well my Lord, they are of 
 weight, 
 But I am doubtfull that his confcience
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 261 
 
 Will make him fo fufpitious of the word. 
 That he will hardly be induc't to conic 
 
 Ian. I much ihould doubt that to, but that I hope 
 The flrength of his confpiracie, as yet 
 Is not fo readie, that he dare prefume, 
 By his refufall to make knowne fo much 
 Of his dilloyalty. 
 
 Hen. I yet conceiue ; 
 His practices are turnd to no bad end, 
 And good Laffin, I pray you write to him, 
 To haften his repaire : and make him fure, 
 That you haue fatisfied me to the full 
 For all his actions, and haue vtterd nought, 
 But what might ferue to banifh bad impreffions. 
 
 Laf I will not faile my Lord. 
 
 Hen. Conuaie your Letters ; 
 By fome choice friend of his : or by his brother : 
 And for a third excitement to his prefence : 
 lanin, your felfe fhall goe, and with the powre 
 That both the reft employ to make him come, 
 Vfe you the flrength of your perfwafions. 
 
 Ian. I will my Lord, and hope I fhall prefent him. 
 
 Exit Ian. 
 
 Enter Esper, Soiffon, Vitry, Pralin, dr. 
 
 Efp. Wilt pleafe your Maieflie to take your 'place, 
 The Maske is comming. 
 
 Hen. Roome my Lords, (land clofe. 
 
 Mufiquc and a Song above, and Cupid enters with a 
 
 Table written, hung about his neck ; after him two 
 
 Torch-bearers ; after them Mary D'Entragues, and 
 
 foure Ladies more with their Torch-bearers, &>c. 
 
 Cupid fp cakes. 
 
 Cup. My Lord, thefe Nymphs, part of the fcatterd 
 traine, 
 Of friendleffe vertue (liuing in the woods
 
 262 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 Of fhady Arden : and of late not hearing 
 
 The dreadfull founds of Warre ; but that fweete Peace, 
 
 Was by your valure lifted from her graue, 
 
 Set on your royall right hand : and all vertues 
 
 Summond with honor, and with rich rewards, 
 
 To be her hand-maides) : Thefe I fay, the vertues, 
 
 Haue put their heads out of their Caues and Couerts, 
 
 To be her true attendants in your Court : 
 
 In which defire, I muft relate a tale, 
 
 Of kinde and worthy emulation, 
 
 Twixt thefe two Vertues, leaders of the txaine. 
 
 This on the right hand is Sophrofyne, 
 
 Or Chqftitie : this other Dapfyle 
 
 Or Liberalitie : their Emulation 
 
 Begat a iarre, which thus was reconcil'd. 
 
 I, (hauing left my Goddeffe mothers lap, 
 
 To hawk and fhoote at Birds in Arden groues,) 
 
 Beheld this Princely Nymph with much affection. 
 
 Left killing Birds, and turn'd into a Birde, 
 
 Like which I flew betwixt her Iuory brefts, 
 
 As if I had beene driuen by fome Hawke, 
 
 To fue to her for fafety of my life ; 
 
 She fmilde at firft, and fweetly fhadowed me, 
 
 With foft protection of her filuer hand ; 
 
 Some-times fhe tyed my legges in her rich hayre, 
 
 And made me (paft my nature, libertie) 
 
 Proud of my fetters : As I pertly fat, 
 
 On the white pillowes of her naked brefts, 
 
 I fung for ioy ; fire anfwered note for note, 
 
 Relifh for relifh, with fuch eafe and Arte, 
 
 In her diuine diuifion, that my tunes, 
 
 Showd like the God of Shepheards to the Sunnes, 
 
 Comparde with hers : afhamd of which difgrace, 
 
 I tooke my true fhape, bow, and all my fhafts, 
 
 And lighted all my torches at her eyes, 
 
 Which (fet about her, in a golden ring) 
 
 I followd Birds againe, from Tree to Tree, 
 
 Kild, and prefented, and fhe kindely tooke. 
 
 But when fhe handled my triumphant bow,
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 263 
 
 And faw the beauty of my golden fhafts, 
 
 She begd them of me ; I, poore boy replyed, 
 
 I had no other Riches ; yet was pleafde 
 
 To hazard all, and flake them gainft a kiffe, 
 
 At an old game I vfde, call'd Penny-prick. 
 
 She priuie to her owne fkill in the play, 
 
 Anfwerd my challenge, fo I lofl my amies : 
 
 And now my fhafts are headed with her lookcs, 
 
 One of which fhafts fhe put into my bow, 
 
 And fhot at this faire Nymph, with whom before, 
 
 I told your Maieftie, fhe had fome iarre. 
 
 The Nymph did inftantly repent all parts 
 
 She playd in vrging that effeminate warre, 
 
 Lou'd and fubmitted ; which fubmiflion 
 
 This tooke fo well, that now they both are one : 
 
 And as for your deare loue, their difcords grew, 
 
 So for your loue, they did their loues renew. 
 
 And now to prooue them capable of your Court, 
 
 In skill of fuch conceipts, and quallities 
 
 As here are pradtifde ; they will firft fubmit 
 
 Their grace in dancing to your highneffe doome, 
 
 And play the preafe to giue their meafures roome : 
 
 Mujique, Dance, arc, which done Cupid speakes. 
 
 If this fuffice, for one Court complement, 
 
 To make them gracious and entertain'd ; 
 
 Behold another parcell of their Courtfhip, 
 
 Which is a rare dexteritie in riddles, 
 
 Showne in one inftance, which is here infcrib'd. 
 
 Here is a Riddle, which if any Knight 
 
 At firft fight can refolue ; he fhall enioy 
 
 This Iewell here annext ; which though it fhow 
 
 To vulgar eyes, no richer then a Peble ; 
 
 And that no Lapydarie, nor great man 
 
 Will giue a Soulz for it ; 'tis worth a Kingdome : 
 
 For 'tis an artificiall ftone compofde, 
 
 By their great Miftrefie, Vertue : and will make 
 
 Him that fhall weare it, liue with any little,
 
 264 Byrons Tr age die. 
 
 Sufhzde, and more content then any King. 
 
 If he that vndertakes cannot refolue it ; 
 
 And that thefe Nymphs can haue no harbor here ; 
 
 (It being confidered, that so many vertues 
 
 Can neuer liue in Court) he fhall refolue 
 
 To leaue the Court, and liue with them in Arden. 
 
 Efp. Pronounce the riddle : I will vndertake it. 
 
 Cup. Tis this fir. 
 What's that a f aire Lady, mojl of all likes, 
 Yet euer makes Jliew, Pie leafl of all feekes % 
 That's euer embraced and affecled by her, 
 Yet neuer is feene to plea fe or come nigh her : 
 MoftferWd in her night-weeds : does her good in a corner. 
 But a poore mans thing, yet doth richly adorne her : 
 Mofl cheape, and mofl deare, aboue all worldly pelfe, 
 That is hard to get in, but comes out of it felfe. 
 
 Efp. Let me perufe it, Cupid. 
 
 Cup. Here it is. 
 
 Efp. Your Riddle is good Fame. 
 
 Cup. Good fame 1 how make you that good ? 
 
 Efp. Good fame is that a good Lady moft likes, 
 I am hire ; 
 
 Cup. That's granted. 
 
 Efp. Yet euer makes fhowe fhe lead of all feekes : 
 for flie likes it onely for vertue, which is not glo- 
 rious. 
 . Hen. That holds well. 
 
 Efp. Tis euer embrac't and affedled by her : for flie 
 muft, perfeuer in vertue or fame vanifhes. Yet neuer 
 feene to pleafe or come nigh her, for fame is invifible. 
 
 Cup. Exceeding right. 
 
 Efp. Moft ferued in her night-weeds : for Ladies 
 that moft wear their Nightweeds come left abroad, and 
 they that come left abroad, feme fame moft ; accord- 
 ing to this ; Non forma fed fama in publicum exire debet. 
 
 Hen. Tis very fubftantiall. 
 
 Efp. Does her good in a corner : that is in her 
 moft retreate from the world, comforts her; but a
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 265 
 
 poore mans tiling : for euery poore man may purchale 
 it, yet doth richly adorne a Lady. 
 
 Cup. That all muft grant. 
 
 Efp. Mofl cheape for it cofts nothing, and mofl 
 deare, for gold cannot buy it ; aboue all worldly pelffe ; 
 for thats tranfitory, and fame eternall. It is hard to 
 get in ; that is hard to get : But comes^out of it felfe ; 
 for when it is vertuoufly deferued with the mofl inward 
 retreate from the world, it comes out in fpight of it, 
 and fo Cupid your iewell is mine. 
 
 Cup. It is : and be the vertue of it, yours. 
 Wee'l now turne to our daunce, and then attend, 
 Your heighnes will, as touching our refort, 
 If vertue may be entertaind in Court. 
 
 Hen. This fliow hath pleafed me well, for that it 
 figures 
 The reconcilement of my Queene and Miftreffe : 
 Come let vs in and thanke them, and prepare, 
 To entertaine our trufty friend Byron. Exeunt. 
 
 Finis AFlus Secundi. 
 
 ACTVS 3. SC^NA 1, 
 
 Enter the Duke of Byron, D'Auergne. 
 
 Byr. Deare friend, we muft not be more true to 
 Kings, 
 Then Kings are to their fubiecfls, there are fchooles, 
 Now broken ope in all parts of the world, 
 Firft founded in ingenious Italy, 
 Where fome conclufions of eflate are held,
 
 266 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 That for a day preferue a Prince, and euer, 
 
 Deftroy him after : from thence men are taught, 
 
 To glyde into degrees of height by crafte,   
 
 And then lock in them-felues by villanie : 
 
 But God, who knowes Kings are not made by art, 
 
 But right of Nature, nor by treachery propt, 
 
 But fimple vertue, once let fall from heauen, 
 
 A branch of that greene tree, whofe root is yet, 
 
 Faft fixt aboue the ftarrs : which facred branch, 
 
 Wee well may liken to that Lawrell fpray, 
 
 That from the heauenly Eagles golden feres, 
 
 Fell in the lap of great Anguflus wife : 
 
 Which fpray once fet, grew vp into a tree, 
 
 Where of were Garlands made, and Emperors 
 
 Had their eftates and forheads crowned with them : 
 
 And as the annes of that tree did decay 
 
 The race of great Auguftus wore away, 
 
 Nero being laft of that imperiall line, 
 
 The tree and Emperor together died. 
 
 Religion is a branch, firft fet and bleft 
 
 By heauens high finger in the hearts of kings, 
 
 Which whilelome grew into a goodly tree, 
 
 Bright Angels fat and fung vpon the twigs, 
 
 And royall branches for the heads of Kings, 
 
 Were twifted of them but fince fquint ey'd enuye : 
 
 And pale fufpicion, dafht the heads of kingdomes, 
 
 One gainft another : two abhorred twins, 
 
 With two foule tayles : fterne Warre and Libertie, 
 
 Entred the world. The tree that grew from heauen. 
 
 Is ouerrunne with moffe ; the cheerfull mufique, 
 
 That heretofore hath founded out of it, 
 
 Beginnes to ceafe ; and as fhe cafts her leaues, 
 
 (By fmall degrees) the kingdomes of the earth 
 
 Decline and wither : and looke whenfoeuer 
 
 That the pure fap in her, is dried vp quite ; 
 
 The lamp of all authoritie goes out, 
 
 And all the blaze of Princes is extinckt, 
 
 Thus as the Poet fends a meffenger 
 
 Out to the flage, to fhew the fumme of all,
 
 Byrons Tragedic. 267 
 
 That followes after : fo are Kings reuolts, 
 And playing both vvayes with religion, 
 Fore-runners of afflictions imminent, 
 Which (like a Chorus) fubiecls mufl lament : 
 
 D'Au. My Lord I Hand not on thefe deepe dif- 
 courfes, 
 To fettle my courfe to your fortunes ; mine 
 Are freely and infeperably linckt : 
 And to your loue my life. 
 
 Byr. Thankes Princely friend, 
 And whatfoeuer good fhall come of me, 
 Perfu'd by al the Catholike Princes aydes 
 With whom I ioyne, and whofe whole dates propofde, 
 To winne my valor, promife me a throne : 
 All fhall be equall with my felfe ; thine owne. 
 
 La Brim. My Lord here is Defcuris fent from 
 the King, 
 Defires acceffe to you. 
 
 Enter D'ef cures. 
 
 Byr. Attend him in. 
 
 Defc. Health to my Lord the Duke : 
 
 Byr. Welcome D'efcuris, 
 In what health refts our royall Soueraigne. 
 
 Defc. In good health of his body, but his minde 
 Is fomthing troubled with the gathering ftormes, 
 Of forreigne powres ; that as he is inform'd 
 Addreffe themfelues into his frontier townes ; 
 And therefore his intent is to maintaine : 
 The body of an army on thofe parts ; 
 And yeeld their worthy conduct to your valor. 
 
 Byr. From whence heares he that any ftormes are 
 
 rifing 1 
 Defc. From Italy ; and his intelligence, 
 No doubt is certaine, that in all thofe partes 
 Leuies are hotly made ; for which refpect, 
 He fent to his Ambaffacior Be Vic, 
 To make demand in Switzerland, for the raifing,
 
 268 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 With vtmofl dilligence of fixe thoufand men ; 
 
 All which fhall be commanded to attend, 
 
 On your direction ; as the Conftable 
 
 Your honord Goffip gaue him in aduice ; 
 
 And he fent you by writing : of which letters, 
 
 He would haue anfwere, and aduice from you 
 
 By your mod fpeedie prefence. 
 
 Byr. This is ftrange, 
 That when the enemie is t'attempt his frontiers, 
 He calls me from the frontiers: does he thinke, 
 It is an action worthy of my valor 
 To turne my back, to an approaching foe % 
 
 Defc. The foe is not fo nere, but you may come, 
 And take more ftrickt directions from his highneffe, 
 Then he thinkes fit his letters fhould containe ; 
 Without the leaft attainture of your valour ; 
 And therefore good my Lord, forbeare excufe 
 And beare your felfe on his direction ; 
 Who well you know hath neuer made defigne 
 For your moft worthy feruice, where he faw 
 That any thing but honour could fuccede : 
 
 Byr : I will not come I fweare : 
 
 Def. I know your Grace, 
 Will fend no fuch vnfauorie replie. 
 
 Byr. Tell him that I befeech his Maiefty, 
 To pardon my repaire till th' end be knowne 
 Of all thefe leuies now in Italic 
 
 Def. My Lord I know that tale will neuer pleafe 
 him; 
 And with you as you loue his loue and pleafure 
 To fatisfie his fummons fpeedily : 
 And fpeedily I know he will returne you. 
 
 Byr. By heauen it is not fit : if all my feruice 
 Makes me know any thing : befeech him therefore, 
 To truft my iudgement in thefe doubtfull charges, 
 Since in affur'd affaults it hath not faild him. 
 
 Def. I would your Lordfhip now, would truft his 
 judgment.
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 269 
 
 Byr. Gods precious, y'are importunate pad m 
 Cure, 
 And (I know) further, then your rharge extends, 
 He fatisfie his highneffe, let that ferue ; 
 For by this flefh and bloud, you fhall not beare, 
 Any replie to him, but this from me. 
 
 Def. Tis nought to me my Lord, I with your good, 
 And for that caufe haue beene importunate. 
 
 Exit -Defc. 
 
 Brunei. By no meanes goe my Lord ; but with 
 diftruft, 
 Of all that hath beene faid or can be fent ; 
 Collecl. your friends, and (land vpon your gard, 
 The Kings faire letters, and his meffages 
 Are onely Golden Pills, and comprehend 
 Horrible purgatiues. 
 
 Byr. I will not goe, 
 For now I fee the inflructions lately fent me, 
 That fomething is difcouerd, are too true, 
 And my head rules none of thofe neighbor Nobles, 
 That euery Purfmant bring beneath the axe : 
 If they bring me out, they fliall fee ile hatch 
 Like to the Black-thorne, that puts forth his leafe, 
 Not with the golden fawnings of the Sunne, 
 But fharpeft fhowers of haile, and blackeft frofts, 
 Blowes, batteries, breaches, fhowers of fteele and 
 
 bloud, 
 Mufl be his down-right meffengers for me, 
 And not the milling breath of policie : 
 He, he himfelfe, made paffage to his Crowne 
 Through no more armies, battailes, maffacres, 
 Then I will aske him to arriue at me ; 
 He takes on him, my executions, 
 And on the demolitions, that this arme, 
 Hath fhaken out of forts and Citadells, 
 Hath he aduanc't the Tropheys of his valor ; 
 Where I, in thofe affumptions may fcorne, 
 And fpeake contemptuoully of all the world, 
 For any equal yet. I euer found ;
 
 270 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 And in my rifing, not the Syrian Starre 
 
 That in the Lyons mouth, vndaunted mines, 
 
 And makes his braue afcenfion with the Sunne, 
 
 Was of th' Egyptians, with more zeale beheld, 
 
 And made a rule to know the circuite 
 
 And compaffe of the yeare ; then I was held 
 
 When I appeard from battaile ; the whole fphere, 
 
 And full fuftainer of the ftate we beare ; 
 
 I haue Alcides-like gone vnder th' earth 
 
 And on thefe moulders borne the weight of France : 
 
 And (for the fortunes of the thankles King) 
 
 My father (all know) fet him in his throne, 
 
 And if he vrge me, I may pluck him out. 
 
 Enter Meff. 
 
 Mef. Here is the prefident lanin, my Lord ; 
 Sent from the King, and vrgeth quick accefie. 
 
 Byr. Another Purfmant % and one fo quick 1 
 He takes next courfe with me, to make him flay : 
 But, let him in, let's heare what he importunes. 
 
 Enter lanin. 
 
 lanin. Honor, and loyall hopes to Duke Byron. 
 
 Byr. No other touch me : fay how fares the King? 
 
 Ian. Farely my Lord ; the cloud is yet farre off 
 That aimes at his obfcuring, and his will, 
 Would gladly giue the motion to your powers 
 That mould difperfe it ; but the meanes, himfelfe, 
 Would perfonally relate in your direction. 
 
 Byr. Still on that haunt ? 
 
 Ian. Vpon my life, my Lord, 
 He much defires to fee you, and your fight 
 Is now grown e neceffarie to fuppreffe 
 (As with the glorious fplendor of the Sunne) 
 The rude windes that report breaths in his eares, 
 Endeauouring to blaft your loyalty. 
 
 Byr. Sir, if my loyalty, flick in him no fafler 
 But that the light breath of report may loofe it, 
 (So I refl flill vnmoou'd) let him be fliaken.
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 2 7 1 
 
 Jan. But thefe aloofe abodes, my Lord bewray, 
 That there is rather firmneffe in your breath 
 Then in your heart ; Truth is not made of glaffe, 
 That with a fmall touch, it fhould feare to breake, 
 And therefore fhould not fliunne it ; beleeue me 
 His arme is long, and ftrong ; and it can fetch 
 Any within his will, that will not come : 
 Not he that furfets in his mines of gold, 
 And for the pride thereof, compares with God, 
 Calling (with almoft nothing different) 
 His powers invincible, for omnipotent, 
 Can back your boldeft Fort gainft his affaults : 
 It is his pride, and vaine ambition, 
 That hath but two flaires in his high defignes ; 
 (The lowed enuie, and the higheft bloud) 
 That doth abufe you ; and giues mindes too high, 
 Rather a will by giddineffe to fall, 
 Then to defcend by iudgement. 
 
 Byr. I relye 
 On no mans back nor belly ; but the King 
 Muft thinke that merit, by ingratitude crackt, 
 Requires a firmer fementing then words. 
 And he fliall find it a much harder worke 
 To foder broken hearts, then fhiuerd glaffe. 
 
 Ian. My Lord, 'tis better hold a Soueraignes loue 
 By bearing iniuries ; then by laying out 
 Stirre his difpleafure ; Princes difcontents 
 (Being once incenft) are like the flames of jEtna, 
 Not to be quencht, nor leffend : and be fure, 
 A fubiecls confidence in any merit, 
 Againft his Soueraigne, that makes him prefume 
 To flie too high ; approoues him like a cloude, 
 That makes a fhew as it did haulke at kingdoms, 
 And could command, all raifd beneath his vapor : 
 When fodainly, the Fowle that hawlkt fo faire, 
 Stoopes in a puddle, or confumes in ayre. 
 
 Byr. I flie with no fuch ayme, nor am oppofde 
 Againfl my Soueraigne ; but the worthy height 
 I haue wrought by my feruicc, I will hold,
 
 272 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 Which if I come away, I cannot do ; 
 For if the enemy fliould inuade the Frontier, 
 Whofe charge to guard, is mine, with any fpoile, 
 (Although the King in placing of another 
 Might well excufe me) Yet all forraine Kinges 
 That can take note of no fuch fecret quittance, 
 Will lay the weakeneffe here, vpon my wants ; 
 And therefore my abode is refolute. 
 
 Ian : I forrow for your refolution, 
 And feare your diffolution, will fucceed. 
 
 Byr. I muft indure it ; 
 
 Ian : Fare you well my Lord. Exit. Ian. 
 
 Byr : Farewell to you ; Enter Brim. 
 
 Captaine what other newes % 
 
 Bru : La Fin falutes you. 
 
 Byr : Welcome good friend ; I hope your wifht 
 arriuall, 
 Will giue fome certaine end to our diffeignes ; 
 
 Bru : I know not that, my Lord ; reports are 
 raif'd fo doubtfull and fo different, that the truth of 
 any one can hardly be affur'd. 
 
 Byr. Good newes, It Auuergne ; our trufty friend 
 La Fin, 
 Hath clear'd all fcruple with his Maieftie, 
 And vtterd nothing but what feru'd to cleare 
 All bad Suggeftions. 
 
 Bru : So he fayes, my Lord 
 But others lay, La Fins affurances 
 Are meere deceipts ; and with you to beleeue ; 
 That when the Vidame, nephew to La Fin, 
 Met you at Autune, to affure your doubts, 
 His vncle had faid nothing to the King 
 That might offend you ; all the iournies charge, 
 The King defraid ; befides, your trueft friendes 
 Willd me to make you certaine that your place 
 Of gouernment is otherwife difpof 'd ; 
 And all aduife you, for your lateft hope, 
 To make retreat into the Franch County.
 
 Byrons Tragcdie. 273 
 
 Byr : I thankc them all, but they touch not the 
 depth, 
 Of the affaires, betwixt La Fin and me. 
 Who is returnd contented to his houfe, 
 Quite freed, of all difpleafure or diftruft ; 
 And therefore, worthy friends wele now to Court. 
 
 D'Au. My Lord, I like your other friends aduices, 
 Much better then Laffins ; and on my life 
 You can not come to Court with any faftie. 
 
 Byr. Who fliall infringe it 1 I know, all the Court, 
 Haue better apprehenfion of my valure ; 
 Then that they dare lay violent hands on mee ; 
 If I haue onely meanes to drawe this fword, 
 I fliall haue powre enough to fet me free, 
 From feafure, by my proudefl enemie. Exit. 
 
 Enter Efper. Vyt, Pral. 
 
 Efp. He will not come, I dare engage my hand. 
 
 Vyt. He will be fetcht then, ile engage my head. 
 
 Bra. Come, or be fetcht, he quite hath loft his 
 honor, 
 In giuing thefe fufpicions of reuolt 
 From his allegiance : that which he hath wonne, 
 With fundry wounds, and perrill of his life ; 
 With wonder of his wifdome, and his valure, 
 He loofeth with a moft enchanted glorie : 
 And admiration of his pride and folly. 
 
 Vit. Why did you neuer fee a fortunate man 
 Sodainely raifd to heapes of welth and honor ? 
 Nor any rarely great in guifts of nature, 
 As valure, wit, and fmooth vfe of the tongue, 
 Set ftrangely to the pitch of populare likings ? 
 But with as fodaine falls the rich and honord, 
 Were ouerwhelmd by pouertie, and fhame 
 Or had no vfe of both aboue the wretched. 
 
 Efp. Men neuer are fatisfi'd with that they haue ; 
 But as a man, matcht with a louely wife, 
 When his mofl heauenly Theorye of her beauties,
 
 274 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 Is duld and quite exhaufled with his praclife : 
 He brings her forth to feafts, where he ahlas, 
 Falls to his viands with no thought like others, 
 That thinke him bleft in her, and they (poore men) 
 Court, and make faces, offer feruice, fweate, 
 With their defires contention, breake their braines 
 For iefts, and tales : fit mute, and loofe their lookes, 
 (Far out of wit, and out of countenance) 
 So all men elfe, do what they haue tranfplant, 
 And place their welth in thirfl of what they want. 
 
 Enter Henry, Chancellor, Vyd: Defc: Ian in. 
 
 Hen. He will not come ; I muft both grieue and 
 wonder, 
 That all my care to winne my fubiects loue 
 And in one cup of friendfhip to commixe, 
 Our hues and fortunes : fhould leaue out fo many 
 As giue a man (contemptuous of my loue, 
 And of his owne good, in the Kingdomes peace) 
 Hope, in a continuance fo vngratefull, 
 To beare out his defignes in fpight of me ; 
 How fhould I better pleafe all, then I do ? 
 When they fuppof'd, I would haue giuen fome, 
 Infolent garifons ; others Citadells, 
 And to all forts, encreafe of miferies ; 
 Prouince by Prouince, I did vifit all ? 
 Whom thole iniurious rumors had difwaide ; 
 And fhew'd them how, I neuer fought to build, 
 More forts for me, then were within their hearts ; 
 Nor vfe more fterne conftraints, then their good wills, 
 To fuccor the neceffities of my crowne, 
 That I defird to ad to their contents 
 By all occafions, rather then fubtract ; 
 Nor wifht I, that my treafury fhould flow, 
 With gold that fwum in, in my fubiedls teares ; 
 And then I found no man, that did not bleffe, 
 My few yeares raigne ; and their triumphant peace, 
 And do they now fo foone, complaine of eafe ? 
 He will not come ?
 
 Byrons Tragcdie. 275 
 
 Enter Byron, UAvuergne, brother, with others. 
 
 Efp. O madneffe 1 he is come. 
 
 Chan. The duke is come my Lord : 
 
 Hen. Oh Sir, y'are welcome, 
 And fitly, to conduct me to my houfe ; 
 
 Byr. I mud befeech your Maiefties excufe, 
 That (Ieloufe of mine honor) I haue vfd, 
 Some of mine owne commandment in my flay, 
 And came not with your highneffe foonefl fummons. 
 
 Hen : The faithfull feruant right in holy writ ; 
 That faid he would not come and yet he came : 
 But come you hether; I muft tell you now, 
 Not the contempt you flood to in your flay, 
 But the bad ground that bore vp your contempt, 
 Makes you arriue at no port, but repentance, 
 Defpayre and mine ; 
 
 Byr. Be what port it will, 
 At which your will, will make me be arriued, 
 I am not come to iuftifie my felfe, 
 To aske you pardon nor accufe my friends, 
 
 Hen. If you conceale my enemies you are one, 
 And then my pardon fhall be worth your afking, 
 Or elfe your head be worth my cutting of. 
 
 Byr. Being friend and worthy fautor of my felfe, 
 I am no foe of yours, nor no empayrer, 
 Since he can no way worthely maintaine 
 His Princes honor that neglects his owne : 
 And if your will haue beene to my true reafon, 
 (Maintaining Hill the truth of loyalty) 
 A checke to my free nature and mine honor, 
 And that on your free iuflice I prefum'd 
 To croffe your will a little, I conceiue, 
 You will not thinke this forfaite worth my head ; 
 
 Hen. Haue you maintaind your truth of loyalty % 
 When fince I pardoned foule ententions, 
 Refoluing to forget eternally, 
 What they apperd in, and had welcomd you 
 As the kind father doth his riotous fon.
 
 276 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 I can approue facts fowler then th' intents, 
 Of deepe difloyalty and higheft treafon ; 
 
 Byr. May this right hand be thunder to my breft, 
 If I Hand guilty of the flendreft fact, 
 Wherein the left of thofe two can be prooued, 
 For could my tender confcience but haue toucht, 
 At any fuch vnnaturall relaps ; 
 I would not with this confidence haue runne, 
 Thus headlong in the furnace of a wrath, 
 Blowne, and thrice kindled : hauing way enough, 
 In my election both to fhunne and Height it. 
 
 Hen. Y'are grofely and vain glorioufly abuf 'd, 
 There is no way in Sanoy nor in Spaine, 
 To giue a foole that hope of your efcape, 
 And had you not (euen when you did) arriued, 
 (With horror to the proudeft hope you had) 
 I would haue fetcht you. 
 
 Byr. You muft then haue vf d 
 A power beyond my knowledge, and a will 
 Beyond your iuftice. For a little flay 
 More then I vfd would hardly haue beene worthy, 
 Of fuch an open expedition ; 
 In which to all the cenfures of the world, 
 My faith and Innocence had beene fouly foyld ; 
 Which (I proteft) by heauens bright witneffes 
 That fhine farr, farr, from mixture with our feares, 
 Retaine as perfect roundnes as their fpheares ; 
 
 Hen. Tis well my Lord, I thought I could haue 
 frighted 
 Your firmeft confidence : fome other time, 
 We will (as now in priuate) fift your actions. 
 And poure more then you thinke into the fiue, 
 Alwaies referuing clemency and pardon 
 Vpon confeffion, be you nere fo foule, 
 Come lets cleere vp our browes fhall we to tennis. 
 
 Byr. I my Lord if I may make the match. 
 The Duke Efpernon and my felfe will play, 
 With you and Count Soiffons ; 
 
 Efp- I know my Lord.
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 277 
 
 You play well but you make your matches ill. 
 
 Hen. Come tis a match. Exit. 
 
 Byr. How like you my ariuall 1 
 
 Efp. He tell you as a friend in your eare. 
 You haue giuen more preferment to your courage, 
 Then to the prouident counfailes of your friends. 
 
 D 'Au. I told him fo my Lord, and much was 
 grieu'd 
 To fee his bold approach, fo full of will. 
 
 Byr. Well I muft beare it now, though but with 
 th' head, 
 The moulders bearing nothing. 
 
 Efp. By Saint John, 
 Tis a good headleffe refolution. Exeunt. 
 
 ACTVS 4. SCyENA 1. 
 
 Enter the Duke of Byron, D'Avuergne. 
 
 Byr. O the mod bafe fruites of a fetled peace ! 
 In men, I meane ; worfe then their durty fields, 
 Which they manure much better then them-felues : 
 For them they plant, and fowe, and ere they grow, 
 Weedie, and choakt with thornes, they grub and 
 
 proyne, 
 And make them better, then when cruell warre, 
 Frighted from thence the fweaty labourer : 
 But men them-felues, inftead of bearing fruites, 
 Growe rude, and foggie, ouer-growne with weedes, 
 Their fpirits, and freedomes iinoothcrd in their eafe ; 
 And as their tyrants and their minifters,
 
 278 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 Growe wilde in profecution of their lufls, 
 So they grow proftitute, and lye (like whores) 
 Downe and take vp, to their abhord difhonors : 
 The friendleffe may be iniur'dand oppreft ; 
 The guiltleffe led to flaughter, the deferuer 
 Giuen to the begger ; right be wholy wrongd, 
 And wrong be onely houor'd ; till the firings 
 Of euery mans heart, crack ; and who will ftirre, 
 To tell authority, that it doth erre. 
 All men cling to it, though they fee their blouds 
 In their mofl deare affociates and Allyes, 
 Pour'd into kennels by it : and who dares 
 But looke well in the bread, whom that impayres % 
 How all the Court now lookes askew on me ? 
 Go by without faluting, fhun my fight, 
 Which (like a March Sunne) agues breeds in them, 
 From whence of late, 'twas health to haue a beame. 
 jD'Att. Now none will fpeake to vs, we thruft our- 
 felues 
 Into mens companies, and offer fpeech, 
 As if not made, for their diuerted eares, 
 Their backs turnd to vs, and their words to others. 
 And we muft like obfequious Parafites, 
 Follow their faces, winde about their perfons, 
 For lookes and anfwers : or be caft behinde, 
 No more viewd than the wallet of their faults. 
 
 Enter Soiffon. 
 
 Byr. Yet here's one views me ; and I thinke will 
 fpeake. 
 
 Soiff. My Lord, if you refpecl your name and race, 
 The preferuation of your former honors, 
 Merites and vertues ; humbly call them all, 
 At the kings mercy ; for beyond all doubt, 
 Your acts haue thether driuen them : he' hath proofes 
 So pregnant, and fo horride, that to heare them, 
 Would make your valure in your very lookes, 
 Giue vp your forces, miferably guilty :
 
 By 
 
 rons Tragedie. 279 
 
 But he is mofl loth (for his ancient loue 
 To your rare vertues :) and in their empaire, 
 The full difcouragement of all that liue, 
 To trufl or fauour any gifts in Nature, 
 T'expofe them to the light ; when darkneffe may 
 Couer her owne broode, and keepe flill in day, 
 Nothing of you but that may brooke her brightnefle : 
 You know what horrors thefe high ftrokes do bring, 
 Raifd in thearme of an incenfed King. 
 
 Byr. My Lord, be fure the King cannot complaine 
 Of any thing in me, but my true feruice, 
 Which in fo many dangers of my death, 
 May fo approoue my fpotleffe loyaltie ; 
 That thofe quite oppofite horrors you allure, 
 Mud looke out of his owne ingratitude ; 
 Or the malignant enuies of my foes, 
 Who powre me out in fuch a Stygian flood, 
 To drowne me in my felfe, fince their deferts 
 Are farre from fuch a deluge ; and in me 
 Hid like fo many riuers in the Sea. 
 
 Soiff. You thinke I come to found you ; fare you 
 wel, Exit. 
 
 Enter Chancellor, Efpernon, jfa/iin, Vidame, Vitry, 
 Pralin, whifpering by couples, &>c. 
 
 D'Au : See fee, not one of them will caft a glaunce 
 At our eclipfed faces ; 
 
 Byr. They keepe all to cafl in admiration on the 
 King : 
 For from his face are all their faces moulded. 
 
 D 'Au : But when a change comes ; we (hall fee 
 them all 
 Chang'd into water, that will inflantly 
 Giue looke for looke, as if it watcht to greet vs ; 
 Or elfe for one, they'l giue vs twenty faces, 
 Like to the little fpecks on fides of glades ; 
 
 Byr. Is't not an eafie lode to lofe theyr lookes, 
 Whofe hearts fo foone are melted ?
 
 280 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 D'Au : But me thinks, 
 (Being Courtiers) they mould carl bed looks on men, 
 When they thought worfl of them. 
 
 Byr. O no my Lord, 
 They n'ere diflemble but for fome aduantage ; 
 They fell theyr looks, and fhadowes ; which they rate 
 After theyr markets, kept beneath the State ; 
 Lord what foule weather theyr afpedls do threaten 1 
 See in how graue a Brake he fets his vizard : 
 Paflion of nothing ; See, an excellent Iefture : 
 Now Courtfhip goes a ditching in theyr fore-heads ; 
 And we are falne into thofe difmall ditches : 
 Why euen thus dreadfully would they be wrapt, 
 If the Kings butterd egges, were onely fpilt. 
 
 Enter Henry. 
 
 Hen : Lord Chancellor ; 
 Cha : I my Lord ; 
 
 Hen : And lord Vidame : Exit. 
 
 Byr : And not Byron % here's a prodigious change ; 
 D'Au. He caft no Beame on you ; 
 Byr : Why now you fee 
 From whence theyr countenances were copyed. 
 
 Enter the captain of Byrons guard with a letter. 
 
 D'Au. See, here comes fome newes, I beleeue my 
 Lord. 
 
 Byr. What faies the honeft captaine of my guard ? 
 
 Cap. I bring a letter from a friend of yours. 
 
 Byr. Tis welcome then : 
 
 D'Au. Haue we yet any friends 1 
 
 Cap. More then yee would I thinke : I neuer 
 faw, 
 Men in their right mindes fo vnrighteous 
 In their owne caufes. 
 
 Byr. See what thou haft brought, 
 Hee will vs to retire our fellies my Lord, 
 And makes as if it were almoft too late, 
 What faies my captaine ; fhall we goe or no ?
 
 By rons Tragedie. 281 
 
 Cap. I would your daggers point had kifl my 
 ' heart, 
 When you refolu'd to come. 
 
