ACT III.

SCENE I.—AN ASSEMBLY OF BARONS.

Vor.To you have been explain’d our late despatches:Say; did we not invite these princes home,And tender them the crown? Yet do we findThey come with foreign aid and civil war,To bear the sway and empire over us.Can any present say why this should be?1st Bar.No! they’re the sons of our late king, ’tis true;As such, the elder doth, by right, inheritThe crown and kingdom; and, in their defence,Our lives, yea, and our very best heart’s blood,Were truly offer’d, which we now revoke:And, since they tear the bowels of our land,And come with blood and naked sword to court us,We’ll to the field; and when bright victoryHath with the sacred laurel bound our brows,The princes’ heads in triumph shall be borneThroughout our ranks; rebellion’s just reward!2nd Bar.Then are they traitors to their God and country.3rd Bar.And as the crown is now untenanted,’Tis fit the most deserving brow should wear it.1st Bar.If any one there be that doth deserve it,’Tis he that hath it even now in trust.All.Then be it his!1st Bar.Girt tight the drum, and sound yon brazen trump!Let it proclaim aloud our firm decree:—Aurelius and his brother, both are traitors,And ’gainst their mother country do rebel!

Vor.To you have been explain’d our late despatches:

Say; did we not invite these princes home,

And tender them the crown? Yet do we find

They come with foreign aid and civil war,

To bear the sway and empire over us.

Can any present say why this should be?

1st Bar.No! they’re the sons of our late king, ’tis true;As such, the elder doth, by right, inheritThe crown and kingdom; and, in their defence,Our lives, yea, and our very best heart’s blood,Were truly offer’d, which we now revoke:And, since they tear the bowels of our land,And come with blood and naked sword to court us,We’ll to the field; and when bright victoryHath with the sacred laurel bound our brows,The princes’ heads in triumph shall be borneThroughout our ranks; rebellion’s just reward!

1st Bar.No! they’re the sons of our late king, ’tis true;

As such, the elder doth, by right, inherit

The crown and kingdom; and, in their defence,

Our lives, yea, and our very best heart’s blood,

Were truly offer’d, which we now revoke:

And, since they tear the bowels of our land,

And come with blood and naked sword to court us,

We’ll to the field; and when bright victory

Hath with the sacred laurel bound our brows,

The princes’ heads in triumph shall be borne

Throughout our ranks; rebellion’s just reward!

2nd Bar.Then are they traitors to their God and country.

3rd Bar.And as the crown is now untenanted,’Tis fit the most deserving brow should wear it.

3rd Bar.And as the crown is now untenanted,

’Tis fit the most deserving brow should wear it.

1st Bar.If any one there be that doth deserve it,’Tis he that hath it even now in trust.

1st Bar.If any one there be that doth deserve it,

’Tis he that hath it even now in trust.

All.Then be it his!

1st Bar.Girt tight the drum, and sound yon brazen trump!Let it proclaim aloud our firm decree:—Aurelius and his brother, both are traitors,And ’gainst their mother country do rebel!

1st Bar.Girt tight the drum, and sound yon brazen trump!

Let it proclaim aloud our firm decree:—

Aurelius and his brother, both are traitors,

And ’gainst their mother country do rebel!

[Trumpet sounds.

2nd Bar.Nay; stop not there, but let them bellow on,Till with their clamorous noise they shame the thunder;And o’er the earth, and e’en to heaven, proclaimVortigern our king, our lawful sovereign!Vor.The exigencies of the state demandMy quick consent; I, therefore, give it you.And when the crown shall on my front be bound,My faithful soul shall prize the sacred trust;My arm be nerv’d to fight in its defence.Barons.All hail, great Vortigern, of Britain King!

2nd Bar.Nay; stop not there, but let them bellow on,

Till with their clamorous noise they shame the thunder;

And o’er the earth, and e’en to heaven, proclaim

Vortigern our king, our lawful sovereign!

