VORTIGERN.

ACT I.

SCENE I.—A LARGE HALL.

DiscoversConstantius,Vortigern,Wortimerus,Catagrinus,Pascentius,and Attendants.

Con.Good Vortigern! as peace doth bless our isle,And the loud din of war no more affrights us,And as my soul hath plac’d thee next herself,’Tis our desire that thou deny’st us notThat, which anon we crave thee to accept;For though most weighty be the proffer’d task,We trust thy goodness will the toil accept,Since we have always found thee kind by nature;And, as the pelican, e’en with thy blood,Ready to succour and relieve.Vor.Most gracious sov’reign! to command is thine;And, as a subject, mine is to obey.Con.Such was the answer we did here expect,And farther now we shall explain our meaning:—As frozen age we find doth fast approach,And state affairs lie heavy with ourself,To thee one half our pow’r we here resign,That due reward may pace with thy great labour.To this our proposition, what reply?Vor.Oh! my most noble, good, and bounteous lord,These honours are indeed so great, so weighty,I fear, least, like a garment too confin’d,They awkwardly should press upon the wearer;Therefore, my gracious lord, let one more worthy,I do beseech thee, bear them.Con.Nay, nay! this thy excuse will not sufficeE’en now we do await thy full consent;And, that more speedily we may conclude,We do require of thee, thou here shouldst signThis deed prepar’d, by which thou wilt become—ourself conjoin’d—Sov’reign of this our realm.Vor.I shall, my lord, obey your high command.

Con.Good Vortigern! as peace doth bless our isle,

And the loud din of war no more affrights us,

And as my soul hath plac’d thee next herself,

’Tis our desire that thou deny’st us not

That, which anon we crave thee to accept;

For though most weighty be the proffer’d task,

We trust thy goodness will the toil accept,

Since we have always found thee kind by nature;

And, as the pelican, e’en with thy blood,

Ready to succour and relieve.

Vor.Most gracious sov’reign! to command is thine;And, as a subject, mine is to obey.

Vor.Most gracious sov’reign! to command is thine;

And, as a subject, mine is to obey.

Con.Such was the answer we did here expect,And farther now we shall explain our meaning:—As frozen age we find doth fast approach,And state affairs lie heavy with ourself,To thee one half our pow’r we here resign,That due reward may pace with thy great labour.To this our proposition, what reply?

Con.Such was the answer we did here expect,

And farther now we shall explain our meaning:—

As frozen age we find doth fast approach,

And state affairs lie heavy with ourself,

To thee one half our pow’r we here resign,

That due reward may pace with thy great labour.

To this our proposition, what reply?

Vor.Oh! my most noble, good, and bounteous lord,These honours are indeed so great, so weighty,I fear, least, like a garment too confin’d,They awkwardly should press upon the wearer;Therefore, my gracious lord, let one more worthy,I do beseech thee, bear them.

Vor.Oh! my most noble, good, and bounteous lord,

These honours are indeed so great, so weighty,

I fear, least, like a garment too confin’d,

They awkwardly should press upon the wearer;

Therefore, my gracious lord, let one more worthy,

I do beseech thee, bear them.

Con.Nay, nay! this thy excuse will not sufficeE’en now we do await thy full consent;And, that more speedily we may conclude,We do require of thee, thou here shouldst signThis deed prepar’d, by which thou wilt become—ourself conjoin’d—Sov’reign of this our realm.

Con.Nay, nay! this thy excuse will not suffice

E’en now we do await thy full consent;

And, that more speedily we may conclude,

We do require of thee, thou here shouldst sign

This deed prepar’d, by which thou wilt become—ourself conjoin’d—

Sov’reign of this our realm.

Vor.I shall, my lord, obey your high command.

[Signs the paper.

Con.Anon, we shall await thee at our palace.

[Exit Constantius.

Vor.Fortune, I thank thee!Now is the cup of my ambition full!And, by the rising tempest in my blood,I feel the fast approach of greatness, which,E’en like a peasant, stoops for my acceptance.Yet hold: O! conscience, how is’t with thee?Why dost thou whisper? should I heed thee now,My fabric crumbles, and must fall to nought?Come, then, thou soft, thou double-fac’d deceit!Come, fawning flattery! silence-sealing murder!Attend me quick, and prompt me to the deed!What! jointly wear the crown? No! I will all!And that my purpose soon may find its end,This, my good king, must I, unmannerly,Push from his seat, and fill myself the chair.—Welcome thou glittering mark of royalty!And with thy pleasing, yet oppressive weight,Encircle fast this my determin’d brow.Yet soft: ere I proceed, let caution guide me;For though the trunk and body of the treeBe thus within my gripe, still do I fearThose boughs which stand so near and close allied,That will, ere long, yield seeds for dire revenge.Then since my soul e’en murder must commit,To gratify my thirst for royalty,Why should I play the child; or, like a niggard,By sparing, mar and damn my cause for ever?No! as the blow strikes one, all three must fall!Then shall I, giant-like, and void of dread,Uprear my royal and encircled brow,And, in the face of the Omnipotent,Bid bold defiance.—This my determination, then, shall be,So firm as adamant the end I’ll see.

Vor.Fortune, I thank thee!

Now is the cup of my ambition full!

And, by the rising tempest in my blood,

I feel the fast approach of greatness, which,

E’en like a peasant, stoops for my acceptance.

Yet hold: O! conscience, how is’t with thee?

Why dost thou whisper? should I heed thee now,

My fabric crumbles, and must fall to nought?

Come, then, thou soft, thou double-fac’d deceit!

Come, fawning flattery! silence-sealing murder!

Attend me quick, and prompt me to the deed!

What! jointly wear the crown? No! I will all!

And that my purpose soon may find its end,

This, my good king, must I, unmannerly,

Push from his seat, and fill myself the chair.—

Welcome thou glittering mark of royalty!

