ACT THE FOURTH

After a noise of horns and shoutings, enter certainHuntsmen(if you please, singing) one way; another wayAteukinandJaques.

Ateu.Say, gentlemen, where may we find the king?First Hunts.Even here at hand, on hunting;And at this hour he taken hath a stand,To kill a deer.Ateu.A pleasant work in hand.Follow your sport, and we will seek his grace.First Hunts.When such him seek, it is a woful case.[ExeuntHuntsmenone way,AteukinandJaquesanother.

Enter theCountess of Arran, IdaandEustace.

Count. of A.Lord Eustace, as your youth and virtuous lifeDeserve a far more fair and richer wife,So, since I am a mother, and do witWhat wedlock is, and that which 'longs to it,Before I mean my daughter to bestow,'Twere meet that she and I your state did know.Eust.Madam, if I consider Ida's worth,I know my portions merit none so fair,And yet I hold in farm and yearly rentA thousand pound, which may her state content.Count. of A.But what estate, my lord, shall she possess?Eust.All that is mine, grave countess, and no less.—But, Ida, will you love?Ida.I cannot hate.Eust.But will you wed?Ida.'Tis Greek to me, my lord:I'll wish you well, and thereon take my word.Eust.Shall I some sign of favour, then, receive?Ida.Ay, if her ladyship will give me leave.Count. of A.Do what thou wilt.Ida.Then, noble English peer,Accept this ring, wherein my heart is set;A constant heart, with burning flames be-fret,But under-written this,O morte dura:Hereon whenso you look with eyespura,The maid you fancy most will favour you.Eust.I'll try this heart, in hope to find it true.

Enter certainHuntsmenandLadies.

First Hunts.Widow countess, well y-met;[278]Ever may thy joys be many;—Gentle Ida, fair beset,Fair and wise, not fairer any;Frolic huntsmen of the gameWill you well, and give you greeting.Ida.Thanks, good woodman, for the same,And our sport, and merry meeting.First Hunts.Unto thee we do presentSilver hart with arrow wounded.Eust.[aside]. This doth shadow my lament,[With] both fear and love confounded.Ladies.To the mother of the maid,Fair as the lilies, red as roses,Even so many goods are said,As herself in heart supposes.Count. of A.What are you, friends, that thus do wish us well?First Hunts.Your neighbours nigh, that have on hunting been,Who, understanding of your walking forth,Prepar'd this train to entertain you with:This Lady Douglas, this Sir Egmond is.Count. of A.Welcome, ye ladies, and thousand thanks for this.Come, enter you a homely widow's house,And if mine entertainment please you, let us feast.First Hunts.A lovely lady never wants a guest.[ExeuntCountess of Arran, Huntsmen,andLadies.Eust.Stay, gentle Ida, tell me what you deem,What doth this hart, this tender hart beseem?Ida.Why not, my lord, since nature teacheth artTo senseless beasts to cure their grievous smart;Dictamnum[279]serves to close the wound again.Eust.What help for those that love?Ida.Why, love again.Eust.Were I the hart,—Ida.Then I the herb would be:You shall not die for help; come, follow me. [Exeunt.

EnterAndrewandJaques.

Jaq. Mon dieu, whatmalheurbe this! me come a the chamber, Signior Andrew,mon dieu; taka my poniarden ma mainto give theestocadeto thedamoisella: par ma foi, there was no person;elle s'est en allée.

And.The worse luck, Jaques: but because I am thy friend, I will advise thee somewhat towards the attainment of the gallows.

Jaq.Gallows! what be that?

And.Marry, sir, a place of great promotion, where thou shalt by one turn above ground rid the world of a knave, and make a goodly ensample for all bloody villains of thy profession.

Jaq. Que dites vous, Monsieur Andrew?

And.I say, Jaques, thou must keep this path, and hie thee; for the queen, as I am certified, is departed with her dwarf, apparelled like a squire. Overtake her, Frenchman, stab her: I'll promise thee, this doublet shall be happy.

Jaq. Pourquoi?

And.It shall serve a jolly gentleman, Sir Dominus Monseigneur Hangman.

Jaq. C'est tout un; me will ramapour la monnoie. [Exit.

And.Go, and the rot consume thee!—O, what a trim world is this! My master lives by cozening the king, I by flattering him; Slipper, my fellow, by stealing, and I by lying: is not this a wily accord, gentlemen?[280]This last night, our jolly horsekeeper, being well steepedin liquor, confessed to me the stealing of my master's writings, and his great reward. Now dare I not bewray him, lest he discover my knavery; but this have I wrought: I understand he will pass this way, to provide him necessaries; but, if I and my fellows fail not, we will teach him such a lesson as shall cost him a chief place on Pennyless Bench[281]for his labour. But yond he comes. [Stands aside.

EnterSlipper,with aTailor,aShoemaker,and aCutler.

Slip.Tailor.

Tai.Sir?

Slip.Let my doublet be white northern, five groats the yard: I tell thee, I will be brave.

Tai.It shall, sir.

Slip.Now, sir, cut it me like the battlements of a custard, full of round holes; edge me the sleeves with Coventry blue, and let the linings be of tenpenny lockram.

Tai.Very good, sir.

Slip.Make it the amorous cut, a flap before.

Tai.And why so? that fashion is stale.

Slip.O, friend, thou art a simple fellow. I tell thee, a flap is a great friend to a storrie; it stands him instead of clean napery; and, if a man's shirt be torn, it is a present penthouse to defend him from a clean huswife's scoff.

Tai.You say sooth, sir.

Slip.[giving money]. Hold, take thy money; there is seven shillings for the doublet, and eight for the breeches: seven and eight; by'rlady, thirty-six is a fair deal of money.