Vor.The exigencies of the state demandMy quick consent; I, therefore, give it you.And when the crown shall on my front be bound,My faithful soul shall prize the sacred trust;My arm be nerv’d to fight in its defence.

Vor.The exigencies of the state demand

My quick consent; I, therefore, give it you.

And when the crown shall on my front be bound,

My faithful soul shall prize the sacred trust;

My arm be nerv’d to fight in its defence.

Barons.All hail, great Vortigern, of Britain King!

[Trumpet sounds.

Vor.My lords, vain compliment would suit but illThe present time; I, therefore, briefly thank you.But, ere we part, I fain would crave your hearing:—Our troops have now been long disus’d to war;Yet, do not think I mean their fame to tarnish,Or on a Briton throw the damned slurOf shameful cowardice; no, my good lords!But, though their ribs do serve as castle walls,And fast imprison their strong, lion hearts,Yet e’en the lion, when full gorg’d with food,Will bask, and tamely lay him down to sleep;Then in such sort, hath undisturbed peace,And want of custom, (nature’s substitute,That changes e’en our very properties,)Soften’d their manhood. Then ’twere policyThat we should court the Saxons to our aid.This, too, will in our Britons raise the flameOf bright and generous emulation.Say, lords! doth this my proposition please you?1st Bar.We do approve, and thank its noble author.Vor.You, my good lord, then do I here depute,Jointly with Catagrine, our second born,That you with speed repair to Saxony;Our eldest shall, at home, command the Britons:Time needs your haste, therefore use no delay;Your country calls, so, look you, quick obey.

Vor.My lords, vain compliment would suit but ill

The present time; I, therefore, briefly thank you.

But, ere we part, I fain would crave your hearing:—

Our troops have now been long disus’d to war;

Yet, do not think I mean their fame to tarnish,

Or on a Briton throw the damned slur

Of shameful cowardice; no, my good lords!

But, though their ribs do serve as castle walls,

And fast imprison their strong, lion hearts,

Yet e’en the lion, when full gorg’d with food,

Will bask, and tamely lay him down to sleep;

Then in such sort, hath undisturbed peace,

And want of custom, (nature’s substitute,

That changes e’en our very properties,)

Soften’d their manhood. Then ’twere policy

That we should court the Saxons to our aid.

This, too, will in our Britons raise the flame

Of bright and generous emulation.

Say, lords! doth this my proposition please you?

1st Bar.We do approve, and thank its noble author.

Vor.You, my good lord, then do I here depute,Jointly with Catagrine, our second born,That you with speed repair to Saxony;Our eldest shall, at home, command the Britons:Time needs your haste, therefore use no delay;Your country calls, so, look you, quick obey.

Vor.You, my good lord, then do I here depute,

Jointly with Catagrine, our second born,

That you with speed repair to Saxony;

Our eldest shall, at home, command the Britons:

Time needs your haste, therefore use no delay;

Your country calls, so, look you, quick obey.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.—A DISTANT VIEW OF THE SEA.

EnterAureliusandUter, (with the Scottish army,)as just disembarked, habited as Britons.

Aur.O, dearest soil! bless’d mother earth! hail to thee!Fain would my feet play wanton on thy breast,And skip with joy to tread thee once again.’Tis not to wound thee that I thus do come,In glitt’ring steel, and dire array of war,But as my right to claim thee for mine own.Uter.Brother, each lip for thee sends forth a blessing;And, with the smile that buds on ev’ry face,Alike expands a ray of happiness.Never did I before blame nature’s work;But now I fain would quarrel with her hests,For that in me she caus’d a lack of years;Else had these prayers, these blessings all been mine!To have a crown and kingdom at commandIs but as dross; but thus to have them come,Might from their airy beds the angels drawTo taste the joys of this our mortal earth.Throughout the camp now all is hush’d in silence,And Morpheus, with his leaden wings outspread,Hath on each eyelid laid the weight of slumber.

