Exit Strange Sir W. Stanly Sister pray tell the Queen by her Command That I wait here to kiss the Princess hand Mrs. Stanly If you reveal your madness you will lose The Glory of that Rescue you propose For such a daring Lover she 'l despise More then she hates her rudest Enemies Sir W. Stanly So far my sense with your advice accords That I 'le shew Deeds more daring then my Words Pray go O Coward Heart shall sudden fear Exit Mrs. Stanly Possess my Breast that was a Stranger there Must I now tremble at a Woman's sight Who was not born for Terrour but Delight Thus Natures Law is by Love's Power controll'd Which men disheartens and makes Women Bold Enter Princess SCEN. II. Princess Sir William Stanly Mrs. Stanly Madam I humbly beg that I may have Leave to expose my Life your Life to save My Zeal has long lain speechless though not weak And 't is your Danger now that makes it speak Prin. Sir by the Queen's Advertisement I learn How great a sense you have in my Concern You have a Brother too whose Constant Love By many secret Tryals I approve And though Court-Favours on his Person shine His Outside is the King 's his Inside mine Sir W. Stanly 'T is my Misfortune Madam that I must More then my own to others Merit trust And yet ere long I may deserve your Ear Without the help of an Interpreter I in your Favour should to none submit If more then all the World I merit it I hope if I relieve your present State You will my Love by my Performance rate Prin. Your Language too mysterious is more plain Expressions sooner will my Credit gain In your pretended Love you must not vye With those who wish me well by Natures tye Sir W. Stanly Madam There is a Love which does outgo All that of Sisters and of Mothers too Prin. Hold Sir These aiery Notions pray forbear For I am deaf to what I should not hear Give me no Cause to make a Foe of him Whose Friendship to my House I would esteem For I the Tyrant's Rage shall more approve Then the rude Boldness of a Subject's Love Sir W. Stanly So far from us below you are remov'd As makes you fit to be ador'd not lov'd Yet from such Love as does Heaven's Favour gain I need not Madam as from Sin abstain If Heavenly objects you resemble most Can Heaven be gain'd and you the same way lost Prin. Hold Sir This vain Discourse does ill become Her who is newly summon'd to her Tomb. Sir W. Stanly Madam those Summons ' you shall ne're obey I or the Tyrant first shall lead the Way Your Death design'd shall forfeit him his Crown The Grave he digs for you shall be his own Prin. What sure Foundation Sir can I descry Of this bold Promise which you raise so high Sir W. Stanly Foundations Madam are laid under Ground And mine though not expos'd to View are sound By painful Flattery and by long Address I to the Tyrant's Bosom have Access And Death by Steel or Poyson is his Due Who forms a black Design to murther you Prin. Those Southern Arts to stab or poyson Foes Become the Climates where such Poyson grows He that is born of a true English Race Never destroys a Foe but to his Face Sir W. Stanly But Madam can you give your Life away And to the Tyrant be a willing Prey Prin. To see him fairly kill'd I would resign All Right to what he holds and should be mine Sir W. Stanly Verst in the World but yet not knowing you Madam I ne're till now true Honour knew I am your Convert and so taught I may Ere long to perfect Glory find the way And Madam for a Tryal I this Vow Here solemnly declare to Heaven and you The Tyrant shall be slain and you releast Nobly by him whom Madam you love best In the Suns Eye and in the open Field Fierce Richard shall by Richmond's Sword be kill'd You Honour's Mistris when this Work is done Without Reproch your Proselite may owne Prin. I fear you take great pleasure to surprise My thoughts with Riddles and dark Prophecies I shall refer my Faith to their Event Now my last hours must otherwise be spent Exit Princess Sir W. Stanly As Chymists vex themselves and Nature too When her Elixir they in vain pursue And yet their toyl does other Secrets find Which improve Art and benefit Mankind So though a hidden Love I seek in vain Yet in the Pursuit I shall Glory gain Exit The Scene is changed to a Field adjoyning to Richmond's Quarters SCEN. III. Enter Earl of Richmond Lord Stanly Richmond Talk not of Victory Heaven can confer No Blessing on that Man who loseth Her L. Stanly I know the Tyrant when all hopes are past Reserves that bloody Stroke for the last Cast Surprise him with a Charge that may prevent The Execution of his dire Intent Richmond Could I destroy with the same ease and speed Him and his Camp as he can make her bleed Your Counsel then were good But else her Fate By my Attache I should accelerate The bloody Tyrant stung with Jealousie Will prest by Danger twice revenged be Including me in Her He cannot chuse But hastily destroy what he must lose L d Stanly It still has been the Care of Providence From sudden strokes to shelter Innocence Richmond I Providence adore But to expect A Miracle and so the means neglect When now the Danger of her Life is near Were to deserve the mischief which we fear L d Stanly No way but Conquest can prevent her Doom Richmond I 'le yield my self a Pris'ner in her Room L d Stanly Can the Restraint of her Preserver be The safest way to set the Pris'ner free Richmond 'T is all the way because the Tyrant's Fear Of Richmond makes his Cruelty to Her When I am in his gripe his Appetite Will in my Blood more then in hers delight L d Stanly Sir you mistake him both will please him best By drinking Blood the Thirst is still encreast Sir your important Life you freely may Lay out for her But throw it not away Richmond I am resolv'd that secretly to night You shall convey me to the Princess sight Stanly Shall I conduct you where you Death must meet Here let me rather perish at your Feet Richmond O friend my Love in this great Exigent Must Dangers seek which yours would fain prevent Nor can those Dangers be avoided here My Life and Safety are confin'd in Her Come guide me to the Princess that I may If not secure her Life her Death delay And be assur'd my Lord that her Commands With your Advice shall wholly guide my hands L d Stanly Sir I both yours and her Discretion know And on your Terms propos'd I yield to go But this great Enterprise you must disguise As well to your best Friends as Enemies For should it be divulg'd your Absence here May prove
