The Q U E E N
ACT. III. Scœn. I.
Enter Eulalia.
Eul.TUrn’d out of all, and caſt into the world;
And that forbidden too to pitie me?
No ſuccour, no relief to be afforded?
Heaven ſtill is where it was, and cannot loſe
The Providence it ever had: let thoſe
That think me wretched now, conſider that,
And be with me converted to a Faith
That will proclaim us happy, What’s my loſs?
VVhat was the State and glory of a Court,
But ſteps and lights through dangerous Ambition,
To ends beyond our ſelves, in whoſe atchievements,
VVe make our ſelves but nothing to our ſelves,
And all that we are then, is to the world,
VVhich renders us great Titles: which tane off,
VVe then return unto our ſelves again,
And all the world is ours: I was not great
Till now; nor could I confidently ſay
Any thing was mine own, till I had nothing.
They do but ſleep, that live in higheſt Pompe;
And all their happineſs is but a dream,
VVhen mine is reall: nay, nay, I can prove it.
Their coſtly fare breeds riot, mine content:
Their rich Attire is but mere Pageantry,
Made to pleaſe their eyes: mine keeps me warm,
And healthful, when a cold becomes their ſickneſs.
They boaſt of Honour and Gentilitie,
For their Attendants then, when the chief Honour
Of the beſt woman, meek obedience,
Is my own handmaid; and my Patience
[D6v]A
and C O N C U B I N E.
A ſweeter ſervant than Gentilitie,
Continually my other: for Councel and defence, what
They have the helps of worldly wiſe mens brains,
And I the comforts of my fruitfull Prayers.
They have tall big-bon’d ſervants for defence:
I the ſtrongſt guard of all, mine innocence.
[Birds chirp.]
What Muſick had the Court compar’d to this,
Or what compariſon can all their ſports
And Revells hold with thoſe of Kids and Fawnes,
And frisking Lambs upon the countrey lawnes?
VVhich are my hourly pleaſant entertainments
In all my wanderings: in which I have not
Hunger’d at any time, but I have found
Meat which I duely earn’d: nor ever thirſted,
But I have found a ſpring that has refreſh’d me.
And am no ſooner weary, then I finde
A ſhelter or a ſhade to reſt me in:
As now, in which a ſlumber ’gins to creep
Over mine Eyes, more ſoft then any ſleep,
Could theſe my Senſes when I lay of late
On Down, beneath the Canopy of State,
[falls aſleep.]
Scœn. II.
Enter Genius.
Sleep in thy Sainted Innocence,
Whilſt Angels watch in thy defence.
Sleep whilſt I charm theſe bubling Streams
With Muſick, to make ſweet thy Dreams;
Thy Dreams which truly ſhall relate
The Paſſages of thy Eſtate.
[D7]Dumb
The Q U E E N
Dumb ſhew. Enter Alinda, Flavello, two Lieute-
nants, Doctor, Midwife. Exeunt Lieutenants,
Doctor, Midwife. Enter Sforza at the other end
raging, and the Jaylor, with mute action. Enter
King, Petruccio: Alinda whiſpers the King:
he gives a Warrant and Signet to Petruccio:
Exit Petruccio. King. kiſſes Alinda, graces
Flavello. Exeunt. All this as the Genius
ſpeaks.
Note, firſt thy Foes in Court conſpire
Againſt thy Life, and Villains hire
Loe thoſe the perjur’d Evidence
That ſuggeſted thine offence,
Are hir’d the ſecond time to be
Co-actors in thy Tragedie.
They have their Fee, and now are ſent
Towards thee with a vile intent.
Ill thrive their purpoſes. Now note
The wrongs that are ’gainſt
Sforza wrought,
Who lives from Speech of all men ſtill,
Pent by the Kings abuſed will;
Not knowing of the Treacherie
That was conſpir’d ’gainſt him and thee.
Nothing of all that’s paſt knows he,
More then he muſt a Priſoner be;
Which doth him much impatience bring:
But the bad Queen inſtructs the King
How his vexation he may end,
Who ſtrictly for his Head doth ſend.
What from theſe black intents ſhall grow,
Is not as yet for thee know.
Now, holy Soul, I muſt thee ſet
A courſe that muſt thy living get.
[D7v]Thou
and C O N C U B I N E.
Thou muſt not beg, nor take for need
More then thy Merits proper meed.
Firſt therefore, I thy Brain inſpire
With a Divine Prophetick Fire;
Thou ſhalt be able to Fore-doom
The ends of many things to come.
Into thy Breaſt I next infuſe
The Skill of Med’cine how to uſe:
Learn’d
Æſculapius never knew
The uſe of ſimples more then you.
Many diſeas’d by Grief and Pain,
Of thee ſhall Health and Strength obtain.
Next Handy-Works and Literature,
With Education good and pure,
Thou ſhalt be able to beſtow
Upon the Country’s Youth, and ſhow
The Elder ſort how to improve
Their Wealths by Neighbour-hood and Love:
Now when thou from this Trance doſt wake,
See that thou preſent Practice make
Of theſe thy Gifts, and fear not then
The Practices of Fiends or Men.
Exit Genius.
Eul.What ſoft? what ſweet? what heavenly
I feel my ſelf inſpir’d with holy Flame
Above the heat of Mortals: ſure I have
The Spirit of Prophecie, the Gift of Healing,
And Art of teaching hidden Myſteries.
Thanks Heaven, that firſt didſt ſend me Patience
To ſweeten my Afflictions, and now
Plentiful means to live, for others Good.
Who live but for themſelves, are but for ſhow,
And ſtand like barren Trees, where good might grow.