Aur.O, dearest soil! bless’d mother earth! hail to thee!

Fain would my feet play wanton on thy breast,

And skip with joy to tread thee once again.

’Tis not to wound thee that I thus do come,

In glitt’ring steel, and dire array of war,

But as my right to claim thee for mine own.

Uter.Brother, each lip for thee sends forth a blessing;And, with the smile that buds on ev’ry face,Alike expands a ray of happiness.Never did I before blame nature’s work;But now I fain would quarrel with her hests,For that in me she caus’d a lack of years;Else had these prayers, these blessings all been mine!To have a crown and kingdom at commandIs but as dross; but thus to have them come,Might from their airy beds the angels drawTo taste the joys of this our mortal earth.Throughout the camp now all is hush’d in silence,And Morpheus, with his leaden wings outspread,Hath on each eyelid laid the weight of slumber.

Uter.Brother, each lip for thee sends forth a blessing;

And, with the smile that buds on ev’ry face,

Alike expands a ray of happiness.

Never did I before blame nature’s work;

But now I fain would quarrel with her hests,

For that in me she caus’d a lack of years;

Else had these prayers, these blessings all been mine!

To have a crown and kingdom at command

Is but as dross; but thus to have them come,

Might from their airy beds the angels draw

To taste the joys of this our mortal earth.

Throughout the camp now all is hush’d in silence,

And Morpheus, with his leaden wings outspread,

Hath on each eyelid laid the weight of slumber.

[Exit.

Aur.Then, as the general, the task is mineTo thank that mighty God, whose name aloneDoth carry awe, and strikes the soul with fear.Here prostrate, then, I fall before thy face;And, tho’ unworthy of thy mercy, pray:—If giant form doth more enlarge the mind,Would that my front did with the mountains vie;That so my heat-amazed brain might workThoughts suiting more this vast immensity!O! most expanded—O! most fertile mind!When thou wouldst copulate with thoughts like this,Thou art mere nothingness; or when the lipsDo pour forth boisterous and high sounding words,They back again to the poor mortal brain,And scoff at thy presumption.“O, God! why should I, a mere speck on earth,“Tear thousands from their wives, children, and homes!“O! wherefore, from this transitory sleep,“That now doth steal from them their inward cares,“Should I send thousands to cold, dreary death?“’Tis true, I am a king, and what of that?“Is not life dear to them, as ’tis to me?“O! peasant, envy not the prince’s lot;“Thy page in life’s great book is not foul charg’d,“And like to ours besmear’d with dying breaths.“O! had I lives myself enough to answer“The ravenous and greedy jaws of death,“That will on these, my friends, my soldiers,“Such havoc make, and wanton gluttony!“Father of mercy, spare, O! spare this blood!“And if I must alone receive the crown,“Bedeck’d with purple gore, I here resign it.”

Aur.Then, as the general, the task is mine

To thank that mighty God, whose name alone

Doth carry awe, and strikes the soul with fear.

Here prostrate, then, I fall before thy face;

And, tho’ unworthy of thy mercy, pray:—

If giant form doth more enlarge the mind,

Would that my front did with the mountains vie;

That so my heat-amazed brain might work

Thoughts suiting more this vast immensity!

O! most expanded—O! most fertile mind!

When thou wouldst copulate with thoughts like this,

Thou art mere nothingness; or when the lips

Do pour forth boisterous and high sounding words,

They back again to the poor mortal brain,

And scoff at thy presumption.

“O, God! why should I, a mere speck on earth,

“Tear thousands from their wives, children, and homes!

“O! wherefore, from this transitory sleep,

“That now doth steal from them their inward cares,

“Should I send thousands to cold, dreary death?

“’Tis true, I am a king, and what of that?

“Is not life dear to them, as ’tis to me?

“O! peasant, envy not the prince’s lot;

“Thy page in life’s great book is not foul charg’d,

“And like to ours besmear’d with dying breaths.

