The chronicle historie of Perkin VVarbeck A strange truth. Acted (some-times) by the Queenes Maiesties Servants at the Phænix in Drurie lane. — Chronicle history of Perkin Warbeck

Author: Ford, John, 1586-ca. 1640.1634

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THE CHRONICLE HISTORIE OF PERKIN WARBECK.

A Strange Truth.

Acted (some-times) by the Queenes MAIESTIES Servants at the Phaenix in Drurie lane.

Fide Honor.

LONDON, Printed by T. P. for Hugh Beeston, and are to be sold at his Shop, neere the Castle in Cornehill. 1634.

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The Scene, The Continent of Great Britayne.

The Persons presented.

Henry the seaventh.
Dawbney.
Sir William Stanly.
Oxford.
Surrey.
Bishop of Durham.
Vrswicke Chaplaine to King Henry.
Sir Robert Clifford.
Lambert Simnell.
Hialas a Spanish Agent.
Constable, Officers, Servingmen, and Souldiers.
Iames the 4th King of Scotl.
Earle of Hu [...]ley.
Earle of Crawford.
Lord Daliell.
Marchmount a Herauld.
Perkin Warbeck.
Frion his Secretarie.
Mayor of Cork.
Heron a Mercer.
Sketon a Taylor.
Astly—a Scrivener.

Women.

Ladie Katherine Gourdon, —wife to Perkin.
Countesse of Crawford.
Iane Douglas — Lady Kath: mayd.

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TO THE RIGHTLY HONOVRABLE, VVILLIAM CAVENDISH, Earle of New-Castle, Viscount Mansfield, Lord Boulfouer and Ogle.

MY LORD:

OVt of the darknesse of a former Age, (enlighten'd by a late, both learned, and an honourable pen) I haue endevoured, to personate a great Attempt, and in It, a greater Daunger. In other Labour's, you may reade Actions of Antiquitie discourst; In This Abridgement, finde the Actors themselues discoursing: in some kinde, practiz'd as well What to speake; as speaking Why to doe. Your [...]op [...] is a most competent Iudge, in expressions of [Page] such credit; commissioned by your knowne Abilitie [...]n examining; and enabled by your knowledge in determining, the monuments of Time. Eminent Titles, may indeed informe, who, their owners are, not often what: To your's, the addition of that information, in BOTH, cannot in any application be observ'd flattery; the Authoritie being established by TRVTH. I can onely acknowledge, the errours in writing, mine owne; the worthinesse of the Subject written, being a perfection in the Story, and of It. The custome of your Lo ^ps. entertainements (even to Strangers) is, rather an Example, than a Fashion: in which consideration, I dare not professe a curiositie; but am onely studious, that your Lo ^p [...] will please, amongst such as best honour your Goodnesse, to admit into your noble construction

IOHN FORD.

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To my owne friend, Master 
Iohn Ford, on his Iustifiable Poem of 
Perkin Warbeck, This Ode.THey, who doe know mee, know, that I
(Vnskil'd to flatter)
Dare speake 
This Piece, in words, in matter,
A WORKE: without the daunger of the 
Lye.
Beleeue mee (friend) the name of 
This, and 
Thee,
Will liue, 
your Storie:
Bookes may want Faith, or merit, glorie;
THIS, neither; without Iudgement's Lethargie.
When the Arts doate, then, some 
sicke Poet, may
Hope, that his penne
In new-staind-paper, can finde men
To roare, 
HE is THE WIT'S; His NOYSE doth sway.
But such an Age cannot be know'n: for All,
E're that Time bee,
Must proue such Truth, mortalitie:
So (friend) thy honour stand's too fixt, to fall.
George Donne.

To his worthy friend, Master 
Iohn Ford, vpon his 
Perkin Warbeck.LEt men, who are writt Poets, lay a claime
To the 
Phebean Hill, I haue no name,


[Page]Nor art in Verse; True, I haue heard some tell
Of 
Aganippe, but ne're knew the Well:
Therefore haue no ambition with the Times,
To be in Print, for making of ill Rimes;
But loue of 
Thee, and Iustice to 
thy Penne
Hath drawne mee to this Barre, with other men
To justifie, though against double Lawes,
(Waving the subtill bus'nesse of his cause)
The GLORIOVS PERKIN, and thy Poet's Art
Equall with 
His, in playing the KINGS PART.
Ra: E'ure Baronis Primogen:

To my faithfull, no lesse deserving friend, the Authour; This indebted Oblation.PERKIN is rediviu'd by thy strong hand,
And crownd' a King of new; the vengefull wand
Of 
Greatnesse is forgot: HIS Execution
May rest vn-mention'd; and HIS birth's Collusion
Lye buried in the Storie: But HIS fame
Thou has't eterniz'd; made a Crowne HIS Game.
HIS loftie spirit soares 
yet. Had HE been
Base in his enterprise, as was his sinne

Conceiv'd, HIS TITLE, (doubtlesse) prou'd vnjust,
Had, but for 
Thee, been silenc't in his dust.
George Crymes, miles.

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To the Authour, his friend, vpon his Chronicle Historie.

THese are not to expresse thy witt,

But to pronounce thy Iudgement fitt;

In full-fil'd phrase, those Times to rayse,

When PERKIN ran his wilie wayes.

Still, let the methode of thy brayne,

From Errours touch, and Envy's stayne

Preserue Thee, free; that eu'r, thy quill

Fayre Truth may wett, and Fancy fill.

Thus Graces are, with Muses mett,

And practick Critick's on may frett:

For heere, Thou hast produc't, A Storie,

Which shall ecclipfe, Their future Glorie.

Iohn Brograue: Ar [...]

To my friend, and kinsman, Master Iohn Ford, the Authour.

DRammatick Poets (as the Times goe) now

Can hardly write, what others will allow;

The Cynick snarl's; the Critick howles and barkes;

And Ravens croake, to drowne the voyce of Larkes:

Scorne those STAGE-HARPYES! This I'le boldly say,

Many may imitate, few match thy Play.

Iohn Ford: Graiensis.

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PROLOGVE.STudyes haue, of this Nature, been of late
So out of fashion, so vnfollow'd; that
It is become more Iustice, to reviue
The antick follyes of the Times, then striue
To countenance wise Industrie: no want
Of Art, doth render witt, or lame, or scant,
Or slothfull, in the p
 [...]rch
 [...]se of fresh bayes;
But want of Truth in Them, who giue the prayse
To their selfe-loue, presuming to out-doe
The 
Writer, or (for need) the 
Actor's too.
But such 
THIS AVTHOVR'S silence best befitt's,
Who bidd's Them, be in loue, with their owne witt's
 [...]
From 
Him, to cleerer Iudgement's, wee can say,
Hee shew's a Historie, couch't in a Play:
A Historie of noble mention, knowne,
Famous, and true: most noble, 'cause our owne:
Not forg'd from 
Italie, from 
Fraunce, from 
Spaine,
But Chronicled at 
Home; as rich in strayne
Of braue Attempts, as ever, fertile Rage
In Action, could beget to grace the Stage.
Wee cannot limitt 
Scenes, for the whole Land
It selfe, appeard too narrow to with-stand

Competitors for Kingdomes: nor is heere
Vnnecessary mirth forc't, to indeere
A multitude; on 
these two, rest's the Fate
Of worthy expectation; 
T
 [...]V
 [...]H and 
STATE.

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THE CHRONICLE HISTORIE OF PERKIN WARBECK.

Actus primus,

Scaena prima.

Enter King Henry, Durham, Oxford, Surrey, Sir William Stanly, Lord Chamberlaine, Lord Dawbny. The King supported to his Throne by Stanly and Durham. A Guard.

King.

STill to be haunted; still to be pursued,

Still to be frighted with false apparitions

Of pageant Majestie, and new-coynd greatnesse,

As if wee were a mockery King in state;

Onely ordaind to lauish sweat and blo [...]d

In scorne and laughter to the ghosts of Yorke,

Is all below our merits; yet (my Lords,

My friends and Counsailers) yet we sit fast

In our owne royall birth-right; the rent face

And bleeding wounds of England's slaughterd people,

Haue beene by vs (as by the best Physitian)

At last both throughly Cur'd, and set in safetie;

And yet for all this glorious worke of peace

Our selfe is scarce secur [...].

Dur [...]

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The rage of malice

Conjures fresh spirits with the spells of Yorke;

For ninetie yeares ten English Kings and Princes,

Threescore great Dukes and Earles, a thousand Lords

And valiant Knights, two hundred fiftie thousand

Of English Subiects haue in Ciuill Warres,

Beene sacrifi [...]d to an vnciuill thirst

Of discord and ambition: this hot vengeance

Of the just powers aboue, to vtter ruine

And Desolation had raign'd on, but that

Mercie did gently sheath the sword of Iustice,

In lending to this bloud-shrunck Common-wealth

A new [...]oule, new birth in your Sacred person.

Daw:

Edward the fourth after a doubtfull fortune

Yeelded to nature; leaving to his sonnes

Edward and Richard, the inheritance

Of a most bloudy purchase; these young Prince [...]

Richard the Tirant their vnnaturall V [...]cle

Forc'd to a violent graue, [...]o just is Heauen.

Him hath your Majestie by your owne arme

Divinely strengt [...]en'd, pulld from hi [...] Boares stie

And strucke the black Vsurper to a Carkasse:

Nor doth the House of Yorke decay in Honors,

Tho Lancaster doth repossesse his [...]ight.

For Edwards daughter is King Henries Queene.

A blessed Vnion, and a lasting blessing

For this poore panting Iland, if some shreds

Some vselesse remnant of the House of Yorke

Grudge not at this Content.

Ox:

Margaret of Burgundy

Blowes fresh Coales of Division.

Sur:

Painted fires

Without to heate or scortch [...] or light to cheerish.

Daw:

Yorkes headlesse trunck her Father, Edwards fate

Her brother King, the smothering of her Nephewes

By Tirant Gloster, brother to her nature;

Nor Glosters owne confusion, (all decrees

Sacred in Heauen) Can moue this Woman-Monster,

But that shee still from the vnbottom'd myne

[Page]Of Devilish policies, doth vent the Ore

Of troubles and sedition.

Ox:

In her age

(Great Sir, obserue the Wonder) shee growes fruitfull,

Who in her strength of youth was alwayes barraine

Nor are her birthes as other Mothers are,

At nine or ten moneths end, shee has beene with childe

Eight or seaven yeares at least; whose twinnes being borne

(A prodegie in Nature) even the youngest

Is fifteene yeares of age at hi [...] first entrance

As soone as knowne 'ith world, tall striplings, strong

And able to giue battaile vnto Kings.

Idolls of Yorkish malice.

Ox:

And but Idolls,

A steelie hammer Crushes 'em to pe [...]ces.

Lambert the el [...]est (Lords) is in our service,

Prefer'd by an offi [...]ious care of D [...]ie

From the Scullery to a Faulkner (strange example!)

Which shewes the difference betweene noble natures

And the base borne: but for the vpstart Duke,

The new reviu'd Yorke, Edwards second sonne,

Murder'd lo [...]g since 'ith Towre; he liues againe

And vowes to be your King.

Stan:

The throne is filld Sir.

True Stanlie, and the lawfull heire sitts on it;

A guard of Angells, and the holy prayers

Of loyall Subjects are a sure defence

Against all force and Counsaile of Intrusion.

But now (my Lords) put case some of our Nobles,

Our GREAT ONES, should giue Countenance and Courage

To trim Duke Perkin; you will all confesse

Our bounties haue vnthriftily beene scatter'd

Amongst vnthankfull men.

Daw:

Vnthankfull beasts,

Dogges, villaines, traytors.

Dawbney let the guiltie

Keepe silence, I accuse none, tho I know,

Forraigne attempts against a State and Kingdome

Are seldome without some great friends at home.

Stan:

Sir, if no other abler reasons else

Of dutie or alegiance could divert

A head-strong resolution, yet the dangers

[Page]So lately past by men of bloud and fortunes

In Lambert Simnells partie, must Command

More than a feare, a terror to Conspiracie,

The high-borne Lincolne, sonne to De la Pole,

The Earle of Kildare, Lord Geraldine,

Francis Lord Louell, and the German Baron,

Bould Martin Swart, with Broughton and the rest,

(Most spectacles of ruine, some of mercy;)

Are presidents sufficient to forewarne

The present times, or any that liue in them,

What follie, nay, what madnesse 'twere to lift

A finger vp in all defence but yours,

Which can be but impostorous in a title.

Stanlie wee know thou lou'st Vs, and thy heart

Is figur'd on thy tongue; nor thinke wee lesse

Of anie's here, how closely wee haue hunted

This Cubb (since he vnlodg'd) from hole to hole,

Your knowledge is our Chronicle: first Ireland

The common stage of Noveltie, presented

This gewgaw to oppose vs, there the Geraldines

And Butlers once againe stood in support

Of this Colossicke statue: Charles of Fraunce

Thence call'd him into his protection;

Dissembled him the lawfull heire of England;

Yet this was all but French dissimulation,

Ayming at peace with vs, which being granted

On honorable termes on our part, suddenly

This smoake of straw was packt from Fraunce againe,

T'infect some grosser ayre; and now wee learne

(Mauger the malice of the bastard Nevill,

Sir Talor, and a hundred English Rebells)

Thei'r all retir'd to Flaunders, to the Dam

That nurst this eager Wholpe, Margaret of Burgundie.

But wee will hunt him there too, wee will hunt him,

Hunt him to death euen in the Beldams Closet,

Tho the Arch-duke were his Buckler.

Sur:

Shee has stil'd him—The faire white rose of England.

Daw:

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Iollie Gentleman, more fit to be a Swabber

To the Flemish after a drunken surfet.

Enter Vrswick.

Vr:

Gracious Soueraigne, please you peruse this paper.

Dur:

The Kings Countenance, gathers a sprightly bloud:

Daw:

Good newes beleeue it.

Vrswick thine eare—

Th'ast lodgd him?

Vr:

Strongly, safe Sir.

Enough, is Barly come to?

Vr:

No, my Lord.

No matter—phew, hee's but a running weede,

At pleasure to be pluck'd vp by the rootes:

But more of this anon—I haue bethought mee.

(My Lords) for reasons which you shall pertake,

It is our pleasure to remoue our Court

From Westminster to th' Tower: Wee will lodge

This very night there, giue Lord Chamberlaine

A present order for it.

Stan:

The Tower — I shall sir.

Come my true, best, fast friends, these clouds will vanish,

The Sunne will shine at full: the Heauens are clearing.

Exeunt.

Flourish.

Enter Huntley and Daliell.

Hun:

You trifle time Sir.

Dal:

Oh my noble Lord,

You conster my griefes to so hard a sence,

That where the text is argument of pittie

Matter of earn [...]st loue, your glosse corrupts it

With too much ill plac'd mirth.

Hunt:

Much mirth Lord Daliell?

Not so I vow: ob [...]erue mee sprightly gallant:

I know thou art a [...]oble ladd, a hansome,

Discended from [...]n honorable Auncestrie,

Forward and actiue, do'st resolue to wrestle,

And ruffle in the world by noble actions

For a braue mention to posteritie:

I scorne not thy affection to my Daughter [...]

[Page]Not I by good St. Andr [...]w; but this bugg-beare,

This whoresome tale of honor, ( honor Daliell)

So hourely chatts, and tattles in mine eare,

The peece of royaltie that is stitch'd vp

In my Kates bloud, that 'tis as dangerous

For thee young Lord, to pearch so neere an Eaglet,

As foolish for my gravitie to admit it.

I haue spoake all at once.

Dal:

Sir, with this truth

You mix such Worme wood, that you leaue no hope

For my disorderd palate, ere to rellish

A wholesome taste againe; alas, I know Sir,

What an vnequall distance lies betweene

Great Huntlies Daughters birth, and Daliells fortunes.

Shee's the Kings kinswoman, plac'd neere the Crowne,

A Princesse of the bloud, and I a Subject.

Hunt:

Right, but a noble Subject, put in that too.

Dal:

I could adde more; and in the rightest line,

Deriue my pedigree from Adam Mure,

A Scottish Knight; whose daughter, was the mother

To him who first begot the race of Iameses,

That sway the Scepter to this very day [...]

But kindreds are not ours, when once the date

Of many yeares, haue swallowed vp the memory

Of their originalls: So pasture fields

Neighbouring too neere the Ocean, are soopd vp

And knowne no more: for stood I in my first

And natiue greatnesse, if my Princely Mistresse

Voutsafd mee not her servant, 'twere as good

I were reduc'd to Clownery; to nothing

As to a throane of Wonder.

Hunt:

Now by Saint Andrew

A sparke of mettall, a'has a braue fire in him.

I would a had my Daughter so I knewt not.