Tai.Farewell, sir.

Slip.Nay, but stay, tailor.

Tai.Why, sir?

Slip.Forget not this special make: let my back-parts be well lined, for there come many winter-storms from a windy belly, I tell thee. [ExitTailor]. Shoemaker.

Shoe.Gentleman, what shoe will it please you to have?

Slip.A fine, neat calves'-leather, my friend.

Shoe.O, sir, that is too thin, it will not last you.

Slip.I tell thee, it is my near kinsman, for I am Slipper, which hath his best grace in summer to be suited in calves'[282]skins. Goodwife Calf was my grandmother, and Goodman Netherleather mine uncle; but my mother, good woman, alas, she was a Spaniard, and being well tanned and dressed by a good fellow, an Englishman, is grown to some wealth: as, when I have but my upper-parts clad in her husband's costly Spanish leather, I may be bold to kiss the fairest lady's foot in this country.

Shoe.You are of high birth, sir: but have you all your mother's marks on you?

Slip.Why, knave?

Shoe.Because, if thou come of the blood of the Slippers, you should have a shoemaker's awl thrust through your ear.

Slip.[giving money]. Take your earnest, friend, and be packing, and meddle not with my progenitors. [ExitShoemaker]. Cutler.

Cut.Here, sir.

Slip.I must have a reaper and digger.[283]

Cut.A rapier and dagger, you mean, sir?

Slip.Thou sayest true; but it must have a very fair edge.

Cut.Why so, sir?

Slip.Because it may cut by himself, for truly, my friend, I am a man of peace, and wear weapons but for fashion.

Cut.Well, sir, give me earnest, I will fit you.

Slip.[giving money]. Hold, take it: I betrust thee, friend; let me be well armed.

Cut.You shall. [Exit.

Slip.Now what remains? there's twenty crowns for house, three crowns for household-stuff, sixpence to buy a constable's staff; nay, I will be the chief of my parish. There wants nothing but a wench, a cat, a dog, a wife, and a servant, to make an whole family. Shall I marry with Alice, Goodman Grimshawe's daughter? she is fair, but indeed her tongue is like clocks on Shrove Tuesday, always out of temper. Shall I wed Sisley of the Whighton? O, no! she is like a frog in a parsley bed; as skittish as an eel: if I seek to hamper her, she will horn me. But a wench must be had, Master Slipper; yea, and shall be, dear friend.

And.[aside]. I now will drive him from his contemplations.—O, my mates, come forward: the lamb is unpent, the fox shall prevail.

Enter threeAntics,who dance round, and takeSlipperwith them.

Slip.I will, my friend, and I thank you heartily: pray, keep your courtesy: I am yours in the way of an hornpipe.—[Aside]. They are strangers; I see they understand not my language: wee, wee.—[284]

[Whilst they are dancing,Andrewtakes awaySlipper'smoney, and the otherAnticsdepart.

Nay, but, my friends, one hornpipe further! a refluenceback, and two doubles forward! What, not one cross-point against Sundays? What, ho, sirrah, you gone? you with the nose like an eagle, an you be a right Greek, one turn more.—Thieves, thieves! I am robbed! thieves! Is this the knavery of fiddlers? Well, I will then bind the whole credit of their occupation on a bag-piper, and he for my money. But I will after, and teach them to caper in a halter, that have cozened me of my money. [Exit.

EnterQueen Dorotheain man's apparel, andNano.

Q. Dor.Ah, Nano, I am weary of these weeds,Weary to wield this weapon that I bear,Weary of love from whom my woe proceeds,Weary of toil, since I have lost my dear.O weary life, where wanteth no distress,But every thought is paid with heaviness!Nano.Too much of weary, madam: if you please,Sit down, let weary die, and take your ease.Q. Dor.How look I, Nano? like a man or no?Nano.If not a man, yet like a manly shrow.[285]Q. Dor.If any come and meet us on the way,What should we do, if they enforce us stay?Nano.Set cap a-huff, and challenge him the field:Suppose the worst, the weak may fight to yield.Q. Dor.The battle, Nano, in this troubled mindIs far more fierce than ever we may find.The body's wounds by medicines may be eas'd,But griefs of mind, by salves are no appeas'd.Nano.Say, madam, will you hear your Nano sing?Q. Dor.Of woe, good boy, but of no other thing.Nano.What if I sing of fancy?[286]will it please?Q. Dor.To such as hope success such notes breed ease.Nano.What if I sing, like Damon, to my sheep?Q. Dor.Like Phillis, I will sit me down to weep.Nano.Nay, since my songs afford such pleasure small,I'll sit me down, and sing you none at all.Q. Dor.O, be not angry, Nano!Nano.Nay, you loatheTo think on that which doth content us both.Q. Dor.And how?Nano.You scorn disport when you are weary,And loathe my mirth, who live to make you merry.Q. Dor.Danger and fear withdraw me from delight.Nano.'Tis virtue to contemn false fortune's spite.Q. Dor.What should I do to please thee, friendly squire?Nano.A smile a-day is all I will require;And, if you pay me well the smiles you owe me,I'll kill this cursèd care, or else beshrow me.Q. Dor.We are descried; O, Nano, we are dead!

EnterJaques,his sword drawn.

Nano.Tut, yet you walk, you are not dead indeed.Draw me your sword, if he your way withstand,And I will seek for rescue out of hand.Q. Dor.Run, Nano, run, prevent thy princess' death.Nano.Fear not, I'll run all danger out of breath.[Exit.