“O! had I lives myself enough to answer

“The ravenous and greedy jaws of death,

“That will on these, my friends, my soldiers,

“Such havoc make, and wanton gluttony!

“Father of mercy, spare, O! spare this blood!

“And if I must alone receive the crown,

“Bedeck’d with purple gore, I here resign it.”

[Exit.

SCENE III.—GATES OF LONDON.

EnterCatagrinus,Hengist,andHorsus,with Saxon troops, in grand procession.

Cata.Here halt we then, and let the trumpet sound.

[Trumpet sounds. Officer appears on the walls.

Off.Say, be ye friends or foes?Cata.My father sent us hence to Saxony;Go, say our embassy is now fulfill’d.

Off.Say, be ye friends or foes?

Cata.My father sent us hence to Saxony;Go, say our embassy is now fulfill’d.

Cata.My father sent us hence to Saxony;

Go, say our embassy is now fulfill’d.

[Trumpet sounds.

Yet soft, that sound proclaims his quick approach.Heng.Throughout the ranks let each man be prepar’d,To hail our new ally, King Vortigern.

Yet soft, that sound proclaims his quick approach.

Heng.Throughout the ranks let each man be prepar’d,To hail our new ally, King Vortigern.

Heng.Throughout the ranks let each man be prepar’d,

To hail our new ally, King Vortigern.

SCENE IV.—GATES OPEN.

Vortigernappears in robes of majesty, followed by the Barons and British troops.

Catagrinuskneels toVortigern.

Vor.Rise, my dear son! thou’rt welcome home again:And you, brave Saxons, greet we to our land.Heng.We come, great sir, to fight in thy defence,And from thy kingdom wipe away rebellion.Vor.Give me thy hand, brave general; and with it,Exchange we mutually a soldier’s faith.Here let our British troops in friendship join,And with the Saxons share our present joy.

Vor.Rise, my dear son! thou’rt welcome home again:And you, brave Saxons, greet we to our land.

Vor.Rise, my dear son! thou’rt welcome home again:

And you, brave Saxons, greet we to our land.

Heng.We come, great sir, to fight in thy defence,And from thy kingdom wipe away rebellion.

Heng.We come, great sir, to fight in thy defence,

And from thy kingdom wipe away rebellion.

Vor.Give me thy hand, brave general; and with it,Exchange we mutually a soldier’s faith.Here let our British troops in friendship join,And with the Saxons share our present joy.

Vor.Give me thy hand, brave general; and with it,

Exchange we mutually a soldier’s faith.

Here let our British troops in friendship join,

And with the Saxons share our present joy.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.—THE COUNTRY.

EnterFlavia,Pascentius,andFool.

Pas.Why, sister, thus should grief usurp thy cheek?O mingle not so much of lily dieWith thy sweet, rosy blood: thou’rt cold as death:Pine not in silence thus!Fla.I’ll sit me down and court sweet music’s aid.

Pas.Why, sister, thus should grief usurp thy cheek?O mingle not so much of lily dieWith thy sweet, rosy blood: thou’rt cold as death:Pine not in silence thus!

Pas.Why, sister, thus should grief usurp thy cheek?

O mingle not so much of lily die

With thy sweet, rosy blood: thou’rt cold as death:

Pine not in silence thus!

Fla.I’ll sit me down and court sweet music’s aid.

She sings.

She sang, while from her eye ran downThe silv’ry drop of sorrow;From grief she stole away the crown,Sweet patience, too, did borrow.Pensive she sat while fortune frown’d,And smiling woo’d sad melancholy.

She sang, while from her eye ran down

The silv’ry drop of sorrow;

From grief she stole away the crown,

Sweet patience, too, did borrow.

Pensive she sat while fortune frown’d,

And smiling woo’d sad melancholy.

II.

Keen anguish fain would turn her heart,And sour her gentle mind;But charity still kept her part,And meekness to her soul did bind.She bow’d content,Heav’d forth one sigh,Sang, wept, then turn’d to melancholy.

