O mighty king, vouchsafe your graceMy father to remit;Forgive his fault, his pardon IDo ask of you as yet.Alas, although my father hathYour princely heart offended,Amends for miss he will now make,And faults shall be amended.Instead of his requested life,Pleaseth your grace take mine:This offer I as tender child,So duty doth me bind.
O mighty king, vouchsafe your grace
My father to remit;
Forgive his fault, his pardon I
Do ask of you as yet.
Alas, although my father hath
Your princely heart offended,
Amends for miss he will now make,
And faults shall be amended.
Instead of his requested life,
Pleaseth your grace take mine:
This offer I as tender child,
So duty doth me bind.
King.
Do not entreat my grace no more,For he shall die the death;Where is the execution-man,Him to bereave of breath?
Do not entreat my grace no more,
For he shall die the death;
Where is the execution-man,
Him to bereave of breath?
EnterExecution.
Execution.
At hand and, if it like your grace,My duty to dispatch;In hope that I, when deed is done,A good reward shall catch.
At hand and, if it like your grace,
My duty to dispatch;
In hope that I, when deed is done,
A good reward shall catch.
King.
Dispatch with sword this judge’s life,Extinguish fear and cares:So done, draw thou his cursed skinStraight over both his ears.I will see the office done,And that before mine eyes.
Dispatch with sword this judge’s life,
Extinguish fear and cares:
So done, draw thou his cursed skin
Straight over both his ears.
I will see the office done,
And that before mine eyes.
Execution.
To do the thing my king commands,I give the enterprise.
To do the thing my king commands,
I give the enterprise.
Sisamnes.
Otian, my son, the king to deathBy law hath me condemned;And you in room and office mineHis grace’s will hath placed:Use justice therefore in this case,And yield unto no wrong,Lest thou do purchase the like death,Ere ever it be long.
Otian, my son, the king to death
By law hath me condemned;
And you in room and office mine
His grace’s will hath placed:
Use justice therefore in this case,
And yield unto no wrong,
Lest thou do purchase the like death,
Ere ever it be long.
Otian.
O father dear, these words to hear,That thou must die by force,Bedews my cheeks with stilled tears;The king hath no remorse.The grievous grief and strained sighsMy heart doth break in twain,And I deplore, most woful child,That I should see you slain.O false and fickle frowning dame,That turneth as the wind,Is this the joy in father’s age,Thou me assign’st to find?O doleful day, unhappy hour,That loving child should see:His father dear before his face,Thus put to death should be.Yet, father, give me blessing thine,And let me once embraceThy comely corpse in folded arms,And kiss thy ancient face.
O father dear, these words to hear,
That thou must die by force,
Bedews my cheeks with stilled tears;
The king hath no remorse.
The grievous grief and strained sighs
My heart doth break in twain,
And I deplore, most woful child,
That I should see you slain.
O false and fickle frowning dame,
That turneth as the wind,
Is this the joy in father’s age,
Thou me assign’st to find?
O doleful day, unhappy hour,
That loving child should see:
His father dear before his face,
Thus put to death should be.
Yet, father, give me blessing thine,
And let me once embrace
Thy comely corpse in folded arms,
And kiss thy ancient face.
Sisamnes.
O child, thou makes mine eyes to run,As rivers do, by stream;My leave I take of thee, my son,Beware of this my beam.
O child, thou makes mine eyes to run,
As rivers do, by stream;
My leave I take of thee, my son,
Beware of this my beam.
King.
Dispatch even now, thou man of death;No longer seem to stay.
Dispatch even now, thou man of death;
No longer seem to stay.
Execution.
Come, Master Sisamnes, come on your way,My office I must pay;Forgive therefore my deed.
Come, Master Sisamnes, come on your way,
My office I must pay;
Forgive therefore my deed.
Sisamnes.
I do forgive it thee, my friend;Dispatch therefore with speed.[Smite him in the neck with a sword to signify his death.
I do forgive it thee, my friend;
Dispatch therefore with speed.
[Smite him in the neck with a sword to signify his death.
Praxaspes.
Behold (O king), how he doth bleed,Being of life bereft.
Behold (O king), how he doth bleed,
Being of life bereft.
King.
In this wise he shall not yet be left.Pull his skin over his ears,To make his death more vile:A wretch he was, a cruel thief,My Commons to beguile.[Flays him with a false skin.
In this wise he shall not yet be left.
Pull his skin over his ears,
To make his death more vile:
A wretch he was, a cruel thief,
My Commons to beguile.
[Flays him with a false skin.
