A True Chronicle history Called War Hath Made All Friends.
<T Ironside>
<A 1>
<S 1>
((Southampton. Danish council-chamber.
Enter Canutus, Archbishop of Canterbury, Earl of Southampton,
Edricus Duke of Mercia, Leofric Earl of Chester, Turkillus Duke of
Norfolk and Suffolk, Uskataulf and Swetho, Danes.
They sit about a table.))
<C Canutus.>
Archbishop and you other English peers,
I hear how Egleredus, late your king,
My tributary, is departed life;
And how his son Prince Edmund wears the crown
Without the notice of your free consent
Or homage unto me, his sovereign.
Yourselves, lords spiritual and temporal,
Besides the due my father's conquest claims,
Have chosen me;
And by an universal sound decree
Have solemnly throughout this little world
Proclaimed me heir apparent to the crown
When Egleredus lived.
Then let not this young upstart prince of prates
((He riseth.))
Curb your proceedings with untutored words,
But finish boldly what you have begun:
Resist his private coronation,
And put not up this vild dishonor done
Unto you chief commanders of the realm,
As though you were not worth the sending for.
<C Archbishop>
Indeed his rashness is unportable,
And merely nothing but a proud contempt
Against us of the clergy and the rest,
That have for public profit of the realm
For peace, for quiet, and utility,
Elected Prince Canutus for our king;
Whose valor we have proved--unto out cost]
Whose love unto the Church we need no doubt,
Whose care for all we may rely upon,
Whose true bounty is so notable
That even his foes admire and honor him.
When th'other what he is, I need no tell,
'Tis too well known]  I would I could say 'well'.
But this I say and swear:  were I myself
((He riseth))
Professed a soldier or a man at arms --
As I am one deprived from the world,
And from my cradle called to serve the Lord --
I would with lance approve his title naught,
And plead your coronation with my sword]
<C Canutus>
Stout-hearted bishop, spoken like a man]
Would all the English lords were of thy mind.
<C Southampton>
Am I not ready to defend your right
With force of arms, as doth become a knight?
<C Leofric>
I ne'er was slack or hindmost of the rest,
But ever first and foremost with the best.
<C Edricus>
Had I not been a help unto your father
Whenas he first arrived in $Albion
You ne'er had stood in question for the crown,
Nor had your father's wars so prospered.
'Twas I that first did counsel Egelred
To pay your tribute and to buy your league,
Whereby we emptied all the treasury,
And had not gold failed, you had ne'er been king.
I had a navy once, the time when -- 'twas
In Egelredus' days, your father living --
With which I should have met you on the sea
Within the straits of England and, I wis,
Had then no little vantage on your ships;
Yet I, as favoring your party most,
Gave way and let you land without resistance;
And for that fact rest foully scandalized.
Was it not I that gave intelligence
Of all the councils of King Egelred
Unto your father?  Did not I, I pray,
Feign sickness, weakness, disadvantages,
Whenas the king sent me to fight with him?
Was I not causer of your good success
In all your actions since your father's death?
As, namely, in that battle lately fought
Between yourself and Edmund Ironside,
Where I fled from him and did succor you?
Then, since the'only ladder upon which
Your father climbed to get, and you to hold
This gotten kingdom was my diligence,
I hope you will not the least motion
Of an ill thought creep in to hinder me,
Nor do I think you used this speech by me.
<C Canutus>
Why, what need all this repetition?
Good faith, I meant no harm in saying so.
Why should I doubt you?  Wherefore should I fear?
You never yet deceived me.
I cannot speak but some or other straight
Misconsters me.
Why, by my troth, my lord, I meant not you,
But those that cleave to Edmund Ironside
And hang in part against my government.
Calm ye, therefore, and be not discontent.
<C Southampton>
In token, then, you mean as you have said,
Honor my castle with the name of court,
And take a subject's welcome from his heart
To signify you love my town and me.
((Uskataulf whispereth in Canutus' ear.))
<C Uskataulf>
Why that's a trifle, mighty sovereign.
Yield unto him in this petition:
It will confirm the people's hearts to you,
And make him live and die to honor you.
<C Canutus>
I willingly descend to your request
And will this night be with you at your place.
<C Southampton>
I'll go before, to countenance your grace.
((Exit Southampton. Enter a company of countrymen making a noise.))
<C Countrymen>
Where is the king, that he may right our wrong?
<C Canutus>
The king is here. Who is it calls the king?
I am your king. Speak, gentle countrymen.
What lawless band hath done you injury?
<C One of the Countrymen>
Renowned Canutus, we are all Danes by birth,
The remnant of thy needy followers,
Who when thy father lived, lived here secure,
And dwelt amongst the fattest of this land.
We then did yoke the Saxons, and compelled
Their stubborn necks to ear the fallow fields.
We then did force them honor us as lords,
And be our slaves, our drudges, and our dogs.
But now -- I know no what the cause should be,
Unless the instigation of their prince,
Young Ironside, or else their stubborn nature--
They all rebel, and with conjoined force
Assault us manly, and from every part
Of this perturbed island banish us.
We are not able to resist their powers,
But fall like leaves before the northen wind;
Huge heaps of us lie dead in every place,
And we, unless you help, shall all be slain.
((All cry.))
Help, help,Canutus] Help and succor us]
<C Canutus>
Good countrymen, Canutus will not see you wronged,
For yet the spirit of my father Sweyne
Runs in these veins, which I will shed
Even drop by drop ere I will see you harmed.
Go in, good friends, and pacify yourselves;
Be confident in me, and if I live,
I plant you in your former quiet states.
Swetho, look to them; they shall be your care.
((Exeunt Swetho with the poor Danes))
Now, lords, let not this sudden rumor daunt
Your manly hearts:  though Edmund be so strong
We are as strong, and stronger far than he;
Then tell me, shall we now assail him?
Say, Uskataulf, what is to be done?
<C Uskataulf>
You may, my lord, yet be rememb'red now
Against what nation you are bound to war:
A generation like the chosen Jews,
Stubborn, unwieldy, fierce, and wild to tame,
Scorning to be compelled against their wills,
Abhorring servitude, as having felt
The overloading burden of the same.
<C Edricus>
Indeed my countrymen are factious
And must be reined with a marking stall.
Curb them, my lord, and bridle but their wills,
And you shall find them mild and tractable.
If that you use them as your father did
They dare not--nay, they will not]--look awry,
But serve you as your slaves by conquest due.
But if you lay the team upon their necks
And let them have but any scope to run,
Why then be sure they'll gad as they were galled,
And neither know themselves nor yet your grace,
For lenity doth cause them to rebel,
'Cause they are ignorant of living well.
<C Uskataulf>
-- List how this flattering mate soothes up the king
And doth abuse his gracious sufferance.--
Base, vild, insinuating sycophant]
Degenerate bastard, falsely bred]
Foul mother-killing viper]  Traitor]  Slave]
The scum of vices]  All the ill that may be]
Who would excite the king to tyranny
Against his countrymen but only he?--
I am a Dane, renowned sovereign;
You have experience of my loyalty,
And that my advice is not mercenary.
If I were wise enough to give advice
You should not prove a tyrant, but a king;
A tyrant is abhorred of God and man,
Whenas a king loved and honored.
Accomptest thou, Edricus, the Saxon fools,
Or rather, hardy, wise, and valorous?
Their names discover what their natures are,
More hard than stones, and yet no stones indeed.
In fight, more than stones, detesting flight;
In peace as soft as wax, wise, provident:
Witness the many combats they have fought,
Denmark our country's loss by them and theirs,
With many other witnesses of worth.
How often have they driven us to our shifts
And made us take the sea for our defense
When we in number have been three to one.
Oh you deceive yourself and eke the king
In wishing him so much against himself.
Recall the former perils we have passed
Whose dear-bought times are freshly yet in mind;
The tyranny your father Sweynus used
In tithing people, killing 9 of 10.
What did ensue?  What, loss of many holds,
Bloodshed and war, rebellion, sword and fire;
For they are Englishmen, easy to rule
With lenity, so they be used like men;
Patient of right, impatient of wrong,
Brooking no tyranny in any sort,
But hating and revenging it with death.
Therefore I counsel you, if it might stand,
To win their hearts, not by severity,
But by your favor, love, and lenity.
<C Canutus>
Good, Uskataulf, I allow your speech
And praise your counsel by my own consent.
I will endeavor to suppress my rage
And quench the burning choler of my heart,
Which sometimes so inflames my inward parts
As I fall out with my best-loved friends.
I will, therefore, so moderate myself
As Englishmen shall think me English-born;
I will be mild and gentle to my foes
If gentleness can win their stubborn hearts.
But let us hence, my lords; by this the earl
Expects us at Southampton; there we'll rest
Till we consult if peace or war be best.
((Exeunt omnes.))
((Leofric pulls Turkillus by the sleeve as he is going, and stays him.))
<C Leofric>
A word, my lord.
<C Turkillus>
So you use no blows.
<C Leofric>
I think you noble, virtuous, secret, wise,
Else would I not have op'ned my intent,
Which doth so much concern our private good,
To you in private.  So it is, my lord:
I oft have noted your discontented gait,
Which measured by my own do well declare
The mind that rules your body is not pleased;
And since so sweet a symphony appears
Betwixt our bodies, Discontent, I judge--
Our minds' disturbance -- to be only one
Caused from the sad neglect of these strange days.
Oh what a grief is it to noble bloods
To see each base-born groom promoted up,
Each dunghill brat arreared to dignity,
Each flatterer esteemed virtuous
When the true noble, virtuous gentlemen
Are scorned, disgraced, and held in obloquy,
Base Edricus, a traitor to his king,
Is held in honor; we two trusty subjects
Are feared, suspected, and have liberty
Only to live, yet not in liberty;
For what is it but prisonment or worse
Whenas our children, blood of our own blood,
Are kept close prisoners, pledges for our faiths?
King Edmund -- who indeed is our true king
For good regard of merit and desert,
For honor fame, and true nobility --
Is rightly termed mirror of majesty.
Canutus is a prudent, noble prince,
And loves to hear him called so -- too, too much.
But I will tell you this:  as long as we
Take part against our sovereign Ironside
We are but traitors; therefore --
<C Turkillus>
Stay noble Chester, for I spy your drift.
To heap as many titles on your head
As you have poured on mine were but your due,
Yet to cut off such troyting thieves of time
I say 'Amen' to your intention,
Which is to leave Canutus and his court,
And fly to Edmund, our true lawful king.
But lest you should suspect my secrecy
Be being won so soon to your device,
I here assure you that this very plot
Hath long been hammering in my troubled brain,
And had not you prevented my intent
I should ere long have moved you herein;
But what shall then become of our two boys
Who are our pledges?  They shall surely die.
<C Leofric>
Tut, 'tis no matter; if they die, they die.
They cannot suffer in a better time,
Nor for a better cause, their country's good.
We gave then life; for us they shed their blood.
<C Turkillus>
He that sent them can send us more again;
The let us hence; delay of time is vain.
((Exeunt))
<S 2>
((the same))
((Enter Edricus, solus.))
<C Edricus>
What shall I think of him that means to beg,
And can thus finely live upon his wit?