slaughter not for fight Of this a signal proof now brought me hither For having notice there was drawn together A numerous body of the Borderers 'Twixt Cheshire and North-Wales urg'd by my fears Lest unsupprest at first this little Flame Grown wider might become too fierce to tame I strait did hasten to their Rendezvous And lest I should the fair advantage lose I did not for your Royal Order wait And Sir the issue was proportionate Both to my Zeal and Justice of your cause For now our Swords have left them to your Laws King My Lord this service to the full does shew How much a King may to his Subject owe For Richmond these and these had Richmond prop't Had not your Hand this budding Treason crop't And now my Lord I hope your Forces are Advancing hither For I ill can spare About my Person and within my call Such Troops as yours and such a General L. Stanly You are my Sov'raign Sir a double way Your Wisdom and your Power bear equal sway But Sir I fear th' effect if we should joyn And all our Strength within one Camp confine You know the Power by the Invader brought Compar'd to yours will scarce deserve your thought Much less your Fear He all his hopes does place Upon the Risings of the Populace And thinks his Snow-ball rowling to and fro Though slender yet to Bulk and Weight may grow If this be true judge how important then Divided Bodies are of chosen Men Who by their several motions may prevent Risings and Succours to the Rebels sent King So let it be I must confess my Lord Your reasons are convincing as your Sword Honour 's your Mistress and I clearly see You mean to rob me of the Victorie And make her wholly yours L. Stanly Sir I design The Glory to be yours the Hazard mine King Hazard and Glory are so linkt together That without both I can pretend to neither But how does your indulgent Lady bear This rash Invasion of her Son I fear That Treason countenanc'd by Nature may In a weak Mother's heart too strongly sway L. Stanly The secrets of her Mind she only knows I her but not her Passions did espouse King I dread her as a dang'rous Enemy Who in the arms of my best Friend does lye L. Stanly Her thoughts are free but by a trusty Guard From all disloyal Acts her Person 's bar'd Nature her self shall be divorc't from me When she rebels against my Loyaltie King My Lord your great Example may improve All my best Subjects in their Faith and Love And here you have a Son fit to inherit All that is yours So far his early Merit Into my Favour is advanc'd that I Am not at ease without his Company He shall remain though you are forc't from hence His stay must your departure recompence L. Strange apart His meaning is I must his Pris'ner be Love is the foulest Mask of Crueltie L Stanly I doubt your Favour 's too much antedate His Merit King Fear it not My Lord 't is late Whilst you stay here some of your time I know You must on Bus'ness and your Friends bestow Exit Ld. Stanly and Strange SCENA III. King Unhappy fate of Monarchs that we must Often depend on those we most distrust But of this Loyal Rhet'rick pray how much In your opinions will endure the touch Catesby Sir I believe 't is in his Power to be Your greatest Friend or your worst Enemie The softness of his words makes but that sound With which all hollow Bosoms most abound But his late Actions I confess have gain'd My Faith to think his honesty not feign'd The rising Borderers by him supprest That he is sound at heart give ample test King Methinks his great unwillingness to joyn Forces together argues some design And yet I must confess his reasons are Of weight and fitted to the Rules of War L. Lovell Sir my Lord Strange will for his Father be A good collateral securitie He sets such value on his young Son's Head That he 'll ne're pawn it to be forfeited King I know this bus'ness has a smiling face But Lovell watchful prudence cannot trace The subtle ways of a dissembling Heart I am well read in that mysterious Art And can discern where all my danger lyes Mines have destroy'd more Towns than Batteries Enter Sir William Stanly SCENA IV. Sir William Stanly Sir the rash Foe all your desires fulfills The Native Fortresses of Wales the Hills Which only could his certain Fate prolong He madly ha's forsaken and the Throng Have crost the Severn King Happy news at last Our little Caesar Rubicon ha's past Either he acts the part of a mad Lover Or hopes his Rashness may his Weakness cover Sir Will. Stanly Let him come on he what he seeks shall have Since English ground best likes him for a Grave King Sir William Stanly 't is beneath your Fame In War to fly at such ignoble Game These Vipers want their Teeth But I must ask Your powerful aid in a much harder task Sir Will. Stanly Nothing is hard to me when you command King Confirm me in that hope I understand You o're your Sister have no little power She waits upon the Saint whom I adore Procure her Mediation for my Love If she in the design successful prove You shall be less my Subject then my Friend