Otian.
What child is he of nature’s mouldCould bide the same to see,His father flead in this wise?O, how it grieveth me!
What child is he of nature’s mould
Could bide the same to see,
His father flead in this wise?
O, how it grieveth me!
King.
Otian, thou seest thy father dead,And thou art in his room:If thou beest proud as he hath been,Even thereto shalt thou come.
Otian, thou seest thy father dead,
And thou art in his room:
If thou beest proud as he hath been,
Even thereto shalt thou come.
Otian.
O king, to me this is a glass:With grief in it I viewExample that unto your graceI do not prove untrue.
O king, to me this is a glass:
With grief in it I view
Example that unto your grace
I do not prove untrue.
Praxaspes.
Otian, convey your father henceTo tomb where he shall lie.
Otian, convey your father hence
To tomb where he shall lie.
Otian.
And if it please your lordship,It shall be done by and by.Good execution-man, for needHelp me with him away.
And if it please your lordship,
It shall be done by and by.
Good execution-man, for need
Help me with him away.
Execution.
I will fulfil, as you to me did say.[They take him away.
I will fulfil, as you to me did say.
[They take him away.
King.
My lord, now that my grace hath seen,That finish’d is this deed,To question mine give ’tentive ear,And answer make with speed.Have not I done a gracious deed,To redress my Commons’ woe.
My lord, now that my grace hath seen,
That finish’d is this deed,
To question mine give ’tentive ear,
And answer make with speed.
Have not I done a gracious deed,
To redress my Commons’ woe.
Praxaspes.
Yea, truly, if it please your grace,Ye have indeed done so:But now (O king) in friendly wiseI counsel you in this;Certain vices for to leave,That in you placed is:The vice of drunkenness (O king)Which doth you sore infect,With other great abuses, whichI wish you to detect.
Yea, truly, if it please your grace,
Ye have indeed done so:
But now (O king) in friendly wise
I counsel you in this;
Certain vices for to leave,
That in you placed is:
The vice of drunkenness (O king)
Which doth you sore infect,
With other great abuses, which
I wish you to detect.
King.
Peace, my lord; what needeth this?Of this I will not hear:To palace now I will return,And there to make good cheer.God Bacchus he bestows his gifts,We have good store of wine;And also that the ladies beBoth passing brave and fine:But, stay; I see a lord now come,And eke a valiant knight.What news, my lord? to see you hereMy heart it doth delight.
Peace, my lord; what needeth this?
Of this I will not hear:
To palace now I will return,
And there to make good cheer.
God Bacchus he bestows his gifts,
We have good store of wine;
And also that the ladies be
Both passing brave and fine:
But, stay; I see a lord now come,
And eke a valiant knight.
What news, my lord? to see you here
My heart it doth delight.
EnterLordandKnightto meet theKing.
Lord.
No news (O king), but of duty come,To wait upon your grace.
No news (O king), but of duty come,
To wait upon your grace.
King.
I thank you, my lord and loving knight,I pray you with me trace.My lords and knight, I pray ye tell,I will not be offended:Am I worthy of any crimeOnce to be reprehended?
I thank you, my lord and loving knight,
I pray you with me trace.
My lords and knight, I pray ye tell,
I will not be offended:
Am I worthy of any crime
Once to be reprehended?
Praxaspes.
The Persians much praise your grace,But one thing discommend,In that to wine subject you be,Wherein you do offend.Sith that the might of wine effect,Doth oft subdue your brain,My counsel is, to please their hearts,From it you would refrain.
The Persians much praise your grace,
But one thing discommend,
In that to wine subject you be,
Wherein you do offend.
Sith that the might of wine effect,
Doth oft subdue your brain,
My counsel is, to please their hearts,
From it you would refrain.
Lord.
No, no, my lord, it is not so;For this of prince they tell,For virtuous proof and princely factsCyrus he doth excel;By that his grace by conquest greatThe Egyptians did convince;Of him report abroad doth pass,To be a worthy prince.
No, no, my lord, it is not so;
For this of prince they tell,
For virtuous proof and princely facts
Cyrus he doth excel;
By that his grace by conquest great
The Egyptians did convince;
Of him report abroad doth pass,
To be a worthy prince.
Knight.
In person of Crœsus I answer make,We may not his grace compare,In whole respect for to be like,Cyrus the king’s father:In so much your grace hath yet no child,As Cyrus left behind,Even you I mean, Cambyses king,In whom I favour find.