And with thy pleasing, yet oppressive weight,

Encircle fast this my determin’d brow.

Yet soft: ere I proceed, let caution guide me;

For though the trunk and body of the tree

Be thus within my gripe, still do I fear

Those boughs which stand so near and close allied,

That will, ere long, yield seeds for dire revenge.

Then since my soul e’en murder must commit,

To gratify my thirst for royalty,

Why should I play the child; or, like a niggard,

By sparing, mar and damn my cause for ever?

No! as the blow strikes one, all three must fall!

Then shall I, giant-like, and void of dread,

Uprear my royal and encircled brow,

And, in the face of the Omnipotent,

Bid bold defiance.—

This my determination, then, shall be,

So firm as adamant the end I’ll see.

SCENE II.—A CHAMBER IN VORTIGERN’S PALACE.

EnterEdmundaandFlavia.

Fla.“My dearest mother! why let watery grief,“Like a corroding and slow malady,“Nip thus the fairest and most beauteous form“That bounteous nature, in her happiest mood,“E’er fram’d in mould celestial to grace“This nether world?”—Oh! my beloved mother!Turn, turn those tear-worn eyes, and let one smile,One cheering look of sweet serenity,Beam forth to comfort my afflicted soul!Edm.Oh! heavens! my gentle Flavia, would I could!But this corroding, pensive melancholy,Most venom-like, destroys its nourisher.Oh! Vortigern, my lov’d, once loving husband,Why rend this bursting heart with cold disdain?E’en the poor culprit, dragg’d before his judge,May boldly plead his cause; but I, alas!Most innocent and ignorant of fault,Must bear the weight of judgment.

Fla.“My dearest mother! why let watery grief,

“Like a corroding and slow malady,

“Nip thus the fairest and most beauteous form

“That bounteous nature, in her happiest mood,

“E’er fram’d in mould celestial to grace

“This nether world?”—Oh! my beloved mother!

Turn, turn those tear-worn eyes, and let one smile,

One cheering look of sweet serenity,

Beam forth to comfort my afflicted soul!

Edm.Oh! heavens! my gentle Flavia, would I could!But this corroding, pensive melancholy,Most venom-like, destroys its nourisher.Oh! Vortigern, my lov’d, once loving husband,Why rend this bursting heart with cold disdain?E’en the poor culprit, dragg’d before his judge,May boldly plead his cause; but I, alas!Most innocent and ignorant of fault,Must bear the weight of judgment.

Edm.Oh! heavens! my gentle Flavia, would I could!

But this corroding, pensive melancholy,

Most venom-like, destroys its nourisher.

Oh! Vortigern, my lov’d, once loving husband,

Why rend this bursting heart with cold disdain?

E’en the poor culprit, dragg’d before his judge,

May boldly plead his cause; but I, alas!

Most innocent and ignorant of fault,

Must bear the weight of judgment.

EnterPascentius.

Fla.What news of fav’ring import, dearest brother,Does this thine eager joy forebode?Pas.Oh! I have tidings I would fain make known;Yet are they of such wondrous magnitude,Scarce can I give them utterance.Edm.Oh! speak, my child! my dear Pascentius, speak;For much thy mother consolation needs.Pas.The King, then, madam, in his royal bounty,Hath, jointly with himself, conferr’d the swayOf this our mighty kingdom, on my father.Edm.Now wo, indeed, hath made its master-piece!Thou fell ambition! thou art mine enemy:Thy idle dreams have forc’d my husband from me;Thy honey’d visions have depriv’d my soulOf that alone which made life worth retaining.Yes, thou art now, alas! become a flower,That, by the radiance of the sun, is parch’d,And, lacking drops of succour, droops and dies.

Fla.What news of fav’ring import, dearest brother,Does this thine eager joy forebode?

Fla.What news of fav’ring import, dearest brother,

Does this thine eager joy forebode?

Pas.Oh! I have tidings I would fain make known;Yet are they of such wondrous magnitude,Scarce can I give them utterance.

Pas.Oh! I have tidings I would fain make known;

Yet are they of such wondrous magnitude,

Scarce can I give them utterance.

Edm.Oh! speak, my child! my dear Pascentius, speak;For much thy mother consolation needs.

Edm.Oh! speak, my child! my dear Pascentius, speak;

For much thy mother consolation needs.

Pas.The King, then, madam, in his royal bounty,Hath, jointly with himself, conferr’d the swayOf this our mighty kingdom, on my father.

Pas.The King, then, madam, in his royal bounty,

Hath, jointly with himself, conferr’d the sway

Of this our mighty kingdom, on my father.

Edm.Now wo, indeed, hath made its master-piece!Thou fell ambition! thou art mine enemy:Thy idle dreams have forc’d my husband from me;Thy honey’d visions have depriv’d my soulOf that alone which made life worth retaining.Yes, thou art now, alas! become a flower,That, by the radiance of the sun, is parch’d,And, lacking drops of succour, droops and dies.

Edm.Now wo, indeed, hath made its master-piece!

Thou fell ambition! thou art mine enemy:

Thy idle dreams have forc’d my husband from me;

Thy honey’d visions have depriv’d my soul

Of that alone which made life worth retaining.

Yes, thou art now, alas! become a flower,

That, by the radiance of the sun, is parch’d,

And, lacking drops of succour, droops and dies.

EnterFool,whimsically attired, with his bells and ladle.

Pas.Whither so fast, good Fool?

Fool.Good Fool, say’st thou! Marry, these are sweet words, that do not often fall to our lot; but let me tell you, good master, fools have excellent wits, and those that ha’ none will gladly go flatter, lest the fool’s folly should make them still more foolish.

Pas.But, prithee, tell us what is thine affair?

Fool.Oh! my affair is weighty indeed, being burthened with the speech o’ royalty.

Pas.And wherefore so!

Fool.I prithee, stay thy patience but awhile, and I will tell thee: thou dost expect nought from the Fool but folly; but from a king thou wouldst a cunning speech.