Keen anguish fain would turn her heart,

And sour her gentle mind;

But charity still kept her part,

And meekness to her soul did bind.

She bow’d content,

Heav’d forth one sigh,

Sang, wept, then turn’d to melancholy.

III.

Careless her locks around her hung,And strove to catch each dewy tear;The plaintive bird in pity sung,And breath’d his sorrow in her ear.Amaz’d she look’d,And thank’d his care,Then sunk once more to melancholy.

Careless her locks around her hung,

And strove to catch each dewy tear;

The plaintive bird in pity sung,

And breath’d his sorrow in her ear.

Amaz’d she look’d,

And thank’d his care,

Then sunk once more to melancholy.

Pas.O! why sing thus? thou dost join wo to wo:Thy grief, methinks, demands more cheering notes.Fla.Oh! brother, this strange frame that keeps in life,Is almost sick and weary of its tenant.Tho’ short hath been its course, yet fickle fortuneHath with it wanton made, and blown itTo and fro, a toy for this remorseless world.Pas.Listen, I pray thee now, to reason’s voice:—Were it not strange, if thou alone shouldst ’scapeThe numerous ills and buffets of the world?Fool.I’troth, thou hast wisely spoken.Pas.Dost think so, my good Fool?

Pas.O! why sing thus? thou dost join wo to wo:Thy grief, methinks, demands more cheering notes.

Pas.O! why sing thus? thou dost join wo to wo:

Thy grief, methinks, demands more cheering notes.

Fla.Oh! brother, this strange frame that keeps in life,Is almost sick and weary of its tenant.Tho’ short hath been its course, yet fickle fortuneHath with it wanton made, and blown itTo and fro, a toy for this remorseless world.

Fla.Oh! brother, this strange frame that keeps in life,

Is almost sick and weary of its tenant.

Tho’ short hath been its course, yet fickle fortune

Hath with it wanton made, and blown it

To and fro, a toy for this remorseless world.

Pas.Listen, I pray thee now, to reason’s voice:—Were it not strange, if thou alone shouldst ’scapeThe numerous ills and buffets of the world?

Pas.Listen, I pray thee now, to reason’s voice:—

Were it not strange, if thou alone shouldst ’scape

The numerous ills and buffets of the world?

Fool.I’troth, thou hast wisely spoken.

Pas.Dost think so, my good Fool?

Fool.Marry, ay, do I: an I’ll tell thee why; thy speech hath not wearied the Fool; therefore, ’tis a wise speech.

Pas.Thou’rt, then, a judge?

Fool.Ay, and a righteous one, too: dost mark me? ’tis your Fool alone will make a true report.

Pas.I understand thee not.

Fool.The more’s the pity. He that doth, or well speak, or write, will be praised by fools only: for look ye: envy doth sting those that have knowledge, and makes them fear lest their wise heads should be outwitted; therefore, again, ’tis your Fool alone that is your upright judge; cause, forsooth, his brains are not in plenty; but, those which he hath are at’s own disposal.

Pas.This road, methinks, should lead us on our wayTo the prince’s camp! Fool, go you on before.

Pas.This road, methinks, should lead us on our way

To the prince’s camp! Fool, go you on before.

[As they retire, enter Captain and Soldiers.

Capt.Not quite so fast, good master: prithee, halt.Fla.What, guards! O! brother, now we are undone.Pas.Be calm, be calm! the troops are not my father’s.Wil’t please you, sir, inform us whence ye came?Capt.From Scotland, sir.Fla.Then, O! good heav’ns protect me!Pas.And who is your commander?Capt.One whose meritOutweighs whatever yet did breathe on earth.If ye be Britons, as your looks bespeak,Then show your wonted quality of justice:Did ye not ’fore the awful face of heaven,Proclaim Constantius as your lawful king,When on his head, was pour’d the sacred oil?Pas.But he is now no more.Capt.Yet hath he two sons living,Whose souls, for purity, I can compareUnto this bright, this spotless canopy.Pas.Are ye bound towards the camp?Capt.We are; and if you’re upright men, and true,Thither you’ll follow, and there wield the swordFor justice, truth, and your anointed king.Yet, in this hallow’d cause, we would not force you;But lead into the fold, with gentleness,Each sheep that may, unknowingly, have stray’d,And broke from out its bounds and flowery pasture.Pas.Proceed, then, and we’ll follow. Tell me, sister,Doth not your heart beat high?Fla.Yea, it swells so, this little breast, in truth,Can scarce contain it.—How shall we bear the meeting?

