joining their hands with Monks attending him Ruthin looking and smiling After a while the Scene closes Then enters Lord Ruthin and a Servant Scene the Body of the Church Ruth 'T Is done 't is done Alfreda is to Ethelwold a Bride Now let the busie tongues of Flatterers No more whisper her praises to the King But speak 'em loud till their enchanting Ecchoes Again reach his ear Now in his love my Daughter will have no Corrivals And when this Marriage is divulg'd I in his favour shall have no Competitors Go find out the common Musick of the Town Place 'em in the street near Ethelwold's Apartment Close to the Pallace Garden wall Thence will their noise o're all the Court be heard Ser. I shall my Lord. Ruth Give 'em instructions and let 'em be in readiness Ser. Yes my Lord. Ruth This credulous Aldernald will put a stop To thy early rising greatness Brave thou art but young and unexperienc'd Of thy Friend too consident of thy King Too suspitious of Honour too jealous But to thee rash amorous Ethelwold That art ensnar'd by Beauty Enchanted by a face and in Love besotted To thee it will give a lasting fall Enter Aldernald My Lord where is the Bridegroom and your Sister Alder. I have taken my leave of 'em at present That Company which is coming to their Devotions May not suspect what has been done I would not have the King Know of their marriage Before the Queen has perfectly recover'd her health Ruth She has not of three days felt any symptoms Of her Feaver she rested well last night I was with her this morning early Alder. Holds she her last nights resolution To venture abroad to day Ruth Yes This I count will be her wedding day too For though the Marriage-Rites have been perform'd The greatest Ceremony is yet to come Marriages begin at the Altar But in the bed are Consummate Alder. I have not heard the like accident She sickn'd at the Altar Ruth Yes at the very instant the Priest join'd their hands Her health was so vigorously assayl'd That the Ceremony was scarce finish'd When she fell into her womens arms Alder. Has not the King e're since bin much concern'd Ruth 'T has been a melancholly week with him But her recovery will wipe away All sad resentments from his soul. You will not long be absent Alder. I 'le but dispatch an express to my Father To let him understand that in your presence I have resign'd the Charge of my Sister I know the return of his Letters Will be fraught with thanks to your Lordship For your advice and friendship in this affair Ruth I wish he were here himself To share the mirth and pleasures of the day Alder. Age has render'd him unfit for Journeys Ruth My Lord I 'le to Court before you 'l be there anon Alder. My appearance will give a surprize For my arrival last night was so private It cannot yet be known to any I had advice too early this morning That the Fleet is coming up the River Ruth That 's very lucky wee 'l meet anon Alder. My Lord your Servant Exeunt severally Enter Ethelwold and Alfreda as from the Altar into the Body of the Church Ethel 'Till now I shar'd but Heavens imperfect Bounty Which when it gave thy heart Snatch'd me from thy embrace Not permitting us as other Lovers To repeat our amorous vows But now it gives thee to me for ever And hastens on the happy minute Which I have wish'd and languish'd for so long Now is our Fate entirely kind Alfred Kind indeed to me my Lord it gives What I never yet enjoy'd Liberty No more now your wife shall I be confin'd To Country solitude and life obscure No more be debarr'd the gaieties of Courts The delights of Cities and publick Gallantries Which yet I never knew but by Relation Ethel Thy presence from thy Fathers Palace Had banish'd solitude and turn'd it to a Court Though far from any Town or City Yet all around came there to admire And to adore thy heavenly form Alfred Such as pass for great ones there Told me that I was fair and beautiful But men are not more apt to dissemble Then women to believe their flatteries Valuing it from their praises I dispis'd their little Courtships I had a fond opinion this face Might not shame the Court therefore resolv'd That Marriage should transfer me to that Sphear Ethel O Pride thou untaught vice in woman That from her very nature tak'st thy being Alfred When yoâ— Lord Ethelwold appear'd With the many Charms of Court about you Great in your Family and long descent Greater in the favour of your Prince I thought my Pride not much above your Glory And therefore taught my heart submission Ethel She does confess her Pride Aside And with 't Ambition too appears To what ills do's Love perswade how fatal The fury of an Amorous King will be And the Revenge of an Ambitious Woman I 'le trace her Ambition yet farther And see how far it goes beyond her Love Suppose a Lady to have two Lovers One her equal whom with an unbyass'd Affection she esteems Another less lov'd by her but greater much In Titles and in Riches then his Rival Which ought she to make her choice Alfred It is noble to aspire and argues a great Soul Therefore I think Ambition should raise Her Love Love not debase her Pride Ethel But to choose where most she loves Argues the truest Love Alfred But not the wisest Ethel Did any thing but Love negotiate for me In your thoughts Love true Love I mean Sets no regard on wealth or honours Alfred Without them I might have lov'd But not marry'd Ethel Your beauty alone made me your Captive And your virtues will make the conquest Of your eyes a lasting victory Alfred This little Prudence which the World calls Pride Is the best Guard and Ornament to Beauty Yet had it lost its triumph over Love If Love o're my Soul had not a greater made Ethel You so exactly have determin'd That I must praise your judgment And your Love admire How inquisitive I 've been to know my Fate Aside Which now I have not power to avoid Forewarn'd I was yet could not retreat But still prest forward to my ruine Come my divine Alfreda let us go Where we our joys more freely may express To shady walks where Love has no restraint There sit and look and from our eyes dart beams That in our Souls shall kindle vigorous flames Till both of us grow red with inward fire And both do burn and glow with one desire There we will sit and wish away the Light And chide the Day for keeping back the Night Exeunt The King and Queen sleeping in an Arbor hand in hand Matilda sitting on the other hand of the King awake Alicia playing a soft Ayr on the Lute and singing to 't SONG How sweet a torment 't is to love And ah how pleasant is the pain I
them together Alic. Here will be an excellent Scene of Love Osw. Let us vere off and give 'em Sea-room Exeunt Osw. Alic. Dur. Can you love Hill Yes Captain Dur. Me say but that word and this Sword Draws his Sword If you command shall unpeople half the World To give us and our Progeny Elbow-room Discharge but that word from your mouth And command me to still Tempests to split Rocks asunder Lady do but feel the weight on 't See is 't not an excellent Blade Hill I have no great skill Dur. Feel has it not a brave edge and What a point is here Hill 'T is dangerous medling with edg-tools Pray put it up Dur. Have you any Enemies if you have I 'le make their bodies Scabberds Hill No Captain put it up Dur. Will you love me then Hill I love not danger any thing but killing Dur. Did you ever see one kill'd Hill No. Dur. Heaven had you been with me in our last Engagement you might have seen a sight that would have Made a Coward in love with death there you might Have seen our Enemies bear up in a half Moon Exposing to our view the terrour of their Wooden Castles The mouths of their great Guns which were made To swallow leaden morsels that might lie heavy on Their stomachs 'till they were disgorg'd in our faces Hill Faugh faugh Dur. We with Top-sails out Flags and Streamers Flourishing in the Wind and Trumpets sounding Unite our force then like Thunder fall in amongst 'em There like the Sons of Terrour we are seen In Clouds of fire and Smoak Slaughter puts on Her Purple Robes Hill Hold good Captain Dur. We play at Tennis with Iron Balls and death comes Whizzing by our Ears Heads take fire in their Brain-pans and burst asunder like Granadoes Scattering the Wild-fire of their Brains In their Fellow Soldiers faces Hill You fright me horribly Dur. Other heads