Pas.And is’t not so?

Fool.Oh no! by my troth, our good sovereign hath unto my noble master betrayed great lack of policy.

Pas.How so?

Fool.Why, your wise man will tell you, the crown doth gall the wearer; but, marry, I will show myself the fool indeed; for I do say the half oft pinches more than the whole.

Pas.Thou wouldst be witty, Fool!

Fool.Marry, say not I would be, but that I am; for,let me tell you, the wit of your Fool is true wit: being solely his own, no man coveting it; whereas, that of your wise man comes from books, and from those who went before. But wherefore should I thus lose wind? My wit, being folly, is not by your wise man understood; therefore, I’ll to the purpose. My master is made half king, and sends me, his Mercury, to tell your gentle ladyship his honour’s pleasure.

Edm.Prithee, be brief, and speak thine errand quickly.

Fool.An’t please you, sweetest mistress, this he wills: that, in your best attire, you straight attend to honor him and th’ other half of the crown.

Edm.We shall be ready at command.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.—ANOTHER APARTMENT IN VORTIGERN’S PALACE.

EnterVortigern.

Vor.Thus far, then, have my deeds a sanction found;For still each morn doth the resplendent sunDart forth its golden rays, to grace my sight.O what an inconsistent thing is man!There was a time when e’en a murd’rous thoughtWould have congeal’d my very mass of blood;“And, as a tree, on the approaching storm,“My frame would shake and tremble.”But now I stand not at the act itself,Which breaks all bonds of hospitality.—To me, the King hath ever been most kind;Yea, even lavish of his princely favours,—And this his love do I requite with murder!And wherefore this? Why! for a diadem,The which I purchase at no less a costThan the perdition of my precious soul;Still at that self-same price must I obtain it.The rooted hate the Britons bear the ScotsIs unto me an omen most propitious.I have despatched my secret emissaries,And the young princes, sons of the old king,Long since for study, sojourners at Rome,Even for them have I prepared honours:For ere the moon shall twice have fill’d her orb,Death shall entwine them with a crown immortal!

Vor.Thus far, then, have my deeds a sanction found;

For still each morn doth the resplendent sun

Dart forth its golden rays, to grace my sight.

O what an inconsistent thing is man!

There was a time when e’en a murd’rous thought

Would have congeal’d my very mass of blood;

“And, as a tree, on the approaching storm,

“My frame would shake and tremble.”

But now I stand not at the act itself,

Which breaks all bonds of hospitality.—

To me, the King hath ever been most kind;

Yea, even lavish of his princely favours,—

And this his love do I requite with murder!

And wherefore this? Why! for a diadem,

The which I purchase at no less a cost

Than the perdition of my precious soul;

Still at that self-same price must I obtain it.

The rooted hate the Britons bear the Scots

Is unto me an omen most propitious.

I have despatched my secret emissaries,

And the young princes, sons of the old king,

Long since for study, sojourners at Rome,

Even for them have I prepared honours:

For ere the moon shall twice have fill’d her orb,

Death shall entwine them with a crown immortal!

Enter Servants.

Ser.Two officers, my lord, await your leisure.Vor.Shew them to our presence.

Ser.Two officers, my lord, await your leisure.

Vor.Shew them to our presence.

Enter Murderers.

Have ye concluded?Is your answer ready?Murd.We have consider’d all;And on your promis’d bounty undertakeThe speedy execution.Vor.Ye are agreed?Both.Yes, my good lord.Vor.List, then, awhile!This night Constantius gives a feast, whereatHe wills I shall be present. Mark we well;And let your signal my retiring be:Then tarry not, but to it on the instant.Murd.Fear not, my noble lord, we are resolv’d.

Have ye concluded?Is your answer ready?

Have ye concluded?

Is your answer ready?

Murd.We have consider’d all;And on your promis’d bounty undertakeThe speedy execution.

Murd.We have consider’d all;

And on your promis’d bounty undertake

The speedy execution.

Vor.Ye are agreed?

Both.Yes, my good lord.

Vor.List, then, awhile!This night Constantius gives a feast, whereatHe wills I shall be present. Mark we well;And let your signal my retiring be:Then tarry not, but to it on the instant.

Vor.List, then, awhile!

This night Constantius gives a feast, whereat

He wills I shall be present. Mark we well;

And let your signal my retiring be:

Then tarry not, but to it on the instant.

Murd.Fear not, my noble lord, we are resolv’d.

[Exeunt.

Vor.So now, good King, prepare thee for the worst.And, ere the thick and noisome air of nightShall with damn’d Hecate’s baneful spells be fill’d,Thou must from hence to the cold bed of death,To whom the peasant and the king are slaves.Come, then, black night, and hood the world in darkness;Seal close the hearts of those I have suborn’d,That pity may not turn them from their purpose.

Vor.So now, good King, prepare thee for the worst.

And, ere the thick and noisome air of night

Shall with damn’d Hecate’s baneful spells be fill’d,

Thou must from hence to the cold bed of death,

To whom the peasant and the king are slaves.

Come, then, black night, and hood the world in darkness;

Seal close the hearts of those I have suborn’d,

That pity may not turn them from their purpose.

[Exit.

SCENE IV.—A CHAMBER IN CONSTANTIUS’ PALACE.

EnterConstantiuswith a Groom.

Con.Place here the light. Now hasten to the hall,And unto Vortigern present this ring,Pledge of my sacred friendship, and alliance.Tell him, I fain would see him in the morning.So, fair thee well; we now would be alone.

Con.Place here the light. Now hasten to the hall,

And unto Vortigern present this ring,

Pledge of my sacred friendship, and alliance.

Tell him, I fain would see him in the morning.

So, fair thee well; we now would be alone.

[Exit Page.