Jaq.Ah, youcalletta! youstrumpetta! Maitressa Doretie, êtes vous surprise?Come, say your paternoster,car vous êtes morte, par ma foi.

Q. Dor.Callet! me strumpet! Caitiff as thou art!But even a princess born, who scorns thy threats:Shall never Frenchman say an England maidOf threats of foreign force will be afraid.

Jaq.You nodire votres prières? morbleu, mechante femme, guarda your breasta there: me make you die on my Morglay.[287]

Q. Dor.God shield me, helpless princess and a wife,And save my soul, although I lose my life![They fight, and she is sore wounded.Ah, I am slain! some piteous power repayThis murderer's cursèd deed, that doth me slay!

Jaq. Elle est tout morte.Me will runpoura wager, for fear me besurprisandpendufor my labour.Bien, je m'en allerai au roi lui dire mes affaires. Je serai un chevalierfor this day's travail. [Exit.

[Re-enterNano,withSir Cuthbert Anderson,his sword drawn, andServants.

Sir Cuth.Where is this poor distressèd gentleman?Nano.Here laid on ground, and wounded to the death.Ah, gentle heart, how are these beauteous looksDimm'd by the tyrant cruelties of death!O weary soul, break thou from forth my breast,And join thee with the soul I honour'd most!Sir Cuth.Leave mourning, friend, the man is yet alive.Some help me to convey him to my house:There will I see him carefully recur'd,And send privy search to catch the murderer.Nano.The God of heaven reward thee, courteous knight![Exeunt, bearing outQueen Dorothea.

Enter theKing of Scots, Jaques, Ateukin, Andrew; Jaquesrunning with his sword one way, theKingwith histrainanother way.

K. of Scots.Stay, Jaques, fear not, sheath thy murdering blade:Lo, here thy king and friends are come abroadTo save thee from the terrors of pursuit.What, is she dead?

Jaq. Oui, Monsieur, elleisblessée par la têteoverles épaules: I warrant, she no trouble you.

Ateu.O, then, my liege, how happy art thou grown,How favour'd of the heavens, and blest by love!Methinks I see fair Ida in thine arms,Craving remission for her late contempt;Methinks I see her blushing steal a kiss,Uniting both your souls by such a sweet;And you, my king, suck nectar from her lips.Why, then, delays your grace to gain the restYou long desir'd? why lose we forward time?Write, make me spokesman now, vow marriage:If she deny you favour, let me die.

And.Mighty and magnificent potentate, give credence to mine honourable good lord, for I heard the midwife swear at his nativity that the fairies gave him the property of the Thracian stone; for who toucheth it is exempted from grief, and he that heareth my master's counsel is already possessed of happiness; nay, which is more miraculous, as the nobleman in his infancy lay in his cradle, a swarm of bees laid honey on his lips in token of his eloquence, formelle dulcior fluit oratio.

Ateu.Your grace must bear with imperfections:This is exceeding love that makes him speak.K. of Scots.Ateukin, I am ravish'd in conceit,And yet depress'd again with earnest thoughts.Methinks, this murder soundeth in mine earA threatening noise of dire and sharp revenge:I am incens'd with grief, yet fain would joy.What may I do to end me of these doubts?Ateu.Why, prince, it is no murder in a kingTo end another's life to save his own:For you are not as common people be,Who die and perish with a few men's tears;But if you fail, the state doth whole default,The realm is rent in twain in such a loss.And Aristotle holdeth this for true,Of evils needs we must choose the least:Then better were it, that a woman diedThan all the help of Scotland should be blent.'Tis policy, my liege, in every state,To cut off members that disturb the head:And by corruption generation grows,And contraries maintain the world and state.K. of Scots.Enough, I am confirm'd. Ateukin, come,Rid me of love, and rid me of my grief;Drive thou the tyrant from this tainted breast,Then may I triumph in the height of joy.Go to mine Ida, tell her that I vowTo raise her head, and make her honours great:Go to mine Ida, tell her that her hairsShall be embellishèd with orient pearls,And crowns of sapphires compassing her brows,Shall war with those sweet beauties of her eyes:Go to mine Ida, tell her that my soulShall keep her semblance closèd in my breast;And I, in touching of her milk-white mould,Will think me deified in such a grace.I like no stay: go write, and I will sign:Reward me Jaques; give him store of crowns.And, Sirrah Andrew, scout thou here in court,And bring me tidings, if thou canst perceiveThe least intent of muttering in my train;For either those that wrong thy lord or theeShall suffer death.Ateu.How much, O mighty king,Is thy Ateukin bound to honour thee!—Bow thee, Andrew, bend thine sturdy knees;Seest thou not here thine only God on earth?[Exit theKing.Jaq. Mais où est mon argent, seigneur?Ateu.Come, follow me. His grace, I see, is mad,[288]That thus on sudden he hath left us here.—Come, Jaques: we will have our packet soon despatch'd,And you shall be my mate upon the way.Jaq. Comme vous plaira, monsieur.[ExeuntAteukinandJaques.And.Was never such a world, I think, before,When sinners seem to dance within a net;The flatterer and the murderer, they grow big;By hook or crook promotion now is sought.In such a world, where men are so misled,What should I do, but, as the proverb saith,Run with the hare, and hunt with the hound?To have two means beseems a witty man.Now here in court I may aspire and climbBy subtlety, for my master's death:And, if that fail, well fare another drift;I will, in secret, certain letters sendUnto the English king, and let him knowThe order of his daughter's overthrow,That, if my master crack his credit here,As I am sure long flattery cannot hold,I may have means within the English courtTo 'scape the scourge that waits on bad advice.[Exit.

EnterBohanandOberon.