fly from one Ship with the bullets That saluted them to visit their friends in another Limbs like Langrel-shot mount scattering in the air And hands that cou'd not reach the Enemy before Now fly into distant Vessels to give their foes a box Of the ear other hands grasping their swords Clear a whole Deck in the slight Hill What shall I do Dur. We are now in a confusion the Fireships Flame and their half-Moon is divided Into blazing Stars Hill Enough good Captain Dur. Some burn the men leap over board And drown themselves to save their lives Other Ships reel drunk with the Sea-brine And at last sink to the bottom to follow Those brave men who fought in 'em With as much courage as they drank Hil. Have you yet done Dur. The Flags and Streamers Hil. Yet more Dur. That hung wantonly playing in the air Now on the Deck lie stain'd in bloud And their tall Masts lie in their Hulls As in Coffins How like you it is it not brave Hil. I am almost dead with fear Dur. I thought you valiant Hil. Yes Captain in Land matters a very Lioness But in Sea-affairs a meer Coward The very Terms are Bullets to me I wou'd not hear such another Relation Dur. Not hear Can you fear when I stand by My voice is gentle but I have something That can speak louder to your Enemies Shews a Pistol See Hil. What 's that a Pistol Dur. 'T is the Spawn of a Cannon a little Spit-Devil Hil. Pray conjure him down again Dur. Frighted at my voice you shall hear What a brave Language this speaks Fires Sure she 'l love me anon Enter Oswold Matilda Alicia Osw. What warning-piece was that Mat. Alas poor Hillaria how thou trembl'st Hill O Madam the Captain 's in his hot Fit And I am in my cold Osw. What has he done to you Hil. Frighted me horribly he has not spoke a word But what was terrible as the roaring of Cannons Alic. The Captain wou'd be a rare Physician to cure Ladies of the Ague if frighting will do 't Mat. What was you doing Captain Osw. Only saluting his Mistress Dur. Right I gave her a Gun and that 's Sea-Courtship Alic. Your Complement was very loud Mat. Hillaria admit him agen into your Service He will forget he is a Soldier and turn Courtier for your sake Hil. No let him still retain his valour But not o'reshoot himself in his Complements And express his Love in such terrible Rhetorick Dur. I know not how to court you in a Silken phrase But in down-right Reality I will do 't I am your Friend Star-board and Lar-board Hil. Then Captain out with your Sails again Top and Top-gallant you shall be my Lover Mat. Well perform'd Hillaria Hil. Whilst I my heart under your Conduct steer No coasting Pyrate Lovers I nor Rovers fear The End of the Third Act. Act the Fourth Scene First Enter Aldernald and Matilda Mat. THat my Injoyment might be the greater I deferr'd the perusal of your Letter 'Till the Court-disturbances were past Peaceful minutes suit best with Love affairs Ald. I wish Madam you had read it in my absence And prevented my blushes Matilda opens the Letter and reads I have a Heart that is amorous but a Tongue That is timerous I would speak but dare not I would be silent but cannot I am urg'd by Love Detain'd by Fear If I conceal my Flame I torment my self if I reveal it I offend her I love What is she Aldernald Ald. A Princess Mat. A Princess Ald. Yes Mat. A Princess too Then I in vain my hopes of Love pursue What forein Princess can this be Ald. Oh ill construction unlucky evasion Matilda reads agen Thus am I doom'd by rigorous Destiny To be the scorn of Fate Beauties Slave And Love's Martyr It is for her I languish That now reads this Paper It is for her I languish that now reads this Paper Oh were that meant to me how fate conspires To indulge my hopes and flatter my desires Aside The Invention is pretty this fully expresses Your Love and is an evidence too of your Respect Your approach is modest and such As I could not blame Ald. How void of apprehension Aside She cannot will not understand Mat. Now Aldernald I 'le make you my Confident It was my fate once to admit of a flame Yet not unworthy my Breast if Merit May excuse the want of Royal descent For the man I lov'd though not born to a Crown Had done Actions deserving one Ald. He had more than a Kingdom in your Love Mat. But he never knew it I conceal'd my Flame Ald. Much more than mine your silence was too blame Monarchs your Love upon their knees would meet And throw themsâ—lves and Scepters at your feet Then what would not the proudest Subject do Mat. But Modesty forbids our Sex to woo Ald. Love might have found ways without blame t' impart To him you lov'd the conquest of your heart Against your silence lies a just complaint Mat. My Birth too on my Love impos'd restraint Ald. What
was sent to view your Charms If my Tongue had confirm'd the report of your Beauty You had been Queen of Mercia but your Eyes Made me a Traitor to my Prince When I had gain'd an interest in your heart To advance my Love I falsify'd The intentions of my King I told Your Father he design'd your dishonour Alfr. Then at your return to Court Degraded my Beauty Ethel I did Alfr. And this you call Love Ethel To incur the King's displeasure Alfr. Was Treachery Ethel To hazard Life and Honour to purchase thee Alfr. Was folly Ethel But does th' excess of Love declare Alfr. No it argues self interest had you lov'd me You had not robb'd my Beauty of its Glories And interpos'd 'twixt me and a Crown You would have been more pleas'd to have seen me Fixt in the Glories of a Throne Than confin'd to your low Embrace Ethel Pardon the Treason I have committed And be content to reign absolute In the heart of one that truly loves you Alfr. Had your Love been true it had been generous Then you 'd have declar'd the King's intentions And by this high act of Exemplar Virtue Taught me to value your Love above a Crown Ethel Love its greatness shews in rash effects That had exprest more Generosity But less Love if you wou'd prevent my ruin And cherish my affection You must submit to be less beautiful If his eye catch but one limb or feature Undisguis'd it hastens my confusion Damns his Soul and ruins Thee Alfr. The injuries you have done me Permit not you should be my Counsellour I will consult my own thoughts at present Expect to know no more than this What Honour does oblige I 'le do Ethel Let Pity in your thoughts have share Exit Alfr. You should first have pitied your self Bold man that durst expose his safety To the frailty of a Woman's Virtue Cou'd he know we covet all that 's fair That we love to be envied for our Greatness Ador'd for our State fear'd for our Power Flatter'd in hopes of Rewards and Favours Yet durst he rob me of all these And hope a Refuge in my Virtue Ah too presumptious man Thy folly gives My virtue too severe a tryal Yet I 'le give thee a farther Testimony And it shall be as daring as the proof Of thy injurious Love was bold I 'le work thy fears to punishment My Looks shall court Enticements 'till they 've rais'd Thy Jealousie to a dispairing height Then will I make a brave Retreat And Greatness which I seem'd to covet slight And glory in that proud Defeat Exit The End of the Second Act. Act the Third The King seen at a Banquet holding Alfreda by one hand gazing on her Face Ethelwold as conversing with Ruthin but turning his head and looking Reverse on the King with an angry jealous Countenance Aldernald in discourse with Matilda Durzo and Oswold in discourse with Ladies SONG PHillis do not slight your Prize And scorn my Heart because your Eyes At first did conquer me and win it Nor think mine 's not a real flame 'Cause it so on a sudden came Burst forth and rag'd all in a Minute Meaner Beauties by their Arts More than their force do conquer hearts And by degrees a flame engender Small Armies so do Sieges form Whilst Royal Ones take Towns by Storme And bravely force 'em to surrender They but lie in Ambuscade Whilst nobly you a heart invade And conquer it in your first advance Of Victories thus gain'd by you The Glory 's to your Beauty due They their Conquests poorly owe to Chance A DANCE King SHe 's wonderous Beautiful Nature in this fair Original has excell'd As most great Artists do in some one Piece All they have done before or after can Alfr. A King is sure on Earth a God How great how glorious are his Looks King Here I must as on