[D8]Scœn.
The Q U E E N
Scœn. III.
Enter to her, Lodovico and Andrea.
Lod.Farewel, thou fooliſh Pomp, and Pride of
Whoſe ſhine is but an
Ignis fatuus.
That leads fond Mortals from the path of Vertue,
And Tracts of real Comforts: thus I ſhake
Thy wanton Dust from off my Feet, to tread
The wayes of Truth and Innocence: this Air
Breaths Health upon me, Peace, and perfect Pleaſure.
Where the ſwoln Courts ſophiſticated Breath
Did but diſeaſe my Blood, and taint my Senſes.
Eul.It is good
Lodovico, though diſguis’d,
I can no leſs then know him: and the poor Fool
That was my Servant: they come to relieve me
In theſe diſguiſes, that I might not know
From whom I receiv’d Comfort.
The moſt unfortunate Queen enclin’d her courſe:
And ſee, already, how her VVants and VVoes
Have worne her to the bone: Alas, ſhe’s pin’d!
Andr.And look you new Maſter, yonder’s my old
What Fools were we, that could not find her ſooner!
Alas! I can ſee through her: there is not
So thin a Queen in the Cards.
(quickly.
Lod.Hold thee, good Woman, pray thee take it.
I came now from a Feaſt where we had plenty,
And brought theſe Dainties, meant unto another;
But my dear Charity tells me thou doſt want it.
I pray thee eat it; do not look, but eat it.
Eul.What Traytor art thou, that preſents me Poy-
[D8v]Lod.
and C O N C U B I N E.
Lod.By all the truth and honeſty in Man,
’Tis wholeſome Food: ſee, I will be thy Taſter,
Though in good ſooth, it grievs mee to beguile thee
Of the leaſt Morſel: ſure thou haſt need of ’t.
Good VVoman eat, and let not Famine be
Fearful of Poyſon, or falſe Treacherie.
Eul.Is it not Poyſon to a loyal heart,
To eat contrary to the Kings Command?
Andr.No, if it were, what a many would have
been poyſon’d the laſt Lent, that may live to be very
good ſubjects, very good ſubjects all the yeer after,
Lod.’Las, we are plain poor Country Folke, and
Eul.VVhy will ye urge ſo much againſt your con-
Have you not heard of my baniſhment, and the Kings
Proclaiming all men Traytors that relieve me?
Lod.VVe heard indeed the King had put away his
old good VVife, and tane a new one: but can we
think you are ſhe that was the Queen?
Eul.Yes good Diſſembler, you do know’t, and
As ſure as I know you for
Lodovico,
And you, Sir, for
Andrea: Can it be,
That you that have been loyal ſubjects, ſhould
Now go about to forfeit thus your Lives?
Andr.Pray leave this fooling. Miſtriſs: eat your
And here’s good Drink to waſh it down: and then
If you have a minde to hang us, let the
Gallows take his due; for my own part, I had
Rather hang like a man, while I am good
For ſomething, then you ſhould pine away to no-
EEul.
The Q U E E N
Eul.Fear not you me, pray Sir, nor neglect the
That’s due unto your ſelves, to injure me.
Lod.O deareſt Heaven! do you think we’ld injure
That venture lives for you? no, gentle Queen.
Andr.Lo, there again, that’s Treaſon too, to call
Lod.No body hears nor ſees; pray eat a little.
Eul.Do not I hear and ſee you? I am not ſafe
In my obedience unto the King,
To hold ſuch conference with you that would
So violate his Laws: but let it warn ye
Off of this courſe; for I’ll appeal to Juſtice
If you perſiſt in this Rebellion.
Andr.Any woman but ſhe, now in her Cafe,
would eat ſuch an Huſbands Brains without Butter,
rather then forſake good meat; and but for this wil-
fulneſs in her, I ſhould not think her a woman, I. But
as ſhe is, new Maſter, we ſhall never do good upon
her: and therefore ſince your Grace has not the grace
to eat this meat, mark with what a grace or without
Grace, I will eat it myſelf: do you fear Poyſon?
[Eats] Now Bottle let me play a part with thee; can
you think this Poyſon, that goes down ſo merrily.
[Drinkes]
Eul.Much good may it do thee.
Lod.Stay, now perhaps ſhe’l eat.
Andr.’Tis like enough; I did but eat to get her
an Appetite, therefore I’ll e’en eat on, till all be done,
to get her the better ſtomack: now Bottle, to thee
Eul.See, here come poor Folks, that perhaps do
That which ſuperfluouſly thou haſt devour’d.
Andr.I’ll eat again, for that: I am as poor as
[E1v]they
and C O N C U B I N E.
they; and you never knew Charity in Beggars towards
one another. Bottle again for that.
Scœn. IV.
Enter to them, Pedro, Poggio and Lollio.
Pedr.O Miſery! O Deſolation!
Pog. Loll.Diſeaſes, Sickneſſes, O Calamity!
Andr.What Saints are thoſe that they invoke
Eul.What is the Cauſe of theſe ſad Cries, good
Pedr.Go back, if you reſpect your ſafety, go;
And look not this way where the Air diſperſeth
Nothing but foul Infection, Pain and Sorrow.
Return, I ſay, for here you appear ſtrangers,
And run not to the Ruine of your ſelves:
This way is fil’d with Cries: you can meet nothing
But Lamentations of a thouſand Souls:
Some Lame, ſome Blind, ſome Deaf, ſome Lunatick,
Some ſtruck with Palſie, ſome with Leproſie;
All ſighing, groaning, crying, underneath
The painful weight of ſorrow and Affliction.