I was as mean as any basely born --
'Fie, say not so; it will discredit thee]'
Tut, no man hears me. -- 'Ay, but think not so,
For it will make thy peacock's plumes fall down
If one such abject thought possess thy mind.' --
'Tis strange to see how I am favored,
Possess thy dukedom and Canutus' grace,
And am the chief of all his counsellors,
Whenas my betters are exiled the court,
Being discountenanced and out of grace.
They cannot so dissemble as I can,
Cloak, cosen, cog, and flatter with the king;
Crouch and seem courteous, promise and protest;
Say much, do naught; in all things use deceit;
Tell troth to no man; carry tales abroad;
Whisper close secrets in the giddy air;
Be a newsmonger; feed the king with sooths;
Please all men's humors with humility --
Which he must do that is a courtier
And minds to keep in favor with the king.
He that had heard my story from the end,
How many treasons I have practised,
How many vild things I have brought to pass,
And what great wonders have been compassed
By this deep-reaching pate, would think, I wis,
I had been bound apprentice to deceit
And from my birthday studied villany.
I understand Prince Edmund's up in arms.
Lays hold upon occasion's sluggy lock,
And whilst Canutus here securely sleeps
He wins with ease what we with pains have got.
Mass, if he do, and fortune favor him,
I will so work as I'll be in his grace
And keep my living and myself unhurt;
But if Canutus chance to gain again
Then I am his, for I can glose with all]
And yet indeed to say the very troth,
Rather of both I love Canutus best,
For Edmund's father first did raise me up,
And from a plowman's son promoted me
To be a duke for all my villany;
And so as often as I look on him
I must remember what he did for me,
And whence I did descend and what I am,
Which thought abase my state most abjectly.
Therefore I hate him, and desire his death
And will procure his end in what I can.
But for Canutus -- he doth honor me
Because he knows not whence I did descend.
Therefore of the two I love Canutus best;
Yet I can play an Ambodexter's part
And swear I love, yet hate him with my heart.
((Exit))
<S 3>
((Camp of the Saxons))
((Enter Edmund and Alfric, the general under the king.))
<C Edmund>
But are ye sure, my lord, that all is fit?
Are all my soldiers furnished for this war?
What, have they meat and drink to their content?
Do not the captains pince them of their pay?
<C Alfric>
Assure your majesty my care is such
As I do daily oversee them all,
And cause the meanest soldier to be served
And have his fill of meat and drink that's good,
Without controlment, check, or menaces;
For th'only means to mar a soldier's fight:
Pinch him of meat and pay, and pinch his might.
<C Edmund>
Then do ye well, for I am of this mind;
He that for private base commodity
Will starve his soldiers or keep back their pay,
He that to deck himself in gorgeous tire
Will see his men go naked, die for cold,
Is a plain cutthroat to the commonwealth.
A worthy captain, seeing a tall soldier
March barefoot, halting, plucked off his own shoes
And gave them to the soldier, saying "Fellow,
When I want shoes, then give me these again."
But captains nowadays
Pluck off their soldier's shoes -- nay, sell their lives --
To make them rich and gallant to the eye.
(Enter Turkillus and Leofric)
But soft, what are yon two strangers
<C Turkillus>
We are rebellious traitors to your grace,
((They kneel))
Born Englishmen, but stranger to ourselves,
Who in remorse of conscience, knowing well
We have in taking part with Danish Canutus
Deserved death, come of our own free wills
Either to suffer for our heinous facts,
Or else embrace our pardons, which we crave
Even as hereafter we shall merit it.
<C Edmund>
Rise up, Turkillus; Leofric, arise.
Give me your hands, and with your hands, your hearts]
I more esteem the life of one true subject
Than the destruction of a thousand foes.
One sheep that was lost I more rejoice to find
Than twenty other which I never missed.
A friend of whose return I stood in doubt
Is more welcome to me than forty other.
Oh, that when strangers cannot conquer us
We should conspire with them against ourselves]
England, if ever war thy face doth spoil,
Thank not thy outward foe but inward friend,
For thou shalt never perish till that day
When thy right hand shall make thy heart away.
Go in, brave lords; your sight doth me more joy
Than @Agamemnon when he conquered $Troy.
((Exeunt omnes.))
<A 2>
<S 1>
((Hall. Earl of Southampton's castle.
The drum and trumpets sound. Enter a banquet. Then enter Canutus,
Southampton, Archbishop, Uskataulf and Swetho, Edricus.))
<C Canutus>
My lord, my lord, you are too bountiful.
Half this expense would well have satisfied
The homely stomachs of our soldiers,
And entertained ourselves right royally.
Where is your daughter?
<C Southampton>
She shall give attendance,
To wait upon your grace at dinner time.
<C Canutus>
Nay, good my lord. Unless you give her leave
To sit at board and find me table talk
I shall not think myself a welcome guest.
<C Southampton>
May I crave pardon of your majesty,
My daughter, being young in years and manners,
Is far unfit to keep a queen's estate.
<C Canutus>
I'faith, my lord, you are too scrupulous,
Too unadvised, too fearful without cause,
To stand upon such nice excuses.
I love to see a table furnished,
And sure I will not sit till she comes in.
<C Southampton>
Egina, daughter, come away, sweet girl]
((Enter Egina))
 -- The king will have thee dine with him today.
Be not too coy, nor yet too flexible;
If chance he proffer any courtesy,
Behave yourself in honorable sort
And answer him with modesty and mirth
A means may be to make thee queen. --
<C Canutus>
What, is your daughter come?  Welcome, fair lady]
Your presence is as welcome as the day
After a long and weary watchful night.
Sit down, fair lady.  Sit down, noble lord.
Fill me a cup of wine.  Here's to the health
Of Ironside and all his followers.
Who will pledge me?
<C Egina>
Pardon your handmaid, and Egina will.
<C Canutus>
Wilt pledge me to the health of Ironside?
What moves you so to fancy him?
<C Egina>
The good regard I bear your majesty.
For should he die before these wars were done
And you have finished strife through victory,
Some other @Cadmus bird worse than himself
Might hap to broach some new commotion
And trouble all the state with mutinies;
Where if he lives till you have conquered him,
None after him dares renovate the wars.
<C Canutus>
Sweetly and wisely answered, noble queen.
For by that name, if Heaven and thou consent,
By sunset all the camp shall wish thee health.
My lord, what say you to this motion?
<C Southampton>
As it shall please your royal majesty,
Dispose of me and whatsoe'er is mine.
<C Canutus>
Madam, pleaseth it you to be a queen?
<C Egina>
What my dread sovereign, and my father wills,
I dare not -- nay, I will not] -- contradict.
<C Canutus>
Then for a manual seal receive this kiss.
((He kisseth her.))
The chief dumb utterer of the heart's intent
And noble father -- now I'll call you so --
If this rash-seeming match do like you well
Deliver me possession presently
Of this fair lady, your beloved child,
And we will straight to church and celebrate
The duties which belong to marriages.
Bishop of Canterbury, you will marry us
Without the sibert asking, will ye not?
<C Archbishop>
I am prepared, if every part be pleased.
<C Canutus>
Faith, I am pleased.
<C Archbishop>
But what say you?
<C Egina>
I say a woman's silence is consent.
<C Canutus>
Why, here's a match extempore]  Small ado
About a weighty matter.  Some perhaps
Would have consumed millions to effect
What I by some spent breath have compassed.
Lords, let us in, for I intend to be
Espoused tonight with all solemnity;
After our marriage we do mean to go
To meet in open field our open foe.
((Exeunt omnes.))
<S 2>
((Street in Southampton))
((Enter Edricke, a poor man, his wife, and Stitch.))
<C Edricke>
Nay, Stitch, and you once see my son, you'll swear he is a bouncer;
all in silks and gold, vengeable rich]
<C Stitch>
How say you that?
<C wife>
I can tell you, you may bless the day that ever you happed into his
service.  He is a man every hairsbreath -- a most vild brave man,
i'faith]
<C Stitch>
Then we shall be well met, for I love bravery and cleanliness out of all
cry, and indeed of all things I cannot brook an ill-favored face.  Hang
him that wants a good face]
<C Edricke>
You are of my mind; we may say "a pox of all good faces]" and never hurt
our own.
<C Stitch>
We may indeed, God be praised]  But what house is this?  How far off are
we from Southampton?
<C wife>
Why, we are in the town.  Th'king Canutus lies here now, and my son is
here, and all our neighbors will be here today at the bridal for almess.
((Enter Edricus))
<C Edricus>
 -- Whoso desires to mount a lofty pitch
Must bear himself against the stubborn wind,
And shun base common popularity. --
<C Stitch>
Who is this?
<C wife>
Oh, 'tis my son]  Make ye handsome] tie your garters for shame]
wipe your shoes]  mend your shirtband]
<C Edricke>
Oh, let me go to him first.  God save ye, son.
<C Edricus>
 -- A pox upon him]  'Tis the knave my father] --
Good fellow, hast thou any suit to us?
Deliver up thy supplication.
<C Edricke>
Oh sir, ye know me well enough. I am goodman Edricke, your father.
<C Edricus>
My father grouthead]  Sir knave, I say you lie]
You whoreson cuckold] you base vagabond]
you slave]  you mongrel peasant, dolt, and fool]  Canst thou not
know a duke from common men?
<C wife>
 -- By my troth, I learned him all these names to call his father
when he was a child, and see if he can forget them yet]  Oh, he is a
wise man, for in faith my husband is none of his father, for indeed a
soldier begot him of me as I went once to a fair.
 -- But son, know ye me?
<C Edricus>
Thee, old hag? witch] quean] slut] drab] whore] and thief]  How should
I know the black Egyptian?
<C wife>
This is his old tricks, husband.  Come, come, son,
I am sure ye know me.
<C Edricus>
Ay, if not too well.  Wherefore comes yon sheepbiter? you, sir knave?
You are my brother, are ye not, I pray?
<C Stitch>
No, sir, and it like ye.
<C Edricus>
It likes me very well. What is your name?
Wherefore came ye hither?
<C wife>
His name is Stitch, my son;  we came with him to help him to your
service.
<C Edricus>
You answer for him, gossip; wants he tongue?
<C Stitch>
No, sir, I have tongue enough, if that be good.
((He shows his tongue.))
<C Edricus>
What can ye do?
<Stitch>
Anything -- dress a horse, scour a chamberpot, go to plow, thrash, dyke,
and indeed, what not?
<C Edricus>
Canst make clean shoes?
<C Stitch>
Who, I?  It is part of my occupation.  You win my heart.  I am a
cobbler for need.  I can piece a shoe as well as the best.
Wipe a shoe?  Look you here.  Else give me your foot]
<C Edricus>
Stay, not so hasty]
 -- We that by sly devices mean to mount,
And creep into opinion by deceit,
Must not of all things have a scholar know
Our practices; we must suppress good wits
And keep them under; we must favor fools,
And with promotions win their shallow pates.
A ready wit would quickly wind us out
And pry into our secret treacheries,
And wade as deep in policy as we.
