KING EDGAR AND ALFREDA A Tragi-Comedy Acted at the Theatre-Royal Written By EDWARD RAVENSCROFT Gent. Illud quod medium est atque inter utrumque probamus Mart. LONDON Printed for M. Turner near Turn-Style in Holbourn M.DC.LXXVII READER INstead of a Preface I will only treat you with the Life of Edgar as I find it in our English Chronicles No Romance Affords more variety in so few words and the pleasure of reading it will recompence the trouble The LIFE of EDGAR King of the West Saxons EDgar by his Brother's death became King of all England at Sixteen Years of age but his Coronation when and where and by whom is uncertain Some say he was Crown'd at Kingston upon Thames by Otho Archbishop of Canterbury in the First Year of his Reign others say not till the Twelfth and William of Malmsbury not till the Thirtieth Another Chronicle saith in his Eleventh year and that in the City of Bath by the hands of Dunstan whom he call'd home out of Flanders where he liv'd in Exile This King had no Warr all his Reign yet always well prepar'd for Warr he govern'd the Kingdome in great Peace Honour and Prosperity gaining thence the Sirname of Peaceable The Saxons acknowledg'd him their sole Soveraign without Division of Provinces and Titles under him ended the Heptarchy till then the Land was cantl'd out into Seven Principalities His Acts were some Virtuous some Politick some Just and some Pious and some with a mixture of Vice but those related to Women His Care and Wisdome was great in guarding the Coast round with Ships to the Number of Three thousand six hundred which he divided into Four Squadrons to sayl to and fro about the Four Quarters of the Land meeting each other Thus he kept out wisely the Force of Strangers prevented Foreign Warr and secur'd the Coasts from Pyrats He would himself sayl round his Kingdome once every Summer In the Winter and Spring time he usually Rode the Circuit as a Judge Itinerant through all his Provinces to see Justice well administer'd and the poor not oppressed he severely punish'd his Judges if he found them corrupted with Bribes To repress Drunkenness which the Danes had brought in he made a Law ordaining a size by certain pinns in the Cup with penalty to any that shou'd presume to drink deeper then the Mark. To clear the Land from Wolves which in his dayes did great annoyance to his Country he wholly remitted the Tribute imposed on the Princes of Wales by King Athelston appointing in lieu thereof a certain Number of Wolves yearly to be paid whereof the Prince of North Wales for his part was to pay Three hundred which continu'd for Three years space and in the fourth year there was not a Wolf to be found and so the Tribute ceas'd Towards the end of his Reign the Welsh-men mov'd some Rebellion against whom he went with a Mighty Army and chastis'd the Authors but when his Souldiers had gotten great Spoyls and made prey upon the Innocent Country people he commanded them to restore it all back again which if it made some few English angry it pleas'd the whole Country of the Welsh and rais'd him high in their admiration His Pious Acts were that he built and re-edify'd seven and forty Monasteries and meant to have made them up Fifty but was prevented by Death In his Progress going to Chester he summon'd to his Court there all the Kings that held of him took homage of them their names are Kened King of Scots Malcolm of Cumberland Maccuse of the Iles Five of Wales Duffnall Howell Griffith Iago Iudethil These he had in such awe that going one day into a Gally he caus'd them to take each man an Oar and row him down the River Dee whilst himself sate at the Stern saying That his Successors might then glory to be Kings of England when they had such Honour done them The same Year he gave to Kened the Scottish King many Rich Presents and the whole Country of Lawdian or Lothien to hold of him on condition That he and his Successors shou'd repair to the English Court at high Festivals when the King sate Crown'd gave him also many Lodging places by the way which till the dayes of Henry the Second were still held by the Kings of Scotland He was of Stature not tall of body slender yet so well made that in strength he chose to contend with such as were thought strongest and dislik'd nothing more then that they shou'd spare him for Respect