My Gratitude shall all your Hopes transcend Sir Will. Stanly Reward did never yet my duty move And I am no good Advocate for Love But Sir my prompt Obedience shall fulfil All your Commands and help my want of skill King That Love from her which you obtain for me With double Int'rest shall rewarded be Exit King Lovel Catesby Ratclife Sir Wil. Stanly solus When Nature form'd this Monster she design'd No less then the destruction of Mankind His Enemies but poorly satisfie The Hunger of his Rage which seeks supply E'en from his nearest Blood and his own Bed His Wife was poyson'd and his Nephews bled To feed the Wolf His Friends are kept alive As Indians cramm'd for Sacrifice survive And now this Monster both in Crimes and Shape On fairest Innocence designs a Rape Enter the Princess crossing the Stage from her own lodgings to the Queen's Appartment In passing by Sir Will. Stanly speaks to his Sister waiting upon the Princess Sister a word Mrs. Stanly I instantly will come Mrs. Stanly leaves the Princess in the Queens Appartment and returns to her Brother SCENA V. Mrs. Stan. Now Brother what 's your will Sir W. Stan. I hope this Room Is private and secure Mrs. Stanly You need not fear An ambush no close Spies can harbour here But whence this Caution Sir Will. Stanly Wonder not I bring A strict Commission for you from the King You must his Mistress gain then happy we I shall a Prince and you a Princess be Mrs Stanly 'T is the great Art of Kings for their Intents To make right choice of proper Instruments But
you I did impute that Blame becomes my due Errours of Passion not of Will may find An easie Pardon in a generous Mind L. Stanly Madam your goodness now confounds me more Then your unkind reproaches did before But your concernments now require my haste And make the price of Time too great to waste Yet ere I part I must with Joy relate Of our improving Cause the prosp'rous state For your great Chief advances with a Power Resolv'd and Numerous growing every hour Which still receives by a supply'd access Of the Heroick Welch a fair encrease And Madam from this Camp you soon will see His Flying Colours brave the Enemie Princess His hasty Succours may advance too late L. Stan. Too late how can that be Prin. The Tyrant's hate By a most Fatal Metamorphosis Does in Love's Image his ill shape disguise Of which I dread the dismal consequence L. Stanly The thoughts of his own Danger and Defence Will soon allay the crafty Lover's Heats Princess Whilst I am in his Power no Fatal threats That aim at him can make my safety better For when his danger 's great mine must be greater His bloody Temper urg'd by Jealousie Will all his former cruelties outvie L. Stanly Madam can Heaven for such a Tyrant's sake Pervert their Justice and you Guilty make But is it true that now the Queen does prove A Mediatour for the Tyrant's Love Princess It is too true A Mothers tender heart Does for my safety take the Tyrant's part L. Stanly Ha's she forgot what Guardian he has been To her two Sons Ha's she not lately seen What Husband to his Wife he prov'd and can A Mother give a Daughter to this man Princess My Lord she is my Mother pray forbear L. Stanly I must not speak what you are loth to hear Princess I fear my Lord that our great bus'ness may Suffer some damage by your longer stay And yet one minute more you must attend Whilst I an answer to this Letter send L. Stanly Your sight with no mean Joy my heart does bless Mrs. Stanly Brother your kindness makes my happiness Exeunt Princess and Mrs. Stanly SCEN. IV. Lord Stanly Charlot L. Stanly Sir by the noble Richmond's strict commands I am to leave this Letter in your hands You are intirely happy in his grace I find you there possess an envyed place Charlot I may presume that for so poor a thing As Charlot Envy cannot find a sting L. Stanly Your Person I confess should alwaies prove The subject not of envy but of love Nature does court you and her Favourite Is for a Prince his kindness ever fit Charlot My Lord you quite mistake me I was worse Then nothing till my Essence from that Source Of goodness was deriv'd From him I own Being and Happiness So the kind Sun Smiles on a Clod of Earth after a showre And then prefers that Dirt into a Flower L. Stanly Your Person and your Gratitude both shew Your Patron just when he is kind to you I find the Royal Princess too does seem To give you the same place in her esteem Charlot She does her gracious countenance afford To a slight Toy sent to her from my Lord. L. Stanly But in this jealous Court what Industry Has thus preserv'd you from each watchful spy Charlot Their bus'ness is above I keep below Besides French Pages are the Fashion now But pray my noble Lord what numbers join Of French Nobless to favour our Design L. Stanly I durst not publick in their Camp appear But of a Breton Lord much Fame I hear Charlot starts He 's Chandew call'd What 's this something I find By your chang'd face has discompos'd your mind Charlot My Lord I hope you will not think it strange That in my troubled breast you see this change Impressions such as these are often wrought When absent Friends and Country fill our thought Such fits will quickly vanish But I fear That our attendance we too long forbear L. Stanly Charlot 't is well advis'd Pray shew the way Exeunt L. Stanly and Charlot Enter again Charlot reading the Letter My Charlot I beg the continuance of thy kindness in being the faithful Interpreter and Promoter of my Passion to our adored Princess Charlot shuts the Letter suddenly Charlot Dear Paper I to thee this Homage pay kisses the Letter Though I in thy contents already find A Warrant for my execution sign'd Which I must serve upon my self and