 Byr. I pray thee why ? 
 
 Cap. Yet doth that fenceleffe Apopelxy dull you ? 
 The diuell or your wicked angell blinds you, 
 Bereauing all your reafon of a man 
 And leaues you but the fpirit of a horfe, 
 In your brute noftrills : onely powre to dare. 
 
 Byr. Why, doft thou think, my comming.here hath 
 brought me 
 To fuch an vnrecouerable danger ? 
 
 Cap. Iudge by the flrange Oftents that haue fuc- 
 ceeded, 
 Since your arriuall : the kinde fowle, the wilde duck, 
 That came into your cabinet, fo beyond 
 The fight of all your feruants, or your felfe : 
 That flew about, and on your fhoulder fat 
 And which you had fo fed, and fo attended ; 
 For that dum loue fhe fhew'd you ; iufl as foone, 
 As you were parted, on the fodaine died. 
 And to make this no leffe then an Oflent ; 
 Another that hath fortun'd fince, confirmes it : 
 Your goodly horfe Pa/lrana, which the Archduke, 
 Gaue you at Bruxells ; in the very houre, 
 You left your flrength, fel-mad, and kild himfelfe ; 
 The like chanc't to the horfe the great duke fent you : 
 And, with both thefe, the horfe the duke of Lorraine, 
 Sent you at Vitnie made a third prefage, 
 Of fome Ineuitable fate that toucht you, 
 Who like the other pin'd away and died. 
 
 Byr. All thefe together are indeed oflentfull, 
 Which by another like, I can confirme : 
 The matchleffe Earle of Effcx who fome make, 
 (In their mod hire diuinings of my death) 
 A parallell with me in life and fortune, 
 Had one horfe like-wife that the very howre, 
 He fufferd death, (being well the night before) 
 Died in his pafture. Noble happy beads,
 
 282 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 That hie, not hairing to their wills to Hue : 
 
 They vfe no deprecations, nor complaints. 
 
 Nor lute for mercy : amongfl them the Lion ; 
 
 Serues not the Lion ; nor the horfe the horfe, 
 
 As man femes man : when men lhew mod their 
 
 fpirits 
 In valure and their vtmoft dares to do ; 
 They are compard to Lions, Woolues, and Bores, 
 But by conuerfion ; None will fay a Lyon, 
 Fights as he had the Spirrit of a man. 
 Let me then in my danger now giue caufe, 
 For all men to begin that Simile, 
 For all my huge engagement, 1 prouide me, 
 This fhort fword onely ; which if I haue time, 
 To fliow my apprehend or, he mail vie 
 Power of tenne Lions if I get not loofe. 
 
 Enter Henry, Chancellor, Vidame, Ianin, Vitry, 
 
 Pralin. 
 
 Hen. What fhall we doe with this vnthankefull 
 man? 
 Would he (of one thing) but reueale the truth, 
 Which I haue proofe of, underneath his hand, 
 He mould not tad my Iuftice. I would giue, 
 Two hundred thoufand crownes, that he would yeeld. 
 But fuch meanes for my pardon, as he mould ; 
 I neuer lou'd man like him : would haue trufted, 
 My Sonne in his protection, and my Realme : 
 He hath deferu'd my loue with worthy feruice, 
 Yet can he not deny, but I haue thrice, 
 Sau'd him from death : I drew him off the foe 
 At Foitntaine Francotfe where he was engag'd, 
 So wounded and fo much amazd with blowes, 
 That (as I playd the fouldier in his refcue,) 
 I was enforc't to play the Marfliall, 
 To order the retreat : becaufe he faid, 
 He was not fit to do it nor to feme me. 
 
 Cha. Your maiefty hath vfd your vtmoft meanes,
 
 By r oiis Tragedic. 283 
 
 Both by your owne perfwafions, and his friends, 
 To bring him to fubmiflion, and confelTe 
 (With fome iigne of repentance) his foule fault : 
 Yet ftill he Rands prefracl and infolent. 
 You haue in loue and care of his recouery 
 Beene halfe in labour to produce a courfe, 
 And refolution, what were fit for him. 
 And fince fo amply it concernes your crowne, 
 You mufl by law cut of, what by your grace, 
 You cannot bring into the (late of fafety. 
 
 Ian. Begin at th' end my Lord and execute, 
 Like Alexander with Parmenio. 
 Princes (you knowe) are Maiflers of their lawes, 
 And may refolue them to what forms they pleafe, 
 So all conclude in iuftice ; in whofe ftroke, 
 There is one fort of manadge for the Great ; 
 Another for inferiour : The great Mother, 
 Of all productions (graue Neceffity) 
 Commands the variation : And the profit, 
 So certenly fore-feene, commends the example. 
 
 Heu. I like not executions fo informall, 
 For which my predeceffors haue beene blam'd : 
 My Subiects and the world fhall knowe my powre, 
 And my authority by lawes vfuall courfe 
 Dares punifh ; not the deuilifh heads of treafon, 
 But there confederates be they nere fo dreadfull. 
 The decent ceremonies of my lawes, 
 And their folemuities fhall be obferued, 
 With all their Sternenes and Seueritie. 
 
 Vit. Where will your highnes haue him appre- 
 hended 1 
 
 Hen. Not in the Caflle (as fome haue aduifd) 
 But in his chamber ; 
 
 Pral. Rather in your owne, 
 Or comming out of it ; for tis affur'd 
 That any other place of apprehenfion, 
 "Will make the hard performance, end in blood. 
 
 /"//. To fhun this likely-hood, my Lord tis bed 
 To make the apprehenfion neere your chamber •
 
 284 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 For all refpect and reuerence giuen the place, 
 More then is needfull, to chaflice the perfon, 
 And faue the opening of too many veines ; 
 Is vain and dangerous. 
 
 Hen : Gather you your guard, 
 And I will finde fit time to giue the word, 
 When you fhall feaze on him and on D 'Avuergne ; 
 
 Vit : We will be readie to the death ; (my Lord) 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Hen : O thou that gouernft the keene fwords of 
 Kings, 
 Direct my arme in this important ftroke, 
 Or hold it being aduanc't ; the weight of blood, 
 Euen in the bafeft fubiect, doth exact 
 Deepe confultation, in the higheft King ; 
 For in one fubiect, deaths vniufl affrights, 
 Paffions, and paines, (though he be n'ere fo poore) 
 Afke more remorfe, then the voluptuous fpleenes 
 Of all Kings in the world, deferue refpect ; 
 Hee fhould be borne grey-headed that will beare 
 The fword of Empire ; Iudgement of the life, 
 Free ftate, and reputation of a man, 
 (If it be iuft and worthy) dwells fo darke 
 That it denies acceffe to Sunne and Moone ; 
 The foules eye fharpned with that facred light, 
 Of whome the Sunne it felfe is but a beame, 
 Muft onely giue that iudgement ; O how much 
 Erre thofe Kings then, that play with life and death, 
 And nothing put into their ferious States, 
 But humor and their lufts ! For which alone 
 Men long for Kingdomes ; whofe huge counterpoife 
 In cares and dangers, could a foole comprife, 
 He would not be a King but would be wife ; 
 
 Enter Byron talking with the Queene : Efp : UEn- 
 
 tragues, UAuer\ with another Lady, others 
 
 attending. 
 
 Hen : Heere comes the man, with whofe ambitious 
 head
 
 Byrons Tragcdie. 285 
 
 (Cad in the way of Treqfoti) we muft flay 
 His full chace of our mine and our Realme ; 
 This houre fhall take vpon her fhariy winge 
 His latefl liberty and life to Hell. 
 
 D'Au. We are vndone 1 
 
 Quecne : Whats that 1 
 
 Byr: I heard him not ; 
 
 Hen : Madam, y'are honord much, that Duke 
 Byron 
 Is fo obferuant ; Some, to cardes with him, 
 You foure, as now you come, fit to Brimero ; 
 And I will fight a battayle at the Chejje. 
 
 Byr. A good fafe fight beleeue me ; Other warre 
 Thirfts blood, and wounds, and his thirft quencht, is 
 thankles ; 
 
 Efp. Lift, and then cut ; 
 
 Byr. Tis right the end of lifting, 
 When men are lifted to their higheft pitch, 
 They cut of thofe that lifted them fo high. 
 
 Qu : Apply you all thefe fports fo ferioufly 1 
 
 Byr : They firft were from our ferious acts deuif'd, 
 The beft of which are to the befl but fports ; 
 (I meane by befl, the greatefl) for their ends, 
 In men that ferue them befl, are their owne pleafures. 
 - Qu : So, in thofe beft mens feruices, their ends 
 Are their owne pleafures ; paffe. 
 
 Byr : I vy't ; 
 
 Hen : I fee't ; 
 And wonder at his frontles impudence ; Exit Hen : 
 
 Chan : How fpeedes your Maiefly ? 
 
 Que. Well ; the Duke inflrudis me 
 With fuch graue leffons of mortallitie 
 Forc't out of our light fport ; that if I loofe, 
 I cannot but fpeed well. 
 
 Byr. Some idle talke, 
 For Courtfhip fake, you know does not amiffe. 
 
 Chan. Would we might heare fome of it. 
 
 Byr. That you fhall, 
 I cafl away a card now, makes me thinke, 
 Of the deceafed worthy King of Spaine.
 
 286 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 Chan, What card was that 1 
 
 Byr. The king of hearts (my Lord) 
 Whofe name yeelds well the memorie of that King, 
 Who was indeed the worthy King of hearts, 
 And had, both of his fubiecls hearts, and ftrangers, 
 Much more then all the Kings of Chriftendome. 
 
 Chan. He wun them with his gold. 
 
 Byr. He wun them chiefely, 
 With his fo generall Pietie and Juftice : 
 And as the little, yet great Macedon, 
 Was fayd with his humane philofophy, 
 To teach the rapefull Hyrcans, mariage ; 
 And bring the barbarous Sogdians, to nourifh, 
 Not kill their aged Parents ; as before, 
 Th' inceftuous Perfians to reuerence 
 Their mothers, not to vfe them as their wiues ; 
 The Indians to adore the Grecia?i Gods, 
 The Scythians to inter, not eate their Parents ; 
 So he, with his diuine Philofophy, 
 (Which I may call his, fmce he chiefely vfd it) 
 In Turky, India, and through all the world, 
 Expell'd prophane idolatry ; and from earth, 
 Raifd temples to the higheft : whom with the word, 
 He could not winne, he iuftly put to fword. 
 
 Chan. He fought for gold, and Empire. 
 
 Byr. Twas Religion, 
 And her full propagation that he fought ; 
 If gold had beene his end, it had beene hoorded, 
 When he had fetcht it in fo many fleetes : 
 Which he fpent not on Median Luxurie, 
 Banquets and women ; Calidonian wine, 
 Nor deare Hyrcanian fifties, but emploid it, 
 To propagate his Empire ; and his Empire 
 Defird t' extend fo, that he might withall, 
 Extend Religion through it, and all nations, 
 Reduce to one firme conftitution, 
 Of Pietie, Iuftice, and one publique weale ; 
 To which end he made all his matchles fubiecls 
 Make tents their caftles, and their garifons ;
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 287 
 
 True Catholikes contrimen ; and their allies, 
 Ilcretikes, ftrangers, and their enemies. 
 There was in him the magnanimity. 
 
 Montig. To temper your extreame applaufe (my 
 Lord) 
 Shorten, and anfwere all things in a word, 
 The greatefl commendation we can giue 
 To the remembrance of that King deceaft ; 
 Is, that he fpar'd not his owne eldeft fonne, 
 But put him iuftly to a violent death, 
 Becaufe, hee fought to trouble his efiates. 
 
 Byr. Ift fo ? 
 
 Cha?i. That bit (my Lord) vpon my life, 
 Twas bitterly replied, and doth amaze him. 
 
 The King fodainely enters halting 
 
 determined what 
 
 to doe. 
 
 Hen. It is refolud, 
 A worke fhall now be done, 
 Which, (while learned Atlas fhall with flarres be 
 
 crownd,) 
 While th'Ocean walkes in ftormes his wauy round, 
 While Moones at full, repaire their broken rings : 
 While Lucifer fore-fhewes Auroras fprings, 
 And Arclos ftickes aboue the Earth vnmou'd, 
 Shall make my realme be bleft, and me beloued ; 
 Call in the count D'Auuergne. Enter D'Au. 
 
 A word my Lord. 
 
 Will you become as wilfull as your friend 1 
 And draw a mortall iuftice on your heads, 
 That hangs fo blacke and is fo loth to ftrike? 
 If you would vtter what I knowe you knowe, 
 Of his inhumaine treafon ; on Stronge Bane, 
 Betwixt his will, and duty were diffolud. 
 For then I know he would fubmit himfelfe ; 
 Thinke you it not as flrong a point of faith, 
 To recline your loyalties to me.
 
 288 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 As to be trufty in each others wrong 1 
 Truft that deceiues our felues in treachery, 
 And Truth that truth conceales an open lie ; 
 
 D'Au. My Lord if I could vtter any thought, 
 Inftrudted with difloyalty to you, 
 And might light any fafty to my friend ; 
 Though mine owne heart came after it fhould out. 
 
 Hen. I knowe you may, and that your faith's 
 affected 
 To one another, are fo vaine and faulce, 
 That your owne Strengths will mine you : ye contend, 
 To caft vp rampiers to you in the fea, 
 And ftriue to flop the waues that runne before you. 
 
 D^An. All this my Lord to me is mifery. 
 
 Hen. It is ; He make it plaine enough. Beleeue 
 me. 
 Come my Lord Chancellor let vs end our mate. 
 
 Enter Varennes, whifpering to Byron. 
 
 Var. You are vndone my Lord ; 
 
 Byr : Is it poffible 1 
 
 Que. Play good my Lord : whom looke you for ? 
 
 Efp. Your mind, 
 Is not vpon your Game. 
 
 Byr. Play, pray you play, 
 
 Hen. Enough, tis late, and time to leaue our play, 
 On all hands ; all forbeare the roome, my Lord 1 
 Stay you with me ; yet is your will refolued, 
 To duty, and the maine bond of your life ? 
 I fweare (of all th' Intrufions I haue made, 
 Vpon your owne good, and continu'd fortunes) 
 This is the laft ; informe me yet the truth, 
 And here I vow to you, (by all my loue ; 
 By all meanes fliowne you, euen to this extreame, 
 When all men elfe forfake you) you are fafe. 
 What paflages haue flipt twixt Count Fuentes, 
 You, and the Duke of Sauoy 1 
 
 Byr. Good my Lord,
 
 Byron s 1 ragedii . 289 
 
 This nayle is driuen already pafl the head, 
 You much haue ouercharged, an honell man : 
 And I befeech you yeeld my Innocence iuflice, 
 (But with my tingle valure) gainft them all 
 That thus haue poifoned your opinion of me, 
 And let me take my vengeance by my fword : 
 For I protefl, I neuer thought an Action, 
 More then my tongue hath vtterd. 
 
 Hen. Would twere true ; 
 And that your thoughts and deeds, had fell no fouler. 
 But you difdaine fubmiflion, not remembring, 
 That (in intentes vrgd for the common good) 
 He that fhall hould his peace being chardgd to fpeake : 
 Doth all the peace and nerues of Empire breake 
 Which on your confcience lie, adieu, good night. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Byr. Kings hate to heare what they command 
 men fpeake, 
 Aske life, and to defert of death ye yeeld. 
 Where Medicins loath, it yrcks men to be heald. 
 
 Enter Vitry, with two or three of the Guard, Effcr, 
 Vidame, following. Vytry layes hand on Byrons 
 fword. 
 
 Vyt. Rehgne your fword (my Lord) the King com- 
 mands it. 
 
 Byr. Me to refigne my fword ? what King is he, 
 Hath vfd it better for the realme then I ? 
 My fword, that all the warres within the length, 
 Breadth and the whole dimenfions of great France. 
 Hath fheathd betwixt his hilt aud horrid point ? 
 And fixt ye all in fuch a flourifhing Peace % 
 My fword that neuer enimie could inforce. 
 Bereft me by my friendes 1 Now, good my Lord, 
 Befeech the King, I may refigne my fword, 
 To his hand onelv.
 
 290 By r oiis Trrgedie. 
 
 Enter Ianin. 
 
 lanin. You mull do your office, 
 The King commands you. 
 
 Vit : Tis in vaine to ftriue, 
 For I muft force it. 
 
 Byron : Haue I n'ere a friend, 
 That beares another for me 1 All the Guard ? 
 What will you kill me 1 will you fmother here 
 His life that can command, and faue in field, 
 A hundred thoufand hues 1 For man-hood fake ; 
 Lend fomething to this poore forfaken hand ; 
 For all my feruice, let me haue the honor 
 To dye defending of my innocent felfe, 
 And haue fome little fpace to pray to God. 
 
 Enter Henry. 
 
 Hen : Come, you are an Atheift Byron, and a 
 Traytor, 
 Both foule and damnable ; Thy innocent felfe % 
 No Leper is fo buried quicke in vlcers 
 As thy corrupted foule : Thou end the war? 
 And fettle peace in France ? what war hath rag'd, 
 Into whofe fury I haue not expof'd, 
 My perfon, which is as free a fpirit as thine % 
 Thy worthy Father, and thy felfe, combinde, 
 And arm'd in all the merits or your valors ; 
 (Your bodyes thruft amidft the thickeft fights) 
 Neuer were briftled with fo many battayles, 
 Nor on the foe haue broke fuch woods of Launces 
 As grew vpon my thigh ; and I haue Marfhald ; 
 I am afham'd to bragge thus ; where enuy 
 And arrogance, their oppofit Bulwarke raife ; 
 Men are allowd to vfe their proper praife ; 
 Away with him : Exit Henry : 
 
 Byr. Away with him 1 Hue I ? 
 And here my life thus fleighted 1 curfed man, 
 That euer the intelligenfing lights
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 291 
 
 Betraid me to mens whorifh fellowfhips ; 
 
 To Princes Moorifh flaueries : To be made 
 
 The Anuille, on which onely blowes, and woundes 
 
 Were made the feed, and wombs of other honors ; 
 
 A property for a Tyrant, to fet vp, 
 
 And puffe downe, with the vapour of his breath ; 
 
 Will you not kill me 1 
 
 Vit : No, we will not hurt you, 
 We are commanded onely to conduct you 
 Into your lodging ; 
 
 Byr : To my lodging 1 where 1 
 
 Vit : Within the Cabynet of Armes my Lord : 
 
 Byr : What to a prifon 1 Death ; I will not go ; 
 
 Vit : Weele force you then ; 
 
 Byr : And take away my fword ; 
 A proper point of force ; ye had as good, 
 Haue rob'd me of my foule ; Slaues of my Starrs, 
 Partiall and bloody ; O that in mine Eyes 
 Were all the Sorcerous poyfon of my woes, 
 That I might witch ye headlong from your height, 
 So, trample out your execrable light. 
 
 Vit : Come will you go my Lord 1 this rage is 
 vaine ; 
 
 Byr. And fo is all your graue authority ; 
 And that all France fliall feele before I die ; 
 Ye fee all how they vfe good Catholiques ; 
 
 Efp. Farewell for euer ; fo haue I defern'd 
 An exhalation that would be a Starre 
 Fall when the Sunne forfooke it, in a fincke. 
 Shooes euer ouerthrow that are too large, 
 And hugeft canons, burfl with ouercharge. 
 
 Enter D Avuergne, Pralin, following with a Guard. 
 
 Pra. My Lord I haue commandment from the 
 King, 
 To charge you go with me, and afke your fword ; 
 UAu : My fword, who feares it ? it was nere the 
 death
 
 292 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 Of any but wilde Bores ; I prithee take it ; 
 Hadfl thou aduertif'd this when laft we met, 
 I had bene in my bed, and fad afleepe 
 Two houres a goe ; lead ; ile go where thou wilt : 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Vid : See how he beares his croffe, with his fmall 
 ftrength, 
 On eafier moulders then the other Atlas. 
 
 Efp : Strength to afpire, is flill accompanied 
 "With weakenes to indure ; All popular gifts, 
 Are coullors, it will beare no vineger ; 
 And rather to aduerfe affaires, betray ; 
 Thine arme againft them ; his State ftill is beft 
 That 5 hath moft inward worth ; and that's beft tryed, 
 That 5 neither glories, nor is glorified. Exeunt. 
 
 ACTVS 5. SCjENA 1. 
 
 Henry, Soiffons, lanin, Def cures, cum a His. 
 
 Hen : What fhall we thinke (my Lords) of thefe 
 new forces 
 That (from the King of Spaine) hath paft the Alps ? 
 For which (I thinke) his Lord Ambaflador, 
 Is come to Court, to get their paffe for Flanders 1 
 
 Ian. I thinke (my Lord) they haue no end for 
 Flanders ; 
 Count Maurice being allready entred Brabant 
 To paffe to Flanders, to relieue Oftend, 
 And th' Arch-duke full prepar'd to hinder him ; 
 For fure it is that they muft meafure forces, 
 Which (ere this new force could haue paft the Alps) 
 Of force muft be incountred. 
 
 S In both these places the word As is substituted for " that," in 
 the edition of 1625.
 
 Byrons Tragcdic. 293 
 
 Soiff. Tis vnlikely, 
 That their march hath fo large an ayme as Flanders ; 
 
 Defc : As thefe times fort, they may haue fhortcr 
 reaches ; 
 That would pierce further ; 
 
 Hen : I haue bene aduertii'd, 
 How Count Fuentes (by whofe meanes this army 
 Was lately leuied ; And whofe hand was flrong, 
 In thrufting on Byrons confpiracie) 
 Hath cauf 'd thefe cunning forces to aduance, 
 With coullor onely to fet downe in Flanders ; 
 But hath intentionall refpect to fauor 
 And countnance his falfe Partizans in Breffe, 
 And friendes in Burgondie ; to giue them heart 
 For the full taking of their hearts from me ; 
 Be as it will ; we fhall preuent their word; 
 And therefore call in Spaines Ambaffador, 
 
 Enter Ambaffador with others. 
 
 What would the Lord Ambaffador of Spaine ? 
 
 Amba : Firfl (in my maifters name) I would befeech 
 Your highnes hearty thought ; That his true hand, 
 (Held in your vowd amities) hath not toucht, 
 At any lead point in Byrons offence ; 
 Nor once had notice of a crime fo foule ; 
 Whereof, fmce he doubts not, you ftand refolu'd, 
 He prayes your Leagues continuance in this favor ; 
 That the army he hath raif d to march for Flanders, 
 May haue fafe paffage by your frontier townes, 
 And finde the Riuer free, that runs by Rhofne. 
 
 Hen. My Lord my frontiers fhall not be difarm'd, 
 Till, by araignment of the Duke of Byron, 
 My fcruples are refolu'd ; and I may know 
 In what account to hold your Maifters faith, 
 For his obferuance of the League betwixt vs ; 
 You wifh me to beleeue that he is cleare 
 From all the proiects caufd by Count Fuentes, 
 His fpeciall Agent ; But where, deedes pull downe,
 
 294 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 Words, may repaire, no faith ; I fcarce can thinke 
 
 That his gold was fo bouuteoufly employd, 
 
 Without his fpeciall counfaile, and command ; 
 
 Thefe faint proceedings in our Royall faiths, 
 
 Make fubiedts proue fo faithleffe : If becaufe, 
 
 We fit aboue the danger of the lawes, 
 
 We likewife lift our Armes aboue their iuftice ; 
 
 And that our heauenly Soueraigne, bounds not vs, 
 
 In thofe religious confines ; out of which 
 
 Our iuftice and our true lawes are inform'd ; 
 
 In vaine haue we expectance that our fubiecls, 
 
 Should not as well prefume to offend their Earthly, 
 
 As we our Heauenly Soueraigne 1 And this breach 
 
 Made in the Forts of all Society ; 
 
 Of all celeftiall, and humane refpecls, 
 
 Makes no ftrengths of our bounties, counfaile,s armes, 
 
 Hold out againft their treafons ; and the rapes 
 
 Made of humanitie and religion, 
 
 In all mens more then Pagan liberties, 
 
 Atheifmes, and flaueries will deriue their fprings 
 
 From their bafe Prefidents, copied out of kings. 
 
 But all this fhall not make me breake the commerce, 
 
 Authorifde by our treaties ; let your Armie 
 
 Have the directeft paffe, 6 it fhall goe fafe. 
 
 Anib. So reft your highneffe euer ; and affurde 
 That my true Soueraigne, hates all oppofite thoughts. 7 
 
 Hen. Are our difpatches made to all the kings, , 
 Princes, and Potentates of Chriftendome 1 
 Ambaffadors and Prouince gouernors, 
 T'enforme the truth of this confpiracie ? 
 
 Ian. They all are made my Lord, and fome giue 
 out, 
 That 'tis a blow giuen to religion, 
 To weaken it, in ruining of him, 
 That faid, he neuer wifht more glorious title, 
 Then to be call'd the fcourge of Hugenots. 
 
 6. Take the dire<£teft paffe. 1608. 
 
 7. lothes all oppofite thoughts. 1608,
 
 ib 
 
 >rons Tragedie. 295 
 
 Sol/jf. Others that are like fauourers of the fault, 
 Said 'tis a politique aduife from England, 
 To breake the facred Iauelins, 3 both together. 
 
 Hen. Such fhut their eyes to truth, we can but fet 
 His lights before them, and his trumpet found 
 Clofe to their eares ; their partiall wilfulneffe, 
 In refting blinde, and deafe, or in peruerting, 
 What their moft certaine fences apprehend. 
 Shall naught difcomfort our imperiall Iuftice, 9 
 Nor cleere the defperat fault that doth enforce it. 
 
 Enter Vyt. 
 
 Vyt. The Peeres of France (my Lord) refufe 
 t'appeare, 
 At the arraignement of the Duke of Byron. 
 
 Hen. The Court may yet proceed ; and fo com- 
 mand it, 
 'Tis not their flackneffe to appeare fliall ferue, 
 To let my will t'appeare in any fact, 
 Wherein the bouldeft of them tempts my iuftice. 
 I am refolu'd, and -will no more endure, 
 To haue my fubiecls make what I command, 
 The fubiect of their oppositions, 
 Who euer-more make flack their allegiance, 
 As kings forbeare their pennance ; how fuftaine 
 Your prifoners their ftrange durance 1 
 
 Vit. One of them, 
 (Which is the Count DAvuergni) hath merry fpirits, 
 Eates well, and fleepes : and neuer can imagine, 
 That any place where he is, is a prifon ; 
 Where on the other part, the Duke Byron, 
 Enterd his prifon, as into his graue, 
 Reiedls all food, fleepes not, nor once lyes downe : 
 Furie hath arm'd his thoughts fo thick with thornes, 
 That reft can haue no entry : he difdaines 
 To grace the prifon with the flendreft fhow 
 Of any patience, leaft men fhould conceiue, 
 
 8. feared Jauelins. 160S. 
 
 9. impartial! Iuftice. 1608.
 
 296 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 He thought his fufferance in the bed fort fit ; 
 
 And holds his bands fo worthleffe of his worth, 
 
 That he empaires it, to vouchfafe to them, 
 
 The beft part of the peace, that freedom owes it: 
 
 That patience therein, is a willing flauerie, 
 
 And (like the Cammell) ftoopes to take the load : 
 
 So ftill he walkes : or rather as a Byrde, 
 
 Enterd a Clofet, which vnawares is made, 
 
 His defperate prifon (being purfude) amazd, 
 
 And wrathfull beates his bred from wall to wall, 
 
 Affaults the light, ftrikes downe himfelfe, not out, 
 
 And being taken, ftruggles, gafpes, and bites, 
 
 Takes all his takers ftrokings, to be ftrokes, 
 
 Abhorreth food, and with a fauadge will, 
 
 Frets, pines, and dyes, for former libertie. 
 
 So fares the wrathfull Duke ; and when the 
 
 ftrength 
 Of thefe dumbe rages, breake out into founds, 
 He breaths defiance, to the world, and bids vs, 
 Make our felues drunke, with the remaining bloud 
 Of fiue and thirty wounds receiud in fight, 
 For vs and ours ; for we fhall neuer brag, 
 That we haue made his fpirits check at death : 
 This rage in walkes and words ; but in his lookes 
 He coments all, and prints a world of bookes. 
 
 Hen. Let others learn e by him to curb their 
 
 fpleenes, 
 Before they be curbd ; and to ceafe their grudges : 
 Now I am fetled in my Sunne of height, 
 The circulare fplendor, and full Sphere of State 
 Take all place vp from enuy : as the funne, 
 At height, and paffiue ore the crownes of men, 
 His beames diffufd, and downe-right pourd on 
 
 them, 
 Caft but a little or no fhade at all, 
 So he that is aduanc'd aboue the heads, 
 Of all his Emulators, with high light, 
 Preuents their enuies, and depriues them quite. 
 
 Exeunt.
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 297 
 
 Enter the Chancellor, I far I ay, Potiers; P/eury, 
 
 in fear let gownes, Lajfin, Def cures, with 
 
 other officers of flate. 
 
 Cha. I wonder at the prifoners fo long flay, 
 
 Har : I thinke it may be made a queflion, 
 If his impacience will let him come. 
 
 Pot. Yes, he is now well flayd : Time and his 
 Iudgment, 
 Haue caft his paffion and his feuer off. 
 
 Flcu. His feuer may be pad, but for his paflions, 
 I feare me we (hall find it fpie'd to hotly, 
 With his ould poulder. 
 
 JDef. He is fure come forth ; 
 The Caroffe of the Marquis of Rhofjiy 
 Conducted him along to th' Arcenall, 
 Clofe to the Riuer-fide : and there I faw him, 
 Enter a barge couered with Tapiftry, 
 In which the kings gards waited and receiued him. 
 Stand by there cleere the place, 
 
 Cha. The prifoner comes. 
 My Lord La/Jin forbeare your fight a while, 
 It may incenfe the prifoner : who will know, 
 By your attendance nere vs, that your hand, 
 Was chiefe in his difcouery ; which as yet, 
 I thinke he doth not doubt. 
 
 Laf I will forbeare, 
 Till your good pleafures call me, Exit Laf. 
 
 Har. When he knowes 
 And fees Laffin, accufe him to his face, 
 The Court I thinke will fhake with his diftemper. 
 
 Enter Vitry, Byron, with others and a guarde. 
 
 Vit. You fee my Lord, 'tis in the golden chamber. 
 
 Byr. The golden chamber 1 where the greateft 
 Kings 
 Haue thought them honor'd to receiue a place : 
 And I haue had it ; am I come to Rand
 
 298 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 In ranke and habit here of men arraigned, 
 
 Where I haue fat affiftant, and beene honord, 
 
 With glorious title of the chiefeft vertuous, 
 
 Where the Kings chiefe Solicitor hath faid, 
 
 There was in France, no man that euer liu'd, 
 
 Whofe parts were worth my imitation ; 
 
 That, but mine owne worth ; I could imitate none : 
 
 And that I made my felfe inimitable, 
 
 To all that could come after ; whom this Court 
 
 Hath feene to fit vpon the Flower de Luice 
 
 In recompence of my renowned feruice. 
 
 Muft I be fat on now, by petty Iudges 1 
 
 Thefe Scarlet robes, that come to fit and fight 
 
 Againft my life ; difmay my valure more, 
 
 Then all the bloudy Caffocks Spaine hath brought 
 
 To field againft it. 
 
 Fit. To the barre my Lord. Hefalutes and 
 
 Har. Read the inditement. Jlands to the barre. 
 Chan. Stay, I will inuert 
 (For fhortneffe fake) the forme of our proceedings, 
 And out of all the points, the proceffe holds, 
 Collect fiue principall, with which we charge you. 
 
 1. Firft you conferd with one, cald Picote, 
 At Orleance borne, and into Flanders fled, 
 
 To hold intelligence by him with the Archduke, 
 And for two voyages to that effe6l, 
 Beftowd on him, fiue hundred, fiftie crownes. 
 
 2. Next you held treaty with the Duke ot Sauoy, 
 Without the Kings permiffion ; offering him 
 
 All feruice and affiftance gainft all men, 
 
 In hope to haue in marriage, his third daughter. 
 
 3. Thirdly you held intelligence with the Duke, 
 At taking in of Bourge, and other Forts ; 
 Aduifing him, with all your preiudice, 
 
 Gainft the Kings armie, and his royall perfon. 
 
 4. The fourth is ; that you would haue brought 
 the King, 
 
 Before Saint Katherines Fort, to be there flaine : 
 And to that end writ to the Gouernor,
 
 By r oils Tr age die. 299 
 
 In which you gaue him notes to know his highnefle. 
 
 5. Fiftly, you fent Lajfui to treate with Sauoy, 
 And with the Count Fuentes, of more plots, 
 Touching the mine of the King and realme. 
 
 Byr. All this (my Lord) I anfwer, and deny : 
 And firft for Picote ; he was my prifoner, 
 And therefore I might well conferee with him : 
 But that our conference tended to the Arch-duke, 
 Is nothing fo ; I onely did employ him 
 To Captaine La Fortune, for the reduction 
 Of Seuerre, to the leruice of the King, 
 Who vfd fuch fpeedy dilligence therein, 
 That fhortly 'twas affur'd his Maieftie. 
 
 2. Next, for my treaty with the Duke of Sauoy, 
 Roncas his Secretarie, hauing made 
 
 A motion to me, for the Dukes third daughter, 
 I tolde it to the King ; who hauing fince, 
 Giuen me the vnderftanding by La Force 
 Of his diflike ; 1 neuer dreamd of it. 
 
 3. Thirdly, for my intelligence with the Duke, 
 Aduifing him againfl his Highneffe armie : 
 
 Had this beene true, I had not vndertaken 
 Th' affault of Bourg, againft the Kings opinion, 
 Hauing affiftance but by them about me : 
 And (hauing wunne it for him) had not beene 
 Put out of fuch a gouernment fo eafdy. 
 
 4. Fourthly, for my aduice to kill the King ; 
 I would befeech his Highneffe memory, 
 
 Not to let flip, that I alone difwaded 
 
 His viewing of that Fort ; informing him, 
 
 It had good markc-men ; and he could not goe, 
 
 But in exceeding danger, which aduice 
 
 Diuerted him : the rather, fince I faid, 
 
 That if he had defire to fee the place 
 
 He fhould receiue from me a Plot of it ; 
 
 Offering to take it with fiue hundred men, 
 
 And I my felfe would go to the aflault 
 
 5. And laflly, for intelligences held, 
 With Sauoy and Fuentes : I confeffe,
 
 300 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 That being denyed to keepe the Cytadell, 
 Which with incredible perill I had got, 
 And feeing another honor'd with my fpoiles, 
 I grew fo defparate that I found my fpirit, 
 Enrag'd to any act, and wifht my felfe, 
 Couer'd with bloud. 
 
 Chan. With whofe bloud? 
 
 Byr. With mine owne ; 
 Wifhing to liue no longer, being denyed, 
 With fuch fufpition of me, and fet will, 
 To rack my furious humor into bloud. 
 And for two moneths fpace, I did fpeake, and wright, 
 More then I ought ; but haue done euer well, 
 And therefore your enformers haue beene falfe. 
 And (with intent to tyranize) fubornd. 
 
 Bleu. What if our witneffes come face to face, 
 And iuftifie much more then we alledge 1 
 
 Byr. They muil be hyrelings then, and men cor- 
 rupted. 
 
 Pot. What thinke you of La Pin ? 
 
 Byr. I hold La Pin, 
 An honor'd Gentleman, my friend and kinfman. 
 
 Har. If he then aggrauate, what we affirme, 
 With greater accufations to your face, 
 What will you fay 1 
 
 Byr. I know it cannot be. 
 
 Chan. Call in my Lord La Fin. 
 
 Byr. Is he fo neere ? 
 And kept fo clofe from me 1 can all the world, 
 Make him a treacher. Enter La Pin. 
 
 Chan. I fuppofe my Lord, 
 You haue not flood within ; without the eare 
 Of what hath heere beene vrgd againft the Duke ; 
 If you haue heard it, and vpon your knowledge 
 Can witneffe all is true, vpon your foule : 
 Vtter your knowledge. 
 