some blessed Vision gaze Where still our Sight enlarges our Desires And greedy to see more at last we find Our Eyes too narrow for the Object but still Unsatisfied we look and look and thus look on Alfr. On his Brow sits Majesty enthron'd Whilst his Eyes dart Glories round him And from his Form amazing Greatness flows Thus like the Sun encircled with his Beams He dazles with excess of Light Ethel His Eyes dart pointed beams at hers And hers repay 'em with their trembling lustres Their Hearts play the Wantons in their Eyes O fatal Enterview I am ruin'd If it longer last Madam I fear the King is not well To the Queen Queen Sir are you not well King A strange unusual pain on the sudden Has seiz'd my heart Ethel How quickly Love takes root 〈◊〉 Sure I have seen that face before O 't was in that Picture Mat. What is the Captain doing Osw. Making comparisons 'twixt the Shadow And the Substance I gave him my Sisters Picture With a description of her to prepare him for Love Mat. Her Beauty warrants all you cou'd say of it If her Carriage holds 't will be a fierce Encounter Hill My heart begins to fail me already But I 'le huff it out as long as I can King Now lead the way to cool Walks and shady Groves Madam your Hand and thine Alfreda By so much Beauty on every side attended No Prince so happy but would envy my Triumphs Queen Hold Sir I am not well King Ladies take care of the Queen be assistant To her health Come Alfreda Exeunt omnes praet Queen Ladies and Ruthin Queen So I thank you all my Illness is o're Ladies pray retire a while O my dear Father is this my Nuptial Treatment This my Welcome to a Throne are these the Joys Attend on Crowns If such they are who 'd sigh to Be a Bride or be ambitious to be a Queen Ruth O my Leonora Queen Love the path that leads to Marriage Is strew'd with Wreaths and Flowers And when at distance we behold a Throne How pleasant is the prospect and we ascend to It by Golden Steps O cruelty of Nature Oh Tyranny of Fate To lead to pain through such delightful ways And make the Journeys end so differing from the Road. Ruth Afflict not thy self Let this thought warm thy breast with Joy Though Alfreda usurp his Heart his Throne She cannot thou art still his Partner there Fate by Death alone can remove thee thence Tho not his Love thou shar'st his Glory Queen I willingly wou'd change my Throne for hers In his Heart I would reign Ruth Remember thou art a Queen Let this thought inspire a Courage in thee To own that Title and maintain its Rights If as a Wife Love softens thee to tears Yet be embolden'd by thy Quality Exalt thy Looks to awful Greatness With haughty Frowns and an Imperious Brow Check the advance of that bold Invader And with the Grandieur of a Queen Dispute the Empire of his Heart Queen Tho she retreat his heart will not return But with the Flames her Eyes have kindled
Charms had he could such a Princess move Mat. Great Actions first dispos'd my heart to love And then his Picture Ald. That 's but an empty Shade Mat. Yet on my heart a strong Impression made But when I saw him he or felt no flame Or else like you was ignorant and tame Ald. What do I hear her heart has been possest Aside And Love still holds Dominion in her breast She do's relate it with so much concern That I no hopes but of my Ruin learn A burning blush still covers all her face Mat. This stupid man will force me to disgrace I am not well on th' sudden Ald. Not well Mat. Some other time I 'le tell you more Since words will not let that the myst'ry clear Exit As she goes off she pulls out a Handkerchief which draws a Picture out of her Pocket Ald. Ha what is this Blessedsight my Picture here It is at least it much resembles me 'T is mine if I can judg of what I see How dull have I been not to apprehend I am the man she lov'd And therefore did my Silence discommend My thoughts are now crowded with things she spoke How each the others meaning has mistook How both by Jealousie have been misled Each shun'd th' Approaches which the other made But though she love and do's her Love disclose A Princess cannot of her self dispose And when the King Enter Durzo Durz. Admiral Yes 't is he How he stands As if he was but th' appearance of a man I have seen him in the heat of an Engagement In the posture of that Heroe Angel That pitcht the Devil headlong out of Heaven So ho who 's within Durzo knocks with his hand at Aldernald's breast Ald. Are you here Captain Durz. That 's a Lover's question right B'ne let your Eyes Answer you but I thought you had not been at home Your Body lookt as if 't had been the forsaken Tenement of some great Soul that stood empty And wanted an Inhabitant Whirlwinds take This Love it has made a Fool of me too When I am spoken to I am thinking of Ladies my Wits and Sences are gone a rambling like Sailors Gotten a shore in their Long Boat and my Body Left without motion like their Ship at Anchor Ald. You had fair warning not to fall in love Durz. Here 's the Devil on 't I know not how it Comes about Well believe me Admiral Tho Women from the Wast upwards look like Angels there 's Witchcraft under their Petticoats And I 'le tell you if a Woman does but fetch This long Heave with the lifting up of her head And the bending in of her back two little Round plump pouting Devils peep from Underneath her Gorget which put such a glowing Heat into my veins that my blood in a moment Grows too hot for its channels and I could O'retun a score of ' em Ald. You are heated at the very thoughts of Women Durz. Now I am in one of my Fits Oh Admiral That I had but half a dozen Ladies now in my Cabin How I 'de rummidg 'em together I 'de make 'em smoak agen Ald. Since you are so hot take a Walk with me In the open Air to cool you Durz. That won't do 't if we were going to ingage Perhaps the loss of a Leg or an Arm or forty Ounces of blood might something abate my Feaver Ald. Your Distemper has gotten such hold That you must lose a Leg or an Arm For every handsom Lady you see Or you 'l not be thorougly cur'd Durz. Say you so then I 'le indure 't still And try what time and chance will do Exeunt Enter King and Alfreda King Have you Alfreda consider'd his crimes And whom he has offended Alfr. I have consider'd that your clemency In this act will most brave and God-like shew Because you pardon wrongs done to your self King That for a Lover is too Heroical With less regret I could pardon him Had robb'd me of a Crown than thee The King would pardon him but the Lover cannot Alfr. Is the Lover than the King less generous Forgive him Sir if but to shew You can be to your self a King King That he durst offend declar'd the greatness Of his Love to forgive him will shew mine less Alfr. No his offences were not proofs of Love But Self-interest but your forgiveness Will be an argument of a generous passion He acted for himself but you for her you lov'd King How should an ill-living Divine who preaches 'Gainst Licentiousness convert his Hearers When he is himself the greatest Libertine So do thy Words and Actions disagree Whilst you endeavour to make me tame You Alfreda act the Tyrant Alfr. Not I but Virtue is the Tyrant Virtue directs to keep your Passions In severest awe to treat 'em like Slaves If they rebel to banish ' em King When Love first took possession of my Breast He fortified so fast and is so strongly seated He will not now be forc'd to quit his Hold. Alfr. Though not your Love you may o'recome your Rage King My Anger from my injur'd Love does rise 'Till that abates I cannot this asswage Alfr. But if from Love you cut off all supplies His strength will weaker grow his power decay King From your bright beauty it receives its force Alfr. Then from my beauty turn your eyes away King But that will not my thoughts from you divorce My fancie still will represent you fair And I in all your Charms shall see you there Alfr. Though still your fancie does my Form pursue It represents me in a Husband's arms Of me it gives you but a hopeless view Love stript of hope the heart but gently warms King How you a Lover's hopes destroy beware We are all Rage and Madmen in despair If you would anger from my Soul remove Say something that is kind and speak of Love Treat me as you would do a froward Child Sooth me 'till I 'me by flattery beguil'd Alfr. Whilst Ethelwold in Prison you detain To 'scape the censures of th' misjudging Crowd I even that common freedom must refrain Which is to all the Court besides allow'd I must reserv'd and sullen now appear Or every gazing eye and hearkning ear Will take false measures of my mirth and me My Lord Already wants no ground for Jealousie King Must Liberty must it to one be given Whose crimes offend beauty a King and Heaven Alfr. Whilst he by your commands remains confin'd You imprison too the freedom of my mind King Command my death but not his liberty Alfr. Restoring him you set Alfreda free King But freed what will the fair Alfreda do When she has power to grant and I must sue Quickly impose on me some lesser task For this you will want power to requite Alfr. A meaner favour I disdain to ask King Meet me then Alfreda meet me to night In th' Garden when 't is dark Alfr. Meet him what for I 'le meet you Sir King To Ethelwold his