In person of Crœsus I answer make,
We may not his grace compare,
In whole respect for to be like,
Cyrus the king’s father:
In so much your grace hath yet no child,
As Cyrus left behind,
Even you I mean, Cambyses king,
In whom I favour find.
King.
Crœsus said well in saying so:But, Praxaspes, tell me why,That to my mouth in such a sortThou should avouch a lie,Of drunkenness me thus to charge:But thou with speed shalt see,Whether that I a sober kingOr else a drunkard be.I know thou hast a blissful babe,Wherein thou dost delight:Me to revenge of these thy words,I will go wreak this spite.When I the most have tasted wine,My bow it shall be bent,At heart of him even then to shootIs now my whole intent:And if that I his heart can hit,The king no drunkard is;If heart of his I do not kill,I yield to thee in this.Therefore, Praxaspes, fetch to meThy youngest son with speed;There is no way, I tell thee plain,But I will do this deed.
Crœsus said well in saying so:
But, Praxaspes, tell me why,
That to my mouth in such a sort
Thou should avouch a lie,
Of drunkenness me thus to charge:
But thou with speed shalt see,
Whether that I a sober king
Or else a drunkard be.
I know thou hast a blissful babe,
Wherein thou dost delight:
Me to revenge of these thy words,
I will go wreak this spite.
When I the most have tasted wine,
My bow it shall be bent,
At heart of him even then to shoot
Is now my whole intent:
And if that I his heart can hit,
The king no drunkard is;
If heart of his I do not kill,
I yield to thee in this.
Therefore, Praxaspes, fetch to me
Thy youngest son with speed;
There is no way, I tell thee plain,
But I will do this deed.
Praxaspes.
Redoubted prince, spare my sweet child,He is mine only joy:I trust your grace to infant heartNo such thing will employ.If that his mother hear of this,She is so nigh her flight,In clay her corpse will soon be shrin’dTo pass from world’s delight.
Redoubted prince, spare my sweet child,
He is mine only joy:
I trust your grace to infant heart
No such thing will employ.
If that his mother hear of this,
She is so nigh her flight,
In clay her corpse will soon be shrin’d
To pass from world’s delight.
King.
No more ado, go fetch me him,It shall be as I say:And if that I do speak the word,How dare ye once say nay?
No more ado, go fetch me him,
It shall be as I say:
And if that I do speak the word,
How dare ye once say nay?
Praxaspes.
I will go fetch him to your grace;But so, I trust, it shall not be.
I will go fetch him to your grace;
But so, I trust, it shall not be.
King.
For fear of my displeasure great,Go fetch him unto me.Is he gone? Now, by the gods,I will do as I say;My lord, therefore, fill me some wine,I heartily you pray;For I must drink to make my brainSomewhat intoxicate:When that the wine is in my head,O, trimly I can prate!
For fear of my displeasure great,
Go fetch him unto me.
Is he gone? Now, by the gods,
I will do as I say;
My lord, therefore, fill me some wine,
I heartily you pray;
For I must drink to make my brain
Somewhat intoxicate:
When that the wine is in my head,
O, trimly I can prate!
Lord.
Here is the cup with filled wine,Thereof to take repast.
Here is the cup with filled wine,
Thereof to take repast.
King.
Give it me to drink it off,And see no wine be waste:[Drink.Once again enlarge this cup,For I must it still taste:[240][Drink.By the gods, I think, of pleasant wineI cannot take my fill.Now drink is in, give me my bow,And arrows from sir knight;At heart of child I mean to shoot,Hoping to cleave it right.
Give it me to drink it off,
And see no wine be waste:
[Drink.
Once again enlarge this cup,
For I must it still taste:[240]
[Drink.
By the gods, I think, of pleasant wine
I cannot take my fill.
Now drink is in, give me my bow,
And arrows from sir knight;
At heart of child I mean to shoot,
Hoping to cleave it right.
Knight.
Behold (O king) where he doth come,His infant young in hand.
Behold (O king) where he doth come,
His infant young in hand.
Praxaspes.
O mighty king, your grace behestWith sorrow I have scann’d,And brought my child fro mother’s knee,Before you to appear:And she thereof no whit doth know,That he in place is here.
O mighty king, your grace behest
With sorrow I have scann’d,
And brought my child fro mother’s knee,
Before you to appear:
And she thereof no whit doth know,
That he in place is here.
King.
Set him up my mark to be,I will shoot at his heart.
Set him up my mark to be,
I will shoot at his heart.
Praxaspes.