But must not bee so, must not: —well young Lord

This will not doe yet, if the girle be headstrong

And will not harken to good Counsaile, steale her

[Page]And runne away with her, daunce galliards, doe,

And friske about the world to learne the Languages:

T'will be a thriving trade; vo [...] may set vp by't.

Dal:

With pardon ( n [...]ble Gourdon) this disdaine

Suites not your Daughters vertue, or my constancie.

Hunt:

You are angrie—would awould beate me, I deserue it.

Daliell thy hand, w'are friends; follow thy Courtship

Take thine owne time and speake, if thou prevail'st

With passion more then I can with my Counsaile,

Shees thine, nay, shee is thine, tis a faire match

Free and allowed, Ile onely vse my tongue

Without a Fathers power, use thou thine:

Selfe doe selfe haue, no more words, winne and weare her.

Dal:

You blesse mee, I am now too poore in thankes

To pay the debt I owe you.

Hunt:

Nay, th'art poore enough — I loue his spirit infinitely.

Looke yee, shee comes, to her now, to her, to her.

Enter Katherine and Iane.

Kat:

The King commands your presence Sir.

Hunt:

The gallant—this this this Lord, this

Servant ( Kate) of yours, desires to be your Maister.

Kat:

I acknowledge him, a worthy friend of mine.

Dal:

Your humblest Creature.

Hunt:

So, so, the games a foote, I'me in cold hunting,

The hare and hounds are parties.

Dal:

Princely Lady,—how most vnworthy I am to imploy

My servic [...]s, in honour of your vertues,

How h [...]pelesse my desires are to enjoy

Your fai [...]e opinion, and much more your loue;

Are onely matter of despaire, vnlesse

Your goodnesse giue large warrant to my boldnesse,

My feeble-wing'd ambition.

Hunt:

This is scurvie.

Kat:

My Lord I interrupt you not.

Hunt:

Indeede?

Now on my life sheel Court him —nay, nay, on Sir.

Dal:

Oft haue I tun'd the lesson of my sorrowes

To sweeten discord, and inrich your pittie;

[Page]But all in vaine: heere had my Comforts sunck

And never ris'n againe, to tell a storie

Of the despairing Louer, had not now

Even now the Earle your Father.

Hunt:

A meanes mee sure.

Dal:

After some fit disputes of your Condition,

Your highnesse and my lownesse, giv'n a licence

Which did not more embolden, then encourage

My faulting tongue.

Hunt:

How how? how's that?

Embolden? Encourage? I encourage yee? d'ee heare sir?

A subtill trick, a queint one, —will you heare (man)

What did I say to you, come come toth poynt.

Kate:

It shall not neede my Lord.

Hunt:

Then heare mee Kate:

Keepe you on that hand of her; I on this—

Thou standst betweene a Father and a Suiter,

Both striving for an interest in thy heart:

Hee Courts thee for affection, I for dutie;

Hee as a servant pleads, but by the priviledge

Of nature, tho I might Command, my care

Shall onely Counsaile what it shall not force.

Thou canst but make one choyce, the tyes of marriage

Are tenures not at will, but during life.

Consider whoes thou art, and who; a Princesse,

A Princesse of the royall bloud of Scotland.

In the full spring of youth, and fresh in beautie.

The King that sits vpon the throne is young

And yet vnmarryed, forward in attempts

On any least occasion, to endanger

His person; Wherefore Kate as I am confident

Thou dar'st not wrong thy birth and education

By yeelding to a common [...]ervile rage

Of female wantonnesse, so I am confident

Thou wilt proportion all thy thoughts to side

Thy equalls, i [...] not equall thy superiors.

My Lord of Daliell youug in yeares, is old

In honors, but nor eminent in titles

[Page]Or in estate, that may support or adde to

The expectation of thy fortunes, settle

Thy will and reason by a strength of Iudgement;

For in a word, I giue thee freedome, take it.

If equall fates haue not ordain'd to pitch

Thy hopes aboue my height, let not thy passion

Leade thee to shrinke mine honor in oblivion:

Thou art thine owne, I haue done.

Dal:

Oh [...]y' are all Oracle,

The living stocke and roote of truth and wisedome.

Kat:

My worthiest Lord and Father, the indulgence

Of your sweete composition, thus commands

The lowest of obedience, you haue graunted

A libertie so large, that I want skill

To choose without direction of EXAMPLE:

From which I daily learne, by how much more

You ta [...]e off from the roughnesse of a Father,

By so much more I am engag'd to tender

The dutie of a Daughter. For respects

Of birth, degrees of title [...] and advancement,

I nor admire, nor slight them; all my studies

Shall ever ayme at this perfection onely,

To liue and dye so, that you may not blush

In any course of mine to owne mee yours.

Hunt:

Kate, Kate, thou grow'st vpon my heart, like peace,

Creating every other houre a Iubile.

Kate:

To you my Lord of Daliell, I addresse

Some few remaining words, the generall fame

That speakes your merit even in vulgar tongues [...]

Proclaimes it cleare; but in the best a President.

Hunt:

Good wench, good girle y' fayth.

Kat:

For my part (trust mee)

I value mine owne worth at higher rate,

Cause you are pleasd to prize it; if the streame

Of your protested service (as you terme it)

Runne in a constancie, more then a Complement;

I [...] shall be my delight, that worthy loue

[Page]Leades you to worthy actions; and these guide yee

Richly to wedde an honourable name:

So every vertuous praise, in after ages,

Shall be your hey [...]e, and I in your braue mention,

Be Chronicled the MOTHER of that issue,

That glorious issue.

Hunt:

Oh that I were young againe,

Sheed make mee [...]ourt proud danger, and sucke spirit

From reputation.

Kat:

To the present motion,

Heeres all that I dare a [...]swer: when a ripenesse

Of more experience, and some vse of time,

Resolues to treate the freedome of my youth

Vpon exchange of troathes, I shall desire

No surer credit, of a match with vertue,

Then such as liues in you; meane time, my hopes are

Preser'd secure, in having you a friend.

Dal:

You are a blessed Lady, and instruct

Ambition not to soare a farther flight,

Then in the perfum'd ayre of your soft voyce.

My noble Lord of Huntley, you haue lent

A full extent of bountie to this parley;

And for it, shall command your humblest servant.

Hunt:

Enough; wee are still friends, and will continue

A heartie loue, oh Kate, thou art mine owne:—

No more, my Lord of Crawford.

Enter Crawford.

Craw.

From the King I come my Lord of Huntley,

Who in Counsaile requires your present ayde.

Hunt:

Some weightie businesse!

Craw:

A Secretarie from a Duke of Yorke,

The second sonne to the late English Edward,

Conceal'd I know not where these fourteen yeares,

Craues audience from our Maister, and tis said

The Duke himselfe is following to the Court.

Hunt:

Duke vpon Duke; tis well; 'tis well heeres bustling

For Majestie; my Lord, I will along with yee.

Craw:

My service noble Lady.

Kat:

Please yee walke sir?

Dal:

[Page]

‘Times haue their changes, sorrow makes men wise,’

‘The Sunne it selfe must sett as well as rise;’

Then why not I— faire Maddam I waite on yee.

Exeunt omnes.

Enter Durham, Sir Robert Clifford, and Vrswick: Lights.

Dur:

You finde (Sir Robert Clifford) how securely

King Henry our great Maister, doth commit

His person to your loyaltie; you taste

His bountie and his mercy even in this;

That at a time of night so late, a place

So private as his Closet, hee is pleasd

To admit you to his favour; doe not faulter

In your Discovery, but as you covet

A liberall grace, and pardon for your follies.

So labour to deserue it, by laying open

All plotts, all persons, that contriue against it.

Vrs:

Remember not the witchcraft, or the Magick,

The charmes, and incantations, which the Sorceresse

Of Burgundie hath cast vpon your reason!

Sir Robert bee your owne friend now, discharge

Your conscience freely, all of such as loue you,

Stand sureties for your honestie and truth.

Take heede you doe not dallie with the King,

He is wise as he is gentle.

Cliff:

I am miserable,

If Henry be not mercifull.

Vrs:

The King comes.

Enter King Henry.

K: H:

Clifford!

Cliff:

Let my weake knees rot on the earth,

If I appeare as leap'rous in my treacheries,

Before your royall eyes; as to mine owne

I seeme a Monster, by my breach of truth.

K: H:

Clifford stand vp, for instance of thy safetie

I offer thee my hand.

Cliff.

A soveraigne Balme

For my bruis'd Soule, I kisse it with a greedinesse.

Sir you are a just Master, but I—

K: H:

Tell me, is every circumstance, thou hast set downe

With thine owne hand, within this paper true?

Is it a sure intelligence of all

[Page]The progresse of our enemies intents

Without corruption?

Cliff:

True, as I wish heaven;

Or my infected honor white againe.

K: H:

Wee know all ( Clifford) fully, since this meteor

This ayrie apparition first discradled

From Tournay into Portugall; and thence

Advanc'd his fi [...]ie blaze [...]or adoration

Toth superstitious Irish; since the beard

Of this wilde Comet, Conjurd'd into Fraunce,

Sparkled in antick flames in Charles his Court:

But shrunke againe from thence, and hid in darknesse,

Stole into Flaunders, flourishing the ragges

Of painted power on the shore of Kent,

Whence hee was beaten backe with shame and scorne,

Contempt, and slaughter of some naked out-lawes:

But tell me, what new course now shapes Duke Perkin!

Cliff:

For Ireland (mightie Henrie:) so instructed

By Stephen Frion, sometimes Secretarie

In the French tongue vnto your sacred Excellence,

But Perkins tutor now.

K: H:

A subtill villaine!

That Frion, Frion, —you my Lord of Durham

Knew well the man.

Dur.

French both in heart and actions!

K: H:

Some Irish heads worke in this mine of treason;

Speake em!

Cliff.

Not any of the best; your fortune

Hath dulld their spleenes; never had Counterfeit

Such a confused rabble of lost Banquerouts

For Counsellors: first Heron a broken Mercer,

Then Iohn a Water, sometimes Major of Corke,

Sketon a taylor aud a Scrivenor

Calld Astley: and what ere these list to treate of,

Perkin must harken to; but Frion, cunning

Aboue these dull capacities, still prompts him [...]

To flie to Sc [...]land to young Iames the fourth;

And sue for ayde to him; this is the latest

Of all their resolutions.

K. H.

Still more Frion.

Pestilent Adder, hee will hisse out poyson

As dang'rous as infections—we must match 'em.

[Page] Clifford thou hast spoke home, wee giue thee life:

But Clifford, there are people of our owne

Rem [...]ine behinde vntold, who are they Clifford?

Name those and wee are friends, and will to rest,

Tis thy last taske.

Cliff.

Oh Sir, here I must breake

A most vnlawfull Oath to keepe a just one.

K. H.

Well, well, be briefe, be briefe.

Cliff.

The first in ranck

Shall be Iohn Ratcliffe, Lord Fitzwater, then

Sir Simon Mountford, and Sir Thomas Thwaites,

With William Dawbegney, Chessoner, Astwood,

Worsley t [...]e Deane of Paules, two other Fryars,

And Robert Ratcliffe.

K. H.

Church-men are turn'd Divells.

These are the principall.

Cliff.

One more remaines

Vn-nam'd, whom I could willingly forget.

K.H.

Ha Clifford, one more?

Cliff.

Great Sir, do not heare him:

For when Sir William Stanlie your Lord Chamberlaine

Shall come into the list, as he is chiefe

I shall loose credit with yee, yet this Lord,

Last nam'd, is first against you.

K. H.

Vrswick the light, view well my face Sirs,

Is there bloud left in it?

Dur.

You alter

Strangely Sir.

K. H.

Alter Lord Bishop?

Why Clifford stab'd mee, or I dream'd a'stabd mee.

Sirra, it is a custome with the guiltie

To thinke they set their owne staines off, by laying

Aspersions on some nobler then themselues:

Lyes waite on treasons, as I finde it here.

Thy life againe is forfeit, I recall

My word of mercy, for I know thou dar'st

Repeate the name no more.

Cliff.

I dare, and once more

Vpon my knowledge, name Sir William Stanlie

Both in his counsaile, and his purse, the chiefe

Assistant, to the fai [...]'d [...]uke of Yorke.

Dur:

Most strange!

Vrs:

Most wicked!

K: H.

Yet againe, once more;

Cliff:

Sir William Stanlie is your [...]ecret enemy,

And if time fit, will openly professe it.

K. H.

Sir William Stanlie? Who? Sir William Stanlie

[Page]My Chamberlaine, my Counsellor, the loue,

The pleasure of my Court, my bosome friend,

The Charge, and the Controulement of my person [...]

The keyes and secrets of my treasurie;

The all of all I am: I am vnhappie:

Miserie of confidence, —let mee turne traytor

To mine owne person, yeeld my Scepter vp

To Edwards Sister, and her bastard Duke!

Dur.

You loose your constant temper.

K. H.

Sir William Stanlie!

Oh doe not blame mee; hee, twas onely hee

Who having rescu'd mee in Bosworth field

From Richards bloudy sword, snatch'd from his head

The Kingly Crowne, and plac'd it first on mine.

Hee never fail'd mee; what haue I deserv'd

To loose this good mans heart, or hee, his owne?

Vrs:

The night doth waste, this passion ill becomes yee;

Provide against your danger.

K. H.

Let it be so.

Vrswick command streight Stanly to his chamber.

Tis well wee are ith Tower; set a guard on him;

Clifford to bed; you must lodge here to night,

Weel talke with you to morrow: my sad soule

Devines strange troubles.

Dawb:

Ho, [...]he King, the King,

I must haue entrance.

K. H.

Dawbneys v [...]yce; admit him.

What new combustions huddle next to k [...]epe

Our eyes from rest? —the newes?

Enter Dawbney.

Daw:

Ten thousand Cornish grudging to pay your

Subsidies, haue gatherd a head, led by a

Blacksmith, and a Lawyer, they make for London,

And to them is joyn'd Lord Audlie, as they march,

Their number daily encreases, they are —

K. H.

Rascalls— talke no more;

Such are not worthie of my thoughts to night:

And if I cannot sleepe, Ile wake: — to bed.

When Counsailes faile, and theres in man no trust,

Even then, an arme from heaven, fights for the just.

Exeunt.

Finis Actu [...] primi.

[Page]

Actus Secundus:

Scaena prima.

Enter aboue: Countesse of Crawford, Katherine, Iane, with other Ladies.

Coun.

COme Ladies, heeres a solemne preparation

For entertainment of this English Prince;

The King intends grace more then ordinarie,

Twere pittie now, if a'should proue a Counterfeit.

Kat:

Blesse the young man, our Nation would be laughd at

For honest soules through Christendome: my father

Hath a weake stomacke to the businesse (Madam)

But that the King must not be crost.

Coun:

A'brings

A goodly troope (they say) of gallants with him;

But very modest people, for they strive not

To fame their names too much; their god-fathers

May be beholding to them, but their fathers

Scarce owe them thankes: they are disguised Princes,

Brought vp it seemes to honest trades; no matter;

They will breake forth in season.

Iane.

Or breake out.

For most of em are broken by report; —The King,

Kat.

Let vs obserue 'em and be silent.

Flourish.

Enter King Iames, Huntley, Crawford, and Daliell.

K. I.

The right of Kings (my Lords) extends not onely

To the safe Conservation of their owne;

But also to the ayde of such Allies

As change of time, and state, hath often times

Hurld downe from carefull Crownes, to vndergoe

An exercise of sufferance in both fortunes:

So English Richard surnam'd Cor-de-lyon,

So Robert Bruce our royall Ancestor,

Forc'd by the tryall of the wrongs they felt,

Both sought, and found supplyes, from forraigne Kings

To repossesse their owne: then grudge not (Lords)

A much distressed Prince, King Charles of Fraunce,

And Maximilian of Bohemia both,

[Page]Haue ratified his Credit by their Letters.

Shall wee then be distrustfull? No, Compassion

Is one rich Iewell that shines in our Crowne,

And we will haue it shine there.

Hunt.

Doe your will Sir.

K. I.

The young Duke is at hand, Daliell from vs

First greete him, and conduct him on; then Crawford

Shall meete him next, and Huntley last of all

Present him to our armes; sound sprightly Musique,

Whilst Majestie encounters Majestie.

Hob [...]yes.

Daliell goes out, brings in Perkin at the doore where Crawford entertaines him, and from Crawford, Huntley salutes him [...] and presents him to the King: they embrace, Perkin in state retires some few paces backe: During which Ceremony, the Noblemen slightly salute [...]ryon, Heron a Mercer, Sketon a Taylor, Astley a Scrivenor, with Iohn a Watring, all Perkins followers. Salutations ended: cease Musique.

War:

Most high, most mightie King! that now there stands

Before your eyes, in presence of your Peeres,

A subject of the rarest kinde of pittie

That hath in any age touchd noble hearts,

The vulgar storie of a Princes ruine,

Hath made it too apparent: EVROPE know [...]s,

And all the Westerne World what persecution

Hath ragd in malice, against Vs, sole heire

To the great throne, of old Plantaginetts.