or fear to hurt him Kened King of Scots then in the Court of Edgar sitting one day at Table was heard to say jestingly among his Servants He wondered how so many Provinces could be held in subjection by such a little dapper man His words were brought to the King's Ear he sends for Kened as about some private business and in talk drawing him forth to a secret place produces two Swords gave one of them to Kened And now saith he it shall be try'd which ought to be the Subject for it is shameful for a King to boast at Table and shrink in Fight Kened abash'd demanded his pardon for what he had simply spoken and no way intended in contempt or to his disparagement wherewith the King was satisfy'd His Faults were that he deflowr'd a sacred Nunn call'd Wolsechild on whom yet he begot a Saint the Chaste Edyth After her he took another Virgin out by force call'd Ethelfâ—ede where she was placed by her Friends to avoid his pursuit For her excellent Beauty she was call'd Ethelfâ—ed the White He kept her as his Concubine but liv'd not obstinately in the offence for sharply reproved by the Archbishop Dunstan he submitted to seven years penance Another Story there goes of him that he chanc'd to hear of a Virgin Daughter to a Western Duke exceedingly prais'd for Beauty and coming to Andover commanded her to his Bed The Mother not daring flatly to deny yet abhorring that her Daughter shou'd be so deflowr'd brought in the dark her Maid to him dress'd in her Daughters Cloaths A Wench it seems not unhandsom nor unwitty who supply'd the place of her Young Lady In the Morning making haste to rise daylight scarce yet appearing was by the King ask'd Why she made such haste She answered To do the Work her Lady had set her not daring to hazard her displeasure by a longer stay By which words the King perceiv'd the Deceit and turn'd it to a Jest. But so well lik'd her company that he kept her with him advanc'd her in Honour above her Mistress and made her take place of her in publick Lov'd her and accompany'd her only till he marry'd Alfreda Alfreda was the only Daughter of Ordgar Duke of Devonshire Founder of Tavestock Abby in that County She was extreamly cry'd up for a Beauty the King hearing the loud Commendations sent his Favourite Earl Ethelwold to see her intending if she were found such as answer'd report to demand
have been as absolute in my breast As you are in your Kingdoms King You strangely bless me in but discovering That you cou'd have lov'd me Alfr. Hold Sir The same temper that had inclin'd me then To have receiv'd your flame permits not now I shou'd so much as think I might have been More happy much less declare it King If thou art not miserable I am And though you may not declare it I must Alfr. But I must not hear it King Hear it and pity me Alfr. Pity for a King is in a Subject's breast Presumption King A Duty rather Alfr. In others it may but in me ' twoud be a Crime King Alas Alfreda if you are rigorous I shall hate Ethelwold your Pity shou'd Like healing Balm be powr'd into the wounds he made Alfr. That Pity would not heal your wounds But make 'em fester and deeper to my Honour give Tho I may be sorry for his fault I must not be concern'd at your Complaints My Honour suffers if I longer stay Turns from the King and meets Ethelwold Enter Ethelwold Ethel What Alfreda does my coming fright you hence Alfr. No nor wou'd your departure much please me Ethel I know you had a good Game You had no reason to throw up your Cards Alfr. Do you play my Hand out And anon tell me what you are a winner Exit Alfreda King How much the Remedy she gives to cure Encreases my disease While she appears thus charming fair Thus exactly virtuous and thus truly great With what temper can I bear the loss of her Ethelwold thou hast robb'd me of a Woman So made to be my Queen Thou seem'st to have foyl'd Destiny And prevented Fates disposal of her Speak Why did you tell me she was not beautiful Ethel I judg'd her Beauty by your Greatness I did not think it merited the honour To be plac'd in so great a Monarch's Throne King The world contains not such another Woman Ethel If I am guilty your Opinion is my Crime For Fancy gives beauty its estimate King In meaner beauties what you say is true But Alfreda has Excellencies so much Above the rest of woman-kind that none Could behold