Eul.What is that woful part o’th’ Country call’d,
That ſuffers this Calamitie? and how
Did the Inhabitants there ſtand affected
Yet no way to extenuate our fault,
Or murmure at the Judgement faln upon us;
We have been held obedient to the Church,
True Subjects to the King, and friendlieſt Neigh-
Among our ſelves, all Sicily could boaſt of:
This part of it, or Province, being call’d,
E 2The
The Q U E E N
The fair Palermian Fields, and is the ſame
Our Kings have cuſtomarily laid out
For their Queens Dowry: and has therefore been
Vulgarly call’d
The Paradice of Love.
Andr.Stay there, old man: I have heard there is
Neither Lawyer nor Phyſician in all the Province.
Lod.None could e’er get a living amongſt ’um in
It ſeems they liv’d then civilly and temperately.
Andr.Nor Gentleman nor Beggar in their Con-
Lod.Then ſure their Wealth was all communi-
There could not but be excellent Neighbour-hood.
Andr.And, which was worth all the reſt, their Prieſts
Were ever the beſt good-Fellows in all the Country.
Pedr.Y’are now upon the Confines of that Coun-
And cannot ſcape ſome dangerous ill,
If you dare taſt the Aire of it.
Andr.That ſhall be try’d; I’ll have a whiff on’t:
If I get a miſchief by it, let the Fools harm be a war-
Pedr.See more of thoſe diſtreſſed Souls that flie
The foul Contagion,
[Enter four Others. Exit Andr.]
Yet charitable to each others wants:
For here the Deaf conducts the Blind: the Blind
Supports the Lame: the Dumb removes the ſick and
All that can make leaſt ſhift for’t, flie the Place,
Then do not you preſs toward it.
Eul.Mark me, good
Lodovico, note my Reaſons:
This poor afflicted Province was my Dowry:
And the o’er-haſty judging world will ſay,
According to the Cenſure paſs’d on me,
[E2v]My
and C O N C U B I N E.
My Treſpaſs drew this Evil on the Land.
Lod.Tis better that the world ſhould judge ſo,
For it in it’s Ignorance, then you ſo wilfully
Be caſt away: you hear that none eſcape.
Pedr.None, Old nor Young, Man, Woman,
In one kinde or other, do feel Affliction.
(wiſh
Pedr.None, though the moſt do
They might, in lieu of their ſad ſufferings.
Eul.And whither now do you intend your travail
Pedr.VVe hope a better Air will cure us. But
VVe are advis’d by our Divines and Augurs,
By the beſt means we can, to make our Journey
Towards the Court, to ſend our ſad complaint
(Eul.Hear now what he will ſay)
Pedr.They find by Divination, that this puniſh-
Is falne upon this Province by the Sin
Of the Adulterous Queen, whoſe Dowrie ’twas.
His juſtice take away Her loathed life,
This evil will not ceaſe.
Pedr.Yes Sir; we hear ſhee’s baniſh’d, and forbid
But nothing ſave her polluted blood muſt quench
In expiation of her Sin and ſhame.
Lod.Dare you ſtay longer here? pray let us flie.
Eul.Why then you think me guiltie,
Lodovico.
Lod.I know not what to think, but that I will not.
Eul.Was that your Prieſts opinion and advice?
Pedr.Yes, and thus grounded, that our pains began
Juſt at the hour, the Kings Indulgencie
Releas’d her forfeit Life.
E 3Eul
The Q U E E N
Eul.’Twas
everſo; Prieſts are but Apes to Kings,
And proſtitute Religion to their ends.
Might you not judge as well, it was th’ injuſtice
and the wrongs the innocent Queen hath ſuffer’d,
that has brought ſenſe of her injuries upon her Pro-
vince? And that if ſhe had died, her Dowrie here with
her had alſo ſuffered Death? to make it nothing to
the King, as he made her.
Lod.I, mark ye that: and that your falſe ſurmiſe
Againſt the Queen has brought this evil on you.
Pedr.O now my pain increaſes.
Lod.’Tis plain, your fowl miſtruſt is the infection
Eul.Lodovico, peace: where is thy pain good man?
Pedr.Here in this Arm ſhrunk up as it were ſear’d
Eul.Bleſs’d Providence aſſiſt me
whilſt with Prayers I uſe the gift thou gav’ſt me for
the cure of theſe afflicted People. Give me thine
hand: what feelſt thou now?
Pedr.A precious cooling Balm that has extin-
The ſcorching heat I felt, and has reduc’d
My Fleſh, my ſinews, and my Arteries,
Into their natural temper and true uſe.
Eul.Joyn that hand to thy other, and thank Hea-
Pedr.O ſure you are ſome Heavenly Saint or
Eul.Beware Idolatry, and onely ſend
All praiſe to th’ power whoſe mercy hath no end.
Onely do this for me: inform the reſt
How you have ſped, and win them back again,
To the next village: bid them be of chear,
Whilſt I make Holy Prayers for their help.
[E3v]Ile
and C O N C U B I N E.
Ile come and live among you for my hire,
Which ſhall be cheap, believe me.
Will be too ſlight reward: firſt take my ſtore.
Eul.I will but take my next competent meal.
I hope this will be thought but valuable.
Eul.Go back I ſay with your ſad company,
And comfort them with news of your ſucceſs,
And a full hope of cure to every one
That’s Partner in this ſad Affliction.
Pedr.With happy feet I ſhall ſpread it through
the Countrey.
Exeunt omnes Ruſtici.