O sleep, sweet nourisher of man and babe:Soother of every sorrow, that canst buryThe care distracted mind in sweet oblivion,—To thee, O gentle pow’r! I plight my soul!Here, then, on my bended knee, great God,Let me implore thy grace, and look for mercy!“Though thou hast plac’d me sovereign over men,“And on my temples bound the diadem;“Yet am I subject still to human frailty,“And nought can boast more than my meanest vassal.”How wisely fram’d is Nature’s glorious work:The smallest reptile doth its instinct boast;Ay, is as nicely form’d as man himself.Both doom’d to die, to rot, and come to dust.Yet man hath one great property besides,—A never fading, an immortal soul!Upon that thought rest I my happiness.

O sleep, sweet nourisher of man and babe:

Soother of every sorrow, that canst bury

The care distracted mind in sweet oblivion,—

To thee, O gentle pow’r! I plight my soul!

Here, then, on my bended knee, great God,

Let me implore thy grace, and look for mercy!

“Though thou hast plac’d me sovereign over men,

“And on my temples bound the diadem;

“Yet am I subject still to human frailty,

“And nought can boast more than my meanest vassal.”

How wisely fram’d is Nature’s glorious work:

The smallest reptile doth its instinct boast;

Ay, is as nicely form’d as man himself.

Both doom’d to die, to rot, and come to dust.

Yet man hath one great property besides,—

A never fading, an immortal soul!

Upon that thought rest I my happiness.

[Lies on the couch.

Enter two Murderers.

1st Mur.“Oh! if one spot did sully his pure soul,“In heaven hath he wip’d it clean away,“With this his sweet, unfeigned oraison.2nd Mur.“’Tis true.“The King to us hath ever been most kind:“’Twould have disgrac’d the name of murderer“Had we to death despatch’d him unprepar’d.1st Mur.“Why, how now?“Hast thou forgot thine errand?“Wast sent here to prate thus,“Or to fulfil thy promise?“I’ll do’t; nor this my dagger will I sheath“Till reeking with his blood.2nd Mur.“Yet, one moment, I pray thee, comrade.1st Mur.“I tell thee, I will not:“For, as I am a man and soldier,“So will I scorn to break my promis’d vow.2nd Mur.“Thou shall not yet;“For, statue like, here will I fix myself,“Till thou dost hear me out.“Oh! is’t not most manlike, that we stain“Our hands with blood that ne’er did us offend?“Is’t not most serpent-like, to sting sweet sleep,“Which even from the giant takes all strength,“And makes man taste of that which is to come?“Let us, I pray thee, friend, turn from the deed!“I cannot, dare not, nay! I will not do’t.1st Mur.“Coward! take hence that poor, unmanly frame,“Or this my steel shall work a double end.2nd Mur.“Lay on, then! for I will defend the King,“And may the gods aid this my good design.”

1st Mur.“Oh! if one spot did sully his pure soul,“In heaven hath he wip’d it clean away,“With this his sweet, unfeigned oraison.

1st Mur.“Oh! if one spot did sully his pure soul,

“In heaven hath he wip’d it clean away,

“With this his sweet, unfeigned oraison.

2nd Mur.“’Tis true.“The King to us hath ever been most kind:“’Twould have disgrac’d the name of murderer“Had we to death despatch’d him unprepar’d.

2nd Mur.“’Tis true.

“The King to us hath ever been most kind:

“’Twould have disgrac’d the name of murderer

“Had we to death despatch’d him unprepar’d.

1st Mur.“Why, how now?“Hast thou forgot thine errand?“Wast sent here to prate thus,“Or to fulfil thy promise?“I’ll do’t; nor this my dagger will I sheath“Till reeking with his blood.

1st Mur.“Why, how now?

“Hast thou forgot thine errand?

“Wast sent here to prate thus,

“Or to fulfil thy promise?

“I’ll do’t; nor this my dagger will I sheath

“Till reeking with his blood.

2nd Mur.“Yet, one moment, I pray thee, comrade.

1st Mur.“I tell thee, I will not:“For, as I am a man and soldier,“So will I scorn to break my promis’d vow.

1st Mur.“I tell thee, I will not:

“For, as I am a man and soldier,

“So will I scorn to break my promis’d vow.

2nd Mur.“Thou shall not yet;“For, statue like, here will I fix myself,“Till thou dost hear me out.“Oh! is’t not most manlike, that we stain“Our hands with blood that ne’er did us offend?“Is’t not most serpent-like, to sting sweet sleep,“Which even from the giant takes all strength,“And makes man taste of that which is to come?“Let us, I pray thee, friend, turn from the deed!“I cannot, dare not, nay! I will not do’t.

2nd Mur.“Thou shall not yet;

“For, statue like, here will I fix myself,

“Till thou dost hear me out.

“Oh! is’t not most manlike, that we stain

“Our hands with blood that ne’er did us offend?

“Is’t not most serpent-like, to sting sweet sleep,

“Which even from the giant takes all strength,

“And makes man taste of that which is to come?

“Let us, I pray thee, friend, turn from the deed!

“I cannot, dare not, nay! I will not do’t.

1st Mur.“Coward! take hence that poor, unmanly frame,“Or this my steel shall work a double end.

1st Mur.“Coward! take hence that poor, unmanly frame,

“Or this my steel shall work a double end.

2nd Mur.“Lay on, then! for I will defend the King,“And may the gods aid this my good design.”

2nd Mur.“Lay on, then! for I will defend the King,

“And may the gods aid this my good design.”

[They fight; 2nd Murderer dies behind the Scenes.

The King awakes.

Con.“Vassal, I say! what means this bloody deed?“This bold intrusion on our royal presence?“Can majesty command no more respect;“But, that our very sleep must be disturb’d“With murder, rude and most licentious?Mur.“Why, plainly then, I do not fear thy presence;“And to be brief with thee, thine hour is come!King.“Traitor and villain, what wouldst thou?Mur.“Nay then, an thou dost speak so rudely,“Take thy reward.