her matchless Charms and not know She was and is the fairest of her Sex This was the reason why you depriv'd me of her Ethel I requested not Alfreda of you 'cause she was Fair but because I lov'd her King If it be true that you deceiv'd me 'Cause you lov'd her it is also true That you lov'd her 'cause you thought her beautiful Ethel I humbly askt your leave to marry her King Yes after thou had'st profan'd her beauty And said she had more than her Equals here Ethel If Sir I thought King The Thought was Blasphemy and blacks thy Soul But this was an arch peice of Treachery Look there then there two Copies how different Yet from the same Original This to th' Eye Belies profanes blasphemes Divinity Ethel If Sir the Painter err'd must I be blam'd King For this conspiracy you 'l both be damn'd Traytor thy Crimes shall not go unpunish'd Guards there Enter Guards Ruthin Queen Alfreda from one side Aldernald Matilda from the other Seize that Traitor In Dungeons thou shalt celebrate thy Nuptials Chains shall embrace thee not Alfredas armes And that thou may'st even in this life be damn'd Thou shalt quite be depriv'd o' th' sight of her Still may her Beauty haunt thy restless mind Despair be the attendant of each thought This Heaven of Beauty in thy hopeless fancy see A Heaven that ne're shall be possest enjoy'd by thee Alfr. Sir on my knees King Away to prison with him Alfr. Brother Madam my Lord will no one speak Ruth His offence King You shou'd be the last shou'd speak You was his Counsellour and shar'd his Guilt He was by Love you by Ambition led Yo 've rais'd your Daughter to my Throne and Bed But your ambitious ends Iâ—le thus destroy Shee shall my Throne but not my Bed enjoy Thou to a Crown shalt not be long ally'd With her ends thy Ambition and thy Pride Madam To you Respect and Honour I will pay Though not my Heart you shall my Scepter sway You in the Grandeur of a Queen shall move Depriv'd of nothing but the Rights of Love To punish him those joys must be deny'd Points at Ruthin But shall by a kind friendship be supply'd Queen Unhappy Woman that art made wretched To be great King The first proof of my friendship this shall be For the Queens sake enjoy your liberty Exeunt K. Q. Alfr. I am resolv'd the King shall hear me speak Alder. To Ethelwold I will a visit make And tell him that his cause you undertake Exeunt Ald. and Alfreda severally Ruth The Watchful Chymist that with pregnant hopes Waits the Return of his long labours And in that minute he expects should give Perfection to the precious Elixir Sees the Stills fall and all the rich Production Buried in the ruins receives not a defeat Than this more unexpected Fortune to th' Wise and the industrious shews Her spight but unto Fools success allows Exit Enter Durzo Hillaria Alicia meeting him Alic. O here 's your man of War Hill Captain you look as if you were not well Dur. I am not I have Wild-fire in my veins My bloud is a Circulating Flame Hot as the Current of melted Metals That flows from the Entrails of burning Mountains It spouts against the upper Region of my Brain Like a tempestuous Hurricane I have a red-hot Devil in me Alic. O Terrible Hill Do you know what this strange Disease is Dur. Know I know nothing But Nature is at war within me My Brain 's revers'd all all my Senses on the Rack Hill We had best begone he 'l beat us presently Alic. By the description this should be Love Hill Yes Love Captain that 's the little hot Devil You talk of Alic. He plays mad Reaks when first he enters a Breast and finds Resistance Hill Love like the small Pox as any seldom escape it So the longer we live without it the more Dangerous 't is when it comes Enter Oswold Osw. Hillaria what execution have you done Hill I have discharg'd my upper Teer I have pepper'd him with small Shot Osw. How is 't Captain are you in Love yet Hill Yes yes he is furiously infected with Love Alic. But can you tell him how to cure this Disease Osw. To cure Love he must look for Love again Bear up close speak to her Captain Dur. I cou'd speak better to the great Guns Of an Armada that answer in leaden syllables Whose Oratory is nothing but fire and noise Osw. Bear up with the little Pinnace Clap her aboard briskly Dur. If I was but once Master of her Fore-deck Osw. That 's easie she 's leaky Captain she 's leaky Dur. Then she 'l founder in the Hold anon Osw. Come I 'le bring you both to Grapling Get clear of one another as you can Oswold brings