 Laffi. I haue heard my Lord, 
 All that hath pafi here ; and vpon my foule, 
 (Being chargd fo vrgently in fuch a Court)
 
 Byrons Tragcdie. 301 
 
 Vpon my Knowledge I affirme all true ; 
 And fo much more : as had the prifoner Hues 
 As many as his yeeres, would make all forfaite. 
 
 Byr. O all yee vertuous powers, in earth and 
 heauen, 
 That haue not put on hellifh flefh and blood, 
 From whence thefe monftrous iffues are produe'd, 
 That cannot beare in execrable concord, 
 And one prodigious fubiecl ; contraries ; 
 Nor (as the He that of the world admirde) 
 Is feuerd from the world) can cut your felues 
 From the confent and facred harmony 
 Of life, yet Hue ; of honor, yet be honord ; 
 As this extrauagant, and errant rogue, 
 From all your faire Decorums, and iuft lawes, 
 Findes powre to doe : and like a lothefome wen, 
 Sticks to the face of nature, and this Court ; 
 Thicken this ayre, and turne your plaguie rage, 
 Into a fhapc as difmall as his finne. 
 And with fome equall horror teare him off 
 From fight and memory : let not fuch a court, 
 To whofe fame all the Kings of Chriftendome, 
 Now laid their eares ; fo crack her royall Trumpe, 
 As to found through it, that here vanted iuftice 
 Was got in fuch an inceft : is it iuftice 
 To tempt, and witch a man, to breake the law, 
 And by that witch condemne him ? let me draw 
 Poifon into me with this curfed ayre, 
 If he betwitcht me, and tranfformd me not ; 
 He bit me by the eare, and made me drinke 
 Enchanted waters ; let me fee an Image 
 That vtterd thefe diftincT. words ; Thou JJialt dye, 
 O wicked Kin% ; and if the diuill gaue him 
 Such powre vpon an Image ; vpon me 
 How might he tyrannize ? that by his vowes 
 And othes fo Stygian, had my Nerues and will, 
 In more awe then his owne : what man is he 
 That is fo high, but he would higher be ? 
 So roundly fighted, but he may be found,
 
 302 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 To haue a blinde fide, which by craft, perfude, 
 Confederacie, and fimply trufted treafon, 
 May wreft him paft his Angell, and his reafon ? 
 
 Chan. Witchcraft can neuer taint an honeft minde. 
 
 Harl. True gold, will any trial ftand, vntoucht. 
 
 Pot. For coulours that will ftaine when they are 
 tryed, 
 The cloth it felfe is euer caft afide. 
 
 Byr. Some times, the very Gloffe in any thing, 
 Will feeme a ftaine ; the fault not in the light, 
 Nor in the guilty obiecl, but our fight. 
 My gloffe, raifd from the richneffe of my ftuffe, 
 Had too much fplendor for the Owly eye, 
 Of politique and thankleffe royaltie : 
 I did deferue too much : a plurifie 
 Of that blood in me is the caufe I dye. 
 Vertue in great men muft be fmall and Height : 
 For poore ftarres rule, where fhe is exquifite, 
 Tis tyrannous, and impious policie, 
 To put to death by fraude and trecherie ; 
 Sleight is then royall, when it makes men Hue, 
 And if it vrge faults, vrgeth to forgiue. 
 He muft be guiltleffe, that condemnes the guiltie, 
 Like things, do nourifh like, and not deftroy them : 
 Mindes muft be found, that iudge affaires of weight, 
 And feeing hands, cut corofmes from your fight. 
 A Lord intelligencer? hangman-like, 
 Thruft him from humaine fellowfhip, to the defart 
 Blowe him with curfes ; fhall your iuftice call 
 Treacherie her Father? would you with her weigh 
 My valor with the hifie of fuch a viper ? 
 What haue I done to fliunne the mortall fhame 
 Of fo uniufl an oppofition ; 
 My enuious ftarres cannot deny me this, 
 That I may make my Iudges witneffes ; 
 And that my wretched fortunes haue referu'd 
 For my laft comfort ; yee all know (my Lords) 
 This body gafht with hue and thirty wounds, 
 Whofe life and death you haue in your award,
 
 Byrons Tragedic. 303 
 
 Holds not a veine that hath not opened beene, 
 \inl which I would not open yet againe, 
 For you and yours ; this hand that writ the lines 
 Alledgd againft me, hath enacted dill, 
 More good then there it onely talkt of ill. 
 I muft confeffe my choller hath transferd 
 My tender fpleene to all intemperate fpeech : 
 But reafon euer did my deeds attend. 
 In worth of praife, and imitation, 
 Had I borne any will to let them loofe, 
 I could haue flefht them with bad feruices, 
 In England lately, and in Switzerland : 
 There are a hundred Gentlemen by name, 
 Can witnefle my demeanure in the firft ; 
 And in the laft Ambaffage I adiure 
 No other teflimonies then the Seigneurs 
 De Vic, and Sillcric ; who amply know, 
 In what fort, and with what fidelitie 
 I bore my lelfe ; to reconcile and knit, 
 In one defire fo many wills difioynde, 
 And from the Kings allegiance quite withdrawne. 
 My ac~ls afkt many men, though done by one. 
 And I were but one, I flood for thoufands, 
 And flill I hold my worth, though not my place : 
 Nor Height me, Iudges, though I be but one, 
 One man, in one fole expedition, 
 Reduc'd into th' imperiall powre of Rome, 
 Armenia, Pontus, and Arabia, 
 Syria, Albania, and Iberia, 
 Conquer'd th' Hyrcaniam ; and to Caucafus, 
 His arme extended ; the Numidians 
 And Affrick to the fhores Meridionall, 
 His powre fubiedled ; and that part of Spain e 
 Which flood from thofe parts that Scrtorius rulde, 
 Euen to the Atlantique Sea he conquered. 
 Th' Albanian kings, he from the kingdoms chae'd, 
 And at the Cafpian Sea, their dwellings plac'd : 
 Of all the Earths globe, by powre and his aduice, 
 The round-eyd Ocean faw him victor thrice :
 
 304 By rons Tragedie. 
 
 And what fhall let me (but your cruell doome,) 
 
 To adde as much to France, as he to Rome, 
 
 And to leaue Iuftice neither Sword nor word, 
 
 To vfe againfl my life ; this Senate knowes, 
 
 That what with one victorious hand I tooke, 
 
 I gaue to all your vfes, with another : 
 
 With this I tooke, and propt the falling Kingdome, 
 
 And gaue it to the King : I haue kept 
 
 Your lawes of ftate from fire, and you your felues, 
 
 Fixt in this high Tribunall ; from whofe height 
 
 The vengefull Saturnals of the League 
 
 Had hurld yee head-long ; doe yee then returne 
 
 This retribution 1 can the cruell King 
 
 The kingdome, lawes, and you, (all fau'd by me) 
 
 Deftroy their fauer? what (aye me) I did 
 
 Aduerfe to this ; this damnd Enchanter did, 
 
 That tooke into his will, my motion ; 
 
 And being banck-route both of wealth and worth, 
 
 Purfued with quarrels, and with fuites in law ; 
 
 Feard by the Kingdome ; threatned by the King ; 
 
 Would raife the loathed dung-hill of his mines, 
 
 Vpon the monumentall heape of mine : 
 
 Torne with poffeffed whirle-winds may he dye, 
 
 And dogs barke at his murtherous memory. 
 
 C/ian. My Lord, our liberall fufferance of your 
 fpeech, 
 Hath made it late ; and for this Seffion, 
 We will difmiffe you ; take him back my Lord. 
 Exit Vit. &> Byron. 
 
 Har. You likewife may depart. Exit Laffin. 
 
 Chan. What refteth now 
 To be decreed gainfl this great prifoner % 
 A mighty merit, aud a monftrous crime, 
 Are here concurrent ; what by witneffes ; 
 His letters and inftrudftions we haue prou'd 
 Himfelfe confeffeth, and excufeth all 
 With witch-craft, and the onely aft of thought. 
 For witch-craft I efteeme it a meere ftrength 
 Of rage in him conceiu'd gainft his accufer ;
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 305 
 
 Who being examinde hath denied it all ; 
 Suppofe it true, it made him falfe ; But wills 
 And worthy mindes, witch-craft can neuer force. 
 And for his thoughts that brake not into deeds ; 
 Time was the caufe, not will ; the mindes free ac~l 
 In treafon flill is Iudgd as th' outward fact. 
 If his deferts haue had a wealthy fhare, 
 In fauing of our land from ciuill furies : 
 Manlius had fo that faft the Capitoll ; 
 Yet for his after traiterous factions, 
 They threw him head-long from the place he fau'd. 
 My definite fentence then, doth this import : 
 That we mufl quench the wilde-fire with his bloud. 
 In which it was fo traiteroufly inflam'd ; 
 Vnleffe with it, we feeke to incence the land, 
 The King can haue no refuge for his life, 
 If his be quitted : this was it that made 
 Lewis th'eleuenth renounce his countrymen, 
 And call the valiant Scots out of their kingdomc. 
 To vfe their greater vertues, and their faiths, 
 Then his owne fubiecls, in his royall guard e : 
 What then conclude your cenfures % 
 
 O nines. He mufl dye. 
 
 Chan. Draw then his fentence, formally, and fend 
 him ; 
 And fo all treafons in his death attend him. Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Byron, Efpernon, Soiffon, Janm, Vidamc, 
 
 Defcures. 
 
 Vit. I ioy you had fo good a day my Lord. 
 
 Byr. I won it from them all : the Chancellor 
 I anfwerd to his vttermoft improuements : 
 I mou'd my other Iudges to lament 
 My infolent misfortunes ; and to lothe 
 The pockie foule, and ftate-bawde, my accufer, 
 I made replie to all that could be faid, 
 So eloquently, and with fuch a charme, 
 Of graue enforcements, that me thought 1 fat. 
 
 U
 
 306 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 Like Orpheus calling reignes on fauage beads ; 
 
 At the armes end (as twere) I tooke my barre 
 
 And fet it farre aboue the high tribunall, 
 
 Where like a Cedar on Mount Lebanon, 
 
 I grew, and made my iudges fhow like Box-trees ; 
 
 And Boxtrees right, their withes would haue made 
 
 them, 
 Whence boxes fhould haue growne, till they had 
 
 flrooke 
 My head into the budget : but ahlas, 
 I held their bloudy armes, with fuch ftrong reafons ; 
 And (by your leaue) with fuch a iyrck of wit : 
 That I fetcht bloud vpon the Chancelors cheekes, 
 Me thinkes I fee his countinance as he fat ; 
 And the moft lawierly deliuery Enter Soiffon, Efp: 
 Of his fet fpeeches : mall I play his part 1 
 
 Efp : For heauens fake, good my Lord. 
 
 Byr. I will ifaith, 
 Behold a wicked man : A man debaucht, 
 A man, contefling with his King : A man : 
 On whom (my Lord) we are not to conniue, 
 Though we may condole : A man 
 That Lafa Maieflate fought a leafe, 
 Of Plus quamjatis. A man that vi et arm is 
 Affaild the King ; and would per fas et nefas, 
 Afpire the kingdome : here was lawiers learning. 
 
 Efp : He faid not this my Lord, that I haue 
 heard. 
 
 Byr. This or the like, I fweare. I pen no fpeeches. 
 
 Soi/f. Then there is good hope of your wifht 
 acquitall. 
 
 Byr. Acquitall 1 they haue reafon ; were I dead 
 I know they can not all fupply my place ; 
 Ifl poflible the King fhould be fo vaine, 
 To thinke he can fhake me with feare of death 1 
 Or make me apprehend that he intends it 1 
 Thinkes he to make his firmeft men, his clowds ?
 
 By vans Tragedie. 307 
 
 The clowdes (obferuing their yEriall natures) 
 
 Are borne aloft, and then to moifture hang'd, 
 
 Fall to the earth ; where being made thick, and cold, 
 
 They loofe both al their heate, and leuitie ; 
 
 Yet then againe recouering heate and lightneffe, 
 
 Againe they are aduanc't : and by the Sunne 
 
 Made frefh and glorious ; and fince clowdes arc rapt 
 
 With thefe vncertainties : now vp, now downe, 
 
 Am I to flit fo with his fmile, or frowne ? 
 
 Efp. I wiih your comforts, and incouragments, 
 May fpring out of your faftie ; but I heare 
 The King hath reafond fo againfl your life, 
 And made your moil friends yeeld fo to his reafons, 
 That your eftate is fearefull. 
 
 Byr. Yeeld t'his reafons 1 
 O how friends reafons, and their freedomes ftretch, 
 When powre fets his wide tenters to their fides ! 
 How like a cure, by mere opinion, 
 It workes vpon our bloud 1 like th'antient Gods 
 Are Moderne Kings, that liu'd pad bounds themfelues, 
 Yet fet a meafure downe to wretched men : 
 By many Sophifmes, they made good, deceipt ; 
 And, fince they pad in powre, furpafl, in right : 
 When Kings wills paffe ; the ftarres winck, and the 
 
 Sunne, 
 Suffers eclips : rude thunder yeelds to them 
 His horrid wings : fits fmoothe as glaffe engazd, 
 And lightning flicks twixt heauen and earth amazd : 
 Mens faiths are fhaken : and the pit of truth 
 O'reflowes with darkeneffe, in which I uflice fits, 
 And keepes her vengeance tied to make it fierce ; 
 And when it comes, th'encreafed horrors fliowe, 
 Heauen s plague is fure, though full of ftate, and flowe. 
 Sift. O my deare Lord and brother, Within. 
 
 the Duke. 
 
 Byr. What founds are thefe my Lord ? hark, hark, 
 m ethinks 
 
 1 heare the cries of people.
 
 3oS Byrons T? age die. 
 
 Efp. Tis for one, 
 Wounded in fight here at Saint Anthonies Gate : 
 
 Byr. Sfoote, one cried the Duke : I pray harken, 
 Againe, or burft your felues with filence, no : 
 What contriman's the common headfman here 1 
 
 Soiff. He's a Bourgonian. 
 
 Byr. The great deuill he is, 
 The bitter wizard told me, a Burgonian, 
 Should be my headfman ; ftrange concurrences : 
 S'death whofe here 1 Enter 4 VJhers bare Chanc : Har 
 
 then I am but dead, Pot : Fleur : Vit : Pralin, with 
 
 others. 
 Now, now ye come all to pronounce my fentence. 
 
 1 am condemn'd vniuftly : tell my kinsfolkes, 
 I die an innocent : 
 
 If any friend pittie the ruine of the States fuftainer 
 Proclaime my innocence ; ah Lord Chancelor, 
 Is there no pardon 1 will there come no mercie 1 
 I, put your hat on, aud let me Hand bare, 
 Showe yourfelfe a right Lawier. 
 
 Chan. I am bare, 
 What would you haue me do ? 
 
 Byr. You haue not done, 
 Like a good Iuftice ; and one that knew 
 He fat vpon the precious bloud of vertue ; 
 Y'aue pleafd the cruell King, and haue not borne, 
 As great regard to faue as to condemne ; 
 You haue condemn'd me, my Lord Chancelor, 
 But God acquites me ; he will open lay 
 All your clofe treafons againft him, to collour 
 Treafons layd to his trueft images ; 
 And you my Lord fhall anfwere this iniuftice, 
 Before his iudgement feat : to which I fummon 
 In one yeare and a daie your hot apparenfe ; 
 I goe before, by mens corrupted domes ; 
 But they that cauf d my death, (hall after come 
 By the immaculate iuftice of the higheft. 
 
 Chan. Well, good my Lord, commend your foule 
 to him,
 
 Byrons Tragcdie. 309 
 
 And to his mercie, thinke of that, I pray. 
 
 Byr. Sir, I haue thought of it, and euery howre, 
 Since my affliction, afkt on naked knees 
 Patience to beare your vnbeleeu'd Iniuftice : 
 But you, nor none of you haue thought ol him, 
 uj my euicTion : y'are come to your benches, 
 \\ith plotted iudgements ; your linckt eares fo lowd, 
 Sing with preiudicate windes, that nought is heard, 
 Of all, pore prifoners vrge gainft your award. 
 
 Har. Paffion, my Lord, tranfports your bitternes, 
 Beyond all collour ; and your propper iudgement : 
 No man hath knowne your merits more then I ; 
 And would to God your great mifdeeds had beene, 
 As much vndone, as they haue beene concealde ; 
 The cries of them for iuftice (in delert) 
 Haue beene fo lowd and pierfing ; that they deafned 
 The eares of mercie ; and haue labord more, 
 Your Iudges to compreffe then to enforce them. 
 
 Pot. We bring you here your fentence, will you 
 reade it. 
 
 Byr. For heauens fake, fhame to vfe me with fuch 
 rigor ; 
 I know what it imports, and will not haue, 
 Mine eare blowne into flames with hearing it ; 
 Haue you beene one of them that haue condemn'd 
 me? 
 
 Flen. My Lord I am your Orator : God comfort 
 you. 
 
 Byr. Good Sir, my father lo"'d you fo entirely, 
 That if you haue beene one, my foule forgiues you ; 
 It is the King (moll childifh that he is 
 That takes what he hath giuen) that iniures me : 
 He gaue grace in the firft draught of my fault, 
 And now reftraines it : grace againe I a Ike ; 
 Let him againe vouchfafe it : fend to him, 
 A pod will foone returne : the Queene of England, 
 Told me that if the wilfull Earle of Effex, 
 Had vfd fubmiffion, and but aikt her mercie, 
 She would haue giuen it. pall refumption ;
 
 3 1 o Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 She (like a gratious Princeffe) did defire 
 To pardon him : euen as fhe praid to God, 
 He would let doune a pardon vnto her ; 
 He yet was guiltie, I am innocent : 
 He ftill refufd grace, I importune it. 
 
 Chan. This afkt in time (my Lord) while he be- 
 fought it, 
 And ere he had made his feuerity knowne, 
 Had (with much ioye to him) I know beene granted. 
 
 Byr. No, no, his bountie, then was mifery, 
 To offer when he knew twould be refufde ; 
 He treads the vulgar pathe of all aduantage, 
 And loues men, for their vices, not for their vertues , 
 My feruice would haue quickn'd gratitude, 
 In his owne death, had he beene truely royall ; 
 It would haue ftirr'd the image of a King, 
 Into perpetual motion ; to haue flood 
 Neare the confpiracie reftraind at Mantes ; 
 And in a danger, that had then the Woolfe, 
 To flie vpon his bofone, had I onely held 
 Intelligence with the confpirators ; 
 Who ftuck at no check but my loyal tie, 
 Nor kept life in their hopes, but in my death ; 
 The feege of Amiens, would haue foftned rocks, 
 Where couer'd all in fhowers of fhot and fire, 
 I feem'd to all mens eyes a fighting flame 
 With bullets cut, in fafhion of a man ; 
 A facrifice to valour (impious King) 
 Which he will needes extinguifh with my bloud ; 
 Let him beware, iuflice will fall from heauen, 
 In the fame forme I ferued in that feege, 
 And by the light of that, he fhall decerne, 
 What good my ill hath brought him ; it will nothing, 
 Affure his State : the fame quench he hath cafi 
 Vpon my life, fhall quite put out his fame; 
 This day he loofeth, what he fhall not finde, 
 By all daies he furuiues ; fo good a feruant, 
 Nor Spaine fo great a foe ; with whom, ahlas, 
 Becaufe I treated am I put to death ?
 
 Byrons Tragedie. 3 1 1 
 
 Tis but a politique glofe : my courage raifd me, 
 For the deare price of hue and thirtie ikarres, 
 And that hath min'd me, I thanke my Starres : 
 Come ile goe where yee will, yee mail not lead me. 
 
 Chan. I feare his frenzie, 
 Neuer faw I man of fuch a fpirit fo amaz'd at death. 
 
 Har. He alters euery minute : what a vapor \ 
 The flrongeft mind is to a ftorme of croffes. Exeunt, 
 
 Manet Efper : Soiffon : lanin : Vidame, Uef cures. 
 
 Efp. Oh of what contraries confifts a man ! 
 Of what impoffible mixtures ? vice and vertue, 
 Corruption, and eternneffe, at one time, 
 And in one fubiect, let together, looffe 1 
 We haue not any ftrength but weakens vs, 
 No greatnes but doth crufh vs into a)Te. 
 Our knowledges, do light vs but to erre, 
 Our Ornaments are Burthens : Our delights 
 Are our tormentors ; fiendes that (raifd in feares) 
 At parting (hake our Roofes about our eares. 
 
 Sot. O vertue, thou art now farre worfe then For- 
 tune : 
 Her gifts flucke by the Duke, when thine are vanifht, 
 Thou brau'ft thy friend in Neede : Neceffity, 
 That vfd to keepe thy welth, contempt, thy loue, 
 Haue both abandond thee in his extreames, 
 Thy powers are fhadowes, and thy comfort, dreames. 
 
 Vid. O reall goodneffe if thou be a power ! 
 And not a word alone, in humaine vfes, 
 Appere out of this angry conflagration, 
 Where this great Captain e (thy late Temple) burns, 
 And turne his vicious fury to thy flame, 
 From all earths hopes mere guilded with thy fame : 
 Let pietie enter with her willing croffe, 
 And take him on it ; ope his brefl and amies, 
 To all the Storms, Neceffity can breath, 
 And burfl them all with his embraced death. 
 
 Ian. Yet are the ciuille tumults of his fpirits,
 
 312 Byrous Tragedie. 
 
 Hot and outragioufe : not refolued, Ahlas, 
 (Being but one man) render the kingdomes dome ; 
 He doubts, flormes, threatens, rues, complains, im 
 
 plores, 
 Griefe hath brought all his forces to his lookes, 
 And nought is left to ftrengthen him within, 
 Nor lafts one habite of thofe greeu'd afpecls : 
 Blood expells paleneffe, palenes Blood doth chace, 
 And forrow errs through all forms in his face. 
 
 Def. So furioufe is he, that the Politique law, 
 Is much to feeke, how to enacl her fentence : 
 Authority backt with arms, (though he vnarmd) 
 Abhorrs his furie, and with doubtfull eyes, 
 Views on what ground it mould fuftaine his ruines, 
 And as a Sauadge Bore that (hunted longe, 
 Affayld and fet vp) with his onely eyes, 
 Swimming in fire keepes off the baying hounds, 
 Though funcke himfelfe, yet houlds his anger vp, 
 And fnowes it forth in foame ; houlds firme his ftand, 
 Of Battaloufe Brijlles : feedes his hate to die, 
 And whets his tuskes with wrathfull maiefty. 
 So fares the furious Duke, and with his lookes, 
 Doth teach death horrors ; makes the hangman learne 
 New habites for his bloody impudence ; 
 Which now habituall horror from him driues, 
 Who for his life fhunnes death, by which he Hues. 
 
 Enter Chauncellor, Harlay, Potier, Fleury, Vitry. 
 
 Vit. Will not your Lordfhippe haue the Duke dif- 
 tinguifht 
 From other prifoners 1 where the order is, 
 To giue vp men condemd into the hands 
 Of th'executioner ; he would be the death, 
 Of him that he fhould die by, ere he fufferd, 
 Such an abieclion. 
 
 C/ia. But to bind his hands, 
 I hold it parting needefull. 
 
 Har. Tis my Lord,
 
 Byron s TragecLte. 313 
 
 And very dangerous to bring him loofe. 
 
 Bra : You will in all difpaire and fury plunge him, 
 If you but offer it. 
 
 Pot. My Lord by this, 
 The prifoners Spirit is fome-thing pacified, 
 And tis a feare that th' offer of thofe bands. 
 Would breed frefh furies in him, and dillurbe, 
 The entry of his foule into her peace. 
 
 Cha. I would not that, for any poffible danger, 
 That can he wrought, by his vnarmed hands, 
 And therefore in his owne forme bring him in. 
 
 Enter Byron, a BiJJwp or two ; with all the guards, 
 fouldiers with mu/kets. 
 
 Byr. Where fhall this weight fall? on what re- 
 gion, 
 Muff this declining prominent poure his lode 1 
 He breake my bloods high billows gainff my ffarrs, 
 Before this hill be fhooke into a flat, 
 All France fhall feele an earthquake ; with what 
 
 murmur, 
 This world fhrinkes into Chaos ? 
 
 Arch. Good my Lord, 
 Forgoe it willingly ; and now refigne, 
 Your fenfuall powers entirely to your foule. 
 
 Byr. Horror of death, let me alone in peace, 
 And leaue my foule to me, whome it concernes ; 
 You haue no charge of it ; I feele her free, 
 How fhe dothrowze, and like a Faulcon ffretch 
 Her filuer wings ; as threatening death, with death ; 
 At whom I ioyfully will call her off : 
 I know this bodie but a fmck of folly, 
 The ground-work, and raif'd frame of woe and frailtie : 
 The bond and bundle of corruption ; 
 A quick corfe, onely fenfible of griefe, 
 A walking fepulcher, or houfehold thiefe : 
 A glaffe of ayre, broken with lefle then breath, 
 A Ilaue bound fare to fare, to death, till death :
 
 314 By rons Tragedie. 
 
 And what fayd all you more ? I know, befides 
 
 That life is but a darke and flormy night, 
 
 Of fenceleffe dreames, terrors, and broken fleepes ; 
 
 A Tyranie, deuifmg paines to plague 
 
 And make man long in dying, racks his death ; 
 
 And death is nothing, what can you fay more 1 
 
 I bring a long Globe, and a little earth, 
 
 Am feated like earth betwixt both the heauens : 
 
 That if I rife j to heauen I rife ; if fall 
 
 I likewife fall to heauen ; what ftronger faith, 
 
 Hath any of your foules 1 what fay you more ?■ 
 
 Why lofe I time in thefe things 1 talke of knowledge, 
 
 It femes for inward vfe. I will not die 
 
 Like to a Clergie man ; but like the Captaine, 
 
 That prayd on horfe-back and with fword in hand, 
 
 Threatend the Sunne, commanding it to (land ; 
 
 Thefe are but ropes of fand. 
 
 Chan. Defire you then 
 To fpeake with any man 1 
 
 By?\ I would fpeake with La Force and Saint 
 
 Blancart. 
 Do they flie me 1 
 Where is Pretw/t, controwler of my houfe 1 
 
 Pra. Gone to his houfe ith countrie three daies 
 
 fince. 
 Byr. He fhould haue flayd here, he keepes all my 
 
 blancks ; 
 Oh all the world forfakes me ! wretched world, 
 Confiding moft of parts, that flie each other : 
 A firmneffe, breeding all inconftancy, 
 A bond of all difiunclion ; like a man 
 Long buried, is a man that long hath liu'd ; 
 Touch him, he falls to afhes ; for one fault, 
 I forfeit all the fafhion of a man ; 
 Why fhould I keepe my foule in this dark light ? 
 Whofe black beames lighted me to loofe my felfe. 
 When I haue loft my armes, my fame, my winde, 
 Friends, brother, hopes, fortunes, and euen my furie 1 
 O happie were the man, could Hue alone,
 
 Byron is Tragedie. 3 1 5 
 
 To know no man, nor be of any knowne ! 
 
 liar. My Lord, it is the manner once againe 
 To read the fentence. 
 
 Byr, Yet more fentences 1 
 How often will you make me fuffer death 1 
 As yee were proud to heare your powrefull domes 1 
 I know and feele you were the men that gaue it, 
 And die moft cruellie to heare lo often 
 My crimes and bitter condemnation vrg'd : 
 Suffice it, I am brought here ; and obey, 
 And that all here are priuie to the crimes. 
 
 Chan. It mufl be read my Lord, no remedie. 
 
 Byr. Reade, if it mufl be, then, and I mufl. talke. 
 
 Harl. The proceffe being extraordinarily made and 
 examin'd by the Court, and chambers afiembled 
 
 Byr. Condemn'd for depofitions of a witch % 
 The common depofition, and her whoore 
 To all whorifh periuries and treacheries. 
 Sure he cal'd vp the diuill in my fpirits, 
 And made him to vfurpe my faculties : 
 Shall I be caft away now he's call out 1 
 What Iuftice is in this 1 deare countrey-men, 
 Take this true euidence, betwixt heauen and you, 
 And quit me in your hearts. 
 
 C/ia. Goe on. 
 
 Har. A gain ft C 'harks Gontalt of Byron : knight 
 of both the orders ; Duke of Byron, peere and marfhall 
 of France ; Gouernor of Burgundy, accuf 'd of treafon 
 in a fentence was giuen the 22. of this month, con- 
 demning the faid Duke of Byron of high treafon, for 
 his direct confpiracies againft the kings perfon ; en- 
 terprises again ft his ftate 
 
 Byr. That is moft falfe : let me for euer be, 
 Depriued of heauen, as I fhall be of earth, 
 If it be true : knowe worthy country-men, 
 Thefe two and twenty moneths I haue bene clere, 
 Of all attempts againft the king and ftate. 
 
 Har. Treaties and trecheries with his Enemies ; 
 being marfhall of the Kings army, for reparation of
 
 3 1 6 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 which crimes they depriued him of all his eflates, 
 honors, and dignities, and condemned him to lofe his 
 head vpon a Scaffold at the Greaue. 
 
 Byr. The Greaue 1 had that place flood for my 
 difpatch. 
 I had not yeelded ; all your forces fhould not, 
 Stire me one foote, wild horfes fhould haue drawne, 
 My body peece-meale, ere you all had brought me. 
 
 Har. Declaring all his goods moueable and im- 
 moueable, whatfoeuer to be confifcate to the King : the 
 Signeury of Byron to loofe the title of Duchy and 
 Peere for euer. 
 
 Byr. Now is your forme contented 1 
 
 Chan. I my Lord, 
 And I muft now entreat you to deliuer, 
 Your order vp, the king demands it of you. 
 
 Byr. And I reftore it. with my vow of fafty, 
 in that world, where both he and I are one, 
 I neuer brake the oath I tooke to take it. 
 
 Cha. Wei now my Lord wee'l take our lateft 
 leaues, 
 Befeeching heauen to take as clere from you, 
 All fence of torment in your willing death : 
 All loue and thought of what you muft leaue here, 
 As when you fhall afpire heauens higheft fphere. 
 
 Byr. Thankes to your Lordfhip and let me pray 
 to, 
 That you will hold good cenfure of my life, 
 By the cleere witneffe of my foule in death, 
 That 1 haue neuer pafl act gainfl the King, 
 Which if my faith had let me vndertake, 
 They had bene three yeares fince, amongft the dead. 
 
 Har. Your foule fhall finde his fafety in her owne, 
 Call the executioner. 
 
 Byr : Good fir I pray, 
 Go after and befeech the Chancellor 
 That he will let my body be interrd, 
 Amongft my predeceffors at Byron. 
 
 Defc. I go my Lord. Exit.
 
 Byrons Tragedie, 3 1 7 
 
 Byr. Go, go 1 can all go thus 1 
 And no man come with comfort 1 farewell world : 
 He is at no end of his actions bleft, 
 Whofe ends will make him greateft, and not bed ; 
 They tread no ground, but ride in ayre on ftormes ; 
 That follow ftate, and hunt their empty formes ; 
 Who fee not that the Valleys of the world, 
 Make euen right with Mountains, that they grow 
 Greene, and lye warmer ; and euer peacefull are, 
 When Clowdes fpit fire at Hilles, and burne them 
 
 bare 
 Not Valleys part, but we fhould imitate Streames, 
 That run below the Valleys, and do yeeld 
 To euery Mole-hill ; euery Banke imbrace 
 That checks their Currants; and when Torrents come, 
 That fwell and raife them pafl their naturall height, 
 How madde they are, and trubl'd 1 like low ftraines 
 With Torrents crownd, are men with Diademes ; 
 
 Vit : My Lord tis late ; wilt pleale you to go vp 1 
 
 Byr : Vp 1 tis a faire preferment, ha ha ha, 
 There fhould go fhowtes to vp-fhots ; not a breath 
 Of any mercy, yet 1 come, fince we muft ; 
 Whofe this? 
 
 Pral : The executioner, my Lord ; 
 
 Byr : Death flaue, downe, or by the blood that 
 moues me 
 He plucke thy throat out ; goe, He call you ftraight, 
 Hold boy ; and this, 
 
 Hang : Soft boy, ile barre you that 
 
 Byr : Take this then, yet I pray thee, that againe 
 I do not ioy in fight of fuch a Pageant 
 As prefents death ; Though this life haue a curfe ; 
 Tis better then another that is worfe. 
 
 Arch : My Lord, now you are blinde to this worlds 
 fight, 
 Looke vpward to a world of endles light. 
 
 Byr : I, I, you talke of vpward ftill to others, 
 And downwards looke, with headlong eyes your felues. 
 Now come you vp fir ; but not touch me yet ;
 
 3 1 8 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 Where fhall I be now ? 
 
 Hang : Heere my Lord ; 
 
 Byr: Wheres that? 
 
 Hang : There, there, my Lord ; 
 
 Byr : And where, flaue, is that there ? 
 Thou feeft I fee not ? yet I fpeake as I faw ; 
 Well, now ifl fit ? 
 
 Hang : Kneele, I befeech your Grace, 
 That I may do mine office with moft order ; 
 
 Byr. Do it, and if at one blow thou art fhort, 
 Giue one and thirty, He indure them all. 
 Hold ; flay a little ; comes there yet no mercy? 
 High Heaucn curfe thefe exemplarie proceedings, 
 When Iuflice fades, they facrifize our example ; 
 
 Hang. Let me befeech you, I may cut your haire ; 
 
 Byr : Out vgly Image of my cruell Iuflice ; 
 Yet wilt thou be before me, flay my will, 
 Or by the will of Heauen He flrangle thee ; 
 
 Vit : My Lord you make to much of this your 
 body, 
 Which is no more your owne : 
 
 Byr : Nor is it yours ; 
 He take my death, with all the horride rites 
 And reprefentments, of the dread it merits ; 
 Let tame Nobilitie, and nummed fooles 
 That apprehend not what they vndergo, 
 Be fuch exemplarie, and formall fheepe ; 
 I will not haue him touch me, till I will ; 
 If you will needs racke me beyond my reafon, 
 Hell take me, but He flrangle halfe thats here, 
 And force the reft to kill me. He leape downe 
 If but once more they tempt me to difpaire ; 
 You wifh my quiet, yet giue caufe of fury : 
 Thinke you to fet rude windes vpon the Sea, 
 Yet keepe it calme ? or cafl me in a fleepe, 
 With fhaking of my chaines about mine eares ? 
 O honeft Soldiers, you haue feene me free, 
 From any care, of many thoufand deathes ! 
 Yet, of this one, the manner doth amaze me.
 
 Jyyrons Tr age die. 319 
 
 View, view, this wounded bofome, how much bound 
 Should that man make me, that would fhook- it 
 
 through ; 
 Is it not pitty I fhould lofe my life, 
 By fuch a bloody and infamous llroake ? 
 
 Soldi: Now by thy fpirit, and thy better Angell, 
 If thou wert cleere, the Continent of France, 
 Would fhrinke beneaih the burthen of thy death, 
 Ere it would beare it ; 
 
 Vit : Whofe that 1 
 
 Soldi : I fay well : 
 And cleere your Iuflice, here is no ground fhrinks, 
 If he were cleere it would : And I fay more, 
 Clere, or not cleere, If he with all his fouleneffe, 
 Stood here in one Scale, and the Kings chiefe Minion, 
 Stood in another, here : Put here a pardon, 
 Here lay a royall gift, this, this, in merit, 
 Should hoyfe the other Mynion into ayre : 
 
 Vit : Hence with that franticke : 
 
 Byr : This is fome poore witnes 
 That my defert, might haue out-weighed my forfeyt : 
 But danger, hauntes defert, when he is greatefl ; 
 His hearty ills, are prou'd out of his glaunces, 
 And Kings fufpicions, needes no Ballances ; 
 So heer's a mofl decreetall end of me : 
 Which I defire, in me, may end my wrongs ; 
 Commend my loue, I charge you, to my brothers, 
 And by my loue, and mifery command them, 
 To keepe their faiths that bind them to the King, 
 And proue no flomakers of my miffortunes ; 
 Nor come to Court, till time hath eaten out, 
 The blots, and fkarres of my opprobrious death ; 
 Aud tell the Earle, my deare friend of D 'Auj'crg/ic, 
 That my death vtterly were free from griefe, 
 But for the fad loffe of his worthy friendfhip; 
 And if I had beene made for longer life, 
 I would haue more deferu'd him in my feruice, 
 Befeeching him to know I haue not vfde 
 One word in my arraignement ; that might touch him.
 