Con.“Vassal, I say! what means this bloody deed?

“This bold intrusion on our royal presence?

“Can majesty command no more respect;

“But, that our very sleep must be disturb’d

“With murder, rude and most licentious?

Mur.“Why, plainly then, I do not fear thy presence;“And to be brief with thee, thine hour is come!

Mur.“Why, plainly then, I do not fear thy presence;

“And to be brief with thee, thine hour is come!

King.“Traitor and villain, what wouldst thou?

Mur.“Nay then, an thou dost speak so rudely,“Take thy reward.

Mur.“Nay then, an thou dost speak so rudely,

“Take thy reward.

[Stabs him.

King.“Oh! I die, sweet heaven receive my soul!“Forgive, oh! pardon this his crime!“I come! Bliss! bliss! is my reward for ever.

King.“Oh! I die, sweet heaven receive my soul!

“Forgive, oh! pardon this his crime!

“I come! Bliss! bliss! is my reward for ever.

[Dies.

Mur.“Farewell, good King! and thou my comrade too!”Hence on time’s wing will I to Vortigern,And this my two-edg’d work to him unfold.

Mur.“Farewell, good King! and thou my comrade too!”

Hence on time’s wing will I to Vortigern,

And this my two-edg’d work to him unfold.

[Exit.

SCENE V.

EnterVortigern,with Guards, as having viewed the dead body of the King behind the scenes.

Vor.O! this preposterous and inhuman act,Doth stir up pity in the blackest hell.Heav’n’s aspect did foretell some ill this night;For each dread shrieking minister of darknessDid chatter forth his rude and dismal song,While bellowing thunder shook the troubled earth,“And the livid and flaky lightning,“Widely burst ope each crack in heav’n’s high portal.”Have ye the traitor seiz’d? Is he yet dead?Off.Hard by, my lord, he lies reeking in’s blood!Despair and horror master’d each man’s breast;The attempt to check their rage would have been useless,His body is become one gaping wound.Vor.O! my good friends, would ye had spar’d his life,And that your zeal had been more temperate!For, by the workings of my soul, I findThis was the instrument, but not the head.Off.Name him you deem the murderer, good my lord!Vor.Be silent, and mark well, that I shall say:The Scots, you know, bear us fell enmity:Many of rank do tarry in our court;On them the guilt of this foul murder rests.I pray you, instantly despatch the guard,And seize each Scotsman ye shall chance to meet.I will go summon all the lords to council,And well consider that ’twere best to do.

Vor.O! this preposterous and inhuman act,

Doth stir up pity in the blackest hell.

Heav’n’s aspect did foretell some ill this night;

For each dread shrieking minister of darkness

Did chatter forth his rude and dismal song,

While bellowing thunder shook the troubled earth,

“And the livid and flaky lightning,

“Widely burst ope each crack in heav’n’s high portal.”

Have ye the traitor seiz’d? Is he yet dead?

Off.Hard by, my lord, he lies reeking in’s blood!Despair and horror master’d each man’s breast;The attempt to check their rage would have been useless,His body is become one gaping wound.

Off.Hard by, my lord, he lies reeking in’s blood!

Despair and horror master’d each man’s breast;

The attempt to check their rage would have been useless,

His body is become one gaping wound.

Vor.O! my good friends, would ye had spar’d his life,And that your zeal had been more temperate!For, by the workings of my soul, I findThis was the instrument, but not the head.

Vor.O! my good friends, would ye had spar’d his life,

And that your zeal had been more temperate!

For, by the workings of my soul, I find

This was the instrument, but not the head.

Off.Name him you deem the murderer, good my lord!

Vor.Be silent, and mark well, that I shall say:The Scots, you know, bear us fell enmity:Many of rank do tarry in our court;On them the guilt of this foul murder rests.I pray you, instantly despatch the guard,And seize each Scotsman ye shall chance to meet.I will go summon all the lords to council,And well consider that ’twere best to do.

Vor.Be silent, and mark well, that I shall say:

The Scots, you know, bear us fell enmity:

Many of rank do tarry in our court;

On them the guilt of this foul murder rests.

I pray you, instantly despatch the guard,

And seize each Scotsman ye shall chance to meet.

I will go summon all the lords to council,

And well consider that ’twere best to do.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VI.—ASSEMBLY OF BARONS.

EnterVortigen.

Vor.Oh! my thrice noble and right worthy peers,We now are met upon the heaviest summonsThat ever yet did occupy our thoughts:The sparkling drop which graces every eye,And fain would deluge every manly cheek,Denotes the brimful sorrow of the heart:Pity disgraces not the manlike brow;And yet it suits but ill the present crisis,When our best strength and wisdom both are needful,To stem this black, this damn’d conspiracy!For bloody war and foul rebellion lurkBeneath the mask of cruel treachery,Which, i’ th’ present, is so plainly shewn,By the brutal deed of these vile Scotsmen!Then let not drowsy thought deter our purpose,Nor basely rot in us the plant of justice.The clamorous people call aloud for sentence!Should we delay, it will go hard with us.1st Bar.Trusting to thee, our noble sage protector,We here, without delay, pronounce as guilty,The perpetrators of this crying deed.We further, with one general accord,Beseech you bear the badge of royalty,Until the princes shall return from Rome:For on Aurelius, now the elder sonOf our deceased King, the election lights.Well do we feel how tedious is the task,How full of trouble and perplexity!But we do also know thee for a man,Most good, most perfect, and most merciful!Vor.I fear, good Barons, you do flatter me.I thought, ere this, to have resigned the weight,Which the late King had heaped upon my shoulders:But mark the sad reverse; for even now,You double this my load, and bear me down.Oh! ye have struck me where I am indeedMost vulnerable—“The voice o’th’ people!”For them I will surrender liberty.Despatch to Rome the messengers, I pray;And let Aurelius know, that he is call’dTo wear this gold, this forked diadem,That gives to man the sway of sovereignty.2nd Bar.My lord, the people, Barons, all do thank you,For this your kind compliance with their will.To-morrow’s dawn shall see the packets ready;And we will, then, consult what messengersShall to the princes bear these heavy tidings.Vor.’Tis well! I do commend your zealous care.And now, good friends, one mournful charge remains,To ’tend the burial of our murder’d King.Oh! ’twas a nipping blast, which suddenlyBereft us of our first, our sweetest plant;Both king and father it hath stolen from us.“But, wherefore do I strive to ope anew,“Those gates which bar the course of liquid sorrow?“No! rather let your griefs now pine unseen,“Where cold restraint can neither chide nor curb ye.”Farewell! time then be yours until to-morrow.

