receiue him with like maiestie Enter certaine Noblemen and Souldiours with a Drum they march about the stage then enter king Lewis and his traine and meete with King Edward the Kings embrace K. Lewis My princely brother we are grieued much To thinke you haue béen at so great a charge And toyld your royall selfe so farre from home Vpon the vnconstant promise of those men That both dissemble with your Grace and me K. Ed. Brother of France you might condemne vs rightly Not only of great wrong and toyle sustaind But of excéeding folly if incited We had presumde to enter these Dominions Vpon no other reason then the word And weake assistance of the Earle S. Paul Or Burgundies perswasion t is our right That wings the bodie of composed warre And though we listned to their flatteries Yet so we shapte the course of our affayres As of our selfe we might be able found Without the trusting to a broken staffe Lew. I know your maiestie had more discretion But this is not the occasion of our méeting If you be pleasde to entertaine a peace My kingly brother in the sight of these And of the al-discouering eye of heauen Let vs embrace for as my life I sweare I tender England and your happines K. Ed. The like do I by you and warlike France But princely brother ere this knot be knit There are some few conditions to be signde That done I am as readie as your selfe K. Lew. Faire brother let vs heare them what they be K. Ed. Herald repeate the articles Her First it is couenanted that Lewis King of France according to the custome of his predecessors shall doe homage to King Edward King of England as his Soueraigne and true heire to all the Dominions of France Burb. How as his Soueraigne that were to depose And quite bereaue him of his Diademe Will kingly Lewis stoope to such vassallage K. Ed. Burbon and if he will not let him chuse K. Lew. Brother haue patience Burbon seale your lips And interrupt not these high consequents Forward Herald what is else demaunded Her Secondly it is couenanted that Lewis King of France shall pay vnto Edward King of England immediatly vpon the agréement betwixt their Maiesties seauentie fiue thousand crownes of the sunne toward the charge King Edward hath béen at since his arriuall in these parts of France Burb. Mort dieu hée le neither leaue him Crown nor coyne K. Lew. Burbon I say be silent Herald reade on Her Thirdly and lastly it is couenanted that ouer and beside those seauentie fiue thousand crownes of the sunne now presently to be paied Lewis King of France shal yéerely hereafter during the life of Edward King of England pay fiftie thousand crownes more without fraude or guile to bee tendred at his Maiesties Castle commonly called the Tower of London Burb. Nay bind him that he bring his Lordship a couple of Capons too euery yéere beside Here is a peace indéed farre worse then warre K. Ed. Brother of France are you resolude to doe According as you heare the couenants drawne K. Lew. Brother of England mount your royall throne For subiects weale and glorie of my God And to deale iustly with the world beside Knowing your title to be lineall From the great Edward of that name the third Your predecessor thus I doe resigne Giuing my Crowne and Scepter to your hand As an obedient Liegeman to your Grace K Ed. The same doe I deliuer backe againe With as large interest as you had before Now for the other couenants K. Lew. Those my Lord Shall likewise be performde with expedition And euer after as you haue prescribde The yéerely pension shall be truly paid Her Sweare on this booke King Lewis so helpe you God You meane no otherwise then you haue said K. Lew. So helpe me God as I dissemble not K. Ed. And so helpe he me as I entend to kéepe Vnfained league and truce with noble France And kingly brother now to consummate This happie day feast in our royall tent English and French are one so it is meant Exeunt Enter at one dore Burgundie chafing with him Sellinger disguised like a souldiour at another the Constable of France with him Howard in the like disguise Bur. A peace concluded saiest thou i st not so Sel. My Lord I doe assure you it is so Con. And thou affirmst the like say dost thou not How I doe my Lord and that for certaintie Bur. I haue found it now the villaine Constable Hath secretly with Edward thus compact To ioyne our King and him in amitie And thereby doubtlesse got into his hands Such lands and Dukedomes as I aymed at And leaues me disappointed in my hope A plague vpon such craftie cosening aside Now shall I be a marke for them to aime at And that bile slaue to triumph in my toyle Con. T is so for it can be no otherwise Burgundie hath béen priuie to this plot Conspires with Lewis and the English King To saue his owne stake and assure himselfe Of all those Seigneuries I hoped for And thereupon this close peace is contriude Now must the Constable be as a butte For all their bullets to be leueld at Hell and hot vengeance light on Burgundie For this his subtile secret villanie Bur. Well fellow for thy paines take that Leaue me alone for I am much displeasde to Sel. Con. And get thée gone my friend there 's for thy paines to Howard So leaue me to my selfe Sel. Fare ye well Sir I hope I haue pepperd ye How And so I thinke haue I my Constable Exeunt Sellin and How Bur. Now Constable this peace this peace What thinke ye of it man Con. Nay rather what thinks Burgundie Bur. I thinke he that did contriue the same Was little lesse then a dissembling villaine Con. Dog bite thy selfe come on come on Haue not you plaid Iohn for the King To saue your selfe Sir Bur. I art thou good at that Adiew Sir I may chance to hit you pat Exit Con. You may Sir I perhaps may be before ye And for this cunning through the nose to bore ye Exeunt Enter King Edward King Lewis Howard Sellinger and their traine K. Ed. So Sellinger we then perceiue by thée The Duke is passing angrie at our league Sel. I my dread Lord beyond comparison Like a mad dog snatching at euerie one That passeth by shall I but shew you how And act the manner of his tragicke furie K. No stay a while me thought I heard thée say They meant to gréet vs by their messengers Sel. They did my Lord King What and the Constable too How My Soueraigne yes King But how tooke he the newes How Faith euen as discontented as might be But being a more déepe melancholiste And sullenner of temper then the Duke He chawes his malice fumes frothes at mouth Vttering but little more then what we gather By his disturbed lookes and riueld front Sauing that now and then his boyling passion
that letter sirra drinke you that giues his purse and stay not but poste backe againe for life and thanke my brother Gloster for his newes commende me to him I le see him to morrow night How like yée it sirs Exit Messenger Sel. O passing well my Liege you may be merrie for these happie newes King The merrier with our host the Tanner Tom My Lord take you that letter to the Ladies Bidde them be merrie with that second course And if wee see them not before wee goe Pray them to iourney easily after vs Wée le post to London so good night my Lord Exeunt Enter Hobs and his daughter Nell Hobs. Come Nell come daughter is your hands and your face washed Nell I forsooth Father Hob. Yee must bee cleanely I tell yee for there comes a Courtnole hither to night the kings master ships Butler Ned a spruce youth but beware ye be not in loue nor ouertaken by him for Courtiers be slipperie lads Nell No forsooth father Hobs. Gods blessing on thee that halfe yéeres schooling at Liechfield was better to thee then house and land it has put such manners into thee I forsooth and no forsooth at euerie word yee haue a cleane smocke on I like your apparrel well is supper readie Nell I forsooth father Hobs. Haue wee a good barley bagpudding a péece of fat Bacon a good cow heele a hard cheese and a browne loafe Nell All this forsooth and more yee shall haue a posset but indeed the rats haue spoyled your hard cheese Hobs. Now the diuell choake them so they haue eate mee a farthing candle the other night Dudgeon within What maister maister Hobs. How now knaue what faist thou Dudgeon Dud. Here 's guests come where 's Hellen Hobs. What guests be they Dud. A courtnole one Ned the kings Butcher he sayes and his friends too Hobs. Ned the kings butcher ha ha the kings butler take their horses and walke them and bid them come neare house Nell lay the cloth and clap supper o th boord Exit Nell Enter King Edward and Sellenger Mas here 's Ned indeed and another misproud ruffian Welcome Ned I like thy honestie thou keepest promise K. Ed. I faith honest Tanner I le euer keep promise with thée pre thee bid my friend welcome Hobs. By my troth ye are both welcome to Tamwoorth friend I know not your name Sel. My name is Tom Twist Hobs. Beleeue ye that list but ye are welcome both and I like you both well but for one thing Sel. What 's that Hobs. Nay that I keepe to my selfe for I sigh to see and thinke that pride brings many one to extraction King Pre thee tell vs thy meaning Hobs. Troth I doubt ye nere came truly by all these gay ragges T is not your bare wages and thinne fees yee haue of the King can keepe ye thus fine but eyther yee must rob the King priuily or his subiectes openly to maintaine your probicallitie Sel. Thinkest thou so Tanner Hobs. T is no matter what I thinke come le ts go to supper What Nell what Dudgeon where be these folkes Enter Nell and Dudgeon with a Table couered Daughter bid my friends welcome Nell Ye are welcome Gentlemen as I may say Sell. I thanke yee faire maid kisse her both King A prettie wench be my faye Hobs. How likest her Ned King I like her so well I would yee would make mée your sonne in law Hobs. And I like thée so well Ned that hadst thou an occupation for seruice is no heritage a young courtier an olde begger I could finde in my heart to cast her away vpon thée and if thou wilt forsake the court and turne Tanner or vind thy selfe to a shoomaker in Liechfield I le giue thee twentie nobles readie money with my Nell and trust thée with a dicker of leather to set vp thy trade Sel. Ned he offers ye faire if ye haue the grace to take it King He does indeed Tom and hereafter I le tell him more Hob. Come sit downe to supper go to Nell no more sheeps eies ye may be caught I tell ye these be licorish lads Nell I warrant ye father yet in truth Ned is a very proper man and tother may serue but Ned 's a pearle in mine eye Hob. Daughter cal Dudgeon and his fellowes wee le haue a thrée men song to make our guests merrie Exit Nell Nailes what courtnoles are yee yée le neither talke nor eate What newes at the court do somewhat for your meat King Heauie newes there King Henrie is dead H. That 's light newes merie for your master king Edward King But how will the commons take it Hob. Well God be with good King Henrie faith the commons will take it as a common thing deaths an honest man for he spares not the King for as one comes anothers tane away and seldome comes the better that 's all we say Sellin. Shrewdly spoken Tanner by my faye Hob. Come fill me a cup of mother Whetstones ale I may drinke to my friendes and driue downe my tale Here Ned and Tom I drinke to ye and yet if I come to the court I doubt you le not know me Kin. Yes Tom shal be thy suretie Tanner I wil know thée Sel. If thou dost not Ned by my troth I beshrew thee King I drinke to my wife that may be Sel. Faith Ned thou maist liue to make her a Ladie King Tush her father offers nothing hauing no more children but her Hob. I would I had not condition she had all But I haue a knaue to my son I remember him by you euen such an â—thrist as one of you two that spends all on gay cloathes and new fashions and no work wil downe with him that I feare hée le be hangd God blesse you from a better fortune yet you weare such filthie bréeks Lord were not this a good fashion yes and would saue many a faire penie King Let that passe and let vs heare your song Hob. Agréed agréed come sol sol sol fa fa fa say Dudgeon Here they sing the threemans Song Agencourt Agencourt know ye not Agencourt Where the English slew and hurt all the French foemen With our Gunnes and billes browne O the French were beaten downe Morrys pikes and bowmen c. Sel. Well sung good fellowes I would the King heard yee Hob. So should I faith I shoulde straine a noate for him Come take away and le ts to bed yee shall haue cleane sheets Ned but they be course good strong hempe of my daughters owne spinning and I tell thee your Chamber pot must be a faire horne a badge of our occupation for we buy no bending peauter nor bending earth King No matter Hobs wee will not go to bed Hobs. What then King Euen what thou wilt for it is neere day Tanner Gramercies for our heartie cheere If ere it be thy chance to come to court Enquire for mee Ned the Kings butler Or Tom of the Kings chamber
Why since I saw thée last Iane Where was that K. At the L. Maiors in the presence of the King Iane I haue forgotten that I saw you there For there were many that I tooke small note of King Of me you did and we had some discourse Iane You are deceiued Sir I had then no time For my attendance on his maiestie King I le gage my hand vnto your hand of that Looke well vpon me He discouers himselfe Iane Now I beséech you let this strange disguise she kneels Excuse my boldnes to your maiesty What euer we possesse is all your highnesse Onely mine honor which I cannot grant K. Onely thy loue bright angel Edward craues For which I thus aduentured to sée thée Enter Maister Shoare Ia. But here comes one to whom I only gaue it And he I doubt will say you shal not haue it King Am I so soone cut off oh spight How say ye mistris will ye take my offer Ia. Indeed I cannot sir afford it so King You le not be offered fairlier I beléeue Iane Indeed you offer like a Gentleman But yet the iewel will not so be left Sho. Sir if you bid not too much vnder-foot I le driue the bargaine twixt you and my wife K. Alas good Shoare my selfe dare answere no King aside Nothing can make thée such a iewel forgoe She faith you shall be too much looser by it Sho. See in the row then if you can spéed better King See many worlds arow affords not like As he goes forth Shoare lookes earnestly and perceiues it is the king whereat he seemeth greatly discontented I. Why lookst thou Mat knowst thou the gentleman Alas what ailes thée that thou lookst so pale What théere swéet hart alas where hast thou béen Sho. Nay nothing Iane know you the Gentleman Iane Not I sweet heart alas why do you aske Is he thine enemie Sho. I cannot tell What came hee here to cheapen at our shoppe Iane This Iewell loue Sho. Well I pray God he came for nothing else Iane Why who is it I do suspect him Shoare That you demaund thus doubtedly of me Sho. Ah Iane it is the King Ia. The king what then i st for that thou sighst Were he a thousand kings thou hast no cause To feare his presence or suspect my lout Sho. I know I haue not sée he comes againe The king enters againe muffled in his cloake King Still is my hindzer there be patient heart Some fitter season must asswage the smart What will ye take that mistris which I offred ye I come againe sir as one willing to buy Iane Indeed I cannot sir I pray ye Deale with my husband heare what he will say Sho. I le sell it worth your money if you please I pray you come neare sir King I am too néere alreadie thou so neere Nay nay she knowes what I did offer her And in good sadnesse I can giue no more So fare ye well sir I will not deale with you Exit Ia. You are deceiude swéet heart t is not the king Thinke you hee would aduenture thus alone Sho. I do assure thee Iane it is the King Oh God twixt the extreames of loue and feare In what a shiuering ague sits my soule Keepe wée our treasure secret yet so fond As set so rich a beautie as this is In the wide view of euerie gazers eye Oh traitor beautie oh deceitfull good That dost conspire against thy selfe and loue No sooner got but wisht againe of others In thine owne selfe iniurious to thy selfe Oh rich poore portion thou good euil thing How many ioyfull woes still dost thou bring Ia. I pray thée come swéet loue and sit by mee No king that 's vnder heauen I loue like thee Exit Enter sir Humphrey Bowes and maister Aston being two Iustices Harrie Grudgen Robert Godfellow and Iohn Hobs the Tanner Bow Neighbors and friends the cause that you are called Concernes the Kings most excellent maiestie Whose right you know by his progenitors Unto the Crowne and soueraintie of France Is wrongfully detained by the French Which to reuenge and royally regaine His Highnes meanes to put himselfe in Armes And in his princely person to conduct His warlike troupes against the enemie But for his Coffers are vnfurnished Through ciuill discord and intestine warre Whose bleeding scarres our eyes may yet behold He praies his faithfull louing subiects helpe To further this his iust great enterprize Hobs. So the fecke and meaning whereby as it were of all your long purgation Sir Humphrey is no more in some respect but the king wants mony would haue some of his Comentie Bo. Tanner you rightly vnderstand the matter Ast. Note this withal where his dread Maiesty Our lawfull Soueraigne and most royal King Might haue exacted or imposde a Taxe Or borrowed greater summes then we can spare For all we haue is at his dread commaund He doth not so but mildly doth entreat Our kind beneuolence what we will giue With willing minds to wards this mighty charge Enter Lord Howard Which to receiue his noble Counsellor And kinsman the Lord Howard here is come H. Now good sir Humphrey Bowes and M. Aston Haue ye declared the kings most gracious pleasure Bo. We haue my Lord How His highnes will not force As loane or tribute but wil take your gift In gratefull part and recompence your loue B. To shew my loue though mony now be scarce A hundreth pound I le giue his Maiestie Ho. T is well sir Humphrey Aston I a hundred markes Ho. Thanks M. Aston you both show your loue Now ask your neighbors what they wil bestow Bow Come master Hadland your beneuolence Had. O good sir Humphrey do not racke my purse You know my state I lately sold my land Aston Then you haue money let the king haue part Hob. I do master Hadland do they say ye sold a foule deale of durtie land for faire gold and siluer let the king haue some now while you haue it for if yee bee forborne a while all will be spent for he that cannot kéepe land that lies fast wil haue much a do to hold money it s slipperie ware t is melting ware t is melting ware How Gramercy Tanner Bowes Say what shall we haue Hadland My fortie shillings Aston Robert Goodfellowe I know you will be liberall to the King Good O M. Aston be content I pray ye You know my charge my household very great And my housekéeping holdes me verie hare Thréescore vprising and downe lying Sir Spends no sinall store of vittailes in a yeare Two brace of Greyhounds tt couple of hounds And then my iades deuoure a deale of Corne My Christmas cost then my friends that come Amounts to charge I am Robin Goodfellow That welcomes all and kéepes a frolicke house I haue no money pray ye pardon me How Héere 's a plaine Tanner can teach you how to thriue Kéepe fewer dogs and then ye may féede men Yet féede no idle men
knew which were the best of twain Which for I do not I am sicke with paine Enter her Boy How now sir boy what is the newes with you Boy The Gentleman forsooth the other day That would haue bought the iewell at our stall Is here to speake with yee Iane Oh God it is the King Good mistresse Blague withdraw ye from this place Oh come anon so soone as he is gone And sirra get you to the shop againe Exit Boy M. Bla. Now mistris Shoare bethink ye what to do Such suters come not euerie day to wooe Mistris Blague departs and the king enters in his former disguise K. Thou maist conuict me beauties pride of boldnes That I intrude like an vnbidden guest But loue being guide my fault will séem the lesse Ia. Most welcome to your subiects homely roofe The foote my Soueraigne seldome doth offend Vnlesse the heart some other hurt intend King The most thou seest is hurt vnto my selfe How for thy sake is maiestie disroabde Riches made poore and dignitie brought low Onely that thou mightst our affection know Iane The more the pittie that within the skie The sunne that should all other vapours drie And guide the world with his most glorious light Is muffled vp himselfe in wilfull night K. The want of thée faire Cinthia is the cause Spread thou thy siluer-brightnesse in the aire And strait the gladsome morning will appeare Iane I may not wander he that guides my carre Is an immooued constant fixed starre Ki. But I will giue that starre a comets name And shield both thée and him from further blame Iane How if the host of heauen at this abuse Kepine who can the prodigie excuse K. It lies within the compasse of my powre To dim their enuious eies dare séeme to lowre But leauing this our Enigmatike talke Thou must sweet Iane repaire vnto the Court His tongue intreats controls the greatest péere His hand plights loue a royall scepter holds And in his heart bee hath confirmde thy good Which may not must not shal not be withstood Iane If you enforce me I haue nought to say But wish I had not liude to see this day K. Blame not the time thou shalt haue cause to soy Iane in the euening I will send for thee And thou and thine shall bee aduancde by mee In signe whereof receiue this true-loue kisse Nothing il meant there can be no amisse Exit Iane Well I will in and ere the time beginne Learne how to be repentant for my sinne Exit Enter Lord Maior maister Shoare and Fraunces Emersley Maior But Cosin Shoare are yee assurde it was the King you saw in such disguise Sho. Do I know you the vncle to my wife know I Franke Emersley her brother here so surely doe I know that counterfeit to bee King Fran. Well admit all this And that his Maiestie in such disguise please to suruey the maner of our City or what occasion else may like himselfe Mee thinks you haue small reason brother Shoare to be displeasde thereat Ma. Oh I haue sound him now Because my Niece his wife is beautifull And well reputed for her vertuous parts He in his fond conceit misdoubts the King Doth doate on her in his affection I know not Cosin how she way be changde By any cause in you procuring it From the faire cariage of her wonted course But well I wot I haue oft heard you say Shee merited no scruple of mislike If now some gyddie fancie in your braine Make you conceiue sinisterly of her And with a person of such difference I tell you Cosin more for her respect Then to sooth you in such sottishnes I would reucale yée open to the world And let your folly iustly plague your selfe Sho. Vnckle you are too forward in your rage And much mistake me in this suddennes Your Nieces reputation haue I prizde And shrined as deuoutly in my soule As you or any that it can concerne Nor when I tell you that it is the King Comes muffled like a common Seruingman Doe I inferre thereby my wife is false Or swerues one iot from wonted modestie Though in my shop shée sit more to respect Her seruants dutie then for any skill Shee doth or can pretend in what we trade Is it not strange that euer when he comes It is to her and will not deale with me Ah Vncle Franke nay would all her kin Were here to censure of my cause aright Though I misdeeme not her yet giue me leaue To doubt what his slie walking may entend And let me tell yée hee that is possest Of such a beautie feares vndermining guests Especially a mightie one like him Whose greatnes may guilde ouer vgly sinne But say his comming is not to my wife Then hath he some slie ayming at my life By false compounded mettals or light gold Or else some other trifle to be sold When kings themselues so narrowly do prie Into the world men feare and why not I Fran. Beléeue my brother in this doubtful case I know not well how I should answere yee I wonder in this serious busie time Of this great gathered beneuolence For his regaining of his right in France The day and nightly turmoile of his Lords Yea of the whole estate in generall He can be spared from these great affaires And wander here disguised in this sort But is not this your boy Enter the Boy Sho. Yes marie is it how now what newes with thée Boy Maister my mistresse by a Nobleman Is sent for to the King in a close Coach Shée s gon with him these are the newes I bring Ma. How my niece sent for to the King By a Nobleman and she is gone with him Nay then I like it not Fran. How gone saist thou S. Be patient Vnckle storme not gentle Franke The wrong is mine by whom a king To talke of such it is no common thing She is gone thou saist Boy Yes truely sir t is so Sho. I cannot helpe it a Gods name let her goe You cannot helpe it Vnckle no nor you Where kings are medlers meaner men must rue I storme against it no farewell lane Shoare Once thou wast mine but must be so no more Maior Gone to the Court Exit Maior Sho. Yet vnckle will ye rage Let mine example your high heat asswage To note offences in a mightie man It is inough amend it he that can Franke Emersley my wife thy sister was Lands goods and all I haue to thée I passe Saue that poore portion must along with me To beare me from this badge of obloquie It neuer shall be said that Mathew Shoare A Kings dishonour in his bonnet wore Fran. Good brother Sh. Striue not to change me for I am resolud And will not tarrie England fare thou well And Edward for requiting me so well But dare I speake of him forbeare forbeare Come Franke I will surrender all to thee And then abroad where ere my fortune be Exeunt Enter king Edward Howard