be The instrument of my own Destinie Though I am thus condemn'd yet I not grudge To kiss the Sentence and adore the Judge I only pray my Punishment may be Kept secret and exempt from infamie Alas my hopes are vain for how can I Conceal a Daughter from a Fathers eye My Fault 's too great for Pardon I allow Yet I as great a Penance undergo Since I assist my Rival to possess That which possest destroys my Happiness Grant Heaven at least that I may part from hence As clear in Honour as in Innocence Exit Charlot SCEN. V. Enter King Queen L d Strange and Attendants King Well Madam will she yield Queen I did not spare My labour to reduce her nor my care Patience must this to happy issue bring King Patience is not the Virtue of a King It will concern you and your Daughter too Not to become too tedious Queen Sir you woo In a strange Language King I must change my course Queen Nothing does less consist with Love then Force King Call Stanly and his Sister The Idle may In lingring Courtship trifle out the Day Slow Treaties will to stormings him oblige Who leisure wants to take the Fort by Siege Princess In exigents of State or Rage of War Sudden dispatch and Force conducing are But Sir in love-concernments they destroy The chiefest Blessing that you would enjoy King Madam these tedious forms destructive grow The safety of my Crown they overthrow Like a bold Suitour Richmond marches on And by pretending Love to Strength is grown When Kingdoms such Convulsion-fits endure We must not complement about the Cure Enter Sir Will. Stanly Stanly have you perform'd what I enjoyn'd Sir W. Stan. I have obey'd you Sir King But do you find Good Symptoms of Success Mrs. Stanly What shall I say apart Sir W. Stan. Sir I have done my part King Then I must lay Madam the blame on you if my design To Mrs. Stanly Miscarry Mrs. Stanly Sir unless the Fault be mine Your Justice will not punish me with blame King I do not like this Prologue Does my Flame Yet warm her Breast Mrs. Stanly Sir she condemns your haste And says her time of mourning is not past For her two Brothers and she thinks that you Your Queen scarce cold should be a mourner too Then she concludes it would great Scandal move If two so deep in Sorrow should make Love King She thinks it is too soon for me to woo But does she think it so for Richmond too Madam you know
able to engage Patience it self into a bloody Rage But Madam you are safe I shall endure All your Distempers and attend their Cure Your Int'rest must at last your Passion sway Prin. My Int'rest shall my Honour still obey Which abhors him who does usurp my Crown King Madam by Title justly 't is your own Take it and wear it When I put it on I sav'd the Crown for you you for the Crown Prin. I fear your words contain lesse Truth then Art For seldom ha's your Tongue exprest your Heart King My Tongue speaks truth I only beg the grace To be your Subject in the foremost place That is your Husband Princess I expected this In these fair Flowers to hear the Serpent hiss King When common Persons marry Passion may Direct their Choice whilst Fancy bears the sway But with great Princes the wise Rules of State Must be as binding as the Laws of Fate Their Inclinations by those Rules must move The Publick Good 's the center of their Love Prin. For Publick Good what you usurp resign Make me not yours by Force but give me Mine King You say too much I see you 'l rather prove The Subject of my Justice then my Love Th' Invader Richmond is your lov'd Gallant Whose Treason does not your allowance want Prepare for marriage or a Funeral To be my Wife or not to be at all Madam you shall be crown'd Chuse and be wise Either for Empire or for Sacrifice Prin. Spoke like your self I knew the mask of Lover Would soon drop off which did the Tyrant cover Exit Prin. King Through Rocks of Opposition this alone Pointing to his sword Ha's hew'd my Passage to the craggy Throne These hands the sharpest scythe of time mow'd down All that grew up between me and the Crown I did my Greatness to a Height advance Above the Stormy Region of wild Chance And shall frail Woman Natures slightest thing Out-brave the Power of Death and such a King I am but able to destroy and kill She can do more for she enjoys her Will Contempt of Life does all Power overthrow 'T is Fear makes Gods above and Kings below Enter the Queen SCENA II. Queen Can it be true Sir that your Fatal breath Has cruelly pronounc'd my Daughters Death Can you so suddenly degenerate From Love's soft Passion to a mortal Hate King Madam more then my Life I still love Her But I the Kingdom 's weal to both prefer Complain not of the Hardship you endure Since your own hands contain a present Cure Queen When Love his message to a Virgin brings Slow Patience lends him Feet and clips his Wings King With Patience like Love's Martyr I have born Not only her Denials but her Scorn It is not Modesty which makes her Cold Her Heart instead of Love does malice hold A guilty Passion she does clearly show To him who is her King 's and Country's Foe Queen If she stood so inclin'd how can you doubt But that a Mother's Eye would find it out King Whether that ignorance which now you show Be Real or Affected you best know To me her words and Actions both declare Which way her Inclinations byass'd are The Traytour Richmond holds so large a Part Within her Bosom as excludes my Heart But in few hours I will Possession get And drive him thence or else destroy the Seat Queen O Sir pass not a Judgment so severe Till the suggested Crime does more appear If she refuse the Courtship of a Crown She cannot stoop a meaner Flame to owne And quit the Glory of a Queen to live The obscure Wife of a poor Fugitive King But