Vor.Oh! my thrice noble and right worthy peers,

We now are met upon the heaviest summons

That ever yet did occupy our thoughts:

The sparkling drop which graces every eye,

And fain would deluge every manly cheek,

Denotes the brimful sorrow of the heart:

Pity disgraces not the manlike brow;

And yet it suits but ill the present crisis,

When our best strength and wisdom both are needful,

To stem this black, this damn’d conspiracy!

For bloody war and foul rebellion lurk

Beneath the mask of cruel treachery,

Which, i’ th’ present, is so plainly shewn,

By the brutal deed of these vile Scotsmen!

Then let not drowsy thought deter our purpose,

Nor basely rot in us the plant of justice.

The clamorous people call aloud for sentence!

Should we delay, it will go hard with us.

1st Bar.Trusting to thee, our noble sage protector,We here, without delay, pronounce as guilty,The perpetrators of this crying deed.We further, with one general accord,Beseech you bear the badge of royalty,Until the princes shall return from Rome:For on Aurelius, now the elder sonOf our deceased King, the election lights.Well do we feel how tedious is the task,How full of trouble and perplexity!But we do also know thee for a man,Most good, most perfect, and most merciful!

1st Bar.Trusting to thee, our noble sage protector,

We here, without delay, pronounce as guilty,

The perpetrators of this crying deed.

We further, with one general accord,

Beseech you bear the badge of royalty,

Until the princes shall return from Rome:

For on Aurelius, now the elder son

Of our deceased King, the election lights.

Well do we feel how tedious is the task,

How full of trouble and perplexity!

But we do also know thee for a man,

Most good, most perfect, and most merciful!

Vor.I fear, good Barons, you do flatter me.I thought, ere this, to have resigned the weight,Which the late King had heaped upon my shoulders:But mark the sad reverse; for even now,You double this my load, and bear me down.Oh! ye have struck me where I am indeedMost vulnerable—“The voice o’th’ people!”For them I will surrender liberty.Despatch to Rome the messengers, I pray;And let Aurelius know, that he is call’dTo wear this gold, this forked diadem,That gives to man the sway of sovereignty.

Vor.I fear, good Barons, you do flatter me.

I thought, ere this, to have resigned the weight,

Which the late King had heaped upon my shoulders:

But mark the sad reverse; for even now,

You double this my load, and bear me down.

Oh! ye have struck me where I am indeed

Most vulnerable—“The voice o’th’ people!”

For them I will surrender liberty.

Despatch to Rome the messengers, I pray;

And let Aurelius know, that he is call’d

To wear this gold, this forked diadem,

That gives to man the sway of sovereignty.

2nd Bar.My lord, the people, Barons, all do thank you,For this your kind compliance with their will.To-morrow’s dawn shall see the packets ready;And we will, then, consult what messengersShall to the princes bear these heavy tidings.

2nd Bar.My lord, the people, Barons, all do thank you,

For this your kind compliance with their will.

To-morrow’s dawn shall see the packets ready;

And we will, then, consult what messengers

Shall to the princes bear these heavy tidings.

Vor.’Tis well! I do commend your zealous care.And now, good friends, one mournful charge remains,To ’tend the burial of our murder’d King.Oh! ’twas a nipping blast, which suddenlyBereft us of our first, our sweetest plant;Both king and father it hath stolen from us.“But, wherefore do I strive to ope anew,“Those gates which bar the course of liquid sorrow?“No! rather let your griefs now pine unseen,“Where cold restraint can neither chide nor curb ye.”Farewell! time then be yours until to-morrow.

Vor.’Tis well! I do commend your zealous care.

And now, good friends, one mournful charge remains,

To ’tend the burial of our murder’d King.

Oh! ’twas a nipping blast, which suddenly

Bereft us of our first, our sweetest plant;

Both king and father it hath stolen from us.

“But, wherefore do I strive to ope anew,

“Those gates which bar the course of liquid sorrow?

“No! rather let your griefs now pine unseen,

“Where cold restraint can neither chide nor curb ye.”

Farewell! time then be yours until to-morrow.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VII.—A HALL IN VORTIGERN’S PALACE.

EnterVortigern.

Vor.How stands it now?—then am I but protector?Oh! ’tis an attribute my soul abhors,To sovereignty a pander and a slave,That looks with wistful eyes upon the crown,And dares not touch it:—No! I will none on’t.Curse on those lords that did award me this,Whose justice needs must force them keep the crownFor those, who, by descent, do justly claim it.By heav’ns! I’ll pour my bitter vengeance down,For this, their slow and niggardly promotion.Yet, as they did award, and give me sway,Until young prince Aurelius should arrive;Then is it mine most sure! The princes cannot,From their cold graves, return to snatch it from me!Their wish’d-for deaths are sure! yet, do I dread—For here within, there lurks a messengerThat cautions me, and fain would have me fear.What, hoa! without, I say! who attends there?

Vor.How stands it now?—then am I but protector?

Oh! ’tis an attribute my soul abhors,

To sovereignty a pander and a slave,

That looks with wistful eyes upon the crown,

And dares not touch it:—No! I will none on’t.