How from our Nursery, wee haue beene hurried

Vnto the Sanctuarie, from the Sanctuarie

Forc'd to the Prison, from the Prison hald

By cruell hands, to the tormentors furie;

Is registred alreadie in the Volume

Of all mens tongues, whose true relation drawes

Compassion, melted into weeping eyes,

And bleeding soules: but our misfortunes since,

Haue rang'd a larger progresse through strange Lands.

Protected in our Innocence by Heaven.

Edward the Fift our brother, in his Tragedie

[Page]Quenchd their hot thirst of bloud, whose hire to murther

Paid them their wages, of despaire and horrour;

The softnesse of my childe-hood smild vpon

The roughnesse of their taske, and rob'd them farther

Of hearts to dare, or hands to execute.

Great King they spard my life, the butchers spard it;

Returnd the tyrant, my vnnaturall Vncle,

A truth of my dispatch; I was conveyd

With secresie and speede to Tournay; fosterd

By obscure meanes, taught to vnlearne my selfe:

But as I grew in yeares, I grew in sence

Of feare, and of disdaine; feare, of the tyrant

Whose power swaide the throne then, when disdaine

Of living so vnknowne, in such a servile

And abject lownesse, prompted me [...] to thoughts

Of recollecting who I was; I shooke off

My bondage, and made hast to let my Aunt

Of Burgundie acknowledge mee her kinsman;

Heire to the Crowne of England, snatch'd by Henry

From Richards head; a thing scarce knowne ith world.

K. I.

My Lord, it stands not with your Counsaile now

To flie vpon invectiues, if you can

Make this apparent what you haue discourst

In every Circumstance, wee will not studie

An answer, but are ready in your Cause.

War:

You are a wise, and just King, by the powers

Aboue, reserv'd beyond all other aydes

To plant mee in mine owne inheritance:

To marrie these two Kingdomes in a loue

Never to be divor'd, while time is time.

As for the manner first of my escape,

Of my Conveyance, next, of my life since,

The meanes, and persons, who were instruments;

Great Sir, tis fit I over-passe in silence:

Reserving the relation, to the secrecy

Of your owne Princely eare, since it concernes

Some great Ones living yet, and others dead,

[Page]Whose issue might be question'd. For your bounti [...],

Royall magnificence to him that seekes it,

WEE vow hereafter, to demeane our selfe,

As if wee were your owne, and naturall brother:

Omitting no occasion in our person,

To expresse a gratitude, beyond example.

K. I.

Hee must bee more then subject, who can vtter

The language of a King, and such is thine.

Take this for answer, bee what ere thou art,

Thou never shalt repent that thou hast put

Thy cause, and person, into my protection.

Cosen of Yorke, thus once more Wee embrace thee;

Welcome to Iames of Scotland, for thy safetie,

Know such as loue thee not, shall never wrong thee.

Come, wee will taste a while our Court delights,

Dreame hence afflictions past, and then proceede

To high attempts of honor, on, leade on;

Both thou and thine are ours, and wee will guard yee.

Leade on. —

Exeunt, Manent Ladies aboue.

Coun:

I haue not seene a Gentleman

Of a more braue aspect, or goodlier carriage;

His fortunes moue not him— Madam, yare passionate.

Kat:

Beshrew mee, but his words haue touchd mee home,

As if his cause concernd mee; I should pittie him

If a' should proue another then hee seemes.

Enter Crawford.

Craw.

Ladies the King commands your presence instantly,

For entertainment of the Duke.

Kat.

The Duke

Must then be entertain'd, the King obayd:

It is our dutie.

Coun:

Wee will all waite on him.

Exeunt.

Flourish.

Enter King Henry: Oxford; Durham; Surrey.

K: H:

Haue yee condem'd my Chamberlaine?

Dur.

His treasons condem'd him (Sir,) which were as

[Page]Cleere and manifest, as foule and dangerous:

Besides the guilt of his conspiracie prest him

So neerely, that it drew from him free

Confession without an im [...]ortunitie.

K: H:

Oh Lord Bishop,

This argued shame, and sorrow for his follie;

And must not stand in evidence against

Our mercie, and the softnesse of our nature [...]

The rigor and extr [...]mitie of Law

Is sometimes too too bitter, but wee carry

A Chancerie of pittie in our bosome.

I hope wee may repreiue him from the sentence

Of death; I hope, we may.

Dur:

You may, you may;

And so perswade your Subjects, that the title

Of Yorke is better, nay, more just, and lawfull,

Then yours of Lancaster; so Stanlie houlds:

Which if it be not treason in the highest,

Then we are traytors all; perjurd and false,

Who haue tooke oath to Henry, and the justice

Of Henries title; Oxford, Surrey, Dawbney,

With all your other Peeres of State, and Church,

Forsworne, and Stanlie true alone to Heaven,

And Englands lawfull heire.

Ox:

By Veres old honors,

Ile cut his throate dares speake it.

Sur:

Tis a quarrell

To' ingage a soule in.

K: H:

What a coyle is here,

To keepe my gratitude sincere and perfect?

Stan [...]ie was once my friend, and came in time

To saue my life; yet to say truth (my Lords,)

The man staid long enough t'indanger it:

But I could see no more into his heart,

Then what his outward actions did present;

And for ' [...]m haue rewarded 'em so fullie,

As that there wanted nothing in our g [...]ift

To gratifie his merit, as I thought,

Vnlesse I should devide my Crowne with him,

And giue him halfe; tho now I well perceiue

Twould scarce haue seru'd his turne, without the whole.

[Page]But I am Charitable (Lords) let Iustice

Proceede in execution, whiles I mourne

The losse of one, whom I esteemd a friend.

Dur:

Sir, he is comming this way.

K: H:

If a'speake to me,

I could denie him nothing; to prevent it,

I must withdraw, pray (Lords) commend my favours

To his last peace, which I with him, will pray for:

That done, it doth concerne vs, to consult

Of other fo [...]lowing troubles.

Exeunt.

Ox:

I am glad hee's gone, vpon my life he would

Haue pardon'd the Traytor, had a'seene him.

Sur:

'Tis a King composd of gentlenesse.

Dur:

Rare, and vnheard of;

But every man is neerest to himselfe,

And that the King obserues, tis fit a' should.

Enter Stanly; Executioner: Vrswick and Dawbney.

Stan:

May I not speake with Clifford ere I shake

This peice of Frailtie off?

Dawb:

You shall, hees sent for.

Stan:

I must not see the King?

Dur:

From him Sir William

These Lords and I am sent, hee bad vs say

That he commends his mercy to your thoughts;

Wishing the Lawes of England could remit

The forfeit of your life, as willingly

As he would in the sweetnesse of his nature,

Forget your trespasse; but how ere your body

Fall into dust, Hee vowes, the King himselfe

Doth vow, to keepe a requi [...]m for your soule,

As for a friend, close treasur'd in his bosom [...].

Ox:

Without rem [...]mbrance of your errors past,

I come to take my leaue, and wish you Heaven.

Sur:

And I, good Ange [...]ls guard yee.

Stan:

Oh the King

Next to my soule, shall be the neerest subject

Of my last prayers; my graue Lord of Durham,

My Lords of Oxford, Surrey, Dawbney, all,

Accept from a poore dying man, a farewell.

[Page]I was as you are once, great, and stood hopefull

Of many flourishing yeares, but fate, and time

Haue wheeld about, to turne mee into nothing.

Enter Clifford.

Daw:

Sir Robert Clifford comes, the man (Sir William)

You so d [...]sire to speake with.

Dur:

Marke their meeting.

Cliff:

Sir William Stanlie, I am glad your Conscience

Before your end, hath emptied every burthen

Which charg'd it, as that you can cl [...]erely witnesse,

How farre I haue proceeded in a dutie

That both concern'd my truth, and the States safetie.

Stan:

Mercy, how deare is life to such as hugge it?

Come hether— by this token thinke on mee—

Makes a Crosse on Cliffords face with his finger.

Cliff:

This token? What? I am abusd?

Stan:

You are not.

I wetr vpon your cheekes a holy Signe,

The Crosse, the Christians badge, the Traytors infamie:

Weare Clifford to thy graue this painted Emblem:

Water shall never wash it off, all eyes

That gaze vpon thy face, shall reade there written,

A State-Informers Character, more vglie

Stamp'd on a noble name, then on a base.

The Heavens forgiue thee; pray (my Lords) no change

Of words: this man and I haue vs [...] too manie.

Cliff:

Shall I be disgrac'd without replie?

Dur.

Giue loosers

Leaue to talke; his losse is irrecoverable.

Stan:

Once more

To all along farewell; the best of greatnesse

Preserue the King; my next suite is (my Lords)

To be remembred to my noble Brother,

Darby my much grie [...]'d brother; Oh! perswade him,

That I shall stand no blemish to his h [...]use,

In Chronicles writ in another age.

My heart doth bleede for him; and for his sighes,

Tell him, hee must not thinke, the stile of Darby,

Nor being husband to King Henries Mother,

The league with Peeres, the smiles o [...] Fortune, can

Secure his peace, aboue the state of man:

[Page]I take my leaue, to travaile to my dust,

"Subjects deserue their deaths whose Kings are just.

Come Confessor, on with thy Axe (friend) on.

Exeunt.

Cliff:

Was I call'd hither by a Traytors breath

To be vpbraided? Lords, the King shall know it.

Enter King Henry with a white staffe.

K: H:

The King doth know it Sir; the King hath heard

What he or you could say; Wee haue given credit

To every point of Cliffords information,

The onely evidence 'gainst Stanlies head.

A' dyes fort, are you pleasd?

Cliff:

I pleasd my Lord!

K: H:

No ecchoes: for your service, wee dismisse

Your more attendance on the Court; take ease

And liue at home; but as you loue your life,

Stirre not from London without leaue from vs.

Weele thinke on your reward, away.

Cliff:

I goe Sir.

Exit Clifford.

K: H:

Dye all our griefes with Stanlie; take this staffe

Of office Dawbney, henceforth be our Chamberlaine.

Dawb:

I am your humblest servant.

K: H:

Wee are followed

By enemies at home, that will not cease

To seeke their owne confusion; 'tis most true,

The Cornish vnder Awdley are marcht on

As farre as Winchester; but let them come,

Our forces are in readinesse, weele catch 'em

In their owne toyles.

Dawb:

Your Armie, being mustred,

Consist in all, of horse and foote, at least

In number six and twentie thousand; men

Daring, and able, resolute to fight,

And loyall in their truthes.

K [...] H:

Wee know it Dawbney:

For them, wee order thus, Oxford in chiefe

Assisted by bolde Essex, and the Earle

Of Suffolke, shall leade on the first Battalia:

Be that your charge.

Ox:

[Page]

I humbly thanke your Majestie.

K: H:

The next Devision wee a [...]igne to Dawbney:

These must be men of action, for on those

The fortune of our fortunes, must relie.

The last and mayne, our selfe commands in person,

As readie to restore the fight at all times,

As to consummate an assured victorie.

Dawb:

The King is still oraculous.

K: H:

But Surrey,

Wee haue imployment of more toyle for thee!

For our intelligence comes swiftly to vs,

That Iames of Scotland, late hath entertaind

Perkin the counterfeite, with more then common

Grace and respect; nay courts him with rare favours;

The Scot is young and forward, wee must looke for

A suddaine storme to England from the North:

Which to withstand, Durham shall post to Norham,

To fortifie the Cast [...]e, and secure

The frontiers, against an Invasion there.

Surrey shall follow soone, with such an Armie,

As may relieue the Bishop, and i [...]counter

On all occasions, the death-daring Scotts.

You know your charges all, 'tis now a time

To execute, not talke, Heaven is our guard still.

Warre must breede peace, such is the fate of Kings.

Exeunt.

Enter Crawford and Daliell.

Crawf:

Tis more then strange, my reason cannot answere

Such argument of fine Imposture, coucht

In witch-craft of perswasion, that it fashions

Impossibilities, as if appearance

Could cozen truth it selfe; this Duk-ling Mushrome

Hath doubtlesse charm'd the King.

Daliell:

A' courts the Ladies,

As if his strength of language, chaynd attention

By power of prerogatiue.

Crawf:

It madded

My very soule, to heare our Maisters motion:

What suretie both of amitie, and honor,

[Page]Must of nec [...]ssiti [...] insue vpon

A match betwixt some noble of our Nation,

And this braue Prince forsooth.

Dali:

Twill proue to fatall,

Wise Huntley feares the threat [...]ing. Blesse the Ladie

From such a ruine [...]

Cra:

How [...]he Co [...]nsaile privie

Of this young Phueton, doe skrewe their faces

I [...]to a gravitie, their trades (good people)

Were never guiltie of? the meanest of 'em

Dreames of at least an off [...]ce in the State.

Dal:

Sure not the Hangmans, tis be [...]poke alreadie

For service to their rogueshippes — silence.

Enter King Iames and Huntley.

K: Iames,

Doe not—

Argue against our will; wee haue descended

Somewhat (as wee may tearme it) too familiarly

From Iustice of our birth-right, to examine

The force of your alleagence: —Sir, wee haue;

But finde it short of dutie!

Hunt:

Breake my heart,

Doe, doe, King; haue my services, my loyaltie,

(Heaven knowes vntainted ever) drawne vpon mee

Contempt now in mine age? when I but wanted

A minute of a peace not to be troubled?

My last, my long one? Let me be a Dotard,

A Bedlame, a poore sot, or what you please

To haue me, so you will not staine your bloud,

Your owne bloud (royall Sir) though mixt with mine,

By marriage of this girle to a straggler!

Take, take my head Sir, whilst my tongue can wagge

It cannot name him other.

K: Ia:

Kings are counterfeits

In your repute (graue Oracle) not presently

Set on their thrones, with Scepters in their fists:

But vse your owne detraction: tis our pleasure

To giue our Cosen Yorke for wife our kinswoman

The Ladie Katherine: Instinct of soveraigntie

Designes the honor, though her peevish Father

Vsurps our Resolution.

Hunt:

O tis well,

[Page]Exceeding well, I never was ambitious

Of vsing Congeys to my Daughter Queene:

A Queene, perhaps a Queene?—Forgiue me Daliell

Thou honorable Gentleman, none here

Dare speake one word of Comfort?

Dal:

Cruell misery!

Craw:

The Lady gracious Prince, may be hath setled

Affection on some former choyce.

Dal:

Inforcement, would proue but tyrannie.

Hunt.

I thanke 'ee heartily.

Let any yeoman of our Nation challenge

An interest in the girle: then the King

May adde a Ioynture of ascent in titles,

Worthy a free consent; now a' pulls downe

What olde Desert hath builded.

K. Ia.

Cease perswasions,

I violate no pawnes of faythes, intrude not

On private loues; that I haue play'd the Orator

For Kingly Yorke to vertuous Kate, her grant

Can iustifie, referring her contents

To our provision [...] the Welch Harrie, henceforth

Shall therefore know, and tremble to acknowledge,

That not the paynted Idoll of his pollicie,

Shall fright the lawfull owner from a Kingdome.

Wee are resolv'd.

Hunt.

Some of thy Subjects hearts

King Iames will bleede for this!

K. Ia.

Then shall their blouds

Be nobly spent; no more disputes, hee is not

Our friend who contradicts vs.

Hunt.

Farewell Daughter!

My care by one is lessened; thanke the King for't,

Enter.

I and my griefes will daunce now, — Looke Lords looke,

Heeres hand in hand alreadie?

K. Ia.

Peace olde phrensie.

Enter Warbeck leading Katherine, complementing; Countesse of Crawford, Iane, Frion, Major of Corke, Astley, Heron and Sketon.

How like a' King a lookes? Lords, but obserue

The confidence of his aspect? Drosse cannot

Cleaue to so pure a mettall; royall youth!

Plantaginett vndoubted!

Hunt:

Ho braue Lady!

[Page]But no Plantagenet byr Lady yet

By red Rose or by white.

Warb.

An Vnion this way,

Settles possession in a Monarchie

Establisht rightly, as is my inheritance:

Acknowledge me but Soveraigne of this Kingdome,

Your heart (fayre Princes) and the hand of providence,

Shall crowne you Queene of me, a [...]d my best fortunes.

Kath.

Where my obedience is (my Lord) a dutie,

Loue owes true service.

Warb:

Shall I? —

K. Ia [...]

Cossen yes,

Enjoy her; from my hand accept your bride;

And may they liue at emnitie with comfort,

Who grieue at such an equall pledge of trothes.

Y'are the Princes wife now.

Kath:

By your gift Sir;

Warb:

Thus I take seisure of mine owne.

Kath:

I misse yet

A fathers blessing: Let me finde it; — humbly

Vpon my knees I seeke it.