 320 Byrons Tragedie. 
 
 Had I no other want then fo ill meaning : 
 
 And fo farewell for euer : neuer more 
 
 Shall any hope of my reuiuall fee me ; 
 
 Such is the endleffe exile of dead men. 
 
 Summer fucceeds the fpring ; Autumne the Summer 
 
 The Frofts of Winter, the falne leaues of Autumne : 
 
 All thefe, and all fruites in them yearely fade, 
 
 And euery yeare returne : but curfed man, 
 
 Shall neuer more renew, his vanifht face ; 
 
 Fall on your knees, then Statifts ere yee fall, 
 
 That you may rife againe : knees bent too late, 
 
 Stick you in earth like ftatues : fee in me 
 
 How you are powr'd downe from your cleereft 
 
 heauens ; 
 Fall lower yet : mixt with th'vnmoued center, 
 That your own fhadowes may no longer mocke yee. 
 Strike, ftrike, O ftrike ; 
 Flie, fiie commanding foule, 
 And on thy wings for this thy bodies breath, 
 Beare the eternall victory of death. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 MAY- DAY. 
 
 A witty Comedie, 
 diuers times a£ted at the 
 
 Blacke Fryers, 
 Written by George Chapman. 
 
 Delia mia morte eterna vita io vivo. 
 
 Semper eadem. 
 
 LONDON. 
 
 Printed for Iohn Browne, dwelling in Fleetftreetc 
 in Saint Dunflones Church-yard. 
 
 161 1. 
 
 x
 
 (Q.iO^.Q u.^O^D Q.vVy-P Li x/:..U 
 
 t p:<^o,,0:<>;D,p">:o,o: / >:o.; 
 
 MAY-DAY. 
 
 AElus prima, Scczna prima. 
 
 Chorus Iuuenum cantantes &: faltantes. 
 
 Exeunt fait an. 
 
 Interim, Intrat Lorenzo, Papers in his hand. 
 
 Lor. WW WW ^WW Ell done my lufly bloods, Well 
 
 done, rit, fit obferuance 
 
 for this May-morning; Not 
 
 the May-Moneth alone, 
 
 they take when it comes ; 
 
 Nor the firft weeke of that 
 
 Moneth ; Nor the firft day; 
 
 but the firft minute of the 
 
 firft houre, of the firft day. Loofe no time bloods, 
 
 loofe no time ; though the Sunne goe to bedde neuer 
 
 fo much before you, yet be you vp before him ; call 
 
 w
 
 324 May -Day, 
 
 the golden fluggard from the filuer armes of his Lady, 
 to light you into yours, when your old father Ianuary 
 here in one of his laft dayes, thrufts his fore-head into 
 the depth of Mayes fragrant bofome : What may you 
 Aprilles performe then ? O what may you doe % Well 
 yet will I fay thus much for my felfe, wherefoeuer the 
 affe6lions of youth are, there muft needs be the inftru- 
 ments, and where the inftruments are, there muft of 
 neceffity be the faculties ; What am I ihort of them 
 then ? A found old man, ably conftituted, holfomly 
 dyeted, that tooke his May temperately at their ages, 
 and continued his owne ; why mould he not continue 
 their ages in his owne 1 By the Maffe I feele nothing 
 that ftands againft it, and therefore fweet May I falute 
 thee with the yongeft : I haue loue to employ thee in, 
 as well as the prowdeft yong princock, and fo haue 
 at you Miftris Frances C/iina : haue at you Miftris 
 Franke : I'le fprede my nets for you yfaith, though 
 they be my very purfe nets, wherein what heart will 
 not willingly lye panting ? [Enter Angela.) 
 
 Ang. How now ? Gods my life, I wonder what 
 made this May-morning fo cold, and now I fee 'tis this 
 January that intrudes into it ; what paper is that he 
 holds in hand trow we 1 
 
 Lor. Here haue I put her face in rime, but I feare 
 my old vaine will not ftretch to her contentment. O 
 haire, no haire but beames ftolne from the Sunne. 
 
 Ang. Out vpon her, if it be fhee that I thinke, fhee 
 has a Fox red cranion ; 
 
 Lor. A fore-head that difdaines the name of faire. 
 
 Ang. And reafon, for 'tis a fowle one. 
 
 Lor. A matchleffe eye. 
 
 Ang. True, her eyes be not matches. 
 
 Lor. A checke, vermillion red. 
 
 Ang. Painted I warrant you. 
 
 Lor. A farre commanding mouth. 
 
 Ang. It ftretches to her eares in deede. 
 
 Lor. A nofe made out of waxe. 
 
 A ng. A red nofe, in fmcerity.
 
 May -Day. 325 
 
 Lor. This could I fend, but perfon, perfon does it : 
 A good prefence, to beare out a good wit ; a good 
 face, a prety Court legge, and a deft dapper perfonage, 
 no fuperfluous dimenfions, but fluent in competence ; 
 for it is not Heftor but Paris, not the full armefull, but 
 the fweet handfull that Ladies delight in. 
 
 Ant?. O notable old whyniard. 
 
 Lor. Such a fize of humanity now, and braine 
 enough in it, it is not in the ftrength of a woman to 
 withftand ; well fhee may hold out a parlee or two. for 
 'tis a weake fort that obeyes at the firft orfecond fum- 
 mons, if fhee refill the third (hee is difcharg'd, though 
 fhee yeeld in future : for then it appeares it was no 
 fault of hers : but the man that would take no deniall. 
 What refts now 1 meanes for accefle : True. O an 
 honefl Baude were worth gold now. 
 
 Ang. A plague vpon him, I had thought to haue 
 appear'd to him, but now if I doe, he will take me for 
 the man he talks on : I will therefore poft by his dull 
 eye-fight, as in haft in bufineffe. 
 
 Lor. What Signior Angelo 1 foft I command you. 
 
 A fig. Gods precious, what meane you Sir I 
 
 Lor. I would be loth to be out-runne I affure you 
 Sir : was I able to flay you 1 
 
 At;o. Your ability flood too fliffe Sir, befhrow me 
 elfe. 
 
 Lor. O moft offenceleffe fault, I would thou 
 would'ft blaze my imperfection to one thou know' ft, 
 yfaith. 
 
 Ang. Well Sir another time, tell me where fliee is, 
 and He doe fo much for vou gratis. Good morrow 
 Sir. 
 
 Lor. Nay flay good Angelo. 
 
 Aug. My bufineffe fayes nay Sir, you haue made 
 me flay to my paine Sir, I thanke you. 
 
 Lor. Not a whit man I warrant thee. 
 
 Ang. Goe to then, briefly, to whom fhall I com- 
 mend your imperftclions, will you tell me if I name 
 her ?
 
 326 May -Day. 
 
 Lor. That I will, yfaith Boy. 
 
 Ang. Is not her haire, no haire, but beames flolne 
 from the Sunne 1 
 
 Lor. Blacke, blacke as an Ouzell. 
 
 Ang. A fore-head that difdaines the name of faire. 
 
 Lor. Away Witch, away : 
 
 Ang. A matchleffe eye. 
 
 Lor. Nay fie, fie, fie. I fee th'art a very Deuill 
 Angelo. And in earneft, I iefted, when I faid my 
 defire of thy friendfhip touch'd my felfe, for it con- 
 cernes a friend of mine iuft of my {landing. 
 
 Ang. To whom then would he be remembred that 
 I can follicite 1 
 
 Lor. To fweet Miftris Franciftina : with whom I 
 heare thou art ready to lye downe, thou art fo great 
 with her. 
 
 Ang. I am as great as a neare Kinfeman may be 
 with her Sir, not otherwife : 
 
 Lor. A good confanguinity : and good Angelo, to 
 ner wilt thou deliver from my friend, in all fecrecy, 
 thefe poore brace of bracelets 1 
 
 Ang. Perhaps I will Sir, when I know what the 
 Gentleman and his intent is. 
 
 Lor. Neuer examine that man ; I would not trou- 
 ble you with carrying too much at once to her, only 
 tell her, fuch a man will refolue her, naming me : and 
 I doe not greatly care, if I take the paines to come to 
 her, fo I flay not long, and be let in priuily : and fo 
 without making many wordes : here they be, put them 
 vp clofely I befeech thee, and deliuer them as clofely. 
 
 Ang. Well Sir, I loue no contention with friends, 
 and therefore pocket many things, that otherwife I 
 would not : but T pray Sir licence me a queftion. Doe 
 not I know this Gentleman that offers my Cozen this 
 kindneffe % 
 
 Lor. Neuer faw'ft him in thy life, at leaft neuer 
 knew'ft him ; but for his bounty fake to all his well 
 willers, if this meffage be friendly difcharged, I may
 
 May-Day. 327 
 
 chance put a deare friend of him into your bofome : 
 Sir, and make you profitably acquainted. 
 
 Ang. But I pray you Sir, is he not a well elderly 
 Gentleman ? 
 
 Lor. Wide, wide ; as yong as day, I protefl to 
 thee. 
 
 Ang. I know he is yong too, but that is in ability 
 of body, but is he not a prety little fquat Gentleman, 
 as you mail fee amongft a thoufand ? 
 
 Lor. Still from the cufhion, ftill, tall and high, like 
 a Cedar. 
 
 Aug. I know he is tall alfo, but it is in his minde 
 Sir, and it is not Bcclor but Paris, not thy full arme- 
 full, but the fweet handfull that a Lady delights to 
 dandle. 
 
 Lor. Now the good Deuill take thee, if there be any 
 fuch in hell, hell I befeech thee. 
 
 Ang. Well, well Signior Lorenzo, yfaith the litle 
 Squire is thought to be as parleffe a peece of flefh, for 
 a peece of flefh, as any hunts the hole pale of Venus I 
 protefl t'ee. 
 
 Lor. I cannot containe my felfe, yfaith Boy, if the 
 Wenches come in my walke, I giue 'em that they come 
 for, I dally not with 'hem. 
 
 Ang. I know you doe not Sir, his dallying dayes 
 be done. 
 
 L,or. It is my infirmity, and I cannot doe withall, 
 to die for't. 
 
 Ang. 1 beleeue you Sir. 
 
 Lor. There are certaine enuious old fellowes, my 
 neighbours, that fay, I am one vnwieldy and fliffe : 
 Angelo, didfl euer heare any wench complaine of my 
 ftiffeneffe 1 
 
 Ang. Neuer in my life : your old neighbours mea- 
 fure you by themfelues. 
 
 Lor. Why ther's the matter then ? 
 
 Ang. But yfaith Sir : doe you euer hope to winne 
 your purpofe at my lofing hands, knowing her (as all
 
 328 May- Day. 
 
 the world does) a woman of that approued lowlyneffe 
 of life, and fo generally tryed % 
 
 Lor. As for that take thou no care, fhee's a woman, 
 is fhee not? 
 
 Ang. Sure I doe take her to haue the flefh and 
 blood of a woman. 
 
 Lor. Then good enough, or then bad enough, this 
 token fhall be my Gentleman Vfher to prepare my 
 acceffe, and then let me alone with her. 
 
 Ang. I marry Sir, I thinke you would be alone 
 with her ; Well Sir, I will doe my beft, but if your 
 Gentleman Vfher mould not get entrance for you now, 
 it would be a griefe to me. {Enter Gasparo an old 
 Clowned) 
 
 Lor. Feare it not man : Gifts and gold, take the 
 ftrong'ft hold ; Away, here comes a fnudge that muft 
 be my fonne in law : I would be loth he fhould fufpect 
 thefe tricks of youth in me, for feare he feare my 
 daughter will trot after me. 
 
 Ang. Fare you well Sir. Exit. 
 
 Gafp. Godge you God morrow Sir, godge you God 
 morrow. 
 
 Lor. God morrow neighbour Gasparo : I haue 
 talk't with my daughter, whom I doe yet finde a greene 
 yong plant, and therefore vnapt to beare fuch ripe 
 fruit, I thinke I might haue faid rotten, as your felfe : 
 But fhee is at my difpofition, and fhall be at yours in 
 the end, here's my hand, and with my hand take 
 hers. 
 
 Gafp. Nay by my faith Sir, you muft giue me leaue 
 to fhake her portion by the hand firft. 
 
 Lor. It is ready told for you Sir, come home when 
 you will and receiue it, {Enter ^Emilia.) and fee, yonder 
 fhee comes ; away, fhee cannot yet abide you, becaufe 
 fhee feares fhee can abide you too well. 
 
 Gafp. Well, I will come for her potion Sir, and till 
 then, God take you to his mercy. Exit. 
 
 Lor. Adiew my good fonne in law, He not inter- 
 rupt her, let her meditate a my late motion. Exit.
 
 May -Day. 329 
 
 Aimi. 'Tis ftrange to fee the impiety of parents, 
 Both priuiledgd by cuftome, and profefl, 
 The holy inftitution of heauen ; 
 Ordeyning marriage for proportiond minds, 
 For our chiefe humane comforts ; and t'encreafe 
 The loued images of God in men : 
 Is now peruerted to th'increafe of wealth ; 
 We mu ft, bring riches forth, and like the Cuckoe 
 Hatch others egges ; Ioyne houfe to houfe, in choices 
 Fit timber-logs and ftones, not men and women : (En- 
 ter Aurelio.) 
 Ay me, here's one I muft fliunne, woude embrace. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Aur. O (lay and heare me fpeake or fee me dye. 
 (Enter Lodouico and Giacono.) 
 
 Lod. How now ? what haue we here? what a loath- 
 fome creature man is being drunke : Is it not pitty to 
 fee a man of good hope, a toward Scholler, writes a 
 theame well, fcannes a verfe very well, and likely in 
 time to make a proper man, a good legge, fpecially in 
 a boote, valiant, well fpoken, and in a word, what not 1 ? 
 and yet all this ouerthrowne as you Tee, drownd, quite 
 drownd in a quarte pott. 
 
 Giac. O thefe fame wicked healths, breed e mon- 
 ftrous difeafes. 
 
 Lod. Aure/io, fpeake man, Aurelio ? 
 
 Giac. Pray heauen all be well. 
 
 Lod. O fpeake, if any fparke of fpeech remaine. 
 It is thy deare sEmilia that calles. 
 
 Aur. Well, well, it becomes not a friend to touch 
 the deadly wounds of his friend with a fouling coun- 
 tenance. 
 
 Lod. Touch thee? sblood I could finde in my 
 heart to beate thee ; vp in a fooles name, vp : what a 
 Scene of foppery haue we here ? 
 
 Aur. Prethee haue done. 
 
 Lod. Vp Cuckoe Cupids bird, or by this light He 
 fetch thy father to thee. 
 
 Aur. Good Lodouico, if thou lou'ft me, leaue me ;
 
 330 May-Bay. 
 
 thou com'ft to counfaile me from that, which is ioynd 
 with my foule in eternity : I mufl and will doe what I 
 doe. 
 
 Lod. Doe fo then, and I proteft thou fhalt neuer 
 licke thy lips after my Kinfewoman, while thou liu'fl : 
 I had thought to haue fpoken for thee, if thou hadft 
 taken a manly courfe with her : but to fold vp thy felfe 
 like an Vrchine, and lye a caluing to bring forth a 
 husband : I am afham'd to thinke on't : sblood I haue 
 heard of wenches that haue been wonne with finging 
 and dancing, and fome with riding, but neuer heard 
 of any that was wonne with tumbling in my life. 
 
 Aur. If thou knew'ft how vaine thou feem'fl. 
 
 Lod. I doe it of purpofe, to fhew how vaine I hold 
 thy difeafe, S'hart art thou the firfl that has fhot at a 
 wenches heart and mift it 1 muft that fhot that mift 
 her wound thee 1 let her make her heeles in a fhrowes 
 name : were fhee my Cozen a thoufand times, and if 
 I were as thee, I would make her fhake her heeles too, 
 afore I would fhake mine thus. 
 
 Aur. O vanity, vanity. 
 
 Lod. S'death, if any wench fhould offer to keepe 
 poffeffion of my heart againft my will, I'de fire her out 
 with Sacke and Suger, or fmoke her out with Tobacko, 
 like a hornet, or purge for her, for loue is but a 
 humor : one way or other I would vent her, thats infal- 
 lible. 
 
 Aur. For fhame hold thy tongue, me thinks thy 
 wit fhould feele how ftale are thefe loue ftormes, and 
 with what generall priuiledge louepierfes the worthieft. 
 Seeke to help thy friend, not mocke him. 
 
 Lod. Marry, feeke to helpe thy felfe then, in a hal- 
 ters name, doe not lie in a ditch, and fay God helpe 
 me, vfe the lawfull tooles he hath lent thee. Vp I 
 fay I will bring thee to her. 
 
 Aur. Shee'll not endure me : 
 
 Led. Shee fhall endure thee doe the worft thou 
 canft to her, I and endure thee till thou canft not 
 endure her ; But then thou muft vfe thy felfe like a
 
 May- Day. 331 
 
 man, and a wife man, how, how deepe foeuer fhee is 
 in thy thoughts, carry not the prints of it in thy lookes; 
 be bold and careleffe, and (land not fautring a farre 
 of, as I haue feene you, like a Dogge in a firmetypot, 
 that licks his chops and wags his taile, and faine would 
 lay his lips to it, but he feares tis too hot for him : 
 thats the only way to make her too hot for thee. He 
 that holds religious and facred thought of a woman, he 
 that beares fo reuerend a refpecl to her, that he will not 
 touch her but with a kift hand and a timorous heart ; 
 he that adores her like his Goddeffe : Let him be fure 
 fhee will fhunne him like her flaue. Alas good foules, 
 women of themfelues are tractable and tactable enough, 
 and would returne Quid for Quod ftill, but we are they 
 that fpoile'em, and we fhall anfwere for't another day. 
 We are they that put a kind of wanton Melancholie 
 into'em, that makes'em thinke their nofes bigger then 
 their faces, greater then the Sunne in brightnefie ; and 
 where as Nature made'em but halfe fooles, we make'em 
 all foole. And this is our palpable flattery of them, 
 where they had rather haue plaine dealing. Well, in 
 conclufion, He to her inftantly, and if I doe not bring 
 her to thee, or at the lead fome fpeciall fauour from 
 her, as a feather from her fanne, or a firing from her 
 fhoo, to weare in thy hat, and fo forth, then neuer 
 truft my skill in poultry whilfl thou liu'fl againe. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Enter Quintiliano, Innocent io, Franfif china, A P ,irfe of 
 Angelo, and Fannio. pound in 
 
 gold. 
 
 Fran. ' I "*Hou (halt not to the warres, or if thou 
 do'fl He beare thee company, deare 
 Quint, doe not offer to forfake me. 
 
 Quint Hands off wife, hang not vpon me thus ;
 
 332 May- Day. 
 
 how can I maintaine thee but by vfing my valour] 
 and how can I vfe that, but in action and employment 1 ? 
 goe in, play at cardes with your Cozen Angelo here, 
 and let it fuffife I loue thee. 
 
 Ang. Come fweet Cozen, doe not cloy your hus- 
 band with your loue fo, efpecially to hinder his prefer- 
 ment ; who fhall the Duke haue to employ in thefe 
 Marfhall neceflities if not Captaine Quintihano , he 
 beares an honorable minde, and tis pitty but he fhould 
 haue employment. Let him get a company now, and 
 he will be able to maintaine you like a Duches here- 
 after. 
 
 Innoc. Well faid Signior Angelo, goffaue me you 
 fpeake like a true Cozen indeede, does he not 
 Quint ? 
 
 Quint. He does fo, and I thanke him ; yet fee how 
 the foole puts finger ith'eye ftill. 
 
 Ang. lie cheere her vp, I warrant you Captaine ; 
 come Cuze, lets in to tables. 
 
 Innoc. Farewell fweet Miftris. 
 
 Fran. Farewell my good feruant. 
 
 Ang. Now take away thy hand, and fhow thou 
 didft laugh all this while ; good Lord who would not 
 marry to haue fo kinde a wife make much on him ? 
 
 Exit, 
 
 Quint. After Boy, giue your attendance. 
 
 Fann. Coulde you not fpare me money for mine 
 hofieffe, where you put me to boarde % y'are a whole 
 fortnight in arrerages. 
 
 Quint. Attend I fay, the hoftes of the Lyon has a 
 legge like a Gyant, want for nothing Boy, fo fhee fcore 
 truly. 
 
 Fann. Faith Sir, fhee has chaulk't vp twenty {hil- 
 lings already, and fweares fhee will chaulke no 
 more. 
 
 Quint. Then let her choke, and choke thou with 
 her : S'blood hobby horfe, and fhe had chaulkt vp 
 twenty pounds, I hope the world knowes I am able to 
 pay it with a wet finger.
 
 May-Day. 7,53 
 
 Farm. Alas Sir, I thinke y'are able, but the world 
 does not know it. 
 
 Quint. Then the worlds an ignorant Sir, and you 
 are an innocent, vanifh Boy, away. 
 
 Faun. I hope he will foifl fome money for my 
 fcore, out of this gull here. Exit. 
 
 Innoc. 'Tis a plaguy good wagge Quint, ift 
 not? 
 
 tint. lie make him a good one 'ere I ha done 
 with him ; but this fame louing foole my wife now, 
 will neuer leaue weeping, till I make her beleeue I will 
 not haue a company. Who would be combred with 
 thcfe foft hearted creatures, that are euer in extreames, 
 either too kinde, or too vnkind ? 
 
 Innoc. Saue me, 'tis true, 'tis a hard thing mufl 
 pleafc'em in fadnefle. 
 
 Quint. Damne me, if I doe not pitty her with my 
 heart; plague on her kindneffe, (he has halfe perfwaded 
 me to take no company. 
 
 Innoc. Nay fweet Quint : then how fhall I be a 
 Lieftenant 1 
 
 Quint. Well, and my promife were not pad to thee, 
 I am a villaine if all the world fhould part Franke and 
 me ; thinke I loue thee therefore, and will doe thee 
 credit : It will coft me a great deale a this fame foolifh 
 money to buy me drum and enfigne, and furnifh me 
 throughly, but the beft is I know my credit. 
 
 Innoc. Sfut Quint, wee'll want no money man, He 
 make my row of houfes Hie firft. 
 
 Quint. Let'em walke, let'em walke ; Candle rents : 
 if the warres hold, or a plague come to the towne, 
 theill be worth nothing. 
 
 Innoc. True, or while I am beyond Sea, fome fleepy 
 wench may fet fire ith bed-ftraw. 
 
 Quint. Right, or there may come an earthquake, 
 and ouerturne'em. 
 
 Innoc. lull, or there may be coniuring, and the 
 winde may downe with'em. 
 
 Quint. Or fome crafty petty-fogger ma)' finde a
 
 3 34 May-Day. 
 
 hole in the title, a thoufand cafualties belongs to 
 'em. 
 
 Innoc. Nay, they mail walke, thats certaine, He 
 turne 'em into money. 
 
 Quint. Thats thy mod husbandly courfe yfaith Boy, 
 thou maift haue twenty ith' hundred for thy life, He be 
 thy man for two hundred. 
 
 Innoc. Wil't yfaith Quint ? goffaue me tis done. 
 
 Quint. For your life, not otherwife. 
 
 Innoc. Well, I defire no more, fo you'll remember 
 me for my Lieftenantfhip. 
 
 Quint. Remember thee? tis thine owne already 
 Boy, a hundred pounds mail not buy it from thee ; 
 giue me thy hand, I doe here create thee Lieftenant 
 Innocentio. 
 
 Innoc. If you haue a company Captaine. 
 
 Quint. If I haue : damne me if fuch another word 
 doe not make me put thee out ath' place againe ; if I 
 haue a company, Sfut, let the Duke deny me one, I 
 would twere come to that once, that employment 
 fhould goe with the vndeferuer, while men of feruice 
 fit at home, and feede their hunger with the blood of 
 red lattices. Let the Duke denie me to day, He re- 
 nounce him to morrow. lie to the enimy point blanke, 
 I'me a villaine elfe : 
 
 Innoc. And I by heauen I fweare. 
 
 Quint. Well if that day come, it will proue a hot 
 day with fome body. 
 
 Innoc. But Captaine, did you not fay that you 
 would enter me at an Ordinary, that I might learne to 
 conuerfe 1 
 
 Quint. When thou wilt Lieftenant ; No better time 
 then now, for now th'art in good clothes, which is the 
 moft materiall point for thy entrance there. 
 
 Innoc. I but how mould I behaue my felfe ? 
 
 Quint. Marry Sir, when you come firft in, you fliall 
 fee a crew of Gallants of all forts : 
 
 Innoc. Nay Captaine if I come firft in I fhall fee 
 no body.
 
 May-Day. 335 
 
 Quint. Tufh man. you muft not doe fo, if you haue 
 good clothes and will be noted let am all come in 
 afore you, and then as I faid (hall you fee a lufly crew 
 of Gallants, fome Gentlemen, fome none; but thats 
 all one : he that beares himfelfe like a Gentleman, is 
 worthy to haue beene borne a Gentleman : fome aged 
 haue beards, and fome haue none, fome haue money, 
 and fome haue none, yet all mufl haue meate : Now 
 will all thefe I fay at your firll entrance wonder at you, 
 as at fome ftrange Owle : Examine your perfon, and 
 obferue your bearing for a time. Doe you then ath' 
 tother fide feeme to neglect their obferuance as fafi, 
 let your countenance be proofe againft all eyes, not 
 yeelding or confeffing in it any inward defect. In a 
 word be impudent enough, for thats your chiefe vertue 
 of fociety. 
 
 Innoc. Is that % faith and I neede not learne that, 
 I haue that by nature I thanke God. 
 
 Quint. So much the better, for nature is farre 
 aboue Art, or iudgement. Now for your behauiour ; 
 let it be free and negligent, not clogg'd with ceremony 
 or obferuance, giue no man honour, but vpon equall 
 termes ; for looke how much thou giu'ft any man 
 aboue that, fo much thou tak'fl from thy felfe : he that 
 will once giue the wall, fliall quickly be thruft into the 
 kennell : meafure not thy carriage by any mans eye, 
 thy fpeech by no mans eare, but be refolute and con- 
 fident in doing and faying, and this is the grace of a 
 right Gentleman as thou art. 
 
 Innoc. Sfut, that I am I hope, I am fure my father 
 has beene twife Warden on's company. 
 
 Quint. Thats not a peare matter man, ther's no 
 prefcription for Gentility, but good clothes and impu- 
 dence : for your place, take it as it fals, but fo as you 
 thinke no place to good for you ; fall too with cere- 
 mony whatfoeuer the company be : and as neere as 
 you can, when they are in their Mutton, be thou in 
 thy Wood-cocke, it fliowes refolution. Talke any thing,
 
 336 May-Day. 
 
 thou car' 11 not what, fo it be without offence, and as 
 neere as thou canfl without fence. 
 
 Iunoc. Let me alone for that Captaine I warrant 
 you. 
 
 Quint. If you chance to tell a lye, you muft binde 
 it with forne oath, as by this bread, for breads a binder 
 you know. 
 
 Innoc. True. 
 
 Quint. And yet take heede you fvveare by no mans 
 bread but your owne, for that may breede a quarrell : 
 aboue all things you muft carry no coales. 
 
 Innoc. By heauen not I, He freeze to death 
 firft. 
 
 Quint. Well Sir, one point more I muft remember 
 you of. After dinner there will be play, and if you 
 would be counted compleate, you muft venture amongft 
 them ; for otherwife, theill take you for a Scholler or a 
 Poet, and fo fall into contempt of you : for there is no 
 vertue can fcape the accompt of bafenefle if it get 
 money, but gaming and law ; yet muft you not loofe 
 much money at once, for that argues little wit at all 
 times. 
 
 Itinoc. As goffaue me, and thats my fault ; for if I 
 be in once, I fhall loofe all I haue about me. 
 
 Quint. Is true, Lieftenant 1 birlady Sir He be your 
 moderator, therefore let me fee how much money haue 
 you about you 1 
 
 Innoc. Not much, fome twenty marke or twenty 
 pound in gold. 
 
 Quint. 'Tis too much to loofe by my faith, Lief- 
 tenant ; giue me your purfe Sir, hold yee, heers two 
 brace of Angels, you fhall venture that for fafhion 
 fake, He keepe the reft for you, till you haue done 
 play. 
 
 Innoc. That will be all one, for when thats loft I 
 fhall neuer leaue till I get the reft from you : for I 
 know thou wilt let me haue it if I aske it. 
 
 Quint. Not a penny by this gold.
 
 May -Day. ^^j 
 
 Lnnoc. Prethee doe not then, as goffaue me and 
 you do : 
 
 Quint. And I doe, hang me ; Come lets to the 
 
 Duke. Exeunt. 
 
 Finis A ftus Primi. 
 
 AElus Secundiy Sccena prima. 
 
 Enter Lucretia and Temperance, 
 feaerall wayes.- 
 
 Tern. "\T Ay Miftris, pray eene goe in againe, for I 
 _]_ ^ haue fome inward newes for you. 
 
 Lucr. What are thofe pray. 
 
 Tent. Tis no matter Miftris till you come in, but 
 make much a time in the meane time, good fortune 
 thrufts her felfe vpon you in the likeneffe of a fine 
 yong Gentleman, hold vp your apron and receiue him 
 while you may, a Gods name. 
 
 Lucr. How fay by that ? y'are a very wife coun- 
 failer. 
 
 Ton. Well Miftris, when I was a Maide, and that's 
 a good while agoe I can tell you. 
 
 Lucr. I thinke very well. 
 
 Tern. You were but a little one then I wiffe. 
 
 Lucr. Nor you neither I beleeue. 
 
 v
 
 33& May -Day. 
 
 Tern. Faith it's one of the furtheft things I can 
 remember. 
 
 Lucr. But what when you were a Maide ? 
 
 Tern. Marry Miftris I tooke my time, I warrant 
 you. And ther's Signior Leonoro now, the very flower 
 of Venice, and one that loues you deerely I enfure 
 you. 
 
 Lucr. God forgiue him if he doe, for He be fworne 
 I neuer deferu'd his loue, nor neuer will while I hue. 
 
 Tern. Why then, what fay to Signior Collatinel 
 ther's a dainty peece of Venzon for you, and a feruent 
 louer indeed. 
 
 Lucr. He 1 I dare fay, he knowes not what wood 
 loues fhafts are made of, his Signiory woud think it 
 the deepeft difparagement could be done to him, to 
 fay that euer he fpent figh for any Dame in Italy. 
 
 Tern. Well, you haue a whole browne dozen a 
 futers at leaft, I am fure ; take your choice amongft 
 'em all, if you loue not all, yet you may loue three or 
 foure on 'em to be doing withall. 
 
 Liter. To be doing withall % loue three or foure 1 
 
 Tem. Why not, fo you loue 'em moderately. 
 What muft that ftrange made peece Theagines that 
 you cry out vpon fo often, haue all from other, and 
 yet know not where he is 1 
 
 Lucr. O my Theagine, not Theagines, thy loue hath 
 turn'd me woman like thy felfe, fhall thy light neuer 
 turne me man againe. Come lets to the Minder, God 
 heare my prayers as I intend to flop mine eares againft 
 all my futers. 
 
 Tem. Well Miftris, yet peraduenture, they may 
 make you open afore the Prieft haue a penny for you. 
 
 Exeunt.
 
 May-Day. 339 
 
 Enter Lodouico and /Emilia. 
 
 Lodo. T T Ker's a coyle to make wit and women 
 friends : come hither wench, let me haue 
 thee (ingle ; now fit thee downe, and heare good coun- 
 faile next thy heart, and God giue thee grace to lay it 
 to thy heart. 
 
 . Em. Fie Cozen, will this wilde tongue of yours 
 neuer receiue the bridle 1 
 
 Led. Yes, thou (halt now fee me ftroke my beard, 
 and fpeake fententioufly : thou tell'ft me thy little 
 father is in hand with a great rich marriage for thee, 
 ami would haue thee commit matrimony with old Gas- 
 paro, art thou willing with it ? 
 
 s£m. I rather wifh my felfe marryed to a thoufand 
 deaths. 
 
 Lod. Then I perceiue thou know'fl him not ; did 
 he neuer wooe thee 1 
 
 JS»i. I proteft, I neuer chang'd three words with 
 him in my life ; he hath once or twice woo'de my 
 father for me, but neuer me. 
 
 Lod. Why thats the reafon thou lou'ft him not, 
 becaufe thou tak'ft in none of his valiant breath to 
 enflame thee, nor vouchfaf ft his knowledge ; He tell 
 thee what he is, an old fapleffe trunke, fit to make 
 touch-wood of hollow, and bald like ablafted Oke, on 
 whofe top Rauens fit and croke the portents of funerals; 
 one that noints his nofe with clowted creame, and 
 Pomatum. His breath fmels like the butt end of a 
 fhoo-makers home. A leprous fcaly hide like an 
 Elephant. The fonne of a Sow-gelder, that came to 
 towne (as I haue heard thy father himfelfe fay) in a 
 tottred ruffet cote, high fhooes, and yet his hofe tome 
 aboue 'em ; A long pike-ftaffe in his necke (and a 
 tord in his teeth) and a wallet on his right (houlder, 
 and now the cullion hath with A T oucrint vniuerfi eaten 
 vp fome hundred Gentlemen : he muft needs rife a 
 Gentleman as 'twere out of their Afhes, or difparage a 
 Gentlewoman to make himfelfe a Gentleman, at lead 
 by the wines f\^]c.
 
 34° May -Day. 
 
 yEm. The wurfe my fortune to be entangled with 
 fuch a winding bramble. 
 
 Lod. Entangl'd? Nay if I thought twould euer 
 come to that, I'de hire fome fhag-ragge or other for 
 halfe a chickeene to cut's throat, only to faue thy 
 hands from doing it ; for I know thou wouldft poifon 
 him within one moneth ; loue thee he will neuer, and 
 that mud be thy happineffe ; for if he doe, looke to- 
 be -coop't vp like a prifoner, condemn'd to execution, 
 fcarce fuffred to take the aire, fo much as at a window, 
 or waited on continually by an old beldame : not to 
 keepe thee company, but to keepe thee from company : 
 thy pocket fearcht, thy cabinets ranfackt for letters : 
 euer in oppofition, vnleffe (like the Moone) once a 
 Moneth in coniunclion ; wealth thou maift haue 
 indeede, but enioy it as in a dreame, for when thou 
 wak'ft thou (halt finde nothing in thy hand ; {Enter 
 Gasparo) and (to keepe my tale in goodneffe) fee how 
 all the ill that can be fpoken of him is expreft in his 
 prefence. 
 
 sEni. O ougly, and monftrous fpectacle. 
 
 Lod. Now tell me whether thou wouldft make 
 choice of him or a yong gallant in prime of his 
 choiceneffe ; one that for birth, perfon, and good 
 parts, might meritorioufly marry a Counteffe ; and one 
 to whom his foule is not fo deere as thy felfe. (Enter 
 Aurelio) For all the world fuch another as he that 
 comes here now : marke him well, fee whether Gas- 
 paro and he be not a little different. Exit ^Emilia. 
 How now? Sownds Aurelio % (lay bead, wilt thou 
 make fuch a bleft opportunity curie thee ? He fetch 
 her out to thee. Exit Lod. 
 
 Aure. Wretch that I am, how (hee lothes me ? if I 
 abide her, I (hall confume in the lightnings of her 
 anger. (Enter Lodouico with sEmilia) Exit Aure. 
 
 Lod. Here's a life indeede ; what's he gone 1 paf- 
 fion of death, what a babe 'tis 1 I could finde in my 
 heart to ierke him, but temper me friendfhip, no
 
 May -Day. 341 
 
 remedy now ; now wit turne his defects to perfection. 
 Why Cuze hee's quite out of fight. By my life I com- 
 mend him ; why this is done like thy ftdfe Aurc/ia, 
 were fliee the Queene of loue and woude runne from 
 thee, flie thou from her ; why now I loue thee, for I 
 fee th'art worthy of my loue, thou carrieft a refpect to 
 thine owne worth, and wilt expreffe it with fpirit : 1 dare 
 fay, thou look'fl to haue had him fall on his knees, 
 and ador'd thee, or begge his life at thy hands : or elfe 
 turn'd Queene Dido, and pierce his tender heart with 
 fword full fharpe ; no faith wench, the cafe is altered, 
 loue made Hercules fpin, but it made him rage after : 
 there mufl goe time to the bridling of euery paflion ; 
 I hope my friend will not loue a wench againfl her 
 will, if fhee woude haue met his kindneffe halfe way, 
 fo : if fhee skit and recoile, he fhootes her off warily, 
 and awa] he goes: I marry Sir, this was a Gentle- 
 manly part indeede. Farewell Cuze, be thou free in 
 thy choice too, and take a better and thou canfl a 
 Gods name. Exiturus. 
 
 s£m. Nay deere Cuze, a word. 
 