this starv'd Snake warm'd by her special Grace Invades the Land and rises in my Face Madam your Daughter's Choice will quickly show Whether his Crimes belong to her and you To morrow's Sun shall light her to my Throne Or on her Treason see due Justice done Queen Be not so hasty to pronounce her Fate Can her not loving be a Crime of State King Madam we lose but time whilst you apply To the improper place your Remedy For the malignant part of this Disease Lyes only in your Daughter's Stubborness Cure that and she no longer will be seen Her King 's just Pris'ner but the Nation 's Queen Exit King Queen Which shall I call the Cruel or the Mild This bloody Tyrant or my Stubborn Child Both are alike resolv'd and act their Part To break and tear a tender Mothers Heart She no Concern for Life does seem to owne But Death accepts more gladly then the Crown I find the Charm which does this Spirit raise Richmond as Sovereign in her Bosom sways Enter Sir Will Stanly SCEN. III. Queen Sir William Stanly Sir W. Stanly Madam I come my Destiny to learn Which wholly now depends on your Concern The Danger of the Princess draws too near The Tyrant does all marks of Fury wear VVill you accept my Service Queen Sir I must Confess your faithful zeal deserves my Trust. Now I believe you are ordain'd to be The great Preserver of my Familie Sir W. Stanly Madam your fair Esteem I will make good And seal my Promise with my dearest Blood But now that we may take a speedy Course By secret Practice or by open Force To disappoint the Tyrant and pursue The Bus'ness of your Safety I must sue For my Admission to the Princess Ear Some needful Orders I must have from her Of high Importance to our work in hand Queen Your Merit and our Danger Sir command Your speedy satisfaction But the King Must be at farther Distance e're I bring You two together His great Jealousie With highest Caution must attended be Let us retire and study how we may Make perfect your Design the safest Way Sir W. Stanly Madam you walk apace from your Distress Designs well modell'd seldom want success The Foolish Crowd who outsides only view Give that to Fortune which is Wisdom's Due Exeunt SCENA IV. Enter Mrs. Stanly and Charlot Char. He robs her both of Crown and Libertie Can he the Gaoler of his Mistris be To promise Love and thus to break his Vow Is all the Treason that a King can do Mrs. Stanly He like the worst of Thieves means farther ill For Tyrants after robbing always kill The Sacrilegious Monster will devour The Saint whom he so lately did adore Char. Avert it powerful Heaven such Cruelty Must not live long nor so much Vertue dye Her glorious Champion now draws neer and he Killing the Gaoler will the Pris'ner free And Madam to divert the painful thought Of her Restraint I have some musick brought Musick I know will not ungrateful be To her whose Soul is perfect Harmony Mrs. Stanly In this you will our Princess highly please And at this distance she can hear with Ease SONG I. TYrant thou seek'st in vain With her pure Blood thy guilty Sword to stain Heaven does that Sacred Blood design To be the Source of an Immortal Line Death will
thy Mistress woo And whilst I court thy danger court her too Strange Charm of Love Must I my Life employ For him who does my Happiness destroy I only am unjust Poor Strange to thee For all thy Danger should belong to me And yet a nobler Cause cannot engage Thy blooming Valour at thy tender Age. He is most happy who her Love obtains But he who dyes for her more Glory gains Exit Sir W. Stan. SCEN. II. The Scene is changed to the Princess Lodgings Enter Charlot Charlot If my great Rival dye why from her Grave May not my Love a Resurrection have No no! Him whom I love I so will serve That what I can't enjoy I may deserve For him none shall do more nor more endure I 'le lose my self my Rival to secure Enter Princess Charlot farewel my Guards now surly grow And nearer wait which Death's approch does show Charlot Madam you must not dye For yet we may The Tyrant's hasty Cruelties delay Let us exchange our habits In your room I 'le plant my self and intercept your Doom Princess Ah Boy how strange a Love dost thou express I 'le never ruine thee by my release Charlot Madam I charge you by the powerful Name Of your great Lover and your mutual Flame To take my Life's Oblation and allow What I to you and to your Richmond vow I am resolv'd though you my Suit deny Not to out-live the Minute when you dye And since I this have vow'd let me not spend My Life in vain which may your Life defend Undress you Madam and prepare to flye Princess Flye Your Example bids me stay and dye Charlot To ease the Ship in Storms what Freight is first Thrown over Board the choicest or the worst Princess This question puts a Period to our strife It bids me Honour save and lose my Life Charlot Madam you build on a mistaken ground Reason must Honour's darker Loves expound Subjects who for their Prince themselves undo In the most glorious way their Duty shew But Princes in whose Life the Publick lives Should save what Heaven for Publick safety gives Princess Who can the Brightness of thy Vertue doubt And when it shines so clear would put it out Charlot Less will my Danger be then yours when I Am seis'd for you For you when seis'd must dye But when the Murd'rers find a Stranger they Will pause awhile and for new Orders stay Then the Field gain'd may make us both secure Princess But Charlot in what place can I be sure Of safety when my Shape I change for yours Charlot The Neighb'ring Cloister will for some few hours I having newly gain'd the Abbess be Your Refuge till your Champion sets you free Princess Thy Kindness and thy Reasons conquer me And yet too much