Hunt:

I am Huntley

Olde Alexander Guerdon, a plaine subject,

Nor more, nor lesse; and Ladie, if you wish for

A blessing, you must bend your knees to Heaven;

For Heaven did giue me you; alas, alas,

What would you haue me say? may all the happinesse

My prayers ever sued to fall vpon you,

Preserue you in your vertues; —preethee Daliell

Come with me; for, I feele thy griefes as full

As mine, lets steale away, and cry together.

Exeunt Hu [...]tley and Daliell.

Dal:

My hopes are in their ruines.

K. Ia.

Good kinde Hun [...]ley

Is over-joy'd, a fit solemnitie,

Shall perfite these delights: Crawford attend

Our order for the preparation.

Exeunt, manent, Frion, Major, Astley, Heron, & Sketon.

Fri:

Now worthy Gentlemen, haue I not followed

My vndertakings with successe? Heeres entrance

Into a certaintie aboue a hope.

Heron.

Hopes are but hopes, I was ever confident, when I traded but in remnants, that my starres had reserv'd me to the title of a Viscount at least, honor is honor though cut out of any stuffes.

Sket:

[Page]

My brother Heron, hath right wisely delivered his opinion: for he that threeds his needle with the sharpe eyes of industrie, shall in time goe through-stitch, with the new suite of preferment.

Astley.

Spoken to the purpose my fine witted brother Sketon, for as no Indenture, but has its counterpawne; no Noverint but his Condition, or Defeysance; so no right, but may haue claime, no claime but may haue possession, any act of Parlament to the Contrary notwithstanding.

Frion.

You are all read in mysteries of State,

And quicke of apprehension, deepe in judgement,

Actiue in resolution; and tis pittie

Such counsaile should lye buryed in obscuritie.

But why in such a time and cause of triumph,

Stands the judicious Major of Corke so silent?

Beleeue it Sir, as ENGLISH RICHARD prospers,

You must not misse imployment of high nature.

Major.

If men may be credited in their mortalitie, which I dare not peremptorily averre, but they may, or not be; presumptions by this marriage are then (in sooth) of fruitfull expectation. Or else I must not justifie other mens beliefe, more then other should relie on mine.

Frion.

Pith of experience, those that haue borne office,

Weigh every word before it can drop from them;

But noble Counsellers, since now the present,

Requires in poynt of honor (pray mistake not)

Some service to our Lord; 'tis fit the Scotts

Should not ingrosse all glory to themselues,

At this so grand, and eminent solemnitie.

Sket:

The Scotts? the motion is defi [...]d: I had rather, for my part, without tryall of my Countrie, suffer persecution vnder the pr [...]ssing Iron of reproach: or let my skinne be pincht full of oylett holes, with the Bodkin of Derision.

Ast:

I will sooner loose both my eares on the Pillorie of Forgerie.

Heron.

Let me first liue a Banckrout, and die in the lowsee hole of hunger, without compounding for six pence in the pound.

Major.

[Page]

If men faile not in their expectations, there may be spirits also that disgest no rude affronts (Master Secretarie Frion) or I am cozen'd: which is possible I graunt.

Frion.

Resolv'd like men of knowledge; at this feast then

In honor of the Bride, the Scotts I know,

Will in some shew, some maske, or some Devise,

Preferre their duties: now it were vncomely,

That wee be found lesse forward for our Prince,

Then they are for their Ladie; and by how much

Wee out-shine them in persons of account,

By so much more will our indeavours meete with

A liuelier applause. Great Emperours,

Haue for their recreations vndertooke

Such kinde of pastimes; as for the Conceite,

Referre it to my studie; the performance

You all shall share a thankes in, twill be gratefull.

Heron.

The motion is allowed, I haue stole to a dauncing Schoole when I was a Prentice.

Astl:

There haue beene Irish-Hubbubs, when I haue made one too.

Sket:

For fashioning of shapes, and cutting a crosse-caper, turne me off to my trade againe.

Major.

Surely, there is, if I be not deceived, a kinde of gravitie in merriment: as, there is, or perhaps ought to be, respect of persons in the qualitie of carriage, which is, as it is construed, either so, or so.

Frion.

Still you come home to me; vpon occasion

I finde you rellish Courtship with discretion:

And such are fit for Statesmen of your merits.

Pray'e waite the Prince, and in his eare acquaint him

With this Designe, Ile follow and direct ee'.

O the toyle

Exeunt, mane Frion.

Of humoring this abject scumme of mankinde?

Muddie-braynd peasants? Princes feele a miserie

Beyond impartiall sufferance, whose extreames

Must yeelde to such abettors; yet our tyde

Runnes smoothly without adverse windes; runne on

[Page]Flow to a full sea! time alone debates,

Quarrells forewritten in the Booke o [...] fates.

Exit.

Actus Tertius [...]

Scaena prima.

Enter King Henrie, his Gorget on, his sword, plume of feathers, leading staffe, and Vrswicke.

K: H:

HOw runnes the time of day?

Vrsw:

Past tenne my Lord.

K: H:

A bloudie houre will it proue to some,

Whose disobedience, like the sonnes 'oth earth,

Throw a defiance 'gainst the face of Heaven.

Oxford, with Essex, and stout De la Poole,

Haue quietted the Londoners (I hope)

And set them safe from feare!

Vrs:

They are all silent.

K: H:

From their owne battlements, they may behold,

Saint Georges fields orespred with armed men;

Amongst whom, our owne royall Standard threatens

Confusion to opposers; wee must learne

To practise warre againe in time of peace,

Or lay our Crowne before our Subjects feete,

Ha, Vrswicke, must we not?

Vrsw:

The powers, who seated

King Henry on his lawfull throne, will ever

Rise vp in his defence.

K: H:

Rage shall not fright

The bosome of our confidence; in Kent

Our Cornish Rebells cozen'd of their hopes,

Met braue resistance by that Countryes Earle,

George Aburgenie, Cobham, Po [...]nings, Guilford,

And other loyall hearts; now if Black heath

Must be reserv'd the fatall tombe to swallow

Such stifneckt Abjects, as with wearie Marches,

Haue travaild from their homes, their wiues, and children,

To pay in stead of Subsidies their liues,

Wee may continue Soveraigne? yet Vrswick [...]

[Page]Wee'le not abate one pennie, what in Parliament

Hath freely beene contributed; wee must not;

Money giues soule to action; Our Competitor,

The Flemish Counterfeit, with Iames of Scotland,

Will proue, what courage neede, and want, can nourish

Without the foode of fit supplyes; but Vrswicke

I haue a charme in secret, that shall loose

The Witch-craft, wherewith young King Iames is bound,

And free it at my pleasure without bloud-shed.

Vrsw:

Your Majestie's a wise King, sent from Heaven

Protector of the just.

K. H.

Let dinner cheerefully

Be serv'd in; this day of the weeke is ours,

Our day of providence, for Saturday

Yet never fayld in all my vndertakings,

To yeeld me rest at night; what meanes this warning?

Good Fate, speake peace to Henry.

A Flourish.

Enter Dawbney, Oxford, and attendants.

Dawb:

Liue the King,

Triumphant in the ruine of his enemies.

Oxf:

The head of strong rebellion is cut off,

The body hew'd in peeces:

K: H:

Dawbney, Oxford,

Minions to noblest fortunes, how yet stands

The comfort of your wishes?

Dawb:

Briefly thus:

The Cornish vnder Awdley disappoynted

Of flattered expectation, from the Kentish

(Your Majesties right trustie Liegemen) flewe,

Featherd by rage, and hartned by presumption,

To take the field, even at your Pallace gates,

And face you in your chamber Royall; Arrogance,

Improu'd their ignorance; for they supposing,

(Misled by rumor) that the day of battaile

Should fall on Munday, rather brav'd your forces

Then doubted any onset; yet this Morning,

When in the dawning I by your direction

[Page]Stroue to get Dertford Strand bridge, there I found

Such a resistance, as might shew what strength

Could make; here Arrowes hayld in showers vpon vs

A full yard long at least; but wee prevayld.

My Lord of Oxford with his fellow Peeres,

Invironing the hill, fell feircely on them

On the one side, I on the other, till (great Sir)

(Pardon the over-sight) eager of doing

Some memorable act, I was engagd

Almost a prisoner, but was freede as soone

As sensible of daunger: now the fight

Beganne in heate, which quenched in the bloud of

Two thousand Rebells, and as many more

Reserv'd to trie your mercy, haue return'd

A victory with safetie.

K: H:

Haue we lost

An equall number with them?

Oxf:

In the totall

Scarcely foure hundred: Awdley, Flammock, Ioseph,

The Ring-leaders of this Commotion,

Raled in ropes, fit Ornaments for traytors,

Waite your determinations.

K: H:

Wee must pay

Our thankes where they are onely due: Oh, Lords,

Here is no victorie, nor shall our people

Conceiue that wee can triumph in their falles.

Alas, poore soules! Let such as are escapt

Steale to the Countrey backe without pursuite:

There's not a drop of bloud spilt, but hath drawne

As much of mine, their swords could haue wrought wonders

On their Kings part, who faintly were vnsheath'd

Against their Prince, but wounded their owne breasts.

Lords wee are debtors to your care, our payment

Shall be both sure, and fitting your Deserts.

Dawb:

Sir, will you please to see those Rebells, heads

Of this wilde Monster multitude?

K: H:

Deare friend,

My faithfull Dawbney, no; on them our Iustice

Must frowne in terror, I will not vouchsafe

An eye of pittie to them, let false Awdley

Be drawne vpon an hurdle from the New-gate

[Page]To Tower-hill in his owne coate of Armes

Paynted on paper, with the Armes reverst,

Defac'd, and torne, there let him loose his head.

The Lawyer and the Black-smith shall be hang'd,

Quartered, their quarters into Cornwall sent,

Examples to the rest, whom wee are pleasd

To pardon, and dismisse from further quest.

My Lord of Oxford see it done.

Oxf:

I shall Sir.

K: H:

Vrswicke.

Vrsw:

My Lord [...]

K: H:

To Dinham our high treasurer,

Say wee commaund Commissions be new graunted,

For the Collection of our Subsidies

Through all the West, and that speedily.

Lords wee acknowledge our engagements due

For your most constant services.

Dawb:

Your Souldiers

Haue manfully and faithfully acquitted

Their severall duties.

K: H:

For it, wee will throwe

A Largesse free amongst them, which shall harten

And cheerish vp their Loyalties, more yet

Remaines of like imployment, not a man

Can be dismist, till enemies abroad

More dangerous then these at home, haue felt

The puissance of our Armes, oh happie Kings

Whose thrones are raised in their Subjects hearts.

Exeunt omnes.

Enter Huntley and Daliell.

Hunt:

Now, Sir a modest word with you (sad Gentleman)

Is not this fine, I trowe, to see the gambolds,

To heare the Iiggs, obserue the friskes, b'enchanted

With the rare discord of bells, pipes and tabors,

Hotchpotch of Scotch and Irish twingle twangles,

Like to so many Queresters of Bedlam,

Trowling a catch? the feasts, the manly stomaches,

The healthes in Vsquabaugh, and bonie clabbore,

[Page]The Ale in dishes never fetcht from China,

The hundred thousand knackes not to be spoken of,

And all this for King Oberon, and Queene Mab,

Should put a soule int 'ee: looke 'ee (good man)

How youthfull I am growne, but by your leaue,

This new Queene Bride, must henceforth be no more

My Daughter, no burladie, tis vnfit.

And yet you see how I doe beare this change,

Methinkes couragiously, then shake off care

In [...]uch a time of jollitie.

Dal.

Alas Sir,

How can you cast a mist vpon your griefes?

Which how so ere you shadow, but present

To any judging eye, the perfect substance

Of which mine are but counterfeits.

Hunt:

Fo Dalie [...]

Thou interrupts the part I beare in Musicke

To this rare bridall feast, let vs be merry;

Whilst flattering calmes secure vs against stormes,

Tempests when they begin to roare, put out

The light of peace and cloud the Sunnes bright eye

In darknesse of despayre, yet wee are safe.

Dal:

I wish you could as easily forget

The Iustice of your sorrowes, as my hopes

Can yeelde to destinie.

Hunt:

Pish then I see

Thou doest not know the flexible condition

Of my ap't nature, I can laugh, laugh heartily

When the Gowt crampes my joynts, let but the stone

Stoppe in my bladder, I am streite a singing,

The Quartane feaver shrinking every limme,

Setts me a capring straite, doe but betray me

And binde me a friend ever. what [...] trust

The loosing of a Daughter, (tho [...]gh I doted

On every hayre that grew to trim her head)

Admitts not any paine lik [...] one of these.

Come th'art deceivd in me, giue me a blow,

A sound blow on the face, Ile thanke thee for't,

I loue my wrongs, still th'art deceiv'd in me.

Dal:

[Page]

Deceiu'd? Oh noble Huntley, my few yeare [...]

Haue learnt experience of too ripe an age

To forfeite fit credulitie, forgiue

My rudenesse, I am bolde.

Hunt:

Forgiue me first

A madnesse of ambition, by example

Teach me humilitie, for patience scornes,

Lectures which Schoolemen vse to reade to boyes

Vncapable of injuries; though olde

I could grow tough in furie, and disclaime

Alleagence to my King, could fall at odds

With all my fellow Peeres, that durst not stand

Defendants 'gainst the rape done on mine honor.

But Kings are earthly gods, there is no medling

With their annoynted bodies, for their actions,

They onely are accountable to Heaven.

Yet in the puzzle of my troubled braine

One Antidote's reserv'd against the poyson

Of my distractions, tis in thee t'apply it.

Dal:

Name it, oh name it quickly Sir!

Hunt:

A pardon

For my most foolish sleighting thy Deserts,

I haue culd out this time to beg it, preethee

Be gentle, had I beene so, thou hadst own'd

A happie Bride, but now a cast away,

And never childe of mine more.

Dal:

Say not so (Sir,) it is not fault in her.

Hunt:

The world would prate

How shee was handsome; young I know shee was,

Tender, and sweet in her obedience;

But lost now; what a banckrupt am I made

Of a full stocke of blessings. — must I hope

a mercy from thy heart?

Dal:

A loue, a service,

A friendship to posteritie.

Hunt:

Good Angells

Reward thy charitie, I haue no more

But prayers left me now.

Dal:

Ile lend you mirth (Sir)

If you will be in Consort.

Hunt:

Thanke yee' truely:

I must, yes, yes, I must; heres yet some ease,

A partner in affliction, looke not angry.

Dal:

[Page]

Good noble Sir.

Hunt:

Oh harke, wee may be quiet,

The King and all the others come: a meeting

Of gawdie sights; this dayes the last of Revells;

To morrow sounds of warre; then new exchange:

Fiddles must turne to swords, vnhappie marriage!

Flourish.

Enter King Iames, Warbecke leading Katherine, Crawford, Countesse, and Iane, Huntley, and Daliell fall among them.

K: Ia:

Cosen of Yorke, you and your Princely Bride,

Haue liberally en [...]oy'd such soft delights,

As a new married couple could fore-thinke:

Nor ha's our bountie shortned expectation;

But after all those pleasures of repose,

Or amorous safetie, wee must rowse the ease

Of dalliance, with atchievements of more glorie,

Then sloath and sleepe can furnish: yet, for farewell,

Gladly wee entertaine a truce with time,

To grace the joynt endeavours of our servants.

Warb:

My Royall Cosen, in your Princely favour,

The extent of bountie hath beene so vnlimitted,

As onely an acknowledgement in words,

Would breede suspition in our state, and qualitie:

When Wee shall in the fulnesse of our fate

(Whose Minister necessitie will perfite,)

Sit on our owne throne; then our armes laid open

To gratitude, in sacred memory

Of these large benefits, shall twyne them close

Even to our thoughts, and heart, without distinction.

Then Iames, and Richard, being in effect

O [...]e person, shall vnite and rule one people.

Devisi [...]le in titles onely.

K: Ia:

Seate yee';

Are the presentors readie?

Cra [...]f:

All are entring.

Hunt:

Daintie sport toward Daliell, sit, come sit,

Sit and be quiet, here are Kingly buggs words.

[Page] Enter at one dore foure Scotch Antickes, accordingly habited; Enter at another foure wilde Irish in Trowses, long hayred, and accordingly habited. Musicke. The Maskers daunce.

K: Ia:

To all a generall thankes!

Warb:

In the next Roome

Take your owne shapes againe, you shall receiue

Particular acknowledgement.

K: Ia:

Enough

Of merriments; Crawford, how far's our Armie

Vpon the March?

Craw:

At Hedenhall (great King)

Twelue thousand well prepard.

K: Ia:

Crawford, to night

Post thither [...] Wee in person with the Prince

By foure a clocke to morrow after dinner,

Will be w [...]ee; speede away!

Craw.

I flie my Lord.