with so much gallantry He fills the world with admiration Queen He is the glory of the young wonder of the old Ald. My little services are paid with too great acknowledgments And I must blush my merits are no more Ruth Yes you shall have cause to blush anon These smiles shall vanish like winter-Sun Aside And thy Laurels soon wither on thy brow King Madam your health makes this a happy day It shall be dedicate to mirth and pleasure And your presence will much encrease our joy To Alder. Enter Oswold and Durzo Oswo. Look you Sir there 's your Admiral Dur. Why here 's a place a man can't find the way In or out with both his eyes open I can walk All about my I rigot in my sleep Fore and aft upper Deck and lower Deck And return to my Cabin without waking Alder. Durzo here Dur. Admiral our Fleet is come into the River We want your further Orders Our men Are all for coming ashoar they leap Over board as if their ships were on fire Alder. Be uncover'd you are in the presence of the King King Who is this Alder. The valiant Durzo One that shar'd with me the hazards And the glories of the last great fight Dur. Heaven bless the King say I. Alder. A stout Souldier tho a blunt Courtier He was born in a ship and never was Five miles on shoar in his life He scarce knows any thing of Land affairs Beyond a Sea-port Town or Haven King I like him well he looks As if fighting was his business Alder. He is yet but Commander of a small ship But hopes his merits may advance him King I 'le think to do it so that he shall own To hold part of our favours from our bounty Oswo. Come Captain now wee 'l have you to the Wardrobe Dur. What place is that do they fight or drink there Oswo. 'T is one of his Majesties Store-houses You must be new rigg'd Captain The Ladies won't like the smell of pitch and tar Dur. Not like it which of 'em won't like it Come Captain follow me Exeunt Os. Dur. Alder. So great a beauty have I never seen Looking at Matilda King Thy looks Matilda are not chearful Mat. Mine is but a Copy of that Melancholy Which of late like a Cloud hung on your brow King That Cloud is now dispers'd Come my Queen my Friend This day restores peace to my mind Mat. But here engenders war Exeunt Alic. Her unsteady looks And the quick changes of her Countenance Betray some alteration in her mind And when she turn'd away she sigh'd If from Love it does proceed Shee 'l soon the secrets of her heart Reveal Lovers but seldom can their flames conceal Exit ACT II. Enter Aldernald and Durzo Alder. Durzo hast thou observ'd the glorious tincture The rising Sun spreads 'ore the Eastern skie When he begins his Circuit Dur. I have Alder. And have you not heard tell of Nations That fall down to adore its brightness Dur. Yes but the more fools they Alder. They would be so had They beheld the sight That Thou and I have seen to day Without forgetting former worship And here pay their Reverence ' Twou'd turn that which we call in them Idolatry to just adoration Dur. Why what have we seen to day Alder. A form whose excellent brightness mocks The most beauteous shapes that Angels Ever were invested with a form that would Give Verity to Fiction and make that truth Which was related once for wonder Dur. What mean you Admiral Alder. I mean the Princess Dur. She 's a woman Alder. Something sure much finer Dur. Why Admiral a woman 's the finest thing I ever saw except a Canon mounted And a ship under fail but now I talk Of ships wou'd I were aboard agen Alder. Why Captain Dur. There I should understand what yosay As I am a living man you speak nothing But Riddles on land Why Admiral What means this glorious tincture Resplendent Deity Beauteous Shapes Forms Angels and the Devil and all What 's all this to the Princess I am a shark if I can Guess at your meaning ' Sbud I say she 's a woman Enter Matilda Alder. Behold all I was talking of appears Observe her perfections and thy dull sense Will be instructed to mend its errours Dost thou not think the sight of her Makes thee Immortal Dur. Immortal what a rare thing would that be For a Souldier Alder. Oh Durzo that I might ever Gaze upon the glories of that form Mat. His Form his Meen his Looks how great In each how much of Gallantry I see Alder. Love in my heart has rais'd its sacred Altar And there I pay a secret adoration To the Divinity of that face That it were permitted I might more than Contemplate Mat. He regards me at distance But moves not nearer O that he wou'd Ald. Matt. advance on the Stage looking on one another at distance But speak to me t' oblige my stay Alder. O Love Matt. O my heart Alder. O Conquering eyes Matt. O resistless charms Alder. I 'de speak but dare not She 's a Princess and my Love is presumption Matt. I 'de tell him but must not He 's a Subject and my Love is below me Alder. O tyrannical Love Matt. O tyrannical Honour Ald. My passions more raging M. My slames more tormenting Alder. Be silent I cannot M. To conceal 't is impossible Alder. Madam Matt. Sir Alder. O my heart Matt. O Heaven Alder. What confusion Matt. What distraction Dur. Admiral what makes you start Alder. She 's unconcern'd and minds me not Enter Oswold Alicia and Hilaria Osw. There Hilaria is the Captain I told you of Hila. He looks as rough as a storm Osw. I 'le bring him amongst the Ladies anon Alic. His Company will be good divertisement Dur. O here 's another crew Alder. Wee 'l avoid 'em Ald. gazing at Mat. and she at him with Durzo Osw. Ali. Hil. follow I am not now for Company Come Durzo I turn from glory and from heaven Matt. Heart hold thy seat in spite of all his charms The liberty thou strugl'st for is Bondage His conquest will enslave thee but my eyes Are too much thy friends with the enemy They hold Intelligence but I 'le break it off So My heart is once more Turns away her head laying her right hand on her eyes Then starts and claps the other on her breast then both Seated in its Throne But had he stai'd the field he must have won Alic. I see Madam the Admiral is gotten into harbour Matt. Hold Alicia Trust not thy thoughts to words Least they be heard by others with care conceal This secret which I had not power to hide Hard Law of Custome to impose restraint On minds Impartial Nature ordain'd free She knew the seeds of Passion which she sow'd In humane breasts were in each Sex the same And wou'd with time grow up to equal strength And wisely therefore left our wills As unconfin'd as