Lod.O happy woman, now no more a Queen,
But Holy Saint: I ſee how Providence
Means to advance thy injur’d innocence.
Ile dwell here now my ſelf, and without fear:
For perfect health I think dwells only where
Good
Eulalia remains: I have enough
To buy a Farm for me and poor
Andrea.
But what’s become of him?
Eul.Ile tell you,
Lodovico: the poor Fellow
Is gone to taſte the Countrey Air for me,
Leſt I might be infected: you ſhall ſee
(love.
Lod.And that was honeſt
Enter Andrea.
Andr.A Surgeon, a Surgeon! Oh a Surgeon!
Andr.A Surgeon: Oh twentie Surgeons, bone-
Eul.What’s the matter man?
Andr.I am out of joynt. Ile taſte no more of ſuch
contagious Aires, To ſave as many Queens as I have
hairs. Oh Surgeons and Bone-ſetters, Bone-ſetters
and Surgeons, all my Bones, all my Bones for a penny.
I have not a finger nor a toe in joynt: my Leggs,
my Thighs, my Arms, my neck.
My back and Crupperbone is out of joynt.
E 4Oh
The Q U E E N
Oh for a Sowgelder, a Surgeon I would ſay.
Out a joynt, out a joynt, I am all out a joynt.
Eul.Thy tongue’s not out a joynt.
I have that has no Bone in’t: All elſe is out a joynt.
Eul.This came of tempting Providence: were not
Told the danger by the many that ſmarted of it?
Andr.I met them all dancing and frisking home.
The blind man made the way: the dumb man ſung,
The deaf kept time to his Notes: the lame led on
The Dance to all the reſt: whilſt I can go
No further.
[lies down] ’Twas for you I ventured.
Eul.And now you repent you meant me ſo much
Andr.And now again I do repent that ever I did
repent. Oh for a Stone-cutter, a Bone-ſetter I would
Eul.VVell Sir, give me your hands: ſtand up.
Andr.VVith as good a will as ever I ſtood to wo-
Eul.Now, how do you feel your ſelf?
very pretty plight, I feel I am ſufficient.
Haugh, heigh ---
[Capers and turns] ’twill do again:
and if I durſt venture into that unluckie Countrey
again, I would now teach the Clowns how to Dance
Eul.Yes you ſhall venter Sir; and by the way,
Ile teach you to teach them to work and pray.
Andr.To work and play I pray you,
Lod.If there be Heaven on earth, it is this woman.
Andr.Then if there be a Purgatorie on earth,
Ile venter through it for her, heigh o, ho.
[E4v]Scœn.
and C O N C U B I N E.
Scœn. V.
Enter three or four Countrey-men.
1.Health and Joy: Health and Joy.
2.O happy woman that ever ſhe came hither!
1.Nay happy we that ere ſhe came among us.
2.What ſhall we render her in recompence?
All that we have is too little for this woman,
This good woman, this holy woman, this ſhe-Saint,
If there be one above ground.
3.O do not make an
If at her, neighbour, leſt the
ground ſwallow thee quick in thy Infidelitie.
2.Now doubtleſs, and without all adventure, ſhe
3.And therefore a good woman: for ’tis too true,
All thoſe that are well known are e’en bad enongh:
And known ſhe will not be for all our entreats,
No not ſo much as from whence ſhe came, we ſee.
2.And that counſel ſhe may keep ſtill for me:
For doubtleſs, and without all peradventure
If we had need of another ſuch, ’it were in vain to
1.Sure ’twas from Heaven ſhe came,
Where the whole ſtock of good women vvere plac’d
Scœn. VI.
Enter Fabio and Strozza.
Fab.’Tis ſhe I’m confident.
[E5]Lod.
The Q U E E N
Lod.Theſe look like miſchievous Robbers.
Eul.What can they take from us?
Andr.I have e’en din’d, let ’em take away when
Lod.Their looks are murderous.
Eul.Fear not
Lodovico: why look ye Friends, ſo
amazedly? ha’ ye loſt your way? or what do ye
Fab.No, we ha’ found our way, ’tis to you we
ſeek: we dare come roundly to you, for all your
Guard, your old Fool, and your young here.
Eul.You will not murder me?
Fab.’Tis all the Office we are bound to doe you.
Eul.Juſt Heaven protect me.
Fab.Call upon Heaven as you go thitherward:
We may not ſtay long Invocations.
Andr.Pray take me in your way, and run me
through her, if you be honeſt Murderers. Help:
Scœn. VII.
Enter to them, Curate, Crier, Pedro, Lollio,
Poggio.
Crier.O yes! O yes! O yes!
Crier, ſuſpend the Proclamation, to preventa bomina-
Lod.Heaven has ſent us ayd.
Cur.On, on; ſa, ſa; down with their VVeapons,
up with their heels, till we inſect and rip up the in-
trails of the Cauſe: what an Aſſaſſinate was here at-
[E5v]tempted?
and C O N C U B I N E.
tempted?
O infauſta Dies! two ſwords againſt the
naked vvomb of a VVoman! and none but weapon-
leſs men to aſſiſt her!
viz. Senex & Ineptus.
Andr.That is to ſay, Give me their Swords un-
der my Fools Coat, I’ll hurt no body.
Cur.Upon my facundity, an elegant conſtruction
by the Fool. So, I am
cedunt arma Togæ.
Fab.For our attempt Sir, we will anſwer it: vve
Cur.Then vve are for the King, Sir;
& in nomine
Majeſtatis, we command you to attend our preſent
Office, and then we will examine yours.