Curse on those lords that did award me this,

Whose justice needs must force them keep the crown

For those, who, by descent, do justly claim it.

By heav’ns! I’ll pour my bitter vengeance down,

For this, their slow and niggardly promotion.

Yet, as they did award, and give me sway,

Until young prince Aurelius should arrive;

Then is it mine most sure! The princes cannot,

From their cold graves, return to snatch it from me!

Their wish’d-for deaths are sure! yet, do I dread—

For here within, there lurks a messenger

That cautions me, and fain would have me fear.

What, hoa! without, I say! who attends there?

Enter Servant.

Vor.Are there no letters yet arrived from Rome?Serv.No, my good liege.Vor.Nor messengers?Serv.Neither, my gracious sir.Vor.Retire a while.

Vor.Are there no letters yet arrived from Rome?

Serv.No, my good liege.

Vor.Nor messengers?

Serv.Neither, my gracious sir.

Vor.Retire a while.

[Exit Servant.

Nor messengers, nor letters! this alarms me!But what care I: e’en let the princes come;When come, there’s room enough i’th’ ground for them.But, soft! now let me weigh my present state;For much I fear these Barons’ proffer’d friendship.“Their niggard show of liberality“Suits ill my lofty aim, and but the semblance wears“Of that my soul is thirsting for—dominion!“Not rivetted by closer ties, their chief, tho’ friendly,“May swerve, and prove a foe!”—Yet, I’ve a lure that shall ensnare that chief:My daughter’s hand! but, if she should refuse,Then were my purpose baffled, or destroy’d.Is it not strange, a flinty heart like mine,Should stagger thus, when thinking of a daughter?Flavia! whose fondest love to young Aurelius,Now sojourning at Rome, hath long been pledg’d!Yet, what of that? shall she, a whining girl,Oppose a father’s and a monarch’s will?My firm resolve once known, will shake that mind,Which in her gentlest moments nature fram’d.This work achiev’d, each lord his aid shall lend;And to my will the haughtiest crest shall bend.

Nor messengers, nor letters! this alarms me!

But what care I: e’en let the princes come;

When come, there’s room enough i’th’ ground for them.

But, soft! now let me weigh my present state;

For much I fear these Barons’ proffer’d friendship.

“Their niggard show of liberality

“Suits ill my lofty aim, and but the semblance wears

“Of that my soul is thirsting for—dominion!

“Not rivetted by closer ties, their chief, tho’ friendly,

“May swerve, and prove a foe!”—

Yet, I’ve a lure that shall ensnare that chief:

My daughter’s hand! but, if she should refuse,

Then were my purpose baffled, or destroy’d.

Is it not strange, a flinty heart like mine,

Should stagger thus, when thinking of a daughter?

Flavia! whose fondest love to young Aurelius,

Now sojourning at Rome, hath long been pledg’d!

Yet, what of that? shall she, a whining girl,

Oppose a father’s and a monarch’s will?

My firm resolve once known, will shake that mind,

Which in her gentlest moments nature fram’d.

This work achiev’d, each lord his aid shall lend;

And to my will the haughtiest crest shall bend.

[Exit.

SCENE VIII.—LONDON. THE PALACE.

EnterFlaviaandPascentius.

Fla.Oh, heav’ns! in thy great mercy thou hast led meTo that dear object I so long have sought,Through ev’ry secret winding o’th’ palace.Pas.My Flavia say!What is’t hath ruffled thus thy gentle bosom?I fear our father hath occasion’d this;For late, as passing through the hall I saw him,He paced to and fro in great disorder:Sometimes, in deep thought lost, he’d stop and pause,Then o’er his troubled breast crossing his arms,Would utter words, but in a voice so low,That they distill’d themselves in gentle air.Tho’ I did thrice address him, yet he brakeAbruptly from me, and no answer made.I never saw the conflict of his soulSo plainly in this countenance pourtray’d.Fla.Alas! ’tis true! I too have seen my father;And harshly has he urg’d my breach of vowTo my Aurelius, and to pledge my loveTo one my soul abhors! say, then, my brother,Is that kind friendship for my lov’d Aurelius,Which first in years of infancy took root,—Is’t yet untainted? Speak truly, brother.And are thy vows of friendship to thy sisterPure and unspotted as the face of heav’n?And wilt thou save her?Pas.’Tis not in my natureTo act a treach’rous or ungenerous part!Fla.Enough, enough! I meant not to offend.That I’m about to ask is truly urgent,Nor more nor less than our own banishment.Pas.Th’ impending exile is to me most strange;But, if thy dearest mother thou canst leave,Then must it be most pressing: I consent,And will not ruffle thee by further question.But silence for a while: here comes the Fool,Of him some tidings we, perchance, may glean.

Fla.Oh, heav’ns! in thy great mercy thou hast led meTo that dear object I so long have sought,Through ev’ry secret winding o’th’ palace.

Fla.Oh, heav’ns! in thy great mercy thou hast led me

To that dear object I so long have sought,

Through ev’ry secret winding o’th’ palace.

Pas.My Flavia say!What is’t hath ruffled thus thy gentle bosom?I fear our father hath occasion’d this;For late, as passing through the hall I saw him,He paced to and fro in great disorder:Sometimes, in deep thought lost, he’d stop and pause,Then o’er his troubled breast crossing his arms,Would utter words, but in a voice so low,That they distill’d themselves in gentle air.Tho’ I did thrice address him, yet he brakeAbruptly from me, and no answer made.I never saw the conflict of his soulSo plainly in this countenance pourtray’d.

Pas.My Flavia say!

What is’t hath ruffled thus thy gentle bosom?

I fear our father hath occasion’d this;

For late, as passing through the hall I saw him,

He paced to and fro in great disorder:

Sometimes, in deep thought lost, he’d stop and pause,

Then o’er his troubled breast crossing his arms,

Would utter words, but in a voice so low,

That they distill’d themselves in gentle air.