vnto that warre I will not leaue S. Paul nor Burgundie Not a bare Pigscoate to shroud them in Heraulde He. My Soueraigne Ed. Go Derauld I to Lewes the French King Denounce sterne warre and tell him I am come To take possession of my Realme of France Defie him boldly from vs be thy voice As fierce as thunder to affright his soule Derauld be gone I say and be thy breath Percing as lightning and thy words as death Her I goe my Liedge resolude to your hie will Exit Ed. Sound Drum I say set forward with our power And France ere long expect a dreadfull hower I will not take the English standard downe Till thou empale my temples with thy Crowne Enter Lewes the French king Burbon and S. Pier with the Heraulde of England K. Lewes Heraulde of England we are pleased to heare What message thou hast brought vs from thy King Prepare thy selfe and be aduisde in speech English Heraulde Right gratious and most Christian king of France I come not to thy presence vnpreparde To doe the message of my Royall Liedge Edward the Fourth of England and of France The lawfull King and Lord of Ireland Whose puissant magnanimious breast incensde Through manifest notorious iniuries Offred by thee King Lewes and thy French Against his title to the crowne of France And right in all these Dukedomes following Aquitaine Aniow Guyen A guilesme Breathes forth by me the Organe of his spéech Hostile defiance to thy realme and thee And trampling now vpon the face of France With barbed horse and valiant armed foote Himselfe the leader of those martiall troupes Bids thée to battell where and when thou darst Except thou make such restitution And yearely tribute on good hostages As may content his iust conceiued wrath And to this message answere I expect Lew. Right peremptorie is this embassage And were my royal Brother of England pleasde To entertaine those kind affections Where with we doe imbrace his amitie Needlesse were all these thunder-threatning words Let heauen where all our thoughts are registred Beare record with what déepe desire of peace We shall subscribe to such conditions As equitie for England shall propound If Edward haue sustained wrong in France Lewes was neuer author of that wrong Yet faultles we will make due recompence We are assurde that his majestike thoughts In his milde spirit did neuer meane these warres Till Charles Burgundie once our fawning friend But now our open foe and Count S. Paul Our subiect once and Constable of France But now a traytor to our Realme and vs Were motiues to incite him vnto Armes Which hauing done will leaue him on my life Her The King my master reckes not Burgundy And scornes S. Paul that trecherous Constable His puissance is sufficient in it selfe To conquer France like his progenitors K. L. He shall not néed to waste by force of warre Where peace shall yéeld him more then he can win We couet peace and we will purchase it At any rate that reason can demaund And it is better England ioyne in league With vs his strong old open enemie Than with those weake new dissembling friends We doe secure vs from our open foes But trust in friends though faithles we repose My Lord S. Piere and cosin Burbon speake What censure you of Burgundy and S. Paul S. Pi. Dread Lord it is wel knowne that Burgundy Made shew of tender seruice to your maiestie Till by the engine of his flatteries He made a breach into your Highnes loue Where entred once and thereof full possess He so abusde that royall excellence By getting footing into many townes Castles and forts belonging to your Crowne That now he holds them gainst your realme you Burb. And Count S. Paul the Constable of France Ambitious in that high authoritie Usurps the lands and Seigneuries of those That are true subiects noble Peeres of France Your boundlesse fauours did him first suborne And now to be your Liegeman he thinks scorne Lew. By this coniecture the vnsteady course Thy royall master vndertakes in France And Herald intimate what seruent zeale We haue to league with Edward and his English Thrée hundred crownes we giue thée for reward And of rich Crimson veluet thirtie yardes In hope thou wilt vnto thy Soueraigne tell We shew thée not one discontented looke Nor render him one misbeholden word But his defiance and his dare to warre We swallow with the supple oyle of peace Which gentle Herald if thou canst procure A thousand crowne shall iustly guerdon thée Her So please it your most sacred Maiestie To send vnto my gracious Soueraigne Equall conditions for the bonds of peace And restitution of his iniuries His temper is not of obdurate malice But swéete relenting princely clemencie Performe your promise of a thousand crownes And second me with some fit messenger And I will vndertake to worke your peace Lew. By the true honour of a Christian King Effect our peace and thou shalt haue our crownes And we will poste a Herald after thee That shall confirme thy speech and our designes Goe Mugeroune see to this Herald giuen The veluet and thrée hundred crownes preposde Farewell good friend remember our request And kindly recommend vs to King Edward Exeunt English Herald and Mugeroune How think you Lords i st not more requisite To make our peace then warre with Englands power Burb. Yes gratious Lord the wounds are bléeding yet That Talbot Bedford and King Henry made Which peace must cure or France shall languish still S. Piere Besides my Liege by these intestine foes The Constable and trecherous Burgundie The States in danger if the English stirré Enter Mugeroune K. Lew. T is perilous and full of doubt my Lords We must haue peace with England euery way Who shall be Herald in these high affayres Bur. No better man then Monsieur Mugeroune Whose wit is sharpe whose eloquence is sound His presence gratious and his courage good A gentleman a scholler and a souldiour A compleate man for such an Embassage Art thou content to be employde Mugeroune In this negotiation to King Edward Mug. If your most sacred Maiestie commaund Your humble vassall Mugeroune shall goe K. Lew. Gramercies Mugeroune but thou must assume A Heralds habit and his office both To pleade our loue and to procure vs peace With English Edward for the good of France Mug. I know the matter and the forme my Lord Giue me my Heralds coate and I am gone K. Lew. Thou art a man composde for businesse Attend on vs for thy instructions And other fit supplies for these affayres And for thy diligence expect reward Exeunt Enter seuerall waies Burgundie and the Constable of France Con. Whither away so fast goes Burgundy Bur. Nay rather whither goes the Constable Con. Why to King Edward man is he not come Meanst thou not like wise to goe visit him Bur. Oh excellent I know that in thy soule Thou knowst that I doe purpose nothing lesse Nay I
doe know for all thy outward shew Thou hast no meaning once to looke on him Brother dissembler leaue this colouring With him that meanes as falsely as thy selfe Con. I but thou knowst that Edward on our letters And hoping our assistance when he came Did make this purposde voyage into France And with his forces is he here arriude Trusting that we will kéepe our word with him Now though we meane it not yet set a face Vpon the matter as though we intended To kéepe our word with him effectually Bur. And for my better countenance in this case My lingring siege at Nuse will serue the turne There will I spend the time to disappoynt King Edwards hope of my conioyning with him Con. And I will kéepe me still here in S. Quintins Pretending mightie matters for his aide But not performing any on my word The rather Burgundy because I aime At matters which perhaps may cost your head All this aside If all hit right to expectation In the meane space like a good craftie knaue That hugs the man he wisheth hangd in hart Kéepe I faire weather still with Burgundy Till matters fall out for my purpose fit Ici sont mon secrets beau temps pour moy Bur. Ici sont mon secrets beau temps pour moy Are ye so craftie Constable procéede procéede You quick sharpe sighted man imagine me Blinde witlesse and a fillie Idiot That pries not into all your policies Who I no God doth know my simple wit Can neuer sound a iudgement of such reach As is our cunning Constable of France Perswade thy selfe so still and when time serues And that thou art in most extremitie Néeding my helpe then take thou héede of me In meane while Sir you are the only man That hath my heart hath I and great reason too Thus it befits men of déepe reach to doo Well Constable you le back againe to Nuse And not aide English Edward Con. What else man And kéepe thée in S. Quintins so shall we Smile at King Edwards weake capacitie Exeunt Enter King Edward with Burgundie Howard Sellenger and Scales K. Ed. Tell not me Burgundie t is I am wrongd And you haue dealt like a disloyall Knight B. Edward of England these are vnkingly words King He that wil do my Lord what he should not Must and shall heare of me what he would not I say againe you haue deluded me Bur. Am I not come according to my word K. No Charles of Burgundie thy word was giuen To méete with me in Aprill now t is August The place appointed Calice not Lorraine And thy approach to be with martiall troupes But thou art come not hauing in thy traine So much as Page or Lackie to attend thee As who should say thy presence were munition And strength enough to answer our expect Summer is almost spent yet nothing done And all by dalliance with vncertaine hope Burg. My forces lay before the citie Nuse From which I could not rise but with dishonour Unlesse vpon some composition had K. Ed. There was no such exception in your letters Why smiles Lord Scales Scales My man reports my Lord The composition that the Duke there made Was méere compulsion for the citizens Draue him from thence perforce K. Ed. I thought so much We should not yet haue seene your excellence But that your héeles were better then your hands B. Lord Scales thou dost me wrong to slander me K. Ed. Letting that passe it shall be seene my Lord That we are able of our selfe to claime Our right in France without or your assistance Or any others but the helpe of heauen Bur. I make no question of it yet the Constable Prest with no such occasion as I was Might haue excusde vs both if he had pleasde K. Ed. Accuse him not your cities as we came Were euen as much to be condemnde as his They gaue vs leaue to lye within the field And scarcely would affoord vs meate for money This was small friendship in respect of that You had ingagde your honour to performe But march we forward as we were determined This is S. Quintins where you say my Lord The Constable is readie to receiue vs Bur. So much he signified to me by letter K. Ed. Well we shall see his entertainment forward As they march vpon the stage the Lord Scales is strooke downe and two souldiours slaine outright with great shot from the towne Flie to our maine battaile bid them stand There 's treason plotted speake to me Lord Scales Or if there be no power of life remaining To vtter thy hearts grieuance make a signe Two of our common souldiours slaine beside This is hard welcome but it was not you At whom the fatall enginer did aime My breast the leuell was though you the marke In which conspiracie answer me Duke Is not thy soule as guiltie as the Earles Bur. Perish my soule King Edward if I knew Of any such intention yet I did and grieue that it hath sped no otherwise K. Ed. Howard and Sellinger Burgundie steales away What is there hope of life in none of them Ho. The souldiours are both slaine outright my Lord But the Lord Scales a little is recouered K. Ed. Conuay his body to our Pauillion And let our Surgeons vse all diligence They can deuise for safegard of his life Whilst we with all extremitie of warre Goe plague S. Quintins Howard fetch on our powers We will not stirre a foote till we haue she wne Just vengeance on the Constable of France Oh God to wooe vs first to passe the sea And at our comming thus to halt with vs I thinke the like thereof was neuer seene But where 's the Duke Scl. Gone as it seemes my Lord Stept secretly away as one that knew His conscience would accuse him if he staide K. Ed. A paire of most dissembling hypocrites Is he and this base Earle on whom I vow Leauing King Lewis vnpreiudizde in peace To spend the whole measure of my kindled rage Their stréetes shall sweate with their effused blood And this bright Sunne be darkned with the smoke Of smouldring cinders when their citie lies Buried in ashes of reuengefull fire On whose pale superstcies in the stead Of parchmēt with my launce I le draw these lines Edward of England left this memorie In iust reuenge of hatefull trecherie Enter Howard againe Lord Howard haue ye done as I commanded How Our battailes are disposde and on the brow Of euery inferiour seruiter my Lord You might behold destruction figured Greedily thrusting to begin the fight But when no longer they might be restrainde And that the drumme and trumpet both began To sound warres chéerefull harmonie behold A flagge of truce vpon the walles was hangd And forth the gates did issue méekly pac't Thrée men whereof the Constable is one The other two the Gunner and his mate By whose grosse ouer-sight as they report This sudden chance vnwittingly befell K. Ed. Bring forth the Constable the other
Lord here 's letters to your Maiestie One from the Duke of Burgundie the other from the Constable K. L. More villany a thousand crowns to nothing K. p. Can there be more then is alreadie broacht We thinkes they haue alreadie done so well As this may scrue to bring them both to hell K. L. No no they are indifferently well loden But yet their fraughte not full sée other ware Other prouision to prepare their waie The verie same my Lord which they pretend In loue to you against my life and crowne The same they vndertake to doe for me Against your safetie vrging if I please That they will ioyne their forces both with mine And in your backe returne to Calice cut the throats Of you and all your soldiers K. Ed. Oh damnable But that I see it figurde in these lines I would haue sworne there had bin nothing left For their pernitious braine to worke vpon K. L. A traitor is like a boldfacde hypocrite That neuer will be brought vnto a nonplus So long as hee hath libertie to speake K. Ed. The way to cure them is to cut them off Call forth their messengers once more to vs How Both of them my Lord K. Ed. Yes both together Wée le sée if they haue grace to blush or no At that their maisters shame now to attempt Enter both the Messengers Con. What is his Maiestie of France so neere And Mounsier Rosse the Earles secretarie I feare some hurt depends vpon his presence M. How comes it that I sée the french King here I and the Lord of Countie too me thinkes Pray God our message be not made a scorne K. E. You told me that you came from earle S. Paul Mes. I did my Lord and therein fabled not K. Ed. You told me too of many kinde indevours Which hee intended for our benefite Mes. No more then hee is willing to performe K. Ed. Know you his hand-writing if you séete Mes. I doe my Lord K. Ed. Is this his hand or not Mes. I cannot say but that it is his hand K. Ed. How comes it then that vnderneath his hand My death is sought when you that are his mouth Tune to our eares a quite contrarie tale The like read you decyphred in this paper Concerning trecherous wauering Burgundie Vnlesse you grant they can deuide themselues And of two shapes become foure substances How is it I should haue their knightly aide And yet by them be vtterly destroide K. L. And I to be protected by their meanes And yet they shall conspire against my life K. Ed. What call you this but vile hypocrisie K. L. Nay pesant-like vnheard of trecherie Con. My Lord vpbraid not me with this offence I do protest I knew of no such letters Nor any other intention of the Duke More then before was vttred in my message Sel. Will you bee halting too before a creeple Do you not remember what they were That first did certifie the Duke of truce Betwixt the renowmed Edward and the French Co. Yes they were two soldiers what of that Sel. Those soldiers were this Gentleman and I Where we did heare the foule mouthde Duke exclaim Against our noble Soueraigne and this Prince And rorde and bellowed like a parish bull And that in hearing both of you and him His words so please my Lord I can repeat As he did speake them at that verie time K. Ed. Well they are messengers for that cause We are content to beare with their amisse But kéepe them safe and let them not returne To carrie tales vnto those counterfeits Vntill you haue them both as fast insnarde To compasse which the better brother of France Fiue thousand of our soldiours here we leaue To be imployde in seruice to that end The rest with vs to England shall returne Exit Enter Chorus Ch. King Edward is returned home to England And Lewes King of France soone afterward Surprized both his subtill enemies Rewarding them with traiterous recompence Now do we draw the curtaine of our Scene To speake of Shoare and his faire wife againe With other matters thereupon depending You must imagine since you saw him last Preparde for trauaile he hath bin abroade And séene the sundrie fashions of the world Vlysses like his countries loue at length Hoping his wiues death and to see his friends Such as did sorrow for his great mishaps Come home is hee but so vnluckily As hée is like to loose his life thereby His and her fortunes shall we now pursue Gracde with your gentle sufferance view Exeunt Enter mistris Shoare with Iockie her man and some attendants more and is met by sir Robert Brackenburie Iane Shoare Haue ye bestowde our small beneuolence On the poore prisoners in the common Gaole Of the white Lion and the Kings bench Iockie Yes forsooth Iane What prisons this Iockie The Marshalsea for sooth Enter sir Robert Brackenburie Bra. Well met faire Ladie in the happiest time And choysest place that my desire could wish Without offence where haue yée béene this way Ia. To take the aire here in Saint Georges field Sir Robert Brackenburie and to visit some Poore patients that cannot visit mee Bra. Are you a physition Iane I a simple one Bra. What disease cure yee Iane Faith none perfectly My physicke doth but mittigate the paine A little while and then it comes againe Bra. Swéet mistris Shoare I vnderstand ye not Iane Maister lieutenant I beléeue you well Iockie Gude faith Sir Robert brobenbellie may maistres spéekes deftly and truly for shee hes beene till see those that cannot come till see her and theyes peatients perforce The prisoners man in the twea prisons And shée hes gynne tham her siller and her géere till bay tham fude. Bra. Gramercies Iockie thou resolust my doubt A comfort ministring kind physition That once a wéeke in her owne person visits The prisoners and the poore in Hospitalles In London or néere London euerie way Whose purse is open to the hungrie soule Whose pittious heart saue many a tall mans life Iane Peace good sir Robert t is not worthy praise Nor yet worth thanks that is of dutie doone For you know well the world doth know too well That all the coales of my poore charitie Cannot consume the scandall of my name What remedie well tell me gentle knight What meant your kinde salute and gentle spéech At our first meeting when you seemde to blesse The time and place of our encounter heere Bra. Ladie there lies here prisonde in the Marshalsea A gentleman of good parents and good discent My deare néere kinsman Captaine Harrie Stranguidge As tall a skilfull Nauigator tride As ere set foote in any ship at sea Whose lucke it was to take a prize of France As hée from Rochell was for London bound For which except his pardon be obtainde By some especiall fauorite of the King Hee and his crew a companie of proper men Are sure to die because t was since the League Iane Let