Ober.Believe me, bonny Scot, these strange eventsAre passing pleasing; may they end as well.Boh.Else say that Bohan hath a barren skull,If better motions yet than any pastDo not, more glee to make, the fairy greet.But my small son made pretty handsome shiftTo save the queen his mistress, by his speed.Ober.Yea, and yon laddie, for his sport he made,Shall see, when least he hopes, I'll stand his friend,Or else he capers in a halter's end.Boh.What, hang my son! I trow not, Oberon:I'll rather die than see him woebegone.

Enter a round, or some dance, at pleasure.

Ober.Bohan, be pleas'd, for, do they what they will,Here is my hand, I'll save thy son from ill.[Exeunt.

EnterQueen Dorotheain man's apparel and in a nightgown,Lady Anderson,andNano;andSir Cuthbert Andersonbehind.

Lady And.My gentle friend, beware, in taking air,Your walks grow not offensive to your wounds.Q. Dor.Madam, I thank you of your courteous care:My wounds are well-nigh clos'd, though sore they are.Lady And.Methinks these closèd wounds should breed more grief,Since open wounds have cure, and find relief.Q. Dor.Madam, if undiscover'd wounds you mean,They are not cur'd, because they are not seen.Lady And.I mean the wounds which do the heart subdue.Nano.O, that is love: Madam, speak I not true?[Sir Cuthbert Andersonoverhears.Lady And.Say it were true, what salve for such a sore?Nano.Be wise, and shut such neighbours out of door.Lady And.How if I cannot drive him from my breast?Nano.Then chain him well, and let him do his best.Sir Cuth.[aside]. In ripping up their wounds, I see their wit;But if these wounds be cur'd, I sorrow it.Q. Dor.Why are you so intentive to beholdMy pale and woful looks, by care controll'd?Lady And.Because in them a ready way is foundTo cure my care and heal my hidden wound.Nano.Good master, shut your eyes, keep that conceit;Surgeons give coin to get a good receipt.Q. Dor.Peace, wanton son; this lady did amendMy wounds; mine eyes her hidden griefs shall end.Nano.Look not too much, it is a weighty caseWhereas a man puts on a maiden's face;For many times, if ladies 'ware them not,A nine months' wound, with little work is got.Sir Cuth.[aside]. I'll break off their dispute, lest love proceedFrom covert smiles, to perfect love indeed.[Comes forward.Nano.The cat's abroad, stir not, the mice be still.Lady And.Tut, we can fly such cats, when so we will.Sir Cuth.How fares my guest? take cheer, naught shall default,That either doth concern your health or joy:Use me; my house, and what is mine is yours.Q. Dor.Thanks, gentle knight; and, if all hopes be true,I hope ere long to do as much for you.Sir Cuth.Your virtue doth acquit me of that doubt:But, courteous sir, since troubles call me hence,I must to Edinburgh unto the king,There to take charge, and wait him in his wars.—Meanwhile, good madam, take this squire in charge,And use him so as if it were myself.Lady And.Sir Cuthbert, doubt not of my diligence:Meanwhile, till your return, God send you health.Q. Dor.God bless his grace, and, if his cause be just,Prosper his wars; if not, he'll mend, I trust.Good sir, what moves the king to fall to arms?Sir Cuth.The King of England forageth his land,And hath besieg'd Dunbar with mighty force.What other news are common in the court.Read you these letters, madam;[giving letters toLady Anderson]tell the squireThe whole affairs of state, for I must hence.Q. Dor.God prosper you, and bring you back from thence![ExitSir Cuthbert Anderson.Madam, what news?Lady And.They say the queen is slain.Q. Dor.Tut, such reports more false than truth contain.Lady And.But these reports have made his nobles leave him.Q. Dor.Ah, careless men, and would they so deceive him?Lady And.The land is spoil'd, the commons fear the cross;All cry against the king, their cause of loss:The English king subdues and conquers all.Q. Dor.Alas, this war grows great on causes small!Lady And.Our court is desolate, our prince alone,Still dreading death.Q. Dor.Woe's me, for him I mourn!Help, now help, a sudden qualmAssails my heart!Nano.Good madam, stand his friend:Give us some liquor to refresh his heart.Lady And.Daw thou him up,[289]and I will fetch thee forthPotions of comfort, to repress his pain. [Exit.Nano.Fie, princess, faint on every fond report!How well-nigh had you open'd your estate!Cover these sorrows with the veil of joy,And hope the best; for why this war will causeA great repentance in your husband's mind.Q. Dor.Ah, Nano, trees live not without their sap,And Clytie cannot blush but on the sun;The thirsty earth is broke with many a gap,And lands are lean where rivers do not run:Where soul is reft from that it loveth best,How can it thrive or boast of quiet rest?Thou know'st the prince's loss must be my death,His grief, my grief; his mischief must be mine.O, if thou love me, Nano, hie to court!Tell Ross, tell Bartram, that I am alive;Conceal thou yet the place of my abode:Will them, even as they love their queen,As they are chary of my soul and joy,To guard the king, to serve him as my lord.Haste thee, good Nano, for my husband's careConsumeth me, and wounds me to the heart.Nano.Madam, I go, yet loth to leave you here.Q. Dor.Go thou with speed: even as thou hold'st me dear,Return in haste. [ExitNano.

Re-enterLady Anderson.

Lady And.Now, sir, what cheer? come taste this broth I bring.Q. Dor.My grief is past, I feel no further sting.Lady And.Where is your dwarf? why hath he left you, sir?Q. Dor.For some affairs: he is not travell'd far.Lady And.If so you please, come in and take your rest.Q. Dor.Fear keeps awake a discontented breast.[Exeunt.