Loll.And then if you deſerve the Gallows, you
ſhall be ſure on’t: a ſhort breathing-vvhile ſhall be
no hinderance to you. So Crier lift up your Voice,
Crier.O yes, O yes, O yes: By the Kings moſt
Excellent Majeſty, a Proclamation, prohibiting upon
pain of Death, any Relief to be given unto the ba-
Cur.Now ſay, VVhereas upon juſt and lawful
Eul.I am that hapleſs ſhe, that for relief will not
beg, nor borrow, nor take of yee.
[Lod. & Cur. aſide]
Pedr.’Tis ſhe, and at the price of Life I vvill re-
Pog.How? what have vve done? In relieving
her from killing, we are all become Traytors.
Loll.That’s an idle fear: vve knew her not,
VVhich now vve do, vve may again reliver her
Into their hands, for them to kill her yet:
And then there’s no harm done.
Pog.So let us give them their ſwords again; and
vvhen they have done their vvork, to make all ſure,
[E6]we’ll
The Q U E E N
vve’ll hang them for their pains, and ſo keep the Law
in our own hands vvhile vve have it.
Cur.O homines inſani!
quomodo erraviſtis?
The woman muſt be ſav’d
a manubus istis.
They are Catilinarian Traytors.
Lod.You Sir, have reaſon; you have found her
The King has pardon’d: and although her Doom
In this her Baniſhment were heavy, and
A puniſhment even unto Death, but that
Good ſoul ſhe works and labours for her food,
You find not yet ’tis lawful any kill her.
Cur.Recte dixiſti Domine: therefore Sir,
You that are for the King, as you pretend,
Shew us th’
Imperative mood or warrant for her
Or we ſhall put you into the
Optativa mood,
By puniſhment to wiſh your ſelves dead oftner
Or more times than
bona fide there be
Tenſes
In all the Moods of all my Accidences.
Eul.For my part Ile forgive them, if they will
Deliver truely who corrupted them,
To rid the world of this weary burden; that I may
Pedr.Can ſuch a goodneſs deſerve ſo fowl a Cen-
Eul.But firſt tell me: Are not you two the men
that gave falſe evidence at my Arraignment touch-
Fab.We gave no evidence, nor
Andr.No countrey-woman, they had no ſuch
But I will try if I can make’m like’em: O rare! what
Lod.They are the ſelf-ſame
men, the two caſhier’d Lieutenants that
Sforza
ſhould have hang’d for mutinies in the late Wars.
Pedr.What hinders now their execution?
[E6v]Cur.
and C O N C U B I N E.
Cur.Digito compeſce labellum: ſilence good
Pedro.
I do commend your zeal: but
Periculum eſt in via,
We will walk ſafely: for this time therefore wee’l do
Double our guards upon ’em, and away to priſon
Eſt locus in carcere quod Tullianum appellatur.
We will preſume to know who ’twas that ſet you
Ambo.You will be made to anſwer it.
Cur.A word more, wee’l hang you preſently, and
anſwer that too:
Abite hinc in malam Rem: away
Loll.Ah Rogues, wee’l hamper ye.
VVoman ’cauſe ſhe was a Queen?
Loll.Wee’l hamper ye, and halter ye, and do ye
Exeunt Lollio and Poggio, with Fabio and Strozza.
Andr.Abi hinc & malam rem, away with’m.
[Lodovico, Eulalia. Petro aſide]
Cur.As I am
Erudite, idoneus Adoleſcens,
A very towardly
Juvenis, Cuis atq; doceri?
Cur.Wilt thou be a Scholar?
Andr.After you is manners.
Cur.Now by mine intellect, diſcreetly ſpoken.
Be but my Pupil, I will make thee one,
And dip thy Caput in pure Helicon.
Andr.Pray what’s my Caput? and what’s your
Cur.Still a deſire to learn: this is no Fool.
And by the company hee’s in, I do ſuſpect,
Simile non eſt Idem: hee’s too wiſe,
To be the thing he ſeems but in diſguiſe:
Some Lord of Court, his outſide
non obſtante.
Lod.It is confeſs’d Sir, I am
Lodovico,
Sometimes a Lord of Court when this was Queen.
[E7]Cur.
The Q U E E N
Cur.O Oedipus! I meant this
Juvenal.
Andr.No truely Sir, your
Simile non eſt Idem.
I am no Lord, what ere you like me to.
What I may paſs for in the Countrey I know not,
At Court I was a Fool when ſhe was Queen.
Lod.VVe dare not call her Queen now: but
Relieve her not, though we aſſociate her,
VVe are the Kings true Subjects; and with your
Diſclaiming of all Honourable Titles,
Pedr.O gracious woman, ſo I may ſafely call you.
VVho once preſerv’d my life.
Pedr.I ought not to conceal it: therefore know
That ſome years paſt being imploy’d to Court
To render the Kings Rents for this Province:
Which though I duely did, there was a Lord,
A ſtrange officious one, that charg’d me deeply,
And all our Province, with deteſted breach
Of our Allegiance: at which my rage
Baniſh’d my reaſon, and confounded ſo
My ſenſes, that without reſpect of Perſon,
Or Place, which was the Danger of the Law,
I ſtruck him there in Court: and was adjudg’d
To ſuffer death for’t, till you won my Pardon.
Cozen Lord I warrant that you box’d.
Pedr.’Tis he that braggs ſo much his truth unto
the Crown; I need not name him.
Cur.Sed nunc quid ſequitur? Pray mark the iſſue
of this Court quarrell. By the way,’tis well you have
renounc’d all qualitie of Court.