THE FIRST AND SECOND partes of King Edward the fourth Contayning his merrie pastime with the Tanner of Tamwoorth as also his loue to fayre Mistresse Shoare her great promotion fall and miserie and lastly the lamentable death of both her and her husband Enter King Edward the Dutches of Yorke the Queene the Lord Howard and sir Thomas Sellinger Dutchesse SOnne I tell ye you haue done you know not what King I haue married a woman else I am deceiued mother Dutch Married a woman married indéed Here is a marriage that befits a King It is no matudile it was done in haste Here is a Bridall and with hell to boote You haue made worke King Faith mother some we haue indéed but ere long you shall see vs make worke for an heire apparant I doubt not nay nay come-come Gods will what chiding stille Dutch O God that ere I livde to see this day King By my faith mother I hope you shal see the night too and in the morning I wil be bold to â—ld you to the Christning Grandmother and Godmother to a Prince of Wales tut mother t is a stirring world Dutch Haue you sent Warwicke into France for this King No by my faith mother I sent Warwicke into France for an other but this by chance being néerer hand and comming in the way I cannot tell how we concluded and now as you see are going about to get a young King Dutch But tell me sonne how will you answere this I st possible your rash vnlawfull act Should not bréed mortail hate betwixt the Realmes What may the French King thinke when he shall heare That whilst you send to entreat about his daughter Basely to take a subiect of your owne What may the Princesse Bona think of this Our noble Cosin Warwicke that great Lord That Center-shaking thunderclap of warre That like a Colum propt the house of Yorke And boare our white Rose brauely in his top When he shall heare his embassage abusor In this but made an instrument by you I know his soule will blush within his bosome And shame will sit in Scarlet on his Brew To haue his honor toucht with this foule blemish Sonne sonne I tell you that is done by you Which yet the child that is vnborne shall rue King Tush mother you are deceiude all true subiectes shall haue cause to thanke God to haue their King borne of a true English woman I tell you it was neuer well since wee imatched with strangers so our children haue béene still like Chickens of the halfe kind but where the rocke and the hen be both of one breede there is like to be birdes of the game heare you mother heare you had I gone to it by fortune I had made your sonnes George and Dicke to haue stoode gaping after the crowne this wench mother is a widow and hath made proofe of her valour and for any thing I know I am as like to do the deed as John Gray her husband was I had rather the people praied to blesse mine heire then selide me an heire hold your peace if you can see there was neuer mother had a to warder sonne why Cosin Howard and Tom Sellinger heard you euer such a coyle about a wife How My soueraigne Lord with patience beare her splaine Your princely mothers zeale is like a riuer That from the free aboundance of the waters Breakes out into this inundation From her aboundant care this rage proceeds O'er swolne with the extremitie of loue Sel. My Lord my Lord auoid a womans humor If you resist this tumor of her will Here you shall haue her dwell vpon this passion Untill she lade and dull our eares againe Séeme you but sorie for what you haue done And straight shée le put the finger in the eye With comfort now since it cannot be helpt But make you shew to iustifie the act If euer other language in her lips Then out vpon it it is abhominable I dare be hangde Say any thing it makes no matter what Then thus be wearied with a womans chat Dutch I I you are the spaniels of the Court And thus you fawn and sooth your wanton king But Edward hadst thou prizde thy maiestie Thou neuer wouldst haue staind thy princely state with the base leauings of a subiects bed Nor borne the blemish of her Bigamie A widow i st not a goodly thing Grayes children come aske blessing of the King Qu. Nay I beséech your Grace my Lady York Euen as you are a Princesse and a widow Thinke not so meanely of my widowhood A spotlesse virgin came I first to Gray With him I liude a true and faithfull wife And since his hie emperiall maiestie Hath pleasde to blesse my poore deiected state With the high Soueraigne title of his Quéene I here protest before the host of heauen I came as chaste a widow to his bed As when a virgin I to Gray was wed King Come come haue done now haue you chid enough Gods fote we were as merie ere she came as any people in Chrstendome I with the mistris and these with the maides onely wee haue no fidlers at our feast but mother you haue made a fit of mirth welcome to Grafton mother by my troth you are euen iust come as I wished you here let vs go to supper and in Charitie giue vs your blessing ere we go to Bedde Dutc. O Edward Edward flie and leaue this place Wherein poore Gllie King thou art inchanted This is her dam of Bedfords worke her mother That hath bewitcht thée Edward my poore childe Dishonour not the Princes of thy land To make the them kneele with reuerence at her féete That ere thou dost empale with soueraintie They would haue scorned to haue looked vpon There 's no such difference twixt the greatest Péere And the poore silliest kitching maide that liues Aais bet wirt thy worthines and hers Quee. I do confesse it yet my Ladie Yorke My mother is a duchesse as you are A Princesse borne the Duke of Bedfords wife And as you know a daughter and a sister Unto the royall bloud of Burgundie But you cannot so basely thinke on me As I do thinke of these vaine worldly titles God from soule my sinne as farre deuide As I am farre from boasting in this pride Selling. Madam she is the mirror of her kind Had she but so much spleene as hath a gnatte Her spirits would startle to abide your taunts She is a Saint and Madam you blaspheme to wrong so sweete a Ladie Duch. Thou art a minion and a flatterer Sellin. Madam but that you are my soueraignes mother I would let you know you wrong a Gentleman Howard Good Cosin Sellinger haue patience Her Graces rage by too much violence Hath spent it selfe alreadie into aire Déere Madam I beseeth you on my knee Tender that louing kindnesse to the Quéene That I dare sweare she doth in soule to you Edw. Well said good Cose I pray thee make them friends why
Bastard is so neare Ma. How meane ye M. Iosseline by neare He neither comes from Italy nor Spaine But out of Kent and Essex which you know Are both so neare as nearer cannot be Ioss. Nay by your patience good my Lord a word Simple though I am yet I must confesse A mischiefe further off would and so forth You know my meaning things not seene before Are and so forth yet in good sadnes I would that all were well and perchance It may be so what were it not for hope The heart and so forth but to the matter You meane and purpose I I am sure ye doe Ma. Well M. Iosseline we are sure ye mean well Although somewhat defectiue in your vtterance Ios. I I my Lord Maior I am you know Willing readie so forth tut tut for me ha ha My Manston is at Ham and thence you know I come to helpe you in this néedfull time When rebels are so busie and so forth What masters age must neuer be despisde You shall find me my Lord still and so forth Enter Vrswicke the Recorder Sho. My Lord now here comes M. Recorder Re. Good euen my good Lord Maior the stréets are chainde The bridge well manned euerie place preparde Shall we now go together and consult What else there is to be determinde of Ma. Your comming M. Recorder was the thing We all desired therefore let vs consult And now what say ye if with halfe our power Wee issue forth and giue the rebels fight Recor. Before they do prouoke vs nearer hand There were no way to that if all be pleasde What 's your opinion M. Iosseline Ios. Good sooth my L. Maior and M. Recorder You may take your choice but in my conceit Issue if you will or else stay if you will A man can neuer be too warie and so forth Yet as to issue will not be the worst Euen so to tarrie wel you may thinke more on 't But all is one we shall be sure to fight And you are wise enough to sée your time I I a Gods name Rec. My Lord accept his meaning better then his counsell Ma. I so we do or else we were to blame What if we stoppe the passage of the Thames With such prouision as we haue of shippes Recor. Its doubtfull yet my Lord whether the rebels Purpose that way to séeke our detriment Rather me séemeth they will come by land And either make assault at London bridge Or else at Algate both which enterances Were good they should be strongly fortified Ios. Well said master Recorder you do I I I warrant Recor. As for the other the whole companies Of Mercers Grocers Drapers and the rest Are drawne together for their best defence Beside the Towre a neighbour to that place As on the one side it will cléere the riuer So on the other with their ordenance It may repulse and beate them from the gate Ma. What noyse is this prouide ye sodainely A noyse within And euerie man betake him to his charge Enter a Messenger Sho. Soft who is this how now my friend what newes Mes. My master the Lieutenant of the Towre giues ye to vnderstand he hath descride the armie of the rebels Recor. Which may come they Mes. From Essexward and therefore t is his mind You guarde both Algate wel and Bishopsgate Ma. Saint George away and let vs all resolue Either to vanquish this rebellious rout Preserue our goods our children and our wiues Or seale our resolution with our liues Exeunt Enter Falconbridge Spicing with his troupes Fal. Summon the Citie and commaund our entrance Which if we shall be stubbornly denide Our power shal rush like thunder through the walles Spi. Open your gates slaues when I commaund ye Spicing beates on the gates and then enters the Lord Maior and his associates with prentises Ma What 's he that beates thus at the Cittie gates Commaunding entrance as he were a King Fa. He that will haue releasement for a King I Thomas Neuell the Lord Falconbridge Spi Ha sirra you clapper â—che bolt Or I le bolt you if I get in stand you preaching with a pore Ma. We haue no warrant I ho Falconbridge To let your armed troupes into our Citie Considering you haue taken vp these armes Against our soueraigne and our countries peace Fal. I tell thee Mawr and know he tels thée so That commeth armed in a Kings defence That I craue entrance in Kings Henries name In right of the true line of Lancaster Me thinks that word spoke from a Nevils mouth Should like an earthquake rend your chained gates And teare in péeces your portculleises I thunder it againe into you eares You stout and braue couragious Londoners In Henries name I craue my entrance in R. Should Henries name commaund thee entrance here We should denie alleageance unto Edward Whose true and faithfull subiects we are sworne And in whose presence is our sword vp borne Fal. I tell thee traitor then thou bearst thy sword Against thy true vndoubted King Sho. Nay then I tell thee bastard Falconbridge My Lord Maior beares his sword in his defence That put the sword into the armes of London Made the Lord Maiors for euer after Knights Richard deposde Henrie Bollingbrooke From whom the house of Yorke doth claime their right Fal. What 's he that answeres vs thus saucilie Smo. Sirra your name that we may know ye hereafter Sho. My name is Shoare a Goldsmith by my trade Fal. What not that Shoare that hath the daintie wife Shoares wife the flowre of London for her beautie Sho. Yes rebell euen the verie same Spi. Runne rascall and fetch thy wife to our Generall presently or else all the Gold in Cheapside cannot ransome her wilt thou not stirre when I bid thee Fal. Shoare listen me thy wise is mine that 's flat This night in thine owne house shée sleepes with mee Now Crosebie Lord Maior shall we enter in Ma. Crosebie the Lord Maior tels thée proud rebell no Fal. No Croseby shall I not then doating Lord I cramme the name of rebell down thy throat There 's not the poorest rascall of my campe But if he chance to meete thee in Cheapside Upon thy footcloath he shall make thee light And hold his stirrop while he mount thy horse Then lackie him which way he please to goe Crosebie I le make the Citizens be glad To send thee and the Aldermen thy brethren All manicled and chainde like Gally slaues To ransome them and to redéeme the Citie M. Nay then proud rebel pause heare me speak There 's not the poorest and meanest Citizen That is a faithfull subiect to the King But in despight of thy rebellious route Shall walke to Bowe a small wand in his hand Although thou lie encamped at Mileend Greene And not the proudest rebell of you all Shall dare to touch him for his damned soule Come we will pull vp our portculleises And let me see thee enter if thou dare Fal.
There is no hope for anie one to liue We heare the Londoners will leaue the Citie And bid vs battaile here on Mileend Greene Whom if we vanquish then we take the towne And ride in triumph thorow Cheape to Paules The Mint is ours Cheap Lumbard stréet our owne The meanest souldier wealthier then a king Spi. March faire ye rogues all kings or capknitters dost thou heare Tom Falconbridge I pre thee grant me one boone I shall aske thee Fa. What is it Ned it s hard I should denie thee Spi. Why that when we haue woune the Crie as we cannot chuse but winne it that I may haue the knighting of all these rogues and rascalles Fal. What then Spi. What then Zounds I scorne your scuruie way mouthed what then now a pore take me it I fight a blow Fal. Why this is fine go to knight whom thou wilt Spi. Who I knight any of them I le sée them hangde first for a companie of tattred ragged rascailes if I were a king I would not knight one of them Chub. What not mee Caualero Chub Spi. Yes I care not if I knight thee and yet I le see thee hangd ere I le honour thee so much I care not so much for the matter but I would not be denide my humour Fal. Why what a peruerse fellow art thou Ned Spi. Ho my fine Tom my braue Falconbridge my mad Greeke my lustie Neuill thou art a king a Cesar a plague on thee I loue thee not and yet I le die with thee Enter the Lord Maior Recorder Iosseline Shoare and their Souldiours marching Maior See how rebellion can exalt it selfe Pruning the feathers of sicke discipline Recer. They thinke they can outlooke our truer lookes Sho. Marke but the scornefull eie of Falconbridge Ma. I rather thinke t is feare vpon his cheeke Decyphers pale disturbance in his heart Ios. Our comming forth hath well I say no more But shall we take occasion and so forth Rebellion should haue no respite oh my Lord The time hath bene but all is one for that Spi. How like a troupe of ranke oreridden iades You huâ—se bearded Citizens appeare Chub. Nay rather so many men in the Moone And euerie one a forzen bush in his mouth Spi. The foure and twentie wards now faire befall them Would anie one haue thought before this houre There had béene such increase of muddie slaues Spi. Peace soldiours they are resolute you sée And not to flatter vs nor fauour them Such haughtie stoâ—hs seldome haue béene séene Imbodied in the breasts of Cittizens How sternly in their owne peculiar strength Without the assistance of their lingring king Did they of late repulse vs from their walles And now againe how expeditiously And vnexpected they haue met vs here Were we more deadly incensed then we are I would not but commend their chiualrie Spi. Captaine shall we go challenge them to fight Sbloud we burne daylight thei le thinke anon We are afraid to sée their glittering swords Ch. Tell them they come in stéed of pudding pies And Stratford cakes to makes a banquet here Fal. Soft giue me leaue I will deuise with words To weaken and abash their fortitude Re. The bastard offers to come forth my Lord Ma. I am the man intend to answere him Fa. Crosbie Ma. Traytor all Traitour zounds downe with him Fa. Be patient giue me leaue I say to speake I doubt not but the traitors name shall rest With those that keeps their lawfull K. in bonds Meane time ye men of London once againe Behold my warlike colours are displaide Which I haue vowd shal neuer be wrapt vp Untill your loftie buildings kisse our féet Unles you grant me passage through your stréets Re. Passage saist thou that must be ore our breasts If any passage thou art like to haue Fa. Why then vpon your bodies will I tread And wade through standing pooles of your lost bloud Sh. We know thy threats and reckon them as wind Not of suffecient powre to shake a reede Spi. But we shooke your gates not long agoe And made your walles to shake like yrish bogges Chub. I and so terrified ye that not one of ye darst come to fetch a pinte of sacke at the mouth at Bishopsgate no not for your lines Ios. I but you know what followed and so forth Spi. Etcetera are you there mee thinks the sight of the dun Bull the Neuels honored crest should make you leaue your broken sentences and quite forget euer to speake at all Sho. Nay then looke thou vpon our Citties armes Wherein is a bloudie dagger that is it Where with a rebell like to Falconbridge Had his desert meete for his trecherie Can you behold that and not quake for feare Re. Since when it is successfuely decreed Traitors with vs shall neuer better speede Spi. Captaine and fellow soldiers talke no more But draw your meaning forth in down right blows Falcon. Sound then alarum Maior Do the like for vs and where the right is there attend successe Ios. Stay and be better aduisde why countrimen What is this Falconbridge you follow so I could instruct you but you know my mind And Falconbridge what are these rusticalles Thou shouldst repose such confidense in glasse Shal I informe thee no thou art wise inough Edward of Yorke delaies the time you say Therefore hée will not come imagine so The Cittie 's weake hold that opinion still And your pretence King Henries libertie True but as how shall I declare you no What theÌ„ you le fight a gods name take your choise I canno more but giue you mine aduise Fal. Away with this parentheses of words Crosbie courage thy men and on this greene Whose cause is right let it be quickly séene Maior I am as readie as thou canst desire On then a Gods name They fight the rebels driue them backe then Enter Falconbridge and Spicing Fal. This was well fought now Spicing list to me The Cittizens thus hauing giuen vs ground And therefore somewhat daunted take a band Of Essex souldiours and with all the spéede Thou possibly canst make withdraw thy selfe And get between the Cittie gates and them Spi. Oh braue Tom Neuill gallant Falconbridge Ayme at thy intended pollicie This is thy meaning while thou art imploide And holdst them battaile here on Mileend Greene I must prouide as harbenger before There be not onely cleere and open passage But the best marchants houses to receiue Vs and our retinew I am proud of that And will not sléepe vpon thy iust commaund Fal. Away then I will follow as I may And doubt not but that ours will be the day After some excursions enter Lord Maior and Master Shoare Ma. We haue recouered what before we lost And heauen stands with the iustice of our cause But this I noted in the fight euen now That part of this rebellious crew is sent By what direction or for what intent I cannot ghesse but may suspect the worst And as it séemes they compasse