After a solemn service, enter from theCountess of Arran'shouse a service, with musical songs of marriages, or a mask, or pretty triumph: to themAteukinandJaques.

Ateu.What means this triumph, friend? why are these feasts?First Revel.Fair Ida, sir, was married yesterdayUnto Sir Eustace, and for that intentWe feast and sport it thus to honour them:An, if you please, come in and take your part;My lady is no niggard of her cheer.[ExeuntRevellers.Jaq. Monseigneur, why be you so sadda?faites bonne chere: foutre de ce monde!Ateu.What, was I born to be the scorn of kin?To gather feathers like to a hopper-crow,And lose them in the height of all my pomp?Accursèd man, now is my credit lost!Where are my vows I made unto the king?What shall become of me, if he shall hearThat I have caus'd him kill a virtuous queen,And hope in vain for that which now is lost?Where shall I hide my head? I know the heavensAre just and will revenge; I know my sinsExceed compare. Should I proceed in this,This Eustace must amain be made away.O, were I dead, how happy should I be!

Jaq. Est ce donc à tel point votre etat?faith, then adieu, Scotland, adieu, Signior Ateukin: me will homa to France, and no be hanged in a strange country. [Exit.

Ateu.Thou dost me good to leave me thus alone,That galling grief and I may yoke in one.O, what are subtle means to climb on high,When every fall swarms with exceeding shame?I promis'd Ida's love unto the prince,But she is lost, and I am false forsworn.I practis'd Dorothea's hapless death,And by this practice have commenc'd a war.O cursèd race of men, that traffic guile,And, in the end, themselves and kings beguile!Asham'd to look upon my prince again,Asham'd of my suggestions and advice,Asham'd of life, asham'd that I have err'd,I'll hide myself, expecting for[290]my shame.Thus God doth work with those that purchase fameBy flattery, and make their prince their game. [Exit.

Enter theKing of England, Lord Percy, Samles,and others.

K. of Eng.[291]Thus far, ye English peers, have we display'dOur waving ensigns with a happy war;Thus nearly hath our furious rage reveng'dMy daughter's death upon the traitorous Scot.And now before Dunbar our camp is pitch'd;Which, if it yield not to our compromise,The plough shall furrow where the palace stood,And fury shall enjoy so high a powerThat mercy shall be banish'd from our swords.

EnterDouglasand others on the walls.

Doug.What seeks the English king?K. of Eng.Scot, open those gates, and let me enter in:Submit thyself and thine unto my grace,Or I will put each mother's son to death,And lay this city level with the ground.Doug.For what offence, for what default of ours,Art thou incens'd so sore against our state?Can generous hearts in nature be so sternTo prey on those that never did offend?What though the lion, king of brutish race,Through outrage sin, shall lambs be therefore slain?Or is it lawful that the humble dieBecause the mighty do gainsay the right?O English king, thou bearest in thy crestThe king of beasts, that harms not yielding ones:The roseal cross is spread within thy field,A sign of peace, not of revenging war.Be gracious, then, unto this little town;And, though we have withstood thee for awhileTo show allegiance to our liefest liege,Yet, since we know no hope of any help,Take us to mercy, for we yield ourselves.K. of Eng.What, shall I enter, then, and be your lord?Doug.We will submit us to the English king.[They descend, open the gates, and humble themselves.K. of Eng.Now life and death dependeth on my sword:This hand now rear'd, my Douglas, if I list,Could part thy head and shoulders both in twain;But, since I see thee wise and old in years,True to thy king, and faithful in his wars,Live thou and thine. Dunbar is too-too smallTo give an entrance to the English king:I, eagle-like, disdain these little fowls,And look on none but those that dare resist.Enter your town, as those that live by me:For others that resist, kill, forage, spoil.Mine English soldiers, as you love your king,Revenge his daughter's death, and do me right.[Exeunt.

Enter aLawyer,aMerchant,and aDivine.