 Lod. A word? what's the matter? I mufl needs 
 after him, and clap him ath' backe, this fpirit mufl be 
 cherifht. 
 
 Aim. Alas what would you wifh me to doe 1 
 
 Lod. Why, nothing. 
 
 JEm. Would you counfaile me to marry him againfc 
 my fathers will ? 
 
 Lod. Not for the world, leaue him, leaue him, 
 leaue him : you fee hee's refolu'd, hee'll take no harme 
 an you, neuer feare to embrew your hands with his 
 liuer I warrant you. 
 
 . Em. Come you are fuch an other. 
 
 Lod. This fame riches with a husband, is the only 
 thing in the world, I protefl ; good Gasparo, I am 
 forry I haue abufed thee yfaith," for my Cozens fake ; 
 how prettily the wretch came crawling by with his 
 crooked knees cuen now : I haue feene a yong Gen 
 tlewoman, line as merry a life with an old man, as
 
 342 May -Day. 
 
 with the proudeft yong vpftart on 'em all : farewell 
 Cuze, I am glad th'art fo wife yfaith. 
 
 Am. If you goe, I die : fie on this affection, it 
 rageth with fuppreffion. Good Cuze, I am no longer 
 able to continue it, I loue Aureho better then it is 
 poffible for him to loue me. 
 
 Lod. Away, away, and could not this haue beene 
 done at firft, without all thefe fuperfluous difgracing 1 
 O this fame vnhearty niceneffe of women, is good for 
 nothing bat to keepe their hufwife hands ftill occupied 
 in this warp of diffembling. 
 
 Well wench redeeme thy fault, and write a kinde letter 
 to him prefently, before this refolution of his take too 
 deepe roote in him. 
 
 Aim. Nay fweet Cuze, make me not fo immodefl, 
 to write fo fodainly, let me haue a little time to thinke 
 vpon't. 
 
 Lod. Thinke me on nothing till you write : thinke 
 as you write, and then you (hall be fure to write as you 
 thinke. 
 Women doe befl when they leaft thinke on't. 
 
 Aim. But rather then write I will meete him at 
 your pleafure. 
 
 Lod. Meete him? doft thou thinke that I (hall 
 euer draw him againe to meete thee, that rufh't from 
 thee euen now with fo iuft a difpleafure 1 
 
 Aim. Nay good Cuze, vrge not my offence fo bit- 
 terly, our next meeting fhall pay the forfeit of all faults. 
 
 Lod. Well th'art my pretty Cuze, and He doe my 
 beft to bring him to thee againe, if I cannot, I (hall 
 be forry yfaith, thou wr't fo iniurioufly ftrange to him. 
 But where fhall this interview be now. 
 
 AHm. There is the mifchiefe, and we fhall hardly 
 auoide it, my father plies my haunts fo clofely : and 
 vfes mean'es by our maide to entrap vs, fo that this 
 Tarrafse at our backe gate is the onely place we may 
 fafely meete at : from whence I can (land and talke 
 to you. But fweet Cuze you fhall fweare, to keepe 
 this my kindneffe from Aurelio, and not intimate by
 
 May- Day. 343 
 
 any meancs that I am any thing acquainted with his 
 comming. 
 
 Lod. Slife, do' ft thinke T am an Affe? to what end 
 fhould I tell him 1 hee and He come wandring that 
 way to take the aire, or fo, and He difcouer thee. 
 
 JEm. By meere chance as t'were. 
 
 Lad. By chance, by chance, and you fhall at no 
 hand fee him at firft, when I bring him for all this 
 kindneffe you beare him. 
 
 Mm. By no meanes Cuze. 
 
 Lod. Very good : And if you endure any confer- 
 ence with him, let it be very little ; and as neere as 
 you can, turne to your former ftrangeneffe in any cafe. 
 
 . Em. If doe not Cuze, truft me not. 
 
 Lod. Or if you thinke good, you may flirt away 
 againe as foone as you fee him, and neuer let your 
 late fault be any warning t'ee. 
 
 Mm. I will doe all this, I warrant thee Cuze. 
 
 Lod. Will you fo Cozen foole 1 canft thou be 
 brought to that filly humour againe by any perfwafions? 
 by Gods Lord, and you be flxange againe, more then 
 needs mull, for a temperat modefty,. He break's necke 
 downe from thee, but he fhall doe as he did to thee. 
 
 Mm. Now, fie vpon you Cuze, what a foole doe 
 you make me 1 
 
 Lod. Well Dame, leaue your fuperfluous nicety in 
 earned, and within this houre I will bring him to this 
 Tar ra fie. 
 
 jEm. But good Cuze if you chance to fee my 
 chamber window open, that is vpon the Tarraffe, doe 
 not let him come in at it in any cafe. 
 
 Sod. Sblood how can he 1 can he come ouer the 
 wall think'ft ? 
 
 uEi/i. O Sir, you men haue not deuices with ladders 
 of ropes to fcale fuch walks at your pleafure, and abufe 
 vs poore wenches. 
 
 Lod. Now a plague of your fimplicity, would you 
 difcourage him with prompting him ? well Dame, He 
 prouide for you.
 
 344 May -Day. 
 
 j£?n. As you loue me Cuze, no wordes of my 
 kindneffe from me to him. 
 
 Lod. Goe to, no more adoe. Exit Lodouico and 
 jffimilia. 
 
 Enter Leonoro Lionell and 
 Temperance. 
 
 Tern. f~~^ Od yee God morrow Sir, truly I haue not 
 \jrheard a fweeter breath then your Page has. 
 Leo. I am glad you like him Miftris Temperance . 
 Tern. And how dee Sir 1 
 
 Leo. That I muft know of you Lady, my welfare 
 depends wholly vpon your good fpeede. 
 
 Tern. How fay Sir ? and by my foule I was com- 
 ming to you in the morning when your yong man 
 came to me ; I pray let him put on, vnleffe it be for 
 vour pleafure. 
 
 Leo. He is yong, and can endure the cold well 
 enough bare-headed. 
 
 Tern. A pretty fweet child 'tis I promife you. 
 Leo. But what good newes Miftris Temperance, 
 will your Miftris be wonne to our kin de meeting ? 
 
 Tern. Faith He tell you Sir, I tooke her in a good 
 moode this morning, and broke with her againe about 
 you, and fhee was very pleafant as fhe will be many 
 times. 
 
 Leo. Very well, and is there any hope of fpeede 1 
 Tern. No by my troth Gentleman, none in the 
 world, an obftacle yong thing it is, as euer I broke 
 with all in my life : I haue broke with a hundred in 
 my dayes, tho I fay it, yet neuer met her comparifon. 
 Leo. Are all my hopes come to this Miftris Tem- 
 perance ? 
 
 Tern. Nay 'tis no matter Sir, this is the firft time 
 that euer I fpake to any in thefe matters, and it fhall 
 be the laft God willing.
 
 May-Day. 345 
 
 /. . And euen now fhee had broke with a hundred 
 and a hundred. 
 
 T1//1. J Jut doe you loue her Sir indeede 1 
 
 Leo. Do' ft thou make a queflion of that % 
 
 7hn. Pardon me I pray Sir, I meane dee loue her 
 as a Gentleman ought to doe, that is, to confummate 
 matrimony with her as they fay ? 
 
 Leo. Thats no matter to you Miftris Temperance, 
 doe you procure our meeting, and let my fauour be at 
 her hands as I can enforo 
 
 lem. You fay like an honeft Gentleman ; a woman 
 can haue no more : and faith Sir I with you well, and 
 euery day ter dinner my Miftris vfes to go to her 
 chaire or elfe lie down vpon her bedde, to take a 
 nappe or fo, to auoide idleneffe as many good hufwifes 
 do, you know, and then doe I fit by her and few, or 
 fo : and when I fee her faft a-fleepe, Lord doe I thinke 
 to my felfe, (as you know we waiting women haue 
 many light thoughts in our heads) Now if I were a 
 man, and mould beare my Miftris an ill will, what 
 might I doe to her now. 
 
 Leo. Indeede then you haue very good oppor- 
 tunity. 
 
 Tern. The bed that may be, for fhee fleepes like a 
 fucking Pigge, you may jogge her a hundred times, 
 and fhee'll ftirre no more then one of your ftones, here. 
 
 Leo. And could you put a friend in your place 
 thinke you % 
 
 Tern. Nay birlady Sir, backe with that legge, for if 
 any thing come on't but well, all the burthen will lye 
 vpon me. 
 
 Leo. Why what can come of it 1 only that by this 
 meanes I may folicite her loue my felfe, 
 
 Tan. I but who knowes if the Deuill (God bleffe 
 vs) mould be great wee', how you would vfe her ? 
 
 Leo. What do'ft thou take me for a beaft, to force 
 her that I would make my wife ? 
 
 Tern. Beaft Sir, Nay ther's no beaftlinefle in it 
 neither, for a man will (hew like a man in thofe cafes :
 
 346 May-Day. 
 
 and befides, you may marre the bedde, which euery 
 body will fee that comes in ; and that I would not for 
 the bed gowne I fhall weare this twelue Moneth. 
 
 Leo. Well, to put thee out of that feare, it fhall be 
 worth fuch a gowne to thee. 
 
 Tem. I thanke you for that Sir, but thats all one, 
 and thus Sir, my old Mafter Honorio, at two a clocke 
 will be at Tilting, and then will his fonne Signior 
 Atirelio, and his man Angelo, be abroad ; at which 
 houre if you will be at the backe gate, and muffle your 
 felfe handfomely, you may linger there till I call you. 
 
 Leo, I marry Sir, fo I may be there long enough. 
 
 Tem. Nay, but two a clocke, now, now is my 
 houre Sir. 
 
 Leo. Very well, and till then farewell. 
 
 Tem. Boye to you hartily. 
 
 Leo. Boy to him indeede if he knew all. Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Lodouico and Anrelio. 
 
 Lod. T Haue prouided thee a ladder of ropes, 
 therefore refolue to meete her, goe wafh 
 thy face, and prepare thy felfe to die, He goe make 
 ready the ladder. 
 
 Anr. But when is the happy houre of our meeting ? 
 
 Lod. Marry Sir, thats fomething vncertaine, for it 
 depends wholly vpon her fathers abfence, and when 
 that will be God knowes : but I doubt not it will hap- 
 pen once within this twelue-Moneth. 
 
 Aur. Sownds a twelue-Moneth. 
 
 Lod. Nay harke you, you are all vpon the fpurre 
 now, but how many louers haue feru'd feauen twelue- 
 Moneths prenticefhips, for the freedome of their 
 Miftris fauours 1 notwithftanding to fhorten your tor- 
 ments, your man Angelo mufl be the meane, to draw
 
 May -Day. 347 
 
 the lapwing her father from his nefl, by this deuice 
 that J tell you. (Enter Angela.) 
 
 A/ig. I did euer dreame that once in my life good 
 fortune would waxme her cold hand in my naked 
 bofome. And that once is now come, He lay hold 
 vpon't, yfaith ; I haue you my little fquire, I haue you 
 vpon mine Anueill, vpon which I will mallet you and 
 worke you ; coyning crownes, chickins, bracelets, and 
 what not out of you ; for procuring you the deere gul- 
 lage of my fweete heart midreffe Francif china. 
 
 Aure. I am glad it refts in my kinde feruant An- 
 gelo. Angelo, well met, it lies in thee now, make me 
 no more thy mailer, but thy friend, and for euer happy 
 in thy friend (hip. 
 
 Aug. In what part of me does that lie Sir, that I 
 may pull it out, for you prefently ] 
 
 A ure. My friend Lodouico heere hath told me, 
 what thou reuealedfl to him to day, touching his vncle 
 Lorenzo, and his louefute to Francif china. 
 
 Ang. Slight I told it him in fecret fir. 
 
 Lod. And fo did I tell it him Angelo, I am a lew 
 elfe. 
 
 Ang. It may well be fir, but what of that 1 
 
 Lod. This Angelo, he would haue thee procure my 
 olde vnckles abfence from home this afternoone, by 
 making him meete or pretending his meeting with his 
 miflreffe, and thy fweete heart Francifchina. 
 
 Au re. Which if thou do'ft Angelo, be fure of reward 
 to thy wifhes. 
 
 Aug. What talke you of reward fir 1 to the louing 
 and dutifull feruant, 'tis a greater encouragement to 
 his feruice to heare his mafter fay, God a mercy An- 
 gelo, fpie out Angelo, He think e of thy paines one day 
 Angelo, then all your bafe rewards and preferments : 
 yet not to hinder your hand fir, I will extend mine to 
 his feruice prefently, and get your old vncle (Signior 
 Lorenzo) out of the waie long enough I warrant you. 
 
 Lod. Tis honeflly faid, which when thou had per- 
 formed, enforce vs Exeunt.
 
 34S May- Day. 
 
 Aug. I will not faile fir, i was refolu'd to make 
 him away afore they fpake to me, in procuring his 
 acceffe to Francij "china, for what is his prefence at her 
 houfe, but his abfence at his ownes ? and thus fhall I 
 with one trewell daube two walles, {Enter Francifc.) 
 fee how fitly fhee meetes me. I will ftand clofe heere 
 as if it were in my fhop of good fortune, & in refpecl 
 of all ornamets I can help her to, I will out of the 
 fulneffe of my ioy, put her out of her ftudie and en- 
 counter her thus ; D'ee lacke gentlewoman, d'ee 
 lacke : very fayre new gownes, kirtles, petticots, 
 wrought fmocks, bracelets, d'ee lacke gentlewoman, 
 d'ee lacke 1 Hold vp the bracelets. 
 
 Fran. What means my loue by thefe ftrange falu- 
 tations ? 
 
 Ang. Prethee aske me no queftions ; hold take 
 thefe bracelets, put vp this purfe of gold quickly, and 
 if thou wilt haue any of thefe things, I haue cried to 
 thee, fpeake and tis performed. 
 
 Fran. From whofe treafury comes all this, I pre 
 thee? 
 
 Ang. Lorenzo, Lorenzo, a gentleman of much anti- 
 quitie, and one that for his loue hath burn'd hundreds 
 of hearts to powder ; yet now it fals out, that his tree 
 of life is fcorch't and blafted with the flames of thy 
 beauty, readie to wither eternally, vnleffe it be fpee- 
 dily comforted with the fweete drops of thy nofe. 
 
 Fran. Gods my life, is that old fquire fo amorous? 
 
 Ang. You wrong him to terme him old, he can 
 draw his bow, ride his horfe, vfe his fword, and traile 
 his pike vnder Loues colours, as well as euer he did. 
 
 Fran. I beleeue that eafily. 
 
 Ang. Well, go thy waies in and prepare to enter- 
 taine him now thy husband is from home, only with 
 good words, and beft kindneffes, making him put all 
 into deeds till his treafury be deedleffe. 
 
 Fran. You fpeake as if I had nothing to refpect 
 but his entertainment, when you know how clofe and
 
 May-Day. 349 
 
 timely it mud be put in execution, confidering with 
 what enuious eyes my neighbours furuey mee. 
 
 Ang. Think'fl thou, I confider not all this? he 
 (hall come in difguis'd, wench, and do thou deuife for 
 our mirth, what ridiculous difguife he (hall come in, 
 and he fhall affume it. 
 
 Fran. What a magnifico of the Citie, and one of 
 the Senate, thinkeft thou he will not fee into that in- 
 conuenience ? 
 
 Aug. No more then no Senator, for in this cafe, my 
 afiurance is that Cupid will take the fcarfe from his 
 owne eyes, and hoodwinke the old buzzard, while two 
 other true turtles enioy their happineffe : get thee in I 
 befeech thee loue, tell thy gold, and fay thy prayers. 
 {Enter Lorenzo.) Now for a farre fetch't deuice to 
 fetch ouer my loue-fquire. Exit. Fran. I fee him 
 within eare-fhot ; well may beauty inflame others, 
 riches may tempt others ; but for mee, mine eares and 
 mine eyes, are proofe againft all the Syrens, and Ve- 
 nuffes, in all the feas of the world ; beauty is a whore, 
 riches a baud, and He truft none an you. 
 
 Lor. What ailes poore Angelo t 
 
 Aug. Nay Miftreffe Franke, if you proue difloyall 
 once, farewell all conflancy in women. 
 
 Lor. How now man? what's the matter? 
 
 Aug. O Sir are you fo neare ? I fhall truft your 
 experience in women the better while I Hue. 
 
 Lor. I pre thee why fo ? 
 
 Ang. Say true Sir, did you neuer follicite your loue- 
 fute to fayre miftreffe Francifchina I 
 
 Lor. Neuer I proteft Angelo. 
 
 Ang. Vpon my life 'tis a ftrange thing; I would 
 haue fworne all Italy, could not fo fodainly haue faft- 
 ned a fauour vpon her, I look't for a fiege of Troy at 
 lead, to furprize the turrets of her continence ; but to 
 yeeld at the firft fight of her aflaylants colours, and 
 before any Cannon was mounted afore her, 'tis one of 
 the loofeft parts of a modeft woman that euer I 
 heard of.
 
 350 May -Day. 
 
 Lor. How faift thou ? did not I tell thee as much % 
 beware of an old colt while you liue, he can tell when 
 to ftrike I warrant you. 
 
 Aug. Women and fethers? now fie on that affinity. 
 
 Lor. Alas Angelo, a feeble generation, the fooner 
 ouercome God knowes, the honefter minde, the fooner 
 ouercome. 
 
 Aug. Gods my life, what light hufwife would yeeld 
 at firft to a ftranger, and yet does this whirligig ftand 
 vpon termes of honour forfooth 1 tenders her reputa- 
 tion as the Apple of her eye ; fhe has a ielous and a 
 cutting husband, enuious neighbours, and will die 
 many deathes rather then by any friends open acceffe 
 to her, be whip't naked with the tongues of fcan- 
 dall and flander ; and a whole fanctuary of fuch cere- 
 monies. 
 
 Lor. O fhe does worthily in that Angelo, and like 
 a woman of honour, thou haft painted her perfection 
 in her faults thou find'ft, and tickil'ft me with her ap- 
 petite. 
 
 Ang. And to auoid all fight of your entrance, you 
 muft needs come in fome difguife the fayes ; fo much 
 fhe tenders your high credit in the Citie, and her owne 
 reputation, forfooth. 
 
 Lor. How, come in fome difguife % 
 
 Ang. A toy, a very toy which runnes in her head 
 with fuch curious feete Sir, becaufe if there be any re- 
 femblances of your perfon feene to enter her houfe, 
 your whole fubftantiall felfe will be called in queftion; 
 any other man fhe faies, might better aduenture with 
 the lead thing chang'd about'em then you with all ; as 
 if you were the onely noted mutton-monger in all the 
 Citie. 
 
 Lor. Well Angelo, heauen forgiue vs the finnes of 
 our youth. 
 
 Ang. That's true Sir, but for a paltry difguife, being 
 a magnifico, fhe fhall goe fnicke vp. 
 
 Lor. Soft good Angelo, foft, let's think on't a little: 
 what difguife would feme the turne faies fhee 1
 
 May Day. 
 
 JD 
 
 Ang. Faith, I know not what difguife fhee would 
 haue for you : thee would haue you come like a Calfe 
 with a white face, I thinke, fhee talkes of Tinkers, 
 pedlers, porters, chimney-fweepers, fooles and Phyfi- 
 tians, fuch as haue free egreffe and regreffe into mens 
 houfes without fufpicion. 
 
 Lor. Out vpon 'em, would (lie haue me vndergoe 
 the fhame and hazard of one of thofe abiecls ? 
 
 Ang. Yfaith I told her fo, a fquire of that worfhip, 
 one of the Senate, a graue lufticer, a man of wealth, a 
 magnifico 1 
 
 Lor. And yet by my troth, for the fafegard of her 
 honour, I would doe much ; me thinks a Friers weede 
 were nothing. 
 
 Ang. Out vppon't, that difguife is wome thread 
 bare vpon euery flage, and fo much villany committed 
 vnder that habit ; that 'tis growne as fupicious as the 
 vileft. If you will hearken to any, take fuch a trans- 
 formance, as you may be fure will keepe you from 
 difcouery : for though it be the ftale refuge of mifera- 
 ble Poets, by change of a hat or a cldake, to alter the 
 whole (late of a Comedie, fo as the father mufl not 
 know his owne child forfooth, nor the wife her hulband, 
 yet you mufl not thinke they doe it earnefl to carry it 
 away fo : for fay you were Ruffed in a motley coate, 
 crowded in the cafe of a bafe Violl, or buttond vp in a 
 cloak-bag, euen to your chinne, yet if I fee your face, 
 I am able to fay this is Ggnior Lorenzo^ and therefore 
 vnleffe your difguife be fuch that your face may beare 
 as great a part in it as the reft, the reft is nothing. 
 
 Lor. Good reafon, in faith Angtfo ; and what, fhall 
 I then frnurch my face like a chimney fweeper, & 
 weare the reft of his fmokineffe 1 
 
 Ancj. He tell you fir, if you be fo mad to condef- 
 cend to the humour of a foolifh woman, by confidera- 
 tion that four for his loue tooke on him the fhape of 
 a Bull, which is farre worfe then a chimney fweeper. I 
 can fit you rarely. 
 
 Lor. As how I pre thee 1
 
 352 May -Day. 
 
 Ang. There is one little fnaile you know, an old 
 chimney fweeper. 
 
 Lor. What, hee that lings, Maids in your fmocks, 
 hold open your locks, fludgs. 
 
 Ang. The very fame fir, whofe perfon (I borrowing 
 his words) you will fo liuely referable, that himfelfe in 
 perfon cannot detect you. 
 
 Lor. But is that a fit refemblance to pleafe a louer 
 Angelo 1 
 
 Ang. For that fir, fhe is prouided : for you fhall 
 no fooner enter but off goes your ruftie skabberd, 
 fweete water is readie to fcoure your filthy face, milk, 
 & a bath of fernebraks for your fuftie bodie, a chamber 
 perfum'd, a wrought fhirt, night cap, and her husbands 
 gowne, a banquet of Oyflers pyes, Potatoes, Skirret 
 rootes, Eringos, and diuers other whetftones of 
 venery. 
 
 Lor. O let me hugge thee Angelo. 
 
 Ang. A bed as foft as her hayre, fheets as delicate 
 as her skinne, and as fweete as her breath, pillowes 
 imitating her breafts, and her breafts to boote, Hypo- 
 eras in her cups, and Neclar in her lips, Ah, the gods 
 haue bene beafts for leffe felicitie. 
 
 Lor. No more good Angelo, no more, how fhall I 
 requite the happineffe thou wilt bring me too ? hafte 
 any mind of marriage % 
 
 Ang. Not much fir, but an extraordinary wife might 
 tempt me. 
 
 Lov. By my troth and fhe were not promift, thou 
 fhouldeft haue my daughter : but come lets to our 
 difguife, in which I long to be finging. 
 
 Ang. He folow you prefently. Exit. Signior Lo- 
 donico. {Enter Lodouico and Giouenelle.) 
 
 Lod. How now Angelo 1 
 
 Ang. Why fir, I am prouiding meanes to leade 
 your old vncle out a th' way, as you will'd me, by 
 drawing him into the way of Quintilianoes wife, my 
 fweet heart, and fo make roome for him by Quintili-
 
 May-Day. 353 
 
 anois roome : you that lead him any way, mull needes 
 feeke him out and employ him to fome taucrne. 
 
 Lod. He will be with me prefently Angela^ and 
 here's a frelhman come from Padua, whom 1 will pow- 
 der with his acquaintance, and fo make him an excel- 
 lent morfell to rellifh his caroufes. 
 
 Ang. ( ioe to Sir, by this light you'll be complain'd 
 on, there cannot be a foole within twenty mile of your 
 head, but you engroffe him for your owne mirth : 
 Noble-mens tables cannot be feru'd for you. 
 
 Lod. Sfut, He complaine of them man, they hunt 
 me out and hang vpon me, fo that I cannot be ridde 
 on'em, but they fhall get fome body elfe to laugh at, or 
 He turne'em ouer to our Poets, and make all the world 
 laugh at'em. 
 
 . ing. Well Sir, here comes your man, make him 
 fure from his wife, and I'le make the tother fure with 
 her. Exit. 
 
 Enter Quintiliano, Innocentio^ Fannio, Taylor, Taylors 
 fonne, he Reades a bill. 
 
 Lod. O Ee Signior Giouanelle, here comes the 
 
 v^ famous Captaine you would fo faine bee 
 
 acquainted withall ; be acquainted with him at your 
 
 perill : He defend you from his fwaggering humor, but 
 
 take heede of his cheating. 
 
 Gio. I warrant you Sir, I haue not beene matricu- 
 lated at the Vniueriity. to be meretriculated by him : 
 falted there to be coked here. 
 
 Lod. Very well Sir, lets heare him. 
 
 Quin, I haue examin'd the particulars of your bill 
 Mailer Taylor, and if finde them true Orthographie, 
 thy payment fhall be correfpondent : marry I will fet 
 no clay, becaufe I am loth to breake. 
 
 Tailor. Alas Sir, pray let this be the day : confider 
 my charge, I haue many children, and this my poore 
 child here whom I haue brought vp at fehoole, muft 
 loofe all I haue bellowed on him hitherto, if I pay not 
 his Mailer prefently the quartridge I owe him. 
 
 •
 
 354 May -Day. 
 
 Quint. Foole do'ft thou delight to heare thy forme 
 begge in Latin, pofe him Lieftenant. 
 
 Innoc. How make you this in Latin boy ? My father 
 is an honeft Taylor. 
 
 Boy. That will hardly be done in true Latin Sir. 
 
 Innoc. No 1 why fo Sir 1 
 
 Boy. Becaufe it is falfe Englifh fir. 
 
 Quint. An excellent Boy. 
 
 Innoc. Why is it falfe Englifh % 
 
 Boy. Marry fir, as bona Mulier is faid to be falfe 
 Latin, becaufe though bona be good, Mulier is naught; 
 fo to fay my father is an honeft Taylor, is falfe Englifh ; 
 for though my father be honeft, yet the Taylor is a 
 theefe. 
 
 Quint. Beleeue it a rare fhred, not of home-fpunne 
 cloth vpon my life : Taylor, goe, fend the fchoole- 
 mafter to me at night and He pay him. 
 
 Tay. Thanke you good Captaine, and if you doe 
 not pay him. at night my wife will come to you her 
 felfe, that's certaine, and you know what a tongue fhee 
 has. 
 
 Quint. Like the fling of a Scorpion, fhee nailes 
 mine eares to the pillory with it, in the fhame and tor- 
 ment fhee does me. Goe I will voide this Bill and 
 auoide her. 
 
 Tay. I thanke you fir. Exit cum filio. 
 
 Quint. Lieftenant is not this a braue gullery ? 
 The flaue has a pretty wife, and fhee will neuer haue 
 me pay him, becaufe fhee may euer come to my cham- 
 ber, as fhee fayes, to raile at me, and then fhee goes 
 home and tels her husband fhee has tickled me 
 yfaith. 
 
 Innoc. By my life, a rare jeft. 
 
 Quint. Thou maift fee this Boy is no fhred of a 
 Taylor, is he not right of my looke and fpirit ? 
 
 Innoc. Right as a line, yfaith. 
 
 Lod. And will agree in the halter. — Saue you Cap- 
 taine Quintiliano. 
 
 Quint. And do'fl thou Hue my noble Lodouico ?
 
 May-Day. 355 
 
 Boy, take my cloake, when fhals haue a roufe, ha? my 
 Lieftenant and 1 were drunke laft night, with drinking 
 health on our knees to thee. 
 
 Giou. Why, would not your legs beare you Sir? 
 
 Quint. How many miles to midfommer? S'blood, 
 whofe foole are you ] are not you the taffell of a Gan- 
 der? 
 
 Giou. No indeede not I Sir : I am your poore 
 friend Sir glad to fee you in health. 
 
 Quint. Health ? S'fut, how meane you that ] dee 
 thinke I came lately out ath' powdering Tubbe ? 
 
 Giou. Goflaue mee Sir 'twas the furthefl part of 
 my thought. 
 
 Quint. Why y'are not angry, are you ] 
 
 Lod No, nor you (hall not be. 
 
 Quint. Sblood, I hope I may and I will. 
 
 J.od. Be and you dare Sir. 
 
 Quint. Dare % 
 
 Lod. I, dare. 
 
 Quint. Plague on thee, th'art die mad'ft Lodouko 
 in the world, s'fut doe thou ftabbe me, and th'afl a 
 minde too't, or bid me ftabbe my felfe, is this thy 
 friend % do'ft thou loue Lodouico ? 
 
 Giou. With, my heart I proteft Sir. 
 
 Quint. S'heart, a lyes in's throate that does not ; 
 and whence com' ft thou wagge, ha ? 
 
 Giou. Euen now arriued from Padua Sir to fee 
 fafhions. 
 
 Quint. Giue me thy hand, th'art welcome ; and 
 for thy fafhions, thou fhalt nrft drinke and wench it : 
 to which end we will caroufe a little, fome fixe or 
 feauen miles hence, and euery man carry his wench. 
 
 Innoc. But where fhall we haue them Captaine ? 
 
 Quint. Haue'em Lieftenant 1 if we haue'em not, 
 my Valentine fhall be one, and fhee fhall take a neigh- 
 bour or two with her to fee their nurft childes or fo; 
 wee'll want for no wenches I warrant thee. (Enter 
 Cuthbert Barber!) 
 
 Lod. But who conies here ?
 
 356 May -Day. 
 
 Quint. O tis my Barber. 
 
 Lod. S'blood how thy trades men haunt thee. 
 
 Quint. Alas they that Hue by men, muft haunt'em, 
 
 Cut. God faue you Sir. 
 
 Quint. How now Cutberd, what newes out of Bar- 
 bary ? 
 
 Cut. Sir, I would borrow a word with you in 
 priuate. 
 
 Quint. Be briefe then Cutbeard, thou look'ft leane 
 me thinks, I thinke th'art newly marryed. 
 
 Cut. I am indeede Sir. 
 
 Quint. I thought fo, keepe on thy hat man, twill 
 be the leffe perceiu'd, what, is not my Taylor and you 
 friends yet ? I will haue you friends thats certaine, He 
 maintaine you both elfe. 
 
 Cut. I know no enmity betwixt vs Sir, you know 
 Captaine I come about another matter. 
 
 Quint. Why but Cutbeard, are not you neighbours ? 
 your trades Cofen german, the Taylor and the Barber? 
 does not the Taylor fow 1 doeft not thou Barber 
 reape ? and doe they not both band themfelues 
 againft the common enemy of mankinde, the loufe? 
 are you not both honeft men alike ? is not he an 
 arrant knaue ? you next dore to a knaue, becaufe next 
 dore to him ? 
 
 Cut. Alas Sir, all this is to no purpofe, there are 
 certaine odde crownes betwixt vs you know. 
 
 Quint. True Cutbeard, wilt thou lend me as many 
 moe to make'em euen Boy? 
 
 Cut. Faith Sir, they haue hung long enough a con- 
 fidence. 
 
 Quint. Cut'em downe then Cutbeard, it belongs to 
 thy profeffion if they hang too long. 
 
 Cut. Well Sir if this be all, He come by' em as I 
 can, and you had any honefty. 
 
 Giou. S'blood honefty you knaue ? doe you taxe 
 any Gentleman in this company for his honefty ? 
 
 Cut. Blame me not fir, I am vndone by him, and 
 yet I am ftill of as good credit in my Parifh as he too.
 
 May -Day. 357 
 
 Quint. S'blood Rafcall, as good credit as I ? 
 
 Lod. Nay pre thee Captaine forbeare. 
 
 Innoc. Good Captaine be gone. 
 
 Quint. Let me alone ; He not flrike him by this 
 hand, why hearke yee Rogue : put your credit in bal- 
 lance with mine 1 do'fl thou keepe this company ! 
 here's Signior Lodouico, one of the Ciarifsimi, a man 
 of worlhip : here's a Gentleman of Padua, a man of 
 rare parts, an excellent fcholler, a fine Ciceronian. 
 
 Cut. Well fir. 
 
 Quint. And here's my Lieftenant, I hope thou 
 know'ft the Worfhipfull man his father with the blew 
 beard, and all thefe are my companions; and dare 
 you a barbarous llaue, a fquirting companion, compare 
 with me 1 but here's the point ; now behold and fee : 
 Signior Giouenelle, lend me foure or fiue pounds, let it 
 be fiue pounds, if you haue fo much about you. 
 
 Giou. Here's my purfe fir, I thirrke there be iufl fo 
 much in't. 
 
 Quint. Very good, now Cutbeard, are you a flan- 
 derous cut-throat or no * will thy credit doe this now 1 
 without fcrip- or fcrowle. But thou wilt thinke this is 
 done for a colour now ; doe you not lend it me 
 limply 1 
 
 Giou. What a queftion's that 1 
 
 Quint. For how long % 
 
 Giou. At your pleafure Captaine. 
 
 Quint. Why fo, here you poling Rafcall, here's two 
 crownes out of this money : now I hope wilt beleeue 
 'tis mine, now the property is altered. 
 
 Cut. Why you might a done this before then. 
 
 Quint. No Cutbcard, I haue beene burnd ith' hand 
 for that, He pay n'ere a knaue an yee all money, but 
 in the prefence of fuch honeft Gentleman that can 
 witneffe it ; of my confeience I haue paid it thee halfe 
 a dozen times ; goe to fir be gone. 
 
 Cut. Fare yee well fir. 
 
 Quint. Thanke you Signior Giouenelle; though 
 y'are fure of this money againe at my hands, yet take
 
 358 
 
 May-Day. 
 
 heede how this fame Lodouico get it from you, he's a 
 great marker ; but th'aft no more money about thee 
 haft thou 1 
 
 Giou. Not a doit, by this candle. 
 
 Quint. All the better, for hee'd cheat thee on't, if 
 thou had'ft euer fo much, therefore when thou com'ft 
 to Padua, ply thy booke and take good courfes, and 
 'tis not this againe mail feme thy turne at my handes, 
 I fweare to thee. 
 
 Giou. Thanke you good Captaine. 
 
 Quint. Signior Lodouico, adiew. 
 
 Lod. Not fo fir, we will not part yet, a caroufe or 
 two me thinks is very neceffary betwixt vs. 
 
 Quint. With all my heart Boy, into the Emperours 
 head here. 
 
 Lod. Content. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 AEltis fecundi Finis. 
 
 AElus Tertius. 
 
 Lodouico, Angelo. 
 
 Ang. 
 
 Lod. 
 
 ?iP| Ay Sir, haue you plaid the man 
 - and hous'd the Captaine 1 
 
 T haue hous'd and lodg'd him in 
 the Emperours head Tauerne, and 
 there I haue left him glorified with his two guls ? fo that 
 prefume of what thou wilt at his houfe, for he is out of 
 the way by this time both waies.
 
 May -Day. 359 
 
 Ang. T'is very well handled Or, and prefume j 
 & your friend my mailer Aurelio of what may fatisfie 
 you at your vncles, for he is now going out of the way, 
 and out of himfelfe alfo: I haue fo befmeard him with 
 a chimney fweepers refemblance, as neuer was poore 
 Snaile, whofe counterfaite he triumphes in, neuer 
 tli inking I haue daubd his face fufheient, but is at his 
 glaffe as curiouily bufied to beautifie his face (for as of 
 Moo'rs fo of chimney fweepers) the blacked is mod 
 beautifull as any Lady to paint her lips. 
 
 Lod. Thou art a notable villaine. 
 
 Ang. I am the fitter for your imployment Sir: ftand 
 clofe I befeech you, & when I bring him into the 
 flreets, encounter and bayte him in Head of S/iay/e, 
 but in any cafe let none elfe know it. 
 