it about To hemme vs in or get the gate of vs And therefore Cosin Shoare as I repose Trust in thy valour and thy loyaltie Draw forth thrée hundred bowmen and some pikes And presently encounter their assault Sho. I haue your meaning and effect my Lord I trust shall disappoint them of their hope After an alarum Enter Spicing with a drum and certaine Soldiours Spi. Come on my harts we will be kings to night Carouse in Gold and sléepe with marchants wiues While their poore husbands loose their liues abroad We are now quite behind our enemies backs And there 's no let or hindrance in the way But we may take possession of the towne Ah you mad rogues this is the wished houre Follow your leader and be resolute As he marcheth thinking to enter Shoare and his souldiours issue forth and repulse him after excursions wherein the rebels are disperst Enter Maior Reco Shoa Iosseline and a Messenger talking with the Maior Ma. I my good friend so certifie his grace The Rebels are dispersed all and fled And now his Highnes méetes with victorie Exit Mess. Marshall your sclues and kéepe in good aray To adde more glorie to this victorie The King in person commeth to this place How great an honour haue you gainde to day And how much is this Citie famde for euer That twise without the helpe eyther of King Or any but of God and our owne selues We haue preuailde against our countries foes Thankes to his maiestie assisted vs Who alwaies helps true subiects in their néed The Trumpets sound then enters king Edward L. How Sellenger and the traine King Where is my Lord Maior Ma. Here dread Soueraigne I hold no Lordship nor no dignitie In presence of my gracious Lord the King But all I humble at your highnes féete With the most happie conquest of proud rebels Dispearst and fled that now remaines no doubt Of euer making head to vexe vs more King You haue not tane the bastard Falconbridge Or is he slaine Ma. Neither my gracious Lord Although we labourd to our vttermost Yet all our care came ouer short For apprehending him or Spicing eyther But some are taken others on proffered grace Yéelded themselues and at your mercie stand K. Thanks good L. Maior you may condemne vs Of too much slacknes in such vrgent néed But we assure you on our royall word So soone as we had gathered vs a power We dallied not but mane all hast we could What order haue ye tane for Falconbridge And his confederates in this rebellion Ma. Vnder your leaue my Liedge we haue proclaimd Who bringeth Falconbridge aliue or dead Shall be requited with a thousand markes As much for Spicing others of lesse worth At easier rates are set K. Well haue ye done And wee will see it paid from our Erchequer Now leaue we this and come to you That haue so well deserude in these affaires Affaires I meane of so maine consequence Kneele downe and all of you receiue in field The honor you haue merited in field There he drawes his sword and knights them Arise Sir Iohn Crosbie L. Maior of London Knight Arise vp Sir Ralph Iosseline knight Arise Sir Thomas Vrswicke our Recorder of London and Knight Now tell me which is M. Shoare Ma. This same my Lord And hand to hand he fought with Falconbridge King Shoare knéele thou downe What call yée else his name Recor. His name is Mathew Shoare my Lord K. Shoare why kneelest thou not and at thy Soueraignes hand receiue thy right Shoare Pardon me gracious Lord I do not stand contemptuous or despising Such royall fauour of my Soueraigne But to acknowledge mine vnworthines Farre be it from the thought of Mathew Shoare That he should be aduanc'de with Aldermen With our L. Maior our right graue Recorder If any thing hath béene performde by me That may deserue your Highnes mean'st respect I haue inough and I desire no more Then let me craue that I may haue no more King Well be it as thou wilt some other way We will deuise to quittance thy deserts And not to faile therein vpon my word Now let me tell ye all my friends at once Your King is married since you saw him last And haste to helpe you in this néedfull time Made me on sudden to forsake my bride But séeing all things are fallen out so well And there remaines no further doubt of ill Let me intreate you would goe boote your selues And bring your King a little on his way How say you my Lord shall it be so Ma. Now God forbid but that my Lord the King Should alwaies haue his Subiects at command Ios. Forbid quotha I in good sadnes your maiestie shall finde vs alwaies readie and so forth King Why then set forward Gentlemen And come L. Maior I must conferre with you Exeunt Enter Falconbridge and spicing with their weapons in their hands Spi. Art thou the man whose victories drawn at sea Fild euerie heart with terror of thy name Art thou that Neuill whom we tooke thee for Thou art a lowse thou bastard Falconbridge Thou baser then a bastard in whose birth The very dregs of seruitude appeares Why tell me liuer of some rotten shéepe After by thy allurements we are brought To vndertake this course after thy promises Of many golden mountaines to ensue Is this the greatest comfort thou canst giue Hast thou insnarde our héedles feet with death And brought vs to the Jebbet of defame And now do'st bid vs shift and saue our selues No crauen were I sure I should be tane I would not stirre my feete vntill this hand Had venged me on thee for misguiding vs Fal. Opprobrious villaine stable excrement That neuer dreamst of other manhood yet But how to ierke a horse vntill my words Insusde into thee resolutions sire Controlst thou me for that wherein thy selfe Art onely the occasion of mishap Hadst thou and they stood to it as well as I The day had beene our owne and London now That laughes in triumph should haue wept in teares But being backt by such faint harted slaues No marualle if the Lion go to wracke As though it were not incident to Kings Sometime to take repulse mine is no more Nor is not for that muddie braine of thine To tutor me how to digest my losse Then flie with those that are alreadie fled Or stay behind and hang all but the head Spi. Oh preiudice to Spicings conquering name Whose valor euen the hacks this sword has made Vpon the flint and yron barres at Aldgate Like mouthes wil publish whiles the City stands That I shrunke that I was neuer seene To shew my manly spleene but with a whipe I tell thee Falconbridge the least of these Do challenge bloud before they be appeasde Fal. Away ye scoundrell tempt not my resolue The courage that suruiues in Falconbridge Scornes the incounter of so base a drudge Spi. By the pure temper of this sword of mine By this true
flesh and bloud that gripes the same And by the honour I did winne of late Against those frostie bearded Citizens It shall be tride before we do depart Whether accuseth other wrongfully Or which of vs two is the better man Fal. I shall but quit the Hangman of a labour Yet rather then to be vpbraided thus The Eagle once will stoope to féede on carrion They fight Enter Chub. Ch. Hold if ye be men if not hold as ye are rebels strong théeues I bring you newes of a proclamation the King hath promised that whosoeuer can bring the head of Falconbridge or Spicing shal haue for his labour a thousand crownes what meane you then to swagger saue your selues Spi. This proclamation comes in happie time I le banquish Falconbridge and with this sword Cut off his head and beare it to the King So not alone shall I be pardoned But haue the thousand crownes is promised Fal. This rascall was ordainde to saue my life For now when I haue ouerthrowne the wretch Euen with his head I le yéeld me to the King His princely word is past to pardon mee And though I were the chiefe in this rebellion Yet this will be a meanes to make my peace Ch. Oh that I knew how to betray them both Fal. How saist thou Spi wilt thou yéeld thy selfe For I haue vowde eyther aliue or dead To bring thee to King Edward Spi. And I haue vowde the like by thee How will these two bad contraries agree Chub. And I the same by both of you Fal. Come sir I le quickly câ—d you of that care Spi. And what thou lottest me shall be thy share Chub. Here comes a miller helpe to part the fray These are the rebels Falconbridge and Spicing The worst of them is worth a thousand crownes Mill. Marrie and such a bootie should I haue Submit submit it is in vaine to striue Exit Fal. Spi. Why what art thou Mill. One that will hamper yon But what 's the other that is fled away Chub. Oh miller that was Falconbridge And this is Spicing his companion Spi. I tell thée miller thou hast béene the meanes To hinder the most charitable déed What euer honest Christian vndertooke Chub. Thou canst beare nie witnesse I had fane That most notorious rebell but for him M. But I haue taken thée and the world knowes That Spicing is as bad as who is best Spi. Why thou mistakst I am a true subject Chub. Miller hée lies be sure to hold him fast Spi. Dost thou accuse me apprehend him too For hee s as guiltie as any of vs Mill. Come you shall both togither answere it Before my Lord Maior and here he comes Enter Lord Maior Iosseline and other attendants Ma. Sir Ralph Iosseline haue you euer séen a Prince more affable then Edward is what merry talke he had vpon the way Ios. Doubtlesse my Lord hee le prooue a royal King But how now what are these Mill. God saue your honour Here I present vnto you my Lord Maior A paire of rebels whom I did espie As I was busie grinding at my mill And taking them for vagrant idle knaues That had beset some trueman from his house I came to kéepe the peace but afterward Found that it was the bastard Falconbridge And this his mate together by the eares The one for all that I could doo escapte The other standeth at your mercie here Ma. It is the rebell Spicing Spi. It is indeed I see you are not blind you know mee then Ma. Wel miller thou hast done a subiects part And worthily deserust that recompence Is publikely proclaimed by the King But what 's this other I haue séene his face And as I take it he is one of them Mill. I must confesse I tooke them both togither Hee ayded me to apprehend the rest Chub. A telles you true my Lord I am Chub the Chaundler and I curse the time that euer I saw their faces for if they had not been I had liude an honest man in mine own countrie and neuer come to this Spi. Out rogue dost thou recant for feare of death I Maior I am he that sought to cut your throate And since I haue miscaried in the fact I le néere denie it do the worst you can Ma. Bring him a way he shall haue martiall law and at the next tree we do come vnto Be hangde to rid the world of such a wretch Miller thy dutie is a thousand markes Which must be sharde betwixt thée and this poore fellow that did reueale him And sirra your life is saude on this condition that you hang vp Spicing how saist thou wilt thou do it Chub. Will I doe it what a question is that I would hang him if he were my father to saue mine own life Ma. Then when yée haue done it come home to my house and there ye truly shall haue your reward Spi. Well sirra then thou must be my hangman Chub. I by my troth sir for fault of a better Spi. Well commend me to little Pim and pray her to redeeme my pande hose they lie at the blew Bore for eleuen pence and if my hostesse wil haue the other odde penie tell her she is a damned bawde and there is no truth in her score Chub. Take no thought sir for your pande hose they are lowsie and not worth the redéeming Spi. There is a Constable stickes in my minde he got my sword from me that night I should haue killed blacke Ralph if I had liude I would haue béene meete with him Chub. I sir but here 's a thing shall take an order for that Spi. Cemmend me to blacke Luce bouncing Besse lustie Kate and the other pretie morsels of mans flesh Farewell Pinke and Pinnesse Flibote and Caruell Turnbull and Spittle I die like a man Chub. Oh Captaine Spicing thy vaine inticing brought me from my trade From good candles making to this paines taking a rebell to be made Therefore Ned Spicing to quit thy enticing this must be thy hope By one of thy fellowes to be led to the Gallowes to end in a rope Exeunt Enter Hobs the Tanner of Tamworth Hobs. Dudgeon dost thou he are looke well to Brocke my mare driue Dunne and her faire and softly downe the hill and take héede the thornes teare not the hornes of my Cow hides as thou goest neere the hedges ha what saist thou knaue is the Bulles hide downe why lay it vp again what rare I He meete thee at the stile and helpe to set all straight And yet God helpe it s a crooked world and an vnthriftie for some that haue nere a shooe had rather go barefoote then buy clout-leather to mend the old when they can buy no new for they haue time inough to mend all they sit so long betweene the cup and the wall well God amend them God amende them Let me see by my executor heere my leather pouch what I haue taken what I haue spent what I haue
gained what I haue lost what I haue laid cut my taking is more theÌ„ my spending for here 's store left I haue spent but a groat a penie for my two iades a penie to the poore a penie pot of ale and a penie cake for my man and me a dicker of Cowehides cost mee Here enter the Queene Duchesse with their riding rods vnpinning their masks Hobs goes forward Snailes who comes here mistris Ferries or mistris what call ye her Put vp Iohn Hobs money tempts beauty Du. Well met good fellow sawest thou not the hart Ho. My heart God blesse me from séeing my heart Du. Thy heart the déereman we demaund the decre Hobs. Do you demaund what 's déere mary corne and cow hides Masse a good smug lasse well like my daughter Nell I had rather then a bend of leather shee and I might smutch togither Dutchesse Camst thou not downe the wood Hobs. Yes mistris that I did Dutch And sawst thou not the déere imbost Hobs. By my hood ye make me laugh what the dickens is it loue that makes ye prate to me so fondly by my fathers soule I would I had iobd faces with you Huntsm. Why how now Hobs so saucie with the Dutchesse and the Quéene Hobs. Much Queene I trow these be but women and one of them is like my wench I would she had her rags I would giue a load of haire and hornes and a fat of leather to match her to some iustice by the meghollie 2. Huntsm. Be silent Tanner and aske pardon of the Queen Hobs. And ye be the Queene I crie ye mercie good mistris Queene Queen No fault my friend Madam le ts take our bowes And in the standing seeke to get a shoote Dutch Come bende our bowes and bring the herde of dere Exeunt Hobs. God send yée-good standing and good striking and fat flesh sée if all Gentle women be not alike when their blacke facce be on I tooke the Quéene as I am true Tanner for mistris Ferris Enter Sellenger and Howard in Greene Hobs. Soft who comes here more knaues yet Sel. Ho good fellow sawst thou not the King Hobs. No good fellow I saw no King which King doost thou aske for How Why King Edward what King is there else Hob. There 's another King and ye could hit on him one Harrie one Harrie and by our Ladie they say hee s the honester man of the two Sel. Sirra beware you speake not treason Hob. What if I doe Sell. Then thou lt be hangde Hob. A dogs death I le not meddle with it for by my troth I know not when I speake treason when I do not there 's such halting betwixt two Kings that a man cannot goe vpright but he shal offend tone of them I would God had them both for me How Well thou sawst not the King Hob. No is he in the countrie How Hee s hunting here at Drayton Basset Hob. The deuill he is God blesse his Mastership I saw a woman here that they said was the Quéene shee s as like my daughter but my daughter is the fairer as euer I sée Sell. Fare well fellow speake well of the King Exeunt Hob. God make him an honest man I hope that 's well spoken for by th mouse foot some giue him hard words whether be serues vm or not let him looke to that I le meddle of my cow hide and let the world slide Enter the king disguised The diuell in a dung cart how these roysters swarme in the countrie now the King is so neere God liuer me from this for this lookse like a cheese but a man cannot tell amongst these Courtnoles whose true K. Ed. Holla my friend good fellow pre thée stay Hob. No such matter I haue more haste of my way K. Ed. If thou be a good fellow let me borrow a word Hob. My purse thou meanest I am no good fellow and I pray God thou beest not one K. Ed. Why dost thou not loue a good fellow Hobs. No good fellowes be theeues K. Ed. Dost thou thinke I am one Hob. Thought is frée and thou art not my ghostly father K. Ed. I meane thée no harme Hob. Who knowes that but thy selfe I pray God he spie not my purse K. Ed. On my troth I meane shee none Hob. Upon thy oth I le stay now what saist thou to me Speake quickly for my companie staies for me beneath at the next stile K. Ed. The King is hunting hereabouts didst thou see his Maiestie Hob. His maiestie what 's that his horse or his mare K. Ed. Tush I meane his Grace Hob. Grace quotha pray God he haue any which King dost thou quire for K. Ed. Why for King Edward knowst thou anie more Kings then one Hob. I know not so many for I tel thee I know none marrie I heare of King Edward K. Ed. Didst thou see his Highnesse Hob. By my hollidame that 's the best tearme thou gaust him yet hee s high inough but hee has put poore King Harrie low inough K. Ed. How low hath he put him Hob. Nay I cannot tel but he has put him down for he has got the crowne much good do ot him with it K. Ed. Amen I like thy talk so wel I would I knew thy name Hob. Dost thou not know mee K. Ed. No Hobs. Then thou knowest no bodie didst neuer heare of Iohn Hobs the Tanner of Tamworth K. Ed. Not till now I promise thee but now I like thee wel Hobs. So do not I thee I feare thou art some out-rider that liues by taking of purses here on Bassets heath but I feare thée not for I haue wared all my money in Cowhides at Colesill market and my man my mare are hard by at the hill foote K. Ed. Is that thy grey mare that 's tide at the stile with the hâ—es on her backe Hobs. That 's Brocke my mare and there 's Dunne my nag and Dadgeon my man K. Ed. There 's neither man nor horse but onely one mare Hob. Gods blew budkin has the knaue serud me so farewel I may loose his horns and mare all by prating with thee K. Ed. Tarry man tarry thei le sooner take my gelding then thy gray mare for I haue tide mine by her Hobs. That will I see afore I le take your word K. Ed. I le beare thée companie Hob. I had as lieue go alone Exeunt Enter the two huntsmen againe with the Bowes 1 Hunts. Now on my troth the Queene shoots passing wel 2. Hunts. So did the Dutchesse when she was as young 1. Hunts. Age shakes the hand and shoots both wide short 2. Hunts. What haue they giuen vs 1. Hunts. Sâ—re rose nobles lust 2. Hunts. The Queene gaue foure 1. Hunts. True and the Dutchesse twaine 2. Hunts. O were we euer so paide for our paine 1. Hunts. Tut had the King come as they said he would he would haue rainde vpon vs showres of gold 2 Hunts. Why he is hunting
some where here about le ts first go drinke and then go seeke him out Exeunt Enter King Edward againe and Hobs. K. Ed How saist thou Tanner wilt thou take my courser for thy mare Ho. Courser callst thou him so ill mought I fare thy skittish iade will neuer abide to carry my lether my hornes nor hide But if I were so mad to scorce what boote wouldst thou giue nice K. Ed. May boote that 's boote woorthie I looke for boot of thée Hob. Ha ha a merrie Iigge why man Brocke my mare knowes ha and ree and will stand when I crie ho and let me get vp and downe and make water when I doe Ed. I le giue thee a Noble if I like her pace lay thy Cowhides in my saddle and le ts iog towards Drayton Hob. It 's out of my way but I begin to like thee well Ed. Thou wilt like me better before we doe part I pray thée tell mee what say they of the King Hob. Of the kings thou mean'st art thou no blab if I tel thée Ed. If the King know 't not now hee shall neuer know it for mee Hob. Masse they say King Harrie 's a very aduowtrie man King A deuout man and what 's King Edward Hob. Hee s a franke franion a merrie companion and loues a wench well they say he has married a poore widdow because shee s faire King Dost thou like him the worse for that Hob. No by my feckens but the better for though I bee a plaine Tanner I loue a faire lasse my selfe King Prée tell mee how loue they King Edward Hob. Faith as poore folks loue hollidaies glad to haue them now and then but to haue them come too often will vndo them so to sée the king now and then ti 's comfort but euerie day would begger vs and I may to thée we feare wée shal be troubled to lend him no money for we doubt hee s but néedie King Wouldst thou lend him no money if he should neede Hob. By my hallidome yes he shall haue halfe my store and I le sell sole leather to helpe him to more King Faith whether louest thou better Harry or Edward Hob. Nay that 's coúnsel two may kéep it if one be a way Kin. Shal I say my conscience I think Harry is the true king Hob. Art aduisde of that Harrie 's of the old house of Lancasher and that progenitie do I loue K. And thou dost not hate the house of Yorke H. Why no for I am iust a kin to Sutton Wind-mill I can grinde which way so ere the wind blow if it bee Harrie I can say wel fare Lancaster if it be Edward I can sing Yorke Yorke for my monse Kin. Thou art of my mind but I say Harrie 's the lawfull King Edward is but an vsurper and a foole and a coward H. Nay there thou lyest he has wit inough and courage inough doe thou not speake treason King I but I know to whom I speake it Hob. Dost thou well if I were Constable I shoulde be forsworne if I set thee not in the stockes for it King Well let it go no further for I did serue King Harrie and I loue him best though now I serue King Edward Hob. Thou art the arranter knaue to speake ill of thy maister but sirra what 's thy name what office hast thou and what will the King doe for thee King My name is Ned I am the Kings Butler and he wil do more for me then for any Noble man in the Court Hob. The diuel he wil hee s the more foole and so I le tel him if ere I see him I would I might sée him in my poore house at Tamworth K. Go with me to the Court and I le bring thée to the king what sute so ere thou haue to him the warrant thée to speede H. I ha nothing to do at Court I le home with my cowhids and if the King will come to me he shall be welcome K. Hast thou no sute touching thy trade to transport hides or sell leather onely in a certaine circuite or about Barke or such like to haue letters pattents H. By the Masse and the Mattens I like not those Pattents sirra they that haue them doe as the Priests did in old time buy and sell the sinnes of the people so they make the King beléeue they mend what 's amisse and for money they make the thing worse then it is there 's another thing in too the mor is the pitie K. What pittie Iohn Hobs I prée say all Hobs. Faith ti 's pittie that one subica should haue in his hand that might do good to many through the land K. Satest thou me so Tanner well le ts cast lots whether thou shalt go with me to Drayton or I go home with thee to Tamworth H. Lot me no lotting I le not goe with thee if thou wilt go with me cause th art my Leiges man and yet I thinke bee has many honester thou shalt bee welcome to Iohn Hobs thou shalt be welcome to biefe and bacon and perhaps a bag-pudding and my daughter Nell shall pop a possett vpon thee when thou gost to bed K. Here 's my hand I le but go see the King seru'de and I le be at home as soone as thy selfe H. Dost thou heare me Ned if I shall be thy host Make haste thou art best for feare thou kisse the Post Exit Hobs. K. Farewell Iohn Hobs the honest true Tanner I see plaine men by obseruation Of things that alter in the chaunge of times Doghter knowledge and the meanest life Proportioned with content sufficiencie Is merier then the mightie state of Kings Enters How an Sellinger Now now what newes bring ye sirs Where 's the Queene Sel. Her Highnes and your mother my dread Lord Are both inuited by Sir Humphrey Bowes Where they entend to feast and lodge this night And do expect your Graces presence there K. Tom Sellinger I haue other busines Astray from you and all my other traine I met a Tanner such a merrie mate So frolicke and so full of good conceit That I haue giuen my word to be his guest Because he knowes me not to be the King Good Cosen Howard grudge not at the lest But greete my mother and my wife from mee Bid them be merrie I must haue my humor Let them both sup and sléepe when they see time Commend me kindly to Sir Humphrey Bowes Tell him at breakefast I will visite him This night Tom Sellinger and I must feast With Hobs the Tanner there plaine Ned Tom No King nor Sellinger for a thousand pound Enter a Messenger booted with letters and kneeling giues them to the King How The Queen Dutches will be discontent Because his Highnes comes not to the feast Sel. Sir Humphrey Bowes may take the most conceit But what 's the end the King will haue his pleasure King Good newes my boyes Harrie the sixt is dead peruse