Here were no living for you elſe; for know,
Since this mans trouble, not a Gentleman,
Much leſs a Courtier dares breath amongſt us,
[E7v]But
and C O N C U B I N E.
But be as you pretend and write, but Yeoman:
You ſhall live Jovially with us and welcome,
At your own charge, your own
Viaticum.[Enter Lollio and Poggio.]
The murderous minded men in dungeon deep,
Clogg’d them with Ploughchains, Fetters and Horſe-
Pog.VVe’l teach ’m to kill Queens:
Loll.VVe mean this woman, this diſcarded Queen.
Exeunt Omnes.
Scœn. VIII.
Enter Alinda and Flavello.
Alind.For all the Feaſts, the Triumphs and the
That have been ſpent, at price of great Eſtates,
In celebration of my high Advancement;
For all the King has in his preſent being,
His Love to boot, aſſur’d in higheſt meaſure;
Me-thinks there is yet wanting an Addition
To crown my Happineſs: all’s not ſafe hereafter;
I cannot ſafely ſay I am his Wife,
While th’ other ſeems contented with a Life.
Flavello!
Flav.Moſt Mighty Soveraign.
Here’s all your buſineſs granted.
Flav.Greatest and beſt of Queens! All?
Alind.See the Kings hand to all: do you miſtruſt
Flav.I onely look for the poor womans Pardon
That kill’d her Husband for his gelding the Prieſt.
[E8]Alind.
The Q U E E N
Alind.If you but manage the Profits of my Fa-
vours with a diſcreet Hand now, you may ſoon finde
the difference between a Mignion, and the Son of a
Flav.I finde it in your Gifts, my bounteous God-
Flav.And would preſume that
A place i’th’ Kalendar, might I do you ſervice,
That merited the ſmalleſt of your Graces.
Alind.Do you know the village where that woman
Flav.O
Eulalia; yes, the very Houſe; ’tis in
your Majeſties way now, as you paſs to
Nicoſia: the
King is ready, Madam, and calls away; he longs to
be at the end of his journey, to perform his Duty in
the three Grants belong to you.
Alind.O but that Woman, and that hated Boy.
Ingrateful Villain to name her to me;
Thou hear’ſt me ſay, I dare not ſpeak her name,
Yet thou dar’ſt ſtab mine Ears again, with it.
Had ſome receiv’d the Favours thou haſt done,
Or could but dream of half thou’rt like to have,
I ſhould not fear her Ghoſt; but thou art dull.
Flav.O let me take new ſpirit from your hand.
And ſay unto your ſelf, She is ſure dead.
But the King comes, I am enough inſpir’d
Exit Flav.
[E8v]Scœn
and C O N C U B I N E.
Scœn. IX.
Enter King and Gonzago.
King.I will not onely have you guiltleſs, Sir,
But free from leaſt ſuſpect; let but a ſpark
Of Diſcontent appear upon your Look,
I’ll rip the hollow cave that holds the fire,
And with Death quench it.
If any alteration in my looks
Be found, or read, let it as well be conſtrued,
It grows but from a filial fear t’ offend.
I have forgot I had another Mother:
And humbly at the Feet of this I honour,
I beg her Ayd, to win your Favour towards me.
Moſt gracious Madam, if you knew the Truth,
The fair ſincerity I bear in Duty
Towards your Highneſs––––
Alind.For what reſpect, young Prince?
Gonz.The principal i’th’ World: For that you
My Fathers Love; and but to Wrong or Grieve you
Were Stripes or Wounds to his Affection.
So much of my late Mother I remember,
To yield a Reverence to his Contentment, and ſhall
Alind.My Lord, my Love, what pretty meaning
Do you bring your Son to mock me?
King.Ha! my
Alinda, he’s no Son of mine,
That with leſſe Adoration dares look up
On thy Divinity, then the
Ægyptians
Gave to the Sun it ſelf: but an out-caſt Baſtard,
FAnd
The Q U E E N
And of the daring Giants ignorant Nature,
That war’d againſt the Gods.
Alind.I would not move your Anger: pray let
this win your Reconcilement.
[Kiſſes]
King.O thou art gentle, and the life of Sweetneſs:
Come, my
Alinda, I was calling you
To our intended Journey to
Nicoſia,
Where ſolemnly I will perform my Vow,
To grant the three demands I promis’d you,
In the full view of our Nobility.
Which by the Cuſtome of my Predeceſſors
Have ratified and confirm’d the Power
Of Queens, and made them abſolute: have you
To ask things worthy of your Dignity,
Wherein I fully may declare my Bounty?
Alind.I, Sir, ſhall be ſo reaſonable, that
I doubt not upon the way, or there at very inſtant,
King.O you are modeſt: but ask home,
Alinda.
Alind.And by the way, Sir, let it be my Suit,
We give a Viſit to diſtreſt
Eulalia;
Wherein we may do Charity fitting Princes;
(We may perhaps give Order for her Burial)
[aſide]
King.Thou art all Goodneſs: Come, all Friends,
But thank her Clemency.
Exit King.
Manet Alinda, to her Flavello.
Alind.An Earldome be thou ſure of, wiſe
Flavello,
To add to thy improvements: Though it be
No full Diſcovery, I’ll make it ſerve,
As I will faſhion it, to excellent uſe.
Poyſon or Sword thou heardſt him ſpeak?
Elav.And in a menacing way: Now what may be
[F1v]Con-
and C O N C U B I N E.
Conjectur’d by ſuch words, from men whoſe looks
Shew diſcontent againſt your Mightineſs,
VVrite by that Copy in a States-Man’s hand.