Law.My friends, what think you of this present state?Were ever seen such changes in a time?The manners and the fashions of this ageAre, like the ermine-skin, so full of spots,As sooner may the Moor be washèd whiteThan these corruptions banish'd from this realm.Merch.What sees Mas Lawyer in this state amiss?Law.A wresting power that makes a nose of waxOf grounded law, a damn'd and subtle driftIn all estates to climb by others' loss;An eager thirst of wealth, forgetting truth.Might I ascend unto the highest states,And by descent discover every crime,My friends, I should lament, and you would grieveTo see the hapless ruins of this realm.Div.O lawyer, thou hast curious eyes to pryInto the secret maims of their estate;But if thy veil of error were unmask'd,Thyself should see your sect do maim her most.Are you not those that should maintain the peace,Yet only are the patrons of our strife?If your profession have his ground and springFirst from the laws of God, then country's right,Not any ways inverting nature's power,Why thrive you by contentions? why devise youClauses, and subtle reasons to except?Our state was first, before you grew so great,A lantern to the world for unity:Now they that are befriended and are richOppress the poor: come Homer without coin,He is not heard. What shall we term this drift?To say the poor man's cause is good and just,And yet the rich man gains the best in law?It is your guise (the more the world laments)To coin provisos to beguile your laws;To make a gay pretext of due proceeding,When you delay your common-pleas for years.Mark what these dealings lately here have wrought:The crafty men have purchas'd great men's lands;They powl,[292]they pinch, their tenants are undone;If these complain, by you they are undone;You fleece them of their coin, their children beg,And many want, because you may be rich:This scar is mighty, Master Lawyer.Now war hath gotten head within this land,Mark but the guise. The poor man that is wrong'dIs ready to rebel; he spoils, he pills;We need no foes to forage that we have:The law, say they, in peace consumèd us,And now in war we will consume the law.Look to this mischief, lawyers: conscience knowsYou live amiss; amend it, lest you end!Law.Good Lord, that these divines should see so farIn others' faults, without amending theirs!Sir, sir, the general defaults in state(If you would read before you did correct)Are, by a hidden working from above,By their successive changes still remov'd.Were not the law by contraries maintain'd,How could the truth from falsehood be discern'd?Did we not taste the bitterness of war,How could we know the sweet effects of peace?Did we not feel the nipping winter-frosts,How should we know the sweetness of the spring?Should all things still remain in one estate,Should not in greatest arts some scars be found?Were all upright, nor chang'd, what world were this?A chaos, made of quiet, yet no world,Because the parts thereof did still accord:This matter craves a variance, not a speech.But, Sir Divine, to you: look on your maims,Divisions, sects, your simonies, and bribes,Your cloaking with the great for fear to fall,—You shall perceive you are the cause of all.Did each man know there was a storm at hand,Who would not clothe him well, to shun the wet?Did prince and peer, the lawyer and the least,Know what were sin, without a partial gloss,We'd need no long discovery then of crimes,For each would mend, advis'd by holy men.Thus [I] but slightly shadow out your sins;But, if they were depainted out of life,Alas, we both had wounds enough to heal!Merch.None of you both, I see, but are in fault;Thus simple men, as I, do swallow flies.This grave divine can tell us what to do;But we may say, "Physician, mend thyself."This lawyer hath a pregnant wit to talk;But all are words, I see no deeds of worth.Law.Good merchant, lay your fingers on your mouth;Be not a blab, for fear you bite yourself.What should I term your state, but even the wayTo every ruin in this commonweal?You bring us in the means of all excess,You rate it and retail it as you please;You swear, forswear, and all to compass wealth;Your money is your god, your hoard your heaven;You are the groundwork of contention.First, heedless youth by you is over-reach'd;We are corrupted by your many crowns:The gentlemen, whose titles you have bought,Lose all their fathers' toil within a day,Whilst Hob your son, and Sib your nutbrown child,Are gentlefolks, and gentles are beguil'd.This makes so many noble minds to stray,And take sinister courses in the state.

Enter aScout.

Scout.My friends, be gone, an if you love your lives!The King of England marcheth here at hand:Enter the camp, for fear you be surpris'd.Div.Thanks, gentle scout,—God mend that is amiss,And place true zeal whereas corruption is! [Exeunt.

EnterQueen Dorotheain man's apparel,Lady Anderson,andNano.

Q. Dor.What news in court, Nano? let us know it.Nano.If so you please, my lord, I straight will show it:The English king hath all the borders spoil'd,Hath taken Morton prisoner, and hath slainSeven thousand Scottish lads not far from Tweed.Q. Dor.A woful murder and a bloody deed!Nano.The king, our liege, hath sought by many meansFor to appease his enemy by prayers:Naught will prevail unless he can restoreFair Dorothea, long supposèd dead:To this intent he hath proclaimèd late,That whosoe'er return the queen to courtShall have a thousand marks for his reward.Lady And.He loves her, then, I see, although enforc'd,That would bestow such gifts for to regain her.Why sit you sad, good sir? be not dismay'd.Nano.I'll lay my life, this man would be a maid.Q. Dor.[aside to Nano]. Fain would I show myself, and change my tire.Lady And.Whereon divine you, sir?Nano.Upon desire.Madam, mark but my skill. I'll lay my life,My master here, will prove a married wife.Q. Dor.[aside to Nano]. Wilt thou bewray me, Nano?Nano.[aside to Dor.]. Madam, no:You are a man, and like a man you go:But I, that am in speculation seen,[293]Know you would change your state to be a queen.Q. Dor.[aside to Nano]. Thou art not, dwarf, to learn thy mistress' mind:Fain would I with thyself disclose my kind,But yet I blush.Nano.[aside to Dor.]. What? blush you, madam, than,[294]To be yourself, who are a feignèd man?[295]Lady And.Deceitful beauty, hast thou scorn'd me so?Nano.Nay, muse not, madam, for he tells you true.Lady And.Beauty bred love, and love hath bred my shame.Nano.And women's faces work more wrongs than these:Take comfort, madam, to cure your disease.And yet he loves a man as well as you,Only this difference, he cannot fancy two.Lady And.Blush, grieve, and die in thine insatiate lust.Q. Dor.Nay, live, and joy that thou hast won a friend,That loves thee as his life by good desert.Lady And.I joy, my lord, more than my tongue can tell:Though not as I desir'd, I love you well.But modesty, that never blush'd before,Discover my false heart: I say no more.Let me alone.Q. Dor.Good Nano, stay awhile.Were I not sad, how kindly could I smile,To see how fain I am to leave this weed!And yet I faint to show myself indeed:But danger hates delay; I will be bold.—Fair lady, I am not [as you] suppose,A man, but even that queen, more hapless I,Whom Scottish king appointed hath to die;I am the hapless princess, for whose right,These kings in bloody wars revenge despite;I am that Dorothea whom they seek,Yours bounden for your kindness and relief;And, since you are the means that save my life,Yourself and I will to the camp repair,Whereas your husband shall enjoy reward,And bring me to his highness once again.Lady And.Pardon, most gracious princess, if you please,My rude discourse and homely entertain;And, if my words may savour any worth,Vouchsafe my counsel in this weighty cause:Since that our liege hath so unkindly dealt,Give him no trust, return unto your sire;There may you safely live in spite of him.Q. Dor.Ah lady, so would worldly counsel work;But constancy, obedience, and my love,In that my husband is my lord and chief,These call me to compassion of his state:Dissuade me not, for virtue will not change.Lady And.What wondrous constancy is this I hear!If English dames their husbands love so dear,I fear me in the world they have no peer.Nano.Come, princess, wend, and let us change your weed:I long to see you now a queen indeed. [Exeunt.