my companion And see what welcome wee will giue thee there Hobs. I haue heard of courtiers haue said as much as you and when they haue been tride would not bid their friendes drinke Sel. We are none such let our horses bee brought out For we must a way and so with thanks farewell Hob. Farewel to ye both commend me to the king tel him I would haue been glad to haue seen his worship here Exit King Come Tom for London horse and hence away Enter the Vice-admirall and the Captaine of the I le of Wight with Falconbridge bound the headsman bearing the axe before him Mor. Thomas Neuil yet hast thou gratious time Of deer repentance now discharge thy cōscience Lay open thine offences to the world That we may witnesse thou doost die a Christian Fal. Why sir Harry Moorton haue you arraignde Condemnde and brought me to this place Of bloudie execution and now aske If I be guiltie therein doth appeare What iustice you haue vsed call you this law Ca. Thou dost mistake our meaning Falconbridge Wee do not aske as being ignorant Of thy transgression but as vrging thee To heartie sorrow for thy vile misdéeds That heauen may take compassion on thy soule Fal. How charitable you would séeme to bee 't I feare anon you le say it is for loue You bind me thus and bring me to the blocke And that of méere affcaion you are moude To cut my head off cunning pollicie Such butchers as your selues neuer want A colour to excuse your slaughterous minds Mor. We butcher thée canst thou deny thy self But thou hast béen a pyrate on the sea Canst thou denie but with the communaltie Of Kent and Essex thou didst rise in armes And twise assault the Cittie London where Thou twise didst take repulse and since that time Canst thou denie that being fled from hence Thou ioynedst in con federacie with Fraunce And camest with them to burn Southampton here Are these no faults thou shuldst so much presume To cléere thy selfe and lay thy bloud on vs Fal. Heare me sir Harrie since we must dispute Cap. Dispute unciuil wretch what néeds dispute Did not the Viceadmirall héere and I Incountring with the Nauie of the French Attach thee in a ship of Normandie And wilt thou stand vpon thine innocence Dispatch thou art as rightfully condemnde As euer rebell was And thou shalt die Fal. I make no question of it I must die But let me tell you how I scorne your threats So little doo I reckon of the name Of ougly death as were he uisible I 'lde wrastle with him for the victorie And tugge the slaue and teare him with my téeth But I would make him stoope to Falconbridge And for this life this paltrie brittle life This blast of winde which you haue labourde fo By iuries sessions and I know not what To rob me off is of so vile repute That to attaine that I might liue mine age I would not giue the value of a poynt You cannot be so cruell to afflict But I will bée as forward to indure Mor. Go to leaue of these role braues of thine And thinke vpon thy soules health Falconbridge Cap. Submit and aske forgiuenesse of thy King Fal. What King Mor. Why Edward of the house of Yorke Fal. He is no King of mine he does vsurpe And if the destinies had giuen me leaue I would haue told him so before this time And puld the Diademe from off his head Mo. Thou art a traitor stop thy traitors mouth Fal. I am no traitor Lancaster is King If that be treason to defend his right What i st for them that do imprison him If insurrection to aduance his scepter What fault is theirs that step into his throane Oh God thou pour'dst the balme vpon his head Can that pure vnction be wipte off againe Thou once didst crown him in his infancie Shall wicked men now in his age depose him Oh pardon me if I expostulate More then becomes a sinfull man to doe England I feare thou wilt thy folly rue Cap. Thou triflest time and dost but wearie vs With dilatorie questions make an end Fal. Indeed the end of all kingdomes must end Honour and riches all must haue an end And he that thinkes he doth the most preuaile His head once laid there resteth but a tale Come fellow do thy office what me thinks Thou lookest as if thy heart were in thy hose Pull vp thy spirits it will be quickly done A blow or two at most will serue the turne Head Forgiue me sir your death Fal. Forgiue thée I and giue thoe too Hold there is some few crowns for thée to drink Tush wéepe not man giue loosers leaue to plaine And yet ifaith my losse I count a gaine First let me see is thy are sharpe inough I am indifferent wel a Gods name to this geare Hea. Come yéeld your head gently to the block Fal. Gently saist thou thou wilt not vse me so But all is one for that what strength hast thou Throughout the whole proportion of thy limbes Reuoke it all into thy manly armes And spare me not I am a Gentleman A Neuill and a Falconbridge beside Then do thy worke thou maist get credit by it For if thou dost not I must tell thee plaine I shall be passing angrie when t is done Head I warrant you sir none in the land shall do it better Fal. Why now thou pleasest me England farewel And old Plantagenet if thou suruiue Thinke on my loue although it did not thriue He is led forth Mor. As for his head it shall be sent with spéed To London and the promised reward Allotted for the apprehending him Be giuen vnto the poore of Southhampton here How say you Captaine are you so content Cap. With all my heart but I do maruel much We heare not of the messenger we sent To giue the King intelligence of this M. Take truce with your surmises here he comes Enter a Messenger Follow it séemes that thou art slow of gate Or verie negligent in our affaires What saies King Edward to our seruice done Mes. To answere you directly and as briefly I spoke with him for when I was come To Drayton Basset where they said he was T was told me there that euen the night before His highnes in all hast was rid towards London The occasion Henries death within the Tower Of which the people are in sundrie tales Some thinking he was murdred some againe Supposing that he died a naturall death Mor. Well how so ere that concernes not us We haue to doe with no mans death but his That for his treason here hath lost his head Come let vs giue direction as before And afterward make back vnto the shore Exeunt Enter the Lord Maior in his scarlet gowne with a guilded rapier by his side Ma. I marie Crosbie this befits thée well But some wil marualle that with a scarlet gown I weare a guilded rapier by my side Why let them
letters to vs from whom Mess. My Liedge this from the D. of Burgundy And this is from the Constable of Fraunce K. What newes from them He opens the letter and reades To clayme our right in Fraunce And they will ayde vs yea will ye so But other ayde must ayde vs ere we goe He seemes to read the letters but glaunces on Mistresse Shoare in his reading A womans aid that hath more power then France To crowne vs or to kill vs with mischance If chast resolue be to such beautie tyed Sue how thou canst thou wilt be still denied Her husband hath deserued well of thee Tut loue makes no respect where ere it be Thou wrongst thy Quéene euerie enforced ill Must be endur'de where beautie séekes to kill Thou seemst to read onely to blind their eyes Who knowing it thy folly would despise He starts from the Table Thanks for my cheare L. Maior I am not well I know not how to take these newes This fit I meane That hath bereft me of all reason eleane M. God shield my Soueraigne K. Nay nothing I shall be well anone Ian. May it please your Highnes sit K. I faine with thee nay we must néeds be gon Cosin Howard conuey these letters to our counsel And bid them giue vs their aduise of them Thanks for my cheare L. Maior farewell to you And farewell Mistresse Shoare La. Maioresse I should say It 's you haue causde our parting at this time Farewell M. Shoare farewell to all Wee le meet once more to make amends for this Exeunt King How and Sel. M. Oh God here to be ill My house to cause my Soueraignes discontent Cosin Shoare I had rather spent Sho. Content your selfe my L. kings haue their humors The letters did containe somewhat no doubt That did displease him Iane So my Lord thinke I But by Gods helpe he will be well againe M. I hope so too well Cosin for your paines I can but thanke ye chiefly you faire Niece At night I pray yée both come sup with me How say ye will yee Sh. Yes my Lord wee will So for this time we humbly take our leaue Exeunt Shoare and his wife M. Oh now the sudden sicknesse of my Liedge Afflictes my soule with many passions His Highnes did entend to be right merrie And God he knowes how it would glad my soule If I had seene his Highnes satisfied With the poore entertainement of his Maior His humble vassaile whose lands whose life and all Are and in dutie must be alwaies his Well God I trust will blesse his Graces health And quickly ease him of his sudden fit Take away there ho rid this place And God of heauen blesse my Soueraignes Grace Exit Enter two prentizes preparing the Goldsmiths Shop with plate 1. Pren. Sirra Iacke come set out 2. Pren. You are the elder Prentise I pray you do it least my mistris talke with you when shée comes downe what is it a clocke 1. Pren. Sir by Alhallowes 2. Pren. Lying and stealing will bring ye to the Gallowes Is here all the plate 1. Pren. I that must serue to day Where is the weights and ballance 2. Pr. All readie harke my mistris comes Exit 1. Pren. Enter Mistris Shoare with her worke in her hand Iane Sir boy while I attend the shop my selfe See if the workeman haue dispatcht the Cup How many ounces weighes it 2. Pren. Twentie forsooth Iane What said the Gentleman to the fashion 2. Pren. He told my maister I was not within Iane Go sir make hast your M. is in Cheapeside Take heed ye were best your loytring be not spide The boy departs she sits sowing in her shop Enter the king disguised K. Well fare a case to put a King in yet Good mistris Shoare this doth your loue procure This shape is secret and I hope ti 's sure The Wlatermen that daily vse the Court And see me often knew me not in this At Lyon key I landed in their view Yet none of them tooke knowledge of the King If any gallant striue to haue the wall I le yéelde it gently Soft here must I turne Heere 's Lumbard stréete and here 's the Pellican And there 's the Phenix in the Pellicans nest O rare perfection of rich natures worke Bright twinkling sparke of pretious Diamond Of greater value then all India Were there no Sunne by whose kind louely heat The earth brings forth those stones we hold of prize Her radiant eyes deiected to the ground Would turne each peble to a Diamond Gaze gréedie eies and be not satisfied Till you finde rest where hearts desire doth bide Ia. What would you buy sir that you looke on here K. Your fairest iewell bée it not too deare First how this Saphyre mistris that you weare Iane Sir it is right that will I warrant yee No Ieweller in London showes a better K. No nor the like you praise it passing well Iane Do I no if some Lapidary had the stone more would not buy it then I can demaund T is as well set I thinke as ere yee saw K. Ed. T is set indeed vpon the fairest hand that ere I saw Iane You are disposde to iest but for value his Maiestis might weare it K. Ed. Might he ifaith Iane Sir t is the ring I meane K. Ed. I meant the hand Iane You are a merrie man I see you come to cheape and not to buy K. Ed. Yet hée that offers fairer then I le doe shal hardly find a partner in his bargaine Iane Perhaps in buying things of so smal value King Rather because no wealth can purchase it Ian. He were too fond that would so highly prize The thing which once was giuen away for loue Kin. His hap was good that came so easily by it Iane The gift so small that askte who could denie it King Oh she gaue more that such a gift then gaue Then earth ere had or world shall euer haue Iane His hap is ill should it be as you say That hauing giuen him what you rate so high And yet is still the poorer by the match King That easely prooues he doth not know the worth Iane Yet hauing had the vse of it so long It rather prooues you ouer rate the thing He being a chapman as it séemes you are King Indéed none should aduenture on the thing That 's to bée purchast onely by a King Iane If Kings loue that which no man else respects It may be so else do I sée small reason A King should take delight in such course stuffe King Liues there a King that would not giue his crowne To purchase such a kingdome of content Iane In my conceit right well you aske that question The world I thinke containes not such fond king King Why mistresse Shoare I am the man will do it Iane It s proudly spoke although I not beléeue it Were he King Edward that should offer it King But shall I haue it Iane Upon what acquaintance King
Sellinger c. K. And haue our countrie subiects béene so franke And bountifull in their beneuolence Toward our present expedition Thanks Cosin Howard for thy paines herein We will haue letters sent to euerie Shire Of thankfull gratitude that they may know How highly we respect their gentlenes How One thing my L. I had wel néere forgot Your pleasant hoast the Tanner of Tamworth King What of him Cosin How Hee was right liberall I twentie old Angels did he send your Grace And others séeing him so bountifull Stretcht further then otherwise they had done K. Trust me I must requite that honest Tanner Oh had he kept his word and come to Court Then in good sadnesse we had had good sport How That is not long my L. which comes at last Hee s come to London on an earnest cause His sonne lies prisoner in Safford Iayle And is condemned for a robberie Your Highnesse pardoning his sonnes offence May yéeld the Tanner no meane recompence K. But who hath séen him since he came to towne Sel. My Lord in Holborne t was my hap to sée him Gazing about I sent away my men And clapping on one of their liuerie cloakes Came to him and the Tanner knew we straite How dost thou Tom and how doth Ned quoth he That honest merrie hangman how doth he I knowing that your Maiestie entended This day in person to come to the Tower There bad him méete me where Ned and I Would bring him to the presence of the King And there procure a pardon for his sonne King Haue then a care we be not séene of him Vntill we bée prouided for the purpose Because once more wée le haue a little sport Tom Sellinger let that care be yours Sel. I warrant yée my Lord let me alone Enter the Lord Maior K. Welcome L. Maior what haue you signified Our thankfulnes vnto our Citizens For their late gathered beneuolence Ma. Before the Citizens in our Guildhall Maister Recorder made a good Oration Of thankfull gentitude vnto them all Which they receiued with so kind respect And loue vnto your royall maiestie As it appearde to vs they sorrowed Their bountie to your highnesse was no more King Lord Maior thanks to your selfe and them And go ye with vs now into the Tower To sée the order that we shall obserue In this so needfull preparation The better may you signifie to them What need there was of their beneuolence Ma. I le waite vpon your gracious maiestie Yet there is one thing that much grieueth me aside Exeunt Enter Shoare two watermen bearing his trunks Sho. Go honest fellow beare my trunks aboord And tell the maister I le come presently Enter mistris Shoare Lady-like attired with diuers supplications in her hand she vnpinning her maske attended on by many sutors 1. Wa. We wil sir but what Ladie haue we here Belike she is of no meane countenance That hath so many sutors waiting on her Sho. Go one of you I pray ye enquire her name 1. Wa. My honest friend what Ladie call ye this Aire Her name is mistris Shoare the kings beloued A speciall friend to sutors at the court S. Her name is mistris Shoare the kings beloued Where shall I hide my head or stop mine eares But like an owle I shall be wondred at When she with me was wont to walk the stréets The people then as she did passe along would say there goes faire modest mistris Shoare When she attended like a Cittie Dame Was praised of matrons So that Cittizens When they would speake of ought vnto their wiues Fetcht their example still from mistris Shoare But now she goes deckt in her courtly robes This is not shée that once in séemely blacke Was the chaste sober wife of Mathew Shoare For now she is King Edwards Concubine Oh great ill title honourable shame Her good I had but King her ill is thine Once Shoares true wife now Edwards Concubine Amongst the rest I le note her new behauiour All this while she stands conferring priuatly with her sutors and looking on their bils Aire Good mistris Shoare remember my sons life Iane What is thy name Aire My name is Thomas Aire Iane There is his pardon signed by the King Aire In signe of humble heartie thankfulnes Take this in Angels twentie pound Iane What thinke ye that I buy sell for bribes His highnesse fauour or his subiects bloud No without gifts God grant I may do good For all my good cannot redéeme my ill Yet to do good I will endeauour still Sho. Yet all this good doth but guild ore thy ill aside Palmer Mistris the restitution of my lands Taken perforce by his highnesse officers Iane The King is content your goods shall be restorde But the officers will hardly yéeld thereto Yet bée content I le see ye haue no wrong Sho. Thou canst not say to mée so I haue wrong Iockie Mistris gude faith gin yee le helpe me till my laund whilke the faulse loune Billie Grime of Glendale hauds wranfully frea me I se white your gudenes with a bonnie nag sall swum away so deftly as the winde Iane Your sute my friend requires a longer time Yet since you dwell so farre off to ease your charge Your diet with my seruants you may take And some reliefe I le get thee of the King Sho. Its cold reliefe thou getst mée from the King Iockie Now Gods blessing light on that gudely faire face I se be your true beadsman mistresse I indead sal I Pal. God blesse the care you haue of doing good Aire Pittie she should miscarrie in her life That beares so swéete a mind in doing good Sho. So say I too ah Iane this kils my heart That thou recks others and not ru'st my smart Rufford Mistresse I feare you haue forgot my sute Iane Oh t is for a licence to transport corne from this land and lead to forrain Realmes I had your bil but I haue torne your bill and t ware no shame I thinke to teare your eares that care not how you wound the commonwealth The poore must sterue for food to fill your purse And the enemie bandie bullets of our lead No maister Rufford I le not speake for you except it be to haue you punished Iockie By the messe a deft lasse Christ benison light on her She espies her husband walking aloofe off and not knowing him takes him for another Sutor Iane Is that another sutor I haue no bill of his Go one of you and know what he would haue Sho. Yes Iane the bill of my obliged faith And I had thine but thou hast canceld it Here she knowes him and lamenting comes to him Iane Oh God it is my husband kind Mathew Shoare Shoare Ah Iane what 's he dare say he is thy husband Thou wast a wife but now thou art not so Thou wast a maide a maide when thou wast wife Thou wast a wife euen when thou wast a maide So good
so modest and so chaste thou wast But now thou art diuorcde whiles yet hee liues That was thy husband while thou wast his wife Thy wifehood stainde by thy dishonoured life For now thou art nor widdow maide nor wife Iane I must confesse I yeelded vp the Forte Wherein lay all the riches of my joy But yet sweete Shoare before I yeelded it I did endure the longst and greatest siege That euer battred on poore chastitie And but to him that did assault the same For euer it had béene inuincible But I will yéeld it backe againe to thee He cannot blame me though it be so done To loose by me what first by me was wonne Sho. No Iane there is no place allowde for mee Where once a King hath tane possession Meane men brooke not a Riuall in their loue Much lesse so high vnriualde Maiestie concubine to one so great as Edward Is tarre too great to be the wife of Shoare Iane I will refuse the pleasures of the Court Let me go with thee Shoare though not as a wife Yet as thy slaue since I haue lost that name I will redéeme the wrong that I haue done thee With my true seruice if thou wilt accept it Sho. Thou go with mee Iane oh God forbid That I should be a traitour to my King Shall I become a fellon to his pleasures And flie away as guiltie of the theft No my deere Iane I say it may not bee Oh what haue subiects that is not their kings He not examine his prerogatiue Ia. Why then swéet Mat let me intreat thée stay What i st with Edward that I cannot do I le make thee wealthier then ere Richard was That entertaind the thrée greatst kings in Europe And feasted them in London on a day Aske what thou wilt were it a million That may content thée thou shalt haue it Shoare Sho. Indeed this were some comfort to a man That tasted want or worldly miserie But I haue lost what wealth cannot returne All worldly losses are but toyes to mine Oh all my wealth the losse of thee was more Then euer time or Fortune can restore Therfore swéet Iane farewell once thou wast mine Too rich for me and that King Edward knewe Adiew oh world he shall deceiued bee That puts his trust in women or in thee Ia. Ah Shoare farewel poore heart in death I le tell I euer loude thée Shoare farewell farewell Exit Enter king Edward Lord Maior Howard Sellinger and the traine King Hauing awakte forth of their sleepie dens Our drourie Cannons which ere long shal charme The watchfull French with deaths eternall sléepe And all things else in readinesse for France A while we will giue truce vnto our care There is a merrie Tanner néere at hand With whom we meane to be a little merrie Therefore Lord Maior and you my other friends I must intreat you not to knowledge me No man stand bare all as companions Giue me a Cloake that I may be disguisde Tom Sellinger go thou and take another So Tanner now come when yee please we are prouided And in good time see hee is come alreadie Enter the Tanner Tom Sellenger go thou and meete him Sel. What Iohn Hobs welcome ifaith to court Hob. Gramercies honest Tom where is the hangman Ned where is that mad rascall shall I not see him Sel. See where he stands that same is hee Hob. What Ned a plague found thee how dost thou for a villaine how dost thou madde Rogue and how and how King In health Iohn Hobs and verie glad to see thee But say what winde droue thee to London Hobs. Ah Ned I was brought hither with a whirlewinde man my sonne my sonne did I not tell thee I had a knaue to my sonne King Yes Tanner what of him Hob. Faith hee s in Caperdoche Ned in Stafford Goale for a robberie and is like to be hangde except thou get the King to be more miserable to him King If that be all Tanner I le warrant him I will procure his pardon of the King Hobs. Wilt thou Ned for those good words see what my Daughter Nell hath sent thee a handkercher wrought with as good Couentrie silke blew threed as euer thou sawest King And I perhaps may weare it for her sake In better presence then thou art aware off Hobs. How Ned a better present that canst thou not haue for silke cloath and workemanship why Nell made it man But Ned is not the King in this companie what hee in the long beard and the redde petticoate before God I misdoubt Ned that is the King I know it by my Lord what ye cals players King How by them Tanner Hob. Euer when they play an Enterloute or a Commodity at Tamworth the King alwaies is in a long beard and a red gowne like him therefore I spekt him to be the King King No trust me Tanner this is not the King but thou shalt see the King before thou goest and haue a pardon for thy sonne too with thee This man is the Lord Maior Lord Maior of London héere was the Recorder too but hee is gone Hobs. What Nicnames these courtnoles haue Mare and Corder quotha we haue no such at Liechfield there is the honest Bayliffe and his brethren such words grée best with vs King My Lord Maior I pray ye for my sake to bidde this honest Tanner welcome Maior You are welcome my honest friend In signe whereof I pray you see my house And suppe with mee this night Hobs. I thanke yee good goodman Masor but I care not for no meate my stomacke is like to a sicke swines that will neither eate nor drinke till shée know what shal become of her pigge Ned and Tom you promisde me a good turne when I came to Court either doo it now or go hang your selues King No sooner comes the King but I will doo it Sel. I warrant thee Tanner feare not thy sonnes life Hobs. Nay I feare not his life I feare his death Enter Maister of Saint Katherines and Widow Norton Maiste. All health and happinesse to my Soueraigne King The Maister of Saint Katherines hath marde all Hobs. Out alas that euer I was borne The Tanner falles in a swound they labour to reuiue him meane while the king puts on his roy all robes King Looke to the Tanner there he takes no harme I would not haue him for my crowne miscarrie Wid. Let me come to him by my kings good leaue Here 's ginger honest man bite it Hobs. Bite ginger bite ginger bite a dogs date I am but a dead man ah my Liedge that you should deale so with a poore well meaning man but it makes no matter I can but die King But when Tanner canst thou tell Hobs. Nay euen when you please for I haue so defended ye by calling ye plaine Ned mad rogue and rascall that I know you le haue me hangde Therefore make no more adoe but send me downe to Stafford and there a Gods