Alas, good men! I dare even ſwear for them,
How ere theſe words might fall in their diſcourſe,
They have no thought of me: yet this ſurmiſe
Gives me an hint to try her Loyaltie,
Or make her once more guiltie: for my State
Stands by the King, as unto her his hate.
[Reads.] Moſt Royal and moſt wronged Soveraign
Miſtreſs, be happily aſſured that the time of your
Reſtoration is at hand: and that by no leſs means
then the death of that ſhe-monſter that uſurps
your Dignitie. All ſhall be determined at
Ni-
Your devoted Servant unto
In needs no ſuperſcription: only ſeal it,
And think of your directions and diſguiſe.
’Tis but your half days journey: and be ſure
VVe are not far behind you.
Fla.I flie, my Soveraign.
Of whoſe deſpight I ſtill muſt ſharp the ſting.
F 2Scœ
The Q U E E N
Scœn. X.
Enter King, and Horatio.
King.No news of
Lodovico yet,
Horatio?
Hor.None ſince he ſtole from Court upon the
Of that falſe wicked woman, whom I cannot
Name to your face or forehead, but I tremble.
King.Becauſe you fear all horned Beaſts.
And my infallible Truth unto the Crown,
But I were ſenſible of the injury.
King.I know thy Loyalty: but as for
Lodovico,
How was my Judgement wrong’d in him!
King.I thought my ſelf as ſafe in that mans Coun-
By my lov’d Loyalty, think my ſelf ſafe
King.Yet methought he had
A kinde of ſlyneſs in his Countenance.
Hor.Yes, he had ever a kind of a ſlie look.
King.That ſtill methought I had a Genius
That check’d my forward love, and did inform me
That he would prove diſloyal: and for that cauſe,
To ſpeak plain truth, I never lov’d him truely.
Hor.VVill your Majeſty believe me? I would I
Into your Favour (and that I would not ſay
For all the Traytors Lands in your Kingdom,
VVhich were no ſmall reward) if that were not
Mine very own conceit of
Lodovico
That Traytor; hang him: what ſhould I call him leſs?
King.Yet ’twas given out you lov’d him.
[F2v]Hor.
and C O N C U B I N E.
Hor.So ’twas thought your Highneſs did.
King.And that he was your yoak-fellow in the
Hor.Yes, when he’s hang’d he ſhall be King. How
Hor.Your Majeſty knows my thoughts: nay I
thank my creation, I was ever
Juſt of your Majeſties mind from my Nativitie,
And in that faith Ile die.
King.Here’s a true States-
Hor.My ſweet yong Prince?
Let me inform your Highneſs in my thoughts
Of the ſweet Prince
Gonzago: if ever King
VVas happy in a Son, you are in him.
Hee’l be a ſure ſtaff to you in your Age,
And prove a Stateſman quickly: I cannot think,
Except in him and your undoubted Queen,
Petruccio and my ſelf, True Loyalty lives.
And here he comes: obedience in his Face
Enter Gonzago.
King.Wait without
Horatio.[Exit Horatio]
Againſt my ſtrict command to viſit
Sforza?
Gonza.It is moſt true, I did.
Gonz.Gracious Heaven forbid it.
Gonz.Firſt on my knees let me implore your
F 3Gonz.
The Q U E E N
Gonz.My end was noble: as I thought, well, ſuit-
The Honour of a Prince: I would have ſearch’d
Into the ſecrets of his heart by queſtions,
VVhether he had intended or conceived
Treaſon againſt your Highneſs, as it is
Preſum’d he did: for which he was committed.
King.My ſelf for that was his Accuſer;
How durſt you then make a ſcruple at it?
Gonz.Still relying on your Pardon, I had thought
T’have won confeſſion of it from himſelf.
King.Suppoſe he had confeſs’d it?
Concluded there had been a Probabilitie
Of my poor mothers falſehood: yet I would have put
That Queſtion to him next.
He had confeſs’d that too?
Your Laws a needleſs labour in his death;
And with the ſame hand made that mother child-
That by her folly forfeited her Husband.
King.Was that your reſolution? but ſuſppoſe
Gonz.All had then been nothing
But a Scandal to my mother and himſelf:
So good a Souldier would not be a lyer
His Baſtard, not my ſon, in doing this.
Gonz.You are my King, would I could ſay, my
King.Within there!
Enter Horatio.
Horatio, would you think it? this young ſtripling
Takes part againſt me with that Traytor
Sforza.
Hor.Do your Grace think ſo?
King.Think ſo? I know it.
Hor.Then I know it too: Think, did you ſay?
I think ’twas time to think it.
[F3v]King.
and C O N C U B I N E.
King.I knew it not till now.
Hor.As I am true to th’ Crown, juſt now I knew
Gonz.O do not ſo interpret, Royal Sir.
Hor.What can be ſaid againſt it? has not his
What muſt be done with him to pleaſe your Majeſty?
King.Convey him from my ſight, and let our
Petruccio take him to ſafe cuſtody,
(ther.
Till our further pleaſure.
King.Hence with him I ſay.
Hor.Did not I tell your Majeſty there was not,
But in the Queen,
Petruccio, and my ſelf,
True Loyaltie in the Court? Away you Traytor-
Gonz.My Lord, you are too ſevere.
Hor.What? in being true to th’ Crown? O my
Loyaltie!
Exeunt with Gonzago.
Scœn. XI.
Enter Alinda, Flavello.
Alin.No news yet? no return?
Alin.You made not choiſe of men of Reſolution.
Flav.They were the ſame exaſperate caſhier’d
That ſware ſo valliantly againſt
Eulalia.