I hazard vent'ring thee Charlot Waste not your time in scruples Pray be gone Our work must end before the Fight 's begun Exeunt SCENA III. Enter L d Strange Mrs. Stanly Mrs. Stanly Nephew your hasty Courage I must chide L d Strange holds a letter open in his hand This letter now must all your Actions guide Strange Delays encrease the Hazard we would shun By swift Dispatch our Danger we out-run Mrs. Stanly Hasty Beginnings halt before they end Strange But does the Princess know what we intend Mrs. Stanly Should I this Enterprise to her disclose She might in Honour Scruples interpose Strange Must she be sav'd against her own Consent Lest knowing it she should the means prevent Mrs. Stanly But to conceal it is the safest way Think how her Person you may best convey Whilst I the Abbess speedily prepare To take the Kingdom 's Pledge into her Care And pray be watchful lest the searching Eye Of Catesby should our Enterprise descry The Captain whom my Brother sent you must With all the Conduct of this Bus'ness trust Strange With you the dull and slow are only Wise The Phlegme of so much Caution I despise Mrs. Stan. Your own distemper'd Heat does judge him Cold For you are more too Young then he too Old Enter Captain Cap. My Lord the Armies are engag'd and now You may your Ardour in your Actions shew Whilst Stanly's Name does in the Field afford Originals to lengthen Fames Record Your growing Valour here in narrower space May living Copies of their Glory trace Strange Captain you have restor'd my Libertie And now my Freedom shall the Princess free Mrs. Stanly May thy brave Courage with success be blest Whilst I prepare to lodge our Royal Guest Exeunt several ways SCEN. IV. Enter Catesby Forrest Lieutenant and Soldiers Catesby The King has made you his great Confident And now your Fortune may your Hopes prevent When you receive the Sign strike quick and sure Forrest Give but the Word and think the Deed secure The little Worm call'd Conscience wants a sting Hell may be feign'd I 'm certain of the King And since his mind is known what need we stay For tedious Orders Catesby Hold you must obey The Rules prescrib'd and watchfully attend Till I your Orders from the Army send Exit Catesby Leiutenant Good Master Captain teach your old Cam'rade The fine new knack to be a Captain made None by your Worship's leave could ever see Your bashful Valour face an Enemie Forrest My Courage by the King is known and try'd Lieutenant Kings may know more then all the World beside You can shew Bruises of your Tavern-Wars And turn the Ale-wifes Scratches into Scars Forrest Lieutenant you will halt in your Career When Neck and Heels shall feel your Officer Were it not for the bus'ness now in hand Lieutenant You would do much I should not idle stand Go go complain that I may be cashier'd I 'd rather starve then be thus Officer'd Forrest Stand. The Princess in Charlot's attire crosseth the Stage with her Handkercher before her Eyes as if she were weeping Lieutenant 'T is the Lady's Page Forrest Then let him pass Poor Rogue he shortly will be turn'd to Grass Lieutenant Must all the Princess Family disband Forrest When the Tree falls how can the Ivy stand A noise of Swords in the Princess Lodgings Swords in the Princess lodgings quickly go And see how matters pass Lieutenant You must come too When danger calls you send your Messenger A Pox on those that cannot hide their fear He thrusts Forrest in before him SCEN. V. Enter Queen Queen Heaven If my Child must not your mercy find Let me when she departs not stay behind I can endure no more The hand of Fate On tir'd-out Nature lays too great a Weight Enter Lord Strange leading Charlot in the Princess dress L. Strange Now Madam pray look up trust your own Eyes To Charlot suppos'd to be the Princess Your Servants guard you not your Enemies Madam you come in a most happy hour To the Queen To rule her Fears we need a Mothers Power Queen I wonder not that she 's amaz'd for I Mistrust my Sense in this Delivery Come Daughter
give my Eyes the Joy to see My dearest Captive set at libertie Charlot I Madam who your pleasure thus obey Charlot unvails Am not your Daughter she 's convey'd away And you the means of her Escape may guess When you behold me in my borrow'd Dress As mine abus'd our Friends so her Disguise More happily deceiv'd our Enemies Queen Her absence does my former pain repeat Ah! bring me to the place of her retreat Charlot You 'l find her at the Cloister fix't in Prayer Heaven and Religion now her Guardians are Strange Charlot I little thought I could by thee In this bold Rescue so transcended be Madam as faithful Guards we shall attend To the Queen Your Person and the Princess Life defend Exeunt SCEN. VI. The Scene is changed to Bosworth-Field Enter King Lovel Ratclife and Souldiers Richmond's Standard taken by the King is carried in Triumph before him King Behold the Traitor's Standard here we see Heaven gives an earnest of full Victorie Lovel You the great Brandonâ—lew â—lew you this have gain'd We owe the day Sir to your single hand No Monarch's story boasts so high a deed As Kings all men surpass you Kings exceed Ratclife You all the glorious marks of Conquest wear And greater then your self this day appear I saw stout Cheyny fall by your strong hand That sturdy Oak could not your Thunder stand King Richmond was next I had him in my Eye But he was shelter'd by my Victory Such heaps of Bodies did obstruct my way That my own Conquest did my Conquest stay And Richmond for the safety of his Head Ow'd less unto the Living then the Dead A Charge is sounded Lovel Hark! a fresh Charge they sound these desp'rate men Rally their broken Force to break again Enter Souldier Treason