name hang me with my sonne And here 's another as honest as your selfe you made me call him plaine Tom I warrant his name is Thomas and some man of worship too therfore le ts to it euen when and where ye will King Tanner attend not onely doo we pardon thee But in all princely kindnesse welcome thee And thy sonnes trespasse doe we pardon too Ore goe and sée that forthwith it bee drawne Vnder our seale of England as it ought And fortie pounds wée giue thée to defray Thy charges in thy comming vp to London Now Tanner what saist thou to vs Hobs. Marrie you speake like an honest man if you meane as you say King Wee meane it Tanner on our royall word Now maister of S. Katherines what would you M. My gracious Lord the great beneuolence Though small to that your subiects could afford Of poore S. Katherines do I bring your grace Fiue hundred pounds here haue they sent by me For the easier portage all in Angell gold What this good widow mistris Norton will She comes her selfe and brings her gift with her Wid. Pardon me gratious Lord presumption Nor ouer waening in mine owne conceit Makes me thus bold to come before your Grace But loue and dutie to your maiestie And great desire to sée my Lord the King Our maister here spake of beneuolence And said my twentie Nobles was inough I thought not so but at your Highnes féete A widowes mite a token of her zeale In humble dutie giues you twentie pound Ki. Now by my crowne a gallant Iustie Girle Of all the exhibition yet bestowed This womans liberalitie likes me best Is thy name Norton Wid. I my gracious Liedge King How long hast thou béene a Widow Wid. It is my Lord Since I did burie Wilkin my goodman At Shrouetide next euen iust a dozen yeares K. In al which space couldst thou not find a man On whom thou mightst bestow thy selfe againe Wid. Not any like my Wilkin whose deare loue I know is matchlesse in respect of whom I thinke not any worthie of a kisse K. No widow that I le trie how like you this He kisseth her VVid. Beshrew my heart it was a honnie kisse Able to make an aged woman young And for the same most swéet and louely Prince See what the widow giues you from her store Fortie olde Angels but for one kisse more K. Marie Widow and thou shalt haue it Iohn Hobs thou art a widower Lackst thou such a wife Hobs. Snailes twentie pound a kisse had shee as many twentie pound bags as I haue knobs of barke in my tansat shee might kisse them away in a quarter of a yeare I le no Saint Katherines widowes if kisses be so deare Widow Clubs and clouted shooes there 's none enamourd here King Lord Maior we thanke you and entreat withall To recommend vs to our Cittizens We must for France we bid you all farewell Come Tanner thou shalt with vs to Court To marrow you shal dine with my Lord Maior And after ward set homeward when ye please God and our right that onely fights for vs Adiew pray that our toyle proue prosperous Exeunt FINIS THE SECOND PART of King Edward the Fourth Containing his iourney into France for obtaining of his right there The trecherous falshood of the Duke of Burgundie and the Constable of France vsed against him and his returne home againe Likewise the prosecution of the historie of M. Shoare and his faire wife Concluding with the lamentable death of them both Enter king Edward Howard Sellinger and Soldiers marching Edward IS this the aide our Cosin Burgundie And the great Constable of France assured vs Haue we marched thus farre through the heart of France And with the terror of our English Drums kourde the poore trembling French which leaue their towns That now the Wolues affrighted from the fields Do get their pray and kennell in their stréets Our thundring Canons now this fortnight space Like common Bell-men in some market towne Haue cried the Constable and Burgundie But yet I see they come not to our aide Wée le bring them in or by the blessed light Wée le search the Ground-stilles of their Cittis walles Since you haue brought me hither I will make The proudest Tower that stands in France to quake I maruaile Scales returnes not for by him I doe respect to heare their resolutions Enter the Lord Scales How My Soueraigne he is happily returnde Ed. Welcome my Lord welcome good Cosin Scales What newes from Burgundie what is his answer What comes he to our succour as he promised Scal. Not by his good wil for ought that I can see He lingers still in his long siedge at Nuse I vrgde his promise and your expectation Euen to the force and compasse of my spirit I chéerde my firme perswasions with your hopes And gylded them with my best Oratorie I framde my spéech still fitly as I sound The temper of his humor to be wrought vpon But still I found him earthly vnresolude Muddie and me thought euer through his eies I saw his wauering and vnsetled spirit And to be short subtile and trecherous And one that doth entend no good to you And he will come and yet he wanteth power He would faine come but may not leaue the siege He hopes he shall but yet he knowes not when He purposed but some unpediments Haue hindred his determined intent Briefly I thinke he will not come at all Ed. But is he like to take the towne of Nuse Sca. My Lord the towne is liker to take him That if he chance to come to you at all Ti 's but for succour Ed. But what saies Count Saint Paul Scales My Lord he lies and reuelles at S. Quintins And laughs at Edwards comming into France There Dominering with his drunken crue Make Jigges of vs and in their slauering iests Tell how like rogues we lie here in the field Then comes a slaue one of those drunken sots In with a Tauerne reckoning for a supplication Disguised with a cushion on his head A Drawers Apron for a Heralds Coate And tels the Count the King of England craues One of his worthie honors Dog-kennels To be his lodging for a day or two With some such other Tauerne foolerie With that this filthie rascall greasie rout Brast out in laughter at this worthie iest Neighing like horses thus the Count Saint Paul Regardes his promise to your maiestie Ed. Wil no man thrust the slaue into a sackbut Scl. Now by this light were I but néere the slaue with a black Jacke I would beat out his braines Ho. If it please your highnes but to say the word Wée le plucke him out of Quintins by the eares Ed. No cosin Howard wée le reserue our valour For better purpose since they both refuse vs Our selues will be vnriualde in our honour Now our first cast my Lord is at maine France Whilst yet our Armie is in health and strong And haue we once but broke
two Sée them safe guarded till you know our pleasure Enter the Constable and Howard Now my Lord Howard how i st with Scales Ho. Well my dread Soueraigne now his wound is drest And by the opinion of the Surgeons It s thought he shall not perish by this hurt K. Ed. I am the gladder but vnfaithfull Earle I doe not see how yet I can dispence With thy submission this was not the welcome Your letters sent to England promisde me Con. Right high and mightie Prince condemne me not That am as innocent in this offence As any souldiour in the English armie The fault was in our gunners ignorance Who taking you for Lewis King of France That likewise is within the cities kenne Made that vnluckie shot to beate him backe And not of malice to your maiestie To knowledge which I brought thē with my selfe And thirtie thousand crownes within this purse Sent by the Burgers to redéeme your lacke K. Ed. Constable of France we will not sell a drop Of English blood for all the gold in France But in so much two of our men are slaine To quit their deaths those two that came with thée Shall both be cramde into a Cannons mouth And so he shot into the towne againe It is not like but that they knew our Colours And of set purpose did this villanie Nor can I be perswaded thorowly But that our person was the mark they aimed at Yet are we well content to hold you excusde Mary our souldiours must be satisfied And therefore first shall be distributed These crownes amongst thē then you shal returne And of your best prouision send to vs Thirtie waine loade beside twelue tunne of wine This if the Burgers will subscribe vnto Their peace is made otherwise I will proclaime Frée libertie for all to take the spoyle Con. Your highnes shall be answerd presently And I will see these articles performed K. Ed. Yet one thing more I will that you my Lord Together with the Duke of Burgundie Doe ere to morrow noone bring all your force And toyne with ours or else we doe recant And these conditions shall be frustrate C. Mine are at hand my Lord and I will write The Duke may like wise be in readinesse K. Ed. Let him haue safe conduct through our army And gainst the morning euery leader see His troupes be furnisht for no longer time God willing shall the triall be deferred Twixt Lewis and vs What echoing sound is this Sel. A gentleman from the K. of France my Lord Craues parlance with your excellence K. Ed. A gentleman bring him in What newes a Gods name frō our brother Lewis Enter Mugeroune Mu. Most puissant and most honourable King My royall master Lewis the King of France Doth gréete your Highnes with vnfained loue Wishing your health prosperitie and rule And thus he saies by me When was it séene That euer Lewis pretended hurt to England Either by close conspirators sent ouer To vndermine your state or openly By taking armes with purpose to inuade Nay when was it that Lewis was euer heard So much as to detract from Edwards name But still hath done him all his due of spéech By blazing to the world his high deserts Of wisedome valour and his heroicke birth Whence is it then that Edward is incensde To render hate for loue for amitie sterne warre Not of himselfe we know but by the meanes Of some infectious counsell that like mud Would spoyle the pure temper of his noble minde It is the Duke and that pernicious rebell Earle of S. Paul haue set abroach these warres Who of themselues vnable to procéede Would make your Grace the instrument of wrong And when you haue done what you can for them You shall be sure of nothing but of this Still to be doubled and dissembled with But if it might séeme gratious in your eye To cast off these despisde confederates Vnfit companions for so great a Prince And ioyne in league with Lewis my royall master Him shall you finde as willing as of power To doe your Grace all offices of loue And what commoditie may spring thereby To both the Realmes your Grace is wise enough Without my rude suggestions to imagine Besides much bloodshed for this present time Will be preuented when two such personages Shall méete together to shake hands in peace And not with shock of Launce and Curtelaxe That Lewis is willing I am his substitute And he himselfe in person if you please Not farre from hence will signifie as much K. Ed. Sir withdraw and giue vs leaue a while To take aduisement of our Counsellors What say ye Lords vnto this proffered truce Ho. In my conceit let it not be slipt my Lord Sel. Wilt not be dishonour hauing landed So great an armie in these parts of France And not to fight before we doe returne Ho. How can it when the enemie submits And of himselfe makes tender of allegiance Sel. I that 's the question whether he will yéeld And doe King Edward fealtie or no Ed. What talke ye Lords he shall subscribe to that Or no conditions I le accept at all Ho. Let him be bound my Lord to pay your Grace Toward your expences since your comming ouer Seauentie fine thousand crownes of the Sunne And yéerely after fiftie thousand more During your life with homage there withall That he doth hold his royaltie from you And take his offer t will not be amisse Ed. It shall be so draw you the articles And Sellinger call forth the messenger Bring with thée too a cup of massie gold And bid the bearer of our priuie purse Inclose therein a hundred English Ryals Friend we doe accept thy masters League With no lesse firme affection then he craues If he will méete vs here betwixt our tents It shall on both sides be confirmde by oth On this condition that he will subscribe To certaine Articles shall be proposde And so thou hast thy answer to requite Thy paines herein we giue to thée this cup Her Health and increase of honour waite on Edward Ed. Lord Howard bring the Frenchman on his way Ed. King Lewis is one that neuer was precise But now Lord Howard and Tom Sellinger There is a taske remaines for you to doe And that is this you two shall be disguisde And one of you repayre to Burgundie The other to the Constable of France Where you shall learne in secret if you can If they intend to méete vs here to morrow Or how they take this our accord with France Somewhat it giues me you will bring from thence Worthie the noting will you vndertake it Sel. With all my hart my L. I am for Burgundie How And I am for the Constable of France Exeunt Ed. Make spéede againe what newes Mest. The king of France my L. attended royally Is marching hitherward to méete your Grace Ed. He shall be welcome hast thou drawne the articles Mess. Yes my dread Soueraigne Ed. Goe call foorth our traine We may
Damnd vp as in a furnace finding vent Breaks through his seuerd lips into short pusses And then he mumbles forth a word or two As doth a toothles Monke when hée s at mattens K. Oh it was sport alone to note their cariage Se. Sport my Lord wil you but heare me speak And if I do not wearie you with laughter Nere trust Tom Sellinger more vpon his word Sound a Trumpet K. I pray thée peace by this it should appeare One of their messengers is come go see Vpon my life we shall haue some deuise Of new dissimulation how now Tom Sel. T is as your highnes did suppose my Lord Here is a messenger from Burgundie King Excellent good admit him presently And brother of France let me intreat your grace To stand aside a little in my tent Least finding vs together he refraine To tell the message he is sent about So sure I am perswaded we shall find Some notable péece of knauerie set a foote K. L. With al my hart vrge him speak loud enough That I my Lord may vnderstand him too Exit Enter the Lord of Conte K. Ed. Feare not I haue the method in my mind What it is you my Lord of Conte welcome How doth the valiant Duke in health I hope Co. In health my Lord of bodie though in mind Somewhat distemperd that your Grace hath ioind In league with his professed enemie K. E. How say you that my Lord pray you speake out For I of late by reason of a cold Am somewhat thicke of hearing Con. Thus my Lord Your Grace demanded if the Duke were well I answere you he is in health of bodie Though inwardly in mind somewhat perplext That you without his knowledge haue tane truce With childish Lewes that hartlesse King of France K. Ed. With whom I pray yee a little lowder sir C. With childish Lewes that hartlesse K. of France K. Ed. I now do vnderstand you is it that He takes vnkindly why if he had come With his expected forces as he promist I had béene still vncapable of peace But he deceiuing me the fault was his Con. No my good Lord the fault was not in him But in that lewde pernicious counterfait That craftie Fore the Constable of France Who counseld him to kéepe him at his siege Saying it would be more dishonorable To rise from thence then any way profitable To méete your Maiestie beside my Lord It hath bin proued since how much the Constable Hates your procéedings by that wilfull shot Was made against you from S. Quintins wals Which though he séemde to colour with faire spéech The truth is they did leuell at your selfe And grieued when they heard you were not slaine K. Ed. May I be bold to credit your report Con. The Duke vpon his honour bad me say That it was true and there withall quoth he Tell noble Edward if he will recant And fall from Lewes againe knowing it is More for his dignitie to be sole King And conquer France as did his ancestors Then take a fée and so be satisfied That I am readie with twelue thousand soldiers All well appointed and not onely will Deliuer him the Constable of France That he may punish him as he sées good But seat him in the threne imperial Which now another basely doth vsurpe K. E. Speak that again I heard not your last words Con. But seate you in the throne imperiall Which now another basely doth vsurpe King I thanke his honour for his good regard Pleaseth you stay till wee haue pausde vpon it And you shall haue our answere to the Duke Tom Sellinger receiue him to your tent And let him taste a cuppe of Orleance wine Now my kingly brother haue you heard this news K. L. So plainly my Lord that I scarce held my selfe From stepping forth hearing my royall name So much prophande and slubberd as it was But I do weigh the person like himselfe From whence it came a slie dissembler And spight my anger I was forst sometime To smile to thinke the Duke doth hang his friend Behinde his backe whom to his face he smothes K. E. But we shall haue farre better sport anone Howard tels me that another messenger is come in Post-hast from the Constable As you haue begun with patience heare the rest K. Le. No more adoe I le to my place againe Remember that you still be deafe my Lord K. E. I warrant you Howard call in the messenger Enter the messenger from the Constable Mes. Health to the victorious King of England K. E. Tell him he must straine out his voice alowd For I am somewhat deafe and cannot heare How His Maiestie requests you to speake out Because his hearing is of late decayde Mes. The worthie Earle S. Paul King Ed. Come néere mée Mes. The worthy Earle S. Paul gréets noble Edward And giues your grace to vnderstand by me That whereas Charles that painted sepulchre And most disloyall Duke of Burgundie Hath but vsurpt the habit of a friend Being in heart your deadly enemie As well appeares in his false breach of promise And that whereas he neuer meant himselfe To send you aide but likewise was the meanes To binder my Lords well affected dutie Alleadging you desirde his companie But that you might betray him to his King Beside whereas it will be proude my Lord That he did hire the Gunner of S. Quintins For a large summe of money to discharge Thrée seuerall péeces of great Ordenance Vpon your comming to that cursed towne To slay your Maiestie in which regard If it will please you to reuoke from France And thinke of Burgundie as hee deserues The Duke with expedition bad me say That he would put the Earle into your hands Wherby you might reuenge his trecherous purpose And ayde you too with twise fiue thousand men And seate you like a conquerour in France K. Ed. Can it séeme possible that two such friends So firmely knit together as they were Should on a sodaine now be such great foes M. The Earle my Lord could neuer abide the Duke Since his last treason against your sacred person Before Saint Quintins came to open light K. Was that the cause of their dissention then Mes. It was my lord K. Ed. Well I will thinke vpon t And you shall haue our answere by and by Cosin Howard take him aside But let him be kept from the others sight Ho. Sir wil you walke in my Lord wil take aduise And so dispatch you backe againe vnto the Earle K. Le. Here 's bying of villanie who shall haue all Fraude with deceite deceite with fraude outfacde I would the diuell were there to crie swoope-stake But how intends your Grace to deale with them K. Ed. Faith in their kind I am the stéele you sée Against the which their enuie being strooke The Sparkles of hypocrisie flie forth T were not amisse to quench them in their bloud Enter another messenger to the king of France with letters Mes. My