But such loose-brained, windy-headed slaves,
Such blockheads, dolts, fools, dunces, idiots,
Such loggerheaded rogues are best for us,
For we may work their wills to what we will
And win their hearts with gold to anything. --
Come hither, Stitch]  This villian and this quean
That brought thee hither claim an interest
In my nobility, whenas, God knows,
My noble father died long since in wars,
Being @Duke of @Mercia then as I am now,
Therefore -- but first to cut off long delays,
I entertain thee for my chamberlain,
And as thou shalt prove secret, trusty, true,
I will reward thee with some higher place,
But first to try thee; fetch the constable --
Yet stay a while -- they would suspect the truth] --
I'll have thee, when thou seest me gone away,
Beat these two beggars hence and teach then how
They shall hereafter choose a meaner son.
Wilt thou be trusty?  Wilt thou cudgel them?
<C Stitch>
Never take care for that]  I'll beat them, they were never better beaten
since they were born.
<C Edricus>
Ay, do so, Stitch.  I prithee beat them well,
Hark ye, and see them whipped out of the town;
And if they speak or prattle, curse or rave,
For every word give them ten blows, sweet slave.
((Exit))
<C Edricke>
Oh son, son, stay]
<C Stitch>
Son, son, with a pestilence]  You are much like to be his father and
you his mother]
You brought he hither?
<C Edricke>
Ay.
<C Stitch>
And I must beat you hence, and if you desire to know why, you must
hereafter learn to find a meaner man for your son than my lord is.
((He beats them about the stage.))
<C wife>
He is my son -- oh] oh, good Stitch, hold thy hand]
((Exeunt.))
<S 3>
((Southampton.  The Danish Camp. Enter Canutus, Archbishop,
Edricus, Uskataulf, Swetho.))
<C Canutus>
Then are they gone?  'Tis certain they are fled?
Turkillus and Leofric]  Who would have thought it?
Did I not use them well?  Gave them good words,
Rewarded their endeavors, and besides
Graced them as much as any person here.
<C Edricus>
You used them but too well, and let me say
Your lenity did cause them run away.
<C Canutus>
Have we not pledges of their loyalty?
<C Edricus>
Ye have, my lord.
<C Canutus>
Their eldest sons, I think?
<C Edricus>
True, but they know you are too merciful.
<C Canutus>
They are deceived, for since they have disturbed
The settled solace of our marriage day
And daunted our determined merriments
With causeless flight, to plague their father's fact
I'll lay the treason on their children's back,
And make their guiltless shoulders bear the burthen.
Fetch me the pledges, Swetho, and with them
Some bloody varlet from the Danish host,
And let him bring an axe, a block and knife
Along with him; but do it quickly, Swetho,
((Exit Swetho))
And come again as fast.
<C Edricus>
What doth your grace intend to do with them?
<C Canutus>
I'll cut their hands and noses off.
<C Edricus>
Your judgement doth not far enough extend
Unto the height of runaways' desert.
Death is too light a punishment for traitors,
And loss of hands and nose is less than death.
<C Uskataulf>
If an honest man had said so I would
Have liked it never the worse.
<C Canutus>
This punishment is worse than loss of life,
For it is a stinging corsive to their souls
As often as they do behold themselves
Lopped and bereft of those two ornaments
Which necessary use doth daily crave.
Again, it giveth others daily cause
To think how traitors should be handled,
Whereas the memory of present death
Is quickly buried in oblivion,
Doing no good but whilst it is in doing.
A traitor may be likened to a tree
Which being shred and topped when it is green,
Doth for one twig which from the same was cut
Yield twenty arms -- yea, twenty arms for one --
But being hacked and mangled with an axe,
The root straight dies and piecemeal rots away.
Even so of traitors.  Cut me off their heads,
Still more out of the selfsame stock will sprout,
But plague them with the loss of needful members,
As eyes, nose, hands, ears, feet, or any such --
Oh, these are cutting cards unto their souls,
Earmark to know a traitorous villain by
Even as a brand is to descry a thief.
These desperate person fo example's sake,
These ruffains, these all-daring lusty blades,
These court appendixes, these madcap lads,
These nothing-fearing hotspurs that attend
Our royal court -- tell them of hanging cheer,
They'll say it is a trick or two above ground;
Tell them of quartering or the heading axe
They'll swear beheading is a gallant death
And he is a dastard that doth fear to die;
But say to them:  You shall be branded,
Or your hands cut off, or your nostrils slit --
Then shallow fear makes their quivering tongues
To speak abruptly:  "Rather let us die
Than we should suffer vild ignomy."
A valient heart esteemeth light of death,
But honorable minds are jealous
of honorable names; then to be marked,
Which robs them of their honors, likewise robs
Their hearts of joy, and like to irksome owls
They will be bashful to be seen abroad.
<C Uskataulf>
Alas, poor souls]  It was against their wills
That their hard-hearted fathers broke the league.
<C Canutus>
Alas, poor souls, it is against their wills
That they must lose their noses and their hands]
((Enter Swetho, the two pledges, and Stitch with an axe.))
<C Canutus>
Come on, gentlemen]  'Cause I have found
Your fathers trusty as they promised
Unto my father and to me,
Therefore I mean to make you worhty men,
Such as the world shall afterward report
Did suffer torments for their country's good.
Come on, I say]  Prepare you visages
To bear the tokens of eternity.
Prepare you noses, bid your hands adieu,
Because your sires have proved themselves so true.
<C 1 pledge>
Rather than this, oh kill us presently]
These being gone, we do abhor our lives,
And having these, we loathe to live accursed,
Accompted traitors to our native soil.
Suffer us first to try our stripling force
With any giant of your @Cyclops' size
And let our arms fight once before our deaths
To wreak their malice on their masters' foes;
So let us perish like to gentlemen,
Like to ourselves, and like to Englishmen]
<C Canutus>
Look how cold water cast on burning coals
Doth make the fire more fervently to flame:
Even so your tears doth add unto my rage
And makes it hotter when it 'gins to cool.
'Tis not my pleasure you should suffer death,
'Cause I believe 'twould ease your fathers' griefs,
'Tis not my pleasure you should try your powers;
So I should give you honors undeserved,
And you shall see our judgements straight performed.
Do execution on them presently]
I'll teach your fathers, if they do not know,
What 'tis to violate a lawful oath]
I teach them what it is to play with kings,
Presuming on their mercy.  Come, I say]
What, trifle ye?  Delay no more the time,
For you must suffer for your father's crime.
<C 2 pledge>
What, sir, must you cut off my hands?
<C Stitch>
Ay, and your noses too. 'Twere pity, in faith,
to mar two such faces.  Boys, will you change
beards with me?
<C 1 pledge>
You shall not touch my nose with those base hands]
By Heaven, I'll sooner cut it off myself]
<C Stitch>
You will think a worse pair than these a good
pair ere night.  How they'll look when
their noses be off]
Everyone will take them for Frenchmen.
<C Canutus>
Dispatch, I say]  I must not stay so long.
The more you delay the time the worse you speed.
<C 1 pledge>
Give me the axe.  I'll quickly execute
This direful judgement on my guiltless hands.
<C Stitch>
With all my heart]  You save me a labor.
<C Canutus>
Stay, unadvised villian]  Hold thy hand,
Or I will hack thee piecemeal with thy axe]
Why, art thou mad, to give thy enemy
An instrument to kill thyself and me?
Cut off his hands first, then deliver it him.
((He cuts off one hand.))
So cut off th'other.
((He cuts off the other hand.))
Now, sir, fight your fill]
<C 1 pledge>
Let these my stumps crave vengeance at thy hands,
Thou Judge of judges and thou King of kings]
<C Canutus>
Cut off his nose, then let him pray again;
Perchance his praying mitigates his pain.
((He cuts off his nose))
<C 1 pledge>
Pour thy vengeance on this bloody Dane,
And let him die some unheard, monstrous death]
<C Canutus>
Make quick dispatch to execute the other.--
I am sure you will not now be pardoned?
<C 2 pledge>
Not I, thou murthering,stony-hearted Dane]
I am resolved to suffer this and more
To do my father or my country good.
They gave me life; for them I'll shed my blood.
((He cuts his hands and nose.))
<C 1 pledge>
Now thou hast spit thy venom, bloody king,
We do return defiance in thy face]
<C Canutus>
Sirs, temper well your tongues and be advised;
If not, I'll cut them shorter by an inch.
Remember that you both have lost your hands
Because your fathers did abuse their tongues
In perjury.  Go quickly away,
And tell your trait'rous father what I say.
<C 2 pledge>
We go, but to thy cost, proud Danish Canute,
Throughout this isle, thy tyranny to bruit]
<C 1 pledge>
We go, thy cruel butchery to ring.
Oh England, never trust a foreign king]
((exit pledges))
<C Edricus>
Ha] Ha] Ha]
<C Canutus>
Why laughest thou, Edricus?
<C Edricus>
I cannot choose:  to see the villains rave.
<C Stitch>
And I must needs laugh to bear my master company.
((Enter a messenger running.))
<C Canutus>
What news with thee?
<C messenger>
Renowned Canutus, thy forces in the north,
Which thou didst sent 'gainst Edmund Ironside,
Are clean dispersed and piecemeal overthrown
By him, as these letters signify.
((Canutus reads and then sayeth:))
<C Canutus>
'Tis wonderful] What, twenty thousand slain
Of common soldiers?  This unwelcome news
Nips like a hoary frost our springing hopes
And makes my fearful soldiers hang their heads.
Come hither, Edricus; void the company
That I and you my talk in secrecy.
((exeunt omnes))
Ah, Edricus, what had I best to do
To rase out this dishonorable blot,
Out of the brass-leaved book of living fame?
Shall it be said hereafter when report
Shall celebrate my noble father's acts
That Canutus did lose what noble Sweynus got?
Shall it be said that Edmund Ironside,
Unfriended, poor, forsaken, desolate,
Did overthrow the power of mighty Canutus,
Whose wealth was great, friends more, but forces most?
Never since Edmund was of force to bear
A massy helmet and curtle-axe,
Could I return a victor from the field
Unless, as I remember, thou betrayedst
The gallant stripling once into our hands.
Then had not valor hewed him through our troops
That day had made an end of all our griefs.
But now, what now?  Oh tell me if thou knowest,
How I shall extribute my stock and name
That after age may not report my shame?
<C Edricus>
Despair no, noble king; time comes in time.
Know ye not 'tis a deed of policy
In fickle chance to cross your mightiness,
For else in time you might dismount the queen
And throw her headlong from her rolling stone
And take her whirling wheel into your hand.
I tell your grace, chance ever envies wise men
And favors fools, promoting them aloft.
But as for this flea-spot of dishonor,
The greatest monarchs have endured more,
Even blinking @Philip's son, and many more
Whose repetition were needless to recite.
<C Canutus>
I prithee flatter still.  On, on] What more?
Speak we of fortune, honest sycophant?
Chance favoreth not a fool in favoring thee;
Thy flattery is gracious in her eye.
Come hither, Edricus, Oh strange miracle]
See you not in the heavens prodigious signs?
Look how the sun looks pale, the moon shines red,
The stars appear in the perturbed heaven
Like little comets, and not twelve a'clock]
What is the cause then that the stars are seen?
<C Edricus>
I see them well, my lord, yet know no cause,
Unless it show the fall of Ironside.