 Lod, Not for the world. 
 
 Ang. If you fliould tell it to one, fo you charge 
 him to fay nothing, 'twere nothing, and fo if one by 
 one to it play holy water frog with twentie, you know 
 any fecret is kept fufficiently ; and in this, we fhall 
 haue the better fport at a Beare baiting, fare ye well 
 Sir. 
 
 Enter Honorio and Gasparo. 
 
 Hon. O Ignior Lodonico good euen to you. 
 
 Lod. j^The like to Signior Honorio, and harke you 
 Sir, I mull be bound with my vncle Lorenzo, and tell 
 you a pleafant fecrete of him, fo in no fort you will 
 vtter it. 
 
 Hon. In no fort as I am a Gentleman. 
 
 Lod. Why Sir hee is to walke the flreets prefently 
 in the likeneffe of Snayle the chimney fweeper, and 
 with his crie. 
 
 Hon. What is hee Sir 1 to what end I befeech you 
 Sir wil hee disfigure himfelfe fo ?
 
 6o May-Day. 
 
 Lod. Yfaith Sir I take it for fome matter of pollicy 
 that concernes towne gouernment. 
 
 Hon. Towne-bull gouernment, do you not meane 
 fo Sir 1 
 
 Lon. O no Sir, but for the generall bufmeffe of the 
 Citie I take it. 
 
 Hon. Well fir well we will not examine it too farre, 
 but geffe at it. 
 
 Lod. So fir when he comes forth do you take one 
 corner to encounter him as I will doe another, and 
 taking him for Siiayle, imagine hee went about ftealing 
 of Citie venifon, (though he do not,) and make what 
 fport you thinke good with him, alwaies prouided it be 
 cleanly, and that he may ftill thinke he goes inuifi- 
 ble. 
 
 Hon. I warraut yee Signior Lodouico, and thanke 
 you hartily for this good caufe of our honeft recrea- 
 tion. 
 
 Lod. Scarce honeft neither fir, but much good do 
 it you, as it is, 
 
 Hon. O that my fonne, your friend Aurelio, were 
 heere to helpe to candy this ieaft a little. 
 
 Lod. Alas fir, his ficke ftomacke can abide no 
 fweete meates, hee's all for aye me, wee'll make the 
 Ieaft rellifh well enough I warrant you : Lore?izo my 
 vncle an old Senator, one that has read Marcus Aure- 
 Jius, Gesta Romanorum, the Mirror of Magijlrates, <&c. 
 to be led by the nofe like a blind Beare that has read 
 nothing. Let my man reade how hee deferues to be 
 bayted. 
 
 Hon. 'Tis a pretty wonder yfaith Signior Lodouico. 
 Lod. Slife, 'twere a good deed, to get boyes to 
 pinne cards at his backe, hang fquibs at his tayle, ring 
 him through the towne with batons, befnowball him 
 with rotten egges, and make him afham'de of the Com- 
 miflion before hee feale it. 
 
 Gasp. What faies Signior Lodouico, I befeech you 
 fir 1 me thinkes his pleafant difpofition fhould intend 
 fome waggerie.
 
 May -Day. 361 
 
 Hon. I will tell you Signior Gasparo, but in any 
 cafe you mull fay nothing. 
 
 Gafp. In no cafe will 1 fay any thing fir. 
 
 Hon. Then this is the cafe : Signior Lorenzo (your 
 probable father in law) in the cafe of Snayle the chim- 
 ney fweeper, will ftraight tread the flreets for his 
 pleafure. 
 
 Gafp. For his pleafure 1 
 
 Lon. For his pleafure fir, fay it be fo, wonder not, 
 but ieaft at it, confider what pleafure the world fayes 
 he is mod giuen to, and helpe baite him hereafter, but 
 in any cafe cleanly, and fay nothing 
 
 Gafp. O monftrous, I conceiue you, my father in 
 law, will his daughter haue his tricks thinke you % 
 
 Hon. Faith for that you mull euen take fortune de 
 la pace, kiffe the Paxe, and be patient like your other 
 neighbours. So, here (land I, chofe you another 
 place. 
 
 Gafp. O me, what if a man fhould call him to 
 fweepe a chimney in earn eft, what would he doe 1 He 
 put him too't a my credit, and here will I fland. {Enter 
 Lorenzo with his glaffe in his hand, and Angelo with a 
 pot of painting.) 
 
 Aug. How now fir, are you well yet thinke you 1 
 
 Lor. A little more here good Angelo. 
 
 Ang. Very well fir, you ihall haue enough. 
 
 Lor. It will be the mod perfeel difguife that euer 
 was imitated. 
 
 Ang. He warrant you that yfaith fir; ya're fitted 
 beyonde the forehead for a right counterfaite ; It is 
 well now fir '? 
 
 Lor. Yet a little more heere Angelo, and then 
 mailer Painter let Michael Angelo himfelfe amend 
 thee. 
 
 Ang. For a perfeel naturall face, I care not if all 
 the world explaine it. 
 
 L.or. So now take this glaffe, and giue me my fur- 
 niture, and haue at your fmoaky chimney. 
 
 Ang. Haue at your fmoakie chimney Miftrefle
 
 362 May -Day. 
 
 Franke : heere fir take vp your occupation, and downe 
 with Snaylc for a chimney fweeper. 
 
 Lor. Away, fee if the coaft be cleare. 
 
 Ang. I will fir. 
 
 Lor. Take good view, looke about to the doores 
 and windowes. 
 
 Ang. Not a dogge at a doore, not a cat at a win- 
 dow. Appeare in your likeneffe, and not with your 
 quality. 
 
 Lor. Chimney fweepe ; work for chimney fweepe, 
 wilt do firha ? 
 
 Aug. Admirably. 
 
 Lor. Does my fute become me 1 
 
 Ang. Become you fir would to heauen miftreffe 
 Franke could bring you to the wearing of it alwaies. 
 
 Lor. He forth yfaith then ; Maids in your fmocks, 
 fet open your locks, 
 
 Downe, downe, downe : 
 Let Chimney fweeper in : 
 And he will fweepe your chimneys cleane, 
 
 Hey derry, derry, downe. 
 How do' ft like my crie, ha 1 
 
 Ang. Out of all crie, I forbid Snayle himfelfe to 
 creepe beyond you. 
 
 Lor. As God helpe, I begin to be proud on't : 
 Chimney fweepe. 
 
 Ang. Gods pitty, who comes yonder 1 
 
 Lor. My nephew Lodowicke; Gods me, He ftart 
 backe againe. 
 
 Ang. Nay ther's no ftarting now, hee'll fee you go 
 into your houfe then ; fall into your note ; lland to 
 Snayles perfon and I warrant you. (E?iter Lodouico.) 
 
 Exit Ang. 
 
 Lor. Chimney fweepe. 
 
 Lod. How now Snayle, how do'ft thou 1 
 
 Lor. Thank e your good worfhip. 
 
 Lod. Me thinkes thy fong is more hearty then 
 'twas wont to be, and thou look'ft much better.
 
 May -Day. 363 
 
 Lor. Thanke God and good friends fir ; and a 
 merry heart that prolongs life. Chimney I 
 
 Lod. Nay good Snaylc, lets talke a little, you know 
 Rofc mine vncle Lorenfoes maide Snaylc ! 
 
 Lor. That I do well fir. 
 
 Lod. She complaines of you S/iayle, and fayes, y'are 
 the bawdiefl old knaue in venery. 
 
 Lor. Alas fir, fhe wrongs me : I am not fedde there- 
 after, let her looke for that commendation in her richer 
 cuflomers. 
 
 Lod. Who are they S/iaykl I hope you doe not 
 meane mine vncle her Matter; hee's mine vncle and 
 I loue him well, and I know the old lickfpiggot will 
 be nibling a little when he can come too't : but I mull 
 needs fay he will do no hurt, hee's as gentle as an 
 Adder that has his teeth taken out. 
 
 Lor. Y'are a merry Gentleman fir ; and I haue 
 haftie labour in hand, I muft craue pardon. (Enter 
 Honorio.) Chimney fweepe. 
 
 Hono. What old Snayle 1 how do'ft thou and thy 
 chimneyes 1 
 
 Lod. Marry fir I was asking him queftions about 
 one of them. 
 
 Hono. What Signior Lodouico 1 what one is that I 
 pray ? 
 
 Lod. Mine vncle Lorenzos maide Rofe fir, and hee 
 will needs perfwade me, her old mafter keepes her for 
 his owne faddle. 
 
 Hono. Her old mafter 1 I dare fweare they wrong 
 him that fay fo ; his very age would make him afham'd 
 to be ouertaken with thofe goatifh licences. 
 
 Lod. True fir, and his great authority in the Citie, 
 that fhould whippe fuch vnfeafonable letchers about 
 the wals of it. 
 
 Ho7io. Why, y'are ith' right fir, and now you talke 
 of your vncle, I heard fay Captaine Quint diano cheated 
 him yeflerday of fiue pounds, as hee did a yong Gen- 
 tleman of Padua this morning of as much more.
 
 364 . May -Day. 
 
 Lod. Faith fir he drew fuch a kinde of tooth from 
 him indeede. 
 
 Hono. Is it poflible he mould be fo wrought vpon 
 by him ? Now certaine I haue euer held him a mofl 
 wife Gentleman. 
 
 Lod. An arrant Rooke by this light ; a capable 
 cheating ftocke ; a man may carry him vp and downe 
 by the eares like a pipkin. 
 
 Hono. But do you thinke he will let the Captaine 
 pafle fo 1 
 
 Lod. Why alas, what mould he doe to him fir 1 
 the paflure is fo bare with him, that a goofe cannot 
 graze vpon't. 
 
 Hono. Marry fir then would I watch him a time 
 when he were abroad, and take out my penniworthes 
 of his wife, if hee drew a tooth from me, I would draw 
 another from her. 
 
 Lod. Well, God be with your worfhips : chimney 
 fweeper, I thought I fhould neuer haue beene ridde of 
 them, {Enter Gafpard) Chimney fweepe. 
 
 Gafp. What old Snayle, do'ft thou crie chimney 
 fweepe ftill 1 why they fay thou art turnd mightie rich 
 of late. 
 
 Lor. I would they faid true fir? 
 
 Gafp. Yes by the maffe, by the fame token, that 
 thofe riches make thy old name for yenery encreafe 
 vpon thee. 
 
 Lor. Foolifh tales fir, foolifh tales. 
 
 Gafp. Yes by the maffe, Snayle, but they be told for 
 fuch certaine tales, that if thou haft a daughter to 
 marry with tenne thoufand crownes, I would fee her pit- 
 hole, afore I would deale with her, for feare the fhould 
 trot through her fathers trumperies. 
 
 Lor. Alas fir your worfhip knowes, I haue neither 
 daughter nor riches, Idle talke fir, Idle talke : chim- 
 ney fweepe. 
 
 Gafp. Nay ftay Snayle, and come into my houfe, 
 thou fhalt earne fome money of mee, I haue a chim- 
 ney to fweepe for thee.
 
 May- Day. 565 
 
 Lor. 1 thanke your worfhip, I will waite vpon you 
 next morning early fir : but now I haue promi'ft to 
 fweepe another mans chimney in tnith. 
 
 Gofp. But good Snayle take mine in the way. 
 
 Lod. What does he crie chimney fweepe, and 
 refufe to fweepe 'cm 1 
 
 Lor. Nc mailer, alas you know I hue by it, and 
 now I crie as I go to worke that I haue promi'ft, that 
 I may get more againft other times : what would ye 
 haue me do troe 1 
 
 Honor. Alas poore Snayle ; farewell good Snayle, 
 farewell. 
 
 Lor. Lord keepe your good worlhip. And a 
 
 very vengeance, I befeech the blacke father of ven- 
 geance. 
 
 Lod. Poore vncle, he begins to be melancholy, has 
 loft his fong among's 
 
 Gafp. Was neuer fuch man touch't with fuch ouer- 
 fight 1 
 
 Hon : Beare with age, Signior Gafparo, beare with 
 age, and let vs all tender his credite as we haue vow'd, 
 and be filent ; he little thought to haue beene thus 
 betrayed as he is ; and where fecrecy is affur'd, it 
 beares with many bad actions in the very bell I can 
 tell you, and fo good Signior Lodouico adew, and I 
 heartily thanke you. 
 
 Lod. Adue good Signior Honorio. 
 
 Gafp. Adue to you likewife fir. Exeunt Gafparo <£ 
 Honorio. 
 
 Lod. Likewife to you fir. Alas poore vncle, I haue 
 monftroully abufed him ; and yet maruellous worthie, 
 for he difparageth the whole bloud of vs ; and I wifh all 
 fuch old fheepebiters might alwaies dippe their fingers 
 in fuch fauce to their mutton; but thus will he prefently 
 bee fafe ; for by this hee is neere his fweete hearts 
 houfe, where he is like to be entertain'd with worfe 
 cheere then we made him. Quintilliano is now carouf- 
 ing in the Emperours head, while his owne head 
 buddes homes to caroufe in ; and in the meane time
 
 366 May-Day. 
 
 will my amorous friend and I, make both their abfences 
 fhooing homes to draw on the prefence of jE?nilia. 
 
 ' ' 1 1 / / • 
 
 Enter Lorenzo and Angelo (Francifco aboue) 
 
 Ang.~\ 7"X 7Hat fayes your worfhip now? Do you 
 \ \ not walke inuihble, all your ancient 
 acquaintance, your owne nephew to talke with you and 
 neuer difcouer you ? 
 
 Lor. But Angelo, a villanous feare fhooke me the 
 whiles I fweare, for flill I was afraid my tongue would 
 haue likt away the foote of my face, and bewrayed me ; 
 but Snayle, hitherto thy ruftie fhell has protected me : 
 perfeuer till I haue yonder houfe a my head, hold in 
 thy homes, till they looke out of Quintittianoos fore- 
 head : for an old man to make a yong man cuckold, 
 is one of Hercules labours. 
 
 Ang. That was the cleanfmg of other mens ftables. 
 
 Lor. To make youth rampant in age, and age 
 paffant in youth, to take a man downe at his owne 
 weapon ; to call backe time in one, and thruft him 
 headlong vpon another. 
 
 Aug. Now your worfhip is Oracle to your owne 
 miracles ; how you fhine in this fmoaky cloud ? which 
 you make the golden net to embrace Venus, y'aue 
 paft the pikes yfaith, and all the Iayles of the loue-god 
 fwarme in yonder houfe, to falute your recouery. 
 
 Lor. Wei Angelo, I tell thee, now we are paft the 
 danger, I would not for 40 crowns but haue heard, 
 what I haue heard. 
 
 Ang. True fir, now you know what the world 
 thinks on you, 'tis not poffible for a great man, that 
 mines alwaies in his greatnefle, to know himfelfe ; but 
 O twice yong Leander, fee where your Hero (lands
 
 May -Day. 367 
 
 with torch of her beauty to direct you to her tower, 
 aduance your fweete note, & vpon her. 
 
 Lor. Chimney fweepe, worke for chimney fweepe. 
 
 Fran. Come in chimney fweeper. 
 
 Lor. Angel 0. 
 
 Aug. Why now fir thine Angelo is your good 
 Angell ; enter ami profper, and when you are in the 
 mid'll of your happinefle. thinke of him that prefcr"d 
 you. Exit Lorenzo. 
 
 Fran. Angelo, giue him not too much time with 
 me, for feare of the worll, but goe prefently to the backc 
 gate, and vfe my husbands knocke, then will I pre- 
 fently thrufl him into my cole-houfe : and there mall 
 the old hYlh monger fafl for his iniquity. Exit. 
 
 Ang. Well (aid mine owne Franke yfaith, we mail 
 trim him betwixt vs, I for the moft flouenly cafe in the 
 towne ; fhee, for the moft fluttifh place in the houfe : 
 Neuer was old horfe-man fo notorioully ridden ; well, 
 I will prefently knocke him into the cole-houfe, and 
 then hafte to Lodouico, to know when he lhall be releaft. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Enter Lodouico with a ladder of ropes, Aurelio, 
 (^Emilia abouc.) 
 
 Lod. T T Ere's thy ladder, and ther's thy gallowes, thy 
 [ Miftris is thy hangman, and mufl take thee 
 downe : This is the Tarrafle where thy fweet heart 
 tarries; what wouldft thou call it in Rime? 
 
 Aitr. Celeftiall fpheare, wherein more beauty 
 
 mines. 
 Lod. Roome for a pafiion. 
 .1 ur. Then on Dardanian Ida, where the pride 
 Of heauens felecled beauties flriu'd for prize.
 
 o 
 
 68 May-Day. 
 
 Lod. Nay you fliall know, we haue watred our 
 houfes in Helicon. I cannot abide this talking and 
 vndoing Poetry, leaue your mellifluous numbers : 
 yonder's a fight will fleale all reafon from your rime I 
 can tell you ; downe of your knees you llaue, adore. 
 Now lets heare you inuocate, O the fuple hammes of 
 a louer, goe to, doe not, ftand vp clofe, for (lie muft 
 not fee you yet, though (lie know you are here. 
 
 ALm. Cozen Lodowicke ? 
 
 Lod. "Who cals Lodowicke 1 
 
 j£m. What tempeft hath can. you on this follitary 
 fliore 1 Is the party come 1 
 
 Lod. The party i now a plague of your modefty, 
 are your lips too nice to name Aurelio 1 
 
 JS//K Well, is he come then ? 
 
 Lod. He, which he 1 s'fut name your man with a 
 mifchiefe to you, I vnderftand you not. 
 
 jEm. Was there euer fuch a wild-braine ? A urelio. 
 
 Lod. Aurelio 1 Lord how loth you are to let any 
 found of him come out an you, you hold him fo deare 
 within, He prefent her with a light, will ftartle her 
 nicety a little better ; hold you, fallen the end of this 
 ladder I pray. 
 
 JEm. Now Iefus bleffe vs, why cofen, are you 
 mad 1 
 
 Lod. Goe to you fpirit of a feather, be not fo foft 
 hearted, leaue your nicety, or by this hemp He fo 
 hamper thy affeclions in the halter of thy louers 
 abfence, making it vp in a gordian knot of forgetful- 
 neffe, that no Alexander of thy allurements, with all 
 the fwordes of thy fweet words, ihall euer cut in 
 peeces. 
 
 JZ/ii. Lord, how you roule in your rope-ripe 
 termes. 
 
 Lod. Goe to, tell me, will you fallen the ladder 
 or no? 
 
 AZm. I know not what I fliould fay t'ee : I will 
 fallen it, fo only your felfe will come vp. 
 
 Lod. Only my felfe will come vp then.
 
 May-Day. 369 
 
 m. Nay fwei ' <"uzc, fweare it. 
 
 Lod. Jf I mould fweare thou wouldft curie n 
 take my word in a halters name, and make the ladder 
 as fad to the Tarraffe, as thou would'ft be to Aurelio. 
 
 Aim. Nay fee if lie doe not make me giue oner 
 again e ? 
 
 Lod. Was there euer fueh a blew kitling? fallen it 
 now, or by heauen thou do'fl loofe me for euer. 
 
 Aim. Well fir, remember your word; I will faften 
 it, but yfaith Cuze, is not the Gentleman, and his 
 parting (holler parted yet % 
 
 Lod. Yfaith with much adoe : 
 
 Aim. Nay, nay, choofe him : I fhall Hue, if they be- 
 not : and it I liue till his choller kill me, I fliall Hue 
 till he leaue louing me, and that will be a good while 
 firil. 
 
 Lod. Lord, Lord, who has enform'd you of fuch 
 amorous ferueucy in him : are you fo confident in his 
 kindneffe? 
 
 Am. Nay by my troth, tis but a careleffe confi- 
 dency neither, which alwaies laft longer then that 
 which is timorous : well Cuze, here I haue faflned it 
 for your pleafure ; but alas, the feare of my fathers 
 comming fo diftracT. me, that I fcarce know what 1 
 doe or lay. 
 
 Lod. Your father? do'ft thinke we would venture 
 all this preparation, and not make him fafe 1 
 
 Aim. But are you fure he is fafe 1 
 
 I i>d. Am I fure this is Aurelio 1 looke vpon him 
 wench, is it not thy loue? thy life? come fir, mount. 
 
 Am. O cofen Lodwicke, doe you thus cofen and 
 betray me 1 
 
 Lod. Cuze, Cuze, thou haft acted thy diffembling 
 part long enough, in the moft modeft iudgement, 
 and palling naturally, giue ouer with thy credit then, 
 vnmaske thy loue, let her appeere in her natiue GmpH- 
 city, ftriue to conceale her no longer from thy loue, 
 for I muft needs tell thee he knowes all. 
 
 Am. What does he know \ 
 
 A A
 
 370 May- Day. 
 
 Lod. Why all that thou told'fl me, that thou lou'll 
 him more then he can loue thee, that thou hafl fet vp 
 thy refolution, in defpight of friends or foes, weales or 
 woes, to let him poffeffe thee wholly, and that thou 
 didft wooe me to bring him hither to thee : All this he 
 knowes ; that it was thy deuice to prepare this ladder, 
 and in a word, all the fpeech that paft betwixt thee and 
 and me he knowes, I told him euery word truly and 
 faithfully Gods my Iudge. 
 
 sEm. Now was there euer fuch an immodeft crea- 
 ture 1 
 
 Lod. Via, with all vaine modefty, leaue this 
 colouring, and flrip thy loue ftarke naked, this time is 
 too precious to fpend vainly ; mount I fay. 
 
 Aur. Modell of heauenly beauty. 
 
 Lod. Sownds, wilt thou melt into rime a the tother 
 fide 1 fliall we haue lines 1 change thy ftile for a lad- 
 der, this will bring thee to Parnaffus, vp I fay. 
 
 Aur. Vnworthy I t'approach the furtheft flep to 
 that felicity that fhines in her. 
 
 Lod. O fpurblinde affection, I haue feene a fellow, 
 to a worfe end afcend a ladder with a better will, and 
 yet this is in the way of marriage, and they fay, mar- 
 riage and hanging haue both one conftellation. To 
 approue the which old facing, fee if a new ladder 
 make 'em not agree. 
 
 Aim. Peace, fome bodie comes. 
 
 Lod. That you heard, was but a moufe, fo boy I 
 warrant thee. 
 
 Aur. O facred goddeffe, what foe're thou art 
 That in meere pitty to preferue a foule 
 From vndeferu'd deftruclion, haft vouchfaf't 
 To take sEmiliaes fhape. 
 
 Lod. What a poeticall fheepe is this % S'life, will 
 you fland riming there vpon a ftage, to be an eye- 
 marke to all that paffe 1 is there not a chamber by? 
 withdraw I fay for fhame, haue you no fhame in you ? 
 heere will come fome bodie prefently I lay my life 
 on't.
 
 May-Day. 3 7 1 
 
 Aur. Deare miflreffe, to auoid that likely danger, 
 Vouchfafe me onely priuate conference, 
 And 'tis the mines of my prefent hopes. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Lod. Aurelio, Occafion is bald, take her by the 
 forelock ; fo, fo. I n Hymens name get you together, 
 heere will I (land Sentinell. This is the backe gate 
 to Honorios houfe, which (hall be Aurelios, if God giue 
 him grace to weepe for his fathers death in time. And 
 in this garden, if I could fee the chafte Lucrefle, or the 
 affable miflreffe lemperance, I might (thus wrapt in my 
 cloake) fteale a little courtfhip through the chinke of 
 a pale. But indeed I thinke it fafer to fit clofer, and 
 fo to cloud the fumme of my vifnomy, that no eye dif- 
 ceme it. (lie Jits downe and muffles himfdfe in his 
 cloake.) So be it, thats my refolution. Now to my 
 contemplation, this is no Pandarifme, is it 1 No, for 
 there is neither money nor credit propos'd or expected, 
 and befides there is no vnlawfull act intended, no not 
 tins fame lafeiua aclio an/mi : I thinke for his part, 
 much leffe hers : go to, let me do my kinfwoman, and 
 her fex right, fit at reft with me then reputation, and 
 confeience, fall afleepe with the world, but this fame 
 idle attendance is the fpite of it, Idleneffe is accounted 
 with other men a finne, to me 'tis a penance, I was 
 begot in a ftirring feafon, for now hath my foule a. 
 thoufand fancies in an inftant, as what wench dreams 
 on when fhe lies on her backe, when one hen layes an 
 egge and another fits it, whether that hen fliall mother 
 that chicken ? If my bull leape your cow, is not the 
 calfe yours ? yes no doubt, for sEdificium cedit Joto 
 faies the Lawyer : and then to clofe all comes in a 
 fentence, Non omnia pojjumus omnes : for fome are 
 borne to riches, others to verfes, fome to be bachelers, 
 others to be cuckolds, fome to get crownes, and others 
 to fpend'm, fome to get children, and others to keepe 
 'em : and all this is but idleneffe, would to God T 
 had fome fcuruy poeme about me to laugh at, {Enter 
 Temperance.) but marke, yonders amotion to be feene.
 
 372 May -Day. 
 
 Temp. Yonder he fits yfaith, well done true loue, 
 good Signior Leonoro, he keepes promife the bell, he 
 does not fee me yet. 
 
 Lod. Tis the ftai'd Madam Temperance, a pretty 
 pinnace the has bene in her daies, and in her nights 
 too, for her burthen, and reafonable good vnder fayle, 
 and fee the hath difcouered a fayle, fee, fee, the hales 
 him in, ha 1 tis this way to the rewards, flight 'tis this 
 way : I hope the baud knowesnot me, and yet I know 
 not, the may be a witch, for a whore fhe was before I 
 knew her, a baud I haue knowne her any time this 
 dozen yeares, the next ftep to honour then is a witch, 
 becaufe of Nature, for where the whore ends, the baud 
 begins, and the corruption of a baud, is the generation 
 of a witch. And Pythagoras holds opinion, that a 
 witch turnes to a wild Cat, as an old Oftler turnes to 
 an ambling nagge. {Enter Leonoro muffled in his 
 cloake with Lyonell. 
 
 Leo. This is the backe gate, where Temperance 
 fhould meete me at this howre. 
 
 Lyon. I wonder fhe fayles, for I lee her not. 
 
 Leo. Why fits that fellow there troe? come let's 
 houer here abouts 'twill not be long er'e we encounter. 
 
 Exit. 
 
 Lod. So, now this riddle is expounded, this baud 
 tooke me for this aduenturer whom (twentie to one) 
 fhe attended, to waft him into Lucretias chamber, what 
 a beaft was I, not to apprehend this aduantage, thus 
 muffled as I am, fhe could not haue perceiued mee till 
 I had bene in, And I might fafely haue ftaid a while 
 without endangering my louers : {Enter Tempera?ice 
 jlcaling along thejlagc.) S'light fhe takes me ftill for 
 her firft man. 
 
 Tern. Come, come, gingerly for Gods fake, gingerly 
 
 Exeunt.
 
 May-Day. 37 3 
 
 Enter Leonoro and Lyonell. 
 
 Leo. PEc "Lyonell, yet flic is not come, and the 
 vjpriuy attendant is gone. 
 
 L vo. I wonder what it was. 
 
 Leo. I feare me fome other clyent of hers, whom 
 (he preferres before me, come, we muft not linger 
 here too long together, wee'll enter on this back fide, to 
 the Emperours head, where we will Hay a little, and 
 then make the laft triall of this bauds honefty. {Enter 
 Quintiliano, Gzouenelli, and Fannio in their doublet and 
 hofc.) 
 
 Quint. Come Ancient, lets leaue our company a 
 little, and ayre our felues in this backiide. — Who goes 
 there ? 
 
 Leo. A friend. 
 
 Quint. The word. 
 
 Leo. God faue you Captaine Quintiliano. 
 
 Quint. Shote him Ancient, a fpie, the word's the 
 Emperours head, and thither you fhall go fir. 
 
 Leo. Pardon me good Captaine. 
 
 Gio. Come, be not retrograde to our defires. 
 
 Leo. I attend a friend of mine. 
 
 Quint. Th'aft attended him already, I am witneffe 
 too'tj deni't and he dare, whatfoe're he bee, and he 
 fhall attend thee another while, and he will: Th'art as 
 good a man as he, and he be the Duke himfelfe, for a 
 Clarifsimo ; entertaine him Ancient, bid the Clarif- 
 si/no, welcome, He call a drawer, and wee'll haue fome 
 wine in this Arbor. Exit. 
 
 Gio. Y'are very welcome Signior Clarifsimo, defire 
 you more acquaintance fir. 
 
 Leo. My name is Leonoro fir, & indeed I fcarce 
 know you. 
 
 Gio. No fir, and you know me, you muft know as 
 much as I know, for Scientia and Scientificus is all one ; 
 but that's all one, in truth fir, you fhall not fpend a 
 penny here, I had money, I thanke Cod euen now, 
 and peraduenture fhall haue againe e're we part, I 
 haue fent to a friend of mine.
 
 374 May-Day. 
 
 {Enter Quintilliano and a drawer with a cup of wine 
 6° a towell.) 
 
 Quint. Here honourable C/arifsimo, I drinke to 
 thee. 
 
 Leo. Thanke you good Captaine. 
 
 Quint. S'fut, winefucker, what haue you fild vs 
 heere, baldredafh 1 tafte Leonoro. 
 
 Leo. Me thinks 'tis facke. 
 
 Geo. Let vs tafte fir, 'tis claret, but it has beene 
 fetch't againe with Aqua vitce. 
 
 Quint. S'light me thinks t'as taken fait water, who 
 drew this wine you rogue ? 
 
 Draw. My fellow Sam drew it fir, the wine's a 
 good neat wine, but you loue a pleafanter grape, He 
 fit your palate fir. {He /lands clofe.) 
 
 Quint. Is this thy boy Leonoro % 
 
 Leo. For fault of a better fir. 
 
 Quint. Afore heauen 'tis a fweete fac't child, me 
 thinks he fhould fhow well in womans attire : and hee 
 tooke her by the lilly white hand, and he laid her 
 vpon a bed. He helpe thee to three crownes a weeke 
 for him, and fhe can ac~t well. Ha'ft euer praclis'd 
 my pretty Ganimede 1 
 
 Ljo. No, nor neuer meane fir. 
 
 Gio. Meane fir? No marry Captaine, there will 
 neuer be meane in his practife I warrant him. 
 
 Quint. O finely taken ; Sirha, C/arifsimo, this fel- 
 low was an arrant Affe this fore-noone, afore he came 
 to be an Antient. 
 
 Leo. But where's your Lieftenant Captaine ? 
 
 Quint. Sownds man, hee's turnd fwaggerer. 
 
 Leo. 1ft poffible 1 
 
 Quint. Swaggerer by this light he ; and is in the 
 next roome writing a challenge to this tall Gentleman 
 my Antient here. 
 
 Leo. What, mutinous in your owne company 1 
 
 Quint. S'fut man, who can bridle the affes valour ]
 
 May-Day. -5 
 
 Gioit. S'blood and any man thinke to bridle 1 
 
 Leo. But what was the quarrell ? 
 
 Quint. Why Or, becaufe 1 entertaind this G< 
 man for my Antient, (being my deare friend and an 
 excellent fcholler) he takes pe] per ith'nofeand fnei 
 it out vpon my Antient ; now fir (he being of an vn- 
 cole-carrying fpirit) fals foule on him, cals him gull 
 openly ; and euer fince I am faine to drinke with 'em 
 in two roomes, dare not let 'em come together for m\ 
 life, but with pen and inke-hornes, and fo my Liefte- 
 nant is in the next chamber calling cold Inke vpon 
 the {Enter Innocentio.) flame of bis courage, to keepe 
 him from the blot of cowardife, fee where he comes 
 with his challenge : good Clarifsimo hold my Antient. 
 
 Leo. Good Antient, forbeare in a Tauernc. 
 
 Quint. Reuenge noble Lieftenant, haft thou done 
 it? 
 
 Innoc. S'light I thinke I haue pepperd him, but 
 twas his owne feeking you know. 
 
 Quint. Thats certaine. 
 
 Giou. Sownds my feeking fir 1 
 
 Quint. Hold him Leonoro; and if it be poflible, 
 perfwade him to heare the challenge from the enemies 
 owne mouth. 
 
 Leo. He vndertake he fhall Captaine : Good Anti- 
 ent let me entreate you. 
 
 Giou. Well fir, becaufe y'are a flranger to me, you 
 (hall doe more with me. 
 
 Leo. Thanke you good ancient. 
 
 Quint. Reade fiery Lieftenant, reade boy, legibly. 
 
 Innoc. Here it is fir : Signior Gioucnel/i, it is not 
 ignorant vnto you, that euen now you croft me ouer 
 the cocks-comb. 
 
 Giou. 1 did fo fir : I will not denie it I warrant 
 you. 
 
 Leo. Good Ancient peace. 
 
 Innoc. And that openly, or clfe it would neuer 
 haue greeu'd me. 
 
 Quint. That openly was all indeede.
 
 376 May -Day. 
 
 Innoc. And moreouer, very vnreuerendly to call 
 me gull, and affe to my face : And therefore, though 
 I held it good difcretion in me to winke at the blow, 
 not feeing to take notice of it. 
 
 Leo. Good difcretion in deede. 
 
 Innoc. Yet know that I will haue fatisfaclion from 
 you. 
 
 Gion. Well fir, and you fhall. 
 
 Quint. Nay good Ancient heare him. 
 
 Intwc. And defire you to fend me word, whether 
 you will maintaine it or no, hoping that you will not 
 offer that difcourtefie to doe me wrong, and ftand to 
 it when you haue done. 
 
 Leo. That were foule indeede. 
 
 Innoc. And as for the words, in that you call'd me 
 gull, and Affe to my face, refolue me by letter (for I do 
 not thinke fit we fhould meete) firft whether you fpake 
 any fuch words or no : and fecondly by whom you 
 meant 'em. And if by me (as I thinke you durft not) 
 confeffe you are forry for 'hem : and if I haue offended 
 you, I heartily aske you forgiueneffe. And fo fare- 
 well. 
 
 Quint. Afore heauen Ancient, this would haue 
 tickled you, but good Leonoro, and thou bee'ft a right 
 C/arifsimo, lets make 'em friends, and drinke to one 
 another : S'fut, we haue no wine here me thinks, 
 where's this Aperner 1 
 
 Drawer. Here Sir. 
 
 Quint. Haue you mended your hand fir. 
 
 Draw. I Captaine, and if this pleafe not your 
 tafte, either you or I cannot taft a cup of wine. 
 
 Quint. Sounds y'are very faucy fir, here Lieftenant, 
 drink to thy Ancient, and voide mutinies with your 
 officer, marfhall law is dangerous. 
 
 Innoc. Is he content I fhoud drinke to him 1 
 
 Leo. He is I warrant thee. 
 
 Innoc. Why then Ancient good lucke t'ee. 
 
 Giou. Let come Lieftenant, I pledge you. 
 
 Quint. Why fo, now my company is cur'de againe,
 
 May-Day. $77 
 
 afore 'twas wounded. Come honorable Clarifsimo, 
 lets retire to our ftrength, tafte a frefh caroufe or two, 
 and then march home with Muficke. Tapfler, eall vs 
 in fome Muficke. 
 Draw. I will fir. 
 
 Finis Aclus Tertij. 
 
 A&us Quartus. 
 
 Enter Quintiliano, Leonora, Innoeentio, Lionello, 
 I'annio, with Muficke. 
 
 Quint. Ifr^^JJll Trike vp Scrapers, honorable Cla- 
 rifsimo, and thy fweet Adonis, adieu, 
 remember our deuice at the fhow 
 foone. 
 
 Leo. I will not faile Captaine, farewell t'ee both : 
 come Lionel, now let vs trie the truth of Madam Tem- 
 perance, and fee if thee attend vs. 
 
 Innoc. I hope by this time fliee rememhers her 
 promife fir. Exeunt Leo. and Lio. 
 
 Quint. How now Lieftenant, where's my Ancient ? 
 
 Innoc. Many Captaine y'aue left him calling the 
 reckoning ith' chimney. 
 
 Quint. Why then his purfe and his ftomacke wil 
 be empty together, and fo I cafhier him ; let the fchol- 
 ler report at Padua, that Venice has other manner of 
 learning belongs to it : what does his Continuum 6° 
 Continuum here ? let 'em goe to the Inke pot and be- 
 ware of the wine pot.
 