Enter theKing of Scots,theEnglish Herald,andLords.

K. of Scots.He would have parley, lords. Herald, say he shall,And get thee gone. Go, leave me to myself.[ExitHerald.—Lords retire.'Twixt love and fear, continual is the war;The one assures me of my Ida's love,The other moves me for my murder'd queen:Thus find I grief of that whereon I joy,And doubt in greatest hope, and death in weal.Alas, what hell may be compar'd with mine,Since in extremes my comforts do consist!War then will cease, when dead ones are reviv'd;Some then will yield when I am dead for hope.—Who doth disturb me?

EnterAndrewandSlipper.

Andrew?And.Ay, my liege.K. of Scots.What news?And.I think my mouth was made at firstTo tell these tragic tales, my liefest lord.K. of Scots.What, is Ateukin dead? tell me the worst.And.No, but your Ida—shall I tell him all?—Is married late—ah, shall I say to whom?—My master sad—for why he shames the court—Is fled away; ah, most unhappy flight!Only myself—ah, who can love you more!—To show my duty,—duty past belief,—Am come unto your grace, O gracious liege,To let you know—O, would it were not thus!—That love is vain and maids soon lost and won.K. of Scots.How have the partial heavens, then, dealt with me,Boding my weal, for to abase my power!Alas, what thronging thoughts do me oppress!Injurious love is partial in my right,And flattering tongues, by whom I was misled,Have laid a snare, to spoil my state and me.Methinks I hear my Dorothea's ghostHowling revenge for my accursèd hate:The ghosts of those my subjects that are slainPursue me, crying out, "Woe, woe to lust!"The foe pursues me at my palace-door,He breaks my rest, and spoils me in my camp.Ah, flattering brood of sycophants, my foes!First shall my dire revenge begin on you.—I will reward thee, Andrew.

Slip.Nay, sir, if you be in your deeds of charity, remember me. I rubbed Master Ateukin's horse-heels when he rid to the meadows.

K. of Scots.And thou shalt have thy recompense for that.—Lords, bear them to the prison, chain them fast,Until we take some order for their deaths.[Lordsseize them.And.If so your grace in such sort give rewards,Let me have naught; I am content to want.

Slip.Then, I pray, sir, give me all; I am as ready for a reward as an oyster for a fresh tide; spare not me, sir.

K. of Scots.Then hang them both as traitors to the king.

Slip.The case is altered, sir: I'll none of your gifts. What, I take a reward at your hands, master! faith, sir, no; I am a man of a better conscience.

K. of Scots.Why dally you? Go draw them hence away.

Slip.Why, alas, sir, I will go away.—I thank you, gentle friends; I pray you spare your pains: I will not trouble his honour's mastership; I'll run away.

K. of Scots.Why stay you? move me not. Let search be madeFor vile Ateukin: whoso finds him outShall have five hundred marks for his reward.Away with them, lords!

EnterOberonandAntics,and carry awaySlipper;he makes pots[296]and sports, and scorns.Andrewis removed.

Troops, about my tent!Let all our soldiers stand in battle 'ray;For, lo, the English to their parley come.

March over bravely, first the English host, the sword carried before theKingbyPercy;the Scottish on the other side, with all their pomp, bravely.

What seeks the King of England in this land?K. of Eng.False, traitorous Scot, I come for to revengeMy daughter's death; I come to spoil thy wealth,Since thou hast spoil'd me of my marriage joy;I come to heap thy land with carcases,That this thy thirsty soil, chok'd up with blood,May thunder forth revenge upon thy head;I come to quit thy loveless love with death:In brief, no means of peace shall e'er be found,Except I have my daughter or thy head.K. of Scots.My head, proud king! abase thy pranking plumes:So striving fondly, mayst thou catch thy grave.But, if true judgment do direct thy course,This lawful reason should divert the war:Faith, not by my consent thy daughter died.K. of Eng.Thou liest, false Scot! thy agents have confess'd it.These are but fond delays: thou canst not thinkA means to reconcile me for thy friend.I have thy parasite's confession penn'd;What, then, canst thou allege in thy excuse?K. of Scots.I will repay the ransom for her blood.K. of Eng.What, think'st thou, caitiff, I will sell my child?No; if thou be a prince and man-at-arms,In single combat come and try thy right,Else will I prove thee recreant to thy face.K. of Scots.I seek no combat, false injurious king.But, since thou needless art inclin'd to war,Do what thou dar'st; we are in open field:Arming my battle, I will fight with thee.K. of Eng.Agreed.—Now trumpets, sound a dreadful charge.Fight for your princess, brave Englishmen!K. of Scots.Now for your lands, your children, and your wives,My Scottish peers, and lastly for your king!

Alarum sounded; both the battles offer to meet, and just as the kings are joining battle, enterSir Cuthbert AndersonandLady Anderson;with them entersQueen Dorothea,richly attired, who stands concealed, andNano.