man's O Tyrant Custome But more Tyrants men whose Censures do Uphold that power is usurpt of thee They blame the Passions we unurg'd reveal Yet feel the same but cannot theirs conceal Exeunt Enter King and Aldernald King I wish Alfreda's form had given report Just ground to proclaim her Natures miracle The Earl by me was sent to view her Beauties Alder. Heavens Did he for this call me from the Camp Shall I ungrateful King from thy own mouth Aside Be told how ill thou didst intend to requite The service I have done King If Ethelwold had confirm'd my belief That in Alfreda those many graces met Fame so loudly has bestow'd on her She should have been my Queen Alder. Your Queen King Yes Aldernald if Love or that title Had charmes to win her heart I ever thought thy loyal Family Worthy my Allyance and by this tye Design'd t' advance its antient glory Alder. Indeed Sir had she been your Queen King Yes Aldernald my Queen why this wonder Alder. I cannot Sir but wonder If she should have been your Queen why she was not King Look there and let all wonder cease Gives him two Pictures Not wanting Allyes nor necessitated To marry for State-Interest I propos'd to indulge my Genius That Beauty should Crown my Nuptials with Love The solid blessing of a married life A blessing Princes but rarely find No Country more than this for Beauty fam'd My intents conceal'd a general Collection Of their Pictures that were much renown'd I procur'd Of all that number None but that one excell'd Alfreda Alder. This the Queens it do's her beauty Justice This Alfreda's This my Sister's King Yes is it not like her Takes a Picture out of his pocket shews it the King Alder. I have a piece more exact King O what Charmes are here How like the Beauty of my mornings dream Alfreda was that Heav'nly form Ethelwold Was the Serpent that bore away that Scene of Glory Enter Ruthin I have been betray'd Ruth Sir in what Gives Ruthin the Pictures There read the Treason thence guess the Traytor What Musick is this so loud Musick without Ruth This Musick will discover all Alder. Not all my Lord. Enter Oswold King The occasion of this Publick joy Osw. Earl Ethelwold is this morning married King And who is his Bride Alder. My Sister Sir King Thy Sister in Town and married this morning And to Ethelwold when came she Alder. With me last night King What reasons urg'd this hast And to conceal your self and her Alder. To preserve her Honour King Her Honour what danger cou'd attend it Alder. The Earl sent by you to my Father declared that you design'd King What Alder. My Faith 's so criminal Shame will not let me speak it King What said he I design'd Alder. Sir read it in my blushes Or think the worst and that is it King O my apprehensions Speak Aldernald what was 't Alder. The dishonour of our Family King O Impiety Ald. That you wou'd make her not your Queen but whore King O Prophanation Alder. Our hope 's not so ambitious to believe Our Family merited that Honour With ease gave credit to the other King When Fame had made such often repetitions Of her Excellencies you on his single assertion Might as justly suspect my Virtue As I her Beauty If you yet doubt me There 's one can witness my intentions Turns to Ruthin To her and to your Family were just Alder. And he can witness too the Earl's deceit So positively he affirm'd this for truth That he believ'd it too For my Father was guided by his Counsels Which he receiv'd by Letters King How Alder. After the Earl return'd to Town And had obtain'd your leave to marry her Being to return agen into the Countrey When upon account of business You countermanded his journey We grew suspicious of your intents And then my Lord there zealous in our service Counsel'd she should be brought to Town And married here King He counsel this Alder. Wisely concluding that when you knew The Honour of two such Families were concern'd ' Twou'd be a prevailing argument To alter your Intentions King He advis'd like a Friend Earl Odgare Acted as a Father you like a Brother 'T is a Virtue to be jealous of our Honour Alder. But not of our Prince King The fault was Ethelwold's but I pardon all His Crimes were but Errors of Love Which is the madness of the mind Tell him I 'le be his Guest this day at dinner But conceal my knowledge of his Guilt I 'de have his mind rest in a confidence I think him Innocent That all his Thoughts May be imployed to heighten the pleasures He this night must ravish from his Bride Alder. Mercy is the Monarch-Virtue in a Prince Exeunt Ruth Alder. And that is the Ornament of your Soul King False Traitor has Love his Loyalty betray'd Those Eyes must have powerful Charmes can draw The hearts of Subjects from their Allegiance Exit Enter Oswold Durzo Dur. But what do you with these Ladies here Osw. We Court Complement and Gallant ' em Dur. What is that Courting ' em Osw. Sometimes 't is call'd making Love to 'em You must have a Mistress if you stay long at Court Dur. Must I which of ' em Osw. Her you like best Dur. Why I like 'em all Osw. You must appropriate but one Dur. I 'de have a whole Tier of ' em Osw. Every man must have his share Make choice of her you think most handsome Dur. But how may a man know a handsome Woman Osw. Iâ—le give you the description of my Mistress For a Pattern to choose one by She has Hair I know not how to term it Nature affords not a comparison Dur. I like not That she 's like no body then Osw. Her Fore-head high and fair eyes black and sparkling They twinkle like the Stars Dur. They are then Gemini Osw. Her Brows like Arches Cut out of purest Snow consolidate A Nose exactly to the square of Beauty Her Cheeks plump not by Art but Nature painted Her mouth little red Lips and white Teeth A Pearly Portcullis with a Ruby Gate Dur. Ay that 's fine Osw. A Chin dimpl'd but in that little Pitt A thousand hearts lie bury'd Dur. They are thrown in then as fast as we heave dead Men over board in a Sea-fight Osw. Her neck smooth fat white and soft as the Down on Swans Dur. Ay That Osw. Her Breasts those milky Fountains snowy Alpes Round and not limber their motions pant Beholders hearts into an Extasie No Pride about her but what they swell with They rise and fall like Waves blown up by gentle winds Dur. O O O feel here Pulls Owald's hand to his breast Osw. Auh your heart beats high We shall have boisterous weather I perceive it coming Dur. Ay my heart begins to leap and play Like a Porpice before a Storm Osw. An Arm a Hand small white and Round the bloud blushing through the fair skin
burn Ruth Not fed by her those Flames not long can live Queen But he 'l no new ones from these Eyes receive Or'e Hearts we can no second Conquest boast A Heart once gone for ever ever 's lost To me I never more shall see him kind His Love is as unconstant as the Wind. Ruth But thence some ground for better hopes I find For Winds that vere from Point to Point so fast Chop round to the same Point they left at last Thy longer absence may injurious prove Freedom and Privacy do nourish Love Joyn with the Earl to hinder their converse To stop Love's progress cut off all Commerce Exeunt Enter Aldernald and Matilda The Scene the Garden Mat. That Passion 's weak that cannot move the Tongue To court the Object which the Soul affects Or else the Object has no strong attractions Alder. All that is excellent may justly be attributed To her Honour Beauty Virtue and what e're can enter In the perfect composition of a Woman Mat. Much Commendation does much Love discover O were he not in Love or else my Lover Alder. In every limb and feature I read the greatness Of her Soul a Form so rare and beautiful She has that where I fix my eye I stand amaz'd And think my Love wou'd grow Presumption If I exceed a silent admiration Mat. A Gallant man should not his Flame conceal Should you the Sent'ments of your Soul reveal Fame and your own great Deeds wou'd nobly plead Your cause no other Orators you need Were she like me a Princess nay were 't me Were 't me you lov'd and I as fair as she Tho I perhaps cou'd not accept your flame Yet shou'd your Love less than your Silence blame Alder. Madam suppose 't were you I lov'd Mat. That Supposition does my blushes raise Because I know I merit not such praise Alder. You blame my silence now because you know I love some other and that 't is not you Mat. I wish this truth had not so plain been told But now I think on 't Love may be too bold Alder. My hopes are dasht agen Joys came so fast Aside And thick I knew they were too great to last In that good mind had she one minute longer stayd My too rash tongue had my presumptuous Love betray'd Mat. Since I am not the Mistress of his Vows Aside Still may he fear the Secret to disclose But tell me what your Resolutions are Will you love one and not your Love declare Alder. I still must love but know not what to do I 'le not discover 't to her Mat. Never Alder. No. Never unless I 'me counsell'd to 't by you This shall be silenc'd too this I design'd Shews a Letter Because my Tongue durst not shou'd tell my mind Mat. To read that Letter what wou'd I not give My Love 's grown curious and inquisitive I guess there 's much of Passion in your stile Alder. It is too mean a trifle for your sight Yet if you think it will reward your pains Mat. If it no secret but your love contains Alder. I have no Secret which from you I 'le hide For in my love I chose you for my Guide She takes the Letter and reads the Super. Mat. To your fair Self Starts Alder. Madam what makes you start Mat. To me Alder. Madam to her that has my Heart Mat. That is not I. Aside One dull as I am this might well surprize Alder. When to her hands I 'ad given this my Eyes Would at first instant the Contents discover She 'd in my looks first read I was her Lover Mat. 