Capt.Not quite so fast, good master: prithee, halt.

Fla.What, guards! O! brother, now we are undone.

Pas.Be calm, be calm! the troops are not my father’s.Wil’t please you, sir, inform us whence ye came?

Pas.Be calm, be calm! the troops are not my father’s.

Wil’t please you, sir, inform us whence ye came?

Capt.From Scotland, sir.

Fla.Then, O! good heav’ns protect me!

Pas.And who is your commander?

Capt.One whose meritOutweighs whatever yet did breathe on earth.If ye be Britons, as your looks bespeak,Then show your wonted quality of justice:Did ye not ’fore the awful face of heaven,Proclaim Constantius as your lawful king,When on his head, was pour’d the sacred oil?

Capt.One whose merit

Outweighs whatever yet did breathe on earth.

If ye be Britons, as your looks bespeak,

Then show your wonted quality of justice:

Did ye not ’fore the awful face of heaven,

Proclaim Constantius as your lawful king,

When on his head, was pour’d the sacred oil?

Pas.But he is now no more.

Capt.Yet hath he two sons living,Whose souls, for purity, I can compareUnto this bright, this spotless canopy.

Capt.Yet hath he two sons living,

Whose souls, for purity, I can compare

Unto this bright, this spotless canopy.

Pas.Are ye bound towards the camp?

Capt.We are; and if you’re upright men, and true,Thither you’ll follow, and there wield the swordFor justice, truth, and your anointed king.Yet, in this hallow’d cause, we would not force you;But lead into the fold, with gentleness,Each sheep that may, unknowingly, have stray’d,And broke from out its bounds and flowery pasture.

Capt.We are; and if you’re upright men, and true,

Thither you’ll follow, and there wield the sword

For justice, truth, and your anointed king.

Yet, in this hallow’d cause, we would not force you;

But lead into the fold, with gentleness,

Each sheep that may, unknowingly, have stray’d,

And broke from out its bounds and flowery pasture.

Pas.Proceed, then, and we’ll follow. Tell me, sister,Doth not your heart beat high?

Pas.Proceed, then, and we’ll follow. Tell me, sister,

Doth not your heart beat high?

Fla.Yea, it swells so, this little breast, in truth,Can scarce contain it.—How shall we bear the meeting?

Fla.Yea, it swells so, this little breast, in truth,

Can scarce contain it.—

How shall we bear the meeting?

Fool.I troth, merrily, merrily, as I do. ’Tis true I am a Briton; but, then, am I not a fool? And ne’er will I put my folly to the test. Think’st thou, I’ll risk my brains for mine anointed king? Nay, nay; in this affair, mine heels shall be my guide, and quick teach me the way to run. */

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.—A CHAMBER IN THE PALACE.

EnterEdmundaand Attendants.