Sir Cuth.Stay, princes, wage not war: a privy grudge'Twixt such as you, most high in majesty,Afflicts both nocent and the innocentHow many swords, dear princes, see I drawn!The friend against his friend, a deadly feud;A desperate division in those landsWhich, if they join in one, command the world.O, stay! with reason mitigate your rage;And let an old man, humbled on his knees,Entreat a boon, good princes, of you both.K. of Eng.I condescend, for why thy reverend yearsImport some news of truth and consequence.K. of Scots.I am content, for, Anderson, I knowThou art my subject and dost mean me good.Sir Cuth.But by your gracious favours grant me this,To swear upon your swords to do me right.K. of Eng.See, by my sword, and by a prince's faith,In every lawful sort I am thine own.K. of Scots.And, by my sceptre and the Scottish crown,I am resolv'd to grant thee thy request.Sir Cuth.I see you trust me, princes, who reposeThe weight of such a war upon my will.Now mark my suit. A tender lion's whelp,This other day, came straggling in the woods,Attended by a young and tender hind,In courage haught, yet 'tirèd like a lamb.The prince of beasts had left this young in keep,To foster up as love-mate and compeer,Unto the lion's mate, a neighbour-friend:This stately guide, seducèd by the fox,Sent forth an eager wolf, bred up in France,That gripp'd the tender whelp and wounded it.By chance, as I was hunting in the woods,I heard the moan the hind made for the whelp:I took them both, and brought them to my house.With chary care I have recur'd the one;And since I know the lions are at strifeAbout the loss and damage of the young,I bring her home; make claim to her who list.[DiscoversQueen Dorothea.Q. Dor.I am the whelp, bred by this lion up,This royal English king, my happy sire:Poor Nano is the hind that tended me.My father, Scottish king, gave me to thee,A hapless wife: thou, quite misled by youth,Hast sought sinister loves and foreign joys.The fox Ateukin, cursèd parasite,Incens'd your grace to send the wolf abroad,The French-born Jaques, for to end my days:He, traitorous man, pursu'd me in the woods,And left me wounded; where this noble knightBoth rescu'd me and mine, and sav'd my life.Now keep thy promise: Dorothea lives;Give Anderson his due and just reward:And since, you kings, your wars began by me,Since I am safe, return, surcease your fight.K. of Scots.Durst I presume to look upon those eyesWhich I have tirèd with a world of woes?Or did I think submission were enough,Or sighs might make an entrance to thy soul,You heavens, you know how willing I would weep;You heavens can tell how glad I would submit;You heavens can say how firmly I would sigh.Q. Dor.Shame me not, prince, companion in thy bed:Youth hath misled,—tut, but a little fault:'Tis kingly to amend what is amiss.Might I with twice as many pains as theseUnite our hearts, then should my wedded lordSee how incessant labours I would take.—My gracious father, govern your affects:Give me that hand, that oft hath blest this head,And clasp thine arms, that have embrac'd this [neck],About the shoulders of my wedded spouse.Ah, mighty prince, this king and I am one!Spoil thou his subjects, thou despoilest me;Touch thou his breast, thou dost attaint this heart:O, be my father, then, in loving him!K. of Eng.Thou provident kind mother of increase,Thou must prevail; ah, Nature, thou must rule!Hold, daughter, join my hand and his in one;I will embrace him for to favour thee:I call him friend, and take him for my son.Q. Dor.Ah, royal husband, see what God hath wrought!Thy foe is now thy friend.—Good men-at-arms,Do you the like.—These nations if they join,What monarch, with his liege-men, in this world,Dare but encounter you in open field?K. of Scots.All wisdom, join'd with godly piety!—Thou English king, pardon my former youth;And pardon, courteous queen, my great misdeed;And, for assurance of mine after-life,I take religious vows before my God,To honour thee for father, her for wife.Sir Cuth.But yet my boons, good princes, are not pass'd.First, English king, I humbly do request,That by your means our princess may uniteHer love unto mine aldertruest love,[297]Now you will love, maintain, and help them both.K. of Eng.Good Anderson, I grant thee thy request.Sir Cuth.But you, my prince, must yield me mickle more.You know your nobles are your chiefest stays,And long time have been banish'd from your court:Embrace and reconcile them to yourself;They are your hands, whereby you ought to work.As for Ateukin and his lewd compeers,That sooth'd you in your sins and youthly pomp,Exile, torment, and punish such as they;For greater vipers never may be foundWithin a state than such aspiring heads,That reck not how they climb, so that they climb.K. of Scots.Guid knight, I grant thy suit.—First I submit,And humbly crave a pardon of your grace:—Next, courteous queen, I pray thee by thy lovesForgive mine errors past, and pardon me.—My lords and princes, if I have misdone(As I have wrong'd indeed both you and yours),Hereafter, trust me, you are dear to me.As for Ateukin, whoso finds the man,Let him have martial law, and straight be hang'd,As all his vain abettors now are dead.And Anderson our treasurer shall payThree thousand marks for friendly recompense.Nano.But, princes, whilst you friend it thus in one,Methinks of friendship Nano shall have none.Q. Dor.What would my dwarf, that I will not bestow?Nano.My boon, fair queen, is this,—that you would go:Although my body is but small and neat,My stomach, after toil, requireth meat:An easy suit, dread princess; will you wend?K. of Scots.Art thou a pigmy-born, my pretty friend?Nano.Not so, great king, but Nature, when she fram'd me,Was scant of earth, and Nano therefore nam'd me;And, when she saw my body was so small,She gave me wit to make it big withal.K. of Scots.Till time when—Q. Dor.Eat, then.K. of Scots.My friend, it stands with witTo take repast when stomach serveth it.Q. Dor.[298]Thy policy, my Nano, shall prevail.—Come, royal father, enter we my tent:—And, soldiers, feast it, frolic it, like friends:—My princes, bid this kind and courteous trainPartake some favours of our late accord.Thus wars have end, and, after dreadful hate,Men learn at last to know their good estate.[Exeunt omnes.

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