ost deales Such bounteous almes as seldome hath béene séene Qu. Now before God she would make a gallant Queene But good sonne Dorset stand aside a while God saue your maiestie my Ladie Shoare My Ladie Shoare said I Oh blasphemie To wrong your title with a Ladies name Queene Shoore nay rather Empresse Shoare God saue your grace your maiesty your highnes Lord I want titles you must pardon me What you knéele there king Edwards bedfellow And I your subiect sit fie fie for shame Come take your place I le knéele where you do I may take your place you haue taken mine Good Lord that you will so debase your selfe I am sure you are our sister Queene at least Nay that you are then let vs sit togither Iane Great Queene yet heare me if my sinne committed Haue not stopt vp all passage to your mercie To tel the wrongs that I haue done your highnes Might make reuenge exceed extremitie Oh had I words or tongue to vtter it To plead my womans weaknesse his strength That was the onely worker of my fall Euen innocence her selfe would blush for shame Once to be namde or spoken of in this Let them expect for mercie whose offence May but be called sinne oh mine is more Prostrate as earth before your highnesse féete Inflict what torments you shal thinke most meet Ma. Spurne the whore mother teare those enticing eies That robd you of King Edwards dearest loue Mangle those locks the baits to his desires Let me come to her you but stand and talke As if reuenge consisted but in words Qu. Sonne stand aloofe and do not trouble me Alas poore soule as much adoe haue I aside To for beare teares to keepe her companie Yet once more will I to my former humor Why as I am thinke that thou wert a Queene And I as thou should wrong thy princely bed And winne the king thy husband as thou mine Would it not sting thy soule Or if that I Being a Queen while thou didst loue thy husband Should but haue done as thou hast done to me Would it not grieue thee yes I warrant thee There 's not the meanest woman that doth liue But if she like and loue her husband well She had rather feele his warme limmes in her bed Then sée him in the armes of any Queene You are flesh and bloud as we and we as you And all alike in our affections Though maiestic makes vs the more ambitious What t is to fall into so great a hand Knowledge might teach thée There was once a king Henry the second who did keepe his lemman Cag'de vp at Woodstocke in a Labyrinth His Quéene yet got a tricke to finde her out And how she vsde her I am sure thou hast heard Thou art not mewde vp in some secret place But kept in Court here vnderneath my nose Now in the absence of my Lord the King Haue I not time most fitting for reuenge Faire Rosamond she a pure virgin was Vntill the King seduc'de her to his will She wrongd but one bed only the angry Quéenes But thou hast wronged two mine thy husbands Be thine owne Iudge and now in iustice see What due reuenge I ought to take on thee Ia. Euen what you wil great Quéen here do I lie Humble and prostrate at your Highnesse feet Inflict on me what may reuenge your wrong Was neuer lambe abode more patiently Then I will doe Call all your griefes to mind And do euen what you will or how likes you I will not stirre I wil not shrike or crie Be it torture poison any punishment Was neuer Done or Turtle more submisse Then I wil be vnto your chastisement M. Fetcht I her for this mother let me come to her And what compassion will not suffer you To do to her referre the same to me Qu. Touch her not sonne vpon thy life I charge thee But kéepe off still if thou wilt haue my loue Exit Ma. I am glad to heare ye are so well resolu'de To beare the burthen of my iust displeasure She drawes foorth a knife and making as though she meant to spoyle her face runs to her and falling on her knees embraces and kisses her casting away the knife Thus then I le doe alas poore soule Shall I wéepe with thée in faith poore hart I will Be of good comfort thou shalt haue no harme But if that kisses haue the power to kill thée Thus thus and thus a thousand times I le stab thée Iane I forgiue thée what fort is so strong But with besieging he will batter it Wéepe not sweete Iane alas I know thy sexe Toucht with the selfesame weaknes that thou art And if my state had béen as meane as thine And such a beautie to allure his eye Though I may promise much to mine owne strength What might haue hapt to me I cannot tell Nay feare not for I speake it with my hart And in thy sorrow truly beare a part Ia. Most high and mightie Quéene may I beléeue There can be found such mercie in a woman And in a Quéene more then in a wife So déeply wrongd as I haue wronged you In this bright christall myrror of your mercie I sée the greatnesse of my sinne the more And makes my fault more odious in mine eyes Your princely pitie now doth wound me more Then all your threatnings euer did before Q. Rise my swéet Iane I say thou shalt not knéele Oh God for bid that Edwards Quéene should hate Her whom she knowes he both so dearely loue My loue to her may purchase me his loue Iane speake well vnto the King of me and mine Remember not my sonnes ore-hastie spéech Thou art my sister and I loue thée so I know thou maiest doe much with my déere Lord Speake well of vs to him in any case And I and mine will loue and cherish thee Iane All I can do is all too little too Tut to requite the least part of this grace The dearest thoughts that harbour in this breast Shall in your seruice onely be exprest Enter King Edward angerly his Lords following and sir Robert Brackenburie King What is my Iane with her it is too true See where she hath her downe vpon her knees Why how now Besse what will ye wrong my Iane Come hither loue what hath she done to thee Iane fals on her Knees to the King Iane Oh royall Edward loue loue thy beauteous Quéene The onely perfect myrrour of her kind For all the choysest vertues can be nam'de Oh let not my bewitching lookes withdraw Your deare affections from your déerer Queene But to requite the grace that she hath showne To me the worthlesse creature on this earth To banish me the Court immediately Great King let me but beg one boone of thee That Shoares wife nere do her more iniurie As Iane kneeles on one side the king so the Queene steps and kneeles on the other Qu. Nay then I le beg against her royall Edward
Loue thy Iane still nay more if more may be kissing her And this is all the harme that at my hands She shall endure for it Oh where my Edward loues It ill beseemes his Queene to grudge thereat King Sayest thou me so Besse on my kingly word Edward will honour thee in heart for this But trust me Besse I greatly was afraid I should not finde ye in so good a tune How now what would our Constable of the Towre Bra. The Queene and misstris Shoare do know my sute Qu. It is for Stranguidge and his men at sea Edward needs must you pardon them King Haue I not vowed the contrarie alreadie Dishonour mee when I haue made a league My word is past and they shall suffer death Or neuermore let mee see France againe Iane Why there is one was but a passenger Shall hee die too King Passe me no passage Iane were he in companie hee dies for companie Qu. Good Iane intreat for them Iane Come Edward I must not take this answere Needs must I haue some grace for Stranguidge King Why Iane haue I not denide my Quéenes Yet what i st Iane I would denie to thee I prethee Brackenburie be not thou displeasde My word is past not one of them shall liue One go see them forth with sent to death Exeunt Enter Clarence Gloster and Shaw Glost. I cannot see this prophesie you speake of Should any way so much displease the King And yet I promise you good Brother Clarence T is such a letter as concernes vs both That G. should put away King Edwards children And sit vpon his throne that G. should well Cla. God blesse the king those two swéet young Princes Glo. Amen good brother Clarence Shaw Amen Glo. And send them all to heauen shortly I beseech him Cla. The Kinges much troubled in his sicknesse with it Glo. I promise you hee is and verie much But Doctor Shaw who prophested that G. should be so sadly ominous to vs Shaw My Lord of Glocester I receiude the same From old Frier Anselme of S. Bartholmewes Glo. A great learned man he was and as I haue heard Hath prophesied of very many things I promise you it troubles me I hope in me his prophesie is true aside Cla. And so it does me I tell you brother Glocester Glo. I am sure it does for looke you brother Clarence We know not how his Highnes will applie it We are but two your selfe my Lord and I Should the young Princes faile which God defend Cla. Which God defend D. Shaw Which God defend Glo. aside But they should be cut off Amen Amen You brother first and should your issue faile Poore I am next the youngest of the thrée But how farre I am from a thought of that Heauen witnes with me that I wish you dead aside Cla. Brother I durst be sworne Glo. God blesse you al and take you to him if it be his will Now brother this prophesie of G. troubling the King He may as well applie it vnto Glocester My Dukedomes name if he be iealious As vnto George your name good brother Clarence God helpe God helpe Ifaith it troubles me You would not thinke how aside that any of you liue Cla. It cannot thuse how innocent I am And how vnspotted are my loyall thoughts Vnto his Highnes and those swéete yong Princes God be my record Glo. Who you I I durst answer for you That I shall cut you off ere it be long aside But reuerend Doctor you can onely tell Being his Highnes Confessor how he takes it aside to Shaw Shaw you know my minde a villaine like my selfe Shaw My Lord of Clarence I must tell your Lordship His Highnes is much troubled in his sicknes With this same prophesie of G. Who is this G Oft times he will demaund then will he sigh And name his brother George your selfe my Lord And then he strikes his breast I promise you This morning in th' extreamest of his fitte He lay so still we all thought he had slept When suddenly George is the G. quoth he And gaue a groane and turnde his face away Cla. God be my witnesse witnesse with my soule My iust and vpright thoughts to him and his I stand so guiltlesse and so innocent As I could wish my breast to be transparent And my thoughts written in great letters there The world might read the secrets of my soule Glo. Ah brother Clarence when you are suspected Well well it is a wicked world the while But shall I tell you brother in plaine tearmes I feare your selfe and I haue enemies About the King God pardon them The world was neuer worser to be trusted Ah brother George where is that loue that was Ah it is banisht brother from the world Ah Conscience Conscience and true brotherhood T is gone t is gone brother I am your friend I am your louing brother your owne selfe And loue you as my soule vse me in what you please And you shall see I le doe a brothers part Send you to heauen I hope ere it be long aside I am a true stampt villaine as euer liude Cla. I know you will then brother I beséech you Pleade you mine innocence vnto the King And in meane time to tell my loyaltie I le kéepe within my house at Bainards Castle Vntill I heare how my dread Soueraigne takes it Glo. Do so good brother Cla. Farewell good brother Gloster Glo. My teares will scarcely let me take my leaue I loue you so Farewell sweet George Exit Cla. So is he gone now Shaw t is in thy power To binde me to thee euerlastingly And there is not one step that I shall rise But I will draw thee with me vnto greatnesse Thou shalt sit in my bosome as my soule Incense the king now being as thou art So neere about him and his Confessor That this G. onely is George Duke of Clarence Doctor thou needst not my instruction Thou hast a searching braine a nimble spirit Able to master any mans affections Effect it Shaw and bring it to passe once I le make thee the greatest Shaw that euer was Sha. My Lord I am going by commaundement Vnto the Marshalsea to Captaine Stranguidge For Pyracie of late condemnde to die There to confesse him and his companie That done I le come with spéed backe to the king And make no doubt but I le effect the thing Glo. Farewell gentle Doctor Sha. Farewell my Lord of Gloster Exit Glo. Let me awake my sléeping wits a while Ha the marke thou aimst at Richard is a crowne And many stand betwixt thee and the same What of all that Doctor play thou thy part I le climbe vp by degrees through many a heart Exit Enter Brackenburie with Vaux the Keeper Bra. Why maister Vaux is there no remedie But instantly they must be led to death Can it not be deferd till after noone Or but two howres in hope to get reprie K. Maister Lieutenant t is in vaine
to speake The kinges incensde and will not pardon them The men are patient and resolude to die The Captaine and that other Gentleman Haue cast the dice whether shall suffer first Bra. How fell the Lot to Stranguidge or to him Kee. The guiltlesse passenger must first go too t Bra. They are all guiltlesse from intent of ill Kee. And yet must die for doing of the deed Besides the Duke of Exeter found dead And naked floating vp and downe the sea Twixt Calice and our coast is laid to them That they should rob and cast him ouerboord Bra. My soule be pauwne they neuer knew of it Kee. Well bring them forth Bra. Stay them yet but an houre Kee. I dare not do it sir Robert Brackenburie You are Lieutenant of the Towre your selfe And know the perill of protracting time Moreouer here 's that pickthanke Doctor Shaw The Duke of Glosters spaniell shriuing them Come bring them forth Bra. Poore Stranguidge must thou die Enter one bearing a siluer Oare before Stranguidge Shoare and two or three more pinionde and two or three with bils and a hangman Bra. stil. I dare not say good morrow but ill day That Harrie Stranguidge is thus cast away Stran Good Cosin Brackenbury be as wel content To see me die as I to suffer death Be witnesse that I die an honest man Because my fact proues ill through ignorance And for the Duke of Exceter his death So spéede my soule as I am innocent Here goes my griefe this guiltlesse gentleman Like AEsops Storke that dyes for companie And came God knowes but as a passenger Ah master Hud a thousand floods of woe Ore-flow my soule that thou must perish so Sho. Good Captaine set no perturbation Hinder our passage to a better world This last breaths blast will waste our weary soules Ouer deaths gulfe to heauens most happy port There is a little battaile to be fought This while the hangman prepares Shoare at this speech mounts vp the ladder Wherein by lot the leading must be mine Second me Captaine and this bitter breakfast Shall bring a sweeter supper with the Saints D. S. This Christian patiece at the point of death Doth argue he hath led no wicked life How euer heauen hath laid this crosse on him Well Mathew Flud for so thou calst thy selfe Finish a good course as thou hast begun And cleere thy conscience by confession What knowst thou of the Duke of Exceters death Sho. So God respect the waygate of my soule as I know nothing Do. S. Then concerning this for which thou diest knew Stranguidge of the league betwixt the Kings before he tooke that prize Sho. No in my conscience Do. S. Stranguidge what say you You see there 's but a turne betwixt your liues You must be next confesse and saue yeur soule Concerning that wherein I questionde him I am your ghostly father to absolue You of your sinnes if you confesse the truth Stran. True D. Shaw and as I hope for heauen In that great day when we shall all appeare I neither knew how that good Duke came dead Nor of the league till I had tane the prize Neither was Fludde that innocent dying man Euer with mee but as a passenger D. S. More happie he well Flud forgiue the world As thou wilt haue forgiuenesse from the heauens Sho. O so I doe and pray the world forgiue What wrong I did whilst I therein did liue And now I pray you turne your paines to them And leaue mee priuate for a little space To meditate vpon my parting hence D. Sha. Do gentle Flud and we wil pray for thée Sho. Pray not for Flud but pray for Mathew Shoare For Shoare couered with the cloake of Flud aside If I haue sinnde in chaunging of my name Forgiue mee God t was done to hide my shame And I forgiue the world King Edward first That wrackt my state by winning of my wife And though he would not pardon trespasse small In these in me God knowes no fault at all I pardon him though guiltie of my fall Perhaps he would if hee had knowne t was I But twentie deaths I rather wish to die Than liue beholding for one minutes breath To him that liuing wounded me with death Death of my ioy and hell of my defame Which now shall die vnder this borrowed name Iane God forgiue thée euen as I forgiue And pray thou maist repent while thou dost liue I am as glad to leaue this loathed light As to imbrace thee on our marriage night To die vnknowne thus is my greatest good That Mathew Shoares not hangde but Mathew floud For flouds of woe haue washt away the shore That neuer wife nor kinne shall looke on more Now when ye will I am preparde to go Enter Iockie running and crying Iockie Hawd hawd saye for spéede vntaye vntrusse pull downe pul off God seaue the King off with the helters hence with the prisoners a pardon a pardon Bra. Good newes vnlookt for welcome gentle friend who brings the pardon Iockie Stay first lat ma blaw my mastres mastres Shoare shoe brings tha pardoune tha kings pardoune off with those bands bestow them o tha hangman may mastres made mee runne the néerest way ore tha fields she rayds a pace the hee way shee s at hand bay this sirra yee that preech come down lat Doctor Shaw hea your place hee s tha better scholler mastres Shoare bring a new lesson for you Shoare O I had read my latest lesson well Had hee béene readie to haue said Amen point to the hangman Now shall I liue to see my shame agen Shoare comes downe O had I dide vnwitting to my wife Rather then see her though she bring me life Enter Iane in haste in her riding cloake and sauegard with a pardon in her hand Iane Alas I see that euen my smallest stay Had lost my labour and cast them away God knowes I basted all that ere I might Here master Vaux King Edward gréets ye well His gracious pardon frées this Gentleman And all his companie from shameful death All God saue the king God blesse mistris Shoare Ioc. Amen kéep these frea cōming here any marre Iane You must discharge them paying of their fées Which for I feare their store is verie small I will defray hold here take purse and all Nay master Vaux t is gold if not inough Send to me I will pay you royally Stran. Ladie in the behalfe of all the rest With humble thanks I yéeld my selfe your slaue Commaund their seruice and commaund my life Ia. No Captain Stranguidge let the king command Your liues and seruice who hath giuen you life These and such offices conscience bids me doe D. Sh. Pittie that ere awry she trode her shoe Sh. O had that cōscience prickt when loue prouokt Bra. Ladie the last but not the least in debt To your deuotion for my Cosins life I render thankes yet thanks is but a breath Commaund Madame during life Olde
Brackenburie bowes for you to stand Whil'st I haue limmes or any foote of land Sho. Thus is her glory builded on the sand Iane Thanks good M. Lieutenant of the Towre Sirra prepare my horse why stay you here to Iockie Pray ye commend me to my noble friend The Duke of Clarence now your prisoner Bid him not doubt the kings displeasures past I hope to gaine him fauour and release Br. God grant ye may hée s a noble Gentleman D. Sh. My patrone Gloster will crosse it if he can Enter a Messenger Nuntio Where 's mistris Shoare Ladie I come in post The King hath had a verie dangerous fit Since you came from him twice his maiestie Hath swounded and with much a doe reuiu'de And still as breath will giue him leaue to speake He cals for you the Quéene and all the Lords Haue sent to séeke ye hast vnto his Grace Or else I feare you 'le neuer see his face Ia. O God desend good friends pray for the king More bitter are the newes which he doth bring Then those were swéet I brought to you but late If Edward die confounded is my state I le hast vnto him and will spend my bloud To saue his life or do him any good Exeunt she and the Messenger Sh. And so would I for thée hadst thou béen true But if I die hid all thy pompe adieu Bra. Bra beleeue but I do not like these newes Of the Kings dangerous sicknesse Keeper No nor I Captaine and maister Fludde and all the rest I do reioice your pardon was obtainde Before these newes these inauspicious newes If the king die the state will soone be changde M. Lieutenant you 'l goe to the Tower I le take my leane gallants God buoye all Exeunt Vaux and his traine St. God buoy M. Vaux I was ye ha lost good guests Bra. You shall be my guest for a night or two Cosin till your owne lodging be preparde But tell me sir what meanes hath M. Fludde Stran. I cannot tell I le aske him if ye will Bra. Do so and if his fortunes be debasde I le entertaine him if hee le dwell with me On good condition Stran. M. Mathew Fludde He are ye my Cosin Brackenburies mind He hath conceiude such liking of your parts That if your meanes surmount not his suppose Hée le entertaine ye gladly at the Tower To waite on him and put ye in great trust Sho. In what I undertake I will be iust And hold me happie if my diligence May please so worthie a Gentleman as he What ere my fortunes haue béene they are now Such as to seruice make their maister bow Bra. No Fludde more like a friend fellow mate I meane to vse thee then a seruitor And place thee in some credit in the Tower And giue thée meanes to liue in some good sort Sh. I thanke ye sir God grant I may deserue it Bra. Cosin and all your crue come home with me Where after sorrow we may merrie be Sho. The Tower will be a place of secret rest Where I may heare good newes bad and vse the best God blesse the king a worse may wear the crown And then Iane Shoare thy credit will come down For though I le neuer bed nor bord with thee Yet thy destruction with I not to see Because I lou'de thee when thou wast my wife Not for now sauing my disdained life Which lasts too long God graut vs both to mend Well I must in my seruice to attend Exit The Lord Louell and Doctor Shaw meet on the stage Sha. Well met my good Lord Louell Lo. Whither away so fast goes Doctor Shaw Sha. Why to the Tower to shriue the Duke of Clarence Who as I heare is falne so grieuous sicke As it is thought be can by no meanes scape Lo. He neither can nor shall I warrant thee Sh. I hope my Lord he is not dead alreadie Lo. But I hope sir he is I am sure I saw him dead Of a Flies death drownd in a butte of Malmesey Sha. Dround in a butte of Malmesey that is strange Doubtlesse he neuer would misdoe himselfe Lo. No that thou knowest right well he had some helpers Thy hand was in it with the Duke of Glosters As smothly as thou séekst to couer it Sha. Oh fowle words my Lord no more of that The world knowes nothing then what should I feare Doth not your honour séeke promotion Oh giue the Doctor then a little leaue So that he gaine preferment with a King Cares not who goes to wracke whose heart doth wring Lo. A King what King Sh. Wy Richard man who else good Lord I see Wise men sometimes haue weake capacitie Lo. Why is not Edward liuing and if he were not Hath be not children what shall become of them Sh. Why man lining for beds a knife or so What make a boy a King and a man by Richard a man for vs fie that were a shame Nay then I sée if Edward were deceast Which way the game would go Sha. What else my Lord That way the current of our fortune runnes By noble Richard gallant royall Richard He is the man must onely doe vs good So I haue honour let me swimme through bloud My Lord be but at Pauls crosse on Sunday next I hope I haue it here shall soundly proue King Edwards children not legitimate Nay and that for Edward ruling now And George the Duke of Clarence so late dead Their mother hapt to tread the shoe awry Why what is Richard then Sha. Tut lawfull man he saies it so himselfe And what he saies I le be so hold to sweare Though in my soule I know it otherwise Beware promotion while you liue my Lord Enter Catesbie Ca. A staffe a staffe a thousand crownes for a staffe Lo. What staffe sir William Catesbie Ca. Why man a white staffe for my lord Protector Lo. Why is King Edward dead Ca. Dead Louel dead and Richard our good Lord Is made Protector of the sweete young Prince Oh for a staffe where might I haue a staffe That I might first present it to his hand Sh. Now do I smell two Bishopricks at least My sermon shall be pepperd sound for this Enter mistris Shoare weeping Iockie following Ca. Why how now mistris Shoare what put finger in the ese Nay then I see you haue some cause to crie Lo. I blame her not her chiefest stay is gene The onely staffe she had to leane vpon I see by her these tidings are too true Ia. I my Lord Louell they are too true indeed Royall King Edward now hath breath'd his last The Quéene turnd out and euerie friend put by None now admitted but whom Richard please Lo. Why doubtlesse Richard wil be kind to you Iane Ah my Lord Louell God blesse me from his kindnes No sooner was the white staffe in his hand But finding me and the right wofull Queene Sadly bemoning such a mightie losse Here is no place quoth he you must