Edm.I will not to my chamber, then, I tell ye.1st Maid.Beseech you, madam, to return again;For so did your physician order.Edm.Come hither, pretty maid, look at me well:Now say, hath he so order’d it, or not?1st Maid.Indeed, he hath.Edm.Nay, get thee gone: a maid, and still so false!Go to, live I not yet? Am I, then, call’d?And hath my sweetheart, death, yet fondly clasp’d me:Say, hath the heavy passing bell yet sounded,And hail’d me to my snug and chilly chamber?2nd Maid.Madam, I fear your reason wanders.Edm.Ay, ay! I understand thee, it is flown;My poor brain, alas! is sore distemper’d.Sweet, sweet, come from yon branch, here’s food for thee:My pretty birds, come back, I will not harm ye;My bosom, as your little nest, is warm,And is as soft, ay, and full of comfort, too.Nay, stop! it is too warm, come not! twill burn ye.2nd Maid.My tears do flow for her so plenteously,That I have left in me no power to help her.Edm.O! you great gods! why pelt ye thus my brain,And with your thunders loud, cause such dire outrageWithin this little ball—this, O! this nothing?Tell me, high heaven! is this your justice?Did I not nourish them: ay, teach them, love them?Yes, little drops, oh! come, cool my poor face:Speak! ay, ye come, I know, to say I did.Now, please your highness, and what would you more?Say, are not here a host of witnesses?Longer, O! let me not detain the court;For in such plenty they do now rush forth,That you, sir, you who fill yon seat of justice,Must throw away your gown, and swim for life.1st Maid.Will’t please, we lead you in?Edm.I’gin, indeed, to think I need support;For I am even weaker than a babe.Hush! hush! come hither both, I’ll tell ye something.Now, then, your ears; I’m mad: ha! ha! ha!Say! is not this Whitsuntide?2nd Maid.Ay, an’t please you, madam.Edm.Then, listen.

Edm.I will not to my chamber, then, I tell ye.

1st Maid.Beseech you, madam, to return again;For so did your physician order.

1st Maid.Beseech you, madam, to return again;

For so did your physician order.

Edm.Come hither, pretty maid, look at me well:Now say, hath he so order’d it, or not?

Edm.Come hither, pretty maid, look at me well:

Now say, hath he so order’d it, or not?

1st Maid.Indeed, he hath.

Edm.Nay, get thee gone: a maid, and still so false!Go to, live I not yet? Am I, then, call’d?And hath my sweetheart, death, yet fondly clasp’d me:Say, hath the heavy passing bell yet sounded,And hail’d me to my snug and chilly chamber?

Edm.Nay, get thee gone: a maid, and still so false!

Go to, live I not yet? Am I, then, call’d?

And hath my sweetheart, death, yet fondly clasp’d me:

Say, hath the heavy passing bell yet sounded,

And hail’d me to my snug and chilly chamber?

2nd Maid.Madam, I fear your reason wanders.

Edm.Ay, ay! I understand thee, it is flown;My poor brain, alas! is sore distemper’d.Sweet, sweet, come from yon branch, here’s food for thee:My pretty birds, come back, I will not harm ye;My bosom, as your little nest, is warm,And is as soft, ay, and full of comfort, too.Nay, stop! it is too warm, come not! twill burn ye.

Edm.Ay, ay! I understand thee, it is flown;

My poor brain, alas! is sore distemper’d.

Sweet, sweet, come from yon branch, here’s food for thee:

My pretty birds, come back, I will not harm ye;

My bosom, as your little nest, is warm,

And is as soft, ay, and full of comfort, too.

Nay, stop! it is too warm, come not! twill burn ye.

2nd Maid.My tears do flow for her so plenteously,That I have left in me no power to help her.

2nd Maid.My tears do flow for her so plenteously,

That I have left in me no power to help her.

Edm.O! you great gods! why pelt ye thus my brain,And with your thunders loud, cause such dire outrageWithin this little ball—this, O! this nothing?Tell me, high heaven! is this your justice?Did I not nourish them: ay, teach them, love them?Yes, little drops, oh! come, cool my poor face:Speak! ay, ye come, I know, to say I did.Now, please your highness, and what would you more?Say, are not here a host of witnesses?Longer, O! let me not detain the court;For in such plenty they do now rush forth,That you, sir, you who fill yon seat of justice,Must throw away your gown, and swim for life.

Edm.O! you great gods! why pelt ye thus my brain,

And with your thunders loud, cause such dire outrage

Within this little ball—this, O! this nothing?