'T is true Love cannot be conceal'd by Art A Lover's Eye reveals a Lover's Heart And gives of Love the first Intelligence Alder. Then sure I have no Love or she no Sence Mat. How dull Alder. How ignorant Mat. By Love besotted he can nothing learn Alder. That read she cannot but my Love discern Madam the King Mat. Let us remove to the next Walk I 'le read it there Exeunt Ald. Mat. Enter Alfreda and the King King Alfreda wert thou a Queen and absolute That in thy breast didst bear a secret flame For some one Gallant and deserving Subject How would you treat the Lady you had rais'd To the high honour of your Confident If perfidiously she should expose Her Charms and by treacherous enticements Deprive you of that onely man whom now Tho you can't have you cannot chuse but love Alfr. Great persons should do great things if a Queen My deeds shou'd not receive a lustre From that name but add new Glories to it I would forget the flame and fault forgive King That generous Act wou'd too much encourage Subjects to grow bold Since Ambition Is a Passion not less powerful than Love They that dare snatch from your heart a Lover Wou'd from your head a Crown Alfr. Crowns admit of a precedent claim But Love like new-found Land is theirs That first can get possession of it Here shou'd I punish the Offender's crime ' Twou'd make me guilty of the same For the offence is not that she lov'd him But that her Love depriv'd me of him King No the punishment is not due because She depriv'd you of your Lover But him of those Glories he with your Love Might have enjoy'd Alfr. But since a man in all Estates not finds But makes his Happiness he may not think Her Love has injur'd him Then I ought to act The Generous Lover and for the satisfaction He enjoys pardon my Rival's fault for in her Love He meets content then crowns a greater blessing King But in your love this fancied blessing had come Attended with the Glories of a Throne Alfr. Love is a bliss so absolute and high It no additions does from Accidents receive But like an Infinite is uncapable Of change to more or less Thus he being in her love nor less happy Than in mine I ought to think him so And thus as a Lover I am always Debarr'd from punishing the Offender King You have subt'ly mannag'd the Argument To shew the Excellency of your wit Wit like a towring Hawk flies high in Speculative notions Whilst Judgment like the Hound pursues his Game And follows Truth upon the level Now Alfreda tell me thy real thoughts Do you apprehend you should So perfect a Contentment find In any Subjects love not to imagine You might more happy in a Monarch's be Alfr. The flame ascends not more naturally Than to a Throne our Thoughts aspire If free I think I cou'd not force my self To refuse the bright temptations of a Crown But my heart being before engag'd As now it is I cannot as I am Resolve but if I were in that condition And the very person I could because I should Then know my own thoughts King Know then thou art in that condition False Ethelwold snatch'd thee from my Embrace Now can you resolve the Question Alfr. Sir I can If I had been acquainted with your love It should
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
Act the Fifth Scene First Enter King Ethelwold Aldernald Ruthin Alfreda and Ladies Attendants King THis Alfreda should have been A night of pleasure to you and Ethelwold A night of Extasie and Delights But this amorous Conflict must be deferr'd 'Till Ethelwold recovers his health Eth. My wound is slight the Surgeons Have declar'd it so but with all Humble thankfulness I own your care Of my health as an Honour and a Blessing King I 'de have you meet your Bride in your Full strength in all your vigour Alfr. Since you have begun to make his health Your care Sir command him to let it be His own chief concern 〈◊〉 too rashly To expose himself abro◠The open air late hours 〈◊〉 Court-attendance To Eth. You should avoid Enter Ruthin at distance Eth. Depriv'd of you how shall I pass this night Without sad thoughts and great inquietude Like one just grasping of his long wish'd store Of wealth I am snatch'd back King Commit your Lord to my care Good night Alfreda Alfr. Good night my Lord. Eth. Soft and gentle slumbers close your Eyes Ald. Your Wedding night is yet to come Exit Alfreda and Ladies Eth. How many unexpected accidents retarda Lover's progress and delay his bliss King To divert your thoughts from Melancholly And to give my own mind a Truce from cares We 'l pass one hour at Chess You have excellent cunning in that Game I have many nights try'd the Experiment And found it 'gainst the minds distempers A most prevailing remedy Come I know your sleep will be more sound and quiet Exeunt Ald. Osw. Ruth My Lord all this is design The King and Alfreda have appointed A private meeting this night in the Garden Near the Marble Grotto Eth. O subtlety O woman Devil Ruth Be calm but circumspect This my friendship obliged me to discover Eth. I thank you for your intelligence Ruth No ceremony but away Eth. Woman woman what art thou but deceit Exit Eth. Ruth I 'le keep him thus alarm'd his Jealousie May rouse his fury to some desperate act From Court this will induce him to remove her Perhaps he may think Heaven a fit place for her Exit Scene 2d Enter Oswald and Durzo Osw. Well met Captain how go squares Now 'twixt you and your Mistress Durz. She has sent me a Letter here I wanted you to read it to me Osw. Cannot you read Durz. Neither write nor read 't is out of my Element The Sea breeds Soldiers but not Scholars Osw. You shall hear it then Oswald reads the Letter My roaring Boy I can love no longer at your fierce rate my heart is sailing under another Convoy give Chase to a fresh Mistress I am making all Sail after a new Rigg'd Gallant and now bid you defiance and so a boon Voyage to you Captain and Farewell Hillaria Durz. What turn'd Renegade Osw. Short warning this Durz. Steal away like a cowardly Enemy in a dark night Enter Hillaria and Alicia led over the Stage by two Courtiers Osw. See she 's not out of Hemisphere Give her chase you see how she 's mann'd Durz. Meer ' Hulls of men Osw. They Tack about agen Hill How dejected my Lover looks now I 've taken Away his Commission 1 Court Captain what think you Durz. Think I. 1 Court Of Love Durz. As of Folly 2 Court Is it not a fine Pastime Durz. Yes for fools 1 Court What think you of Women Durz. As of light Sailers Omnes Ha ha he Osw. That Shot hits you 'twixt wind and water Durz. Or as of Ships that want Ballast That are toss'd about with every Wave And cannot be steer'd in any true course Omnes Ha ha he Durz. Do you play with my anger Am I so tame to be laugh'd at Sure I have seem'd more terrible When with this Sword I have lopt off limbs Strew'd the Decks with Carcasses turn'd Fleets To floating Hospitals sent Navies to their Ports To cut down Masts and hew the Timber of their Shattered Vessels into wooden Legs and Crutches To underprop the Criples they brought home Love hast thou disarm'd my Looks of Manhood Phew with that Gale be gone Omnes Ha ha he Durz. Are you laughing agen have amongst you Piccaroons Osw. Hold Captain what do you mean Durz. I 'le shatter their Tacklin Osw. Let 'em go they are not worth pursuit Hill Come on bold Captain if you are for fighting See here your Enemy Durz. Beauty that raises storms of Love Allays those of Anger you the Object I can look my self into a Calm Hill Captain you have a Qualm coming O're your stomach you are either Sea-sick Or Love-sick still Alic. Captain Love is still in Port he went not out With that strong Puff Osw. No Love has not yet weigh'd Anchor Hill Captain if you are not for fighting let Me know what you think of Love in good earnest Durz. Love is a Sea a dangerous Sea Where Wind and Tide are still contrary Men are the Barks that venture out Whose ruines still its waves conspire Alic. But what are women in this Ocean Captain Durz. You are Pirates that rob us of our hearts You are Laplanders that give us a fair wind To leave safe Harbours and when we 're out at Sea Make it swell to a Tempest to drown us I have out-rid the Storm thanks to my Lusty Vessel and now being gotten safe into Harbour can look back and say Yonder I had like to have suffer'd Wreck Osw. Well said Captain you have given the women A whole Broad-side Hill For all that I see he 's but a Fresh-water Lover yet now you think your self past danger You are in greatest peril to be cast away What think you if that Letter which rais'd This Tempest was but a plot to see How my Lover could brook a Rival Osw. What Wind do you call this By what Point Of the Compass will you sail now Durz. I think I had best tack about agen And make what hast I can to fall In a Stern of her Hill That it was so here 's my hand on 't Now if you dare put off to Sea agen My heart shall run the Risque with yours In all adventures Alic. 