<C Canutus>
Surely it doth]  Look now, they all are gone;
'Tis night, 'tis dark; beware ye stumble not]
Lend me your hand, but first go fetch a torch
((Exit Edricus))
To light me to my tent.  Make haste, I pray.
--He's gone to fetch a torch to light the day.
((Enter Edricus))
<C Edricus>
My lord, the misty vapors were so thick
They almost quenched the torch.
<C Canutus>
True as all the rest]  I say they wit is thick]
Gross flattery, all-soothing sycophant,
Doth blind thy eyes and will not let thee see
That others see thou are a flatterer.
Amend, amend thy life]  Learn to speak truth.
For shame, do not, in thy declining age]
Children may see thy lies they are so plain.
Oh, whilst ye live from flattery refrain]
<C Edricus>
It stands not with my zeal and plighted faith
Otherwise to say than as your highness saith;
Your grace is able to give all their due
To make truth lie, and likewise make lies true.
<C Canutus>
I would it lay in me to make thee true,
But who can change the Ethiopian's hue?
((Exeunt))
<A 3>
<S 1>
((A council-chamber.  Enter at one door the Archbishop of Canterbury;
at th'other, the Archbishop of York.))
<C Canterbury>
Why bends not the presumptuous knee of York
When Canterbury speaks?  Cannot the curse
Of God and me, the metropolitan
Under the Pope of all dominions
Within this realm of England, cause thee fear,
Proud irreligious prelate?  Know my power
Stretcheth beyond thy compass even as much
As $Rome doth mine.  Then quiver when I curse,
And like a child indeed prostrate thyself
Before my feet, that they humility
May move me to absolve thy former sins
And set thee free from Hell's damnation.
<C York>
Traitor to God and to thy lawful king,
Where thou dost bless, I curse, where curse, I bless]
As thou art bishop, my commission
Stretcheth as far as thine; and let me say
Unless thou leave the contumelious threats --
Further than mine?  No, Canterbury, no]
I humble me to God and not to thee,
A traitor, a betrayer of his king,
A rebel, a profane priest, a Pharisee,
A parasite, an enemy to peace,
A foe to truth and to religion]
I say I will not bend myself to him,
And such a one art thou, and therefore hear:
Unless repentance bend thy stubborn heart
I here pronounce the curse of God and man
Upon thy soul, and so farewell and mend]
((York offers to depart.))
<C Canterbury>
Stay, York, and hear me speak:  Thy puffy words,
Thy windy threats, thy railing curses light
Upon thy stubborn neck, unless with speed
Thou dost forsake the part of Ironside
And cleave unto Canutus, and more -- submit thyself
To me thy head, and to our mother church.
Reply not, bishop, for I seal thy lips
With my irrevocable bitter curse
If one untoward word slip from thy tongue.
<C York>
So heapest thou coal of fire upon thy head,
And blessest me with cursing, impious priest.
Oh let me die whenas I leave my king,
A true-born prince, for any foreigner]
<C Canterbury>
Oh, I could eat thee]  Now my crosier staff
Longs to be pelting that old hoary pate;
My hands do quake with rage]
<C York>
You are a champion for the devil and Canutus;
I fly not from thy curses but thy strokes.
((Exit York))
<C Canterbury>
I'll follow thee with curses and with clubs.
((Exit Canterbury))
<S 2>
((London.  The Danish camp before the walls.  Enter Canutus,
Southampton, Edricus, Uskataulf, Swetho, herald-at-arms, and soldiers.))
<C Canutus>
Go to yon city which we mean to sack,
$New $Troy, the state of Edmund Ironside.
Command a parley at the city gates;
Bid them choose whether they will let us in
Or else withstand the utmost of our wrath,
And be consumed to ashes and to coals
With flaming fire, which whilom did destroy
Their mother city , quondam called $Troy.
((The herald departeth from the king to the walls, sounding his
trumpet.  The bailiffs appear above.))
<C Herald>
Canutus, king of England, prince of Danes,
Greets you by me, his trusty messenger,
Commanding you to serve as your lord,
Bidding you wait on his as on your king,
And you shall be entreated lovingly;
If not, he is prepared with fire and sword
To raze your city.  Thus he send you word.
<C 1 Bailiff>
Go tell your master thus we answer him:
His ships that proudly ride upon the Thames
Shall anchor on the ground where he abides,
Borne by the bloodshed of our carcases,
And we compelled by thirst to such the stream
Of this fair river dry, so that his men
May dryshod march over the floating deeps,
Ere we will let him enter in these gates,
Or ope our lips to call him sovereign.
Tell him we are resolved to keep him back;
Tell him we are no traitors, but are sworn
To be King Edmund's liegemen while we live,
And if he stay, that shall he soon perceive.
<C herald>
Advise you, bailiffs, what is best to do;
Incur not danger with security.
Canutus is your king; then him obey,
And to his gentle message say not nay.
<C both bailiffs>
We are resolved to put Canutus back;
He comes not here; his threats are spent in vain
<C herald>
I fear your wills will put your wits to pain,
And you repent it when it is too late.
<C 1 bailiff>
You have your answers.  Soldiers, guard the gate.
((Bailiffs depart; herald returneth.))
<C herald>
Their answer, good my lord,is negative,
Full of haughty courage and disdainful pride.
This little peace hath brought their stomachs up,
Which makes them to disdain your princely mercy.
<C Canutus>
And dare they thus refuse my proff'red grace?
Set they so light by my commandment?
Assault the city]  Batter down the walls]
Scale all the turrets]  Rush the gates asunder]
Why slack ye, soldiers?  Who is foremost mand
To give a valiant onset on the town?
((Assail the walls.  Enter a messenger.))
<C messenger>
Worthy commander of these warlike troops,
Edmund your foe is coming hitherward
With a choice company of armed men,
Intending to surprise you suddenly.
<C Canutus>
He is welcome -- thought I hope unto his cost.
We are beholding to his excellence
That he vouchsafe for safeguard of his town
To yield himself without compulsion.
We are as forward and as fit as he
To give his force an equal counterbuff,
Though he suppose to take us unawares.
Now, noble lords, or never, show your might
To put his men to sword and him to flight.
<C Southampton>
He that give back, let him be slain
By his next fellow that doth second him;
If Englishmen at first begin to fly
Southampton willingly for them will die.
<C Uskataulf>
This day shall manifestly be known
How Danes have better hearts than Englishmen
And bodies answerable to the same,
Else let them lose their everlasting fame.
<C Edricus>
This day is yours before the fight begins.
Great and renowned prince, fair England's king,
For emulation, which doth sometime lose,
Now doth assure you of the victory.
See you not how the English lords contend
Who should excel in feats of chivalry
And creep up farthest in you highness' grace?
on th'other side, behold brave-minded Danes,
Scorning to o'ermatch in feats of arms,
Strive who should compass most by power or wit
To amplify your honorable fame.
The soldiers are not slothful in this stir,
But ready, forward, prompt, and fit to fight,
Expecting gladly that delightsome hour
When they shall grapple with their enemies.
Then in assurance of this happy day
Arm to the fight:  it is vain to stay.
<C Canutus>
I do presume on this to win the field,
But all my striving is to get the crown.
((sound drum within))
Soft, what churlish drum doth ring so rude a peal
Within the hearing of our armed troops?
((Enter Edmund with soldiers))
'Tis Edmund]  Strike up drums, and trumpets, sound]
I'll not delay my hopes with any parley.
((Alarum.  They fight. Edmund drives Canutus off the stage.  The
drum sounds afar off.))
<S 3>
((Sherston. A battlefield. Enter chorus attired in black, saying:))
<C Chorus>
The fight is hot, but Canutus is o'ercome,
And Edmund hunts him out from place to place.
He flies to Worcester; Edmund follows him;
The way is long and I am waxen faint.
I fain would have you understand the truth
And see the battles acted on the stage,
But that their length well be too tedious;
Then in dumb-shows I will explain at large
Their fights, their flights, and Edmund's victory;
For as they strived to conquer and to kill,
Even so we strive to purchase your good will.
((Alarum. Enter Canutus flying, Edmund following.  They fight.
The two kings parley, sound a retreat and part.))
<C chorus>
Canutus is beholding to the gracious sun,
Who, grieved to see such heaps of carcases
Lie mangled and besmeared in their gore,
Made haste and went to rest before his time,
So that the kings for want of light agreed
To part until @Aurora raise the lark,
And now 'tis morning and they join to fight.
((Alarum. Enter Canutus at one door and Edmund at the other.
They fight. Canutus gives back and flies.  Enter the soldiers of Edmund
pursuing Canutus and his lords.  Edricus takes a dead man's head upon
his sword's point, holding it up to Edmund's soldiers.  They fly.
Enter Edmund again cheering them up and makes Canutus fly.))
<C chorus>
Edricus, perceiving Canutus to have the worst,
And Edmund like to triumph in their fall,
Out of the bowels of a traitorous heart
Brought forth this subtle, dangerous stratagem:
Whilst the two battles dealt the dole of death
And Edmund in the forefront stoutly fought,
With words encouraging his soldiers,
And with rude strokes discouraging the Danes,
Edricus took up and English dead man's head,
And sticking it upon his bloody sword,
Unto the vanward of King Edmund's troops
Held his despiteful and most speedy course,
Telling the soldiers Edmund Ironside
Was slain, bidding the soldiers yield,
Or fly the field and trust unto their heels.
The soldiers in amaze began to fly:
Then Edmund, hearing of this stratagem,
Amongst the thickest of his enemies
Gave notice that he lived a conqueror.
His soldiers, taking heart, returned and fought,
His enemies, despairing, run away.
Edmund returns in triumph on the stage,
But Canutus returns in passion and in rage.
What after happens with your patience,
The ent'ring actors gives intelligence.
((Exit))
<S 4>
((The camp of Edmund. Enter Edmund Ironside with lords and soldiers.))
<C Edmund>
Praised be th'eternal bulwark of this land,
The fortress of my crown, in Whom I trust,
That hath thus discomfited my foes
By his omnipotent, all-conquering arm]
And worthy lords, triumphant warriors,
Whose valors echo through the mouth of fame
And write you worthies in the book of life,
Maugre the envy of detraction--
We render hearty thanks to each of you
For fighting in our rights with such bold spirits.
Continue to be valiant, and if God
Make us once happy in a peaceful reign
I'll guerdon every soldier bounteously
That lifts a weapon to defend our right.
Let us not loiter opportunity
But follow Danish Canute and force him fly.
On, march afore] Sound trumpets]  Strike up drums]
Let shrieking fifes tell Canute that Edmund comes.
((The soldiers shout et exeunt.))
<S 5>
((Between Sherston and London.  The camp of Canutus.  Enter Canutus,
Edricus, with other lords, and soldiers.))
<C Canutus>
A plague upon you all for arrant cowards]
Look how a dunghill cock, not rightly bred,
Doth come into the pit with greater grace,
Brustling his feathers, setting up his plumes,
Clapping his wings and crowing louder out
Than doth a cock of fame that means to fight.
Yet after, when he feels the spurs to prick,
Crakes like a craven and bewrays himself:
Even so my big-boned Danes -- addressed to fight
As though they meant to scale the cope heaven
And like the Giants, grapple with the gods --
At first encounter, rush upon their foes,
But straight retire.  Retire?  Nay, run away
As men distraught with lightning from above,
Or dastards feared with a sudden fray.