Tell me, high heaven! is this your justice?

Did I not nourish them: ay, teach them, love them?

Yes, little drops, oh! come, cool my poor face:

Speak! ay, ye come, I know, to say I did.

Now, please your highness, and what would you more?

Say, are not here a host of witnesses?

Longer, O! let me not detain the court;

For in such plenty they do now rush forth,

That you, sir, you who fill yon seat of justice,

Must throw away your gown, and swim for life.

1st Maid.Will’t please, we lead you in?

Edm.I’gin, indeed, to think I need support;For I am even weaker than a babe.Hush! hush! come hither both, I’ll tell ye something.Now, then, your ears; I’m mad: ha! ha! ha!Say! is not this Whitsuntide?

Edm.I’gin, indeed, to think I need support;

For I am even weaker than a babe.

Hush! hush! come hither both, I’ll tell ye something.

Now, then, your ears; I’m mad: ha! ha! ha!

Say! is not this Whitsuntide?

2nd Maid.Ay, an’t please you, madam.

Edm.Then, listen.

She sings.

Last Whitsunday, they brought meRoses, and lilies fair;Violets, too, they gave meTo bind my auburn hair:But, then, my face look’d smiling,’Cause that my babes were near;Now yon stinging nettle bring,’Twill better suit this tear.

Last Whitsunday, they brought me

Roses, and lilies fair;

Violets, too, they gave me

To bind my auburn hair:

But, then, my face look’d smiling,

’Cause that my babes were near;

Now yon stinging nettle bring,

’Twill better suit this tear.

How like you this?1st Maid.Excellently well, madam.Edm.The time has been, when thus thou mightst have said,What, must these poor eyes never see them more?And have I need of these vile rags? off! off!I’ll follow ye to th’ extreme point o’the world;And, naked, bear the icy mountains cold,And the dread scorches o’that ball of fire,Till I have found them i’the antipodes;Should I not meet them there, I will rail so!—Pardon these starts! in troth I will not harm ye;Indeed, indeed, I’m wrong’d! most sadly wrong’d!Did these my warblings charm ye? then I’ll die;For look you, maiden, I’ll sing sweeter far,Than dying swan at ninety and nine years!Lack, lack, a day! I’m faint! your arm, sweet maid.There is my gage, farewell: good night, sweet! good night!—

How like you this?

1st Maid.Excellently well, madam.

Edm.The time has been, when thus thou mightst have said,What, must these poor eyes never see them more?And have I need of these vile rags? off! off!I’ll follow ye to th’ extreme point o’the world;And, naked, bear the icy mountains cold,And the dread scorches o’that ball of fire,Till I have found them i’the antipodes;Should I not meet them there, I will rail so!—Pardon these starts! in troth I will not harm ye;Indeed, indeed, I’m wrong’d! most sadly wrong’d!Did these my warblings charm ye? then I’ll die;For look you, maiden, I’ll sing sweeter far,Than dying swan at ninety and nine years!Lack, lack, a day! I’m faint! your arm, sweet maid.There is my gage, farewell: good night, sweet! good night!—

Edm.The time has been, when thus thou mightst have said,

What, must these poor eyes never see them more?

And have I need of these vile rags? off! off!

I’ll follow ye to th’ extreme point o’the world;

And, naked, bear the icy mountains cold,

And the dread scorches o’that ball of fire,

Till I have found them i’the antipodes;

Should I not meet them there, I will rail so!—

Pardon these starts! in troth I will not harm ye;

Indeed, indeed, I’m wrong’d! most sadly wrong’d!

Did these my warblings charm ye? then I’ll die;

For look you, maiden, I’ll sing sweeter far,

Than dying swan at ninety and nine years!

Lack, lack, a day! I’m faint! your arm, sweet maid.

There is my gage, farewell: good night, sweet! good night!—

[Exeunt.

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

Back to Index Next