'T is very true this plot was but to try your love Durz. Why then I 'le count my self your Lover still And if the wind hold thus fair for me You 'l quickly lie by the Lee. To Oswold Osw. You are not quite undeceiv'd yet She 's not my Mistress but my Sister Durz. If you are not my Rival I fear no Reprizal Alic. You must reckon our two Gallants your Enemies No more their Rival-ship is ended Hill They have struck Sail to you You now with Triumph in Love's Ocean steer Calm is the Sea and from all Pirats clear Exeunt The Scene opens and discovers the King and Ethelwold playing at Chess Courtiers looking on After a while enter Oswald and Durzo Osw. How stands the Game 1 Court The Earl won the first But of this the
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
And honour equal to the best You behold a Ladies hand arm'd against Her own soft breast and ready T' encounter Death to 'scape thy Tyranny One that by death will immortalize her Name King Unheard of bravery Alfr. Pause not but away hence Or this minute is my last Resolve with speed for I am resolute King I would not kill thee cruel one Alfr. Be gone then Sacrilegious man King If in despair I part I die Alfr. Your longer stay kills me King Live and I 'le be gone Alfr. Be gone that I may live King She has a hardned Virtue she 's brave To the last degree Alfr. If you return this posture I resume King Grant me Alfreda one request Alfr. It must be very small King Consent I may leave thee a few minutes And find thee here at my return In my absence think on Ethelwold's Treason Think by his guilt how wretched I am made That some attonement for his crimes should be That for his grant of life thou art indebted Alfr. I will King Love is the sum I ask This night let me be blest with thy Imbraces And after live ever free from importunities Alfr. Sir King A sudden answer cannot be favourable Keep it back 'till my return but then Let thy first words declare thy Resolution Alfr. They shall Alfreda enters the Grotto The King goes to Oswold Oswold appears King Thy unalterable Resolution Oswald Osw. Sir King She 's invincible What other woman could have stood this test Calms delude her not nor Storm affright her Go bring Ethelwold into the Garden I 'le act it o're again let him stand conceal'd Tell him I do this to give him a proof That his past Suspicions wrong'd her Virtue And to root out remaining jealousies Find out her Brother too Enter Alicia with Lights Aldernald and Matilda at a distance What Lights are these Alic. Go forward with your Lights To the Princes Lodgings Exit Lights Osw. The Princess is going to bed And Aldernald attends her cross the Garden King Go quickly bring Ethelwold here I 'le speak to him my self Exit Oswald Ald. Love has the the same dimensions as our Souls It 's as impossible that either should admit Degrees as Parts Mat Yes Aldernald I want no Arguments to convince me That a real Lover's flame breaks forth like Lightning in a moment and at one flash Shews all that Heaven inflam'd in which it is Ald. This obliging acknowledgment makes my hopes Grow up to confidence that as you have done me An Act of Grace with circumstances so Convincing to give my Passion Language And to raise my humble thoughts to an Aspiring flame that now you will compleat My happiness and let me here receive Assurance that this presumption of my love Is not esteem'd a Crime Mat. In my blushes you may read my mind They too officiously betray my heart And like the Flag set up in Towns besieg'd Give joyful notice of Surrender Ald. The blessings this minute gives are greater Than all my former life e're knew King Their conference will hold too long The king makes a noise Mat. What noise was that Ald. I heard some one tread Mat. Quickly let 's shift our ground Or rather quit me here that we may not Be surpriz'd together and our love from Thence discours'd in publick The King treads agen Ald. The noise is that way this leads to your Lodgings Mat. I 'le find the way alone Ald. Let me not lose one step of this pleasant Journey And by the way I 'le make you Vows shall shew My love of an Immortal birth Exeunt Aldernald and Matilda The King follows them Enter the Queen and Alfreda Queen They are gone Alfr. It was Aldernald's voice Queen 'T was he and the Princess Success attend their Vows But what do you resolve on the King Will soon return Alfr. I have found the means he shall meet a kind Reception when he finds me compliant to his love Hee 'l be all on fire and in eager hast Hurry me away I 'le speak to him And to all he says return an Answer But when he leads me off I 'le step back And into his hand put yours The Night is favourable to our design 'T is very dark me he shall court But you he must enjoy Queen A fainting joy spreads gently o're my breast But how can that approach my heart In the crowd of so many fears Ald. Madam be comforted your Embraces have charms Will re-instate you in his love Make him repent his rash unlawful Oath And establish a blest peace betwixt you Queen I fear the deceit will more enrage him Alfr. It cannot at least your issue if it successful Prove to that degree will inherit his Crown Queen Hark I hear a noise in the Garden Alfr. Be near me let me hold your hand in mine When I deliver you to his suffer your self To be led in the dark to my Apartment Queen You instruct and Love perswades me to comply Enter Ethelwold Eth. No Whisper yet has reach'd my Ear They 're very still in their Amours Oh they cannot vent their breath for Kisses They are close close and silent I am near the place Alfr. Sir is it you Eth. 'T is I. Alfr. I fear my late Repulse has much incens'd you That it has arm'd your Love with Rage And now that you return with fiercer resolutions And more determin'd to execute your purpose But now with love alone make your approach For since your departure I have considered Your promise which o'recomes my obstinacy Pardon me Sir for first transgressions Are not without great reluctancy From one bred up in the strict Rules of Virtue Honour parts not without strong convulsions As life from men by nature strong and Healthful If this night I yield to your Embraces Will you no more disturb my quiet Shall I not again be urg'd by you To wrong my Honour and my Lord Eth. Never Alfr. Shall your Hate not persecute him Nor your Love me Shall both then live in peace Eth. Ever Alfr. This one thing more Sir you must promise Remov'd from hence to use no more discourse Lest your voice betray my Honour Nor expect any light in my Apartment Let all be done in silence and in darkness Now I have consented I hate the light And should you see my face you 'd find it all confus'd Let Night conceal my Blushes and my Guilt Eth. It shall Alfreda puts the Queens hand into his and changes places Enter King and Aldernald King Oswold's not yet return'd Ethelwold kisses the Queens hand and draws out a Dagger Ald. This may better Ethelwold's opinion Of her it cannot mine What she has already done is proof enough To me and should be so to him Alfr. Now Sir take my hand and as you please Dispose of me but take care to preserve my Honour Eth. I will Pistols the Queen Die false lascivious Woman She falls Queen Oh I am kill'd Alfr. Oh Murder Treason Treason Murder Ald.