<C Edricus>
Renowned sovereign, do not fret yourself;
Fortune in turning will exalt your state,
And change the countenance of her cloudy brow.
Now you must hope for better still and better,
And Edmund must expect still worse and worse.
A low'ring morning proves a fairer day:
Fortune's ill-favored frown shows she will smile
On you and frown on Ironside.
<C Canutus>
What tellst thou me of fortune and her frowns,
Of her sour visage and her rolling stone?
Thy tongue rolls headlong into flattery]
Now by these heavens above our wretched heads,
Ye are but cowards, every one of you]
Edmund is blest.  Oh, had I but his men
I would not doubt to conquer all the world
In shorter time than @Alexander did]
But all my Danes are braggadocios,
And I accursed to be the general
Of such a flock of fearful runaways]
<C Southampton>
Remember you have lost ten thousand men,
All English-born except a thousand Danes.
Your pensive looks will kill them that survive
If thus to choler you give liberty.
<C Canutus>
It were no matter if they all were slain]
Then they should never run away again.
<C Uskataulf>
My noble lord, our countrymen are safe;
In all these broils English 'gainst English fight.
The Danes or none or very few are slain.
<C Canutus>
It was a sign ye fled and did not fight.
Is't not a dishonor unto you
To see a foreign nation fight for me
Whenas my home-bred countrymen do run,
Leaving their king amongst his enemies?
<C Edricus>
Give not such scope to humorous discontent;
We all are partners of your private griefs.
Kings are the heads, and if the head but ache
The little finger is distempered;
We grieve to see you grieved, which hurteth us,
And yet avails not to assuage your grief.
You are the sun, my lord , we marigolds:
Whenas you shine we spread ourselves abroad
And take our glory from your influence;
But when you hide your face or darken it,
With th'least encounter of a cloudy look
We close our eyes as partners of your woes,
Drooping our heads as grass down-weighed with dew.
Then clear ye up, my lord, and cheer up us,
For now our valors are extinguished,
And all our force lies drowned in brinish tears
As jewels in the bottom of the sea.
I do beseech your grace to hear me speak.
((Edricus talks to him.))
<C Southampton>
I do not like this humor in my son;
'Twill quite discourage all his followers.
<C Uskataulf>
He stops his ears to all persuasions;
His council cannot be admitted speech.
His father Sweyne was much more patient
And could as well brook loss as victory.
<C Canutus>
These words proceed not from a shallow brain.
<C Edricus>
Praise the event, my lord; the end is all.
In the meantime I'll go write to Ironside,
Craving forgiveness, and insinuate
His yielding favor.  He is pitiful
And I am rare in moving passion.
I know the prince will quickly credit me
And put affiance in my smooth pretence,
But whatsoe'er he doth or minds to do
You shall be sure to have intelligence.
But, good my lord, leave me a little while
To private contemplation, for my head
Swims full of plots and other stratagems
Of great avail, and I must empty it.
<C Canutus>
God prosper what thou dost intend.
<C Edricus>
Pray to the devil]  God is not my friend.
((Exeunt.  Manet Edricus.))
Stitch]  What, Stitch] Call in Stitch]
((Enter Stitch))
<C Stitch>
Here's a stitching indeed]  You have made Stitch
have a stitch in his side with coming so
hastily after dinner.
<C Edricus>
Why, villain, dar'st thou eat meat in these
troublesome times?
<C Stitch>
Dare I eat meat?  Ay, and eat Time, be he never
so troubelesome.  My lord, were @Mars himself
made of beef and brewis, I durst in this
choleric stomach devour him quick.
<C Edricus>
Sure y'are a tall man]
<C Stitch>
Ay, sir, at the end of a fray, and beginning
of a feast.
<C Edricus>
Well, fetch me paper and a cornugraph.
<C Stitch>
A horn-grafter?  What's that, sir?
<C Edricus>
Sirrah, I mean an inkhorn.
<C Stitch>
You mean well, sir.  A blackhorn?  You have
dipped your pen in many a man's inkhorn
besides your own.
((exit Stitch))
<C Edricus>
My state may be compared unto his
That ventures all his credit and his wealth
Upon the fickle hazard of a die.
The crown I level at.  I venture life,
The dearest jewel and of greatest price
That any moral hath possession of.
My life is sweet, yet will I venture it
At all or nothing; trust a mother-wit]
((Enter Stitch with paper and an inkhorn.))
<C Stitch>
Here, sir.  I would never have men that are unmarried
so unprovided as they should be compelled to borrow
horns of young men.  Nor would I have young men to
borrow of married men.  Oh, it is perilous when
their foreheads proves blushing papers to bewray young buds]
<C Edricus>
Sirrah, be gone]  But be not far from hence.
I presently shall have occasion
To employ you in some serious business.
<C Stitch>
I will be absent when you call, I warrant you.
((Exit Stitch.  Edricus sits down, writeth and blotteth.))
<C Edricus>
Nay, try thy wits; thou writest for a wager:
'Tis not for gold, but grace, and for thy life,
A thing that would put spirit in a block
And be a whetstone to a blunter head.
With what exordion shall I win his heart?
How shall I tie his ears to my discourse?
A schoolboy hath a readier wit than I;
I never tried my barren sconce till now,
And now I see I am not Edricus
But a most blockish and dull-pated hind,
Graveled at such an easy enterprise.
What, standest thou trifling and delaying time?
Fetch fire from heaven and mix it with thy ink;
Gather $Parnassus' dew, and write with that;
Pluck @Cyllen's feathers and make pens with them;
Borrow the muses' aid and let them breathe
Some dulcet and melodious harmony,
Some never-heard-of words into thy pate:
((He writeth and blotteth.))
Ah, fool, how hard it is to write for life]
Had I now written for my mistress' love
I could have filled my pen and raised my speech
Unto the highest step of flattery;
Had I now written for another man
To save his life or get him into grace --
Why, all the world might have given place to me
For sug'red lines and phrases past compare;
Had I been now in favor with the king
And had endeavored to flatter him,
My pen would have distilled golden drops
And varied terms enchanting @Cerberus.
But now I know not how or what to write.
To flatter were to aggravate my fault,
For anger would sift out my vild intent.
Plainly to write were to accuse myself
And be a witness 'gainst my guilty soul.
Yet write I will and in the plainest sort,
For that is cousin german unto truth.
"Truth needs no colors."  Though I mean to lie
My simple writing shall deceive his eye.
((He writeth and sayeth:))
Ay, so]  O rare-conceited piece of work]
How cunningly thou canst convert thy shape
Into an angel when thou dost intent
To flatter the plain, honest-meaning king.
((He folds it up.))
Now for a swift wing-footed messenger
To fly in post, that I might follow him. --
It more behoves me to be circumspect,
And with my life to trust none but myself.
Swifter than sure is no good messenger,
And now I think on't -- oh, 'tis excellent]
I'll for this once deliver it myself,
But in disguisement of my man's attire;
So I may safely go and understand
How Edmund is addicted unto me,
And how all matters now are managed.
Stitch]  Stitch]
((Enter Stitch))
<C Stitch>
Your will, sir?
<C Edricus>
My will is that you will uncase, for I mean to
change apparel.
<C Stitch>
Why, sir, you'll not turn wise-man, will you?
<C Edricus>
yes, fool, for this once.  Come, I say, when?
<C Stitch>
Marry, sir, when I see some boot coming
roundly from you, for I promist you I will
not change without boot.
<C Edricus>
But I will, sirrah.  Come, dispatch]
<C Stitch>
Well, sir, since there is shift but I must change
shifts I am contented.
((They shift apparel.))
By my troth, sir, methinks y'are a properer man
by odds in those than ye were in these. --I
would I could persuade him to believe me;
then it should be known by his apparel what
a fool I have made of him]  Sir, shall we
change living and lordship and name and all?
<C Edricus>
Ay, Stitch, for this once; thou shalt be lord
Edricus and I Stitch.  Look you keep in till I
come home, I advise you, and behave yourself
like a lord.
<C Stitch>
I warrant you, good Stitch]  I'll be lordly enough.
Farewell, honest Stitch]  Farewell, fool]
((Exit Stitch))
<C Edricus>
Now am I Edricus and Edricus' man,
The secretary and the messenger --
All, to effect with counterfeiting guile
Experiments of matchless policy.
Well, this plain suit doth now contain more wit
Than for so mean a piece of cloth is fit.
((Exit Edricus.))
<S 6>
((The castle of Edricus. A courtyard. Enter Stitch
in his lord's attire, with bluecoats after him.)
<C Stitch>
Come on, ye blue-coated slaves]  You that wear
satin doublets never but at good times, and
wear a blue coat but once a year]  Come on,
I say, ye trencher-scraping cutters]  Ye cloak-bag
carriers, ye sword and buckler carriers,
ye rubbers of horseheels, ye devourers of fat
oxen, ye swiller of March-beer]  Come after
me, I say]  Take example after my virtue how to
mount.  I proceeding from the loins of a
man very little better than a gentleman, am
now by my virtue and good education to be
your master, your upholders, the staff-of-your-lifes,
and maintainer of your masterships]
Uncover, ye rogues.  So. Cover]  So. -- Sirrah,
take my cloak.  Bear you my rapier.  So]  I
am somewhat humourous and it becomes me
well. -- Follow me]  Follow] -- How I can play
the lord's part]  Oh, what a fool is my master
to change his nobility for my worship]
<C Roger>
'Blud, sir, -- or, Sir Stitch, you must go in.
Here's a fooling]  We must wait on you, must we?
<C Stitch>
"'Blud, sir, you must go in]"  Oh, hold me]
Hold me]  I am choleric]  Why, ye shake-rag]
Had ye never a lord under your girdle?  Plain
'Sir Stitch' without welt or gard?  Why, how
now, you malapert knave]  Have ye forgot all good manners?
<C Roger>
Good manners be your speed]
<C Stitch>
Why, this 'tis to keep familiar servingman]
As I am a lord, by my honor I swear, I will
revenge it with putting you out of my house.
You, fellows, take examples by his punishment.
Follow me, just three foot behind -- not above
or beneath] -- and Roger Rakehell, for your
sauciness, come you last]
((Exeunt.))
<A 4>
<S 1>
((An English castle, Edmund in council.  Enter Edmund Ironside,
Alfric, Godwine, Ayleard, with Edricus disguised.))
<C Edmund>
What wind doth cause your master write to us?
All is not well, I doubt; give me the letter.
((The letter.))
Prepare @Perillus' bull to punish me,
Or some new never-heard-of torturing pain
To scourge me for my foul ingratitude.
Rumor did raise suspicion in my heart,
As it hath lately done within your breast
By some who envied my prosperity.
My love and zeal unto your majesty,
That you were doubtful of my spotless truth
And meant to cut me off by cutting short
My headless body with a bloody axe.
This on a sudden coming to my ear
It 'paired my heart and struck me to the quick,
Causing me to flee the court to save my life,
As sadly as the late-espoused man
Grieves to depart from his new-married wife.