Freedom I restore You 'l meet Alfr. I will You 'l not recall this Grant King My Promise firm as Fates Decree shall stand A King's word I gage Alfr. If from me you want a Pledge Sir in assurance take my hand Enter Aldernald King Come Aldernald be thou a Witness With what severity I treat my self That robb'd of all my happiness resolve to lose The pleasure of Revenge and neither to complain Nor punish the Offender Ald. The noblest conquest is o're our selves King You left me a King an angry Iove Then I held Thunder in my hand Of which Alfreda has disarm'd me now Onely to my self I am a Tyrant Go let Ethelwold have his Enlargement Tell him my after-rage he need not fear My Passions I enslave and him let loose To play the luxurious Wanton in the yet Untasted pleasures of thy fair Sisters love Ald. 'T is a less glory to conquer Kingdoms Than thus to subdue our Passions King Now fair cruel one let him enjoy thy Love Whilst I in secret mourn my unkind Fate If any Sigh by chance shall reach thy Ear Let it not breed disquiets in you For after this your pity will be vain Nor will I of your cruelty complain Exit King Alfr. So this hard Task is o're Ald. I know not which has most generous been You Alfreda to intreat or the King To grant a Pardon fot both alike were injur'd Alfr. Ethelwold perhaps will make but an ill Return Advise him to correct his jealous temper For Jealousie is the restless worm of the Brain As Guilt is of the Conscience Full of causeless fears and apprehensions Ald. This Act of Virtue will compose his thoughts And wipe away his fears but Remit the management of this to me I 'le undertake to cure his Jealousie Exit Alfr. I am run into a Labyrinth of dangers And know not which way to escape The Queen is suspicious the King amorous My Husband jealous To gain him Liberty I have ingag'd to meet the King to night If I do not I fear his anger will relapse If I do I expose my Honour Unfortunate state I have no Guide No Counseller if I erre Malicious Fortune Has so contriv'd it the fault must be all My own let Heaven that knows my Innocence Take care of it Enter the Queen and Ladies The Queen brings anger in her brow I 'le stand the shock Queen Ladies why do you follow me Why do you press on my Retirement 1 Lady Madam you are melancholly We hope our company may divert it Queen Why this care of me why to me so kind 2 Lad. It is our duty Madam Queen Your duty to whom 2 Lady To you Madam Queen Why who am I 1 Lad. You are the Queen Madam Queen The Queen how you all mistake There is the Queen you misplace your Service Go attend on her that is the Queen You seem not to believe me Doth not the whole Court bow to her Do they not in Crowds follow her What State what Train have I who follows me Except your selves Foolish Virgins There make your Court Alfr. She is much troubled in mind and her discontent Reflects on me with great severity Queen Go be Attendants there blest with her influence You 'l pass through merry Spheres she 'l conduct you To Courts of State and Palaces of delight Where Kings shall make Love and Princes court you Where all the year is spent in Balls Masques Treats And your whole lives in pleasures melt away Alfr. My Soul stand firm to generous Resolutions It is not noble to insult o're Griefs Queen I shall lead you but to silent Grotto's To lonely Walks and melancholly Groves The Recesses of the Forsaken and Afflicted Places sit onely to sigh and mourn in Where rapt in serious contemplation I shall a while forget my sorrows And though I weep and sigh not know I do Alfr. The King 's late Resolutions impress'd These mournful characters so deeply on her heart 1 Lad. Let us still follow her Ex. Queen and Ladies Alfr. I have o'recome all that was Woman in me Inspir'd by my injuries I could severely Have retorted But that had been too Womanish The wrongs thou didst were In obedience to a Father thy Ignorance In part excuses the Guilt But here he comes Enter Ruthin Whose confederacy was malice and design For he knew the secrets of the King's soul. Sir I have heard the Queen lament And seen her Griefs How soon they 're grown to an excess Ruth Tides blown by strong winds role in apace And quickly swell above