Tho’ I did thrice address him, yet he brake

Abruptly from me, and no answer made.

I never saw the conflict of his soul

So plainly in this countenance pourtray’d.

Fla.Alas! ’tis true! I too have seen my father;And harshly has he urg’d my breach of vowTo my Aurelius, and to pledge my loveTo one my soul abhors! say, then, my brother,Is that kind friendship for my lov’d Aurelius,Which first in years of infancy took root,—Is’t yet untainted? Speak truly, brother.And are thy vows of friendship to thy sisterPure and unspotted as the face of heav’n?And wilt thou save her?

Fla.Alas! ’tis true! I too have seen my father;

And harshly has he urg’d my breach of vow

To my Aurelius, and to pledge my love

To one my soul abhors! say, then, my brother,

Is that kind friendship for my lov’d Aurelius,

Which first in years of infancy took root,—

Is’t yet untainted? Speak truly, brother.

And are thy vows of friendship to thy sister

Pure and unspotted as the face of heav’n?

And wilt thou save her?

Pas.’Tis not in my natureTo act a treach’rous or ungenerous part!

Pas.’Tis not in my nature

To act a treach’rous or ungenerous part!

Fla.Enough, enough! I meant not to offend.That I’m about to ask is truly urgent,Nor more nor less than our own banishment.

Fla.Enough, enough! I meant not to offend.

That I’m about to ask is truly urgent,

Nor more nor less than our own banishment.

Pas.Th’ impending exile is to me most strange;But, if thy dearest mother thou canst leave,Then must it be most pressing: I consent,And will not ruffle thee by further question.But silence for a while: here comes the Fool,Of him some tidings we, perchance, may glean.

Pas.Th’ impending exile is to me most strange;

But, if thy dearest mother thou canst leave,

Then must it be most pressing: I consent,

And will not ruffle thee by further question.

But silence for a while: here comes the Fool,

Of him some tidings we, perchance, may glean.

EnterFool.

Fla.Speak, Fool, when did’st last see my gentle mother?

Fool.Rather ask, when ’twas that I e’er saw thy father in such sort before: marry, he did never speak so roundly to me. Of old, your Fool did make your sage one tremble; but my foolship hath not found it so. Times must indeed be bad, when fools lack wit to battle wise men’s ire. Nay, but I have legs, therefore, can run; a heart, that’s merry, but would be more so, an ’twas drench’d with sack from my ladle: but no matter, that’s empty, till you gentles choose to fill it: then, by your leaves, we’ll walk, and carry our wits where they’ll chance meet better fare.

Pas.Nay, nay; come hither, Fool; be not too hasty.This fellow’s true and honest; and, dear sister,Might well our purpose serve: wilt thou consentThat in our service he be bound?Fla.Of me ask nothing, but pursue that councilWhich, in thy riper wisdom, shall seem meet.Pas.What’s thy purpose, Fool?Fool.To quit thy father.Pas.What think’st o’me for a master?

Pas.Nay, nay; come hither, Fool; be not too hasty.This fellow’s true and honest; and, dear sister,Might well our purpose serve: wilt thou consentThat in our service he be bound?

Pas.Nay, nay; come hither, Fool; be not too hasty.

This fellow’s true and honest; and, dear sister,

Might well our purpose serve: wilt thou consent

That in our service he be bound?

Fla.Of me ask nothing, but pursue that councilWhich, in thy riper wisdom, shall seem meet.

Fla.Of me ask nothing, but pursue that council

Which, in thy riper wisdom, shall seem meet.

Pas.What’s thy purpose, Fool?

Fool.To quit thy father.

Pas.What think’st o’me for a master?

Fool.Nay, o’that I think not, for thou wouldst joke; but an thou dost, thou hast rare impudence to do’t i’th’ presence of a fool.

When thy beard is somewhat blacker,When thy years have made thee riper,When in purse the pounds thou’rt telling,And for a brothel thou’lt be sellingThy patrimony, and thy lands,

When thy beard is somewhat blacker,

When thy years have made thee riper,

When in purse the pounds thou’rt telling,

And for a brothel thou’lt be selling

Thy patrimony, and thy lands,

Why marry, an I should, then, find nought more suiting, my charity shall bid me follow thee, and teach thee the ways o’ this slippery world.

Fla.O tarry not, for we must hence away.What hour is it?Pas.Near five o’th’ clock.This brilliant mass o’fire, the golden sun,Hath just saluted with a blushing kiss,Yon partner of his bed, the vasty sea.

Fla.O tarry not, for we must hence away.What hour is it?

Fla.O tarry not, for we must hence away.

What hour is it?

Pas.Near five o’th’ clock.This brilliant mass o’fire, the golden sun,Hath just saluted with a blushing kiss,Yon partner of his bed, the vasty sea.

Pas.Near five o’th’ clock.

This brilliant mass o’fire, the golden sun,

Hath just saluted with a blushing kiss,

Yon partner of his bed, the vasty sea.

Fool.Yea, and your father wills that ye do soon saluteyour beds; for he hath ordered that supper be instantly brought into the hall.

Fla.Good heav’ns! so soon! Oh! my Pascentius,Each moment lost is an eternity.

Fla.Good heav’ns! so soon! Oh! my Pascentius,

Each moment lost is an eternity.

[Exeunt.

Fool.Nay, then, ye are gone and ha’ left your poor Fool behind. Methinks, I love that young master; nay, I know not how ’tis, but my legs would needs go follow him: yet, master Fool, is this wisdom? for they say the legs should ne’er carry away the brains. Yet, let me see: cannot I, in my folly, new form this saying, and turn it to mine own conceit? I ha’ hit it: for it matters not what comes o’ my brains; for men say they are good for nought, but my legs are; therefore, let the better o’th’ two serve as guide for the other. I’ll away, then, and follow him.

[Exit.

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

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