 378 May -Day. 
 
 Fill red cheek't Bacchus, let the Burdeux grape 
 
 Skip like la voltos in their fwelling vaines. 
 
 Te dan, dan tidle, te dan de dan tidle didle, &=c. 
 
 Innoc. O God Captaine that I could dance fo. 
 
 Quint. He tooke her by (ftrike vp fidlers) the 
 lilly white hand and he laid her vpon the bedde. Oh 
 what a fpirit haue I now 1 I long to meete a Sergeant 
 in this humor, I would but haue one whiffe at one of 
 thefe fame peuter button'd (boulder-clappers, to trie 
 whether this chopping knife or their peftels were the 
 better weapons. Here's a blade Boy, it was the old 
 Dukes firfl predeceffors ; He tell thee what Lieftenant, 
 this fvvord has dubd more Knights then thy knife has 
 opened Oyfters. 
 
 Innoc. 1(1 poffible Captaine, and me thinks it 
 Hands a little. 
 
 Quint. No matter for that, your beft mettald 
 blades will (land fooneft : fo, now we haue attaind 
 our Maniion houfe. At which He fing a verfe (hall 
 breake the dores. O noble Hercules, let no Stygian 
 lake. 
 
 Te dan dan tidle, te da?i de dan tidle didle, &>c. 
 Farewell fcrapers, your reward now (hall be that I will 
 not cut your (Irings nor breake your (idles, via, away. 
 
 Innoc. Come Captaine, lets enter, I long to fee 
 my Miftris, I warrant (hee's a heauy Gentlewoman for 
 your abfence. 
 
 Quint. S'fut (he's an Af(e, honour wooes me, pre- 
 ferment cals me, and I muft lye pampred in a wenches 
 lap, becaufe (hee dotes on me. Honour faies no, lief- 
 tenant. Pugna pro fiatria, we muft too't yfaith and 
 feeke our portion amongft the fcratcht faces. 
 
 Lorenzo within. Miftris, Miftris, is he gone ? 
 
 Quint. Whoe's that cals there 1 
 
 Innoc. I heard no body. 
 
 Quint. No 1 there was one cald Miftris : I fay who 
 cald Miftris, s'blood I hope I am not drunk e. 
 
 Fann. In truth fir I heard no body. 
 
 Quint. I tell thee I fmelt a voice here in my
 
 May -Day. 379 
 
 entry, s'fut He make it fmell worfe and' cheare it 
 again e. 
 
 Innoc. O me, hee'll draw vpon his ownc fhaddow 
 in this humour, if it take the wall of him. Follow him 
 Fannio, looke he doe no harme for God fake. 
 
 Lor. Helpe, helpe, helpe. 
 
 Innoc. Name of God, what's there to doe ? {Enter 
 Quiu til. and Lorenzo. 
 
 Lor. Good Captaine doe not hurt me. 
 
 Quint. Sounds is hell broke loofe % why Snaile, 
 though you can fing fongs and doe things Snaile, I 
 mull not allow yee to creepe into my wiues cole-houfe, 
 what Snaile into my withdrawing chamber? 
 
 Lor. I befeech your worfhip heare me fpeake. 
 
 Quint. O Snaile, this is a hard cafe ; no roome 
 feme your turne, but my wiues cole-houfe, and her 
 other houfe of office annext to it ? a priuy place for 
 her felfe, and me fometimes, and will you vfe it being 
 a lb-anger? s'light how comes this about? vp firha 
 and call your Miftris. 
 
 Lor. A plague of all difguifes. Exit Fannio. 
 
 Innoc. Alas poore Snaile, what didfl thou make 
 here ? 
 
 Lor. I proteft fir for no harme, my Miftris cald me 
 in to fweepe her chimney, and becaufe I did it not to 
 her minde, fhe made me doe pennance in her cole- 
 houfe. 
 
 Innoc. Search him Captaine and fee, if he haue 
 Rolen nothing. 
 
 Lor. Kill me, hang me, if I haue. 
 
 Quint. Yes Snaile, and befides I heare complaints 
 of you, y'are an old luxurious hummerer about 
 wenches Snaile, does this become your grauity fir ? 
 Lieftenant, fetch me a cole-facke, He put him in it ;u\(\ 
 hang him vp for a figne. 
 
 Lor. I befeech your Worfhip be good to me. 
 
 Innoc. Good Captaine pardon him, fince he has 
 done nothing but fwept your chimney worfe then my
 
 380 May -Day. 
 
 Miftris would haue it fwept, he will doe it better 
 another time. 
 
 Quint. Well Simile, at this Gentlemans requeft, (to 
 whom I can denie nothing) I releafe you for this once, 
 but let me take you no more thus I aduife you. 
 
 Lor. Not while I hue good Captaine. 
 
 Quint. Hence, trudge you drudge, goe away. 
 
 Lor. A plague of all difguifes. Exit Loretizo. 
 
 {Enter Eauuio.) 
 
 Fann. I haue look't about all the houfe for my 
 Miftris fir, but I cannot finde her. 
 
 Quint. Goe then, looke all about the towne for 
 her too ; come in Lieftenant, lets repofe a little after 
 our liquor. Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Aurelio and Almilia, ctboue. 
 
 Aur. T~\ Eare life, be refolute, that no refpect 
 
 ^) Heighted aboue the compaffe of your 
 loue, 
 Depreffe the equall comforts it retaines ; 
 For fmce it finds a firme confent in both, 
 And both our births and yeares agree fo well, 
 If both our aged parents fliould refufe, 
 For any common obiecl of the world, 
 To giue their hands to ours, let vs refolue 
 To hue together like our hues and foules. 
 
 sEm. I am refolu'd my loue ; and yet alas, 
 So much affedtion to my fathers will 
 Conforts the true defires I beare to you, 
 That I would haue no fparke of our loue feene, 
 Till his confent be ask'd, and fo your fathers. 
 
 Aur. So runnes the mutuall current of my wifh, 
 And with fuch ftaid and circumfpect refpects, 
 W'c may fo feme and gouerne our defires,
 
 May- Day. 38 1 
 
 That till fit obferuation of our fathers, 
 Preferre the motion to them ; we may loue 
 Without their knowledge and the skill of any, 
 Saue only of my true friend Lodowicke. 
 
 Aim. I wonder where he is. 
 
 Auk Not farre I know, 
 For in fome place, he watcheth to preuent 
 The feared danger of your fathers prefence. 
 
 Enter Lorenzo and Angelo running. 
 Ang. O Ounds flay for the loue of your honour 
 
 Lor. A plague of all difguifes Angelo. 
 
 Ang. What reafon haue you co curfe them ? has 
 not one of them kept you fafe from the fhame of the 
 world, as much as a poore difguife might doe ; but 
 when your ridiculous feares will caft it off, euen while 
 it is on, fo running through the flreets, that they rife 
 all in an vprore after you ; alas what is the poore dif- 
 guife to blame fir ? 
 
 Lor. Well then fortune is to blame, or fome thing ; 
 come as thou didtl helpe to dawbe me, helpe to cleanfe 
 me, I prethee. 
 
 Ang. Let alone a while fir for Gods fake, He goe 
 fee whether the Captaine be gone from home or no. 
 
 Lor. Out vpon that courfe Angelo ; I am frighted 
 out of it, come enter my houfe, enter. 
 
 Ang. What, will you enter your houfe fir afore you 
 know who is in it : keepe your felfe clofe, and let me 
 firft enter and difcouer. 
 
 Lor. I know there is no bod} - . 
 
 Ang. You cannot know it fir, I heard euen now 
 that diuers of the Senate were detennin'd to come and 
 fit in Counfell there.
 
 382 May -Day. 
 
 Lor. A tale, a very tale Ange/o, enter for the loue 
 of heauen, enter and vnfmother me. Exit. 
 
 A/tg. What mall I doe 1 my poore Mailer is berai'd, 
 O that fame faithleffe Lodowicke, that could drovvne 
 the fwaggering Captaine no better in his drunkenneffe ; 
 alas how mould I falue this ? ' Exit. 
 
 (Enter Lore?izo and after him Ange/o.) 
 
 Lor. How now % whom doe I fee ? my daughter 
 and a yonker together? paflion of death, hell and 
 damnation, what lecherous capricorne raignes this 
 vnhappy day? old and yong in a predicament 1 O fie 
 of filthy finne and concupifcence, I will conceale my 
 rage a while that it may breake forth in fury ; lie 
 fhift me prefently A nge/o, and goe fetch the Prouoft. 
 
 Aug. O vnfpeakable madneffe, will you for euer 
 difhonour your daughter, and in her your felfe fir % 
 
 Lor. Talke not to me, out vpon this abhominable 
 concupifcence, the pride of the flefh, this witchcraft of 
 the Diuell : talke not to me, iuflice cries out an't in 
 the ftreets, and I will fee it punifh't, come good An- 
 gelo to helpe to fhift me. 
 
 Ang. He follow you Sir inftantly ; Mafter, Mailer. 
 
 Aur. Angela 1 what newes 1 
 
 Ang. Miferable Mafter, caft downe your ladder, and 
 come downe inftantly. 
 
 jEm. Alas, why, Anselo is my father comming. 
 
 Ang. Let vs not talke but come downe I fay. 
 
 Aur. Deere life, farewell, wee'll fhortly meete 
 again e, 
 
 So parts the dying body from the foule ; 
 As I depart from my ^Emilia. 
 
 jEm. So enter frighted foules to the low world, 
 As my poore fpirit vpon this foddaine doubt, 
 What may fucceede this danger. 
 
 Ang Come away, you'll be whipt anone for your 
 amourofity, haft for fhame haft, &c. 
 
 JEm. Once more and euer, fare my deere life well. 
 
 Exit sEmil. 
 
 Ang. Leaue your amorous congeis & get you in
 
 A fay-Day. :^$ 
 
 Dame ; fir you and I will talke as 'twere betwixt the 
 pales, now, gel you and fliift you ol this fute prefently. 
 
 Aur. Shift me An%elo\ why man? 
 
 An^. Aske me no queflions, but goe home and 
 fliift you prefently, and when I haue done a little bufi- 
 nefle here within, lie come and tell you my deuii e : 
 there hath more (hain't then you are aware of, and 
 then I can Hand to tell you ; away therefore prefently 
 goe home and fhift j on. 
 
 Aur. Very good fir, I will be ruld by you, and 
 after learne the mifteries. / Kit Aurel. 
 
 Ang. Now will I let the little fquire fliift and 
 cleanfe himfelfe without me, that he may be longer 
 about fetching the Prouofl, and in the meane time 
 will I take my Mailers fute (of which the little fquire 
 tooke note) and put it on my fweet heart Francifcli'uia, 
 who fhall prefently come and fupplymy Mailers place, 
 with his Millris ; for the little fquire amaz'd with his 
 late affrights and this fuddaine offencefull fpectacle of 
 his daughter, tooke no certaine note who it was that 
 accofted her; for if he had, he would haue blam'd me 
 for my Mailer, only the colour of his garment flicks in 
 his fancie, which when he fhall flill fee where he left it, 
 he will flill imagine the fame perlon weares it, and 
 thus fhall his daughters honour and my Mafters be 
 preferu'd with the finell fugar of inuention. And 
 when the little fquire difcouers my fweet heart, fliee 
 fhall fweare, fliee fo difguifed her felfe, to follow him, 
 for her loue to him ; ha, ha, ha, (J the wit of man 
 when it has the winde of a woman. Exit.
 
 384 May -Day. 
 
 Enter Lodoitico and Lucretia, with Rapiers 
 
 Jighiin 
 
 & 
 
 Lod. F Old, hold, I pre thee hold ; I yeeld my 
 
 Fl rapier, 
 
 Let my fubmiffion, my prefumption falue. 
 
 Lucr. Ignoble Lodwicke, mould I take thy life, 
 It were amends too little for the wrong. 
 
 Lod. O the precious heauens : 
 How was I gul'd 1 haud, hide thy felfe for fhame. 
 And henceforth haue an eye before thy fingers. 
 
 Lucr. Well do not ieaft it out, for I proteft 
 If this difguife, which my inhumane fate 
 Puts on my proper fexe, be by thy meanes 
 Seene through, by any other then thy felfe, 
 The quarrell twixt vs fhall be more then mortall, 
 And thy difhonour to a friendleffe ftranger 
 (Exild his natiue countrey, to remnine 
 Thrall to the mercy of fuch vnknowne miads 
 As fortune makes the rulers of my life) 
 Shall fpread it felfe beyond my mifery, 
 
 Lod. Nay, mixe not caufe of mirth with paffion, 
 Do me the grace t'vnfold thy name and ftate, 
 And tell me what my whole eftate may doe, 
 To falue this wrong vnwittingly I did thee 1 
 And fet the plantife thoughts of thy hard fate 
 In fuch peace, as my friendfhip may procure : 
 And if I faile thee, let Lone fayle my foule, 
 When mofl this earth makes it need help of heaue. 
 
 Lucr. In the more then temper my late rage 
 And mow your vertues perfe£lly deriu'd 
 From the Venetian nobleffe ; for my name 
 It is Lucretio, which to fit this habit 
 I turn'd Lucretia : the reft that refts 
 To be related of my true eftate, 
 He tell fome other time : leaft now your prefence 
 Might dumbly tell it (if it mould be feene) 
 To all the world, or elfe make it fufpecl 
 My femall life of lightneffe : then with thanks
 
 May -Day. 385 
 
 And vow of all true friendfhip, for th'amends 
 
 Your kindneffe makes me, take your fword againe, 
 
 And with it while 1 line the power of mine 
 
 In any honor'd vfe (hall commaund. 
 
 Then till we meete, and may laugh at this error, 
 
 He once more trie the free peace of my chamber. 
 
 Exit. 
 Lod. Do fo fweet friend : a plague of Gingerly < 
 Where is that flale and fulfome Gingerly, 
 She brought me to a fury, He be fworne 
 Rather then man or woman : a flat beating : 
 I found her fuppos'd miftreffe fa ft afleepe, 
 Put her to the touchftone, and (lie prou' a man. 
 He wak't, and with a more then manly fpirit 
 Flew in my face, and gaue me fuch a dafli 
 In fteed of kifling, of thefe licorifh lips 
 That ftill my teeth within them bled I fweare 
 
 (//<■ fpits. 
 Gengerly, Gingerly, a plague a you. (He fpits againe. 
 But now how does my louers on the Tarraffe \ 
 
 Enter Aurelio with Angela, JJiift'nig his Ap far ell. 
 
 Aur. T T Old, take my dublet too, my hat and 
 [ all, and quickly hie thee to thy fweete. 
 
 Ang. S'ounds, fee fir fee, your proper Sentinell, 
 that when you needed him gaue you a flip. 
 
 Aur. Friend Lodouico, by my life, well welcome to 
 this my fathers backefide. 
 
 Lod. Well fir, well, I would I had kift almoft your 
 fathers backefide fo I had neuer knowne it. 
 
 Ang. A my life he faints extremely, he left you 
 euen now to purchafe him the amorous enteruiew of 
 your fayre cuze Lucretia that lies heere. 
 
 15 B
 
 386 May -Day. 
 
 Aur. Gods me, fvveete friend, would'ft thou vfe 
 fuch a flight to any one that lay within my walke 1 who 
 was thy meane to her ? 
 
 Ang. I lay my life, tame madam Temperance, the 
 notorious Pandar. 
 
 Aur. S'fut friend, wat a notorious ouerfight was 
 that? and what a violent iniury vnto thy friend? 
 
 Lod. A plague vpon you both, you fcuruy hinde, 
 haue you no gull but me to whet your wit vpon ? 
 
 Aur. My friend a priuie louer? I'de haue fworne 
 Loue might fpend all his fhafts at butterflies 
 As well as at his bofome. 
 
 Ang. 'Twas your fault then, 
 For I haue noted a moft faithfull league 
 Betwixt him and his barber now of late, 
 And all the world may fee, he does not leaue 
 One haire on his fmooth chinn, as who fhould fay, 
 
 His hapleffe loue was gone againft the hayre. 
 
 Lod. S'bloud & thefe rogues knew how I was de- 
 ceiu'd, 
 They'd flout me into motley, by this light. 
 
 Ang. Well fir, I euer thought y'ad the belt wit 
 Of any man in Venice next mine owne, 
 But now He lay the bucklers at your feete, 
 
 Lod. A poxe vpon thee, tame your bald hewed 
 tongue, 
 Or by the Lord of heauen He pull it out. 
 
 Aur. O my fweet friend, come He no more of 
 this, 
 And tell thee all our fortune, hence good Angelo. 
 
 Ang. O, if this man had patience to his braine, 
 A man might load him till he fmart againe. Exit Ang. 
 
 Lod. Patience worthy friend, hee knowes you loue 
 him for his knauifh wit. Exeunt.
 
 May-Day. 387 
 
 Enter Leonoro, Temperance and Lyonell. 
 
 Leo. * I "^Hou flia.lt not flay Tweet Temperance, tell 
 J_ vs the manner of our warre and wee'll 
 leaue thee prefently. 
 
 Temp. Why that perl's man Lodowicke, according 
 to your appointment was iumpe at three with mee, 
 iuft, eene full at your hower ; Muffled as I wild you, 
 ee'ne your fafhion and your very leg for all the earth, 
 and followed me in fo gingerly, that by my troth I 
 mull needs fay, he was worthy the pleafuring ; but in 
 what a taking was I when I perceiued his voyce 1 & 
 when I faw my miflreffe & he together by the eares 1 
 
 Leo. What did thy mifteffe fight him % 
 
 Temp. () king a heauen, fhe ranne vpon his naked 
 weapon the mofl finely that euer liu'd, and I ran away 
 in a fwoone for feare. 
 
 Leo. Has fhe a good courage 1 
 
 Lio. It feemes fhe is too honefl for our companies, 
 a little more good Temperance. 
 
 Temp. And when he faw me, he call'd me punke, 
 and pandor, and doxie, & the vileft nicknames as if I 
 had ben an arrand naughty-packe. 
 
 Leo. 'Tis no matter Temperance, hee's knowne and 
 thou art knowne. 
 
 Temp. I thanke heauen for it, and ther's al indeed, 
 I can flay no longer. Exit. 
 
 Leo. Farewell honeft Temperance, how was it pof- 
 sible, Lodouico fhould fit all thefe circumftances with- 
 out the confederacy and trechery of this beldam ? well 
 Lodouico muft fatistie this doubt when 1 fee him. 
 
 Lio. That will be at the May night fhew at Signior 
 Honorios. 
 
 Leo. I would not meet him there, I fhall offend 
 him ; but there I muft needs be, and haue thee dif- 
 guis'd like a woman. 
 
 Lio. Me fir \ 
 
 Leo. No remedy, the Captain Quint illiano and
 
 38S May-Day. 
 
 haue deuis'd it to gull his Lieutenant : for thou fhalt 
 dance with him, we will thruft him vpon thee, and then 
 for his courting and gifts, which we will tell him he 
 muft win thee withall, I hope thou wilt haue wit 
 enough to receiue the tone, and pay him againe with 
 the tother, come Lionell let me fee how naturally thou 
 canfl play the woman. Exit. 
 
 Lio. Better then you thinke for. 
 
 Enter Quinti/iano and Tnnocentio. 
 
 Quint. /"^Orae Lieutenant, this nap has fet a nap of 
 V ,Lobriety vpon our braines, now lets fit heere 
 & confult, what courfe were beft for vs to take in this 
 dangerous manfion of mans life. 
 
 Lino. I am for you ytaith Captaine & you go to 
 confult once. 
 
 Quint. I know it Lieutenant, fay then what think'ft 
 thou 1 we talk't of employmet, of action, of honor, of 
 a copany & fo forth. 
 
 Juno. Did we fo Captaine? 
 
 Quint. Did we fo Affe 1 S'fut, wert thou drunke 
 afore thou went'ft to the tauerne, that thou haft now 
 forgotten it ] 
 
 Inno. Crie you mercy good Captaine, I remember 
 I am your Lieutenant. 
 
 Quint Well fir, and fo thou fhalt be called ftil, and 
 I Captaine, though we neuer leade other company then 
 a fort of quart pots. 
 
 Inno. Shall we Captaine, bith maffe then lets neuer 
 haue other company in dcul. 
 
 Quint. Why now th'art wife, and haft a minde 
 transform'd with maine right, and to confirme thee, I
 
 May-Day \ 389 
 
 will compare the noble feruice of a feafl with the 
 honourable feruice of the field, and then put on thy 
 hand to which thou wilt. 
 
 /////<>. Thanke you good Captaine, but i\<> you 
 thinke that warre is naught fir? 
 
 Quint. Exceeding naught. 
 
 //inc. Why then fir take heede what you fay, for 'tis 
 dangerous fpeaking againft any thing that is naught. I 
 can tell you. 
 
 Quint. Thou faift wifely Lieutenant, I will not then 
 vfe the word naught, nor fpeake ill of eyther, but i 
 pare them both, and choofe the better. 
 
 Jnno. Take heede then good Captaine, there be 
 fome pricke-ear'd intelligencers conuaid into fomewull 
 or other about vs. 
 
 Quint. H there were I care not, for to fay true, 
 the firfl modell of ;i battell was taken from a banquet 
 And firfl touching the offices of both : for the general! 
 of the field, there is the matter of the feaft, for the Lieu- 
 tenant Generally the miflreffe, for the Sergeant Maior, 
 the Steward, for the Gentleman vfher, the Marfhall, 
 for mafler oth' Ordinance the Sewer, and all other 
 officers. 
 
 Inno. Yet y'are rcafonable well Captaine. 
 
 Quint. Then for the preparation, as in a field is 
 all kinde of Artillery, your Cannon, your Demicannon, 
 Culuerings, falkons, Sacres, minions, & fuch goodly 
 ornaments of a field, 1 fpea ke no hurt of em thou feell, 
 lie haue nothing to do do with 'am. 
 
 Inno. Hold you ftill there Captaine. 
 
 Quint. Befides other munition of powder and fiiot, 
 and fo for the feaft, you haue your Court, cubbords 
 'planted with flagons, Cannes, cups, beakers, bowles, 
 goblets, bafens and ewers : And more glorious (hew I 
 ui fie then the tother, and yet I fpeake no hurt of the 
 other. 
 
 Inno. No He be fworne Captaine. 
 
 Quint. Befides your munition ofmanchet, napery 
 plats, fpoons, glafles and fo forth; Then for your
 
 390 May -Day. 
 
 kitchen artillerie, there (hall you fee all your brafle 
 peeces mounted in order, as your beefe-pots, your 
 chaldrons, your kettles, chafingdifhes, ladles, fpits, a 
 more edifying fpeclacle then your Cannon & Culuer- 
 ing, and yet I fpeake no hurt of them neither. 
 
 Inno. No Captaine, thus farre, I goe wee. 
 
 Quint. Then fir, as in the field the drumme, fo to 
 the feafl the dreffer giues the Alarme, Ran tan tara, tan 
 tan tantara tan. 
 
 Inno. O how it ftirres my ftomacke ? 
 
 Quint. Firft then fets forward a wing of light horfe, as 
 fallads, brothes, fauces, ftew'd meats, and other kick- 
 fhores, and they giue a charge, then do the battell 
 ioyne Captaine Capon in whitebrith, Lieutenant calues 
 head. 
 
 Inno. Thats my place. 
 
 Quint. Ancient Surloigne, a man of a goodly 
 prefence, and full of expectation, as you ancient ought 
 to be bee, then haue you Sergeant Piemeat, Corporall 
 Conny, Lanceprizado Larke, Gentlemen, Panbakex, & 
 all the fpecies of a company. 
 
 Inno. Would we might fall to the fight once. 
 
 Quint. Why now growes the fight hot man, now 
 fhall you fee many a tall piece of beefe, many a tough 
 capon go downe, and hee'rs the triall of a mans fto- 
 macke, all the while the Artillery playes on 
 both hands, the Canons lay about them, the flagons 
 go off, thickeand threefold,. and many a tall man goes 
 halting off, fome quite ouerthrowne both horfe and 
 foote. 
 
 Inno. O my heart bleeds. 
 
 Quint. That is, thy teeth water. In conclufion, as 
 the remnant of the feafl, (I meane fuch difhes as fcap't 
 the fury of the fight) if they be feruiceable, are referu'd 
 to furnifh out another day, if they be maim'd or fpoyld, 
 they are fent abroad to relieue prifons and hofpitals. 
 So the remainder of the fight, if they be feruiceable, they 
 are referu'd to fupply a fecond field, for the fragments 
 of the fight, viz. the maimd foldiers, they are fent like-
 
 May- Day. 391 
 
 wile to fumifh prifons and hofpitals, how faycfl thou 
 now Lieutenant, (hall we to the feaft, or to the fight 1 
 
 Inno. No fighting good Captain, to the feaft for 
 Gods fake. 
 
 Quint. Tha'rt a my mind right, and fo will we pre- 
 fently march on to the facke of the Emperours 
 head, then to the May-night feaft, and (hew at Signior 
 Honorios, and there will be a wench there boy, a deli- 
 cate yong morfell, a kinfvvoman of Signior Honorios, 
 and her fathers only child, he a mighty rich C/arifsinio, 
 and her flialt thou court, winne her and weare her, thou 
 haft wit at will. 
 
 Inno. But fliall that wench be her fathers fonne 
 and heire Captaine 1 
 
 Quint. Shee (hall be his heire, a mine honefty. 
 
 Innoc. But fliall not my Miftris your wife bee at 
 that (how ? 
 
 Quint. Shee (hall, and we could finde her ; Fannio 
 has beene abroade this houre to feeke her : the Affe 
 is (lept into fome corner or other mourning for my 
 ab fence. {Enter Angelo and Francifchina in difguife.} 
 See who comes here % 
 
 Ang. Come Cuze, march faire, me thinks thou be- 
 com'ft a Page excellent naturally, cheere vp thy heart 
 wench. Kiffe her. 
 
 Franc. Fie for fhame kiffe in the ftreets 1 
 
 Ang. Why not 1 truth feekes no corners, and 'twas 
 a true loues kifte, and fo is this. 
 
 Quint. Ware riot, do'ft thou marke Lieftenant 1 
 
 Franc. Gods pitty, my husband. 
 
 Exeunt Franc. Aug. 
 
 Innoc. What were thefe Captaine \ 
 
 Quint. Vpon my life the hindermoft of them, is a 
 wench in mans attire, didft thou not marke befides 
 his flabbering about her, her biggc thighes and her 
 fplay feete. 
 
 Innoc. By the meskin me thought they were fo 
 indeede.
 
 39 2 May -Day. 
 
 Quent. S'life, the hungry knaue her fquire, could 
 not hold in the open flreets. 
 
 Innoc. What fliould fhee be 1 
 
 Quint. The Doxie was muffeld in her cloake, I had 
 but a glimpfe of her ; but s'light I will know her, fhee 
 paffes not fo, come wee'll follow. He beate the Rogue 
 and take away's whore from him. Exeunt. 
 
 Enter Angelo and Erancif china. 
 
 Ang. /^Ome courage Cuze, wee haue fail'd the man 
 \_y of Warre out of fight, and here wee muft put 
 into harbour. Hid, hawe Amila 1 
 
 Ami/. O welcome good Angelo. 
 
 Ang. Here take in, goe, get vp lightly, away, take 
 heed you flip not Cuze, remember y'are fhort heel'd. 
 
 Franc. Hold fail for Gods fake. 
 
 Ang. Nay hold you fait, you'll fhame vs all elfe ; fo 
 lone receiue thy foule ; I take away the ladder : Now 
 till you haue decerned the Prouoft, farewell, remember 
 your leffon Cuze. Exit. 
 
 Franc. I warrant you. (Quintil. and Innoccntio.) 
 
 Quint. How vnhappily did we miffe 'em? they 
 flipt into fome vaulting houfe, I hold my life. 
 
 Innoc. Faith its good we milt 'em, fhe was fome 
 flale punke I warrant her. 
 
 Quint. Twenty to one fhee is fome honeft mans 
 wife of the Parifh that fteales abroade for a trimming, 
 while he fits fecure at home, little knowing, God 
 knowes, what hangs ouer his head; the poore Cuckold
 
 May- Day. 393 
 
 efteeming her the mod vertuous wife in the world. 
 And fhoude one tell him, he had feene her dreft like a 
 Page following a knaue thns, He lay my life lie would 
 not beleeue it. 
 
 Innoc. Why no Captaine, wines take all the faith 
 from their husbands. And that makes 'em do fo many 
 good workes as they doe. 
 
 Quint. Mercy for that yfaith Lieftenant, (land 
 clofe." {Enter Fannio and Giaco/io.) 
 
 Farm. My Miftris in mans apparell faifl thou? 
 
 Giac. Thy Miflris in mans apparell I affure thee, 
 and attended by Aiigclo. 
 
 Faun. Would to heauen I had feene her, canft tell 
 whither fhee went. 
 
 Giac. Full butt into Lorenzoes houfe, and if thou 
 knewft him, thou know'il wherefore, an ill-fauourd 
 trimming is her errand. 
 
 Fann. 'Tis very well, fhee trims my Captaine 
 prettily, in the meane time his head paies for all, and 
 yet alas poore horneftocke, he thinks her to haue no 
 fault, but her too much dotage vpon him, well, my 
 confeience will not let me keepe her counfaile, he fliall 
 know on't. 
 
 Giac. Why man if both of vs fhould tell him her 
 fault he will not beleeue vs. 
 
 Fann. No, nor if he had feene it with his owne 
 eyes I thinke, I thai neuer forget how the profound 
 Cockatrice hung on his fleeue to day, and he fhoude 
 not from her fight, fhee'd follow him into the warres, 
 one day fhould make an end of both their loues and 
 hues, and then to fee him the wittall, my Captaine 
 began to ftroote, and bade the pride of his merits that 
 fo heightned her affection. 
 
 Giac. True, and how the foppafly his Lieftenant, 
 ftept in to perfwade with her, to take it patiently, for 
 friends mull part, we came not all together, and we 
 mull not goe all together. 
 
 Fann. Well, 'twill not be for any man to follow 
 him, if this were knowne once.
 
 3 94 May-Day. 
 
 Giac. Lord how all the boyes in the town would 
 flocke about him as he walks the ftreets, as 'twere 
 about a bagge-pipe, and hoote the poore Cuckold out 
 of his hornecafe. 
 
 Farm. Well, and I were worthy to giue him coun- 
 faile, he mould e'ne faire and well hang himfelfe. 
 
 Giac. No, no, keepe it from him, and fay thou 
 found'ft her at a womans labour. 
 
 Farm. A plague of her labour, the Captaines browes 
 fweate while fhee labours. 
 
 Giac. If I were in thy cafe, I mould laugh out 
 right when I faw him. 
 
 Farm. That dare not I doe, but as often as he 
 turnes his backe to me, I mail be here V with him 
 thats certaine : or when I follow him and his cheating 
 flocke Innocentio, in the ftreets, I (hall imagine dill I 
 am driuing an Oxe and an Affe before me, and cry 
 phtroh, ho, ptrough. 
 
 Innoc. S'light Captaine take this and take all. 
 
 Quint. Not a word for the world, for if we fhould 
 take notice of his words the flaue would denie all, 
 leaue it to me to fift it in priuate. Now fir, what newes 
 with you ? where's your Miftris, that you range thus 
 at your pleafure ] 
 
 Farm. In health fir I truft. 
 
 Quint. Come forward you rogue you: come for- 
 ward, whither creepe you behinde fo 1 where's your 
 Miftris fir ? 
 
 Fann. At a poore womans labour fir. 
 
 Quint. Very well fir, come Lieftenant, goe you 
 afore, and doe you follow him fir. 
 
 Fann. What afore my Captaine fir : you fhall par- 
 don me. 
 
 Quint. Afore you rogue, afore. Exeunt. 
 
 Finis Aclus Quartz.
 
 May -Day. 395 
 
 ASlus ^hiintus, 
 
 Enter Honorio, Lorenzo, Gafparo and Angclo. 
 
 Hon. c ; ^~iS^oIgnior Lorenzo, and Getsparo, y'are 
 very welcome, we fhall haue good 
 ^ company and fport to entertaine 
 a yj; v you ere long I hope, mall we not 
 
 JN? An S do ? 
 
 A?ig. Yes fir, I haue enuited all you commanded 
 me. 
 
 Lor. This is the honed man indeede, that tooke 
 the paines to come for me. 
 
 Gafp. And for me alfo. 
 
 A ?ig. No paines but pleafure fir, I was glad I had 
 fuch good meanes to be knowne to your Worfhip. 
 
 Lor. Nay, I haue knowne you before, to be the fer- 
 uant of Signior Honorio here, I take it. 
 
 Hon. Not my feruant Signior Lore?izo, but my 
 fonnes. 
 
 Lor. O, your fonne Aurelios feruant ? beleeue me 
 you or your fonne (in mine opinion, though I fay it 
 before him) made good choice of him : for he hatli a 
 good honefl face, and to a man of iudgement (I tell 
 you) that's as good as a good furety for him. I will be 
 better acquainted with you fir, pray you giue me your 
 hand. 
 
 Ang. Both my hand and heart fir, fhall be euer at 
 your feruice. 
 
 Lor. Thanks my good friend, lie make thee laugh 
 anone Angelo.
 
 396 May -Day. 
 
 Ang. I thanke your Worfhip, you haue done fo 
 often. 
 
 Hon. A notable wagge Signior Gasparo. 
 
 Gafp. How curioufly Lorenzo thinks he carries the 
 matter 1 
 
 Lor. How now Gentlemen, ift a merry fecret, that 
 you fmile fo 1 
 
 Lfon. No fecret Signior Lorenzo, but a merry con- 
 ceipt we were thinking on, to furnifh our fhow anone, if 
 it had beene thought on in time. 
 
 Lor. What was that T pray 1 
 
 Hon. Marry fir, we had good fport to day with 
 Snayle the chimney-fweeper. 
 
 Lor. Had you fo fir 1 
 
 Gafp. That euer was. 
 
 Lor. Lord that I had beene amongft you, but what 
 more of him fir 1 
 
 Hon. Marry fir, we were thinking how we might 
 merrily deceaue our company that is to come, if we 
 could haue gotten him fome Magnificoes fute of the 
 Citty, whom for his little flature and leane face he 
 might refemble, that in that habit he might haue ftolen 
 fome kind fauours from the Ladies, to make him 
 amends and pleafe him for the anger we put him in. 
 
 Lor. It would haue made excellent merriment. 
 
 A tig. You are his bed Mafler fir, and if it pleafe 
 you to fend me for him by fome token, He goe for him ; 
 otherwife he will not come to thefe Gentlemen. 
 
 Lor. Shall he come Gentlemen ] 
 
 A mb. If you pleafe fir. 
 
 Lor. Why then hearke thee Angelo ; not for the 
 world. 
 
 Ang. Thinke you me fuch an Affe fir ? 
 
 Lor. Shall he haue one of my little brothers fuites, 
 and come in amongft the Dames for him 1 
 
 Hon. If you could, it would fit him exceedingly. 
 
 Lor. Much ; now laugh Angelo : what Gentleman 
 was that I fpi'd aloft with my daughter thinkft thou 1 
 
 Ang. I know not fir ; I befeech your Worfhip who 
 was it ? 

 
 May -Day. 397 
 
 Lor. Franke, in mans apparel! Angelo. 
 
 Aug. O wonderfull. 
 
 Lor, We cannot inueut a token, for my loue 
 Angelo. 
 
 Ang. O excellent. 
 
 Lor. We will hit it anone Gentlemen. 
 
 Amb. At your leafure fir. 
 
 Lor. The fwaggerer her husband, had note of it by 
 his Page, and yet the fame Page hath perfwaded him, 
 fince that 'twas bat a gullery. 
 
 Ang. Tis a notable cracke ; and his Matter hath 
 fuch a pure beleefe in his wife, that hee's apt to beleeue 
 any good of her. 
 
 Lor. True Angelo, enough for this time ; thou (halt 
 make as if thou went'ft for Snaile, and retume without 
 him, faying thou canfl not finde him. 
 
 Ang. Agreed lir. 
 
 Lor. Now Gentlemen, we haue deuis'd a wile to 
 bring Snaile amongft vs, and I haue giuen Angelo order 
 for a fute for him, that is my little brothers, and him 
 he fhall counterfeit ; goe Angelo feeke him out. 
 