their banks Her sorrow is already next distraction And just breaking o're the bounds of Reason Alfr. The expressions of her Discontent were such As call'd my Honour into question And arraign'd my Virtue Ruth There needs no greater evidence to shew The sudden discomposure of her mind Than her Doubts of Virtue that is guarded By duty and obedience to a Father By the Glories of a Family None more Noble none more Ancient By Love and Friendship to a Brother By his acquir'd Fame and high Renown By Fath and Loyalty to a Husband And Conjugal affection Alfr. True my Lord. Ruth Though urg'd by Love and Inclination No Lady but would mak 't her choice Rather to sacrifice her life to Virtue And die the Martyr of her Passions Than part with Honour when the loss of it Would taint her whole blood and entail disgrace On two such Great and Noble Families Alfr. Right my Lord Ruth For such a deed the present Age in Songs Would celebrate her Shame and History To after-ages bear her memory With long Traditions of her Infamy And on her name fix an eternal Blot Alfr. Through these aggravations I perceive Your fears my Lord but know that I have yet Than these a stronger Guard my Virtue Perchance some Lady of a common temper Gladly would embrace the fair occasion Grow proud of her interest and meanly Insult o're you a Husband and a Queen And count such Revenge glorious But my Thoughts are more transcendent Ethelwold already owes his life to me My Lord come with me to the Queen I have something to impart to her and you Will ease your minds of half your fears And take away your mean Suspitions If ought I can contribute to her peace I 'le do it the Revenge I prosecute Shall be to make you all asham'd And blush at your so vulgar apprehensions Exit Ruth Virtue may protect her but her absence Is th' onely remedy against the King's love Be her Absence then decreed be it The constant subject of my meditation Exit Enter Oswald and Durzo Osw. But Captain you should first have parlied And demanded satisfaction fairly Did you think to take her heart by storm As men do Towns Durz. It was more like a Soldier Osw. But not like a Lover Love is a gentle Passion Here she comes you had best steer a new course Enter Hillaria Hill What in the dumps Captain Osw. He 's in a
King has th' advantage King Sit down and play my Game if this end Before my Return begin another Oswald Exeunt the King and Oswold A Courtier sits down to play After a while Ethelwold rises Eth. Cousen I 'le trust my Game to your management Pray use your skill 'till my Return Exit Another Courtier sits down to play The Scene shuts upon them Scene 4th Enter the Queen and Alfreda in the Garden Queen This Secret you have reveal'd takes from me All suspicions of your Virtue I have not now one jealous thought of you But the King still does and will love you Alfr. But after this night I will no more Be seen at Court not that I doubt my Virtue Or my Courage no Madam 't is for your sake I go because I know my absence will with More speed and ease restore you to the King's love I would else stand my ground and my Virtue Should from this Trial grow exemplar Queen Let the excess of love I bear the King Excuse the wrongs my Jealousies have done Which are so much the greater because The Virtue they have offended is so highly eminent Alfr. That my Honour may not receive a blemish From this nights private conference I have intreated your presence in the Garden Assisted by the darkness of the night You may unperceiv'd by the King Hear our Discourse and thence know his intents Queen My heart is on the sudden much opprest Something fills my mind with sad presages And makes me grow suspicious of th' event Alfr. Those thoughts are the dictates of your Melancholly Queen I would fain retreat Alfr. Oh Madam let me importune your stay To witness for me if by any chance Our meeting be discover'd that nothing past Injurious to my Lord or unworthy A Ladies publick vindication Queen Hark I heard the Garden-gate clap too Alfr. He is coming stand conceal'd The Queen absconds Enter the King and Oswold in disguise with a dark Lanthorn and a naked Sword King Here expect my Return To Oswold Alfr. Who 's there The King advances King 'T is I the King Oh my Alfreda Oh most blest and happy minute of my life Alfr. Why are you Sir so much rejoyc'd King