Sir Treason Stanly's false Brigade Have left your Colours and our Men invade Richmond in person leads them on and all That have oppos'd them either flye or fall King Perfidious Slaves Ratclife without delay These Fatal Rings to Catesby's hands convey I 'le blast the Fruit of all their Victory Strange and the Princess shall together dye Come shew me Richmond for I 'le break through all To the Sould. His Guards and crush the Traytor with my fall Exit King c. Enter King and Sir W. Stan. habited like Richmond at several doors King Ha! is it he now Fortune thou art kind Sir W. Stanly Enjoy your wish For Richmond here you find Come Sir dispatch this work the shortest way Our single hands will best decide the day King Agree'd of all my Stars I ask no more Thou art the only Saint whom I implore kissing his Sword They fight Enter Rich. What Vision 's this which does abuse my eye with Souldiers Richmond interposeth Have I a Ghost that walks before I dye Who ere thou art bold Champion shew thy Face Thou dost usurp my Person and my place King The Dragon's Teeth are sown in Bosworth Field Which does a Harvest of arm'd Richmonds yield Sir William Stanly pulls up the Vizour of his Helmet Rich. Sir William Stanly King Traytor thy false heart Shall taste my vengeance Richmond Hold Sir let my part Be acted first you needs must know this Face The Shadow to the substance must give place Sir W. Stan. Great Sir the Law of Arms proclaims my right My Sword began it and must end the Fight Richmond Not a word more or I shall look on you As on the worst Usurper of the two King End your contention both employ'd shall be Rich. This Sword and Justice otherwise decree They fight How great thy Fame had bin hadst thou been good the King fals Pursue the flying but spare English Blood Ex. Sould. in pursuit King Fate art thou just what Crime is laid on me But the resemblace of thy Tyranny Since I must lose my Throne I only crave That nothing may be found beyond the Grave dyes Rich. Remove the Corps Heaven thou art just and good So Tyrants rise and so they fall in Blood My gallant likeness you must now reveal The cause of this extravagance of Zeal Sir W. Stan. Great Sir I took your shape because I knew The Tyrant's Rage did chiefly aim at you My Loyal care made me ambitious grow To rob you of your danger and your Foe Richmond My Person you in Fight so well became That what was like I wish had been the same Enter Oxford Sir all the bus'ness of the War is done The Living and the Dead your Conquest own The yielding Foe makes useless all our Swords And for your Mercy only work affords Richmond My Lord when we are Dust our Race will know How much this Day I to your Conduct owe The Name of Vere to me and mine shall be As high in Honour as in Loyaltie Enter Lord Stanly O my dear Friend must I rejoyce or grieve In this great Triumph does the Princess live L d Stanly Sir she does live and her past dangers prove The glorious Marks and Trophies of her Love Her faithful Page has all our Zeal out-done And to redeem her Life expos'd his own My George his high Intentions did express But only Charlot's Courage had Success Richmond Heaven can my Joys no farther now improve Since I am blest in Conquest and in Love My faithful Stanly I shall need your care To prosecute the Bus'ness of the War For I my Lords no longer can forbear To see her free whose glorious Chains I wear Exeunt omnes The Scene is changed to the Cloister where the Princess was retired SCEN. VII Enter Lord Strange Charlot L d Strange Charlot such Faith and Courage joyn'd in you Deserv'd to finish what I aim'd to do Charlot My Lord th' Event of my Design should be Justly ascrib'd to Fortune not to me Strange Thy modesty does but encrease thy Glory And leaves to future Age an useful Story Charlot What I have done deserves no memory I little did because I did not dye And now my Lord it were my happiest Lot If I by all the World might be forgot Stran. What means these words Would you the world forsake When your brave Deed does it so Happy make Foul Crimes have made their Authours desperate But can the Good and Prosperous their Lives hate Your Life 's my Gift Dispose not of my Due For as you sav'd the Princess I sav'd you Charlot You did defeat me in my Souls chief Aim Of leaving Life with a reprochless Name Strange Some hidden Mystery lies folded here But hark the glorious Richmond does draw neer The Trumpets sound Charlot What shall I do my shame will open lye to himself To all the World and to a Parent 's Eye In these Extremes what can my Honour save Relieve me Heaven or hide me in a Grave SCEN. VIII Enter Earl of Richmond Oxford Chandew and Attendants Richmond To Strange George thou art now unpawn'd thy courage shewn In our Concern speaks thee a Stanly's Son My dearest Boy rise up thy Actions may To
not dare to touch that Heart Which Love ha's chosen for his Dart. Chorus Fair Innocence and Beauty are Of watchful Heaven the chiefest care But the devouring Monster shall A Sacrifice to Iustice fall II. Richmond does flye to your Redress Love's Messengers can do no less His Sword shall with one Blow Cut off your Fetters and the Tyrant too All Resistance vain will prove When Valour is inspir'd by Love Chorus Tyrants by Heaven and Earth are curst They swell with Blood until they burst But Lovers are wise Nature's eare What Iyrants ruine they repair Charlot This will the trouble of her thoughts allay 'T is time to give attendance let 's away Exeunt SCEN. V. The Scene changeth to the Earl of Richmond's Quarters Enter Earl of Richmond Earl of Oxford Lord Chandew and Officers c. Richmond My Lords the World must now be taught by you What a good Cause and a good Sword can do When Valour