I beseech your grace not so to do,Set this pretence[241]apart.Farewell, my dear and loving babe;Come, kiss thy father dear;A grievous sight to me it is,To see thee slain even here.Is this the gain now from the kingFor giving counsel good,Before my face with such despiteTo spill my son’s heart-blood?O heavy day to me this isAnd mother in like case.
I beseech your grace not so to do,
Set this pretence[241]apart.
Farewell, my dear and loving babe;
Come, kiss thy father dear;
A grievous sight to me it is,
To see thee slain even here.
Is this the gain now from the king
For giving counsel good,
Before my face with such despite
To spill my son’s heart-blood?
O heavy day to me this is
And mother in like case.
Young Child.
O father, father, wipe your face,I see the tears run from your eye:My mother is at home sewing of a band;Alas, dear father, why do you cry?
O father, father, wipe your face,
I see the tears run from your eye:
My mother is at home sewing of a band;
Alas, dear father, why do you cry?
King.
Before me as a mark now let him stand;I will shoot at him my mind to fulfil.
Before me as a mark now let him stand;
I will shoot at him my mind to fulfil.
Young Child.
Alas, alas! father, will you me kill?Good Master King, do not shoot at me,My mother loves me best of all.
Alas, alas! father, will you me kill?
Good Master King, do not shoot at me,
My mother loves me best of all.
King.
I have despatched him, down he doth fall;[Shoot.As right as a line his heart I have hit:Nay, thou shall see, Praxaspes, stranger news yet.My knight, with speed his heart cut out,And give it unto me.
I have despatched him, down he doth fall;
[Shoot.
As right as a line his heart I have hit:
Nay, thou shall see, Praxaspes, stranger news yet.
My knight, with speed his heart cut out,
And give it unto me.
Knight.
It shall be done (O mighty king)With all celerity.
It shall be done (O mighty king)
With all celerity.
Lord.
My lord Praxaspes, this had not been,But your tongue must be walking;To the king of correctionYou must needs be talking.
My lord Praxaspes, this had not been,
But your tongue must be walking;
To the king of correction
You must needs be talking.
Praxaspes.
No correction (my lord), but counsel for the best.
No correction (my lord), but counsel for the best.
Knight.
Here is the heart, according to your grace’s behest.
Here is the heart, according to your grace’s behest.
King.
Behold, Praxaspes, thy son’s own heart:O, how well the same was hit!After this wine to do this deed,I thought it very fit:Esteem thou may’st right well thereby,No drunkard is the king,That in the midst of all his cupsCould do this valiant thing.My lord and knight, on me attend;To palace we will go,And leave him here to take his son,When we are gone him fro.
Behold, Praxaspes, thy son’s own heart:
O, how well the same was hit!
After this wine to do this deed,
I thought it very fit:
Esteem thou may’st right well thereby,
No drunkard is the king,
That in the midst of all his cups
Could do this valiant thing.
My lord and knight, on me attend;
To palace we will go,
And leave him here to take his son,
When we are gone him fro.
All.
With all our hearts we give consentTo wait upon your grace.
With all our hearts we give consent
To wait upon your grace.
Praxaspes.
A woful man (O lord) am I,To see him in this case:My days I deem desires their end,This deed will help me hence,To have the blossoms of my fieldDestroy’d by violence.
A woful man (O lord) am I,
To see him in this case:
My days I deem desires their end,
This deed will help me hence,
To have the blossoms of my field
Destroy’d by violence.
EnterMother.
Mother.
Alas, alas! I do hear tellThe king hath kill’d my son:If it be so, woe worth the deed,That ever it was done.It is even so, my lord, I see,How by him he doth weep:What meant I, that from hands of himThis child I did not keep?Alas! husband and lord, what did you meanTo fetch this child away?
Alas, alas! I do hear tell
The king hath kill’d my son:
If it be so, woe worth the deed,
That ever it was done.
It is even so, my lord, I see,
How by him he doth weep:
What meant I, that from hands of him
This child I did not keep?
Alas! husband and lord, what did you mean
To fetch this child away?
Praxaspes.
O lady wife, I little thoughtFor to have seen this day.
O lady wife, I little thought
For to have seen this day.
Mother.