How many sighs I fetched at my depart]
How many times I turned to come again,
How oft I 'plained, how often I did weep,
Were too too long to write or you to read:
But having now consid'red with myself
My overlight belief too credulous,
I come again like to a strayed sheep
Tainted, God wot, with naught but ignorance.
Oh, take me to your mercy, or if not so,
Kill me yourself;  death is the end of woe]
((Finis letter))
<C Edmund>
Hear ye, my lords, this humble supplication?--
Your master is become an orator;
But tell him Edmund is not lunatic,
So like a woman to be won with words.
<C Edricus>
 -- This cottons not according to my mind.
The king is angry] See, he faceth me;
His color comes and goes.  I hold my life
He knows me]  Would I were well away] --
<C Edmund>
Hark ye, my lords, what would you say
If yon plain fellow should be Edricus?
<C Alfric>
I think not so, my lord.
<C Edmund>
I'll quickly know.
Come hither, fellow.  Tell thy master thus --
((He pulls the velvet patch off his face.))
What, Edricus]  Is't you?  I thought no less.
You meant some good, no doubt?  Tell me the troth.
What was the reason you came thus disguised?
<C Edricus>
-- Now wit, or never, help.  Poor naked truth
Hath ta'en away suspicion of deceit.
I need no art; art cannot help me now;
Then plainly thus:  -- Renowned sovereign,
I came thus plainly to your majesty,
Disguised in clown's attire to sound the truth,
What opinion -- if good or bad --
You had of me.  And if I found it good
I had determined to bewray myself;
If otherwise, I meant with secret speed
To leave my native country and to exile
Myself from England, sailing into Spain,
Whenas I meant in contemplation,
In pilgrimage, and prayers for your grace,
To end my life.
((Enter a messenger, running.))
<C messenger>
Haste, haste, King Edmund, to relieve thy land,
Which is oppressed by multitudes of Danes]
They swarm along thy coasts like little gnats
Over a river in a summer's night,
Or like to bees when they begin to flight.
So comes these Danes prepared fit to fight.
Their battle-main of three score thousand men
With bristle-pointed spears, which upright stand,
Shows like a new-shred grove of ashes tall,
Or else a wood of pines and cedars small.
Their flags and banners, yellow , blue, and red,
Resembles much the weeds in ripened corn;
Their drums and trumpets, with a dreadful sound
Of clashing armor and fire-breathing steeds,
Sound like the fearful thunder sent from heaven
Mixed with @Aeolus' Boist'rous northen breath.
They prey upon thy subjects cruelly
Like hungry tigers upon silly kids.
Sparing not ancient men for reverence,
Nor women for imbecility,
Nor guiltless babes for their unspotted life,
Nor holy men, their madness is so rife]
<C Edmund>
A sunshine day is quickly overcast;
A springing bud is killed with a blast.
I see my state is fickle and unsure;
There is nothing in this world can firmly 'dure]
Yet courage, lords, we were and are the same;
Our hearts are sound; our bodies are not lame.
Then let not fear dismay or warlike might;
God fights for us; God will defend the right
Base Edricus, thou wert the fatal crow
That by thy horrid voice this news did show.
Thou cam'st to gain with cursed treachery
The surname of vild nickname 'policy'.
Right did I guess, when with thy oily speech
Thou diddest my pardon and my grace beseech,
Some mischief was abroach]  But God above
Doth always at a pinch my patron prove,
And we have now learned, thou to our bale,
Not to believe each smooth-face, forged tale.
<C Edricus>
Now, my most gracious lord, as God shall help me,
My coming was only for this intent:
To unfold Canutus' coming, and bewray
Matters of secret to your majesty,
Counsels of great avail, rare stratagems
Plotted by Canutus, which now shall die with me
If you seem any whit suspicious.
<C Edmund>
I prithee, hark.  Let me hear some of them.
((Edricus talketh with Edmund secretly.  Alfric pulls him back.))
<C Alfric>
Traitor, dar'st thou presume
To speak unto thy sovereign?  Good my lord,
As God shall help me, you will be entrapped]
<C Edricus>
Traitor?  Remember this:  malice hath a perfect memory.
<C Edmund>
Alfric, you are to blame; you do forget yourself.
Age makes ye dote, know I now what to do
Without your telling?  Go to, hold your peace]
<C Ayleward>
Alfric, your comb is cut]  -- Yet will I speak.
King, I am sworn to counsel thee aright,
And though I die I will not hold my tongue.
Remember he hath often broke his faith
And fled away from you.  Remember too,
He comes from Canutus, thy utter enemy.
Remember he is a traitorous flatterer,
A villain and a damned hypocrite]
<C Edmund>
Peace, Ayleward, hold your tongue]
My youth in some things overruns your age.
'Tis policy to grant him audience --
Nay further, grace, may further, if he craves,
Perhaps the leading of our army too,
For thus I think it stands:  he hath promised Canutus,
Having the leading of our forces,
To yield to him, seeming as though compelled,
Having first given an onset on the foe
For color's sake.  But we will overmatch him,
For whilst the force of Canute, on policy,
Retires by Edrike's drift, then we will take
The opportunity and rush with speed
Upon his troops, who, unprepared to fight
And trusting upon Edrike's policy,
Shall all come prey unto our soldiers.
How like you this?
<C Alfric>
It cannot hap amiss.
<C Edmund>
Come hither, Edricus.
((They whisper.  Edmund saith:))
I'faith, ye lie]
((They whisper again.))
Tut, tut, it cannot be]
((They whisper again.))
If this be true I pardon thee for all,
And will reward thee with deserved grace.
I will not doubt it. -- Faith, I think 'tis true,
Though it were not in hope thou wilt amend.
Go, let us in and let all quarrels end,
For now I mean indeed to credit thee
By being captain-general of my army.
<C Edricus>
Duty and thanks, I give thee all I have.
 -- See what dissimulation brings to pass:
How quickly I can make the king an ass]
((Exeunt))
<S 2>
((Near London.  A castle of the former King Egleredus.
Enter Emma, her two sons Alfred and Edwards in each hand,
Gunthranus going before.))
<C Emma>
Sweet boys, born to be crossed before your time,
Oh, let me kiss you ere you go away]
Cursed be the cause of your departing thus;
The persecutior, of these bloody Danes,
Whose unrelenting eyes delight to see
The full conclusion of our tragedy.
<C Alfred>
Good mother, sorrow no though we depart;
We shall be welcome to out uncle Richard;
And safer there than in this troubled isle,
Which like the reeling sea is tossed with war.
There in tranquility, in peace and rest;
Here in the middest of unknown enemies,
There in the arms of true approved friends;
Here danger imminent doth compass us,
There friends and friendly counsel shall defend us.
Therefore rejoice we are escaped the Danes,
Whose greedy maws devours the Saxons' blood
Like hungry lions, void of any good.
<C Emma>
Good boy, in whom thy father's feature lives
Though Death hath seized him in his wasteful arms,
If I could moderate my grieved mind
Without remembrance what ere now I was,
Then should my grief diminish with my tears;
But memory, the afflictor of the soul,
Bids me remember how I was a queen,
How Egelredus was my lawful lord,
How Norman's duke was my renowned sire,
How England was my pleasure's paradise,
And how time was when time did wait on me:
All these are but bellows to the fire
To burn my heart, consumed afore with sighths.
Alfred, Ned is a child; thou are of age
To take example by my misery
Not to believe foul fortune's flattery.
<C Edward>
Good mother, weep not.  If ye do, I'll cry.
<C Emma>
Ah, my pretty heart,
Hast thou a feeling of my passion?
Then will I weep the more to ease my heart.
I'll mourn for thee, for him, and for myself,
For England, and for Edmund Ironside,
Whose part God prosper, Heaven defend the right]
<C Gunthranus>
Madam, your helpless tears are but a means
To draw more tears from us to drown our hearts.
<C Emma>
Why, man, I weep to ease and not to load.
I trow the more I shed, the less I have,
And as my tears waste, so my cares consume.
To dam my eyes were but to drown my heart
Like @Hecuba, the woeful queen of $Troy,
Who, having no avoidance for her grief,
Ran mad for sorrow 'cause she could not weep.
But good Gunthranus, to omit vain talk,
Since I have hitherto approved thy faith
I make a choice of thee amongst the rest
Of many friends, to guide my little boys
And to conduct them into $Normandy.
Entreat my brother for to entreat them well:
They are his nephews and his sister's joy.
If any thing amiss should light on them
The same on me should be redoubled.
<C Gunthranus>
Madam, even by the living God I vow
I will attend and watch them as my soul,
Knowing @Duke @Richard will accompt of them
As nigh of blood unto his royal self.
<C Emma>
Then, farewell, boys, the comfort of my life]
((They offer to depart.))
Yet come again; ye shall not so depart.
If that we die, we'll choose to die together,
Dying or living, we will be together.
 -- Fond worman]  bless them and let them go;
That is the safest way to keep them safe. --
Then farewell once again; God bless you both]
((They offer to depart.))
But soft awhile]  I have not said my mind.
First let me wash your face in mother's tears,
Then sob out sighths to overload the earth
And cast a misty fog upon the way.
((She embraceth them.))
That no inquiring foe may find you out.
Oh, let your sanctuary be my lap,
(( She sits down and setting Edward on her knee, and
Alfred in her arm.))
Your refuge, your sepulchres, and your graves]
A cradle fits you better than a ship.
<C Gunthranus>
See, see, @Dame @Nature's operation --
What force it breeds within a mother's mind]
None feels a mother's sorrow but a mother.
This queen hath not her peer upon earth
For wisdom, suff'ring, and for patience;
For cloaking sorrow, and dissembling grief,
And bearing all things with a constant mind;
Yet can she not conceal affection so
But that it breaketh forth like hidden fire.
((Emma riseth.))
<C Emma>
Fie, fie]  Hide nature's fond indulgency]
Depart, sweet boys.  God keep you in your way]
((They offer to depart.))
Come hither, Alfred; Ned, I prithee, stay.
I will go with you to the foaming haven
And take my farewell of my darlings there.
((Exeunt omnes.))
<S 3>
((Canutus' camp near Ashington.  Enter Canutus with letter in his hand,
and with him Uskataulf, Swetho, Southampton, Archbishop of
Canterbury, Egina, with soldiers.))
<C Canutus>
Courage, brave captains; conquest is at hand.
This letter comes from trusty Edricus,
And certifies me that he is in grace
With Edmund Ironside, and how he leads
The vanguard of the prince's army.
Now he assures me of the victory
Without the loss of many soldiers,
For he will disappoint the warlike youth
ANd flee to us, leaving him desolate.
Wherefore, brave soldiers, put forth all your might
To quail their stomachs at the first approach.
He that doth take the prince in fight or flight
Shall have his ransom and be dubbed a knight.
<C 1 soldier>
I'll venture hard to make @Joan my wife a lady.
<C 2 soldier>
The king shall 'scape my fingers narrowly.
<C 3 soldier>
Mass, if I had steel sides as he hath Ironsides,
I would gore him then, that I would]
<C 4 soldier>
What, if I miss the king? -- I'll have a duke,
An earl, a lord, a knight, or gentlemen.
<C Southampton>
Or nobody.  -- and then you'll hit it.
Tell not your chickens, sirs, ere they be hatched.