K: I:

Our businesse growes to head now, where's your

Secretarie that he attends'ee not to serue?

Warb:

With March-mont your Herald.

K: Ia:

Good: the Proclamations readie;

By that it will appeare, how the English stand

Affected to your title; Huntley comfort

Your Daughter in her Husbands absence; fight

With prayers at home for vs, who for your honors,

Must toyle in fight abroad.

Hunt:

Prayers are the weapons,

Which men, so neere their graues as I, doe vse.

I've little else to doe.

K: Ia:

To rest young beauties!

Wee must be early stirring, quickly part,

"A Kingdomes rescue craues both [...]peede and art.

Cosens good night.

Flourish.

Warb:

Rest to our Cosen King.

Kath:

Your blessing Sir;

Hunt:

Faire blessings on your Highnesse, sure you neede 'em.

Exeunt omnes, Manent, Warb [...] & Katherine.

Warb:

Iane set the lights downe, and from vs returne

To those in the next roome, this little purse

Say we'ele deserue their loues.

Iane.

It shall be done Sir.

Warb:

[Page]

Now dearest; ere sweet sleepe shall seale those eyes,

(Loues pretious tapers,) giue me leaue to vse

A parting Ceremonie; for to morrowe,

It wou [...]d be sacriledge to intrude vpon

The temple of thy peace: swift as the morning,

Must I breake from the downe of thy embraces,

To put on steele, and trace the pathes which leade

Through various hazards to a carefull throne.

Kath:

My Lord, I would faine goe w'ee, theres small fortune

In staying here behinde.

Warb:

The churlish browe

Of warre (faire dearest) is a sight of horror

For Ladies entertainment; if thou hear [...]st

A truth of my sad ending by the hand

Of some vnnaturall subject, thou withall

Shalt heare, how I dyed worthie o [...] my right,

By falling like a KING; and in the cloze

Which my last breath shall [...]ound, thy name, thou fayrest

Shall sing a requiem to my soule, vnwilling

Onely of greater glorie, 'cause devided

From such a heaven on earth, as life with thee.

But these are chimes for funeralls, my businesse

Attends on fortune of a spright [...]ier triumph;

[...]or loue and Majestie are reconcil'd,

And vow to crowne thee Empresse of the West.

Kath:

You haue a noble language (Sir,) your right

In mee is without question, and however

Events of time may shorten my deserts,

In others pittie; yet it shall not stagger,

Or constancie, or dutie in a wife.

You must be King of me, and my poore heart

Is all I can call mine.

Warb:

But we will liue;

Liue (beauteous vertue) by the liuely test

Of our owne bloud, to let the Counterfeite

Be knowne the worlds contempt.

Kath:

Pray doe not vse

That word, it carries fate in't; the first suite

I ever made, I trust your loue will graunt!

Warb:

[Page]

Without deniall (dearest.)

Kath:

That hereafter [...]

If you returne with safetie, no adventure

May sever vs in tasting any fortune:

I nere can stay behinde againe.

Warb:

Y'are Ladie

Of your desires, and shall commaund your will:

Yet 'tis too hard a promise.

Kath:

What our Destinies

Haue rul'd out in their Bookes, wee must not search

But kneele too.

Warb:

Then to feare when hope is fruitlesse,

Were to be desperately miserable;

Which povertie, our greatnesse dares not dreame of,

And much more scornes to stoope to; some fewe minutes

Remaine yet, let's be thriftie in our hopes.

Exeunt.

Enter King Henrie, Hialas, and Vrswicke.

K: H:

Your name is Pedro Hialas: a Spaniard?

Hialas.

Sir a Castillian borne.

K: H:

King Ferdinand

With wise Queene Isabell his royall consort,

Write 'ee a man of worthie trust and c [...]ndo [...].

Princes are deare to heaven, who meete with Subjects

Sincere in their imployments; such I finde

Your commendation (Sir,) let me deliver

How joyfull I repute the amitie,

With your most fortunate Maister, who almost

Comes neere a miracle, in his successe

Against the M [...]ores, who had devour'd his Countrie,

Entire now to his Scepter; Wee, for our part

Will imitate his providence, in hope

Of partage in the vse o'nt; Wee repute

The privacie of his advisement to vs

By you, entended an Ambassadour

To Scotland for a peace betweene our Kingdomes;

A policie of loue, which well becomes

His wisedome, and our care.

Hialas.

Your Majestie

Doth vnderstand him rightly.

K: H:

Els, your knowledge can instruct me, wherein (Sir)

[Page]To fall on Ceremonie, would seeme vselesse,

Which shall not neede; for I will be as studious

Of your concealement in our Conference,

As any Counsell shall advise.

Hialas.

Then (Sir)

My chiefe request is, that on notice given

At my dispatch in Scotland, you will send

Some learned man of power and experience

To joyne in treatie with me.

K. H.

I shall doe it,

Being that way well provided by a servant

Which may attend 'ee ever.

Hialas.

If King Iames

By any indirection should perceiue

My comming neere your Court, I doubt the issue

Of my imployment.

K: H:

Be not your owne Herald,

I learne sometimes without a teacher.

Hialas.

Good dayes guard all your Princely thoughts.

K: H:

Vrswicke no further

Then the next open Gallerie attend him.

A heartie lo [...]e goe with you.

Hialas.

Your vow'd Beadsman.

Ex: Vrsw: and Hialas.

K: H:

King Ferdinand is not so much a Foxe,

But that a cunning Huntsman may in time

Fall on the sent; in honourable actions

Safe imitation best deserues a prayse.

Enter Vrswicke.

What' the Castillians past away?

Vrsw:

He is,

And vndiscovered; the two hundred markes

Your Majestie conveyde, a' gentlie purst,

With a right modest gravitie.

K: H:

What wast

A' mutterd in the earnest of his wisedome,

A' spoke not to be heard? Twas about—

Vrsw:

Warbecke;

How if King Henry were but sure of Subjects,

Such a wilde runnagate might soone be cag'd,

No great adoe withstanding.

K: H:

Nay, nay, something

About my sonne Prince Arthurs match!

Vrsw:

Right, right, Sir.

A humd it out, how that King Ferdinand

[Page]Swore, that the marriage 'twixt the Ladie Katherine

His Daughter, and the Prince of Wales your Sonne,

Should never be consummated, as long

As any Earle of Warwicke liv'd in England,

Except by newe Creation.

K: H:

I remember,

'Twas so indeede, the King his Maister swore it?

Vrsw:

Directly, as he said.

K: H:

An Earle of Warwicke!

Provide a Messenger for Letters instantly

To Bishop Fox. Our newes from Scotland creepes,

It comes so slow; wee must haue ayrie spirits:

Our time requires dispatch, —the Earle of Warwicke!

Let him be sonne to Clarence, younger brother

To Edward! Edwards Daughter is I thinke

Mother to our Prince Arthur; get a Messenger.

Exeunt.

Enter King Iames, Warbecke, Crawford, Daliell, Heron, Astley, Major, Sketon, and Souldiers.

K: Ia:

Wee trifle time against these Castle walls,

The English Prelate will not yeelde, once more

Giue him a Summons!

Parley.

Enter aboue Durham armed, a Truncheon in his hand, and Souldiers.

Warb:

See, the jolly Clarke

Appeares trimd like a ruffian.

K: Ia:

Bishop, yet

Set ope the portes, and to your lawfull Soveraigne

Richard of Yorke surrender vp this Castle,

And he will take thee to his Grace; else Tweede

Shall overflow his banckes with English bloud,

And wash the sa [...]de that cements those hard stones,

From their foundation.

Dur:

Warlike King of Scotland,

Vouchsafe a few words from a man inforc't

To lay his Booke aside, and clap on Armes,

Vnsutable to my age, or my profession.

Couragious Prince, consider on what grounds,

[Page]You rend the face of peace, and breake a Leag [...]e

With a confederate King that courts your amitie;

For whom too? for a vagabond, a straggler,

Not noted in the world by birth of name,

An obscure peasant, by the rage of Hell

Loosd from his chaynes, to set great Kings at strife.

What Nobleman? what common man of note?

What ordinary subject hath come in,

Since first you footed on our Territories,

To onely faine a wellcome? children laugh at

Your Proclamations, and the wiser pittie,

So great a Potentates abuse, by one

Who juggles meerly with the fawnes and youth

Of an instructed complement; such spoyles,

Such slaughters as the rapine of your Souldiers

Alreadie haue committed, is enough

To shew your zeale in a conceited Iustice [...]

Yet (great King) wake not yet my Maisters vengeance:

But shake that Viper off which gnawes your entrayles

I, and my fellow Subjects, are resolv'd

If you persist, to stand your vtmost furie,

Till our last bloud drop from vs.

Warb:

O Sir, lend

Me eare to this seducer of my honor!

What shall I call thee, (thou gray bearded Scandall)

That kickst against the Soveraigntie to which

Thou owest alleagance? Treason is bold-fac'd,

And eloquent in mischiefe; sacred King

Be dea [...]e to his knowne malice!

Dur:

Rather yeelde

Vnto those holy motions, which inspire

The sacred heart of an annoynted bodie!

It is [...]h [...] surest pollicie in Princes,

To governe well their owne, then seeke encroachment

Vpon anothers right.

Crawf:

The King is serious,

Dee [...]e in his meditation.

Dal:

Lift them vp

To heaven his better genius!

Warb:

Can you studie, while such a Devill raues? O Sir.

K: Ia.

[Page]

Well, — Bishopp,

You'le not be drawne to mercie?

Dur:

Conster me

In like case by a Subject of your owne!

My resolutions fixt, King Iames be counseld.

A greater fate waites on thee.

Exit Durham cum sui [...].

K: Ia:

Forrage through

The Countrey, spare no prey of life, or goods,

Warb:

O Sir, then giue me leaue to yeeld to nature,

I am most miserable; had I beene

Borne what this Clergi [...] man would by defame

Baffle beliefe with, I had never sought

The truth of mine inheritance with rapes

Of women, or of infants murthered; Virgins

Defloured; olde men butchered; dwellings fir'd;

My Land depopulated; and my people

Afflicted with a Kingdomes devastation.

Shew more remorse great King, or I shall neve [...]

Endure to see such havocke with drie eyes:

Spare, spare, my deare deare England.

K: Ia:

You foole your pietie

Ridiculously, carefull of an interest

Another man possesseth! Wheres your faction?

Shrewdly the Bishop ghest of your adherents,

When not a pettie Burgesse of some Towne,

No, not a Villager hath yet appear'd

In your assistance, that should make 'ee whine,

And not your Countryes sufferance as you tearme it.

Dal:

The King is angrie.

Crawf:

And the passionate Duke,

Effeminately dolent.

Warb:

The experience

In former tryalls (Sir) both of mine owne

Or other Princes, cast out of their thrones,

Haue so acquainted mee, how miserie

Is destitute of friends, or of reliefe,

That I can easily submit to taste

Lowest reproofe, without contempt or words [...]

Enter Frion.

K: Ia:

An humble minded man, —now, what intelligence

[Page]Speakes Maister Secretarie Frion.

Frion.

Henrie

Of England, hath in open field ore'throwne

The Armies who opposd him, in the right

Of this young Prince.

K: Ia:

His Subsidies you meane: more if you haue it?

Frion.

Howard Earle of Surrey,

Backt by twelue Earles and Barons of the North,

An hundred Knights and Gentlemen of Name,

And twentie thousand Souldiers, is at hand

To raise your siege. Brooke with a goodly Navie

Is Admirall at Sea [...] and Dawbney followes

With an vnbroken Armie for a second.

Warb:

'Tis false! they come to side with vs.

K: Ia:

Retreate:

Wee shall not finde them stones and walls to cope with.

Yet Duke of Yorke, (for such thou sayest thou art,)

Ile trie thy fortune to the height; to Surrey

By Marchmount, I will send a braue Defiance

For single Combate; once a King will venter

His person to an Earle; with Condition

Of spilling lesser bloud, Surrey is bolde

And Iames resolv'd.

Warb:

O rather (gracious Sir,)

Create me to this glorie; since my cause

Doth interest this fayre quarrell; valued least

I am his equall.

K: I:

I will be the man;

March softly off, where Victorie can reape

"A harvest crown'd with triumph, toyle is cheape.

Exeunt omn [...].

Actus Quartus:

Scaena prima.

Enter Surrey, Durham, Souldiers, with Drummes and Collors.

Surrey:

ARe all our braving enemies shrunke backe?

Hid in the fogges of their distempered climate,

[Page]Not daring to behold our Colours wave

In spight of this infected ayre? Can they

Looke on the strength of Cundrestine defac't?

The glorie of Heydonhall devasted? that

Of Edington cast downe? the pile of Fulden

Orethrowne? And this the strongest of their Forts

Olde Ayton Castle yeelded, and demolished?

And yet not peepe abroad? the Scots are bold,

Hardie in battayle, but it seemes the cause

They vndertake considered, appeares

Vnjoynted in the frame ont.

Dur:

Noble Surrey,

Our Royall Masters wisedome is at all times

His fortunes Harbing [...]r; for when he drawes

His sword to threaten warre, his providence

Settles on peace, the crowning of an Empire.

Trumpet.

Sur:

Rancke all in order, 'tis a Heralds sound,

Some message from King Iames, keepe a fixt station.

Enter March-mount, and another Herald in their Coates.

March:

From Scotlands awfull Majestie, wee come

Vnto the English Generall;

Surrey.

To me? Say on.

March:

Thus then; the wast and prodigall

Effusion of so much guiltlesse bloud,

As in two potent Armies, of necessitie

Must glut the earths drie wombe, his sweet compassion

Hath studied to prevent; for which to thee

Great Earle of Surrey, in a single fight

He offers his owne royall person; fayrely

Proposing these conditions onely, that,

If Victorie conclude our Masters right;

The Earle shall deliver for his ransome

The towne of Barwicke to him, with the Fishgarths,

If Surrey shall prevaile; the King will paie

A thousand pounds downe present for his freedome,

And silence further Armes; so speakes King Iames.

Su [...]r:

[Page]

So speakes King Iames; so like a King a' spea [...]es.

Heralds, the English Generall returnes,

A sensible Devotion from his heart,

His very soule, to this vnfellowed grace.

For let the King know (gentle Haralds) truely

How his descent from his great throne, to honor

A stranger subject with so high a title

As his Compeere in Armes, hath conquered more

Then any sword could doe: for which (my loyaltie

Respected) I will serue his vertues ever

In all humilitie: but Barwicke say

Is none [...]f mine to part with: In affayres

‘Of Princes [...] Subjects cannot trafficke rights’

‘Inher [...]nt to the Crowne.’ My life is mine,

That [...] dar [...] [...]reely [...]zard; and (with pardon

To some vn [...]ib'd vaine-glorie) if his Majestie

Shal [...] [...]aste a chaunge of fa [...]e [...] his libertie

Shall m [...]e no Articles. If I fall, falling

So braue [...]y, I referre me to his pleasure

Without condition; and for this deare favour,

Say (if not countermaunded) I will cease

Hostilitie, vnlesse provokt.

March:

This answere

Wee shall relate [...]partially.

Durh:

With favour,

Pray haue a lit [...]le patience —Sir, you finde

By these gay-flourishes, how wearied travayle

Inclines to willing rest; heeres but a Prologue

Howeve [...] confidently vtterd, meant

For some ensuing Acts of peace [...] consider

The time of yeare, vnseasonablenesse of weather,

Charge, barrennesse of profite, and occasion

Presents it selfe for honorable treatie,

Which wee may make good vse of; I will backe

As sent from you, in poynt of noble gratitude

Vnto King Iames with these his Heralds; you

Shall shortlie heare from me (my Lord) for order

Of breathing or proceeding; and King Henrie

[Page](Doubt not) will thanke the service.

Surr:

To your wisedome Lord Bishop I referre it.

Durh:

Be it so then.

Surr:

Haralds, accept this chaine, and these few Crownes

March:

Our Dutie Noble Generall.

Dur.

In part

Of retribution for such Princely loue,

My Lord the Generall is pleasd to shew

The King your Maister, his sincerest zeale

By further treatie, by no common ma [...];

I will my selfe returne with you.

Sur:

Y'obliege

My faithfullest affections t'ee ( [...] Bishop.)

March:

All happinesse attend your Lordship.

Surr:

Come friends,

And fellow-Souldiers, wee I [...]oubt shall meete

No enemies, but woods and hills to fight with:

Then twere as good to feede, and sleepe at home,

Wee may be free from daunger, not secure.

Exeunt omnes.

Enter Warbeck and Frion.

Warb:

Frion, ô Frion! all my hopes of glorie

Are at a stand! the Scottish King growes dull,

Frostie and wayward, since this Spanish Agent

Hath mixt Discourses with him; they are private,

I am not cald to counsaile now; confusion

On all his craftie shrugges; I feele the fabricke

Of my designes are tottering.