O blissful babe, O joy of womb,Heart’s comfort and delight,For counsel given unto the king,Is this thy just requite?O heavy day and doleful time,These mourning tunes to make!With blubb’red eyes into my armsFrom earth I will thee take,And wrap thee in mine apron white:But O my heavy heart?The spiteful pangs that it sustainsWould make it in two to part:The death of this my son to see,O heavy mother now,That from thy sweet and sug’red joyTo sorrow so shouldst bow.What grief in womb did I retain,Before I did thee see?Yet at the last, when smart was gone,What joy wert thou to me?How tender was I of thy foodFor to preserve thy state?How stilled I thy tender heartAt times early and late?With velvet paps I gave thee suck,With issue from my breast,And danced thee upon my kneeTo bring thee unto rest.Is this the joy of thee I reap?O king of tiger’s brood!O tiger’s whelp, hadst thou the heart,To see this child’s heart-blood?Nature enforceth me, alas!In this wise to deplore;To wring my hands, O wel-away,That I should see this hour!Thy mother yet will kiss thy lips,Silk-soft and pleasant white;With wringing hands lamenting forTo see thee in this plight.My lording dear, let us go home,Our mourning to augment.
O blissful babe, O joy of womb,
Heart’s comfort and delight,
For counsel given unto the king,
Is this thy just requite?
O heavy day and doleful time,
These mourning tunes to make!
With blubb’red eyes into my arms
From earth I will thee take,
And wrap thee in mine apron white:
But O my heavy heart?
The spiteful pangs that it sustains
Would make it in two to part:
The death of this my son to see,
O heavy mother now,
That from thy sweet and sug’red joy
To sorrow so shouldst bow.
What grief in womb did I retain,
Before I did thee see?
Yet at the last, when smart was gone,
What joy wert thou to me?
How tender was I of thy food
For to preserve thy state?
How stilled I thy tender heart
At times early and late?
With velvet paps I gave thee suck,
With issue from my breast,
And danced thee upon my knee
To bring thee unto rest.
Is this the joy of thee I reap?
O king of tiger’s brood!
O tiger’s whelp, hadst thou the heart,
To see this child’s heart-blood?
Nature enforceth me, alas!
In this wise to deplore;
To wring my hands, O wel-away,
That I should see this hour!
Thy mother yet will kiss thy lips,
Silk-soft and pleasant white;
With wringing hands lamenting for
To see thee in this plight.
My lording dear, let us go home,
Our mourning to augment.
Praxaspes.
My lady dear, with heavy heartTo it I do consent:Between us both the child to bearUnto our lordly place.[Exeunt.
My lady dear, with heavy heart
To it I do consent:
Between us both the child to bear
Unto our lordly place.
[Exeunt.
EnterAmbidexter.
Ambidexter.
Indeed, as ye say, I have been absent a long space:But is not my cousin Cutpurse with you in the meantime?To it, to it, cousin; and do your office fine.How like you Sisamnes for using of me?He play’d with both hands, but he sped ill favouredly.The king himself was godly uptrained;He professed virtue, but I think it was feigned:He plays with both hands good deeds and ill;But it was no good deed Praxaspes’ son for to kill:As he for the good deed on the judge was commended,For all his deeds else he is reprehended.The most evil-disposed person that ever was;All the state of his life he would not let pass.Some good deeds he will do, though they be but few:The like things this tyrant Cambyses doth show.No goodness from him to none is exhibited;But still maledictions abroad is distributed.And yet ye shall see in the rest of his race,What infamy he will work against his own grace.Whist, no more words: here comes the king’s brother.
Indeed, as ye say, I have been absent a long space:
But is not my cousin Cutpurse with you in the meantime?
To it, to it, cousin; and do your office fine.
How like you Sisamnes for using of me?
He play’d with both hands, but he sped ill favouredly.
The king himself was godly uptrained;
He professed virtue, but I think it was feigned:
He plays with both hands good deeds and ill;
But it was no good deed Praxaspes’ son for to kill:
As he for the good deed on the judge was commended,
For all his deeds else he is reprehended.
The most evil-disposed person that ever was;
All the state of his life he would not let pass.
Some good deeds he will do, though they be but few:
The like things this tyrant Cambyses doth show.
No goodness from him to none is exhibited;
But still maledictions abroad is distributed.
And yet ye shall see in the rest of his race,
What infamy he will work against his own grace.
Whist, no more words: here comes the king’s brother.
EnterLord Smirdis,withAttendanceandDiligence.
Smirdis.
The king’s brother by birth am I,Issued from Cyrus’ loins:A grief to me it is to hearOf this the king’s repines.I like not well of those his deeds,That he doth still frequent;I wish to God, that other waysHis mind he could content:Young I am, and next to him,No mo of us there be;I would be glad a quiet realmIn this his reign to see.
The king’s brother by birth am I,
Issued from Cyrus’ loins:
A grief to me it is to hear
Of this the king’s repines.