you are sicke and so am not I Richard O Lord me thinks this going to our bed How like it is to going to our graue Edward I pray thee do not speake of graues sweet heart Indeed thou frightest mee Ri. Why my Lord Brother did not our Tutor teach vs That when at night we want vnto our bed We still should thinke we sent vnto our graue Ed. Yes that 's true that we should do as euery christian ought To bee preparde to die at euery howre but I am heauie Richard Indeed and so am I Edward Then let vs say our praiers and go to bed They kneele and solemne musicke the while within the musicke ceaseth and they rise Richard What bléedes your Grace Edward I two drops and no more Richard God blesse vs both and I desire no more Edward Brother see here what Dauid saies and so say I Lord in thee will I trust although I die As the young Princes go out enter Tirill. Tirill. Go lay ye downe but neuer more to rise I haue put my hand into the foulest murder That euer was committed since the world The verie sencelesse stones here in the walles Breake out in teares but to behold the fact Me thinkes the bodies lying dead in graues Should rise and crie against us O harke harke A noyse within The Mandrakes shreeks are musicke to their cries The verie night is frighted and the starres Do drop like torches to behold this déed The verie Center of the earth doth shake Me thinks the Towre should rent downe from the toppe To let the heauen looke on this monstrous deede Enter at the one doore Dighton with Edward vnder his arme at the other doore Forrest with Richard Digh. Stand further damned rogue and come not néere me Fo. Nay stand thou further villaine stand aside Digh. Are we not both damned for this cursed deed Fo. Thou art the witnesse that thou bearst the King Digh. And what hearst thou Fo. It is too true oh I am damnde indeed He lookes downe on the boy vnder his arme Ti. I am as deepe as you although my hand Did not the deede Digh. O villaine art thou there Fo. A plague light on thee Ti. Curse not a thousand plagues will light vpon vs all They lay them downe The priest here in the Towre will burie them Let vs away Enter mistris Blage her two men bringing in Shoare alias Floud in a chaire his arme bleeding apace Bla. So set him here a while where is more aire How cheere you sir alacke he doth beginne To change his colour where is mistris Shoare Gone to her Closet for a precious Balme The same she said King Edward vsde himselfe Alacke I feare hée le die before shee come Ranne quickly for some Rosa-solis faint not sir Be of good comfort come good mistris Shoare What haue you there Iane Stand by and giue me leaue Bla. Unhappie me to lodge him in my house Iane I warrant you woman be not so afraid If not this bloud-stone hangde about his necke This balme will stanch it by the helpe of God Lift vp his arme whilst I do bath his wound The signe belike was here when he was hurt Or else some principal and chiefe veine is pierst Bla. How euer sure the surgeon was a knaue That lookt no better to him at the first Ia. Blame him not mistris Blage the best of them In such a case as this may bée to séeke Bla. Now God be blessed sée the crimson bloud That was precipitate and falling downe Into his arme retires into his face How fare you sir how do you féele your selfe Sh. Oh wherfore haue you wakt me from my sleepe And broke the quiet slumber I was in Me thought I sate in such a pleasant place So full of all delight as neuer eie Beheld nor heart of man could comprehend If you had let me go I felt no paine But being now reuok't my griefe renewes Iane Giue him some Rosa-solis mistris Blage And that will like wise animate the sprites And send alacritie vnto the heart That hath bin strugling with the pangs of death Bla. Here sir drinke this you néed not feare it sir It is no hurt sée I will be your taster Then drinke I pray you Ia. Now fellowes raise his body from the chair And gently let him walke a turne or two Bla. Good sooth mistris Shoare I did not thinke till now You had béene such a cunning skilde Phisitian Sho. Oh mistris Blage though I must néeds confesse It would haue béene more welcome to my soule If I had died and beene remoude at last From the confused troubles of this world Whereof I haue sustained no meane waight Then lingring here be made a packhorse still Of torments in comparison of which Death is but as the pricking of a thorne Yet I do thanke you for your taken paines And would to God I could requite your loue Bla. Sir I did you little good what was done Ascribe the benefit and praise thereof Unto this Gentlewoman kind mistris Shoare Who next to God preserude your féeble life Sho. How Mistris Shoare good friends let go your hold My strength is now sufficient of it selfe Oh is it she that still prolongs my woes Was it ordainde not onely at the first She should be my destruction but now twise When gracious destinies had brought about To ende this wearie pilgrimage of mine Must she and none but she preuent that good And stop my entrance to eternall blisse Oh lasting plague oh endlesse corrasiue It now repents me double that I scap'te Since life 's made death and lifes author hate Ia. Sir take my counsell and sit downe againe It is not good to be so bold of foot Vpon the sudden till you haue more strength Sho. Mistris I thanke you and I care not much If I be rulde by you sits downe Oh God that she should pittie me vnknowne That knowing me by her was ouerthrowne Or ignorantly she should regard this smart That heretofore sparde not to stab my heart Enter Brackenburie Bra. By your leaue mistris Blague I am somewhat bold Is there not a Gentleman within your house Cald M. Floud came hither hurt last night Bla. Is his name Floud I knew it not till now But here he is and well recouered Thanks to this Gentlewoman mistris Shoare Bra. Pardon me mistris Shoare I saw you not And trust me I am sorie at the heart So good a creature as your selfe hath béene Should be so vilely dealt with as you are I promise you the world laments your case Ia. How means you sir I vnderstand you not Lament my case for what for Edwards death I know that I haue lost a gracious friend But that is not to be remedied now Bra. No mistris Shoare it is for Richards hate That too much enuies your prosperitie Ia. I know he loues me not and for that cause I haue withdrawne me wholly from the court Bra. You haue not séene the Proclamation then Ia. The proclamation
illegittimate Ah Duke of Gloster this didst thou procure Did Richard villaine no it was thy fault Thou wouldst be wonne to such a damned déed Which now to think on makes my soule to bléed Ah Frier Anselme sleepe among the blest Thy prophesie thus falsely did I wrest Enter Anselme An. Thou didst and be thou damnde therefore Nere come thy soule where blessednesse abides Didst thou not know the letter G. was Gloster Sh. Anselme I did An. Why then didst thou affirme That it was meant by George the duke of Clarēce That honourable harmelesse Gentleman Whose thoughts all innocent as any child Yet came through thée to such a lucklesse death Sa. I was inforced by the Duke of Gloster An. Enforst saist thou wouldst thou then be enforst Being a man of thy profession To sinne so vilely and with thine owne mouth To damne thy soule No thou wast not enforc't But gaine and hope of high promotion Hyrde thée thereto say was it so or no Sha. It did it did An. Why then record in thy black hellish thoughts How many mischiefes haue ensude hereon First wronged Clarence drowned in the Towre Next Edwards children murdred in the Towre This day at Pomfret noble Gentlemen Thrée the Quéenes kinred lose their harmelesse heads Thinkst thou that here this floud of mischiefe staies No villaine many are markt to the blocke And they the nearest thinke them furthest off Euen Buckingham creator of that king Shall he to woe and wretched ending bring All this accursed man hath come by thee And thy false wresting of my prophecie For Englands good disclosed to thy trust And so it had béene hadst thou proued iust But thou and euerie one that had a hand In that most wofull murther of the Princes To fatall ends you are appointed all Here in thy studie shalt thou sterue thy selfe And from this houre not taste one bit of foode The rest shall after follow on a row To all their deaths vengeance will not be slow Enter a Messenger to Shaw Mes. Where is M. Doctor Shaw Sha. Here friend what is thy will with me Mes. K. Richard praies yee to come to him strait For he would be consest Sha. I cannot come I pray thée take that Frier For he can do it better farre then I Mes. A Frier M. Doctor I sée none Sha. Doest thou not no thy vntainted soule Cannot discerne the horrors that I do An. Shaw go with him tell that tyrant Richard He hath but thrée yeares limited for life And then a shamefull death takes hold on him That done returne and in thy studie end Thy loathed life that didst vs all offend Sha. With all my heart would it were ended now So it were done I care not where nor how Exeunt Enter the two Parators with mistris Shoare in a white sheet barefooted with her haire about her eares and in her hand a waxe taper 1. Par. Now mistris Shoare here our commission ends Put off your roabe of shame for this is Algate Whither it was appointed we should bring you Ia. My roabe of shame Oh that so soule a name Should be applied vnto so faire a garment Which is no more to bée condemnde of shame Then snow of putrefaction is deserude To couer an infectious heape of dung My roabe of shame but not my shame put off For that sits branded on my forehead still And therefore in derision was I wrapt In this white Sheete and in derision bore This burning taper to expresse my folly That hauing light of reason to direct mee Delighted yet in by-waies of darke error 2. P. Wel mistris Shoare I hope you grudge not vs We shewde you all the fauour poore men could Iane Oh God forbid I know the Kings Edict Set you a worke and not your owne desires 1. Par. I truly mistris and for our parts We could be well content t were otherwise But that the lawes seuere and so we leaue you Exit Iane Farewell vnto you both and London too Farewell to thee where first I was inticde That scandalizde thy dignitie with shame But now thou hast returnde me treble blame My tongue that gaue consent inioynde to beg Mine eies adiudgde to hourely laments Mine armes for their imbracings catch the aire And these quicke nimble féet that were so readie To step into a kings for bidden bed London thy flints haue punisht for their pride And thou hast drunke their bloud for thy reuenge What now auailes to thinke what I haue béene Then welcome nakednesse and pouertie Welcome contempt welcome you barren fields Welcome the lacke of meat and lacke of friends And wretched Iane according to thy state Sit here sit here and lower if might be All things that breath in their extremitie Haue some recourse of succour thou hast none The child offended flies vnto the mother The Soldiour strucke retires vnto his Captain The fish distressed slides into the riuer Birds of the ayre do flie vnto their dammes And vnderneath their wings are quickly shrouded Nay beat the spanniel his master mones him But I haue neither where to shroud my selfe Nor any one to make my mone vnto Come patience then and though my bodie pine Make then a banquet to refresh my soule Let hearts déepe throbbing sighs be all my bread My drink salt tears my guests repentāt thoughts That who so knew me and doth sée me now May shunne by me the breach of wedlockes vow Enter Brackenburie with a prayer booke some reliefe in a cloath for mistris shoare Bra. Oh God how full of dangers growes these til And no assurance séene in any state No man can say that hee is maister now Of any thing is his such is the tide Of sharpe disturbance running through the land I haue giuen ouer my office in the Towre Because I cannot brooke their vile complots Nor smoother such outragious villanies But mistris Shoare to be so basely wrongde And vildly vsde that hath so well deserude It doth afflict me in the verie soule She sau'de my kinsman Harrie Stranguidge life Therefore in dutie am I bound to her To do what good I way though law forbid Sée where she sits God comfort thée good soule First take that to reléeue thy bodie with And next receiue this booke wherein is foode Manna of heauen to refresh thy soule These holy meditations mistris Shoare Will yeeld much comfort in this miserie Whereon contemplate still and neuer linne That God may be vnmindfull of thy sinne Ia. Master Lieutenant in my hart I thank ye For this kind comfort to a wretched soule Welcome sweet prayer-booke food of my life The soueraigne balme for my sicke conscience Thou shalt be my soules pleasure and delight To wipe my sinnes out of Iehouaes sight B. Do so good mistris Shoare now I must leaue ye Because some other businesse cals me hence And God I pray regard your penitence Exit Ia. Farewell sir Robert and for this good to mée The God of heauen bee mindfull still of
thee As she sits weeping and praying enters at one doore young M. Aire and old Rufford at another Aire This way she went and cannot be far off For but euen now I met the officers That were attendant on her in her penance Yonder she sits now then Aire shew thy selfe Thankfull to her that sometime sau'de thy life When Law had made thée subiect to base death Giue her thy purse for here comes some Ladie Stand by a while for feare thou be discouered Ruff. What mistris Shoare King Edwards concubine Set on a mole-hill oh disparagement A throne were fitter for your Ladiship Fie will you flubber these faire cheekes with feares Or sit so solitarie where 's all your seruants Where is your gowne of silke your periwigs Your fine rebatoes and your costly iewels What not so much as a shooe vpon your foote Nay then I see the world goes hard with whoores Aire The villaine slaue gibes at her miserie Ruf. Now whether is it better to be in court And there to beg a licence of the King For transportation of commodities Then here to sit forsaken as thou dost I thinke vpon condition Edward liude And thou were still in fauour as before Thou woulds not say that Rufford had deserude To haue his eares rent for a worser suite Then licence to shippe ouer corne and leade What not a word faith wench I le tell thee what If thou dost thinke thy olde trade out of date Go learne to play the bawde another while Ai. Jnhumane wretch why dost thou scorne her so And vere her grieued soule with bitter taunts Ruf. Because I will shee is a curtisan And one abhorred of the world for lust Air. If all thy faultes were in thy forehead writ Perhaps thou wouldst thy selfe appeare no lesse But much more horrible then she doth now Ruff. You are no iudge of mine sir Aire Why nor thou of her Ruf. The world hath iudgde and found her guilty And t is the Kings commaund she be held odious Aire The King of heauen commandeth otherwise And if thou be not willing to relieue her Let it suffize thou seest her miserable And studie not to amplifie her griefe Enter mistris Blage verie poorely a begging with her basket and clap-dish What other wofull spectacle comes here Mistris take that and spend it for my sake When Rufford lookes away Aire throwes his purse to mistris Shoare Bla. Oh I am pincht with more thē common want Where shall I find reliefe Good Gentleman Pittie a wretched woman like to starue And I will pray for yee One halfepennie For Christs sake to comfort me withall Ruf. What mistris Blage i st you no maruaile sure But you should be relieude a halfepenie quotha I marie sir and so be hangde my selfe Not I this Gentleman may if he please Get you to your companion mistris Shoare And then there is a paire of queanes well met Now I bethinke mee I le go to the King And tell him that some will relieue Shoares wife Except some officer there be appointed That carefully regards it be not so Thereof my selfe will I make offer to him Which questionlesse hee cannot but accept So shall I stil pursue Shoares wife with hate That scornd mée in her high whoores estate Exit Bla. Good Gentleman bestow your charitie One single halfepennie to helpe my neede Aire Not one were I the master of a mint What succour thee that didst betray thy friend See where she sits whom thou didst scorne indeed And therefore rightly art thou scornde againe Thou thoughtst to beene riched with her goods But thou hast now lost both thy owne and hers And for my part knew It would saue thy life Thou shouldst not get so much as a crum of bread Packe counterfeit packe a way dissembling drab Bla. Oh miserie but shall I stay to looke Her in her face whom I so much haue wrongde Ia. Yes mistris Blage I fréely pardon you You haue done me no wrong come sit by mee T was so in wealth why not in pouertie Bla. Oh willingly if you can brooke her presence Whom you haue greater reason to despise Ia. Why woman Ric hard that hath banisht me And séekes my ruine causelesse though it bee Do I in heart pray for and will do still Come thou share wit h me what God hath sent A stranger gaue it mee and part thereof I do as fréely now bestow on you Bla. I thanke you mistris Shoare this courtesie Renewes the griefe of my inconstancie Enter master Shoare with reliefe for his wife Sho. Yonder shee sits how like a withered tree That is in winter leauelesse and bereft Of liuely sappe sits she poore abiect soule How much vnlike the woman is she now She was but yesterday so short and brittle Is this worlds happines but who is that False mistris Blage how canst thou brook hir Iane I thou wast alwaies mild and pittifull Oh hadst thou béene as chast we had béene blest But now no more of that she shall not starue So long as this and such as this may serue Here mistris Shoare féed on these homely Cates And there is wine to drinke them downe withal Ia. Good sir your name that pities poore Ia Shoare That in my praiers I may remember you Sho. No matter for my name I am a friend That loues you well so farewell mistiris Shoare When that is spent I vow to bring you more Ia. Gods blessing be your guide where ere you go Thus mistris Blage you sée amidst our woe For all the world can doe God sends reliefe And will not yet wée perish in our griefe Come let vs step into some secret place Bla. T is not amisse if you be so content For here the fieldes too open frequent Exeunt Where vndisturbde we may partake this grace Master Shoare enters againe Sho. What is she gone so soone alacke poore Iane How I compassionate thy wofull case Whereas we liude together man and wife Oft on an humble stoole by the fire side Sate she contented when as my high heat Would chid her for it But what would she saye Husband we both must lower sit one day When I dare sweare thee neuer dreamd of this But see good God what prophesying is Enter Rufford and Fogge with the counterfait letters Pattents Shoare stands aside Ruff. This is King Richards hand I know it well And this of thine is iustly counterfeit As hee himselfe would sweare it were his owne Sho. The kings hand 〈◊〉 more of that Ruff. Why euerie letter euerie little dash In all respectes alike how may I vse My transportation of my cozne and hides Without the danger of forbidding lawe And so I would haue done in Edwards daies But that good mistris Shoare did please to crosse mée But marke how now I will requite her for it I moude my sute and plainely tolde the King Som would relieue her if no man had charge To sée seuerely to the contrarie Forth with his Grace appointed mee the