Frion.

Henries pollicies

Stirre with too many engins.

Warb:

Let his mines,

Shapt in the bowells of the earth, blow vp

Workes raisd for my defence, yet can they never

Tosse into ayre the freedome of my birth,

Or disavow my bloud, Plantaginetts!

I am my Fathers sonne still; but ô Frion,

When I bring into count with my Disasters,

My Wifes compartnership, my Kates, my lifes;

Then, then, my frailtie feeles an earth-quake; mischiefe

Damb Henries plotts, I will be Englands King,

Or let my Aunt of Burgundie report

[Page]My fall in the attempt, deserv'd our Auncestors?

Frion.

You grow too wilde in passion, if you will

Appeare a Prince indeede, confine your will

To moderation [...]

Warb:

What a saucie rudenesse

Prompts this distrust? If, if I will appeare?

Appeare, a Prince? Death throttle such deceites

Even in their bir [...]h of vtterance; cursed cozenage

O [...] trust? Y'ee make me mad, twere best (it seemes)

That I should turne Imposter to my selfe,

Be mine owne counterfeite, belie the truth

Of my deare mothers wombe, the sacred bed

Of a Prince murthered, and a living baffeld!

Frion.

Nay, if you haue no [...]ares to heare, I haue

No breath to spend in vaine.

Warb.

Sir, sir, take heede

Golde, and the promise of promotion, rarely

Fayle in temptation.

Frion.

Why to me this?

Warb.

Nothing

Speake what you will; wee are not suncke so low

But your advise, may peece againe the heart

Which many cares haue broken: you were wont

In all extremities to talke of comfort:

Haue yee' none left now? Ile not interrupt yee'.

Good, beare with my distractions! if King Iames

Denie vs dwelling here, next whither must I?

I preethee' be not angrie.

Frion.

Sir, I tolde yee'

Of Letters come from Ireland, how the Cornish

Stomacke their last defeate, and humblie sue

That with such forces, as you could partake,

You would in person land in Cornwall, where

Thou [...]ands will entertaine your title gladly.

Warb:

Let me embrace thee, hugge thee! th'ast reviud

My comforts, if my cosen King will fayle,

Our cause will never, welcome my tride friends.

Enter Major, Heron, Astley, Sketon.

You keepe your braines awake in our defence:

Frion, advise with them of these affaires,

[Page]In which be wondrous secret; I will listen

What else concernes vs here, be quicke and warie.

Ex [...]. Warbeck.

As [...]l:

Ah sweet young Prince? Secretarie, my fellow Counsellers and I, haue con [...]ulted, and jumpe all in one opinion directly, that if this Scotch garboyles doe not fadge to our mindes, wee will pell mell runne amongst the Cornish Chaughes presently, and in a trice.

Sket:

'Tis but going to Sea, and leaping ashore, cut tenne or twelue thousand vnnecessary throats, fire seaven or eight townes, take ha [...]fe a dozen Cities, get into the Market place, crowne him RICHARD THE FOVRTH, and the businesse is finisht.

Major.

I graunt yee', quoth I, so farre forth as men may doe, no more then men may doe; for it is good to consider, when consideration may be to the purpose, otherwise still you shall pardon me: Little sayd is soone amended.

Frion.

Then you conclude the Cornish Action surest?

Heron.

Wee doe so. And doubt not but to thriue abundantly: Ho (my Masters) had wee knowne of the Commotion when wee set sayle out of Ireland, the Land had beene ours ere this time.

Sket:

Pish, pish, 'tis but forbearing being an Earle or a Duke a moneth or two longer; I say, and say it agen, if the worke goe not on apace, let me never see new fashion more, I warrant yee [...] I warrant yee', wee will haue it so, and so it shall be.

Ast:

This is but a cold phlegmaticke Countrie, not stirring enough for men of spirit, giue mee the heart of England for my money.

Ske:

A man may batten there in a weeke onely with hot loaues and butter, and a lustie cup of Muscadine and Sugar at breakfast, though he make never a meale all the moneth after.

Major.

Surely, when I bore office, I found by experience, that to be much troublesome, was to be much wise and busie; I haue observed, how filching and bragging, has beene the best service in these last warres, and therefore conclude peremptorily on the Designe in England; If things and things may fall out; as who can tell what or how; but the end will shew it.

Frion.

Resolv'd like men of judgement, here to linger

[Page]More time, is but to loose it; cheare the Prince,

And hast him on to this; on this depends,

Fame in successe, or glorie in our [...]nds.

Exeunt omnes.

Enter King Iames, Durham, and H [...]alas on eith [...]r side.

Hi [...]las.

F [...]ance, Spaine and Germanie combine a League

Of amitie with England [...] n [...]thi [...]g wants

For [...]et [...]ing peace through Ch [...]is [...]dom [...], but lo [...]

Betw [...]ene th [...] British M [...]na [...]chs, Iames, and Henrie.

Dur:

The English Merchan [...]s (Si [...],) hau [...] [...]ene receiu'd

With g [...]nerall procession into Antw [...]rp [...];

The Emperour confi [...]m [...]s th [...] Com [...]inati [...]n.

Hialas.

The King of Spaine, [...]sol [...]s a marriage

For Katherine his Daughter, with Prince Arthur.

Dur.

Fraunce court's thi [...], holy contract.

Hial.

What can hinder a quietnesse in England?

Durh:

But your [...]uffrage

To such a sillie creature (mightie Sir?)

As is but in effect an apparition,

A shaddow, a meere trifle?

Hial.

To this vnion

The good of both the Church and Common-wealth

Invite ee'—

Dur.

To this vnitie, a mysterie

Of providence poynts out a greater blessing

For both these Nations, then our humane reason

Can search into; King Henrie hath a Daughter

The Princess Margaret; I neede not vrge,

What honor, what felicitie can followe

On such affinitie twixt two Christian Kings,

In leagu'd by tyes of bloud; but sure I am,

If you Sir ratifie the peace propos'd,

I d [...]re both motion, an [...] effect this marriage.

For weal [...] of bo [...]h the Kingdomes.

K: Ia.

Darst [...]hou Lord Bishop?

Dur.

Put [...]t to [...] Iames, by s [...]ding

Some nob [...] [...] to the English Cou [...]t

By way of [...]. Hial, Part of the businesse,

[Page]Shall suite my mediation.

K. Ia.

Well; what Heaven

Hath poynted out to be, must be; you two

Are Ministers (I hope) of blessed fate.

But herein onely I will stand acquitted,

No bloud of I [...]nocents shall buy my peace.

For Warbecke as you [...]icke him, came to me

Commended by the States of Christendome.

A Prince, though in distress [...]; his fayre demeanor,

Louely behaviour, vnappalled spirit,

Spoke him not base in bloud, how e [...]er clouded.

The bruite beasts haue both rockes and caues to flie to,

And men the Altars of the Church; to vs

He came for refuge, ‘Kings come neere in nature’

‘Vnto the Gods in being touc [...] with pittie.’

Yet (nob [...]e friends) his mixture with our bloud,

Even with our owne, shall no way interrupt

A ge [...]erall peace; onely I will dismisse him

From my protection, throughout my Dominions

In safe [...]ie, but not ever, to returne.

Hialas.

You are a just King.

Durh.

Wise, and herein happie.

K. Ia.

Nor will wee dallie in affayres of weight:

Huntley (Lord Bishop) shall with you to England

Embassador from vs; wee will throw downe

Our weapons; peace on all sides now, repayre

Vnto our Counsayle, wee will soone be with you.

Hial.

Delay shall question no dispatch,

Heaven crowne it.

Exeunt Durham and Hialas.

K: Ia:

A league with Ferdinand? a marriage

With English Margaret? a free release

From restitution for the late affronts?

Cessation from hostilitie and all

For Warbeck not delivered, but dismist?

Wee could not wish it better, Daliell—

Dal:

Here Sir.

Enter Daliell [...]

K: Ia:

Are Huntley and his Daughter sent for?

Dal:

Sent for, and come (my Lord.)

K: Ia:

[Page]

Say to the English Prince,

Wee want his companie.

Dal:

He is at hand Sir.

Enter Warbeck, Katherine, Iane, Frion, Heron, Sketon, Major, Astley.

K. Ia.

Cosen, our bountie, favours, gentlenesse,

Our benefits, the hazard of our pers [...]n,

Our peoples liues, our Land ha [...]h eviden [...]'t,

How much wee haue engag'd on y [...]ur b [...]halfe:

How triviall, and how dangerous our h [...]pes

Appeare, how fruitlesse our attempts in wa [...]re,

How windie rather smokie your assurance

Of partie shewes, wee might in vaine r [...]peate [...]

But now obedience to the Mother Church,

A Fathers care vpon his Countryes weale,

The dignitie of State directs our wisedome,

To seale an oath of peace through Christendome:

To which wee are sworne alreadie; 'tis you

Must onely seeke new fortunes in the world,

And finde an harbour elsewhere: as I promisd

On your arrivall, you haue met no vsage

Deserues repentance in your being here:

But yet I must liue Master of mine owne.

How ever, what is necessarie for you

At your departure, I am well content

You be accommodated with; provided

Delay proue not my enemie.

Warb.

It shall not

(Most glorious Prince.) the fame of my Designes,

Soares higher, then report of ease and sloath

Can ayme at; I acknowledge all your favours

Boundlesse, and singular, am onely wretched

In words as well as meanes, to thanke the grace

That flow'd so liberallie. Two Empires firmely

You're Lord of, Scotland, and Duke Richards heart

My claime to mine inheritance shall sooner

[Page]Fayle, then my life to serue you, best of Kings.

And witnes [...]e EDVVARDS bloud in me, I am

More loath to part, with such a great example

Of vertue, then all other meere respects.

But Sir my last suite is, you wil [...] not force

From me what you haue given, this chast Ladie,

Resolv'd on all extremes.

[...]th:

I am your wife,

No humane power, can or shall divorce

My faith from dutie.

Warb:

Such another treasure

The earth is Banckrout of.

K: Ia:

[...] g [...]ue her (Cosen)

And must avowe the guift: will adde withall

A furniture becomming her high birth

And vnsuspe [...]te [...] co [...]stancie [...] provide

For your attendance—wee will pa [...]t good friends.

Exit King and Dalie [...].

Warb:

The Tudor hath beene cu [...]ning in his plotts:

His Fox of Durham would not fayle at last.

But what? our cause and courage are our owne:

Be men (my friends) and let our Cosen King,

See how wee followe [...]ate as willingly

As malice followes vs. Y'are all resolv'd

For the West parts of England?

Omnes [...]

Cornwall, Cornwall.

Frion.

The Inhabitants expect you daily.

Warb:

Chearefully

Draw all our shippes out of the harbour (friends)

Our time of s [...]ay doth seeme too long, wee must

Prevent Intelligence; about it suddenly.

Omnes.

A Prince, a Prince, a Prince.

Exeunt Counsellors.

Warb:

Dearest; admit not into thy pure thoughts

The least of scruples, which may charge their softnesse

With burden of distrust. Should I proue wanting

To noblest courage now, here were the tryall:

But I am perfect (sweete) I feare no change,

More then thy being partner in my sufferance.

Ka [...]h:

My f [...]rtunes (Sir) haue armd me to encounter

What chance so [...]re they meete with [...]— Iane 'tis fit

[Page]Thou stay behinde, for whither wilt thou wander?

Iane.

Never till death, will I forsake my Mistresse,

Nor then, in wishing to dye with ee' gladly.

Kath:

Alas good soule.

Frion.

Sir, to your Aunt of Burgundie

I will relate your present vndertakings;

From her expect on all occasions, welcome.

You cannot [...]inde me idle in your s [...]rvices.

Warb.

Gee, Frion, g [...]e! wisemen knowe how to soothe

Adversitie, not serue it: thou hast wayted

Too long on expe [...]tation; ‘never yet’

‘Was any Na [...]ion r [...]d of, so besotted’

‘In reason, as to adore the [...]etting S [...]ne.’

Flie to th [...] Arch-Dukes Court; say to the Dutchesse,

Her Nephewe, with fayre Katherine, his wife,

Are [...]n their expe [...]tation to b [...]ginne

The ra [...]sing of an Empire. If they fayle,

Yet the report will never: farewell Frion.

Exit Frion.

This man Kate ha's beene true, though now of late,

I f [...]are too much [...]amiliar with the Foxe.

Enter Huntley and Daliell.

Hunt:

I come to take my lea [...]e [...] you neede not doubt

My interest in this sometime-childe of mine.

Sh [...]es all yours now (good Sir) oh poore lost creature!

Heaven guard thee with much patience, is thou canst

Forget thy title to olde Huntleyes familie;

As much of peace will settle in thy minde

As thou canst wish to taste, (but in thy graue,)

Accept my teares yet, (preethee) they are tokens

Of charitie, as true as of affection.

Kath:

This is the cruelst farewell!

Hunt:

Loue (young Gentleman)

This modell of my griefes; shee calls you husband;

Then be not jealous of a parting kisse,

It is a Fathers not a Lovers offring;

Take it, may last, — I am too much a childe.

[Page]Exchange of passion is to little vse,

So I should grow to foolish,—goodnes guide thee.

Exit Hunt.

Kath:

Most mi [...]erable Daughter! — haue you ought

To adde (Sir) to our sorrowes?

Daliell.

I resolue

(Fayre Ladie) with your leaue, to waite on all

Your fortunes in my person, if your Lord

Vouchsafe me entertainement.

Warb:

Wee will be bosome friends, (most noble Daliell)

For I accept this tender of your loue

Beyond abilitie of thankes to speake it.

Cleere thy drownd eyes (my fayrest) time and industrie

Will shew vs better dayes, or end the worst.

Exeunt omnes.

Enter Oxford and Dawbney.

Oxf:

No newes from Scotland yet (my Lord!)

Daw:

Not any

But what King Henrie knowes himselfe; I thought

Our Armies should haue marcht that way, his minde

It seemes, is altered.

Oxf.

Victorie attends

His Standard every where.

Dawb:

Wise Princes ( Oxford)

Fight not alone with forces. Providence

Directs and tutors strength; else Elephants,

And barbed Horses might as well prevaile,

As the most subtile stratagems of warre.

Oxf:

The Scottish King shew'd more then common braverie,

In proffer of a Combatt hand to hand

With Surrey!

Dawb:

And but shew'd it; Northern blouds

Are gallant being fir'd, but the cold climate

Without good store of fuell, quickly freeseth

The glowing flames.

Oxf:

Surrey vpon my life

Would not haue shrunke an hayres breadth.

Dawb:

May a' forfeite

The honor of an English name, and nature,

Who would not haue embrac't it with a greedinesse,

As violent as hunger ru [...]es to foode.

'Twas an addition, any worthie Spirit

Would covet next to immortalitie,

Aboue all joyes of life: wee all mist shares

In that great opportunitie.

[Page] Enter King Henrie, and Vrswicke whispering.

Oxf:

The King: see a' comes smiling!

Dawb:

O the game runnes smooth

On his side then beleeue it, Cards well shuffeld

And dealt with c [...]nning, bring some gamester thrift,

But others must rise loosers.

K: H:

[...]he trayne takes?

Vrsw:

Most prosperously.

K. H.

I knew it should not misse.

He fondly angles who will hurle his bayte

Into the water, 'cause the Fish at first

Playes round about the line, and dares not bite.

Lords, wee may reigne your King yet, Dawbney, Oxford,

Vrwicke, must Perkin weare the Crowne?

Dawb:

A Slaue.

Oxf:

A Vagabond.

Vrsw:

A Glow-worme.

K: H:

Now if Frion,

His practisd politician weare [...] brayne

Of proofe, Ki [...]g Perkin will in progresse ride

Through all his large Dominions; let vs meete him,

And tender homage; Ha Si [...]? Liegmen ought

To pay their fealtie.

Dawb:

Would the Rascall were

With all his [...]abble, within [...]wentie miles

Of Lo [...]n.

K: H:

Farther [...]ff is neere enough

To Iodge him in hi [...] home; he wager odds

Surrey and all his men are either idle,

Or hasting backe, the [...] haue no [...] worke (I doubt)

To keepe them busie.

Daw [...]:

'Tis a st [...]ange conceite Sir.

K: H:

Such voluntarie fa [...]u [...]s as [...]ur people

In dutie ayde vs with, wee never sca [...]er'd

On Cobweb Parasites, or lavish't out

In ryot, or a needlesse ho [...]pitalitie:

No v [...]deserving favourite doth boast

His issues from our treasury; our charge

Flowes through all Europe, prooving vs but steward

Of every contribution, which provides

Against the creeping Can [...]ar of Disturbance.

Is it not rare then, in this toyle of State

Wherein wee are imbarkt, with breach of sleepe,

Cares, and the noyse of trouble, that our mercy [...]