Treason King Guards Alfr. Treason Ald. Retire Sir I 'le stand 'twixt you and danger King Lights lights The King goes off Ald. Who 's there stand Eth. I will not Ald. Stand or dye Eth. Avoid be gone Ald. Who e're thou art thou shalt They fight Alfr. Oh Madam speak Oh she 's dead Ald. Thy Career is stopt Eth. falls We shall see who thou art Alfr. I heard Swords clash Oh my fears Ald. Who 's there Alfr. A Woman half dead with fear Ald. Is not that Alfreda's voice Alfr. Brother Ald. What 's the matter Alfr. Oh the Queen the Queen is murder'd Ald. Here then lies the Murderer Alfr. Oh what have you done you have kill'd the King Ald. The King Enter Matilda Ladies and Lights at one door The King Oswald Durzo Courtiers and Guards at the other Osw. What Cryes are these Alfr. The Queen is murder'd Mat. Murder'd She 's dead Runs to the body Ald. See the King is safe Alfr. The Innocent then is fal'n by your hand And the guilty Murderer lives Tyrant Barbarian Murderer King Why this unjust Accusation Alfr. Me you thought you had murder'd But the mistake proves yet more fatal Than your Intention there behold your Queen The best of Women murder'd King Murder'd by whom had he ten thousand lives My revenge should reach 'em all Alfr. Oh rare Dissembler Osw. This is my Lord Ethelwold Alfr. My Husband slain too Oh Monster Monster Oh my dear Lord Runs to embrace Eth. Eth. False Woman King Whence proceeds all this Who can clear this Riddle Eth. If any can quickly let 'em speak Before my little breath that 's left is spent I would not die in so much ignorance Ald. Attempting your flight you Fell by my Sword To Eth. Alfr. And the Queen by thy barbarous hand To the King Mistaking her for me you kill'd her Eth. I struck that blow to punish thy Lust To Alfreda And Falshood Alfr. Now I find the Fatal error After you left me at the Grotto Sir To think what Answer I should give your love Which you had urg'd with so much violence I resolv'd to feign a kind compliance Thinking it was you that return'd I put the Queen into his hand whom my Intreaties had drawn into the Garden And who by my Perswasions there stood ready To be lead off in the dark instead of me Eth. What do I hear King You conspir'd my breach of Vows Alfr. Them we judg'd unlawful we hop'd Her Embraces might reconcile your love And call home your wandring loose affections Eth. Oh Innocence What Expiation can I make Alfr. Live live my Lord. Eth. My Death 's ascertain'd and the time draws nigh Oh had I dy'd this truth unreveal'd The joys of Heaven could not have made me blest King I grieve the Tragical Event Here are some can witness my Innocence I came to make a tryal of thy Virtue And if I found it absolute to send for Thy Husband and thy Brother In their hearing to act the Scene o're agen In Ethelwold's breast I was sure The lees of Jealousie were yet remaining When I retired 't was not with expectation Or desire that thou should'st change thy mind But to accomplish that Design Oswald I sent To call thy Husband where I thought I had fix'd him and in the interim I declar'd thus much to you Aldernald Ald. You did Sir King But how came Ethelwold to the unlucky And untimely knowledge of our meeting Eth. My Lord Ruthin discover'd that to me Alfr. And I to him Eth. His Discovery waken'd my Jealousie King And of all this mischief is the cause Ruth How strangely Fate baffles humane Reason In all designs man's Prudence frames And where our Wisdom most labours for success Le ts us our greatest disappointments meet Eth. Give me thy hand Alfreda That e're I am depriv'd of the Glory I may dispose of what I could not merit With my last breath Sir I bequeath her to You Accept the Legacy I resign her As dying Penitents restore ill-gotten Wealth King Thy Penitence to Heaven is not more grateful Than this Gift to me Eth. The Fatal minute crowds on apace If in my death Alfreda you permit I retain an Interest in you Love the King For I am Thine no more Alfr. Ah my Lord King Curs'd Instrument here behold the end To Ruthin Of all thy Polices Here see the painted bubble of Ambition Broken and all thy Hopes dash'd to air Ruth Nothing remains in the world I value now In a Cloyster I 'le spend the remainder of my life Where I 'le thank Heaven which timely lets me see How fruitless and how vain are Earthly hopes Alfr. Ah Sir he 's dead no Sigh nor breath remains King Alfreda weep not Each precious drop that falls from your bright eyes Will raise in me an envy of his death Alfr. I Know your heart does feel a tenderness King His and the Queens death I grieve But Fate 's hand was in 't and Justice Seem'd to strike the blow Forbear thy tears and now only remember Thou art his Legacy Alfr. To requite that Generous act I ask Supplies To found a Monastery o're the place of his Interment King 'T is granted This more I 'le do to merit thee Blush not Matilda nor wonder Alderlnald King takes Ald. and Matilda's hands and joyns em If uniting thus your hands I reveal The Secrets of your hearts Love of your Souls has a strict union made And Vows which Heaven records have seal'd it This I learnt to night from your discourse Whilst here in the Garden I stood conceal'd Take her brave young man Ald. Here I possess what does transport And lead my Soul to an Elizium King Now Alfreda to my Throne ascend Bright as the Constellation that shin'd At thy Nativity and cast its glorious Influence on thee Alfr. One Month I dedicate to Virgin-Widdowhood Sir the rest of my whole life to you Captain why stand you single are Not you a Lover too Durz. Yes and this is the very thing I love Durzo To reward your merit and promote Your Love we make you our Rear-Admiral Mat. Hillaria you must now strike sail to him Hill Madam did not your Example encourage me I durst not give my heart to a Soldier Durz. I thank your Grace now I 'le board her to rights Hill Now Captain we are sailing out of the Haven Of Love into the tempestuous Sea of Matrimony King You must a while forget Wars rough Alarms Love does invite you to reap gentler Spoils To you most Kind Fortune the Glory gives In these more pleasing Triumphs to advance Whilst she delays my happiness But when Alfreda's month of Widdowhood is past Our Solemnities shall raise new joys Then we with Nuptial Rites will consummate The yet imperfect bounty of our Fate FINIS EPILOGVE FAin I would ask your Iudgments of the Play But you imploy your Wit still the wrong way You reckon up the Faults tho near so small Pass by the Good and so like none at all You Criticks are like Sives you onely shew The Bran and let the finest Flower run thro But do not now impute it for a Crime That we do mention Guns in Edgar's time Nor let the Critick that is deeply read In Baker Stow and Hollinshead Cry Daâ— me the Poet is mistaken here For Ethelwold was kill'd hunting the Deer To these Objections this he bid me say They writ a Chronicle but he a play Poets may as they please with Truth make bold And Stories to the best advantage mould How easily might the Remedy have been By alt'ring Names or changing of the Scene Tho not these faults yet others you 'd have found Your Censures give to every play a wound Leave off this finding fault it spoils Delight Commend what 's good t' encourage them that write When ye wou'd pleasure in enjoyment find Who calls his Mistresses Defects to mind We 'l think upon her Charms the more to raise The Fancy to a Pitch As 't is in Love so let it be your rule at Playes