How sweet are stollen minutes in love Of this kind compliance That be the Reward Puts a Casket of Iewels into Alfreda's hand Alfr. What is it Sir King A rich Present of Jewels Wealth enough to purchale a Kingdom Or ransom a Captive Monarch Alfr. To receive so rich a Present from you Will surely bring my Honour into question And to my Husband's Jealousies Add the censures of the world King Take 'em and with 'em take my heart Take me a King one that has power To authorize and justifie his Love One that will be thy Lover and Protector Alfr. Sir I have now a Lover and Protector That has than yours a more unlimited Power King Than mine Alfr. My honour forfeited your Power can weak Defence afford None to my face perchance May dare to call me Strumpet but in Their hearts they 'l brand me with that Title And there call you Tyrant Now I have Heaven for my Protector Heaven that Protects the virtuous and the innocent King Sin repeated and to a Habit grown Removes us from the state of Virtue But one single act will not destroy Thy Innocence Alfr. For ever it would blot my Soul and Darken my honour King The world shall never know it Alfr. It never shall for I will never King Oh hold Alfr. What wouâ—d you Sir King Lead me to thy Apartment And there make satisfaction for Ethelwold's Crimes I would have thee Give thy self up to me and love Alfr. Your discourse is too urging I can no longer bear it King Speak lower Alfr. Let them speak low that speak amiss I speak what I ought and fear not to be heard King Are you then resolv'd not to comply Alfr. From a woman of my quality That Question for an Answer merits Silence or Death King Comply then and kill me after Alfr. No kill me first and live in peace kill me And with my bloud quench your unlawful fires King Behold a King that languishes A King that courts you with His Wealth and State and to your merits Dedicates his Life and Honours Alfr. Oh King Here at your feet a wretched woman falls That with her tears and prayers beseeches you That asks for nothing but her Liberty And except her honour gives you all And to ransom That offers her life King Without that you give me nothing Alfr. I give you all I can King Your love Alfr. That is my Husband 's Right King He is a Traitor and his life is mine Alfr. Your Pardon has acquitted him King He is still in my power his Life And your Honour are at my mercy Alfr. Your word is past and cannot be recall'd King I am a King and can do what I please And now Alfreda as a King I speak I love and must enjoy Alfr. Since as a King you have declar'd your mind And as Monarch of these Dominions I will return you my Answer As I am a Queen of my own free Will And Mistress of my Affections Your Love from me shall meet with no return If me you love with hopeless fires you burn King I can act too as a King but in deeds You want power to shew your self a Queen See there Gives a sign Oswald at a distance shews a Light and a naked Sword Alfr. What means this Sight King See there the fate of Traitors Of such Traitors as is Ethelwold Alfr. What shall I do King Besides the fate that threatens him consider You are a Woman alone defenceless I have Power have Followers and am resolute Retreat not you are guarded on every side Alfr. Sir I request one favour King What is 't Alfr. Sir give me but my choice which to part with My Honour or my Life King Life must not be at your dispose I love I burn and must quench my Flame Alfr. If I consent not what can you do King Force you Alfr. who values not life fears not force King Force must prevail Alfr. Then force oppos'd by force must be The remedy You are resolv'd to attempt my Honour King I am resolv'd to procure my peace Alfr. To this then I owe my deliverance Puls out a dagger To this which my care provided for a refuge Come begin your assault Come Sir make your Amorous approaches See I 'me ready to receive your Imbraces King What art thou doing my Life Oh Alfreda what are your intentions Alfr. Approach not If you do You press this forward to my heart Tho you 'd not grant me my choice which to part with Life or Honour yet I 'le give you your freedom To see me live with honour or with honour die If barbarous man I snatch my life from thee My Honour will eternally be safe King Oh cruel one what do I behold Alfr. A woman that has courage above her Sex