[Page]Returnes nor thankes, nor comfort? Still the West

Murmure and threaten innovation,

Whisper our government tyrannicall,

Denie vs wh [...]t is ours, nay, spurne their liues

Of which they are but owners by our guift.

It must not be.

Oxf:

It must not, should not.

K: H:

So then. To whom?

Enter a Post.

Post.

This packett to your sacred Majesti [...].

K: H:

Sirra attend without.

Oxf:

Newes from the North, vpon my life.

Daw.

Wise Henry

Devines aforehand of events: with him

Attempts and execution are one act.

K: H:

Vrswicke thine eare; Frio [...] [...] caugh [...], the man

Of cunning is out-reacht: wee must be safe:

Should reverend Morton our Arch-bishop moue

To a translation higher yet, I [...]ll thee,

My Durham ownes a brayne d [...]s [...]rues that S [...]e.

Hees nimble in his industrie, and mounting:

Thou hear'st me?

Vrsw:

And conceiue your Highnesse fitly:

K. H.

Dawbney, and Oxford; since our Armie stands

Entire, it were a weakenesse to admit

The rust of lazinesse to eate amongst them:

Set forward toward Salisburie; the playnes

Are most commodious for their exercise.

Our selfe will take a Muster of them there:

And or disband them with reward, or else

Dispose as best concernes vs.

Dawb:

Salisburie?

Sir, [...] is peace at Salisburie.

K: H:

Deare friend —

Th [...] ch [...]g [...] must be our owne; we would a little

Pertak [...] the pleasure with our Subjects ease.

Shal [...] I entreat your Loues?

Oxf:

command our Li [...]es.

K: H:

Y'are men know how [...]o d [...]e [...] not to forethinke:

My Bishop is a jewell try'd, a [...]d perfect;

A jewell (Lords) the Post [...]ho brought these Letters,

Must speed another to the Mayor of Exceter [...]

Vrswicke dismisse him not.

Vrs:

He waites your pl [...]a [...]ure.

K: H:

Perkin a King? a King?

Vrs:

My gracious Lord.

K: H:

[Page]

Thoughts, busied in the spheare of Royaltie,

Fixe not on creeping wormes, without their stings;

Meere excrements of earth. The vse of time

Is thriving safetie, and a wise prevention

Of ills expected. W'are resolv'd for Salisburie.

Exe: omnes.

A generall shout within.

Enter Warbeck, Daliell, Katherine, and Iane.

Warb:

After so many stormes as winde and Seas,

Haue threatned to our weather-beaten Shippes,

At last (sweet fayrest) wee are safe arriv'd

On our deare mother earth, ingratefull onely

To heaven and vs, in yeelding sustenance

To [...]lie Vsurpers of our throne and right.

These generall acclamations, are an OMEN

Of happie processe to their welcome Lord:

They flocke in troopes, and from all parts with wings

Of dutie flie, to lay their hearts before vs,

Vnequal'd patterne of a matchlesse wife,

How fares my dearest yet?

Kath:

Confirm'd in health:

By which I may the better vndergoe

The roughest face of change; but I shall learne

Patience to hope, since silence courts affliction

For comforts, to this truely noble Gentleman;

Rare vnexampled patterne of a friend?

And my beloved Iane, the willing follower

Of all misfortunes.

Dal:

Ladie, I returne

But barren cropps, of early protestations,

Frost-bitten in the spring of fruitlesse hopes.

Iane,

I waite but as the shaddow to the bodie,

For Madam without you let me be nothing.

Warb:

None talke of sadnesse, wee are on the way

Which leades to Victorie: keepe cowards thoughts

With desperate sullennesse! the Lyon faints not

Lockt in a grate, but loose, disdaines all force

Which barres his prey; and wee are Lyon-hearted,

Or else no King of beasts. Harke how they shout.

Another shou [...].

[Page]Triumphant in our cau [...]e? bo [...]de [...]

Marches on b [...]auely, cannot quake at [...]

Enter Sketon.

Sket.

Sa [...]e King Richard the fourth, [...] Ki [...] of [...]earts? the Cornish blades are men of mettall, ha [...]e [...] through Bodnam a [...]d the whole Countie, my sweete [...] [...]onarch of England, f [...]ure thou [...]a [...]d tall yeomen, with [...] r [...]adie vow to liue and dye at the foote o [...] KING R [...]HARD.

Enter Astley.

Astley.

The Mayor our fellow Co [...]seller, i [...] [...]rvant for [...]n Emperour. Ex [...]e [...]r is appointed for the Re [...]d [...] and [...]othi [...]g wants to victory but courage, and resolution. [...]igillatum & datum decimo Septembris, Anno Regui Regis primo & [...]; confirmatum est. Al's cocke sure.

Warb:

To Exceter, to Exceter, ma [...]ch on.

Commend vs to our people; wee in person

Will lend them double spirits, tell them so.

She: & Astl:

King Richard, King Richard.

Warb:

A thousand blessings guard our lawfull Armes!

A thousand horrors peirce our enemies soules!

Pale feare vnedge their weapons sharpest poynts,

And when they draw their arrowes to the head,

Numnesse shall strike their sinewes; such advantage

Hath Majestie in its pursuite of Iustice,

That on the proppers vp, of truths olde throne,

It both enlightens couns [...]ll, and giues heart

To execution: whiles the throates of traytors

Lye bare before our mercie. O Divinitie

Of royall birth? how it strikes dumbe the tongues

Whose prodigallitie of breath is brib'd

By traynes to greatnesse? Princes are but men,

Distinguisht in the finenesse of their frailtie.

Yet not so grosse in beautie of the minde,

For there's a fire more sacred, purifies

The drosse of mixture. Herein stands the odds

"Subjects are men, on earth Kings men and gods.

Exeunt omnes.

[Page]

Actus Quintus:

Scaena prima.

Enter Katherine, and Iane, in riding suits, with one servant.

Kath:

IT is decreede; and wee must yeeld to fate,

Whose angry Iustice though it threaten ruine,

Contempt, and povertie, is all but tryall

Of a weake womans con [...]tancie in suffering.

Here in a strangers, and an enemies La [...]d

Forsaken, and vnfurnisht of all hopes,

(But such as waite on miserie,) I range

To meete affliction where so ere I treade.

My trayne, and pompe of servants, is reduc't

To one kinde Gentlewoman, and this groome.

Sweet Iane, now whither must wee?

Iane.

To your Shippe [...]

Deare Lady: and turne home.

Kath:

Home! I haue none [...]

Flie thou to Scotland, thou hast friends will weepe

For joy to bid thee welcome; but ô Iane

My Iane, my friends are desperate of comfort

As I must be of them; the common charitie,

Good people salmes, and prayers of the gentle

Is the revenue must support my state.

As for my natiue Countrey, since it once

Saw me a Princesse in the height of greatnesse

My birth allow'd me; here I make a vow,

Scotland shall never see me, being fallen

Or lessened in my fortunes. Never Iane;

Never to Scotland more will I returne.

Could I be Englands Queene (a glory Iane

I never fawn'd on) yet the King who gaue me,

Hath sent me with my husband from his presence:

Deliver'd vs suspected to his Nation:

Renderd vs spectacles to time, and pittie.

And is it fit I should returne to such

As onely listen after our descent

From happinesse enjoyd, to misery

[Page]Expected, though vncertaine? Never, never;

Alas, why do'st thou weepe? and that poore creature,

Wipe his wett chee [...]es to [...]? let me feele alone

Extremities, who know to giue them harbour:

Nor thou, nor he, ha's cause. Y [...]u may liue safely.

Iane.

There is no safetie whiles your dangers (Madam)

Are every way apparent.

Servant.

Pardon Ladie;

I cannot choose but shew my honest heart;

You were ever my good Ladie.

Kath:

O deare soules!

Your shares in griefe are too too much.

Enter Daliell.

Daliell.

I bring

(Fayre Princesse) newes of further sadnesse yet,

Then your sweet youth, hath beene acquainted with.

Kath:

Not more (my Lord) then I can welcome; speake it;

The worst, the worst, I looke for.

Dal.

All the Cornish,

At Exceter, were by the Citizens

Repulst, encountred by the Earle of Devonshire

And other worthy Gentlemen of the Countrey.

Your husband marcht to Taunton, and was there

Affronted by King Henries Chamberlayne.

The King himselfe in person, with his Armie

Advancing neerer, to renew the fight

On all occasions. But the night before

The battayles were to joyne, your husband privately

Accompanied with some few horse, departed

From out the campe, and posted none knowes whither.

Kath:

Fled without battayle given?

Dal:

Fled, but follow'd

By Dawbney, all his parties left to taste

King Henries mercie, for to that they yeelded;

Victorious without bloudshed.

Kath:

O my sorrowes!

If both our liues had prou'd the sacrifice

To Henries tyrannie, wee had fallen like Princes [...]

And rob'd him, of the glory of his pride.

Dal:

Impute it not to fainthesse, or to weakenesse

Of noble courage Ladie, but foresight:

For by some secret friend he had intelligence

[Page]Of being bought and solde, by his base followers.

Worse yet remaines vntold.

Kath:

No, no, it cannot.

Daliell.

I feare y'are betray'd. The Earle of Oxford

Runnes hot in your pursuite.

Kath:

A' shall not neede,

Weele runne as hot in resolution, gladly

To make the Earle our Iaylor.

Iane.

Madam, Madam, they come, they come!

Enter Oxford, with followers.

Daliell.

Keepe backe, or he who dares

Rudely to violate the Law of honor,

Runnes on my sword.

Kath:

Most noble Sir, forbeare!

What reason drawes you hither (Gentlemen!)

Whom seeke 'ee?

Oxf:

All stand off; with favour Ladie

From Henry, Englands King, I would present,

Vnto the beauteous Princesse, Katherine Gourdon,

The tender of a gracious entertainment.

Kath:

Wee are that Princesse, whom your maister King

Pursues with reaching armes, to draw into

His power: let him vse his tyrannie,

Wee shall not bee his Subjects.

Oxf:

My Commission, extends no further (excellentest Ladie)

Then to a service; 'tis King Henries pleasure,

That you, and all, that haue relation t'ee,

Be guarded as becomes your birth, and greatnesse.

For rest assur'd ( sweet Princesse) that not ought

Of what you doe call yours, shall finde disturbance,

Or any welcome other, then what suits

Your high condition.

Kath:

By what title (Sir)

May I acknowledge you?

Oxf:

Your servant (Ladie)

Descended from the Line of Oxfords Earles,

Inherits what his auncestors before him

Were owners of.

Kath:

Your King is herein royall,

That by a Peere so auncient in desert

As well as bloud, commands Vs to his presence.

Oxf:

Invites 'ee, Princesse not commands.

Kath:

Pray vse

Your owne phrase as you list; to your protection

Both I, and mine subm [...]t.

Oxf:

There's in your number

[Page]A Nobleman, whom fame hath brauely spoken.

To him the King my Maister bad mee say

How willingly he courts his friendship. Far

From an enfo [...]cement, more then what in tearmes

Of courtesie, so great a P [...]ince may hope for.

Daliell.

My name is Daliell.

Oxf:

'Tis a name, hath wonne

Both thankes, and wo [...]der, from report; (my Lord)

The Court of England emulates your meritt,

And covetts to embrace 'ee.

Daliell.

I must waite on

The Princesse in her fortunes.

Oxf:

Will you please,

(Great Ladie) to set forward?

Kath:

Being driven

By fate, it were in vaine to striue with Heaven.

Exeunt omnes.

Enter King Henry, Surrey, Vrswicke, and a guard of Souldiers.

K: H:

The Counterfeit King Perkin is escap'd,

Escape, so let him; he is heg'd too fast

Within the Circuite of our English pale,

To steale out of our Ports, or leape the walls

Which guarde our Land; the Seas are rough, and wider

Then his weake armes can tugge with; Surrey henceforth

Your King may raigne in quiet: turmoyles past

Like some vnquiet dreame, haue rather busied

Our fansie, then affrighted rest of State.

But Surrey, why in articling a peace

With Iames of Scotland, was not restitution

Of Losses, which our Subjects did sustaine

By the Scotch inrodes, questioned?

Sur:

Both demanded

And vrg'd (my Lord,) to which the King reply'd

In modest merriment, but smiling earnest,

How that our Master Henrie was much abler

To beare the detriments, then he repay them.

K: H:

The young man I beleeue spake honest truth,

'A studies to be wise betimes. Ha's Vrswicke,

Sir Rice ap Thomas, and Lord Brooke our Steward,

Return'd the westerne Gentlemen full thankes,

From Vs, for their try'd Loyalties?

Sur:

They haue:

Which as if health and life had raign'd amongst eem',

[Page]With open hearts, they joyfully receiu'd.

K: H:

Young Buckingham is a fayre natur'd Prin [...]e,

L [...]uely in hopes, and worthie of his Father:

Attended by an hundred Knights and Squires,

Of speciall name, he tendred humble service,

Which wee must n'ere forget: and Devonshires wounds

Though sleight, shall find sound cure, in our respect.

Enter Dawbney, with Warbeck, Heron, Iohn a Water, Astley, Sketon.

Dawb:

Life to the King, and safetie fixe his throne:

I here pr [...]sent you (royall Sir) a shadowe

Of Majestie, but in effect a substance

Of pittie; a young man, in nothing growne

To ripen [...]sse, but th'ambition of your mercie:

Perkin the Christian worlds strange wonder.

K: H:

Dawbney, Wee obserue no wonder; I behold (tis true)

An ornament of nature, fine, and pollisht,

A handsome youth indeede, but not admire him.

How came he to thy hands?

Dawb:

From Sanctuarie

At Beweley, neere Southhampton, registred

With these few followers, for persons priviledg'd.

K: H:

I must not thanke you Sir! you were too blame

To infringe the Libertie of houses sacred:

Dare wee be irreligious?

Dawb:

Gracious Lord,

They voluntarily resign'd themselues,

Without compulsion.

K: H:

So? 'twas very well,

T'was very very well — turne now thine eyes

(Young man) vpon thy selfe, and thy past actions!

What revells in combustion through our Kingdome,

A frenzie of aspiring youth hath daunc'd,

Till wanting breath, thy feete of pride haue slipt

To breake thy necke.

Warb:

But not my heart; my heart

Will mount, till every drop of bloud be frozen

By deaths perpetuall Winter: If the Sunne

Of Maiestie be darkned, let the Sunne

Of Life be hid from mee, in an eclipse

[Page]Lasting, and vniversall. Sir, remember

There was a shooting in of light, when Richmond

(Not ayming at a crowne) retyr'd, and glad [...]y,

For comfort, to the Duke of Britaines Court.

Richard who swayed the Scepter, was reputed

A tyrant then; yet then, a dawning glimmer'd

To some few wandring remn [...]nts, promis [...]g day

When first they ventur'd, on a frightfull shore,

At Milford Haven.

Dawb:

Whither speeds his boldnesse?

Checke his rude tongue (great Sir!)

K: H:

O let him range:

The player's on the stage still, 'tis his part;

A' does but act: what followed?

Warb:

Bosworth feild:

Where at an instant, to the worlds amazement,

A morne to Richmond, and a night to Richard

Appear'd at once: the tale is soone applyde:

Fate which crown'd these attempts when [...]est assur'd,

Might haue befriended others, like resolv'd.

K: H:

A prettie gallant! thus, your Aunt of Burgundie,

Your Dutchesse Aunt enform'd her Nephew; so

The lesson prompted, and well conn'd, was moulded

Into familiar Dialogue, oft rehearsed,

Till learnt by heart, 'tis now, receiv'd [...]or truth.

Warb:

Truth in her pure simplicitie wants art

To put a fayned blush on: scorne weares onely

Such fashion, as commends to gazers eyes

Sad vlcerated Noveltie; farre beneath

The spheare of Maiestie: in such a Court,

Wisedome, and gravitie, are proper robes,

By which the Soveraigne is best distinguisht',

From Zanyes to his Greatnesse.

K: H:

Sirra, shift

Your anticke Pageantrie, and now appeare

In your owne nature, or y'oule taste the daunger

Of fooling out of season.

Warb:

I expect

No lesse, then what severitie calls Iustice,

And Polititians, safetie; let such begge,

As feed on almes: but if there can be mercie

In a protested enemie, then may it

[Page]Descend to these poore creatures, whose engagements

To th'bettering of their fortunes, haue incur'd

A losse of all; to them, if any charitie

Flowe from some noble Orator, in death

I owe the fee of thankfulnesse.

K: H:

So braue!

What a bold knaue is this? which of these Rebells

Ha's beene the Mayor of Corke?

Dawb:

This wise formalitie:

Kneele to the King 'ee Rascalls!

K: H:

Canst thou hope,

A Pardon, where thy guilt is so apparant?

Mayor.