Alin.Many that paſs for Souldiers dare ſwear va-
F 4Dare
The Q U E E N
Flav.Dare do a murther Madam, ſuch a tame one too,
I am confident they have kill’d her: however, I have
Alin.Thou haſt done nothing whilſt that woman
The work was not ſo courſe, that your own hand
Could have diſdain’d it, Sir, if you had lov’d me.
So leave me, negligent Fellow.
Flav.Her firſt months Majeſty hath wip’d out
The memorie of all her former dayes.
I muſt not loſe her though: this hand then ſoon
Muſt do the work, be’t not already done.
Exit.
King.How cheers my love? what ominous aſpect
Hath wrought this ſad Eclipſe upon that Beautie,
VVhoſe radiancie onely is my life?
Caſt by this veil of ſadneſs: quit my fears,
And from my Browes wipe off a ſcore of years.
No? what muſt then remove it? or diſpell
Theſe Clouds, that from the anguiſh of thy heart
Do caſt this ſhadow ore my happineſs?
Alin.I muſt not, will not name it: but you ſaid
You would do ſomething, which it ſeems
Your wavering love neglects.
A duty that belongs to my
Alinda?
Speak it again: and by my firſt nights bliſs
I had with thee, by this kiſs, and by this,
Ile treble in performance all my promiſes.
Alin.Y’ are dull in your performances: I will
Not name a requeſt the ſecond time, although my
Your dignitie, and your Kingdoms ſafetie,
Her laſt requeſt was for the head of
Sforza,
Her arrogant proud Father, whoſe perverſneſs
Checq’d at her due promotion; and whoſe life
[F4v]Swoln
and C O N C U B I N E.
Swolne up with Popularitie, was my danger,
Threatning no leſs then ruine on my ſtate.
She will not name’t again, poor tender ſoul,
Leſt ſhe might fall into th’ interpretation
Of an unnatural child: yet for my ſafetie,
She ſuffers in deſire to have it done.
I have prevented her deſire, ’tis done:
I know
Petruccio his Antagonist,
Who had my warrant and Signet for it,
VVould not be ſlack in th’ execution.
Come, ſweet, be fearleſs: that which your mild good-
Is now ſo timerous to name, is done.
Alin.Is ſhe purſu’d and put to death?
Alin.Nay, I have ſaid again.
King.Sforza, my deareſt life, th’ unnatural Homi-
That ſought thy life and mine, is put to death.
Alin.VVhat, my dear Father?
your Deſire?
Enter Petruccio.
Here comes ſure Teſtimony: ſpeak
Petruccio;
I will not ask, Is’t done? but ſpeak the manner
Petr.A ſelf-wil’d obſtinate man:
Such as he liv’d he di’d: and gracious Madam,
That a more bloody Spectacle ſhould not move
Your tender nature to compunction, I brought
But this inſeparate Adjunct of his malicious Head
[a Jewel]
Againſt you, the King, and the whole Kingdoms good.
Alin.This is a token moſt infallible,
The Jewel that none but the cold hand of Death
Could raviſh from him: ’Tis done:
The fear of him is like a ſtorm blown ore:
’Tis done but this is yet but part of that full ſatis-
[F5]That
The Q U E E N
That muſt confirm my ſafetie: Pray my Lord,
[ſide]
You fatal inſtrument of my Fathers blood,
Let me not look upon you.
King.Nay
Alinda,Exit Petruccio.
You muſt not be ſo ſad: your gentle ſorrow
In thoſe obſequious Tears expreſs’d, ſhew nature
And Filial pietie as he was your Father:
But think upon your wrongs, my dangers, and your
Alin.Alas my Lord, think you withall, a Father
Is not ſo early forgot. But ſorrow leave me,
And do you give me leave to think, that now
It is no leſs a Childs part to embrace
Revenge then ſorrow for a Fathers loſs.
You may remember whom I mean:
Eulalia.
Till now, I had no Plea againſt her life:
Onely my care of you might wiſh her Death,
For you ſecurity. Her fowl Adultery
And ſecret Practices againſt your Crown,
Were nothing unto me, compar’d with this.
Now I have loſt a Father: ſhe the cauſe:
He ſuffers, ſhe ſurvives: where are your Lawes?
With your black infamie: ſit down content
On your Majeſtick Throne, the Preſident
Of Capital contented Cuckolds, do,
Till all your Subjects dance the Hornpipe too.
King.Nay dear
Alinda, do but think––––
VVhat on a courſe to be reveng’d on you?
To ſerve you in that kind my ſelf?
Alin.Or rather, let me think your luſtful purpoſe
VVas but to rob me of my Virgin-Honour.
[F5v]And
and C O N C U B I N E.
And that you put her by but for a time,
Until my youth had quench’d your Appetite;
Then to recal her home to your embraces.
She is your wife it ſeems then ſtill: not I.
King.You have awak’d me from a Lethargie
In which I was confounded: now I ſee
She and mine Honour cannot live at once:
Alin.And you may conſider
A little further yet Sir, if you pleaſe:
You Father and maintain a Son (your own
I cannot ſafely ſay, and therefore more
Is my vexation) who demeans himſelf
Not towards me, like one that were your wife.
King.Hee’s alſo doom’d already, my
Alinda.
Alin.It may prevent a greater ſtrife hereafter,
Should he but live t’ inherit Lands and Titles
That muſt belong to yours and my ſucceſſion.
King.Thy wiſdom has inſpir’d me: all ſhall be
(Be thou but my
Alinda) rul’d by thee.
Alin.Seal you that Grant: with this kiſs I Seal
My glories were eclips’d, but now they ſhine.