I like not well of those his deeds,
That he doth still frequent;
I wish to God, that other ways
His mind he could content:
Young I am, and next to him,
No mo of us there be;
I would be glad a quiet realm
In this his reign to see.
Attendance.
My lord, your good and willing heartThe gods will recompense,In that your mind so pensive isFor those his great offence.My lord, his grace shall have a timeTo pair and to amend:Happy is he that can escape,And not his grace offend.
My lord, your good and willing heart
The gods will recompense,
In that your mind so pensive is
For those his great offence.
My lord, his grace shall have a time
To pair and to amend:
Happy is he that can escape,
And not his grace offend.
Diligence.
If that wicked vice he could refrain,From wasting wine forbear,A moderate life he would frequent,Amending this his square.
If that wicked vice he could refrain,
From wasting wine forbear,
A moderate life he would frequent,
Amending this his square.
Ambidexter.
My lord, and if your honour it shall please,I can inform you what is best for your ease;Let him alone, of his deeds do not talk,Then by his side ye may quietly walk;After his death you shall be king,Then may you reform each kind of thing.In the meantime live quietly, do not with him deal;So shall it redound much to your weal.
My lord, and if your honour it shall please,
I can inform you what is best for your ease;
Let him alone, of his deeds do not talk,
Then by his side ye may quietly walk;
After his death you shall be king,
Then may you reform each kind of thing.
In the meantime live quietly, do not with him deal;
So shall it redound much to your weal.
Smirdis.
Thou say’st true, my friend, that is the best:I know not whether he love me, or do me detest.
Thou say’st true, my friend, that is the best:
I know not whether he love me, or do me detest.
Attendance.
Learn from his company all that you may;I faithful Attendance will your honour obey.If against your honour he take any ire,His grace is as like to kindle his fire,To your honour’s destruction as otherwise.
Learn from his company all that you may;
I faithful Attendance will your honour obey.
If against your honour he take any ire,
His grace is as like to kindle his fire,
To your honour’s destruction as otherwise.
Diligence.
Therefore, my lord, take good advice,And I Diligence your case will so tender,That to his grace your honour shall be none offender.
Therefore, my lord, take good advice,
And I Diligence your case will so tender,
That to his grace your honour shall be none offender.
Smirdis.
I thank you both, entire friends, with my honour still remain.
I thank you both, entire friends, with my honour still remain.
Ambidexter.
Behold, where the king doth come with his train.
Behold, where the king doth come with his train.
EnterKingand oneLord.
King.
O lording dear, and brother mine,I joy your state to see;Surmising much what is the cause,You absent thus from me.
O lording dear, and brother mine,
I joy your state to see;
Surmising much what is the cause,
You absent thus from me.
Smirdis.
Pleaseth your grace, no absence I,But ready to fulfilAt all assays, my prince and king,In that your grace me will:What I can do in true defence,To you, my prince, aright,In readiness I always amTo offer forth my might.
Pleaseth your grace, no absence I,
But ready to fulfil
At all assays, my prince and king,
In that your grace me will:
What I can do in true defence,
To you, my prince, aright,
In readiness I always am
To offer forth my might.
King.
And I the like to you againDo here avouch the same.
And I the like to you again
Do here avouch the same.
All.
For this your good agreement here,Now praised be God’s name.
For this your good agreement here,
Now praised be God’s name.
Ambidexter.
But hear ye, noble prince; hark in your ear:It is best to do as I did declare.
But hear ye, noble prince; hark in your ear:
It is best to do as I did declare.
King.
My lord and brother Smirdis now,This is my mind and will,That you to court of mine return,And there to tarry still,Till my return within short spaceYour honour for to greet.
My lord and brother Smirdis now,
This is my mind and will,
That you to court of mine return,
And there to tarry still,
Till my return within short space
Your honour for to greet.
Smirdis.
At your behest so will I do,Till time again we meet:My leave I take from you (O king);Even now I do depart.[ExeuntSmirdis,Attendance,andDiligence.
At your behest so will I do,
Till time again we meet:
My leave I take from you (O king);
Even now I do depart.
[ExeuntSmirdis,Attendance,andDiligence.
King.
Farewell lord and brother mine,Farewell with all my heart.My lord, my brother Smirdis isOf youth and manly might;And in his sweet and pleasant faceMy heart doth take delight.
Farewell lord and brother mine,
Farewell with all my heart.
My lord, my brother Smirdis is
Of youth and manly might;
And in his sweet and pleasant face
My heart doth take delight.
Lord.
Yea, noble prince, if that your graceBefore his honour die,He will succeed a virtuous king,And rule with equity.