Perchance the eggs are rotten in the nest;
Then all your brooding hopes is cast away
And you remain as rich as new-shorn sheep.
I never loved to gain by treachery,
I do remember hardy @Hannibal
Did use these words at won $Tarentum's loss:
"%Eadem %arte %qua %prius %capimus
%Tarentum %amisimus."
Fraud won $Tarentum, fraud $Tarentum lost,
So @Hannibal reaps his labor for his cost.
((The drums sound afar off.))
<C Canutus>
So, Edmund, so thou com'st unto thy cost]
Thy roaring drum presageth thy mishap,
Ringing thy soul's knell with a hollow voice.
As thine doth morn, so let our drum rejoice.
((The drums sound. Enter Edmund, with Edricus, other lords, and soldiers.
They fight. Canutus gives, et exeunt.))
<S 4>
((Another part of the field.  Enter at one door Canutus, and at
to'other Edricus.))
<C Canutus>
Edricus]
<C Edricus>
My lord]  Hie, cheer your flying troops
And bid them stay a while for victory.
Whenas you see me lead my men aloof
Then take occasion and assail the prince,
And I'll be absent when he needs me most
And present for your best avail;  make haste.
<C Canutus>
How much I love thee, Edricus, heavens do know,
And I with gifts one day will manifest.
((Exit Canute.))
<C Edricus>
So, Edric, now thy plotform is afoot,
And one shall die, it skills no matter which.
If Edmund, Canute shall quickly follow him;
Whilst they with blows assail each other
I here remain neuter, free from fear,
Not taking part with Canute nor Ironside
Before I see who gets the victory.
Yet had I rather have Canutus conquer,
And privily will aid him with supplies
Rather than Edmund should escape the field.
((Alarum.  Enter Edmund, chasing off Canutus.  Edricus backs
Canutus.  Edmund flies.  Exeunt; and return, Canutus with Edricus.)
<C Canutus>
Thanks, worthy Edric, for this victory]
This day had made an end of me and mine
Hadst thou not backed us with thy warlike troops.
Know ye if Edmund be escaped or no?
<C Edricus>
Edmund is gone and I must after him;
To stay long here would breed suspicion.
Then, mighty Canute, live long a conqueror]
And when thou hast the crown, remember me.
<C Canutus>
If I forget thee, God forget my suit
When like a sinner I do humbly pray.
Forget thee, Edric?  God above doth see
How good a heart I ever bore to thee.
<C Edricus>
Then, noble Canutus, I pawn a soldier's faith:
By my best blood and by my after hopes
I will remain to thee and to thy heirs
As true, as false to Edmund Ironside.
Let us not linger here.  Muster your men
And make them ready for a new assault.
I will to Edmund and excuse myself;
And how I served him now, I'll serve him then.
((Exeunt))
<A 5>
<S 1>
((Camp of Ironside. Enter Edmund Ironside,Alfric, Ulfkettle,Godwine,
with others.))
<C Edmund>
Vild Edricus] All this proceeds from him]
I saved his life, and he doth thirst for mine.
Ungrateful wretch] hellish, incarnate devil]
For sure no man was ever so unkind
Unto his king and loving countrymen.
Disloyal and unfaithful sycophant,
It grieves my vexed soul to think on thee.
<C Alfric>
Let it not grieve you. Rather, joy to think
You are escaped from the hands of him
That sought, like @Judas, to betray his Lord
Into the hands of bloodthirsty Danes.
<C Ulfkettle>
Surely, my lord, you are highly favored
Of God, who sees each human action,
That he hath given you warning with small loss
Of the contagious mind of Edricus.
((Enter Edricus with his hand in a scarf, halting; with him Stitch.))
<C Stitch>
Master, I would not wish you halt.
<C Edricus>
Why so?
<C Stitch>
Marry, sir, you know Alfric is a cripple, and the proverb is, "'Tis ill
halting before a cripple." He'll perceive it.
<C Edricus>
Had he as many eyes as @Juno's bird,
Or could pierce millstones with his searching sight,
He by his leave should not my halting find:
I halt not in the thigh but in the mind.--
All hail unto my most gracious sovereign]
<C Stitch>
--Master, you'll bewray yourself] Do you say "All hale" and yet bear your
arm in a scarf?  That's hale indeed.--
<C Edricus>
All hail unto my gracious sovereign]
<C Edmund>
@Judas, thy next part is to kiss my cheek
And then commit me unto @Caiaphas.
<C Edricus>
I understand not what your highness means.
<C Edmund>
Oh heavens] Oh impudent, ungodly wretch]
<C Edricus>
I hope your grace does not exclaim on me.
<C Edmund>
On thee? Hence, graceless wretch] Grace me no more]
Is there none here that will lay hold on him?
His sight, his breath, his fell infectious tongue
Is venomer than is the basilisk's]
<C Edricus>
Is this a guerdon for my scars and hurts?
For all my bruises and my broken joints?
Is this a hire for my hardiness,
And valiant onset on the enemies?
Are these the wages which I won with blood,
Blood of myself and proudest Dane that fought?
Doth Edmund thus reward his followers
That pawn their lives for him and in his cause?
Then bootless have I skirmished so long
And sent so many Danes unto their graves;
In vain have I uplift my wasting arm
And brandished my falchion o'er thy foes;
In vain this curtleaxe was reared aloft
Which made a lane throughout thy foemen's troops;
In vain my lance did overthrow and spoil;
In vain I live, to be requited thus.
<C Stitch>
--"In vain]"  What a vain vein my master is in]--
<C Edmund>
Didst thou not fly, vild traitor, to my foe?
<C Edricus>
Who, I?
<C Edmund>
Even thou.
<C Edricus>
Thus forward friends are 'quited with suspect;
Thus envy blasts the well-deserving wight;
Thus the unskillful blames the warrior;
Thus, thus, detraction hinders virtuous course.
Fled I, my lord? Canutus can report
'Twas he that should have fled had succour come.
Fled I, my lord?  Your eyes were witnesses
How far my heart was free from dastard flight.
But this it is to be man-at-arms
When his desert is recompensed with hate
And resolution wronged with ignorance.
For shame, my lords, spurn not against the truth;
Thirst not to drink the blood of innocents.
<C Edmund>
Why, Edricus, canst thou deny thy flight?
<C Edricus>
No, gracious lord, I must confess I fled,
Forced from Canutus -- not to him -- for aid;
And that 'tis true, by your grace's leave
Will prove on him that dares affirm a no.
<C Edmund>
I saw thee flee with these my eyes.
<C Ulfkettle>
And I, my lord, am witness to the same.
<C Godwine>
And I, my lord, will prove it, by your favor.
<C Edricus>
I would the king would give me leave to speak.
<C Stitch>
-- And you will prove them blind, I hold my life. --
<C Edmund>
I give thee leave.  Speak for thyself and spare not.
<C Edricus>
Seeing your grace so forward to the fight,
Viewing the Dane to march so bravely on,
Pricked forth with shame, I as the foremost man --
Not suffering the Danes to set on us
Or to approach your grace without a blow
Stepped forth, intending to encounter them,
And to assail the rearward with my band
Till you upon the forefront held them play.
But see how good intents are ever thwarted]
Ere I could get the wind to compass them
Your drums' retreat did cause your forces flee,
Yet fled not I a foot until such time
As quite bereft of hope I was compelled.
Witness this arm, the serviceable arm
That in despite of death did save my life;
Witness these scars, which if your grace will see
They'll tell my foes unto their face they lie.
<C Stitch>
Oh, horrible scars, scars like blazing stars]
Well counterfeited, master]
<C Edmund>
If this be true I was too credulous.
<C Edricus>
If it be true, my lord?  Assure yourself
Your grace was misinformed if otherwise,
And that my man can verify.
<C Stitch>
Take heed what ye say, master.  I can verify
nothing.  Marry, I can verify anything.
If you'll say so, I'll swear to it -- that 'tis false
I mean]
<C Edmund>
Then, Edricus, 'twas I that wronged thee;
And I that will in all things make amends;
Bury unkindness in oblivion
And ne'er remember our suspicion.
<C Edricus>
'Twas not your highness but some fawning mate
That put mistrust into your grace's head,
Hoping by my downfall to raise himself,
But heavens defend the wronged innocent.
<C Edmund>
Let this suffice.  Thou hast confirmed our love,
And Edricus, we mind to honor thee
With public notice of thy loyalty.
<C Edricus>
See, see, what wit and will can bring about]
Canutus pays me for my villany,
And Edmund loves me for my treachery]
<C Stitch>
Give a man lock and cast him over the gallows]
((Exeunt omnes.))
<S 2>
((Near the Severn.  Canutus' camp.
Enter Canutus, reading of letter; with him
Southampton, Archbishop of Canterbury, Egina,
Uskataulf, and Swetho, with soldiers.))
<C Canutus>
"My lord, my heart is firmly bound to you,
And I am pressed to do you any service,
But Edmund is grown strange to me of late,
And I am not familiar with his thoughts.
When I have once regained opinion
I will not fail to be your faithful agent;
In meantime make ye strong to hold him play,
For he is coming with a mighty power."
By'r Lady]  This goes hard;  these news are naught.
Is Edmund now grown wary?  Then I doubt
I ne'er shall see the day I long have sought;
But I must bear a semblance of good news,
Lest these perceive our hopes to falter,
And that would clean discourage all their hearts,
For all presume of Edric's policy.
<C Southampton>
Son, is't good news?
<C Canutus>
My lord, exceeding good.
<C Canutus>
My lord, exceeding good.
<C Egina>
Give me the letter.
<C Canutus>
Not for all the world]
I dare not trust myself with reading it
Lest I, o'ercloyed with joy, should play the blab.
Let this suffice: I now am confident
Upon sure-grounded confirmations
That Edmund is my own.  He writes to me
That he is coming with a mighty host,
But (saith he) be not you discomfited,
For were they millions, half should fight for you
And turn their weapons upon Ironside.
<C Southampton>
'Tis strange the prince should be so credulous.
((The drum sounds afar off))
<C Canutus>
Yon drum doth tell us Edmund Ironside,
Unwitting of his overthrow at hand,
Comes gallantly, attended on by troops
Of horse and footmen, to his funeral.
Oh, that thou knewst thy dying day so night,
That thou mightst make thee fit to go to God]
In faith, it grieves me at the very heart
To see him come so unprepared for death.
((Enter Edmund, Emma, Archbishop of York, Edricus, Alfric, Godwine, Ayle
ward,Ulfkettle, Leofric, and Turkillus.))
<C Edmund>
Behold where Canute comes marching bravely on.
Methinks yon sight would make a sick man sound]
((They march along the stage, one another.))
<C Edmund>
Canutus]
<C Canutus>
Edmund]
<C Edmund>
The ground thou standst upon is Ironside's]
<C Canutus>
The ground I stand on, Edmund is mine own]
Fallen to me, not successively indeed,
but by forfeiture, as copyhold,
Rent-run and wanting reparations,
Falls to the lord; even so thy father's land
For want of tribute-paying long since due
I seize upon as lord to thee and that.