Vnder your good favours, as men, are men, they may erre: for I confesse, respectiuely, in taking great parts, the one side prevailing, the other side must goe downe: herein the poynt is cleere, if the proverbe hold, that hanging goes by destinie, that it is to little purpose to say, this thing, or that, shall be thus, or thus; for as the fates will haue it, so it must be, and who can helpe it.

Dawb:

O block-head! thou a privie Counseller?

Begg life, and cry aloude, Heaven saue King Henrie.

Mayor.

Every man knowes what is best, as it happens: for my owne part, I beleeue it is true, if I be not deceived, that Kings must be Kings, and Subjects, Subjects. But which is which; you shall pardon me for that; whether we speake or hold our peace, all are mortall, no man knowes his end.

K: H:

Wee trifle time with follyes.

Omnes.

Mercie, mercie.

K: H:

Vrswicke, command the Dukeling, and these fellowes,

To Digby, the Lieftenant of the Tower:

With safetie let them be convay'd to London.

It is our pleasure, no vncivill outrage,

Taunts, or abuse be suffred to their persons;

They shall meete fayrer Law then they deserue.

Time may restore their wits, whom vaine ambition

Hath many yeares distracted.

Warb:

Noble thoughts

Meete freedome in captivitie; the Tower?

Our Childhoods dreadfull nursery.

K: H.

No more.

Vrs:

Come, come, you shall haue leisure to bethinke 'ee.

Exit Vrsw: with Perkin and his.

K: H:

[Page]

Was ever so much impudence in forgery?

The custome sure of being stil'd a King,

Hath faste [...]d in his thought that HE IS SVCH.

But wee shall teach the ladd, another language;

'Tis good we haue him fast.

Dawb:

The Hangmans physicke

Will purge this sa [...]cie humor.

K: H:

Very likely:

Yet, wee could, temper mercie, with extremitie,

Being not too far provok'd.

Enter Oxford, Katherine in her richest attyre, Iane, and attendants.

Oxf:

Great Sir, be pleas'd

With your accustomed grace, to e [...]ertaine

The Princesse Katherine Gourdon.

K [...] H:

Oxford, herei [...]

Wee must beshrew thy knowledge of our nature.

A Ladie of her birth and vertues, could not

Haue found Vs so vnfurnisht of good manners,

As not on notice given, to haue mett her

Halfe way in poynt of Loue. Excuse ( fay [...]e Cose [...])

The oversight! ô fye, you may not kneele:

'Tis most vnfitting; first, vouchsafe this welcome;

A welcome to your owne, for you shall finde Vs

But guardian to your fortune, and your honours.

Kath:

My fortunes, and mine honors, are weake champions,

As both are now befriended (Sir!) however

Both bow before your clemencie.

K: H:

Our armes

Shall circle them from malice —'A sweete Ladie?

Beautie incomparable? Here liues Majestie

At league with Loue.

Kath:

O Sir, I haue a husband.

K: H:

Wee'le proue your father, husband, friend, and servant,

Proue what you wish to graunt vs, (Lords) be carefull

A Pattent presently be drawne, for issuing

A thousand pounds from our Exchequer yearely,

During our Cosens life: our Queene shall be

Your chiefe companion, our owne Court your Home,

Our Subjects, all your servants.

Kath:

But my husband?

K: H:

[Page]

By all descriptions, you are noble Daliell,

Whose generou [...] truth hath fam'd a rare observance!

Wee thanke 'ee, 'tis a goodnesse giues addition

To every title, boasted from your Auncestrie,

In all most worthy.

Daliell.

Worthier then your prayses,

Right princely Sir, I neede not glorie in.

K: H:

Embrace him (Lords,) who ever calls you Mistresse

Is lifted in our charge, — a goodlier beautie

Mine eyes yet neere incountred.

Kath:

Cruell misery

Of fate, what rests to hope for?

K: H:

Forward Lords

To London: (fayre) ere long, I shall present 'ee

Ex [...]unt omnes.

With a glad object, peace, and Hunleys blessing.

Enter Constable, and Officers, Warbeck, Vrswick, and Lambert Simnell, like a Falconer.

A payre of Stocks.

Co [...]st:

Make roome there, keepe off I require 'ee, and none come within twelue foote of his Majesties new Stockes, vpon paine of displeasure. Bring forward the Malefactors. Friend, you must to this geere, —no remedie, —open the hole, and in with his legges, just in the middle hole, there, that hole; keepe off, or Ile commit you all. Shall not a man in authoritie be obeyed? So, so, there, 'tis as it should be: put on the padlocke, and giue me the key; off I say, keepe off.

Vrsw:

Yet Warbecke cleere thy Conscience, thou hast tasted

King Henries mercie liberallie; the Law

Ha's forfeited thy life, an equall Iurie

Haue doom'd thee to the Gallowes; twise, most wickedly,

Most desperately hast thou escapt the Tower:

Inveighling to thy partie with thy witch-craft,

Young Edward, Earle of Warwicke, sonne to Clarence;

Whose head must pay the price of that attempt;

Poore Gentleman — vnhappie in his fate —

And ruin'd by thy cunning! so a Mungrell

May plucke the true Stagge downe: yet, yet, confesse

Thy parentage; for yet the King ha's mercy.

Lamb:

[Page]

You would be Dicke the fourth, very likely

Your [...]edigree is pub [...]i [...]ht, you are knowne

For Osbecks sonne of Turney, a loose runnagate,

A Landloper: your Father was a Iewe,

Turn'd Christian meerely to repayre his miseries.

Wheres now your Kingship?

Warb:

Bayted to my death?

Intollerable crueltie! I laugh at

The Duke of Richmonds practise on my fortunes.

Possession of a Crowne, ne're wanted Heraulds.

Lamb:

You will not know who I am!

Vrs:

Lambert Simnell;

Your predecessor in a daungero [...]s vproare;

But on submission, not alone receiu'd

To grace, but by the King, vouchsaft his service.

Lamb:

I would be Eare of Warwicke, toyld and ruffled

Against my Maister, leapt to catch the Moone,

Vaunted my name, Plantaginet, as you doe:

An Earle forsooth! When as in truth I was,

As you are, a meere Rascall: yet, his Majestie,

(A Prince compos'd of sweetnes! Heaven protect him)

Forgaue mee all my villanies, repriv'd

The sentence [...] a s [...]a [...]efull end, admitted

My suretie of obedie [...] to his service;

And I am now his [...]alkoner, liue plenteously;

Eate from the Kings purse, and enjoy the sweetnesse

Of libertie, and favour, sleepe securely:

And is not this now better, then to buffett

The Hangmans clutches? or to brave the Cordage

Of a tough halter, which will breake your necke?

So then the Gallant totters; preethee ( Perkin)

Let my example leade thee, be no longer

A Counterfeite, confesse, and hope for pardon!

Warb:

For pardon? hold my heartstrings, whiles contempt

Of injuries, in scorne, may bid defiance

To this base mans fowle language: thou poore vermin [...]

How darst thou creepe so neere mee? thou an Earle?

Why thou enjoyst as much of happinesse,

[Page]As all the swinge of sleight ambition flew at.

A dunghill was thy Cradle. So a puddle

By vertue of the Sun-b [...]ames, breathes a vapour

To infect the purer ayre, which drops againe

Into the muddie wombe that first exhal'd it.

Bread, and a slavish ease, with some assurance

From the base Beadles whipp, crownd all thy hopes.

But (Sirra) ran there in thy veynes, one dropp

Of such a royall bloud, as flowes in mine;

Thou wouldst not change condition, to be second

In Englands State without the Crowne it selfe!

Course creatures are incapable of excellence.

But let the world, as all, to whom I am

This day a spectacle, to time, deliver,

And by tradition fixe posteritie,

Without another Chronicle then truth,

How constantly, my resolution suffer'd

A martyrdome of Majestie!

Lamb:

Hees past

Recovery, a Bedlum cannot cure him.

Vrsw:

Away, enforme the King of his behaviour.

Lamb:

Perkin, beware the rope, the Hangman's comming.

Vrsw:

If yet thou hast no pittie of thy bodie [...]

Pittie thy soule!

Exit Simnell.

Enter Katherine, Iane, Daliell, and Oxford.

Iane.

Deare Ladie!

Oxf:

Whither will 'ee

Without respect of shame?

Kath:

Forbeare me (Sir)

And trouble not the current of my dutie!

Oh my Lov'd Lord! Can any scorne be yours,

In which I haue no interest? some kinde hand

Lend me assistance, that I may partake

Th'inflictio [...] of this pennance; my lifes deerest

Forgiue me, I haue stayd too long, from tendring

Attendance on reproach, yet bid me welcome.

Warb:

Great miracle of Constancie! my miseries,

Were never banckrout of their confidence

[Page]In worst afflictions, till this now, I feele them.

Re [...]ort, and thy Deserts, ( [...]hou best of creatures)

Might to [...]ternitie, haue stood a patterne

For every v [...]rtuous wi [...]e, with [...]ut this conquest.

Thou hast out-done beliefe, yet, may their ruine

In after marriages, be never pitti [...]d,

To whom thy Storie, shall appeare a fable.

Why wouldst tho [...] proue so much vnkinde to greatnesse,

To glorifie thy vowes by such a servitude?

I cannot weepe, but trust m [...]e ( Deare) my heart

Is liberall of passion; Harrie Richmond!

A womans faith, hath robd thy fame of triumph.

Oxf:

Sirra, lea [...]e off your jugling, and tye vp

The Devill, that raunges in your tongu [...].

Vrs:

Thus Witches,

Possest, even their deat [...]s del [...]d [...]d, [...]ay,

They haue beene wolues, and dogs, and I sayld in Eggshells

Over the Sea, and rid on fierie Dragons;

Past in [...]e ayre more then a thousand miles,

All in a night; the enemie of mankinde

Is powerfull, but falfe; and falshood confident.

Oxf:

Remember (Ladie) who you are; come from

That impudent Imposter!

Kath:

You abuse vs:

For when the holy Church-man joynd our hands,

Our Vowes were reall then; the Ceremonie

Was not in apparition, but in act.

Be what these people terme Thee, I am certaine

Thou art my husband, no Divorce in Heaven

Ha's beene sued out betweene vs; 'tis injustice

For any earthly power to devide vs.

Or wee will liue, or let vs dye together.

There is a cruell mercie.

Warb:

Spight of tyrannie

Wee raigne in our affections, ( blessed Woman)

Reade in my destinie, the wracke of honour [...]

Poynt out in my contempt of death, to memorie

Some miserable happinesse: since, herein,

Even when I fell, I stood, enthron'd a Monarch

[Page]Of one chast wif's troth, pure, and vncorrupted.

Fayre Angell of perfection; immortalitie

Shall rayse thy name vp to an adoration;

Court every rich opi [...]ion of true merit;

And Saint it in the Calender of vertue,

When I am turn'd into the selfe same dust

Of which I was first form'd.

Oxf:

The Lord Embassador,

Huntley, your Father (Madam) should a' looke on

Your strange subjection, in a gaze so publicke,

Would blush on your behalfe, and wish his Countrey

Vnleft, for entertainment to such sorrow.

Kath:

Why art thou angrie Oxford? I must be

More peremptorie in my dutie; — (Sir)

Impute it not vnto immodestie,

That I presume to presse you to a Legacie,

Before wee part for ever!

Warb:

Let it be then

My heart, the rich remaines, of all my fortunes.

Kath:

Confi [...]me it with a kisse pray [...]

Warb:

Oh, with that

I wish to breathe my last vpon thy lippes,

Those equall twinnes of comelinesse, I seale

The testament of honourable Vowes:

Who ever be that man, that shall vnkisse

This sacred print next, may he proue more thrifti [...]

In this worlds just applause, not more desertfull.

Kath:

By this sweet pledge of both our soules, I sweare

To dye a faithfull widdow to thy bed:

Not to be fore't, or wonne. ô, n [...]ver, never.

Enter Surrey, Dawbney, Huntley, and Crawford.

Dawb:

Free the condemned person, quickly free him.

What ha's a yet confest?

Vrsw:

Nothing to purpose;

But still'a will be King.

Surr:

Prepare your journey

To a new Kingdome then, (vnhappie Madam)

Wilfully [...]oolish! See my Lord Embassador,

Your Ladie Daughter will not leaue the Counterfei [...]

In this disgrace of fate.

Hunt:

I never poynted

[Page]Thy marriage (girle) but yet being married,

Enjoy thy dutie to a husband, freely:

The griefes are mine. I glorie in thy constancie;

And must not say, I wish, that I had mist

Some partage in these tryalls of a patience.

Kath:

You will forgiue me noble Sir?

Hunt:

Yes, yes [...]

In every dutie of a wife, and daughter,

I dare not disavow thee, — to your husband

(For such you are Sir) I impart a farewell

Of manly pittie; what your life ha's past through,

The daungers of your end will make apparant?

And I can adde, for comfort to your sufferance,

No Cordiall, but the wonder of your trailtie,

Which keepes so firme a station. — Wee are parted.

Warb:

Wee are a crowne of peace, renew thy age

Most honourable

Huntley:

worthie Crawford?

Wee may embrace, I never thought thee injurie.

Crawf:

Nor was I ever guiltie of neglect

Which might procure such thought. I take my leaue (Sir.)

Warb:

To you Lord Daliell: what? accept a sigh,

'Tis heartie, and in earnest.

Daliell.

I want vtterance:

My silence is my farewell.

Kath:

Oh—oh,—

Iane:

Sweet Madam,

What doe you meane!—my Lord, your hand.

Dal:

Deere Ladie,

Be pleasd that I may wayt 'ee to your lodging.

Exeunt Daliell, Katherine, Iane.

Enter Sheriffe, and Officers, Sketon, Astley, Heron, and Mayor with halters about their neckes.

Oxf:

Looke 'ee, beholde your followers, appointed

To waite on 'ee in death.

Warb:

Why Peeres of England,

Weele leade 'em on couragiously. I reade

A triumph over tyrannie vpon

Their severall foreheads. Faint not in the moment

Of Victorie! our end [...], [...]d Warwick's head,

[Page]Innocent Warwick's head, (for we are Prologue

But to his tragedie) conclude the wonder

Of Henries feares; and then the glorious race

Of foureteene Kings PLANTAGINETTS, determine [...]

In this last issue male, Heaven be obeyd.

Impoverish time of its amazement (friends)

And we will proue, as trustie in our payments,

As prodigall to nature in our debtes.

Death? pish, 'tis but a sound; a name of ayre;

A minutes storme; or not so much, to tumble

From bed to bed, be massacred aliue

By some Physitians, for a moneth, or two,

In hope of freedome from a Feavers torments,

Might stagger manhood; here, the paine is past

Ere sen [...]ibly 'tis felt. Be men of spirit!

Spurne coward passion! so illustrious mention,

Shall blaze our names, and stile vs KINGS O'RE DEATH.

Daw:

Away-Impostor beyond president:

Ex: all Officers and Prisoners.

No Chronicle records his fellow.

Hunt:

I haue

Not thoughts left, 'tis sufficient in such cases

Iust Lawes ought to proceede.

Enter King Henry, Durham, and Hialas.

K: H:

Wee are resolv'd:

Your businesse (noble Lords) shall finde successe,

Such as your King importunes.

Hunt:

You are gracious.

K: H:

Perkin, wee are inform'd, is arm'd to dye:

In that weele honour him. Our Lords shall followe

To see the execution; and from hence

Wee gather this fit vse: that publicke States,

‘As our particular bodyes, taste most good’

‘In health, when purged of corrupted bloud.’

Exeunt [...].

FINIS.

[Page]

Epilogue.

HEre ha's appear'd, though in a severall fashion,

The Threats of Majestie; the strength of passion;

Hopes of an Empire; change of fortunes; All

What can to Theater's o [...] Greatnesse fall;

Proving their weake foundations: who will please

Amongst such severall Sight's, to censure These

No birth's abortiue [...] nor a bastard-brood

(Shame to a parentage, or fosterhood)

May warrant by their loues, all just excuses,

And often finde a welcome to the Muses.

FINIS.

[Page]

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The chronicle historie of Perkin VVarbeck A strange truth. Acted (some-times) by the Queenes Maiesties Servants at the Phænix in Drurie lane. — Chronicle history of Perkin Warbeck

Author: Ford, John, 1586-ca. 1640.1634

To my owne friend, Master Iohn Ford, on his Iustifiable Poem of Perkin Warbeck, This Ode.

To his worthy friend, Master Iohn Ford, vpon his Perkin Warbeck.

To my faithfull, no lesse deserving friend, the Authour; This indebted Oblation.

To the Authour, his friend, vpon his Chronicle Historie.

To my friend, and kinsman, Master Iohn Ford, the Authour.

Actus primus,

Scaena prima.

Actus Secundus:

Scaena prima.

Actus Tertius [...]

Scaena prima.

Actus Quartus:

Scaena prima.

Actus Quintus:

Scaena prima.