Yea, noble prince, if that your grace
Before his honour die,
He will succeed a virtuous king,
And rule with equity.
King.
As you have said, my lord, he isChief heir next my grace:And if I die to-morrow, nextHe shall succeed my place.
As you have said, my lord, he is
Chief heir next my grace:
And if I die to-morrow, next
He shall succeed my place.
Ambidexter.
And if it please your grace (O king),I heard him say,For your death unto the god[s,]Day and night he did pray:He would live so virtuously,And get him such a praise,That Fame by trump his due desertsHis honour should up-raise.He said your grace deserved hadThe cursing of all men;That ye should never after himGet any praise again.
And if it please your grace (O king),
I heard him say,
For your death unto the god[s,]
Day and night he did pray:
He would live so virtuously,
And get him such a praise,
That Fame by trump his due deserts
His honour should up-raise.
He said your grace deserved had
The cursing of all men;
That ye should never after him
Get any praise again.
King.
Did he speak thus of my grace,In such despiteful wise?Or else dost thou presume to fillMy princely ears with lies?
Did he speak thus of my grace,
In such despiteful wise?
Or else dost thou presume to fill
My princely ears with lies?
Lord.
I cannot think it in my heart,That he would report so.
I cannot think it in my heart,
That he would report so.
King.
How sayst thou? speak the truth,Was it so or no?
How sayst thou? speak the truth,
Was it so or no?
Ambidexter.
I think so, if it please your grace, but I cannot tell.
I think so, if it please your grace, but I cannot tell.
King.
Thou play’st with both hands, now I perceive well,But for to put all doubts aside,And to make him lese his hope,He shall die by dent of sword,Or else by choking rope.Shall he succeed when I am gone,To have more praise than I?Were he father, as brother mine,I swear that he shall die.To palace mine I will therefore,His death for to pursue.[Exit.
Thou play’st with both hands, now I perceive well,
But for to put all doubts aside,
And to make him lese his hope,
He shall die by dent of sword,
Or else by choking rope.
Shall he succeed when I am gone,
To have more praise than I?
Were he father, as brother mine,
I swear that he shall die.
To palace mine I will therefore,
His death for to pursue.
[Exit.
Ambidexter.
Are ye gone? straightway I will follow you.How like ye now, my masters? doth not this gear cotton?The proverb old is verified, soon ripe and soon rotten.He will not be quiet, till his brother he kill’d:His delight is wholly to have his blood spill’d.Marry, sir, I told him a notable lie:If it were to do again, man, I durst do it, I.Marry, when I had done, to it I durst not stand:Thereby you may perceive I use to play with each hand.But how now, cousin Cutpurse? with whom play you?Take heed, for his hand is groping even now:Cousin, take heed, if ye do secretly grope;If ye be taken, cousin, ye must look through a rope.[Exit.
Are ye gone? straightway I will follow you.
How like ye now, my masters? doth not this gear cotton?
The proverb old is verified, soon ripe and soon rotten.
He will not be quiet, till his brother he kill’d:
His delight is wholly to have his blood spill’d.
Marry, sir, I told him a notable lie:
If it were to do again, man, I durst do it, I.
Marry, when I had done, to it I durst not stand:
Thereby you may perceive I use to play with each hand.
But how now, cousin Cutpurse? with whom play you?
Take heed, for his hand is groping even now:
Cousin, take heed, if ye do secretly grope;
If ye be taken, cousin, ye must look through a rope.
[Exit.
EnterLord Smirdisalone.
Smirdis.
I am wand’ring alone, here and there to walk;The court is so unquiet, in it I take no joy:Solitary to myself now I may talk;If I could rule, I wist what to say.
I am wand’ring alone, here and there to walk;
The court is so unquiet, in it I take no joy:
Solitary to myself now I may talk;
If I could rule, I wist what to say.
EnterCrueltyandMurderwith bloody hands.
Cruelty.
My coequal partner Murder, come away;From me long thou may’st not stay.
My coequal partner Murder, come away;
From me long thou may’st not stay.
Murder.
Yes, from thee I may stay, but not thou from me:Therefore I have a prerogative above thee.
Yes, from thee I may stay, but not thou from me:
Therefore I have a prerogative above thee.
Cruelty.
But in this case we must together abide:Come, come; Lord Smirdis I have spied:Lay hands on him with all festination,That on him we may work our indignation.
But in this case we must together abide:
Come, come; Lord Smirdis I have spied:
Lay hands on him with all festination,
That on him we may work our indignation.