<C Edmund>
But for that thou shalt perceive that Edmund can
Temper the unruly stomach of his rage
And moderate his lusty, youthful blood
Which springs through every vein to fly at thee,
Not half these words without controlling strokes
Should from these lips have vomited their spleen]
Oh, how my heart beats]  Much ado I have
To make it quiet till I answer thee.
Art thou the lord of me and of my land?
Uncivil Canutus, knowest thou to whom thou speakest?
This heart scorns all subjection,
And this head looks o'er the world; these feet
Were made to tread o'er kings;  Canutus, over thee]
Nay, storm not, Canutus.  Learn how to mix thy speech
With more beseeming terms, and govern thou
Thy surly terms with reason, not with rage.
I say I am a king; so art not thou.
Therefore I am thy better.  I say more:
I have a kingdom; this I stand upon
Is mine.  Thou standst upon my ground.
I say this land is mine, Canutus, it is mine]
<C Canutus>
By usurpation thine, by conquest mine.
Who knows not conquest is in heritage?
<C Edmund>
So rape and theft is true possession
If malefactors go unpunished.
<C Canutus>
It seems indeed possession is of force
For by possession you withhold my crown.
<C Edmund>
Nay, you and Sweyne, your gripple-minded dad,
By treason, not by force of valiant arms,
Against all justice, law, and equity,
Did first intrude yourselves, and then extrude
Our woeful subjects from their native home,
And that I come to prove, and therefore thus:
((He draweth))
<C Canutus>
Then to confute thy forged argument
Thus argue I; my sword is reason's proof.
((He draweth))
<C Edmund>
That is, of force to put back reason's    proof]
Which proves you like your sword, unreasonable.
((They train their soldiers about the stage.  Edricus speaketh:))
<C Edricus>
-- Edmund is strong; Canutus is weak in part;
Edmund gracious in the people's eyes;
Canutus is not so.  What had I best do?
Fain would I have Canutus win and he is weak;
I would have Edmund lose and he is strong.
Oh gracious stars, inspire my nimble wit
With some device, and as I ever have
I will employ it to some villany.
Soft, let me see.  -- Oh, it is excellent]
Fountain of wit, the spring of policy,
The flower of treason and of villany]
How much indecent is it that this cap,
This homely cape should overload this crow,
When thou deservest a crown of beaten gold]
But to the matter.  --So it needs must fadge,
For can I bring them to a single fight,
Whosoever hath the better, yet shall I
Be gracious in his eye as who should say
I was the causer of his victory.
Besides I shall insinuate myself
Into the bosom of opinion
And be esteemed my country's buckler.
Well, I'll about it, meaning no man good,
But that my speech may shed King Edmund's blood.
((The armies make towards one another, when Edricus, standing between
them, sayeth:))
<C Edricus>
Renowned Edmund, first I speak to thee]
Let these my words, proceeding from true zeal,
Beg at thy ears a little audience;
And, worthy Canutus, sheathe up thy slaught'ring sword
Till I have spoke my mind, that all may see
My words proceed from perfect piety.
<C Edmund>
Edricus, be brief]
<C Canutus>
Go to.  I'll stay a little, but be not tedious.
<C Alfric>
{When the fox preaches, then beware the geese]}
<C Edricus>
What strive you for, imperious Ironside?
Renowned Canutus, what do you level at?
We daily, to appease your mortal wars,
Offer our slaught'red bodies to the sword,
Yet neither of you have the upper hand.
Today he that was foiled, tomorrow foils;
He that even now did faintly sound retreat,
Renews again the fight with double force.
Thus in quandries hangs the victory,
And wavering fortune frowns and smiles on both.
Canutus is not to be overcome,
Because his brother Sweyne doth succor him;
And Edmund likewise is invincible,
For force of valor hews him through his foes.
What then is th'end of this your endless grudge?
None other but when all your men be slain
You then must fight alone, or else accord;
And he that then is king shall rule no men,
Nor govern nations, for consuming war
Will quite devour this solitary isle,
Not leaving any over whom to rule
Nor to resist foreign invasions.
If love of kingdoms be the cause of this,
Suppress the boiling of your haughty minds.
You have approved your soldiers' forwardness;
Then now at last shake hands, and join in league;
Agree like noble kings and part the land.
Have now compassion of this little isle,
Whose soil is manured with carcases,
And made a sea with blood of innocents.
But if your emulation be so great
That either scorns to have competitors,
And brook not equals in your dignities,
Fight then alone that would be kings alone;
Let not all perish for the wills of two,
But let your swords decide whose title's best.
<C Edmund>
Edric, thou hitst the mark I level at.
Thy counsel, coming from a zealous heart,
Fits in all points our expectation.
Know, I accept thereof, and offer here
To prove even hand in single fight
Which of us two shall wear the diadem.
<C Canutus>
Edmund, report shall never whet her tongue
Upon Canutus to eternize thee.
I scorn to stain my reputation
With abject titles of pale cowardice
To make thee famous in opinion's mouth.
I here accept thy challenge and his speech,
Glad of so fit a time to be revenged
For all those foul dishonors thou hast done,
And glad for sparing of that guiltless blood
Which in our quarrels this day hath been shed.
Oh, had this day been but a year ago,
Many a tall man had been now alive]
Many a salt tear had been now unshed
By fathers for their sons' unhappy deaths;
By mothers for their children's wretched ends;
And widows for their husbands' timeless want.
But I am glad this long-expected hour
At last is come.
<C Egina>
My lord, you shall not fight]
<C Canutus>
My lady, but I will]  Will you fight for me?
Give her my sword and shield]
((Edmund and Emma talks together.  Edmund turns away.))
<C Emma>
Yet hear me, good my lord.
Will you, on whom the state doth sole depend --
Our welfare, all the realm's, your friends and kinfolk --
Hazard the loss of all upon the chance
Of fickle fortune, since the better man
Is sooner killed by overhardiness
Than an advised coward?  Good my lord,
It is undecent you should fight with him
Being no king, nor having ought to lose.
<C Edmund>
Madam, his life is even to him as dear
As mine to me.  Besides, he is a prince
Of noble blood and high resolved spirite,
And if he were not, yet my cause being good
And justice on my side, I would not fear--
Nay, could not with my honor but accept
The speech of Edric, and in single fight
Approve his title lawful, good and right.
Then, madam, be content, and you shall see
The God in whom I trust will succor me.
Were he @Golias, I the little king,
I would not fear, him on his knees to bring;
But he hath rather cause to doubt of me,
I being big, and far more strong than he.
((Egina talks with Canutus.  Canutus turns away.))
<C Canutus>
I had rather fight with him than scold with you.
<C Egina>
I cannot speak but straight you say I scold.
<C Canutus>
Then, sweeting, you must learn your tongue to hold.
Nay, now you'll blubber.  Go to]  Take this kiss,
And pray for me.  Why stay you, Ironside?
<C Edmund>
Because I think thou art not fit to die,
But rather with Egina fit to cry.
My lords, I do command you, for your lives,
None be so hardy as to succor me,
Or to approach us ere the fight be done;
But if I die, to make my sepulchre
Even in the place whereas I took my death,
Setting my crown upon Canutus' head,
And do to him as to your sovereign.
<C Canutus>
Even so, brave followers, I will you do
To Edmund here, if Edmund conquer me.
Sound, drums and trumpets, with your warlike noise]
Either begin our joy, or end our joys]
((The trumpets sound.  The armies do compass the two kings in the middest
.  They fight.))
<C Canutus>
Stay]  Hold thy hand, I prithee.  Breathe awhile.
<C Edmund>
Not till thou yieldst or dies.
((Edmund drives Canutus about.))
<C Canutus>
Stay, Edmund.
'Tis not for I fear thy fortitude
That thus I crave thee stay, but that I want
The use of breath to prosecute the fight.
<C Edmund>
Then breathe awhile.  I give thee leave to rest.
<C Edricus>
I fear Canutus will be overcome;
Then shall I wish my tongue, the cause thereof,
Had been cut out when it began to speak,
For I desire to drink King Edmund's blood
Because he ever sought to do me good.
<C Southampton>
Egina, be content; I warrant you, ay]
Canutus will do well enough.
<C Egina>
I fear him much]
<C Edmund>
What, are ye ready?
<C Canutus>
Ay, to be thy death]
((They fight again.  Edmund drives Canutus back about the stage.))
<C Canutus>
Stay, Edmund, stay]  Canutus yields to thee.
<C Edricus>
What, will he basely yield?  The devil forfend]
<C Canutus>
Take which of these thou wilt: my hand, or sword]
My hand -- brings friendship, firm, immovable]
My sword -- brings enmity irrevocable]
<C Edmund>
Brave Canutus, in yielding, thou hast won]
That which thy sword could never do
Thy tongue hath brought to pass by gentle speech]
Canutus, take my hand; here lies my sword.
Edmund is thine] his thine]   himself and all]
Now let us strive who shall demerit best,
By mutual kindness who shall be termed a friend.
<C Canutus>
How pleasant are these speeches to my ears]
@Aeolian music to my dancing heart]
@Ambrosian dainties to my starved maw]
Sweet-passing nectar to my thirsty throat]
Rare culleases to my sick-glutted mid]
Refreshing ointments to my wearied limbs]
And heavenly physic to my earth-sick soul]
Which erst was surfeited with woe and war.
<C Edmund>
Let me embrace thee, war-begotten friend.
((They embrace.))
God grant as brothers we may long embrace]
And sweet Egina, for thy husband's sake,
In sign of love this kiss from Edmund take.
((Edmund kisses Egina.))
But lords, why stand you still?  Grieve you to see
Canutus and your king so well agree?
<C Alfric>
The inward solace which our hearts conceive
To see peace grow where foul debate was sown,
To see sweet concord spring from discord's womb,
To see war bring forth love and amity,
To see two mortal foes prove faithful friends,
And @Mars drink milk instead of purple blood,
Doth force our tongues, our heart's chief orators,
To show, with silence, joy unspeakable.
Yet, lords, behold, even as you embrace,
So in dumb shows, we all unite our hearts.
((The lords embrace.))
<C Turkillus>
Remember, Leofric, our children's loss.
<C Leofric>
Turkillus, I do, and must serve the time,
And wait upon occasion for revenge.
A day of mirth begins a woeful year,
As sudden storms do follow sunshine clear.
<C Edmund>
Now, noble lords, let us like friends consult
Upon partition of this noble isle.
Yourself shall choose which part you think is best,
The east or west, the right hand or the left.
My court is yours, my councillors are yours;
My friends your friends, thy foe my enemy;
My people yours, my treasure and myself--
All are your own, for you shall all command.
<C Canutus>
Thanks, noble brother, and my second self]
In all thy acts thou dost excel thyself]
Foul shame on them that are thy enemies,
And vengeance light on them that think thee ill]
<C Edricus>
-- Blood, death, and vengeance light on both of you] --
<C Edmund>
Go unto our coasts and feast us there,
And there conclude an everlasting peace.
Sound drums and trumpets]  Here ends woeful war;
Thus hand in hand and heart in heart we go.
<C Edricus>
And I for one] --  'Tis meet it should be so.
Thus wise men can dissemble what they think,
And till occasion fits them, sleeping wink,
But I have sworn and I will keep my vow:
By Heaven, I'll be revenged on both of you]
((They go hand in hand off the stage, Edricus leading the drum.))