 Ang. I will fir. Exit Ang. 
 
 Hon. Thanke you for this good Signior Lorenzo. 
 
 Getfp. It will quicken the company well. {Enter 
 uEniilia, Lionell, Francifchina and another woman. 
 
 Lor. For their fakes and yours, I haue done it 
 Gentlemen ; and fee the faire flocke come vpon vs. 
 
 Hon. Welcome faire Ladies, but efpecially you 
 Lady, that are fo meere a ftranger, Signior Lorenzo 
 you know yong Leonoro 1 
 
 Lor. Very well fir, a gallant fparke. 
 
 Gafp. And I thinke you know his father. 
 
 Lor. Know him 1 I faith fir there was a reueller, 
 I fhall neuer fee man doe his lofty tricks like him 
 while I line. 
 
 Hon. This Gentlewoman is his Neice fir. 
 
 Lor. His Niece 1 fhee fhall doe her felfe wrong 
 not to be acquainted with her deere vnkles companion : 
 
 Kiij'e her.
 
 398 May -Day. 
 
 Gafp. You know not this Gentlewoman fir ? 
 
 Lor. Not very well fir indeede, but entertainement 
 muft be giuen, mercy Franke for thy mans apparell, a 
 plague of all fwaggering husbands. Nay I muft forth 
 yfaith, Signior Hoiiorio, this is for your fake, am I not 
 a kinde helpe to your entertainement? 
 
 Hon. An exceeding kinde one fir, and I exceedingly 
 thanke you. {Enter Meffenger.) 
 
 Meff. The maskers are come fir. 
 
 Hon. Doe you and your fellowes attend them in. 
 
 Meff. We will fir. Exit Meff. 
 
 Hon. Sit getle Ladies till the maskers raife you to 
 dance. 
 
 Enter Aurclio, Leonoro, Quintiliano, and Ifinocentio, 
 in a maske dancing. 
 
 Hon. T T J Elcome Gallants, O the roome's too 
 Yv fcant, a hall Gentlemen. 
 
 Leo. See how womanly my Boy lookes Quintiliano. 
 
 Quint. 'Twill be rare fport ; Lieftenant, that fweet 
 wench in the brancht gowne is the heire I told thee of. 
 
 Lnnoc. Gods me, He to her and kiffe her. 
 
 Quint. O no, you muft not vnmaske. 
 
 Innoc. No, no, He kiffe her with my maske and alL 
 
 Leo. No Lieftenant, take her and court her firfl, 
 and then kiffe her. 
 
 Omnes. To her flaue. 
 
 Aur. There's thy wife too, Quintiliano. 
 
 Quint. True, little knowes thee I am fo neere her ; 
 He fingle her out, and trie what entertainement a 
 flranger may finde with her. • 
 
 Aur. Doe fo, and wee'll take vp the tother. {Enter 
 Angelo.) They dance.
 
 May-Day. 399 
 
 A)is;. I can by no meanes finde Snaile fir. 
 
 Hon. The worfe lucke, but what remedy ? 
 
 Z#r. Graraercy Angela ; but Signior Lorenzo, nice 
 thinks I miffe one flower in this femall garland. 
 
 Hon. VVhofe that 1 
 
 Lor. Your Neice Lucretia. 
 
 Hon. By my foule 'tis true ; whats the reafon y?//- 
 gelo Lucretia is not here ? 
 
 ^4//g. I know no reafon but her owne will fir. 
 
 Gctfp. Ther's fomewhat in it certaine. They dance 
 againe. 
 
 ln?w. Did you fee the play to day I pray 1 
 
 Lio. No, but I fee the foole in it here. 
 
 Inno. Doe you fo forfooth 1 where is he pray ? 
 
 Lio. Not farre from you fir, but we muft not point 
 at any body here. 
 
 Lnno. Thats true indeede, cry mercy forfooth, doe 
 you know me through my maske ? 
 
 Lio. Not I fir, Ihee muft haue better skill in bak't 
 meats then I, that can difcerne a woodcocke through 
 the cruft. 
 
 Lnno. Thats true indeede, but yet I thought I'de 
 try you. {Enter Lodouico!) They dance. 
 
 Lor. What Nephew Lodwicke, I thought you had 
 beene one of the maskers. 
 
 Lod. I vfe no masking fir with my friends. 
 
 LLon. No fignior Lodowick, but y'are a very truant 
 in your fchoole of friendfhip, that come fo late to your 
 friends. 
 
 Gafp. Somewhat has croft him fure. 
 
 Leo. Somewhat fhall croffe him ; Lodouico let me 
 fpeake with you. 
 
 Lod. With me fir ? 
 
 Leo. You are the man fir, I can fcarfe fay the 
 Gentleman, for you haue done a wrong the credit of a 
 Gentleman cannot anfwere. 
 
 Lod. Would I might fee his face, that durft fay 
 fo much. 
 
 Leo. Obferue him well, he fhoes his face that will 
 proue it when thou dar'ft.
 
 400 May -Day. 
 
 Aur. How now Leonoro, you forget your felfe too 
 much, to grow outragious in this company. 
 
 Leo. Aurrfio, doe not wrong me, and your felfe, I 
 vndertake your quarrell, this man hath difhonord your 
 Kinfwoman Lucretia, whom (if I might) I intended 
 to marry. 
 
 Aur. Some error makes you miftake Leonoro, I 
 affure myfelfe. 
 
 Hon. What interruption of our fport is this gen- 
 tlemen 1 
 
 Lor. Are not my Nephew and Leonoro friends % 
 
 Lod. He charges me with dishonoring his miftris 
 Lucretia. 
 
 Hon. Birlady Lodouico, the charge touches you 
 deeply, you muft anfwere it. 
 
 Lod. I defire I may fir, and then will referre me 
 to your cenfures. 
 
 Lor. Well Nephew, well ; will you neuer leaue 
 this your haunt of fornication 1 I fchoole him, and doe 
 all I can, but all is loft. 
 
 Lod. Good Vnkle giue me leaue to anfwere my 
 other accufer, and then He defcend, and fpeake of your 
 fornication, as the laft branch of my diuifion. 
 
 Lor. Very well, be briefe. 
 
 Lod. I will fir ; The ground vpon which this man 
 builds his falfe imagination, is his fight of me at Hono- 
 rios backe gate, fmce dinner, where muffled in my 
 cloke, kinde Madam Temperance, the attendant of 
 Lucretia, from the Tarraffe, wafted me to her with her 
 hand ; taking me (as now I vnderftand) for this honeft 
 Gentleman, I not knowing what vfe fhee had to put me 
 to, obaid the attraction of her fignall, as gingerly as 
 fhee bad me, (A plague vpon her gingerly) till fhee 
 lockt me into Lucretias chamber, where Lucretia lying 
 afleepe on her bed, I thought it rudeneffe to wake her ; 
 and (imagining when fhee wak't fhee had fomething to 
 fay to me) attended her leafure at my eafe, and lay 
 downe foftly by her ; when (hauing chafter and fim- 
 pler thoughts then Leonoro imagines) becaufe he mea-
 
 May -Day. 401 
 
 fures my waft by his owne ) in the very coldneffe and 
 dulnefle of my (pint, I fell fodainly a-fleepe. In which 
 my fancy presented me with the ftrangeft dreame, that 
 euer yet poffeft me. 
 
 Lor. Pray God you did but dreame Nephew. 
 
 Lod. You fhall know that by knowing the euent 
 of it. 
 
 Hoti. Goe to, pray let vs heare it. 
 
 Lod. Me thought Lucretia and I were at mawe, a 
 game Vnkle that you can well skill of. 
 
 Lor. Well fir I can fo. 
 
 Lod. You will the more mufe at my fortune ; or 
 my ouerfights. For my game flood, me thought, vpon 
 my laft two tricks, when 1 made fure of the fet, and 
 yet loft it, hauing the varlet and the fiue finger to 
 make two tricks. 
 
 Lor. How had that beene poffible ? 
 
 Hon. That had beene no misfortune fure but plaine 
 ouernght. 
 
 Gafp. But what was the reafon you thought you 
 loft it fir? 
 
 Lod. You fhall heare ; fhee had in her hand the 
 Ace of Hearts, me thought, and a Coate-carde, fhee 
 led the bord with her coate, I plaid the varlet, and 
 tooke vp her coate, and meaning to lay my fiue finger 
 vpon her Ace of hearts, vp ftart a quite contrary card ; 
 vpfheerifes withall, takes me a dafh a the mouth, 
 drew a rapier he had lay by him, and out of dores we 
 went together by the eares. 
 
 Hon. A rapier he had by him ] 
 
 Lor. What a fhee turned to a he ? do'ft thou not 
 dreame all this while Nephew. 
 
 Lod. No nor that time neither, though I pretended 
 it ; let him be fetcht, I warrant you he will fhow as 
 good cards as the beft on you, to proue him an heire 
 Male, if he be the eldeft child of his father. 
 
 Hon. This is exceeding firange : goe Angelo, fetch 
 her and her hand-maide. 
 
 cc
 
 402 May-Day. 
 
 A fig. I will fir, if her valure be not too hot for my 
 fingers. Exit. 
 
 Hon. Could fuch a difguife be made good all this 
 while without my knowledge 1 to fay truth, fhee was a 
 ftranger to me, her father being a Sicilian : fled thence 
 for a difaufterous ac~l, and comming hither grew 
 kindly acquainted with me, and called me brother. 
 At his death committing his fuppofed daughter to my 
 care and protection, till fhe were reftor'd to her eflate 
 in her natiue Country. 
 
 Lor. Was he in hope of it ? 
 
 Hon. He was, and in neere poffibility of it him- 
 felfe, had he liu'd but little longer. 
 
 {Enter Angelo and Lucretia.) 
 
 Aug. Here's the Gentlewoman you talkt of fir, nay 
 you mufl come forward too graue Miftris Temperance. 
 
 Lod. How now fir 1 who wants gentility now I 
 befeech you ? 
 
 Leo. Who haue we here % 
 
 Lucr. Stand not amaz'd, nor difparage him : you 
 fee fir, this habit truly doth fute my fexe, howfoeuer 
 my hard fortunes haue made me a while reiecl. it. 
 
 Hon. What hard fortunes % 
 
 Lucr. Thofe you know of my father fir : who feard 
 my following of him in my natiue likeneffe, to the 
 hauen, where he by Health embarqu't vs, and would 
 haue difcouer'd him, his offence being the flaughter of 
 a Gentleman, that would haue flaine him. 
 
 Hono. But did you not tell me you were betroth'd 
 before this misfortune hapned, to a yong Gentleman 
 of Sicily, call'd Theagines % 
 
 Lucr. I told you I was betroth'd to one Theagine, 
 not Theagines, who indeed was a woman. 
 
 Leo. And yet whofoeuer had feene that Theagine 
 fmce might haue taken him for a man. 
 
 Lucr. Do you know her Gentlewoman 1 
 
 Lio. It feemes you will not know her. 
 
 Leo. Hearke how my boy plaies the knaue with 
 her.
 
 May-Day. 403 
 
 Quint. A noble rogue, S'fut Lieutenant, wilt thou 
 fufter thy nofe to be wipt of this great heire 1 
 
 Jnno. S'light fir you are no handkercher are you 1 
 
 Lucr. Pre thee forbeare, more happy then vnlookt 
 for is this deere accident : adopted and noble father, 
 this is the Gentlewoman to whom I told you I was 
 betroth'd, the happy newes fhe had to relate to me, 
 made her a traueller, the more fearch of her palTage 
 made her a Page, and her good fortune obtaind her 
 
 this honeft Gentleman to her Mailer, who I 
 
 thanke him, being (as he fuppofed me) lou'd me, 
 accept vs both for your children. 
 
 Hojio. Mod gladly and with no lefle care, then 
 mine owne proted. you. 
 
 Quint. S'fut, how now Leonora % new fireworkes 1 
 
 Lod. New fir, who wants gentility 1 this is a gen- 
 tlemanly part of you to keepe a wench in a Pages fur- 
 niture ? 
 
 Leo. It was more then I knew Sir, but this fliall be 
 a warning to me while I Hue, how I iudge of the in- 
 ftrument by the cafe againe. 
 
 Lucr. Nay it is you friend Lodouico that are moil 
 to blame, that holding the whole feminine fexe in fuch 
 contempt, would yet play the pickpurfe, and fteale a 
 poore maids maidenhead out of her pocket fleeping. 
 
 Leo. Twas but to coufen mee. 
 
 Aur. And to be before me in loue. 
 
 Lor. And to laugh at me. 
 
 Lod. Nay, ieaft not at me fweete Gentles, I v'id 
 plaine and mannerly dealing, I neither v'fd the brokage 
 of any, as you know who did Leonoro, nor the help of 
 a ladder to creep in at a wenches chamber window (as 
 you know who did Aurclio.) Nor did I cafe my felfe 
 in buckrame, and crie chimney fweepe (where are you 
 vncle 1) but I was train'd to it by this honeft matron 
 here. 
 
 Temp. Meddle not with me fir. 
 
 Lucr. I am beholding to her, (lie was loth to haue 
 me leade apes in hell.
 
 404 May -Day. 
 
 Quint. Looke that you keepe promife with me 
 Ladie, when will thy husband be from home ? 
 
 Fran. Not fo foone as I would wilh him, but 
 whenfoeuer you fhall be welcome. 
 
 Quint. I very kindly thanke you Lady. 
 
 Fran. Gods me, I tooke you for Signior Placentio. 
 
 Quint. S'fut, thou lieft in thy throte, thou knewft 
 me as well as my felfe. 
 
 Hono. What, Signior Quinti/ian, and friend Inno- 
 centio 1 I look't not for you here, & y'are much the 
 better welcome. 
 
 Quin. Thanks dad Honorio, and Hues my little 
 f quire 1 when fhall I fee thee at my houfe lad 1 
 
 Lor. A plague a your houfe, 1 was there too lately. 
 
 Lod. See Lordings, her's two will not let go till 
 they haue your confents to be made furer. 
 
 Lor. By my foule, and becaufe old Gasparo heere 
 has bene fo cold in his loue fute, if fhe be better pleas'd 
 with Aurelio, and his father with her, heauen giue 
 abundance of good with him. 
 
 Hono. So you (land not too much vpon goods, I 
 fay, Amen. 
 
 Lor. Faith vfe him as your fonne and heire, and I 
 defire no more. 
 
 Hono. So will I of mine honour, are you agreed 
 youths 1 
 
 Ambo. And mod humbly gratulate your high 
 fauors. 
 
 Gafp. Faith & loue giue 'em ioy together for my 
 part. 
 
 Lod. Yet is heere another nayle to be driuen, 
 heer's a vertuous Matron, Madam Te?nperance, that is 
 able to doe much good in a commonwealth, a woman 
 of good parts, fels complexion, helpes maids to feruices, 
 reftores maidenheads, brings women to bed, and men 
 to their bedfides. 
 
 Temp. By my faith, but faue votre grace fir. 
 
 Lod. Hath drinks for loue, and giues the diet. 
 
 Temp. Birladie, and thats not amiffe for you fir,
 
 May -Day. 405 
 
 Lod. For me, with a plague tee ? 
 
 Temp. No nor for any man thats not found I meane 
 fir. 
 
 Lod. S'fut maflers thefe be good parts in the old 
 wench, wilt thou haue her Lieutenant 1 fheele bv a 
 good flay to the reft of thy lining, the gallants will all 
 honour thee at thy houfe I warrant thee. 
 
 Inno. Fore God Captaine I care not if I haue. 
 
 Temp. Well yong Gentleman, perhaps it fhould not 
 be the worft for you. 
 
 Quint. Why law, thy vertues haue won her at firft 
 fight, fhee fhall not come to thee emptie, for He pro- 
 mife thee that He make her able to bid any Gentleman 
 welcome to a peece of mutton and rabbet at all times. 
 
 Lor. Birladie, a good Ordinarie. 
 
 Quint. Thow't vifit fometimes Dad. 
 
 Lor. That I will yfaith boy in authority wife. 
 
 Quint. Why then ftrike hands, and if the reft be 
 pleas'd, 
 Let all hands ftrike as thefe haue ftrucke afore, 
 And with round Ecchoes make the welken rore. 
 
 Exeunt. 
 
 Finis AElus ^uinti &* vltimi.
 
 NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Page 3. 
 Prologue to Bussy D'Ambois. 
 
 — Field is gone 
 Whofe aclion firfl did giue it name — 
 
 It appears from an account of the Englifh Stage by Chalmers, 
 that Field was originally one of the children of the Chapel, and 
 played a principal part both in Cynthia's Uriels and the Poetaster 
 of Ben Jonson, and that he was alive in 1632, between which 
 period and 1641 (when the prefent Prologue was firft prefixed to 
 the play) he muft have died. He wrote two dramatic pieces, and 
 aflifted Maffinger in The Fatal Doiury. 
 
 Page 4. 
 
 a third man with his bejl 
 Of care and paines, defends our intercfl. 
 
 The third man here alluded to was probably Hart, who per- 
 formed the part of D'Ambois with great applaufe, and who 
 accepted a military commiffion under King Charles I. soon 
 after the time that this Prologue was fpoken ; and was a lieute- 
 nant of horfe. He returned to the ftage after the Reftoration,
 
 408 
 
 and continued to perform with the higheft approbation till the 
 year 1682, when he retired. His performance of the character 
 of Buffy D'Ambois is fpoken of with the greateft enthufiafm by 
 D'Urfey, who alludes to "the graceful action of that eternally 
 renowned and beft of actors." 
 
 Page 6. 
 
 To put a Girdle round about the world. 
 
 Puck in Midfummer Night's Dream, fays : 
 
 " I'll put a girdle round about the earth 
 In forty minutes. 
 
 Page 10. 
 
 7 able, Chefbord, and Tapers, behind the Arras. 
 
 This ftage direction has no apparent allufion to anything 
 which paffes in the prefent fcene, aud was moft probably meant 
 to be introduced in the next, where it feems certain that the King 
 and the Duke of Guife play at chefs. 
 
 Page 12. 
 
 (be fide your chaine 
 Aud veluet Jacket) 
 
 The ftewards of noblemen and gentlemen wore a chain of 
 gold, accompanied, it feems probable from the text, by a velvet 
 jacket. See alfo Middleton's "A Mad World, my Mafters :" 
 
 " That's my grandfire's chief gentleman i' the chain of gold. 
 That he fhould live to be a pander, and yet look upon his chain 
 and his velvet jacket."
 
 4°9 
 
 Page 12. 
 Tftare his wodden dagger. 
 
 In the old "Myfteries" the devil was the fource of entertain- 
 ment to the vulgar : when the Moralities were introduced, his 
 office was filled by the Vice ; this latter had a dress peculiar to 
 himfelf, and a wooden dagger was ufed by him in belabouring the 
 actors. Shakespeare alludes to this inftrument in the firft part 
 of Henry IV., and in Twelfth Night ; and Ben Jonfon in his Sta- 
 ple of News : 
 
 "Here is never a friend to carry him away: befides he has 
 never a wooden dagger, I'd not give a rufli for a Vice that hath 
 not a wooden dagger to fnap at every one he meets." 
 
 Page 16. 
 
 come Fie enfeame thee. 
 Enfeam feems to mean here, to enter amongft the number of 
 intimate friends. The word occurs in the fourth book of Spen- 
 ser's Faerie Queene, and means there simply to enclofe : 
 "Bounteous Trent, that in himfelf enfeams 
 Both thirty forts of fifh, aud thirty fundry dreams." 
 
 Page 17. 
 
 good Accius Kiruius, doe as much with your tongue as he 
 did with a Rafor. 
 The perfon mentioned was a famous augur, who being afked 
 by Tarquinius Prifcus, then King of Rome, whether that which 
 he was thinking of might be effected, anfwered that it might. 
 "I was thinking," replied the King, " whether this whetftone 
 might be cut in pieces with a razor ; upon which the augur is 
 reported to have taken a razor and cut the whetftone in pieces in 
 the King's prefence. 
 
 Page 23. 
 
 That the ricre-flmtting wounds, they needes mull open, 
 Might as they opened, flint and ueuer kill. 
 " One can hardly believe" (lays Charles Lamb) "but that thefe 
 lines were written after Milton had defcribed his warring angels." 
 
 Page 85. 
 Terror of darkneffe : thou King of Flames, &*c. 
 
 " This calling upon Light and Darkness for information," I 
 
 DD
 
 4io 
 
 Charles Lamb, "but above all, the defcription of thefpirit- 
 ' Threw his changed countenance headlong into clouds' — is tre- 
 mendous, to the curdling of the blood. I know nothing in poetry- 
 like it." 
 
 Page 93. 
 
 Looke vp and fee thy fpirit made aflar, 
 
 Joine flames with Heradcs. 
 Here the original edition fupplies us with the correcT: text : in 
 the edition of 1641, we find the nonfenfical mifprint, " Jove flames 
 with her rules. " The Editor of Old Englijli Plays (Land., 1814), 
 in the third volume of which the text of 1641 is reprinted, has given 
 fome of the more important original readings of 1607 in footnote 
 form. Towards the end of the play, however, he seems to have 
 tired of his work of collation, for in the above paffage he adopts 
 the corrupt reading of the pofthumous edition, without apparent- 
 ly being aware of any other, and thus ingenioufly endeavours 
 (p. 339.) to elucidate its obfeurityi:— " The word Jove is probably 
 here ufedto denote the vifible heavens." 
 
 Page 113. 
 
 The fplenatine Philofopher that euer 
 
 Laught at them all. 
 The fplenative Philofopher was Democritus, and the twenty 
 lines that follow are paraphrafed from a paffage in Juvenal's 
 Tenth Satire (1. 33"55)> beginning :— 
 
 " Perpetuo rifu pulmonem agitare folebat 
 
 Democritus," &c. 
 
 Page 142. 
 When Homer made Achilles paffonate, &c. 
 Thefe twelve lines, headed "Of Great Men," appear, with a 
 few unimportant verbal differences, among the Epigrams printed 
 at the end of Chapman's Petrarch, in 1612, a year before The 
 Revenge of Buffy VAmbois was publifhed. 
 
 Page 179. 
 
 The Confpiracie and Tragedic op Charles Duke of Byron. 
 
 The hiftorical fads on which thefe two plays are founded are 
 
 thus related in the Hiftory of France by Eyre Evans Crowe, 
 
 (Lond., 1863, III. 353-357) =-" Accuftomed to a century of
 
 4" 
 
 anarchy ice, the reftlefs fpirits of the nobleffe could not 
 
 .idle themfelves to the authority, the wider, ami 
 e all, the Uriel economy of Henry's government. 
 chafed more under the curb thus applied to unquiet and ambiti- 
 ous chiefs than the Marechal Biron, fon of the veteran, wh< 
 fo long led the armies of 1 [enry, 1' If the luccefsful 1< 
 
 of fo many fights. He formed, like li r, an overweei 
 
 cftimate of his own fervices, which, though he was duke, marl 
 and governor of Burgundy, he thought not fufficiently rei 
 penfed. Sent to Bruffels to witnefs the ceremony of the archduke 
 fwearing to the treaty of Yervins, Biron had been fwayed from 
 his allegiance by the flattery and infim it court. He 
 
 had fubfequently come in contact with the Dul roy, and 
 
 that arch-tempter had held out to him the profpect of a marriage 
 with his third daughter, and the fupport of Spain towards 
 retaining Burgundy in his own right provided he joined a league 
 of Spain an:l Savoy againft France. Biron's consequent luke- 
 warmnefs in conducting the war againft the Duke of Savoy in La 
 Breffe, had produced remarks and remonftrances from the king ; 
 and Biron, feeing how eafily the Duke of Savoy had been 
 reduced and deiboyed, and fearing betrayal in that quarter, made 
 a clean breaft of it to Henry and afked pardon. He had obtained 
 it nominally, but foon perceived that he could never again afpire 
 to the full confidence of the king. A fhort time after the fame 
 caufes of difcontent which affected him alfo manifefted them- 
 felves in the nobleffe fouth of the Loire. Biron's aim in affociat- 
 ing the Duke of Bouillon in his plot was not only to unite 
 Huguenot and Catholic malcontents againft Henry, but alfo to 
 make ufe of De Bouillon's influence at the Court of England and 
 of Proteftant Germany. When Biron was defpatched from Calais 
 to England by Henry, he was accompanied in fecret by the Count 
 d'Auvergne, his affociate in confpiracy, and no doubt they hoped 
 to find encouragement in England for their on. In 
 
 this they were altogether difappoiuted, Elizabeth taking 
 opportunity to read Biron a lecture on the fhame of difloyalty and 
 the perilous confequences of treafon. 
 
 Little profiting by this leffon, Biron continued his intrigues 
 with Spain ami Savoy. His chief confidant, De Luz, had the 
 imprudence iirfl to employ, and then offend, a perfon named La 
 Fin, who had been entrufted with a confidential miffion on his
 
 412 
 
 part to Milan and Turin. It was indeed the Count de Fuentes 
 who conceived fufpicion of him, and recommended his being 
 made away with. La Fin difcerned his danger, faw that he was 
 fufpected, and looked to turn his former knowledge to profit by 
 difclofing it to the court. Henry caufed him to be brought to 
 Fontainebleau, where he not only gave proofs by word of mouth 
 of Biron's intelligence with the enemies of the country, but pro- 
 duced letters and documents in fupport of his revelations. 
 
 Biron was then enticed from his government of Burgundy, and 
 from the towns which he held there, and came at length, in the 
 courfe of 1602, believing that nothing perilous was known, and 
 that by mowing a bold face he would confound his enenies. La 
 Fin contributed to lull him in this fatal fecurity by his affurance 
 that nothing important had been difcovered. Receiving the 
 traitor blandly, the king fhowed him familiarly the buildings and 
 improvements of his palace, and took the opportunity of preffmg 
 him to own frankly aught hoftile to his crown that Biron might 
 have been engaged in. The marfhal fhrank from repeating the 
 fame confeffion, and afking the fame pardon, as thofe which he 
 had made and obtained at Lyons. He declared he had nothing 
 to confefs, and merely defired to be confronted with his enemies. 
 Henry allowed a day to pafs ; again had a converfation with Biron, 
 and again counfelled him to be frank. The king confulted his 
 council, which recommended the arreft and punifhment of fo 
 dangerous a chief. Still he employed Sully and the Count of 
 Soiffons to bend the marfhal to fubmiffion. But the latter was fo 
 confident and defiant, that in a converfation refpecting the hopes 
 of the King of Spain, he obferved that Philip entertained no 
 fear of the French monarch. Henry himfelf made a laft attempt 
 to induce his proud noble to confefs, without, however, warning 
 him that he was in poffeffion of the proofs of his guilt, and find- 
 ing him obftinate, departed with the words, " Adieu, Baron de 
 Biron ;" thus depriving him in a word of the titles and honours 
 he had gained. In a few minutes after he was arretted 
 with the Count d'Auvergne and conducted by Sully to the Baf- 
 tille. The parliament inftantly proceeded with his trial, and the 
 evidence was fuch that, without hefitation, they condemned Biron 
 to death. 
 
 " To order the execution of a capital fentence upon one, who 
 had fo long fought by his fide, and rendered him important fer-
 
 4'3 
 
 vice, was not in the nature of Henry, or, indeed, in the habits of 
 the age. But the king felt it requifite for the pacification of his 
 kingdom, and the reduction of his highjnobleffe to fentiments of 
 
 loyalty and allegiance. And he, moreover, feared to allow fo 
 dangerous a perfonage to furvive him, and beat liberty to recom- 
 mence his intrigues during his fucceffor's minority. The friends 
 of the marfhal, efpecially Caumont, Duke de la Force, his 
 brother-indaw, befought Henry to fhow mercy, and Biron him- 
 felf, in a touching appeal, pleaded his thirty-two wounds, and 
 prayed to be allowed to go in exile to Hungary. But he was too 
 dangerous to be let loofe. Still the unhappy man could not be- 
 lieve to the laft in the reality of his fate. He quarrelled with the 
 executioner ; uttered wild threats of refiftance to the guards and 
 witneffes of the fcene ; accufed the king of cowardice, and thus, 
 fpending his laft moments in imprecations, delayed the final 
 ftroke a whole day, and at laft, in an accefs of rage and incerti- 
 tude rather than resignation, his head was fevered from his 
 body." 
 
 Tage 228. 
 There is no danger to a man, that kno: 
 What life and death is : there's not any la , 
 Exceeds his knowledge ; neither is it lawfull 
 That hefliould Jloope to any other laive. 
 Thefe are the lines now memorable and confecrated as having 
 been chofen by Shelley as a motto for the Dedication of his 
 Revolt of Iflam. 
 
 Page 275. 
 The faithful I ' fcruant right in 'holy writ ; 
 That fail he would not come and yet he came. 
 Matthew, xxi. 29. There is alfo an allufion to the flory of the 
 Prodigal Son at the bottom of the page. 
 
 Page 28S. 
 Trufl that deeeii/es our J elves in treachery, 
 And Truth that truth conceales an open lie. 
 There can be very little doubt that for "in" we fhould read is 
 in the firft of thefe two lines ; but we have adhered to our rule of 
 introducing no conjectural emendations into the text.
 
 4H 
 
 Page 288. 
 All this my Lord to me is mifery. 
 Here again is a palpable corruption of the text. It is not 
 "mifery" but myflery that the King promifes in the next line to 
 make plain enough. 
 
 Page 325. 
 a deft dapper perjonage. 
 Deft is a word ftill in ufe in the northern counties, and means, 
 in the text, "neat and well looking." It is ufed in Brome's 
 Northern Lajfe in the fame fenfe : " He faid I were a deft lafs, 
 but there he feign'd." 
 
 Page 330. 
 to fold vp thy felfe like an Vrchine. 
 " An urchin," i.e. the common hedge-hog, 
 
 Page 331. 
 A purfe of twenty pound in gold. 
 The infertion of this marginal notice is a very conclufive evi- 
 hence that this play was originally printed from the theatre copy, 
 as it was evidently a direction to the property-man to furnifh 
 Innocentio with fuch a purfe. 
 
 Page 334. 
 while men offeruicefit at home, andfeede their hunger 
 with the blood of red lattices. 
 A quibble on the words " lettuce" and "lattice." Ale-houfes 
 were formerly known by red lattices at the doors and windows. 
 
 Page 335. 
 Innoc. Sfut, that I am I hope, I am fure my father has 
 been twife Warden on's company. 
 
 Quint. 7 hats not a peare matter man." 
 
 It is perhaps needlefs to fay that a pun is here intended. The 
 warden was a fpecies of pear well known in our author's time. 
 A "warden tree" is mentioned in the Second Part of Dekker's 
 Ho7iefl Whore: and "warden pies" in the Winter's Tale : they 
 are alfo fpoken of by Beaumont and Fletcher in Cupids Revenge ; 
 and Ben Jonfon makes the farce ufe of the word as Chapman, and
 
 415 
 
 talks of " a deputy tart, a church-warden pyc," in his Mafque of 
 Gyflies Metamorphofed. 
 
 Page 339. 
 His breath /nulls like the butt end of aJJwo-makcrs home. 
 In allufion to the rancid grcafe kept by (hoe-makers in a horn. 
 
 Page 350. 
 Bezvare of an old eolt -while you Hue. 
 A former editor of this play fuggefts that we mould read 
 " cock" inftead of eolt, in order to make the fpeech that follows 
 intelligible. 
 
 Page 353. 
 
 failed there to be eolted here. 
 
 " Colted," i.e. cheated, tricked. So Bellamore, in the Wit 
 without Money of Beaumont and Fletcher, fays, 
 
 " He fhall be hang'd before he colt us bafely." 
 And Falftaff, in the Firft Part of Henry IV. 
 
 "What a plague mean ye, to colt me thus." 
 
 Page 355. 
 Are not you the taffell of a Gander ? 
 The taffel or tiercel is faid by Steevens, in a note on Romeo and 
 Jidiel, to be male of the goffhawk. By the taffel of a gander, 
 therefore, is probably meant a goofe. Quintiliano expreffes his 
 aftonifhment at the fimplicity of Giovenelle, who, frefh from 
 Padua,- prefumed they could only drink healths on their knees, 
 becaufe their legs would not bear them. It was, however, very 
 common among the fwaggerers of our poet's age, and is fre- 
 quently, with other of their ceremonies, alluded to by the dra- 
 matic writers. So in the Coxcomb of Beaumont and Fletcher, 
 Act. 1. Seen. V., when the drawer brings in the wine, Uberto 
 fays : — 
 
 " every man ou's knees. 
 
 And betake himfelf to his faint : Here's to your wench fig- 
 nior." 
 And in Weflward Hoe by Dekker and Webfter : " My mafter 
 and Sir Goflin are guzzling : they are dabbling together fathom
 
 416 
 
 deep. The knight has drank fo much healths to the gentleman 
 yonder, on his knees, that he hath almoft loft the ufe of his legs." 
 
 Page 361. 
 KiCfe the Paxe. 
 The pax or pix was a box in which the confecrated wafers were 
 kept. 
 
 Page 373. 
 Come, be not retrograde to our de/Zres. 
 This phrafe is from Hamlet, which was publifhed eight years 
 before Chapman's comedy of May-Day. Claudius fays to Ham- 
 let (Adl I. fc. 2) : 
 
 " for your intent 
 
 In going back to fchool at Wittenberg, 
 It is molt retrograde to our defire." 
 
 Page 374. 
 
 S'fut, xoinefucker, what haue you fild vs heere, baldredajh ? 
 tajle Leonoro. 
 "Balderdafh" means a flrange mixture of liquors. So Petru- 
 chio in The Woman's Prize of Fletcher (act iv. fc. 5) defcribing 
 his wife, fays : — 
 
 " mine is fuch a drench of balderdaJJt," &c. 
 
 Page 377. 
 Innoc. I hope by this time Jliee remembers her 
 promifefr. 
 This fpeech feems properly to belong to Lionell ; and to have 
 been attributed to Innocentio by an error of the prefs. 
 
 Page 378. 
 Fill red cheek 't Bacchus, let the Burdeux grape 
 Skip like la voltos to their /welling vaines. 
 This is compofed from a bombaftic paffage in the Second Part 
 of Antonio and Mellida, act v. fc. 4 : 
 
 " Why then 16 to Hymen, mount a loftie note : 
 Fill red-cheekt Bacchus, let Lycus flote 
 In burnifht gobblets. Force the plumpedipt god, 
 Skip light lavoltaes in your full fapt veines," &c.
 
 1'7 
 Page 386. 
 
 /.'/// iiino IL- lay the bucklers at your feete. 
 A fimilar phrafe occurs in Shakefpeare, {Much Ado about 
 Nothing, Acl V. Sc. 2.), upon which Jolmfun obferves, "I fup- 
 pofe that to 'give the bucklers' is to yield, or to lay by all thoughts 
 of defence, fo clypeum abjicere." Steevens in a note on the fame 
 paffage adduces, in addition to the above from Chapman, four or 
 five other inftances of the life of a iimilar cxpreffion in this fenfe 
 by the Elizabethan writers. 
 
 Page 3S7. 
 Why that perVs man Lodowicke, according to your 
 appointment, was iutnpe at three with nice. 
 "Jump at three," i.e. exactly at three. It occurs commonly in 
 the writers of the time. So in The Prophetefs of Fletcher (ad. I. 
 
 fc 3) : 
 
 " They are a jump and fquared out to his nature." 
 
 Page 387. 
 
 as if I had ben an arrand naughty-packc. 
 Naughty-pack is yet in ufe in our northern counties. It 
 found in the Roaring Girl of Middleton and Dekker, and applied 
 to the character who gives the name to that piece. 
 
 Page 390. 
 As in the field the drum me, fo to the feafl the dreffer 
 giues the Alar me. 
 Innumerable paffages in the old dramas fliow, that formerly 
 when dinner was ready, the fervants were fummoned by the 
 cook's knocking on the dreffer to attend and carry it to table. 
 So in Maffinger's ( 'nnatural Combat (acl III. (c. 1.) 
 
 When the dreffer, the cook's drum, thunders, come on ! " 
 
 Page 405. 
 And with round /-'echoes make the welken rare. 
 Compare Marlowe's Dido Queen of Carthage, act iv. 
 
 " Whole hideous echoes make the welkin howl." 
 
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