Smirdis.
How now, my friends? What have you to do with me?
How now, my friends? What have you to do with me?
Murder.
King Cambyses hath sent us unto thee,Commanding us straitly without mercy or favour,Upon thee to bestow our behaviour;With Cruelty to murder you, and make you away.[Strike him in divers places.
King Cambyses hath sent us unto thee,
Commanding us straitly without mercy or favour,
Upon thee to bestow our behaviour;
With Cruelty to murder you, and make you away.
[Strike him in divers places.
Smirdis.
Yet pardon me, I heartily you pray:Consider, the king is a tyrant tyrannious;And all his doings be damnable and pernicious:Favour me therefore, I did him never offend.
Yet pardon me, I heartily you pray:
Consider, the king is a tyrant tyrannious;
And all his doings be damnable and pernicious:
Favour me therefore, I did him never offend.
Cruelty.
No favour at all; your life is at an end.Even now I strike his body to wound:Behold, now his blood springs out on the ground.[A little bladder of vinegar pricked.
No favour at all; your life is at an end.
Even now I strike his body to wound:
Behold, now his blood springs out on the ground.
[A little bladder of vinegar pricked.
Murder.
Now he is dead, let us present him to the king.
Now he is dead, let us present him to the king.
Cruelty.
Lay to your hand, away him to bring.[Exeunt.
Lay to your hand, away him to bring.
[Exeunt.
EnterAmbidexter.
Ambidexter.
O’ the passion of God, yonder is a heavy court:Some weeps, some wails, and some make great sport.Lord Smirdis by Cruelty and Murder is slain;But, Jesus! for want of him, how some do complain!If I should have had a thousand pound, I could not forbear weeping.Now Jesus have his blessed soul in keeping!Ah good lord to think on him, how it doth me grieve!I cannot forbear weeping, ye may me believe.[Weep.O my heart! how my pulses do beat:With sorrowful lamentations I am in such a heat.Ah my heart! how for him it doth sorrow!Nay, I have done in faith now, and God give you good morrow!Ha, ha, weep! nay, laugh, with both hands to play;The king through his cruelty hath made him away.But hath not he wrought a most wicked deed?Because king after him he should not proceed,His own natural brother, and having no more,To procure his death by violence sore;In spite because his brother should never be king,His heart being wicked consented to this thing.Now he hath no more brothers nor kindred alive:If the king use this gear still, he cannot long thrive.
O’ the passion of God, yonder is a heavy court:
Some weeps, some wails, and some make great sport.
Lord Smirdis by Cruelty and Murder is slain;
But, Jesus! for want of him, how some do complain!
If I should have had a thousand pound, I could not forbear weeping.
Now Jesus have his blessed soul in keeping!
Ah good lord to think on him, how it doth me grieve!
I cannot forbear weeping, ye may me believe.
[Weep.
O my heart! how my pulses do beat:
With sorrowful lamentations I am in such a heat.
Ah my heart! how for him it doth sorrow!
Nay, I have done in faith now, and God give you good morrow!
Ha, ha, weep! nay, laugh, with both hands to play;
The king through his cruelty hath made him away.
But hath not he wrought a most wicked deed?
Because king after him he should not proceed,
His own natural brother, and having no more,
To procure his death by violence sore;
In spite because his brother should never be king,
His heart being wicked consented to this thing.
Now he hath no more brothers nor kindred alive:
If the king use this gear still, he cannot long thrive.
EnterHobandLob.
Hob.
God’s hat, neighbours, come away; it’s time to market to go.
God’s hat, neighbours, come away; it’s time to market to go.
Lob.
God’s vast, neighbour, zay ye zo?The clock hath stricken vive, ich think, by lakin:[242]Bum vay,[243]vrom sleep cham not very well waken.But, neighbour Hob, neighbour Hob, what have ye to zell?
God’s vast, neighbour, zay ye zo?
The clock hath stricken vive, ich think, by lakin:[242]
Bum vay,[243]vrom sleep cham not very well waken.
But, neighbour Hob, neighbour Hob, what have ye to zell?
Hob.
Bum troth, neighbour Lob, to you I chil tell:Chave two goslings and a chine of good pork;There is no vatter between this and York.Chave a pot of strawberries and a calf’s head,A zennight zince to-morrow it hath been dead.
Bum troth, neighbour Lob, to you I chil tell:
Chave two goslings and a chine of good pork;
There is no vatter between this and York.
Chave a pot of strawberries and a calf’s head,
A zennight zince to-morrow it hath been dead.
Lob.