leagu'd with Justice goes to fight Both Heaven and Earth their Forces then unite Such Union can no more resisted be Then Men can save themselves from Destinie The odds of number on the Tyrant's side Are but the Signs which shew his Fear and Pride They are the fairer Mark Usurpers must In multitude of Guards repose their trust But whilst with numbers they their Camp o'recharge They but our Fame and Booty more enlarge Oxford When we engage with such a guilty Foe Heaven's Justice adds more weight to every blow We only to their swift Destruction move Who are condemn'd already from above Chandew The Plains of Redmore seem to be the place Where our Just Valour must the Guilty face Where Conquest will a noble Harvest yield And turn to Groves of Laurel Bosworth Field Oxford 'T is true we deal with a destructive Foe The neerest of his Blood have found him so But his pernicious Hands more practis'd are In private Murther then in open War Chandew Each common Souldier makes the cause his own As if none were concern'd but he alone But 't is not strange to see the Souldier fir'd To such a Height when by your Flame inspir'd Richmond My Lords I to your courteous praise agree They may be high because you heighten'd me The Priour of Litchfield Sir is lighted here Enter Souldier And humbly craves the favour of your Ear. Oxford 'T is he you sent for Sir whose Name is high For Learning Pious Life and Prophecy Richmond Those Leaders most shall prosper who advise With Heaven e're they begin their Enterprise Exeunt Oxford and Chandew SCEN. VI. Earl of Richmond Priour of Litchfield Richmond Excuse me Father for I think it rude To call you to a Camp from Solitude I am inform'd that you to private ears Foretold Events which cur'd my Partie's fears Your Power with Heaven is such as may obtain What otherwise I should despair to gain This Father is the cause of my address Priour Then Sir thank Heaven for you shall have success Richmond Now I believe the publick Voice is true Which does ascribe Prophetick Force to you Priour That Light dwells not in Sinners I should be Charg'd with the worst of Crimes Hypocrisie If I pretended to that holy Fire Which does the cleaner Hearts of Saints inspire But ' mongst the Records of our Priory Th' Authentick works of the wise Gildas lye Whose holy Life and whose Prophetick Fire The Ages past with rev'rence did admire In his large Volume I shall only trace What does concern your Person and your Race Richmond The Authours Value heighten'd by your Praise Does expectation to assurance raise Priour First he runso're the Conquests of this Land By Saxons Danes and by a Norman hand Then mentions the two Roses and in brief Foretels th' Event of that Intestine Strife Which has the noblest Blood of England cost And the best Provinces of France has lost Our Authour next upon the present state Of our own times more largely does dilate And savs the sury of a Savage Boar Shall his own Blood and then this Land devour Then he describes the Man and you are he Who must redeem this Realm from Tyrannie Who after Conquest shall by force of Love More then by War our happiness improve For peaceful England shall the Roses find No more in battel but in marriage joyn'd Richmond What can be more shall I successful prove In all my hopes of Empire and of Love Priour Sir much remains behind your Race shall do Things yet more worthy of themselves and you They shall an Union make of louder Fame And of two Kingdoms one great Empire frame But after this a Tempest does succeed Which Hell shall with contagious Vapours feed This Tempest will produce a deed so black That Murther then shall an example lack But from this dark Eclipse a Prince will rise Who shall all Vertues of your Race comprise Forreign and Native Foes he shall o'recome With force abroad with lenity at home Though in our sep'rate World this happy Land The center of his Power will fixed stand Yet here the wide Circumf'rence must not end But with the Ocean joyntly shall extend Let Envious and ungrateful Nations joyn His Birth-right to usurp or to confine When they invade his Empire on the Main They will but act the Gyants War again And when his Sea-Dominion they dispute His Thunder shall those Sons of Earth confute Richmond These great and glorious things whilst you recite You fill my Soul with Wonder and Delight Your Sccuts Sir are return'd and bring you word Enter Soldier That the Usurper's men have past the Ford. Richmond There 's for thy News I wish th' Allarum true Father we now must part yet we 'l pursue The same great End though in a diff'rent way For I must go to fight and you to pray Exit Priour Enter Oxford and Chandew SCEN. VII Richmond Oxford Chandew Oxford We both have view'd the Foe within our ken And we are certain they are Stanly's men Their Number 's not five thousand And their Post Is not so fixt but that it may be lost Sir we may force their Quarters And on these Begin the Number of your Victories Richmond No my dear Oxford Those whom now you see Must be unseen and need not conquer'd be For they are ours already But this must A Secret be for yours and Chandew's Trust. From their so neer advancing you may learn That the next Sun will end our great Concern My Lords we have but little time to spare Our Arms and men we must with speed prepare Oxford With Joy your Orders we shall all obey Our zeal to serve you suffers by Delay Exeunt The Scene is Changed to the Princess Lodging ACTUS QUARTUS SCEN. PRIMA Enter Sir Will. Stanly Mrs. Stanly L d Strange Sir W. Stanly Nephew pray leave us If the Guards should see Our close Converse we should suspected be L d Strange I am the Witty Tyrant's Cruel sport Fetter'd in Silk condemn'd to be at Court